87 



secondary qualities of matter — for light, heat, and electricity. 

 That these are different forms or modifications of the same 

 power or substance. That the energy of motions may be 

 turned into heat — ds by striking cold iron till it become hot. 

 That the force of extension may be turned into heat, as when 

 tinder is lighted by compressing air ; or the force of coliesion 

 may be turned into heat, as in the explosion of gunpowder. 

 That if the energy of heat is sufficiently intense it produces 

 light. 



That the energy of motion may be converted into electricity, 

 as in the excitement of the electric machine. 



" Thus," the author concluded, " does it appear to us that 

 matter is essentially a pure power of complex capability for 

 operating in the modes of time and space. That its parts are 

 ultimately individuals of definite characters which are never 

 changed, and the individual atoms are substances of indefinite 

 expansion — being according to certain conditions partly pal- 

 pable in the sensible properties of bodies, and partly impal- 

 pable in their energy and extensive entity ; to account for the 

 effects of which, numerous imponderable energetic fluids have 

 been conceived of. And if matter be essentially a pure power, 

 and none of its energy can be lost or annihilated, then may 

 the perpetual light and heat of the sun be owing to the ex- 

 pending action being constantly compensated by a secret 

 re-action from all surrounded material being.'' 



Dr. D. P. Thomson read the first part of a review of 

 Seid's recent work on the Law of StormSy giving a historical 

 sketch of the labours of others, and developing the principles 

 of the science. 



Mr. E. HiGGiN hoped that this paper would be the means 

 of drawing the attention of Liverpool seamen to that very 

 important subject. He instanced several cases where lament- 

 able ignorance had led to disastrous consequences. On one 



