Notices respecting New Books. 77 



in question and answer, with full explanatory notes neatly 

 printed at the bottom of each page. The Appendix contains 

 34 pages of additional notes, which are extremely interest- 

 ing ; 14 pages of Chemical Tables, some of which are en- 

 tirely new ; 154 instructive and amusing Experiments; a 

 very copious Vocabulary of Chemical Terms ; and a general 

 Judex to the whole. 



A few short extracts will be sufficient to point out the 

 method of the author, and the perspicuity with which the 

 several subjects are treated. From Chap. III. Of Caloric, 

 p. 113. " Will the thermometer show the quantity of caloric 

 in all bodies? No : it will not show that portion which is 

 latent or chemically combined with any body : for instance, 

 fluids require a certain portion of caloric to keep them in a 

 statf>. of fluidity ; which portion is not indicated by the ther- 

 mometer. Is the thermometer, then, of no ztse in ascertain- 

 ing rue temptrature af fluids? Yes: fluids operate upon 

 the thermometer in the same manner as solids ; for what- 

 ever free caloric be contained in any liquid, that portion is 

 accurately shown by the thermometer. What do you call 

 that portion of caloric which is a necessary pari of fluids P 

 It is called the caloric of fluidity; but diilerent fluids require 

 different portions of it to preserve them in the state of fluids. 

 What are the effects of caloric upon bodies P The general 

 effects of caloric are to, increase the bulk of the substances 

 with which it unites, and to renJcr them specifically lighter 

 than they were before. What ara the particular efects of 

 caloric on bodies P It favours the solution of salts, and pro- 

 motes the union of many substances. In other cases it serves 

 to separate bodies already united; so that in the hands of 

 chemists it is the most useful and powerful agent we are 

 acquainted with. Can you recollect any other effect that 

 caloric has upon bodies P It is the c;-use of fluidity in all 

 substances which are capable of becoming fluid, from the 

 heaviest metal to the lightest gas. How docs caloric act 

 upon herd bodies to convert them into fluid P It insinuates 

 itself among their particles, and separates them from each 

 Other. Thus ice is converted into water, and, by a further 

 portion of calorie, into steam." 



In 



