and on a new Chemico-Mechanical Battery, 321 
metal is next to be placed in an acid solution with a little 
nitro-muriate of platinum, which metal is to be thrown down 
by the formation of a simple galvanic circuit; and lastly, the 
platinized metal is to be formed with amalgamated zinc into 
a battery, either with a porous tube or paper bag, or without 
them, according to the fancy of the operator, or the purpose 
for which it is wanted. 
The advantage from this form of battery arises, as I believe, 
from a mechanical help to the evolution of the hydrogen ; and 
therefore it is proposed to call it the Chemico-mechanical 
battery. This battery may remain in the acid for a length of 
time, and neither the amalgamated zinc nor platinized silver 
will undergo the slightest change, and the whole will be as 
silent as death. Let only communication be made, the liquid 
in each cell becomes troubled ; — it boils — it bubbles, and 
produces the effects which have been detailed. The quan- 
tity of electricity passing through either wires or liquids 
may be pretty accurately judged from the action taking place 
in the battery, for if the communication be made through a 
liquid of difficult decomposition, or through long small wires 
(70 or 80 feet), but little gas will be given off from the pla- 
tinized metal, but when short thick wires are used the action 
is violent. A galvanometer might be constructed of one cell, 
similar to the oxygen cell of Professor Daniell, as this would 
show the exact amount of electricity passing. 
The importance of constructing a battery that shall be small 
in compass, efficient in action, cheap in its operation, and 
devoid of troublesome manipulation, is important in the highest 
degree; and I consider that my chemico-mechanical battery 
will be found frequently a useful means of obtaining gases for 
the oxy-hydrogen light. Its value for blowing up vessels 
under water, and exploding powder in mines, is sufficiently 
obvious. 
In conducting the extensive series of experiments, of which 
this is a summary, the grand features have been rather at- 
tended to than very minute results; and in conclusion, it 
would ill befit me if I did not here mention the valuable as- 
sistance I have received by the loan of apparatus, &c. from 
many individuals, but most especially from Professor Daniell, 
William Terry, Esq., and Mr. E. Palmer. 
Bank of England, Feb. 29, 1840. 
Phil, Mag, S. 3. Vol. 16. No. 103. April 1840. 
Y 
