G, that had no Plants in them, than in those that had Plants. The Garden-mould dissolved in the Glasses K and L, was considerably diminished, and carried off. Nay, the Terrestrial and Vegetable Matter was born up in the Tubes fill'd with Sand, Cotton, &c. in that Quantity, as to be evident even to Sense. And the Bodies in the Cavities of the other Tubes, that had their lower Ends immers'd in Water, wherein Saffron, Cochinele, &c. had been infused, were tinged with Yellow, Purple,
If I may be permitted to look abroad a while, towards our Shores and Parts within the Verge of the Sea, these will present us with a large Scene of Plants, that, along with the Vegetable, take up into them meer mineral Matter also in great abundance. Such are our Sea-Purslains, the several sorts of Alga's, of Sampires, and other marine Plants. These contain common Sea-salt, which is all one with the Fossil, in such plenty, as not only to be plainly distinguish'd on the Palate, but may be drawn forth of them in considerable Quantity. Nay, there want not those who affirm, there are Plants found that will yield Nitre,
and other mineral Salts; of which indeed I am not so far satisfied, that I can depend on the Thing, and therefore give this only as an hint for Enquiry.
To go on with the Vegetable Matter, how apt and how much disposed this, being so very fine and light, is to attend Water in all its Motions, and follow it into each of its Recesses, is manifest, not only from the Instances above alledg'd, but many others. Percolate it withal the Care imaginable: Filter it with never so many Filtrations, yet some Terrestrial Matter will remain. 'Tis true, the Fluid will be thinner every time than other, and more disingaged of the said Matter; but never wholly free and clear. I have filtred Water thorough several wholly free and clear Sheets of thick Paper; and, after that, through very close