elating to living things--photosynthesis,
microorganisms, the cell, proteins--are either unknown or not mentioned.
The atom theory had been proposed, but not by Humphry Davy; it is not
mentioned in this book.

The word "explode" is used at least once in its orginal, figurative
sense ("a word that should be exploded in chemistry") but far more
often in its later, concrete one. The word "explosion" is always used
concretely ("an explosion, or a _detonation_ as chemists commonly call
it").

Calculated Values:

"the point of zero, or the absolute privation of heat, must consequently
be 1260 degrees below 32 degrees"

[-1228 deg. F. The calculation is based on wrong premises; the correct
figure is about -460 deg. F or -273 deg. C.]

"Mercury congeals only at seventy-two degrees below the freezing point."

[-40 deg. F, which is also -40 deg. C. This figure is correct, though
approximate.]

"The proportion stated by Sir H. Davy, in his Chemical Researches, is as
1 to 2.389."

"[ammonia] consisted of about one part of hydrogen to four parts of
nitrogen.... and from the latest and most accurate experiments, the
proportions appear to be, one volume of nitrogen gas to three of
hydrogen gas"

[These and similar calculations involving weight and volume make more
sense when one knows the elements' atomic weights. For nitric acid,
HNO_3, the figures are 1:14:48, giving a proportion closer to 1:3.5.
For ammonia, NH_3 (not 4), the figures are 14:3.]

"The _oxalic acid_, distilled from sorrel, is the highest term of
vegetable acidification; for, if more oxygen be added to it, it loses
its vegetable nature, and is resolved into carbonic acid and water;"

[Oxalic acid = H_2C_2O_4; carbonic acid (carbon dioxide) = CO_2.
H_2C_2O_4 + O becomes H_2O + CO_2 + CO_2.]

* * * * *
* * * *

Contents: Numbering and Changes

The 3rd and 4th editions used the same Conversation numbering.
Changes between the 4th and 5th (present text) edition are shown.
Some illustrations were also changed.

_Volume I: On Simple Bodies_

(I, II, III no change)

IV. On Specific Heat, Latent Heat, and Chemical Heat.
IV. On Combined Caloric, Comprehending Specific Heat
and Latent Heat.

-- V. [New Chapter] On The Chemical Agencies Of Electricity.

V. VI. On Oxygen And Nitrogen.

VI. VII. On Hydrogen.