Mechanical Philosophy). 23 



burgh and professor Winckler, of Leipsic in- 

 vented several improvements in the apparatus for 

 conductmg experiments. Dr. Ludolf, of Berlin 

 hrst succeeded m setting fire to inflammable sub- 

 stances, by the electric fluid; and Mr. Waitz, 

 Mr. Allamand, and others made some new ob- 

 servations, though chiefly of the smaller kind To 

 the experiments in Germany succeeded those of 

 Dr. Watson, m Great-Britain. He first ascer- 

 tained that the friction of an electric did x^otprocluce, 

 but only collected the mysterious mattef which 

 wroiight such powerful efl^ects; and also made a 

 number of other interesting additions to the know- 

 edge before existing on the subject. The year 

 1740 was distinguished by a discovery still more 

 remarkable and important than any that preceded 

 It; VIZ. the method of giving a shock, by accu- 

 mulating thee ectric fluid in a iar, and discharging 

 \ r\"/ ""{^ conductor. This discovery wa! 

 made by Mr. Von Kleist, dean of the CatheS 

 in <-amm;_ and the next year the experiment beino- 

 repeated in a different manner, and with bette? 

 success, by Mr. Cun^us, of Leyden, the jar so 

 filled became generally known by the name of the 

 Leyden Phud which it has retained to the present 

 day Soon afterwards, Mr. Gr a lath, a Germ'n 

 first contrived to increase the shock by char-in^ 

 several phials at the same time, and making &t 

 IS now called a battery. " 



About the same time experiments be^an to be 

 made of the eifects produced by electHcity on 

 <mmal bodies. In these inquiries the Abb" 

 Collet greatly distinguished himself. H. pur! 

 sued his investigations with singular ingenuity, la- 

 field 'of "f ?P'T^-' ""'' °P^"^^ ^ "^^^-"d noble 

 electrt-f ? "^' d'scoveries. The application of 

 electricity to growing vegetables was first made by 

 Mr. Maimbray, of Edinburgh, who found that 



