1876.] 



and Electrolysis in Chemical Compounds, 



325 



moderate induction-coil when active) was heard. This was caused by one 

 of the electrodes, the longest, that passed through the whole tube, and 

 therefore w^as somewhat free in its movement ; the passage of the current 

 into the liquid set it in a vibratory condition, and the benzine presented 

 an undulating surface. The effect was the strongest when the wire was 

 negative, and the surface of the liquid was then depressed ; when the 

 long wire was positive the contrary was observed, the vibrations were 

 less and the fluid ran up the wire. We did not find any sign of a polariza- 

 tion current. 



The peculiar phenomenon of vibrations seems to be connected with a 

 beautiful experiment w^hich Mr. Warren De La E-ue discovered before. 

 When one of the terminal wires of the battery of 8040 cells ended in a 

 flat horizontal copper disk, and the other in a very fine platinum wire 

 (•002 inch) placed above it, a little farther than the striking distance, the 

 platinum electrode being negative, the electricity streamed out of the 

 wire with a luminous appearance ; but the wire was at the same time in 

 a vibratory condition, as it described a luminous circle (sometimes chang- 

 ing into an ellipse). When the platinum wire was positive the vibra- 

 tions were not so strong, and therefore the radius of the circle described 

 was less. 



IV. Tin tetrachloride (SnClJ. 

 The current from 8040 cells passing through the liquid caused strong 

 vibrations when the long wire (electrode) was negative, otherwise the 

 vibrations were less when it was positive. We could not detect any 

 current caused by polarization, nor any sign of decomposition. 



V. Carbonic acid (CO^). 

 We tried liquid carbonic acid gas at once with the current from 

 5640 cells. This was too much for the small space between theelec- 

 trodes ; the spark jumped between them, and the heat developed caused 

 the tube to explode with great violence. Notwithstanding we may con- 

 clude that this liquid gas also must be a very bad conductor, as sparks 

 never appear in conducting substances. 



YI. Hydi^ochloric acid (HCl). 

 The liquid hydrochloric acid gas was prepared from chloride of am- 

 monium and concentrated sulphuric acid, which had been previously 

 put into the tube and brought gradually into contact ; the gas evolved 

 had to pass through the acid, and was in this way deprived of moisture. 

 At first a series of 2160 cells was used, but without result, no action 

 being visible ; afterwards we tried the current from 3240 cells, and 

 the vibrations in the liquid were then very apparent by the undulating 

 surface ; at last 5640 cells were applied, when the ringing sound became 

 audible from the vibrating electrode. We did not use the whole series 

 for fear of an explosion possibly occurring by the spark jumping ; yet the 



