84 Magnetic Galvanism. 



slightly touched by the smallest fragment of 'zinc, also connected with 

 the galvanometer, the most powerful influence was exerted upon the 

 needle : indeed, this seemed to be a more energetic galvanic battery, 

 for the surface, than any of the usual ones for which acid baths are 



employed. 



Any arrangement which would prevent the inversion of the gal- 

 vanic current, when the keeper is restored to the magnet, as well as 

 the loss of force, arising from the communication between these parts, 

 would, no doubt, lead promptly to the decomposition of water, and of 

 saline substances, and to a more conspicuous effect upon the galvanom- 

 eter. So unsatisfactory were the results obtained, as to the decompo- 

 sition of saline fluids, that I do not deem it important to mention the 

 evidence in favor of my success, and I shall, therefore, conclude 

 the subject by offering a few observations upon the galvanic currents. 



The relation existing between magnetism and galvanism must be 

 of the most intimate character, since it can now be shown, that one 

 may appear either as the .cause or effect of the other. Thus, the 

 common galvanic arrangement gives rise to magnetism throughout 

 the circuit, in the battery as well as connecting wires, and the mag- 

 netic apparatus, described in this communication, as unequivocally 

 proves that die galvanic power may proceed from a simple magnetic 

 current. The observation of Faraday, that one of these forces, while 

 circulating, occasions another, of a different kind, to move in the op- 

 posite direction, seems to be confirmed by these magnetic experi- 

 ments. 



Thus, (fig. 2,) when the keeper, s n, is made suddenly to approach 

 the poles of the magnet, its induced northern polarity is repelled to 

 the southern pole, S, of the magnet, and the galvanometer, at the 

 same time, indicates a current of positive galvanism, flowing in the 

 direction of n s, or opposite to that which the induced magnetism 

 bad taken. As soon, however, as the keeper touches the magnet, 

 although its polarity is not disturbed, there is no further circulation, 

 and, almost at the same moment, the galvanic fluid ceases to move. 

 If we suppose the existence of two magnetic and two galvanic forces, 

 the same explanation will apply; the negative fluid then being re- 

 garded as moving in opposition to the direction which the south mag- 

 netism takes; the middle portion of the spool being, perhaps, neutral. 



Rocking the keeper upon the magnet, as already described, pro- 

 duces a constant, though small, deviation of the needle, and, with a 

 sufficiently powerful apparatus, would-, perhaps, effect chemical de- 



* % 



composition 



