Page:Philosophical Transactions - Volume 004.djvu/260

 winds were also violently sharpe. In those Frosts there ascended into the top of the Glass small drops like a Dew, which afterwards descended into the stem, and filled up the space of an Inch or thereabouts, and it was as clear, and bright, and more flickering, than any Chrystal, or Glass. On the contrary, in the heat of the Summer I placed a stronger Thermometer of slow Motion on a Sunny wall, till a part of the Liquor ascended info the top, and there continued some hours: Then by sloping the Glass I divided it from the rest at a little distance. And this took up two inches in the stem, being at first of a very pale reddishness. I guess it contained much of the Spirit of Vrine, which at first was intermingled with the Spirit of Wine; but in a short time all the reddishness was quite consumed: And since it remaines of a transparent, but very dull clearness, in no degree so bright, and flickering, as the other. If this proves a distillation of the same kind, and not differing from distillations by heate, then it may excuse my expression above, of the coincidence of extremes. If it proves a distillation of another kind, then there is a fresh task for Philosophers. However, whether one or the other be true, we are sure, that false grounds and vain hopes have done Infinite good to us and to our Posterity by Pyrotechne. And why may not we accept of specious hopes to attempt something in Psycrotcchae? But I made another tryal with the stronger Thermometer: By which, and by other argugumentsarguments [sic], I am convinced, that manifold uses may be made of our Icy Conservatories for the Conservation of some Bodyes, and for strange alterations on others, as they are placed, higher or lower; nearer or further from the Snow or Jce [sic]. But this and other matters, and especially such as pertain to the quick and cheap fertilizing of any sorts of Land for Bortulan uses, I must reserve for another time: And then I shall not put you off with Projects; but give you the evidence of sure and safe Experience; and such as may be much more useful, than this or the former is either curious, or extravagant.