306 On the Theory of Mixed Gases. 



may be applied with ease to natural pheno- 

 mena : let us suppose then an additional quan- 

 tity of the gas A to be thrown into the pneu- 

 matic apparatus, containing the compound C, 

 which was in a state of proper adjustment pre- 

 vious to this event. No one will imagine, . that 

 this fresh matter can diffuse itself through the 

 mass of C with the same expedition that the 

 electric fluid shews in expanding along a con- 

 ductor : this supposition is contradicted by 

 various appearances, from which the following 

 one is selected , agitation is known to acce- 

 lerate the union of oxygen and nitrous gas. 

 The quantity of A then, which has been 

 newly admitted, will remain at first un- 

 mixed with B ; but it will act immediately 

 with a repulsive force upon kindred particles 

 diffused through the compound C. This new 

 modification of A will not preserve the density 

 of its parts every where in a constant ratio, to 

 the density of the corresponding parts of B ; 

 and this change will disjoin the centres of grar 

 vity of A and B; which has been proved 

 above. But when these points are placed 

 apart, the separate equilibria of the fluids cease 

 to exist, which has also been demonstrated 

 before ; therefore A and B begin to act and 

 react mutually; which circumstance disturbs 

 the necessary adjustment of C, and forces it 



