180 Electricity of Nature, 



into action by our machines ; and that, however homogeneous 

 the two fluids may be in their physical constitution, they differ 

 essentially in the nature of the energy they exert, particularly 

 in that employed in the developement of the vegetable 

 structure. 



Without at this time dwelling upon the enquiry, whether 

 every individual substance throughout nature be or be not 

 possessed of an electricity specifically peculiar to itself, I 

 shall observe, in passing, that I conceive that every portion 

 of matter is imbued with a certain quantity of electricity, 

 existing either in a state of actual chemical union with, and 

 as one of, its constituents; or in that of simple intersti- 

 tial infiltration between its molecular particles. The phe- 

 nomena of atmospheric decompositions, of lightning, and of 

 voltaic electricity, tend, I think, to demonstrate the chemical 

 energy exerted by the ethereal fluid ; while those of friction, 

 of percussion, and of endosmosis (or the penetrativeness of 

 liquids and gases), afford evidence of molecular deposition. 

 Perhaps it would not be unphilosophical to hazard the con- 

 jecture that electricity, in whatever state it exists, is the grand 

 natural cement; and that by it every substance, whether 

 solid, fluid, or gaseous, is retained in its specific state of 

 chemical, or (as it may be termed) mechanical, union; and 

 that every act or process of percussion, of decomposition, or 

 of combination, and the like, tends to produce, or is accom- 

 panied by, a change in the electrical condition of a body so 

 disturbed. 



In as much as refers to electro-chemical action, I may be 

 permitted to assume — 



First, that " all bodies which have a chemical affinity 

 for each other are in opposite states of electricity ; and che- 

 mical affinity depends so much upon electricity, that their 

 natural affinities may be modified or destroyed (by what is 

 termed) artificial means." 



Secondly, " Those substances or bodies which are incapable 

 of chemical combinations are uniformly in the same electrical 

 condition ; since they repel, but cannot attract, each other." 



Thirdly, " Since bodies which attract one another are pos- 

 sessed of different electricities, and those which repel one 

 another are possessed of the same electricity (phenomena 

 which are in exact conformity with those of artificial electri- 

 city), it follows that all bodies which attract or repel one 

 another are electrified bodies. When bodies possessing 

 opposite qualities, such as those of acid and alkali, enter into 

 union, they do so by the attractive or disposing influence of 

 their respective electricities ; and, in the act of union, the two 



