252 



Dr. G. Gore. 



[Dec. 16, 



passed in the reverse direction. This circumstance partly explains 

 some of the phenomena observed in the double meniscus apparatus. 



The influence of molecular structure of the liquid was discussed, 

 and it was observed generally that the greater the degree of physical 

 and chemical differences between the two liquids, the more conspicuous 

 were all the effects. 



The influence of viscosity, specific gravity, adhesion, and ordinary 

 diffusion, &c, of the liquids was also considered, and conclusions 

 respecting them drawn, by the aid of the results of the experiments. 

 It was concluded that they all affected the phenomena ; that the 

 phenomena of lines and apparent movement of the liquids were not 

 wholly capillary ; that although ordinary diffusion affected the results, 

 its usual effects were modified by the current, which aided diffusion at 

 the negative meniscus and neutralised it at the other. 



Heat having been found to operate only as a disturbing element, 

 the influence of rise of temperature was not specially investigated. 

 The effects of heat resulting from conduction-resistance, and from 

 chemical and electro-chemical action at the meniscuses were, however, 

 observed; in some cases streams of liquid, evolution of gas and 

 steam, and even the phenomena of boiling, were seen in the con- 

 tracted portion in the midst of the mass of the liquids. 



The electrical conditions were essentially important. The electric 

 current produced both physical and chemical effects, consisting of 

 electrolysis, dissociation of water from salt, and simple mechanical 

 movement and diffusion of liquid by electric convection. As these 

 phenomena appeared to be immediate effects of the current, either the 

 current acted under conditions which were not uniform, and produced 

 effects which required different degrees of electro-motive force to pro- 

 duce them, or the current consisted of several portions of electricity 

 of different degrees of electro-motive force. The former supposition 

 harmonised with the fact that the ingredients of chemical compounds 

 were held together more strongly than those of mere mechanical 

 mixtures. The physical portion of the effects were considered to 

 result from electric convection due to electric charge and conduction- 

 resistance at the surfaces of contact of the liquids, and in capillary 

 tubes also at the surface of the glass. The unequal transfer of acids 

 and bases, and the liberation of ions at the contact surfaces of the 

 liquids, further influenced and complicated the effects. It was pre- 

 dicted as probable, that as the amount of electric osmose was greater 

 from a weak solution of a salt or acid to a strong one than the reverse, 

 conduction-resistances to currents of opposite direction passing 

 through such an arrangement would be similarly unequal. Evidence 

 was also adduced for the conclusion that every inequality of structure 

 or composition of the liquid in the path of the current must act to 

 some extent as an electrode. As no visible lines or movements of 



