252 Huaistence of Radicals in the Amphide Salis disproved. 
67. On subjecting a solution of sulphate of soda to electrolysis, 
so as to be exposed to the current employed, simultaneously with 
some water in a voltameter, Daniell alleges that, for each equiv- 
alent of the gaseous elements of water evolved in the voltameter, 
there was evolved at the cathode and anode, not only a like quan- 
tity of those elements, but likewise an equal number of equiva- 
lents of soda and sulphuric acid. This he considers as involving 
the necessity, agreeably to the old doctrine, of the simultaneous 
decomposition of two electrolytic atoms in the solution, for one in 
the voltameter; while, if the solution be considered as holding 
oxysulphionide of sodium, instead of sulphate of soda, the result 
may be explained consistently with the law ascertained by Far- 
aday. In that case, oxysulphion would be carried to the anode, 
where, combining with hydrogen, it would cause oxygen to be 
extricated, while sodium, earried to the cathode, and deoxidizing 
water, would cause the extrication of hydrogen. 
68. Dr. Kane, alluding to the experiments above mentioned, 
and some others which I shall mention, alleges that ‘“ Profes- 
sor Daniell considers the binary theory of salts to be fully estab- 
lished by them. 
69. Notwithstanding the deference which I have for the dis- 
tinguished inventor of the constant battery, and disinclination for. 
the unpleasant task of striving to prove a friend to be in the 
wrong, being of opinion that these inferences are erroneous, I 
feel it to be my duty, as a teacher of the science, to show that 
they are founded upon a misinterpretation of the facts appealed 
to for their justification. 
70. It appears to me, that the simultaneous appearance of the 
elements of water, and of acid and alkali, at the electrodes, as 
above stated, may be accounted for, simply by that electrolyzation 
of the soda, which must be the natural consequence of the expo- 
sure of the sulphate of that base in the circuit. I will in support: 
of the exposition which I am about to make, quote the language 
ed by the electrolytic process, effected the decomposition of the intervening liquid, 
the resulting gas being caught and measured by the tube. This instrument has 
been called a volta-electrometer, or voltameter. 
Faraday found that when various substances were electrolyzed, a voltameter 
being at the same time in the circuit, that for every equivalent of water decom- 
posed within the tube, neither more nor less than an equivalent of the other body 
could be decomposed. 
