Seel. V. Agriculture and Vegetation. 8 1 



which are moft apt to putrefy, contain more 

 air, than thofe which are lefs liable to pu- 

 trefaction. The fixed air of vegetables is 

 not acted upon by heat ; nor does there 

 appear any caufe why it fhould get free. 

 It is difficult to arrive at any degree of 

 certainty in thefe abftrufe ipeculations. To 

 me the firft mover feems to be that ele* 

 mentary fire which is inclofed in all bodies, 

 fet in motion by the external heat of the 

 atmolphere. Hence the particles are made 

 to recede} and the fixed air uniting, be- 

 comes elaflic, and burfts the vefiels of the 

 vegetable body. 



THE defign and end of this procefs is 

 more apparent, than the means which the 

 Author of nature takes to accomplish thefe. 

 Were vegetables to be deftroyed only by 

 external force, by far the greateft part of 

 them would remain untouched j and fo be 

 an ufelefs burthen on nature. Were they 

 to be deflroyed by an internal fermentation, 

 as at prefentj without having their parts 



G vola- 





