Binds oe] 
Il. On the Electric Deportment of the Flame of Alcohol. 
By W. G. Hanxer*. 
OTWITHSTANDING the numerous researches which, 
down to the present time, have been published on the 
electrical deportment of flames and incandescent bodies, our 
knowledge of most of these phenomena is still very imperfect, 
and we are for the most part uncertain as to their real causes. 
The importance, for the theory of electricity, of correctly under- 
standing these phenomena, which are often very remarkable, 
has induced me for some years past to submit them to a spe- 
cial examination. Today I have the honour to lay before the 
Physico-Mathematical Class of the Royal Society of Sciences a 
fifth memoir+ of my electrical researches, containing the results 
I have obtained with respect to the flame of alcohol. I purpose 
reserving for a later communication the discussion of the phe- 
nomena which take place with other flames and with merely 
glimmering bodies. 
The present memoir divides itself into two principal parts. 
The first comprises the researches on the electric tensions and 
currents observed in the flame of alcohol; the second treats of 
the conduction of flames, and more particularly of the so-called 
unipolar conduction discovered by P. Erman. I believe I am 
justified in saying that in both respects I have succeeded in 
tracing back the phenomena to their true cause ; and by means 
of the simplicity thereby given to the results I have obtained, 
it will be possible to give a brief and intelligible representation 
of them. 
In order to observe and measure the electrical tensions, I 
made use of my electrometer}; and for the currents, I used a 
very sensitive galvanometer with 9960 coils, and an astatic system 
of two magnetic bars provided with a reflecting apparatus§. 
When the flame of an alcohol lamp is put in communication 
with the earth by means of a wire dipped into the lamp, and a 
metal is placed in, over, or near the flame, the latter generally 
becomes electric. When, on the other hand, the metal situated 
in or above the flame is connected with the earth, and the lamp 
insulated, the opposite electricity of the same tension is observed 
on the wire immersed in the lamp. 
* Translated from Poggendorff’s Annalen, vol. eviii. p. 146, being a 
rip communicated by the Author to the Royal Scientific Society of 
axony. 
t Memoirs of the Royal Scientific Society of Saxony, vol. vii. 
{ Marked A at p. 396 of vol. v. of the Memoirs of the Royal Scientific 
Society of Saxony. 
§ Described at p. 261 of vol. vi. of the same Memoirs. 
