Light to proceed from some Refractions from the Glass darkned within by those white Steams Secondly That since the Air abounds with Parts gross enough to appear in the Sun-beams and to reflect the Rays of Light which rise from Bonfires the Reflection might proceed from some gross Airy Parts within the Receiver Thirdly The Whiteness seem'd to proceed from the various Surfaces of the airy Parts reflecting one upon another like Looking-glasses so as to represent each other contiguous so Water or Eggs beaten to Froth lose their Transparency and appear white But further having immers'd the Neck of our Receiver in Water and set the Pump on work the Water being drawn in through a small Hole had its Parts so broken that the Receiver appear'd full of Milk rather than Water And if a Piece of Crystal be thrown very hot into cold Water it will crack and having so many new Surfaces within appears white Which Things being consider'd and weigh'd it may not be an improbable Guess That the aforementioned Phaenomena proceeded from the Parts of the Air displac'd as to their Posture and Situation as whilst in that Motion to disturb their former Continuity and Transparency And this Conjecture may be made probable by observing That the more Air was included the more conspicuous was the Whiteness but more especially by this viz. That having exhausted the Receiver and apply'd a Glass Bubble to the Hole in the Stop-cock so that there might be a Communication betwixt the Cavity of the Receiver and it upon the Exsuction of the Air out of the Receiver the Air in the Bubble was so disorder'd by so sudden a Disilition of it's Parts that it appear'd like Milk but upon a sudden Re-ingress of the Air became transparent again But if it should be objected That the Whiteness in Water turn'd into Bubbles may proceed from the Interposition of so Heterogeneous a Body as Air I should answer That I have in another Place mentioned two volatile Liquors which being mix'd produce a white consistent Body though both the Ingredients were transparent But having convey'd some Smoak into our Receiver and observ'd upon plying of the Pump That the Air remaining in the Pump became opacous we suspected that the Reason why the former mentioned Light sometimes appear'd and sometimes did not might proceed from some Parts of Matter swimming in the Air more at one time than another which was dispos'd more to cause such Reflections of the Rays of Light as to afford the fore-named Phaenomenon which is rendred probable by observing That the Receiver appear'd opaque when the Smoak settl'd about the Sides of it and it may further be illustrated by what we mentioned before of our smoaking Liquor where the Corpuscles of it being put into a new Motion became opacous instead of transparent And if it should be asked How the Air should abound with such various Parts of Matter I must answer That it is not an unusual Observation That the Air undergoes several and very frequent Changes for besides several Instances which might be added the Learned Josephus Acosta observes That in America There are Winds which naturally trouble the Water of the Sea and make it Green and Black others clear as Crystal Besides we observ'd That the Pendula as well as Scales suspended in our Receiver lost a great deal of their Brightness upon drawing out and letting in the Air. And I once made a Tincture of a certain Metalline Substance which would become turbid and clear successively for several times for which strange Phaenomenon no Reason could be given EXPERIMENT XXXVIII Of the freezing of Water and it's Expansion HAVING conveyed a Glass Vessel into our Receiver in the midst of which was contained a Cylinder filled with Water and enclosed with Snow and Salt upon plying of the Pump the Snow began to melt a little faster than we expected and the Receiver being pretty well exhausted the Water in the Cylinder began to freeze so that in a little time the Surface of the Ice was above that of the Water in which the Snow and Salt was dissolved and which swam about it The Superficies of the Water was concave and being held betwixt the Eye and the Light appear'd full of Bubbles And it is not a little strange That there should be so powerful an Expansion in Water froze as not only to burst Bottles in the Winter-time but as I am inform'd to separate the solid Parts of Metals so that Bell-Metal having been expos'd to the Wet and that Wet froze in the Pores of the Metal it would fly in Pieces and Cabeus in lib. 4. Meteor Aristot relates a no less memorable Account of Vessels made of Stone which would fly asunder upon the Expansion of the Moisture lodged in their Pores and froze there Where it is not a little strange That Cold should by freezing Water cause it to swell whereas the Effect it hath upon the Air is manifestly to condense it EXPERIMENT XXXIX A Phaenomenon taken notice of in the exhausted Receiver HAving put the End of a Glass Tube into an Oval Glass so that it almost touched the Bottom we cemented it to the Neck of that Oval and then conveying about six Spoons full of Water into the Egg we blew it so full of Air as to force the Water into the Pipe and to keep it suspended betwixt that Air shut up in the Viol and the external Air this Weather-glass represented by the Fourteenth Figure was plac'd in a small Receiver at the upper End of the Tube which was small being permitted to stand about five Inches above the Cover the middle of which it penetrated Upon pumping out the Air it was to be observ'd That the Water in the Pipe manifestly descended which was an Argument that no Sensible Heat was produced in the Receiver by the Action of the Pump since by barely applying my Hand to the outside of the Receiver that gentle Warmth so far rarify'd the Air in the Egg as to enable it to raise the Water in the Tube much higher than it was depress'd upon the Exsuction of the Air Tho' we will not thence infer that the Cavity of the Receiver was colder after than before the Air was pump'd out since the Pressure of the Air in the Egg together with the Weight of the Incumbent Atmosphere might in some measure cause the sides of the Glass to give way for want of an equal Pressure of the Air on the Convex and external Superficies of it which Guess may seem the more probable not only because the Springiness of Glass might contribute to the bending of it but likewise since upon a Re-ingress of Air the Water was rais'd up to it's former Height again But to return to our Experiment From hence it appears That if there be no Vacuum betwixt the concave sides of the Receiver and the Superficies of the Bubble every Substance fine enough to penetrate the Pores of Glass hath not it's Parts in an Agitation
following Instance will make it appear That the Parts of a Liquid being put into Motion may have such Effects tho' it is not to be deny'd but that a tremulous Motion may be given to the Earth so violent as to be extended to a greater Distance the Instance is That the Water hath been put into so violent a Motion by an Engine contriv'd to sink Ships that it shak'd several Ships which were at a considerable distance so strongly that those who were on the Decks could scarce stand And in the late great Sea-Fight between the English and the Dutch tho' they engag'd at several Leagues Distance from the Hague yet the English Embassador who was then Resident there assur'd me that the Guns were not only heard thither but that his Chamber Windows were considerably shaken And some Bodies are so apt to receive Impressions from the undulating Motion of the Air as to be sensibly tho' not visibly affected of which Simon Pauli in his ingenious Tract De Febribus Malignis p. 71. gives an Instance in these Words Atqui aeger ille Gallus brachio truncatus octiduum quidem superfuit sed horrendis totius corporis Convulsionibus correptus qui quoque ut illa addam Observatione dignissima dum in Domini sui aedibus ad plateam Kiodmoggerianum Romanè Laniorum appellares decumberet ac me ac aliis aliquandiu ad Lectum illius considentibus quidem sed nobis non attendentibus explodentur tormenta bellica ex Regiis ac Praetoriis Navibus sinistra truncum dextrâ brachii fovens ac complectens toties quoties exploderentur singula exclamabat au au me miserum Jesu Maria cont undor penitus adeo permolesta intolerabilis illi erat Tormentorum explosio quidem ex loco satis longinquo terrâ non firma aut contiguâ verùm super salo aut mari Balthico instituta From whence it appears that a Fluid Body may operate considerably upon a Solid tho' the Motion which causes such Effects be not perceiv'd And of the Truth of the foregoing Relation I am further assur'd by the like Effects produc'd in the shatter'd Bones of wounded Men at Sea who have had sensible pain upon the Discharge of the Enemies Cannon But lest in the aforemention'd Instances it should be alledg'd that these Sounds are rather propagated by the Earth which the Bodies which receiv'd the first Impression leaned upon than conveigh'd through the Air I shall subjoyn that the Sound of Thunder is not liable to such Objections since it can only be propagated through the Air yet the Parts of the Air are in so Powerful an Agitation that they have been observ'd to shake not only Houses but several Ships at Sea But these Effects will not be thought strange if we reflect on what hath been observ'd to be produc'd by the Celerity of the Motion of the minute Parts of a Body especially if we likewise consider that Sounds are propagated with greater Celerity than any thing we know besides in our Sphere For tho' as Marsennus takes Notice a Bullet moves 240 Yards in the sixth Part of a Minute yet I have observ'd Sounds to move 400 Yards in the same space of time But tho' it being granted that Sounds may be conveigh'd through the Air the Concussion of Houses or Ships at Sea might be suppos'd to arise from the Impetuous Motion of the Medium violently shaken by an intense Agitation where those Sounds were originally form'd yet I conceive the Effects which those Sounds have on Bodies which are plac'd upon the Surface of this Globe depend in some measure on the Dispositions of those Bodies to be work'd upon by such But to put an end to Instances alledg'd in Proof of this Proposition I shall add an Observation made by the Experienc'd Platerus which shews that a Solid Body may have such a Disposition as to be capable of receiving Impressions from the languid Motion of Air for lib. Observ 1. p. 185. He says Faemina quaedam in subitaneum incidit morbum viribus subito prostratis se suffocari indesinenter clamitans etsi nec Stertoris nec Tussis aliqua essent Indicia maxime verò de aura quadam adveniente si vel leviter aliquis adstantium se moveret quae illam opprimeret conquerebatur seque suffocari si quis propius accederet clamitabat Vix dum biduum in ea anxietate perseverans expiravit To which he adds Vidi alios aegros de simili aura quae eos si quis illis appropinquaret in suffocationis periculum induceret conquerentes quod semper pessimum est signum deprehendi III. Prop. III. Tho' the Number of Insensible Parts of Matter put into Motion enable them to perform several things yet they are usually slighted because invisible The Effects of some subtle Parts of Matter are usually esteem'd very inconsiderable by those who imagine that these more subtle Effluvia of Bodies only Act upon the exteral Superficies of others But if we consider that those Effluvia are not only very Numerous but of convenient Figures and Sizes to penetrate into the inmost recesses of Bodies they work upon we may attribute more powerful Effects to them than Men usually are wont to do for as the Motion of the Effluvia are more or less strong and numerous they may either disjoyn or otherwise alter the Textures of those Bodies As in an Ant-hill whose Soyl is full of Eggs by the Number and Motion of those little Insects the Eggs which are up and down interspers'd betwixt the Parts of the Earth will presently be separated and displac'd or as the Leaves and Boughs of a Tree are variously bent and broken off by the force of the Invisible Parts of the Air which passes through it But to come to Instances which may more Illustrate what we are about That the subtile Parts of Matter whose effects are less taken Notice of are enabled by their Size and Figure to disjoyn the Parts of Bodies they work upon we have an evident Instance in Sugar and Amber thrown together into Water for the Water presently divides the Parts of the Sugar and totally dissolves them whereas the Amber continues unaltred To which Instance may be added one of no less Force afforded by Chymistry for if you pour limpid Water upon that consistent Substance which remains after an abstraction of five Parts of Oyl of Vitriol from one of Mercury and shake the Mixture the Calx will presently exchange it 's White for a Limon-colour the Texture of the whole Mass being presently alter'd And how powerful the minute Parts of some Bodies are we may further observe in Spirit of Wine For if a Piece of Metal be held in the Flame of it these subtil Particles presently penetrate the Substance of that Solid Body and so exagitate the Parts of it as to put them into a Motion strong enough to Cause a sensible Heat And we have not a less remarkable Instance of the Force of unheeded
Influence of these Catholick and Vnheeded Agents The first Part of this Proposition I presume undeniable if we consider That till a Hammer or some other Body be struck upon a Wedge it wants the Power or Faculty of cleaving Wood but when forced by the Impulse of that Body which strikes upon it the Wedge presently insinuates it self betwixt the Parts of that Solid and divides them As also that a Knife is altogether unable to attract a Needle till it hath received that Power from a Loadstone But to proceed to the second Part of the Proposition I shall to what I have elsewhere observed viz. That the Property of a Burning-Glass in respect of it's Effects does not proceed from the Convex Figure considered as such but the Rays of the Sun cast into a Point add the following Instances The first is That a Bar of Iron by standing a considerable time in a Window in a perpendicular Line will acquire a considerable degree of Magnetism by the Influence of Invisible Agents and several Magnetical Qualities which it had not before Secondly That tho' a flat Piece of Marble considered barely as such hath not a Power to raise any Body by a bare Contact yet if it be applyed to another whose Superficies is adapted to it by virtue of the Constitution and Fabrick of the World and the concurrent Causes of Bodies about it it may acquire such a Faculty the lower Stone being boyed up by the Weight and Pressure of the ambient Air yet if these two Stones were contained in a Vacuum they would not have such a Power to lift up one another But to proceed to The second Proposition The second Proposition which is That there are several Bodies which when put into Action are subtle enough to insinuate themselves into the Pores of other Bodies which they are by the Established Laws of Nature forced to Act on And here though some of the Experiments to be related might be also alledged in favour of that Aether or Materia coelestis which some Philosophers have supposed to be dispersed throughout the World yet the Invisible Agents which are here to be mentioned are only such as the Magnetical Effluvia of the Earth and also the Air in reference to it's Spring and Weight And first Tho a Bar of Silver and another of Steel be exposed to cool when red hot with their ends directly North and South yet the Textures of these two Metals being different one from another the Pores of the Steel being opened and the Metal made plyable it is by the Insinuation of Terrestrial Effluvia endued with several Magnetical Qualities and particularly when poised to point North and South whereas Silver acquires no such Properties And that it may be less strange that the Earth should afford Magnetical Effluvia which are imagined by some to be very spirituous Ones I shall add that having heated an Oblong Loadstone and exposed it to the Air to cool with it's Ends pointing North and South and so deprived it of it's Magnetical Qualities I could make either End to tend to the Southern or Northern Pole as upon Ignition I suffered it to cool with one end directed either North or Southwards To this it may be added That if the Air be exhausted in some measure out of a Vial with an oblong Neck and upon it's Immersion in Water ones Finger which prevented the retroadmission of the Air be presently taken away the Water will contrary to the Tendency of it's own Gravity presently fly up in the Bottle being squeezed in by the External Pressure of the Air lying upon the Surface of the Water the Spring of the Internal Air being so weakned as not to be able to oppose the force of it whereas in a Vacuo the Water would not be so raised having no external Agent to boye it up The Expansive force of Beans soaked with Water Again being desirous to know the Causes of Germination and from what Causes that powerful Intumescence of Seeds when sown proceeded I filled several Vessels of Glass as well as Earth with common Beans filling up the Intervals with Water and tying the Corks fast with Strings which being done when the Beans had imbibed Water enough their Intumescence was so powerful as not only to break several of the Vessels but a great many of the Strings which hindred the raising of the Corks But that I might be more exact in estimating the Power of that Expansive Force I put a sufficient Quantity of Beans and Water into a Brass Cylinder whose Diameter was two Inches and it's Length six which being done and the Orifice of the Cylinder being likewise fitted exactly with a Plug a Trencher was placed upon it which was broad enough to bear a half hundred weight of Lead In which Experiment it was to be observed that in two or three days the Expansive Force of the Beans had raised the Plug a considerable Height And it may further be noted in such Tryals that as the Diameter of the Cylinder is larger so the Expansive Force of the Beans are able to raise a more considerable Weight How far these Experiments may confirm the Corpuscularian Philosophy or whether that Force may be Mechanically explained by it I shall leave the Reader to consider and shall here only observe That the Air together with the Aether may in a great Measure concur to the producing of some of the Phaenomena of Nature which we imagin it very little concerned in for besides the Effects which may be ascribed to the Pressure of the Air it contributes to the producing of some upon another Account it being easy to be observed that Flesh may be preserved longer from Putrefaction by being secluded from the Contact and Influence of the Air and also that the Light which flows from rotten Woods and some putrefyed Fishes will appear and disappear upon the Contact or Separation of ambient Air. Several Phaenomena produc'd by Virtue of Motion in the Parts of the Air. But for a further Proof that the Air may effect several things besides what it produces by virtue of it's weight by the Insensible Motions of it's Parts I might add that whereas a Piece of Paper being wet with Oyl hath it's Pores so altered as to be capable of transmitting more easily the Rays of Light and the Air being impelled by the Laws of Nature presently acts upon it and represents a great many Objects by being reflected from those Bodies beyond it which could not appear through it before And if a large Box be so contrived as to have one end of it open and a Hole in the other end covered with a Lenticular Glass if the open end be made up with a fine sheet of Paper and a small Hole be likewise made upon the Top of the Box by placing ones Eye to the Lenticular Glass one may discern upon the Paper the Lively Representations of External Objects and their various Motions as well as Shape and
Colours which Phaenomena could by no means be exhibited were not either some Insensible Corpuscles transmitted in the Form of Effluvia from those Objects or some other subtle Particles of Matter directed by Local Motion from the Object to the Paper and from thence to the Eyes The Establish'd Laws of the Universe Contribute to the producing of several Phaenomena From whence it appears that the Established Laws of the Universe in a great measure contribute to the producing of several Phaenomena which arise from the Operations of insensible and unheeded Causes For a further Confirmation of which I shall add That if a Bar of Iron be held in a perpendicular Line so that the lower end of it touch the Northren Point of a Magnetical Needle it will presently drive it away whereas if the Position of that Iron Bar be so altered as to touch that Point with the other end it will by a contrary Faculty attract it except the Iron Bar hath stood a considerable time in a Perpendicular Posture exposed to the Air and the Magnetical Effluvia of the Earth or hath lain a considerable time pointing North and South and so hath acquired a more durable Verticity And if it should be asked How a Bar of Iron acquires Magnetical Qualities why by such Postures the Magnetical Qualities of Iron should be so much increased it might probably be answered that it proceeded from hence viz. Because the Pores of the Iron by lying nearer the Magnetical Effluvia of the Earth have their Pores rendred more apt to receive and transmit the Effluvia of the Needle so that consequently that Part of the Iron which is most affected by those Steams must become the stronger and consequently the North Point of the Needle for which reason it must drive away the North Point of the Needle and attract the South But if on the contrary the other end of the Bar be applyed to the Needle by a contrary reason it being less Magnetical it must attract it But not to insist upon this Explanation of the Magnetical Qualities of a Bar of Iron I shall only observe that it is necessary in order to acquire a durable Magnetical Virtue that the Iron should stand long in that Perpendicular Posture which is sufficient to prove what I contend for viz. That the established Laws of Nature are requisite for the Production of several Phaenomena which would not be effected were not those Laws observ'd The Third Proposition But to proceed to the third and last Proposition viz. That an Alteration of the Mechanical Texture of a Body is enough to dispose it or render it unapt to be work'd on by those unheeded Agents This is evident from what is practis'd at Sea it being the usual Custom for the Sea-men to throw Water upon their Sails to quicken the Motion of their Vessels when pursu'd by Pirates for the Threeds of the Sails being swelled with Water and the Pores by that Means made less the Wind not finding so free a Passage through them must consequently have the greater Force upon the Sail-Clothes and so drive the Ship forwards more swiftly Another Instance of considerable Effects succeeding a very slight Alteration in Texture may be observed when on a windy day a Chamber-Window is left open for the Wind which before only shook the Glass will presently blow the Curtains about and other things in the Chamber which are in a Disposition to be easily moved as Dust Papers c. But to proceed to Examples altogether not so gross we may take notice That though common Tartar will neither dissolve in the Air nor easily in Water yet when Part of it is driven away by Calcination it readily dissolves and runs per Deliquium in a moist Air. To which may be added that tho' a Loadstone by being heated in the Fire and cool'd again underwent no visible Change as to Shape or Size nor for as much as could be perceiv'd by the Eye lost none of it's Parts yet by an invisible Change of Texture effected by the Magnetical Effluvia of the Earth it may alter its Verticity according to the different Postures it is permitted to cool in And the like Change I have observed in Iron whose Verticity was altered by a Change of Texture wrought by so weak an Agent as the Earth To these we may add several Instances in liquid Bodies and first That tho' Honey and Water mix'd together in an undue Proportion reserve each their distinct Natures yet if four or five Parts of Water be added to one Part of Honey by some subtle Agents or other they are presently fermented and unite into one common Mass and I am assur'd by a Merchant who liv'd several Years in the Canary Islands That if a Hogshead of Wine close stop'd be violently roll'd along the Texture of the Liquor would be so chang'd that if it were but about a Month old one of the Ends would be burst out and the Liquor lost Another Instance in which the Texture of the Body disposes it to be so powerfully work'd upon we have in Glass which upon a sudden Removal from the Fire into cold Water is subject to fly in Pieces But an Instance which is more remarkable is That a hot Plate of Copper being permitted to cool upon some which were more moderately hot in the Fire and thence remov'd upon a Plate several Pieces like Scales would fly off it when expos'd to the Atmosphere and To conclude this Chapter I shall add That the Bolonian Stone acquires such an admirable Quality by Calcination that by being plac'd in the Sun-beams for some time it gets such a Degree of Luminousness as to retain it a considerable time when remov'd into the dark CHAP. II. Of Cosmical Suspicions THE World about us being stock'd with such a Variety of Objects and other things too small or subtle to be discern'd it may not be unuseful upon some Accounts to propose Conjectures where the Subject consider'd admits of no clearer Discoveries Suspicion the First And First it is not without Reason I suspect that besides those uniform Parts of Matter of which the Aether by some Philosophers is thought to consist there are also several other Parts of Matter which are differently dispos'd to work upon Bodies according to the various Textures of those Bodies they chance to work upon or according to the different Agents they chance to work concurrently with And this Suspicion is not improbable since the inquisitive Gilbert hath not only discover'd the Magnetical Qualities of the Earth to be diffus'd on every side but also it is commonly known that upon the Hunting of a Deer several subtle Effluvia are left behind in the Air which we should pass by unobserv'd were there not such Creatures as Blood-hounds endow'd with Organs fitted to receive those subtle Steams A Second And it is not a little strange that several Persons should have such peculiar Temperaments as to be able to discover
The Temperature of the Lower Region These things in short being premis'd concerning the Upper Region I shall now proceed to the Lower which is Cold the Parts of Water being in a less violent Agitation than our Sensory And that the Lower Region is sensibly cold is not only consonant to Reason but also confirm'd by the Observation of those who have dived a considerable Depth not only in the Northern Seas in Africa and America but it is also further evinc'd by what is commonly practised at Sea viz. to let down Bottles of Wine into the Sea all Night which by being immers'd in the Water will acquire a considerable Degree of Coldness And I am also inform'd by an Observing Traveller that having let down about 400 Fathom of Line with about 30 pound of Lead at it thirty five Degrees North Latitude beyond the Line the Lead when drawn up was as cold as Ice From which Instances it appears that the Air and Water so far agree that the Parts of them being put into Motion by External Causes they acquir'd each a considerable Degree of Warmth but being remov'd and separate from those Causes put on a contrary Quality so that the Air and Water seem chiefly in this respect to differ viz. in their inverted Order But further From what hath been deliver'd it appears That tho' the Submarine Regions be sensibly colder the nearer the Bottom yet their coldest Region does not by any of the aforemention'd Phaenomena appear to be the Summum Frigidum for tho' I have several times frozen salt-Salt-water yet it does not appear that there is the least Ice generated in the Bottom of the Sea since from the Bottom of the great Ocean 35 Degrees South Latitude Gray Sand hath been brought up where the Water was no less than two hundred and twenty Fathom deep But yet there is one Caution to be added which makes this Observation the less to be rely'd on which is That one Reason why no Ice is to be found in the Bottom of the Sea may be the Unaptitude of salt-Salt-Water more than of Fresh to be congeal'd it requiring a much greater degree of Cold to freeze Salt-Water than Fresh CHAP. V. Relations about the Bottom of the Sea The Bottom of the Sea very Rough and Unequal THAT the Bottom of the Sea is usually Salt and Cold is a very common Observation but being desirous to be more nicely inform'd about what occurs in that Region I have been told by several who have in long Voyages fathom'd in several places that the Bottom of the Sea is rough with considerable Inequalities and Precipices so that in a small Space a little Depth of the Sea hath increas'd to a hundred Fathom and decreas'd as suddenly There being likewise found several other Inequalities and Hills observ'd in Places about 30 or 20 Fathom deep where a Line of 16 Fathom would upon the next Cast require 35 or 40 to reach to the Bottom of the Sea and the like Observations I have receiv'd from several Experienc'd Mariners Amongst which I transcrib'd the following Account from some Notes left in England by one who had made a Voyage to the East-Indies The Account was this February 12. After our Observation seeing the Ground under us we heaved the Lead and had but 19 Fathom Rocky Ground then hal'd by N.N. E. the Wind at N.W. and found our Water to shoal from 19 to 10 and 8 Fathom hard Coral Ground then suddenly deepned again from 8 to 20 and 22 Fathom Sandy Ground and then suddenly saw Rocks under us where we had but 7 Fathom and the next Cast 14 Fathom again and so having run N. N. E. from 6 in the Morning till 12 at Noon about 19 Mileswe deepned our Water from 16 to 25 and the next Cast no Ground with 35 Fathom of Line The Gravitation of the Water But besides the Inequalities to be taken Notice of at the Bottom of the Sea there are several other Things to be observ'd amongst which the Gravitation of the Water is remarkable and tho' it be disputed amongst Philosophers whether there be such Gravitation or not yet that there is appears from several Experiments And First If a Glass-Cylinder with one End open be immerg'd in a Glass-Vessel it may be observ'd That as the Cylinder is press'd lower the Air by the Pressure of the Water will be squeez'd higher and higher the water rising gradually below it in the Cylinder And the like hath been observ'd by several Persons who have dived in a Diving-Bell not only in the Northern Sea but upon the Coast of Africa where as the Bell went deeper and deeper the Air became more compress'd and the Water accordingly rose higher and higher in the Bell. And sometimes the Pressure hath been observ'd to be so powerful that I have been inform'd by one who let down a Glass-Vial into the Sea near the Straight's Mouth that having let it sink about 40 Fathom it was burst in pieces by the outward Pressure of the Water to which he added That having let down an Aeolipile of Metal and sunk it about 60 Fathom he observ'd when it was drawn up that the sides were in several places bruis'd and compress'd by the violent Pressure of the Water The Bottom of the Sea not disturbed in Storms Another thing observable in the Bottom of the Sea is That tho' the Violence of Storms may disturb it where it is shallow yet where it is considerably deep the nearer the Bottom the more calm and undisturb'd it is And this hath been confirm'd by the Observations of Divers who have taken Notice That tho' the Waves were six or seven foot high yet at fifteen Fathom deep the Water was very little disturb'd only the Mud was rais'd which made the Water dark and what is very remarkable is that the Person that dived inform'd me that having stay'd a considerable depth for some time he found when he came up again a Tempestuous Storm which had risen when he was in the Water without being taken Notice of by him below And the like hath been observ'd near the shoar of Manar in the East-Indies where they dive for Coral in a Sea that lies betwixt the Island of Ceylon and the Cape of Comori which is usually very much disturb'd inasmuch as it lies near the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Bengala formerly call'd Sinus Gangeticus And it hath elsewhere been observ'd That in considerable Storms the Seas have not been disturb'd over the Depth of 4 Fathom The Water at the Bottom of the Sea almost stagnates And to these Observations I might add had I sufficient Evidence to build upon That having enquir'd whether upon Ebbing and Flowing of Tides the Motion of the Water was continu'd to the Bottom I have been told by some that it does almost stagnate and by others that the Current of the Water above is different from the Tendency of that below But not to rely upon these Relations
I have been inform'd by a Person who made his Observations beyond the Cape of Good Hope in the Southern Sea that having let down his Plummet about an hundred Fathom he found that the Plummet being suspended in the standing Water made the Boat turn to the Tide as if it lay at Anchor And that there is such a Stagnation of Water at the Bottom of the Sea hath been likewise confirm'd to me by Observations made near the Coral Fishery in the East-Indies CHAP. VI. Further Relations about the Bottom of the Sea THAT the Air is not only necessary to the Preservation of Animals but also promotes Vegetation and the Growth of Plants I have elsewhere observ'd but since several Trees and Plants are observ'd to grow under Water I shall further observe what Informations I have receiv'd concerning them Observations relating to Coral And First To what hath elsewhere been deliver'd concerning the Growth of Coral under Water I shall add That I am inform'd by one that saw it near Algiers that Coral when first taken up is not only soft and flexible but very pale yet when the Bark is taken off and it is expos'd to the Air it 's Natural Redness presently appears To which he added That having broke several Pieces he found it much paler within than on the outside and that there were several black Knobs on the extream Parts of the Twigs the place from whence this Coral was taken being about nine or ten Fathom deep And I have been further inform'd by one that sail'd to the East-Indies that upon a certain sort of Coral he hath observ'd certain round Berries of a very pleasant Colour Trees under Water To these Relations I shall add That Divers have not only observ'd Trees to grow under Water near Manar which bore Leaves like those of a Laurel but that not far from the Coast of Mosambique in Africa several Trees are observ'd to grow under Water whose Fruit and Leaves are like those of the Tree in America which bears a Fruit call'd Acayu But an Observation more Valuable is concerning the Maldavian Nut call'd Coco which by experienc'd Divers are found to be the Fruit of a Tree which grows at the Bottom of the Sea which are either gather'd by the Divers or torn off by the violent Agitation of the Water In which Fruit it was observ'd that whilst it was under Water it was very soft but when it had been expos'd a considerable time to the Air it became very hard CHAP. VII Observations and Experiments about the Saltness of the SEA The Invalidity of the Cause assign'd by the Peripateticks THE Saltness of the Sea by several Peripateticks hath been judged to proceed from the Influence of the Beams of the Sun upon the Water but with what little reason may easily appear from those standing Lakes and Ponds whose Water notwithstanding the Influence of the Sun continues fresh And that it neither proceeds from the Influence of the Sun nor any other external Heat may be argued since though some fresh Water be drawn off by Distillation and consequently undergoes as great a Degree of Heat as it can be supposed to do from the Sun Beams it yields not so much Salt as is to be found in some Water never exposed to such Heat which Salt differs very little from Sea Salt only that it is whiter being more clear of it's faeces and free from a Mixture of earthy Parts And though some alledg in favour of Aristotle's Doctrin That Scaliger affirms the Sea Water to be saltest in it's upper Region yet it will appear by comparing the Saltness of the superficial Parts of the Sea with the bottom that the Observation was ill made and does not generally hold neither will it favour his Doctrin should it be alledged that Sea Salt dissolved in Water otherwise than common Salt christalizes at the Top of the evaporated Solution for considering how much Salt Water must be impregnated with and that the Quantity of Salt in Sea Water hath been observed by a Dutch Geographer to be only as One to Forty The proportion of Salt to Water it 's Disposition to crystalize can be no Argument of the swimming of Sea-Salt more on the top of the Water than the other Region But though I differ in this Point from the Peripatetick Philosophers yet I do not believe on the contrary with some that the Gravity of Salt makes them sink the more to the bottom since the intestin Agitation of the Parts of the Water continually shifting Places must consequently carry it along with them which Consideration joyned with another which is that I have not usually observed Metalline Tinctures stronger at the top than bottom might perhaps give a suspicion to some that the present Argument is less cogent notwithstanding the specific Gravity betwixt Metals and their Menstruums does much exceed that betwixt Salt and Water But further in behalf of the Peripatetick Doctrin it is urged out of Linscotten that at Goa in Portugal it is usual for their Slaves to dive and fetch fresh Water from the bottom of the Sea but tho' this Matter of Fact were true yet no general Rules could be drawn thence because Experience tells us that in other Places it is contrary Besides it might be probably guessed that Springs in the Bottom of the Sea were it true that fresh Water might rise by certain Springs covered over with Sea Water as well as that several Springs in other Places should be under Water upon the flowing of the Sea And that there may be such Springs is so far probable that the curious Hungarian Governor de admirandis Hungariae Aquis says That in the River Vagus near the Fortress Galgotium Veins of hot Water rise up in the very bottom of the Water his Words are these Neque in Ripa tantum eruuntur calidae sed etiam intra amnem si fundum ejus pedibus suffodias calent autem immodicè c. And the like hath been observed upon the Neapolitan Coast But not to urge these Relations I shall intimate briefly That an ingenious Acquaintance of mine who lives in that City hath informed me that that fresh Water is not fetch'd so deep as to be suspected to rise from such Springs but that it is rather the fresh Water which runs into the Sea from a River not far off before it is mixed with the Salt Water which Conjecture I the rather believe because near Mouths of Rivers it hath elsewhere been observed that fresh Water hath for some time floated together without being perfectly mixed with the other Stream And as for Scaliger's Opinion it might be urged against it that by a Vessel so artificially contrived that it might be opened at the bottom of the Sea to take in Water the Water drawn up hath been found to be Salt But since it may be urged against this that the Salt Water being heavier than the fresh as it was drawing up might be
mixed with it by pressing into the Vessel I shall add Instances not lyable to such Objections for it hath been observed not only at the Cape of Comori but elsewhere by Divers that the Water is as Salt at the bottom as at the top and I am informed that Divers have not only under the Torrid Zone observed the Water exceeding Salt but have brought several Lumps of Salt from the bottom with the Sea And the like Saltness of the bottom of the Sea hath been discovered near the Straights of Gibralter's Mouth And further that I might not only be sure that the Sea was thus Salt at the bottom I procured two Quarts of Sea Water the one taken up at the bottom of the Sea and another at the top in which though there was some Difference in Colour yet being Hydrostatically tryed there was no sensible difference in the specifick Gravity of them But to make out what I have before intimated viz. That the Freshness of the Water in the bottom of the Sea near Goa might be produced by the Rise of some Springs under Water though it may be objected that the specifick Gravity of the Salt Water would in some measure obstruct the Rising of fresh Water Yet this Objection will easily be answered if we consider that according to what we have delivered in our Hydrostatical Paradoxes and also what Stevinus hath observed let the Quantity of Water be never so great no more can resist the Rising of such Springs but that Pillar of Water which lyes over them in a perpendicular Line and if the Spring takes it's Rise from some high Place so that the Weight of that Water which lyes in the Vein be heavier than the perpendicular Pillar of Sea Water the Rising of it can by no means be hindered by the Pressure of that incumbent Water But to explain and confirm this Paradox I shall add that having procured a long Glass Syphon part of it being inverted so as to form a short Leg I filled it with Claret stopping the Orifice of the longer Leg with my Thumb which Syphon being immersed in Salt Water contained in a Glass Vessel and the Orifice of the longer Leg being opened the Claret notwithstanding the Pressure of the Salt Water presently rose up in it in the Form of Clouds which lasted till the Liquor in the Pipe was brought to a just Aequilibrium with the incumbent Pillar of Salt Water The Reason of the Saltness of the Sea But to pass on to the Cause of the Saltness of Sea VVater I deny not what Gassendus and other Moderns teach but grant that the Saltness proceeds from a Solution of Salt in the VVater yet I am apt to suspect that that Saltness is not only supplyed by those Salt Rocks which may be contiguous to or near the Water but that the Sea is in a great Measure supply'd by Salt wash'd away and carry'd into it by Springs and Rain-water which float into the Ocean And I am the more confirm'd in this Suspicion because several Chymists have not only found Salt in some Waters but have obtain'd a good Quantity of common Salt upon refining of Salt-Petre which according to Sir Francis Bacon is in most Soils which are not spent in Vegetation or wash'd and consum'd by the Sun and Rain But not to insist too long on these things it is not only probable That the Salts in the Earth may by this Means contribute to the Saltness of the Sea but that from what hath been before deliver'd such Salts may be communicated to it by latent Springs not to be taken notice of or discern'd by us And further That such Salt as abounds in the Earth may supply the Sea with most of the Salt which is perceiv'd to be in it we are to render it further probable to consider That the Sea-Salt and that are agreeable in the main with each other since they have almost the same Shape and Taste c. the former of which will appear by Evaporation and Crystalizing them and as for some small Difference to be perceiv'd betwixt them that may easily arise from those Bituminous and other as well as Nitrous Bodies which flow into the Sea and which may be mixed with them both by the internal Agitation of the Parts of the Water as well as the outward Action of the Sun and Air. And that there is such Salt dissolv'd in Sea-Water might be probable if it were possible so to raise the fresh Water it was dissolv'd in by Distillation as to leave the Saline Parts behind but not now to mention that not only I but the Judicious Sir John Haukins in his Voyage to the East-Indies have by distilling of Salt-Water obtain'd from it a wholesome fresh Water I shall without making a long Digression proceed to answer an Objection which is urg'd against what I have deliver'd viz. That if the Springs acquir'd such a Saltness by running through the Earth it would be discernible before they emptied themselves into the Ocean To this I shall answer That besides those fresh Springs which are visible to us there may be several others which lye too deep for us to take Notice of But here it may be requisite to take Notice That I do not say That the Saltness of the Sea wholly depends on such Supplies but that they contribute to the Saltness of it The Bitterness of Sea Water whence Having said so much of the Saltness of the Sea and its Causes it may be now seasonable to observe from whence proceeds that Bitterness remarkable in some if not most Sea-Water which we conceive may proceed partly from the external Power of some Catholick Agent and partly from those Bituminous Bodies which are carried along with Spring-Water into the Sea which hath been visibly apparent in the Island Barbadoes where that which they call Barbadoes Tarr hath been seen to flow from the Rock into the Sea and to these Causes may concur some Subterraneal Exhalations and Effluvia which I have elsewhere taken notice of to flow from and pervade the Earth And as for those different Tastes which are perceiv'd in the Sea at several Places it is no less probable that they proceed from other adventitious Bodies mix'd and incorporated with the Sea-Water for that the Sea-Salt which is dissolv'd in it is not a simple Salt but a compound I have been induc'd to believe by a Salt which I obtain'd from it And that some Catholick Agents may work Changes in the Saltness of the Sea which it would not otherwise have by a bare Solution of those adventitious Bodies that are mix'd in it I have Reason to believe since I have found That by keeping the Parts of Sea-Water in Agitation by a continued digestive Heat it hath considerably differ'd in Taste from a bare Solution of Sea-Salt in Water And for a further Confirmation That the Saltness of the Sea is vary'd in several Places I shall barely intimate those several Colours different
thing which hath not been taken notice of by Hydrostaticians which is the weight of the Sea-Salt to its Bulk of Water which I have found to be almost as two to one and I likewise found that a piece of Sal Gemm which is more pure and weighty than Sea-Salt was to its Bulk of Water about as 2 2 8 to 1. CHAP. VIII Memoirs for the Natural History of Mineral Waters THE Use of Mineral Waters are so Universal and the Methods which some Physicians take to try them so slight that tho' I am satisfied it is difficult without Experience to Ascribe Virtues to them à priori by Reason of the Great Variety of Minerals which may impregnate them with Particles of various and very different Natures I cannot but think but that if we were furnish'd with a sufficient Number of Quaeres and several Methods in order to a Discovery of them more nice Tryals might much Contribute to the clearing up of a Natural History of Mineral Waters since by a competent number of Experiments it might be hoped that the Nature of those Metalline Salts with which Mineral Waters are Impregnated might be discovered Wherefore I have lay'd down such sorts of Experiments that might be most easily try'd viz. chiefly Chimical Ones which may be made at home without the Inconveniencies of attending those Mineral Fountains from whence they spring And because my Design is rather to improve Physick by the following Observations than to entertain Speculative Naturalists I have chiefly made it my Business in the following Papers to consider those Waters call'd Acidulae rather than the other term'd Thermae because the former are of more general Use The danger of an ill use of Mineral Waters But perhaps some may think that the Quares hereafter propounded may be too troublesome and more than requisite since the Use of Mineneral Waters are thought so innocent as to be of no ill Consequence if Unsuccesful To which it may be answer'd that tho' when skilfully given they do a great deal of good yet they are as prejudicial if unskilfully prescrib'd and therefore since there cannot be too much Caution we cannot be too inquisitive to inform our selves of their Virtues for there may be a great many hidden Qualities in them and they may be impregnated with several Metalline Properties which may not be discover'd to the Eye or by common Tryals Besides were such Experiments industriously prosecuted they might help to discover several other Qualities in Mineral Waters which are as yet unknown for from the following Experiments it is evident that the Earth which abounds with Minerals of a Martial Nature may be more apt to impregnate subterraneal Waters than we can otherwise imagine for upon pouring of a Tincture of Galls filtrated through Cap-paper upon filings of Steel The Effects of filings of Steel in a Tincture of Galls the Liquor in half an hour became Opacous and almost as black as Ink The like Phaenomena to which were exhibited by Steel in an Infusion of Brasil or Log-wood made in common Water To which we may add that several Waters have been discover'd under ground of very different Tastes some of which have been found to be corrosive and others as harmless being endow'd with several Medicinal and Useful Qualities and I am inform'd more particularly of one which is a Mine of Coral in Devonshire about 360 foot deep in which was found a Water very thick and red yet cool and Diuretick and not in the least nauseous to the Taste CHAP. IX Titles propos'd for the Natural History of Mineral VVaters consider'd whilst in their proper Channel Quaeries in order to a discovery of the Virtues of Mineral Waters IN order to a natural History of Mineral Waters they ought to be consider's in three different Capacities First as they are found in their natural Receptacles Secondly when drawn up for use and thirdly with Respect to their Effects on Human Bodies To the first of which Heads the following Quaeres may be refer'd 1. Within the Precinct of what Climate or Parallel and in what degree of Latitude the Mineral Waters are to be found 2. To what point these Waters lie open most in their Receptacles 3. Whether the Ground in which they are found be a Plain or how much it differs from a Plain 4. If the Ground be upon an Ascent how far they are from the botttom of that Ascent 5. Whether a Recrementitious Substance adheres to Stones long contiguous to these Waters 6. Whether subterraneal Fires be near such Waters and what Phaenomena such exhibit 7. Whether Brimstone or Sal-Armoniack c. be found about the Vents of such subterraneal Fires 8. Whether instead of subterraneal Fires there are other adjacent Aestuaries and whether such be constant or intermitting and if so whether periodical or irregular 9. Whether Mineral Fumes of particular colours or smells arise from such Aestuaries 10. Of what Temper the neighbouring as well as the Soil they pass through is of 11. Whether and of what Nature those Minerals are of which they pass through 12. Whether the Mineral Waters be originally fresh and derive their Virtues from the Soil they afterwards pass through 13. Whether if it acquir'd its Virtues so there were upon the Impregnation any Effervescence or whether any such Effect succeeded its Mixture with another Liquor 14. Whether there be a Spring of a contrary Nature near it viz. as to Heat and Cold as it is observ'd in France 15. Whether an oyly or bituminous inflammable Substance float in it 16. Whether the Seasons of the Year or Temperature of the Weather alters them and what Qualities they lose or acquire by such For after Rain I have observ'd such Waters incapable of turning a Tincture of Galls black But as to its Medicinal Virtues I have found that Rain after long Droughts hath rather increas'd than diminish'd their Strength by dissolving and diluting those Salts which were fix'd in the Earth for want of a Vehicle but if the Waters be weak and the Rain much those Salts being the more diluted render the Waters less Effectual 17. Whether the Qualities of the Waters may be Chymically and Mechanically discover'd as also of what Colour and Weight and with what Menstruums their Salts may be mix'd and likewise what Substances they will yield when expos'd to different Degrees of Fire and what other Chimical Tryals those as well as the Caput Mortuum may undergo CHAP. X. Containing Titles for the Natural History of Mineral Waters when drawn out of their Receptacles A Continuation of Qeaeries 1. WHether the Mineral Water propos'd be actually Hot or Cold From whence we may judge from what Depth those Waters rose and whether they were impregnated with a Salt-Peter or Sal-Armoniack in their Ascent And the several Degrees of Heat or Cold may be either try'd by immerging a Thermoscope or by trying whether they will Coagulate Oyl of Aniseeds or melt Butter 2. Of the specifick Gravity which being
black but also One saturated with Copper a Succedaneum to which may be made by adding to Sulphur as it melts over the Fire and equal Proportion of Salt of Tartar finely powder'd stirring them till they incorporate and become red Which Mixture being put into a Glass Retort with half it's weight of Sal-Armoniack dissolv'd in Water let it be distill'd in Sand shifting the Receivers as the Liquor drawn off is ting'd more or less so that the strongest may be preserv'd by it self And such Tryals as these will be of more use than those usually made with a bare Tincture of Galls since there are several Mineral Substances and other Bodies which Mineral Waters may be impregnated with which discover not themselves in an Infusion of Galls As Sulphur or Copper may be so lock'd up in these Waters as not to be perceiv'd till the Body of the Liquor is open'd by some proper Additament And even Arsenick it self may be so disguised as not to be perceiv'd when mix'd with the Waters yet if Spirit of Urine or Oyl of Tartar per Deliquium be dropp'd into a Solution of it it presently precipitates in the Form of a white Powder and so likewise if a Solution of Sublimate be added to it Whether Mineral Waters have Arsenick dissolved in them But to discover whether Mineral Waters be impregnated with Arsenick or not I put Dantzick or English Vitriol into a Solution of it either of which caus'd a dark precipitate gradually to subside 14. Whether Spirituous Acids volatile Alkalys or Lixivial Salts will precipitate such Waters 15. The Manner of Extracting Salts from such Waters and what Quantities may be extracted Guesses may be made concerning the Saltness of these Waters by trying whether they will Lather with Soap and if not what Quantity of Curdled Matter they will yield I have observ'd that even the lightest Waters will yield a small Quantity of common Salt 16. How to discover what Acidity is to be found without Evaporation Having taken a peculiar Method to try the Acidity of Mineral Waters by mixing them with an Infusion of Lignum Nephriticum in simple Water I found that tho' German Spaw yielded a small Quantity yet in that of Action there was none discernible 17. What may be observ'd by Distillation in Balnco 18. What and whether the same Quantity of Caput Mortuum be afforded by Evaporation and Distillation 19. Whether Mineral Waters will acquire the same Qualities and Texture by a Reunion of their Caput Mortuum when distill'd to such a Consistence in Glass-Vessels exactly luted which they had before 20. What Changes if any Mineral Waters undergo by being boil'd in Water in a Glass Hermetically seal'd From whence might be learn'd whether a Change of Qualities would succeed an Alteration of Texture without a manifest loss of Parts And whether an Agitation of Parts without the Influence of the Air would precipitate any thing or deprive it of it's Power to turn a Tincture of Galls Purple 21. How much the Mineral Waters exceed their Caput Mortuum in Proportien 22. What Parts are contain'd in the Caput Mortuum and whether dissoluble in Water 23. How much the Saline and Terrestrial Parts differ in Proportion 24. Whether in strong Fires the Salts be Volatile or Fix'd and to what Degree 25. Whether the Salts will Crystallize per se or with other Salts and what 's the Figure of the Genuine or Compounded Crystals 26. Whether Acid or Alkaline Qualities are most predominant The Acidity will either appear to the Taste or Smell or may be discover'd by turning Syrup of Violets red as also by making use of an Infusion of Lignum Nephriticum which upon a Mixture of Acids loses it's Blue Colour Their Acidity may likewise be discover'd by trying whether they will be precipitated by Alkalys or ferment with them And if Alkaly be predominant it on the contrary discovers it self by a Lixivial Taste and Smell and may be discover'd by turning Syrup of Violets Green or precipitating a Solution of Sublimate or Fermenting with Aqua fortis or lastly by increasing the Colour of a Tincture of Brasil or Log-wood in Common-water And tho' we have no such Springs here in England as afford Alkaline Salts yet without question in Egypt such may be found since their Latron or the Egyptian Nitre abounds with a Salt of an Alkaline Nature and I have obtain'd such an Alkaly from that Famous Water of Bourbon in France which would turn Syrup of Violets green and ferment with Volatile Acids If such Waters abound with Vitriol they 'll turn an Infusion of Galls black and Vomit those that drink them and if an Alkaly be added will yield a yellow Precipitate upon dropping of Spirit of Vrine or Salt of Tartar into them I have not found any of the Waters about London to be impregnated with Vitriol and I am told that in France the Mineral Waters are so far from being impregnated with Vitriol that there is a Vitriolate Spring in that Kingdom As for the Nature of the Salt which most Mineral Waters are impregnated with I think that it is not to be referr'd to any Glass but is either sui generis and a peculiar one or a Compound Salt made up of such as the Water is impregnated with in it's Passage through the Earth and that Purgative Salts may by a Change of Texture be made of Salts not at all Purgative I the rather believe because I have been told by an Ingenious Emperick That a Salt which I made of Salt of Tartar and Common Sulphur mix'd together had a gentle Purging Virtue 27. In what Menstruums the Caput Mortuum may be dissolv'd and in what it may not Whether Volatile or Fixt and what Qualities it hath in Respect of Colour or Smell What Proportion of Salt Mineral Waters afford It is to be admir'd what a great deal of Caput Mortuum some Mineral Waters yield in Comparison of others since those Waters which are purely Diuretick have very little if compared with the Caput Mortuum of Purging Waters For tho' a pound of Barnet Waters yielded a Drachm yet the same weight of Tunbridge afforded but a Grain And It is not a little strange that so small a Quantity of a Mineral should impregnate so much Water as I have by Tryal found a Grain of Iron Stone did enabling it to Tincture an Infusion of Galls deeper than Tunbridge or German Spaw Water would And I have try'd that half a Grain of Marchasite dissolv'd in Spirit of Nitre communicated a Tincture to 61440 Parts of Water tho' Part of that Marchasite was Sulphur and Part of it Caput Mortuum And here it may be seasonable to take notice That if so small a Portion of a Metalline Substance would when grosly dissolv'd impregnate so large a Quantity of Water how much more may it when rais'd in the Form of a Subtile Mineral Fume and as in such a Form it may impregnate a larger Quantity of Water so will it be
make it further appear how much the Ascent of Liquors depends on Pressure I took a Glass Syphon like the former and having hermetically seal'd up the shorter Leg I pour'd in so much Mercury as compress'd the Air in the shorter Leg into half the Space it possess'd before the Mercury in the longer Leg being at the same time about 30 Inches higher than in the other nevertheless the Mercury could not be rais'd by Suction above one Inch higher in the longer Leg whereas did the Ascent of Liquors depend on Nature's Abhorrency of a Vacuum it would have rose much higher there being no danger of leaving a Vacuum in the shorter Leg since the Air was compress'd into half the Space it naturally possesses so that the Reason according to our Hypothesis evidently appears to be this viz. that the Pressure of the Cylinder of Mercury and the compress'd Air being in a due Aequilibrium when by sucking the Air is drawn out of the longer the Air in the shorter expands it self so much as Pressure is taken off by the Removal of that Air and when it is expanded so far the Pillar of Mercury keeps it from expanding any further so that there being no other Force to raise and press the Mercury up it can be elevated no higher since the Air included in the shorter Leg acts only by Virtue of it's Spring and not as in the open Atmosphere by Virtue of it's Spring and Weight too so when it hath lost it's Spring it can propel the Mercury no higher To conclude this Discourse I shall here explain one Phaenomenon in Vacuo Boyliano which to some seems an Argument of Nature's Abhorrency of a Vacuum The Phaenomenon is That if ones Finger be apply'd to the Orifice of the Pipe that conveighs Air from the Receiver to the Pump the Pulp of one Finger will enter a good way into the Pipe and be very painful the Protuberant Part of it seeming to be drawn in by Attraction To which we give this brief Answer viz. That when first the Finger is plac'd there it receives an equal Pressure from the Air within the Pipe and from the Atmosphere but when that Air is drawn away the External Pressure finding no Resistance presses the fleshy Part into the Tube which is accordingly painful as the External Pressure in reference to the internal Resistance is greater or less To illustrate this Explication I shall add that having clos'd up one End of a Glass Pipe whose Diameter was an Inch with a piece of oyl'd Bladder and fill'd it full of Water it was immers'd in a tall Vessel full of Water the immers'd End of the Tube reaching almost to the Bottom of the Vessel and the other End emerging and standing open above the Vessel This being done we took Water out of the Tube till the Surface of it was considerably lower than the Surface of the Water in the Glass Body upon which the Bladder being more strongly press'd against by the Water in the Vessel than that in the Tube the Bladder was forc'd so much into the Cavity of the Tube as to form a Semi-Globe but if when the Water in the Tube and that in the Vessel were equally pois'd the uppermost Orifice of the Tube were stopp'd tho' the Pipe were so much immers'd that the Quantity of Water which press'd against the lower side of the Bladder were greater than that in the Tube yet would not the Bladder have the least Protuberance but if the Orifice of the Tube were left open to the Air the Bladder would suddenly be press'd so much into the Hollow of the Pipe that it 's Convex Superficies would represent a Semi-Circle The same Experiment being try'd with a Tube the lower End of which was so bent as to form a right Angle the Success was the same Nor did it vary when try'd in the straight Pipe with Wine instead of Water save that Wine not being specifically aeque-ponderant with Water a greater Quantity of Wine was requisite to settle them at first in a just Aequilibrium but when that Aequilibrium was lost by immerging the Tube into the Water the Bladder was rais'd so as to become protuberant in the Cavity of the Pipe CHAP. VIII Some Observations and Directions about the Barometer communicated by Mr. Boyle in the Phil. Transact of April 1666. Observations concerning Barometers THE Design of trying Barometrical Experiments in several Parts being only that by comparing Notes The Extent of Atmospherical Changes in Point of Weight might be the better estimated I shall lay down the following Directions for those whose Curiosity leads them that way First It will be requisite to note the Day and Hour in which Observations are made Secondly The Situation of the Place where the Barometer stands as to Height since by the Length of the Atmosperical Pillar of Air that presses upon it the height of the Mercury may vary tho' not always exactly for sometimes upon Changes in the Air not otherwise observable the Mercury will subside more than usually in that which stands furthest from the Center of the Earth when at the same time it does not proportionably subside in that which is plac'd in a lower Situation And It perhaps may be Worth Noting whether upon excessive Droughts when the Ground is parch'd and crack'd some subterraneal Effluvia may not rise which may add a specifick Gravity to the Air. Nor will it be needless when other Observations are making at the same time to observe the Weather as also what Winds blow and whether violent or more remiss for sometimes it is observ'd that when high Winds blow the Mercury is the lower tho' not always But to favour what hath been intimated viz. That the Alterations in the Weight of the Air depend on subterraneal Steams mix'd with it It hath been observ'd that after long Droughts upon a Shower of Rain so many Steams have been either prevented from rising or depress'd and precipitated that the Mercury hath subsided within 2 16 of an Inch. CHP. IX An Account of a new kind of Baroseope which may be call'd Statical communicated in the Philosophical Transactions of July 2. 1666. A new Baroscope describ'd HAving caus'd a Glass Bubble to be blown as large and thin as it possibly could be I counterpois'd it in a Pair of Scales which would turn with the 30th Part of a Grain which Ballance being suspended at a Frame both the Frame and the Ballance were placed by a good Baroscope from whence the present Weight of the Atmosphere might be learnt By which means I could discern Variations by which the Altitude of the Mercury was not alter'd above ¼ of an Inch. And it was not a little pleasant to behold that sometimes the Bubble would be counterpois'd but when the Atmosphere was very high it would manifestly preponderate and upon other Changes the Scales would preponderate on the other side and in some Days time again regain it's Aequilibrium so that by looking
shall alledge the following Experiment viz. That Experiments alledged against their Doctrine If a Bolt-head with a long Stem be made use of to try the Torrecellian Experiment with the space deserted by the Mercury in the Cavity of the Bolt-head and from whence the Mercury drove the Air continues void the Pendulous Cylinder remaining at 30 Inches without offering to ascend to prevent a Vacuum Nor will the Quick-silver rise ¼ of an Inch higher upon the application of cold Bodies outwardly tho' in a common Thermometer the same degree of Cold would make Water ascend several Inches To this I shall add another Argument taken from the consideration of sealed Weather-glasses see Plate 1. Fig. 3. in which it is observed See Plate 1. Fig. 3. That the Air instead of contracting upon an increase of Cold expands it self If it be said That the Water contracting the Air follows it to prevent a Vacuum it may be demanded Why since Nature causes the one to contract in common Glasses and the other in sealed ones to avoid a Vacuum she does not rather make the Air retain its natural extension than suffer it to be condensed and then put her self to double trouble in compelling the Water to ascend contrary to its nature But not to insist on these Arguments I shall rather urge that what is offered by them will not solve the Difficulty for whether the Water or Air be expanded into a large space since Glass is impervious to Air and Water I see not how a Vacuum interspersum and coacervatum can be avoided For if upon the expansion no other Body is added and penetrates the Glass to fill the space deserted by some Parts of the expanded Body there must remain Vacuities betwixt them Because it is impossible the same quantity of Matter should compleatly and adequately fill a greater space by being expanded the Parts of the Body being only able inadequately to fill it by receding from each other But were it allowed that upon the expansion of one of these Bodies and the condensation of the other a third Substance harboured in the space deserted by the one it may be questioned how such Matter should make its way out again Mr. Hobbes his Doctrine examined The second Opinion I shall take notice of is that of Mr. Hobbes which is to me partly precarious partly insufficient and scarce intelligible for tho' when he asserts That the coldness of Liquors depends on their being pressed with a constant Wind besides that he asserts it without Proof it will appear from an Experiment shortly to be alledged That Liquors sealed up in Glasses and suspended in Liquors not subject to freeze may be refrigerated tho' it appears not how they can be raked on by the Wind as his Hypothesis requires Secondly I see no necessity that the Cold should press upon the superficies of the Water in the Shank since by Cold it will be raised in a Weather-glassess kept in a still Place and void of any sensible Wind. Besides he ought to shew Why Air insensibly moved deserves to be styled Wind and how it is possible such a Wind should raise Water so many Inches by pressing upon it Nay further Water poured into a Bolt-head till it reaches into the Stem will subside when refrigerated and not rise And if the Ball of a Weather-glass be encompassed with a mixture of Ice or Snow and Salt the Water will readily ascend which how it will be explained by Mr. Hobbes's Hypothesis I do not see Thirdly Mr. Hobbes allowing not of a Vacuum I wonder he should tell us That by a bare Pressure the Water finding no other Place to recede into is forced to rise into the shank of the Weather-glass For since according to him the shank of the Weather-glass must be full before I see not how it should be able to receive the ascending Water except to use Mr. Hobbes's own words it can be fuller than full Besides it may be further alledged against Mr Hobbes his Doctrine that it gives us no account of the condensation of the Air by Cold in Weather-glasses in which the Water descends with Cold and rises with Heat Fourthly whereas Mr. Hobbes in explaining the depression of Water in Weather-glasses attributes it solely to it 's own Gravity it will easily appear that we must likewise have recourse to the spring of the included Air For if a Thermometer be placed in the Sun when the Water in the shank is but a little above the Surface of the Water without the Tube the rarified Air will depress the Surface of the Water in the Pipe below the other and sometimes so far that some of the rarified Air making it's way out of the Pipe as soon as the remaining Air is refrigerated again the Water will be able to rise up higher into the Tube than it did before A Modern Opinion examined The third and last Opinion I shall consider is one held by some modern Naturalists which ascribes the Ascent of the Water to the Pressure of the Air gravitating upon the Surface of that Water without the Pipe but supposes that the Air contained in it is contracted by Cold alone As for the first Part of this Hypothesis I readily Assent to it and the Author 's proposed but am apt to believe that the contraction of the included Air depends on the same Cause and that the spring of it being weakened by Cold it is condensed by the same Pressure of the Atmosphere the weight of the External Air over-powering the weakened Spring of the Internal In favour of this Opinion I shall add the following Experiments See Plate 1. Fig. 5. and First having filled a Vial capable of holding five or six Ounces half full See Plate 1. Fig. 5. and having inverted a Glass Tube into it about 10 Inches long much bigger than a Swan's Quill it being first sealed at one end and filled with Water the Orifice of the Vial was closed with Cement so that the External and Internal Air had no communication with each other It was placed in a Mixture of Snow and Salt till the Water in the Bottom of the Vial began to freeze yet notwithstanding so great a degree of refrigeration the Water in the Tube did not at all descend so that either the Air was not condensed by Cold or the Water descended not to prevent a Vacuum The Glass being left in this Posture in our absence the sealed end of the Pipe flew off being beaten out by the Intumescence of the freezing Water Having fixed another Pipe as the former which was some Inches longer and drawn very slender at the sealed end that it might easily be broken this was set to freeze as the other yet the Water descended not but as soon as the top of the Glass-Tube was broke off the external Air pressing upon the Water and by the intercourse of that upon the Air the Water in the Tube subsided 8 or 10 Inches but rose
mention'd viz. Eggs suspended under Water it appears That Cold acts on every side the Shells being wholly incrustated with Ice To put an end to this Title I shall in order to facilitate some Experiments hereafter to be made advertise That whereas in common Experiments Water naturally beginning to freeze at the top and that Ice confining the subjacent Water so that when froze it hath not room to expand I say whereas in such cases the Glasses are subject to break to prevent such ill Consequences I lay the frigorifick Mixture first about the bottom of the Glasses by which means the Water beginning to freeze at the bottom the Water is raised up above it and as the Salt and Ice is raised higher about the Glass so the Ice gradually rises without danger of breaking the Bottles To this Advertisement I shall add That tho' I only at the first lay the mixture about the bottom of the Glass yet to keep the Water above cool I usually put Ice it self or Snow either of which will succeed in these Experiments above that Mixture TITLE VI. Experiments and Observations concerning the preservation and destruction of Eggs Apples and other Bodies by Cold. Of the Preservation of Bodies by Cold. IT is a common Tradition That if Eggs or Apples be thawed near the Fire it spoils them but if they be immersed in cold Water they thaw slowly without dammage To try the truth of this Tradition I made the following Experiments An Egg which weighed 12 drachms and a grain being wrapt in a wax'd Paper to defend it from the thawing Snow was froze in a mixture of Snow and Salt and then wanting 4 grains of its former weight it was put into a Basin of Water It acquir'd such a Crust of Ice about it as increased the weight to 15 drachms and 9 grains and the Ice being taken off and the Egg dryed it weighed 12 drachms and 12 grains being broke we found it almost thawed When froze it swam in the Water but when thawed it sunk We took two Eggs well froze and placing them both at an equal distance from the Fire the one was put into Water and the other laid on a Table When that in the Water was crusted over with Ice we took it out and breaking it found that the Yolk and some part of the White were thawed but the other Egg being cut asunder the White was wholly frozen and the Yolk hard as if it had been over-boyl'd There likewise appear'd in it certain concentrical Circles of different Colours and a very white Speck in the middle of it The same Experiment being tryed a second time we were confirmed in our Perswasion That frozen Eggs will thaw sooner in cold Water than in the open Air. An Egg being suspended in Water was cover'd with a Crust of Ice equally thick on all sides Frozen Pippins being put into a Basin of Water were covered over with a Crust of Ice of a considerable thickness where it was observable 1. That that Part of the Pippin which was immersed was covered with a much thicker Crust than that which was above it 2. The extant Part seem'd harder than the immersed 3. Those in the Water were thawed but one that lay out of it was much harder and more froze 4. Neither the frozen Eggs or Apples condensed and froze the Air tho' they incrustated the Water Eggs being froze in Snow and Salt till they crack'd we put one into Milk two into a Glass of Beer and two more into a large Glass of Sack but produced no Ice Eggs being put into Vinegar produced no Ice but the Vinegar corroded the Egg-shells A Cheese immersed in Water in a cold Country was crusted over with Ice but lumps of Iron pieces of Glass and Stones being kept longer in Snow and Salt than was sufficient to freeze Eggs produced no Ice in Water Water being poured into a Bottle which stood on the North-East side of our Elaborotory Part of it was presently turned into Ice Ice and Juice of Pippins shaken together in a Vial produced a great deal of Dew and so did Ice beaten into a Liquor with the White of an Egg. Pippins were much better when thaw'd in cold Water than hastily It hath been observed in the cold Northern Climates That when they have come out of extreme Cold too hastily to the Fire it hath raised Blisters wherefore it is a custom amongst the more careful sort to wash their Hands or other frozen Parts in cold Water or Snow before they approach the Fire I am told by one That Cheeses being froze in Muscovy those thaw'd in Water were crusted over with Ice but were much better than others thaw'd in a Stove And Guilielmus Fabritius Hildanus Cap. 10. de Gangraena sphacelo gives an Account of a Man who was successfully thaw'd and crusted over with Ice as our Apples and Eggs were Tho' a moderate degree of Cold preserves Bodies from putrifaction yet Glaciation leaves them more subject to it upon a thaw tho' whilst they are in that state they putrifie not To prove that the highest degree of Cold under Glaciation hinders Bodies from Corruption I shall alledge the following Instances Bartholinus de usu nivis says p. 80. Regii Mutinenses nivem hoc fine arcte compactam servant in Cellis Nivariis in quibus fervente aestate vidi carnes mactatorum Animalium a Putredine diu se conservasse And Capt. James in his Journal p. 74. hath these words By the ninth of May we were come to and got up our five Barrels of Beef and Pork and had four Buts of Beer and one of Cider It had lain under Water all the Winter yet we could not perceive that it was any thing the worse P. 79. he farther says That a Cable having lain under Ice all Winter was not in June found a jot the worse And from Simlerus his Account of the Alps it appears That entire Bodies may be preserved by Snow without Glaciation Refert says Bartholinus speaking of him p. 79. de figurativis in Rhetis apud Rinwaldios nivium è monte ruentium moles Sylvam proceras Abietes dejecisse accidisse etiam Helvetio Milite per Alpes iter faciente ut 60 homines plures eadem Nivis conglobatione opprimerentur Hoc igitur Nivium tumulo sepulti ad Tempus aestatis delitescunt quo soluto nonnihil Nive deciduâ Corpora Mortua inviolata patent si ab amicis vel transeuntibus quaerantur Vidimus ipsi triste hoc Spectaculum c. To prove that inanimate Bodies whilst froze are not subject to Putrifaction I shall bring several Instances Nor indeed is it much wonder since whether Glaciation proceeds from intruding Swarms of frigorifick Atoms wedged in betwixt the Parts of a Body or whether we suppose it to arise from an avolition of those restless Particles which before kept the Body fluid or soft we must suppose an unusual rest and consequently the concomitant cause of Corruption
Marks was about the 15th Part of the whole 10. A large Glass-egg with a proportionable Stem being so far fill'd with Water that it wrought up an Inch into the Stem the next Day the Water was rais'd 15 Inches The whole contain'd in the Cavity of the Egg being froze the frozen Water continuing to swell was rais'd 4 Inches higher a few drops running over the top of it but when the Ice was wholly thaw'd it subsided again 11. Another Egg about the same height being plac'd in beaten Ice and Salt the Water rose an Inch in an Hours time and several Laminae of Ice appear'd at the Jointure of the Ball and the Neck but after an Hour and a quarcer those disappear'd and the Ball seem'd to be fill'd with white Ice the Water in the Neck being rais'd 4 ½ Inches above the first Mark. Several small Bubbles ascended through the Neck till it was wholly thaw'd and the white Ice was full of Bubbles The Experiment being further prosecuted the Water swell'd till some of it ran out at the top of the Tube Upon which the top of it being seal'd up we plac'd it in a warm Room till the Water was quite thaw'd so much Air only-remaining above the Water when froze as in dimensions equall'd a small Pea. When the Ice was wholly thaw'd the Water subsided to its first Mark and then the top of the Stem being broke off under Water so much of it was impell'd by the external Air as when the Pipe was re-inverted again rose 7 Inches above the first Mark and left about an Inch ¼ above it so that the Air which caus'd the Water when froze to swell and which was generated there took up one Inch and ¼ Which being expanded through the Cavity of the Cylinder above the surface of the Water when thaw'd so far appear'd not to be Air that it wanted a Spring to resist the ingress of the Water 12. Another time the tip of a seal'd Stem being broke under Water it receiv'd 10 Inches and above ½ 13. In the same Bolt-head wherein the greatest condensation of Air was try'd the Water being froze was rais'd a Foot above its former station and then being seal'd up and leasurely thaw'd it subsided again to its former Mark And then the Seal being broke off under Water so much of that contain'd in the Basin was forc'd into the Tube as sill'd 11 Inches of it near â…› of an Inch of Air being generated in the former part of the Operation 14. Another time the Water swelling 10 Inches in the same Glass we broke off the Neb under Water and it receiv'd as much of the external Water so that in this no Air was generated 15. The like Experiments being try'd with aqueous Liquors the Neb of one that contain'd Milk being broke off under Water it was manifestly impell'd by the outward Air. And another being likewise open'd under Water which contain'd Urine it receiv'd about five or six Inches of Water 16. Another Glass which contain'd Claret-Wine being open'd under Water the Water was impell'd near an Inch above the Mark which would not have happen'd had the Bubbles been fill'd with true and permament Air. TITLE X. Experiments about the Measure of the Expansion and the Contraction of Liquors The expansion and contraction of Liquors measur'd TO measure the expansion of the Air we took a Bolt-head and pour'd in so much Water that it rose a little way into the Stem which being done and the number of Ounces it contain'd set down to those we successfully added one Ounce after another marking how high each of them wrought Which being done we pour'd out a convenient quantity and froze the remaining Water from the bottom upwards and the Ice that consisted of 82 parts of Water filled the space of 91 and ½ so that the congeal'd Water possess'd a 9th part of space more than it did before In another Experiment 55 Parts of Water being froze were extended to 60 ½ 6 of those remaining unfroze 2. Another way we took to measure the expansion of Water was by marking a Cylindrical Pipe at the superficies of the Water contain'd in it which when it was froze was rais'd a tenth part higher than before Another more exact Cylinder being made use of we found that Water froze expanded to about a ninth Part of the space it possess'd before 3. But perhaps this Method of measuring the expansion of freezing Water may suggest a difficulty to those that are acquainted with Hydrostaticks since Archimedes hath made it appear as well as Stevinus That floating Bodies will so far and but so far sink in the Liquor that supports them till the immersed Part of the Body be equal to a bulk of Water weighing as much as the whole Body 4. For Capt. James hath observ'd Ice to float a great deal above the Water and the Hollanders in their Voyage to Nova Zembla take notice of a Hill of Ice which was 16 Fathom above the Water tho' but 36 below it And Janus Munkius in his Account of Gâ—…enland observ'd That one that was but 4â— Fathom under Water was 20 above it whereas according to our Computation of the expansion of Water the Part under Water ought to be 8 or 9 times as deep as that above it 5. But to clear this difficulty I have these things to represent First That the Ice which we take notice of floats in fresh Water but that observ'd by Navigators being fresh floats in salt Water yet this is to be likewise consider'd That near the Poles the Seas are not so salt as ours or those under the Line and consequently will not be able to bear up the floating Ice so high except the coldness of that Region recompenses the want of Salt 6. But besides these Considerations that which I would chiefly insist upon for the removal of this difficulty is That these huge Piles of Ice are made up of vast Lumps betwixt which are large Vacuities which are only fill'd up with Air so that we are not to judge of their weight by the bulk they appear to be of to the Eye but by the specifick weight incumbent on that part immers'd in the Water For we see in Barges that sometimes they carry Loads which consisting of light Matter may be piled a great height above the Water without depressing the Vessel so much as heavier Bodies of less bulk which are more ponderous in Specie for the greatest part of these floating pieces of Ice as Bartholinus takes notice are compiled of store of Snow frozen together Besides it is observ'd That most of those stupendious Mountains which lay so much above Water below rested on the Ground so that probably they might have sunk much lower had the Water been deep enough for them for Mr. Hudson in his Voyage takes notice in a Bay that bears his Name of a piece of Ice sevenscore Fathom deep 7. Having said thus much of the expansion of Water it perhaps may
and Bay-salt strewed on some Parts of them they promoted the melting of the Ice so much That they buried themselves in it but the Parts thaw'd by this means were so incorporated with and froze to the stool That we could not separate them without knocking them in pieces At another time Salt thrown upon Ice made a crackling Noise and by a Candle-light several Steams were observ'd to rise from them like from some hot Liquors A few drops of Aqua-fortis dropped upon Plates of Ice and Oyl of Vitriol the latter sooner penetrated but the former with more Noise as if the Ice were crack'd 5. Olaus Magnus Gent. Septentr Hist Lib. 1. Cap. 14 says of the strength of Ice Glacies primae mediae byemis adâ—ò fortis tenax est ut spissitudine seu densitate duorum digitorum sufferat hominem ambulantem trium verò digitorum Equestrem Armatum unius palmae dimidiae turmas vel exercitus militares trium vel quatuor palmarum integram Legionem vel myriadem Populorum quemadmodùm inferius de bellis hyemalibus memorandum erit But this account is the less satisfactory because he tells us not how far distant from the shore this weight would be born for the weight of one Man may be much greater at some distance from the shore than of more upon or near the side since the shore hath there a greater strength to support it 6. Purchas Lib. 4. Cap. 13 sayes That the Ice in Russia was as hard as a Rock and it is observ'd by the same Lib. 4. Cap. 13. p. 813 That the Ice which floats in the Sea being taken up and thaw'd yields fresh Water but whether it consists of an accumulation of fresh Particles in the Sea or whether it is a Collection of Ice carried thither from some fresh Water I much Question since the main Ocean is seldom froze and especially since Purchas Lib. 3. Cap. 7. says That the floating Ice near Nova Zembla which closes up the straight of Weigals flows down from the Rivers Oby and Jenesre and several others 7. As for the bigness of some Pieces of Ice they seem almost Incredible the Dutch in their Voyage to Nova Zembla take notice of one 96 foot high and Capt. James hath met with some as deep under Water besides what floated above and some much higher And Purchas Lib. 4. Cap. 18. p. 837. Tells us of a Mountain of Ice which was 140 fathom high As for the Length of these pieces of Ice all that I can meet with is an observation of Capt. James's who measured a peice of Ice which was 1000 paces long 8. As for the bigness of concrete Pieces of Ice Mr. Hall in his Voyage to Greenland takes notice of one 24 Miles long And by another a vast Tract of Ice hath been observ'd which was so long that the Bounds of it could not be discover'd from an indifferent high Hill To which we may add what the French Hydrographer Fournier relates in his Passage to Canada That he met with some Pieces of Ice as big as Mountains others as Ships and one 80 Leagues long in some Places plain and in others unequal with high Mountains And Olaus Magnus Lib. 3. Cap. 2. pag. 384. says Neque minori bellandi impetu Sueci Gothi super aperta Glacie quam in ipsa solidissima Terra confligunt Imò ut prius dictum est ubi antea aestivo tempore acerrima commissa sunt Bella navalia iisdem in locis Glacie concretâ Aciebus militari modo constructis Bombardis ordinatis habentur horrendi conflictus adeò solida Glacies est in Equestribus Turmis sufferendis ampliter vel strictè collocatis And it is known to us all that not long since the King of Sweedland and his whole Army marched over the Sea to Zeeland where Copenhagen the Capital City of Denmark stands And Bartholinus de Nivis usu takes notice That in the Eastern Regions the Sea hath been froze a considerable Depth To which I shall subjoyn that Glycas apud Fournier Lib. 9. Cap. 19. observes That in the Year 775 the Mediterranean was froze for 50 Leagues 30 Cubits thick upon which as much Snow fell as raised it 30 Cubits above the Top of the Water 9. To what Instances we have already recited we shall add that of the Dutch-Men in their Voyage viz. that some pieces of Ice which were 18 Fathom below Water and ten above were very blue the like to which Capt. James takes notice of and Virgil speaking of the Frigid Zone says Caerulea glacie concreta atque imbribus Atris 10. In the Spring the Ice is observ'd by Olaus Magnus to be much less compact than in the Winter and it is attested by the same and also by Mr. James Hall in his Voyages that when these Rocks of Ice break they make a vast Noise and the like hath been observ'd by others And tho' Olaus Magnus attributes the cleaving of these Rocks of Ice to the Effect which warm Exhalations have upon them yet I am told that sometimes they are observ'd to fly in pieces upon excessive Cold. Particulars referrable to the XV Title 1. A Decoction of Sage Rosemary and Parsly being exposed to be froze in distinct Vessels the Superficies of the former was very rough Juice of Lemons froze represented Trees without Leaves 2. Hard Ice beaten and common Salt being mixed together afforded white Fumes like Smoke tho' the Experiment was tryed in a close Room snow-Snow-Water froze in Ice and Salt afforded an Ice very transparent and with minute Bubbles 3. Ice partly powder'd and in part grosly beaten being mixed with Bay-salt when the Mixture was stirred afforded a sensible Smoak which was greater or less as the Mixture was more or less stirred and floating over the Brim of the Vessel rather sunk than rose just as the Fumes do from a Cloth dipped in Aq. fortis and hung up to dry 4. I am told by one who was in the Frigid Zone that he supplyed himself with fresh Water from the Ice by digging Pits in it and the same Person tells me That he hath observ'd Pieces of Ice 50 Fathom deep which were not above a tenth Part above Water He likewise observ'd near the Coast of Greenland the Variation of the Compass to be 22 Degrees and a little time after scarce any thing at all He told me further That sailing in the Main Sea in the Height of 77 Degrees his Ship was surrounded with Ice 'till the 7th of June and the Ice opening he failed through it Part of it passing along towards Hudson's Streights And it is observ'd That these Mountains of Ice much weaken the strength of Winds insomuch that if they be driven near them by a Storm the Wind is so much quashed that they immediately find a Calm TITLE XVI Experiments and Observations concerning the Duration of Ice and Snow and the destroying of them by the Air and several Liquors What Liquors soonest dissolve Ice and
And it hath been observed That Iron-Instruments brought out of the Cold into a warm Room have been covered over with a white Hoar and it is not only confirmed by foreign Artists but several here That Cold hath so great an Effect on Steel as to make several Pieces of Metal more brittle than in the Summer so that they are then forced to work them another way and to give them a different temper Hot Water does not freeze sooner than Cold. It being a Tradition and also taught by Aristotle That Hot Water is sooner froze than Cold to determine the matter I made the following Experiments Cold Water being exposed to freeze in one Porringer boiled Water cooled in another and Hot Water in a Third at 8 a Clock the Cold Water began to freeze at ¼ after ten the Boild Water cooled at ¾ past ten and the Hot Water at ¼ an hour past Eleven And the like success happened when the Experiment was tryed a second time in Metalline Vessels And the Experiment being again tryed with greater exactness the Cold Water and the rest being exposed to freeze at ¼ after 6 the first beganto freeze ¼ after 7 the Water heated and cooled again ¾ after 7 and the Hot Water was not froze ½ an hour after Eight The like Experiment being tryed with Water contained in Glass-Cylinders of an equal Bore sealed at one end we found that there was very little difference in the time of their Congelation when immersed in a Mixture of Snow Salt and Water but once when the end of one of the Cylinders was drawn smaller than Ordinary the smallness of the Pipe occasioned the Hot Water to begin to freeze sooner than the Cold Water Postcript Accidentally looking upon the Circulus Pisanus of Berigardus I found That tho' that Author opposes Aristotle in other Points yet he agrees with Him That Hot Water cooled will sooner freeze than ordinary Cold Water but having tryed the Experiment I observ'd That both being exposed to freeze when by a Weather-Glass I found them of the same temper my Domestick who attended them took notice also that they both began to freeze at one time And tho' Berigardus further wonders That warm Salt-Water should be less subject to freeze for being Salt yet from Experiments already laid down it abundantly appears That tho' Salt Externally applyed promotes it yet Internally being dissolv'd in Water it prevents Congelation Particulars referrable to several Titles For a further Confirmation of the VI Title I shall add that Purchas relates Lib. 4. Cap. 19. That the Samojeds when they Bury their Dead only cover them with a Pile of stones and tho' the Dead Bodies may be seen through them yet the Coldness of the Air preserves them from stinking And the same Author tells us That in a certain Island they preserve their Fish and Flesh by hardening it in the Air better than if it were corned with Salt In Confirmation of what hath been delivered under the VII Title I exposed several Vials filled with Water and unstopped to be froze and found that the Bottles were broke in pieces by the Expansion of the frozen Water so that the Phaenomenon could not be attributed to Nature's abhorrency of a Vacuum For if either the Expanded Water could have made it's way by stretching the Glass or leaving the Superficial Ice congealed at first in the Neck or any other way easier than to break the Vessel the Vessel would probably be left intire I say probably because sometimes in such Experiments something may intervene which requires further Tryals and Observations to discover Since I have in other Experiments made it appear That the Water beginning to freeze at the Bottom rose a considerable height in the Stem without breaking the Bottle and I have sometimes had a good deal of a Liquor froze in a stopped Vial without breaking it as if the success were varyed by some uncommon Properties in the Glass or some peculiar softness of the Ice In Confirmation of what is delivered in the VII Title of the Expansion of freezing Water I shall add That the Capacity of a large Bottle being filled with Water except the Neck and that filled with Oyl the expanding Water not only elevated the Cork but raised it several Inches it being supported by a Cylinder partly consisting of Oily and partly of Watry Particles of Ice It is a General Tradition amongst Fisher-men That when Ponds or Rivers are froze up except several holes are broke up for the Air to communicate with the Water the Fishes will be suffocated and Olaus Magnus tells us That Fishes are usually found suffocated when a thaw comes where Veins of living Water do not enter But I am not satisfyed whether if the Tradition be true they may not be killed either by some Subterraneal Steams or their own Excrementitious Effluvia prevented by the Ice from making their way out of the Water and it may be questioned further whether this Phaenomenon may not be caused by excessive Cold as well as for want of Air. Wherefore to satisfie my self whether the Vulgar Opinion be true or not I enclosed some Gudgeons in a large Glass with a long Neck and having froze the Water in the Neck by applying a Mixture of Snow and Salt I found That the Fishes lived a considerable time And the like I observed when the same Fishes were contained in an Earthen Vessel with a little Water frozen over Where the External Air was wholly separated and prevented from communicating with the Water under the Ice yet one thing observable was That there was a large Bubble of Air under the Ice which I suppose came from the Fish For I have observed not only these sort of Fish but Lamprels take in Air and then being immersed under Water emit Bubbles both at their Mouths and Gills Gudgeons frozen up in Ice in a Basin recovered when it was thawed but some that continued 3 Days in Ice revived not Frogs froze in Water till they were all enclosed with Ice and till one of them was stiff with it recovered when it was thawed and Swam about tho' before some of them lay with their Bellys upwards and void of Motion As for the weight of Bodies frozen Capt. James tells us That Wood that had lain all Winter under Ice would sink when cast into the Water And he likewise tells us That the Ice of Wine is so durable that a Butt of Wine which was froze in the Winter continued unthawed in May. Purchas tells us of two pieces of Ice which they found lay fast on the Ground the one of which was 20 fathom under Water and 12 above and the other 18 fathom below the Surface of the Water and 10 above it It is observed by Purchas and several others That the Snow lying upon the Ground in Russia as well as in England makes it fruitful Of the separation of Liquors by Cold. It would be worth while to try what Effects Cold
not that that acts positively upon them but imbibes the moisture And I have seen a Cold Liquor acquire a hardness its moisture being imbibed by a piece of Bread immersed in it as also Spirit of Wine dephlegmed by a Mixture of Salt of Tartar without so much as Heat the Aqueous Parts finding a more ready and easie passage into the Pores of the Alkaly than through the Spiritous Liquor And I know a saline Body which when incorporated with Water the Water will leave this a consistent mass and be imbibed by the Spirit of Wine And for a further illustration of the Cartesian Explication I shall add that Camphire by floating upon Aqua fortis will become a fluid Oyl and continue in that form till the subtle Spirit which by pervading it kept it fluid flyes away and evaporates for being put into Water the Spirit leaving the Camphire and being imbibed into the Pores of the Water it becomes a consistent mass again which that it depended not on the Coldness of the Water was evident since the same would happen on warm Water But tho' Cold should depend primarily on the influence of frigorifick Atoms yet since those by acting on the Body cooled may produce their effect by expelling calorifick Atoms the privation of those calorifick Atoms is the cause of freezing so tho' a Bullet kills a Man yet the issue is a privation of life and when a Room is darkned by extinguishing the light the darkness depends on the privation of light A sixth The last Argument of Gassendus is this Tametsi multa videantur ex sola caloris absentia frigescere nibil ominus nisi frigus extrinsicus inducatur non tam profectô frigescere quam decalescere sunt Censenda Esto enim Lapis Lignum aut aliquid aliud quod nec calidum nec frigidum sit id ubi fuerit ad motum Igni calefiet sane at cum deinceps calor excedet neque frigidum ullum circumstabit non erit cur dicas ipsum frigefieri potius quam minus calidum fieri rediere in suum statum But to this it may be answered that if we speak of Coldness with respect to sense I see not why any Body that grows hot by the action of the fire may not be said to grow Cold rather than Decalescere since Heat being only too brisk an agitation for our Sensory when upon a removal of that Cause and a declining of that motion it became less agitated than the Humours about our Sensory we may not then say it grows Colder and Colder till it become Ice But to conclude this Chapter I shall add that tho' I have offered these Arguments against Gassendus yet I shall wave determining the Controversie till further satisfied in some Speculations and in the Phaenomena of some Particular Experiments besides I would first know from those that would have Cold to be a positive Quality whether and on what account those little fragments of matter are Cold Whether their frigorifick Atoms have weight As also what is their Texture and whether that Quality may be destroy'd and whether they be primitive Bodies or not And why Coldness ensues the Mixture of two warm Bodies And in order to the solving of some of which it would be requisite to enquire how Water comes by its expansive force upon congelation And since Cold is a Privation of motion why upon the Mixture of certain Bodies Cold ensues tho' their Parts be thereby put into motion CHAP. XI Two Problems about Cold. An attempt to measure the great expansive force of freezing Water Of the Production of Cold by the conflict of Bodies appearing to make an Ebullition The first Problem THE first Problem I shall propose is how upon the Mixture of two or three Bodies there should ensue a great and tumultuary agitation of small Parts and yet even during this conflict not any sensible Heat but a considerable degree of Cold be produced Concerning which I shall only propose the question whether local motion be not Generical and whether the figure and size of Parts variously moved may not be able to cause a sensation of Heat and when variously modify'd a sense of Cold or whether the sense of Cold depends not on some frigorifick Atoms which are let lose in the Ebullition and affect the Sensory which would otherwise perceive a hot sensation by the effects of the motion of those Parts with which cold Aoms are mixed and which they over-power The second Problem The second Problem is Whence the vast force of freezing Water proceeds For since Cold depends on an Imminution of local motion it is not a little strange how it should be able to break resisting Bodies which require local motion to separate their Parts And tho' Gassendus tells us that they proceed from the ingress of frigorifick Atoms yet till Glaciation succeeds notwithstanding Water grows colder gradually it subsides and does not expand And Spirit of Wine and Chymical Oyls the greater degree of Cold they are exposed to contract the more and some Oyls even when coagulated are condensed instead of being expanded And as for what the Cartesians offer for the removal of these difficulties it may well be questioned how their Eel-like Particles being relaxed and their spring weakned they should be able to expand in spite of Opposition So that considering that Water when expanded is full of bubbles I was apt to suspect that the Air contained in them contributed to the effect and that a constipation of the Pores of Water might give them a springiness The great expansive force of Water froze To try the expansive force of freezing Water we convey'd a Bladder full of Water into a Brass Cylinder and fitting a Plugg to it upon that we placed a flat Board to hold Weights on and then the Cylinder being encompassed with a frigorifick Mixture upon the freezing of the Water in one Experiment the Plugg raised 115 pound weight and in another 100 pound Averdupois and in a third 254 pound weight Three saline Bodies each purify'd by the fire being mixed together Of the Production of Cold. produced a cold Effervescense with a hissing noise and a considerable Intumescense And in the mean time the Glass which contained it would grow colder than before and gather a Dew on the outside which would reach as high as the Mixture but on the concave bottom of the Glass there was no Dew that being not sufficiently exposed to the Air so that the Mixture could not be supposed to sweat through the Pores of the Glass since it tasted not in the least of saline Ingredients But least our Senses should misinform us of the degrees of Cold in this Mixture we at another time immersed a Weather-Glass in which the Liquor subsided above four Inches lower than in common Water Tho' the Acid Liquor it self being kept all Night in a Room with Water was of the same temper with it which appeared by a Weather-Glass immersed
in both successively And the Salt it self being cast into Water scarce made it sensibly colder nor did the Glass wherein this Salt was kept disclose any remarkable degree of Coldness And even the frigorifick Mixture it self when the Ebullition was over appear'd not colder than common Water in a Night's time so that the Coldness depended purely upon the Texture of the fermenting Liquor And to this I shall add that tho' I made use of a Spirit that was drawn off at the same time with this Salt and which in the Judgment of my senses appeared to be of the same kind yet instead of a cold Ebullition it produced a Luke-warm Heat And to these I shall further subjoyn that tho' the Liquor above mention'd would produce a cold Ferment with the dry Salt yet with the Spirit it grew warm tho' some of the same frigorifick Spirit kept warm by the fire till the Liquor in the Weather-Glass rose yet upon the injecting of some of the dry'd Salt it would be manifestly depressed Nay tho the Spirit and Salt were both warm yet upon their Mixture they would produce a manifest Coldness And to this Experiment I shall add that Salt of Tartar mix'd with Spirit of Vinegar produced upon their Ebullition a degree of Coldness greater than that of Water and when a Weather-Glass was removed out of Water into it an hour after the ferment the Spirit was depressed about half an Inch tho' Salt of Pot-ashes mix'd with Spirit of Vinegar produced Heat as appeared by the same Weather-Glass successively immersed in either CHAP. XII Of the Mechanical Origin or Production of Heat Of the mechanical Production of Heat HEAT being a quality whose nature seems to consist in a mechanical Motion of the Parts of the Body said to be hot it may be requisite to note that the three following Conditions are necessary in modifying that Motion First That the Motion be more rapid than in Bodies barely fluid so Water becomes hot by an increase of the motion of its Parts which argue their vehement motion by dissolving Butter and rising in the form of Vapours Which effects are more conspicuous as the degree of Motion is greater or less Another Instance to shew that the Parts of hot Water are in a more violent agitation than those of cold is in Water cast upon a hot Iron for they presently acquire such an additional Motion from that hot Body that it hisses and boils yielding Steams copiously But a stronger instance of the vehement Agitation of the parts of hot Bodies is in actual Flame since they move so impetuously as to dissolve and shatter whatever lies in their way A second Condition requisite to render a Body hot is that the motion of its Parts be variously determined which variety of Determination is apparent in Fire which produces the same effects on the same Bodies whatsoever is their Scituation in respect of that Fire so a red Coal melts Wax whether held above below or on one side of it and that a variously determin'd Motion is requisite appears if we observe that the rapid motion of Water in a River which is only one way contributes not to the increase of its heat A third requisite is that the Parts in such a Motion should be very minute so as to be insensible since it is manifest that tho' Sand be put into a violent motion it acquires not a heat by it This account of heat being considered it will appear that a Body may become hot as many ways as it is capable of having its parts put into such a Motion To illustrate which Observation I shall subjoin some instances of the Production of Heat several ways as first by an effusion of Oyl of Vitriol upon Salt of Tartar Aq. fortis upon Silver But to pass over these common Instances I shall proceed to some not so frequently known having first taken notice of the Heat which succeeds an effusion of cold Water upon Quick-lime which Phaenomenon tho' it be commonly held to be an effect of an Antiperistasis upon the enclosure of the Lime in cold Water yet that the effect is produced by another cause appears since the like succeeds if hot Water be made use of instead of Cold and further because tho' Oyl of Turpentine be poured on it cold no such Effect follows EXPERIMENT I. Tho' Helmont ascribes the Incalescence of Quick-lime upon an Affusion of Water to a conflict of an Alkalizate and an acid Salt set at liberty by being dissolv'd in the Water yet since no such acid appears to be latent in Quick-lime the account is unsatisfactory For I might as well suppose an Acid latent in other Alkalies in as much as Salt of Tartar mixed with Water either in the Palm of ones Hand or in a Vial affords a sensible Heat EXPERIMENT II III IV. Others think that the cause of the Heat of Quick-lime proceeds from some fiery Empyrumatical Atoms lodged in the substance of the Stone when calcin'd and set at liberty in the form of Effluvia but this Hypothesis is not without some difficulties since no such Heat succeeds an affusion of Water upon Minium or Crocus Martis per se tho' their increase of weight argues that they are stuffed with fiery and metalline Particles To which I shall add that I knew two Liquors which being several times separated and reconjoined without addition did at each Congress acquire a sensible heat so Salt of Tartar several times freed from Water The effects of a mixture of Salt of Tartar and Water will produce Heat when mixed again with that Water which shews that the violence of the Fire is not requisite to impress upon all calcin'd Bodies that will heat with Water what passes for an Empyreum And this Phaenomenon I am apt to believe proceeds from a disposition of the Texture of the Salt being stocked with store of igneous Parts which upon an ingress of Water pressed into the Pores of the Body by the weight of the Atmosphere are apt to break the Texture of that Body and to put them in motion so as to produce a sensible Heat And that the Ferment depends upon the peculiar Texture of the Salt I am perswaded and a constipation of the Pores of it since Sal-Armon dissolv'd in Water and boiled to a dry Salt was not so much impregnated with fiery Parts as to cause a Heat upon its mixture with Water again but a considerable degree of Cold and tho' one would expect a greater cognation betwixt the Particles of fire adhering to Quick-lime and Spirit of Wine wholly inflammable yet the latter poured upon the former did not produce any sensible incalescence or dissolution of it and when this Spirit was soak'd into it I poured Water upon it without perceiving the least Heat or the Lime broken till within a few hours after so that the Spirit being sucked into the most capacious Pores of the Lime and associating with the Water rendred it more unfit to
that for that reason I called it the Icy Noctiluca But tho' generally it was colourless and transparent yet some small Pieces were Opake and of various Colours compared with each other 2. This Noctiluca is heavier in Specie than Water and tho' consistent yet not so hard as common Ice but it is brittle and may be spread upon a solid Body like the unmelted Tallow of a Candle it may be melted in hot Liquors without waste but in the Air a great Part of it will be consumed As to sense it is Cold but is of such a Texture that it easily becomes hot upon agitation 3. When held in the Air it yields a vivid Light if wet over and when first exposed to the Air it not only shines but emits store of Effluvia as long as it is kept there when it is immersed in Water it ceases to shine and also to smoak but as soon as it is taken out it begins a-fresh and if part be immersed and part above Water the latter will shine vividly tho' the other will not The Qualities of Water in which it had been immersed 4. The Water in which this Noctiluca had been sometime immersed had a strong and penetrant taste like a Mixture of Brine and Spirit of Salt and relished a little of Vitriol Being held in a small Concave Vessel of Silver over lighted Coals and ashes it evaporated very slowly and would not shoot into Crystals nor afford a dry Salt but coagulated into a substance like a Gelly or the whites of Eggs which would be easily melted by Heat When kept on a hot fire it would first boil and then make a crackling Noise and the Explosions would be accompanyed with flashes of fire and light which if they were small were generally blue like flames of Sulphur but more vivid and sometimes bluer but the greater flakes appeared yellow and very Luminous and these Phaenomena appeared likewise for some time after the Vessel was taken off When this matter was almost melted by Heat if it was permitted to cool it acquir'd a rosinous Consistence and tinged the Flame of a Candle blue By the Fire working upon it it acquir'd a Garlick Smell and being left in the Air all Night it turned to a Liquor almost as strong as Spirit of Salt Being put upon the Fire again it would afford the same Phaenomena as before but some of the Matter which before broke out in Flashes sometimes rose only in the form of Smoak of a rank Smell And tho' the quantity of this Matter was small yet it afforded Flashes plentifully for an Hour What Liquors it would be dissolved in and what not It would not dissolve in cold Water tho' the Water would be thereby impregnated so Crocus Metallorum impregnates Wine or Water without having its Bulk diminish'd It fermented not with Spirit of Sal-Armon nor did it lose its luminous Virtue but would shine when exposed to the Air again Oyl of Vitriol when cold would not dissolve it but when hot would melt it and it would lye at the bottom of so heavy a Liquor Aqu. fortis had no visible effect on it nor Oyl of Turpentine when cold but the latter being hot it wholly vanish'd in a Night's time without making any alteration in the Oyl Being put into Oyl of Cloves and melted by a Fire when it was cool and the Vial unstopped it yielded not only a Light that was render'd more acceptable to the Standers-by by its grateful Smell and the like succeeded with Oyl of Cloves in which Liquor when impregnated with the Noctiluca it was observable that the Vial being open'd in a dark place it would yield a flash of Flame very vivid which would last a Minute and sometimes if a Candle were in the Room the shining fluid would appear of a pleasant blueish Colour and another thing observable was that the Light would vanish whilst store of white Fumes remain'd upon the Liquor as if the Light chiefly depended on the finest and purest Part. In Oyl of Mace it did not appear luminous nor in Oyl of Aniseeds This Noctiluca continu'd in Spirit of Wine a considerable time undiminished 6. This Noctiluca being included in rectify'd Spirit of Wine was partly dissolved and left some earthly Parts at the bottom of the Liquor but did not discolour it upon unstopping the Vial no Light appeared but being dropped into cold Water the Drops were kindled by it but those Flashes immediately disappeared the Water not being luminous which Phaenomenon lest it should be thought to be an effect of Antiperistasis I dropped the impregnated Spirit upon hot Water and found that the same Phaenomenon succeeded And this Noctiluca diffuses its Virtue so far that one Grain impregnated a thousand of Spirit of Wine As for the reason why these Flashes so suddenly disappeared it might proceed from a sudden dispersion of the Particles of the Spirit through the Water and the Avolition of the luciferous Matter So Camphire dissolv'd in Spirit of Wine and dropped upon cold Water is left upon the Surface of it the Spirit being immediately dispersed through the Liquor Experiments discovering a strange subtlety of Parts in the Glacial Noctiluca Having dissolv'd a Grain of our Noctiluca in a Drachm of Spirit of Wine and added gradually fifty times its weight of Water the Noctiluca rendred the whole light when shaken in the Dark so that one Grain rendred 100000 times its weight of Liquor luminous and what was more strange was that not only the Steams appeared luminous but the Light seemed in some measure diffused through the whole Water which I am apt to believe proceeded from the Exhalations which shined through that Diaphanous Water tho' when the Glass was shaken the whole Mass appeared luminous And the Experiment being further prosecuted a Grain of the Noctiluca dissolved in Alkohol of Wine and shaken in Water it render'd 400000 times its weight luminous throughout And at another Tryal I found that it impregnated 500000 times its weight which was more than one part of Cochineel could communicate its Colour to the utmost being 125000 parts of Water In which Experiments â…› of the Noctiluca was undissolv'd And had we to the aforemention'd Estimate added the Proportion of the illuminated ambient Air the Expansion of this Noctiluca would have been incomparably greater than the above-mention'd number denotes But to demonstrate further the strange Subtilty of our Noctilucal Matter I shall add that three Grains of our Noctiluca being placed upon a flat-bottom'd Glass that was broader at the Top than the bottom and shallow that the Matter might be more fully exposed to the Air it was placed in a shelving Posture that upon its resolution in the moist Air it might presently run down and not hinder the free Evaporation of the remaining Matter The Vessel being thus placed all the Fragments about ten a Clock at Night began to shine briskly and continu'd to do so 'till reduced to very small Parts so
when the Air was exhausted the incumbent Pressure of the Atmosphere was not able to break it tho' when a Man's hand was placed there he was not able to raise it till some of the Air was let in again the Pressure which held his hand down being equivalent to a Cylinder of Water thirty foot high But to shew the effects of an uniform Pressure of Liquids upon Solids contained in them I shall subjoyn the following Tryals EXPERIMENT I II and III. Having placed an Egg betwixt two Bladders half blown in a Brass Cylinder and cautiously put a Plug upon them with as much weight upon it as amounted to thirty pound I placed them all in a Receiver and when the Air was exhausted tho' the expanding Bladders must needs press equally against the Egg and the Plug yet the incumbent weight was raised and the Egg when taken out as whole as before the weight it sustained in the Cylinder being not quite so much as the weight of the Atmosphere But tho' the Egg was able to sustain so much weight when pressed upon uniformly yet Weights being successively laid upon the same Egg exposed to the open Air four Pound weight crushed it in pieces And by further Tryals we found that an Egg-shell which had all the Yelk and White taken out as also a thin Glass Bubble being placed betwixt two Bladders as in the first Experiment neither of them was in the least cracked EXPERIMENT IV. To shew that what we have taught of the Nature of Fluids will hold in Water as well as Air if the Pressure be uniform we enclosed an Egg in a Bladder almost full of Water and putting it into the Brass Cylinder we heaped upon the Plug as many Weights as amounted to seventy five pound yet the Egg being taken out was as found as when first put in In which Instance it cannot be pretended that the Egg bore no weight by those that allow not Water to gravitate in Water since there was a considerable Pressure made by Metalline Weights which every body allows to weigh in Water From this Experiment and the other before mention'd of an Egg being broke by a partial Pressure it appears that the Strength of the Texture of a Humane Body together with the Uniformity of the Pressure of ambient Water may be the reasons why Divers feel no greater Inconveniency under Water for tho' their Thorax may be a little more compressed than other Parts yet that Part being naturally dilated and contracted a little Pressure may make no sensible Alteration But I have been told by a Diver that at a consicerable Depth he perceived a painful Pressure upon the Drums of his Ears 'till he contriv'd a way to guard them from that Inconveniency the reason of which Phaenomenon seemed to be no other than that in that Part there was not an equal internal Pressure to resist and counterballance the external Pressure of the Water CHAP. V. An Invention for estimating the Weight of Water in Water with ordinary Ballances or Weights Communicated in the Pub. Transact of Aug. 16. 1669. A Bubble about the bigness of a Pullet's Egg with a long Stem turned upo at the end was heated and when the Air was most of it expelled sealed up and then being by a convenient weight of Lead immersed under Water it was suspended at the end of a Ballance and counterpoised and then the Apex of the Stem being broke off with a Forceps so much Water got into the Cavity of the Bubble as required four drachms and thirty eight grains to reduce the Ballance to an Aequilibrium Which being done we drove out the Water by the help of a Flame of a Candle into another Glass which was counterposed and we found that it weighed four drachms and thirty grains which together with what was evaporated and lost and the weight of the Apex amounted to the weight first mention'd So that from hence it appears that Water weights as much in Water as it does in the open Air which according to the best Computation we could make succeeded a second time in a larger Bubble As for the Objections which Mr. George Sinclair hath made to this Experiment since it is the Opinion of our Author that he only differs from him in Expressions I shall wave what he there says as not at all requisite in this Place and shall only add what our Author hath said to explain what he means by Water weighing in Water viz. That it gravitates or weighs in as much as it tends downwards upon the account of its specifick Weight tho' it does not preponderate that is the Parcel of Water weighed hath but an equal Tendency downwards with the Ambient Water but upon an additional Weight it preponderates as much as the additional weight increases its Tendency towards the Center CHAP. VI. Hydrostatical Paradoxes made out by new Experiments BEfore I procced to the Hydrostatical Paradoxes I shall briefly intimate that tho' I can readily assent to the Hydrostatical Conclusions laid down in Monsieur Paschall's Discourse yet as for the Experiments he makes use of to prove them by I must own I am not satisfy'd with them since he makes use of such as require that a Man should sit under Water fifteen or twenty Foot with the end of a Tube leaning upon his Thigh But he neither acquaints us how a Man shall be able to continue there or how he shall discern the alterations in the Mercury or other Bodies at the bottom Besides such Experiments as he proposes require Tubes twenty foot long and Vessels as many foot deep which are hard to be got in England nor is it possible to obtain from a Tradesman Brass Cylinders or Pluggs made with so much Mathematical Exactness as he proposes Having therefore contriv'd a more easy way to demonstrate the Truths contain'd in the foregoing Paradoxes before I proceed to examine them I shall premise a word or two by way of Postulatum or a Lemma which consists of three Parts The first of which is That if a Pipe open at both ends and held perpendicular to the Horizon have the lower of them under Water there passes an imaginary Plain which touching the Orifice of the Pipe is parallel to the Horizon and likewise as to sense to the upper Surface of the Water To which it will be consonant secondly that as long as the Surface of the Water is even the Water incumbent on this Plain will equally press on all the parts of it But thirdly if there be a greater Pressure on one part of this Plain than another as when a Stone presses upon it the Water which lyes under that Stone will be displaced as the Stone subsides successively 'till it come to the Bottom But on the contrary if there be less Pressure on one part of that Plain than on another the Liquor will be raised on that part so high 'till the Liquor on that part of the Plain gravitates equally as the Water
Deliquium instead of Water and Spirit of Wine instead of Oyl of Turpentine these Liquors being not disposed to mingle with one another and instead of fair Water 06 we may make use of a filtred Solution of Sea-Salt when the other is not easily got And when we have a mind to vary the Experiment we may make use of Oyl of Turpentine along with the other two and by depressing a Tube into them with Water in the bottom exhibit very pleasing Phaenomena PARADOX II. That a lighter fluid may gravitate or weigh upon a heavier paradox 2 The truth of this is evident since all Bodies have a tendency towards the Center by which they are always disposed to press downwards tho' sometimes they have a respective Levity as when a piece of Wood emerges in Water yet nevertheless that relative Levity argues not that it hath no weight at all since tho' when a Man stands in a pair of Scales and lifts up a weight notwithstaning the Ascent of the weight he will perceive a manifest tendency of it downwards But to make it more plain See Plate 2d Fig. 2. where supposing a Cylinder of Water I G See Plate 2. Fig. 2. to be immersed in Oyl of Turpentine to the immaginary Surface E F the Water in the Pipe I H being heavier in Specie than the Oyl it will equally ponderate upon the Surface E F as the lighter Oyl K E L I and if the Pipe be immersed deeper the Cylinder of Water being not equiponderant with the extenal Oyl the Oyl will tho' a lighter Body in Specie rise in the bottom of the Tube and buoy up the Water Again the Bubble X which consists of a Glass heavier than Water and Air which is lighter See Plate 2. Fig. 3. or partly of Water it self which is specifically as heavy as long as the whole aggregate is lighter than Water of an equal bulk it will float but if it grows heavier it will sink and if any heavy Body presses upon it which is specifically heavier than Water by which the included Air may be compressed the Bubble will subside but when that Pressure is taken off and the Air expands it self again it will as soon emerge the Water that was before sucked in being by that means expelled But for a further Confirmation of this second Paradox I shall add the following Experiment viz. That having put a Glass-Bubble pretty well poised into a Tube filled within a foot of the top with Water it swam there till a good deal of Oyl of Turpentine was poured upon the Water but then more Water being forced into the Bubble by the weight of the incumbent Oyl it presently subsided but when part of that Oyl was taken off the spring of the Internal Air forcing the impressed Water out again the Bubble presently immerged And For a further Confimation of this Paradox as well as the first I shall add that a Bubble swimming in a Tube as in the former Experiment tho' depressed to the bottom by a Wier yet when that Pressure is taken off again it will rise up as before but if it be held under Water till more is poured in and till it rises about a foot above it in the Tube the weight of the incumbent Water will depress it but if that Water be gradually taken off the Bubble will presently emerge If it should be asked why in these Tryals I did not make use of Oyl of Tartar per Deliquium instead of Water I shall answer That in such slender Pipes as the first Experiment was made in as the Oyl of Tartar flowed down one side the Oyl of Turpentine would rise on the other which makes me wonder that Monsieur Paschall should teach that if a Tube filled with Mercury be immersed fourteen foot under Water if the Tube be fourteen foot long the Mercury will not wholly run out but continue to the height of a foot in the bottom of it and I the more wonder at it since probably the Impetus would make it descend and since the like would not succeed with much more favourable circumstances betwixt Oyl of Turpentine and Oyl of Tartar PARADOX III. paradox 3 That if a Body contiguous to the Water be altogether or in Part lower than the highest level of the said Water the lower part of the Body will be pressed upward by the Water that touches it beneath This may be proved from what hath been delivered under the first Paradox for where-ever an imaginary Surface is beneath the real one the weight of the Water being incumbent on all other Parts of the same Superficies that part on which the immersed Body chances to lean must have a Proportionable endeavour upwards and if that endeavour be greater than the specifick Gravity of the immersed Body is able to resist then it is buoyed up and tho' the Gravity of the immersed Body is so great as to over-power the tendency of the Water upwards yet the tendency of that Water is not therefore to be denyed for as much as it in some measure resists the subsiding of that Body And this may be confirmed by the Experiment tryed in the second figure for as more Oyl is externaly poured on the Water is impelled and buoyed up in the Pipe by the subjacent Oyl which could not be if the Oyl did not press against it beneath and even when the Water and Oyl are in an Aequilibrium the latter presses upwards in as much as it resists the descent of the Water out of the Tube And the truth of this Proposition is equally true whether we suspend Oyl in Water or Water in Oyl And that the Water makes a resistance to Bodies that descend in it See Plate 2. Fig. 4. will appear from the following Scheme for supposing the Pipe E F to contain Oyl specifically heavier than Water and when the Oyl and Water without were in an Aequilibrium the Pipe be raised drops of Oyl will fall out but much more slowly than in the open Air where if the drop G were not specifically heavier than the Water it would not break the imaginary Surface of the Water H I. But further it not only from hence appears that since as long as the two Liquors are in Aequilibrium they are not able to remove each other out of their places but from hence we may infer that a Liquor of an equal specifick Gravity with Water being placed in any part of that Liquor would remain in the place assigned But to illustrate what we have said of Water obstructing the descent of Bodies heavier than it self I shall add that if twelve ounces of Lead be counterpoised in the Air when the Lead is let down below the Surface of the Water the Scale in the Air will manifestly preponderate which shews that the Water hinders the descent of the other And the resistance of Fluids to the lower superficies of Bodies may be further confirmed by observing that Bodies specifically lighter than
Water are raised by it as Wood and drops of Oyl the Reason of which seems to be this that there is a greater Pressure upon the lowest part N than upon the upper part of the drop M because that upon all the Surface K L there is an uniform Pressure of the Water A K. B L and upon all the Parts of the Surface H I there is a greater weight of Water A H. B I except at the part N for there the Oyl G being not so heavy as so much Water it is consequently unable to resist the ascent of the Water beneath it for which Reason it is buoyed up and the case being the same with that and any other Parallel Plain where-ever it is in its ascent it must be by the same Reason gradually raised up for the Oyl being pressed against by two Pillars of Water the one above and the other below and the lower being longer by the thickness of the rising Body than that which lyes upon it it must consequently be buoyed up and more or less swiftly as the lower Basis presses more or less on the subjacent superficies And for the like Reason when two pieces of stick of a different length are immersed in Water the longest rises the fastest for if O P were two foot high and Q R but one and both rested upon the same imaginary Plain the one hath a Pillar of Water a foot longer to resist its rising than the other and as the emerging Body rises slower as the proportion betwixt the upper and the lower Pillar of Water is less so thence may be deduced a Reason why in some Liquors whose whiteness depends on the intermixture of drops are so long a rising the minuteness of them rendering the difference of the upper and lower Pillar of Air inconsiderable but as these drops by moving up and down unite into larger the difference growing more considerable they are accordingly buoyed up in less time and swim upon the top of the Water And for the same Reason See Fig. 3. Plate 2. that these Bodies float upon Water a Cubick Inch of Wood is by its specifie Gravity only so far depressed into the Water contained in the Vial A B. C D till the Water about it makes an equal Pressure upon the imaginary Surface X W and because the Wood is not so heavy in Specie as Water therefore part is kept emerging above the superficies of it But to shew further that the weight of a floating Body is equal to as much Water as its immersed Port takes up the Room of I shall subjoyn that having placed several Marks upon the Surface of a floating Glass and when it was taken off the Water put just so much Water into it as filled it up to those Marks by that means I found that the weight of the Water which was sufficient to fill the space possessed by the floating Vessel below the Surface of the Water was equal to the weight of the whole floating Vessel and all that was contained in it And the same end may be obtained another way viz. By first filling a Cistern or Pond with Water by a Vessel of a known capacity and then having emptyed it again for if the Vessel be placed in that Cistern or Pond and Water put into the Cistern again till it floats the Vessel and fills the Cistern or Pond full as much as it falls short of the weight of Water first contained in the Cistern so much is the weight of the floating Body PARADOX IV. That in the ascension of Water in Pumps c. There needs nothing to raise the Water but a competent weight of an external fluid The truth of this Paradox sufficiently appears from what hath been before delivered however to make it plainer if possible I shall add that if a tinged Liquor be sucked up about an Inch into a Tube and whilst the upper Orifice is covered with ones Thumb it be depressed in Water till the superficies of the external Water is above the Surface of the internal and then a considerable quantity of Oyl be poured upon that and when ones Thumb is taken off the upper Orifice of the Pipe the external Fluids will by their Pressure raise the tinged Liquor above the Surface of the Water tho' not quite so high as the Oyl From whence it appears that a Liquor may be raised in a Tube by the Pressure of an external fluid and that lighter than it self in Specie which may illustrate what we have said of the rising of Water in Pumps where by the Pressure of the Atmosphere the Water is buoyed up when the Pressure of the incumbent Atmosphere is taken off the internal superficies by the rising sucker and makes way for the Water to ascend within the Pipe I took likewise a small Tube whose Diameter was the sixth part of an Inch and having immersed it an Inch in Quick-silver I put my Thumb upon the upper Orifice and kept it there till I had immersed the Tube eighteen Inches in Oyl by the weight of which pressing against the Quick-silver it was not only kept from falling out of the Pipe but raised a little and as when the Tube was raised some of the Mercury would fall out so when it was depressed the Mercury would be buoyed up by the greater weight of the external Liquor upon it And indeed that the Water in a Pump may be raised by the Pressure of an external fluid will appear more fully to him that shall consider that in the Torrecellian Experiment the Pressure of the external Air is able to raise Mercury in a Tube twenty nine or thirty Digits which is equiponderant to a Cylinder of Water thirty three or thirty four foot high paradox V PARADOX V. That the Pressure of an external fluid is able to keep an Heterogeneous Liquor suspended at the same height in several Pipes tho' those Pipes be of very different Diameters This is evident from what is represented in Fig. 6. Plate the second See Fig. 6. Plate 2. for if the Orifice of that Vessel A B C D be closed up with a Cork and that Cork have four holes in three of which the Pipes are fixed and in the fourth the Tunnel and if when so much Water hath been poured in as reaches to the Surface E F Oyl be poured through the Tunnel till it reaches to the Surface G H it will depress the Surface of the Water down lower and the Oyl not being able to get into the Pipes L. M. N. by its weight it will cause the Water to rise to O P Q the Surface of the Water which before rested at E F being depressed down to I K upon which imaginary Surface the Water contained in the Tubes answerable to their Bulk making an equivalent Pressure with a Cylinder of external Oyl of the same Bore the Water must consequently be buoyed up to the same height in all except the last Pipe be very small but the
difference on that account being easily distinguished it will be no difficult matter to make an allowance N. B. when the Oyl is poured through the Tunnel it will be requisite to put some Cotton Wool in it to break the force of the falling stream lest the violence of it should prejudice the Experiment PARADOX VI. If a Body placed under Water paradox VI with its uppermost Surface parallel to the Horrizon how much Water soever there may be on this or that side above the Body the direct Pressure sustained by the Body for we now consider not the Lateral or the recoiling Pressure to which the Body may be exposed if quite environed with Water is no more than that of a Column of Water having the Horizontal superficies of the Body for its Basis and the Perpendicular depth of the Water for its height And so likewise If the Water that leans upon the Body be contained in Pipes open at both ends the Pressure of the Water is to be estimated by the weight of a Pillar of Water whose Basis is equal to the lower Orifice of a Pipe which we suppose to be parallel to the Horizon and its height equal to a Perpendicular reaching thence to the top of the Water tho' the Pipe be much inclined towards the Horizon or tho' it be irregularly shaped and much broader in some Parts than the said Orifice As for the first part of our Paradox it is proposed by Stevinus in more general Terms and thus demonstrated See Fig. 7. Plate the second where supposing A B C D to be a solid Rectangular figure of Water whose Basis E F is parallel to the Horizon and whose height G E is a Perpendicular from the Surface of that Water the bottom D E E F and F C cannot be charged with a greater weight than what is respectively Perpendicular because none of them can receive an Additional weight from the Water Collaterally but it must diminish the weight of Water Perpendicularly incumbent on that other bottom else there must be a greater weight upon the Basis D E F C than is contained in the Surface A B. C D which is impossible To which instance of the learned Stevinus I shall add the following For if Oyl be suck'd up into the Pipe represented by Fig. 8 Plate the second and when it is at a convenient height in the longer Leg you nimbly stop the upper Orifice till it be depressed so low into the Water that the Oyl is but little above the Surface of the Water it will rest near that station when the upper Orifice is unstopped and if it be depressed lower than that the weight of the incumbent Pillar of Water will force its way into the Pipe so far as answers the weight of a Cylinder of Water of an equal Bore with the Oyl contained in the Pipe and on the contrary if the Pipe be elevated above its first station as much Oyl will rise out of the Pipe and emerge as answers in weight to the part of the incumbent Pillar of Water removed by that means from gravitating upon it And to this I shall add that tho' Water is not contained in Pipes yet it presses as regularly upon subjacent Bodies as if it were which will be evident if a Vessel of the shape of the Funnel delineated in Fig. the 6th be imployed for the Liquor contained in the small Stem of that will be able to sustain the whole incumbent Water In confirmation of which we made use of such a Vessel as Plate the third figure the first represents See Plate 3. Fig. 1. and filling the parallel Leg with Oyl and the other as well as the Ball with Water the Oyl was elevated no higher in the longer Leg than if the less Leg had been an uniform Tube of the same Diameter and when the Experiment was reiterated with Oyl in the Ball and Water in the long Leg the weight of that Oyl was not able to raise the Water in the long Leg to an equal superficies with it self the Liquors in both these Experiments which was contained in the capacity of the Ball being sustained by the concave sides of the Glass And the like Experiment being tryed with Quick-silver which was poured into the shorter Leg C D till it rought almost to the bottom of the Ball and as high in the longer Tube A B upon an affusion of Water into the longer Leg the Mercury was buoyed up into the Ball till it rought to H E G where if more than what was Perpendicularly incumbent on the Tube C had pressed upon it the Water would not have been able to keep it at such a height But to confirm the second part of our Paradox See Plate 3. Fig. 2. we made use of a Glass such as Plate the third Fig. the second represents and having filled the Glass half full of Water we stopped it with a Cork in which the Pipes there delineated were fixed and likewise the Tunnel the bottom of each of the Pipes being each immersed considerably in Water and then pouring in Oyl through the Tunnel we observed that the Water was elevated to an equal height from the lower superficies of the Oyl which pressed on the Water in which Experiment tho' the Pipes contained more Water by being included yet that Water pressed no more upon the imaginary Plain than an erect Pipe of equal Bore with the lower superficies of the Water contained in it would have done And if Oyl of Turpentine be poised in a Pipe in an erect Posture and then by inclination a greater portion of it brought under Water yet the external Water will raise the Oyl contained in it and the same was evident when Oyl of Turpentine being contained in three Pipes of such figures as Plate the third Fig. the third represents for in all such cases See Fig. 3. Plate 3. where the Pipes are in an inclined Posture or some Parts of them larger than ordinary part of the weight of the Liquors contained weigh upon the sides of the Vessel and no more presses upon the subjacent Liquor than is answerable to an erect Pipe of equal Bore with the lower Orifice and of equal height with an erect Tube answerable to the length of one end of that Pipe from the other To make out what Stevinus hath asserted viz. That if a Cylinder of Water be placed upon a subjacent Body the Basis will sustain a weight equal to that Circular Basis and to the Perpendicular height of it we provided a Vessel of Laton See Fig. 4. Plate 3. of the figure represented by Fig. twelve Plate the third which being furnished with a close bottom C D made of a flat piece of Wood covered with a soft Bladder and greased on the lower side near the edges that leaned on the rim of Wood G H contiguous every where to the inside of the Latten that it might be easily lifted up from off the rim and yet at other times lye
yard or more in depth as also a Syphon with two Legs F K and K G to which is joined a Pipe E K and to each of the Legs of that Syphon we tyed a Glass Pipe sealed at the bottom and having Water contained in each to the height there delineated Things being thus prepared Oyl of Turpentine must be poured into the Tube A B. C D but that it may not take up too much of the Oyl the bottom of the Vessel to X Y may be filled with Water till it reaches above the top of the Syphon F K G and then by the weight of it the Water in the Pipe will be raised through the Syphon and run into the lower Vessel H. In which Experiment the Water is raised through a Syphon by pressure tho' at the same time there be a free communication of Air through the Pipe E K without danger of a Vacuum In which Experiment if the Reason be asked why the Water does not rather run out of the Bipe H into G than the contrary It may be answered That tho' externally the Oyl is deeper upon the surface of the Water in the Pipe H and consequently presses more upon it yet the Tube G on the other side instead of having that pressure of Oyl hath a Cylinder of Water of an equal length which being heavier than Oyl raises the Water out of that Tube more forcibly than it is raised out of the other And for the like Reason when once the Water is raised in Syphons tho' there be a longer Cylinder of Air upon that end which is immersed in the lower Vessel yet there is a greater weight on the other because besides the incumbent Atmosphere there is a considerable Weight of Water But if the Syphon be above 34 or 35 Foot high the Water will not flow through it the pressure of the external Air being unable to raise Water to such a height And one thing observable in these Experiments is That if when the Water is running through these Syphons a small hole be made upon the top of a Syphon the Air pressing upon the Water within the Pipe as well as without it it will cease to run tho' the hole be no bigger than one made with a Needle which hole if it be stopped with a Needle the pressure of the external Air will by that means be taken off and the Syphon be rendred fit for use PARADOX XI paradox XI That a Solid Body as ponderous as any yet known tho' near the top of the Water it will sink by its own weight yet if it be placed at a greater depth than that of twenty times its own thickness it will not sink if its descent be not assisted by the weight of the incumbent Water To demonstrate what is contained in this Paradox See Plate 4. Fig. 3. we must fill the Glass A B C D see Plate the 4. Fig. the third almost full of Water the length of it being near three Foot in which Water if we suppose the Weight E F to be placed upon the surface G H it will sink by reason of its specifick Gravity the Water incumbent on other parts of that Plain being not equiponderant but if we suppose it to be placed upon the Surface I K the Pillars of Water being above nine times as thick as it they will counterballance it for which Reason were there no Water upon it it would subside no further and were a method contrived to keep the Water from pressing upon it the like would happen supposing it to lean upon the Surface L M. And to shew that were the weight so depressed free from incumbent Water it would not subside I shall add the following Experiment let then the Brass Body E F See Plate 4 Fig. 4 see Plate 4. Fig. 4. be the cover of a Brass valve the valve being fastned with Cement to the Glass Pipe O P the Body E F must by pulling a hair fired to the button of Valve Q close the Orifice of it and then it being convey'd under Water a foot deep the Cement and sides of the Glass O P will keep the Water off the upper part of the Body E F and consequently the imaginary Surface V W will only be pressed upon by the sole weight of the Body E F but the other Parts of that Surface by the incumbent Cylinders of Water so that the Body E F will be bore up without the assistance of any thing else but the Water buoying up against it but if the Tube be raised till the Body E F be above the Surface I K and near X Y the weight of it being greater than the weight of the incumbent Pillars of Water the Body will be no longer supported but if upon the first immersion when the Body E F is let down to the Surface R S a weight L be suspended at it that will not be able to sever the Body from the Valve from whence it appears that there is no need in our Physico-mechanical Experiments to fly to a Fuga Vacui to explain the Reason why two exactly polished Marbles when contiguous are so hard to be separated To what hath been said under this Paradox I shall add that when the weight L is suspended at the button Q the Body E F will be separated before it rises to the Surface I K. APPENDIX I. Objections to evince that the upper Parts of Water press not upon the lower Objections answered answered The first Objection is that if the upper Parts of the Water pressed upon the lower the lower would be condensed but to this it is answered that Water consisting of Parts tho' minute yet very solid it does not therefore follow since in a heap of the powder of Diamonds the lower are no more compressed than the superficial ones besides it hath not been found that Water was capable of being compressed by any force we could use And tho' it be further urged that Plants grow in the Sea without being depressed yet that happens because the Pressure is not only incumbent but Collateral likewise and so contributes to sustain it and the rather because the Collateral Pressure is greater than the incumbent Another Objection is that a Bucket of Water weighs no more when full in Water than the Bucket it self out of it nor so much But the Reason of this is very plain for supposing A B C D to be a Well See Plate the fourth See Plate 4. Fig. 5. Figure the fifth in which the Bucket which is contiguous to the Plain I K is suspended by the string E F the Water in the Bucket G if it be made of Wood which is lighter in Specie than Water and the incumbent Pillar of Water not pressing upon the Surface H equally as the Water on the Surface I K the Water below must buoy it up And tho' the Bucket was made of something heavier than Water yet the whole weight of it will not be perceived
by the hand above but only the Surplusage of weight which surmounts the weight of an equal bulk of Water And tho' the School-men tell us that this Phaenomenon depends on the indisposition of Water to weigh in its own place yet I have found that Lead being convey'd into melted Butter contained in a wooden Box and that being suspended in Water by a Silken-thred at the end of a ballance we observed that this was as much indisposed to weigh as Water in Water no more weight than what surmounted the weight of an equal bulk of Water being made sensible by the ballance But when it was partly raised out of the Water or wholly a greater weight was requisite to counterballance it for supposing that part of the Bucket N to be above the Surface of the Water L M a great force is requisite to sustain it the weight of Water incumbent on the Surface P Q being not able to ballance it and consequently the bottom of the Bucket H will scarce be pressed upwards half so strongly as before But if the Bucket be raised to O the Water being not at all contiguous to it cannot contribute to the supporting of it All that is further contained in this Appendix being only a Repetition of what hath been already delivered on this subject I shall pass it by as needless to be repeated again APPENDIX II. Why Divers and others who descend to the bottom of the Sea are not oppressed by the weight of the incumbent Water From what hath been already delivered it appearing that Water weighs in Water and consequently presses upon Bodies contained in it I shall therefore before I propose my own opinion briefly take notice of the following And first Monsieur Des Caries tells us See Plate 4. Fig. 6. that if the Body of a Man were placed in the bottom of the Vessel B so as to stop the Orifice A he would feell the weight of the Water C B A incumbent on him but if he were placed at B he would not be sensible of that weight because should his Body descend the Water betwixt B and C would not descend with him but supposing the Orifice A to be stopped with a solid that would feel the weight of the Water because it hindred the descent of the Water betwixt B and A but since the Principles already laid down overthrow the foundation of this Explication I shall only add that were the matter of fact true the Reason would be that when his Body was at A the Man would sustain the weight of the incumbent Water without any subjacent Water at A to buoy up against him whereas at B the subjacent Water buoys up as much as the other presses down or more But Stevinus Hydrostat Lib. 5. Pag. 149. says Omni Pressu quo corpus dolore afficitur pars aliqua corporis luxatur sed isto Pressu nulla corporis pars luxatur isto igitur Pressu corpus dolore nullo afficitur Sed Exemplo clarius ita intelliges esto A B C D See Plate 4. Fig. 7. aqua cujus fundum D C in quo foramen E habeat Epistomium sibi insertum cui dorso incumbat homo F quae cum ita sint ab aquae pondere ipsi insidente nulla pars corporis luxari poterit cum aqua undiquaque aequaliter urgeat Which solution might hold if the question was only why the Body of a Diver is not pressed down to the bottom of the Sea But as for what he says viz. That the equality and uniformness of the Pressure makes it less sensible I am of his opinion for tho' in the Air the Pressure of it is not perceivable for a like Reason yet if ones hand be applyed to the top of a Receiver and the Air exhausted the Pressure of the incumbent Atmosphere will cause a sensible Pain And to shew that the uniformity of the Pressure and the firmness of the Bodies of Divers may enable them to bear the Pressure of the Water I shall add that having included a Tad-pole in an Instrument See Plate 4. Fig. 8. such as Fig. 8. Plate the fourth describes the Plug was so far depressed that the Air in the end of the Pipe was compressed into an eighth part of the space it possessed before so that the Pressure upon the Water was equal to the weight of a Cylinder of Water three hundred foot high yet the Tad-pole moved up and down as nimbly as before being not at all indisposed tho' its Body appeared to be compressed into less room than before CHAP. VII An Hydrostatical discourse c. ALL that is contained in this discourse being chiefly a Repetition of what hath been before delivered in other Parts of the Author's Works and now only repeated to obviate some Objections of Dr. More 's and the truth 's laid down by our Author in his Hydrostatical Paradoxes and Physico-mechanical Experiments being so plain and these Objections so trivial it would but be needless to encrease the bulk of the Book with what may with more Reason be avoided CHAP. VIII A new Essay Instrument and the Hydrostatical Principle it 's founded on c. Communicated in the Transactions of June 1675. The first Section Shewing the occasion of making this Instrument and the Hydrostatical Principle it 's founded upon A new Hydrostatical Instrument and its uses proposed HAving several years ago made of a Bubble with a long Stem to estimate the specifick Gravity of Metals by its easie or more difficult immersion with them I applyed it likewise to estimate the weight of other Solids by observing how Solids suspended at this Bubble would depress it variously according to their specifick Gravities It being a general Rule in Hydrostaticks that any solid Body in Water loses so much of its weight as a parcel of Water of the same Dimensions would weigh in the Air so that Gold being specifically heavier than Copper it must lose less of its weight in the Water than Copper because proportionably the Ignobler Metal possesses the space of a greater quantity of Water whose weight by weighing it in that fluid is lost in the weight of the Body suspended at the Bubble And consequently an ounce of Gold must cause that Bubble to be immersed deeper in Water than an ounce of Brass or Copper would the Brass by Reason of its larger Dimensions losing more of its weight than the Gold The second Section Describing the Construction of this Instrument This Instrument may be made of any Metal or other matter which will float in the Water without soaking it in but the best for the uses hereafter mentioned are those made of Glass tho' they are not so lasting as those that consist of Copper or Silver This Instrument is made of three Parts a Ball the Stem and that which holds the Pipe The Ball consists of two Metalline Plates each of the fashion of a Convex Glass and the Cavity within must be so large that the
one So that these have a much less specifick Gravity than Fossil Stones A third use of this Hydrostatical way of weighing Bodies Use III may be to distinguish several Species of Bodies into subordinate Species as the Load-stones of several Countries are different in weight for I have observed Norwegian and the English Load-stones to be heavier in specie than those that came out of Italy in which the Island of Elba abounds with Mines whereof one intire Mass weighed a great many hundreds of Pounds Fourthly Use IV This method may enable us to distinguish counterfeit Stones from those that are real and good since when they are Hydrostatically weighed there will appear a manifest difference not only in adulterated Coral but Bezoar and other valuable Stones Fifthly Use V By this means we may be enabled to distinguish betwixt genuine Concretes used in Medicine and those that are not genuine as also whether precious Stones abound more or less with Metalline Ingredients But tho' sometimes Stones that are transparent may not be so plentifully impregnated with Medicinal and Mineral Effluvia yet considering the Activity and great subtlety of some Pigments the latter may be as powerful And that every sensible part of a Body may be impregnated by a small quantity of Pigment will appear from the following Experiment viz. If five grains of Zaphora be mixed with one ounce and half of Venice Glass finely powdered and kept in fusion in a furnace with a violent hot fire it will give the whole a fine blue colour and if the proportion of the Zaphora be as one to six the Glass will be too deeply tinged to make a handsome Gem. And to shew further that a small quantity of Metalline matter may be sufficient to impart a virtue to Glass and even Gems I shall add that eight grains of the powder of a German Granate being kept in fusion with an ounce of Crystalline Glass it gave it a Tincture like that which Steel gives to pure Glass From what hath been said it appears how the proportion of solid substances to Water may be Hydrostatically-distinguished but since there are other substances which cannot be so weighed being either subject to dissolve in Water or not fit to be suspended by a Hair by reason of their form being either powders or liquids to make an estimate of these I contrived the Bucket formerly mentioned and represented in Fig. 00 Plate the first which being suspended in Water and counterpoised we put a known weight of Quick-silver in it by which means comparing its weight in Water with its weight in Air and dividing the greater number by the difference of its weight in Air from what it was in Water and which was thirty four grains we found the Quotient to be fourteen and about 1 10 so that the Mercury made use of in this Tryal was as 14 11 100 to 1 but common Mercury which is sold in the Shops we have found to weigh not above thirteen and a half to one and indeed I have found a notable disparity in the weight of most common Mercuries especially those drawn from Gold for the Mercury being combined with that Metal becomes heavier than common Mercury By the same measure we may know the specifick Gravity of any Liquors which are heavier than Water and which are unapt to mix with it such as Oyl of Cinamon Cloves Guajacum c. And by the assistance of the same Bucket we may be able likewise to weigh Powders and estimate their goodness if we put a known weight of them in the Air into the Bucket and pour in gently as much Water as will fill up the Pores contained betwixt them and be sufficient to expel the Particles of Air contained betwixt the small Parts of it but in all these Tryals it will be requisite to suspend the Scales of the Gibbet delineated in the preceding Figure that the Scale may hang the steddier whilst the Body is a weighing But since there are several saline Bodies as Sublimate Mercurius dulcis Vitriol Rock-Allom c. which cannot be weighed in Water in such cases instead of Water we may substitute Oyl of Turpentine which tho' it be of a different specifick Gravity from Water yet by carefully weighing a parcel of any substance which is genuine in that Liquor it may serve for a Standard to estimate the goodness of other parcels of the same substance by and it will be no very difficult matter for one well skilled in numbers by comparing the specifick Gravity of Oyl of Turpentine and Water together to know what proportion the Body weighed in Oyl would bear to an equal bulk of common Water Another way which may be taken to estimate the specifick Gravities of Liquors is by making use of a Body that will subside in all Liquors but Quicksilver for thus by first weighing that Body in Air and then in several Liquors and having noted the difference betwixt the solid and each of the Liquors it is not difficult to find the specifick weight of each and the proportions betwixt them And since it is but one solid that is compared thus to the differing Liquors whatsoever their Number is it will not be difficult to compare the specifick Gravities of the Liquors betwixt themselves and to discover by the weight of the first that of any other which ever one pleases But in making choice of such a solid Body as may serve our present purpose care must be taken that it be such as will not be subject to be consumed by Effluvia or too large for a tender Ballance nor so big as to require too much Liquor to cover it and lastly it ought to be of such a Nature that it may not be liable to be corroded by sharp and corrosive Liquors or easily broke but such as may be easily obtained that what Experiments are tryed with it may easily be tryed by others and communicated to Posterity The Bodies made use of in trying these kind of Experiments and which came nearest what we thought requisite for such Tryals was when we examined common Water Rain-Water Spirit of Wine Wine Brandy Vinegar and the Liquors drawn from it Cyder Beer Ale Urine Waters distilled from Vegetable and Animal substances Amber But to estimate the weight of heavier Liquors we employed a Glass-Bubble Hermetically sealed and filled with Mercury But this being both hard to be obtained and harder to be preserved I made use of the following Body in such Experiments as are to be recorded for Posterity viz. A Globe of Rock-Crystal which was suspended by a hair which passed through a small hole in it and which we employed to discover the difference of those Liquors which we could obtain greater quantities of but for others we employed an Hexagonal Prism with a kind of Pyramid at the end and this Body being of such a Figure we were able to employ it in small Cylinders in which a small quantity of Liquor would surround it and cover it
artificial Spaw whose Taste not only agrees with that of the Natural Spaws but it will like Tunbridge or the German Spaw turn a Tincture of Gauls Purple EXPERIMENT V. The Bezoar Stone being a Medicine of great use not only in malignant Feavers but the Plague and by reason of its dearness apt to be counterfeited I shall add the following way of distinguishing betwixt good and bad viz. by disgesting about fifty grains finely powdered with six drachms of Spirit of Nitre in a digestive Furnace for after they have been mixed some time the Spirit begins to dissolve the Powder and extracts a red Tincture which being placed in a North-ward Window about eight and forty Hours shoots into Chrystals much like those of Salt-Petre To shew that the purging or astringent Qualities of Bodies depend on the Disposition of the Patient as well as of the Agent I shall intimate that a certain Lady having eat a Toast with Cinnamon upon it was so violently purged for about two days that it brought Convulsions and a Spasmus Cinycus upon her which was not removed in three Years A Physician to whom I communicated several things sent me the following Account in a Letter from Dublin dated Feb. 27. 1682. viz. That he found the good Effects of Ens Veneris in removing the Subsultus Tendinum in a Febris Petechialis which was fatal to many for about fourteen Months The Method I took in this Feaver was if the Patient was costive first to prescribe a Glister and a large blistering Plaster between the Shoulders keeping it running 'till the Declension of the Distemper all this time I prescribed Emulsions of Aqua Aronis Card. Bened. Citri totius Syr. Gratorum cum Aceto Orange and Butter-milk Posset c. I avoid the use of all those things that quicken the Circulation of the Blood and I rather prescribe Blistering to prevent than cure Affections of the Genus Nervosum because the Matter being once fixed in those Parts they become ineffectual A designed Chymical Medicine Considering that the Menstruums usually employed in opening and preparing the Body of Steel were Acids I tryed to do it in the following method Having dissolved fresh filings of Steel in a warm place in a sufficient quantity of Spirit of fermented Urine highly rectifyed per se the filtrated solution had a taste different from all other Chalybeat preparations and being set in a cold Window in three days precipitated a powder of a green colour yet the decantated Liquor by Evaporation would not in the least Cristalize This Preparation hath effects quite different from those Preparations made by Acids and is much more agreeable to some Persons A designed Chymical Medicine That I might try whether a Metalline Sulphur might be obtained from Steel I pitched upon a Menstruum void of Sulphur that if the Preparation should yeild Sulphur it might not be suspected to come from the Menstruum Wherefore I dissolved Steel in Spirit of Sea-salt and upon Evaporation obtained very curious Cristals from which we drew by Distillation in a Retort a good quantity of Liquor which came over in the form of Steams which had a very Sulphureous smell which being rectifyed and mixed with Aqua Fortis would dissolve Gold and give it the colour of Silver which may intimate to us how much the Vitriols of Metals may differ according to the difference of the Menstruums which dissolve them since our green Vitriol affords Liquors different from that made with Oyl of Vitriol Besides which it may be worth while to note that though neither common or Roman Vitriol will dissolve in Spirit of Wine which is Inflamable yet our Vitriol would readily and here it will not be unnecessary to hint by the by that a solution of our saline Vitriol may not improbably be of use in Wounds being a very powerful Astringent and fit to prevent the breeding of Worms in Wounds disposed to abound with such in cold Climates But what we cheifly designed in this Experiment and what is most to be taken notice of is that the dry substance raised by the fire was distinguished by accidents into three kinds of substances First a Powder which when exposed to the Air turned yellow Secondly a deep coloured substance betwixt red and brown of Parts much grosser than the former Thirdly a substance of a shining red whose Parts were very fine and subtle The Caput Mortuum was changed into a Talky substance consisting of Lamelloe situated and connected much after the same manner as the thick Plates which make up Muscovia Glass CHAP. VII Experiments and Observations Solitary EXPERIMENT I. A notable Comminution of Gold into Powder that will sink in Water A Comminution of Gold into Powder WE dissolved a grain of refined Gold in Aqua Regia adding about two spoonfuls of Water to the Solution in which Mixture a small piece of Metal being suspended it in a few days afforded a deep coloured Precipitate which was so light that it was a considerable time in subsiding and as easily raised in the form of Mud upon an Agitation of the Vessel where it was to be noted that tho' upon an Agitation the Liquor at the first seemed Opacous yet in a little time it appeared to be of a fine Purple colour so that the Particles of Gold were so far divided as by being scattered through two ounces of Water to give a Tincture to it EXPERIMENT II. A Proof of the Metalline Nature of Granates The Metalline Nature of Granates c. In Confirmation of what I have elsewhere delivered viz. That the Virtue of Gems depends on a Mixture of Metalline Juices with the Particles of those Gems whilst in fluid forms I shall take notice that a Granate of a dark colour being applyed to a Load-stone it so strongly attracted it as not without violence to be separated from it EXPERIMENT III. I am told by an Ingenious Gentleman that he saw a flat Saphir in the East-Indies which had a small Cavity in the middle of it filled with a fluid substance which was not so apt to petryfie as the rest EXPERIMENT IV. To prove that Fishes hear under Water I shall here lay down a Relation which I received from an Ingenious Gentleman who in a Garden near Genoa observed the Gardiner to assemble the Fishes in the Pond together by a certain noise which he made EXPERIMENT V. To illustrate and confirm what hath elsewhere been observed concerning the various colours refracted by the minute and Parts of Solids I shall here note that a Globe of Rock-Crystal being sawn in two the new superficies refracted the Rays of the Sun so as to exhibit colours more lively than those of a Rain-Bow which were refracted this way or that as the superficies of the Stones were differently situated in reference to the Sun-Beams and the like Phaenomena succeeded the like Tryals with a Touch-stone Which Experiments may confirm what hath elsewhere been delivered concerning colours of Bodies depending on a
and if an Organical Body furnished with all the Parts requisite for the Preservation of Life be contained in so small a compass how minute must they be at the first since the Eggs out of which they are formed bear but a small proportion to them when perfectly formed and even comparative Observations tell us that a Mite being ten days a hatching the Rudiments of its Body at the first must bear but a small proportion to the bulk of that small Egg and to this I shall add that tho' these Creatures be so very small yet I have been able to discern single hairs growing upon their Legs Another instance of the Extension of matter minutely divided is this viz. We dissolved a grain of filings of Copper in Spirit of Sal-Armoniack pouring the Solution into a tall Cylinder four Inches in Diameter and successively filling it four times with distilled Water still pouring it off into a Conical Glass which being done and the weight of the Glass Cylinder deducted from the Joint weight of the Liquor contained in it we found that one grain of Copper was able to give à Tincture to 28534 times its weight of Water tho' its specifick Gravity is not half so much as that of fine Gold and if we estimate the proportion not by weight but the bulk of these Bodies the bulk of Water to Copper being as nine to one the aforementioned number multiplyed by nine will give us the proportion betwixt the tinged and tinging the Body so that one grain of Copper gives a colour to 256806 parts of Limpid Water and by prosecuting this Experiment further I found that it was able to give a manifest Tincture to above 385200 and a faint but discernable one to above 513620 times its bulk of Water To shew that the Effluvia of Bodies may enter in at very small Pores I shall intimate the effects of Cantharides held in the hands of some Persons and on the Neck of my own Bladder when applyed outwardly to my Neck And not only Scaliger tells us of Spiders in Gascony whose Virulent Poyson would penetrate the Shooes of those that trod upon them but Piso speaking of a Fish called Amoreatim and by the Portugals Peize sola he says Quae mira sane Efficacia non solum Manum vel levissimo attactu sed pedem licet optime calceatum Piscatoris incaute Pisciculum conterentis Paralysi stupore afficit instar Torpedinis Europeae sed Minus durabili Lib. 5. Cap. 14. And to shew that some Emanations even of solid Bodies may be subtle enough to get through the Pores even of the closest Bodies I shall add that a needle being Hermetically sealed up in a Glass Tube and that laid upon Water a Load-Stone would cause the Needle to leap up in it and by the help of the Load-Stone I could lead the Tube from one part of the Surface of the Water to another as I moved the Load-Stone And to shew that the Magnetical Effluvia of the Earth may penetrate so close and compact a Body as Glass I shall add that a Cylindrical piece of Iron being sealed up in a Glass Cylinder and held in a Perpendicular Posture it acquired such Magnetical Virtues as to become a North Pole and according to Magnetical Laws to drive away the North Point of a Needle but being inverted and held under the Point of a Needle it became a South Pole and attracted it Another Proof of the great subtlety of Effluviums may be taken from the small decrease of Weight by parting with store of such Emanations as Vitrum Antimonii Crocus Metallorum and Quick-silver the two first of which give a Vomitive Virtue to a vast quantity of Wine without growing sensibly lighter and so Quick-silver impregnates Water with a Virtue of killing Worms And a piece of Ambergrease which weighed about 100 or 120 Grains being suspended three days in the open Air lost not sensibly of its Weight notwithstanding the quantity of odoriferous Steams it must have parted with in that time Assa Foetida in about six Days lost about half a quarter of a Grain one Ounce of Nutmegs in six Days lost 5 Grains ½ and an Ounce of Cloves 7 grains â… And tho' Loadstones emit Effluvia without a sensible loss of weight yet I suspect that as these Magnetical Particles fly out of one Pole they enter in at the other and so make the Pores of the Load-stone their constant Thorow-fares To these Instances I shall add that a Grain of Copper being dissolved in a spoonful of a Menstruum and that put into a Glass-Lamp the Metal tinged the Flame which continued half an Hour and six Minutes so that supposing the Flame to have streamed through a Cylindrical Pipe so long that small parcel of Metal must be divided into a vast Number of small Parts for Water which ran through a Cylinder whose Diameter was but half as great as that of the Flame amounted to above Nine Gallons or Seventy two Pounds The last Particular I shall insist upon to shew the strauge subtlety of Effluviums is the great quantity of space a small parcel of Matter may be extended to and as to Sense possess it this we may be enabled to guess at by considering how long a Dog will distinguish the Scent of Partridges Hares c. after they have left the Place and will almost give one sufficient grounds to guess how long the Animal hath been gone from thence before And I am told that a Blood-hound will not only perceive the Seent of a Man that hath gone over a piece of Ground several Hours before but that the scent of a Deer will continue upon the Ground from one Day to the next And if we consider that the eighth part of a Grain can scarce be suppos'd to be left on the Ground where such an Animal hath stood and likewise at what distance it may be scented and how long that scent continues it will be sufficient to convince us of the extraordinary minuteness of those Parts of Animals which were rendered more apt to be dissipated in Effluviums by their having been first strained through the Pores of their Bodies Nor is it less remarkable that Birds especially Crows are able to discover the smell of Gun-powder at a considerable distance and that they are I am satisfi'd by my own Observations as well as the Relations of others And on this occasion I shall add That Julius Palmarius in his Tract de Morbis Contagiosis observes that Horses Beeves Sheep and other Animals have grown mad by eating the Straw that mad Swine have lain on which may give us Reason to suspect that the Feet of distempered Animals may leave an Infection upon the Grass they tread on But to prosecute the chief aim of our Discourse I shall add That since Corpuscles that are too minnte to be visible may affect an Organ of Sense it is not improbable but that there may be a great many which may be so fine
without making long and tedious Excursions applying it chiefly to Inanimate Bodies And first I shall consider 1. That the signification of the Technical Word Form is indeterminate since it is not agreed what is enough to determine what Forms Bodies are of it being not only disputed whether Water by being froze loses its Form or not But further several Bodies have no particular Forms assign'd to them as Ink Gun-powder Beer Coal c. Nay some Bodies consider'd in different Respects may seem to have more Forms than One as in Vitrum Saturni which is made of Lead it may be doubted whether it hath the Form of a Metal or Glass since it hath a great many of the Qualities of Both as Fusibility Transparency and Brittleness and will contrary to common Glass dissolve in Aqua Fortis yield a sweet Solution and may be reduc'd into a Malleable Lead by Fire so likewise Amel whose Ingredients are calcin'd Tin together with Salt and Sand and some burnt Copper will again yield most of the same distinct Ingredients yet the Compound had not all the Properties belonging to these Bodies But The Nobleness of Forms hard to be distinguish'd II. It is a Matter of Difficulty to determine the Nobleness of Forms This is not only evident from Examples before given but several others as Glass of Antimony is more apt for some uses than Crude Antimony and vice versa Again it hath been formerly a Dispute and may be a Doubt still Whether the Powder resulting from Gold and Silver precipitated be a Nobler Metal than Gold of which were a Spagerical Physician and a Goldsmith to judge the Former would value the Powder as much as the Latter would the Gold Again tho' Silver Soder be the Result of Silver alloy'd with Copper or Brass and of very great use yet it may be question'd whether it is not by that means render'd less valuable And tho' a Plant be petrify'd and for that reason valu'd as a Rarity yet is that New Form in it self less Noble than the former The most Noted Qualities of a Body denominate its Form III. Tho' several Alterations are made in Bodies by a Recess or Access of Qualities yet they retain the same Denomination and are said to have the same Form by reason of some Eminent Quality or Use which is proper to them For which reason Vitrum Antimonii is call'd so because it hath the Fusible and Transparent Qualities of Glass tho' it in other Respects besides its Vomitive and Purgative Properties hath Qualities different from Glass So all Unctuous Bodies as Oyl of Almonds Olives c. are call'd Oyls because Fluid and not apt to be mix'd with Water yet there is a great deal of Difference betwixt them and Empyreumatical Oyl of Guajacum or Box So likewise several Substances of very different Effects are reckon'd amongst Salts because they readily dissolve in Water and are very sapid so that the Word Form seems to be apply'd to Bodies on the account of some Metaphysical Conceptions and in respect of some General Use rather than Physical Forms by which Substances of the same Form are said to be of the same Specifick Nature and Virtue From whence it may be thought that several Substances are generally Class'd together as they are alike States of Matter rather than agreeable Forms As Water and Wine may be turn'd into Ice or Tallow and Mineral Concretes may become of the number of Substances which constitue Flame The Action of several Compounds depends on the Union of their Parts IV. That by Compound Bodies several Effects will be produc'd upon the account of the Union and Joynt-Action of their Ingredients These Operations by the Schools are said to be done Actione Communi as when a Man disputes vivâ voce the Rational Soul concurs with the Vocal Organs to the Forming of Syllogisms Or to use a plainer Instance as a Bullet acts on a Plane by Virtue of its whole Specifick Gravity tho' it touches the Plane but in a Point the other parts acting on it by the Intervention of that Or as in a Pair of Scales the whole Substance of a Man and all that he hath about him presses upon the Scale tho' he touches it but with his Feet But to use an Instance of the Concurrent or Actio Communis of an Organical Body the Effects of a Compound Body are like that of a Watch where if any Part be wanting the Complex Action so much depends on the Common and Joynt-Action of the whole that the Action of the whole is destroy'd Inanimate Bodies have Subordinate Forms V. It is agreeable to Reason to admit of Subordinate Forms in Bodies Inanimate Against this it is objected That one Body cannot have two Forms To this it may in short be answer'd That tho' a Body can have no more than one Adaequate Form yet being a Compound it may have several which are Subordinate to and Parts of that as the Parts of a Watch have each their own Forms which are Subordinate to the Form of the whole A Second Objection is That a Body having a Compleat Form whatever is Concurrent to it makes it Ens per Accidens To this it may be answer'd That according to the Schools the Soul and Body which have each separately distinct Forms being joyn'd make Vnum per se and not per Accidens and the Rational Faculties which are its Accidents are said to make Vnum per se So that thence by Parity of Reason tho' a Congeries of Accidents concur to the Forming of a Body yet the Operation and Property of the whole United being one it may as well be said to be Vnum per se Add to this that the Peripateticks have not scrupled to teach That the Forms of Elements are not destroy'd by being mix'd yet they hold each of the Bodies made up of them to be Vnum per se But it may be further answer'd That tho' a Form be compleat in it self yet the Form resulting from the Union of another with it may be far more Noble and perform things much more curious than before As when Sulphur and Nitre are added to Charcoal or when a Spring is added to the other Parts of a Watch where by the Addition of these Forms the pre-extent are not destroy'd but improv'd the whole in each Composition making one Compound Form A Superadded Form may modify the Actions of Subordinate ones without destâ—â—yâ—ng them VI. Sometimes a Superadded Form is Accidental to a Pre-existent yet it modifies the Operations of it without altering its Nature As a Needle which hath its Form consider'd as Steel besides its Figure as a Needle and by being touch'd with a Load-stone acquires several other Properties as to attract others and instead of its Indifferency to move any way regulates its Motion so as to point North and South of which Properties it is again depriv'd by being drawn upon the Pole of a powerful Load-stone But that we may
by Stool yet by taking away a thin Film which divides the Kernel into halves the Nut is as sweet as a Jordan Almond and has no sensible Operation Which Relation is also favour'd by Monardes under the Title of Fabae Purgatrices where he speaks of a Purgative Fruit brought from America from Carthagena and also from Nombre de Dios. And Vincent le Blank in his Survey of the World p. 260. Part. 2. gives an Account of a Golden Apple as bitter as Gall containing Five Kernels of an equal Bigness with Almonds whose Juice is sweet and he also relates That of a thick Film which encompasses the Nut in the Shell they prepare an Excellent Sweet-Meat OBSERVATION IV. Further Instances in Cheese We have also an Instance how Matter may be alter'd by a Variation of its Texture in Rotten Cheese which differs from the Sound both in Colour Taste Smell and Consistence In which likewise by a good Microscope we may perceive Clusters of Animals endu'd with Parts very differently modify'd and Qualities little different from Occult ones CHAP. IX A Continuation of Experiments concerning Forms and Qualities EXPERIMENT I. MIX a convenient Quantity of Camphire grosly beaten with Oyl of Vitriol and when it begins to dissolve and by shaking the Glass to mix with the Oyl it will first tinge it with a Yellow and afterwards a Colour not much different from Red which Tincture will be so deep as to render the Clear Oyl Opacous And from the Ingredients perfectly mix'd if in just Proportion may be obtain'd a Liquor void of a Camphire Smell yet by the sole Addition of Fair Water the Mixture will become Pale and the Camphire will again associate and form a floating Combustible Body as before dissolv'd and renew its Odour Several Phaenomena the Result of a Change in Texture From the Phaenomena of this Experiment may be drawn several Instances to our Purpose I. That a Light Body reduc'd into Parts conveniently Figur'd may be mix'd with a Body heavier than it self so that Gold the heaviest of Bodies may float in a Liquor if its Parts be dissolv'd and render'd minute enough by Aqua Regis From which two Observations we may Learn That the Textures of Bodies as well as the Rules of Hydrostaticks are concern'd in determining whether Bodies will sink or swim II. That several Colours may be produc'd by a Mixture of a Colourless Liquor and a White Concrete III. That those Colours may again be destroy'd and the former renew'd by Water which can neither afford the Colour it reduces Camphire to nor destroy that of the Liquor IV. That a Light Body emerges out of one much lighter which did not in a heavier Liquor which the Mixture was before the Addition of Water which may be an Argument against the Schools concerning Mistion since some of them assert That in Mistion the Elements depose their own Forms and put on new whereas the Camphire had not its Form destroy'd throughout the Process but still retain'd its own Qualities in a Disposition to be again united V. It is to be admir'd That Odours should depend on so slight a Texture that Camphire by a bare Separation of its Parts should lose its Scent and upon the Mixture of a Body void of Odour should again recover its Smell and that so slight a Texture as that of the Oyl and Camphire should as to Sense wholly for a time alter the Qualities of the Latter And that several of the preceding Phaenomena are caus'd by the Particular Texture of the Liquors made use of to exhibit them is manifest because if Camphire be cast into Spirit of Nitre well dephlegm'd it will not afford those Phaenomena which it does with Oyl of Vitriol And when to the Red Mixture above-mention'd two or three parts of Spirit of Wine were added instead of Water no such Changes succeeded but the whole Mixture with its Accidental Colour was dissolv'd by it being in Colour much like Red Turbid Wine So that the Colour of the Mixture was wholly owing to the Mixture of the Oyl and Camphire and depended on their Union which is further confirm'd because when we added a sufficient quantity of Water to that Turbid Liquor it presently depos'd its Colour and the Particles of Camphire immediately emerged in the Form of a white Powder But there are other Phaenomena which by a prosecution of this Experiment the Mixture afforded us For VI. Having kept the Mixture moderately warm in a Glass Retort and distill'd it the Liquor drawn off had a Smell unlike both that of the Camphire and also that of the Mixture And the Ingredients united in this Mixture were both Transparent in the Sense that Fluid and Solid Bodies contus'd are said to be so yet the Remaining Mass not only became Opacous but of a very Black Colour some Parts of it being not unlike polish'd Jets which is the more Remarkable because Camphire Chimically handled usually ascends in White Flowers leaving behind them a Caput Mortuum of an Agreeable Colour VII The last Phaenomenon this Mixture afforded us was That tho' Camphire be a Body very much dispos'd to dissipate and fly away yet by the Association of the Oyl it might be kept together so that the Caput Mortuum above-nam'd was able to endure a pretty hot Fire in the Retort before it was reduc'd to that Pitchy Substance lately taken Notice of And further it was Remarkable That Part of the Substance being taken out of the Retort and kept in a Red-hot Crucible for half an Hour it afforded a considerable quantity of Black Brittle Matter without the least Smell of Camphire Fixedness and Volatility are so much vary'd by Texture EXPERIMENT II. Diversities of Qualities depend on Variety of Textures Amongst the various Experiments which might be produc'd to prove That the Diversity of Qualities depends on the various Alterations of Texture I shall instance those afforded me in Copper and Silver by the Intervention of Sublimate where we shall have a Considerable Number of Changes made by the Recess Addition and Trasposition of the Insensible Parts of Matter First then Having put a Pound of Venetian Sublimate grosly beaten into a Glass Retort we threw in Copper Plates an Inch broad and about as thick as a Grain of Wheat so that the Ascending Fumes might by Compulsion act on the incumbent Metal Which being done we plac'd the Retort in a Sand Furnace and having adapted a small Receiver we continu'd a Gradual Fire for seven or eight Hours and at the last increas'd it to a considerable degree which was as high as the Furnace would permit The Effects of which Operation were the following 1. Very little Liquor was carry'd over into the Receiver but about ten Ounces of Sublimate was crusted over the Neck of the Retort The Retort contain'd two Ounces and a Quarter of Running Mercury and what was to be admir'd was the Acid Spirit uniting with the Copper left the Mercury unaffected 2. When the
Fire was increas'd the Matter beginning to Melt in the Retort made a Noise not unlike to Vitriol when brought to a Fusion in a Calcining Pot which Circumstance constantly accompany'd this Experiment whereas the same Experiment being again try'd we scarce could find either in the Retort or Receiver the least Running Mercury 3. The Lump of Metal in the Retort was heavier by more than two Ounces some of the Plates being too thick and yet retaining their Shape and Malleableness the others being changed into a Brittle Lump like a piece of good Benjamin which when broke was of divers Colours and almost Transparent 4. But this Lump being divided into smaller Pieces and expos'd to the Air in white Paper in a Night's Time it was Colour'd like Verdigreese on the out-side which by its longer continuance in the Air penetrated deeper yet the Paper which it stain'd was ting'd with a Green inclining to Yellow And here we may take Notice of the strange Subtlety of the Air which alter'd some of these Fragments so that they were cover'd over with a Powder like Viride aeris notwithstanding they were shut up in a close Box. 5. Here I shall observe That several Copper Plates off which Sulphur had been drawn had not their Shapes alter'd in the least but were colour'd over with a white Silver colour which penetrated the whole Substance of them being much more glorious within than on the Surface of the Metal so that we suspected the Sublimate to be adulterated with Arsenick but that it retain'd its Malleableness which Arsenick usually takes away 6. We thought it more considerable because the Venus of the Copper was so unlock'd that the foremention'd Transparent Substance would melt like Rosin and burn with a lasting Flame if laid on a Red-burning Coal or held to a Candle much like the Flame of Sulphur only more Green To these Phaenomena afforded by Sublimate and Copper I shall joyn some observ'd in the like Experiment with Sublimate and Silver We put ten thin Silver Plates into a well-coated Retort with double the weight of Sublimate upon it which when Sublim'd the Sublimate ascended into the Neck of the Retort in which was to be found several Portions of Reviv'd Mercury In the bottom of the Retort was a Lump of Matter which could scarce be separated from the Glass but was brittle and of a Pale Yellow and much of the same weight with the Metal In the middle of the Lump were contain'd pieces of Silver very brittle but not totally dissolv'd This Rosin as that of Copper when moisten'd by the Air was in 24 Hours cover'd over with a Greenish Dust but whether it were the Result of Sublimate working on the Copper which Silver is generally alloy'd with or on the Compound Metal I will not dare to determine Yet it is usual for Painters to make a sine kind of Azure of Silver by corroding it with Saline Bodies All that I shall add to be observ'd in this our First Tryal is that this Rosin when cast upon hot Coals continu'd flaming for a considerable Time the Colour of the Flame being very like that of Copper But for a Second Experiment we made use of an Ounce of Refiu'd Silver Laminated and cast upon double its quantity of Sublimate which by the violent Force of the Fire being partly melted we found in the Retort a Lump of Matter which in some places next the Glass was cover'd with a thin Plate of Silver the remaining part of the Metal except some small pieces being dissolv'd into a Substance neither like Silver nor any other Metal or Mineral In which process it is strange that so fix'd a Metal should by an Addition of a Fourth Part of Matter be so alter'd in its Qualities as also that a Mass of an Amber or deep Amethystine Colour some of whose Parts on he upper Superficies were of a light Yellow which on the lower ended abruptly in a colour not far from a Black one should be the Result of a Mixture of two white Bodies Nor is it less to be admir'd that a Body Transparent like Amber should be made of so Opacous a Body as Silver mix'd with a white Powder and that Silver instead of the Qualities of a Metal should become a Friable Body and when cut with a sharp Instrument like Horn as also that it should be chang'd into a Body apt to take Flame at a Candle which before was difficult to melt These Experiments being try'd To shew how much these Qualities depended on the Particular Textures of Bodies I took two distinct Urinals and put Gold finely Laminated in one and Refin'd Gold in the other with a treble weight of Sublimate to each which tho' rais'd in a Sand-Furnace alter'd neither of them But in these Experiments being forc'd to make use of a Sand-Furnace I could not employ a Fire so strong as I could have wish'd for which might in some measure alter the Phaenomena which our Experiment might have otherwise afforded But Before I leave this Experiment it may not be improper to give the following Advertisement viz. That a further Improvement might be made of this Experiment by making use of several kinds of Sublimates which might easily be obtain'd by raising several other Bodies up with Sublimate Of which I shall add an Instance for having Sublim'd a Mixture of equal Parts of Sal Armoniack and Common Sublimate in Urinals plac'd in a Sand-Furnace I obtain'd a Sublimate different from the former for Salt of Tartar dissolv'd being drop'd into the Common sort dissolv'd in Water turn'd it into an Orange-tawny Colour but chang'd a Solution of the other into a Liquor white like Milk To try the Effects of this New Sublimate we Sublim'd it with a Mixture of Copper in the Retort in the bottom of which was to be found a Cupreous Rosin which would as the other above-mention'd turn to Verdigreese But it is very Remarkable in this Experiment That the Sublimate was ting'd with a Blewish-Green by Particles of the Copper carry'd along with it and also that in the Receiver was found near an Ounce of Liquor ting'd with Copper From whence it appears That this open'd the Texture of Copper more Powerfully than the other Preparation of Sublimate The same Method is not requisite to produce a Body provided the Result be of the like Texture EXPERIMENT III. To make it appear That there are several Ways to produce the same Qualities in Bodies provided the change of Texture be the same I shall instance a Particular Experiment made with what the Alkymists call * The Preparation of Luna Cornea Luna Cornea Having dissolv'd Refin'd Silver in Aqua fortis and Filtrated the Solution we dropt Spirit of Salt into it till the Liquor would no longer curdle which being Filtrated through Cap-Paper we dry'd the Remaining Substance wash'd and clear'd from its Salts whilst it remain'd in the Filtre by running fair Water through it when dry'd it was melted into a
Mass in a Viol cover'd with Ashes and being preserv'd in Fusion for a little time afforded a Luna Cornea But if instead of dropping the Salt upon the Solution the same Method just before laid down be taken with the Crystals yielded by that Solution moderately evaporated they will shoot into Diaphanous brittle Crystals much different from those of other Metals endu'd with several other Qualities the Quantity of Salts interpos'd betwixt the Parts of the Metal weighing but a third part of the Compounded Mass In the Foregoing Process the following Phaenomena may be taken Notice of to our present Purpose First That tho' Acids and Alcalyes have generally contrary Effects yet both Oyl of Tartar per Deliquium and Spirit of Salt have the same Effect in Precipitating Silver which evinces That the Precipitation of Bodies is neither to be attributed to Alkalyes nor Acids consider'd as such But to a mutual Interposition and Texture of the Parts of the Matter whereof those Bodies consist Secondly It may be observ'd That Bodies Diaphanous and void of Colour may be chang'd into Opacous and white ones Thirdly That a white Powder may be turn'd into a Yellow Body in some measure Transparent Fourthly That Silver by a Mixture of Saline Parts may be render'd so apt to Fusion that it will melt like Wax at the Flame of a Candle Fifthly It is remarkable That tho' either of the Ingredients of this Mix'd Body would readily dissolve in Water yet the Composition would not Sixthly It is to be admir'd that a Body in Texture not unlike a piece of Horn should be the Result of an Association of two rigid Bodies Wherefore to be satisfy'd That the Alteration depended on the Texture of Parts of the Ingredients I made use of the Oyl of Vitriol instead of Spirit of Salt and found that the Concrete resulting from an Union of that with the Crystals of Silver differ'd from the former it being much more brittle and easily divided into Parts But what is more remarkable is That a Body compounded of one of the most Bitter and another of the sowerest Taste should be it self insipid or of a different Taste from either of them And it is yet as strange that Salts so fugitive and apt to dissipate in the Air as those of Aqua fortis and Spirit of Salt should by acquiring a New Texture put on such a degree of Fixedness as to melt with a Metal and that without the least perceivable Evaporation EXPERIMENT IV. Several Phaenomena in Proof of the Doctrin of Forms and Qualities Having made a Salt of very different Qualities from all others and which is so nice in the Preparation that it is as difficult to direct how it is to be made as to make it I shall rather chuse to mention what Phaenomena it afforded me The First Thing Observable was That tho' the Ingredients of this Salt were Eminently Saline yet the Salt it self was judg'd by a Stranger to be Sweet tho' it had a Sweetness peculiar to it self as every Sweet Body hath Another Thing Considerable is That tho' it be of an Inoffensive Smell when cool yet if expos'd to a considerable Heat it emitted Effluviums more strongly faetid than those of Aqua fortis Spirit of Armoniack Salt or Distill'd Urine whereas those Fumes being again united into a Salt became Inoffensive as before And it is further to be Observ'd That tho' all Volatile Fix'd and Lixiviate Salts are so specifically different from each other that being mix'd together they ferment and by that means destroy each other and unite into a Substance different from each yet this Salt is so powerful as to be destroy'd by none of them but being mix'd with any of them remains quiet and without the least Ebullition But to be further satisfy'd that it was different from each of the foremention'd Salts I try'd several Experiments by which I sound that it would neither turn Syrup of Violets red as Acids do nor green as Volatile and Fix'd Salts usually do and tho' Spirit of Armoniack Salt or Urine will turn a Solution of Sublimate in Water white and Salt of Tartar will give it an Orange Colour yet was it not in the least alter'd by this Nay tho' this Salt was dropt into a Solution of Syrup of Violets along with Acids and Alkalyes yet did it not hinder their Effects Tho' in Dissolving several Substances this Salt exceeds both Aqua fortis and Oyl of Vitriol And it is further Observable That tho' by a gentle Heat this Salt wholly Sublimes yet when mix'd with Liquors it does not fly away as other Volatile Salts do and tho' it be Volatile yet it will run per Deliquium as soon as any Salt can do and as present reassumes its own Form the Superfluous Moisture being taken from it add to this That by a gentle Heat it may be dissolv'd in a Limpid Liquor And it is endu'd with a Quality yet more Admirable for it will readily dissolve either in Spirit of Wine or Water or Oyls themselves whereas some Bodies which may be dissolv'd in Water cannot incorporate with Oyls or Spirit of Wine and è conversò EXPERIMENT V. Several Changes in Bodies may be effected by the Addition or Substraction and new Modification of Matter The Experiment which I am about to deliver I presume will be sufficient to shew That Considerable Alterations in Bodies may be effected by the Access of some Parts and a Recess of others the Remaining Parts being Modify'd afresh The Experiment is the following viz. Digest for some Time one Part of Sea-Salt with a double Proportion of Spirit of Nitre which being distill'd in a Retort till the Caput Mortunm remains dry the following Changes of Qualities will be observable First That it becomes an Aqua Regis and would dissolve Gold but not Silver yet would precipitate the Latter when dissolv'd in Aqua Regis Secondly The Taste is more mild affecting the Sensory rather like Nitre than common Salt Thirdly It becomes Fusible like Salt-Petre and like Nitre dissolves in the Flame of a Candle But Fourthly Tho' it be a Quality of Sea-Salt to resist the Action of Fire and of Acid Spirits to cool Inflammations yet a Lump of this Matter cast upon Coals flam'd like Nitre as also by an Addition of Charcoal when melted in a Crucible it wou'd burn with a lasting and splendid Flame which would again renew upon a fresh Addition of burning Charcoal But what I chiefly design'd in this Experiment was to turn an Acid into an Alkaly An Acid may be turn'd into an Alkaly which was effected by consuming the more Fugitive Parth of the Salts by repeated Deflagrations whereupon it acquir'd instead of an Acid a Lixiviate Taste would turn Syrup of Violets green precipitate a Solution of Sublimate into an Orange Colour and as other fix'd Salts would ferment with even Spirit of Salt which Alkalyzate Nature could not be suppos'd to proceed from the Charcoal Ashes because the
what it had before But to render our present Experiment more instructive I shall add another Attempt to sublime Gold after the following Method Having then dissolved laminated Gold in some of the above mentioned Menstruum we drew it off in a Retort placed in a Sand-Furnace by which means a considerable Quantity of Gold was elevated and either fell into the Receiver in the Form of a Golden coloured Liquor or shot into red Crystals like Rubies in the Neck of the Retort which in the Air would run per Deliquium Where we are to observe that by a new Affusion of the Menstruum upon the remaining Calx more of itwould still be elevated by Distillation But to make this Experiment more serviceable it will be necessary to Note that upon pouring running Mercury into this elevated Tincture the Particles of it were immediately Guilded and by degrees the Mercury being kept in Motion the whole Liquor lost it's Tincture which being decanted and the Guilded Mercury with a good Quantity of Borax Melted in a Crucible the elevated Gold was reduced into a Mass which evinces what I just now taught viz. that a Liquor might be Tinctured by having the Parts of that Body from whence it received it's Tincture conveniently interwoven in it's Texture without being wholly destroyed And here I think it seasonable to advertise that having elsewhere mentioned a Volatile Gold in some Oars where none of that Metal is to be found I would be understood to mean it Volatile in no other Sense than the foregoing Sublimation intimates viz. that it's Volatility depends on a mixture of Volatile Parts which carry it along with them when dissolved into very minute Parts so as to be capable of Swimming in that Vehicle EXPERIMENT VIII How so hard a Body as Silver c. may become a sowre substance by an alteration of Texture Having dissolved an Ounce of refined Silver in Aqua Fortis and permitted it to Crystalize we found that the Silver by the addition of Acid Salts was increased in weight several Drachms which distilled in a Retort with such a degree of heat as made the Retort red hot yielded a Phlegm eminently Sower Which shews that a very Bitter Body may yield a substance of a quite different Taste For the Liquor being cold in the Receiver Smoaked as well as Smelt and Tasted like Aqua Fortis and by corroding Copper turned it into a Bleuish Colour After wards we made a Solution of Minium in Aqua Fortis and having by Filtration and Evaporation procured a Saccharum Saturni we Distilled it in a well coated Retort over a naked Fire and obtained an offensive Acid which had the Smell of Aqua Fortis which being put upon Minium bubbled and making a considerable noise presently afforded a Liquor from which might easily be obtained a true Sugar of Lead Where it is observable that the Caput mortuum was neither Sweet as before Distillation nor Sower as the Body drawn from it but insipid and easily reducible by Fusion into a malleable Lead Phaenomena to be observed in this Experiment In which Experiments the following Phaenomena are also Remarkable First that the Salt which encreased the Silver in weight no more than a third or fourth Part was able to Sublime the greatest Part of that fixed Body Secondly that the Parts of the same Liquor being mixed with three several Metals may produce as many different Tastes tho' the same Aqua Fortis should be successively made use of in those three Experiments and howsoever varied in respect of Order in the Tryal And here we are to observe likewise that Part of the Distilled Spirit of Nitre being poured on the Caput Mortuum of Saccharum Saturni turned some Parts of it into a Vitriol and another Part of it being poured upon Filings of Silver the Silver being partly dissolved with a hissing Noise was Coagulated into a Bitter Salt EXPERIMENT IX Because Transmutation of Bodies whose Textures are esteem'd Primordial as those of the Elements and which are found to be Ingredients of most Compositions here below will be a further Confirmation of the Possibility of Altering the Textures of other Bodies I shall subjoyn what Progress I have made in order to turn Water into Earth A Transformation of Water into Earth Having therefore in a Glass Vessel distill'd Fair rain-Rain-Water and several times re-distill'd it again we found that after every Distillation there was a considerable Quantity of white Earth remaining at the bottom of the Vessel which was more plentifully afforded in the latter Distillations than the first and therefore we had the greater Reason to believe it could be nothing else but a certain quantity of Water turn'd into Earth which afforded the following Phanomena viz. 1. Being put into a Microscope in the Sun-Beams Phaenomena exhibited it appear'd to consist of Parts exceeding fine which were as fine in the Microscope as Hair-powder usually is to the Eye yet not in the least Transparent 2. Being mix'd with Water it turn'd it into a whitish Colour as the Powder of white Marble usually does yet being settled in the Bottom it remain'd undissolv'd 3. After it had lain a considerable time in a Red-hot Crucible it was neither diminish'd in quantity nor did it in the least smoke 4. It exceeded Water in weight so as to be equal to twice its Bulk of Common Water being almost as heavy as Wood-ashes freed from their Salts which to its Bulk of Water is as 1 to 2 â…™ which does not much come short of the weight of white Glass which is twice and a half heavier than its weight of Water So that from these Phaenomena we had Reason to term the Foremention'd white Substance Earth considering likewise its fixedness and other Qualities But further it is to be Observ'd That the Glass in which it was distill'd was not in the least damag'd by this Process as also That an Ounce of Water yielded six Drachms of Powder Water almost wholly convertible into Earth a considerable quantity of Water still remaining behind So that this Experiment is no small Confirmation of our Hypothesis For if Elements themselves may be Transmuted and Artificially Destroy'd by an Alteration of the Texture of their Parts why may not Considerable Changes be effected also in other Bodies by a Local Motion and a New Manner and Form of Union of Parts of different Figures and Sizes since in this Experiment the Parts of Water being modify'd a-new form a Solid Body of very different Qualities from what belong'd to it before as want of Transparency Solidity c. How Water acquires the Form of a Solid Powder As for the Manner of its being so modify'd anew it may easily be conceiv'd That the Parts of Water being put into Motion and rubbing upon one another by violent Occursions might be so alter'd and adapted as to stick together and to form several little Moleculae which being more condens'd and consequently heavier than Water
could no longer swim in it but obtain'd the several New Qualities before mention'd And that the Change was thus effected we have Reason to believe since by a bare Circulation in a just Degree of Heat Quick-Silver will assume the Form of a Powder which will not with so much ease be rais'd by the Fire as the Mercury it self but this will be further illustrated by the Tenth Experiment Inferences drawn against the Doctrin of the Chymists Therefore to draw Inferences from this Experiment which may disfavour the Hypostatical Principles of the Chymists If Water be capable of being chang'd into Earth by the same Reason the other Ingredients of Bodies may and in the Analization of Bodies there may be a Transmutation of Substances as well as a Separation of Pre-existent Principles From hence also may be brought strong Arguments against Helmont who because he boasted of an Alkahest which he says would turn all Bodies into a Liquor therefore concluded all Bodies were made of Water for by the same Reason I might say All Bodies are made of Earth because Water may be turn'd into Earth So that tho' he should turn all Bodies into Water yet that Water being again capable of being disguised it would only shew That Water and Earth may be mutually Transmuted by a successive Change of Texture But to leave these Reflections I shall mention some Scruples concerning this Transmuted Powder which I could not have time to satisfy my self in As Whether the Water Remaining was lighter than before Distillation Whether the Particles of Insipid Bodies may act as Menstruums in the Dissolution of others not but that they may be so chang'd in the Vessels of Plants as to become sharp and powerfully penetrating Whether the Weight of the Glass-Vessel was diminish'd by this Experiment I should likewise be willing to be satisfy'd Whether Water it self be truly a Homogeneous Body which if it be it will be strange that without the help of a Plastick Power or Seminal Principle it should be so transmuted since that a bare Convention of the Particles of a Fluid into a Concrete should alter their Specifick Gravity is hard if not impossible to be parallell'd by Art But in this Experiment it is further Remarkable That Oyl of Vitriol pour'd upon this Powder would corrode it and that by an Effusion of Spirit of Salt there was rais'd a considerable Ferment as when Spirit of Salt is put upon Lapis Stellaris So that I suspected the Rain-water might be impregnated with some of the Sandy Parts of Glass dissolv'd by the help of the Fire and actuating the Particles of it but this Suspition was partly taken off because I had observ'd the like Ebullition upon a Mixture of Spirit of Salt with Wood-ashes which were clear'd of their Salts in Boyling Water But to conclude this Experiment we may further reflect upon the fore-going Suspitions that if the Body of the Glass-Vessel were in the least dissolv'd in this Operation it will be a powerful Instance of the Force of Insipid Menstruums and it will be no less a Confirmation of the Doctrin of Forms and Qualities before deliver'd that Water it self is subject to undergo such considerable Changes as this Experiment shews it is I might produce a great deal more on this Occasion to corroborate what I have deliver'd concerning Transmutations but I shall only add that I as well as two several Persons whom I employ'd have without the Addition of any thing obtain'd from Spirit of Wine which was wholly inflammable a considerable Quantity of Phlegm and that too without its being affected by any Visible Body EXPERIMENT X. Consider able Changes may be wrought in Bodies by Mixture and the Texture thence resulting To conclude this Chapter I shall add an Experiment to shew what sudden Productions and Alterations of Qualities may be effected by a Coalition of the smallest number of Ingredients generally taken for Homogeneous Bodies from whence it will appear That the Changes of Bodies in themselves considerable may be effected by very easy Mixtures viz. Having by Degrees mix'd an equal weight of Spirit of Wine and Oyl of Vitriol together and plac'd them in a Bolt-head stopp'd close with hard Wax and a Cork digest the Mixture in a Moderate Heat for some time then pour it out into a Glass Cucurbit luting on a Head and a Receiver to preserve the Subtle Spirits from flying away then with a moderate Heat draw off the Spirit of Wine till the Drops begin to come over-sowrish then shift the Receiver and carefully go on with the Distillation increasing the Fire till as much is drawn off as you can keeping the Substance remaining in the Cucurbit in a Glass well stopp'd and secure from the Air. The Phaenomena exhibited by this Experiment were the following First That the Spirit first drawn from these two Inodorous Bodies was endow'd with a Smell different from all others and parts tho' pleasant and fragrant yet very subtle and penetrating Secondly That the Liquor drawn off last had a very strong Sulphureous Smell which stunk and affected the Sensory so powerfully that it would almost take away one's Breath Thirdly This Mixture yielded a Liquor which would mix with neither of the former yet was very subtle pleasant and Aromatical Fourthly The Substance remaining in the Bottom of the Vessel was Opacous and almost as black as Jet and withal very brittle Fifthly And tho' it was made up of two Liquors the one corrosive and the other inflammable and both of very pungent Tastes yet was it void of Taste and could not without great difficulty if at all be brought to burn Sixthly Neither would it be mix'd for some Days with Water tho' the Oyl and Spirit readily diffuse themselves in that Liquor besides it was of so very fix'd a Nature that it would not be rais'd by a strong and lasting Fire tho' both Oyl and Vitriol and Spirit of Wine be extreamly Volatile And now Having thus in short laid down these Experiments as sufficient Proof of the Doctrin before deliver'd I shall conclude with this Reflection viz. That in all the Changes and Alterations that have been effected by Art it appears that they are so far from depending on the Imaginary Substantial Forms of the Schools that they evidently appear to be the sole Effects of Local Motion so altering the Figures and Sizes of the Minute parts of Bodies or otherwise transposing them as upon a fresh Association and Coalition of them to form New Concretes of Textures very different from the former And if Motion Bulk and Shape together with peculiar Textures be enough to cause so many different Phaenomena as have been laid down there is no Reason why other Qualities may not be produc'd by the same Fertile Principles since all the Difference betwixt the Works of Nature and Art in altering the Forms of Natural Bodies lies in this viz. That in the Works of Nature Active and Passive Bodies casually meet together and
in the Latter the different Substances concern'd in every New Production are brought together by an Artist for in both the Agent acts as a Natural Agent CHAP. X. An Experiment with some Considerations touching the differing Parts and Redintegration of Salt-Petre SALT-PETRE is a Concrete so universally concern'd in the Composition of most Bodies that it will be of no small Import to Natural Philosophy to enquire throughly into the Nature of it which will in some Measure appear by considering how many Substances may be drawn from it or turn'd into it which will be briefly intimated in the following Experiment An Attempt to redintegrate the Form of Salt-Petre Having according to the usual Method Crystaliz'd Nitre we melted four Ounces of it in a Crucible into a Limpid Liquor throwing in Live-Coals successively till it would kindle and fulminate no longer and continuing it in a strong Fire a considerable time to dissipate the remaining Volatile Parts and then breaking the Crucible we divided the fix'd Nitre immediately into two Portions one of which being dissolv'd in as much Water as was sufficient we drop'd in Spirit of Salt-Petre till the Ebullition rais'd by the Mixture of these Liquors wholly ceas'd and then filtrating the mix'd Liquor we expos'd it to the Air in an open Glass-Viol and on the other Part undissolv'd we likewise dropt the same Spirit till the Firmentation ceas'd exposing it to the Air in an open Glass-Jar In the former Mixture wherein the Water was put in a few Hours certain Crystals of Salt-Petre stuck to the Lower Parts of the Glass amongst which were several other Crystals like Mustard-seed encompass'd with a downy Substance The Crystals the next Day being considerably greater were taken out and both by their Burning and Shape appear'd to be Nitrous Nitrous Salts being furnish'd with flat Sides which when opposite are usualy parallel and as for that downy Matter which adhered to some of them we judg'd it to proceed from the Disproportion of the Volatile and Fix'd Parts of the Nitre which were to be joyn'd together a-new These things being observ'd we pour'd the remaining Liquor into an open Glass-Vessel which in about three Weaks-time being again Saturated with Petre we pour'd it from the Salt and evaporated it in a Digesting Furnace The other Mixture which was only fix'd Nitre and Spirit of Salt-Petre for the most part presently Subsided in the Form of a Salt which when dry'd in the Air was of very irregular Figures and in some Parts not much different in Shape from Salt-Petre which it also much resembled in Burning tho' the Deflagration was in some measure peculiar to it self But this Salt together with the Liquor swimming upon it being preserv'd in the Air for about a Month longer after Evaportion the one half shot into Crystals which burnt much like Petre and had a Similar Figure tho' a different Taste and the other half being speedily exhaled shot into Crystals of a distinct Figure from all others Cautions to be observ'd in the Foregoing Experiment Now to make this Experiment clearer the following Things are to be observ'd 1. That in Fixing the Nitre New-Coals are not to be cast into the Crucible till the former are almost spent or be thrown out by the violent Exhalations of Nitrous and Volatile Parts 2. That the Quantity of Spirit of Nitre dropp ' upon the Fix'd Nitre was almost proportionable to the Salt-Petre spent in the Fixing of it 3. That this Fix'd Nitre was very little different in Taste from Salt of Tartar had the same aptness to Absorb Air and to relaxate in moist Air Yet it differ'd in Colour being betwixt a Blue and a Green One which it lost upon the Affusion of Spirit of Nitre Another Method of Reuniting the Parts of Salt-Petre But this Method being tedious I shall propose a Way more expeditions which is this Having run Fix'd Nitre per deliquium and by Filtration separated it from its Faces we dropp'd upon the Liquor Spirit of Nitre which after a Ferment usual to a Mixture of those Liquors presently shot into Crystals in Shape as well as Nature manifestly Nitrous A Third Method Another way we took was this Having Impregnated a Solution of Fix'd Nitre in Water with Spirit of Nitre and filtrated it through Cap-Paper the Cool Liquor in a short time shot into Crystals like those of Petre and the Liquor being again Evaporated afforded a fresh Quantity of Crystals not unlike the former But lest the Sal-Petre re-produc'd by the Coalition of these two Bodies should be thought to lodge in the Fix'd Nitre and only to be unyok'd by their Solution it is requisite to annex That the greatest Quantity that can be suppos'd to remain in the Fix'd Nitre would not amount to such a Quantity as that Mixture affords And to make the Matter less suspicious we impregnated a Solution of Pot-Ashes after the same manner as we had done the Fix'd Nitre Salt-Petre obtain'd from Pot-Ashes Aqua fortis and Salt of Tartar which after Filtration and Evaparation shot into Crystals which 0103 0207 V 3 were very like Salt-Petre in Taste as well as their Deflagration upon Live-coals We likewise obtain'd a small Quantity of Salt-Petre from Aqua fortis and Salt of Tartar associated But to draw Inferences from the Foregoing Experiment from hence we may learn That the Sensible Qualities of Bodies may be accounted for by the Mechanical Motion together with the Figure and Disposition or Modification of their Parts And first tho' Salt-Petre be a Body inwardly and in it self cooling yet the Parts of it differently Modify'd in our Experiment being put together do immediately put each other into so violent a Heat that I could with much ado hold the Glass in my Hand so that Heat seems to be nothing but a quick Motion of the finest Particles of Bodies since it no longer continu'd in that Mixture than the Parts of it were in Agitation Upon the Mixture of these two viz. the Spirit of Nitre with the Fix'd there was likewise produced an audible Sound proceeding from the Percussion of the Air by the swiftly and impetuously agitated Parts of the Mixture A Sound like to which is produc'd by a hot Coal cast into Water or into melted Nitre in a Crucible tho' the Latter causes a Sound much louder Which Sound probably proceeded from the Percussion of the Air because the Motion of a Bullet or a Stick where the Quickness of the Percussion puts the Air into an Undulating Motion will cause a Sound as soon as that Undulating Motion reaches the Ear and it is further confirm'd because that Sound no longer continues than the Parts are violently agitated And here it is to be observ'd That the Sound produc'd by the Mutual Conflict ceases long before the Heat which is acquir'd by that Ebullition from whence it may be inferr'd that the same Intestine Motion of Parts which are able to produce Heat are incapable of causing
those Vapours which Swim in our Atmosphere A Transparent Liquor may yield a Liquor Diaphanous and another Opacous Having said thus much of Fluidity it may not be amiss to subjoyn one Experiment which shews how a transparent Liquor may be divided into two the one Diaphanous and the other Opacous Pour into a warm Solution of an Ounce of Quicksilver with a double Quantity of Aqua Fortis about half an Ounce or an Ounce of Filings of Lead being cautious that it be not put in so fast as to make the Liquor Boyl over the Event of which will be that the Lead will be immediately precipitated in the Form of a white Powder the Mercury running together again into a Fluid Body immersed in the Aqua Fortis And here it is to be noted that if the success of this Experiment be frustrated the Mercury may by degrees be again recovered if the white Precipitate be diligently ground for some time with Water Motion in the Parts of some Consistent Bodies But to put a Conclusion to this Chapter it is highly probable that not only Fluid but some consistent Bodies have their Parts in a certain degree of Motion whence as we may conjecture proceeds that Dust which is the Effect of Putrefaction in some sorts of Wood And it is not absurd to imagine that from hence Worms in Fruit as well as Magots in Cheese derive their Original And that there is Motion amongst the Parts of some consistent Bodies is further made probable both by that Turpentine which I have observed to Sweat out of Deal Boards and the growth and increase of the Bones and other consistent Parts of Bodies but more particularly in those of colder Animal Substances as Oyster-Shells Crabs-Claws and such like consistent Substances Having said thus much concerning Fluidity it might not be improper to take notice how by the Mixture of Liquids their Fluidity is sometimes promoted and also sometimes destroyed But since we shall have occasion sometime or other in the following Chapter to make such Observations I shall to close this Chapter add an Experiment which may intimate that the event of Mixtures is not always certain The Experiment is the following We Evaporated a Solution of Copper in Spirit of Nitre from whence we obtained a Vitriol of a lovely Colour We likewise dissolved one Part of good Tin in a double Quantity of Spirit of Nitre and tho' Salt-Petre as well as Tin be both Fusible yet this Metalline Mixture would neither melt on quick Coals nor in a red hot Crucible Whereas the Vitriol of Copper would melt with the heat of ones Hand though the Metalline Ingredients be much more hard to be brought to Fusion than Lead or even Silver it self and we have sometimes obtained such a Vitriol as might be preserved in a Fluid Form by the Languid heat of the Sun in Winter either with Spirit of Nitre or a certain Aqua Fortis From whence it appears that the Textures of Compositions are to be considered as well as the Particular Consistence of the Ingredients CHAP. XII Experiments concerning the Superficial Figures of Fluids Especially of Liquors Contiguous to other Liquors COnsidering that the greatest Part of the Universe is made of Fluid Bodies especially if according to the Cartesian Hypothesis the Sun and fixt Stars consist of Fluids it may not be amiss to illustrate what we have only hinted at in the foregoing Chapter For the following Experiments made about the superficial Figures of Fluid Bodies may not a little contribute to illustrate as well what hath been before delivered as what hath been said concerning the Pores of Fluid Bodies besides they may be of no small use in accounting for several Phaenomena belonging to the Grand System of the World EXPERIMENT I. and II. The Figure of the Surface of a Nitrous Liquor To try whether the concave Surface of Fluids contained in a Pipe was wholly to be attributed to the Pressure of the Contiguous Air I poured Dephlegmed Spirit of Wine upon a strong Alkalizate Menstrum which was made of fixed Nitre run per deliquium in a moist Celler and contained in a Cylinder of Glass of about a quarter of an Inch Diameter I found that the Menstrum changed it's concave for a horizontal Superficies and the like succeeded in a Glass of a much greater Diameter And that Superficial Cavity was likewise almost destroyed by pouring on Oyl of Turpentine instead of Spirit of Wine EXPERIMENT III. Of Water If instead of the former Liquor common Water was put into the Glass Cylinder it retained it's former Surface tho' Oyl of Turpentine Swam upon it instead of Spirit of Wine EXPERIMENT IV. To try what Surface would be made by an Oyl heavier than Water Of Oyl of Turpentine by being contiguous to it I put pure Oyl of Turpentine into a Glass Cylinder and found that the Concave Superficies which it had whilst the Air was Contiguous became Convex and protuberant upon an Affusion of Water EXPERIMENT V. The Superficies of a Solution of Tartar c. Again having put Salt of Tartar deliquated into a Glass Cylinder and poured Oyl of Guajacum upon it we found that the Concave Superficies was not altred as it was by Oyl of Turpentine And having gently poured Water upon these two the Oyl of Guajacum Swam betwixt the Water and the Oyl of Tartar having a Convex Superficies at each end that next the Oyl of Tartar being most protuberant EXPERIMENT VI. Of Oyl of Cloves Having likewise put Oyl of Cloves into a Glass Cylinder by pouring Water upon it it 's Concave Superficies presently became Convex and this Oyl being too heavy to Swim upon Water we poured some of it upon Deliquated Salt of Tartar pouring upon it likewise a little common Water which being done we found the Oyl Protuberant at both Ends but more at that which was Contiguous to the Water EXPERIMENT VII Again having put a considerable Quantity of Quicksilver into a Pipe of the same Diameter Of Quicksilver but much longer than the former we found that the Superficies of it which was otherwise considerably Protuberant was in some measure Depress'd when Water instead of Air was Contiguous to it EXPERIMENT VIII Of the same Upon tryal whether a greater or less Quantity of Water would alter the Surface of the Mercury I found that the greater the Quantity of Water was the more it was depressed tho' it did not always succeed But when the Cylinder being of a considerable length was filled with Water the Mercury Contiguous to the Glass was depressed to a Level having in the Center of its Superficies a Protuberance Semicircular and raised above the other level Surface half it's Diameter which Protuberance gradually subsided as the Mercury was drawn off EXPERIMENT IX The Surface of Liquors in Vacuo Boyliano Having conveighed two of the afore-mentioned Cylinders one containing Water and the other Mercury into our Pneumatical Receiver
we found that notwithstanding the Air was not Contiguous the Superficies of the Water was not manifestly altred by the Exsuction of the Air tho' the Mercury seemed sometimes to be a little more Protuberant especially when the Exhausted Air was let in with any Celerity But one thing in the Mercury which was observable was that upon the Exsuction of the Air several Bubbles seemed to rise in the Mercury and how much those might conduce to the mentioned Phaenomenon we leave others to try Again having conveighed another Cylinder into our Receiver which contained an Oyl whose Superficies when Water was poured upon it was Convex we found that upon the Exsuction of the Air neither the Oyl lost it's Protuberant nor the Water it 's concave Superficies From which Experiments it may appear what Effects the Pure Aether would have upon such Bodies were they remov'd out of this Atmosphere EXPERIMENT X. Though the Figures of the Parts of scatter'd Fluids and of condensed Vapours be usually Globulous yet those Observations being too Transient to deduce from them the Figures of the Parts of Fluids we tryed the following Experiment that I might observe something more Remarkable Having mixed Fixt Nitre dissolved into a Liquor by running per deliquium with exactly rectified Spirit of Wine and found that those two Liquors tho' shaked together would retain distinct Surfaces I drop'd Oyl into the Spirits which gradually subsided till it touched the Superficies of the Nitrous Liquor The Phaenomena exhibited by this Experiment were the following Phaenomena exhibited by a Nitrous Liquor and Spirit of Wine I. That if the Drops were small they retain an exact Spherical Figure being neither depressed by their own weight nor the gravity of the ambient Spirit the Oyl being much of the same specifick Gravity with the Spirit of Wine II. If an Aggregate of Drops were a quarter of an Inch in Diameter the Pressure of the upper Parts would depress the lower so much as to form a Plain on that side Contiguous to the Nitrous Liquor so that the Horizontal exceeded the Transverse Diameter in Length III. And if the Quantity of Oyl was greater it would so depress the lower Parts as to form an imperfect Hemisphere the lower Part of it having it's plain and horizontal Superficies parallel to that of the Superficies of the Nitrous Liquor IV. But if the Oyl poured in was moderate as to Quantity tho' at the first it would spread over the Surface of the Nitre yet by degrees it would be compress'd and be so raised as to form either an Hemisphere upon the Surface of the Nitrous Liquor or a Segment of a Globe or even of an Imperfect Ellipsis to the production of which Phaenomenon the Tenacity of the Oyl as well as the Ambient Spirit in some Measure contributed V. Tho' these Globules of Oyl would sometimes readily mix and associate when brought together yet for the most Part they would make an Impression into one another without uniting and again recover their former Figure when permitted to separate VI. It was not unpleasant to behold how if a large Quantity of Oyl was poured into the Spirit the Convex Superficies of it would acquire various Figures upon the Motion of that Ambient Spirit and if the Agitation was strong several Parts being broke off would form as many Aggregates of a Globular Figure EXPERIMENT XI Of Oyl of Turpentine Having put a Mixture of two Oyls one of which was drawn from Turpentine into other Liquors to try whether the Lighter Oyl would separate from the heavier with which it was incorporated I found that tho' it answer'd not my Expectation yet as the Quantity of either of the Oyls was prevalent the Mixture would either sink or swim in the Liquors it was put into And to the Phaenomena exhibited by Oyl of Turpentine it may be added That when part of it is contiguous to the Liquors it is put into and part adheres to the Glass the Superficies contiguous to the Water is of Figures too various and extravagant to be described EXPERIMENT XII Several Colours exhibited It is to be noted that when the Nitrous Liquor is very clear it will in the former Experiments be very difficult to discover where the Surfaces of the two Liquors are contiguous they both appearing to be one and the same Mass except some Dust swims upon the Nitrous Liquor or the Rays of Light fall obliquely upon it EXPERIMENT XIII Having pour'd a peculiar sort of Oyl upon a Deliquation of Nitre and Tartar ting'd with Cochinele I observ'd that by holding the Mixture in a certain Position the plain Superficies not only variously refracted the Incident Beams of Light so as to represent several vivid Reflections but the plain Superficies appear'd almost as convex as that of Quick-silver and it was further to be observ'd That it almost as strongly reflected the Rays of a Candle as a Close Specular Body usually does which Phaenomenon could not proceed from the Alkali altogether but might partly from the Concurrent Action of the Oyl which I observ'd to contribute to Refraction when mix'd with other Liquors but I shall not here endeavour to determine what was the Cause of the Foremention'd Phaenomena but in order to it shall observe First that neither the Confining Plain which separated these two Liquors nor the Superficies of the Nitrous Liquor was the Occasion of that Red Colour which the Flame of the Candle acquir'd Secondly the Liquor being chafed the uppermost would be turn'd into a Froth consisting of Bodies imperfectly Globular which in a little time would form a rude Physical plain the Upper Superficies of which would reflect the Rays of Light very briskly and when the Parts of the Froth became a little finer they would reflect the Rays of a Candle so as to represent so many pieces of Silver polish'd or a Copper Plate freshly immers'd in a Solution of Silver in Aqua fortis To which Phaenomena a Third may be added viz. That the confining Surface of the aforemention'd Oyl upon Spirit of Wine was not a little strongly reflective Most of these Phaenomena before mention'd were afforded by making use of Oyl of Limons instead of the former except that the Reflection was not so brisk EXPERIMENT XIV Of Oyl of Aniseeds Having pour'd Oyl of Aniseeds dissolv'd by a Moderate Warmth upon warm Water contain'd in a Viol I found that the Upper Surface of the Oyl as well as that of the Water was Concave tho' the Lower Superficies of it was very Protuberant and Convex and when it had been remov'd for some time into a Cold place so that the Oyl might be Coagulated the Convex Superficies of the Oyl was something less protuberant So that it seem'd to resemble a Concavo-Convex-Glass made use of for Dioptrical Purposes EXPERIMENT XV. It is not only observable in the former Liquor that the Oyl caus'd a much more vivid Reflection in a Fluid than Consistent Form but it
that the compact Texture of Glass may depend on a like Juxta-position of Parts since the Particles of Fire in the making of it may so divide the Parts of the Ingredients as to render them subtile enough for so strict and close a Union as is requisite to exclude Air from betwixt them for it is not only obvious That Air cannot penetrate the Pores of it when heated in Distillation but in blowing of Glasses where it hath not the least Vent through the Pores of it tho' impell'd with Force yet its Pores are fine enough to give way to the Beams of Light and Heat and likewise to the fine Effluvia of a Loadstone without damaging the Texture of it in the least nor would it be more absurd to conceive that the Parts of Salt-petre or Ice were after the like manner joyn'd together by a Juxta-position But to return to the Place from whence we have made this short Digression tho' from hence it appears that the Spring of the Air may contribute to the Cohesion of the Parts of Solids yet it is not altogether necessary since the same may be accounted for by the Air consider'd barely as a Weight for the Air being a fluid Body and pressing by its Gravity towards the Centre it must needs diffuse it self every way when resisted by the Surface of the Earth and consequently expand it self orbicularly by which means the whole Pillar of Air incumbent on it being virtually incumbent on the lower Superficies of the Glass whatever separates one from the other must out-balance that Pressure of the Air otherwise there being no Air betwixt the two Glasses they must needs stick together but it is not necessary that the contiguous Superficies of these two Glasses should be equal to the Horizon since if they be perpendicular the Sides of the Glasses have a collateral Pressure from the Pillars of Air pressing against them and consequently the Difficulty must be as great to separate them But to try more exactly How much the Pressure of the Air is concern'd in the former Experiments we took two polish'd Marbles as smooth as we could get and fastned Wires to the uppermost so that the lowest could not slide off the other Horizontally but if any way must fall Perpendicularly which Caution being observ'd we found the one would not only draw up the other but a Pair of Scales fixed to it with 16 Ounces of Troy Weight and to make the Experiment more compleat we found That when the Surfaces of the Stones were wet with pure Spirit of Wine the Air being by that Means kept from insinuating it self betwixt the Stones the uppermost would not only draw up the other with a pair of Scales but an hundred and sometimes a hundred and thirty Ounces of Troy Weight tho' the Diameter of the Stones exceeded not an Inch and two Thirds But having repeated the Experiment with Oyl of sweet Almonds instead of Spirit of Wine we found that it took up above four hundred Ounces Troy Weight And that it may not be suspected That this Difference proceeds from the more clammy Parts of the Oyl which caus'd the Stones to adhere more closely I shall add That the contiguous Surfaces being held perpendicular tho' they would easily slide off each other when moisten'd with Oyl yet would they not slip down when moistned with Spirit of Wine without an additional Weight joyn'd to one of them the Protuberances of one perhaps being fastned in the Pores of the other But to shew That the Adhesion of these polish'd Marbles is proportionably greater as the Diameter of them is larger and consequently as they are press'd together by a larger Pillar of Air I repeated the same Experiment with Spirit of Wine and took up about four hundred and seventy Ounces but when I made use of Oyl of Almonds the Weight rais'd was much more considerable being a Thousand three hundred and forty four Ounces of Troy Weight besides at the same time the Marbles were observ'd to stick close together And here again lest it should be suspected that the Oyl made the Adhesion more close I shall relate this Observation viz. That tho' it requir'd so great a Weight to separate these Stones when their contiguous Surfaces were in an Horizontal Line yet would they easily slide one upon another not unlike the contiguous Glasses before mention'd and for the same Reasons and if they were the least inclin'd either this way or that their own Weight was sufficient to separate them From whence it appears how much the Air may be concern'd in compressing the Particles of solid Bodies together And lest it should be further objected That the Cohesion of these Stones rather proceeds from Nature's Abhorrency of a Vacuum than the Cause assign'd by us I shall add these Considerations First That if it were so the same Reason would hold when a much more considerable Weight is fastned to the lower Marble yet we see that then notwithstanding Nature's Abhorrency of a Vacuum they presently part Secondly That the Pressure of the Air is sufficient to account for it Which to make it more plausible I shall add that tho' the Stone were fastned to the Ground yet it would require as much Force to separate the Uppermost from it in a Perpendicular Line as to lift up a weight aequiponderant with the Stone and the Pillar of Air incumbent on it since there is neither Air nor any other Body betwixt the two Stones to help to raise the Lower up and in part to sustain the weight of the incumbent Atmosphaere and therefore it needs not seem strange that when the lower Marble and the weight affixed to it is not sufficient to ballance the weight of the Atmosphaere it should rise along with the Uppermost when drawn up rather than be separated from it since it is usual for two Bodies when joyned together to move the same way if they be not separated by Weights or some other Force which is observable in trying of Load-stones for if the Load-stone be able to raise a Body more ponderous than it self the Knife will as soon raise the Load-stone as the Load-stone will lift up the Knife To Illustrate what hath been said I shall add an Experiment registred amongst my Adversaria which is this viz. Having immerged a Glass Syphon with a Brass Valve cemented on one end almost half a Yard in a tall Cucurbite till it touched the Bottom I filled it with Water till the Superficies of the Water in it was equal to that in the Cucurbite which being done I took a pair of Scales putting an Ounce weight into one Scale and fixing a String to the other one end of the String being likewise fastned to the Valve fixed to the bottom of the Glass Tube where it was to be observed that by that single Ounce I was able to open the Valve whereas when the Water was poured out of the Pipe and it was immersed again the Valve would not be open'd
genere imprimis adamantina Saxa Prima acie costant ictus contemnere sueta Et validi salices ac duri robora ferri Aeraque quae Claustris restantia vociferantur And indeed the correspondent Figures of Bodies may be so numerous that the same Particles which before in two distinct Bodies were Liquid may by an Union have their Parts so interwoven with one another as to become Solid an Instance of which hath been given in the foregoing Chapter concerning Salt-Petre where by a Mixture of a Liquor distilled from Nitre with a Mixture of fixed Nitre run per Deliquium a third Substance will be obtain'd firm and brittle viz. a Saline Body To this I shall add another mentioned with a different design by Lully and Hartman which is the following viz. If two Parts of rectifyed Spirit of Wine be mixed with one of Spirit of Urine exquisitely Dephlegmed they will in a Minute unite into a consistent Body but in this Experiment it is to be Noted that the Spirits must be more rectified than those usually made use of by the generality of Chymists and I shall further observe that having my self had the Curiosity to try it I found that Spirit of Harts-horn well rectifyed would have the same Effects if made use of instead of Spirit of fermented Vrine And it may be fit yet further to observe that tho' there was such a predisposition in the Parts of fermented Vrine to Coagulate with Spirit of Wine yet the highest Spirit of unfermented Vrine being of a different Texture would not Coagulate as the former And it is further to be noted that if this white Coagulum was kept in a Glass well stopped for some Months by the means of Heat it would be Melted into a limpid Liquor those Parts of the Liquor which were intangled one within another being broke and dissolved so that the Particles of the united Liquors being again restored to such Figures as would enable them to move upon one another's Surfaces the Coagulum assumed the Form of a Fluid Body To this I shall subjoyn two Experiments which seem to have an Affinity with the former the first is That rectified Spirit of Wine by being digested with Saccharum Saturni prepared with Spirit of Vinegar so far changed its consistency as to remain in a Glass without floating as a Liquid when the Glass was inclin'd the Second is That by the Addition of a dry Body from whence nothing could be obtain'd by the help of the Fire to the Coagulum just now mention'd the result of this Mixture was a permanent Liquor But for as much as the fore-mention'd Experiment which produc'd the Coagulum upon the Mixture of Spirit of Wine and Urine is difficult to be performed since it is a hard Matter to obtain Spirits fine enough for such a pourpose I shall subjoyn a more easy one which is That if Spirit of Salt be added to the White of an Egg beaten to a certain Thinness the Mixture will be so much Coagulated as not to afford the least Drop tho' the Glass in which the Experiment is tryed be turn'd with the Mouth downwards for a considerable time And Sir Francis Bacon relates an Experiment much to the same purpose which is That if the White of an Egg be shaken with Spirit of Wine it presently turn into such a Coagulum as will not yield one Fluid Drop in a Minutes time and tho' that great Naturalist attributes the Effect of this Mixture to the Heat of the Spirituous Parts yet I rather think it the Effect of the particular Texture of its Saline Parts since other Salts which are accounted cool have the same Effect And not only so but tho' Spirit of Wine will Coagulate the Whites of Eggs yet it hath not that Effect upon the Serum of Mans Blood tho' the Heat of the Fire will Coagulate the one as well as the other But it does not only experimentally appear that a consistent Body may result from a Mixture of two Fluids but also that a Fluid may undergo such an Alteration as to be changed into two Consistent Bodies and this is evident in distilled Sallet Oyl since the Substance drawn over is devoid of Fluidity as well as that which remains behind and to make it appear that the Reason of it is the bare result of Texture and the hooked Figures of its Parts if we add to the Oyl a sufficient Quantity of Common Salt it affords an Oyl which falls in drops into the Receiver and retains its Fluidity And to this it may be added That by adding two pound of Brandy and one of Sea-Salt to eight Ounces of Oyl of Amber the Texture of that Oyl was so far from being so chang'd as to come over clear and transparent as Essential Oyls drawn off in Limbecks usually do To which we may likewise add That the Texture of Oyl of Aniseeds distill'd in a Limbeck and Refrigeratory with a sufficient Quantity of Water will by the Winter 's Cold be coagulated into a white brittle Substance tho' it continues Fluid all the Summer The Texture of Bodies contributes to their Fluidity or Firmness And to make it further appear how much the Alteration of Texture contributes to the Fluidity or Firmness of Bodies and to what weak and almost inconsiderable Agents those Effects may be attributed I shall subjoyn another Experiment which shews that the Particles of a Body may be sufficiently agitated to render it Fluid by another not sensibly hot for having melted coagulated Oyl of Aniseeds by the Fire and put it into two Glasses the one was congulated again in a short time yet the other continu'd dissolv'd being only cover'd over with a Menstruum in whose Parts there is no sensible Heat To this I shall add another of a much like Nature which is the following Having powder'd some of that brittle Gum or Colophony which remains upon the Evaporation of about a fourth Part of Venice Turpentine I mix'd so much of it with Spirit of Wine that the Liquor being wholly impregnated with it some part might remain undissolv'd which nevertheless had its Parts put into an Agitation sufficient to render it in some measure a Fluid tho' a Viscous Substance notwithstanding the Force of the Menstruum was spent upon what had been dissolv'd but tho' this Substance was kept in a Fluid Form in the Menstruum yet in the Air it would harden in a little time And in this Experiment it is likewise observable That tho' by a violent Agitation the Viscid Matter was mix'd with the Menstruum yet it presently separated and subsided again The Textures of Liquots contribute to their Mixture And this suggests to my Memory an Experiment which shews how much the Textures of Liquors contribute to their Mixtures with each other for tho' it be usually in General asserted by the Chymists That Salts and Oyls will not mix together yet I obtain'd an Opacous Liquor like Balsam in Consistence from a Mixture of an
equal weight of Oyl of Turpentine and Oyl of Vitriol And that it might more evidently appear that the Mixture of these two Fluids depends on the peculiar Texture of each I committed the Mixture to Distillation and obtain'd a gross Substance which seem'd to be that which united the other Liquors For as soon as this was drawn off the Liquors presently succeeded but separate one from another being not to beunited again by a Violent Agitation but so as to separate again and swim one upon another To this may be added the Liquor which we have mention'd in another place obtain'd by Distillation from Benzoin One Part of it always continuing in the Form of an Oyl and the other according to the Difference of the Weather either shooting into clear Crystals or preserving it's Fluid and Oyly Form To which may be subjoyn'd what we have formely taken Notice of concerning Salt-Petre which tho' when mix'd with Water it becomes Fluid yet upon an Evaporation of some Part of that it presently shoots in Solid Chrystals From whence it not only appears what a gentle Agitation of Parts is sufficient to keep a Body Fluid but from hence we may observe That sometimes Solid Bodies result from a Mixture of Liquids So Oyl of Vitriol distill'd with Quick-silver leaves a white Calx behind it and if we consider how Mercurius Dulcis is prepar'd we shall find that that Solid Substance consists for the most part of Quicksilver the Salts united with it being scarce one Part of three of the Composition And tho' Fluidity be opposite to Solidity yet may it conduce to the Production of a Solid Body since those Particles which lie in the Form of a Powder and are not in a capacity to unite may by swimming in a Fluid have the Opportunity of frequent Occursions so that their Motion bringing them often together they may in time be dispos'd to unite into one Body which is evident in Powder of Alablaster which if when it hath been boyl'd for a considerable time it be well burnt and reduc'd to the Consistence of a thin Pap with clear Water will become firm and admit of as well as retain any Form impress'd upon it by the Internal Surface of whatever Mould it is cast in Where that the Parts of the Alablaster are put into Motion and variously agitated in the Water is evident from that sensible Heat which for some time succeeds the Affusion of Water and this hath been sufficiently experienc'd by filling a Glass full of this Mixture which some time after it was stopp'd broke the Viol and harden'd into a Substance correspondent in shape to the Cavity of it several Spoons-full of this Liquor it was moisten'd with being squeez'd out at a Crack which was made by the Swelling of the Powder and this Substance acquires such a Degree of Firmness as to endure several strokes with a strong piece of Iron without breaking But there are several other Substances which may acquire a greater degree of Solidity than the Powder of Alablaster burnt for the Learned Hydrographer Furnier Hydrograph lib. 2. cap. 6. relates a Story of a sort of Sand in the Kingdom of Naples near Cuma and Puteoli two parts of which mix'd with a third of Quick-lime becomes a hard Substance like Flint when it hath lain or some time in the Water To which Relation he subjoyns That the Lime-ashes of a certain Marble near Tournay in Holland being cast into Water upon a heap of Stones petrifies to that degree as to change into a Substance as hard as Marble But to return to what we have digress'd from That the Variously determin'd Motions of the Parts of Matter contributes to their Union and Coalitions into Solid Substances appears from those Curious Salts which Spontaneously shoot and Crystallize in the Bottom of Spirit of Harts-Horn when it hath been expos'd to the Air for several Months For those Particles by frequent Occursions are by degrees so dispos'd to unite that at the length those Parts which are most apt to cohere meeting together they form exquisitely figur'd Crystals which adhere to the sides of the Vessel And it is not less Remarkable That tho' a Tincture of Amber drawn with pure Spirit of Wine for some Years continu'd Fluid yet at the last some of its Parts were so combin'd as to form little Parcels of Amber almost Spherical in Shape which adhered partly to the Sides and partly to the Bottom of the Vessel Solidity may proceed from the Interposition of the Minute Parts of another Body But there are yet other ways by which Bodies may become Compact and Solid as first by the Insinuation of Small Particles of Matter into their Pores and Recesses which may produce their Effects various ways First by driving out those Particles which being dispos'd to Motion hinder'd the Cohesion of the Fluid Parts Secondly by obstructing the Motion of the Fluid Parts And Thirdly by altering the Constituent Parts of the Fluid so as to render them unapt for Motion and inclinable to a mutual cohesion So the Particles which constitute Rennet by Uniting with some Parts of the Milk they are mix'd with link them together and cause them to unite into a Coagulum and that the Parts of the Rennet cause them to coagulate and that they unite those Viscid Parts and link them together is plain since it is a usual Complaint that the Cheese made where Rennet is us'd tastes very strong of it And that the Coagulating Virtue depends on the Saline Parts of the Rennet appears since other Acid. Liquors have the like Effect in Coagulating Milk as Juice of Limmons c. as also a very small Quantity of Oyl of Vitriol artificially mix'd with it To which I shall add That some Years past I prepar'd a certain Salt endew'd with Qualities not unlike those ascrib'd to Glauber's Sal Mirabilis which would not only like other Salts when dissolv'd in Water upon Evaporation shoot into Crystals it self but also would coagulate and Crystallize a treble Quantity of Water with them which would so far put on the Nature of a Salt as to become brittle and to be reducible to Powder A Liquor turn'd into a Consistent Body by the Addition of a Powder And it may not be fruitless here to subjoyn That tho' the Particles of Oyl of Vitriol be in so violent an Agitation as to acquire a Sensible Heat upon their Mixture with some Bodies yet I so alter'd the Texture of that Liquor as by a Mixture of a certain whitish Powder of my own Preparation to render it a Consistent Body In which Experiment it was observable That several Days after the Oyl was coagulated the Powder remain'd undissolv'd in the Bottom of the Viol so that the Coagulation seem'd to be effected by some subtile Effluvia insinuating themselves into the Pores of the Liquor To this Experiment I shall subjoyn another in which the same Effect was produc'd by leaving Oyl of Vitriol upon Crystals
and cool in another tho' cold Water dropp'd upon the hot Glass will crack it yet it will not have the same Effect on the Cool part of the Glass From which and the rest of the Experiments contain'd in this Capter it is apparent that the Parts of Solids are not so much in a state of Rest as of Tension and Compression To confirm which I shall add That an Experienc'd Artist shew'd me a Lump of Matter consisting of a great many Agats lodg'd in a Cement much harder than ordinary Stones which Agats he affirm'd would sometimes when taken out of the Cement endeavour to expand themselves so powerfully as to fly in pieces in a little time after VIII The Reasons why Languid Local Motion Prop. VIII and it's Effects are so much overlook'd is because we are too apt to take notice only of the Visible Impressions of one Body against anowithout observing the Intestin Motions of Minute Parts To prove this Proposition I shall offer the following Experiments And First Having turn'd a Key in a Brass stop Cock a considerable time till the Metal by frequent Attritions became hot I observ'd it at the last so to swell as to stick fast like a Wedge so that it could not be mov'd till the Metal was again cool And an Experienc'd Workman hath inform'd me that in making such Instruments before the Key could rightly be adapted to the Cavity it was to fit he was forc'd to cool it several times in Water to take down the Expansion effected by the Heat To this Experiment it may be added That the Parts of a Drinking-Glass will be put into Motion by drawing One's Finger round the Brim and that so violent as to toss several Drops of the Water contain'd in it a considerable height into the Air and a Drinking-Glass Artificially cut by a spiral Line being dextrously inverted and shaken will have its Parts so manifestly vibrated up and down as to acquire a quarter of an Inch in Length without any evident injury to the Glass And it hath been observ'd by one who made use of harden'd Steel Instruments to turn Iron and shake off the Protuberances of that Metal that in a little time it would acquire such a Heat and so lose it's Temper as to look blue or yellowish if it was not timely dipt in a convenient Liquor to keep it cool To this I shall add That having two or three times bent a Bar of Tin in my Hands backwards and forwards I found upon the Breaking of it that the internal parts had acquir'd a considerable degree of Heat From which Experiment it appears that Attrition of Parts without a manifest Percussion is able to cause a sensible Heat and that not only hard but soft Bodies may do so too I shall add the following Experiments to evince which is that an Artist having only rubb'd Optick-Glasses with Putree upon a piece of Leather to polish them told me that they acquir'd such a degree of Heat as sometimes to crack tho' I am not unapt to think that such an Effect might as well be attributed to a peculiar Motion of the Parts of Glass which were too violent since from the aforemention'd Vibration of the Parts of a Drinking-Glass it appears That they may be put into a considerable degree of Motion without Heat And that by a very easy Friction such Bodies may acquire a Tremulous Motion appears from the following Experiment viz. having suffer'd melted Brimstone to cool in a Vessel whose Cavity was concave I rubb'd the convex Superficies of the Brimstone upon a Cushion for some time and found by applying my Ear to it that the Parts of the Brimstone were put into such a Vibrating Motion as to continue a crackling Noise for some time after the Friction was discontinu'd To which I shall add That having rubb'd two Stones taken out of the Bladder together I found them to yield a strong Urinous Smell And not only Sulphur will emit Sulphureous Steams by rubbing it upon Cloth but Diamonds themselves will acquire a considerable degree of Electricity and I have one by me which if rubb'd will appear Luminous in the Dark And that it may further appear that a peculiar Modification of Motion may contribute to the various Effects produc'd by it I shall observe That those Stones which Italian Glass-men make use of afford Sparks of Fire by Collision but if moderately rubb'd together they emit faetid Exhalations from whence probably proceed those offensive Steams emitted by Glass and what is most remarkable and to our purpose is tho' Glass when Red-hot emits no such Effluvia yet if two pieces be dexterously rubb'd together they will send forth Steams copious enough and faetid And to shew how brisk the Motions of the Parts of inorganical Bodies are and how soon they communicate Motion to one another we need but consider how the Tremulous Motion of a Bell is continu'd successively round it and how all that time it communicates that Motion to the Air about it for that the Parts of it are so successively kept in Motion appears from that Trembling Motion which may be perceiv'd by one's Finger And it is further confirm'd because a Solution of the Continuity much deadens and causes the Sound to be much shorter And that the Air receives its Undulating Motion from the Impress of the Bell all that time appears if One's Finger or some other Body be apply'd to it which stops that Tremulous Motion And that the Motions in the Parts of the Bell are very brisk is evinc'd from what is generally affirm'd viz. That if a String be ty'd about a Bell so as to check the Tremulous Motion upon the striking of the Clapper it would break some Parts being more agitated than others so that the Disproportionate Motion compar'd with the Motion of the other Parts surmounting their Cohesion they must consequently fly asunder And As a further Argument that the Parts of the Bell are so agitated I put Filings of Steel and Drops of Water into a Hand-Bell and observed That upon the Impulse of a Key the Water shiver'd and the Filings had likewise such a Motion given to their Parts as enabled them to dance up and down But to put an end to these Observations I shall only intimate That from what hath been said it may appear what considerable Effects may be caus'd by the Unheeded Motions of Invisible Parts of Matter which are wont to be ascribed to other less Intelligible Causes CHAP. XVII A Supplement to the former Chapter of the Great Effects of Languid and Unheeded Local Motion TO illustrate what hath been deliver'd in the former Chapter I shall add the following Observations And First That the Motion of the Air may act on Bodies duly predispos'd at a great Distance appears from what the Learned Borellus De vi Percussionis Prop. CXI relates viz. That being at Tauromenium in Sicily about thirty Miles from Mount Aetna when it first broke out it was observable
observ'd upon Coal-Mines And I remember that an Acquaintance of mine shew'd me a piece of Land which was so powerfully penetrated with warm Effluvia that Snow would not lie upon it above two Days were the Weather never so cold which hath been confirm'd by frequent Observations except where Layers of Rock or some other Stony Concretes obstructed the Passage of those Mineral Steams To which may be added That the Steams near Gold-Mines are so copious in Hungary as to give the Leavs of the Trees a Golden-Colour But notwithstaning these Instances I am apt to doubt that there are several Parts of the third Region which by reason of their Remoteness from such Subterraneal Fires have not that Heat But since these things are but uncertainly guess'd at none having so great Curiosity as to be at the Charges to dig deep enough without prospect of Gain I shall rather proceed to consider That Whence the Unusual Heat in some Mines proceeds besides the foremention'd Causes there is in some Mines such a degree of Heat as cannot be accounted for without another Cause the Incalescence being so great as not to be produc'd without the Concourse of some other Mineral-Steams or Water to work upon and promote the mutual Actions and Operations of the Volatile and Active Parts of those Mines And that such Incalescenses may be produc'd in the Bowels of the Earth I have elsewhere observ'd And further That Immature Minerals such as Marchasites whose Parts are impregnated with Vitriol and Sulphureous Parts may by reason of their Aptness to be dissolv'd be able to cause such Effects we may be induc'd to believe because Vitriol hath not only been found in several Mines in Hungary but likewise such Strong and Corrosive Effluviums as were very offensive to Respiration and in a little time fatal to those that ventur'd to work in them And there is one thing further Remarkable That several pieces of Vitriol which were found in the Bottom of some of those Mines of a soft Consistence presently when brought up and expos'd to the open Air grew hard retaining several Golden Streaks in it But there is one thing here to be noted which is That in Groves which are very deep the Air is so unfit for Respiration as to want a frequent Ventilation so that the Miners are wont to sink an Air-Shaft as they term it some Paces off the Grove that the Air passing from the Grove to that by a short of Channel or Ventiduct which Agricola lib. v. and vi de re Metallica calls Cuniculus might keep the Internal Air in such a Temper as to make it fit to breathe in tho' the Mines were 200 Yards deep And Agricola in his Book de re Metallica gives further the following Account of the Course of the Air in these Cuniculi or Air-Shafts in these Words Aer autem exterior se suâ sponte fundit in Cava Terrae atque cum per ea penetrare potest rursus evolat foras Sed diversa Ratione hoc fieri solet Etenim Vernis Aestivis diebus in altiorem puteum influit per Cuniculum vel Fossam latentem permeat ac ex humiliori effluit similiter iisdem diebus in altiorem Cuniculum infunditur ac interjecto puteo defluit in humiliorem Cuniculum atque ex eo emanat Autumnali Hyberno Tempore contra in Cuniculum vel Puteum humiliorem intrat ex altiori exit Verum ea fluxionum Aeris Mutatio in temperatis Regionibus fit in initio Veris ac in fine Autumni in frigidis autem in fine Veris in initio Autumni To which he adds Sed Aer utroque tempore antequam cursum suum illum consuetum constanter teneat plerumque quatuordecem dierum spatio crebras habet mutationes modo in altiorem Puteum vel Cuniculum influens modo in humiliorem And these things may give us some Reason to believe That there are in the Earth several Periodical Changes in the Temperature of those Regions which deserve our Consideration But having several times enquired about these things I am inform'd that the Air generally goes in the same way both Winter and Summer entring the Air-Shaft and coming out of the Perpendicular Grove But to conclude this Chapter From what hath been said it may appear That tho' in some Mines the Earth seems to be distinguish'd into three Rgions yet generally the Temperature of the whole is various and uncertain And much more uncertain is it what is the Constitution of the Central Parts of it and whether that be divided into Distinct Regions or what is the State and Texture as well as Consistency of its Parts we must be content to be ignorant of since one of the deepest Mines we have heard of being mention'd by Agricola in his Book call'd Bormannus Cap. 12. was at Cotteberg which exceeded not 500 Fathom and if according to Gassendus the Semi-diameter of our Globe be 4177 Italian Miles what a Superficial Knowledge must we have of it who have not been able to make our Observations above 500 Fathom and that too in but a small Part of it's Orb. CHAP. IV. Of the Temperature of the Submarine Regions as to Heat and Cold. THE following Chapter relating to the Temper of Submarine Regions I would be suppos'd to mean by that Term not such as are beneath the whole Ocean but only such as are beneath its Superficies concerning which I shall not relate what follows as upon my own Observation but only as receiv'd by Information from others who have dived into them Submarine Regions two And First I shall only assign to this Element two Regions the One bounded by the utmost Penetrations of the Rays of the Sun and other Calorifick Causes the other extending it self to the utmost Depth of the Water The Temperature of the Uppermost According to which Division it will follow that the Upper Region must vary in it's Extent according to the Difference of the Climate and the Heat of the Sun supposing the Warmth of it not to proceed from Subterraneal Effluvia and not only in the Extent but the Temperature of that Region which may not only be vary'd by the Influence of the Sun but also by the different Nature of the Soil about the Shores being either Nitrous or Marchasitical as also by the Shallowness of the Water which may contribute to the Warmness of it the Rays of the Sun being refracted by the Subjacent Sands To which Causes may be added the Influence of Subterraneal Fire An Observation favouring which hath been made by Monsieur de Ponts in his Voyage to New France in the way to which he observ'd That in one Place the Water was very warm as well as the Wine which lay in the Boat tho' there was no sensible Alteration in the Air and that this continu'd for three Days whereas on the 21 rst of the same Month it was for 2 or 3 Days observ'd to be as cold
Qualities and stupendious Multitudes of adventitious Corpuscles which are mix'd with it Agitation requisite to preserve Sea Water from stinking But to proceed amongst the various Observations to be made about Sea-Water it is worth our Notice That if it be kept from Agitation it will in a short time stink which I have not only observ'd by keeping some of it in a Runlet for some time but also I am inform'd by one who in a Voyage was for some days becalmed that the Sea for want of Agitation stunk so much in twelve or fourteen days that the Smell was almost intolerable which continued till the Winds put the Water into Agitation Which agrees with what Sir John Hawkins hath observ'd who relates the following Story Were it not for the Moving of the Sea by the Force of Winds Tides and Currents it would corrupt all the World The Experience of which I saw Anno 1590 lying with a Fleet about the Islands of Azores almost Six Months the greatest Part of the time we were becalmed with which all the Sea became so replenished with several sorts of Gellies and Forms of Serpents Adders and Snakes as seem'd Wonderful some green some black some yellow some white some of divers Colours and many of them had Life and some there were a Yard and a half and some two Yards long which had I not seen I could hardly have believ'd and hereof are Witnesses all the Company of the Ships which were then present so that hardly a Man could draw a Bucket of Water clear of some Corruption In which Voyage toward the End thereof many of every Ship fell sick of this Disease and dy'd apace but that the speedy Passage into our own Country was a Remedy to the Crazed and a Preservative for those that were not touched The Saltness of the Sea differs As for the different Degrees of the Saltness of the Sea I shall deliver what I have been inform'd of as briefly as I can And First It hath been observ'd by one to whom I gave a Glass conveniently shaped to try the specifick Gravity of the Water that it grew heavier and heavier as he came nearer the Line till within about thirty Degrees Latitude from whence to Jamaica he observ'd no Alteration in the specifick Gravity in the least And in Confirmation of this I am likewise inform'd by one who for his own Satisfaction weigh'd the Water both under the Aequinoctial and at Cape of good Hope and found that the Weight of both was the same To which may be added that it is commonly observ'd at Mosambique one of the hottest Places in the World that the Sea is so salt there that it bears up the Ships a considerable Height out of the Water more than in other Places and that the Water may be much salter in one Place than another by having more Salt dissolved in it does not only appear from what hath been said but also from what is frequently observ'd in the different Strength of Brine-Pits But to pass from what I have learnt by Information to what I have observ'd my self concerning the Proportion of Salt to the Water it was dissolv'd in which I have observ'd in Sea-Water betwixt England and France The Proportion of Salt in Sea-Water The first Experiment I made to discover the Quantity of Salt was this that having in a Viol weigh'd an equal Proportion of Sea-Water taken up at the Surface of the Sea with common Water the Weight of the former exceeded the latter of forty fifth Part but these Liquors being more Hydrostatically try'd by weighing Sulphur in them that which in the Sea-Water weigh'd ℥ ss + 10 ½ gr in Sea-Water fetch'd from the bottom ballanced the same Weight but being weigh'd in common Water it weigh'd ℥ ss + 15 ½ gr so that the Sea-Water was a Fifty third Part heavier than the fresh the Difference in which way of trying it from what was observ'd in the former Tryal I could attribute to nothing but some grosser Saline Parts mix'd with the common Water or some evaporated Parts of the Sea-Water Another way we made use of to try the different specifick Gravity of these Liquors was by Distillation ad Siccitatem in a digestive Furnace in which a Pound Averdupoise Weight yeilded ℥ ss 10 gr of Salt so that the Proportion of the Salt to the Water was as 30 and 12 100 to one being near the Thirtieth Part. But suspecting that the Quantity of this Salt was much increas'd by imbibing Moisture from the Air I caus'd it to be dry'd in a Crucible and found it weigh'd ʒiij + ss which is about a Thirty sixth Part. How so much a greater Quantity of Salt should be obtain'd by Distillation is difficult to conjecture yet I am apt to think that it might proceed from some Parts of the Water detain'd from flying away by being enclos'd amongst the cubical Salts and this I am apter to believe First Because I have elsewhere prepar'd a Salt which would coagulate and embody it self with Water and Secondly Because I am told That a Sort of Salt is brought from the Coast of Spain which being here purify'd and dissolv'd will yield a double Quantity The Sea-Water salter sometimes than at others Whether the Sea-Water may at some times be more impregnated with Saline Parts than at others I conceive probable if we consider the Supplies that it receives both from the Earth which are carry'd to it along with Springs and also the sudden Additions it may receive from Subterraneal Exhalations but these Observations being very nice it most commonly requires other Measures than what Hydrostaticks afford for it may be observ'd That several volatile Salts which are of no considerable Weight above common Water may be mix'd with it without being perceiv'd so that one may easily be deceiv'd in judging of the Saltness of the Sea altogether by Hydrostaticks because that which violently affects the Taste may have but a small Influence in the Balance To confirm which I shall add That a Bubble of Glass having Metal in it weigh'd ʒiij ✚ 51 ¼ gr in Spirit of Sal Armoniack and but ʒiij ✚ 45 ¾ in common Water But further I weigh'd in the same Liquor an equal Proportion of Sea-Salt brought from the torrid Zone and Sal Armoniack and found that the Bulk of the former was to an equal Proportion of that Liquor as two and a quarter to one whereas the Sal Armoniack was not above a hundredth Part above one and 7 10 to one which is the more strange because Part of the Composition of Sal Armoniack is Sea-Salt But that I might be satisfi'd what was the greatest Degree of Saltness that Water would be impregnated with I shook a Lump of Salt in Water till it would dissolve no more and found that a Brine might be made so strong that the Salt would be dissolv'd in five times its weight of Water To conclude this Discourse I shall add one
compared with that of common Water will shew what Quantity of Mineral Substance the Water hath dissolv'd in it and whether Metalline or more Volatile as it is heavier or lighter where we are to observe that Mineral Waters are sometimes lighter than common Water partly because they are impregnated with Volatile Parts and partly because they are void of Saline Parts which makes common Water something heavier But to discover the different Weight of several Mineral Waters I caus'd a Glass-Viol with a flat Bottom and a long Neck three Inches long to be blown which was so light as to weigh but ʒvi + 42 Grains tho' it was capable of containing ℥ iij ss and 43 Grains of Water which made it more proper for a Nice Ballance by which I found the following Mineral Waters to differ thus in Weight Waters Ounces Drachms Grains Common 3 4 43 Common distill'd 3 4 41 Acton 3 4 48 ½ Epsom 3 4 51 Dulwich 3 4 54 Staton 3 4 55 Barnet 3 4 52 North-Hall 3 4 50 German-Spaw 3 4 40 Tunbridge 3 4 38 Islington from the Musick-House 3 4 36 Islington from the Vault with Steps 3 4 39 Islington from the Cellar 3 4 39 3. Of their different Degrees of Transparency or Opacity 4. Whether without being exposed to the Air it will afford a Pracipitate By which Observation the different Soils through which they pass will not only be discover'd but hence we may learn to distinguish such from the true Caput Mortuum of the Water German Spaw Water yielded a good Quantity of yellowish Oker N. B. the Water so try'd must not be expos'd to the Air for if it be the Air will precipitate a considerable Quantity of Matter in most Waters 5. What Microscopes can discover in Mineral Waters N. B. those moving Corpuscles discernible in a Solution of Pepper c. in Water are Animalcula and not Portions of Inanimate Matter which swim up and down such Liquors which is apparent if those little Animals be touch'd with Spirit of Salt for being kill'd by it they move much more slowly 6. Whether there be any variety of Colours in several Mineral Waters 7. Of their different Odours These are to be perceiv'd at the Spring-Heads where not only a Bituminous and Sulphurious Smell may easily be perceiv'd but I am inform'd that there is a Mineral Spring in France which hath a manifest vinous Odour 8. Concerning the different Tastes of Mineral Waters 9. Whether taking it up or keeping it stop'd or unstop'd or whether freezing or thawing it will alter the Colour Smell or Transparency of it For tho' some Waters retain their Purgative Virtue a good while yet I have observ'd an Exhalation of some fugitive Parts from those which are lighter than Water and abound with Spirituous Parts so that tho' they were carry'd but a little way from the Fountain they presently lost their Power of turning a Tincture of Galls into a Purple and instead of that turn'd it red and even the Strongest Waters if kept unstopp'd or not kept close presently lose that Property 10. Concerning the different Consistency of such Waters 11. Whether they be more apt to Expansion and Condensation or Heat and Coldness than Common Water 12. Whether they are apt to Putrify and how soon and what Phaenomena they afford 13. What Alteration in Colours ensues the Mixture of Astringent Juices with them as also their Mixture with several Juices of the Body N. B. in trying of Mineral Waters it is usual to make use of a Tincture of Galls without considering the Alterations which may be made in the Tryal by an Uncertain Proportion of Galls Wherefore I usually make use of a settled Proportion as 5 Grains to an Ounce tho' Mineral Waters may be try'd with much more Expedition and Certainty by making use of the Powder it self suspending about three Grains of Powder in an Ounce of the Waters and I have found by Experience that so small a Quantity as a Grain hath given German Spaw-Water a deep Purple Colour But it is not always necessary to make use of Galls in such Tryals since Rose Leaves or the Flowers and Bark of Pomgranates will have much the same Effect affording a Cloudy and Blackish Tincture And it is further to be noted That I made it one Part of this Quaere what Colours would be produc'd by a Mixture of Mineral Waters with Animal Juices because I have observ'd the Root of the Tongue sometimes Blackish upon the taking of Large Doses But to return to what I have observ'd concerning the trying of Mineral Waters by an Infusion of Galls I not only doubt whether all Martial Waters will turn a Tincture of Galls black but whether all liquors which will are to be esteem'd Martial for I have found that a Mineral of a Different Nature from Steel would give it a Black Colour and that a Liquor which was a Preparation of Steel would not which induc'd me to think that such a Tincture was rather the Effect of some Acid Fumes which had work'd on the Mars with which those Mineral Waters are Impregnated To which it may be added That I have found that if a Vitriolate Water be impregnated with Copper instead of Iron instead of turning a Tincture of Galls Blackish it only would render it Muddy and Thick And I had a sort of white Earth which I found by Tryals to be Lead that would turn a Tincture of Galls Blackish tho' it was altoger void of Martial Parts and probably would have very bad Effects if taken inwardly To which I might further add That a Tincture of Gold in Aqua fortis likewise turn'd an Infusion of Galls Black And those Observations I have been the willinger to lay down because tho' I would not be thought by them to slight the Use of Galls in such Tryals yet I would thence urge them to make such Tryals to be more warily made Observations requisite in Trying Mineral Waters And because it may be of some Use to observe the different Colours exhibited by such Tryals I shall add the following Considerations as Requisite to be thought on by him who designs to make such Experiments 1. That he ought to observe the Changes of Colours made by such Tinctures in a good Light which may help a Curious Observer to distinguish what Minerals such Tinctures are impregnated with 2. It way be of Use to vary the Shades of Colours produc'd by Mineral Waters either by dropping such Waters upon Paper whose Pores are saturated with Vitriol powder'd or ting'd with a Decoction of Log-wood Several Variations in Colours may be also made by dropping other Medicinal Liquors either into the Mineral Waters or the Infusion of Galls before Mixture or after 3. I would recommend for such Tryals not only the Parts of Astringent Plants but also Animal and especially Mineral Substances For besides the Astringents I have contriv'd a certain Substance which would not only turn a Vitriol Water impregnated with Iron
last mention'd Experiment it appears that it is possible Even by Weights to measure how far Nature is dispos'd to prevent or fill Vacuities since a small difference in Weight determin'd by depressing or permitting the Sucker to rise how far Nature's Abhorrency of a Vacuum depended on the Causes we have so often mention'd But here it may be requisite to advertise that by Vacuities I do not mean Spaces altogether void of Matter but void of such as may be perceiv'd so that I take the Word Vacuum in the Common not the strict and Philosophical Sense of the Word But lastly from this XXXIII Experiment it appears that the Weight of the Atmosphere we live in is stronger than what Men usually think it is And probably near the Northern Pole it is much stronger Since if what Varenius observes the Air is so condens'd in Nova Zembla as to hinder the Motion of a Pendulum except moved by a heavier Weight than what is usually made use of in our Climate EXPERIMENT XXXIV Attempts to weigh light Bodies in our Receiver TO try whether the Aequilibrium of two Bodies of an equal Weight in the Air but of unequal Dimensions would be lost in our Receiver as it usually is in Water by Reason of a greater Quantity of Water buoying up against that whose Dimensions are most extensive I took a Bladder half full of Air and ty'd it to one end of our Balance which turns with the 32 part of a Grain which being counterpois'd with a Weight in the other Scale we let it down into the Receiver and having clos'd it up upon an Exsuction of the Air we found the Bladder to dilate and manifestly to preponderate but upon admitting the Air into the Receiver again the Bladder was over-pois'd by the Weight but leaving them in the Receiver all night the Bladder imbib'd so much of the External Moisture as to weigh that end of the Balance down a good way yet the Bladder being dry'd a little they were both brought to an Aequilibrium And the like Experiment we try'd with a piece of Cork instead of the Bladder and observ'd that the Receiver being Evacuated as well as upon a reingress of the Air the Cork manifestly preponderated EXPERIMENT XXXV Of the Cause of Filtration and the Rising of Water in the Syphons c. The Cause of Filtration TO try whether in Filtrations the rising of the Water might not proceed from the Impulse of the Air we made use of a Syphon of Glass represented by the Third Figure which is made of two strait Pieces and a crooked one which joyns the other two together the Junctures being well clos'd The longer Leg of the Syphon was pervious only at the small End so as to suffer the Water to pass through it but both the ends of the shorter Leg were equally pervious the Diameter of their Bore being ¼ of an Inch. The length of these two Pipes was about a Foot and a half that the Rarifi'd Air in the Receiver when it was pretty well exhausted might not raise the Water included in the Pipe too high The shorter Leg of the Syphon being immers'd two or three Inches in a Vessel of Water the other end was fastned to the Cover which things being done and the Receiver clos'd up we began to pump The Result of which was that the Water dropp'd out of the lower Leg of the Syphon as if it had been expos'd to the open Air till the Receiver was in some measure exhausted and then several Bubbles rising in the Water gather'd together at the Top of the short leg'd Syphon where expanding themselves they stopp'd the Course of the Water that in the longer Leg being suspended in the Tube and ceasing to drop and the Water in the shorter Leg was so far depress'd as not to be above a Foot high But as soon as the External Air was let in again it enter'd in at the small Orifice of the longer Tube and ascending through the Water contain'd in the Pipe joyn'd with the former which was lodg'd in the upper Part of the short leg'd Tube But to prevent what Inconveniences ensu'd the rising of these Bubbles the two foremention'd Tubes were placed so as to meet in the middle of a Glass Viol the Neck of the Viol being clos'd up with Cement and the Tubes being thus fix'd and they as well as the Viol fill'd with Water the Syphon represented by the Fifth Figure was plac'd in the Receiver with its shorter Leg in a Vessel of Water upon which the Pump being ply'd the longer Syphon continu'd to drop much longer than before but at the last the Bubbles which rose in the Pipes were so dilated in the Viol as to press down into the Ends of the Tube and interrupt our Experiment tho' what we observ'd gave us Reason to believe that the Air contributed to the Motion of the Water through the Syphons And here I shall subjoyn that I once had a very slender Pipe which when held upon the Surface of the Water in a Perpendicular Posture the Incumbent Atmosphere press'd so much more on the Surface of the External Water than that contain'd in the Tube that the Water was rais'd in the Tube and this Pipe being bent into a Syphon and plac'd with the shorter Leg in Water as Syphons usually are the Water of its own accord rose up in the shorter Leg and ran down the other and this Syphon being plac'd in our Receiver to try what Alteration of the Phaenomenon would appear there we could not discern any sensible one But tho' in this Tube just now mention'd the Water rises of its own accord yet if such a Tube be thrust a little way into the Mercury instead of rising the Mercury in the Tube will be below that which is without it EXPERIMENT XXXVI The Weight of Air in the Exhausted Receiver The subtle penetrating Power of some Spirits above that of the Air. The Cause why Air will not enter the Pores of some Bodies which Water will The Weight of the Air examin'd by an Aeolipile The Proportion betwixt the Gravity of Air and Water Betwixt Water and Quicksilver Conjectures concerning the Weight of the Atmosphere The Weight of the Air. NOtwithstanding the several Methods propropos'd by Galileo and others to try the Weight of the Air being willing to be further satisfi'd we caus'd an Oval Glass with a small Tube at one End to be blown at the flame of a Lamp And this Glass Bubble being of the size of a Hen's Egg was fix'd to one End of a Balance being counterpois'd by a Weight at the other End which being suspended in our Receiver and the Pump set on work the Bubble after three Exsuctions continu'd to preponderate more and more till the Air was let in again and then the Balance was reduced to its former Aequilibrium But having repeated the Experiment with an additional Weight of three Quarters of a Grain in the Scale opposite to the
Aliment is carry'd off by Insensible Transpiration And as these Instances shew how unfit an Air too gross is for Respiration so that an Air too thin is likewise prejudicial appears from the Experiments already try'd in our Receiver so that it is not Improbable that if a Man were remov'd to the Top of our Atmosphere he would die for want of Breath In favour of which Conjecture I shall add That the Learned Josephus Acosta tells us that going up a high Mountain in Peru call'd Pariacaca which was so high above the Alps as to make them appear only as high Towers he and his Companion were taken with excessive Vomiting together with Blood which lasted till he came to a Region more convenient for Respiration and he likewise says to our present Purpose That the Element of the Air is so subtle and delicate there that it is too fine for a Man to breathe in the Action of Respiration requiring a grosser and more temperate Air. But tho' from hence it appears that the Air contributes to Respiration in carrying off the Recrements of the Blood yet it is scarce probable that those Recrements should so soon kill an Animal as to cause Birds inclos'd in our Receiver to die in a few Minutes for want of being carry'd off And it would not be harder to account for such Effects should we allow with Paracelsus That Air contributed to the Geneneration of a Vital Spirit since the Interruption of it's Generation for so small a time could scarce be fatal Yet I shall add on this occasion That I have been told that Cornelius Drebellus made a Boat for the Learned King James which would swim under Water in which to make the Air included fit for Respiration he was wont to open a Vessel which contain'd a Liquor which added such a Vital Spirit to the Air as purg'd it of the grosser Exhalations and condens'd them Wherefore I am the more favourably inclin'd to think that the Air may conduce to the Preservrtion of Vital Spirits and that it contributes to the Preservation of Life as Air to Flame for having convey'd rectfy'd Spirit of Wine into our Receiver we found that it would not continue long no more than the Vital Flame of an Animal if the Air was exhausted But not to insist upon these things we shall add That having dissected a Bitch and taking out one of the Whelps tho' we open'd his Abdomen and Thorax and divided the Diaphragm yet having once began to breathe his Heart continu'd to beat above six Hours whereas three more which were involv'd in the Secundines in the mean time were all dead tho' they were neither wounded nor had ever breath'd How far this may serve to illustrate the Problem propos'd by Dr. Harvey viz. Why a Foetus may live longer before it hath breath'd if involv'd in the Secundines than if when it hath once respired Respiration be stopp'd we leave others to judge Whether Fishes breathe or not under Water especially those that want Lungs I cannot now determine but that Air is necessary to the Preservation of their Lives seems to be evinc'd by observing that if Fishes be inclos'd in a Bottle which is close stopp'd from the Air or if they be kept from the Air by the Freezing of Water they presently die And indeed considering how many Particles of Air are interspers'd in the Pores of Water it may not be altogether improbable that part of it is separated as it passes through their Gills or some other way And I am the rather inclin'd to believe it because having put a large Eel into our Receiver upon exhausting the Air she turn'd up her Belly and lay as dead till the Receiver being unstopp'd and the Fish taken out into the open Air satisfy'd us of her Recovery by very brisk and vivid Motions But what is not a little to be admir'd having put a Gray Snail into our Receiver we perceiv'd not the least Alteration when the Air was drawn out but whence these Phaenomena proceeded we shall not now stay to determine Nor are we now at leisure to examine any further whether the Paradox which some hold be true viz. That the Child respires in the Womb only we shall say that it is not altogether Fabulous That the Foetus hath sometimes been heard to cry in the Womb and Chickens have been observ'd to pip in the Egg-shell before it was broke which may be Arguments of an obscure Respiration except it can be made to appear That such Sounds may arise from Halituous Vapours in the Larynx and that they may will not be a little favour'd by observing what audible Sounds arise from the Halituous Vapours of an Aeolipile forc'd upon the Blade of a Knife held in various Postures But to proceed the Necessity of Breathing tho' those that are not well are accustom'd to want it may appear from the small time that such Men are able to stay under Water but may further be illustrated by the following Experiments For having convey'd a Humming-Bee a Flesh-Fly and a Palmer-Worm into our Receiver upon the Exsuction of the Air in a Minute's Time they all seem'd dead but presently recover'd by the Re-ingress of Air yet when the Air was again drawn out they appear'd dead which is a strong Argument to induce us to believe that the Bodies of Animals are but so many Curiously-contriv'd Engins except those of Men whose Wheels are set on going by the Influence of External Agents for even those Flies which presently die in our Receiver will crawl about even when their Heads are cut off And it is not unworthy our Observation That Insects which want Lungs are no less sensibly affected upon the Exsuction of Air than some that have them which may be Grounds for a Suspicion that the Particles of the Air enter in at their Pores and that it keeps them alive by a Universal Perspiration But to put an End to this Digression Tho' the Foremention'd Experiments have given me cause to suspect that the Depuration of the Blood is the chief Use of Respiration yet since I believe it hath some other Uses which are not yet explain'd I shall conclude with that Saying of St. Austin's Mallem quidem eorum quae à me quaesivisti habere Scientiam quam Ignorantiam sed quia id nondum potui magis eligo Cautam Ignorantiam confiteri quam falsam Scientiam profiteri EXPERIEMINT XLII The different Operations of Corrosives in and without our Receiver HAving fill'd the third part of a Long-neck Viol with ten Sprigs of Coral and as much Spirit of Vinegar as swam about an Inch over them we plac'd it in our Receiver and tho' at the first there appear'd but very few Bubbles yet upon a few Exsuctions of the Air they rose so plentifully as to make the Menstruum appear white the whole continuing to boil and ferment as in a Seething-pot as much Froth standing upon the Liquor as answer'd the Depth of it in
Omnipotence Matter should be so extended as without any Addition to alter it's Dimensions And tho' our Author takes two Ways to explicate his Notion either upon a Supposition of the Parts of Matter being indivisible or divisible in infinitum yet since he explicates it neither of those ways so clearly as to make it intelligible I must confess I cannot acquiesce in them nor are the Difficulties at all made less by asserting That Matter may be virtually so extended as to possess more Space than is circumscribed by it since a virtual Extension is as unintelligible as Extension without the Term virtually joyn'd with it for since he seems to allow the Parts of Matter to be indivisible it rather prejudices the Doctrin of Rarefaction as taught by Aristotle than explains it since it is inconsistent to think That a Body whose Parts are circumscribed by a certain Space should fill a larger Space without being divided and removed out of the former Nor does it at all explain or render the Aristotelian Doctrin of Rarefaction to say That Matter may by Omnipotence be so ordered as to possess adaequately double the Space it did before since in Natural Philosophy it is not disputed what GOD can do but what he hath done But besides the Difficulties in our Author's Doctrin of Rarefaction there are no less in the Condensation which his Funiculus supposes for since he allows of no Vacuities in it it is impossible the Parts of it should be brought nearer than to touch one another without a Penetration of Dimensions which is wholly disallow'd of and by no means to be admitted in Nature for were that allowed two or three Thousand Bodies might be contained in a Space which every one of them by it self would fill which is altogether unintelligible CHAP. XVIII A Consideration concerning some Tryals of the Torrecellian and other Experiments ' at the Tops and Feet of a Hill The Height of Mercury suspended at the Top of a Hill FOr a further Proof against Our Adversaries Doctrin and for a Confirmation of ours I shall add the following Experiments And First The Famous Pecquet mentions an Experiment made by Monsieur Pascal at the Foot of a Mountain 3000 Foot high where when he ascended 150 Fathom the Mercury in the Cylinder was not buoy'd up so high as at the Bottom by two Inches and a Quarter and at the Top of the Hill it wanted 3 Inches of that Station which it was suspended at at the Foot of the Hill which is a strong Argument against our Adversary the Difference plainly appearing to depend on the different Length of the Atmospherical Cylinder which was abler to weigh up the Mercury at the Bottom than the Top of the Hill And Gassendus Tom. 1. P. 211. relates that the like was observ'd 5 times on the Hills at Auvergne And a very Noted Virtuoso Mr. J. Ball as well as that Ingenious Gentleman Mr. Townley have observ'd the like in England And it was by the last nam'd likewise observ'd that the Mercury included in the Top of the Cylinder was not able to depress the Mercury near so much at the Bottom as at the Top of the Hill But to discover the weight of the Air and it's Spring without going up to the Top of such high Mountains we made use of the following Weather Glass suspending Water in the Pipe instead of Mercury The Instrument was a Glass with a broad Foot and a narrow Neck A B and a slender Pipe of Glass C D which was open at both Ends and so plac'd that the lower End was not far from the Bottom A B and was so closely cemented at the Neck A See Fig. the First Plate the Second as to prevent the Internal Air I I from communicating with External K K unless it were through the Pipe C D And having conveig'd Water H H into the Glass AB which was pretty large and having blown so much Air into the Bottle as to raise the Water in the Tube above the Vessel upon the Leads of Westminster Abby When the Air was thought to be equally Cold and Condens'd within the Bottle as without we mark'd the Station of the Water F and letting it down by a String to the Ground the Water subsided an Inch where it's Station E being mark'd and the Vessel drawn up again the Water was rais'd to the Mark F again Which Experiment being again try'd had the like success And afterwards the Top of the Tube being broke we let it down within the Church the Surface of the Water in the Pipe being at G an Inch above the Water in the Glass where I observ'd that the Air so depress'd it when it came to the Bottom as to force the Water out of the Pipe into the Glass several Bubbles breaking through into the Capacity of the Glass and this Glass being drawn up to the Top of the Church again the Water was manifestly rais'd in the Tube again from whence it appears that the Atmosphere gravitates more Caeteris paribus the nearer the Surface of the Earth for the Experiment being repeated we found that as the Height at which it was try'd vary'd so the Elevation or Depression did Another Particular which may be a further Confirmation of our Hypothesis is That which is mention'd by Monsieur Paschal viz. That a Foot-Ball being weakly blown and carry'd to the Top of a Hill swell'd more and more as it was carry'd higher and as gradually grew lank when it was carry'd down the Hill again From whence it appears That as the Atmosphere is longer or shorter it makes a greater Gravitation and Pressure upon the Bladder To this I shall add an Experiment sent to Dr. Croon by a Learned Professor of Gresham Colledge See Fig. the Sec. Plate the Second which is the following Having Observ'd that in the Weather-Glass A B represented by the Second Figure which was about two Foot long the Water was suspended in the Pipe about thirteen Inches above the Superficies of the External Water at the Bottom of Hallifax Hill but being carry'd to the Top of the Hill it subsided an Inch and a Quarter to the Point D The Internal Air A C which was taken in at the Bottom dilating it self at the Top further by C D In which Experiment the Descent being much more considerable than what it ought to be in such a small Ascent by the bare Pressure of the Atmosphere diminish'd the Reason appears to be the Expansion of that Air included in the Top of the Weather-Glass as well as the Shortning of the Atmospherical Cylinder CHAP. XIX Experiments concerning the Measure of the Force of the Spring of Air compress'd and dilated TO make it evident That the Spring of the Air is able to do much more than we have attributed to it upon the Account of its Spring and Weight we try'd the following Experiments The Air 's Condensation measur'd Having pour'd Mercury into a Glass-Tube which consisted of
the Finger will be so depress'd by the Spring of that Air as to cause it to weigh considerably upon it and if the lower Orifice be unstopp'd in the restagnant Mercury the included Air will depress that in the Tube below its former Stations And if the Experiment be made in a Tube not so long and both Ends be stopp'd with ones Finger upon the removing of the uppermost the lower will perceive the Weight of the Incumbent Pillar of the Atmosphere which before depress'd the Pulp of the Finger into the Cylindrical Cavity of the Tube so that this Experiment proves both the Spring and Gravity of the Air. The other Experiment is the Fourth in the Epistle where it was evident that a Bladder suspended in the Receiver subsided or swell'd as the Air was let in or drawn out And tho' Mr. Hobbs teaches that the swelling of the Bladder is effected by the Air per vim incussus which getting into the Bladder presses against the Internal Superficies of it in their circular Motions yet since from several Experiments it appears that Bladders are impervious to Air to deny that the Ingress of it is a sufficient Answer to his Explanation But further were the Bladder so pervious to Air it might as readily get out of the Bladder as in without breaking it And whereas Mr. Hobbs endeavours to explicate all the Phaenomena afforded by our Engin and Wind-Guns by the Motion of the Aery Parts which Motion they acquire by the Force of the Engin yet that the Air hath parallel Effects where it acquires no such Motion appears from the Experiments formerly mention'd made in the open Air at the Top and Bottom of Hills the Mercury being not near suspended so high at the Top as at the Bottom of those Hills And tho' he endeavours to Explain the difference by supposing the Motion of the Air brisker at the Bottom than the Top of the Hill yet since it can only keep the Mercury from subsiding by virtue of its Pressure that Pressure must either proceed from its Spring or Weight and since it is highly improbable that the Pressure of so few Parts of the Air as are contiguous to the Mercury should be able to keep it from subsiding it must do it by virtue of the whole Atmosphere which is equiponderant to it But to evince the Spring and Pressure of the Air further I shall add that a Thermoscope being carri'd to the Top of a Hill the Air contain'd in it not finding so strong a Pressure from the Water which there receives a less Impression from the Atmosphere visibly expands it self by virtue of its Spring CHAP. XXV Mr. Hobb's Principal Explications of the Phaenomena of the Engin Examin'd BEfore Mr. Hobbs sets about an Explication of the Phaenomena exhibited by our Engin he lays down an Hypothesis which he endeavours to explain them by supposing that a great many earthy Particles are interspers'd in the Air which have a congenite circular Motion of their own and that there is a greater Quantity of them nearer than further from the Earth But besides that it may be question'd how such Particles can move in so exact an Order without knocking against and disturbing each others Motion It is as unintelligible how Matter should have its Motion congenite But to leave Mr. Hobbs to dispute these things with other Adversaries I shall proceed to his Explications The exhausted Receiver void of Air. And first to prove that there is no Vacuum in our Receiver he says that the Air being remov'd by the Pressure of the Sucker outward it gets into the Receiver again betwixt the Convex and Concave Surfaces of the Sucker and the Cylinder which if true it would follow that there was a Vacuum for some time viz. till the Air had time to get into the Receiver again But that the Air is in a great Measure drawn out and that the Receiver is in respect of Air empty not only appears by those Bubbles of Water which pass through the Water when the Receiver is encompass'd with it but it further appears by weighing the Receiver when exhausted which is considerably lighter than before As also by observing that if the Receiver be ill shap'd so as not to be able to resist the Pressure of the outward Air it breaks inward upon the Action of the Pump But a further Argument is that the Receiver being exhausted and the Cocks turn'd when the Receiver is encompass'd with Water several Gallons will be impell'd into it which could not be without a Penetration of Dimensions except the Receiver was empty And even in the Common Experiment its evident that the Air upon turning of the Stop-Cock rushes in with a considerable Noise But if Mr. Hobbs should say that the Purer Air only flows into the Receiver I shall demand how it is possible for that to flow in when the Receiver is exhausted in Water where we might expect that it should as well raise Bubbles in its Passage through it as that such Bubbles rise in the Water in the exhausted Receiver And tho' Mr. Hobbs affirms That this Air getting into the Receiver moves up and down violently I know not how to prove that it does not I shall intimate That were it so the Smoak as well as the Bladder contain'd in the Receiver in the forementioned Experiments would be disturb'd by that Motion since upon the Admission of the Air into the Receiver it appears That it puts them both into a very violent Agitation And That in the Torrecellian Experiment the Tube above the Mercury is void of Air may be evinc'd by reciprocally inverting the Tube for by that Means the Mercury will move backwards with a much greater degree of Swiftness and Force than if Air be let into that Part of the Cylinder which is not filled with Mercury And indeed were it not allowed That the Air is drawn out of the Receiver for any thing that Mr. Hobbs hath offer'd the Reason of the Ascent or Descent of the Mercury as the external Air is let in or drawn out would be difficulty understood if not altogether unexplain'd without admitting the Weight and Spring of the Air. The next Phaenomenon Mr. Hobbs offers to explain is why the Sucker rises up when the Receiver is exhausted tho' a hundred Pound Weight be suspended at it the Reason of which he attributes to the swift and violent Repercussion of the Air which was thrust out which finding not room enough in the World must conseuqently press the Sucker before it into the Space which contain'd it before but if the Air be so swiftly repelled I cannot understand why it should not resist the Egress of Air or raise the Sucker when a greater Weight is hung at it But further that the return of this Air does not depend on the swift Repercussion of the external Air is hence manifest since if the Sucker be held down till the Air about it seems to be settled and as calm as
and Gassendus teach concerning the Rise of Water in Syphons viz. That it is performed by Suction But not now to mention what hath elsewhere been deliver'd to prove the contrary I shall only add the following Experiment Having taken a Glass Vessel which was large enough to contain about a Pound of Water I caus'd a Glass Pipe to be fix'd in the Neck of it so that the Air within was kept from having any Intercourse with that without the Lower End reaching almost to the Bottom of the Vessel The Pipe being thus fix'd we convey'd Water into the Bottle till it rose something above the Bottom of the Pipe and then having inclin'd the Bottle to give a due Intercourse betwixt the Internal and External Air I suck'd the Air out of the Tube till the Water rose into my Mouth and till the Spring of the Included Air was able no longer to lift up the Water which would not have done been were the Common Notion of Suction allow'd viz. That it is effected by the Pressure of the Air thrust away by the dilated Chest of him that sucks and thereby drawing the Water into the Pipe at which he sucks But besides the Preceding use made of this Experiment I pour'd out the Water till the lower End of the Pipe was but just immers'd in it and upon Suction it rose almost to the Top of the Pipe but the Spring of the Air being too much weaken'd to raise it higher several Bubbles of Air broke through the Water but as soon as I left off sucking the Pressure of the External Air so compress'd the Rarify'd Air within as to bring it to it's wonted Station several Particles breaking into the Bottle through the Water till that Internal Air was equally press'd with the External CHAP. XXVIII What Mr. Hobbs teaches concerning Fluidity and Firmness examin'd Motion the Chief Qualification in order to Fluidity THE First Particular examin'd in this Chapter is a Mistake of Mr. Hobbs concerning the Author's Opinion of Fluidity the Objector making the Author's Notion of Fluidity to consist in the Size of the Parts of Liquid Bodies whereas our Author assigns Motion as the Chief and Principal Qualification since a Coagulum of pure Spirits of Urine and Wine may by bare Digestion be turn'd into a Permanent Liquor and Quick-silver tho' fluid may be turn'd into a Permanent Powder by stopping the Motion of it's Parts And tho' Mr. Hobbs further asserts That Fluid Bodies consist of Parts Divisible into Fluids as Quantity into Quantity yet since I have made it appear That Fluidity depends on the Shape Size Texture and Motion and Firmness on a Rest amongst the Parts of Solids and likewise that Fluids are not divisible into Fluid Parts as Quantity into Quantity it is needless to repeat what is there deliver'd As for the Explication of Fluidity and Firmness which Mr. Hobbs Substitutes it teaches That the Parts of Fluids may move whilst the whole is in Motion and that Solids may have their Parts in Motion tho' the whole lyes still As also he says That the Parts of a Fluid may be render'd less fluid by being compress'd but since he hath asserted these things and not prov'd them and since the Hypothesis he goes upon is sufficiently invalidated before the Author thinks these require no Particular Answer And tho' he further makes an Objection against the Size of the Parts of Matter contributing to Fluidity and Firmness yet since our Author makes Motion or Rest the Chief and Principal Requisites what hath been deliver'd in the History of Fluidity and Firmness may suffice for an Answer For that there is Motion in the Parts of Fluids appears if a Lump of Salt be put into Water the Parts of which will be presently dissolv'd and carry'd up to the Top of the Liquor which could not be without Motion and that Rest contributes to Solidity is evident since Water froze becomes Ice and on the contrary that as well as Metals by having their Parts put into a violent Motion by Heat become Fluid CHAP. XXIX An Explanation of the Engin made Use of in the following Experiments See Plate the Third and Fourth THE Structure of our Engin being such as not to admit of an Alphabetical Explanation so as to make it intelligible to those that are unacquainted with Mechanical Structures and it being easily enough understood by those especially that are acquainted by our First Engin we thought it sufficient in our Plate to represent the Engin just ready to be set on Work and in the Fourth the Parts which it is made up of Only there are two things which may deserve to be explain'd First the Sucker being always cover'd with Water and the Perforation p q which goes through it in a Perpendicular Line and together with the Stick r s supplies the Place of a Valve being to be stopp'd at the Bottom of the Cylinder n o when fill'd with Water it was necessary the Stick rp should be of a considerable Length Secondly The Pipe A B lies in a Gutter made purposely in the Board c d e f which Board is laid over with Cement and a piece of Iron laid upon that to keep it from warping In which Iron-plate is fix'd a Lip which rises up about the End of the Pipe B which is bent up to prevent the Water which comes from the Receiver from being Spilt and notwithstanding the Stop-cock G H I K might be inserted into the Cylinder L M N O at I with Soder yet it is much more convenient to have the Branch I made like a Screw so that being screwed into the Barrel it may more easily be mended when any thing is amiss Whether it be that the Air gets in betwixt the Plate and the Wood or the Cement be drawn into the Pipe where the inverted End is united to the Receiver and lest the inward Orifice of the Pipe should be stopp'd with any thing contain'd in the Receiver drawn to it there is fix'd at some Distance from it a Tin Plate so contriv'd as to give free Passage to the Air. The Wooden Part represented in the Plate and which contains the Cylinder is always so full of Water as able to overtop the Cylinder and to make the Sucker soft and plump by which means it is more exactly fitted to the Cylindrical Cavity And as for the Iron Plate abovemention'd it hath this Conveniency that it excludes the Air better than if the Receiver had a Stop-cock in most Experiments tho' in some it is less servirceable But most of the following Experiments may be try'd in our First Engin if the following Alterations be made And First If a square Board and a suitable Iron Plate such as is made use of in this Engin be fasten'd opposite to the Iron Rack to the Upper Part of the great Cylinder and a Glass Tube like that just now describ'd be fix'd to the Lower Branch of the Stop-cock with a Cement made with near an
into a Bottle and immers'd the End of a Glass Tube a little below the Surface of it which was about 3 Foot long the Interstices betwixt the Neck of the Bottle and the Pipe were fill'd with Cement see Plate 6. Fig. 2. and the whole was conveigh'd into a Receiver See Plat. 6 Fig. 2. And because the Pipe was too long to be contain'd in the Receiver another made of White Glass was Cemented upon the former to the middle of whose Cavity the upper End of the Pipe extended so that the Motions of the rising Water had more Space to move in when the Pump was set on work where it was observable that upon the first Exsuction the Pressure of the external Air being taken off that contain'd in the Bottle expanded it self so powerfully as to raise the Water in the Tube with such Force that it flew violently against the Top of the Receiver but as the Air in the Bottle was leasurely expanded and came nearer to an Aequilibrium with that in the Receiver the Spring of that in the Bottle being less powerful the Water in the Tube gradually ceas'd in its Ascent unless the Pressure of the external Air was taken off by a fresh Exsuction In which Experiment the following Particulars were to be noted First that as the upper Orifice of the Tube was narrower the Water would rise slower and the Experiment would be longer continu'd Secondly If a Pipe be Cemented upon the Top of the Tube and branch'd out into several small ones with Pin-holes in the Ends of them the Water will fly out as out of Artificial Fountains in Grotto's Thirdly If the Bottle to whose Neck the Tube was Cemented was larger the Water would rise so much the longer and the Experiment might be reiterated by first letting in the Air again and then exhausting the Receiver by pumping it out afresh From the Phaenomena exhibited by this Expement it appears that the Spring of the Air was able to raise the Water in the Tube to a much greater Height than the Pipe we made use of Secondly From hence it appears that Water contain'd betwixt two Parcels of Air may be put into Motion by its Spring without the Concurrence of adventitious Heat Thirdly we observ'd That when the Air was in a great Measure exhausted the upper Receiver being taken off the external Air press'd the Water quite down to the Bottom of the Tube and several Bubbles getting through the Water joyned themselves with the Air in the Bottle But what was more strange was that when the Receiver had been taken off a considerable time several Bubbles of Air continu'd to make their way through the Water as if the Spring of the Included Air being before expanded could not be brought again to its former State of Compression but like a Balance put in Motion continu'd several successive Vibrations resisting each Impress of the Atmosphere But the Chief Remark in this Experiment was that the Salient Water in the Receiver form'd several large Lines some of which were Parabolical when the Receiver was pretty well exhausted EXPERIMENT V. About the Production of Heat by Attrâ—â—tion in the exhausted Receiver IT being the Opinion of some Learn'd Men that the Incalescence of solid Bodies depends on the Attrition or violent Agitation of the intercepted Air To try how far this might be true I caus'd a strong Spring of Iron or Steel See Plate the Sixth See Plate 6. Fig. 3. Fig. 3. Figur'd much like the Lathe of a Cross-bow to be fix'd to a staple Trencher On the upper Part of the Spring was fix'd a Concave Piece of Brass like a Burning-Glass about 2 Inches Diameter and moderately slender to the Concave Superficies of which was fix'd a Convex Piece of the same Metal which had a square Handle on the upper Part to which was fix'd a square piece of Wood the other End being fix'd to the Basis of a Wooden Pillar made use instead of our Vertical Cylinder and the upper End of this Pillar was fix'd to the Turn-Key being of such a Size that when the Stopple was depress'd into the Socket made in the Brass Cover the Concave and Convex Superficies of the two Pieces of Brass contain'd betwixt the Wooden Pillar and the Spring were squeez'd together and the Spring in some measure expanded All things being thus provided and a Mercurial Gange conveigh'd into the Receiver a Wimble was fix'd to the Top of the Stopple which being turn'd round for some time and the Air being exhausted out of the Receiver we presently took off the Cover and perceiv'd that the contiguous Superficies of the Pieces of Brass betwixt which we had laid some powder'd Amel to make them move more easily one upon another were sensibly warm And the Experiment being repeated a second time and the Air so far exhausted that the Mercury was no further depress'd they grew so hot that I could scarce endure to touch them and a considerable Degree of Warmth succeeded when the Experiment was try'd with two Pieces of Wood the one of Oak and the other of Beech. From which Experiment it appears that Attrition of Solids may cause a considerable Warmth when the Air betwixt their Superficies is exhausted EXPERIMENT VI. About the disjoyning of two Marbles not otherwise to be separated without a considerable Weight upon a Removal of the Pressure of the Air in the Receiver HAVING several times suspended two flat Polish'd Marbles whose contiguous Superficies were moistned with Oyl to keep the Air from getting in betwixt them upon a considerable Exsuction of the Air they would sometimes fall asunder in the Receiver at the eighteenth Suction and sometimes at the eighth tho' a Pound Weight was only suspended at the lower yet in the open Air where they were compress'd by the ambient Atmosphere they were able to sustain 80 Pound without separating But having provided a Receiver with a Brass Conver See Plate 6. Fig. 4. and suspended two Contiguous Marbles in it See Plate 6. Fig. 4. with a Weight of a few Ounces at the Bottom of the lowest the String which suspended them being fix'd to the Bottom of the Brass Stopple in the middle of the Cover by turning the Stopple and by that means shortning the String the Marbles were rais'd up in the Receiver but upon drawing out the Air they presently fell asunder yet having so contriv'd the Matter that the lower should not fall too far the other was let down to it and upon the Re-admission of the Air they were so closely compress'd together again that they could not be separated as easily as before Yet if by turning the Stopple the uppermost was rais'd before the Air was let in it would leave the lowermost behind it EXPERIMENT VII A way to break Flat Glass speedily by the Weight of the Atmosphere TO make it appear that the round Figure of a Body enables it to resist a more violent Pressure from the Atmosphere than Bodies otherwise shap'd
rose at the first Exsuction to the Top of the Pipe and when the Stop-cock was open'd it would run down through the Exhausting Brass Syphon From whence it appears that the Rise of Mercury depends not on Suction or a Fuga vacui whatever some Learned Men teach but is rais'd by the weight of the Atmosphere since a Baroscope consulted at the same time made it appear that the Atmosphere was able to suspend it at such a Height And as this is an Argument against those that dispute for a Fuga Vacui so it is against those that hold that it depends upon the Attraction of a Rarify'd Substance in the Top of the Pipe for tho' we could rarify the Air further by continuing the Action of the Pump yet the Mercury would not rise one jot higher ANNOTATION BUT the Syphon here mention'd being elsewhere made use of it may be requisite to Observe First The Pipe which bends so much is made of Metal to make it less subject to break Secondly The End of it which is joyn'd to the Stop-cock must be a little wider than any other Part to admit the Shank of the Stop-cock Thirdly The Cement which joyns the Brass Pipe and the Stop-cock being apt to be loose I rather make choice of one to which a Stop-cock is fix'd together with a Glass Syphon about 10 Inches high see Plate 5. Fig. 2. where the whole is represented And tho' this Additional Glass makes the Experiment longer and more tedious yet it is more useful and secure EXPERIMENT XIV The different Heights to which the Liquors may be elevated by Suction accordingly as their Specifick Gravity varies See Plate the Fifth Fig. the Third FROM Experiments already laid down it appearing to what Height Mercury may be rais'd in a Tube we may guess at what Height Water might be suspended by considering that it is 14 times lighter than the former But to be further satisfy'd I caus'd a small Pipe which branched it self into two see Plate the 5th Fig. the 3d So that a Cylinder being fix'd to each Branch the Liquors contain'd in the Vessels in which the lower End of the Pipe was immers'd would rise proportionably as their Specifick Gravity enabl'd them to resist the Pressure of the Atmosphere which being done and the Pump set on work Water rose in one of the Cylinders to 42 Inches and the Mercury in the other Tube not above 3 Inches so that the Water was fourteen times higher than the Mercury And to make the Experiment more satisfactory we let Air into the Receiver till the Water subsided to fourteen Inches and at the same time the Mercury was sunk to about an Inch for in this Experiment it was observ'd That the Proportion was not so exact as 1 to 14 precisely Specifies but thereabouts From this Experiment we may draw Arguments not only against what is taught concerning Nature's Abhorrency of a Vacuum but it may likewise more nicely inform us of the Specifick Gravity of Liquors For having put into one of the Vessels under the Glass Tubes Fresh Water and into the other Salt Water when the Fresh Water rose to 42 Inches the Salt Water was but 40 Inches high But having made use of a Brine made of Sea-salt melted in the Air instead of Salt Water when the Fresh Water was rais'd to 42 Inches the Brine did not exceed seven I likewise put into one of the Vessels when this Experiment was over a Solution of Pot-ashes and Common Water into the other and when the Water rose to 42 Inches the Solution was rais'd but to 30. EXPERIMENT XV. To what Heights Water and Mercury may be rais'd proportionably to their Specifick Gravities HAving put Mercury into a Bottle and pour'd Water into the Bottle upon the Mercury we immers'd one Pipe so low as to have it's End in the Mercury and another Pipe was likewise immers'd in the Water only which being fix'd by the help of a Cement in the Neck of the Bottle the whole was convey'd into the Engin and the Pipes being each divided into Inches by hard Wax with which they were mark'd we observ'd that the Water rose 15 times as high as the Quick-silver EXPERIMENT XVI The Former Experiment Illustrated HAving put Mercury into a short Tube and Water into one that was longer both of them being Hermetically seal'd at one End we inverted them both the End of each resting in a Distinct Vessel which being convey'd into the Receiver the Water in the Cylinder did not in the least subside till by Pumping out the Air the Mercury subsided within 3 Inches of the Bottom which was sooner than it ought according to Statical Rules which we conceiv'd to proceed from some Aiery Parts lodg'd in the Pores of the Water which rising to the Top of the Cylinder depress'd it by their Spring yet the Water when the Mercury subsided to the Height of an Inch was near as high as before EXPERIMENT XVII The greatest Height to which Water may be rais'd by Suction c. TO try how high Water might be rais'd by Suction in a Pump I provided a long Tube about thirty Foot long being made of several Tin Pipes closely joyn'd together with Soder and cover'd over with a Black Cement which to keep it from sticking to our Hands we cover'd with Plaster of Paris To the upper End of this Pipe was fix'd a Glass Tube about three Foot long and to the Top of that was fix'd another Pipe consisting of two pieces which made a right Angle with each other part of which was Parallel to the Horizon See Plate the Seventh Fig. 1. and the other Perpendicular the lower End being fix'd to the Engin which was plac'd upon a Flat-roofed House And a Vessel fill'd with Water being put under the End of the Pipe below the Pump was set on work and the Water after a few Exsuctions was rais'd to the middle of the Glass Tube emitting several Bubbles which proceeded from the Air formerly lodg'd in the Pores of the Water But the chief Aim of our Experiment being only to try to what Height the Water could be rais'd I caus'd the Pump to be nimbly ply'd till the Water could rise no higher which being done and the Height of the Water measur'd by a String we found it to be 33 Foot and about six Inches Quick-silver in a Baroscope at the same time standing at 29 Inches and about 3 eights of an Inch so that the Water was near fourteen times as high as the Mercury In which Experiment that the upper part of the Tube was sufficiently exhausted appear'd from several Circumstances as First If any Air got in at Crannies in the Pipe it would rise in Bubbles easily to be distinguish'd from those which rose from the Pores of the Water and tho' the Quantity of those Bubbles was considerable yet more Air being thrown out by the Pump than could get in it must needs be empty enough But In this Experiment
that upon the first Exsuction the Mercury was brought within an Inch of the Bottom and continu'd several successive Vibrations before it setled at 10 Inches high Secondly If instead of drawing any out Air be forced into the Receiver it will raise the Mercury higher than it 's former Station Thirdly The Receiver was so far exhausted as to make the Mercury subside to a Level EXPERIMENT XXII In Tubes open at both Ends when Nature's Abhorrency of a Vacuum cannot be pretended the Weight of Water will impell Quicksilver no higher in slender than in larger Pipes The suspension of Quicksilver equal in small and wide Pipes TO prove that the Weight of the Atmosphere may buoy up Mercury equall in large as in smaller Tubes I shall add the following Tryals The I. TRYAL Having put as much Mercury into a Glass Tube about two Foot and a half long as reach'd 3 or 4 Fingers the one End being sealed Hermetically we hung two Tubes by Strings to the Top of the former so that the lower Ends of them were immers'd in the Mercury which being done we pour'd Water upon the Mercury and observ'd the Mercury to be equally rais'd in the great Pipe as in the little one and the Water being suck'd out it proportionably subsided in each The II. TRIAL Having pour'd a Convenient Quantity of Quicksilver into a Tube of Glass near a Foot long and filled two Pipes of Mercury of an unequal Bore the one End of each being Hermetically seal'd we immers'd them in the large Tube contriving to open the lower Orifice when below the Stagnant Mercury and I observ'd that they not only both of them subsided to an equal Station but Water being pour'd upon the Stagnant Mercury the Weight of it buoy'd them up both alike in the Tube and the Water being successively suck'd out and put in again the the Mercury in the Tube proportionably fell and rose equally in both no difference proceeding from the Wideness of their Diameters in the Height of the Mercurial Cylinders EXPERIMENT XXIII At what Height Mercury Amalgamated with Tin as well as pure Mercury will be suspended HAVING fill'd a Glass Tube with Mercury Amalgamated with Tin and inverted it it did not fall below 31 Inches In trying this Experiment the following Particulars are to be noted First That if the Amalgama be too thick it will be apt to stick to the Tube and will likewise hinder several Aerial Corpuscles from flying away Secondly From hence it may be observ'd that as the Aequilibrium of Mercury and the Atmosphere varies so does it's Ascent in such Tubes Thirdly It would not be amiss here to consider whether these two Metals penetrate each others Dimensions as I have observ'd Copper and Tin to do and by forming a new Metalline Substance to render the Composition heavier than the Weight of the two single Ingredients EXPERIMENT XXIV A Method of making Barometers which may be carried to distant Countries TO make a Portable Barometer we took a Cylinder about 4 or 5 Foot long and having bent one End at the Flame of a Lamp so as to make the shorter Leg about a fourth Part as long as the other sealing up the End of the longer Leg we injected Mercury into the shorter Leg by a Tunnel till it was rais'd about 3 Inches in both Legs which being done and the Orifice of the shorter Leg being stopp'd with the Finger we inclin'd the longer Leg and so by successively filling the short Leg and inclining it so as to make it run into the longer we fill'd the longer Leg quite full of Mercury and by inclining it several times afterward and permitting the Bubble of Air which usually lies at the Top of the seal'd Head to run through the Mercurial Cylinder backwards and forwards we freed it from those Bubbles which are usually in it's Pores But besides this way of filling the Pipe we have with less Trouble done it by making use of a Tunnel which when the Pipe is a little inclin'd reaching a little above the Flexure of the Syphon will fill the Tube without much trouble And the Pipe thus fill'd with Mercury may by often erecting of it and shaking the Pipe so erected be freed from those Aery Particles which commonly lodge in the Pores of the Mercury See the whole Barometer Plat. 7. Fig. ig 2. The Barometer being thus order'd we contriv'd a Frame to carry it in which was made of a Piece of Wood in which a Gutter was cut for the Pipe to lie in the lower End of the Frame being likewise so contriv'd as to contain the short Leg of this Tube The Pipe being lodg'd in this Gutter we fix'd a Cover to one side of the Frame with little Highes the other when occasion requir'd being fastned with Hasps And because the Motion the Mercury would be put into would be apt to break the Pipe were there too much Liberty given it to move in or were there any Interstices betwixt the Pipe and the Gutter it is lodg'd in we took Care to lay Cotton both betwixt the Pipe and the Concave of the Frame and betwixt the Cover and it and that the empty Space which is usually above the Surface of the Mercury in Barometers might not be prejudicial we took Care to invert the Tube and to fill the remaining Space unpossess'd with Mercury either with an Addition of Mercury or with Water sealing up the Orifice of the shorter Tube Hermetically till it came to be us'd again and then the Superflous Mercury may be taken away by immersing a small Pipe in it which if the upper Orifice be stopp'd with ones Finger will take away so much as the Cavity of the immers'd Tube had receiv'd into it But if Water be made use of instead of Mercury it may be lick'd up with a Spunge And if by shaking of this Barometer in long Journeys any Particles should get out of the short Leg into the larger by successively inverting the Tube and permitting the Bubble of Air to pass backwards and forwards the Mercury in the long Tube may easily be freed from Bubbles Of what Use this Barometer may be in discovering the Weight of the Atmosphere in long Journeys both at Sea and at Land I shall leave to others to consider only I shall annex this Advertisement that sometime after I made this Barometer having carri'd it about 33 Miles I observ'd that it did not rise by ¼ of an Inch as high as it did before but whether it might be imputed to the narrowness of the Pipe or any other Accident I cannot yet determine EXPERIMENT XXV What Height the Mercury in Barometers will be suspended at at the Top of Hills Some Observations of the Height of Mountains especially the Pic of Teneriff HAVING observ'd the Height at which Mercury was suspended at the Bottom of a Hill and compar'd it with a Barometer made the ordinary ways it was observ'd that the Height it was suspended at at the Top
Cavity of the Cylinder seemed to be filled with Fumes so that the Candle whose Flame was visible though it appeared to be encompassed with a kind of Halo whose Colour was between Blew and Green and after a few Exsuctions would be of a Reddish or Orange Colour very vivid Which Meteor I supposed to arise from some Particles of the Turpentine which extricating themselves upon the Application of a hot Iron to the Cement caused an Explosion in the Receiver when the Parts of the Air were put in Motion and disposed to Expansion and the variety of Colours I conceive to proceed from the various Positions of those Particles of Matter which fill up the Receiver and variously reflect the Rays of Light To confirm which Opinion I observed several Steams to rise up from the Cement upon turning of the Stop-cock and if we continued to exhaust the Receiver it would become clearer and clearer and the Colours more dilute till the Cement was enabled to emit more Steams by re-applying a hot Iron to it And as for the Reason why these Steams do not so plentifully rise when the Receiver is evacuated it appears to be because the Particles of the Turpentine are less agitated as the Heat declines and further because they want Air to support them To confirm what I have intimated as the Causes of the aforementioned Phaenomena I conveyed some of the Cement Melted in a Crucible into a Receiver and observed that upon opening of the Stop-cock to let out the Air the Steams would for some time plentifully fly about but after a little time would subside again But in the aforementioned Phaenomena the several Colours seemed to depend on the different Degrees of Heat which the Cement acquired as also on the different Size and Figure of the Receiver as also on the Nature of the Cement and the Quantity of Air which was left unpumped out EXPERIMENT VIII About the slacking of Quick-lime in the Exhausted Receiver HAving conveyed an Evaporating Glass with a sufficient Quantity of Water in it into the Receiver when the Air was drawn out we let down a piece of unslacked Lime into it by the Assistance of the Turning-Key and observ'd that in about ¼ part of an Hour the Lime began to slack violently and at each Exsuction afforded very large Bubbles which continued as long as we plyed the Pump so that in a little time the whole inside of the Receiver was cover'd over with Lime Water a great part of the Mixture boiling over into the Capacity of the Receiver in which Experiment the Outside of the Vessel was considerably hot and the Mixture continued its Heat near ¼ part of an Hour after the Receiver was removed The Lime made use of in this Experiment was very strong EXPERIMENT IX An attempt to measure the force of the Spring of included Air and examine a Conjecture about the difference of it's strength in unequally broad-mouthed Glasses TO measure the force of the Air 's Expansion we fixed a Syringe in a Frame that it might be kept firm and erect which being done we provided a Leaden Hoop which was suspended at the Top of the Sucker and hung so far below the Bottom of the Syringe that it might have Space enough to rise in upon the Expansion of the Air in the Cavity of the Syringe when the Receiver should be exhausted the Weight in the mean time being prevented from compressing the Air beyond it's natural State by a String the one end of which was tyed to the Top of the Sucker and the other to the Turning Key which being done and the Pump set on Work we found that the Expanding Air was able to raise about 7 or 8 pound Weight and had the Rammer had a free Passage it probably would have raised a much greater Weight but the Experiment was less satisfactory in determining the force of the Air 's Expansion in elevating a determinate Weight because the Air made it's way too easily betwixt the convex Superficies of the Sucker and the concave Surface of the Cylinder Therefore to be more exact I caused two Cylinders to be made different both in Length and Breadth the Diameter of the one being an Inch and of the other two Inches In the former I put a Lamb's Bladder which contained a sufficient Quantity of Air and having ordered the Receiver to be exhausted I found that a Cylinder of Air of an Inch Diameter was able to raise a Weight of 10 Pound Averdupoiz Weights but tho' the Bladder for a long time kept the Air from flying away yet when it was loaded with the utmost Weight it was able to bear some Air getting out of the Bladder rendred our Tryal less satisfactory Wherefore we made use of a Cylinder 4 Inches Deep and two in Diameter which having a broad Basis to stand upon we put a Lamb's Bladder into it well blown and tyed See Plate 2. Fig. the 2 and 4. and putting a Wooden Plug upon that we loaded the Plugs with Weights amounting to 35 Pound the uppermost of which was fastned to the Turning-Key to prevent it from falling and then the Plug being marked at the brim of the Cylinder we set the Pump on Work and observed that the Expansive force of the Air in the Bladder was so great that it lifted up the Plug considerably yet when the Air was again let into the Receiver the Plug was so far depressed that the Mark was below the Edges of the Receiver yet the Air being again a second time exhausted the Bladder raised the Plug so high that ⅜ parts of the whole Plug was lifted up above the Edges of the Cylinder And by repeating the Tryal we found that the Air in the Bladder when the Receiver was exhausted was able to bear up 7 pound Weight more by which Weight the Mark upon the Plug was not depressed below the top of the Cylinder But in trying these Experiments the following Particulars are to be Noted 1. That the Plug must be so adapted to the Cylinder as to move up and down easily also it must be of a convenient length not exceeding an Inch and a half and it will be likewise requisite that the Plug should have a strong Ledge upon the upper part of the Cylindrical Surface that it may rest upon the Edges of the Cylinder and sustain the Weights laid upon it more firmly 2. When the Bladder was put into the hollow Cylinder we took care to adapt it by easie and frequent Compressions to the Cavity it was placed in making a Mark in the inside of the Cylinder where the Air in it's Natural State was Compressed to that we might learn what Weight the Expansion of the Air was able to sustain above that Mark for the Air being preternaturally compressed upon the Account of that accidental pressure may be able to raise a greater Weight than Air uncompressed so that the Weight it raises above that Mark is alone to be taken for what Air
condensed is able to lift up more than the Air in it's Natural State 3. When the Bladder was taken out of the Cylinder the Figure of it was proportionable to the Cavity which it was contained in being 2 Inches Diameter and 2 Inches and ½ long 4. From the Experiments now mentioned it appears that the Air is able at it's first Expansion to raise a Weight proportionably larger according to the different Bores of the Cylinders made use of but when it hath been a little more Expanded the Proportion is not so exact because a small Quantity of Air being to fill up ¼ or ½ part of an Inch more the smaller Quantity of Air must be much more rarified and consequently lose of it's expansive Force But comparing the expansive Force of Air in different Bores at it's first Expansion some may think the Proportion not exact since the small Bladder being able to raise no more but 10 Pound and the Weight which the larger raises being 42 it is more than a Duplicate Proportion-of what our Hypothesis requires but if we consider that comparing the Diameter of each Cylinder the Bladder in the less proportion ably takes up more Room than in the larger it may be sufficient to account for the Difference 5. Considering that the Bladders in which Air is Included may straiten the Cavities of the Cylinders the expansive Force of the Air might be more exactly determined could Cylinders be contrived stanch enough without such helps 6. And it will not a little contribute to render the Force of the Air 's Spring difficult to be determined that the Air it self at different times varies in it's degrees of Pressure Yet from what hath been said it seems probable that were it possible to contrive an exact Cylinder very tite one of an Inch Bore would be able to raise above 10 pound Weight EXPERIMENT X. An easie way of making a small Quantity of Included Air raise 50 or 60 Pound or a greater Weight in the Exhausted Receiver TO demonstrate more obviously the Air 's Spring we took a * See Plate the second Fig. 4. Brass Cylinder whose Depth was 4 Inches and it's Diameter 4 Inches and ¾ to which we adapted a †See Plate short Plug to whose upper Basis was fixed a broad Rim for Weights to stand on more firmly which being done we pressed a Bladder into the Cylinder that it might adapt it self to the Cavity of it and then observing how much the Plug was above the surface of the Cylinder we laid the Weights upon it see Plate the 2d Figure the 5th and observed that the Air in a Cylinder about 4 Inches broad lifted up 75 pound at the 5 Exsuction so high that one might discern the Mark See Plate 2. Fig. 5. and at 2 Exsuctions more it was elevated 3 10 above the Top of the Cylinder and at the same time in a Mercurial Gage the Mercury that usually stood at ⅛ above the highest Glass Mark subsided to ⅛ below the Second When the Air was let into the Receiver again after some time the Bladder subsided again and being taken out exactly answered the Cavity of the Cylinder The Receiver being again exhausted at the 24th Exsuction the Mercury in the Gage was depressed to the lowest Mark and at the 35th to ⅛ below it And the former Experiment being tryed in a small Receiver in which we heaped flat Weights one upon another the Air raised 100 pound Weight and would probably have raised much more had it not been that the Bladder was so much strained as to give way for some Air to get out at a Leak And here it may not be improper to advertise that the Orifices of such Receivers must not be very wide for if they be they will be subject to be crack'd by the violent external Pressure of the Atmosphere EXPERIMENT XI TO Compare the Gravity of Air and Water I weighed a Glass Bubble in the Receiver which I found to weigh above half a Grain more in the exhausted Receiver than before the Air was drawn out and this Bubble being weighed in the open Air counterpoised 68 Grains and an half upon which the Bubble being immersed in Water we found that the Air in it had been so far rarified by the Heat employed in sealing it up that the Nip being broke off it sucked in 125 Grains of Water the Glass together with the Water sucked into it weighing 193 ½ Grains The whole Cavity of the Bubble being large enough to contain 739 Grains of Water it weighing 807 ½ Grains so that the Proportion betwixt the Weight of the Air and Water did not quite amount to 1228 to 1. Having weighed a Glass Bubble in the Receiver whose Weight was 60 Grains the Air contained in it in Vacuo weighed 27 92 of a Grain and the Weight of such a Quantity of Water as it would contain weighed 720 ¼ Grains In which Experiment the Proportion of Air to Water in Weight was as 857 17 27 to one But Galileo says Water is but 400 times heavier than Water tho' Ricciolus is as much mistaken on the other side who says it is 10000 times heavier To inform my self further of the Weight of the Air I took the following Measures having exhausted a Receiver and when it was void of Air counterballanced it upon turning the Stop-Cock and a Reingress of Air it weighed 36 Grains more than before which succeeded when tryed a second time and likewise a third And then the Receiver being exhausted was immersed in Water and the Stop-Cock turn'd to give way to an Ingress of Water and when as much Water as was able to enter into the Receiver had succeeded in the Place of the exhausted Air we turned the Cock again to keep that Water in and the Receiver being again weighed the Water weighed 47 Ounces 3 Drachms and 6 Grains so that the Water was heavier than its bulk of Air near 650 Grains the Mercury in a Baroscope at the same time being boyed up to 29 Inches ¾ so that the Weight and condensed state of the Atmosphere being greater then than usually was the Reason why the Disproportion was not as great as at other times tho' we may reasonably suspect that the Quantity of Air contained in the Pores of the Water joyning with that in the Receiver might hinder so much Water from getting in as was requisite to fill the Space deserted by the Exhausted Air besides several Particles of Air might probably get in at the Stop-Cock whilst the Experiment was trying which joyning with the Air remaining in the Receiver might contribute to prevent a sufficient Ingress of Water From all which Experiments it appears that tho' the Weight of the Atmosphere is so various that it is impossible to know exactly the Proportion betwixt it and Water yet it is evident that Water is to Air some Number betwixt 600 and 1100 to 1 being greater or less as the Atmosphere is more or less condensed But
rose 34 ½ July 28 It rose 36 July 29 It rose 40 July 30 It rose 44 Foot high Those Apricocks which were cut in pieces were moist and began to dissolve in Water July 31 The Height was 51 Aug. 1 The Height was 60 Aug. 2 It was 65 Foot high The Fruit being taken out were of a grateful Taste and as far as they were immersed in Water very soft From whence it is evident that the Air of Cherries hastens Alterations in Colour and Firmness in Apricocks EXPERIMENT X. July 30. PLums cut in pieces being shut up in Vacuo and likewise with Common Air and in another Receiver with Common Air of Gooseberries Aug. 2. In the latter they were unalter'd In common Air they grew mouldy In Vacuo they became soft Aug. 5. In the Artificial Air they became red soft and moist In Common Air black and mouldy yet firm In Vacuo they were near a Dissolution August 7. They became soft in Common Air. August 8. They became red instead of Black Artificial Air seems to promote Alteration EXPERIMENT XI Sept. 24. Peaches shut up in a Receiver FIve Peaches being clos'd in a Receiver with Artificial Air of Grapes together with Common Air. Sept. 25 The Mercury was 21 Inches high Sept. 26 It rose to 23 Sept. 27 It rose to 31 Sept. 28 It rose to 39 Sept. 29 It rose to 42 Sept. 30 It rose to 45 Oct. 1 It rose to 48 Oct. 2 It rose to 48 Oct. 3 It rose to 52 ½ Oct. 5 It rose to 52 ½ The Peaches were Wet Oct. 6 It rose to 58 Oct. 7 It rose to 58 Oct. 8 It rose to 61 Oct. 11 A little higher Oct. 19 It rose to 95 Oct. 25 It rose to 61 Very Cold. The Cold abating it Ascended Oct. 27 Oct. 30 It rose to 61 ◠◠Nov. 2 It rose to 59 Very Cold. Nov. 6 It rose to 61 A Thaw Nov. 7 A little heigher Nov. 9 At the same height Nov. 9 In a Month it gradually ascended to 8 Inches April 1. It was 96. When the Receiver was open as the Air broke out it emitted several Bubbles their Taste and Colour were good the consistence of them was as if they had been boil'd And in three hours time they were Rotten Bodies corrupt less in a Mixture of Factitious and Common Air than in the Latter it self EXPERIMENT XII August 4. Pears enclos'd in a Receiver FOur Pieces of Pear being clos'd with Common Air in a Receiver August 6. The Colour of this Fruit was equally alter'd as of others The Mercury ascended not August 7. The Mercury ascended a little the Alteration in the Pears being small August 8. They were very little Alter'd the Cylinder of Mercury was 4 Inches August 9. It was 4 ½ Aug. 10 It rose to 6 Aug. 11 It rose to 10 Aug. 13 It rose to 16 Aug. 4 It rose to 20 The Pears grew softer Aug. 15 It was 21 Aug. 16 It was 19 Aug. 17 Air got out Aug. 8 The Air being got out and the Fruit taken out it was rotten August 4. Other Pieces of the same Fruit being shut up with as much Artificial Air of Cherries as sustain'd 23 Digits of Mercury above it's usual height August 6. The Colour of them was a little alter'd August 7. They were almost all Rotten The Mercury neither subsiding nor ascending August 8. They were in some Measure alter'd August 10. They gradually became softer The Mercury being rais'd 40 Digits Aug. 11 It rose to 51 Aug. 13 It rose to 61 Aug. 14 It rose to 67 Aug. 15 It rose to 73 Aug. 16 It rose to It Descended tho' no Air made it's way out August 17. The Mercury was 67 Digits high No Air got out August 18. The Mercury subsided not The Taste of the Fruit was Acid and their substance very soft the Air contain'd in the Receiver likewise smelling very sharp August 4. 77. Pieces of the same Fruit being enclos'd in a Receiver August 6. They alter'd their Colour August 7. A piece of a Pear became soft and another in Artificial Air was putrid the Day before August 8. They were all soft and one was Mouldy August 9. Their Rottenness gradually encreas'd August 11. They were altogether Rotten and Mucid From this Experiment and the former it appears that Rottenness is equally promoted in included and open Air tho' much faster carri'd on in the Latter August 4. 77. Several Pieces of Pears being shut up in Vacuo August 6 The height of the Mercurial Cylinder was 5 Digits Aug. 7 It rose to 8 Aug. 8 It rose to 10 Aug. 9 It rose to 12 Aug. 10 It rose to 14 Aug. 11 It rose to 16 Aug. 13 It rose to 20 Aug. 14 It rose to 23 Aug. 15 It rose to 25 Aug. 17 It rose to 28 August 20. They were not in the least Chang'd till to Day when being soft the Mercury was at a stand August 26. All things Remain'd as before From which Experiments it appears how apt Artificial Air is to soften Fruit. EXPERIMENT XIII August 21. 77. Apricocks shut up in a Receiver SIX Apricocks being divided into Quarters one Piece of each was inclos'd in a Receiver August 22. They seem'd Riper August 23. One piece which touch'd the Water acquir'd Mouldiness the other beginning to putrify The Mercury ascended a little August 24. Those next the Water were not only Mouldy but all Rotten August 25. Putrifaction gradually became greater The height of the Mercury was 7 Inches Aug. 26 It rose to 15 Aug. 28 It rose to 30 Aug. 29 It rose to 30 The Fruit was almost dissolv'd Aug. 30 It rose to 33 Aug. 31 It rose to 38 Sept. 1 It rose to 38 Sept. 2 It rose to 38 Sept. 3 It rose to 38 †A little Sept. 4 It rose to 41 Sept. 5 It rose to 43 Sept. 7 It rose to 45 Sept. 8 It rose to 46 Sept. 9 It rose to 46 Sept. 22. The Mercurial Cylinder vari'd little The Fruit was almost dissolv'd Octob. 1. The Taste of the Fruit which remain'd undissolv'd was subacid and grateful The Mercury then standing about 46 Inches high August 21. 77. A Quarter of each of the same Fruit being plac'd in a Receiver which was not sufficiently guarded from the outward Air August 22. They became as flaccid as if they were wither'd August 23. Many were Rotten and Mouldy August 24. They were wholly putrifi'd August 21. A Quarter of each of the Apricocks being shut up in a Receiver and a sufficient Quantity of Artificial Air from Pears added as rais'd the Mercury 20 Inches August 22. The Mercury stood still but became Riper than those in open Air. August 23. The Alteration was not so great as in Common Air. August 24. They were unalter'd August 25. They began to yield Air but the Quantity was not discernible August 26. They underwent no considerable Change August 28. They began to be a little moist Yet the Alteration they underwent was not
part of Sugar A Fourth had 5 parts of Water and one of Sugar included with an Apple cut in Pieces Decemb. 21. In the first the Sugar was not Melted The Mercury ascended a little In the Second the Sugar was Melted and the Apples shrivel'd they yeilded much Air when First included in the Receiver In the other Two the Mercury ascended a little In the Third the pieces of Apple were corrupted very much for the Skin was taken off Decemb. 22. Air was produced in all the Receivers but most in the Second and Third Decemb. 27. In the 3 First the Mercury was 10 Digits high in the Fourth 6. Decemb. 31. In the 1st and 2d It was 13. In the 3d. 15. In the 4th 9. Jan 2. 79. In the 1st and 2d almost 14. In the 3d. 17. In the 4th 11. Jan. 7. In the 2d It was 16. In the 3d. 36. In the Fourth 15. The Mercury in the First rose no higher but the Air made it's escape when the Screw was eased Jan. 9. In the first it was 6 Inches high In the 2d 16. In the 3d. 39. In the Fourth 15. Jan. 17. In the 1st 13. In the 2d 19. In the 3d. 56. In the 4th 17. Jan. 30. In the 3d. 76. Digits The Liquor broke out and therefore I opened the Receiver The Fruit had communicated it's Taste which was pleasant to the Water The Mercury in the 2d being raised no higher I opened it and found that the first was better Tasted than the former and having communicated in a great Measure it 's Taste to the ambient Sugar It was in the form of a good Syrup Feb. 16. The Mercury in the First Receiver was 22. In the Fourth 33. The Receiver being opened I found that the Taste of the First being wholly imparted to the Water had made it very Pleasant Feb. 27. The Mercury in the First Receiver was 30 Digits high March 15. The Receiver being opened I found that tho' the Colour of the Apple was good yet the Pulp was Spungy and had in a great Measure lost it's Taste Hence it appears that Sugar does not preserve Fruit so well as Fermented Liquors See EXP. VII EXPERIMENT XVIII Decemb. 23. A Glass Vessel being full of Milk Milk included in a Receiver and stopped with a Screw was conveighed into one Receiver and Milk with a Lark in it into another Decemb. 24. In the Evening the Caseous and Butyrous Parts were separated both in the Milk in the Receivers and in some of the same exposed to the Air. Decemb. 27. No Air generated where the Lark was The other Gage was spoiled Decemb. 31. The Mercury was raised in that which held the Lark 3 days since Milk that had all the while been exposed to the Air Stunk Jan. 1. 79. The Mercury was 10 Inches high where the Lark was contained Jan. 2. It was 14 ½ The Milk below the Butyrous Part seemed red Jan. 4. It rose to 19 Digits White Serum grew together in the Bottom of the Milk Jan. 9. The Mercury was 29 Digits high Jan. 25. The Receivers being opened the Lark Smelled strong but when Boll'd Tasted Pleasant tho' it had been kept 32 Days In the other Receiver the Butyrous part was sowre but the Caseous Part Tasted subacid From hence it appears that Milk may Preserve Flesh EXPERIMENT XIX Decemb. 24. 78. A Lark was put into a Small Receiver A Lark with Melted Butter and the Remaining space filled up with Melted Butter Decemb. 27. The Mercury sunk the Butter grew Yellow below White in the Middle and Fluid above Jan. 5. 79. The Mercury gradually rose 9. It was a little higher 28. It was altered but little the Receiver being opened the Butter contiguous to the Leather which Lined the Cover was of an ungrateful Taste and white The Rest of the Butter was Yellow and Rancid The Lark being Roasted was Pleasant to the Palate Hence it appears that Butter when Melted and hot does not preserve Flesh so well as otherwise EXPERIMENT XX. Jan. 4. 79. A Receiver being filled with Boil'd Flesh and Broth whilst the Screw was Set Boiled Flesh and Broth. they were so Compressed as to Raise the Mercury 6 Digits but it soon subsided again Jan. 28. The Mercury had subsided 8 Digits below it's usual Height The Receiver being opened we found the Flesh Sweet and Pleasant The Broth Subacid and well Tasted This Experiment Teaches that Beef being kept in Receivers as long as Experience shews that it may and then taken out and Boil'd and included again in Receivers may be carried to Sea without Salting it which may be of no small use in helping to preserve Beef Fresh in long Voyages See EXP. XII EXPERIMENT XXI Jan. 30. 79. Raw Flesh with Pepper and Cloves RAw Flesh was included with Pepper and Cloves in one Receiver and in another by it self Feb. 11. In the First the Mercury was 3 Digits high In the Second almost 1 ½ Feb. 12. In the First 4 ½ In the Second 1 ½ Feb. 13. In the First 6 ✚ In the Second 3. The Flesh of the First being boiled was Tender and Pleasant Feb. 14. In the Second 5 19 In the Second 6 20 In the Second 11. The Flesh being Boil'd was Tender and good tho' it was kept in B. Mariae but 5 hours Some of it before it was boil'd was put into a Receiver free from Air. Feb. 28. The Ascent of the Mercury was small March 20. The Mercury was 16 Digits high The Flesh being taken out Tasted Pleasant but was inclining to corruption EXPERIMENT XXII Feb. 10. RAw Beef Seasoned with Pepper and Cloves was put into one Receiver In another it was enclosed with Salt In a Third alone Feb. 19. In the 1st and 3d. the Mercury ascended In the 2d it did not Feb. 21. In the 1st it was 4 ½ In the 3d. 10 In the 2d 0. 25 In the 1st it was 6 In the 3d. 19 In the 2d ½ 26. No Ascent The Third being opened and the Flesh Boil'd it tasted well In the former Experiment Spices seem'd to hinder but here they promote the Generation of the Air So that I am inclined to think that the difference in these two Experiments depends on this Viz. that in the former the Ingredients were shut up so close that there was no Room for Air to be Generated in March 9. The Mercury in the 1st was 8 Digits In the 2d None 12. In the 1st it was 12 In the 2d 1. April 3. In the 1st it was 11 In the 2d 1. April 3. In the 1st it was 11 In the 2d 1. The Receiver being open'd and the Flesh boil'd it was sweet and tender From this Experiment we may infer that Salt hinders the Generation of Air. Less air was generated in the second Receiver because it was more exactly fill'd To preserve Flesh without Salt the Air must be kept out and likewise there must be a great compression in the Receiver Of what use these
Mercury so easily the rarified Air would rather penetrate than buoy it up The Reason of Suction To shew in Opposition to Mr. Hobbs how much the Atmospherical Air is concern'd in Suction we took a Glass Bubble whose long Stem was Cylindrical and very slender and having by the help of heat expelled a good quantity of the Air contain'd in it when by immerging it in Water that Rarified Air which remained in it was condens'd the VVater was almost raised to the Top of the Pipe when this was done the Air in the Bubble being Rarified it forced out almost all the Water in the Stem only a few Drops which satisfi'd us that none of the Rarified Air had got out of the Pipe as the Depression of the Water so low assured us on the other side that the included Air was almost as much Expanded as when the Water began to ascend into the Pipe When the Air was thus Rarified we presently removed the Pipe out of the Water into the Stagant Mercury which ascended into it in a short time In which Experiment did the Mercury rise to prevent a Vacuum or did it's Ascent depend on any internal Principle of Motion or on the compression and propagated Pulsion of the Air that was expelled there would be no reason why the Mercury should not rise as high as the Water But from our Hypothesis the Reason is plain for as soon as the Cylinder of Water or Mercury together with the compress'd Air is equiponderant with the Atmosphere incumbent it rises no higer So that tho' the Air is less condens'd when the Tube is immers'd in Mercury yet the greater Weight of Mercury making a greater resistance than Water the external Air is not able to buoy it up any higher to compress the Air enclosed And this Experiment is confirm'd by the following For having expell'd a little Air out of the Bubble by heat so much Quicksilver ascended into it as fill'd a Fourth Part of the Pipe which being carefully removed so that no Mercury could run out we caused the Air in the globous part to be Rarified till almost all the Mercury was expell'd the end of the Pipe being all the while immers'd in Water as soon as the Air included began to cool the Water rose up into the Body of the Ball buoying up the Mercury before it whereit was observ'd that as the Air was more or less Rarifi'd and the Quicksilver exepll'd out of the Stem the Ascent of the Water would proportionably vary So that as the Body to be buoy'd up by the External Air varies in Weight so do the Degrees of it's Ascent Another Observation which shews that there is no Circulation of Wind such as Mr. Hobbs supposes to be the Cause of Suction is that Smoak will ascend without being in the least blown about But since Mr. Hobbs will not allow of a Vacuum but asserts that the Air makes it's Way through the close and solid Bodies I shall add that having expell'd the Air by Rarefaction out of a very thin Aeopile and stopp'd the Orifice up with Wax the External Air made such a violent Pressure on it as to thrust the Sides of it considerably inwards CHAP. VII The Cause of Attraction by Suction Attraction what SUction being look'd upon to be a sort of Attraction before I descend to a more particular Consideration of the former I shall premise something of the latter And tho' Attraction is generally taken to be a kind of Pulsion yet both of them to me seem to be but extrinsical Denominations of the same Local Motion in which if a Body mov'd precede the Movent or tends to acquire a greater Distance from it we call it Pulsion and if upon the Account of Motion the same Body either follows or tends towards the Movent it is term'd Attraction so that the difference is no Physical one but only Accidental in respect of the Line of Motion to the Movent As when a Man draws a Chain after him tho' he goes before it yet he hath some Part of his Body behind one Link which draws the rest after it and so if that Chain draws any thing after it tho' the Cause of the Attraction goes before yet there is a certain Cohesion of Parts that enables it to drag that Body after it so that Attraction evidently appears to be a Species of Pulsion and such an one as is usually term'd Trusion as when a Gardiner drives his Wheelbarrow before him without letting go his Hold. But perhaps it may be said that there are Attractions where it cannot be pretended that the Attrahent comes behind any Part of the Body attracted as in Magnetical and Electrical Attractions or as when Water rises by pumping As for the two first Instances should we allow with Modern Philosophers of screw'd Particles and other Magnetical Emissions we might say that these coming behind either the Body attracted or it 's porous Parts on it's Superficies might cause such an Effect or by procuring some Discussion of the Air that may make it thrust the moveable towards the Attracting Body But were there none of these nor any other subtil Agents that cause this Motion by a real tho' unperceiv'd Pulsion I should to distinguish these from other Attractions term them Attraction by Invisibles But as for the last Instance I suppose it will be easily granted that the ascending Rammer only makes way for the Water to rise as it is buoy'd up by External Air for from the Torrecellian Experiment it is evident that since the Terraqueous Globe is continually press'd upon by the Atmosphere if in any part that Pressure be taken off the Incumbent Atmospherical Pillar will buoy up as much of that Liquor as a Pillar of Air of such a Diameter is able to counterpoise The Truth of which is further confirm'd by observing that if the Air from about a Syringe be exhausted the Sucker may be pull'd up without elevating the Water or drawing it up after it And indeed supposing two Men by thrusting equally on each side a Door to keep it shut one might as well say that he that left off thrusting on one side was the Cause of the Doors opening as that the Water rises by the drawing up the Rammer which only gives way to the Water as buoy'd up by the External Air. Thus much being said of Attraction I shall proceed to consider The Cause of Suction as laid down by others exanun'd that Species of it call'd Suction for which several Philosophers have thought on various Causes As Nature's Abhorrency of a Vacuum which were it true Water by Suction might be rais'd to any Height but we have found by Experience that it will not be rais'd above 33 ½ Foot which Weight the Atmosphere is able to buoy up as appears from the Torrecellian Experiment And further from an Experiment elsewhere laid down where tho' Water may presently be suck'd up to the Top of a Pipe 3 Foot long yet
should be thought to subside only for want of the Internal Air to bear it up we continu'd pumping till the Bubble in the Egg expanding further depress'd the Surface of the Water in the Stem below the Surface of the External Water The Air being thus far rarifi'd we compar'd the Diameter of the Bubble with the Diameter of the Glass and found it to be as 1 to 20 and consequently according to Euclid the Proportion betwixt Spheres being triplicate to that of their Diameters the Diameter of the lesser being one the Diameter of the other must be 8000. So that the Air expanded possess'd 8000 times the Space it possess'd before The Glass Egg being fill'd with such Water again and no Air included in it tho' the Receiver was in a great measure exhausted yet the Water did not subside till a Bubble at the last rose to the Top whose Diameter was to the Diameter of the Glass as 1 to 14 so that according to Euclid's Rule before-mention'd the Bubble expanded possess'd 2744 times as much Space as before But Dr. Wallis observing the great Thinness of the Glass thought that the expanded Bubble possessed 8232 times it 's former Dimensions N. B. Water being let into the Exhausted Receiver till it would receive no more we found that by reason of some Leaks the Receiver had not been perfectly exhausted EXPERIMENT II. June 2.62 Air expanded to 10000 times it 's former Bulk ASmall Bolt-head which was able to contain 80 Grains of Water being inverted into a Jar it was shut up in the Receiver and when the Air was exhausted Bubbles which rose out of the Water expanding themselves presently drove all the Water out of the Bolt-head but when the Air was let in again the expanded Air in the Bolt-head form'd a Bubble no bigger than a Pin's Head After this we fill'd the Bolt-head with Water clear'd of Air and when the Receiver was pretty well exhaufied a Bubble ascended to the Top of the Bolt-head which when the Air was again let in was almost invisible yet the Receiver being again exhausted it expanded it self so far as almost to drive all the Water out of the Bolt-head yet when the External Air was again admitted into the Receiver it shrunk into a Bubble whose Diameter was 1 22 part of the Diameter of the Bolt-head so that to fill the whole Cavity it expanded it self 10648 times but considering the Cavity of the Neck of the Vessel which it likewise in some measure fill'd it was expanded to 13769 times its Bulk The Diameter of the small Bubble retracted was 1 27 of an Inch. The Diameter of the outside of the Head of the Glass was 29 36 of an Inch. The Water that fill'd the Head was 60 ½ Grains The Water that fill'd so far of the Neck as the expanded Bubble possess'd was 17 ½ Grains The Bolt-head weigh'd 15 Grains EXPERIMENT III. THE foregoing Experiment being repeated we found that a Bubble whose Diameter was 1 16 of an Inch in Diameter when expanded possessed the whole Space of the Ball as well as Neck of the Bolt-head and depress'd the Surface of the Water within the Pipe below the Surface of the stagnant Water From these Experiments it appears that according to the most moderate Estimate Air expanded will possess 2744 times it 's natural Space and according to our most successful Experiments 13000. So that we may justly admire the Minuteness of those Aerial Instruments that she employs even about Visible Operations CHAP. XI New Observations about the Duration of the Spring of Expanded Air. Observations about the Duration of the Air 's Spring IT having not been as yet attempted to shew whether a Portion of expanded Air would retain it's Elasticity and it's Power of Restitution or not nor how long nor whether a Portion of Air inclos'd in a Receiver would have it's Spring vary'd upon Full or the Change of the Moon tho' I cannot much boast of the Progress I have made yet I shall subjoyn the following Attempts on that Occasion A Glass Bubble newly blown and whilst it contain'd none but rarifi'd Air had it's Stem imediately clapt into a Flame and Seal'd up Many Months after it was inverted into a Basin of Water and the Seal broke off under the Surface of it and tho' Water was violently impell'd into the Cavity of it yet the included Air had so far retain'd it's Spring as not to suffer the Cavity to be quite filled with Water Another Method I took to shew the Durableness of the Air 's Spring was the following viz. Leaving a small Portion of Air in the Folds of a Lamb's Bladder whose Neck was closely ty'd it was inclos'd in another Vessel and conveigh'd into our Pneumatick Engin and when the Receiver was exhausted the expanded Air distended the Bladder so that it fill'd the whole Cavity of the Vessel by whose sides it was guarded from the Pressure of the outward Air so that the expanded Air kept the Bladder distended two Years For further Satisfaction I contriv'd an Instrument by which I could learn whether and how long Air variously expanded will retain it's Spring by which I could not discover that the Air lost any thing considerable of it's Spring in ten Weeks time Another Instrument I made use of by which I could find that Air expanded to 1000 times it 's usual Dimensions would be sensibly affected by Heat and lose the Expansion it gain'd thereby upon a Removal of that Heat March 18. We try'd the following Experiment A Cylindrical Glass having a long Stem at the unseal'd End was fill'd with Water and inverted into Water which lay in the bottom of a large Pipe seal'd at one End and 3 or 4 Foot long which being done the large Pipe was so far exhausted that the Air the inverted Pipe possess'd the whole Cavity of it down to the Stem upon which the larger Tube being clos'd up the expanded Air possess'd the same Space 3 Months after except that betwixt the Pipe and the Stem upon extream Cold the Water rose ⅛ or near ¼ The clos'd Apex being broke open under Water it gradually fill'd the whole Cavity except a small Space possess'd by a little Bubble The Diameter of the Cylindrical Part of the Pipe was ⅗ of an Inch and its Length 3 Inches the Bubble was about 2 10 in Diameter and 2 100 in Depth so that the Bubble was according to Dr Wallis his Computation to the Space it possessed when expanded as 1 to 1350. CHAP. XII New Experiments touching the Condensation of the Air by mere Cold and it's Compression without Mechanichal Engins Of the Air 's Condensation by Cold c. TO try how far the Air is capable of being condens'd by mere Cold when the Season of the Year hath not pre-affected it I try'd the following Experiment in Autumn In the middle of September about Noon on a Sun-shiny Day we placed a Bolt head in a Frame so that the Stem was
Poyson and in some a Faintness and Dispiritedness according to the Testimony of several Physicians And that Mineral Expirations may cause a determinate Distemper we may learn from an Observation of mine which was That a Chymist rubbing very often Red Arsnick in a Mortar and endeavouring to make an Excellent Medicine of it first complain'd to me of a Difficulty of breathing and sometimes of Pains and Tumors in his Testicles And it will not be very much doubted whether Mineral Effluvia penetrate the Pores of the Body or not by those that shall know that the Fumes of Sulphur are so penetrating that at the Pic of Teneriff they blacken Silver in the Pockets of those that go up to it I made a Preparation of Sulphur which emitted Effluvia so powerful in the Cold that they penetrated a Leathern Purse and discoloured Silver contain'd in it But besides the forementioned Effects of Vapours on the Pic of Teneriff I was told that one that ascended that Mountain had the Colour of his Hair altered before he came down again which argues the Power of Mineral Effluvia to penetrate the Pores of the Body But lest it should be questioned by some whether such Mineral Effluvia would not be consumed and cease in less time than Endemical Diseases are continued in one Place I shall imtimate that I think several subterraneal Bodies may have a power of propagating their Virtue to Matter contiguous to them by some Seminal Principle or something Analogous to a Ferment or by bringing some more Crude Mineral Earths gradually and successively to a greater Degree of Maturity and Perfection For it hath been observed that in Tract of time a Mineral might be obtained from an Earth which at another time it could not be obtain'd from which Observation holds as to Nitre which is one of the most Catholick Fossils and most plentifully emits Effluvia Besides tho' Mineral Effluvia in the Region of the Earth discoverable by us should be consum'd I see not why supplies may not be brought from the Bowels of the Earth Indeed considering how closely the Matter of Minerals is crowded together and how long Magnets severed from their Mines emit Effluvia without a sensible Diminution the Stock of Mineral Earth from whence they flow cannot be thought suddenly to be exhausted for an Effluviating power is so durable that one had a perfumed Watch which tho' constantly worn preserv'd it's Scent 16 years and by the same Reason could perfume Marbles quite through so that they retain'd their Scent a long time But before I leave this second Proposition it is requisite that I should take Notice that noxious Effluvia may cause Distempers not only by Respiration and penetrating the Pores of our Body but by impregnating the Water made use of for preparing and Diluting our Aliment without any sensible alteration in the Water to be discern'd by us So Water by an Infusion of Crocus Metallorum becomes Emetick and indeed sometimes those Effluvia are so numerous that in the Borders of Lancashire the Mud in a Ditch is so strongly impregnated with subterraneal Exhalations that at the Surface of the Earth or Water they will take fire and flame like a Candle But besides that Distempers may be propagated by these subtle Effluvia impregnating Water they may be also prejudicial in as much as being mixed with the Nutriment of Plants they may deprave their Juices and consequently make them unfit to be eaten And that Mineral Effluvia may in a great measure deprave and influence the substances of Plants in their growth is confirmed by some who have noted that Oaks growing in Ground which abounded with Vitriolate Mines were much more heavy and solid than others and these Effluvia are sometimes so numerous and crouded into the Pores of Plants as not to be overcome and concocted by the Ferments of the Plants but to keep their own Natures for I have observed in a Vine near Paris several Marchasitical Particles throughout the Pores of the Root and Trunk And I have been told that at Tockay in Hungary the very Kernels of the Grapes are as if it were Guilt over with Leaf Gold But Besides the aforementioned Ways by which our Bodies may be affected with Noxious Effluviums we may not a little suffer by the deprav'd Humours which some Animals we Feed upon are nourished by and which vitiate their Bodies primarily and secondarily ours As from what hath been said it appears that Subterraneal Effluvia may cause Distempers so it may not be amiss to take Notice that possibly in some measure Mineral Effluvia may prevent Distempers for 't is Observed that several parts of Scotland are free from Agues and that very hot and large Regions in the East-Indies are rarely troubl'd with the Plague nor is it less remarkable that in Ireland the Air is impregnated with such sort of Emanations as prevent the Generation of any venemous Creatures To which I shall add the following Instance from Beguinus in his own words who says Dignum admiratione est quod quamvis in vicinia Hydriae Comitatus Gloricensis ubi reperitur copiosè ☿ singulis fere annis Lues pestifera grassatur illa tamen semper immunis ab hac manere soleat idque viri providae aetatis se observasse et a Majoribus suis accepisse mihi sancte confirmarunt to which I shall add further that the Learned Michael Magerus pronounces Mercury an Antidote against several Diseases and particularly the Plague PROPOSITION III. It is likely Proposition 3. that divers Epidemical Diseases are in great Part produc'd by Subterraneal Effluvia THo' several Epidemical Distempers are caused by manifest alterations in sensible Qualities of the Air yet to shew that some of them principally and others partly depend on the Effects of Subterraneal Effluvia I shall offer the following Considerations And First the Structure and disposition of the Parts of our Globe which are not much below the Surface of it and much more the deeper Subterraneal Regions are so plentifully stocked with Mineral substances so that it is not improbable but that Subterraneal Effluvia ascending thence into the Air may cause excessive Heat or Cold or some other manifest Qualities and consequently in part occasion most Epidemical Diseases For from what I have elsewhere shewn it not only appears that these Effluvia by acting on one another may excite sudden heats but also that Minerals of different Degrees of Maturity acting on one another may produce an Intense Cold. Besides the changes of the Air on which Epidemical Diseases depend are so considerable and instantaneous that they can scarce be attributed to the Influence of the Sun or Moon which are too regular and constant in their Influence to cause such Anomalous effects as we cannot but take Notice of in a few years time but are rather caused by an irruption of Subterraneal Steams which are frequently both impetuous and irregular And tho' some attribute them to the Influence of the
Stars yet the vanity of Judiciary Astrology having been so plainly detected by several Learned Men I shall here only observe that it is much more unlikely that particular Towns should alone be Influenced by such than by Effluviums from Bodies near the Surface of the Earth where those Places stand and that which renders it much more probable is that I have frequently known Diseases very Fatal to happen suddenly in some places where the first Contagion hath been accompanied with a very troublesome Fog That sudden and violent Heats may be produc'd by a Mixture of Subterraneal Bodies not only appears from Oil of Vitrol pour'd upon Iron Spirit of Nitre upon Butter of Antimony Filings of Copper Tin or crude Antimony But from Oil of Vitriol poured upon Powdered Marchasites which was accompanied with very strong Scented Fumes To which I shall add that even Sulphur hath to my knowledge had considerable effects on Marchasites And I have been told by a German Chymist that in Germany Marchasites which were found there would grow hot if long immers'd in pure Water And if we consider upon how many Accidents the Course of Subterraneal Waters may be turned it will be easily evident upon that Account considerable Degrees of Heat may succeed for if a convenient quantity of Filings of Steel be mixed with Powder of Sulphur and that Mixture be moistened with Water it presently grows very hot and emits Fumes copiously like Slak'd-Lime And I have been inform'd by several who frequent Mines that Damps which are made up of Subterraneal Effluviums are not only very irregular in Reference to their Distance but also their Duration and have very ill effects on those that come within the reach of them and if such pernicious Fumes are to be discover'd so near the Surface of the Earth well may they affect those that Inhabit on the Soil near which such Effluvia rise I say near which because tho' they do not immediately rise in the very Towns they infect and are carried thither by the Motion of the Air yet in a large Tract of Land they may be so dispersed as to have no considerable Effects But it is not requisite always that those Effluvia which cause Distempers should be noxious at their first Rise from the Earth since Mineral Fumes may acquire new Qualities by associating with particular Particles in the Air and may by that means be disposed to act upon particular Parts of the Body and to cause a determinate Disease So tho' neither Spirit of Nitre nor Sal Armoniack alone can Dissolve Gold yet Aq. Regia which is a Composition of both will but hath no such effect on Silver Diamond 's or Rubies As for the Reason why Epidemick Distempers affect some and let others go free it may not only be accounted for by the peculiar Dispositions of those Bodies but also by considering that the Effluvia which rise from the Earth may be so imperfectly mixed with the Air as to fall upon one Body and not another so I have observed several Leaves on a Tree blasted with a Wind which blew at that Corner of the Ground yet others on the same piece of Ground were untouch'd nay the very Leaves of that were not all blasted on that side which the Wind blew so that I suspected some Arsenical Vapours being mixed with the Air cast upon them were like Hail shot from a Gun and scattered in it's Flight And on a Cause not much unlike this may depend the Effects of some Winds which cause Blasts on the Faces of some People yet let others go free as I remember I was Riding once in the Wind which tho' it disaffected not me yet my Man who Rid after me scaped it not In favour of our Hypothesis already laid down I shall add that the short duration of some Distempers as well as their Progressive Motion from one Town to another are Arguments either that these Vapours rise all at once and are dispersed or the Subterraneal Commotion that causes them passes on from one Part of the Earth subjacent to another Nor is it less Consonant to our Hypothesis that the short duration of some Distempers may depend on a successive rise of Effluvia since when those of one kind cease to be emitted and another kind succeeds the latter may check the former by precipitating them or uniting into Quid Tertium less prejudicial to all Animal Bodies So by an ascociation of new Particles with those Pestilential Effluvia which cause an Annual Plague in Grand Cairo it suddenly stops and those already infected dye not if the Air be sufficiently impregnated before as a late Writer of Voyages into Aegypt testifies in these Words The Drops or Dew purifies the Air for as soon as it falls the Plague ceases to be Mortal none dyes of it The Air is wholesome all Distempers cease and if any person grows sick he never dyes c. I have been told that about the Tin Mines in Devonshire not only the Grass and Fern but the Trees will be suddenly blasted by the powerful Effluvia which suddenly rise over a considerable compass of Ground Having said thus much of Epidemical Distempers it perhaps may be Expected that I should say something of the Plague and it's Origin which I must own my self at a loss in for tho' I think it rather seemingly Pious than really so to ascribe such things to a Supernatural Power which may be accounted for by Natural ones yet I deny not but that some may arise from a Supernatural Origin But what ever may be the first Origin of Plagues I am inclined to think that the Propagation of them depends on a Malignant Disposition in the Air arising from some Subterraneal Effluvia for these Reasons First because the Malevolent Aspects of the Planets seem too Remote and Indeterminate to act on a particular place Besides according to the vulgar Hypotheses the Plague ought to rage most where it very seldom happens For Leo Africanus informs us that in Numidia tho' raging hot it happens but once in an hundred Years and Purchas in his Pilgrimage Lib. 6. Cap. 13. tells us it is not known at all in the Land of Negro and seldom in Japan or New-England and in the East-Indies China Tunquin and Cochinchinâ— it is never heard of Whereas the Country of China contains more Inhabitants than all the Nations of Europe and were the Plague a Punishment inflicted for the sins of Men certainly in Countries so large and savage they might expect it from Divine Justice as often as we But perhaps it may be said that these Histories as much Press our Hypothesis as those others alledged by Physitians But if we consider that I confess it difficult to determine the Original cause the other part of my Hypothesis is not at all shaken since it could not be denyed but that noxious Effluvia would be able to propagate the Plague there were there an Original cause to set those secondary causes on work
But for as much as from our Hypothesis it appears that the Original Cause of the Plague is not always so abstruse but sometimes begun as well as propagated by those noxious Effluvia without the Concurrence of any other Cause it may be requisite to take Notice that in China and those Countries where the Plague is unknown we may presume such noxious Steams are not emitted for tho' Sulphur is usually found in many Countries where Metalline Veins are frequent yet I never heard that in those Mines an Ounce of Native Sulphur was ever found Besides tho' there may be Minerals in a Country which may emit noxious Vapours yet the Mines from whence they come may by so deep in the Earth that they may not be able to infect the Atmosphere powerfully enough to cause a Pestilence tho' promoted in making their Way by some violent Earth-quake when upon a fall of some weighty Mass of Earth in Subterraneal Caverns a trembling Motion is communicatted to the Earth about it and propagated more or less proportionable to the first Cause for which Reasons noxious Effluvia being sometimes emitted which could not otherwise make their own way probably the Plague happens in Africa once in 30 or 100 Years periodically And a French Historian takes notice of a Disease in France not much unlike the Colick which for a long time return'd every 10th Year And Platerus Lib. 2. P. M. 303. Relates that the Plague at Brasil successively return'd every 10 Years for 70 Years together But further tho' in the East-Indies such Vapours should arise which would of themselves be pernicious yet others may rise which tho' noxious likewise may by combining with them form a Third Substance innocent enough So Corrosive Sublimate when combined with Crude Mercury becomes so useful and innocent a Medicine as Mercurius Dulcis Besides what hath been said another Reason why some Countries are free from the Plague may be some peculiar disposition in the Air to resist the Effects of noxious Exhalations as when the River Nile Increases and Over-flows the Plague in Aegypt ceases And the Soil in some Countries is of such a Temper as to impregnate the Air so that it suffers not poysonous Creatures to live in it A Second Reason why I think the Plague is propagated by Subterraneal Effluvia is because it happens sometimes when no Distemper is perceivable in the Air which seems able to produce such an Effect yet when the Aspects of the Stars have been threatning enough and the Air very intemperate no Plague hath followed as when Fernelius Writ his Observations De abditis rerum Causis Lib. 2. Chap. 13. It was immoderately hot but very Healthful and the same further tells us that the Plague hath sometimes began in Winter and gone off in Summer And Johannes Morellus that a Temperate and Healthful Spring which succeeded a Winter in which the North-wind Reign'd brought in the Plague tho' at the same time the North-wind continued serene and clear And the Constitution of the Air before the Plague in 1665 was not much unlike it Whence it is evident that the Plague depends not on manifest Qualities of the Air but is rather caused by Subterraneal Effluvia which float in it and which are drawn in by Respiration and that Poisonous Exhalations have rose from the Earth and infected the Air with a Pestilential Disposition Monsieur de Meszeray in the Life of Philip de Valoris and Diemerbroeck de Peste Lib. 1. Chap. 8. testifie And tho' there is a manifest difference in Pestilential Distempers in several Countries and at different times yet it is easily accounted for by our Hypothesis since the Minerals from whence those Vapours rise may be varied by new Combinations and the Influence of Subterraneal Fires and Menstruums as well as in the open Air by which they may be enabled to produce Symptoms more violent than in ordinary Distempers so that Hippocrates might well acknowledge in Distempers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 something above the ordinary Course of Nature The ill Effects of Mineral firmer As for the Natures of those Exhalations tho' they are hard to be known yet by the Effects and Symptoms of some Plagues and of Yellow Red and White Orpiment we may suspect them to flow from that Mineral Substance but tho' I believe some Plagues may arise from such Causes yet since the Earth abounds with several Minerals which we are not acquainted with we cannot deny but by the combinations of such there may result Substances which yeild Effluviums hurtful enough to human Bodies so by adding Common Salt to Orpiment they prepare White Arsnick which by the Mixture of Salt of it self innocent becomes more pernicious causing violent Symptoms which I have taken off by Oil of Sweet Almonds and something made of Limons And Sandarach as well as Native Arsnick seem to be little else than Red and White Orpiment the Effects of which are taken Notice of by Sennertus M. P. E. vid. Page 66. on a Painter whose Face was swell'd together with Fainting Fits upon opening a Box where Orpiment had been kept some time And White Arsnick hath had very fatal Effects when externally worn in Amulets sometimes causing burning Fevers Anxieties about the Heart inflammations exulcerations of the Breasts Black Pustles as if made with a Caustick weakness and Fainting and sometimes sudden Death which Symptoms have been cured by the same Antidotes that the Plague is And that Subterraneal Mineral Effluvia are able to effect very strange things appears from what Kircherus observes Scil. That in the Kingdom of Naples 1660 there were several Stains observ'd on Linnen Clothes much resembling Crosses that poysonous Matter which was the Cause of them being spread along the Threds which cross'd one another at right Angles These Stains would wash out with Soap and Water but their duration was very unequal some of them contrinuing ten and others fifteen days Antidotes against the ill Effects of the Plague And tho' it be impossible to discover the Natures of all noxious Effluvia yet undoubtedly a great many may and Antidotes thought on to destroy their ill Effects In the great Plague of London when upon a subsidence of the Pestilential Humors the Patients usually dyed the following Plaster apply'd to the Tumors of several prevented them from falling and either burst or made them fit to open and so saved the Lives of many Emplastrum attractivum Pestilentiale nostrum ℞ Gum. sagapen Ammon Galban an ℥ iij. Terebinth Lact. Cerae Virginis an ℥ iiijss Magnet Arsenicalis subt pulv ℥ ij Rad. Aron pulv ℥ j Gummi depurentur cum Acet Scyllit ad consistentiam Emplastri coquantur postea ponderentur deinde cum rebus aliis F. Empl. S. A. Hoc Emplastro Carbunculus obducatur quod paucis horis Venenum extrahit Praeparatio Magnet Arsenicalis anteà dicti ℞ Arsen Chrystallin Sulphuris Vitri Antimonii Crudi an Haec tria in mortario ferreo pulverisentur In Vase
greatest Part of those Effluviums Qualities in the Air which arise from the Union and Conjunction of other Bodies with it which are active in our Atmosphere arise from subterraneal Parts and from Celestial Bodies yet doubtless there are a great many that result from the mutual Action of the different Parts of it acting on those Bodies that are expos'd to it for tho' notwithstanding any manifest Qualities we can discern in it the Air seems to be unfit for a Menstruum yet I doubt not but it may have considerable Effects on Bodies dispos'd to be acted on by it for not to urge that sometimes the Quantity of a Menstruum compensates it's want of strength we know that there are several Liquors which tho insipid and make no sensible Impressions on the Organs of Taste yet by their various Attritions and frequent Motions against Bodies become fit for Solvents So the Air having it's Parts always acting on Copper expos'd to it in tract of time produces that Efflorescence colour'd like Verdigrease a factitious Body usually produc'd from the same Substance corroded by Vinegar or the Juice of the Husks of Grapes Besides we see that Mercury which hath no sensible Taste hath a faculty of Dissolving Gold and Silver and all Strong Menstruums which dissolve Bodies with the utmost Vigour are soon glutted and can dissolve no more so that tho' the Air be a weak one yet it hath this lasting Advantage that when a small Quantity of it is glutted it bears so great a Proportion to the Body it acts on that a fresh Part of it is still to supply the Deficiency and Place of that which can act no longer The Air abounds with saline and sulphureous Parts Besides the Air abounds with so many saline and sulphureous Parts that by rubbing upon Bodies that lie in their way by frequent occursions they cause considerable Effects so we see according to the Proverb Gutta cavat Lapidem non vi sed saepe cadendo Moreover tho' the Parts of Air are very minute yet we know that the Bodies which are expos'd to their Action are only acted on by them upon their outward Superficies which may consist of as many Parts and as minute as those of the Air which by successively hitting against them carry them along with them So Sugar or Sal Gem. being immers'd in Water have their Parts dissolv'd and carri'd up into the Liquor by the successive attritions and occursions of so insipid a Menstruum and whose Parts are in so gentle a Motion The Sun-Beams sufficient to raise some Bodies And I am apt to believe that some Bodies have may such a disposition to be worked upon by the Sun-Beams as to be rais'd by them in such a form as not to be distinguish'd from the Body they are rais'd in But whether they may or not certainly it is consonant to Experience that the Atmosphere is fill'd in several Places with Effluviums of different kinds and of uncommon or unobserv'd Natures which Conjecture may be favour'd by observing how subject Camphire is to waste and that when the Superficies of some solid Bodies have been taken off they emitted Steams copiously by which in a Minute of an hour they suffer'd a manifest decrement of weight Arguments to prove latent Qualities in the Air. But to reassume the Discourse we have made this Digression from I shall urge some Arguments à posteriori which favour what I propos'd concerning these latent Qualities in the Air. And first I shall urge the appearing growth of some Salts in Bodies which usually afforded them not at all or not in such plenty Vitriolate Efflorescences having been observ'd to be after sometime on the glistering parts of Marchasites which were kept in a dry Room And it hath been observ'd that a heavy ponderous Mineral expos'd to the Air for some time became so brittle that it would crimble away and plentifully abounded with Copperas and some of the same being kept in a close and dry Place was in some time covered over with an Efflorescence which being mix'd with an Infusion of Galls manifested it self to be a Vitriol whose growth is the more strange in the Air because it is not a meer Acid Salt but abounds with combustible and sulphureous Parts which I have often separated from common Vitriol without the addition of any combustible Matter and sometimes without any addition at all And it was not a little strange that our blackish Minerals yielded vitriol Efflorescences so soon since I kept shining Marchasites from whence they usually prepare Vitriol without being changed near so much as those I have mention'd and it is usual sometimes to let them lie expos'd to the Air two Years before they yield their vitriolate Parts Alum Ore regains it's Salt when expos'd to the Air. To these Observations we may add that Alum Ore being robb'd of it's Salt recovers it again by being expos'd to the Air and Lime in old Walls hath in time regain'd a Nitrous Spirit which I have learn'd by dissolving it in common Water and evaporating the filtrated Solution Nay And so does Vitriol calcin'd Vitriol expos'd to the Air in a competent time regains fresh Parts of a vitriolate Salt Suspicions about the Productions of Vitriol But tho I propose these Observations as favourable to the Suspicions laid down yet I am apt to suspect that the Air concurs to the Production of them rather as an Ingredient than as an Agent or that the Production of them depends on some seminal Principle by which when they are once ripen'd the Moisture of the Air helps them to disclose themselves in the Form of saline Concretes as in Tartarous Matter saline Parts are generated which cause that acid Taste in Tartar of Renish Wine especially Besides it may be suspected that the Salt found in Marchasites c. may be made of saline Particles swimming in the Air and attracted by congenerous Particles that remain in those Bodies that are as it were the Wombs of such Minerals or that these Aerial Salts assisted by the Moisture of the Air open the Textures of these Wombs and by extricating the latent saline Parts and adjoyning with them compose those emergent Bodies but tho I suspect that the Air is not wholly concern'd in producing such Bodies yet I believe it is in a great measure concern'd as I have already intimated The necessity of Air to continue flame an Argument of a latent Principle But to proceed to other Instances of these Aerial latent Qualities I think that the necessity of the Air 's Presence to preserve and continue Flame is a sufficient Argument of some latent Spirit or Quality whether vital Substance or nitrous Spirit diffus'd through the Air on which likewise the Life of Animals depends and without which they as well as Flame presently are extinguish'd and die To these I shall add that Animal Substances enclos'd in Vacuo yield not Insects as when expos'd to
with London and at the most not exceeding 52 Degrees The Ice was near six Foot deep and the Frost so violent that Bottles of Brandy would have a fourth Part turn'd into Ice the unfroze Liquor being much stronger than before The Ice which swam upon the Water was fresh from whence they supply'd themselves with fresh Water either by melting it in their Pots or by gathering it from large Cavities in floating pieces of Ice where it was melted by the Sun-Beams A Traveller told me that upon the Top of a Pyrenean Mountain in the Summer it was very hot tho' the same Day it was cover'd with Snow and another told me that the Winds at Morocco were so hot as almost to stifle him And it hath been observ'd upon the Tops of high Pyrenean Mountains that below them there were Clouds which yielded Rain plentifully out of which Lightning flash'd upwards as well as downwards Dr. Stubbs told me that in a Bolt-head about 2 Foot ½ long about 7 or 8 a Clock in the Morning which is the faint time of the Day the Water would rise but ¼ of Inch and half a quarter after which time it would subside till that time the next Day He further added that in 8 or 10 Months time in that hot Country Water would not decrease in Quantity tho' kept unstopp'd I am told by another that in the Torrid Zone near the Coast of Sumatra tho' Ice nor Frost nor Snow are ever observ'd yet he hath known Hail to fall And I am told that in the Island of Ceylon which lies betwixt 6 and 10 Degrees North Latitude in that Torrid Climate it would be so cold at the Top of some Hills to whose Tops they could ascend in half an hour that they would almost shiver And Capt. Knox told me that having spent 18 Years in that Island he observ'd a kind of Meteor in Winters Mornings between a Dew and a hoar Frost which presently vanish'd and that once there happen'd a shower of Hail which were about the size of a black Cherry but were presently melted upon the Ground The Heat is so violent in the Island Suaquena that it excoriates the Skin melts Indian Wax in a Cabinet and sears your Shoes like a red hot Iron Yet on some Mountains in Aethiopia they dread Cold more than Heat tho' no Snow falls but only a little Hail now and then which soon melts and Tellesius witnesses that in many Regions in Aethiopia the Air is more mild than in Portugal so many Degrees distant Northward At Tripoli in Barbary it is observ'd that when the Wind blows over a long Sandy Desart it as well as the Wind it brings along with it seems as hot as the Steams from an Oven And and the same hath been observ'd near the Island of St. Lovis on the Coast of Africk where it was further remarkable that the Ground was so hot that the Gentleman who related it could scarce endure to stand upon it and he further told me that when the Wind blew from a Wood in which the dead Bodies of Wild Beasts lay it stunk so that it could scarce be endured In summo ejus montis Idae sc fastigio sacellum est quod aedificiolo duntaxat constat saxis sibi invicem impositis sine calce cohaerentibus fornicis in modum constructo ad tectum praebendum Sublimi adeo loco est à vehementioribus ventis interdum ita perflato ut lapilli inde transferantur Petri Bellonii lib. 1. cap. 16. Paulo infra id sacellum planities conspicitur montibus undique cincta in quâ multa sunt pascua ubi Arietes Caprae Cretenses aestate pinguescunt Si quis ex summo montis vertice undique prospiciat pâ—â—â—… aberit quin totius Insulae ambitum videat cum 〈◊〉 vicinis Insulis Miso Cerigo sive Cythera 〈◊〉 Archipelagi Aeris intemperies in hoc â—â—â—…te adeo magna est quemadmodum ut in caeteris praeâ—â—â—… montibus ut in ipsis Caniculae ardoribus â—…ridie nullo etiam spirante vento ingens senâ—â—â—tur frigus qua de causa nec hyeme nec aslâ—…te 〈◊〉 eum incolit Nam licet pastores interdâ—…â—â—iâ—â— greges ad pascua agunt noctu tamen in valles se recipiunt In the next Chapter Latè porro patet hic mons ejusque radices 〈◊〉 maris littora ut ante diximus attingunt nam licet urbi Candiae sunt vicinae meditullium tamen insulae occupat ipse mons adeo in sublime evectus ut nives ejus verticem perpetuò tegnant tamque frigida aâ—ra mediis etiam astatis ardoribus isthic est ut vix ferri queat tametsi in convallibus magnus sit aestus Jacobi Zabarelli de-Regionibus Aeris c. 8. Contigit id meae experientiae quod etiam aliis contigisse audivi ut ascenderem ad summutatem usque montis Veneris qui omnium in Patavino agro altissimus est ibi per totum diem habui Aerem serenissimum sed infra circiter medium montis vidi nubes quae me visione vallium prohibebant vesperi autem postquam de illo monte descendi inveni factam eo die infera parte magnam pluviam cum in montis cacumine nihil pluisset ex eo intellexi me transiisse per mediam Aeris regionem in qua est facta pluvia nec tamen eam sensi frigidissimam imò vix aliquam animadverti differentiam frigidioris calidioris Aeris nam aestivum tempus erat pro aestivo tempore eram vestitus nec tamen tantum frigoris quod me laederet ex eo loco percepi pars igitur illa non est absolutè frigida sed solùm comparatione inferi Aeris calidioris Idem de Alpibus proprio exemplo edoctus testatum reliquit Bartholinus Syst Phys Instit Succinct de Terra Aere Igne C. 4. Resp 1. Mount Atlas in the Heat of Summer hath been seen cover'd with Snow and several People who have visited the Tops of high Mountains such as the Alpes and Teneriff have found it exceedingly cold I am told by one that he never heard of Snow or Ice in Guinea but in Barbary where the Plains were excessive hot the Tops of Mountains were cover'd with Snow and the like hath been observ'd in the Island Ceylon and the Mountains of Congo In the Summer 88 I plac'd a Glass in a Cave which faced the Sea it being cover'd with 80 Foot of Earth and cut right in about 130 Foot the Mercury stood ½ above Temperate and at the same time in another Glass in the open Air it stood at hot About Christmas following the Mercury in the Cave vary'd not but that without stood at Frost In New-Hampshire in New-England it is observ'd that in the Winter the North-West Wind is very cold and in Summer intensly hot It is ascrib'd to a large Tract of Woody Land which in the Winter is cover'd with Snow and in the Summer the Valleys being close keep in the Heat till
The Canary Birds build in the Barrancos of Gills Birds which the Water hath fretted away in the Mountains places very cold They have also Quails and Partridges less than ours great Wood Pigeons Turtles at Spring Crows and sometimes the Falcon appears from the Coast of Barbary They have Goats on the Mountains Beasts c. and also Hogs and Conies but their Camels come from Lancerote Amongst their Fish are the following viz. The Cherna Fish a large well-tasted Fish The Mero Dolphin Shark Lobsters Mussels Periwinkles and the Clacas the best Fish in the World which grow in the Rocks 5 or 6 under a Shell through the Top of which they peep with their Nebs They have likewise a Fish with 7 Tails each of which is a Span long united to a short Body and much resembling our Eel They have besides these Turtles and Cabridos preferable before our Trouts The Island is full of Springs of pure Water like Milk Springs which in Laguna they strain through a Bason made of a Spungy Stone Their Vines are very plentiful Vines Customs of the Inhaâ—…ants Dr. Pugh who had done some charitable Cures amongst the Antient Inhabitants called Guanchios was permitted to visit the Caves where the dead Bodies lie which are sew'd up in Goats Skins very curiously and close with Thongs of the same which are more soft and pliable than our Kid's Skins The Preserving of Bodies thus by Embalming them was a Custom of a Particular Tribe of Men who marri'd only amongst themselves and kept their Art of Embalming to themselves so that upon the Conquest of the Spaniards most of them being destroy'd the Knowledge they retain of the Ingredients is by Tradition which is that Of the Embalming of Bodies They boil in Butter of Goats Milk which for that Purpose is preserv'd in the Skins 1st A sort of Wild Lavender 2ly A Gummy Herb call'd Gara which grows on the Mountains 3ly A kind of Sow-Bread 4ly A Wild Sage of which they make a Balsam and when their Bodies are Embowel'd and several times wash'd in a Lixivium of the Bark of Pine-Trees and dry'd again either in the Sun in Summer or in a Stove in Winter they then several times successively anoint them with the Balsam and dry them again till they grow light and the musculous Parts appear through the shrievel'd Skin and then they sew them up in Goats Skins curiously dress'd but the Poorer sort having their Brains taken out are sew'd up in Skins which have the Hair on They have above 20 whole Families of their Kings and great Persons which they will not discover They are laid in several Postures and some of them being laid along on Beds of Wood so harden'd that Iron will not cut them They also have Earthen Pots so harden'd which they boil their Meat in They make their Knives and Lancets of a kind of Slate call'd Tabona Their Food Their Food is Barly roasted and ground betwixt two Stones which they make into Cakes with Milk and Hony and carry it on their Backs in Goats Skins They drink no Wine nor do they care for Flesh But are Lean Tall very Active and Couragious They will leap from one Rock to another Activity sometimes Ten Fathom deep Having a Lance which they point at the Place which they design to light on and then when they leap they clap their Feet to the Lance which Lance lighting on the Rock first takes off the Violence of their Fall Novices often break their Necks in learning They whistle so loud they may be heard 5 Miles and it so affected the Relator's Ears who was in Company with one of them that he could not hear well of 15 Days after Besides they throw Stones with as much Force as a Bullet goes out of a Gun But to return to Mount Teneriff by one that went to the Top it was observ'd that no Snow was on the South side and tho' it was on the North side yet it was not within two Miles of the lowest part of the Sugar-Loaf He likewise observ'd that tho' the Sack which they drank at the Top was exceeding cold and seem'd to have no Effect on them yet when they came into a thicker Air two of the Company were drunk Having try'd to fire a Birding-Piece upon the Top of the Mountain he could not the Company that gave the former Relation say they did The sulphureous Matter they travell'd over was so hot that it burnt two or three pair of Pumps in pieces in the Journey tho' their Feet were not sensibly more hot than at other times In some Regions of the same Mountains it was very hot and on the other side of the same very cold Queries To what Depth the Water will be frozen in hard Winters To what Depth the Earth will be froze at the same time Whether Muscovian Ice be harder than that in England Whether Liquor cast up will freeze before it comes to the Ground Whether Brandy Sack c. will freeze in Russia Whether Instruments of Iron or Steel be britler there than here Of the cracking of Timber and the Causes of it in Wooden Houses Of the Preservation of Flesh Fish Herbs c. in hard Weather Of the curing of those whose Nose or Cheeks c. are frozen Of the Symptoms of those that are froze to death Of the keeping of dead Bodies TITTLE XX. Of the Air in Reference to Light it 's Perspicuity Opacity Reflections Refractions Colours Light and Lightnings Of the Air in reference to Light ctc. I Am told by a Traveller that on the Coast of Genoua from a high Place he could see Places remote in a Morning tho' not when the Sun was near the Meridian The late King Charles the Second told me that walking upon the Beack on the Strand by Dover he unexpectedly discern'd a Coast which had rising and falling Ground upon the Virge of the Horizon and the same was observ'd by the Courtiers that stood by him but in a little time it disappear'd again as if it had sunk into the Sea which Phaenomenon I attributed to this viz. That that Coast lying but a little too far off to be seen before the Air interpos'd betwixt His Majesty's Eye and the Shoar being fill'd with Vapours and subterraneal Steams was render'd more refractive than before by the help of which new Refraction the French Coast which lay beyond it was as if it were lifted up in reference to the sight and so became visible as long as that new Refraction lasted but when those Steams were dissipated they presently disappear'd In favour of which Conjecture I alledg'd that a piece of Gold being laid in the Bottom of a Cup and the Eye so plac'd that the Object is but just hid from it upon pouring in Water the Object will without removing the Eye become visible The Surface of the Water which is a thicker Medium than the Air refracting the Rays and
was open'd the external Air rush'd in with a considerable Noise whence it was evident that all the Air the Limon had yielded in that time was not sufficient to fill the Cavity of the Receiver Neither the Limon nor the Juice were mouldy or ill tasted so that it made me think that Mouldiness cannot be well produc'd without a Concurrence of the Air. The Liquor was acid but clear and without Faeces being of a Colour betwixt brown and red It turned Syrup of Violets into a Purple Colour and corroded Fragments of red Coral in the Cold. It hath been observ'd that Lozenges which a Scholar frequently carry'd in his Pockets were dissolv'd when he came near the Line but recover'd their old Consistence when much past it TITLE XXIII Of the Operation of the Air on consistent mineral Substances The Effects of the Air on mineral Substances IN drawing Copper out of deep Mines in Sweedland I am inform'd they use Ropes made of Leather Links of Iron being subject to break with the Coldness of the Air and the Weight of the Ore It hath been observ'd that Glasses kept half a Year tho' well neal'd have broke in pieces and froze of themselves the Cracks partly depending on some Particles of Salt which had not undergone a sufficient Comminution I am told there is a House in Suffolk near the Sea in which tho' it is but 8 Years old the Iron Bars are swell'd and so rotten that they 'll crimble away The Winds which blew upon those Windows in which they were being Southward and I am likewise told that Iron Bars drench'd in Sea Water and after expos'd to the Air were so far impair'd that when hammer'd great Flakes would fly off them Purbeck and Blechington-stone will moulder away in the Air But those dug up at Painswick near Gloucester will by being expos'd to the Air change their Primary Softness for a Crust-hard and Glassy Marble which penetrates but a little way into it's Substance but is generated sooner the oftner it is wash'd TITLE XXIV Of the Air in reference to Fire and Flame CAndles which burn in Grooves furnish'd with Air Shafts will sometimes continue burning 8 Fathom deep or more When they come into close Ground tho' Candles will burn for a while yet when the Dust rises they go out Experiments touching the Relation betwixt Flame and Air. THE burning of Candles c. under a Glass Bell as also Spirit of Wine Matches Touch-Wood Sponck c. The keeping of Animals under a Glass Bell whilst the Flame is burning The burning of Bodies to Ashes in sealed Glasses as also in exactly clos'd Receivers Cotton burnt in a seal'd Glass The burning of a Mixture of Flames under Water in an E. R. as also of a saline Substance and likewise of Salt Petre. A Pistol not firing in an E. R. An Experiment of burning Gunpowder The burning of Spirit of Wine and Oyl of Turpentine in Glass Vessels with slender Necks TITLE XXV Of the Air in reference to Fermentation Of the Air in reference to Fermentation RAisins being enclos'd in an exhausted Bolt-head half full of Water and set on a digestive Furnace presently began to ferment and swimming upon the Liquor afforded Bubbles which were gradually fewer and at last a Sediment appeard in the Bottom The Top of the Bottle being accidentally broke the External Air rush'd in with some Noise and the Surface of the Liquor was cover'd with Froth like Bottle Drink and I thought I perceiv'd a visible Fume come out of the Glass which had a Languid Smell The Liquor had a high Tincture of the Raisins and was of a better Consistence than that of Water TITLE XXVI Of the Air as the Receptacle of Odours TITLE XXVII Of the Operation of the Air on the Odours of Animal Substances Of the Effects of Air on Odours SOur Grapes having lain 3 Years in Vacuo were not mouldy but the Surface of the uppermost was discolour'd with a Tartarous Efflorescence The Grains had a musty Smell but the Liquor tasted Acid and would corrode Coral in the Cold. The Gage scarce discover'd any Air produc'd In Madrid I am told tho' they throw their Excrements into the Streets in the Night yet the stink is not very much the next Day nor will dead Animals stink long there TITLE XXVIII Of the Operation of the Air on the Odours of vegetable Substances LArge Pieces of Oranges having been three Years included in Vacuo their Rinds were on their Surface almost black they yielded very little Liquor being neither mouldy nor putrid TITLE XXIX Of the Operations of Air on the Odours of Mineral Substances TITLE XXX Of the Operation of Air on the Tastes of Animal Substances MR. Nickson told me that Meat might be preserv'd in frosty Weather all Winter without Salt but if drest when froze would not relish well TITLE XXXI Of the Operation of Air on the Tastes of Vegetable Substances TITLE XXXII Of the Operation of the Air on the Tastes of Mineral Substances TITLE XXXIII Of the Operation of the Air on the Colours of Animal Substances Of the Effects of Air on Colours THE Air influences Colours so much on black Taffety that in Brasil after it hath been worn a few days it becomes of an Ironish Colour but if it be kept from the Air the Colour fades not In a Particular Region in Brazil 50 Leagues beyond Parigna White People turn Tawny but a little beyond that they recover their Colour again Upon Charlton Island there is a sort of Birds call'd Partridges which are white in the Winter and gray in the Summer TITLE XXXIV Of the Operation of the Air on the Colours of Vegetable Substances I Am told that most Trees in Jamaica acquire a Greenness when newly cut down on that Part which is most expos'd to the Air and that Lignum Vitae when green is as soft as Oak Several Trees which are soft when cut down afterwards grow hard especially the Cabbage-Tree which presently hardens and the Pith rotting out it serves for a Pipe about 100 Foot long which will not corrupt under Ground but grows as hard as Iron The Juice of Aloes Plants which in the Island of St. Jago was clammy bitter and of a dark Colour under the Line lost it's Bitterness and acquir'd a green Colour Stains are most easily got out of Linnen at those times of the Year when the Fruit with which they were stain'd flourish TITLE XXXV Of the Operation of the Air on Mineral Substances ONE Part of Lapis Calaminaris being mix'd with four of Salt-Petre was kept some hours in a vehement Heat in a Crucible by which means the Matter being alkaliz'd Water was pour'd upon it which made a muddy red Tincture which being set in a Wide-mouth'd Glass in a Window it became green and more diaphanous than before but in a few Days it became a transparent Liquor a Powder subsiding which was red like Brick-dust Spirit of Vinegar receiv'd no Tincture
within so the Sensory being Indisposed that Indisposition may vary the appearance of External Objects For I have taken notice that after looking upon the Sun or Moon with a Telescope my Eye hath been so alter'd that the flame of a Candle seem'd to vary much in its colour from what it used to be and if I often open'd and shut my Eye whilst that adventitious Colour seem'd to last I could discern it gradually diminish till the Candle appear'd to me as before and one thing worthy of notice was that if I looked upon the Object with one Eye when the dazled Eye was shut the Adventitious Colour disappear'd but was visible again upon opening the dazled Eye To this Observation I shall add that a Lady who had by a Fall got a Hurt near her Eye for six Weeks together fancy'd every thing cover'd over with very dazling and glorious Colours especially white Bodies some of which were such as she could not describe And a Learned Gentleman told me that looking upon the Sun with a good Telescope without a colour'd Glass to guard his Sight the Brightness of the Object left such an Indisposition in his Eye that nine or ten Years after whenever he look'd upon the Window he fancy'd he saw a light Body before his Eye of the Size and Brightness of the Sun as it appear'd to him in the Telescope to which Instances I could add others from the Experien'd Epiphanius Ferdinandus of the Symptoms of those Bitten by a Tarantula from whence it would appear that an Indisposition in the Organ of Vision is sufficient to vary our Judgment of Colours but these may be more properly deliver'd in another place The Superficies of a Body consider'd as the cause of Colours But to proceed from what hath been said it appears I allow and teach that the superficial Parts of a Body reflecting the Rays of Light and modifying them may in one sense be said to be the Cause of that Colour it represents since as the Beams of Light are variously modify'd we perceive several Sensations And tho' some hold that the Rays of Light which conveigh Colours are not reflected barely from the Superficies of a Body but penetrate deeper into it's Substance yet we are apt to call those Bodies transparent or semidiaphonous whose Substance the Rays of Light visibly insinuate themselves into And that in all Bodies there is no such Penetration of Light is evident since several Substances appear to be of one Colour on the outside and of another within which is evident not only in Fruit but temper'd Steel for tho' it be furnish'd with very vivid Colours on the Superficies yet within a Hairs breadth of it it retains it's Steel Colour And a more Eminent Instance is that Lead being melted and pour'd into an Iron Vessel when the Scum was taken off several Colours succeeded one another upon it's Superficies and that which appear'd last before the Metal cool'd remaining upon the Superficies of it we found that if never so little was taken off that adventitious Colour would be taken off too and the Metal would appear in it's own Colour which shews not only what I alledg'd it for but also that probably an adventitious Colour may be acquir'd by the Effects the saline Parts of the Air have on Lead so dispos'd to receive it's Impressions which it will not do till brought to a much higher degree of Fusion than bare melting One thing remarkable in these Colours was that they succeed not so regularly as those in Steel but in the following order Viz. Blew Yellow Purple Blew Green Purple Blew Yellow Red Purple Blew Yellow and Blew Yellow Blew Purple Green mixt Yellow Red Blew Green Yellow Red Purple Green Tho' it is held by antient Atomists that the Figure of a Body is sufficient to vary it's Colour yet I am perswaded that there are other things requisite since we see by the help of good Telescopes that the Superficies of Bodies are not only full of several Protuberances but likewise several Cavities which appear not to the naked Eye so that the very Figures of those may have a great stroke in causing various Colours and differently forming the Superficies of a Body so as to enable it variously to reflect the Rays of Light and cause different Effects in our Organ of Sense The various Figures of the Superficial Parts requisite for the Production of Colours But besides the various Figures of these superficial Particles the Surface of a Body may be enabled variously to reflect the Rays of Light as they are bigger or less and the Protuberant Particles are set closer or at a greater distance So Water if it have but a few Bubbles on the Top of it hath scarce any sensible Colour but if it be beaten into a Froth and a great number of Bubbles are close set it presently varies it's Colour and seems white to which not only the Number but the Convex Superficies of the Bubbles conduce nor is it requisite that all the Protuberant Corpuscles should be of one Figure since those which produce a Blew and those that yield a Yellow being mix'd together afford a green Colour But further the Cavities intercepted betwixt the Protuberant Parts and their Figures are to be consider'd in the Production of Colours as well as the Figure and Size of the Particles themselves For the Superficies of a Body may be cut transversly with a Methamatical Plain void of Depth or Thickness above which as well as below may be several Superficies as in the Superficies of the Earth there may be several Parts above the Horizontal Plain as well as below upon which Account the Rays of Light may be so differently reflected as to cause different Colours so the two sides of a Piece of red Glass seem differently colour'd when the one is Rough and the other Polish'd and tho' several sorts of Marbles are never so curiously Polish'd yet their Superficies so far vary as to exhibit distinct Colours The Situation of them likewise requisite Besides in variously reflecting the Rays of Light the Situation of the superficial Parts of a Body are considerable in reference to the Light and the Position of the Eye and also their order in reference to each other for the Rays of Light will be differently reflected to the Eye from Parts which are erected upon a superficial Plain from what it will be from those Parts inclined and obverted to the Eye so Plush or Velvet varies it's Colour as the Parts of it are differently inclin'd and a Field of Corn varies it's Colour as the Wind depresses the Ears of Corn successively or in different places And for a like Reason the Hair of a Dog exhibits a different Colour when the order of them is changed and so the Parts of Water in Froth and the Parts of Harts-horn shaved alter their Colours and Glass by being beaten loses it's Transparency with the order of it's Parts and becomes white And
Ingredients and leave the Gold appearing with its genuine Colour Thirdly A Liquor may alter the Colour of a Body either by destroying or subdividing the Parts of it as when Wood is cut into Chips or a piece of hot Crystal quench'd in cold Water for it being by that means crack'd will not reflect the Rays of Light as before Fourthly A Liquor may change the Colour of another Body by collecting together Parts of Matter scatter'd and dispers'd so Quicksilver pour'd into a Solution of Gold acquires a thin Film of a yellow golden Colour and by a like Method all those Colours that seem to be produc'd by Precipitation are generated tho' Resinous Gums dissolv'd in Spirit of Wine being unites into a Mass again and so rectifyâ—d transparent Butter of Antimony upon a Mixture of Water precipitates that white Substance which when it's Salts are wash'd off is called Mercurius Vitae A Fifth way by which a Liquor may alter the Colour of another Body is by altering the Texture of it's Parts as when Quicksilver is kept long in a convenient Heat Metals are corroded or Fruit is bruised or when the Parts of a Liquor are agitated by the Affusion of another Body or when Chymical Oyls are shaken in a Bottle for the Bubbles by that means rais'd will exhibit very lively Colours Another way is by putting the Parts of a Body into Motion after which they may unite in a new Form so Vitriol rubb'd upon the Blade of a Knife imparts not any new Colour to it but if the Vitriol be moisten'd it will impart a true Copper Colour to the Iron Another way by which a new Colour may be imparted to a Liquor is by an Association of it's saline Parts with those of the Body it is made use of to work upon by which means the superficial Parts of a Body may be alter'd both in Shape and Figure and not only a greater number or a less may be compriz'd in the same space but the Pores betwixt the Protuberant Parts may be much straitned and the old ones partly fill'd up as well as new ones intercepted as when Quicksilver is dissolv'd in Aq. Fortis the saline Parts of the Menstruum associating themselves with the Mercurial Corpuscles will afford a Green which afterwards degenerates easily And so Minium by being dissolv'd in Spirit of Vinegar yields a clear Solution and if Aqua Fortis be dropp'd upon a Copper Plate the Parts of the Metal being corroded acquire an Asperity and coagulating with the Menstruum form Grains of blew Vitriol whereas Spirit of Urine will produce a much deeper Blew And Aqua Fortis which will give Red Lead a dark Colour with crude Lead will produce a white one with Iron a reddish and upon white Quills a yellowish Colour And that in Chymical Dissolutions and Precipitations the saline Parts of the Body made use of to precipitate unite with metalline Parts they precipitate we shall have reason to believe if we consider how much Vitriol and the Calces of Metals are heavier than the Metals themselves After what we have laid down concerning the Causes of Changes of Colours there are two things to be taken Notice of The one is that there are other ways to vary Colours speedily besides those we have taken notice of by the help of Liquors as in Tempering Steel c. The second Particular requisite to be noted is that tho' a Change of Colour may be effected any one of the ways above-mention'd yet generally at least three of them are at once concerned Several Bodies generally esteemed opacous semidiaphanous From what we have been discoursing of the Asperities of Bodies in causing a Reflection of the Rays of Light one would think that the Substances themselves are perfectly opacous and impenetrable by the Rays of Light and so contribute to the Variety of Colours reflected to the Eye But I am apt to believe that even those Bodies which we call Insensible are compounded of Parts still more minute whose Commissures are not utterly impervious to the Rays of Light and that the Bodies compounded of those are in some degree Diaphanous For in a dark Room where the Light is only permitted to enter at one Hole I have observ'd that those Motes which were otherwise insensible in the Beams of Light would represent several vivid and florid Colours like those of a Rainbow or of sparkling Fragments of Diamonds and as soon as that Position which they had at that time in reference to the Eye and the Light was lost they ceas'd to represent those Colours tho' still remain'd visible so that from hence it appear'd that these small Fragments of Matter commonly reputed Opacous did not barely reflect but also refracted the Rays of Light And it is not a Phaenomenon altogether to be slighted that Water tho' a diaphanous Body hath a manifest Power in refracting the Rays of Light so that by passing through it they represent the lively Colours of a Rainbow And it is further observable that several Bodies which are generally esteem'd Opacous appear in a great measure transparent when they are reduc'd into thin Parts and interpos'd betwixt the Eye and a Powerful Light which is evident in thin Plates of Ivory thick Leaves of Trees Shells of Fishes and shavings of Wood. And in a darkned Room I found that the Substance of my Hand was in a great measure transparent when it was held betwixt my Eyes and the Rays of Light which came in at a small Hole And not only white Marble of a convenient Thickness but Lapis Specularis or Muscovite Glass being divided into thin Plates will be considerably transparent and even Coral it self will manifest the same Transparency if held near the Light But on the other hand I must own that having look'd upon Mercury precipitate per se Filings of Copper and Steel the Red Calx of Lead and the Red Colour of Vitriol they appear'd not to have the least Transparency How far the Transparency or Semidiaphaneity of Bodies may contribute to the Variety of Colours produc'd by them I shall not take upon me to determine since beaten Glass Snow and Ice whose superficial Parts are manifestly transparent represent not the lively Colours which they do when conveniently qualifi'd by their Bigness Shape and Texture But to draw an Inference from what hath been said of the Cause of Colours It appears that according to the Hypothesis we have laid down Bodies can only be said to be coloured when placed in the Light but that according to the Antients if we take the Sense of the Word Colour to mean only that Disposition of the superficial Surface of a Body which enables it to modifie the Rays of Light They may be said to have Colours in the Dark since they have that Disposition which enables them to reflect the Rays of Light in such a Form as to produce Colours The short duration of Colours no Argument of their not being genuine And from what
hath been deliver'd it likewise appears that tho' Colours which are evanid and last but for a while as the Colours of the Rain-bow and all Emphatical Colours are generally distinguish'd from True and Genuine ones in as much as the latter are produc'd by Reflection and these proceed from Refraction yet since we usually account all Ecchoes genuine Sounds and all Smells true Smells in as much as they are real Objects of the respective Sensories they affect by the same Reason we may conclude these Emphatical Colours genuine since the Rays of Light equally affect our Sensory for the time And tho' the shortness of their Continuance hath been offer'd as an Argument of their not being genuine by the same Rule we might say that the Colour of Grass is not genuine because the Colour of an Emerald is more lasting but white Colour of Froth is held to be genuine tho' it is soon generated and in a little time destroy'd Besides were the Whiteness of Froth accounted an imaginary Colour we must no longer believe such to be distinguish'd from genuine ones by Refraction since Froth retains it's Whiteness whether the Sun be setting rising or at the Meridian the Position of the Sun in reference to the Eye and the Object not at all diversifying it Moreover were a Colour to be pronounced genuine by the time of it's Duration the white Froth of a Tenacious Body might be said to be more genuine because it will continue much longer than the Colour of those Flowers of the Mervail of Peru which fade the very day they are Blown And I have seen a Virginian Flower which seldom continues longer than a day And that the bare Disposition of the Parts of a Body by which it is said to reflect or refract the Rays of Light is sufficient to produce different Colours is not only evident in Cloth held in several Positions by which means it variously reflects the Rays of Light but it is further evident since the Beams of the Sun trajected through a Prismatical Glass represent a lively and vivid Rain-bow upon any Body upon which they terminate which may be discern'd by the Eye plac'd in any Position whatsoever viz. whether above or below or on the side of the Glass And tho' when the Prism is taken away the Rain-bow disappears yet nevertheless the Light for the time being truly reflected and refracted from the Prism and reflected again from the Body which those as the Cartesians suppose the several kinds of Motions of these Globuli might contribute to vary the Perception of Colours so I think that without such Globuli the Rays of Light may variously affect the Eye themselves as their Motion is vary'd in order or degrees of Swiftness when they affect our Sensory or as their Motion is undulating or more or less direct But since I pretend not this Discourse to be a compleat History of Colours I shall only in their proper Place deliver some Experiments which may shew the Insufficiency of the Peripateticks and the Doctrine of the Chymists and in favour of that opinion which I am most inclin'd to be of which is that Colour is a Modification of the Beams of Light which they receive from the Object from whence being reflected to the Eye they cause that Sensation we call Colour But how they come to be so modify'd I shall not take upon me to declare till I know both what Light is it self and what figur'd Corpuscles it consists of and likewise their Size and Motion And before I pretend to lay down my Opinion I would further be satisfy'd what is the Nature of Refraction and what degrees of Commixture of Shades with the Light made in the superficial Parts of a Body is requisite to produce this or that Colour CHAP. V. Of the Nature of Whiteness and Blackness Part. II. Of the Experimental History of Colours ACcording to Aristotle it is taught by Demomocritus that Blackness depends on the Asperity of the Surface of a Body and Gassendus who is the first that hath attempted to explain the contrary Colour viz. Whiteness mechanically gives us the following Account Cogites velim says he lucem quidem in Diaphano nullius coloris videri A mechanical account of Whiteness sed in opaco terminante candicare ac tanto magis quanto densior seu collectior fuerit Deinde Aquam non esse quidem coloris ex se candidi radium tamen ex eo reflexum versus Oculum candicare Rursus eum plana Aquae Superficies non nisi ex una parte eam Reflectionem faciat Si contigerit tamen illam in aliquot Bullas intumescere Bullam unamquamque reflectionem facere candoris speciem creare certa superficiei parte Ad haec spumam ex Aqua pura non alia ratione videri candescere albescere quam quod sit congeries confertissima minutissimarum Bullarum quarum unaquaque suum radium reflectir unde continens candor alborve apparet Denique nivem nihil aliud videri quam speciem purissimae spumae ex bullulis quam minutissimis confertissimis cohaerentis Sed ridiculum exhibeam si tales meas Nugas uberius proponem But tho' this Account be ingenious enough yet I shall to render it more full Add that Whiteness consider'd as a Quality in the Object depends on the Asperity of the Surface of a Body whose Parts are so ranged as to reflect the Rays of Light not upon one another but upon the Spectators Eye and that too barely by reflecting them as a Looking-glass does without Refraction for in most other Colours they are so ranged as either to alter the Texture of the reflected Light or to vary it with Shades but in reflecting the Rays of Light to represent the Body white it is not only requisite that the reflected Beams should be unalter'd but likewise that they should almost all be reflected back so that some of them facing one way and some another they may obvert themselves to the Eye on which side soever it is placed To illustrate this Opinion with Experiments and Observations I shall first observe that the Colour of the Sun at Mid-day in clear Weather is much more near to a Whiteness than when stain'd by sublunary Bodies and than when near the Horizon where it's Rays have a greater Quantity of Atmospherical Parts of Matter to pass through and Water it self the more it is shin'd on appears to be much whiter to the Spectators And I have taken notice that the Sun when cover'd with a white Cloud hath appear'd in the Water to be not red but white And it is observ'd by Smiths that Iron which when moderately hot appears red when it hath acquir'd a higher degree of Ignition it seems to be white So those that have weak Eyes complain of too great a Reflection of Light when the Ground is cover'd with Snow and it is attested by several Writers and other Travellers that the Whiteness of the Sun hath been
so great that in Muscovy and Russia they found the Snow to reflect the Light so much that they could see much farther upon snowy Ground than we here in England where no Snow lies on the Ground so that they could see their way by the bare Reflection of the Snow when the Sun did not shine Tho' I am apt to believe that the Effect might in some measure proceed from the Clearness of the Air cleans'd of those Steams which sometimes darken it since it appears that we are able in a frosty Night by reason of the clearness of the Air to discern more Stars than at other times And that white Bodies reflect the Rays of Light most plentifully and have no native Light of their own appears since Snow enclosed in a dark Room was not at all visible But on the contrary it is observ'd that white Cloths are the most easily discerned in dark Nights And for a further Confirmation that white Bodies reflect the Rays of Light not only most plentifully but from themselves I shall add that if the Rays of Light which enter into a dark Room at a small Hole Light upon a white Wall they Enlighten the Room much further than if they fall upon any other Colour And that white Bodies cast most Rays of Light from themselves appears since white Paper is not near so apt to be set on fire by a Burning-Glass as black the concentred Beams being reflected back much more by the one than the other To which I shall further add that I have perceiv'd a much greater degree of Heat when I have held my Hand in the Sun Beams with a black Glove on than when it was covered with a White one And to shew that white Bodies not only reflect the Rays of Light plentifully but unstain'd I shall add that in a dark Room when the Rays reflected from a coloured Body were thrown upon a white Wall they would represent the Colour of that Body whereas if the Beams Reflected from a yellow Body upon a blew it would make a green And to these I shall further add on this occasion that having cast the Rays of a troubled Water by the help of a Lenticular Glass into an upper Room darkened the concenter'd Reflections of the glittering Waves at a few Paces distance represented a white Body but if we approached near the Place on which those Rays were cast they only seem'd to be Beams reflected from glittering Waves which appear'd like so many shining Scales of Fishes succeeding each other successively and disappearing again But if the seeming Whiteness of a River proceed not from the reflection of the Sun Beams but the brightness of the Sky a Storm may cause the Surface of it to appear Black the Rays of Light being reflected more inward than outward except near the Sea Shore where the Surface of the agitated Water is covered with Froth The Surfaces of White Bodies Specular But to shew that the Surfaces of white Bodies are Specular I shall Subjoyn that drops of Mercury being rais'd by a convenient heat in an Alembick represented so many looking Glasses but caused the sides of the Glass they stuck to to appear White And it 's observ'd that if we look upon the Milky Way or Gallaxy with a Telescope tho' to our Eye it appears White by the help of that we shall discover that that Whitness only depended upon a Collection of the Rays of Light whose confused Beams represented to the Eye a white Body and why for a like Reason the Superficies of a Body which to the Eye reflects the Beams confusedly may not appear White as well as the Planets which shine by a borrow'd Light I see no contradictory Reason But to return to Experiments we see that the whites of Eggs which are in some measure Natural Speculums by being beaten into a Froth appear White And if Oyl of Turpentine be mixed with Water and shaken in a Vial as the Particles of the Oyl are more or less numerous and minutely divided it appears more or less White which Experiment will likewise succeed if tryed with a yellow Mixture of crude Turpentine instead of the Oyl and likewise with an Oyl dyed Green with a Tincture of Copper And for a like Reason the Water which is carried over with Oyls distilled in an Alembick appears White as long as the globular Particles of Oyl Swim in it and hot Water is observ'd to be considerably Whitest and Opacous when the hot Vapours disper'd through it stop the Passages of the Rays of Light and cause them to fly from it more plentifully upon the Eye so that I am apt to think that the Superficies of white Bodies may as well be convex as smooth provided the Superficies be so set with Specular Particles as to reflect the Rays of Light plentifully upon the Eye for it is not only observ'd that the globular Particles of Oyl make the Water they are mix'd with appear White but the same Colour is likewise reflected from Powdered Glass and even several Threds of it laid together so that it is not according to the Opinion of some requisite that the Particles of a white Body should be altogether Globular And I have observ'd that Snow look'd upon with a Microscope appear'd to consist of slender Icicles of several shapes And I remember that by contusion I have obtained a whitish Powder of Granates Glass of Antimony and Emeralds and the Salt of Venereal Vitriol Powdered will comparatively with the Entire Chrystals exhibit a considerable Degree of Whiteness And as a Body which is not White may acquire that Colour by a Change of the Texture of its Parts so one that is White may be deprived of that Colour Thus Silver being first brush'd and then boyled with Salt and Tartar appears White but becomes Specular by being rubb'd with a Piece of Steel the protuberant Parts being by that means depress'd into a continu'd Superficies and reflecting the Image of a lucid Body whereas before the innumerable little Speculae reflected the Rays of Light more confusedly 〈◊〉 â—â—chaâ—… Acâ— of Blackness From what hath been said of Whiteness we may be able to guess in some Measure of the Reason of Blackness concerning which Quality Gassendus says Existimare par est corpora suapte natura nigra constare ex particulis quarum Superficicculae scabrae sunt nec facilè lucem extrorsum reflectunt So that Black differs from White in as much as the Particles which are reflected externally by the one are deaded by the other and not reflected outward either because the Superficies hath such protuberant Parts as reflect the Rays internally or being soft and pliable yield to the Impress of those lucid Parts that strike against them so a Ball that would fly back from a Stone will scarce at all Rebound from a Net or Mud tho' the latter Explication I think the less propable because several Bodies are Black whose Surfaces are scarce of so yielding a Texture
Macrocephali mention'd by Hypocrates And it hath not only been observ'd that a sort of Hens want Rumps but I have seen a Raven perfectly white To which I shall add that a Lady who was a devout Catholick looking upon the Pebbles at the Bottom of St. Winifred's Well some time after bore a Child whose Skin was cover'd with the Resemblance of Red Pebbles To what hath been said of Negroes I shall add that the Epidermis only is black the Skin under that being as white as that of the Europeans so that a Child who had the Measles or small Pox after those Pimples had broke was cover'd with a multitude of white Spots And it is attested by several that the Negroes when first born are red or white like other Children but in a few days acquire the Colour of their Parents Nevertheless some of them that are born under the Torrid Zone continue white and are presented to the King and always wait on him These are usually as Purchas witnesses brought up in Witchcraft and the People stand in great Awe of them EXPERIMENT XII NOT only common Crab's Eyes and Pearls but Coral and Minium dissolv'd in Spirit of Vinegar may be precipitated by Oyl of Tartar into white Powders And not only Silver and Tin but Lead and Quicksilver dissolv'd in Aqua Fortis will yield a white Precipitate upon an Affusion of salt Water and so will Tin-glass and the Calces will be much better colour'd if they be precipitated with Oyl of Vitriol instead of Oyl of Tartar And black mineral Antimony may by the Salts which concur to the Composition of Sublimate be turn'd into a rectify'd Butter of Antimony which upon an Affusion of fair Water will precipitate the white Powder call'd Mercurius Vitae and the like Powder may be made of Antimony without any Addition at all And the like white Substance will be precipitated by an Affusion of Water upon a Solution of sulphureous Gums in Spirit of Wine And to these I may further add that Water being pour'd upon a red Tincture of Benjamin drawn with Spirit of Wine will turn it white But if such seemingly white Bodies stand for some time unstirred a resinous Substance will of it self subside And if acid Spirits be dropp'd upon a red Solution of Sulphur in Pot-Ashes or some other sharp Lixivium the precipitated Sulphur before it subsides will turn the red Liquor white But tho these several Bodies yield white Precipitates yet all will not since Gold yields a yellow one whether precipitated by Oyl of Tartar or Spirit of Sal Armoniack And Mercury tho when reduc'd to a Sublimate whether precipitated by Spirit of Urine or Hart's-horn it yields a white Precipitate yet with a Solution of Pot-Ashes or other strong Lixiviate Salts it will let fall an Orange Tawny colour'd Powder And so will Crude Antimony upon an Affusion of an acid Liquor To which we may add that any of these fix'd Salts being pour'd upon a Solution of Vitriol it will yield a Sulphur of Vitriol not at all white EXPERIMENT XIII THO it be in some measure true that White is a Colour like the Materia Prima fit to take any Form and that Black is a Colour which is not to be changed for another yet it does not hold universally true for tho' the Ingredients which dye a Body Black by infecting other Ingredients usually hinder it from taking a higher Colour yet we have made it appear that Inks of different kinds might be depriv'd of their Blackness And I have sometimes turn'd black Pieces of Silk yellow with Oyl of Vitriol And as for Whiteness we ought not to believe it so easily destroy'd without Caution and some Restrictions For Lead is by Calcination turn'd into a red Body and Tin is reduc'd into a white Calx and the common Putty sold in the Shops is made up of half Tin and half Lead and yet notwithstanding the Lead the Putty is white without discovering any Mixture of Minium And so if Copper be mix'd by Fusion with half the Quantity of Tin they will yield a Substance in which the white Colour is much more transparent than the reddish Colour of the Copper And on this occasion I shall add that Arsnick being colliquated in Copper blanch'd it but the white Mixture being kept upon the Cupel till the Arsnick flew away the Copper return'd to it's Pristine Colour And to shew how much the white Colour of a Metal may obscure the Colour of those it is mix'd with I shall add that a fourth Part of Gold being mix'd with Silver the yellow Colour of the Gold was not to be discern'd but when it was rubb'd on a Touch-stone Aqua Fortis would take off the Silver and leave the Gold behind it upon the Stone EXPERIMENT XIV A Polish'd Piece of black Horn being scrap'd with a Piece of Glass and laid upon a black Beaver Hat seem'd white enough but being plac'd upon white Paper the Colour of that eclipsed the Whiteness of the Horn and made it appear like dirty Linnen From which Experiment it appears that Colours depend neither on substantial Forms nor the Hypostatical Principles of the Chymists but on a Reflection of the Rays of Light variously modify'd by their new superficial Texture EXPERIMENT XV. IT is Taught by the Chymists that Blackness depends on Sulphur adust But besides what hath been already offer'd as the cause of Blackness I shall add in reference to the Opinion here propos'd that common Sulphur sublim'd is far from black but it is in a great measure yellow and rather more than less white than before and when set on fire to make Oleum Sulph per campanam it yields very little Soot and the Flame yields so little that it will scarce black a white Sheet of Paper and it is observ'd rather to whiten than to black Linnen and makes red Rose Leaves grow pale and not black And I have seen a Piece of fix'd Sulphur which was kept several Weeks in a violent Heat yet it had no other Colour when cool but a pure red And not only Sulphur but that sulphureous Body Camphire may be kept in a violent Heat without acquiring any thing of Blackness Nor will inflammable Spirit of Wine discolour a piece of Paper held over it whilst it consumes And Tin calein'd yields not a black but a white Calx and not only the Charcoal made of Oxy-Cedar is white but the Smoak of Tinby Coals is observ'd rather to blanch Linnen than black it To what hath been said we may add that the Ingredients of our Ink were not hot but cold and Juice of Limons will blacken the Blade of Knife except it be quickly wiped off tho' no actual Heat intervenes to adust the Sulphur And if the Blackness of the Ink depended on adust Sulphur it might be demanded what became of those adust Particles when the Liquor by a few drops of Oyl of Vitriol lost that Colour Besides Soot it self may have it's Texture so far
Greens Red and Yellow Orange Tawny Red with a little White a Carnation Red with an Eye of Blew a Purple and by a Decomposition of all these they represent what Colours they please But in producing of Colours it is to be observ'd that we must take care that the Pigments be so harmless as not to destroy each others Textures for then the success will be frustrated EXPERIMENT XII WE observ'd that the Colour of a Body did not only seem compound when we look'd through two Glasses at once upon it but when the Beams of the Sun were cast through a double Glass the penetrating Beams would be ting'd with the compound Colour But the Rays of Light cast by reflection on a Sheet of Paper from several varnish'd Glasses they were ting'd with none of the Colours except Yellow so that I suspected the Beams of Light to penetrate deeper into that Substance than others and to be ting'd with the Varnish which Guess I was confirm'd in by spreading a little transparent Varnish of a Gold Colour on a Plate of Muscovy Glass for the Rays thence reflected were of a Yellow Colour EXPERIMENT XIV I Not only found by Experience that those Colours which are by the Schools taken to be Phantastical might be compounded with as much certainty as real ones but that if those Colours were deficient the resulting Colour would be so too And amongst those Experiments I made it was observable that the Yellow Beams of an Iris passing through a blew Glass were turn'd Green And the blew Part of an Iris cast upon Red CIoth would turn it Purple And by casting one Part of an Iris upon another Iris made by another Prism I could compound Colours which would answer my expectation as well as with those that are esteem'd real Colours EXPERIMENT XV. I Endeavour'd to try what alteration would be made in Colours by the use of a Colour'd Prism but I found that it was too difficult to get such as I desir'd since whatever Pigments a Prism was Colour'd with they would make it too Opake for our Purpose EXPERIMENT XVI THere are some Liquors which are of themselves devoid of Colour but when rais'd in the form of Vapours for the time have very conspicuous Ones as Spirit of Nitre and Aqua fortis which in the form of Vapors put on a Red or a deep Yellow And I further Observ'd that the Beams of the Sun Trajected through these Steams appear'd Ting'd with their Colour and so did the Rays of Light which were receiv'd from the setting Sun upon a Piece of white Paper EXPERIMENT XVII HAving mix'd Colour'd Powders together I observ'd that if a Liquor was made use of in the Mixture the same Colour would not emerge as from the dry Powders Orpiment and Yellow Oker being mix'd afford a good Green A Yellow solution of Gold in Aqua fortis being mix'd with a blew Solution of crude Copper by shaking yielded a transparent Green And so did blew and yellow Amel melted together Whether this compound Colour proceeds from a Union of Rays or else from the joint Effect they have upon the Retina as when two Strings sound at the same time they make one united Sound I shall not now stay to Examine but shall briefly intimate that by a good Microscope I could discern each of the Powders of the Bise and Orpiment Distinct so that a Transposition and Juxtaposition of Parts may produce a new Colour by variously modifying and reflecting the Rays of Light that fall upon them So that Colours being mechanically produc'd there is no need of substantial Forms to explicate them nor do they seem to be such inherent Colours as they would have them to be since they consist only of a heap of mix'd Particles of Matter Nor does it appear how these compound Colours should be caus'd by a Sulphur which tho' the Ingredients must contain it cause no such Effect there EXPERIMENT XVIII SYrup of Violets being drop'd upon Paper and a yellow Solution of Gold mix'd with it the result was a Red not a Green which was occasion'd by the Acid Salts in the Solution so that to produce a particular Colour with certainty by the mixture of Ingredients it is requisite they should be such as may be mix'd without altering each others Texture for a blew Solution of Copper in Spirit of Urine made with Syrup of Violets not a Blew but a Green EXPERIMENT XIX TO shew that Colours may be alter'd without any Change in the Chymical Principles of a Body I shall urge that essential Oyls or Spirit of Wine being shaken till Bubbles rise they will afford as long as they last very lively Colours and so does Water and Sope made into Bubbles by Children and so will Bubbles in Oyl of Turpentine and thin ones blown of Glass And I have discern'd several Rainbows represented by holding before my Ryes and the Sun a Feather or a Piece of black Ribband EXPERIMENT XX. ALmost any Acid mix'd with Syrup of Violets will turn it Red but Oyl of Tartar per deliquium will turn it Green and all other Alkalize Salts And this may discover what Salts are predominant in Bodies as well as our Tincture of Lignum Nephriticum Only it will not be work'd upon by so slight and weak Ingredients EXPERIMENT XXI BLew Bottle or Corn-weed being Candied preserves its Colour a long time and when newly press'd the Juice will be Blew yet Spirit of Salt will turn it Red and Alkalies Green and this being drawn upon a piece of Paper moisten'd with an Acid it render'd it Red. A Solntion of blew Vitriol in Water upon an Addition of a Lixiviate Liquor or an urinous Salt becomes Yellow Whence it appears that Volatile or Alkalizate Salts change not Blew into Green upon the account of an easie Transition from Blew to Green but upon the Account of the Texture of them EXPERIMENT XXII ITalian Painters being us'd to imitate Vliramarine Azure by grinding Virdigrease with Sal Armoniack and leaving it to rot in a Dunghil This gave us a hint to pour Oyl of Tartar upon a Solution of Verdigrease which tho' at first the Mixture was turbid yet being settl'd it produc'd a lovely Tincture and a Lixivium of Pot-ashes being made use of instead of this Oyl it yielded an Azure something Paler than the former and if Spirit of Harts-horn be made use of instead of these a greater variety of ceruleous Liquors may be obtain'd The better way to separate these Azure Liquors from their Feces is by Decentation than Filtration the Lquor being by the latter means usually stain'd EXPERIMENT XXIII THo' the Fumes of Sulphur usually whitens Rose Leaves yet Oyl of Sulphur per Campanam heightens the Colour of their Tincture EXPERIMENT XXIV A Grain of Cochinele dissolv'd in Spirit of Wine and afterwards gradually in Water it gave a Tincture to above 125000 times its weight which is an Instance of the great Minuteness of the Parts of Matter and of a vastly minute
Division of them EXPERIMENT XXV RIpe Privet Berries being crush'd upon white Paper stain it with a Purple Yet Spirit of Salt will turn it Red and a Solution of Pot-ashes Green and so will Meserion and the Juice of Pease From whence and the like Experiments before premis'd it appears that the Saline Parts of Bodies have a considerable stroke in producing their Colours EXPERIMENT XXVI SPirit of Salt being drop'd upon several Substances already Red as Syrup of Clove-july-flower Berries of Spina Cervina an infusion of Red Roses Brasil and several others it either made no Alteration or render'd the Red Lighter An infusion of Roses was turn'd into a dirty Colour by an affusion of a Solution of Pot-ashes and Syrup of Cloves was render'd a little more inclining to Green Another Red Infusion was advanc'd into a Crimson but the Juice of Buckthorn-berries acquir'd a lovely Green EXPERIMENT XXVII SPirit of Salt had a very small Effect upon the Juice of Jasmin but Spirit of Urine turn'd it to a Greenish Yellow and the Event was much the same when we try'd it with those less Oyly Leaves call'd Snow Drops which appear about the end of Winter EXPERIMENT XXVIII MAry-Gold Leaves fresh Madder and early Primroses c. being rubb'd upon Paper till they Coloured it they would be turn'd Red or Green by Alkaliz'd Liquors tho' so Acid a Salt as the Spirit of it rather diluted them yet it almost destroy'd the Colour of the early Primroses and an Alkalizate Solution turn'd the Juice of Madder Root Red as well as the bruis'd Root it self From whence it abundantly appears that the Effects of a peculiar Salt upon the Juices of Vegetables depends on their particular Textures EXPERIMENT XXIX A Black-berry full Ripe and another only Red being rubb'd upon a Piece of Paper the Juice of the former was turn'd into a Green by a Lixivium and one much fainter by a Urinous Salt and by an Acid into a Red. But the unripe Berry was little alter'd by the Acid but by the other Juices receiv'd Impressions different from the former Damask Roses would be colour'd Red by an Acid and Green by an Alkaly but a Yellow Province Rose by a Solution of Salt of Tartar was turn'd into a Green Blewish Tincture but an Acid only diluted the Yellowness of the Leaves And were I in the Island of Banda I should try what Effects these Salts would have on the Juice of Cloves which I am told are first White then Green and afterwards Reddish and when dry'd grow Black but the Flowers of them are said to be of an excellent Blew And one thing which deserves our notice is that tho' Damask as well as red Roses give a red Tincture to Water acidulated yet the one hath a purgative and the other a binding Quality And to what hath been said under this Experiment I shall add that Mr. Parkinson tells us that Buckthorn Berries gather'd green and bruis'd into allum-Allum-Water yield a yellow when they are black they yield a Sap Green and if they grow upon the Trees till the middle of November they yield a Purple Colour And Clusius of Alaternus tells us that the grosser Parts of some Plants differ in Colour from each other for the Portugal's Dye their Nets blew with a Bark and blackish blew with the Wood. EXPERIMENT XXX TO shew that a change of Colour depends on an Alteration of Texture I shall add that the same Matter being seal'd up in a Philosophical Egg it will by Digestion pass through several degrees of Colours before it comes to that of the noblest Elixir And that several Substances will undergo changes of Colour by Digestion is evident in rectify'd Spirit of Harts-horn Precipitations of Amalgamas of Gold and Mercury without Addition where by a continu'd Heat the Silver-colour'd Amalgama will be turn'd into a shining red Powder which Effects are produc'd without an Addition or Substraction of Matter by the bare change of Texture EXPERIMENT XXXI IN most Tinctures which the Chymists draw Redness is the common Colour as well as in more gross Solutions tho' the Menstruums be colourless as with Spirit of Wine from Jalap Guajacum Amber and Benzoin Flowers of Brimstone Turpentine c. And most Acid or Alkalizate Salts will with sulphureous Bodies produce a Red and so will Glass of Antimony and I know an Acid which will turn Oyl of Turpentine into a Red. EXPERIMENT XXXII THO' Balsam of Sulphur seems red as well as other Liquors in a broad Vessel yet it stains Paper yellow but a Tincture of Cochenele never so much diluted will still remain Red. EXPERIMENT XXXIII OYL of Turpentine digested upon white Sugar of Lead yields a red Tincture EXPERIMENT XXXIV IF 5 Ounces of Brimstone and Sal Armoniack be distill'd in a Retort with 6 Ounces of Quick-Lime in a Sand-Heat gradually increas'd a volatile Tincture of Sulphur will be obtain'd which is red tho' none of the Ingredients were so yet if agitated when the Vessel it 's contained in is unstopp'd it will yield a white Fume And sometimes it may be so drawn that tho' the Fumes are white yet the Liquor will dye the Fingers black EXPERIMENT XXXV WE let a Drop or two of Oyl of Vitriol fall upon Oyl of Aniseeds coagulated and spread upon white Paper by which there was a red Colour produced with Heat and Smoak EXPERIMENT XXXVI ONE thing to be observ'd in the Experiments above recited is that tho' the Colours mention'd are easily produc'd yet some of them presently fade by the Influence of the Air or the Intestine Motion of their own Parts And Parkison tells us that Berries of that Plant which bears Turnsol a Pigment well known in Painters Shops when they are at their full Maturity yield a Juice which being rubb'd upon Paper appears green but presently degenerates into a blewish Purple upon the Cloth or Paper and these being wet in Water and wrung forth will give it a Claret Colour And I have observ'd the Red Colour of Buckthorn Berries degenerate into a dirty Grey Colour yet by the Mixture of an Alkaly or an Acid it would put on a green or red Colour and the same Success we had when we dropp'd the same Liquor upon a Piece of glaz'd Tile And I have observ'd that Silver precipitated in Aq. Fortis tho' at the first it is white yet when upon a Decantation of the Liquor the Superficies becomes expos'd to the Air it presently turns blackish And I have seen a sort of Pears which would give a red Tincture to Wine And it is observ'd that Spirit of Wine being kept upon white Salt of Tartar acquires a red Tincture But as for the reasons of these things and also why all Bodies burnt in the open Air almost are black I shall leave to Pyrophilus to enquire EXPERIMENT XXXVII SPirit of Salt pour'd on a Solution of Cochinele or the Juice of black Cherries renders their Colours clearer but turns an Infusion of Brasil yellow the Acid Liquor in
both weakening the Spirit on which it falls for as Crimson is a Red with an Eye of blew so Yellow is but a dilated Red and therefore Alkalizated Salts will not only restore the Infusion of Cochinele and Brasil to Crimson but will turn the yellow Juice of Madder red and an Infusion of Brasil to a Crimson And here it may be worth while to consider why Blew and Purple seem to bee deeper Colours than Red and therefore the Juices of Plants of either of the two former Colours may be turn'd red by Spirit of Salt or Aqua Fortis yet Syrup of Violets should be on the contrary turn'd green by Oyl of Tartar and Spirit of Urine which is a more dilute Colour than Blew EXPERIMENT XXXVIII SALT distill'd at a certain time of the Operation yields red Fumes and Vitriol tho green or blew comes over in white Fumes and the like I have observ'd in the Fumes of several other Concretes And I have observ'd that even Soot hath fill'd the Receiver with white Fumes yet neither Spirit of Nitre is red nor that of Vitriol or Soot white And to these Observations we may add that the Empyreumatical Oyls of Woods are of a Colour betwixt black and red And tho' there is so great a difference in the Colours of Plants yet the distilled Liquors vary not And it is observ'd in Sublimation that the Flowers differ much in Colour from the Fumes that compose them as red Benzoin yields white Flowers and Antimony affords Flowers some of them Red and some Gray and some of them purely white And it is the Practice of some Glass Men to make a Blew sublimate of a convenient Proportion of Brimstone Sal Armoniack and Quicksilver And it is observ'd that Orpiment which is a yellow Substance yields a Sublimate amongst which several red Fumes ascend and I have seen a Sublimate whose lower Parts were set with reddish Particles which glitter'd prettily EXPERIMENT XXXIX IF good Spirit of Urine be dropp'd into a Tincture or an Infusion of the Flowers of Pomgranates the Red will be turn'd into a Green Colour but by Spirit of Sea-Slat it will become come a transparent Liquor which red may be tur'd into a dirty Green by Spirit of Urine Oyl of Tartar being dropp'd into Water wherein Leaves of Senna were immers'd it presently appear'd red but the same would not happen upon an Affusion of Oyl of Vitriol Yet red Rose Leaves being put in warm Water Oyl of Vitriol extracted a red Tincture but Oyl of Tartar would not But we observ'd that the Oyl of Tartar only hasten'd the Tincture of the Senna since the Leaves in a Nights time will yield a Tincture in cold Water which will not be heighten'd by Salt of Tartar And it may be said of the red Rose Leaves that the Tincture was rather extracted than produc'd by the Oyl Yet this is observable that in extracting the Tinctures the one will not do what the other will but I have found that Aqua Fortis will do as well as Oyl of Vitriol If upon the red Tincture of Roses decanted you drop Spirit of Urine and shake the Viol it is contain'd in it will acquire a greenish Blew which is observable since the turning of red into blew is a very unfrequent Observation And in the Passage of this red Tincture to a blew if it be taken as the Liquor is dropp'n in it will afford a pretty variety of Colours so as sometimes to represent the Tincture of Lignum Nephriticum And if the Tincture be very high the Spirit of Urine will turn it to a deep Opacous blew but the Liquor being left open two or three Days both the blew and the red Colour vanish'd the Liquor being of an Amber Colour and having a feculent Sediment of the same Colour which seems to be form'd of the Roses drawn together by the Acid and precipitated by the Volatile Salt of the Spirit of Urine in whose room other sulphureous Salts may be substituted And on this occasion I shall add That Having dropp'd Spirit of Urine into an Infusion of Galls it presently turn'd the Red Liquor into a Purple one but if the Infusion of Logwood were impregnated with acid Spirits of Salt it would yield neither a Red nor a Purple but a yellow Liquor EXPERIMENT XL. TO shew that Colours may be generated de novo and again destroy'd We dropp'd Oyl of Tartar into a Solution of Sublimate in Water and the Liquor being agitated it was turn'd into a deep Orange Colour but upon dropping in some Drops of Oyl of Vitriol and continuing to shake the Glass strongly the whole will presently become transparent again In which the Colour results from a Coalition of the Mercurial Particles with the saline ones and with the Alkalizate Particles of the Salt of Tartar which swim up and down in the Oyl But how these uniting come to form such a Substance as reflects such a Colour I confess my self at a loss to explain But in Confirmation of the Reason I have given for the Colour of this Precipitate I shall add that having sublimed together equal Parts of Sal Armoniack and Sublimate and dissolv'd the ascending Flowers in Water and siltred it the limpid Liquor turn'd white upon the Affusion of an Alkaly and not yellow And not only by altering the Texture of the Mercury but by varying the precipitating Liquor the Success of the Experiment will be different For if Spirit of Urine be made use of instead of Salt of Tartar the Precipitate will be of a different Colour from the former And from Quicksilver it self without Sublimate we may prepare a Pricipitate dissoluble in Water without discolouring it And the Colour of such Substances so much depends on the Texture of the Parts concurring to the Composition that tho' in our Experiment Oyl of Vitriol destroys the yellow Colour yet by the Assistance of Oyl of Vitriol we may make a yellow Precipitate with Quicksilver and Water alone And I the rather employ Oyl of Vitriol in such Experiments because it is not only void of Colour but strong and incisive for notwithstanding common and undephlegmed Aqua Fortis will not effect the same thing yet being carefully dephlegmed it will in some measure answer Expectation But one thing to be noted in this Experiment is That tho' by dropping in Oyl of Tartar and Oyl of Vitriol successively the Liquor will regain and lose it's yellow Colour yet the Proportion of the Liquor growing less in respect of the successive additional Drops the yellow Colour will gradually appear more faint An Improvement of the fortieth Experiment If Crude Antimony be boil'd in a strong Lixivium it will yield a sulphureous Sediment which will settle in yellow Flakes in the Bottom and will be more apt to take fire than the Powder of Antimony Therefore considering that Sulphur boil'd in a Lixivium may be precipitated by Rhenish or white Wine and likewise that by Acids I could precipitate other sulphureous
and the like Colour was afforded by it on a Piece of flat glaz'd Earth And some of the same being dropp'd into a Glass of Water of the Figure of an inverted Cone exhibited great-Varietys of Crimson and Purple and when the Litmase was perfectly mix'd with the Water it afforded a glorious Yellow like that of a Topaz when a few Drops of Spirit of Salt were dropp'd into it And if a few Drops of a Solution of Pot-ashes were dropp'd into it they Subsiding into the bottom of it would afford a bright dilute Colour in the bottom of the Glass a Purple above that and a deep Crimson betwixt that and a Yellow which rought to the top of the Glass And if Spirit of Sal Armoniack were pour'd upon that it would turn Part of the Yellow into a Purple or Crimson From which Experiments it appears that as the Particles of a Pigment are nearer or more dispers'd the Colours represented by them Vary EXPERIMENT XLV A Preparation of Steel us'd as a Succedaneum of Spaw-Waters and whose Colour was like that of German Amethist being dropp'd into Rhenish-Wine afforded a lovely Green but Water or Spirit of Wine will not receive that Tincture from it And to satisfie my self that the Effect depended not on any Acidity in the Wine I impregnated Water with Spirit of Salt but notwithstanding it would not receive a green Tincture from the Liquor And to vary the Experiment I dropp'd Alkalizate and urinous Salts into the Green Tincture by which it put on a dirty and a turbid Colour but if this essense of Steel was drop'd into Water impregnated with Spirit of Salt a Solution of Salt of Pot-ashes or of Spirit of Sal Armonick would turn it Yellow the Vitriolate Salt being precipitated by them And Olaus Wormius takes Notice of a rare kind of Turn-sole which would communicate a red Tincture to Water and tho' it would to Wine yet Spirit of Wine would not be at all Ting'd by it so that Tincture both depends on the peculiar Textures of the Body that receives and that which gives the Tincture EXPERIMENT XLVI THe Adventitious Colours of Metals are either such as they acquire by the Action of the Fire upon them or such as result from the Coalition of Metaline Particles with the Mestruum which dissolves them or lastly when they are mix'd together by Fusion And first Tin by the Action of the Fire being calcin'd affords a white Calx and Lead a Red one and Copper calcin'd per se yields a dark blackish Powder and Iron by reverberated Flames may be turn'd into a Crocus and Mercury may be turn'd into a Red Powder And Besides these more obvious Colours there are several intermediate ones whilst by the Action of Fire Metals are a Calcining And not only the Calces but the Glasses of Minerals vitrifi'd per se are of Colours different from the Metal so that I have seen a Glass made of Silver of a dark Colour And not only Metals but Minerals may be brought to yeild Colours by the Action of the Fire different from their own as Antimony affords a whitish Gray Calx and Flowers variously Colour'd and the Calx by being flux'd will yield a Glass of a yellow or reddish Colour And Vitriol Calcin'd passes through several Colours before it comes to be of a dark Purple EXPERIMENT XLVII AS for the Adventitious Colours produc'd by the Union of Metals with their Solvents Gold gives Aqua Regis it 's Yellow Colour but Mercury gives no considerable Colour to Aqua Fortis except a Greenness or Blewness at the first which presently disappears Tin corroded by Aqua Fortis subsided in the form of curdl'd Milk or Eggs. Lead dissolv'd in Spirit of Vinegar affords a clear Solution and if the Menstruum be drawn off appears White Iron dissolv'd by Oyl of Vitriol diluted with Water yields a Green Vitriolum Martis but gives a Saffron Colour to Aqua Fortis or a yellowish Red. Common Silver such as is coin'd gives a Copper Tincture to Aqua fortis but such as is refin'd perfectly gives a blewish Green to Aqua fortis and Spirit of Vinegar and being sublim'd with Sal Armoniac it affords a blewish Sublimate And indeed Copper dissolv'd in several Menstruums will yield a great Variety of Greenish Blew or blewish Green Colours But with Spirit of Sugar and Turpentine it affords a Blew Tincture with a mixture of Green And to shew that the Adventitious Colour may result from the Copper it self as well as the Salts which Corrode it I moistned Dantzick Vitriol with Spittle and then rubbing it upon a Knife it gave it a redish Colour like that of Copper Saccharum Saturni with Spirit of Turpentine will yield a red Balsam and that Stone which Helmont calls Paracelsus his Ludus in a proper Menstruum affords sometimes a yellowish and sometimes a red Solution And before I leave this Experiment I shall add that if Quicksilver be precipitated out of Aqua fortis with Spirit of Sea-salt or Sea-salt dissolv'd in Water it will subside in the form of a white Powder but if it be precipitated with an Alkaly it yields a yellow tawny Powder but if the Menstruum be drawn off without precipitating it the remaining substance will vary it's Colour as it is expos'd to different degrees of Heat so that once I observ'd the white Calx to remain partly in the bottom of the Vial of a deep Yellow and in some part Red the remaining Part being elevated in the form of a reddish and ash-colour'd Sublimate And Vermilion is only a Sublimate of Mercury and Brimstone EXPERIMENT XLVIII TO shew that Metals Associated with other Bodies will afford different Colours I have given an Instance in Silver which gave Glass a lovely golden Colour And I shall now add that I am told that Artificers paint Glass yellow with Calx of Silver And I have obtain'd a Substance of a saphirine Blew from Shel-silver mix'd with Powder of crystal Glass kept in Fusion two or three Hours which I attributed to some Copper latent in the Silver And tho' Copper calcin'd per se yields a dark colour'd Calx yet it tinges Glass Green But being kept in Fusion with 100 times it's Weight in Glass it afforded not a green but a blew Substance which whether it proceeded from the Action of the Mineral or it 's saline Parts only or both I must not stay to enquire But to proceed Putty made of Tin and Lead Calcin'd together being a white Calx gives colliquated Glass the resemblance of white Amel which will receive into it the Colours of divers Minerals which will indure the Fire And I have elsewhere taken Notice that blew and yellow Amel being compounded will afford a Green And it is commonly known that the dark Substance call'd Zaffora will give Glass a blew Tincture And that dark Substance term'd Magnesia from it's similar Colour to that of a Load-stone gives Glass not only Colours different from its own
but in themselves as a Red Purplish or Blackish as the Quantity of it varies yet it is us'd to free Glass from that blewish green Colour that it is subject to and this may serve to confirm what we deliver'd in the XLIV Experiment viz. that as the Parts of a Pigment are more closely or set at distance the Colour will vary And here it may not be altogether fruitless to advertise that it may be a good way of trying Ores and what Metal they most abound with to try what Colour they give Glass when mix'd in a due proportion and kept in Fusion in an equal Degree of Heat and length of time But to proceed to other Instances agreeable to those we have laid down yellow Orpiment and Sea-salt Sublim'd together constitute white Arsnick and tho' Orpiment is the greater Part of the Composition yet Arsenick gives Copper a white Colour within and without In counterfeiting Factitious Gems by Vitrification it is observ'd That calcin'd Lead Colliquated with white Sand or Crystal powder'd by successive Ignitions and extinctions yields a Decoction of the Colour of a German Amethist And I have observ'd in calcin'd Lead it self something like the Colour of such an Amethist And with Glass of Lead overpower'd with other Pigments you may emulate the Greenness of Emeralds tho' in several Cases the Colour of the Lead may vitiate that of the Pigment and these Colours so much depend upon Texture that before the aforemention'd Mixture acquir'd an Amethistine Colour it passed through several intermediate Colours and the Colours of such Substances may be so much vary'd by degrees of Fire that I have had a Mass of the size of a small Nut of four distinct Colours ANNOTATIONS BUt besides the aformention'd Ways by which Metals may acquire adventitious Colours there are yet two unmention'd For I am told that it is impossible to strike that Colour term'd a Bow-dye without the Materials be boyl'd in Vessels either made of or lin'd with a Particular Metal The other way of dying Bodies is with the Solution of Metals in their proper Menstruums so Gold dissolv'd in Aqua Regis will dye the Nails and Skin and Hafts of Knives made of Ivory not with a Golden Colour but a Purple scarce ever to be wash'd out And I have already told you that a Solution of Silver will dye the Nails Black So Brine colours Beef Green or Red and a certain proportion of Salt-Petre and common Salt Colours Neats Tongues Red and such Flesh as would be otherwise White And to these I shall add that a Solution of Sulphur of Vitriol or common Sulphur will Colour Silver with a golden or reddish Colour for which Reason the Bath Water causes that Effect And the Juice of Alcanna which is Green dyes the Skin and Nails of a lasting Red. EXPERIMENT XLIX BOyl a sufficient Quantity of powder'd Turmerick with Water adding to every pound of Water two Spoonsful of a filtred Solution of Pot-ashes in a clean glaz'd Vessel till by immersing a Piece of Paper you find the Turmerick to have given it's Tincture then drop into the filter'd Tincture a Solution of Roach Allom the ting'd Parts being curdl'd will swim up and down in Flakes and the Liquor will pass through a Filtre clear leaving the Yellow Parts behind it which may be dulcifi'd by an Affusion of Water but this vegetable Lake may be seperated from the decanted Liquor without filtration by pouring on a sufficient Quantity of Water for then it will either swim on the Top or subside to the Bottom and may be made fit for use by being dulcifi'd with fresh Water after it hath been gather'd by Filtration and then it must be dry'd upon a Cloth under which Bricks Chalk or Paper is plac'd to imbibe the Moisture ANNOTATIONS THo' it be generally believ'd that this Magistracy of Vegetables is only made up of the colour'd Parts of the Plants yet to favour the contrary I shall represent that Allom contains a stony Matter as well as an Acid Spirit and tho' Workmen in the making of it use a Sea Weed call'd Kelp and Urine yet natural Allom hath been found in England a Solution of which by an Affusion of Lixivium of Pot-ashes would depose a white Curd which being filtred would leave behind it a metalline stony Calx very White little Bits of which being plac'd upon a live Coal would neither melt nor fly away nor would they wash away in hot Water so that they were unlikely to be seperated from the Vegetable Lake by Ablutions And to this I shall add that from the filtred Liquor I have obtain'd saline Parts which would Flame at a Candle and fly away with some Noise and I have obtain'd such a Substance from Allom by precipitating it with urinous Salts and even Urine it self so that sometimes we may think that we obtain a Precipitate from a Liquor when it is in a great measure yielded by the Solution of Allom made use of to precipitate it The abovemention'd way of making Lakes being try'd with Madder it yielded a Red one and with Rue it afforded one of the same Colour with the Leaves But since the Colour is extracted from the Vegetable by the addition of a Lixivium it is a Question whether the Lake will always be of the Colour of the Herb since Lixiviate Salts may not only extract but alter the Tinctures of Vegetables And tho' Acids sometimes do yet we have found by experience that they will not always restore Colours destroy'd by Alkalies since Syrup of Violets turn'd Green by an Alkaly will not be restor'd to a Blew by an Acid but is chang'd to a Red. And I have found that when the Colour of the Lake was not alter'd by the Alkaly it would be much fainter than the Vegetable it was drawn from But to conclude this Experiment I shall add that Allom is not only of use in such like Experiments as these but also in the Dyers Trade EXPERIMENT L. HAving a Mind not only to change the Colour of one Body into another but also to obtain two Substances of distinct Colours from one Body in order to it I consider'd that since Spirit of Vinegar wholly loses it's Acidity by working upon Minium the Solution would alter the Juices of Plants as Oyl of Tartar usually does and acordingly I found that it turn'd an Infusion of red Rose Leaves Green And further considering that Oyl of Vitriol will precipitate Solutions of Minerals especially in Spirit of Vinegar and that the Calcesare usually fair and White Considering these things I dropp'd a Solution of Minium into an Infusion of Roses by which it was turn'd Green but dropping on that Oyl of Vitriol it would precipitate the Lead in the form of a white Powder and leave in the Liquor a clear and high Tincture of Roses which appear'd when the Experiment was try'd in a Glass shap'd like an inverted Cone And this Experiment likewise succeeded when Spirit of Salt was made use
whilst it was stirred about the Spirit of Wine in the Weather-glass gradually subsided EXPERIMENT IV. Another immersed in Spirit of Roch Allom c. Having poured as much rectify'd Spirit of Roch Allom into a wide mouth'd Glass as was sufficient to cover the globulous part of a Thermoscope when the Spirit of Wine was equally cooled with the Air about it we poured into it a volatil Salt obtain'd by Sublimation from Sal-Armoniack and a fixt Alcali and tho' upon the joint Action of these two Bodies a considerable Noise was raised with Bubbles and Froth yet the Spirit of Wine began to subside and continued to do so 'till the Spirit of Allom was wholly glutted with the volatil Salt the whole Descent being the length of an Inch. From this Experiment and the foregoing it appears That when Alcalies and Acids produce Heat upon a mutual Conflict which ensues their Mixture they have not that Effect precisely consider'd as such since it is evident that an urinous Salt mixed with an acid Spirit viz. of Roch Allom produces Coldness and not a true Effervescence EXPERIMENT V. A Thermoscope in a Mixture of Oil of Vitriol and Sal Armon One part of Oyl of Vitriol being shaken together with twelve parts of Water the Mixture acquir'd a little Warmth but when it was cool being poured into a wide-mouth'd Glass and a Thermometer immersed in it when the Liquor in the Thermoscope was equally cool with the external we poured in a sufficient quantity of Sal-Armoniack to glut the Acid The effect of which Mixture was that upon a cold Ebullition the Spirit of Wine descended an Inch. EXPERIMENT VI. Heat produced by a Mixture of Salt-peter and Oyl of Vitriol Tho' Salt-Peter usually produces a Coldness in Liquors yet eight Ounces of it being mixed with six of Oil of Vitriol the Mixture acquired a considerable degree of Heat emitting Fumes copiously EXPERIMENT VII The effect of Gun-powder mixed with Water Though Gun-powder be a Body so inflammable yet it evidently imparts a Coldness if mixed with Water If a small quantity of Oil of Vitriol be mixed with the Salt formerly made use of before the Oil hath been mixed with Water it acquires a considerable degree of Coldness A Digression about Potential Coldness Potential Coldness Mechanically explained Potential Coldness is usually looked upon to be a Quality so absolute as not to be explicable without the Doctrine of Substantial Forms But it will easily appear That it may without any great difficulty be clearly explained by Mechanick Principles if we consider that the Figure Shape and Texture of Bodies may be so contrived as to lessen the usual and natural Agitation of Humors about our Sensory and consequently the Perception of this Imminution may cause such a Sensation as is usually term'd Potential Coldness which account being allowed it will follow That Potential Coldness is only a relative Quality depending on the dispersion of the Agents through the Bodies to be cooled by them According to which Notion the cold Fitts in Agues may easily be conceived to arise from an Intermixture of the Parts of some clammy Matter which before a Dissolution were unable to cause any considerable Effect in the Mass of Blood but presently after being mixed with the Blood produce such a change in the Motion of its Parts as affects the Sensory with such a Sensation as is usually esteemed Potential Coldness which Sensation may not only be so produced in Agues but by a like Cause in other Distempers and in several Parts of the Body as in Hypochondriack and Hysterical Cases To render which Account more probable I shall subjoyn That I have learnt by the Effects of Poysons that the small Parts of them being interpersed through the Parts of Humors previously disposed may cause a notable Refrigeration And I my self have prepar'd a penetrating Chymical Liquor a Drop of which being given to an Animal would cast him into a seeming Sleep and a little larger Quantity being by Mischance applyed to an akeing Tooth gave the Person a sort of trembling and almost an universal Refrigeration And that Coldness may be produced by the Mixture of some subtile Parts of Matter with the Mass of Blood appears from the following Histories Famulum habui says Benivenius Cap. 56. Abditorum apud Schenk Lib. 7. de Venen Obs 24. qui a Scorpione ictus tam subito ac tam frigido Sudore toto Corpore perfusus est ut algentissima Nive atque Glacie sese opprimi quereretur verum cum algenti illi solam Theriacam ex Vino potentiore exhibuissem illico curatus est And to this I shall add another related by Amatus Lusitanus Cent. 6. Obs Vir qui a Scorpione in Manus digito punctus fuit multum dolebat refrigeratus totus contremebat per Corpus dolores Cute tota quasi aut puncta formicantes patiebatur c. What Refrigeration depends on Whether such Refrigeration depends on a sort of Coagulation of the minute Parts of the Blood or whether it may be produced by a different Determination of the motion of the Parts of those Liquors as to the Lines they move in I shall not now examine but shall rather offer it to be considered since the internal Constitutions of several Parts of the Body are different from each other and since the Size and Textures of several Agents are also various whether they may not upon that account have different Effects upon distinct Parts of the Body for all the Qualities of such Agents do not wholly depend on the Action of the Corpuscles of the Medicine only but depend on some adventitious Qualities which they acquire by being mixed with particular Humors and which they may dispose to be more or less worked upon by the other Efficients of Heat or Cold. And these Conjectures may not be render'd a little probable by observing That tho' Spirit of Wine inwardly taken causes Heat yet externally it abates the Heat of inflamed Parts but hath different Effects on a tender Eye And though internally five Grains of Camphire may diffuse Heat through the whole Body yet externally it is used in refrigerating Medicines How far these Observations may be of Service in determining whether Camphire c. be hot or cold I shall leave to Physicians to consider and shall here only offer in Proof That Potential Coldness is only a relative Quality the following particulars viz. That from the VI. and VII Experiments it appears that according to the Dispositions of Bodies to be worked on the Agent may have different Qualities As Fumes of Lead may coagulate Mercury tho' it hath not a like Effect on other Liquors And further although Sal-Armoniack and Nitre be when separate cool and tho' the latter melted in a Crucible takes not Fire of it self yet upon an addition of Sal-Armoniack it flashes vehemently But I shall leave this Digression and proceed to Experiments about Cold. EXPERIMENT VIII Oyl of
Vitriol poured upon a Solution of Sal-Armon To make it appear how much Motion and Texture may contribute to the Production of Cold we gradually added twelve Ounces of Water to an equal quantity of Sal-Armoniack and whilst upon a Dissolution of the Salt the Water became cold we poured in twelve Ounces of Oyl of Vitriol upon which the Mixture became hot where it is not a little strange that though Sal-Armoniack in either of these Liquors produces Cold yet a contrary Effect should happen upon its Mixture with both together The Reason of which could be no other but that the Heat produced by the two Liquors overpowred the Degree of Cold which the Salt was able otherwise to produce EXPERIMENT IX The Effects of the same Mixtures are so uncertain sometimes that I have observed that having placed a Thermometer in eight ounces of Spirit of Verdigrease and gradually put in two ounces of Salt of Tartar after some time the Ingredients having worked upon each other with a copious Froth and a hissing Noise the Bottle was something warm and the Liquor in the Thermometer raised Yet another Salt being mixed with Salt of Tartar and Spirit of Verdigrease prepared without Spirit of Vinegar and Spirit of Wine poured upon it instead of an Incalescence a considerable degree of Coldness would be produced EXPERIMENT X. Oyl of Vitriol and Water shaken together upon an Addition of Sal-Armoniack acquire a sort of Goolness but if Oyl of Vitriol and the Salt be first mixed upon an Affusion of Water they become hot And tho' Salt of Tartar grows hot in Water yet the Caput Mortuum of Salt of Tartar and Cinnabar distill'd in a strong Fire produces no Heat notwithstanding a hissing Nolse like that of Quick-lime succeeds its Immersion A coincident Disposition betwixt the Agent and the Patient requisite to the production of their Effects That the artificial Production of Cold may be obstructed by an Indisposition in the Patient to be acted on by the grand Efficients of Cold I have learned by several Observations and particularly by noting that tho' Oyl of Vitriol be so fiery a Liquor as in some measure to have the Effects of Fire it self and to dissolve Ice sooner than Spirit of Wine yet a Pound of choice rectified Spirit of Wine being put into a Bottle except a little at the Top it was wholly coagulated into a consistent Mass like Ice notwithstanding the Glass stood in an Elaboratory in which that Oyl was never at any other time observed to congeal And this Phenomenon was the more remarkable because the Oyl continued in that state when the Weather was too moderate to be the cause of such an Effect on the contrary I have observed that Oyl of Anniseeds which usually coagulates with a less degree of Cold than Water continued undisturb'd and transparent without the least Coagulation in a very frosty Season and the like we have observ'd in Camphire reduced to an Oyl by some Nitrous Spirits But to conclude this Section If Heat depends on a brisk agitation of the Particles of the Humours about our Sensory and if Cold be an Effect of a less degree of Motion than that about our Sensory it appears that an Imminution of that Motion which is requisite to produce Heat is sufficient to cause the contrary Quality viz. Coldness And tho' Cold seems in such a Sense a privitive Quality yet in as much as the Agent which causes that Imminution acts positively upon the Parts in motion it may be esteemed a positive Quality tho' in respect of our Sensory it is but a relative one as luke-warm Water will appear hot or cold as the Hand immersed in it hath either been exposed to an intense degree of Cold or Heat And indeed the principal mistakes which sometimes occur in Discourses concerning Cold happen upon the account of the ambiguity of that Expression which sometimes is used to signifie the Idea imprinted on the Mind by the advention of an external Object sometimes for an Imminution of such a Motion as causes Heat and sometimes for the Object upon a contact of which we perceive Cold. CHAP. II. Shewing that not only our Senses but common Weather-glasses may misinform us about Cold. neither our Sensories nor Weather-glasses infallible Criterions of the degrees of Cold. THO' most Philosophers have hitherto taken the Testimony of our Sensories for the only Criterion by which they estimated the degrees of Cold yet since Cold is in respect of our Organs only a Relative thing and since it hath sensible Effects on other Bodies which are affected by more minute Variations than our Sensories it may not be amiss to estimate the degrees of it by the changes it causes on those Bodies that discover it 's slighter Variations as well as by the assistance of our Senses since neither our Sensories alone nor common Weather-glasses are too confidently to be relied on in judging of the degrees of it For Cold being a relative Quality in respect of our Sensories as the Disposition of the Organ varies so the same degrees of Cold may seem violenter or more remiss as it is observed in hot Baths the most remiss degree seeming hot to those that come out of the open Air yet Cold and Chilling to those that come out of a hotter Bath into that the Reason of which appears to be that the Parts of the cooler Bath are more briskly agitated about our Sensory than the Ambient Air but when we come out of a hotter Bath they being less agitated in Respect of that causes a Cold Sensation by altering and checking the motion of the Humors which before were briskly agitated about our Sensories But our Sensories may not only misinform us in such Cases where they evidently appear to be differently tempered in respect of those Objects but sometimes when those Variations in the Dispositions of our Sensories are Caused by unsuspected Agents or insensible degrees so we perceive the Air in a celler much Colder in the Summer when Bodies accustomed to a warmer Air descended into it Nay sometimes we judge amiss of the degrees of Cold when we think our Sensories unaltered so Air blown out of a pair of Bellows upon the Sensory by penetrating into the Pores and retardating the Agitation of the Humors seems Colder than before yet when blown upon a common Weather-glass that motion enables it not to depress the Mercury Besides sometimes we may be more sensibly affected with Cold when it depends not on the Qualities of the Air in general but either on some Steams which are endowed with frigorifick Qualities as Opium externally applied or on some chilling distempered Humor in our Bodies But further sometimes Bodies appear colder to our Sensories than to a Weather-glass because the former are more affected by the Density and Penetrancy of the Parts So water hath appeared cold to our Bodies See Plate 1. Fig. 1. when by a nice Weather-glass I could not discover that it was Colder
be much more uncertain Which way of Estimating Weather-glasses tho' it be not so certain as unquestionably to answer expectation yet it may be of advantage to come as near as we can to certainty But Consideration the 2d Secondly There is unaccurateness in measuring of Cold by Weather-glasses which may be avoided yet is not since sufficient care is not taken that the Diameters of the Cylinders are exact all along from one end to another nor that there be a certain Proportion betwixt the Diameter of the Cylinder and that of the Pipe Besides open Weather-glasses may be more Commodiously contrived for Thermometrical Experiments than those that are commonly made use of See Plate 1. Fig. 2. See Plate 1. Fig. 2. In which the mouth of the Vial being so closed with cement or wax that the External Air hath no communication with it but through the Pipe upon an Expansion or Condensation of the Internal Air the Liquor hath much more Room to rise and fall in than the Pendulous Liquor in ordinary Glasses where the Quantity of Air is much too small in respect of the Proportion of the Cavity into which it must expand it self when rarified to make the rising or falling of the Liquor in that to be so sensible enough But besides that this of ours hath this advantage that the Quantity of Air is greater in respect of the Proportion of the Cylinder and consequently the Water hath much more Room to play up and down in it hath this advantage further that it is much more convenient for our purpose Since the Ball of it may be immersed in Bodies whose Coldness we have a mind to measure and consistent Bodies as Snow or Ice may be more conveniently heaped about it than common Weather-glasses Thirdly Men too Confidently conclude that if the Liquor in a Thermoscope rise an Inch higher to day A third Consideration than it was the day before and an Inch higher the next that the Air must be as Cold again the last day as it was the preceeding since it appears not tho' we should allow that Cold of it self contracts the Air That a double degree of Cold must produce a double degree of Condensation exactly for besides that the different Quantities of Air contained in these Instruments and the Proportions of Pipes as well as the degrees of the Expansions considered together are sufficient to render the Hypothesis suspicious I am inclined to believe That the Condensation of the Air and the ascent of the Water depend on the Pressure of the ambient Air as we shall in a little time make appear and then this Computation will be found to be very fallacious For we have elsewhere shewn that the forces required to compress Air is in Reciprocal Proportions or thereabouts to the spaces comprehending the same proportion of Air so that if a Cylinder of four Inches be able to resist a Pressure equivalent to ten Pounds weight when it comes to be compressed into two Inches an equal force super-added to the former will drive up that already compressed Air into half the space which is about an Inch Whence it follows that in estimating the Condensation of the Air in a Weather-glass we must not only Consider how much Space it is made to desert but also what Proportion that deserted Space bears to the whole Space it possess'd before and to what degree of Density it was brought before the Application of that force And we must remember that the resistance of the Included Air is not to be looked upon as that of a weight which may remain always the same but that of a Spring forcibly bent whose resistance is greatest as it is crouded into less Room The fourth Consideration Fourthly we ought to have a regard to the particular Nature of the Liquors employed in Weather-glasses till we have a more determinate Theory of the cause of Cold For amongst Liquors it does not follow That because the one is most subject to be affected with the highest degrees of Cold and to freeze that the other is less susceptible of the lower degrees of it Since it is observed That Spirit of Wine receives notable Impressions from fainter degrees of Cold than Water does when made use of in Weather-glasses tho' in our Climate the latter is much more readily turned into Ice Besides we are not to conclude That all Subtil and most Spirituous Liquors must be least capable of being congealed since Oyl of Aniseeds Distilled by a Limbeck is extremely hot yet will it be congealed by a much gentler degree of Cold than Water and will be longer undissolved upon a Thaw And I know some distilled Liquors which consist of Parts very penetrating and vehemently Agitated yet more subject to freeze than the generality of Chymical Oyls or saline Spirits And indeed if we allow that Cold depends on a Diminution of the usual motion of the Parts of a Body I see not besides those more Catholick Agents which produce Cold in most Bodies they invade why one Body may not be said to be more or less frigorifick in respect of this or that Body and not of a third For Quick-silver will be coagulated by the fumes of Lead which have no such effect on other Bodies nor can the utmost degree of Cold 〈…〉 power to congeal it and from 〈…〉 the Jesuit relates it appears That Water in peculiar Regions may receive such a disposition from the Soil as to receive strange Impressions of Cold in respect of the effects it produces there on Humane Bodies And tho' Opium refrigerates not Water as I have experienced by the help of a good Weather-glass yet a few Grains of it presently refrigerate the Mass of Blood which is not only an argument That most Liquors have peculiar Textures but that the Parts of one Body may be so conveniently shaped as to be able by insinuating into the Pores of another to stop the Agitation of their Parts And in favour of what we have laid down I shall further add That I know more Liquors than one which mingled with Spirit of Wine well dephelgmed will presently deprive it of it's Fluidity and the like change I have sometimes observed in other Liquors And I can make a Liquor much of the same temper of Water that receives a degree of Coldness by the Addition of a certain substance which stops the Agitation of it's Parts that would scarce have any sensible effect on Water But to proceed to what we have further to offer in favour of our new Thermometers Considerations concerning the new Thermometers besides that the Water and Air may be both alternately condensed without the influence of the Atmosphere's gravity they have another advantage That they may be used in several Places and removed without spilling the Liquor contained in them or without danger of it being evaporated Besides they may be safely let down into any Liquor even the most Corrosive it we have a mind to examine
their In doing of which instead of Liquors made use of in common Glasses we employ Spirit of Wine tinged with Cochineele opened by the most Volatile Spirit of Urine which is not only in less danger of being froze but susceptible of the slightest degrees of Cold impressed upon it by external Bodies But tho' we think these Weather-glasses subject to fewer Exceptions than common ones yet in estimating the several degrees of Cold we look upon them as Instruments to be employed by our Reason and not quite exempt from those Imperfections we have imputed to Weather-glasses since I suspect that some sort of Steams penetrateing the Pores of the Glasses may have other effects upon the Spirit of Wine than what they have in reference to Heat and Cold For I once observ'd that having immersed the Ball of a Weather-glass in a strange kind of a Luke-warm mixture the Spirit rose up slowly 8 or 9 Inches in a Tube not above a foot long and subsided not again much above half an Inch when exposed to the Air a good while after it had been immersed in Water 5 hours The Chymist Orthelius in his Theatrum Chymicum Vol. 6. tells us That the Liquor Distilled from the Oar of Magnesia or Bismute will swell considerably in the Glass it is kept in at the full Moon and subside at the New which observation the Jesuit Casatus makes use of as an Argument And I have observed my self a Tincture of Amber made with rectified Spirit of Wine undergoe several changes when stopped up in a Bottle which other Liquors abounding with Spirit of Wine did not so that not unlikely if Weather-glasses furnished with different Liquors were kept together in the same Place there would be some disparity which could be ascribed to nothing but the peculiar Natures of the respective Liquors which tho' of different kinds may receive the same Colour from the same Metals So Copper gives the known Colour to Aqua fortis and affords a fair Solution in Aqua Regis as well as gives a lovely Blew to Spirit of Urine or Sal Armoniac and I have found that it would give a good Tincture to Chymical Oyl of Turpentine And to shew that even Spirit of Wine in Weather-glasses may be worked upon and influenced by external Bodies I shall add That I have observed in one that lay by me some time emergent Bubbles Which whether they were only made up of united Bubbles lodged in the Pores of the Liquor or some Parts of the Wine disposed to Elasticity by frequent alterations I examin not But sometimes they have been so great as to possess many Inches of space in the shank of the Weather-glass which Bubbles if they be small and lurk about the juncture of the Ball and of the Cylinder may by dividing the Spirit in the Stem from that in the Ball hinder it from rising according to the Changes of the Weather a Bubble of Air being more dicffiultly removed up and down in the Stem of the Glass than the Spirit it self in favour of which we have else-where shewn That Water will pass through a narrower space than Air except the latter be forced But to draw near to a conclusion tho' I have mentioned all these difficulties about sealed Glasses I would not be thought to do it with a design to set Men upon greater Nicities than are necessary but rather to excite us to take into our Consideration as many collateral Experiments and Observations besides those made by our Sensories on Natural as well as Factitious Bodies in judging of the degrees of Cold as we can For tho' Water be thought to be most susceptible of such an intense degree of Cold as destroys Fluidity yet besides Oyl of Aniseeds I have distill'd a substance from Benzoin which becomes fluid and consistent upon much slighter alterations as to Heat and Cold than would freeze Water or thaw it And I have observed likewise That Amber-grease dissolv'd in highly rectified Spirit of Wine or in other Sulphereous or Resinous Concretions dissolved in the same Liquor will shoot into fine figured Masses in cold Weather and re-dissolve in warm others being more rudely congealed And even in Chymical Preparations of Harts-horn and Urine I have observed That sometimes the Spirits would be clear and at other times would suffer a greater or less quantity of Salt to Chrystallize at the bottom according to the various alterations of the Weather in point of Heat or Cold. But to bring Instances from more obvious Liquors it is observed in some Parts of France by the Water-men That their Boats will carry greater Loads in Winter than Summer and on frozen Coasts in several Countries it is observed That Ships draw less Water than on our British Coasts which is an Argument that the Water is heavier and thicker in Winter than in Summer And I my self have poised a Bubble so exactly with Water in it that tho' it would swim upon the top of the Water at Night yet in the Day when the Sun had rarified the Water it swam in it would subside to the bottom And sometimes was so exactly of a correspondent weight with and so equally poised in the Water that it would neither subside nor swim upon the top but move up and down till the Water was either more rarified or further condensed From what hath been said in this Chapter it appears 1st That by reason of the various predispositions in Bodies the testimony of our Senses is not to be taken in judging of the several degrees of Cold. 2dly Tho' Weather-glasses are subject to fewer alterations than our Senses yet they may misinform us except we at the same time measure the Air 's Gravity by other Instruments 3dly Our sealed Weather-glasses are highly preferable before common ones 4thly To conclude this Chapter I shall add That I would not have Men easily deterred from making Experiments about estimating Cold because they may seem disagreeable to vulgar Notions since I doubt not but that the Theory we have is not only very imperfect but ill grounded CHAP. IV. Concerning the cause of the Condensation of the Air and ascent of Water by Cold in common Weather-glasses COncerning the Reason why Water in common Weather-glasses descends upon Heat and is raised by Cold there are three Opinions which may deserve our Consideration The Opinion of the Schools concerning the ascent of Water in Weather-glasses examined The first is that of the Schools and common Peripateticks which teaches That the external Air condensing that included in common Weather-glasses it rises to fill up that space deserted by the Air to prevent a Vacuum But not to urge That they have not yet proved that Nature will not admit of a Vacuum or that it is contrary to the Notion a Naturalist ought to have of Matter to suppose it to act any thing contrary to its own natural tendency for a publick Good I say not to urge these Arguments which we have elsewhere made use of I
again when the internal Air was rarified within half an Inch of the top and then the Apex being sealed up it was placed in Snow and Salt yet the Air in the top had it's Spring so weakened by refrigeration that it was not able to depress the Water tho' as soon as the Apex was broke off it subsided several Inches the external Air pressing upon it The Experiment being a third time reiterated with 3 ½ of Air in the Pipe when the Water in the Vial was in some measure froze it was able to expand it self a little But when the Apex was broke off the External Air depressed the Surface of the Water two Inches but being removed into a warm Room it ascended above an Inch higher than the uppermost Level Having put so much Water into a Vessel See Plate 1. Fig. 6. Such as Plate 1. Fig. 6. Delineates as was able to fill almost the whole Tube we caused a Mixture of Snow and Salt to be placed about the Ball of it yet we perceived not the Water in the least to rise but if at all it might well be ascribed to the the Intumescence of some airy Parts lodged in the Pores of the Water But the Apex of the Tube being broke off under Water the External Air forced the Water several Inches up into the Cavity of the Pipe Another Experiment we made with the following Vessel See Plate 1. Fig. 7 the Stem of this being no thicker than a Raven's Quill tho' several Inches long See Plate 1. Fig. 7. and the Ball being about as big as a Nutmeg we dropped a few drops of Water into the Stem which being suspended there betrayed very slight changes in the Rarefaction or Condensation of the internal Air. Watching therefore when the Air within had raised the Bubble up to the top of the Stem we immediately sealed it up and observed That tho' the sealed Glass was placed in a Mixture of Snow and Salt the Bubble did not in the least subside But if the Apex of the Stem was broke off the Bubble of Water would be sometimes depressed so low as to fall into the Ball of the Weather-glass And what was further remarkable was That when the Liquor was descending if the end of the Tube was sealed up the Water would immediately stop at the place it rested at when the Pressure of the Atmosphere was taken off Where it would continue till the Stem was broke open again and then the Water would be further depressed as the weight of the Atmosphere was able to over-power the Resistance made by the internal Air. Having made use of such a Vessel as Fig. 7. Plate 1. represents and conveyed a pretty Quantity of Water into both the Legs See Plate 1. Fig. 7. we sealed up the end of the bent Stem leaving so much Air above it as we thought convenient Which being done we placed the Ball of it in a frame in which the Tube hanging down we could cover the round Ball with Snow and Salt Upon which the Air in the Stem was able to expand it self so far that the Water in the longer Leg was raised the length of a Barly-corn higher than before and depressed as much in the other But when the end of the Stem was broke open the Water was raised 2 ¼ Inches in the longer Leg and depressed so low in the shorter that several Bubbles rose into the Cavity of the Ball. In which Experiment it cannot be supposed That the weight of the Water in the shorter Leg could be able to raise the Water in the other except by Virtue of it's Spring which being but small answerable to the Quantity of of it it cannot be expected that it should have any considerable Effect upon the Air in the other Leg tho' it's Spring were in some measure weakened by Cold. An Explication of the Figures in the first Plate Fig. 1. p. 12. A. The Ball or Egg. B C. The Stem D. The little Aqueous Cylinder Fig. 2. The open Weather-glass mentioned p. 16 22. Fig. 3. The Sealed Weather-glass or Thermoscope mentioned p. 16. Fig. 4. The Barometer or Mercurial Standard placed in a Frame B B. mentioned p. 17. Fig. 5. An Instrument mentioned p. 34. A. The Vial. B C. The Pipe cemented into the neck of the Vial open at C and sealed at B. Fig. 6. p. 35. A. The Bolt-head B. The small Stem B C. The Cylinder of Water enclosed Fig. 7. p. 36. CHAP. V. The Experimental History of Cold begun TITLE I. Experiments concerning Bodies capable of Freezing others BEfore we proceed to the natural History of Cold it perhaps may be necessary to consider what Bodies are capable of retaining such Qualities and what are not but that being a consideration not so necessary to our present purpose which is only to set down what Observations we have made in Bodies subject to be froze I shall only in short take notice That most Bodies except fire are susceptible of actual Cold and it is a Question whether even that be not rather a state of Matter in such a peculiar motion than a distinct and particular species of Natural Bodies since even Gun-powder and Spirit of Wine before they are set on fire by some other Body are actually Cold. But to proceed to what Observations relate to our Title Experiments of Bodies capable of freezing others 1. Bodies cold enough to freeze others are very few here in England Snow and Salt mixed being most remarkable which cool the Liquor contained in those Vessels which are closed up in such mixtures 2. Snow alone would not freeze Water as a Mixture of it and Salt does and tho' Water poured betwixt the Interstices of Snow or Ice freezes yet there is a great disparity betwixt exposing it to the Air and keeping it up in Vessels and tho' it is froze when covered with Snow in a Bottle all night yet that may proceed from the Coldness of the Air as well as the influence of the Snow 3. If Nitre Allum Vitriol Sal-Armoniack or Sugar be mixed in due Proportion with Snow they will enable it to freeze tho' not so intensely as common Salt 4. Spirit of Salt being shaken together with Snow in the Vials they caused a Dew which was gathered on the outside the Glass to be froze tho' the Mixture within was not and Oyl of Vitriol mixed with Snow in a thin Vial had the same Effect only more intensely 5. But not only these Acid Spirits had these Effects on the moisture of the Air condensed on the outside the Glasses but likewise Spirit of Nitre Spirit of Vinegar and Spirit of Sugar the former of these three being very powerfull tho' the latter were not so strongly frigorifick 6. Spirit of Urine mixed with Snow in a Vial froze the External moisture weakly but Spirit of Sal-Armoniack drawn from Quick-lime did it powerfully 7. Spirit of Urine and Oyl of Vitriol poured upon Snow froze moderately 8. Sal Gem with a
Spirit of Wine and immersed the Ball and part of the Stem in a Vessel of Water which was half buried in Snow and Salt and when the Water began to freeze at the bottom and about the sides the Liquor was Subsided to 5 2 ◠Divisions each Division being half an Inch and then the Weather-glass being taken out of the Water and applied to the Snow and Salt it Subsided to 1 ½ Division To this we shall add another which shews That the Water tho' froze was warmer than the Spirit of Wine when the Mixture of Snow and Salt was applied to it Jan. 15 the Weather-glass being kept in the Water till it began to freeze descended to 5 ½ but being removed into the Snow and Salt it Subsided first briskly and then more gradually till it sunk to the Bottom of the Stem but being removed into the Water again it ascended to the same height the Water had before depressed it to For a further Tryal how much Liquors may be condensed by Cold we took Oyl of Turpentine rectified in a gentle Heat and having weighed a Glass-ball with a long Stem it being one Ounce one Dram five Grains and a half we poured on it so much of the Turpentine as increased the weight to two Ounces seven Drams and thirty four Grains and a half which reaching a little way into the Stem we marked the Superficies with a Diamond after which we poured a Dram more in and successively more still marking how high each Parcel which was weighed exactly rought in the Stem till the Additional weight increased the former to three Ounces one Dram four Grains and a half and then taking a wide-mouth'd Glass with Water in it we immerged the Weather-glass in the Water as before the Vessel in which it was contain'd being first encompass'd with Snow and Salt When the Water began to freeze we mark'd the Stem of the Glass which contain'd the Oyl at the place to which it subsided and then conveying it into a Mixture of Snow and Salt when it had subsided as low as it could we mark'd the Superficies and then remov'd it into the Air till it rose to it's first station and then we pour'd so much of the Oyl out into another Glass carefully poised in a pair of Scales that the Superficies of the Oyl remain'd at the Mark which it subsided to in the Water and we found that the Oyl poured off weigh'd about 10 Grains And so much more being pour'd off as made it stand at the Mark to which the Snow and Salt depress'd it it weigh'd about as much as the former so that the Oyl was Artificially condensed so far That it subsided as much after it had been condensed by Cold strong enough to freeze Water as it was caused to fall by the force of that And by dividing the whole Proportion of Oyl by the number of Grains whose Bulk it seem'd to lose by subsiding in Water we found that it was condensed by the first degree of Cold to a 94th Part of it's Bulk and by dividing it by the Additional number of the Grains more we found that the Snow and Salt had condensed it a 47th Part of it's Bulk Having circumscrib'd Water moderately Cold with a Mixture of Snow and Salt what it shrunk was if not insensible inconsiderable To measure the differing weight and Density of the same Proportion of Water in the Heat of Summer and when extremely Cold we weighed a Glass-Bubble in it which was Heavier than Water moderately cool and by the Diminution of it's weight in that Medium we found according to the Rules of Hydrostaticks the weight of a Portion of Water of equal Bulk And then weighing it in Water cool'd by a Mixture of Snow and Salt we were inform'd by a new Decrement of it's weight of the weight of an equal Bulk of that Cold Water by which we were enabl'd to make an Estimate of the Gravity and Density acquired by the Action of Gold and by weighing the same Bubble in the same Water in hot Weather we Learnt further how much more dense and heavy Water moderately Cold and extremely Cold is than warm Water It would be of use to try such Experiments as these in Italy where they have the Conveniency of keeping Snow and of freezing warm Water speedily A Glass-Bubble which in the Air weighed 150 Grains being weighed in Water on a Day not frosty it weighed 29 ◠8 and being weighed in Water which was a little froze in a Mixture of Snow and Ice it was not above ⅛ Part of a Grain lighter than before so that the Water by Condensation lost not above a 230th Part of it's former Bulk How far it may be of use at Sea to make such Experiments as these and whether they may thereby learn to know by finding the Density of the Water in several Places what Loads to carry in their ships and what the Water will be able to bear I shall leave others to Judge But if such Experiments be try'd in several Parts our Seal'd Weather-glasses or that which contains the Pendulous drop of Water may be of use since they not being subject to be varied by the Alterations in the Atmosphere's Gravity and since they may be conveniently carried from one Country to another the different degrees of Cold in various Regions may be better Estimated a Register being kept of the degrees the Liquor or Pendulous drop stood at such times as the Tryals were made and where and when exposed to such a degree as was able to freeze To conclude this Title I shall add that in making these Experiments with the Thermometer in which the Pendulous Water is contain'd the Stem may for conveniency be held either Horizontal upwards or Perpendicular TITLE V. Experiments concerning the Tendency of Cold upwards or downwards What way or in what Line Cold acts most vigorously THAT Heat generally acts most powererfully on Bodies above it and that it's Tendency is upwards is self-evident But to discover in what Line Cold acts most vigorously and furthest we made the following Experiments A Glass-Bubble with Water in it having a flat Bottom was suspended within less than half an Inch over a Mixture of Ice and Salt but froze not A Bottle which contain'd a Mixture of Snow and Salt being held under Water it was cased with Ice especially about the Bottom so that the Action of Cold seems chiefly to tend downwards But I rely less upon this Experiment because it is observ'd That when a frigorifick Mixture is exposed in a Vial the Ice on the outside is always opposite to the Mixture not reaching higher or lower than that Mixture above half the Breadth of a Barly-corn and as the Mixture dissolves and that which swims upon the dissolv'd Part grows less and less so Proportionably the circle of Ice grows narrower on the outside till the Mixture is wholly dissolv'd and then the Ice vanishes And from an experiment shortly to be
to be wanting But to proceed to Instances I am told That on the Coast of Sweeden and Denmark the Cold will preserve Bodies a long time from putrifaction And Bartholinus relates a Story of several dead Bodies p. 83. de usu Nivis which being kill'd in a Battel in the Winter were froze in several Postures and continued so without being corrupted as long as the Winter lasted To which I shall add that Capt. James tells us p. 76. of a Man whom they found froze in the Ice six Weeks after he had been committed to Sea and all the alteration the Frost had wrought on his Body was that his Flesh would move up and down upon his Bones like a Glove upon a Man's Hand And Bartholinus de usu Nivis Cap. 12. further tells us That 't is observed in Greenland that the Frost preserves Bodies from Putrifaction 30 Years But tho' freezing preserves Bodies from Putrifaction for the time yet when they thaw they presently discover that the Textures of them were impaired and vitiated all that while by the action of the Cold for having froze an Ox-Eye I observ'd that the Chrystalline humour which was so transparent before being froze lost its diaphaneity and became white And it hath been observed by others That tho' Cheeses which were thaw'd in Water were better than those that were otherwise freed from the Ice yet they were all in some measure impaired by the Frost To these Instances I shall add that Purchas Lib. 3. Cap. 5. Sect. 2 p. 493. tells us That in Nova Zembla their strong Beer being froze was wholly vitiated and without strength or taste And Capt. James tells us That strong Alicant Wine by being froze had lost much of its Spirits And it hath been observed in the Northern Country less cold than Muscovy That Beef having been froze was almost insipid and yielded Broth little better than Water Besides which Instances I am inform'd That Bodies much harder than any yet mention'd may be work'd upon by Cold not to mention that it is observ'd That Bones and even Steel it self are much more subject to break in frosty Weather than at other times And it is to our present Purpose further observable That Capt. James relates that in Charlton-Island the Wood must be thaw'd before the Carpenters are able to work it And I am further inform'd That the Timber of the Houses in Moscow will not only crack in frosty Weather but 't is observ'd That Brick-Houses in the West-Indies decay much sooner than here in England And it hath been further observed That Marbles themselves have not only flown in pieces in frosty Weather but that Brass-Instruments and even Iron-Hoops have been crack'd by extreme Cold as Olaus Wormius and the Dutch-men in their Voyage to Nova Zembla witness But I am apt to believe that the breaking of the Iron-Hoops rather depended on the operation of the Cold on the Liquor contain'd in those Barrels than immediately on the Iron-Bars themselves and that they were broke by the expansion of that Liquor An Appendix to the VI. Title In confirmation of what hath been deliver'd before the Russian Emperor's Physitian told me That if those that have their Noses or Cheeks froze don't rub them with Snow before they go into the Stoves they sometimes drop off and he likewise told me That moderately weak Wine by being froze would lose both its colour and taste He further told me That Bodies there will keep all the frosty Weather uncorrupt and that Venison and Beef and other Flesh will be preserved a long time by Frost but if it is not thawed leasurely before it comes to be roasted it will be much impaired And I am told That a young Man having been froze all over was recovered by being first rubb'd with Snow before any other means was used Particulars referrable to the VI Title Fishes taken from under the Ice in Lakes and Ponds which were frozen over and packed up would be preserv'd a Month without being salted or dryed and it was observ'd That when they were taken out of the Water in the cold Air they would be froze immediately It was likewise observ'd by the same Person who told me these things That tho' Flesh-meat froze was better when thaw'd leasurely in cold Water than hastily by the Fire yet it acquir'd not a Crust of Ice about it In Lapland when any Part is froze they toast Cheese made of Deer's Milk and anoint the affected Part with the Cows-body I had some Cheshire-Cheeses froze my self one of which being thrown into Water gather'd a Crust of Ice about it There are white Bears in Green-Land which have so excellent a scent that when the Carcass of a Whale was left at some distance from the shore they would raise themselves on their Legs and with their two Paws would fan themselves with the Air and snuff it in at their Snouts and then throwing themselves into the Sea would Swim towards the dead Carcasses the fat of some of them would yield a Hogshead of Oyl In Moscow a Hogshead of Malaga-Sack being froze a Spirituous Liquor distill'd out of it stronger than the Sack it self but the Liquor left behind it was a strengthless Phlegm A Barrel of Beer being froze on the Coast of Green-Land the Spirituous Part was contain'd in the middle The Spanish and French Wines that are brought to Moscow betwixt Russia and Poland are sometimes so frozen by the time they come there that they are forced to break the Casks and to transport it in Jars from one place to another and when they have a mind to thaw it they put it into another Hogshead and that being placed in a hole made in Ice or Snow it thaws leasurely there without being so much impaired as if thawed in a Stove or by the Fire TITLE VII Experiments concerning the Expansion of Water and Aqueous Liquors by freezing Of the Expansion of Water and other freezing Liquors THO' it hath been generally allowed that Water and other Liquors are condensed by Cold yet from what I shall offer it will appear That Ice is not Water condensed but Rarified For I have not only observ'd That Water exposed to be froze in a Bolt-head would if the frigorifick Mixture inclin'd it to begin to freeze at the Bottom first be expanded so as to rise considerably higher in the Stem but when that Ice was thawed again will subside And to this I shall add That having included Water in a Cylinder both ends of which were stopped up with Wax the Cylinder being hung up in the Air and the Water froze it was so far expanded That it forced the Wax out of each end of the Pipe and form'd a Rod of Ice much longer than the Cylinder from whence it appears That the breaking of Bottles by Cold rather depends on the Expansion of the Included Liquor than that the weight of the Air caused that Effect as some Moderns teach or that the Internal Liquor being
the Water would subside in a stream through the Spirit In warm Water the Ice would swim but in Oyl of Turpentine and the rectify'd Spirit of Wine it would sink like a Stone 3. A piece of Ice which was clear from Bubbles for as much as we could discern and very transparent would not sink in Water but another piece which in a Microscope appear'd to be full of Bubbles was nevertheless transparent and would float on Water 4. That the levity and expansion of Ice depends on the number of Bubbles dispersed through it is unquestionable but how it comes by those Bubbles is a matter that deserves our Inquiry And tho' Mr Hobbes attributes it to the Intrusion of some external airy Parts yet we observ'd That Water defended from the Intrusion of external Air was not without Bubbles when froze in a Glass hermetically sealed but being expanded the numerous Bubbles dispersed through it gave it a whitish Opacity and the same Phaenomena were afforded by Ice froze in Metalline Vessels 5. And that the Ice froze in the hermetically sealed Glass received not its Bubbles from the Air shut up with it is reasonable to believe First Since the Water must be expanded before it could divide that Air into Bubbles Secondly That the Air in the sealed Glass cannot be dispersed through the Ice and thereby cause it to expand appears since oftentimes it is so far compress'd by the swelling Ice that it breaks the Glass which it would not do could it be mixed with the Ice and dispersed through the freezing Water But Thirdly Were the expansion of Ice to be attributed to the insinuation of airy Parts it may be question'd How when Liquors begin to freeze at the bottom first the Air which is so many times lighter than Water can dive into the bottom of it and that too without being seen Fourthly If the Bubbles contained in Ice were deriv'd from the external Air depress'd through freezing Water Ice thaw'd would yield Air enough to fill as much space as the frozen Water possess'd more than the thaw'd Water 6. That the Bubbles contain'd in frozen Water are not adequately fill'd with Air tho' sometimes the Air that they contain be afforded by those airy Parts dispers'd through the Pores of Water and that they are often generated numerously notwithstanding a recess of the greatest part of that Air will appear from the following Experiments I. Water freed from Bubbles in Vacuo Boyliano and afterwards convey'd into a frigorifick Mixture expanded not so much as common Water nor was the Ice near so full of Bubbles II. Water which had been freed from Bubbles in our Prismatical Engine being froze contain'd few Bubbles but being thaw'd and then pour'd into a Glass-Cylinder it was powerfully expanded so far as to burst the Glass III. A Glass-egg with a narrow Stem being filled so far with Water that the surface of it rose an Inch within the Stem it was convey'd into a Receiver and whilst the Air was exhausting Bubbles rose so plentifully that the Liquor seem'd to boyl Which when it was in a great measure cleared of we placed it in a mixture of Snow and Salt and observ'd that the expanded Liquor being froze had risen a great way above its first height When it was placed in the open Air of such a temper as made it thaw leisurely we observ'd That the exterior part of the Ice was full of Bubbles But when that was dissolv'd the Ice in the middle was of an unusual Texture being void of Bubbles and not unlike a frosted piece of Glass whose aspereties were very thick set When the Ice was almost thaw'd we convey'd the Bubble into the Receiver but tho' the Air was exhausted we perceiv'd not that the Ice was sooner melted but the Water afforded a few Bubbles and in a little time some few appear'd in the Ice When the Ice was wholly thaw'd we took the Glass-Bubble out of the Receiver and found That the Water had subsided to its first Mark if not a little below it so that the Water when expanded rising three Inches in the Stem and the weight of the whole Water being but two ounces and a half the Ice seem'd to take up about a twelfth Part more than the unfroze Water 7. A Cylinder of Water being immers'd in a Mixture of Ice and Salt and that convey'd into a Receiver we found That when the Air was exhausted and the Water in a great measure freed from Bubbles the surface of it was considerably rais'd the Water in the bottom being turn'd into Ice as far as the Mixture wrought in which we perceiv'd besides a few large Bubbles small ones enough to render it opacous 8. To shew that the Bubbles perceivable in Ice are not filled with true and springy Air I shall subjoyn the following Experiment We plac'd a Glass-egg which was about as large again as an ordinary Egg in a mixture of Ice and Salt the Cavity of it being fiill'd with Water which rising up into the Neck stood about an Inch above the superficies of the frigorifick Mixture which circumscribed it the Diameter of the Stem being large enough to receive the end of my Finger The Particulars afforded by this Experiment were I. The Water did not sensibly subside before it began to freeze II. Some part of it began to swell in a quarter of an Hour III. In an Hour the Liquor rose 4 2 9 Inches and continu'd to rise till it was above five Inches ½ when we took it out IV. The frigorifick Mixture being below the surface of the Water it froze at the bottom first leaving the top of the Water uncongeal'd V. No Bubbles appear'd in the Water tho' the Ice was full of them some being as large as small Pease VI. We pour'd as much Sallet-oyl upon the Water as wrought two Inches in the Stem and then hermetically sealing the end of it up the Water subsided a little but was presently rais'd again to its former height in the Mixture about an Inch and a half of the Stem remaining above the Oyl filled with Air. VII The Glass-egg being weighed first in Air was left in the Water poised with its opposite weight VIII Upon the thawing of the Ice several Bubbles rose which vanish'd at the top IX The Water being thaw'd the Aequilibrium continu'd the same and subsided to its first Mark and no lower tho' it had parted with so many Bubbles X. The Glass being inverted the seal'd end was broke off under Water upon which some of it being forced up into the Pipe press'd the contain'd Air into less room than before XI The Water and the Oyl possess'd the same Places that they did before XII The Oyl being thrown out and so much Water put into the Stem as rais'd the surface as high as it was rais'd by Glaciation the Glass weighed 4374 Grains When fill'd to the lowest Mark it weighed 4152 and when empty 1032 so that the Water contain'd betwixt the two
of Ice and Salt 2 hours it made an oblique crack in the Barrel Six Inches long and the Ice being taken out seemed full of Bubbles but very small ones and the like success we had with another Barrel of a Gun whose Muzzle and Touch-hole were stopped up with Metal nor had we less success when we buried a Pewter Bottle in a frigorifick Mixture both the Barrel of the Gun and the Bottle being burst in a quarter of an hour TITLE XII Experiments concerning a new way of Estimating the Expansive force of Congelation and of highly compressing Air without Engines A new way of Estimating the Expanâ—…e force of Congelation HOW far we were able to compress the Air by the Incumbent weight of a Cylinder of Mercury we have else where shewn but to reduce it to a greater degree of Condensation I made the following Experiments 1. Having filled a Glass-Egg with Water till it wrought about an Inch into the Stem we placed it in a Mixture of Snow and Salt and in a few hours the Surface of the Liquor was raised about 7 Inches and the Apex of the Stem being sealed up by a fresh application of Snow and Salt it was raised 8 Inches higher So that the Air being compressed into the space of an Inch possessed about nine Parts of ten of what it did before Whereupon the Stem being inverted and the seal'd end opened the Air which when the Stem was inverted rose up to the Ice and separated the unfrozen Water in the Stem from it powerfully expanding it self forced out about ten Inches of Water with Violence and Noise besides a great number of Bubbles ascended from the Bottom of the Glass to the Top. N. B. when the Air was compressed beyond seven Inches we several times observ'd That the Glass just above the Water on the inside was full of little drops of Dew which when the Apex was broke off Disappeared 2. A Vial whose neck was drawn out into a slender Pipe being filled till it wrought an Inch within the Pipe in a little time by the Expansion of the Water the Air being too much compressed the head of the Pipe flew off and the same happened to a round white Glass whose Stem filled with Air was about 3 Inches Nor was the success otherwise when we repeated the Experiment in a large single Vial whose Stem was four Inches long and it's Basis an Inch broad 3. An Oval Glass about the size of a Turkeys-egg with a neck almost Cylindrical was filled with Water within four Inches and a half and then a piece of Paper being pasted upon the Stem divided into half Inches and quarters and the Apex being sealed up by a moderate Heat the Surface of the Water was raised considerably but the Oval Part of the Glass being covered with a Mixture of Ice and Snow the Air was compressed into a 17th Part of the space it possessed before And the Ball of the Glass bursting afterwards with a considerable Noise the Ice appeared full of Bubbles which rendred it white and Opacous In another Glass whose Ball was larger in proportion to the Stem the Air was compressed into a 19th Part of it's former space before the Glass flew in pieces 3. And this way of trying how far the Air might be compressed and Water expanded by Cold we thought least Exceptionable because the Pores of Glass are more impervious to Air and Water than some Metalline Vessels for having broken open the Apex of the Stem of one of our Glass-Eggs we found that tho' the Water was but a little expanded yet not finding a way out at the Pores of the Glass the Water rose up a quarter of an Inch. TITLE XIII Experiments and Observations concerning the Sphere of Activity of Cold. Of the Sphere of Activity of Cold. IN estimating the Sphere of Activity of Cold we are not only to consider the Degree of it in the cold Body but also the Medium through which it is to pass and the Consistence and Texture of it as likewise the Instruments employ'd to receive or acquaint us with the Action of Cold Since from what hath been before laid down it appears That Weather-glasses give us a more nice account of the Degrees of it and that our Sensories may mis-inform us upon the account of their various Predispositions Besides the Sphere of Activity may be vary'd by the Bulk of the cold Body 1. But to consider the Sphere of Activity of small Pieces of Ice we have found it very small in comparison of the Atmospheres of odorous Bodies insomuch that I am perswaded we can have no sense of Cold without the immediate Contact of a cold Body since Ice approaching our Sensory or a Weather-glass affects neither tho' held as near as possibly they may without touching And the like hath been observ'd at Sea where in foggy Nights the Seamen have not been able to discern neighbouring Mountains of Ice Tho' by a Merchant who made the Observation in Greenland I am told That he perceived a manifest access of Cold upon the approach of a floating piece of Ice 2. And I am told that in Ispahan the Capital City of Persia the Ice being never much more than a Finger thick they usually pour Water upon it which as it runs over the Ice is in part froze by which means they thicken the Ice and preserve it in proper Conservatories This Experiment having been tryed in England by pumping of Water upon Flakes of Ice I found That the Pump-water being warmer than the Ice thawed it instead of increasing the Thickness of it And tho' here in England Water poured upon Snow promotes its Dissolution yet in Russia and Muscovy I am told That Water thrown upon Snow freezes it which they therefore make use of to incrustate several Bodies with Ice yet one thing is to be observ'd that generally at the same time the sharpness of the Air is so violent as to incrustate several Bodies with Ice when only Water is made use of so that in trying such Experiments we are to consider the Temperature of the Air at the same time which hath a great Influence in promoting or varying the Effects of such Tryals 3. How deep Frost penetrates into Water and Earth will be a very hard thing to determine since Earth especially may be more or less disposed to freeze according to the several Degrâ—es of Cold and its Duration the Texâ—â—â—… of the Earth and the Nature of the Juices dâ—â—â—…ed through it or subterraneal Steams Whence large Tracts of Land that lye over some Mines are always free from Snow good quantities of Lime-stone being near the Surface of the Earth 4. But tho' it be so difficult to know to what Depth Frost will reach yet that we may contribute as much as we can to the general History of Cold we shall add the following Notes After four Nights hard Frost the Ground in the Orchard was froze about 3 Inches deep and in the
Garden about 2 after ten Nights Frost the Ground in the Garden was froze about 6 Inches ½ and that in the Orchard was froze 8 ½ or more Eight Days after it was froze about a Foot Deep 5. A Pipe of Glass 18 Inches long being thrust down into a Hole in the Ground the Surface of the Water contained in it being level with the Earth the next Morning the whole Capacity of the Cylinder was froze 3 Inches from which Stick of Ice a Part of the Cylinder was froze 6 Inches deep but the rest of the Water remained unfroze The Ground in the Garden that Night was froze ten Inches deep 6. It hath been observ'd that in Moscow the Ground in a Garden was not froze above two Foot deep but Capt. James says in Charlton-Island he observ'd the Ground froze ten Foot deep and the same Author in his Journal p. 86. says That the Water does not freeze naturally above six Feet One Particular referrable to the XIII Title I am told That a Lee-ward of great Banks of Ice they may discover them by the access of Cold twenty Leagues TITLE XIV Experiments concerning the Different Mediums through which Cold may be diffused Of the Mediums through which Cold may be diffused IN trying these Experiments we are to take Notice that the Mediums are not to be too thick since from Experiments already deliver'd it appears That a compact Medium very thick will not give way to Cold. 1. Having placed a Mixture of Snow and Salt in a Pipkin and another in a white Basin glazed within and without they were both incrustated with Ice And that Cold will penetrate Pewter-Bottles appears from Experiments already laid down 2. Having caused two Cups to be made of Lattin or Plates of Iron covered over with Tin the Convex Part of one of which was less than the Concave of the other and the less having a broad Ledge by the help of which it rested on the Brim of the other so as to leave an Interval betwixt its Convex Superficies and the Concave of the other we filled that Interval with Water and putting a Mixture of Ice and Salt within the less Cup and on the outside of the other we had Cups of Ice made of the inclosed Water 2. The Learned Erasmus Bartholinus in his discourse De figura Nivis mentions an Experiment by which Air is turned into Water in the midst of Heat viz. Ice or Snow being put into a a funnel which he supposes refrigerates and condenses the Ambient Air but I rather think That the Dew which he supposes to be condensed Air is made up of moist Vapours swimming in it which is so small in Quantity That having suspended a Tunnel in the Air with a Mixture of Snow and Salt which is much more refrigerating than either Ice or Snow by themselves it gathered but a very small Quantity and that too lasted no longer than whilst the Mixture was dissolving besides those condensed Vapours were first Froze before they dropped down in the form of Water 3. That in Hermetically sealed Glasses a Mixture of Snow and Salt will freeze Vapours on the outside is evident from what hath been laid down but that Cold should not only penetrate Glass but afterwards act upon Water in Vacuo was a little more strange For having suspended a Tube of Water in Vacuo and piled Snow and Ice about it as high as the Included Water wrought it worked upon it and Froze it from the top to the bottom 4. But what is yet more strange is That Cold will act through a evidently hot Medium for drinking a good quantity of Mineral Waters timely in the Morning I observ'd a Manifest Coldness through the Muscles of my Abdomen which was in a higher degree remarkable in a Gentleman who drunk much greater quantities 5. To try whether the fluidity of Water depended on a Congenite motion in the Parts of it or whether it was conveyed to it by impulse from the Ambient Air we provided a Glass-Bubble about the size of a Wall-nut and of a Pear like shape whose Stem was purposely made crooked and suspending it by a thread in Oyl of Turpentine contain'd in a narrow Glass and this being placed in a Mixture of Snow and Salt tho' the Oyl continued fluid yet the Water in the Bubble was froze And when we went to take it out the Bubble being crack'd the greatest Part subsided to the Bottom of the Mixture but we perceiv'd That that which was pulled out was divided by a line through the middle from the top downwards And it was further observable in this Tryal That the two separable Pieces of Ice being left in a Mixture of Ice and Salt for 14 hours were very little wasted The like success we had with a Bubble of Water suspended in Spirit of Wine but another suspended in Sea-Salt was not froze at all nor was another that we hung in a sharp brine But the same Experiments being tryed another time the Water was froze both in the Bubble suspended in Spirit of Wine and in that which was immersed in the strong Brine the Bottle which contain'd the latter being crack'd which cracks were not much unlike the lines drawn from the Pole of a Globe to the Meridian reaching from the top of the Bubble downwards 6. A Bubble suspended with Water in it in a Glass immersed in Snow and Salt was froze without the Intervention of any Liquor TITLE XV. Experiments and Observations concerning Ice Concerning Ice 1. THO' in the East-Indies it hath been thought strange That Water in England should without any Artificial means be turned into a consistent Body yet it is related by some That in Russia the Ice on the contrary is found much harder than Ours 2. To make an Estimate of the Cohesion of the Parts of Ice we thought to have tryed what weight Cylindrical pieces of Ice of different Diameters would bear But being frustrated in such Tryals we try'd how much weight a Plate of it placed betwixt two Iron-Bars would bear but having not convenient weights we were forced to be content to know That it bore a much greater weight than one could suppose it capable of 3. A peice of Ice 3 Inches long and as many broad and about 4 of an Inch thick was laid cross a frame and a peice of Iron of this Figure 7 having a scale hung at the longer Leg the Horizontal Leg was placed upon the middle of the Ice and then 117 Ounces Troy-weight being put into the Scale when the Iron had melted half the Ice through on one side and a third Part of the other the weight was able to break it The Experiment being repeated when the piece of Ice was 2 Inches and a half long it bore 17 pound Averdupois and 48 Ounces Troy-weight when the Iron on one side had melted ⅔ and on the other ½ Parts of the thickness of it 4. Plates of Ice being laid upon a stool
and Superficial Region of the Earth 3. But if against what hath been said it should be alledged That by the Primum Frigidum they only mean some Earth Mixed with the common Parts of the Terrestrial Globe I should be glad to know how we must discover this But tho' I have brought these Arguments against this common received Notion I cannot agree with Gassendus who thinks that the Earth is no more Cold than Hot Since it being naturally a Body whose Parts are inclined to rest it without the assistance of some Extrinsick Agent to put it's Parts in Motion must consequently affect our Sensory with a greater degree of Coldness than Air or Water whose Parts are more Agitated 4. And if those that argue for the Earth's being the Primum Frigidum had only urged that it was the Summum Frigidum Earth the Summum Frigidum I could have more easily agreed with them Since in the Straits of Weigats the Seas are froze but not in the Northern Seas nor that of Tartary for the main Seas never freeze but only near the Land where it is much Colder than in the Ocean Water not the Primum Frigidum 5. It is the Opinion of Aristotle and the Schools That Water is the Primum Frigidum but in all Waters that are Froze by Cold we always see they begin at the top where the Air is Contiguous which argues the Air Colder than the Water since it congeals it Whereas if Water was the Coldest Body it ought always Naturally to be Froze or to begin to freeze rather in the middle than at the top and rather in the main Ocean than in Gulfs Straits and small Rivers For it is observ'd That those vast heaps of Ice that float in the Sea and which we have so often mention'd depend not on the Penetration of Cold to that depth they sometime sink to but vast pieces of Ice being gathered together from the shore and small Rivers and cemented together depress each other by their own weight upon which the falling Snow gradually increases their Bulk 6. But tho' I am far from taking Water to be the Primum Frigidum yet I cannot agree with Gassendus who thinks it indifferent as to Heat and Cold For except where some adventitious cause Concurs the Parts of Water being less Agitated than the Humors about our Sensory by it we must adjudge it Cold. And tho' by the Heat of the Sun the superficial Parts of the Water are a little warmer yet all Divers Unanimously agree That it is Colder at the depth of a few Fathoms Besides it is observ'd in warm Regions to be much warmer at Land than Sea and those Countries that lye near the Sea are generally cooler But as Cold as it is there they don't find That it is able to congeal the Water tho' at the top it is often Froze Air not the Primum Frigidum 7. By the Stoicks and many of the modern Philosophers the Air is looked upon to be the Primum Frigidum Yet considering how great a Part of it lies under the Torrid Zone and that it is for the most Part very Hot and likewise that Water enclosed in a Mixture of Snow and Salt will freeze at the bottom and not where it is contiguous to the Air I say considering these things it will appear That the Air is so far from being the Primum Frigidum That it is not the Summum Frigidum Besides Air condensed to the utmost degree it was possible by the Coldness of the Air and shut up in a convenient Glass hath been condensed further by the Application of other Bodies Whence it appears that the Coldness of the Air depends on the Mixture of some frigorifick Corpuscles with it and not on the Specifick Texture of it's own Parts Besides Water may be Froze when inclosed in Substances not apt to freeze and when the Air is not Contiguous to it Nitre not the Grand Efficient of Cold. 8. The next Opinion I shall consider is That of the learned Gassendus who ascribes the frigorifick Virtue of Bodies to the admixture of Nitre But tho' I allow Nitre to be a substance dispersed through most Bodies yet since Cold is only a Privative Quality and an absence of Heat there are other Agents which by stopping the motion of the Insensible Parts of a Body may deprive it of it's power of Heating Besides it must be a prodigious Quantity of Nitre That would be able to render every Part of the Sea so Cold as it is found to be rot to mention That Nitre is scarce ever found so deep in the Earth as some Seas extend besides the Seas afford us very little Salt-Petre but a great deal of common Salt 9. And tho' Gassendus asserts That Bodies receive the Impressions of Cold from Nitrous Exhalations swimming in the Air yet amongst all the Experiments I have made to resolve Nitre into Vapours I have not found that it was able to effect more in the Production of Cold than other Saline Bodies And Spirit of Nitre is so far from having an actual Coldness greater than other Bodies That it is potentially Hot. And whether the Exhalations of Nitre will congeal Water or not Spirit of Nitre I have observ'd will dissolve Ice as soon almost as Spirit of Wine And tho' Nitre mix'd with Snow or Ice may promote Congelation yet it proves not that the Parts of Nitre are frigorifick since the Experiment will succeed with Spirit of Wine 10. Having said thus much of Gassendus his Opinion we shall in the next place propose some Experiments which will be a further Confirmation of what we have been saying 11. Rock-Petre and Ice being put into a Bottle congeal'd the Vapours on the outside but pieces of Salt-Petre laid upon Plates of Ice dissolv'd it Water being satiated with Salt-Petre and exposed to the Cold in a Bottle broke it several Chrystals of Salt-Petre having shot in the Bottom of it From these Experiments it appears That there are Colder Bodies than Salt-Petre and that it dissolves Ice and it is rather Hot than Cold in respect of Ice 12. On a windy and a cloudy Day having suspended a Weather-Glass in Water satiated with Salt-Petre we observ'd That when it had stood a considerable time and was raised by the string up into the Air the Liquor contained in it was raised about 2 divisions and being again immersed in the solution of Nitre it was presently raised so that the Air was Colder than the solution of Nitre 13. But to conclude this Title tho' I am far from thinking Nitre to be the Summum Frigidum yet I doubt not but that Parts of it rising from the Earth in the form of Vapours may contribute to the refrigeration of the Air. Not but that there are several other Bodies in the Bowels of the Earth whose Effluvia being mix'd with the Air and dispersed through it may cool the Air according to their Proportions as much as
Nitre Besides since common Salt co-operates with Snow in the Production of Ice as well as Salt-Petre and according to Democritus hath Parts of a Cubical figure which he assigns to Cold Atoms And since Gassendus observes That Salt-Petre consists of Parts not altogether so apt for the production of Cold these Figures being not Pyramidal but Prismatical I say since these Circumstances all concur I see no reason why common Salt may not be numbred amongst those Bodies that are apt to produce Cold. 14. Nay sometimes it may happen That more violent degrees of Cold may be caused by a like Coalition of several sorts of Salts So the Coldness of Snow is advanced by a Mixture of Nitre or common Salt or other appropriated Additaments But I must confess That it is a doubt with me whether Cold depends on any such saline Exhalations or the Effects of frigorifick Atoms but to pass by this Scruple at present without any further Notice I shall add that what I have said upon this Title is not so much to confute what Opinions I have mention'd as to shew that they are Doubtful One Particular referrable to the XVII Title I am told by the Russian Emperor's Physitian That in the Northern Province of Russia the Earth is thaw'd but the depth of two foot and yet good Corn grows upon it TITLE XVIII Experiments and Observations touching the Coldness and Temperature of the Air. Of the temper of the Air. 1. THO' Gassendus and several others assert That the Air is Indifferent as to Cold and Heat yet since Cold is only a Relative Quality and since the Parts of the Air are of themselves in a less degree of Agitation than the Humors about our Sensory I see no reason why it should not be esteemed Cold For notwithstanding it may acquire a considerable degree of Heat by the adventitious Effects of the Sun-Beams or fire yet we see that it naturally tends to coolness it self again And as for the Coldness of the Air tho' I deny not but that frigorifick Atoms may be mixed with it yet I judge them not absolutely or altogether requisite to the Production of Cold since a bare Diminution of the motion of it's Parts is sufficient to produce such a Quality in higher or more remiss degrees 2. But the Principal intent of this Section being to produce Experiments and Observations I shall begin with the former A sealed Weather-Glass with Spirit of Wine in it being enclosed in a Cylindrical Receiver when the Air in the Receiver was exhausted it subsided the length of a Barly-corn but rose again when the Air was let in again which Effects I attributed to the Expansion of the Included Air when the External was drawn out When the Air was drawn out of the Receiver hot Bodies Externally applyed affected not the Weather-Glass but when the Air was let in again they caused the Spirit to rise sensibly 3. To measure the Condensation of the Air by Cold we made the following Experiments And First we enclosed Air in Weather-glasses hermetically sealed which when it was artificially or naturally refrigerated and the Apex of the Weather-glass broke open we could not discern by the Water it received that it was condensed above a 30th Part of it's former dimensions A Glass-egg being inverted into Salt Water in a Cold Night the Air was so far condensed in it That the Water rose five Inches in the Stem And Jan. 29 the Air extended into 2057 Spaces was in a frosty Night contracted to 1965 Spaces So that the greatest degree of Condensation we could observe was a 22 Part and a little above a third But a Mixture of Snow and Salt being applied to the Elliptical Part of the Glass the Water rose 4 Inches higher than in the former Experiment and the Air was contracted from 1965 Spaces to 1860 so that the Artificial Cold contracted is more in respect of the Contraction which the natural Cold produced than That Condensation was in Proportion to it's natural temper or rather a moderate degree of Coldness 4. But to proceed to Observations Cold may hinder the Operation of the Sun upon the Air in the middle of Summer and I am told That it hath been observed to Snow in Greenland all Mid-summer Night and in the Northern Parts of Muscovy it hath been observed That severe Frosts happened in the close of August And further Capt. Weymouth says That in the midst of Summer when they sailed not near the Latitude of Nova Zembla their very sails and Tackling were froze To which we shall add that the English when they were sailing to Cherry-Island which lyes betwixt 74 and 75 degrees Latitude in July it froze so hard that the Ice hung upon their Cloaths 5. As for the degrees of Cold in the Air Dr. Fletcher tells us that in Russia if they go out of a warm Room into the Cold it makes them Breath with difficulty It is observ'd at Moscow That Water thrown up into the Air falls down congealed the Air is so Cold and at Smolensko in Russia the Spittle freezes before it can fall from one's Mouth to the Ground 6. I have observ'd the Air grows sensibly heavier in frosty Weather but whether it depends on any frigorifick Atoms dispersed through the Air or not I shall leave to be decided by further Tryals In Northern Countries it is observ'd That foggy Weather presently vanishes when Frost begins the moist Vapours being by that condensed and precipitated and the Surface of the Earth so closed up that other Vapours were repressed and kept from rising and the Air hath been by several observ'd to have been much more clear in the Winter here in England and Sweedland and elsewhere than at other times 7. The Refraction of Luminaries in the Northern Air in Nova Zembla is so great that the Dutch-Men observ'd the Sun to appear to them 14 Days sooner than it ought to have done And Capt. James tells us That he observ'd the Latitude of Charlton-Island to vary 52 Minutes and the Sun to rise 20 Minutes sooner than it ought to rise Besides several Instances of Refraction laid down in the History of the Air. 8. To what we have said of the Coldness of the Air we shall subjoyn the Relations and Observations of Navigators which we shall either propose as promiscuous or in Confirmation of the three following Observations 1. That the greater or lesser Coldness of the Air in several Climates and Countries is nothing near so regularly proportionate to their Respective distances from the Pole or their Vicinity to the Equator as Men are wont to presume It hath been observ'd That of Places of an equal distance from the Northern and Southern Poles those near the latter are Colder Tho' in Moscow the Cold is almost intolerable yet in Edenburgh which is a degree more Northwards the Air is temperate enough and the Snow seldom lies on the Ground Mr. Pool in his Northern Voyage tells us That it did
not freeze near so hard near the 79th degree as in the 73d And tho' Nova Zembla lies near 4 5 and 6 degrees more Southerly from the Pole than Greenland yet the latter hath Grass and Trees and such Beasts as feed upon them whereas in Nova Zembla there is no Grass and only such Beasts as feed on Flesh To which I shall add That Josephus Acosta tells us That under the Line when the Sun was in the Zenith and just entred into Aries in March he felt himself very Cold and he likewise tells us That under the Burning Zone in Quitto and the Plains of Peru the Air is temperate at Potofi very Cold and in Aethiopia Brasile and the Moluccoes very Hot. And he observes further That Snow lyes on the tops of the Hills and that it is extremely Cold when the Sun is for their Zenith under the Line Mr. Hudson in his Voyage hath observed That one Day they were much disturbed with Ice and that the next Day it was very Hot And we are further informed by Acosta That tho' the Seas of Mozambigus and Ormus in the East and Panama in the West are very Hot yet that of Peru of the same height is very Cold. And Capt. James's Observes That tho' Charlton-Island is Colder than Nova Zembla yet is it of the same Latitude with Cambridge To which I shall subjoyn That an English Navigator tells us That tho' Pustozera in Russia is 68 ½ degrees yet it is well inhabited and a Town of great Trade And in Hudson's Voyage it was observed that beyond 80 degrees they found it moderately warm 2. The next Observation is That the degree both of Heat and Cold in the Air may be much greater in the same Climate and the same Place at several seasons of the year or even at several times of the same Day than most Men would believe In Proof of this Proposition we shall produce the following Testimonies of Travellers and of Navigators And 1. That there is a great variety Weather in Russia Dr. Fletcher witnesses who observes that tho' all Winter the Ground is covered with Snow and the Fields frozen up yet the Fields in the Summer are covered with flowers and filled with the delightful noise of Birds and then the Weather is as much too Hot as it was before Cold June July and August being warmer than the Summer in England And the like is confirmed by the Observations of others amongst whom Olearius tells us that at Moscow he saw Melons of 40 Pound weight better than those in Italy And at Pequin the Royal City of China tho' it is but 42 degrees Latitude yet in the Winter Martinius the Jesuit tells us it is a hard frost for four Months together so that all the Rivers are froze up And Prosper Alpinus tells us that Grand Cairo which is only 6 degrees from the Tropick of Cancer tho' the Summers are insupportably Hot yet the Winters are considerably Cold And one thing he there takes notice of is That in that Place they are seldom or never troubled with Distillations or Rheums And Purchase tells us That in Greenland one Day will be extremely Cold and the next as violent Hot so that at Mid-night Tobacco may be lighted at the Sun-beams by the help of a Glass To which Relations I shall add That Capt. James tells us That in Charlton-Island tho' the Winter was excessive Cold yet in June it was so Hot with Thunder and Lightning That the Men were forced to go a shore to cool themselves in the Water Alpinus tells us likewise that in Aegypt the Air is some part of the Day extremely Hot and at other times very temperate and cool And Olearius tells us That travelling over Mount Taurus in Persia tho' it was too Hot in the Day for them to proceed in their Journey yet at Night they were so benummed with the Cold That they were scarce able to light off their Horses and the same Traveller observ'd at Fallu in Persia both Lightning and Thunder Winds Snow Rain and Ice in one Night And in Charlton-Island tho' the Heat of the Sun in June be insupportable in the Day yet at Night the Cold is strong enough to freeze Water in Vessels an Inch thick 3. The third Observation is That in many Places the Temperature of the Air as to Cold and Heat seems not to depend so much on the Elevation of the Pole as upon the Nature and Circumstances of the Winds that Blow there It is commonly known That in this Part of the World Northerly and North-easterly Winds are accompained with Cold and in Winter with Frost But I once observ'd here in England a South-Wind when it froze hard and Capt. James in his Voyage hath observ'd the like And Prosper Alpinus observes in Aegypt That the North-Winds are extraordinary cooling and that upon the Blowing of the Aetesian Winds the Plague ceases at Grand Cairo That this cooling Quality depends on the changes it receives from the Places it passes over is highly probable as well as that it acquires other Qualities the like way Acosta Lib. 3. Cap. 9. Takes notice of Winds That in some Parts of the Indies so corrode Iron-gates That they will crumble away in one's Fingers And the same Author tells us That tho' in Spain an Easterly-wind is Hot and troubles one yet in Murria it is Cold and healthful but in Carthagena not far from the former Place it is troublesome and unhealthful The Meridional which they of the Ocean call South and those of the Mediterranean Sea Mezzo Giorno is commonly Rainy and Boysterous and in the same City I speak of it is wholesome and pleasant And in Peru he says the South and South-west-winds are very pleasing How the Winds come by these Qualities I shall not now dispute but to give some light into the matter I shall propose the following Experiment Setting a Weather-Glass with a flat Basis upon a Board and Blowing several times upon it with a large pair of Bellows tho' the Air seemed Cold to my Hand yet the Pendulous drop ascended a little the Air being a little heated in the Bellows But if the Clack of the Bellows was so fastned That the Air must wholly enter in at the Nose of it the stream of Air which was by that means drawn toward the Weather-Glass from the Window being cooler would cause the Bubble to subside But having provided such a Tile as they lay on the ridges of Houses and filled the hollow side with a Mixture of Snow and Salt and Part of that Mixture being placed about the Bellows I found That the Air blown upon my Hand was by that means highly refrigerated And this Air being blown upon the Ball of a common Weather-Glass the Water manifestly ascended but subsided again when we left off blowing But to prosecute the Tryal we drew back the Nose of the Bellows and upon that the Wind blowing along that Cavity upon the Weather-Glass manifested a higher
degree of Coldness But tho' it from hence appears That frigorifick Atoms may refrigerate the Air yet I believe not that all Winds must necessarily be cooled so since the Cold Air near the Poles swimming upon that which fills the lower Part of the Atmosphere may for want of a Reflection of the Sun-Beams be so Cold as to cool the Air suddenly when by the falling of Rain it is beat down upon us For Acosta hath observ'd upon Mountains higher than the Alps That the Air was extremely Cold. And the Hollanders who failed within 17 degrees of the Pole observ'd That their Cold Winds were chiefly Northerly and North-easterly But To conclude this Title I shall add an instance or two to shew That Cold Winds receive not so much their Qualities from the Quarters from whence they Blow as from the Regions over which they pass For Mr. Wood tells us That tho' in England the most troublesome and unwholesome Winds came from the Sea yet in New-England those are the most wholesome Because the North-east-wind coming from the Sea thaws the Ice and melts the Snow but the North-west-wind coming over the Land causes Cold. And Capt. James observ'd the like in Charlton-Island viz. That the South-wind was Coldest which came over a frozen Tract of Land Particulars referrable to the XVIII Title 1. The little sealed Weather-Glass being immersed in Water contained in a Glass-Vial greased in the inside when the Water was froze and the Ball of the Weather-Glass was incrustated being taken out the Ice was broke off Upon which the Tinged Liquor immediately rose in the shank of the Weather-Glass but presently subsided again below the former Mark from whence it appears That the Air may communicate a greater degree of Cold than Ice it self 2. Having placed a Weather-Glass made by the Standard at Gresham-College in a Cellar where Beer continued unfroze in a very sharp Winter last Night and this Morning the Tinged Liquor stood 2 Divisions and ⅛ above the freezing Mark but being removed into the Garden it subsided to the freezing Mark But tho' the Cellar was warmer than the Air yet it was not so warm as my Chamber the Weather-Glass there standing two Inches above the freezing Mark in the Morning before the fire was made and in the Summer the Tinged Spirit ascended to the 8th 9th and sometimes almost to the tenth Mark. 3. The last Night being rendered very Cold by Snow Frost and Wind this Morning the Weather-Glass being removed into the Garden the Tinged Spirit subsided two Divisions below the freezing Mark Yet the Cellar did not become so much Hotter by an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but that Oyl of Aniseeds continued undissolv'd in it till the next Morning tho' the moderate warmth of Spring or Autumn is sufficient to keep it fluid 4. A Weather-Glass being held in the Stream of Water as it came reaking Hot out of the Pump the Liquor subsided considerably and being carried to my Chamber the Air there being Colder than the Water it was depressed lower 5. Having held a Weather-Glass in the reaking stream of Pump-Water the Spirit rose about 5 Inches higher than it did at a Well in Oxford and being in some measure immersed in a Spring that usually smoaks in the Winter it was raised a little higher And the Weather-Glass being placed on the North side of the House about Noon I found that the temper of the Air then was much the same with the temper of the smoaking Spring 6. Feb. 19. The Frost having continued 3 Days the Spirit was raised as high by the warmth of the Spring as it used to be The next Day the Spring beginning to smoak the warmth of the Water raised the Spirit near a quarter of an Inch higher than it used to rise at the Spring-head some Months ago And the Water was then much warmer than the Air for the Spirit when brought to my Chamber subsided the Ground without being covered with a little Snow 7. A Gentleman told me That he had observ'd the Tinged Spirit sometimes higher when it was frosty than when it was not And he further told me That the Weather-Glass being left in Water till it was froze when it was cleared of the Ice and exposed to the Air the Spirit manifesty subsided The size of the Ball of this Weather-Glass was as big as that of a large Crab and the Stem was about 2 foot and ½ long And the distance betwixt the station which the Spirit rested at in the Water and the Air was above three Inches A Relation given me by an Ingenious Gentleman lately returned out of Poland 1. In frosty clear Weather he observ'd the Sun and two Parhelions one Eastward and the other Westward betwixt ten and twelve a Clock and when the Sun-shine appeared it was full of glittering Particles of Ice 2. A Dutch and a Scotch Ship having sailed beyond Greenland within one degree of the Pole they observed That tho' there were vast Regions of Ice near the shores yet near the Pole the Sea was open and free enough From the North-East they observ'd That there came a great rolling Sea not unlike the Spanish Seas And that the Cold was no violenter than that in Greenland And further they observ'd That sailing from Greenland the Compass first varied a Point and then two and when they came near the Pole the Compass varied 4 Points and that towards the East The Captain likewise told me That they are troubled at Sea sometimes with thick Fogs some of which last half a Day others a Day and others a whole Day And he likewise told me That lying at Anchor near Bellsound on the coast of Greenland near a very high Rock he and some others got to the top of it which they judged to be half a Mile high And when they came there they found the Weather clear and the Sky serene and so Hot that they were forced to strip themselves But below they could discern a thick fogg which when they came down they found was very Cold and Dark A Passage taken out of the Czars-Doctor's Letter 1. At Vologda in the North-East from Moscow we found the Cold Weather in December not to last 3 Days but the Rain was unusual and dangerous And for 30 years past the Winters have been so moderate That People are not froze on the Roads in several Postures but sometimes they lose their Noses and have their Faces froze 2. The Warmer the Room is in the Day the thicker the Hoar is at Night upon the Glass being sometimes an Inch thick And if it be a small Frost The Nails of the Windows and Doors will be tipped with Frost The Falconers say That the Birds creep under the Snow at Nights Bears make themselves Caves against Winter and I remember I kept one two Days without meat or drink he in the mean time making a Lather with his Tongue and sucking his Paws 3. A Wind from the Sea causes a Thaw as well as at
hath upon occult Qualities as well as manifest ones and likewise upon Fermentation since it is observ'd to retardate the working of Ale extremely and it is observed That Must may be preserved sweet a long time in a deep Well or if let down into the Bottom of a River and will when taken up be less apt to ferment than other parcels of Must kept in the warmer Air. It hath been observed in the Northern Countrys That the most Spirituous Parts of Liquors have been separated and Collected together by a Congelation of the Phlegm wherefore to try what Cold would Effect in our Climates I hung out a Bottle of Beer in a sharp Night and found That most Part of it being froze the Liquor which was not froze was very strong and Spirituous the frozen Part being Spiritless But Rectifyed Spirit of Wine tinged with Cochineel being mixed with Water Congelation separated not their Parts nor did it separate the red and the Watery Parts of Claret I made several Tryals upon Milk and Blood as also on Vinegar in which my Attempts proved insatisfactory But a Solution of Salt being made in 24 Parts of Water so that it was as strong as the Sea-Water about us I caused it to be exposed to freeze in a flat Vessel which was the larger That the Superficies of the Water might be considerable and when it was covered with a Cake of Ice that being taken off it acquired another which when dissolved yielded Water not near so Salt as that which remained unfroze and being Hydrostatically weigâ—ed was considerably lighter Having exposed several Vegetable and Animal Substances to be froze I found That by that means I could discover their succulent juices and squeez them out in the form of Ice which being done by cutting them transversely and length ways I could discover also the Figure and Size of the Pores in which those Juices lodged Amongst the Animal substances exposed to freeze were the Eyes and the Brains of Animals which by being froze would be fitter to be dissected the latter when cut in two seeming like an Apple froze the Ventricles and iâ—… whole substance being filled with Icy Particles Nâ—ither an Eye nor a Liver lean flesh or fish nor a living Frog would be crusted over with Ice as Eggs and Apples are when put into Water after they had been froze As for the Reason why flesh is usually much impaired by being froze I suppose it to proceed hence viz. That the Alimental Juice being expended by freezing hath not it's own texture altered only but even the solid Vessels which contain it are thereby bruised and crushed for from several Experiments it is evident That Eggs will be burst by the freezing of the Alimental Juice and that the Textures of Stones and Vegetables will be destroyed by the Powerful Congelation of their respective Juices which will be less wondered at if we consider that Aqueous Parts by their Expansion were able to burst the Barrel of a Gun Had I had leasure and conveniency I would have tryed what Effects Cold hath upon Animals froze to Death but having exposed a Rabbet to the Cold all Night I found that only one Leg was swelled and a little stiff But a strangled Rabbet being exposed to be froze Ice was produced in several Parts It is affirmed by several Modern Writers That if Water be impregnated with the Salts of Vegetables upon Congelation they will represent the shape of the Plant they belong to But notwithstanding I have several times tryed the Experiment I found it either false or very contingent since it did not once answer Expectation But having exposed a Lixivium of Pot-ashes to freeze I found That the Chrystals upon the Surface of the Water were Prismatical and that under those lay a great many thin Parallel Plates of Ice but not ranged in such an order as to represent the shape of Trees And tho' Bartholinus tells us That if a Decoction of Cabbage be froze it will represent a Cabbage yet I could never find That the Experiment succeded except that once there appeared the faint resemblance of a single Leaf But I have found That fair Water froze would represent the shapes of Vegetables oftner than their Decoctions And tho' Berigardus also affirms the same yet I suspect That he only wirt without trying the Experiments himself And yet I deny not but that prepossessed Spectators may fancy they see such things when they do not for tho' Sea-Salt and Allum consist of Parts of determinate Figures yet when dissolved in Water they exhibit Figures too various and extravagant not to be referred to Chance And on this occasion to what hath been said I shall add That by Distilling and rectifying Oyl of Turpentine from Sea-Salt in a Glass-head as the degrees of Heat were varyed so would the Figures of Trees be represented different on the inside the Glass And I have several times produced the shapes of Trees from Bodies belonging to the Animal Kingdom And I have found That tho' Figures curious enough would be represented by Spirits Solutions Decoctions Vinegar Milk and even common Water yet it was in vain to hope for the same success and that the like Figures should always be afforded by the same Liquor since very small Circumstances would vary them considerably And in trying of such Experiments as these it may not be amiss to advertise That it will be convenient that the Liquor should be as shallow as it possibly may That it may be more speedily froze A frozen Egg being Put into Oyl of Turpentine instead of common Water it gathered not about it any crusty Film It is observed by Mr. Wood That tho' New-England be 10 or 11 degrees remoter from the Pole yet the Winters are much more piercing and Cold than ours And to what hath been delivered in the XVIII Title of the infrigidating Power of Wind I shall add That sometimes it hath been so much more Cold than at others That being blown through the frigorifick Mixture it would cause not only the Spirit of Wine to subside but being blown upon the Ball of another Weather-Glass not only the Liquor but even Mercury it self would be forced to ascend tho' the Vicinity of the frigorifick Mixture could not cause that Effect And I have often tryed That when the Temperature of the Air was such that tho' when first blown upon the Ball of a nice Thermoscope it would not cause the Liquor to ascend yet at another season the Tinged Liquor ascended as if the Air by being more than ordinarily compressed in the Room had some sensible Effect in compressing and contracting the Air included in the Thermoscope To try whether Liquors by losing their fluidity and becoming consistent would acquire a greater degree of Coldness I caused the Ball of a Weather-Glass to be immersed in Sallet-Oyl and a Solution of Minium in Vinegar or of Quick-lime in Water either of which will coagulate the Oyl but I did not find That
the Influence of Subterraneal fires for which Reason deep Cellars are generally warmest And it hath been observ'd That the deepest Mines in Hungary are always the hottest and tho' the upper Region in some measure seems Cold yet that may easily be caused by the Predisposition of our Sensories when out of the warm Air we find it comparatively Colder in the top of the Groove and in our ascent Colder in respect of those Regions which are nearer the Influence of Subterraneal fires And that the lower Regions are hotter than the uppermost is not only evident from what hath been elsewhere delivered but from what Arch-Bishop Vpsal hath observ'd in the deep Mountains in Poland from whence they dig Rock-Salt And tho' the Heat of Springs in the Winter may be alledged by some as a cause of Antiperistasis yet it is easily otherwise explain'd since the Subterraneal Effluvia of the Earth as well as the Comparative Coldness of the Air is sufficient to solve that Phaenomenon And that the Antiperistasis is not so powerful in the Winter as to have any effect on the Subterraneal Parts is evident since Capt. James tells us That he had a Well which remain'd unfroze all Winter so that by breaking the Ice on the top they could get fresh Water And it is attested by a Latin Author That in or near the Island Hueena wherein the famous Tycho built his Vrani-Burgum there is one Spring which is not froze in Winter and Olaus Magnus tells us That near Nidrosia one of the chief Cities of Norway there is a Lake that in that Northern Region never freezes And Josephus informs us of a hot Spring in Peru from whence the Waters issue out boiling hot yet a Spring which is just by it is Cold as Ice so that the Nature of the Soil through which Bodies flow may have a considerable stroak in altering the Temper of the Water And to favour what I have said of the Reason why Springs steam in the Summer I shall add That it is observ'd that our Breath as well as the steams of Issues are visible in the Winter tho' not discernable in the Summer and the very steams of a labouring Man have been froze on the outside of his wastcoat whilst he was working And it 's commonly observ'd That the steams of a River are very apparent in the Evenings tho' not discernable at Mid-day in Summer And that the Earth is not only heated by those Subterraneal steams but that those Meteors which we frequently see proceed from Subterraneal Effluvia will be rendred probable by observing That Miners usually foretel Storms and alterations in the Air by the damps which rise in their Mines And in Cornwall it is observ'd by the Fisher-men that those Sulphureous Exhalations which appear like fire up and down generally precede considerable Storms And the like hath been observ'd on the Coast of Ireland when a black Cloud like a Barrel rising out of the Water a violent Storm presently succeeded And an Anonymous Writer tells us That in Comitatus Zotiensis in Hungary a Clift of Ground emits such steams that Birds and Cats or Dogs being held over it are killed by the steams of it And the same Author tells us That near the City Buda there are such hot Springs that the River Danubius is not able to keep them cool and he tells us likewise that in the River Istroganum they may discover hot Springs by removing the sand with their feet And I am inform'd by credible witnesses That in the North of England there is a ditch which emits steams which are inflamable and probably there may be other places which emit such kind of Effluvia and afford matter for fiery Meteors and Winds And we are told That not only in Muscovy a Tract of Water a Mile long continued unfroze when the rest was and emitted hot steams But Olaus Magnus tells us of a Lake Veter which thaws with a considerable noise That as well as the River Peking near China which thaws in one Day beginning at the bottom and so thaws upwards and in these thaws it is observ'd That they are foretold by a great boiling of the Water first under the Ice And that such Effluvia being detained from flying away and kept up in the Earth may contribute to the Heating of Cellars appears further since in Muscow when a Cellar hath been long kept shut when first the door is opened the steams will affect the Men so Powerfully as almost to suffocate them So that from hence it appears That the Retention of hot Effluvia depend on a Constipation of the Pores of the Earth and not on the Disposition of hot Vapors to fly away from their contrary since we see that they have no such Disposition the Vapors of a Well rather dispersing themselves in the Air than flying away from it But to disprove the Doctrine of Antiperistasis further I shall add That a rod of Iron which had a piece of Iron fixed to one end of it having that end made red hot and quenched in Cold Water the Heat did not recede into the other end to avoid the Coldness of the Water But a more convincing Experiment is That a Weather-Glass being suspended in a wide-mouth'd Glass in Water when that Glass was placed in hot Water the Coldness of that in the wide-mouth'd Glass was so far from being drove upon the Weather-Glass that the Spirit of Wine did not in the least subside but when the Heat of the External Water was diffused through the other it manifestly rose And this Experiment being try'd with warm Water in the wide-mouth'd Glass and Cold Water about that the Heat was not more intense about the Weather-Glass but when the Cold had diffused it self through the warm Water the Spirit of Wine subsided Postscript Tho' from what hath been said it appears That the Doctrine of Antiperistasis is not without Reason exploded yet I shall suspend my Judgment whether Cellars are warmer in the Winter than the Summer or not since the learned Jesuite Zucchius tells us That having suspended a Weather-Glass 3 years in a Cellar the Water would rise in the Winter and descend in the Summer And another tells us That he knew a Well Colder in Summer than Winter yet I am far from believing this Observation universal since what hath been said evinces the contrary for tho' the superficial Parts of the Earth are subject to vary in their Temperature as the Weather influences them yet Subterraneal Cavities than are very deep are neither hotter or colder in the Winter or Summer and tho' Zucchius hath undertaken to measure it by the assistance of Weather-Glasses yet since ordinary Weather-Glasses are subject to be influenced by the Gravity of the Air as well as the Heat and Cold of it and since some places are fuller of Subterraneal Vapors than others and consequently the sudden ascent of Exhalations may presently increase the weight of it I think the following Experiment made by the
learned Maignan sufficient to ballance what Zucchius hath delivered and therefore I shall deliver it in the Authors words Expertus ego sum says he Thermometro fidelissimo a praecedente hyeme in sequentem aestatem prorsus invariato instructo etiam tali aqua nempe in hoc ipsum ex praescripto Trebellii ita comparata ut non exhaletur neque minuatur expertus inquam sum in supradictis optimis cellis Vinariis maximum quod ardentissima aestate fuit frigus non adaequasse illud quod ibidem erat brumali tempore ut dixi si quidem in Tubo vitrei Thermometri quatuor circiter palmos longos in octo gradus Graduumque minuta diviso aqua hyeme ascendit ad Gradus 7 cum semisse aestate autem vix gradum sextum superavit cùm tamen ad sensum multò magis vigerat frigus istud aestivum CHAP. VII An Examination of Mr. Hobbes Doctrine of Cold. Mr. Hobbes Doctrine of Cold. Mr. Hobbes in his Doctrine of Cold tells us That the Air being put into an Expansive motion by the Beams of the Sun it is beaten down upon the Surface of the Earth where finding a resistance below it spreads it self every way towards the Poles and as the Parallel Circles grow closer towards the Poles so the Air being straitned and more condensed causes a greater degree of Cold. To which he adds That as the Air moves betwixt these Parallers it rakes upon the Surface of Water more or less as the Air is more or less straitned by which means the Water not only tending towards its Centre by its own Gravity but being also condensed by the rakeing Pressure of the Air the Surface of it is first congealed and then it gradually descends and for a like Reason when Water is immersed in Snow and Salt the Mixture melting those very Parts which lodged in the Pores of it they rakeing against the sides of the Glass give it such a motion as when communicated to the Water contain'd in it causes it to congeal And for a Reason not unlike the former the Particles of Air contain'd in Clouds being in their descent squeezed out rake the drops of Water in their passage and so harden them And the Reason why serene weather is Colder than rainy weather he says is because the force of the Wind is broken and dissipated by the falling drops which Reason he likewise alledges why Water in Wells is not froze the Wind not being able to beat strongly enough upon the Surface of the Water And as for the Reason why Ice is lighter than Water he attributes it to Airy Particles forced into it whilst it is congealing But it may easily be urged against this Doctrine Examined that all congealed Liquors instead of having their Parts pressed inwards and so condensed manifestly expand upon Congelation And as for Animal Bodies such an inward indeavour of the Humors as his Doctrine supposes is not requisite to produce a sensation of Cold since a decrease of the motion of the fluids about our Sensories or an Impulse made upon the sensitive Parts by some alteration in the motion of the Blood and Spirits or a turbulent motion of some excrementitious Particles hindred from flying away is sufficient so some Hysterick Women perceive a Coldness on the top of their Heads and the Vertebra when they are otherwise hot and Avicen tells us That the biting of some Vipers in hot Countries causes a sensation of Cold And I know a Noble Man who feels an extraordinary Coldness upon him when he is seiz'd with a fit of the Stone And an inward compression of the Parts of a Body is so far from being sufficient to produce Cold that compression in some Bodies produces Heat But to examine what he assigns as the Grand Cause of Cold viz. Wind which according to him is Air moved in a considerable quantity and that either forwards only or in an undulating motion But against this Doctrine I have several things to offer And first that several frosts are begun and continued when the Wind is serene and calm and that a gentle North-east-wind is much Colder than a boisterous Southerly Wind. Secondly That the Wind which issues out of an Aeolopile is not Cold but Hot tho' it moves more violently than the Wind which is blown from the Mouth Thirdly We have made it appear That Water will freeze tho' sealed up in a Glass and tho' that Glass be inclosed in another so that the Wind cannot beat upon it and even an Egg frozen will be crusted over with Ice when suspended in Water so that the External Air cannot Effect it And tho' he tells us That all Winds produce Cold Prosper Alpinus in his Medicina Aegyptiorum acquaints us that he hath found the Winds in those Torrid Regions insufferably hot And Marcus Paulus Venetus tells us That the Winds near Ormus have been so hot as to destroy an Army of Men at once And tho' some Winds put into motion feel Cold yet that depends on the Predisposition of our Sensories and the deeper penetration of that fluid into the Pores of the Body in respect of which it hath a comparative Coldness and that it is but a comparative Coldness is evident since the same Wind blowing upon a Weather-Glass affects it not at all except sometimes by accident when by that means some calorifick Atoms swimming in the Air are driven away by it And tho' Mr. Hobbes tells us that all Winds cool by diminishing former Heat yet we see that Water actually Cold becomes still Colder by freezing where the Heat cannot be said to be diminished in a Body actually Cold before But to proceed tho' Mr. Hobbes says that Wind is generated upon the Surface of the Earth by the action of the Sun yet he tells us not how that Wind must produce Cold nor does the motion of it towards the Poles help the matter since we have shewn that motion in it self is not sufficient to produce Cold and should he say that the Coldness is derived from the Mixture of freezing Vapours in it's passage then those steams would rather be taken for the cause of Cold than the Wind and then I should ask him Whence the Coldness of those Cold Vapours proceeded Besides since in his account of the freezing of Water he says the Parts of the freezing Water will be raised in Congelation I see not how it will happen since Oyl and several other Liquors are contracted by it and I have not yet seen any one Instance in which Water was ever congeal'd by a Compression Since when we inclosed Water in a Pewter-Bottle and beat the sides of it together till the Water made its way out we perceiv'd not that that powerful compression had in the least inclined the Water to Congelation And tho' we should allow that the Superficial Parts of the Water might be froze as Mr. Hobbes tells us yet I see not how the Air can beat upon
Water severed from it by Ice nine or ten Foot thick Besides I think it altogether inconceivable how Wind by taking upon the outside of a Glass should cause the Water within to freeze since the freezing of Water is an action much different from the putting of the Glass into a trembling motion besides we see that Water will not be froze by the blowing of a strong Wind against the outside of a Glass tho' it will when enclosed in Liquors where no Wind can come at it and those two which are not subject to freeze themselves And whereas Mr. Hobbes gives it as a Reason why some Wells freeze not because the Wind hath not liberty to blow strong enough upon the Water I shall add that those Wells that are subject to be froze when Northerly or Easterly Winds blow will freeze tho' covered over and sufficiently guarded from the Winds and in Cold Winters whether the Wind blows or not And Whereas Mr. Hobbes tells us that the lightness of Ice above Water proceeds from the bubbles received into it whilst it is freezing the Contrary is evident since Water froze in a seal'd Glass will be plentifully stocked with bubbles as well as that which is frozen in the free Air. Postscript To conclude this History of Cold I shall instead of some other Experiments designed for this Treatise subjoyn an Experiment elsewhere mention'd in the History of whiteness and blackness viz. Take a piece of Cork and having burnt it till it be reduced to a black Coal and then having slacked it in fair Water it will by being mixed with Gum-water form a black Ink which you may write what you please with which writing if it be interlined with a colourless Solution of Minium in Spirit of Vinegar upon wetting the Paper with a spunge dipped in a fluid Liquor prepared by mixing three Parts of Quick-lime and one of yellow orpiment and digesting them two or three hours in sixteen Parts of Water the invisible Solution of Minium will exhibit black Letters and the other black ones will disappear but whilst this fetid Liquor is preparing it must be well shaken several times that the Quick-lime and the powdered orpiment may the better impregnate it and then the decanted and filtred Liquor must be kept for use But besides this there are several other ways of making Ink which I could be glad to learn And I my self have tryed that Words might be writ with a Solution of Minium which I could render legible by the help of the fire CHAP. VIII An account of Freezing made in December and January 1662. By Dr. Merret Several Experiments about freezing THE following Experiments were made in Weather which was very frosty continuing six weeks yet not without some alternate Relaxations in Stone-Windows exposed to the North and North-East-Winds The Vessels in which they were tryed were Glass-Canes of several Bores Earthen and Pewter Vessels c. Cold Water exposed to the Air in open Pans was froze in an hour boiling Water in two boiling and Cold Water mix'd in ½ the Cold Water beginning to freeze at the top and and sides but the other at the bottom and when the Water was Cold at the top The same succeeded with Water thrown upon a Table the Cold Water being first froze A four ounce Vial with a Stem a Foot long and half filled being exhausted of Air in Vacuo Boyliano was almost froze as soon as Water exposed in an open Pan and appear'd white seeming to consist purely of bubbles Water in which Arsnick was eight Months infused congealed into a white Ice sooner than Water and so did Solutions of all sorts of Vitriols and sooner than Solutions of other Salts except Allum which froze into an Ice whiter than Milk and stuck so fast to the Pan that I could scarce separate it Sandever presently freezeth but Eris sooner and Kelp in less time than that all of them forming white lumps of Ice Sal-Armoniack frequently froze before the rest of them but once after them Two drams of common Salt dissolved in four ounces of Water was in hard frost congealed into a white Ice in about thirty hours Stinking Sea-Water full of Salt being exposed in a Beer-Glass was covered with a film of Ice as thick as ½ a Crown in twenty six hours when froze it tasted Salt and smelled stinking but when thawed it had lost the fetor In four days more the whole was froze but that in the bottom tasted sharper than the rest The same Water in broad Pans was quite froze through in thirty six hours and sooner in a Mixture of Snow and Salt neither a strong Solution of Salt-Petre no◠Bay-Salt nor Sal-Armoniack were froze in six days But a Solution of Salt of Tartar froze in a little more time than Water and being exposed in a Tube it began to freeze at the bottom top and sides all once whereas other Liquors freeze uniformly either at the top or bottom first Salt-Petre in a Cold season was in twenty eight hours froze into a white Ice which was mistaken for Sal-Prunel and sparkled in the fire as that Salt usually does A lixivium of it made with Copperas or Allum singly or mixed set in Snow and Salt or Snow alone was frozen in one Night Sal-Gem tho' Snow and Salt were mixed with it and tho' it were set in Snow and Salt would not be brought to freeze But Phlegm of Vitriol froze sooner than the Solutions before mention'd Oyl of Vitriol is coagulated sooner than any of the afore mention'd Liquors except Water a large Tube being filled ¼ with it and being froze tasted of a strong Vitriolate taste the coagulated Part was of a paler colour than the other and both being poured together in a Bottle it became too hot to hold in one's hands this coagulated Part remain'd unthaw'd a week after the rest of the Liquors and another Tube of the same Oyl being wholly froze it subsided ½ an Inch below its station to which it rose again upon a thaw but the other Liquors rose upon congelation A flask of small Beer froze in thirty eight hours but three Parts of Ale continued unfroze after six days hard Frost but at four a Clock in the morning the unfroze Liquor tasted much stronger and brisker than before it was froze the Ice was less firm and fuller of bubbles than common Ice and being thawed was very pale and of a quick Aleish taste A Beer-Glass of Hull-Ale being exposed to the Cold in a Glass in twenty four hours was crusted over with Ice as thick as half a Crown and that being taken off it yielded another and so successively till the whole was froze these Laminae were all of the same colour and taste but the lowest was the most tender This Ale would not freeze so soon as that which I exposed before Hull-Ale hath a brackish taste Claret exposed in a spoon in thirty five hours was turned into a soft Ice which had the Genuine
Frost and Tiles of Houses and stone-Buildings scale upon a thaw for which Reason the North side of Buildings first decay Alabaster and Marble that have chinks in them usually break with the Frost but solid Marble does not nor does Frost affect those stones or Bitumens which will bear a Polish Ice laid on a Table and having Salt strowed upon it it stuck so fast that it could not be separated without being broke in pieces and the Salt made its way through the Ice down to the board but if Salt be strowed betwixt the Ice and the board it will not be froze to it but thawed The following Salts cause not so firm an adhesion as common Salt viz. Kelp Sandever Sal Indus Gem Prunel Armon and Pot-ashes A nail held betwixt my lips could not be remov'd without difficulty and Pain A Tincture of Cochineel with Spirit of Wine and another with a little Sea-Salt Water being froze throughout retained an equal colour in all Parts and so did a Tincture of Mades-weed and Indico A Decoction of Soot was froze without any Concentration yet Mr. Hook a worthy Fellow of the Royal Society hath observed the contrary effect Eggs and Apples-froze differed not in weight nor do Bodies weighed in sealed Glasses Frost renders Wood Iron Steel and the Bones of Animals more friable in frosty Weather especially in those that are tainted with the Lues Venerea Frost preserves Bodies from Putrefaction and confirms the Tone of Animals and fattens some it clears the Air so that musty Stone-Bottles being fill'd with Water and froze after a Thaw were very sweet it likewise destroys Animals and Vegetables so that in Greenland nothing but Glass grows as also in Nova Zembla The qualities of Ice As for the qualities of Ice it is slippery smooth hard firm and strong diaphanous interposed betwixt the Eye and a Candle appears in many round Circles from whence proceed Rays in the form of a Star a quarter of an Inch in diameter I have seen the Ice in the Thames eight Inches thick and in Garden-walks the Earth froze near two Foot thick but in rich Soils it did not penetrate above a Foot and a quarter Ice generally swims but I have seen Snow-balls compressed and moistned with Water sink Congealed Oyl of Vitriol sinks Ice is colder than Water and that quality is increased by adding Salt or Snow It hath no smell but checks that quality in other Bodies It yields both Reflection and Refraction North and North-east Winds the absence of the Sun the highest Parts of Mountains a mixture of Snow and Salt promote freezing Water falling upon Ice or Snow freezes and a mixture of beaten Ice with Sea-Salt Kelp Allum Vitriol or Nitre and Oyl of Vitriol will promote freezing and if Water be set upon such Mixtures it begins to freeze at the Bottom Salt Petre dissolv'd in Water and agitated in a cold Season turned not the Water into Ice A Bolt-head being placed in Snow in a Pan tho' the Pan was set on the Fire and thawed gradually yet the Water in the Bolt-head froze not Water frozen in Pans being set on New-castle Coals in a Cellar and likewise on Sand and on the Earthen Floor they thawed in the same order and so did Eggs and Apples A Syphon may be made of Ice through which Water will run very fast Another use which may be made of Ice is for Refraction of which Mr. Hook hath given a learned Demonstration Having formed Ice into various Figures the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were the same as those mentioned by Dioptrick Writers We may likewise make a Speculum of it by holding a piece of Paper behind it The Learned Bartholinus delivers the following Propositions of it 1. That the more subtil distilled Spirits gain a clear splendour and elegancy from Snow placed about them 2. The Rayes of Snow newly fallen glitter and dazzle the Eyes by reason of the multitude of Globuli by which they are reflected 3. A Cabbage putrified in that part which was above the Snow And I have observed great Housleek or American Aloes destroy'd by Cold in an upper Room and Sea-Onions as well as common Onions will be putrified by the Cold. 4. Snow yields Vapours plentifully when melted by the Sun-beams 5. It melts and falls off from Ivy. 6. It contains a little Earth in it which I have found true by Evaporation 7. Viscosity with Softness is greater in new than old Snow 8. Water-Cresses and Scurvy-grass will grow under Snow in Gardens but I am apt to believe they are at a perfect stand the nutritious Juice being congealed 9. Air is included in Snow Whites of Eggs being beaten into a frothy Consistence and this being laid on a Trencher soon appeared to be Snow A Pail being filled with warm Water and Hair Moss and a piece of Rosemary hung over it the rising Vapors sticking to them formed a Hoar-frost and the like is observed on the Beards of Men and the Hairs of other Animals 10. Snow abounds with Fat 11. Snow with Ice swims on Water 12. Snow-water boils Meat sooner and makes Flesh whiter I could not find that this bolds in Fish or Flesh 13. Snow newly fallen hath no taste but when it hath lain on the Ground it bites the Tongue This I could not discern 14. Worms are sometimes found in Snow I could never observe this 15. A strong Salt may be drawn from Snow by a peculiar Art 16. After much Snow plenty of Nuts It sometimes fails The Duke of Tuscany distill'd a Spirit from Wine only by putting Snow upon the Alembick and the Duke of Mantua had a Powder which would freeze Water in the middle of Summer Weather-Glasses being framed after the Italian mode and in part filled with tinged Spirit of Wine I placed one of them in a North-west Window and the other in Mr. Pullyn's Ware-house under St. Paul's Church in the warmest place the Spirit of both when they were settled on the fifteenth of Octob. 62. having the Altitude of three Inches and when that in my Study-Window was depressed an Inch that in the Cellar receiv'd no manifest alteration But when the other was depressed two Inches it subsided ¼ of an Inch which was the lowest Station it subsided to all Winter and in April following it rose not above the three Inches it first stood at above ¼ of an Inch tho' that in my Study was raised four Inches ¼ In this Cellar Liquors that were froze above Ground would be thawed in the Morning The Spirit in the Glass above ground subsided into the Ball after two days hard Frost Whence it appears that Cellars are not hotter in Winter than Summer One thing observable was that the tinged Spirit had lost its Colour in the Cellar In January a Pint-Bottle of Claret a Glass-Cane filled with Canary a Solution of Sal Gem. Train-Oyl and the Oyl of fructus Musae in a Night's time were all froze except the Sal Gem in the bottom of which
chrystallized Salts appeared The Oyl of the Fruit became very friable and of a milky-white Colour but the Train Oyl only lost its fluidity and became of the consistence of soft Grease And the same Night a Bottle of Rhenish Wine and another of strong White-wine were for the most part froze the Ice tasting weaker than the Wine but the Wine being several times froze and thawed again neither lost any thing of its Colour Taste or Strength Mr. Hook shewed me an oval Glass which had at one end a narrow Cane an Inch long in which Water tinged with Cochineel being froze the Ice on the out-side was colourless but in the middle of a deep Tincture and I have observed the like in Flasks containing the same Tincture froze Flesh Fish Eggs and Apples being held near the surface of Water and immersed in it are crusted over with Ice and I have observ'd that Mortar and Plaister of Paris will freeze I have seen Ice three Yards thick on the Banks of Thames the Water which flowed successively over the Ice being froze and gradually thickening it and I have froze a whole flask full of Water by gradually pouring it into a Pan which confirms what Olearius says of making huge heaps of Ice to preserve Bodies Tho' my Lord Verulam tells us that Eggs and Apples cover'd with a wet Cloth will not freeze yet I have not observ'd any difference betwixt them and others Oyls of Animals and vegetable Oyls by Expression subside Syrups freeze not Cold affects not Loadstones sensibly in their Operations Having exposed distill'd Waters of Plantan Poppies black Cherries Night-shade Scurvy-grass and Horse-radish to the Cold in order to make a Standard for Weather-Glasses I observ'd that the Black-cherry-water was froze first and the Horse-radish and Scurvy-grass Waters last The best way to discover when Liquors begin to freeze first is by drawing a Pin through the surface of those Liquors CHAP. IX A new Frigorifick Experiment shewing how a considerable degree of Cold may be suddenly produced without the help of Snow Ice Hail Wind or Nitre any time of the year comunicated in the Transactions of July 18. 1666. Cold produced by a mixture of Sal-Armon and Water IF a pound of powdered Sal Armoniack be mixed gradually with three pints of Water and the Liquor be stirred with a stick or a Whale-bone whilst the Salt is dissolving it will produce a considerable degree of Coldness which will not only be sensible to the touch but if it be contained in a Silver Tankard the outside of it will be covered over with a multitude of little drops of Condensed Vapours as high as the Mixture reaches and if some of it be quite wiped off before the Mixture hath lost its virtue it will again be covered over with dew And if the Ball of a sealed Weather-Glass be immersed in it the tinged Liquor will presently descend lower than it did in common Water and upon a Removal of it into the Air again or common Water the spirit will manifestly ascend And this Coldness is more or less lasting as the seasons of the Air contribute to its Coldness and as the Quantity of the Salt in proportion to the Water is greater or less or as it varies in Goodness or as the Salt is put in in grosser Powder and more leisurely And the degrees of Cold may easily be discovered by frequently immerging and removing a Weather-Glass out of it into Water and from the latter into it again Whether Sal Armoniack mixed with Sand or Earth will cool Drink better than without when the Mixture is sprinkled with Water I have not yet tryed But I have found the aforemention'd Mixture cool Liquors conveniently enough after Midsummer March 27. A sealed Weather-Glass being immersed in Water the Spirit that rested at 8 1 â— Inches descended to 7 â— 8 and then the Sal-Armon being put in within a quarter of an hour it descended to 2 1 â— â…™ Inches and before that time it began to condense the Vapours on the outside of the Glass And when the frigorifick Mixture was coldest Water placed thin on the outside would be froze in a quarter of a Minute About 3 â— of an hour after the Salt was put in the tinged Liquor being remov'd out of Water into it subsided an Inch below the freezing Mark. At 2 ½ hours after the first Solution it was at 5 ½ Inches or 4 ¾ which Mark the Liquor stood at in hard and lasting Frosts in the Winter Three hours after the first Dissolution the Liquor stood at the uppermost freezing Mark. In trying of which Experiment it was observable that some Water being shed it froze the Cucurbite to the Table it stood on In another Experiment before the Weather-Glass was put in it stood at 8 â…› but when immersed in Water it sunk to 7 â… or 6 8 in half a quarter of an hour in the frigorifick Mixture it subsided to 7 ¾ and in an hour below 5 and consequently within a quarter of the lowest freezing Mark. Salt which once hath been dissolv'd may by being crystallized in an Iron Vessel be fit for use again So March 29. the Thermoscope which in the Air stood at 8 â…ž in Water subsided to 8 and in the frigorifick Mixture made of Salt twice used before it subsided to 4 Inches but upon an addition of fresh Water it rose gradually CHAP. X. Of the positive and privative Nature of Cold. Arguments alledg'd in favour of its positive nature answered BEfore I proceed to enumerate what Arguments may be alledged either for the positive or privative Nature of Cold I shall briefly intimate that the word Cold may be either considered in reference to the effect such Bodies have upon the Sensory or upon other Bodies If in the latter then in frosty Weather the Sun may be said to warm the Air because it enables it to melt the Snow and thaw Ice as on the contrary warm Water is said to be cold in respect of a Hand that is much hotter The first Argument But to pass on to Arguments in favour of the positive nature of Cold The first Argument alledged is The considerable Effects it hath both upon the Sensory and other Bodies so that we may summ our Argument up in the words of Gassendus Ii sunt frigoris effectus quales habere Privatio quae actionis est incapax non potest To which it is answer'd That Heat and Cold depending only on a greater or less degree of motion of the parts of Matter than those about our Sensory and all Perceptions being carried to and distinguish'd in the Brain and being various as that Motion is different and it being likewise considered that when one Body communicates Motion to another it loses of its own it will follow that when I take a piece of Ice into my Hand and it is dissolved by the motion communicated to its Parts the motion which the Humors in my hand lost by putting
penetrate the minuter Pores and to dissolve the Lime EXPERIMENT V. Quick-lime being immersed in Spirit of Wine in a Retort and the Spirit and Phlegm drawn off the remaining Quick-lime instead of being slacked was a more fiery substance than before for if a piece of it was thrown into Water it would hiss like a Coal and heat the Liquor which property it retained several weeks being kept close from the Air. Whence it appears how much the Texture of Quick-lime and the association of the Spirit of Wine improving that Texture contribute to the Phaenomena offorded by Quick-lime and that the Spirit of Wine was associated with the Quick-lime is probable since Part of it became a Spiritless Phlegm and I have observ'd Quick-lime and Spirit of Wine sometimes to come over in white fumes To which I shall add that in such distillations the Odour of the Spirit hath not only been changed but its taste rendered more fiery and brisk But the success is not always the same being diversified according to difference of the Quick-lime which may be more or less calcined or the stone may be of a different nature it self EXPERIMENT VI. But to proceed to other Experiments which shew that Heat may be produced mechanically A nail hastily hammered grows hot the Parts of the metal being by that force vehemently and variously determined tho' the hammer and Anvil be not warm so that hence it appears that it is not requisite a calorifick Body should be hot it self the Hammer being able tho' cold to warm the Iron it beats upon and so the head of a nail grows hot when it can pierce no deeper into wood the force of the beating Hammer being not spent in depressing the nail but putting the resisting Parts into agitation EXPERIMENT VII And once I caused a piece of Iron to be beaten by three Smiths till it grew so hot as to kindle Sulphur upon it EXPERIMENT VIII And that Heat may be produced by percussion and attrition appears further since Iron grows hot by being boiled a knife by whetting a Brass nail by being rubbed and flints by being struck together EXPERIMENT IX To shew that Heat may be produced without the attrition of contiguous Air I placed pitch under Water and by the Sun-beams cast into a Focus by a burning Glass upon it it was not only melted but seemed to boil and smoak EXPERIMENT X. The Powder of slacked Quick-lime washed from its Salts being mixed with Sal-Armoniack and melted together the cold mass being put into a Glass upon an affusion of Water grew too hot to be touched with ones hand tho' the Sal-Armoniack it self in Water produces Cold. EXPERIMENT XI Sal-Armoniack and filings of Steel being sublimed together the Caput Mortuum in which the greatest Part of the Salt remained instead of increasing the coldness of Water being poured upon it several Months after the Caput Mortuum was first laid up gave the Water a notable degree of Heat EXPERIMENT XII Equal Parts of Antimony and Sal-Armoniack being sublimed with several degrees of Heat in a Glass-Vessel we obtained three several substances which being severally powdered the Caput Mortuum which was like Antimony being put into Water in which a Thermoscope was immersed scarce raised the Liquor sensibly But the yellow sublimate which consisted of the Sulphureous flowers of Antimony and the more Volatil Salts of the Sal-Armoniack caused the Weather-Glass in another parcel of Water to descend a quarter of an Inch and the lower sublimate which was black being put into a third parcel of Water the Liquor in the Weather-Glass subsided near three Inches But the like Experiments being tryed with the Caput Mortuum of Minium and Sal-Armoniack it neither caused the Liquor in the Weather-Glass to rise or fall but the sublimate raised from these ingredients caused the Liquor to subside a little EXPERIMENT XIII Whether Solvents dissolve Minerals and cause that Heat observable in their Action by any Antipathy betwixt the Mineral and the Menstruum or whether it did not rather proceed from the violent agitation of the parts of the Metal either dissolv'd by the insinuation of its parts into the Pores of the Metal or by obstructing the passage of some aethereal Matter through those Pores which wanting its usual course dissolves the Metal by forcing a new way I shall not undertake to determine but having agitated Oyl of Vitriol with four times its weight of Water thereby it obtained a sensible Heat from which Experiment it appears that the Heat produc'd by Minerals depends not on a conflict of Acid and Alkalies since Water is void of either of those chymical qualities EXPERIMENT XIV If a piece of wet Ice be thrown into a Viol which before contained Oyl of Vitriol the Oyl mixing with the Water dissolves the Ice and causes a strong Fermentation and a violent Heat EXPERIMENT XV. Half an ounce of Spirit of Wine being mixed with an ounce of Oyl of Vitriol acquired a considerable degree of Heat presently and almost most filled the Bottle with Fumes and the Bottle grew so hot at the last that I could not hold it in my Hand The like Succeeded only in a more remiss Degree with common Brandy and also with Aqua Vitae EXPERIMENT XVI Tho' the Chymists teach that the Incalescence of Bodies depends on an Antipathy of the mixed Bodies yet I found an intense Heat ensue the Mixture of Parts of the same Bodies viz. Calcin'd Colcothar and Oyl of Vitriol EXPERIMENT XVII Oyl of Vitriol and Oyl of Turpentine mixed together produce a considerable degree of Heat EXPERIMENT XVIII An ounce of rectify'd Petroleum being mixed with an equal weight of Oyl of Vitriol the former Liquor seemed to work upon the surface of this like a Menstruum upon Metal the Fumes of the Oyl of Vitriol rising into the Ol. Petrae and the mutual re-action of both the Liquors caused a moderate Warmness And we had almost the like success with Petroleum and Spirit of Nitre But in these last mention'd Tryals Spirit of Salt made use of instead of Oyl of Vitriol had no such considerable Effects EXPERIMENT XIX Oyl of Vitriol caused a considerable Effervescence upon Filings of Steel especially if they be soaked in Water And it will grow sensibly hot with Lime Oyster-shells Chalk Lapis Calaminaris c. EXPERIMENT XX. Oyl of Vitriol grows hot with Cherries and likewise with Raisins of the Sun beat in a Mortar as well as with several other Vegetable Substances and very considerably with Crumbs of white Bread EXPERIMENT XXI Oyl of Vitriol causes a considerable Heat if mixed with minced Flesh EXPERIMENT XXII Tho' Sea-Salt imparts a Coldness to Water yet with Oyl of Vitriol it causes Heat yet with Sal Armon part of which consists of common Salt it produces a Coldness EXPERIMENT XXIII Common Sulphur acquir'd a Heat by attritition and emitted sulphureous Steams copiously so that Sulphur it self as well as other Bodies ows its Heat to local Motion EXPERIMENT XXIV Equal parts
Mace as with Oyl of Cinamon yet upon further Tryals I found that it succeeded And to what hath been deliver'd on this Subject I shall further add when the Noctiluca was wholly consum'd to a Caput Mortuum that as soon as it was turned with the other side upwards it would immediately take Fire a-fresh THE WORKS Of the HONOURABLE ROBERT BOYLE Esq EPITOMIZED BOOK V. PART I. CHAP. I. New Experiments of the Positive or Relative Levity of Bodies under Water Arguments against the Positive Levity of emerging Bodies WHEN any Body that is lighter in Specie than Water is immersed in it and upon the removal of that force which depressed it it rises again it is usually attributed to the Positive Levity of that Body but since the instance of Wood emerging is that which is usually offered as an Argument to it I shall answer That Wood being a Body full of Pores except some which will not swim in Water and upon that account specifically lighter than Water the Water by the Pressure of that which is incumbent getting betwixt the Superficies of the Vessel and the Body immersed causes it to rise the Water which succeeds it in its place making a more powerful Pressure against it than its Specifick Gravity enables it to resist And that Bodies Specifically lighter than Water will be thus buoyed up by it will appear from the Hydrostatical Paradoxes hereafter to be laid down And tho' it be usually urged that the Bodies imimmersed are too closely contiguous to the bottom of the Vessel for the Water to insinuate themselves betwixt yet from the following Experiment it will appear that were the contiguous Surfaces so close the positive Levity of the Wood would not be able to raise it for two black Marbles being so exactly polished as to be as contiguous as possibly they might we tyed a Bladder full of Air to the uppermost and then causing them both to be immersed in Water the positive Levity of the Bladder would not cause the Bladder to rise but as soon as by a servant the uppermost Marble was gradually slipped half off the Polished Surface of the lowest the Water which before was not able to insinuate it self betwixt the Surfaces of the contiguous Marbles and to separate them presently caused the Bladder to rise with a considerable swiftness and force above the Surface of the Water Which Event that it did not depend on Nature's abhorrency of a Vacuum is evident since that would have an equal force when the Polished Surfaces were wholly contiguous the Power of Nature's abhorrency of a Vacuum being held by its Assertors to be unlimited And that it was not the heaviness of the upper Marble nor want of lightness in the included appeared since when the Surfaces of the polished Marbles were not contiguous the Bladder was able to lift up a weight of six or seven pound besides the Marble And to shew that the Bladder might be raised by the Pressure of the Water according to the laws of Hydrostaticks usually buoying up Bodies Specifically lighter than it self having pressed out the greatest part of the Air contained in a Bladder I tyed a piece of Iron to it and immersed it in a wide-mouth'd Glass which was so deep that the Bladder was totally immersed and yet not far below the Surface of the Water and this being convey'd into our Pneumatick Engine when by exhausting the Air part of the Pressure was taken off the Air in the Bladder expanding it self and takeing up more Room in the Water and consequently becoming so much more Specifically lighter and the resistance of the Water which endeavours to buoy it up becoming respectively greater it was together with the suspended weight raised to the Surface of the Water and continued there till the outward Air was let in again and then the Air being contracted into its former dimensions it subsided again In which Experiment the positive Levity of the Air was not varyed but only its relative and respective weight in reference to its proportion of Water And that Rarefaction alters not the positive Levity of Bodies may appear from the following Experiment for having oyled a Bladder and when the Air was expressed tyed it to the neck of a Vial I found that in the exhausted Receiver tho' the Air in the Vial was so far expanded as to fill the whole capacity of the Bladder yet the Vial neither rose higher nor subsideded lower when the Air was drawn out or let in again CHAP. II. New Experiments about the Pressure of the Air 's Spring on Bodies under Water The Pressure of the Air 's Spring on Bodies under Water TO shew that the Spring and Weight of the Air hath manifest effects on Bodies separated from an immediate contact by the Interposition of Water I shall subjoyn the following Experiments EXPERIMENT II. We luted the neck of a Vial which was capable of containing above a point of Water upon that pipe which conveys Air out of the Receiver into the Pump which being done we whelmed over this Receiver our large one and having poured in a sufficient quantity of Water we closed it up with the Turn-key that no Air might get out that way and then the Air being exhausted out of the Vial if flew into a great many peices the sides of the Glass being not able to resist the Pressure of the Air that lay upon the Surface of the Water in the large Receiver EXPERIMENT II. The greatest part of the Air being squeezed out of a Bladder and the Bladder tyed to a weight which kept it something below the Surface of Water contained in a wide-mouth'd Glass this being convey'd into a Receiver the Air in the Bladder expanded as the Air on the Superficies of the Water was extracted EXPERIMENT III. A Brass Plug being fitted to a Cylinder which was closed with a Plate of the same Metal at one end we put a Bladder half blown into the Cylinder and placing the Plug upon it with a weight of a Conical figure upon that we poured so much Water into the Receiver in which it was placed as covered the top of the Conical weight but left the Ring which was fixed to the top of it and which was fastned to the Turn-key by the help of a string and things being thus ordered when the Air above the water was considerably exhausted the Spring of the Air in the Cylinder raised the Plugg and Weights a considerable height tho' the whole weight amounted to twenty eight pounds EXPERIMENT IV. A Glass Vial being closed with Cement and immersed in a deep Brass Cylinder of Water this was convey'd into our Receiver and when the Air which pressed upon the Water was drawn off the Vial in the bottom of the Water was violently shattered in pieces by the Spring of the included Air for want of a sufficient Pressure of the Air incumbent on the Water to resist the force of that Spring EXPERIMENT V. To shew that the Expansion
or Rarefaction of Air increases not the positive Levity of Air we suspended a Bladder half full of Air with a Counterpoise at a ballance in our Receiver and tho' when the Air was exhausted the Bladder was sufficiently distended yet it seemed to retain the same weight whether dilated or contracted CHAP. III. New Experiments concerning an effect of the varying weight of the Atmosphere upon some Bodies in the Water Communicated in the Transactions of Feb. 24.1672 3. Of the Effects of the differing weight of the Atmosphere on Bodies under Water COnsidering that the Pores of most Liquors are plentifully stocked with Aery Particles and that upon that account the Atmosphere may according to its several degrees of weight have considerable Effects on them I caused three small Glass-Bubbles with slender Stems to be blown which were so equally poised in Water by their weight that a little thing would make them emerge or sink And I observ'd that these being put into Water contained in a wide-mouth'd Glass sometimes they would emerge and sometimes subside and sometimes emerge again as the Atmosphere varyed in weight or degrees of Heat and Cold. And it was easie to observe that when the Heat of the Air raised one of these Bubbles the heat of the Sun-Beams would so rarisie the Water included in them as to cause some of it to get out upon which the Bubbles emerged but when those Beams were intercepted the Water being condensed and getting into the Bubble again it would subside But when their subsiding depended on the weight of the Atmosphere if the Mercury in the Baroscope stood high the Heat of the Sun would not raise the Bubbles N. B. 1. That the Bubbles not being all equally poised sometimes one and sometimes two would rise as the Air was heavier or lighter and consequently capable of affecting the lightest only or all 2. The Success did not always answer for when the subsiding depended on some occult cause they would continue there as if some airy Parts had insinuated themselves into the Water 3. The fittest time for these Experiments and in which they best succeed is in the Spring the Air being more subject to vary in its Weight as well as other things CHAP. IV. New Experiments about the differing Pressure of heavy Solids and Fluids Of the different Pressure of Solids and Fluids ONE great reason why some Learned Men believe that the Air hath no such a considerable Pressure on subjacent Bodies as we teach is because they think it would be too heavy for Animal Bodies to live or move under it but since we have positive proof of it we may as well doubt whether the Load-stone be endewed with an attracting and other Virtues because we cannot understand how they are perform'd Besides Men being born under such a Pressure their Bodies seem not only accustom'd to it but proportionably strong But could we suppose a Man born somewhere without the incumbent weight of an Atmosphere doubtless such Bodies would not be so able as ours to resist its Pressure But it is urged by some that were there such a Pressure of the Atmosphere it would cause Pain but to this it may likewise be answered that our Bodies being from the Birth accustomed to it we only feel Pain upon some new unaccustomed and additional Pressure so when we are accustomed to wear heavy Cloaths we are not sensible of their weight nor are we sensible of the Heat of the Blood in our Heart because it 's habitual to those Parts whereas if our finger be put into the Heart of a newly dissected Animal we shall find it sensibly hot But further from what I have elsewhere laid down it appears that a Cubick Inch of Air will be able to resist the weight of the whole incumbent Atmosphere and that a little quantity of Air resists a further compression as well as a greater and I have likewise shewn that the Pores of the Parts of Animals whether fluid or consistent are plentifully stocked with numerous Aerial Bubbles which cause those Bodies to swell or expand in our exhausted Receiver And as for those membranous and fibrous Parts which are not altogether so porous they are of so strong and firm a Texture as to resist external Pressure upon that account Besides there is a great deal of difference betwixt the partial Pressure of a solid Body and the Pressure of an Ambient Fluid which presses uniformly and is resisted either by the solidity of the Parts or the Spring of those Airy Particles contained within their Pores And that the uniformness of the Pressure makes it less sensible is evident since it hath been observed that tho' the Atmosphere is so much lighter upon the tops of some high Mountains as not to elevate Mercury so high in a Baroscope by three Inches as at the bottom yet those that have been upon those Mountains tell us that they perceived no considerable difference in the Pressure of the Atmosphere above and below nor are Miners sensible of any great weight upon them tho' in deep Mines in Mountainous Countrys nor are Divers sensible of any Pressure when under Water but that Air weighs in Air and that Water weighs in Water I have elsewhere made it evident yet I don't think that a Diver is violently depressed by the weight of the incumbent Water since from what we have elsewhere delivered it appears that if a Man's Body were of an equal specifick Gravity with the Water the subjacent Water would sustain him but his Body being heavier than an equal bulk of Water the Surplusage of weight depresses it for which Reason in some sea-Sea-Water which is near of the same specifick Gravity with their Bodies Divers find it very difficult to dive However it is not a little strange that at so great a depth as one hundred fathom Divers should not perceive a sensible Pressure especially upon their Thorax and Abdomen But I am apt to believe that the inadvertency of some of them rather than any thing else makes them not take notice of it or else the haste which they rise and sink in since I have been told by some that they have perceived a manifest Pressure when they sunk leisurely And I was likewise told by another that when he descended a great depth under Water the Blood was squeezed out of his Nose and Eyes and another who dived in a Leathern-case told me that it was so much pressed against his Thorax and Belly that he was forced suddenly to come up again But since these Relations are not altogether to be relied on I shall endeavour to give a Reason why the Pressure is no more sensible which I take to be the strong Texture of a Human Body and the uniformity of the Pressure As to the first to what I have said of the Resistance made by our Bodies to external Pressure I shall only add that a Bladder being tyed upon the end of a Cylinder about an Inch in Diameter
incumbent on the other parts of it which will appear from the following Experiments And first If a Cylindrical Pipe open at both ends be held in a perpendicular Posture and the lower end be immersed three Inches in Water the Liquid within the Tube having a free Communication will be of an equal height with the external Water and in thin Tubes a little higher But if Oyl be gradually poured upon the Water without the Pipe the superficial Plain will have a greater Pressure upon it without than within and consequently the Water under the Tube finding not so great a Pressure within the Pipe as without it gradually rises 'till the external and internal Pressure upon the imaginary Plain be equal But since this will be further evident from what is contain'd in the following Paradoxes I shall proceed to them as soon as I have laid down the following Experiments to shew Air is not a Body devoid of Weight as some Peripateticks suppose The first is that a Glass Bubble being blown whose Capacity was short of two cubical Inches it was instantly hermetically sealed whilst hot and when it was cool being placed in a nice pair of Scales and then the Apex of the Stem being broke off the Air rushing in with a noise caused the Bubble to preponderate half a Grain tho' by breaking of the Stem under Water it appear'd that the rarify'd Air remaining in the sealed Glass possess'd one fourth of its Capacity Another time the same Experiment being tryed the Air contain'd seem'd to weigh near three quarters of a Grain and the Capacity of the Receiver being filled with common Water it weighed 905 Grains So that allowing the Air contain'd to take up one fourth and that the weight of the remaining Part was ¼ probably the weight of the whole was about a Grain and consequently the Water weighed little more than nine hundred times as much as an equal Bulk of Air. PARADOX I. paradox 1 That in Water and other Fluids the lower Parts are pressed by the upper If in a Glass of Water See Plate 2. Fig. 1. A B C D see Plate the second Fig. the first a Cylindrical Tube be immersed which contains Oyl of Turpentine and that Oyl be suspended there by keeping the upper Orifice close after it hath been suck'd up to a convenient height 'till the Pipe is depress'd to a convenient Depth in the Water if the lower end of the Pipe B Q be immersed 'till it reaches to the imaginary Surface G H and the Oyl X Q presses no more upon that imaginary Surface than the Water without the Tube then the Oyl will be suspended there and not be able to depress the Surface of the Water below it but if the Surface of the Oyl in the Tube be much above the Water and it presses more upon the imaginary Surface G H than the Water without then it will make its way through that Surface 'till the Oyl within and the Water without are brought to an Aequilibrium again so that they both equally press upon the Surface G H and the like will happen if the Tube be raised to the Surface D S and gradually on to the Surface L M for as the Pressure of the external Water grows less and less as the imaginary Surface is nearer the top of the Glass so the Oyl in the Tube growing preponderant falls out at the lower end of the Tube 'till the Tube T V being almost raised to the Surface L M but a little Water pressing upon that Surface the Oyl is almost wholly fallen out of the Cylindrical Cavity of it But if instead of raising the Pipe P Q it be depressed to the Position N O the Water incumbent on the Surface E F on the outside the Pipe being more powerful than the Cylinder or Oyl W AE which is only aequiponderant to a Cylinder of Water leaning on the Surface G H the Oyl must be buoyed up by the Pressure of the external Water and the Space O AE filled with Water so that the Oyl betwixt W AE and AE O being both aequiponderant to a Cylinder of Water they may equally press upon the Surface E F with the Water on the outside And agreeable to what hath been said it is that the Cylinder of Oyl X Q will be something above the Surface L M when the Tube is only immersed to the Surface Q. Since Oyl of Turpentine being specifically lighter than Water the Cylinder must be longer to press upon the Surface G H equally with a Cylinder of Water no longer than from the Surface L M to G H. And if a heavier Liquor than Water were made use of the Surface X must be more above L M than in Water otherwise it would not press equally upon the subjacent Surface From whence appears the Truth of the Proposition for if the Oyl be kept suspended at a different Height as the external Water is deeper to countervail it and if as it is raised from G H to I K the Oyl in the bottom of the Pipe is pressed out it must needs follow that it is pressed down by the weight of the incumbent Oyl since then the surface of the Water I K being not equally pressed upon from without as by the Oyl it is able to break that Surface and make its way out But before I proceed to the following Propositions I shall subjoin the following Advertisements First What we say of the Pressure of Fluids upon one another is to be attributed to heavy Fluids in general except some reason appears for a particular exception in some Places Secondly That in slender Pipes the Surface of the Liquor within is generally above the Surface of the external Thirdly Small Pipes are the fittest for these Experiments because in larger the emerging Oyl passing through the Water obscures the Light of what is design'd to be visible Fourthly We make use of Oyl of Turpentine rather than any other Liquor because clear and colourless and not apt to stain ones Cloaths and as for the offensive Smell that may be corrected with Oyl of Rhodium or any other odoriferous Oyl tho' any other Liquor may be made use of that will not mix with Water Fifthly Oyl of Turpentine may be tinged with Copper to render the Phaenomena within more visible for which reason we often employ a Decoction of Brasil instead of clear Water or of Log-wood or red Ink it self Sixthly the Figure of the Glasses may be what you please but the Pipes must be broader or longer as occasion requires Seventhly The Pipes are to be filled by sucking up the Air to a convenient Height and then stopping the Orifice above with ones Finger but if it be too high the Experimenter may let it out as he pleases by admitting a convenient quantity of Air in at the Top by gradually removing his Finger Lastly In such Experiments as require a considerable disparity betwixt the two mingled Liquors we may make use of Oyl of Tartar per
so close upon it that the Water should not be able to get out between them To the midst of this bottom was fastned a long string for a use to be hereafter mention'd the Instrument being thus prepared the Water was poured in at the top of the Pipe A B which pressing upon the false bottom C D against the subjacent rim G H contributed to render the Vessel more close and to obstruct its own passage whereupon we tyed the upper end of the string I K to a beam and put so many weights into the opposite Scale as were sufficient to raise the false bottom C D from the rim G H. And then deducting from that weight the weight of the false bottom and the Water contained in the broad Cylindrical Box B E C H. G D F we found that the Pressure which was made upon C D was much greater than what reading Stevinus would make one expect and than all the Water contained both in the Pipe and Cylinder would have been had it been contained in an uniform Cylinder paradox VII PARADOX VII That a Body immersed in a fluid sustains a Lateral Pressure from the fluid and that increased as the depth of the immersed Body below the Surface of the fluid increaseth This appears from what is represented by Plate the third Fig. the fifth See Plate 3. Fig. 5. where Oyl being sucked up into the Pipes G F K and they sufficiently immersed in the Water contained in the Vessel A B C D so that the Surface of the Oyl I K may be but a little above the Water the Imaginary Pillar of Water H G will suspend it there but if the Pipe be raised the Oyl becoming too heavy to be kept up by so short a Cylinder the incumbent Cylinder will force it out of the Orifice G but if the Pipe be further immersed the Water will raise the Oyl in the Tube and fill part of the Cylindrical cavity below it To this Experiment I shall add See Plate 3. Fig. 6. that having stopped the Mouth of the Vial ABCD represented by Fig. six Plate the third with a Cork and Cement and bored with a hot Iron a hole to receive the Pipe G H and the other E F I stopped the Orifice G with a Cork and Cement likewise and then pouring in Water through the Pipe E till it rose to the Surface I the Bubble X was so nicely poised that it swam but as soon as by pouring in more Water the Surface was raised to K the Bubble X subsided to the bottom From whence it appears that the whole Water contained in the Pipe E presses upon the whole Water within the Glass otherwise it could not compress the Air in the Bubble and make it sink and likewise that it not only presses upon that subjacent but likewise upon those Parts that are latterally situated in Respect of it And that not only the upper Parts of the Water but even the Cork that is below the Surface of the Water I is pressed by the weight of it and obliquely too appears since if the Orifice G be not closely stopped the Water will be raised through it and if instead of a Cork and Cement it be only stopped with ones Thumb one may perceive an evident Pressure of the Water against it And that the subsiding of the Bubble depended on the Pressure of the Water above it appeared since if part of the Water was poured off by inclining the Vial it would presenty emerge again And one thing in this Experiment worthy our notice was that if the Glass A B. C D was not wholly filled but the space betwixt L M filled with Air yet the Pressure of such different Fluids may be so easily communicated from one to the other that the Bubble would descend equally as if it were filled with Water paradox VIII PARADOX VIII That Water may be made to depress a Body lighter than it self as well as to buoy it up The truth of this Paradox will be easily made out by the following Experiments for if a Glass Syphon See Plate 3. Fig. 7. of the Figure represented by Fig. 7. Plate the third be filled from H to I with Oyl of Turpentine and immersed in the Glass A B C D till the Orifice A of the shorter Leg be under Water if then the Orifice E be unstopped and the whole Tube E I F G H be depressed gradually the incumbent Water H K will press the Oyl out of the shorter Leg H G into the longer E F. And For a further confirmation of this Paradox as well as the foregoing and the second I shall subjoin that having provided a Pipe of the Figure represented by Fig. 8. and sucked so much Oyl into it as filled the space L M N P See Fig. 〈◊〉 I immersed it in Water and upon the opening the Orifice O as the Pipe was gradually depressed the Oyl was pressed out of the Pipe L M to N and from thence to what height I pleased in the Pipe O P N. PARADOX IX paradox IX That whatever is said of Positive Levity a parcel of Oyl lighter than Water may be kept in Water without ascending in it Considering that since the Surface of a Vessel of standing Water is Physically speaking Horizontal the Water that presses against the lower part of the immersed Body must needs be deeper than that which presses against the upper and that this is the Reason why Bodies lighter than Water emerge I concluded that if the Water upon the upper Surface of Oyl in a Tube could be so high as to ballance the Pressure of that Water below Oyl might be suspended betwixt two Parcels of Water To try the Result I sucked an Inch of Water into a Tube and by stopping the upper Orifice and by that means suspending the Water in the Tube I removed it into a Vessel of Oyl and then opening the upper Orifice till an Inch of Oyl was buoyed up into it I removed it again into a Vessel of Water and immersed it so far in that till the Water below the Oyl was equal in height to the Water above it in which station the Cylinder of Oyl and Water being equal in weight with the Pressure of the external Water the Oyl Q. R. was suspended betwixt the Water S. R. and that below it P. Q. the Surface of the Water in the Pipe T. S. being so much above the Surface of the Water A D. as was requisite to make the Oyl and Water contained in the Pipe to press equally on the Surface G. H. with the external Water See Plate 4. Fig. 1. as Plate 4. Fig. 1. represents PARADOX X. That the Cause of the Ascension of Water in Syphony paradox X and of flowing through them may be explained without having recourse to Nature's Abhorrency of a Vacuum To demonstrate this See Plate 4. Fig. 2. we provided a Glass Tube A B. C D. of a convenient wideness and half a
but whether Marcasites may be of use in graduating Gold or not I shall leave to others to be considered There is this Advertisement which I must not omit and it is that tho' some are used to employ flux powders indiffently without understanding the difference of them I have tryed that Lead Ore being fluxed with filings of Mars afforded a larger quantity of Metal than with a due proportion of Nitre and Tartar fulminated together but one part of good native Cinnabar finely powdered being mixed with a fix't Alkaly of Tartar and the other with a different flux powder we obtained twice as much Mercury from the former as we did from the latter tho' it was likewise a fixt Alkaly of a mineral Nature Some Observations about native Gold Observations about native Gold Tho' I once believed that there was no such thing as a Gold Mine in which that Metal was predominant yet I had a Portion of Ore sent me from the East-Indies with the spar about it which had I broke it I question not but that it contained Parts which were malleable without the help of the fire one piece of this had so much Spar about it that it weighed to an equal bulk of Water as 2 91 100 to 1. The colour of the Spar was like white Marble tinged with a dash of yellow and it differed from Lead Ore in as much as that is usually so soft as to be easily cut with a knife but this was as hard as a stone and would yield sparks when struck with a piece of Steel and it differed further from Spar of Lead Ore in as much as it was altogether incapable of being calcined tho' kept in a Crucible red hot for some hours Nor would it be dissolved in Acid Menstruums as Spar of Lead Ore may A piece of Spar in which but little Gold was contained being weigh'd in Water was to its proportion as 2 65 100 to 1 which is but little above the weight of common Marble But tho' there is such a thing as true Gold Ore yet I would not discourage Mineralists from seeking it in Veins of other Minerals since it hath been found not only in Copper Mines but veins of Tin and Lead for in a place in Scotland several grains of native Gold have been found near the Surface of the ground over Lead Mines some pieces of which being weighed Hydrostatically one piece of Scotch Gold which was native and free from adhering Spar weighed three drachms twenty one grains and another which had Spar sticking to it weighed three drachms three grains and a third of Scotch Gold weighed in Air forty three grains in Water thirty nine Difference 3 × 1 ◠Proport 12 × ◠◠to one But to distinguish pure Gold from impure we are to note that the Proportion of the finest according to Mersennus is as eighteen to one of Water but according to ours as nineteen to one So that as it comes more or less short of that Standard we are to estimate its Purity And thus by weighing Gold Hydrostatically we may be able to distinguish that Sand-Gold which is brought from Africa or that from Guinea from adulterated for having once weighed a small Parcel of good the Weight of that will be a Standard to distinguish the bad by But since a great many ignorant Sea-men are concern'd in buying Gold who understand not how to examine it Hydrostatically I shall subjoyn the following method to distinguish it Chymically viz. By mixing a few Grains with Aq. fortis Spirit of fermented Urine or Spirit of Harts-horn for if it be adulterated with Copper or Brass a few Grains laid upon Paper and moistned with this will be tinged bluish green And even rank Urine will be able to extract a blue Tincture from Brass if made use of instead of the afore-mention'd Spirits and the like success will happen with Sal-Armoniack dissolv'd in Water There are in England such a great variety of Stones that it would be worth while to examine them Hydrostatically and to compare them with Crystal for I have found near the high Road an Eagle-Stone which was not suspected to be of English growth And I found a kind of Magnesia near a Potter's Work-house which he afterwards made use of to glaze his Pots And I was brought to a Mineral Substance which tho' it was hard to be known of what Kind it was yet I soon discover'd it to abound with Vitriol and that it would yield it much more plentifully than the Vitriol-Stones found near the Isle of Wight or those made use of at the Vitriol-Works near Deptford and elsewhere And Ore of Bismuth hath been discover'd by a heedful Eye when common Miners knew not what kind of Substance it was when they dug it up But this Hydrostatical way of estimating Ores may not only be made of use in judging of Mineral Substances but those Earths which are the Wombs of them since tho' they cannot be suspended by a Hair as solid Grains of Ore yet a Jar may be counterpoised in Water and then being filled with such Earths the weight of them may be discover'd by first counterpoising them in the Air and then having first wetted them with Water and convey'd them into the Water in that Hydrostatical Bucket And that this Hydrostatical way of weighing Earths may be of use appears since it hath not only been observ'd that a red Mud which lay at the bottom of Water abounded with Iron plentifully but I have observ'd the same in an English Oker And I have been told that Diamonds as well as Gold have been found in a red kind of Soyl. And I have observ'd in England curiously figur'd Crystals lodged in a Soyl of a red Colour And it may not only be of use to weigh divers sorts of Earths in our Bucket but also several sorts of Sands since by a Microscope I have discern'd several Grains to appear as if they were made of an Aggregate of Granates and I have experienc'd not only Hydrostatically that that black Sand which is made use of in London contains good store of Particles of a Martial Nature but I have likewise been convinc'd by fluxing it and by casting it whilst it was melted into the Conical Part of a Crucible And I further observ'd that ⅞ of it would be attracted by a powerful Load-Stone But a Mineral of a martial Nature hath not only been observ'd in Sand but Gold on the Banks of Guiny and on the Banks of Tagus which runs by Lisbon and Pactolus and some hath been found on the Banks of the Rhine and a little River which runs down from the Mountains in Savoy But much more Gold may be got from Sand Chymically than by picking it up if the Sand be reduced to Glass with Litharge or Minium and then the volatil Gold be obtain'd by giving it a Body fit to retain and fix it such as Silver out of which I have got by Quartation out of as much
less so it might be said to be of a Magnitude proportionable for if it weighed but 128 grains less in Water it might be said to be of such a bulk of Water but if it weighed 256 wanting thirty two grains that being an eight of a whole Cubick Inch of Water the bulk of the Body may be said to be ⅞ of a Cubick Inch. And if the Body weighs one ounce thirty two grains amounting to 512 grains or one ounce and a half forty eight grains amounting to 768 grains the bulk of the Body will be equal to two or three Cubical Inches And if after the Division there remains a Fraction it will not be difficult to estimate it and to know the exact bulk of the Body since the Cubical Inch consists of such aliquot Parts as are easily and regularly divided and subdivided And thus we may easily know the bulk of a Body that is heavier than Water but if it be specifically lighter it will be a difficult matter The method Mersennus proposes is this viz. First weigh the Body to be examined in the Air. Secondly take a piece of Lead of a determinate weight and able to sink the other Body in Water Thirdly weigh the Plate in Water and the weight it loses in Water will be the weight of Water equal in bulk to the Body weighed Fourthly tye together the Plate of Lead and the lighter Body and note the weight of the Aggregate Fifthly weigh the Aggregate in Water and substract the weight of it there from its weight in the Air and the difference will be the specifick weight of the said Body in Water Sixthly from this difference substract the formerly found specifick Gravity of the Plate alone in Water and the remains will give you the weight of the lighter Body in the same Liquor And then dividing the obtained weight of the light Body in Water by 256 grains and it will give you the solid content of that naturally floating Body To illustrate this method I shall subjoin the following Experiment I. The Oaken Cube in Air weighs seven drachms thirteen grains and a half 193 ½ II. The weight of the Lead in Air four drachms 240 III. The weight of the Lead in Water three drachms and a half ten grains 220 which being substracted from its weight in Air leaves for its specifick weight in Water 020 IV. The Aggregate of the two in Air is 433 ½ V. The weight of both together in Water is 162 which being substracted from its weight in Air gives the difference of both the Aggregates 271 ½ VI. The difference betwixt the weight of Lead alone in Air and in Water or which is all one the specifick weight of the Plate alone viz. 020 Being substracted from the difference of the Aggregates in Air and in Water gives for the weight of the Cube proposed which wants but four and a half of the weight of a Cubical Inch of Water 251 ½ The same method that hath been taken with solids not subject to dissolve in Water may be taken with Alloms c. Which is only by employing Oyl of Turpentine instead of Water for a Cubical Inch of that weighing 221 grains and ⅛ the difference of the weight of a solid in the Air and in that Oyl being divided by that Number the Quotient will give you the solid contents of the Examined Body But to discover the weight of Bodies which are apt to imbibe too much of the Liquor they are weighed in we may guard them from it by a thin coat of Bees-Wax and having first taken the weight of the Wax in Air and then fastned it to a Plate of Lead substract the weight of as much Water as is equal in bulk to the Wax and proceed with the Body contained and the Plate of Lead as before taught and having thus obtained the Weight of the proposed Body in Water by dividing it by 256 grains by the help of the Quotient we may obtain the solid contents of the proposed Body Another way I devised for to learn the solid contents of a Body without imbibing Water into it was by finding the weight of a Cubick Inch of Mercury and also the specifick weight of the Vessel and then pouring upon the Body contained in that Vessel as much Silver as it would hold by knowing the weight of that Quick-silver from the weight of the whole which the Vessel would contain one might be acquainted to how much Mercury the matter contained was equal Having thus proposed a Hydrostatical way of trying Bodies I shall leave it to others to contrive an Instrument more apt for such uses than I have done And shall to what I have said add that these kind of Experiments do not always equally answer in success being apt to be diversifyed as well by the want of uniformity in the Qualities and specifick weight of Bodies of the same Denomination as by the difference in Water in intensely Hot and Cold Weather as also upon the account of less exact Ballances But another reason is the difference of weights of the same Denomination for we are told by a diligent Mathematician that cum omnia grana vel semina quae reperiri solent in atriis venalibus Lutetiae and stateram expendisset vix granum ullum inter ejusdem Speciei grana grano alteri exacte respondisset in incertis Ludere noluit And the same Author tells us that 688 Roman grains are but equal to 576 French grains and this estimate of their difference by another Ballance was found to be thirty six grains false And the same Author receiving two accounts of the number of grains contained in a Roman ounce the one told him there were 612 the other 576. And tho' our weights as well as those made use of by Gheraldus have twenty four scruples in an ounce yet he divided his scruples into twenty four grains whereas we divide ours but into twenty And Mersennus p. 37. lib. 16. tells us that cum autem dixi Chelinum undecim dici denariorum credunt tamen alii decem duntaxat nil assero And. To what hath been said I shall only add that tho' this method of weighing Bodies be not Mathematically exact yet it comes as near Physical exactness as we can expect and may be of use till some more nice way of Tryals be found out A Table representing not only the Weight of several Bodies in Air and Water but their Proportions in Weight to an equal Bulk of Water A Weight In Air in Gr. In Water in Grains Proportion AMber 306 12 1 4 100 to 1. Agat 251 156 2 64 100 to 1. A piece of Allom-stone 280 ¾ 152 ¼ 2 18 100 to 1. Antimony good and supposed to be Hungarian One 391 295 4 7 100 to 1. B    Bezoar stone 187 61 1 48 100 to 1. A piece of the same 56 ½ 22 1 64 100 to 1. A fine Oriental one 172 60 1 53 100 to 1. Another 237 61 1 34
he expands himself CHAP. IV. Laudanum Helmontii Junioris Communicated in the Philosophical Transactions of October 1674. Preparations of Laudanum TAKE of Opium four ounces of the Juice of Quinces four pound cut the Opium small and digest it in the Juice of Quinces ten days or more then filtre it and having infused in it of Cinnamon Nutmegs and Cloves each one ounce let them infuse six days and then having let it just boil a little filtre it and evaporate the moisture till the Mass is of what consistence you desire and incorporate with it two or three ounces of Saffron well powdered and make it up into a Mass The Dose of this Laudanum if kept liquid is from five to ten drops or less and of the Pills a less quantity is required CHAP. V. Observations of an Earth-Quake made at Oxford and communcated in the Transactions of April 2. 1666. Observations of au Earth-Quake RIding betwixt Oxford and a Lodging in the Country which was four Miles off the first two Miles it was colder than at other times all that Winter but before I got home the Wind turned and Rain began to fall And in an hour after I perceived a trembling in the House where I was and soon after there happened a brisk Storm At Brill a place higher than where I was the Earth-Quake was more sensible the Stones in the floor of a Gentleman's House being perceived to move This Hill abounds with several kinds of Mineral substances and I am told that from that place the Earth-Quake extended it self several Miles CHAP. VI. Passages relating to the Art of Medicine Passages relating to the Art of Medicines THO' the following passages may be of small use to the Ingenious and Experienced Masters yet since they may be fervicable to younger Physicians I shall for their Information impart them EXPERIMENT I. A tall well set Gentleman about twenty four years old having by a fall broke his Skull in several places which were several times Trepaned and large Chasms made in it by the taking away of several pieces in about three days time he was seized with a Palsey on one side so violently as to be deprived of motion and almost of sense except that in his Leg he had some short remissions And this Palsie continued about twenty four weeks about which time his head being further laid open they found a Splinter of a bone much like the scale of a Fish which stuck so fast and close to the Dura Mater that an effusion of Blood accompanyed the taking of it away but that being stopped in about three days time his Palsie began to leave him and he is now very strong and healthy tho' the Callus which supplies the place of his Skull be very large From whence it appears what great effects may spring from a very slight cause But besides the aforementioned Observations it was further to be taken notice of that the Parts whilst the Palsie continued were not only deprived of sense and motion but were very much extenuated by a continued Atrophy which loss of substance they acquired again upon a Cessation of the Paralytick affection And it was further to be observed that all the difference betwixt those and other Parts was that they were more subject to be cold To which we may add that tho' he was frequently let blood he continued to have a good stomach nor did the affection of the Brain cause the least Vomiting or Convulsions EXPERIMENT II. To shew the great and terrible effects of sudden Passions of the mind I shall relate the following History viz. That a Woman having taken a Boy to a River side with her which she loved very well the Boy accidentally falling into the Water unseen by her when she missed him she was taken with a dead Palsie which could not be removed EXPERIMENT III. But to shew what contrary effects violent Passions of the mind may have I shall add that a Gentleman who was in his youth taken with so violent a Sciatica that he could not go but was carried to Church and look't upon as Incurable yet once when he was in the Church news being brought that the enemy was entred into the Town which was a Frontier Garrison and designed to Massacre all in the Church they all fled and left him behind them who being as much afraid of himself as the rest got off his seat and walk'd along like other Men and this I received from the Person affected forty years after the said fright who in all that time suffered not the least relapse of the Distemper It might be of no small advantage to Physick would Philosophers amongst those Experiments which they lay down as relating to what they write purposely about communicate those which they think of use to Physicians though they should be less pertinent to the Subject under Consideration for which reason I shall for the future communicate such desiring this short Advertisement may be my Apology A desined Chymical Medicine EXPERIMENT IV. Though Vomitive Medicines are not a little dangerous yet since in several Diseases they are altogether requisite I shall here lay down a Preparation which is as effectual and yet safer than any other Liquor and much to be preferred before an Infusion of Crocus Metallorum The Preparation is this Distill two parts of Antimony and three of Spirit of Wine in a Glass-Receiver 'till the distill'd Menstruum is succeeded with red Flores and filtrating the Liquor through Cap-Paper lay it up for use close stoped It may be given from four to eight or ten Drops in a spoonful or two of Wine Black-Cherry Water or Spring-Water drinking some of the same Liquor after it to wash it down it works very soon and evacuates plentifully and effectually without danger It hath had not only very good success in Surfeits and several other Cases but cured a Person of an intermitting Feaver which put on various Types and continued to afflict the Patient three Years notwithstanding great quantities of the Jesuit's Powder had been frequently given But here it is requisite to add this short Advertisement viz. That the Powder if kept long being apt to precipitate it must either be made use of whilst the Liquor is fresh or the Bottle must be shaked well when it is used A designed Chymical Medicine Considering the great esteem and value of Mineral Waters I contrived a way to imitate them by making use of Ingredients very harmless in themselves and likely to make no less innocent a Composition The Tryal was this Having digested in a Bolt-head two days one part of Filings of Iron with ten of distill'd Vinegar and then increased the Heat 'till the transparent Liquor appear'd to be of an Orange Colour we poured part of it off lest the Menstruum being too much impregnated the Metal should be precipitated This Orange-Colour Tincture being kept for use we dropped four Drops into eight Ounces and a half of common Water which made an
have said I shall add that I have not only seen a Fly in shape and size much like a Grass-hopper enclosed in solid Amber but variously and curiously coloured with his wings displayed And I have seen white Amethists in which there appeared to be several lines some of a brownish and some of a reddish colour which looked like hairs some lying Parallel to each other and others more inclining and I am apt to believe that even Diamonds are not void of Particles of Heterogeneous matter which is countenanced not only by odd Clouds which I have seen in a great many of them but the different specifick Gravity of those of the same Water the difference amounting to a Carrat betwixt Diamonds of the size of two ordinary Pease But besides what hath been already offered to prove that Gems have been once in a fluid form it may be further alledged that the Mineral Particles which they are so uniformly tinged with are convincing Arguments since it is inconceivable how they should otherwise be so impregnated And to what hath been already delivered I shall further add what is delivered by a French Author viz. That the Stones which are found in the Earth have their Water coloured by the Earth whether it be fat and black or abounds with black or red Sand and in some the Gems have been observed to be black or yellow but tho' this Author hath said thus much which countenances our Hypothesis yet I must not omit to advertise that tho' he asserts Diamonds to be not only the hardest but heaviest of Stones I must yet say that they are not the heaviest as may be Hydrostatically discovered But perhaps against what we have said It may be urged first that the figures of these Crystals are so curious that a Plastick or Seminal Power seems requisite to the forming of them which were it requisite it might be answered that that Plastick Power may be lodged in fluid as well as solid substances since the solid Parts of Animal Bodies as well as Plants are formed of liquid substances but that the figures of these Crystals may be owing to an apt convension and coalition of fluid Particles may be argued hence viz. Since common Salt by the help of Oyl of Sulphur or of Vitriol and Water will shoot into Crystals with Points like Diamonds and not unlike native Crystal in shape and transparency but if the Quality or proportion of the Oyl of Vitriol be varyed they will shoot into Crystals sometimes of one shape and sometimes of another for the most part fiuely figured And to shew that the regular figure of Sea-salt contributes not to such figurations I shall add that having dissolved some Stony Stiriae found in Caves or Grottoes in Spirit of Verdigrease and evaporated the clear solution in a digestive Furnace after the ordinary manner it yielded rather a coagulated Mass than any thing like Crystals whence it appears that a concourse of circumstances may be sufficient to determine the figures of consistent Bodies made of fluid ones especially since when I allowed a longer time for the fluid to shoot in it afforded a good number of distinct Crystals long transparent and curiously shaped And not only the external figure of Crystalized Bodies may be accounted for without he help of a Plastick Power but their internal Construction likewise since divers Bodies upon a slow coalition will form Concretes some of which will consist of streaks and others of flakes as lumps of Sal-Armoniack which tho' a factitious Body when broke will appear to be full of streaks like those Stiriae observed in petrifying Water And I have made artificial Concretes of Salts alone or of Salts or Minerals as Stones or Antimony which look very like Talk being white Bodies made up of a multitude of streaky Particles lying long ways one upon another as in that Mineral and I have not only found Concretes shaped like Rhomhus's or Lozenges composed of a multitude of flat and extreamly thin Plates but have imitated such by Art And I have observed that tho' generally Crystals of Silver form flakes seemingly simple like scales of Fishes yet when they have shot leasurely they are Geometrically enough shaped and made up of thin flakes sticking one to another And Tin-Glass which naturally consists of a multitude of shining and polished flakes will tho' beaten to Powder and melted upon its Refrigeration form several broad and shining flakes which lying one upon another cross each other at various Angles as the matter happens in several Portions to be variously refrigerated And the like instances may be observed in some Mixtures of Copper Iron and other Minerals and very conspicuously in good Regulus Martis Stellatus whose internal structure appears upon breaking of it to be made up of shining flakes almost of a specular Polish And tho' whilst we are looking on some Concretes the Stony Stiriae in some places have a streaky and in others an angular Configuration yet I have seen several of them made up of Parts confusedly jumbled together and if there be a due disposition in the components Parts to such Configurations they may be brought to Concretes in a far shorter time than any one would expect or believe so that a solution of Silver being heated hot and removed suddenly into cold Water one might not only very easily but plainly see the Silver shoot with ones naked Eye but even a strong Solution of Sal-Armoniack or some Urinous Spirit being spread upon the outside of a Glass in which a frigorifick Mixture is contained will in less than a minute of an hour be coagulated into Crystals of a determinate figure according to the Nature of the Liquor that afforded it But if against these instances it be urged that tho' they are taken from saline Bodies which are for the most part disposed to convene into smooth Surfaces and Angular shapes and are easily wrought on by External Cold yet it may seem strange that the figure of a Mould or Womb should alter the Internal Construction of solid Minerals and Gems but that it may is evident since tho' Tin-Glass consists of several smooth and bright Planes which sometimes meet and sometimes lye across each other at very different Angles yet having beaten a sufficient quantity of it to Powder and when it was melted cast it into Iron Moulds whose Cavities were each an Inch in Diameter it formed a Bullet which when varily broke seemed to be made up of a multitude of shining Planes so shaped and placed that they rought every way like so many Radius's of a Sphere tending from a Centre to the Circumference so that they seemed gradually to decrease as they were removed further and further from the Circumference But if the melted Tin-Glass was permitted to cool in a Crucible the hardened matter would form several Planes irregularly and confusedly associated together And the like Experiment being tryed with Regulus of Antimony it succeded tho' not so uniformly as with Tin-Glass
And melted Sulphur being hardened in the same Moulds the Concreted Mass seemed when broke to consist of flakes like Straws lying Parallel to each other But how the flakes of Tin-Glass came to be so regularly situated and whether the outside being first condensed the contiguous Liquor was connected by apposition successively as it moved within the crusted Surface or whether it was otherwise effected I shall not now stay to examine but to what I have said I shall add that having broke several Marchasites of a peculiar sort I found them to consist of several rows of Planes reaching from the inermost Parts to the External Surface and in those which were somewhat Cylindrically shaped on the outside these Ranks of Gold coloured Particles in the several Planes of the broken Mineral seemed like Semi-Diameters issuing out from from a row of Physical Points conceived to be placed on an Imaginary Line lying almost like the Axes of a Cylinder between the apposite ends as if the Wombs wherein those Marchasites were found contained the fluid matter as in Molds and as if it Concreted there as Tin-Glass or Regulus did in the Molds But tho' from hence it may appear that tho' the figures of such Concretes be curious enough yet they may easily be accounted for without a seminal Principle yet I find not the uniformity of the figrue always so great as is imagined but rather to depend on the different Figure and Texture of the Wombs they are contained in for comparing American African and European Granats together I found that one which weighed eleven grains and a half tho it seemed to have been coagulated in a fluid Medium and to consist of twelve Plains at the concourse of two or three of which it seemed to have been broken off from the Root or Womb yet it was not of the Dodecahedron of Geometricians for whereas that consists of twelve equilateral and equiangled Pentagons almost all the Planes that made up our Granate were quadrilateral and not of a regular shape or Magnitude for one of them seemed to have five sides others resembled a Rhombus some a Rhomboides but most were a little bigger than the Trapezia But besides the want of uniformity in these Stones I observed amongst Cornish Diamonds that some of them were curiously and Geometrically shaped like Rock-Crystal having each six sides whereof every two that were opposite were equal to each other and tho' the Stone had a Pyramidal Termination made up of several resembling and curiously figured Planes that terminated in a solid Angle or Apex yet the greatest number of the Titular Diamonds were made up of very irregularly shaped Stones for tho' most of them had six long Planes yet the opposite were most of them irregular and unlike and tho' the Apex was made up of Planes apart usually Angular yet being compared with each other they were far from being uniform tho' it appeared that they shot in a fluid Ambient except at the bottom where they were fastned to the Rock And I have observed a great irregularity in the Area of the Superficial Planes or their figures or both in Diamonds brought from the East-Indies Having shewn that the figures of Stones are far from discountenancing our conjectures of their Originals I shall proceed to shew that they help to confirm them since I have seen a small Cornish Diamond so bedded in a large one that it left a Cavity in it when separated and on the contrary I have sometimes seen a large one so joyned to a smaller as to form a Cavity within it which is a likely Argument that the one being first hardened afterwards a soft matter was collected together and being contiguous hardened in such a form as to contain part of the other in the Cavity which was formed whilst the one was fluid and the other was hardened which may be illustrated by considering how Nitrous or Aluminous Salts fasten themselves about pieces of sticks and leave a Cavity proportionably to the solid contained To which I shall add that I have seen a Stone which was taken out of a Silver Mine which had coagulated about the Branches of a Silver Wire which was produced by Nature in the Mine Another Argument of the fluid state of Gems and their Impregnation with Mineral Stems may be drawn from their Specifick Gravity for whereas common Rock-Crystal is to its bulk of Water as two and almost two thirds to one the weight of an American Granate was as four to one And tho' by this method a tinged Gem hath not so great a difference in its proportion to Water yet it may nevertheless be impregnated with Mineral Particles for I found by Hydrostatically weighing Water impregnated with Iron that it was not much heavier than common Water Another Argument may be drawn from the Medicinal Virtues of Stones and the Metalline or Mineral substances as well from Opacous Stones as Opacous Gems c. as the Turquois the Onyx the Sardonix c. as also Cats Eyes Opates c. And indeed I much question whether Diaphaneity depends on the essence of a Gem since it may rather proceed from the Position of the Parts of a Pigment and the scituation of the Pores in reference to the Beams of Light But waving a further consideration of this matter I shall rather subjoyn that precious Stones and even Diamonds themselves have sometimes great clouds which makes them in those Parts almost Opacous without out being less of the Nature of true Diamonds And it is observable that Cornelians and Agats are some of them transparent and some of them Semidiaphanous as the Portion of the Mineral Pigment is greater or less or as it is more or less inconveniently mixed And I have seen even a Sardonix transparent and on the contrary figured Granates which were both of them Diaphanous And I have some by me of several Countries which tho' they are in some places Diaphanous yet in the main they are almost as dark as ordinary Stones And I question not but that if the Glassy Nature of Gems did not render common Menstruums inaccessable Mineral Particles might be extracted from them and when they are considerable I question not but that they may be obtained from solid and transparent Gems for having kept Granats in a hot Crucible till they changed their colour and afforded a very fine Powder that being digested with rectifyed Spirit of Wine afforded a curious Tincture and burnt Granats gave Aqua Regis a Tincture which in some measure resembled a solution of Gold but a drop of the Liquor being put to a great many drops of Tincture of Galls it turned them as black as Ink if not blacker And the like measures being taken with Granates which were looked upon by some to be Rubies the Tincture coloured an Infusion of Galls not quite so black as the other but a white Powder was precipitated at the same time and by the use of an urinous Spirit a redish substance
which being dryed in the Air formed Bodies like Moss and here and there small Mushrooms prettily coloured And from other Granates I obtained a Tincture which after evaporation did in the Cold afford saline Concretions but so small that their figures could not be determined And probably were tryals made other Mineral Concretes might be wrought on by appropriated Menstruums for tho' the Spar that is found in Lead Mines next the Veins of Ore be Semidiaphanous and usually breaks in smooth and Glassy Superficies and looks like a Talck and also for the most Part is made up of figured Particles shaped like Rhombuus's or Rhomboides yet I found it was a more open Body than Talk being dissolved in Spirit of Salt without the assistance of Heat But I am apt to believe that besides the methods already mentioned there are other methods to discover the Metalline Ingredients of a Body by Fusions and proper Additaments And to conclude this Chapter I shall subjoyn the following Experiment viz. Having dissolved Stony Stiriae of petrifyed Water in Spirit of French Verdigrease and after a gentle Evaporation placed it in a cool place it yielded â—…stals figured much like those of pure Nitro◠〈◊〉 some of this Stony solution being mixed wiâ—â— a solution of Copper they did not precipitate each other but upon Evaporation yielded Crystals transparent and colourless and that were richly adorned with a greenish blue Tincture of the Metal CHAP. II. Containing a Conjecture about the Causes of the Virtues of Gems FROM what hath been elsewhere and in the preceding Chapter laid down it appears that the Earth does not only abound with several Mineral and Metalline substances a great many of which are undiscoverd and a great many already known but also that several Mines are furnished with Water which being impregnated variously may be no dispicable Menstruums but may likewise concur to the Production of Mineral Bodies and not only serve as corrosive Menstruums but pure Solvents to Mineral Earths And that common Water is able to impregnate it self not only with Saline but Mineral Parts is evident from the various tasts of Waters and their uses some being fitter for brewing others for washing some for dying particular Colours and some to temper Steel and others again for other uses And amongst the most remarkable â—…ies are Thermae and Acidulae reckoned up by various Authors as also Salt Springs and those Waters of Hungary and other Parts which yield a Vitriol which is a substance compounded and decompounded containing a saline a Sulphureous a Metalline and an Earthy Part and if Water may be thus impregnated with Metalline Parts it is no difficulty to apprehend how a Lapidescent Humour being sufficiently mixed with and proportioned to it may be coagulated into Stony Stiriae and from such like Coalitions may arise those precious Stones and transparent Gems for the Virtue of specifick Juices are so powerful that I have seen Vegetable substances sufficiently hardened by them to grave on Iron and I had a substance which I looked upon to be a petrifyed Gum which was hard enough to grave on Glass And if the Parts of Minerals may thus by being dissolved in Water be mixed with a petrifyed Body by this means Gems may not only be impregnated but thence receive their Medicinal Virtues as the Nature of the Mineral is different in Qualities and abounds in Quantity which Original of their Virtues may be rendeed probable not only by what hath been said in the foregoing Chapter but by their different colours And that their Impregnation with Mineral Parts enobles them with Medicinal Virtues is evident from the Testimony of Experience and is rendered probable by the Effects of a Loadstone which tho a much harder substance than some Gems emits Effluvia very copiously and hath not only manifest Effects on Iron but Humane Bodies And even those Pebbles with which they counterfeit Diamonds have been caused in a trice to emit copious and strongly scented Steams and even Diamonds the hardest of Gems may by rubbing be caused to emit Electrical Effluvia And tho' it be thought by some that the digestion of a Man's Stomach is not able to extract the Metalline Parts yet there may be a greater Congruity betwixt the Juices of our Bodies and the Mineral substances with which they were impregnated than we are aware of besides we see that the Stomach hath manifest Effects on Chalybeate Preparations and even crude Steel it self And I have obtained a Tincture from several hard Bodies and even Gems themselves by a Liquor distilled from a Vegetable substance as temperately qualifyed as Bread And that the natural Heat of our Bodies may contribute to the extracting of the Virtues of precious Stones I am perswaded since it makes an evident alteration in the hardest of them so as to render a Diamond Electrical and I have had one which by warm Water would be excited to shine in the dark And indeed it is not altogether improbable that Gems having the most subtile Mineral Steams in them being not dispersed by the action of fire they may be more Effectual considering their quantity than Preparations of Metals which have undergone a Fusion And their Virtues may sometimes be much different upon the account of a great quantity of Mineral Particles since Vunzerus tells us that amongst those Stones which are called Nephritick Stones some are much more effectual than others besides the petrifick Juices themselves may have distinct natures and peculiar Qualities upon the account of their Coalitions with Adventitious Liquors And if petrifying Liquors may have such manifest effects on several Bodies one would think indisposed to petrify why may not such a Liquor subdue transparent Minerals abounding with Saline Sulphureous and Bituminous Bodies which being excited may emit their most subtil Parts and as in the Earth there are severl Bodies compounded by the action of Subterraneal fires those petrifyed may enable the Body with correspondent Qualities on which occasion I here subjoyn that I have seen a saline substance which was formed in the Bowels of the Earth like that which is artificially made And I have seen Volatile Salts and Sulphurs shoot into transparent Crystals in a fluid Medium after Distillation which have been more curiously figured than several Gems And if it be objected in disfavour of the Medicinal Virtues of Gems that they grow no lighter when they are said to emit Effluvia I shall add that not to urge that the Antimonial Cup impregnates Wine without losing of its substance and that Mercury will give Water a Virtue of killing Worms by being boiled in it tho' by these means it loses nothing of its weight I shall rather demand how it appears that Bodies grow no lighter by the loss of their Effluvia And tho' in some cases the Gem may be lighter than Crystal yet it is no argument of their more languid Effects since the specifick Gravity of those Bodies they are impregnated with may be of a saline Nature
and specifically lighter than Crystal And I shall in favour of this add that I have several times made Bodies colourless like Crystal and curiously and regularly figured which were of a compound Nature and abounded with an easily separable and strongly scented Sulphur And on this occasion I shall further add that tho' when Gems are specifically heavier than Crystal it is an Argument of a Metalline substance mixed with them yet sometimes those mineral Particles may be so spirituous as not to increase their specifick Gravity for I have seen a ferruginous Water which tho' strongly impregnated was little heavier than common Water And now if together with what hath been delivered in this Chapter we reflect on what follows concerning the Atmospheres of consistent Solids and the efficacy of Effluviums it will not be absurd to ascribe to precious Stones some Medicinal Virtues especially to those that disposed to emit copious Effluvia And to shew that what we have deliver'd may not only be applyed to transparent but opacious Gems and to render our Hypothesis not only probable but possible I shall intimate First That I have seen lapidescent Juices so penetrating as to turn several Animal and Vegetable Substances into Stone amongst which one was a new Cheese which could be distinguish'd no otherwise from another Cheese but by its stony Hardness and I have a piece of Wood petrified which retains its grain and is hard enough to grave upon Iron or Glass and to resist the action of the Fire and likewise to strike Fire like an excellent Flint But to render this Hypothesis further probable I shall subjoin the following Arguments And First It appears from the Method taken to weigh Bodies in our Medicina Hydrostatica where White Marble was proposed as a Standard to determin whether Metalline parts were in Bodies or not for a piece of White Marble being in proportion to its Bulk of Water as 2 72 100 to 1 and Blood-stone as 5 2 10 to 1 a Loadstone as 4 and 6 10 to 1 Lapis Calaminaris as 4 7 10 to one and Lapis Tutice as 5 to 1 It follows that those must proportionably be impregnated with Mineral Parts heavier in specie than Stone and for that Reason I have found some Stones of the same kind specifically heavier than others as they were impregnated in Solutis Principiis more or Iess with mineral Parts But it will not be amiss here to advertise That some Stones lighter in specie than Fossils may be compounded with mineral Parts and thence deduce their Medicinal Virtues and others may be impregnated with mineral Parts lighter in specie than Marble and consequently their mineral Nature cannot be Hydrostatically determin'd as yet which is to its Bulk of Water as 1 22 100 to 1 and yields no inconsiderable Proportion of Oyl A Second Argument for the Confirmation of our Hypothesis may be deduced from the Necessity of it to explain several Phaenomena as why Diamonds and other Gems shouldbe included in Rocks or Clusters of hard Stones which must be soft or could not at the first admit a hard Gem to lodge amongst their Parts and I shall further urge the Necessity of it from several Gems which I found in an odd kind of Mineral sent me from an American Colony And it is not improbable that Opacous Gems are petrified Earths since they vary so much in their Dimensions so that I have heard of a Spleen-stone which weigh'd 80 Pound weight And I have seen a Medicinal Stone which being sawed asunder its internal Parts were full of Cavities whence it appeared to be made up of porous Earth petrifi'd and not of an indurated Liquor From our Hypothesis the following Phaenomena may be explained viz. Why sometimes one part of a Gem is tinged with a Metal and another is not since in making Artificial Gems the Mineral Pigment hath tinged one Part without discolouring the other And I have now by me a lump of petrifi'd Matter which consists of several Stones which tho' first petrify'd apart and afterwards joined together by a petrescent Liquor bear an uniform polish without discovering betwixt their Parts the least Commissures and an acquaintance of mine discover'd several loose Stones where this was found which were separately of the same Nature and afterwards harden'd into stony Masses by the intervention of a petrescent Liquor And I have an Agat by me which seems to consist of several Layers of Clay or Earth lying parallel to each other and petrify'd partly into Transparent and partly into Opacous Stones and to favour this conjecture I shall add that I have seen several Layers of mineral Earths one upon another within the compass of an Inch which lay in different postures in reference both to the Horizon and each other and sometimes the exterior ones successively surrounded the interior and several of these have been found in a small compass of Ground and by a like Method differently coloured Chalcedonians and Jaspers may be accounted for And from hence may be deduced a Reason why Marchasites and Flints Wood and Shells have been found enclosed in other hard Stones And on this occasion I shall add that Stones which were partly Diaphanous and partly Opacous being calcin'd the diaphanous Parts became White and some others which were before tinged had their Parts heighten'd so as after Calcination to be of a rich and permanent Red and this difference of Colours was not only remarkable in the thin Layers but in the specks and irregularly shaped Clouds whether Greenish or Bluish And to illustrate an Observation formerly made on Diamonds bedded one within another I shall urge what is observed in Cryftalizing Salts where as well as in a Metalline Solution I have observ'd that when a number of Crystals had shot after the first Evaporation several successive Layers shot upon those in the latter of which Solutions the Crystals of one Layer were not only fastened to the others but differed considerably as well in their Shape as Postures In this Metalline Solution the Mineral was only one and the Menstruum simple but had the first been Compound there would have been a greater diversity as likewise Crystals of a compound Nature as when a Solution of Salt-Petre and Sea-salt in Water is set to Crystalize where besides Salts of resulting Figures a considerable part of the Sea-salt coagulates in the Form of imperfect Cubes about the Bottom before the nitrous Particles shoot into Crystals of their own shape And I shall further add That Crystallization may not only be promoted by Evaporation but by soaking part of the Water up either by immersing it or by placing dry Earth under the Solution or some other porous Body And by some Analogy to these Instances we may conceive how some of the superfluous Moisture of a Petrescent Liquor being dispersed the remaining may be more apt to coagulate but by a moist Season or supervening Cold the moisture ceasing to be further dispersed the Coagulation may be for a
scarce discernable if at all as in Loadstones Ambergrease c. Those requiring a long time to make their Consumption discernible in which time we are not sure but the Weights themselves may have lost of their weight as well as the Counterpoise and consequently not be able to discover the loss those sustain But there are several other besides statical ways of trying whether Bodies emit Effluvia or not and there are several peculiar ways requisite to cause them to emit them as Glass c. affect the Nostrils upon an Attrition I had a Diamond as well as a Ruby which would be excited by a gentle heat in my Pocket or only by strokeing my Finger over the former tho' sometimes they would fail to be so easily or uniformly excited and it is not a little strange that upon the Tread of a Hare or Partridge Effluvia should be so long emitted as to give a Scent to Dogs several Hours after And if Load-stones and other Bodies may have Constant Atmospheres which are only to be discover'd by particular Bodies several other Substances not yet taken notice of may emit Effluvia which by peculiar Methods may be discover'd CHAP. IV. Of the Strange Subtlety of Effluviums Of the subtlety of Effluviums THE subtlety of the Effluviums will be most aptly represented by considering I. The strange extensibility of some Bodies whilst their Parts remain tangible II. The Multitude of visible Corpuscles that may be afforded by a small Portion of Matter III. The smallness of the Pores at which the Effluvia of some Bodies will get in IV. The small Decrement of Bulk or Weight that a Body may suffer by parting with great store of Effluvia And V. The great quantity of Space that may be filled as to Sense by a small quantity of Matter when rarify'd or dispersed And First I have observed that a Grain of Silver Wire amounted to 27 Foot or 324 Inches and since half an English Inch may be divided into a 100 Parts by diagonal Lines it must consist of 64800 true Metalline Parts which may be well conceived to be made of Parts yet more minute And I had a gilt Wire an Ounce of which made a Wire 1000 paces long allowing Five Foot to a Pace and 720 Foot above and had this Wire been drawn out to an equal smallness with the Silver Wire the Gold would have been divided to an indefinite number of Parts being sufficient to cover the superficial Area of so long a Wire And I have known Silk to be drawn out of the Mouth of a Worm which tho' it weigh'd but two Grains and a half was 300 Yards long But to evince the great extensibility of Matter we took six beaten Leaves of Gold the sides of whose Squares were 3 Inches and 2 8 which Number being reduced to a Decimal Fraction viz. 3125 100 and multiplyed by it self affords 10â—5â— 10000 for the Area of each and this multiplyed by 6 the Number of the Leaves amounts to 6313750 10000 square Inches for the Area of the six Leaves of Gold which weighed but 1 Gr. ¼ so that 4 Grains was extended to above 50 square Inches And if each of these Inches may by Lines drawn from opposite Points be divided each into 100 Parts one Grain of Gold must be divided into 500000 little squares discernable by a good Eye and if an Inch were divided into 200 Parts as I have one by me that is then a Grain may be divided into 2000000 of squares And to be satisfy'd further of the extensibility of Gold I enquired and was told that 8 Grains of Gold would gild an Ounce of Silver Wire as fine as a Hair and which would reach betwixt 90 and 100 Miles But supposing the Wire to be as fine as that first mentioned and that 8 Grains of Gold went to gild it a sheath of Gold weighing but 8 Grains may be extended so as to reach 60 times as much in weight of Silver Wire as it covers and consequently a grain of that Wire being twenty seven foot long the ounce of Gold would reach to 777600 foot i. e. 155 ½ miles and if this Gold Wire were cut into as small thongs or lists as posibly it might be it must reach to a stupendious length But secondly to shew into what a number of visible Corpuscles a Body may be divided we put an ounce of Water into an Aeolipile and having placed it upon a Chafing-dish of Coals we observed that Vapours streamed out or above sixteen minutes and considering a few intermitting gusts afterwards and what drops of Water were condensed in the top of it I guessed that had the whole been driven out in Vapours they would have continued twenty minutes N. B. to the Orifice of the Aeolipile we applied a long Tube twenty Inches long and an Inch in Diameter the remoter end being continued about six Inches longer and so far expanded that its Diameter was four or five Inches and by the help this Pipe we were able tho' not actly to measure the Extension of the rarified Vapours To this instance I might add the prodigious expansion of some Inflamable Bodies when turned into actual flame as Spirit of Wine c. Which being burnt in a Glass Lamp so contrived that the Surface of the Liquor was still Circular the waste made in ¼ of an hour was very small tho' the Physical superficies of the Liquor must needs be successively rarified and expanded and fly away in streams and if so little of this Liquor was able to afford matter for flame so long the same bulk of a more compact Body may easily be supposed to be capable of being expanded to much greater Dimensions And to these instances I shall add that half a grain of Gun-Powder being exploded under a Vessel whose Basis was eight Inches and its Altitude twenty and its figure such that it was more Capacious than a Cone of that size the exploded Gun-Powder was observed to fill the whole Cavity of the Vessel as to sense and successively issued out of the upper Orifice for half a quarter of an hour so that the Diameter of it being two Inches many Myriads of visible Corpuscles must be conceived to throng out in so long a time as they crouded out one after another But to make a kind of an estimate of the Expansion of this Substance we filled the Vessel full of Water and found that the weight of it amounted to 320000 half grains And if we suppose the specifick Gravity of the Gun-Powder to be as much again as that of Water we my probably guess the smoak to posses 500000 times the space that the Gun-Powder did And as a further Argument of the great minuteness of small Parts of matter I shall urge the smallness of Cheese-mites which being so small as not to be discernable to a naked Eye but when they move must be made of extremely fine Parts otherwise there would not be room enough for an Organical Body
will pass into the Receiver diaphanous and fluid tho' besides the Particles of the sublimate it abounds with Antimonial Particles carried over and kept invisible by the corroding Salt And I am told that Tin will retain its own Nature in the form of fumes or flowers which is evident since that white sublimate which is gathered above the Furnaces where the Ore is brought to Fusion being melted down will yield store of Tin And besides these ways the determinate natures of Effluviums may be distinguished by their sensible Qualities since the Exhalations which rise from several Bodies produced by Art appear to be of different colours tho' no external Heat is employed to raise them for the fumes of Spirit of Nitre well rectify'd when cold and stopped up appear in the Vial to be of a redish colour and when the Vessel is unstopped they will ascend in the form of a redish or Orange tawny Smoak And Spirit of Salt or Oyl will when exposed to the open Air ascend in the form of a white Smoak and so will a Volatil Tincture of Sulphur made with Quick-lime and both this and that of Salt-Petre do by their smell as well as operation discover of what Nature they are and I have observed that the essential Oyl of Wormwood being drawn off in a Copper Alembick Tinned was not only green but retained that colour when rectify'd in a Glass-Vessel and tho' these essential Oyls be but the condensed Effluvia of Vegetables yet they retain the genuine taste of the Bodies from whence they were drawn And not only Wormwood but Amber may communicate their taste by Effluvia raised without the help of Heat for Wormwood having been kept in a close Room not only affected the Nostrils strongly but the Tongue with a bitter taste and Amber kept in Spirit of Wine impregnated it sufficiently to give it a genuine taste as well as smell and that most essential Oyls retain their genuine Odours is very evident And that the Effluvia of Bodies may affect even the Touch of Animals may not only be argued from the effects perceived by some People upon changes of Weather but by that memorable passage related by Diemerbroeck who after he was cured of the Plague it left such a change in some Parts of his Body that he says Ab illo periculo ad contagiosos mihi appropinquanti in emunctoriis successit dolor vix fallax Pestis indicium To which I shall add that I knew one who could hear very soft whispers when ill of a Feaver tho' the sound and healthful standers by could not and I was told by a Lady that she could tell by her smell whether one that came to visit her had been in any place where the Ground was covered with Snow And I knew a Gentleman whose Eyes were so tender during a Distemper he had in them that he could discern and distinguish colours in the dark And I am told that a Blood-Hound found out a Man barely by scent tho' he had passed through a Market Town and several Crouds of People And further instances may be brought from Observations made on Blood-Hounds some of which will scent a Deer twenty four hours after And a Gentleman told me that he knew when his Dogs were in pursuit of a Fox or a Hare because they ran with their Noses nearer the Ground after the latter the scent of it not being so strong And I prepared a Body of a Vegetable Substance which tho' actually cold would impart its colour to a Metalline Plate tho' separated from it by the interposition of a piece of Paper But perhaps it may be Objected by some that these Effluviums may be altered by uniting with each other in the Air. To which it may be answered That they may nevertheless reserve their determinate natures tho' they act conjointly or so near it that their distinct Operations cannot be perceived as when two strings of a Musical Instrument are struck at the same time they both of them seem to make only one Impression upon the Ear. And if Spirit of Nitre be dropped into Oyl of Tartar per deliquium upon an Evaporation of the superfluous moisture the Acid and Alkalious Particles will form Nitrous Concretions whose taste will be different from that of either of the separate Ingredients And so if an equal proportion of Sal-Armoniack be added to a strong solution of Pot-ashes or Salt of Tartar a subtil urinous Spirit will come over in Distillation and also a Caput Mortuum which is almost wholly a compounded Salt differing enough from either of the Ingredients especially the Alkalizate in taste and other Qualities And to these Instances I shall add that several flowers being aptly mixed in a Nosegay and held at a distance they make a confused and joynt impression upon the Organ of smelling and so do Perfume made up of several Ingredients and Spirit of fermented Urine and of Wine being well dephlegmed will incorporate like Wine and Water without affording the least dry Sediment but if in a convenient Vessel they be exposed to a moderate Heat the ascending fumes will adhere to the upper part of the Glass in the form of a white but tender Sublimate different from either of the Liquors not only in consistence but taste and smell And if Spirit of Salt and Nitre be elevated by Distillation in the form of fumes the condensed Liquor will dissolve Gold tho' neither Spirit of Nitre nor of Salt would do so And to demonstrate the Coalition of steams in the Air I shall add that having filled two Vials the one with Spirit of Salt and the other with Spirit of Sal-Armoniack well rectify'd the ascending fumes which before were invisible working one upon another in the Air formed visible steams which appeared like Smoak but when they were removed a greater distance from each other the separate and invisible steams were no longer discernable And one thing relating to this Experiment which was remarkable was that a drop of Spirit of Salt hanging at the end of a Glass stick being held over the Orifice of a Vial with a long Neck the ascending Vapours of Sal-Armoniack would form a Smoak which would be visible till it was a quarter of a yard above the Glass but if the drop was held within the Neck of the Vial the aforementioned fumes would fall into the Ball of the Glass like a stream of Liquor and spread it self like a mist upon the Surface of the Sal-Armoniack Which Experiment may help us to account for the sudden Invasion of Meteors and Clouds especially in reference to the coming in or ceasing of several Epidemical diseases and more particularly the Plague which seems to depend on the Occult temper and alterations of the Air differently impregnated with subterraneal Effluvia An Instance of which is related by Diemerbroeck who tells us of a Plague occasion'd by washing of foul Linnen with Soap the Fumes of the Smoak uniting with other Effluvia in the Air causing
that Effect to which might be added what is observed about the ceasing of the Plague at Grand Cayro in Egypt but enough of that having been already delivered in another Place I shall add here that I have made a stain upon a Body by the invisible steams and Effluvia of another cold Body I altered the Colour of that Stain by the invisible and cold steams of a Third And to countenance my Conjecture of the Cause of Meteors besides what hath been said of subterraneal Effluvia in another Place I shall add the following Citation from Agricola who having mention'd out of Ancient Historians the raining of White and Red Liquors subjoins Vt autem majorem fidem habeamus Analium monumentis facit res res illa decantata quae Patrium memoria in Suaevia accidit Aer enim ille stillavit guttas quae lineas vestes crucibus rubris quasi sanguineis imbuebant And it will not be thought strange that subterraneal Salts Bitumens and Sulphurs may be raised into the Air if so fixed a Body as common Earth may which the newly cited Author testifies And that the odoriferous Particles of Plants reserve their determinate Nature much longer than we are wont to imagine may appear since one drop of Oyl of Cinnamon gave not only a taste to 14000 times its Bulk of Water but withal diffused a great number of odoriferous Particles through the ambient Air. The Last way we shall mention to evince the determinate Nature of Effluviums is from their Effects on other Bodies As the stupefying Effluvia of the Fish Amoreatim mentioned by Piso The effects of Opium and Hypnoticks upon a Boy who whilst he was distilling them cast him into a sleep And the Root and Juice of Mandragora is said to cast those that take it into a deep Sopor like a Lethargy and Levinus Lemnius tells us that the Apples of the same Plant being laid in his Study made him so sleepy that he could scarce recover himself Aurelaeus tells us that the Poison of a Mad Dog hath been convey'd to one in the form of Effluvia and Calius Aurelianus acquaints us That some have become mad by being wounded only by the Claws of a mad Dog and that one fell into an Hydrophobia solo odore ex rabido cane attracto And Matthiolus tells us of one who was poisoned only by putting his Hand into the Mouth of the mad Dog without being bit and to this I shall add that Sennertus relates that a Painter having opened a Box in which Realgar had been contained the Fumes being snussed up his Nostrils presently caused a giddiness in his Head and fainting Fits To these Instances I shall add That several have been purged by the smell of Black Hellebore and as Sennertus witnesses by the Odor of Coloquintida and there are several other Things which purge when only externally applyed And it is attested by approved Writers that the Shadow of a Wallnut-Tree with the Leaves on it is very hurtful to the Head And it is not only observed That Birds will not so much as light upon those Poysonous Trees in the West Indies called the Manchinello-Tree and it is looked upon as safe for Men to eat of Fruit found in a strange Country if it appears that the Birds have been pecking at them before And Nicolaus Florentinus tells us of one who drawing into his Nostrils the Smoak of a burnt Spider he was much disordered and fell into a fainting Fit and was much disordered about the Heart his Pulse being likewise weak tho' after he was cur'd by a mixture of Treacle Diamosc and the Powder of Zedoary And I saw a Berry called Maccu-buy in Ireland which being pounded in a Mortar caused the Head and Face of one that stood hard by to swell enormously And To what hath been delivered of the determinate Nature of Effluviums I shall add that Amber Musk Civet c. will communicate a Perfume to Gloves tho at a distance off them and contagious Distempers as the Plague Small-Pox or Measles may not only be communicated by immediate Contact but by steams which issue from the Body of the sick Person But to conclude this Chapter I shall add the following Experiment Viz. Having shut up an Ounce of a Volatile Tincture of Sulphur in a Vial capable of holding at least twice as much and having placed a Paper at some distance and unstopped the Vial the spreading Fumes presently caused what was writ with invisible Ink to become legible And so would several Letters writ with a Solution of Sublimate in Water some of them being more and others less Black according to their distances from the smoaking Liquor and other Circumstances And when the Paper thus writ upon was held over the Orifice of the Vial tho' the Letters were on the upper side yet in a quarter of an Hour they became legible and as in some cases this smoaking Liquor with a solution of Sublimate will produce a Precipitate of a Silver Colour so in some of the Colourless Ink we found the like Colour And I have performed the like with a couple of Liquors wherein was neither Sulphur nor Sal-Armoniac nor Sublimate And as a farther Proof of the great penetrancy of Effluviums I shall add that having a Paper which was writ on with this invisible Ink betwixt six folds of Paper these Fumes penetrated it in Ten Minutes and turned the Ink Black and another piece of the same Inked Paper being placed betwixt the Leaves of a Book the steams penetrated Twelve in three Minutes and turned the Ink blackish CHAP. VII Of the Porousness of solid Bodies Of the Porousness of Solids THAT even solid Bodies are not destitute of Pores I am inclined to believe because most solid Bodies as Gems c. have once been in fluid Forms and since Fluids are generally made up of Particles of a determinate size and shape they must needs leave some Pores betwixt them Another Reason why I am inclined to think most Bodies porous is their specific gravity which would not vary were the Parts of them equally compressed and closed together but since Copper is heavier than Iron and Gold as nineteen to one to its proportion of Water and Copper only as nine to one it must follow that the matter of Iron possesses as much space again as Gold and more And tho' hardness is urged by some as an Argument of their Substance being condensed yet I have elsewhere shewn that tho' Diamonds are the hardest Bodies they are far from being the heaviest which is the only sign whether they be condensed or not And since Metals themselves are made up of a Coalition of several Parts it is impossible they should be so Physically adapted as totally implere spatium since were Cubes made of Marble it is impossible they should be so exactly Polished as every where to be contiguous since the Bodies employed to Polish them are observed to make little furrows upon them and consequently leave little
Intervals or Pores And that Wood is not void of Pores will appear since Quick-silver hath been observed to penetrate the sides of a hollow Cylindrical piece of Wood and when the Air was drawn out of my Pneumatical Instrument the external pressed so hard upon the outside of a Board which covered it that tho' it was of strong Wood and of a considerable thickness yet it made its way into the Cavity of the Receiver through the Pores of the Wood and to these Instances I shall add that the fumes of a Smoaking Liquor tinged a Copper Half-penny through a broad thin shaving of Deal tho' we could not discover any sensible Perforation and the same Experiment being again repeated with two and a third with three shavings they tinged the Copper Half-penny tho' not in so little time nor quite so conspicuously And That baked Clay is not void of Pores is evident since Oyl will soak through strong and well baked Earthen Vessels and so will Solutions of Nitre and some other Salts and very few except Hassian Crucibles will keep Salt of Tartar long in Fusion without being penetrated by them And Vitriol and Salt-Petre have been observed to lose much of their weight when distilled in Earthen Vessels the subtle and spirituous Parts flying away through their Pores And I am told that those Juggs that are made of Earth hardened sufficiently to strike fire with a good Stell have their Pores pervaded by the most subtle Parts of Spirituous Liquors and it hath been found by Experience that Spirituous Cyder hath sweat through the sides of Stone Bottles which manifested it self by its taste And I have found that Silver dissolved and turned into a horny Substance with Aqua Fortis being kept in Fusion in an Hassian Crucible several Particles penetrated the Pores of it and appeared on the outside And to prove that natural Stones are porous I shall intimate that I had a Vessel made of Stone sent from the West-Indies through whose Pores Water would sweat and if the Transparency or Opacity of Bodies proceeds from a rectitude or crookedness of Pores which makes them fit or unfit to transmit the Rays of Light Oculus Mundi will be an Argument of the Porosity of Stones since whilst it is dry and in the Air it is opacous but when it hath lain a while in the Water it becomes transparent like Amber but soon loses its Diaphaneity when exposed to the Air again and so Paper wet with Water becomes more transparent but loses of that Transparency when dryed again and to favour this explication I shall add that an Oculus Mundi having been weighed after it was taken out of the Water it appeared to be heavier than before And since several Stones as Granates Emeri c. contain Mineaal Parts it is impossible they should be exactly contiguous without leaving some Pores betwixt them and the Parts of the Stone and for the like Reason all artificial Gems made by Fusion and tinged with Heterogeneous Pigments must be supposed to be furnished with Pores and since natural Gems are made up of Stony Ingredients and Mineral Parts for the same Reason we must suppose them to be furnished with Pores likewise and the like may be concluded in reference to all Heterogeneous and compound Substances as Marcasites Load-Stones c. And that white Marble is not void of pores may be argued not only from its easie Solution by Aqua Fortis Spirit of Salt c. but from its aptness to be tinged with Vapours that are not fretting so that red and other colours may be soaked into it as Oyl is into Wood. And having cemented some clear Fragments of native Crystal with a composition of some Volatile Minerals together with a Salt or two and having suffered the Crucibles to cool leisurely several of the Fragments were stained here and there with different colours some more and others less dull but whether the Tincture these pieces of Crystal received proceeded from some of the finest of the Mineral Parts imbibed into the Stone when flawed with too much haste and whether upon cooling those flaws did not grow too close to be discernable to the Eye I shall not determine but shall add that it hath been observed that Rubies when Polished upon the Wheel and very hot have seemed full of cracks which upon their cooling wholly disappeared And that Metals themselves are porous may be argued from their aptness to be dissolved in proper Menstruums And especially by laying Sulphur and thin Plates of Copper SSS in a Crucible upon which another was luted to keep the Sulphur from taking fire for having kept them thus about three hours in a heat which was sufficient to melt the Sulphur but not the Metal when it was taken away from the fire and cooled we found that the Sulphur had so penetrated the Body of the Copper as to turn most of it into a brittle Substance which would crumble away with ones fingers being altered not only in Texture but colour some being of a dirty dark colour others of a violet and many of the Plates when they were broken seemed to have been divided into two Plates and to have a manifest distance betwixt them and we could likwise discern the fibers of the Metal extend themselves from one side of the Copper Plates to the other And that the Sulphur penetrated into the Pores of the Copper-Plates might not only be discerned by their increase of weight and bulk but a Blue Flame which would discover it self when they were laid upon quick Coles And by a like Experiment we found that the Body of Silver Tin and Lead might be penetrated And not only Sulphur but Arsnick will penetrate thus into the Body of Metals And I know a Pigment which tinged the Body of Copper so as to give it the Colour of Gold And Perfumes do not only continue long in the Pores of Glasses but I am told by one that he had a Watch whose Metalline Case was richly perfumed And I remember I made a Substance much like Gold which retained several Mercurial Particles in it and being cast into a Ring it was observed to have manifest Effects on the Eyes of several Persons And I am told that the Off-spring of the Granadine Moors had an Art of curiously perfuming the Weapons they forged and the same Nobleman who told me this acquainted me that he had a Fowling-piece whose Barrel was perfumed but its smell was much fainter after it had been scoured And Lastly To shew that even common Glass is not void of Pores I shall reduce what I have to say and comprise it under the following Propositions PROP. I. It 's very probable that Glass may be pierced into at some distance even by visible and tangible Bodies And besides the Arguments already offered to evince the porosity of Bodies I shall add That a certain Spirit of Salt being kept in a Glass in a cool Place it corroded some Parts so much as
Spirits XIII Of the relation betwixt Spirit of Human Blood and the Air. XIV Of the Hostility of Human Blood with Acids whether in the form of Liquors or Fumes XV. Of the Medicinal Virtues of Spirit of Human Blood externally applyed XVI Of the Medicinal Virtues of Spirit of Human Blood internally given in Pleurisies Head-achs Coughs Fevers Scurvies Cachexies Dropsies Fits of the Mother XVII Paralipomena and promiscuous Experiments and Observations concerning the Spirit of Human Blood TITLE I. Whether Human Blood may be so ordered by Fermentation or Putrefaction as that in Distillation a Spirit either Vrinous or Vinous may ascend before the Phlegm COnsidering that Fevers have been looked upon to proceed from a Fermentation in the Blood and likewise that Human Urine which hath a great Cognation with Human Blood will not whilst fresh afford a Spirit till the Phlegm be first drawn off this Subject of this Title may not appear Groundless But I am not much encouraged to expect a Vinous or ardent Spirit from Human Blood nor am I sure there is any such thing as Fermentation in Human Blood And on this occasion I shall add that having once kept Blood Hermetically sealed up in a Glass for twelve Months when it came to be opened it smelled so offensively that we could not make any tryal upon it and another time having digested in a pretty large Vial Hermetically sealed some Sheeps Blood when it had been a good while in the digestive Furnace it suddenly broke with a considerable noise and blew off the long neck of the Vial. And here to what hath been laid down I shall add That some Ounces of Serum of Blood being added to a fourth Part of Raisins of the Sun stoned and kept in a Glass in a warm Room for several days the event of this tryal was that within in a few Days the Raisins began to emerge and whilst they floated yielded a considerable quantity of springy and permanent Air from whence it appeared that there had been some Degree of Fermentation But when this Serum came to be distilled tho' it did not stink as if it had been putrified yet the Spirit which first ascended tasted not like a-Viscous Spirit nor like a meer Phlegm Whether the Fermentation observed in this Liquor depended on the whole Serum or only on the Aqueous Parts distinct from it I shall leave to Experience to determine To try whether Digestion or Putrefaction would so open the Texture of Blood as to make it part with its Spirit more easily and before the Phlegm I kept a quantity of Serum for that purpose four times as long as was sufficient to make Urine part with its Spirit before its Phlegm but the Liquor which came over by a gentle heat had but little strength either in Smell or Taste nor would it readily turn Syrup of Violets Green yet like a Volatile Alkaly it would soon turn a Solution of Sublimate in fair Water into a White Opacous and almost Milky Liquor TITLE II. Whether Spirit of Human Blood be really any thing but the Volatile Salt and Phlegm well commixed FOR several Reasons I am inclined to believe that the Spirit of Human Blood is totally composed of a Volatile Salt and a Phlegm which is not so pure and Elementary but that some Particles of Oyl and others of Salt may be mixed with it and whether by frequent Rectifications this Phlegm may be rendered Homogeneous I much question since I am not sure but that in frequent Distillations some Particles of the Fire mny be from time to time associated with the Liquor and even in the first Distillation the Fire uniting with the Liquor may form one different from the Ingredients or Principles of the Body and I have found that Woods afford by distillation a Liquor which is not an Oyl nor an Acid or an Alkaly and yet no true Phlegm but an Adiaphorous Liquor And on this occasion to shew That the Composition of a Body may as well be made known by investigating the way of generating or producing it as by that of Analysing or resolving it I shall add that having dissolved as much Volatile Salt of Human Blood in distilled Water as the Liquor would take up and then having distilled it in a conveniently shaped Vessel with a regulated degree of Heat the Distillation afforded us such a Liquor as was desired since by Smell and Taste it appeared to be a good brisk Spirit of Human Blood And this Experiment was again repeated with the like success TITLE III. Of the Species of Saline Bodies to which the Spirit of Human Blood is to be referred THO' it be generally allowed that Saline Spirits are of two sorts yet it may not be amiss to add That some of them are Acid in Taste as Spirit of Nitre Vitriol c. Others are rather like common or lixiviate Salts and their different Effects and Operations are much less alike than their Taste for upon their mixture there ensues a manifest conflict and usually one will precipitate the Bodies the other will dissolve And amongst Salts called Alkalies some are fixed in considerable Degrees of Fire and others who take Acid and Alkalies for the true Principles of mixed Bodies call the one Fixed and the other Volatile Alkalies And tho' I who question this Doctrine often call the Salts made by Combustion simply Alkalies or lixiviate Salts and those that ascend sometimes Vrinous and sometimes Volatile Salts yet since the Names of Fixed Alkalies and Volatile ones are in request now I shall now make use of them in that Sense These Things being premised I shall proceed to observe that notwithstanding that some Physicians and Chymists ascribe Digestion to an Acid Ferment in the Stomach yet the Spirit of Human Blood is referrable to that Classis which many call Volatile Alkalies since it generally performs what Volatile Alkalies are said to do for it will ferment with Acids turn Syrup of Violets Green and precipitate a Solution of Sublimate in common Water Were I sure that the Ferment of the Stomach were Acid I should be apt to believe that the Blood retains something of Acidity in it but yet that would not be an Argument why I should not refer the Spirit of Human Blood to the Class of Alkalies because so few Acid Particles would either be destroyed by the Alkalizate ones that are so abundant in the Spirit or at least they would be so very much predominant as to give us Reason on their account to denominate the Mixture Alkalious As if some drops of Spirit of Vinegar were mixed with stale Urine they would be either depriv'd of their Acidity by some Particles of a contrary Nature or be so overpowered by the Fugitive Salts they abound with that the Mixture might well be referred to the Classis of Volatile Urinous Salts TITLE IV. Whether the Spirit of Human Blood be differing from Spirit of Vrine and other Salts called Volatile Alkalies UPON this Occasion I shall offer
we could readily precipitate with the Spirit of Blood a Substance which looked like a white Earth and such a Substance I obtained in a far greater quantity from that which the Salt-makers call Bittern which usually remains in their Salt Pans when they have taken out about as much Salt as would coagulate in figured grains This Spirit of Human Blood does likewise precipitate a Solution of Dantzik Vitriol in Water but that Solution is not a total one TITLE XII Of the Affinity between Spirit of Human Blood and some Chymical Oyls and Vinous Spirits THAT there is an Affinity betwixt Spirit of Human Blood and Spirit of Wine appears since we have formerly observed that being put together they will concoagulate and continue united a long time and tho' a rectified Spirit of Wine will not draw a Tincture from Blood yet Spirit of Blood will But as for Lixiviate Liquors such as are made of Salt of Tartar fixed Nitre c. we find not that they will strictly associate with it Spirit of Blood readily mixes with that Adiaphorous Spirit formerly mentioned but dephlegmed Spirit of Blood mixed by agitation with its Oyl will presently separate again tho' with Spirit of Wine it will permanently unite tho these two Liquors belong to a different viz. the one to the Animal and the other to the Vegetable Kingdom With the essential Oyls of Aromatick Vegetables the Spirit seems to have a greater Affinity for an equal proportion of this Liquor and of Oyl of Aniseeds drawn in an Alembick per Vesicam being shaken together they made a soft or Semifluid coagulation which continued in that form for a day or two and would probably have longer done so if I had not had occasion to proceed further with it To shew that Spirit of Human Blood may either communicate some of its saline Parts to essential Oyls or work a change in them I digested a while in a Glass with a long neck some recstified Spirit of Human Blood with a convenient quantity of Oyl of Aniseeds drawn in an Alembick and found that the Oyl grew coloured of a high yellow and afterwards attained a high redness which may afford us a hint of the cause of some changes of colour that are produced in the Liquors of the Body To take off the stinking quality of Human Blood and to render it more grateful we mixed with it in a Glass about an equal quantity or half as much Oyl of Aniseeds and having shaken them together in the Glass we placed it in a Furnace with a gentle Heat by which means the slight Texture of the Coagulum being dissolved part of the Oyl appeared floating upon the top whence being separated by a Tunnel the Liquor was whitish and without a stinking smell it smelling and tasteing strong of Aniseeds tho' the saline Particles retained a considerable degree of their brisk and penetrating taste Another way I took to deprive Spirit of Human Blood of its offensive smell was by employing a Medium to unite it with essential Oyls for having dissolved an eighth part of Oyl of Aniseeds in highly rectified Spirit of Wine and added an equal quantity of Spirit of Human Blood and upon a convenient agitation we suffered the Mixture to settle a considerable time after that it appeared that some of the Oyl swam in drops distinct from the other Liquors which consisted of a Mixture of the two Spirits impregnated with a few particles of Oyl which they had detained This Liquor abounded with little Concretions made by the Coagulation of the Sanguineous and Vinous Spirits which by a gentle Heat were sublimed in the form of a Volatile Salt to the upper Part of the Glass and this Salt had not only a much less penetrating Odour than the meer Volatile Salt of Human Blood but had quite lost its stink and yet retained a considerable quickness and something of the scent of Aniseeds and the remaining Liquor was likewise deprived of its ill smell and moderately imbued with that of the Oyl To try whether there would be any Affinity between our Spirit and the highly rectified Oyl of Petroleum I shaked a convenient quantity of them together in a new Vial upon which they presently turned into a white Mixture and tho' after a few hours the greater part of the Oyl swam above the Spirit yet there appeared betwixt the two Liquors a good quantity of whiteish Matter which seemed to be produced by the Union of many Particles of the Spirit and Oyl which were most disposed to combine TITLE XIII Of the Relation betwixt Spirit of Human Blood and the Air. TO try whether the Air will have any considerable effect on the Spirit of Human Blood after Distillation as it evidently hath on the Blood before I spread thinly upon a piece of white Paper some small filings of Copper and wetting them well without covering them quite over with a few drops of Blood by that means they being well exposed to the free Air the Action of the Liquor was so much promoted that within a minute or two it did even in the cold acquire a blueish colour and in fewer minutes than one would have expected that colour was so heightned as to become Ceruleous but another parcel of the same filings being put into a Vial the intercourse of the Air being excluded the Liquor would not in some hours acquire so deep a colour Having in a clear Cylindrical Vial of about an Inch Diameter put more filings of Copper than was requisite to cover the bottom and poured so much Spirit of Blood upon them as rought about a fingers breadth above them it in a few hours acquired a rich colour which after a day or two began to grow more faint and afterwards gradually declined till it was almost lost yet the Liquor was not altogether limpid or colourless as I have often had it with Spirit of Urine or Sal-Armoniack and these remains of blueishness I attributed to the effects of the Air included in the Bottle with so small a quantity of Liquor And tho' I thought it not impossible but that length of time might destroy it's blueishness yet unstopping the Vessel I observed that in two minutes of an hour the Surface of the Liquor where it touched the fresh Air became Ceruleous and in a quarter of an hour the whole Body of the Liquor had attained a deeper colour than that of the sky which colour grew sensibly paler again when the Vial was stopped But one thing I must add is that I have found the Experiment to succeed with some Analogy when another Volatile Spirit hath been made use of in which there was no Volatile Salt of Human Blood but the Experiment being repeated the Air produced a green and not a Ceruleous colour which makes me suspend my Judgment till satisfied by further experience whether the event of the former tryal depended on any Affinity of the Spirit with Blood or not And here I shall add that a parcel of
Spirit of Human Blood being kept in Vacuo Byliano when the Air was pumpt out it afforded fewer and less bubbles than an equal quantity of common Water TITLE XIV Of the Hostility of the Spirit of Human Blood with Acids whether they be in the form of Liquors or Fumes IT exercises its Hostility against more than one sort of Acid Spirits as Spirit of Salt of Nitre Spirit and Oyl of Vitriol Aqua Fortis Aqua Regis c. And not only against Facitious but natural ones as the Juice of Lemons upon its Mixture with which there presently ensued a great commotion with noise But there is not only an Hostility evident betwixt the Parts of these Liquors but also their Effluvia for if Spirit of Salt of Nitre be put into a Vial somewhat wide mouthed and Spirit of Blood rectified into another when these Liquors are held near one another their invisible Emanations joyning together will form a manifest Smoak Some pure Volatile Salt of Human Blood being just satiated with Spirit of Nitre we slowly evaporated the superfluous moisture which being done we took the compound Crystals which the Mixture afforded and put it into a Bolt-Head with a slender and a long neck and then adding to it a convenient quantity of Salt of Tartar and as much distilled Water as made the Mixture Liquid enough the Salt of Tartar detained the Spirit of Nitre and a good proportion of the Volatile Salt ascended in a dry form to the neck of the Vessel Spirit of Blood and Nitre being mixed together there ensued a conflict in which thick white fumes rose plentifully and circulating in the Vessel ran down the sides of it in a white stream untill the fumes ceased to rise again the Mixture in the mean time appearing reddish Being setled and seeming to have been so discoloured by a fattish Substance we put to it a little rain Water and having by filtration separated the Faeces and slowly evaporated the thus clarified Liquor the saline Parts shot into Crystals like those of Salt-Petre but after a while seemed yellow as if tinged with the Oyl N. Tho' on several occasions the Spirit of Blood appears Oyly yet I not long since dissolved another parcel of Blood whose Liquor was clear and limpid a year after Some of the before mentioned Crystals being put upon well kindled Charcoal presently melted and burnt away like Salt-Petre but the flame seemed not so halituous and differed in colour being not at all blue but yellow and after the Deflagration ceased there remained upon the Coal a lump of dirty coloured matter which had scarce any taste nor was that little it had Alkalious This brittle Substance being held in the flame became red hot without any sensible imminution and so it did upon a live Coal TITLE XV. Of the Medicinal Virtues of Spirit of Human Blood outwardly applyed SINCE we meet not with any Acid Substance except in the Pancreatick Juice of a sound Person And since the fixed Salt of Blood does much resemble Sea-salt whether its Spirit be Acid or no and since several Parts of the Body whether Solid or Liquid afford a Liquor impregnated with store of Volatile Salt it is not amiss to think that the Spirit of Human Blood may have considerable effects in several Diseases even when externally applyed And that Spirit of Sal-Armoniack hath been found successful in assisting several People in Apoplexies Epilepsies c. when applyed to or put up the Nostrils it 's confirmed by the experience of several learned and able Physicians and upon the like reason I prepared a Volatile Salt sublimed from a compound Salt obtained from Spirit of Blood satiated with Nitre And for a like purpose to bring over the Saline Part of Blood in a liquid form we mixed two Parts of dryed Blood with three of Spirit of Blood and distilling them with a pretty strong fire we obtained a pretty deal of Spirit unaccompanyed with any Volatile Salt in a dry form and this Spirit seemed to have a stronger taste and smell before rectification than Spirit of Human Blood prepared another way had after rectification and had we made use of more Lime I question not but that we should have obtained a more piercing Spirit since it would have retained more of the Oyl and the superfluous moisture And on this occasion I shall add that I have often found Head-aches cured by the separated application of Spirit of Human Blood which is likewise good in Hysterick and Hypochondriacal Cases and in fainting Fits and if the smell of it makes it too nauseous that may be corrected according to the method already laid down in this Chapter to which I shall add that a few drops of Oyl of Rhodium being dissolved in Alcohol of Wine if that be mixed with Spirit of Human Blood it will give it a very grateful and odoriferous smell And here I shall add that Medicines made of Amber have been found successful not only in Convulsions and other Distempers of the Genus Nervosum but the Tincture of it in Spirit of Wine hath proved successful enough in Diseases both of Men and Women And this Tincture may not inconveniently or unsuccessfully be added to correct the Odour and increase the Virtues of Spirit of Human Blood and tho Oyl of Amber will not mix readily with Spirit of Wine yet if they be shaken together and left to settle at leisure tho' they settle in distinct masses yet the Spirit would even in the cold extract a high and a yellow Tincture little different from the Oyl it self which may be mixed with the Spirit of Blood till the smell of the Amber be predominant To what hath been said of the external use of Spirit of Human Blood I shall add that if the Oyl in these Mixtures should be too much predominant it may be easily separated by runing it through a Tunnel whose Orifice at the bottom is formed so small and sharp as to give way for the Spirit to run off first which may when thus separated be kept in a distinct Vessel And since if the Vinous Spirit be sufficiently rectified there will by the Coagulation of the Saline and Urinous Parts be produced a kind of Salt you may either pour the Liquid part into another Vessel and then use them separate or else separate the Salt by sublimation in a dry form and Spirit of Human Blood thus separated will have a fragrant brisk and piercing Odour But To conclude this Spirit is not only good in respect of the Virtues ascribed to its scent but it may be good likwise when used as a fomentation as Spirit of Sal-Armoniack hath been effectual in removing the Pains of the Gout and in the Erisipelas And since upon the account of its Alkalizate Nature it may be good to correct Acidities it may be for that purpose made use of both by Physicians and Chirurgeons TITLE XVI Of the Medicinal Virtues of Spirit of Human Blood inwardly used I Have been
Urinous Spirit EXPERIMENT VII The Juice of Scurvey Grass fresh drawn inclined the black Surface of clotted Blood to redishness EXPERIMENT VIII Blood being closed up with an eighth or fourth part of Spirit of Wine about three years was coagulated but neither stank nor was it in the least putrified EXPERIMENT IX A small piece of concreted Blood being left three days in Spirit of Wine was rendered moderately hard and friable throughout EXPERIMENT X. Upon tryal we found that an Ounce of distilled Water would dissolve at least two Drachms of Volatile Salt of Human Blood and by the help of Heat it was able to dissolve twenty five Grains more nor did any of this Salt shoot into Crystals upon its Refrigeration EXPERIMENT XI The aforementioned Solution being put into a Retort to be drawn off with a pretty quick heat we obtained a distilled Liquor that contained almost all the Volatile Salt except a little which escaped in a dry form and this Liquor being as strong as moderate Spirit of Human Blood it may give us a hint what proportion of a Liquor to Salt may be sufficient for such a Spirit And one thing here may be worthy our notice viz. That the Liquor which was too much impregnated with Salt having been exposed to the Air in a frosty Night we perceived at the bottom of the Glass a good deal of Volatile Salt shot into Crystals tho' the Crystals that were this way obtained were fine and clear and some of them larger than Spangles yet being very numerous and sticking together we could not discover the shape of particular Grains nor whether they were all of the same shape but divers of them appeared to be flat thin Plates with fine rectilinear Angles so that we conjectured if the whole Plates could have been seen their broadest Surface would have been found Hexagonal or of some Polygone figures very near of kin to that EXPERIMENT XII An Ounce of distilled Water was shut up in a Glass-Egg with as much Salt as could be dissolved in it and exposed to congeal in a frosty Night but the Salt was neither congealed nor the Water tho' afterwards it was removed into a frigorifick Mixture which would perhaps have froze Beer or Ale or the weaker sort of French Wine yet we did not perceive the least Glaciation EXPERIMENT XIII Tho' Sea-Salt dissolved in Water renders it less subject to be froze yet being joyned with Ice or Snow and externally applyed it conduces to the freezing of it Wherefore we mixed about a Scruple of Salt of Human Blood with Ice to try whether it would have the like effect and accordinly we found that a slender Pipe of Water being immersed in it the Water in the bottom of the Pipe was froze EXPERIMENT XIV Some of the fibrous part of Human Blood being exposed to the Air in an open and shallow Glass in a frosty Night the next Morning it was lightly frozen and the Surface of the Ice prettily figured with resemblances of Combs with Teeth on both sides not much unlike Sal-Armoniack coagulated in common Water And not here to mention what hath been said by some of the Virtues of Human Blood I shall propose a couple of Medicines to be prepared from it one of which may perhaps have no inconsiderable effects The first Medicine I attempted to make was by putting to Salt of Tartar Oyl of Human Blood instead of Oyl of Turpentine and by stirring them long together in the open Air to make such a saponary concretion as Matthew's Corector which is esteemed and employed with good success by some London Physicians The other Medicine I endeavoured to make was by uniting by long digestion the Salt Spirit and Oyl of Human Blood into a Mixture which some Chymists call a Clyssus Particulars referrable to the third Part of the History EXPERIMENT I. THE Blood of a young Man when cool having its Serum and fibrous Parts separately weighed the latter weighed about six Ounces and the serous part not many Drachms from that weight EXPERIMENT II. The very ingenious Mr. Hook and my self having often observed on the Surface of frozen Urine figures which much resemble Combs or Feathers considering the Affinity usually agreed on betwixt the Serum of Human Blood and Urine we exposed some of it strained through a linnen rag to separate the Grumous part to the Air in a shallow Vessel several Nights consecutively and observed that being froze there appeared upon the Ice contiguous to the Air certain figures which did not ill resemble those of conglaciated Urine EXPERIMENT III To try whether Serum as well as Urine might not as well be made use of for invisible Ink we traced some Characters with it upon white Paper and when they were dryed we held the unwritten side over the flame of a Candle keeping it always stirring that it might not take fire upon which the Letters on the upper side appeared of a dark colour tho' not of an Inky blackness Particulars referrable to the fourth Part of the History SINCE according to the several ways of distilling Human Blood the Spirit of Salt c. produced may be considerably diversified I distilled three Portions of Human Blood each with a different additament The first which was distilled with Quick-Lime we shall subjoyn the following account of viz. Four Ounces of coagulated Blood being mixed with an equal proportion of Quick-Lime we distilled them by degrees of fire in a Retort placed in Sand by which means we obtained a proportion of reddish Spirituous Liquor which seemed not very Phlegmatick together with some Oyl the quantity of which was but small the rest being probably detained by the Lime and a small Portion of that little Oyl that came over sunk in the Spirit the rest swiming upon it The Spirit being set in a digestive Furnace in a small Head and Body to rectifie with a gentle Heat the Receiver was three or four times removed and we observed that the first Spirit that came over was not near so fetid as that which ascends when it is distilled per se and the like was observed in the succeeding Portions the Oyl being detained behind by the Quick-Lime the rectified Spirit was clear and colourless and had a taste much stronger than its smell and so strong that it made me think some Volatile Alkalious Parts of the Quick-Lime were carried up with it to be satisfied of which we dropped some of it upon a Solution of Sublimate with fair Water and on the first contact we perceived a precipitate a little inclining to yellow as Quick-Lime in a greater quantity usually turned it But afterwards the Precipitate appeared white like that made with ordinary Volatile Liquors of an Urinous Nature Some of this Spirit put into a Glass-Egg afforded not any Volatile Salt in a dry form and the tryal being continued we found that the Spirit by the action of the fire lost its limpidness and became muddy or troubled Another Portion of it being mixed
more clearly understand how a Superadded Form modifies the Actions of a Body we need but reflect on the Parts of a Watch from whence the Forma Totius proceeds where we may see how the Spring by being bent acquires a Tendency to expand and how the Wheels moderate that Expansion From whence we may gather how the Parts of a Body which united make the Forma Totius concur in superadding several New Qualities to the whole So a piece of Lead is Vitrify'd by the Action of the Fire by which Action the Parts which before were pliable become brittle and being otherwise rang'd as to Situation give way to the Rays of Light and becomes Transparent And Salt-Petre by the Addition of Coal and Sulphur instead of burning by degrees and leaving an Alkalizate Salt behind it flashes all away at once Compound may act by Virtue of one single Ingredient VII Besides the Actions of a Body which are specifick in respect of the whole it may have several Operations depending on the separate and particular Properties of an Ingredient This may appear from what hath been deliver'd above But to make it more clear I shall again intimate what hath been before deliver'd viz. That the Parts of a Watch retain several of their Pristine Qualities when put together as they did before To which another Instance might be added from what is elsewhere said of Gun-powder To which it may be added That several Ingredients in Physical Compositions retain their own Qualities tho' the Composition hath in General a Particular Effect upon the account of its Mixture As for Instance Ambergreece retains its Smell as well as Aloes its Taste when made up into Pills with other Ingregredients and Opium likewise its Soporifick Qualities tho' mix'd with so great a number of Ingredients as those of Venice-Treacle Another Example we have in the Precipitate of Gold and Mercury by Heat which tho' it hath a red Colour different from both the Ingredients yet the Mercury retains its Salivating Faculty The most noted often esteem'd the Specifick Form VIII That is often call'd the Specifick Form in several Natural Bodies which is not the Presiding but only the most Eminent To prove this we are to consider what hath been already observ'd As First That the Signification of the Word Form is made use of Arbitrarily and without sufficient Distinction Secondly That Forms are only Respective and the Result of a Determinate Coexistence of the Parts of Matter Thirdly That they are attributed to Bodies upon the account of some particular Qualities as Unctuousness in Oyls c. or some particular Use Pourthly Agreeably to these a Body must be endued wich several of those Qualities upon the Account of which Bodies are referr'd to different Classes As in Vitrum Antimonii in which besides those Qualities by which it is referr'd to Glass it hath a Vomitive and Purgative Faculty by which it is brought into another Class in Physick Fifthly It is not requisite that these Forms should depend on one another since neither the Vomitive nor Purgative Faculty depend on the Form of Glass they both being inherent in the Calx before it was Vitrify'd and would be preserv'd tho' the Glass without an Addition of other Matter should be turn'd into a Regulus Sixthly To these Observations we may add That the Qualities of Bodies are said to be less or more Noble in respect of their different Uses As in Glass of Antimony tho' the Glass may be taken for the Noblest Form by an Artist yet it s other Antimonial Qualities are more Eminent amongst Chymists and Physicians Seventhly From these Considerations we may gather that the most Predominant Form is not always that which denominates the Form of a Body but sometimes that which is most Eminent that is most regarded Some are rather Concurrent Forms than Subordinate IX The Forms just now mention'd are rather to be esteem'd Concurrent than Subordinate And indeed where the Denominating or most regarded Form may be so vary'd they rather seem Concurrent than Subordinate in respect of the Body whose Attributes they are So that the Subjection of some sort of Forms seems very difficult to be explain'd And indeed we are so apt to mistake Names for Things since by only denominating some Bodies which have Particular Operations we are apt to attribute what is the sole Effect of Modification to that Metaphysical Conception which we have of an Aery Form rather than to the Body consider'd as a Physical Agent endued with a Mechanical and Adventitious Texture And it is so far from Appearing that there is any thing of Supereminency or Dominion of one Form in all the Operations of a Compound Body that in some Simple Bodies the Specifick Form is not in the least concern'd in the Effects of them as Water will scald by Virtue of its Adventitious Heat which is contrary to those Qualities attributed to its Form as such And so Springiness may be added to or taken away from Silver without altering the Specifick Form of the Metal nor does the Form of a File consider'd as Metal affect what is attributed to it upon the Account of those Asperities Nor is the more than usual Hardness the Product of the Substantial Form but an acquir'd Temper given it by the Smith It would be an easy Matter to add several other Instances But to conclude Tho' the uncertain Signification of Terms hath made the Foregoing Discourse the more Difficult and Dark yet I hope it may serve to detect some receiv'd Errors and promote a truer Theory concerning these Matters CHAP. V. Experiments and Thoughts about the Production and Reproduction of Forms Bodies distinguish'd into Spaecies how IT was not without Grounds that I intimated in the preceding Chapter about Qualities that Bodies are in a great measure distinguished into several Species by a sort of Tacit Agreement there being as yet no Diagnosticks sufficient to distinguish the several Species of things but they are rather taken for distinct Species by being known by such Names than any true Characteristicks As for instance some well skill'd in the Writings of Aristotle hold that Water and Ice are not esteemed distinct Kinds of Bodies they both having the same Nature yet Galen not without Reason favours the contrary Opinion since they differ both in respect of Fluidity and Firmness as well as Transparency Besides Ice and Salt beaten together will freeze other Liquors whereas Water and Salt will not where there seems to be difference enough to denominate them Two distinct Species of Bodies as well as that Must Vinegar Wine Spirit of Wine or Tartar should be esteemed so or that a Chick should be thought different from the Egg which was hatched Yet some Aristotelians have been very doubtful whether the Natures of them be different or not as also whether Clouds Hail Rain or Snow differ in Specie from Water tho' the Writers concerning Meteors usâ—â—â—ly treat of them as different And if so
small an Accident as Moâ—â—â—â— oâ— whatever distinguishes Wind and Exhalaâ—â—â—… is enough to entitle them to distinct Species of Bodies a Greater Right may be presumed 〈◊〉 Paper and Rags Glass and Wood-Ashes should be esteemed so too as also Soap Sugar Gunpowder c. For it is not a sufficient Objection that most of these Bodies are Factitious for the present state of a Body denominates its Species however it came by that Nature as the Salt which is made in the Isle of Man by the Sun acting upon the Sea-water is as much Salt as that which is artificially made by the Heat of the Fire by boiling Sea-Water in Chauldrons and Silk-Worms and Chickens hatched by the heat of Ovens or Dunghils are equally as much Silkworms or Chickens as those produced by the heat of the Sun or warmth of a Hen. The Products of Art the Effects of Nature Besides the Objection that most of the forementioned Bodies are Factitious is less valid since they seem equally performed by Nature the Artificer being only concerned in putting Natural Agents together which take the same Measures in causing their Effects as if they had casually been brought together by Chance As in Chymistry the Agent which is Fire operates upon the Subjects it hath to work upon as Fire and not as it is barely an Instrument of a Chymist and therefore tho' the Application belongs to the Chymist the Action is as much Natural as the Productions of Aetna or Vesuvius where by the internal Action of the Fire Stones are Calcined and Metals not only colliquated but Metalline Flowers and Ashes dispersed about the adjacent Parts And I am not without Probability inclined to believe that several Minerals as well as other Bodies which lie near the Center of the Earth are rather the Productions of Subterraneal Fires changing the Textures of other Bodies than that they have lodged there since the first Creation of things for we see that Lead becomes Minium and Tin Tutty in a very small time and the Fumes of Sulphur uniting with those of Mercury convene into that delicate red Mass called Vermilion which hath so far the similitude of a Mineral that it hath been called by the same Name of Cinnabaris So that we may easily conceive how in the Bowels of the Earth certain Mineral Fumes penetrating and uniting with a stony Concretion Minerals may be formed From whence it may appear that a Congeries and Union of Accidents is as sufficient to discriminate the several Species of Bodies as the imagination of Substantial Forms The Artificial Production of Vitriol correspondent to the Natural But to illustrate the Mechanical Origin of Forms we may take notice of the Artificial Production of Vitriol which is so like the Natural that it makes us able to guess what Measures are taken in the Natural Production of it And since Vitriol is not a meer Salt but rather to use a Chymical Term a Magestery it is requisite to observe that according to the sense of that Word it is not prepared by a Separation of Principles but by the changing the Form of a whole Body by an Addition and intimate Union of a Saline Menstruum Agreeable to which Notion it is to be noted that an Acid Spirit and a Metalline Substance may be drawn as well from Artificial as Natural Vitriol and consequently both must be equally natural Vitriols in the strict sense of that Word But these are not the only Characteristicks of the Natural Agreement of Factitious and Natural Vitriol since Vitriol of Mars whether prepared by Oyl of Vitriol or Spirit of Salt hath both the Colour Transparency Brittleness aptness to Fusion and Styptical Taste with the Vitriol of Marchasites as also several other Qualities as to turn an Infusion of Galls into Ink a Vomitive Faculty when taken in a small Dose as also to be endowed with Crystals of very Curious Figures and a Disposition to run per Deliquium as Guntherus Belichius hath observed common Vitriol made use of in Germany to have And here we see that the same Qualities may arise from the Union and Association of Two Ingredients which are to be found in Common Vitriol without the Incomprehensible force of Imaginary Substantial Forms or a Generation of a Form distinct from the Ingredients and their Essential Modification or a Texture of Parts of convenient Shapes and Sizes Neither is there such an Intimate Mixture as the Schools imagine of these Two Ingredients but a Juxta-Position and new ranging of their Parts in respect of Order and Position Which is evident since by Distillation the greatest part of the Vitriol may be drawn off leaving the Metalline Substance behind and that most of its Qualities depend upon the Position of its Parts is plain since through a good Burning Glass the Sun Beams will so alter their Order and Texture as to turn it red CHAP. VI. Doubts and Experiments concerning the Curious Figures of Salts The Figures of Salts to be accounted for with the help of a Plastick Power THO' I am not willing to acquiesce in the Doctrin of Substantial Forms since to me they are Incomprehensible Yet I am as forward to own That I acknowledge the Admirable Wisdom of our CREATOR no less because He hath thought fit that the Changes and Alterations in Matter should depend on Accidents easy and intelligible at least with less Difficulty to be conceiv'd than the incomprehensible Doctrin of Substantial Forms And tho' the Curious and Delicate Shapes of Salts be Generally us'd as Arguments of the Great Plastick Skill of Substantial Forms yet I must own I think them very slight things compar'd with Organiz'd Bodies and therefore I would not have it inferr'd That because the Figures of Salts may be accounted for without the Assistance of Plastick Powers that therefore the Bodies of Animals may That Substantial Forms are not necessary to the Production of those Curious Figures in Salts I am induc'd to believe First Because a Concrete of no less Curious Figured Parts than other Vitriols may be made by a bare Connection of Metalline and Saline Bodies Secondly because according to the different Quantities of Liquor or the space of Time they shoot in their Figures vary According to which Agricola lib. 12. p. 462. de re Metallica speaking of the Cords that are immerg'd into Vitriol-Water for the Crystals to stick to says Ex his pendent restes lapillis extentae à quo Humor spissus adhaerescens densatur in translucentes atramenti sutorii vel cubos vel acinos qui Vvae speciem gerunt Crystals obtain'd from an Alkaly I remember also that having a long time thought that the Method usually taken in preparing Alkalyes such as Salt of Tartar c. was the reason why they are gather'd in the Form of Calx I took care to dissolve Alkalyes well purify'd in Water slowly evaporating it till crusted over with an Icy Crust which being preserv'd entire lest they should want a
bright Copper within about half a minute of an hour the Verge of the moistened part of the Surface appeared blueish and in a little time after the rest of the wetted Part acquired a fine Azure Having poured Spirit of Blood upon filings of Zinke or Spiltre it presently began to work manifestly in the cold and when assisted by a little Heat it dissolved the Zinke briskly and not without producing store of bubbles being also a little discoloured by the operation of this Experiment Having put a piece of clotted Blood which had been exposed to the Air into a slender Vial of clear Glass and then poured on a little rectified Spirit of Human Blood and shook the Glass a little the blackness of the superficial part of the Blood presently disappeared and became a florid Scarlet and the Liquor was tinged with a fairer red and from a succession of bubbles passing from time to time out of the cold into it seemed to work somewhat like a Menstruum but in a little time after the Blood was degenerated from its former colour to a little more dark one But another clot of Blood one side of which was red and the other black being put into the Vial and Spirit of Blood poured upon it the red side had its colour improved but the other continued black and dirty And I once preserved twelve drachms of Blood in two of the Spirit of Blood and found that twelve months after it remained fair and florid and little less than totally fluid and when the Vessel was opened there appeared little sign of Putrefaction but only a small clot was fastened to the bottom the rest passing readily through a strainer so that the Spirit seemed to have a great embalming Virtue since it was able to preserve six times its weight of a Body so apt to putrefie But to what hath been observed I shall add that having comitted the Mixture to Distillation the first Liquor was a kind of Phlegm which was succeeded by a Spirituous Liquor and Volatile Salt in a dry form Having poured some of our Spirit upon filings of Iron where they were not in the least Rusty and kept them together a while in digestion we found as we expected that that Liquor by working upon them had produced a light substance something paler than a Crocus and there appeared likewise in the Liquor good store of thin Plates which after a gentle Agitation being held against the Sun-Beams exhibited the colours of the Rain-Bow very vividly but the taste of the Liquor appeared not at all Martial TITLE IX Of the Tincture that may be drawn with Spirit of Human Blood SPirit of Blood being put upon Saffron presently acquired a yellow colour and from Tu merick a Tincture like a solution of Gold which may doubtless prove a good Medicine in the Jaundice and some of this Spirit being put upon powder of Blood it presently extracted from it a colour as red as that of French Claret but when I made use of another parcel of Spirit well rectified I found that it extracted not a Tincture so soon and after several hours the colour it obtained was brown which in some hours after was heightned into redness and in a longer time it became almost as red as the former Tincture To shew that Spirit of Human Blood may extract Tinctures out of the hardest Bodies we put filings with it into a small Egg and kept them all night in digestion in a moderate Heat and the next day we found the Liquor tinged with a deep brownish red and those filings which stuck to the sides of the Vessel and were above the Liquor were turned by the Exhalations of this Spirit into a yellow Crocus But the Mixture being kept some days longer in the same Vessel the colour of it was grown Opacous and appeared to be black when it was looked upon in a considerable bulk but it seemed of another colour when looked upon as it was spread thin upon white Paper Some of this Ticture being poured upon an infusion of Galls it would not make it of an Inky colour nor was the precipitate which presently fell to the bottom of an Inky colour From which Experiments it appears that it is unsafe either to suppose that if Chalybeates be dissolved in the Body it must be by some Acid Juice or to conclude that if Steel be dissolved by the Liquors of our Bodies they must be ex predominio Alkalizate since a Liquor that is very different from Acids dissolves it but without touching further upon this account I shall rather commend it to the consideration of Physicians to pitch upon some other method of explicating the effects of Chalybeates upon Human Bodies and whether martial Medicines may not be made use of which are prepared by Volatite Alkalies instead of Acids Spirit of Human Blood being kept in digestion with powder of Amber it extracted no considerable Tincture but whether the fault was in the fineness of the Amber or the weakness of the Spirit I shall leave undetermined Some Spirit of Human Blood being put upon some of that Gum called Seed-Lac soon became tinged which I supposed to proceed from a superficial colour of some Parts of the Gum proceeding from some adhering Blood of the little winged insects who by their bitings occasioned this Gum upon the twigs of the Trees where it is found so that the colour seems not to be given by the Gum but the Blood of those Animals and may probably be a good solvent Medicine since most of the insects used in Physick consists of Parts very subtle and penetrating and of considerable Efficacy TITLE X. Of the Coagulating power of the Spirit of Human Blood HIghly rectified Spirit of Human Blood being well mingled by shakeing it with a convenient quantity of Urinous Spirits there will presently ensue a Coagulation or a concretion of Parts either of the whole Mixture or a Portion of it into corpuscles of a Saline form which cohering loosely together make up a mass of a fluid and consistent soft temper in which form it will continue in a cool place several months TITLE XI Of the Precipitating power of Spirit of Human Blood IT hath a power of Precipitating as other Volatile Spirits most Bodies dissolved in Acid Menstruums I say most because there is no need this rule should be general or hold when the Body is of such a Nature that it may be as well dissolved by an Acid as an Alkaly and that there are such Bodies appears since Spirit of Human Blood will dissolve both Copper and Zink which may be likewise dissolved by Aqua Fortis and other Acid Menstruums But that this Spirit will precipitate other Bodies dissolved in Acid Menstruums I am convinced by several tryals made on red Lead dissolved in Vinegar Silver in Aqua Fortis Gold in Aqua Regia and Tin dissolved in an appropriated Menstruum and several other Bodies And out of a Solution of common Salt made in Water