82 ONTOLOGY. 



therefore a definite fixity of aether ; this aether is latent 

 heat. 



399. Heat operates spherically in matter or in all 

 directions, not in the linear direction like light. The 

 propagation of heat can only take place slowly, because 

 it is not a polar action, but only the result of such an one, 

 only motion. Heat does not penetrate bodies mechanically, 

 but dynamically like light, yet without decomposing them, 

 as light does. 



400. Heat is related as indifferent aether to the matter 

 as to a Polar. This relation imparts the process of con- 

 duction. Light, however, is itself polar and disturbs 

 matter, while it passes through it. 



401. With the exception of their cohesion matters are 

 not directly changed by heat. 



402. During every process of decomposition, during 

 every process of light heat must be produced, but not 

 light also during every process of heat. 



403. Dense materials must conduct heat because they 

 are most opposed to it. It is only the formed element 

 therefore that can possess capacity for conducting heat. 



404. Absence of form is the character of isolators 

 of heat, form that of the conductors, apart from every 

 remaining quality. Solid bodies, which easily pass into 

 the formless condition are isolators. 



405. The densest bodies among the solids must be 

 the best conductors. Regard may be first paid to the 

 nature of their constituent parts in the sequel of the pre- 

 sent section of this work. 



406. The conduction of heat is a continuous excitation 

 from one part striving against or resisting the other ; the 



p ^ Dearths (as metals) are the best conductors. 



407. Matters, which are images of heat, do not con- 

 duct, because they enter only as minimum into conflict 

 with it, and while they expand at once convert themselves 

 into the same. Such is the air. The Heterogeneous only 

 conducts. The heat expands in the air only by con- 

 tinuous motion of the aerial particles. The air is an 

 isolator. Water ranks in the middle between air and earth. 



