116 



This discovery has therefore supplied the link in the chain of con- 

 nexion between electricity and magnetism, which has been wanting 

 since Oersted's discovery. That the electricity developed acts in a 

 peculiar manner, so far from diminishing the interest attached to 

 the discovery, adds greatly to its value. 



After the detail of these perfectly original and highly interesting 

 experiments, the author considers the peculiar electric state of the 

 wire when subjected either to volta-electric or magneto-electric in- 

 duction. This state he terms the electro-tonic state. 



Unlike the induction from electricity of tension or the ordinary 

 induction from a magnet, this state of the wire is not analogous to 

 that of the inducing wire ; for whatever may be the permanent state 

 of the wire under induction while the voltaic circuit is complete, or 

 the magnetic contact is unbroken, so long as either of these conti- 

 nues, there is no evidence of any change having taken place in it, 

 and its change of state is only rendered manifest at the instant of in- 

 terrupting the circuit or the contact, and at that of again renewing 

 them ; impulsive forces being brought into action at either instant, 

 but in contrary directions in the two cases. 1 



The author observes, that this peculiar condition shows no known 

 electrical effects whilst it continues, nor has he yet been able to dis- 

 cover any peculiar powers possessed by matter whilst retained in this 

 state; that no re-action is shown by attractive or repulsive powers; 

 that no retarding or accelerating power is exerted upon electric cur- 

 rents passing through metal in the electro-tonic state, that is, the 

 conducting power is not altered by it; that all metals take on this 

 peculiar state; that the electro-tonic state is altogether the effect of 

 the induction excited, and ceases with the inductive power; that 

 this state appears to be instantly assumed, the force brought into 

 action at the instant of its assumption being merely impulsive. 



The author considers that the current of electricity which induces 

 the electro-tonic state in a neighbouring wire, probably induces that 

 state also in its own wire, and that this may be the case with fluids 

 and all other conductors; and concludes that if it be so, it must in- 

 fluence voltaic decomposition and the transference of the elements 

 to the poles. Should facts be found to accord with these views, we 

 consider the author fully justified in his anticipations of the impor- 

 tance of his discovery as applicable to the decomposition of matter, 

 and we certainly feel that the discovery could not have been made 

 by any one more likely to decide this question, or more able to avail 

 himself of a new principle of decomposition when discovered. 



In the series of actions proceeding from the voltaic battery which 

 this discovery exhibits to us, a very curious succession is observable. 

 Volta-electricity passes along the connecting wire of the battery, 

 electro-magnetism at right angles to it. By this means the cylinder 

 of soft iron, within the helix into which the connecting wire is formed, 

 becomes a magnet. If the poles of the magnet be joined by an iron 

 bar, ordinary magnetism passes along this bar, but magneto-electri- 

 city is induced at right angles to it in a helix wound round it. And 

 again, magneto-electricity is propelled along the wire, and magnetism 



