Thus it is the proper deduction from this experiment, that the power of gravity acts not on the surface of bodies only, but penetrates the bodies themselves most intimately, and operates alike on every particle of matter in them. But as the great quickness, with which the bodies fall, leaves it something uncertain, whether they do descend absolutely in the same time, or only so nearly together, that the difference in their swift motion is not discernable to the eye; this property of the power of gravity, which has here been deduced from this experiment, is farther confirmed by pendulums, whose motion is such, that a very minute difference would become sufficiently sensible. This will be farther discoursed on in another place[52]; but here I shall make use of the principle now laid down to explain the nature of what is called the center of gravity in bodies. 25. THE center of gravity is that point, by which if a body be suspended, it shall hang at rest in any situation. In a globe of a uniform texture the center of gravity is the same with the center of the globe; for as the parts of the globe on every side of its center are similarly disposed, and the power of gravity acts alike on every part; it is evident, that the parts of the globe on each side of the center are drawn with equal force, and therefore neither side can yield to the other; but the globe, if supported at its center, must of necessity hang at rest. In like manner, if two equal bodies A and B (in fig. 13.) be hung at the extremities of an inflexible rod C D, which should have no weight; these bodies, if the rod be supported at its middle E, shall equiponderate; and the rod remain without motion. For the bodies being equal and at the same distance from the point of support E, the power of gravity will act upon each with equal strength, and in all respects under the same circumstances; therefore the weight of one cannot overcome the weight of the other. The weight of A can no more surmount the weight of B, than the weight of B can surmount the weight of A. Again, suppose a body as A B (in fig. 14.) of a uniform texture in the form of a roller, or as it is more usually called a cylinder, lying horizontally. If a straight line be drawn between C and D, the centers of the extreme circles of this cylinder; and if this straight line, commonly called the axis of the cylinder, be divided into two equal parts in E: this point E will be the center of gravity of the cylinder. The cylinder being a uniform figure, the parts on each side of the point E are equal, and situated in a perfectly similar manner; therefore this cylinder, if supported at the point E, must hang at rest, for the same reason as the inflexible rod above-mentioned will remain without motion, when suspended at its middle point. And it is evident, that the force applied to the point E, which would uphold the cylinder, must be equal to the cylinder’s weight. Now suppose two