366 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [anNO 172g. 



without any remains or stench accom|janying the wick. In these experiments 

 he particularly observed, that the flame in all its changes still continued its pyra- 

 midical figure, nor did a quicker or slower descent make any alteration in these 

 circumstances. One experiment was very particular, relating to the flame of a 

 candle. He took a common pail, and having fixed a candle to the bottom of 

 it, erect about 8 inches long, he poured as much hot water into the pail as 

 reached within a quarter of an inch of the blaze of the candle. Then having 

 carefully lowered the pail down the well, the flame, notwithstanding it was 

 defended by the reeking steams of the hot water, went out at the same depth, 

 and in the same time as it did before. After this he immersed burning coals, 

 flan)ing brimstone, and lighted matches, all which were extinguished with very 

 little difference as to the time, or other circumstances. 



Two experiments were made relating to animal life. A large kitten was very 

 much affected in about a minute's time, and after 3 minutes was rendered so 

 weak, that after she was taken out, she could not sustain her weight on her 

 legs. Being at length pretty well recovered, they carefully bound her up in a 

 silk handkerchief, that she might be the more easily suspended; and having let 

 her down about 1 6 or 18 feet, in 3 minutes she was affected in the like manner 

 as before, making a very distressed noise, and in about 5 minutes was in such 

 extraordinary convulsions as rendered the sight not a little disagreeable; but in 

 these throws she disengaged herself from the handkerchief, falling to the bot- 

 tom, without making any efforts to swim ; whence w^e concluded they were the 

 last struggles for life, in which she broke loose. 



They tried the same fatal experiment on a small bird, which being suspended 

 in the damp about 3 minutes, was found entirely senseless, and according to 

 all appearance past recovery. Mr. G. found it was very cold, nor had it the 

 least motion ; however, keeping it close between his hands, which were pretty 

 warm, in about a minute he felt a small palpitation, which presently increased 

 to a stronger pulse, till in about 6 or 7 minutes the bird was restored to a perfect 

 and uninterrupted respiration. About half an hour after this, he again put the 

 bird into the damp, and continued it thereabout 5 minutes, after which it was 

 past recovery. 



July 21, he repeated several of the experiments relating to lights and flame, 

 which succeeded with very little, if any alteration, as before. He then examined 

 the elasticity of the air in the well, by letting down a small bell, the sound of 

 which was as distinct and loud, as in any ordinary well of the same depth. 



Then to discover the degree of moisture, he took a large sponge a little wet, 

 which with the silk string, by which it was let down, weighed 278 grains. This 

 being Siispended in the damp upwards of 5 minutes, and then raised, was care- 

 fully weighed, and found to be of the same weight precisely. After this he 



