The general result of these strictly preliminary experiments appears to show that for sparks not exceeding a decimetre in length (L), taken in air at different pressures (P), between two metal balls of 7mm·5 radius, the requisite potential (V), is expressed by the formula

The Holtz machine employed is a double one, made by Ruhmkorff, and it was used with its small Leyden jars attached. The measurements had to be made with a divided-ring electrometer, so that two insulated balls, at a considerable distance from one another, were connected, one with the machine, the other with the electrometer.