STONES FALLING FROM THE AIR. 
31 
small celestial bodies. If this opinion advanced by the most 
skilful geometricians, could be demonstrated, it certainly would 
be absurd to attempt by sup[X>sitions to explain a fact so firmly 
established. But it cannot be supposed we have been led into, 
an error of this kind j for in all the explanations hitherto given 
of this most singular plienomenon, there has not been the 
least evidence which can be considered as amounting to demon- 
strative proof. 
Tlie observations I have here made, respecting M. Bigot de 
Morogues, does not prevent me from admitting, that his work, 
•which is the latest we have on aerolites*, is in general written 
with that reserve which so delicate a subject requires. Hii 
book is indeed nearly complete on this interesting subject : it is 
nevertheless to be wished, that the author had been more dis- 
posed to make us acquainted with the opinions that have been 
advanced bv foreign philosophers respecting aerolites, especially 
those of the English and German naturalists. But these 
omissions respecting which it may be allowed to attach blame 
to .M. Bigot de Morogues, and even arise from the extreme 
attention he has given to his work, are unfortunately too com- 
mon in the greatest part of the books published at present in 
France. This neglect of making ourselves acquainted with 
the works of learned foreigners, is the more to be regretted, a* 
<very branch of the sciences is at present cultivated with succes.s 
n England, Germany, and Italy. This conduct renders it 
mpotcsible for us to avoid regretting the time w'hen the Latin 
» jvas the only language employed in the sciences, when con- 
► equently it did not require so much study for nations to under- 
j tand each otlier. In this point of view the authority of 
^aracelsu^t and of Bernard de Pallisv;}:, who first published ia 
• It appeared in ISIS, and is sold by Merlin, (iuai des Ausustins, 
‘ »’o. V9. 
t The most anriout work of Faracelsu* is a treatise on Medicine; 
ntitlcd, SiUziche ItikluT ron der Fiuicoesichen Krtutckhfii, and 
ppearci] at Niu’embers:, in 
I An abiid"eoient of tlie .Anriciiltiire of Bernard de Palissy was 
ubl:d4ed in 1304. HU treatise on Marl, and tiiat on tlie nature of 
vers and louutains in 1380. 
the 
