Extracts From Micrographia

Hooke's "Micrographia" is a remarkable book in several respects, but in none more strikingly so than on account of the explanation which it contains of its author's clear views respecting the theory of combustion. This explanation occurs quite unexpectedly in Observation XVI., entitled "Of Charcoal, or Burnt Vegetables," and it forms by far the most important portion of the book from the chemical standpoint; although matters of minor chemical interest are mentioned in several of the other Observations. It is a matter for the greatest regret that Hooke did not detail in Observation XVI. the experiments from which his theoretical ideas concerning combustion were deduced; and also that he never carried out his expressed intention of dealing fully with the whole subject in a separate treatise.

A just appreciation of the author's individuality, as well as of his intentions in publishing his Micrographia, can scarcely be obtained without perusing his preface, which contains a number of shrewd and enlightened ideas.

The following pages contain the greater part of the preface to Micrographia, Observations VIII. and XVI. in full, and a few shorter extracts. The old-fashioned spelling of the original has been retained.

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