In reference to this subject see now electrolytic induction and discharge, Series XII. ¶ viii. 1343-1351, &c.—Dec. 1838.
See the note to (675.),—Dec. 1838.
Even Sir Humphry Davy considered the attraction of the pole as being communicated from one particle to another of the same kind (483.).
See the note to (670.).—Dec. 1838.
In making this experiment, care must be taken that no substance be present that can act chemically on the gold. Although I used the metal very carefully washed, and diffused through dilute sulphuric acid, yet in the first instance I obtained gold at the negative pole, and the effect was repeated when the platina poles were changed. But on examining the clear liquor in the cell, after subsidence of the metallic gold, I found a little of that metal in solution, and a little chlorine was also present. I therefore well washed the gold which had thus been subjected to voltaic action, diffused it through other pure dilute sulphuric acid, and then found, that on subjecting it to the action of the pile, not the slightest tendency to the negative pole could be perceived.
Philosophical Transactions, 1807, p. 1.
Ibid. p, 24, &c.
Philosophical Transactions, 1807, p. 25, &c.
At 681 and 757 of Series VII, will be found corrections of the statement here made respecting sulphur and sulphuric acid. At present there is no well-ascertained fact which proves that the same body can go directly to either of the two poles at pleasure.—Dec. 1838.
Refer for proof of the truth of this supposition to 748, 752, &c.—Dec. 1838.