NEW CLASSES OF GALVANIC CONDUCTORS. 321 



It is decidedly shown therefore by experiment, that the The humidity 



humidity of the whole mass of soap goes for nothing in parts e f ^ 



these effects, and the precise point at which the water should inass of soap 



be interposed is indicated with the greatest precision. Us no effect * 



I cannot help inviting those, who strictly refer all the Difficulty of 



phenomena of the pile to a material and effective circula- ^counangfor 



. the phenome- 



tion of the electric fluid, maturely to weigh this experiment non by the cir- 



without prejudice ; for in this way of explaining them the ^^fljii* 

 phenomena of the fifth class can arise only from a greater 

 difficulty the fluid experiences, when it has to enter into 

 the mass of soap, while its exit is infinitely more easy. But 

 how comes it then, that the positive pole is so completely- 

 charged by touching the prism A, before the interposition 

 pi wet conductors? Here certainly the electricity of the 

 ground must have entered into the prism B through the in- 

 termediate arc with the greatest facility. And why does it 

 not enter in the same manner into the prism A by the posi- 

 tive pole? 



For my part I have not yet entirely renounced the hy- Water pertiape 

 pothesis, that the efficacious cooperation of water in the S^oTS' 

 physical and chemical effects of completing the galvanic of opposite 

 circle is intimately connected with the property it has of electricitie5 ' 

 dividing itself then into two zones, one of which exhibits 

 electrical effects the reverse of the other. This mechanism 

 of electric partition, this polarity of water and all humid 

 conductors, announce themselves in such a striking manner, 

 when we apply them to the soap, that I can scarcely be- 

 lieve the physical and chemical effects produced by com- 

 pleting the circle through the intervention of humid con- 

 ductors are not owing to this very mechanism. Whatever 

 may be the fate of this hypothesis, the developement of 

 which would lead me too far from my subject, the follow* 

 ing facts appear to me deserving of attention. 



The pile and prism of soap being perfectly insulated, let If the eonnec- 

 the wire of the negative pole be inserted into the soap ; IhTsoapTnd 

 and let the other extremity of the prism be connected with the positive 

 the positive pole by means of a thoroughly wet hempen bya we String, 

 string six or seven inches Ion;?. It is obvious, that from 

 this interposition of a wet conductor between the soap 

 and the positive pole the galvanic circle must be completed; 

 2 as 



