A Peculiar Condition of Iron 321

immersed do not (in a sensible manner) chemically act upon it;
and that no evolution of oxygen at the anode in contact with
iron under any circumstances takes place, if besides oxygen
another anion is set free possessed of a strong affinity for iron.
This metal having once had oxygen evolved at itself, proves
always to be indifferent to nitric acid of a certain strength,
whatever may be the chemical nature of the fluid in which the
phenomenon has taken place.

I have made a series of experiments upon silver, copper, tin,
lead, cadmium, bismuth, zinc, mercury, but none showed any
resemblance to iron, for all of them were oxidised when serving
as positive electrodes. Having at this present moment neither
cobalt nor nickel at my command, I could not try these mag-
netic metals, which I strongly suspect to act in the same manner
as iron does.

It appears from what I have just stated that the anomalous
bearing of the iron has nothing to do with its degree of affinity
for oxygen, but must be founded upon something else. Your
sagacity, which has already penetrated into so many mysteries
of nature, will easily put away the veil which as yet covers the
phenomenon stated in my letter, in case you should think it
worth while to make it the object of your researches.

Before I finish I must beg of you the favour of overlooking
with indulgence the many faults I have, no doubt, committed
in my letter. Formerly I was tolerably well acquainted with
your native tongue; but now, having been out of practice in
writing or speaking it, it is rather hard work to me to express
myself in English.

It is hardly necessary to say that you may privately or
publicly make any use of the contents of this letter.—I am, Sir,
your most obedient Servant,

C. T. SCHOENBEIN,
BALE, May 17, 1836. Prof, of Chem. in the University of Bale.

DEAR PHILLIPS,—The preceding letter from Professor Scnoen-
bein, which I received a week or two ago, contains facts of such
interest in relation to the first principles of chemical electricity,
that I think you will be glad to publish it in your Philosophical
Magazine. I send it to you unaltered, except in a word or two
here and there; but am encouraged by what I consider the
Professor's permission (or n rather the request with which he has
honoured me), to add a few results in confirmation of the effects

xolyte decomposed combine at the same time with