1. On Galvanic Currents passing through a very Thin Stratum of an Electrolyte

Extract

If one closes a galvanic circuit containing a small battery, the electromotive force of which is not able to decompose water, and a voltameter with two platinum plates dipping into water acidulated with sulphuric acid, the current has a great intensity in the first moment, and diminishes at first very rapidly, afterwards slowly. At last its intensity approaches to zero more and more, but it never ceases completely, The more sensitive the galvanometer by which you measure its intensity, the longer the time during which you are able to observe the deflection of the needle. If the electrolytic fluid is in contact with atmospheric air, it is easy, even with a galvanometer of simple construction and moderate sensibility, to observe that at last a feeble residue of current remains, keeping a nearly constant intensity. This intensity, however, is increased by the slightest motion of the fluid, also by feeble motions produced by changes of temperature.