MAXIMA AND MINIMA. CCXClll 



Again, let the inquiry be into the nature of solidity, 

 the contrary of which is fluidity. Froth, snow, bubbles, 

 whether of soap and water blown by children, or those 

 which may be seen occasionally on the surface of a fluid 

 or on the side of a vessel, or the looking-glasses made of 

 spittle by children in a loop of a single hair or a rush, 

 where we see a consistent pellicule of water, like infant 

 ice, exhibit solidity in its most feeble states. 



Maxima and Minima. In inquiring into any nature, Maxima. 

 observe it in its extremes, or its maxima and minima. 

 Gold in weight; iron in hardness; the whale in bulk of 

 animal bodies; the hound in scent; the explosion of gun 

 powder in sudden expansion, are instances of maxima. 

 The minute worms in the skin is an instance of minimum 

 in animal bulk. 



Frontier Instances. Observe those species of bodies Frontier, 

 which seem composed of two species : as moss, which 

 is something betwixt putrefaction and a plant; flying 

 fishes, which are a species betwixt birds and fish ; bats, 

 which are betwixt birds and quadrupeds; the beast so 

 like ourselves, the ape ; the biformed births of animals ; 

 the mixtures of different species, &c. 



Singular Instances. In inquiring into any nature, Singular. 

 observe those instances, which, in regular course, are 

 solitary amidst their own natures. Quicksilver amongst 

 metals; the power of the carrier pigeon to return to the 

 place from whence it was carried ; the scent of the blood 

 hound ; the loadstone amongst stones ; that species of 

 flowers which do not die when plucked from the stalk, 

 but continue their colours and forms unaltered during the 

 winter. So with grammarians the letter G is held singular 

 for the easiness of its composition with consonants, some 

 times with double and sometimes with triple ones, which 

 is a property of no other letter. So the number 9 amongst 



