NEW CLASSES OF GALVANIC CONDUCTORS. g37 



Sect. I. 



Of Conductors, that, in establishing a Contact between the 

 two Poles, insulate the negative effect, while they continue 

 to propagate the positive Electricity. 



When we apply separately to each of the poles of the Flame a per- 

 pile the flame of a spirit lamp, it acts as a perfect conduc- ^j^ "^^ 

 tor: but if it be applied simultaneously to both poles, it separately, but 

 completely insulates the negative effect, while it. continues negalve elec- 

 ta conduct the positive electricity with the same energy; and tricity when 

 in consequence of this partial insulation, the electric circuit ^once t0b ° th 

 is not completely established. 



The faculty that flame possesses of conducting the fluid its conducting 

 of the pile, which has been so much disputed, is placed be- power disputed 

 yond doubt by the following- facts. 



To either of the pules of a perfectly insulated pile of a Facts that 



hundred pair of plates, more or less, apply a very sensible pr0Vi l1, 



gold leaf electrometer, which will presently acquire the de- Electricity 



° . r. t -i communicated 



gree ot divergence corresponding to the energy ot the pile, bv flame to ei- 



and the more or less perfect insulation of the opposite ex- tner P ole ' 

 treinity by the circumambient air. As soon 2a the diver- 

 gence of the instrument is become stationary, present to the 

 metallic wire of the opposite pole the flame of a spirit lamp 

 completely insulated ; and the divergence of the electrome- 

 ter will not be increased. But the moment a communica- 

 tion is established between the flame and the ground, by in- 

 troducing into it a wire not insulated, the electrometer will 

 diverge as much as if a communication had been established 

 between the opposite pole and the ground, by means of an 

 uninterrupted metallic conductor. This effect is the same 

 at the negative as at the positive pole, a circumstance which 

 will appear by and by of importance. Electricity therefore 

 may be commuuicated to either of the two poles of the pile 

 by the medium of the flame of spirit of wine. 



In the same manner it may be radically abstracted from Abstracted by 



flame fron 

 ther pole. 



either of them. Let each pole communicate with an elec- fla 



trometer by means of a wire. If an insulated flame totich 

 either of these wires, the corresponding electrometer will 



lose 





