In 1872 I wrote a paper on galvanic currents, which continue for a long time in an electrolytic cell, under the influence of an electro-motive force, too feeble to effect electrolytic decomposition. I tried at that time to prove that the long duration of these currents was caused by oxygen dissolved in the water of the electrolyte, combining with the hydrogen, which is carried by the electrolytic motion to the cathode. So the oxygen, which existed formerly near the surface of the cathode, is taken away, and instead of it the same amount of oxygen is liberated at the anode. This can return by diffusion to the cathode, and so the same action can go on without end. It appears as a current producing no electrolytic action. I called it “Electrolytic convection.”