[ 35 « ] 
•riments I, indeed, intended to have prefented to the 
Royal Society, foon after my experiments on the fame 
fubjedt had been honoured with its approbation j but 
was, at that time, prevented from putting them in 
due form, by other more preffing engagements ; and, 
afterwards, thought the publication of them the lefs 
neceflary, as a fimilar mode of union between various 
abforbent earths and water, by the medium of me- 
phitic air, had been fo fully explained by the Hon. 
henry cavendish, in his excellent treatife on the 
rathbone-place waters ( b ) ; and the folubility of 
iron in water, by means of the fame air, had alfo been 
demondrated by Mr. lane, in his valuable experi- 
ments on that fubjedt (c). However, as my obfer- 
vations and experiments are different from thofe of 
the above-named gentlemen, and the great efficacy 
of this aereal folvent is by them fhewn, in a variety 
of inftances ; and, more efpecially, as a coagulating 
power in other kinds of air is alfo there detedted j by 
which, and the diffolving power of mephitic air, 
many great changes in bodies are daily produced, I 
therefore now lay thefe papers before you, requeu- 
ing, that if, after fo long an interval, I may again be 
.allowed to refume this fubjedt, you will do me the 
honour to communicate them to that mod refpedtable 
body, over which you fo worthily prefide. I am, 
_ S I R, 
Your moft obliged, 
and mod: obedient fervant, 
Wm. BROWNRIGG. 
(b) Philofophical Tranfadtions, Vol. LVII. p. 92. 
<*) Phil. Tranf. Vol. LIX. 
5 
propo o 
