$%% NEW CLASSES OF GALVANIC CONDUCTORS. 



as in fact the electrometers and the apparatus for decom- 

 posing water show. If now two gold leaf electrometers 

 be placed in contact with the two extreme portions of the 

 wet conductor, we shall find, as long as the circle continues 

 effectively completed, these two electrometers will exhibit 

 the end of the opposite divergences; for that which is nearest the soap 

 "o^wiUex- G w *'* diverge negatively, while that nearest the pile will 

 hibb negative diverge positively. This may be proved by touching that 

 other end 'posi- P ar * °^ ^ 8 string nearest the soap, by which the electro- 

 tive. meter contiguous to it will be discharged, and the charge 



of the other electrometer will be considerably augmented ; 

 but the reverse will take place, if the part of the wet string 

 nearest the pile be touched. The partition of electricity 

 into two opposite zones therefore is beyond a doubt. 

 If the wet string Now let the positive side communicate with the soap by 

 tween'the soap means °f a wire, and let the wet conductor be interposed 

 andthenega- between the soap and the negative side, the circle >vill not 

 partition of S ^ e corn pl e ted ? and no chemical effect will take place, as has 

 electricities will already been observed. But neither will the string exhibit 

 not ta e p ace, an ^ p ar tition into, electric zones : for if two electrometers 

 be applied to the two opposite ends of this string, they will 

 both diverge in the same direction, and in the same manner; 

 and by touching the string in any part both will be deprived 

 of their divergence. Now to destroy this homogeneousness 

 of electrification, and communicate to the string the most 

 till a -wet con- decided polarity, it is sufficient to apply a wet conductor 

 ductoi has been between the soap and the wire of the positive pole; for 



placed between , . ... , , . . 



ihe soap and the moment its interposition has completed the circle, the 

 the positive two electrometers at the ends of the string will diverge in, 

 opposite directions ; by discharging one the other will be 

 charged; and this partition of opposite electricities will re- 

 main, as long as the apparatus for decomposing water con- 

 and this .effect tinues to indicate, that the circle is complete. This com- 

 will cease, as pi c tion of the circle and partition of the zones will cease 



soon as the r T 



latter conduc- at once, if the wet conductor applied to the wire of the 



tor is amoved. pos ; tive po j e be removed. I could wish, that other natural 



philosophers might be struck like me with the singularity 



of this accordance of effects, the importance of which X 



think I foresee, if it be farther pursued. 



Soap will serve Among the numerous combinations I have tried, to as- 

 as a connecting % certain 



