MECHANISM OF NATURE 



PROPOSITION IX. 



Human reason cannot comprehend the infinite, 

 nor determine the direction of an infinite universal 

 force. 



Let Figure A represent a cask filled with 1,000 

 gallons of an incompressible liquid. And let B and 



C represent tubes with perfect pistons, and let the 

 tubes also be filled with the liquid. 



Then if a weight of 10 Ibs. is put on the upper 

 piston, there will be 10 Ibs. of pressure on a like 

 area of every part of the inside of the cask and 

 the lower piston. (Pascal's experience.) But 

 there will be no movement until something yields. 

 (Prop. Ill, B. 3.) Let the lower piston yield. 

 Then what part of the cask will the liquid go to 

 that comes out of the upper tube, and where will 

 the liquid come from that fills the lower tube? 



98 



