Miscellanies. 199 
If the small black atoms which are generally floating in the liquid 
of a candle ready to overflow, be observed, it will be seen that they 
have a two-fold motion. They are slowly drawn up* towards the 
wick ina straight line; but, when almost touching it, shoot off with 
great rapidity towards the edge of the candle, instead of being drawn 
up into the flame, the ends, at the same time, being always turned. 
For instance, let AB be the circumference of 
the candle, C the wick, and DE the atom. 
The end D is drawn up towards C till within 
the nearest approach it is able to make without 
touching, when it is suddenly and violently re- 
pulsed and turned round, so that D is towards 
the edge, E towards the wick. ‘This is re- 
peated, generally with much regularity, as regards time and Greed: 
till the candle overflows. 
There appear to be always in action two distinct powers, the one 
of attraction, which I suppose to be capillary, and more easily com- 
prehended; the other of repulsion, which appears commonly, though 
not always, to act from distinct and fixed points in the wick, in 
determinate rays towards the edge. ‘The repulsive power is the 
strongest, and yet extends a very short distance, as the atom is not 
acted on till it is as near the wick as it can well approach. Is this 
the action of the whole liquid or only of the extraneous bodies float- 
ing in it? These facts I have observed only in spermaceti candles, 
but presume they will be the same in tallow or wax. 
New York, September 8th, 1837. 
9. Supplement to Dr. Mease’s paper on Spontaneous Combus- 
tion.—The editor has added a note to the statement of the sponta- 
neous inflammation of horse manure, to show that the case alluded 
to, p. 151, was ascertained to have been the work of design. That 
manure will take fire spontaneously is rendered probable by a recent 
occurrence in Baltimore. In the ‘‘ Patriot” newspaper of that city 
of September 26, it is stated that ‘the alarm of fire on Sunday, 
was occasioned by spontaneous combustion in a deposite of manure 
from the stable on the rear of the premises of Edward Patterson, 
Esq., in South Gay street, near Market street. The situation of the 
place forbids the idea of any other origin ; and it was generally be- 
lieved by those who saw it to be a case of spontaneous combustion.” 
Who that reflects upon the chemical contents of stable manure can 
doubt that it contains the principles of combustion ? 
