APPENDIX 297 



this issue, for the understanding of these reactions 

 gives the foundations of definite ideas. 



It is very remarkable how perfectly unable the 

 physicist is to grasp the fundamental idea. Thus, an 

 eminent Professor of chemistry in his discourse "On 

 Liquids and Gases " 1 states, " when a gas is compressed 

 it is heated. Work is done on the gas, and its tem- 

 perature rises." Such is obviously not the case, if 

 temperature is volume as in the air thermometer. 

 When the gases are compressed in the cylinder the 

 gases lose temperature, but the cylinder gains tempera- 

 ture, i.e. as the gases lose Ether the cylinder gains Ether. 

 This latter fact is the cause of the error in conception. 



Again says this Professor in the same paper, " The 

 measure of work is then the weight, multiplied by the 

 distance through which it is raised," 2 A most remark- 

 able conception ! Take a three pound weight, raise it 

 three feet, and then try to multiply the three pounds 

 by the three feet distance and it is found that this can 

 only be done on paper ! (see p. 41). In really intelli- 

 gent minds such as every one respects such erroneous 

 ideas are very wonderful. 



1 Proceedings of the Royal Institution of Great Britain, vol. xiii. 

 No. 85, 1892, p. 369. 



2 Idem, p. 373. 



