[ IS* 1 
Thus much being premifed of the nature of folutions 
in general} I proceed to the proof of what 1 propofed ; 
and in order to this, I fliall firft (hew, that there is a 
mutual attradlion between water and air, the fame that 
we obferve between the particles of any two bodies, one 
of which dilTolves the other. I (hall then compare, 
in feveral inftances, the properties and effedls of com- 
mon folutions, with thofe of evaporation, that, from 
the exadl refemblance between thefe two phaeno- 
mena, it may appear that they are natural ope- 
rations, or cfFedls of a like kind, and therefore to be 
explained upon the fame principle, or afcribed to 
the fame caufe. From thence I (hall (hew how 
the afcent of vapours, and feveral other phaenome- 
na of the atmofphere, may be accounted for. And 
laftly, I (hall add fomething on the riling of (learn 
from boiling liquors, and (hew wherein it differs 
from common evaporation. 
lam firft to prove, that there is really an attrac- 
tive force between the particles of air and water. It 
is well known that all waters contain a conliderable 
quantity of air that retains its elafticity, by means of 
which it may be feparated from the water by boiling, 
and including it in an exhaufted receiver. And Dr. 
Bocrhaave, in his Elements of Chymiftry, has (hewn, 
by an elegant experiment, that air extricated from 
water by boiling, and reftored to its common (late, 
will occupy a fpace greater than that poffelTed by the 
water in which it was contained. Now fince it is 
allowed, that the particles of fo heavy a body as gold 
are fufpended in aqua regia by their attradlion to- 
wards the particles of that fluid, it feems reafon- 
able to fuppofe, that fo light and elaftic a body as 
air muft be retained under water by a like force, with- 
3 
