108 NATURAL HISTORY. 



after a time, the water in euch pits will become brack 

 ish again. The cause is, for that after a time the very 

 sands through which the salt water passeth become 

 salt ; and so the strainer itself is tincted with salt. 

 The remedy therefore is, to dig still new pits, when 

 the old wax brackish ; as if you would change your 

 strainer. 



Experiment solitary touching attraction ty similitude of 

 substance. 



883. It hath been observed by the ancients that salt 

 water will dissolve salt put into it, in less time than 

 fresh water will dissolve it. The cause may be, for 

 that the salt in the precedent water doth, by similitude 

 of substance, draw the salt new put in unto it ; where 

 by it diffuseth in the liquor more speedily. This is a 

 noble experiment, if it be true ; for it sheweth means 

 of more quick and easy infusions ; and it is likewise a 

 good instance of attraction by similitude of substance. 

 Try it with sugar put into water formerly sugared, 

 and into other water unsugared. 



~ 



Experiment solitary touching attraction. 



884. Put sugar into wine, part of it above, part 

 under the wine ; and you shall find (that which may 

 seem strange) the sugar above the wine will soften 

 and dissolve sooner than that within the wine. The 

 cause is, for that the wine entereth that part of the 

 sugar which is under the wine by simple infusion or 

 spreading ; but that part above the wine is likewise 

 forced by sucking ; for all spungy bodies expel the 

 air and draw in liquor, if it be contiguous : as we 

 see it also in spunges put part above the water. It 



