102 Prof. Faraday on Electric Conduction. 



bands of gutta-percha, by which they were well insulated, and 

 being about 3 inches diameter, they formed, when placed in con- 

 tact, a double system 6 inches in length. A metallic ball, 

 about 4 inches in diameter, was connected with the electric 

 machine to form an inductric body, an uninsulated brass plate 

 was placed about 9 inches off to form an inducteous body ; be- 

 tween these the associated water balls could be placed so as to 

 take part in the induction, and when the electric charge was so 

 low that the moist atmosphere caused no transmission of elec- 

 tricity, the balls could be introduced into position and brought 

 away without having received any permanent charge. Under 

 these circumstances, if the associated balls were brought into the 

 place of induction, were then separated, withdrawn and exa- 

 mined, they were found, the one charged positively and the 

 other negatively, by electricity derived from themselves, and 

 without conductive or convective communication with any other 

 substance than their own water. 



It is well known indeed that by the use of water we may 

 replace metal in all electro-static arrangements, and so form 

 Leyden jars, condensers, and other induction apparatus, which 

 are perfect in principle though with imperfect action. The 

 principles are the same whether water or metals be used for con- 

 ductors, and the function of conduction is essential to all the 

 results ; therefore conduction cannot be denied to the fluid 

 water, which in all such cases is acting as the only conductor. 

 In nature, indeed, the phfenomena of induction, rising up to 

 their most intense degree in the thunder-storm, are almost, if 

 not altogether, dependent upon the water which in the earth, or 

 the clouds, or the rain, is then acting by its conducting power; 

 and if this conducting power be of the nature of conduction 

 proper, it is probable that that function is as large and as im- 

 portant as any exercise of the electrolytic conduction of water in 

 other natural phajnomena. 



But it may be said that all these cases, when accompanied by 

 conduction, involve a corresponding and proportionate electro- 

 lytic effect, and are therefore cases of electrolytic conduction ; 

 and it is the following out of such a thought that makes me 

 think the results prove a conduction proper to exist in the water. 

 For suppose a water bubble to be placed midway between a posi- 



tive and a negative sui-face, as in the figure, then the parts at 



