CAL 
raised, comes into contact with several 
other bodies of lower temperatures, then the 
caloric endeavours to form an equilibrium ; 
and that of the first body, because it is this 
especially, which causes a change in the 
equilibrium, diffuses itself throughout the se- 
cond, and thence throughout the third, 
and so in succession till all their temperatures 
are equal. The intermediate bodies, through 
which caloric permeates, are called con- 
ductors of heat ; and, as they convey it more 
or less quickly, they are said to be good or bad 
conductors. ' All bodies possess the property 
of communicating caloric, but according to 
different degrees, being hence termed good 
or bad conductors. Hitherto we know of but 
one exception, which is in congealed water 
or ice. This body imbibes all the caloric 
wlrich it receives from other bodies ; nor 
does it communicate the least quantity to 
such as lie contiguous to it, until the quan- 
tity of caloric it has absorbed has rendered it li- 
quid. The water produced follows again the 
general law, and becomes a conductor ot heat. 
Therefore, if a body of a certain temperature 
is brought into contact with ice, it will im- 
part to the ice its own caloric, till it has de- 
scended to the temperature of the ice itself; 
and we shall see that only as much of the ice 
returns to the state of water as the caloric, 
which it had imbibed, could liquefy, 1 his, 
however, is that portion of caloric, which 
had raised the body from the temperature of 
the ice to that which it possessed previously to 
the experiment, and which we have deno- 
minated specific heat. Moreover, since 
equal quantities of caloric ought to liquefy 
equal quantities of ice, it follows, that the 
specific heat of bodies, under like circum- 
stances, is in a direct ratio of the quantities of 
ice which they can liquefy when brought into 
contact. 
From the foregoing observations we may 
draw the following conclusions : 
1. If equal quantities of the same body, at 
the same temperature, come severally into 
contact with ice, then equal quantities of 
ice will be changed into the liquid state of 
water, and such bodies will descend to the tem- 
perature of the ice. 
2. If unequal quantities of the same body 
is treated in a similar manner, then the quan- 
tities of the ice liquefied will he in a direct ra- 
tio of the quantities of the body. 
3. But, if equal quantities of different bo- 
dies are treated in this way, then the quantities 
of the ice liquefied will he in a direct ratio of 
the quantities of caloric which those bodies 
have lost; or, mother words, they will be in 
a direct ratio of the quantities of caloric 
which caused those bodies to ascend from 
the temperature of the ice to that which they 
possessed at the beginning of the experiment: 
and therefore, as the masses of the bodies 
were equal, they will be in a direct ratio of 
their specific heat, and in a direct ratio ot their 
own capacities for caloric. 
These experiments not only demonstrate, 
that different bodies, in reality, possess dif- 
ferent capacities for caloric ; but they like- 
wise shew us the means by which we are ena- 
bled to measure the relative quantities which 
thev contain. 
Heat and cold, with respect to our senses, 
are distinguished by those perceptions which 
are the effect either of an augmentation, 
or diminution of caloric, in the animal 
C A L 
body, ■whenever we approach au object whose 
temperature is either higher or lower* than 
that which we ourselves possess. But the 
perception is always modified by the state ot 
the organs, and the temperature they have 
been before exposed to. Hence not only 
one person shall feel cold, another warm, in 
the same atmosphere ; but it we plunge our 
hands for some time, the one into hot, the 
other into cold water, and suddenly transfer 
them both into water of the heat ot the blood, 
the same water will distinctly impress on our 
perceptions both heat and cold. It follows, 
that our perceptions are not a just criterion 
of the state of bodies as 4o their tempera- 
ture. 
Incandescence and flame are observed in 
the rapid disengagement ot caloric and light. 
The first effect of this disengagement is in- 
flammation ; and these phenomena, taken 
collectively, excite in us that idea which is 
expressed by the word fire. 
Among the various states of heat, it is ne- 
cessary that we should consider caloric in two 
points’ of view. First, as it elevates bodies 
above the temperature of the surrounding 
medium, where it is known by the term 
sensible heat, and which we can measure 
either by a common thermometer or by 
Wedgewood’s pyrometer. Secondly, the whole 
quantity of caloric existing in a body in che- 
mical union, where it is known by the term 
absolute heat, the quantity of which is as- 
certained by the calorimeter of La Place. 
From the principal laws which caloric follows 
in its combination with other bodies, and 
from the properties already recited, many phe- 
nomena may he explained which occur in the 
chemical solution of bodies, and in which ca- 
loric is the principal agent. Thus: 1. Why 
two solid bodies cannot mutually dissolve 
each other ; and why it is necessary, for that 
purpose, that one of them, at least, should be 
in a fluid state. 2. Why, in most combina- 
tions of solids with fluids, caloric promotes 
solution. 3. Why the contrary happens in 
solutions of aeriform bodies in liquids. 4. 
Why the combination of two solid or two 
fluid bodies, or the combination of one fluid 
with one solid, produces a body which is ei- 
ther solid or fluid. 5. What phenomena 
ought to be produced as to volume, specific 
gravity, and temperatures. 
CALOTTE, in architecture, a round ca- 
vity or depressure, in form of a cap or cup, 
lathed and plaistered, used to diminish the 
rise or elevation of a moderate chapel, cabi- 
net, alcove, &c. which, without such an ex- 
pedient, would be too high for other pieces 
of the apartment. 
CALTHA, marsh-marirgold, in botany, a 
genus of the polyandria polygynia class of 
plants, and in the natural method ranking 
under the 26th order, multisiliquac. There 
is no calyx ; there are five petals ; no necta- 
ria; the capsules are many, and polysperm- 
ous. There is only one species known, 
which grows naturally in moist boggy lands 
in many parts of England. \ here is a va- 
riety with double flowers, which for its 
beauty is presen ed in gardens. It is propa- 
gated by parting the roots in autumn. Upon 
May-day the country people strew the flow- 
ers upon the pavement before their doors. 
Goats and sheep eat this plant ; horses, 
cows, and swine, refuse it. 
CALVARY, in heraldry, a cross so call- 
O o 2 
C A M 29 1 
ed because it resembles the cross on whiclr 
our Saviour suffered. 
CALVINISTS, in church history, those 
who follow the : opinions of John Calvin, one 
of the principal reformers of the church in 
the 16th century, a person of great parts and 
industry, and of considerable learning ; 
whose doctrine still subsists in its greatest 
purity at Geneva, where it was first intro- 
duced, and whence it was propagated. r l he 
Calvinists are great advocates for the abso- 
luteness of God’s decrees ; and hold that 
election and reprobation depend on the mere 
will of God, without any regard to the merit 
or demerit of mankind ; that he affords to the 
elect an irresistible grace, a faith that they 
cannot lose, which takes away the freedom 
of will, and necessitates all their actions to 
virtue. The Calvinists believe that God 
foreknew a determinate number, in whom he 
would manifest his glory ; and that having 
thus foreknown them, he predestinated them 
to be holy, in order to which he gives them 
an irresistible grace, which makes it impos- 
sible for them to be otherwise. 
CALYCANTHUS, in botany, a genus 
ofrthe polygynia order, in the icosandria 
class of plants, and in the natural method 
ranked among the plants? dubii ordinis. The 
calyx is monopliyllous, pitcher-form, squar- 
rose, with small coloured leaves, the corolla 
consisting of the leaves on the calyx ; the 
styles are numerous, each with a glandular 
stigma ; the seeds are many, each with a 
train, within a succulent calyx. There ar* 
two species, viz. 
1, Catycanthus floridus, ■or Carolina all- 
spice tree, a native of Carolina. It seldom 
grows, at least with us, to more than five feet 
high. It divides into many branches irregu- 
larly near the ground. It* is of a brown co- 
lour ; and when bruised emits a most agree- 
able odour. The leaves that garnish this de- 
lightful aromatic are of an oval figure. At 
the end of these stand the flowers, of a kind 
of chocolate purple colour. T he propaga- 
tion of this shrub is not very difficult ; 
though more than common care must be 
taken, after small plants are obtained, to pre- 
serve them till they are of a size to be ven- 
tured abroad. The last year’s shoots, if laid in 
the ground, the bark being a little bruised, 
will strike root within a year, particularly if 
the layers are shaded, and watered in sum- 
mer. 
2. C. praecox is not yet inured to our cli- 
mate. 
CAT.YPTRA, Most of the mosses ha ’e 
calvptnn. See Botany. 
CAIA'FTRANTHES, a genus of the 
icosandria moflogynia class and order. r i he 
essential character is, calyx superior, trun- 
cate, covered with a veil-shaped rib; crrolla 
none ; berry one-celled, one to four seeded. 
There are six species, trees anti shrubs of 
the W est Indies. 
C ALYX, among botanists, a general term 
expressing the cup of a flower, or that part 
of a plant which syrrounds and supports the 
other parts of the flower. See Botany. 
CAM/FA, in natural history, a genus of 
the semipellucid gems, approaching to the 
onyx structure, being composed of zones, 
and formed on a crystalline basis ; but hav- 
ing the zones very broad and thick, and laid 
alternately on one ‘another, with no com mon 
matter between; usually less transparent. 
