a similar manner upon a certain combination of different attractive
powers, which, in conformity with the imperfection of our knowledge, we
endeavour to express by saying, that caloric communicates a power of
repulsion to the particles of bodies.
FOOTNOTES:
[2] Whenever the degree of heat occurs in this work, it is stated by the
author according to Reaumur's scale. The degrees within brackets are the
correspondent degrees of Fahrenheit's scale, added by the translator. E.
[3] Collections of the French Academy of Sciences for that year, p. 420.
[4] Chemical Nomenclature.
[5] As I shall afterwards give a definition, and explain the properties
of the liquor called _ether_, I shall only premise here, that it is a
very volatile inflammable liquor, having a considerably smaller specific
gravity than water, or even spirit of wine.--A.
[6] It would have been more satisfactory if the Author had specified the
degrees of the thermometer at which these heights of the mercury in the
barometer are produced.
[7] Vide Memoirs of the French Academy, anno 1780, p. 335.--A.
CHAP. II.
_General Views relative to the Formation and Composition of our
Atmosphere._
These views which I have taken of the formation of elastic aeriform
fluids or gasses, throw great light upon the original formation of the
atmospheres of the planets, and particularly that of our earth. We
readily conceive, that it must necessarily consist of a mixture of the
following substances: _First_, Of all bodies that are susceptible of
43