Copy 1, Volume 1

Hand-book of chemistry / Translated by Henry Watts.

  • Gmelin, Leopold, 1788-1853
Date:
1848-1872
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Hand-book of chemistry / Translated by Henry Watts. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    453/562 (page 429)
    Mr. Grove likewise tried various other combinations of gases, viz. chlorine and hydrogen, chlorine and carbonic oxide, oxygen and nitrous oxide, oxygeu and nitric oxide, hydrogen and carbonic oxide, &c.; but none of them were found to be adapted for actual use in the battery. Chlorine and hydrogen gave a powerful current; but the rapid absorp- tion of the chlorine soon put a stop to the action. Chlorine and oxygen, on the one side, and hydrogen and carbonic oxide, on the other, were the only gases which appeared to be decidedly capable of combining electro- synthetically, so as to produce a voltaic current. The other combina- tions produced no effect, excepting for the first few minutes. Olefiant gas should perhaps be excepted: it appears to give a continuous but feeble current. The vapours of bromine and iodine, were they less solu- ble, would probably also be found efficient as electro-negative gases. (Phil. Mag. J. 21, 417; 24, 268, 346 and 422.) 7 I. Llectricity developed by the Vital Process. Certain fishes, as Zorpedo unimaculata, marmorata, Galvani (the Electric Eel), and Narke (the Electric Ray); Stdurus electricus; Tetraodon electricus, and Gymnotus electricus, have the power of constantly generating the two electricities in their bodies, in large quantity and of considerable tension, and imparting electric shocks.—In the Electric Ray, negative electricity proceeds from the under, positive electricity from the upper surface of the body. The electricity, when conducted away by wires, acts upon the magnetic needle, and decomposes liquids. (J. Davy.) Sparks may also be obtained from the Electric Ray by means of a pecu- liar apparatus. (Linari & Matteucci.) Comp. Humboldt (Ann. Chim. Phys. 11, 415); J. Davy (Phil. Trans. 1829, 15; also Schw. 57, 17; also Pogg. 16, 811;--Phil. Trans. 1832, 259; also Pogg. 27, 542); Linari & Matteucci (Pogg. 38, 292); Matteucci (Pogg. 39, 485); Linari (Pogg. 40, 642); Colladon (Pogg. 39, 411). 4] Faraday has examined the electric force of the Gymnotus. He finds that the shock is strongest when one band is applied to the head and the other to the tail,—and diminishes in force as the points of con- tact are brought closer together. The galvanometer was affected, and iodide of potassium decomposed---in such a manner as to show that the current proceeds from the anterior towards the posterior part of the fish. The spark was also obtained by means of a magneto-electric coil. When the shock was strong, it was like that of a large Leyden battery charged to a low degree, or that of a voltaic battery of perhaps one hundred and ~ forty or more pairs, of which the circuit is completed for a minute only. (Phil. Trans. 1839, 1,1; Phil. Mag. J. 14, 211.) The spark had previously been obtained from a gymnotus by Fahl- berg and Guisan. (De Gymnoto electrico, Tubingen, 1819.) 4. Il. InruvENcE oF ELECTRICITY ON THE CHEMICAL NATURE OF - PoNDERABLE SUBSTANCES. 1. Combinations brought about by Electrical Influence. The combination of the two electricities often causes combustible bodies, which may be present at the place of combination, to unite with oxygen, chlorine, &c.