Chap. 2.] Natural Proceflesfor its Production. 381 



means which he has provided for fupplying us with 

 this necefiary fluid. It is evident, that immenfe quan- 

 tities of it are, by the various procefTes of combuftion, 

 deftroyed, or, to fpeak more philofophically, con- 

 denfed, and by its union with inflammable matter 

 formed into water. This water is again raifed into 

 the atmofphere in the form of vapour $ it falls in dew 

 or rain upon the leaves of plants, and there, by the 

 genial action of the folar rays, a new dccompofition 

 again takes place, and every branch, every leaf, every 

 blade of grafs, is occupied in the beneficial function of 

 again impregnating the atmofphere with this Talutary 

 fluid. The quantities too, which are abforbed by the 

 calces of metals, mufl be immenfe ; but by the va- 

 rious procefles for the fmehing and reduction of 

 thefe metals, the oxygen 'is again fet free, and a frefh 

 fupply is produced. Even the air, which is injured 

 by refpiration, is doubtlefs again, by a variety of 

 modes, the greater part concealed from our view, pu- 

 rified, and rendered once more fit for ufe, fince fixed 

 air, in a difengaged ftate, is, comparatively fpeaking, 

 but a rare fubftance in nature, and fince there is rea- 

 fon to fuppofe that many of the carbonic bodies may 

 be recruited alfo by its decompofition. Ignorance of 

 nature is proverbially the fole fource of atheifm ; and 

 who can contemplate this aftonHhing revolution, this 

 circulation of benefits, and not fmile at the extreme 

 . folly of the man, who can fuppofe thefe appointments 

 cftablifhed without intelligence or defign. 



