38 
order of zinc, copper, moistened cloth, zinc, cop- 
per, moistened cloth, and so on, they form an elec- 
trical battery which will give strong shocks and 
sparks, and which is possessed of remarkable 
chemical powers. The luminous phenomena pro- 
duced by common electricity are well known. It 
would be improper to dwell upon them in this 
place. They are the most impressive effects occa- 
sioned by this agent ; and they offer illustrations 
of lightning and thunder. 
Electrical changes are constantly taking place in 
nature, on the surface of the earth and in the at- 
mosphere ; but as yet the effects of this power in 
vegetation have not been correctly estimated. 
It has been shown by experiments made by means 
of the Voltaic battery, (the instrument composed 
of zinc, copper, and water,) that compound bodies 
in general are capable of being decomposed by 
electrical powers, and it is probable that the 
various electrical phenomena occurring in our 
system must influence both the germination of 
seeds and the growth of plants. I found that corn 
sprouted much more rapidly in water positively 
electrified by the Voltaic instrument than in water 
negatively electrified ; and experiments made upon 
the atmosphere show that clouds are usually ne- 
gative ; and as when a cloud is in one state of 
electricity the surface of the earth beneath is 
brought into the opposite state, it is probable that 
in common cases the surface of the earth is positive. 
Different opinions are entertained amongst 
scientific men respecting the nature of electricity ; 
by some, the phaenomena are conceived to depend 
