CONSTITUTION OF LIQUIDS. 143 



or solid state by pressure, a still greater reduction 

 of temperature results from their sudden expan- 

 sion on removing the pressure. 



M. Thilorier has recently invented an apparatus 

 by which he can form large lumps of solid car- 

 bonic acid, the rapid expansion of which, causes 

 a reduction of temperature 132. When alcohol 

 was poured upon them, it was immediately con- 

 verted into a hard, brittle ice ; while aether was 

 congealed to the consistence of sodden snow. M. 

 Bussy has also congealed alcohol, (sp. gr. *850) 

 by the evaporation of liquid sulphurous acid in 

 vacuo. (Ann. de Chim. for May, 1824.) 



When aether is dropped upon the hand, the 

 caloric of the living body expands it into vapour, 

 and is carried off in an invisible form, causing 

 great coldness. In the same way, the caloric of 

 the solar rays is continually expanding the water 

 of the earth into vapour, and diffusing it through 

 the atmosphere, (to be given out in colder re- 

 gions) by which the sultry heats of summer are 

 diminished. 



That all odoriferous emanations consist of ex- 

 tremely minute particles of bodies diffused 

 through the atmosphere by caloric, need scarcely 

 be mentioned, being obvious from the fact, that 

 at very low temperatures, they are not produced. 

 Excessive cold puts a stop to all volatilization and 

 decomposition of matter. 



That the numerous facts connected with the 



