320 Proceedings of the Royal Society 
subject, written by himself, besides 10 in company with others. 
Since the date of that catalogue he added to the number. The 
first paper of importance written by him was published in the year 
1822, and contained many ingenious and important experiments 
illustrative of the discoveries of Oersted and Ampere. His interest 
in chemistry led him to espouse the chemical theory of the 
voltaic current. On seven different occasions he supported this 
view in various scientific journals. His researches on electro- 
chemical decomposition were in part the basis of the modern art of 
electro-plating. He made several experimental inquiries into the 
heat generated by the passage of electricity through conductors; 
some of his most celebrated and original experiments had reference 
to the action of magnetism upon the electric discharge. These 
experiments led him to form a theory of the aurora, on which sub- 
ject he published a series of articles from the year 1848 to the 
year 1862. In 1862 he illustrated the theory by a number of 
beautiful experiments publicly exhibited at Geneva. At various 
epochs he discussed historically the progress of electrical science. 
But the work of M. De la Bive was not confined to electricity. 
In the years 1838-39 he discussed the phenomenon of sunset, usually 
called the second coloration of Mont Blanc ; and his explanation 
is now generally adopted. He made experiments on specific heats; 
and his communications on the variations of terrestrial magnetism, 
as depending upon elevation above and depression below the sur- 
face of the soil, are of considerable value. Some of his latest 
researches had reference to Faraday’s discovery of the magneto- 
rotary effect of bodies upon plane-polarised light. He was a great 
friend of Faraday’s, of whose life he wrote an interesting review, 
published in the “ Bibliotheque Universelle.” 
Auguste He la Bive exerted himself to spread an interest in 
science among those with whom he came in contact. His genial 
manner and his open hospitality gathered round him a large circle 
of friends. He always extended a helping hand to the young man 
of science. Many could bear witness to this trait in his character ; 
and it was well illustrated by the manner in which he welcomed 
Faraday, and discovered his talent, at a time when the coldness of 
Sir Humphrey Davy would have led many to neglect him. 
Most of the scientific societies of Europe bestowed upon M. He 
