7 
wk 
50 Priesiings of the American Philosophical Soviety , 
Dr. Hare stated, that he had for many years endeavored tordra ‘the © 
attention of men of science to the fact, that if, when a fine and ac 
wire of platina are made to form the electrodes or poles of a powerful 
voltaic series of not less than 300 pairs, the coarse wire, while forming 
the positive end or anode, be introduced into a concentrated solution of 
chloride of calcium, and the fine wire be made to touch the. surface of 
the'solution, fusion of the extremity into a globule will follow every con- 
tact. But when the polarity of the wires is reversed, the resulting igni-— 
tion is scaarane! feeble. 
This experiment, Dr. Hare stated, was repeated to the satisfaction of 
Professors Siftiniat: Henry, and James eS all of reat were ee 
‘at the trial of the apparatus. 
When the finer wire was plun about an inch below the surface of 
the solution, it became _— cai emitting rays of a brilliant 
purple hue. . 
For the fusion of the shiva’ wire, in the experiment above described, 
it was found necessary to use the whole series consecutively as 400 pairs; 
showing, Dr. Hare remarked, that there are effects which require a great 
number of pairs. He had, in previous experiments, found that fresh 
phosphuret of calcium was a conductor for 350 pairs of 7 eS but not 
for 100 pairs of 7} x 14. 
The deflagration of an iron wire buy contact with mercury, took place 
with phenomena which were never before witnessed by any of the spec- 
tators. At first the mercury was deflagrated with an intense silvery white 
light, after which there arose a vertical shower of red sparks, caused by 
the combustion of the iron. Lastly, a globule having accumulated at the 
end of the wire after a momentary stoppage of the reaction, an explosion 
took place, by which fragments of the globule, together with portions of 
the mercury, were projected to a great distance. 
Tt would seem, said Dr. Hare, as if a globule of peroxide of iron, hav- 
ing formed at the end of the wire, caused a temporary arrestation of the 
voltaic current; but that the apparatus, gaining energy in consequence 
of a transient repose, was sea to break through the globule so as to 
disperse its particles with violence 
August 21.—Mr. Boyé stated, Sie Mr. Clarke Hare and he had suc- 
ceeded in producing a perchloric ether. 
It is a colorless liquid, heavier than water, and of a sweet, but after- 
wards acid taste, resembling that of the oil of cinnamon. Its most re- 
markable property is its explosiveness, Not only by ignition, but even 
by friction or percussion, it explodes with extreme violence, and cannot 
therefore be handled without the greatest precaution. When it is borne 
in mind that perchloric acid, containing seven atoms of oxygen, loosely 
combined with chlorine, is in this substance, in contact with sufficient 
carbon and hydrogen to be converted into carbonic oxide and water, the 
violence of its explosion will easily be accounted for. 
