M. Seguin on the Effects of Heat and Motion. 279 



demonstrates, that friction determines electrical currents, 

 whose tenacity is greater, in proportion as the bodies ap- 

 proach a solid of revolution ; and the loss of electricity by 

 points comes to the support of the theory, since the molecules, 

 which exist circularly around bodies, ought to separate from 

 it whenever its mass is no longer able, by its attraction, to be 

 in equilibrium with the velocity of its satellite. It would then 

 happen that the parts escaping in a right line, in a tangential 

 direction, might have a velocity sufficiently great to transmit 

 a part of the motion to the organ of vision, and procure us 

 the sensation of sight, and to the organ of smell, the particular 

 sensation which it experiences. 



This way of explaining the phenomena differs essentially 

 from the received one, by the motion which I suppose to 

 exist in solid bodies ; and the most forcible objection which 

 can be made to it is, that bodies ought to be continually aug- 

 menting in density, or to have a general centrifugal motion, 

 which ought to be perceived ; but might we not say as much 

 of all the planetary system ; and may not the same laws which 

 cause the heavens to present for thousands of years the same 

 aspect, preserve also, during a certain time, the same figure to 

 terrestrial objects. Dense bodies are certainly more or less 

 subject to an intestine motion. Crystallization in the middle 

 of semifluid substances which appear to our eyes in absolute 

 repose, evidently demonstrates this motion, and may explain 

 a variety of geological facts, which are at present extremely 

 embarrassing. 



Such are the reasons which induced me to offer my views 

 to the consideration of astronomers. Since that time, I have 

 had the honour of conversing on the subject with Mr Her- 

 schel in London, and the satisfaction of having been listened 

 to with a degree of interest, which has encouraged me to com- 

 municate to you at present another part of my reflections on 

 this subject. 



I would be ashamed to present myself to your notice, as 

 one of the founders of systems, the result of which is almost 

 always to load science with new difficulties ; but it appears to 

 me that my object at present consists rather in simplifying. 



