Chap. 18, <stTrtxif>of BODIES. 



to yield her aflent to the rigorous fequeles and proofs of reafon. 

 In this difficulty then, after turning on every fide, I for my 

 part can difcern no pretence of probabilitic, in any other means 

 then in pulling down the lower ftone by one corner; that fb 

 there may be a gaping between the two (tones, to let in aire by 

 little and little. And in this cifc you may fay that by the inter- 

 vention of airc, vacuity ii hindered, and yet the lower ftone is 

 left at liberty to follow its own niturall inclination, and be go- 

 verned by its weight. But indeed, if you confider the matter 

 well, you willfindthat the doing this, requireth a much greater 

 force, then to hare the lower (tone follow the upperrfor it can- 

 not gape in a ftraight line, to let in aire ; fince in that pofition, 

 it muft open at the bottom where the angle is madcjat the fame 

 time that it openeth at the mouth : and then aire requiriug time 

 to pafle from the edges to the bottomejt mutt in the mean while 

 fall into the contradiction of vacuity. So that if it fliouldopen 

 to let in aire ; the ftone, to compafle that effect, muft bend, in 

 fuch fort as wood doth when a wedge is put into it to cleave it. 

 Judge then what force it muft be thatfliould make hard mar- 

 ble of a great thicknefic bend like a wand; & whether it would 

 not rather break and flide off,then do fo: you will allow that a 

 much leffe, will raife up the lower ftone together with the up- 

 f>ermoft.It muft then of neceflity fall out,that it will follow it,if 

 it be moved perpendicularly upwards. And the like effefr, will 

 bethoughjt fhould be raifed at oblique angles, fo that the low- 

 ermoft c^ge do reft all the way upon fomething that may hinder 

 the infcnour ftone from fliding afide from the uppermoft. 



And this is the very cafe of all thofe other experiments of art 

 and nature, which we have mentioned above : for the reafon 

 Jioldeth as well in water and liquide things ; as in folid bodies, 



untill the weight ofthe liquid body overcometh the continuity 5*'? to , what 



r- r i L-JUILJ- -ii r j L i kcight foevcr. 



of it : for then, the thrid breaketh,and it will afcend no higher. 

 Which height, Galileo tellcth us from the workmen in the 

 Arfenall of Venice, is 40. foot ; ifthc water be drawn up in a 

 clofc pipe,in which the advantage ofthe fides helpeth the afccnt. 

 But others fay that the invention is inlarged, and that water 

 may be drawn to what height one pleafeth. Hovvfoever, the 

 force which nature appli'eth to maintain the continuity of quan- 

 tity,can havcnoJirnit,fceing it is grounded upon contradiction. 



N 4 



