378 UE U O I K S of the 
diltributes it to the feveral parts for their nourifliment- that 
therefore there is that plentiful provifion and vaft abuudance 
of it fuppiiec^ to all the parts of the earth, is a mark of a natu- 
ral providence, fuperintending over the globe we inhabit. 
This fluid is fitted for the office here afligned it feveral 
ways* firfl by the figure of its parts, which as appears from 
feveral experiments, is exadly and mathematically fpherical, 
the furfaces being perfectly fmooth, and without any the leafl 
inequality ^ fo that it is evident, corpufcles of fuch a figure are 
eafily fufceptible of motion, yea, far above any others whatever, 
and confequently the mofl capable of moving and conveying 
other matter that is not fo a£tive and moveable than the inter- 
Jticcs between bodies of that figure are with refpefl to their 
bulk, of all others the greateft, and fo moll adapted for recei- 
ving of foreign matter 5 befides, as far as trials hitherto made, 
inform us, the conflituent corpulcles of water are each, fingly 
coniider'd, abfolutely folid, and do not yield to the greateft 
external force, which fecures their figure againft any al- 
teration 5 and confequently, the interftices between the cor- 
pufcles muit be always alike 5 by the latter it will ever be 
difpofed to receive matter, and by the former, when receiv'd, 
to convey it along with itfelf: Water is farther fitted to 
be a vehicle to this matter, by the tenuity, and finenefs 
of the corpufcles of which it confifls^ we hardly know any 
fluid in nature, except fire, whofe conftituent parts are fo ex- 
ceeding fubtile and {mall as thofeof water arej they pafs thro' 
pores and interllices, that neither air nor any other fluid can 5 
this enables them to enter the finefl tubes and vefTels of plants, 
and introduce the terreflrial matter, conveying it to all their 
parts ^ whillt each, by means of organs it is endowed with for 
that purpofe, intercepts and affumes to itfelf fuch particles as 
are fuirable to its nature 5 letting the reft pafs on thro' the com- 
mon du6ls ; nay we have almolt every where mechanical inftan- 
ces of much the fame nature : It is obvious to every one how 
eafily and fuddenly humidity or the corpufcles of water fuC- 
tained in the air, pervade and infinuate themfelves into cords, 
however tightly twifted, into leather, parchment, vegetable 
bodies, wood and the like 5 and this it is that fits them for 
hygrometers, to meafure and determine the different quanti- 
ties of moifture in the air, in different places and Icafons. 
8. Water is not capable of performing this office to plants, un- 
Icfs it be affifted by a due quantity of heat, which muft needs 
concur, elfe vegetation will not fucceed; The plants that were 
fet 
