4 1 Of the Cauje of a (peftilence. Showers feem to be endued with a Stiptick or Cauftick Power, fo as to taint the Cloaths and Skin of the Travellers, and burn, as it were, upon them peftilential Characters. From which Difpofition, it cannot be a Wonder to any, that the Plague ihould reign after Earthquakes - becaufe a poifo- nous Spirit at fuch Times breaks out into the Air^ as alfo that Kitre thus loaded with an impure Mixture, and fometimes too that which is deadly, mould of it felf, like the Occurfion of an Acid, force out its Way wherever there is Room, and leave behind in its PafTage many Marks of Ma- lignity *, fo that fubterraneous Animals, fuch as Moles, Mice, Serpents, Conies, Foxes, &c. as confcious of approaching Mifchief^ leave their Burrows, and lie open in the Air : which is alfo a certain Sign of a Peftilence at Hand : Hence alfo a fiidden Death of Fifhj and a Departure of the Birds of the Air, to fecure their Safe- ty in that which is more wholefome. AFTER thefe Obfervations, it remains to mew how the nitrous Spirit frequently receives a Change iike to that which may be termed Corruption, although it is vul- garly accounted incorruptible in it felf, and
