Voltaic Electricity on Alcohol, fyc. 351 



ties aiding the action, as is known to happen in other cases. 

 But on heating the acid strongly in the oxyhydrogen flame, and 

 then transferring it in its pure and transparent state to the table 

 blowpipe flame, I could get no action on the galvanometer or 

 sparks with thirty-six pairs of four-inch plates, whilst it remained 

 clear and transparent, although I observed both, when it became 

 dark coloured from carbonaceous matter derived from the flame. 

 The most probable explanation, therefore, seems to be, although 

 the case is not free from ambiguity, that the carbonaceous matter 

 merely gives a certain degree of conducting power to the mass, 

 and that this is the source of the action on the galvanometer and 

 of the sparks. I have thought it worth while to detail the re- 

 sults, because they may at least serve as a caution to others in 

 making similar experiments ; if they are insufficient to alter our 

 ideas of the non-action of the electric current on this substance. 

 In the whole circumstances, however, I cannot help having 

 some doubts as to the universality of the law of the necessary 

 correspondence between voltaic decomposition and equality of 

 atomic constitution, although I am by no means prepared to re- 

 ject it altogether, and, on the contrary, think that, to a great 

 extent, it may be well founded. It certainly appears very pro- 

 bable, that, when the constituent elements of substances are 

 nearly balanced in number, and particularly when that number 

 is small, they will be peculiarly in that state of electric opposi- 

 tion of character which will make them susceptible of voltaic 

 agency ; and, on the other hand, where the number of atoms is 

 considerable and unequally balanced, the mode of combination 

 may partake more of that character of union of which organic 

 nature appears to present numerous instances in its ternary and 

 quaternary combinations, and in which the electric nature of the 

 combined elements is probably less directly opposed, and will 

 therefore be less adapted for voltaic action, and may very pro- 

 bably even afford many cases where it will be altogether exclud- 

 ed. Feebleness of affinity in the constituent elements may, how- 

 ever, sometimes supply the place of simple atomic constitution, 



