74 Sir H. Davyds researches on flame. 
The facts stated in Section II. explain why so much more 
heat is obtained from fuel when it is burnt quickly ; and they 
show that in all cases the temperature of the acting bodies 
should be kept as high as possible, not only because the gene- 
ral increment of heat is greater, but likewise, because those 
combinations are prevented which at lower temperatures take 
place without any considerable production of heat : thus, in 
the Argand lamp, the Liverpool lamp, and in the best fire- 
places, the increase of effect does not depend merely upon the 
rapid current of air, but likewise upon the heat preserved by 
the arrangements of the materials of the chimney, and com- 
municated to the matters entering into inflammation. 
These facts likewise explain the methods by which tem- 
perature may be increased, and the limit to certain methods. 
Currents of flame, as it was stated in the last section, can 
never raise the heat of bodies exposed to them, higher 
than a certain degree, their own temperature ; but by com- 
pression, there can be no doubt, the heat of flames from 
pure supporters and combustible matter may be greatly in- 
creased, probably in the ratio of their compression. In the 
blow-pipe of oxygene and hydrogene, the maximum of tem- 
perature is close to the aperture from which the gases are 
disengaged, i. e. where their density is greatest. Probably 
a degree of temperature far beyond any that has been yet 
attained may be produced by throwing the flame from com- 
pressed oxygene and hydrogene into the voltaic arc, and thus 
combining the two most powerful agents for increasing tem- 
perature. 
The circumstances mentioned in this Paper, combined with 
those noticed in the Paper on flame printed in Mr. Brande’s 
