The Four Elements.
Take a glass tube, about the thickness of a man’s finger, and securely seal one end of it. Mark it, all round, with four equal divisions. Introduce mercury, sufficient to fill the space below the first mark; a solution of sub-carbonate of potass for the second division; white spirit, to which a blue tint is imparted, for the third; and turpentine, colored red, for the fourth. After these preparations are completed, close up and seal the mouth of the tube, and you may then give a fanciful exhibition of chaos and the four elements. Shake the tube, and you will mix all the contents together, and this mixture will represent chaos; in a short time, if the tube be not removed, all the ingredients will separate, and each go to its allotted division, placing itself according to its specific gravity, in comparison with the others; the contents of the upper division, which is red, will represent fire; the next, which has a blue tint, air; the third, which is colorless, water; and the lower one, earth.