C 37 ] 



and sparks, and which is possesed of remarkable 

 chemical powers. The luminous phenomena pro- 

 duced by common electricity are well known. It 

 would be improper to dwell upon them in this 

 place. They are the most impressive effects occa- 

 sioned by this agent ; and they offer illustrations 

 of lightning and thunder. 



Electrical changes are constantly taking place in 

 nature, on the surface of the earth and in the atmos- 

 phere ; but as yet the effects of this power in vegeta- 

 tion have not been correctly estimated. It has been 

 shewn by experiments made by means of the Voltaic 

 battery (the instrument composed of zinc, copper, and 

 water), that compound bodies in general are capable 

 of being decomposed by electrical powers, and it is 

 probable, that the various electrical phenomena oc- 

 curring in our system, must influence both the ger- 

 mination of seeds and the growth of plants. I found 

 that corn sprouted much more rapidly in water posi- 

 tively electrified by the Voltaic instrument than in 

 water negatively electrified ; and experiments made 

 upon the atmosphere shew that clouds are usually ne- 

 gative ; and as when a cloud is in one state of elec- 

 tricity the surface of the earth beneath is brought into 

 the opposite state, it is probable that in common cases 

 the surface of the earth is positive. 



Different opinions are entertained amongst scien^ 

 tific men respecting the nature of electricity ; by some, 

 the phenomena are conceived to depend upon a single 

 subtile fluid in excess in the bodies said to be posi- 

 tively electrified, in deficiency in the bodies said to be 



