The well-known experiment of the electrolysis of water will, of course, occur to you.

But I found that in the case of elemental solids the effect was a remarkable one.

The element slowly decreased in weight, without perceptibly altering in composition.

I hope that I make myself clear to you ?" "I follow you entirely," said Robert, deeply interested in his companion's narrative.
"I tried upon several elements, and always with the same result.

In every case an hour's current would produce a perceptible loss of weight.
My theory at that stage was that there was a loosening of the molecules caused by the electric fluid, and that a certain number of these molecules were shed off like an impalpable dust, all round the lump of earth or of metal, which remained, of course, the lighter by their loss.
I had entirely accepted this theory, when a very remarkable chance led me to completely alter my opinions.
"I had one Saturday night fastened a bar of bismuth in a clamp, and had attached it on either side to an electric wire, in order to observe what effect the current would have upon it.