KOVUM O KG A NUM. 



relations (viz. of spirit cut off, spirit simply branching, spirit at once 

 branching and cellulate ; of which the first is the spirit of all inani 

 mate bodies, the second that of vegetables, the third that of animals), 

 is placed before the eyes by multiplied Instances of reduction. 



In like manner it is clear that the more subtle textures and structures 

 of things (visible and tangible, it may be, in the whole body) are neither 

 seen nor touched. Wherefore in these cases also our information is 

 advanced by reduction to the senses. But the most radical and 

 primary distinction of structures is found in the abundance or scanti 

 ness of mateiial, which fills the same space or dimensions. For other 

 structures (which refer to the dissimilarity of parts contained in the 

 same body, and to their collocations and postures), when compared 

 with the former, are but secondary. 



Let, therefore, the Nature inquired into be the respective Expansion 

 or Coition of Matter in bodies ; viz., the proportion of matter to space 

 of each. For there is nothing truer in Nature than the twin proposi 

 tions, &quot; Nothing is made from nothing,&quot; and, &quot;Nothing is reduced to 

 nothing,&quot; but that the actual quantity or sum total of matter is constant, 

 without increase of diminution. Nor is it less true, &quot;That of that 

 quantity of matter, the spaces or dimensions being the same, more or 

 less is contained according to the diversity of bodies,&quot; as in water 

 more, in air less ; so that to assert that a given volume of water 

 can be changed into a given volume of air is the same as to say that 

 something can be reduced to nothing. On the other hand, to assert 

 that a given volume of air can be changed into an equal volume of 

 water is the i-ame as to say that something can be made out of 

 nothing. And it is from this abundance and scarcity of matter that 

 the notions of density and rarity, so variously and promiscuously 

 entertained, are properly abstracted. \Yc must also assume a third 

 proposition, which is also sufficiently certain, That this greater or 

 less quantity of matter, existing in various bodies, can, by comparison, 

 be reduced to calculation, and to exact, or nearly exact, proportions.&quot; 

 Thus it would not be wrong to say that there would be in a given 

 volume of gold such an accumulation of matter, that spirit of wine, to 

 provide an equal quantity of matter, would need twenty one times the 

 space filled by the golJ. 



Now the accumulation of matter and its ratios are brought within 

 reach of the senses by means of Weight. For weight answers to 

 the quantity of matter in the parts of a tangible body ; but the spirit 

 and its quantity of matter do not admit of computation by weight, for 

 it rather lessens weight than increases it. But we have made a 

 sufficiently accurate table on this subject, in which we have set down 

 the weights and volumes of individual metals, the principal stones, 

 woods, liquids, oils, and very many other bodies, natural and artificial ; 

 a thing of use in many ways, as well for the light of information as for 

 a guide in operation, and one which reveals many things altogether 

 beyond our expectation. Nor is it to be thought a trifle that it 

 demonstrates that all the variety which is found in the tangible bodies 

 known to us (we mean such bodies as arc well compacted, and not 



