( 536 ) 
ftopple ( I hope I may call itfo,fioce *ci$ as dofe as the feal.) 
The Spirif of Salt may be facuratcd, its force fpent, and vainly ex- 
peft relief from the frefli Air, which the unkindneft of the (top- 
ple denies. This removed,- it may acqtiire its former quajiry by 
degrees, as the frefli Air did lower intrude it felf: Itmayagaio 
lofe it by being unaflifted, and let the particles precipitate, if any 
fuch efFeft is obferved ; or the equilibration of the Air ( for here 
*cisnot recorded, whether the Spring was weakned or no,) may 
contribute to fuflain the filings up in aquiltbrh. If it long conii- 
iile its commerce with the free Air, it may be enabled to continue 
its colour by having a more perfeft mikture with the filings by the 
operation of the Air. 
So perhaps in the fecoffd Experiment the delay of regaining was 
to be imputed to the cold or moifture, or other critical cir- 
cumftances of the Air , having lefs of thofe diflTolving particles 
which make it a menjlrmm on thofe bodies. 
In the third Experiment, befide the former Obfervation , 'tis 
obvious to think , that the included fpirit having fpenc its former 
force, iray exercife fome contrary quality on the bodies , enabled 
thereto by its heterogenity ; nay, upon the readmiflion of the Air, 
f meof the Spirit of Filings may evaporate into the Air, which 
could not extricate it felf till helpt by that univerfal Solvent ; fo 
an alteration is made without a precipitation or fediment. 
In the fourth Experiment, the time of the year may add fome 
quality to the Air, which thereby may aft on the Saline fpirir, by 
adding ro it, or imbibing it, or invigorating it to evaporate, nay 
out of the Glafs, if the parts are extremely comminuted. 
And thefe things,however extravagant, are not difficult to imas 
gine, and where the Experiments are but fubfervient to Sufpici- 
ons, an hint of thepofllblccaufeof ihtm a priori (Citicc we know 
nothing of Nature that way , but by ghefllngics operation , as it, 
by Trials, reprefents it felf to our weak appiehenfion ) will be 
pardonable, if but juft removed from extravagance. 
In theenfuing Trials,the weakned Spring is efpecially obferved 
where the Mercury in the feal'd leg was deprefTed ^ becaufe the 
Spring in the Conical glafs and open'd leg yielded by being 
weakned; which invigorated again , reduced it felf to an aquili- 
brif^m. The Liquor in the Jixth Trial acquired a Blew colour, 
hich, according to lAt.N'eippton , is the refult of the ipttkOi mix- 
ture 
