The works of the Honourable Robert Boyle, Esq., epitomiz'd by Richard Boulton ... ; illustrated with copper plates.

CHAP. II. Further Considerations concerning Particular Qualities.

HAVING said thus much of the Qualities of Bodies in General, I now proceed to Particulars: And here I shall not spend Time in reckoning up all the Different Significations of the Word Quality; since what follows will explain, what Sense we use it in: I shall there∣fore only in short intimate, That several things have been accounted Qualities,* 1.1 which seem ra∣to be Complexions of them; as Inanimal, Ani∣mal, Health and Beauty; the last of which seems to be the Result of Symmetry and Complexion, with Agreeable and Delightful Colours. There are other States of Matter also, as Rest and Mo∣tion, Size and Shape, usually call'd Qualities, which are rather to be accounted Primary Modes of Matter. But this concerning Names rather than Things, I shall (waving the usual Divisions of Qualities) treat of them according to the follow∣ing Division: viz. First, I shall consider them under two Heads; to wit, Manifest and Occult Qualities; the former of which we shall divide 〈2 pages missing〉〈2 pages missing〉

gredients of a Body, is evident; since Water Hermetically Sealed, being froze, instead of re∣taining Fluidity and Transparency, becomes Brittle, Firm, and sometimes Opacous; which Qualities upon a Thaw it again loses. Also fixt Metal, barely by being hammer'd, becomes brit∣tle; which Quality it presently loses, when heated in the Fire. And Silver, by being hammer'd, puts on Qualities, which it by no means had when cold; as a Power to melt some Bodies, and to dry others; with several others, which it only acquires, by Virtue of the invisible Agitation of its Parts, put into Motion, by hammering.

I might add several Instances of this Kind, but having mention'd them in other succeeding Cha∣pters, I shall omit them here; and pass to

The Third Consideration, which hath been prov'd in the preceding Chapter; which is, That we are not to consider the Effects of Mix'd Bo∣dies, as the bare Result of the Parts of Matter of such a determinate Texture; but as plac'd a∣mongst other Bodies, on which they may vari∣ously act, and be acted on.

But Fourthly, to remove this Objection, we must consider, That the Peripatetick, as well as Chymical Principles, are incapable of accounting for the various Phaenomena of Nature, which the Corpuscular Philosophy hath a greater Advan∣tage in: For neither the different Colours of the Planets, nor the Generation and Perishing of Spots in the Sun, are to be accounted for by the Doctrin of the Peripateticks, nor Chymists; be∣sides several Phaenomena relating to Magnetism, Musick, Dioptricks, Catoptricks and Staticks.

And indeed, I should think it not a little

strange, that the various Textures,* 1.2 as well as Mo∣tions of Bodies, would not more sufficiently ac∣count for the Phaenomena of Nature, than the Cosideration of Quiescent Ingredients; for as all Natural Bodies, act on one another by Motion; so that Motion is variously determin'd, accord∣ing to the different Textures of the Agents and Patients.

But to proceed to the Second Objection against the Corpuscularian Philosophy; which is,* 1.3 That it is impossible, so great a variety of Qualities should arise from so few Principles, as Matter and Mo∣tion. In answer to this, I shall endeavour to shew, that it is possible those Catholick Affections of Matter, should be deriv'd from Local Motion; and that those Principles being variously combin'd and joyn'd together, should afford Phaenomena, as various as any to be observ'd in Nature.

And First; If we allow what is undeniable, viz. That the Tendency of Matter, as to Motion, is different in several Parts of the Universe; it will follow, that by Local Motion so diversify'd, Matter must be divided into Parts distinct from one another; and consequently, being Finite, must necessarily have a determinate Size, as well as Shape: And since all the Universal Bulk of Matter, hath not its Parts in a constant Motion, some of them, being intangl'd together, must needs be at Rest. And hence the Primary Af∣fections of Matter flow.

But there are yet other Affections of Matter, belonging to the lesser Fragments of it, in Respect of their Situation, as Posture, either Horizontal, Erect, or Inclining, in reference to our Horizon; and also a peculiar Order, in Relation to each

other; the Union of which Parts collectively consider'd, may properly be call'd Texture, or Modification. And since most Bodies are made up of Parts something Irregular; it is impossible but that there should be Interstices, or Pores left betwixt them. And further, some Parts of Bo∣dies, being very subtile and fine, and easily put into Motion by Heat, or other proper Agents; such Bodies cannot but emit good store of Efflu∣viums. And when Particles of Matter are fitted and adapted, so as to adhere together, they form those similar Bodies, call'd Elements, which be∣ing mix'd with one another, constitute Com∣pound Bodies; which being again associated with Compounds, form Bodies, still more Complex; which Compounding and Decompounding of Bodies,* 1.4 may be Properly call'd Mixture; which differs from Texture, because it implies a Hetero∣geneity of Parts, which the latter does not. And Lastly, all Bodies, whether Simple or Compound, are to be consider'd, as plac'd in the World, as it is now constituted, and rul'd by The Ʋniversal Fabrick of things, as well as the Laws of Motion.

* 1.5From hence it appearing, That Matter is very Naturally diversify'd by eleven Primary Affections, to which it self being added, makes twelve; we may by Parity of Reason consider, that if such an inaccountable Number of Words, may be made of the 24. Letters; it will not be hard to think, that so many different Modes of Matter may arise from such Finite Principles, as could Reasonably be suppos'd to result from the va∣rious Associations of those ten Letters.

And indeed, an inaccountable Number more: since every one of these Principles admits of an

Incredible Variety. As first, there may be a vast Variety of Associations in respect of the Figure or Number, or Order of the Parts joyn'd; as in Fi∣gure, some may be Triangles or Squares, others Pentagons, &c. There may also another Variety proceed from the Different Shapes and Sizes of the Parts of Matter united; their Figures being either Spherical, like a Bullet, Elliptical, like an Egg, or Cubical, as a Dye, &c. together with a great many others: Examples of which the In∣struments of Carvers, Gravers, &c. afford; those Tools being not only of different Sizes, but also various Shapes. And there is no less Variety in the Degrees of Motion; since Motion may be in∣finitely different in Swiftness or Slowness, Uni∣formity or Difformity; as also, according to the different Lines in which Bodies move, as Streight, Circular, Hyperbolical, Ellyptical, &c. as also ac∣cording to the differently Figur'd Parts they strike against; to which Causes of Variety, may be added the different Sizes or Shapes of the Bo∣dies mov'd: as also, the several Degrees of Compound Bodies, and the different Modifica∣tions of their Ingredients; and likewise of the Mediums through which they move, as well as the Degreess of Impulse. And the Effects of these may be vary'd again, according to the different Situation or Determinate Natures of the Bodies they strike against.

* 1.6And, that Motion is able to produce a vast Variety of Effects, we may learn from Musical Instruments; where according to the Difference of the Air's Motion, arising from the various Vi∣brations of the Strings, &c. different Sounds are produced; which, as they are more or less co∣incident

cause either Concords or Discords in Sound.

But it would be too tedious to mention all the Diversities which might happen in Quali∣ties, by the various Combinations of our Ten Principles; and therefore, since from hence their Fertility may sufficiently appear, I shall proceed to

* 1.7The last Difficulty raised against the Corpus∣cular Philosophy, which is, That if the Qualities of Bodies depend on the Size, Shape and Tex∣tures of Bodies, all Bodies of the same Colours must have the same Textures; and if the same Textures; the same Qualities in other respects: But we see it is contrary, since the Calx of Harts∣horn is insipid, and yet the Volatile Salt of Harts∣horn is very strong Scented, and of as strong a Taste: To which a great many more Examples might be added were it necessary.

* 1.8But I shall rather, since it is not requisite, of∣fer the following Considerations to remove the Difficulty.

First, That several Heterogeneous Parts may be lodged in the Pores of a Body, which tho' of a different Nature from the Body it self, yet they may produce some considerable Effects; as in Perfumed Gloves, the Odoriferous Parts are both different in Substance, and have diffe∣rent Qualities from the Leather the Gloves are made of.

The Second Consideration is, That Parts of very different Natures may be linked together, not in an Essential Structure, but a Juxta-Posi∣tion, or Peculiar kind of Composition, and yet afford the same Qualities, notwithstanding their

Essential Differences; for invisible changes in some Parts of Matter, may be sufficient to cause new Qualities, tho' the Essential Parts of those Bodies be unaltered; and not only so, but di∣versified enough to denominate them of dif∣ferent Species. So a Bar of Iron, by being ham∣mer'd, may feel hot, though there be no visible alteration in the Nature of the Metal by an in∣tense Agitation of the Insensible Parts of it.

But to illustrate this Consideration a little further; tho' a Piece of Iron, Wood or Tin, should have sharp protuberant Parts, yet are they distinct Substances, notwithstanding they all agree in that Quality of Roughness; and if those rough Parts were worn off, and the Body endowed with a smooth Quality, yet still would they in respect of their Substance, remain unaltered: And tho' the superficies of Steel, Brass, Flint or Marble should be polished as to become Specular, their Essential Differences would still be the same. And as I took notice before, tho' Air be put into an Undulating Motion by different Instruments, yet if the Mo∣tion be raised to the same degree, it causes the same Sound, and produces the same Note. So that Bodies may agree in some Extra-Es∣sential Attributes, and yet be different in their Essential Modifications: To confirm the Truth of which, Heat will afford us an Eminent Ex∣ample, which may be produc'd in a Body, by putting its Parts into Agitation, without de∣stroying the Essential Properties of the Body so affected: So that the Essential Nature of a Body may not be concern'd in reflecting the Rays of Light, which produce those Extra-Essential

Qualities, which are called Colours; since to produce Whiteness in a Body, it is suf∣ficient, that the Surface of that Body be so mo∣dified, as to reflect the Rays of Light copious∣ly and undisturbed, whatever the Essential and proper Texture of that Body is.

* 1.9And here it may be proper to take notice, that there are several Bodies Homogeneous as to Sense, which afford different Qualities; as Salt-Peter, becomes fluid and transparent, when briskly agitated in a Crucible; whereas it hath other Qualities when cool, being a hard and white brittle Substance: And the Powder of A∣labaster being duly exposed to a convenient heat, acquires several Qualities not different from those of fluid Bodies. So Aqua Fortis although it be transparent and clear, yet if rais'd in the form of Fumes, it puts on a red Colour.

The Third thing I would propose to remove this difficulty is, what hath been several times hinted before, viz. That a Body is not to be considered barely as a determinate Substance, but as a part of the Universe, and placed a∣mongst other Bodies. But

Fourthly, As to that part of the Objection, which questions the Corpuscular Principles, in making it appear, why a Body so qualified as to cause whiteness, should have other Quali∣ties which are of no Affinity with it; what hath been already delivered, may be sufficient to re∣move it, viz. That the Extra-Essential Parts may be so qualified, though the Essential Parts be not altered; which we have more reason to believe, since most sensible Qualities are only relative Attributes, and may result from an ac∣cidental

Motion, or more than ordinary Laxity or Density of Parts, or some other such like Affections.

* 1.10To illustrate which, if a Third part of Ve∣nice Turpentine be evaporated, we may obtain from it a Colophony of a Reddish Colour, which being beaten small, will lose its Trans∣parency, and be turned into a white Opacous Powder; which with a Moderate heat will a∣gain be restored to its former Transparency, Fludity and Colour; into which fluid Body, if one immerges the end of a Quill, something below the Surface, and blows Artificially, it will rise in Bubbles, curiously adorn'd with vivid and lively Colours; and if in that state you take it into your Hands, it is Viscid enough to draw into Strings; and if put into a Triangu∣lar Figure, will like a Triangular Glass, yield a variety of Colours: When cold, it is very brittle, and if moderately rubbed, it is en∣dowed with an Electrical Virtue of attracting Straws: The same Phaenomena will appear up∣on managing purified Rosin after the same man∣ner.

* 1.11To this I shall subjoyn another instance, to shew, that a Homogeneous Body, may, by shape or other Mechanical Affections, have different Qualities in respect of our Senses, and the At∣tributes assigned to it upon that Score: The instance is in Putrified Urine Distill'd, the Spi∣rit of which, when it hath by frequent Distilla∣tions been dephlegmed, hath a pungent Taste, and swims in a Phlegmatick Vehicle, being also of a very offensive Smell; whose Salts when freed from the Water, are of a white Colour, and are

sharp and caustick if applied to an Excoriated Part; besides which Qualities, they likewise make the Eyes water, and cause Sneezing. And in respect of Physick, their Qualities are no less noted, being Diuretick, Diaphoretick, and Specifick in Hysterick Fits; when mixed with Fi∣lings of Brass, they turn them into a green Co∣lour; yet if mixed with Blew Juices of Plants, they change that Colour for a Green one. They dissolve Copper, yet destroy the Corrosive Vir∣tue of other Acid Menstruums; and precipitate the Copper when dissolved by them: Yet if com∣mon Salt be associated with it, this Salt ceases to produce most of the forementioned Effects, and forms a Body very like Sal Armoniack: which change may probably depend on the Motion and Shape of its Parts destroyed, since by Eva∣porating most of the Liquor, I have found the Salt not only much less Fugitive and Volatile than that of Urine, but the Crystals of a different Figure, being like Combs and Feathers. And

These Considerations, together with the Ex∣tra-Essential Changes of Bodies, may let us see, that Substances may work variously upon dif∣ferent Senses as well as other Bodies; and those Effects too, may depend on Extra-Essential Changes, which may be wrought in Motion, Shape and Texture, &c. the Essential Mo∣difications of Bodies nevertheless agreeing. So that from what hath been said, the Objection, I hope, will seem less considerable, and not so perplexing as some imagine.

And these Three Difficulties I have the ra∣ther considered, because they may not only ex∣plain, but confirm and illustrate what is de∣liver'd

in the Chapter before, concerning Forms and Qualities; and may also clear and render more Intelligible, some things hereafter to be related.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Primary Modes of Matter, and Complexi∣ons of Qua∣lities mis∣taken for Real Qua∣lities.
• * 1.2

  The Diffe∣rence in A∣gents and Patients di∣versify the Actions.
• * 1.3

  A Second Objection a∣gainst the Corpuscu∣larian Phi∣losophy an∣swer'd.
• * 1.4

  The Diffe∣rence be∣twixt Mix∣ture, and Texture.
• * 1.5

  The Phoeno∣mena exhi∣bited by the Corpuscu∣lar Princi∣ples very numerous.
• * 1.6

  Musical In∣struments afford in∣stances of the various Effects of Motion.
• * 1.7

  A Third Objection answered.
• * 1.8

  Considera∣tions in or∣der to re∣move the Difficulty.
• * 1.9

  Different-Qualities afforded by Bodies Ho∣mogeneous as to Sense.
• * 1.10

  Several Qualities exhibited by Venice Turpentine
• * 1.11

  Another Experi∣ment of the like Nature tried upon Putrified Urine.