65 



pores ; at others, is intimately united to their constitu- 

 ent parts, and composes inflammatory matter. 



Air and water are likewise contained in the compo- 

 sition of a prodigious number of matters of different 

 kinds. Sometimes they seem to change their nature, 

 and to undergo various transformations ; but these trans- 

 formations are only imaginary. They resume their 

 primitive state, as soon as iljte causes which obscured 

 them cease to act. 



4. Pure earth is the base or foundation in the com- 

 position of solids. The chymist meets with it in every 

 body he analyses. Being fixed and unalterable, rt will 

 resist the most violent fire; and this immutability of 

 elementary earth, by convincing us of the simplicity of 

 its aature, shews likewise that it is the first step of the 

 scale of inactive solids. 



From a mixture of pure earth with oils, sulphurs, 

 salts, &c. proceed the various species of more or less 

 compounded earths, which are the proper nourishment of 

 one part of organized bodies. 



Bitumens and sulphurs, which are chiefly formed of 

 inflammable matter and earth, seem to lead us from 

 pure earth to metallic substances, in which we discover 

 the same essential principles, only differently combined* 



The inalterability of gold from the most violent fire, 

 its malleability, and prodigious ductility, equally prove 

 the homogeueousness, extreme fineness, and strict union 

 of its parts. 



Other metals are ranged after gold, according to the 

 order of their composition, or the stronger or weaker 

 combination of their principles. Platina immediately 

 follows gold : and silver that. Silver also resists the 

 action of fire ; but is less malleable and ductile than 

 gold, and dissoluble by a much greater number of dis- 

 solvents. 



