t'4'i AS*. henly’s Experiments and 
trie light comes from the electric matter itfelf; that this 
being a modification of phlogifton, it is probable that 
all light is a modification of phlogifton alfo; and that, 
prior to his deductions from electrical phenomena, it 
was pretty evident that light and phlogifton are the fame 
thing in different forms or ftates. Dr. Priestley’s third 
volume on the fame fubject was not publifhed till' the 
laft fheet of my paper had- been compofed, and a proof 
ftruck off. In the appendix to that volume I find fo cu- 
rious an article in a letter from fignor volta to the DoCtor, 
that I fliall take the liberty to tranfcribe a part of it, as a 
very important addition ; viz: “ I fire inflammable air 
“ by the Ample electric fpark, even when the electricity 
“ is very moderate, which explains the ignes fatui , pro- 
a vided they confift of inflammable air iffuing from 
u marfliy ground by the help of the electricity of fogs 
u and by falling-ftars, which are very probably thought 
u to have an electrical origin. 
“ I do not know whether you have ever tried the effeCt 
u of the Bolognian phofphorus on air. It phlogifticates it 
u in the higheft degree, and the diminution it occafions 
u takes place very quickly, and is altogether furprifing ; 
“ but for this purpofe the phofphorus rauft be good, 
a and the weather not too cold.” 
Since 
