400 Miscellanies. 
That this adhesion which has been hitherto ascribed to capillary 
attraction is due to electricity may be proved thus. It has been found 
that the force with which glass, gum lac, sealing wax, sulphur, &c. 
&c. adhere to the surface of mercury is directly proportional to the 
quantity of electricity which they develope, as measured by the tor- 
sion balance. 
If we are to attribute capillary action to electricity, it would follow 
of course, that the position of liquids in tubes ought to be deranged by 
electricity and accordingly it is found, that a voltaic arrangement of 
half a dozen or ten alternations has as complete a control as it has 
over the magnetic needle. Nay it will even reverse their natural mo- 
tion, causing those fluids that sink to rise immediately and those that 
rise to sink, and if the tube be capable of motion, it immediately 
moves in an opposite direction. 
The details of this theory offer explanations of some interesting 
chemical facts, such as the decomposition of peroxide of hydrogen 
and persulphureted hydrogen by metallic peroxides. And from the 
rise of temperature which it indicates in a membrane undergoing gas- 
eous endosmosis, may perhaps be found some key to the origin of an- 
imal heat. 
If sir there be any point on which you would wish more particu- 
lar information it will be a pleasure to me to give it. ‘The original 
papers are, I believe, to be read before the Royal Society of Lon- 
don, they were forwarded to Mr. Faraday and Dr. Turner for that 
purpose.* 
21. Safety of Lead Pipes, protected by Tin. 
Extract of a letter from Mr. George Chilton, to the Editor, dated New York, June 
23, 1834. 
Dear Sir.—Observing in the last No. of the Journal, a notice of 
Ewbank’s patent tinned lead pipes, and having had many applications 
for information concerning the danger attending the use of metal pipes 
for conveying water, beer, cider, &&c.—I have been induced to subject 
the pipes of Ewbank, to a few trials, for the purpose of ascertaining 
whether, from the occasional contact of acids, any deleterious solu- 
tion of lead, would attend their ordinary use. It is well known, that 
the common beer pump, with a leaden pipe, has frequently given to 
the liquor, a dangerous impregnation, especially after remaining stag- 
* We should like more ample details from our correspondent.— Ed. 
