[ 22 ? ] 
opened, an elaftic fubftance was ftili difcharged from 
it, with a confiderable explofion. 
From thefe experiments we learn, that the Pou- 
hon water contains a large quantity of a very fubtile, 
light, and permanently elaftic fluid, or of true mi- 
neral air j and that this aerial fluid is clofely united 
to the other principles of which this water is com- 
pofed.” For, from Experiment the Ifl, it appears, 
that when this water is excluded from all communi- 
cation with common air, and at the fame time liberty 
is given to the aerial fluid contained therein to ex- 
pand, and to fly from it, with the fame facility as 
from the water in an open veffel ^ yet, under thefe 
circumftances, this elaftic fluid does not exert its 
power of expanficn, but remains fo firmly united to 
the other principles of this water, that it does not 
feparate from them when agitated, for feveral days, 
with a heat of eighty degrees of Fahrenheit’s ther- 
mometer. While, therefore, this water is in its na- 
tural ftate, and is not adted on by any other body, 
the aerial principle remains quiet ; and, with the 
other principles, feems equally dilTolved in the watery 
element. It is not, therefore, then confined by any 
external force, like the air of beer, cyder, champaign, 
and other huffy liquors, which, while they are clofed 
in bottles or other veffels, by their fermentatory mo- 
tion, generate more air than they can imbibe and 
keep diflblved j fo that much of the air, fo generated, 
is pent up in a confined ftate, and continually preffes 
on every fide, until a vent is given it, and then it 
ruflies out with violence. 
But, from the foregoing experiments, it appears, 
that this fubtile elaftic fluid, while it is affociated with 
G g 2 the 
