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I. A Propofal for Checking in fo7ne Degree 
the Progrefs of Fires ; by the Rev. Stephen 
Hales, D. D. SP F. R. S. 
Read April 2 i. r ~y -, HE late deftruttive Fire in Cornhill 
i74 8 * bringing to my Mind what I 
thought a probable Means to check, in fome de- 
gree, the fpeedy Progrefs of Fires (which, if it could 
be eflfe&ed, would be of great Importance I made 
the following Experiment, in order to form a more 
certain Judgment of the Matter; viz. 
I placed on two Garden-Pots a dry Fir-Board, 
which was half an Inch thick, and nine Inches 
broad; and cover'd nine Inches Length and Breadth 
of it with an Inch Depth of damp Garden-Earth ; 
fencing this Earth on each Side with two Courfc 
of Bricks, in order to make a Fire-place to contain 
the Wood-Fuel and live Coals; which were fre- 
quently blown with Bellows, in order to keep the 
Fire to a vigorous Heat : This was done for two 
Hours Continuance, before the Fir-Board was burnt 
thro’ ; when there was only a weak lambent Flame 
at the under Part of the Board ; for it could not 
flame out for want ol proper Fuel ; becaufe the Sub- 
ftance of the Board was reduced to a brittle Char- 
coal, by the Heat of the Inch-Depth of Earth which 
lay on it, which hinder’d the burning Board from 
flaming. And it was obfervable, that the Edges of 
the Board burnt only with a live Coal like a Match ; 
being hinder’d from flaming, by the Earth which 
lay on the Board. 
O o May 
