200 Mr. Delaval on the Caufe of the 



is endued with properties, which are peculiar to 

 phlogifton. Such as its power of efFe(fling the 

 ciyftallization ofalcalies, without changing them 

 to neutral falts; its tendency to efcape from wa- 

 ter, and its affinity with the air, by means of which 

 a confiderable quantity of fixed air is united with, 

 and diffufed throughout, every part of the at- 

 mofphere. 



Water, as well as phlogifton, is a conftituent 

 part of all fubftances which yield fixed air. Both 

 thefe principles have a ftrong affinity to air. This 

 appears from the union which air forms with the 

 inflammable principle, when it is difengaged from 

 bodies by combuftion, fermentation, putrefaflion, 

 or any other mode of decompofition; and from 

 the mutual attraflion of water and air, which is 

 manifefted by evaporation, and by the conftant 

 prefcnce of aqueous particles in the atmofphere. 



The laws of chymical analyfis will hardly per- 

 mit us to doubt, that the air, which is obtained 

 from mild alcalies, calcareous earth, and various 

 other fubftances, receives from them .when they 

 are decompofed, the fame contents which were 

 united in them as conftituent parts, while they 

 were in their intire ftate. And their analyfis in-:, 

 variably fliews that air, water, and phlogifton, 

 e.iter their compofuion. 



From hence it feems to follow, as an immediate 

 and obvious inference, that fixed air confifts of 

 thefe three ingredients, either united in bodies, 



?n4 



