117 
sodium.”* While conducting some experiments with a 
powerful Hare’s Galvanic Deflagrator, in 1811, he observed 
that the charcoal “ point, of the positive pole” instantly “ shot 
out” toward the negative pole. And on further examination 
he found that there was a corresponding cavity on the point 
of the negative pole. He hence inferred that there was an 
actual transfer of the matter of the charcoal points from one 
to the other. He further found, on careful examination, that 
the charcoal was fused. An account of this interesting dis- 
covery is given in the fifth volume of the Journal of Science. 
It is claimed for Professor Silliman that he was the first to 
establish t's transfer of the particles of carbon, and the first 
also to fuse carbon in the voltaic arch. 
Professor Silliman early felt the necessity of having some 
medium of communication between the cultivators of Physi- 
cal Science and Natural History in different parts of the 
country. He saw how much science abroad was indebted to, 
such journals as “ Thompson’s Annals of Philosophy ” in Eng- 
land, and the “ Annales de Chimie et de Physique” in France.. 
He resolved on establishing a similar journal in this country, 
which should present to the public at brief intervals the re- 
sults of scientific research, and by that means accomplish the 
two objects of diffusing information and stimulating inquiry. 
He accordingly, with pledges of assistance from a respecta- 
ble corps of contributors, commenced the publication of the 
“ American Journal of Science,” more popularly known as 
« Silliman’s Journal.” The first number bears the date of 
1819. For twenty years he was the sole editor, and the 
senior editor for eight years longer. He continued it under 
many embarrassments, and with far less patronage than its 
merits deserved. For a long time his own labors, which 
4 were never small, may almost be said to have been gratuitous ; 
* Am. Cyc., § Silliman. 
