of Water to each other. 299 



heavy as the lightest, provided always that they be re- 

 duced to very minute particles. 



I have found, by a calculation founded on facts which 

 appear to me to be decisive, that a solid spherule of 

 pure gold, of the diameter of OT^^ f an inch, 

 would be suspended in water by the effect of it's viscid- 

 ity, even though this small body should be completely 

 wetted and submerged in a tranquil mass of the fluid. 



This viscidity, or want of perfect fluidity, which 

 causes it to hold every kind of substance in solution, 

 renders it eminently proper to become the vehicle of 

 nourishment to plants and animals ; and we accordingly 

 see that it is exclusively employed in this office. 



If the adhesion of the particles of water to each other 

 were to cease, and the fluidity of this body were to 

 become perfect, every living being would perish by 

 inanition. 



May I be permitted to remark the simplicity of the 

 means employed by Nature in all her operations ! 



May I be permitted to express my profound admira- 

 tion and adoration of the Author of so many wonders ! 



[This paper is printed from Nicholson's Journal, XV. (1806), 

 pp. 52-56, I57-I59* I73-I75-] 



