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hypothesis which regards light as being analogous to sound. 
The flame of the watch lamp was very small, the particles 
which composed it were cooled so rapidly, that they had 
scarcely time to shine an instant, before they disappeared 
entirely. 
It would have been extremely natural to have attributed 
the faintness of the light in this experiment to the feeble¬ 
ness of the combustion, if the quantity of wax consumed 
had not afforded a demonstrative proof that the combustion 
was not in the least faint. 
But here a very interesting question presents itself: if it 
has been proved to a certainty, from the quantity of wax 
burnt, that the process of combustion took place with its 
ordinary vivacity, what became of the heat which ought to 
have been developed in the operation ? 
I have sought it, and have had the satisfaction not only 
to discover it, but to discover it entirely. 
I found that the small candle never ceased to furnish it 
for an instant during the whole course of the experiment. 
A moment’s reflection made it obvious that the heat which 
the particles composing the small flame parted with so ra¬ 
pidly, could not be lost entirely, and that it would be found 
in the current of warm air which rose above the flame. 
Holding my hand open at the distance of two or three 
inches above the faint flame of the little candle, I found in 
reality a degree of heat that astonished me, and was alto¬ 
gether insupportable, so that I was obliged to withdraw my 
hand suddenly. 
I believe that a burn never gave any person so much 
pleasure as that did me. 
I lost no time in prosecuting an experiment which should 
clear up this mystery in such a manner as not to leave any 
doubt. 
Eoefi. 16,—-I had fortunately in my laboratory an appara¬ 
tus ready prepared, (I had used it. in other experiments) 
which was w r eli calculated for the experiment I was desirous 
