244 OF SOUND AND HEARING. 



articulate words, and these hanging in every little portion 

 of the air, and all in a space of time far less perhaps than 

 a minute. 



To inquire of the space of time in which sound is con 

 veyed. It can be found thus. Let a man stand in a steeple 

 by night; let another stand in the field, a mile off , per 

 haps, or as far as the bell can be heard, and let him have 

 ready a torch lighted, but covered. Then let him in the 

 steeple strike the bell : then let the other, who stands in 

 the plain, as soon as he hears it, lift the torch : in this way, 

 by the space of time between the striking of the bell and 

 the seeing of the torch, shall he that stands in the steeple 

 discover the time of the motion of the sound. 



In guns, the flame is seen sooner than the report is 

 heard, although the flame follow the discharging of the 

 ball ; so as the flash issues later, but sooner strikes the 

 sense. Whence it is rightly gathered, that the beams 

 visible are more speedily diffused and arrive than the 

 species or impressions of sound. 



OF T.HE AFFINITY, OR NON-AFFINITY, WHICH SOUND 

 HATH WITH THE MOTION, LOCAL AND PERCEPTIBLE, 

 OF THE AIR IN WHICH IT IS CARRIED. 



Sound doth not appear manifestly and actually to shake 

 and trouble the air, as doth wind ; but the motions of 

 sound appear to be effected by spiritual species ; for thus 

 we must speak, until something more assured shall be 

 found. 



So as I conceive that a very loud sound of one shouting, 

 at a little distance from the very motion of the breath, 

 shall scarcely stir any trembling aspen leaf, or straw, or 

 flame. 



But in greater pulsations there is found a very bodily 

 and actual motion of the air; but whether that proceed 

 from the motion itself which generates sound, or from a 

 collateral cause, or some concomitants, appeareth not. 

 Thunder claps sometimes make glass windows to tremble, 

 and even walls : I think also that ordnance let off, or 

 explosions of mines do the same. 



And I remember, if I mistake not, that there is at King s 

 College, in Cambridge, a certain wooden building, in which 

 there hang bells, and that when the bells ring, it is 

 shaken, But whatsoever that hidden motion be, which is 



