APPENDIX. 127 



quantities, by the specific gravity of the fixed bodies they represent, 

 they afford from analogy the following data, as their comparative 

 intensity of illumination. See fig. 3, plate 1. 



Red Ray. Yellow. Blue. Violet. Light Orange or Deep Yellow. 

 9-364 12-789 6'593 I'OOO H'647 



Light Green The Mean of the entire Portion. 



10-719 11-076 



3. The Galvanic Phenomena among others support the conclusion, 

 that the transition of matter to the radiant state of light, is effected by 

 the combination of one atom of oxygen, by its positive pole, in contact 

 with the negative poles, of one atom each of azote, carbon, and hydrogen; 

 and that the reversion to a fixed state, is produced by a combination of 

 the same atoms in a refracted state principally by their opposite poles, 

 with bodies of fixed matter. 



4. The existence of an equilibrium as to such gradual transition and 

 reversion of matter, is not less consistent with its indestructability, than 

 that already admitted in the daily formation of water, and the restora- 

 tion of that body to its original constituents in the gaseous state. 



Light is imperfect in colour and intensity, unless the presence of its 

 four original constituents is evident, and nearly in the following ratio : 



In Volume. In Weight. 



Red Ray 16'250 Oxygen 5'5068 or 33 



Yellow 25-417 Azote 7'5366 =r 43 



Blue 30-556 Carbon 3*6031 = 21 



Violet 27-777 Hydrogen 0-5880 = 3 



Parts lOO'OOO 17-2345 100 



Except one,* all solids, with which we are familiar (the metals 

 included), all fluids, and the whole of the gases (3 only exceptedj, are 

 compound bodies. 



The colour assumed by bodies in a liquid state, on addition of new 

 constituents, is dependent on a change of position of the visible surfaces 

 of their compound atoms, arising either from an extension of their 

 spheres by the new 7 acquisition or a diminution in magnitude from 

 abstraction of some portion of their original constituents, by which in 

 either case a direct change as to polarity is effected. This may be 

 elucidated by demonstrating the nature of the action of an acid, or an 

 alkali, on the blue colour of vegetable juices. See fig. 1, plate 2nd. 



* Meaning carbon. 



