37 



ture, that as space may exist without matter, so matter might 

 exist without motion, and that motion was the last principle 

 originally introduced. Therefore it may be inferred that calorific 

 motion was applied when the light was introduced, and in such 

 a degree as was calculated to carry on all the subsequent opera- 

 tions of nature, including the formation of the solar system and all 

 the organized bodies attached to the planets. 



From the above considerations it is evident 1st, that a proper 

 degree of calorific force applied to two substances belonging to 

 the oxygenous and hydrogenous extremes of the elemental series 

 when in contact, causes them to unite in certain proportions, and 

 by this union produce compounds differing from themselves in 

 property ; and 2d, that this same degree of power applied to two 

 or more substances belonging to the same extreme, causes an 

 opposite, effect a repulsion or separation of atoms. But we 

 have already shown that another series may exist by which this 

 calorific force becomes, at one of its extremes, so intense as to 

 destroy this last series, and to hold both kinds of atoms belonging 

 to the two extremes of oxygen and hydrogen in entire separation; 

 that is, in the occupancy of the greatest amount of space, while 

 the opposite extreme of this series being that of entire absence 

 of calorific motipn, leaves the atoms of all elements in a complete 

 state of rest, (the source of attraction,) and consequently occu- 

 pying the least possible amount of space in the mass, for it is 

 certain that atoms of matter require more space when in relative 

 motion than at rest. Therefore calorific motion once applied to 

 matter, becomes a self-compensating force the cause of com- 

 position, decomposition and re-composition of bodies. A 

 moderate degree of temperature is sufficient to cause the elements 

 of a galvanic battery to unite, and the oxidation thus produced 

 ultimately developes intense motion, sufficient to decompose the 

 hardest compound substances, the elements of which may again 

 be united by the aid of that moderate degree of temperature or 

 heat which first served to put the battery in motion and keep up 

 its power. 



Under a sufficient degree of heat in the animal body, the oxy- 

 gen of the atmosphere coming in contact with the hydrogeneous 



