ON ELECTRICITY METALS CHARCOAL. 119 



ascertain if the average was positive in the day ne- 

 gative at night. 



; at- 



Second. 



That experiments should be instituted with electrical ma- 

 chines on positive electricity, noting its effects on oxygen 

 gas and nitrogen gas as SEPARATE media, in which the 

 machine may be enclosed, while the discharges of sparks 

 may be given through any of the three gases, including 

 hydrogen ; the latter with due precaution against explo- 

 sion. That the color of the electrical spark should be 

 noticed, as afforded by the usual conductors, and by the 

 substitution of others of various composition. That a 

 machine should be prepared, capable of affording, with 

 accuracy and convenience, NEGATIVE ELECTRICITY ; and 

 the same trials instituted as to color and effects with media 

 and conductors of various constitution. Experiments on 

 negative electricity, having been but TOO LONG NEG- 

 LECTED, if resumed, may lead to very important results, 

 and the production of very interesting phenomena. I am 

 now having one made, of which report shall be given in 

 due course. 



Third. 



That renewed experiments should be instituted, to effect, if 

 possible, the decomposition of the metals, or their reduc- 

 tion to the gaseous, or elastic state, which might be done 

 on very minute quantities by the Voltaic electricity, in 

 closed chambers, exhausted, or otherwise. That the same 

 should be applied to CHARCOAL. That the first operations 

 might be exercised on iron and zinc, as holding out pros- 

 pects of easier decomposition. That also some interesting 

 experiments on the decomposition of CHLORINE might be 

 suggested to gentlemen familiar with analytical pursuits ; 

 and that the publication of such proposed experiments 



