1-825.] Mathemacical Principles of Chemical Philosophy. '115 



the greatest tendency to the earth, have the greatest tendency 

 to the positive pole of the galvanic battery, and the contrary. 

 In this case, the attraction of gravitation may be the sole force 

 which produces chemical attraction, as well as cohesion, capil- 

 lary attraction, adhesion of fluids, &c. ; and that when the gal- 

 vanic power is applied in elFecting decomposition, bodies pos* 

 sessing the greatest force of gravity attacli themselves to the 

 positive, and those having the least to the negative pole. Upon 

 Ihis hypothesis, electricity is not an agent in producing attrac- 

 •tion ; but, like caloric, its action is regulated by the attraction of 

 -gravitation according to some determinate law, acting primarily 

 as a power opposed to attraction. Although highly important, 

 it is impossible to decide between these hypotheses, in the pre- 

 sent state of chemical science : the principal reason is, that, we 

 are totally ignorant of that which we denominate the electric 

 fluid ; whether it is a fluid or power sui generis, or a modification 

 of others, is unknown; it has the power of attraction, perhaps, of 

 repulsion, and when accumulated, it either produces, conveys, 

 or excites heat ; electric phenomena may be produced separate 

 from chemical action, as is the case in a large electric column, 

 or galvanic battery, charged with pure water; but whenever it 

 produces chemical changes, heat is excited, and decomposition 

 goes forward in the battery ; yet electricity excited by the com- 

 mon electrical machine has the power of decomposition, ^nd 

 excites heat. These facts render it very doubtful whether what 

 we denominate the electric fluid is the principal agent inproduiy 

 ing chemical changes ; however all phenomena may be equally 

 explained, and all mvestigations carried forward without having 

 recourse to any hypothetical views, by making observed facts 

 the basis of future research, viz. that the most inflammable 

 solids have the least tendency to the earth (F), and the strong- 

 est determination to the negative pole of the galvanic series.: . 

 In cases of simple combustion, it has been observed gene- 

 rally, that those bodies which have the lighest atoms, i.e.. .in 

 which the ratio of the oxygen to the base is the greatest, evolve 

 the greatest quantity of heat during combustion ; the analogy 

 may be clearly traced; but if the forces of attraction (F) be 

 compared, those bases, whose force is the least, usually evolve 

 most heat : the following table exhibits some cases : — ^ 



When hydrogen is combined with oxygen, 

 the Oxygen: Base :: 7-5 : . 1-0 F. base unknown. 



: Potassium:: 7-5 : 37-5 .,,. 0-65? 



: Sulphur :: 7'.5 : 15-0 .... 0-86 



: Carbon :: 7-5 : 5-7 0-89? 



: Iron j: 7-5 : 62^0 .. ^ . , 3-2 . 



: Gold :: 7-5 : 97-0 ..jvt.* •■..'r .7*2 .• 



Mercury ::7'o: 190-0 .... 7-^ 



i2 



