PETER SPENCE 283 



As a corroboration of the theory, which 

 seems to explain the apparent paradox, the 

 author found that the temperatures of his 

 solutions were in the exact ratios of their 

 specific gravities, and had no connection with 

 the temperature of the steam, which never 

 exceeded 2 1 2Fahr. The greater the specific 

 gravity of the acid solutions, the higher the 

 boiling-point ; and, therefore, whatever the 

 boiling-point of the solution in water of any 

 salt, to that point, or nearly, will steam of 

 212 Fahr. raise it. 



When Peter Spence made this statement 

 at Exeter it was received with general surprise, 

 amounting almost to incredulity ; in fact, 

 Professor Williamson declined to accept the 

 fact, until he had himself seen the experiment 

 performed by Spence, and had personally 

 examined the thermometer. The explanation 

 was then apparent, that the latent heat 

 evolved by the condensing steam had become 

 sensible heat, measurable by the thermometer, 



In 1 88 1 -2 Peter Spence gave evidence 

 before a House of Commons Committee, on 

 Railway Rates ; and his evidence is reprinted 

 in pamphlet form, with the title: "How the 

 Railway Companies are crippling British 

 Industry and destroying the Canals ; with 



