345

[In margin]L.6.  

The experiments shewn, were . . . in order to
shew the vse of air for the sustentation of the Life of an ani
=mall, vpon which subject the query was, whether the ^ /same/ animall in
would continue to subsist in an inclosed air a time proportio
nable to the quantity of air conteind in the vessell. whether
the said air were free and vnder noe ^ /extraordinary/ compression or Dilatation
or whether the same were either compressed or Dilated by
the force of the Engines made for that purpose. in prosecutio
of this Inquiry there were seuerally birds prouided one of wch
was inclosed in a glasse vessell wth. common air. a 2d. in a Re
ceiuer wch ex out of wch. the air was afterwards exhausted, and
a 3d was to be Inclosed in the condensing engine into wch. dou
ble the quantity of air was to be forced. The euent was that
the bird in the exhausting engine presently Dyed. But the other
in the common air continued in the Receiuer till the society
rose wthout any sensible alteration whence It was Iudged
that it would liue very much Longer before it would
be stifled. and soe the society stayed not to see the euent

Ref: CELL/RS/HF_347  © Centre for Editing Lives and Letters