de 3 i 
the dephlogifticated air, being hea 
vier than common air, is rather in- 
clined to fettle on the furface of the 
earth among the animal creation, 
But, as animals fpoil equally as 
much air in the winter as in the 
fummer by the act of refpiration, it 
might feem fomewhat furprizing, 
that this great laboratory ceases in- 
tirely by the decay of the leaves. 
Is this defect fupplied by fome 
other means equally powerful? 
Though we are very far from being 
able to trace all the aétive caufes 
which contribute ther fhare in 
keeping up the wholefomenefs of 
our atmofphere, yet we have already 
traced fome of them, and there- 
fore muft not sg foi = seen 
air in Pater Secill in great ae 
correct it. “Water itfelf has a power 
' of 
