a very singular conlusion, is yet impossible to be denied.
It is supposed, that, since the particles of bodies are thus continually impelled by heat to separate form each other, they would have no connection between themselves; and, of consequence, that there could be no solidity in nature, unless they were held together by some other power which tends to unite them, and, so to speak, to chain them together; which power, whatever be its cause, or manner of operation, we name Attraction.
Thus the particles of all bodies may be considered as subjected to the action of two opposite powers, the one repulsive, the other attractive, between which they remain in equilibrio. So long as the attractive force remains stronger, the body must continue in a state of solidity; but if, on the contrary, heat has so far removed these particles from each other, as to place them beyond the sphere of attraction, they lose the adhesion they before had with each other, and the body ceases to be solid.
Water gives us a regular and constant example of these facts; whilst below Zero[1] of the French thermometer, or 32° of Fahrenheit,
- ↑ Whenever the degree of heat occurs in this work, it is stated by the author according to Reaumur's scale. The degrees within brakcets are the correspondent degrees of Fahrenheit's scale, added by the translator. E.
