64 Observations on some Experiments in Electricity. 



2. The windows were next opened to allow the vapor to escape 

 and admit the cooler air. In fifteen minutes the temperature had 

 fallen to 80'^ nnd the dew-point to 70°. At that moment the sparks 

 were tried and found to be, at a maximum, four and a half inches 

 long. Moisture per inch .00461639 gr. 



3. On replacing the second pair of rubbers, and putting collectors 

 at a quadrant's distance from each pair, the sparks were at once re- 

 duced In length to two and one-third inches, but their vividness and 

 and the frequency of their passage, were more than doubled. The 

 balls between which the sparks passed in all these three experiments 

 were two and a half inches in diameter. 



4. All other arrangements remaining the same as In the last expe- 

 riment, the balls were now varied, by putting alternately on the po- 

 sitive and the negative pole a ball, eight-tenths of an Inch in diameter, 

 the two and a half Inch ball remaining on the opposite pole. When 

 the small ball was on the positive side, the spark was four and a half 

 inches, and when on the negative, only one inch and two-tenths, in 

 length. 



5. A candle was placed between two balls of two and a half inches ; 

 the flame was, as usual, projected upon the negative, — a four and a 

 half inch ball was put on the positive, and one of two-tenths of an inch 

 on the negative pole ; the flame was shortened and spread In both di- 

 rections. A point terminated the negative pole, and a four and a half 

 inch ball the positive^ the flame was driven to the positive side of the 

 wick, as before described, and finally extinguished by the force of 

 the current. 



During all these experiments, the sky was overspread with clouds, 

 and some drops of rain occasionally descended. 



6. Perforations in a Quire of Paper. 



The mode in which several thicknesses of paper, subjected to the 

 discharge of a battery, are found to be perforated, is perhaps one of 

 the most singular mechanical results of electrical action. This ex- 

 periment of Symmer, gives, as he observed, a continuous perforation, 

 with the hole In each sheet, on one part of Its periphery turned in one 

 direction, and on the other, in the opposite ; as If two needles or bod- 

 kins had passed through the whole quire, side by side. In opposite di- 

 rections, and each had protruded the edge of the paper on that side 

 of the aperture by which it passed. 



