326 Dr. L. Bleekrode on Electrical Conductivity [Nov. 6^ 



experiment was sufficient to conclude tliat the liquid gas (which, dissolved 

 in water, belongs to the best conductors) opposes a formidable resistance 

 even to an extraordinarily strong galvanic current, and is not decomposed 

 in a perceptible way. 



yil. Cyanogen {C^'N.;). 

 The current from 3240 cells did not produce any effect on the liquid 

 gas. With 5640 cells the vibrations were very apparent ; and again we 

 observed the same difference between the negative and the positive elec- 

 trode as with the benzine, the liquid mmiing up the wire when it was 

 positive. No polarization was detected. 



yni. Zino-ethijl (Zn(C, H.)^). 

 With 3240 cells vibratory motions were observed in this liquid. They 

 were very beautiful when the battery was increased to 5640 cells ; the 

 temperature of the liquid augmented now sensibly. Afterwards we 

 detected a current caused by polarization of the electrodes, which pro- 

 duced a deflection of five divisions on the scale. We have therefore 

 reason to conclude that electrolytic action took place, which may be 

 accompanied therefore by vibratory motions in the hquid, though a very 

 strong galvanic current is required. 



IX. Benzine (C, H^). 

 The experiment III. with benzine was repeated in order to ascertain, 

 if possible, whether a current could pass through a compound without 

 electrolysis. The whole series of 8040 cells was now applied, and the 

 spark jumped between the electrodes. A large deposit of carbona- 

 ceous matter was observed throughout the liquid, and was undoubtedly 

 separated by the heat of the sparks. We had another tube with 

 electrodes at a somewhat greater distance, and the current was kept 

 passing during two minutes. No sparks jumped, and the liquid was in a 

 strong vibratory condition, showing that the electricity was transmitted, 

 yet we could not afterwards detect the slightest deflection caused by 

 polarization. We observed also that the electrodes after the experiment 

 were still very clean. Now it must be remarked that with liquids which 

 proved themselves extremely bad conductors, the absence of a polariza- 

 tion current, when tested with the galvanometer, cannot lead to the con- 

 clusion that no electrolysis at all took place ; for the great resistance 

 which the current of the whole battery of 8040 cells had to overcome in 

 the case of benzine was so much weakened, that it caused only a deflec- 

 tion of about 55 divisions on the scale of the sensitive Thomson galva- 

 nometer placed in the circuit ; the same resistance in the liquid was 

 obviously opposed to the feeble current that might result from polari- 

 zation, which must therefore be unable to act on the galvanometer. The 

 polarization current can then be no longer applied as a test for electro- 

 lysis in all cases. 



