On Chemical Philosophy. 117 
action in each distinct division of the pile; by which the move- 
ment or current is proportionally retarded and broken: but this 
retardation is of course accumulated, and hence its power to 
decompose and dissolve so much more oxygen and hydrogen. 
This quantity of oxygen and hydrogen again, to a certain extent, 
increases its chemical action ; and at the same time, from We 
motion being slower, increases the chemical power of that quan- 
tity. In this manner I conceive the partial solution of oxygen 
and hydrogen assists and modifies the chemical agencies of gal- 
vanism. If, however, this retardation is too much extended, by 
a large galvanic apparatus and by having a considerable volume 
of fluid intervening between the plates, then the galvanic fire 
or fluid becomes saturated, or its solvent and attractive powers 
become occupied and suspended, with this oxygen and hydro- 
gen held in solution. And to prove that this is the correct view, 
the’series may be very much extended, if the volume of inter- 
posed fluid is in any way diminished. Hence also it is that the 
galvanic shock is greatest on a person with a dry and tense, and 
least on a person of a moist and lax, fibre ; and that it is per- 
ceptibly milder where fear does not render appearances de- 
eeitful. 
Thus we perceive that when this GRAND AGENT OF NATURE 
is more perfectly separated from its combinations, it is ELEC- 
TRICITY — when partially separated, GALVANISM. When no 
meauis are used to retain it in either of these states, but when in 
its actions it passes from one substance into another, it is CA- 
LORIC, or fire in its common acceptation. To confirm this view, 
every fact and experiment under their respective heads are seen 
to be mutually convertible into each other. If caloric abounds 
in an uncombined state, artificially or naturally, we easily col- 
lect it by the electric machine in its purest form ;—if chemical 
or natural actions of this power call forth a current faster than 
it can dissolve the substances on whiclvit acts, we obtain it par- 
tially separated, as in galvanism,&c. If the current either acts 
with greater intensity on decomposable and soluble substances, 
as in common combustion; or is accumulated in quantity, but 
more impeded in its progress, as in a galvanic apparatus of im- 
mense size,—we have it with substances disselved jn it, which dis- 
solution is proved by the varied colours which are imparted to 
flame, and by the oxygenating and hydrogenating effects in all 
these, as well as in every other instance where the same causes 
operate, as will appear in our consideration of light. 
Jf then electricity and galvanism depend on the same power, 
which pervades the universe and circulates through matter, we 
perceive that this ig atk theory accords with the sete 
an 
