INTRODT^CTION to the SECOXD PART. 



/\S I have entitled this Tranflation, Tiie difcoveries of the Author 

 in m -.ny of tlie Works of Nature, 'a tenn ufed by himfelf) I fhall 

 take the hberty to lay before the Redder a few words, rerpe6ting the 

 idea we ought to annex to that expreffion. 



By the word Nature, hereufeJ, I underftand that unfeen power 

 whereby diiferent parts of Matter are brought together, and, by 

 their various combinations and modifications, produce thofe bodies or 

 fubftances which we obferve on this terraqueous globe. Matter, is 

 .that Somethmg, of which Bjdies are compofed, and ' call it Some- 

 thing, becaufe it. primary or original particles are lb minute as to be 

 entirely und'.Lernible by us ; and it is not until they are combined or 

 colledled in larger portions that they become objedts of our fenfes. 

 This is capable of demonflration many ways: for example. Earth, 

 which, in itfjlf, has littb either of tafte or fmell, produces herbs, 

 fljwers, and fraits, poU'eding an fendlefs variety of taftes and odours; 

 and not only fo, but of natures entirely different from each other, the 

 fame fpot of earth which produces wholefome herbs for our tables, 

 bringing fortn alfo the mod noxious plants, according to the qua- 

 lity of the feed or plant cjmmitted to it : and yet, we cannot trace 

 thefe various tades and odours, nor thefe wholefome and noxious 

 properties, in plants, to any other original than the fame common 

 parent Earth, aided by fuch fupplies as they receive from the other 

 *elements. Herbs, taken into the flomachs of animals, are converted 



* Water, it is well known, is cfTential to the growih of plants, neither will they vrgetate 

 without a fupply of Air, a fluid eight hundred ti;r.ts lighter than water; and, it is the opinion 

 of tjir Ifaac Newton, that L'ght, whicli is beyond all cor.ception more rare and fubtile than air, 

 does enter iiUo the compofition of Bodies. 



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