The author has found a perfect resemblance to exist between the appearances presented by pyroxylic spirit (Bihydrate of Methyline of Dumas and Peligot) under voltaic agency, and those which he had previously observed in regard to alcohol; a coincidence which was to be expected, from the interesting analogy existing between these two liquids in other respects.

The pyroxylic spirit, after three distillations from quicklime, had a specific gravity of 801 at 62° F., and boiled in contact with mercury at 140° F., under a pressure of 29.5 inches. The leading facts observed were the following:—

Minute quantities of acid, alkaline, and saline bodies, when dissolved with rectified pyroxylic spirit, favoured the voltaic action, by increasing the conducting power of the liquid. When it held in solution of pure potash, and was submitted to the agency of thirty-six pairs of four-inch plates in a tube with parallel platinum foil poles, hydrogen was given off from the negative pole, while no gas proceeded from the positive pole. A ten thousandth part of potash had a marked effect in promoting this action.