Mr. H. T. CoLEBROOKE on the Philosophy of the Hindus. 109 



criminating that which is connected with least time. Another is old, which 

 is connected with most time. Here time is determined by revolutions of 

 the sun. 



12. Gravity is the peculiar cause of primary descent or falling.* 



It affects earth and water. Gold is affected by this quality, by reason of 

 earth contained in it. 



In the absence of a countervailing cause, as adhesion, velocity, or some 

 act of volition, descent results from this quality. Thus a cocoa-nut is 

 withheld from falling by adhesion of the foot-stalk ; but, this impediment 

 ceasing on maturity of the fruit, it falls. 



According to Udayana A'charya, gravity is imperceptible, but to be 

 infen-ed from the act of falling. Ballabha maintains, that it is perceived 

 in the position of a thing descending to a lower situation. 



Levity is not a distinct quality ; but the negation of gravity. 



13. Fluidity is the cause of original trickling.! 



It affects earth, light, and water. It is natural and essential in water ; 

 adscititious in earth and light; being induced by exhibition of fire in molten 

 substances, as lac, gold, &c. 



Fluidity is perceptible by the external senses, sight and touch. 



In had and ice, fluidity essentially subsists, but is obstructed by an im- 

 pediment arising from an unseen virtue, which renders the water solid. 



14. Viscidity is the quality of clamminess, and cause of agglutination. 

 It abides in water only. In oil, liquid butter, &c., it results from the 

 watery parts of those liquids.t 



15. Sound is a peculiar quaHty of the etherial element ; and is to be 

 apprehended by the hearing. It abides in that element exclusively, and is 

 its characteristic quality. Two sorts are distinguished: articulate and 

 musical. § 



To account for sound originating in one place, being heard in another, 

 it is observed, that sound is propagated by undulation ; wave after wave • 

 radiating in every direction, from a centre, like the blossoms of a Nauclea. 

 It is not the first, nor the intermediate wave, that is the sound heard : but 

 the last which comes in contact with the organ of hearing : and therefore 

 it is not quite correct to say, that a drum has been heard. Sound origi- 



* Tare. Bhdsh. and Pad. Dip. + Ibid. 



t Ibid, and SidM. Sang. j Ibid, and Gau. &c. 



