LECTURE V. 197 



merely to show that Mr. Hunter was one of 

 those who could believe there must be 

 means adequate to produce effects, though 

 they were undiscoverable by our senses. It 

 is interesting to know how generally opi- 

 nions, which he first broached and estab- 

 lished respecting the absorbents, are now 

 received and adopted ; for it is a striking 

 proof of* the facility and firmness with which 

 we believe what is probable, when we have 

 no motive for contesting or denying it. All 

 seem convinced of things scarcely explicable 

 without requiring that kind of proof which 

 some are accustomed to demand on other 

 V occasions. 



The first preparation which Mr. Hunter 

 has put up in this department of his col- 

 lection is a common hyacinth root ; which 

 I cannot believe exhibits any thing more 

 than may be observed with a glance of the 

 eye, in the windows of our houses, during 

 the spring season. We see the succulent 

 roots descending from tiie tuber, and the 

 leaves beginning to bud. I cannot believe 

 that INIr. Hunter, or others, have ever seen 



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