new Electro^^chemical Phenomena. 
59 
than has hitherto been offered, of the inherent electrical states 
of matter, which are decidedly exhibited by the attractions 
and repulsions between the opposite poles; and when con- 
nected w'ith Dr. Wollaston's researches, to which I have 
elsewhere alluded, they amply demonstrate the identity in 
chemical powers of common and Voltaic electricity. 
The attraction of acids by the positively electrified surface, 
and of alkalies and inflammables by that which is negatively 
electrified, is thus easily exhibited ; and the theory which 
regards their mutual attractive energies, as dependent upon 
their opposite electrical states, confirmed by experiments, not 
less decisive, than those in which the Voltaic instrument was 
employed. 
Of the former class phosphorus in slow, and in rapid com- 
bustion, and benzoic acid, furnish the most striking instances; 
and of the latter, the combustion of potassium and of camphor 
are excellent examples. 
There are, however, some circumstances which appear 
difficult to explain, and which have not turned out as might 
have been expected a priori. The combustion, for instance, of 
carburetted hydrogen gives rise to the production of w^atcr 
and carbonic acid, but its flame is entirely and powerfully at- 
tracted by the negative surface ; and carbonic oxide, which 
produces carbonic acid, is not very evidently attracted by either 
pole, unless the flame be of a very large size. It may, how- 
ever, be conceived with regard to carburetted hydrogen, that 
the carbonic acid which is formed does actually pass off to the 
positive surface, and that the polarity of its flame is influenced 
rather by the combustible, than by the product of combustion: 
this idea is in some measure sanctioned by the appearances 
