204 OX WATER ASD WATERING rLATSTS. 



of flexible particles like ropes, which ore not so close as to leave 

 no Pores ; nor so entangled but that there are right lines enough 

 to transmit the light." 



" For since the particles are not joined close together, and 

 are in perpetual motion, the very fine particles of light do easily 

 pass through their right lines ; unless the water be very deep, or 

 be put into motion, by some outward cause. Then indeed the 

 transparency of water is very much obstructed, and it looks of a 

 cloudy obscure colour, as it is obvious to sight in a rough sea : 

 For at such a time, the vehement agitation of the water disturbs 

 their pores, and spoils their straightness." 



2. " Water is liquid, but capable of being fixed: water seems to 

 be liquid for the same reason as other bodies are so. For since 

 the particles of it are flexible, like ropes, and leave pores be- 

 tween one another, which arc filled with finer matter, when 

 this matter is put into a vehement commotion, the particles are 

 easily tossed about every way: yet when the motion of this rest- 

 less matter is restrained as it is in winter, then the water 

 congeals into ice ; whether this comes of cold only, or there be 

 besides nitrous particles, which fall out of the air at that time, 

 and with their rigidness fix the watery particles." 



3. " It may be made hot or cold. The particles of water being, 

 as has before been said, ice, is soon dissolved by the motion of the 

 particles of fire: for the particles of fire, getting into the pores of 

 the ice do mightily shake the fine, flexible particles of ice, and 

 restore them to their former motion in a little time. 



" But if this water be set in cold air, the fiery particles will 

 quickly vanish, and the water will become as cold as before. 



" 4. Water easily evaporates by the heat of fire or air. This 

 is because its particles are quickly separated, and got into mo- 

 tion ; so that the airy particles easily carry those . of the water 

 about with them. 



" 5. It is heavy if compared with air and other bodies, but 

 much heavier than air. It has been shown by various experi- 

 ments that the gravity of the air, in the place where we live is to 

 that of water, as one to eight hundred, or something more ; so 

 that water is about eight hundred times heavier than air. And 

 for this reason, and for no oiher a bladder, or other thing fil- 

 led with air, can hardly be sunk underwater; and indeed, to 

 make air sink, there must be a weight added to it, that shall ex- 

 ceed the weight of the water, as much, and something more, than 



