246 NEW CLASSES OF GALVANIC CONDUCTORS. 



But this hypo- at a maximum of intensity. But a more accurate analysis of 

 apply heie. ° tne phenomena, and a farther investigation of the facts that 

 occurred, convinced me of the erroneousness of this hypo- 

 thesis: for if it were by a simple dissipation of the electric 

 fluid, that, flame destroys the intensity at the positive pole, 

 and carries it to a maximum at the negative, it must be per- 

 fectly indifferent, whether the flame were insulated or not. 

 Solids produce Now we have seen, that this is not the case. Besides, it 

 mena: "" Wl ^ appear, that solid substances produce analogous pheno- 

 mena, though inversely : so that here we have no expansible 

 and flames fluid to dissipate or accumulate the electric. But what de- 

 sutoan^Tif- W^tratively proves the falsity of the hypothesis is the 

 fer in their ac- total difference, that exists in the mode of action of different 

 tl0n ' flames, according to the chemical constitution of the bodies 



from which they emanate. 



Flame not a Jt i§ a singular abuse of the abstract signs of language, 



distinct sub- ° B to & > 



stance always to speak of flame as one constant homogeneous substance, 

 of one nature, whatever be the the nature of the matter undergoing igni- 

 tion. This errour might have been pardonable previous to 

 Electricity and the discoveries of pneumatic chemistry, particularly with 

 fer in their respect to common electricity, the chemical effects of which 

 mode of ope- are nothing, or difficult to ascertain. In galvanism, on the 

 contrary, the chemical effects stand foremost : every physical 

 effect is preceded or accompanied by chemical action ; and it 

 is precisely from this, that the discovery of Volta will for 

 ever remain a memorable epoch in the annals of science. 

 His pile is a landmark erected on the common frontier of 

 chemistry and natural philosophy. A comparison of the 

 mode of action of the flame of different combustibles soon 

 decided the fate of my hypothesis. 

 Flame from All flames arising from the incandescence of substances 



carbon prod uc- containing hidrogen and carbon produce the phenomena 

 es the preced- f insulating the negative pole, and acting as conductors to 

 § ' the positive, in the same degree. Those, on the contrary, 



Flame of sul- ^hat contain neither hidrogen nor carbon, either do not pro- 

 ])lete noncon- duce this effect ; as sulphur, the flame of which equally in- 

 ductor, sulates both poles : or produce an effect totally opposite ; as 

 Flame of phos- phosphorus, which, in a state of ignition, insulates the posi- 



phorus insu- t j ve an( j con< l U cts the negative. I shall enter a little into 

 lates the posi- . — s ° 



u>e pole only, the detail of these facts, 



On ; 



