ADDITION

BY ALEOTTI

Regarding the fact that there can be no vacuum, nor can the Element of Air be kept compressed.

An ornate square drop cap 'I' features architectural scrolls and stylized floral motifs.

In conformity with what Hero has said above, one may add that if one takes an arquebus rod, at the head of which is its well-made scraper, and we drive it into an arquebus barrel, most justly perforated in a straight line with great excellence, then closing the touchhole, if we pull it almost out—which we will do with some difficulty, the vacuum that will remain in the lower part opposing us (for air cannot succeed into it)—if, I say, having pulled it almost out, we release it, that vacuum, because it cannot be unless by a violated nature, will pull back (to suddenly fill itself) with violence said rod. Just as also for proof, that the Element of Air cannot stand if not in the quality of its nature, and as Almighty God created it, if—the touchhole of said barrel being closed—we drive the aforementioned rod into it, we will feel (because Air is a body) that we will do it with effort, and that said Air will come to be amassed. And if, having driven it down as much as we can, we release it freely, the violated air, not being able to stand costive, will break, and with fury will drive the rod away to return immediately (the violence having ceased) to its nature. Whence it becomes clear to us that by driving a ball into it, while the touchhole is closed, the air, costive to return to its nature, drives it away with violence. And if that will demonstrate to us that it cannot be a vacuum, this will make us clear that this Element cannot stand if not in the term of its nature, as its Creator created it.

Furthermore, it is proven that there can be no vacuum by those glass vessels that women are accustomed to use to empty themselves, and in part evacu-