of Electrolyte on the Area of Electrification. 95 
other things, that the condition of the electrolytic field affects 
not only the area of the electrifications, as this was to be fore- 
seen, but also the ratio of the — to the + electrification. The 
numbers in the fifth columns in the above tables show the 
great diversity in this respect ; and in my recent paper (Phil. 
Mag. June 1883) I referred to more examples, under condi- 
tions, too, where it appeared very difficult to imagine the 
nature of the difference in the condition of the surrounding 
molecules. As to the' meaning of this disparity in the ratio of 
the electrifications, I am unable to form a conception satisfac- 
tory to myself. 
The work has moreover established the definite relation 
already pointed out between intermedial space and electro- 
motive force. And on an examination into the effects of what 
I have named " Dissymmetry in the Electrolytic Discharge," 
in the light of this relation, 1 believe I observe a difference of 
electromotive force of the molecules where the dissymmetry 
manifests itself, i. e. on the + and — sides of non-uniform 
fields. The evidence consists in differences in the area of the 
spaces on analyzers in corresponding parts of the field relative 
to the electrodes, or sides of the trough. I find that the area 
of the intermedial space on an analyzer on the + side is inva- 
riably smaller than that on the — side, from which it would 
follow that the electromotive force of the molecules on the + 
side is invariably the greater. This conclusion is supported 
by another observation of a somewhat different character. On 
the analyzers c and d, shown in fig. 1, p. 393 of my paper in 
the June number of the Philosophical Magazine, it is evident 
that a greater amount of electrochemical action was set up 
on c ; and c, it will be observed, is on the + side of the trough, 
where it has been inferred that the electromotive force of the 
molecules is the greater. I think it not improbable that this 
difference in electromotive force is related to Faraday's obser- 
vation (' Experimental Researches/ Series xii., xiii.) that 
" Negative electricity discharges into air at a somewhat lower 
tension than positive electricity." The molecules surrounding 
the electrode discharging + electricity would, of course, be 
differently affected electrically than when the electrode was 
discharging — electricity ; and if this be true of molecules of 
air, why may it not be equally true of the molecules of a solu- 
tion of copper sulphate or other electrolyte. A difference in 
the electromotive force of molecules in corresponding posi- 
tions would appear, then, to be a feature of dissymmetry in 
certain electrolytic fields ; but the more noteworthy effect of 
this dissymmetry is seen in the differences in the area of like 
electrifications on the correspondingly placed analyzers. 
June 25, 1883. 
12 
