CHAPTER VI.

The History of Galvanism divided into six grand Epochs.--Davy extends the experiment of Nicholson and Carlisle.--His Pile of one metal and two fluids.--Dr. Wollaston advocates the doctrine of oxidation being the primary cause of Voltaic Phenomena.--Davy's modification of that theory.--His Bakerian Lecture of 1806.--He discovers the sources of the acid and alkaline matter eliminated from water by Voltaic action.--On the nature of Electrical decomposition and transfer.--On the relations between the Electrical energies of bodies, and their Chemical affinities.--General developement of the Electro-chemical Laws.--Illustrations, Applications, and Conclusions 216