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Electric Batteries

IT is often a puzzle to beginners in experimental science, what kind of apparatus to start with, and the various kinds of electric batteries especially are likely to mystify them by their great number. Indeed, their name is legion. Knowing this, it has occurred to us to copy from a French periodical the following list of batteries, and the uses for which they are most suitable. It does not include all the batteries which have been contrived, for in that case its length would be inordinate; but it embraces all the uses for which batteries are required, and gives the names of the best known kinds to choose from:- For Electro-Deposition, Copper, &c.--Daniell, Calland, Smee; Chromate of Lime. Bichromate of Potash, Bunsen.

Gilding.--Daniell, Smee.

Silvering.--Daniell, Smee, Chromate of Lime. Bichromate of Potash, Slater. Exciting Electro-Magnets.--Chromate of Lime; Bunsen, Slater, Smee, Daniell. Electric Light.--For experiments extending over a few hours, the Bunsen battery and its numerous modifications may be employed, also the Chromate of Lime, and the Slater batteries.

Induction Coils.--Bichromate, Chromate of Lime; Bunsen. Electro-Medical.--Bichromate; Smee, Bunsen.

Pocket Electro-Medical Apparatus.--Chloride of Silver battery, Sulphate of Mercury, Trouves air-tight battery.

Long Telegraph Lines.--In this case batteries supply weak currents, passing through large resistances. The best are the Chromate of Lime battery, the Leclanche, Sulphate of Mercury; Daniell, Calland.

Electric Bells and Telegraph Lines.--Leclanche; Sulphate of Mercury, Sulphate of Lead.

Mining Operations, Torpedoes, &c.--The Leclanche battery may be used, but a magnetic exploder, such as that figured on a previous page, is most frequently employed. The small magneto-electric machine of M. Marcel Depres is also excellent for this application.

Measuring Electrical Resistances, &c.--Chromate of Lime, Bichromate; Daniell, Leclanche.

Experiments with High Tension Electricity.--The best results have been obtained with a large number of the chloride of silver cells of De la Rue, and with the secondary batteries of M. Gaston Plante.

A very good battery, too recently introduced to figure in the above list, is that of Mr. R. C. Anderson. It possesses many advantages over those commonly in use, and its employment is likely to become greatly extended as it gets better known. The battery is made in two forms, either as a single fluid without a porous cell, or as a double fluid with a porous cell. In both cases the elements immersed in the fluid are carbon and zinc, the exciting liquid being a mixture of muriatic acid, and bichromate of potash, added to which is a small quantity of patent compound salts. The single fluid cells give a far more constant current than the ordinary Bichromate battery, while their power remains effective for ten or twelve hours. Thirty cells of this description afford a very good light with the help of a small regulator for the carbon points. The zinc plate is arranged in each cell between two carbons, and the whole can be lifted bodily out of the exciting fluid when not in use. This is a great advantage, and one not possessed by either the Grove or Bunsen battery, which are more commonly used for the electric light than any other forms. The double fluid cell is more suitable to telegraphic purposes, and for electric bells where a current is only required occasionally. Under these circumstances it will remain unaltered for six months or more.