306 On the Adhesion of the Particles 



that Segner had attempted to solve it. I had no knowl- 

 edge of the memoir which he published on this subject 

 more than forty years ago in the first volume of the 

 memoirs of the Royal Society of Gottingen. 



If I recall these facts, it is simply to prove that I have 

 not taken the liberty of occupying the attention of the 

 Class with a subject as difficult as a research on the 

 adhesion of the particles of liquids, and the various phe- 

 nomena dependent upon it, without previous medita- 

 tion ; and to prove that the opinions which I have ven- 

 tured to bring before it were adopted a long time since, 

 and have been often examined before being announced. 



I have most certainly nothing more at heart than to 

 preserve the esteem and deserve the confidence of every 

 member of this illustrious Assembly. The favour which 

 they have shown me in giving me the right to sit among 

 them, which I regard in the light of a very distinguished 

 honour, as well as my respect for their talents, makes 

 me hold it as a sacred duty never to abuse their atten- 

 tion with trifles, or crude ideas, or opinions formed in 

 haste and ill-digested. 



If I ventured to speak of the pellicle of the water, it is 

 because I really believed in its existence; and I believe 

 in it still, and more firmly than ever. 



Allow me to recall to the Class the phenomena which 

 have seemed to me to indicate its existence. 



When I have seen little steel needles float on the sur- 

 face of this liquid without sinking into it, and even 

 without being wet ; when I have seen little globules of 

 mercury roll about on the surface of the water, then, com- 

 ing to rest, and sinking to a certain depth in the liquid 

 without, however, being wet by it, remain as though 

 suspended in a small pocket ; when I have seen diminu- 



