Figure operates not in the Natation of Sollids.It was answered me, tha that proceeded not from the greater Levity, but from the Figure, large and flat, which not being able to penetrate the Resistance of the Water, is the cause that it submergeth not. I replied, that any piece of Ice, of whatsoever Figure, swims upon the Water, a manifest signe, that its being never so flat and broad, hath not any part in its floating: and added, that it was a manifest proofe hereof to see a piece of Ice of very broad figure being thrust to the botome of the Water, suddenly return to flote atoppe, which had it been more grave, and had its swimming proceeded from its Forme, unable to penetrate the Resistance of the Medium, that would be altogether impossible; I concluded therefore, that the Figure was in sort a Cause of the Natation or Submersion of Bodies, but the greater or lesse Gravity in respect of the Water: and therefore all Bodyes heavier than it of what figure soever they be, indifferently go to the bottome, and the lighter, though of any figure, float indifferently on the top: and I suppose that those which hold otherwise, were induced to that beliefe, by seeing how that diversity of Formes or Figures, greatly altereth the Velosity, and Tardity of Motion; so that Bodies of Figure broad and thin, descend far more leasurely into the Water, than those of a more compacted Figure, though both made of the same Matter: by which some might be induced to believe that the Dilatation of the Figure might reduce it to such amplenesse that it should not only retard but wholly impede and take away the Motion, which I hold to be false. Upon this Conclusion, in many dayes discourse, was spoken much, and many things, and divers Experiments produced, of which your Hignnesse heard, and saw some, and in this discourse shall have all that which hath been produced against my Assertion, and what hath been suggested to my thoughts on this matter, and for confirmation of my Conclusion: which if it shall suffice to remove that (as I esteem hitherto false) Opinion, I shall thinke I have not unprofitably spent my paynes and time. and although that come not to passe, yet ought I to promise another benefit to my selfe, namely, of attaining the knowledge of the truth, by hearing my Fallacyes confuted, and true demonstrations produced by those of the contrary opinion.
And to proceed with the greatest plainness and perspicuity that I can possible, it is, I conceive, necessary, first of all to declare what is the true, intrinsecall, and totall Cause, of the ascending of some Sollid Bodyes in the Water, and therein floating; or on the contrary, of their sinking and so much the rather in asmuch as I cannot satisfie my selfe in that which Aristotle hath left written on this Subject.
The cause of the Natation & sub-I say then the Cause why some Sollid Bodyes descend to theBottom
