MR. GROVE ON THE DECOMPOSITION OF WATER BY HEAT. 
21 
hitherto mysterious phenomena of the non-polar decomposition of water by electrical 
discharges, as in the experiments of Pearson and Wollaston. This class of decom- 
positions may now be carried much further. With the exception of fused metals, 1 
know of no liquid, which, when exposed to intense heat such as that given by the 
electric spark, the voltaic arc, or incandescent platinum, does not give off permanent 
gas ; phosphorus, sulphur, acids, hydrocarbons, water, salts, bromine and chloride of 
iodine, all yield gaseous matter. 
Viewing these effects simply as facts, and without entering on any theoretical ex- 
planations or speculations, I cannot but think that there is a remarkable generality 
pertaining to them worthy of the most careful attention. 
The apparatus I have described, particularly that represented by fig. 5, and the 
numerous applications of voltaic ignition which will occur to those who duly con- 
sider the subject, promise, I venture to believe, new methods and powers of investi- 
gating the molecular constitution of matter, and will, I trust, lead to novel and 
important results. 
Nov. 10, 1846. 
