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. IV.

A Third Argument, for the comprobation of a Vacuum Disseminatum,* 1.1 may be adferred from the Cause of the Difference of Bodies in the degrees of Gravity, respective to their Density or Rarity, (i. e.) according to the greater or less Inane Spaces interspersed among their insensible Par∣ticles. And a Fourth likewise from the reason of the Calefaction of Bo∣dies by the subingress or penetration of the Atoms of Fire into the emp∣ty Intervals variously disseminate among their minute particles. But, in respect that we conceive our Thesis sufficiently evinced by the Praecedent Reasons; and that the consideration of the Causes of Gravity and Calefa∣ction, doth, according to the propriety of Method, belong to our succeed∣ing Theory of Qualities: we may not in this place insist upon them.

And as for those many Experiments of Water-hour-glasses, Syringes,* 1.2 Glass Fountains, Cuppinglasses, &c. by the inconvincible Assertors of the Peripa∣tetick Physiology commonly objected to a Vacuity: we may expede them altogether in a word. We confess, those experiments do, indeed, demon∣strate that Nature doth abhort a Vacuum Coacervatum; as an heap of Sand abhors to admit an Empty Cavity great as a mans hand extracted from it: but not that it doth abhor that Vacuum Disseminatum, of which we have discoursed; nay, they rather demonstrate that Nature cannot well consist without these small empty Spaces interspersed among the insensible Par∣ticles of Bodies, as an heap of Sand cannot consist without those small In∣terstices betwixt its Granules, whose Figures prohibit their mutual con∣tact in all points. So that our Assertion ought not to be condemned as a Kaenodox inconsistent to the laws of Nature, while it imports no more then this; that, as the Granules of a heap of Sand mutually flow toge∣ther to replenish that great Cavity, which the hand of a man by intrusion had made▪ and by extraction left, by reason of the Confluxibility of their Nature: so also do the Granules, or Atomical Particles of Aer, Water, and other Bodies of that Rare condition, flow together, by reason of the Fluidity or Confluxibility of their Nature, to praevent the creation and re∣manence of any considerable, or Coacervate Vacuum betwixt them. To instance in one of the Experiments objected. Water doth not distil from the upper into the lower part of a Clepsydra, or Water-hour-glass, so long as the Orifice above remains stopped; because all places both above and be∣low are ful, nor can it descend until, upon unstopping the hole, the aer below can give place, as being then admitted to succeed into the room of the la∣teral aer, which also succeeds into the room of that which en••ered above at the orifice as that succeeds into the room of the Water descending by drops, and so the motion is made by succession,* 1.3 and continued by a kind of Circulation. The same also may be accommodated to those Vessels, which Gardners use for the irrigation of their Plants, by opening the hole in the upper part thereof, making the water issue forth below in artificial rain.

It only remains, therefore, that we endeavour to solve that Giant Diffi∣culty, proposed in defiance of our Vacuum Disseminatum, by the mighty

Mersennus (in Phaenomen. Pneumatic. propos. 31.) thus. Quomodo Vacuola, solitò majora in rarefactione, desinant, aut minora facta in condensatione cres∣cant iterum: quaenam enim Elateria cogunt aerem ad sui restitutionem? How do those Vacuities minute in the aer, when enlarged by rarefaction, recover their primitive exility; and when diminished by condensation, re∣expand themselves to their former dimensions: What Elaters or Springs are in the aer, which may cause its suddain restitution to its natural consti∣tution of insensible particles?

We Answer; that, as it is the most catholique Law of Nature, for every thing, so much as in it lies, to endeavour the conservation of its originary state; so, in particular, it is the essential quality of the Aer, that its mi∣nute particles conserve their natural Contexture, and when forced in Rare∣faction to a more open order, or in Condensation to a more close order, immediately upon the cessation of that expanding, or contracting violence, to reflect or restore themselves to their due and natural contexture. Nor need the Aer have any Principle or Efficient of this Reflection, other then the Fluidity or Confluxibility of its Atomical Parts: the essence or Quiddi∣ty of which Quality, we must reserve for its proper place, in our ensuing theory of Qualities.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Art. 1. Two other Ar∣guments of a Vacuity Diss••∣minate inferri∣ble from (1) the difference of Bodies in the degrees of Gravity: (2) the Calefaction of Bodies by the penetrati∣on of igneous Atoms into them.
• * 1.2

  Art. 2. The Experi∣ments vulgarly adduced to prove no va∣cuity in na∣ture, so far from denying, that they con∣fess a Dissemi∣nate one.
• * 1.3

  Art. 3. The g••and Difficulty of the C••u••e of the Aers restituti∣on of it self to i••s natural ••on∣texture, after ra••efaction and condensation, ••atisfied in brief.