478 Dr. R. Hare's Objections to the Theories severally of 



partners, as it were, when the whole are made to form a cir- 

 cuitous row in clue contiguity. 



59. As we know that during their union with oxygen 

 metals give out an enormous quantity of heat and electricity, 

 it is reasonable to suppose that whenever an atom of oxygen 

 and an atom of zinc jump into union with each other, a wave 

 is induced in thetethereo-ponderable matter,and that tiiis wave 

 is sustained by the decompositions and recompositions by 

 means of which an atom of hydrogen is evolved at the nega- 

 tive plate and probably enabled to assume the aeriform state. 

 There must at the same time be a communication of wave 

 polarity by contact of the negative plate with the connecting 

 wire, by which the positive wave in the wire is induced. Al- 

 though the inherent polarities of the metals are not, agreeably 

 to this view, the moving power in galvanism, yet they facili- 

 tate, and in some cases induce the exercise of that power, by 

 enabling it to act at a distance, when otherwise it might re- 

 main inert. 



60. This, I conceive, is shown in the effect of platina sponge 

 upon a mixture of the gaseous elements of water ; also in 

 Grove's gas battery, by means of which hydrogen and oxygen 

 gas severally react with water in syphons, so as to cause each 

 other to condense, without any communication besides that 

 through the platina, and an electrolytic decom})osition and 

 recomposition extending from one of the aqueous surfaces in 

 contact with one of the gases, to the other surface in contact 

 with the other gas. 



Difference bei'uoeen Electro-cethereal and jEthcreo-pondcrahle 

 Polarization. 



61. There are two species of electro-polarity which come 

 under the head of statical electricity. One of ihese Faraday 

 illustrates by supposing three bodies, A, B and C, in proxi- 

 mity, but not in contact, when A, being electrified, electrifies 

 B, and B electrifies C by induction. This Faraday calls an 

 action of the particles of the bothes concerned, whereas, by 

 his own premises, it appears to me to be merely a superficial 

 affection of the masses or of a circumambient eethereal matter. 

 This species of polarization, to which the insulating power of 

 air is necessary, affects the superficies of a body only, being 

 displayed as well by a gilt globe of glass, as a solid globe of 

 metal. No sensible change appears to be produced in the 

 ponderable conducting superficies by this inductive superficial 

 electrification of masses ; and of course no magnetism. 



62. When a small image, of which the scalp has been 

 abundantly furnished with long hair, is electrified, the hairy 



