330 ESSAYS anp OBSERVATIONS 
water are endued with a power capable to o- 
vercome the force by which the particles of 
falt-petre cohered with one another. 
Ir a known quantity of cold water has 
diffolved as much falt-petre as it is capable to 
hold, in this folution the water is to the falt 
as 54 to I; (in fcalding water the pro- 
portion isas 4to 1). If then $ of the wa- 
ter is wafted by evaporation, many of the 
{mall particles of nitre being brought into 
contact, join together, and form chryftals in 
fhape and other properties refembling the 
nitre which was diffolved in the water, It 
follows, therefore, that the particles of nitre 
mutually attract one another, when the inter- 
pofing matter is removed, the diftance betwixt 
them very much diminifhed, and no fuperior 
power acting upon them; and, when in 
contact, they cohere with a certain degree 
of force. Again, it appears, that the par- 
ticles of water do attract the particles of nitre 
more ftrongly than thefe laft attract one ano- 
ther; and, confequently, overcome their 
cohefion, and fufpend their mutual attraction. 
Laftly, it is evident, from the above appear- 
ances, that tho’ the parts of nitre which 
{wim in the water are fo fmall, that they 
are 
