XVI. On the Expansion of different kinds of Stone from an increase of Temperature, with a Description of the Pyrometer used in making the Experiments

Extract

For a long time I was anxious to know the rate of expansion of the common building-stone of this neighbourhood, as it is not given in any of the tables of the expansions of substances, because I have sometimes thought that the vertical cracks frequently seen intersecting rubble walls might arise from the contraction caused by a diminution of temperature. During a long-continued and severe frost which occurred in 1826, I thought the rents in a considerable stretch of wall, which I passed at all seasons, appeared more open than usual. This, however, was merely conjectural, and I paid no more attention to the subject until 1830, when, as I mentioned in a notice on the commencement of my experiments read at the meeting of the British Association in September last, an interdict of the Dean of Guild Court of Edinburgh rendered the rate of expansion of stone a matter of more importance than merely a curious philosophical speculation.