Chap. 3.] Newton's Argument on Divifibility, &c. 1 5 



matter of a body fo framed will take up only hall" the 

 fpace occupied by the body ; and if each conftituent 

 particle is compofed of other fmalier particles, ac- 

 cording to the fame rule the folid parts of fuch a 

 body will be but a fourth part of its bulk ; if every 

 one of thefe leffer particles again are compounded in 

 the fame manner, the folid parts of the whole body 

 will be but one eighth of its bulk ; and thus by con- 

 tinuing the compofition, the folid parts of the body 

 may be made to bear as fmall a proportion to the 

 magnitude of the whole body as fhall be defired, not- 

 withftanding the body Ihall, by the contiguity of its 

 parts, be capable of being in any degree folid *. 

 When thefe fafts are confidered, the hypothecs of 

 the fame incomparable philofopher, concerning the 

 fmall quantity of folid matter contained in the uni- 

 verfe, as noticed in a preceding chapter, appears lels 

 incredible. 



* Pembertoa's View, 355. 



CHAP. 



