436 Remarks on the Phenomena of Galvanism. [Junb, 



in the other pure water, and the liquid in the two vessels was united 

 by moistened amianthus ; when the cup in which the saline mixture 

 was put was galvanized positively, and the other cup negatively, the 

 solution in the positive cup was soon found to have acquired a con- 

 siderable degree of acidity, while the potash of the solution was 

 transferred to the cup that contained the pure water. But when 

 that cup wliich contained the saline mixture was galvanized nega- 

 tively, and the other positively, the potash was left, and the acid 

 portion transferred to the other cup, clearly showing, when a solu- 

 tion which contains an acid and an alkali is decomposed by the 

 action of the galvanic fluids, that the positive fluid transfers the 

 alkaline, and the negative fluid the acid, part of the solution. 



This transfer of an acid substance through a fluid conducting 

 medium, from the negative to the positive wire, appears the most 

 conclusive fact ever published in favour of two distinct electric or 

 galvanic fluids ; as we cannot, on any rational principle, explain 

 this transfer of matter, if we suppose the wire called the negative 

 wire to be deficient in galvanic electricity, and supplied by a current 

 passing from the opposite or positive wire.^ 



The various results attending the heating and melting of steel 

 wire when placed in the galvanic circuit also support the idea of 

 two opposite galvanic currents. These effects most probably arise 

 from the two opposite currents not having room to pass each other 

 freely along the small steel wire ; and their action upon each other 

 gives birth to that combustible energy which their constitutional 

 character is calculated to support. Although we are furnished with 

 such strong evidence that there are two different and opposite gal- 

 vanic currents in most experiments ; yet it must seem rather extra- 

 ordinary that these fluids should pass each other in contrary direc- 

 tions, when each fluid is generally supposed to have so great an 

 attraction for the opposite kind, as in most instances to produce 

 combustion by the violence and rapidity of their union. These 

 remarks naturally introduce another very interesting question, viz. 

 What evidence have we that tlie galvanic or electric fluids have 

 such a strong attraction for each other ? But as an inquiry into this 

 question is not necessary for my present purpose, I shall defer it 

 until another opportunity. In the investigation of any difficult 

 subject, when vve have no clear and positive evidence to direct our 

 conclusions, we must apj>ly to the aid of analogy, and take advan- 

 tage of the most appropriate facts which the present stale of the 

 subject furnish for our consideration. By the rapid union of oxygen 

 and hydrogen gases, we obtain results that resemble most of the 

 combustible effects of galvanism ; still we know the two gases show 

 no strong signs of attraction for each otiier, without the application 

 of an extra portion of heat, or a mechanical force ; may we nut 

 therefore infer that it is by a similar law that the galvanic fluids 

 unite ?.nd produce their combustible effects ; for although their con - 

 stitutional nature will allow them to pass each other in a complete 

 galvanic circuit, yet when they rush upon each other from the 



