J 38 «*HE PHILOSOPHY 



fatisfy myfelf. All I Intend is to recommend, to thofe genr 

 tlemen who may hereafter chance to fee fuch rare phae^ 

 nomena, aftri£^ examination of every circumflance that can 

 throw light on a fubject fo dark and myfterious -, for the 

 vulgar, ever inclined to render uncommon appearances ftill 

 more marvellous, are not to be trufted. 



From the fa6h I have enumerated, it Is apparent that air, 

 in certain proportions, according to the ftru<Sture and con- 

 ilitution of every animated being of which we have any 

 knowledge, is indifpenfibly neceffary for the exiftence and 

 continuation of animal life. Not only men, quadrupeds, 

 birds, fifhes, reptiles, and the larger infe£ls, but even fleas, 

 mites, the minute eels found in pafte or in vinegar, and the 

 animalcules produced by infufing animal or vegetable fub- 

 dances in water, inevitably perifh when deprived of this all- 

 vivifying element. 



With regard to plants, air is fo neceffary to their exiftence, 

 that they do not vegetate in an exhaufted receiver. Plants, 

 as formerly mentioned, are furniflied with numerous air^ 

 vefTels, or refpiratory organs. They abforb and tranfmit air 

 through every pore. When placed in an exhaufted receiver, 

 the air contained in every part of their fubftance is foon ex^ 

 trailed ; and, in proportion as this air Is likewife pumped out 

 by the machine, the flowers and leaves fhow evident fympr 

 toms of debility jthey become flaccid, pendulous, and aflTume 

 a lickly appearance ; and, if retained in that iituation a cer- 

 tain length of time, their vegetating powers are irrecoverably 

 extinguifhed. 



Upon the whole, as the air we continually breathe is an 

 univerfal menftruum, and, of courfe, liable to be impregnat- 

 ed with exhalations, from every fubftance to which It has ac- 

 cefs, the great importance of a perfonal, as well as of domeftic 

 cleanhnefs, is an obvious reflexion. In building towns or 

 Jaoufes, the fituation, with regard to air, is a capital objedt? 



