Experimental Researches in Electricity | Page 2

xvii. 183.). These, which I did not at all remember as to the extent of the effect, though they in no way anticipate the expression of the law I state as to the general effect of liquefaction on electrolytes, still should never be forgotten when speaking of that law as applicable to the case of water.
There are two papers which I am anxious to refer to, as corrections or criticisms of parts of the Experimental Researches. The first of these is one by Jacobi (Philosophical Magazine, 1838. xiii. 401.), relative to the possible production of a spark on completing the junction of the two metals of a single pair of plates (915.). It is an excellent paper, and though I have not repeated the experiments, the description of them convinces me that I must have been in error. The second is by that excellent philosopher, Marianini (Memoria della Societa Italiana di Modena, xxi. 205), and is a critical and experimental examination of Series viii, and of the question whether metallic contact is or is not productive of a part of the electricity of the voltaic pile. I see no reason as yet to alter the opinion I have given; but the paper is so very valuable, comes to the question so directly, and the point itself is of such great importance, that I intend at the first opportunity renewing the inquiry, and, if I can, rendering the proofs either on the one side or the other undeniable to all.
Other parts of these researches have received the honour of critical attention from various philosophers, to all of whom I am obliged, and some of whose corrections I have acknowledged in the foot notes. There are, no doubt, occasions on which I have not felt the force of the remarks, but time and the progress of science will best settle such cases; and, although I cannot honestly say that I wish to be found in error, yet I do fervently hope that the progress of science in the hands of its many zealous present cultivators will be such, as by giving us new and other developments, and laws more and more general in their applications, will even make me think that what is written and illustrated in these experimental researches, belongs to the by-gone parts of science.
MICHAEL FARADAY.
Royal Institution, March, 1839.

CONTENTS.
Par. Series I. §. 1. Induction of electric currents 6 §. 2. Evolution of electricity from magnetism 27 §. 3. New electrical state or condition of matter 60 §. 4. Explication of Arago's magnetic phenomena 81 Series II. §. 5. Terrestrial magneto-electric induction 140 §. 6. Force and direction of magneto-electric induction generally 193 Series III. §. 7. Identity of electricities from different sources 265 ---- ---- i Voltaic electricity 268 ---- ---- ii Ordinary electricity 284 ---- ---- iii Magneto-electricity 343 ---- ---- iv Thermo-electricity 349 ---- ---- v Animal electricity 351 §. 8. Relation by measure of common and voltaic electricity 361 ---- Note respecting Ampère's inductive results after 379 Series IV. §. 9. New law of electric conduction 380 §. 10. On conducting power generally 418 Series V. §. 11. Electro-chemical decomposition 450 ---- ? 1. New conditions of electro-chemical decomposition 453 ---- ? 2. Influence of water in such decomposition 472 ---- ? 3. Theory of electro-chemical decomposition 477 Series VI. §. 12. Power of platina, &c. to induce combination 564 Series VII. §. 11.* Electro-chemical decomposition continued (nomenclature) 661 ---- ? 4. Some general conditions of Electro-chemical decomposition 669 ---- ? 5. Volta-electrometer 704 ---- ? 6. Primary and secondary results 742 ---- ? 7. Definite nature and extent of electro-chemical forces 783 ---- ---- Electro-chemical equivalents 822 §. 13. Absolute quantity of Electricity in the molecules of matter 852 Series VIII. §. 14. Electricity of the voltaic pile 875 ---- ? 1. Simple voltaic circles 875 ---- ? 2. Electrolytic intensity 966 ---- ? 3. Associated voltaic circles; or battery 989 ---- ? 4. Resistance of an electrolyte to decomposition 1007 ---- ? 5. General remarks on the active battery 1034 Series IX. §. 15. Induction of a current on itself 1048 ---- Inductive action of currents generally 1101 Series X. §. 16. Improved voltaic battery 1119 §. 17. Practical results with the voltaic battery 1136 Series XI. §. 18. On static induction 1161 ---- ? 1. Induction an action of contiguous particles 1161 ---- ? 2. Absolute charge of matter 1169 ---- ? 3. Electrometer and inductive apparatus 1179 ---- ? 4. Induction in curved lines 1215 ---- ---- Conduction by glass, lac, sulphur, &c. 1283 ---- ? 5. Specific inductive capacity 1252 ---- ? 6. General results as to the nature of induction 1295 ---- ---- Differential inductometer 1307 Series XII. ---- ? 7. Conduction or conductive discharge 1320 ---- ? 8. Electrolytic discharge