AND OF ALL OTHER AFFINITIES. 221 



sufficiently reduced, its affinity for oxygen would 

 be destroyed. 



In accordance with this view of the subject, 

 it is well known that phosphorus, sulphur, and 

 the most combustible compounds of hydrogen 

 and carbon have no affinity for oxygen at very 

 reduced temperatures, but attract it rapidly 

 when assisted by heat. It would therefore be 

 a waste of time to multiply proofs that caloric 

 is the cause of oxidation. There is not a sub- 

 stance in nature with which it may not be made 

 to unite under the influence of heat. 



Finding it impossible to overlook the agency 

 of caloric in chemical affinities, Sir H. Davy 

 maintained that " it gave freedom of motion to 

 the particles of bodies, and exalted their elec- 

 trical energies." (Phil. Transactions, Nov. 1806.) 



It is also observed by Berzelius, that " a great 

 number of bodies seem to possess but feeble 

 affinities at ordinary temperatures of the atmos- 

 phere, which acquire very active powers of at- 

 traction when raised to high temperatures." (Des 

 Proportions Chiiniques, p. 57.) 



This illustrious chemist might have added, 

 that the chemical power of all bodies is exalted 

 by every addition of caloric and diminished by 

 its abstraction. All the destructions and rege- 

 nerations of matter may be referred to, or de- 

 rived from that law of caloric by which it repels 



