206 INDUCTIVE AFFINITY. 



positive. The electricities of the zinc molecule are separated 

 at the same time, the side of the molecule next the acid be- 

 coming positive, and the distant side negative. The positive 

 and negative sides of the two different molecules are thus in 

 contact, the different electricities, like the different magnetisms, 

 attracting each other. Hence, one side of each molecule is said to 

 be positive instead of zincous, and the other side to be negative 

 instead of chlorous. Polarity of the molecule is supposed in 

 both views, but on one view the polar forces are the two elec- 

 tricities, on the other two chemical affinities. The difference 

 between the two views is little more than nominal, for in both 

 the same powers and properties are ascribed to the acting 

 forces. The electricities are supposed to be the cause of the 

 chemical affinities, but it may with equal justice be assumed 

 that chemical affinities are the cause of the phenomena reputed 

 electrical. One set offerees only is necessary for the explanation 

 of the whole phenomena of combination, and the question is, 

 whether are these forces electrical or chemical ? Shall elec- 

 tricity supersede chemical affinity, or chemical affinity super- 

 sede electricity? If the electricities should be retained in dis- 

 cussing the voltaic circle, their names might be changed with 

 some advantage, the positive be called zincous electricity, and 

 the negative, chlorous electricity, which express (as will appear 

 more clearly afterwards), the nature of the chemical affinities 

 with which these electricities are invested, and of which they 

 are indeed constituted the sole depositaries. The propagation 

 of the effects to a distance is supposed to take place by the 

 polarization of chains of molecules, on the electrical as well as 

 chemical theory of the voltaic circle, so that the explanations 

 which follow, although expressed in the language of the chemical 

 theory, are the same in substance as those which are given on 

 the electrical theory as at present understood. 



If the attractions of the respective zincous and chlorous poles 

 of A and B which are in contact, rise to a certain point, the 

 atom z of A is detached from the mass of metal and combines 

 with the atom cl of B, which last atom is disengaged at the 

 same time from its hydrogen. Chloride of zinc is produced and 

 dissolves in the acid liquid, while hydrogen is disengaged and 

 rises from the surface of the metal ; or we have the ordinary 

 circumstances of the solution of an isolated mass of zinc in 

 hydrochloric acid. 



