Masterpieces of Science 



der, was greater than that produced in the com- 

 bustion of nine wax-candles, each three-quarters 

 of an inch in diameter, all burning together with 

 clear bright flames. 



"One horse would have been equal to the 

 work performed, though two were actually em- 

 ployed. Heat may thus be produced merely 

 by the strength of a horse, and, in a case of ne- 

 cessity, this heat might be used in cooking 

 victuals. But no circumstances could be im- 

 agined in which this method of procuring heat 

 would be advantageous, for more heat might 

 be obtained by using the fodder necessary 

 for the support of a horse as fuel. " 



[This is an extremely significant passage, in- 

 timating as it does, that Rumford saw clearly 

 that the force of animals was derived from the 

 food; no creation of force taking place in the 

 animal body.] 



"By meditating on the results of all these ex- 

 periments, we are naturally brought to that great 

 question which has so often been the subject of 

 speculation among philosophers, namely, What 

 is heat is there any such thing as an igneous 

 fluid ? Is there anything that, with propriety, 

 can be called caloric ? 



"We have seen that a very considerable quan- 

 tity of heat may be excited by the friction of 

 two metallic surfaces, and given off in a constant 

 stream or flux in all directions, without inter- 

 ruption or intermission, and without any signs of 

 diminution or exhaustion. In reasoning on this 

 160 



