observed on the Glaciers of Chamouny. 257 



of my numerous experiments, the motions of small par- 

 ticles of matter of different kinds in water, which Dr. 

 Thomson describes ; but so far from inferring from them 

 the existence of currents in that fluid, their cause was so 

 perfectly evident that I did not even think it necessary 

 to make any mention of them. 



I cannot conclude this paper without requesting that 

 the Royal Society would excuse the liberty I have taken 

 in troubling them with these remarks. Very desirous 

 of avoiding every species of altercation, I have hitherto 

 cautiously abstained from engaging in literary disputes ; 

 and I shall most certainly endeavour to avoid them in 

 future. 



I am responsible to the public for the accuracy of 

 the accounts which I have published of my experiments; 

 but it cannot reasonably be expected that I should 

 answer all the objections that may be made to the con- 

 clusions which I have drawn from them. It will, how- 

 ever, at all times, afford me real satisfaction to see my 

 opinions examined and my mistakes corrected ; for my 

 first and most earnest wish is, to contribute to the 

 advancement of useful knowledge. 



[This paper is printed from the Philosophical Transactions of the 

 Royal Society, XCIV. (1804), pp. 23 - 29.] 



VOL. n. 17 



