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XX. Experimental Researches in Electricity. — Eighth Series. By Michael Faraday, 

 D.C.L. F.R.S. Fullerian Prof. Chem. Royal Institution, Corr. Memb. Royal and 

 Imp. Acadd. of Sciences, Paris, Petersburgh, Florence, Copenhagen, Berlin, 8^c. Sgc. 



Received April 7, — Read June 5, 1 834. 



^. 14. On the Electricity of the P^oltaic Pile ; its source, quantity, intensity, 

 and general characters. ^ i. On simple Voltaic Circles. ^ ii. On the 

 intensity necessary for Electrolyzation. ^[ iii. On associated Voltaic 

 Circles, or the Voltaic Battery. ^ iv. On the resistance of an Elec- 

 trolyte to Electrolytic action. ^ v. General remarks on the active 

 Voltaic Battery. 



^ i. On simple Voltaic Circles. 



875. .1 HE great question of the source of electricity in the voltaic pile has engaged 

 the attention of so many eminent philosophers, that a man of liberal mind and able 

 to appreciate their powers would probably conclude, although he might not have 

 studied the question, that the truth was somewhere revealed. But if in pursuance of 

 this impression he were induced to enter upon the work of collating results and con- 

 clusions, he would find such contradictory evidence, such equilibrium of opinion, 

 such variation and combination of theory, as would leave him in complete doubt re- 

 specting what he should accept as the true interpretation of nature : he would be 

 forced to take upon himself the labour of repeating and examining the facts, and 

 then use his own judgment on them in preference to that of others. 



876. This state of the subject must, to those who have made up their minds on the 

 matter, be my apology for entering upon its investigation. The views I have taken 

 of the definite action of electricity in decomposing bodies (783.), and the identity of 

 the power so used with the power to be overcome (855.), founded not on a mere 

 opinion or general notion, but on facts which, being altogether new, were to my mind 

 precise and conclusive, gave me, as I conceived, the power of examining the question 

 with advantages not before possessed by any, and which might compensate, on my 

 part, for the superior clearness and extent of intellect on theirs. Such are the con- 

 siderations which have induced me to suppose I might help in deciding the question, 

 and be able to render assistance in that great service of removing doubtful knowledge. 

 Such knowledge is the early morning light of ev€ry advancing science, and is essential 

 to its development ; but the man who is engaged in dispelling that which is deceptive 



