C 132 ] 
There appears to me but one way of altering the 
fpecific gravity of the particles of vapour and exha- 
lation, to render them lighter than air : which is by 
adding to each particle a fufficient quantity of fome 
fluid, whofe elafliicity and rarity are exceedingly 
greater than that of the air. That the fluid or fire 
of eledlricity is fuch, I believe will be eafily granted 
me : but how far it is adapted to this purpofe, we 
mufl: inquire from experiments. 
But firfl, let me hot be thought abfurd in faying, 
that the Creator might have thought proper to 
adapt this fluid to this particular purpofe. For the 
purpofe is great ; no lefs than all vegetation and ani- 
mal life depending on the afcent and defcent of va- 
pour and exhalation. 
I need not run into a prolix detail of electrical 
experiments to prove the properties of this fire, 
which are much better known to you ; although 
I have made fome experiments, which, perhaps, have 
not yet come before you ; by which it appears, that - 
all fumes arifing from fire, whether blazing or 
otherwife, and all fleams rifing from boiling or 
warm waters, and from all other fluids, and the 
breath of man, and of all other animals, and all the 
effluvia thrown off by perfpiration, are flrongly 
electrified. But I fliall not trouble you with thefe, 
till I come to fpeak of the ufes of this fire in ani- 
mal life. I fhall now only mention a few, which are 
well known, and which are to my purpofe. Firfl, 
That defultory motion, by which it flies off from an 
electrified body to any number of non-eleCtrics, 
which are brought within the fphere of its activity 
and affection, until it be equably diffufed through alk 
Secondly, 
