ADHESION OF BODIES TO FLUIDS. l6Q 



IV. 



Abstract of a Memoir on the Adhesion of Bodies to the Sur- 

 face of Fluids, read at the Sitting of the first Class of the 

 Institute, November the <24th, 1806. By Mr. Laplace*. 



^ GREAT number of experiments have been made on Dr. Youn? first 

 the adhesion of bodies to the surface of fluids, but without accounted for 

 auy suspicion, that this adhesion was the effect of capillary £^^5,°* 

 action. Dr. T. Young appears to me to be the lirst, who surfaces of flu- 

 made this ingenious remark f . On applying my analysis to ld f by capillary 

 his experiments, I have found, that it represents them as 

 well as could be expected with regard to experiments so very 

 delicate, and not always agreeing exactly with each other. 

 The phenomena of capillary action being now reduced to a Theory of ca. 



mathematical theory ; nothing more is wanting to this inte- ? lllary attrac " 

 • ° ~ tion wants on- 



refhng branch of uatural philosophy, but a series of accu- Iy experL- 



rate experiments, in which every thing capable of affecting ments# 



the result of this action is carefully removed. The want of 



very precise experiments is felt, in proportion as the sciences 



advance toward perfection. To the concurrence of the great Cause of the 



discoveries in mechanics and mathematics with those of the P r °g ress of 



astronomy. 

 telescope and pendulum, astronomy is indebted for its vast 



progress. We cannot therefore too strongly invite the phi- 

 losopher to give the greatest precision to his operations; as 

 we cannot sufficiently encourage the skilful artist, who de- 

 votes his labours to the improvement of the inftruments of 

 science. A single experiment badly executed, has frequently Necessity of 

 been the cause of many mistakes.; while an experiment well experiments. 

 performed subsists for ever, and sometimes becomes a source 

 of discovery. On such an experiment we rely with confi- 

 dence ; but the cautious inquirer feels himself under the 

 necessity of verifying the results given by an observer, who 

 has not acquired a solid reputation for accuracy. 



» Journal de Physique, Vol. LX1II. p. 413. Nov. 1806. 

 + Philosophical Transactions for 1805 : or Journal, Vol. XIV. p. 74, . 

 158. 



Vol. XVII.— July continued, 1S07. N When 



