694 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



an instant, many times as much more heat than it had received 

 during all this previous time ? I leave the question for advocates 

 of the " latent heat" theory to answer. 



This, at least, would be fair proof that the heat at this point of 

 becoming latent is converted to something else, and this, contrary 

 to what might first appear, involves, if true, something more than 

 a mere change of terms, latent heat or latent electricity, because, 

 although equivalent in effect, our minds are aroused to a very 

 different understanding of what we have to deal with in the gen- 

 eration and safe control of steam, and can bring to bear all those 

 laws so familiar to us relating to electricity, both as aid and pro- 

 tection from accident, which would not be deemed applicable if 

 we considered it simply as heat rendered inert, and therefore in- 

 capable of exerting any sudden and uncontrolable force. For 

 although it is now generally admitted that heat and electricity are 

 but different j^henomena of the same cause, and that they are also 

 sometimes if not always convertible, yet it is well known that 

 heat and electricity are universally recognized as agents, possessed 

 of very different properties, and controlled by very different arti- 

 ficial means. 



If we assume that it was electricity that the water took up in 

 this latent form, then, warm water being a good conductor, as a 

 particle of water flew into steam every neighboring atom would 

 supply its quota, and the inconsistency is removed. 



In lieu of the electricity of eflSuent steam being derived from 

 friction, as Faraday assumed, I consider the friction as only the 

 means of its transference, while condensation is the means of its 

 development, and the "latent heat,'' so termed, its source. 



The electrical theory of steam has its bearing on our subject in 

 the most direct manner, for, taking electrical laws as our guide, 

 and not solely what are familiar to us as laws of heat simply, we 

 shall be directed in our course to the adaptation of the proper 

 means for its more rapid and cheap generation, and its more ready 

 and safe control. 



As passing proofs of the soundness of the theory of specific 

 electricities, and its reference here to the assumption that the 

 latent something of steam is latent or combined electricity, I would 

 offer as proof: First, that wherever electricity is developed from 

 steam no other equivalent for the latent heat can be found. Sec- 

 ond, that a charge of electricity, of moderate intensity, passed 

 through water at the boiling point, flashes it instantly into vapor, 

 and herein, doubtless, lies the secret of steam boiler explosions, 



