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. I.

BEsides a Natural,* 1.1 or Disseminate Vacuity frequently in∣tercepted betwixt the incontiguous Particles of Bodies (the Argument of our immediately precedent Chapter) not a few of the highest form in the school of Democri∣tus have adventured to affirm not only the possibility, but frequent introduction of a Praeternatural or Coacer∣vate Inanity: such as may familiarly be conceived, if we imagine many of those minute inane spaces congrega∣ted into one sensible void space. To assist this Paradox, the autoptical testimony of many Experiments hath been pleaded; especially of that Glass Fountain invented by Hero (praef. in Spirit.) and fully described by the learned and industrious Turnebus (in lib. de calore) and of that Brass Cylindre, whose concave carries an Embolus, or sucker of wood, concern∣ing which the subtle Galilaeo hath no sparing discourse in the first of his Dialogues: but, above all, of that most eminent and generally ventilated one of a Glass Cylindre, or Tube filled with Quicksilver, and inverted;* 1.2 concerning which not long after the invention thereof by that worthy Geometrician, Torricellius, at Florence, have many excellent Physicoma∣thematical Discourses been written by Monsieur Petit, Dr. Paschal Mer∣senn••s, Gassendus, Stephanus Natalis. Who, being all French, seemed unanimously to catch at the experiment, as a welcom opportunity to chal∣lenge all the Wits of Europe to an aemulous combat for the honour of per∣spicacity. Now albeit we are not yet fully convinced▪ that the chief Phaenomenon in this illustrious Experiment doth clearly demonstrate the existence of a Coacervate Vacuity, such as is thereupon by many conce••ed, and with all possible subtlety defended by that miracle of natural Science, the incomparable Mersennus (in reflexionib. Physicomathemat.) yet, inso∣much as it affords occasion of many rare and sublime speculations, where∣of some cannot be solved either so fully, or perspicuously by any Hypo∣thesis, as that of a Vacuum Disseminatum among the insensible particles of Aer and Water; and most promise the pleasure of Novelty, if not the profit of satisfaction to the worthy considerer; we judge it no unpardon∣able Digression, here to present to our judicious Reader, a faithful Tran∣script of the Experiment, together with the most rational solutions of all

the admirable Apparences observed therein, first by Torricellius and the rest beyond Sea, and since more then once by our selves.

The Experiment.

* 1.3Having praepared a Glass Tube (whose longitude is 4 feet, and the diameter of its concavity equal to that of a mans middle finger) and stopped up one of its extremities, or ends, with a seal Hermetical: fill it with Quicksilver, and stop the other extreme with your middle finger. Then, ha••ing with a most slow and gentle motion (lest otherwise the great weight of the Quicksilver break it) inverted the Tube, immerge the extreme stopt by your finger into a Vessel filled with equal parts of Quicksilver and Water, not withdrawing your finger untill the end of the Tube be at least 3 or 4 inches deep in the subjacent Quick∣silver: for, so you praevent all insinuation or intrusion of Aer. This done, and the Tube fixed in an erect or perpendicular position; upon the subduction of your finger from the lower orifice, you may observe part of the Quicksilver contained in the Tube to descend speedily into the restagnant or subjacent Quicksilver, leaving a certain space in the superior part of the Tube, accord∣ing to apparence at least, absolutely Void or Empty: and part thereof (after some Reciprocations or Vibrations) to remain still in the Tube, and possess its cavity to a certain proportion, or altitude of 27 digits, or 2 feet, 3 digits and an half (proximè) constantly. Further, if you recline, with a gentle motion also, the upper extreme of the Tube, untill the lower, formerly immersed in the Quicksilver, arise up into the region of the Water incumbent on the surface of the Quicksilver: you may perceive the Quicksilver remaining in the Tube to ascend by sensible degrees up to the superior extreme thereof, together with part of the Water; both those liquors to be confounded together; and, at length, the Quicksilver wholly to distill down in parcels, surrendring the cavity of the Tube to the possession of the Water. Likewise, if you recline the superior ex∣treme of the Tube, untill its altitude respond to that of 27 digits, still retain∣ing the opposite extreme in the region of the subjacent Quicksilver in the ves∣sel: then will the Quicksilver be sensibly impelled up again into the Tube, un∣till that space formerly vacated be replenished. Finally, if, when t••e Quick∣silver hath fallen down to the altitude of 27 digits, the Tube be suddainly educed out of the subjacent Quicksilver and Water, so as to arrive at the con∣fines of the Aer; then doth the Aer rush into the Tube below, with such impe∣tuosity, as to elevate the Quicksilver and Water contained in the Tube, to the top; nay, to blow up the sealed end thereof, and drive out the liquors 4 or 5 feet perpendicular up in the aer; not without some terror, though not much danger to the Experimentator, especially if he do not expect it.

Now though it be here praescribed, that the Tube ought to be 4 feet in length, and the amplitude of its Cavity equal to that of an ordinary mans finger: yet is neither of these necessary; For, whatever be the longitude, and whatever the amplitude of the Tube, still doth the Quick∣silver, after various reciprocations, acquiesce and subsist at the same stan∣dard of 27 digits; as Dr Paschal junior found by experience in his Tube 15 feet long, which he bound to a spear of the same length, so to prevent the fraction thereof, when it was erected perpendicularly, replete with Quicksilver, in libro cui titulus, Experiences Novelles touchant le Vuide.)

Among those many (Natalis reckons up no less then 20) stupendious Magnalities, or rare Effects,* 1.4 which this eminent Experiment exhibits to observation; the least whereof seems to require a second Oedipus more perspicacious then the first, for the accommodation thereof though but to plausible and verisimilous Causes, and might had Aristotle known it, have been reputed the ground of his despair, with more credit then that petty Problem of the frequent and irregular Reciprocation of Euripus: we have selected only six, as the most considerable, and such whose solution may serve as a bright tapor to illuminate the reason of the Curious, who desire to look into the dark and abstruce Dihoties of the rest.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Art. 1. What is con∣ceived by a Co∣acervate Vacuity: and who was the Inventor of the famous Ex∣periment of Quicksilver in a Glass Tube, up∣on which ma∣ny modern Physiologists have erected their perswasi∣on of the poss••∣bility of in∣troducing it.
• * 1.2

  Experientiam apponam, cusus inven••ionem etsi 〈◊〉〈◊〉 qui alii ambitiosi••s 〈…〉〈…〉 tamen mihi con∣••••at, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 à Torricellio, 〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.3

  Art. 2. A 〈◊〉〈◊〉 de∣scription of the Exp••riment, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 rate 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.4

  Art. 3. The Authors reason, for his selection of on∣ly six of the most consider∣able Phaenomenae to explore the Causes of them.