Ground of natural philosophy divided into thirteen parts : with an appendix containing five parts / written by the ... Dvchess of Newcastle.

CHAP. XIV. The Nature or Property of Water.

WEtness, which is the Interior or Innate Pro∣perty, or Nature of Water, is, in my opi∣nion, caused by some sort of Dilatations or Extenu∣ations. As, all Droughts, or Dryness, are caused by some sorts of Contractions; so, all Moistures, Li∣quors, and Wets, by Dilatations: yet, those Ex∣tenuations, or Dilatations, that cause Wet, must be of such a sort of Dilatations, as are proper to Wet; viz. Such a sort of Extenuations, as are Circular Extenuations; which do dilate, or extenuate, in a smooth, equal dilatation, from the Center, to the Circumference; which Extenuations, or Dilatations, are of a middle Degree; for otherwise, the Figure of Water might be extended beyond the Degree of Wet; or, not extended to the Degree of Wet. And it is to be observed, That there is such a Degree as on∣ly causes moistness, and another to cause liquidness, the third to cause wetness: for, though Moistness and Liquidness are in the way of Wetness; yet, they are not that which we name Wet: also, all that is Soft, or Smooth, is not Wet; nor is all that is Liquid, or Flowing, Wet: for, some sorts of Air are liquid and flowing, but not wet: nay, Flame is liquid and flowing, but yet quite opposite from wet. Dust is

flowing, but neither liquid or wet, in its Nature. And Hair and Feathers are soft and smooth, but nei∣ther liquid, nor wet. But, as I said, Water is of such a Nature, as to have the Properties of Soft, Smooth, Moist, Liquid, and VVet; and is also of such flow∣ing Properties, caused by such a sort of Extenuating Circles as are of a Middle or Mean Degree: but yet, there are many several sorts of Liquors, and VVets, as we may perceive in Fruit, Herbs, and the like: but, all sorts of VVets, and Liquors, are of a wa∣try kind, though of a different sort. But, as I have said, all things that are Fluid, are not VVet; as, Melted Metal, Flame, Light, and the like, are fluid, but not wet: and Smoak and Oyl are of another sort of Liquidness, than VVater, or Juyce; but yet they are not wet: and that which causes the difference of different sorts of VVaters, and VVatry Li∣quors, are the differences of the watry Circular Lines; as, some are edged, some are pointed, some are twisted, some are braided, some are flat, some are round, some ruff, some smooth; and so after divers several Forms or Figures: and yet are perfect Circles, and of some such a Degree of Extenuations or Dila∣tations.