Hygrometry. j j 
though held in a vertical pofition, as an inverted fyphon (Fig. 2.) 
The following are the experiments.— ift. Exp. When a column 
of the liquid had afcended in one of thefe tubes ; if I applied to 
it an empty tube of the fame bore, the liquid column divided it- 
felf equally between them.— 2d. Exp. When the empty tube 
was of a fmaller bore, that column rofe more in it, than it funk 
in the other ; and the contrary happened when the empty tube 
was of a larger bore. — 3d. Exp. When fome more liquid was 
fupplied to the united tubes, it rofe in both, in proportion to 
the refpe&ive heights of the former columns . — 4th. Exp. When 
a fuperabundant quantity of liquid was fupplied, it rofe to a 
maximum in each tube, and the heights of the columns 
increafed in fome proportion with their former heights, 
19. Thefe known fads have a clear analogy with the 
hygrofcopic equilibrium in elajlic fubftances. — -i ft. Case. When 
the quantity of liquid common to capillary tubes is not fuffi- 
cient for them to receive their refpe&ve maximum , they fliare it 
between them, and the equilibrium takes place, when there is, 
in each of them, the fame ratio between its fpecific capillary power 
and the weight of the raifed column.Inthe fame manner; when the 
quantity of water diffeminated in a fpace, is not fufficient, for 
feveral hygrofcopic fubftances to receive the maximum of water 
which they can contain in their pores, they fliare it amongft them ; 
and the equilibrium is produced, when there is in each of them 
the fame ratio 9 between its fpecific capillary power , and the 
refiftance of their pores to be more dilated. — 2d. Case, When 
there is a fuperabundant quantity of liquid common to fome 
capillary tubes^ each of them receives its maximum ; which is 
determined by an equilibrium , between its total capillary 
power , and the weight of the raifed column . In the fame man- 
ner, when there is a fuperabundant quantity of water common 
to 
