16 NATURE OF EXPLOSION NITROGEN ESSENTIAL TO LIGHT. 



Lussac, Thenard, and Dalton) ; for explosion arises, as I conceive, 

 from the presence of more elementary atoms of the same species 

 than can combine at once with a lesser proportion of the 

 dements of another species, or from the absence of the regular 

 quantum of each element in a free state to produce light, and 

 therefore explosion is rendered evident from the obstruction of 

 the regular system of polarity, which such a confusion in the 

 position of the poles of the corpuscles must naturally occasion. 



The conversion of an aqueous solution of chlorine, to a solu- 

 tion of muriatic acid, by the power exerted by the blue, or 

 more refrangible rays, clearly proves their hydroginating quali- 

 ties. M. Hitter, Dr. Wollaston, M. Berthollet, and Dr. Young. 

 While the oocyginating powers of the red ray are shown by 

 its converting the oxide of mercury red and its similar action 

 on puce-colored oxide of lead. Sir H. Davy. 



The red ray is identical with the oxygen discharged from 

 the positive pole of the galvanic battery, and with positive 

 electricity, and with it is to be found the power of ignition 

 producing, as it is called, combustion, and therefore it is deemed 

 a supporter of combustion when applied to a body containing 

 the other elements of LIGHT ; but the fact is, the presence of 

 the three original elements is essential to the production of 



PERFECT LIGHT. 



It is found that when the oxygen and hydrogen gases are 

 ignited, they produce much heat, and LITTLE light. Why ? 

 Because nitrogen is absent. Present therefore to an ignited 

 stream of these gases a piece of lime, being an alkalescent 

 earth, and containing consequently nitrogen, and the most bril- 

 liant and perfect TERRESTRIAL LIGHT is formed, of an intense 

 white and vivid brightness, and the nearest approximation yet 

 achieved to CELESTIAL LIGHT, and divisible, like it, into the 

 three prismatic colors, red, yellow, and blue. 



In the patent process for producing an economic light, from 

 the refuse of combustible matter (as practised by the Messrs. 

 Enderby, at their manufactory at Greenwich), by a current of 



