124 Dr. Hare’s improved Deflagrator. [Auc. 
exhibited the same appearances as the others, and proved 
equally fusible. 
“ Without destroying cabinet specimens, I could procure no 
diamond slivers, and have not, therefore, attempted the fusion of 
the diamond, which must be left to another opportunity. Our 
circle of fusible bodies so much enlarged by the use of your 
instruments is now so nearly complete that it would be very 
desirable to fill the only remaining niche, namely, that occupied 
by plumbago, anthracite, and the diamond. 
“I do not suppose that those who repeat these experiments 
will succeed with the common galvanic apparatus. J deem it 
indispensable that they be performed with the deflagrator, and 
with one equal in power to mine.” 
Dr. Hare’s views of the phenomena of voltaic electricity have 
at different times been stated in the Anna/s. The following 
extracts from these letters are added as still further developing 
them, and with them we shall close this article : 
« The prevalent notion that the intense hght and heat pro- 
duced by galvanic action are results secondary to electricity, the 
presence of which is at times only indirectly discoverable, the 
more surprises me, since it does not in the smallest degree eluci- 
date the primary operation, by which this principle is alleged to 
be evolved. According to some philosophers, the contact of 
the metals alone, according to others this contact accompanied 
by their solution, evolves electricity in quantity sufficient to 
extricate heat and light from a wire made the medium of trans- 
mission. They do not, however, explain why the electricity 
does not, according to all its known habitudes, rapidly escape 
through the water as fast as generated, instead of proceeding 
from one plate to another, in order to pass off through a second 
portion of the same fluid. Would it not be more philosophical 
to suppose that the heat and light result directly from the causes 
supposed to produce them indirectly, especially as we actually 
see ¢hem in a high degree of intensity, while the characteristic 
agency of the principle by which they are supposed to be pro- 
duced, is but feebly perceived, or imperfectly demonstrated ¢ In 
the case of a single galvanic pair, electricity has never been 
alleged discoverable, unless by the questionable assistance of 
condensers. 
“ Besides, without supposing caloric and light to circulate 
from the apparatus through the conjunctive wire, those who 
consider them as material, will find it impossible to account for 
the durability of the ignition. Ifit be supposed that these prin- 
ciples are extricated from the metal only by electricity passing 
through it, their repeated or incessant expenditure ought sooner 
or later to exhaust the metal, and render it incapable of further 
ignition.” 
Speaking of Dr. Silliman’s account of the incompatibility of 
the voltaic battery with the deflagrator, Dr. Hare says : 
