HISTORY OF GALVANISM. 85 



The extremities of the pile indicated to the elec- 

 trometer the same states of positive and negative, 

 as in the former instance, but no shock was expe- 

 rienced; when the wires of the interrupted circuit 

 were placed in water, although it appeared that 

 there was a communication established through the 

 fluid, yet no decomposition took place, nor did there 

 appear to be the retardation of the electric current 

 upon its entering the fluid, as in the former case. 

 Hence the author concludes, that the electrical and 

 chemical effects originate from different causes, be- 

 cause in this state of the instrument the electrical 

 effects continue, although the chemical effects are 

 suspended. The third dissection of the pile was Third dis- 

 now made, i. . it was divided into ternary groups, se 

 consisting of the metals contiguous to each other, 

 and the wet cloths in contact with the silver ; the 

 groups being separated as before, by wire supports. 

 Here there was no effect perceptible, either electri- 

 cal or chemical. 



In the above experiments, the cloths which were Muriate of 

 employed to retain the fluid were moistened with 

 water : a second set of experiments was now per- 

 formed, in which a strong solution of muriate of 

 soda was employed. The pile, whether moistened 

 with water or the saline solution, had the same ef- 

 fect upon the electrometers, both as to quality and 

 quantity ; but when the salt was used, there was a 

 more powerful effect upon the sensations. He ob- 

 served, that a new shock was experienced every 

 time either of the hands was brought into contact 



