[81] 



my own impotence in the execution, I dare 

 not make the attempt — I hope therefore 

 that he will be contented with the bare Vir-- 

 ginity of the Argument, without any fuch 

 portion, and placidly however, and without 

 languor permit me to proceed and only fay — . 

 That there are fuch inward contrafts and 

 conflidls, adive, or paffive, and quaqud ver-- 

 Jum exertions of the fap, occafionally in the 

 body of an Oak, caufed by the air*s rare- 

 faction therein, as rarefadlion is from fome 

 portion of fire : Were reafon filent — Is ob- 

 vious to the fenfe of hearing, on flitting the 

 bark of it in a hot day, about the end of 

 May, or June ^ and that to a degree of ex- 

 plofion, asquable to the audible hiffing, when 

 vent is given to a veffel of new ale, or any 

 other fermenting liquors. 



To take the force of the preceding argu- 

 ments in a yet further light : Let it be con- 

 fidered, how great the almoft ignited rare- 

 fadlion, and thereupon horizontal ebullition 

 of the groffer, as well as thinneft fluids mufl: 

 be, to break fo fl:rong a prifon as the bark 

 of a well grown Oak : The fame from it's 

 natural contexture being lefs apt to rend and 

 extend lengthwife, than the folid wood. Nor 



■ G can 



