ELECTRIC COLUMN. 
S74> 
Observations derably j and I have also found that by increasing the natural 
heat np^n^the paper artificially, the effects of the columns 
electromotive are rendered less permanent. 
colum^n? ^ The peculiar object of my experiments has hitherto pre- 
vented me from attending very accurately to the meteorological 
relations of this instrument, though I have contrived some 
simple arrangements of the apparatus for that purpose ; but 
in the course of these inquiries I have particularly remarked, 
that heat has a very manifest influence on the electrical power 
jOf the column, and I am induced to ascribe to that cause, 
' the effect produced by the action of the sun's rays, as described 
by its ingenious inventor, Mr. De Luc, in the last number of 
this Journal. 
That active philosopher is at present of a contrary opinion, 
to which he has been led by considering the effect produced by 
t heat when its action is so considerable as to dry the paper discs, 
and render them non-conducting. But he is not yet acquainted 
with the facts I have now to detail. 
1. I have a small bell-ringing apparatus, which is (ronstautly 
in motion, but the pendulum vibrates with different velocity at 
various times. During a long series of observations, it has 
V. 
been found, that the motion is alsvays slower in winter than 
during the summer, if the apparatus is kept iu a room where 
tiiere is no fire ; and that any considerable increase of temjre- 
rsture is soon followed by qn increased velocity of motion, 
2. A bell-ringing apparatus, which had been very active 
during the summer, began to pulsate more slowly towards the 
middle of September : the apparatus was then removed into 
another room, and placed at some distance from the fire. At 
the end of a quarter of an hour it vibrated more rapidly than 
at any former period ; but on being removed to its former 
situation, the action gradually declined, and became as slow as 
before. 
3. A column of 1000 series was applied to the cap of a 
gold leaf electrometer, its remote extremity being held in the 
hand. The temperature of the room was about 50. 1 he 
gold leaf struck the sides of the gla s nine limes in O'-l seconds. 
The 
