Page:A History of Hindu Chemistry Vol 1.djvu/165

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"12. Gravity is the peculiar cause of primary descent or falling.

"It affects earth and water. Gold is affected by this quality, by reason of earth contained in it.

"In the absence of a countervailing cause, as adhesion, velocity, or some act of volition, descent results from i this quality. Thus a cocoanut is withheld from falling by adhesion of the foot-stalk; but, this impediment ceasing on maturity of the fruit, it falls.

"According to Udayana Āchārya, gravity is imperceptible, but to be inferred from the act of falling. Vallabha maintains that it is perceived in the position of a thing descending to a lower situation.

"Levity is not a distinct quality, but the negation of gravity.

"13. Fluidity is the cause of original trickling.

"It affects earth, light and water. It is natural and essential in water; adscititious in earth and