so ANSWERS to the OBJECl'IONS 



" \i melange j ce qui exigeroit toujours plus des experiences di- 

 " redes." 



We have already feen how M. de Luc has endeavoured to 

 explain the phenomenon, or rather to elude the queftion, when 

 the breath which is expired into the atmofphere is vifibly con- 

 denfed ; but furely that was a phenomenon which had an im- 

 mediate relation to the theory. Therefore M. de Luc is by 

 no means warranted in faying, that this one, which he is now 

 examining, i^ the only phenomenon of thofe cited by me 

 which has an iinmediate relation to the theory ; for, as the 

 experiment of the breath exhibits the formation of cloud, and 

 as cloud is generally confidered as the immediate caufe of rain, 

 the formation of cloud without rain, in our experiments, is as 

 immediately related to the theory, as the formation of rain 

 without cloud. We are now to fee how M. de Luc has endea- 

 voured to elude the force of this example of the formation of 

 rain. 



The reafon here given by our author, why the proof, refult- 

 ing from thefe examples of adtual rain, is not real, but only 

 apparent, is this, Becaufe, fay>s he, there is reafon to prefume,. 

 that the external air in thofe two cafes was not fully faturated 

 with humidity or vapour. Now, for that very reaf(ni, I fay, 

 circumdances were jull fo much the more unfavourable for 

 condenfation ; confequently, if condenfation aftually takes, 

 place in this unfavourable cafe, a fortiori it muft be allowed in 

 others where circumftances may be more favourable for that 

 operation. It is therefore evidently my intereft, fo far to al- 

 low M. DE Luc his fuppofition with regard to the ftate of the 

 external air. But how that lliould require more proof, or more 

 diredl proof, on my part, I am at a lofs to conceive ; as I think 

 that I have, on that very account, good reafon to demand of 

 M. DE Luc better arguments, or more diredt proof, againft the 

 theory. M. de Luc, indeed, gives a reafon for this demand 

 of his, in. the next fentence ;. but it i» a. very differ^ent one from 



that 



