LEYDEN JAR. A device for storing quantities of static electricity discovered accidentally by P. van Musschenbroek of the University of Leyden in 1745, and, independently, by von Kleist of Kammin in Pomerania about the same time. The name appears to have originated in the writings of the Abbe Nollet. In its earliest form the Leyden jar consisted of a glass phial, partly filled with water, whose orifice was closed by a cork pierced by a wire or nail which dipped into the water. To charge the jar the phial was held in the hand and the exposed end of the wire brought into contact with the prime conductor of an electrical machine. On removing the phial from the machine and touching the wire with the other hand a violent shock was experienced. Improvements in the construction were made by Benjamin Wilson, John Bevis and Sir William Watson. In its present form the jar is made of thin flint glass of high dielectric strength, coated for part of its height, inside and out, with tinfoil. The outer coating
is connected to earth and contact is made with the inner coating through a central brass rod which projects beyond the mouth of the jar. For further details see the article entitled CONDENSER. LEYGUES, GEORGES (1858-1933), French politician, was born at Villeneuve-sur-Lot, on Nov. 28, 1858, and educated at Toulouse and Bordeaux. He was minister of public instruction in the Dupuy Government of 1894, and in the Waldeck-Rousseau Government of 1899-1902. He held office under Sarrien (1906) and Clemenceau (1917). In 1920-21 he was prime minister, re taining for himself the portfolio of foreign affairs. He was minis ter of marine in various cabinets from 1925 to 1933, and was min ister of the interior in the Steeg cabinet, 1930-31. Leygues, in his early days, was one of the Parnassian group of poets.