2. On the Mechanical action of Radiant Heat or Light: On the Power of Animated Creatures over Matter: On the Sources available to Man for the production of Mechanical Effect.

Abstract

On the Mechanical Action of Radiant Heat or Light.It is assumed in this communication that the undulatory theory of radiant heat and light, according to which light is merely radiant heat, of which the vibrations are performed in periods between certain limits of duration, is true. “The chemical rays,” beyond the violet end of the spectrum, consist of undulations of which the full vibrations are executed in periods shorter than those of the extreme visible violet light, or than about the eight hundred million millionth