chemical Agencies of Electricity . 33 
In the simplest case of electrical action, tlie alkali which 
receives electricity from the metal would necessarily, on 
being separated from it, appear positive ; whilst the acid under 
similar circumstances would be negative ; and these bodies 
having respectively with regard to the metals, that which 
may be called a positive and a negative electrical energy, in 
their repellent and attractive functions seem to be governed 
by laws the same as the common laws of electrical attraction 
and repulsion. The body possessing the positive energy 
being repelled by positively electrified surfaces, and attracted 
by negatively electrical surfaces ; and the bod}^ possessing the 
negative energy following the contrary order. 
I have made a number of experiments with the view of 
elucidating this idea, and of extending its application ; and in 
all cases they have tended to confirm the analogy in a 
remarkable manner. 
Well burned charcoal water and nitric acid, the same sub- 
stance water and solution of soda, made respectively elements 
of different electrical combinations, became distinctly active 
when 20 alternations were put together : the positive energy 
being exhibited on the side of the alkali, and the negative on 
that of the acid. Arrangements of plates of zinc, pieces of 
moistened pasteboard, and moistened quicklime, to the number 
of 40 series, likewise formed a weak electrical pile, the effect 
of the lime being similar to that of an alkali, but the power 
was soon lost. 
I endeavoured, by means of very delicate instruments, to 
ascertain the electrical states of single insulated acid and 
alkaline solutions, after their contact with metals ; and for 
this purpose I employed at different times the condensing 
MDCCCVII. F 
