41 



object of our senses, likewise belong to 

 every atom of which it is composed; 

 whilst others, on the contrary, think, that 

 the atoms have very different qualities, 

 and that the vis inertise is the property 

 only of the aggregate mass. The matter 

 of animals and vegetables is, however, an 

 aggregate mass; it is as we express it, 

 common matter, it is inert; so that the 

 necessity of supposing the superaddition 

 of some subtile and mobile substance is 

 apparent. 



" 

 Taking it for granted that the opinions 



generally entertained concerning the cause 

 of electrical motions are true, analogy 

 would induce us to suppose, that similar 

 motions might be produced, by similar 

 causes, in matter organized as it is found 

 to be in the vegetable and animal sys- 

 tems. 



