248 NEW CLASSES OF GALVANIC CONDUCTORS. 



phosphorus thera produce the phenomena of the partial insulation of the 

 negative effect. With respect to sulphur and phosphorus, I 

 have proved this by experiment ; and I am disposed to ex- 

 tend it by analogy to all substances of the same kind. 

 Flame of sul- The uninsulated flame of pure sulphur, applied to either 

 * >lur * pole of the pile, acts as a perfect nonconductor. It is im- 



possible to discharge either of the poles by the application 

 of this flame ; and the opposite pole shows no increase of 

 intensity by this contact. Hence it follows, that the two 

 •wires connected by the same flame of burning sulphur re- 

 main equally insulated ; and if a communication be esta- 

 blished between this flame and the ground, it is still the 

 The action same. The flame of sulphur, therefore, insulates the gal- 

 does not be- vanic electricity as perfectly as the substance from which it 

 flame itself. emanates; and consequently the fourth class of effects do 

 not depend on the dispersive property of flame, as flame. 

 Its connexion On the contrary, the intimate, connexion of these phenomena 

 -with chemical w j tn chemical affinities is demonstrated, by joining with the 

 by additions to sulphur some hidrocarburetted substance. Thus on con- 

 the sulphur, uecting the polar wires by the uninsulated flame of a match, 

 or of a thread di; :d in sulphur, the divergence is null at 

 the positive side, and extreme at the negative. 

 Flame of phos- As to the flame of phosphorus, it exhibits a very remark- 

 ductor of the" a ^ e property, in belonging decisively to the fifth class: that 

 fifth class. is to say, applied individually to each pole, it acts as a per- 

 fect conductor ; but the moment the two wires are united in 

 it, the positive side is found to be completely insulated, 

 while, with respect to the negative pole, the conducting 

 power continues in full energy. I shall not enter into the 

 The experi- particulars of the experiments, as they were conducted pre- 

 ment not in- c i se ly in the same manner as those already mentioned : but 

 th^phospho- I shall observe, that, to satisfy myself whether the moisture 

 ius being wet, adhering to the sticks of phosphorus, taken from under wa- 

 ter, bad any influence on the phenomenon, I several times 

 took the precaution, carefully to wipe the pieces I intended 

 to employ, and then to keep them a whole day in a phial 

 filled with calcined muriat of lime. This perfect desicca- 

 tion did not affect the phenomena. Neither did brown and 

 opake phosphorus, obtained directly from distilling the acid 

 with charcoal, differ in its effects, or in their degree, from 



that 



