The Elements of Radiant and Fixed Matter. 143 
where the original rays of which they are composed, are, as to 
vision, evidently homogeneous. 
The first four primary coloured rays possess peculiarly distinct 
and countervailing qualities, and on the proportions in which they 
are combined in matter, and the nature of the polarity exercised 
in their combination, its specific properties are totally ‘depen- 
dant. 
The red ray, or the first portion of the spectrum, possesses (as 
has been already proved, by an authority of great eminence) 
oxydating and acidifying powers, and is here termed the oxyge- 
nating rays 
The second, or yellow ray, displays qualities which pertain to 
the nitrogenous and alkalescent, and is therefore denominated 
the azotic ray. 
The third, or blue ray, is distinguished by its analogy to car- 
bon, and is here considered the carbonic ray. 
And the fotrth, or violet ray, is admitted to possess the dis- 
positions of hydrogen, which entitle it to the appellation of the 
hydrogenating ray. 
Light combines with inert or fixed matter, not specifically or 
bodily, but partially by absorption of its individual or separate 
rays, electively combined, from certain existing laws of attraction, 
and from the colour of fixed bodies, or that of their solution in 
menstrua of known constitution, or of their flame in combustion, 
the predominating original or simple elementary rays in their com- 
position may be defined. 
Caloric influences the combination of refracted light with 
fixed or palpable matter, when at a temperature not exceeding 
from 800° to 960° of Fahrenheit, but effects the restoration of. 
matter to the radiant state of light, when elevated to 1000° and 
upwards, 
The repulsive power evinced by the particles, or corpuscular 
atoms of light, towards each other, (when their active poles or 
those they exercise in the aggregate are paralysed,) is influenced 
by the peculiar nature of their individual polarity, being quater- 
nary compounds, of a spherical form, combined by one positive 
and three negative poles at their centre, and therefore exhibiting 
on their external surfaces, three positive poles at such angles, as 
to act with repulsion, on liberation from the influence of pres-. 
sure, or that propelling power which emanates from the radiating 
point on which the visibility of light depends. 
The greater illuminating power of that portion of the spec- 
trum, embracing the lighter green and deeper yellow, may de- 
pend on the higher specific gravity of those rays, as by multiply- 
ing their given relative qualities, by the specific gravity 3 the 
xed 
