by Carnot's result deduced from experiments on air, is not to be wondered at when we consider the very uncertain nature of his data.
45. The fact of the gradual decrease of μ through a very extensive range of temperature, being indicated both by Regnault's continuous series of experiments and by the very varied experiment on different media, and in different branches of Physical Science, must be considered as a striking verification of the theory.
II. On the Heat developed by the Compression of Air.
46. Let a mass of air, occupying initially a given volume V, under a pressure P, at a temperature t, be compressed to a less volume V', and allowed to part with heat until it sinks to its primitive temperature t. The quantity of heat which is evolved may be determined, according to Carnot's theory, when the particular value of μ,
engaged in completing some researches, from which we may expect, possibly before the end of the present year, to be furnished with all the data for five or six different liquids which we possess at present for water. It is therefore to be hoped that, before long, a most important test of the validity of Carnot's theory will be afforded.
