Skeptical about Vulgar Chymical Opinions

VVhercuntoispnmis dPartof another Difeourfe telaung to the fame Subje.  

FIGURE 140. The polite version of the title page of Robert Boyle s 1661 classic The Sceptical Chymist. This book is written in the form of a discussion among fictional characters, including Themistius, representing the Peripateticks, defenders of the four ancient elements, Philoponus, who defends the three Paracelsian principles and Carneades, the voice of reason (i.e., Boyle), who, of course, gets all the best lines. (From The Roy G. Neville Historical Chemical Library, a collection in the Othmer Library, CHF.) 

Printed for J, and arc to be fold at the Ship in St Fuub Cburcb Yacd, k z  

And therefore we sent to invite the bold and acute Leucippus to lend us some light by his atomical paradox, upon which we expected such pregnant hints, that twas not without a great deal of trouble that we had lately word brought us that he was not to be found  

Here is Themistius proof that green wood disbands into the four elements upon combustion  

---