34 HISTORY OF GALVANISM. 



siderable divergence was produced in the gold 

 leaves of the electrometer. From this comparison 

 of the effects of the two batteries, we are led to 

 the conclusion which has been already referred to, 

 that the intensity of the electricity is increased 

 with the number, and the quantity of it with the 

 extent of the metallic plates. Upon this principle, 

 we may explain why the platina wire was acted 

 upon more readily than the iron wire, the more 

 perfect conducting quality of the former presenting 

 no obstacle to the passage of the electricity 

 through it ; while the tendency of the iron to oxi- 

 dation required a greater intensity of the fluid to 

 striking effect its transmission through the wire. In this 

 galvanic paper, the author states, that he has removed one 



Q . t j ie objections that have been urged against the 

 identity of the galvanic and the common electri- 

 city, that the former has no striking distance ; by 

 employing a proper apparatus, he ascertained that 

 the galvanic spark was capable of passing through 

 a certain space between the extremities of two 

 platina wires. 



General Mr. Children's general conclusion is, that " the 



' absolute effect of a voltaic apparatus is in the 



compound ratio of the number and size of the 



J plates ; the intensity of the electricity being as the 



former, the quantity given out as the latter ; con- 

 sequently, regard must be had in its construction, 

 to the purposes for which it is designed. For ex- 

 periments on perfect conductors, very large plates 

 are to be preferred, a small number of which will 



