30 NOMOS. 



may be readily seen by measuring the quantity of 

 hydrogen given off. The amount is less, however, 

 than when the electrodes are in simple metallic 

 contact. If now we add a second glass containing 

 water, and remove one of the electrodes out of the 

 first glass into it, connecting the two glasses by a 

 piece of platinum wire, water is decomposed in both 

 glasses, and in the acting cells ; and the same quan- 

 tity is decomposed in glasses and cells, but the 

 amount is less than when only one glass was used. 

 If we add a third glass containing water, and remove 

 the electrode into it, completing the connexion with 

 the next glass by another piece of platinum wire, 

 there is still decomposition in all the glasses, and in 

 all the cells ; and the amount is the same in glasses 

 and cells, but it is now very small. If a fourth 

 glass be added, and included in the circuit in the 

 same manner, there is now no decomposition in any 

 part of the circuit. If the action of the battery is 

 weak, the current may be stopped at the first glass ; 

 if it is stronger, it may be able to pass through other 

 glasses : but there is always a limit, and the action 

 fails progressively and equally in cell and glass, as 

 glass after glass is added, until the limit is attained. 

 Now this fact is of extreme importance in elucidating 

 the condition of the fluid parts of the circuit. It 

 shows, indeed, that there is the same definite chemical 

 action everywhere, for not only are the oxygen and 

 hydrogen given off in equivalent proportions and in 

 equal quantities everywhere, but they are always 

 given off in relation to the same electrode. It shows, 

 also, that the chemical character of the electrode has 



