Researches in the Theory and Calculus of Operations. 275 



the zinc being thus continually reinforced. When it is re- 

 collected that action and reaction necessarily prevails 

 throughout the circuit, each atom first striking left and then 

 right, thus arranging a difference of one phase, it is seen 

 that transmission of force takes place both ways; the first 

 positive, the second negative and one phase in arrear. By che- 

 mical affinity, the zinc detaches and combines with the 

 oxygen of the atom of water in its immediate contact, 

 leaving its hydrogen to appropriate in its turn the oxygen 

 of the next atom, and so on to the other extreme of the line. 

 This may be, since the aqueous atom is a compound; but 

 the explanation by transmission of force without decompo- 

 sition suits better with the transmission through the simple 

 element of the conducting wire. 



1° The glass vessels 1, 2, 3, (fig. 16) contain each a quan- 

 tity of sulphacidulated water, any horizontal line of atoms 

 of which is held in equilibrium by the resistance of the 

 glass at each end of the line. A strip of zinc I introduced 

 in 1 disturbs the equilibrium of the adjacent atoms. Expe- 

 riment shows that the acid leaves the hydrogen of the water 

 and unites with the zinc ; a result explanable by saying that 

 the pulsative tensions are nearer unison between the acid 

 and zinc than between the acid and water, the hydro- 

 gen of which is consequently dropped and its place 

 supplied by the zinc,, with which the acid combines, 

 forming sulphoxide of zinc. The disturbance is first pro- 

 pagated from the zinc to both sides A and A' of the vessel, 

 but equilibrium on the line is soon restored on the new 

 basis by the mutual and equal reactions of the glass, the 

 zinc becoming fast coated by oxide against further con- 

 tact with the fluid. 2° A second strip of zinc V introduced 

 as in 2, disturbs anew the equilibrium, a like action is re- 

 commenced, there is now action and reaction between V 

 and I; more fluid is decomposed, and more sulphoxide of 

 zinc is formed, with the liberation of a proportionate quan- 



