ON RESPIRATION. 131 



•beingableto throw much additional lighton a subject, which 

 has been already so extensively discussed by men of the 

 highest attainments: the principal end I have in view is Object of the 

 merely to endeavour to establish, as in germination, the 

 simple phenomenon of the absorption of oxigen gas by the 

 blood in the lungs, in contradiction to the theory which sup- 

 poses the emission of solid carbon, and its subsequent union 

 with the oxigen gas of the air to form carbonic acid gas, as 

 stated in my forme? paper. For this purpose 1 have con- 

 fined my experiments to the greatest simplicity, conscious 

 how important it must be to demonstrate this one circum- 

 stance beyond any doubt, and thereby afford the means of 

 unerring data for constituting a more distinct theory of re- 

 spiration : for I believe it is an axiom in natural philosophy, as 

 well as mathematics, that, if the data be founded in errour, 

 the conclusions derived from them must be false. In order Facts the only 



therefore to establish anv doctrine upon a secure foundation, seL " re f ° un - 

 11 -i ""• i i • 1 /• i , Nation of any 



it would appear very desirable in the first place> to endea- dourlne. 



vour to remove existing doubts, which perhaps cannot be bet- 

 ter done than by the institution and arrangement of a cer- 

 tain number of facts, placed in so appropriate and lucid a 

 point of view, as shall be calculated to carry conviction to 

 the inquiring mind. These only ought to be considered as 

 the pillars and support of every rational theory ; and the de- 

 cay and failure of them from after experiment and improve- 

 ment should be the signal for its vanishing away, to be re- 

 placed by more accurate results. For my own part, in pur- 

 suing these investigations I put in no claim for novelty, and 

 my direct object is confined within very narrow bounds. I 

 must confess, that my greatest pleasurable feeling arises 

 principally from the contemplation of the probability of fu- 

 ture benefit being derived from them by their stimulating 

 others, who have more energy of mind, with better oppor- 

 tunities and advantages, to resume them with additional ar- 

 dour, so as to carry them to the greatest perfection they may 

 be capable of. Could I be convinced* that any experiment 

 I shall perform, or any sentence flowing from my pen* may 

 have so desirable an effect, my highest ambition would be 

 satisfied, and I should console myself with the reflection, 

 that I have not lived in vain. 



K '2 A great 



