Harems JVeiv Galvanic Apparatus, 2^heo7-y, i^c. 109 



i had accordingly a trough constructed with a partition 

 along the middle, so as to receive forty coils on one side, 

 and a like number on the other. This apparatus when in 

 operation excited a sensation scarcely tolerable in the backs 

 of the hands. Interposed charcoal was not ignited as easily 

 as before, but a most intense ignition took place on bring- 

 ing a metallic point connected with one pole of the series, 

 into contact with a piece of charcoal fastened to the other. 

 It did not take place however so speedily as when glasses 

 were used ; but soon after the ignition was effected it be- 

 came even more powerful than before. A cylinder of pla- 

 tina nearly a quarter of an inch in diameter, tapering a little 

 at the end, was fused and burned so as to sparkle to a con- 

 siderable distance around, and fall in drops. A ball of brass 

 of about half an inch diameter was se§n to burn on its sur- 

 face with a green flame. Tin foil, or tinsel rolled up into 

 large coils of about three quarters of an inch thick, were 

 rapidly destroyed, as was a wire of platina of No. 16. Pla- 

 tina wires in connexion with the poles were brought into 

 contact with sulphuric acid ; there was an appearance 

 of lively ignition, but strongest on the positive side. Kx- 

 cepting in its power of permeating charcoal, the galvanic fluid 

 seemed to be extricated with as much force, as when each 

 coil was in a distinct glass. Apprehending that the partition 

 in the trough did not sufficiently insulate the poles from each 

 other, as they were but a few inches apart, moisture or 

 moistened wood intervening, I had two troughs each to hold 

 forty pairs, and took care that there should be a dry space 

 about four inches broad between them. They were first 

 fdled with pure river water, there being no saline nor acid 

 matter to influence the plates, unless the very minute quan- 

 tity which might have remained on them from former im- 

 mersions. Yet the sensation produced by tliem, on the 

 backs of my hands, was painful ; and a lively scintillation 

 took place when the poles were approximated. Dutch 

 gold leaf was not sensibly burned, though water was found 

 decomposible by wires properly affixed. No effect was 

 produced on potash, the heat being inadequate to fuse it. 



A mixture of nitre and sulphuric acid was next added to 

 the water in the troughs, afterwards charcoal from the fire 

 was vividly ignited, and when attached to the positive pole 

 a steel wire was interposed between it and the other pole,. 



