10 Quarterly German Magazine. 



by decomposition. We have observed, by the first experi- 

 ment, that the sealing-wax, which has been made electric 

 through friction, attracts the non-electric httle ball of elder- 

 pith, but as soon as they come in contact with one another, 

 the ball is repulsed. The negative electric seahng-wax de- 

 composes the natural electricities of the ball, and attracts the 

 positive and repels the negative. As now the positive elec- 

 tricity of the ball is nearer the sealing-wax than the negative, 

 the attraction of the former preponderates over the repulsion 

 of the latter, and the ball is drawn towards the sealing-wax. 

 As soon as they touch each other, the positive electricity of 

 the little ball unites itself with an equal part of the negative 

 electricity of the sealing-wax, the ball now retains a surplus 

 of negative electricity, and is rejDulsed by the sealing-wax. 



From similar proceedings originates also the accumula- 

 tion of larger quantities of electric fluid by means of electrical 

 machines. A circular plate or cyhnder of glass is turned be- 

 tween two leather cushions which have been smeared with 

 Amalgam (that is: a compound of mercury or quicksilver 

 with another metal), and thereby rendered positive electric, 

 while the rubbers become negative electric. The negative 

 electricity of the rubbers is conducted into the ground. The 

 part of the glass plate or cyhnder, which has become positive 

 arrives through rotation at a place, where it stands opposite 

 or very near to a large insulated metallic ball furnished with 

 spikes, which is called the prime conductor. Through the de- 

 composing influence of the glass plate, the negative electricity 

 of the conductor accumulates in the spikes and attains to such 

 a tension, that it overcomes the resistance of the thin stratum 

 of air, and unites itself with the positive electricity of the 

 glass plate. 



(189) 



