Harems JS'ew Galvanic Apparatus, Theory, ^n. 113 



If tlie one be generated more copiously, the other more 

 intensely, the first will move in a large stream slowly, the 

 last in a small stream rapidly. Yet by narrowing the chan- 

 nel of the latter, WoUaston is supposed to render it more 

 like the former, that is, produces a resemblance by increas- 

 ing the supposed source of dissimilarity. 



It has been imagined that the beneficial effect of his con- 

 trivance arises from the production of a continued stream, 

 instead of a succession of sparks, but if a continued stream 

 were the only desideratum, a point placed near the conduc- 

 tor of a powerful machine would afford this requisite, as 

 the whole product may in such cases be conveyed by n 

 sewing needle in a stream perfectly continuous. As yet no 

 adequate reasons have been given why, in operating with 

 the pile, it is not necessary, as in the processes of Van Ma- 

 rum and WoUaston, to enclose the wires in glass or sealing 

 wax, in order to make the electricity emanate from a point 

 within a conducting fluid. The absence of this necessity is 

 accounted for, according to my hypothesis, by the indispo- 

 »ition which the electric fluid has to quit the caloric in 

 union with it, and the almost absolute incapacity which 

 caloric has to pass through fluids unless by circulation. I 

 conceive that in galvanic combinations, electro-caloric 

 may circulate through the fluid from the positive to the 

 negative surface, and through the metal from the negative 

 to the positive. In the one case caloric subdues the dispo- 

 sition which electricity has to diffuse itself through fluids, 

 and carries it into circulation. In the other, as metals are 

 excellent conductors of caloric, the prodigious power which 

 electricity has to pervade them agreeably to any attractions 

 which it may exercise, operates almost without restraint. 

 This is fully exemphfied in my galvanic deflagrator, where 

 eighty pairs are suspended in two recipients, forty succes- 

 sively in each, and yet decompose potash with the utmost 

 rapidity, and produce an almost intolerable sensation* 

 when ey-cited only by fresh river water. I have already 

 observed that the reason why galvanic apparatus composed 

 of pairs consisting each of one copper and one zinc plate, 



* I do not saj' shock, as it is more like the permanent impression of JKt 

 pointed wire, especially wheti an acid is used. 



Vol. Ill No. 1. 15 



