GALVANISM. .387 



The preceding facts can hardly leave any doubt 

 with respect to the identity of the galvanic power, 

 and the electricity which is produced by means of 

 a common electrical machine, or that which is 

 brought down from the clouds. It reconciles to 

 the same principle, the animal electricity; viz. the 

 power of the torpedo, gymnotus electricus, &c. 

 since all the phenomena of the animal electricity 

 agree with those of the galvanic battery. The 

 electric organ of any of the above-mentioned fishes 

 seems to be constructed exactly like a galvanic 

 battery; for it consists of little laminae, or pel- 

 licles, arranged in columns, and separated by 

 moisture. 



The resemblance between the effects of galvanic 

 and common electricity in decomposing water 

 wdiere the latter seemed to fail, was confirmed by 

 an experiment of Dr. Wollaston, in which, with a 

 very simple apparatus, he decomposed water by a 

 current of electricity from the prime conductor of 

 an electrical machine. 



He likewise remarked another strong point of 

 analogy between the electricity of galvanism, and 

 that of the common electrical machine, viz. that 

 they both seem to depend upon oxydation. In 

 fact, a common electrical machine will act more or 

 less powerfully, according as the amalgam which is 

 applied to its rubber consists of metals that are 

 more or less oxydable. 



A great improvement in the construction of the 

 Voltaic pile was made by Mr. Cruickshank, which 

 increased its power so as to render it an important 

 chemical agent. 



Plate 21. %. 9. represents this battery. It 

 consists of a trough of baked wood, about three 

 inches deep, and about as broad. In the sides of 



c c <2 



