358 CALORIFICATION. 



or in conjunction. That this is the fact, will 

 appear, if the effects are examined, which are 

 produced by compression alone, in conse- 

 quence of mechanical power. If a volume of 

 air, enclosed in a syringe, be condensed, from a 

 large to a small compass, the generation of fire 

 is so great, as to be immediately rendered sen- 

 sible, by the increase of temperature, which is 

 felt through the sides of the syringe. The 

 power of friction, and of percussion, between 

 solid bodies, in the generation of fire, is fami- 

 liar to all ; by means such as these, a spark of 

 fire, and of color, may be evolved by the fric- 

 tion together of two pieces of quartz, two 

 sticks may be ignited to a flame, a nail be 

 hammered redhot ; and the electric fire itself 

 can be excited near the surface of the earth, by 

 means of an electrical machine, as perfectly as 

 we often behold it produced in the upper regi- 

 ons of the air. The consequences of this are 

 manifested by the fire, and .color, which are 

 generated and evolved. Although the electric 

 may form a distinct species from our common 

 culinary fire, it belongs to one and the same 

 genus, in its nature, and in its essence. 



Like other species of fire, it produces co- 

 Jor, and excites heat, it dilates bodies, 

 it fuses metals, it kindles combustibles, as 

 they are called, and is most ardent in dry 



