CALORIC AND ELECTRICITY. 435 



effects. It was first observed by Dr. Franklin, 

 that when iron or steel wires were submitted to a 

 few electrical shocks, they became covered over 

 with a coating of rust. Dr. Priestley observed 

 the same effect on other metals after which 

 Cuthbertson proved by a great variety of expe- 

 riments, that all the known metals might be 

 rapidly oxidized by common electricity, even 

 gold and platina, which are difficult to oxidize 

 by the ordinary modes of applying heat. 



By the attraction of caloric for ponderable 

 matter, it combines with various solids, produces 

 their fusion, and causes them to cohere with each 

 other. By its repulsion of its own particles, it 

 decomposes oxides, chlorides, iodides, bromides, 

 alloys, and all other compounds. 



The same is true of electricity, which dissolves 

 and decomposes the most refractory bodies, such 

 as the earths, alkalies, and all other metallic 

 oxides, and again causes their elements to re- 

 combine. In short, there is no combination or 

 decomposition which may not be effected by 

 caloric and electricity, when sufficiently concen- 

 trated, and in due proportions. 



When treating of cohesion, it was shewn that 

 all bodies have different degrees of attraction 

 for caloric ; and that their, conducting power was 

 in proportion to that attraction, that the lightest 

 known solids give out large quantities of caloric 

 during combustion, and are bad conductors ; 



