22 New Outlines of Chemical Philosophy. 
Independent of this circumstance, it is amusing to find an’ in- 
dividual so confident of the infallibility of his own observations, 
as to consider them sufficient to subvert the experience of Can- 
ton, Franklin, Wilke, 4ipinus, Cavallo, Stanhope, and Robison; 
although the observations of the most experienced electricians of 
the present time are opposed to the inference he has drawn. 
Londen, Jan. 10, 1814. G. J. SINGER, 
To Messrs. Nicholson and Tilloch. 
VI. New Outlines of Chemical Philosophy. By Ez, WALKER, 
Esq. of Lynn, Norfolk. 
[Continued from p. 371, vol. xlii.] 
Mucu confusion in chemical philosophy seems to arise from 
want of precision in chemical language. Oxygen and hydrogen, 
are terms that are used in a very vague manner, no distinction 
being made between oxygen and oxygen gas, nor between hydrogen 
and hydrogen ga$. Positive and negative are words that have 
no definite meanings in chemical science; and yet we have posi- 
tive and negative electricity, positive and negative galvanism ; 
and even the laws of chemical affinity are now explained by the 
terms positive and negative. We have also fixed fire, phlogiston, 
and other words that express things rather more imaginary than 
real. All this confusion might be avoided by adopting two new 
terms to express the two elements, which produce effects that 
are real objects of our senses, and by which those elements may 
be known in all their various conbinations with matter. 
“© Mr. Davy,” now Sir Humphry Davy, “ exhibited the powers 
of the Voltaic instrument by brilliant experiments ; metals were 
fused upon the surface of water and of oil of turpentine, and 
burnt in contact with them. He stated that the maximum of 
heat was at the positive electrical surface ; and he exhibited an 
experiment in which, though the most brilliant light was at the 
negative surface, yet the ignition was infinitely greater at the 
positive *.” 
From these properties of the two elements above mentioned, 
that element which produces the maximum of heat, at the posi- 
tive electrical surface, may be called the generator of heat, or 
thermogen; and that element which appears at the negative 
surface, and exhibits the most brilliant light, may be called the 
generator of light, or photogen. The choice of these terms 
seems to be sanctioned by the words thermometer and photome+ 
éer now in common use. By the term photogen is to be under- 
stood the imponderable element of all combustibles, whether it 
* Phil, Mag. vol, xxxix. p. 187. 
existe 
