96 Atmosphere. 



the clouds ; and, passing the extreme 

 boundaries of our atmosphere, returns to 

 the sun from whence it came. 



The uses of the atmosphere are so ma- 

 ny and great, that it seems indeed abso- 

 lutely necessary, not only to the comfort 

 and convenience of men, but even to the 

 existence of all animal and vegetable life, 

 and to the very constitution of all kinds 

 of matter whatever, and without which 

 they would not be what they are ; for by 

 it we live, breathe, and have our being ; 

 and by insinuating itself into all the va- 

 cuities of bodies, it becomes the great 

 spring of most of the mutations here be- 

 low, as generation,corruption,dissolution, 

 &c. and without which none of these op- 

 erations could be carried on. Without 

 the atmosphere, no animal could exist, 

 or indeed be produced; neither any plant, 

 all vegetation ceasing without its aid ; 

 there would be neither rain nor dews to 

 moisten the face of the ground : and, 

 though we might perceive the sun and 

 stars like bright specks, we should be in 

 utter darkness, having none of what we 

 call day-light, or even twilight: nor would 

 either fire or heat exist without it. In 



