Observations on Combustion. 149 
To me no operation in nature is more simple. On these gaseous 
electricities we live—they give life, warmth, and animation ; one we 
inhale with every breath—the other we receive with our food. They 
combine or become united by animal heat, and that union supports 
animal temperature. In the decomposition of water have we-not con- 
clusive proof of the agency of the two electricities, one uniting with 
the oxygen and the other with the hydrogen in the exact proportion 
to form water again? 
Ihave retained the name of oxygen and hydrogen pases, that I 
might be the more readily understood; but it appears to be very 
clear that the oxygen and hydrogen of the water take no part in the 
operation of those gases, or the effect they produce, any more: than 
they did in their own decomposition or formation.* 
The carbon of the wood appears to me to be formed by the iii 
gen of the water and its electrical gas, combining or becoming solid 
in the course of its growth, while a part of the oxygen passes off to 
preserve the purity of the air, as it is well known o by the solar 
influence, it is exhaled from living leaves. 
This carbon of the wood is designed by nature, a evident wis- 
dom and benevolence, to regulate the combustion of the hydrogen of 
the wood, performing a very similar part with that of the azote of the 
air, in the combustion and use of the oxygen of the atmosphere. 
Hydrogen gas is freely disengaged during the ignition of charcoal, 
while passing the vapor of water over it in an ignited state; but the 
flame is nearly smothered by the carbonic acid gas formed at the 
same time. For if the gases thus formed and disengaged are nade 
to pass through a tube, containing a pint of cold water, the water takes 
up the carbonic acid gas and leaves the hydrogen at liberty, which 
naturally rises and is easily made to issue and burn in +a constant 
flame. 
The evidence I often observed in the effect of water in combus- 
tion made it very certain in my mind that it would be of immense 
benefit to the community if it could be effected in a& way that would 
be regular, simple, and free from difficulties. It was this, together 
with an unconquerable inclination and determination to follow it 
*If we understand the author, oxygen is water united with one electricity and hy- 
drogen is water united with the other, and when they unite by combustion, the wa- 
ter, of both is precipitated, and the electricities are evolved in the form of heat and 
light.—Ep. ; 
