1814.] On the Hypotheses of Galvanhm.. 3/ 



1. That it involves the assumption of a new principle, that the two 

 iDftals, when in contact, not only effect a change in their respective 

 qniM'tities of electricity, but that this change continues under all 

 circumstances. In this case tlie zinc plates, which acquire an 

 excess of electricity, are in contact with a conductor; it is therefore 

 reasonable to suppose, tiiat any superabundance of electricity would 

 be immediately carried oil" by the water, especially when we con- 

 sider that on the other side of the water we have a set of bodies in 

 the negative state, to which we must suppose tliat C^2 is reduced in 

 the first instance, and which will consequently be disposed to 

 receive it. 2. This hypothesis supposes that bodies may be diffe- 

 rently affected when placed in similar situations. Each pair of 

 plates, except those at the termination, are similarly situated ; they 

 consist of two metals in contact with a fluid on the other side of 

 them, so that they ought all of them to be reduced to the same 

 electrical condition, yet the result is that each pair of plates con- 

 tains 20° more of electricity than the contiguous pair. .3. The 

 quantity of electricity which Z 1 gives to the fluid to be transmitted 

 to C 2 is no more than what is originally lost by C 1 and C 2 

 having at the same time given exactly the same quantity to Z 2, 

 the result will be that C 2 can only get the quantify which is lost by 

 C 1, so that there can be no progressive accumulation of electricity 

 in the apparatus. 4. Although it be admhted that the tendency to 

 the destruction of the electrical equilibrium still exists in the 

 metals, yet we can scarcely suppose that this tendency should 

 exert itself while they are exposed on each side to the action of a 

 conductor, which must have the effect of restoring the equililnium 

 as quickly as it is broken. 5. This view of the subject does not 

 account for the actual increase of electricity which seems to be the 

 effect of the apparatus. We have the highest authority for asserting 

 that the action of the pile is augmented by insulation,* so tliat all 

 the electricity which is brought to tlie positive end must come from 

 the first copper plate ; for with respect to the action which subsists 

 through the body of the pile, between each individual p:iir of metals, 

 it is merely a reciprocal interchange of a portion of their fluid, 

 without any ahsolute increase or diminution ; it is the first coj)per 

 plate alone which has lost, and the last zinc plate alone which has 

 gained, any new electricity. 



Another method which has been employed for explaining the 

 nction of the pile is that which supposes the conducting power of 

 the water to be so much inferior to that of the metals, that 

 although there is a constant tendency in the water to equalize the 

 electrical state of the metals, yet it cannot act with sufficient rapi- 

 dity ; a part only of the excess of electricity in Z 1 can be trans- 

 mitted to C 2 ; and instead of both the metals being reduced to 

 100", they are left in the state of 10.")° and <>.5° respectively. Then 

 by the aid oi the former supposition, that each pair of nictals, uot- 



» VaD Marum, Ann. Chiin. x1, SOS, &c. 



