and Electrolysis of Chemical Compounds. 4:4:7 



of a moderate induction-coil. This proceeded from the longer 

 electrode, which, extending the whole length of the tube, could 

 move somewhat freely : the passage of the current set it in 

 vibration ; and undulations were seen at the surface of the 

 benzol. This phenomenon was most pronounced when the 

 longer electrode was the negative pole ; the surface of the 

 liquid was then depressed around the wire ; but when it was 

 positive, the reverse was the case — the vibrations feebler, and 

 the fluid ran up the wire. We found no indication of a 

 polarization-current. 



This peculiar phenomenon of the vibrations is analogous to 

 a remarkable experiment previously discovered by Warren De 

 la Rue : when one electrode of the battery of 8040 cells ends 

 in a horizontal flat disk of copper and the other in a very thin 

 platinum wire placed above it a little beyond the striking- 

 distance, the electricity streaming out of the wire sets it in 

 oscillation so that its extremity describes luminous circles, 

 often ellipses. If the platinum wire is positive, the vibrating 

 motion is feebler and consequently the luminous circles 

 smaller. 



IV. Stannic tetrachloride. — The current from 8040 cells 

 transmitted through the liquid produced strong vibrations 

 when the longer wire was the negative electrode ; when posi- 

 tive, they were weaker. We could not detect either a polari- 

 zation-current or any trace of electrolysis. 



Y. Carbonic acid (GO 2). — We transmitted the current from 

 5640 cells directly through the gas condensed to the liquid 

 state. With the small space between the electrodes this dis- 

 charge was too strong, since a brisk succession of sparks 

 appeared, the heat produced by which caused the tube to ex- 

 plode. Notwithstanding, the conclusion was thereby justified 

 that liquid carbonic acid is a very bad conductor, since with 

 this current a spark-discharge does not take place in conducting 

 fluids. 



VI. Hydrochloric acid. — The condensed acid was prepared 

 in the closed tube from dry chloride of ammonium and con- 

 centrated sulphuric acid, by which the gas was deprived of 

 moisture simultaneously with its evolution. 



At first a series of 2160 cells was used, but without result, 

 no action being perceptible. We then tried the current from 

 3240 cells, when the vibrations in the liquid were evidenced 

 by the undulating surface. Finally 5640 cells were employed ; 

 and now the peculiar humming sound from the vibrating 

 electrode was also heard. Taught by the preceding experi- 

 ment, we did not employ the entire battery, for fear of an 

 explosion ; but without this the present experiment was 



