PHYSICALann LITERARY. 285 
- folutions is very extenfive, and as many fin- 
=--=s 
gular conditions and appearances, are to be 
obferved in the ations of various folvents, 
: 
upon the bodies which they diffolve ; it may 
poffibly be of fome advantage, to any one 
who {hall afterwards undertake to give a ra- 
tional and fatisfactory account of the caufes 
which produce fuch effects, and of the laws 
by which thefe caufes act in particular cir- 
cumftances, to have in his view a great ma- 
ny inferior axioms or. canons, comprehend- 
ing as many particular inftances as pofhible: 
becaufe thefe may enable him to afcend to 
more general canons; and at length to the 
ultimate phyfical caufe; and again, from 
thence to explain the phenomena, in particular 
 inftances. 
By Jolution, is here meant, the feparation 
f and divifion of a folid body, or of a thick 
be 
‘ 
and confiftent mafs, by means of a fenfible 
fluid, into parts fo {mall, as to difappear and 
4 be equally difperfed through the fluid. 
TuaT liquor which makes the feparation 
"of parts, I call the /olvent; or, in the ftile 
of the Chemifts, the menflruum. 
q _ I moft take the liberty, to make one preli- 
~ minary remark, before I defcend to particu- 
lars: 
N 
