130 Morey on Heat and Light. 
repel each other, so as to occupy twice or more the bulk 
of atmospheric air, than the vapour of the combustible would 
one. Oil and water repel each other to a sensible dis- - 
tance, when in a cold liquid state. When at the high tem- 
pose coe. How much more rapid and oi must ‘the 
process be here, ‘ohiens there is an abundance of atmos- 
pheric air on every side to assist and increase ie combus- 
tion and decomposition, as well as for furnishing on the spot 
an abundant resupply of heat. What electricity has to do 
in combustion, it is not for me to say: but, that it assists in 
a the particles into a greater space, { trust there is 
oubt: and from its general well known energy and ac- 
tivity, it evidently does not remain passive. If we apply. 
the moist wick of a candle to the flame of another to light 
it, it is not possible for me to distinguish the sharp cracking 
reports from those of electricity.* In nature’s greatest 
ereory? for the formation of carbonic acid gas, the pro- 
cess rried on at a temperature not above blood heat: 
that is ag soimelicng like a thousand millions of human be- 
esides myriads of animals, incessantly breathing. I 
know not, that he is necessary, at this temperature for that 
ut what source the whole of the —e 
heat, evolved by Sedition, during the formation of the car 
bonic acid gas, or that evolved during the formation of water 
by the combustion of its component parts, as well as from 
many other processes, proceeds, | trust is as yet not fully 
known. It may therefore, for aught I know, be a fact, that 
much sensible heat, may be obtained by the decomposition 
and recomposition of water r, if confined wholly to the com- 
bustible ; but when an equal quantity of water is again re- 
composed from the atmospheric air and hydrogen of the de- 
composed water, solely, the oxygen, I should think, could 
not be lost, surrounded as it is, on all sides, by a highly in- 
flammable vapor. 
* May ot be proceed from the decomposition of the water and the sud- 
n of some of it into steam as when drops of water fall into @ 
kettle of bailing oil? —E£d. 
