36 On the Hijpoiheses of Galvanism. [Jak. 



which is in contact with Z 1 and C 2 will, however, from its con- 

 ducting power, have the effect of equalizing the electrical states of 

 these bodies, snd will therefore reduce the electricity of Z 1 to 

 100°, and raise that of C 2 to the same degree. The electrical 

 state of the four plates will therefore be 90°,- 100°, 100°, and 110°. 

 The third, and every succeeding pair of plates, will be acted upon 

 exactly in the same manner with the second ; the electricity of the 

 copper, which was reduced to 90° by the action of the zinc in 

 contact with it, will be brought to 100* by sharing a part of the 

 excess which the former zinc plate had acquired. This appears to be 

 all the change which can be produced upon the original hj'pothesis 

 of Volta; the only fundamental positions of which are, that the 

 electrical equilibrium of two metals is destroyed by placing them 

 in contact, and that the water, when interposed between the 

 plates, conducts the electricity so as to restore the equilibrium. 

 {Fig. 2.) 



Fig. 2. 



In this state of things the apparatus will be nearly inert, at least 

 it will have no more power than that produced by a single pair of 

 plates ; for all the intermediate plates, being in contact with water, 

 will be broudit to a state of eauilibrium. 



What has been stated appears to me to exhibit a fair view of the 

 hypothesis as originally proposed] but several modifications of it 

 have been formed,* for tlie purpose of accommodating it better to 

 the phenomena. According to one of these, the plates C 1, Z 1, 

 and C 2, Z 2, are supposed, as in the former instance, to have 

 their electrical equilibrium destroyed, while the water tends to 

 equalize the state of the metals on each side of it : but this equali- 

 zation is counteracted by the action between the metals, which 

 always disposes the zinc to have a certain quantity of electricity 

 more than the copper contiguous to it ; and as the middle plates 

 are kept in the same condition with respect to each other by the 

 interposed fluid, C 1 and Z 1 vvill acquire the states of 85° and 

 105°, C 2 and Z 2 of 105° and 115°, &c.t 



Upon this hypothesis we may make the following remarks : — 



* T have rallctl those inodlficalions of Volla's hypotliesis, because they have 

 been advanced a? such by tlic writers who have detailed thorn; l)nt they are in 

 fart distinct liypotheses, for they all of them proceed upon theassiiDiptiun of new 

 data. 



+ This is the way in whicli Volta's hypothci;is appears to be understood by Mr. 

 Nicholson and Mr. Mnrray, and also l)y the Commitiee who made a report to tho 

 Xational Institute. Ann, rhiip. xVi. 1. 



