C 447 ] 
than this, he fliould have been cenfured, as boafting 
of what would have been thought impra&icable. 
If then the A&ion of the Flame on the Bullet after 
it is out of the Piece, is fo fmall as to produce no 
greater an Effect than what may be deftroyed by the 
inevitable Variations of the Experiments, the neglect- 
ing it intirely, and fuppofmg no fuch Force to take 
place, is both a convenient and a reafonable Pro- 
cedure : For indeed, without the Afliimption of 
Populates of this kind, it were impollible to have 
proceeded one Step in Natural Philofophy, fince no 
Mechanic Problem hath been ever folved, in which 
every real Inequality of the moving Force hath been 
confidered. 
Now what induced the Author to fuppofe, that this 
Poftulate (though not rigoroufly true) might be 
fafely affumed, was the Confideration of the fpread- 
ing of the Flame by its own Elafticity, as foon as it 
efcapes from the Mouth of the Piece : For by this 
means he conceived that the Part of it which im- 
pinged on the Bullet might be fafely neglected, 
although the Impulfe of the intire Flame was a very 
remarkable Force. 
With regard to the Second Poftulate, That all 
“ the Powder is fired before the Bullet is fenftbly 
<l moved from its Place ; " it is incumbent on the 
Author to be ftill more explicit, as this Society 
did fome time fince appoint a Committee for exa- 
mining this very Pofition, who, after making a great 
Number of Experiments, have determined, * That all 
the Powder is not fired before the Bullet is fienfibly 
* See th efe Tranfatfionf) N 0 465. p.172, &c. 
M m m 
moved 
