VOLTAIC POLAR ARRANGEMENT. 107 



tion of temperature throughout. In treating of caloric, or heat, 

 I wish to be understood as not considering it otherwise than 

 as a modification of latent light, which disturbed by the sepa- 

 ration of its molecular constituents, by the operation of natural 

 electrical changes, produces the sensation called heat, termi- 

 nating either energetically in visible radiancy of light,'oi*yf///- 

 ing back to a state of temporary quiescence, until the equilibrium 

 shall be again disturbed by some operation of nature or art. 



When we contemplate the variety of purpose to which the 

 elementary constituents of WATER are applicable, we cannot 

 be sceptical as to the sublime simplicity with which the beauties 

 and excellencies of all we see on earth are produced from a 

 few original elements, when we observe that the oxygen and 

 hydrogen gases, in their due proportions, form a limpid, translu- 

 cent, colorless, and tasteless liquid. Again, the alcoholic fluids 

 are highly spirituous and volatile, from a change of proportion 

 and an addition of carbon, then highly acetous from an increase 

 of oxygen ; it must be evident to us that those diametrically 

 opposite qualities are the consequences not only of variation 

 of proportion as to the elementary constituents employed, but 



of a diversity in their polarity of combination. 



' 



VOLTAIC POLAR DETERMINATION. 



IN the operations of the Voltaic circle, it is apparent that 

 the determination of oxygen is to one pole or electrode, while 

 that of hydrogen is constantly to the other, and that nitrogen, 

 which appears to occupy the intermediate position, is occa- 

 sionally diverted to one pole or the other, according to the 

 nature of the substance, or body, submitted to decomposition. 

 Thus in chlorides, the chlorine being a compound (as here 

 presumed) of nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen, flies to the 

 positive electrode, while the base (suppose soda, a compound 

 in which nitrogen predominates) is diverted to the negative 

 electrode. 



