CHAPTER IX. 



ON THE PROCESS OF GASSIFICATION. 



NATURAL philosophers have, at different times, 

 directed their attention to determine the agency 

 of that power, by which the conversion and pre- 

 servation of water into a gaseous, or aeri-form, 

 state, has taken place ; and its elevation upon 

 the surface of the earth, to high points in the fir- 

 mament; from the time that the earth was 

 without form and void, and darkness was 

 on the face of the deep, and the Spirit of 

 God moved on the face of the waters. DR. 

 HALLEY, MUSCHENBROECK, and others, sup- 

 posed that this effect was accomplished, " by a 

 chemical affinity, which existed between air 

 and water, so that the evaporation of water, at 

 a low temperature, depended on the mutual at- 

 traction which existed between both ; they con- 

 sidered it to be similar to the solution which 

 takes place of salt in water, the air dissolving 

 the water, as the water does the salt." 



