kind of Water as that in N, did. But the Water in M, having much less Terrestrial Matter in it than that in N had, the Plant bore up 8803 Grains of it, gaining it self only 41 Grains the while; whereas that in N drew off no more than 4344 Grains, and yet was augmented 94 Grains. So that it spent 4459 Grains of Water more than that did; and yet was not it self so much increased in weight, as that was, by 53 Grains. This is both a very fair, and a very conclusive Instance; on which Account 'tis that I make oftner use of it. Indeed they are all so; and to add any thing further on this Head, will not be
'Tis evident therefore Water is not the Matter that composes Vegetable Bodies. 'Tis only the Agent that conveys that Matter to them; that introduces and distributes it to their several Parts for their Nourishment. That Matter is sluggish and unactive, and would lie eternally confin'd to its Beds of Earth, without ever advancing up into Plants, did not Water, or some like Instrument, fetch it forth and carry it unto them. That therefore there is that plentiful Provision, and vast Abundance of it supplied to all Parts of the Earth, is a mark of a natural Providence superintending over the Globe we inhabit; and ordaining a due Dispensation of that Fluid, without the Ministry of which the Noble Succession of Bodies we behold, Animals, Vegetables, and Minerals, would be all at a stand[11]. But to keep to Plants, 'tis manifest Water, as well on this, as upon the other Hypothesis, is absolutely necessary in the Affair of Vegetation; and it will not succeed without it: Which indeed gave occasion to the Opinion, that Water it self nourished, and was changed into Vegetable Bodies. They saw, though these were planted in a Soil never so rich, so happy, so advantageous, nothing came of it unless there was Water too in a considerable quantity. And it must