252 CALORIC THE CAUSE OF ALL AFFINITIES. 



of gold, the latter is precipitated on it in the 

 metallic form ; for the same reason that melted 

 tin, zinc, bismuth, silver, &c. are attracted by 

 solid metals, and thus chemically united with 

 them, as in the process of plating. Hence it 

 follows, that if caloric be indispensable to the 

 solution of metals in acids, their precipitation 

 must be owing to its abstraction by the solid 

 metals. 



From a general view of the preceding facts 

 and observations, it is evident, that caloric is the 

 cause of all oxidation ; that water and the strong 

 acids are generated by its agency, and chemically 

 united with the earthy, alkaline, and metallic 

 oxides, forming salts and rocks : in short, that 

 combustion, fermentation, and solution, are mo- 

 dified effects of the same cause. Vinous fer- 

 mentation begins at about 59 F. and increases 

 up to 77, at which point acetous fermentation 

 begins, and ceases at 88. The difference be- 

 tween putrefaction and combustion is only in 

 degree. The former requires a temperature of 

 about 80, and augments up to 135 F. ; while 

 phosphorus enters into a slow combustion at 43, 

 and potassium at still lower temperatures. 



