VOL. LXXI.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 147 



the number corresponding to the sum, which will be less than the natural tan- 

 gent of 3Q° 5' by 286p. As this assumption is so near, take 39' 6" for the next, 

 repeat the operation, and the result will be 1Q35 too great. Then 4804 (2869 

 + 1935) : 60' 7 :: 2869 : 36'; which being added to 39 5', gives 39 b' 36", for 

 the co-latitude of the place sought, and the natural sine of this arc, or .6305856 

 is the value of x in this equation. 



To the foregoing Mr. W. adds three other similar examples. 



XXXI. Experiments on the Power that Animals, when placed in certain Cir- 

 cumsta?ices, possess of producing Cold. By Adair Craivfbrd, M. D. p. 479. 

 The opinions of the ancients, respecting the nature and properties of fire, 

 consisted of bold conjectures, which seem rather to have been the offspring of a 

 lively and vigorous imagination, than of a just and correct judgment; their ideas 

 on this subject being evidently derived, not so much from an accurate observa- 

 tion of facts, as from those sentiments of admiration and awe which many of the 

 phenomena of fire are calculated to excite. Thus, this element was supposed, 

 on the original formation of the universe, to have ascended to the highest place, 

 and to have occupied the region of the heavens: it was conceived to be the prin- 

 ciple which first communicated life and activity to the animal kingdom: it was 

 considered as constituting the essence of inferior intellectual beings; and, by 

 many of the ancient nations, it was reverenced as the supreme Deity. Indeed 

 the profound veneration with which the element of fire was contemplated, for a 

 long succession of ages, by a great part of mankind, appears to be one of the 

 most curious circumstances in the history of ancient opinions. To account for 

 this we may observe, that there is no principle in nature, obvious to the senses, 

 which produces such important effects in the material system, and which, at the 

 same time, in the mode of its operation, is so obscure and incomprehensible. 



It appears to be accumulated in an immense quantity in the sun and fixed 

 stars, whence its beneficial influence seems to be continually diffused over the 

 universe; it is the great instrument by means of which the changes of the sea- 

 sons are effected; the diversity of climates is chiefly owing to the various propor- 

 tions in which it is distributed throughout the earth. If we add to this the 

 mighty alterations which have been produced in human affairs by the introduction 

 of artificial fire, by its employment in the separation of metals from their ores, 

 and in the various arts which are subservient to the comfort, the ornament, and 

 the preservation of the species, it will not appear surprising, that in a rude and 

 ignorant age, this wonderful principle should have been considered as endued 

 with life and intelligence, and that it should have become the object of religious 

 veneration. 



In the dark ages the alchy mists regarded pure fire as the residence of the 



o 2 



