CALORIC, HEAT, FIRE. 15 



the soda, by attracting the muriatic acid, will form mu- 

 riate of soda. 



There is, possibly, not a single operation in chemistry 

 that is not dependent on affinity ; and although the wis- 

 dorn and power of God may afford a more sublime and 

 grander display in the harmony and arrangement of the 

 heavenly bodies, yet they are not less visible nor less 

 wonderful in the more minute parts of the creation. 



CALORIC, HEAT, FIRE. 



Definition and properties of Fire Conductors of Caloric Expansive power 

 of Caloric in different substances Caloric divided into two kinds, Free 

 and Latent Sun the chief cause or source of Caloric Affinity of different 

 Colours for Caloric Condensation of Solar Heat by Mirrors and Lenses 

 Caloric produced by Combustion, Percussion, Friction, Chemical Mixtures, 

 Electricity, &c. 



OF all the blessings mankind enjoy, those derived from 

 the agency of fire may be truly considered to hold the 

 first place. Were it not for fire, man would not have 

 arrived at a state of civilization ; manufactures could not 

 have existed, nor could the arts have been cultivated ; 

 and instead of enjoying as \ve do the various comforts, 

 luxuries, and elegancies of life, we should have been, in 

 our habits and conduct, scarcely removed above the 

 brute creation. 



Fire used to be considered a real substance, but that 

 doctrine is now exploded : the more philosophical and 

 correct opinion is. that it is the result of a high degree 

 of excitement of the atoms of the heated body. Heat is 

 properly the sensation produced by the agency of caloric ; 

 the term caloric being now used to express the cause of 

 heat, whether caloric be a distinct substance, or whether 

 it be a peculiar motion of the particles of bodies. 



Fire is found to penetrate all bodies, even the hardest, 

 which forms a peculiar feature of its character. It is 

 also particularly disposed to form an equilibrium, so that 

 a heated body will continue to give out streams of caloric 

 until it has acquired the temperature of the atmosphere 

 or of any body with which it may be in contact. Thus, 

 if we touch a body hotter than our hand, a portion of 



