612 On the Materiality of Caloric. 
tained, with equal or greater probability: for, 
it may be supposed, that at this assumed nega- 
tion of temperature, one body renders latent 
more caloric than another, because it actually 
contains less; as certain dry salts attract more 
water from the atmosphere, than others contain- 
ing much water of crystallization. The com- 
monly employed mode of ascertaining the spe- 
cific caloric of bodies, is founded, therefore, 
on an assumption, which is deficient in the 
character of a datum, and which itself requires 
proof, , 
If these objections be valid, they will apply 
also to shew the fallacy of the theorem, for 
finding the absolute zero of bodies. By this 
term some philosophers appear to understand 
the point of absolute privation of caloric, both 
free and combined. J apprehend, however, that 
in strict propriety it can only be used to signify 
the negation of wncombined caloric, or, as Dr. 
Crawford expresses himself, the point of abso- 
lute cold. As applied, however, to water, it 
is evident that the whole quantity of heat is 
understood.—lIn ascertaining the zero, say these 
calculators, the capacity of ice to that of water 
isas gto 10. It is plain, therefore, that when 
water freezes, it must give out zoth. of its whole 
heat, and this 10th. part is found to answer to 
146° of Faht, Consequently its whole heat is 
