1884.] On a New Metliod, of Generating Electricity. 



209 



this substance was put into the crucible and fused so as to nearly 

 immerse the platinum foil tube. 



On connecting the two wires with a galvanometer no deflection was 

 observed when the crucible and contents were heated to redness in the 

 oxidising flame of the Bunsen burner. When, however, hydrogen gas 

 was supplied to the inner platinum tube, an immediate production of 

 electricity was perceived. The tube of platinum foil containing 

 hydrogen was seen to correspond to the zinc element in an ordinary 

 galvanic cell. 



This experiment being verified other substances were tried instead 

 of phosphoric acid. 



Sulphuric acid nearly at its boiling point gave a slight current. 



Chloride of sodium in the fused state gave a very good result. 

 Then the chlorides of potassium, calcium, and the alkaline earth 

 metals were tried with similar results. 



As might be expected the production of electricity increased with 

 the temperature. 



It was, however, soon found that the production of the current was 

 stopped if the flame of the Bunsen burner did not ensure perfect 

 combustion on the exterior of the platinum crucible. 



Experiments showed that if a reducing flame was applied to the 

 crucible while the small tube contained air, then a current of electricity 

 in the reverse direction was obtained. 



Tubes of palladium foil substituted for the platinum tubes gave 

 similar results. 



After a number of trials with tubes of platinum foil, an apparatus 

 was constructed of two platinum tubes closed at one end. 



The inner tube was 4 inches long and J- inch internal diameter, 

 while the outer tube was 3J- inches long, and § inch inside diameter. 

 The thickness of metal was ywq inch in both tubes. 



The two tubes when used for these experiments were arranged 

 upright in a small Fletcher's gas furnace, the inner tube being 

 supported at any desired height in the centre of the larger tube and 

 connected with a supply of hydrogen. 



Numerous experiments were made with this apparatus. The 

 temperature could be easily regulated from a dull red heat to a white 

 heat, and various saline substances could be tried as media. 



The fused sulphates, carbonates, and nitrates were found to be 

 unsuitable for the production of the current. The results obtained 

 with fused chlorides, &c, showed that the hydrogen not only passed 

 through the metal of the inner tube, but also through the fused saline 

 medium and then through the outer platinum tube. 



In recent experiments with this apparatus it appears that when a 

 good transmitting substance is used between the tubes, and when 

 about 3*3 square inches of the inner tube are in contact with the 



