260 Mr. Herapath on True Temperature, and the [Oct. 



loss, the particle's force of unity is still further weakened ; and 

 thus matters will proceed until the particle be completely dis- 

 membered, and its parts arrogated by some of the others. 



During all the time of the solidification, it is plain the temper- 

 ature of the body will remain constant ; for as soon as the least 

 solidification ensues, the temperature in the immediate neigh- 

 bourhood of it rises. This excess being quickly abstracted by the 

 contiguous particles, a diminution, another solidification, and a 

 consequent rise of temperature, ensue. And in this way the 

 temperature of the body in the parts of the solidification will 

 oscillate a trifle ; but the general temperature cannot descend 

 below the point of solidification. 



Though it be generally true that during the congelation the 

 temperature of the body remains stationary, yet it is possible for 

 the body, under peculiar circumstances of figure in the particles, 

 to be cooled down considerably without solidifying. Suppose, 

 by way of example, the particles are of that figure that it is only 

 in some parts of them the superior adaptation for the parts of 

 the dismemberable particle exists. Then if the vibrations of the 

 particles are such that the linkable parts do not come in contact, 

 au increase or diminution of temperature will dilate or contract 

 the paths of vibration ; but if there be no agitation to disturb' 

 the relative movements of the particles, it will not affect the 

 figure of their paths, or the manner of their collision ; and, con- 

 sequently will not so soon dispose them to submit to those 

 changes which produce solidification. If, however, during the 

 time the temperature is beneath the point of congelation, any 

 agitation calculated to disturb the relative motions of the parti- 

 cles is given to the body, the unitable parts will be more likely 

 to be brought nearer together ; and thence, of course, a rapid 

 solidification will take place, and the whole temperature be 

 raised to that of solidification, provided the previous temperature 

 be not too low. That the temperature will rise to this, if the 

 agitation be sufficient, and no higher, and that such a quantity 

 only of the fluid will be solidified as will enable it to rise to this 

 {>oint are manifest ; for if by a greater solidification it should rise 

 higher, a liquefaction, until the body was reduced to this temper- 

 ature, would be the consequence ; because the body cannot 

 retain its solidity beyond this temperature, as I have before 

 shown. Moreover, if the agitation be sufficient to give all the 

 particles a like chance of bringing their unitable parts together, 

 it follows that if the temperature be not so low that the excess 

 resulting from the entire solidification of the fluid would be 

 incompetent to raise the temperature to the point of solidification, 

 a sufficient quantity at least will solidify to bring the temperature 

 of the whole to that of solidification. And because there is no 

 reason why a solidification should take place in one part of the 

 fluid more than in another, the whole mass will either be equally 

 and completely solidified, or the solidification will be uniformly 



