98 Mayow 



condensation of the exhalations but also by the re- 

 moval of the air. But since the air in the glass was for 

 the most part impaired by the first fermentation, or 

 rather had its elastic force diminished as far as possible, 

 hence it is that the water, after the action brought 

 on the second time, ascends in the glass only to the 

 extent that the exhalations produced undergo con- 

 densation, and consequently much less than in the 

 previous case. And since these exhalations will never 

 be completely condensed, it follows that the water will 

 never rise to the point from which it was depressed. 



As to the manner in which the air contained in the 

 aforesaid glass lost its elastic force, it is not to be 

 supposed that it was condensed on account of being 

 cooled by the saline exljalations, for the water rose in 

 the glass while it was still warm from the action. 

 Nay, if the glass be warmed by placing it near the 

 fire so that the water contained in it may be rarefied, 

 the water underneath can yet scarcely be depressed to 

 the level first marked, even when the heat is intense ; 

 and when the glass cools it will rise again to its 

 former height. 



Nor is it probable that the air coalesces with the 

 particles given off in the action and is as it were 

 coagulated, since it will not submit to so much com- 

 pression unless under a very intense force. Further, 

 these effervescing particles are turned into a sort of 

 vitriol which remains under the form of a liquid, but 

 it is by no means probable that air in such quantity 

 can be imprisoned in so small a portion of liquid, as 

 was more amply stated in another place. 



Wherefore it is reasonable to suppose that the 

 aerial particles, inasmuch as they are rigid, are rubbed 

 among the fermenting particles in the glass, and 

 broken perhaps into very minute parts, so that the 



