Physiologia Epicuro-Gassendo-Charltoniana, or, A fabrick of science natural, upon the hypothesis of atoms founded by Epicurus repaired [by] Petrus Gassendus ; augmented [by] Walter Charleton ...

SECT. II.

AS the nature of Motion considered in the General,* 1.1 hath afforded us our First Argument, for the comprobation of a Vacuity Disse∣minate: so likewise doth the nature of Rarefaction and Condensation, which is a species of Local Motion, speculated in particular, readily furnish us with a Second. Examine we therefore, with requisite scru∣tiny, some of the most eminent Apparences belonging to the Expansion and Compression of Aer and Water: that so we may explore, whe∣ther they can be salved more fully by our hypothesis of a Dissemi∣nate Vacuity, then by any other, relating to an Universal Pleni∣tude.

* 1.2Take we a Pneumatique or Wind-Gun, and let that part of the Tube, wherein the Aer to be compressed is included, be four inches long (the diameter of the bore or Cavity being supposed proportionate:) now if among the particles of that aer contained in the four inched space of the Tube, there be no empty Intervals, or minute Inanities; then of necessity must the mass of Aer included be exactly adaequate to the capacity or space of four inches, so as there cannot be the least particle of place, wherein is not a particle of aer aequal in di∣mensions to it, i. e. the number of the particles of aer is equal to the number of the particles of the Cavity. Suppose we then the number of particles common to both, to be 10000. This done, let the aer, by the Rammer artificially intruded, be compressed to the half of the space (not that the compression may not exceed that rate, for Mersennus (in praef. ad Hydraulicam Pneumaticam Ar∣tem.) hath by a most ingenious demonstration taught, that Aer is capable of Compression even to the tenth part of that space, which it possessed in the natural disposition, or open order of its insensible particles:) and then we demand, how that half space, viz. two inches, can receive the double proportion of Aer, since the particles of that half space are but 5000. Either we must grant that, before compression, each single particle of Aer possessed two particles of space, which is manifestly absurd: or, that after Compression, each single parti∣cle of space doth contain two of aer, which is also absurd, since two bodies cannot at once possess the same place: or else, that there were various In∣tervals Inane disseminate among the particles of Aer, and then solve the Phaenomenon thus. As the Grains of Corn, or Granules of Sand, being powred into a vessel up to the brim, seem wholly to fill it▪ and yet by suc∣cussion of the vessel, or depression of the grains upon the imposition of a great weight, may be reduced into a far less space; because from a more la•• and rare, they are brought to a more close and constipate con∣geries, or because they are reduced from an open, to a close or∣der, their points and sides being more adapted for reciprocal con∣tact quoad totas superficies, nor leaving such large Intervals betwixt them as before succussion or depression. So likewise are the par∣ticles of aer included in the four-inched space of the Tube, by Compression or Coangustation reduced downe to the impletion of onely the hal•• of that space; because from a more lax or rare Con∣texture they are contracted into a more dense or close, their an∣gles and sid•••• being by that force more disposed for reciprocal Con∣tingence, and leaving less Intervals, or empty spaces betwixt them then before.

* 1.3Our Second Experiment is that familiar one of an Aeolipile which having one half of its Concavity replete with Water, and the other with Aer, and placed in a right position near the fire: if you will not allow any of ••he spaces within it to be empty, pray, when the Water by incalescen•••• rarefied into vapours, issues out with thundering impetuo∣sity through the slender perforation or exile outlet of its rostrum, succes∣sively for many hours together, how can the same Capacity still re∣main full? For, if before incalefaction the particles of Water and Aer were equal to the number of the particles of space con∣tained therein▪ Pray, when so many parts both of Water and Aer,

consociated in the form of a vapour, are evacuated through the Orifice, must not each of their remaining parts possess more parts of the capacity, and so be in many places at once? If not so, were there not, before the incalescence, many parts of Water and Aer crouded into one and the same part of space, and so a manifest penetration of real dimensions? Remains it not therefore more verisimilous, that, as an heap of dust dispersed by the W••nd, is rarefied into a kind of cloud and possesseth a far larger space then before its dispersion; because the disgregated Granules of Dust intercept wider spaces of the ambient aer: so the remaining parts of Water and Aer in the cavity of the Aeolipile possess all those Spaces left by the exhaled parts; because they intercept more ample empty Spaces, being disposed into a more lax and open contexture. And that this is caused by the particles of Fire, which intruding into, and with rapid impetuosity agitated every way betwixt the sides of the Aeolipile, suffer not the parts of Aer and Water to quiesce, but disperse and impel them variously: so that the whole space seems constantly full by reason of the rapidity of the Motion.

The Third Mechanick Experiment,* 1.4 which may justifie the sub∣mission of our assent to this Paradox, is this. Having praepared a short Tapor of Wax and Sulphur grosly powdered, light and suspend it by a small Wier in a Glass Vial of proportionate reception, wherein is clean Fountain Water sufficient to possess a fifth part, or thereabout, of its capacity: and then with a Cork fitted exactly to the Orifice, stop the mouth of the Vial so closely, that the erup∣tion of the most subtle Atom may be prevented. On this you shall perceive the flame and fume of the Sulphur and Wax instant∣ly to diffuse and in a manner totally possess the room of the Aer, and so the fire to be extinguished: yet not that there doth suc∣ceed either any diminution of the Aer, since that is imprison∣ed, and all possibility of evasion praecluded; or any ascent of the Water, by an obscure motion in vulgar Physiology called Suction, since here is required no suction to supply a vacuity upon the destituti∣on of aer. But if you open the orifice, and enlarge the imprisoned Aer, you shall then indeed manifestly observe a kind of obscure suction, and thereupon a gradual ascention of the Water: not that the flame doth immediately elevate the water, as well because it is extinct, and the water doth continue elevated for many hours after its extinction, as that, if the flame were continued, can it be imagined that it would with so much tenacity adhaere to the tapor, as is requisite to the elevation of so great a weight of water; but rather, that upon the Coangustation or compression of the aer reduced to a very close order in the mutual con∣tact of its insensible particles, the empty spaces formerly intercepted be∣twixt them being replenished with the exhalations of the tapor; when the orifice is deobturated, there sensibly succeeds a gradual expiration of the atoms of Fire, as the most agile, volatile and prepared for motion, and then the aer, impelled by its own native Fluxibility, re-expands or dilates it self by degrees. But since the narrowness of the Evaporato∣ry, or ori••ice prohibits the so speedy reflexion or return of the com∣pressed particles of the aer to their naturall contexture or open or∣der, as the renitency of their fluxibility requireth, so long as there

remain any of the atoms of Fire in possession of their Vacuities, as long continues the reexpansion of the Aer; and that reexpansion pressing upon the sides of the water, causeth it to ascend, and continue elevated. And no longer, for so soon as the aer is returned to its native contexture, the water by degrees subsideth to the bottom, as before the accension of the Tapor: and so that motion commonly called a Suction in avoidance of Va∣cuity, is more properly a Protrusion, caused by the expanding particles of aer compressed.

* 1.5If any praecipitous Curiosity shall recur to this Sanctuary, that in the Substance of the Aer is contained Aliquid Combustibile, some combustible matter, which the hungry activity of the flame of the Tapor doth prey upon, consume and adnihilate: He runs upon a double absurdity; (1) That in Nature is a substance, which upon the accidental admotion of Fire, is subject to absolute Adnihilation, which to suppose, smels of so great a wild∣ness of Imagination as must justifie their sentence, who shall consign the Author of it to seven years diet on the roots of White Hellebor, nor durst any man but that Elias Artium Helmont, adventure on the publique Pa∣tronage of it. (2) That the Aer is the Pabulum, or Fewel of Fire: which though no private opinion, but passant even among the otherwise venerable Sectators of Aristotle (who unjustly refer the Extinction of flame imprison∣ed, to the Defection of Aer: as intimating that the destruction of Fire, like that of Animals doth proceed from the destitution of Aliment) is yet open∣ly inconsistent to Reason and Experiment. To Reason, because the Aer, considered sincerely as Aer, without the admixture of vapours and exha∣lations, is a pure, simple and Homogeneous substance, whose parts are consimilar: not a composition of heterogeneous and dissimilar, whereof some should submit to the consumptive energie of Fire, and other some (of the invincible temper of Salamandes Wool, or Muscovy Glass,) con∣••erve their originary integrity inviolable in the highest fury of the flames. Again, Themselves unanimously approve that Definition of Galen lib. 1. de Element. cap. 1.) Elementa sunt natura prima & simplicissima corpora, quaeque in alia non amplius dissolvi queant: that it is one of the essential Proprieties of an Element as to be ingenerable, so also Indissoluble: and as unanimously constitute the Aer to be an Element. To Experiment, be∣cause had the Fire found (and yet it is exceedingly inquisitive, especially when directed by Appetite, according to their supposition) any part of the Aer i••flamable; the whole Element of aer had been long since kindled into an unive••sal and inextinguable conflagration, upon the accension of the first focal ••••re: nor could a flash of Lightning or Gunpowder▪ be so soon extinct if the flame found any maintenance or sustentaculum in the Aer, but would enlarge it self into a Combustion more prodigious and de∣structive then that caused by the wild ambition of Phaeton. Most true it is, that Fire deprived of aer, doth suffer immediate extinction: yet not in respect of Aliment denyed (for Nutrition and Vitality are ever converti∣ble) but of the want of room sufficient to contain its igneous and fuliginous Exhalations, which therefore recoiling back upon the flame, coarctate, suffocate, and so extinguish it. For upon the excessive and impetuous sud∣dain afflation of aer, Flame doth instantly perish, though not imprisoned in a glass: the cause is, that the flame, not with tenacity sufficient adhaering to the body of the tapor, or lamp, is easily blown off, and being thus dis∣lodged hath no longer subsistence in the aer. And Heat, beating upon

the outside or convex part of a Glass, seems sensibly to dilate the Aer im∣prisoned within; as is manifest upon the testimonie of all Thermometres, or Weather-Glasses, those only which contain Chrysulca, or Aqua Fortis in stead of Water, at least if the experiment be true, excepted: but Fire in the Concave or inside of the Glass violently compresseth the aer, by rea∣son of its fuliginous Emissions, which wanting vacuities enough in the aer for their reception, recoil and suffocate the fire.

The Fourth, this. Being in an intense frost at Droitwich in Worcestershire,* 1.6 and feeding my Curiosity with enquiring into the Mechanick operations of the Wallers (so the Salt-boylers are there called) I occasionally took no∣tice of Yce, of considerable thickness, in a hole of the earth, at the mouth of a Furnace very great and charged with a Reverberatory fire, or Ignis rotae. Consulting with my Phylosophy, how so firm a congelation of Water could be made by Cold at the very nose of so great a fire; I could light on no determination, wherein my reason thought it safe to acquiesce, but this. That the ambient Aer, surcharged with too great a cloud of exhalations from the fire, was forced to a violent recession or retreat, and a fresh supply of aer as violently came on to give place to the receding, and maintain the reception of fresh exhalations; and so a third, fourth and continued relief succeeded: and that by this continued and impetuous afflux, or stream of new aer, loaden with cold Atoms, the activity of the cold could not but be by so much the more intense at the mouth of the furnace, then abroad in the open aer, by how much the more violent the stream of cold aer was there then elsewhere. To complete and assure the Experiment, I caused two dishes, of equal capacity, to be filled with river Water; placed one at the mouth of the furnace, the other sub Dio: and found that near the fur∣nace so nimbly creamed over with Yce, as if that visibly-freezing Tra∣montane Wind, which the Italian calls Chirocco, had blown there, and much sooner perfectly frozen then the other. And this I conceive to be also the reason of that impetuous suction of a stream of aer, and with it o∣ther light and spongy bodies, through the holes or pipes made in many Chimneys, to praevent the repercursion of smoke.

From these observations equitably perpended and collated, our medi∣tations adventured to infer

(1) That the Aer;* 1.7 as to its principal and most universal Destination was created to be the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or common RECEPTARY of Ex∣halations: and that for the satisfaction of this End, it doth of necessity contain a Vacuum Desseminatum in those minute and insensible Incontigui∣ties or Intervals betwixt its atomical Particles; since Nature never knew such gross improvidence, as to ordain an End, without the codestination of the Means requisite to that End. To praevent the danger of miscon∣struction in this particular, we find our selves obliged to in••imate; that in our assignation of this Function or Action to the Aer, we do not restrain the aer to this use alone: since Ignorance it self cannot but observe it ne∣cessarily inservient to the Conservation of Animals endowed with the or∣gans of Respiration, to the transvection of Light, the convoy of odours, sounds, and all Species and Aporrhaeas, &c. but that, in allusion to that Distinction of Anatomists betwixt the Action and Use of a Part, we intend; that the grand and most General Action of the Aer, is the Reception or

entertainment of Vapours and Exhalations emitted from bodies situate in or near the Terraqueous Globe. And in this acception, allowing the Aer to be constituted the General Host to admit; we insinuate that it hath rooms wherein to lodge the arriving Exhalations: insomuch as the neces∣sity of the one, doth import as absolute a necessity of the other; the exi∣stence of the Final ever attesting the existence of the Conductive, or Medi∣atory Cause.

* 1.8(2) That, though the Aer be variously interspersed with empty In∣terstices, or minute Incontiguities, for the reception of Exhalations: yet doth it receive them at a just Rate, Tax, or determinate Proportion, conform to its own Capacity, or Extensibility; which cannot without Reluctancy and Violence be exceeded. For when the Vacuities, or Holds have taken in their just portage, and equal fraught, the compressed aer hoyseth sail, bears off, and surrenders the Scene to the next advenient or vicine aer, which acteth the like part successively to the continuation of the motion. This may be exemplified in the experiment of the Furnace and Chimneys new∣ly mentioned, but more manifestly in that of the Sulphurate Tapor in the Vial: where the Aer, being overburthened with too great a conflux of fu∣liginous Exhalations, and its recession impeded by the stopping of the Vial, it immediately recontracteth it self, and in that renitency extinguish∣eth by suffocation the rude Flame, which oppressed it with too copious an afflux. As also in those of Canons and Mines; which could not produce such portentous effects, as are dayly observed in Wars, if it were not in this respect, that the Receptaries in the Aer suffer a ra••k or extension be∣yond their due Capacities. For, when the Powder fired in them is, in the smallest subdivision of time, so much subtiliated, as to yeeld a Flame (according to the compute of M••rsennus) of 10000 parts larger in extensi∣on, then it self, while its Atoms remained in the close order and compact form of Powder; and the Aer▪ by reason of its imprisonment, is not able to recede, and bear off so speedily, as the velocity of the motion requires: for avoidance of a mutual Penetration of Dimensions among the minute particles of the Fire, smoke, and its own, it makes an eruption with so pro∣digious an impetuosity, as to shatter and evert all solid bodies situate with∣in the orb of impediment.

* 1.9For the further Confirmation of our First Thesis, viz. That the Aer is interspersed with various Porosities, or Vacuities, by reason of the Incon∣tiguity of its insensible Particles; and that these serve to the reception of all Exhalations: we shall superadd these two considerable Arguments. (1) If this Vacuum Disseminatum of the Aer be submoved, and an absolute Plenitude in the Universe from a Continuity of all its parts supposed; then must every the smallest motion, with dangerous violence run through the whole Engine of the World, by reason of that Continuity. (2) If the Aer were not endowed with such Porosities, other Bodies could never suf∣fer the dilatation or rarefaction of themselves; since, upon the subtiliation or dilatation of their minute particles, i e. the remove of their Atoms from a close to an open contexture, they possess 1000 times larger Capacities: and so there would be no room to entertain the continual Effluviums, expi∣ring from all bodies passing their natural vicissitudes and degenerations.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Art. 1. A second Ar∣gument of a Vacuity Disse∣minate, col∣lected from t••e reason of R••refaction and Condensation.
• * 1.2

  Art. 2. The eminent Phaenomen••n of an Aero••••l••∣pe••, or Wind-Gun, so••ved by a Vacuity Dis∣••eminate a∣mong the in∣contiguous (quoad totas superfi••ies) parts of aer.
• * 1.3

  Art. 3. Experiment of an Ae••lipile, or Hermetical B••llow••, atte∣sting a Vacuity 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.4

  Art. 4. Experiment of a Sulphu••a••e Tapor▪ included in a Glass Vi∣al, partly filled with Water▪ of the same importa••ce.
• * 1.5

  Art 5. No C••mbu••t••••le in Aer: and so the opinion of the Ari••••ot••le∣ans, that the Extincti••n of Flame impri∣s••ned, is to be charged on the Defect of Aer, for its sustenta••ti••n; grosly er∣roneous.
• * 1.6

  Art. 6. A fourth sin∣gular and me∣morable Expe∣riment of the Authors, of Yce at the nose of a large Reverberatory Furnace, charged with Ignis rotae; evi∣dencing a Va∣cuity inter spersed in the Aer.
• * 1.7

  Art. 7. An Inference from that Ex∣periment; that Aer, as to its General Desti∣nation, is the Common Recep∣ta••y of Exhala∣tions.
• * 1.8

  Art. 8. A second ••lla∣tion, that the Aer doth receive Exhalations at a certain rate, or definite▪ proportion; which cannot be transcended without pro∣digious vio∣lence.
• * 1.9

  Art. 9. The Existence of Inane Incon∣tiguities in the Aer, confirm∣ed by two considerable A••guments.