366 MR. RITCHIE ON THE THEORIES OF GALVANISM. 



a solid to a fluid state ; and as its capacity for caloric has undergone a change, 

 may not its capacity for the electric fluid have also undergone a certain 

 change? Hence it is possible that the true theory of galvanism may be more 

 intimately connected with that of latent heat than has yet been supposed. Since 

 the zinc is dissolved without the assistance of oxygen from the water, it appears 

 that the atoms of the acid have combined with the pure brilliant atoms of the 

 metal, without the necessity of the metal being first converted to an oxide. 



From the short view that I have taken of this interesting subject, it appears 

 that the electric theory is quite unfounded, and that the chemical theory will 

 require some modification to embrace the facts contained in the last experi- 

 ments. This I shall not, however, attempt at present ; as my object in this 

 paper is rather to demolish old fabrics and collect new materials, from which a 

 more substantial edifice may be raised. 



