Experimental investigation of the spirit manifestations, [electronic ...

878 OF MATTER, MIND, AND SPIRIT.1841. The ctlier, under this view, performs the part heretofore assignedto latent heat, by combining with solids so as to render them susceptibleof expansion, and of electrical conduction by being liable to the polarizationwhich constitutes electricity.1842. Sensible heat, according to this aspect, is due to the vibrationsof the ethereal fluid, which is sustained by the sun, by ignition in theinterior of the earth, and by chemical reaction, including combustion andrespiration.1843. The correctness of the inference, that conductors owe their conductivepower to ethereal matter entering into their composition, has beeninsisted upon in my strictures on Farraday's speculation in some of thepreceding pages. The facts admitted by this distinguished investigator ofnature's laws, gave to me a basis on which to rest an argument in favourof the existence of an imponderable cause of heat and electricity in metals,which seems to me unanswerable.1844. Agreeably to the hypothesis respecting which the precedingpreparatory suggestions have been made, gasification is not due to arepulsive atmosphere of ethereal matter, severally appropriated to eachponderable constituent atom, but to an attraction for every suchatom exercisedby the ethereal fluid, such as water exercises toward sugar, quicklime,salt, or any soluble substance. The ether attracts the particles ofcertain solids, and is of course reacted upon by them. The particles thusattracted naturally distribute themselves throughout it, at symmetricaldistances.Hence the law of Pettit and Dulong is verified, which, at least,holds good with all gasifiable atoms, that their capacity is inversely astheir atomic weight.1845. The atomic weights of hydrogen, nitrogen, and chlorine beingseverally 1, 14, 36, when associated with equal volumes of the imponderahleether, they will have still the same weight. Equal volumes will weighthe same as the atoms with which they are associated ;and the capacity forheat, being directly as the volumes, will be inversely as the weights, thecalculation being the same, whether ether or caloric be the imponderableprinciple to which they owe their gasification. I3y concurring with thosechemists, who estimate the atoms of oxygen at 16, instead of 8, this gaswill come into the same calculation.1846. When heterogeneous gases are confined within the same cavity,that they should not react with each other is no more wonderful, than thatthe same mass of water may at the same time hold diS'erentsubstances insolution, which may add to its hydrostatic pressure though they have noreciprocal reaction.1847. Sensible heat appears to be due to vibrations in the ether, keptup by the solar rays or central ignition within this globe. By the heatthus acquired the self-repellent power of the ether is augmented. Whenby refrigeration this source of repulsion is diminished beyond a certain