148 P^e get able Statich, 
the tranfparent ftems of leaves : And if our 
eyes, aflided with microfeopes, could come 
at this defirable fight, I make no doubt, 
but that wc fhould fee the Tap, which was 
progrefllve in the heat of the day, would on 
the coming on of the cool evening, and.thc 
falling dew be retrograde in the fame velTels, 
CHAP. V. 
Experiments:, ''ssshereby to prove, that a con- 
pderable quantity of air is infpired by 
Tlants. 
I T is well known that air is a fine ela- 
' flick fluid, with particles of very diffe- 
rent natures floating in it, whereby it is ad- 
mirably fitted by the great author of nature, 
to be the breath of life, of vegetables, as 
well as of animals; without which they can 
no more live, nor thrive than animals can. 
In the Experiments on Vines, chapter HI. 
we faw the very great quantity of air, which 
was continually afeending from the Vines, 
thro* the fap in the tubes j which manifeflly 
fhews what plenty of it is taken in by vegeta- 
bles, and is perfpired off with the fap thro* 
the leaves. 
E X P E- 
