VI 
The P R E F A C E. 
we make h as the followhig Experiments will 
plainly prove ^ by Jhewing how great the power 
of the attrahiion of acid fulphureous particUs 
mufi be at fome little diftancefrom the point 
of contaB, to be able mofi readily to ftihdue 
and fix elafiick aerealparticlesy which rep ell 
with a force fuperior to vafl incumbent pref- 
fures : Which particles we find are thereby 
changed from a firongly repellingy to as 
ftrongly an attraEiing ft ate : And that ela<^ 
fticity is no immutable property of air y is fur- 
ther evident from thefe Experiments ftecaufe 
it were impoffible for fuch great quantities of 
it to be confined in the fubftances of Animals 
and VegetableSy in anelaftick ftatCy without 
rending their conftituent parts with a vaft 
explofton, 
I have been careful in making, and faithful 
in relating the refult of thefe Experiment Sy and 
wifh I could be as happy in drawing the pro- 
per inferences from them. However I may fall 
fhort at firft fetting out in this ftatical way of 
inquiring into the nature ofTlantSy yet there is 
good reafon to believe that confiderable advan^ 
ces in the knowledge of their nature may in 
prove fs of time be madcy by refearches of this 
kind. 
i 
And 
