376 



Prof. 0. Sheard on the 



melting-point of Cdl 2 (402° C. at atmosplieric pressure) 

 showed decay with time from initial maximum values. In 

 contrast, curves 3 and 4, obtained at a temperature of 

 465° C, show a rise of current to a maximum value after 



Fiff. 3. 



~3© 6o go loo laeWo 

 Time- Mirtu-tes 



ltd ISo 



15-20 minutes' heating followed by values falling off asympto- 

 tically with the time. Also, the current-time relations, 

 determined at a temperature of 415° C. and a pressure of 

 1*3 cm., showed a rapid rise in five minutes' heating to a 

 maximum value of the current which was maintained for 

 about twenty minutes and then decayed with time to a steady 

 value after an hour's heating. These results at temperatures 

 above 400° C. are not in accord with Schmidt's conclusion 

 that the cadmium salts differ from other salts used in not 

 exhibiting an initial rise, and that the products of de- 

 composition, the active and inactive, have rates of decay, 

 Xi and X 2 , which are nearly equal to each other. The results 

 may be made to fit this explanation if Xi and \ 2 have about 



