PROCEEDINGS
OF
THE ROYAL SOCIETY.
December 6, 1838.
JOHN W. LUBBOCK, Esq., V.P. and Treas., in the Chair.
Richard Chamock, Esq., was balloted for, but not elected into the Society.
The Rev. Philip Kalland, M.A., was balloted for, and duly elected into the Society.
A paper was in part read, entitled, "Experimental Researches in Electricity." Fifteenth Series.—"Note of the Character and Direction of the Electric Force of the Gymnotus." By Michael Faraday, Esq.,D.C.L., F.R.S., &c.
December 13, 1838.
The MARQUESS of NORTHAMPTON, President, in the Chair.
The reading of a paper, entitled, "Experimental Researches in Electricity." Fifteenth Series.—"Note of the Character and Direction of the Electric Force of the Gymnotus." By Michael Faraday, Esq., D.C.L., F.R.S., &c., was resumed and concluded.
The author first briefly refers to what has been done by others in establishing the identity of the peculiar power in the Gymnotus and Torpedo with ordinary electricity, and then in reference to the intended conveyance to this country of Gymnoti from abroad, gives the instructions which he himself had received from Baron Humboldt for that purpose. A living Gymnotus, now in the possession of the Proprietors of the Gallery of Science in Adelaide Street, was placed for a time at the disposal of the author for the purpose of research, upon which he proceeded, with suitable apparatus, to compare its power with ordinary and voltaic electricity, and to obtain the direction of the force. Without removing it from the water he was able to obtain not only the results procured by others, but the other electrical phenomena required so as to leave no gap or deficiency in the evidence of identity. The shock, in very varied circumstances of position, was procured: the galvanometer affected; magnets were made; a wire was heated; polar chemical decomposition was effected, and the spark obtained. By comparative experiments made with the
