Chemistry and Physics. 311 
a hypothetical one, since an acid of ae constitution has been ren- 
dered probable by the maximum contraction observed when one 
molecule of H,SO, and two of pe ig are mixed. In the case of 
nitric acid, the seth of current ss age to be upon the group 
20,(H, O) 45 ; a body conceded to e 
Crystallized oxalic sae “‘dorianately, dake in solution, is elec- 
trolyzed alone, no water takin ng part. The hydrogen disengaged 
corresponds to the equatio 
C,H,0,(H,0), = (C, O,-+0,) ihe 6 ea, ae (Boa 
As only Sections dioxide is set free at the positive electrode, 
must be that the AL soon evolved reacts upon and destroys ae 
portion of the acid, t 
(C,H,0,(H, O)a)e+0, = (C,0,),+(H29),. 
Moreover, if this interpretation be true, the quantity of acid de- 
stroyed should be much greater at the positive than the negative 
electrode ; for: 
1) At N electrode. By current 1 molecule, 
‘Aci 
cid sare (2) At P electrode ode | 
“ 
Now 
exactly ¢ thre e times | greater than at the negative. gain, in elec- 
ie 
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m1 
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Rm 
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the result yh The si sia on ee acid only, thus: 
EO electrode. Negative electrode. 
sie (C, H,0,4+-0) +... .%..5 H 
and a . ‘the pom: the ea reactions occur: 
,0,+0 = CO,+CH,0,. 
(2) Water alone is  tcomee 
,0,+0 = CO,+H,0 
arn iy The acid bey he water sxe both ie simultane- 
C,H,0,0)-++-0 = (CO,),+H 
If « represent the’ amount of acid slecteotpiad, 2s loss pina be: 
by the first hypothesis, nothing at the positive and equal to ; Sat 
the negative electrode; by the second, on the corny there i is no 
loss at the negative, and the* oss is equal to a at the se 
electrode; and by - third, it is equal in ak pasa ent, 
being represented by < 3 Now experiment shows that there is no 
loss of acid at the positive electrode ; hence the first hypothesis is 
the true one, and the water is not ‘decomposed by the current. 
lies an Bourgoin concludes, therefore, that: “ Water is 
hot decomposed by the electric current; it plays the part of a 
Solvent only.”— Bull, Ch., U, xvii, 244, arch, 1872. 
G F. B. 
