80 ONE SPECIES OF MATTER. 



The evidences submitted in support of this hypothesis are 

 described under the following heads, and will be treated of 

 separately : 



1st. That from the color of bodies, or that of their solution 

 in menstrua of known constitution, or of their flame in com^ 

 bustion, some of their leading properties, as well as their 

 original constituents, may be ascertained. 



2nd. That light is not specifically combined with bodies, and 

 that those which produce light, and are termed inflammable, 

 do not burn in close vessels, excluded from atmospheric air, 

 unless the constituents of that air, at the time, are present, as 

 component parts of the body itself, or of what has been termed 

 the supporter, or of both. 



3rd. That bodies denominated supporters of combustion, if 

 mixed above certain proportions with gases which are deemed 

 inflammable, prevent their explosion and combustion. 



4th. That the simple gases, having been previously purified 

 by the electric spark, are not capable of ignition when treated 

 separately in close vessels. 



5th. That the only simple substance in existence which is 

 termed incombustible, forms, in combination with other gases, 

 bodies the most sensible of ignition, and productive of illumina- 

 tion the most resplendent. 



6th. That at the common temperature, on the mixture of 

 certain acids of great density with oils of the lesser specific 

 gravity, spontaneous inflammation and vivid light are produced, 

 which depend on the generation of caloric of high temperature 

 by the revolution of the particles or atoms of the acids and 

 oils, by which their poles are set at liberty to combine in the 

 necessary order to form radiant matter ; and that this never 

 occurs unless the presence of the material elements of the three 

 primary rays is evidently demonstrable. 



7th. That oxygen, azote, and hydrogen, when brought into 

 contact in given proportions, and fired by the electric spark, 

 produce perfect light. 



