128 PHENOMENA OF THK UNIVERSE. 



(in relation to its extent), comparing them with its inter 

 stices or pores, that is, its pulverizations, calcinations, vitri 

 fications, dissolutions, distillations, vapours, exhalations, 

 and inflammations. In the next place, I shall lay down 

 the actions and motions themselves/the extent and bounds 

 of the contraction and dilatation, and when the bodies 

 return to themselves, and when they exceed according to 

 the measure of their extent ; but I shall note particularly 

 the efficients and means through which this kind of con 

 tractions and dilatations of bodies follow, and, in the 

 meantime, shall subjoin by the way, the powers and ac 

 tions which accrue to bodies from such compressions and 

 dilatations. 



And as I well know how difficult it is in the present 

 state of the mind to acquire a familiarity with nature now 

 from the very elements, I shall add my own observations, 

 in order to excite the attention and raise the thoughts of 

 others. But with respect to demonstration, whether as to 

 the discovery of the density and rarity of bodies, I have no 

 doubt that, with respect to thick and palpable bodies, the 

 motion of gravity, as it is called, can be assumed as the 

 best as well as readiest proof; for the gravity of a body 

 will be in proportion to its compactness. But after we 

 have come to the class of ethereal and spiritual substances, 

 then indeed we have no measure or rule whereby to go, and 

 shall need another method of investigation. But we will 

 begin with gold, the heaviest of all bodies within our know 

 ledge (for philosophy is not yet so matured as that we 

 ought to venture an opinion respecting the bowels of the 

 earth), and embraces the greatest quantity of matter in the 

 smallest space ; and we shall apply the ratios of other 

 bodies to the sphere of this ; intimating, however, that here 

 we scarcely touch upon the history of weights, except as 

 far as it may throw light upon the demonstrating of the 

 dimensions of bodies. But as our design is not to publish 

 conjectures, but to discover and gain knowledge, and this 

 appears to lie in the examination and proof of the first ex 

 periments, I have determined in every very subtle experi 

 ment to subjoin the mode of experiment I have made use 

 of, that after it is clearly ascertained how each thing by 

 itself appears to me, men may see how far they may rest 

 satisfied, and what further remains to be done, whether in the 

 correction of errors which may still cleave to the work, or in 

 the calling forth and employing of more accurate modes of 

 proof. And I will for my own part diligently and sincerely 

 intimate those subjects which appear to me to be less satis- 



