296 Dr. G. Gore. Electric Currents [Jan. 6, 



consisting of either mutual attraction or repulsion of the two liquids, 

 and that the to and fro movement is a secondary circumstance 

 arising from this in consequence of the greater adhesion of the solution 

 than of the mercury to the tube. 



The relations of the phenomena to heat and temperature are 

 discussed, and the inference drawn that these influences perform only 

 an unimportant part in the actions. 



With regard to the electric conditions, it is observed that the phe- 

 nomena are inseparably connected with electric transfer, and may be 

 attended or not by electrolysis ; the latter, when present, being only a 

 coincidence. Various experiments were made with electricity derived 

 from an electrophorus, and the effects obtained are described in 

 different parts of the paper ; and the sensitiveness of the instrument 

 to electric influence is illustrated. From the various results obtained 

 by the author and other investigators, a conclusion is drawn that the 

 phenomenon is essentially one of electric convection ; that the primary 

 mechanical movement at the two liquid surfaces is due to a more or 

 less charged electric state of those surfaces, which under the condi- 

 tions of unequal adhesion of the two liquids to the tube produces the 

 to and fro movement. 



The movements were independent of chemical action. 



VII. " Electric Currents caused by Liquid Diffusion and Os- 

 mose." By G. Gore, LL.D., F.R.S. Received December 9, 

 1880. 



The following experiments arose out of a research on " The Influence 

 of Voltaic Currents on the Diffusion of Liquids." As the converse 

 phenomena of electric diffusion and electric osmose of liquids would 

 be the production of electric currents by liquid diffusion and osmose, 

 I made various attempts to obtain them. 



Other investigators have already obtained electric currents by 

 means of the contact of two liquids.* Nobili appears to have been 

 the first. In his arrangement, each element consisted of a series of 

 four glass cups, each containing an electrolyte, the liquids in the two 

 terminal vessels being precisely alike, and containing platinum 

 electrodes, and a second and third kind of liquid being in the two 

 intermediate cups respectively. Liquids of suitable specific gravity 

 were selected, such as not to spontaneously mix. The solutions were 

 connected by means of liquids (similar to those in the cups) contained 



* Nobili, " Ann. de Chem. et Phys.," vol. xxxviii, 1828, p. 239 ; " Pogg. Ann.," 

 vol. xiv, 1828, p. 169; Feclmer, "Pogg. Ann.," vol. xlviii, 1839, pp. 1 to 225; 

 Wild, " Pogg. Ann.," vol. ciii, 1858, p. 353 ; Schmidt, " Pogg. Ann.," vol. cix, 1860, 

 p. 106 ; Wullner, " Pogg. Ann.," vol. cvi, 1859, p. 454, vol. cix, 1860, p. 94. 



