S3 STUDIES OF NATURE. 



quence from the univerfal Law, or the mutual 

 adaptation of things, and a fequel of the union of 

 contraries, whereof the harmonies of the Univerfe 

 are compofed. Thus it frequently happens, that 

 effects, Co far from being the refults of caufes, are 

 oppofite to them. For example, it has pleafed 

 Nature to clothe in white fevcral birds, the inha- 

 bitants of warm regions, fuch as the heron of the 



it has fuggefted itfelf to my thoughts, that fire muft, in like 

 manner, produce matter the beft adapted to diminifh it's own 

 activity. And of this I have, in fact, made frequent proof, by 

 throwing a little afhes on the flame blazing on my hearth. By 

 this means I have been able to quench it fuddenly almofi without 

 ftnoke, I recollect, to this purpofe, having, fome time ago, 

 feen, in one of our fea-ports, a great caldron full of pitch catch 

 fire, which they were heating for careening a (hip. Inexperienced 

 perlons immediately attempted to extinguifh the flame by throw- 

 ing water upon it; but the boiling and inflamed matter fpread 

 but the more violently, in torrents of fire, over the brim of the 

 caldron ; I did not think a fingle ladle-full would be left within 

 the veffel, when an old feaman run up, and inftantly brought 

 it down by throwing upon it a few fhovels-full of afhes. I be- 

 lieve, therefore, that by uniting this application with that of 

 water, great affiftance might be derived in cafe of conflagrations; 

 for the afhes would not only deaden the flame, without exciting 

 that dreadful fmoke which arifes from it, as foon as the engines 

 begin to play, but when once thoroughly moiftened, they would 

 retard the evaporation of the water, which is alrnoft inflanta- 

 jieous, when the fire has made a confiderable progrefs. It would 

 afford me inexpreffible fatisfacYion, fhould this obfervation merit 

 the attention of thofe who have ability to give it, from their 

 experience, fagacity, and influence, all the utility of which it is 

 fufceptible. 



Antilles, 



