134 MR CONNELL ON THE ACTION OF VOLTAIC ELECTRICITY 



the circumstance that no acid is observed to be produced under the described ar- 

 rangement in the alcoholic solution ; for alcohol contains water, and that water, 

 as I trust it has been sufficiently proved, suflfers voltaic decomposition, and thus 

 an alcoholic as well as an aqueous solution presents the condition for a double 

 decomposition, if such a double decomposition really can occur. 



The observed appearances thus seem to be at variance on any reasonable 

 mode of interpretation, with the idea that chlorides and iodides are dissolved as 

 such in water. Let us take the other view, that they are dissolved as muriates 

 and hydriodates, and what a contrast is observed. Not only are the phenomena 

 easily explained, but they appear to be the necessary consequences of the suppo- 

 sition adopted. For if a salt composed of acid and alkali is dissolved in water, its 

 constituents ought to go to their proper poles under voltaic agency ; and in the 

 experiments detailed, acid ought to be produced in the solution at its positive 

 side, and to accumulate in that solution, if faster produced than carried over into 

 the positive water, which experiment shews to be the case.* 



The observation lately made by Dr Mohr of Coblentz, that no electric stream 

 is produced by the union of a hydracid and an alkali, f finds its readiest explana- 

 tion in the views above advocated ; because such a union is thus placed in the 

 same case with that of an oxyacid and an alkali, which, according to Mr Faraday, 

 produces no voltaic current. 



Although I have thus stated the conclusion on this point which appears to 

 follow from the phenomena as observed, yet I am too well aware of the great subtlety 

 of the subject, and have too much deference for the opinions of the many eminent 

 men who have held different views, to wish to be understood as speaking dogma- 

 tically upon it. If any errors of observation, or mistakes in point of reasoning, 

 affecting the conclusion which has been drawn, can be pointed out, I shall always 

 be happy to acknowledge them, if they cannot be explained. 



V. — General Conclusions respecting the Voltaic Decomposition of Solutions in 



Water, Alcohol, and Ether. 



It is to Mr Faraday that we are indebted for experimental evidence in nu- 

 merous cases of aqueous solutions, that the direct agency of the electric current 

 is exerted upon the water of the solution only, and that the other appearances of 

 decomposition in these instances are due to secondary actions, t Amongst the 



* It will be readily understood, that when the poles are actually in the solution, the acid should 

 first appear at the positive pole, and thence spread into the liquid when it has accumulated, as was shewn 

 by M. DE LA Rive ; but when the poles are beyond the solution, the acid must make its way from the 

 solution to the pole through the interposed water, and unless carried through the water as fast as it is 

 produced, it must accumulate in the solution. 



f Pog. Annal. xxxix. 134. 



X Experimental Researches, seventh series* 



