TKANSACTIONS OF SECT10]S B. 593 



the electro-molive force of wliicli is just incapable of resolving- tlie electrolyte into 

 its constituent ions. 



The very intimate relation between E.M.F. and Chemical Affinity was a lono- 

 time ap:o pointed out hy Sir W. Thomson, and recently in an elaborate research by 

 Dr. Wright, and it therefore was anticipated tJiat if, in a series of trials, the 

 chemical affinities were altered, while other circumstances remained the same, the 

 magnitiide of the intei'medial space between the boundaries of the electro-deposits 

 would increase along with the force required to overcome the affinities of the ions 

 of the electrolyte. 



_A series of experiments with molecular solutions of the chloride, bromide, and 

 iodide of zinc, with rectangular plates or analysers of silver, copper, iron, and zinc 

 showed that this is the case— 1>. the interuiedial space with the chloride was 

 greatest, the bromide less, and the iodide least. Another series, with silver analysers, 

 but with molecular solutions of the sulphates of zinc and copper, showed that the 

 intermedial space in the case of the zinc sulphate was much tlie greater. Again, 

 another series with zinc sulphate, showed that a zinc analyser gave the least inter- 

 medial space, iron greater, copper greater still, and silver most of all. 



This method affords a simple means of demonstrating differences of chemical 

 affinity, but whether it is capable of giving more than approximative measurements 

 will require further investigation to determine. In some cases secondary actions 

 are of course set up, so that the intermedial space would represent the initial 

 electro-motive force + or - any interfering E.M. forces. Gould, however, the 

 difference of potential be determined between the boundaries of the electro-deposits, 

 data would be furnished for calculating the chemical attractions overcome, or at 

 least the work-equivalent of the net chemical actions involved. 



TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6. 

 The following Papers were read : — 



1. On the present state of Gheinical Nomenclatnre. 

 By Professor A. W. Williamson, Fh.I)., F.B.8. 

 The object of this communication was to draw the attention of chemists to some 

 of the discrepancies which have of late years sprung up in the principles upon 

 which the names of chemical compounds are framed; to consider in what respects 

 one of the principles adopted excels the other ; and the importance of doino- any- 

 thing which may be possible to remedy the confusion which is being introduced 

 into the science by the manufacture of heterogeneous terms. 



2. On Alterations in the Properties of the Nitric Ferment hij GuUivation. 



By R. Waeington, F.C.8. 



The earlier researches on nitrification conducted in the Rothamsted Laboratory 

 have been already communicated to the Chemical Society. In the second commu- 

 nication ('Trans. Chem. Soc.,' 1879) some experiments were described (6th series, 

 p. 451) in which a solution of chloride of ammonium, containing the usual nutritive 

 ingredients, was seeded from an old solution which had some months before under- 

 gone a_ nitnc fermentation ; the result of this seeding was a purely nitrous fer- 

 mentation, no nitric acid apparently being produced. Experiments have since 

 been made on the conditions which respectively determine the formation of nitric 

 and nitrous acid ; a prehminary notice of the results is now communicated. 



When a small quantity of fresh soil is employed to seed solutions of chloride of 

 ammonium supplied with nutritive ingredients, a pure, or nearly pui'e, nitric fermen- 

 tation is obtained if the solution is sufficiently shallow and dilute, and the t-jmpe- 



1881. Q Q 



