54 NOMOS, 



changes between the metal and gas, of which we 

 have yet to learn the nature ? These are questions 

 for future inquiry ; but we need not wait until they 

 are solved, for permission to infer that the transfer 

 of matter in the electric current is nothing more than 

 the natural consequence of chemical action. All the 

 facts up to the present point are in favour of this 

 conclusion. 



Up to this point, then, everything tends to show 

 the identity of electrical and chemical action, and the 

 mysterious current appears to have nothing about it 

 which may not be accounted for on this hypothesis. 

 The current, indeed, appears to be nothing more than 

 chemical action beginning at a certain point and 

 propagated from this point around a circle in both 

 directions at the same time. The current appears to 

 be nothing more than chemical action ; 

 The reason fo u t because this action is propagated in a 



whychemical . ..,,,. 



forces are in- circle from one point in both directions at 



tensified in - .. A , . J 



the current. the same time to the same point again, 

 each molecule in the circuit is acted upon 

 from both sides at once, and, being thus acted upon, 

 decompositions and combinations are effected, which 

 would not be possible if there was no circular action, 

 as under ordinary circumstances. In a word, the 

 current appears to be nothing more than chemical 

 action, but it is chemical action greatly intensified. 

 Nor does it follow from this view of the current, 

 that there should be an actual transfer of matter 

 throughout its length. The hydrogen of the decom- 

 posing hydrochloric acid in the galvanic circuit, for 



