48 8 Dr. Percival on the EfeSfs of Famine^ &c. 



5. The temperature of the air varies much 

 in coal-pits, even of the fame depth. No 

 thermometrical obfervations were made on the 

 prefent occafion ; but the fenfations of Travis 

 feem to have indicated coldnefs; and his ex- 

 tremities never recovered their natural warmth, 

 Moifture always abounds in thefe mines. 



6. The weaknefs of Travis prevented him 

 from giving any account of his fufFerings, either 

 from hunger or thirft. But it was obferved 

 that he was eager to drink, at the time when 

 he was found. 



7. It is certain that Travis had no provifions 

 with him, in the coal-mine j and that there 

 was not any fupply of water, except near the 

 mouth of the pit ; a place he mufl immediately 

 have quitted, and to which he deprived himfelf 

 of the power of returning, by throwing the earth 

 behind him, in his progrefs. We may there- 

 fore prefume, that he pafTed the whole CcvQn 

 days of his confinement, without either meat 

 or drink. 



inftantly corrected, by carrying down into it buckets of 

 water, and flaking in them a fufficient quantity of frefh burnt 

 quicklime. The hot fteam, generated by this operation, 

 it may be prefumed, would have difFufed itfelf quickly 

 through the whole cavity ; the gas would have united 

 with the aqueous vapour ; been precipitated with it ; and 

 a current if atmofpheric air would have ruflied in to 

 fupply its place. 



This 



