[ 861 ] 
XXXVIII. On the life of an Amalgam of Zinc , for the 
Purpofe of electrical 'Excitation , 8cc. By Bryant Hig- 
gins, M. D. in a Letter to Richard Brocklelby, M. Di 
F . R. S « 
TOD R. B ROCKLESB Y. 
DEAR SIR, 
Greek Street, Soho ? 
May 8,-1778. 
Read July 4, T3 Y divers experiments lately made by 
^ myfelf, and repeated by others, I find 
that, agreeable to the fuggeftion made in my laft courfe 
of chemiftry, the amalgam of zinc, which contains four 
times more quickfilver than zinc, is much better for 
electrical excitation than the tin amalgam of the inge- 
nious Mr. canton, when ufed in the fame circum- 
ftances. 
I alfo find, that electrical cylinders are eafily and ef- 
fectually cleanfed by applying to them a piece of the 
dry Ikin of the dog-fifh whilft the cylinders are turned; 
q round;; 
