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nydus/The Sceptical ChymistPublic

Robert Boyle presents a series of philosophical dialogues between the characters Carneades and Eleutherius. The text examines the author's reasons for questioning both Peripatetic and chemical doctrines regarding the material principles of mixed bodies.

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Table of Contents

The Second Part.

and Brittleness of Salt more difficult for Nature to introduce into such a yielding body as Water, then it is for her to make the Bones of a Chick out of the tender Substance of the Liquors of an Egg. But instead of prosecuting this consideration, as I easily might, I will proceed, as soon as I have taken notice of an objection that lies in my Way. For I easily foresee it will be alledged, that the above mentioned Examples are all taken from Plants, and Animals, in whom the Matter is Fashioned by the Plastick power of the seed, or something analogous thereunto. Whereas the Fire do’s not act like any of the Seminal Principles, but destroyes them all, when they come within its Reach. But to this I shall need at present to make but this easy Answer, That whether it be a Seminal Principle, or any other which fashions that Matter after those various manners I have mentioned to You, yet ’tis Evident, that either by the Plastick principle Alone, or that and Heat Together, or by some Other cause capable to contex the matter, it is yet possible that the matter may be Anew contriv’d into such Bodies. And ’tis only for the Possibility of this that I am now contending.

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