44^ MEMOIR ON THE 



mercury ; and the fire gives tbe mercury art 

 opportunity of Ihooting in a receiver filled 

 with water, which is neceffary, that it may 

 condenfe, by the coolnefs it finds when it 

 rifes from the fire. 



This mineral fiibftancc, being compofed 

 of fmall globules^ always difunited, is the 

 more dilEcult to be fixed and retained 

 when it h prefled. It remains^ however, 

 motionlefs, when fuffered to fettle in one 

 place; yet the old Eaft India Company 

 gave over carrying any of it in their vef- 

 fels, for fear of accidents* It was brought 

 home by the commanders of private fhips, 

 who were lefs timid, and without any in- 

 convenience, after ufing proper precautions. 

 The advantage they derived from this arti- 

 cle, ought to encourage us to imitate them, 

 provided we do not negled the necelfary 

 prefervativcs. 



