64

THEOREMS OF HEAT.

caloric of temperature, interposed caloric, &c. expressions nowpretty generally superseded.

From the diversity of opinions among chemists respecting thenature of caloric several other expressions have been introduced,which it is proper to notice. For instance, by specific heat is un-derstood the relative quantities of caloric contained in equalweights of different bodies at the same temperature. Latentheat is the expression used to denote that quantity of caloricwhich a body absorbs when changing its form. It is howevermore properly called caloric of fluidity. The disposition, orproperty by which different bodies contain certain quantities ofcaloric, at any temperature, is termed their capacity for heat.By the expression of absolute heat , is understood the wholequantity of caloric which any body contains. These terms shallbe more fully considered hereafter.

Before we proceed further we shall briefly notice the variousmethods of exciting heat, and then endeavour to examine itsgeneral properties.