450 Method of Investigating the Field of Electrolytic Action. , 



extension of the influence, as no difference whatever is detect- 

 able in corresponding parts of a homogeneous field. 



II. Demonstration of the Direction in Electrolytic Fields.— 

 It follows from the generally received views of electric con- 

 duction that, in every part of a homogeneous electrolytic field, 

 the energy is transmitted perpendicularly to the electrodes. 

 The electrochemical method shows, at least, that the direction 

 in this case is everywhere identical. Also it follows that, in 

 certain parts of non-homogeneous fields, the direction is cur- 

 vilinear. A direct experimental proof of differences in direc- 

 tion in a non-homogeneous field was furnished by the analysis 

 of one of considerable dimensions. In a line j oining the centre 

 of the electrodes in this experiment and in another at right 

 angles at its centre, parallel distributions were recorded by 

 analyzers placed lengthwise perpendicular to those sides of the 

 cell where the electrodes were situated. Analyzers placed, 

 however, in the same direction, but a few millimetres from the 

 sides of the cell, and at various distances from the electrodes, 

 recorded non-parallel distributions. It is demonstrable, then, 

 that, in the positions just named, the direction of transmission 

 of the influence forms an angle more or less acute with the 

 sides of the analyzer. Whether the direction results from 

 emission of the influence at various angles from the plane 

 surface of the electrodes, or leaves them always at right angles, 

 and is subsequently driven out of its direct course by the 

 resistance of the medium, remain to be determined. 



It may be asked whether the facts just set forth could have 

 been discovered by any other method than the one now de- 

 scribed. No other method of which I am aware is capable of 

 demonstrating so directly the direction of the influence in the 

 several parts of a non-homogeneous field. Whether the 

 method employed by De La Rive in 1825, or the one used a 

 few years ago by Prof. Adams, for investigating the laws of 

 electric distribution in electrolytes, is capable of exhibiting all 

 physical differences in the corresponding parts of non-homo- 

 geneous fields cannot even be conjectured, until the relation 

 between the magnitudes and the quantities of the ions on the 

 analyzer in these parts of the field has been studied. 



Whatever applications of this graphic method may be 

 found, it possesses the advantages of great simplicity, and 

 of the results being self-recorded and permanent. It may be 

 expected from its nature to assist in the demonstration and 

 elucidation of the laws of transmission of electricity through 

 electrolytic media, and in revealing, it is hoped, the inner 

 nature of the electrolytic process itself. 



