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Compound Galvanic Circles. 17 
Having so far ascertained the certainty that the distance at 
which the plates are placed from each other, exerts an influence on 
the nature of the electricity generated, in the farther investigation 
of the subject, I constructed a battery where the plates were 
brought within the smallest possible distance from each other, 
which was about the 30th or 40th of an inch, to ascertain what ef- 
fects would be produced from such a combination. 
For this purpose, I constructed a common wooden trough, AB, 
16 inches in length, and 2 inches square, into which were placed 
30 glass divisions, at equal distances from each other. Each pair 
of plates, c and z, were connected by means of a slip of wire, m, 
soldered to them, the copper plates being previously perforated, to 
allow a repeated renewal of the liquor contained between the glass 
division c, and the copper plate c, so as to keep up the actioen on 
the zinc plate. The plates were then placed in the trough, so as 
to inclose a glass partition between them ; the copper plate being 
brought as near as possible to the zinc plate, without being in ac- 
tual contact, small pieces of oiled silk being used to keep them 
separate. | 
On the battery being charged, the effects on the deflagration of 
the metals, were similar to those produced by a battery of a few 
large plates; the effect on the needle was also very powerful ; 
while the shock perceived was not more than half the strength of 
one got from the same plates in the form of a pile. This indicated 
that galvanism of a low intensity had been generated, which ex- 
actly agreed with the deduction I had made from the experiments 
previously performed. 
It thus appears, that although electricity of a low intensity is 
generated by plates of a large size, yet size is not the cause of 
this low intensity ; but it is rather to be attributed to the small 
portion of intervening liquid the electricity has to traverse, which 
prevents it being increased in intensity. 
Supposing now that four plates, each twelve inches square, com- 
posing a battery, were cut into plates four inches square, so as to 
form a battery of thirty-six plates, and so arranged as that the 
same distance of liquid may exist between each pair, as that which 
reviously existed between each pair of plates in the large battery. 
he whole distance which the electricity of the first pair of plates 
will have to traverse, in passing from the negative to the positive 
pole, will be 36 inches of liquid; and every pair of plates will be 
of greater or less intensity, in proportion as the distance between 
the negative or positive poles is increased or diminished. 
The electricity generated by the pair of plates at the negative 
pole, having the whole length of the liquid to traverse before it 
arrives at the positive pole, will be much more intense than that 
generated by any pair of plates succeeding to the last, or that con- 
stituting the positive pole, the distance of the liquid gradually di- 
minishing through which the electricity has to pass. 
If instead of arranging the plates so as to form a battery, having 
VOL. I. Cc 
