The author was led into the following investigations, from observing that when alcohol, holding a minute quantity of pure caustic potash, as part, in solution, was acted on by a moderate voltaic power, as a small battery of fifty pairs of two-inch plates, evident marks of decomposition were exhibited, by an evolution of gas from the negative pole, and none from the positive. The experiment recalled to the author's recollection a statement made a few years ago by Dr Ritchie (Phil. Trans. 1832), that when alcohol not holding any substance in solution, was acted on by a powerful battery, gas was given off at the negative pole, which Dr Ritchie stated to be olefiant gas.