Anatyfis oj the Air. 311 



numerable denfe bodies 5 and that probably 

 from many of thofe bodies, which when 

 they had their afcending fumes confined in 

 my Glaffes, abforbed more air than they 

 generated, but would in a more free, open 

 fpace generate more than they abforbed. 



I made fome attempts both by fire, and 

 alfo by fermenting and abforbing mixtures, 

 to try if I could deprive all the particles of 

 any quantity of elaftick air of their elafticity, 

 but I could not effect: it : There is therefore 

 no dired proof from any of thefe Experi- 

 ments, that all the elaftick air may be ab- 

 forbed, tho' tis very probable it may, fince 

 we find it is in fuch great plenty generated 

 and abforbed ; it may well therefore be 

 all abforbed and changed from an elaf- 

 tick to a fixt ftate : For as Sir Isaac New- 

 ton obferves of light, " that nothing more 

 " is requifite for producing ali the variety of 

 " colours, and degrees of refrangibility, than 

 " that the rays of light be bodies of different 

 " fizes i the lcaft of which may make the 

 " weakeft and darkeft of the colours, and 

 " be more eafily diverted, by refra&ing fur- 

 " faces from the right courfe ; and the reft, 

 " as they are bigger and bigger, may make 

 X 4 « the 



