In tie mechanical approximation of the particles of a
homogeneous body heat results ; the particles a aot the body
A would, by their approximation, produce espanaion in the
neighbourjixg body B, the more so in proportion aa they them-
selves were previously nearer to each other, la chemically
combining, a a the particles of A are brought into very close
proximity with b h the particles of B ; heat should therefore
result, and the greater because the proximity may faii-ly be
assumed to be greater in the case of chemical combination
than in that of mechanical compression. In cases, then,
where there is no absolute diminution of bulk ensuing on
chemical combination, if the greater proximity of the com'



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CHEMICAL APFINirr, 161

Lining particles be such tliat the correlative expansion oagbt
to be greater (if there were no ctemical combination) than
that occupied by the total volmno of the new compound, an
extra expanding power is ovolvod, and heat or expansion
ought to be produced in surroimding bodies. In other words,
if a a could he brought by physical attraction as near each
other as they are by ohetnical attraction brought near to b &,
they would, from their increased proximity, produce an ex-
pansive power ultra the volume occupied by the aetual chem-
ical compound A and B, The question, however, immedi-
ately occurs, why should the volume of the coiapound be lim-
ited and not occupy the ftdl space equivalent to the expanding
power induced by the contraction o pp oxima n of he
particles. As the distance of the part 1 is he s il ant
of the contending contracting anl xja din p w s lus
result ought to express itself in te ■m o ha 1 lume
produced by the combination, wha h t tamly d a no

Though I see some difficulties qD "Wolsl y, anl
perhaps have not rightly conceived it, his views have to my
mind great interest, his mode of regarding natural plienomena
being analogous to that which I have in this Essay, and for
many years, advocated, viz, to divest physical science as
much as possible of hypotlictic fluids, ethers, latent entities,
occult qualities, &c. 