Bacon, Francis, Sylva sylvarum : or, a natural history in ten centuries; includes: History natural and experimental of life and death : or, of the prolongation of life (1669). Articles of enquiry, touching metals and minerals (1669). New Atlantis : a work unfinished , 1670

Bibliographic information

Author: Bacon, Francis
Title: Sylva sylvarum : or, a natural history in ten centuries; includes: History natural and experimental of life and death : or, of the prolongation of life (1669). Articles of enquiry, touching metals and minerals (1669). New Atlantis : a work unfinished
Year: 1670
City: London
Publisher: Lee
Number of Pages: getr. Zähl.

Permanent URL

Document ID: MPIWG:99DQYD30
Permanent URL: http://echo.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/MPIWG:99DQYD30

Copyright information

Copyright: Max Planck Institute for the History of Science (unless stated otherwise)
License: CC-BY-SA (unless stated otherwise)
Table of contents
1. Page: 0
2. SYLVA SYLVARUM, OR, A Natural Hiſtory, IN TEN CENTURIES. Whereunto is newly added, The Hiſtory Natural and Experimental of LIFE and DEATH, or of the Prolongation of LIFE. Publiſhed after the Authors Death, By William Rawley, Doctorin Divinity, One of His Majeſties Chaplains. Whereunto is added Articles of Enquiry, touch-ing Metals and Minerals. And the New Atlantis. Written by the Right Honorable FRANCIS Lord Verulam, Viſcount St. Alban. The Ninth and Last Edition, With an Alphabetical Table of the Principal Things contained in the Ten Centuries. Page: 3
3. LONDON: rinted by J. R. for William Lee, and are to be Sold by the Bookſellers of London. 1670. Page: 3
4. TO THE MOST HIGH AND MIGHTY PRINCE CHARLES, By the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. Page: 5
5. TO THE READER Page: 7
6. A TABLE OF THE EXPERIMENTS. Century I. Page: 11
7. Century II. Page: 11
8. Century III. Page: 12
9. Century IV. Page: 12
10. Century V. Page: 13
11. Century VI. Page: 13
12. Century VII. Page: 13
13. Century VIII. Page: 14
14. Century IX. Page: 15
15. Century X. Page: 16
16. THE LIFE OF THE RIGHT HONOURABLE FRANCIS BACON Baron of Verulam, Viſcount St. Alban. BY WILLIAM RAWLEY. D D. His Lordſhips firſt and laſt Chaplain, and of late his Majeſties Chaplain in Ordinary. Page: 19
17. LONDON, Printed by S. G. & E. G. for William Lee, and are to be ſold at the ſign of the Turks-Head in Fleet ſtreet, over againſt Fetter-Lane, 1670. Page: 19
18. THE LIFE OF THE Right Honourable FRANCIS BACON Baron of Verulam, Viſcount St. Alban. Page: 21
19. Et quod tentabam ſcribere, Verſus erat, Page: 29
20. NATURAL HISTORY. Century I. Page: 35
21. NATURAL HISTORY. Century II. Page: 63
22. NATURAL HISTORY Century III. Page: 83
23. Conſent of Viſibles and Audibles. Page: 92
24. Diſſent of Viſibles and Audibles. Page: 94
25. NATURAL HISTORY. Century IV. Page: 101
26. NATURAL HISTORY Century V. Page: 123
27. NATURAL HISTORY. Century VI. Page: 141
28. --Teneriſque meos incidere Amores Arboribus, creſcent illæ, creſcetis Amores. Page: 142
29. Grandia ſæpe quibus mandavimus Hordea Sulcis, Infœlix Lolium, & ſteriles dominatur Avenæ. Page: 145
30. NATURAL HISTORY Century VII. Page: 159
31. Poculaque admiſtis imitantur vitea Sorbis. Page: 164
32. NATURAL HISTORY. Century VIII. Page: 181
33. NATURAL HISTORY Century IX. Page: 205
34. NATURAL HISTORY. Century X. Page: 229
35. Neſcio quis teneros oculus mihi faſcinat Agnos: Page: 230
36. ATABLE Of the chief Matters containedin the CENTURIES Page: 251
37. His Lordſhips uſual Receipt for the Gout (to which, the Sixtieth Experiment hath reference) wasthis. Tobe taken in this order. 1. The Poultice. Page: 269
38. 2. The Bath or Fomentation. Page: 269
39. 3. The Plaiſter. Page: 269
40. HISTORY Natural and Experimental OF LIFE & DEATH: OR, Of the Prolongation of LIFE. Written in Latin by the Right Honorable Francis Lord Verulam, Viſcount St. Albans. Page: 271
41. LONDON, Printed for VVilliam Lee at the Turks-head in Fleetſtreet. 1669. Page: 271
42. TO THE READER. Page: 273
43. To the preſent Age and Poſterity, Greeting. Page: 274
44. THE HISTORY OF Life and Death. The Preface. Page: 275
45. THE Particular Topick Places; OR, ARTICLES of INQUISITION TOUCHING LIFE and DEATH. Page: 279
46. Nature Durable, and not Durable. The History. Page: 280
47. Obſervations. Page: 281
48. The Hiſtory. Page: 281
49. An Obſervation. Page: 282
50. Deſiccation, Prohibiting of Deſiccation, and In-teneration of that which is deſiccated and dried. The Hiſtory. Page: 283
51. Obſervations. Page: 285
52. Length and Shortneß of Life in Living Creatures. The Hiſtory. Page: 286
53. Obſervations. Page: 289
54. Alimentation, or Nouriſhment: and the way of Nouriſhing. The History. Page: 291
55. Length and Shortneſs of Life in Man. The Hiſt@ry. Page: 292
56. Medicines for Long Life. Page: 303
57. The Intentions. Page: 304
58. The Operation upon the Spirits that they may remain Youthful, and renew their Vigour. The Hiſtory. Page: 306
59. The Operation upon the Excluſion of the Air. 2. The Hiſtory. Page: 313
60. The Operation upon the Bloud, and the Sanguifying Heat. 3. The Hiſtory. Page: 316
61. The Operation upon the Juices of the Body. 4. The Hiſtory. Page: 318
62. The Operation upon the Bowels for their Extruſion of Aliment. 5. The Hiſtory. Page: 319
63. The Operation upon the Outward Parts for their Attraction of Aliment. 6. The Hiſtory. Page: 323
64. The Operation upon the Aliment it ſelf for the Inſinuation thereof. 7. The Hiſtory. Page: 324
65. The Operation upon the laſt Act of Aſsimilation. 8. Page: 326
66. The Operation upon the Inteneration of that which begins to be Arefied, or the Malaciſſation of the Body. 9. Page: 326
67. The Hiſtory. Page: 326
68. The Operation upon the Purging away of old Juice, and Sup-plying of new Juice; or of Renovation by Turns. 10. The Hiſtory. Page: 329
69. The Porches of Death. Page: 329
70. The Hiſtory. Page: 330
71. The Differences of Youth and Old Age. Page: 333
72. Moveable Canons of the Duration of Life and Form of Death. Canon I. Page: 335
73. The Explication. Page: 335
74. Canon II. Page: 335
75. The Explication. Page: 335
76. Canon III. Page: 335
77. The Explication. Page: 335
78. Canon IV. Page: 336
79. The Explication. Page: 336
80. Canon V. Page: 336
81. The Explication. Page: 337
82. Canon VI. Page: 337
83. The Explication. Page: 337
84. Canon VII. Page: 337
85. The Explication. Page: 337
86. Canon VIII. Page: 337
87. The Explicætion. Page: 337
88. Canon IX. Page: 337
89. The Explication. Page: 338
90. Canon X. Page: 338
91. The Explication. Page: 338
92. Canon XI. Page: 338
93. The Explication. Page: 338
94. Canon XII. Page: 338
95. The Explication. Page: 338
96. Canon XIII. Page: 338
97. The Explication. Page: 338
98. Canon XIV. Page: 338
99. The Explication. Page: 338
100. Canon XV. Page: 339
101. The Explication. Page: 339
102. Canon XVI. Page: 339
103. The Explication. Page: 339
104. Canon XVII. Page: 339
105. The Explication. Page: 339
106. Canon XVIII. Page: 339
107. The Explication. Page: 339
108. Canon XIX. Page: 339
109. The Explication. Page: 340
110. Canon XX. Page: 340
111. The Explication. Page: 340
112. Canon XXI. Page: 340
113. The Explication. Page: 340
114. Canon XXII. Page: 340
115. The Explication. Page: 340
116. Canon XXIII. Page: 340
117. The Explication. Page: 340
118. Canon XXIV. Page: 340
119. The Explication. Page: 340
120. Canon XXV. Page: 340
121. The Explication. Page: 340
122. Canon XXVI. Page: 341
123. The Explication. Page: 341
124. Canon XxVII. Page: 341
125. The Explication. Page: 341
126. Canon XXVIII. Page: 341
127. The Explication. Page: 341
128. Canon XXIX. Page: 341
129. The Explication. Page: 341
130. Canon XXX. Page: 341
131. The Explication. Page: 341
132. Canon XXXI. Page: 342
133. The Explication. Page: 342
134. Canon XXXII. Page: 342
135. The Explication. Page: 342
136. FINIS. Page: 342
137. ARTICLES OF ENQUIRY, TOUCHING METALS & MINERALS. Written by the Right Honorable, FRANCIS BACON, BARON of VERULAM, Viſcount St. Alban. Thought fit to be added, to this Work OF HIS NATURAL HISTORY. Nevvly put forth in the Year, 1661. By the former Publisher. Page: 343
138. LONDON, Printed for VVilliam Lee at the Turks-head in Fleetſtreet. 1669. Page: 343
139. ARTICLES OF ENQUIRY, TOUCHING METALS & MINERALS. Page: 345
140. Some few of theſe would be enquired of, to diſcloſe the Nature of the reſt. Page: 346
141. THE BOOK-SELLER UNTO THE READER. Page: 352
142. FINIS. Page: 352
143. NEW ATLANTIS. Page: 355
144. A VVork unfinished. Written by the Right Honorable, FRANCIS Lord Verulam, Viſcount St. Albans. Page: 355
145. TO THE READER Page: 357
146. NEW ATLANTIS. Page: 359
147. The reſt was not perfected. Page: 383
148. Magnalia Naturæ præcipue quoad uſus Humanos. Page: 384
149. FINIS. Page: 385
1
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211[Handwritten note 1]
3
SYLVA
SYLVARUM
,
OR
,
A
Natural Hiſtory,
IN

TEN
CENTURIES.
Whereunto is newly added,
The
Hiſtory Natural and Experimental of LIFE
and
DEATH, or of the Prolongation of LIFE.
Publiſhed after the Authors Death,
By
William Rawley, Doctorin Divinity,
One
of His Majeſties Chaplains.
Whereunto is added Articles of Enquiry, touch-
ing
Metals and Minerals. And the New Atlantis.
Written by the Right Honorable
FRANCIS

Lord
Verulam, Viſcount St. Alban.
The Ninth and Last Edition,
With
an Alphabetical Table of the Principal Things
contained
in the Ten Centuries.
22[Handwritten note 2]
LONDON:
rinted by J. R. for William Lee, and are to
be Sold by the Bookſellers of London. 1670.
4
[Empty page]
5
TO THE
MOST
HIGH AND MIGHTY
PRINCE
CHARLES,
By
the Grace of God,
King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland,
Defender
of the Faith, &c.
May it pleaſe Your Moſt Excellent Majesty,
THe vvhole Body of the Natural
Hiſtory
, either deſigned or vvrit-
ten
, by the late Lord Viſcount
S
.
Alban, vvas dedicated to Your
Majeſty
, in his Book De Ventis, about
Four
years paſt, vvhen Your Majeſty vvas
Prince
:
So as there needed no nevv Dedica-
tion
of this Work, but onely in all humble-
neſs
, to let Your Majeſty knovv, it is Yours.
It is true, if that Lord had lived, Your Ma-
jeſty
, erelong had been invoked to the Pro-
tection
of another Hiſtory, vvhereof, not
Natures
Kingdom, as in this;
but theſe
62The Epiſtle Dedicatory. Your Majeſties, (during the time and Reign
33[Handwritten note 3] of King Henry the Eighth) had been the ſub-
ject
;
vvhich ſince, it died under the Deſig-
nation
meerly:
There is nothing left, but
Your
Majeſties Princely goodneſs, graciouſly
to
accept of the undertakers Heart and In-
tentions
;
vvho vvas vvilling to have parted
for
a vvhile vvith his darling Philoſophy, that
he
might have attended Your Royal Com-
mandment
in that other VVork.
Thus much
I
have been bold, in all lovvlineſs to repreſent
unto
Your Majeſty, as one that vvas truſted
vvith
his Lordships VVritings, even to the
laſt
.
And as this VVork affecteth the Stamp
of
Your Majeſties Royal Protection, to make
it
more currant to the VVorld;
ſo under the
protection
of this Work, I preſume in all
humbleneſs
to approach Your Majeſties pre-
ſence
, and to offer it up into Your Sacred
Hands
.
Your Majefties moſt Loyal
and
Devoted Servant
W. Rawley.
73
TO THE
READER
HAving had the Honor to be continually with
my
Lord, in compiling of this Work;
and
to
be employed therein, I have thought it not
amiß
, (with his Lordſhips good leave and
liking
) for the better ſatisfaction of thoſe that
ſhall
read it, to make known ſomewhat of his Lordſhips inten-
tions
, touching the ordering and publiſhing of the ſame.
I
have
heard his Lordſhip often ſay, That if he ſhould have
ſerved
the glory of his own Name, he had been better not to
have
publiſhed this Natural Hiſtory;
for it may ſeem an
indigeſted
heap of Particulars, and cannot have that luſtre
which
Books caſt into Methods, have:
But that be reſolved
to
prefer the good of Men, and that which might best ſecure
it
, before any thing that might have relation to himſelf.
And,
he
knew well, that there was no other way open to unlooſe Mens
44[Handwritten note 4]55[Handwritten note 5] mindes, being bound;
and (as it were) Maleficiate, by the
charms
of deceiving Notions and Theories;
and thereby
44[Handwritten note 4]55[Handwritten note 5] made impotent for Generation of Works:
But onely no where
to
depart from the Senſe and clear experience, but to keep cloſe
to
it, eſpecially in the beginning.
Beſides, this Natural
Hiſtory
was a Debt of his, being deſigned and ſet down for
a
third Part of the Inſtauration.
I have alſo heard his
Lordſhip
diſcourſe, That Men (no doubt) will think many
of
the Experiments contained in this Collection, to be
84To the Reader. gar and Trivial, mean and ſordid, curious and fruitleß;
and therefore he wiſheth, that they would have perpetually be-
fore
their eyes, what is now in doing;
and the difference between
this
Natural Hiſtory, and others.
For thoſe Natural
Hiſtories
which are extant, being gathered for delight
and
uſe, are full of pleaſant Deſcriptions and Pictures;
and
affect
and ſeek after Admiration, Rarities, and Secrets.
But
contrariwiſe
, the ſcope, which his Lordſhip intendeth, is to write
ſuch
a Natural Hiſtory, as may be fundamental to the
erecting
and building of a true Philoſophy:
For the illumi-
nation
of the Under ſtanding;
the extracting of Axioms,
and
the producing of many noble Works and Effects.
For he
hopeth
by this means, to acquit himſelf of that, for which he
taketh
himſelf in a ſort bound;
and that is, the advancement
of
Learning and Sciences.
For having, in this preſent Work,
collected
the materials for the Building;
and in his Novum
66[Handwritten note 6]77[Handwritten note 7]88[Handwritten note 8] Organum (of which his Lordſhip is yet to publiſh a Second
Part
) ſet down the Inſtruments and Directions for the
VVork
;
Men ſhall now be wanting to themſelves, if they
raiſe
not knowledge to that perfection, whereof the Nature of
Mortal
Men is capable.
And in this behalf, I have heard
his
Lordſhip ſpeak complainingly, That his Lordſhip (who
66[Handwritten note 6]77[Handwritten note 7]88[Handwritten note 8] thinketh, that he deſerveth to be an Architect in this Build-
ing
) ſhould be forced to be a VVorkman, and a Laborer;
and
to
dig the Clay, and burn the Brick;
and more then that,
(according to the hard condition of the Iſraelites, at the lat-
ter
end) to gather the Straw and Stubble, over all the Fields,
to
burn the Bricks withal.
For he knoweth, that except he do
it
, nothing will be done;
Men are ſoſet to deſpiſe the means
66[Handwritten note 6]77[Handwritten note 7]88[Handwritten note 8] of their own good.
And as for the baſeneß of many of the
Experiments
, as long as they be Gods VVorks, they are
honorable
enough:
And for the vulgarneß of them, true
Axioms
muſt be drawn from plain experience, and not from
doubtful
;
and his Lordſhips courſe is to make VVonders
95To the Reader. and not plain things VVonders; and that experience like-
99[Handwritten note 9]1010[Handwritten note 10] wiſe muſt be broken and grinded, and not whole, or as it
groweth
;
and for Uſe, his Lordſhip hath often in his
Mouth
, the two kindes of Experiments, Experi-
menta
Fructifera, and Experimenta Lucifera.
Experiments of Uſe, and Experiments of
Light
:
And he reporteth himſelf, whether he were not
a
ſtrange Man, that ſhould think, that Light hath no Uſe,
becauſe
it hath no Matter.
Further his Lordſhip thought
good
alſo, to add unto many of the Experiments them-
99[Handwritten note 9]1010[Handwritten note 10] ſelves, ſome gloſs of the Cauſes, that in the ſucceeding
work
of Interpreting Nature, and Framing Axi-
oms
, all things may be in more readineß.
And for the
Cauſes
herein by him aßigned;
his Lordſhip perſwadeth
himſelf
, they are far more certain, than thoſe that are ren-
dred
by others;
not for any excellency of his own wit, (as
his
Lordſhip is wont to ſay) but in reſpect of his continual
1111[Handwritten note 11]1212[Handwritten note 12]1313[Handwritten note 13] converſation with Nature and Experience.
He did
conſider
likewiſe, That by this Addition of Cauſes,
Mens
mindes (which make ſo much haſte to finde out the
cauſes
of things;)
would not think themſelves utterly loſt
in
a vaſt Wood of Experience, but ſtay upon theſe
Cauſes
(ſuch as they are) a little, till true Axioms
1111[Handwritten note 11]1212[Handwritten note 12]1313[Handwritten note 13] may be more fully diſcovered.
I have heard his Lordſhip
ſay
alſo, That one great reaſon, why he would not put theſe
Particulars
into any exact Method, (though he, that look-
eth
attentively into them, ſhall finde, that they have a ſe-
cret
order) was, Becauſe he conceived that other men would
1111[Handwritten note 11]1212[Handwritten note 12]1313[Handwritten note 13] now think that they could do the like;
and ſo go on with a
further
Collection, which, if the Method had been exact,
many
would have deſpaired to attain by Imitation.
As
for
his Lordſhips love of Order, I can refer any Man to
his
Lordſhips Latin Book, De Augmentis Scien-
tiarum
;
which, if my judgment be any thing, is written
106To the Reader. the exacteſt order, that I know any writing to be. I will
11The Epiftle
is
the ſame,
that
ſhould
have
been
prefixed
to
this
Book, if
his
Lordſhip
had
lived.
conclude, with a uſual Speech of his Lordſhips.
That this
Work
of his Natural Hiſtory, is the World, as God
1414[Handwritten note 14] made it, and not as Men have made it;
for that it hath
nothing
, if Imagination.
W. RAWLEY.
11The TABLE.
A TABLE
OF
THE
EXPERIMENTS
.
Century I.
11
OF
Straining or Percolation, Outward and Inward. Experiment 8. # page 1
of
Motion upon Preſſure, Exp. 5 # pag. 2
of
Separations of Bodies L’quid by Weight. Exp. 3 # pag. 3
of
Infuſions in Water and Air. Exp. 7 # pag. 4
of
the Appe@i@e of Continuation in Liquids. Exp. 1 # pag. 5
of
Artificial Springs. Exp. 1 # pag. 6
of
the Venemous Quality of Mans Fleſh. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
Turning Air into Water, Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
Helping or Altering the shape of the Body. Exp. 1 # pag. 7
of
condenſing of Air to yield Weight, or Nouriſhment. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
Flame and Air commixed. Exp. 1 # pag. 8
Of
the ſecret nature of Flame. Exp. 1 # pag. 9
of
Flame in the midst and on the Sides. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
Motion of Gravity. Exp. 1 # pag. 10
of
Contraction of Bodies in Bulk. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
making Vines more fruitful. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
the ſeveral Operations of Purging Medicines. Exp. 9 # ibid.
Of
Meats and Drinks moſt Nouriſhing. Exp. 15 # pag. 12
of
Medicines applied in Order. Exp. 1 # pag. 16
Of
cure by Cuſtome. Exp. 1 # pag. 17
Of
cure by Exceſs. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
Cure by Motion of Conſent. Exp. 1 # ibid.
Of
cure of Diſeaſes contrary to Prediſpoſition. # ibid.
Of
Preparation before and after Purging. Exp. 1 # pag. 18
of
Stanching Blood. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
change of Aliments and Medicines. Exp. 1 # ibid.
Of
Diets. Exp. 1 # pag. 19
Of
Production of Cold. Exp. 7 # pag. 196
Of
turning Air into Water. Exp. 7 # pag. 20
Of
Indurætion of Bodies. Exp. 8 # pag. 22
Of
Preying of Air upon Water. Exp. 1 # pag. 124
Of
the force of Vaion. Exp. 1 # ibid.
Of
M@king Feathers and H@irs of divers colours. Exp. 1 # ibid.
Of
Nouriſhment of young creatures in the Egge or Womb. Exp. 1 # pag. 25
of
Sympathy and Antipatby. Exp. 3 # ibid.
Of
the Spirits or Pneumaticals in B@dies. Exp. 1 # pag. 26
Of
the Power of Heat. Exp. 1 # pag. 27
Of
Impoſſibility of Annih@lation. Exp. 1 # pag. 28
Century II.
22
OF
Muſick. Exp. 14 # pag. 29
of
the Nullity and Entity of Sounds. Exp. 4 # pag. 32
of
Production, Conſervation, and Delation of Sounds. Exp. 14 # pag. 34
Of
Magnitude, Exility, and Damps of Sounds. Exp. 25 # pag. 37
Of
Loudneſs, and Softneſs, of Sound. Exp. 3 # pag. 41
12The TABLE.11
Of
Communication of Sounds. Exp. 3 # ibid.
Of
Equality and Inequality of Sounds. Exp. 9 # ibid.
Of
more Treble and Baſe Tones. Exp. 6. # pag. 43
Of
proportion of Treble and Baſe. Exp. 4 # pag. 44
of
Exteriour, Interiour Sounds. Exp. 4 # pag. 45
Of
Articulation of Sounds. Exp. 9. # pag. 46
Century III.
22
OF
the Lines in which Sounds move. Exp. 6 # pag. 49
Of
the Læſting or Periſhing of Sounds. Exp. 5 # pag. 50
Of
the Paſſage in Interception of Sounds. Exp. 5 # pag. 51
Of
the Medium of Sounds. Exp. 4 # pag. 52
Of
the Figures of Bodies yielding Sounds. Exp. 3 # ibid.
Of
Mixture of Sounds. Exp. 5. # pag. 53
of
Melioration of Sounds. Exp. 7 # pag. 54
of
Imitation of Sounds. Exp. 6 # pag. 55
of
Reflexion of Sounds. Exp. 13 # pag. 56
of
Conſent and Dißent between Audibles, and Viſibles. Exp. 23 # pag. 58
Of
Sympathy and Antipathy of Sounds. Exp. 5 # pag. 61
of
Hindring or Helping of Hearing. Exp. 4 # pag. 62
of
the Spiritual and Fine Nature of Sounds. Exp. 4 # pag. 63
of
Orient Colours in Diſſolutions of Metals. Exp. 1 # pag. 64
of
Prolongation of Life. Exp. 1 # pag. 64
of
the Appetite of Union in Bodies. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
the like Operations of Heat and Time. Exp. 1 # pag. 65
of
the Differing operations of Fire and Time. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
Motions by Imitation. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
Infections Diſeaſes. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
the Incorporations of Powders, and Liquors. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
Exerciſe of the Body, and the Benefits or Evils thereof. Exp. 1 # pag. 66
of
Meats ſome Glutting, or not Glutting. Exp. 1 # ibid.
Century IV.
33
OF
Clarification of Liquors, and the Acclerating thereof. Exp. 11 # pag. 67
of
Maturation, and the Accelerating thereof; and of the Maturation of Drinks,
# and Fruits. Exp. 15. # pag. 69
of
Making Gold. Exp. 1 # pag. 71
of
the Several Natures of Gold. Exp. 1 # pag. 73
of
Inducing and Accelerating Putrefaction. Exp. 12 # ibid.
of
Prohibiting and Preventing Putrefaction. Exp. 1. # pag. 75
of
Rotten Wood ſhining. Exp. 1 # pag. 77
of
Acceleration of Birth. Exp. 1 # pag. 78
of
Acceleration of Growth and Stature. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
Bodies Sulphureous and Mercurial. Exp. 5 # ibid.
of
the Chamcleon. Exp. 1 # pag. 80
of
subterrany Fires. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
Nitrous Water. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
Congealing of Air. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
Congealing of Water into Cryſtal. Exp. 1 # pag. 81
Of
Preſerving the Smell and Colour in Roſe-Leaves. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
the Laſting of Flame. Exp. 10 # ibid.
of
Infuſions or Burials of divers Bodies in Earth. Exp. 5 # pag. 83
of
the Affects of Mens Bodies from ſeveral Winds. Exp. 1 # pag. 84
Of
winter and Summer Sickneſſes. Exp. 1 # ibid.
13The TABLE.11
of
Peſtilential Tears. Exp. 1 # pag. 85
of
Epidemical Diſeaſes. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
Preſervation of Liquors in Wells or Vaults. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
Stutting. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
ſweet Smells. Exp. 4 # pag. 86
of
the Goodneſs and Choice of Waters. Exp. 7 # ibid.
oſ
Temperate Heats under the Æquinoctial. Exp. 1 # pag. 87
of
the Coloration of Black and Tawney Moors. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
Motion after the Instant of Death. Exp. 1 # pag. 88
Century V.
22
OF
Accelerating or Haſtening forward Germination. Exp. 12 # pag. 89
of
Retarding or putting back Germination. Exp. 9 # pag. 92
of
Meliorating, or making better, Fruits and Plants. Exp. 55 # pag. 93
of
Compound Fruits, and Flowers. Exp. 55 # pag. 100
of
sympathy and Antipathy of Plants. Exp. 19 # pag. 101
of
making Herbs and Fruits Medicinable. Exp. 2 # pag. 104
Century VI.
33
OF
Curioſities about Fruits and Plants. Exp. 17 # pag. 107
of
the Degenerating of Plants; and of their Tranſmutation one into another. Exp. 14
# pag. 110
of
the Procerity and Lowneſs of Plants; and of Artificial dwarfing them. Exp. 5. # pag. 138
of
the Rudiments of Plants; and of the Excreſcences of Plants, or ſuper-Plants. Exp. 36
# ibid.
of
Producing perfect Plants without Seed. Exp. 11 # pag. 117
of
Forrain Plants. Exp. 3 # pag. 118
of
the Seaſons of ſeveral Plants. Exp. 6 # pag. 119
of
the Laſting of Plants. Exp. 5 # pag. 120
of
ſeveral Figures of Plants. Exp. 3 # pag. 121
of
ſome Principal differences in Plants. εxp. 4 # ibid.
of
all Manner of Compoſts and Helps for Ground. Exp. 6 # pag. 122
Century VII.
44
OF
the Affinities and Differences between Plants, and Bodies Inanimate. Exp. 6.
# pag. 125
of
Affinities and Differences between Plants, and Living Creatures; And of the Confiners
# and Participles of Both. Exp. 3 # pag. 126.
of
Plants Experiments Promiſcuous. Exp. 67 # pag. 127
of
Healing of woun@s. Exp. 1 # pag. 139
of
Fat diffuſed in Fleſh. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
Ripening Drink ſpeedily. εxp. 1 # ibid.
of
Piloſity and Plumage. εxp. 1. # ibid.
of
the Quickneſs of Motion in Birds. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
the Clearneſs of the Sea, the North wind blowing. εxp. 1 # ibid.
of
the different heats of Fire and boyling water. Exp. 1 # pag. 140
of
the Qualification of heat by Moiſture. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
rawning. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
the Hiccouchs. Exp. 1 # ibid.
14The TABLE.11
of
Sneezing. εxp. 1 # ibid.
of
the Tenderneſs of the Teeth. Exp. 1 # pag. 141
of
the Tongue. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
the Mouth out of Taſte. Exp. 1 # ibid.
Of
ſome Prognoſticks of Pestilential Seaſons. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
ſpecial Simples for Medicines. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
Venus. Exp. 3 # 142
of
the Inſecta, or creatures bred of Putreſaction. Exp. 1 # pag. 142
of
Leaping. εxp. 1 # pag. 145
of
the Pleaſures and Diſpleaſures of Hearing, and of the other serſes. Exp. 1 # ibid.
Century VIII.
22
OF
Veins of Earth Medicinall. Exp. 1 # pag. 147
of
Sponges. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
Sea@fiſh in freſh Waters. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
Attraction by ſimilitude of ſubſtance. Exp. 1 # pag. 148
of
certain Drinks in Turkey. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
Sweat. Exp. 6 # ibid.
of
the Glo@worm. Exp. 1 # pag. 149
Of
the Impreſſions upon the Body, from ſeveral Paſſions of the Mind. Exp. 10 # ibid.
of
Dru@kenneſs. Exp. 4 # pag. 152
of
the Hurt, or Help of Wine taken moderately. Exp. 1 # pag. 153
of
Catterpiller. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
the Flies Cantharides. Exp. 1 # pag. 161
of
Laſſitude. Exp. 2 # pag. 154
of
casting the Skin and Shell in ſome Creatures. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
the Poſtures of the Body. Exp. 3 # ibid.
of
Peſtilential year. Exp. 1 # pag. 155
Of
ſome Prognoſticks of hard Winters. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
certain Medicines that condenſe and relieve the spirits. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
Paintings of the Body. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
the uſe of Bathing and Anointing. Exp. 1 # pag. 156
of
Chamolletting of Paper. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
Cuttle-Ink. Exp. 1 # ibid.
Of
S@rth increaſing in Weight. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
Sleep. Exp. 3 # ibid.
Of
Teeth and Hard fubſtances in the Bodies of Living Creatures. Exp. 11 # pag. 157
of
the Generation, and Bearing of living Creatures in the womb. Exp. 3 # pag. 159
of
ſpecies Viſible. Exp. 2 # pag. 160
of
Impulſion and Percuſsion. Exp. 3 # ibid.
of
Titilacion. Exp. 1 # pag. 161
Of
ſcarcity of Rain in Ægypt. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
Clarification. Exp. 1 # pag. 162
of
Plants Without leaves. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
the materials of Glaſs. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
Prohibition of Putrefaction, and the long confervation of Bodies. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
Abundance of Nitre in certain Sec-ſhores. Exp. 1 # pag. 163
of
Bodies born up by Water. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
Fuel conſuming little or nothing. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
cheap Fuel. Exp. 1 # pag. 164
Of
G@thering of wind for Freſhneſs. εxp. 1 # ibid.
of
Trials of Aires. Exp. 1 # ibid.
Of
Encreaſing Milk in Milch-Beaſts. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
Sand of the Nature of Glaſs. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
the Growth of Corral. Exp. 1 # pag. 165
of
the Gathering of Manna. Exp. 1 # ibid.
15The TABLE.11
of
Correcting of Wines. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
Bitumen one of the Materials of Wild-fire. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
Plaiſter growing as hard as Marble. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
the Cure of ſome ulcers and Hurts. Exp. 1 # pag. 166
of
the Healthfulneſs or unhealthfulneſs of the Southern Wind. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
wounds made with Braſs or with Iron, Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
Mortificatien by Cold. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
Weight. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
ſuper-Natation of Bodies. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
the Flying of unequal Bodies in the Air. Exp. 1 # pag. 167
of
Water that it may be the Medium of Sounds. Exp. 1 # ibid.
Of
the Flight of the spirits upon odious objects. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
the ſuper-Reflexion of εccho’s. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
the force of imagination imitating that of the Senſe. Exp. 1 # pag. 168
Of
Preſervation of Bodies, Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
the Growthor Multiplying of Metalls. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
the drowning the more baſe Metall in the more pretious. Exp. 1 # ibid.
Of
Fixation of Bodies. Exp. 1 # pag. 169
of
the reſtleſs Nature of things in themſelves, and their deſire to change. Exp. 1 # ibid.
Century IX.
22
OF
Perception in Bodies inſenſible, tending to natural Divination and ſubtle tri-
# als. Exp. 30 # pag. 171
Of
the Cauſes of Appetite in the Stomach. Exp. 1 # pag. 176
of
ſweetneſs of Odour from the Rain@bow. Exp. 1 # ibid.
Of
ſweet Smels. Exp. 1 # pag. 177
Of
the Corporeal ſubſtance of Smels. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
Fetide and Fragrant Odours. Exp. 1 # ibid.
Of
the Cauſes of Putrefaction. Exp. 1 # pag. 178
of
Bodies unperfectly mixt. Exp. 1 # pag. 179
of
Concoction and Crudity. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
Alterations which may be called Majors. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
Bodies Liquefible, and not Liquefible. Exp. 1 # pag. 180
of
Bodies Fragile and Tough. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
the two kinds of Pneumaticalls in Bodies. Exp. 1 # pag. 181
of
concretion and diſſolution of Bodies. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
Bodies hard and ſoft. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
Bodies ductile and tenſile. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
ſeveral paſsions of Matter, and characters of Bodies. Exp. 1 # pag. 182
of
Induration by ſimpathy. εxp. 1 # ibid.
of
Honey and Sugar. Exp. 1 # pag. 183
of
the finer fort of baſe Metals. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
certain Cements and Quarries. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
the Al@ering of colours in Hairs and Feathers. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
the difference of Living Creatures, Male and Female. Exp. 1 # pag. 184
of
the Comparative Magnitude of Living Creatures. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
Producing Fruit without Coar or Stone. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
the Melioration of Tobacco. Exp. 1 # pag. 185
of
ſeveral Heats working the ſame Effects. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
Swelling and Dilatation in Boyling. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
the Dulcoration of Fruits. Exp. 1 # pag. 186
of
Fleſh Edible, and not Edible. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
the Salamander. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
the contrary operations of Time, upon Fruits and Liquors. εxp. 1 # pag. 187
of
blows and bruiſes. Exp. 1 # ibid.
of
the Orris Root. εxp. 1 # ibid.
16The TABLE.11
Of
the compreſſion of Liquors. Exp. 1 # ibid.
Of
the working of water upon Air contiguow. Exp. 1 # ibid.
Of
the Nature of Air. Exp. 1 # pag. 188
Of
the Eyes and Sight. Exp. 7 # ibid.
Of
the colour of the Sea, or other water. Exp. 1 # pag. 189
Of
Shell-Fiſh. Exp. 1 # ibid.
Of
the Right ſide and the Left. Exp. 1 # pag. 190
Of
Frictions. Exp. 1 # ibid.
Of
Globes appearing flat at diſtance. Exp. 1 # ibid.
Of
Shadows. Exp. 1 # ibid.
Of
the Rowling and breaking of the Seas. Exp. 1 # ibid.
Of
the Dulcoration of Salt-water. Exp. 1 # ibid.
Of
the return of ſaltneſs in pits by the Sea-ſhore. Exp. 1 # pag. 191
Of
Attraction by ſimilitude of ſubstance. Exp. 1 # ibid.
Of
Attraction. Exp. 1 # ibid.
Of
Heat under earth. Exp. 1 # ibid.
Of
Flying in the Air. Exp. 1 # ibid.
Of
the Scarlet Dy. Exp. 1 # ibid.
Of
Malificiating. Exp. 1 # pag. 102
Of
the Riſe of Liquors or Pouders, by means of Aame. Exp. 1 # ibid.
Of
the influences of the Moon. Exp. 1 # ibid.
Of
Vinegar. Exp. 1 # pag. 194
Of
Creatures that ſleep all Winter. Exp. 1 # ibid.
Of
the Generating of Creatures by Copulation, and by Putrefaction. Exp. 1 # ibid.
Century X.
22
OF
the Tranſmiſſion and Influx of Immateriate Virtues and the Force of Imagination;
# whereof there be Experiments Monitory, three inall. Exp. 11 # pag. 197
Of
Emiſſion of spirits in Vapour, or Exhalation, odour like. Exp. 26 # pag. 201
Of
Emiſſion of ſpiritual Species which effect the Senſes. Exp. 1 # pag. 204
Of
Emiſſion of Immateriate Vertues, from the Minds, and the Spirits of Men, by Affecti-
# ons, Imagination, or other Impreſſions. Exp. 21 # ibid.
Of
the ſecret vertue of Sympathy, and Antipathy. Exp. 39 # pag. 208
Of
ſecret Vertues and Properties. Exp. 1 # pag. 214
Of
the General Sympathy of mens Spirits. Exp. 1 # pag. 215
17
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18
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19
THE
LIFE

OF
THE
RIGHT
HONOURABLE
FRANCIS
BACON
Baron
of Verulam, Viſcount St. Alban.
BY
WILLIAM
RAWLEY. D D.
His
Lordſhips firſt and laſt Chaplain, and of late his
Majeſties
Chaplain in Ordinary.
1[Figure 1]
LONDON,
Printed
by S. G. & E. G. for William Lee, and are to be ſold at the ſign
of
the Turks-Head in Fleet ſtreet, over againſt Fetter-Lane, 1670.
20
[Empty page]
211
THE
LIFE

OF
THE
Right Honourable
FRANCIS
BACON
Baron of Verulam, Viſcount St. Alban.
FRANCIS BACON the Glory, of his
Age
and Nation;
The Adorner, and Orna-
ment
of Learning;
Was born in York-houſe
or
York-Place, in the Strand, On the 22th,
Day
of January;
in the Year of our Lord, 1560.
His Father was that famous Councellor to Queen Elizabeth;
The
ſecond Prop of the Kingdom in his Time, Sir Nicholas
Bacon
, Knight, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of Eng-
land
;
a Lord of known Prudence, Sufficiency, Moderation,
and
Integrity.
His Mother was Ann, one of the Daugh-
ters
of Sir Anthony Cook;
unto whom the Erudition, of
King
Edward the Sixth;
had been committed: A choyce
Lady
, and Eminent for Piety, Vertue, and Learning;
Being
exquiſitely
skilled, for a Woman, in the Greek, and Latine,
Tongues
.
Theſe being the Parents, you may eaſily
222The Life of the Right Honorable what the Iſſue, was like to be; Having had whatſoever Na-
ture
or Breeding could put into him.
1515[Handwritten note 15]
His first and childiſh years were not without ſome Mark of
Eminency
;
At which time he was indued with that Pregnancy,
and
Towardlineſs, of wit;
As they were Preſages, of that
Deep
, and Univerſal Apprehenſion, which was manifeſt in
him
, afterward:
And cauſed him to be taken notice of, by ſeve-
ral
Perſons, of Worth and Place;
And eſpecially, by the
Queen
;
who (as I have been informed) delighted much, then,
to
confer with him;
And to prove him with Queſtions; un-
to
whom, he delivered Himſelf, with that Gravity, and Matu-
1616[Handwritten note 16] rity, above his years;
That Her Majeſty would oſten term
him
, The young Lord Keeper.
Being asked by the Queen,
how
old he was?
He anſwered with much diſcretion, being
then
but a Boy;
That he was two years younger than her
Majeſties
happy Reign;
with which anſwer the Queen was
much
taken.
At the ordinary years, of Ripeneſs, for the Univerſity; or
rather
, ſomething earlier;
he was ſent by his Father, to Tri-
nity
College, in Cambridge;
To be educated, and bred un-
der
the Tuition of Doctor John White-Gift, then Maſter
of
the Colledge;
Afterwards the renowned Arch Biſhop of
Canterbury
;
a Prelate of the firſt Magnitude of Sanctity,
Learning
Patience, and Humility;
Under whom, He was ob-
ſerved
, to have been more, than an Ordinary Proficient, in
the
ſeveral Arts and Sciences.
Whilſt he was commorant, in
the
Vniverſity, about 16 years of age, (as his Lordſhip hath
been
pleaſed to impart unto my ſelf;)
be firſt fell into
the
Diſlike, of the Philoſophy of Ariſtotle.
Not for the
Worthleſſeneſs
of the Author, to whom he would eyer aſcribe
all
High Attributes;
But for the Vnfruitfulneſs, of the way;
Being a Philoſophy, (as his Lordſhip uſed to ſay) only
ſtrong
, for Diſputations, and Contentions;
But Barren, of
the
production of Works, for the Benefit of the Life of Man.

In
which Mind be continued to his Dying Day.
After he had paſſed, the Circle of the Liberal Arts. His
Father
thought fit, to frame, and mould him for the Arts of
State
;
and, for that end, ſent him over into France,
233FRANCIS Lord BACON. Sir Amyas Paulet, then Employed Ambaſſadour Lieger,
1717[Handwritten note 17]1818[Handwritten note 18]1919[Handwritten note 19]2020[Handwritten note 20]2121[Handwritten note 21]2222[Handwritten note 22]2323[Handwritten note 23]2424[Handwritten note 24]2525[Handwritten note 25]2626[Handwritten note 26]2727[Handwritten note 27] into France;
By whom, he was, after a while, held fit to be en-
truſted
, with ſome Meſſage, or Advertiſement, to the
Queen
;
which haring performed with great Approbation, he
returned
back into France again;
with intention to continue,
1717[Handwritten note 17]1818[Handwritten note 18]1919[Handwritten note 19]2020[Handwritten note 20]2121[Handwritten note 21]2222[Handwritten note 22]2323[Handwritten note 23]2424[Handwritten note 24]2525[Handwritten note 25]2626[Handwritten note 26]2727[Handwritten note 27] for ſome years, there.
In his abſence, in France, his Father,
the
Lord Keeper, died;
Having collected, (as I have heard,
of
Knowing Perſons) a conſiderable ſum of Money, which
he
had ſeparated, with Intention, to have made a competent
1717[Handwritten note 17]1818[Handwritten note 18]1919[Handwritten note 19]2020[Handwritten note 20]2121[Handwritten note 21]2222[Handwritten note 22]2323[Handwritten note 23]2424[Handwritten note 24]2525[Handwritten note 25]2626[Handwritten note 26]2727[Handwritten note 27] Purchaſe of Land, for the Lively hood of this his youngeſt
Son
;
(who was onely unprovided for; and though he was
the
young eſt in years, yet be was not the loweſt, in his Fathers
affection
;)
But the ſaid Purchaſe, being unaccompliſbed, at
1717[Handwritten note 17]1818[Handwritten note 18]1919[Handwritten note 19]2020[Handwritten note 20]2121[Handwritten note 21]2222[Handwritten note 22]2323[Handwritten note 23]2424[Handwritten note 24]2525[Handwritten note 25]2626[Handwritten note 26]2727[Handwritten note 27] his Fathers Death, there came no greater ſhare to him, than his
ſingle
Part, and Portion, of the Money, dividable among ſt
five
Brethren;
By which means, he lived, in ſome ſtreits,
1717[Handwritten note 17]1818[Handwritten note 18]1919[Handwritten note 19]2020[Handwritten note 20]2121[Handwritten note 21]2222[Handwritten note 22]2323[Handwritten note 23]2424[Handwritten note 24]2525[Handwritten note 25]2626[Handwritten note 26]2727[Handwritten note 27] and Neceſſities, in his younger years.
For as for that pleaſant
1717[Handwritten note 17]1818[Handwritten note 18]1919[Handwritten note 19]2020[Handwritten note 20]2121[Handwritten note 21]2222[Handwritten note 22]2323[Handwritten note 23]2424[Handwritten note 24]2525[Handwritten note 25]2626[Handwritten note 26]2727[Handwritten note 27] Scite, and Mannor of Gorhambury, he came not to it, till
many
years after, by the Death, of his Deareſt Brother, Mr.
Anthony Bacon; a Gentleman, equal to him, in Height of
Wit
;
Though inferiour to him, in the Endowments of Lear-
1717[Handwritten note 17]1818[Handwritten note 18]1919[Handwritten note 19]2020[Handwritten note 20]2121[Handwritten note 21]2222[Handwritten note 22]2323[Handwritten note 23]2424[Handwritten note 24]2525[Handwritten note 25]2626[Handwritten note 26]2727[Handwritten note 27] ning and Knowledge;
Unto whom he was, moſt nearly con-
joyned
in affection;
They two being the ſole Male-iſſue of aſe-
cond
Venter.
Being returned from Travail, he applied himſelf, to the
1717[Handwritten note 17]1818[Handwritten note 18]1919[Handwritten note 19]2020[Handwritten note 20]2121[Handwritten note 21]2222[Handwritten note 22]2323[Handwritten note 23]2424[Handwritten note 24]2525[Handwritten note 25]2626[Handwritten note 26]2727[Handwritten note 27] study of the Common-Law;
which he took upon him to be
his
Profeſſion.
In which, he obtained to great Excellency
Though
he made that, (as himſelf ſaid) but as an acceſſary,
1717[Handwritten note 17]1818[Handwritten note 18]1919[Handwritten note 19]2020[Handwritten note 20]2121[Handwritten note 21]2222[Handwritten note 22]2323[Handwritten note 23]2424[Handwritten note 24]2525[Handwritten note 25]2626[Handwritten note 26]2727[Handwritten note 27] and not as his Principal ſtudy.
He wrote ſeveral Tractates,
upon
that Subject.
Wherein, though ſome great Maſters,
ofthe
Law did out-go him in Bulk, and Particularities of
Caſes
;
yet, in the Science, of the Grounds, and Myſteries,
1717[Handwritten note 17]1818[Handwritten note 18]1919[Handwritten note 19]2020[Handwritten note 20]2121[Handwritten note 21]2222[Handwritten note 22]2323[Handwritten note 23]2424[Handwritten note 24]2525[Handwritten note 25]2626[Handwritten note 26]2727[Handwritten note 27] of the Law, he was exceeded by none, In this way, he was af-
ter
a while, ſworn, of the Queens Counſel Learned, Ex-
traordinary
;
agrace, (if I erre not) ſcarce known before.
He ſeated himſelf for the commodity of his ſtudies, and Pra-
1717[Handwritten note 17]1818[Handwritten note 18]1919[Handwritten note 19]2020[Handwritten note 20]2121[Handwritten note 21]2222[Handwritten note 22]2323[Handwritten note 23]2424[Handwritten note 24]2525[Handwritten note 25]2626[Handwritten note 26]2727[Handwritten note 27] ctiſe;
amongſt the Honourable Society, of Greyes-Inn;
Of which Houſe; he was a Member; where he
244The Life of the Right Honorable that elegant Pile, or Structure, commonly known by the Name
of
the Lord Bacons Lodgings;
which he Inhabited by Turns,
the
moſt part of his Life, (ſome few years onely excepted,)
unto
bis Dying Day.
In which Houſe he carried himſelf,
with
ſuch Sweetneſs, Comity, and Generoſity;
That he was
much
revered, and beloved, by the Readers and Gentlemen
of
the Houſe.
Not withſtanding, that he profeſſed the Law for his Lively-
hood
, and Subſiſtence;
yet his Heart and Affection was more
carried
after the Affairs and Places of Eſtate;
for which, if
the
Majeſty Royal then, had been pleaſed, he was most fit.
In
his
younger years, he ſtudied the Service, and Fortunes, (as
they
call them,) of that Noble, but unſortunate Earl, the
Earl
of Eſſex;
unto whom be was, in a ſort, a Private and free
Counſeller
, and gave him Safe and Honour able Advice, till,
in
the end, the Earl inclined too much, to the violent and preci-
tate
Counſell of others, his Adherents, and Followers, which
was
his Fate and Ruine.
His Birth and other Capacities qualified him, above o-
thers
of his Profeſſion, to have ordinary acceſſes at Court;
and to come freqnently into the Queens Eye; who would of-
ten
grace him with private and free Communication;

Not
onely about Matters of his Profeſſion, or Buſineſs in
Law
;
But alſo, about the arduous Affairs of Eſtate; From
whomſhe
received, from time to time, great Satisfaction.
Ne-
vertheleſs
though ſhe cheered him much, with the Bounty of
her
Countenance;
yet ſhe never cheered him with the
Bounty
of her Hand:
Having never conferred upon him, a-
ny
Ordinary Place or Means of Honour or Profit, Save
onely
one dry Reverſion of the Regiſters Office, in the Star-
Chamber
;
worth about 1600 @ per Annum; For which he
waited
in Expectation, either fully or near twenty years;
Of
which
his Lordſhip would ſay, in Queen Elizabeths Time;

That
it was like another mans Ground, buttalling upon
his
Houſe;
which might mend his Proſpect, but it did
not
fill his Barn.
(Nevertheleſs in the time of King James,
it
fellunto him, which might be imputed;
not ſo much to
her
Majeſties averſeneſs and Diſaffection, towards him;
257FRANCIS Lord BACON. as the Arts and Policy of a Great Stateſman, then; who la-
boured
by all induſtrious, and ſecret Means, to ſuppreſs,
and
keep him down;
leſt, if he had riſen, he might have obſcur-
ed
his Glory.
But though; he ſtood long at a ſtay, in the Dayes of his Mi-
ſtreſs
Queen Elizabeth;
ret, after the change, and Coming
in
of his New Maſter, King James, he made a great pro-
greſs
;
by whom he was much comforted, in Places of Truſt,
Honour
, and Revenue, I have ſeen, a Letter of his Lord-
ſhips
, to King James, wherein he makes Acknowledgement;
That he was that Maſter to him, that had raiſed and ad-
vanced
him nine times;
Thrice in Dignity, and Six
times
in Office, His Offices (as I conceive) were Counſel
learned
extraordinary, to his Majeſty, as he bad been, to
Queen
Elizabeth;
Kings Solliciter General; His Maje-
ſties
Atturney General;
Counſellor of Eſtate, being yet
but
Atturney;
Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England;
Laſtly
, Lord Chancellor:
which two laſt Places, though they
be
the ſame, in Authority and Power;
yet they differ in Pa-
tent
, Height, and Favour of the Prince.
Since whoſe time,
none
of his Succeſſors, until this preſent Honourable Lord;

did
ever bear the Title of Lord Chancellor.
His Digni-
ties
were firſt Knight, then Baron of Verulam;
Laſtly,
Viſcount
Saint Alban:
Beſides other good Gifts and Boun-
ties
of the Hand, which his Majesty gave him, Both out of
the
Broad-Seal, and out of the Aleniation-Office, To the va-
lue
, in both of eighteen hundred pounds per annum:
which
with
his Mannour of Gorhambury;
and other Lands and
Poſſeſſions
, near thereunto adjoyning, awounting to a third
part
more, he retained to his Dying Day.
Towards his Riſing years, not before, he entered into a mar-
ried
Eſtate, and took to Wife, Alice, one of the Daughters,
and
Co heirs of Benedict Barnham, Eſquire, and Alder-
man
of London, with whom he received, a ſufficiently am-
ple
, and liberal Portion, in Marriage.
Children he had
none
:
which, though they be the means to perpetuate our
Names
, after our Deaths;
yet he had other Iſſues to perpe-
tuate
his Name;
The Iſſues of his Brain; in which be was
266The Life of the Right Honorable ver happy, and admired; as Jupiter was, in the production
2828[Handwritten note 28]2929[Handwritten note 29]3131[Handwritten note 31]3232[Handwritten note 32]3333[Handwritten note 33]3434[Handwritten note 34]3535[Handwritten note 35]3636[Handwritten note 36]3737[Handwritten note 37]3838[Handwritten note 38] of Pallas.
Neither did the want of Children, detrast from
his
good uſage of his Conſort, during the Intermarriage;
whom he proſecuted, with much Conjugal Love, and Re-
ſpect
;
with many Rich Gifts, and Endowments; Beſides
2828[Handwritten note 28]2929[Handwritten note 29]3131[Handwritten note 31]3232[Handwritten note 32]3333[Handwritten note 33]3434[Handwritten note 34]3535[Handwritten note 35]3636[Handwritten note 36]3737[Handwritten note 37]3838[Handwritten note 38] a Robe of Honour, which he in veſted her withal;
which ſhe
wore
untill her Dying Day;
being twenty years and more, af-
ter
his Death.
3030[Handwritten note 30]
The laſt five years of his Life, being with drawn from Ci-
2828[Handwritten note 28]2929[Handwritten note 29]3131[Handwritten note 31]3232[Handwritten note 32]3333[Handwritten note 33]3434[Handwritten note 34]3535[Handwritten note 35]3636[Handwritten note 36]3737[Handwritten note 37]3838[Handwritten note 38] vil affaires, and from an Active Life, he employed wholly
in
Contemplation and Studies.
A thing, @bereof his
Lordſhip
would often ſpeak, during his Active Life;
as if
he
afſected to dy in the Shadow, and not in the Light;
which
2828[Handwritten note 28]2929[Handwritten note 29]3131[Handwritten note 31]3232[Handwritten note 32]3333[Handwritten note 33]3434[Handwritten note 34]3535[Handwritten note 35]3636[Handwritten note 36]3737[Handwritten note 37]3838[Handwritten note 38] alſo may befound in ſeveral Paſſages of his Works.
In
which
time he compoſed, the greatest part of his Books, and
Writings
;
Both in Engliſh and Latine; Which I will enu-
merate
, (as near as I can) in the juſt order, wherſsin they were
2828[Handwritten note 28]2929[Handwritten note 29]3131[Handwritten note 31]3232[Handwritten note 32]3333[Handwritten note 33]3434[Handwritten note 34]3535[Handwritten note 35]3636[Handwritten note 36]3737[Handwritten note 37]3838[Handwritten note 38] written.
The Hiſtory of the Reign of King Henry the Se-
venth
;
Abcedarium Naturæ; or a Metaphyſical piece;
which is loſt; Hiſtoria Ventorum; Hiſtoria Vitæ & Mor-
tis
;
Hiſtoria Denſi & Rari, not yet printed; Hiſtoria Gra-
2828[Handwritten note 28]2929[Handwritten note 29]3131[Handwritten note 31]3232[Handwritten note 32]3333[Handwritten note 33]3434[Handwritten note 34]3535[Handwritten note 35]3636[Handwritten note 36]3737[Handwritten note 37]3838[Handwritten note 38] vis &
Levis, which is alſo loſt; A Diſcourſe of a War with
Spain
;
A Dialogue, tonching an Holy War. The Fable of
the
New Atlantis.
A Prefare to a Digeſt of the Lawes
of
England.
The Beginning, of the Hiſtory of the Reign
2828[Handwritten note 28]2929[Handwritten note 29]3131[Handwritten note 31]3232[Handwritten note 32]3333[Handwritten note 33]3434[Handwritten note 34]3535[Handwritten note 35]3636[Handwritten note 36]3737[Handwritten note 37]3838[Handwritten note 38] of King Henry the Eighth.
De Augmentis Scientiarum,
Or
the Advancement of Learning, put into Latin, with
ſeveral
Enrichments and Enlargements.
Counſels Civil,
and
Moral.
Or his Book of Eſſayes, likewiſe Enriched
2828[Handwritten note 28]2929[Handwritten note 29]3131[Handwritten note 31]3232[Handwritten note 32]3333[Handwritten note 33]3434[Handwritten note 34]3535[Handwritten note 35]3636[Handwritten note 36]3737[Handwritten note 37]3838[Handwritten note 38] and Enlarged.
The Converſion of certain Pſalms, into
Engliſh
Verſe.
The Tranſſation into Latin; of the Hi-
ſtory
of King Henry the Seventh.
Of the Counſels Civil
and
Moral.
Of the Dialogue of the Holy War. Of the
2828[Handwritten note 28]2929[Handwritten note 29]3131[Handwritten note 31]3232[Handwritten note 32]3333[Handwritten note 33]3434[Handwritten note 34]3535[Handwritten note 35]3636[Handwritten note 36]3737[Handwritten note 37]3838[Handwritten note 38] Fable of the New Atlantis, For the Benefit of otber Na-
tions
.
His Reviſing of his Book, De Sapientia Vete-
rum
.
Inquiſitio de Magnete, Topica Inquiſitionis, de
Luce
&
Lumine; Both theſe not yet Printed, Laſtly, Syl-
2828[Handwritten note 28]2929[Handwritten note 29]3131[Handwritten note 31]3232[Handwritten note 32]3333[Handwritten note 33]3434[Handwritten note 34]3535[Handwritten note 35]3636[Handwritten note 36]3737[Handwritten note 37]3838[Handwritten note 38] va sylvarum, or the Natural Hiſtory.
Theſe were
277FRANCIS Lord BACON. Fruits and Productions, of his laſt five years. His Lord-
ſhip
alſo deſigned upon the Motion and Invitation of his late
Majeſty
;
To have written the Reign of King Henry the
Eighth
;
But that Work Perifhed in the Deſignation meer-
ly
;
God not lending him Life, to proceed further upon it, then
only
in one Mornings Work:
whereof there is Extant, An,
Ex
Ungue Leonem, already Printed, in his Lordſhips Miſ-
cellany
Works.
There is a Commemoration due; As well, to his Abilities,
and
Vertues, as to the Courſe of his Life.
Thoſe Abilities,
which
commonly go ſingle in other Men, though of prime, and
Obſerveable
Parts, were all conjoyned, and met in Him.
Thoſe are, Sharpneſs of Wit, Memory, Judgment, and
Elocution
.
For the Former Three, his Books do abun-
dantly
ſpeak them;
which, with what Sufficiency he wrote, let
the
World judge;
But with what Celerity he wrote them,
I
can beſt teſtifie.
But for the Fourth, his Elocution; I will
onlyſet
down, what I heard, Sir Walter Rawleigh, once ſpeak of
him
, by way of Compariſon;
(whoſe Judgment may well be
truſted
;)
That the Earl of Saliſbury, was an excellent
Speaker
, but no good Pen-man;
That the Earl of North-
ampton
, (the Lord Henry Howard,) was an excellent
Pen-man
, but no good speaker;
But that Sir Francis
Bacon
, was Eminentin both.
I have been enduced to think; That if there were, a
Beam
of Knowledge derived from God upon any
Man
, in theſe Modern Times, it was upon Him.
For
though
he was a great Reader of Books;
yet he had
3939[Handwritten note 39] not his Knowledge from Books;
But from ſome Grounds,
and
Notions from within Himſelf.
Which notwith-
ſtanding
, he vented with great Caution and Circum-
ſpection
.
His Book, of Inſtauration Magna, (which,
in
his own Account, was the chiefeſt of his Works,) was no
Slight
Imagination, ar Fancy, of his brain;
but a setled,
and
Concocted Notion;
The Production of many years,
Labour
, and Travel.
I my Self, have ſeen, at the lest,
Twelve
Coppies, of the Inſtauration;
Reviſed, year by
year
, one after another;
And every year altered, and
288The Life of the Right Honorable in the Frame thereof; Till, at laſt, it came to that Model, in
which
it was committed to the Preis;
As many Living Crea-
tures
, do lick their young ones, till they bring them, to their
ſtrength
of Limbs.
In the Compoſing of his Books, he did rather drive at a
Maſculine
and clear Expreſsion, than at any Fineneſs, or Af-
fectation
of Phraſes, and would often ask, if the Meaning
were
expreſſea plainly enough:
as being one that accounted
words
to be but ſubſervent, or Miniſterial, to Matter;
and
not
the principal.
And if his Stile were Polite, it was be-
cauſe
he could do no other wiſe.
Neither was be given, to any
Light
Conceits;
Or Deſcanting upon Words; ‘But did
ever
, purpoſely, and induſtriouſly, avoid them;
For he held
ſuch
Things, to be but Digreſsions, or Diverſions, from the
Scope
intended;
and to derogate, from the Weight and Dig-
nity
of the Stile.
He was no Plodder upon Books; Though he read much, and
that
with great Judgement and Rejection of Impertinences,
incident
to many Authors;
For he would ever interlace a
Moderate
Relaxation of His Minde with his Studies;
As Walking, Or Taking the Air abroad in his Coach; or
ſome
other hefitting Recreation;
and yet, he would looſe no
Time
, In as much, as upon his Firſt, and Immediate Return,
he
would fall to Reading again, and ſo ſuffer no Moment of
Time
to Slip from him without ſome preſent Improve-
ment
.
His Meales were Refections of the Eare as well as of
the
Stomack:
Like the Noctes Atticæ; or Convivia Deip-
no
Sophiſtarum;
Wherein a Man might be refreſhed in his
Mind
and underſtanding, no leſs then in his Body.
And
I
have known ſome, of no mean Parts, that have profeſſed to
make
uſe of their Note-Books, when they have riſen from
his
Table.
In which Converſations, and otherwiſe, he
was
no Daſhing Man, as ſome men are;
But ever a Coun-
tenancer
, and Foſterer, of another Mans Parts.
Neither was
he
one, that would appropriate the Speech, wholy to Himſelf;
or àelight to out-vie others; ‘But leave a Liberty, to the
Co-Aſſeſſours
, to take their Turns.
Wherein ht would
299FRANCIS Lord BACON. a Man on, and allure him, to ſpeak upon ſuch a ſubject, as
wherein
he was peculiarly Skilful, and would delight to ſpeak.
And, for Himſelf, he contemned no Mans Obſervations,
but
would light his Torch at every mans Candle.
His Opinions and Aſſertions were, for the moſt part, Bin-
ding
, and not contradicted by any;
Rather like Oracles, than
Diſcourſes
.
Which may be imputed, either to the well weigh-
ing
of his Sentence, by the Skales of Truth, and Reaſon;
Or elſe to the Reverence and Eſtimation, wherein he was
commonly
had, that no Man would conteſt with him:
So
that
there was no Argumentation, or Pro and Con (as they
term
it) at his Table:
Or if there chanced to be any it was
carried
with much Submiſſion and Moderation.
I have often obſerved, and ſo have other Men of great
account
, That if he had occaſion to repeat another Mans Words
after
him, he had an uſe and faculty to dreſs them in better
Veſtments
, and Apparel than they had before:
So that the
Authour
ſhould find his own speech much amended;
and
yet
the ſubſtance of it ſtill retained:
As if it had been Na-
tural
to him to uſe good Forms;
As Ovid ſpake of his Fa-
culty
of Verſifying.
Et quod tentabam ſcribere, Verſus erat,
When his Office called him, as he was of the Kings Coun-
ſel
Learned, to charge any Offenders, either in Criminals,
or
Capitals;
He was never of an Inſulting, or Domineering
Nature
over them;
But alwayes tender Hearted, and carry-
ing
himſelf dee ently towards the Parties;
(Though it was his
Duty
, to charge them home:)
‘But yet, as one, that looked up-
on
the Example, with the Eye of Severity, But upon the Per-
ſon
, with the Eye of Pitty, and Compaſſion.
And in Civil
Buſineſs
, as he was Counſellor of Eſtate, he had the beſt
way
of adviſing;
Not engaging his Maſter, in any Precipi-
tate
or grievous Courſes, but in Moderate and Fair
Proceedings
:
The King, whom he ſerved, giving him this
Teſtimony
;
That he ever dealt, in Buſineſſe,
3010The Life of the Right Honorable Modis; Which was the way that was moſt according
to
his own heart.
Neither was He in his time leſſe gracious with the Subject
than
with his Soveraign.
He was ever acceptable to the Houſe
of
Commons, when he was a Member thereof.
Being the
Kings
Atturney, and choſen to a place in Parliament;
he was
allowed
and diſpenſed with to ſit in the Houſe;
which was
not
permitted to other Atturneys.
And as he was a good Servant to his Maſter; Being never,
in
nineteen years ſervice (as he himſelf a verred,) rebuked by
the
King for any Thing relating to his Majeſty;
So he was
a
good Maſter to his Servants, And rewarded their long at-
tendance
with good Places, freely when they fell into his
Power
.
Which was the Cauſe that ſo many young Gentle-
men
of Blood and Quality, ſought to list themſelres in
his
Retinue.
And if he were abuſed by any of them in their
Places
, It was onely the Errour, of the Goodneſs, of his Na-
ture
;
but the Badges of their Indiſcretions, and Intempe-
rances
.
This Lord was Religious; For though the World he apt
to
ſuſpect, and prejudice, Great Wits, and Politicks to have
ſomewhat
of the Atheiſt;
ret he was converſant with God:
As appeareth, by ſereral Paſſages, throughout the whole Cur-
rent
of his Writings.
Otherwiſe he ſhould have croſſed
his
own Principles;
which were, That a little Philoſo-
phy
, makerh Men apt to forget God;
As attributing
too
much to ſecond Cauſes;
But Depth of Philoſophy,
bringeth
Men back to God again.
Now I am ſure there
is
no Man that will deny him, or account other wiſe of him,
but
to have him been a deep Philoſopher.
And not only ſo,
But
he was able to render a Reaſon of the Hope which
was
in him;
Which that Writing of his, of the Confeſſion
of
the Faith, doth abundantly testifie.
He repaired frequent-
ly
, when his Health would permit him, to the Service of the
Church
, To hear Sermons, To the Adminiſtration of the
Sacrament
of the Bleſſed Body and Bloud of Chriſt;
And
died
in the true Faith eſtabliſbed in the Church of Eng-
land
.
3111FRANCIS Lord BACON.
This is moſt true; He was free from Malice; which, (as he
ſaid
Himſelf,) He never bred nor fed.
He was no Reven-
ger
of Injuries;
which, if he had minded, he had both Oppor-
tunity
and Place High enough, to have done it.
He was
no
Heaver of Men out of their Places, As delighting in their
Ruine
and Undoing.
He was no defamer of any Man to
his
Prince.
One Day, when a great States-Man was new-
ly
Dead, That had not been his Friend;
The King asked him,
What
he thought of that Lord, which was gone?
He an-
ſwered
, That he would never have made his Majeſties
Eſtate
better;
But he was ſure he would have kept it
ſrom
being worſe.
Which was the worſt, be would ſay of
him
.
Which Ireckon, not among his Moral, but his Chriſtian
Vertues
.
His Fame is greater, and ſounds louder in Forraign Parts
abroad
, than at home in his own Nation.
There by verify-
ing
that Divine Sentence, A Prophet is not without ho-
nour
, ſave in his own Country, and in his own houſe.
Concerning which I will give you a Taſte onely, out of a Let-
ter
, written from Italy (The Store-houſe of Refined Wits)
to
the late Earl of Devonſhire, Then, the Lord Candiſh.

I
will expect the New Eſſayes of my Lord Chancellor
Bacon
, as alſo his Hiſtory, with a great deal of De-
ſire
, and whatſoever elſe he ſhall compoſe.
But in
Particular
of his Hiſtory, I promiſe my ſelf a thing per-
ſect
and Singular;
eſpecially in Henry the Seventh; Where
he
may exerciſe the Talent of his Divine Underſtand-
ing
.
This Lord is more and more known, and his
Books
here, more and more delighted in;
And thoſe
Men
that have more than ordinary Knowledge in
Humane
affairs, eſteem him one of the moſt capable
Spirits
of this Age;
and he is truely ſuch. Now his Fame
doth
not decrease with Dayes ſince, but rather increaſe.
Di-
vers
of his Works have been anciently, and yet lately, tran-
ſlated
into other Tongues, both Learned and Modern,
by
Forraign Pens.
Several Perſons of Quality, during his
Lordſhips
Life, croſſed the Seas on purpoſe to gain an Oppor-
tunity
of ſeeing him, and Diſcourſing with him:
where of
3212The Life of the Right Honorable carried his Lordſhips Picture, from Head to Foot, over with
him
into France;
as a Thing which, he foreſaw, would be
much
deſired there;
That ſo they might enjoy, the Image of
his
Peiſon;
as well as the Images of his Brain, his Books.
Amongſt the reſt, Marquis Fiat; a French-Nobleman;
who
came Ambaſſador into England, in the beginning of
Queen
Mary, Wife to King Charles, was taken with an
extraor
dinary Deſire of Seeing him:
For which, he made
way
by a Friend:
And when he came to him, being then,
through
weakneſs, confined to his Bed;
The Marquis ſaluted
him
with this High-Expresſion;
That his Lordſhip, had
been
ever to Him, like the Angels;
of whom he had of-
ten
heard, and read much of them in Books;
But he ne-
ver
ſaw them.
After which they contr acted an intimate Ac-
quaintance
;
And the Marquis did ſo much revere him; that
beſides
his Frequent viſits;
they wrote Letters, one to the o-
ther
, under the Titles and Appellations, of Father and Son;

As
for his many Salutations, by Letters from Forraign Wor-
thies
, devoted to Learning;
I forbear to mention them; Be-
cauſe
that is a Thing common to other Men of Learning, or
Note
together with him.
But yet, in this Matter of his Fame, I ſpeak, in the Com-
parative
, onely, and not in the Excluſive.
For his Reputati-
on
is great, in his own Nation, alſo;
Eſpecially amongſt thoſe,
that
are of a more Acute, and ſharper Judgement:
Which
I
will exemplifie, but with two Teſtimonies, and no more.
The Former; When his Hiſtory of King Henry the Se-
venth
was to come forth;
It was delivered to the old Lord
Brook
, to be peruſed by him;
who, when be had diſpatched
it
, returned it to the Author, with this Eulogy:
Com-
mend
me to my Lord;
and bid him take care, to get
good
Paper and Inke, for the Work is in comparable.
The
other
ſhall be that, of Doctor Samuel Collins, late Provoſt,
of
Kings Colledge, in Cambridge, A Man of no vulgar Wit,
who
affirmed unto me, That when he had read, the Book of
the
Advancement of Learning, He found himſelf in a caſe
to
begin his Studies a new, and that he had loſt all the
Time
of his ſtudying before.
3313FRANCIS Lord BACON.
It h ath been deſired; That ſomething ſhould be ſignified,
touching
his Diet;
And the Regiment of his Health: Of
which
, in regard, of his Univerſal Inſight into Nature, he
may
(perhaps,) be to ſome, an Example.
For his Diet;
It was rather a plentiful, and liberal, Diet, as his Sto-
mack
would bear it, then a Reſtrained;
Which he alſo com-
mended
in his Book of the Hiſtory of Life and Death.
In
his
younger years, he was much given to the Finer and Light-
ter
ſort of Meats, As of Fowles;
and ſuch like: But after-
ward
, when he grew more Judicious;
He preferred the ſtron-
ger
Meats;
ſuch as the Shambles afforded; As thoſe Meats,
which
bred the more firm and ſutſtantial Juyces of the Bo-
dy
, and leſs Diffipable:
upon which, be would often make
his
Meal;
Though he had other Meats, upon the Table. You
may
be ſure;
He would not neglect that Himſelf, which He ſo
much
extolled in his Writings;
And that was the Uſe of Ni-
ter
:
Where eof he took in the Quantity of about three Grains,
in
thin warm Broath, every Morning, for thirty years toge-
ther
, next before his Death.
And for Phyſick, he did, indeed,
live
Phyſically, but not miſerably;
For be took only a
Maceration
of Rhubarb;
Infuſed into a Draught of White
Wine
, and Beer, mingled together, for the Space of half an
Hour
;
Once in ſix or ſeven Dayes; Immediately before his
Meal
, (whether Dinner, or Supper,) that it might dry, the
Body
, leſſe:
which (as he ſaid,) did carry away frequently, the
Groſſer
Humours of the Body, and not diminiſh, or carry
away
, any of the Spirits, as Sweating doth.
And this was no
Grievous
Thing to take.
As for other Phyſick, in an ordinary
way
, (whatſoever bath been vulgarly ſpoken;)
he took not. His
Receit
, for the Gout;
which did, constantly, eaſe him of his
Pain
, within two Hours, Is already ſet down in the End, of the
Natural
Hiſtory.
It may ſeem, the Moon, had ſome Principal Place, in the
Figure
of his Nativity.
For the Moon, was never in her
Paſsion
or Eclipſed, but he was ſurprized, with a ſudden Fit, of
Fainting
:
And that, though he obſerved not, nor took any pre-
vious
Knowledge, of the Eclipſe thereof;
and aſſoon as the
Eclipſe
ceaſed, he was reſtored, to his former ſtrength again.
3414The Life of the Right Honorable
He died, on the 9th. Day of April, in the year 1626; In
4040[Handwritten note 40]4141[Handwritten note 41]4242[Handwritten note 42]4343[Handwritten note 43]4444[Handwritten note 44]4545[Handwritten note 45]4646[Handwritten note 46]4747[Handwritten note 47]4848[Handwritten note 48] the early Morning, of the Day then celebrated for our Savi-
4040[Handwritten note 40]4141[Handwritten note 41]4242[Handwritten note 42]4343[Handwritten note 43]4444[Handwritten note 44]4545[Handwritten note 45]4646[Handwritten note 46]4747[Handwritten note 47]4848[Handwritten note 48] ours Reſurrection, In the 66th. year of his Age;
at the
Earle
of Arundells Houſe in High-gate, near London;
4040[Handwritten note 40]4141[Handwritten note 41]4242[Handwritten note 42]4343[Handwritten note 43]4444[Handwritten note 44]4545[Handwritten note 45]4646[Handwritten note 46]4747[Handwritten note 47]4848[Handwritten note 48] To which Place, he caſually repaired, about a week before,
God
ſo ordaining, that he ſhould dye there, Of a Gentle Fea-
ver
, accidentally accompanied, with agreat Cold;
whereby
4040[Handwritten note 40]4141[Handwritten note 41]4242[Handwritten note 42]4343[Handwritten note 43]4444[Handwritten note 44]4545[Handwritten note 45]4646[Handwritten note 46]4747[Handwritten note 47]4848[Handwritten note 48] the Defluxion of Rheume, fell ſo plentifully upon his Breaſt,
that
he died by Suffocation:
And was buried, in Saint Mi-
chaels
Church, at Saint Albans;
Being the Place, deſigned
4040[Handwritten note 40]4141[Handwritten note 41]4242[Handwritten note 42]4343[Handwritten note 43]4444[Handwritten note 44]4545[Handwritten note 45]4646[Handwritten note 46]4747[Handwritten note 47]4848[Handwritten note 48] for his Burial, by his laſt Will, and Teſtament;
Both be-
cauſe
the Body of his Mother was interred there;
And
becauſe
, it was the only Church, then remaining, within the
4040[Handwritten note 40]4141[Handwritten note 41]4242[Handwritten note 42]4343[Handwritten note 43]4444[Handwritten note 44]4545[Handwritten note 45]4646[Handwritten note 46]4747[Handwritten note 47]4848[Handwritten note 48] Precincts of old Verulam:
Where he hath a Monument,
erected
for him of White Marble;
(By the Care, and Gra-
titude
, of Sir Thomas Meautys, Knight, formerly his
4040[Handwritten note 40]4141[Handwritten note 41]4242[Handwritten note 42]4343[Handwritten note 43]4444[Handwritten note 44]4545[Handwritten note 45]4646[Handwritten note 46]4747[Handwritten note 47]4848[Handwritten note 48] Lordſhips Secretary;
After wards Clark of the Kings Ho-
nourable
Privy Gounſel, under two Kings:)
Repreſenting
his
full Pourtraiture in the Poſture of ſtudying;
with an
4040[Handwritten note 40]4141[Handwritten note 41]4242[Handwritten note 42]4343[Handwritten note 43]4444[Handwritten note 44]4545[Handwritten note 45]4646[Handwritten note 46]4747[Handwritten note 47]4848[Handwritten note 48] Inſcription compoſed by that Accompliſht Gentleman, and
Rare
Wit, Sir Henry Wotton.
But bowſoever his Body was Mortal; yet no doubt his
4040[Handwritten note 40]4141[Handwritten note 41]4242[Handwritten note 42]4343[Handwritten note 43]4444[Handwritten note 44]4545[Handwritten note 45]4646[Handwritten note 46]4747[Handwritten note 47]4848[Handwritten note 48] Memory and Works will live;
And will in all probability,
last
as long as the World laſteth.
In order to which, I have
endeavoured
, (after my poor Ability,) to do this Honour to his
Lordſhip
by way, of enducing to the ſame.
SPEECHES
351 2[Figure 2]
NATURAL
HISTORY
.
Century I.
DIg a Pit upon the Sea-ſhore, ſomewhat above the
111. High-water Mark, and ſink it as deep as the Low-
22Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
Straining
and
Paſsing
of Bo-
dies
one thorow
another
; which
they
call Per.
colation
.
water Mark;
And as the Tide cometh in, it will fill
with
Water, Freſh and Potable.
This is common-
ly
practiſed upon the Coaſt of Barbary, where other
Freſh
Water is wanting.
And Caſar knew this well,
when
he was beſieged in Alexandria;
for by digging
of
Pits in the Sea-ſhore, he did fruſtrate the labori-
ous
Works of the Enemies, which had turned the
Sea-water
upon the Wells of Alexandria, and ſo ſaved his Army, being
then
in Deſperation.
But Caſar miſtook the cauſe; for he thought that all
Sea-ſands
had Natural Springs of Freſh-water.
But it is plain, that it is the
Sea-water
, becauſe the Pit filleth according to the Meaſure of the Tide:
And the Sea-water paſſing or ſtraining through the Sands, leaveth the
Saltneſs
.
I remember to have read, that Tryal hath been made of Salt-water
332. paſſed through Earth;
through ten Veſſels, one within another, and yet it
hath
not loſt his Saltneſs, as to become potable:
But the ſame Man ſaith, that
(by the relation of another Salt-water drained through twenty Veſſels,
hath
become freſh.
This Experiment ſeemeth to croſs that other of Pits,
made
by the Sea-ſide;
and yet but in part, if it be true, that twenty Repeti-
tions
do the effect.
But it is worth the note, how poor the Imitations of
Nature
are, in common courſe of Experiments, except they be led by great
Judgment
, and ſome good Light of Axioms.
For firſt, there is no ſmall
difference
between a Paſſage of Water through twenty ſmall Veſſels, and
through
ſuch a diſtance, as between the Low-water and High-water Mark.
Secondly, there is a great difference between Earth and Sand; for all Earth
hath
in it a kin @e of Nitrous Salt, from which, Sand is more free:
And
beſides
, Earth doth not ſtrain the Water ſo finely as Sand doth.
But there
is
a third point, that I ſuſpect as much, or more than the other two;
and
that
is, that in the Experiment of Tranſmiſsion of the Sea-water into the Pits,
the
Water riſeth;
but in the Experiment of Tranſmiſsion of the Water, through
the
Veſſels, it falleth:
Now certain it is, that the Salter part of Water
362Natural Hiſtory; ſalted throughout) goeth to the bottom. And therefore no marvel if the
draining
of Water by deſcent, doth make it freſh:
Beſides, I do ſome what
doubt
, that the very daſhing of the Water that cometh from the Sea, is
more
proper to ſtrike off the ſalt part, than where the Water ſlideth of her
own
motion.
It ſeemeth Percolation or Tranſmißion (which is commonly called Strain-
113. ing) is a good kinde of Separation, not onely of thick from thin, and groſs
from
fine, but of more ſubtile Natures;
and varieth according to the Body,
through
which the Tranſmißion is made.
As if through a Woollen-bag, the
liquor
leaveth the fatneſs;
if through Sand, the ſaltneſs, & c. They ſpeak of
ſevering
Wine from Water, paſſing it through Ivy-wood, or through other
the
like porous body, but Non conſtat.
The Gum of Trees (which we ſee to be commonly ſhining and clear)
224. is but a fine paſſage, or ſtraining of the Juice of the Tree, through the
Wood
and Bark.
And in like manner, Cornish Diamonds, and Rock Rubies,
(which are yet more reſplendent than Gums) are the fine Exudations of
Stone
.
Ariſtotle giveth the cauſe vainly, Why the Feathers of Birds are of more
335. lively colours than the Hairs of Beaſts;
for no Beaſt hath any fine Azure, or
Carnation
, or Green Hair.
He ſaith it is, becauſe Birds are more in the
Beams
of the Sun than Beaſts, but that is maniſeſtly untrue;
for Cattle are
more
in the Sun than Birds, that live commonly in the Woods, or in ſome
Covert
.
The true cauſe is, that the excrementitious moiſture of living Crea-
tures
, which maketh as well the Feathers in Birds as the Hair in Beaſts, paſs-
eth
in Birds through a finer and more delicate Strainer, than it doth in Beaſts:
For Feathers paſs through Quills, and Hair through Skin.
The Clarifying of Liquors by Adheſion, is an inward Percolation, and is
446. effected, when ſome cleaving Body is mixed and agitated with the Liquors;
where by the groſſer part of the Liquor ſticks to that cleaving Body; and ſo
the
finer parts are freed from the groſſer.
So the Apothecaries clarifie their
Syrups
by Whites of Eggs, beaten with the Juices which they would clarifie;

which
whites of Eggs, gather all the dregs and groſſer parts of the Juice to
them
;
and after the Syrup being ſet on the fire, the whites of Eggs them-
ſelves
harden, and are taken forth.
So Ippocraß is clarified by mixing with
Milk
, and ſtirring it about, and then paſſing it through a Woollen-bag,
which
they call Hippocrates Sleeve;
and the cleaving Nature of the Milk, draw-
eth
the Powder of the Spices, and groſſer parts of the Liquor to it, and in
the
paſſage they ſtick upon the Woollen-bag.
The clarifying of Water, is an experiment tending to Health, beſides
557. the pleaſure of the Eye, when Water is Cryſtaline.
It is effected by caſting
in
, and placing Pebbles at the head of a Current, that the Water may ſtrain
through
them.
It may be Percolation doth not onely cauſe clearneſs and ſplendor, but
668. ſweetneſs of ſavor;
for that alſo followeth, as well as clearneſs, when the
finer
parts are ſevered from the groſſer.
So it is found, that the ſweats of
4949[Handwritten note 49]5151[Handwritten note 51] men that have much heat, and exerciſe much, and have clean Bodies and
fine
Skins, do ſmell ſweet, as was ſaid of Alexander;
and we ſee commonly,
that
Gums have ſweet odors.
5050[Handwritten note 50]779.88Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching

Motion
of
Bodies
upon
their
Preſſure.
TAke a Glaſs, and put Water into it, and wet your finger, and draw it
round
about the lip of the Glaſs, preſſing it ſomewhat hard;
and
after
you have drawn it ſome few times about, it will make the Water frisk
4949[Handwritten note 49]5151[Handwritten note 51]
373Century I. and ſprinkle up in a fine Dew. This inſtance doth excellently demonſtrate
the
force of Compreßion in a ſolid Body.
For whenſoever a folid Body (as
Wood
, Stone, Metal, &
c.) is preſſed, there is an in ward tumult in the parts
thereof
, ſeeking to deliver themſelves from the Compreſſion:
And this is
the
cauſe of all Violent Motion.
Wherein it is ſtrange in the higheſt degree,
that
this Motion hath never been obſerved, nor enquired;
it being of all
Motions
, the moſt common, and the chief root of all Mechanical Operations.
5252[Handwritten note 52]5353[Handwritten note 53] This Motion worketh in round at firſt, by way of Proof and Search, which
way
to deliver it ſelf, and then worketh in Progreſs, where it findeth the
deliverance
eaſieſt.
In Liquors this Motion is viſible; for all Liquors ſtruck-
en
, make round circles, and withal daſh, but in Solids (which break not) it is
ſo
ſubtile, as it is inviſible;
but nevertheleſs bewrayeth it ſelf by many
effects
, as in this inſtance whereof we ſpeak.
For the Preſſure of the Finger
furthered
by the wetting (becauſe it ſticketh ſo much the better unto the
Lip
of the Glaſs) after ſome continuance, putteth all the ſmall parts of the
Glaſs
into work, that they ſtrike the Water ſharply;
from which Percußion,
that
ſprinkling cometh.
If you ſtrike or pierce a Solid Body that is brittle, as Glaſs or Sugar, it
1110. breaketh not onely where the immediate force is, but breaketh all about
into
ſhivers and fitters;
the Motion upon the Preſſure ſearching all ways,
and
breaking where it findeth the Body weakeſt.
The Powder in Shot being dilated into ſuch a Flame, as endureth not
2211. Compreſſion, moveth likewiſe in round (the Flame being in the nature of
a
Liquid Body) ſometimes recoyling, ſometimes breaking the Peece, but
generally
diſcharging the Bullet, becauſe there it findeth eaſieſt deliver-
ance
.
This Motion upon Preſſure, and the Reciprocal thereof, which is Mo-
3312. tion upon Tenſure;
we uſe to call (by one common name) Motion of Liber-
ty
;
which is, when any Body being forced to a Preternatural Extent or Di-
menſion
, delivereth and reſtoreth it ſelf to the natural:
As when a blown
Bladder
(preſſed) riſeth again;
or when Leather or Cloth tentured, ſpring
back
.
Theſe two Motions (of which there be infinite inſtances) we ſhall
handle
in due place.
This Motion upon Preſſure is excellently alſo demonſtrated in Sounds:
4413. As when one chimeth upon a Bell, it ſoundeth; but as ſoon as he layeth his
hand
upon it, the Sonnd ceaſeth:
And ſo, the ſound of a Virginal String, as
ſoon
as the Quill of the Jack falleth from it, ſtoppeth.
For theſe ſounds are
produced
by the ſubtile Percuſſion of the Minute parts of the Bell or String
upon
the Air;
All one, as the Water is cauſed to leap by the ſubtile Percuſſi-
on
of the Minute parts of the Glaſs upon the Water, whereof we ſpake a lit-
tle
before in the Ninth Experiment.
For you muſt not take it to be the local
5252[Handwritten note 52]5353[Handwritten note 53] ſhaking of the Bell or String that doth it.
As we ſhall fully declare when
we
come hereafter to handle Sounds.
TAke a Glaß with a Belly, and a long Neb, fill the Belly (in part) with
5514. Water:
Take alſo another Glaß, whereinto put Claret Wïne and Water
66Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
Se-
parations
of
Bodies
; by
weight
.
mingled.
Reverſe the firſt Glaſs, with the Belly upwards, ſtopping the
Neb
with your Finger;
then dip the mouth of it within the ſecond Glaſs,
and
remove your Finger.
Continue it in that poſture for a time, and it
will
unmingle the Wine from the Water;
the Wine aſcending and ſetling in
the
top of the upper Glaſs, and the Water deſcending and ſetling in the
bottom
of the lower Glaſs.
The paſſage is apparent to the Eye;
384Natural Hiſtory; you ſhall ſee the Wine, as it were, in a ſmall vein, riſing through the Water.
For handſomneſs ſake (becauſe the working requireth ſome ſmall time)
it
were good you hang the upper Glaß upon a Nail.
But as ſoon as there
is
gathered ſo much pure and unmixed Water in the bottom of the lower
Glaß
, as that the Mouth of the upper Glaß dippeth into it, the Motion
ceaſeth
.
Let the upper Glaß be Wine, and the lower Water; there followeth no
1115. Motion at all.
Let the upper Glaß be Water pure, the lower Water coloured,
or
contrariwiſe there followeth no Motion at all.
But it hath been tryed,
that
though the mixture of Wine and Water, in the lower Glaß, be three
parts
Water, and but one Wine;
yet it doth not dead the Motion. This ſe-
paration
of Water and Wine appeareth to be made by weight;
for it muſt
be
of Bodies of unequal weight, or elſe it worketh not;
and the heavier
Body
muſt ever be in the upper Glaß.
But then note withal, that the water
being
made penſible, and there being a great weight of Water in the Belly
of
the Glaß, ſuſtained by a ſmall Pillar of Water in the neck of the Glaß;
it
is
that which ſetteth the Motion on work:
For Water and Wine in one Glaß,
with
long ſtanding, will hardly ſever.
This Experiment would be extended from mixtures of ſeveral Liquors
2216. to Simple Bodies, which conſiſt of ſeveral ſimiliar parts:
Try it therefore
with
Broyn or Salt-vvater and Fresh-vvater, placing the Salt-vvater (which
is
the heavier) in the upper Glaß, and ſee whether the freſh will come above.
Try it alſo with Water thick Sugred, and pure Water; and ſee whether
the
Water which cometh above, will loſe his ſweetneſs:
For which pur-
poſe
, it were good there were a little Cock made in the Belly of the upper
Glaß
.
IN Bodies containing fine Spirits, which do eaſily diſſipate when you make
3317. Infuſions;
the Rule is, A ſhort ſtay of the Body in the Liquor receiveth the
44Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
Iu-
dicious
and
Accurate
In-
fuſions
, both
in
Liquors, and
Air
.
Spirit, and a longer ſtay confoundeth it;
becauſe it draweth forth the
Earthy
part withal, which embaſeth the finer.
And therefore it is an Er-
ror
in Phyſitians, to reſt ſimply upon the length of ſtay for encreaſing the
vertue
.
But if you will have the Infuſion ſtrong, in thoſe kinde of Bodies,
which
have fine Spirits, your way is not to give longer time, but to repeat
the
Infuſion of the Body oftner.
Take Violets, and infuſe a good Pugil of
them
in a Quart of Vinegar, let them ſtay three quarters of an hour, and
take
them forth, and refreſh the Infuſion with like quantity of new Violets
ſeven
times, and it will make a Vinegar ſo freſh of the Flovver, as if a Twelve-
moneth
after it be brought you in a Saucer, you ſhall ſmell it before it come
at
you.
Note, that it ſmelleth more perſectly of the Flower a good while
after
, then at firſt.
This Rule which we have given, is of ſingular uſe for the preparations
5518. of Medicines, and other Infuſions.
As for example, the Leaf of Burrage hath
an
excellent Spirit, to repreſs the fuliginous vapor of Dusky Melancholy,
and
ſo to cure Madneſs:
But nevertheleſs, if the Leaf be infuſed long, it
yeildeth
forth but a raw ſubſtance of no vertue:
Therefore I ſuppoſe, that
if
in the Muſt of Wine or Wort of Beer, while it worketh before it be Tunned,
the
Burrage ſtay a ſmall time, and be often changed with freſh, it vvill make
a
ſoveraign Drink for Melancholy Paßions.
And the like I conceive of Orange
Flovvers
.
Rubarb hath manifeſtly in it Parts of contrary Operations: Parts that
6619. purge, and parts that binde the Body;
and the firſtlay looſer, and the latter
395Century I. deeper; So that if you infuſe Rubarb for an hour, and cruſh it well, it will
purge
better, and binde the Body leſs after the purging, than if it ſtood
Twenty
ſour hours:
This is tried, but I conceive likewiſe, that by repeat-
ing
the Infuſion of Rubarb, ſeveral times (as was ſaid of Violets) letting
each
ſtay in but a ſmall time, you may make it as ſtrong a Purging Medi-
cine
, as Scammony.
And it is not a ſmall thing won in Phyſick, if you can
make
Ruharb, and other Medicines that are Benedict, as ſtrong Purgers, as
thoſe
that are not without ſome malignity.
Purging Medicines, for the moſt part, have their Purgative Vertue in a fine
1120. Spirit, as appeareth by that they indure not boiling, without much loſs of
vertue
.
And therefore it is of good uſe in Phyſick, it you can retain the Pur-
ging
of Vertue, and take away the unpleaſant taſte of the Purger;
which
it
is like you may do, by this courſe of infuſing oft with little ſtay.
For it is
probable
, that the horrible and odious taſte is in the groſſer part.
Generally, the working by Infuſions is gro@s and blind, except you firſt
2221. try the iſſuing of the ſeveral parts of the Body, which of them iſſue more
ſpeedily
, and which more ſlowly;
and ſo by apportioning thetime, can
take
and leave that quality which you deſire.
This to know, there be two
ways
;
the one to try what long ſtay, and what ſhort ſtay worketh, as hath
been
ſaid;
the other to try, in order, the ſucceeding Infuſions, of one and
the
ſame Body, ſucceſſively, in ſeveral Liquors.
As for example, Take
Orange-Pills
, or Roſemary, or Cinnamon, or what you will;
and let them in-
fuſe
half an hour in Water;
then take them out, and infuſe them again in
other
Water;
and ſo the third time; and then taſte and conſider the firſt
Water
, the ſecond, and the third, and you will finde them differing, not one-
ly
in ſtrength and weakneſs, but otherwiſe in taſte, or odor;
for it may be
the
firſt Water will have more of the ſent, as more fragrant;
and the ſecond
more
of the taſte, as more bitter or biting, &
c.
Infuſions in Air (for ſo we may call Odors) have the ſame diverſities with
3322. Infuſions in Water;
in that the ſeveral Odors (which are in one Flower, or
other
Body) iſſue at ſeveral times, ſome earlier, ſome later:
So we finde,
that
Violets, Woodbines, Strawberries, yield a pleaſing ſent, that cometh forth
firſt
;
but ſoon after an ill ſent quite differing from the former. Which is
cauſed
not ſo much by mellowing, as by the late iſſuing of the groſſer
Spirit
.
As we may deſire to extract the fineſt Spirits in ſome caſes; ſo we may
4423. deſire alſo to diſcharge them (as hurtful) in ſome other.
So Wine burnt, by
reaſon
of the evaporating of the finer Spirit, inflameth leſs, and is beſt in
Agues
:
Opium leeſeth ſome of his po@ſonous quality, if it be vapored out,
mingled
with Spirit of Wine, or the like:
Sean leeſeth ſomewhat of his
windineſs
by decocting;
and (generally) ſubtile or windy Spirits are taken
off
by Incenſion, or Evaporation.
And even in Infuſions in things that are
of
too high a ſpirit, you were better pour off the firſt Infuſion, after a ſmall
time
, and uſe the latter.
BUbbles are in the form of an Hemiſphere; Air within, and a little Skin
5524. of Water without:
And it ſeemeth ſomewhat ſtrange, that the Air
66Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Appetite
of
Continnation

in
Liquids.
ſhould riſe ſo ſwiftly, while it is in the Water;
and when it cometh to the
top
, ſhould be ſtaid by ſo weak a cover, as that of the Bubble is.
But as
for
the ſwift aſcent of the Air, while it is under the Water, that is a
motion
of Percuſſion ſrom the Water, which it ſelf deſcending, driveth
up
the Air;
and no motion of Levity in the Air. And this
406Natural Hiſtory; called Motus Plagæ. In this common Experiment, the cauſe of the encloſure
of
the Bubble is for that the Appetite to reſiſt Separation, or Diſcontinu-
ance
(which in ſolid Bodies is ſtrong) is alſo in Liquors, though fainter and
weaker
:
As we ſee in this of the Bubble; we ſee it alſo in little Glaſſes of
Spittle
that Children make of Ruſhes;
and in Caſtles of Bubbles, which
they
make by blowing into Water, having obtained a little degree of
Tenacity
by Mixture of Soap:
We ſee it alſo in the Stillicides of Water,
which
, if there be Water enough to follow, will draw themſelves into a
ſmall
Thred, becauſe they will diſcontinue;
but if there be no remedy,
then
they caſt themſelves into round Drops;
which is the Figure, that
ſaveth
the Body moſt from Diſcontinuance:
The ſame reaſon is of the
Roundneſs
of the Bubble, as well for the Skin of Water, as for the Air with-
in
:
For the Air likewiſe avoideth Diſcontinuance; and therefore caſteth it
ſelf
into a round Figure.
And for the ſtop and arreſt of the Air a little
while
, it ſheweth, that the Air of it ſelf hath little, or no Appetite of
Aſcending
.
THe Rejection, which I continually uſe, of Experiments (though it ap-
1125. peareth not) is infinite;
but yet if an Experiment be probable in the
22Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
making
of
Artificial

Springs
.
Work, and of great uſe, I receive it, but deliver it as doubtful.
It was
reported
by a ſober man, that an Artificial Spring may be made thus:
Finde
out
a hanging Ground, where there is a good quick Fall of Rain-water.
Lay
a
Half-Trough of Stone, of a good length, three or four foot deep with-
in
the ſame Ground;
with one end upon the high Ground, the other upon
the
low.
Cover the Trough with Brakes a good thickneſs, and caſt Sand
upon
the top of the Brakes:
You ſhall ſee (ſaith he) that after ſome ſhowres
are
paſt, the lower end of the Trough will be like a Spring of Water;
which
is
no marvel, if it hold, while the Rain-water laſteth;
but he ſaid it would
continue
long time after the Rain is paſt:
As if the Water did multiply it
ſelf
upon the Air, by the help of the Coldneſs and Condenſation of the
Earth
, and the Conſort of the firſt Water.
THe French (which put off the name of the French Diſeaſe, unto the name
3326. of the Diſeaſe of Naples) do report, That at the ſiege of Naples, there
44Experriment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Venomous

quality
of
Mans
Fleſh.
were certain wicked Merchants that barrelled up Mans Flesh (of ſome that
had
been lately ſlain in Barbary) and ſold it for Tunney;
and that, upon
that
foul and high Nouriſhment, was the Original of that Diſeaſe.
Which
may
well be;
For that it is certain, that the Canibals, in the VVeſt-Indies, eat
Mans
Flesh;
and the VVeſt-Indies were full of the Pox when they were firſt
diſcovered
:
And at this day the Mortaleſt poyſons, practiſed by the VVeſt-Indi-
ans
, have ſome mixture of the Blood, or Fat, or Fleſh of Man.
And divers
Witches
, and Sorcereſſes, as well amongſt the Heathen, as amongſt the
C
hriſtians, have fed upon Mans fleſh, to aid (as it ſeemeth) their Imagination,
with
high and foul Vapors.
5454[Handwritten note 54]
IT ſeemeth that there be theſe ways (in likelihood) of Verfion of Vapors
5527. or Air, into Water and Moiſture.
The firſt is Cold, which doth mani-
66Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Verſion
and
Tranſmm
tati-
on
of Air in
to
Water.
feſtly Condenſe;
as we ſee in the contracting of the Air in the Weather-
Glaſs
;
whereby it is a degree nearer to Water. We ſee it alſo in the Gene-
ration
of Springs, which the Ancients thought (very probably) to be made by
the
Verſion of Air into VVater, holpen by the Reſt, which the Air hath in
thoſe
parts, whereby it cannot diſſipate.
And by the coldneſs of Rocks;
417Century I. there Springs are chiefly generated. We ſee it alſo in the Effects of the Cold
of
the Middle Region (as they call it) of the Air;
which produceth Dews
and
Rains.
And the Experiment of turning Water into Ice, by Snow, Ni-
tre
, and Salt (whereof we ſhall ſpeak hereafter) would be transferred to the
turning
of Air into Water.
The ſecond way is by Compreßion; as in Stilla-
tories
, where the Vapor is turned back, upon it ſelf, by the Encounter of
the
Sides of the Stillatory;
and in the Dew upon the Covers of Boiling Pots;
and in the Dew to wards Rain, upon Marble, and VVainſcot. But this is like to
do
no great effect;
except it be upon Vapors, and groſs Air, that are al-
ready
very near in Degree to Water.
The third is that, which may be
ſearched
into, but doth not yet appear;
which is, by Mingling of moiſt
Vapors
with Air;
and trying if they will not bring a Return of more Wa-
ter
, than the Water was at firſt:
For if ſo, That Increaſe is a Verſion of the
Air
:
Therefore put VVater into the bottom of a Stillatory, with the Neb
ſtopped
;
weigh the VVater firſt; hang in the Middle of the Stillatory a large
Spunge
;
and ſee what quantity of VVater you can cruſh out of it; and what
it
is, more, or leſs, compared with the VVater ſpent;
for you muſt under-
ſtand
, that if any Verſion can be wrought, it will be eaſily done in ſmall
Pores
:
And that is the reaſon why we preſcribe a Spunge. The fourth way
is
probable alſo, though not appearing;
which is, by receiving the Air into
the
ſmall Pores of Bodies;
For (as hath been ſaid) every thing in ſmall quan-
tity
is more eaſie for Verſion;
and Tangible Bodies have no pleaſure in the
conſort
of Air, but endeavor to ſubact it into a more Denſe Body:
But in
Entire
Bodies it is checked;
becauſe, if the Air ſhould Condenſe, there is no-
thing
to ſucceed:
Therefore it muſt be in looſe Bodies, as Sand, and Pow-
der
, which we ſee, if they lie cloſe, of themſelves gather Moiſture.
IT is reported by ſome of the Ancients, That Whelps, or other Creatures,
1128.22Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Helps
to-
wards
the
Beauty
and
good
Features
of
Perſons.
if they be put young into ſuch a Cage, or Box, as they cannot riſe to their
Stature
, but may increaſe in breadth or length, will grow accordingly, as
they
can get room;
which, if it be true, and feaſible, and that the young
Creature
ſo preſſed, and ſtreightned, doth not thereupon die;
it is a means
to
produce Dwarf Creatures, and in a very ſtrange Figure.
This is certain,
and
noted long ſince, That the Preſſure, or Forming of Parts of Creatures,
when
they are very young, doth alter the ſhape not a little:
As the ſtroak-
ing
of the Heads of Infants, between the Hands, was noted of old, to make
Macrocephali
;
which ſhape of the Head, at that time, was eſteemed. And
the
raiſing gently of the Bridge of the Noſe, doth prevent the Deformity
of
a Saddle Noſe.
Which obſer vation well weighed, may teach a means,
to
make the Perſons of Men and Women, in many kindes, more comely
and
better featured, than otherwiſe they would be;
by the Forming and
Shaping
of them in their Infancy:
As by Stroaking up the Calves of the
Legs
, to keep them from falling down too low;
and by Stroaking up the
Forehead
, to keep them from being low Foreheaded.
And it is a common
practice
to ſwathe Infants, that they may grow more ſtraight, and better
3329.44Experiments
Solitary
,
touching
the
Condenſing
of
Air
in ſuck
ſort
as it may
put
on
Weight
, and
yield
Nouriſh-
ment
.
ſhaped;
and we ſee young Women, by wearing ſtraight Bodies, keep them-
ſelv
es from being Groſs and Corpulent.
ONions, as they hang, will many of them ſhoot forth; and ſo will Penny-
ro
yal;
and ſo will an Herb called Orpin; with which they uſe, in the
Countrey
, to trim their Houſes, binding it to a Lath, or Stick, and
ſetting
it againſt a Wall.
VVe ſee it likewiſe, more eſpecially, in the
428Natural Hiſtory; Semper-vive, which will put out Branches, two or three years: But it is true,
that
commonly they wrap the Root in a cloth beſmeared with Oyl;
and
renew
it once in a half year.
The like is reported by ſome of the An-
cients
of the ſtalks of Lillies.
The cauſe is, for that theſe Plants have a
ſtrong
denſe, and ſucculent moiſture, which is not aptto exhale;
and ſo
is
able, from the old ſtore, without drawing help from the Earth, to ſuffice
the
ſprouting of the Plant:
And this ſprouting is chiefly in the late Spring,
or
early Summer;
which are the times of putting forth. We ſee alſo,
that
ſtumps of Trees, lying out of the Ground, will put forth Sprouts for
a
time.
But it is a noble tryal, and of very great conſequence, to try
whether
theſe things, in the ſprouting, do encreaſe weight;
which muſt be
tryed
, by weighing them before they be hanged up;
and afterwards again,
when
they are ſprouted.
For if they increaſe not in weight, then it is no
more
but this, That what they ſend forth in the ſprout, they leeſe in ſome
other
part;
but if they gather weight, then it is Magnale Naturæ: For it
ſheweth
, that Air may be made ſo to be condenſed, as to be converted in-
to
a denſe Body;
whereas the race and period of all things, here above the
Earth
, is to extenuate and turn things to be more pneumatical, and rare;
and not to be retrograde, from pneumatical to that which is denſe. It
ſheweth
alſo, that Air can nouriſh;
which is another great matter of con-
ſequence
.
Note, that to try this, the Experiment of the Semper-vive, muſt
be
made without oyling the cloth;
for elſe, it may be, the Plant receiveth
nouriſhment
from the Oyl,
FLame and Air do not mingle, except it be in an inſtant; or in the Vital
1130.22Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Commixture
of
Flame
and
Air
, and the
great
force
thereof
.
Spirits of vegetables, and living Creatures.
In Gunpowder, the force of
it
hath been aſcribed to rarefaction of the earthly ſubſtance into Flame.
And thus far it is true; and then (forſooth) it is become another Element;
the
form whereof occupieth more place;
and ſo, of Neceſſity, followeth
a
Dilatation:
And therefore, leſt two Bodies ſhould be in one place,
there
muſt needs alſo follow an Expulſion of the Pellet, or blowing up
of
the Mine.
But theſe are crude and ignorant ſpeculations: For Flame,
if
there were nothing elſe, except it were in a very great quantity, will be
ſuffocate
with any hard body, ſuch as a Pellet is, or the Barrel of a Gun;

ſo
as the flame would not expel the hard body, but the hard body would kill
the
flame, and notſuffer it to kindle, or ſpred.
But the cauſe of this ſo po-
tent
a motion is the Nitre (which we call otherwiſe Salt-Peter) which
having
in it a notable crude and windy Spirit, firſt by the heat of the Fire
ſuddenly
dilateth it ſelf;
(and we know that ſimple Air, being preterna-
turally
attenuated by heat, will make it ſelf room, and break, and blow
up
that which reſiſteth it.)
And ſecondly, when the Nitre hath dilated it
ſelf
, it blo weth abroad the flame as an in ward Bellows.
And therefore we
ſee
that Brimſtone, Pitch, Camphire, U ildfire, and divers other inflamable
matters
;
though they burn cruelly, and are hard to quench, yet they make
no
ſuch fiery wind, as Gunpowder doth:
And on the other fide, we ſee that
Quick-ſilver
(which is a moſt crude and watry Body) heated, and pent in,
hath
the like force with Gunpowder.
As for living Creatures, it is certain,
their
Vital Spirits are a ſubſtance compounded of an airy and flamy mat-
ter
;
and though Air and Flame, being free, will not well mingle; yet
bound
in by a Body that hath ſome fixing, they will.
For that you may beſt ſee
in
thoſe two Bodies (which are their Aliments) Water and Oyl;
for they
likewiſe
will not well mingle of themſelves, but in the Bodies of
439Century I. and Living Creatures, they will. It is no marvel there fore, that a ſmall Quan-
tity
of Spirits, in the Cells of the Brain, and Cannals of the Sinews, are able
to
move a whole Body (which is of ſo great maſs) both with ſo great force,
as
in Wreſtling, Leaping;
and with ſo great ſwiftneſs, as in playing Diviſi-
on
upon the Lute:
Such is the force of theſe two Natures, Air and Flame
when
they incorporate.
TAke a ſmall Wax-Candle, and put it in a Socket of Braſs or Iron, then
1131.22Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Secret
Nature
of
Flame.
ſet it upright in a Porringer full of Spirit of Wine, heated;
then ſet
both
the Candle, and Spirit of Wine on fire, and you ſhall ſee the flame of
the
Candle open it ſelf, and become four or five times bigger then other-
wiſe
it would have been, and appear in figure Globular, and not in Pyramis.
You ſhall ſee alſo, that the inward flame of the Candle keepeth colour, and
doth
not wax any whit blew to wards the colour of the outward flame of
the
Spirit of Wine.
This is a noble inſtance, wherein two things are moſt
remarkable
;
the one, that one flame within another quencheth not, but is
a
fixed Body, and continueth as Air or Water do;
and therefore flame would
ſtill
aſcend upwards in one greatneſs, if it were not quenched on the ſides;

and
the greater the flame is at the bottom, the higher is the riſe.
The other,
that
Flame doth not mingle with Flame, as Air doth with Air, or Water
with
Water, but onely remaineth contiguous;
as it cometh to paſs be-
twixt
Conſiſting Bodies.
It appeareth alſo, that the form of a Pyramis in
Flame
, which we uſually ſee, is meerly by accident, and that the Air about,
by
quenching the ſides of the Flame, cruſheth it, and extenuateth it into
that
form;
for of it ſelf, it would be round: And thereſore Smoak is in
the
figure of a Pyramis reverſed;
for the Air quencheth the Flame, and re-
ceiveth
the Smoak.
Note alſo, that the flame of the Candle, within the
flame
of the Spirit of Wine, is troubled, and doth not onely open and move
upwards
, but moveth waving, and to and fro:
As if Flame of his own Na-
ture
(if it were not quenched) would roul and turn as well as move up-
wards
.
By all which it ſhould ſeem, that the Celeſtial Bodies (moſt of them)
are
true Fires or Flames, as the Stoicks held;
more ſine (perhaps) and rari-
fied
, than our flame is.
For they are all Globular and Deternate, they have
Rotation
, and they have the colour andſplendor of Flame:
So that Flame
above
, is durable and conſiſtent, and in his natural place;
but with us, it
is
a ſtranger, and momentany and impure, like Vulean that halted with his
fall
.
TAke an Arrovv, and hold it in Flame for the ſpace of ten Pulſes; and
3332.44Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Different
force
of
Flame in the
midſt
, and on
the
ſides.
when it cometh forth, you ſhall finde thoſe parts of the Arrow which
were
one the outſides of the Flame, more burned, blacked, and turned al-
moſtinto
a Coal;
whereas that in the midſt of the flame, will be as if the
fire
had ſcarce touched it.
This is an inſtance of great conſequence for the
diſcovery
of the nature of Flame, and ſheweth manifeſtly, that Flame burn-
eth
more violently to wards the ſides, then in the midſt:
And, which is
more
, that Heat or Fire is not violent or furious, but where it is checked and
pent
.
And therefore the Peripateticks (howſoever their opinion of an Ele-
ment
of Fire, above the Air, is juſtly exploded) in that point they acquit
themſelves
well:
For being oppoſed, that if there were a ſphere of Fire,
that
incompaſſEd the Earth ſo near hand, it were impoſſible, but all things
ſhould
be burnt up;
they anſwer, that the pure Elemental Fire, in his own
place
, and notirritate, is but of a moderate heat.
4410Natural Hiſtory;
IT is affirmed conſtantly by many, as an uſual Experiment, That a lump of
1133.22Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Decreaſe
of the
Natural
Mo-
tion
of Gravi-
ty
in great
diſtance
ſrom
the
Earth; or
within
ſome
depth
of the
Earth
.
Vre, in the bottom of a Mine, will be tumbled and ſtirred by two Mens
ſtrength
;
which if you bring it to the top of the Earth, will ask ſix Mens
ſtrength
at the leaſt to ſtir it.
It is a noble inſtance, and is fit to be tryed to
the
full:
For it is very probable, that the Motion of Gravity worketh weakly,
both
far from the Earth, and alſo within the Earth:
The former, becauſe the
appetite
of Union of Denſe Bodies with the Earth, in reſpect of the diſtance
is
more dull.
The latter, becauſe the Body hath in part attained his nature,
when
it is ſome depth in the Earth.
For as for the moving to a point or place
(which was the opinion of the Antients) it is a meer vanity.
IT is ſtrange, how the Antients took up Experiments upon credit, and yet did
3334.44Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Contraction
of
bodies
in bulk,
by
the mixture
of
the more
Liquid
Body,
with
the more
Solid
.
build great Matters upon them.
The obſervation of ſome of the beſt of
them
, delivered confidently, is, That a Veſſel filled with Aſhes, will receive
the
like quantity of Water, that it would have done if it had been empty.
But
this
is utterly untrue, for the Water will not go in by a fifth part;
and I ſup-
poſe
, that that fifth part is the difference of the lying cloſe, or open of the
Aſhes
;
as we ſee, that Aſhes alone, if they be hard preſſed, will lie in leſs
room
;
and ſo the Aſhes with Air between, lie looſer, and with Water
cloſer
.
For I have not yet found certainly, that the Water it ſelf by mix-
ture
of Aſhes or Duſt, will ſhrink or draw into leſs room.
IT is reported of credit, That if you lay good ſtore of Kernels of Grapes’,
5535.66Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Making
Vines
more
ſruitſul.
about the Root of a Vine, it will make the Vine come earlier, and proſper
better
.
It may be tried with other Kernels, laid about the Root of a Plant of
the
ſame kinde;
as Figs, Kernels of Apples, & c. The cauſe may be, for that the
Kernels
draw out of the Earth Juice fit to nouriſh the Tree, as thoſe that
would
be Trees of themſelves, though there were no Root;
but the Root
being
of greater ſtrength, robbeth and devoureth the nouriſhment, when
they
have drawn it;
as great Fiſhes devour little.
THe operation of Purging Medicines, and the cauſes thereof, have been
7736.88Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching

Purging
Me-
dicines
.
thought to be a great Secret;
and ſo according to the ſlothful manner
of
Men, it is referred to a Hidden Propriety, a Specifical Vertue, and a Fourth
Quality
, and the like ſhifts of Ignorance.
The Cauſes of Purging, are
divers
, All plain and perſpicuous, and throughly maintained by experience.
The firſt is, That whatſoever cannot be overcome and digeſted by the
Stomack
, is by the Stomack, either put up by Vomit, or put down to the
Guts
;
and by that Motion of Expulſion in the Stomack and Guts, other
Parts
of the Body (as the Orifices of the Veins, and the like) are moved to ex-
pel
by Conſent:
For nothing is more frequent then Motion of Conſent in the
Body
of Man.
This Surcharge of the Stomack, is cauſed either by the
Quality
of the Medicine, or by the Quantity.
The Qualities are three,
Extream
Bitter, as in Aloes, Coloquintida, &
c. Loathſome, and of horrible taſte,
as
in Agarik Black Hellebore, &
c. And of ſecret Malignity, and diſagree-
ment
towards Mans Body, many times not appearing much in the taſte,
as
in Scammony, Machoacham, Antimony, &
c. And note well, that if there
be
any Medicine that Purgeth, and hath neither of the firſt two Manifeſt
Qualities
, is to be held ſuſpected as a kinde of Poyſon;
For that it worketh
either
by Corroſion, or by a ſecret Malignity, and Enmity to Nature;
and
thereſore
ſuch Medicines are warily to be prepared and uſed.
The quantity
of
that which is taken, doth alſo cauſe Purging, as we ſee in a great quan-
tity
of new Milk from the Cow, yea, and a great quantity of Meat:
4511Century I. Surfeits many times turn to Purges, both upwards and down wards. There-
fore
we ſee generally, that the working of Purging Medicines cometh two
or
three hours after the Medicines taken:
For that the Stomack firſt maketh a
proof
, whether it can concoct them.
And the like happeneth after Surfeits,
or
Milk in too great quantity.
A ſecond cauſe is Mordication of the Orifices of the Parts, eſpecially of
1137. the Meſentery Veins;
as it is ſeen, that Salt, or any ſuch thing that is ſharp and
biting
, put into the Fundament, doth provoke the part to expel, and Muſtard
provoketh
ſneezing;
and any ſharp thing to the eyes provoketh tears. And
therefore
weſee, that almoſt all Purgers have akinde of twitching and vel-
lication
, beſides the griping which cometh of wind.
And if this Mordi-
cation
be in an over-high degree, it is little better than the Coroſion of Poyſon;
and it cometh to paſs ſometimes in Antimony, eſpecially if it be given to
Bodies
not repleat with humors;
for where humors abound, the humors
ſave
the parts.
The third cauſe is Attraction: For I do not deny, but that Purging Me-
2238. dicines have in them a direct force of Attraction;
as Drawing-Plaiſters have
in
Surgery:
And we ſee Sage, or Bittony bruiſed, SneeZing-powder, and other pow-
ders
or Liquors (which the Phyſitians call Errhines) put into the Noſe, draw
Flegm
and Water from the Head;
and ſo it is in Apophlegmatiſms and Gar-
gariſms
that draw the Rheume down by the Palat.
And by this vertue, no
doubt
, ſome Purgers draw more one humor, and ſome another, according to
the
opinion received:
As Rubarb draweth Choler, Sean Melancholy, Aga-
rack
Flegm, &
c. but yet (more orleſs) they draw promiſcuouſly. And note
alſo
, that beſides Sympathy between the Purger and the Humor, there is alſo
another
cauſe, why ſome Medicines draw ſome humor more than another;
and it is, for that ſome Medicines work quicker than others; and they that
draw
quick, draw onely the lighter, and more fluid humors;
they that draw
ſlow
, work upon the more tough, and viſcuous humors.
And therefore,
men
muſt be ware how they take Rubarb, and the like, alone, familiarly;
for
it
taketh onely the lighteſt part of the humor away, and leaveth the Maſs
of
Humors more obſtinate.
And the like may be ſaid of Worm-wood, which
is
ſo much magniſied.
The fourth cauſe is Flatuoſity: For wind ſtirred, moveth to expel; and
3339. we finde that (in effect) all Purgers have in them a raw Spirit or Wind, which
is
the principal cauſe of Tortion in the Stomack and Belly.
And therefore
Purgers
leeſe (moſt of them) the virtue, by decoction upon the fire;
and for
that
cauſe are chiefly given in Infuſion, Juyce, or Powder.
The fifth cauſe is Compreßion or Cruſhing: As when Water is cruſhed
4440. out of a Spunge:
So we ſee that taking cold moveth looſneſs by contraction
of
the Skin, and outward parts;
and ſo doth Cold like wiſe cauſe Rheums
and
Defluctions from the Head, and ſome Aſtringent Plaiſters cruſh out pu-
rulent
Matter.
This kinde of operation is not found in many Medicines:
Mirabolanes have it, and it may be the Barks of Peaches; for this vertue re-
quireth
an Aſtriction, but ſuch an Aſtriction, as is not grateſul to the Body
(for a pleaſing Aſtriction doth rather binde in the humors, than ex-
pel
them:)
And therefore ſuch Aſtriction is found in things of an harriſh
taſt
e.
The ſixth cauſe is Lubrefaction and Relaxation: As we ſee in Medicines
5541. Emollient, ſuch as are Milk, Honey, Mallows, Lettuce, Mercurial, Pellitery of
the
Wall, and others.
There is alſo a ſecret vertue of Relaxation of Cold; for
the
heat of the Body bindeth the Parts and Humors together,
4612Natural Hiſtory; Cold, relaxeth: As it is ſeen in Vrine, Blood, Pottage, or the like; which, if they
be
cold, break and diſſolve.
And by this kinde of Relaxation, Fear looſneth
the
Belly;
becauſe the heat retiring in wards to wards the Heart, the Guts,
and
other parts are relaxed;
in the ſame manner as Fear alſo cauſeth trem-
bling
in the Sinews.
And of this kinde of Purgers are ſome Medicines made
of
Mercury.
The ſeventh cauſe is Abſterſion, which is plainly a ſcouring off, or Inciſion
1142. of the more viſcuous humors, and making the humors more fluid, and cutting
between
them, and the part;
as is found in Nitrous Water, which ſcoureth
Linnen-Cloth
(ſpeedily) from the foulneſs.
But this Inciſion muſt be by a
Sharpneß
, without Aſtriction;
which we finde in Salt, Wormwood, Oxymel, and
the
like.
There be Medicines that move Stools, andnot Vrine; ſome other Vrine,
2243. and not Stools.
Thoſe that Purgeby Stool, are ſuch as enter not at all, or little
into
the Meſentery Veins;
but either at the firſt, are not digeſtible by the
Stomack
, and therefore move immediately downwards to the Guts;
or elſe
are
afterwards rejected by the Meſentery Veins, and ſo turn likewiſe down-
wards
to the Guts;
and of theſe two kindes, are moſt Purgers. Butthoſe that
move
Vrine, are ſuch as are well digeſted of the Stomack, and well received
alſo
of the Meſentery Veins;
ſo they come as far as the Liver, which ſendeth
Vrine
to the Bladder, as the Whey of Blood:
And thoſe Medicines, being open-
ing
and piercing, do fortifie the operation of the Liver, in ſending down
the
Wheyey part of the Blood to the Reins.
For Medicines Vrinative do not
work
by rejection and indigeſtion, as Solutive do.
There be divers Medicines, which in greater quantity move Stool, and
3344. in ſmaller, Urine;
and ſo contrariwiſe, ſome that in greater quantity move
Urine
, and in ſmaller Stool.
Of the former ſortis Rubarb, and ſome others.
The cauſe is, for that Rubarb is a Medicine, which the Stomack in a ſmall
quantity
doth digeſt, and overcome (being not Flatuous nor Loathſome,)
and
ſo ſendethit to the Meſentery veins;
and ſo being opening, it helpeth down
Urine
:
But in a greater quantity, the Stomack cannot overcome it, and
ſo
it goeth to the Guts.
Pepper, by ſome of the Ancients, is noted to be of the
ſecond
ſort;
which being in ſmall quantity, moveth wind in the Stomack
or
Guts, and ſo expelled by Stool;
but being in greater quantity, diſſipateth
the
wind, and it ſelf getteth to the Meſentery Veins, and ſo to the Liver and
Reins
;
where, by Heating and Opening, it ſendeth down Urine more
plentifully
.
WE have ſpoken of Evacnating of the Body, we will now ſpeak ſome-
4445. thing of the filling of it by Reſtoratives in Conſumptions and Emaciating
55Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching

Meats
and
Drinks
that
are
moſt nou-
riſhing
.
Diſeaſes.
In Vetegables, there is one part that is more nouriſhing than
another
;
as Grains and Roots nouriſh more than the Leaves, inſomuch as
the
Order of the Foliatans was put down by the Pope, as finding Leaves un-
able
to nouriſh Mans Body.
Whether there be that difference in the
Fleſh
of Living Creatures, is not well enquired;
as whether Livers, and
other
Entrails, be not more nouriſhing than the outward Fleſh.
We finde
that
amongſt the Romans, a Gooſes Liver was a great delicacy;
inſomuch,
as
they had artificial means to make it fair, and great;
but whether it were
more
nouriſhing, appeareth not.
It is certain, that Marrow is more
nouriſhing
than Fat.
And I conceive, that ſome decoction of Bones and
Sinews
, ſtamped and well ſtrained, would be a very nouriſhing Broth:
We
finde
alſo, that Scotch Skinck (which is a Pottage of ſtrong nouriſhment)
4713Century I. made with the Knees and Sinews of Beef, but long boiled: Felly alſo, which
they
uſe for a Reſtorative, is chiefly made of Knuckles of Veal.
The Pulp,
that
is within the Crafiſh or Crab, which they ſpice and butter, is more
nouriſhing
then the fleſh of the Crab, or Crafiſh.
The Yolks of Eggs are
clearly
more nouriſhing than the Whites.
So that it ſhould ſeem, that the
parts
of Living Creatures that lie more in wards, nouriſh more than the out-
ward
fleſh;
except it be the Brain, which the Spitits prey too much upon, to
leave
it any great vertue of nouriſhing.
It ſeemeth for the nouriſhing of aged
Men
, or Men in Conſumptions, ſome ſuch thing ſhould be deviſed, as ſhould
be
half Chylus, before it be put into the ſtomach.
Take two large Capons, perboil them upon a ſoft fire, by the ſpace of
1146. an hour or more, till in effe ct all the Blood be gone.
Add in the decoction
the
Pill of a Sweet-Lemmon, or a good part of the Pill of a Citron, and a
little
Mace.
Cut off the Shanks, and throw them away; then with a good
ſtrong
Chopping-knife, mince the two Capons, Bones and all, as ſmall as
ordinary
minced Meat;
put them into a large neat Boulter, then take a Kil-
derkin
, ſweet, and well ſeaſoned, of four Gallons of Beer of Eight ſhillings
ſtrength
, new as it cometh from the Tunning;
make in the Kilderkin a great
Bung-hole
of purpoſe, then thurſt into it, the Boulter (in which the Capons
are
) drawn out in length;
let it ſteep in it three days and three nights, the
Bung-hole
open to work, then cloſe the Bung hole, and ſo let it continue a
day
and a half, then draw it into Bottles, and you may drink it well after
threedays
Bottling, and it will laſt ſix weeks (approved).
It drinketh freſh,
flowreth
, and mantleth exceedingly, it drinketh not newiſh at all, it is an
excellent
drink for a Conſumption to be drunk either alone, or carded with
ſome
other Beer.
It quencheth thirſt, and hath no whit of windineſs. Note,
that
it is not poſſible, that Meat and Bread, either in Broths, or taken with
Drink
, as is uſed, ſhould get forth into the Veins, and outward Parts, ſo
finely
, and eaſily, as when it is thus incorporate, and made almoſt a Chylus
aforehand
.
Tryal would be made of the like Brew with Potado-Roots, or Bur-Roots,
2247. or the Pith of Artichoaks, which are nouriſhing Meats:
It may betryed al-
ſo
, with other fleſh;
as Pheſant, Patridge, Young Pork, pig, Veniſon, eſpecially of
Young
Deer, &
c.
A Mortreß made with the Brawn of Capons, ſtamped, and ſtrained, and
3348. mingled (after it is made) with like quantity, at the leaſt, of Almond Butter, is
an
excellent Meat to nouriſh thoſe that are weak, better than Black-Manger
or
Jelly:
And ſo is the Cullice of Cocks, boiled thick with the like mixture of
Almond
Butter:
For the Mortreſs or Cullice of it ſelf, is more ſavory and
ſtrong
, and nor ſo fit for nouriſhing of weak Bodies, but the Almonds that
are
not of ſo high a taſte as fleſh, do excellently qualifie it.
Indian Maiz hath (of certain) an excellent Spirit of Nouriſhment, but it
4449. muſt be throughly boiled, and made into a Maiz-Cream like a Barley Cream.
I judge the ſame of Rice, made into a Cream; for Rice is in Turky, and other
Countreys
of the Eaſt, moſt fed upon, but it muſt be throughly boiled in re-
ſpect
of the hardneſs of it;
and alſo, becauſe otherwiſe it bindeth the Body
too
much.
Piſtachoes, ſo they be good and not muſty, joyned with Almonds in
5550. Almond Milk, or made into a Milk of themſelves, like unto Almond Milk,
but
more green, are an excellent nouriſher.
But you ſhall do well, to
add
a little Ginger ſcraped, becauſe they are not without ſome ſubtil windi-
neſs
.
4814Natural Hiſtory;
Milk warm from the Cow, is ſound to be a great nouriſher, and a good
1151. remedy in Conſumptions:
But then you muſt putintoit, when you Milk
the
Cow, two little Bags;
the one of Powder of Mint, the other of Powder
of
Red Roſes;
for they keep the Milk ſome what from turning, or crudling
in
the Stomack;
and put in Sugar alſo for the ſame cauſe, and partly for the
taſtes
ſake:
But you muſt drink a good draught, that it may ſtay leſs time
in
the Stomack, leſt it cruddle:
And let the Cup, into which you milk the
Cow
, be ſet in a greater Cup of hot Water, that you may take it warm.
And Cow-milk thus prepared, I judge to be better for a Conſumption, than
Aß-milk
, which (it is true) turneth not ſo eaſily, but it is a little harſh:

Marry
it is more proper for ſharpneſs of Urine, and Exulceration of the
Bladder
, and all manner of Lenifyings.
Womens-milk like wiſe is preſcribed,
when
all fail;
but I commend it not, as being a little too near the Juyce of
Mans
Body, to be a good nouriſher;
except it be in Infants, to whom it is
natural
.
Oyl of ſweet Almonds newly drawn, with Sugar and a little Spice, ſpred
2252. upon Bread toſted, is an excellent nouriſher;
but then to keep the Oyl from
frying
in the Stomack, you muſt drink a good draught of Milde-Beer after
it
;
and to keep it from relaxing the Stomack too much, you muſt put in a
little
Powder of Cinnamon.
The Yolks of Eggs are of themſelves ſo well prepared by Natmre for nou-
3353. riſhment, as (ſo they be Potched, or Rear boyled) they need no other pre-
paration
or mixture;
yet they may be taken alſo raw, when they are new
laid
, with Malmſey or Sweet Wine.
You ſhall do well to put in ſome few ſlices
of
Eringium Roots, and a little Amber-greece:
For by this means, beſides the
immediate
faculty of nouriſhment, ſuch drink will ſtrengthen the Back, ſo
that
it will not draw down the Urine too faſt.
For too much Urine doth al-
ways
hinder nouriſhment.
Mincing of Meat, as in Pies, and Buttered minced Meat, ſaveth the grind-
4454. ing of the Teeth;
and therefore (no doubt) it is more nouriſhing, eſpecially
in
Age, or to them that have weak Teeth;
but the Butter is not ſo proper
for
weak Bodies, and therefore it were good to moiſten it with a little
Claret
Wine, Pill of Lemmon or Orenge cut ſmall, Sugar, and a very little
Cinnamon
, or Nutmeg.
As for Chuets, which are like wiſe Minced-meat;
inſtead of Butter, and Fat, it were good to moiſten them, partly with Cream,
or
Almond, or Piſtachomilk, or Barley, or Maiz Cream;
adding a little Co-
riander-ſeed
, and Carraway-ſeed, and a very little Saffron.
The more full
handling
of Alimentation, we reſerve to the due place.
We have hitherto handled the Particulars, which yield heſt, and eaſieſt, and plentifulleſt,
Nourishment
;
and now we will ſpeak of the beſt Means of conveying, and convert-
ing
the Nourishment.
The firſt Means is to procure, that the Nouriſhment may not be robbed
5555. and drawn away;
wherein that which we have already ſaid, is very mate-
rial
, to provide, that the Reins draw not too ſtrongly an over-great part
of
the Blood into Urine.
To this add that Precept of Ariſtotle, That Wine
be
forborn in all Conſumptions;
for that the Spirits of the Wine do prey
upon
the Roſcide Juyce of the Body, and inter-common with the Spirits of
the
Body, and ſo deceive and rob them of their Nouriſhment.
And therefore
if
the Conſumption, growing from the weakneſs of the Stomack, do force
you
to uſe Wine;
let it always be burnt, that the quicker Spirits may evapo-
rate
, or (at the leaſt) quenched with two little Wedges of Gold, fix or ſeven
times
repeated, Add alſo this Proviſion, that there be not too much
4915Century I. of the nouriſhment, by Exhaling and Sweating: And tnerefore if the Patient
be
apt to ſweat, it muſt be gently reſtrained.
But chiefly Hipocrates Rule is to
be
followed, who adviſeth quite contrary to that which is in uſe:
Namely,
That
the Linnen or Garment next the Fleſh, be in Winter dry and oft
changed
;
and in Summer ſeldom changed, and ſmeared over with Oyl:
For certain it is, that any ſubſtance that is fat, doth a little fill the Pores of
the
Body and ſtay Sweat in ſome degree.
But the more cleanly way is to
have
the Linnen ſmeared lightly over with Oyl of ſweet Almonds, and not
to
forbear ſhifting as oft as is fit.
The ſecond Means is to ſend forth the nouriſhment into the parts more
1156. ſtrongly, for which, the working muſt be by ſtrengthning of the Stomack;
and in this, becauſe the Stomack is chiefly comforted by Wine and hot
things
, which otherwiſe hurt, it is good to reſort to outward applications to
the
Stomack:
Wherein it hath been tryed, that the Quilts of Roſes, Spices,
Maſtick
, Wormwood, Mint, &
c. are not ſo helpful, as to take a Cake of
New
Bread, and to bedew it with a little Sack or Alegant, and to dry it, and
after
it be dryed alittle before the Fire, to put it within a clean Napkin,
and
to lay it to the Stomack:
For it is certain, that all Flower hath a po-
tent
Vertue of Aſtriction, inſomnch, as it hardneth a piece of Fleſh, or a
Flower
that is laid in it.
And therefore a Bag quilted with Bran, is like wiſe
very
good, but it dryeth ſomewhat too much, and therefore it muſtnot lie
long
.
The third Means (which may be a branch of the former) is to ſend
2257. forth the nouriſhment the better by ſleep.
For weſee, that Bears and other
Creatures
that ſleep in the Winter, was exceeding fat:
And certain it is, (as
it
is commonly believed) that Sleep doth nouriſh much, both for that the
Spirits
do leſs ſpend the nouriſhment in Sleep, than when living Creatures
are
awake:
And becauſe (that which is to the preſent purpoſe) it helpeth
to
thruſt out the nouriſhment into the parts.
Therefore in aged-men, and
weak
Bodies, and ſuch as abound not with Choler, aſhort ſleep aſter dinner
doth
help to nouriſh;
for in ſuch Bodies there is no fear of an over-haſty
digeſtion
, which is the inconvenience of Poſt-meridian Sleeps.
Sleep alſo in
the
morning, after the taking of ſomewhat of eaſie digeſtion;
as Milk from
the
Cow, nouriſhing Broth, or the like, doth further nouriſhment:
But this
would
be done ſitting upright, that the Milk or Broth may paſs the more
ſpeedily
to the bottom of the Stomack.
The fourth Means is to provide that the parts themſelves may draw to
3358. them the nouriſhment ſtrongly.
There is an excellent obſervation of Ari-
ſtotle
, that a great reaſon why Plants (ſome of them) are of greater age than
Living
Creatures is, for that they yearly put forth new Leaves and Boughs;
whereas Living Creatures put forth (after their period of growth) nothing
that
is young, but Hair and Nails, which are Excrements, and no Parts.

And
it is moſt certain, that whatſoever is young, doth draw nouriſhment
better
, than that which is old;
and then (that which is the myſtery of
that
obſervation) young Boughs and Leaves, calling the Sap up to them,
the
ſame nouriſheth the Body in the Paſſage.
And this we ſee notably pro-
ved
alſo, in that the oft outting or polling of Hedges, Trecs, and Herbs, doth
conduce
much to their laſting.
Transfer therefore this obſervation to the
helping
of nouriſhment in Living Creatures:
The Nobleſt and Principal
Uſe
whereof is, for the Prolongation of Life;
Reſtauration of ſomc de-
gree
of Youth, and Inteneration of the Parts:
For certain it is, that there
are
in Living Creatures Parts that nouriſh and repair eaſily, and parts
5016Natural Hiſtory; nouriſh and repair hardly; and you muſt refreſh, and renew thoſe that are
eaſie
to nouriſh, that the other may be re reſhed, and (as it were) drink in
nouriſhment
in the paſſage.
Now we ſee that Draught Oxen put into good
Paſture
, recover the Fleſh of young Beef;
and Men after long emaciating
Diets
, wax plump and fat, and almoſt new:
So that you may ſurely conclude,
that
the frequent and wiſe uſe of thoſe emaciating Diets, and of Purgings;
and perhaps of ſome kinde of Bleeding, is a principal means of prolonga-
tion
of life, and reſtoring ſome degree of Youth:
For as we have often ſaid,
Death
cometh upon Living Creatures like the Torment of Mezentius,
Mortua quinetiam jungebat corpora vivis,
Component
Manibuſque Man{us}, atque orib{us} ora.
For the parts in Mans body eaſily repairable (as Spirits, Blood, and Fleſh)
die
in the embracement of the parts hardly repairable as Bones, Nerves,
and
Membranes) and like wiſe ſome Entrails (which they reckon amongſt
the
Spermatical Parts) are hard to repair:
Though that diviſion of Sper-
matical
and Menſtrual Parts, be but a conceit.
And this ſame obſervation
alſo
may be drawn to the preſent purpoſe of nouriſhing emaciated Bodies:
And therefore Gentle Frication draweth forth the nouriſhment, by making
the
parts a little hungry and heating them, whereby they call forth nouriſh-
ment
the better.
This Frication I wiſh to be done in the morning. It is
alſo
beſt done by the Hand, or apiece of Scarlet-Wool, wet a little with
Oyl
of Almonds, mingled with a ſmall quantity of Bay-Salt, or Saffron:
We
ſee
that the very Currying of Horſes doth make them fat, and in good
liking
.
The fifth means is, to further the very act of Aßimilation of Nourish-
1159. ment;
which is done by ſome outward emollients, that make the parts more
apt
to Aſſimilate.
For which I have compounded an ointment of excellent
odor
, which I call Roman ointment, vide the Receit.
The uſe of it would be
between
ſleeps;
forin the latter ſleep, the parts aſſimulate chiefly.
THere be many Medicines, which by themſelves would do no cure, but
2260. perhaps hurt, but being applied in a certain order, one aſter another,
33Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Filam
Medi-
cinale
.
do great cures.
I have tried (my ſelf) a Remedy for the Gout, which hath
ſeldom
failed, but driven it away in Twenty four hours ſpace:
It is firſt to
apply
a Pultaß, of which, vide the Receit, and then a Bath or Fomentation,
of
which, vide the Receit, and then a Plaiſter, vide the Receit.
The Pultaß
relaxed
the Pores, and maketh the humor apt to exhale.
The Fomentation
calleth
forth the Humor by Vapors;
but yet in regard of the way made by
the
Pultaß, draweth gently;
and therefore draweth the Humors out, and
doth
not draw more to it:
For it is a gentle Fomentation, and hath withal
a
mixture (though very little) of ſome ſtupefactive.
The Plaiſter is a
moderate
Aſtringent Plaiſter, which repelleth new humor from falling.
The Pultaß alone would make the part more ſoft and weak, and apter to take
the
defluxion and impreſſion of the Humor.
The Fomentation alone, if it
were
too weak, without way made by the Pultaß, would draw forth little;

if
too ſtrong, it would draw to the part, as well as draw from it.
The Plaiſter
alone
would pen the Humor already contained in the part, and ſo exaſpe-
rate
it, as well as forbid new Humor;
therefore they muſt be all taken in
order
, as is ſaid:
The Pultaß is to be laid to for two or three hours; the
Fomentation
for a quarter of an hour, or ſomewhat better, being uſed hot,
and
ſeven or eight times repeated;
the Plaiſter to continue on ſtill, till the
part
be well confirmed.
5117Century I.
THere is a ſecret way of Cure, unpractiſed by Aſſuetude of that which
1161. in itſelf hurteth.
Poyſons have been made by ſome Familiar, as hath
22Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Cure
by Cu-
ſtom
.
been ſaid.
Ordinary Keepers of the ſick of the Plague, are ſeldom infected.
Enduring of Tortures, by cuſtom hath been made more eaſie: The brook-
ing
of enormous quantity of Meats, and ſo of Wine, or ſtrong drink, hath
been
by cuſtom made to be without Surfeit or Drunkenneſs.
And generally
Diſeaſes
that are Chronical, as Coughs, Phihiſicks, ſome kinde of Palſies,
Lunacies
, &
c. are moſt dangerous at the firſt: Therefore a wiſe Phyſitian will
conſider
, whcther a Diſeaſe be incurable, or whether the juſt cure of it be
not
full of peril;
and if he finde it to be ſuch, let him reſort to Palliation,
and
alleviate the Symptom without buſying himſelf too much with the
perfect
cure:
And many times (if the Patient be indecd patient) that courſe
will
exceed all expectation.
Likewiſe the Patient himſelf may ſtrive, by
little
and little to overcome the Symptom in the Exacerbation, and ſo by
time
turn ſuffering into Nature.
DIvers Diſeaſes, eſpecially Chronical, (ſuch as Quartan Agues) are ſome-
3362. times cured by Surfeit and Exceſſes;
as exceſs of Meat, exceſs of Drink,
44Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Cure
by Ex-
ceß
.
extraordinary Faſting, extraordinary ſtirring, or Laſſitude, and the like.
The cauſe is, for that Diſeaſes of continuance, get an adventitious ſtrength
from
Cultom, beſides their material cauſe from the Humors:
So that the
breaking
of the Cuſtom doth leave them onely to their firſt cauſe;
which,
if
it be any thing weak, will fall off.
Beſides, ſuch Exceſſes do excite and ſpur
Nature
, which thereupon riſeth more forcibly againſt the Diſeaſe.
THere is in the Body of Man, a great conſentin the Motion of the ſeveral
5563. parts:
We ſee it is Childrens ſport, to prove whether they can rub up-
66Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Cure
by Mo-
tion
of Conſent.
on their Breſt with one hand, and pat upon their Forehead with another;
and ſtraight ways they ſhall ſometimes rub with both hands, or pat with
both
hands.
We ſee, that when the Spirits that come to the Noſtrils, ex-
pel
a bad ſent, the Stomack is ready to expel by vomit.
We finde that in
Conſumptions
of the Lungs, when Nature cannotexpel by Cough, Men fall into
Fluxes
of the Belly, and then they die.
So in Peſtilent Diſeaſes, if they can-
not
be expelled by Sweat, they fall like wiſe into Looſneß, and that is common-
ly
Mortal.
Therefore Phyſitians ſhould ingeniouſly contrive, how by Mo-
tions
that are in their power, they may excite inward Motions that are not
in
their power, by conſent;
as by the ſtench of Feathers, or the like, they
cure
the riſing of the Mother.
HIppocrates Aphoriſm, in Morbis Minus, is a good profound Aphoriſm. It im-
7764. porteth, that Diſeaſes contrary to the Complexion, Age, Sex, Seaſon of
88Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Cure
of Diſ-
caſes
which are
contrary
to
Prediſpoſition
.
the year, Diet, &
c. are more dangerous than thoſe that are concurrent. A
Man
would think it ſhould be otherwiſe;
For that when the Accident of
Sickneſs
, and the Natural diſpoſition, do ſecond the one the other;
the
Diſeaſe
ſhould be more forcible.
And (ſo no doubt) it is, if you ſuppoſe like
quantity
of Matter.
But that which maketh good the Aphoriſm, is, becauſe
ſuch
Diſeaſes do ſhew a greater collection of Matter, by that they are able
to
overcome thoſe Natural inclinations to the contrary.
And therefore in
Diſeaſes
of that kinde, let the Phyſitian apply him ſelf more to Purgation, than
to
Alteration;
becauſe the offence is in the quantity, and the qualities are
rectified
of themſelves.
5218Natural Hiſtory;
PHyſitians do wiſely preſcribe, that there be Preparatives uſed before Juſt
1165. Purgations;
for certain it is, that Purgers do many times great hurt, if
22Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Preparations

before
Purg-
ing
, and ſet-
ling
of the
Body
afier-
ward
.
the Body be not accommodated, both before and after the Purging.
The
hurt
that they do, for want of Preparation before Purging, is by the ſtick-
ing
of the Humors, and their not coming fair away;
which cauſeth in the
Body
great perturbations, and ill accidents, during the Purging;
and alſo
the
diminiſhing and dulling of the working of the Medicine it ſelf, that it
purgeth
not ſufficiently:
Therefore the work of Preparation is double, to
make
the Humors fluide and mature, and to make the paſſages more open;
For thoſe both help to make the Humors paſs readily: And for the former
of
theſe, Syrups are moſt profitable;
and for the latter, Apozums or Preparing
Broths
;
Clyſters alſo help leſt the Medicine ſtop in the Guts, and work griping-
ly
.
But it is true, that Bodies abounding with Humors, and fat Bodies,
and
open Weather, are Preparatives in themſelves;
becauſe they make the
Humors
more fluid:
But let a Phyſician beware how he purge after hard
Froſty
Weather, and in a lean Body, without Preparation.
For the hurt
that
they may do after Purging, it is cauſed by the lodging of ſome Humors
in
ill places;
for it is certain, that there be Humors which ſome where
placed
in the Body, are quiet, and do little hurt;
in other places (eſpecially
Paſſages
) do much miſchief.
Therefore it is good after Purging, to uſe
Apozums
and Broths, not ſo much opening as thoſe uſed before Purging,
but
Abſturſive and Mundifying Clyſters alſo are good to conclude with, to
draw
away the relicks of the Humors that may have deſcended to the lower
region
of the Body.
BLood is ſtanched divers ways: Firſt, by Aſtringents and Repercuſſive
3366. Medicines.
Secondly, by drawing of the Spirits and Blood in wards,
44Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Stanching
of
Blood
.
which is done by cold;
as Iron or a Stone laid to the Neck doth ſtanch the
Bleeding
of the Noſe;
alſo it hath been tried, that the Teſticlcs being put
into
ſharp Vinegar, hath made a ſudden receſs of the Spirits, and ſtanched
Blood
.
Thirdly, by the Receſs of the Blood by Sympathy; ſo it hath been
tried
, that the part that bleedeth, being thruſt into the body of a Capon,
Sheep
, new ript and bleeding, hath ſtanched Blood;
the Blood, as it ſeem-
eth
, ſucking and drawing up, by ſimilitude of ſubſtance, the Blood it meet-
eth
with, and ſo it ſelf going back.
Fourthly, by Cuftom and Fime; ſo the
Prince
of Aurange, in his firſthurt by the Spaniſh Boy, could ſinde no means
to
ſtanch the Blood, either by Medicine or Ligament, but was fain to have
the
Oriſice of the Wound ſtopped by Mens Thumbs, ſucceeding one an-
other
for the ſpace at the leaſt of two days;
and at the laſt the Blood by
cuſtom
onely retired.
There is a fifth way alſo in uſe, to let Blood in an ad-
verſe
part for a Revulſion.
IT helpeth, both in Medicine and Aliment, to change and not to continne
5567. the ſame Medicine and Aliment ſtill.
The cauſe is, for that Nature by con-
66Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Change
of A-
liments
and
Medicines
.
tinualuſe of anything, groweth to a ſatiety and dulneſs, either of Appetite
or
Working.
And we ſee that Aſſuetude of things hurtful, doth make
them
leeſe their force to hurt;
As Poyſon, which with uſe ſome have brought
themſelves
to brook.
And therefore it is no marvel, though things help-
ful
by cuſtom, leeſe their force to help, I count intermiſſion almoſt the
ſame
thing with change;
for that, that hath been intermitted, is after a ſort
new
.
5319Century I.
IT is found by Experience, that in Diets of Guiacum, Sarza, and the like,
1168. (eſpecially, if they be ſtrict) the Patient is more troubled in the beginning
22Experiment)
Solitary
,
touching

Diets
.
than aſter continuance;
which hath madeſome of the more delicate ſort
of
Patients, give them over in the midſt;
Suppoſing, that if thoſe Diets
trouble
them ſo much at firſt, they ſhall not be able to endure them to the
end
.
But the cauſe is, for that all thoſe Diets, to dry up Humors, Rheums,
and
the like;
and they cannot dry up until they have firſt attenuated: And
while
the Humor is attenuated, it is more fluid, than it was before, and
troubleth
the Body a great deal more, until it be dryed up, and conſumed.
And therefore Patients muſt expect a due time, and not check at them at
the
firſt.
THe producing of Cold is a thing very worthy the Inquiſition, both for
33Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
Production
of
Cold
.
uſe and diſcloſure of cauſes.
For Heat and Cold are Natures two hands,
whereby
ſhe chiefly worketh;
and Heat we have in readineſs, in reſpect of
the
Fire:
But for Cold, we muſt ſtay tillit cometh, or ſeek it in deep Caves,
or
high Mountains;
and when all is done, we cannot obtain it in any great
degree
:
For Furnaces of Fire are far hotter than a Summers Sun, but
Vaults
or Hills are not much colder than a Winters Froſt.
The firſt means of producing Cold, is that which Nature preſenteth us
4469. withal;
namely, the expiring of Cold out of the inward parts of the Earth
in
Winter, when the Sun hath no power to overcome it;
the Earth being
(as hath been noted by ſome (Primum Frigidum.)
This hath been aſſerted, as
well
by Ancient, as by Modern Philoſophers:
It was the tenet of Parmenides it
was
the opinion of the Author of the Diſcourſe in Plutarch, (for I take it, that
Book
was not Plutarchs own) De primo Frigido.
It was the opinion of Tele-
ſius
, who hath renewed the Philoſophy of Parmenides, and is the beſt of the
Noveliſts
.
The ſecond cauſe of Cold is, the contact of cold Bodies; for Cold is
5570. Active and Tranſitive into Bodies adjacent, as well as Heat;
which is ſeen
in
thoſe things that are touched with Snow or cold Water.
And therefore,
whoſoever
will be an Enquirer into Nature, let him reſort to a Conſervatory
of
Snow and Ice;
ſuch as they uſe of delicacy, to cool Wine in Summer:
Which is a poor and contemptible uſe, in reſpect of other uſes that may be
made
of ſuch Conſervatories.
The third cauſe is the Primary Nature of all Tangible Bodies; for it
6671. is well to be noted, That all things whatſoever (Tangible are of themſelves)
Cold
;
except they have an acceſſory heat by Fire, Life, or Motion: For
even
the Spirit of Wine, or Chymical Oyls, which are ſo hot in operation,
are
to the firſt touch, Cold;
and Air it ſelt compreſſed, and condenſed a
little
by blowing, is Cold.
The fourth cauſe is, the Denſity of the Body; for alldenſe Bodies are
7772. colder than moſt other Bodies, as Mettals, Stone, Glaß, and they are longer
in
heating than ſafter Bodies.
And it is certain, that Earth, Denſe, Tangable,
hold
all of the Nature of Cold:
The cauſe is, for that all Matters Tangible
being
Cold, it muſt needs follow, that where the Matter is moſt congregate
the
Cold is the greater.
The fiſth cauſe of Cold, or rather of increaſe and vehemency of Cold, is
8873. A quick Spirit incloſed in a cold Body;
as will appear to any that ſhall atten-
tively
conſider of Nature in many inſtances.
We ſee Nitre (which hath
a
quick Spirit) is Cold, more cold to the Tongue than a Stone;
ſo
5420Natural Hiſtory; is coldèr than Oyl, becaufe it hath a quicker Spirit; for all Oyl, though it
hath
the tangible parts better digeſted than Water, yet hath it a duller Spirit:
So Snow is colder than Water, becauſe it hath more Spirit within it: So
we
ſee that Salt put to Ice (as in the producing of the Artiſicial Ice) encrea-
ſeth
the activity of cold:
So ſome Inſecta which have Spirit of Life, as
Snakes
and Silkworms, are to the touch, Cold.
So Quick-ſilver is the col@eſt of
Metals
, becauſe it is fulleſt of Spirit.
The ſixth cauſe of Cold is, the chaſſing and driving away of Spirits,
1174. ſuch as have ſome degree of Heat;
for the baniſhing of the Heat muſt
needs
leave any Body cold.
This we ſee in the operation of Opium, and Stu-
pefactives
upon the Spirits of Living Creatures;
and it were not amiſs to try
Opium
by laying it upon the top of a Weather-Glaß, to ſee whether it will
contract
the Air;
but I doubt it will not ſuceed: For beſides that, the ver-
tue
of Opium will hardly penetrate thorow ſuch a body as Glaſs, I conceive
that
Opium, and the like, make the Spirits flie rather by Malignity, than by
Cold
.
Seventhly, the ſame effect muſt follow upon the exhaling or drawing
2275. out of the warni Spirits, that doth upon the flight of the Spirits.
There is
an
opinion, that the Moon is Magnetical of Heat, as the Sun is of Cold and
Moiſture
:
It were not amiſs therefore to try it with warm waters; the one
expoſed
to the Beams of the Moon, the other with ſome skreen betwixt
the
Beams of the Moon and the Water:
As we uſe to the Sun for ſhade,
and
to ſee whether the former will cool ſooner.
And it were alſo good
to
enquire, what other means there may be, to draw forth the Exile heat
which
is in the Air;
for that may be a ſecret of great power to produce
cold
Weather.
WE have formerly ſet down the Means of turning Air into Water, in
33Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
Verſion
and
Tranſmutation

of
the Air in
to
Water.
the Experiment 27.
But becauſe it is Magnale Naturæ, and tendeth to
the
ſubduing of a very great effect, and is alſo of manifold uſe:
We will
adde
ſome inſtances in Conſort that give light thereunto.
It is teported by ſome of the Ancients, that Sailers have uſed every
4476. night, to bang Fleeces of Wool on the ſides of their Ships, the Wool to-
wards
the Water;
and that they have cruſhed freſh water out of them, in
the
Morning, for their uſe.
And thus much we have tried, that a quantity
of
Wool tied looſe together, being let down into a deep Well;
and
hanging
in the middle, ſome three Fathom from the Water for a night, in
the
Winter time, increaſed in weight, (as I now remember) to a fifth
Part
.
It is reported by one of the Ancients, that in Lydia, near Pergamus,
5577. there were certain Workmen in time of Wars, fled into Caves;
and the
Mouth
of the Caves being ſtopped by the Enemies, they were famiſhed.
But long time after, the dead Bodies were found, and ſome Veſſels which
they
had carried with them, and the Veſſels full of Water;
and that Wa-
ter
thicker, and more towards Ice, than common Water;
which is a notable
inſtance
of Condenſation and Induration by Burial under Earth (in Caves) for
long
time;
and of Verſion alſo (as it ſhould ſeem) of the Air into Water;
if
any of thoſe Veſſels were empty.
Try therefore a ſmall Bladder hung in
Snow
, and the like in Nitre, and the like in Quick-ſilver:
And if you finde
5555[Handwritten note 55] the Bladders faln or ſhrunk, you may be ſure the Air is condenſed by the
Cold
of thoſe Bodies, as it would be in a Cave under Earth.
5521Century I.
It is reported of very good credit, that in the Eaſt-Indies if you ſet a
1178. Tub of Water open in a Room where Cloves are kept, it will be drawn dry
in
Twenty four hours, though it ſtand at ſome diſtant from the Cloves.
In the Countrey, they uſe many times in deceit, when their Wooll is new
ſhorn
, to ſet ſome Pails of Water by in the ſame Room, to encreaſe
the
weight of the Wooll:
But it may be, that the Heat of the Wool re-
maining
from the Body of the Sheep, or the heat gathered by the lying
cloſe
of the Wool, helpeth to draw the watry vapor;
but that is nothing to
the
Verſion.
It is reported alſo credibly, that Wool new ſhorn, being laid caſually
2279. upon a Veſſel of Verjuice, after ſome time hath drunk up a great part of the
Verjuice
, though the Veſſel were whole without any flaw, and had not the
Bung-hole
open.
In this inſtance there is (upon the by) to be noted, the
Percolation
or Suing of the Verjuice thorow the Wood;
for Verjuice of it ſelf
would
never have paſſed through the Wood:
So, as it ſeemeth, it muſt be
firſt
in a kinde of vapor before it paſs.
It is eſpecially to be noted, that the cauſe that doth facilitate the Ver-
3380. ſion of Air into Water, when the Air is not in groſs, but ſubtilly mingled
with
tangible Bodies, is, (at hath been partly touched before) for that tan-
gible
Bodies have an antipathy with Air;
and if they finde any Liquid Body
that
is more denſe nearthem, they will draw it;
and after they have drawn
it
, they will condente it more, and in effect incorporateit:
For we ſee that
a
Spunge, or Wooll, or Sugar, or a Woollen-cloth, being put but in part, in
Water
or Wine, will draw the Liquor higher, and beyond the place, where
the
Water or Wine cometh.
We ſee alſo, that Wood, Lute-ſtrings, and the like,
do
ſwell in moiſt ſeaſons;
as appeareth by the breaking of the ſtrings, the
hard
turning of the Pegs, and the hard drawing forth of Boxes, and opening
of
Wainſcot doors, which is a kinde of infuſion;
and is much like to an in-
fuſion
in Water, which will make Wood to ſwell;
as we ſee in the filling of
the
Chops of Bowls by laying them in Water.
But for that part of theſe
Experiments
, which concerneth Attraction we will reſerve into the proper Title
of
Attraction.
There is alſo a Verſion of Airinto Water, ſeeing in the ſweating of Mar-
4481. bles, and other Stones;
and of Wainſcot before, and in moiſt weather. This
muſt
be, either by ſome moiſture the Body yieldeth, or elſe by the moiſt Air
thickned
againſt the hard Body.
But it is plain, that it is the latter; for that
we
ſee Wood painted with Oyl-colour, will ſoonergather drops in a moiſt
night
, than Wood alone;
which is cauſed by the ſmoothneſs and cloſeneſs,
which
letteth in no part of the vapor, and ſo turneth it back and thickneth
it
into Dew.
We ſee alſo, that breathing upon a Glaſs, or ſmooth Body,
giveth
a Dew;
and in Froſty mornings (ſuch as we call Rime Froſts) you
ſhall
finde drops of Dew upon the inſide of Glaſs-windows:
And the Froſt
it
ſelf upon the ground, is but a Verſion or Condenſation of the moiſt va-
pors
of the night, into a watry ſubſtance:
Dews likewiſe, and Rain, are but
the
returns of moiſt vapors condenſed;
the Dew, by the cold onely of
the
Suns departure, which is the gentler cold;
Rains, by the cold of that
which
they call the Middle Region of the Air, which is the more violent
Cold
.
It is very probable (as hath been touched) that that which will turn
5582. Water into Ice, will likewiſe turn Air ſome degree nearer unto Water.
Therefore try the Experiment of the Artificial turning Water into Ice
(where of we ſhall ſpeak in another place) with Air in place of Water,
5622Natural Hiſtory; the Ice aboutit. And although it be a greater alteration to turn Air into
Water
, than Waterinto Ice;
yet there is this hope, that by continuing the
Air
longer time, the effect will follow;
for that artificial converſion of
Waterinto
Ice, is the work of a few hours;
and this of Air may be tried by
a
moneths ſpace, or the like.
INduration or Lapidification of Subſtances more ſoft, is like wiſe another de-
11Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching

Induration
of
Bedies
.
gree of Condenſation, and is a great alteration in Nature.
The effect-
ing
and accelerating thereof, is very worthy to be enquired it is effected by
three
means.
The firſtis by Cold, whofe property is to condenſe, and conſtipate, as
hath
been ſaid.
The ſecond is by Heat, which is not proper but by conſequence; for
the
heat doth attenuate, and by attenuation doth ſend forth the Spirit, and
moiſter
part of a Body;
and upon that, the more groſs of the tangible parts
do
contract and ſerve themſelves together;
both to avoid Vacuum (as they
call
it) and alſo to munite themſelves againſt the force of the Fire, which
they
have ſuffered.
And the third is by Aſſimilation, when a hard Body aſſimilateth a ſoft,
being
contiguous to it.
The examples of Induration taking them promiſcuouſly, are many: As
the
Generation of Stones within the Earth, which at the ſirſt are but Rude
Earth
or Clay;
and ſo of Minerals, which come (no doubt) at firſt of
Juyces
Concrete, which after ward indurate:
And ſo of Porcellane, which is
an
Artificial Cement, buried in the Earth a long time;
and ſo the making
of
Brick and Tile;
alſo the making of Glaß, of a certain Sand and Brake-Roots,
and
ſome other matters;
alſo the Exudations of Rock Diamonds and Cbryſtal,
which
harden with time;
alſo the Induration of Bead-Amber, which at ſirſtis a
ſoſt
ſubſtance, as appeareth by the Flies and Spiders, which are found in it,
and
many more.
But we will ſpeak of them diſtinctly.
For Indurations by Cold, there befew Trials of it; for we have no ſtrong
2283. orintenſe cold here on the ſurface of the Earth, ſo near the Beams of the
Sun
and the Heavens, the likelieſt tryal is by Snow and Ice;
for as Snow
and
Ice, eſpecially being holpen, and their cold activated by Nitre or
Salt
, will turn Water into Ice, and that in a few hours:
So it may be it
will
turn Wood or ſtiff Clay into Stone in longertime.
Put therefore into
a
Conſerving Pit of Snow and Ice, (adding ſome quantity of Salt and
Nitre
) a piece of Wood, or a piece of tough Clay, and let it lie a moneth
or
more.
Another tryal is by Metalline VVaters, which have virtual Cold in them.
3384. Put therefore Wood or Clay into Smiths water, or other Metalline water, and
try
whether it will not harden in ſome reaſonable time.
But I underſtand
it
of Metalline waters, that come by waſhing or quenching, and not of Strong
Waters
that come by diſſolution;
for they are too Corroſive to conſo-
lidate
.
It is already found, that there are ſome Natural Spring-waters that will
4485. inlapidate Wood;
ſo as you ſhall ſee one piece of Wood, where of the part
above
the Water ſhall continue Wood;
and the part under the Water, ſhall
be
turned into a kinde of Gravelly Stone.
It is likely thoſe Waters are of
ſome
Metalline Mixture;
but there would be more particular inquiry made
of
them.
It is certain, that an Egg was found, having lain many years in
5723Century I. bottom of a Moat, where the Earth had ſomewhat overgrown it: And
this
Egg was come to the hardneſs of a ſtone, and had the colours of the
White
and Yolk perfect;
and the Shell ſhining in ſmall Grains, like Sugar
or
Alablaſter.
Another Experience there is of Induration by Cold, which is already found,
1186. which is, That Metals themſelves are hardned by often heating, and quench-
ing
in Cold-water:
For Cold ever worketh moſt potently upon Heat pre-
cedent
.
For Induration by Heat, it muſt be conſidered, That Heat, by the exha
2287. ling of the moiſter parts, doth either harden the Body;
as in Bricks, Tiles,
&
c. Or if the Heat be more fierce, maketh the groſſer part of it ſelſ, run and
melt
;
as in the making of ordinary Glaſs, and in the Vitrification of Earth,
(as we ſee in the inner parts of Furnaces) and in the Vitrification of Brick,
and
of Metals.
And in the former of theſe, which is the hardning by
Baking
, without Melting, the Heat hath theſe degrees:
Firſt, It Indu-
rateth
, and then maketh Fragile;
and laſtly, It doth Incinerate and Calci-
nate
.
But if you deſire to make an Induration with Toughneß, and leſs Fragility,
3388. a middle way would be taken, which is that which Ariſtotle hath well
noted
, but would be throughly verified.
It is, to decoct Bodies in Water
for
two or three days;
but they muſt be ſuch Bodies, into which the
Water
will not enter;
as Stone and Metal. For if they be Bodies, into
which
the Water will enter, then long ſeething will rather ſoften than in-
durate
them, as hath been tried in Eggs, &
c. Therefore, ſofter Bodies
muſt
be put into Bottles, and the Bottles hung into Water ſeething, with
the
Mouths open above the Water, that no Water may get in:
For by this
Means
, the Virtual Heat of the Water will enter;
and ſuch a Heat, as will
not
make the Body aduſt or fragile:
But the Subſtance of the Water will
be
ſhut out.
This Experiment we made, and it ſorted thus, It was tryed
with
a piece of Free-ſtone, and with Pewter, put into the Water at large;
the
Free-ſtone
we found received in ſome Water;
for it was ſofter and eaſier to
ſcrape
, than a piece of the ſame ſtone kept dry.
But the Pewter, into which
no
Water could enter, became more white, and liker to Silver, and leſs flexi-
ble
by much.
There were alſo put into an Earthen Bottle, placed as before, a
good
pellet of Clay, a piece of Cheeſe, a piece of Chalk, and a piece of Free-
ſtone
.
The Clay came forth almoſt of the hardneſs of Stone: The Cheeſe
likewiſe
very hard, and not well to be cut:
The Chalk and the Free ſtone
much
harder then they were.
The colour of the Clay inclined not a whit to
the
colour of Brick, but rather to white, asin ordinary drying by the Sun.
Note, that all the former tryals were made by a boyling upon a good hot fire,
rene
wing the Water as it conſumed, with other hot Water;
but the boyling
was
but for Twelve hours onely:
And it is like, that the Experiment would
have
been more effectual, if the boyling had been fortwo or three days, as
we
preſcribed before.
As touching Aßimilation (for there is a degree of Aßimilation, even in Inani-
4489. mate Bodies) we ſee examples of it in ſome Stones, in Clay-grounds, lying
near
to the top of the Earth where Pebble is;
in which you may manifeſtly
ſee
divers Pebbles gathered together, and a cruſt of Cement or Stone be
tween
them, as hard as the Pebbles themſelves.
And it were good to make a
tryal
of purpoſe, by taking Clay, and putting in it divers Pebble-ſtones, thick
ſet
, to ſee whether in continuance of time, it will not be harder than other
Clay
of the ſame lump, in which no Pebbles are ſet.
We ſee alſo in
5824Natural Hiſtory; of old Walls, eſpecially tow ards the bottom, the Morter will become as
hard
as the Brick:
We ſee alſo, that the Wood on the fides of Veſſels of
Wine
, gathereth a cruſt of Tartar harder than the Wood it ſelf;
and Scales
likewiſe
grow to the Teeth, harder than the Teeth themſelves.
Moſt of all, Induration by Aßimilation appeareth in the bodies of Trees,
1190. and Living Creatures:
For no nouriſh ment that the Tree receiveth, or that
the
Living Creature receiveth, is ſo hard as Wood, Bone, or Horn, &
c. but
is
indurated after by Aſſimilation.
THe Eye of the Underſtanding, is like the Eye of the Senſe: For as you
2291. may ſee great objects through ſmall Cranies, or Levels;
ſo you may ſee
33Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Verſion
of Wa-
ter
into Air.
great Axioms of Nature, through ſmall and contem ptible inſtances.
The
ſpeedy
depredation of Air upon watry moiſture, and verſion of the ſame in-
to
Air, appeareth in nothing more viſible than in the ſudden diſcharge, or
vaniſhing
of a little Cloud of Breath, or Vapor, from Glaſs or the Blade of
a
Sword, or any ſuch poliſhed Body;
ſuch as doth not at all detain or im-
bibe
the moiſture:
For the miſtineſs ſcattereth and breaketh up ſuddenly.
But the like Cloud, if it were oily or fatty, will not diſch arge; not becauſe it
ſticketh
faſter, but becauſe Air preyeth upon Water, and Flame, and Fire,
upon
Oyl;
and therefore, to take out a ſpot of Greaſe, they uſe a Coal upon
brown
Paper, becauſe fire worketh upon Greaſe or Oyl, as Air doth upon
Water
.
And we ſee Paper oiled, or Wood oiled, or the like, laſt long
moiſt
;
but wet with Water, dry or putrifie ſooner. The cauſe is, for that
Air
meddleth little with the moiſture of oyl.
THere is an admirable demonſtration in the ſame trifling inſtance of the
4492. little Cloud upon Glaſs, or Gems, or Blades of Swords of the force of
55Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Force
of Vni-
on
.
Union, even in the leaſt quantities, and weakeſt Bodies, how much it con-
duceth
to preſervation of the preſent form, and the reſiſting of a new.
For
mark
well the diſcharge of that Cloud, and you ſhall ſee it ever break up, firſt
in
the skirts, and laſt in the midſt.
We ſee like wiſe, that much Water draw-
eth
forth the Juyce of the Body infuſed, but little Water is imbibed by the
Body
:
And this is a principal cauſe, why, in operation upon Bodies, for their
Verſion
or Alteration, the tryal in great quantities doth not anſwer the tryal
in
ſmall, and ſo deceiveth many;
for that (I ſay) the greater Body reſiſteth
more
any alteration of Form, and requireth far greater ſtrength in the Active
Body
that ſhould ſubdue it.
WE have ſpoken before in the Fifth Inſtance, of the cauſe of Orient
6693. Colours in Birds;
which is by the fineneſs of the Strainer, we will
77Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Producing
of
Feathers
and
Hairs
of di-
vers
Colours.
now endeavor to reduce the ſame Axiom to a Work.
For this Writing
of
our Sylva Sylvarum, is (to ſpeak properly) not Natural Hiſtory, but a
high
kinde of Natural Magick.
For it is not a diſcription onely of Na-
ture
, but a breaking of Nature, into great and ſtrange Works.
Try there-
fore
the anointing over of Pigeons, or other Birds, when they are but in
their
Down, or of Whelps, cutting their Hair as ſhort as may be, or of
ſome
other Beaſt;
with ſome oyntment, that is not hurtful to the fleſh,
and
that will harden and ſtick very cloſe, and ſee whether it will not alter
the
colours of the Feathers, or Hair, It is received, that the pulling off
the
firſt Feathers of Birds clean, will make the new come forth White:
And
it
is certain, that White is a penurious colour, and where moiſture is ſcant.
So Blew Violets, and other Flowers, if they be ſtarved, turn pale and white.
5925Century I. Birds, and Horſes, by age or ſcars, turn white; and the hoar Hairs of
Men
, come by the ſame reaſon.
And therefore in Birds, it is very likely,
that
the Feathers that come firſt, will be many times of divers colours,
according
to the nature oſ the Birds;
for that the skin is more porous,
but
when the skin is more ſhut and cloſe, the Feathers will come white.
This is a good Experiment, not onely for the producing of Birds and
Beaſts
of ſtrange colours, but alſo, for the diſcloſure of the nature of
colours
themſelves;
which of them require a finer poroſity, and which a
groſſer
.
IT is a work of providence that hath been truly obſerved by ſome; that
1194. the Yolk of the Egg conduceth little to the Generation of the Bird, but
22Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Nouriſhment

of
Living
Creatures
be-
fore
they be
brought
forth.
onely to the nouriſhment of the ſame:
For if a Chicken be opened when
it
is new hatched, you ſhall finde much of the Yolk remaining.
And it is
needful
, that Birds that are ſhaped without the Females Womb, have in the
Egg
, as well matter of nouriſhment, as matter of generation for the Body.
For after the Egg is laid, and ſevered from the body of the Hen, it hath no
more
nouriſhment from the Hen, but onely a quickning heat when ſhe
ſitteth
.
But Beaſts and Men need not the matter of nouriſhment within
themſelves
;
becauſe they are ſhaped within the Womb of the Female, and
are
nouriſhed continually from her body.
IT is an inveterate and received opinion, That Cantharides applied to any
3395. part of the Body, touch the Bladder, and exulcerate it, if they ſtay on
44Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching

Sympathy
and
Antipathy

for
Medicinal
uſe
.
long.
It is like wiſe received, that a kinde of Stone, which they bring out of
the
Weſt-Indies, hath a peculiar force to move Gravel, and to diſſolve the
Stone
;
inſomuch, as laid but to the Wreſt, it hath ſo forcibly ſent down
Gravel
, as Men have been glad to remove it, it was ſo violent.
It is received and confirmed by daily experience, that the Soals of the
5596. Feet, have great affinity with the Head, and the Mouth of the Stomack:
As we ſee, Going wetſhod, to thoſe that uſe it not, affecteth both; Applica-
tions
of hot Powders to the Feet, attenuate firft, and after dry the Rheume.

And
therefore a Phyſician that would be my ſtical, preſcribeth for the cure
of
the Rheume, That a Man ſhould walk continually upon a Camomil-
Alley
;
meaning, that he ſhould put Camomil within his Socks. Likewiſe,
Pigeons
bleeding, applied to the Soals of the Feet, eaſe the Head;
and So-
poriſerous
Medicines applied unto them, provoke ſleep.
It ſeemeth, that as the Feet have a ſympathy with the Head; ſo the
6697. Wreſts and Hands have a ſympathy with the Heart.
We ſee the affects and
Paffions
of the Heart, and Spirits, are notably diſcloſed by the Pulſe:
And
it
is often tryed, that Juyces of Stock-gilly-flowers, Roſe-campion, Garlick, and
other
things, applied to the Wreſts, and renewed, have cured long Agues.
And I conceive, that waſhing with certain Liquors the Palms of the Hands,
doth
much good:
And they do wellin Heats of Agues to hold in the Hands,
Eggs
of Alablaſter, and Balls of Cryſtal.
Of theſe things we shall ſpeak more, when we handle the Title of Sympathy and
Antipathy
, in the proper place.
7798.
THe knowledge of Man (hitherto) hath been determined by the view
88Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Secret
Proceſſes
of
Nature.
or ſight;
ſo that whatſoever is inviſible, either in reſpect of the fine-
neſs
of the Body it ſelf, or the ſmallneſs of the Parts, or of the ſubtilty of
6026Natural Hiſtory; Motion, is little inquired. And yet theſe be the things that govern Nature
5656[Handwritten note 56]5757[Handwritten note 57]5858[Handwritten note 58]5959[Handwritten note 59]6060[Handwritten note 60]6161[Handwritten note 61]6262[Handwritten note 62]6363[Handwritten note 63]6464[Handwritten note 64]6565[Handwritten note 65]6666[Handwritten note 66]6767[Handwritten note 67]6868[Handwritten note 68] principally, and without which, you cannot make any true Analyſis and
Indications
of the proceedings of Nature.
The Spirits or Pneumaticals
that
are in all Tangible Bodies, are ſcarce known:
Sometimes they take
them
for Vacuum, whereas they are the moſt active of Bodies:
Some-
5656[Handwritten note 56]5757[Handwritten note 57]5858[Handwritten note 58]5959[Handwritten note 59]6060[Handwritten note 60]6161[Handwritten note 61]6262[Handwritten note 62]6363[Handwritten note 63]6464[Handwritten note 64]6565[Handwritten note 65]6666[Handwritten note 66]6767[Handwritten note 67]6868[Handwritten note 68] times they take them ſor Air, ſrom which they differ exceedingly, as
much
as Wine ſrom Water, and as Wood from Earth:
Sometimes
they
will have them to be Natural Heat, or a Portion of the Element of
Fire
, whereas ſome of them are crude and cold:
And ſometimes they will
5656[Handwritten note 56]5757[Handwritten note 57]5858[Handwritten note 58]5959[Handwritten note 59]6060[Handwritten note 60]6161[Handwritten note 61]6262[Handwritten note 62]6363[Handwritten note 63]6464[Handwritten note 64]6565[Handwritten note 65]6666[Handwritten note 66]6767[Handwritten note 67]6868[Handwritten note 68] have them to be the Vertues and Qualities of the Tangible Parts which
they
ſee, whereas they are things by themſelves:
And then, when they
come
to Plants and Living Creatures, they call them Souls.
And ſuch
ſuperficial
ſpeculations they have;
like Proſpectives that ſhew things in-
5656[Handwritten note 56]5757[Handwritten note 57]5858[Handwritten note 58]5959[Handwritten note 59]6060[Handwritten note 60]6161[Handwritten note 61]6262[Handwritten note 62]6363[Handwritten note 63]6464[Handwritten note 64]6565[Handwritten note 65]6666[Handwritten note 66]6767[Handwritten note 67]6868[Handwritten note 68] ward, when they are but Paintings.
Neither is this a queſtion of words,
but
infinitely material in Nature:
For Spirits are nothing elſe but a Na-
tural
Body, rarified to a Proportion, and included in the Tangible Parts
of
Bodies, as in an Integument:
And they be no leſs differing one from
the
other, then the Denſe or Tangible Parts:
And they are in all Tangible
5656[Handwritten note 56]5757[Handwritten note 57]5858[Handwritten note 58]5959[Handwritten note 59]6060[Handwritten note 60]6161[Handwritten note 61]6262[Handwritten note 62]6363[Handwritten note 63]6464[Handwritten note 64]6565[Handwritten note 65]6666[Handwritten note 66]6767[Handwritten note 67]6868[Handwritten note 68] Bodies whatſoever, more or leſs, and they are never (almoſt) at reſt:
And
from
them, and their Motions, principally proceed Arefaction, Colliquation,
Concoction
, Maturation, Putrefaction, Vivification, and moſt of the effects of Na-
ture
.
For, as we have figured them in our Sapientiâ Veterum, in the Fable of
5656[Handwritten note 56]5757[Handwritten note 57]5858[Handwritten note 58]5959[Handwritten note 59]6060[Handwritten note 60]6161[Handwritten note 61]6262[Handwritten note 62]6363[Handwritten note 63]6464[Handwritten note 64]6565[Handwritten note 65]6666[Handwritten note 66]6767[Handwritten note 67]6868[Handwritten note 68] Proſerpina, you ſhall in the Inſernal Regiment hear little doings of Pluto,
but
moſt of Proſerpina:
For Tangible Parts in Bodies, are ſtupid things,
and
the Spirits do (in effect) all.
As for the differences of Tangible Parts
in
Bodies, the induſtry of the Chymiſts hath given ſome light in diſcerning
5656[Handwritten note 56]5757[Handwritten note 57]5858[Handwritten note 58]5959[Handwritten note 59]6060[Handwritten note 60]6161[Handwritten note 61]6262[Handwritten note 62]6363[Handwritten note 63]6464[Handwritten note 64]6565[Handwritten note 65]6666[Handwritten note 66]6767[Handwritten note 67]6868[Handwritten note 68] by their ſeparations, the Oily, Crude, Pure, Impure, Fine, Groß, Parts of Bodies,
and
the like.
And the Phyſitians are content to acknowledge, that Herbs and
Drugs
have divers parts;
as that Opium hath a ſtupefacting part, and a heat-
ing
part;
the one moving Sleep, the other a Sweat ſollowing; and that
5656[Handwritten note 56]5757[Handwritten note 57]5858[Handwritten note 58]5959[Handwritten note 59]6060[Handwritten note 60]6161[Handwritten note 61]6262[Handwritten note 62]6363[Handwritten note 63]6464[Handwritten note 64]6565[Handwritten note 65]6666[Handwritten note 66]6767[Handwritten note 67]6868[Handwritten note 68] Ruburb hath Purging parts, and Aſtringing parts, &
c. But this whole In-
quiſition
is weakly and negligently handled.
And for the more ſubtil differ-
ences
of the Minute parts, and the poſture of them in the Body, (which
5656[Handwritten note 56]5757[Handwritten note 57]5858[Handwritten note 58]5959[Handwritten note 59]6060[Handwritten note 60]6161[Handwritten note 61]6262[Handwritten note 62]6363[Handwritten note 63]6464[Handwritten note 64]6565[Handwritten note 65]6666[Handwritten note 66]6767[Handwritten note 67]6868[Handwritten note 68] alſo hath great effects) they are not at all touched:
As for the Motions of
the
Minute Parts of Bodies, which do ſo great effects, they have not been
obſerved
at all;
becauſe they are inviſible, and incur not to the eye; but
yet
they are to be deprehended by experience.
As Democritus ſaid well,
when
they charged him to hold, that the World was made of ſuch little
5656[Handwritten note 56]5757[Handwritten note 57]5858[Handwritten note 58]5959[Handwritten note 59]6060[Handwritten note 60]6161[Handwritten note 61]6262[Handwritten note 62]6363[Handwritten note 63]6464[Handwritten note 64]6565[Handwritten note 65]6666[Handwritten note 66]6767[Handwritten note 67]6868[Handwritten note 68] Moats, as were ſeen in the Sun.
Atomus (ſaith he) neceßitate Rationis & Ex-
perientiæ
eſſe convincitur:
Atomum enim nemo nunquam vidit. And therefore
the
tumult in the parts of ſolid Bodies, when they are compreſſed, which
is
the cauſe of all flights of Bodies thorow the Air, and of other Mechanical
5656[Handwritten note 56]5757[Handwritten note 57]5858[Handwritten note 58]5959[Handwritten note 59]6060[Handwritten note 60]6161[Handwritten note 61]6262[Handwritten note 62]6363[Handwritten note 63]6464[Handwritten note 64]6565[Handwritten note 65]6666[Handwritten note 66]6767[Handwritten note 67]6868[Handwritten note 68] Motions, (as hath been partly touched before, and ſhall be throughly
handled
in due place,) is not ſeen at all, but nevertheleſs, if you know it
not
, or inquire it not attentively and diligently, you ſhall never be able to
diſcern
, and muchleſs to produce, a number of Mechanical Motions.
5656[Handwritten note 56]5757[Handwritten note 57]5858[Handwritten note 58]5959[Handwritten note 59]6060[Handwritten note 60]6161[Handwritten note 61]6262[Handwritten note 62]6363[Handwritten note 63]6464[Handwritten note 64]6565[Handwritten note 65]6666[Handwritten note 66]6767[Handwritten note 67]6868[Handwritten note 68] Again, as to the Motions Corporal, within the Encloſures of Bodies,
whereby
the effects (which were mentioned before) paſs between the Spi-
rits
and the Tangible parts (Which are Arefaction, Colliquation, Concoction,
5656[Handwritten note 56]5757[Handwritten note 57]5858[Handwritten note 58]5959[Handwritten note 59]6060[Handwritten note 60]6161[Handwritten note 61]6262[Handwritten note 62]6363[Handwritten note 63]6464[Handwritten note 64]6565[Handwritten note 65]6666[Handwritten note 66]6767[Handwritten note 67]6868[Handwritten note 68] Maturation, &
c.) they are not at all handled; but they are put off by the
names
of Vertues, and Natures, and Actions, and Paßions, and ſuch other Logical
words
.
6127Century I.
IT is certain, that of all Powers in Nature, Heat is the chief; both in the
1199. Frame of Nature, and in the Works of Art.
Certain it is likewiſe, that
22Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Powe
r of Heat.
the effects of Heat, are moſt advanced, when it worketh upon a Body with-
out
loſs or diſſipation of the matter, for that ever betrayed the account.
And therefore it is true, that the power of Heat is beſt perceived in Diſtil-
lations
, which are performed in cloſe Veſſels and Receptacles.
But yet
there
is a higher degree;
For howſoever Diſtillations do keep the Body in
Cells
and Cloyſters, without going abroad, yetthey give ſpace unto Bodies
to
turn into Vapor, to return into Liquor, and to ſeparate one part from
another
.
So as Nature doth expatiate, although it hath not full liberty;
whereby
the true and ultime operations of Heat, are not attained:
But
if
Bodies may be altered by Heat, and yet no ſuch Reciprocation of Rare-
faction
, and of Condenſation, and of Separation, admitted;
then it is like
that
this Proteus of Matter, being held by the Sleeves, will turn and change
into
many Metamorphoſes.
Take therefore a ſquare Veſſel of Iron, in form
of
a Cube, and let it have good thick and ſtrong ſides;
put it into a Cube of
Wood
, that may fill it as cloſe as may be, and let it have a cover of Iron as
ſtrong
(at leaſt) as the ſides, and let it be well Luted, after the manner of
the
Chymiſts;
then place the Veſſel within burning Coals kept quick kindled,
for
ſome few hoursſpace;
then take the Veſſel from the Fire, and take off
the
Cover, and ſee what is become of the Wood, I conceive, that ſince all
Inflamation
and Evaporation are utterly prohibited, and the Body ſtill turn-
ed
upon it ſelf, that one of theſe two Effects will follow, Either that the
Body
of the Wood will be turned into a kinde of Amalagma, (as the Chy-
miſts
call it,) or, that the finer part will be turned into Air, and the groſſer
ſtick
as it were baked, and incruſtate upon the ſides of the Veſſel, being
become
of a denſer matter, than the Wood it ſelf, crude.
And for another
tryal
, take alſo Water, and put it in the like Veſſel, ſtopped as before;
but
uſe
a gentler Heat, and remove the Veſſel ſometimes from the fire;
and
again
, after ſome ſmall time, when it is cold, renew the heating of it, and
repeat
this alteration ſome few times;
and if you can once bring to paſs,
that
the Water which is one of the ſimpleſt of Bodies, be changed in Co-
lour
, Odor, or Taſte, after the manner of Compound Bodies, you may
be
ſure that there is a great work wrought in Nature, and anotable entrance
made
in ſtrange changes of Bodies, and productions;
and alſo a way
made
to do that by Fire, in ſmall time, which the Sun and Age do in
long
time.
But if the admirable effects of this Diſtillation in cloſe, (for
ſo
we call it) which is like the Wombs and Matrices of Living Creatures,
where
nothing expireth nor ſeparateth:
We will ſpeak fully, in the due
place
.
Not that we aim at the making of Peracelſus Pigmeys, or any ſuch
prodigious
follies;
but that we know the effects of Heat will be ſuch, as
will
ſcarce fall under the conceit of Man, if the force of it be altogether
kept
in.
THere is nothing more certain in Nature, than that it is impoſſible for
33100. any Body to be utterly annihilated;
but that as it was the work of the
44Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Impoßibility

of
Annihile-
sion
.
Omnipotency of God, to make Somewhat of Nothing:
So it requireth the
like
omnipotency, to turn Somewhat into Nothing.
And therefore it is well
ſaid
by an obſcure Writer of the Sect of the Chymiſts, That there is no ſuch
way
to effect the ſtrange Tranſmutations of Bodies, as to endeavor and urge
by
all means, the reducing of them to Nothing.
And herein is contained
6228Natural Hiſtory; ſo a great ſecret of Preſervation of Bodies from change; for if you can
prohibit
, that they neither turn into Air, becauſe no Air cometh to them,
nor
go into the Bodies Adjacent, becauſe they are utterly Heterogeneal, nor
make
a round and circulation within themſelves;
they will never change,
though
they be in their Nature never ſo periſhable or mutable.
We ſee how
Flies
and Spiders, and the like, get a Sepulchre in Amber, more durable than
the
Monument and Embalming of the Body of any King.
And Iconceive the
like
will be of Bodies put into Quick-ſilver.
But then they muſt be but thin, as
a
leaf or a peece of Paper or Parchment;
for if they have a greater craſſi-
tude
, they will alter in their own Body, though they ſpend not.
But of this,
we
ſhall ſpeak more when we handle the Title of Conſervation of Bodies.
3[Figure 3]
6329
NATURAL
HISTORY
.
Century II.
MUſick in the Practice, hath been well purſued, and in
11Experiments
in
Conſort
touching

Muſick
.
good Variety;
but in the Theory, and eſpecially in
the
yielding of the Cauſes of the Practick, very weak-
ly
;
being reduced into certain Myſtical ſubtilties,
and
not much truth.
We ſhall therefore, after our
manner
, joyn the Contemplative and Active Part
together
.
All Sounds are either Muſical Sounds, which we call Tones; whereunto
22101.6969[Handwritten note 69] there may be an Harmony, which Sounds are ever equal:
As Singing, the
Sounds
of Stringed, and Wind-Inſtruments, the Ringing of Bells, &
c. or
Immuſical
Sounds, which are everunequal:
Such as are the Voice in Speak-
ing
, all Whiſperings, all Voices of Beaſts and Birds (except they be Sing-
ing
Birds;)
all Percuſſions, of Stones, Wood, Parchment, Skins, (as in
Drums
) and infinite others.
The Sounds that produce Tones, are ever from ſuch Bodies as are in
33102. their Parts and Pores equal;
as well as the Sounds themſelves are equal:
And ſuch are the Percuſſions of Metal, as in Bells; of Glaß, as in the ſillip-
ping
of a Drinking Glaß;
of Air, as in Mens Voices whileſt they ſing, in Pipes,
VVhiſtles
, Organs, Stringed Inſtruments, &
c. And of Water, as in the Nightin-
gals
Pipes of Regals, or Organs, and other Hydraulicks, which the Ancients
had
;
and Nero did ſo much eſteem, but are now loſt. And if any Manthink,
that
the String of the Bow, and the String of the Vial, are neither of them
equal
Bodies, and yet produce Tones;
he is in an error. For the Sound is
not
created between the Bow or Plectrum, and the String;
but between the
String
and the Air;
no more than it is between the Finger or Quill, and the
String
in other Inſtruments.
So there are (in effect) but three Percußions
6430Natural Hiſtory; create Tones; Percuſſion of Metals (comprehending Glaß, and the like)
Percuſſions
of Air, and Percuſſions of Water.
The Diapaſon or Eight in Muſick, is the ſweeteſt Concord; in ſomuch,
11103. as it is in effect an Vniſon;
as we ſee in Lutes that are ſtrung in the baſe ſtrings
with
two ſtrings, one an Eighth above another, which make but as one ſound;
and every Eighth Note in Aſcent, (as from Eight to Fifteen, from Fifteen
to
Twenty two, and ſo in inſinitum) are but Scales of Diapaſon.
The cauſe
is
dark, and hath not been rendred by any, and therefore would be better
contemplated
.
It ſeemeth that Air (which is the ſubject of Sounds) in
Sounds
that are not Tones (which are all unequal as hath been ſaid) ad-
mitteth
much variety;
as we ſee in the Voices of Living Creatures, and
likewiſe
in the Voices of ſeveral Men;
for we are capable to diſcern ſeve-
ral
Men by their Voices) and in the Conjugation of Letters, whence Ar-
ticulate
Sounds proceed;
which of all others, are moſt various. But in the
Sounds
which we call Tones (that are ever equal) the Air is not able to
caſt
it ſelf into any ſuch variety;
but is forced to recur into one and the
ſame
Poſture or Figure, onely differing in greatneſs and ſmallneſs.
So
we
ſee Figures may be made of Lines, crooked and ſtraight, in inſinite
variety
, where there is inequality;
but Circles or Squares, or Triangles
Equilateral
, (which are all Figures of equal Lines) can differ but in greater
or
leſſer.
It is to be noted (the rather, leſt any Man ſhould think that there is any
22104. thing in this number of Eight, to create the Diapaſon) that this computa-
tion
of Eight, is a thing rather received than any true computation.
For
a
true computation ought ever to be, by diſtribution into equal Por-
tions
.
Now there be intervenient in the riſe of Eight (in Tones) two
Beemols
or Half-Notes;
ſo as iſ you divide the Tones equally, the
Eighth
is but Seven whole and equal Notes:
And if you ſubdivide that
into
Half-Notes, (as it is in the ſtops of a Lute) it maketh the number of
Thirteen
.
Yet this is true, That in the ordinary Riſes and Falls of the Voice of
33105. Man (not meaſuring the Tone by whole Notes and Half Notes, which is
the
equal Meaſure) there fall out to be two Beemols (as hath been ſaid) be-
tween
the Vniſon and the Diapaſon;
and this varying is natural. For if a
Man
would endeavor to raiſe or fall his Voice ſtill by Half-Notes, like the
ſtops
of a Lute, or by whole Notes alone, without Halfs as far as an Eighth;
he will not be able to frame his Voice unto it, which ſheweth that aſter e-
very
three whole Notes, Nature re quireth, for all Harmonical uſe, one Half-
Note
to be interpoſed.
It is to be conſidered, That whatſoever vertue is in Numbers, for con-
44106. ducing to concent of Notes, is rather to be aſcribed to the Ante-number, than
to
the Entire-number;
as namely, that the Sound returneth after Six, or after
Twelve
:
So that the Seventh or the Thirteenth is not the Matter, but the
Sixth
, or the Twelfth;
and the Seventh and the Thirteenth, are but the
Limits
and Boundaries of the Return.
The Concords in Muſick which are Perfect, or Semiperfect, between the
55107. Vniſon and the Diapaſon, are the Fifth, which is the moſt Perfect;
the Third
next
, and the Sixth which is more harſh:
And as the Ancients eſteemed, and
ſo
do my ſelf, and ſome other yet, the Fourth which they call Diateßeron;
as
for
the Tenth, Twelfth, Thirteenth, and ſo in infinitum, they be but Recurrences
of
the former;
viz. of the Third, the Fifth, and the Sixth, being an Eighth
reſpectively
from them.
6531Century II.
For Diſcords, the Second and the Seventh, are of all others, the moſt odi-
11108. ous in Harmony to the Senſe;
whereof, the one is next above the Vniſon, the
other
next under the Diapaſon;
which may ſhew, that Harmony requireth a
competent
diſtance of Notes.
In Harmony, if there be not a Diſcord to the Baſe, it doth not diſturb the
22109. Harmony, though there be a Diſcord to the higher parts;
ſo the Diſcord be
not
of the Two that are odious:
And therefore the ordinary Concent of
Four
parts conſiſteth of an Eighth, a Fifth, and a Third to the Baſe;
but
that
Fifth is a Fourth to the Trebble, and the Third is a Sixth.
And the cauſe
is
, for that the Baſe ſtriking more Air, doth overcome and drown the Trebble
(unleſs the Diſcord be very odious) and ſo hideth a ſmall imperfection
For
we ſee, that in one of the lower ſtrings of a Lute, there ſoundeth
not
the ſound of the Trebble, nor any mixt ſound, but onely the ſound of
the
Baſe.
We have no Muſick of Quarter-Notes, and it may be, they are not cap-
33110. able of Harmony;
for we ſee the Half-Notes them ſelves do but interpoſ ſome-
times
.
Nevertheleſs, we have ſome Slides or Reliſhes of the Voice or Strings,
as
it were, continued without Notes, from one Tone to another, riſing or
falling
, which are delightful.
The cauſes of that which is Pleaſing or ingtate to the Hearing, may
44111. receive light by that which is Pleaſing or ingrate to the Sight.
There
be
two things pleaſing to the ſight (leaving Pictures and Shapes aſide,
which
are but Secondary Objects, and pleaſe or diſpleaſe but in Me.
mory;) theſe two are Colours and Order. The pleaſing of Colour
ſymbolizeth
with the Pl@aſing of any Single Tone to the Ear;
but the
pleaſing
of Order doth ſymbolize with Harmony.
And therefore we ſee
in
Garden-knots, and the Frets of Houſes, and all equal and well anſwer-
ing
Figures, (as Globes, Pyramides, Cones, Cylinders, &
c.) how they pleaſe;
whereas
unequal Figures are but Deformities.
And both theſe plea-
ſures
, that of the Eye, and that of the Ear, are but the effects of equa-
lity
, good proportion, or correſpondence:
So that (out of queſtion)
Equality
and Correſpondence are the cauſes of Harmony.
But to finde the
Proportions
of that Correſpondence, is more abſtruſe;
whereof, not with-
ſtanding
we ſhall ſpeak ſome what (when we handle Tones, in the general
enquiry
of Sounds.
Tones are not ſo apt altogether to procure Sleep, as ſome other ſounds:
55112. As the Wind, the Purling of Water, Humming of Bees, a ſweet Voice of
one
that readeth, &
c. The cauſe where of is, for that Tones, becauſe they are
equal
and ſlide not, do more ſtrike and erect the Senſe, than the other.
And
overmuch
attention hind ereth ſleep.
There be in Muſick certain Figures or Tropes, almoſt agreeing with the
66113. Figures of Rhetorick, and with the Afſections of the Minde, and other Senſes.
Firſt, The Diviſion and Quavering, which pleaſe ſo much in Muſick, have an
agreement
with the Glittering of Light;
As the Moon-Beams playing upon
a
Wave.
Again, the Falling from a Diſcord to a Concord, which maketh great
ſweetneſs
in Muſick hath an agreement with the Affections, which are reinte-
grated
to the better, after ſome diſlikes;
it agreeth alſo with the taſte, which
is
ſoon glutted with that which is ſweet alone.
The ſliding from the Cloſe
or
Cadence, hath an agreement with the Figure in Rhetorick, which they call
Prater
Expectatum;
for there is a pleaſure, even in being deceived. The Re-
ports
and Fuges have an agreement with the Figures in Rhetorick of Repetition
and
Traduction.
The Tripla’s and Changing of Times, have an agreement
6632Natural Hiſtory; the changes of Motions; as when Galliard time, and Meaſure time, are in
the
Medly of one Dance.
It hath been anciently held, and obſerved, That the Senſe of Hearing, and
11114. the Kindes of Muſick, have moſt operation upon Manners;
as to incourage
Men
, and make them warlike;
to make them ſoft and effeminate; to make
them
grave;
to make them light; to make them gentle and inclined to
pity
, &
c. The cauſe is, for that the Senſe of Hearing ſtriketh the Spirits
more
immediately, than the other Senjes, and more incorporeally than
the
Smelling:
For the Sight, Taſte, and Feeling, have their Organs, not of ſo
preſent
and immediate acceſs to the Spirits, as the Hearing hath.
And
as
for the Smelling (which indeed worketh alſo immediately upon the Spi-
rits
, and is forcible while the object remaineth) it is with a communica-
tion
of the Breath or Vapor of the object oderate:
But Harmony entring
eaſily
, and mingling not at all, and coming with a manifeſt motion;
doth
by
cuſtom of often affecting the Spirits, and putting them into one kinde
of
poſture, alter not a little the nature of the Spirits, even when the ob-
ject
is removed.
And therefore we ſee, that Tunes and Airs, even in their
own
nature, have in themſelves ſome affinity with the Affections:
As
there
be Merry Tunes, Doleful Tunes, Solemn Tunes;
Tunesinclining
Mens
mindes to Pity, Warlike Tunes, &
c. So as it is no marvel, if they
alter
the Spirits, conſidering that Tunes have a prediſpoſition to the Moti-
on
of the Spirits in themſelves.
But yet it hath been noted, that though
this
variety of Tunes, doth diſpoſe the Spirits to variety of Paſſions, con-
form
unto them;
yetgenerally, Muſick feedeth that diſpoſition of the Spi-
rits
which it findeth.
We ſee alſo, that ſeveral Airs and Tunes, do pleaſe
ſeveral
Nations, and Perſons according to the ſympathy they have with their
Spirits
.
PErſpective hath been with ſome diligence inquired; and ſo hath the Na-
22Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching

Sounds
; and
firſt
touching
the
Nullity,
and
Entity of
Sounds
.
ture of Sounds, in ſome ſort, as far as concerneth Muſick, but the Na-
ture
of Sounds in general, hath been ſuperficially obſerved.
It is one of
the
ſubtilleſt pieces of Nature.
And beſides, I practiſe, as I do adviſe:
Which is after long inquiry of things, immerſe in matter, to enterpoſe ſome
ſubject
which is immateriate or leſs materiate;
ſuch as this of Sounds: To
33115. the end, that the intellect may be rectified, and become not partial.
It is firſt to be conſidered, what great motions there are in Nature
which
paſs withoutſound or noiſe.
The Heavens turn about in a moſt rapide
motion
, without noiſe to us perceived, though in ſome dreams they have
been
ſaid to make an excellent Muſick.
So the motions of the Comets, and
Fiery
Meteors as Stella Cadens, &
c.) yield no noiſe. And if it be thought, that
it
is the greatneſs of diſtance from us, whereby the ſound cannot, be heard;
we ſee that Lightnings and Coruſcations, which are near at hand, yield no
ſound
neither;
and yet in all theſe, there is a percuſſion and diviſsion of the
Air
.
The Winds in the Upper Region (which move the Clouds above
(which we call the Rack) and are not perceived below paſs without noiſe.

The
lower Winds in a Plain, except they be ſtrong, make no noiſe;
but a-
mongſt
Trees, the noiſe of ſuch Winds will be perceived.
And the Winds
(generally) when they make a noiſe, do ever make it unequally, riſing and fall-
ing
, and ſometimes (when they are vehement) trembling at the height of
their
blaſt.
Rain or Hail falling, though vehemently, yieldeth no noiſe, in
7070[Handwritten note 70] paſsing through the Air, till it fall upon the Ground, Water, Houſes, or the
like
.
Water in a River (though a ſwift ſtream, is not heard in the
6733Century II. but runneth in ſilence, if it be of any depth; but the very Stream upon Shal-
lows
, or Gravel, or Pebble, will be heard.
And Waters, when they beat up-
on
the Shore, or are ſtraitned, (as in the falls of Bridges) or are daſhed againſt
themſelves
by Winds, give a roaring noiſe.
Any peece of Timber, or hard
Body
, being thruſt for wards by another Body continguous, without knock-
ing
giveth no noiſe.
And ſo Bodies in weighing, one upon another, though
the
upper Body preſs the lower Body down, make no noiſe.
So the motion
of
the Minute parts of any ſolid Body, (which is the principal cauſe of violent
Motion
, though unobſerved) paſſeth without ſound:
For that ſound, that is
heard
ſometimes, is produced onely by the breaking of the Air, and not by
the
impulſion of the parts.
So it is manifeſt, that where the anterior Body
giveth
way as ſaſt as the poſterior cometh on, it maketh no noiſe, be the
motion
never ſo great or ſwift.
Air open and at large, maketh no noiſe, except it be ſharply percuſſed;
11116. as in the ſound of a ſtring, where Air is purcuſſed by a hard and ſtiff Body, and
with
a ſharp looſe:
For it the ſtring be not ſtrained, it maketh no noiſe; but
where
the Air is pent and ſtraitned, there breath or other blowing (which
carry
but a gentle percuſſion) ſuffice to create ſound;
as in Pipes and Wind
Inſtruments
.
But then you muſt note, that in Recorders which go with a
gentle
breath, the Concave of the Pipe (were it not for the Fipple that ſtrait-
neth
the Air much more then the ſimple Concave) would yield no ſound.
For, as for other Wind-Inſtruments, they require a forcible breath, as Trum-
pets
, Cornets, Hunters, Horns, &
c. Which appeareth by the blown Cheeks of
him
that windeth them.
Organs alſo are blown with a ſtrong wind by the
Bellows
.
And note again, that ſome kinde of Wind-Inſtruments are blown
at
a ſmall hole in the ſide, which ſtraineth the breath at the firſt entrance;

the
rather, in reſpect of their traverſe, and ſtop above the hole which per-
formeth
the Fipples part;
as it is ſeen in Flutes and Fifes, which will not give
ſound
by a blaſt at the end, as Recorders do, &
c. Likewiſe in all Whiſtling,
you
contract the Mouth;
and to make it more ſharp, Men ſometimes uſe their
finger
.
But in open Air, if you throw a Stone or a Dart, they give no ſound:
22117. No more do Bullets, except they happen to be a little hollowed in the caſt-
ing
;
which hollowneſs penneth the Air: Nor yet Arrows, except they be
ruffled
in their Feathers, which like wiſe penneth the Air.
As for ſmall Whi
ſtles
or Shepherds Oaten-Pipes, they give a ſound, becauſe of their extream
ſlenderneſs
, whereby the Air is more pent than in a wider Pipe.
Again, the
voices
of Men and Living Creatures, paſs through the Throat, which pen.
neth the breath. As for the Jews-Harp, it is a ſharp percuſſion, and beſides hath
the
vantage of penning the Air in the Mouth.
Solid Bodies, if they be very ſoftly percuſſed, give no ſound; as when a
33118. Man treadeth very ſoftly upon Boards.
So Cheſts or Doors in fair weather,
when
they open eaſily, give no ſound.
And Cart-wheels ſqueek not when
they
are liquored.
The Flame of Tapers or Candles, though it be a ſwift motion and breaketh
44119. the Air, yet paſſeth without ſound.
Air in Ovens, though (no doubt) it doth
(as it were) boil, and dilate it ſelf, and is repercuſſed, yet it is without noiſe.
Flame percuſſed by Air, giveth a noiſe; As in blowing of the Fire by Bel-
lows
, greater than if the Bellows ſhould blow upon the Air it ſelf.
And ſo
likewiſe
Flame percuſſing the Air ſtrongly (as when Flame ſuddenly taketh
and
openeth) giveth a noiſe:
So great Flames, whiles the one impelleth the
other
, give a bellowing ſouud.
6834Natural Hiſtory;
There is a conceit runneth abroad, that there ſhould be a White Powder,
11120. which will diſcharge a piece without noiſe, which is a dangerous experi-
7171[Handwritten note 71]7272[Handwritten note 72]7373[Handwritten note 73] ment, if it ſhould be true:
For it may cauſe ſecret Murthers, but it ſeemeth
to
me unpoſſible;
for if the Air pent, be driven forth and ſtrike the Air open,
it
will certainly make a noiſe.
As for the White Powder, (if any ſuch
thing
be that may extinguiſh or dead the noiſe) it is like to be a mixture
of
Petre and Sulphure, without Coal.
For Petre alone will not take Fire.
And if any Man think, that the ſound may be extinguiſhed or deaded, by
diſcharging
the pent Air, before it cometh to the Mouth of the Peece, and
to
the open Air, that is not probable;
for it will make more divided ſounds:
As
if you ſhould make a Croſs-barrel hollow, thorow the Barrel of a
Peece
, it may be it would give ſeveral ſounds, both at the Noſe and the
ſides
.
But I conceive, that if it were poſſible to bring to paſs, that there
ſhould
be no Air pent at the Mouth of the Peece, the Bullet might flie
with
ſmall or no noiſe.
For firſt it is certain, there is no noiſe in the Per-
cuſſion
of the Flame upon the Bullet.
Next the Bullet, in piercing tho-
row
the Air, maketh no noiſe, as hath been ſaid;
and then, if there be no
pent
Air, that ſtriketh upon open Air, there is no cauſe of noiſe, and yet the
flying
of the Bullet will not be ſtaid.
For that motion (as hath been oft
ſaid
) is in the parts of the Bullet, and not in the Air.
So as tryal muſt be
made
by taking ſome ſmall Concave of Minal, no more than you mean to
fill
with Powder, and laying the Bullet in the Mouth of it half out in the
7171[Handwritten note 71]7272[Handwritten note 72]7373[Handwritten note 73] open Air.
I heard it affirmed by a Man that was a great dealer in Secrets, but he
22121. was but vain;
That there was a Conſpiracy (which himſelf hindred) to have
killed
Queen Mary, Siſter to Queen Elizabeth, by a Burning-Glaß, when ſhe
walked
in St.
James Park, from the Leads of the Houſe. But thus much, no
doubt
, is true, That if Burning-Glaſſes could be brought to a great ſtrength,
(as they talk generally of Burning-Glaſſes, that are able to burn a Navy) the
Percuſſion
of the Air alone, by ſuch a Burning-Glaß, would make no
noiſe
;
no more than is found in Corruſcations, and Lighinings without
T
hunders.
I ſuppoſe that Impreßion of the Air with Sounds, asketh a time to be con-
33122. veighed to the Senſe, as well as the Impreßion of Species viſible, or elſe they will
7171[Handwritten note 71]7272[Handwritten note 72]7373[Handwritten note 73] not be heard.
And thereſore, as the Bullet moveth ſo ſwiſt, that it is inviſible,
ſo
the ſame ſwiftneſs of motion maketh it inaudible;
for we ſee that the ap-
prehenſion
of the Eye, is quicker then that of the Ear.
All Eruptions of Air, though fmall and ſlight, give an entity of ſound,
44123. which we call Crackling, Puffing, Spiting, &
c. As in Bay ſalt, and Bay-leaves
caſt
into the fire;
ſo in Cheſnuts, when they leap forth of the Aſhes, ſo in
green
wood laid upon the fire, eſpecially Roots;
ſo in Candles that ſpit
flame
, if they be wet;
ſoin Raſping, Sneezing, & c. Soin a R oſe leaf gather-
ed
together into the faſhion of a Purſe, and broken upon the Forehead, or
Back
of the Hand, as Children uſe.
THe cauſe given of Sound, that it ſhould be an Eliſion of the Air (where-
55124. by, if they mean any thing, they mean Cutting or Dividing, or elſe an
66Experiments
in
Con ſort,
touching

Production
,
Conſervation
,
and
Delation
of
Sounds; and
the
office of the
Air
thersin.
Attenuating of the Air) is but a term of Ignorance;
and the motion is
but
a catch of the Wit upon a few Inſtances, as the manner is in the
Philoſophy
received.
And it is common with Men, that if they have gotten
a
pretty expreſſion by a word of Art, that expreſſion goeth currant, though
it
be empty of matter.
This conceit of Eliſion, appeareth moſt
6935Century II. to be falſe, in that the Sound of a Bell, ſtring, or the like, continueth melting,
ſometime
after the Percuſſion;
but ceaſeth ſtraight-ways, if the Bell or
String
be touched and ſtayed;
whereas, if it were the Eliſion of the Air, that
made
the Sound, it could not be that the touch of the Bell or String, ſhould
extinguiſh
ſo ſuddenly that motion, cauſed by the eliſion of the Air.
This
appeareth
yet more manifeſtly, by Chiming with a Hammer upon the out-
ſide
of a Bell;
for the Sound will be according to the in ward Concave
of
the Bell:
Whereas the Eliſion or Attenuation of the Air cannot be,
but
onely between the Hammer, and the outſide of the Bell.
So again,
if
it were an Eliſion, a broad Hammer, and a Bodkin, ſtruck upon Metal,
would
give a diverſe Tone, as well as a diverſe Loudneſs:
But they do not
ſo
;
for though the Sound of the one be louder, and of the other ſofter, yet
the
Tone is the ſame.
Beſides, in Eccho’s (where of ſome are as loud as the
iginal Voice) there is no new Elyſion, but a Repercuſſion onely. But that,
nich convinceth it moſt of all, is, That Sounds are generated, where there
no Air at all. But theſe, and the like conceits, when Men have cleared
eir Underſtanding, by the light of Experience, will ſcatter and break up
ea Miſt.
It is certain, that Sounds is not produced at the firſt, but with ſome
11125.cal Motion of the Air or Flame, or ſome other Medium; nor yet without
7474[Handwritten note 74]7575[Handwritten note 75]7676[Handwritten note 76]me reſiſtance, either in the Air, or the Body percuſſed. For if there be a
er yielding or ceſſion, it produceth no Sound, as hath been ſaid. And
erein Sounds differ from Light or Colours which paſs through the Air,
other Bodies, without any Local Motion of the Air, either at the firſt, or
er. But you muſt attentively diſtinguiſh between the Local Motion of
e Air (which is but Vehiculum cauſæ, A Carrier of the Sounds) and the Sounds
emſelves conveighed in the Air. For as to the former, we ſee manifeſtly,
at no Sound is produced (no not by Air it ſelf againſt other Air, as in
rgans, & c.) but with a perceptible Blaſt of the Air, and with ſome re-
ance of the Air ſtrucken. For, even all Speeth, (which is one of the
entleſt Motions of Air,) is with expulſion of a little Breath. And all Pipes
have
a blaſt, as well as a Sound.
We ſee alſo manifeſtly, that Sounds are car-
ried
with Wind:
And therefore Sounds will be hard further with the Wind,
than
againſt the Wind;
and like wiſe, do riſe and fall with the intenſion or
remiſſion
of the Wind:
But for the Impreſſion of the Sound, it is quite an-
7474[Handwritten note 74]7575[Handwritten note 75]7676[Handwritten note 76] other thing, and is utterly without Local Motion of the Air, perceptible;
and in that reſembleth the ſpecies viſible: For after a Man hath lured, or a
Bell
is rung, we cannot diſcern any Perceptible Motion (at all) in the Air, as
long
as the ſound goeth, but onely at the firſt.
Neither doth the Wind (as far
as
it carrieth a Voice) with the Motion there of, confound any of the deli-
cate
, and Articulate Figurations of the Air, in variety of Words.
And if a
Man
ſpeak a good loudneſs againſt the flame of a Candle, it will not make it
tremble
much;
though moſt, when thoſe Letters are pronounced, which
7474[Handwritten note 74]7575[Handwritten note 75]7676[Handwritten note 76] contract the mouth, as F, S, V, and ſome others, But gentle breathing, or
blowing
without ſpeaking, will move the Candle far more.
And it is the
more
probable, that Sound is without any Local Motion of the Air, becauſe
as
it differeth from the ſight, in that it needeth a Local Motion of the Air at
firſt
:
Soit paralleleth in ſo many other things with the ſight, and radiation of
things
inviſible, which (without all queſtion) induce no Local Motion in
the
Air, as hath been ſaid.
Nevertheleſs it is true, that upon the noiſe of Thunder, and great Ord-
22126. nance, Glaſs Windows will ſhake, and Fiſhes are thought to be frayed
7036Natural Hiſtory; the Motion, cauſed by noiſe upon the Water. But theſe effects are from
the
local motion of the Air, which is a concomitant of the Sound (as hath
been
ſaid) and not from the Sound.
It hath been anciently reported, and is ſtill received, that extream ap-
11127. plauſes, and ſhouting of people, aſſembled in great multitudes, have ſo rari-
fied
, and broken the Air, that Birds flying over, have faln down, the Air be-
ing
not able to ſupport them.
And it is believed by ſome, that great Ring-
ing
of Bells in populous Cities, hath chaſed away Thunder;
and alſo diſ-
ſipated
peſtilent Air:
All which may be alſo from the concuſſion of the Air,
and
not from the Sound.
A very great ſound near hand, hath ſtrucken many deaf; and at the
22128. inſtant they have found, as it were, the breaking of a Skin of Parchmentin
their
Ear:
And my ſelf, ſtanding near one that lured loud and ſhrill, had
ſuddenly
an offence, as if ſome what had broken, or been diſlocated in my
Ear
, and immediately after a loud Ringing;
(not an ordinary Singing, or
Hiſſing
, but far louder, and differing;
ſo as I feared ſome Deafneſs. But
after
ſome half quarter of an hour, it vaniſhed.
This effect may be truly
referred
unto the Sound;
for (as is commonly received) an over potent
Object
doth deſtroy the Senſe;
and Spiritual Species, (both Viſible and
Audible
,) will work upon the ſenſories, though they move not any other
Body
.
In Delation of Sounds, the encloſure of them preſerveth them, and
33129. cauſeth them to be heard further.
And we finde in Rowls of Parchment, or
Truncks
, the Mouth being laid to the one end of the Rowl of Parchment,
or
Trunck, and the Ear to the other, the Sound is heard much further then
in
the open Air.
The cauſe is, for that the Sound ſpendeth, and is diſſipated
in
the open Air;
but in ſuch Concaves, it is conſerved and contracted. So
alſo
in a Piece of Ordnance, if you ſpeak in the Touch-hole, and another
lay
his Ear to the Mouth of the Piece, the Sound paſleth, and is far better
heard
than in the open Air.
It is further to be conſidered, how it proveth and worketh when the
44130. Sound is not encloſed, all the length of his way, but paſſeth partly through
open
Air;
as where you ſpeak ſome diſtance from a Trunck, or where the
Ear
is ſome diſtance from the Trunck, at the other end;
or where both
Mouth
and Ear are diſtant from the Trunck.
And it is tryed, that in a long
Trunck
of ſome Eight or ten foot, the ſound is holpen, though both the
Mouth
, and the Ear be a handful or more, from the ends of the Trunck;
and
ſomewhat
more holpen, when the Ear of the Hearer is near, than when the
Mouth
of the Speaker.
And it is certain, that the Voice is better heard in a
Chamber
from abroad, than abroad from within the Chamber.
As the Encloſure that is round about and entire, preſerveth the Sound; ſo
55131. doth a Semi-concave, though in a leſs degree.
And thereſore, if you divide
a
Trunck, or a Cane into two, and one ſpeak at the one end, and you lay
your
Ear at the other, it will carry the Voice further, than in the Air at large.
Nay further, if it be not a full Semi-concave; but if you do the like upon the
Maſt
of a Ship, or a long Pole, or a Piece of Ordnance (though one ſpeak
upon
Surface of the Ordnance, and not at any of the Bores) the Voice will
be
heard further then in the Air at large.
It would be tryed, how, and with what proportion of diſadvantage,
66132. the Voice will be carried in an Horn, which is a Line Arched;
or in a
Trumpet
, which is a Line Retorted;
or in ſome Pipe that were Si-
nuous
.
7137Century II.
It is certain, (howſoever it croſs the received opinion) that Sounds may
11133. be created without Air, though Air be the moſt favorable defferent of
Sounds
.
Take a Veſſel of Water, and knap a pair of Tongs ſome depth
within
the Water, and you ſhall hear the Sound of the Tongs well, and not
much
diminiſhed, and yet there is no Air at all preſent.
Take one Veſſel of Silver, and another of Wood, and fill each of them
22134. full of water, and then knap the Tongs together as before, about an handful
from
the bottom, and you ſhall finde the Sound much more reſounding
from
the Veſſel of Silver, than from that of Wood;
and yet if there be no
Water
in the Veſſel, ſo that you knap the Tongs in the Air, you ſhall finde
no
difference between the Silver, and the Wooden Veſſel, whereby beſide
the
main point of creating ſound without Air, you may collect two things;
the one, that the ſound communicateth with the bottom of the Veſſel; the
other
, that ſuch a communication paſſeth far better thorow Water than
Air
.
Strike any hard Bodies together in the midſt of aflame, and you ſhall
33135. hear the ſound with little difference, from the ſound in the Air.
The Pneumatical part, which is in all Tangible Bodies, and hath ſome
44136. affinity with the Air, performethin ſome degree, the parts of the Air;
as
when
you knock upon an empty Barrel, the ſound is (in part) created by the
Air
on the outſide, and (in part) by the Air in the inſide;
for the ſound will
be
greater or leſſer, as the Barrel is more empty, or more full;
but yet the
ſound
participateth alſo with the Spirit in the Wood, thorow which it paſs-
eth
from the outſide to the inſide;
and ſo it cometh to paſs in the chiming
of
Bells on the outſide, where alſo the ſound paſſeth to the inſice;
and a
number
of other like inſtances, whereof we ſhall ſpeak more when we
handle
the Communication of Sounds.
It were extream groſneſs to think (as we have partly touched before)
55137. that the ſound in Strings is made, or produced between the Hand and the
String
, or the Quill and the String, or the Bow and the String:
For thoſe
are
but Vehicula motus, paſſages to the Creation of the ſound, the ſound being
produced
between the String and the Air;
and that not by any impulſion of
the
Air, from the firſt Motion of the String;
but by the return or reſult of
the
String, which was ſtrained by the touch to his former place;
which
Motion
of Reſult is quick and ſharp, whereas the firſt Motion is ſoft and
dull
.
So the Bow tortureth the String continually, and thereby holdeth it
in
a continual Irepidation.
TAke a Trunk, and let one whiſtle at the one end, and hold your ear at
66138. the other and you ſhall finde the ſound ſtrike ſo ſharp, as you can ſcarce
77Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
Magnitude

and
Exility,
and
Damps of
Sountls
.
endure it.
The cauſe is, for that ſound diffuſeth it ſelf in round, and ſo
ſpendeth
it ſelf:
But if the ſound, which would ſcatter in open Air, be made
to
go all in to a Canalo;
it muſt needs give greater force to the ſound. And
ſo
you may note, that incloſures do not onely preſerve ſound, but alſo en-
creaſe
and ſharpen it.
7777[Handwritten note 77]
A Hunters Horn, being greater at one end, than at the other, doth en-
88139. creaſe the ſound more, than if the Horn were all of an equal bore.
The
cauſe
is, for that the Air and Sound, being firſt contracted at the leſſer end,
and
afterwards having more room to ſpred at the greater end, do dilate
the
mſelves, and in coming out, ſtrike more Air, whereby the ſound is
the
greater, and baſer.
And even Hunters Horns, which are
7238Natural Hiſtory; made ſtraight, and not obliek, are ever greater at the lower end. It would
be
tryed alſo in Pipes, being made far larger at the lower end, or being
made
with a Belly towards the lower end, and then iſſuing in to a ſtraight con-
cave
again.
There is in St. Jameſes Fields, a Conduit of Brick, unto which joyneth
11140. a low Vault;
and at the end of that, a round Houſe of Stone; and in the
Brick
Conduit there is a Window, and in the round Houſe a Slit or Rift of
ſome
little breadth;
if you cry out in the Rift, it will make a fearſul roaring
at
the Window.
The cauſe is the ſame with the former: For that all Con-
caves
that proceed from more narrow to more broad, do amplifie the Sound
at
the coming out.
Hawks Bells that have holes in the ſides, give a greater ring, than if the
22141. Pellet did ſtrike upon Braſs in the open Air.
The cauſe is the ſame with
the
firſt inſtance of the Trunck:
Namely, for that the Sound, encloſed
with
the ſides of the Bell, cometh forth at the holes unſpent and more
ſtrong
.
In Drums, the cloſeneſs round about, that preſerveth the Sound
33142. from diſperſing, maketh the noiſe come forth at the Drum-hole, far
more
loud and ſtrong, than if you ſhould ſtrike upon the like skin, ex-
tended
in the open Air.
The cauſe is the ſame with the two prece-
dent
.
Sounds are better heard, and further off in an Evening, or in the Night,
44143. than at the Noon or in the Day.
The cauſe is, for that in the Day, when the
Air
is more thin (no doubt) the Sound pierceth better;
but when the Air is
more
thick (as in the Night) the Sound ſpendeth and ſpredeth abroad leſs;
and ſo it is a degree of Encloſure. As for the night, it is true alſo, that the
general
ſilence helpeth.
There be two kindes of Reflections of Sounds; the one at Diſtance, which
55144. is the Eccho, wherein the original is heard diſtinctly, and the Reflexion
alſo
diſtinctly;
of which, we ſhall ſpeak hereafter. The other in Concur-
rence
;
when the Sound reflecting (the Reflexion being near at hand) re-
turneth
immediately upon the original, and ſo iterateth it not, but am-
plifieth
it.
Therefore we ſee, that Muſick upon the Water ſoundeth
more
;
and ſo likewiſe, Muſick is better in Chambers Wainſcotted than
Hanged
.
The Strings of a Lute, or Viol, or Virginals, do give a far greater Sound,
66145. by reaſon of the Knot, and Board, and Concave underneath, than if there
were
nothing but onely the Flat of a Board, without that Hollow and Knot,
to
let in the upper Air into the lower.
The cauſe is, the Communication of
the
upper Air with the lower, and penning of both ſrom expence or diſper-
ſing
.
An Iriſh Harp hath open Air on both ſides of the Strings; and it hath
77146. the Concave or Belly, not a long the Strings, but at the end of the Strings.
It maketh a more reſounding Sound, than a Bandora, Orpharion, or Cittern,
which
have like wiſe Wire-ſtrings.
I judge the cauſe to be, ſor that open Air
on
both ſides helpeth, ſo that there be a Concave;
which is therefore beſt
placed
at the end.
In a Virginal, when the Lid is down, it maketh a more exile Sound than
88147. when the Lid is open.
The cauſe is, for that all ſhutting in of Air, where
there
is no competent Vent, dampeth the Sound;
which maintaineth like-
wiſe
the former inſtance:
For the Belly of the Lute, or Viol, doth pen the
Air
ſomewhat.
7339Century II.
There is a Church at Gloceſter, (and as I have heard, the like is in ſome
11148. other places) where if you ſpeak againſt a Wall ſoftly, another ſhall hear
your
voice better a good way off, than near hand.
Inquire more particu-
larly
of the fame of that place.
I ſuppoſe there is ſome Vault, or Hollow,
or
lſle, behinde the Wall, and ſome paſſage to it, to wards the further end of
that
Wall againſt which you ſpeak:
So as the voice of him that ſpeaketh
ſlideth
along the Wall, and then entreth at ſome paſſage, and communi-
cateth
with the Air of the Hollow;
for it is preſerved ſomewhat by the
plain
Wall;
but that is too weak to give a Sound audible, tillit hath com-
municated
with the back Air.
Strike upon a Bow-ſtring, and lay the Horn of the Bow near your Ear,
22149. and it will increaſe the Sound, and make a degree of a Tone.
The cauſe is
for
that the ſenſory, by reaſon of the cloſe holding is percuſſed, before the
Air
diſperſeth.
The like is, if you hold the Horn betwixt your Teeth. But
that
is a plain Dilation of the Sound, from the Teeth to the Inſtrument of Hear-
ing
;
for there is a great entercourſe between thoſe two parts, as appeareth
by
this, that a harſh grating Tuneſetteth the Teeth one edge.
The like
falleth
out, if the Horn of the Bow be put upon the Temples;
but that is but
the
ſlide of the Sound from thence to the ear.
If you take a Rod of Iron or Braſs, and hold the one end to your ear
33150. and ſtrike upon the other, it maketh a far greater Sound, than the like ſtroke
upon
the Rod, not made ſo contiguous to the Ear.
By which, and by ſome
other
inſtances that have been partly touched, it ſhould appear;
that Sounds
do
not onely ſlide upon the ſurface of a ſmooth Body, but do alſo commu-
nicate
with the Spirits that are in the Pores of the Body.
I remember in Trinity-Colledge in Cambridge, there was an upper Cham-
44151. ber, which being thought weak in the Roof of it, was ſupported by a Pillar
of
Iron, of the bigneſs of ones arm, in the midſt of the Chamber, which,
if
you had ſtruck, it would make a little flat noiſe in the Room where it was
ſtruck
;
but it would make a great bomb in the Chamber beneath.
The ſound which is made by Buckets in a Well, when they touch upon
55152. the Water, or when they ſtrike upon the ſide of the Well, or when two
Buckets
daſh the one againſt the other.
Theſe Sounds are deeper and fuller,
than
if the like Percuſſion were made in the open Air:
The cauſe is the
penning
and encloſure of the Air in the Concave of the Well,
Barrels placed in a Room under the Floor of a Chamber, make all
66153. noiſes in the ſame Chamber more full and reſounding.
So that there be five ways (in general) of Majoration of Sounds, Encloſure
Simple
, Encloſure in the Dilatation, Communication, Reflexion, Concurrent, and Ap-
proach
to the Senſory.
For Exility of the Voice, or other Sounds: It is certain, that the Voice
77154. doth paſs thorow ſolid and hard Bodies, if they be not too thick;
and thorow
Water
, which is likewiſe a very cloſe Body, and ſuch an one as letteth not
in
Air.
But then the Voice or other Sound is reduced, by ſuch paſſage to a
great
weakneſs or exility.
If therefore you ſtop the Holes of a Hawks Bell,
it
will make no ring, but aflat noiſe or rattle.
And ſo doth the Ætities or
Eagles
Stone, which hath a little ſtone within it.
And as for Water, it is a certain Tryal: Let a man go into a Bath, and
88155. take a Pail and turn the bottom upward, and carry the mouth of it
(even) down to the level of the Water, and ſo preſs it down under the
Water
ſome handful and an half, ſtill keeping it even, that it may not tilt
on
either ſide, and ſo the Air get out:
Then let him that is in the Bath,
7440Natural Hiſtory; with his head ſo ſar under Water, as he may put his head into the Pail, and
there
will come as much Air bubbling forth, as will make room for his
head
.
Then let him ſpeak, and any that ſhall ſtand without, ſhall hear his
voice
plainly, but yet made extream ſharp and exile, like the voice of
Puppets
:
But yet the Articulate Sounds of the words will not be confound-
ed
.
Note, that it may be much more handſomly done, if the Pail be put
over
the Mans head above Water, and then he cowre down, and the
Pail
be preſſed down with him.
Note, that a man muſt kneel or ſit, that
he
may be lower than the Water.
A man would think, that the Sici-
lian
Poet had knowledge of this Experiment;
for he ſaith, that Hercules’s
Page
Hylas went with a Water-pot, to fill it at a pleaſant Fountain that was
near
the ſhore, and that the Nymphs of the Fountain fell in love with the
Boy
, and pulled him under the Water, keeping him alive;
and that Her-
cules
miſſing his Page, called him by his name aloud, that all the ſhore rang
of
it;
and that Hylas from within the Water anſwered his Maſter; but (that
which
is to the preſent purpoſe) with ſo ſmall and exile a voice, as Hercules
thought
he had been three miles off, when the Fountain (indeed) was
faſt
by.
In Lutes and Inſtruments of Strings, if you ſtop a ſtring high, where-
11156. by it hath leſs ſcope to tremble, the Sound is more Trebble, but yet more
dead
.
Take two Sawcers, and ſtrike the edge of the one againſt the bottom
22157. of the other, within a Pail of Water, and you ſhall finde that as you put
the
Sawcers lower and lower, the Sound groweth more flat, even while
part
of the Sawcer is above the Water;
but that flatneſs of Sound is joyned
with
a harſhneſs of Sound, which, no doubt, is cauſed by the inequality of
the
Sound, which cometh from the part of the Sawcer under the Water, and
from
the part above.
But when the Sawcer is wholly under the Water, the
ſound
becometh more clear, but far more low, and as if the ſound came
from
a far off.
A ſoft body dampeth the ſound, much more than a hard; and if a Bell
33158. hath cloth or ſilk wrapped about it, it deadeth the ſound more than if it were
Wood
.
And therefore in Clericals, the Keyes are lined, and in Colledges they
uſe
to line the Table-men.
Tryal was made in a Recorder after theſe ſeveral manners. The bottom
44159. of it was ſet againſt the Palm of the Hand, ſtopped with Wax round about,
ſet
againſt a Damask Cuſhion, thruſt into Sand, into Aſhes, into Water,
(half an inch under the Water) cloſe to the bottom of a Silver Baſin,
and
ſtill the Tone remained:
But the bottom of it was ſet againſt
a
Woollen Carpet, a Lining of Pluſh, a Lock of Wool, (though looſly
put
in;)
againſt Snow, and the ſound of it was quite deaded, and but
breath
.
Iron hot produceth not ſo full a ſound, as when it is cold; for while it is
55160. hot, it appeareth to be more ſoft, and leſs reſounding.
So likewiſe warm Wa-
ter
, when it faileth maketh not ſo full a ſound as cold;
and I conceive it is
ſofter
, and nearer the nature of Oyl;
for it is more ſlippery, as may be per-
ceived
, in that it ſco wreth better.
Let there be a Recorder made with two Fipples at each end one; the
66161. Trunck of it of the length of two Recorders, and the holes anſwerable to-
wards
each end, and let two play the ſame Leſſon upon it, at an Uniſon;
and let it be noted, whether the ſound be confounded, or amplified, or
dulled
.
So likewiſe let a Croſs be made of two Truncks
7541Century II. hollow; and let two ipeak or ſing, the one long ways the other traverſe.
And let two hear at the oppoſite ends; and note, whether the Sound be
confounded
, amplified, or dulled.
Which two inſtances will alſo give light
to
the mixture of Sounds, whereof we ſhall ſpeak hereafter.
A Bellows, blown into the hole of a Drum, and the Drum then ſtrucken,
11162. maketh the Sound a little flatter, but no other apparent alteration.
The cauſe is manifeſt; partly for that it hindreth the iſſue of the Sound;
and
partly for that it maketh the Air being blown together, leſs move-
able
.
THe Loudneſs and Softneſs of Sounds, is a thing diſtinct from the Mag-
22163. nitude and Exility of Sounds;
for a Baſe-ſtring, though ſoftly ſtrucken,
33Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
Loudneſs
or
Softneß
of
Sounds
, and
their
Carriage
at
longer or
ſhorter
diſtance.
giveth the greater Sound;
but a Trebble ſtring, if hard ftrucken, will be
heard
much further off.
And the cauſe is, for that the Baſe-ſtring ſtriketh
more
Air;
and the Trebble leſs Air, but with a ſharper percuſſion.
It is therefore the ſtrength of the Percuſſion, that is a principal cauſe
of
the loudneſs or ſoftneſs of Sounds:
As in knocking, harder or ſofter;
44164. Winding of a Horn, ſtronger or weaker; Ringing of an Hand bell, harder
or
ſoftcr, &
c. And the ſtrength of this Percuſſion conſiſteth, as much or
more
, in the hardneſs of the Body percuſſed, as in the force of the Body
percuſſing
:
For if you ſtrike againſt a Cloth, it will give a leſs ſound; if
againſt
Wood, a greater;
if againſt a Metal, yet a greater; and in Metals,
if
you ſtrike againſt Gold, (which is the more pliant) it giveth the flatter
ſound
;
if againſt Silver or Braſs, the more ringing ſound. As for Air, where
it
is ſtrongly pent, it matcheth a hard Body.
And therefore we ſee in diſ-
charging
of a piece, what a great noiſe it maketh.
We ſee alſo, that the
Charge
with Bullet, or with Paper wet, and hard ſtopped;
or with Pow-
der
alone rammed in hard, maketh no great difference in the loudneſs of the
report
.
The ſharpneſs or quickneſs of the Percuſſion, is a great cauſe of the
55165. loudneſs, as well as the ſtrength:
As in a Whip or Wand, if you ſtrike
the
Air with it, the ſharper and quicker you ſtrike it, the louder ſound it
giveth
.
And in playing upon the Lute or Virginals, the quick ſtroke or
touch
is a great life to the Sound.
The cauſe is, for that the quick ſtrik-
ing
cutteth the Air ſpeedily, whereas the ſoft ſtriking, doth rather beat
than
cut.
THe Communication of Sounds (as in Bellies of Lutes, empty Veſſels, & c.)
66Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
Communicati-
on
of Sounds.
hath been touched obiter, in the Majoration of Sounds:
But it is fit alſo to
make
a Title of it apart.
The Experiment, for greateſt Demonſtration of Communication of
77166. Sounds, is the Chiming of Bells;
where, if you ſtrike with a Hammar
upon
the upper part, and then upon the midſt, and then upon the lower,
you
ſhall finde the ſound to be more Trebble, and more Baſe, according
unto
the Concave on the inſide, though the Percuſſion be onely on the
outſide
.
When the Sound is created between the Blaſt of the Mouth, and the Air
88167. of the Pipe, it hath nevertheleſs ſome communication with the matter of the
ſides
of the Pipe, and the ſpirits in them contained:
For in a Pipe or Trum-
pet
of Wood and Braſs, the ſound will be diverſe;
ſo if the Pipe be
7642Natural Hiſtory; with Cloth or Silk, it will give a diverſe Sound from that it would do of it
ſelf
;
ſo if the Pipe be a little wet on the inſide, it will make a differing
Sound
, from the ſame Pipedry.
That Sound made within Water, doth communicate better with a hard
11168. Body thorow Water, than made in Air, it doth with Air.
Vide Experimentum,
134
.
WE have ſpoken before (in the Inquiſition touching Muſick) of Mu-
22Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching

Equality
and
In’quality
of
Sounds
.
7878[Handwritten note 78] ſical Sounds, whereunto there may be a Concord or Diſcord in two
Parts
;
which Sounds we call Tones, and likewiſe of Immuſical Sounds; and
have
given the cauſe, that the Tone proceedeth of Equality, and the other
of
Inequality.
And we have alſo expreſſed there, what are the Equal
Bodies
that give Tones, and what are the Unequal that give none.
Butnow
we
ſhall ſpeak of ſuch Incquality of Sounds, as proceedeth not from the
Nature
of the Bodies themſelves, but is accidental, Either from the Rough-
neſs
or Obliquity of the Paſſage, or from the Doubling of the Percuticnt,
or
from the Trepidation of the Motion.
A Bell if it have a Rift in it, whereby the ſound hath not a clear paſſage,
33169. giveth a hoarſe and jarring ſound;
ſo the Voice of Man, when by cold
taken
, the Weſil groweth rugged, and (as we call it) furred, becometh
hoarſe
.
And in theſe two inſtances, the Sounds are ingrate, becauſe they
are
meerly unequal;
but if they be unequal in equality, then the Sound is
Grateful
, but Purling.
All Inſtruments that have either Returns, as Trumpets; or Flexions, as
44170. Cornets;
or are drawn up, and putfrom, as Sackbuts, have a Purling Sound;
But the Recorder or Flute that have none of theſe Inequalities, give a clear
Sound
.
Nevertheleſs, the Recorderit ſelf or Pipe, moiſtened a little in the
inſide
, ſoundethmore ſolemnly, and with a little Purling or Hiſſing.
Again,
a
Wreathed String, ſuch as are in the Baſe Strings of Bandoraes, giveth alſo
a
Purling Sound.
Lut a Lute-ſtring, if it be meerly unequal in his parts, giveth a harſh
55171. and untuneable Sound, which ſtrings we call falſe, being bigger in one
place
, than in another;
and therefore Wire-ſtrings are never falſe. Weſee
alſo
, that when we try a falſe Lute-ſtring, we uſe to extend it hard between
the
Fingers, and to fillip it;
and if it giveth a double ſpecies, it is true; but
if
it giveth a trebble or more, it is falſe.
Waters, in the noiſe they make as they run, repreſent to the Ear a
66172. trembling noiſe;
and in Regals (where they have a Pipe, they call the
Nightingale-Pipe
, which containeth Water) the Sound hath a continual
trembling
.
And Children have alſo little things they call Cocks, which
have
water in them;
and when they blow, or whiſtle in them, they yield
a
trembling noiſe;
which Trembling of Water, hath an affinity with the
Letter
L.
All which Inequalities of Irepidation, are rather pleaſant, than
other
wiſe.
All Baſe Notes, or very Trebble Notes, give an Aſper Sound; for that
77173. the Baſe ſtriketh more Air, than it can well ſtrike equally;
and the Trebble
cutteth
the Air ſo ſharp, as it returneth too ſwift, to make the Sound equal;
and therefore a Mean or Tenor is the ſweeteſt part.
We know nothing, that can at pleaſure make a Muſical or Immuſical
88174. Sound by voluntary Motion, butthe Voice of Man and Birds.
The cauſe is
(no doubt) in the Weſil or Wind-Pipe, (which we call Aſperia
7743Century II. which being well extended, gathered equality; as a Bladder that is
wrinckled
, if it be extended, becometh ſmooth.
The extenſion is always,
more
in Tones, than in Speech;
therefore the inward voice or whiſper,
can
never give a Tone.
And in ſinging, there is (manifeſtly) a greater
working
and labor of the Throat, than in ſpeaking;
as appeareth in the
thruſting
out, or drawing in of the Chin, when we ſing.
The Humming of Bees is an unequal buzzing, and is conceived by ſome
11175. of the Ancients, not to come forth at their Mouth, but to bean inward
Sound
;
but (it may be) it is neither, but from the motion of their Wings;
for it is not heard, but when they ſtir.
All Metals quenchedin Water, give a ſibillation or hiſſing ſound (which
22176. hath an affinity with the Let er Z.)
notwithſtanding the Sound be created
between
the Water or Vapor, and the Air.
Seething alſo, if there be but
ſmall
ſtore of Water in a Veſſel, giveth a hiſſing ſound;
but boyling in a
full
Veſſel, givetha bubbling ſound, drawing ſomewhat near to the Cocks
uſed
by Children.
Tryal would be made, whether the Inequality, or interchange of the
33177. Medium, will not produce an Inequality of Sound;
as if three Bells were
made
one within another, and Air betwixt each;
and then the outermoſt
Bell
were chimed with a Hammer, how the Sound would differ from a
ſimple
Bell.
So likewiſe takea Plate of Braſs, and a Plank of Wood, and
joyn
them cloſe together, and knock upon one of them, and ſee if they do
not
give an unequal Sound.
So make two or three Partitions of Wood in
a
Hogſhead, with holes or knots in them;
and mark the difference of their
ſound
, from the ſound of an Hogſhead, without ſuch partitions.
IT is evident, that the Percuſſion of the greater quantity of Air, cauſeth
44178. the baſer Sound;
and the leſs quantity, the more trebble Sound. The
55Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
more
Trebble,
and
the more
Baſe
Tones or
Muſical

Sounds
.
Percuſſion of the greater quantity of Air, is produced by the greatneſs of
the
Body percuſſing;
by the Latitude of the Concave, by which the Sound
paſſeth
, and by the Longitude of the ſame Concave.
Therefore weſee, that
a
Baſe-ſtring is greater than a Trebble, a Baſe-pipehath a greater bore than
a
Trebble:
And in Pipes, and the like, the lower the Note holes be, and the
further
off from the Mouth of the Pipe, the more Baſe ſound they yield;
and the nearer the Mouth, the more Trebble. Nay more, if you ſtrike an
66Q entire Body, as an Andiron of Braſs, at the top it maketh a more Trebble
ſound
, and at the bottom a Baſer.
It is alſo evident, that the ſharperor quicker Percuſſion of Air, cauſeth
77179. the more Trebble ſound;
and the ſlower or heavier, the more Baſe ſound.
So weſee in Strings, the more they are wound up and ſtrained (and thereby
give
a more quick ſtart back) he more Trebble is the ſound;
and the ſlacker
they
are, or leſs wound up, the Baſer is the ſound.
And therefore a bigger
String
more ſtrained, and a leſſer String leſs ſtrained, may fall into the ſame
Tone
.
Children, Women, Eunuchs, have more ſmall and ſhrill Voices than Men;
88180. The reaſon is, not for that Men have greater heat, which may make the
voice
ſtronger, (for the ſtrength of a Voice or Sound, doth make a difference
in
the loudneſs or ſoftneſs, but not in the Tone) but from the dilatation of
the
Organ, which (it is true) is likewiſe cauſed by heat;
but the cauſe of
changing
the voice at the years of puberty, is moſt obſcure.
Itſeemeth to be
for
that, when much of the moiſture of the Body, which did
7844Natural Hiſtory; the Parts, is drawn down to the Spermatical Veſiels, it leaveth the Body
more
hot than it was;
whence cometh the dilatation of the Pipes: For we
ſee
plainly all effects of Heat do then come on;
as Piloſity, more rough-
neſs
of the skin, hardneſs of the fieſh, &
c.
The induſtry of the Muſitian, hath produced two other means of Strain-
11181. ing, or Intenſion of Strings, beſides their Winding up.
The one is the Stopping of
221 the String with the Fingtr;
as in the Necks of Lutes, Viols, & c. The
332 other is the Shortneß of the String;
as in Harps, Virginals, & c. Both theſe
443 have one and the ſame reaſon, for they cauſe the String to give a quicker
ſtart
.
In the ſtraining of a String, the further it is ſtrained, the leſs ſuperſtrain-
55182. ing goeth to a Note:
For it requireth good winding of a String, beſore it
will
make any Note at all.
And in the ſtops of Lutes, & c. the higher they
go
, the leſs diſtance is between the Frets.
If you fill a Drinking Glaß with Water, (eſpecially one ſharp below,
66183. and wide above) and fillip upon the Brim, or outſide;
and aſter, empty
part
of the Water, and ſo more and more, and ſtill try the Tone by fillip-
ing
;
you ſhall finde the Tone fall, and be more Baſe as the Glaſs is more
empty
.
THe juſt and meaſured Proportion of the Air percuſſed, towards the
77Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
Proportion
of
Trebble
and
Baſe
Tones.
Baſeneſs or Trebbleneſs of Tones, is one of the greateſt ſecrets in the
Contemplation
of Sounds.
For it diſcovereth the true Coincidence of
Tones
into Diapaſons, which is the return of the ſame Sound.
And ſo of
the
Concords and Diſcords, between the Uniſon and Diapaſon;
which we
have
touched before in the Experiments of Muſick, but think fit to reſume it
here
as a principal part of out Inquiry, touching the Nature of Sounds.
It may
be
found out in the Proportion of the Winding of Strings, in the Proportion
of
the Diſtance of Frets, and in the Proportion of the Concave of Pipes, &
c.
But moſt commodiouſly in the laſt of theſe.
Try therefore the Winding of a String once about, as ſoon as it is
88184. brought to that extenſion as will give a Tone, and then of twice about, and
thrice
about, &
c. And mark the ſcale or difference of the Rice of the Tone,
whereby
you ſhall diſcover in one, two effects;
both the proportion of the
Sound
to wards the Dimenſion of the Winding, and the proportion likewiſe
of
the Sound towards the Stting, as it is more or leſs ſtrained.
But notethat
to
meaſure this, the way will be to take the length in a right line of the String,
upon
any Winding about of the Peg.
As for the Stops, you are to take the number of Frets, and principally
99185. the length of the Line, from the firſt ſtop of the String, unto ſuch a ſtop as
ſhall
produce a Diapaſon to the former ſtop, upon the ſame String.
But it will beſt (as it is ſaid) appear in the Bores of Wind-Inſtruments; and
1010186. therefore cauſe ſome half dozen Pipes to be made in length, and all things
elſe
a like, with a ſingle double, and ſo one to a ſextuple Bore;
and ſo mark
what
fall of Tone every one giveth.
But ſtill in theſe three laſt inſtances
you
muſt diligently obſerve, what length of String, or diſtance of Stop, or
concave
of Air, maketh what riſe of Sound.
As in the laſt of theſe (which,
as
we ſaid, is that which giveth the apteſt demonſtration) you muſt ſet down
what
increaſe of Concave goeth to the making of a Note higher, and what
of
two Notes, and what of three Notes, and ſo up to the Diapaſon:
For
then
the great ſecret of Numbers and Proportions will appear.
It is
7945Century II. unlikely, that thoſe that make Recorders, & c. know this already; for
that
they make them in Sets.
And likewiſe Bell-Founders in fitting the
tune
of their Bells:
So that enquiry may ſave tryal. Surely, it hath been
obſerved
by one of the Ancients, that an empty Barrel knocked upon wi h
the
finger, giveth a Diapaſon to the Sound of the like Barrel full:
But how
that
ſhould be, I do not well underſtand, for that the knocking of a Barrel
full
or empty, doth ſcarce give any Tone.
There is required ſome ſenſible difference in the Proportion of creat-
11187. ing a Note towards the Sound it ſelf, which is the Paſſive;
and that it
be
not too near, but at a diſtance:
For in a Recorder, the three upper-
moſt
holes yield one Tone, which is a Note lower than the Tone of the
firſt
three.
And the like (no doubt) is required in the winding or ſtopping
of
Strings.
THere is another difference of Sounds, which we will call Exterior and
22Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching

Exterior
and
Interior

Sounds
.
Interior.
It is not Softinor Loud; nor it is not Baſe, nor Trebble; nor
it
is not Muſical, nor Immuſical.
Though it be true, that there can be no
Tone
in an Interior Sound;
but on the other ſide, in an Exterior Sound, there
may
be both Muſical and Immuſical.
We ſhall therefore enumerate them
rather
than preciſely diſtingulſh them;
thobgh to make ſome adumbration
of
(that we mean) the Interior, is rather an Impulſion or Contuſion of
the
Air, than an Elyſion or Section of the ſame;
ſo as the Percuſſion of the
one
towards the other, diffsreth as a Blow differeth from a Cut.
In Speech of Man, the Whiſpering, (which they call Suſurrus in La-
33188. tin,) whether it be louder or ſofter, is an Interior Sound;
but the Speak-
ing
out, is an Exterior Sound:
And therefore you can never make a Tone,
nor
ſing in Whiſpering;
but in Speech you may. So Breathing, or Blow-
ing
by the Mouth, Bellows, or Wind (thoughloud) is an Interior Sound;
but the blowing thorow a Pipe, or Concave (though ſoft) is an Exterior.
So
likewiſe, the greateſt Winds, it they have no coarctation, or blow not
hollow
, give and Interior Sound;
the whiſtling or hollow Wind, yieldeth
a
ſinging, or Exterior Sound;
the former being pent by ſome other
Body
, the latter being pent in by his own Denſity:
And therefore we ſee,
That
when the Wind bloweth hollow, it is a ſign of Rain;
the flame, as it
moveth
withinit ſelf, or is blown by a Bellows, giveth a murmur or Interior
Sound
.
There is no hard Body, but ſtruck againſt another hard Body, will yield
44189. an Exterior Sound, greater or leſſer;
inſomuch, as if the Percuſſion be over-
ſoft
, it may induce a nullity of ſound, but never an Interior Sound;
as when
onetreadeth
ſo ſoftly, that he is not heard.
Where the Air is the Percutient, pent or not pent, againſt a hard Body,
55190. it never giveth an Exterior Sound;
as if you blow ſtrongly with a Bellows
againſt
a Wall.
Sounds (both Exterior and Interior) may be made as well by Suction, as
66191. by emiſſion of the Breath;
as in Whiſtling, or Breathing.
IT is evident, and it is one of the ſtrangeſt ſecrets in Sounds; that the
77192.88Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching

Articulations

of
Sounds.
whole Sound is not in the whole Air onely, but the whole Sound is
alſo
in evety ſmall part of the Air.
So that all the curious diverſity of
8046Natural Hiſtory; culate ſounds of the voice of Man or Birds, will cnter into a ſmall crany,
inconfuſed
.
The unequal agitation of the Winds, and the like, though they be ma-
11193. terial to the carriage of the Sounds, further or leſs way;
yet they do not
conſound
the Articulation of them at all, within that diſtance that they can
be
heard, thoughit may be, they make them to be heard leſs way, than in
a
ſtill, as hath been partly touched.
Over-great diſtance confoundeth the Articulation of Sounds, as we
22194. ſee, that you may hear the ſound of a Preachers voice, or the like, when
you
cannot diſtinguiſh what he ſaith.
And one Articulate ſound will con-
found
another, as when many ſpeak at once.
In the Experiment of ſpeaking under VVater, when the voice is re-
33195. duced to ſuch an extream exhility, yet the Articulate ſounds (which are the
words
) are not confounded, as hath been ſaid.
I conceive that an extream ſmall, or an extream great ſound, can-
44196. not be Articulate, but that the Articulation requireth a mediocrity of
ſound
:
For that the extream ſmall ſound confoundeth the Articulation
by
contracting, and the great ſound by diſperſing;
and although
(as was formerly ſaid) a Sound Articulate, already created, will be con-
tracted
into a ſmall crany;
yet the firſt Articulation requireth more di-
menſion
.
It hath been obſerved, that in a Room, or in a Chappel, Vaulted
55197. below, and Vaulted likewiſe in the Roof, a Preacher cannot be heard ſo
well
, as in the like places not ſo Vaulted.
The cauſe is, for that the ſub-
ſequent
words come on, before the precedent words vaniſh;
and there-
fore
the Articulate Sounds are more confuſed, though the groſs of the Sound
be
greater.
The motions of the Tongue, Lips, Throat, Palate, & c. which go to the
66198. making of the ſeveral Alphabetical Letters are worthy inquiry, and perti-
nent
to the preſent Inquiſition of Sounds:
But becauſe they are ſubtil and
long
to deſcribe, we will refer them over, and place them amongſt the
Experiments
of Speech.
The Hebrews have been diligent in it, and have
aſſigned
which Letters are Labial, which Dental, which Guttural, &
c. As
for
the Latins and Grecians, they have diſtinguiſhed between Semi-vowels
and
Mutes;
and in Mutes, between Mutæ Tenues, Mediæ and Aſpiratæ, not
amiſs
, but yet not diligently cnough.
For the ſpecial ſtrokes and moti-
tions
that create thoſe Sounds, they have little enquired;
as that the
Letters
, B.
P. F. M. are not expreſſed, but with the contracting, or ſhut-
ting
of the Mouth;
that the Letters N. and B. cannotbe pronounced, but
that
the Letter N.
will turn into M. as Hecatonba will be Hecatomba. That
M
.
and T. cannot be pronounced together, but P. will come between;
as Emtus, is pronounced Emptus, and a number of the like: So that if
you
enquire to the full, you will finde, that to the making of the whole
Alphabet
, there will be fewer ſimple Motions required, than there are
Letters
.
The Lungs are the moſt ſpongy part of the Body, and therefore ableſt
77199. to contract and dilate it ſelf;
and where it contracteth it ſelf, it expcllcth
the
Air, which thorow the Artire, Throat, and Mouth, maketh the Voice:
But yet Arciculation is notmade, but with the help of the Tongue, Pallate, and the
reft
of thoſe they call Inſtruments of Voice.
8147Century II.
There is found a Similitude between the Sound that is made by Inani-
11200 mate Bodies, or by Animate Bodies, that have no Voice Articulate, and di-
vers
Letters of Articulate Voices;
and commonly Men have given ſuch
names
to thoſe Sounds as do allude unto the Articulate Letters.
As Trem-
bling
of Water hath reſemblance with the Letter L.
Quenching of Hot Metals
with
the Letter Z.
Snarling of Dogs with the Letter R. The Noiſe of Scritch-
Owls
with the Letters Sh.
Voice of Cats with the Dipthong Eu. Voice of
Chucko
s with the Dipthong Ou.
Sounds of Strings with the Letters Ng. So
thatif
a Man (for curioſity or ſtrangeneſs ſake) would make a Puppet, or
other
dead Body, to pronounce a word:
Lethim conſider on the one part,
the
Motion of the Inſtruments of Voice;
and on the other part, the like Sounds
made
in Inanimate Bodies;
and what Conformity there is, that cauſeth the
Similitude
of Sounds;
and by that he may miniſter light to that effect.
82
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8349
NATURAL
HISTORY
Century III.
ALL Sounds (whatſoever) move round, that is to ſay, On
11201. allſides, Upwards, Downwards, Forewards, and Back-
22Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
Motions
of
Sounds
, in
what
Lines
they
are Cir-
cular
, Oblick,
Straight
, Vp-
wards
, Down-
wards
, For-
wards
, Back-
wards
.
wards:
This appeareth in all Inſtances.
Sounds do not require to be conveighed to the Senſe
in
a right Line, as Viſibles do, but may be arched, though
it
be true they move ſtrongeſt in a right Line;
which
neverthelels
is not cauſed by the rightneſs of the Line,
but
by the ſhortneſs of the diſtance.
Linearectea brevißi-
ma
.
And therefore, we ſee if a Wallbe between, and you ſpeak on the one
ſide
, vou hear it on the other;
which is not b@cauſe the ſound paſſeth thorow
the
Wall, but arched over the Wall.
33202.
If the Sound be ſtopped and repercuſſed, it cometh about on the other
44203. ſide, in an oblick Line:
So, if in a Coach, one ſide of the Boot be down, and
the
other up, and a Begger beg on the cloſe ſide, you would think that he
were
on the open ſide.
So like wiſe, if a Bell or Clock, be (for example)
on
the North-ſide of a Chamber, and the Window of that Chamber be
upon
the South;
he that is in the Chamber, will think the ſound came from
the
South.
Sounds, though they ſpred round, ſo that (there is an orb, or ſpherical
55204. Area of the Sound) yet they move ſtrongeſt, and go furtheſt in the Fore-
Lines
, from the firſt Local Impulſion of the Air.
And therefore in Preach-
ing
, you ſhall hear the Preachers voice better before the Pulpit than be-
hinde
it, or on the ſides, though it ſtand open.
So a Harqucbuz or Ordnance
will
be further heard forwards, from the mouth of the Piece, than back-
wards
, or on the ſides.
It may be doubted, that Sounds do move better do wnwards, than up-
66205. wards.
ſulpits are placed high above the people: And when the
8450Natural Hiſtory; Generals ſpake to their Armies, they had ever a Mount of Turff caſt up,
where
upon they ſtood.
But this may be imputed to the ſtops and obſtacles
which
the voice meeteth with, when one ſpeaketh upon the level.
But
there
ſeemeth to be more in it;
for it may be, that Spiritual Species, both of
things
viſible, and Sounds, do move better down wards than up wards.
It is
a
ſtrange thing, that to Men ſtanding below on the ground, thoſe that be on
the
top of Pauls, ſeem much leſs than they are, and cannot be known:
But
to
Men above thoſe below, ſeem nothing ſo much leſſened, and may be
known
;
yet it is true, That all things to them above, ſeem alſo ſomewhat
contracted
and better collected into figure;
as Knots in Gardens ſhew beſt
from
an upper Window or Tarras.
But to make an exact tryal of it, let a Man ſtand in a Chamber. not
11206. much above the Ground, and ſpeak out at the Window thorow a Trunck, to
one
ſtanding on the Ground as ſoftly as he can, the other laying his Ear cloſe
to
the Trunck:
Then Via verſa, let the other ſpeak below keeping the ſame
proportion
of ſoftneſs;
and let him in the Chamber lay his Ear to the Trunck.
And this may be the apteſt means to make a Judgment, whether Sounds
deſcend
or aſcend better.
AFter that Sound is created (which is in a moment) we finde it continueth
22207. ſome ſmall time, melting by little and little.
In this there is a wonder-
33Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
Lacting
and
Periſhing
of
Sounds
; and
touching
the
time
they re-
quire
to the
Generation
or
Delation
.
ful error amongſt Men, who take this to be a continuance of the firſt Sound;
whereas (in truth) it is a Renovation, and not a Continuance: For the Body
percufſed
, hath by reaſon of the Percuſſion, a Tripidation wrought in the mi-
nute
parts, and ſo reneweth the Percuſſion of the Air.
This appeareth
manifeſtly
, becauſe that the Melting ſound of a Bell, or of a ſtring ſtrucken,
which
is thought to be a Continuance, ceaſeth as ſoon as the Bell or ſtring are
touched
.
As in a Virginal, as ſoon as ever the Jack falleth, and toucheth the
ſtring
, the ſound ceaſeth;
and in a Bell, after you have chimed upon it, if you
touch
the Bell, the ſound ceaſeth.
And in this you muſt diſtinguiſh, that there
are
two Trepidations, The one Manifeſt and Local;
as of the Bell, when it
is
Penſile;
the other Secret, of the Minute parts, ſuch as is deſcribed in the
ninth
Inſtance.
But it is true, that the Local helpeth the Secret greatly. We
ſee
like wiſe, that in Pipes, and other Wind Inſtruments, the ſound laſteth no
longer
than the breath bloweth.
It is true, that in Organs there is a confuſed
murmur
for a while, after you have played, but that is but while the Bellows
are
in falling.
It is certain, that in the noiſe of great Ordnance, where many are ſhot
44208. off together, the ſound will be carried (at the leaſt) twenty miles upon the
Land
, and much further upon the Water, but then it will come to the Ear;
not in the inſtant of the ſhooting off, but it will come an hour, or more later:
This
muſt needs be a Continuance of the firſt Sound;
for there is no Trepi-
dation
which ſhould renew it.
And the touching of the Ordnance would
not
extinguiſh the ſound the ſooner:
So that in great Sounds, the Continu-
ance
is more than Momentany.
To try exactly the time wherein Sound is delated, Let a Man ſtand in a
55209. Steeple, and have with him a Taper, and let ſome Veil be put before the
Taper
, and let another Man ſtand in the Field a mile off;
then let him in the
Steeple
ſtrike the Bell, and in the ſame inſtant withdraw the Veil, and ſo let
him
in the Field tell by his Pulſe, what diſtance of time there is between the
Light
ſeen, and the Sound heard:
For it is certain, That the Delation
8551Century III. Light is in an inſtant. This may be tried in far greater diſtances, allowing
greater
Lights and Sounds.
It is generally known and obſerved, that Light and the object of Sight,
11210. move ſwifter than Sound;
for we ſee the flaſh of a piece is feen ſooner,
than
the noiſe is heard.
And in hewing Wood, if one ſome diſtance off, he
ſhall
ſee the Arm lifted up for a ſecond ſtroke, before he hear the noiſe of the
firſt
;
and the greater the diſtance, the greater is the prevention: As we ſee in
Thunder
, which is far off, where the Lightning precedeth the crack a good ſpace.
Colours, when they repreſent themſelves to the Eye, fade not nor melt
22211. not by degrees, but appear ſtill in the ſame ſtrength;
but Sounds melt, and
vaniſh
, by little and little.
The cauſe is, for that Colours participate nothing
with
the motion of the Air, but Sounds do.
And it is a plain argument that
Sound
participateth of ſome Local Motion of the Air, (as a cauſe Sine quâ
non
) in that it periſheth ſo ſuddenly:
For in every Section, or Impulſion of
the
Air, the Air doth ſuddenly reſtore and reunite it ſelf, which the Water
alſo
doth, but nothing ſo ſwiftly.
IN the Tryals of the Paſſage, or not Paſſage of Sounds, you muſt take heed
33Experiments
in
Conſotr,
touching
the
Paſſage
and
Interceptions

of
Sounds.
you miſtake not the paſſing by the ſides of a Body, for the paſſing thorow
a
Body;
and therefore you muſt make the Intercepting Body very cloſe;
for Sound will paſs thorow a ſmall chinck.
Where Sound paſſeth thorow a hard, or cloſe Body (as thorow Water,
44212. thorow a Wall, thorow Metal, as in Hawks Bells ſtopped, &
c.) the hard
or
cloſe Body, muſt be but thin and ſmall;
for elſe it deadeth and extinguiſh-
eth
the Sound utterly.
And therefore, in the Experiment of Speaking in
Air
under Water, the voice muſt not be very deep within the Water, for then
the
Sound pierceth not.
So if you ſpeak on the further ſide of a cloſe Wall,
if
the Wall be very thick, you ſhall not be heard;
and if there were an Hogs-
head
empty, where of the ſides were ſome two foot thick, and the Bung-
hole
ſtopped.
I conceive, the reſounding ſound by the Communication of
the
outward Air with the Air within, would be little or none, but onely you
ſhall
hear the noiſe of the outward knock, asif the Veſſel were full.
It is certain, that in the paſſage of Sounds thorow hard Bodies, the Spirit
55213. or Pneumatical part of the hard Body it ſelf doth co-operate;
but much
better
, when the ſides of that hard Body are ſtruck, than when the percuſſi-
on
is onely within, withouttouch of the ſides.
Take therefore a Hawks-Bell,
the
holes ſtopped up, and hang it by a thred within a Bottle-Glaſs, and ſtop
the
Mouth of the Glaſs very cloſe with Wax, and then ſhake the Glaſs, and ſee
whether
the Bell give any ſound at all, or how weak?
But note, that you muſt
inſtead
of Thred take a Wire, or elſe let the Glais have a great Belly, leſt
when
you ſhake the Bell, it daſh upon the ſides of the Glaſs.
It is plain that a very long and down right arch for the Sound to paſs,
66214. will extinguiſh the Sound quite, ſo that that Sound, which would be heard
over
a Wall, will not be heard over a Church;
nor that Sound, which will
be
heard, if you ſtand ſome diſtance from the Wall, will be heard if you
ſtand
cloſe under the Wall.
So tand Foraminous Bodies in the firſt creation of the Sound, will dead
77215. it;
for the ſtriking againſt Cloth or Fur, will make little ſound, as hath been
ſaid
:
But in the paſſage of the ſound, they will admit it better than harder
Bodies
, as we ſee, that Curtains and Hangings will not ſtay the ſound much,
but
Glaſs windows, if they be very cloſe, will check a ſound more, than the
like
thickneſs of Cloth.
We ſee alſo in the rumbling of the Belly, how
caſily
the Sound paſſeth thorow the Guts and Skin.
8652Natural Hiſtory;
It is worthy the inquiry, whether great Sounds (as of Ordnance or
11216. Bells) become not more Weak and Exile, when they paſs thorow ſmall
Cranies
.
For the Subtilties of Articulate Sounds, (it may be) may paſs
thorow
ſmall Cranies, not conſuſed;
but the magnitude of the Sound (per-
haps
) not ſo well.
THe Mediums of Sounds, are Air, ſoft and porous Bodies; alſo Water,
22217. and hard Bodies reſuſe not altogether to be Mediums of Sounds.
But all
33Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
Medium
of
Sounds
.
oſ them are dull and unapt differents, except the Air.
In Air, the thinner or drier Air, carrieth not the Sound ſo well, as the
44218 more denſe;
as appeareth in Night Sounds, and Evening Sounds, and
Sounds
in moiſt Weather, and Southern Winds.
The reaſon is already
mentioned
in the Title of Majoration of Sounds;
being, for that thin Air is
better
pierced, but thick Air preſerveth the Sound better from waſte:
Let
further
Tryal be made by hollowing in Miſts, and gentle Showers;
for (it
may
be) that will ſome what dead the Sound.
How far forth Flame may be a Medium of Sounds, (eſpecially of ſuch
55219. Sounds as are created by Air, and not bet wixt hard Bodies) lebit be tried
in
ſpeaking, where a Bonefire is between;
but then you muſt allow for ſome
diſturbance
, the noiſe that the Flame it ſelf maketh.
Whether any other Liquors being made Mediums, cauſe a diverſity of
66220. Sound from Water, it may be tryed:
As by the knapping of the Tongs, or
ſtriking
the bottom of a Veſſel filled either with Milk or with Oyl;
which though they be more light, yet are they more une qual Bodies than
Air
.
Of the Natures of the Mediums, we have now ſpoken; as for the Diſpoſi-
# tion of the ſaid Mediums, it doth confiſt in the Penning, or not Penning
# of the Air;
of which, we have ſpoken before in the Title of Delation of
# Sounds.
It conſiſteth alſo in the Figure of the Concave, through which
# it paſſeth.
Of which, we will ſpeak next.
HOw the Figures of Pipes or Concaves, through which Sounds paſs, or of
77Experiments
in
Conſort,
what
the Fi-
gures
of the
Pipes
or Con-
caves
, or the
Bodies
diffe-
rens
, conduce
to
the Sounds.
other Bodies different;
conduce to the variety and alteration of the
Sounds
, either in reſpect of the greater quantity, or leſs quantity of Air,
which
the Concaves receive;
or in reſpect of the carrying of Sounds longer
or
ſhorter way;
or in reſpect of many other Circumſtances, they have been
touched
, as falling into other Titles.
But thoſe Figures which we now are
to
fpeak of, we intend to be, as they concern the Lines, through which
Sound
paſſeth:
As Straight, Crooked, Angular, Circular, & c.
The Figure of a Bell partaketh of the Pyramis, but yet coming off, and
88221. dilating more ſuddenly.
The Figure of a Hunters Horn, and Cornet, is oblick, yet
they
have likewiſe ſtraight Horns;
which if they be of the ſame bore with
the
oblick, differ little in Sound, ſave that the ſtraight require ſome what a
ſtronger
blaſt.
The Figure of Recorders, and Flutes, and Pipes, are ſtraight;
but the Recorder hath a leſs bore, and a greater, above and below. The Trumpet
hath
the Figure of the Letter S.
which maketh that Purling Sound, & c. Gene-
rally
, the ſtraight Line hath the cleaneſt and roundeſt Sound, and the crooked
the
more Hoarſe, and Jarring.
Of a Sinuous Pipe that may have ſome four Flexions, tryal would be
99222. made.
Likewiſe of a Pipe made like a Croſs, open in the midſt; and
8753Century III. likewiſe of an Angular Pipe; and ſee what will be the effects of theſe ſeveral
Sounds
.
And ſo again of a Circular Pipe: As if you take a Pipe perfect
round
, and make a hole whereinto you ſhall blow, and another hole not
far
from that;
but with a traverſe or ſtop between them: So that your
breath
may go the Round of the Circle, and come forth at the ſecond hole.
You may try likewiſe Percuſſions of ſolid Bodies of ſeveral Figures: As
Globes
, Flats, Cubes, Croſſes, Triangles, &
c. And their Combinations; as Flat
againſt
Flat, and Convex againſt Convex, and Convex againſt Flat, &
c. And mark
well
the diverſities of the Sounds.
Try alſo the difference in ſound of ſeve-
ral
Craſſitudes of hard Bodies percuſſed, and take knowledge of the diver-
ſities
of the ſounds.
I my ſelf have tried, That a Bell of Gold yieldeth an ex-
cellent
ſound, not inferior to that of Silver or Braß, but rather better.
Yet
we
ſee that a piece of money of Gold, ſoundeth far more flat than a piece of
money
of Silver.
The Harp hath the concave, not along the ſtrings, but acroſs the ſtrings;
11223. and no Inſtrument hath the ſound ſo melting and prolonged, as the Iriſh Harp.
So as I ſuppoſe, that if a Virginal were made with a double Concave; the
one
all the length as the Virginal hath, the other at the end of the ſtrings, as
the
Harp hath;
it muſt needs make the ſound perfecter, and not ſo ſhallow,
and
jarring.
You may try it without any Sound-board along, but onely
Harp
wiſe, at one end of the ſtrings;
or laſtly, with a double concave, at
each
end of the ſtrings one.
THere is an apparent diverſity between the Species Viſible and Audible, in
22224. this.
That the Viſible doth not mingle in the Medium, but the Audible
33Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
Mixture
of
Sounds
.
doth.
For if we look abroad, we ſee Heaven, a number of Stars, Trees,
Hills
, Men, Beaſts, at once;
and the Species of the one, doth not confound
the
other:
But if ſo many Sounds come from ſeveral parts, one of them
would
utterly confound the other.
So we ſee, That Voices or Conſorts of
Muſick
do make a harmony by mixture, which Colours do not.
It is true
nevertheleſs
, that a great light drownoth a ſmaller, that it cannot be ſeen;
as the Sun that of a Gloworm, as well as a great ſound drowneth a leſſer.
And
I ſuppoſe likewiſe, that if there were two Lanthorns of Glaſs, the
one
a Crimſio, and the other an Azure, and a Candle within either of
them
, thoſe coloured lights, would mingle and caſt upon a White Paper, a
Purple
colour.
And even in colours, they yield a faint and weak mixture;
for
White Walls make rooms more lightſome, than Black, &
c. But the
cauſe
of the Confuſion in Sounds, and the Inconfuſion in Species Viſible, is,
For
that the Sight worketh in right Lines, and maketh ſeveral Cones;
and
ſo
there can be no Coincidencein the Eye, or Viſual Point:
But Sounds that
move
in oblick and arcuate Lines, muſt needs encounter, and diſturb the one
the
other.
The ſweeteſt and beſt Harmony is, when every Part or Inſtrument is
44225. not heard by it ſelf, but a conflation of them all, which requireth to ſtand
ſome
diſtance off.
Even as it is in the mixture of perfumes, or the taking of
the
ſmells of ſeveral Flowers in the Air.
The diſpoſition of the Air, in other qualities, except it be joyned with
55226. Sound, hath no great operation upon Sounds:
For whether the Air be
lightſome
or dark, hot or cold, quiet or ſtirring, (except it be with noiſe)
ſweet
ſmelling, or ſtinking, or the like;
it importeth not much. Some petty
alteration
or difference it may make.
8854Natural Hiſtory;
But Sounds do diſturb and alter the one the other: Sometimes the one
11227. drowning the other, and making it not heard;
ſometimes the one jarring and
diſcording
with the other, and making a conſuſion;
ſometimes the one ming-
ling
and compounding with the other, and making an harmony.
Two Voices of like loudneſs, will not be heard twice as far, as one of
22228. them alone;
and two Candles of like light, will not make things ſeem twice
as
far off, as one.
The cauſe is profound, but it ſeemeth, that the Impreſſi-
ons
from the objects of the Senſes, do mingle reſpectively, every one with
his
kinde;
but not in proportion, as is before demonſtrated: And the reaſon
may
be, becauſe the firſt impreſſion, which is from Privative to Active, (as
from
Silence to Noiſe, or from Darkneſs to Light,) is a greater degree, than
from
leſs noiſe, to more noiſe, or from leſs light, to more light.
And the
reaſon
of that again may be, For that the Air, after it hath received a charge,
doth
not receive a ſurcharge, or greater charge, with like appetite, as it
doth
the firſt charge.
As for the increaſe of Vertue generally, what propor-
tion
it beareth to the increaſe of the Matter, it is a large Field, and to be
handled
by it ſelf.
ALL Reflexions Concurrent, do make Sounds greater; but if the Body
33229. that createth, either the original Sound, or the Reflexion, be clean and
44Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching

Meloration
of
Sounds
.
ſmooth it maketh them ſweeter.
Tryal may be made of a Lute or Vial, with
the
Belly of poliſhed Braſs in ſtead of Wood.
We ſee, that even in the open
Air
, the Wire-ſtring is ſweeter than the ſtring of Guts.
And we ſee, that for Re-
flexion
, Water excelleth;
as in Muſick near the Water, or in Eccho’s.
It hath been tryed, that a Pipe, a little moiſtned on the inſide, but yet
55230. ſo as there be no drops leſt, maketh a more ſolemn ſound, than if the Pipe
were
dry;
but yet with a ſweet degree of Sibilation or Purling, as we touched
it
before in the Title of Equality.
The cauſe is, for that all things porous, be-
ing
ſuperficially wet, and (as it were) between dry and wet, become a little
more
even and ſmooth;
but the Purling (which muſt needs proceed of In-
equality
) I take to be bred between the ſmoothneſs of the inward Surſace
of
the Pipe which is wet, and the reſt of the Wood of the Pipe, unto which
the
wet cometh not, but it remaineth dry.
In Froſty weather, Muſick within doors ſoundeth better; which may
66231. be, by reaſon not of the diſpoſition of the Air, but of the Wood or String of
the
Inſtrument, which is made more criſp, and ſo more porous and hollow;
and we ſee that Old Lutes ſound better than New, for the ſame reaſon: And ſo
do
Lute-ſtrings that have been kept long.
Sound is like wiſe meliorated by the mingling of open Air with pent Air:
77232. Therefore tryal may be made of a Lute or Vial with a double Belly, making
another
Belly with a knot over the ſtring;
yet ſo, as there be room enough
for
the ſtrings, and room enough to play below that Belly.
Tryal may be
alſo
made of an Irish Harp, with a concave on both ſides, whereas it uſeth to
have
it but on one ſide.
The doubt may be, leſt it ſhould make too much re-
ſounding
, whereby one Note would overtake another.
If you ſing in the hole of a Drum, it maketh the ſinging more ſweet.
88233. And ſo I conceive it would, if it were a Song in Parts ſung into ſeveral Drums;
and for handſomneſs and ſtrangeneſs ſake, it would not be amiſs to have a
Curtain
between the place where the Drums are, and the hearers.
When a ſound is created in the Wind-Inſtrument, between the Breath and
99234. Air, yet if the ſound be communicate with a more equal Body of the
8955Century III. it meliorateth the ſound. For (no dobut) there would be a differing ſound
in
a Trumpet or Pipe of Wood, and again, in a Trumpet or Pipe oſ Braſs.
It were good to try Recorders and Hunters Horns of Braß, what the ſound
would
be.
Sounds are meliorated by the Intenſion of the Senſe, where the common
11235 Senſe is collected moſt to the particular Senſe of Hearing, and the Sight ſuſ-
pended
:
And therefore Sounds are ſweeter, as well as greater, in the Night
than
in the Day;
and I ſuppoſe, they are ſweeter to blinde men, than to
others
:
And it is manifeſt, that between ſleeping and waking, (when all the
Senſes
are bound and ſuſpended) Muſick is far ſweeter than when one is fully
waking
.
IT is a thing ſtrange in Nature, when it is attentively conſidered, How
22236. Children and ſome Birds learn to imitate Speech.
They take no mark at
33Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
Imitation
of
Sounds
.
all of the Motion of the Mouth of him that ſpeaketh, for Birds are as well
taught
in the dark, as by light.
The ſounds of Speech are very curious and
exquiſite
;
ſo one would think it were a Leſſon hard to learn. It is true,
that
it is done with time, and by little and little, and with many eſſays and
proffers
:
But all this diſchargeth not the wonder. It would make a Man
think
(though this, which we ſhall ſay, may ſeem exceeding ſtrange) that
there
is ſome tranſmiſſion of Spirits, and that the Spirit of the Teacher put
in
motion, ſhould work with the Spirits of the Learner, a prediſpoſition to
offer
to imitate, and ſo to perfect the imitation by degrees.
But touching
Operations
by Tranſmiſſions of Spirits (which is one of the higheſt ſecrets in
Nature
) we ſhall ſpeak in due place, chiefly when we come to inquire of
Imagination
.
But as for Imitation, it is certain, That there is in Men, and
other
Creatures, a prediſpoſition to imitate.
We ſee how ready Apes and
Monkies
are to imitate all motions of Man:
And in the catching of Dot-
trels
, we ſee how the fooliſh Bird playeth the Ape in geſtures:
And no Man
(in effect) doth accompany with others, but he learneth (ere he is aware)
ſome
Geſture, or Voice, or Faſhion of the other.
In Imitation of Sounds, that Man ſhould be the Teacher, is no part of the
44237. matter:
For Birds will learn one of another, and there is no reward by feed-
ing
, or the like, given them for the imitation:
And beſides, you ſhall have
Parrets
that will not onely imitate Voices, but Laughing, Knocking, Squeak-
ing
of a Door upon the Hinges, or of a Cart wheel, and (in effect) any other
noiſe
they hear.
No Beaſt can imitate the Speech of Man, but Birds onely: For the Ape
55238. it ſelf, that is ſo ready to imitate other wiſe, attaineth not any degree of imi-
tation
of Speech.
It is true, that I have known a Dog, that if one howled
in
his ear, he would fall a howling a great while.
What ſhould be the aptneſs
of
Birds, in compariſon of Beaſts, to imitate the Speech of Man, may be fur-
ther
inquired.
We ſee that Beaſts have thoſe parts, which they count the
Inſtruments
of Speech, (as Lips, Teeth, &
c.) liker unto Man than Birds. As for
the
Neck, by which the Throat paſſeth, we ſee many Beaſts have it for the
length
, as much as Birds.
What better gorge or attire Birds have, may be
further
inquired.
The Birds that are known to be ſpeakers, are Parrets, Pyes,
Jays
, Daws, and Ravens:
Of which, Parrets have an adunck Bill, but the
reſt
not.
But I conceive, that the aptneſs of Birds is not ſo much in the confor-
66239.mity of the Organs of Speech, as in their Attention.
For Speech muſt come
by
Hearing and Learning;
and Birds give more heed, and mark
9056Natural Hiſtory; more than Beaſts; becauſe naturally they are more delighted with them,
and
practiſe them more, as appeareth in their Singing.
We ſee alſo, that
thoſe
that teach Birds to ſing, do keep them waking, to increaſe their
attention
.
We ſee alſo, that Cock-Birds, amongſt Singing-Birds, are ever
the
better ſingers, which may be, becauſe they are more lively, and liſten
more
.
Labor and Intention to imitate Voices, doth conduce muchto Imitation:
11240. And therefore we ſee, that there be certain Pantomimi, that will repreſent
the
Voices of Players of Interludes, ſo to life, as if you ſee them not, you
would
think they were thoſe Players themſelves, and ſo the Voices of other
men
that they hear.
There have been ſome that could counterfeit the diſtance of Voices,
22241. (which is a ſecondary object of Hearing) in ſuch ſort;
as when they ſtand
faſt
by you, you would think the Speech came from afar off, in a fearful
manner
.
How this is done, may be further enquired; but I ſee no greatuſe
of
it, but for Impoſture, in counterfeiting ghoſts or ſpirits.
THere be three kindes of Reflexions of Sounds; a Reflexion Concurrent, a Re-
33Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
Reflexion
of
Sounds
.
flexion Iterant, which we call Eccho, and a Super-reflexion, or an Eccho of an
Eccho
, whereof the firſt hath been handled in the Title of Magnitude of
Sounds
.
The latter two we will now ſpeak of.
The Reflexion of Species Viſible by Mirrors, you may command, becauſe
44242. paſſing it Right Lines, they may be guided to any point:
But the Reflexion
of
Sounds, is hard to maſter;
becauſe the ſound filling great ſpaces in arched
Lines
, cannot be ſo guided.
And therefore, we ſee there hath not been
practiſed
any means to make Artificial Eccho’s.
And no Eccho already
known
, returneth in a very narrow room.
The Natural Eccho’s are made upon Walls, Woods, Rocks, Hills, and
55243. Banks:
As for Waters being near, they make a Concurrent Eccho; but
being
further off, (as upon a large River) they make an Interant Eccho:
Forthere is no difference between the Concurrent Eccho, and the Iterant,
but
the quickneſs or ſlowneſs of the return.
But there is no doubt, but Wa-
ter
doth help the Delation of Eccho, as well as it helpeth the Delation of
Original
Sounds.
It is certain (as hath been formerly touched,) that if you ſpeak thorow
66244. a Trunck, ſtopped at the further end, you ſhall finde a blaſt return upon your
mouth
, but no ſound at all.
The cauſeis, for that the cloſeneſs, which pre-
ſerveth
the original, is not able to preſerve the reflected ſound;
beſides that,
Eccho’s
are ſeldom created, but by loud Sounds.
And therefore there is
leſs
hope of Artificial Eccho’s in Air, pentin a narrow concave.
Neverthe-
leſs
it hath been tryed, that one leaning over a Well of Twenty five fathom
deep
, and ſpeaking, though but ſoftly, (yet not ſo ſoft as a whiſper) the
Water
returned a good audible Eccho.
It would be tryed, whether ſpeaking
in
Caves, where there is no iſſue, ſave where you ſpeak, will not yield Eccho’s
as
Wells do.
The Eccho cometh as the Original Sound doth in a round orb of Air:
77245. It were good to try the creating of the Eccho, where the Body repercuſſing
maketh
an Angle:
As againſt the Return of a Wall, & c. Alſo we ſee that
in
Mirrors, there is the like Angle of Incidence, from the Object to the
Glaſs
, and from the Glaſs to the Eye.
And if you ſtrike a Ball ſide-long, not
full
upon the Surface, the rebound will be as much the contrary way;
9157Century III. ther there be any ſuch reſilience in Eccho’s (that is, Whether a Man ſhall
hear
better, if he ſtand aſide the Body repercuſſing, than iſ he ſtand where
he
ſpeaketh, or any where in a right Line between) may betried;
Tryal like-
wiſe
would be made, by ſtanding nearer the place of repercuſſing, than he
that
ſpeaketh;
and again, by ſtanding further off, than he that ſpeaketh, and
ſo
knowledge would be taken, whether Eccho’s, as well as Original Sounds,
be
not ſtron geſt near hand.
There be many places, where you ſhall hear a number of Eccho’s one
11246. after another;
and it is, when there is variety of Hills or Woods, ſome nearer,
ſome
ſurther off:
So that the return from the further, being laſt created, will
be
likewiſe laſt heard.
As the Voice goeth round, as well towards the back, as towards the
22247. front of him that ſpeaketh;
ſo likewiſe doth the Eccho, for you have many
Back-eccho’s
to the place where you ſtand.
To make an Eccho that will report three, or four, or five words
33248. dinſtinctly, it is requiſite, that the Body repercuſſing be a good diſtance
off
:
For if it be near, and yet not ſo near, as to make a Concurrent
Eccho
, it choppeth with you upon the ſudden.
It is requifite likewiſe,
that
the Air be not much pent:
For Air, at great diſtance, pent, work-
eth
the ſame effect with Air at large, in a ſmall diſtance.
And there-
ſore
in the Tryal of Speaking in the Well, though the Well was deep,
the
Voice came back ſuddenly, and would bear the report but of two
words
.
From Eccho’s upon Eccho’s, there is a rare inſtance thereof in a
44249. place, which I will now exactly deſcribe.
It is ſome Three or four
Miles
from Paris, near a Town called Pont-Carenton;
and ſome Bird-
bolt
ſhot or more from the River of Sean.
The Room is a Chappel,
or
ſmall Church;
the Walls all ſtanding, both at the ſides, and at the
ends
;
two rows of Pillars after the manner of Iſles of Churches, alſo
ſtanding
;
the Roof all open, not ſo much as any Embowment near
any
of the Walls left.
There was againſt every Pillar, a ſtack of Bil-
lets
above a Mans height, which the Watermen, that bring Wood
down
the Sean, in Stacks, and not in Boats, laid there (as it ſeemeth)
for
their eaſe.
Speaking at the one end, I did hear it return the Voice
Thirteen
ſeveral times;
and I have heard of others, that it would re-
turn
Sixteen times;
for I was there about three of the Clock in the After-
noon
;
and it is beſt, (as all other Eccho’s are) in the Evening. It is
manifeſt
, that it is not Eccho’s from ſeveral places, but a toſſing of the
Voice
, as a Ball too and fro;
like to Reflexions in Looking-Glaſſes; where
if
you place one Glaſs before, and another behinde, you thall ſee the Glaſs
behinde
with the Image, within the Glaſs before;
and again, the Glaſs
before
in that:
And divers ſuch Super-Reflexions, till the Species ſpeciei at
laſt
die:
For it is every return weaker, and more ſhady. In like manner,
the
Voice in that Chappel, createth Speciem ſpeciei, and maketh ſucceeding
Super-Reflexions
;
for it melteth by degrees, and every Reflexion is
weaker
than the former:
So that, if you ſpeak three words, it will (per-
haps
) ſome three times report you the whole three words;
and then the
two
latter words for ſometimes, and then the laſt word alone for ſome-
times
, ſtill fading and growing weaker.
And whereas in Eccho’s of
one
return, it is much to hear Four or five words.
In this Eccho of
ſo
many Returns, upon the matter, you hear above Twenty words for
three
.
9258Natural Hiſtory;
The like Eccho upon Eccho, but onely with two reports, hath been
11250. obſerved to be, if you ſtand between a Houſe and a Hill, and lure towards
the
Hill;
for the Houſe will give a Back Eccho: One taking it from the
other
, and the latter the weaker.
There are certain Letters, that an Eccho will hardly expreſs: As S for
22251. one, eſpecially being principal in a word.
I remember well, that when
I
went to the Eccho at Pont-Carenton, there was an old Pariſian that took it
to
be the Work of Spirits, and of good Spirits.
For (ſaid he) call Satan,
and
the Eccho will not deliver back the Devils name:
But will ſay, Vat’en,
which
is as much in French, as Apage, or Avoid.
And thereby I did hap to
finde
, that an Eccho would not return S, being but a Hiſſing and an Interior
Sound
.
Eccho’s are ſome more ſudden, and chap again as ſoon as the Voice is
33252. delivered, as hath been partly ſaid;
others are more deliberate, that is, give
more
ſpace between the Voice and the Eccho, which is cauſed by the Local
nearneſs
or diſtance:
Some will report a longer train of words, and ſome
a
ſhorter:
Some more loud (full as loud as the Original, and ſometimes
more
loud) and ſome weaker and fainter.
Where Eccho’s come from ſeveral parts, at the ſame diſtance they muſt
44253. needs make (as it were) a Quire of Eccho’s, and ſo make the Report greater,
and
even a continued Eccho;
which you ſhall finde in ſome Hills that ſtand
encompaſſed
, Theatre-like.
It doth not yet appear, that there is Refraction in Sounds, as well as in
55254. Species Viſible.
For I do notthink, that if a Sound ſhould paſs through di-
vers
Mediums, as Air, Cloth, Wood, it would deliver the Sound in a differing
place
, from that unto which it is deferred;
which is the proper effect of
Refraction
.
But Majoration, which is alſo the Work of Refraction, appear-
eth
plainly in Sounds, (as hath been handled at full) but it is not by diverſity
of
Mediums.
WE have Obiter, for Demonſtrations ſake, uſed in divers Inſtances, the
66Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
Conſent
and
Diſſent
be-
tween
Viſibles
and
Audibles.
Examples of the Sight, and Things Viſible, to illuſtrate the Nature of
Sounds
.
But we think good now to proſecute that Compariſon more
fully
.
Conſent of Viſibles and Audibles.
BOth of them ſpred themſelves in Round, and fill a whole Flore or Orb
77255. unto certain Limits;
and are carried a great way, and do languiſh and
leſſen
by degrees, according to the Diſtance of the Objects from the
Senſories
.
Both of them have the whole Species in every ſmall portion of the
88256. Air or Medium, ſo as the Species do paſs through ſmall Cranies, without
confuſion
:
As we ſee ordinarily in Levels, as to the Eye; and in Cranies,
or
Chinks, as to the Sound.
Both of them are of a ſudden and eaſi e Generation and Delation, and
99257. likewiſe periſh ſwiftly and ſuddenly;
as if y ou remove the Light, or touch
the
Bodies that give the Sound.
9359Century III.
Both of them do receive and carry exquiſite, and accurate differences;
11258 as of Colours, Figures, Motions, Diſtances, in Viſibles; and of Articulate
Voices
, Tones, Songs, and Quaverings, in Audibles.
Both of them in their Vertue and Working, do not appear to emit any
22259. Corporal Subſtance into their Mediums, or the Orb of their Vertue;
neither
again
to riſe or ſtir any evident Local Motion in their Mediums as they paſs,
but
onely to carry certain Spiritual Species.
The perfect knowledge of the
cauſe
whereof, being hitherto ſcarcely attained, we ſhall ſearch and handle
in
due place.
Both of them ſeem not to generate or produce any other effect in Na-
33260. ture, but ſuch as appertaineth to their proper Objects and Senſes, and are
otherwiſe
barren.
But both of them in their own proper action, do work three manifeſt
44261. effects.
The firſt, in that the ſtronger pieces drowneth the leſſer: As the
light
of the Sun, the light of a Gloworm, the report of an Ordnance, the
Voice
.
The ſecond, in that an Object of ſurcharge or exceſs, deſtroyeth the
Senſe
:
As the light of the Sun the eye, a violent ſound (near the Ear) the
Hearing
.
The third, in that both of them will be reverberate: As in Mir-
rors
, and in Eccho’s.
Neither of them doth deſtroy or hinder the Species of the other, al-
55262. though they encounter in the ſame Medium:
As Light or Colour hinder not
ſound
, nor è contrà.
Both of them affect the Senſe in Living Creatures, and yield Objects of
66263. Pleaſure and Diſlike;
yet nevertheleſs, the Objects of them do alſo (if it
be
well obſerved) affect and work upon dead things;
namely ſuch, as have
ſome
conformity with the Organs of the two Senſes:
As Viſibles work up-
on
a Looking-glaß, which is like the Pupil of the Eye;
and Audibles upon the
places
of Eccho, which reſemble, in ſome ſort, the cavern and ſtructure of
the
Ear.
Both of them do diverſly work, as they have their Medium diverſly
77264. diſpoſed.
So a Trembling Medium (as ſmoak) maketh the object ſeem to trem-
ble
;
and Riſing or Falling Medium (as Winds) maketh the Sounds to riſe or
fall
.
To both, the Medium, which is the moſt propitious and conducible, is
88265. Air;
For Glaſs or Water, & c. are not compairable.
In both of them, where the object is fine and accurate, it conduceth
99266. much to have the Senſe intentive, and erect;
inſomuch, as you contract
youreye
, when you would ſee ſharply, and erect your ear, when you would
hear
attentively;
which in Beaſts that have ears moveable, is moſt
manifeſt
.
The Beams of Light, when they are multiplied and conglomerate,
1010267. generate heat;
which is a different action, from the action of Sight: And
the
Multiplication and Conglomeration of Sounds, doth generate an ex-
tream
Rarefaction of the Air;
which is an action materiate, differing from
the
action of Sound.
If it betrue (which is anciently reported) that Birds,
with
great ſhouts, have faln down.
9460Natural Hiſtory;
Diſſent of Viſibles and Audibles.
THe Species of Viſibles, ſeem to be Emißions of Beams ſrom the Object ſeen,
11268. almoſt like Odors, ſave that they are more incorporeal;
but the Species
of
Audibles, ſeem to participate more with Local Motion, like Peroußions or Im-
preßions
made upon the Air.
So that whereas all Bodies do ſeem to work in
two
manners, Either by the Communication of their Natures, or by the Im
preßions
and Signatures of their Motions.
The Diffuſion of Species Viſible,
ſeemeth
to participate more of the ſormer Operation, and the Species Audible
of
the latter.
The Species of Audibles ſeem to be carried more maniſeſtly thorow the
22269. Air, than the Species of Viſibles:
For (I conceive) that a contrary ſtrong
Wind
will not much hinder the fight of Viſibles, as it will do the hearing of
Sounds
.
There is one difference above all others, between Viſibles and Audibles,
33270. that is the moſt remarkable;
as that whereupon many ſmaller differences
do
depend;
Namely, that Viſibles (except Lights) are carried in Right Lines,
and
Audibles in Arcuate Lines.
Hence it cometh to paſs, that Viſibles do
not
intermingle and confound one another, as hath been ſaid before, but
Sounds
do.
Hence it cometh, that the ſolidity of Bodies doth not much
hinder
the ſight, ſo that the Bodies be clear, and the Pores in a Right Line,
as
in Glaſs, Cryſtal, Diamonds, Water, &
c. But a thin Scarf or Handker-
chief
, though they be Bodies nothing ſo ſolid, hinder the ſight:
Whereas
(contrariwiſe) theſe Porous Bodies do not much hinder the Hearing, but
ſolid
Bodies do almoſt ſtop it, or at leaſt attenuate it.
Hence alſo it
cometh
, that to the Reflexion of Viſibles, ſmall Glaſſes ſuffice, but to the
Reverberation
of Audibles, are required greater ſpaces, as hath like wiſe been
ſaid
before.
Viſibles are ſeen further off, than Sounds are heard; allowing neverthe-
44271. leſs the rate of their bigneſs:
For other wiſe, a great Sound will be heard
further
off, than a ſmall Body ſeen.
Viſibles require (generally) ſome diſtance between the object, and the
55272. Eye to be better ſeen;
whereas in Audibles, the nearer the approach of the
Sound
is to the Senſe the better;
but in this, there may be a double error.
The one, becauſe to Seeing there is required Light, and any thing that touch-
eth
the Pupil of the Eye (@ll over) excludeth the Light.
For I have heard
of
a perſon very credible, (who himſelf was cured of a Cataract in one of
his
Eyes) that while the Silver-needle did work upon the ſight of his Eye, to
remove
the Film of the Cataract, he never ſaw any thing more clear or per-
fect
, than that white Needle:
Which (no doubt) was, becauſe the Needle
was
leſſer than the Pupil of the Eye, and ſo took not the light from it.
The
other
error may be, For that the object of Sight doth ſtrike upon the Pupil
of
the Eye, directly without any interception;
whereas the Cave of the Ear
doth
hold off the Sound a little from the Organ:
And ſo nevertheleſs th@re
is
ſome diſtance required in both.
Viſibles are ſwifter carried to the Senſe, than Audibles; as appeareth in
66273. Thunder and Lightning;
Flame, and Report of a Piece; Motion of the
Air
, in hewing of Wood.
All which have been ſet down heretofore, but
are
proper for this Title.
9561Century III.
I conceive alſo, that the Species of Audibles, do hang longer in the Air than
11274. thoſe of Viſibles:
For although even thoſe of Vifibles do hang ſome time,
as
we ſee in Rings turned, that ſhew like ſpheres.
In Lute-ſtrings fillipped, a Fire-
brand
carried a long, which leaveth a train of light behinde it, and in the Twi
light
, and the like:
Yet I conceive that Sounds, ſtay longer becauſe they are
carried
up and down with the Wind;
and becauſe of the diſtance of the
time
in Ordnance diſcharged, and heard twenty miles off
In Viſibles there are not found Objects ſo odious and ingrate to the Senſe,
22275. as in Audibles.
For ſoul Sights do rather diſpleaſe, in that they excite the memory
of
ſoul things, than in the immediate Objects.
And therefore in Pictures, thoſe
foul
Sights do not much offend;
but in Audibles, the grating of a Saw when
it
is ſharpned, doth offend ſo much, as it ſetteth the Teeth on edge;
and any
of
the hatſh Diſcords in Muſicks, the Ear doth ſtraight ways refuſe.
In Viſibles, after great light, if you come ſuddenly into the dark, or con-
33276. trariwiſe out of the dark into a glaring Light.
The eye is dazled for a time,
and
the Sight confuſed;
but whether any ſuch effect be after great Sounds, or
after
a deeper ſilence may be better enquired.
It is an old Tradition, that
thoſe
that dwell near the Cataracts of Nilus, are ſtrucken deaf:
But we finde
no
ſuch effect in Cannoniers, nor Millers, nor thoſe that dwell upon Bridges.
It ſeemeth, that the Impreßion of Colour is ſo weak, as it worketh not, but
44277. by a Cone of direct Beams, or right Lines, whereof the Baſis is in the Object
and
the Vertical point in the Eye:
So as there is a corradiation and conjuncti-
on
of Beams;
and thoſe Beams ſo ſent forth, yet are not of any force to beget
the
like borrowed or ſecond Beams, except it be by Reflexion, whereof we
ſpeak
not.
For the Beams paſs and give little tincture to that Air which is ad-
jacent
;
which if they did, we ſhould ſee Colours out of a right line. But as
this
in Colours, ſo other wiſe it is in the Body of Light.
For when there is a
skreen
between the Candle and the Eye, yet the light paſſeth to the Paper
whereon
one writeth, ſo that the light is ſeen where the body of the flame
is
not ſeen;
and where any Colour (if it were placed where the body of the
flame
is) would not be ſeen.
I judge that Sound is of this latter nature: For
when
two are placed on both ſides of a Wall, and the voice is heard, I judge
it
is not onely the original ſound, which paſſeth in an Arched line;
but the ſound,
which
paſſeth above the Wall in a Right line, begetteth the like Motion round
about
it, as the firſt did, though more weak.
ALl Concords and Diſcords of Muſick (no doubt) Sympathies and Antipathies of
55278. Sounds, and ſo (likewiſe) in that Muſick, which we call Broken Muſick, or
66Experiments
in
Conſott,
touching
the
Sympathy
or
Antipathy
of
Sounds
, one
with
another.
Conſort Muſick;
ſome Conſorts of Inſtruments are ſweeter than others, (a thing
not
ſufficiently yet obferved;)
as the Irish-Harp and Baſe-Vial agree well; the
Recorder
and Stringed Muſick agree well;
Organs and the Voice agree well, & c.
But the Virginals and the Lute, or the Welsh-Harp and Irish-Harp, or the Voice
and
Pipes alone, agree not ſo well;
but for the Melioration of Muſick, there is
yet
much left (in this Point of Exquiſite Conſorts) to try and enquire.
There is a common obſervation, That if a Lute or Vial be laid upon the
77279. back with a ſmall ſtraw upon one ſide of the ſtrings, and another Lute or Vial be
laid
by it;
and in the other Lute or Vial the Vniſon to that ſtring be ſtrucken, it
will
make the ſtring move;
which will appear both to the Eye, and by the
ſtraws
falling off.
The like will be if the Diapaſon or Eight to that ſtring be ſtruck-
en
, either in the ſame Lute or Vial, or in others lying by:
But in none of theſe
there
is any report of Sound that can be diſcerned, but onely Motion.
9662Natural Hiſtory;
It was deviſed, That a Vial ſhould have a Lay of Wire-ſtrings below,
11280 as cloſe to the Belly as a Lute, and then the Strings of Guts mounted upon
a
Bridge, as in ordinary Vials;
to the end, that by this means, the upper
Strings
ſtrucken, ſhould make the lower reſound by Sympathy, and ſo make
the
Muſick the better;
which, if it be to purpoſe, than Sympathy worketh as
well
by report of Sound, as by Motion.
But this device, I conceive, to be
of
no uſe, becauſe the upper Strings which are ſtopped in great variety, can-
not
maintain a Diapaſon or a Vniſon with the lower, which are never ſtopped,
But
if it ſhould be of uſe at all, it muſt be in Inſtruments which have no ſtops,
as
Virginals and Harps;
wherein tryal may be made of two rows of Strings,
diſtant
the one from the other.
The Experiment of Sympathy may be transferred (perhaps) from In-
22281. ſtruments of Strings, to other Inſtruments of Sound.
Astotry, if there were
in
one Steeple two Bells of Uniſon, whether the ſtriking of the one would
move
the other, more than if it were another accord:
And ſo in Pipes, if they
be
of equalbore and ſound,) whether a little Straw or Feather would move
in
the one Pipe, when the other is blown at an Vniſon.
It ſeemeth both in Ear and Eye, the Inſtrument of Senſe hath a Sympathy
33282. or Similitude with that which giveth the Reſlexion (as hath been touched be-
fore
.)
For as the ſight of the Eye is like a Chryſtal, or Glaſs, or Water; ſo is
the
Ear a ſinuous Cave with a hard Bone, to ſtop and reverberate the Sound:
Which is like to the places that report Eccho’s.
WHen a Man yawneth, he cannot hear ſo well. The cauſeis, ſor that the
44283. Membrane of the Ear is extended;
and ſo rather caſteth oſſ the Sound,
55Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
Hindring
or
Helping
of the
Hearing
.
than draweth it to.
We Hear better when we hold our Breath, than contrary, inſomuch, as
in
all liſtening to attain a Sound a ſar off, Men hold their Breath.
The cauſe
66284. is, for that in all Expiration, the motion is outwards, and thereſore rather
driveth
away the voice than draweth it:
And beſides, we ſee that in all labor
to
do things with any ſtrength, we hold the Breath;
and liſtening after any
Sound
that is heard with difficulty, is a kinde of labor.
Let it betryed, for the help of the Hearing, (and I conceive it likely to
77285. ſucceed) to make an Inſtrument like a Tunnel;
the narrow part whereof
may
be of the bigneſs of the hold of the Ear;
and the broader end much
larger
;
like a Bell at theskirts, and the length half a foot or more. And let
the
narrow end of it be ſet cloſe to the Ear.
And mark whether any Sound
abroad
in the open Air, will not be heard diſtinctly, from further diſtance,
than
without that Inſtrument;
being (as it Were) an Ear ſpectacle. And I have
heard
there is in Spain, an Inſtrument in uſe to be ſet to the Ear, that helpeth
ſomewhat
thoſe that are Thick of Hearing.
If the Mouth be ſhut cloſe, nevertheleſs there is yielded by the Roof
88286. of the Mouth, a Murmur;
ſuch as is uſed by Dumb men: Butif the Noſtrils
be
like wiſe ſtopped, no ſuch Murmur can be made, except it be in the bottom
of
the Pallate to Wards the Throat.
Where by it appeareth manifeſtly, that a
Sound
in the Mouth, except ſuch as aforeſaid, if the Mouth be ſtopped,
paſſeth
from the Pallate through the Noſtrils.
99287.1010Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
Spiritual
and
Fine
Nature
of
Sounds.
THe Repercußion of Sounds, (which we call Eccho) is a great Argument
of
the Spiritual Eſſence of Sounds.
For if it were Corporeal, the Reper-
cuſſing
ſhould be created in the ſame manner, and by like Inſtruments,
9763Century III. the original Sound: But we ſee what a number of exquiſite Inſtruments
muſt
concur in ſpeaking of words, whereof there is no ſuch matter in the
returning
oſ them, but onely a plain ſtop, and repercuſſion.
The exquiſite Differences of Articulate Sounds, carried along in the
11288. Air, ſhew that they cannot be Signatures or Impreſſions in the Air, as hath
been
well reſuted by the Ancients.
For it is true, that Seals make excellent
Impreſſions
;
and ſo it may be thought of Sounds in their firſt generation:
But then the Delation and Continuance of them, without any new ſealing,
ſhew
apparently they cannot be Impreſſions.
All Sounds are ſuddenly made, and do ſuddenly periſh; but neither that,
22289. nor the exquiſite Differences of them, is matter of ſo great admiration:
For
the
Quaverings, and Warblings of Lutes, and Pipes are as ſwift;
and the
Tongue
(which is no very fine Inſtrument) doth in ſpeech, make no fewer
motions
, than there be letters in all the words which are uttered.
But that
Sounds
ſhould not onely be ſo ſpeedily generated, but carried ſo far every
way
, in ſuch a momentany time, deſerveth more admiration.
As for ex-
ample
, If a man ſtand in the middle of a Field, and ſpeak aloud, he ſhall be
heard
a Furlong in round, and that ſhall be in articulate Sounds, and thoſe
ſhall
be entire in every little portion of the Air;
and this ſhall be done in the
ſpace
of leſs than a minute.
The ſudden Generation and Periſhing of Sounds, muſt be one of theſe
33290. two ways:
Either, that the Air ſuffereth ſome force by Sound, and then re-
ſtoreth
it ſelf as Water doth;
which being divided, maketh many circles,
tillit
reſtore it ſelf to the Natural conſiſtence;
or other wiſe, that the Air doth
willingly
imbibe the Sound as grateful, but cannot maintain it;
for that the
Air
hath (as it ſhould ſeem) a ſecret and hidden Appetite of receiving the
Sound
at the firſt;
but then other groſs and more materiate qualities of the
Air
ſtraight ways ſuffocate it, like unto Flame which is generated with
alacrity
, but ſtraight quenched by the enmity of the Air, or other Ambient
Bodies
.
There be theſe differences (in general) by which Sounds are divided:
# 1. Muſical, Immuſical.
# 2.
Trebble, Baſe.
# 3.
Flat, Sharp.
# 4.
Soft, Loud.
# 5.
Exterior, Interior.
# 6.
Clean, Harſh, or Purling.
# 7.
Articulate, Inarticulate.
We have labored (as may appear) in this Inquiſition of Sounds diligently;
# both becauſe Sound is one of the moſt hidden portions of Nature, (as
# we ſaid in the beginning) and becauſe it is a Vertue which may be called
# Incorporeal and Immateriate, whereof there be in Nature but few.
Be-
# ſides, we were willing (now in theſe our firſt Centuries) to make a pattern
# or preſident of an Exact Inquiſition;
and we ſhall do the like hereafter in
# ſome other ſubjects which require it.
For we deſire that Men ſhould
# learn and perceive how ſevere a thing the true Inquiſition of Naturs is;

# and ſhould accuſtom themſelves by the light of particulars, to enlarge
# their mindes to the amplitude of the World;
and not to reduce the
# World to the narrowneſs of their Mindes.
9864Natural Hiſtory;
MEtals give orient and fine Colours in Diſſolution; as Gold giveth an
11291. excellent Yellow, Quick-ſilver an excellent Green, Tingiveth an
22Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Orient
Colours
in
Diſſolution
of
Metals.
excellent Azure.
Likewiſe in their Putrefactions, or Ruſts; as Vermilion,
Verdegreaſe
, Biſe, Cirrus, &
c. And likewiſe in their Vitrifications. The
cauſe
is, for that by their ſtrength of Body, they are able to endure the Fire,
or
Strong-waters, and to be put into an equal poſture, and again, to retain
part
of their principal Spirit:
Which two things (equal poſture, and quick
Spirits
) are required chiefly, to make Colours lightſome.
IT conduceth unto long Life, and to the more placide Motion of the Spi-
33292. rits, which thereby do leſs prey and conſume the Juyce of the body:
44Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Prelongation

of
Life.
either that Mens actions be free and voluntary, that nothing be done invitâ minerva,
but
ſecundum genium;
or, on the other ſide, that the Actions of Men be full of Re-
gulation
, and commands within themſelves:
For then the victory and performing
of
the command, giveth a good diſpoſition to the Spirits, eſpecially if
there
be aproceeding from degree to degree, for then the ſenſe of victory
is
the greater.
An example of the former of theſe, is in a Countrey life;
and of the latter, in Monks and Philoſophers, and ſuch as do continually enjoyn
themſelves
.
IT is certain, that in all Bodies, there is an Appetite of Vnion, and Evitation
55293. of Solution of Continuity:
And of this Appetite there be many degrees,
66Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Appetite
of
Vnion
in
Bodies
.
but the moſt remarkable, and fit to be diſtinguiſhed, are three.
The firſt
in
Liquors, the ſecond in hard Bodies, and the third in Bodies cleaving
or
tenacious.
In Liquors this Appetite is weak; we ſee in Liquors, the
Threding
of them in Stillicides (as hath been ſaid) the falling of them in
round
drops (which is the form of Union) and the ſtaying of them for a lit-
tle
time in Bubbles and Froth.
In the ſecond degree or kinde, this Appetite
is
ſtrong;
as in Iron, in Stone, in Wood,& c. In the third, this Appetite is in
a
Medium between the other two:
For ſuch Bodies do partly follow the
touch
of another Body, and partly ſtick and continue to themſelves;
and
therefore
they rope and draw themſelves in threds, as we ſee in Pitch, Glew,
Birdlime
, &
c. But note, that all ſolid Bodies are cleaving more or leſs; and
that
they love better the touch of ſome what that is tangible, than of Air.
For Water in ſmall quantity cleaveth to any thing that is ſolid, and ſo would.
Metal
too, if the weight drew it notoff.
And therefore Gold Foliate, or
any
Metal Foliate, cleaveth:
But thoſe Bodies which are noted to be
clammy
, and cleaving, are ſuch as have a more in different Appetite (at once)
to
follow another Body, and to hold to themſelves.
And therefore they are
commonly
Bodies ill mixed, and which take more pleaſure in a Foreign Body,
that
in preſerving there own conſiſtence, and which have little predominance
in
Drought or Moiſture.
TIme and Heat are fellows in many effects. Heat drieth Bodies that do
77294. eaſily expire;
as Parchment, Leaves, Roots, Clay, & c. And ſo
88Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
like
Operations
of
Heat and
Time
.
doth Time or Age areſie;
as in the ſame Bodies, & c. Heat diſſolveth and
melteth
Bodies that keep in their Spirits, as in divers Liquefactions;
and ſo
doth
Time, in ſome Bodies of a ſofter conſiſtence:
As is manifeſt in Honey,
which
by Age waxeth more liquid, and the like in Sugar;
and ſo in old
Oyl
, which is ever more clear and more hot in medicinable uſe.
Heat
cauſeth
the Spirits to ſearch ſome iſſue out of the Body, as in the Volatility
9965Century III. of Metals; and ſo doth Time, as in the Ruſt of Metals. But generally Heat
doth
that in ſmall time, which Age doth in long.
SOme things which paſs the Fire, are ſoft eſt at ſirſt, and by Time grow
11295. hard, as the Crum of Bread.
Some are harder when they comeſrom the
22Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Differing
Ope-
rations
of Fire,
and
Time.
Fire, and after wards give again, and grow ſoſt as the Cruſt of Bread, Bisker;
Sweet-Meats, Salt, & c. The cauſe is, for that in thoſe things which wax
hard
with Time, the work of the Fire is a kinde of melting;
and in thoſe
that
wax ſoſt with Time, (contrariwiſe) the work of the Fire is a kinde
of
Baking;
and whatſoever the Fire baketh, Time doth in ſome degree
diſſolve
.
MOtions paſs from one Man to another, not ſo much by exciting Ima-
33296. gination as by Invitation, eſpecially iſ there be an Aptneſs or Incli-
44Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Motions
by I-
mitation
.
nation before.
Therefore Gaping, or Yawning, and Stretching, do paſs
from
Man to Man;
for that that cauſeth Gaping or Stretching is, when the
Spirits
are a little Heavy, by any Vapor, or the like.
For then they ſtrive (as
it
were) to wring out, and expel that which loadeth them.
So Men drowzy
and
deſirous to ſleep;
or before the ſit of an Ague, do uſe to yawn and
ſtretch
, and do likewiſe yield a Voice or Sound, which is an Interjection
of
Expulſion:
So that if another be apt and prepared to do the like, he
ſolloweth
by the ſight of another.
So the Laughing of another maketh to
laugh
.
THere be ſome known Diſeaſes that are Infectious, and others that are
55297. not.
Thoſe that are inſectious, are ſirſt, Such as are chieſly in the Spi-
66Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
In-
fectious
diſ-
eaſes
.
rits, and not ſo much in the Humors, and therefore paſs eaſily from Body to
Body
;
ſuch are Peſtilences Lippitudes, and ſuch like. Secondly, ſuch as taint
the
breath, which we ſee paſſeth manifeſtly from Man to Man, and not in-
viſible
as the affects of the Spirits do;
ſuch are Conſumptions of the Lungs,
&
c. Thirdly, Such as come forth to the skin, and therefore taint the Air,
or
the Body adjacent;
eſpecially, if they conſiſt in an unctuous ſubſtance,
not
apt to diſſipate;
ſuch are Scabs, and Leproſie. Fourthly, ſuch as are
meerly
in the Humors, and not in the Spirits, Breath, or Exhalations:
And
thereſore
they never infect, but by touch onely;
and ſuch a touch alſo, as
cometh
within the Epidermis, as the venome of the French Pox, and the biting
of
a Mad-Dog.
MOſt Powders grow more cloſe and coherent by mixture of Water, than
77298. by mixture of Oyl, though Oyl be the thicker Body;
as Meal, & c.
88Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Incorporation

of
Powders
and
Liqnors.
The reaſon is the Congruity of Bodies, Which if it be more, maketh aper-
ſecter
imbibition, and incorporation;
which in moſt Powders is more between
them
and Water, than between them and Oyl:
But Painters colours
ground
, and aſhes, do better incorporate with Oyl.
MUch Motion and Exerciſe is good for ſome Bodies, and ſitting and
99299. leſs motion, ſor others.
If the Body be hot, and void of ſuperſluous
1010Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
Ex-
erciſe
of the
Body
.
Moiſtures, too much Motion hurteth;
and it is an error in Phyſitians, to
call
too much upon Exerciſe.
Likewiſe, Men ought to beware, that they
uſe
not Exerciſe, and a ſpare diet, both;
but if much Exerciſe, then a plenti-
ſul
diet;
and if ſparing diet, then little Exerciſe. The Beneſits that come of
Exerciſe
are.
Firſt, that it ſendeth nouriſhment into the parts more forcibly.
10066Natural Hiſtory; Secondly, That it helpeth to excern by Sweat, and ſo maketh the parts
aſſimilate
the more perſectly.
Thirdly, that it maketh the ſubſtance of the
Body
more ſolid and compact;
and ſo leſs apt to be conſumed and depre-
dated
by the Spirits.
The Evils that come of Exerciſe, are, Firſt, That it
maketh
the Spirits more hot and predatory.
Secondly, That it doth abſorbe
like
wiſe, and altenuate too much the moiſture of the Body.
Thirdly, That
it
maketh too great Concuſſion, (eſpecially, if it be violent) of the in ward
parts
, which delight more in reſt.
But generally Exerciſe, if it be much, is
no
friend to prolongation of life;
which is one cauſe, Why Women live
longer
then Men, becauſe they ſtir leſs.
SOme Food we may uſe long, and much, without glutting; as Bread, Fleſh
11300. that is not Fat, or Rank, &
c, Some other (though pleaſant) glutteth
22Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Meats
that in-
duce
Satiate.
ſooner, as Sweet-Meats, Fat-Meats, &
c. The cauſeis, for that Appetite con-
ſiſteth
in the emptineſs of the Mouth, of the Stomach, or poſſeſſing it with
ſomewhat
that is aſtringent;
and therefore, cold and dry: But things that
are
ſweet and fat, are more filling, and do ſwim and hang more about the
Mouth
of the Stomach, and go not down ſo ſpeedily;
and again turn ſooner
to
Choler, which is hot, and ever abateth the appetite.
We ſee alſo, that
another
cauſe of Satiety, is an Over-cuſtom;
and of Appetite, is Novelty.
And therefore Meats, if the ſame be continually taken, induce Loathing. To
give
the reaſon of the diſtaſte of Satiety, and of the pleaſure in Novelty, and
to
diſtinguiſh not onely in Meats and Drinks, but alſo in Motions, Loves,
Company
, Delight, Studies, what they be that Cuſtom maketh more grate-
ful
;
and what more tedious, were a large Field. But for Meats, the cauſe
is
Attraction, which is quicker, and more excited towards that which is
new
, than towards that whereof there remaineth a reliſh by former uſe.

And
(generally) it is a rule, That whatſoever is ſomewhat ingrate at firſt, is
made
grateful by Cuſtom;
but whatſoever is too pleaſing at firſt, groweth
quickly
to Satiate.
10167
NATURAL
HISTORY
.
Century IV.
ACceleration of Time, in Works of Nature, may well be
11Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
Clariſication
of
Liquors
, and
the
Accelara-
ting
thereof.
eſteemed Inter Magnalia Natura.
And even in Divine
Miracles
Accelerating of the Time, is next to the Creating
of
the Matter.
We will now therefore proceed to the
enquiry
of it;
and for Acceleration of Germination, we
will
refer it over unto the place, where we ſhall handle
the
Subject of Plants, generally;
and will now begin with
other
Accelerations.
Liquors are (many of them) at the firſt, thick and troubled; As Muſt,
22301 Wort, Fuyce of Fruits, or Herbs expreſſed, &
c. And by Time, they ſettle and
clarifie
.
But to make them clear, before the Time, is a great work; for it is a
Spur
to Nature, and putteth her out of her pace:
And beſides, it is of good
uſe
for making Drinks, and Sauces, Potable, and Serviceable, ſpeedily.
But to know the Means of Accelerating Clarification, we muſt firſt know
the
cauſes of Clarification.
The firſt cauſe is, by the Separation of the
groſſer
parts of the Liquor, from the finer.
The ſecond, by the equal diſtri-
bution
of the Spirits of the Liquor, with the tangible parts;
for that ever re-
preſenteth
Bodies clear and untroubled.
The third, by the refining the
Spirit
it ſelf, which thereby giveth to the Liquor more ſplendor, and more
luſtre
.
Firſt, For Separation: It is wrought by weight; as in the ordinary
33302. reſidence or ſettlement of Liquors.
By Heat, by Motion, by Precipitation, or
Sublimation
, (that is, a calling of the ſeveral parts, either up or down, which
is
a kinde of Attraction,) by Adheſion;
as when a Body, more viſcous, is
mingled
and agitated with the Liquor;
which vifcous Body (afterwards
10268Natural Hiſtory; vered) draweth with it the groſſer parts of the Liquor: And laſtly, by Perco-
lation
or Paſſage.
Secondly, For the even Diſtribution of the Spirits, it is wrought by
11303. gentle heat, and by Agitation of Motion;
(for of Time we ſpeak not, be-
cauſe
it is that we would anticipate and repreſent:)
And it is wrought alſo,
by
mixture of ſome other Body, which hath a vertue to open the Liquor, and
to
make the Spirits the better paſs thorow.
Thirdly, For the refining of the Spirit, it is wrought likewiſe by Heat,
22304. by motion, and by mixture of ſome Body which hath vertue to attenuate.
So therefore (having ſhewed the cauſes) for the accelerating of Clarification
in
general, and the enducing of it;
take theſe Inſtances and Tryals.
It is in common practice, to draw Wine or Beer, from the Lees, (which
33305. we call Racking) whereby it will clarifie much the ſooner:
For the Lees,
though
they keep the drink in heart, and make it laſting;
yet withal
they
caſt up ſome ſpiſſitude;
and this Inſtance is to be referred to Separa-
tion
.
On the otherſide, it were good to try, what, the adding to the Liquor,
44306. more Lees than his own, will work;
for though the Lees do make the Liquor
turbide
, yet they refine the Spirits.
Take therefore a Veſſel of new Beer, and
take
another Veſſel of new Beer, and rack the one Veſſel from the Lees, and
pour
the Lees of theracked Veſſel into the unracked Veſſel, and ſee the effect.
This Inſtance is referred to the Refining of the Spirits.
Take new Beer, and put in ſome quantity of ſtale Beer into it, and ſee
55307. whether it will not accelerate the Clarification, by opening the Body of the
Beer
, and cutting the groſſer parts, whereby they may fall down into Lees.
And this Inſtance again is referred to Separation.
The longer Molt or Herbs, or the like, are infuſed in Liquor, the more
66308. thick and troubled the Liquor is;
but the longer they be decocted in the Liquor,
the
clearer it is.
The reaſon is plain, becauſe in Infuſion, the longer it is, the
greater
is the part of the groſs Body that goeth into the Liquor:
But in De-
coction
, though more goeth forth, yet it either purgeth at the top, or ſettleth
at
the bottom.
And therefore the moſt exact way to clarifie is, firſt, to In-
ſuſe
, and then to take off the Liquor and decoct it;
as they do in Beer, which
hath
Molt firſt infuſed in the Liquor, and is afterwards boiled with the Hop.
This alſo is referred to Separation.
Take hot Embers, and put them about a Bottle filled with new Beer, al-
77309. moſt to the very neck;
let the Bottle be well ſtopped, leſt it flie out: And
continue
it, renewing the Embers every day by the ſpace of ten days, and then
compare
it with another Bottle of the ſame Beer ſet by.
Take alſo Lime,
both
quenched and unquenched, and ſet the Bottles in them ut ſuprà.
This
Inſtance
is referred, both to the even Diſtribution, and alſo to the Refining
of
the Spirits by Heat.
Take Bottles and ſwing them, or carry them in a Wheel-Barrow upon
88310. rough Ground, twice in a day:
But then you may not fill the Bottles full,
but
leave ſome Air;
for if the Liquor come cloſe to the ſtopple, it cannot
play
nor flower:
And when you have ſhaken them well either way, pour
the
Drink in another Bottle, ſtopped cloſe after the uſual manner;
for if it
ſtay
with much Air in it, the Drink will pall, neither will it ſettle ſo per-
fectly
in all the parts.
Let it ſtand ſome Twenty four hours, then take it, and
put
it again into a Bottle with Air, ut ſuprà;
and thence into a Bottle ſtopped,
ut
ſuprà;
and ſo repeat the ſame operation for ſeven days. Note, that in the
emptying
of one Bottle into another, you muſt do it ſwiftly, leſt the
10369Century IV. pall. It were good alſo to try it in a Bottle with a little air below the Neck
without
emptying.
This Inſtance is referred to the even Diſtribution and
Refining
of the Spirits by Motiòn.
As for Percolation, inward, and outward (which belongeth to separa-
11311. tion,) Tryal would be made of Clarifying by Adheſion, with Milk put into
new
Beer, and ſtirred with it:
For it may be, that the groſſer part of the
Beer
will cleave to the Milk;
the doubt is, whether the Milk will ſever
well
again, which is ſoon tried.
And it is uſual in clariſying Ippocraſſe to
put
in Milk, which aſter ſevereth and carrieth with it the groſſer parts
of
the Ippocraſs, as hath been ſaid elſwhere.
Alſo for the better Clariſica-
tion
by Percolation;
when they Tun new Beer, they uſe to let it paſs
through
a Strainer, and it is like the finer the Strainer is, the clearer it
will
be.
THe Accelerating of Maturation, we will now enquire of, and of Ma-
22Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching

Maturation
,
and
the Acce-
lerating
there-
of
. And
firſt
touching
the
Maturati-
on
and Quick-
ning
of drinks,
and
next
touching
the
Maturation
of
Fruits
.
turation it ſelf.
It is of three natures, the Maturation of Fruits, the Ma-
turation
of Drinks, and the Maturation of Impoſthumes and Vlcers.
This laſt we
reſer
to another place, where weſhall handle Experiments Medicinal.
There
be
alſo other Maturations, as of Metals, &
c. whereof weſpeak as occaſion
ſerveth
.
But we will begin with that of Drinks, becauſe it hath ſuch affinity
with
the Clarification of Liquors.
For the Maturation of Drinks, it is wrought by the Congregation of
the
Spirits together, whereby they digeſt more perfectly the groſſer parts;
and it is effected, partly by the ſame means that Clarification is (whereof
we
ſpake before:)
But then note, that an extream Clarification doth ſpred
33312. the Spirits ſo ſmooth, as they become dull, and the drink dead, which
ought
to have a little flowring.
And therefore all your clear Amber drink
is
flat.
We ſee the degrees of Maturation of Drinks, in Muſt, in Wine, as it is
44313. drunk, and in Vinegar.
Whereof Muſt hath not the Spirits well congrega-
ted
, Wine hath them well united, ſo as they make the parts ſomewhat
more
Oyly.
Vinegar hath them congregated, but more Jejune, and in
ſmaller
quantity;
the greateſt and fineſt Spirit and part being exhaled: For
we
ſee Vinegar is made by ſetting the Veſſel of Wine againſt the hot Sun.
And therefore Vinegar will not burn, for that much of the finer part is ex-
haled
.
The refreſhing and quickning of Drink palled or dead, is by enforcing
55314. the motion of the Spirit.
So we ſee that open weather relaxeth the Spirit,
and
maketh it more lively in Motion.
We ſee alſo Bottelling of Beer or
Ale
, while it is new and full of Spirit, (ſo that it ſpirteth when the ſtopple
is
taken forth) maketh the Drink more quick and windy.
A Pan of Coals
in
the Cellar, doth likewiſe good, and maketh the Drink work again.
New
Drink
put to Drink that is dead, provoketh it to work again:
Nay, which
is
more (as ſome affirm) a Brewing of new Beer, ſet by old Beer, maketh
it
work again:
It were good alſo to enforce the Spirits by ſomemixtures,
that
may excite and quicken them, as by the putting into the Bottles, Nitre
Chalk
, Lime, &
c. Weſee Cream is matured, and made to riſe more ſpeedi-
ly
by putting in cold Water;
which, as it ſeemeth, getteth down the
Whey
.
It is tryed, that the burying of Bottles of Drink wellſtopped, either in
66315. dry Earth, a good depth, or in the bottom of a Well within Water;
and
10470Natural Hiſtory; of all, the hanging of them in a deep Well ſomewhat above the Water, for
ſome
fortnights ſpace, is an cxcellent means of making Drink freſh and
quick
:
For the cold doth not cauſe any exhaling of the Spirits at all, as heat
doth
, though it rarifieth the reſt that remain:
But cold maketh the Spirits
vigorous
, and irritateth them, whereby they incorporate the parts of the
Liquor
perfectly.
As for the Maturation of Fruits, it is wrought by the calling forth of
11316. the Spirits of the Body outward, and ſo ſpreading them more ſmoothly;
and likewiſe by digeſting, in ſome degree, the groſſer parts: And
this
is eſſected by Heat, Motion, Attraction, and by a Rudiment of
Putrefaction
:
For the Inception of Putrefaction hath in it a Mate-
ration
.
There were taken Apples, and laid in Straw, in Hay, in Flower, in
22317. Chalk, in Lime, covered over with Onions, covered over with Crabs,
cloſed
up in Wax, ſhut in a Box, &
c. There was alſo an Apple hanged up
in
ſmoak.
Of all which the Experiment ſorted in this manner.
After a moneths ſpace, the Apple, encloſed in Wax, was as Green
33318. and freſh as at the firſt putting in, and the Kernels continued White.
The
cauſe
is, for that all excluſion of open Air, (which is ever predatory) main-
taineth
the Body in his firſt freſhneſs and moiſture;
but the inconvenience
is
, that it taſteth a little of the Wax, which, I ſuppoſe, in a Pomegranate, or
ſome
ſuch thick coated fruit, it would not do.
The Apple hanged in the ſmoak, turned like an old Mellow-Apple
44319. wrinkled, dry, ſoft, ſweet, yellow within.
The cauſe is, for that ſuch
a
degree of heat, which doth neither melt nor ſcorch (for we ſee that
in
a greater heat, a roaſt Apple ſoftneth and melteth, and Pigs feet
made
of quarters of Wardens, ſcortch and have a skin of coal) doth
Mellow
, and not adure:
The ſmoak alſo maketh the Apple (as it were)
ſprinkled
with Soot, which helpeth to mature.
Weſee, that in drying of
Pears
and Prunes, in the Oven, and removing of them often as they begin
to
ſweat, there is a like operation:
but that is with a far more intenſe de-
gree
of heat.
The Apples covered in the Lime and Aſhes, were well matured as ap-
55320. peared both in their yellowneſs and ſweetneſs.
The cauſe is, forthat that
Degree
of Heat, which is in Lime and Aſhes, (being a ſmoothering heat) is
of
all the reſtmoſt proper;
for it doth neither Liquefie nor Arefie, and that
is
true Maturation.
Note, that the taſte of thoſe Apples was good, and
therefore
it is the Experiment fitteſt for uſe.
The Apples covered with Crabs and Onions, were like wiſe well matu-
66321. red.
The cauſe is not any heat, but for that the Crabs and the Onions draw
forth
the Spirits of the Apple, and ſpred them equally thoro wout the Body;
which taketh away hardneſs. So we ſee one Apple ripeneth againſt another.
And
therefore in making of Cider, they turn the Apples firſt upon a heap;

ſo
one Cluſter of Grapes, that toucheth another whileſt it groweth, ripen-
eth
faſter.
Botrus contra Botrum citius matureſcit.
The Apples in Hay and the Straw, ripened apparently, though notſo
77322. much as the other, but the Apple in the Straw, more.
The cauſe is, for that
the
Hay and Straw have a very low degree of Heat, but yet cloſe and
ſmoothering
, and which dryeth not.
The Apple in the cloſe Box was ripened alſo. The cauſe is, for that
88323. all Air kept cloſe, hath a degree of warmth;
as we ſee in Wool, Fur,
Pluſh
, &
c.
10571Century IV.
Note, That all theſe were compared with another Apple of the ſame kinde that lay of
# it ſelf;
and in compariſon of that, were more ſweet, and more yellow, and ſo
# appeared to be more ripe
Take an Apple, or Pear, or other like Fruit, and roul it upon a Table
11324. hard:
We ſee in common experience, that the rouling doth ſoften and
ſweeten
the Fruit preſently, which is nothing but the ſmooth diſtribution
of
the Spirits into the parts;
for the unequal diſtribution of the Spirits
maketh
the harriſhneſs:
But this hard rouling is between Concoction,
and
a ſimple Maturation;
therefore, if you ſhould roul them but gently
perhaps
twice a day, and continue it ſome ſeven days, it is like they would
Mature
more finely, and like unto the Natural Maturation.
Take an Apple, and cut out a piece of the top and cover it, to ſee
22325. whether that Solution of Continuity will not haſten a Maturation.
We ſee that
where
a Waſp, or a Fly, or a Worm, hath bitten in a Grape or any Fruit, it will
ſweeten
haſtily.
Take an Apple, & c. and prick it with a Pin full of Holes, not deep,
33326. and ſmear it a little with Sack, or Cinnamon Water, or Spirit of Wine,
every
day for ten days, to ſee if the Virtual Heat of the Wine, or Strong-
Waters
, will not Mature it.
In theſe Tryals alſo as was uſed in the firſt, ſet another of the ſame Fruits by, to compare
# them, and try them by their rellowneſs, and by their Sweeineſs.
THe World hath been much abuſed by the opinion of Making of Gold.
44Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Making
of
Gold
.
The Work it ſelf, I judge to be poſſible;
but the Means (hitherto pro-
pounded
) to effect it, are in the Practice, full of Error and Impoſture;
and in the Theory, full of unſound Imaginations. For to ſay, that Nature
hath
an in ention to make all Metals Gold;
and that, if ſhe were delivered
from
Impediments, ſhe would perform her own work;
and that, if the
Crudities
, Impurities, and Leproſies of Metals were cured, they would
become
Gold, and that a little quantity of the Medicine in the Work of
Projection
, will turn a Sea of the Baſ@r Metal into Gold by multiplying.

All
theſe are but dreams, and ſo are many other Grounds of Alchymy.

And
to help the matter, the Alchymiſts call in likewiſe many vanities,
out
of Aſtrology, Natural Magick, Superſtitious Interpretations of Scri
ptures
, Auricular Traditions, Feigned Teſtimonies of Ancient Authors,
and
the like.
It is true, on the other ſide they have brought to light not a
few
profitable Experiments, and thereby made the World ſome amends:

But
we, when we ſhall come to handle the Verſion and Tranſmutation of
Bodies
, and the Experiments concerning Metals and Minerals;
will lay
open
the true Ways and Paſſages of Nature, which may lead to this great
effect
.
And we commend the wit of the Chineſes, who deſpair of making
of
Gold, but are mad upon the making of Silver.
For certain it is, That
it
is more difficult to make Gold, (which is the moſt ponderous and ma-
teriate
amongſt Metals) of other Metals, leſs ponderous and leſs mate-
riate
, than (Via versâ) to make Silver of Lead, or Quick-ſilver;
both
which
are more ponderous than Silver:
So that they need rather a further
degree
of Fixation, than any Condenſation.
In the mean time, by occaſion of
handling
the Axioms touching Maturation, we will direct a tryal touching
the
Maturing of Metals, and thereby turning ſome of them into Gold;
for
we
conceive indeed, that a perfect good Concoction, or Diſgeſtion, or Ma
turation
of ſome Metals will produce Gold.
And here we call to minde,
that
we knew a Dutchman that had wrought himſelf into the belief of
10672Natural Hiſtory; greatperſon, by undertaking, that he could make Gold: Whoſe diſcourſe
was
, That Gold might be made, but that the Alchymiſts over-fired the work:
For (he ſaid) the making of Gold did require avery temperate Heat, asbe-
ing
in Nature a ſubterrany work, where little Heat cometh;
but yet more
to
the making of Gold, than of any other Metal:
And therefore, that he
would
do it with a great Lamp, that ſhould carry a temperate and equal
Heat
, and that it was the work of many Moneths.
The deviſe of the Lamp
was
folly, but the overſiring now uſed, and the equal Heat to be required,
and
the making it a work of ſome good time, are no ill diſcourſes.
We reſort therefore to our Axioms of Maturation, in effect touched be-
fore
.
The firſt is, That there be uſed a Temperate Heat; ſor they are ever
Temperate
Heats that Diſgeſts, and Mature;
wherein we mean Temperate,
according
to the Nature of the Subject:
For that may be Temperate to
Fruits
and Liquors, which will not work at all upon Metals.
The ſecond is, That the Spirit of the Metal be quickned, and the
Tangible
Parts opened:
For without thoſe two operations, the Spirit of the
Metal
, wrought upon, will not be able to diſgeſt the Parts.
The third is, That the Spirits do ſpred themſelves even, and move not
ſubſultorily
, ſor that will make the parts cloſe and pliant.
And this requireth
a
Heat that doth not riſe and ſall, but continue as equal as may be.
The fourth is, That no part of the Spirit be emitted but detained:
For if there be Emiſſion of Spirit, the Body of the Metal will be hard and
churliſh
.
And this will be performed, partly by the temper of the Fire, and
partly
by the cloſeneſs of the Veſſel.
The fifth is, That there be choice made of the likelieſt and beſt pre-
pared
Metal for the Verſion;
for that will facilitate the Work.
The ſixthis, That you give time enough for the Work, not to prolong
hopes
(as the Alchymiſts do, but indeed to give Nature a convenient ſpace to
work
in.
Theſe principles moſt certain and true, we will now derive a direction
of
Tryal out of them, which may (perhaps) by further Meditation be
improved
.
Let there be a ſmall Furnace made of a Temperate Heat; let the heat be
11327. ſuch as may keep the Metal perpetually molten, and no more;
for that above
all
, importeth to the Work:
For the Material, take Silver, which is the
Metal
, that in Nature, ſymbolizeth moſt with Gold;
put in alſo, with the Sil-
ver
a tenth part of Quick-ſilver, and a twelſth part of Nitre by weight:
Both theſe to quicken and open the Body of the Metal; and ſo let the Work
be
continued by the ſpace of Six Moneths, at the leaſt.
I wiſh alſo, That
there
be as ſometimes an Injection of ſome Oyled Subſtance;
ſuch as they
uſe
in the recovering of Gold, which by vexing with Separations hath
been
made churliſh:
And this is, to lay the parts more cloſe and ſmooth,
which
is the main work.
For Gold (as we ſee) is the cloſeſt (and there-
fore
the heavieſt) of Metals;
and is likewiſe the moſt flexible and tenſible.
Note
, That to think to make Gold of Quick-ſilver becauſe it is the heavieſt,
is
a thing not to be hoped;
for Quick-ſilver will not endure the mannage
of
the Fire:
Next to Silver, I think Copper were fitteſt to be the Ma-
terial
.
10773Century IV.
GOld hath theſe Natures: Greatneſs of VVeight, Cloſeneſs of Parts,
11328. Fixation, Pliantneſs or Softneſs, Immunity from Ruſt, Colour or
22Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Nature
of
Gold
.
Tincture of Yellow.
Therefore the ſure way (though moſt about) to
make
GOld, is to know the cauſes of the ſeveral Natures before rehearſed,
and
the Axioms concerning the ſame.
For if a Man can make a Metal
that
hath all theſe Properties, let Men diſpute, whether it be Gold,
or
no?
THe Enducing and Accelerating of Putrefaction, is a ſubject of avery
33Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
Enducing
and
Accelerating

of
Putrefacti-
on
.
Univerſal Enquiry.
For Corruption is a Reciprocal to Generation;
and they two are as Natures to Terms or Boundaties; and the Guides to Life
and
Death, Putrefaction is the VVork of the Spirits of Bodies, which ever
are
unquiet to get forth and congregate with the Air, and to enjoy the
Sun-Beams
.
The getting forth, or ſpreding of the Spirits, (which is a
degree
of getting forth) have five differing operations.
If the Spirits be
detained
within the Body, and move more violently, there followeth Colli-
quation
;
as in Metals, & c. If more mildely, there followeth Digeſtion or
Maturation
;
as in Drinks and Fruits. If the Spirits be not meetly detained,
but
Protrude a little, and that Motion be conſuſed, and inordinate, there
followeth
Putrefaction;
which ever diſſolveth the Conſiſtence of the Body
into
much inequality;
as in Fleſh, Rotten Fruits, Shining VVood, & c.
and
alſo in the Ruſt of Metals.
But if that Motion be in a certain order,
there
followeth Vivification and Figuration;
as both in Living Creatures
bred
of Putrefaction, and in Living Creatures perfect.
But if the Spirits
iſſue
out of the Body, there followeth Deſiccation, Induration, Conſump-
tion
, &
c. As in Brick, evaporation of Bodies Liquid, & c.
The Means to enduce and accelerate Putreſaction, are, Firſt, By add-
44329. ing ſome crude or watry moiſture;
as in VVetting of any Fleſh, Fruit,
Wood
, with Water, &
c. For contrariwiſe, Unctuous and Oyly Subſtances
preſerve
.
The ſecond is, By Invitation or Excitation; as when a rotten Apple
55330. lieth cloſe to another Apple that is ſound;
or when Dung (which is a ſub-
ſtance
already putrified) is added to other Bodies.
And this is alſo notably
ſeen
in Church-yards, where they bury much;
where the Earth will con-
ſume
the Corps, in far ſhorter time than other Earth will.
The third is, By Cloſeneſs and Stopping, which detaineth the Spirits
66331. in Priſon, more then they would, and thereby irritateth them to ſeek iſſue;
as in Corn and Cloaths which wax muſty; and therefore open Air (which
they
call Aer perflabilis) doth preſerve:
And this doth appear more evident-
ly
in Agues, which come (moſt of them) of obſtructions and penning the
Humors
, which thereupon Putrifie.
The fourth is, By Solution of Continuity; as we ſee an Apple will rot
77332. ſooner, if it be cut or pierced, and ſo will Wood, &
c. And ſo the Fleſh of
Creatures
alive, where they have received any wound.
The fifth is, Either by the Exhaling, or by the driving back of the prin-
88333. cipal Spirits, which preſerve the conſiſtence of the Body;
ſo that when their
Government
is diſſolved every partreturneth to his Nature, or Homogeny.
And this appeareth in Urine and Blood, when they cool and thereby
break
.
It appeareth alſo in the Gangreen or Mortification of Fleſh,
either
by Opiates, or by Intenſe Colds.
I conceive alſo, the ſame effect
10874Natural Hiſtory; is in Peſtilences, for that the malignity of the infecting vapor, daunteth the
principal
Spirits, and maketh them flie, and leave their Regiment;
and
then
the Humors, Fleſh, and Secondary Spirits, do diſſolve and break, as in
an
Anarchy.
The ſixth is, VVhen a Forreign Spirit, ſtronger and more eager than
11334. the Spirit of the Body, entreth the Body, as in the ſtinging of Serpents.
And
this
is the cauſe (generally) that upon all Poyſons followeth Swelling;
and we
ſee
Swelling followeth alſo, when the Spirits of the Body it ſelf congregate
too
much;
as upon blows and bruiſes, or when they are pent in too much,
as
in Swelling upon Cold.
And we ſee alſo, that the Spirits coming of Pu-
trefaction
of Humors in Agues, &
c. which may be counted as Foreign Spi-
rits
, though they be bred within the Body, do extinguiſh and ſuffocate the
Natural
ſpirits and heat.
The ſeventh is, By ſuch a weak degree of heat, as ſetteth the Spirits in
22335. a little Motion, but is not able either to digeſt the parts, or to iſſue the Spirits,
as
is ſeen in Fleſh kept in a room that is not cool;
whereas in a cool and wet
Larder
it will keep longer.
And we ſee, that Vivification (whereof Putre-
faction
is the Baſtard Brother) is effected by ſuch ſoft heats;
as the hatching
of
Eggs, the heat of the VVomb, &
c.
The eighth is, By the releaſing of the Spirits, which before were cloſe
33336. kept by the ſolidneſs of their coverture, and thereby their apperite of iſſuing
checked
;
as in the artificial ruſts induced by Strong waters in Iron, Lead, & c.
And therefore wetting haſtneth Ruſt or Putrefaction of anyhing, becauſeit
ſoſtneth
the Cruſt, for the Spirits to come forth.
The ninth is, By the enter change of heat and cold, or wet and dry; as
44337. we ſee in the Mouldring of Earth in Froſts, and Sun;
and in the more haſty
rotting
of VVood, that is ſometimes wet, ſometimes dry.
The tenth is, By time, and the work, and procedure of the Spirits them-
55338. ſelves, which cannot keep their ſtation;
eſpecially, if they be leſt to them-
ſelves
, and there be not Agitation or Local Motion.
As we ſee in Corn not
ſtirred
, and Mens Bodies not exerciſed.
All Moulds are Inceptions of Putrefaction; as the Moulds of Pyes and
66339. Fleſh the Moulds of Orenges and Lemmons, which Moulds aſterwards turn
into
VVorms, or more odious Putrefactions:
And thereſore (commonly)
prove
to be of ill odor.
And if the Body be liquid, and not apt to putrifie to-
tally
, it will caſt up a Mother in the top, as the Mothers of Diſtilled waters.
Moſs is a kinde of Mold of the Earth and Trees: But it may be better
77340. ſorted as a Rudiment of Germination, to which we referit.
IT is an Enquiry of excellent uſe to enquire of the Means of Preventing or
88Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching

Prohibiting

and
Prevent-
ing
Putr.
faction
.
Staying of Putrefaction;
ſor therein conſiſteth the Means of Conſervation
of
Bodies:
For Bodies have two kindes of Diſſolutions, the one by Con-
ſumption
and Diſiccation, the other by Putrefaction.
But as for the Putre-
factions
of the Bodies of Men and Living Creatures (as in Agues, VVorms,
Conſumptions
of the Lungs, Impoſthums, and Ulcers, both in wards and out-
wards
) they are a great part of Phyſick and Surgery:
And therefore we will
reſerve
the Enquiry of them to the proper place, where we ſhall handle Me-
dicinal
Experiments of all ſorts.
Of the reſt, we will now enter into an En-
quiry
, wherein much light may be taken from that which hath been ſaid of
the
Means to enduce or accelerate Putreſaction:
For the removing that which
cauſed
Putrefaction, doth prevent and avoid Putreſaction.
10975Century IV.
The ſirſt Means of prohibiting or checking Putrefaction is cold; for ſo
11341. we ſee that Meat and Drink will laſt longer, unputrified, or unſowred, in
Winter
, than in Summer:
And we ſee that Flowers, and Fruits; put in
conſervatories
of Snow, keep freſh.
And this worketh by the Detention of
the
Spirits, and conſtipation of the Tangible parts.
The ſecond is Aſtriction: For Aſtriction prohibiteth Diſſolution; as We
22342. ſee (generally) in Medicines, whereof ſuch as are Aſtringents do inhibit Putre-
faction
:
And by the ſame reaſon of Aſtringency, ſome ſmall quantity of Oyl
of
Vitriol, will keep froſh water long from putrifying.
And this Aſtriction
is
in aſubſtance that hath a virtual cold, and it worketh (partly) by the ſame
means
that cold doth.
The third is, The excluding of the Air; and again, the expoſing to the
33343. Air:
For theſe contraries, (as it cometh often to paſs) work the ſame
effect
, according to the nature of the Subject matter.
So we ſee, that
Beer
or Wine in Bottles cloſe ſtopped, laſt long;
that the Garners under
Ground
keep Corn longer, than thoſe above Ground;
and that Fruit
cloſed
in Wax, keepeth freſh:
And likewiſe, Bodies put in Honey, and
Flower
, keep more freſh:
And Liquors, Drinks, and Juyces, with a little
Oyl
caſt on the top, keep ſreſh.
Contrari wiſe, we ſee that Cloath and Ap-
parel
, not aired, do breed Moaths and Mould;
and the Diverſity is, that
in
Bodies that need Detention of Spirits, the Excluſion of the Air doth
good
;
as in Drinks, and Corn: But in Bodies that need Emiſſion of Spirits,
to
diſcharge ſome of the ſuperfluous moiſture, it doth hurt, for they require
airing
.
The fourth is Motion, and Stirring; for Putrefaction asketh Reſt: For
44344. the ſubtil Motion which Putrefaction requireth, is diſturbed by any Agi-
tation
, and all Local Motion keepeth Bodies integral, and their parts
together
:
As we ſee, that turning over of Corn in a Garner, or Let-
ting
it run like an Hour-Glaſs, from an upper Room into a lower, doth
keep
it ſweet:
And running Waters putrifie not; and in Mens Bodies,
exerciſe
hindreth Putrefaction;
and contrary wiſe Reſt, and want of Mo-
tion
or ſtoppings (whereby the running of Humors, or the Motion of
Perſpiration
, is ſtayed) further Putrefaction;
as we partly touched a little
before
.
The fifth is, The Breathing ſorth of the Adventitious Moiſture in
55345. Bodies, for as wetting doth haſten Putrefaction;
ſo convenient drying
(whereby the more Radical Moiſture is onely kept in) putteth back Putre-
foction
:
So we ſee that Herbs and Flowers, if they be dried in the ſhade, or
dried
in the hot Sun, for a ſmall time keep beſt.
For the Emiſſion of the
looſe
and adventitious Moiſture, doth betray the Radical Moiſture, and car-
ryeth
it out for company.
The ſixth is, The ſtrengthning of the Spirits of Bodies; for as a great
66346. heat keepeth Bodies from Putrefaction;
but a tepide heat enclineth them to
Putrefaction
:
So a ſtrong Spirit like wiſe preſerveth, and a weak or faint
Spirit
diſpoſeth to corruption.
So we finde, that Salt-water corrupteth not
ſo
ſoon as freſh;
and ſalting of Oyſters, and powdring of Meat, keepeth
them
from Putrefaction.
It would be tryed alſo, whether Chalk, put in-
to
Water, or Drink, doth not preſerve it from Putrifying, or ſpeedy Sour-
ing
.
So we ſee that Strong-Beer will laſt longer than ſmall, and all things, that
are
hot and aromatical, do help to preſerve Liquors, or Powders, &
c. which
they
do, as well by ſtrengthning the Spirits, as by ſoaking out the looſe
Moiſture
.
11076Natural Hiſtory;
The ſeventh is, Separation of the cruder parts, and thereby making the
11347. Body more equal;
for all unperfect mixture is apt to putrifie, and Watry
ſubſtances
are more apt to putrifie, than oily.
So, we ſee diſtilled Waters
will
laſt longer than raw Waters, and things that have paſſed the Fire,
do
laſt longer than thoſe that have not paſſed the Fire;
as dried Pears,
&
c.
The eighth is, The drawing forth continually of that part, where the Putre-
22348. faction beginneth:
Which is (commonly) the looſe and watry moiſture; not onely
for
the reaſon before given, that it provoketh the radical moiſture to come
forth
with it;
but becauſe being detained in the Body, the Putrefaction
taking
hold of it, infecteth the reſt:
As we ſee in the Embalming of Dead
Bodies
.
And the ſame reaſon is, of preſerving Herbs, or Fruits, or Flowers,
in
Bran or Meal.
The ninth is, The commixture of any thing that is more oyly or ſweet: For ſuch
33349. Bodies are leaſt apt to putrifie, the Air working little upon them, and they
not
putrifying preſerve the reſt.
And therefore we ſee Syrrups and Oynt-
ments
will laſt longer than Juyces.
The tenth is, The commixture of ſome what that is dry; for Putrefaction
44350. beginneth firſt from the Spirits, and then from the moiſture;
and that
that
is dry, is unapt to putrifie.
And therefore ſmoak preſerveth fleſh;
as we ſee in Bacon, and Neats-Tongues, and Martlemas-Beef, & c.
The opinion of ſome of the Ancients, That blown Airs do preſerve
55351. Bodies longer than other Airs, ſeemeth to me probable;
for that the
blown
Airs, being over-charged and compreſſed, will hardly receive the
exhaling
of any thing, but rather repulſe it.
It was tryed in a blown
Bladder
, whereinto fleſh was put, and likewiſe a Flower, and it ſorted not:
For dry Bladders will not blow, and new Bladders rather further Putrefacti-
on
.
The way were therefore, to blow ſtrongly with a pair of Bellows, into
a
Hogſhead, putting into the Hogſhead (before) that which you would
have
preſerved;
and in the inſtant that you withdraw the Bellows, ſtop the
hole
cloſe.
THe Experiment of Wood that ſhineth in the dark, we have diligently
66352. driven and purſued:
The rather, for that of all things that give light
77Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Wood
Shining
in
the Dark.
here below, it is the moſt durable, and hath leaſt apparent motion.
Fire
and
Flame are in continual expence;
Sugar ſhining onely while it is in ſcra-
ping
;
and Salt-water while it is in daſhing; Gloworms have their ſhining
while
they live, or a little after;
onely Scales of Fiſhes (putrified) ſeem to
be
of the ſame nature with ſhining Wood.
And it is true, that all Putre-
faction
hath with it an in ward motion, as well as Fire or Light.
The tryal
ſorted
thus.
1. The ſhining is in ſome pieces more bright, in ſome more dim;
but the moſt bright of all doth not attain to the light of a Gloworm.
2
.
The Woods that have been tryed to ſhine, are chiefly Sallow and Wil-
low
;
alſo, the Aſh and Haſle, it may be, it holdeth in others. 3. Both
Roots
, and Bodies do ſhine but the Roots better.
4. The colour of the
ſhining
part, by day-light, is in ſome pieces white, in ſome pieces inclining
to
red;
which in the Country they call the White and Red Carret. 5. The
part
that ſhineth, is (for the moſt part) ſome what ſoft, and moiſt to feel
to
;
but ſome was found to be firm and hard; ſo as it might be figured into
a
Croſs, or into Beads, &
c. But you muſt not look to have an Image, or
the
like, in any thing that is Lightſom;
for even a Face in Iron red
11177Century IV. will not be ſeen; the light confounding the ſmall differences of lightſome
and
darkſome, which ſhew the figure.
6. There was the ſhining part
pared
off, till you came to that, that did not ſhine;
but within two days the
part
contiguous began alſo to ſhine, being laid abtoad in the Dew;
ſo as it
ſeemeth
the putrefaction ſpredeth.
7. There was other dead Wood of
like
kinde that was laid abroad, which ſhined not at the firſt;
but after a
nights
lying abroad, begin to ſhine.
8. There was other Wood that did
firſt
ſhine, and being laid dry in the Houſe, within five or ſix days loſt
the
ſhining;
and laid abroad again, recovered the ſhining. 9. Shining
Woods
being laid in a dry room, within a ſeven night loſt their ſhining;
but
being
laid in a Cellar, or dark room, kept the ſhining.
10. The boring of
holes
in that kinde of Wood, and then laying it abroad, ſeemeth to conduce
to
make it ſhine;
the cauſe is, for that all ſolution of continuity, doth help
on
putrefaction, as was touched before.
11. No Wood hath been yet
tryed
to ſhine that was cut down alive, but ſuch as was rooted both in Stock
and
Root while it grew.
12. Part of the Wood that ſhined, was ſteeped
in
Oyl and retained the ſhining a fortnight.
13. The like ſucceeded in
ſome
ſteeped in Water, and much better.
14. How long the ſhining will
continue
, it the Wood be laid abroad every night, and taken in and ſprinkled
with
Water in the day, is not yet tryed.
16. Tryal was made of laying it
abroad
in froſty weather, which hurt it not.
16. There was a great piece
of
a Root, which did ſhine, and the ſhining part was cut off, till no more
ſhined
;
yet aſter two nights, though it were kept in a dry Room, it got a
ſhining
.
THe bringing ſorth of Living Creatures may be accelerated in two re-
11353. ſpects:
The one, if the Embryon ripeneth and perfecteth ſooner;
22Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Acceleration

of
Birth.
the other, if there be ſome cauſe from the Mothers Body of Expulſion
or
putting it down:
Where of the former is good, and argueth ſtrength;
the latter is ill, and cometh by accident or diſeaſe. And therefore the
Ancient
obſervation is true, that the Childe born in the Seventh Moneth, doth
commonly
well;
but Born in the Eighth Moneth, doth (for the moſt part)
die
.
But the cauſe aſſigned is fabulous, which is, That in the Eighth
Moneth
ſhould be the return of the reign of the Planet Saturn, which
(as they ſay) is a Planet malign;
whereas in the Seventh is the reign
of
the Moon, which is a Planet propitious.
But the true cauſe is, for
that
where there is ſo great a prevention of the ordinary time, it is the
luſtineſs
of the Childe;
but when it is leſs, it is ſome indiſpoſition of the
Mother
.
TO Accelerate Growth or Stature, it muſt proceed; Either from the
33354. Plenty of the Nouriſhment, or from the Nature of the Nourifhment,
44Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Acceleration

of
Growth and
Stature
.
or from the Quickning and Exciting of the Natural heat.
For the firſt, Exceſs
of
Nouriſhment, is hurtſul;
for it maketh the Childe corpulent, and grow-
ing
in breadth, rather than in height.
And you may take an Experiment
from
plants, which if they ſpred much, are ſeldom tall.
As for the Nature
of
the Nouriſhment;
Firſt, it may not be too dry, and therefore Children
in
Dairy Countreys do wax more tall, than where they feed more upon
Bread
and Fleſh.
There is alſo a received tale, that boyling of Dafie-Roots
in
Milk (which it is certain are great dryers) will make Dogs little.
But ſo much is true, That an over-dry Nouriſhment in Childhood
putteth
back Stature.
Secondly, The Nouriſhment muſt be of an
11278Natural Hiſtory; Nature; for that attenuateth the Juyce, and furthereth the Motion of the
Spirits
upwards.
Neither is it without cauſe, that Xenophon in the Nouriture
of
the Perſian Children, doth ſo much commend their feeding upon Cardamon,
which
(he ſaith) made them grow better, and be of a more active habit.
Cardamon is in Latin, Naſturtium, and with us Water-creſſes; which, it is cer-
tain
, is an Herb, that whilſt it is young, is friendly to Life.
As for the
quickning
of Natural Heat, it muſt be done chiefly with exerciſe;
and
therefore
(no doubt) much going to School, where they ſit ſo much,
hindereth
the growth of Children;
whereas Countrey-People, that go
not
to School, are commonly of better ſtature.
And again, Men muſt
beware
how they give Children any thing that is cold in operation;

even
long ſucking doth hinder both Wit and Stature.
This hath been
tryed
, that a Whelp that hath been fed with Nitre in Milk, hath be-
come
very little, but extream lively:
For the Spirit of Nitre is cold.
And
though it be an excellent Medicine in ſtrength of years for Pro-
longation
of Life;
yet it is in Children and young Creatures an enemy
to
growth;
and all for the ſame reaſon, For Heat is requiſite to Growth.
But
after a Man is come to his middle age, Heat conſumeth the Spirits;

which
the coldneſs of the Spirit of Nitre doth help to condence and
correct
.
THere be two great Families of Things, you may term them by
11Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching

Sulphure
and
Mercury
, two
of
Paracelſus
Principles
.
ſeveral names, Sulphureous and Mercureal, which are the Chymists
words
:
(For as for their Salt, which is their third Principle, it is a Com-
pound
of the other two,) Inflamable, and Not Inflamable;
Mature and Crude,
Oily
and Watry:
For we ſee that in Subterranies there are, as the Fathers of
their
Tribes, Brimſtone and Mercury;
In Vegetables and Living Crea-
tures
, there is Water and Oyl;
in the Inferior order of Pneumaticals,
there
is Air and Flame;
and in the Superior, there is the Body of the
Star
, and the Pure Skey.
And theſe Pairs, though they be unlike in the
Primitive
Differences of Matter, yet they ſeem to have many conſents;
for Mercury and Sulphure are principal materials of Metals; Water and
Oyl
are principal materials of Vegetables and Animals, and ſeem to differ
but
in Maturation or Concoction.
Flame (in Vulgar Opinion) is but
Air
incenſed, and they both have quickneſs of Motion, and facility of
Ceſſion
, much alike:
And the Interſtellar Skey, (though the opinion be
vain
, that the Star is the Denſer Part of his Orb,) hath not withſtanding
ſo
much affinity with the Star, that there is a rotation of that, as well as
of
the Star.
Therefore, it is one of the greateſt Magnalia Naturæ, to turn
Water
or Watry Juyce into Oyl or Oyly Juyce:
Greater in Nature, than
to
turn Silver or Quick-ſilver into Gold.
The Inſtances we have wherein Crude and Watry Subſtance, turneth
22355. into Fat and Oyly, are of four kindes.
Firſt, In the Mixture of Earth and
Water
, which mingled by the help of the Sun, gathered a Nitrous Fat-
neſs
, more than either of them have ſeverally;
As we ſee, in that they put
forth
Plants, which need both Juyces.
The ſecond is in the Aſſimilation of Nouriſhment, made in the Bodies
33356. of Plants, and Living Creatures;
whereof Plants turn the Juyce of meer
Water
and Earth, into a great deal of Oyly matter:
Living Creatures,
though
much of their Fat, and Fleſh, are out of Oyly Aliments, (as Meat,
and
Bread,) yet they aſſimilate alſo in a meaſure their Drink of
11379Century IV.& c. But theſe two ways of Verſion of Water into Oyl, (namely, by
Mixture
and by Aſſimilation) are by many Paſſages, and Percolations, and
by
continuance of ſoft Heats, and by circuits of Time.
The third is in the Inception of Putrefaction; as in Water corrupted,
11357 and the Mothers of Waters diſtilled, both which have a kinde of Fatneſs
or
Oyl.
The fourth is in the Dulcoration of ſome Metals; as Saccharum Sa-
22358. turni, &
c.
The Intenſion of Verſion of Water into a more Oyly ſubſtance is by
33359. Digeſtion:
For Oyl is almoſt nothing elſe but Water digeſted and this
Digeſtion
is principally by Heat;
which Heat muſt be either out ward or
inward
.
Again, It may be by Provocation or Excitation, which is cauſed
by
the mingling of Bodies already Oyly or Digeſted, for they will ſome-
what
communicate their Nature with the reſt.
Digeſtion alſo is ſtrongly
effected
by direct Aſſimilation of Bodies Crude into Bodies digeſted;
as in
Plants
and Living Creatures, whoſe nouriſhment is far more Crude than
their
Bodies.
But this Digeſtion is by a great compaſs as hath been ſaid. As
for
the more full handling of theſe two principles, whereof this is but a
taſte
;
(the enquiry of which, is one of the profoundeſt enquiries of Na-
ture
,) we leave it to the title of Verſion of Bodies;
and like wiſe to the title
of
the Firſt Congregations of Matter, which like a General Aſſembly of
Eſtates
, doth give Law to all Bodies.
AChamelion is a Creature about the bigneſs of an ordinary Lizard, his
44360. Head unproportionably big, his eyes great;
he moveth his Head
55Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Chamelions
.
without the writhing of his Neck (which is inflexible) as a Hog doth:
His
Back
crooked, his Skin ſpotted with little Tumors, leſs eminent nearer
the
Belly, his Tail ſlender and long;
on each Foot he hath five Fingers;
three on the outſide, and two on the inſide; his Tongue of a marvellous
length
, in reſpect of his Body, and hollow at the end, which he will
lanch
out to prey upon Flies.
Of colout Green, and of a dusky Yal-
low
, brighter and whiter towards the Belly, yet ſpotted with Blew,
White
, and Red.
If he be laid upon Green, the Green predominateth;
if
upon Yellow, the Yellow;
not ſo, if he be laid upon Blew, or Red, or
White
, onely the Green ſpots receive a more orient luſtre;
laid upon
Black
, he looketh all Black, though not without a mixture of Green.
He
feedeth
not onely upon Air, (though that be his principal ſuſtenance;)
for
ſometimes
he taketh Flies, as was ſaid;
yet ſome that have kept Chamelions
a
whole year together, could never perceive that ever they fed upon any
thing
elſe but Air, and might obſerve their Bellies to ſwell after they had
exhauſted
the Air, and cloſed their Jaws, which they open commonly
againſt
the Rayes of the Sun.
They have a fooliſh Tradition in Magick,
that
if a Chamelion be burnt upon the top of an Houſe, it will raiſe a Tempeſt,
ſuppoſing
(according to their vain Dreams of Sympathies) becauſe he nou-
riſheth
with Air, his Body ſhould have great vertue to make impreſſion
upon
the Air.
IT is reported by one of the Ancients, that in part of Media, there are e-
66361. ruptions of Flames out of Plains, and that thoſe Flames are clear, and
77Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Subterrany

Fires
.
caſt not forth ſuch ſmoak, and aſhes, and pumice, as Mountain Flames do.
The reaſon (no doubt) is, becauſe the Flame is not pent, as it is in Moun-
tains
, and Earthquakes which caſt Flame.
There be alſo ſome blinde
11480Natural Hiſtory; under Stone, which flame not out, but Oyl being poured upon them, they
flame
out.
The cauſe whereof is, for that it ſeemeth the Fire is ſo choak ed,
as
not able to remove the Stone, it is heat rather than flame, which never-
theleſs
is ſufficient to enflame the Oyl.
IT is reported, that in ſome Lakes the Water is ſo Nitrous as if foul
11362. Cloaths be put into it, it ſcoureth them of it ſelf:
And if they ſtay any
22Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Nitre
.
whit long they moulder away.
And the ſcouring Vertue of Nitre is the
more
to be noted, becauſe it is a Body cold;
and weſee warm Water
ſcoureth
better than cold.
But the cauſe is, for that it hath a ſubtil Spirit,
which
ſevereth and divideth any thing that is foul, and viſcous, and ſticketh
upon
a Body.
TAke a Bladder, the greateſt you can get; full it full of Wind, and tye
33363. it about the Neck with a Silk thred waxed;
and upon that like wiſe
44Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Congealing
of
Air
.
W ax very cloſe;
ſo that when the Neck of the Bladder drieth. no Air may
poſſibly
get in nor out.
Then bury it three or four foot under the Earth, in
a
Vault, or in a Conſervatory of Snow, the Snow being made hollow about
the
Bladder;
and after ſome fortnights diſtance, ſee whether the Bladder
be
ſhrunk:
Forif it be, then it is plain, that the coldneſs of the Earth or
Snow
, hath condenſed the Air, and brought it a degree nearer to Water:
Which is an Experiment of great conſequence.
IT is a report of ſome good credit, that in deep Caves there are Penſile
55364. Chryſtal, and degrees of Chryſtal that drop from above, and in
66Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Congealing
of
Water
into
Chryſtal
.
ſome other (though more rarely) that riſe from below.
Which though
it
be chiefly the work of cold, yet it may be, that Water that paſſeth
thorow
the Earth.
gathereth a Nature more clammy, and fitter to con-
geal
, and become ſolid than Water of it ſelf.
Therefore tryal would be
made
to lay a heap of Earth in great Froſts, upon a hollow Veſſel, put-
ting
a Canvaſe between, that it falleth not in;
and pour Water upon it,
in
ſuch quantity as will be ſure to ſoak thorow, and ſee whether it
will
not make an harder Ice in the bottom of the Veſſel, and leſs apt to
diſſolve
than ordinarily.
I ſuppoſe alſo, that if you make the Earth nar-
rower
at the bottom than at the top, in faſhion of Sugar Loaf reverſed,
it
will help the Experiment.
For it will make the Ice, where it
iſſueth
, leſs in bulk;
and evermore ſmallneſs of quantity is a help to
Verſion
.
TAke Damask Roſes and pull them, then dry them upon the top of
77365. an Houſe, upon a Lead or Tarras in the hot Sun, in a clear day,
88Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Preſerving
of
Roſe
Leaves,
both
in Colour
and
Smell.
between the hours (onely) of Twelve and two or thereabouts.
Then
put
them into a ſweet dry Earthen Bottle or a Glaſs with narrow
mouths
, ſtuffing them cloſe together, but without bruiſing:
Stop the
Bottle
or Glaſs cloſe, and theſe Roſes will retain, not onely their ſmell
perfect
, but their colour ſreſh for a year at leaſt.
Note, that nothing doth
ſo
much deſtroy any Plant, or other Body, either by Putrefaction, or Are-
faction
, as the Adventitious Moiſture, which hangeth looſe in the Body,
if
it be not drawn out.
For it betrayeth and tolleth forth the Innate and
Radicall
Moiſture along with it when it ſelf goeth forth.
And therefore
in
Living Creatures, moderate ſweat doth preſerve the Juyce of the Body.
Note, that theſe Roſes when you take them from the drying, have
11581Century IV. or no ſmell; ſo that the ſmell is a ſecond ſmell that iſſueth out of the Flower
after
wards.
THe continuance of Flame, according unto the diverſity of the Body en-
11366. flamed, and other circumſtances, is worthy the enquiry;
chiefly, for
22Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
Continuance

of
Flame.
that though Flame be (almoſt) of a momentany laſting, yet it receiveth the
More
, and the Leſs:
We will firſt therefore ſpeak (at large) of Bodies en-
flamed
, wholly, and immediately, without any Wiek to help the Inflamma-
tion
.
A ſpoonful of Spirit of Wine, a little heated was taken, and it burnt
as
long as came to 116 Pulſes.
The ſame quantity of Spirit of Wine, mixed
with
the ſixth part of a ſpoonful of Nitre, burnt but to the ſpace of 94
Pulſes
.
Mixed with the like quantity of Bay-Salt 83 Pulſes. Mixed with the
like
quantity of Gun-powder, which diſſolved into a Black-water 110
Pulſes
.
A Cube or Pellet of Yellow Wax, was taken, as much as half the
Spirit
of Wine, and ſet in the midſt, and it burnt onely to the ſpace of 87
Pulſes
.
Mixed with the ſixth part of a ſpoonful of Milk, it burnt to the
ſpace
of 100 Pulſes;
and the Milk was crudled. Mixed with the ſixth part
of
a ſpoonful of Water, it burnt to the ſpace of 86 Pulſes;
with an equal
quantity
of Water, onely to the ſpace of four Pulſes.
A ſmall Pebble
was
laid in the midſt, and the Spirit of Wine burnt to the ſpace of 94
Pulſes
.
A piece of Wood of the bigneſs of an Arrow, and about a Fingers
length
, was ſet up in the midſt, and the Spirit of Wine burnt to the ſpace
of
94 Pulſes.
So that the Spirit of Wine Simple, endureth the longeſt, and
the
Spirit of Wine with the Bay-ſalt, and the equal quantity of Water, were
the
ſhorteſt.
Conſider well, whether the more ſpeedy going forth of the Flame, be
33367. cauſed by the greater vigor of the Flame in burning;
or by the reſiſtance of
the
Body mixed, and the averſion thereof to take Flame:
Which will appear
by
the quantity of the Spirit of Wine, that remaineth after the going out of
the
Flame.
And it ſeemeth clearly to be the latter, for that the mixture of
things
leaſt apt to burn, is the ſpeedieſt in going out, and note by the
way
, that Spirit of Wine burned, till it go out of it ſelf, will burn no more,
and
taſteth nothing ſo hot in the mouth as it did;
no nor yet ſour, (as
if
it were a degree to wards Vinegar) which burnt Wine doth, but flat and
dead
.
Note, that in the Experiment of Wax aforeſaid, the Wax diſſolved in
44368. the burning, and yet did not incorporate it ſelf with the Spirit of Wine, to
produce
one Flame;
but whereſoever the Wax floated, the Flame ſorſook
it
;
@ill at laſt it ſpred all over and put the Flame quite out.
The Experiments of the Mixtures of the Spirit of Wine enflamed, are
55369. things of diſcovery, and not of uſe:
But now we will ſpeak of the continu
ance
of Flames, ſuch as are uſed for Candles, Lamps, or Tapers, conſiſting
of
Inflamable Matters, and of a Wiek that provoketh Inflamation.
And this
importeth
not onely diſcovery, but alſo uſe and profit;
for it is a great
ſaving
in all ſuch Lights, if they can be made as fair and right as others, and
yet
laſt longer.
Wax pure made into a Candle, and Wax mixed ſeverally
into
Candle-ſtuff with the particulars that follow, (Viz.
Water, Aqua-vitæ,
Milk
, Bay-ſalt, Oyl, Butter, Nitre, Brimſtone, Saw duſt,) every of theſe bear-
ing
a ſixth part to the Wax;
and every of theſe Candles mixed, being
of
the ſame weight and wiek, with the Wax pure, proved thus in the
burning
, and laſting.
The ſwifteſt in conſuming was that with Saw-
duſt
, which firſt burned fair till ſome part of the Candle was
11682Natural Hiſtory; and the duſt gathered about the ſnaſte; but then it made the ſnaſte big,
and
long, and to burn duskiſhly, and the Candle waſted in half the time of
the
Wax pure.
The next in ſwiftneſs, were the Oyl and Butter, which
conſumed
by a fifth part ſwifter than the pure Wax.
Then followed in
ſwiftneſs
the clear Wax it ſelf;
then the Bay-ſalt, which laſted about
an
eight part longer than the clear Wax;
then followed the Aqua-vitæ,
which
laſted about a fifth part longer than the clear Wax;
then follow
the
Milk and Water, with little difference from the Aqua-vitæ, but the
Water
ſloweſt.
And in theſe four laſt, the VViek would ſpit ſorth little
ſparks
:
For the Nitre, it would not hold lighted above ſome twelve
Pulſes
:
But all the while it would ſpit out portions of Flame, which
afterwards
would go outinto a vapor.
For the Brimſtone, it would hold
lighted
much about the ſame with the Nitre;
but then after a little while,
it
would harden and cake about the ſnaſte:
So that the mixture of Bay-ſalt
with
VVax, will win an e ghth part of the time of laſting, and the VVater
a
fifth.
After the ſeveral materials were tryed, Tryal was likewiſe made of
11370. ſeveral VVieks;
as of ordinary (otten, Sowing Thred, Ruſh, Silk, Straw, and
Wood
.
The Silk, Straw, and Wood, would flame a little, till they came to
the
Wax, and then go out;
of the other three, the Thred conſumed faſter
than
the Cotten, by a ſixth part of time;
the Cotten next; then the Ruſh
conſumed
ſlower than the Cotton, by at leaſt a third part of time.
For the
bigneſs
of the Flame, the Cotton, and Thred, caft a Flame much alike, and
the
Ruſh much leſs and dimmer.
Quære, whether VVood and VVieks
both
, as in Torches conſume faſter, than the VVieks Simple?
VVe have ſpoken of the ſeveral Materials, and the ſeveral VVieks; but
22371. to the laſting of the Flame, it importeth alſo, not onely, what the material
is
, but in the ſame material, whether it be hard, ſoft, old, new, &
c. Good
Houſwives
to make their Candles burn the longer, uſe to lay them (one by
one
) in Bran or Flower, which make them harder, and ſo they conſume the
ſlower
.
Inſomuch, as by this means they will out-laſt other Candles of the
ſame
ſtuff, almoſt half in half.
For Bran and Flower have a vertue to
harden
, ſo that both age, and lying in the Bran doth help to the laſting.
And we ſee that VVax Candles laſt longer then Tallow-Candles, becauſe
VVax
is more firm and hard.
The laſting of Flame alſo dependeth upon the eaſie drawing of the
33372. Nouriſhment;
as we ſee in the Court of England, there is a ſervice which they
call
All-Night;
which is (as it were) a great Cake of Wax, with the Wiek
in
the midſt;
whereby it cometh to paſs, that the Wiek fetcheth the Nou-
tiſhment
further off.
We ſee alfo, that Lamps laſt longer, becauſe the Veſſel
is
fat broader than the breadth of a Taper or Candle.
Take a Turreted Lamp of Tin made in the form of a Square; the
44373. height of the Turret, being thrice as much as the length of the lower part,
whereupon
the Lamp ſtandeth;
make onely onehole in it, at the end of the
return
furtheſt from the Turret.
Reverſe it, and fill it full of Oyl, by that
hole
;
and then ſet it upright again, and put a Wiek in at the hole, and
lighten
it:
You ſhall finde that it will burn ſlow, and a long time: Which
is
cauſed (as was ſaid laſt before) for that the Flame fetcheth the Nouriſh
ment
a far off.
You ſhall finde alſo, that as the Oyl waſteth and deſcend.
eth, ſo the top of the Turret, by little and little filleth with Air; which
is
cauſed by the Rarefaction of the Oyl by the heat.
It were worthy
the
obſervation to make a hole, in the top of the Turret, and to try,
11783Century IV. the Oyl is almoſt conſumed; whether the Air made of the Oyl, if you put
to
it a flame of a Candle, in the letting of it forth, will enflame.
It were good
alſo
to have the Lamp made, not of Tin, but of Glaſs;
that you may ſee
how
the Vapor or Air gathereth by degrees in the top.
A fourth point, that importeth the laſting of the Flame, is the cloſe-
11374. neſs of the Air, wherein the Flame burneth.
Weſee, that if Wind blow-
eth
upon a Candle, it waſteth apace;
we ſee alſo, it laſteth longer in a Lan-
thorn
, than at large.
And there are Traditions of Lamps and Candles, that
have
burnt a very long time in Caves and Tombs.
A fifth point, that importeth the laſting of the Flame, is the Nature
22375. of the Air where the Flame burneth;
whether it be hot or cold, moiſt or
dry
.
The Air, if it be very cold, irritateth the Flame, and maketh it burn
more
fiercely, (as Fire ſcor heth in Froſty weather) and ſo furthereth the
Conſumption
.
The Air once heated, (I conceive) maketh the Flame burn
more
mildly, and ſo helpeth the continuance.
The Air, if it be dry, is in-
different
;
the Air, if it be moiſt, doth in a degree quench the Flame, (as we
ſee
Lights will go out in the Damps of Mines;)
and howloever maketh it
burn
more dully, and ſo helpeth the continuance.
BUrials in Earth ſerve for Preſervation, and for Condenſation, and for
33376. Induration of Bodies.
And if you intend Condenſation or Induration,
44Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching

Burials
or In-
ſuſions
of di-
vers
Bedies in
Earth
.
you may bury the Bodies ſo, as Earth may touch them;
as if you would
make
Artificial Procellane, &
c. And the like you may do for Conſerva-
tion
, if the Bodies be hard and ſolid, as Clay, Wood, &
c. But if you
intend
Preſervation of Bodies, more ſoft and tender, then you muſt do
one
of theſe two:
Either you muſt put them in caſes, whereby they may
not
touch the Earth;
or elſe you muſt Vault the Earth, whereby it
may
hang over them, and not touch them:
For if the Earth touch them,
it
will do more hurt by the moiſture, cauſing them to putrifie, than good
by
the virtual cold, to conſerve them, except the Earth be very dry and
ſandy
.
An Orenge, Lemmon, and Apple, wrapt in a Linning Cloth, being buried
55377. for a fortnights ſpace four foot deep within the Earth, though it were in a
moiſt
place, and a rainy time;
yet came forth no ways mouldy or rotten,
but
were become a little harder than they were, otherwiſe freſh in their
colour
, but their Juyce ſomewhat flatted.
But with the Burial of a fortnight
more
, they become putrified.
A Bottle of Beer buried in like manner as before, became more
66378. lively, better taſted, and clearer than it was:
And a Bottle of Wine,
in
like manner.
A Bottle of Vinegar ſo buried, came forth more lively
and
more odoriferous, ſmelling almoſt like a Violet.
And after the whole
Moneths
Burial, all the three came forth as freſh and lively, if not better
than
before.
It were a profitable Experiment, to preſerve Orenges, Lemmons,
77379. and Pomgranates, till Summer;
for then their price will be mightily
encreaſed
.
This may be done, if you put them in a Pot or Veſſel well
covered
, that the moiſture of the Earth come not at them;
or elſe by put-
ting
them in a Conſervatory of Snow.
And generally, whoſoever will make
Experiments
of Cold, let him be provided of three things, a Conſervatory
of
Snow, a good large Vault, twenty foot at leaſt under the Ground, and
a
deep Well.
11884Natural Hiſtory;
There hath been a Tradition, that Pearl, and Coral, Surchois-Stone,
11380. that have loſt their Colours, may be recovered by burying in the Earth;
which is a thing of great profit, if it would ſort: But upon tryal of ſix
weeks
Burial, there followed no effect.
It were good to try it in a deep
Well
, or in a Conſervatory of Snow, where the cold may be more con-
ſtringent
;
and ſo make the Body more united, and thereby more reſplen-
dent
.
MEns Bodies are heavier and leſs diſpoſed to Motion when Southern
22381. Winds blow, then when Northern.
The cauſe is, for that when the
33Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Affects
in
Mens
Bodies
from
ſeveral
Winds
.
Southern Winds blow, the Humors do (in ſome degree) melt, and wax
fluide
, and ſo flow into the parts;
as it is ſeen in Wood, and other Bodies,
which
when the Southern Winds blow, doſwell.
Beſides, the Motion and
Activity
of the Body conſiſteth chiefly in the ſinews, which, when the
Southern
Wind bloweth, are more relax.
IT is commonly ſeen, that more are ſick in the Summer, and more dye in
44382. the Winter;
except it be in Peſtilent Diſeaſes, which commonly reign in
55Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Winter
and
Summers
Sick-
neſſes
.
Summer or Autumn.
The reaſon is, becauſe Diſeaſes are bred (indeed)
chiefly
by Heat;
but then they are cured moſt by Sweat and Purge, which
in
the Summer cometh on, or is provoked more eaſily:
As for Peſtilent
Diſeaſes
, the Reaſon why moſt dye of them in Summer, is becauſe they are
bred
moſt in the Summer;
for other wiſe, thoſe that are touched are in moſt
danger
in the Winter.
THe general opinion is, That Years hot and moiſt, are moſt Peſtilent;
66383. upon the ſuperficial Ground, that Heat and Moiſture cauſe Putrefacti-
77Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Peſtilential

Seaſons
.
on.
In England it is found not true; for, many times, there have been great
Plagues
in dry years.
VVhereof the cauſe may be, for that drought in the
Bodies
of Iſlanders, habituate to moiſt Airs, doth exaſperate the Humors,
and
maketh them more apt to Putrifie or Enflame;
beſides, it tainteth the
VVaters
(commonly) and maketh them leſs wholſome.
And again in
Barbary
, the Plagues break up in the Summer Moneths, when the VVeather
is
hot and dry.
MAny Diſeaſes, (both Epidemical and others) break forth at particular
88384. times.
And the cauſe is falſly imputed to the conſtitution of the Air,
99Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
An
Error
received
about
Epide-
mical
Diſeaſes.
at that time, when they break forth or reign;
whereas it proceedeth (indeed)
from
a Precedent Sequence, and Series of the Seaſons of the Year:
And
therefore
Hippocrates, in his Prognoſticks, doth make good obſervations of
the
Diſeaſes, that enſue upon the Nature of the precedent four Seaſons of
the
Year.
TRyal hath been made with Earthen Bottles, well ſtopped, hanged in a
1010385. VVell of Twenty Fathom deep, at the leaſt;
and ſome of the Bottles
1111Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Alteration
or
Preſervation

of
Liquors in
Wells
, or deep
Vaults
.
have been let down into the VVater, ſome others have hanged above, with-
in
about a Fathom of the VVater;
and the Liquors ſo tryed have been, Beer,
(not new, but ready for drinking) and VVine, and Milk.
The proof hath
been
, that both the Beer, and the VVine, (as well within VVater, as above)
have
not been palled or deaded at all;
but as good, or ſomewhat better
than
Bottles of the ſame Drinks and ſtaleneſs, kept in a Celler.
But thoſe
which
did hang above VVater, were apparently the beſt;
and that Beer
11985Century V. flower a little; whereas that under Water did not; though it were freſh.
The Milk ſoured, and began to putrifie. Nevertheleſs it is true, that there is a
Village
near Blois, where in deep Caves they do thicken Milk, in ſuch ſort,
that
it becometh very pleaſant;
which was ſome cauſe of this tryal of hang-
ing
Milk in the Well:
But our proof was naught, neither do I know, whe-
ther
that Milk in thoſe Caves be firſt boyled.
It were good therefore to try
it
with Milk ſodden, and with Cream;
for that Milk of it ſelf, is ſuch a Com-
pound
Body of Cream, Cruds, and Whey, as it is eaſily turned and diſſolved.

It
were good alſo to try the Beer, when it is in Wort, that it may be ſeen,
whether
the hanging in the Well, will accelerate the ripening and clariſying
of
it.
DIvers, we ſee, do Stut. The cauſe may be (in moſt) the Refrigeration of
11386. the Tongue, whereby it is leſs apt to move;
and therefore we ſee,
22Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Stutting
.
that Naturals do generally Stut:
And we ſee, that in thoſe that Stut, if they
drink
Wine moderately, they Stut leſs, becauſe it heateth:
And ſo we ſee,
that
they that Stut, do Stut more in the firſt offer to ſpeak, than in continuance;
becauſe the Tongue is, by motion, ſome what heated. In ſome alſo, it may
be
(though rarely) the dryneſs of the Tongue, which likewiſe maketh it
leſs
apt to move as well as cold;
for it is an affect that cometh to ſome wiſe
and
great Men, as it did unto Moſes, who was Linguæ Præpeditæ:
And many
Stutters
(we finde) are very Cholerick Men, Choler enducing a dryneſs in
the
Tongue.
SMells, and other Odors, are ſweeter in the Air, at ſome diftance, than near
33387. the Noſe;
as hath been partly touched heretofore. The cauſe is double,
44Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
Smells
.
firſt, The finer mixture, or incorporation of the Smell.
For we ſee, that in
Sounds
like wiſe, they are ſweeteſt, when we cannot hear every part by it ſelf.
The other reaſon is, For that all ſweet Smells have joyned with them ſome
Earthy
or Crude Odors;
and at ſome diſtance the Sweet, which is the more
ſpiritual
, is perceived;
and the Earthy reacheth not ſo far.
Sweet Smells are moſt forcible in dry Subſtances, when they are broken;
55388. and ſo like wiſe in Orenges or Lemmons, the nipping off their Rinde, giveth out
their
ſmell more:
And generally, when Bodies are moved or ſtirred, though
not
broken, they ſmell more, as a Sweet-Bag waved.
The cauſe is double;
the one, for that there is a geater emiſſion of the Spirit, when way is made:
And
this holdeth in the Breaking, Nipping, or Cruſhing;
it holdeth alſo,
(in ſome degree) in the Moving.
But in this laſt, there is a concurrence of
the
ſecond cauſe, which is the Impulſion of the Air, that bringeth the ſent
faſter
upon us.
The daintieſt ſmells of Flowers, are out of thoſe Plants whoſe Leaves
66389. ſmell not;
as Violets. Roſes, Wall-flowers, Gilly-flowers, Pincks, Wood-bine, Vine-
flowers
, Apple-blooms, Limetree blooms, Bean-blooms, &
c. The cauſe is, for that
where
there is heat and ſtrength enough in the Plant to make the Leaves
odorate
, there the ſmell of the Flower is rather evanide and weaker, than
that
of the Leaves;
as it is in Roſemary-flowers, Lavender-flowers, and Sweet-Brier
Roſes
:
But where there is leſs heat, there the Spirit of the Plant is digeſted
and
refined, and ſevered ſrom the groſſer Juyce in the Effloreſcence, and not
before
.
12086Natural Hiſtory;
Moſt Odors ſmell beſt, broken, or cruſht, as hath been ſaid; but Flowers
11390. preſſed or beaten, do loſe the freſhneſs and ſweetneſs of their Odor.
The
cauſe
is, for that when they are cruſhed, the groſſer and more earthy Spirit
cometh
out with the Finer, and troubleth it;
whereas in ſtronger Odors there
are
no ſuch degrees of the iſſue of the ſmell.
IT is a thing of very good uſe, to diſcover the goodneſs of Waters. The
22391. taſte to thoſe that drink Water onely doth ſomewhat:
But other Expe-
33Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
Goodneſs
and
Choice
of
Water
.
riments are more ſure.
Firſt, try Waters by weight, wherein you may
finde
ſome difference, though not much:
And the lighter, you may account
7979[Handwritten note 79] the better.
Secondly, Try them by boiling upon an equal fire; and that which con-
44392. ſumeth away faſteſt, you may account the beſt.
Thirdly, Try them in ſeveral Bottles or open Veſſels, matches in every
55393. thing elſe, and ſee which of them laſt longeſt without ſtench or corruption;
and that which holdeth unputrified longeſt, you may like wiſe account the
beſt
.
Fourthly, Try them by making Drinks, ſtronger or ſmaller, with the
66394. ſame quantity of Malt;
and you may conclude, that that Water, which
maketh
the ſtronger Drink, is the more concocted and nouriſhing;
though
perhaps
it be not ſo good for Medicinal uſe.
And ſuch VVater (commonly)
is
the VVater of large and navigable Rivers;
and likewiſe in large and clean
Ponds
of ſtanding VVater:
For upon both them, the Sun hath more power
than
upon Fountains, or ſmall Rivers.
And I conceive, that Chalk-water is
next
them the beſt, for going furtheſt in Drink.
For that alſo helpeth con-
coction
, ſo it be out of a deep VVell;
for then it cureth therawneſs of the
VVater
;
but Chalky-water towards the top of the Earth, is too fretting,
as
it appeareth in Laundry of Cloaths, which wear out apace, if you uſe ſuch
VVaters
.
Fifthly, The Houſwives do finde a difference in Waters, for the bear-
77395. ing or not bearing of Soap;
and it is likely, that the more fat water will
bear
Soap beſt, for the hungry water doth kill the unctuous nature of the
Soap
.
Sixthly, You may make a judgment of Waters according to the place,
88396. whence they ſpring or come.
The Rain-water is by the Phyſitians eſteemed
the
fineſt and the beſt;
but yet it is ſaid to putrifie ſooneſt, which is
likely
, becauſe of the fineneſt of the Spirit;
and in Conſervatories of
Rain-water
, (ſuch as they have in Venice, &
c) they are found not ſo
choice
Waters;
(the worſe perhaps) becauſe they are covered aloſt,
and
kept from the Sun.
Snow-water is held unwholeſome, inſomuch, as
the
people that dwell at the Foot of the Snow Mountains, or otherwiſe
upon
the aſcent, (eſpecially the VVomen) by drinking of Snow-water,
have
great bags hanging under their Throats.
VVell VVater, except it be
upon
Chalk, or a very plentiſul Spring maketh Meat red, which is an ill ſign.
Springs on the tops of high Hills are the beſt; for both they ſeem to have
a
Lightneſs and Appetite of Mounting;
and beſides, they are moſt pure and
unmingled
:
And again are more percolated through a great ſpace of Earth.
For
VVaters in Valleys, joyn in effect under ground with all VVaters of the
ſame
Level;
whereas Springs on the tops of Hills, paſs through a great deal
of
pure Earth with leſs mixture of other VVaters.
Seventhly, Judgment may be made of Waters by the Soyl whereupon
99396. the VVater runneth, as Pebble is the cleaneſt and beſt taſted;
and next to
12187Century IV. Clay-water; and thirdly, Water upon Chalk; Fourthly, that upon Sand;
and worſt of all, upon Mud. Neither may you truſt Waters that taſte ſweet,
for
they are commonly found in Riſing grounds of great Cities, which muſt
needs
take in a great deal of filth.
IN Pera, and divers parts of the Weſt-Indies, though under the Line, the
11398. Heats are not ſo intolerable, as they be in Barbary, and the Skirts of the
22Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Temperate

Heat
under
the
Æqui-
noctial
.
Torrid Zone.
The cauſes are, firſt, the great Brizes which the motion of the
Airin
great Circles (ſuch as are under the Girdle of the World) produceth,
which
do refrigerate;
and therefore in thoſe parts, Noon is nothing ſo hot
when
the Brizes are great, as about nine or ten of the clock in the Fore-
noon
.
Another cauſe is, for that the length of the Night, and the Dews
thereof
, do compence the Heat of the day.
A third cauſe is, the ſtay of the
Sun
;
not in re pect of day and night (for that we ſpake of before) but in
reſpect
of the Seaſon:
For under the Line, the Sun croſſeth the Line, and
maketh
two Summers and two Winters;
but in the skirts of the Torrid
Zone
, it doubleth and goeth back again, and ſo maketh one long
Summer
.
THe heat of the Sun maketh Men black in ſome Countreys, as in c Æ-
33399. thiopia and Guinny, &
c Fire doth it not as we ſee in Glaſs-Men, that are
44Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Coloration
of
Black
and
Tawny
Mocrs.
continually about the Fire.
The reaſon may be, becauſe Fire doth lick up
the
Spirits and Blood of the Body, ſo as they exhale;
ſo that it ever maketh
Men
look Pale and Sallow;
but the Sun which is a gentler heat, doth but
draw
the Blood to the out ward parts, and rather concocteth it, then ſoaketh
it
:
And thereſore, we ſee that all Æthiopes are fleſhly, plump, and have
great
Lips.
All which betoken moiſture retained, and not drawn out. We
ſee
alſo, that the Negroes are bred in Countreys that have plenty of Water,
by
Rivers or otherwiſe:
For Mero, which was the Metropolis of Æthiopia,
was
upon a great Lake;
and Congo, where the Negroes are, is full of Rivers.
And the confines of the River Niger, where the Negroes alſo are, are
well
watered;
and the Region about Capo Verde is likewiſe moiſt, inſo-
much
, as it is peſtilent through moiſture:
But the Countreys of the Abyſ-
ſenes
, and Barbary, and Peru, where they are Tawney and Olivaſter, and Pale,
are
generally more ſandy and dry.
As for the Æthiopes, as they are plump
and
fleſhly, ſo (it may be) they are Sanguine and Ruddy coloured, if their
Black
Skin would ſuffer it to be ſeen.
SOme Creatures do move a good while after their head is off, as Birds.
55400. Some a very little time, as Men and all Beaſts. Some move, though cut
66Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Motion
afier
the
Inſtant of
Death
.
in ſeveral pieces, as Snakes, Eels, Worms, Flies, &
c. Firſt, therefore it is
certain
, that the immediate cauſe of Death, is the reſolution or extinguiſh-
ment
of the Spirits;
and that the deſtruction or corruption of the Organs,
is
but the mediate cauſe.
But ſome Organs are ſo peremptorily neceſſary,
that
the extinguiſhment of the Spirits doth ſpeedily follow;
but yet ſo, as
there
is an in terim of a ſmall time.
It is reported by one of the Ancients, of
credit
, That a Sacrificed Beaſt hath lowed after the Heart hath been ſevered;
and it is a report alſo of credit, That the Head of a Pig hath been opened,
and
the Brain put into the Palm of a Mans Hand, trembling, without
breaking
any part of it, or ſevering it from the Marrow of the Back-bone:

during
which time, the Pig hath been, in all appearance, ſtark dead, and
without
motion:
And after a ſmall time the Brain hath been
12288Natural Hiſtory; and the Skull of the Pig cloſed, and the Pig hath a little after gone about.
And certain it is, that an Eye upon Revenge, hath been thruſt forth, ſo as it
hanged
a pretty diſtance by the Viſual Nerve;
and during that time, the Eye
hath
been without any power of Sight;
and yet after (being replaced) re-
covered
Sight.
Now the Spirits are chiefly in the Head, and Cells of the
Brain
, which in Men and Beaſts are large;
and therefore, when the Head is
off
, they move little or nothing:
But Birds have ſmall Heads, and there-
fore
the Spirits are a little more diſperſed in the Sinews, where by Motion re-
maineth
in them a little longer;
inſomuch, as it is extant in ſtory, that an
Emperor
of Rome, to ſhew the certainty of his hand, did ſhoot a great Forked
Arrow
at an Eſtrich, as ſhe ran ſwiftly upon the Stage, and ſtroke off her
Head
;
and yet ſhe continued the race a little way with her Head off. As
for
Worms, and Flies, and Eels, the Spirits are diffuſed almoſt all over;
and
therefore
they move in their ſeveral pieces.
12389
NATURAL
HISTORY
Century V.
WE will now enquire of Plants or Vegetables; and we ſhall
11Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
Acceleration

of
Germinati-
on
.
do it with diligence.
They are the principal part of
the
Third days Work;
they are the firſt Producat, which
is
the word of Animation, for the other words are but
the
words of Eſſence;
and they are of excellent and
generaluſe
, For Food, Medicine, and a number of Medi-
cinal
Arts.
There were ſown in a Bed, Turnip ſeed, Raddiſh-ſeed, Wheat, Cucumber-ſeed,
22401. and Peaſe.
The Bed we call a Hot-bed, and the manner of it is this. There
was
taken Horſe-dung, old, and well rotted;
this was laid upon a Bank
half
a foot high, and ſupported round about with Planks;
and upon the
top
was caſt ſifred Earth, ſome two fingers deep;
and then the Seed
ſprinkled
upon it, having been ſteeped all night in Water mixed with Cow-
dung
.
The Turnip-ſeed, and the VVneat, came up half an inch above ground,
within
two days after, without any watering;
the reſt the third day. The
Experiment
was made in October, and (it may be) in the Spring, the Accele-
8080[Handwritten note 80] rating would have been the ſpeedier.
This is a noble Experiment; for,
without
this help, they would have been four times as long in coming up.
But there doth not occur to me, at this preſent, any uſe thereof, for pro-
fit
, except it ſhould be for Sowing of Peaſe, which have their price very
much
increaſed by the early coming.
It may be tryed alſo with Cher-
ries
, Strawberries, and other Fruit which are deareſt, when they come
early
.
There was Wheat ſteeped in Water mixed with Cow dung, other in
33402. Water mixed with Horſe-dung, other in Water mixed with
12490Natural Hiſtory; other in Urine of Man, other in Water mixed with Chalk powdred, other
in
Water mixed with Soot, other in Water mixed with Aſhes, other in
Water
mixed with Bay-Salt, other in Claret Wine, other in Malmſey, other
in
Spirit of Wine.
The proportion of the mixture was, a fourth part of
the
ingredients to the Water, ſave that there was not of the Salt above an
eight
part.
The Urine, and Winds, and Spirit of Wine, were ſimple without
mixture
of Water;
the time of ſteeping was twelye hours; the time of the
year
October.
There was alſo other Wheat ſown unſteeped, but watred twice a
day
with warm Water;
there was alſo other Wheat ſown ſimple, to com-
pare
it with the reſt.
The event was, that thoſe that were in the mixture of
Dung
, and Urine, Soot, Chalk, Aſhes, and Salt, came up within ſix days;
and thoſe that after wards proved the higheſt, thickeſt, and moſt luſty, were,
firſt
the Urine, and then the Dungs;
next the Chalk, next the Soot, next
the
Aſhes, next the Salt, next the Wheat ſimple of it ſelf unſteeped and
unwatered
, next the watered twice a day with warm Water next the Claret
Wine
.
So that theſe three laſt were ſlower than the ordinary Wheat of it
ſelf
;
and this Culture did rather retard than advance. As for thoſe that
were
ſteeped in Malmſey, and Spirit of Wine, they came not up at all.
This
is
a rich Experiment for profit;
for the moſt of the ſteepings are cheap
things
, and the goodneſs of the crop is a great matter of gain;
if the
goodneſs
of the crop anſwer the earlineſs of the coming up, as it is like it
will
, both being from the vigor of the Seed;
which alſo partly appeared
in
the former Experiment, as hath been ſaid.
This Experiment would be
tryed
in other Grains, Seeds, and Kernels;
for it may be ſome ſteeping will
agree
beſt with ſome Seeds.
It would be alſo tryed with Roots ſteeped as
before
.
but for longer time; it would be tryed alſo in ſeveral ſeaſons of the
Year
, eſpecially in the Spring.
Stra wberries watered now and then (as once in three days) with Water,
11403. wherein hath been ſteeped Sheeps-dung, or Pigeons-dung, will prevent and
come
early.
And it is like the ſame effect would follow in other Berries, Herbs,
Flowers
, Grains, or Trees;
and therefore it is an Experiment, though vulgar in
Strawberries
, yet not brought into uſe generally:
For it is uſual to help the
Ground
with Muck, and like wiſe to recomfort it ſometimes with Muck put
to
the Roots, but to water it with Muck-water, which is like to be more
forcible
, is not practiſed.
Dung, or Chalk, or Blood, applied in ſubſtance (ſeaſonably) to the Roots
22404. of Trees, doth ſet them forwards.
But to do it unto Herbs, without mixture
of
Water or Earth, it may be theſe helps are too hot.
The former means of helping Germination, are either by the goodneſs
33405. and ſtrength of the Nouriſhment, or by the comforting and exciting the
Spirits
in the Plant, to draw the Nouriſhment better.
And of this latter kinde
concerning
the comforting of the Spirits of the Plant, are alſo the experi-
ments
that follow;
though they be not applications to the Root or Seed.
The planting of Trees warm upon a Wall, againſt the South or South-Eaſt
Sun
, doth haſten their coming on and ripening;
and the South-Eaſt
is
ſound to be better than the South-Weſt, though the South-Weſt be the
hotter
Coaſt.
But the cauſe is chiefly, for that the heat of the morning
ſucceedeth
the cold of the night;
and partly, becauſe (many times) the
South-Weſt
Sun is too parching.
So likewiſe planting of them upon the
Back
of a Chimney where a fire is kept, doth haſten their coming on, and
ripening
:
Nay more, the drawing of the Boughs into the inſide of a
room
, where a Fire is continually kept, worketh the ſame effect;
12591Century V. hath been tryed with Grapes; inſomuch, as they will come a Moneth earlier,
then
the Grapes abroad.
Beſides the two Means of Accelerating Germination, formerly deſcribed;
11406. that is to ſay, the mending of the Nouriſhment, comforting of the Spirit of
the
Plant;
there is a third, which is the making way for the eaſie coming to
the
Nouriſhment, and drawing it.
And therefore gentle digging and looſning
of
the Earth about the Roots of Trees, and the removing Herbs and Flowers
into
new Earth, once in two years (which is the ſame thing, for the new Earth
is
ever looſer) doth greatly further the proſpering and earlineſs of Plants.
But the moſt admirable Acceleration by facilitating the Nouriſhment, is
22407. that of Water.
For a Standard of a Damask Roſe with the Root on, was ſet
in
a Chamber, where no Fire was, upright in an Earthen Pan, full of fair
Water
, without any mixture, half a foot under the Water, the Standard be-
ing
more than two foot high above the Water.
Within, in the ſpace of ten
days
, the Standard did put forth a fair green Leaf, and fome other little
Buds
, which ſtood at a ſtay without any ſhew of decay or withering, more
then
ſeven days.
But afterwards that Leaf faded, but the young Buds did
ſprout
on, which afterward opened into fair Leaves, in the ſpace of three
Moneths
, and continued ſo a while after, till upon removal we left the tryal.
But note, that the Leaves were ſome what paler, and light-coloured then the
Leaves
uſe to be abroad.
Note, that the firſt Buds were in the end of October,
and
it is likely, that if it had been in the Spring time, it would have put forth
with
greater ſtrength, and (it may) be to have grown on to bear Flowers.

By
this means, you may have (as it ſeemeth) Roſes ſetin the midſt of a Pool,
being
ſupported with ſome ſtay;
which is matter of rareneſs and pleaſure,
though
of ſmall uſe.
This is the more ſtrange, for that the like Roſe Stand-
ard
was put at the ſame time, into Water mixed with Horſe-dung, the Horſe-
dung
about the fourth part to the Water, and in four Moneths ſpace (while it
was
obſerved) put not forth any Leaf, though divers Buds at the firſt, as the
other
.
A Dutch Flower that had a Bulbons Root, was like wiſe put at the ſame time
33408. all under Water, ſome two or three fingers deep;
and within ſeven days
ſprouted
, and continued long after further growing.
There were alſo put in,
a
Beet-root, a Borrage-root, and a Raddish-root, which had all their Leaves cut al-
moſt
cloſe to the Roots;
and within ſix weeks had fair Leaves, and ſo con-
tinued
till the end of November.
Note, that if Roots, or Peaſe, or Flowers may be accelerated in their
44409. coming and ripening, there is a double profit;
the one in the high price that
thoſe
things bear when they come early;
the orher in the ſwiftneſs of their
returns
:
For in ſome Grounds which are ſtrong, you ſhall have a Raddiſh, & c.
come in a moneth, that in other Grounds will not come in two, and ſo make
double
returns.
Wheat alſo was put into the Water, and came not for that all; ſo as it
55410. ſeemeth there muſt be ſome ſtrength and bulk in the Body, put into the Wa
ter
, as it is in Roots;
for Grains, or Seeds, the cold of the Water will morti-
fie
.
But caſually ſome Wheat lay under the Pan, which was ſome what moi-
ftened
by the ſuing of the Pan, which in fix weeks (as aforeſaid) looked
mouldy
to the eye, but it was ſprouted forth half a fingers length.
It ſeemeth by theſe In ſtances of Water, that for nouriſhment the Water
66411. is almoſt all in all, and that the Earth doth but keep the Plant upright, and
ſave
it from over-heat, and over-cold;
and therefore is a comfortable
Experiment
for good Drinkers.
It proveth alſo that our former opinion,
12692Natural Hiſtory; Drink incorporate with Fleſh or Roots (as in Capon-Beer, & c.) will nouriſh
more
eaſily than Meat and Drink taken ſeverally.
The Houſing of Plants (I conceive) will both Accelerate Germination,
11412. and bring forth Flowers and Plants in the colder Seaſons:
And as we Houſe-
hot
Countrey Plants, as Lemmons, Orenges, Myrtles, to ſave them;
ſo we may
Houſe
our own Country Plants to forward them, and make them come in
the
cold Seaſons, in ſuch ſort, that you may have Violets, Strawberries, Peaſe,
all
Winter:
So that you ſow or remove them at fit times. This Experiment
is
to be referred unto the comforting of the Spirit of the Plant by warmth as
well
as Houſing their Boughs, &
c. Sothen the means to Accelerate Germi-
nation
, are in particular eight, in general three.
TO make Roſes orother Flowers come late, it is an Experiment of Pleaſure.
22413. For the Ancients eſteemed much of Roſa Sera, and indeed the November
33Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
Putting
back
or
Retardation
of
Gern.ina-
tion
.
Roſe is the ſweeteſt, having been leſs exhaled by the Sun.
The Means are
theſe
, Firſt, Thecutting off their tops immediately after they have done bear-
ing
, and then they will come again the ſame year about November;
but they
will
not come juſt on the tops where they were cut, but out of thoſe Shoots
which
were (as it were) Water-boughs.
The cauſe is, for that the Sap,
which
otherwiſe would have ſed the top, (though after bearing) will, by
the
diſcharge of that, divert unto the Side ſprouts, and they will come to
bear
, but later.
The ſecond is the Pulling of the Buds of the Roſe, when they are newly
44414. knotted, for then the ſide Branches will bear.
The cauſe is the ſame with the
former
:
For cutting off the Tops, and pulling off the Buds, work the ſame effect, in
Retenſion
of the Sap for a time, and Diverſion of it to the Sprouts that were
not
ſo forward.
The third is the cutting off ſome few of the Top-boughs in the Spring
55415. time but ſuffering the lower Boughs to grow on.
The cauſeis, for that the
Boughs
do help to draw up the Sap more ſtrongly;
and we ſee that in
Pouling
of Trees, many do uſe to leave a Bough or two on the top to
help
to draw up the Sap.
And it is reported alſo, That if you graft upon
the
Bough of a Tree, and cut off ſome of the old Boughs, the new Cions
will
periſh.
The fourth is by laying the Roots bare about Chriſtmas ſome days. The
66416. cauſe is plain, for that it doth arreſt the Sap from going up wards for a time;
which arreſt, is after wards releaſed by the covering of the Root again with
Earth
, and then the Sap getteth up, but later.
The fifth is theremoving of the Tree ſome Moneth before it Buddeth.
77417. The cauſe is, for that ſome time will be required after the Remove, for the
Reſetling
, before it can draw the Juyce;
and that time being loſt, the bloſſom
muſt
needs come forth later.
The ſixth is the Grafting of Roſes in May, which commonly Gardiners
88418. do not till July, and then they beat not till the next year;
but if you graft
them
in May, they will bear the ſame year, but late.
The ſeventh is the Girding of the Body of the Tree about with ſome
99419. Packthred;
for that alſo in a degree reſtraineth the Sap, and maketh it come
up
morelate, and more ſlowly.
The eighth is the Planting of them in a Shade orin a Hedge. The cauſe
1010420.8181[Handwritten note 81]8282[Handwritten note 82] is, partly the keeping out of the Sun, which haſtneth the Sap to riſe, and
8181[Handwritten note 81]8282[Handwritten note 82] partly the robbing of them of Nouriſhment by the ſtuff in the Hedge;
12793Century V. theſe means may be practiſed upon other, both Trees, and Flowers, Mutatis
mutandis
.
Men have entertained a conceit that ſheweth prettily, namely, That if
11421. you graft a Late coming Fruit, upon a Stock of a Fruit-tree that cometh ear-
ly
, the Graft willbear Fruit early, as a Peach upon a Cherry:
And contrari-
wiſe
, if an Early coming-Fruit upon a Stock of a Fruit-tree that cometh late,
the
Graſt will bear Fruit late;
as a Cherry upon a Peach. But theſe are but
imaginations
, and untrue.
The cauſe is, for that the Cions over-ruleth the
Stock
quite, and the Stock is but Paſſive onely, and giveth Aliment, but no
Motion
to the Graft.
WE will ſpeak now, how to make Fruits, Flowers, and Roots larger, in
22Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
Malioration

of
Fruit Trees,
and
Plants.
more plenty and ſweeter than they uſe to be;
and how to make the
Trees
themſelves more tall, more ſpred, and more haſty and ſudden, than
they
uſe to be.
Wherein there is no doubt, but the former Experiments
of
Acceleration will ſerve much to theſe purpoſes.
And again, that theſe
Experiments
which we ſhall now ſet down, do ſerve alſo for Acceleration, be-
cauſe
both Effects proceeds from the encreaſe of Vigor in the Tree;
but yet
to
avoid confuſion.
And becauſe ſome of the Means are more proper for the
one
effect, and ſome for the other.
We will handle them aparr.
It is an aſſured Experience, That an heap of Flint or Stone, laid about the
33422. bottom of a wilde Tree, (as in Oak, Elm, Aſh, &
c.) upon the firſt planting,
doth
make it proſper double as much as without it.
The cauſe is, for that
it
retaineth the moiſture which falleth at any time upon the Tree, and ſuffer-
eth
it not to be exhaled by the Sun.
Again, it keepeth the Tree warm from
cold
Blaſts and Froſts, as it were in an Houſe.
It may be alſo, there is ſome-
what
in the keeping of it ſteady at the firſt.
Quare, if laying of Straw ſome
height
about the Body of a Tree, will not make the Tree for wards:
For
though
the Root giveth the Sap, yet it is the Body that draweth it.
But you
8383[Handwritten note 83] muſt note, that if you lay Stones about the Stalk of Lettuce, or other Plants
that
are more ſoft, it will over-moiſten the Roots, ſo as the Worms will eat
them
.
A Tree at the firſt ſetting, ſhould not be ſhaken, until it hath taken Root
44423 fully;
And therefore ſome have put too little Forks about the bottom of
their
Trees, to keep them upright;
but after a years rooting, then ſhaking
doth
the Tree good by looſning of the Earth, and (perhaps) by exer ciſing
(as it were) and ſtirring the Sap of the Tree.
Generally, the cutting away of Boughs and Suckers at the Root and
55424. Body, doth make Trees grow high;
and contrariwiſe, the Poling and Cut-
ting
of the top, maketh them grow, ſpred, and buſhy;
as we ſee in Pol-
lords
, &
c.
It is reported, That to make haſty growing Coppice wood, the way is,
66425. to take Willow, Sallow, Popler, Alder, of ſome ſeven years growth;
and
to
ſet them, not upright, but a-ſlope, a reaſonable depth under the Ground;
and then inſtead of one Root they will put forth many, and ſo carry more
ſhoots
upon a Stem.
When you would have many new Roots of Fruit-Trees, take alow
77426. Tree, and bow it, and lay all his Branches a flat upon the ground, and caſt
Earth
upon them, and every twig will take Root.
And this is a very proſitable
Experiment
for coſtly Trees;
(for the Boughs will make Stocks without
charge
) ſuch as are Apricots, Peaches, Almonds, Cornelians, Mulberries,
12894Natural Hiſtory;& c. The like is continually practiſed with Vines, Roſes, Musk-Roſes,
&
c.
From May to July you may take off the Bark of any Bough, being of
11427. the bigneſs of Three or four Inches, and cover the bare place, ſomewhat
above
and below with Loam, well tempered with Horſe-dung, binding it
faſt
down.
Then cut off the Bough about Alhollantide in the bare place, and
ſet
it in Ground, and it will grow to be a fair Tree in one year.
The cauſe
may
be, for that the Bearing from the Bark, keepeth the Sap from deſcend-
ing
towards Winter, and ſo holdeth it in the Bough;
and it may be alſo, that
Loam
and Horſe-dung applied to the bare place, do moiſten it and cheriſh
it
, and make it more apt to put forth the Root.
Note, that this may be a
general
means for keeping up the Sap of Trees in their Boughs, which may
ſerve
to other effects.
8484[Handwritten note 84]
It hath been practiſed in Trees that ſhew fair and bear not, to bore a
22428. hole thorow the Heart of the Tree, and thereupon it will bear.
Which may
be
, for that the Tree before hath too much Repletion, and was oppreſſed
with
his own Sap;
for Repletion is an enemy to Generation.
It hath been practiſed in Trees that do notbear, to cleave two or three
33429. of the chief Roots, and to put into the Cleft a ſmall Pebble which may
keep
it open, and then it will bear.
The cauſe may be, for that a Root of
a
Tree may be (as it were) hide-bound, no leſs then the Body of the Tree;
but it will not keep open without ſomewhat put into it.
It is uſually practiſed to ſet Trees that require much Sun, upon Walls
44430. againſt the South;
as Apricots, Peaches, Plumbs, Vines, Figs, and the like. It
hath
a double commodity;
the one, the heat of the Wall by reflexion; the
other
, the taking away of the ſhade:
For when a Tree groweth round, the
upper
Boughs over ſhaddow the lower, but when it is ſpred upon a Wall,
the
Sun cometh alike upon the upper and lower Branches.
It hath alſo been practiſed (by ſome) to pull ſome Leaves from the
55431. Trees ſo ſpred, that the Sun may come upon the Bough and Fruit the bet-
ter
.
There hath been practiſed alſo a curioſity, to ſeta Tree upon the North
ſide
of a Wall, and at a little height, to draw him through the Wall, and
ſpred
him upon the South ſide;
conceiving, that the Root and lower part
of
the Stock ſhould enjoy the freſhneſs of the ſhade, and the upper Boughs
and
Fruit, the comfort of the Sun;
but it ſorted not. The cauſe is, for that
the
Root requireth ſome comfort from the Sun, though under Earth, as well
as
the Body;
and the lower part of the Body more than the upper, as we
ſee
in compaſſing a Tree below with ſtraw.
The lowneſs of the Bough, where the Fruit cometh, maketh the Fruit
66432. greater, and to ripen better;
for you ſhall ever ſee in Apricotes, Peaches, or
Melo-Cotones
upon a Wall, the greateſt Fruits towards the bottom.
And in
France
the Grapes that make the Wine, grow upon the low Vines, bound to
ſmall
Stakes;
and the raiſed Vines in Arbors, make but Verjuyce. It is
true
, that in Italy, and other Countreys where they have hotter Sun, they
raiſe
them upon Elms and Trees:
But I conceive, that if the French man-
ner
of Planting low, were brought in uſe, their Wines would be ſtronger
and
ſweeter:
But it is more chargeable in reſpect of the Props. It were
good
to try whether a, Tree grafted ſomewhat near the ground, and the
lower
Boughs onely maintained, and the higher continually proyned off,
would
not make a larger Fruit.
To have Fruit in greater Plenty, the way is to graft, not onely upon
77433. young Stocks, but upon divers Boughs of an old Tree;
for they will
12995Century V. great numbers of Fruit; whereas if you graft but upon one Stock, the Tree
can
bear but few.
The digging yearly about the Roots of Trees, which is a great means;
11434. both to the Acceleration and Melioration of Fruits, is practiſed in nothing
but
in Vines;
which, if it were transferred unto other Trees and Shrubs, (as
Roſes
, &
c.) I conceive, would advance them likewiſe.
It hath been known, that a Fruit-tree hath been blown up (almoſt) by
22435. the Roots, and ſet up again, and the next year bare exceedingly.
The
cauſe
of this was nothing but the looſening of the Earth, which comforteth
any
Tree, and is fit to be practiſed more than it is in Fruit-trees:
For
Trees
cannot be ſo fitly removed into new Grounds, as Flowers and Herbs
may
.
To revive an old Tree, the digging of it about the Roots, and applying
33436. new Mould to the Roots, is the way.
We ſee alſo that Draught-Oxen put
into
freſh Paſture, gather new and tender fleſh;
and in all things, better
nouriſhment
than hath been uſed, doth help to renew, eſpecially, if it be
not
onely better but changed, and differing from the former.
If an Herb be cut off from the Roots in the beginning of Winter, and
44437. then the Earth be trodden and beaten down hard with the Foot and Spade,
the
Roots will become of very great magnitude in Summet.
The reaſon is,
for
that the moiſture being forbidden to come up in the Plant, ſtayeth longer
in
the Root, and ſo dilateth it.
And Gardiners uſe to tread down any looſe
Ground
after they have ſown Onions, or Turnips, &
c.
If Panicum be laid below, and about the bottom of a Root, it will cauſe
55438. the Root to grow to an exceſſive bigneſs.
The cauſe is, for that being it
ſelf
of a ſpungy ſubſtance, it draweth the moiſture of the Earth to it, and ſo
feedeth
the Root.
This is of greateſt uſe for Onions, Turnips, Parſnips, and
Carreis
.
The ſhifting of Ground is a means to better the Tree and Fruit; but
66439. with this Caution, That all things do proſper beſt, when they are advanced
to
the better.
Your Nurſery of Stocks ought to be in a more barren Ground,
than
the Ground is whereunto you remove them.
So all Graſiers prefer their
Cattle
from meaner Paſtures to better.
We ſee alſo, that hardneſs in youth
lengthneth
life, becauſe it leaveth a cheriſhing to the better of the Body in
Age
:
Nay, in exerciſes it is good to begin with the hardeſt, as Dancing in
thick
Shooes, &
c.
It hath been obſerved that hacking of Trees in their Bark, both down-
77440. right, and a croſs, ſo as you make them rather in ſlices, than in continued
Hacks
, doth great good to Trees, and eſpecially delivereth them from being
Hide-bound
, and killeth their Moſs.
Shade to ſome Plants conduceth to make them large and proſperous
88441. more than Sun;
as in Strawberries, and Bays, & c Therefore amongſt Straw-
berries
, ſow here and there ſome Borrage-Seed, and you ſhall finde the Straw-
berries
under thoſe Leaves, fat more large than their fellows.
And Bays you
muſt
plant to the North, or defend them from the Sun by a Hedg Row;
and
when
you ſow the Berries, weed not the Borders for the firſt half year;
for
the
Weed giveth them Shade.
To increaſe the Crops of Plants, there would be conſidered, not onely
99442. the increaſing the Luſt of the Earth, or of the Plant, but the ſaving alfo of
that
which is ſpilt.
So they have lately made a tryal to ſet VVheat; which
nevertheleſs
hath been left off, becauſe of the trouble and pains;
yet ſo
much
is true, that there is much ſaved by the Setting, in compariſon
13096Natural Hiſtory; that which is Sown; both by keeping it from being picked up by Birds, and
by
avoiding the ſhallow lying of it, whereby much that is ſown, taketh no
Root
.
It is preſcribed by ſome of the Ancients, that you take ſmall Trees, upon
11443. which Figs or other Fruit grow, being yet unripe, and cover the Trees in
the
middle of Autumn with Dung until the Spring, and then take them
up
in a warm day, and replant them in good Ground;
and by that means,
the
former years Tree will be ripe, as by a new Birth, when other Trees of
the
ſame kinde do but bloſſom.
But this ſeemeth to have no great pro-
bability
.
It is reported, That if you take Nitre, and mingle it with VVater, to
22444. the thickneſs of Honey, and there with anoint the Bud, after the Vine is cut,
it
will ſprout forth within eight days.
The cauſe is like to be (if the
Experiment
be true) the opening of the Bud, and of the parts contigu-
ous
, by the Spirit of the Nitre;
for Nitre is (as it were) the life of Vege-
tables
.
Take Seed or Kernels of Apples, Pears, Orenges; or a Peach, or a Plumb-
33445. Stone, &
c. And put them into a Squill, (which is like a great Onion) and they
will
come up much eatlier than in the Earth it ſelf.
This I conceive to be as
a
kinde of Grafting in the Root;
for as the Stock of a Graſt yieldeth better
prepared
nouriſhment to the Graft, than the Crude Earth, ſo the Squill doth
the
like to the Seed;
and, I ſuppoſe, the ſame would be done, by putting
Kernels
into a Turnip, or the like, ſave that the Squill is more vigorous
and
hot.
It may be tryed alſo, with putting Onion-Seed into an Onion-
Head
, which thereby (perhaps) will bring forth a larger and earlier
Onion
.
The pricking of a Fruit in ſeveral places, when it is almoſt at his big
44446. neſs, and before it ripeneth, hath been practiſed with ſucceſs, to ripen the
Fruit
more ſuddenly.
We ſee the example of the biting of Waſps or Worms
upon
Fruit (whereby it manifeſtly) ripeneth the ſooner.
It is reported, That Alga Marina (Sea-Weed) put under the Roots of
55447. Colworts, and (perhaps) of other Plants, will ſurther their growth.
The
vert
ue (no doubt) hath relation to Salt, which is a great help to Fer-
tility
.
It hath been practiſed to cut off the Stalks of Cucumbers, immediately
66448. after their bearing cloſe by the Earth;
and then to caſt a pretty quantity of
Earth
upon the Plant that remaineth, and they will bear the next year Fruit
long
before the ordinary time.
The cauſe may be, for that the Sap goeth
down
the ſooner, and is not ſpent in the Stalk or Leaf, which remaineth
after
the Fruit.
Where note, that the Dying in the Winter, of the Roots or
Plants
that are Annual, ſeemeth to be pattly cauſed by the over-expence of
the
Sap into Stalk and Leaves;
which being prevented, they will ſuper annu-
ate
, if they ſtand warm.
The pulling off many of the Bloſſoms from a Fruit-tree, doth make the
77449. Fruit fairer.
The cauſe is manifeſt, for that the Sap hath the leſs to nouriſh.
And it is a common experience, That if you do not pull off ſome Bloſſoms,
the
firſt time a Tree bloometh, it will bloſſom it ſelf to death.
It were good to try what would be the effect, if all the Bloſſoms were
88450. pulled from a Fruit-tree, or the Acorns and Cheſnut-buds, &
c. from a wilde
Tree
, for two years together.
I ſuppoſe, that the Tree will either put forth
the
third year bigger, and more plentiful Fruit;
or elſe, the ſame years, larger
Leaves
, becauſe of the Sap ſtored up.
13197Century V.
It hath been generally received, that a Plant watred with warm Water,
11451. will come up ſooner and better, than with cold Water, or with Showers.
But the Experiment of watering Wheat with warm Water (as hath been
ſaid
) ſucceeded not;
which may be, becauſe the tryal was too late in
the
Year, viz.
in the end of October. For the Cold then coming upon the
Seed
, after it was made more tender by the warm Water, might
check
it.
There is no doubt, but that Grafting (for the moſt part) doth meliorate
22452. the Fruit.
The cauſe is manifeſt, for that the nouriſhment is better prepared
in
the Stock, than in the Crude Earth:
But yet note well, that there be ſome
Trees
that are ſaid to come up more happily from the Kernel, than from the
Graft
;
as the Peach, and Melocotone. The cauſe, I ſuppoſe to be, for that
thoſe
Plants require a nouriſhment of great moiſture;
and though the nou-
riſhment
of the Stock be finer, and better prepared, yet it is not ſo moiſt and
plentiful
, as the nouriſhment of the Earth.
And indeed we ſee thoſe Fruits
are
very cold Fruits in their Nature.
It hath been received, that a ſmaller Pear grafced upon a Stock that
33453. beareth a greater Pear, will become great.
But I think it is as true, as that of
the
Prime-Fruit upon the late Stock, and è Controverſo, which we rejected
before
;
for the Cions will govern. Nevertheleſs, it is probable enough,
that
if you can get a Cions to grow upon a Stock of another kinde, that is
much
moiſter than his own Stock, it may make the Fruit greater, becauſe it
will
yield more plentiful nouriſhment, though it is like it will make the Fruit
baſer
.
But generally the grafting is upon a dryer Stock; as the Apple upon
a
Crab, the Pear upon a Thorn, &
c. Yet it is reported, that in the Low-
Countreys
they will graft an Apple-Cions upon the Stock of a Colewort, and
it
will bear a great flaggy Apple;
the Kernel of which, if it be ſet, will be a
Colewort
, and not an Apple.
It were good to try, whether an Apple-Cions
will
proſper, if it be grafted upon a Sallow or upon a Poplar, or upon an Alder,
or
upon an Elm, or upon an Horſe-Plum, which are the moiſteſt of Trees.
I
have
heard that it hath been tryed upon an Elm, and ſucceeded.
It is manifeſt by experience, That Flowers removed, wax greater, be-
44454. cauſe the nouriſhment is more eaſily come by in the looſe Earth.
It may be,
that
oft regrafting of the ſame Cions, may likewiſe make Fruit greater;
as if
you
take a Cions, and graft it upon a Stock the firſt year;
and then cut it off,
8585[Handwritten note 85] and graft it upon another Stock the ſecond year, and ſo for a third, or fourth
year
, and then let it reſt, it will yield afterward, when it beareth, the greater
Fruit
.
Of Grafting, there are many Experiments worth the noting, but thoſe we reſerve
# to a proper place.
It maketh Figs better, if a Fig-tree, when it beginneth to put forth
55455. Leaves, have his top cut off.
The cauſe is plain, for that the Sap hath the leſs
to
feed, and the lefs way to mount:
But it may be the Fig will come fome-
what
later, as was formerly touched.
The ſame may be tried likewiſe in other
Trees
.
It is reported, That Mulberries will be fairer, and the Tree more fruit-
66456. ful, if you bore the Trunk of the Tree thorow in ſeveral places, and thruſt
into
the places bored, Wedges of ſome hot Trees;
as Turpentine, Maſtick-tree,
Guaiacum
, Juniper, &
c. The cauſe may be, for that Adventive heat doth chear
up
the Native Juyce of the Tree.
It is reported, That Trees will grow greater and bear better Fruit, if
77457. you put Salt, or Lees of Wine, or Blood to the Root.
The cauſe may be the
13298Natural Hiſtory; creaſing the Luſt or Spirit of the Root: Theſe things being more forcible
than
ordinary compoſts.
It is reported by one of the Ancients, that Artichoaks will be leſs prick-
11458. ly, and more tender, if the Seeds have their tops dulled or grated off upon
a
Stone.
Herbs will be tenderer, and fairer, if you take them out of Beds when
22459. they are newly come up, and remove them into Pots with better Earth.
The
remove
from Bed to Bed was ſpoken of before;
but that was in ſeveral
years
, this is upon the ſudden.
The cauſe is the ſame with other removes,
ſormerly
mentioned.
Coleworts are reported by one of the Ancients, to proſper exceedingly,
33460. and to be better taſted, if they be ſometimes watred with Salt-water, and
much
more with Water mixed with Nitre;
the Spirit of which is leſs Adu-
rent
than Salt.
It is reported, That Cucumbers will prove more tender and dainty, if
44461. their Seeds be ſteeped (little) in Milk;
the cauſe may be, for that the Seed
being
mollified with the Milk, will be too weak to draw the groſſer Juyce of
the
Earth, but onely the finer.
The ſame Experiment may be made in Arti-
choaks
, and other Seeds, when you would take away, either their Flaſhi-
neſs
or Bitterneſs.
They ſpeak alſo, that the like effect followeth of ſteep-
ing
in Water mixed with Honey;
but that ſeemeth to me not ſo probable,
becauſe
Honey hath too quick a Spirit.
It is reported, That Cucumbers will be leſs Watry, and more Melon-
55462. like, if in the Pit where you ſet them, you fill it (half way up) with Chaff, or
ſmall
Sticks, and then power Earth upon them;
for Cucumbers, as it ſeemeth,
do
extreamly affect moiſture, and over-drink themſelves;
which this Chaff,
or
Chips forbiddeth.
Nay it is further reported, That if when a Cucumber
is
grown, you ſet a Pot of water about five or ſix inches diſtance from it,
it
will in Four and twenty hours ſhoot ſo much out as to touch the Pot;
which if it be true, it is an Experiment of an higher nature than belongeth
to
this Title:
Forit diſcovereth Perception in Plants to move towards that
which
ſhould help and comfort them, though it be at a diſtance.
The ancient
Tradition
of the Vine is far more ſtrange:
It is, that if you ſet a ſtake, or
prop
, ſome diſtance from it, it will grow that way, which is far ſtranger (as
is
ſaid) than the other:
For that Water may work by a Sympathy of At-
traction
:
But this of the Stake ſeemeth to be a reaſonable diſcourſe.
It hath been touched before, that Terebration of Trees doth make them
66463. proſper better.
But it is found alſo, that it maketh the Fruit ſweeter, and
better
.
The cauſe is, for that not withſtanding the Terebration, they may
receive
Aliment ſufficient, and yet no more than they can well turn, and
diſgeſt
;
and withal do ſweat out the courſeſt and unprofitableſt Juyce, even
as
it is in Living Creatures;
which, by moderate feeding, and exerciſe, and
ſweat
, attain the ſound eſt habit of Body.
As Terebration doth meliorate Fruit, ſo, upon the like reaſon, doth
77464. Letting of Plants Blood;
as Pricking Vines, or other Trees, aſter they be of
ſome
growth, and thereby letting forth Gum or Tears, though this be not to
continue
, as it is in Terebration, but at ſome Seaſons.
And it is reported,
that
by this artifice, Bitter Almonds have been turned into ſweet.
The Ancients for the Dulcorating of Fruit, do commend Swines dung
88465. above all other Dung, which may be, becauſe of the moiſture of that Beaſt,
whereby
the Excrement hath leſs Acrimony, for we ſee Swines and Pigs
Fleſh
is the moiſteſt of fleſhes.
13399Century V.
It is obſerved by ſome, that all Herbs wax ſweeter, both in ſmell and
11466. taſte, if after they be grown up ſome reaſonable time, they be cut, and ſo
you
take the latter Sprout.
The cauſe may be, for that the longer the Juyce
ſtayeth
in the Root and Stalk, the better it concocteth.
For one of the chief
cauſes
, why Grains, Seeds, and Fruits, are more nouriſhing than Leaves, is
the
length of time, in which they grow to Maturation.
It were not amiſs to
keep
back the Sap of Herbs, or the like, by ſome fit means till the end of
Summer
, whereby (it may be) they will be more nouriſhing.
As Grafting doth generally advance and Meliorate Fruits, above that
22467. which they would be, if they where ſet of Kernels or Stones, in regard the
nouriſhment
is better concocted.
So (no doubt) even in Grafting, for the ſame
cauſe
the choice of the Stock doth much;
always provided, that it be ſome-
what
inferior to the Cions.
For other wiſe it dulleth it. They commend
much
the Grafting of Pears, or Apples, upon a Quince.
Beſides the Means of Melioration of Fruits before-mentioned, it is ſet
33468. down as tryed, that a mixture of Bran and Swines Dung or Chaff and Swines
Dung
(eſpecially laid up together for a moneth to rot) is a very great nouriſh-
er
and comforter to a Fruit-tree.
It is delivered, that Onions wax greater if they be taken out of the Earth,
44469. and laid a drying twenty days, and then ſet again;
and yet more, if the outer-
moſt
Pill be taken off all over.
It is delivered by ſome, that if one take the Bough of a low Fruit-tree,
55470. newly budded, and draw it gently, without hurting it, into an Earthen pot
perforate
at the bottom to let in the Plant, and then cover the Pot with Earth,
it
will yield a very large Fruit within the Ground.
Which Experiment is no-
thing
but potting of Plants, without removing and leaving the Fruit in the
Earth
.
The like (they ſay) will be effected by an empty Pot without Earth in
it
, put over a Fruit, being propped up with a ſtake as it hangeth upon the Tree,
and
the better, if ſome few Pertuſions be made in the Pot.
VVherein, beſides
the
defending of the Fruit from extre mity of Sun or VVeather, ſome give a
reaſon
, that the Fruit loving and covering the open Air and Sun, is invited
by
the Pertuſions to ſpred and approach as near the open Air as it can, and ſo
inlargeth
in Magnitude.
All Trees in high and Sandy Grounds, are to be ſet deep; and in VVatry
66471. Grounds more ſhallow.
And in all Trees when they be removed (eſpecially
Fruit-trees
) care ought to be taken, that the ſides of the Trees be coaſted,
(North and South, &
c.) as they ſtood before. The ſame is ſaid alſo of Stone
out
of the Quarry, to make it more durable, though that ſeemeth to have
leſs
reaſon;
becauſe the Stone lyeth not ſo near the Sun, as the Tree grow-
eth
.
Timber Trees in a Coppice-wood, do grow better than in an open Field;
77472. both, becauſe they offer not to ſpred ſo much, but ſhoot up ſtill in height,
and
chieſly, becauſe they are defended from too much Sun and Wind, which
do
check the growth of all Fruit;
and ſo (no doubt) Fruit-trees, or Vines,
ſet
upon a Wall, againſt the Sun, between Elbows and Butriſſes of Stone,
ripen
more than upon a plain Wall.
It is ſaid, that if Potado Roots be ſet in a Pot filled with Earth, and then
88473. the Pot with Earth be ſet likewiſe within the Ground, ſome two or three
inches
, the Roots will grow greater than ordinary.
The cauſe may be, for
that
having Earth enough within the Pot to nouriſh them;
and then being
ſtopped
by the bottom of the Pot from putting ſtrings downward, they
muſt
needs grow greater in breadth and thickneſs.
And it may
134100Natural Hiſtory; that all Seeds, Roots, potted, and ſo ſet into the Earth, will proſper the
better
.
The cutting off the Leaves of Raddiſh, or other Roots, in the beginning
11474. of Winter before they wither;
and covering again the Root, ſomething
high
with Earth, will preſerve the Root all Winter, and make it bigger in
the
Spring following, as hath been partly touched before.
So that there is
a
double uſe of this cutting off the Leaves:
For in Plants, where the Root is
the
Eſculent, as Raddiſh, and Parſnips, it will make the Root the greater;
and ſo it will do to the Heads of Onions, and where the Fruit is the Eſculent,
by
ftrengthning the Root, it will make the Fruit alſo the greater.
It is an Experiment of great pleaſure to make the Leaves of ſhaddy
22475. Tre@s, larger than ordinary.
It hath been tryed (for certain) that a Cions
of
a Weech Elm, grafted upon the ſtock of an ordinary Elm, will put forth
Leaves
, almoſt as broad as the brim of ones Hat.
And it is very likely,
that
as in Fruit-Trees, the Graft maketh a greater Fruit;
ſo in Trees that
bear
no Fruit, it will make the greater Leaves.
It would be tryed therefore
in
Trees of that kinde chiefly;
as Birch, Aſh, Willow, and eſpecially the
Shining
Willow, which they call Swallow-Tail, becauſe of the pleaſure of the
Leaf
.
The Barrenneſs of Trees by accident (beſi@es the weakneſs of the
33476. Soil Seed, or Root, and the injury of the Weather) coming either of their
overgrowing
with Moſs, or their being hide bound, or their planting too
deep
, or by iſſuing of the Sap too much into the Leaves:
For all theſe three
are
remedies mentioned before.
WE ſee that in Living Creatures that have Male and Female, there is
44Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching

Compound

Fruits
and
Flowers
.
copulation of ſeveral kindes, and ſo Compound Creatures;
as the
Mule
, that is generated betwixt the Horſe and ;
and ſome other
Compounds
which we call Monſters, though more rare:
And it is held,
that
that Proverb, Africa ſemper aliquid Monſtri parit, cometh, for that the
Fountains
of Waters there being rare, divers ſorts of Beaſts come from
ſeveral
parts to drink, and ſo being refreſhed fall to couple, and many
times
with ſeveral kindes.
The compounding or mixture of Kindes in
Plants
is not found out;
which nevertheleſs, if it be poſſible is more at
command
than that of Living Creatures, for that their luſt requireth a
voluntary
motion;
wherefore it were one of the moſt notable Experiments
touching
Plants, to finde it out, for ſo you may have great variety of now
Fruits
, and flowers yet unknown.
Grafting doth it not, that mendeth the
Fruit
, or doubleth the Flowers, &
c. But it hath not the power to make a
new
Kind.
For the Cions ever over-ruleth the Stock.
It hath been ſet down by one of the Ancient, That if you take two
55477. Twigs of ſeveral Fruit Trees, and flat them on the ſides, and then binde
them
cloſe together, and ſet them in the ground, they will come up in one
Stock
;
but yet they will put forth in their ſeveral Fruits without any com-
mixture
in the Fruit.
Wherein note (by the way) that Unity of Continu-
ance
, is eaſier to procure, than Unity of Species.
It is reported alſo, That
Vines
of Red and White Grapes, being ſet in the Ground, and the upper
parts
being flatted, and bound cloſe together, will put forth Grapes of the
ſeveral
colours, upon the ſame Branch;
and Grape-ſtones of ſeveral co-
lours
within the ſame Grape:
But the more, after a year or two, the unity
(as it ſeemeth) growing more perfect.
And this will likewiſe help, if
135101Century V. the firſt uniting, they be often watred; for all moiſture helpeth to Union.
And it is preſcribed alſo to binde the Bud, as ſoon as it cometh forth, as well
as
the Stock, at the leaſt for a time.
They report, that divers Seeds put into a Clout, and laid in Earth well
11478. dunged, will put up Plants contiguous;
which (after wards) being bound in,
their
Shoots will incorporate.
The like is ſaid of Kernels put into a Bottle,
with
a narrow mouth, filled with Earth.
It is reported, that young Trees of ſeveral kindes ſet contiguous with-
22479. out any binding and very oſten watred in a fruitful ground, with the very
luxury
of the Trees, will incorporate and grow together.
Which ſeemeth
to
me the likelieſt means that hath been propounded;
for that the binding
doth
hinder the natural ſwelling of the Tree, which, while it is in motion,
doth
better unite.
THere are many ancient and received Traditions and Obſervations,
33Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
Sympathy
and
Antipathy
of
Plants
.
touching the Sympathy and Antipathy of Plants;
for that ſome will
thrive
beſt growing near others, which they impute to Sympathy;
and ſome
worſe
which they impute to Antipathy.
But theſe are idle and ignorant con-
ceits
, and forſake the true indication of the cauſes;
as the moſt part of Ex-
periments
, that concern Sympathies and Antipathies do.
For as to Plants, neither
is
there any ſuch ſecret Friendſhip, or Hatred, as they imagine.
And
if
we ſhould be content to call it Sympathy and Antipathy, it is utterly miſtaken;
for their Sympathy is an Antipathy. and their Antipathy is a Sympathy: For it is
thus
, whereſoever one Plant draweth ſuch a particular Juyce out of the
Earth
, as it qualifieth the Earth, ſo as that Juyce which remaineth is fit for
the
other Plant, there the Neighborhood doth good.
becauſe the nouriſh-
ments
are contrary, or ſeveral:
But where two Plants draw (much) the
ſame
Juyce, there the Neighborhood hurteth;
for the one deceiveth the
other
.
Firſt, therefore, all Plants that do draw much nouriſhment from the
44480. Earth, and ſo ſoak the Earth, and exhauſt it, hurt all things that grow by
them
;
as great Trees, (eſpecially Aſhes) and ſuch Trees, as ſpred their
Roots
near the top of the ground.
So the Cole wort is not an enemy (though
that
were anciently received) to the Vine onely;
but it is an enemy to any
other
Plant, becauſe it draweth ſtrongly the fatteſt Juyce of the Earth.
And if it be true, that the Vine, when it creepeth near the Cole wort, will turn
away
:
This may be, becauſe there it findeth worſe nouriſhment; for
though
the Root be where it was, yet (I doubt) the Plant will bend as it
nouriſheth
.
Where Plants are of ſeveral Natures, and draw ſeveral Juyces out of
55481. the Earth, there as hath been ſaid) the one ſet by the other helpeth:
Asit
is
ſet down by divers of the Ancients, that Rew doth profper much, and be-
cometh
ſtronger, if it be ſet by a Fig-Tree:
Which (we conceive) is cauſed
not
by reaſon of Friendſhip, but by Extraction of contrary Juyces;
the
one
drawing Juyce fit to reſult ſweet, the other bitter.
So they have ſet down
likewiſe
, that a Roſe ſet by Garlick is ſweeter;
which likewiſe may be, becauſe
the
more Fetide Juyce of the Earth goeth into the Garlick, and the more
oderate
into the Roſe.
This we ſee manifeſtly, That there be certain Corn-Flowers which come
66482. ſeldom or never in other places, unleſs they be ſet, but onely
136102Natural Hiſtory; Corn: As the blew Bottle a kinde of yellow Mary-Gold, Wilde Poppey,
and
Fumitory.
Neither can this be by reaſon of the culture of the Ground,
by
Ploughing or Furrowing, as ſome Herbs and Flowers will grow but in
Ditches
new caſt, for if the ground lye fallow and unſown, they will not
come
:
So as it ſhould ſeem to be the Corn that qualifieth the Earth, and pre-
pareth
it for their growth.
This obſervation if it holdeth (as it is very probable) is of great uſe, for
11483. the meliorating of taſte in Fruits, and Eſculent Herbs, and of the ſent of
Flowers
.
For I do not doubt, but if the Fig-tree do make the Rew more
ſtrong
and bitter, (as the Ancients have noted) good ſtore of Rew planted
about
the Fig-tree, will make the Fig more ſweet.
Now the taſtes that do
moſt
offend in Fruits, and Herbs, and Roots, are bitter, harſh, ſour, and watriſh,
or
flaſhy.
It were good therefore to make the Tryals following.
Take Wormwood or Rew, and ſet it near Lettuce, or Coleflory, or
22484. Artichoak;
and ſee whether the Lettuce, or the Coleflory, & c. become not
the
ſweeter.
Take a Service-tree, or a Cornelian-tree, or an Elder-tree, which we
33485. know have Fruits of harſh and binding Juyce, and ſet them near a Vine or
Fig
tree, and ſee whether the Grapes or Figs will not be the ſweeter.
Take Cucumbers or Pumpions, and ſet them (here and there) amongſt
44486. Musk-Melons, and ſee whether the Melons will not be more winy, and better
taſted
.
Set Cucumbers (like wiſe) amongſt Raddiſh, and ſee whether the
Raddiſh
will not be made the more biting.
Take Sorrel and ſet it amongſt Raſps, and ſee whether the Raſps will not
55487. be the ſweeter.
Take Common Bryar, and ſet it amongſt Violets or Wall-flowers, and
66488. ſee whether it will not make the Violets or Wall-flowers ſweeter, and leſs
earthy
in their ſmell.
So ſet Lettuce or Cucumbers, amongſt Roſemary or
Bays
, and ſee whether the Roſemary or Bays, will not be the more oderate or
aromatical
.
Contrariwiſe, you muſt take heed how you ſet Herbs together that draw
77489. much the like Juyce.
And therefore I think Roſemary will leeſe in ſweetneſs,
if
it be ſet with Lavender or Bays, or the like.
Butyer, if you will correct the
ſtrength
of an Herb, you ſhall do well to ſet other like Herbs by him, to take
him
down;
and if you would ſet Tanſey by Angelica, it may be the Ange-
lica
would be the weaker and fitter for mixture in perfume.
And if you
ſhould
ſet Rew by Common Wormwood, it may be, the Wormwood
would
turn to be liker Roman Wormwood.
This Axiom is of large extent; and thereſore would be ſevered, and re-
88490. fined by Tryal.
Neither muſt you expect to have a groſs difference by this
kinde
of Culture, but onely further Perfection.
Tryal would be alſo made in Herbs, Poyſonous, and Purgative, whoſe
99491. ill quality (perhaps) may be diſcharged or attempted, by ſetting ſtronger
Poyſons
or Purgatives by them.
It is reported, That the Shrub called Our Ladies Seal, (which is a kinde
1010492. of Briony) and Coleworts, ſet near together, one or both will die.
The
cauſe
is, for that they be both great Depredators of the Earth, and one of
them
ſtarveth the other.
The like is ſaid of Reed, and a Brake, both which
are
ſucculent;
and therefore the one deceiveth the other. And the like of
Hemlock
and Rew, both which draw ſtrong Juyces.
Some of the Ancients, and like wiſe divers of the Modern Writers, that
1111493. have labored in Natural Magick, have noted a Sympathy between the
137103Century V. Moon, and ſome principal Stars, and certain Herbs, and Plants. And ſo
they
have denominated ſome Herbs Solar, and ſome Lunar, and ſuch like
toys
put into great words.
It is manifeſt, that there are ſome Flowers that
have
reſpect to the Sun in two kindes;
the one by opening and ſhutting, and
the
other by bowing and inclining the Head.
For Mary golds, Tulippas, Pim-
pernel
, and indeed moſt flowers do open or ſpred their Leaves abroad, when
the
Sun ſhineth ſerene and fair:
And again, (in ſome part) cloſe them, or
gather
them in ward, either to ward night, or when the Sky is overcaſt.
Of
this
, there needeth no ſuch ſolemn Reaſon to be aſſigned, as to ſay, That they
rejoyce
at the preſence of the Sun, and mourn at the abſence thereof.
For
it
is nothing elſe, but a little loading of the Leaves, and ſwelling them at the
bottom
, with the moiſture of the Air;
whereas the dry Air doth extend them.
And they make it a piece of the wonder, That Garden Claver will hide the
Stalk
, when the Sun ſheweth bright, which is nothing but a full expanſion
of
the Leaves;
for the bowing and inclining the Head, it is found in the
great
Flower of the Sun, in Marygolds, Wartwort, Mallow flowers, and
others
.
The cauſe is ſome what more obſcure than the former: But I take
it
to be no other, but that the part, againſt which the Sun beateth, waxeth
more
faint and flaccide in the Stalk, and thereby leſs able to ſupport the
Flower
.
What a little Moiſture will do in Vegetables, even though they be dead,
11494. and ſevered from the Earth, appeareth well in the Experiment of Juglers.
They take the Beard of an Oat, which (if you mark it well) is wreathed at
the
bottom, and one ſmooth entire ſtraw at the top.
They take onely the
part
that is wreathed, and cut off the other, leaving the Beard half the
bredth
of a finger in length.
Then they make a little Croſs of a Quill long-
ways
, of that part of the Quill which hath the Pith;
and Croſs-ways of
that
piece of the Quill without Pith, the whole Croſs being the bredth of a
finger
high:
Then they prick the bottom where the Pith is, and thereinto
they
put the Oaten-Beard, leaving half of it ſticking forth of the Quill:
Then
they
take a little white Box of Wood to deceive men, as if ſome what in the
Box
did work the feat;
in which, with a Pin, they make a little hole, enough
to
take Beard, but not to let the Croſs ſink down, but to ſtick:
Then like-
wiſe
, by way of Impoſture, they make a queſtion:
As, who is the faireſt
Woman
in the company?
or who hath a Glove or Card? and cauſe an-
other
to name divers perſons;
and upon every naming, they ſtick the Croſs
in
the Box, having firſt put it towards their Mouth, as if they charmed it,
and
the Croſs ſtirreth not:
But when they come to the perſon that they
would
take, as they hold the Croſs to their Mouth, they touch the Beard
with
the tip of their Tongue, and wet it, and ſo ſtick the Croſs in the Box,
and
then you ſhall ſee it turn finely and ſoftly, three or four turns, which is
cauſed
by the untwining of the Beard by the moiſture.
You may ſee it
more
evidently if you ſtick the Croſs between your fingers, inſtead of the
Box
:
And therefore you may ſee, that this Motion, which is effected by
ſo
little wet, is ſtronger than the cloſing or bending of the Head of a Mary-
gold
.
It is reported by ſome, That the Herb called Roſa-Solis (whereof they
22495. make Strong-waters) will at the Noon-day, when the Sun ſhineth hot and
bright
, have a great Dew upon it.
And therefore, that the right name is
Ros
Solis;
which they impute to a delight and ſympathy that it hath with
the
Sun.
Men favor wonders. It were good firſt to be ſure, That the
Dew
that is found upon it, be not the Dew of the Morning
138104Natural Hiſtory; when the Dew of other Herbs is breathed away: For it hath a ſmooth and
thick
Leaf that doth not diſcharge the Dew ſo ſoon as other Herbs, that are
more
Spungy and Porous.
And it may be Purſlane, or ſome other Herb doth
the
like, and is not marked.
But if it be ſo, that it hath more Dew at Noon
than
in the Morning, then ſure it ſeemeth to be an exudation of the Herb it
ſelf
.
As Plums ſweat when they are ſet into the Oven: For you will not (I
hope
) think, that it is like Gideons Fleece of Wooll, that the Dew ſhould fall
upon
that, and no whereelſe.
It is certain, that the Hony-dews are found more upon Oak Leaves, than
11496. upon Ash, or Beech, or the like:
But whether any cauſe be from the Leaf it
ſelf
, to concoct the Dew;
or whether it be onely, that the Leaf is cloſe and
ſmooth
(and therefore drinketh not in the Dew, but preſerveth it) maybe
doubted
.
It would be well inquired, whether Manna the Drug, doth fall
but
upon certain Herbs or Leaves onely.
Flowers that have deep Sockets, do
gather
in the bottom, a kinde of Honey;
as Honey-Suckles (both the Woodbine,
and
the Trifoil) Lillies, and the like.
And in them certainly the Flower beareth
part
with the Dew.
The Experience is, That the Froth, which they call Woodſare, (being
22497. like a kinde of Spittle is found but upon certain Herbs, and thoſe hot ones;
as Lavender, Lavender-cotton, Sage, Hyſſope, & c. Of the cauſe of this enquire
further
, for it ſeemeth a ſecret.
There falleth alſo Mildew upon Corn, and
ſmutteth
it:
But it may be, that the ſame falleth alſo upon other Herbs, and
is
not obſerved.
It were good, Tryal were made, whether the great conſent between
33498. Plants and Water, which is a principal nouriſhment of them, will make an
Attraction
or Diſtance, and not at touch onely.
Therefore take a Veſſel,
and
in the middle of it make a falſe bottom of courſe Canvas;
fill it with
Earth
above the Canvas, and let not the Earth be watred, then ſow ſome
good
Seeds in that Earth:
But under the Canvas, ſome half a foot in
the
bottom of the Veſſel, lay a great Spunge, thorowly wet in Water, and
let
it lie ſome ten days;
and ſee whether the Seeds will ſprout, and the Earth
become
more moiſt, and the Spunge more dry.
The Experiment for merly
mentioned
of the Cucumber, creeping to the Pot of Water, is far ſtranger
than
this.
THe altering of the Sent, Colour, or Taſte of Fruit, by Infuſing, Mixing,
44499. or Letting into the Bark, or Root of the Tree, Herb, or Flower, any
55Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
Making
herbs
and
fruits
Medicinable
.
Coloured, Aromatical, or Medicinal Subſtance, are but fancies.
The caufe
is
, for that thoſe things have paſſed their period, and nouriſh not;
and all
alteration
of Vegetables, in thoſe qualities, muſt be by ſome what that is apt
to
go into the nouriſhment of the Plant.
But this is true, that where Kine
feed
upon Wilde Garlick, their Milk taſted plainly of the Garlick.
And the
Fleſh
of Muttons is better taſted where the Sheep feed upon Wilde Thyme,
and
other wholſome Herbs.
Galen alſo ſpeaketh of the curing of the Scirrus
of
the Liver, by Milk of a Cow, that feedeth upon certain Herbs;
and Honey
in
Spain ſmelleth (apparently) of the Roſemary, or Orenge, from whence the
Beegather
it:
And there is an old Tradition of a Maiden that was fed with
Napellus
, (which is counted the ſtrongeſt poyſon of all Vegetables) which
with
uſe, did not hurt the Maid, but poyſoned ſome thathad carnal com-
pany
with her.
So it is obſerved by ſome, that there is a vertuous BeZoar,
and
another without vertue, which appear to the ſhew alike;
but the ver-
tuous
is taken from the Beaſt, that feedeth upon the Mountains,
139105Century V. there are Theriacel Herbs; and that without vertue, from thoſe that fed in
the
Valleys, where no ſuch Herbs are.
Thus far I am of opinion, that as
ſteeped
Wines and Beers are very Medici@al, and likewiſe Bread tempered
with
divers powders;
ſo of Meat alſo, (as Flesh, Fish, Milk, and Eggs) that
they
may be made of great uſe for Medicine and Diet, if the Beaſt, Fowl,
or
Fish, be fed with a ſpecial kinde of food, fit for the diſeaſe.
It were a dan-
gerous
thing alſo for ſecret empoyſonments.
But whether it may be ap-
plied
unto Plants, and Herbs, I doubt more, becauſe the nouriſhment of
them
is a more common Juyce;
which is hardly capable of any ſpecial
quality
until the Plant do aſſimilate it.
But leſt our incredulity may prejudice any profitable operations in
11500. this kinde (eſpecially ſince many of the Ancients have ſet them down) we
think
good briefly to p@opound the four Means, which they have deviſed of
making
Plants Medicinable.
The firſt is by ſlitting of the Root, and infuſing
into
it the Medicine, as Hellebore, Opium, Scammomy, Triacle &
c. and then
binding
it up again.
This ſeemeth to me the leaſt probable, becauſe the Root
draweth
immediately from the Earth, and ſo the nouriſhment is the more
common
and leſs qualified;
and beſides, it is a long time in going up, ere
it
come to the Fruit.
The ſecond way is, to perforate the Body of the Tree,
and
there to infuſe the Medicine, it hath the leſs way, and the leſs time to go
up
.
The third is, the ſteeping of the Seed or Kernel in ſome Liquor
wherein
the Medicine is infuſed;
which I have little opinion of, becauſe
the
Seed (I doubt) will not draw the parts of the matter which have the
propriety
;
but it will be far the more likely, if you mingle the Medicine
with
Dung, for that the Seed, naturally drawing the moiſture of the Dung,
may
call in withal ſome of the propriety.
The fourth is, the Watering of
the
Plant oft, with an infuſion of the Medicine.
This, in one reſpect may
have
more force than the reſt, becauſe the Medication is oft renewed,
whereas
the reſt are applied, but at one time;
and therefore the vertue may
the
ſooner vaniſh.
But ſtill I doubt, that the Root is ſomewhat too ſtubborn
to
receive thoſe fine Impreſſions;
and beſides (as I have ſaid before) they
have
a great Hill to go up.
I judge therefore the likelieſt way to be the
perforation
of the Body of the Tree, in ſeveral places, one above the other,
and
the filling of the Holes with Dung mingled with the Medicine.
And
the
Watring of thoſe Lumps of Dung, with Squirts of an Infuſion of the
Medicine
in dunged Water, once in three or four days.
140
[Empty page]
141107 4[Figure 4]
NATURAL
HISTORY
.
Century VI.
OUr Experiments we take care to be (as we have often
11Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching

Curioſities

about
Fruits
and
Plants.
ſaid,) either Experimenta Fractifera, or Lucifera;
either
of
Uſe, or of Diſcovery:
For we hate Impoſtures,
and
deſpiſe Curioſities.
Yet becauſe we muſt apply
our
ſelves ſome what to others, we will ſet down ſome
Curioſities
touching Plants.
It is a Curioſity to have ſeveral Fruits upon one Tree; and the more,
22501. when ſome of them come early, and ſome come late:
So that you may
have
, upon the ſame Tree, ripe Fruits all Summer.
This is eaſily done by
Grafting
of ſeveral Cions upon ſeveral Boughs of a Stock, in a good ground,
plentifully
fed.
So you may have all kindes of Cherries, and all kindes of
Plumbs
, and Peaches, and Apricots upon one Tree:
But, I conceive the
Diverſity
of Fruits muſt be ſuch, as will graft upon the ſame Stock.
And
therefore
, I doubt, whether you can have Apples, or Pears, or Orenges,
upon
the ſanie Stock, upon which you graft Plumbs.
It is a Curioſity to have Fruits of divers Shapes and Figures. This is
33502. eaſily performed by Moulding them, when the Fruit is young, with Moulds
of
Earth or Wood.
So you may have Cucumbers, & c. as long as a
Cane
, or as round as a Sphere, or formed like a Croſs.
You may have
alſo
Apples in the form of Pears or Lemmons.
You may have alſo Fruit
in
more accurate Figures;
as we ſaid of Men, Beaſts, or Birds, according
as
you make the Moulds, where in you muſt underſtand, that you make
the
Mould big enough to contain the whole Fruit, when it is grown to the
greateſt
;
for elſe you will choak the ſpreding of the Fruit, which other-
wiſe
would ſpred it ſelf, and fill the Concave, and ſo be turned into the ſhape
deſired
;
as it is in Mould-works of Liquid things. Some doubt may be
142108Natural Hiſtory; ceived, that the keeping of the Sun from the Fruit, may hurt it: But there
isordinary
experience of Fruit that gro weth covered.
Quare alſo, whether
ſome
ſmall holes may not be made in the Wood to let in the Sun.
And note,
that
it were beſt to make the Moulds partible, glued, or cemented together,
that
you may open them when you take out the Fruit.
It is a curioſity to have Inſeriptions or Engravings, in Fruit or Trees. This
11503. is eafily performed, by writing with a Needle, or Bodkin, or Knife, or the like,
when
the Fruit or Trees are young;
for as they grow, ſo the Letters will
grow
more large, and graphical.
--Teneriſque meos incidere Amores
Arboribus
, creſcent illæ, creſcetis Amores.
You may have Trees apparelled with Flowers or Herbs by boring holes
22504. in the Bodies of them, and putting into them Earth holpen with Muck, and
ſetting
Seeds or Slips, of Violets, Stra wberries Wilde Time, Camomil, and ſuch
like
in the Earth, wherein they do but grow in the Tree, as they do in Pots,
though
(perhaps) with ſome feeding from the Trees.
As it would be tryed
alſo
with Shoots of Vines, and Roots of Red-Roſes;
for it may be they being
of
a more Ligneous Nature, will incorporate with the Tree it ſelf.
It is an ordinary curioſity to form Trees and Shrubs (as Roſemary, Juni-
33505. per, and the like) into ſundry ſhapes;
which is done by moulding them
within
, and cutting them without.
But they are but lame things, being
too
ſmall to keep Figure;
great Caſtles made of Trees upon Frames of
Timber
, with Turrets and Arches, were anciently matters of magnifi-
cence
.
Amongſt curioſities, I ſhall place Colouration, though it be ſome what
44506. better;
for Beauty in Flowers is their pre-eminence. It is obſerved by ſome,
that
Gilly-Flowers, Sweet-Williams, Violess, that are coloured, if they be neg-
lected
, and neither Watered, nor new Moulded, nor Tranſplanted, will
turn
White.
And it is probable, that the White, with much culture, may
turn
coloured, for this is certain, That the white colour cometh oſ ſcarcity
of
Nouriſhment;
except in Flowers that are onely white, and admit no
other
colours.
It is good therefore to ſee what Natures do accompany what colours;
55507. for by that you ſhall have light, how to induce colours, by producing
thoſe
Natures.
Whites are more inodorate (for the moſt part) than Flowers
of
the ſame kinde coloured;
as is found in ſingle White Violets, White
Roſes
, White Gilly-Flowers, White Stock Gilly-Flowers, &
c. We finde al-
ſo
, that Bloſſoms of Trees that are White, are commonly inodorate;
as
Cherries
, Pears, Plums, whereas thoſe of Apples, Crabs, Almonds, and
Peaches
, are bluſhy, and ſmell ſweet.
The cauſe is, for that the ſubſtance
that
maketh the Flower, is of the thinneſt and fineſt of the Plant;
which alſo
maketh
Flowers to be of ſo dainty Colours.
And if it be too ſparing and
thin
, it attaineth no ſtrength of odor, except it be in ſuch Plants as are
very
ſucculent;
whereby they need rather to be ſcanted in their nouriſh-
ment
, than repleniſhed, to have them ſweet.
As we ſee in White Satyrion,
which
is of a dainty ſmell;
and in Bean-flowers, & c. And again, if the
Plant
be of Nature to put forth White Flowers onely, and thoſe not thin or
dry
, they are commonly of rank and fulſome ſmell;
as May-Flowers and
White
Lillies.
Contrariwiſe, in Berries, the White is commonly more delicate and
66508. ſweet in taſte, than the Coloured;
as we ſee in white Grapes, in white
Raſpes
, in white Strawberries, in white Currans, &
c. The cauſe is for
143109Century VI. the coloured are more juyced, and courſer juyced; and therefore not ſo
well
and equally concocted, but the white are better proportioned to the
diſgeſtion
of the Plant.
Butin Fruits. the white commonly is meaner, as in Pear-Plumbs, Damo-
11509. ſins, &
c. and the choiceſt Plumbs are black; the Mulberry, (which though
they
call it a Berry, is a Fruit) is better the Black, than the White.
The
Harveſt
White-Plumb, is a baſe Plumb, and the Verdoccio and White Date-
Plumb
, are no very good Plumbs.
The cauſe is, for that they are all
over-watry
:
Where as an higher Concoction is required for ſweetneſs, or
pleaſure
of taſte;
and therefore all your dainty Plumbs, are a little dry,
and
come from the Stone;
as the Muskle-Plumb, the Damoſin-Plumb, the
Peach
, the Apricot, &
c. Yet ſome Fruits which grow not to be Black,
are
of the Nature of Berries, ſweeteſtſuch as are paler, as the Cæur-Cherry,
which
inclineth more to White, is ſweeter than the Red;
but the Egriot is
more
ſowre.
Take Gilliſtowers Seed, of one kinde of Gilliflowers (as of the Clove-Gilli-
22510. flower which is the moſt common) and ſow it, and there will come up
Gilliflowers
, ſome of one colour, and ſome of another, caſually, as the
Seed
meeteth with nouriſhment in the Earth:
So that the Gardiners finde,
that
they may have two or three Roots amongſt an hundred that are rare,
and
of great price, as Purple Carnation of ſeveral ſtripes.
The cauſe is (no
doubt
) that in Earth, though it be contiguous, and in one Bed there are very
ſeveral
Juyces;
and as the Seed doth caſually meetwith them, ſo it cometh
forth
.
And it is noted eſpecially, that thoſe which do come up Purple, do
always
come up ſingle;
the Juyce, as it ſeemeth, not being able to ſuffice a
ſucculent
colour, and a double Leaf.
This Experiment of ſeveral colours,
coming
up from one Seed, would be tryed alſo in Larks-foot, Monk-hood,
Poppy
, and Hollioak.
Few Fruits are coloured Red within; the Queen-Apple is, and another
33511. Apple, called the Roſe-Apple;
Mulberries likewiſe, and Grapes, though moſt to-
ward
the skin.
There is a Peach alſo, that hath a circle of Red to wards the
ſtone
;
and the Fgriot-Cherry is ſomewhat Red within: But no Pear, nor
Warden
, nor Plumb, nor Apricot, although they have (many times) Red
ſides
, are coloured Red within.
The cauſe may be enquired.
The general colour of Planis is Green, which is a colour that no Flower
44512. is of.
There is a greeniſh Prime-Roſe, but it is pale, and ſcarce a green; the
Leaves
of ſome Trees turn a little Murrey or Reddiſh, and they be com-
monly
young Leaves that do ſo;
as it is in Oaks and Vines. And Haſle-
Leaves
rot into a Yellow;
and ſome Hollies had part of their Leaves Yellow,
that
are (to all ſeeming) as freſh and ſhining as the Green.
I ſuppoſe alſo,
that
Yellow is a leſs ſucculent colour than Green, and a degree nearer
White
.
For it hath been noted, that thoſe Yellow Leaves of Holly, ſtand
ever
to ward the North or North-Eaſt.
Some Roots are Yellow, as Carrets;
and ſome Planis, Blood-red, Stalk and Leaf, and all; as Amaranthus. Some
Herbs
incline to Purple and Red;
as a kinde of Sage doth, and a kinde of
Mint
, and Roſa Solis, &
c. And ſome have White Leaves, as another kinde
of
Sage, and another kinde of Mint:
But Azure and a fair Purple are
never
found in Leaves.
This ſheweth, that Flowers are made of a refined
Juyce
of the Earth, and ſo are Fruits, but Leaves of a more courſe and
common
.
It is a curioſity alſo to make Flowers double, which is effected by often
55513. removing them into new Earth;
as on the contrary part, double
144110Natural Hiſtory; by neglecting, and not removing, prove ſingle. And the way to do it ſpeedily,
is
to ſow or ſet Seeds, or Slips of Flowers;
and as ſoon as they come up, to
remove
them into new ground that is good:
Enquire alſo, whether inocu-
lating
oſ Flowers, (as Stock-Gilliflowers, Roſes, Musk-Roſes, &
c.) doth
not
make them double.
There is a Cherry-Tree that hath double Bloſſoms,
but
that Tree beareth no Fruit;
and, it may be, that the ſame means which
applied
to the Tree, doth extreamly accelerate the Sap to riſe and break
forth
, would make the Tree ſpend it ſelf in Flowers, and thoſe to become
double
, which were a great pleaſure to ſee, eſpecially in Apple-trees, Peach-
trees
, and Almond-trees, that have Bloſſoms Bluſh coloured.
The making of Fruits without Core or Stone, is likewiſe a curioſity,
11514. and ſomewhat better;
becauſe whatſoever maketh them ſo, is like to make
them
more tender and delicate.
If a Cions or Shoot fit to be ſet in the
Ground
, have the Pith finely taken forth (and not altogether, but ſome of it
left
, the better to ſave the life) it will bear a Fruit with little or no Core or
Stone
.
And the like is ſaid to be of dividing a quick Tree down to the Ground,
and
taking out the Pith, and then binding it up again.
It is reported alſo, that a Citron grafted upon a Quince will have ſmall
22515. or no Seeds;
and it is very probable, that any ſowre Fruit grafied upon a
Stock
that beareth a ſweeter Fruit, may both make the Fruit ſweeter, and
more
void of the harſh matter of Kernels or Seeds.
It is reported, that not onely the taking out of the Pith, but the ſtopping
33516. of the Juyce of the Pith from riſing in the midſt, and turning it to riſe on the
outſide
, will make the Fruit without Core or Stone;
as if you ſhould bore a
Tree
clean thorow, and put a wedge in.
It is true, there is ſome affinity be-
tween
the Pith and the Kernel, becauſe they are both of a harſh ſubſtance,
and
both placed in the midſt.
It is reported, that Trees watered perpetually with warm Water, will
44517. make a Fruit with little or no Core or Stone.
And the rule is general, That
whatſoever
will make a wilde Tree, a Garden Tree, will make a Garden Tree
to
have leſs Core or Stone.
THe Rule is certain, That Plants for want of Culture, degenerate to be
55518.66Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
Degenerating

of
Plants, and
of
the Tranſ-
mutation
of
them
, one into
another
.
baſer in the ſame kinde;
and ſome times ſo far, as to change into another
kinde
.
1. The ſtanding long, and not being removed, maketh them dege-
nerate
.
2. Drought, unleſs the Earth of it ſelf be moiſt, doth the like. 3. So
doth
removing into worſe Earth, or forbearing to compoſt the Earth;
as we
ſee
, that Water-Mint turneth into Field Mint, and the Colewort into Rape by
neglect
, &
c.
What ſoever Fruit uſeth to be ſet upon a Root, or a Slip, if it be ſown,
77519. will degenerate;
Grapes ſown, Figs, Almonds, Pomegranate Kernels ſown,
make
the Fruits degenerate, and become wilde.
And again, moſt of thoſe
Fruits
that uſe to be grafted, if they be ſet of Kernels, or Stones degenerate.
It is true, that Peaches (as hath been touched before) do better upon Stones
ſet
, than upon grafting:
And the rule of Exception ſhould ſeem to be this,
That
whatſoever Plant requireth much moiſture, proſpereth better upon the
Stone
or Kernel, than upon the Graft.
For the Stock, though it giveth a finer
nouriſhment
, yet it giveth a ſcanter, than the Earth at large.
Seeds, if they be very old, and yet have ſtrength enough to bring forth a
88520. Plant, make the Plant degenerate.
And therefore skilful Gardiners make tryal
of
the Seeds, before they buy them, whether they be good or no, by
145111Century VI. them in Water gently boiled; and if they be good, they will ſprout within half
an
hour.
It is ſtrange which is reported, That Baſil too much expoſed to the Sun,
11521. doth turn into Wilde Time:
Although thoſe two Herbs ſeem to have ſmall
Affinity
;
but Baſil is almoſt the onely hot Herb that hath fat and ſucculent
Leaves
;
which Oylineſs if it be drawn forth by the Sun, it is like it will make
a
very great change.
There is an old Tradition, that Boughs of Oak put into the Earth, will put
22522. ſorth Wilde Vines;
which if it be true, (no doubt) it is not the Oak that turneth
into
a Vine, but the Oak-bough putrifying, qualifieth the Earth to put forth a
Vine
of it ſelf.
It is not impoſſible, and I have heard it verified, that upon cutting down
33523. of an old Timber-Tree, the Stub hath put out ſometimes a Tree of another
kinde
;
as that Beech hath put ſorth Birch: Which if it be true, the cauſe may
be
, for that the old Stub is too ſcant of Juyce to put forth the former Tree;
and therefore putteth forth a Tree of ſmaller kinde, that needeth leſs Nou-
riſhment
.
There is an opinion in the Countrey, That if the ſame Ground be oft
44524. ſown with the Grain that grew upon it, it will, in the end, grow to be of a
baſer
kinde.
It is certain, that in Sterile Years, Corn ſown will grow to an other
55525.kinde.
Grandia ſæpe quibus mandavimus Hordea Sulcis,
Infœlix
Lolium, & ſteriles dominatur Avenæ.
And generally it is a Rule, that Plants that are brought forth by Culture,
as
Corn, will ſooner change into other Species, than thoſe that come of them-
ſelves
:
For that Culture giveth but an Adventitious Nature, which is more
eaſily
put off.
This work of the Tranſmutation of Plants, one into another, is inter Mag-
nalia
Naturæ:
For the Tranſmutation of Species is, in the vulgar Philoſophy, pro-
nounced
impoſſible:
And certainly, it is a thing of difficulty, and requireth
deep
ſearch into Nature:
But ſeeing there appear ſome manifeſt inſtances of
it
, the opinion of impoſſibility is to be rejected, and the means there of to
be
found out.
We ſee that in Living Creatures, that come of Putrefaction,
there
is much Tranſmutation of one into another.
As Caterpillers turn into
Flies
, &
c. And it ſhould ſeem probable, that what ſoever Creature having
life
, is generated without Seed, that Creature will change out of one Spe-
cies
into another;
for it is the Seed, and the Nature of it, which locketh
and
boundeth in the Creature, that it doth not expatiate.
So as we may
well
conclude, that ſeeing the Earth of it ſelf, doth put forth Plants with-
out
Seed;
therefore Plants may well have a Tranſmigration of Species.
Wherefore wanting Inſtances, which do occur, we ſhall give Directions of
the
moſt likely tryals:
And generally, we would not have thoſe that read
this
work of Sylva Sylvarum, account if ſtrange, or think that it is an over-
haſte
, that we have let down particulars untried:
For contratiwiſe, in our
own
eſtimation, we account ſuch particulars more worthy than thoſe that
are
already tryed and known.
For theſe latter muſt be taken as you
finde
them, but the other do level point blank at the inventing of cauſes,
and
Axioms.
146112Natural Hiſtory;
Firſt, therefore you muſt make account, that if you will have one Plant
11526. change into another, you muſt have the Nouriſhment over rule the Seed:
And therefore you are to practi@e it by Nouriſhments as contraty as may be,
to
the Nature of the Herb;
ſonevertheleſs as the Herb may grow, and like-
wiſe
with Seeds that are of the weakeſt ſort, and have leaſt vigor.
You ſhall
do
well therefore to take Marſh Herbs, and plant them upon tops of Hills
and
Champaigns;
and ſuch Plants as require much moiſture, upon Sandy
and
very dry grounds.
As for example, Marſh Mallows, and Sedge upon
Hills
, Cucumber and Lettuce Seeds, and Coleworts upon a Sandy Plat;
ſo
contrariwiſe
plant Buſhes, Heath, Ling, and Brakes upon a Wet or Marſh
Ground
.
This I conceive alſo, that all Eſculent and Garden Herbs, ſet upon
the
tops of Hills, will prove more Medicinal, though leſs Eſculent, than they
were
before.
And it may be like wiſe, ſome Wilde Herbs you may make
Salet
Herbs.
This is the firſt Rule for Tranſmutation of Plants.
The ſecond Rule ſhould be to bury ſome few Seeds of the Herb you
22527. would change amongſt other Seeds;
and then you ſhall ſee whether the Juyce
of
thoſe other Seeds do not ſo qualifie the Earth, as it will alter the Seed
whereupon
you work.
As for example, Put Parſly. ſeed amongſt Onion-ſeed,
or
Lettuce-ſeed amongſt Parſly ſeed, or Baſil-ſeed amongſt Thyme-ſeed,
and
ſee the change of taſte or otherwiſe.
But you ſhall do well to put the
Seed
you would change into a little Linnen Cloth, that it mingle not with
the
Foreign Seed.
The third Rule ſhall be the making of ſome medly, or mixture of Earth,
33528. with ſome other Plants bruiſed, or ſhaved, either in Leaf or Root:
As for ex-
ample
make Earth, with a mixture of Colewort Leaves ſtamped, and ſet in
it
Artichoaks, or Parſnips:
So take Earth made with Majoram, or Origannum,
or
Wilde Thyme, bruiſed, or ſtamped, and ſet in it Fennel-ſeed, &
c. In which
operation
, the Proces of Nature ſtill will be, (as I conceive,) not that the Herb
you
work upon, ſhould draw the Juyce of the Foreign Herb;
(for that
opinion
we have formerly rejected) but there will be a new confection
of
mould, which perhaps will alter the Seed, and yet not to the kinde of the
former
Herb.
The fourth Rule ſhall be to mark what Herbs ſome Earths do put ſorth
44529. of themſelves, and to take that Earth, and to Pot it, or to Veſſel it;
and into
that
, ſet the Seed you would change:
As for Example, take from under
Walls
, or the like;
where Nettles put forth in abundance, the Earth which
you
ſhall there finde, without any String or Root of the Nettles;
and pot
that
Earth, and ſet in it Stock-Gilly-flowers, or Wall-flowers, &
c. Or ſow
in
the Seeds of them, and ſee what the event will be;
or take Earth, that you
have
prepared to put forth Muſhrooms of it ſelf, (where of you ſhall finde
ſome
inſtances following,) and ſow it in Purſlane-ſeed, or Lettuce.
ſeed; for
in
theſe Experiments, it is likely enough, that the Earth being accuſtomed to
ſend
forth one kinde of Nouriſhment, will alter the new Seed.
The fifth Rule ſhall be, to make the Herb grow contrary to his nature, as
55530. to make Ground Herbs riſe in height:
As for example. Carry Camomile, or
Wilde
Thyme, or the Green Strawberry, upon ſticks, as you do Hops upon
Poles
, and ſee what the event will be.
The ſixth Rule ſhall be to make Plants grow out of the Sun, or open
66531. Air;
for that is a great mutation in Nature, and may induce a change in the
Seed
:
As barrel up Earth, and ſow ſome Seed in it, and put in the bottom
of
a Pond, or put it in ſome great hollow Tree;
try alſo the
147113Century VI. of Seeds in the bottoms of Caves; and Pots with Seeds ſown, hanged
up
in Wells, ſome diſtance from the Water, and ſee what the event
will
be.
IT is certain, that Timber-Trees in Coppice Woods, grow more upright, and
11532. more free from under Boughs, than thoſe that ſtand in the Fields.
The
22Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
Procerity
, and
Lowneſs
, and
Artificial

Dwarfing
of
Trees
.
cauſe whereof is, for that Plants have a natural motion to get to the
Sun
:
and beſides, they are not glutted with too much nouriſhment;
for that the Coppice ſhareth with them, and Repletion ever hindreth
ſtature
.
Laſtly, they are kept warm, and that ever in Plants helpeth
mounting
.
Trees that are of themſelves full of Heat, (which heat appeareth by
33533. their in flamable Gums) as Firrs, and Pines, mount of themſelves in heighth
without
Side-boughs, till they come towards the top.
The cauſe is partly
heat
, and partly tenuity of Juyce;
both which ſend the Sap upwards. As for
Juniper
, it is but a Shrub, and groweth not big enough in Body to maintain a
tall
Tree.
It is reported, that a good ſtrong Canvas, ſpred over a Tree graſt-
44534. ed low, ſoon after it putteth forth, will dwarf it, and make it ſpred.
The cauſe is plain; for that all things that grow, will grow as they finde
room
.
Trees are generally ſet of Roots or Kernels; but if you ſet them of Slips,
55535. (as of ſome Trees you may, by name the Mulberry) ſome of the Slips will
take
;
and thoſe that take, (as is reported) will be Dwarf-trees The cauſe
is
, for that a Slip draweth nouriſhment more weakly, than either a Root or
Kernel
.
All Plants that put forth their Sap haſtily, havetheir Bodies not propor-
66536. tionable to their length, and therefore they are Winders and Creepers;
as
Ivy
, Briony, Hops, Woodbine:
Whereas Dwarfing requiteth a ſlow putting
forth
, and leſs vigor of mounting.
THe Scripture ſaith, That Solomon wrote a Natural Hiſtory, from the
77Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
Rudiments
of
Plants
, and of
the
Excreſcen-
ces
of Plants,
or
Super-
Plants
.
Cedar of Libanus, to the Moß growing upon the Wall;
for ſo the beſt
Tranſlations
have it.
And it is true, that Moß is but the Rudiment of a Plant, and
(as it were) the Mould of Earth or Bark.
Moß groweth chiefly upon Ridges of Houſes, tiled or thatched, and
upon
the Creſts of Walls, and that Moſs is of a lightſome and pleaſant
Green
.
The growing upon Slopes is cauſed for that Moſs, as on the
88537. one ſide it cometh of Moiſture and Water, ſo on the other ſide the
Water
muſt but ſlide, and not ſtand or pool.
And the growing upon
Tiles
, or Walls, &
c. is cauſed, for that thoſe dried Earths, having not
moiſture
ſufficient to put forth a Plant, do practice Germination by put-
ting
forth Moſs;
though when by age, or otherwiſe, they grow to re-
lent
and reſolve, they ſometimes put forth Plants, as Wall flowers.
And almoſt all Mofs hath here and there little Stalks, beſides the low
Thrum
.
Moß groweth upon Alleys, eſpecially ſuch as lye cold, and upon the
99538. North;
as in divers Tarraſes. And again, if they be much trodden; or if
they
were at the firſt gravelled:
For whereſoever Plants are kept down, the
Earth
putteth forth Moſs.
148114Natural Hiſtory;
Old Ground, that hath been long unbroken up, gathereth Moſs; and
11539. therefore Husbandmen uſe to cure their Paſture-Grounds, when they grow
to
Moſs, by Tilling them for a year, or two:
Which alſo dependeth upon
the
ſame cauſe;
for that the more ſparing and ſtarving Juyce of the Earth,
inſufficient
for Plants, doth breed Moſs.
Old Trees are more Moſſie, (far) than young; for that the Sap is not
22540. ſo frank as to riſe all to the Boughs, but tireth by the way, and putteth out
Moß
.
Fountains have Moß growing upon the Ground about them;
33541. # Muſcoſi Fontes--
The cauſe is, for that the Fountains drain the Water from the Ground adja-
cent
, and leave but ſufficient moiſture to breed Moß;
and beſides, the cold-
neſs
of the Water conduceth to the ſame.
The Moß of Trees, is a kinde of Hair; for it is the Juyce of the Tree, that
44542. is excerned, and doth not aſſimilate, and upon great Trees the Moſs gather-
eth
a figure, like a Leaf.
The moiſture ſort of Trees yield little Moſs, as weſeein Aſps, Poplars,
55543. Willows, Beeches, &
c. Which is partly cauſed for the reaſon that hath been
given
of the frank putting up of the Sap into the Boughs;
and partly, for
that
the Barks of thoſe Trees are more cloſe and ſmooth, than thoſe of
Oaks
, and Aſhes, whereby the Moſs can the hardlier iſſue out.
In Clay Grounds, all Fruit Trees grow full of Moſs, both upon Body
66544. and Boughs;
which is cauſed, partly by the coldneſs of the Ground, whereby
the
Plants nouriſh leſs;
and partly by the toughneſs of the Earth, whereby
the
Sap is ſhut in, and cannot get up, to ſpred ſo frankly as it ſhould
do
.
We have ſaid heretofore, that if Trees be hide-bound, they wax leſs
77545. fruitful and gather Moſs;
and that they are holpen by hacking, & c. And
therefore
by the reaſon of contraries, if Trees be bound in with Cords or
ſome
out ward Bands, they will put forth more Moſs:
Which (I think)
hapneth
to Trees that ſtand bleak, and upon the cold Winds.
It would
alſo
be tried, whether, if you cover a Tree, ſome what thick upon the
top
, after his powling, it will not gather more Moſs.
I think allo, the
Watring
of Trees with cold Fountain Water will make them grow full of
Moſs
.
There is a Moſs the Perfumers have, which cometh out of Apple-Trees,
88546. that hath an excellent ſent.
Quare, particularly for the manner of the
growth
, and the nature of it.
And for this Experiments ſake, being athing
of
price, I have ſet down the laſt Experiments, how to multiply and call on
Moſſes
.
Next unto Moſs, I will ſpeak of Mushromes, which are likewiſe an
unperfect
Plant.
The Muſhromes have two ſtrange properties; the one,
that
they yield ſo delicious a Meat;
the other, that they come up ſo haſtily,
as
in a night, and yet they are unſown.
And therefore ſuch as are Upſtarts
in
State, they call in reproach, Mushromes.
It muſt needs be therefore, that
they
be made of much moiſture;
and that moiſture fat, groſs, and yet
ſomewhat
concocted.
And (indeed) we finde, that Mushromes cauſe the
accident
, which we call Incubus, or the Mare in the Stomach.
And there-
fore
the Surfeit of them may ſuffo cate and empoyſon.
And this ſhe weth,
that
they are windy;
and that windineſs is groſs, and ſwelling, not
ſharp
or griping.
And upon the ſame reaſon Mushromes are a venereous
Meat
.
149115Century V I.
It is reported, that the Bark of white or Red Poplar, (which are of the
11547. moiſteſt of Trees) cut ſmall, and caſt into Furrows well dunged, will cauſe
the
ground to put forth Mushromes, at all ſeaſons of the year fit to beeaten,
ſome
add to the mixture Leaven of Bread, reſolved in Water.
It is reported, that if a Hilly-field, where the ſtubble is ſtanding, be ſet on
22548. fire, in the ſhowry ſeaton, it will put forth great ſtore of Mushromes.
It is reported, that Harts-Horn ſhaken, or in ſmall pieces, mixed with
33549. Dung, and watred, putteth up Mushromes.
And we know that Harts-Horn is
of
a fat and clammy ſubſtance:
And it may be Ox-Horn would do the
like
.
It hath been reported, though it be ſcarce credible, that Ivy hath grown
44550. out of a Stags-Horn;
which they ſuppoſe did rather come from a confrica-
tion
of the Horn upon the Ivy, than from the Horn it ſelf.
There is not
known
any ſubſtance, but Earth, and the Procedeurs of Earth, (as Tile-
Stone
, &
c.) that yieldeth any Moſs, or Herby ſubſtance. There may betryal
made
of ſome Seeds, as that Fennel-Seed, Muſtard-Seed, and Rape-Seed,
put
into ſome little holes made in the Horns of Stags, or Oxen, to ſee if they
will
grow.
There is alſo another unperſect Plant, that (in ſhew) is like a great Muſh
55551. rome:
And it is ſometimes as broad as ones Hat, which they call a Toads-
ſtool
;
but it is not Eſculent, and it groweth (commonly) by a dead Stub of
a
Tree, and like wiſe about the Roots of rotten Trees;
and therefore ſeemeth
to
take his Juyce from Wood putrified.
Which ſheweth by the way, that
Wood
putrified yieldeth a frank moiſture.
There is a Cake that groweth upon the ſide of a dead Tree, that hath
66552. gotten no name, but it is large and of a Cheſnut colour.
and hard and pithy;
whereby it ſhould ſeem, that even dead Trees forget not their putting forth,
no
more than the Carcaſſes of Mens Bodies that put forth Hair and Nails for
a
time.
There is a Cod or Bag that groweth commonly in the Fields; that at
77553. firſt is hard like a Tennis-Ball, and white;
and after growth of a Muſhrome
colour
, and full of light duſt upon the breaking;
and is thought to be dan-
gerous
for the eyes, if the Powder get into them, and to be good for Kibes.
Belike it hath a Corroſive, and ſretting Nature.
There is an Herb called Fews-Ear, that groweth upon the Roots, and
88554. lower parts of the Bodies of Trees, eſpecially of Elders, and ſometimes Aſhes.
It hath a ſtrange propriety; for in warm Water, it ſwelleth, and openeth ex-
treamly
.
It is not green, but of a dusky brown colour. And it is uſed for
ſquinancies
, and inflamations in the Throat, whereby it ſeemeth to have a
mollifving
, and lenifying vertue.
There is a kinde of Spongy excreſcence, which groweth chiefly upon
99555. the Roots of the Laſer-Tree, and ſometimes upon Cedar, and other Trees.
It is very white, and light, and fryable; which we call Agarick. It is famous in
Phyſick
for the purging of tough Flegm.
And it is alſo an excellent open or
for
the Liver, but offenſive to the Stomach;
and in taſte it is, at the firſt
ſweet
and after bitter.
We finde no Super-Plant, that is a formed Plant, but Miſſeltoe. They
1010556. have an idle Tradition, that there is a Bird called a Miſſel-Bird, that feedeth
upon
a Seed, which many times ſhe cannot diſgeſt, and ſo expelleth it
whole
with her Excrement;
which falling upon a Bough of a Tree, that
hath
ſome rift, putteth forth Miſſeltoe.
But this is a Fable; for it is not
probable
, that Birds ſhould ſeed upon that they cannot diſgeſt.
But
150116Natural Hiſtory; that, yet it cannot be for other Reaſons: For firſt, it is found but upon
certain
Trees;
and thoſe Trees bear no ſuch Fruit, as may allure that B rd to
ſit
and feed upon them.
It may be, that Bird feedeth upon the Miſſeltoe-
Berries
, and ſo is often ſound there;
which may have given occaſion to the
tale
.
But that which maketh an end of the queſtion is, that Miſſeltoe hath
been
found to put forth under the Boughs, and not (onely) above the Boughs;
ſo it cannot be any thing that falleth upon the Bough. M@ſſeltoe groweth
chiefly
upon Crab-trees, Apples-trees, ſometimes upon H@ſles, and rarely
upon
Oaks;
the Miſſeltoe where of is counted very Medicinal. It is ever
green
, Winter and Summer, and beareth a white gliſtering Berry;
and it is a
Plant
, utterly differing from the Plant, upon which it groweth.
Two things
therefore
may be certainly ſet down:
Firſt, that Superfætation muſt be by
abundance
of Sap, in the Bough that putteth it forth.
Secondly, that that
Sap
muſt be ſuch as the Tree doth excern, and cannot aſſimilare, for elſe it
would
go into a Bough;
and beſides, it ſeemeth to be more fat and unctuous,
than
the ordinary Sap of the Tree;
both by the Berry which is clammy, and
by
that it continueth green Winter and Summer, which the Tree doth
not
.
This Experiment of Miſſeltoe may give light to other practices; therefore
11557. tryal would be made, by tipping of the Bough of a Crab-tree in the Ba@k, and
watering
of the Wound every day, with warm water dunged, to ſee if it
would
bring forth Miſſeltoe, or any fuch like thing.
But it were yet more
likely
, to try it with ſome other watering or anointing, that were not ſonatu-
ral
to the Treeas Water is;
as Oyl, or Barm of Drink, & c. So they be ſuch
things
as kill not the Bough.
It were good to try, what Plants would put forth, if they be forbidden
22558. to putforth their natural Boughs:
Powl thereſore a Tree, and cover it, ſome
thickneſs
with Clay on the top, and ſee what it will put forth.
I ſuppoſe it
will
put forth Roots;
for ſo will a Cions, being turned down into Clay.
Therefore in this Experimentalſo, the Tree would be cloſed with ſomewhat
that
is not ſo natural to the Plant as Clay is;
try it with Leather, or Cloth, or
Painting
, ſo it be not hurtſul to the Tree.
And it is certain, that a Brake hath
been
known to grow out of a Pollard.
A Man may count the Prickes of Trees to be a kinde of Excreſcence, for
33559. they will never be Boughs, nor bear Leaves.
The Plants that have Prickles,
are
Thorns, Black and White;
Bryer, Roſe, Lemmon-trees, Crab-trees,
Goosberry
, Berberry;
theſe have it in the Bough. The Plants that have
Prickles
in the Leaf are, Holly, Juniper, Whin buſh, Thiſtle;
Nettles alſo
have
a ſmall venemous Prickle;
ſo hath Borrage, but harmleſs. The cauſe
muſt
be, haſty putting forth, want of moiſture, and the cloſeneſs of the Bark:
For the haſte of the Spirit to put forth, and the want of nouriſhment to put
forth
a Bough, and the cloſeneſs of the Bark, cauſe Prickles in Boughs;
and
therefore
they are ever like a Pyramis, for that the moiſture ſpendeth after a lit-
tle
putting forth.
And for Prickles in Leaves, they come alſo of putting forth
more
Juyce into the Leaf that can ſpred in the Leaf ſmooth;
and therefore
the
Leaves other wiſe are rough, as Burrage and Nettles are.
As for the Leaves
of
Holly, they are ſmooth, but never plain, but as it were with folds for the
ſame
cauſe.
There be alſo Plants, that though they have no Prickles, yet they have a
44560. kinde of Downey or Velvet Rine upon their Leaſes;
as Roſe-Campion Stock-
Gilliflowers
, Colts-foot;
which Down or Nap cometh of a ſubtile Spirit, in a
ſoft
or fat ſubſtance.
For it is certain, that both Stock-Gilliflowers, and
151117Century V I. Campions, ſtamped, have been applied (with ſucceſs) to the Wreſts of
thoſe
that have had Tertian or Quartan Agues;
and the Vapor or Colts-foot
have
a ſanative vertue towards the Lungs, and the Leaf alſo is healing in
Surgery
.
Another kinde of Fxcreſcence is an Exudation of Plants, joyned with
11561. Putrefaction, as we ſee in Oak-Apples, which are found chiefly upon the
Leaves
of Oaks, and the like upon Willows:
And Countrey people have a
kinde
of Prediction, that if the Oak-Apple, broken, be full of Worms, it is
a
ſign of a peſtilent year;
which is a likely thing, becauſe they grow of cor-
ruption
.
There is alſo upon Sweet, or other Bryer, a fine Tuft, or Bruſh of Moſs
22562. of divers colours;
which if you cut, you ſhall ever finde full of little white
Worms
.
ITis certain, that Earth taken out of the Foundations of Vaults and Houſes
33563. and bottoms of Wells, and then put into Pots, will put forth ſundry kinde
44Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
Producing
of
perfect
Plants
without
Seeds.
of Herbs:
But ſome time is required for the Germination; for if it be taken
but
from a Fathom deep, it will put forth the firſt year, if much deeper, not
till
after a year or two.
The nature of the Plants growing out of the Earth ſo taken up, doth fol-
55564. low the nature of the Mould it ſelf, as if the Mould be ſoft and fine, it put-
teth
forth ſoft Herbs;
as Graß, Plantine, and the like: If the Earth be
harder
and courſer, it putteth forth Herbs more rough, as Thiſtles, Firs,
&
c.
It is common Experience, that where Alleys are cloſe gravelled, the
66565. Earth putteth forth the firſt year Knot Graß, and after Spire Graß.
The cauſe
is
, for that the hard Gravel or Pebble at the firſt laying, will not ſuffer the
Graß
to come forth upright, but turneth it to finde his way where it can;
but after that the Earth is ſome what looſened at the top, the ordinary Graſs
cometh
up.
It is reported, that Earth being taken out of ſhady and watry Woods,
77566. ſome depth, and potted, will put forth Herbs of a fat and juycy ſubſtance;
as Penny-wort, Purſlane, Houſleek, Penny Royal, & c.
The Water alſo doth ſend forth Plants that have no Roots fixed in the
88567. bottom;
butthey are leſs perfect Plants being almoſt but Leaves, and thoſe
ſmall
ones:
Such is that we call Duck weed, which hath a Leaf no bigger
then
a Thyme Leaf, but of a freſher Green, and putteth forth a little
ſtring
into the Water, far from the bottom.
As for the Water-Lilly, it hath
a
Root in the Ground;
and ſo have a number of other Herbs that grow in
Ponds
.
It is reported by ſome of the Ancients, and ſome Modern Teſtimony like-
99568. wiſe, that there be ſome Plants, that grow upon the top of the Sea;
being
ſuppoſed
to grow of ſome concretion of Slime from the Water, where the
Sun
heateth hot, and where the Sea ſtirreth little.
As for the Alga Matina,
(Sea-weed) and Eringium (Sea-Thiſtle) both the Roots;
but have Sea-weed un-
der
the Water, the Sea Thiſtle but upon the Shore.
The Ancients have noted, that there are ſome Herbs that grow out of
1010569. Snow, laid up cloſe together, and putrified;
and that they are all bitter, and
they
name one eſpecially, Flomus, which we call Moth-Mollein.
It is certain,
that
Worms are found in Snow commonly, like Earth-worms;
and there-
fore
it is not unlike, that it may like wiſe put forth Plants.
152118Natural Hiſtory;
The Ancients have affirmed, that there are ſome Herbs that grow out
11570. of Stone, which may be, for that it is certain, that Toads have been found
in
the middle of a Freeſtone.
We ſee alſo, that Flints lying above ground
gather
Moſs;
and Wall-flowers, and ſome other Flowers grow upon Walls.
But whether upon the main Brick or Stone, or whether out of the Lime, or
Chinks
, is not well obſerved.
For Elders and Aſhes have been ſeen to grow
out
of Steeples;
but they manifeſtly grow out of Clefts, inſomuch as, when
they
grow big, they will disjoyn the Stone.
And beſides, it is doubtful, whe-
ther
the Mortar it ſelf putteth it forth, or whether ſome Seeds be not let
fall
by Birds.
There be likewiſe Rock-Herbs, but I ſuppoſe thoſe are,
where
there is ſome Mould or Earth.
It hath likewiſe been found, that
great
Trees, growing upon Quarries, have put down their Root into the
Stone
.
In ſome Mines in Germany, as is reported, there grow in the bottom
22571. Vegetables;
and the Workfolks uſeto ſay, They have Magical Vertue, and
will
not ſuffer men together them.
The Sea-ſands ſeldom bear Plants. Whereof the cauſe is yielded by
33572. ſome of the Ancients, for that the Sun exhaleth the Moiſture, before it can
incorporate
with the Earth, and yield a Nouriſhment for the Plant.
And it is
affirmed
alſo, that Sand hath (always) his Root in Clay;
and that there be
no
Veins of Sand, any great depth within the Earth.
It is certain, that ſome Plants put forth for a time of their own ſtore,
44573. without any Nouriſhment from Earth, Water, Stone, &
c. Of which, vide the
Experiment
29.
IT is reported, That Earth that was brought out of the Indies, and other
55574. remote Countreys for Ballaſt for Ships, caſt upon ſome Grounds in Italy, did
66Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching

Foreign
Plants
put forth Foreign Herbs, to us in Europe not known;
and, that which is more,
that
of their Roots, Barks, and Seeds, contuſed together, and mingled with
other
Earth, and well watred with warm Water, there came forth Herbs
much
like the other.
Plants, brought out of hot Countreys, will endeavor to put forth at the
77575. ſame time, that they do uſually do in their own climate;
and therefore to
preſerve
them, there is no more required than to keep them from the injury
of
putting back by Cold.
It is reported alſo, that Grain out of the hotter
Countreys
tranſlated into the Colder, will be more foreward than the ordi-
nary
Grain of the cold Countrey.
It is likely, that this will prove better in
Grains
, than in Trees;
for that Grains are but Annual, and ſo the vertue of
the
Seed is not worn out;
whereas in a Tree, it is embaſed by the Ground, to
which
it is removed.
Many Plants, which grow in the hotter Countreys, being ſet in the colder,
88576. will nevertheleſs, even in thoſe cold Countreys, being ſown of Seeds
late
in the Spring come up and abide moſt part of the Summer;
as we
finde
it in Orenge, and Lemmon Seeds, &
c. The Seeds whereof, ſown
in
the end of April, will bring forth excellent Sallets, mingled with other
Herbs
.
And I doubt not, but the Seeds of Clove Trees, and Pepper-
Seeds
, &
c. If they could come hither Green enough to be ſown, would
do
the like.
153119Century V I.
THere be ſome Flowers, Bloſſems, Grains, and Fruits, which come more
11577. early, and others which come more late in the year.
The Flowers
22Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
Seaſons
in
which
Plants
come
forth.
that come early with us, are, Prime-Roſes, Violets, Anemonies, Water-Daffa-
dillies
, Crocus Vernus, and ſome early Tulippa’s.
And they are all cold Plants,
which
therefore (as it ſhould ſeem) have a quicker Perception of the heat
of
the Sun increaſing, than the hot Herbs have, as a cold hand will ſooner
finde
a little warmth, than a hot.
And thoſe that come next after, are Wall-
Flowers
, Cowſlips, Hyacinths, Roſemary-flowers, &
c. And after them
Pinks
, Roſes, Flower deluces, &
c. And the lateſt are, Gilly flowers, Holly-
Oaks
, Larks-Foot, &
c. The earlieſt Bloſſoms are, the Bloſſoms of Peaches,
Almonds
, Cornelians, Mezerions, &
c. And they are of ſuch Trees, as have
much
moiſture, either Watery, or Oyly.
And therefore Crocus Vernus alſo,
being
an Herb that hath an Oyly Juyce, putteth forth early.
For thoſe alſo
finde
the Sun ſooner than the dryer Trees.
The Grains are, firſt Rye and
Wheat
, then Oats and Barley, then Peaſe and Beans;
for though Green
Peaſe
and Beans be eaten ſooner, yet the dry ones that are uſed for Horſe-
meat
, are ripe laſt;
and it ſeemeth, that the fatter Grain cometh firſt. The
earlieſt
Fruits are, Strawberries, Cherries, Gooſeberries, Corrans;
and
after
them early Apples, early Pears, Apricots, Raſps;
and after them, Da-
moſins
, and moſt kinde of Plumbs, Peaches, &
c. And the lateſt are, Apples,
Wardens
, Grapes, Nuts, Quinces, Almonds, Sloes, Brier-berries, Heps,
Medlars
, Services, Cornelians, &
c.
It is to be noted, That (commonly) Trees that ripen lateſt, bloſſom
33578. ſooneſt;
as Peaches, Cornelians, Sloes, Almonds, & c. And it ſeemeth to be
a
work of providence that they bloſſom ſo ſoon, for otherwiſe they could
not
have the Sun long enough to ripen.
There be Fruits (but rarely) that come twice a year; as ſome Pears,
44579. Strawberries, &
c. And it ſeemeth, they are ſuch as abound with nouriſh-
ment
, whereby after one period, before the Sun waxeth too weak, they
can
endure another.
The Violet alſo, amongſt Flowers, cometh twice a
year
, eſpecially the double White, and that alſo is a Plant full of moi-
ſture
.
Roſes come twice, but it is not without cutting, as hath been formerly
ſaid
.
In Muſcovia, though the Corn come not up till late Spring, yet their
55580. Harveſt is as early as ours.
The cauſe is, for that the ſtrength of the Ground
is
keptin with the Snow;
and we ſee with us, that if it be a long Winter, it
is
commonly a more plentiful year:
And after thoſe kinde of Winters like-
wife
, the Flowers and Corn which are earlier and later, do come com-
monly
at once, and at the ſame time;
which troubleth the Husbandman
many
times:
For you ſhall have Red-Roſes and Damask-Roſes come toge-
ther
, and likewiſe the Harveſt of Wheat and Barley.
But this hapneth
ever
, for that the earlier ſtayeth the later, and not that the later cometh
ſooner
.
There be divers Fruit Trees, in the hot Countreys, which have Bloſ-
66581. ſoms, and young fruit, and ripe fruit, almoſt all the year, ſucceeding one
another
.
And it is ſaid, the Orenge hath the like with us, for a great part of
Summer
, and ſo alſo hath the Fig.
And no doubt, the Natural Motion of
Plants
is to have ſo:
But that either they want Juyce to ſpend, or they meet
with
the cold of the Winter.
And therefore this Circle of ripening cannot
be
, but in ſucculent Plants, and hot Countreys.
154120Natural Hiſtory;
Some Herbs are but Annual, and die Root and all once a year; as Bor-
11582. rage, Lettuce, Cucumbers, Musk-Melons, Baſil, Tohacco, Muſtard-ſeed, and all kindes
of
Corn;
ſome continue many years, as Hyſſope, Germander, Lavender, Fennel,
&
c. The cauſe of the Dying is double; the firſt is, the tenderneſs and
weakneſs
of the Seed, which maketh the period in a ſmall time, as it is in
Borrage
, Lettuce, Cucumbers, Corn, &
c. And therefore none of theſe are hot.
The other cauſe is, for that ſome Herbs can worſe endure cold, as Baſil,
Tobacco
, Maſtard ſeed;
and theſe have (all) much heat.
THe laſting of Plants, is moſt in thoſe that are largeſt of Body, as Oaks,
22583. Elm, Cheſnut.
the Loat-tree, & c. And this holdeth in Trees, but in Herbs
33Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
Laſting
of
Herbs
and
Trees
.
it is often contrary;
for Borrage, Coleworts, Pompions, which are Herbs
of
the largeſt ſize, are of ſmall durance;
whereas Hyſſope, Winter-Savory,
Germander
, Time, Sage, will laſt long.
The cauſe is, for that Trees laſt ac-
cording
to the ſtrength, and quantity of their Sap and Juyce, being
well
munited by their Bark, againſt the injuries of the Air:
But Herbs
draw
a weak Juyce, and have a ſoft Stalk;
and therefore thoſe a-
mongſt
them which laſt longeſt, are Herbs of ſtrong ſmell, and with a
ſticky
ſtalk.
Trees that bear Maſt and Nuts, are commonly more laſting than thoſe
44584. that bear Fruits, eſpecially the moiſter Fruits;
as Oaks, Beeches, Cheſnuts,
Walnuts
, Almonds, Pine trees, &
c. laſt longer than Apples, Pears, Plumbs,
&
c. The cauſeis, the fatneſs, and oylineſs of the Sap; which ever waſteth
leſs
, than the more Watry.
Trees that bring forth their Leaves late in the year, and caſt them like-
55585. wiſe late, are more laſting than thoſe that ſprout their Leaves early, or ſhed
them
betimes.
The cauſe is, for that the late coming forth, ſheweth a moi-
ſture
more fixed;
and the other looſe, and more eaſily reſolved. And the
ſame
cauſe is, that wilde Trees laſt longer than Garden-trees;
and in the
ſame
kinde, thoſe whoſe Fruit is acide more than thoſe whoſe Fruit is
ſweet
.
Nothing procureth the laſting of Trees, Buſhes, and Herbs, ſo much
66586. as often cutting;
for every cutting cauſeth a renovation of the Juyce
of
the Plant;
that it neither goeth ſo far, nor riſeth ſo faintly, as when
the
Plant is not cut:
Inſomuch, as Annual Plants, if you cut them ſea-
ſonably
, and will ſpare the uſe of them, and ſuffer them to come up ſtill
young
, will laſt more years than one, as hath been partly touched;
ſuch
as
is Lettuce, Purſlane, Cucumber, and the like.
And for great Trees,
we
ſee almoſt all overgrown Trees in Church-yards, or near ancient
Building
, and the like, are Pollards or Dottards, and not Trees at their
full
height.
Some Experiment would be made, how by Art to make Plants more
77587. laſting than their ordinary period;
as to make a Stalk of Wheat, & c. laſt a
whole
year.
You muſt ever preſuppoſe, that you handle it ſo, as the Winter
killeth
it not;
for we ſpeak onely of prolonging the Natural Period. I con-
ceive
, that the Rule will hold, That whatſoever maketh the Herb come later,
than
at his time will make it laſt longer time:
It were good to try it in a Stalk
of
Wheat, &
c. ſet in the ſhade, and encomp aſſed with a caſe of Wood, not
touching
the Straw, to keep out open Air.
As for the Preſervation of Fruits, as well upon the Tree or Stalk, as
88588. gathered, we ſhall handle it under the Title of Conſervation of Bodies.
155121Century V I.
THe Particular Figures of Plants we leave to their deſcriptions, but ſome
11588. few things in general, we will obſerve.
Trees and Herbs, in the grow-
22Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
ſeveral
Fi-
gures
of
Plants
.
ing forth of their Boughs and Branches, are not figured, and keep no order.
The cauſe is, for that the Sap, being reſtrained in the Rinde and Bark, break-
eth
not forth at all, (as in the Bodies of Trees, and Stalks of Herbs,) till
they
begin to branch, and then, when they make an eruption, they break
forth
caſually, where they finde beſt way in the Bark or Rinde.
It is true,
that
ſome Trees are more ſcattered in their Boughs;
as Sallow trees, Warden-
trees
, Quince-trees, Medlar-trees, Lemnion trees, &
c. Some are more in the
form
of a Pyramis, and come almoſt to tod;
as the Pear-trees (which the C i-
ticks
will have to borrow his name of ῶῖς Fire) Orenge-trees, Fir-trees, Service
trees
, Lime-trees, &
c. And ſome are more ſpred and broad, as Beeches, Horn-
beam
, &
c. The reſt are more indifferent. The cauſe of ſeattering the Boughs
is
, the haſty breaking forth of the Sap;
and therefore thoſe Trees riſe not
in
a Body of any height, but Branch near the Ground.
The cauſe of the
Pyramis
is, the keeping in of the Sap, long before it branch, and the ſpend-
ing
of it, when it beginneth to branch, by equal degrees:
The ſpreding is
cauſed
, by the carrying up of the Sap plentifully, without expence, and then
putting
it forth ſpeedily, and at once.
There be divers Herbs, but no Trees, that may be ſaid to have ſome
33589. kinde of order, in the putting forth of their Leaves:
For they have Joynts,
or
Knuckles, as it were ſtops in their Germination;
as have Gilliflowers, Pinks,
Fennel
, Corn, Reeds, and Canes.
The cauſe whereof is, for that the Sap aſcend-
eth
unequally, and doth (as it were) tire and ſtop by the way.
And it ſeem-
eth
, they have ſome cloſeneſs and hardneſs in their Stalk, which hindereth
the
Sap from going up, until it hath gathered into a knot, and ſo is more urged
to
put forth.
And therefore, they are moſt of them hollow, when the Stalk
is
dry;
as Fennel Stalks, Stubble, and Canes.
Flowers have (all) exquiſite Figures, and the Flower numbers are
44590. (chiefly) five and four;
as in Prime-Roſes, Bryer-Roſes, ſingle Musk-Roſes, ſingle
Pinks
, and Gilliflowers, &
c. which have five Leaves; Lillies, Flower-de-luces,
Borage
, Bugloß &
c. which have four Leaves. But ſome put forth Leaves not
numbred
, but they are ever ſmall ones;
as Marigolds, Trifole, & c. We ſee
alſo
, that the Sockets, and Supporters of Flowers, are Figured;
as in the
five
Brethren of the Roſe, Sockets of Gilliflo wers, &
c. Leaves alſo are all figured,
ſome
round, ſome long, none ſquare, and many jagged on the ſides;
which
Leaves
of Flowers ſeldom are.
For, I account, the jagging of Pinks, and Gil-
liflowers
, to be like the inequality of Oak-leaves, of Vine-leaves, or the like;
but
they
ſeldom or never have any ſmall Purls.
OF Plants ſome few put forth their Bloſſoms before their Leaves; as
55591. Almonds, Peaches, Cornelians, Black-Thorn, &
c. But moſt put forth ſome
66Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching

Some
principal
differences
in
Plants
.
Leaves before their Bloſſoms;
as Apples, Pears, Plumbs, Cherry, White-Thorn,
&
c The cauſe is for that thoſe that put forth their Bloſſoms firſt, have either
an
acute and ſharp ſpirit;
(and therefore commonly they all put forth early
in
the Spring, and ripen very late, as moſt of the particulars before mention-
ed
) or elſe an oyly Juyce, which is apter to put out Flowers than Leaves.
Of Plants ſome are Green all Winter, others caſt their Leaves. There
77592. are Green all Winter, Holly, Ivy, Box, Firr, Eugh, Cypreß, Juniper, Bays, Roſe-
mary
, &
c. The cauſe of the holding Green, is the cloſe and compact
156122Natural Hiſtory; ſtance of their Leaves, and the Pedicles of them. And the cauſe of that again,
is
, either the tough and viſcous Juyce of the Plant, or the ſtrength and heat
thereof
.
Of the firſt ſort, is Holly; which is of ſo viſcous a Juyce, as they
make
Birdlime of the Bark of it.
The Stalk of Ivy is tough, and not ſragile,
as
we ſee it in other ſmall Twigs dry.
Firr yieldeth Pitch. Box is a faſt and heavy
Wood
, as we ſee it in Bowls.
Eugh is a ſtrong and tough Wood, as we ſee it
in
Bows.
Of the ſecond ſort, is Juniper, which is a Wood odorate, and maketh
a
hot Fire.
Bays is likewiſe a hot and aromatical Wood, and ſo is Roſemary for
a
Shrub.
As for the Leaves, their denſity appeareth in that, either they are
ſmooth
and ſhining, as in Bays, Holly, Ivy, Box, &
c. or in that they are hard and
ſpiry
, as in the reſt.
And tryal would be made of Grafting of Roſemary, and
Bays
, and Box, upon a Holly Stock, becauſe they are Plants that come all Winter.
It were good to try it alſo with Graſts of other Trees, either Fruit trees, or
Wild-trees
, to ſee whether they will not yield their Fruit, or bear their Leaves
later
, and longer in the Winter;
becauſe the Sap of the Holly putteth forth
moſt
in the Winter.
It may be alſo a Mezerion-tree grafted upon a Holly, will
prove
both an earlier, and a greater Tree.
There be ſome Plants that bear no Flower, and yet bear Fruit; there be
11593. ſome that bear Flowers, and no Fruit;
there be ſome that bear neither
Flowers
nor Fruit.
Moſt of the great Timber-trees, (as Oaks, Beeches, & c.)
bear no apparent Flowers; ſome few (likewiſe) of the Fruit-trees, as Mul-
berry
, Walnuts, &
c. And ſome Shrubs, (as Juniper, Holly, & c.) bear no
Flowers
.
Divers Herbs alſo bear Seeds, (which is as the Fruit,) and yet bear
no
Flowers, as Purſlane, &
c. Thoſe that bear Flowers, and no Fruit, are few,
as
the double Cherry, the Sallow, &
c. But for the Cherry, it is doubtſul,
whether
it be not by Art or Culture;
for if it be by Art, then tryal would be
made
, whether Apples and other Fruits Bloſſoms may not be doubled.
There
are
ſome few, that bear neither Fruit, nor Flower;
as the Elm, the Poplars,
Box
, Braks, &
c.
There be ſome Plants that ſhoot ſtill upwards, and can ſupport them-
22594. ſelves, as the greateſt part of Trees and Plants:
There be ſome other, that
creep
along the Ground, or wind about other Trees, or props, and cannot
ſupport
themſelves;
as Vines, Ivy, Bryar, Briony, Wood-bines, Hops,
Climatis
, Camomil, &
c. The cauſe is, (as hath been partly touched) for that
all
Plants, (naturally) move up wards;
but if the Sap put up too faſt, it maketh
a
ſlender Stalk, which will not ſupport the weight;
and therefore theſe latter.
ſort are all ſwift and haſty comers.
THe firſt and moſt ordinary help is Stercoration. The Sheeps-dung is one of
33595. the beſt;
and next, the Dung of Kine; and thirdly, that of Horſes;
44Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
all
Manner
of
Compoſts
and
Help
of
Ground
.
which is held to be ſome what too hot, unleſs it be mingled;
that of Pigeons
for
a Garden, as a ſmall quantity of Ground, excelleth.
The ordering of
Dung
is, if the Ground be Arable, to ſpred it immediately before the Plough-
ing
and Sowing, and ſo to Plough it in:
For if you ſpred it long before, the
Sun
will draw out much of the fatneſs of the Dung:
If the Ground be Grazing
Ground
, to ſpred it ſomewhat late to wards Winter, that the Sun may have
the
leſs power to dry it up.
As for ſpecial Composts for Gardens (as a Hot Bed, & c.)
we have handled them before.
The ſecond kinde of Compoſt is, the ſpreding of divers kindes of Earth;
55596. as Marl, Chalk, Sea Sand, Earth upon Earth, Pond-Earth, and the mixtures of
them
.
Marl is thought to be the beſt, as having moſt fatneſs. And
157123Century VI. heating the Ground too much. The next is Sea-ſand, which (no doubt)
obtained
a ſpecial vertue by the Salt;
for Salt is the firſt rudiment of life.
Chalk over-heateth the Ground a little; and therefore is beſt upon cold
Clay
Grounds, or moiſt Grounds:
But I heard a great Husband ſay, that it was
a
common error to think that Chalk helpeth Airable Grounds, but helpeth
not
Grazing Grounds, whereas (indeed) it helpeth Graſs as well as Corn.

But
that which breedeth the error is, becauſe after the chalking of the
Ground
, they wear it out with many Crops, withoutreſt;
and then (indeed)
afterwards
it will bear little Graſs;
becauſe the Ground is tired out. It were
good
to try the laying of Chalk upon Airable Grounds, a little while before
Ploughing
, and to Plough it in, as they do the Dung;
but then it muſt be
Friable
firſt, by Rain or Lying:
As for Earth it compaſſeth it ſelf; for I
knew
a great Garden, that had a Field (in a manner) poured upon it, and it
did
bear Fruit excellently the firſt year of the Planting;
for the Surface of
the
Earth is ever the fruitfulleſt:
And Earth ſo prepared hath a double Sur-
face
.
But it is true, as I conceive, that ſuch Earth as hath Salt-Peter bred in it,
if
you can procure it without too much charge, doth excel.
The way to
haſten
the breeding of Salt-Peter, is to forbid the Sun, and the growth of
Vegetables
.
And therefore, if you make a large Hovel, thatched, over ſome
quantity
of Ground;
nay, if you do but planck the Ground over, it will
breed
Salt-Peter.
As for Pond-earth or River-earth, it is a very good compoſt,
eſpecially
, if the Pond have been long uncleanſed, and ſo the Water be not
too
hungry;
and I judge it will be yet better, if there be ſome mixture of
Chalk
.
The third help of Ground is, by ſome other Subſtances that have ver-
11597. tue to make Ground Fertile, though they be not meerly Earth, wherein Aſhes
excel
;
inſomuch as the Countreys about Ætna and Veſuvius have a kinde of
amends
made them;
for the miſchief the eruptions (many times) do, by
the
exceeding fruitfulneſs of the ſoyl, cauſed by the Aſhes ſcattered about.
Soot alſo, though thin, ſpred in a Field or Garden, is tryed to be a very good
compoſt
.
For Salt it is too coſtly; but it is tryed, that mingled with Seed-
corn
, and ſown together, it doth good:
And I am of opinion, that Chalk in
Powder
, mingled with Seed-corn, would do good;
perhaps as much as Chalk-
ing
the Ground all over.
As for the ſteeping of the Seeds in ſeveral mixtures
with
Water, to give them vigor, or watring Grounds with Compoſt-water,
we
have ſpoken of them before.
The fourth help of Ground is, the ſuffering of Vegetables to die into
22598. the Ground, and ſo to fatten it;
as the Stubble of Corn, eſpecially Peaſe.
Brakes caſt upon the Ground in the beginning of Winter, will make it very
fruitful
.
It were good (alſo) to try whether Leaves of Trees ſwepttogether,
with
ſome Chalk and Dung mixed, to give them more heart, would not
make
a good Compoſt:
For there is nothing loſt, ſo much as Leaves of
Trees
, and as they lie ſcattered, and without mixture, they rather make the
Ground
ſour, than other wiſe.
The fth help of Ground is, Heat and Warmth. It hath been an ciently
33599. practiſed to burn Heath, and Ling.
and Sedge, with the vantage of the Wind,
upon
the Ground.
We ſee, that Warmth of Walls and Incloſures, mendeth
Ground
;
we ſee alſo, that lying open to the South, mendeth Ground; we ſee
again
that the Foldings of Sheep help Gound as well by their warmth, as by
their
compoſt:
And it may be doubted, whether the covering of the Ground
with
Brakes, in the beginning of the Winter (whereof we ſpake in the laſt
Experiment
) helpeth it not, by reaſon of the Warmth.
Nay, ſome very
158124Natural Hiſtory; Husbands do ſuſpect, that the gathering up of Flints in Flinty Ground, and
laying
them on heaps (which is much uſed) is no good Husbandry for that
they
would keep the Ground warm.
The ſixth help of Ground is, by Watring and Irrigation, which is in
11600. two manners;
The one by Letting in, and Shutting out Waters, at ſeaſon-
able
times;
for Water, at ſome ſeaſons, and with reaſonable ſtay, doth good;
but at ſome other ſeaſons, and with too long ſtay, doth hurt. And this
ſerveth
onely for Meadows, which are along ſome River.
The other way
is
to bring Water from ſome hanging Grounds, where there are Springs
into
the lower Grounds, carrying it in ſome long Furrows;
and from thoſe
Furrows
, drawing it traverſe to ſpred the Water:
And this maketh an excel-
lent
improvement, both for Corn and Graſs.
It is the richer, if thoſe hang-
ing
Grounds, be fruitful, becauſe it waſheth off ſome of the fatneſs of the
Earth
;
but howſoever it profiteth much. Generally where there are great
overflows
in Fens, or the like, the drowning of them in the Winter, maketh
the
Summer following more fruitful:
The cauſe may be for, that it keepeth
the
Ground warm, and nouriſheth it.
But the Fen-men hold, that the Sewers
muſt
be kept ſo, as the Water may not ſtay too long in the Spring, till the
Weeds
and Sedge be grown up;
for then the Ground will be like a Wood
which
keepeth out the Sun, and ſo continueth the wet;
whereby it will
never
graze (to purpoſe) that year.
Thus much for Irrigation; but for
Avoidances
, and Drainings of Water, where there is too much, and the
helps
of Ground in that kinde, weſhall ſpeak of them in another place.
159125 5[Figure 5]
NATURAL
HISTORY
Century VII.
THe differences between Animate and Inanimate Bodies, we
11601. ſhall handle fully under the Title of Life, and Living
22Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
Affinities
and
Differences
,
between
Plants
and
Inanimate
Bodies
.
Spirits, and Powers.
We ſhall therefore make but a brief
mention
of them in this place.
The main differences
are
two.
All Bodies have Spirits, and Pneumatical parts
within
them;
but the main differences between Ani-
mate
and Inanimate are two.
The firſt is, that the Spirits
of
things animate, are all contined with themſelves,
and
are branched in Veins, and ſecret Sanales, as Blood is:
And in Living
Creatures
, the Spirits have not onely Branches, but certain Sells or Seats,
where
the principal Spirits do reſide, and whereunto thereſt do reſort:
But
the
Spirits in things Inanimate are ſhut in, and cut off by the Tangible parts;
and are not pervious one to another, as Air is in Snow. The ſecond main
difference
is, that the Spirits of Animate Bodies are all in ſome degree (more
or
leſs) kindled and in flamed, and have a fine commixture of Flame, and
an
Ærial ſubſtance:
But Inanimate Bodies have their Spirits no whit in-
flamed
or kindled.
And this difference conſiſteth not in the Heat or Cool-
neſs
of Spirits;
for Cloves and other Spices, Naptha and Petroleum, have ex-
ceeding
hot Spirits (hotter a great deal than Oyl, Wax, or Tallow, &
c.) but
not
inflamed.
And when any of thoſe weak and temperate Bodies come to
be
in flamed, than they gather a much greater heat, than others have unin-
flamed
, beſides their light and motion, &
c.
The differences which are ſecondary, and proceed from theſe two ra-
33602. dical differences are, firſt, Plants are all figurate and determinate, which
inanimate
Bodies are not;
for look how far the Spirit is able to ſpred and
continue
it ſelf, ſo far goeth the ſhape or figure, and then is determined.
Secondly, Plants do nouriſh, inanimate Bodies do not; they have an Accre-
tion
, but no Alimentation.
Thirdly, Plants have a period of life, which in-
animate
Bodies have not.
Fourthly, they have a ſucceſſion and propagation
of
their kinde, which is not in Bodies inanimate.
160126Natural Hiſtory;
The differences between Plants, and Metals, or Foßiles beſides thoſe four
11603. beforementioned, (for Metals I hold inanimate) are theſe:
Firſt, Metals
are
more durable than Plants:
Secondly, they are more ſolid and hard:
Thirdly, they are wholly ſubterrany; whereas Plants are part above Earth,
and
part under Earth.
There be very few Creatures that participate of the Nature of Plants, and
22604. Metals both;
Coral is one of the neareſt of both kindes; another is Vitriol,
for
that is apteſt to ſprout with moiſture.
Another ſpecial Affinity is between Plants and Mould, or Purrefaction:
33605. For all Putrefaction, (if it diſſolve notin Arefaction) will in the end iſſue in-
to
Plants or Living Creatures bred of Putrefaction.
I account Moß, and Muſh-
romes
, and Agarick, and other of thoſe kindes, to be but Moulds of the Ground,
Walls
, and Trees, and the like.
As for Flesh, and Fish, and Plants themſelves,
and
a number of other things, after a Mouldineß, or Rottenneß, or Corrupting,
they
will fall to breed Worms.
Theſe Putrefactions, which have Affinity with
Plants
, have this difference from them;
that they have no ſucceſſion or pro-
pagation
, though they nouriſh, and have a period of Life, and have like wiſe
ſome
Figure.
I left once, by chance, a Citron cut in a cloſe room, ſor three Summer-
44606. moneths, that I was abſent;
and at my return, there were grown forth out
of
the Pith cut, Tufts of Hairs, an inch long, with little black Heads, as if they
would
have been ſome Herb.
THe Affinities and Differences between Plants and Living Creatures, and
55607. theſe that follow.
They have both of them Spirits continued and
66Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
Affinities
and
Differences
of
Plants
, and
Living
Crea-
tures
: And
the
Confines
and
Participles
of
them.
branched, and alſo inflamed.
But firſtin Living Creatures the Spirits have a Cell
or
Seat, which Plants have not, as was alſo formerly ſaid.
And ſecondly, the
Spirits
of Living Creatures hold more of Flame, than the Spirits of Plants do;
and theſe two are the Radical difterences. For the Secondary differences,
they
are as follow.
Firſt, Plants are all fixed to the Earth; where as all Living
Creatures
are ſevered, and of themſelves.
Secondly, Living Creatureshave
Local
Motion, Plants have not.
Thirdly, Living Creatures nouriſh from
their
upper parts by the Mouth chiefly;
Plants nouriſh from below, namely
from
the Roots.
Fourthly, Plants have their Seed and Seminal parts upper-
moſt
, Living Creatures have them lowermoſt;
and therefore it was ſaid,
not
Elegantly alone, but Philoſophically:
Home eſt Planta inverſa. Man is like
a
Plant turned upwards;
For the Root in Plants, is as the Head in Living Crea-
tures
.
Fiſthly, Living Creatures have a more exact Figure than Plants. Sixthly,
Living
Creatures have more diverſity of Organs within their Bodies and (as
it
were) in ward Figures than Plants have.
Seventhly, Living Creatures have
Senſe
, which Plants have not.
Eightly, Living Creatures have Voluntary
Motion
, which Plants have not.
For the difference of Sexes in Plants, they are oftentimes by name diſtin-
77608. guiſhed;
as Male-Piony, Female. Piony; Male-Roſemary, Female-Roſemary; He-
Holly
, She-Holly, &
c. But Generation by Copulation (certainly) extendeth
not
to Plants.
The neareſt approach of it, is between the He-Palm, and the
She-Palm
, which (as they report) if they grow near, incline the one to the
other
;
inſomuch as, (that which is more ſtrange) they doubt not to report,
that
to keep the Trees upright from bending, they tye Ropes or Lines from
the
one to the other, that the contact might be enjoyned by the contact of a
middle
Body.
But this may be feigned, or at leaſt amplified. Nevertheleſs,
161127Century VII. am apt enough to think, that this ſame Binarium of a ſtronger and a weaker,
like
unto Maſculine and Feminine, doth hold in all Living Bodies.
It is con-
founded
ſometimes;
as in ſome Creatures of Putrefaction, wherein no marks
of
diſtinction appear;
and it is doubled ſometimes, as in Hermaphrodites:
but generally there is a degtee of ſtrength in moſt Species.
The Participles or Confiners between Plants and Living Creatures, are
11609. ſuch chiefly as are fixed, and have not Local Motion of remove;
though
they
have a Motion in their parts, ſuch as are Oyſters, Cockles, and ſuch like,
There
is a fabulous Narration, That in the Northern Countreys there ſhould be
an
Herb that groweth in the likeneſs of a Lamb, and feedethupon the Graſs,
in
ſuch ſort, as it will bear the Graſs round about.
But, I ſuppoſe, that the
Figure
maketh the Fable;
for ſo weſee there be Bee-flowers, & c. And as
for
the Graſs, it ſeemeth the Plant, having a greatſtalk and top, doth prey
upon
the Graſs a good way about, by drawing the Juyce of the Earth
from
it.
THe Indian Fig boweth his Roots down ſolow in one year, as of it ſelf it
22610. taketh Rootagain;
and ſo multiplieth from Root to Root, making of
33Experiments
Promiſcuous

touching

Plants
.
one Tree a kinde of Wood.
The cauſe is, the plenty of the Sap, and the
ſoftneſs
of the ſtalk, which maketh the Bough, being over-loaden, and not
ſtiffly
upheld, weigh down.
It hath Leaves as broad as a little Target, but
the
Fruitno biggerthan Beans.
The cauſe is, for that the continual ſhade in-
creaſeth
the Leaves, and abateth the Fruit;
which nevertheleſs is of a plea-
ſant
taſte.
And that (no doubt) is cauſed, by the ſuppleneſs and gentleneſs
of
the Juyce of that Plant, being that which maketh the Boughs alſo ſo
flexible
.
It is reported by one of the Ancients, that there is a certain Indian Tree,
44611. having few, but very great Leaves, three cubits long, and two broad;
and
that
the Fruit being of good taſte, groweth out of the Bark.
It may be, there
be
Plants that pour out the Sap ſo faſt, as they have no leiſure, either to divide
into
many Leaves, or to put forth Stalks to the Fruit.
With us Trees gene-
rally
have ſmall Leaves in compariſon.
The Fig hath the greateſt, and next
it
the Vine, Mulberry, and Sycamore, and the leaſt are thoſe of the Willow, Birch,
and
Thorn.
But there be found Herbs with far greater Leaves than any Tree;
as the Bur, Gourd, Cucumber, and Colewort. The cauſe is, (like to that of the in-
dian
Fig) the haſty and plentiful putting forth of the Sap.
There be three things in uſe for ſweetneſs, Sugar, Honey, Manna. For
55612. Sugar, to the Ancients it was ſcarce known, and little uſed.
It is found in
Canes
;
Quære, whether to the firſt Knuckle, or further up? and whether the
very
Bark of the Cane it ſelf do yield Sugar, or no?
For Honey, the Bee
maketh
it, or gathereth it;
but I have heard from one, that was induſtrious
in
Husbandry, that the labor of the Bee is about the Wax, and that he hath
known
in the beginning of May, Honey-Combs empty of Honey, and within
a
fortnight, when the ſweet Dews fall, filled like a Cellar.
It is reported by
ſome
of the Ancients, that there is a Tree called Occhus, in the Valleys of Hyr-
cania
, that diſtilleth Honey in the Mornings.
It is not unlike, that the Sap
and
Tears of ſome Trees may be ſweet.
It may be alſo, that ſome ſweet Juy-
ces
, fit for many uſes, may be concocted out of Fruits, to the thickneſs of
Honey
, or perhaps of Sugar;
the likelieſt are Raſins of the Sun, Figs, and
Corrans
:
The Means may be enquired.
The Ancients report of a Tree, by the Perſian Sea, upon the Shore-ſands,
66613.
162128Natural Hiſtory; which is nouriſhed with the Salt-water; and when the Tide ebbeth, you ſhall
ſee
the Roots, as it were, bare without Bark (being, as it ſeemeth, corroded by
the
Salt) and graſping the Sands like a Crab, which nevertheleſs beareth a
Fruit
.
It were good to try ſome hard Trees, as a Service-Tree or Fit- Tree,
by
ſetting them within the Sands.
There be of Plants which they uſe for Garments, theſe that follow,
11614. Hemp, Flax, Cotton, Nettles, (whereof they make Nettle Cloth) Sericum, which
is
a growing Silk;
they make alſo Cables of the Bark of Lime-Trees. It is the
Stalk
that maketh the Filaceous matter commonly, and ſometimes the Down
that
groweth above.
They have in ſome Countreys, a Plant of a Roſie-colour, which ſhurteth
22615. in the Night, openeth in the Morning, and openeth wide at Noon;
which the
Inhabitants
of thoſe Countreys ſay, is a Plant that ſleepeth.
There be Sleep-
ers
enough then;
for almoſt all Flowers do the like.
Some Plants there are, but rare, that have a Moſſie or Downy Root, and
33616. likewiſe that have a number of Threds like Beards, as Mandrakes;
whereof
Witches
and Impoſtors make an ugly Image, giving it the form of a face at the
top
of the Root, and leave thoſe ſtrings to make a broad Beard down to the
foot
.
Alſo there is a kinde of Nard in Creet (being a kinde of Phu) that hath
a
Root hairy, like a Rough-footed Doves foot.
So as you may ſee, there are
of
Roots, Bulbous Roots, Fibrous Roots, and Hirſute Roots.
And, I take it, in the
Bulbous
, the Sap haſtneth moſt to the Air and Sun:
In the Fibrous, the Sap de-
lighteth
more in the Earth, and thereſore putteth downward;
and the Hir-
ſute
is a middle between both, that beſides the putting forth upwards and
downwards
, putteth forth in round.
There are ſome Tears of Trees, which are kembed from the Beards of
44617. Goats;
for when the Goats bite and crop them, eſpecially in the Mornings,
the
Dew being on, the Tear cometh forth, and hangeth upon their Beards:
Of this ſort is ſome kinde of Ladanum.
The irrigation of the Plane-tree by Wine, is reported by the Ancients,
55618. to make it fruitſul.
It would be tryed likewiſe with Roots; ſor upon Seeds
it
worketh no great effect.
The way to carry Foreign Roots, a long way, is to veſſel them cloſe in
66619. Earthen veſſels;
but if the Veſſels be not very great, you muſt make ſome
holes
in the bottom, to give ſome refreſhment to the Roots;
which other-
wiſe
(as it ſeemeth) will decay, and ſuffocate.
The ancient Cinnamon, was, of all other Plants, while it grew, the diyeſt;
77620. and thoſe things which are known to comfort other Plants, did make
that
more ſteril;
for in ſhowers it proſpered worſt: It grew alſo amongſt
Buſhes
of other kindes, where commonly Plants do not thrive, neither did
it
love the Sun.
There might be one cauſe of all thoſe effects, namely,
the
ſparing nouriſhment, which that Plant required.
Quære, how far
Caßia
, which is now the ſubſtitute of Cinnamon, doth participate of theſe
things
.
It is reported by one of the Ancients, that Caßia, when it is gathered, is
88621. put into the Skins of Beaſts newly fleyed;
and that the Skins corrupting,
and
breeding Worms, the Worms do devour the Pith and Marrow of it,
and
ſo make it hollow, but meddle not with the Bark, becauſe to them it is
bitter
.
There were in ancient time, Vines of far greater Bodies, then we know
99622. any;
forthere have been Cups made of them, and an Image of Fupiter. But
it
is like they were wilde Vines;
for the Vines that they uſe for Wine, are
163129Century VII. often cut; and ſo much digged and dreſſed, that their Sap ſpendeth into the
Grapes
, and ſo the Stalk cannot increaſe much in bulk.
The Wood of Vines
is
very durable, without rotting.
And that which is ſtrange, though no Tree
hath
the Twigs, while they are green, ſo brittle, yet the Wood dried is ex-
tream
tough, and was uſed by the Captains of Armies amongſt the Romans
for
their Cudgels.
It is reported, That in ſome places, Vines are ſuffered to grow like
11623. Herbs ſpreding upon the Ground, and that the Grapes of thoſe Vines are
very
great.
It were good to maketryal, whether Plants that uſe to be born
up
by props, will putforth greater Leaves, and greater Fruits, if they be laid
along
the Ground;
as Hops, Ivy, Woodbine, & c.
Quinces or Apples, & c. if you will keep them long, drown them in Honey;
22624. but becauſe Honey (perhaps) will give them a taſte over-luſhious, it were
good
to make tryal in Powder oſ Sugar, or in Syrrup of Wine onely boiled
to
height.
Both theſe would likewife be tried in Orenges, Lemmons, and
Pomegranates
;
for the Powder of Sugar, and Syrrup of Wine, will ſerve
for
times more than once.
The Conſervation of Fruit would be alſo tried in Veſſels, filled with fine
33625. Sand, or with Powder of Chalk, or in Meal and Flower, or in Duſt of
Oak-wood
, or in Mill.
Such Fruits as you appoint for long keeping, you muſt gather before
44626. they be full ripe, and in a fair and dry day, towards Noon;
and when the
Wind
bloweth not South, and when the Moon is under the Earth, and in
decreaſe
.
Take Grapes, and hang them in an empty Veſſel, well ſtopped; and ſet
55627. the Veſſel not in a Cellar, but in ſome dry place, and it is ſaid, they will laſt
long
.
But it is reported by ſome, they will keep better in a Veſſel half full
of
Wine, ſo that the Grapes touch not the Wine.
It is reported, that the preſerving of the Stalk, helpeth to preſerve the
66628. Grape;
eſpecially, if the Stalk be put into the Pith of Elder, the Elder not
touching
the Fruit.
It is reported by ſome of the Ancients, that Fruit put into Bottles, and
77629. the Bottles let down into Wells under water, will keep long.
Of Herbs and Plants, ſome are good to eat Raw; as Lettuce, Endive,
88630. Purſlane, Tarragon, Creſſes, Cucumbers, Musk-Melons, Radiſh, &
c. Others
onely
after they are boiled, or have paſſed the Fire;
as Parſley, Clary, Sage,
Parſnips
, Turnips, Aſparagus, Artichoaks, (though they alſo beingyoung
are
eaten raw.)
But a number of Herbs are not eſculent at all; as Worm-
wood
, Graſs, Green-Corn, Centory, Hyſſope, Lavender, Balm, &
c. The
cauſes
are, for that the Herbs that are not eſculent, do want the two taſtes,
in
which nouriſhmentreſteth;
which are fat and ſweet, and have (contrari-
wiſe
) bitter and over-ſtrong taſtes, or a juyce ſo crude, as cannot be ripened
to
the degree of Nouriſhment, Herbs, and Plants, that are Eſculent raw, have
fatneſs
, or ſweetneſs (as all Eſculent Fruits) ſuch are Onions, Lettuce, &
c. But
then
it muſt be ſuch a fatneſs (for as for ſweet things, they are in effect al-
ways
eſculent) as is not over-groſs, as loading of the Stomack;
for Parſnips
and
Leeks have fatneſs;
but it is too groſs and heavy without boiling. It
muſt
be alſo in a ſubſtance ſomewhattender;
for we ſee Wheat, Barley, Arti-
choaks
, are no good Nouriſhment, till they have paſſed the Fire;
but the
Fire
doth ripen, and maketh them ſoft and tender, and ſo they become
eſculent
.
As for Raddiſh, and Tarragon, and the like, they are for Condi-
ments
, and not for Nouriſhment;
and even ſome of thoſe Herbs, which
164130Natural Hiſtory; not eſculent, are notwithſtanding poculent; as Hops, Broom, & c. Quare, what
Herbs
are good for Drink, beſides the two aforenamed;
for that it may
(perhaps) eaſe the charge of Brewing, if they make Beer to require leſs Malt,
or
make it laſt longer.
Parts fit for the nouriſhment of Man in Plants, are Seeds, Roots, and
11631. Fruits;
but chiefly Seeds and Roots. For Leaves, they give no nouriſhment at all,
or
very little;
no more do Flowers, or Bloſſoms, or Stalks. The reaſon is, for
that
Roots, and Seeds, and Fruits, (in as much as all Plants conſiſt of an Oyly,
and
Watry ſubſtance commixed) have more of the Oyly ſubſtance, and
Leaves
, Flowers, &
c. of the Watry. And ſecondly, they are more concocted,
for
the Root, which continueth ever in the Earth, is ſtill concocted by the
Earth
;
and Fruits and Grains (we ſee) arehalf a year, or more in concocting;
whereas Leaves are out, and perfect in a Moneth.
Plants (for the moſt part) are more ſtrong, both in taſte and ſmell in the
22632. Seed, than in the Leaf and Root.
The cauſe is, for that in Plants that are not
of
a fierce and eager ſpirit, the vertue is increaſed by Concoction and Ma-
turation
, which is ever moſt in the Seed;
but in Plants that are of a fierce and
eager
ſpirit, they are ſtronger whileſt the ſpirit is incloſed in the Root;
and
the
ſpirits do but weaken and diſſipate, when they come to the Air and Sun;
as we ſee in Onions, Garlick, Dragon & c. Nay, there be Plants that have their
Roots
very hot and aromatical, and their Seeds rather inſipide as Ginger.
The
cauſe
is (as was touched before) for that the heat of thoſe Plants is very diſſi-
pable
;
which under the Earth is contained and held in, but when it cometh
to
the Air, it exhaleth.
The Juyces of Fruits, are either Watry or Oyly. Ireckon amongſt the
33633. Watry, all the Fruits, out of which, Drink is expreſſed;
as the Grape, the Ap-
ple
, the Peer, the Cherry, the Pomegranate, &
c. And there areſome others, which
though
they be not in uſe for Drink, yet they appear to be of the ſame nature;
as Plums, Services Mulberries, Raſps, Orenges, Lemmons, & c. And for thoſe Juyces
that
are ſo fleſhy, as they cannot make Drink by Expreſſion, yet perhaps)
they
may make Drink by mixture of Water.
Poculaque admiſtis imitantur vitea Sorbis.
And it may be Heps and Brier-Berries would do the like. Thoſe that have Oyly
Juyces
, are Olives.
Almonds, Nuts of all ſorts, Pine-Apples, & c. and their Juyces
are
all inflamable.
And you muſt obſerve alſo, that ſome of the Watry Juyces,
after
they have gathered ſpirit, will burn and enflame, as Wine.
There is a
third
kinde of Fruit that is ſweet, with out either ſharpneſs or oylineſs;
ſuch
as
is the Fig and the Date.
It hath been noted, that moſt Trees, and eſpecially thoſe that bear Maſt,
44634. are fruitful but once in two years.
The cauſe, no doubt, is the expence of
Sap
;
for many Orchard Trees well cultured, will bear divers years toge-
ther
.
There is no Tree, which beſides the Natural Fruit, doth bear ſo many
55635. Baſtard Fruits as the Oak doth;
for beſides the Acorn, it beareth Galls,
Oak-Apples
, and certain Oak-Nuts, which are inflamable;
and certain
Oak-Berries
ſticking cloſe to the Body of the Tree without Stalk.
It beareth
alſo
Miſſeltee, though rarely.
The cauſe of all theſe may be, the cloſeneſs,
and
ſolidneſs of the Wood, and Pithe of the Oak;
which maketh ſeveral
Juyces
finde ſeveral Eruptions.
And therefore, if you will deviſe to make
any
Super-Plants, you muſt ever give the Sap plentiful riſing, and hard
iſſue
.
165131Century VII.
There are two Excreſcences which grow upon Trees, both of them
11636. in the nature of Musbromes;
the one the Romans called Boletus, which grow-
eth
upon the Roots of Oaks, and was one of the dainties of their Table:
The other is Medicinal, that is called Agarick (whereof we have ſpoken
before
) which groweth upon the tops of Oaks;
though it be affirmed
by
ſome, that it groweth alſo at the Roots.
I do conceive, that many Ex-
creſcences
of Trees grow chiefly, where the Tree is dead or faded;
for
that
the Natural Sap of the Tree, corrupteth into ſome Prenatural ſub-
ſtance
.
The greater part of Trees bear moſt, and beſt on the lower Boughs,
22637. as Oaks, Figs, Walnuts, Pears, &
c. But ſome bear beſt on the top Boughs, as
Crabs
, &
c. Thoſe that bear beſt below, are ſuch, as ſhade doth more good to
than
hurt:
For generally all Fruits bear beſt loweſt, becauſe the Sap itreth,
not
having but a ſhort way.
And therefore in Fruits ſpred upon Walls, the
loweſt
are the greateſt, as was formely ſaid:
So it is, the ſhade that hindreth
the
lower Boughs, except it be in ſuch Trees as delight in ſhade, or at leaſt
bear
it well.
And therefore they are either ſtrong Trees, as the Oak, or elſe
they
have large Leaves, as the Walnut and Fig, or elſe they grow in Pyramis
as
the Pear.
But if they require very much Sun, they bear beſt on the top;
as it is Crabs, Apples, Plumbs, & c.
There be Trees that bear beſt when they begin to be old; as Almonds,
33638. Pears, Vines, and all Trees that give Maſt.
The cauſe is, for that all Trees that
bear
Maſt have an oyly Fruit;
and young Trees have a more watry Juyce, and
leſs
concocted;
and of the ſame kinde alſo is the Almond. The Pear like wiſe
though
it be not oyly, yet it requireth much Sap, and well concocted;
for
we
ſee it is a heavy Fruit and ſolid, much more than Apples, Plumbs, &
c. As
for
the Vine, it is noted that it beareth more Grapes when it is young;
but
Grapes
that make better Wine when it is old, for that the Juyce is the better
concocted
:
And we ſee, that Wine is inflamable, ſo as it hath a kinde of oyli-
neſs
.
But the moſt part of Trees, amongſt which are Apples, Plumbs, & c.
bear beſt when they are young.
There be Plants that have a Milk in them when they are cut; as Figs,
44639. Old Lettuce, Sow-thiſtles, Spurge, &
c. The cauſe may be an Inception of
Putrefaction
:
For thoſe Milks have all an Acrimony, though one would think
they
ſhould be Lenitive.
For if you write upon Paper with the Milk of the
Fig
, the Letters will not be ſeen, until you hold the Paper before the fire,
and
then they wax brown;
which ſheweth, that it is a ſharp or fretting
Juyce
.
Lettucè is thought poyſonous, when it is ſo old as to have Milk:
Spurge is a kinde of poyſon in it ſelf; and as for Sow-thiſtles, though Coneys
eat
them, yet Sheep and Cattel will not touch them;
and beſides, the Milk
of
them, rubbed upon Warts, in ſhort time weareth them away:
Which
ſheweth
the Milk of them to be Corrowſive.
We ſee alſo, that Wheat and
other
Cornſown, if you take them forth of the Ground, before they ſprout,
are
full of Milk;
and the beginning of Germination is ever a kinde of Pu-
trefaction
of the Seed.
Euphorhium alſo hath a Milk, though not very white,
which
is of a great Acrimony.
And Saladine hath a yellow Milk, which hath
likewiſe
much Acrimony, for it cleanſeth the Eyes;
it is good alſo for
Cataracts
.
Mushromes are reported to grow, as well upon the Bodies of Trees, as
55640. upon their Roots, or upon the Earth, and eſpecially upon the Oak.
The
cauſe
is, for that ſtrong Trees are towards ſuch Excreſcences in the nature
of
Earth, and therefore put forth Moß, Mushromes, and the like.
166132Natural Hiſtory;
There is hardly found a Plant that yieldeth a red Juyce in the Blade or
11641. Ear, except it be the Tree that beareth Sanguis Draconis;
which gr weth
chiefly
in the Iſland Soquotra:
The Herb Aramanthus (indeed) is red all
over
;
and Braſrt is red in the Wood; and ſo is Red Sanders. The Tree oſ
Sanguis
Draconis groweth in the form of a Sugar-Loaf;
it is like the Sap of
that
Plant concocteth in the Body of the Tree.
For we ſee, that Grapes
and
Pomegranatesare red in the Juyce, but are Green in the Tear.
And this
maketh
the Tree of Sanguis Draconis leſſer to wards the top, becauſe the Juyce
haſtneth
not up;
and beſides, it is very Aſtringent, and therefore of ſlow
motion
.
It is reported, that Sweet Moſs, beſides that upon the Apple-trees,
22642. groweth likewiſe (ſometimes) upon Poplars, and yet (generally) the Poplar
is
a ſmooth Tree of Bark, and hath little Moſs.
The Moſs of the Larix-tree
burneth
alſo ſweet, and ſparkleth in the burning.
Quære, of the Moſſes of
Odorate
Trees;
as Cedar, Cypreß, Lignum, Aloes & c.
The Death, that is moſt without pain, hath been noted to be upon the
33643. taking of the Potion of Hemlock;
which in Humanity was the ſorm of exe-
cution
oſ capital offenders in Athens.
The Poyſon of the Aſpe, that Cleopatra
uſed
, hath ſome affinity with it.
The cauſe is, for that the torments of Death
are
chiefly raiſed by the ſtriſe of the Spirits;
and theſe Vapors quench the
Spirits
by degrees;
like to the death of an extream old Man. I con-
ceive
it is leſs painful then Opium, becauſe Opium hath parts of heat
mixed
.
There be Fruits that are ſweet before they ripen, as Mirabolanes; ſo
44644. Fennel-ſeeds are ſweet before they ripen, and after grow ſpicy;
and ſome
never
ripen to be ſweet;
as Tamarinds, Barberries, Crabs, Sloes, & c. The cauſe
is
, for that the former kinde have much and ſubtile heat, which cauſeth early
ſweetneſs
;
the latter have a cold and acide Juyce, which no heat of the
Sun
can ſweeten.
But as for the Mirabolane, it hath parts of contrary natures,
for
it is ſweet and aſtringent.
There be few Herbs that have a Salt taſte; and contrariwiſe, all Blood
55645. of Living Creatures hath a ſaltneſs;
the cauſe may be, for that Salt, though
it
be the Rudiment of Life, yet in Plants the original taſte remaineth not;
for you ſhall have them bitter, ſowre, ſweet biting, but ſeldom ſalt: Butin
Living
Creatures, all thoſe high taſtes may happen to be (ſometimes) in the
humors
, but are ſeldom in the fleſh, or ſubſtance;
becauſe it is of a more
oyly
Nature, which is not very ſuſceptible of thoſe taſtes;
and the ſaltneſs
it
ſelf of Blood, is but a light and ſecret ſaltneſs:
And even among Plants,
ſome
do participate of ſaltneſs, as Alga Marina, Samphire, Scurvy Graß, &
c.
And
they report there is in ſome of the Indian Seas, a Swiming Plant, which
they
call Salgazus, ſpreding over the Sea, in ſort, as one would think it were
a
Meadow.
It is certain, that out of the Aſhes of all Plants, they extra ct a
Salt
which they uſe in Medicines.
It is reported by one of the Ancients, that there is an Herb, growing in
66646. the Water, called Lincostis, which is full of Prickles:
This Herb putteth forth
another
ſmall Herb out of the Leaf, which is imputed to ſome moiſture, that
is
gathered bet ween the Prickles, which putrified by the Sun, germinateth.
But I remember alſo, I have ſeen, for a great rarity, one Roſe grow out of
another
, like Honey Suckles, that they call Top and Top-gallants.
Barley (as appeareth in the Malting) being ſteeped in Water three days,
77647. and afterwards the Water drained ſrom it, and the Barley turned upon a dry
Floar
, will ſprout half an inch long, at leaſt:
And if it be let alone,
167133Century VII. not turned, much more, until the heart be out. Wheat will do the ſame;
try it alſo with Peaſe and Beans. This Experiment is not like that of the
Orpin
and Semper-vive;
for there it is of the old ſtore, for no Water is added,
but
here it is nouriſhed from the Water.
The Experiment would be further
driven
;
for it appeareth already, by that which hath been ſaid, that Earth
is
not neceſſary to the ſirſt ſpr outing of Plants, and we ſee, that Roſe-Buds
ſet
in Water, will blow:
Therefore try whether the Sprouts of ſuch Grains
may
not be raiſed to a further degree, asto an Herb or Flower, with Water
onely
, or ſome ſmall commixture of Earth:
For if they will, it ſhould ſeem
by
the Experiments before, both of the Malt, and of the Roſes, that they
will
come far faſter on in Water then in Earth;
for the nouriſhment is eaſi-
lier
drawn out of Water then out of Earth.
It may give ſome light alſo that
Drink
infuſed with Fleſh, as that with the Capon, &
c. will nouriſh faſter
and
eaſilier, then Meat and Drink together.
Try the ſame Experiment with
Roots
, as well as with Grains.
As for example, take a Turnip and ſteep it a
while
, and then dry it, and ſee whether it will fprout.
Malt in the Drenching will ſwell, and that in ſuch a manner, as after
11648. the putting forth in ſprouts, and the drying upon the Kiln, there will be gain-
ed
, at leaſt, a Buſhel in eight, and yet the ſprouts are rubbed off, and there
will
be a Buſhel of Duſt beſides the Malt;
which I ſuppoſe to be, not onely
by
the looſe and open laying of the Parts, but by fome addition oſ ſubſtance
drawn
from the Water, in which it was ſteeped.
Malt gathereth a ſweetneſs to the taſte, which appeareth yet more in
22649. the Wort.
The Dulcoration of things is worthy to be tryed to the ſull; for
that
Dulcoration importeth a degree to nouriſhment.
And the making of
things
inalimental to become alimental, may be an Experiment of great
proſit
for making new victual.
Moſt Seedsin the growing, leave their Husk or Rind about the Root;
33650. but the Onion will carry it up, that it will be like a cap upon the top of
the
young Onion.
The cauſe may be, for that the Skin or Husk is not eaſie
to
break;
as we ſee by the pilling of Onions, what a holding ſubſtance the
Skin
is.
Plants that have curled Leaves, do all abound with moiſture, which
44651. cometh ſo faſt on, as they cannot ſpred themſelves plain, but muſt needs
gather
together.
The weakeſt kinde of curling is roughneſs, as in Clary and
Bur
.
Theſecond is, curling on the ſides; as in Lettuce and young Cabbage.
And the third is, folding into an Head, as in Cabbage full grown, and Cab-
bage
Lettuce.
It is reported, that Firr and Pine, eſpecially if they be old and putrefied,
55652. though they ſhine not as ſome rotten Woods do, yet in the ſudden breaking
they
will ſpark le like hard Sugar.
The Roots of Trees do (ſome of them) put down wards deep into the
66653. Ground;
as the Oak, Pine, Firr, & c. Some ſpred more to wards the Surface
of
the Earth;
as the Ash, Cypreß-tree, Olive, & c. The cauſe of this latter
may
be, for that ſuch Trees as love the Sun, do not willingly deſcend
far
into the Earth;
and therefore they are (commonly) Trees that ſhoot
up
much;
for in their Body their deſire of approach to the Sun maketh
them
ſpred the lels.
And the ſame reaſon, under Ground, to avoid receſs
from
the Sun, maketh them ſpred the more, And we ſee it cometh to
paſs
in ſome Trees which have been planted to deep in the Ground, that
for
love of approach to the Sun, they forſake their firſt Root, and put
out
another more towards the top of the Earth.
And we ſee alſo,
168134Natural Hiſtory; the Olive is full of Oily Juyce, and Aſh maketh the beſt Fire, and
Cypreſs
is an hot Tree.
As for the Oak, which is of the former ſort, it
loveth
the Earth, and thereſore groweth ſlowly.
And for the Pine, and
Firr
likewiſe, they have ſo much heat in themſelves, as they need leſs the
heat
oſ the Sun.
There be Herbs alſo, that have the ſame difference; as
the
Herb they call Morſus Diaboli, which putteth the Root down ſo low, as
you
cannot pull it up without breaking;
which gave occaſion to the name
and
fable, ſor that it was ſaid it was ſo wholeſome a Root, That the Devil
when
it was gathered, bit it for envy.
And ſome of the Ancients do report,
that
there was a goodly Firr (which they deſired to remove whole)
that
had a Root under ground eight cubits deep, and ſo the Root came up
broken
.
It hath been obſerved, that a Branch of a Tree being unbarked ſome
11654. ſpace at the bottom, and ſo ſet into the Ground, hath grown even of ſuch
Trees
, as if the Branch were ſet with the Bark on, they would not grow;
yet
contrariwiſe
we ſee, that a Tree pared round in the Body above Ground will
die
.
The cauſe may be, for that the unbarkt part dra weth the nouriſhment
beſt
, but the Bark continueth it onely.
Grapes will continue freſh and moiſt all Winter long, if you hang them
22655. cluſter by cluſter in the Roof of a warm Room, eſpecially, iſ when you ga-
ther
the cluſter, you take off with the cluſter ſome of the ſtock.
The Reed or Cane is a watry Plant, and groweth not but in the Water.
33656. It hath theſe properties, That it is hollow, that it is knuckled, both Stalk
and
Root, that being dry it is more hard and fragile then other Wood, that
it
putteth forth no Boughs, though many Stalks out of one Root, It differ-
eth
much in greatneſ, the ſmalleſt being fit for thatching of Houſes, and
ſtopping
the chinks of Ships better then Glew or Pitch.
The ſecond bigneſs
is
uſed ſor Angle rods and Staves, and in China for beating of offenders upon
the
Thighs.
The differing kindes of them are, the common Reed, the
Caßia
Fiſtula, and the Sugar-Reed.
Of all Plants it boweth the eaſieſt, and
riſeth
again.
It ſeemeth, that amongſt Plants which are nouriſhed with
mixture
of Earth and Water, it dra weth moſt nouriſhment from Water;
which maketh it the ſmootheſt of all others in Bark, and the holloweſt in
Body
.
The Sap of Trees, when they are let Blood, is of differing Natures. Some
44657. more watry and clear, as that of Vines, of Beeches, of Pears;
ſome thick,
as
Apples;
ſome Gummy, as Cherries; ſome frothy, as Elms; ſome milky,
as
Figs.
In Mulberries, the Sap ſeemeth to be (almoſt) towards the Bark
onely
;
for if you cut the Tree a little into the Bark with a Stone, it will come
forth
, if you pierce it deeper with a tool, it will be dry.
The Trees which
have
the moiſteſt Juyces in their Fruit, have commonly the moiſteſt Sap in
their
Body;
for the Vines and Pears are very moiſt, Apples ſome what
more
ſpongy:
the Milk of the Fig hath the quality of the Rennet, to ga-
ther
Cheeſe, and ſo have certain ſour Herbs where with they make Cheeſe
in
Lent.
The Timber and Wood are in ſome Trees more clean, in ſome more knotty;
55658. and it is a good tryal, to try it by ſpeaking at one end, and laying the
Ear
at the other:
For if it be knotty, the voice will not paſs well. Some
have
the Veins more varied and Chamloted;
as Oak, whereof Wainſcot
is
made;
Maple, whereof Trenchers are made: Some more ſmooth, as
Firr
and VValnut;
ſome do more eaſily breed Worms and Spiders; ſome
more
hardly, as it is ſaid of Iriſh Trees.
Beſides, there be a number
169135Century VII. differences that concern their uſe: As Oak, Cedar, and Cheſſnut, are
the
beſt builders.
Some are beſt for Plough-timber, as Aſh; ſome for Peers,
that
are ſometimes wet and ſometimes dry, as Elm;
ſome for Planchers, as
Deal
;
ſome for Tables, Cupboards and Desks, as Walnuts; ſome for Ship-
timber
, as Oaks that grow in moiſt Grounds, for that maketh the Timber
tough
, and not apt to rift with Ordnance, wherein Engliſh and Iriſh Timber
are
thought to excel) ſome for Maſts of Ships, as Firr and Pine, becauſe of
their
length, ſtraightneſs, and lightneſs;
ſome for Pale, as Oak; ſome for
Fuel
, as Aſh:
And ſo of the reſt.
The coming of Trees and Plants in certain Regions, and not in others,
11659. is ſometimes caſual;
for many have been tranſlated, and have proſpered
well
;
as Damask Roſes, that have not been known in England above an
hundred
years, and now are ſo common.
But the liking of Plants in
certain
Soyls more then in others, is meerly Natural;
as the Firr and
Pine
love the Mountains;
the Poplar, Willow, Sallow, and Alder, love
Rivers
and moiſt places;
the Aſh loveth Coppices, but is beſt in Standards
alone
;
Juniper loveth Chalk, and ſo do moſt Fruit-trees; Sampire
groweth
but upon Rocks;
Reeds and Oſiers grow where they are waſhed
with
Winter;
the Vine loveth ſides of Hills turning upon the South Eaſt
Sun
, &
c.
The putting forth of certain Herbs, diſcovereth of what nature the
22660. Ground where they put forth is;
as wilde Thyme ſheweth good Feeding
Ground
for Cattel;
Bettony and Strawberries ſhew Groundsfit for Wood;
Camomile ſheweth mellow Grounds fit for Wheat; Muſtard-ſeed growing
after
the Plough, ſheweth a good ſtrong Ground alſo for Wheat;
Burnet
ſheweth
good Meadow, and the like.
There are found in divers Countreys, ſome other Plants that grow out
33661. of Trees and Plants, beſides Miſſeltoe:
As in Syria there is an Herb called
Caſſytas
, that groweth out of tall Trees, and windeth it ſelf about the ſame
Tree
where it groweth, and ſometimes about Thorns.
There is a kinde
of
Polypode that groweth out of Trees, though it windeth not.
So like-
wiſe
an Herb called Faunos upon the Wilde Olive;
and an Herb called Hip-
pophæſton
upon the Fullers Thorn, which, they ſay, is good for the Falling-
ſickneſs
.
It hath been obſerved by ſome of the Ancients, that howſoever cold
44662. and Eaſterly winds are thought to be great enemies to Fruit, yet neverthe-
leſs
South-winds are alſo found to do hurt, eſpecially in the Bloſſoming
time
, and the more, if ſhowers follow.
It ſeemeth they call forth the
moiſture
too ſaſt.
The Weſt winds are the beſt. It hath been obſerved alſo,
that
green and open Winters do hurt Trees, inſomuch, as if two or three
ſuch
Winters come together, Almond-Trees, and ſome other Trees will die.
The cauſe is the ſame with the former, becauſe the Luſt of the Earth over-
ſpendeth
it ſelf;
howſoever ſome other of the Ancients have commended
warm
Winters.
Snows lying long cauſe a fruitful year. For ſirſt, they keep in the ſtrength
55663. of the Earth:
Secondly, they water the Earth better then Rain; for in
Snow
the Earth doth (as it were) ſuck the Water as out of the Teat:
Third-
ly
, the moiſture of Snow is the fineſt moiſture, for it is the Froth of the
Cloudy
Waters.
Showers, if they come a little beſore the ripening of Fruits, do good to
66664. all ſucculent and moiſt Fruits, as Vines, Olives, Pomegranates;
yet it is rather
for
plenty then for goodneſs, for the beſt Wines are in the dryeſt Vintages.
170136Natural Hiſtory; Small ſhowers are likewiſe good for Corn, ſo as parching hears come
not
upon them.
Generally, Night-ſhowers are better then Day ſhowers;
for that the Sun followeth not ſo ſalt upon them: And we ſee, even
in
watering by the Hand, it is beſt in Summer time to water in the
Evening
.
The differences of Earths, and the tryals oſ them, are worthy to be
11665. diligently enquired.
The Earth that with ſhowers dotheaſily ſoften, is com
mended
;
and yet ſome Earth of that kinde will be very dry and hard before
the
ſhowers.
The Earth that caſteth up from the Plough a great clod, is not
ſo
good as that which caſteth up a ſmaller clod.
The Earth that putteth forth
Moſs
eaſily, and may be called Mouldy, is not good.
The Earth that ſmel-
leth
well upon the Digging, or Ploughing, is commended;
as containing
the
Juyce of Vegetables almoſt already prepared.
It is thought by ſome, that
the
ends of low Rain-bows fall more upon one kinde of Earth then upon
another
:
As it may well be, for that Earth is moſt roſcide; and therefore it
is
commended for a ſign of a good Earth.
The poorneſs of the Herbs (it is
plain
) ſheweth the poorneſs of the Earth, and eſpecially, if they be in colour
more
dark:
But if the Herbs ſhew withered or blaſted at the top, it ſheweth
the
Earth to be very cold;
and ſo doth the Moſſir eſs oſ Trees. The Earth
whereoſ
the Graſs is ſoon parched with the Sun and toaſted, is commonly
forced
Earth, and barren in his own nature.
The tender, cheſſom, and mellow
Earth
is the beſt;
being meer Mould, between the two extreams of Clay
and
Sand, eſpecially, if it be not Loamy and Binding.
The Earth that aſter
Rain
will ſcarce be Ploughed, is commonly ſruitſul;
ſor it is cleaving, and
full
of Juyce.
It is ſtrange, which is obſerved by ſome of the Ancients, that Duſt
22666. helpeth the fruitſulneſs of Trees, and of Vines by name;
inſomuch, as they
caſt
Duſt upon them of purpoſe.
It ſhould ſeem that that powdring, when
a
ſhower cometh, maketh a kinde of ſoyling to the Tree, b@ing Earth and
Water
finely laid on.
And they note, that Countreys where the Fields and
Ways
are duſty, bear the beſt Vines.
It is commended by the Ancients ſor an excellent help to Trees, to lay
33667. the Stalks and Leaves of Lupines about the Roots, or to Plough them into
the
Ground, where you will ſow Corn.
The burning alſo of the cuttings of
Vines
, and caſting them upon Land, doth much good.
And it was general-
ly
received of old, that dunging of Grounds whenthe Weſt-wind bloweth,
and
in the decreaſe of the Moon, doth greatly help;
the Earth (asit ſeemeth)
being
then more thirſty, and open to receive the Dung.
The Graffing of Vines upon Vines (as Itake it) is not now in uſe. The
44668. Ancients had it, and that three ways;
the firſt was Inſition, which is the
ordinary
manner of Graffing:
The ſecond was Terebration, through the
middle
of the Stock, and putting in the Cions there:
And the third was
Paring
of two Vines that grow together to the Marrow, and binding them
cloſe
.
The Diſeaſes and ill Accidents of Corn, are worthy to be enquired, and
55669. would be more worthy to be enquired, if it were in Mens power to help
them
;
whereas many of them are not to be remedied. The Mildew is one
of
the greateſt, which (out of queſtion) cometh by cloſeneſs of Air;
and therefore in Hills, or large Champain Grounds, it ſeldom cometh,
ſuch
as is with us York’s Woald.
This cannot be remedied, otherwiſe
then
that in Countreys of ſmall encloſure the Grounds be turned into
larger
Fields:
Which I have known to do good in ſome Farms.
171137Century VII. Another Diſeaſe is the putting forth of Wilde Oats, whereinto Corn often-
times
(eſpecially Barley) doth degenerate.
It hapneth chiefly from the
weakneſs
of the Grain that is ſown;
for if it be either too old or mouldy,
it
will bring forth wilde Oats.
Another diſeaſe is the ſatiety of the
Ground
;
for if you ſow one Ground ſtill with the ſame Corn (I mean not
the
ſame Corn that grew upon the ſame Ground, but the ſame kinde of
Grain
, as Wheat, Barley, &
c.) it will proſper but poorly; therefore be-
ſides
the reſting of the Ground, you muſt vary the Seed.
Another ill Accid ent
is
from the Winds, which hurt at two times;
at the flowring by ſhaking off
the
Flowers, and at the full ripening by ſhaking out the Corn.
Another ill
Accident
is Drought at the ſpindling of the Corn, which with us is rare, but
in
hotter Countreys common, inſomuch as the word Calamitas was firſt
derived
from Calamus, when the Corn could not get out of the ſtalk.
Another ill Accident is Over-wet at ſowing time, which with us breedeth
much
Dearth, inſomuch as the Corn never cometh up;
and (many times)
they
are forced to re-ſow Summer-Corn, where they ſowed Winter-Corn.

Another
ill Accident is bitter Froſts, continued without Snow, eſpecially in
the
beginning of the Winter, after the Seed is new ſown.
Another Diſeaſe
is
Worms, which ſometimes breed in the Root, and happen upon hot Suns
and
ſhowers immediately after the ſowing;
and another Worm breedeth in
the
Ear it ſelf, eſpecially when hot Suns break often out of Clouds.
An-
other
Diſeaſe is Weeds;
and they are ſuch, as either choak and over-ſhadow
the
Corn, and bear it down, or ſtarve the Corn, and deceive it of nouriſh-
ment
.
Another Diſeaſe is, over-rankneſs of the Corn, which they uſe to
remedy
by Mowing it after it is come up, or putting Sheep into it.
An-
other
ill Accident is, laying of Corn with great Rains near or in Harveſt.

Another
ill Accident is, if the Seed happen to have touched Oyl, or any
thing
that is fat;
for thoſe ſubſtances have an antipathy with nouriſhment of
Water
.
The remedies oſ the Diſeaſes of Corn have been obſerved as followeth.
11670. The Steeping of the Grain before Sowing, a little time in Wine, is thought a
preſervative
;
the Mingling of Seed. Corn with Aſhes, is thought to be good;
the Sowing at the wane of the Moon, is thought to make the Corn ſound.
It
hath not been practiſed, but it is thought to be of uſe to make ſome Miſſel-
lane
in Corn;
as if you ſow a few Beans with Wheat, your Wheat will be the
better
.
It hath been obſerved, that the ſowing of Corn with Houſleek doth
good
.
Though Grain that toucheth Oyl or Fat receiveth hurt, yet the
ſteeping
of it in the Dregs of Oyl, when it beginneth to putrefie, (which they
call
Amurca) is thought to aſſure it againſt Worms.
It is reported alſo, that
if
Corn be moved, it will make the Grain longer, but emptier, and having
more
of the Husk.
It hath been noted, that Seed of a year old is the beſt, and of two or
22671. three years is worſe;
and that which is more old is quite barren, though
(no doubt) ſome Seed and Grain laſt better then others.
The Corn
which
in the Vanning lieth loweſt is the beſt;
and the Corn which broken
or
bitten, retaineth a little yellowneſs, is better then that which is very
white
.
It hath been obſerved, that of all Roots of Herbs, the Root of Sorrel
33672. goeth the furtheſt into the Earth, inſomuch as it hath been known to go three
cubits
deep;
and that it is the Root that continueth fit (longeſt) to be ſet
again
, of any Root that groweth.
It is a cold and acide Herb, that (as it ſeem-
eth
) loveth the Earth, and is not much drawn by the Sun.
172138Natural Hiſtory;
It hath been obſerved, that ſome Herbs like beſt being watered with
11673. Salt-water;
as Radiſh, Beet, Rue, Penny royal. This tryal would be extended
to
ſome other Herbs;
eſpecially ſuch as are ſtrong, as Tarragon, Muſtard-
ſeed
, Rocket, and the like.
It is ſtrange, that it is generally received, how ſome poyſonous Beaſts
22674. affect odorate and wholſome Herbs;
as, that the Snake loveth Fennel, that
the
Toad will be much under Sage, that Frogs will be in Cinquefoil.
It may be
it
is rather the Shade, or other Coverture, that they take liking in, then the
virtue
of the Herb.
It were a matter of great profit, (ſave that I doubt it is too conjectural
33675. to venture upon) if one could diſcern what Corn, Herbs, or Fruits, are like
to
be in Plenty or Scarcity, by ſome Signs and Prognoſticks in the begin-
ning
of the year:
For as for thoſe that are like to be in Plenty, they may be
bargai
ned for upon the Ground;
as the old relation was of Thales, who to
ſhew
how eaſie it was for a Philoſopher to be rich, when he foreſaw a great
plenty
of Olives, made a Monopoly of them.
And for Scarcity, Men may
make
profit in keeping better the old ſtore.
Long continuance of Snow is
believed
to make a fruitful year of Corn;
an early Winter, or a very late
Winter
, a barren year of Corn, an open and ſerene Winter, an ill year of
Fruit
.
Theſe we have partly touched before; but other Prognoſticks of like
nature
are diligently to be enquired.
There ſeem to be in ſome Plants ſingularities, wherein they differ from
44676. all other.
The Olive hath the oyly part onely on the outſide, whereas all
other
Fruits have it in the Nut or Kernel.
The Firr hath (in effect) no Stone,
Nut
, nor Kernel;
except you will count the little Grains, Kernels. The
Pomegranate
and Pine-Apple have onely, amongſt Fruits, Grains, diſtinct in
ſeveral
Cells.
No Herbs have curled Leaves, but Cabbage and Cabbage-
Lettuce
.
None have double Leaves, one belonging to the Stalk, another to
the
Fruit or Seed, but the Artichoak.
No Flower hath that kinde of ſpred
that
the Wood-bine hath.
This may be a large Field of Contemplation; for
it
ſhe weth, that in the Frame of Nature there is, in the producing of ſome
Species
, a compoſition of Matter, which hapneth oft, and may be much
diverſified
;
in others, ſuch as hapneth rarely, and admitteth little variety.
For ſo it is likewiſe in Beaſts; Dogs have a reſemblance with Wolves and
Foxes
, Horſes with Aſſes, Kine with Bufles, Hares with Coneys, &
c. And
ſo
in Birds;
Kites and Keſtrels have a reſemblance with Hawks; Common
Doves
with Ring-Doves and Turtles;
Black-Birds with Thruſhes and Ma-
viſſes
;
Crows with Ravens, Daws, and Choughs, & c. But Elephants and
Swine
amongſt Beaſts, and the Bird of Paradiſe, and the Peacock amongſt
Birds
, and ſome few others, have ſcarce any other Species that have affinity
with
them.
We leave the Deſcription of Plants and their Virtues to Herbals, and
other
like Books of Natural Hiſtory wherein Mens diligence hath been
great
even to Curioſity.
For our Experiments are onely ſuch, as do ever
aſcend
a degree to the deriving of Cauſes, and extracting of Axioms, which
we
are not ignorant, but that ſome, both of the Ancient and Modern VVriters
have
alſo labored;
but their Cauſes and Axioms are ſo ſull of Imagination,
and
ſo infected with the old received Theories, as they are meer Inquinati-
ons
of Experience, and concoct it not.
173139Century VII.
IT hath been obſerved by ſome of the Ancients, that Skins, eſpecially of
11677. Rams newly pulled off, aed applied to the Wounds of Stripes, do keep
22Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Healing
of
Wounds
.
them from ſwelling and exulcerating, and likewiſe heal them, and cloſe
them
up;
and that the Whites of Eggs do the ſame. The cauſe is, a tem-
perate
Conglutination;
for both Bodies are clammy and viſcous, and do
bridle
the Deflux of Humors to the hurts, without penning them in too
much
.
YOu may turn (almoſt) all Fleſh into a fatty ſubſtance, if you take Fleſh
33678. and cut it into pieces, and put the pieces into a Glaſs covered with
44Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Fat
diffisſed in
Fleſh
.
Parchment, and ſo let the Glaſs ſtand ſix or ſeven hours in boyling Water.
It
may
be an experiment of profit, for making of Fat or Greaſe for many uſes:
But then it muſt be of ſuch Fleſh as is not edible; as Horſes, Dogs, Bears, Foxes,
Badgers
, &
c.
IT is reported by one of the Ancients, that new Wine put into Veſſels
55679. well ſtopped, and the Veſſels let down into the Sea, will accelerate very
66Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Ripening
of
Drink
before
the
time.
much the making of them ripe and potable;
the ſame would be tryed in
Wort
.
BEaſts are more Haity then Men; and Savage Men more then Civil; and
77680. the Plumage of Birds exceedeth the Piloſity of Beaſts.
The cauſe of the
88Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Piloſity
and
Plumage
.
ſmoothneſs in Men, is not any abundance of Heat and Moiſture, though that
indeed
cauſeth Piloſity;
but there is requiſite to Piloſity, not ſo much Heat
and
Moiſture, as Excrementitious Heat and Moiſture;
(for whatſoever aſſi-
milateth
goeth not into the Hair) and Excrementitious Moiſture aboundeth
moſt
in Beaſts, and Men that are more ſavage.
Much the ſame Reaſon is
there
of the Plumage of Birds;
for Birds aſſimilate leſs, and excern more
then
Beaſts, for their Excrements are ever aliquid, and their Fleſh (generally)
more
dry;
beſide, they have not Inſtruments for Urine, and ſo all the Excre-
mentitious
Moiſture goeth into the Feathers:
And therefore it is no mar-
vel
though Birds be commonly better Meat then Beaſts, becauſe their fleſh
doth
aſſimilate more finely, and ſe-cerneth more ſubtilly.
Again, the Head
of
Man hath Hair upon the firſt Birth, which no other part of the Body hath.
The cauſe may be want of Perſpiration; for much of the matter of Hair, in
the
other parts of the Body goeth forth by inſenſible Perſpiration.
And be-
ſides
, the Skull being of a more ſolid ſubſtance, nouriſheth and aſſimilateth
leſs
, and excerneth more;
and ſo likewiſe doth the Chin. We ſee alſo that
Hair
cometh not upon the Palms of the Hands, nor Soals of the Feet, which
are
parts more perſpirable.
And Children likewiſe are not Hairy, for that
their
Skins are more perſpirable.
BIrds are of ſwifter motion then Beaſts; for the flight of many Birds is
99681. ſwifter then the race of any Beaſts.
The cauſe is, for that the Spirits in
1010Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Quickneß
of
Motion
in
Birds
.
Birds are in greater proportion, in compariſon of the bulk of their Body,
then
in Beaſts.
For as for thereaſon that ſome give, that they are partly car-
ried
, whereas Beaſts go, that is nothing;
for by that reaſon, ſwimming ſhould
be
ſwifter then running:
And that kinde of carriage alſo, is not without labor
of
the Wing.
174140Natural Hiſtory;
THe Sea is clearer when the North-wind bloweth, then when the South-
11682. wind.
The cauſe is, for that Salt-water hath a little Oylineſs in the Surface
22Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Different

clearneß
of the
Sea
.
there of, as appeareth in very hot days:
And again, for that the Southern-
wind
relaxeth the Water ſomewhat;
as no Water boyling, is ſo clear as cold
Water
.
FIre burneth Wood, making it firſt Luminous, then black and brittle, and
33683. laſtly, broken and incinerate;
ſcalding Water doth none of theſe. The
44Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Different

Heats
of Fire
and
Boiling
Water
.
cauſe is, for that by Fire the Spirit of the Body is firſt refined, and then emit-
ted
;
where of the refining or attenuation cauſeth the light, and the emiſſion;
firſt the fragility, and after the diſſolution into Aſhes, neither doth any other
Body
enter.
But in Water, the Spirit of the Body is not refined ſo much;
and
beſides, part of the Water entreth, which doth increaſe the Spirit, and
in
a degree extinguiſh it;
therefore we ſee that hot Water will quench Fire.
And
again, we ſee that in Bodies wherein the Water doth not much enter,
but
onely the heat paſſeth, hot Water worketh the effects of Fire:
As in
Eggs
boiled and roaſted, (into which the Water entreth not at all) there is
ſcarce
difference to be diſcerned;
but in Fruit and Fleſh, where into the Wa-
ter
entreth in ſome part, there is much more difference.
THe bottom of a Veſſel of boyling Water (as hath been obſerved) is not
55684. very much heated, ſo as men may put their hand under the Veſſel, and
66Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Qualification

of
Heat by
Moiſturo
.
remove it.
The cauſe is, for that the moiſture of Water, as it quencheth
Coals
where it entreth, ſo it doth allay heat where it toucheth.
And there-
fore
note well, that moiſture, although it doth not paſs through Bodies with-
out
Communication of ſome ſubftance (as heat and cold do) yet it worketh
manifeſt
effects;
not by entrance of the Body, but by qualifying of the heat
and
cold, as we ſee in this inſtance.
And we ſee likewiſe, that the water of
things
diſtilled in water, (which they call the Bath) differeth not much from
the
water of things diſtilled by Fire.
We ſee alſo, that Pewter-Diſhes with
Water
in them will not melt eaſily, but without it they will.
Nay, we ſee
more
, that Butter or Oyl, which in them ſelves are inflamable, yet by the vir-
tue
of their moiſture will do the like.
IT hath been noted by the Ancients, that it is dangerous to pick ones Ear
77685. whileſt he Yawneth.
The cauſe is, for that in Yawning, the inner Parch-
88Experiment
Solitary
,
tuoching

Yawning
.
ment of the Ear is extended by the drawing in of the Spirit and Breath;
for
in
Yawning and Sighing both, the Spirit is firſt ſtrongly drawn in, and then
ſtrongly
expelled.
IT hath been obſerved by the Ancients, that Sneezing doth ceaſe the Hic-
99686. cough.
The cauſe is, for that the Motion of the Hiccough is a lifting up of
1010Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Hiccough
.
the Stomach;
which Sneezing doth ſome what depreſs, and divert the moti-
on
another way.
For firſt, we ſee that the Hiccough cometh of fulneſs of
Meat
, (eſpecially in Children) which cauſeth an extenſion of the Stomach:
We ſee alſo, it is cauſed by acide Meats or Drinks, which is by the pricking
of
the Stomach.
And this motion is ceaſed, either by Diverſion, or by Deten-
tion
of the Spirits:
Diverſion, as in Sneezing; Detention, as we ſee holding
of
the Breath doth help ſome what to ceaſe the Hiccough, and putting a Man
into
an earneſt ſtudy doth the like, as is commonly uſed:
And Vinegar put to
the
Noſtrils or Gargarized doth it alſo;
ſor that it is Aſtringent, and inhibiteth
the
motion of the Spirit.
175141Century VII.
LOoking againſt the Sun doth induce Sneezing. The cauſe is, not the
11687 heating of the Noſtrils;
for then the holding up of the Noſtrils againſt
22Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Sneezing
.
the Sun, though one wink, would do it, but the drawing down of the moi-
ſture
of the Brain:
For it will make the Eyes run with water, and the draw-
ing
of moiſture to the Eyes, doth draw it to the Noſtrils by Motion of Con-
ſent
, and ſo followeth Sneezing.
As contrariwiſe, the Tickling of the
Noſtrils
within doth draw the moiſture to the Noſtrils, and to the Eyes by
conſent
, for they alſo will water.
But yet it hath been obſerved, that if one
be
about to ſneeze, the rubbing of the Eyes till they run with water, will
prevent
it.
Where of the cauſe is, for that the humor which was deſcending
to
the Noſtrils, is diverted to the Eyes.
THe Teeth are more by cold drink, or the like, affected, then the other
33688 parts.
The cauſe is double; the one, for that the reſiſtance of Bone to
44Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Tenderneß
of
the
Teeth.
cold, is greater then of Fleſh;
for that the Fleſh ſhrinketh, but the Bone re-
ſiſteth
, where by the Cold becometh more eager.
The other is, for that the
Teeth
are parts without Blood, whereas Blood helpeth to quali e the cold.
And therefore we ſee, that the Sinews are much affected with Cold, for that
they
are parts without Blood.
So the Bones in ſharp Colds wax brittle; and
therefore
it hath been ſeen, that all contuſions of Bones in hard weather, are
more
difficult to cure.
IT hath been noted, that the Tongue receiveth more eaſily tokens of
55689. Diſeaſes then the other parts;
as of heats within, which appear moſt
66Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Tongue
.
in the blackneſs of the Tongue.
Again, Pied Cattel are ſpotted in their
Tongues
, &
c. The cauſe is (no doubt) the tenderneſs of the part, which
thereby
receiveth more eaſily all alterations then any other parts of the
Fleſh
.
WHen the Mouth is out of taſte, it maketh things taſte ſometimes ſalt,
77690. chiefly bitter, and ſometimes loathſome, but never ſweet.
The
88Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Taſte
.
cauſe is, the corrupting of the moiſture about the Tongue, which many
times
turneth bitter, and ſalt, and loathſome, but ſweet never;
for the reſt
are
degrees of corruption.
IT was obſerved in the Great Plague of the laſt year, that there were ſeen in
99691. divers Ditches, and low Grounds about London, many Toads that had
1010Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Some
Progno-
ſticks
of Peſti-
lential
Sea-
ſons
.
Tails two or three inches long at the leaſt, whereas Toads (uſually) have no
Tails
at all;
which argueth a great diſpoſition to putrefaction in the Soil
and
Air.
It is reported likewiſe, that Roots (ſuch as Carrots and Parſnips) are
more
ſweet and luſcious in infectious years then in other years.
WIſe Phyſicians ſhould with all diligence inquire what Simples Nature
1111692. yieldeth, that have extream ſubtile parts without any Mordication
1212Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Special
Sim-
ples
for Medi-
cines
.
or Acrimony;
for they undermine that which is hard, they open that which
is
ſtopped and ſhut, and they expel that which is offenſive gently, without
too
much perturbation.
Of this kinde are Elder-flowers, which therefore
are
proper for the Stone;
of this kinde is the Dwarf-pine, which is
proper
for the Jaundies;
of this kinde is Harts-horn, which is proper
or
Agues and Infections;
of this kinde is Piony, which is proper for Stop-
pings
in the Head;
of this kinde is Fumitory which is proper for the Spleen;
176142Natural Hiſtory; and a number of others. Generally, divers Creatures bred of Putrefaction,
though
they be ſomewhat loathſome to take, are of this kinde;
as Earth-
worms
, Timber-ſows, Snails, &
c. And I conceive, that the Trochiſcs of Vipers,
(which are ſo much magnified) and the fleſh of Snakes ſome ways condited
and
corrected (which of late are grown into ſome credit) are of the ſame
nature
.
So the parts of Beaſts putrefied (as Caſtoreum and Musk, which have
extream
ſubtil parts) are to be placed amongſt them.
We ſee alſo, that
putrefaction
of Plants (as Agarick and Jews-Ear) are of greateſt vertue.
The cauſe is, for that putrefaction is the ſubtileſt of all motions in the parts
of
Bodies, And ſince we cannot take down the lives of Living Creatures
(which ſome of the Paracelſians ſay, if they could be taken down, would
make
us Immortal,) the next is, for ſubtilty of operation to take Bodies
putreſied
, ſuch as may be ſafely taken.
IT hath been obſerved by the Ancients, that much uſe of Venus doth dim the
11693. ſight, and yet Eunuchs, which are unable to generate, are (nevertheleſs)
22Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching

Venus
.
alſo dim-ſighted.
The cauſe of dimneſs of ſight in the former, is the ex
pence
of Spirits;
in the latter, the over-moiſture of the Brain; for the over-
moiſture
of the Brain doth thicken the Spirits viſual, and obſtructeth their
paſſages
, as we ſee by the decay in the ſight in Age, where alſo the dimi-
nution
of the Spirits concurreth as another cauſe.
We ſee alſo, that blind-
neſs
cometh by Rheums and Cataracts Now in Eunuchs there are all the
notes
of moiſture;
as the ſwelling of their Thighs, the looſneſs of their
Belly
, the ſmoothneſs of their skin, &
c.
The pleaſure in the Act of Venus, is the greateſt of the pleaſures of the
33694. Senſes:
the matching of it with Itch is improper, though that alſo be plea-
ſing
to the touch, but the cauſes are profound.
Firſt, all the Organs of the
Senſes
qualifie the motions of the Spirits, and make ſo many ſeveral ſpecies
of
motions, and pleaſures or diſpleaſures thereupon, as there be diverſities
of
Organs.
The Inſtruments of Sight, Hearing, Taſte, and Smell, are of ſeveral
frame
, and ſo are the parts for Generation;
therefore Scaliger doth well to
make
the pleaſure of Generation a ſixth Senſe.
And if there were any other
differing
Organs, and qualified Perforations for the Spirits to paſs, there
would
be more then the Five Senſes:
Neither do we well know, whether ſome
Beaſts
and Birds have not Senſes that we know not, and the very Sent of
Dogs
is almoſt a ſenſe by it ſelf.
Secondly, the Pleaſures of the Touch are
greater
and deeper then thoſe of the other Senſes, as we ſee in Warming up-
on
Cold, or Refrigeration upon Heat:
For as the Pains of the Touch are greater
then
the offences of other Senſes, ſo like wiſe are the Pleaſures.
It is true,
that
the affecting of the Spirits immediately, and (as it were) without an
Organ
, is of the greateſt pleaſure;
which is but in two things, Sweet ſmells
and
Wine and the like Sweet vapors.
For Smells, weſee their great and ſudden
effectin
fetching Men again when they ſwown;
for Drink, it is certain, that
the
pleaſure of Drunkenneſs is next the pleaſure of Venus;
and great Joyes
(likewiſe) make the Spirits move and touch themſelves;
and the pleaſure
of
Venus is ſomewhat of the ſame kinde.
It hath been always obſerved, that Men are more inclined to Venus in
44695. the Winter, and Women in the Summer.
The cauſe is, for that the Spirits in
a
Body more hot and dry, (as the Spirits of Men are) by the Summer are
more
exhaled and diſſipated, and in the Winter more condenſed and kept
entire
;
but in Bodies that are cold and moiſt, (as Womens are) the
177143Century VII. doth cheriſh the Spirits, and calleth them forth, the Winter doth dull them.
Furthermor@, the Abſtinence or Intermiſſion of the uſe of Venus, in moiſt and
well
habituate Bodies, breedeth a number of Diſeaſes;
and eſpecially danger-
ous
impoſthumat ons.
The reaſon is evident, for that it is a principal evacua-
tion
, eſpecially of the Spirits;
ſor of the Spirits, there is ſcarce any evacua-
tion
, but in Venus and exerciſe.
And therefore the omiſſion of either of them
breedeth
all diſeaſes of Repletion.
THe nature of Vivification is very worthy the enquiry; and as the Nature
11Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
Inſecta
.
of things is commonly better perceived in ſmall then in great, and in
unperfect
then in perfect, and in parts then in whole;
ſo the Nature of Vi-
vification
is beſt enquired in Creatures bred of Putrefaction.
The contem-
plation
whereof hath many excellent Fruits.
Firſt, in diſcloſing the original
of
Vivification.
Secondly, in diſcloſing the original of Figuration. Thirdly,
in
diſcloſing many things in the nature of perfect Creatures, which in them
lie
more hidden.
And fourthly, in traducing by way of operation, ſome
obſervations
in the Inſecta, to work effects upon perfect Creatures.
Note, that
the
word Inſecta agreeth not with the matter, but we ever uſe it for brevities
ſake
, intending by it Creatures bred of Putrefaction.
The Inſecta are ſound to breed out of ſeveral matters: Some breed of
22696. Mud or Dung;
as the Earth-worms, Eels, Snakes, & c. For they are both
Putrefactions
:
For Water in Mud do putrefie, as not able to preſerve it ſelf;
and for Dung, all Excrements are the refuſe and putrefactions of nouriſh-
ment
.
Some breed in Wood, both growing and cut down. Quære, in what
Woods
moſt, and at what ſeaſons.
We ſee that the Worms with many feet,
which
round themſelves into Balls, are bred chiefly under Logs of Timber,
but
not in the Timber, and they are ſaid to be found alſo (many times) in
Gardens
where no Logs are.
But it ſeemeth their Generation requireth a
coverture
both from Sun, and Rain or Dew, as the Timber is;
and therefore
they
are not venemous, but (contrariwiſe) are held by the Phyſitians to
clarifie
the Blood.
It is obſerved, that Cimices are found in the holes of Bed-
ſides
.
Some breed in the Hair of Living Creatures; as Lice and Tikes, which
are
bred by the ſweat cloſe kept, and ſomewhat airified by the Hair.
The
Excrements
of Living Creatures do not onely breed Inſecta when they are
excerned
, but alſo while they are in the Body;
as in Worms, whereto Chil-
dren
are moſt ſubject, and are chiefly in the Guts.
And it hath been lately
obſerved
by Phyſitians, that in many Peſlilent Diſeaſes there are Worms
found
in the upper parts of the Body, where Excrements are not, but onely
humors
putrefied.
Fleas breed principally of Straw or Mats, where there hath
been
a little moiſture, or the Chamber and Bed-ſtraw kept cloſe, and not
aired
.
It is received, that they are killed by ſtrewing Worm wood in the Rooms.
And
it is truly obſerved, that bitter things are apt rather to kill then en-
gender
Putrefaction, and they be things that are fat or ſweet that are apteſt
to
putrefie.
There is a Worm that breedeth in Meal of the ſhape of a large
white
Maggot, which is given as a great dainty to Nightingales.
The Moth
breedeth
upon Cloth, and other Lanifices, eſpecially iſ they be laid up dankiſh
and
wet.
It delighteth to be about the flame of a Candle. There is a Worm
called
a VVevil, bred under Ground, and that feedeth upon Roots, as Parſnips,
Carrots
, &
c. Some breed in Waters, eſpecially ſhaded, but they muſt be by
ſtanding
Waters;
as the Water-Spider that hath ſix Legs. The Fly called the
Gad
flie breedeth of ſomewhat that ſwimeth upon the top of the Water,
178144Natural Hiſtory; is moſt about Ponds. There is a Worm that breedeth of the Dregs of Wine
decayed
, which aſter wards (as is obſerved by ſome of the Ancients) turneth in-
to
a Gnat.
It hath been obſerved by the Ancients, that there is a Worm that
breedeth
in old Snow, and is of colour reddiſh, and dull of motion, and dieth
ſoon
after it cometh out of Snow;
which ſhould ſhew that Snow hath in it a
ſecret
warmth, for elſe it could hardly vivifie.
And the reaſon of the dying
of
the Worm may be the ſudden exhaling of that little Spirit, as ſoon as it
cometh
out of the cold, which had ſhut it in.
For as Butter-flies quicken with
heat
, which were benummed with cold;
ſo Spirits may exhale with heat,
which
were preſerved in cold.
It is affirmed, both by the Ancient and Modern
obſervation
, that in Furnaces of Copper and Braſs, where Chalcites is (which
is
Vitriol) often caſt in to mend the working, there riſeth ſuddenly a Fly which
ſometimes
moveth, as if it took hold on the Walls of the Furnace;
ſome-
times
is ſeen moving in the fire below, and dieth preſently as ſoon as it is out
of
the Furnace.
Which is a noble inſtance, and worthy to be weighed, for it
ſheweth
that as well violent heat of fire, as the gentle heat of Living Crea-
tures
will viviſie, if it have matter proportionable.
Now the great axiom
of
Vivification is, that there muſt be heat to dilate the Spirit of the Body, an
Active
Spirit to be dilated, matter viſcous or tenacious to hold in the Spirit,
and
that matter to be put forth and figured.
Now a Spirit dilated by ſo ardent
a
fire as that of the Furnace, as ſoon as ever it cooleth never ſo little, congeal-
eth
preſently.
And (no doubt) this action is furthered by the Chalcites, which
hath
a Spirit that will put forth and germinate, as we ſee in Chymical Tryals.
Briefly, moſt things putrefied bring forth Inſecta of ſeveral names, but we will
not
take upon us now to enumerate them all.
The Inſecta have been noted by the Ancients to feed little: But this hath
11697. not been diligently obſerved;
for Graſhoppers eat up the Green of whole
Countreys
, and Silk-worms devour Leaves ſwiftly, and Ants make great pro-
viſion
.
It is true, that Creatures that ſleep and reſt much, eat little, as Dor-
mice
and Bits, &
c. they are all without Blood; which may be, for that the
Juyce
of their Bodies is almoſt all one;
not Blood, and Fleſh, and Skin, and
Bone
, as in perfect Creatures:
The integral parts have extream variety, but
the
ſimilar parts little.
It is true, that they have (ſome of them) Diaphragm,
and
an Inteſtine;
and they have all Skins, which in moſt of the Inſecta, are
caſt
oſten.
They are not (generally) of long life; yet Bees have been known
to
live ſeven years;
and Snakes are thought, the rather for the caſting of their
ſpoil
, to live till they be old;
and Eels, which many times breed of putre-
faction
, will live and grow very long;
and thoſe that enterchange from Worms
to
Flies in the Summer, and from Flies to Worms in the Winter, have been
kept
in Boxes four years at the leaſt;
yet there are certain Flies that are called
Ephemera
that live but a day.
The cauſe is, the exility of the Spirit, or per-
haps
the abſence of the Sun;
for that if they were brought in, or kept cloſe,
they
might live longer.
Many of the Inſecta (as Butter-flies and other Flies)
revive
eaſily, when they ſeem dead, being brought to the Sun or Fire.
The
cauſe
whereof is, the diffuſion of the Vital Spirit, and the eaſie dilating of it
by
a little heat.
They ſtir a good while after their heads are off, or that they be
cut
in pieces;
which is cauſed alſo, for that their Vital Spirits are more dif-
fuſed
through out all their parts, and leſs confined to Organs then in perfect
Creatures
.
The Inſecta have voluntary Motion, and therefore imagination. And
22698. whereas ſome of the Ancients have ſaid, that their Motion is indeterminate, and
their
imagination indeſinite, it is negligently obſerved;
for Ants go
179145Century VII. forwards to their Hills; and Bees do (admirably) know the way from a
Floury
Heath, two or three miles off to their Hives.
It may be Gnats and
Flies
have their Imagination more mutable and giddy, as ſmall Birds like-
wiſe
have.
It is ſaid by ſome of the Ancients, that they have onely the Senſe
of
Feeling, which is manifeſtly untrue;
for if they go forth right to a place,
they
muſt needs have Sight:
Beſides, they delight more in one Flower or
Herb
, then in another, and therefore have taſte.
And Bees are called with
ſound
upon Braſs, and therefore they have hearing.
Which ſheweth like-
wiſe
, that though their Spirits be diffuſed, yet there is a Seat of their Senſes in
their
Head.
Other obſervations concerning the Inſecta, together with the Enumeration of them,
# we refer to that place where we mean to handle the Title of Animals in general.
AMan leapeth better with weights in his hands, then without. The cauſe
11699. is, for that the weight (if it be proportionable) ſtrengthneth the Si-
22Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Leaping
.
news, by contracting them;
for otherwiſe, where no contraction is needful,
weight
hindreth.
As we ſee in Horſe Races, Men are curious to foreſee that
there
be not the leaſt weight upon the one Horſe more then upon the other.
In Leaping with Weights, the Arms are firſt caſt backwards, and then forwards,
with
ſo much the greater force;
for the hands go backward before they
take
their raiſe, Quære, if the contrary motion of the Spirits, immediately
before
the Motion we intend, doth not cauſe the Spirits as it were to break
forth
with more force;
as Breath alſo drawn, and keptin, cometh forth more
forcibly
:
And in caſting of any thing, the Arms, to make a greater ſwing, are
firſt
caſt back ward.
OF Muſical Tones and unequal Sounds, we have ſpoken before, but touch-
33700. the pleaſure and diſpleaſure of the Senſes not ſo fully.
Harſh Sounds, as
44Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Pleaſures
and
Diſpleaſures

of
the Senſes,
eſpecially
of
Hearing
.
of a Saw when it is ſharpned, Grinding of one Stone againſt another, ſqueak-
ing
or ſcrieching noiſes, make a ſhivering or horror in the Body, and ſet the
Teeth
on edge.
The cauſe is, for that the objects of the Ear do affect the
Spirits
(immediately) moſt with pleaſure and offence.
We ſee there is no
colour
that affecteth the Eye much with diſpleaſure.
There be ſights that
are
horrible, becauſe they excite the memory of things that are odious or
fearful
;
but the ſamethings painted, do little affect. As for Smells, Taſtes, and
Touches
, they be things that do affect by a Participation or Impulſion of the
body
of the Object.
So it is Sound alone that doth immediately and incorpo-
really
affect moſt.
This is moſt maniſeſt in Muſick, and Concords, and Diſcords
in
Muſick:
For all Sounds, whether they be ſharp or flat, if they beſweet,
have
a roundneſs and equality;
and if they be harſh, are unequal: For a Diſ-
cord
it ſelf, is but a harſhneſs of divers ſounds meeting.
It is true, that in-
equality
, not ſtaid upon, but paſſing, is rather an increaſe of ſweetneſs;
as
in
the Purling of a Wreathed String, and in the raucity of a Trumpet, and
in
the Nightingale-Pipe of a Regal, and in a Diſoord ſtraight falling upon a
Concord
:
But if you ſtay upon it, it is offenſive. And therefore there be theſe
three
degrees of pleaſing and diſpleaſing in Sounds;
Sweet ſounds, Diſcords,
and
Harſh ſounds, which we call by divers names, as Scrieching, or Grating, ſuch
as
we now ſpeak of.
As for the ſetting of the Teeth on edge, we plainly ſee
what
an intercourſe there is bet ween the Teeth, and the Organ of the Hearing,
by
the taking of the end of a Bow between the Teeth, and ſtriking upon the
String
.
180
[Empty page]
181147 6[Figure 6]
NATURAL
HISTORY
.
Century VIII.
THere be Minerals and Foßiles in great variety, but of
11701. Veins of Earth Medicinal but few.
The chief are, Terra
22Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Veins
of Me-
dicinal
Earth.
Lemnia, Terra Sigillata communis, and Bolus Arminus;
whereof Terra Lemnia is the chief. The Vertues of
them
are for Curing of Wounds, Stanching of Blood,
Stopping
of Fluxes and Rheums, and Arreſting the Spred-
ing
of Poyſon, Infection, and Putrefaction:
And they have of
all
other Simples the perfecteſt and pureſt quality of
Drying
, with little or no mixture of any other quality.
Yet it is true, that
the
Bole Arminick is the moſt cold of them, and that Terra Lemnia is the moſt
hot
;
for which cauſe the Iſland Lemnos where it is digged, was in the old
Fabulous
Ages conſecrated to Vulcan.
ABout the Bottom of the Sereights are gathered great quantities of Spouges,
33702. which are gathered from the ſides of Rocks, being as it were a large,
44Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Growth
of
Sponges
.
but tough Moß.
It is the more to be noted, becauſe that there be but few
Subſtances
, Plant-like, that grow deep within the Sea, for they are gathered
ſometime
Fifteen fathom deep:
And when they are laid on Shore, they ſeem
to
be of great Bulk;
but cruſhed together, will be tranſported in a very
ſmall
room.
IT ſeemeth that Fish that are uſed to the Salt-water, do nevertheleſs de-
55703. light more in freſh.
We ſee that Salmons and Smelts love to get into Rivers,
66Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Sea-Fiſh
put
in
Freſh wa-
ters
.
though it be againſt the Stream.
At the Haven of Conſtantinople you ſhall
have
great quantities of Fish that come from the Euxine Sea, that when they
come
into the Freſh-water, do inebriate and turn up their Bellies, ſo as you
may
take them with your hand.
I doubt there hath not been ſufficient
182148Natural Hiſtory; periment made of putting Sea fish into Freſh-water, Ponds, and Pools. It is
a
thing of great uſe and pleaſure;
for ſo you may have them new at ſome
good
diſtance from the Sea:
And beſides, it may be the Fiſh will eat the
pleaſanter
, and may fall to breed.
And it is ſaid, that Coliheſler Oyſters,
which
are put into Pits, where the Sea goeth and cometh, (but yet ſo that
there
is a Freſh-water coming alſo to them when the Sea voideth) become
by
that means ſatter, and more grown.
THe Turkish Bow giveth a very forcible Shoot, inſomuch as it hath been
11704. known, that the Arrow hath pierced a Steel Target, or apiece of Braſs
22Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Attraction
by
Similitude
of
Subſtance
.
of two Inches thick:
But that which is more ſtrange, the Arrow, if it be
headed
with Wood, hath been known to pierce through a piece of Wood of
eight
Inches thick.
And it is certain, that we hadin uſe at one time, for Sea-
fight
, ſhort Arrows, which they called Sprights, without any other Heads,
ſave
Wood ſharpned;
which were diſcharged out of Muskets, and would
pierce
through the ſides of Ships, where a Bullet would not pierce.
But
this
dependeth upon one of the greateſt ſecrets in all Nature;
which is, that
Similitude
of Subſtance will cauſe Attraction, where the Body is wholly freed
from
the Motion of Gravity:
Forif that were taken away, Lead would draw
Lead
, and Gold would draw Gold, and iron would draw Iron without the help
of
the Load-ſtone.
But this ſame Motion of Weight or Gravity (which is
a
meer Motion of Matter, and hath no affinity with the Form or Kinde)
doth
kill the other Motion, except it ſelf be killed by a violent Motion;
and
8686[Handwritten note 86] in theſe inſtances of Arrows, for then the Motion of Attraction by Simili-
tude
of Subſtance beginneth to ſhew it ſelf.
But we ſhall handle this point
of
Nature fully in due place.
THey have in Turky, and the Eaſt, certain Confections, which they call
33705. Servets, which are like to Candid Conſerves, and are made of Sugar and
44Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Certain
drinks
in
Turkey.
Lemmons, or Sugar and Citrons, or Sugar and Violets, and ſome other Flowers;
and ſome mixture of Amber for the more delicate perſons: And thoſe they
diſſolve
in Water, and there of make their Drink, becauſe they are for bidden
Wine
by their Law.
But I do much marvel, that no Englishman, or Dutchman,
or
German, doth ſet up Brewing in Conſtantinople, conſidering they have ſuch
quantity
of Barley.
For as ſor the general ſort of Men, frugality may be the
cauſe
of Drinking Water;
ſor that it is no ſmall ſaving to pay nothing for
ones
drink:
But the better ſort might well be at the coſt. And yet I wonder
the
leſs at it, becauſe I ſee France, Italy, or Spain, have not taken into uſe Beer
or
Ale;
which (perhaps) if they did, would better both their Healths and
their
Complexions.
It is likely it would be matter of great gain to any that
ſhould
begin it in Turkey.
IN Bathing in hot water, ſweat (nevertheleſs) cometh not in the parts un-
55706. der the Water.
The cauſeis, firſt, for that ſweat is a kinde of Colliqua-
66Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching

Sweat
.
tion.
And that kinde of Colliquation is not made either by an over-dry
Heat
, or an over-moiſt Heat.
For over-moiſture dothſome what extinguiſh
the
Heat;
as we ſee, that even hot water quencheth Fire, and over dry Heat
fhutteth
the Pores.
And therefore Men will ſooner ſweat covered before
the
Sun or Fire, then if they ſtood naked:
And Earthen Bottles filled
with
hot water, do provoke in Bed a Sweat more daintily then Brick-bats
hot
.
Secondly, Hot water doth cauſe Evaporation from the Skin, ſo as
it
ſpendeth the matter in thoſe parts under the Water, beſore it iſſueth
183149Century VIII. Sweat. Again, Sweat cometh more plentifully, if the Heat beincreaſed by
degrees
, then if it be greateſt at firſt, or equal.
The cauſe is, for that the
Pores
are better opened by a gentle Heat, then by a more violent;
and by
their
opening the Sweat, iſſueth more abundantly.
And therefore Phyſicians
may
do well, when they provoke Sweat in Bed by Bottles, with a Decoction
of
Sudorifick Herbs in Hot Water, to make two degrees of Heat in the Bottles,
and
to lay in the Bed the leſs-heated firſt, and after half an hour the more-
heated
.
Sweat is ſalt in taſte. The cauſeis, for that that part of the Nouriſhment
11707. which is freſh and ſweet, turneth into Blood and Fleſh;
and the Sweat is
onely
that part which is ſeparate and excerned.
Blood alſo raw, hath ſome
ſaltneſs
more then Fleſh;
becauſe the Aſſimilation into Fleſh, is not without
a
little and ſubtile excretion from the Blood.
Sweat cometh forth more out of the upper parts of the Body then the
22708. lower.
The reaſon is, becauſe thoſe parts are more repleniſhed with Spirits,
and
the Spirits are they that put forth Sweat;
beſides, they are leſs fleſhy,
and
Sweat iſſueth (chiefly) out of the parts that are leſs fleſhy and more dry,
as
the Forehead and Breſt.
Men ſweat more in ſleep then waking, and yet ſleep doth rather ſtay
33709. other Fluxions, then cauſe them;
as Rheums, Looſneß of the Body, & c. The
cauſe
is, for that in Sleep the Heat and Spirits do naturally move inwards,
and
there reſt.
But when they are collected once within, the Heat becometh
more
violent and irritate, and thereby expelleth Sweat.
Cold Sweats are (many times) Mortal and near Death, and always ill and
44710. ſuſpected;
as in great Fears, Hypochondriacal Paßions, & c. The cauſe is, for
that
Cold Sweats come by a relaxation or forſaking of the Spirits, whereby the
Moiſture
of the Body, which Heat did keep firm in the parts, ſevereth and
iſſueth
out.
In thoſe Diſeaſes which cannot be diſcharged by Sweat, Sweat is ill, and
55711. rather to be ſtayed;
as in Diſeaſes of the Lungs, and Fluxes of the Belly; but
in
thoſe Diſeaſes which are expelled by Sweat, it eaſeth and lightneth;
as in
Agues
, Peſtilences, &
c. The cauſe is, for that Sweat in the latter ſort is partly
Critical
, and ſendeth forth the Matter that offendeth:
But in the former,
it
either proceedeth from the Labor of the Spirits, which ſheweth them
oppreſſed
;
or from Motion of Conſent, when Nature notable to expel the
Diſeaſe
where it is ſeated, moveth to an Expulſion indifferent over all the
Body
.
THe Nature of the Gloworm is hitherto not well obſerved. Thus much
66712. weſee, that they breed chiefly in the hotteſt Moneths of Summer;
and
77Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Gloworm
.
that they breed not in Champaign, but in Bushes and Hedges.
Whereby it may
be
conceived, that the Spirit of them is very fine, and not to be refined but
by
Summer heats.
And again, that by reaſon of the fineneſs, it doth eaſily ex-
8787[Handwritten note 87] hale.
In Italy, and the Hotter Countreys, there is a Flie they call Lucciole,
that
ſhineth as the Gloworm doth, and it may be is the Flying-Gloworm;
but
that
Flie is chiefly upon Fens and Marisbes.
But yet the two former obſerva-
88713. tions hold, for they are not ſeen but in the heat of Summer;
and Sedge, or
99Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
Impreßions

which
the Paſ-
ſions
of the
Minde
make
upon
the Body.
other Green of the Fens give as good ſhade as Buſhes.
It may be the Gloworms
of
the Cold Countreys ripen not ſo far as to be winged.
THe Paſſions of the Minde work upon the Body the impreſſions fol-
lowing
.
Fear, cauſeth Paleneß, Trembling, the Standing of the Hair
184150Natural Hiſtory; right, Starting, and Scrieching. The Paleneſs is cauſed, for that the Blood
runneth
in ward to ſuccor the Heart.
The Trembling is cauſed, for that
through
the flight of the Spirits in ward, the out ward parts are deſtituted, and
not
ſuſtained.
Standing upright of the Hair is cauſed, for that by ſhutting
of
the Pores of the Skin, the Hair that lyeth aſloap muſt needs riſe.
Starting
is
both an apprehenſion of the thing feared, (and in that kinde it is a motion
of
ſhrinking;)
and likewiſe an Inquiſition in the beginning what the matter
ſhould
be, (and in that kinde it is a motion of Erection;)
and therefore
when
a Man would liſten ſuddenly to any thing, he ſtarteth;
for the ſtart-
ing
is an Erection of the Spirits to attend.
Scrieching is an appetite of ex-
pelling
that which ſuddenly ſtriketh the Spirits.
For it muſt be noted, that
many
Motions, though they be unprofitable to expel that which hurteth,
yet
they are Offers of Nature, and cauſe Motions by Conſent;
as in Groan-
ing
, or Crying upon Pain.
Grief and Pain, cauſe Sighing, Sobbing, Groaning, Screaming, and Roar-
11714. ing, Tears, Diſtorting of the Face, Grinding of the Teeth, Sweating.
Sighing
is
cauſed by the drawing in of a greater quantity of Breath to reſreſh the
Heart
that laboreth;
like a great draught when one is thirſty. Sobbing is
the
ſame thing ſtronger.
Groaning, and Screaming, and Roaring, are cauſed
by
an appetite of Expulſion, as hath been ſaid;
for when the Spirits cannot
expel
the thing that hurteth in their ſtrife to do it, by Motion of Conſent
they
expel the Voice.
And this is when the Spirits yield, and give over to
reſiſt
;
for if one do conſtantly reſiſt Pain, he will not groan. Tears are cauſed
by
a Contraction of the Spirits of the Brain;
which Contraction by conſe-
quence
aſtringeth the Moiſture of the Brain, and thereby ſendeth Tears into
the
Eyes.
And this Contraction or Compreſſion cauſeth alſo Wringing of
the
Hands;
for Wringing is a Geſture of Expreſſion of Moiſture. The Diſ-
torting
of the Face is cauſed by a Contention, firſt, to bear and reſiſt, and then
to
expel;
which maketh the Parts knit firſt, and after wards open. Grinding
of
the Teeth is cauſed (likewife) by a Gathering and Serring of the Spirits
together
to reſiſt;
which maketh the Teeth alſo to ſet hard one againſt an-
other
, Sweating is alſo a Compound Motion by the Labor of the Spirits, firſt
to
reſiſt, and then to expel.
Joy cauſeth a Chearſulneſs and Vigor in the Eyes, Singing, Leaping, Dan-
22715. cing, and ſometimes Tears.
All theſe are the effects of the Dilatation and
coming
forth of the Spirits into the outward parts, which maketh them
more
lively and ſtirring.
We know it hath been ſeen, that Exceſſive ſud-
den
Joy hath cauſed preſent Death, while the Spirits did ſpred ſo much as
they
could not retire again.
As for Tears, they are the effects of Compreſ-
ſion
of the Moiſture of the Brain, upon Dilatation of the Spirits.
For Com-
preſſion
of the Spirits worketh an Expreſſion of the Moiſture of the Brain by
conſent
, as hath been ſaid in Grief:
But then in Joy it worketh it diverſly,
viz
.
By Propulſion of the Moiſture, when the Spirits dilate, and occupy more
room
.
Anger cauſeth Paleneſs in ſome, and the going and coming of the colour
33716. in others;
alſo Trembling in ſome, Swelling, Foaming at the Mouth, Stamp-
ing
, Bending of the Fiſt.
Palenels, and Going, and Coming of the Colour,
are
cauſed by the Burning of the Spirits about the Heart;
which to reſreſh
themſelves
, call in more Spirits from the out ward parts.
And if the Paleneſs
be
alone, without ſending forth the colour again, it is commonly joyned
with
ſome fear:
But in many there is no Paleneſs at all, but contrariwiſe
Redneſs
about the Cheeks and Gils;
which is by the ſending forth of
185151Century VIII. Spirits, in an appetite to Revenge. Trembling in Anger is likewiſe by a call-
ing
in of the Spirits, and is commonly when Anger is joy ned with Fear.
Swel-
ling
is cauſed both by a Dilatation of the Spirits by over-heating, and by a
Liquefaction
or Boiling of the Humors thereupon.
Foaming at the Mouth
is
from the ſame cauſe, being an Ebullition.
Stamping and Bending of the Fiſt
are
cauſed by an Imagination of the Act of Revenge.
Light Diſpleaſure or Diſlike cauſeth ſhaking of the Head, Frowning, and
11717. Knitting of the Brows.
Theſe effects ariſe from the ſame cauſe that Trem-
bling
and Horror do;
namely, from the Retiring of the Spirits, but in a leſs
degree
.
For the Shaking of the Head, is but a ſlow and definite Trembling;
and is a Geſture of ſlight reſuſal: And we ſee alſo, that a diſlike cauſeth often
that
Geſture of the Hand, which we uſe when we refuſe a thing, or warni it
away
.
The Frowning and Knitting of the Brows, is a Gathering or Setting
of
the Spirits, to reſiſt in ſome meaſure.
And we ſee alſo, this Knitting of the
Brows
will follow upon earneſt Studying, or Cogitation of any thing, though
it
be without diſlike.
Shame cauſeth Bluſhing, and caſting down of the Eyes. Bluſhing is the
22718. Reſort of Blood to the Face, which in the Paſſion of Shame, is the part that
laboreth
moſt.
And although the Bluſhing will be ſeen in the whole Breſt.
if it be naked, yet that is but in paſſage to the Face. As for the caſting
down
of the Eyes, it proceedeth of the Reverence a Man beareth to other
Men
, whereby, when he is aſhamed, he cannot endure to look firmly upon
others
:
And we ſee, that Bluſhing and the Caſting down of the Eyes both,
are
more when we come before many;
Ore Pompeii quid mollius? Nunquam non
coram
pluribus erubuit;
and likewiſe, when we come before Great or Reverend
Perſons
.
Pity cauſeth ſometimes Tears, and a Flexion or Caſt of the Eye aſide.
33719. Tears come from the cauſe, that they do in Grief; For Pity is but Grief in
anothers
behalf.
The Caſt of the Eye, is a Geſture of Averſion or Lothneſs
to
behold the object of Pity.
Wonder cauſeth Aſtoniſhment, or an Immovable Poſture of the Body,
44720. Caſting up of the Eyes to Heaven, and Liſting up of the Hands.
For Aſtoniſh-
ment
, it is cauſed by the Fixing of the Minde upon one object of Cogitation,
whereby
it doth not ſpatiate and tranſcur as it uſeth:
For in Wonder the
Spirits
flie not, as in Fear;
but onely ſettle, and are made leſs apt to move.
As for the Caſting up of the Eyes, and Lifting up of the Hands, it is a kinde
of
Appeal to the Deity, which is the Author, by Power and Providence of
ſtrange
Wonders.
Laughing cauſeth a Dilatation of the Mouth and Lips; a continued Ex-
55721. pulſion of the Breath, with the loud Noiſe, which maketh the Interjection
of
Laughing;
Shaking of the Breſt and Sides; Running of the Eyes with
Water
, if it be violent and continued.
Wherein firſt it is to be underſtood,
that
Laughing is ſcarce (properly) a Paſſion, but hath his Source from the In-
tellect
;
for in Laughing, there ever precedeth a conceit of ſome what ridicu-
lous
.
And therefore it is proper to Man. Secondly, that the cauſe of Laugh-
ing
, is but a light touch of the Spirits, and not ſo deep an Impreſſion as in
other
Paſſions.
And thereſore (that which hath no Affinity with the Paſſi-
ons
of the Minde) it is moved, and that in great vehemency, onely by Tick-
ling
ſome parts of the Body.
And we ſee, that Men even in a grieved ſtate of
Minde
, yet cannot ſometimes forbear Laughing.
Thirdly, it is ever joyned
with
ſome degree of Delight:
And therefore Exhilaration hath ſome Affinity
with
Joy, though it be much Lighter Motion.
Res ſevera eſt veram Gaudium.
186152Natural Hiſtory; Fourthly, That the object of it is Deformity, Abſurdity, Shrewd turns, and the like.
Now to ſpeak of the cauſes of the effects before mentioned, whereun to theſe
general
Notes give ſome light.
For the Dilatation of the Mouth and Lips,
continued
Expulſion of the Breath and Voice, and Shaking of the Breſts and
Sides
, they proceed (all) from the Dilatation of the Spirits, eſpecially being
ſudden
.
So likewiſe the Running of the Eyes with Water, (as hath been for-
merly
touched, where we ſpake of the Tears of Joy and Grief) is an offect of
Dilatation
of the Spirits.
And for Suddenneß, it is a great part of the Matter:
For
we ſee that any Shrewd turn that lighteth upon another, or any Deformity,
&
c. moveth Laughter in the inſtant, which after a little time it doth not. So
we
cannot Laugh at any thing after it is ſtale, but whileſt it is new.
And even
in
Tickling, if you tickle the ſides, and give watning, or give a hard or con-
tinued
touch, it doth not move Laughter ſo much.
Luſt cauſeth a Flagrancy in the Eys, and Priapiſm. The cauſe of both
11722. theſe is, for that in Luſt the Sight and the Touch, are the things defired;
and
therefore
the Spirits reſort to thoſe parts which are moſt affected.
And note
well
in general, (for that great uſe may be made of the obſervation) that
(evermore) the Spirits in all Paßions reſort moſt to the parts that labor moſt, or
are
moſt affected.
As in the laſt, which hath been mentioned, they reſort to
the
Eyes and Venereous parts;
in Fear and Anger to the Heart; in Shame to the
Face
;
and in Light diſlikes to the Head.
IT hath been obſerved by the Ancients, and is yet believed, That the Sperm
22723. of Drunken-men is unfruitful.
The cauſe is, for that it is over-moiſtned, and
33Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching

Drunkenneß
.
wanteth Spiſſitude.
And we have a merry ſaying, That they that go drunk to Bed,
get
Daughters.
Drunken-men are taken with a plain Deſect or Deſtitution in Voluntary
44724. Motion;
they reel, they tremble, they cannot ſtand, nor ſpeak ſtrongly. The
cauſe
is, for that the Spirits of the Wine oppreſs the Spirits Animal, and oc-
cupate
part of the place where they are, and ſo make them weak to move;
and therefore Drunken-men are apt to fall aſleep. And Opiates and Stupefactives
(as Poppy, Henbane, Hemlock, &
c.) induce a kinde of Drunkenneß by the groſsneſs
of
their Vapor, as Wine doth by the quantity of the Vapor.
Beſides, they rob
the
Spirits Animal of their Matter where by they are nouriſhed;
for the Spirits
of
the Wine, prey upon it as well as they, and ſo they make the Spirits leſs
ſupple
and apt to move.
Drunken-men imagine every thing turneth round; they imagine alſo,
55725. that things come upon them;
they ſee not well things afar off; thoſe things
that
they ſee near hand, they ſee out of their place;
and (ſometimes) they
ſee
things double.
The cauſe of the imagination that things turn round is,
for
that the Spirits them ſelves turn, being compreſſed by the Vapor of the
Wine
;
(for any Liquid Body upon Compreſſion turneth, as we ſee in Water:)
And it is all one to the ſight, whether the Viſual Spirits move, or the Object
moveth
, or the Medium moveth;
and we ſee, that long turning round breed-
eth
the ſame imagination.
The cauſe of the imagination that things come
upon
them is, for that the Spirits Viſual themſelves draw back, which maketh
the
Object ſeem to come on;
and beſides, when they ſee things turn
round
and move, Fear maketh them think they come upon them.
The
cauſe
that they cannot ſee things afar off, is the weakneſs of the Spirits;
for
in
every Megrim or Vertigo, there is an Obtenebration joyned with a ſem-
blance
of Turning round, which we ſee alſo in the lighter ſort of Swoonings.
187153Century VIII. The cauſe of ſeeing things out of their place, is the refraction of the Spirits
viſual
;
for the va por is as an unequal Medium, and it is as the ſight of things
out
of place in Water.
The cauſe of ſeeing things double, is the ſwift and
unquiet
motion of the Spirits (being oppreſſed) to and ſro;
for (as was ſaid
beſore
) the motion of the Spirits viſual, and the motion of the object make
the
ſame appearances;
and for the ſwift motion of the object, we ſee that if
you
fillip a Lute ſtring, it ſheweth double or trebble.
Men are ſooner Drunk with ſmall draughts then with great. And again,
11726. Wine ſugared, inebriateth leſs then Wine pure.
The cauſe of the former is,
for
that the Wine deſcendeth not ſo faſt to the Bottom of the Stomack, but
maketh
longer ſtay in the upper part of the Stomack, and ſendeth Vapors
faſter
to the Head, and therefore inebriateth ſooner.
And for the ſame reaſon,
Sops
in Wine (quantity for quantity) inebriate more then Wine of it ſelf.
The cauſe of the latter is, for that the Sugar doth inſpiſſate the Spirits of the
Wine
, and maketh them not ſo eaſie to reſolve into Vapor.
Nay further, it
is
thought to be ſome remedy againſt inebriating, if Wine ſugared be taken
after
Wine pure.
And the ſame effect is wrought, either by Oyl or Milk taken
upon
much Drinking.
THe uſe of Wine in dry and conſumed Bodies is hurtful, in moiſt and ſull
22727. Bodies it is good.
The cauſe is, for that the Spirits of the Wine do prey
33Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Help
or hurt
of
Wine,
though
Mode-
rately
uſed.
upon the Dew or radical moiſture (as they term it) of the Body, and ſo deceive
the
Animal Spirits.
But where there is moiſture enough, or ſuper fluous, there
Wine
helpeth to digeſt and deſiccate the moiſture.
THe Caterpiller is one of the moſt general of Worms, and breedeth of
44728. Dew and Leaves;
for we ſee infinite number of Catterpillers which breed
55Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Catterpillers
.
upon Trees and Hedges, by which the Leaves of the Trees or Hedges are in
great
part conſumed;
as well by their breeding out of the Leaf, as by their
feeding
upon the Leaf.
They breed in the Spring chiefly, becauſe then there
is
both Dew and Leaf.
And they breed commonly when the Eaſt Winds
have
much blown:
The cauſe whereof is, the dryneſs of that Wind; for to
all
Vivification upon Putrefaction, it is requiſite the matter be not too moiſt:
And therefore we ſee they have Cobwebs about them, which is a ſign of a
ſlimy
dryneſs;
as we ſee upon the Ground, whereupon by Dew and Sun
Cobwebs
breed all over.
We ſee alſo the Green Catterpiller breedeth in the in-
ward
parts of Roſes, eſpecially not blown where the Dew ſticketh:
But
eſpecially
Catterpillers, both the greateſt and the moſt, breed upon Cabbages,
which
have a fat Leaf, and apt to putrifie.
The Catterpiller toward the end of
Summer
waxeth volatile, and turneth to a Butterflie, or perhaps ſome other
Flie
.
There is a Catterpiller that hath a Fur or Down upon him, and ſeemeth to
have
affinity with the Silk worm.
THe Flies Cantharides, are bred of a Worm or Catterpiller, but peculiar to
66729. certain Fruit-trees;
as are the Fig-tree, the Pine-tree, and the Wilde
77Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Flies
Cantha-
rides
.
Bryar;
all which bear ſweet Fruit, and Fruit that hath a kinde of ſecret biting
or
ſharpneſs.
For the Fig hath a Milk in it that is ſweet and corroſive;
the Pine Apple hath a Kernel that is ſtrong and abſterſive; the Fruit of the
Bryar
is ſaid to make Children, or thoſe that eat them, ſeabbed.
And there-
fore
no marvel though Cantharides have ſuch a Corroſive and Cauteri-
zing
quality;
for there is not one other of the Inſecta, but is bred of a
duller
matter.
The Body of the Cantharides is bright coloured; and it
188154Natural Hiſtory; be, that the delicate coloured Dragon Flies may have likewiſe ſome Cor-
roſive
quality.
LAßitude is remedied by Bathing or Anointing with Oyl and warm Wa-
11730. ter.
The cauſe is, for that all Laßitude is a kinde of Contuſion and Com-
22Experiments
in
Conſort,
tuoching

Laßitude
.
preſſion of the Parts;
and Bathing and Anointing give a Relaxion or Emol-
lition
:
And the mixture of Oyl and Water is better then either of them a-
lone
, becauſe Water entreth better into the Pores, and Oyl after entry ſoft-
neth
better.
It is found alſo, that the taking of Tobacco doth help and diſcharge
Laßitude
.
The reaſon whereof is partly, becauſe by chearing or comfort-
ing
of the Spirits, it openeth the Parts compreſſed or contuſed:
And chiefly,
becauſe
it refreſheth the Spirits by the Opiate Vertue thereof, and ſo diſ-
chargeth
Wearineſs, as Sleep likewiſe doth.
In going up a Hill the Knees will be moſt weary; in going down a Hill,
33731. Thighs.
The cauſe is, for that in the Lift of the Feet, when a man goeth up
the
Hill, the weight of the Body beareth moſt upon the Knees;
and in going
down
the Hill, upon the Thighs.
THe caſting of the Skin, is by the Ancients compared to the breaking of
44732. the Secundine or Call, but not rightly;
for that were to make every caſt-
55Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Casting
of the
Skin
and Shell
in
ſome Crea-
tures
.
ing of the Skin a new Birth:
And beſides, the Secundine is but a general
Cover
, not ſhaped according to the Parts;
but the Skin is ſhaped according
to
the Parts.
The Creatures that caſt their Skin are, the Snake, the Viper,
the
Grashopper, the Lizard, the Silk-worm, &
c. Thoſe that caſt their Shell are,
the
Lobſter, the Crab, the Cra-fish, the Hodmandod or Dodman, the Tortoiſe, &
c.
The old Skins are found, but the old Shells never: So as it is like they ſcale
off
, and crumble away by degrees.
And they are known by the extream
tenderneſs
and ſoftneſs of the new Shell;
and ſomewhat by the freſhneſs of
the
colour of it.
The cauſe of the caſting and Skin and Shell ſhould ſeem
to
be the great quantity of matter in thoſe Creatures, that is fit to make
Skin
or Shell:
And again, the looſnefs of the Skin or Shell, that ſticketh
not
cloſe to the Fleſh.
For it is certain, that it is the new Skin or Shell
that
putteth off the old.
So we ſee that in Deer, it is the young Horn that
putteth
off the old.
And in Birds, the young Feathers put off the old; and
ſo
Birds that have much matter for their Beak, caſt their Beaks, the new
Beak
putting off the old.
LYing not Frect but Hollow, which is in the making of the Bed, or with
66733. the Legs gathered up, which is in the poſture of the Body, is the more
77Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
Poſtures
of the
Body
.
wholeſome, @hereaſon is the better comforting of the Stomack, which is
by
that leſs penſile;
and we ſee, that in weak Stomacks, the laying up of the
Legs
high, and the Knees almoſt to the Mouth, helpeth and comforteth.
We ſee alſo that Gally-ſlaves, not with ſtanding their miſery other wiſe, are
commonly
fat and fleſhy;
and the reaſon is, becauſe the Stomack is ſup-
ported
ſome what in ſitting, and is penſile in ſtanding or going.
And there-
fore
for Prolongation of Life, it is good to chuſe thoſe Exerciſes where the
Limbs
move more then the Stomack and Belly;
as in Rowing and in Saw-
ing
, being ſet.
Megrims and Giddineß are rather when we Riſe, after long ſitting, then
88734. while we ſit.
The cauſe is, for that the Vapors which were gathered by
ſitting
, by the ſudden Motion flie more up in to the Head.
Leaning upon any Part maketh it Num, and, as we call it, Aſleep.
99735.
189155Century VIII. The cauſeis, for that the Compreſſion of the Parts ſuffereth not the Spirits
to
have free acceſs;
and therefore, when we come out of it, we feel a ſting
ing
or pricking, which is the re entrance of the Spirits.
IT hath been noted, That thoſe Years are peſtilential and unwholſome,
11736. when there are great numbers of Frogs, Flies, Locuſts, &
c. The cauſe is
22Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Peſtilential

Years
.
plain;
for that thoſe Creatures being ingendred of Putrefaction, when they
abound
, ſhew a general diſpoſition of the Year, and conſtitution of the Air
to
Diſeaſes of Putrefaction.
And the ſame Prognoſtick (as hath been ſaid
before
) holdeth, if you finde Worms in Oak Apples.
For the Conſtitution
of
the Air appeareth more ſubtilly in any of theſe things, then to the ſenſe of
Man
.
IT is an obſervation amongſt Country people, that Years of ſtore of Haws
33737. and Heps, do commonly portend cold Winters;
and they aſcribe it to
44Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Pro
gnoſticks of
Hard
Winters.
Gods Providence, that (as the Soripture ſaith) reacheth even to the falling of a
Sparrow
;
and much more is like to reach to the Preſervation of Birds in ſuch
Seaſons
.
The Natural cauſe alſo may be the want of Heat, and abundance of
Moiſture
in the Summer precedent, which putteth forth thoſe Fruits, and
muſt
needs leave great quantity of cold Vapors not diſſipate, which cauſeth
the
cold of the Winter following.
THey have in Turkey a Drink ealled Coffee, made of a Berry of the ſame
55738. name, as black as Soot, and of a ſtrong ſent, but not aromatical, which
66Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Medicines
that
Condence
and
Relieve
the
Spirits
.
they take, beaten into powder, in Water as hot as they can drink it:
And
they
take it, and ſit at it in their Coffee-Houſes, which are like our Taverns.
This Drink comforteth the Brain and Heart, and helpeth Digeſtion. Cer-
tainly
this Berry Coffee, the Root and Leaf Betel, the Leaf Tobacco, and the
Teare
of Poppy, (Opium) of which, the Turks are great takers (ſuppoſing it
expelleth
all fear;
do all condence the Spirits, and make them ſtrong and
aleger
.
But it ſeemeth they are taken after ſeveral manners; for Coffee and
Opium
are taken down, Tobacco but in Smoak, and Betel is but champed in
the
Mouth with a little Lime.
It is like, there are more of them, if they were
well
found out, and well corrected.
Quære, of Henbane-ſeed, of Mandrake,
of
Saffron, Root and Flower, of Folium Indum, of Ambergreece, of the Aſ-
ſyrian
Amomum, if it may be had;
and of the Scarlet Powder which they
call
Kermez;
and (generally) of all ſuch things as do inebriate and provoke
ſleep
.
Note, that Tobacco is not taken in Root or Seed, which are more forci-
ble
ever then Leaves.
THe Turks have a black Powder made of a Mineral called Alcohole, which
77739. with a fine long Pencil they lay under their Eye-lids, which doth colour
88Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Paintings
of
the
Body.
them black, whereby the White of the Eye is ſet off more white.
With
the
ſame Powder they colour alſo the Hairs of their Eye-lids, and of their
Eye-brows
, which they draw into embowed Arches.
You ſhall finde that
Xenophon
maketh mention, that the Medes uſed to paint their Eyes.
The
Turks
uſe with the ſame Tincture to colour the Hair of their Heads and Beards
black
:
And divers with us that are grown Gray, and yet would appear young,
finde
means to make their Hair black, by combing it (as they ſay) with a
Leaden
Comb, or the like.
As for the Chineſes, who are of an ill Complexion,
(being Olivaſter) they paint their Cheeks Scarlet, eſpecially their King and
Grandees
.
Generally, Barbarous People that go naked, do not onely
190156Natural Hiſtory; themſelves, but they pounce and raſe their skin, that the Painting may not
be
taken forth, and make it into Works:
So do the Weſt-Indians; and ſo did
the
ancient Picts and Britons.
So that it ſeemeth Men would have the colours
of
Birds Feathers, if they could tell how, or at leaſt they will have gay Skins in
ſtead
of gay Cloaths.
IT is ſtrange that the uſe of Bathing as a part of Diet is left. With the Ro-
11740. mans and the Grecians it was as uſual as Eating or Sleeping;
and ſo is it
22Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Uſe
of Bath-
ing
and An-
ointing
.
amongſt the Turks at this day;
whereas with us it remaineth but as a part of
Phyſick
.
I am of opinion, that the uſe of it as it was with the Romans, was
hurtful
to health;
for that it made the Body ſoft and eaſie to waſte. For the
Turks
it is more proper, becauſe their drinking Water, and feeding upon
Rice
, and other Food of ſmall nouriſhment, maketh their Bodies ſo ſolid
and
hard, as you need not fear that Bathing ſhould make them frothy.
Be-
ſides
, the Turks are great ſitters, and ſeldom walk;
whereby they ſweat leſs,
and
need Bathing more.
But yet certain it is, that Bathing, and eſpecially An-
ointing
, may be ſo uſed, as it may be a great help to Health, and Prolongation
of
Life.
But here of we ſhall ſpeak in due place, when we come to handle
Experiments
Medicinal.
THe Turks have a pretty Art of Chamoletting of Paper, which is not with
33741. us in uſe.
They take divers Oyled Colours, and put them ſeverally (in
44Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Cha
moletting
of
Paper.
drops) upon Water, and ſtir the Water lightly, and then wet their Paper
(being of ſome thickneſs) with it;
and the Paper will be waved and veined
like
Chamolet or Marble.
IT is ſome what ſtrange, that the Blood of all Birds, and Beaſts, and Fiſhes,
55742. ſhould be of a Red colour, and onely the Blood of the Cuttle ſhould be
66Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Cuttle-Ink
.
as black as Ink.
A man would think that the cauſe ſhould be the high Con-
coction
of that Blood;
for we ſee in ordinary Puddings, that the Boyling
t
urneth the Blood to be black;
and the Cuttle is accounted a delicate Meat,
and
is much in requeſt.
IT is reported of credit, That if you take Earth from Land adjoyning to the
77743. River of Nile, and preſerve it in that manner, that it neither come to be
88Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Encreaſe
of
Weight
in
Earth
.
wet nor waſted, and weigh it daily, it will not alter weight until the Se-
venteenth
of June, which is the day when the River beginneth to riſe,
and
then it will grow more and more ponderous till the River cometh to
his
height.
Which if it be true, it cannot be cauſed but by the Air,
which
then beginneth to condenſe;
and ſo turneth within that ſmall
Mould
into a degree of Moiſture, which produceth weight.
So it hath
been
obſerved, that Tobacco cut and weighed, and then dryed by the
Fire
, loſeth weight;
and after being laid in the open Air, recovereth
weight
again.
And it ſhould ſeem, that as ſoon as ever the River beginneth
to
increaſe, the whole Body of the Air there abouts ſuffereth a change:
For
(that which is more ſtrange) it is credibly affirmed, that upon that very
day
, when the River firſt riſeth, great Plagues in Cairo uſe ſuddenly to
break
up.
THoſe that are very cold, and eſpecially in their Feet, cannot get to Sleep.
99744. The cauſe may be, for that in Sleep is required a free reſpiration, which
1010Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching

Sleep
.
cold doth ſhut in and hinder:
For we ſee, that in great Colds, one can
191157Century VIII. draw his Breath. Another cauſe may be, for that Cold calleth the Spiritsto
ſuccor
;
and therefore they cannot ſo well cloſe, and go together in the
Head
, which is ever requiſite to Sleep And for the ſame cauſe, Pain and
noiſe
hinder ſleep, and darkneſs (contrariwiſe) furthereth ſleep.
Some noiſes (whereof we ſpake in the 112 Experiment) help Sleep; as
11745. the blowing of the Wind, the trickling of Water, humming of Bees, ſoft
ſinging
reading, &
c. The cauſe is, for that they move in the Spirits a gen-
tle
attention;
and whatſoever moveth attention, without too much labor,
ſtilleth
the natural and diſcurſive motions of the Spirits.
Sleep nouriſheth, or at leaſt preſerveth, Bodies a long time, without
22746. other nouriſhment.
Beaſts that ſleep in Winter, (as it is noted of wilde
Bears
) during their ſleep wax very fat, though they eat nothing.
Bats
have
been found in Ovens, and other hollow cloſe places, matted one
upon
another;
and therefore it is likely that they ſleep in the VVinter
time
, and eat nothing.
Quare whether Bees do not ſleep all VVinter, and
ſpare
their Honey.
Butter-flies, and other Flies, do not onely ſleep, but
lie
as dead all VVinter;
and yet with a little heat of Sun or Firerevive again.
A Dormouſe, both VVinter and Summer will ſleep ſome days together,
and
eat nothing.
TO reſtore Teeth in Age, were Magnale Naturæ, it may be thought
33Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching

Teeth
and
hard
subſton.
@es
in the
Bodies
of Li-
ving
Crea.
tures
.
of;
but howſoever, thenature of the Teeth deſerveth to be enquired
of
, as well as the other parts of Living Creatures Bodies.
There be five parts in the Bodies of Living Creatures that are of hard ſub-
ſtances
;
the Skull, the Teeth, the Bones, the Horns, and the Nails. The greateſt
quantity
of hard ſubſtance continued, is towards the Head;
for there is the
44747. Skull of one entire Bone, there are the Teeth, there are Maxillary Bones,
there
is the hard Bone that is the Inſtrument of Hearing, and thence iſſue
the
Horns.
So that the building of Living Creatures Bodies is like the build-
ing
of a Timber-houſe, where the VValls and other parts have Columns
and
Beams;
but the Roof is in the better ſort of Houſes, all Tile, or Lead,
or
Stone.
As for Birds, they have three other hard ſubſtances proper to them;
the Bill, which is of the like matter with the Teeth, for no Birds have Teeth;
the
Shell of the Egg, and their Quills;
for as for their Spur, it is but a
Nail
.
Butno Living Creatures that have Shells very hard (as Oyſters, Cockles,
Muſtles
, Shalops, Crabs, Lobſters, Craw-fish, Shrimps, and eſpecially the Tortoiſe)
have
Bones within them, but onely little Griſtles.
Bones, after full growth, continue at a ſtay, and ſo doth the Skull. Horns,
55748. in ſome Creatures, are caſt and renewed:
Teeth ſtand at aftay, except their
wearing
.
As for Nails, they grow continually, and Bills and Beaks will over-
grow
, and ſometimes be caſt, as in Eagles and Parrots.
Moſt of the hard ſubſtances flie to the extreams of the Body; as Skull,
66749. Horns, Teeth, Nails, and Beaks;
onely the Bones are more inward, and clad
with
Fleſh.
As for the Entrails, they are all without Bones, ſave that a Bone
is
ſometimes found in the Heari of a Stag, and it may be in ſome other
Creatures
.
The Skull hath Brains, as a kinde of Marrow within it. The Back-bone
77750. hath one kinde of Marrow, which hath an affinity with the Brain;
and
other
Bones of the Body have another.
The Faw-bones have no Marrow fe-
vered
, but a little Pulp of Marrow diffuſed.
Teeth likewiſe are thought to
have
a kinde of Marrow diffuſed, which cauſeth the Senſe and Pain:
But
192158Natural Hiſtory; is rather Sinew; for Marrow hath no Senſe, no more then Blood. Horn is
alike
throughout, and ſo is the Nail.
None other of the hard ſubſtances have Senſe, but the Teeth; and the
11751. Teeth have Senſe, not onely oſ Pain, but of Cold.
But we will leave the Enquiries of other Hard Subſtances unto their ſeve-
# ral places, and now enquire onely of the Teeth.
The Teeth are in Men of three kindes, Sharp, as the Fore-teeth; Broad, as
22752. the Back-teeth, which we call the Molar-teeth, or Grinders;
and Pointed-teeth,
or
Canine, which are between both.
But there have been ſome Men that
have
had their Teeth undivided, as of one whole Bone, with ſome little
mark
in the place of the Diviſion, as Pyrrhus had.
Some Creatures have
over-long
or out growing Teah, which we call Fangs or Tusks;
as Boars,
Pikes
, Salmons, and Dogs, though leſs.
Some Living Creatures have Teeth
againſt
Teeth, as Men and Horſes;
and ſome have Teeth, eſpecially their Maſter-
teeth
, indented one within another like Saws, as Lions;
and ſo again have
Dogs
.
Some Fishes have divers Rows of Teeth in the Roofs of their Mouths;
as Pikes, Salmons, Trouts, & c. and many more in Salt. waters. Snakes and other
Serpents
have venemous Tee@h, which are ſometimes miſtaken for their
Sting
.
No Beaſt that hath Horns hath upper-teeth; and no Beaſt that hath Teeth
33753. above, wanteth them below.
But yetif they be of the ſame kinde, it follow-
eth
not, that if the hard matter goeth not into upper-teeth, it will go into
Horns
;
nor yet è converſo, for Does that have no Horns, have no upper-
teeth
.
Horſes have, at three years old, a Tooth put forth which they call the
44754. Colis-tooth;
and at four years old, there cometh the Mark-tooth, which hath
a
hole ſo big as you may lay a Peaſe within it;
and that weareth ſhorter
and
ſhorter every year, till that at eight years old the Tooth is ſmooth,
and
the hole gone;
and then they ſay, That the Mark is out of the Horſes
Mouth
.
The Teeth of Men breed firſt; when the Childe is about a year and
55755. half old, and then they caſt them, and new come about ſeven years old.
But
divershave
Backward-teeth come forth attwenty, yea, ſome at thirty, and
forty
.
Quare of the manner of the coming of them forth. They tell atale
of
the old Counteſs of Deſmond, who lived till ſhe was Sevenſcore years
old
, that ſhe did Dentire twice orthrice, caſting her old Teeth, and others
coming
in their place.
Teeth are much hurt by Sweet-meats, and by Painting with Mercury,
66756. and by things over-hot, and by things over-cold, and by Rheums.
And the
pain
of the Teeth, is one of the ſharpeſt of pains.
Concerning Teeth, theſe things are to be conſidered. 1. The preſerving
77757. of them.
2. The keeping of them white. 3. The drawing of them with
leaſt
pain.
4. The ſtaying and eaſing of the Tooth-ach. 5. The binding in
of
Artificial Teeth, where Teeth have been ſtrucken out.
6. And laſt of
all
, that great one, of reſtoring Teeth in Age.
The inſtances that give any
likelihood
of reſtoring Teeth in Age, are, The late coming of Teeth in
ſome
, and the renewing of the Beaks in Birds, which are commaterial with
Teeth
.
Quare thereſore more particularly how that cometh. And again,
the
renewing of Horns, But yet that hath not been known to have been
provoked
by Art;
therefore let tryal be made, whether Horns may be pro-
cured
to grow in Beaſts that are not horned, and how;
and whether they
may
be procured to come larger then uſual, as to make an Ox or a
193159Century VIII. have a greater Head of Horns; and whether the Head of a Deer, that by
age
is more ſpitted, may be brought again to be more branched.
For
theſe
tryals and the like will ſhew, Whether by art ſuch hard matter can
be
called and provoked.
It may be tryed alſo, whether Birds may not have
ſomething
done to them when they are young, whereby they may be made
to
have greater or longer Bills, or greater and longer Talons:
And whe-
ther
Children may not have ſome Waſh, or ſomething to make their
Teeth
better and ſtronger.
Coral is in uſe as an help to the Teeth of
Children
.
SOme Living Creatures generate but at certain ſeaſons of the year; as
11758. Deer, Sheep, Wilde Coneys, &
c. and moſt ſorts of Birds and Fishes: Others
22Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
Generation

and
Bearing
of
Living
Creatures
in
the
Womb.
at any time of the year, as Men;
and all Domeſtick Creatures, as Horſes,
Hogs
, Dogs, Cats, &
c. The cauſe of Generation at all ſeaſons, ſeemeth to be
Fulneſs
;
for Generation is from Redundance. This Fulneſs ariſeth from two
cauſes
, Either from the Nature of the Creature, if it be Hot, and Moiſt, and
Singuine
, or from Plenty of Food.
For the firſt, Men, Horſes, Dogs, & c.
which breed at all ſeaſons, are full of Heat and Moiſture; Doves are the full-
eſt
of Heat and Moiſture amongſt Birds, and therefore breed often, the
Tame
Dove almoſt continually.
But Deer are a Melancholick dry Creature,
as
appeareth by their fearfulneſs, and the hardneſs of their Fleſh.
sheep are a
cold
Creature, as appeareth by their mildneſs, and for that they ſeldom
drink
.
Moſt ſorts of Birds are of a dry ſubſtance in compariſon of Beaſts;
Fishes
are cold.
For the ſecond cauſe, Fulneſs of Food, Men, Kine, Swine,
Dogs
, &
c. feed full. And we ſee, that thoſe Creatures which, being Wilde,
generate
ſeldom, being tame, generate often;
which is from warmth and
fulneſs
of food.
Wefinde that the time of going to Rut of Deer is in Sep-
tember
, for that they need the whole Summers Feed and Graſs to make them
fit
for Generation;
and if Rain come early about the middle of September,
they
go to Rut ſomewhat the ſooner;
if Drought, ſomewhat the later. So
Sheep
, in reſpect of their ſmall heat, generate about the ſame time, or ſome-
what
before.
But for the moſt part, Creatures that generate at certain ſea-
ſons
generate in the Spring;
as Birds and Fiſhes: For that the end of the
Winter
, and the heat and comfort of the Spring prepareth them.
There is
alſo
another reaſon why ſome Creatures generate at certain ſeaſons, and that
is
the Relation of their time of Bearing to the time of Generation;
for no
Creature
goeth to generate whileſt the Female is full, nor whileſt ſhe is buſie
in
ſitting;
or rearing her young; and therefore it is found by experience, that
if
you take the Eggs or Young-ones out of the Neſts of Birds, they will fall
to
generate again three or four times one after another.
Of Living Creatures, ſome are longet time in the Womb, and ſome
33759. ſhorter.
Women go commonly nine Moneths, the Cow and the Ewe about
ſix
Moneths, Doesgo about nine Moneths, Mares eleven Moneths, Bitches
nine
Weeks;
Elephants are ſaid to go two years, for the received Tra-
dition
of ten years is fabulous.
For Birds there is double enquiry; the di-
ſtance
between the treading or coupling, and the laying of the Egg;
and
again
, between the Egglaid, and the diſcloſing or hatching.
And amongſt
Birds
there is leſs diverſity of time then amongſt other Creatures, yet ſome
there
is;
forithe Hen ſitteth but three weeks, the Turky-hen, Gooſe
and
Duck, a moneth.
Quære of others. The cauſe of the great difference
of
times amongſt Living Creatures is, either from the nature of the
194160Natural Hiſtory; or from the conſtitution of the Womb. For the former, thoſe that are longer
in
coming to their maturity or growth, are longer in the Womb, as is chiefly
ſeen
in Men;
and ſo Elephants, which are long in the Womb, are long time
in
coming to their full growth.
But in moſt other Kinds, the conſtitution of
the
Womb (that is, the hardneſs or dryneſs thereof) is concurrent with the
former
cauſe.
Forthe Colt hath about four years of growth, and ſo the Fawn,
and
ſo the Calf;
but Whelps, which come to their growth (commonly) with-
in
three quarters of a year, are but nine weeks in the Womb.
As for Birds, as
there
is leſs diverfity amongſt them in the time of their bringing forth, ſo
there
is leſs diverſity in the time of their growth, moſt of them coming to
their
growth within a twelve-moneth.
Some Creatures bring forth many young ones at a Burthen; as Bitches,
11760. Hares, Coneys, &
c. ſome (ordinarily) but one; as Women, Lioneſſes, & c.
This may be cauſed, either by the quantity of Sperm required to the pro-
ducing
one of that Kind;
which if leſs be required, may admit greater num-
ber
;
if more, fewer: Or by the Partitions and Cells of the Womb, which
may
ſever the Sperm.
THere is no doubt but Light by Refraction will ſhew greater, as well as
22761. things coloured;
for like as a ſhilling in the bottom of the Water will
33Experiments
in
Conſott,
touching

Species
viſible.
ſhew greater, ſo will a Candle in a Lanthorn in the bottom of the Water.
I
have
heard of a practice, that Gloworms in Glaſſes were put in the Waterto
makethe
Fiſh come.
But I am not yet informed, whether when a Diver
diveth
, having his eyes open, and ſwimmeth upon his back, whether (I ſay)
he
ſeeth things in the Air, greater or leſs.
For it is manifeſt, that when the
eye
ſtandeth in the finer medium, and the object is in the groſſer, things ſhew
greater
, but contrariwiſe, when the eye is placed in the groſſer medium, and
the
object in the finer, how it worketh I know not.
It would be well boulted out, whether great Refractions may not be
44762. made upon Reflexions, as well as upon direct beams.
For example, we ſee,
that
take an empty Baſon, put an Angel of Gold, or what you will into it;
then go ſo far from the Baſon till you cannot ſee the Angel, becauſe it is not
in
a right Line;
then fill the Baſon with Water, and you ſhall ſee it out of
his
place, becauſe of the Reflexion.
To proceed therefore, put a Looking-
glaſs
into a Baſon of Water;
I ſuppoſe you ſhall not ſee the Image in a right
Line
, or at equal Angles, but aſide.
I know not whether this Experiment may
not
be extended ſo, as you might ſee the Image, and not the Glaſs;
which
for
beauty and ſtrangeneſs were a fine proof, for then you ſhall ſee the Image
like
a Spirit in the Air.
As for example, if there be a Ciſtern or Pool of Water,
you
ſhall place over againſt it a picture of the Devil, or what you will, ſo as
you
do not ſee the Water, then put a Looking glaſs in the Water:
Now if
you
can ſee the Devils picture aſide, not ſeeing the Water, it will look like a
Devil
indeed.
They have an old tale in Oxford, That Fryer Bacon walked be-
tween
two Steeples;
which was thought to be done by Glafſes, when he
walked
upon the Ground.
AWeighty Body put into Motion, is more eaſily impelled then at firſt
55763. when it reſteth.
The cauſe is, partly becauſe Motion doth diſcuſs the
66Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching
the
Impulſion
and
Percußion
.
Torpour of ſolid Bodies, which beſide their Motion of Gravity, have in them
a
Natural Appetite not to move at all;
and partly, becauſe a Body that reſt-
eth
doth get, by the reſiſtance of the Body upon which it reſteth, a
195161Century V III. comprcſſion of parts then it hat of it ſelf, and therefore needeth more force
to
be put in motion.
For if a weighty Body be penſile, and hang but by a
thred
, the percuſſion will make an impulſion very near as eaſily as iſ it were
already
in motion.
A Body-over-great or over-ſmall, will not be thrown ſo far as a Body of
11764. a middle ſize;
ſo that (it ſeemeth) there muſt be a commenſuration or pro-
portion
bet ween the Body moved, and the force, to make it move well.
The
cauſe
is, becauſe to the Impulſion there is requiſite the force of the Bo dy
that
moveth, and the reſiſtance of the Body that is moved;
and if the
Body
be too great, it yieldeth too little;
and if it be too ſmall, it reſiſterh
too
little.
It is common experience, that no weight will preſs or cut ſo ſtrong be-
22765. ing laid upon a Body, as falling or ſtrucken from above.
It may be the Air
hath
ſome part in furthering the percufſion:
But the chief cauſe I take to be,
for
that the parts of the Body moved, have by impulſion, or by the motion
of
gravity continued, a compreſſion in them as well downwards, as they have
when
they are thrown or ſhot through the Air ſorwards.
I conceive alſo,
that
the quick looſe of that motion preventeth the reſiſtance of the Body be-
low
;
and priority of the force (always) is of great efficacy, as appeareth in
infinite
inſtances.
TIckling is moſt in the Soles of the Feet, and under the Arm-holes, and
33766. on the Sides.
The cauſe is, the thinneſs of the Skin in thoſe parts, joyned
44Experiment
Solitary
,
touching

Titillation
.
with the rareneſs of being touched there;
for all Tickling is a light motion
of
the Spirits, which the thinneſs of the Skin, and ſuddenneſs and rareneſs
of
touch do further:
For we ſee a Feather or a Ruſh drawn along the Lip
or
Cheek, doth tickle;
whereas a thing more obtuſe, or a touch more
hard
, doth not.
And for ſuddenneſs, we ſee no man can ticklehimſelf: We
ſee
alſo, that the Palm of the Hand, though it hath as thin a Skin as the other
parts
mentioned, yet is not tickliſh, becauſe it is accuſtomed to betouched.
Tickling alſo cauſeth Laughter. The cauſe may be the emiſſion of the Spirits,
and
ſo of the Breath, by a flight from Titillation;
for upon Tickling, we
ſee
there is ever a ſtarting or ſhrinking away of the part to avoid it;
and
we
ſee alſo, that if you tickle the Noſtrils with a Feather or Straw, it
procureth
Sneezing, which is a ſudden emiſſion of the Spirits, that do
like
wiſe expel the moiſture.
And Tickling is ever painſul, and not well
endured
.
IT is ſtrange, that the River of Nilus overflowing, as it doth the Countrey
55767. of Egypt, there ſhould be nevertheleſs little or no Rain in that Countrey.
66Experiment
Solitary
,
touching
the
Scarcity
of
Rain
in
Egypt
.
The cauſe muſt be, either in the Nature of the Water, or in the Nature
of
the Air, or of both.
In the Water, it may be aſcribed either tinto
the
long race of the Water;
for ſwiſt-running Waters vapor not ſo much
as
ſtanding Waters, or elſe to the concoction of the Water;
for Waters well
concocted
, vapor not ſo much as Waters raw, no more then Waters upon
the
fire do vapor ſo much, after ſome time of boyling, as at the firſt.
And it is true, that the Water of Nilus is ſweeter then other Waters in taſte;
and
it is excellent good for the Stone, and Hypochondriacal Melancholy,
which
ſheweth it is lenifying;
and it runneth through a Countrey of a
hot
Climate, and flat, without ſhade either of Woods or Hills, whereby
the
Sun muſt needs have great power to concoct ir.
As for the Air (from
whence
I conceive this want of Showers cometh chiefly) the cauſe muſt
196162Natural Hiſtory; for that the Air is of it ſelf thin and thirſty, and as ſoon as ever it getteth
any
moiſture from the Water, it imbibeth, and d ſſipateth it in the whole
Body
of the Air, and ſuffereth it not to romain in Vapor, where by it might
breed
Rain.
IT hath been touched in the Title of Perlocations, (namely, ſuch as are in-
11768.
Expetiment

Solitary
,
touching

Clarification
.
wards) that the Whites of Eggs and Milk do clarifie;
and it is certain,
that
in Egypt they prepare and clarifie the Water of Nile, by putting it into
great
Jars of Stone, and ſtirring it about with a few ſtamped Almonds, where-
with
they alſo beſmear the Mouth of the Veſſel;
and ſo draw it off, after it
hath
reſted ſome time.
It were good to try this Clarifying with Almonds in
new
Beer or Muſt, to haſten and perfect the Clarifying.
THere be ſcarce to be found any Vegetables that have Branches and no
22769.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Plants
with-
out
Leaves.
Leaves, except you allow Coral for one.
But there is alſo in the Deſarts
of
S.
Macario in Egypt, a Plant which is long, Leafleſs, brown of colour, and
branched
like Coral, fave that it cloſeth at the top.
This being ſet in Water
within
Houſe, ſpredeth and diſplayeth ſtrangely;
and the people thereabout
have
a ſuperſtitious belief, that in the Labor of Women it helpeth to the eaſie
Deliverance
.
THe Cryſtalline Venice-Glaß is reported to be a mixture, in equal portions,
33770.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Materials
of
Glaß
.
of Stones brought from Pavia, by the River Ticinum, and the Aſhes of a
Weed
called by the Arabs, Kall, which is gathered in a Deſart bet ween
Alexandria
and Roſetta;
and is by the Egyptians uſed firſt for Fuel, and then
they
cruſh the Aſhes into lumps like a Stone, and ſoſell them to the Venetians
for
their Glaſs-works.
IT is ſtrange, and well to be noted, how long Carcaſſes have continued
44771.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Prohibition
of
Putrefactiou
,
and
the long
Conſervation

of
Bodies.
uncorrupt, and in their former Dimenſions;
as appeareth in the Mummies
of
Egypt, having laſted, as is conceived (ſome of them) three thouſand
years
.
It is true, they finde means to draw forth the Brains, and to take
forth
the Entrails, which are the parts apteſt to corrupt.
But that is no-
thing
to the wonder;
for we ſee what a ſoft and corruptible ſubſtance the
Fleſh
of all the other parts of the Body is.
But it ſhould ſeem, that accord-
ing
to our obſervation and axiom, in our hundredth Experiments, Putre.
faction, which we conceive to be ſo natural a Period of Bodies, is but an
accident
, and that Matter maketh not that haſte to Corruption that is
conceived
;
and therefore Bodies in ſhining Amber, in Quick-ſilver, in
Balms
, (where of we now ſpeak) in Wax, in Honey, in Gums, and (it
may
be) in Conſervatories of Snow, &
c. are preſerved very long. It need
not
go for repetition, if we reſume again that which we ſaid in the afore-
ſaid
Experiments concerning Annihilation, namely, That if you provide
againſt
three cauſes of Putrefaction, Bodies will not corrupt.
The firſt is,
that
the Air be excluded;
for that undermineth the Body, and conſpireth
with
the Spirit of the Body to diſſolveit.
The ſecond is, that the Body adja-
cent
and ambient be not Commaterial, but meerly Heterogeneal to wards
the
Body that is to be preſerved;
for if nothing can be received by the
one
, nothing can iſſue from the other;
ſuch are Quick-ſilver and White Am-
ber
to Herbs and Flies, and ſuch Bodies.
The third is, that the Body to be
preſerved
, be not of that groſs that it may corrupt within it ſelf, although no
part
of it iſſue into the Body adjacent;
and therefore it muſt be rather
197163Century VIII. and ſmall then of Bulk. There is a fourth Remedy alſo, which is, That if
the
Body to be preſerved, be of bulk, as a Corps is, then the Body that in-
cloſeth
it muſt have a virtue to draw forth and dry the moiſture of the in-
ward
Body;
for elſe the Putrefaction will play within, though nothing ifſue
forth
.
I remember Livy doth relate, that there were found at a time two
Coffins
of Lead in a Tomb, where of the one contained the Body of King
Numa
, it being ſome Four hundred years after his death;
and the other, his
Books
of Sacred Rites and Ceremonies, and the Diſcipline of the Pontiffs:
And that in the Coffin that had the Body, there was nothing (at all) to be ſeen
but
a little light Cinders about the ſides;
but in the Coffin that had the
Books
, they were found as freſh as if they had been but newly written, being
written
in Parchment, and covered over with Watch-candles of Wax three
or
four fold.
By this it ſeemeth, that the Romans in Numa’s time were not
ſo
good Embalmers as the Egyptians were;
which was the cauſe that the
Body
was utterly conſumed.
But I finde in Plutarch and others, that when
Auguſtus
Caſar viſited the Sepulchre of Alexander the Great in Alexandria,
he
found the Body to keep his Dimenſion;
but withal, that not with ſfanding
all
the Embalming (which no doubt was of the beſt) the Body was ſo tender,
as
Caſar touching but the Noſe of it, defaced it.
Which maketh mefinde it
very
ſtrange, that the Egyptian Mummies ſhould be reported to be as hard
as
Stone-pitch:
For I finde no difference but one. which indeed may be
very
material;
namely, that the ancient Egyptian Mummies were ſhrowded
in
a number of folds of Linnen, beſmeared with Gums, in manner of
Sear-cloth
;
which it doth not appear, was practifed upon the Body of
Alexander
.
NEar the Caſtle of Catie, and by the Wells Aſſan, in the Land of Idumæa,
11772.
Expetiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Abundance

of
Nitre in
certain
Sea.
ſhores
.
a great part of the way, you would think the Sea were near hand,
though
it be a good diſtance of:
And it is nothing, but the ſhining of the
Nitre
upon the Sea-ſands;
ſuch abundance of Nitre the Shores there do put
forth
.
THe Dead-Sea, which vomiteth up Bitumen, is of that Ctaſſitude, as
22773.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Bodies
that
are
borne up
by
Water.
Living Bodies, bound hand and foot, and caſt into it, have been borne
up
and not ſunk:
Which ſheweth, that all ſinking into Water, is but an over-
weight
of the Body put into the Water, in reſpect of the Water;
ſo that
you
may make Water ſo ſtrong and heavy of Quick-ſilver, (perhaps) or the
like
, as may bear up Iron;
of which I ſee no uſe, but Impoſture. We
ſee
alſo, that all Metals, except Gold, for the ſame reaſon ſwim upon
Quick
ſilver.
IT is reported, that at the Foot of a Hill near the Mare mortuum, there is a
33774.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Fucl
that con-
ſumeth
lit@le or
nothing
.
Black Stone (where of Pilgrims make Fires) which burneth like a Coal and
diminiſheth
not, but onely waxeth brighter and whiter.
That it ſhould do
ſo
, is not ſtrange;
for we ſee Iron red hot burneth and conſumeth not.
But the ſtrangeneſs is, that it ſhould continue any time ſo; for Iron, as
ſoon
as it is out of the Fire, deadeth ſtraight-ways.
Certainly, it were a
thing
of great uſe and profit, if you could finde out Fuel that would burn
hot
, and yet laſt long:
Neither am I altogether incredulous, but there
may
be ſuch Candles as (they ſay) are made of Salamanders Wool, being a
kinde
of Mineral which whiteneth alſo in the burning, and conſumeth not.

The
Queſtion is this.
Flame muſt be made of ſome what; and commonly
198164Natural Hiſtory; is made of ſome tangible Body which hath weight; but it is not impoſſible,
perhaps
, that it ſhould be made of Spirit or Vapor in a Body, (which Spirit
or
Vapor hath no weight) ſuch as is the matter of Ignis fatuus.
But then you
will
ſay, that that Vapor alſo can laſt but a ſhort time.
To that it may be an-
ſwered
, That by the help of Oyl and Wax, and other Candle ſtuff, the flame
may
continue, and the wick not burnt.
SEa-coal laſt longer then Char-coal; and Char-coal of Roots, being coaled
11775.
Experiment

Solitary
,
Oeconomical

touching
cheap
Fewel
.
into great pieces, laſt longer then ordinary Char-coal.
Turf, and Peat,
and
Cow-ſheards are cheap Fewels, and laſt long.
Small-coal or Char-coal pour-
ed
upon Char-coal make them laſt longer.
Sedge is a cheap Fewel to Brew
or
Bake with, the rather, becauſe it is good for nothing elſe.
Tryal would
be
made of ſome mixture of Sea-coal with Earth, or Chalk;
for if that mix-
ture
be, as the Sea-coal-men uſe it privily, to make the Bulk of the Coal
greater
, it is deceit;
but if it be uſed purpoſely, and be made known, it is
ſaving
.
IT is at this day in uſe in Gaza, to couch Pot-sherds or Veſſels of Earth in their
22776.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Gathering
of
Wind
for
Freſhneß
.
Walls, to gather the Wind from the top, and to paſs it down in Spouts
into
Rooms.
It is a device for ſreſhne ſs in great Heats. And it is ſaid, there
are
ſome Rooms in Italy and Spain for freſhneſs, and gathering the Winds and
Air
in the Heats of Summer;
but they be but Pennings of the Winds, and
enlarging
them again, and making them reverberate, and go round in Cir-
cles
, rather then this device of Spouts in the Wall.
THere would be uſed much diligence in the choice of ſome Bodies and
33777.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Tryals
of
Airs
.
Places (as it were) for the taſting of Air, to diſcover the wholeſomeneſs
or
un wholeſomneſs as well of Seaſons, as of the Seats of Dwellings.
It is
certain
, that there be ſome Houſes wherein Confitures and Pies, will gather
Mould
more then in others;
and I am perſwaded, that a piece of raw Fleſh
or
Fiſh, will ſooner corrupt in ſome Airs then in others.
They be noble
Experiments
that can make this diſcovery;
for they ſerve for a Natural
Divination
of Seaſons, better then the Aſtronomers can by their Figures;
and again, they teach men where to chuſe their dwelling for their better
health
.
THere is a kinde of Stone about Bethlehem which they grinde to powder,
44778.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Increaſing
of
Milk
in
Milk-Beaſts
.
and put into Water, where of Cattel drink, which maketh them give
more
Milk.
Surely, there would be ſome better Tryals made of Mixtures
of
Water in Ponds for Cattel, to make them more Milch, or to fatten them,
or
to keep them from Murrain.
It may be, Chalk and Nitre are of the
beſt
.
IT is reported, that in the Valley near the Mountain Carmel in Judea, there
55779.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Sand
of the
Nature
of
Glaß
.
is a Sand, which of all other, hath moſt affinity with Glaſs, inſomuch, as
other
Minerals laid in it, turn to a glaſſie ſubſtance without the fire;
and
again
, Glaſs put into it, turneth into the Mother-ſand.
The thing is very
ſtrange
, if it be true;
and it is likelieſt to be cauſed by ſome natural Furnace
of
Heat in the Earth, and yet they do not ſpeak of any Eruption of Flames.
It were good to try in Glaſs works, whether the crude Materials of Glaſs
mingled
with Glaſs, already made and remoulten, do not facilitate the making
of
Glaſs with leſs heat.
199165Century VIII.
IN the Sea, upon the South-Weſt of Sicily, much Coral is found. It is a Sub-
11780.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Growth
of
Coral
.
marine Plant, it hath no leaves, it brancheth onely when it is under Wa-
ter
;
it is ſoft, and green of colour; but being brought into the Air, it be-
cometh
hard, and ſhining red, as we ſee.
It is ſaid alſo to have a white
Berry
, but we finde it not brought over with the Coral:
Belike it is caſt away
as
nothing worth.
Idquire better of it, for the diſcovery of the Nature of
the
Plant.
THe Manna of Calahria is the beſt, and in moſt plenty. They gather it
22781.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Gathering
of
Manna
.
from the Leaf of the Mulberry-tree;
but not of ſuch Mulberry-trees as
grow
in the Valleys:
And Manna fa@leth upon the Leaves by night, as other
Dews
do.
It ſhould ſeem, that before thoſe Dews come upon Trees in the
Valleys
, they diſſipate and cannot hold out.
It ſhould ſeem alſo, the Mul-
berry-leaf
it ſelf hath ſome coagulating virtue, which inſpiſſateth the Dew,
for
that it is not found upon other Trees:
And we ſee by the Silk worm,
which
feedeth upon that Leaf, what a dainty ſmooth Juice it hath;
and the
Leaves
alſo (eſpecially of the Black Mulberry) are ſome what briſtly, which
may
help to preſerve the Dew.
Certainly, it were not amiſs to obſerve a lit-
tle
better the Dews that fall upon Trees or Herbs growing on Mountains;
for
it
may be, many Dews fall that ſpend before they come to the Valleys.
And
I
ſuppoſe, that he that would gather the beſt May Dew for Medicine, ſhould
gather
it from the Hills.
IT is ſaid, they have a manner to prepare their Greek Wines, to keep them
33782.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Correcting
of
Wine
.
from Fuming and Inebriating, by adding ſome Sulphur or Allum;
where of
the
one is Unctuous, and the other is Aſtringent.
And certain it is, that
thoſe
two Natures do repreſs the Fumes.
This Experiment would be tranſ-
ferred
unto other Wine and Strong-Beer, by putting in ſome like Subſtances
while
they work;
which may make them both to Fume leſs, and to inflame
leſs
.
IT is conceived by ſome, (not improbably) that the reaſon why Wild-
44783.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Materials
of
Wildfire
.
fires (where of the principal ingredient is Bitumen) do not quench with
Water
, is, for that the firſt concretion of Bitumen, is a mixture of a fiery and
watry
ſubſtance;
ſo is not Sulphur. This appeareth, for that in the place near
Puteoli
, which they call the Court of Vulcan, you ſhall hear under the
Earth
a horrible thundring of Fire and Water conflicting together;
and
there
break forth alſo Spouts of boiling Water.
Now that place yield-
eth
great quantities of Bitumen;
whereas c Ætna, and Veſuvius, and the like,
which
conſiſt upon Sulphur, ſhoot forth Smoak, and Aſhes, and Pumice,
but
no Water.
It is reported alſo, that Bitumen mingled with Lime, and put
under
Water, will make, as it were, an artificial Rock, the ſubſtance be cometh
ſo
hard.
THere is a Cement compounded of Flower, Whites of Eggs, and Stone
55784.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Plaiſter
grow-
ing
as hard as
Marble
.
powdred, that becometh hard as Marble, where with Piſcina Mirabilis,
near
Cuma, is ſaid to have the Walls plaiſtered.
And it is certain, and tried,
that
the Powder of Load-ſtone and Flint, by the addition of Whites of Eggs
and
Gum-dragon, made into Paſte, will in a few days harden to the hardneſs
of
a Stone.
200166Natural Hiſtory;
IT hath been noted by the Antients, that in full or impure Bodies, U'cers
11785.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Iudgment
of
the
Curein
ſome
Vlcers
and
Hurts.
or Hurts in the Legs are hard to cure, and in the Head more eaſie.
The
cauſe
is, for that Ulcers or Hurts in the Legs require Deſiccation, which by
the
defluxion of Humors to the lower parts is hindred, where as Hurts and
Ulcers
in the Head require it not, but, contrariwiſe, Dryneſs maketh them
more
apt to Conſolidate.
And in Modern obſervation, the like difference
hath
been found bet ween French-men and Engliſh men;
where of the ones
Conſtitution
is more dry, and the others more moiſt:
And therefore a Hurt
of
the Head is harder to cure in a French-man, and of the Leg in an Engliſh-
man
.
IT hath been noted by the Ancients, that Southern Winds blowing much
22786.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Healthfulneß

or
Vnhealth-
fulneß
of the
Southern

Wind
.
without Rain, do cauſe a Fevorous Diſpoſition of the Year;
but with Rain,
not
.
The cauſe is, for that Southern Winds do of themſelves qualifie the Air
to
be apt to cauſe Fevers;
but when Showers are joyned, they do refrigerate
in
part, and check the ſoultry Heat of the Southern Wind.
Therefore this
holdeth
not in the Sea coaſts, becauſe the vapor of the Sea without Showers
doth
refreſh.
IT hath been noted by the Ancients, that Wounds which are made with
33787.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Wounds
.
Braſs, heal more eaſily then Wounds made with Iron.
The cauſe is, for
that
Braſs hath in it ſelf a Sanative virtue, and ſo in the very inſtant helpeth
ſomewhat
;
but Iron is Corroſive, and not Sanative. And therefore it were
good
that the Inſtruments which are uſed by Chirurgions about Wounds
were
rather of Braſs then Iron.
IN the cold Countreys, when Mens Noſes and Ears are mortified, and (as
44788.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Mortification

by
Cold.
it were) Gangrened with cold, if they come to a Fire, they rot off pre-
ſently
.
The cauſe is, for that the few Spirits that remain in tho ſe parts are
fuddenly
drawn forth, and ſo Putrefaction is made compleat.
But Snow put
upon
them helpeth, for that it preſerveth thoſe Spirits that remain till they
can
revive;
and beſides, Snow hath in it a ſecret warmth; as the Monk
proved
out of the Texr, Qui dat Nivem ſicut Lanam, Gelu ſicut Cineres ſpargit;
whereby he did infer, that Snow did warm like Wool, and Froſt did fret like
Aſhes
.
Warm Water alſo doth good, becauſe by little and little it openeth
the
pores, without any ſudden working upon the Spirits.
This Experiment
may
be transferred unto the cure of Gangrenes, either coming of them ſelves,
or
induced by too much applying of Opiates;
wherein you muſt be ware of
dry
Heat, and reſort to things that are Refrigerant, with an inward warmth
and
virtue of cheriſhing.
WEigh Iron and Aqua-fortis ſeverally, then diſſolve the Iron in the Aqua-
55789.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Weight
.
fortis, and weigh the Diſſolution;
and you ſhall finde it to bear as good
weight
as the Bodies did ſeverally, not with ſtanding a good deal of waſte
by
a thick vapor that iſſueth during the working;
which ſheweth, that the
opening
of a Body doth increaſe the weight.
This was tryed once or twice,
but
I know not whether there were any Error in the Tryal.
TAke of Aqua-fortis two Ounces, of Quick-ſilver two Drachms, (for that
66790.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Supernation
of
Bodies
.
charge the Aqua fortis will bear) the Diſſolution will not bear a Flint
as
big as a Nutmeg;
yet (no doubt) the increaſing of the weight
201167Century VIII. Water will increate his power of bearing; as we ſee Broyn, when it is ſalt
enough
, will bear an Egg.
And I remember well a Phyſitian, that uſed to
give
ſome M neral Baths for the Gout &
c. And the Body when it was put
into
the Bath, could not get down ſo eaſily as in ordinary Water.
But it ſeem
eth
, the weight of the Quickſilver, more then the weight of a Stone, doth
not
compenſe the weight of a Stone, more then the weight of the Aqua-fortis.
LEt there be a Body of unequal weight, (as of Wood and Lead, or Bone
11791.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Flying
of un-
equal
Bodies
in
the Air.
and Lead;)
it you throw it from you with the light end forward, it will
turn
, and the weightier end will recover to be forwards, unleſs the Body be
over-long
.
The cauſeis, for that the more Denſe Body hath a more violent
preſſure
of the parts from the firſt impulſion;
which is the cauſe (though
heretofore
not found out, as hath been often ſaid) of all Violent Motions:
And when the hinder part moveth ſwifter (for that it leſ, endureth preſſure of
parts
) then the for ward part can make way for it, it muſt needs be that the
Body
turn over;
for (turned) it can more eaſily draw forward the lighter part.
Galilaus
noteth it well, That if an open Trough, wherein Water is, be driven
faſter
then the Water can follow, the Water gathereth upon an heap to-
wards
the hinder end, where the motion began;
which he ſuppoſeth (hold-
ing
confidently the motion of the Earth) to be the cauſe of the Ebbing and
Flowing
of the Ocean, becauſe the Earth over runneth the Water.
Which
Theory
though it be falſe, yet the firſt Experiment is true;
as for the inequa-
lity
of the preſſure of parts, it appeareth manifeſtly in this, That if you take
a
body of Stone or Iron, and another of Wood, of the ſame magnitude and
ſhape
, and throw them with equal force, you cannot poſſibly throw the
Wood
ſo far as the Stone or Iron.
IT is certain (as it hath been formerly in part touched) that Water may be
22792.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Water
, that it
may
be the
Medium
of
Sounds
.
the Medium of Sounds.
If you daſh a Stone againſt a Stone in the bottom
of
the Water, it makes a Sound;
ſo a long Pole ſtruck upon Gravel, in the
bottom
of the Water, maketh a Sound.
Nay, if you ſhould think that the
Sound
cometh up by the Pole, and not by the Water, you ſhall finde that an
Anch
or let down by a Rope maketh a Sonnd;
and yet the Rope is no ſolid
Body
, where by the Sound can aſcend.
ALl objects of the Senſes which are very offenſive, do cauſe the Spirits
33793.
Experiment

Solitary
,
of
the Flight
of
the Spirits
upon
odious
Objects
.
to retire;
and upon their flight, the parts are (in ſome degree) deſtitute,
and
ſo there is induced in them a trepidation and horror.
For Sounds, we
ſee
, that the grating of a Saw, or any very harſh noiſe, will ſet the Teeth on
edge
, and make all the Body ſhiver.
For Taſtes, we ſee, that in the taking of
a
Potion, or Pills, the Head and the Neck ſhake.
For odious ſmells, the like
effect
followeth, which is leſs perceived, becauſe there is a remedy at hand,
by
ſtopping of the Noſe.
But in Horſes, that can uſe no ſuch help, we ſee
the
ſmell of a Carrion, eſpecially of a dead Horſe, maketh them flie away,
and
take on almoſt, as if they were mad.
For Feeling, if you come out of the
Sun
ſuddenly into a ſhade, there followeth a chilneſs or ſhivering in all the
Body
.
And even in Sight, which hath (in effect) no odious object, coming in-
to
ſudden darkneſs, induceth an offer to ſhiver.
44794.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Super-Refi
exi-
on
of Echo@@.
THere is in the City of Ticinum in Italy, a Church that hath Windows
onely
from above;
it is in Length an hundred Feet, in Bredth twenty
Feet
, and in Height near fifty, having a Door in the midſt.
It
202168Natural Hiſtory; the voice twelve or thirteen times. If you ſtand by the cloſe end-wall over
againſt
the Door, the Echo fadeth and dieth by little and little, as the Echo
at
Pont-Charenton doth, and the voice ſoundeth as if it came from above the
Door
;
and if you ſtand at the lower end, or on either ſide of the Door, the
Fcho
holdeth;
but if you ſtand in the Door, or in the midſt juſt over againſt
the
Door, not.
Note, that all Echoes ſound better againſt old Walls then
new
, becauſe they are more dry and hollow.
THoſe effects which are wrought by the percuſſion of the Senſe, and by
11795.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
force
of Imagi-
nation
, Imi-
tating
that of
the
Senſe.
things in Fact, are produced likewiſe in ſome degree by the Imagina-
tion
:
Thereſore if a man ſee another eat ſour or acide things, which ſet the
Teeth
on edge, this object tainteth the Imagination;
ſo that he that ſeeth
the
thing done by another hath his own Teeth alſo ſet on edge.
So if a man
ſee
another turn ſwiftly and long, or if he look upon Wheels that turn, him-
ſelf
waxeth Turn-ſick.
So if a man be upon a high place, without Rails, or
good
hold, except he be uſed to it, he is ready to fall;
for imagining a fall,
it
putteth his ſpirits into the very action of a fall.
So many upon the ſeeing
of
others Bleed, or Strangled, or Tortured, themſelves are ready to faint,
as
if they bled, or were in ſtrife.
TAke a Stock-Gilliflower, and tie it gently upon a ſtick, and put them both
22796.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Preſervation

of
Bodies.
both into a Stoop-glaſs full of Quick-ſilver, ſo that the Flower be
covered
;
then lay a little weight upon the top of the Glaſs, that may keep
the
ſtick down;
and look upon them after four or five days, and you ſhall
finde
the Flower freſh, and the Stalk harder and leſs flexible then it was.
If you compare it with another Flower, gathered at the ſame time, it will
be
the more manifeſt.
This ſheweth, that Bodies do preſerve excellently in
Quick-ſilver
;
and not preſerve onely, but by the coldneſs of the Quick-ſilver,
indurate
.
For the freſhneſs of the Flower may be meerly Conſervation,
(which is the more to be obſerved, becauſe the Quick-ſilver preſſeth the Flower)
but
the ſtifneſs of the Stalk cannot be without Induration from the cold (as
it
ſeemeth) of the Quick-ſilver.
IT is reported by ſome of the Ancients, That in Cyprus there is a kinde of
33797.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Growth
or
Multiplying

of
Metals.
Iron, that being cut into little pieces, and put into the ground, if it be well
watered
, will encreaſe into greater pieces.
This is certain, and known of old,
that
Lead will multiply and encreaſe;
as hath been ſeen in old Statues of
Stone
, which have been put in Cellars, the Feet of them being bound with
Leaden
bands;
where (after a time) there appeared, that the Lead did ſwell,
inſomuch
, as it hanged upon the Stone like Warts.
ICall that drowning of Metals, when the baſer Metal is ſo incorporate
44798.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Drowning
of
the
more Baſe
Metal
, in the
more
Precious.
with the more rich, as it can by no means be ſeparated again;
which is a
kinde
of Verſion, though falſe;
as if Silver ſhould be inſeparably incorpo-
rated
with Gold, or Copper and Lead with Silver.
The Ancient Electrum had
in
it a fifth of Silver to the Gold, and made a Compound Metal, as fit for
moſt
uſes as Gold, and more reſplendent, and more qualified in ſome
other
properties;
but then that was eaſily ſeparated. This to do privily,
or
to make the Compound paſs for the rich Metal ſimple, is an adulteration
or
counterfeiting;
but if it be done avowedly and without diſguifing, it
may
be a great ſaving of the richer Metal.
I remember to have heard of
a
man skilful in Metals, that a fifteenth part of Silver incorporate with
203169Century VIII.
Gold is the onely Subſtance which hath nothing in it Volatile, and yet
11799.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Fixation
of
Bodies
.
melteth without much difficulty.
The Melting ſheweth, that it is not
jejune
or ſcarce in Spirit.
So that the fixing of it is not want of Spirit to flie
out
, but the equal ſpreding of the Tangible parts, and the cloſe coacerva-
tion
of them;
where by they have the leſs appetite, and no means (at all) to
iſſue
forth.
It were good therefore to try whether Glaſs Re-molten, do loſe
any
weight;
for the parts in Glaſs are evenly ſpred, but they are not ſo cloſe
as
in Gold;
as we ſee by the eaſie admiſſion of Light Heat, and Cold, and
by
the ſmalneſs of the weight.
There be other Bodies fixed, which have lit-
tle
or no Spirit, ſo as there is nothing to flie out;
as we ſee in the Stuff, where-
of
Coppels are made, which they put into Furnaces, upon which Fire work-
eth
not.
So that there are three cauſes of Fixation; the Even-ſpreding both
of
the Spirits and Tangible parts;
the Cloſeneß of the Tangible parts; and the Fe-
junenß
or Extream Comminution of Spirits:
Of which three, the two firſt may
be
joyned with a Nature Liquefiable, the laſt not.
IT is a profound Contemplation in Nature, to conſider of the Emptineſs (as we
22800.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Reſtleſs
Na-
ture
of Things
in
themſelves,
and
their De-
fire
to Change.
may callit) or Inſatisfaction of ſeveral Bodies, and of their appetite to take
in
others.
Air taketh in Lights, and Sounds, and Smells, and Vapors: And
it
is moſt manifeſt, that it doth it with a kinde of Thirſt, as not ſatisfied with
his
own former Conſiſtence;
for elſe it would never receive them in ſo ſud-
denly
and eaſily.
Water and all Liquors do haſtily receive dry and more Ter-
reſtrial
Bodies proportionable;
and Dry Bodies, on the other ſide, drink in
Waters
and Liquors:
So that (as it was well ſaid by one of the Ancients, of
Earthy
and Watry Subſtances) one is a Glue to another.
Parchments, Skins,
Cloth
, &
c. drink in Liquors; though themſelves be entire Bodies, and not
comminuted
, as Sand and Aſbes, nor apparently porous.
Metals themſelves
do
receive in readily Strong waters, and Strong-waters likewiſe do readily pierce
into
Metals and Stones;
and that Strong-water will touch upon Gold, that will
not
touch upon Silver, and è converſo.
And Gold, which ſeemeth by the weight
to
be the cloſeſt and moſt ſolid Body, doth greedily drink in Quick-ſilver.
And
it
ſeemeth, that this Reception of other Bodies is not violent;
for it is (many
times
) reciprocal, and, as it were with conſent.
Of the cauſe of this, and to
what
Axiom it may be referred, conſider attentively;
for as for the pretty
aſſertion
, That Matter is like a Common Strumpet that deſireth all Forms, it is
but
a Wandring Notion.
Onely Flame doth not content it ſelf to take in any
other
Body;
but either to overcome, and turn another Body into it ſelf, as
by
victory, or itſelf to die and go out.
204
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205171
NATURAL
HISTORY
Century IX.
IT is certain, That all Bodies whatſoever, though they
11Experiments
in
Conſort,
touching

Perception
in
Bodies
Inſen-
ſible
, tending
to
Natural
Divination
or
Subiil
Tryals.
have no Senſe, yet they have Perception:
For when
one
Body is applied to another, there is a kinde of Electi-
on
, to embrace that which is agreeable, and to exclude
or
expel that which is ingrate:
And whether the Body
be
alterantor altered, evermore a Perception precedeth
Operation
;
for elſe all Bodies would be alike one to an-
other
.
And ſometimes this Perception in ſome kinde
of
Bodies is far more ſubtilthen the Senſe;
ſo that the Senſe is but a dull thing
in
compariſon of it.
We ſee a Weather-glaß will finde the leaſt difference of
the
Weather in Heat or Cold, when Men finde it not.
And this Perception
alſo
is ſometimes at diſtance, as well as upon the touch;
as when the Load-
ſtone
draweth Iron, or Flame fireth Naphtha of Babylon a great diſtance off.
It is therefore a ſubject of a very Noble Enquiry, to enquire of the more ſubtil
Perceptions
;
for it is another Key to open Nature, as well as the Senſe, and
ſometimes
better:
And beſides, it is a principal means of Natural Divination;
for
that which in theſe Perceptions appeareth early, in the great effects
cometh
long after.
It is true alſo, that it ſerveth to diſcover that which is
hid
, as well as to foretel that which is to come, as it is in many ſubtil Tryals:

As
to try whether Seeds be old or new, the Senſe cannotinform;
but if you
boil
them in Water, the new Seeds will ſprout ſooner.
And ſo of Water,
the
taſte will not diſcover the beſt Water;
but the ſpeedy conſuming of it,
and
many other means which we have heretofore ſet down, will diſcover it.

So
in all Phyſiognomy, the Lineaments of the Body will diſcoverthoſe Natural
Inclinations
of the Minde, which Diſſimulation will conceal, or Diſcipline
will
ſuppreſs.
We ſhall therefore now handle onely thoſe two Perceptions
which
pertain to Natural Divination and Diſcovery, leaving the handling
206172Natural Hiſtory; Perception in other things to be diſpoſed elſ where. Now it is true, that Di-
vination
is attained by other means;
as if you know the cauſes, if you know
the
Concomitants, you may judge of the effect to follow;
and the like may be
ſaid
of Diſcoper.
But we tye our ſelves here to that Divination and Diſcovery
chiefly
, which is cauſed by an early or ſubtil Perception.
The aptneſs or propenſion of Air or Water to corrupt or putrefie,
(no doubt) is to be found before it break forth into manifeſt effects of Dif-
eaſes
, Blaſting, or the like.
We will therefore ſet down ſome Prognoſticks
of
Peſtilential and unwholſome years.
The Wind blowing much from the South without Rain, and Worms
11801. in the Oak-Apple, have been ſpoken of before.
Alſo the plenty of Frogs,
Graſhoppers
, Flies, and the like Creatures bred of Putrefaction, doth portend
Peſtilential
years.
Great and early Heats in the Spring, (and namely in May) without
22802. Winds, portend the ſame.
And generally ſo do years with little Wind or
Thunder
.
Great Droughts in Summer, laſting till to wards the end of August,
33803. and ſome gentle ſhowers upon them, and then ſome dry weather again, do
portend
a Peſtilent Summer the year following:
For about the end of
Auguſt
, all the ſweetneſs of the Earth which goeth into Plants or Trees is
exhaled
;
(and much more if the Auguſt be dry) ſo that nothing then
can
breath forth of the Earth but a groſs vapor, which is apt to corrupt
the
Air;
and that vapor by the firſt ſhowers, if they begentle, is releaſed,
and
cometh forth abundantly.
Therefore they that come abroad ſoon
after
thoſe ſhowers are commonly taken with ſickneſs.
And in Africk no
Body
will ſtir out of doors after the firſt ſhowers.
But if the firſt ſhowers
come
vehemently, then they rather waſh and fill the Earth, then give
it
leave to breath forth preſently.
But if dry weather come again, then
it
fixeth and continueth the corruption of the Air upon the firſt ſhowers
begun
, and maketh it of ill influence even to the next Summer, ex-
cept
a very Froſty Winter diſcharge it, which ſeldom ſucceedeth ſuch
Droughts
.
The leſſer Infections of the Small-Pox, Purple Feavers, Agues in the Sum-
44804. mer precedent, and hovering all Winter, do portend a great Peſtilence
in
the Summer following:
For Putrefaction doth not riſe to its height at
once
.
It were good to lay a piece of raw Fleſh or Fiſh in the open Air;
55805. and if it putrefie quickly, it is a ſign of a diſpoſition in the Air to Pu-
trefaction
.
And becauſe you cannot be informed, whther the Putrefacti-
on
be quick or Iate, except you compare this Experiment with the
like
Experiment in another year;
it were not amifs in the ſame year,
and
at the ſame time, to lay one piece of Fleſh or Fiſh in the open Air,
and
another of the ſame kinde and bigneſs within doors:
For I judge,
that
if a general di poſition be in the Air to putrefie, the Fleſh or Fiſh
will
ſooner putrefie abroad, where the Air hath more power then in the
Houſe
, where it hath leſs, being many ways corrected.
And this Experi-
ment
would be made about the end of March;
for that ſeaſon is likeſt to
diſcover
what the Winter hath done, and what the Summer following will
do
upon the Air.
And becauſe the Air (no doubt) receiveth greattincture
and
infuſion from the Earth, it were good to try that expoſing of
207173Century IX. or Fiſh both upon a Stake of Wood, ſome height above the Earth, and
upon
the flat of the Earth.
Take May Dew, and ſee whether it putrefie quickly, or no; for that
11806. likewiſe may diſcloſe the quality of the Air, and vapor of the Earth, more
or
leſs corrupted.
A dry March, and a dry May, portend a wholeſome Summer, if there be
22807. a ſhowring April between;
but other wiſe it is a ſign of a Peſtilential year.
As the diſcovery of the diſpoſition of the Air is good for the Prognoſticks
33808. of wholeſome and unwholeſome years;
ſo it is of much more uſe for the
choice
of places to dwell in;
at the leaſt for Lodges and Retiring-places for
Health
, (for Manſion Houſes reſpect proviſions as well as health) wherein
the
Experiments above mentioned may ſerve.
But for the choice of Places or Seats, it is good to make tryal, not onely
44809. of aptneſs of Air to corrupt, but alſo of the moiſture and dryneſs of the
Air
, and the temper of it in heat or cold;
for that may concern health diverſly.
We ſee that there be ſome Houſes wherein Sweet Meats will relent, and Baked
Meats
will mould, more then in others;
and Wainſcots will alſo ſweat more, ſo
that
they will almoſt run with Water:
All which (no doubt) are caufed chief-
ly
by the moiſtneſs of the Air in thoſe Seats.
But becauſe it is better to know
it
before a Man buildeth his Houſe, then to finde it after, take the Experiments
following
.
Lay Wool, or a Sponge, or Bread in the place you would try, comparing
55810. it with ſome other places, and ſee whether it doth not moiſten, and make
the
Wool or Sponge, &
c. more ponderous then the other: And if it do, you
may
judge of that place, as ſituate in a groſs and moiſt Air.
Becauſe it is certain that in ſome places, either by the Nature of the Earth,
66811. or by the ſituation of Woods and Hills, the Air is more unequal then in
others
;
and inequality of Air is ever an enemy to health: It were good to
take
two Weather-Glaſſes, matches in all things, and to ſet them for the ſame
hours
of one day in ſeveral places where no ſhade is nor encloſures, and to
mark
when you ſet them, how far the Water cometh;
and to compare them
when
you come again, how the Water ſtandeth then.
And if you finde them
unequal
, you may be ſure, that the place where the Water is loweſt is in the
warmer
Air, and the other in the Colder.
And the greater the inequality is
of
the aſcent or deſcent of the Water, the greater is the inequality of the
temper
of the Air.
The Predictions likewiſe of cold and long Winters, and hot and dry
77812. Summers, are good to be known, as well for the diſcovery of the cauſes,
as
for divers Proviſions.
That of Plenty of Haws, and Heps, and Bryar-Berries,
hath
been ſpoken of before.
If Wainſcot or Stone, that have ufed to ſweat, be
more
dry in the beginning of Winter, or the drops of the Eavs of Houſes
come
more ſlowly down then they uſe, it portendeth a hard and froſty Win-
ter
.
The cauſe is, for that it ſheweth an inclination of the Air to dry Weather,
which
in Winter is ever joyned with Froſt.
Generally a moiſt and a cool Summer, portendeth a hard Winter. The
88813. cauſe is, for that the vapors of the Earth are not diſſipated in the Summer by
the
Sun;
and ſo they rebound upon the Winter.
A hot and dry Summer and Autumn, and efpecially if the heat and
99814. drought extend far into September, portendeth an open beginning of Winter,
and
colds to ſucceed to ward the latter part of the Winter, and the beginning
of
the Spring.
For till then the former heat and drought bear the ſway, and
the
vapors are not ſufficiently multiplied.
208174Natural Hiſtory;
An open and warm Winter portendeth a hot and dry Summer: For the
11815. Vapors diſperſe into the Winter ſhowers;
whereas Cold and Froſt keep-
eth
them in, and tranſporteth them into the late Spring and Summer fol-
lowing
.
Birds that uſe to change Countrevs at certain Seaſons, if they come
22816. earlier, do ſhew the temperature of Weather according to that Countrey
whence
they came:
As the Winter Birds, (namely, Woodcocks, Feldefares & c.)
if they come earlier, and out of the Northern Countreys, with us ſhew cold
Winters
.
And if it be in the ſame Countrey, then they ſhew a temperature
of
Seaſon, like unto that Seaſon in which they come;
as Swallows Bats,
Cucks
es, &
c. that come towards Summer, if they come early, ſhew a hot
Summer
to follow.
The Prognoſticks more immediate of Weather to ſollow ſoon after, are
33817. more certain then thoſe of Seaſons:
The Reſounding of the Sea upon the
Shore
, and the Murmur of Winds in the Woods, without apparent Wind,
ſhew
Wind to follow.
For ſuch Winds, breathing chiefly out of the Earth,
are
not at the firſt perceived, except they be pent by Water or Wood.
And
therefore
a Murmur out of Caves like wiſe portendeth as much.
The Upper Regions of the Air, perceive the Collection of the matter of
44818. Tempeſt and Winds before the Air here below.
And therefore the obſcuring
of
the ſmaller Stars, is a ſign of Tempeſts following.
And of this kinde you
ſhall
finde a number of inſtances in our Inquiſition de Ventis.
Great Mountains have a Perception of the diſpoſition of the Air to Tem-
55819. peſts ſooner, then the Valleys or Plains below.
And therefore they ſay in VVales,
VVhen
certain Hills have their Night-caps on, they me@n miſchief.
The cauſe is, for that
Tempeſts
which are for the moſt part bred above in the Middle Region, (as
they
call it) are ſooneſt perceived to collect in the places next it.
The Air and Fire have ſubtil Perceptions of Wind riſing before Men
66820. finde it.
We ſee the trembling of a Candle will diſcover a Wind, that other-
wiſe
we do not feel;
and the Flexious burning of Flames doth ſhew the Air
beginneth
to be unquiet;
and ſo do Coals of fire, by caſting off the aſhes
more
then they uſe.
The cauſe is, for that no Wind at the firſt, till it hath
ſtruck
and driven the Air, is apparent to the Senſe;
but flame is eaſier to
move
then Air.
And for the Aſhes, it is no marvel though Wind unperceived
ſhake
them off;
for we uſually try which way the Wind bloweth, by caſting
up
Graſs or Chaff, or ſuch light things into the Air.
When Wind expireth from under the Sea, as it cauſeth ſome reſound-
77821. ings of the Water, (whereof weſpake before) ſo it cauſeth ſome light mo-
tions
of Bubbles, and white Circles of Froth.
The cauſe is, for that the
Wind
cannot be perceived by the Senſe, until there be an Eruption of a great
quantity
from under the Water, and ſo it getteth into a Body, whereas in the
firſt
putting up, it cometh in little portions.
We ſpake of the Aſhes that Coals caſt off, and of Graſs and Chaff car-
88822. ried by the Wind;
ſo any light thing that moveth when we find no VVind,
ſheweth
a VVind at hand:
As when Feathers or Down of Thiſtles flie to and
fro
in the Air.
For Prognoſticks of VVeather from Living Creatures, it is to be noted, That
Creatures
that live in the open Air (ſub dio) muſt needs have a quicker
impreſſion
from the Air, then Men that live moſt within doors;
and eſpe-
cially
Birds who live in the Air freeſt and cleareſt, and are apteſt by their
voice
to tell tales what they finde, and likewiſe by the motion of their
flight
to expreſs the ſame.
209175Century IX.
VVater-fowls (at Sea-Gulls, Moor-Hens, & c.) when they flock and flie
11823. together from the Sea to wards the Shores;
and contrariwiſe Land Birds, (as
Crows
Swallows, &
c. when they flie from the Land to the VVaters, and beat
the
VVaters with their VVings, do foreſhew Rain and VVind.
The cauſe is,
Pleaſure
that both kindes take in the moiſtneſs and denſity of the Air,
and
ſo deſire to be in motion, and upon the VVing, whither-ſoever they
would
otherwiſe go:
For it is no marvel that VVater fowl do joy moſt
in
that Air which is likeſt VVaters;
and Land Birds alſo (many of them)
delight
in Bathing and moiſt Air.
For the ſame reaſon alſo, many Birds do
prune
their Feathers, and Geeſe do gaggle, and Crows ſeem to call upon
Rain
.
All which is but the comfort they ſeem to receive in the relenting of
the
Air.
The Heron when ſhe ſoareth high, (ſo as ſometimes ſhe is ſeen to paſs
22824. over a Cloud) ſheweth VVinds:
But Kites flying alofr, ſhew fair and dry
weather
.
The cauſe may be, for that they both mount moſt into the Air of
that
temper wherein they delight, And the Heron, being a VVater-fowl,
taketh
pleaſure in the Air that is condenſed;
and beſides, being but heavy
of
VVing, needeth the help of the groſſer Air.
But the Kite afſecteth not
ſo
much the groſſneſ, of the Air, as the cold and ſreſhneſs thereoſ;
for be-
ing
a Bird of Prey, and therefore hot, ſhe delighteth in the freſh Air, and
(many times) flieth againſt the VVind;
as Trouts and Salmons ſwim againſt
the
ſtream.
And yet it is true alſo, that all Birds finde an eaſe in the depth
of
the Air, as Swimmers do in a deep VVater.
And therefore when they are
alſo
, they can uphold themſelves with their VVings ſpred, ſcarce moving
them
.
Fiſhes when they play to wards the top of the VVater, do commonly
33825. foretel Rain.
The cauſeis, for that a Fiſh hating the dry, will not approach
the
Air till it groweth moiſt;
and when it is dry will fl@e it, and ſwim
lower
.
Beasts do take comfort (generally) in a moiſt Air, and it maketh them
44826. eat their Meat better;
and therefore Sheep will get up betimes in the
morning
to ſeed againſt Rain;
and Cattle, and Deer, and Coneys will feed
hard
before Rain;
and a Heifer will put up his Noſe, and ſnuff in the Air
againſt
Rain.
The Trifoil againſt Rain, fwelleth in the Stalk, and ſo ſtandeth more
55827. uprig@t;
for by wet, Stalks do erect, and Leaves bow down. There is a
ſmall
Red Flower in the Stubble fields, which Countrey people call the
VVincopipe
;
which, if it open in the Morning, you may be ſure of a fair day
to
follow.
Even in Meu, Aches, and Hurts, and Corns, do engrieve either to wards
66828. Rain, or towards Froſt;
for the one maketh the Humors more to abound,
and
the other maketh them ſharper.
So we ſee both extreams bring the
Gout
.
VVorms, Vermine, & c. do ſoreſhew (likewiſe) Rain; for Earth-Worms
77829. will come forth, and Moles will caſt up more, and Fleas bite more againſt
Rain
.
Solid Bodies likewiſe foreſhew Rain: As Stones and Wainſcot when
88830. they ſweat, and Boxes and Pegs of Wood when they draw and wind hard;
though the former be but from an outward cauſe, for that the Stone or
Wainſcot
turneth and beateth back the Air againſt it ſelf;
but the latter is an
in
ward ſwelling of the Body of the VVood it ſelf.
210176Natural Hiſtory;
APpetite is moved chiefly by things that are cold and dry. The cauſe is,
11831.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Nature
of
Appetite
in
the
Stomack.
for that Cold is a kinde of indigence of Nature, and calleth upon ſupply,
and
ſo is Dryneſs:
And therefore all ſour things (as Vinegar, Juyce of Lemmons,
Oyl
of Vitriol, &
c.) provoke Appetite. And the Diſeaſe which they call
Appetitus
Caninus, conſiſteth in the Matter of an Acide and Glaſſie Phlegm
in
the Mouth of the Stomack.
Appetite is alſo moved by ſour things, for
that
ſour things induce a contraction in the Nerves, placed in the Mouth of
the
Stomack, which is a great cauſe of Appetite.
As for the cauſe why Oni-
ons
, and Salt, and Pepper in Baked Meats move Appetite, it is by Vellication
of
thoſe Nerves;
for Motion whetteth. As for Wormwood, Olives, Capers, and
others
of that kinde, which participate of Bitterneſs, they move Appetite
by
Abſterſion.
So as there be four principal cauſes of Appetite; the Reſri-
geration
of the Stomack joyned with ſome Dryneſs, Contraction, Vellicati-
on
, and Abſterſion;
beſides Hunger, which is an emptineſs; and yet over-
faſting
doth (many times) cauſe the Appetite to ceaſe;
for that want of Meat
maketh
the Stomack draw Humors, and ſuch Humors as are light and Cho-
lerick
, which quench Appetite moſt.
IT hath been obſerved by the Ancients, that where a Rainbow ſeemeth to
22832.
Expetiment

Solitary
,
touching

Sweetneß
of
Odor
from the
Rainbow
.
hang over, or to touch, there breatheth forth a ſweet ſmell.
The cauſe is,
for
that this happeneth but in certain matters which have in themſelves ſome
Sweetneſs
, which the gentle Dew of the Rainbow doth draw forth;
and the
like
do ſoft Showers, for they alſo make the Ground ſweet:
But none are ſo
delicate
as the Dew of the Rainbow where it falleth.
It may be alſo, that the
Water
it ſelf hath ſome Sweetneſs;
for the Rainbow conſiſteth of a Glomera-
tion
of ſmall drops, which cannot poſſibly fall but from the Air that is
very
low, and therefore may hold the very Sweetneſs of the Herbs and
Flowers
as a Diſtilled Water:
For Rain and other Dew that fall from high
cannot
preſerve the ſmell, being diſſipated in the drawing up;
neither do we
know
, whether ſome Water it lelf may not have ſome degree of Sweetneſs.
It is true, that we finde it ſenſibly in no Pool, River, nor Fountain; but good
Earth
newly turned up, hath a freſhneſs and good ſent;
which Water, iſ it be
not
too equal, (for equal objects never move the Senſe) may alſo have.
Cer-
tain
it is, that Bayſalt, which is but a kinde of Water congealed, will ſome-
times
ſmell like Violets.
TO ſweet Smells, heat is requiſite to concoct the Matter, and ſome Moy-
33833.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Sweet
Smells.
ſture to ſpred the Breath of them:
For heat, we ſeethat Woods and Spi-
ces
are more odorate in the Hot Countreys, then in the Cold.
For Moiſture,
we
ſee that things too much dryed loſe their Sweetneſs;
and Flowers grow-
ing
ſmell better in a Morning or Evening, then at Noon.
Some ſweet ſmells
are
deſtroyed by approach to the Fire;
as Violets, Wall-flowers, Gilliflowers, Pinks,
and
generally all Flowers that have cool and delicate Spirits.
Some continue
both
on the fire, and from the fire, as Roſe-Water, &
c. Some do fcarce come
forth
, or at leaſt not ſo pleaſantly, as by means of the fire;
as Juniper, Sweet
Gums
, &
c. and all ſmells that are encloſed in a faſt Body; but (generally)
thoſe
ſmells are the moſt grateful where the degree of heat is ſmall, or where
the
ſtrength of the ſmell is allayed;
for theſe things do rather wo the Senſe,
then
ſatiate it.
And therefore the ſmell of Violets and Roſes exceedeth in ſweet-
neſs
that of Spices;
and Gums, and the ſtrongeſt ſort of ſmells, are beſt in a
weft
afar off.
211177Century IX.
IT is certain, that no ſmell iſſueth but wth emiſſion of ſome corporeal ſub-
11834.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Corporeal

Subſtance
of
Smells
.
ſtance;
not as it is in Light, and Colours, and Sounds: For weſee plainly
that
ſmell doth ſpred nothing that diſtance that the other do.
It is true, that
ſome
Woods of Orenges, and Heaths of Roſemary, will ſmell a great way into
the
Sea, perhaps twenty Miles;
but what is that, ſince a peal of Ordnance
will
do as much, which moveth in a ſmall compaſs, whereas thoſe Woods
and
Heaths are of vaſt ſpaces?
Beſides, we ſee that ſmells do adhere to hard
Bodies
;
as in perfuming of Gloves, & c. which ſheweth them corporeal; and
do
laſt a great while, which Sounds and Light do not.
THe Excrements of moſt Creatures ſmell ill, chiefly to the ſame Creature
22835.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Fetide
and
Fragrant
O-
dors
.
that voideth them:
For we ſee, beſides that of Man, that Pigeons and
Hoiſes
thrive beſt, if their Houſes and Stables be kept ſweet, and ſo of Cage-
Birds
;
and the Cat burieth that which ſhe voideth. And it holdeth chieſly in
thoſe
Beaſts which feed upon Fleſh.
Dogs (almoſt) onely of Beaſts delight in
fetide
odors;
which ſheweth there is ſome what in their ſenſe of ſmell differ-
ing
from the ſmells of other Beaſts.
But the cauſe why Excrements ſmell ill is
manifeſt
, for that the Body it ſelf rejecteth them, much more the Spirits:
And we ſee, that thoſe Excrements that are of the firſt digeſtion ſmell the worſt,
as
the Excrements from the Belly;
thoſe that are from the ſecond digeſtion, leſs
ill
, as Vrine;
and thoſe that are from the third, yet leſs; for Sweat is not ſo
bad
as the other two, eſpecially of ſome perſons that are full of heat.
Like-
wiſe
moſt Putrefactions are of an odious ſmell, for they ſmell either fertile or
mouldy
.
The cauſe may be, for that Putrefaction doth bring forth ſuch a
conſiſtence
as is moſt contrary to the conſiſtence of the Body whileſt it is
ſound
, for it is a meer diſſolution of that form.
Beſides, there is another rea-
ſor
, which is profound:
And it is, That the objects that pleaſe any of the
ſenſes
, have (all) ſome equality, and (as it were) order in their compoſition,
but
where thoſe are wanting the object is ever ingrate.
So mixture of many
diſagreeing
colours is never unpleaſant to the Eye:
Mixture of diſcordant
Sounds
is unpleaſant to the Ear;
mixture or hotch-potch of many taſtes is
unpleaſant
to the taſte;
harſhneſs and ruggedneſs of Bodies is unpleaſant to
the
touch.
Now it is certain, that all Putrefaction, being a diſſolution of the
firſt
form, is a meer confuſion, and unformed mixture of the part.
Never-
theleſs
, it is ſtrange, and ſeemeth to croſs the former obſervation, that ſome
Putrefactions
and Excrements do yield excellent Odors;
as Civit and Musk, and,
as
ſome think, Amber-greece, for divers take it (though unprobably) to come
from
the Sperm of Fiſh;
and the Moſs we ſpake of from Apple-trees is little
better
then an Excretion.
The reaſon may be, for that there paſſeth in the
Excrements
and remaineth in the Putrefactions, ſome good ſpirits, eſpecially
where
they proceed from Creatures that are very hot.
But it may be alſo
joyned
with a further cauſe, which is more ſubtil;
and it is, that the Senſes
love
not to be over-pleaſed, but to have a commixture of ſome what that is
in
it ſelf ingrate.
Certainly, we ſee how Diſcords in Muſick, falling upon
Concords
, make the ſweeteſt ſtrains:
And we ſee again what ſtrange taſtes
delight
the taſte;
as Red-herrings, Caviare, Parmeſan, & c. And it may be the
ſame
holdeth in ſmells.
For thoſe kinde of ſmells that we have mentioned
are
all ſtrong, and do pull and vellicate the Senſe.
And we finde alſo, that
places
where men Urine commonly have ſome ſmell of Violers.
And Urine,
if
one hath eaten Nutmeg, hath ſotoo.
212178Natural Hiſtory;
The ſlothful, general, and indefinite Contemplations and Notions of
the
Elements, and their Conjugations of the Influences of Heaven, of Hot,
Cold
, Moiſture, Drought, Qualities Active, Paßive.
and the like, have ſwallow-
ed
up the true Paſſages, and Proceſſes, and Affects, and Conſiſtencies of Matter, and
Natural
Bodies.
Therefore they are to be ſet aſide, being but notional, and ill
limited
;
and definite axioms are to be drawn out of meaſured inſtances,
and
ſo aſſent to be made to the more general axioms by Scale.
And of theſe
kindes
of Proceſſes of Nature, and Characters of Matter, we will now ſet down
ſome
inſtances.
ALl Putrefactions come chiefly from the inward Spirits of the Body,
11836.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Cauſes
of Pu-
trefaction
.
and partly alſo from the Ambient Body, be it Air, Liquor, or what-
ſoeverelſe
.
And this laſt, by two means; either by ingreſs of the ſubſtance
of
the Ambient Body into the Body putrefied, or by excitation and ſolici-
tation
of the Body putrefied, and the parts there of, by the Body Ambient.
As for the received opinion, that Putrefaction is cauſed either by Cold, or
Peregrine
and Preternatural Heat, it is but nugation:
For Cold in things
inanimate
, is the greateſt enemy that is to Putrefaction, though it extin-
guiſheth
Vivification, which ever conſiſteth in Spirits attenuate, which the
Cold
doth congeal and coagulate.
And as for the Peregrine head, it is thus
far
true, That it the proportion of the Adventive heat, be greatly predomi-
nant
to the Natural heat, and Spirits of the Body, it tendeth to diſſolution, or
notable
alteration.
But this is wrought by Emiſſion, or Suppreſſion, or
Suffocation
of the Native Spirits, and alſo by the Diſordination and Diſ-
compoſure
of the Tangible parts, and other paſſages of Nature, and not
by
a conflict of Heats.
IN verſions or main Alterations of Bodies, there is a Medium between the
22837.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Bodies
unper-
fectly
mixt.
Body, as it is at firſt, and the Body reſulting;
which Medium is Corpus im-
perfectè
Miſtum, and is tranſitory, and not durable;
as Miſts, Smoaks Vapors,
Chylus
in the Stomack, Living Creatures in the firſt Vivification;
and the middle
action
which produccth ſuch Imperfect Bodies, is fitly called (by ſome of the
Ancients
) Inquination or Inconcoction, which is a kinde of Putrefaction;
for the
parts
are in confuſion till they ſettle one way or other.
THe word Concoction or Digeſtion, is chiefly taken into uſe from Living
33838.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Concoction
and
Crudity
.
Creatures, and their Organs, and from thence extended to Liquors
and
Fruits, &
c. Therefore they ſpeak of Meat concocted, Urine and Excre-
ments
concocted;
and the Four Digeſtions (in the Stomack, in the Liver, in
the
Arteries and Nerves, and in the ſeveral parts of the Body) are likewiſe
called
Concoctions, and they are all made to be the works of Heat.
All which
notions
are but ignorant catches of a few things, which are moſt obvious
to
Mens obſervations.
The conſtanteſt notion of Concoction is, that it ſhould
ſignifie
the degrees of alteration of one Body into another, from Crudity to
Perfect
Concoction, which is the ultimity of that action or proceſs.
And while
the
Body to be converted and altered is too ſtrong for the efficient that
ſhould
convert or alter it, (whereby it reſiſteth, and holdeth faſt in ſome
degree
the firſt Form or Conſiſtence) it is (all that while) Crude and
Inconcoct
, and the Proceſs is to be called Crudity and Inconcoction.
It is true,
that
Concoction is in great part the work of Heat;
but not the work of Heat
alone
:
For all things that further the Converſion or Alteration (as Reſt,
Mixture
of a Body already concocted, &
c.) are alſo means to Concoction.
213179Century IX. there are of Concoction two Periods; the one Aſſimilation, or abſolute
Converſion
and Subaction;
the other Maturation: Whereof, the ſormer is
moſt
conſpicuous in the Bodies of Living Creatures, in which there is an Abſolute
Converſion
and Aßimilation of the Nourishment into the Body, and likewiſe in
the
Bodies of Plants;
and again, in Metals, where there is a full Tranſmu-
tation
.
The other (which is Maturation) is ſeen in Liquors and Fruits;
wherein there is not defired, nor pretended, an utter Converſion, but onely
an
Alteration to that Form which is moſt ſought for Mans uſe;
as in Clari-
fying
of Drinks, Ripening of Fruits, &
c. But note, that there be two kindes
of
Abſolute Converſions.
The one is, when a Body is converted into another
Body
which was before;
as when Nouriſhment is turned into Fleſh: That is
it
which we call Aßimilation.
The otheris, when the Converſion is into a Body
meerly
new, and which was not before;
as if Silver ſhould be turned to
Gold
, or Iron to Copper.
And this Converſion is better called, by diſtinction ſake,
Tranſmutation
.
THere are alſo divers other great alterations of Matter and Bodies, be-
11839.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Alterations

which
may be
called
Majors.
ſides thoſe that tend to Concoction and Maturation;
for whatſoever doth
ſo
alter a Body, as it returneth not again to that it was, may be called Alte-
ratio
Major:
As when Meat is Boiled, or Roſted, or Fried, & c. or when
Bread
and Meat are Baked;
or when Cheeſe is made of Curds, or Butter
of
Cream, or Coals of Wood, or Bricks of Earth;
and a number of others.
But to apply Notions Philoſophical to Plebeian Terms; or to ſay, where the No-
tions
cannot fitly be reconciled, that there wanteth a Term or Nomenclature for
it
, (as the Ancients uſed) they be but ſhifts of Ignorance:
For Knowledge will
be
ever a Wandring and Indigeſted thing, if it be but a commixture of a few
Notions
that are at hand, and occur, and not excited from ſufficient number
of
inſtances, and thoſe well collated.
The Conſiſtencies of Bodies are very divers; Denſe, Rare, Tangible, Pneu-
matical
;
Volatile, Fixed; Determinate, not Determinate; Hard, Soft; Cleaving,
not
Cleaving;
Congelable, not Congelable; Liquefiable, not Liquefiable; Fragile,
Tough
;
Flexihle, Inflexible; Tractile, or to be drawn forth in length, Intractile;
Porous, Solide; Equal and Smooth, Vnequal; Venous and Fibrous, and with Grains,
Entire
, and divers others.
All which to refer to Heat and Cold, and Moiſture
and
Drought, is a Compendious and Inutile Speculation.
But of theſe ſee prin-
cipally
our Abecedarium Nature, and otherwife ſparſum in this our Sylva Syl-
varum
.
Nevertheleſs, in ſome good part, we ſhall handle divers of them
now
preſently.
LIquefiable and not Liquefiable proceed from theſecauſes. Liquefaction is ever
22840.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Bodies
Lique-
fiable
, and not
Liquefiable
.
cauled by the Detention of the Spirits, which play within the Body,
and
open it.
Therefore ſuch Bodies as are more Turgid of Spirit, or that
have
their Spirits more ſtreightly impriſoned, or again, that hold them bet-
ter
pleaſed and content, are Liquefiable:
For theſe three Diſpoſitions of Bodies
do
arreſt the Emiſſion of the Spirits.
An example of the firſt two Properties
is
in Metals, and of the laſt in Greaſe, Pitch, Sulphur, Butter, Wax, &
c. The
Diſpoſition
not to Liquefie, proceedeth from the eaſie Emiſſion of the
Spirits
, whereby the groſſer parts contract;
and therefore Bodies jejune of
Spirits
, or which part with their Spirits more willingly, are not Liquefiable;
as Wood, Clay, Freeſtone, & c. But yet even many of thoſe Bodies that will
not
melt, or will hardly melt, will notwithſtanding ſoften;
as Iron in
214180Natural Hiſtory; Forge, and a Stick bathed in hot Aſhes, which thereby becometh more
Flexible
.
Moreover, there are ſome Bodies which do Liquefie or diſſolve by
Fire
;
as Metals, Wax, & c, and other Bodies which diſſolve in Water, as
Salt
, Sugar, &
c. The cauſe of the former proceedeth from the Dilatation of
the
Spirits by Heat:
The cauſe of the latter proceedeth from the opening
of
the Tangible Parts, which deſire to receive the Liquor.
Again, there are
ſome
Bodies that diſſolve with both;
as Gum, & c. And thoſe be ſuch Bodies
as
on the one ſide have good ſtore of Spirit, and on the other ſide have the
Tangible
parts indigent of Moiſture;
for the former helpeth to the dilating
of
the Spirits by the Fire, and the latter ſtimulateth the parts to receive the
Liquor
.
OF Bodies ſome are Fragile, and ſome are Tough and not Fragile; and
11841.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Bodies
Fragile
and
Tough.
in the breaking, ſome Fragile Bodies break but where the forceis, ſome
ſhatter
and flie in many pieces.
Of Fragility, the cauſe is an impotency to
be
extended;
and therefore Stone is more Fragile then Metal; and ſo Fictile
Earth
is more Fragile then Crude Earth, and Dry Wood then Green.
And
the
cauſe of this unaptneſs to Extenſion, is the ſmall quantity of Spirits (for it
is
the Spirit that furthereth the Extenſion or Dilatation of Bodies;)
and it
is
ever concomitant with Poroſity, and with Drineſs in the Tangible parts.
Contrariwiſe, Tough Bodies have more Spirits, and fewer Pores, and
Moiſter
Tangible parts:
Therefore we ſee, that Parchment or Lea-
ther
will ſtretch, Paper will not;
Woollen-Cloth will tenter, Linnen
ſcarcely
.
ALL ſolid Bodies conſiſt of Parts of two ſeveral Natures; Pneumatical,
22842.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Two
kindes of
Pneumaticals

in
Bodies.
and Tangible:
And it is well to be noted, that the Pneumatical Subſtance
is
in ſome Bodies, the Native Spirit of the Body;
and in ſome other,
plain
Air that is gotten in;
as in Bodies deſiccate, by Heat, or Age: For
in
them, when the Native Spirit goeth forth, and the Moiſture with it, the
Air
with time getteth into the Pores.
And thoſe Bodies are ever the more
Fragile
;
for the Native Spirit is more Yielding and Extenſive (eſpecial-
ly
to follow the Parts) than Air.
The Native Spirits alſo admit great
diverſity
, as Hot, Cold, Active, Dull, &
c. Whence proceed moſt of
the
Vertues, and Qualities (as we call them) of Bodies:
But the Air in-
termixt
, is without Vertues, and maketh things inſipid, and without any
extimulat
ion.
THe Concretion of Bodies is (commonly) ſolved by the contrary; as Ice,
33843.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Concretion
and
Diſſolation
of
Bodies
.
which is congealed by Cold, is diſſolved by Heat;
Salt and Sugar,
which
are excocted by Heat, are diſſolved by Cold and Moiſture.
The
cauſe
is, for thattheſe operations are rather returns to their former Nature,
than
alterations;
ſo that the contrary cureth. As for Oyl, it doth neither
eaſily
congeal with Cold, nor thicken with Heat.
The cauſe of both Effects,
though
they be produced by contrary efficients ſeemeth to be the ſame;
and
that
is, becauſe the Spirit of the Oyl, by either means, exhaleth little:
For
the
Cold keepeth it in, and the Heat (except it be vehement) doth not call
it
forth.
As for Cold, though it take hold of the Tangible Parts, yet as to the
Spirits
, it doth rather make them ſwell, than congealthem:
As when Ice
is
congealed in a Cup, the Ice will ſwell inſtead of contracting, and ſome-
times
rift.
215181Century IX.
OF Bodies, ſome (weſee) are hard, and ſome ſoft: The hardneſsis cauſed
11844.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Hard
and
Soft
Bodies.
(chiefly) by the Jejuneneſs of the Spirits;
and their imparity with the
Tangible
parts:
Both which, if they be in a greater degree, maketh them
not
onely hard, but fragile, and leſs enduring of preſſure;
as Steet, Stone, Glaß,
Dry
Wood, &
c. Softneſs cometh (contrariwiſe) by the greater quantity of
Spirits
, (which ever helpeth to induce yielding and ceſſion;)
and by the
more
equal ſpreding of the Tangible parts, which thereby are more ſliding,
and
following;
as in Gold, Lead, Wax, & c. But note, that ſoft Bodies (as we
uſe
the word) are of two kindes;
the one, that eaſily giveth place to an-
other
Body, but altereth not Bulk by riſing in other places;
and therefore we
ſee
that Wax, if you put any thing into it, doth not riſe in Bulk, but onely
giveth
place:
For you may not think, that in Printing of Wax, the Wax riſeth
up
at all;
but onely the depreſſed part giveth place, and the other remaineth
as
it was.
The other that altereth Bulk in the Ceſſion, as Water, or other
Liquors
, if you put a Stone, or any thing into them, they give place (in-
deed
) eaſily, but then they riſe all over;
which is a falſe Ceſſion, for it is in
place
, and not in Body.
ALl Bodies Ductile, and Tenſile, (as Metals) that will be drawn into Wires;
22845.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Bodies
Ductile
and
Tenſile.
Wool, and Tow that will be drawn into Yarn or Thred;
have in them
the
Appetite of Not diſcontinuing, ſtrong;
which maketh them follow the
force
that pulleth them out;
and yet ſo, as not diſcontinue or forſake their
own
Body.
Viſcous Bodies (likewiſe) as Pitch, VVax, Birdlime, Cheeſe toaſted,
will
draw forth and roap.
But the difference between Bodies fibrous, and
Bodies
viſcous, is plain;
For all Wooll, and Tow, and Cotton, and Silk
(eſpecially raw Silk) have, beſides their deſire of continuance, in regard of
the
tenuity of their Thred, a greedineſs of Moiſture, and by Moiſture to
joyn
and incorporate with other Thred, eſpecially, if there be a little Wreath-
ing
, as appeareth by the twiſting of Thred, and the practice of Twirling
about
of Spindles.
And weſee alſo, that Gold and Silver Thred cannot be
made
without Twiſting.
THe differences of impreſſible, and not impreſſible; figurable, and not
33846.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Other
Paßi-
ons
of Matter,
and
Characters
of
Bodies.
figurable;
mouldable, and not mouldable; ſciſſible, and not ſciſſible;
and many other Paſſions of Matter, are Plebeian Notions, applied unto the
Inſtruments
and Ufes which Men ordinarily practiſe;
but they are all but the
effects
of ſome of theſe cauſes following, which we will enum erate without
applying
them, becauſe that would be too long.
The firſt is the Ceſſion, or
not
Ceſſion of Bodies, into a ſmaller ſpace, or room, keeping the out ward
Bulk
, and not flying up.
The ſecond is, the ſtronger or weaker Appetite, in
Bodies
, to continuity, and to flie diſcontinuity.
The third is, the diſpoſition
of
Bodies, to contract, or not contract;
and again, toextend, or not extend.
The
fourth is, the ſmall quantity, or great quantity of the Pneumatical in
Bodies
.
The fifth is, the nature of the Pneumatical, whether it be Native
Spirit
of the Body, or common Air.
The ſixth is, the Nature of the Native
Spirits
in the Body, whether they be Active, and Eager, or Dull, and Gentle.

The
ſeventh is, the emiſſion or detenſion of the Spirits in Bodies.
The eighth
is
, the dilatation or contraction of the Spirits in Bodies, while they are de-
tained
.
The nineth is, the collocation of the Spirits in Bodies, vvhether the
collocation
be equal or unequal;
and again, vvhether the Spirits be coacer-
vate
or diffuſed.
Thetenth is, the denſity or rarity of the Tangible parts.
216182Natural Hiſtory; the eleventh is the Equality or Inequality of the Tangible parts; the
twelfth
is the Diſgeſtion or Crudity of the Tangible parts;
the thirteenth
is
the Nature of the Matter, whether Sulphureous, or Mercurial, or Watry,
or
Oily, Dry, and Terreſtrial, or Moiſt and Liquid;
which Natures of
Sulphureous
and Mercurial, ſeem to be Natures Radical and Principal;
the
fourteenth
is the placing of the Tangible parts, in Length or Tranſverſe (as
it
is in the Warp, and the Woof of Textiles;)
more inward or more out-
ward
, &
c. The fifteenth is the Poroſity or Imporoſity betwixt the Tangible
parts
, and the greatneſs or ſmallneſs of the Pores;
the ſixteenth is the Col-
location
and poſture of the Pores.
There may be more cauſes, but theſe do
occur
for the preſent.
TAke Lead and meltit, and in the midſt of it, when it beginneth to con-
11847.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Induration
by
Sympathy
.
geal, make a little dint or hole, and put Quick-ſilver wrapped in a
piece
of Linnen into that hole, and the Quick-ſilver will fix, and run no
more
, and endure the Hammer.
This is a noble inſtance of Induration,
by
conſent of one Body with another, and Motion of Excitation to imitate;
for to aſcribe it onely to the vapor of the Lead, is leſs probable. Quære,
whether
the fixing may be in ſuch a degree, as it will be figured like other
Metals
?
For if ſo, you may make Works of it for ſome purpoſes, ſo they
come
not near the Fire.
SUgar hath put down the uſe of Honey, inſomuch, as we have loſt thoſe
22848.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Honey
and
Sugar
.
obſervations and preparations of Honey, which the Ancients had, when
it
was more in price.
Firſt, it ſeemeth, that there was in old time Tree-honey,
as
well as Bee-honey, which was the Year or Blood iſſuing from the Tree;
inſomuch, as one of the Ancients relateth, that in Tribeſond, there was Honey
iſſuing
from the Box trees, which made Men mad.
Again, in ancient time,
there
was a kinde of Honey, which either of the own Nature, or by Art,
would
grow as hard as Sugar, and was not ſo luſhious as ours;
they had
alſo
a Wine of Honey, which they made thus.
They cruſhed the Honey in-
to
a great quantity of Water, and then ſtrained the liquor, after they boil-
ed
it in a Copper to the half;
then they poured it into Earthen Veſſels for
a
ſmall time, and after turned it into Veſſels of Wood, and kept it for many
years
.
They have alſo, at this day in Rußia, and thoſe Northern Countreys,
Mead
Simple, which (well made and ſeaſoned) is a good wholeſom
Drink
, and very clear.
They uſe alſo in Wales, a Compound Drink of
Mead
, with Herbs and Spices.
But mean while it were good, in recompence
of
that we have loſt in Honey, there were brought in uſe a Sugar-Mead (for
ſo
we may call it) though without any mixture at all of Honey;
and to
brew
it, and keep it ſtale, as they uſe Mead;
for certainly, though it would
not
be ſo abſterſive, and opening, and ſolutive a Drink as Mead;
yet it will
bemore
grateful to the Stomack, and more lenitive, and fit to be uſed in
ſharp
Diſeaſes:
For we ſee, that the uſe of Sugar in Beer and Ale, hath good
effects
in ſuch caſes.
IT is reported by the Ancients, that there is a kinde of Steel, in ſome places,
33849.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Finer
ſort of
Baſe
Metals.
which would poliſh almoſt as white and bright as Silver.
And that
there
was in India a kinde of Braſs, which (being poliſhed) could ſcarce be
diſcerned
from Gold.
This was in the Natural Ure, but I am doubtful,
whether
Men have ſufficiently refined Metals, which we count Baſe:
As,
whether
Iron, Braſs, and Tin, be refined to the height?
But when
217183Century IX. come to ſuch a fineneſs, as ſerveth the ordinary uſe, they try no
further
.
THere have been found certain Cements under Earth, that are very ſoft,
11850.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Cements
and
Quarries
.
and yet taken forth into the Sun, harden as hard as Marble:
There are
alſo
ordinary Quarries in Sommerſet-shire, which in the Quarry cut ſoft to
any
bigneſs, and in the Building prove firm, and hard.
LIving Creatures (generally) do change their Hair with Age, turning to
22851.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Altering
of
the
Colour of
Hairs
and
Feathers
.
be Gray and White;
as is ſeen in Men, though ſome earlier, ſome
later
;
in Horſes, that are Dappled and turn White; in Old Squirrels, that turn
Griſly
, and many others.
So do ſome Birds; as Cygnets from Gray turn
White
;
Hawks. from Brown turn more White; And ſome Birds there be,
that
upon their Moulting, do turn Colour;
as Robin-Redbreſts, after their
Moulting
grow to be Red again by degrees;
ſo do Gold-Finches upon the
Head
.
The cauſe is, for that Moiſture doth (chiefly) colour Hair, and Fea-
thers
;
and Dryneſs turneth them Gray and White; now Hairin Age wax-
eth
Dryer, ſo do Feathers.
As for Feathers, after Moulting, they are young
Feathers
, and ſo all one as the Feathers of young Birds.
So the Beard is
younger
than the Hair of the Head, and doth (for the moſt part) wax hoary
later
.
Out of this ground, ´a Man may deviſe the Means of altering the co-
lour
of Birds, and the Retardation of Hoary Hairs.
But of this ſee the Fifth
Experiment
.
THe difference between Male and Female, in ſome Creatures, is not to be
33852.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Differences
of
Living
Crea-
tures
, Male
and
Female.
diſcerned, otherwiſe than in the parts of Generation;
as in Horſes and
Mares
, Dogs and Bitches, Doves he and ſhe, and others.
But ſome differ in
magnitude
, and that diverſly:
Forin moſt the Male is the greater; as in Man,
Pheaſants
, Peacocks, Turkies, and the like;
and in ſome few, as in Hawks, the
Female
.
Some differ in the Hair and Feathers, both in the quantity, criſpation,
and
colours of them;
as He-Lions are Hirſuite, and have great Mains; the
She’s
are ſmooth like Cats.
Bulls are more criſp upon the Forehead than Cows;
the Peacock, and Pheſant-cock, and Goldfinch-cock, have glorious and fine colours;
the
Hens have not.
Generally, the he’s in Birds have the faireſt Feathers. Some
differ
in divers features;
as Bucks have Horns, Does none; Rams have more
wreathed
Horns than Evvs;
Cocks have great Combs and Spurs, Hens little
or
none;
Boars have great Fangs, Sovvs much leſs; the Turkey-cock hath great
and
ſwelling Gills, the Hen hath leſs;
Men have generally deeper and ſtronger
voices
than VVomen.
Some differ in faculty, as the Cock amongſt Singing Birds,
are
the beſt ſingers.
The chief cauſe of all theſe (no doubt) is, for that the
Males
have more ſtrength of heat than the Females;
which appeareth mani-
feſtly
in this, that all young Creatures Males are like Females, and ſo are Eu-
nuchs
, and Gelt Creatures of all kindes, liker Females.
Now heat cauſeth great-
neſs
of growth, generally, where there is moiſture enough to work upon:

But
if there be found in any Creature (which is ſeen rarely) an over-great
heat
in proportion to the moiſture, in them the Female is the greater;
as
in
Havvks and Sparrovvs.
And if the heat be ballanced with the moiſture,
then
there is no difference to be ſeen between Male and Female;
as in the
inſtances
of Horſes and Dogs.
We ſee alſo, that the Horns of Oxen and Covvs,
for
the moſt part, are larger than the Bulls which is cauſed by abundance
of
moiſture, which in the Horns of the Bull faileth, Again, Heat cauſeth
Piloſity
, and Criſpation;
and ſo likewiſe Beards in Men. It alſo
218184Natural Hiſtory; finer moiſture, which want of heat cannot expel; and that is the cauſe of
the
beauty and variety of Feathers:
Again, Heat doth put forth many Ex-
creſcences
, and much ſolid matter, which want of heat cannot do.
And this
is
the cauſe of Horns, and of the greatneſs of them;
and of the greatneſs of
the
Combs, and Spurs of Cocks, Gills of Turkey.
Cocks, and Fangs of Boars.
Heat alſo dilateth the Pipes and Organs which cauſeth the deepneſs of the
Voice
.
Again, heat refineth the Spirits, and that cauſeth the Cock-ſinging
Bird
to excel the Hen.
THere be Fiſhes greater than any Beaſts; as the Whale is far greater than
11853.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Comparative

Magnitude
of
Living
Crea-
tures
.
the Elephant.
And Beaſts are (generally) greater than Birds. For Fiſhes,
the
cauſe may be, that becauſe they live not in the Air, they have not their
moiſture
drawn, and ſoaked by the Air, and Sun-Beams.
Alſo they reſt al-
ways
, in a manner, and are ſupported by the Water;
where as Motion and
Labor
do conſume.
As for the greatneſs of Beaſts, more than of Birds, it is
cauſed
, ſor that Beaſts ſtay longer time in the Womb than Birds, and there
nouriſh
, and grow;
whereas in Birds, after the Egg laid, there is no further
growth
, or nouriſhment from the Female;
for the ſitting doth vivifie, and
not
nouriſh.
WE have partly touched before the Means of producing Fruits, with-
22854.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Exoſſation
of
Fruits
.
out Coars, or Stones.
And this we add further, that the cauſe muſt
be
abundance of moiſture;
for that the Coar, and Stone, are made of a dry
Sap
:
And we ſee, that it is poſſible to make a Tree put forth onely in Bloſſom
without
Fruit;
as in Cherries with double Flowers, much more in Fruit with-
out
Stones, or Coars.
It is reported, that a Cions of an Apple, grafted
upon
a Colewort-ſtalk, ſendeth forth a great Apple without a Coar.
It is not
unlikely
, that if the inward Pith of a Tree were taken out, ſo that the Juyce
came
onely by the Bark, it would work the effect.
For it hath been obſerved,
that
in Pollards, if the Water get in on the top, and they become hollow,
they
put forth the more.
We add alſo, that it is delivered ſor certain by ſome,
that
if the Cions be grafted, the ſmall ends down wards, it will make Fruit
have
little or no Coars, and Stones.
TObacco is a thing of great price, if it be in requeſt. For an Acre of it
33855.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Melioration
of
Tobacco
.
will be worth (as is affirmed) Two hundred pounds by the year to-
wards
charge.
The charge of making the Ground, and otherwiſe, is great,
but
nothing to the proſit.
But the English Tobacco hath ſmall credit, as be-
ing
too dull and earthy:
Nay, the Virginian Tobacco, though that be in a
hotter
climate, can get no credit for the ſame cauſe.
So that a tryal to
make
Tobacco more Aromatical, and better concocted here in England, were
a
thing of great proſit.
Some have gone about to do it, by drenching the
English
Tobacco, in a Decoction or Inlufion of Indian Tobacco.
But thoſe are
but
ſophiſtications and toyes;
for nothing that is once perfect, and hath
run
his race, can receive much amendment;
you muſt ever reſort to the
beginnings
of things for Melioration.
The way of Maturation of Tobacco
muſt
(as in other Plants) be from the Heat, either of the Earth, or of the
Sun
.
We ſee ſome leading of this in Musk-Melons, which are ſown
upon
a hot Bed, dunged below, upon a Bank turned upon the south Sun,
to
give Heat by Reflection;
laid upon Tiles, which increaſeth the Heat;
and covered with Straw, to keep them from Cold; they remove them alſo,
which
addeth ſome Life:
And by theſe helps they become as good
219185Century IX. England, as in Italy, or Provence. Theſe and the like means may be tried in
Tobacco
.
Enquire alſo of the ſteeping of Roots, in ſome ſuch Liquor, as may
give
them Vigor to put forth ſtrong.
HEat of the Sun, for the Maturition of Fruits; yea, and the heat of Vi-
11856.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Several
Heats
working
the
ſame
Effects.
vification of Living Creatures, are both repreſented and ſupplied by the
heat
of Fire;
and likewiſe, the heats of the Sun, and life, are repreſented
one
by the other.
Trees, ſet upon the Backs of Chimneys, do ripen Fruit
ſooner
.
Vines, that have been drawn in at the Window of a Kitchin, have
ſent
forth Grapes, ripe a moneth (at leaſt) before others.
Stoves, at the Back
of
Walls, bring forth Orenges here with us.
Eggs, as is reported by ſome, have
been
hatched in the warmth of an Oven.
It is reported by the Ancients, that
the
Eſtrich layeth her Eggs under Sand, where the heat of the Sun diſcloſeth
them
.
BArley in the Boyling ſwelleth not much; Wheat ſwelleth more, Rize ex-
22857.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Swelling
and
Dilatation
in
Boyling
.
treamly;
inſomuch, as a quarter of a Pint (unboiled) will ariſe to a Pint
boiled
.
The cauſe (no doubt) is, for that the more cloſe and compact the
Body
is, the more it will dilate.
Now Barley is the moſt hollow, Wheas
more
ſolid than that, and Rize moſt ſolid of all.
It may be alſo, that ſome
Bodies
have a kinde of Lentor, and more depertible nature than others;
as
we
ſee it evident in colouration;
for a ſmall quantity of Saffron, will tinct
more
, than a very great quantity of Breſil, or Wine.
FRuit groweth ſweet by Rowling or Preffing them gently with the Hand;
33858.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Dulcoration
of
Fruitt
.
as Ro wling pears, Damaſins, &
c. By Rottenneß; as Medlars, Services, Sloes,
Heps
, &
c. By Time; as Apples, Wardens, Pomegranates, & c. By certain
ſpecial
Maturations;
as by laying them in Hay, Straw, & c. And by Fire; as
in
Roaſting, Stewing, Baking, &
c. The cauſe of the ſweetneſs by Rowling,
and
Preſſing is, Emollition, which they properly enduce;
as in beating of
Stock-fish
, Flesh, &
c. By Rottenneß is, for that the Spirits of the Fruit, by Putre-
faction
, gather heat, and thereby diſgeſt the harder part:
For in all Purrefacti-
ons
there is a degree of hear.
By Time and Keeping is, becauſe the Spirits of
the
Body, do ever feed upon the tangible parts, and attenuate them.
By
ſeveral
Maturations is, by ſome degree of heat.
And by Fireis, becauſe it is
the
proper work of Heat to refine, and to incorporate;
and all ſourneſs
conſiſteth
in ſome groſsneſs of the Body:
And all incorporation doth make
the
mixture of the Body, more equal, in all the parts, which ever enduceth
a
milder taſte.
OF Fleshes, ſome are edible; ſome, except it be in Famine, not. As
44859.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Fleſh
Edible,
and
not Edi-
ble
.
thoſe that are not edible, the cauſe is, for that they have (commonly)
too
much bitterneſs of taſte;
and therefore thoſe Creatures, which are
fierce
and cholerick, are not edible;
as Lions, VVolves, Squirrels, Dogs, Foxes,
Horſes
, &
c. As for Kine, Sheep, Goats, Deer, Swine, Conneys, Hares, & c.
We ſee they are milde, and fearful. Yet it is true, that Horſes which are
Beaſts
of courage, have been and are eaten by ſome Nations;
as the Scythians
were
called Hippophagi;
and the Chineſes eat Horſ-flesh at this day; and
ſome
Gluttons have uſed to have Colts-fleſh baked.
In Birds, ſuch as are
Carnivoræ
, and Birds of Prey, are commonly no good Meat;
but the rea-
ſon
is, rather the Cholerick Nature of thoſe Birds, than their Feeding up-
on
Fleſh;
for Puits, Gulls, Shovelers, Ducks, do feed upon Fleſh, and yet
220186Natural Hiſtory; good Meat. And we ſee, that thoſe Birds which are of Prey, or feed
upon
Fleſh, are good Meat, when they are very Young;
as Hauks, Rooks,
out
of the Neſt, Owls.
Mans fleſh is not eaten. The Reaſons are three.
Firſt, Becauſe Men in Humanity do abhor it.
Secondly, Becauſe no Living Creature, that dieth of it ſelf, is good to
eat
;
and therefore the Cannibals (themſelves) eat no Mans fleſh, of thoſe
that
die of themſelves, but of ſuch as are ſlain.
The third is, Becauſe there muſt be generally) ſome diſparity between
the
Nouriſhment, and the Body nouriſhed;
and they muſt not be overnear,
or
like:
Yet we ſee, that in great weakneſſes and Conſumptions, Men have
been
ſuſtained with Womans Milk.
And Picinus fondly (as I conceive) ad-
viſeth
, for the Prolongation of Life, that a Vein be opened in the Arm of
ſome
wholſome young man, and the blood to be ſucked.
It is ſaid, that
Witches
do greedily eat Mans fleſh, which if it betrue, beſides a devilliſh
Appetite
in them, it is likely to proceed;
for that Mans fleſh may ſend up
high
and pleaſing Vapors, which may ſtir the Imagination, and Witches
felicity
is chiefly in Imagination, ashath been ſaid.
THere is an ancient received Tradition of the Salamander, that it liveth
11860.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Salamander
.
in the Fire, and hath force alſo to extinguiſh the fire.
It muſt have two
things
, if it betrue, to this operation.
The one, a very cloſe skin, whereby
flame
, which in the midſt is not ſo hot, cannot enter:
For we ſee, that if the
Palm
of the Hand be anointed thick with White of Eggs, and then Aquavitæ
be
poured upon it, and enflamed, yet one may endure the flame a pretty
while
.
The other is ſome extream cold and quenching vertue, in the Body
of
that Creature which choaketh the fire.
We ſee that Milk quencheth
Wildfire
better than VVater, becauſe it entreth better.
TIme doth change Fruit (as Apples, Pears, Pomegranates, & c.) from more
22861.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Contrary
ope-
rations
of
Time
, upon
Fruits
and
Liquors
.
ſour to more ſweet;
but contrariwiſe, Liquors (even thoſe that are of
the
Juyce of Fruit) from more ſweet to more ſour;
as, Wort, Muſt, New
Verjuyce
, &
c. The cauſe is, the congregation of the Spirits together; for
in
both kindes, the Spirit is attenuated by Time;
but in the firſt kinde, it is
more
diffuſed, and more maſt ered by the groſſer parts, which the Spirits do
but
digeſt:
But in Drinks the Spirits do reign, and finding leſs oppoſition
of
the parts, become themſelves more ſtrong, which cauſeth alſo more
ſtrength
in the Liquor;
ſuch, as if the spirits be of the hotter ſort, the Li-
quor
becometh apt to burn;
but in time, it cauſeth likewiſe, when the higher
Spirits
are evaporated more ſourneſs.
IT hath been obſerved by the Ancients, that Plates of Metal, and eſpecially
33862.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Blows
and
Bruiſes
.
of Braſs, applied preſently to a blow, will keep it down from ſwelling.
The cauſe is Repercuſſion, without Humectation, or entrance of any Body:
For
the Plate hath onely a virtual cold, which doth not ſearch into the hurt;

whereas
all Plaiſters and Oynments do enter.
Surely, the cauſe that blows
and
bruiſes induce ſwellings is, for that the Spirits reſorting to ſuccor the
part
that laboreth, draw alſo the humors with them:
For we ſee, that it is
not
the repulſe, and the return of the humor in the part ſtrucken that cauſeth
it
;
for that Gouts, and Toothachs cauſe ſwelling, where there is no Per-
cuſſion
at all.
221187Century IX.
THe nature of the Orris Root, is almoſt ſingular, for there be few odo-
11863.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Orris
Root.
riferous Roots;
and in thoſe that are in any degree ſweet, it is but the
ſame
ſweetneſs with the Wood or Leaf:
But the Orris notſweet in the
Leaf
, neither is the Flower any thing ſo ſweet as the Root.
The Root ſeem-
eth
to have a tender dainty heat, which when it cometh above ground to
the
Sun, and the Air, vaniſheth:
For it is a great Mollifier, and hath a ſmell
like
a Violet.
IT hath been obſerved by the Ancients that a great Veſſel full, drawn into
22864
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Compre
ßion of
Liquors
.
Bottles;
and then the Liquor put again into the Veſſel, will not fill the
Veſſel
again, ſo full as it was, but that it may take in more Liquor;
and that
this
holdeth more in Wine, than in Water.
The cauſe may be trivial, name-
ly
, by the expence of the Liquor, in regard ſome may ſtick to the ſides of
the
Bottles:
But there may be a cauſe more ſubtil, which is, that the Liquor
in
the Veſſel, is not ſo much compreſſed, as in the Bottle;
becauſe in the
Veſſel
, the Liquor meeteth with Liquor chiefly;
but in the Bottles, a ſmall
quantity
of Liquor meeteth with the ſides of the Bottles, which compreſs it
ſo
, that it doth not open again.
WAter being contiguous with Air, cooleth it, but moiſteneth it not,
33865.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Working
of
Water
upon
Air
contiguo
ous
.
except it Vapor.
The cauſe is, for that Heat and Cold have a Virtual
Tranſition
, without Communication of ſubſtance, but moiſture not;
and
to
all madeſaction there is required an imbibition:
But where the Bodies
are
of ſuch ſeveral Levity, and Gravity, as they mingle not, they can follow
no
imbibition.
And therefore, Oyl likewiſe lieth at the top of the Water,
without
commixture:
And a drop of Water running ſwiftly over a Straw
or
ſmooth Body, wetteth not.
STarlight Nights, yea, and bright Moonshine Nights, are colder than Cloudy
44866.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Nature
of
Air
.
Nights.
The cauſe is, the drineſs and Fineneſs of the Air, which thereby
becometh
more piercing and ſharp;
and thereſore great Continents are
colder
than Iſlands.
And as for the Moon, though it ſelf inclineth the Air to
moiſture
, yet when it ſhineth bright, it argueth the Air is dry.
Alſo cloſe
Air
is warmer than open Air, which (it may be) is, for that the true cauſe of
cold
, is an expiration from the Globe of the Earth, which in open places is
ſtronger
.
And again, Air it ſelf, if it be not altered by that expiration, is
not
withoutſome ſecret degree of heat;
as it is not likewiſe without ſome
ſecret
degree of Light:
For otherwiſe Cats, and Owls, could not ſee in the
Night
;
but that Air hath a little Light, proportionable to the Viſual Spirits
oſ
thoſe Creatures.
THe Eyes do move one and the ſame way; for when one Eye moveth
55867.
Experimeats

in
Conſort,
touching
the
Eyes
and
Sight
.
to the Noſtril, the other moveth from the Noſtril.
The cauſe is Motion
of
Conſent, which in the Spirits, and Parts Spiritual, is ſtrong.
But yet uſe will
induce
the contrary;
for ſome can ſquint when they will. And the common
Tradition
is, that if Children be ſet upon a Table with a Candle behinde
them
, both Eyes will move outwards, as affecting to ſee the Light, and ſo
induce
Squinting.
We ſee more exqu iſitely with one Eye ſhut, than with both open. The
66868. cauſe is, for that the Spirits Viſual unite themſelves more, and ſo
222188Natural Hiſtory; ſtronger. For you may ſee, by looking in a Glaſs, that when you ſhut one
Eye
, the Pupil of the other Eye, that is open, dilateth.
The Eyes, if the ſight meet not in one Angle, ſee things double. The
11869. cauſe is, for that ſeeing two things, and ſeeing one thing twice, worketh the
ſame
effect:
And therefore a little Pellet, held between two Fingers, laid a
croſs
, ſeemeth double.
Pore-blind Men, ſee beſt in the dimmer light; and like wiſe have their
22870. ſight ſtronger near hand, than thoſe that are not Poreblind, and can read
and
write ſmaller Letters.
The cauſe is, for that the Spirits Viſual, in thoſe
that
are Poreblind, are thinner and rarer, than in others;
and therefore the
greater
light diſperſeth them.
For the ſame cauſe they need contracting;
but being contracted, are more ſtrong than the Viſual Spirits of ordinary eyes
are
;
as when we ſee thorow a Level, the ſight is the ſtronger: And ſo is it,
when
you gather the Eye-lids ſome what cloſe:
And it is commonly ſeen in
thoſe
that are Poreblind, that they do much gather the eye-lids together.

But
old Men, when they would ſee toread, put the Paper ſomewhat a ſar off.

The
cauſe is, for that old Mens Spirits Viſual, contrary to thoſe oſ Pore-
blind
Men unite not, but when the object is at ſome good diſtance from their
Eyes
.
Men ſee better when their Eyes are over againſt the Sun or a Candle, if
33871. they put their Hand a little before their Eye.
The Reaſon is, for that the
Glaring
of the Sun, or the Candle, doth weaken the Eye;
whereas the Light
circumfuſed
is enough for the Perception.
For we ſee, that an over-light
maketh
the Eyes dazel, inſomuch as perpetual looking againſt the Sun,
would
cauſe Blindneſs.
Again, if Men come out of a great light, into a
dark
room;
and contrariwiſe, if they come out of a dark room into a light
room
, they ſeem to have a Miſt before their Eyes, and ſee worſe than they
ſhall
do after they have ſtaid a little while, either in the light, or in the dark.
The cauſe is, for that the Spirits Viſual, are upon a ſudden change diſturbed,
and
put out of order;
and till they be recollected, do not perform their
Function
well.
For when they are much dilated by light, they cannot con-
tract
ſuddenly;
and when they are much contracted by darkneſs, they cannot
dilate
ſuddenly.
And exceſs of both theſe, (that is, of the Dilatation, and
Contraction
of the Spirits Viſual) if it be long, deſtroyeth the Eye.
For as
long
looking againſt the Sun, or Fire, hurteth the Eye by Dilatation, ſo curi-
ous
painting in ſmall Volumes, and reading of ſmall Letters, do hurt the Eye
by
contraction.
It hath been obſerved, that in Anger the Eyes wax red; and in Bluſh-
44872. ing, not the Eyes, but the Ears, and the parts behind them.
The cauſe is, for
that
in Anger, the Spirits aſcend and wax eager;
which is moſt eaſily ſeen in
the
Eyes, becauſe they are tranſlucide, though withal it maketh both the
Cheeks
, and the Gils red;
but in Bluſhing, it is true, the Spirits aſeend like-
wiſe
to ſuccor, both the Eyes and the Face, which are the parts that labor:
But when they are repulſed by the Eyes, for that the Eyes, in ſhame do put
back
the Spirits that aſcend to them, as unwilling to look abroad:
For no
Man
, in that paſſion, doth look ſtrongly, but dejectedly, and that repulſion
from
the Eyes, diverteth the Spirits and heat more to the Ears, and the parts
by
them.
The objects of the Sight, may cauſe a great pleaſure and delight in the
55873. Spirits, but no pain or great offence;
except it be by Memory, as hath been
ſaid
.
The Glimpſes and Beams of Diamonds that ſtrike the Eye, Indian Fea-
thers
, that have glorious colours, the coming into a fair Garden, the
223189Century IX. into a fair Room richly furniſhed; a beautiſul perſon, and the like, do de-
light
and exhilarate the Spirits much.
The reaſon, why it holdeth not in
the
offence is, for that the Sight is moſt ſpiritual of the Senſes, whereby it
hath
no object groſs enough to offend it.
But the cauſe (chiefly) is, for
that
there be no active objects to offend the Eye.
For Harmonical Sounds,
and
Diſcordant Sounds, are both Active and Poſitive;
ſo are ſweet ſmells,
and
ſtinks;
ſo are bitter, and ſweets, in taſtes; ſo are over-hot, and over-
cold
, in touch;
but blackneſs, and darkneſs, are indeed but privatives; and
therefore
have little or no Activity.
Some what they do contriſtate, but very
little
.
WAter of the Sea, or otherwiſe, looketh blacker when it is moved, and
11874.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Colour
of the
Sea
, or other
Water
.
whiter when it reſteth.
The cauſe is, ſor that by means of the Moti-
on
, the Beams of Light paſs not ſtraight, and thereſore muſt be darkned;
whereas when it reſteth, the Beams do paſs ſtraight. Beſides, ſplendor hath a
degree
of whiteneſs, eſpecially, if there be alittle repercuſſion;
for a Look-
ing-Glaſs
with the Steel behinde, looketh whiter than Glaſs ſimple.
This
Experiment
deſerveth to be driven further, in trying by what means Motion
may
hinder Sight.
SHell-fish have been by ſome of the Ancients, compared and ſorted with
22875.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Shelfiſh
.
the Inſecta;
but I ſee no reaſon why they ſhould, for they have Male,
and
Female, as other F@ſh have;
neither are they bred of Putrefaction, eſpe-
cially
ſuch as do move.
Nevertheleſs it is certain, that Oyſters, and Cockles,
and
Muſſels, which move not, have not diſcriminate Sex.
Quœre, in what
time
, and how they are bred?
It ſeemeth, that Shells of Oy@ters are bred
where
none were beſore;
and it is tryed, that the great Horſe-Muſle, with the
fine
ſhell, that breedeth in Ponds, hath bred within thirty years:
But then,
which
is ſtrange, it hath been tryed, that they do not onely gape and ſhut as
the
Oyſters do, but remove from one place to another.
THe Senſes are alike ſtrong, both on the right ſide, and on the left; but the
33876.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Right-ſide
and
the
Leſt.
Limbs on the right ſide are ſtronger.
The cauſe may be, for that the
Brain
, which is the Inſtrument of Senſe, is alike on both ſides;
but Motion,
and
habilities of moving, are ſomewhat holpen from the Liver, which lieth
on
the right ſide.
It may be alſo, for that the Senſes are putin exerciſe, in-
differently
on both ſides from the time of our Birth;
but the Limbs are uſed
moſt
on the right ſide, whereby cuſtom helpeth:
For we ſee, that ſome are
left-handed
, which are ſuch as have uſed the left-hand moſt.
FRictions make the parts more fleſhy, and full; As we ſee both in Men, and
44877.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Frictions
.
in the Currying of Horſes, &
c. The cauſe is, for that they draw greater
quantity
of Spirits and Blood to the parts;
and again, becauſe they draw the
Aliment
more forcibly from within;
and again, becauſe they relax the Pores,
and
ſo make better paſſage for the Spirits, Blood, and Aliment:
Laſtly, be-
cauſe
they diſſipate, and diſgeſt any Inutile, or Excrementitious moiſture,
which
lieth in the Fl@ſh;
all which help Aſſimulation. Frictions alſo do,
more
fill and impinguate the Body, than Exerciſe.
The cauſe is, for that in
Frictions
, the in ward parts are at reſt;
which in exerciſe are beaten (many
times
) toomuch:
And for the ſame reaſon (as we have noted heretofore)
Galliſlaves
are ſat and fleſhy, becauſe they ſtir the Limbs more, and the in-
ward
parts leſs.
224190Natural Hiſtory;
ALl Globes a ſar off, appearflat. The cauſe is, for that diſtance, being a
11878.
Expetiment

Solitary
,
touching

Globes
ap-
pearing
Flat
at
diſtance.
ſecundary object of ſight, is not otherwiſe diſcerned, than by more or
leſs
light;
which diſparity, when it cannot be diſcerned, all ſeemeth one:
As it is (generally) in objects not diſtinctly diſcerned; for ſo Letters, iſ they
be
ſo far off, as they cannot be diſcerned, ſhew but as duskiſh Paper;
and
all
Engravings and Emboſſings (a far off) appear plain.
THe uttermoſt parts of Shadows, ſeem ever to tremble. The cauſe is, for
22879.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Shadows
.
that the little Moats which we ſee in the Sun, do ever ſtir, though there
be
no Wind;
and therefore thoſe moving, in the meeting of the Light and
the
Shadow, ſrom the Light to the Shadow, and from the Shadow to the
Light
, do ſhew the ſhadow to move, becauſethe Medium moveth.
SHallow and Narrow Seas, break more than deep and large. The cauſe is,
33880.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Rowling
and
Briaking
of
the
Seas.
for that the Impulſion being the ſame in both;
where there is a greater
quantity
of Water, and likewiſe ſpace enough, there the Water rouleth,
and
moveth, both more ſlowly, and with a ſloper riſe and fall:
But where
there
is leſs Water, and leſs ſpace, and the Water daſheth more againſt the
bottom
;
there it moveth more ſwiftly, and more in Precipice: For in the
breaking
of the Waves, there is ever a Precipice.
IT hath been obſerved by the Ancients, that Salt-water boiled, or boiled
44881.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Dulcoration
of
Salt
water.
and cooled again, is more potable, than of it ſelf raw;
and yet the taſte
of
Salt, in Diſtillations by Fire, riſeth not:
For the Diſtilled Water will be
freſh
.
The cauſe may be, for that the Salt part of the Water, doth partly
riſe
into a kinde of Scum on the top, and partly goeth into a Sediment in
the
bottom;
and ſo is rather a ſeparation, than an evaporation. But it is too
groſs
to riſe into a vapor;
and ſo is a bitter taſte likewiſe: For ſimple diſtil-
led
Waters of Wormwood, and the like, are not bitter.
IT hath been ſet down before, that Pits upon the Sea-shores turn into freſh
55882.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Return
of
Saltneß
in
Pits
upon the
Seaſhore
.
Water, by Percolation of the Salt through the Sand:
But it is further
noted
, by ſome of the Ancients, that in ſome places of Africk, after a time,
the
Water in ſuch Pits will become brakiſh again.
The cauſe is, for that
after
a time, the very Sands, thorow which the Salt-Water paſſeth, become
Salt
;
and ſo the Strainer it ſelf is tincted with Salt. The remedy therefore is
to
dig ſtill new Pits, when the old wax brackiſh;
as if you would change
your
Strainer.
IT hath been obſerved by the Ancients, that Salt-Water will diſſolve Salt put
66883.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Attraction
by
Similitude
of
Substance
.
into it, in leſs time, than Freſh Water will diſſolve it.
The cauſe may
be
, for that the Salt in the precedent Water, doth by ſimilitude of Subſtance,
draw
the Salt new put in, unto it;
whereby it diffuſeth in the Liquor more
ſpeedily
.
This is a noble Experiment, if it be true; for it ſheweth means of
more
quick and eaſie In fuſions, and it is likewiſe a good in ſtance of Attracti-
on
by Similitude of Subſtance.
Try it with Sugar put into Water, formerly
ſugred
, and into other VVater unſugred.
PUt Sugar into Wine, part of it above, part under the Wine; and you ſhall
77884.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Attraction
.
finde (that which may ſeem ſtrange) that the Sugar above the VVine, will
ſoften
and diſſolve ſooner than that within the Wine.
The cauſe is, for
225191Century IX. the Wine entreth that part of the Sugar which is under the Wine, by ſim-
ple
Infuſion or Spreding;
but that part above the Wine is likewiſe forced
by
Sucking:
For all Spongy Bodies expel the Air, and draw in Liquor, if
it
be contiguous;
as we ſee it alſo in Sponges, put part above the Water. It
is
worthy the inquiry, to ſee how you may make more accurate Inſuſions,
by
help of Attraction.
WAter in Wells is warmer in Winter than in Summer; and ſo Air in
11885.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Heat
upon
Earth
.
Caves.
The cauſe is, for that in the higher parts, under the Earth,
there
is a degree of ſome heat (as appeareth in ſulphureous Veins, &
c.)
which ſhut cloſe in (as in Winter) is the more; but if it perſpire (as it doth
in
Summer) it is the leſs.
IT is reported, that amongſt the Leucadians, in ancient time, upon a ſuper-
22886.
Experimen

Solitary
,
touching

Flying
in the
Air
.
ſtition, they did uſe to precipitate a Man from ahigh Cliff into the Sea;
tying about him with ſtrings, at ſome diſtance, many great Fowls; and fix-
ing
unto his Body divers Feathers ſpred, to break the fall.
Certainly many
Birds
of good Wing (as Kites, and the like) would bear up a good weight
as
they flie;
and ſpreding of Feathers thin and cloſe, and in great bredth,
will
likewiſe bear up a great weight, being even laid without tilting upon
the
ſides.
The further extenſion of this Experiment for Flying, may be
thought
upon.
THere is in ſome places (namely, in Cephalonia) a little Shrub, which
33887.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Dye
of Scar-
let
.
they call Holy Oak, or Dwarf Oak.
Upon the Leaves whereof there
riſeth
a Tumor, like a Bliſter;
which they gather, and rub out of it, acer-
tain
red duſt, that converteth (after a while) into Worms, which they kill
with
Wine, (as is reported) when they begin to quicken:
With this Duſt
they
Die Scarlet.
IN Zant, it is very ordinary, to make Men impotent, to accompany with
44888.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Maleficiating
.
their Wives.
The like is practiſed in Gaſcony, where it is called Nover l’
Eguillete
.
It is practiſed alvvays upon the Wedding day. And in Zant, the
Mothers
themſelves do it by vvay of prevention, becauſe thereby they hinder
other
Charms, and can undo their ovvn.
It is a thing the Civil Law taketh
knovvledge
of, and therefore is of no light regard.
IT is a common Experiment, but the cauſe is miſtaken. Take a Pot, (or
55889.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Riſe
of Water
by
Means of
Flame
.
better a Glaſs, becauſe therein you may ſee the Motion) and ſet a Candle
lighted
in the Bottom of a Baſon of Water;
and turn the Mouth of the Pot
or
Glaſs over the Candle, and it vvill make the Water riſe.
They aſcribe it
to
the dravving of heat, vvhich is not true:
For it appeareth plainly to be
but
a Motion of Nexe, vvhich they call Nedetur vacuum, and it proceedeth
thus
;
The Flame of the Candle as ſoon, as it is covered, being ſuffocated
by
the cloſe Air, leſſeneth by little and little:
During vvhich time, there is
ſome
little aſcent of Water, but not much;
for the Flame occupying leſs
and
leſs room, as it leſſeneth, the Water ſucceedeth.
But upon the inſtant
of
the Candles going out, there is a ſudden riſe of a greatdeal of Water;
for
that
that the Body of the Flame filleth no more place, and ſo the Air and
Water
ſucceed.
It vvorketh the ſame offect, if inſtead of Water, you put
Flovver
, or Sand, into the Baſon:
Which ſhevveth, that it is not the Flames
dravving
the Liquor, as Nouriſhment, as it is ſuppoſed, for all Bodies
226192Natural Hiſtory; alike unto it, as it is ever in motion of Nexe; inſomuch, as I have ſeen the
Glaſs
, being held by the hand, hath lifted up the Baſon, and all:
The motion
of
Nexe did ſo claſp the bottom of the Baſon.
That Experiment, when the
Baſon
was lifted up, was made with Oyl, and not with Water.
Nevertheleſs
this
this is true, that at the very firſt ſetting of the Mouth of the Glaſs, upon
the
bottom of the Baſon, it draweth up the Water a little, and then ſtandeth
at
a ſtay, almoſt till the Candles going out, as was ſaid.
This may ſhew ſome
Attraction
at firſt;
but of this we will ſpeak more, when we handle Attracti-
ons
by Heat.
OF the Power of the Celeſtial Bodies, and what more ſecret in ſlucences
11Experiments
in
Conſort,
tcuching
the
Influences
oſ
the
Moon.
they have, beſides the two manifeſt in fluences of Heat and Light, we
ſhall
ſpeak, when we handle Experiments touching the Celeſtial Bodies:
Mean
while
, we will give ſome Directions for more certain Tryals of the Vertue
and
Influences of the Moon, which is our neareſt Neighbor.
The Influences of the Moon (moſt obſerved) are four; the drawing
forth
of Heat;
the Inducing of Putrefaction; the increaſe of Moiſture; the
exciting
of the Motions of Spirits.
For the drawing forth of Heat, we have ſormerly preſcribed to take
22890. Water warm, and to ſet part of it againſt the Moon-beams, and part of it
with
a Skreen between;
and to ſee whether that which ſtandeth expoſed to
the
Beams will not cool ſooner.
But becauſe this is but a ſmall interpoſition,
(though in the Sun we ſee a ſmall ſhade doth much) it were good to try it
when
the Moon ſhineth, and when the Moon ſhineth not at all;
and with
Water
warm in a Glaſs-bottle as well as in a Diſh, and with Cinders, and
with
Iron red-hot, &
c,
For the inducing of Putrefaction, it were good to try it with Fleſh or
33891. Fiſh expoſed to the Moon-beams, and again expoſed to the Air when the
Moon
ſhineth not, for the liketime, to ſee whether will corrupt ſoorter;
and try it alſo with Capon, or ſome other fowl laid abroad, to ſee whether it
will
mortifie and become tenderſooner.
Try it alſo with dead Flies or dead
Worms
, having a little Water caſt upon them, to ſee whether will putrefie
ſooner
.
Try it alſo with an Apple or Orenge, having holes made in their
tops
, to ſee whether will rot or mould ſooner.
Try it alſo with Holland
Cheeſe
, having Wine put into it, whether it will breed Mites ſooner or
greater
.
For the increafe of Moiſture, the opinion received is, that Seeds will
44892. grow ſooneſt, and Hair, and Nails, and Hedges, and Herbs, cut, &
c. will
grow
ſooneſt, if they be ſet or cut in the increaſe of the Moon:
Alſo, that
Brains
in Rabits, Wood-cocks, Calves, &
c. are ſulleſt in the Full of the
Moon
;
and ſo of Marrow in the Bones, and fo of Oyſters and Cockles;
which of all the reſt are the eaſieſt tried, if you have them in Pits.
Take ſome Seeds or Roots (as Onions, & c.) and ſet ſome of them im-
55893. mediately after the Change, and others of the ſame kinde immediately after
the
Full:
Let them be as like as can be, the Earth alſo the ſame as near as
may
be, and therefore beſt in Pots:
Let the Pots alſo ſtand where no Rain
or
Sun may come to them, leſt the difference of the Weather conſound the
Experiment
.
And then ſee in what time the Seeds ſet, in the increaſe of the
Moon
, come to a certain height, and how they differ from thoſe that are ſet
in
the decreaſe of the Moon.
227193Century IX.
It is like, that the Brain of Man waxeth moiſter and fuller upon the Full
11894. of the Moon;
and therefore it were good for thoſe that have moiſt Brains,
and
are great Drinkers, to take fume of Lignum Aloes, Roſemary, Frankincenſe,
&
c. about the Full of the Moon. It is like alſo, that the Humors in Mens
Bodies
increaſe and decreaſe, as the Moon doth;
and therefore it were good
to
purge ſome day or two after the Full, for that then the Humors will not
repleniſh
ſo ſoon again.
As for the exciting of the motion of the Spirits, you muſt note, that the
22895. growth of Hedges, Herbs, Hair, &
c. is cauſed from the Moon, by exciting of
the
Spirits, as well as by increaſe of the moiſture.
But for Spirits in particular,
the
great inſtance is in Lunacies.
There may be other ſecret effects of the influence of the Moon, which
33896. are not yet brought into obſervation.
It may be, that if it ſo fall out, that the
Wind
be North or North Eaſt, in the Full of the Moon, it increaſeth Cold;
and if South or South-Weſt, it diſpoſeth the Air for a good while to warmth
and
rain;
which would be obſerved.
It may be that Children and young Cattel that are brought forth in the
44897. Full of the Moon, are ſtronger and larger then thoſe that are brought forth
in
the Wane;
and thoſe alſo which are begotten in the Full of the Moon:
So that it might be good Husbandry, to put Rams and Bulls to their Females
ſomewhat
before the Full of the Moon.
It may be alſo, that the Eggs
laid
in the Full of the Moon, breed the better Bird;
and a number of the
like
effects, which may be brought into obſervation.
Quare alſo, whe-
ther
great Thunders and Earth-quakes be not moſt in the Full of the
Moon
.
THe turning of Wine to Vinegar, is a kinde of Putrefaction; and in
55898.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Vinegar
.
making of Vinegar, they uſe to ſet Veſſels of Wine over againſt the
Noon
Sun, which calleth out the more Oily Spirits, and leaveth the Liquor
more
ſour and hard.
We ſee alſo, that Burnt-Wine is more hard and aſtrin-
gent
then Wine unburnt.
It is ſaid, that Cider in Navigations under the Line
ripeneth
, when Wine or Beer ſoureth.
It were good to ſet a Rundlet of Ver-
juice
over againſt the Sun in Summer, as they do Vinegar, to ſee whether it
will
ripen and ſweeten.
THere be divers Creatures that ſleep all Winter; as the Bear, the Hedg-
66899.
Expetiment

Solitary
,
touching

Creatures
that
Sleep
all Win-
ter
.
hog, the Bat, the Bee, &
c. Theſe all wax fat when they ſleep, and egeſt
not
.
The cauſe of their fattening, during their ſleeping time, may be the
want
of aſſimilating;
for whatſoever aſſimilateth not to Fleſh, turneth either
to
ſweat or fat.
Theſe Creatures, for part of their ſleeping time, have been
obſerved
not to ſtir at all;
and for the other part, to ſtir, but not to remove,
and
they get warm and cloſe places to ſleep in.
When the Flemmings wintred
in
Nova Zembla, the Bears about the middle of November went to ſleep;
and
then
the Foxes began to comeforth, which durſt not before.
It is noted by
ſome
of the Ancients, that the She Bear breedeth, and lieth in with her
young
during that time of Reſt, and that a Bear big with young, hath ſeldom
77900.
Expetiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Generation
of
Creatures
by
Copulating
,
and
by Putre-
faction
.
been ſeen.
SOme Living Creatures are procreated by Copulation between Male and
Female
, ſome by Putrefaction;
and of thoſe which come by Putrefaction,
many
do (nevertheleſs) after wards procreate by Copulation.
For the cauſe
of
both Generations:
Firſt, it is moſt certain, that the cauſe of all
228194Natural Hiſtory; fication is a gentle and proportionable heat, working upon a gluttinous and
yielding
ſubſtance;
for the heat doth bring forth Spirit in that ſubſtance,
and
the ſubſtance being gluttinous, produceth two effects;
the one, That
the
Spirit is detained, and cannot break forth;
the other That the matter
being
gentle and yielding, is driven forwards by the motion of the Spirits,
after
ſome ſwelling into ſhape and members.
Therefore all Sperm, all Men-
ſtruous
ſubſtance, all matter whereof Creatures are produced by Putrefacti-
on
, have evermore a Cloſeneſs, Lentor, and Sequacity.
It ſeemeth therefore
that
the Generation by Sperm onely, and by Putrefaction, have two diffe-
rent
cauſes.
The firſt is, for that Creatures which have a definite and exact
ſhape
(as thoſe have which are procreated by Copulation) cannot be produ-
ced
by a weak and caſual heat;
nor out of matter, which is not exactly pre-
pared
according to the Species, The ſecond is, for that there is a greater
time
required for Maturation of perfect Creatures;
for if the time required
in
Vivification be of any length, then the Spirit will exhale before the Crea-
ture
be mature;
except it be incloſed in a place where it may have continu-
ance
of the heat, acceſs of ſome nouriſhment to maintain it, and cloſeneſs
that
may keep it from exhaling;
and ſuch places, or the Wombs and Matri-
ces
of the Females:
And therefore all Creatures made of Putrefaction, are
of
more uncertain ſhape, and are made in ſhorter time, and need not ſo per-
fect
an encloſure, though ſome cloſeneſs be commonly required.
As for
the
Heathen opinion, which was, That upon great mutations of the World,
perfect
Creatures were firſt ingendred of Concretion, as well as Frogs, and
Worms
, and Flies, and ſuch like, are now;
we know it to be vain: But if
any
ſuch thing ſhould be admitted, diſcourſing according to ſenſe, it cannot
be
, except you admit of a Chaos firſt, and commixture of Heaven and Earth;
for the Frame of the World once in order, cannot effect it by any exceſs or
caſualty
.
229197
NATURAL
HISTORY
.
Century X.
THe Philoſophy of Pythagoras (which was full of Super-
11Experiments
in
Conſott,
touching

Tranſmißion

and
Influx of
Immateriate

Virtues
, and
the
Force of
Imagination
.
ſtition) did firſt plant a Monſtrous Imagination, which
afterwards
was, by the School of Plato, and others,
watred
and nouriſhed.
It was, That the World was one
entire
perfect Living Creature;
inſomuch, as Apollonius of
Iyana
, a Pythagorean Prophet, affirmed, That the Ebb-
ing
and Flowing of the Sea was the Reſpiration of the
World
, drawing in Water as Breath, and putting it
forth
again.
They went on, and inferred, That if the World were a Living
Creature
, it had a Soul and Spirit;
which alſo they held, calling it Spiritus
Mundi
, the Spirit or Soul of the World;
by which, they did not intend God,
(for they did admit of a Deity beſides) but onely the Soul, or Eſſential Form
of
the Univerſe.
This Foundation being laid, they might build upon it what
they
would;
for in a Living Creature, though never ſo great (as for example,
in
a great Whale) the Senſe and the Affects of any one part of the Body
inſtantly
make a Tranſcurſion throughout the whole Body:
So that by this
they
did inſinuate, that no diſtance of place, nor want orindiſpoſition of
Matter
, could hinder Magical Operations;
but that (for example) we
might
here in Europe have Senſe and Feeling of that which was done in
China
;
and likewiſe, we might work any effect without and againſt Matter:
And this not holden by the co-operation of Angels or Spirits, but onely by
the
Unity and Harmony of Nature.
There were ſome alſo that ſtaid not
here
, but went further, and held, That if the Spirit of Man (whom they
call
the Microcoſm) do give a fit touch to the Spirit of the World, by ſtrong
Imaginations
and Beliefs, it might command Nature;
for Paracelſus, and
ſome
darkſome Authors of Magick, do aſcribe to Imagination exalted the
Power
of Miracle-working Faith.
With theſe vaſt and bottomleſs Follies
Men
have been (in part) entertained.
230198Natural Hiſtory;
Butwe, that hold firm to the Works of God, and to the Senſe, which
is
Gods Lamp, (Lucerna Dei Spiraculum Hominis) will enquire with all So-
briety
and Severity, whether there be to be found in the Foot-ſteps of Na-
ture
any ſuch Tranſmiſſion and Influx of Immateriate Virtues;
and what
the
force of Imagination is, either upon the Body Imaginant, or upon
another
Body:
Wherein it will be like that labor of Hercules in purging the
Stable
of Augeas, to ſeparate from Superſtitious and Magical Arts and Ob-
ſervations
, any thing that is clean and pure Natural, and not to be either
contemned
or condemned.
And although we ſhall have occaſion to
ſpeak
of this in more places then one, yet we will now make ſome entrance
thereinto
.
MEn are to be admoniſhed, that they do not withdraw credit from the
11901.
Experiments

in
Conſort
Menitory
,
touching

Tranſmißion

of
Spirits, and
the
Force of
Imagination
.
Operations by Tranſmiſſion of Spirits and Force of Imagination,
becauſe
the effects fail ſometimes.
For as in Infection and Contagion from
Body
to Body, (as the Plague, and the like) it is moſt certain, that the In-
fection
is received (many times) by the Body Paſſive, but yet is by the
ſtrength
and good diſpoſition thereof repulſed, and wrought out, before it
be
formed into a Diſeaſe;
ſo much more in Impreſſions from Minde to
Minde
, or from Spirit to Spirit, the Impreſſion taketh, but is encountred
and
overcome by the Minde and Spirit, which is Paſſive, before it work any
manifeſt
effect:
And therefore they work moſt upon weak Mindes and
Spirits
;
as thoſe of Women, Sick Perſons, Superſtitious and fearful Per-
ſons
, Children, and young Creatures.
Neſcio quis teneros oculus mihi faſcinat Agnos:
The Poet ſpeaketh not of Sheep, but of Lambs. As for the weakneſs of the
Power
of them upon Kings and Magiſtrates, it may be aſcribed (beſides the
main
, which is the Protection of God over thoſe that execute his place) to
the
weakneſs of the Imagination of the Imaginant;
for it is hard for a
Witch
or a Sorcerer to put on a belief, that they can hurt ſuch perſons.
Men are to be admoniſhed on the other ſide, that they do not eaſily give
22902. placeand creditto theſe operations, becauſe they ſucceed many times:
For
the
cauſe of this ſucceſs is (oft) to be truly aſcribed unto the force of Affecti-
on
and Imagination upon the Body Agent, and then by a ſecondary means it
may
work upon a diverſe Body.
As for example, If a man carry a Planets Seal
or
a Ring, or ſome part of a Beaſt, believing ſtrongly that it will help him to
obtain
his Love, or to keep him from danger of hurt in Fight, or to prevail in
a
Sute, &
c. it may make him more active and induſtrious; and again more
confident
and perſiſting, then otherwiſe he would be.
Now the great effects
that
may come of Induſtry and Perſeverance (eſpecially in civil buſineſs) who
knoweth
not?
For we ſee audacity doth almoſt binde and mate the weaker
ſort
of Mindes;
and the ſtate of Humane Actions is ſo variable, that to try
things
oft, and never to give over, doth wonders:
Therefore it were a meer
fallacy
and miſtaking to aſcribe that to the Force of Imagination upon an-
other
Body, which is but the Force of Imagination upon the proper Body;
for there is no doubt but that Imagination and vehement Affection work
greatly
upon the Body of the Imaginant, as we ſhall ſhew in due place.
Men are to be admoniſhed, that as they are not to miſtake the cauſes of
33903. theſe Operations, ſo much leſs they are to miſtake the Fact or Effect,
and
raſhly to take that for done which is not done.
And therefore, as di-
vers
wiſe Judges have preſcribed and cautioned, Men may not too
231199Century X. believe the Confeſſion of Witches, nor yet the evidence againſt them: For
the
Witches themſelves are Imaginative, and believe oſt-times they do that
which
they do not;
and people are credulous in that point, and ready to
impute
Accidents and Natural operations to Witchcraft.
It is worthy the
obſerving
, that both in ancient and late times, (as in the Theſſalian Witches,
and
the meetings of Witches that have been recorded by ſo many late Con-
feſſions
) the great wonders which they tell of carrying in the Air, trans-
forming
them ſelves into other Bodies, &
c. are ſtill reported to be wrought,
not
by Incantation or Ceremonies, but by Ointments and Anointing them-
ſelves
all over.
This may juſtly move a Man to think, that theſe Fables are
the
effects of Imagination;
for it is certain, that Ointments do all (if they be
laid
on any thing thick) by ſtopping of the Pores, ſhut in the Vapor, and
ſend
them to the head extreamly.
And for the particular Ingredients of
thoſe
Magical Ointments, it is like they are opiate and ſoporiferous.
For
Anointing
of the Forehead, Neck, Feet, Back-bone, we know is uſed for
procuring
dead ſleeps.
And if any Man ſay, that this effect would be bet-
ter
done by in ward potions;
anſwer may be made, that the Medicines which
go
to the Ointments are ſo ſtrong, that if they were uſed in wards, they would
kill
thoſe that uſe them;
and therefore they work potently, though out-
wards
.
We will divide the ſeveral kindes of the operations by tranſmiſſion of
Spirits
and Imagination, which will give no ſmall light to the Experiments
that
follow.
All operations by tranſmiſſion of Spirits and Imagination have
this
, that they work at diſtance, and not at touch;
and they are theſe being
diſtinguiſhed
.
The firſt is, The Tranſmiſſion or Emiſſion of the thinner and more
11904. airy parts of Bodies, as in Odors and Infections;
and this is, of all the
teſt
, the moſt corporeal.
But you muſt remember withal, that there
be
a number of thoſe Emiſſions, both unwholeſome and wholeſome, that
give
no ſmell at all:
For the Plague many times when it is taken giveth
no
ſent at all, and there be many good and healthful Airs, as they appear
by
Habitation, and other proofs, that differ not in Smell from other Airs.
And under this head you may place all Imbibitions of Air, where the ſub-
ſtance
is material, odor-like, whereof ſome nevertheleſs are ſtrange, and
very
ſuddenly diffuſed;
as the alteration which the Air receiveth in Egypt al-
moſt
immediately upon the riſing of the River of Nilus, whereof we have
ſpoken
.
The ſecond is, the Tranſmiſſion or Emiſſion of thoſe things that we call
22905. Spiritual Species, as Viſibles and Sounds;
the one whereof we have hand-
led
, and the other we ſhall handle in due place.
Theſe move ſwiftly and at
great
diſtance, but then they require a Medium well diſpoſed, and their Tranſ-
miſſion
is eaſily ſtopped.
The third is, the Emiſſions which cauſe Attraction of certain Bodies at
33906. diſtance;
wherein though the Loadſtone be commonly placed in the firſt
rank
yet we think good to except it, and refer it to another Head:
But
the
drawing of Amber, and Fet, and other Electrick Bodies, and the At-
traction
in Gold of the Spirit of Quick-ſilver at diſtance, and the Attraction
of
Heat at diſtance, and that of fire to Naphtha, and that of ſome Herbs
to
Water, though at diſtance, and divers others, we ſhall handle;
but
yet
not under this preſent title, but under the title of Attraction in
general
.
232200Natural Hiſtory;
The fourth is, the Emiſſion of Spirits, and Immateriate Powers and
11907.Virtues, in thoſe things which work by the univerſal configuration and Sym-
pathy
of the World;
not by Forms, or Celeſtial Influxes, (as is vainly taught
and
received) but by the Primitive Nature of Matter, and the ſeeds of
things
.
Of this kinde is (as we yet ſuppoſe) the working of the Loadſtone,
which
is by conſent with the Globe of the Earth;
of this kinde is the motion
of
Gravity, which is by conſent of denſe Bodies with the Globe of the Earth:
Of this kinde is ſome diſpoſition of Bodies to Rotation, and particularly
from
Eaſtro Weſt;
of which kinde, we conceive the Main Float and Refloat
of
the Sea is, which is by conſent of the Univerſe, as part of the Diurnal
Motion
.
Theſe Immateriate Virtues have this property differing from others,
that
the diverſity of the Medium hindreth them not, but they paſs through all
Mediums
, yet at determinate diſtances.
And of theſe we ſhall ſpeak, as they
are
incident to ſeveral Titles.
The fifth is, the Emiſſion of Spirits; and this is the principal in our in-
22908. tention to handle now in this place, namely, the operation of the Spirits of
the
minde of Man upon other Spirits;
and this is of a double nature; the
operation
of the Affections, if they be vehement;
and the operation of the
Imagination
, if it be ſtrong.
But theſe two are ſo coupled, as we ſhall handle
them
together;
for when an envious or amorous aſpect doth inſect the Spi-
rits
of another, there is joyned both Affection and Imagination.
The ſixth is, the influxes of the Heavenly Bodies, beſides thoſe two mani-
33909. ſeſt ones of Heat and Light.
But theſe we will handle, where we handle the
Celeſtial
Bodies and Motions.
The ſeventh is, the operations of Sympathy, which the Writers of Na-
44910. tural Magick have brought into an Art or Precept;
and it is this, That if
you
deſire to ſuper-induce any Virtue or Diſpoſition upon a Perſon, you
ſhould
take the Living Creature, in which that Virtue is moſt eminent and in
perfection
;
of that Creature you muſt take the parts wherein that Virtue
chiefly
is collocate.
Again, you muſt take the parts in the time, and act
when
that Virtue is moſt in exerciſe, and then you muſt apply it to that part
of
Man, wherein that Virtue chiefly conſiſteth.
As if you would ſuper-
induce
Courage and Fortitnde, take a Lion, or a Cock;
and take the Heart, Tooth,
or
Paw of the Lion;
or the Heart, or Spur of the Cock: Take thoſe parts im-
mediately
after the Lion or the Cock have been in fight, and let them be worn
upon
a Mans heart or wriſt.
Of theſe and ſuch like Sympathies we ſhall ſpeak
under
this preſent Title.
The eighth and laſt is, an Emiſſion of Immateriate Virtues, ſuch as we
55911. are a little doubtful to propound it is ſo prodigious, but that it is ſo con-
ſtantly
avouched by many:
And we have ſet it down as a Law to our ſelves,
to
examine things to the bottom;
and not to receive upon credit, or reject
upon
improbabilities, until there hath paſſed a due examination.
This is the
Sympathy
of Individuals;
for as there is a Sympathy of Species, ſo (it may be) there
is
a Sympathy of Individuals;
that is, that in things, or the parts of things that
have
been once contiguous or entire, there ſhould remain a tranſmiſſion of
Virtue
from the one to the other, as between the Weapon and the Wound.
Whereupon is blazed abroad the operation of Vnguentum Teli, and ſo of a
piece
of Lard, or ſtick of Elder, &
c. That if part of it be conſumed or pu-
tre
fied, it will work upon the other parts ſevered.
Now we will purſue the
inſtances
themſelves.
233201Century X.
THe Plague is many times taken without manifeſt ſenſe, as hath been
11912.
Experiments

in
Conſort,
touching

Emiſsion
of
Spirits
in Va-
por
or Exha-
lation
Odor-
like
.
ſaid;
and they report, that where it is found it hath a ſent of the ſmell
of
a Mellow Apple, and (as ſome ſay) of May-flowers:
And it is alſo re-
ceived
, that ſmells of Flowers that are Mellow and Luſhious, are ill for the
Plague
;
as White Lilies, Covvſlips, and Hyacinths.
The Plague is not eaſily received by ſuch as continually are about them
22913. that have the Plague, as Keepers of the Sick, and Phyſicians;
nor again by
ſuch
as take Antidetes, either in ward (as Mithridate, Juniper-berries, Rue, Leaf,
and
Seed, &
c.) or outward (as Angelica, Zedoary, and the like in the Mouth;
Tar, Galbanum, and the like in Perfume:) Nor again, by old people, and ſuch
as
are of a dry and cold complexion.
On the other ſide, the Plague taketh
ſooneſt
hold of thoſe that come out of a freſh Air, and of thoſe that are faſt-
ing
, and of Children;
and it is likewiſe noted to go in a Blood more then
to
a ſtranger.
The moſt pernicious Infection, next the Plague, is the ſmell of the Goal,
33914. when Priſoners have been long, and cloſe, and naſtily kept;
whereof we
have
had in our time, experience twice or thrice, when both the Fudges that
ſat
upon the Goal, and numbers of thoſethat attended the buſineſs, or were
preſent
, ſickned upon it, and died.
Therefore it were good wiſdom, that in
ſuch
caſes the Goal were aired before they be brought forth.
Out of queſtion, if ſuch foul ſmells be made by Art, and by the Hand,
44915. they conſiſt chiefly of Mans fleſh, or ſweat, putrefied;
for they are not thoſe
ſtinks
which the Noſtrils ſtraight abhor and expel, that are moſt pernicious,
but
ſuch Airs as have ſome ſimilitude with Mans body, and ſo inſinuate them-
ſelves
, and betray the Spirits.
There may be great danger in uſing ſuch Com-
poſitions
in great Meetings of People within Houſes;
as in Churches, at Ar-
raignments
, at Plays and Solemnities, and the like:
For poyſoning of Air is no
leſs
dangerous, then poyſoning of Water, which hath been uſed by the Turks
in
the Wars, and was uſed by Emanuel Comnenus to wards the Chriſtians, when
they
paſſed through his Countrey to the Holy Land.
And theſe empoyſon-
ments
of Air are the more dangerous in Meetings of People, becauſe the
much
breath of People doth further the reception of the Infection.
And
therefore
when any ſuch thing is feared, it were good thoſe publick places
were
perfumed before the Aſſemblies.
The empoy ſonment of particular perſons by Odors, hath been reported
55916. to be in perfumed Gloves, or the like.
And it is like they mingle the poyſon
that
is deadly with ſome ſmells that are ſweet, which alſo maketh it
the
ſooner received.
Plagues alſo have been raiſed by Anointings of the
Chinks
of Doors, and the like;
not ſo much by the touch, as for that it is
common
for men, when they finde any thing wet upon their fingers, to
put
them to their Noſe;
which men therefore ſhould take heed how they
do
.
The beſt is, that theſe Compoſitions of Inſectious Airs cannot be made
without
dangers of death to them that make them;
but then again, they
may
have ſome Antidotes to ſave themſelves;
ſo that men ought not to be
ſecure
of it.
There have been in divers Countreys great Plagues by the putrefaction of
66917. great ſwarms of Grashoppers and Locuſts, when they have been dead and caſt
upon
heaps.
It hapneth oft in Mines, that there are Damps which kill either by
77918. Suffocation, or by the poyſonous nature of the Mineral;
and thoſe
234202Natural Hiſtory; deal much in Refining, or other works about Metals and Minerals, have
their
Brains hurt and itupefied by the Metalline Vapors.
Amongſt which, it
is
noted, that the Spirits of Quick-ſilver ever flie to the Skull, Teeth, or
Bones
;
inſomuch, as Gilders uſe to have a piece of Gold in their Mouth to
draw
the Spirits of Quick-ſilver;
which Gold aſterwards they finde to be
whitned
.
There are alſo certain Lakes and Pits, ſuch as that of Avernus, that
poyſon
Birds (as is ſaid) which flie over them, or Men that ſtay too long
about
them.
The Vapor of Char-coal or Sea-coal in a cloſe room, hath killed
11919. many;
and it is the more dangerous, becauſe it cometh without any ill ſmell,
but
ſtealeth on by little and little, inducing onely faintneſs, without any
manifeſt
ſtrangling.
When the Dutchmen wintred at Nova Zembla, and
that
they could gather no more ſticks, they fell to make fire of ſome Sea-
coal
they had, wherewith (at firſt) they were much refreſhed;
but a little
after
they had ſat about the fire, there grew a general ſilence and lothneſ,
to
ſpeak amongſt them;
and immediately after, one of the weakeſt of
the
Company fell down in a ſwoon:
Whereupon, they doubting what it
was
, opened their door to let in Air, and ſo ſaved themſelves.
The effect
(no doubt) is wrought by the inſpiffition of the Air, and ſo of the
Breath
and Spirits.
The like enſueth in Rooms newly Plaiſtred, if a fire
be
made in them;
whereof no leſs Min then the Emperor Jovinianus
died
.
Vide the Experiment 803. Touching the Infectious Nature of the Air upon
22920. the firſt Showers aſter long Drought.
It hath come to paſs, that ſome Apothecaries. upon ſtamping of Colo-
33921. quintida, have been put into a great Scouring by the Vapor onely.
It hath been a practice to burn a Pepper they call Guinny-Pepper, which
44922. hath ſuch a ſtrong Spirit, that it provoketh a continual SneeZing in thoſe that
are
in the Room.
It is an Ancient Tradition, that Blear Eyes infect Sound Eyes; and that a
55923. Menſtruous Woman looking in a Glaſs doth ruſt it:
Nay, they have an opinion,
which
ſeemeth fabulous, That Menſtruous Women going over a Field or Garden,
do
Corn and Herbs good by killing the Worms.
The Tradition is no leſs ancient, that the Baſilisk killeth by aſpect; and
66924. that the Woolf, if he ſeeth a Man firſt, by aſpect ſtriketh a Man hoarſe.
Perfumes convenient do dry and ſtrengthen the Brain, and ſtay Rheums
77925. and Defluxions;
as we finde in Fume of Roſemary dried, and Lignum Aloes,
and
Calamus taken at the Mouth and Noſtrils.
And no doubt, there be other
Petfumes
that do moiſten and refreſh, and are fit to be uſed in Burning Agues,
Conſumptions
, and too much wakefulneſs;
ſuch as are Roſe-Water, Vinegar,
Lemmon-pills
, Violets, the Leaves of Vines ſprinkled with a little Roſe-water,
&
c.
They do uſe in ſudden Faintings and Swoonings, to put a Handkerchief
88926. with Roſe-water, or a little Vinegar to the Noſe, which gathereth together
again
the Spirits, which are upon point to reſolve and fall away.
Tobacco comforteth the Spirits, and diſchargeth wearineſs; which it
99927. worketh, partly by opening, but chiefly by the opiate virtue, which con-
denſeth
the Spirits.
It were good therefore to try the taking of Fumes by
Pipes
(as they do in Tobacco) of other things, as well to dry and comfort, as
for
other intentions.
I wiſh tryal be made of the drying Fume of Roſemary
and
Lignum Aloes, before mentioned in Pipe;
and ſo of Nutmegs and Folium
indum
, &
c.
235203Century X.
The following of the Plough hath been approved for refreſhing the
11928. Spirits, and procuring Appetite;
but to do it in the Ploughing for Wheat
or
Rye is not ſo good, becauſe the Earth hath ſpent her ſweet breath in Vege-
tables
put forth in Summer.
It is better therefore to do it when you ſow
Barley
.
But becauſe Ploughing is tied to Seaſons, it is beſt to take the Air
of
the Earth new turned up by digging with the Spade, or ſtanding by him
that
diggeth.
Gentlewomen may do themſelves much good by kneeling upon
a
Cuſhion, and Weeding.
And theſe things you may practiſe in the beſt Sea-
ſons
;
which is ever the early Spring, before the Earth putteth forth the
Vegetables
, and in the ſweeteſt Earth you can chuſe.
It would be done alſo
when
the Dew is a little off the Ground, leſt the Vapor be too moiſt.
I Knew
a
great Man that lived long, who had a clean Clod of Earth brought to
him
every morning as he ſate in his Bed;
and he would hold his head
over
it a good preety while.
I commend alſo ſometimes in digging of
new
Earth, to pour in ſome Malmſey or Greek Wine, that the Vapor of
the
Earth and Wine together may comfort the Spirits the more;
pro-
vided
always it be not taken for a Heathen Sacrifice or Libation to the
Earth
.
They have in Phyſick uſe of Pomanders, and knots of Powders for drying
22929. of Rheums, comforting of the Heart, provoking of Sleep, &
c. for though
thoſe
things be not ſo ſtrong as Perfumes, yet you may have them continu-
ally
in your hand, whereas Perfumes you can take but at times;
and be-
ſides
, there be divers things that breath better of themſelves then when
they
come to the Fire;
as Nigella Romana, the Seed of Melanthium, Amo-
mum
, &
c.
There be two things which (inwardly uſed) do cool and condenſe
33930. the Spirits;
and I wiſh the ſame to be tried outwardly in Vapors. The one
is
Nitre;
which I would have diſſolved in Malmſey, or Greek Wine, and ſo
the
ſmell of the Wine taken;
or, if you would have it more forcible, pour
of
it upon a Fire-pan well heated, as they do Roſe-water and Vinegar.
The
other
is, the diſtilled Water of Wilde Poppey;
which I wiſh to be mingled
at
half with Roſe-water, and ſo taken with ſome mixture of a few Cloves in a
Perfuming
pan.
The like would be done with the diſtilled Water of Saffron-
Flowers
.
Smells of Musk, and Amber, and Civit, are thought to further Vene-
44931. reous Appetite;
which they may do by the refreſhing and calling forth of
the
Spirits.
Incenſe and Niderous ſmells (ſuch as were of Sacrifices) were thought to
55932. intoxicate the Brain, and to diſpoſe men to devotion;
which they may do
by
a kinde of ſadneſs and contriſtation of the Spirits, and partly alſo by
Heating
and Exalting them.
We ſee that amongſt the Jews, the principal
perfume
of the Sanctuary was forbidden all common uſes.
There be ſome Perfumes preſcribed by the Writers of Natural Magick,
66933. which procure pleaſant Dreams;
and ſome others (as they ſay) that procure
Prophetical
Dreams, as the Seeds of Flax, Fleawort, &
c.
It is certain, that Odors do in a ſmall degree, nouriſh, eſpecially the
77934. Odor of Wine;
and we ſee Men an hungred do love to ſmell hot Bread.
It is related, that Democritus when he lay a dying, heard a Woman in the
Houſe
complain, that ſhe ſhould be kept from being at a Feaſt and Solemni-
ty
(which ſhe much deſired to ſee) becauſe there would be a Corps in the
Houſe
:
Whereupon he cauſed Loaves of new Bread to be ſent for, and open-
ed
them, and poured a little Wine into them, and ſo kept himſelf alive
236204Natural Hiſtory; the Odor of them till the Feaſt was paſt. I knew a Gentleman that would
faſt
(ſometimes) three or four, yea, five days, without Meat, Bread, or
Drink
;
but the ſame Man uſed to have continually a great Wiſp of Herbs
that
he ſmelled on, and amongft thoſe Herbs ſome eſculent Herbs of ſtrong
ſent
, as Onions, Garlick, Leeks, and the like.
They do uſe for the Accident of the Mother to burn Feathers, and other
11935. things of ill Odor;
and by thoſe ill ſmells the riſing of the Mother is put
down
.
There be Airs which the Phyſicians adviſe their Patients to remove
22936. unto in Conſumptions, or upon recovery of long ſickneſſes, which (common-
ly
) are plain Champaigns, but Graſing, and not over grown with Heath,
or
the like;
or elſe Timber-ſhades, as in Foreſts, and the like. It is noted al-
ſo
, that Groves of Bays do forbid Peſtilent Airs;
which was accounted a
great
cauſe of the wholeſome Air of Antiochia.
There be alſo ſome Soyls
that
put forth Odorate Herbs of themſelves, as VVilde Thyme, VVilde Marjoram,
Penny-royal
, Camomile;
and in which, the Bryar-Roſes ſmell almoſt like Musk-
Roſes
;
which (no doubt) are ſigns that do diſcover an excellent Air.
It were good for men to think of having healthful Air in their Houſes;
33937. which will never be, if the Rooms be low-roofed, or full of Windows and
Doors
;
for the one maketh the Air cloſe, and not freſh; and the other,
maketh
it exceeding unequal, which is a great enemy to health.
The Win-
dows
alſo ſhould not be high up to the Roof (which is in uſe for Beauty and
Magnificence
) but low.
Alſo Stone-walls are not wholeſome; but Timber is
more
wholeſome, and eſpecially Brick;
nay, it hath been uſed by ſome
with
great ſucceſs, to make their Walls thick, aed to put a Lay of Chalk
between
the Bricks to take away all dampiſhneſs.
THeſe Emiſſions (as we ſaid before) are handled, and ought to be hand-,
44938.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
Emißions
of
Spiritual
Spe-
cies
, which
affect
the
Senſes
.
led by themſelves, under their proper Titles;
that is, Viſibles, and
Audibles
, each apart:
In this place it ſhall ſuffice to give ſome general Ob-
ſervations
common to both.
Firſt, they ſeem to be Incorporeal. Secondly,
they
work ſwiftly.
Thirdly, they work at large diſtances. Fourthly, in
curious
varieties.
Fifthly, they are not effective of any thing, nor leave any
work
behinde them, but are energies meerly;
for their working upon mir-
rors
and places of Echo doth not alter any thing in thoſe Bodies;
but it is
the
ſame Action with the Original, onely repercuſſed.
And as for the ſhaking
of
Windows, or rarifying the Air by great noiſes, and the Heat cauſed by
Burning
Glaſſes, they are rather Concomitants of the Audible and Viſible
Species
, then the effects of them.
Sixthly, they ſeem to be of ſo tender and
weak
a Nature, as they affect onely ſuch a Rare and Attenuate Subſtance
as
is the Spirit of Living Creatures.
IT is mentioned in ſome Stories, that where Children have been expoſed
55939.
Experiments

in
Conſort,
touching

Emißion
of
Immateriate

Virtues
from
the
Mindes
and
Spirits of
Men
, either by
Affections
, or
by
Imaginati-
ons
, or by other
Impreßsons
.
or taken away young from their Parents, and that afterward they have
approached
to their Parents preſence, the Parents (though they have not
known
them) have had a ſecret Joy, or other Alteration thereupon.
There was an Egyptian Soothſayer that made Antonius believe, that his
genius
(which otherwiſe was brave and confident) was, in the preſence of
Octavianus
Cæſar, poor and cowardly;
and therefore, he adviſed him to abſent
himſelf
(as much as he could) and remove far from him.
The Soothſayer was
thought
to be ſuborned by Cleopatra, to make him live in Egypt, and other
66940.
237203Century X. remote places from Rome. Howſoever, the conceit of a predominant or
maſtering
Spirit of one Man over another is ancienr, and received ſtill, even
in
vulgar opinion.
There are conceits, that ſome Men that are of an ill and melancholly
11941. nature, do incline the company into which they come, to be ſad and ill diſ-
poſed
;
and contrariwiſe, that others that are of a jovial nature do diſpoſe
the
company to be merry and chearful:
And again, that ſome Men are lucky
to
be kept company with, and employed, and others unlucky.
Certainly it
is
agreeable to reaſon, that there are at the leaſt ſome light effluxions from
Spirit
to Spirit when Men are in preſence one with another, as well as from
Body
to Body.
It hath been obſerved, that old Men have loved young company, and
22942. been converfant continually with them, have been of long life;
their Spirits
(as it ſeemeth) being recreated by ſuch company.
Such were the Ancient
Sophiſts
and Rhetoricians, which ever had young Auditors and Diſciples;
as Gorgias, Protagoras, Iſocrates, & c. who lived till they were an hundred years
old
;
and ſo like wiſe did many of the Grammarians and School-maſters: Such as
was
Orbilius, &
c.
Audacity and confidence doth, in civil buſineſſes, ſo great effects, as a
33943. Man may (reaſonably) doubt, that beſides the very daring, and earneſtneſs,
and
perſiſting, and importunity, there ſhould be ſome ſecret binding and
ſtooping
of other Mens ſpirits to ſuch perſons.
The Affections (no doubt) do make the Spirits more powerful and active,
44944. and eſpecially thoſe Affections which draw the Spirits into the Eyes;
which
are
two, Love and Envy, which is called Oculus Malus.
As for Love, the
Platoniſts
(ſome of them) go ſo far, as to hold, That the Spirit of the Lover
dorh
paſs into the Spirits of the perſon loved, which cauſeth the deſire of
return
into the Body whence it was emitted, whereupon followeth that ap-
petite
of contract and conjunction which is in Lovers.
And this is obſerved
likewiſe
, that the Aſpects that procure Love, are not gazings, but ſudden
glances
and dartings of the Eye.
As for Envy, that emitteth ſome malign
and
poiſonous Spirits, which take hold of the Spirit of another;
and is like-
wiſe
of greateſt force, when the Caſt of the Eye is oblique.
It hath been no
ted
alſo, That it is moſt dangerous, where the envious Eye is caſt upon per-
ſons
in glory, and triumph, and joy.
The reaſon whereof is, for that at ſuch
times
the Spirits come forth moſt into the outward parts, and ſo meet the
percuſſion
of the envious eye more at hand;
and therefore it hath been no-
ted
, That after great triumphs, Men have been ill diſpoſed for ſome days
following
.
We ſee the opinion of Faſcination is ancient for both effects, of
procuring
Love, and ſickneſs cauſed by Envy;
and Faſcination is ever by
the
Eye.
But yet if there by any ſuch infection from Spirit to Spirit, there
is
no doubt, but that it worketh by preſence, and not by the Eye alone, yet
moſt
forcibly by the Eye.
Fear and Shame are like wiſe infective: For we ſee that the ſtarting of one,
55945. will make another ready to ſtarr, and when one man is out of countenance
in
a company, others do like wiſe bluſh in his behalf.
Now we will ſpeak of the Force of Imagination upon other Bodies, and
of
the means to exalt and ſtrengthen it.
Imagination, in this place, I under-
ſtand
to be the repreſentation of an Individual Thought.
Imagination is of
three
kindes;
the firſt, joyned with Belief of that which is to come; the ſe-
cond
, joyned with Memory of that which is paſt;
and the third is, of Things
preſent
, or as if they were preſent:
For I comprehend in this,
238204Natural Hiſtory; feigned, and at pleaſure: As if one ſhould imagine ſuch a Min to bein the
Veſtments
of a Pope, or to have Wings.
I ſingle out for this time that which
is
with Faith or Belief of that which is to come.
The Inquiſition of this
Subject
in our way (which is by Induction) is wonderful hard, for the things
that
are reported are full of Fables;
and new Experiments can hardly be
made
but with extream Caution, for the Reaſon which we will after de-
clare
.
The Power of Imagination is in three kindes. The firſt, upon the Body of
the
imaginant, including like wiſe the Childe in the Mothers Womb.
The
ſecond
is, the power of it upon dead bodies, as Plants, Wood, Stone, Metal,
&
c. The third is, the power of it upon the Spirits of Men and Living Crea-
tures
.
And with this laſt we will onely meddle.
The Probleme therefore is, Whether a Man conſtantly and ſtrongly be-
lieving
that ſuch a thing ſhall be, (as that ſuch an one will love him, or that
ſuch
an one will grant him his requeſt, or that ſuch an one ſhall recover a
ſickneſs
, or the like) it doth help any thing to the effecting of the thing it
ſelf
.
And here again we muſt warily diſtinguiſh; for it is not meant (as
hath
been partly ſaid beſore) that it ſhould help by making a man more ſtout,
or
more induſtrious;
(in which kinde, conſtant belief doth much) but
meerly
by a ſecret operation, or binding, or changing the Spirit of another.
And in this it is hard (as we began to ſay) to make any new experiment; for
I
cannot command my ſelf to believe what I will, and ſo no tryal can be
made
.
Nay it is worſe, for whatſoever a Man imagineth doubtingly, or with
fear
, muſt needs do hurt, if Imagination have any power at all;
ſor a Man
repreſenteth
that ofther that he feareth, then the contrary.
The help therefore is, for a Man to work by another, in whom he
may
create belief, and not by himſelf, until himſelf have found by experi-
ence
, that Imagination doth prevail;
for then experience worketh in himſelf
Belief
, if the Belief that ſuch a thing ſhall be joyned with a Belief, that his
Imagination
may procure it.
For example, I related one time to a Man that was curious and vain
11946. enough in theſe things, That I ſaw a kinde of Jugler that had a Pair of Cards, and
vvould
tell a man vvhat Card he thought.
This pretended Learned Man told me, it
was
a miſtaking in me.
For (ſaid he) it vvas not the knovvledge of the Mans thought
(for that is proper to God) but it vvas the inforcing of a thought upon him, and binding his
Imagination
by a ſtronger, that he could think no other Card.
And thereupon he asked
me
a Queſtion or two, which I thought he did but cunningly, knowing be-
fore
what uſed to be the feats of the Jugler.
Sir, (ſaid he) do you remember vvhe-
ther
he told the Card the Man thought himſelf, or bad another to tell it?
I anſwered,
(as was true) That he bad another tell it.
Whereunto he ſaid, So I thought: For
(ſaid he) himſelf could not have put on ſo ſtrong an Imagination, but by telling the other
the
Card (vvho believed, that the Jugler vvas ſome ſtrange man, and could do ſtrange things)
that
other man caught a ſtrong Imagination.
I hearkned unto him, thinking for a
vanity
he ſpake prettily.
Then he asked me another Queſtion: Saith he, Do
you
remember vvhether he bad the Man think the Card firſt, and aftervvards told the other
Man
in his Ear whæt he should think;
or elſe, that he did whiſper firſt in the Mans Ear
that
ſhould tell the Card, telling, That ſuch a Man ſhould think ſuch a Card, and after
bad
the Man think a Card?
I told him, (as was true) That he did firſt whiſper the
Man
in the Ear, thatſuch a Man ſhould think ſuch a Card.
Upon this, the Learned
Man
did much exuit and pleaſe himſelf, ſaying, Lo, you may ſee that my opinion
is
right:
For if the Man had thought firſt, his thought had been fixed; but the other imagi-
ning
firſt, hound his thought.
Which though it did ſome what ſink with me, yet
239205Century X. made it lighter then I thought, and ſaid, I thought it was confederacy between the
Jugler
, and the two Servants;
though (indeed) I had no reaſon ſo to think, for
they
were both my Fathers ſervants, and he had never plaid in the Houſe
before
.
The Jugler alſo did cauſe a Garter to be held up, and took upon
him
to know that ſuch an one ſhould point in ſuch a place of the Garter, as
it
ſhould be near ſo many Inches to the longer end, and ſo many to the ſhort-
er
;
and ſtill he did it by firſt telling the imaginer, and after bidding the actor
think
.
Having told this Relation, not for the weight thereof, but becauſe it
doth
handſomly open the nature of the Queſtion, I return to that I ſaid,
That
Experiments of Imagination muſt be practiſed by others, and not by a Mans
ſelf
.
For there be three means to fortifie Belief; the firſt is Experience, the
ſecond
is Reaſon, and the third is Authority.
And that of theſe which is
far
the moſt potent, is Authority:
For Belief upon Reaſon or Experience
will
ſtagger.
For Authority, it is of two kindes: Belief in an Art, and Belief in a
11947. Man.
And for things of Belief in an Art, a Man may exerciſe them by him-
ſelf
;
but for Belief in a Man, it muſt be by another. Therefore if a Man be-
lieve
in Aſtrology, and finde a figure proſperous;
or believe in Natural Ma-
gick
, and that a Ring with ſuch a Stone, or ſuch a piece of a Living Creature
carried
, will do good, it may help his Imagination;
but the Belief in a Man
is
far the more active.
But howſoever all Authority muſt be out of a Mans
ſelf
, turned (as was ſaid) either upon an Art, or upon a Man;
and where
Authority
is from one Man to another, there the ſecond muſt be Ignorant,
and
not learned, or full of thoughts:
And ſuch are (for the moſt part) all
Witches
and ſuperſtitious perſons, whoſe beliefs, tied to their Teachers and
Traditions
, are no whit controlled either by Reaſon or Experience:
And
upon
the fame reaſon, in Magick they uſe (for the moſt part) Boys and young
People
, whoſe ſpirits eaſilieſt take Belief and Imagination.
Now to fortifie Imagination, there be three ways: The Authority
whence
the Belief is derived;
Means to quicken and corroborate the Imagi-
nation
;
and Means to repeat it and refreſh it.
For the Authority we have already ſpoken. As for the ſecond, namely,
22948. the Means to quicken and corroborate the Imagination, we ſee what hath been
uſed
in Magick, (if there be in thoſe practices any thing that is purely Na-
tural
) as Veſtments, Characters, Words, Seals, ſome parts of Plants, or Li-
ving
Creatures, Stones, choice of the Hour, Geſtures and Motions;
alſo In-
cenſes
and Odors, choice of Society, which increaſeth Imagination, Diets
and
Preparations for ſome time before.
And for Words, there have been
ever
uſed, either barbarous words of no ſenſe, leſt they ſhould diſturb the
Imagination
;
or words of ſimilitude, that may ſecond and feed the Imagi-
nation
:
And this was ever as well in Heathen Charms, as in Charms of later
times
.
There are uſed alſo Scripture words, for that the Belief that Religious
Texts
and Words have power, may ſtreng then the Imagination.
And for the
ſame
reaſon He brew words (which amongſt us is counted the holy Tongue,
and
the words more my ſtical) are often uſed.
For the refreſhing of the Imagination (which was the third Means of
33949. Exalting it) we ſee the practices of Magick;
as in Images of Wax, and the
like
, that ſhould melt by little and little, or ſome other things buried in
Muck
, that ſhould putrefie by little and little, or the like:
For ſo oft as the
Imaginant
doth think of thoſe things, ſo oft doth he repreſent to his Imagina-
tion
the effect of that he deſireth.
240206Natural Hiſtory;
If there be any power in Imagination, it is leſs credible that it ſhould
11950. be ſo incorporcal and immateriate a Virtue, as to work at great diſtances, or
through
all Mediums, or upon all Bodies;
but that the diſtance muſt be com-
petent
, the Medium not adverſe, and the Body apt and proportionate.
Therefore if there be any operation upon Bodies in abſence by Nature, it
is
like to be conveyed ſrom Man to Man, as Fame is:
As if a Witch by Imagi-
nation
ſhould hurt any afar off, it cannot be naturally, but by working upon
the
Spirit of ſome that cometh to the Witch, and from that party upon the
Imagination
of another, and ſo upon another, till it come to one that hath
reſort
to the party intended;
and ſo by him, to the party intended himſelf.
And
although they ſpeak, that it ſufficeth to take a Point, or a piece of the
Garment
, or the Name of the party, or the like;
yet there is leſs credit to
be
given to thoſe things, except it be by working of evil ſpirits.
The Experiments which may certainly demonſtrate the power of Imagi-
nation
upon other Bodies, are few or none;
for the Experiments of Witchcraft
are
no clear proofs, for that they may be by a tacite operation of malign
Spirits
;
we ſhall therefore be forced in this Inquiry, to reſort to new Ex-
periments
, wherein we can give onely Directions of Tryals, and not any Poſi-
tive
Experiments.
And if any man think that we ought to have ſtaid till we
had
made Experiment of ſome of them our ſelves, (as we do commonly in
other
Titles) the truth is, that theſe Effects of Imagination upon other Bodies,
have
ſo little credit with us, as we ſhall try them at leiſure:
But in the mean
time
we will lead others the way.
When you work by the Imagination of another, it is neceſſary that he by
22951. whom you work have a precedent opinion of you that you can do ſtrange
things
, or that you are a Man of Art, as they call it;
for elſe the ſimple affir-
mation
to another, that this or that ſhall be, can work but a weak impreſſion
in
his Imagination.
It were good, becauſe you caunot diſcern fully of the ſtrength of Ima-
33952. gination in one Man, more then another, that you did uſe the Imagination
of
more then one, that ſo you may light upon a ſtrong one.
As if a Phyſician
ſhould
tell three or four of his Patients ſervants that their Maſter ſhall ſurely
recover
.
The Imagination of one that you ſhall uſe (ſuch is the variety of Mens
44953. mindes) cannot be always alike conſtant and ſtrong;
and if the ſucceſs follow
not
ſpeedily, it will faint and loſe ſtrength.
To remedy this, you muſt pretend
to
him whoſe Imagination you uſe ſeveral degrees of Means by which to
operate
:
As to preſcribe him, that every three days, if he finde not the ſuc-
ceſs
apparent, he do uſe another Root, or part of a Beaſt, or Ring, &
c. as be-
ing
of more force;
and if that ſail, another; and if that, another, till ſeven
times
.
Alſo you muſt preſcribe a good large time for the effect you promiſe;
as if you ſhould tell a ſervant of a ſick man, that his Maſter ſhall recover, but
it
will be fourteen days ere he findeth it apparently, &
c. All this to entertain
the
Imagination, that it waver leſs.
It is certain, that potions or things taken into the Body, Incenſes and
55954. Perfumes taken at the Noſtrils, and oyntments of ſome parts, do (naturally)
work
upon the Imagination of him that taketh them.
And therefore it muſt
needs
greatly cooperate with the Imagination of him whom you uſe, if you
preſcribe
him, before he do uſe the Receit for the Work which he deſireth,
that
he do take ſuch a Pill, or a ſpoonful of Liquor, or burn ſuch an Incenſe,
or
anoint his Temples, or the Soles of his Feet, with ſuch an Oyntment or
Oyl
:
And you muſt chuſe for the Compoſition of ſuch Pill, Perfume,
241207Century X. Oyntment, ſuch Ingredients as do make the Spirits a little more groſs or
muddy
, whereby the Imagination will fix the better.
The Body Paſſive, and to be wrought upon, (I mean not of the Ima-
11955. ginant) is better wrought upon (as hath been partly touched) at ſome times
then
at others;
As if you ſhould preſcribe a ſervant about a ſick perſon,
(whom you have poſſeſſed that his Maſter ſhall recover) when his Maſter is
faſt
afleep, to uſe ſuch a Root, or ſuch a Root.
For Imagination is like to
work
better upon fleeping men, then men awake;
as we ſhall ſhew when we
handle
Dreams.
We finde in the Art of Memory, that Images viſible work better then other
22956. conceits;
As if you would remember the word Philoſophy, you ſhall more
ſurely
do it by imagining that ſuch a Man (for Men are beſt places) is read-
ing
upon Ariſtotles Phyſicks, then if you ſhould imagine him to ſay, I will
go
ſtudy Philoſophy.
And therefore this obſervation would be tranſlated to the
ſubject
we now ſpeak of;
for the more luſtrous the Imagination is, it filleth
and
fixeth the better.
And therefore I conceive, that you ſhall in that Experi-
ment
(whereof we ſpake before) of binding of thoughts, leſs fail, if you tell
one
that ſuch an one ſhall name one of twenty men, then if it were one of
twenty
Cards.
The Experiment of binding of thoughts would be diverfified
and
tried to the full:
And you are to note, whether it hit for the moſt part,
though
not always.
It is good to conſider upon what things Imagination hath moſt force:
33957. And the rule (as I conceive) is, that it hath moſt force upon things that have
the
lighteſt and eaſieſt motions;
and therefore above all upon the Spirits of
Men
, and in them upon ſuch affections as move lighteſt:
As upon procuring
of
Love, binding of Luſt, which is ever with Imagination upon Men in
fear
, or Men in irreſolution, and the like:
Whatſoever is of this kinde
would
be throughly enquired.
Tryals like wiſe would be made upon Plants,
and
that diligently:
As if you ſhould tell a man that ſuch a Tree would die
this
year, and will him at theſe and theſe times to go unto it, to ſee how it
thriveth
.
As for inanimate things, it is true, that the motions of ſhuffling
of
Cards, or caſting of Dice, are very light motions;
and there is a folly
very
uſeſul, That Gameſters imagine, that ſome that ſtand by them, bring
them
ill luck.
There would be tryal alſo made, of holding a Ring by a
thred
in a Glaſs, and telling him that holdeth it before, that it ſhall ſtrike ſo
many
times againſt the ſide of the Glaſs, and no more;
or of holding a Key
between
two Mens fingers without a charm;
and to tell thoſe that hold it,
that
at ſuch a name it ſhall go off their fingers.
For theſe two are extream
light
motions.
And how ſoever, I have no opinion of theſe things, yet ſo
much
I conceive to be true, That ſtrong Imagination hath more force upon
things
living, or that have been living, then things meerly inanimate;
and
more
force like wiſe upon light and ſubtil motions, then upon motions vehe-
ment
or ponderous.
It is an uſual obſervation, That if the Body of one murthered be brought
44958. before the Murtherer, the wounds will bleed afreſh.
Some do affirm, That
the
dead Body, upon the preſence of the Murtherer hath opened the eyes;
and that there have been ſuch like motions as well where the party murthered
hath
been ſtrangled or drowned, as where they have been killed by wounds.

It
may be that this participateth of a miracle, by Gods juſt judgment, who
uſually
brings murthers to light.
But if it be Natural, it muſt be referred to
Imagination
.
The tying of the point upon the day of Marriage, to make Men impo-
55959.
242208Natural Hiſtory; tent to wards their Wives, which (as we have formerly touched) is ſo fre-
quent
in Zant and Gaſcony, if it be Natural, muſt be referred to the Imagi-
nation
of him that tieth the Point.
I conceive it to have the lefs affinity
with
Witchcraft, becauſe not peculiar perſons onely, (ſuch as Witches are)
but
any Body may do it.
THere be many things that work upon the Spirits of Men by Secret Sympa-
11960.
Experiments

in
Conſort
touching
the
Secret
Virtue
of
Sympathy
and
Anti-
pathy
.
thy and Antipathy.
The virtues of Precious Stones worn, have been an-
ciently
and generally received, and curiouſly aſſigned to work ſeveral effects.
So much is true, that Stones have in them fine Spirits, as appeareth by their
ſplendor
:
And therefore they may work by conſent upon the Spirits of Men,
to
comfort and exhilarate them.
Thoſe that are the beſt for that effect, are the
Diamond
, the Emerald, the Facynth Oriental, and the Gold-ſtone, which is the
yellow
Topaz.
As for their particular Proprieties, there is no credit to be gi-
ven
to them.
But it is manifeſt, that Light above all things, excelleth in com-
forting
the Spirits of Men;
and it is very probable, that Light varied doth the
ſame
effect with more novelty.
And this is one of the cauſes why Precious
Stones
comfort.
And therefore it were good to have Tincted Lanthorns, or
Tincted
Skreens of Glaß coloured into Green, Blue, Carnation, Crimſon, Purple,
&
c. and to uſe them with Candles in the night. So likewiſe to have round
Glaſſes
, not onely of Glaß coloured through, but with Colours laid between
Cryſtals
, with handles to hold in ones hand.
Priſms are alſo comfortable
things
.
They have of Paris-work, Looking. Glaſſes, bordered with broad Borders
of
ſmall Cryſtal, and great counterfeit Precious Stones of all Colours, that are
moſt
glorious and pleaſant to behold, eſpecially in the night.
The Pictures
of
Indian Feathers are likewiſe comfortable and pleaſant to behold.
So alſo
fair
and clear Pools do greatly comfort the Eyes Spirits;
eſpecially when the
Sun
is not glaring but overcaſt, or when the Moon ſhineth.
There be divers ſorts of Bracelets fit to comfort the Spirits; and they be
22961. of three Intentions;
Refrigerant, Corroborant, and Aperient. For Refrigerant I
wiſh
them to be of Pearl, or of Coral, as is uſed.
And it hath been noted
that
Coral, if the party that weareth it be ill diſpoſed, will wax pale;
which
I
believe to be true, becauſe other wiſe diſtemper of heat will make Coral
lofe
colour.
I commend alſo Beads or little Plates of Lapis Lazuli, and Beads
of
Nitxe, either alone, or with ſome Cordial mixture.
For Corroboration and Comfortation, take ſuch Bodies as are of Aſtringent
33962. quality without manifeſt cold.
I commend Bead. Amber, which is full of A-
ſtriction
, but yet is unctuous, and not cold, and is conceived to impinguate
thoſe
that wear ſuch Beads.
I commend alſo Beads of Harts-Horn and Ivory,
which
are of the like nature;
alſo Orenge-Beads, alſo Beads of Lignum Aloes,
macerated
firſt in Roſe-water and dried.
For opening, I commend Beads, or pieces of the Roots of Carduus
44963. Benedictus;
alſo of the Roots of Peony the Male, and of Orras, and of Calamus
Aromatious
, and of Rew.
The Cramp (no doubt) cometh of contraction of Sinews; which is
55964. manifeſt in that it cometh either by cold or drineſs, as after Conſumptions and
long
Agues;
for Cold and Drineſs do (both of them) contract and cor-
rugate
.
We ſee alſo, that chafing a little above the place in pain, caſeth
the
Cramp;
which is wrought by the Dilatation of the contracted Sinews
by
heat.
There are in uſe for the prevention of the Cramp, two things:
The one, Rings of Sea-Horſe Teeth worn upon the Fingers; the other,
243209Century X. of Green Perwinckle (the Herb) tied about the Calf of the Leg, or the
Thigh
, &
c. where the Cramp uſeth to come. I do finde this the more
ſtrange
, becauſe neither of theſe have any Relaxing Virtue, but rather the
contrary
.
I judge therefore that their working is rather upon the Spirits
within
the Nerves to make them ſtrive leſs, then upon the Bodily ſubſtance
of
the Nerves.
I would have tryal made of two other kindes of Bracelets for com-
11965. forting the Heart and Spirits.
The one of the Trochiſch of Vipers made into
little
pieces of Beads;
for ſince they do great good inwards (eſpecially for
Peſtilent
Agues) it is like they will be effectual outwards, where they may be
applied
in greater quantity.
There would be Trchiſchs likewiſe made of
Snakes
, whoſe fleſh dried is thought to have a very opening and Cordial
Virtue
.
The other is of Beads made of the Scarlet Powder, which they call
Kermes
, which is the principal Ingredient in their Cordial-Confection Alkermen.
The Beads would be made up with Amber-Griece, and ſome Pomander.
It hath been long received, and confirmed by divers tryals, that the
22966. Root of the Male-Peony dried, tied to the Neck, doth help the Falling-
ſickneß
;
and likewiſe the Incubus, which we call the Mare. The cauſe of both
theſe
Diſeaſes, and eſpecially of the Epilepſie from the Stomack, is the groſs-
neſs
of the Vapors which riſe and enter into the Cells of the Brain:
And
therefore
the working is by extream and ſubtil Attenuation, which that
Simple
hath.
I judge the like to be in Caſtoreum, Musk, Ren-Seed, Agnus
Caſtus
Seed &
c.
There is a Stone which they call the Blood-Stone, which worn, is thought
33967. to be good for them that bleed at the Noſe;
which (no doubt) is by aſtricti-
on
and cooling of the Spirits.
Quare, if the Stone taken out of the Toads
Head
, be not of the like virtue, for the Toad loveth Shade and Coolneſs.
Light may be taken from the Experiment of the Horſe-tooth Ring, and the
44968. Garland of Perwinckle, how that thoſe things which aſſwage the ſtrife of the
Spirits
, do help diſeaſes, contrary to the Intention deſired;
for in the curing
of
the Cramp, the Intention is to relax the Sinews;
but the contraction of
the
Spirits, that they ſtrive leſs, is the beſt help:
So to procure eaſie Tra-
vails
of Women, the Intention is to bring down the Childe;
but the help is,
to
ſtay the coming down too ſaft;
whereunto they ſay the Toad-ſtone like-
wiſe
helpeth.
So in Peſtilent Fevers, the Intention is to expel the Infection by
Sweat
and Evaporation;
but the beſt means to do it, is by Nitre, Diaſcordium,
and
other cool things, which do for a time arreſt the Expulſion, till Nature
can
do it more quietly.
For as one ſaith prettily, In the quenching of the flame
of
a Peſtilent Ague, Nature is like People that come to quench the Fire of an Houſe;
which are ſo buſie, as one of them letteth another. Surely it is an excellent Axiome
and
of manifold uſe, that whatſoever appeaſeth the contention of Spirits
furthereth
their action.
The Writers of Natural Magick commend the wearing of the ſpoil of
55969. a Snake, for preſerving of Health.
I doubt it is but a conceit; for that the
Snake
is thought to renew her youth by caſting her ſpoil.
They might as
well
take the Beak of an Eagle, or a piece of a Harts-horn, becauſe thoſe
renew
.
It hath been anciently received, (for Pericles the Athenian uſed it) and
66970. it is yet in uſe, to wear little Bladders of Quick-ſilver, or Tablets of Arſe-
nick
, as preſervatives againſt the Plague:
Not, as they conceive, for any
comfort
they yield to the Spirits;
but for that being poyſons themſelves,
they
draw the venome to them from the Spirits.
244210Natural Hiſtory;
Vide the Experiments 95, 96, and 97. touching the ſeveral Sympathies and
11971. Antipathies for Medicinal uſe.
It is ſaid, that the Guts or Skin of a Woolf being applied to the Belly
22972. do cure the Colick.
It is true, that the Woolf is a Beaſt of great Edacity and
Digeſtion
;
and ſo it may be the parts of him comfort the Bowels.
We ſee Scare-crows are ſet up to keep Birds from Corn and Fruit. It is
33973. reported by ſome, that the Head of a Woolf, whole, dried and hanged up in
a
Dove-houſe, will ſcare away Vermin, ſuch as are Weaſils, Pole-cats, and the
like
.
It may be the Head of a Dog will do as much; for thoſe Vermin with
us
, know Dogs better then Wolves.
The Brains of ſome Creatures, (when their Heads are roſted) taken in
44974. Wine, are ſaid to ſtrengthen the Memory;
as the Brains of Hares, Brains of
Hens
, Brains of Deer, &
c. And it ſeemeth to be incident to the Brains of
thoſe
Creatures that are fearful.
The Oyntment that Witches uſe, is reported to be made of the Fat of
55975. Children digged out of their Graves;
of the Juices of Smallage, Woolf-
bane
, and Cinquefoil, mingled with the Meal of Fine Wheat.
But I ſuppoſe,
that
the Soporiferous Medicines are likeſt to do it;
which are Henbane, Hem-
lock
, Mandrake, Moonſhade, Tobacco, Opium, Saffron, Poplar leaves, &
c.
It is reported by ſome, that the affections of Beaſts when they are in
66976. ſtrength, do add ſome virtue unto inanimate things:
As that the Skin of a
Sheep
devoured by a Woolf moveth itching;
that a ſtone bitten by a Dog in
anger
, being thrown at him, drunk in Powder provoketh Choler.
It hath been obſerved, that the diet of Women with Childe, doth work
77977. much upon the Infant.
As if the Mother eat Quinces much, and Coriander-
feed
(the nature of both which, is to repreſs and ftay vapors that aſcend to
the
Brain) it will make the Childe ingenious:
And on the contrary ſide, if
the
Mother eat (much) Onions or Beans, or ſuch vaporous food, or drink
Wine
or ſtrong drink immoderately, or faſt much, or be given to much
muſing
, (all which ſend or draw vapors to the Head) it indangereth the
Childe
to become Lunatick, or of imperfect memory:
And I make the ſame
judgment
of Tobacco of en taken by the Mother.
The Writers of Natural Magick report, that the Heart of an Ape worn
88978. near the Heart, comforteth the Heart, and increaſeth audacity.
It is true, that
the
Ape is a merry and bold Beaſt.
And that the ſame Heart likewiſe of an Ape
applied
to the Neck or Head, helpeth the Wit, and is good for the Falling
ſickneſs
.
The Ape alſo is a witty Beaſt, and hath a dry Brain; which may
be
ſome cauſe of attenuation of Vapors in the Head.
Yet it is ſaid to move
Dreams
alſo.
It may be the Heart of a Man would do more, but that it is
more
againſt Mens mindes to uſe it;
except it be in ſuch as wear the Reliques
of
Saints.
The Fleſh of a Hedghog dreſſed and eaten, is ſaid to be a great dryer.
99979. It is true, that the Juice of a Hedghog muſt needs be harſh and dry, becauſe
it
putteth forth ſo many Prickles:
For Plants alſo that are full of Prickles are
generally
dry;
as Bryars, Thorns, Barberries. And therefore the aſhes of a
Hedghog
are ſaid to be a great deſiccative of Fiſtula’s.
Mummy hath great force in ſtanching of Blood; which as it may be
1010980. aſcribed to the mixture of Balms that are Glutenous, ſo it may alſo partake
of
a ſecret propriety, in that the Blood draweth Mans fleſh.
And it is ap-
proved
, that the Moſs which groweth upon the Scull of a Dead Man unburied
will
ſtanch Blood potently.
And ſo do the dregs or powder of Blood, ſevered
from
the Water and dried.
245211Century X.
It hath been practiſed to make White Swallaws, by anointing of the Eggs
11981. with Oyl.
Which effect may be produced by the ſtopping of the Pores of
the
Shell, and making the Juice that putteth forth the Feathers after wards
more
penurious, And it may be, the anointing of the Eggs will be as effectu-
al
as the anointing of the Body.
Of which, Vide the Experiment 93.
It is reported, that the White of an Egg or Blood mingled with Salt-
22982. water, doth gather the ſaltneſs, and maketh the water ſweeter.
This may be
by
Adheſion;
as in the Sixth Experiment of Clarification. It may be alſo, that
Blood
, and the White of an Egg, (which is the matter of a Living Creature)
have
ſome Sympathy with Salt;
for all Life, hath a Sympathy with Salt.
We ſee that Salt laid to a cut finger, healeth it; ſo, as it ſeemeth, Salt draw-
eth
Blood, as well as Blood draweth Salt.
It hath been anciently received, that the Sea-Hare hath an antipathy
33983. with the Lungs, (if it cometh near the Body) and erodeth them.
Whereof
the
cauſe is conceived to be a quality it hath of heating the Breath and Spi-
rits
;
as Cantharides have upon the watry parts of the Body, as Urine and Hy-
dropical
Water.
And it is a good rule, That whatſoever hath an operation
upon
certain kindes of Matters, that in Mans Body worketh moſt upon
thoſe
parts wherein that kinde of matter aboundeth.
Generally that which is Dead, or Corrupted, or Excerned, hath antipa-
44984. thy with the ſame thing when it is alive, and when it is ſound, and with thoſe
parts
which do excern:
As a Carcaſs of Man is moſt infectious and odious to
Man
, a Carrion of an Horſe to an Horſe, &
c. Purulent matter of Wounds
and
Ulcers, Carbuncles, Pox, Scabs, Leproſie, to ſound Fleſh;
and the Ex-
crements
of every Species to that Creature that excerneth them.
But the
Excrements
are leſs pernicious then the corruptions.
It is a common experience, That Dogs know the Dog-killer, when as
55985. in times of Infection ſome pety fellow is ſent out to kill the Dogs;
and that
though
they have never ſeen him before, yet they will all come forth, and
bark
, and flie at him.
The Relations touching the Force of Imagination, and the Secret Inſtincts
66986. of Nature, are ſo uncertain, as they require a great deal of Examination ere
we
conclude upon them.
I would have it firſt throughly inquired, whether
there
be any ſecret paſſages of Sympathy between Perſons of near Blood;
as
Parents
, Children, Brothers, Siſters, Nurſe-children, Husbands, Wives, &
c. There
be
many reports in Hiſtory, that upon the death of Perſons of ſuch nearneſs,
Men
have had an in ward feeling of it.
I my ſelf remember, that being in
Paris
, and my Father dying in London, two or three days before my Fathers
death
, I had a dream, which I told to divers Engliſh Gentlemen, that my Fa-
thers
Houſe in the Countrey was Plaiſtered all over with Black Mortar.
There
is
an opinion abroad, (whether idle, or no I cannot ſay) That loving and
kinde
Husbands have a ſenſe of their Wives breeding Childe by ſome acci-
dent
in their own Body.
Next to thoſe that are near in Blood, there may be the like paſſage and
77987. inſtincts of Nature between great Friends and Enemies.
And ſometimes the
revealing
is unto another perſon, and not to the party himſelf.
I remember
Philippus
Comineus (a grave Writer) reporteth, That the Archbiſhop of Vienna
(a Reverend Prelat) ſaid (one day) after Maſs to King Lewis the Eleventh of
France
, Sir, rour Mortal Enemy is dead;
what time, Charles Duke of Burgundy
was
ſlain at the Battel of Granſon againſt the Switzers.
Some tryal alſo would
be
made, whether Pact or Agreement do any thing;
as if two Friends ſhould
agree
, That ſuch a day in every Week, they being in far diſtant
246212Natural Hiſtory; ſhould pray one for another, or ſhould put on a Ring or Tablet one for an-
others
ſake;
whether, if one of them ſhould break their Vow and Promiſe,
the
other ſhould have any feeling of it in abſence.
If there be any force in Imaginations and Affections of ſingular Per-
11988. ſons, it is probable the force is much more in the Joynt-Imaginations and
Affections
of Multitudes;
as if a victory ſhould be won or loſt in remote
parts
, Whether is there not ſome ſenſe thereof in the people whom it con-
cerneth
, becauſe of the great joy or grief that many men are poſſeſſed with
at
once?
Pius Quintus, at the very time when that memorable victory was
won
by the Chriſtians againſt the Turks, at the Naval Battel of Lepanto, being
then
hearing of Cauſes in the Conſiſtory, brake off ſuddenly, and ſaid to
thoſe
about him, It is now more then time we ſhould give thanks to God for the great
Victory
he hath granted us againſt the Turks.
It is true, that Victory had a Sympa-
thy
with his Spirit, for it was meerly his work to conclude the League:
It
may
be that Revelation was Divine.
But what ſhall we ſay then to a number
of
Examples amongſt the Grecians and Romans, where the People being in
Theatres
at Plays, have had news of Victories and Overthrows ſome few
days
, before any Meſſenger could come?
It is true, that that may hold in theſe things which is the general Root
of
Superſtition;
namely, that men obſerve when things hit, and not when
they
miſs, and commit to Memory the one, and forget and paſs over the
other
.
But touching Divination and the miſgiving of Mindes, we ſhall
ſpeak
more when we handle in general the Nature of Mindes, and Souls, and
Spirits
.
We having given formerly ſome Rules of Imagination, and touching
22989. the fortifying of the ſame;
we have ſet down alſo ſome few Inſtances and
Directions
of the force of Imagination upon Beaſts, Birds, &
c. upon plants,
and
upon Inanimate Bodies:
Wherein you muſt ſtill obſerve, that your Tryals
be
upon Subtil and Light Motions, and not the contrary;
for you will
ſoonerby
Imagination bind a Bird from Singing then from Eating or Flying;
and I leave it to every man to chuſe Experiments which himſelf thinketh
moſt
commodious, giving now but a few Examples of every of the three
kindes
.
Uſe ſome Imaginant (obſerving the Rules formerly preſcribed). for
33990. binding of a Bird from ſinging, and the like of a Dog from barking.
Try
alſo
the Imagination of ſome, whom you ſhall accommodate with things to
fortifie
it in Cock-fights, to make one Cock more hardy, and the other
more
cowardly.
It would be tried alſo in flying of Hawks, or in courſing
of
a Deer or Hart with Grey-hounds, or in Horſe-races, and the like com-
parative
Motions;
for you may ſooner by Imagination, quicken or ſlack a
motion
, then raiſe or ceaſe it;
as it is eaſier to make a Dog go ſlower, then
to
make him ſtand ſtill, that he may notrun.
In Plants alſo you may try the force of Imagination upon the lighter
44991. ſort of Motions;
as upon the ſudden fading or lively coming up of Herbs;
or upon their bending one way or other, or upon their cloſing and open-
ing
, &
c.
For Inanimate things, you may try the force of Imagination upon ſtay-
55992. ing the working of Beer, when the Barm is put in;
or upon the coming of
Butter
or Cheeſe, after the Churning, or the Rennet be put in.
It is an ancient Tradition, every where alleaged, for example of ſecret
66993. Proprieties and Influxes, That the Torpedo Marina, if it be touched with a
long
ſtick, doth ſtupefie the hand of him that touchethit.
It is one degree
247213Century X. working at diſtance, to work by the continuance of a ſit Medium; as Sound
will
be conveyed to the Ear by ſtriking upon a Bow-ſtring, iſ the Horn of the
Bow
be held to the Ear.
The Writers of Natural Magick do attribute much to the Virtues that
11994. come from the parts of Living Creatures, ſo as they be taken from them, the
Creatures
remaining ſtill alive;
as if the Creature ſtill living did infuſe ſome
immateriate
Virtue and Vigor into the part ſevered.
So much may be true,
that
any part taken from a Living Creature newly ſlain, may be of greater
force
, then if it were taken from the like Creature dying of it ſelf;
becauſe
it
is fuller of Spirit.
Tryal would be made of the like parts of Individuals in Plants and
22995. Living Creatures;
as to cut off a Stock of a Tree, and to lay that which you
cut
off to putrefie, to ſee whether it will decay the reſt oſ the Stock;
or if
you
ſhould cut off part of the Tail, or Leg of a Dog, or a Cat, and lay it to
putrefie
, to ſee whether it wili feſter, or keep from healing, the part which
remaineth
.
It is received, that it helpeth to continue love, if one wear a Ring or
33996. a Bracelet of the Hair of the party beloved.
But that may be by the exciting
of
the Imagination;
and perhaps a Glove, or other like Favor, may as well
do
it.
The Sympathy of Individuals that have been entire, or have touched,
44997. is of all others, the moſt incredible;
yet according unto our faithful manner
of
Examination of Nature, we will make ſome little mention of it.
The taking
away
of Warts, by rubbing them with ſomewhat that after wards is put to
waſte
and conſume, is a common Experiment;
and I do apprehend it the
rather
, becauſe of mine own experience.
I had ſrom my Childhood a Wart
upon
one of my Fingers;
afterwards, when I was about ſixteen years old,
being
then at Paris, there grew upon both my hands anumber of Warts (at
leaſt
an hundred) in a moneths ſpace.
The Engliſh Ambaſſadors Lady, who
was
a Woman far from Superſtition, told me one day ſhe would help me a-
way
with my Warts.
Whereupon ſhe got a piece of Lard with the skin on,
and
rubbed the Warts all over with the fat ſide, and amongſt the reſt that
Wart
which I had from my Childhood;
then ſhe nailed the piece of Lard,
with
the fat to wards the Sun, upon a poſt of her Chamber window, which
was
to the South.
The ſucceſs was, that within five weeks ſpace all the Warts
went
quite away, and that Wart which I had ſolong endured, for company.
But at the reſt I did little marvel, becauſe they came in a ſhort time, and might
go
away in a ſhort time again;
but the going of that which had ſtaid ſo long
doth
yet ſtick with me.
They ſay the like is done by rubbing of Warts with
a
green Elder-ſtick, and then burying the ſtick to rot in muck.
It would be
tried
with Corns and Wens, and ſuch other Excreſcences:
I would have it
alſo
tried with ſome parts of Living Creatures that are neareſt the nature of
Excreſcences
;
as the Combs of Cocks, the Spurs of Cocks, the Horns of
Beaſts
, &
c. and I would have it tried both ways; both by rubbing thoſe parts
with
Lard or Elder as before;
and by cutting off ſome piece of thoſe parts,
and
laying it to conſume, to ſee whether it will work any effect towards the
Conſumption
of that part which was once joyned with it.
It is conſtantly received and avouched, that the anointing of the Wea-
55998. pon that maketh the Wound, will heal the Wound it ſelf.
In this Experiment,
upon
the relation of men of credit, (though my ſelf, as yet, am not ſully
inclined
to believe it) you ſhall note the Points following.
Firſt, the Oynt-
ment
wherewith this is done, is made of divers Ingredients;
where of
248214Natural Hiſtory; ſtrangeſt and hardeſt to come by, are the Moſs upon the Skull of a dead Man
unburied
, and the Fats of a Boar, and a Bear killed in the act of generation.
Theſe two laſt I could eaſily ſuſpect to be preſeribed as a ſtartling hole, that
if
the Experiment proved not, it might be pretended, that the Beaſts were not
killed
in the due time;
for as for the Moſs, it is certain there is great quan-
tity
of it in Ireland, upon ſlain Bodies laid on heaps unburied.
The other In-
gredients
are the Blood-ſtone in Powder, and ſome other things which ſeem
to
have a virtue to ſtanch blood, as alſo the Moſs hath.
And the deſcription
of
the whole Oyntment is to be found in the Chymical Diſpenſatory of Crollius.

Secondly
, The ſame kinde of Oynment applied to the hurt it ſelf, worketh
not
the effect, but onely applied to the weapon.
Thirdly, (which I like well)
they
do not obſerve the confecting of the Oyntment under any certain Con-
ſtellation
;
which commonly is the excuſe of Magical Medicines when they
fail
, that they were not made under a fit figure of Heaven.
Fourthly, it may
be
applied to the Weapon, though the party hurt be at great diſtance.
Fiſth-
ly
, it ſeemeth the Imagination of the party to be cured is not needſul to con-
cur
, for it may be done without the knowledge of the party wounded:

And
thus much hath been tried, that the Oyntment (for Experiments ſake)
hath
been wiped off the Weapon without the knowledge of the party hurt,
and
preſently the party hurt hath been in great rage of pain, till the weapon
was
reanointed.
Sixthly, it is affirmed, That if you cannot get the weapon,
yet
if you put an Inſtrument of Iron or Wood, reſembling the weapon
into
the Wound, whereby it bleedeth, the anointing of that Inſtrument will
ſerve
and work the effect.
This I doubt ſhould be a device to keep this
ſtrange
form of Cure in requeſt and uſe, becauſe many times you cannot
comeby
the Weapon it ſelf.
Seventhly, the Wound muſt be at firſt waſhed
clean
with White-wine, or the parties own Water, and then bound up cloſe
in
fine Linnen, and no more dreſſing renewed till it be whole.
Eighthly, the
Sword
it ſelf muſt be wrapped up cloſe as far as the Oyntment goeth, that it
take
no wind.
Ninthly, the Oyntment, if you wipe it off from the Sword
and
keep it, wil ſerve again, and rather increaſe in vertue then diminiſh.
Tenth-
ly
, it will cure in far ſhorter time, then Oyntments of Wounds commonly do.

Laſtly
, it will cure a Beaſt as well as a Man;
which I like beſt of all the reſt,
becauſe
it ſubjecteth the matter to an eaſie tryal.
IWould have Men know, that though Ireprehend the eaſie paſſing over of
11999.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching

Secret
Proprie-
ties
.
the cauſes of things, by aſcribing them to ſecret and hidden virtues and
proprieties
(for this hath arreſted and laid aſleep all true Inquiry and Indica-
tions
;)
yet I do not underſtand, but that in the practical part of knowledge
much
will be left to Experience and Probation, whereunto Indication cannot
ſo
ſully reach;
and this is not onely in Specie, but in Individuo. So in Phyſick,
if
you will cure the Faundies, it is not enough to ſay, that the Medicine muſt
not
be cooling, forthat will hinder the opening which the diſeaſe requireth;
that it muſt not be hot, for that will exaſperate Choler; that it muſt go to
the
Gall, for there is the obſtruction which cauſeth the diſeaſe, &
c. But you
muſt
receive from Experience, that Powder of Chamæpytis, or the like, drunk
in
Beer, is good for the Faundies.
So again, a wiſe Phyſician doth not continue
ſtill
the ſame Medicine to a Patient, but he will vary, if the firſt Medicine
doth
not apparently ſucceed;
ſor of thoſe Remedies that are good for the
Faundies
, Stone, Agues, &
c. that will do good in one Body, which will not
do
good in another, according to the correſpondence the Medicine hath to
the
Individual Body.
249215Century X.
THe delight which Men have in Popularity, Fame, Honor, Submiſsion, and
111000.
Experiment

Solitary
,
touching
the
General
Sym-
pathy
of Mens
Spirits
.
Subjection of other Mens Mindes, Wills, or Affections (although theſe things
may
be deſired for other ends) ſeemeth to be athing in it ſelf, without con-
templation
of conſequence, grateſul, and agreeable to the Nature of Man.
This thing (ſurely) is not without ſome ſignification, as if all Spirits and
Souls
of Men came forth out of one Divine Limbus;
elſe, why be Men ſo
much
affected with that which others think or ſay?
The beſt temper of
Mindes
, deſireth good Name and true Honor;
the lighter, Popularity and
Applauſe
;
the more depraved, Subjection and Tyranny; as is ſeen in great
Conquerors
and Troublers of the World, and yet more in Arch-Herencks,
for
the introducing of new Doctrines, is like wiſe an affectation oſ Tyranny
over
the Underſtandings and Beliefs of Men.
8888[Handwritten note 88]
250
[Empty page]
251
ATABLE
Of
the chief Matters containedin the
CENTURIES
11
A
.
ACceleration
of time in Works
# of Nature, 67. In Clarifi-
# cation of Liquor, 68. In ſe-
# ueral Maturations, 69. As
# of Fruits, ibid. Of Drinks, ibid.
# Impoſthumes and Ulcers, ibid. Of
# Metals, ibid. Of Clarification in wine,
# 165. Acctleration of Putrefaction,
# 73. Acceleration of Birth, 78. Of
# Growth or Stature, ibid. Three means
# of it # ibid.
Acceleration
of Germination, 89. By
# three means, viz. Mending the Non-
# riſhment, 90. Comforting the Spirits
# of the Plant, ibid. Eaſie coming to
# the Nouriſhment, 91. Several inſtances
# thereof # 89,90,91
Aches
in Mens Bodies foreſhew rain, # 176
Egypt
ſcarce hath any rain, 161. Egypti-
# an conſerving of bodies, 163. Their
# Mummies # ibid.
Equinoctial
more tolerable for heat, then
# the Zones, 87. Three cauſes thereof # ibid.
Æthiopes
# 87
Ætna
# 165
Affectation
of Tyranny over Mens un-
# derſtandings andbeliefs # 213
Affections
of Beaſts impreſſed upon inani-
# mate things # 214
Agarick
# 116,131
Air
turnedinto water, 6. # By four ſeve-
# ralways, ibid. Inſtances tending there-
# to, 20, 21. Converted into a denſe
# body, a rarity in Nature, 7. Hath an
# antipathy with tangible bodies, 21.
# Converted into water by repercnßion
# from hard bodies, ibid. Air turned into
# water by the ſame means that Ice, ibid.
# Congealing of air, 80. Air condenſed
# into weight # 156
Air
pent the cauſe of Sounds, # 32, 33, 34.
# Eruptions thereof, cauſe Sounds, ibid.
# Air not always neceſſary to Sounds, # 36
Air
excluded in ſome Bodies, prohibiteth
# putrefaction, 75. In ſome cauſeth it,
# 76. The cauſes of each, ibid. Air com-
# preſſed and blown, prohibiteth putre-
# faction # 77
Airs
wholeſome, how found out, 164. The
# putrefaction of air, to be diſcerned a-
# forchand, 173. Airs good to recover Con-
# ſumptions, 204. Air healthful within
# doors, how procured # ibid.
Air
and Fire, foreſhew winds # 274
Air
, 21. The cauſes of heat, and cold in it,
# ibid. Hath ſome degree of light in it, # ibid.
Air
poyſoned by art # 202
Alchymiſts
# 71
Alexanders
Body preſerved till Ceſars time, # 163
Aliments
changed good # 18
Alleys
cloſe gravelled, what they bring
# forth # 117
All
Night # 83
Almond
Putter for nouriſhing ſick bodies
# better then Cullices # 13
Alterations
of bodies # 179
Altering
the colours of Hairs and Feathers # 183
Amber
ſmell # 203
Anger
, 150. The impreßion thereof, 151.
# Cauſeth the eyes to look red, 189. The
# cauſe # ibid.
Animate
and inanimate, wherein they differ, # 125
Annihilation
, not poſsible in Nature # 28
Anointing
of the Weapon # 213
Annual
Herbs # 120
Antonius
his genius weak before Auguſtus, # 204
Antipathy
and Sympathy, 25. Of Plants,
# 101, 102, 103, 104, 105. Inſtances of
252A Table of the chief Matters11# Antipathy in other kindes, 209, 210,
# 211, 212, 213. Antipathy between ene-
# mies in abſence # ib.
Appetite
of continuation in liquid bodies # 5, 6
Appetite
in the ſtomach, 176. what quali-
# ties provcke it, ibid. Four cauſes thereof
# ibid.
Apple
incloſed in VV ax for speedy ripening,
# 70, 71. Hanged in ſm@ak, ibid. Covered
# in Lime and Aſhes, ibid. Covered with
# Crabs and Onions, ib. Apple in Hay and
# Straw, ibid. In a cloſe box, ibid. Apple
# rolled, ib. Apple inpart cut, beſmeared
# with ſack # ibid.
Apple-cions
grafted on the ſtock of a Cole-
# wort # 97
Apple-trees
, ſome of them bring forth a
# ſweet Moſs # 114
Aqua-fortis
diſſelving Iron # 166
Archbiſhop
of Vienna his revelation to
# Lewis the Eleventh # 211
Arrows
with wooden-heads ſharpned, pierce
# wood ſooner, then with iron heads # 148
Artichokes
made leſs prickly # 98
Art
of memory # 27
Aſhes
in a veſſel, will not admit equal quan-
# tity of water, as in the veſſel cmpty # 10
Aſhes
an excellent compoſt # 123
Asp
eauſeth eaſie death # 132
Aſſimilation
in bodies in animate, 24. In
# vegetables # ib. 79, 179
Aftriction
prohibiteth putrefaction # 75
Attraction
by ſmilitude of ſubſtance # 148, 191
Audibles
mingle in the medium, which viſi-
# bles do not, 53. The cauſe thereof. ibid.
# Several Conſents of audibles and viſibles,
# 58, 59. Several Diſſents of thcm, 60, 61.
# Audibles and Viſibles # 204
Authority
ſtrengthneth Imagination # 206
B
.
BAg
growing in the fields # 115
Barrel
empty knocked, ſaid to give a
# Diapaſon to the ſame Barrel full # 45
Barrenneſs
of Trees, the cauſe # 100
Baſil
turned into VVilde Thjme # 111
Baſilisk
# 202
Bathing
the body, 156. VVould not be
# healthful for us, if it were in uſe, ibid.
# For the Tuiks good # ib.
Bearing
in the womb, in ſome creatures
# longer, in ſome ſhorter # 159
Beaſts
do not imitate Mans ſpeech as Birds
# do, 55. The cauſe, ibid. Beaſts commu-
# nicating in ſpecies with one another, 138.
# Likewiſe ſome Birds, ibid. Beaſts in their
# kindes, leſſer then F ſhes, 184. Greater
# then Birds, the cauſe # ibid.
Beasts
that yield the taste or virtue of the
# the Herb they feed on # 104
Beaſts
foreſhew Rain # 175
Capon
. Becr, how made, 13. Averynouriſh-
# ing drink # ibid.
Bees
humming an uneqnal ſound # 43
Birds
have another manner in their quick-
# ning, then Men or Beaſts, 25. Birds
# communicating in ſpecies with one an-
# other, 138. Swifter in motion then Beaſts,
# ibid. The cauſe, ibid. In their kindes,
# leſſer then Beaſts or Fiſhes, 184. The
# cauſe, ibid. Imitate Mans ſpeech, which
# Beasts do not, 55. Thecanſe # ibid.
Birth
of living creatnres # 78
Black
the beſt colour in Plumbs # 109
Blear-eyes
infectious # 202
Bleeding
of the body, at the approach of the
# murtherer # 207
Blood
, five means of ſtanching it # 18
Blood
drawethſalt # 211
Blood
of the Cuttle-fiſh # 156
Blood-stone
# 210
Blows
and bruiſes induce ſwelling, 187. The
# cauſe # ibid.
Bluſhing
cauſeth redneß in the ears, not in
# theeyes, as anger doth, 189. The cauſe
# of each # ibid.
Boaring
an hol@ through a Tree, helpeth it # 94
Body
brittle ſtrucken, 3. Bodies natural
# moſt of them have an appetite of admit-
# ting others into them, 169. Except flame,
# ibid. Bodies unperf@ctly mixt # 178
Bodies
in nature that give no ſounds, and
# that give ſounds # 32, 33, 34
Bodies
, to which, VVine is hurtful, and to
# which, good # 153
Bodies
conſerved a long time # 162, 163
Boldneſs
and ind@ſiry, the power of them in
# civil buſineſs # 190, 203
Boletus
# 131
Bolus
Armenus # 147
Bones
, 141, 157. The moſt ſenſible of cold,
# 141. In what Fiſhes none, 157. One in
# the Heart of a Stag # ib.
Boiling
cauſeth Grains to ſwell in difference # 185
Bracelets
worn which comfort the ſpirits,
# 219. Their three ſcveral operations, # ibid.
Brains
of ſome Beoſts ſtrengthen the memory, # 210
Brain
increaſed in the Full Moon # 193
Braſs
ſanative of wounds # 166
Braſ
-plates oſſw age ſwelling # 187
Breath
held, helpeth hearing, 62. The cauſe # ibid.
253contained in theſe Centuries.11Bryer-buſh # 117
Bringing
forth many at a birth, and but one,
# 160. The cauſe of each # ibid.
Burning-glaſſes
rare # 34
Burning
ſome Vegetables upon the ground,
# enricheth it # 122
Borage
, leaf infuſed # 4
C
.
CAke
growing on the ſide of a dead Tree # 139
Calamitas
# 137
Candles
of ſeveral mixtures, 82. Of ſeveral
# wicks, 83. Laid in Bran for laſting # ibid.
Cantharides
, whereſoever applied, affect the
# Bladder, 25, 211. The Flies Cantha-
# rides, 153. Of what ſubſtance they are
# bred # ibid.
Carrying
of foreign Roots ſafe # 128
Caſſia
# ibid.
Caſting
of the skin or ſhell, 154. The crea-
# tures that caſt either # ibid.
Caterpillars
# 153
Cements
that grow hard # 183
Chalk
, a good compoſt, 122, 123. Good for
# Paſture, as well as for Arable # ibid.
Chameleons
, 80. Their nouriſhment, ibid.
# A fond Tradition of them # ibid.
Chamelotted
Paper # 156
Change
in Medicines and Aliments good,
18
. The cauſe why # ibid.
Charcoal
vapor in a cloſe room, mortal # 202
Charms
# 205
Cheap
fuel # 164
Children
born in the ſeventh moneth, vital,
# in the eighth, not, 78. The cauſe why,
# ibid. Over-much nouriſhment, ill for
# children, ibid. Dry nouriſhment, hurt-
# ful, ibid. Nouriſhment of an opening
# nature, good for them, ibid. Sitting much,
# hurtful for them, ibid. Cold things,
# hurtful, ibid. Long ſucking, hurtful, # ibid.
Chineſes
# 71
Cions
over-rule the Stock, 93. Muſt be
# ſuperior to it, 99. Cionsregrafted # 97
Cinnamon
, 128. The Proprieties of that
# Tree # ibid.
Citron
grafted on a Quince # 110
Clammy
Bodies # 64, 65
Clarifying
of Liquors by Adheſion, 2. Of
# water running # ibid.
Clarification
of Liquors, 67. Three cauſes
# thereof, ibid. 80. Clarification of them
# by Separation, ibid. By even diſtribution
# of the Spirits, ibid. By Refining the Spi-
# rit, ibid. Several inſtances of Clarifica-
# tion, ibid. 68. Clarification of Drinks,
# ibid. 69. Of Wine # 137
Clarification
# 162
Cloves
, attractive of Water # 21
Coaſting
of Plants # 99
Coffee
, a Berry making Drink in Turky # 155
Cold
, 19. Production of it, a very noble
# work, ibid. Seven means to produce it,
# ibid. 20. Primum Frigidum, the Earth,
# 19. Tranſitive into Bodies adjacent, as
# well as Heat, ibid. All tangible bodies
# of themſelves, cold, ibid. Denſity, cauſe
# of cold, ibid. Quick ſpirit in a cold body,
# increaſeth cold, ibid. 20. Chaſing away
# of the warm ſpirits, increaſe of cold, ib.
# Exhaling of the warm ſpirits, doth the
# like, ibid. Cold prohibiteth Putrefacti-
# on, 75. Irritateth Flame # 83
Cold
having mortified any part, how to help
# it # 166
Coleworts
furthered intheir growth by Sea-
# weed, 96. By being watered with Salt-
# water, 98. Hurt Neighbor Plants # 101
Colick
cured by application of woolfs-guts # 210
Colliquation
# 73
Coloquintida
# 202
Coloration
of Flowers, 108. Colours of
# Flowers different from the ſame Seed,
# 109. Colours of Herbs # ibid.
Colours
vaniſh not by degrees, as Sounds do,
# 51. The cauſes thereof, ibid. colours of
# Metal Orient in their diſſolutions, 64.
# The cauſes # ibid.
Comforting
of the Spirits of Men by ſeveral
# things # 209
Compoſts
to inrich ground, 122, 123, 124.
# The ordering of them for ſeveralgrounds,
# 222. Six kindes of them # ibid.
Compound
fruits, 100. How they may be
# made # ibid.
Compreſſion
in ſolid bodies, 2. Cauſe of all
# violent motion, 3. Not hitherto inquired,
# ibid. worketh firſt in round, then in pro-
# greß, ibid. Eaſily diſcernable in Liquors,
# in ſolid bodies not, ibid. Compreſſion in a
# brittle body, ibid. In powder, in Shot,
# ibid. To a preternatural extent, 16, In
# Sounds, ib. Compreſſion of Liquors # 187
Concoction
, 179. The word leſs reſtrained
# then formerly, ibid. Not the work of
# Heat alone, ibid. The two periods of it # ibid.
Concords
in Muſick # 30
Concretion
of Bodies, 181. Diſſolved by the
# coxtrary # ibid.
Condenſing
Medicines to relieve the Spirits # 155
Condenſing
of Air into weight # 156
254A Table of the chief Matters11Congealing of Air # 80
Conſervation
of Bodies long time, 162, 163.
# The cauſes and helps thereof # ibid.
Conſervation
of Bodies in Quick-ſilver # 168
Conſiſtence
of Bodies # 180
Conſumptions
in what Airs recovered # 204
Contiguous
things their operations # 201
Coppice-woods
haſtned # 93
Coral
# 126, 165
No
Core in Fruits # 110
Corn
changed by ſowing often in the ſame
# ground, 111. Changed into a baſer kinde
# by the ſterility of the year, ibid. The
# Diſeaſes thereof, 136. The remedy of
# the Diſeaſes, ibid. 137. Choice of the
# beſt Corn # ibid.
Corruptions
# 73
Court
of Vulcan, near Puteoli # 165
Cramp
, 211, 212. Twocures of it # ibid.
Creatures
moving after the ſevering of the
# head, 88. The cauſes there of # ibid.
Crudity
# 179
Cryſtal
in C@ves, 81. Deſignation of atryal
# for making of it # ibid.
Cucumbers
made to grow ſooner, 96. To
# bear two years, ibid. By ſteeping their
# Seeds in Milk, prove more dainty, 98.
# Made more delicate by throwing in chaff
# when they are ſet, ibid. They exceedingly
# affect moiſture, ibid. VVill grow towards
# a pot of water. # ibid.
Cure
by cuſtom, 17. Caution to be uſed in
# diſeaſes counted incurable, ibid. cure by
# exceſs, ibid. The cauſe of it, ibid. Cure
# by motion of conſent, ibid. Phyſicians,
# how to make uſe of this motion # ibid.
Curioſities
touching Plants, # 107, 108, 109, 110
Curled
leaves in Plants # 133
Cutting
Trees often, cauſeth their long laſt-
# ing # 120
Cuttles
blood # 156
D
.
DAmps
from Mines and Minerals # 202
Day
ſhowers, not ſo good for Fruits as
# night-ſhowers # 135
Death
without pain # 232
Decoction
maketh Liquors clearer, Infuſion
# thicker, 68. The cauſe # ibid.
Deer
, 159. Their generating # ibid.
Degenerating
of Plants, 110, 111. The ſe-
# veralcauſes thereof # ibid.
Democritus
# 203
Deſiccation
# 74
Dew
upon Hills, better then upon Valleys # 165
Diamonds
Corniſh # 2
Diapaſon
, the ſweeteſt of Sounds, 30. The
# Diapaſon or number of Eight, rather a
# thing received, then atrue computation,
# ibid. Half Notes of Neceßity between
# the vniſon and Diapaſon # ibid.
Diet-drinks
, 19. Moſt troubleſome at firſt # ibid.
Differences
of Plants # 121, 122
Differences
of ſeveral paſsions in matter # 182
Digging
of the Earth healthful # 203
Diſcords
in Miſick # 30, 31
Diſeaſes
contrary to predispoſition, 17. What
# the Phyſician is to do in ſuch caſes, ibid.
# Diſeaſes infectious, 65. Diſeaſes eßide-
# mical # 85
Diſpleaſures
and pleaſures of the ſenſes # 145
Diſpleaſure
light, 151. The impreſsions
# thereof # ibid.
Diſſolution
of Iron in Aqua-fortis # 166
Divination
Natural # 172
Dogsknow
the Dog-killer # 211
Double
flowers # 109, 110
Down
upon the leaves of Plants, 117. The
# virtue of ſuch leaves # ibid.
Drean
s pleaſant and prophetical procured
# by ſome ſmells # 204
Driz
ks, 69. The maturation of them, ibid.
# How it is wrought, ibid. VVherein it
# differeth from clarification, ibid. Degrees
# of Maturation in ſeveral Liquors, ibid.
# Maturation by ixforcing the motions of
# the Spirits, ibid. Quickning of drixkthat
# is dead # ibid.
Drowning
of Metals # 168, 169
Drunken
men, 152. Their Sperm unfruitful,
# 153. They are unapt for voluntary moti-
# on, ibid. Imagine falſe things as to the
# eye, ibid. Distempered ſooner with ſmall
# draughts, then with great # ibid.
Drying
the adventitious moiſture, prohibi-
# teth putrefaction, 76. Mixture of dry
# things prohibits it # ibid.
Ductible
Bodies # 181, 182
Dulcoration
of things, 133. of Metals, 79.
# Of Fruits by ſeveral ways, 186. The
# cauſes of them # ibid.
Dungs
of Beaſts to inrich grounds, 122.
# VVhich of them the beſt # ibid.
Dnst
maketh Trees fruitfub # 136
Dwarfing
of Trees # 113
E
.
EAr
dangerous to be picked in yawning # 140
Early
Flowers and Plants # 119
Earth
and sand differ, 1. Earth Primum
# Frigldum, 19. Infuſions in Earth, 83. The
# effects thereof, ibid. Cautions to be uſed
# therein, ibid. Several inſtances thereof,
255contained in theſe Centuries.11# ibid. Earthtaken out of the Vaislts will
# put forth Herbs, 117. The nature of
# thoſe Herbs, ibid. what Earth taken
# out of ſhady and watry woods will put
# forth, ibid. Earth upon Earth, a good
# Compost, 123. Earths good and bad,
# 136. Earths Medicinal, 147. Earth
# taken near the River Nilus, 156. Earth
# pure, the healthfulleſt ſmell of all # 203
Ebbing
and Flowing of the Sea # 200
Ecchoes
, 56. Artificial Ecchoes not known,
# ibid. Natural Ecchoes where found, ibid.
# The differences between the Concurrent
# Eccho and Iterant, ibid. No Eccho from
# a Trunck, ſtopped at one end, ibid. The
# cauſe, ibid. Eccho from within a Well,
# ibid. whether Ecchoes move in the ſame
# angle with the original Sounds, ibid.
# Plurality of Ecchoes in one place, ibid.
# Back-ecchoes, ibid. Ecchoes returning
# many words, 58. Eccho upon Eccho, 167,
# 168. The like betwixt an Houſe, and an
# Hill, 58. Eccho will not return the Let-
# ter S, ibid. Difference of Ecchoes, ibid.
# Mixture of Ecchoes # ibid.
Edible
fieſh, and not Edible, 186. The cauſes
# of each # ibid.
Eggs
, the yolks of them great nouriſhers, 14.
# How to be uſed, ibid. rolk conduceth
# more to the nouriſhment. white to the
# generation of the Bird # 25
Eight
, the ſweeteſt Concord in Muſick # 30
Elder
ſtick put to conſume, taketh away
# warts # 213
Electrum
# 168
Electrick
Bodies # ibid.
Elm
grafred # 100
Enforcing
a thought upon another, 204. In-
# ſtance thereof, in a fuglers trick, ibid.
# Three means by which it muſt be wrought # 204, 205
Engliſhman
hurt in the Leg, hard to cure # 166
Envy
# 203, 204
Epidemical
Diſeaſes # 85
Eſculent
Plants, 129. Eſculent raw, ibid.
# Having poſſed the fire, ibid. Not Eſcu-
# lent at all # ibid.
Eunuchs
# 142
Excrements
of living creaiures ſmell ill, 177.
# The canſe, 178. Some ſmell well, ibid.
# The cauſe, ibid. Moſt odious to a creature
# of the ſame kinde
Excreſcences
of Plants, 113, 114, &c. Two
# tryals for Excreſcences, 116. Excreſcences
# joyned with Putref action # 117
Exerciſe
, 66. In what Bodies hurtful, ibid.
# Not to be uſed with a ſpare diet, ibid. Be-
# nefits of exerciſe, ibid. Evils of exer-
# ciſe, ibid. Exerciſe imping uateth not ſo
# much as frictions, 190. The cauſe # ibid.
Eye
of the Underſtanding, like the Eye of
# Senſe # 24
The
Eyes, 188. Both move one way, ibid. See
# better one eye ſhut, ibid. Thecauſe, ibid.
# why ſome ſee one thing double, ibid.
# Pore-blinde men ſee beſt near-hand, ibid.
# The cauſe, ibid. Old men at ſome diſtance # ibid.
Eyes
are offended by over-great Lights, 189.
# By enterchange of Light and Darkneß on
# the ſudden, ibid. By ſmall Prints, ibid.
# wax red in Anger, in Bluſhing not, ibid.
# The cauſe of each, ibid. Eye re-placed,
# hath recovered ſight # 88
F
.
FAble
of Hercules and Hylas # 40
Falling-ſickneſs
, how helped # 210
Faſcination
# 203
Fat
extracted out of fleſh # 139
Fear
, 149, 206. The impreſsions thereof # 149, 150
Feathers
of Birds, why of ſuch fine colours,
# 2. How the colour of them may be chan-
# ged, 24, 25. Age changeth them # 183
Feathers
burnt, ſuppreſs the Mother # 204
Female
and Male in Plants, 126. The differ-
# ences of Female and Male in ſeveral li-
# ving creatures, 184. The cauſes thereof # ibid.
Fetid
ſmells # 177, 178
Fibrows
Bodies # 181, 182
Figs
in the Spring, 96. Indian Fig # 127
Figurable
, and not Figurable # 182
Figures
of Plants # 121
Figures
or Tropes in Muſick, have an agree-
# ment with the Figures of Rhetorick # 31
Fire
Tanneth not as the Sun doth # 87, 88
Fire
and hot water, heat differently, 140.
# Fires ſubterrany # 80
Fire
and Air foreſhew winds # 174
Fiſh
of the Sea, put into freſh water # 147, 148
Fiſhes
foreſhew rain # 175
Fiſhes
greater then any Beaſts, 184. The
# cauſe # ibid.
Fixation
of Bodies # 169
Flame
and Air mix not, 8. Except in the
# Spirits of Vegetables, ibid. And of living
# creatures, ibid. Their wonderful effects
# mixed, 9. Form of Flame would be Glo-
# bular, and not Pyramidal, ibid. VVould
# be a laſting Body, if not extinguiſhed by
# Air, ibid. Mixeth not with Flame, ibid.
# Burns ſtronger on the ſides, then in the
# midſt, ibid. Is irritated by the Air am-
# bient, ibid. Opinion of the Peripateticks
256A Table of the chief Matters11 # of the Element of Fire, ibid. Preyeth # upon Oil, as Air upon VVater, 24. Taketh # in no other body into it, but converteth it, # 169. Flame cauſing water to riſe, 192. # Flame, 81. Thecontinuance of it accord- # ing to ſeveral Bodies, ibid. Obſervation # about going out of Flame, ibid. 82. Laſt- # ing thereof, in Candles of ſeveral mix- # tures, ibid. Of ſeveral VVicks, ibid. 83. # In Candles laid in Bran, ibid. In Lamps, # ibid. VVhere it draweth the nouriſhment # far, ibid. In a Turretted Lamp, ibid. # VVhere it is kept cloſe from Air, 83. Ac- # cording to the temper of the Air, ibid. 84. # Irritated by cold # ibid. Fleſh diſſ olved into Fat, 139. Fleſh edible and # not edible, 186. The cauſes of each, ibid. # Horſes fleſh ſometimes eaten, ibid. Mans # fleſh likewiſe, ib. Eaten by VVitches # ib. Flies in exceß, ſign of a Pestilential year, # 155, The cauſe # ibid. Flights of Birds, the ſwiftest motion, 139. # The cauſethereof # ibid. Flint laid at the bottom of a Tree, hath help- # edthe growth, 93. The cauſe # ibid. Flowers ſmell beſt whoſe Leaves ſmell not, 86. # Flowers growing amongſt the Corn, and no # where elſe, 108. To have Flowers grow # upon Trees, 102. To induce colour into # Flowers, ibid. Flowers double, 109. To # make them ſo in fruitful Trees, ibid. # Flowers, 121. All exquiſitely figured, # ibid. Numbers of their Leaves # ibid. Flying in the Air of a Body unequal, 167. # Of a Body ſupported with Feathers # 191 Forming of parts in young Creatures # 7 Foreign Plants # 118, 119 Fowls, VVater-fowls foreſhew Rain # 175 Fragile Bodies, 180. The cauſe of their fr a- # gility # ibid. French-man hurt in the head, hard to cure # 166 Fryer Bacons Illuſion # 160 Friction, a furtherer of nouriſhment, 16. # Maketh the parts morefreſhly, 190. The # cauſe, ibid. Impinguateth more then # Exerciſe, ibid. The cauſe # ibid. Frogs in exceß, a ſign of a peſtilential year, # 155. The cauſe # ibid. Fruits, their maturation, 70. The cauſes # thereof, ibid. Several inſtances thereof, # ibid. 71. The dulcoration thereof, by # other means, 186. The ſeveral cauſes # ib. Fruit pricked as it groweth, ripens ſooner, 96. # Fruit-tree grafted upon a wild tree, 97. # Fruit dulcorated, by applying of Swines # dung, 98. The cauſe, ibid. Alſoby Choff # and Swines dung mingled, ibid. Enlarged # bybeing covered with a Pot as it groweth, # ibid. Fruits compound, 100, 101. Fruits # of divers kindes upon one Tree, 107. Fruits # if divers ſhapes and figuers, ibid. 108. # Fruits with inſcriptions upon them, ibid. # Fruits that are red within, 109. Fruits # coming twice a year, 119. Fruits made # without core or ſtone, 110. Fruits that # have juyces fit for drink, 130. Unfit, ibid. # The cauſe of each, ibid. Fruits ſweet before # they beripe, 132. which never ſweeten, ibid. # Fruit bl@ſſoming, hurt by South-winds # 135 Fuel not conſuming, 163, 164. Fuel con- # ſuming faſt, ibid. Fuel cheap # ibid. Full of the Moon, 193. Several eſfects of it, # ibid. Tryals for further obſervations # 194 Fumes taken in Pipes # G. GAlilæus his opinion of the Ebbing and # Flowing of the sea # 167 Gaping a motion of Imitation # 65 Garments, of what Plants they maybe made # 128 Gathering of wind for freſhneß # 164 Generation, oppoſed to corruption # 73 Generating of ſome Creatures at ſet times # onely, of ſome at all times, 159. The cauſe # of each # ibid. 160 Genius over-mastering # 204 Germination accelerated by ſeveral means, # 90, 91, 92. Retarded by ſeveral means # 92 Guinny-Pepper cauſeth ſneezing # 202 Glaſs, the materials thereof in Venice # 162 Glaſs out of Sand, 164. Glaſs, whether re- # moulten, it keepeth weight # 169 Globes at diſtance appearing flat # 190 Gloworm # 149 Gold, 71. The making of it, ibid. A work # poſſible, but not rightly purſued, ibid. # Diſcourſe of a Stranger, touching the # making of it, 72. Directions for the making # of it, ibid. 73. Direction of a Tryal, ibid. # Several properties of Gold, ibid. Gold # hath in it the least volatile of any Metal # 169 Gout, order incuring it # 16 Grafting, 92. A late-coming fruit upon an # early Fruit-tree, 93. Grafts in great plen- # ty, 95. Grafting meliorateth the Fruit, # 97. Grafting of Trees that bear no Fruit, # enlargeth the Leaves, 100. Grafting of # ſeveral kindes, maketh not Compound # fruits # ibid. Grafting Vine upon Vine # 136 Grapes, bow they may be kept long, 129. Al- # ſo by preſerving of the ſtalk # ibid. Gravity, 10. Motion of Gravity, ibid. 148.
257contained in theſe Centuries.11 # Opinion of moving to the Centre, avanity # 10 Greatneſs, comparative of living Creatures # 184 Greenneſs in ſome Plants all winter, 121, # 122. The cauſe # ibid. Grief and pain, 150. The impreſſions there- # of # ibid. Growing of certain Fruits and Herbs, after # they are gathered, 7, 8. The cauſe, ibid. # Tryal, whether they increaſe in weight # ib. Growing or multiplying of Metals # 168 Gum of Trees # 2 Gum-powder, 8. The cauſe of the great noiſe # it yieldeth, ibid. white giveth no ſound # 130 H. HAirs of Beaſts, not of ſo freſh colours # as Birdsfeathers, 2. How the colour of # them may be changed, 24, 25. Hair on # the Head of Children new born, 139. # Hair changing colour, 183. Hair of the # party, 5. Beloved worn, exciteth love # 213 Hands have a ſympathy with the head and # other parts # 25, 26 Hard ſubſtances in the Bodies of living crea- # tures, 157. Moſt about the head, ibid. # Some of them ſtand at a ſtay, ſome con- # tinually grow, ibid. All of them without # Senſe, but the Head # 158 Hard Bodies, 181. The cauſe # ibid, Heart of an Ape worn, increaſeth audacity # 210 Haws and Heps in ſtore, portend cold Winters # 155 Head cut off in ſome creatures leaveth a # little ſpace of motion, 88. The cauſes # ibid. Healthful Airs oft times without ſent # 199, # 200 Hearing hathmore operation upon the Man- # ners and Spirits of Men, then other Senſes, # 31, 32. Hinderances of Hearing, 62. # Hearing hindred by Yawning, ibid. The # cauſe, ibid. Helped by holding the breath, # ibid. The cauſe, ibid. Inſtruments to help # the Hearing, ibid. Uſed in Spain # ibid. Heat the chiefest power in Nature # 27 How to make tryal of the highest operation of # it, ibid. Heat and time work the like effects, # 65. Their different operation in many # things, ibid. Heat being qualified by # Moiſture, the effect, 140. Heat cauſeth # the differences of Male and Female, 184. # Alſo many other differences thereupon, # ibid. The ſame tempered with moiſture, # ibid. The ſever al effects of Heat, in the # Sun, Fire, and Living Creatures, ibid. # Heat within the Earth, 191. Tryal of # drawing it forth by the Moon-beams # 193 Heats under the Æquinoctial, leſs then under # the Torrid Zones, 87. Three cauſes thereof # ibid. Heathen opinion touching the Generation of # Creatures, perfect by Concretion, refell’d # 194 Heavenly Bodies, true Fires # 195 Hedg-hogs fleſh, a good dryer # 113 Heliotropia, 114. The cauſes of their open- # ing and ſhutting, or bending towards the # Sun # ibid. Hemlock cauſeth eaſie death # 132 Herbs removed from Beds into Pots, prosper # better, 98. Grow ſweeter by cutting off # the firſt Sprout, 99. The cauſe thereof, # ibid. Inquiry, whether they be made Me- # dicinable, and how, 105. Four deſignati- # ons of it, ibid. Their ordinary colours, 109. # Herbs growing out of the water without # Roots, 117. Growing out of the top of # the Seawithout Roots, ibid. 118. Grow- # ing out of Snow, ibid. Growing out of # Stone, ibid. Growing in the bottoms of # Mikes, ibid. None growing out of Sea- # ſands, ibid. Herbs dying yearly, ibid. That # last many years, ibid. The largeſt laſt, not # longeſt, as the largest Trees do, ibid. The # cauſe, ibid. Herb in likeneſs of a Lamb, # 127. The Fable of it, ibid. Herbs will # ſhew the nature of the ground, 135. Herbs # which like to be watered with Salt-water, # 137. Herbs foreſhew rain # 176 Hiccough, 140. The cauſe of it, ibid. Means # to ceaſe it # ibid. Honey, 127, 183. Several ways how it is # uſed # ibid. Honey-dews upon certain Leaves and Flowers # 104 Horns, 157. Horn’d Beaſts have no upper # Teeth # 158 Horſes fleſh eaten, 186. Horſes Tooth the mark # of their age, 158. Horſe-tooth Ring, good # for the Cramp # 111, 112 Hot Bread nouriſhing in the odors thereof # 203 Humorsill lodged, very dangerous # 18 I. IAol, a moſt pernicious ſmell # 201 # Jews-ear # 115 Image, whether it might be ſeen without ſee- # ing the Glaſs # 160 Imagination exalted, 198. Force of it, ibid. # 199. Three Cautions about the ſame; # VVorketh moſt upon weak perſons, ibid.
258A Table of the chief Matters11 # Imagination, 206. The kindes of it, ibid. # The farce of it upon another Body, ibid. # 207. Several inst ances of it, ibid. & in # ſeq. An inſtance thereof by a Pair of # Cards, ibid. Three means to impoſe a # Thought, 206, 207. Deſignation for tryal # of the operations in this kinde, ibid. 207. # To work by one that hath a good opinion # of you, ibid. To work by many, ibid. # Means to preſerve Imagination in the # ſtrength, ibid. It worketh more at ſome # times, then others, ibid. It hath moſt # force upon the higheſt motions, ibid. 208, # 209, 210. effects of the Senſe # 168 Imaginations imitating the imitations of # Nature, 1. Imitation in Men, and other # Creatures, 55. A thing to be wondred # at, ibid. Several motions in Men of Imi- # tation # 65 Impreſſible, and not impreſſible # 182 Impulſion and percuſsion of Bodies, 160, 161. # Impulſion of a Body unequal # 167 Inanimate and Animate, wherein they differ # 125 Incenſe, thought to dispoſe to devotion by the # operation of the ſmell # 204 Incubus, how helped # 210 Indian Earth brought over, hath produced # Indian Plants, 118. Indian Fig # 127 Indian Tree with Leaves of great largeneſs, # and Fruit without ſtalks # ibid. Induration of Bodies, 22. Three means to # effect it, ibid. Examples thereof, ibid. 23. # Indurations by Snow or Ice, ibid. By Me- # talline waters, ibid. In ſome natural # Spring-waters, ibid. Of Metals by heat- # ing and quenching, ibid. By fire, ibid. # By Decoctions within water, the water not # touching, ibid. 24. Induration by Sym- # pathy # 182 Infant in the VVomb, ſuffering from the Mo- # thers diet # 113 Infectious Diſeaſes # 65 Influences of the Moon, 192, 193, 194. In # number four # ibid. Influxes of the heavenly Bodies. # 200 Infuſion in Liquors, 4. A ſhort ſtay beſt, # ibid. Infuſions to be iterated, ibid. Uſe- # ful ſor Medicinal operations, ibid. Tryal # which parts iſſue ſooneſt, which ſloweſt, 5. # Evaporations of the finer Spirits, ſome- # times uſeful # ibid. Infuſion maketh Liquors thick, but Decocti- # on clearer, 68. The cauſe # ibid. Infuſions in Air, 5. The ſeveral odors iſſue # at ſeveral times # ibid. Infuſion in εarth, 83, 84. The effects of it, # ibid. Cautions to be uſed in it, ibid. Se- # veral inſtances thereof # ibid. Inquination or Inconcoction # 179 Inſcriptions upon Fruits # 108 Inſecta, 143. The name communicated to all # Creatures, bred of Putrefaction, ibid. # The difference of them according to the # ſeveral matters they are bred of, 143, # 144, 145. The enumeration of many of # them, ibid. Several properties in them, # ibid. They have voluntary motion, ibid. # Other Senſes, beſide Taſte # ibid. Inviſibles in Bodies ought to be better inqui- # red # 26 Jovinianus the εmperor # 202 Joy, 150. The impreſſions thereof # ibid. Joynts in ſome Plants, 121. The cauſe there- # of # ibid. Ippocraſs clarified # 2 Iron Inſtruments, hurtful for wounds # 166 Iſlanders Bodies # 85 Ivy growing out of a Stags Horn # 115 Juices of Fruit fit for Drinks, 120. Unfit # for them, ibid. The cauſe of each # L. LAdanum # 128 # Lard put to waſte, taketh away Warts # 213 Laſſitude # 154 Laſting Trces and Herbs, 120. Deſignation # to make Plants more lasting then ordina- # ry # ibid. Late Flowers and Plants # 119 Laughing, 151, 152. The impreſſions there- # of # ibid. Leaning long upon any part # 154, 155 Leaping, 145. Helped by weights in the # hands # ibid. Leaves nouriſh not, 12. The cauſe 130. # Leaves of Trees and Herbs, 127. Plant # without Leaves # 192 Left-ſide and Right, 190. Senſes alike, ſtrong # on each ſide, Limbs ſtrongeſt on the Right, # ibid. The cauſe of each # ibid. Life, by what courſes prolonged # 64 Lights over-great offend the eyes # 188, 189 Light comforteth the Spirits, 211. Especi- # ally Light varied # ibid. Lincoſtis # 132 Liquefiable, and not Liquefiable, 180. Bodies # that Liquefie by Fire, ibid. Others that # by water, ibid. Some that by both # ibid. Liquors, their Clarification, 67. Three # cauſes thereof, ibid. 68. Preſervation of # Liquors in Wells or Vaults, 85. Liquors # compreſſed, 187. Their incorporation with # Powders # 65 Living Creatures that generate at certain # ſeaſons onely, 159. Others that at all # ſeaſons, ibid. The cauſe of each, ibid.
259contained in theſe Centuries.11 # Their ſeveral times of bearing in the # VVomb, ibid. 160. The cauſes thereof, # ibid. The ſeveral numbers which they # bring forth at a Burthen, ibid. The cauſes, # ibid. Living creatures that will be tranſ- # muted into another ſpecies, 111. Living # creatures foreſhew weather # 175 Love # 203 Lucciole in Italy # 149 Lupines # 136 Luſt, 152. The impreſsions thereof # ibid. Lying, in what kinde of poſture healthful # M. MAgical operations # 128, 200, 204 # Maiz # 13 Male and Female, the difference of them # in ſeveral living creatures, 84. The # cauſes thereof, ib. 185. Male and Female # in Plants, 126. Male-peony, good for # the Falling ſickneſs and Incubus # 209 Maleficiating, 192. Practiſed in Gaſ- # cony # ibid. Malt, 123. The ſwelling thereof, ibid. # The ſweetneſs thereof # ibid. Mans-fleſh eaten, 6. Breedeth the French # Diſeaſe, ibid. Cauſeth high imaginati- # ons, ibid. Not in it ſelf edible, 186. # The cauſe, ibid. How eaten by Cannibals, # ibid. VVherefore by VVitches # ibid. Mandrakes # 128 Manna # 165 March, towards the end, the beſt diſcoverer # of Summer ſickneſſes # 173 Marl, a good Compoſt # 122, 123 Marrow # 157, 158 Maturation, 179. Of Drinks, 69, 70. Of # Fruits, ibid. Maturation of Digestion, # 71, 73 Meats inducing ſatiety # 66 Medicines changed helpſul, 18. Medicines # which effect the Bladder, 25. Medicines # condenſing, which relieve the Spirits, 155. # Medicinal Herbs # 104, 105 Megrims come upon riſing, not during the # ſitting # 154 Melancholly perſons diſpoſe the company to # the like # 26 Melioration of Fruits, Trees, and Plants, # 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100 Melc-cotones grow best without grafting, # 97. The cauſe thereof # ibid. Memory the Art, 207. Men, better places # then words, ibid. Memory ſtrengthned by # the Brains of ſome creatures # 210 Menstruous women # 202 Mercurial and Sulphurous # 78 Metals and Plants whercin they diſfer, 126. # Growing of metals, 168. Drowning of # metals, ibid. 169. Refining of metals, # 183. Metalline Vapors hurtful to the # Brain, 202. Metals give orient colours # in their diſſolutions, 64. The cauſes # ibid. Milk warm from the Cow, a great nouriſh- # er, 14. How to be uſed, ibid. Cows Milk # better then Aſſes Milk, or then womens # Milk, ibid. Milk in Beaſts, how to be in- # creaſed, 164. Milk uſed for Clarification # of Liquors, 69. Good to ſteep divers Seeds # in, 98. Preſerving of Milk, 85. Milk # in Plants # 131 Mildew # 104, 136 Minced meat, a great nouriſher, 14. How to # be uſed # ibid. Miſletoe # 116 Mixture of Earth and Water in Plants # 79 Moiſt Air, how diſcovered # 173 Moiſture adventitious, cauſe of putrefaction, # 68. Moiſture qualifying heat, the effect, # 140. Moiſture increaſed by the Moon, # 193. Tryal of it in Seeds, ibid. In mens # bodies, ibid. Force of it in Vegetables # 103, 104 Monſters # 100 Moon attractive of heat out of Bodies # 20 Moones influences, 192, 193, 194. In num- # ber four, ibid. It increaſeth moiſture # ibid. Morſus Diaboli, an Herb # 134 Mortified parts by cold, 166. Muſt not ap- # proach the fire, ibid. Cured, by applying # Snow, ibid. Orwarm water # ibid. Moß, 75, 113. where it groweth moſt, # ibid. The cauſe of it, ibid. What it is, # ibid. Moſs ſweet, 114. In Apple-trees # ſweet, ibid. In ſome other Trees # 132 Mother ſuppreſſed by burning Feathers # 204 Mothers diet affecteth the Infant in the # womb # 210 Motion hindreth putrefactions # 75 Motion of Bodies, 161. Motion of Liberty # 3 Motion of Nexe, 192. Motion of Conſent in # mans body, 10, 17. Motion of Attraction # would prevail if Motion of Gravity hin- # dred not # 148 Motions in men by Imitation # 65 Moulding of Fruits # 108 Moulds # 75 Mountains great foreſhew Tempeſts early # 174 Mouth out of taſte, 141. what taſtes it will # not have # ibid. Mulberry-leaf # 161 Mummy ſtancheth Blood # 210 Murthered body, bleeding at the approach of # the murtherer # 207
260A Table of the chief Matters11 Muſcovia hath a late Spring, and early Har- # veſt, 119. The cauſe # ibid. Muſhrooms, 115. Their proprieties, ibid. # Sever al productions of them, ibid. where # they grow moſt # 131 Muſick, 29. Muſical and Immuſical ſounds, # ibid. Bodies producing Muſical ſounds, # ibid. 30. Diapaſon the ſweeteſt of ſounds, # ibid. Fall of Half-notes neceſſary in # Muſick, ibid. Conſent of Notes to be a- # ſcribed to the Ante-notes, not Entire # Notes, 30. Concords Perfect, and Semi- # perfect, which they are, ibid. The moſt # odious Diſcords of all other, ibid. Diſ- # cords of the Baſe, moſt diſturbeth the # Muſick, ibid. 31. No Quarter-notes in # Muſick, ibid. Pleaſing of ſingle Tones, # anſwereth to the pleaſing of Colour, and # of Harmony to the pleaſing of Order, ibid. # Figures or Tropes in Muſick have an agree- # ment with the Figures in Rhetorick, ibid. # Muſick hath great operation upon the # manners and ſpirits of Men, ibid. 31, 32. # Concords and Diſcords in Muſick, ar e # Sympathies and Antipathies of Sounds, # 61. Inſtruments that agree beſt in Con- # ſort, ibid. Inſtruments with a double # Lay of Strings, VVire, and Lute-ſtrings # N. NAture, 63. Advice for the true in- # quiſition thereof # ibid. 64 Natural Divination # 172 Negroes # 88 Night-ſhowres better for Fruit, then Day # ſhowres # 135, 136 Nights Star-light, or Moon-ſhine, colder # then cloudy # 188 Nilus, the virtues thereof, 161. How to cla- # rifie the water of it # ibid. Nitre, good for men grown, ill for children, # 78. Nitrous water, 80. Scoureth of it # ſelf, ibid. Nitre mingled with water, # maketh Vines sprout, 96. Nitre upon the # sea-ſands # 163 Nouriſhing Meats and Drinks # 12, 13 Nouriſhing parts in Plants # 14, 130 Nouriſhment, 14. Five ſeveral Means to # help it # ibid. 15, 16 Nouriſhment mended, a great help # 95 Numa’s two Couſins # O. OAk-leaves gather Honey-dews # 104 # Oak-boughs put into the Earth, bring # forth wilde Vines. 111. Oak-apples # 117 Oak bears the moſt fruit among Trees, 157, # 158. The cauſe # ibid. Objects of the ſight, cauſe great delight in # the Spirits, but no great offence, 189. The # cauſe # ibid. Occhus, a Tree in Hyrcania # 127 Odious objects, cauſe the ſpirits to flie # 167 Odors in ſome degree, nouriſh # 204 Oyntment uſed by VVitches # 210 Old Trees bearing better then the ſame new # 131 Old men converſing with young company, # live long # 203 Onions made to wax greater, 99. In grow- # ing, carry the ſeeds to the top # 193 Operations of ſympathy # 200 Opium # 20 Order in curing of diſeaſes # 16, 17 Orenge-flowers infuſed, 4, Orenge-ſeeds # ſown in April, will bring forth an excel- # lent Sallet-herb # 119 Orris-root # 187 Ox-horn bringeth forth Ivy # 115 Oyly ſubſtances and watry, 76. Commix- # ture of oyly ſubſtances, prohibiteth # putrefaction, ibid. Turning of watry # ſubſtances into oyly, 79. A great work # in Nature, ibid. Some inſtances thereof # ibid. Oyl of sweet-Almonds, a great nouriſher, # 14. How to be uſed # ibid. P. PAlliation in Diſeaſes # 17 # Pain and grief, 150. The impreſ sions # thereof # ibid. Paintings of the Body, 155. Barbarous peo- # ple much given to it # 156, ibid. Panicum # 95 Pantomimi # 56 Paper chamoletted # 156 Paracelſus’s Principles # 78, 79 Parents finding an alteration upon the ap- # proach of their children, though unknown # to them # 204 Parts in living creatures eaſily reparable, # and parts hardly reparable, 16. Parts of # living creatures ſevered, 216. Their vir- # tues in Natural Magick # ibid. Paßions of the minde, 150, 151, 152. Their # ſeveral impreſsions # ibid. Peaches prove beſt without grafting, 97. # The cauſe thereof # ibid. 110 Pearl, ſaid to recover the colour by burial # in the Earth # 84
261contained in theſe Centuries.11
Pepper-Gainny
, cauſeth ſneezing # 202
Perception
in all bodies, 171. More ſubtil
# then the ſenſe, ibid. It worketh alſo at
# diſtance, ibid. The beſt means of prog-
# noſticating. # ibid. 172
Percolation
, inward and outward # 1, 2
Percuſſion
and impulſion of bodies # 160, 161
Perfumes
Dryers, and Perfumes Moiſtners
# of the Brain,203. Perfumes procure
# pleaſant and prophetical Dreams # 204
Perſons
near in blood, or other Relations,
# have many ſecret paſſages of ſympathy
# 211
Peſtilential
years, 85. Their prognoſticks
# 155, 172, 173
Philoſophy
received # 178
Piloſity
in Men and Beaſts, 139. The cauſes
# thereof # ibid.
Piſtachoes
# 13
Pituponthe
Sea-ſbore, 1. Filled with water
# potable, ibid. Practiſed in Alexandria,
# ibid. And by Ceſar, ibid. Who miſtook
# the cauſe, ibid. Intime will become Salt
# again # 191
Pity
, 151. The impreſſions thereof # ibid.
Pius
Quintus his revelation, touching the
# victory at Leßanto # 212
Plague
tranſmitted withont ſent, 200, 201.
# The ſuppoſed ſent of it, ibid. Perſons
# leaſt apt to take it, and perſons moſt, ibid.
# Plagues cauſed by great putrefactions,
# 202. Preſervatives againſt it # 209
Plane-tree
watered with wine # 128
Plants
, why of greater age then li-
# ving creatures, 15, 16. Dignity of
# Plants, 89. Acceleration of their Ger-
# mination, ibid. 90, 91, 92. Retarding
# of their Germination, ibid. The Melio-
# ration of them divers ways, 93, 94, 95,
# 96, 97, 98, 99, 100. Cauſe why ſome
# die in Winter, 96. Sympathy and Anti-
# pathy of Plants, 101, 102, 103, 104.
# Plants drawing the ſame juyces out of
# the earth, thrive not together, 101.
# Drawers of much nouriſbment, hurt
# their neighbor-plants, ibid. Drawing
# ſeveral juyces, thrive well together, 102.
# Several inſtances of each, ibid. Deſig-
# nations of further tryals hereof, ibid.
# Tryals in Herbs, poyſonous or purgative,
# 103. Plants that die placed together,
# ibid. Tryal whether Plants will attract
# water at ſome diſtance, 104. Curioſities
# touching plants, 107, 108, 109, 110.
# Plants will degenerate, 110, 111. The
# ſeveral cauſes thereof, ibid. Tranſmu-
# tation of Plants, ibid. Six deſignations
# thereof, ibid. 112, 113. Their ſeveral
# excreſcences, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117.
# Prickles of Trees, 116. Plants growing
# without ſeed, 117, 118. Growing out of
# ſtone, ibid. Plants foreign, ibid. 119.
# Removed out of hot Countreys willkeep
# their ſeaſons, ibid. Set in the Summer
# ſeaſons will proſper in colder Countreys,
# ibid. Seaſons of ſeveral Plants, ibid.
# Plants bearing bloſſoms, and young fruit,
# and ripe fruits together, 119, 120.
# Plants with joynts or knuckles in the
# ſtalks, 121. The cauſes thereof,ibid.
# Differences of Plants, ibid. 122. Some
# putting forth bloſſoms before leaves, 121.
# Others, leaves before bloſſoms, ibid. The
# cauſe of each, ibid. Plants green all
# winter, 121, 122. The cauſe, ibid. Plants
# not ſupporting themſelves, ib. The cauſe
# of their ſlenderneß, ibid. Plants and in-
# animate bodies differ in four things, 125,
# 126. Plants and Metals in three, ibid.
# Plants and Moulds, or Putrefactions,
# wherein they differ, ibid. Plants and li-
# ving Creatures their differences, 126,
# 127. Male and Female in Plants, ibid.
# Plants whereof Garments are made, 128.
# Plant ſleeping, ibid. Plants with bearded
# Roots, ibid. Plants eſculent, 129, 130.
# Eſculent raw, ibid. Having paſſed the
# fire, ibid. Parts in Plants that are nouriſh-
# ing, ibid. Seeds in Plants, more ſtrong
# then either Leaf or Root, ibid. Thecauſe,
# ibid. In ſome not, ibid. Plants with
# Milk in them, 131. Plants with red
# jnyce, 132. No Plants have a ſalt taſte,
# ibid. Plants with curled Leaves, 133.
# Plants may be tranſlated into other Regi-
# ons, 135. Yet they like ſome ſoils, more
# then other, ibid. Several inſtances there-
# of, ibid. Plant without leaves, 162. Sin-
# gularities in ſeveral Plants # 138
Plaſter
hardned like Marble # 165
Plaſtered
room green, dangerous # 202
Places
of Metals aſſwage ſwelling # 187
Pleaſures
and diſpleaſures of the Senſes
# 145
Plough
followed, healthful # 103
Plumoſity
in Birds, 139. The cauſe thereof
# ibid.
Plums
of what colour the beſt, 109. The
# dryer, the better ſort # ibid.
Pneumaticals
in Bodies # 181
Pomanders
# 203
Pont-Charenton
, the εccho there # 57
Pore-blinde
men ſee beſt near hand, 188.
# The cauſe # ibid.
Potado
roots potted, grow greater # 90
Powder
in Shot # 3
Powders
and Liquors, their Incorporation
# 65
262A Table of the chief Matters11
Poyſoning
of air # 201
Poyſoning
by ſmells, ibid. 202. Caution
# touehing poyſoning # ib.
Poyſonous
Creatures love to lie under Odo-
# rate Herbs # 138
Precious
ſtones comfort the ſpirits # 208
Preſervation
of bodies from corruption # 28
Preſervation
of Fruits in Sirrups, 129.
# Alſo in powders, ibid. when to gather
# fruits for preſervation, ibid. Alſo in
# Bottles in a well, ib. Preſerving Grapes
# long, ib. Another waythereof # 134
Prickles
of Trees # 116, 117
Procreations
by copulation, and by putre.
# faction, 194. The cauſe of each # ibid.
# 195
Prognoſticks
for plenty or ſcarcity, 138. of
# peſtilential years, 141, 155, 172, 173.
# Of cold and long winters, 174. By Bir ds,
# 175. Of an hot and dry ſummer, ib. By
# the Birds alſo, ib. of winds, ib. Of great
# tempeſts, ib. Of rain, ib. From living
# creatures, ibid. From water fowls and
# land fowls, 176. From fiſhes, ibid. From
# beaſts, ib. From herbs, ibid. From aches
# in mens bodies, ibid. From worms, ibid.
# From the ſweating of ſolid bodies # ibid.
Proprieties
ſecret # 117, 214
Purging
Medicines, 5. Have their virtue
# in a fine ſpirit. Endure not boiling, ibid.
# Taking away their unpleaſant taſte, ibid.
# Several ways of the operations of purg-
# ing Medicines, 10, 11, 12. They work
# upon their proper Humors, 11. Medi-
# cines that purge by ſtool, and that purge
# by urine, 12. Their ſeveral cauſes, ibid.
# work in theſe ways as they are given in
# quantity, ib. Preparations before purg-
# ing, 18. want of preparatives, what
# hurt it doth, both in purging, ibid. and
# after purging # ibid.
Putrefaction
, 73. Acceleration of it, ibid.
# The cauſe of putrefaction, ibid. Putre-
# faction, whence, 74. Ten means of in-
# ducing putrefactions, ibid. Prohibiting
# of putrefaction, 75. Ten means of pro-
# hibiting it, ibid. 76. Inceptions of pu-
# trefaction, 79. Putrefactions for the
# moſt part ſmellill, 177. The cauſe, ibid.
# Putrefaction from what cauſes it com-
# eth, 178. Putrefaction induced by the
# Moon-beams # 192
Putrefactions
of living creatures, have
# cauſed Plagues # 102
Putrefied
bodies moſt odious to a creature of
# the ſame kinde # ibid.
Pyrrhus
had his Teeth undivided # 158
Pythagoras
his Philoſophy # 197
Q

QVarries
that grow hard # 183
Quick-ſilver
will conſerve Bodies
# 168
Quick-ſilver
fixed to the hardneſs of Lead
# 182
R
.
RAcking
of Wine or Beer # 68
Rain
in Egyßt ſcarce, 161. The canſe
thereof
, ibid. Several prognoſticks of Rain
# 175, 176
Rainbow
ſaid to bring ſweetneſs of odor to
# Plants under it # 176, 177
Rams
skins good to be applied to wounds
# 139
Red
within ſome few fruits # 109
Red
juyce in Plants # 132
Reeds
# 134
Refining
of Metals # 183
Refraction
cauſeth the ſpecies viſible to
# appear bigger, 160. Other obſervations
# about Refractions # ibid.
Repletion
hindreth Generation # 94
Reſt
cauſeth Putrefaction # 75
Retardation
of Germination # 92
Rew
helpeth the Fig-tree # 102
Rheumes
, how cauſed # 11
Rice
a nouriſhing meat # 13
Right-ſide
and left, 190. Senſes alike ſtrong
# on both ſides, Limbs ſtrongeſt on the
# Right, ibid. The cauſe of each # ibid.
Rooms
built for health # 20
Roots
of fruit trees multiplied, 93, 94.
# Root made great, 95. By applying Pani-
# cum about it, ibid. Roots potted, grow
# greater, 99, 100. Roots preſerved all
# winter, ibid. Roots of Trees that deſcend
# deep, 133, 134. Others that ſpred more,
# ibid. The cauſe of each, ibid. Roots of
# Plants of three ſorts, Bulbous, Fibrous,
# Hirſute # 128
Roſa
Solis the Herb # 104
Roſes
Damask how conſerved # 81
Rubarb
infuſed, 4, 5. Fora ſhort time beſt,
# ibid. Repeated may be as ſtrong as Scam-
# momy, ibid. A Benedict Medicine, 5.
# caution in the taking thereof # 11
Ruſt
of Metals # 74
S
.
SAtiety
in Meats # 66
Salamander
, 186, 187. The cauſe that
# it endureth the fire # ib.
Salt
a good Compoſt, 133. Salt in Plants, 132.
263contained in theſe Centuries.11
# Salt hath aſymp at hy with Blood, 211. It
# is an healer, ibid. It riſeth not in Diſtil-
# lations # 190, 191
Salt-petre
, how it may be bred # 123
Salt-water
paſſed through Earth, becomes
# freſh, 1. Four differences between the paſs-
# ing it in Veſſels and in Pits, 2. Salt-water
# good for to water ſome Herbs, 137, 138.
# Salt-water boiled, becometh more potable,
# 190, 191. Salt-water ſooner diſſolving
# Salt, then Freſh-water, ibid. The cauſe
# ibid.
Sand
turning Minerals into a Glaſſy ſub.
# ſtance # 164
Sanguis
Draconis, the Tree that bears it
# 132
Sap
of Trees, 134. The differing nature
# thereof in ſeveral Trees # ibid.
Scarlet-dye
# 191, 192
Sciſſible
, and not ſciſſible # 182
Sea
clearer the North-wind blowing, then
# the South, 139. Sea, by the bubbles fore.
# ſheweth wind, 175. Sea-water looketh
# black, moved; white, resting, 139. The
# cauſe, ibid. Seas ſhallow and narrow,
# break more then deep and large # 190
Sea-fiſh
put into Freſh-waters # 147
Sea-hare
coming near the Body, hurteth the
# Lungs # 211
Sea-ſand
a good Compost, 123. Sea-ſands
# produce no Plant # 118
Seaſons
of Plants # 119
Secret
proprieties # 214, 215
Secundine
# 154
Seeds
in Plants, more ſtrong then either Leaf
# or Root, 130. The cauſe, ibid. In ſonse
# not, ibid. Seeds, their choice, 137. Plants
# growing without Seeds # 117, 118
Senſes
, their pleaſures and diſpleaſures, 145.
# Their instruments have a ſimilitude with
# that which giveth the reflexion of the ob-
# ject # 62
Separation
of ſeveral Natures by ſtraining,
# 2. Of ſeveral Liquors by weight, 3. And
# of the ſame kinde of Liquors thickned, 4.
# Of Metals # 169
Separation
of the cruder parts prohibiteth
# Putrefaction # 76
Servets
uſed in Turky # 148
Setting
of Wheat # 95, 96
Setting
of Trees, higher or lower # 99
Several
Fruits upon one Tree # 107
Shade
helpeth ſome Plants # 95
Shadows
ſeeming ever to tremble # 190
Shame
, 151, 206. The impreſſions thereof
# 151
Shell-fiſh
have no Bones within 157, 189, 190
Shifting
for the better, helpeth Plants and
# Living Creatures # 95
Shining
wood # 77, 78
Showres
good for fruits, 135. For ſome not,
# ibid. Night-ſhowres better then Day-
# ſhowres # 136
Showres
after along drought, cauſe ſickneſſes
# if they be gentle, 172. If great, not
# ibid.
Sickneſſes
of the Summer and the Winter # 84
Sight
the object thereof, quicker then of
# Hearing, 50, 51. Sight, 188, 189. Ob-
# jects thereof, cauſe great delight in the
# Spirits, but no great offence, ibid. The
# cauſe # ibid.
Silver
more eaſily made then Gold # 71, 72
Simples
ſpecial for Medicines, 141, 142. Such
# as have ſubtile parts without Acrimony,
# ibid. Many creatures bred of Putre-
# faction, are ſo, ibid. Alſo Putref actions
# of Plants # ibid.
Singularicies
in ſeveral Plants # 138
Sinking
of Bodies, 163. The cauſe # ibid.
Sitting
healthful # 154
Skull
# 157
Sleep
agreat nouriſher, 15. Sleep, 156, 157.
# Hindred by cold in the Feet, ibid. Fur-
# thered by ſome kinde of noiſes, ibid. Nou-
# riſheth in many Beasts aud Birds, ibid.
# Sleeping creatures all Winter # 194
# Sleeping Plants # 128
# Smells and Odors, 86. Beſt at ſome diſtance,
# ibid. Best where the Body is cruſhed, ibid.
# Not ſo in Flowers cruſhed, ibid. Best in
# Flowers, whoſe Leaves ſmell not, ibid.
# Smells ſweet, 177. Have all a corporeal
# ſubſtance, ibid. Smells fetide, ibid. 178.
# Smell of the Faol moſt pernicious, 201.
# Smells that are moſt dangerous # ibid.
Snake-skin
worn # 209
Sneezing
ceaſeth the Hiccough, 104. Induced
# by looking againſt the Sun, ibid. The cauſe
# thereof # ibid.
Snow-water
, 87. Snows cauſe fruitfulneſs,
# ibid. Three cauſesthereof, ibid. Snow good
# to be applied to a mortified part, 166. The
# cauſe thereof, ibid. Snow bringing forth
# Herbs # 118
Soals
of the Feet, hive aſympathy with the
# Head # 25
Soft
Bodies,181. The cauſe, ibid. They are
# of two ſorts # ibid.
Solid
Bodies ſweating foreſhew Rain # 176
Soot
a good Compoſt # 123
Sorel
, 137. The Root thereof # ibid.
Soul
of the World # 197, 198
Sounds
Muſical and Immuſical # 29
Sounds
more apt to procure ſleep then tones,
# 31. The cauſe, ibid. Nature of Sounds,
# not ſufficiently inquired, 32. Motions
# great in Nature without Sounds, ibid.
264A Table of the chief Matters11
# Nullity and εntity of Sounds, ibid. 33,
# 34. Swiftneſs of Motion, may make
# Sounds inaudible, ibid. Sounds not an E-
# liſion of the Air, ibid. The reaſons there-
# of, 35. Sound not produced without ſome
# local motion of the Medium, ibid. Yet
# diſtinction to be made betwixt the motion
# of the Air, and the Sounds themſelves,
# ibid. 36. Great Sounds, cauſe great mo-
# tions in the Air, and other Bodies, ibid.
# Have rarefied the Air much, ibid. Have
# cauſed Deafneſs, ibid. Encloſure of Sounds
# conſerveth them, ibid. Sounds partly in-
# cloſed, and partly in open Air, ibid. Bet-
# ter heard ſrom without, then from within,
# ibid. A Semi-cave will convey Sound,
# beticr then open Air, ibid. Any long Pole
# will do the like, ibid. Tryal to be made in
# a crooked Concave, ibid. Sounds may be
# created without Air, 37. Differekce of
# Sounds in different Veſſels filled with water,
# ibid. Sound within a Flame, ibid. Sound
# upon a Barrel emptier or fuller, ibid.
# Sound not created betwixt the Bow and
# the String, but betwixt the String and
# the Air # ibid.
Magnitude
of Sound, 45. In a Trunck, ibid.
# The cauſe thereof, ibid. In an Hunters
# Horn bigger at the lower end, 38. The
# cauſe thereof, ibid. In a Vault under the
# Earth, ibid. The cauſe thereof, ibid. In
# Hawks Bells, rather then upon a piece of
# Braſs in the open Air, ibid. In a Drum,
# ibid. Further beard by night, then by
# day, ibid. The cauſe thereof, ibid. In-
# creaſed by the concurrent reflexion, ibid.
# Increaſed by the Sound-board in Inſtru-
# ments, ibid. In an Iriſh Harp, ibid. The
# cauſe of the loud ſound thereof, ibid. In
# a Virginal the Lid ſhut, ibid. In a Con-
# cave within a wall, ibid. 38, 39. In a
# Bow-ſtring, the Horn of the Bow laid to
# the ear, ibid. 39. The like in a Rod of
# Ironor Braſs, ibid. The like conveyed by a
# Pillar of Wood, from an upper Chamber
# to a lower, ibid. The like from the bottom
# of a well, ibid. Five ways of Major ation
# of Sounds # ibid.
Exility
of Sounds through any porous Bodies,
# ibid. 39. Through water, ibid. 40. Strings
# ſtopped ſhort # ibid.
Damping
of Sounds, ibid. With a ſoft Body,
# ibid. Iron hot, not ſo ſounding as cold, ib.
# water warm, not ſo ſounding in the fall as
# cold # ibid.
Loudneſs
and ſoftneſs of Sounds, differ from
# Magnitude and Exility, 41. Loudneſs of
# Sounds, ibid. Quickneſs of Percuſſion,
# cauſe of the loudneſs # ibid.
Communication
of Sounds # 41
Inequality
of Sounds, 42. Unequal Sounds
# ingrate, ibid. Grateful, ibid. Muſical
# and Immuſical Sounds, at pleaſure onely in
# Men and Birds, ibid. Humming of Bees
# an unequal Sound, 43. Metals quenched
# give an hiſſing Sound # ibid.
Baſe
and Treble Sounds, ibid. Two cauſes of
# Treble in Strings, ibid. Proportion of the
# Air perciſſed in Treble and Baſe, 53.
# Tryal hereof to be made in the winding up
# of a String, ibid. 44. In the diſtances of
# Frets, ibid. In the Bores of Wind-Inſtru-
# ments # ibid.
Interior
and Exterior Sounds, 45. Their dif-
# ference, ibid. Several kindes of each ibid.
Articulation
of Sounds, 46. Articulate
# Sounds in every part of the Air, ibid.
# VVinds hinder not the Articulation, ibid.
# Diſtance hindreth, ibid. Speating under
# water hindreth it not, ibid. Articulation
# requireth a Mediocrity of Sound, ibid.
# Confounded in a Room over an arched
# Vault, ibid. Motions of the Instruments
# of Speech, towards the forming of the Let-
# ters, ib. Inſtruments of Voice, which they
# are, ibid. 46, 47. Inarticulate Voices and
# Inaimate Sounds have a ſimilitude with
# divers Letters # ibid.
Motions
of Sounds, 49. They move in
# round, ibid. May move in an arched Line,
# ibid. Suppoſed that Sounds move better
# downwards then upwards, ibid. 50. Tryal
# of it # ibid.
Laſting
of Sounds, ibid. Sounds continue not,
# but renew, ibid. Great Sounds heard at
# far diſtance, ibid. Not in the inſtant of
# the Sound, but long after, ibid. Object of
# Sight, quicker then Sound, 50, 51. Sounds
# Vaniſh by degrees, which the Objects of
# ſight do not, ibid. The cauſe thereof ibid.
Paſſage
of Sounds through other Bodies, 51.
# The Body intercepting, muſt not be very
# thick, ibid. The spirits of the Body inter-
# cepting, whether they co-operate in the
# Sound, ibid. Sound not heard in a long
# down-right Arch, ibid. Peſſeth eaſily
# through Foraminous Bodies, ibid. VVhe-
# ther diminiſhed in the paſſage through
# ſmall Crannies # 52
Medium
of Sounds, ibid. Air the beſt Me-
# dium, ibid. Thin Air not ſo good as thick
# Air, ibid. VVhether Flame be a fit Me-
# dium, ibid. VVhether other Liquors be-
# ſide water # ibid.
Figures
of the differents of Sounds, 52. Se-
# veral tryals of them # ibid.
Mixtures
of Sounds, 53. Audibles mingle
# in the Medium, which Viſibles do not, ibid.
265contained in theſe Centuries.11
# The cauſe thereof, ibid. Mixture without
# distinction, makes the best Harmony, ibid.
# Qualities in the Air, have no operations
# upon Sounds, ibid. Sounds in the Air
# alter one another, 54. Two Sounds of like
# loudneß, will not be heard as far again as
# one, ibid. The cauſe thereof # ibid.
Melioration
of Sounds, 55. Poliſhed Bodies,
# created Sounds meliorate them, ibid. wet
# on the inſide of a Pipe doth the like, ibid.
# Frosty weather cauſeth the ſame, ibid.
# Mingling of open Air with pent Air, doth
# the ſame, ibid. From a Body equal, ſound
# better, 55. Intenſion of the Senſe of Hear-
# ing, melior ateth them # ibid.
Imitarion
of Sounds, ibid. The wonder there-
# of in Children and Birds # ibid.
Re
flexion of Sounds, 56. The ſeveral kindes,
# ibid. No refraction in Sounds obſerved, 58.
# Sympathy and antipathy of Sounds, 61.
# Concords and Diſcords in Muſick, are ſym-
# pathies and antipathies of Sounds, ibid.
# Strings that best agree in Conſort, ibid.
# Strings tuned to an Uniſon or a Diapaſon,
# ſhew a Sympathy, 62. Sympathy conceived,
# to cauſe no report, ibid. εxperiment of
# Sympathy to be transferred to Wind-Inſtru.
# ments # ibid.
Eſſence
of Sounds Spiritual, 63. Sounds not
# Impreſſions in the Air # ibid.
Cauſes
of the ſudden Generation and Periſh-
# ing of Sounds # ibid.
Concluſiontouching
Sounds # 63
Sourneſs
in Fruits and Liquors, 187. The
# cauſe of each, ibid. Souring of Liquors
# in the Sun # ibid.
South
winds diſpoſe Mens Evdies to heavi-
# neſs, 64, South-winds hurtful to Fruit
# bloſſoming, 135. South-winds without
# Rain, breed Peſtilence, with Rain not,
# 166. The cauſes, ibid. On the Sea-coasts
# not ſo # ibid.
South-East
, Sun better then the South-west
# for ripening Fruit # ibid.
Sparkling
woods # 133
Species
Viſible # 160
# Spirits in Bodies, ſcarce known, 26. Seve-
# ral opinions of them, ibid. They are Na-
# tural Bodies rarified, ibid. Cauſes of
# moſt of the effects in Nature, ibid. They
# have five differing operations, 73. Spirits
# in Bodies, 125. How they differ in animate
# and inanimate, ibid. How in Plants and
# Living Creatures # 126
Again
of Spirits in Bodies, 181. They are
# of two ſorts, ibid. Motion of the Spirits
# excited by the Moon, 193. The ſtrength-
# ning of them prohibiteth Putrefaction
# 76
Spirits
of Men flie upon odious objects, 167.
# The Tranſmiſſion of Spirits, 198. & in
# ſequentib. Tranſmiſſion of them from the
# mindes of Men, 203, 204, 206, 207, 208,
# 209. Such things as comfort the Spirits
# by ſympathy, 208, 209. The ſtrife of the
# Spirits, beſt helped by arreſting them for a
# time # ibid.
Sponges
# 147
Springs
of water made by art # 6
Spring-water
# 87
Sprouting
of Plants with water onely # 133
Squill
, good to ſet Kernels or Plumb-ſtones
# in # 96
Stags
Hart with a Bone in it # 157
Stanchers
of Blood # 210
Stars
leſſer obſcured, a ſign of Tempeſts
# 174
Sterility
of the year, changeth Corn into an-
# other kinde # 111
Stomach
, the appetite thereof, 176. The
# qualities that provoke appetite, ibid. The
# four cauſes of appetite # ibid.
Stone
wanting in Plumbs # 110
Stretching
, a motion of imitation # 65
Stub
old, putting forth a Tree of a better
# kinde # 111
Stutting
, 85. Two cauſes thereof # ibid.
Subterrany
Fires # 78
Sucking
long, ill for Children # ibid.
Sugar
, 127, 183. The uſe of it,ibid.
# Draweth Liquor, higher then the Liquor
# cometh # 21
Sulphureous
and Mercurial # 78, 79
Summer
and Winter ſick neſſes, 84. The Prog-
# noſticks of a dry Summer # 174
Sun
Tanneth, which Fire doth not, 87, 88.
# The cauſe # ibid.
Superfetation
, the cauſe of it # 116
Super-Plants
beſide Miſletoe # 135
Supporting
Plants of themſelves, and not
# ſupporters # 122
Swallows
made white, by anointing the Eggs
# with Oyl # 211
Sweat
, 148. Parts under the water, though
# hot ſweat not, ibid. Salt in taſte, ibid.
# cometh more from the upper parts then
# from the lower, ibid. More in ſleep then
# waking, ibid. Cold ſweat commonly mor-
# tal, ibid. 149. Sweat, in what diſeaſes
# good, in what bad, ibid. In ſome men
# have been ſweet # 2
Sweet
Moſs, 114, 132. Sweetneſs of odor
# from the Rainbow, 176. Sweetneſs of
# odor, whether not in ſome water, ibid. In
# Earth found, ibid. Sweet ſmells, 177.
# Several properties of them, ibid. They
# have a Corporeal ſubſtances. # ibid.
Sweetneſs
in Fruits and Liquors,187. The
266A Table of the chief Matters11
# cauſe of cach, ibid. Sweet things commix-
# ed, prohibit Putrefaction # 76
Swelling
, how cauſed in the Body, 74. How
# it may be kept down, 187. why it follow-
# et h upon Blows and Bruiſes # ibid.
Swelling
of Grains upon Boiling, 185. The
# cauſe of the different ſwelling them # ibid.
Swimming
of Bodies, 163, 166, 167. The
# cauſe # 163
Swines
Dung dulcorateth Fruit, 98. The
# cauſe # ibid.
Swinging
of Bottles, 68. The uſe of it # ibid.
Swoundings
# 203
Sylva
Sylvarum, the intention of it # 24, 25
Sympathy
and Antipathy, 25. Sympathy in
# Plants, 98. Sympathy and Antipathy of
# Plants # 101, 102, 103, 104
Sympathy
, 211. Inſtances thereof, ibid. 208,
# 209. Sympathy, ſecret between Perſons,
# nearin blood, 210. Between great friends
# in abſence, ibid. Sympathybetwixt Mul-
# titudes, ibid. Sympathy of Individuals
# 213
T
.
TEars
of Trees # 128
Teeth
, 141, 157. Their tenderneſs, 128.
# Teeth ſet on edge by harſh ſounds, 145.
# The cauſe, ibid. Sinews inthem, the cauſe
# of their pain, not the Marrow, 158, 159.
# Their ſeveral kindes, ibid. Difference in
# ſeveral Creatures, ibid. Horned Beacts
# have no upper teeth, ibid. Tooth, the mark
# of Horſes age, ibid. At what age they
# come forth in Men, ibid. VVhat things
# hurt them, ibid. Chiefest conſiderations
# about the Teeth, 158. Restitution of Teeth
# in age, ibid. VVhether it may be done or
# no # ibid.
Tempeſts
, their predictions # 174
Tenſile
Bodies # 181, 182
Terra
Lemnia # 147
Terra
Sigillara communis # ibid.
Thales
# 138
Thiſtle-down
flying in the Air, foreſheweth
# wind # 175
Timber
, 134. The ſeveral natures thereof,
# ibid. The ſeveral uſes according to the
# nature of the Trees # 135
Time
and heat work the like effects, 65. Their
# different operations in many things # ibid.
Titillation
, 161. The cauſe of it, ibid. In-
# duceth laughing, ibid. Of the Noſtrils,
# cauſeth ſneezing # ibid.
Toad-ſtool
# 115
Tobacco
, 185, 203. Engliſh Tobacco, how
# it may be mended # 185
Tones
, 29. Leſs apt to procure ſleep, then
# Sounds, 31. The cauſe why # ibid.
Tongue
ſheweth readily inward Diſeaſes # 141
Torpedo
Marina # 212
Tough
Bodies, 180, 181. The cauſe # ibid.
Tranſmiſſion
of Spirits, 198. & in ſeq. Eight
# kindes of tranſmiſsion of ſpirits, 199,
# 200, 201. As of the airy parts of bodies,
# ibid. Of ſpiritual species, ibid. Of ſpi-
# rits cauſing Attraction, ibid. Of ſpirits
# working by the Primitive Nature of Mat-
# ter, ibid. Of the ſpirits of the Minde of
# Man, ibid. Of the Inftuxes of the Hea-
# venly bodies, ibid. In operations of Sym-
# pathy, ibid. By ſympathy of individuals
# ibid.
Trees
planted warm, 90. Houſing of them,
# 92. Heap of Flint laid at the bottom,
# helpeth the growth, 93. Shaking hurteth
# the young Tree, a grown Tree not, ibid.
# Cutting away of Suckers, helpeth them,
# ibid. How to plant a Tree that may grow
# fair in one year, 94. Helped by boring a
# hole through the beart of the Stock, ibid.
# By ſlitting the Roots, ibid. By spreding
# upon a wall, ibid. By plucking off ſome
# Leaves, ibid. By digging yearly about the
# Root, 95. By applying new Moulds, ibid.
# Byremoving to better Earth, ibid. By ſli-
# cing their Bark, ibid. In ſome kindes by
# ſhade, ibid. By ſetting the Kernels or
# Stones in a Squil growing, ibid. 96. By
# pulling off ſome Bloſſoms, ibid. By cutting
# off the top, when they begin to bud, 97. By
# boaring them through the Trunck, and
# putting in wedges of hot Woods, ibid. By
# ſeveral applications to the Roots, ibid. By
# Terebration again. 98. The cauſe thereof,
# ibid. By letting them blood, ibid. Grow
# beſt fenced from Sun and Wind, 99. Cauſes
# of their Barrenneſs, ibid. Helps to make
# Trees fruitful, 100. Tree blown up by the
# Roots, and replaced, proved fruitful, 95.
# Tryal of watering a Tree with warm wa-
# ter, 97. Trees that grow beſt without graft-
# ing, ibid. Fruit-tree grafted upon a moi-
# ſter ſtock, will grow larger, 97. Trees re-
# moved to be coafted as before, ibid. Lower
# Boughs bring the bigger Fruit # ibid.
Trees
apparelled with Flowers, 108. Form-
# ing of Trees into ſeveral ſhapes # ibid.
Tranſmutation
of Trees and Plants, 110.
# Six deſignations thereof # ibid. 112, 113
Trees
in Copice-woods grow more ſtraight,
# 113. The cauſe thereof # ibid.
Trees
full of heat, grow tall,ibid. Thecauſe,
# ibid. How to Dwarf Trees # ibid.
Trees
that are VVinders, 113. The cauſe
# thereof # ibid.
267contained in theſe Centuries.11
Trees
moiſter yield leſs Moſs, 114. The cauſe
# ibid.
Trees
in Clay-grounds apt to gather Moſs,
# ibid. The cauſe # ibid.
Trees
Hide-bound bring forth Moſs # ibid.
Treesthat
ripen lateſt bloſſom earlieſt # 119
Trees
that laſt longeſt, 120. viz. The largeſt
# of body, ibid. such as bring Maſt or Nuts,
# ibid. Such as bring forth Leaves late,
# and ſhed them late, ibid. Such as are often
# cut # ibid.
Trees
with ſcattered bough@, 121. with up-
# right boughs, ibid. The cauſe of each
# ibid.
Tree
Indian with Leaves of great largeneſs,
# and Fruit without ſtalks # 127
Tree
in Perſia nouriſhed with Salt-water
# ibid. 128
Trees
commonly fruitful, but each other
# year # 130
Trees
bearing beſt on the lower boughs, 131.
# others on the higher boughs, ibid. The
# cauſe of each, ibid. Such as bear beſt when
# they are old, 131. Others when they are
# young, ibid. The cauſe of each # ibid.
Trembling
in ſhadows # 190
Tryals
for wholeſome Airs # 164
Tuft
of Moſs on a Briar-buſh # 117
Tuiks
great ſitters, 156. to them, Bathing
# good # ibid.
Twice
a year Fruits # 119
Tying
of the Point # 192, 193
Tyranny
over Mens Underſtandings and Be-
# liefs much affected # 215
V
.
VApor
of Charl-coal, or of Sea coal, or of
# a Room new plaſtred, mortal # 202
Vapors
which taken outwaraly, would con-
# denſe the Spirits # 203
Vegetables
rotting upon the ground, a good
# Compoſt, 223. Several inſtances thereof
# ibid.
Venous
Bodies # 180
Venus
, 142. Inexceſs dimeththe ſight, ibid.
# The Act of it. Men more inclined in
# winter, women in Summer # 143
Vermine
frighted with the Head of a VVoolf
# 210
Veſuvius
# 165
Vines
made fruitful by applying the Kernels
# of Grapes to the Roots, 10. The cauſe
# thereof, ibid. Made to ſprout ſuddenly
# with Nitre, 96. Love not the Colewort,
# 110. Vine-Trees, 128, 129. Anciently
# of great bodies, ibid. Atough wood dry,
# ibid. Vines in ſome places, not propped
# 125
Vine
grafted upon Vine # 136
Vinegar
# 194
Violet-Vinegar
# 4
Viſibles
hitherto, the ſubject of Knowledge,
# 26. Mingle not in the Medium as Au-
# dibles do, 53. The cauſe thereof, ibid. se-
# veral conſents of Viſibles and Audibles,
# 58. Several Diſſents of Viſibles and Au-
# dibles, 60, 61. Viſible Species, 160. Vi-
# ſibles and Audibles, 204. Two Lights of
# the ſame bigneſs, will not make things be
# ſeen as far again as one, 54. The cauſe
# thereof # ibid.
Viſual
Spirits infecting # 202, 203
Vitrial
# 127
Vivification
, 73, 74. The ſeveral things re-
# quired to Vivification, 143. The Proceſs
# of it # ibid. 194, 195
Vlcers
in the Leg, harder to cure then in the
# Head, 166. The cauſe, ib. Difference of
# curing them in a French-man, and an
# Engliſh-man # ibid.
Unbarkt
Branch of a Tree being ſet, hatb
# grown, 134. Barkt will not # ib.
Unguentum
Teli # 200
Union
, the force thereof in Natural Bodies,
# 24. Appetite of Union in Natural Bodies,
# 64. Appeareth in three kindes of Bodies
# ibid.
Voice
, the ſhrilneſs thereof, 43. In whom
# eſpecially, ibid. VVhy changed at years of
# Puberty, ibid. Labor and Intention, con-
# duceth much to imit ate Voices, 56. Imi-
# tation of Voices, as if they were at diſtance
# ibid.
Vrine
in quantity, a great hinderer of Nou-
# riſhment # 14
W
.
WArmth
, a ſpecial means to make
# ground fruitful # 123, 124
Warts
taken away by Lard or an Elder ſtick
# conſuming # 213
Water
thickned in a Cave, 20. Changed
# ſuddenly into Air, 24. Choice of waters,
# 86. By weight, ibid. By boiling, ibid. By
# longest lasting, imputrefied, ibid. By
# making Drinks ſtronger, ibid. By bearing
# Soap, ibid. By the places where they are
# congregated, 87. By the Soil, ibid. wa-
# ters ſweet, not to be tructed, ibid. well-
# water, ibid. water putteth forth Herbs
# without Roots, 117. water alone will
# cauſe Plants to ſprout, ibid. well-water
# warmer in winter then in Summer, 191.
# water riſing in a Baſon by means of Flames
# 192
Water
hot, and Fire, heat differently, # 104.
268A Table of the chief Matters11
# Water cooleth Air, and moiſteneth it not
# 187, 188
Water
may be the Medium of Sounds, 167.
# watry moiſture enduceth Putrefaction, 74.
# Turning watry ſubſtances into oily, 79. A
# great work in Nature, ibid. Four inſtan-
# ces thereof, ibid. 80. wrought by Digeſti-
# on, ibid. watering of Grounds, a great
# help to fruitfulneſs, 123, 124. Cautions
# therein, ibid. Means to water them # ibid.
Water-Creſſes
# 78
Weapon
anointed # 213
Weight
of the Diſſolution of Iron in Aqua-
# fortis # 166
Wheat
ſet # 95, 96
White
, a penurious colour, 24, 25. In Flow-
# ers, 108. commonly more inodorate then
# other colours, ibid. The cauſe, ibid. white
# more delicate in Berries, 109. The eauſe
# thereof, ibid. Not ſo commonly in Fruits,
# ibid. The cauſe thereof # ibid.
White
Gunpowder # 42, 43
Wholeſome
ſeats, 164. Tryal for them, 173.
# Moist Air, not good, ibid. Inequality of
# Air, naught # ibid.
Wilde-fires
, why water will not quench them
# 165
Wilde
Herbs ſhew the nature of the Ground
# 135
Winds
southern, diſpoſe Mens bodies to hea-
# vineſs, 81. winds Southern without Rain
# fevoriſh # 166
Winds
gathered for freſhneſs, 164. Prog-
# noſticks of winds # 174
Winding
Trees # 113
Wine
burnt, 5. Wine how to be uſed in Con-
# ſumptions, 14. Wine, for what Bodies
# good, for what burtful, 153. wine cor-
# rected, that it may not fume # 165
Wine
new, preſently made potable # 139
Wine
and water, ſeparated by weight, 3, 4.
# Tryal hereof in two Glaſſes, ibid. When
# it will operate, and when not, ibid. Spirit
# of wine burnt, 82. Mingled with wax,
# the operation of it # ibid.
Winter
and summer ſukneſſes, 84. Signs of
# a cold winter, 155, 174. winter Sleepers
# 194
Witches
, 198, 199. work most by Imagi-
# nation and Fancy, ibid. 203. Witches
# Oyntment # 210
# Woolf-guts applied to the belly, care the
# Collick, ibid. Head hanged up frighteth
# Vermin # ibid.
Wonder
, 151. The Impreſſions thereof # ibid.
Wood
ſhining in the dark # 77, 78
Wood-ſear
# 104
Wool
attractive of Water, 20, 25. Through
# a Veßel # ibid.
World
, ſuppoſed by ſome to be a Living Crea-
# ture # 197, 198
Worms
foretel Rain # 176
Wounds
, ſome applications to them,139
# wounds made with Braſs, eaſier to cure
# then thoſe made with Iron # 166
Wriſts
have a ſympathy with the Head, and
# other parts # 25
Y
.
YAwning
hindereth Hearing, 62. The
# cauſe, ibid. It is a motion of Imitation,
# 65. In yawning, dangerous to pick the
# Ear # 140
Years
ſteril, cauſe Corn to degenerate # 111
Yellow
colour in Herbs # 109
Young
Trees, which bear beſt # 131
Z
.
ZOne
Torrid, leß tolerable for Heats then
# the Æquinoctial, 87. Three cauſes
# thereof # ibid.
269 7[Figure 7]
His Lordſhips uſual Receipt for the Gout (to which, the
Sixtieth
Experiment hath reference) wasthis.
Tobe taken in this order.
1. The Poultice.
. Of Manchet, about three Ounces, the Crum onely, thin cut; let it be boiled
# in Milk till it grow to a Pulp;
add in the end, a Dram and a half of the Powder
# of Red Roſes.
Of Saffron ten Grains.
Of Oyl of Roſes an Ounce.
Let it be ſpred upon a Linnen Cloth, and applied luke-warm, and continued
# for three hours ſpace.
2. The Bath or Fomentation.
. Of Sage-Leaves, half an handful.
Of the Root of Hemlock ſliced, ſix Drams.
Of Briony Roots, half an Ounce.
Of the Leaves of Red Roſes, two Pugils.
Let them be boiled in a Pottle of Water wherein Steel hath been quenched,
# till the Liquor come to a Quart;
after the ſtraining, put in half an handful
# of Bay-Salt.
Let it be uſed with Scarlet-Cloth, or Scarlet-Wool, dipped in the Liquor
# hot, and ſo renewed ſeven times;
all in the ſpace of a quarter of an hour
# or little more.
3. The Plaiſter.
. Emplaſtrum Diacalcitbeos, as much as is ſufficient for the part you mean to
# cover;
let it be diſſolved with Oyl of Roſes in ſuch a conſiſtence as will
# ſtick, and ſpred upon a piece of Holland, and applied.
270
[Empty page]
271
HISTORY
Natural
and Experimental
OF

LIFE
& DEATH:
OR
,
Of
the Prolongation of LIFE.
Written in Latin by the Right Honorable
Francis Lord Verulam,
Viſcount
St. Albans.
8[Figure 8]
LONDON,
Printed
for VVilliam Lee at the Turks-head
in
Fleetſtreet. 1669.
272
[Empty page]
273 9[Figure 9]
TO THE READER.
IAm to give Advertiſement, that
there
came forth of late a Tranſlation
of
this Book by an unknown Perſon,
who
though he wished well to the
propagating
of his Lordſhips Works,
yet
he was altogether unacquainted with his
Lordſhips
ſtile and manner of Expreſſions, and
ſo
published a Tranſlation lame and defective in
the
whole.
Whereupon I thought fit to re-
commend
the ſame to be tranſlated anew by a
more
diligent and zealous Pen, which hath ſince
travelled
in it;
and though it ſtill comes short
of
that lively and incomparable Spirit and Ex-
preſſion
, which lived and died with the Author,
yet
I dare avouch it to be much more warrant-
able
and agreeable then the former.
It is true,
this
Book was not intended to have been pub-
lished
in Engliſh;
but ſeeing it hath been already
made
free of that Language, whatſoever benefit
or
delight may redound from it, I commend the
ſame
to the Courteous and Judicious Reader.
W. R.
274 10[Figure 10]
To the preſent Age and Poſterity,
Greeting
.
ALthough I had ranked the Hiſtory of
Life
and Death as the laſt among ſt my
Six
Monethly Deſignations;
yet I
have
thought fit, in reſpect of the prime uſe
thereof
, (in which the leaſt loß of time ought
to
be eſteemed precious) to invert that order, and to ſend it
forth
in the ſecond place.
For I have hope, and wiſh, that it
may
conduce to a common good;
and that the Nobler ſort of
Phyſicians
will advance their thoughts, and not employ their
times
wholly in the ſordidneß of Cures, neither be honored
for
Neceſſity onely, but that they will become Coadju-
tors
and Inſtruments of the Divine Omnipotence
and
Clemency in Prolonging and Renewing the
Life
of Man;
eſpecially ſeeing I preſcribe it to be done by
ſafe
, and convenient, and civil ways, though hitherto unaſſayed.
For though we Chriſtians do continually aſpire and pant
after
the Land of Promiſe;
yet it will be a token of
Gods
favor towards us, in our journeyings through this
Worlds
Wilderneſs, to have our Shoes and Gar-
ments
(I mean thoſe of our frail Bodies) little worn or
impaired
.
Fr. St. Albans.
275
THE
HISTORY

OF

Life
and Death.
The Preface.
IT is an ancient ſaying and complaint, That Life is
ſhort
and Art long;
wherefore it behoveth us, who
make
it our chiefeſt aim to perfect Arts, to take up-
on
us the conſideration of Prolonging Mans Life,
G
O D, the Author of all Truth and Life, proſper-
ing
our Endeavors.
For though the Life of Man be
nothing
elſe but a maſs and accumulation of ſins and
ſorrows
, and they that look for an Eternal Life ſet but
light
by a Temporary:
Yet the continuation of VVorks of Charity ought
not
to be contemned, even by us Christians.
Beſides, the beloved Diſciple
of
our Lord ſurvived the other Diſciples;
and many of the Fathers of the
Church
, eſpecially of the holy Monks and Hermits, were long-lived:
VVhich ſhews, that this bleſsing of long life, ſo often promiſed in the Old
Law
, had leſs abatement after our Saviours days then other earthly bleſs-
ings
had;
but to eſteem of this as the chiefeſt good, we are but too
prone
.
Onely the enquiry is difficult how to attain the ſame; and ſo
much
the rather, becauſe it is corrupted with falſe opinions and vain re-
ports
:
For both thoſe things which the vulgar Phyſitians talk of, Radical
Moiſture
and Natural Heat, are but meer Fictions;
and the
276The Preface. praiſes of Chymical Medicines, firſt puff up with vain hopes, and then fail
their
admirers.
And as for that Death which is cauſed by Suffocation, Putrefaction, and
ſeveral
Diſeaſes, weſpeak not of it now, for that pertains to an Hiſtory oſ
Phyſick
;
but onely oſ that Death which comes by a total decay of the
Body
, and the Inconcoction of old Age.
Nevertheleſs the laſt act of
Death
, and the very extinguiſhing of Life it ſelf, which may ſo many
ways
be wrought outwardly and inwardly (which notwithſtanding have,
as
it were, one common Porch beſore it comes to the point of death) will
be
pertinent to beinquired of in this Treatiſe;
but we reſerve that for the
laſt
place.
That which may be repaired by degrees, without a total waſte of the
firſt
ſtock, is potentially eternal, as the Veſtal Fire.
Thereſore when Phy-
ſicians
and Philoſophers ſaw that living Creatures were nouriſhed and their
Bodies
repaired, but that this did laſt onely for a time, and afterwards
came
old age, and in the end diſſolution;
they ſought Death in ſomewhat
which
could not properly be repaired, ſuppoſing a Radical Moiſture in-
capable
of ſolid reparation, and which, from the firſt infancy, received
a
ſpurious addition, but no true reparation, whereby it grew daily worſe
and
worſe, and, in the end, brought the bad to none at all.
This con-
ceit
of theirs was both ignorant and vain;
for all things in living Crea-
tures
are in their youth repaired entirely;
nay, they are for a time in-
creaſed
in quantity, bettered in quality, ſo as the Matter of reparation
might
be eternal, if the Manner of reparation did not fail.
But this is
the
truth of it, There is in the declining of age an unequal reparation;
ſome parts are repaired eaſily, others with difficulty and to their loſs; ſo
as
from that time the Bodies of Men begin to endure the torments of Me
zentius
, That the living die in the embraces of the dead;
and the parts eaſily repair-
able
, through their conjunction with the parts hardly repairable, do de-
cay
:
For the Spirits, Blood, Flesh, and Fat are, even after the decline of
years
, eaſily repaired;
but the drier and more porous parts (as the
Membranes
, all the Tunicles, the Sinews, Arteries, Veins, Bones, Cartilages,
moſt
of the Bowels, in a word, almoſt all the Organical Parts) are hardly
repairable
, and to their loſs.
Now theſe hardly-repairable parts, when they
come
to their office of repairing the other which are eaſily repairable,
finding
themſelves deprived of their wonted ability and ſtrength, ceaſe
to
perſorm any longer their proper Functions:
By which means it comes
to
paſs, that in proceſs of time the whole tends to diſſolution;
and even
thoſe
very parts which in their own nature are with much eaſe repair-
able
, yet through the decay of the Organs of reparation can no more re-
ceive
reparation, but decline, and in the end utterly fail.
And the cauſe of
the
termination of Life is this, for that the Spirits, like a gentle flame,
continually
preying upon Bodies, conſpiring with the outward Air, which
is
ever ſucking and drying of them, do, in time, deſtroy the whole Fa-
brick
of the Body, as alſo the particular Engines and Organs thereof,
and
make them unable for the work of Reparation.
Theſe are the true
ways
of Natural Death, well and faithfully to be revolved in our mindes;

for
he that knows not the ways of Nature, how can he ſuccor her, or turn
her
about?
Therefore the Inquiſition ought to be twofold; the one touching the
Conſumption
or Depredation of the Body of Man;
the other touching the
Reparation
and Renovation of the ſame:
To the end, that the former
277The Preface. as much as is poſſible, be forbidden and reſtrained, and the latter com-
forted
.
The former of theſe pertains, eſpecially to the Spirits and outward
Air
, by which the Depredation and Waſte is committed;
the latter to the
whole
race of Alimentation or Nourishment, whereby the Renovation or
Reſtitution
is made.
And as for the former part touching Conſumption,
this
hath many things common with Bodies Inanimate, or without life.
For
ſuch
things as the Native Spirit (which is in all tangible Bodies, whether
living
or without life) and the ambient or external Air worketh upon
Bodies
Inanimate, the ſame it attempteth upon Animate or Living Bodies;
although the Vital Spirit ſuperadded, doth partly break and bridle thoſe
operations
, partly exalt and advance them wonderſully.
For it is moſt
manifeſt
that Inanimate Bodies (moſt of them) will endure a long time
without
any Reparation;
but Bodies Animate without Food and Repara-
tion
ſuddenly fall and are ektinguiſhed, as the Fire is.
So then, our Inquiſition
ſhall
be double.
Firſt, we will conſider the Body of Man as Inanimate, and
not
repaired by Nourishment:
Secondly, as Animate and repaired by Nourish-
ment
.
Thus having Prefaced theſe things, we come now to the Topick places
of
Inquiſition.
278
[Empty page]
27918989[Handwritten note 89] 11[Figure 11]
THE
Particular
Topick Places;
OR
,
ARTICLES
of INQUISITION
TOUCHING

LIFE
and DEATH.
FIrſt, inquire of Nature durable, and Not durable, in Bodies Inani-
111. mate or without Life, as alſo in Vegetables;
but that not in a
large
or juſt Treatiſe, but as in a Brief or Summary onely.
Alſo inquire diligently of Deſiccation, Arefaction, and Con-
222. ſumption of Bodies Inanimate, and of Vegetables;
and of the
ways
and proceſſes, by which they are done;
and further, of
Inhibiting
and Delaying of Deſiccation, Arefaction, and Con-
ſumption
, and of the Conſervation of Bodies, in their proper ſtate;
and again, of the Inteneration, Emollition, and Recovery of Bodies to their former freſh-
neſs
, after they be once dryed and withered.
Neither need the Inquiſition touching theſe things, to be full or exact, ſeeing they
pertain
rather to their proper Title of Nature durable;
ſeeing alſo, they are not Princi-
pals
in this Inquiſition, but ſerve onely to give light to the Prolongation and Instauration
of
Life in Living creatures.
In which (as was ſaid before) the ſame things come to paſs,
but
in a particular manner.
So from the Inquiſition touching Bodies Inanimate and Vege-
tables
, let the Inquiſition paſs on to other Living Creatures beſides Man.
Inquire touching the length and ſhortneſs of Life in Living Creatures, with the due
333. circumſtances which make moſt for their long or ſhort lives.
But becauſe the Duration of Bodies is twofold, One in Identity, or the ſelf ſame
444. ſubſtance, the other by a Renovation or Reparation;
whereof the former hath place onely
in
Bodies Inanimate, the latter in Vegetables and Living Creatures, and is perfected by
Alimentation
or Nouriſhment;
therefore it will be fit to inquire of Alimentation, and
of
the ways and progreſſes thereof;
yet this not exactly, (becauſe it pertains properly
to
the Titles of Aſſimilation and Alimentation) but, as the reſt, in progreſs onely.
From the Inquiſition touching Living Creatures, and Bodies repaired by Nouriſh-
ment
, paſs on to the Inquiſition touching Man.
And now being come to the principal
ſubject
of Inquiſition, the Inquiſition ought to be in all points more preciſe and accu-
rate
.
Inquire touching the length and ſhortneſs of Life in Men, according to the Ages of
555. the World, the ſeveral Regions, Climates, and Places of their Nativity and Habitation.
Inquire touching the length and ſhortneſs of Life in Men, according to their Races
666. and Families, as if it were a thing hereditary;
alſo according to their Complexions, Con-
ſtitutions
, and Habits of Body, their Statures, the manner and time of their growth, and
the
making and compoſition of their Members.
Inquire touching the length and ſhortneſs of Life in Men, according to the times of
777. their Nativity;
but ſo, as you omit for the preſent all Aſtrological obſervations, and the
Figures
of Heaven, under which they were born;
onely inſiſt upon the vulgar
2802The Hiſtory of Life and Death. manifeſt Obſervations; as whether they were born in the Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, or
Tenth
Moneth, alſo, whether by Night or by Day, and in what Moneth of the Year.
Inquire touching the Length and Shortneſs of Life in Men, according to their Fare,
118. Diet, Government of their Life, Exerciſes, and the like.
For as for the Air, in which
Men
live and make their abode, we account that proper to be inquired of in the above-
ſaid
Article, touching the places of their Habitation.
Inquire touching the Length and Shortneſs of Life in Men, according to their Stu-
229. dies, their ſeveral Courſes of Life, the Affections of the Minde, and divers Accidents befal-
ling
them.
Inquire apart touching thoſe Medicines which are thought to prolong Life.
3310.
Inquire touching the Signs and Prognosticks of long and ſhort life; not thoſe which
4411. betoken Death at hand, (for they belong to an History of Phyſick) but thoſe which are
ſeen
and may be obſerved even in Health, whether they be Phyſiognomical ſigns, or any
other
.
Hitherto have been propounded Inquiſitions touching Length and Shortneſs of Life,
beſides
the Rules of Art, and in a confuſed manner;
now we think to add ſome, which
ſhall
be more Art-like, and tending to practice, under the name of Intentions.
Thoſe
Intentions
are generally three:
As for the particular Diſtributions of them, we will pro-
pound
them when we come to the Inquiſition it ſelf.
The three general Intentions are,
the
Forbidding of Waſte and Conſumption, the Perfecting of Reparation, and the Renewing
of
Oldneſs.
Inquire touching thoſe things which conſerve and exempt the Body of Man ſrom
5512. Arefaction and conſumption, at leaſt which put off and protract the inclination thereunto.
Inquire touching thoſe things which pertain to the whole proceſs of Alimentation,
6613. (by which the Body of Man is repaired) that it may be good, and with the beſt im-
provement
.
Inquire touching thoſe things which purge out the old Matter, and ſupply with new;
7714. as alſo which do Intenerate and Moiſten th@ſe parts which are already dried and hardned.
But becauſe it will be hard to know the Ways of Death, unleſs we ſearch out and
diſcover
the Seat, or Houſe, or rather Den of Death, it will be convenient to make In-
quiſition
of this thing;
yet not of every kinde of Death, but of thoſe Deaths which
are
cauſed by want and indigence of Nouriſhment, not by violence;
for they are thoſe
Deaths
onely which pertain to a decay of Nature, and meer old Age.
Inquire touching the Point of Death, and the Porches of Death, leading thereun-
8815. to from all parts, ſo as that Death be cauſed by a decay of Nature, and not by Vio-
lence
.
Laſtly, becauſe it is behoveful to know the Character and Form of Old Age, which
will
then beſt be done, if you make a Collection of all the Differences, both in the State
and
Functions of the Body, betwixt Youth and Old Age, that by them you may obſerve
what
it is that produceth ſuch manifold Effects;
let not this Inquiſition be omitted.
Inquire diligently touching the Differences in the State of the Body and Faculties of
9916. the Minde in Youth and Old Age;
and whether there be any that remain the ſame with-
101017. out alteration or abatement in Old Age.
Nature Durable, and not Durable.
The History.
MEtals are of that long laſting, that Men cannot trace the beginnings of
1111To the firſt
Article
.
them;
and when they do decay, they decay through Ruſt, not through per-
ſpiration
into Air;
yet Gold decays neither way.
12121.
Quick-ſilver, though it be an humid and fluid Body, and eaſily made
13132. volatile by Fire;
yet (as far as we have obſerved) by Age alone, without Fire, it neither
waſteth
nor gathereth Ruſt.
Stones, eſpecially the harder ſort of them, and many other Foſſiles, are of long
14143.
2813The Hiſtory of Life and Death. ing, and that though they be expoſed to the open air; much more if they be buried
in
the earth.
Notwithſtanding Stones gather a kind of Nitre, which is to them inſtead
of
Ruſt.
Precious Stones and Cryſtals exceed Metalls in long laſting; but then they
grow
dimmer and leſs Orient, if they be very old.
It is obſerved, that Stones lying to wards the North do ſooner decay with age than
114. thoſe that lie to ward the South;
and that appears manifeſtly in Pyramids, and Churches,
and
other ancient Buildings:
contrariwiſe, in Iron, that expoſed to the South, gathers
Ruſt
ſooner, and that to the North later;
as may be ſeen in the Iron-bars of windows.
And no marvel, ſeeing in all putrefaction (as Ruſt is) Moiſture haſtens Diſſolutions;
in
all ſimple Arefaction, Drineſs.
In Vegetables, (we ſpeak of ſuch as are fell’d, not growing) the Stocks or Bodies of
225. harder Trees, and the Timber made of them, laſt divers ages.
Butthen there is diffe-
rence
in the bedies of Trees:
ſome Trees are in a manner ſpongy, as the Elder, in which
the
pith in the midſt is ſoft, and the outward part harder;
but in Timber-trees, as the
Oak
, the inner part (which they call Heart of Oak) laſteth longer.
The Leaves, and Flowers, and Stalks of Plants are but of ſhort laſting, but diſſolve into
336. duſt, unleſs they putrefie:
the Roots are more durable.
The Bones of living Creatures laſt long, as we may ſee it of mens bones in Charnel-
447. houſes:
Horns alſo laſt very long; ſo do Teeth, as it is ſeen in Ivory, and the Sea-horſe
Teeth
.
Hides alſo and Skins endure very long, as is evident in old Parchment-books: Paper
558. likewiſe will laſt many ages, though notſolong as Parchment.
Such things as have paſſed the Fire laſt long, as Glaſs and Bricks; likewiſe Fleſh and
669. Fruits that have paſſed the Fire laſt longer than Raw:
and that not onely becauſe the
Baking
in the Fire forbids putrefaction;
but alſo becauſe the watry humour being drawn
forth
, the oily humour ſupports it ſelf the longer.
Water of all Liquors is ſooneſt drunk up by Air, contrariwiſe Oil lateſt; which we
7710. may ſee not onely in the Liquors themſelves, but in the Liquors mixt with other Bodies:
for Paper wet with water, and ſo getting ſome degree of tranſparency, will ſoon after
wax
white, and loſe the tranſparency again, the watry vapour exhaling;
but oiled Paper
will
keep the tranſparency long, the Oil not being apt to exhale:
And therefore they
that
counterfeit mens hands, will lay the oiled paper upon the writing they mean to
counterfeit
, and then aſſay to draw the lines.
Gums all of them laſt very long; the like do wax and Honey.
8811.
But the equal or unequal uſe of things conduceth no leſs to long laſting or ſhort laſt-
9912. ing, than the things themſelves;
for Timber, and Stones, and other Bodies, ſtanding con-
tinually
in the water, or continually in the air, laſt longer than if they were ſometimes
wet
, ſometimes dry:
and ſo Stones continue longer, if they be laid towards the ſame
coaſt
of Heaven in the Building that they lay in the Mine.
The ſameis of Plants re-
moved
, if they be coaſted juſt as they were before.
Obſervations.
L Et this be laid for a Foundation, which is moſt ſure, That there is in every Tangible
10101. body a Spirit, or body Pneumatical, encloſed and covered with the Tangible parts;
And that from this Spirit is the beginning of all Diſſolution and Conſumption, ſo as
the
Antidote againſt them is the detaining of this Spirit.
This Spirit is detained two ways: either by a ſtreight Incloſure, as it were in a Pri-
11112. ſon:
or by a kind of free and voluntary Detention. Again, this voluntary ſtay is
perſwaded
two ways:
either if the Spirit it ſelf be not to moveable or eager to depart;
or if the external Air importune it not too much to come forth. So then, two ſorts of
Subſtances
are durable, Hard Subſtances, and Oily:
Hard Subſtance binds in the
Spirits
cloſe;
Oily partly enticeth the Spirit to stay, partly is of that nature that it is
not
importuned by Air;
for Air is conſubſtantial to Water, and Flame to Oil. And
touching
Nature Durable and not Durable in Bodies Inanimate, thus much.
The Hiſtory.
HErbs of the colder ſort die yearly both in Root and Stalk; as Lettice, Purſtane;
121213. alſo VVheat and all kind of Corn: yet there are ſome cold Herbs which will
2824The Hiſtory of Life and Death. three or four years; as the Violet, Straw-berry, Burnet, Prim-roſe, and Sorrel. But Borage
and
Bugloſ@, which ſeem ſo alike when they are alive, differ in their deaths;
for Borage
will
laſt but one year, Bugloſs will laſt more.
But many hot Herbs bear their age and years better; Hyßop, Thyme, Savory, Pot-mar-
1114. joram, Balm, Wormwood, Germander, Sage, and the like.
Fennel dies yearly in the ſtalk,
buds
again from the root:
but Pulſe and Sweet-marjoram can better endure age than
winter
;
for being ſet in a very warm place and wel-fenced, they will live more than
one
year.
It is known, that a knot of H@ſſop twice a year ſhorn hath continued forty
years
.
Buſhes and Shrubs live threeſcore years, and ſome double as much. A Vine may at-
2215. tain to threeſcore years, and continue fruitful in the old age.
Roſe-mary well placed
will
come alſo to threeſcore years;
but white Thorn and Ivy endure above an hundred
years
.
As for the Bramble, the age thereof is not certainly known, becauſe bowing
9090[Handwritten note 90]9191[Handwritten note 91] the head to the ground it gets new roots, ſo as you cannot diſtinguiſh the old from
9090[Handwritten note 90]9191[Handwritten note 91] the new.
Amongſt great Trees the longeſt livers are the Oak, the Holm, Wild aſh, the Elm,
3316. the Beech-tree, the Cheſ-nut, the Plane-tree, Ficus Ruminalis, the Lote tree, the wild-
olive
, the Palm-tree and the Mulberry-tree, Of theſe, ſome have come to the age of
eight
hundred years;
but the leaſt livers of them do attain to two hundred.
But Trees Odorate, or that have ſweet woods, and Trees Rozennie, laſt longer in their
4417. Woods or Timber than thoſe above-ſaid, but they are not ſo long-liv’d;
as the Cypreſs-
tree
, Maple, Pine, Box, Juniper.
The Cedar being born out by the vaftneſs of his body,
lives
well-near as long as the former.
The Aſh, fertile and forward in bearing, reacheth to an hundred years and ſomewhat
5518. better;
which alſo the Birch, Maple, and Sirvice-tree ſometimes do: but the
Poplar
, Lime-tree, Willow, and that which they call the Sycomore, and walnut-tree, live
not
ſolong.
The Apple-tree, Pear-tree, Plum-tree, Pomegranate-tree, Citron-tree, Medlar-tree,
6619. Black cherry-tree, Cherry-tree, may attain to fifty or ſixty years;
eſpecially if they be
cleanſed
from the Moſs wherewith ſome of them are cloathed.
Generally, greatneſs of body in trees, if other things be equal, hath ſome congruity
7720. with length of life;
ſo hath hardneſs of ſubſtance: and trees bearing Maſt or Nuts are
commonly
longer livers than trees bearing Fruit or Berries:
like wiſe trees putting forth
their
leaves late, and ſhedding them late again, live longer than thoſe that are early
either
in leaves or fruit:
the like is of wild-trees in compariſon of Orchard-trees And
laſtly
, in the ſame kind, trees that bear a ſowr fruit out-live thoſe that bear a ſweet
fruit
.
An Obſervation.
ARiſtotle noted well the difference between Plants and living Creatures, in reſpect of
their
Nouriſhment and Reparation:
Namely, that the bodies of living Creatures
are
confined within certain bounds, and that after they be come to their full growth they
are
continued and preſerved by Nouriſhment, but they put forth nothing new except Hair
and
Nails, whish are counted for no better than Excrements;
ſo as the juice of living
creatures
muſt of neceſſity ſooner wax old:
but in Trees, which put forth yearly new boughs,
new
ſhoots, new leaves, and new fruits, it comes to paſs that all theſe parts in Trees are
once
a year young and renewed.
Now it being ſo, that whatſoever is freſh and young
draws
the Nouriſhment more lively and chearfully to it than that which is decayed andold,
it
happens withall, that the ſtock and body of the tree, through which the ſap paſſeth to the
branches
, is refreſhed and cheared with a more bountiful and vigorous nouriſh ment in the
paſſage
than otherwiſe it would have been.
And this appears manifest (though Ariſtotle
noted
it not, neither hath be expreſſed theſe things ſo clearly and perſpicuouſly) in Hedges,
Copſes
, and Pollards, when the plaſhing, ſhedding, or lopping comforteth the old ſtem or
ſtock
, and maketh it more flouriſhing and longer-liv’d.
2835The Hiſtory of Life and Death.
Deſiccation, Prohibiting of Deſiccation, and In-teneration of that which
is
deſiccated and dried.
The Hiſtory.
FIre and ſtrong Heats dry ſome things, and melt others.
11To the ſe-
cond
Arti-
cle
.
Limus ut bic dureſcit, & hæc ut Cera liqueſcit, Vno eodemque Igne?
How this Clay is hardned, and how this wax is melted, with one and the ſame thing,
Fire
?
It drieth Earth, Stones, wood, Cloth, and Skins, and whatſoever is not liquefiable;
221. and it melteth Metalls, wax, Gums, Butter, Tallow, and the like.
Notwithſtanding, even in thoſe things which the fire melteth, if it be very vehement
332. and continueth, it doth at laſt dry them.
For metal in a ſtrong fire, (Gold onely ex-
cepted
) the volatile part being gone forth, will become leſs ponderous and more brit-
tle
;
and thoſe oily and fat ſubſtances in the like fire will burn up, and be dried and
parched
.
Air, eſpecially open Air, doth manifeſtly dry, but not melt: as High-ways, and the
443. upper part of the Earth, moiſtned with ſhowers, are dried;
linnen clothes waſhed, if they
be
hang’d out in the air, are like wiſe dried;
herbs, and leaves, and flowers, laid forth in
the
ſhade, are dried.
But much more ſuddenly doth the Air this, if it be either en-
lightned
with the Sun-beams, (ſo that they cauſe no putrefaction) or if the air be ſtir-
red
, as when the wind bloweth, or in rooms open on all ſides.
Age moſt of all, but yet ſlo weſt of all, drieth; as in all bodies which (if they be not
554. prevented by putrefaction) are drie with Age.
But age is nothing of it ſelf, being
onely
the meaſure of time;
that which cauſeth the effect is the native Spirit of bodies,
which
ſucketh up the moiſture of the body, and then, together with it, flieth forth;
and the air ambient, which multiplieth it ſelf upon the native ſpirits and juices of the bo-
dy
, and preyeth upon them.
Cold of all things moſt properly drieth: for drying is not cauſed but by Contraction;
665. now contraction is the proper work of cold. But becauſe we Men have heat in a high
degree
, namely, that of Fire, but cold in a very low degree, no other than that of
VVinter
, or perhaps of Ice, or of Snow, or of Nitre;
therefore the drying cauſed by
cold
is but weak, and caſily reſolved.
Notwithſtanding we ſee the ſurface of the earth
to
be more dried by Froſt, or by March-winds, than by the Sun, ſe@ing the ſame wind both
licketh
up the moiſture and afſecteth with coldneſs.
Smoak is a drier; as in Bacon and Neats tongues which are hanged up in the chimneys: and
776. Perfumes of Olibanum, or Lignum Aloes, and the like, dry the Brain, and cure Catarrhs.
Salt, after ſome reaſonable continuance, drieth, not onely on the out-ſide, but in the
887. inſide alſo;
as in Fleſh and Fiſh ſalted, which if they have continued any long time have
a
manifeſt hardneſs within.
Hot Gums applied to the skin dry and wrinkle it; and ſome aſtringent waters alſo do
998. the ſame.
Spirit of ſtrong waters imitateth the fire in drying; for it will both potch an Egg put
10109. into it, and toaſt Bread.
Powders dry like Sponges by drinking up the moiſture, as it is in Sand thrown upon
111110. Lines new written:
alſo ſmoothneſs and politeneſs of bodies, (which ſuffer not the va-
9292[Handwritten note 92] pour of moiſture to go in by the pores) dry by accident, becauſe it expoſeth it to the
air
;
as it is ſeen in precious Stones, Looking glaſſes, and Blades of Swords, upon which if you
breath
, you ſhall ſee at firſt a little miſt, but ſoon after it vaniſheth like a cloud.
And thus
much
for Deſiccation or Drying.
They uſe at this day in the East parts of Germany Garners in Vaults under gronnd,
121211. wherein they keep VVheat and other grains, laying a good quantity of ſtraw both under
the
grains and about them, to ſave them from the dampneſs of the Vault;
by which
device
they keep their grains 20 or 30 years.
And this doth not onely preſerve them
from
fuſtineſs, but (that which pertains more to the preſ@nt inquiſition) preſerves them
alſo
in that greenneſs that they are fit and ſerviceable to make bread.
The ſame is reported
to
have been in uſe in Cappadocia and Thracia, and ſome parts of Spain.
The placing of Garners on the tops of houſes, with windows to wards the Eaſt
131312. and North, is very commodious.
Some alſo make two Sollars, an upper and a lower;
and the upper Sollar hath an hole it, through which the grain continually deſcen-
deth
, like ſand in an hour-glaſs, and after a few dayes they throw it up again
with
ſhovels, that ſo it may be in continual motion.
Now it is to be
2846The Hiſtory of Life and Death. that this doth not only prevent the Fuſtineſs, but conſerveth the Greeneſs, and ſlack-
@th
the Deſiccation of it.
The Cauſe is that which we noted before, That the diſcharge-
ing
of the VVatry humour, which is quickned by the Motion and the VVinds, preſerves
the
Oily humour in his being, which otherwiſe would fly out together with the VVatry
humour
.
Alſo in ſome Mountains, where the Air is very pure, dead Carkaſes may be
keptfor
a good while without any great decay.
Fruits, as Pomegranates, Citrons, Apples, Pears, and the like; alſo Flowers, as @oſes and
1113. Lilies, may be kept a long time in Earthen Veſſels cloſe ſtopped:
howſoever, they are
not
free from the injuries of the outward Air, which will affect them with his unequal
Temper
through the ſides of the Veſſel, as it is manifeſt in heat and cold.
Therefore
it
will be good to ſtop the mouths of the Veſſels carefully, and to bury them within
the
Earth;
and it will be as good not to bury them in the Earth, but to ſink them in the
VVater
, ſo as the place be ſhady, as in VVells or Cisterns placed within doors:
but thoſe
that
be ſunk in Water will do better in Glaſs veſſels than in Earthen.
Generally thoſe things which are kept in the Earth, or in Vaults under ground, or
2214. in the bottom of a Well, will preſerve their freſhneſs longer than thoſe things that are
kept
above ground.
They ſay it hath been obſerved, that in Conſervatories of snow (whether they were
3315. in Mountains, in natural Pits, or in Wells made by Art for that purpoſe) an Apple, or
(heſ-nut, or Nut, by chance falling in, after many months, when the Snow hath
melted
, hath been found in the Snow as freſh and fair as if it had been gathered the day
before
.
Country people keep Cluſters of Grapes in Meal, which though it makes them leſs
4416. pleaſant to the taſte, yet it preſerves their moiſture and freſhneſs.
Alſo the harder ſort
of
Fruits may be kept long, not onely in Meal, but alſo in Saw-duſt, and in heaps of Corn.
There is an opinion held, that Bodies may be preſerved freſh in Liquors of their own
5517. kind, as in their proper Menſtrua;
as, to keep Grapes in Wine, Olives in Oil.
Pomegranates and Quinces are kept long, being lightly dipped in Sea-water or Salt-
6618. water, and ſoon after taken out again, and then dried in the open Air, ſo it be in the Shade.
Bodies put in wine, Oil, or the Lees of Oil, keep long; much more in Hony or Spirit
7719. of Wine;
but moſt of all, as ſome ſay, in Quick-ſilver.
Fruits incloſed in Wax, Pitch, Plaiſter, Paſte, or any the like Caſe or Covering,
8820. keep green very long.
It is manifeſt that Flies, Spiders, Ants, or the like ſmall Creatures, falling by chance into
9921. Amber, or the Gums of Trees, and ſo finding a burial in them, do never after corrupt or
rot
, although they be ſoft and tender Bodies.
Grapes are kept long by being hanged up in Bunches: the ſame is of other Fruits. For
101022. there is a two-fold Commodity of this thing:
the one, that they are kept without preſ-
ſing
or bruiſing, which they muſt needs ſuffer if they were laid upon any hard ſubſtance;
the other, that the Air doth encompaſs them on every ſide alike.
It is obſerved that Putrefaction, no leſs than Deſiccation in Vegetablès, doth not begin
111123. in every part alike, but chiefly in that part where, being alive, it did attract nouriſh-
ment
.
Therefore ſome adviſe to cover the ſtalks of Apples or other Fruits with Wax
or
Pitch.
Great Wieks of Candles or Lamps do ſooner conſume the Tallow or Oil than leſſer
121224. Wieks;
alſo Wieks of Cotton ſooner than thoſe of Ruſh, or Straw, or ſmall Twigs: and
in
Staves of Torches, thoſe of Juniper or Firre ſooner than thoſe of Aſh:
likewiſe
Flame
moved and fanned with the Wind ſooner than that which is ſtill:
And therefore
Candles
ſet in a Lanthorn will laſt longer than in the open Air.
There is a Tradition, that
Lamps
ſet in Sepulchres will laſt an ncredible time.
The Nature alſo and Preparation of the Nouriſhment conduceth no leſs to the laſting
131325. of Lamps and Candles, than the nature of the Flame;
for Wax will laſt longer than
Tallow
, and Tallow a little wet longer than Tallow day, and Wax candles old made
longer
than Wax-candles new made.
Trees, if you ſtir the Earth about their Root every year, will continue leſs time;
141426. if once in four, or perhaps in ten years, much longer: alſo cutting off the Suckers and
young
Shoots will make them live the longer:
but Dunging them, or laying of Marl
about
their Roots, or much Watering them, adds to their fertility, but cuts off from
their
long laſting.
And thus much touching the Prohibiting of Deſiccation or Con-
ſumption
.
2857The Hiſtory of Life and Death.
The Inteneration or making tender of that which is dried (which is the chief Mat-
1127. ter) affords but a ſmall number of Experiments.
And therefore ſome few Experiments
which
are found in Living Creatures, and alſo in Man ſhall be joyned together.
Bands of Willow, wherewith they uſe to binde Trees, laid in Water, grow more
2228. flexible;
likewiſe they put Boughs of Birch (the ends of them) in Earthen Pots filled
9393[Handwritten note 93] with Water, to keep them from withering;
and Bowls cleft with dryneſs, ſteep’d in
Water
, cloſe again.
Boots grown hard and obſtinate with age, by greaſing them before the Fire with
3329. Tallow, wax ſoft, or being onely held before the Fire get ſome ſoftneſs.
Bladders and
Parchments
hardned alſo become tender with warm Water, mixed with Tallow or any
Fat
thing;
but much the better, if they be a little chafed.
Trees grown very old, that have ſtood long without any culture, by digging and
4430. opening the Earth about the Roots of them, ſeem to grow young again, and put forth
young
Branches.
Old Draught Oxen worn out with labor, being taken from the yoak, and put into
5531. freſh Paſture, will get young and tender fleſh again, inſomuch, that they will eat as freſh
and
tender as a Steer.
A ſtrict Emaciating Diet of Guaiacum, Bisket, and the like, (wherewith they uſe to
6632. cure the French-Pox, Old catarrhs, and ſome kinde of Dropſies) doth firſt bring men to
great
poverty and leanneſs, by waſting the Juices and Humors of the Body;
which
after
they begin to be repaired again, ſeem manifeſtly more vigorous and young.
Nay,
and
I am of opinion, that Emaciating Diſeaſes afterwards well cured, have advanced
many
in the way of long life.
Obſervations.
MEn ſee clearly, like Owls, in the Night of their own Notions; but in Experience, as
771. in the Day-light they wink and are but half ſighted.
They speak much of the Ele-
mentary
quality of Siccity or Drineſs, and of things Deſiccating, and of the Natural Periods
of
Bodies, in which they are corrupted and conſumed:
But mean while, either in the begin-
nings
, or middle paſſages, or laſts acts of Deſiccation and Conſumption, they obſerve no-
thing
that is of moment.
Deſiccation or Conſumption in the proceſs thereof, is finiſhed by three Actions; and
882. all th@ſe (as was ſaid before) have their original from the Native Spirit of Bodies.
The firſt Action is, the Attenuation of the Moiſture into Spirit; the ſecond is, the
993. Iſſuing forth or flight of the Spirit;
the third is, the Contraction of the groſſer parts of
the
Body immediately after the Spirit iſſued forth.
And this laſt is, that Deſic@ation and
Induration
which we chiefly bandle;
the former two conſume onely.
Touching Attenuation, the matter is manifeſt. For the Spirit which is incloſed in every
10104. Tangible Body forgets not its nature, but whatſoever it meets withal in the Body (in which
it
is incloſed) that it can digeſt and maſter, and turn into it ſelf, that it plainly alters and
ſubdues
, and multiplies it ſelf upon it, and begets new Spirit.
And this evicted by one proof,
inſtead
of many;
for that thoſe things which are throughly dryed are leßened in their weight,
and
become hollow, porous, and reſounding from within.
Now it is moſt certain, that the in-
ward
Spirit of any thing, confers nothing to the weight, but rather lig'tens it;
and there-
fore
it muſt needs be, that the ſame Spirit hath turned into it the moiſture and juyce of the
Body
which weighed before, by which means the weight is leſſened.
And this is the firſt
Action
, the Attenuation of the Moiſture, and Converting it into Spirit.
The ſ@cond Action, which is the lſſuing forth or Flight of the Spirit, is as manifeſt
11115. alſo.
For that iſſuing forth, when it is in throngs, is apparent even to the ſenſe; in Vapors to
the
ſight, in Odors to the ſmelling;
but if it iſſueth forth ſlowly, (as when a thing is decayed
by
age) then it is not apparent to the ſenſe, but the matter is the ſame.
Again, where the
compoſure
of the Body is either ſo ſtreight or ſo tenacious, that the Spirit can finde no pores or
paſſages
by which to depart, then, in the ſtriving to get out, it drives before it the groſſer parts
of
the Body, and protrudes them beyond the ſuperficies or ſurface of the Body;
as it is in the
ruſt
of Metals, and mould of all Fat things.
And this is the ſecond Action, the Iſſuing
forth
or Flight of the Spirit.
The third Action is ſomewhat more obſcure, but full as certain; that is, the Con-
12126. traction of the groſſer parts after the Spirit iſſued forth.
And this appears, firſt, in that
Bodies
after the Spirit iſſued forth, do manifeſtly ſhrink, and fill a leſs room;
as it is
2868The Hiſtory of Life and Death. the Kernels of Nuts, which after they are dried, are too little for the Shells; and in Beams
and
Planchers of Houſes, which at firſt lay cloſetogether, but after they are dried, give;
and
likewiſe
in Bowls, which through drought, grow full of cranies, the parts of the Bowl con-
tracting
themſelves together, and after contraction muſt needs be empty spaces.
Secondly,
It
appears by the wrinkles of Bodies dryed:
For the endeavor of contracting it ſelf is ſuch,
that
by the contraction it brings the parts nearer together, and ſo lifts them up;
for what-
ſoever
is contracted on the ſides, is lifted up in the midſt:
And this is to be ſeen in Papers
and
old Parchments, and in the Skins of Living Creatures, and in the Coats of ſoft Cheeſes,
all
which, with age, gatber wrinkles.
Thirdly, This Contraction ſhews it ſelf moſt in thoſe
things
, which by heat are not onely wrinkled, but ruffled, and plighted, and, as it were, rouled
together
;
as it is in Papers, and Parchments, and Leaves, brought near the fire: For Con-
traction
by Age, which is more ſlow, commonly cauſeth wrinkles;
but Contraction by the
Fire
, which is more ſpeedy, cauſeth plighting.
Now in moſt things where it comes not to
wrinkling
or plighting, there is ſimple Contraction, and anguſtiation or ſtreightning,
and
induration or hardning, and deſiccation, as was ſisewed in the firſt place.
But if the
iſſuing
forth of the Spirit, and abſumption or waſte of the Moiſture be ſo great, that
there
is not left body ſufficient to unite and contract it ſelſ, then of neceſſity Contraction
muſt
ceaſe, and the Body becomeputrid, and nothing elſe but a little duſt cleaving together,
which
with æ light touch is disperſed and falleth aſunder;
as it is in Bodies that are
rotten
, and in Paper burnt, and Linnen made into Tinder, and Carkaſes embalmed after
many
ages.
And this is the third Action, the Contraction of the groſſer parts after the
Spirit
iſſueth forth.
It is to be noted, that Fire and Heat dry onely by accident; for their proper work is to
117. attenuate and dilate the Spirit and Moiſture;
and then it follows by accident, that the other
parts
ſhould contract themſelves, either for the flying of Vacuum alone, or for ſome other
motion
withal, whereof we now speak not.
It is certain, that Putrefaction taketh its original from the Native Spirit, no leſs then
228. Arefaction;
but it goeth on afar different way: For in Putrefaction, the Spirit is not ſimply
vapored
forth, but being detained in part, works ſtrange garboils;
and the groſſer parts are
not
ſo much locally contracted, as they congregate themſelves to parts of the ſame nature.
Length and Shortneß of Life in Living Creatures.
The Hiſtory.
TOuching the Length and Shortneſs of Life in Living Creatures, the Information
33To the firſt
Article
.
which may be had, is but ſlender, Obſervation is negligent, and Tradition fabu-
lous
.
In Tame Creatures, their degenerate life corrupteth them; in Wilde Crea-
tures
, their expoſing to all weathers, often inter cepteth them Neither do thoſe things
which
may ſeem concomitants, give any furtherance to this Information, (the greatneſs of
their
Bodies, their time of Bearing in the Womb, the number of their young ones, the
time
of their growth, and the reſt) inregard that theſe things are intermixed, and ſometimes
they
concur, ſometimes they ſever.
Mans age (as far as can be gathered by any certain Narration) doth exceed the age
441. of all other Living Creatures, except it be of a very few onely;
and the Concomitants in
him
are very equally diſpoſed, his ſtature and proportion large, his bearing in the womb
nine
moneths, his fruit commonly one at a birth, his puberty at the age of fourteen years,
his
time of growing till twenty.
The Elephant by undoubted relation, exceeds the ordinary race of Mans life;
552. but his bearing in the Womb the ſpace of Ten years, is fabulous; of two years, or at
leaſt
above one, is certain.
Now his bulk is great, his time of growth until the thirti-
eth
year, his teeth exceeding hard;
neither hath it been obſerved, that his blood is the
coldeſt
of all Creatures:
His age hath ſometimes reached to Two hundred years.
Lions are accounted long livers, becauſe many of them have been found Toothleſs,
663. a ſign not ſo certain, for that may be cauſed by their ſtrong breath.
The Bear is a great ſleeper, a dull beaſt, and given to eaſe; and yet not noted
774.
2879The Hiſtory of Life and Death. for long life: nay, he hath this ſign of ſhort life, that his bearing in the womb is but
ſhort
, ſcarce full forty days.
The Fox ſeems to be well diſpoſed in many things for long life; he is well skinned,
115. feeds on fleſh, lives in Dens;
and yet he is noted not to have that property. Certainly
he
is a kind of Dog, and that kind is but ſhort-liv’d.
The Camel is a long liver, a lean Creature, and ſinewy, ſo that he doth ordinarily
226. attain to fifty, and ſometimes to an hundred years.
The Horſe lives but to a moderate age, ſcarce to forty years, his ordinary period
337. is twenty years:
but perhaps he is beholden for this ſhortneſs of life to Man; for
we
have now no Horſes of the Sun, that live freely, and at pleaſure, in good paſtures.
Not withſtanding the Horſe grows till he be ſix years old, and is able for generation
in
his old age.
Beſides, the Mare goeth longer with her young one than a woman,
and
brings forth, two at a burthen more rarely.
The Aſs lives commonly to the Horſe’s
age
;
but the Mule out-lives them both.
The Hart is famous amongſt men for long life, yet not upon any relation that
448. is undoubted.
They tell of a certain Hart that was found with a Collar about his neck,
and
that Collar hidden with Fat.
The long life of the Hart is the leſs credible, be-
cauſe
he comes to his perfection at the fifth year;
and not long aſter his Horns
(which he ſheds and renews yearly) grow more narrow at the Root, and leſs
branched
.
The Dog is but a ſhort liver, he exceeds not the age of twenty years, and for the
559. moſt part lives not to fourteen years:
a Creature of the hotteſt temper, and living in ex-
treams
;
for he is commonly either in vehement motion, or ſleeping: beſides, the
Bitch
bringeth forth many at a Burden, and goeth nine weeks.
The Ox like wiſe, for the greatneſs of his body and ſtrength, is but a ſhort liver, about
6610. ſome ſixteen years, and the Males live longer than the Females;
notwithſtanding they
bear
uſually but one at a burden, and go nine months:
a Creature dull, fleſhy, and ſoon
fatted
, and living onely upon Herby ſubſtances, without Grain.
The Sheep ſeldom lives to ten years, though he be a creature of a moderate ſize, and
7711. excellently clad;
and, that which may ſeem a wonder, being a creature with ſo little
a
Gall, yet he hath the moſt curled Coat of any other, for the Hair of no Creature is ſo
much
curled as Wool is.
The Rams generate not before the third year, and continue
able
for generation until the eighth.
The Ews bear young as long as they live. The
Sheep
is a diſeaſed Creature, and rarely lives to his full age.
The Goat lives to the ſame age with the Sheep, and is not much unlike in other
8812. things;
though he be a Creature more nimble, and of ſomewhat a firmer fleſh, and
ſo
ſhould be longer-liv’d;
but then he is much more laſcivious, and that ſhortens his
life
.
The Sow lives to fifteen years, ſometimes to twenty: and though it be a Creature
9913. of the moiſteſt fleſh, yet that ſeems to make nothing to Length of Life.
Of the Wild
Boar
or Sow we have nothing certain.
The Cat’s age is betwixt ſix and ten years: a creature nimble and full of ſpirit, whoſe
101014. ſeed (as Ælian reports) burneth the Female;
whereupon it is ſaid, That the Cat con-
ceives
with pain, and brings forth with eaſe:
A Creature ravenous in eating, rather
ſwallowing
down his meat whole than feeding.
Hares and Conies attain ſcarce to ſeven years, being both Creatures generative, and
111115. with young ones of ſeveral conceptions in their bellies.
In this they are unlike, that
the
Coney lives under ground;
and the Hare above ground; and again, that the Hare
is
of a more duskiſh fleſh.
Birds for the ſize of their bodies are much leſſer than Beaſts; for an Eagle or Swan
121216. is but a ſmall thing in compariſon of an ox or Horſe, and ſo is an Eſtrich to an Ele-
phant
.
Birds are excellently well-clad: for Feathers, for warmth and cloſe ſitting to the
131317. body, exceed Wooll and Hairs.
Birds, though they hatch many young ones together, yet they bear them not all in
141418. their bodies at once, but lay their Eggs by turns, whereby their Fruit hath the more
plentiful
nouriſh ment whilſt it is in their bodies.
Birds chew little or nothing, but their meat is found whole in their crops, notwith-
151519. ſtanding they will break the ſhells of Fruits, and pick out the Kernels:
they are thought
to
be of a very hot and ſtrong concoction.
28810The Hiſtory of Life and Death.
The motion of Birds in their flying is a mixt motion, conſiſting of a moving
1120. of the limbs, and of a kind of carriage;
which is the moſt wholſome kind of Ex-
erciſe
.
Ariſtotle noted well touching the generation of Birds, (but he transferred it ill to
2221. other living Creatures) that the ſeed of the Male confers leſs to generation than the
Female
, but that it rather affords Activity than Matter;
ſo that fruitful Eggs and un-
fruitful
Eggs are hardly diſtinguiſhed.
Birds (almoſt all of them) come to their full growth the firſt year, or a little after.
3322. It is true, that their Feathers in ſome kinds, and their Bills in others, ſhew their years,
but
for the growth of their Bodies it is not ſo.
The Eagle is accounted a long liver, yet his years are not ſet down; and it is alledged
4423. as a ſign of his long life, that he caſts his Bill, whereby he grows young again:
from
whence
comes that old Proverb, The old age of an Eagle.
Notwithſtanding perchance
the
matter may be thus, That the renewing of the Eagle doth not caſt his bill, but the
caſting
of his bill is the renewing ofthe Eagle, for after that his bill is grown to a great
crookedneſs
, the Eagle feeds with much difficulty.
Vultures are alſo affirmed to be long livers, inſomuch that they extend their life
5524. well near to an hundred years.
Kites likewiſe, and ſo all Birds that feed upon fleſh,
and
Birds of prey live long.
As for Hawks, becauſe they lead a degenerate and ſervile
life
for the delight of men, the term of their natural life is not certainly known:
not-
withſtanding
amongſt Mewed Hawks ſome have been found to have lived thirty years, and
amongſt
uild Hawks forty years.
The Raven likewiſe is reported to live long, ſometimes to an hundred years: he
6625. feeds on Carrion, and flies not often, but rather is a ſedentry and malanchollick Bird,
and
hath very black fleſh.
But the crow, like unto him in moſt things, (except in
greatneſs
and voice) lives not altogether ſolong, and yet is reckoned amongſt the long
livers
.
The Swan is certainly found to be a long liver, and exceeds not unfrequently an
7726. hundred years.
Hc is a Bird excellently plumed, a feeder upon fiſh, and is always car-
ried
, and that in running waters.
The Gooſe alſo may paſs amongſt the long livers, though his food be commonly
8827. graſs, and ſuch kind of nouriſhment;
eſpecially the Wild-Gooſe; whereupon this
Proverb
grew amongſt the Germans, Magis ſenex quam Anſer nivalis, Older than a
Wild
Gooſe.
Storks muſt needs be long livers, if that be true which was anciently obſerved of
9928. them, that they never came to Thebes, becauſe that City was often ſacked.
This if it
were
ſo, then either they muſt have the knowledge of more ages than one, or elſe
the
old ones muſt tell their young the Hiſtory.
But there is nothing more frequent than
Fables
.
For Fables do ſo abound touching the Phœnix, that the truth is utterly loſt if
101029. any ſuch Bird there be.
As for that which was ſo much admired, That ſhe was
ever
ſeen abroad with a great troop of Birds about her, it is no ſuch wonder;
for
the
ſame is uſually ſeen about an Owl flying in the day-time, or a Parrot let out of a
Cage
.
The Parro hath been certainly known to have lived threeſcore years in England,
111130. how old ſoever he was before he was brought over:
a Bird eating almoſt all kind of
meats
, chewing his meat, and renewing his bill;
likewiſe curſt and miſchievous, and of
a
black fleſh.
The Peacock lives twenty years; but he comes not forth with his Argus Eyes before
121231. he be three years old;
a Bird ſlow of pace, having whitiſh flew.
The Dunghill-Cock is venerious, martial, and but of a ſhort life; a crank Bird,
131332. having alſo white fleſh.
The Indian-Cock, commonly called the Turkey-Cock, lives not much longer than
141433. the Dunghill-Cock:
an angry Bird, and hath exceeding white fleſh.
The Ring-Doves are of the longeſt ſort of livers, inſomuch that they attain ſome-
151534. times to fifty years of age:
an aiery Bird, and both builds and ſits on high. But Doves
and
Turtles are but ſhort-liv’d, not exceeding eight years.
But Pheaſants and Partiges may live to ſixteen years. They are great breeders, but
161635. not ſo white of fleſh as the ordinary Pullen.
28911The Hiſtory of Life and Death.
The Black bird is reported to be, amongſt the leſſer birds, one of the longeſt livers;
1136. an unhappy bird, and a good ſinger.
The Sparrow is noted to be of a very short life; and it is imputed in the Males to their
2237. laſciviouſneſs.
But the Linnet, no bigger in body than the Sparrow, hath been obſerved
to
have lived twenty years.
Of the Eſtrich we have nothing certain: thoſe that were kept here have been ſoun-
3338. fortunate, that no long life appeared by them.
Of the bird Ibis we find onely that he
liveth
long, but his years are not recorded.
The age of Fiſhes is more uncertain than that of terreſtrial Creatures, becauſe
4439. living under the water they are the leſs obſerved:
many of them breath not, by which
means
their vital ſpirit is more cloſed in;
and therefore though they receive ſome re-
frigeration
by their Gills, yet that refrigeration is not ſo continual as when it is by
breathing
.
They are free from the Deſiccation and Depredation of the Air ambient, becauſe they
5540. live in the water:
yet there is no doubt but the water ambient, and piercing, and received
into
the pores of the body, doth more hurt to long life than the Air doth.
It is affirmed too that their blood is not warm. Some of them are great devourers,
6641. even of their own kind.
Their fleſh is ſofter and more tender than that of terreſtrial
creatures
:
they grow exceedingly fat, inſomuch that an incredible quantity of Oyl will
be
extracted out of one Whale.
Dolphins are reported to live about thirty years; of which thing a trial was taken in
7742. ſome of them by cutting off their tails:
they grow untill ten years of age.
That which they report of ſome Fiſhes is ſtrange, that after a certain age their bodies
8843. will waſte and grow very ſlender, onely their head and tail retaining their former
greatneſs
.
There were found in Cæſar’s Fiſh ponds Lampreys to have lived threeſcore years:
9944. they were grown ſo familiar with long uſe, that craſſus the Orator ſolemnly lamented
one
of them.
The Pike amongſt Fishes living in fresh water is found to laſt longeſt, ſometimes to
101045. forty years:
he is a Ravener, of a flesh ſome what dry and firm.
But the Carp, Bream, Tench, Eel, and the like, are not held to live above ten
111146.years.
Salmons are quick of growth, short of life; ſoare Trouts: but the Pearch is ſlow of
121247. growth, long of life.
Touching that monſtrous bulk of the Whale or Ork, how long it is weiled by vital
131348. ſpirit, we have received nothing certain;
neither yet touching the Sea-calf, and Sea-hog,
and
other innumerable Fiſhes.
Crocodiles are reported to be exceeding long-liv’d, and are famous for the time of their
141449. growth, for that they, amongſt all other Creatures, are thought to grow during their
whole
life.
They are of thoſe Creatures that lay Eggs, ravenous, cruel, and well-fenced
againſt
the waters, Touching the other kinds of Shell-fiſh, we find nothing certain how
long
they live.
Obſervations.
TO find out a Rule touching Length and Shortneſs of Life in Living Creatures is very
difſicult
, by reaſon of the negligence of Obſervations, and the intermixing of Cauſes.
A
few
things we will ſet down.
There are more kinds of Birds found to be long liv’d than of Beaſts; as the Eagle, the
15151. Vulture, the Kite, the Pelican, the Raven, the Crow, the Swan, the Gooſe, the Stork, the
Crane
, the Birdcalled the Ibis, the Parrot, the Ring dove, with the reſt, though they come
to
their full growth within a year, and are leſs of bodies:
ſurely their cloathing is excellent
good
againſt the diſtemper atures of the weather;
and beſides, living for the moſt part in the
open
Air, they are like the Inhabitants of pure Mountains, which are long-liv’d.
Again,
their
Motion, which (as I elſe-where ſaid) is a mixt Motion, compounded of a moving of
their
Limbs and of a carriage in the Air, doth leſs weary and wear them, and’tis more whol-
ſome
.
Neither do they ſuffer any compreſſion or want of nouriſhmentin their mother’s bel-
lies
, becauſe the Eggs are laid by turns.
But the chiefeſt cauſe of all I take to be this, that
Birds
are made more of the ſubſtance of the Mother than of the Father, whereby their Spirits
are
not ſo eager and hot.
29012The Hiſtory of Life and Death.
It may be a Poſition, that Creatures which partake more of the ſubſtance of their Mother
112. than of their Father are longer-liv’d, as Birds are;
which was ſaid before Alſo that thoſe
which
have a longer time of bearing in the womb, do partake more of the ſubſtance of their
Mother
, leſs of the Father, and ſo are longer-liv’d:
Inſomuch that I am of opinion, that even
among
ſt Men, (which I have noted in ſome) thoſe that reſemble their Mothers moſt are
longeſt-liv’d
;
and ſo are the Children of Oldmen begotten of young V Vives, if the Fathers be
ſound
, not diſeaſed.
The firſt breeding of Creatures is ever material, either to their hurt or benefit. And
223. therefore it ſtands with reaſon, that the leſſer Compreſſion, and the more liberal Alimenta-
tion
of the Young one in the womb, ſhould confer much to Long Life.
Now this happens
when
either the young ones are brought forth ſucceſſively;
as in Birds; or when they are ſingle
Births
, as in Creatures bearing but one at a Burthen
But long Bearing in the Womb makes for Length of Life three ways. Firſt, for that the
334. young one partakes more of the ſubſtance of the Mother, as hath been ſaid.
Secondly, that
it
comes forth more ſtrong and able.
Thirdly, that it undergoes the predatory force of the Air
later
, Beſides, it ſhews that Nature intendeth to finiſb her periods by larger Circles.
Now
though
Oxen and Sheep, which are born in the womb about ſix months, are but ſhort-liv’d, that
happens
for other cauſes.
Feeders upon Graſs and mere Herbs are but ſoort livers; and Creatures feeding upon
445. Fleſh, or Seeds, or Fruits, long livers, as ſome Birds are.
As for Harts, which are long-liv’d,
they
take the one half of their meat (as men uſe to ſay) from above their heads;
and the
Gooſe
, beſides Graſs, findeth ſomething in the water, and stubble to feed upon.
u e ſuppoſe that a good Cloathing of the Body maketh much to long life; for it fenceth
556. and armeth againſt the intemper ances of the Air, which do wonderfully aſſail and decay the
body
:
which benefit Birds eſpecially have. Now that Sheep, which have ſo good Fteeces,
ſhould
be ſo ſhort-liv’d, that is to be imputed to Diſeaſes, where of that Creature is full, and to
the
bare eating of Graſs.
The ſeat of the Spirits, without doubt, is principally the Head; which though it be uſual-
667. ly underſtood of the Animal Spirits onely, yet this is all in all.
Again, it is not to be doubted
but
the Spirits do moſt of all waſte and prey upon the Body, ſo that when they are either in
greater
plenty, or in greater Inflamation and Acrimony, there the life is much ſhortned.
And therefore I conceive a great cauſe of long life in Birds to be the ſmalneſs of their
Heads
in compariſon of their Bodies;
for even Men which have very great Heads I ſuppoſe
to
be the ſhorter livers.
I am of opinion that Carriage is of all other motions the moſt helpful to long life; which I
778. alſo noted before.
Now there are carried Water-fowls upon the water, as Swans; all Birds
in
their flying, but with a ſtrong endeavour of their limbs;
and Fiſhes, of the length of
wh
oſe live we have no certainty.
Thoſe Creatures which are long before they come to their perfection (not ſpeaking of
889. growth in ſtature onely, but of other ſteps to maturity;
as Man puts forth, firſt, his Teeth,
next
the ſigns of Puberty, then his beard, and ſo forward) are long liv’d, for it ſhews that
Nature
finiſhed her Periods by larger Circles,
Milder Creatures are not long-liv’d, as the Sheep and Dove; for Choler is as the whet-
9910. ſtone and Spur to many Functions in the Body.
Creatures whoſe Fleſh is more duskiſh are longer-liv’d than thoſe that have white Fleſh;
101011. for it ſheweth that the juice of the body is more firm, and leſs apt to diſſipate.
In every corruptible Body Quantity maketh much to the conſervation of the whole: for
111112. a great Fire is longer in quenching, a ſmall portion of Water is ſooner evaporated, the Body
of
a Tree withereth not ſo faſt as a Twig, And therefore generally (I ſpeak it of Species, not
of
Individuals) Creatures that are large in body are longer-liv’d than thoſe that are ſmall,
unleſs
there be ſome other potent cauſe to hinder it.
29113The Hiſtory of Life and Death.
Alimentation, or Nouriſhment: and the way of Nouriſhing.
The History.
N Ouriſhment ought to be of an inferiour nature, and more ſimple ſubſtance
11To the
fourth
Ar-
ticle
.
than the thing nouriſhed.
Plants are nouriſhed with the Earth and Water,
Living
Creatures with Plants, Man with living Creatures.
There are alſo
certain
Creatures feeding upon Fleſh, and Man himſelf takes Plants into
221. a part of his Nouriſhment;
but Man and Creatures feeding upon Fleſh are ſcarcely nou-
riſhed
with Plants alone:
perhaps Fruit or Grains, baked or boiled, may, with long
uſe
, nouriſh them;
but Leaves or Plants or Herbs will not do it, as the Order of the Fo-
liatanes
ſhewed by Experience.
Over-great Affinity or Conſubſtantiality of the Nouriſhment to the thing nouriſhed
332. proveth not well:
Creatures feeding upon Herbs touch no Fleſh; and of Creatures
feeding
upon Fleſh, few of them eat their own kind:
Asfor Men, which are Cannibals,
they
feed not ordinarily upon Mens fleſh, but reſerve it as a Dainty, either to ſerve
their
reveng upon their enemies, or to ſatisfie their appetite at ſome times.
So the
Ground
is beſt ſown with Seed growing elſewhere, and Men do not uſe to Graft or Ino
culate
upon the ſame Stock.
By how much the more the Nouriſhment is better prepared, and approacheth Hearer in
443. likeneſs to the thing nouriſhed, by ſo much the more are Plants more fruitful, and living
Creatures
in better liking and plight:
for a young Slip or cion is not ſo well nouriſhed
if
it be pricked into the ground, as if it be grafted into a Stock agreeing with it in
Nature
, and where it finds the nouriſhment already digeſted and prepared:
neither (as
is
reported, will the Seed of an Onion, or ſome ſuch like, ſown in the bare earth, bring
forth
ſo large a fruit as if it be put into another Onion, which is a new kind of Grafting,
into
the root, or under ground.
Again, it hath been found out lately, that a Slip of a
Wild
Tree, as of an Elm, Oak, Aſh, or ſuch like, grafted into a Stock of the ſame kind,
will
bring forth larger leaves then thoſe that grow without grafting:
Alſo Men are not
nouriſhed
ſo well with raw fleſh as with that which hath paſſed the fire.
Living Creatures are nouriſhed by the Mouth, Plants by the Root, γoung ones in
554. the womb by the Navel:
Birds for a while are nouriſhed with the rolk in the Egge,
whereof
ſome is found in their Crops after they are hatched.
All Nouriſh ment moveth from the centre to the Circumference, or from the Inward
665. to the utward:
yet it is to be noted, that in Trees and Plants the Nouriſhment paſ-
ſeth
rather by the Bark and Outward parts then by the Pith and Inward parts;
for if the
Bark
be pilled off, though but for a ſmall breadth, round, they live no more:
and the
Bloud
in the Veins of living Creatures doth no leſs nouriſh the Fleſh beneath it then the
Fleſh
above it.
In all Alimentation or Nouriſhment there is a two-fold Action, Extuſion and At-
776. traction;
whereof the former proceeds from the In ward Function, the latter from the
Outward
.
Vegetables aſſimulate their Nouriſhment ſimply, without Excerning: For Gums and
887. Tears of Trees are rather Exuberances then Excrements, and Knots or knobs are nothing
but
Diſeaſes.
But the ſubſtance of living Creatures is more perceptible of the like;
9494[Handwritten note 94] and thereſore it is conjoyned with a kind of diſdain, whereby it rejecteth the bad, and
aſſimulateth
the good.
It is a ſtrange thing of the ſtalks of Fruits, that all the Nouriſhment which produceth
998. ſometimes ſuch great Fruits, ſhould be forced to paſs through ſo narrow necks;
for the
Fruit
is never joyn’d to the Stock without ſome ſtalk.
It is to be noted, that the Seeds of living Creatures will not be fruitful but when they
10109. are new ſhed, but the Seeds of Plants will be fruitful a long time after they are gathered;
yet the Slips or Cions of Trees will not grow unleſs they be grafted green; neither will
the
roots keep long freſh unleſs they be covered with earth.
In living creatures there are degrees of Nouriſh ment according to their Age: in the
111110. womb, the young one is nourished with the Mother’s blood;
when it is new-born,
with
Milk;
afterwards with Meats and Drinks; and in old age the moſt nourishing and
ſavoury
Meats pleaſe beſt.
29214The Hiſtory of Life and Death.
Above all it maketh to the preſent Inquiſition, to inquire diligently and attentively whe-
ther
a man may not receive Nouriſhment from without, at leaſt ſome other way beſide
the
Mouth We know that Baths of Milk are uſed in ſome Hectick Fevers, and when
the
body is brought extream low, and Phyſicians do provide Nouriſhing clyſters.
This
matter
would be well ſtudied;
for if Nouriſhment may be made either from without,
or
ſome other way than by the ſtomach, then the weakneſs of Concoction, which is
incident
to old men, might be recompenced by theſe helps, and Concoction reſtored to
them
intire.
Length and Shortneſs of Life in Man.
The Hiſt@ry.
BEfore the Floud, as the Sacred Scriptures relate, Men lived many hundred
11To the 5, 6,
7
, 8, 9, and
11
Articles.
years;
yet none of the Fathers attained to a full thouſand. Neither was this
Length
of Life peculiar onely to Grace, or the Holy Line;
for there are reckon-
ed
of the Fathers until the Floud eleven Generations;
but of the ſons of
221. Adam by cain onely eight Generations;
ſo as the poſterity of Cain may ſeem the lon-
ger-liv’d
.
But this Length of Life immediately after the Floud was reduced to a moiety,
9595[Handwritten note 95] but in the Poſt-nati;
for Noah, who was born before, equalled the age of his Anceſtors,
and
Sem ſaw the ſix hundredth year of his life.
Afterwards, three Generations being
run
from the Floud, the Life of Man was brought down to a fourth part of the pri-
mative
Age, that was, to about two hundred years.
Abraham lived an hundred ſeventy and five years: a man of an high courage, and
332. proſperous in all things.
Iſaac came to an hundred and eighty years of age: a chaſte
man
, and enjoying more quietneſs than his Father.
But Jacob, after many croſſes
and
a numerous progeny, laſted to the hundred forty ſeventh year of his life:
a pa-
tient
, gentle, and wiſe man.
Iſmael, a military man, lived an hundred thirty and
ſeven
years.
Sarah (whoſe years onely amongſt women are recorded) died in the
hundred
twenty ſeventh year of her age:
a beautifull and magnanimous woman; a
ſingular
good Mother and Wife;
and yet no leſs famous for her Liberty than Ob-
ſequiouſneſs
towards her husband.
Joſeph alſo, a prudent and politick man, paſſing
his
youth in affliction, afterwards advanced to the height of honour and proſperity,
lived
an hundred and ten years.
But his brother Levi, elder than himſelf, attained to
an
hundred thirty ſeven years:
a man impatient of contumely and revengeful. Near
unto
the ſame age attained the ſon of Levi@ alſo his grand-child, the father of Aaron
and
Moſes.
Moſes lived an hundred and twenty years: a ſtout man, and yet the meekest upon
443. the earth, and of a very ſlow tongue.
Howſoever Moſes in his Pſalm pronounceth
that
the life of man is but ſeventy years, and if a man have ſtrength, then eighty;
which term of man’s life ſtandeth firm in many particulars even at this day. Aaron,
who
was three years the elder, died the ſame year with his Brother:
a man of a
readier
ſpeech, of a more facile diſpoſition, and leſs conſtant.
But Phineas, grand-
child
of Aaron, (perhaps out of extraordinary grace) may be collected to have
lived
three hundred years;
if ſo be the War of the Iſraelites againſt the Tribe of Ben-
jamin
(in which Expedition Phineas was conſulted with) were performed in the
ſame
order of time in which the Hiſtory hath ranked it:
He was a man of a moſt emi-
nent
Zeal.
Joſhua, a martial man, and an excellent Leader, and evermore victorious,
lived
to the hundred and tenth year of his life.
Caleb was his Contemporary, and
ſeemeth
to have been of as great years.
Ehud the Judge ſeems to have been no
leſs
than an hundred years old, in regard that after the Victory over the N@oa-
bites
the Holy Land had reſt under his Government eighty years:
He was a man
fierce
and undaunted, and one that in a ſort neglected his life for the good of his
People
.
Job lived, after the reſtauration of his happineſs, an hundred and forty years,
554. being before his afflictions of that age that he had ſons at man’s eſtate:
a man
29315The Hiſtory of Life and Death. litick, eloquent, charitable, and the Example of Patience. Eli the Prieſt lived ninety
eight
years;
a corpulent man, calm of diſpoſition, and indulgent to his children. But
Elizæus
the Prophet may ſeem to have died when he was above an hundred years old;
for he is found to have lived after the aſſumption of Elias ſixty years; and at the time
of
that aſſumption he was of thoſe years, that the boys mocked him by the name of
Bald-head
:
a man vehement and ſevere, and of an auſtere life, and a contemner of
riches
.
Alſo @ſaiah the Prophet ſeemeth to have been an hundred years old: for he is
found
to have exerciſed the Function of a Prophet ſeventy years together, the years both
of
his beginning to propheſie and of his death being uncertain:
a man of an admirable
eloquence
, an Evangelical Prophet, full of the promiſes of God of the New Teſtament,
as
a Bottle with ſweet Wine.
Tobias the Elder lived an hundred fifty eight years, the Younger, an hundred twen-
115. ty ſeven:
merciful men, and great alms-givers. It ſeems, in the time of the Cap-
tivity
, many of the Jews who returned out of Babylon were of great years, ſeeing they
could
remember both Temples, (there being no leſs than ſeventy years betwixt them)
and
wept for the unlikeneſs of them.
Many ages after that, in the time of our Saviour,
lived
old Simeon, to the age of ninety;
a devoutman, and full both of hope and expe-
ctation
.
Into the ſame time alſo fell Anna the Propheteſs, who could not poſſibly be
leſs
than an hundred years old;
for ſhe had been ſeven years a wife, about eighty
four
years a widow, beſides the years of her virginity, and the time that ſhe lived after
her
Prophecy of our Saviour:
She was an holy woman, and paſſed her days in faſtings
and
prayers.
The long Lives of Men mentioned in Heathen Authors have no great certainty in
226. them;
both for the intermixture of Fables, whereunto thoſe kind of relations were
very
prone, and for their falſe calculation of years.
Certainly of the Ægyptians we
find
nothing of moment in thoſe works that are extant as touching long Life, for their
Kings
which reigned longeſt did not exceed fifty or five and fifty years, which is no
great
matter, ſeeing many at this day attain to thoſe years.
But the Arcadian Kings
are
fabulouſly reported to have lived very long.
Surely that Country was Mountainous,
full
of flocks of Sheep, and brought forth moſt wholſome food;
notwithſtanding,
ſeeing
Pan was their god, we may conceive that all things about them were Panick and
vain
, and ſubject to fables.
Numa King of the @omans lived to eighty years: a man peaceable, contemplative,
337. and much devoted to Religion.
Marcus Valerius Corvinus ſaw an hundred years
complete
, there being betwixt his firſt and ſixth Conſulſhip forty ſix years:
a man va-
lorous
, affable, popular, and always fortunate.
Solon of Athens, the Law giver, and one of the ſeven Wiſe-men, lived above eighty
448. years:
a man of an high courage, but popular, and affected to his Country; alſo learn-
ed
, given to pleaſures and a ſoft kind of life.
Epimenides the Cretian is reported to
have
lived an hundred fifty ſeven years:
the matter is mix’d with a prodigious Relation;
for fifty ſeven of thoſe years he is ſaid to have ſlept in a Cave. Half an age after Xeno-
phon
the Colophonian lived an hundred and two years, or rather more:
for at the age of
twenty
five years he left his Country, ſeventy ſeven complete years he travelled, and
after
that returned;
but how long he lived after his return appears not; a man no leſs
wandring
in mind than in body, for his name was changed for the madneſs of his opi-
nions
from Xenophanes to Xenomanes:
a man no doubt of a vaſt conceit, and that minded
nothing
but Infinitum.
Anacreon the Poet lived eighty years and ſome what better: a manlaſcivious, vo-
559. luptuous, and given to drink.
Pindarus the Theban lived to eighty years: a Poet of
an
high fancy, ſingular in his conceits, and a great adorer of the gods.
Sophocles the
Athenian
attained to the like age:
alofty Tragick Poet, given over wholly to Writing,
and
neglectful of his Family.
Artaxerxes King of Perſia lived ninety four years: a man of a dull wit, averſe to the
6610. diſpatch of buſineſs, deſirous of glory, but rather of eaſe.
At the ſame time lived Age-
ſilaus
King of sparta to eighty four years of age:
a moderate Prince, as being a Phi-
loſopher
among Kings;
but not withſtanding ambitious, and a Warriour, and no leſs ſtout
in
war than in buſineſs.
Gorgias the Sicilian was an hundred and eight years old; a Rhetorician, and a
7711. great boaſter of his faculty, one that taught Youth for profit:
he had ſeen
29416The Hiſtory of Life and Death. Countries, and a little before his death ſaid, That he had done nothing worthy of
blame
ſince he was an old man.
Protagoras of Abdera faw ninety years of age: this
man
was like wiſe a Rhetorician, but profeſſed not ſo much to teach the Liberal Arts, as
the
Art of Governing Common-wealths and States:
notwithſtanding he was a great
wanderer
in the world, no leſs than Gorgias.
Iſocrates the Athenian lived ninety
eight
years:
he was a Rhetorician alſo, but an exceeding modeſt man; one that
ſhunned
the publick light, and opened his School onely in his own houſe.
Democritus
of
Abdera reached to an hundred and nine years:
he was a great Philoſopher, and, if
ever
any man amongſt the Grecians, a true Naturaliſt;
a Surveyor of many Coun-
tries
, but much more of Nature;
alſo a diligent ſearcher into Experiments, and (as
Ariſtotle
objected againſt him) one that followed Similitudes more than the Laws of
Arguments
.
Diogenes the Sinopean lived ninety years: a man that uſed liberty to-
wards
others, but tyranny over himſelf:
a courſe diet, and of much patience. Zeno
of
Citium lacked but two years of an hundred:
a man of an high mind, and a
contemner
of other mens opinions;
alſo of a great acuteneſs, but yet not trouble-
ſome
, chuſing rather to take mens minds than to enforce them:
The like whereof after-
ward
was in Seneca.
Plato the Athenian attained to eighty one years: a man of a great
courage
, but yet a lover of eaſe;
in his Notions ſublimed, and of a fancy, neat and
delicate
in his life, rather calm than merry, and one that carried a kind of Majeſty
in
his countenance.
Theophraſtus the Ereſſian arrived at eighty five years of age; a
man
ſweet for his eloquence, ſweet for the variety of his matters, and who ſelected
the
pleaſant things of Philoſophy, and let the bitter and harſh go.
Carneades of Cy-
rene
many years after came to the like age of eighty five years:
a man of a fluent
eloquence
, and one who by the acceptable and pleaſant variety of his knowledge de
lighted
both himſelf and others.
But Orbilius, who lived in Cicero’s time, no Philo-
ſopher
or Rhetorician, but a Grammarian, attained to an hundred years of age, he was
firſt
a Souldier, then a Schoolmaſter;
a man by nature tart both in his Tongue and Pen,
and
ſevere towards his Scholars.
Quintus Fabius Maximus was Augur ſixty three years, which ſhewed him to be
1112. above eighty years of age at his death;
though it betrue, that in the Augurſhip No-
bility
was more reſpected then age:
a wife man, and a great Deliberator, and in all
his
proceedings moderate, and not without affability ſevere.
Maſiniſſa King of Nu-
midia
lived ninety years, and being more than eighty five got a ſon:
a daring man, and
truſting
upon his fortune, who in his youth had taſted of the inconſtancy of Fortune,
but
in his fucceeding age was conſtantly happy.
But Marcus Porcius Cato lived above
ninety
years of age:
a man of an Iron body and mind; he had a bitter tongue, and loved
to
cheriſh factions;
he was given to Husbandry, and was to himſelf and his Family a
Phyſician
.
Terentia Cicero’s wife, lived an hundred and three years: a woman afflicted with
2213. many croffes;
firſt, with the baniſh ment of her Husband; then with the difference
betwixt
them;
laſtly, with his laſt fatal misfortune: She was alſo oftentimes vexed
with
the Gout.
Luceia muſt needs exceed an hundred by many years; for it is ſaid
that
ſhe acted an whole hundred years upon the Stage, at firſt perhaps repreſenting
the
perſon of ſome young Girl, at laſt of ſome decrepit old Woman.
But Galeria
Copiola
, a Player alſo and a Dancer, was brought upon the Stage as a Novice, in what
year
of her age is not known;
but ninety nine years after, at the Dedication
of
the Theatre by Pompey the Great, ſhe was ſhewn upon the Stage, not now
for
an Actreſs, but for a Wonder:
neither was this all, for after that, in the So-
lemnities
for the health and life of Auguſtus, ſhe was ſhewn upon the Stage the
third
time.
There was another Actreſs, ſomewhat inferiour in age, but much ſuperiour in
3314. dignity, which lived well-near ninety years, I mean Livia Julia Auguſta, wife to
Auguſtus
Cæſar, and mother to Tiberius.
For if Auguſtus his life were a Play, (as
himſelf
would have it, whenas upon his death-bed he charged his friends they
ſhould
give him a Plaudite after he was dead) certainly this Lady was an excellent
Actreſs
, who could carry it ſo well with her husband by a diffembled obedience,
and
with her ſon by power and authority:
a woman affable, and yet of a Ma-
tronal
carriage, pragmatical, and upholding her power.
But Junia, the wife of Caius
Caſſius
, and ſiſter of Marcus Brutus, was alſo ninety years old;
for ſhe ſurvived
the
Philippick Battel ſixty four years:
a magnanimous woman, in her great
29517The Hiſtory of Life and Death. happy in the calamity of her husband and near kinsfolks, and in a long widow-hood
unhappy
;
not withſtanding much honoured of all.
The year of our Lord ſeventy ſix, falling into the time of Veſpaſian, is memorable;
1115. in which we ſhall find, as it were, a calendar of long liv’d men: For that year there
was
a Taxing, (now a Taxing is the moſt Authentical and trueſt Informer touching
the
ages of men;)
and in that part of Italy which lieth betwixt the Apennine Moun-
tains
and the River Po, there were found an hundred and four and twenty perſons that
either
equalled or exceeded an hundred years of age:
namely, of an hundred years
juſt
, fifty four perſons;
of an hundred and ten, fifty ſeven perſons; of an hundred
and
five and twenty, two onely;
of an hundred and thirty, four men; of an hundred
and
five and thirty, or ſeven and thirty, four more;
of an hundred and forty, three
men
.
Beſides theſe, Parma in particular afforded five; whereof three fulfilled an hun-
dred
and twenty years, and two an hundred and thirty:
Bruxels afforded one of an hun-
dred
and twenty five years old;
Placentia one, aged an hundred thirty and one; Fa-
ventia
one woman, aged one hundred thirty and two:
a certain Town, then called
Velleiatium
, ſituate in the Hills about Placentia, afforded ten, whereof ſix fulfilled an
hundred
and ten years of age;
four, an hundred and twenty: Laſtly, Rimini one of an
hundred
and fifty years, whoſe name was Marcus Aponius.
That our catalogue might not be extended too much in length, we have thought fit,
as
well in thoſe whom we have rehearſed, as in thoſe whom we ſhall rehearſe, to offer
none
under eighty years of age.
Now we have affixed to every one a true and ſhort
Character
or Elogy;
but of that ſort whereunto, in our judgment, Length of Life
(which is not a little ſubject to the Manners and Fortunes of men) hath ſome relation,
and
that in a two-fold reſpect:
either that ſuch kind of men are for the most part long-
liv’d
;
or that ſuch men may ſometimes be of long life, though otherwiſe not well diſpoſed
for
it.
Amongſt the Roman and Grecian Emperors, alſo the French and Almain, to theſe
2216. our dayes, which make up the number of well-near two hundred Princes, there
are
onely four found that lived to eighty years of age:
unto whom we may adde the
two
firſt Emperors, Auguſtus and Tiberius;
whereof the latter fulfilled the ſeventy
and
eighth year, the former the ſeventy and ſixth year of his age, and might both per-
haps
have lived to fourſcore, if Livia and Caius had been pleaſed.
Auguſtus (as was
ſaid
) lived ſeventy and ſix years:
a man of moderate diſpoſition; in accompliſhing
his
deſigns vehement, but other wiſe calm and ſerene;
in meat and drink ſober,
in
Venery intemperate, through all his life-time happy;
and who about the thir-
tieth
year of his life had a great and dangerons ſickneſs, inſomuch as they de-
ſpaired
of life in him;
whom Antonius Muſa the Phyſician, when other Phyſicians
had
applied hot Medicines, as moſt agreeable to his diſeaſe, on the contrar cured
with
cold Medicines, which perchance might be ſome help to the prolonging of his
life
.
Tiberius lived to be two years older: A man with lean chaps, as Augustus
was
wont to ſay, for his ſpeech ſtuck within his jaws, but was weighty He was
bloudy
, a drinker, and one that took Luſt into a part of his diet;
notwithſtanding
a
great obſ@rver of his health, inſomuch that he uſed to ſay, That he was a fool
that
after thirty years of| age took advice of a Phyſician.
Gordian the elder lived
eighty
years, and yet died a violent death when he was ſcarce warm in his Empire:
a man of an high ſpirit and renowned, learned, and a Poet, and conſtantly hap-
py
throughout the whole courſe of his life, ſave onely that he ended his dayes by a
violent
death.
Valerian the Emperour was ſeventy ſix years of age before he was
taken
priſoner by Sapor King of Perſia, after his Captivity he lived ſeven years in
reproaches
, and then died a violent death alſo:
a man of a poor mind, and not va-
liant
;
notwithſtanding liſted up in his own and the opinion of men, but falling
ſhort
in the performance.
Anaſtaſius, ſurnamed Dicorus, lived eighty eight years: he
was
of a ſetled mind, but too abject, and ſuperſtitious, and fearful.
Anicius Juſti-
nianus
lived to eighty three years:
a man greedy of glory, performing nothing in his
own
perſon, but in the valour of his Captains happy and renowned;
uxorious, and not
his
own man, but ſuffering others to lead him.
Helena of Britain, mother of Con-
ſtantine
the Great, was four@core years old:
a woman that intermedled not in matters of
State
neither in her Husband’s nor ſons Reign, but devoted her ſelf wholly to Religion;

magnanimous
, and perpetually flouriſhing.
Theodora the Empreſs (who was ſiſter to
29618The Hiſtory of Life and Death. wife of Monomachus, and reigned alone after her deceaſe) lived above eighty years:
a pragmatical woman, and one that took delight in Governing; fortunate in the higheſt
degree
, and through her good fortunes credulous,
We will proceed now from theſe Secular Princes to the princes in the Church.
1117. St. John, an Apoſtle of our saviour, and the Beloved Diſciple, lived ninety three years.
He was rightly denoted under the Emblem of the Eagle, for his piercing ſight into
the
Divinity;
and was a seraph amongſt the Apoſtles in reſpect of his burning Love.
St
.
Luke the Evangeliſt fulfilled fourſcore and four years: an eloquent man, and a
Traveller
, St.
Paul’s inſeparable Companion, and a Phyſician, Simeon the ſon
of
Cleophas, called the Brother of our Lord, and Biſhop of feruſalem, lived an hun-
dred
and twenty years though he was cut ſhort by Martyrdom:
a ſtout man, and
conſtant
, and full of good works.
Polycarpus, Diſciple unto the Apoſtles, and
Biſhop
of smyrna, ſeemeth to have extended his age to an hundred years and more;

though
he were alſo cut off by Martyrdom:
a man of an high mind, of an heroi-
cal
patience, and unwearied with labours.
Dyoniſius Areopagita, Contemporary
to
the Apoſtle St.
Paul, lived ninety years: he was called the Bird of Heaven
for
his high flying Divinity, and was famous as well for his holy life as for his
Meditations
.
Aquilla and Priſcilla, firſt St. Paul the Apoſtle’s Hoſts, After ward
his
Fellow helpers, lived together in a happy and famous Wedlock at leaſt to an
hundred
years of age a piece;
for they were both alive under Pope Xiſtus the firſt:
a
noble Pair, and prone to all kind of charity, who amongſt other their com-
forts
(which no doubt were great unto the firſt Founders of the Church) had this
added
, to enjoy each other ſo long in an happy marriage.
St. Paul the Hermite
lived
an hundred and thirteen years:
now he lived in a Cave; his diet was ſo flender
and
ſtrict, that it was thought almoſt impoſſible to ſupport humane nature there-
withal
:
he paſſed his years onely in Meditations and Soliloquies; yet he was notilli-
terate
or an Idiot, but learned.
St. Anthony, the firſt Founder of Monks, or (as
ſome
will have it) the Reſtorer onely, attained to an hundred and five years of age:

a
man devout and contemplative, though not unfit for Civil affairs;
his life
was
auſtere and mortifying, notwithſtanding he lived in a kind of glorious ſoli-
tude
;
and exerciſed a command, for he had his Monks under him. And beſides,
many
Chriſtians and Philoſophers came to viſit him as a living Image, from which
they
parted not without ſome adoration.
St. Athanaſius exceeded the term of eighty
years
:
a man of an invincible conſtancy, commanding fame, and not yielding
to
Fortune:
he was free to wards the Great ones, with the People gracious and
acceptable
, beaten and practiſed to oppoſitions, and in delivering himſelf from them
ſtout
and wiſe.
St. Hierom, by the conſent of moſt Writers, exceeded ninety years of
age
:
a man powerful in his Pen, and of a manly Eloquence, variouſly learned both
in
the Tongues and Sciences, alſo a Traveller, and that lived ſtrictly towards his old
age
, in an eſtate private, and not dignified;
he bore high Spirits, and ſhined far out of
obſcurity
.
The Popes of Rome are in number to this day two hundred forty and one. Of ſo great
2218. a number five onely have attained to the age of fourſcore years, or upwards.
But in
many
of the firſt Popes their full age was intercepted by the Prerogative and Crown
of
Martyrdom.
John the twenty third, Pope of Rome, fulfilled the ninetieth year oſ his
age
:
a man of an unquiet diſpoſition, and one that ſtudied novelty: he altered ma-
ny
things, ſome to the better, others onely to the new, a great accumulator of Riches
and
Treaſures.
Gregory, called the twelfth, created in Schiſm, and not fully acknow-
ledged
pope, died at ninety years:
of him, in reſpect of his ſhort Papacy, we find no-
thing
to make a judgment upon.
Paul the third lived eighty years and one: a tempe-
rate
man, and of a profound wiſdom:
he was Learned, an Aſtrologer, and one that
tended
his health carefully;
but, after the example of old Eli the Prieſt, over-indul-
gent
to his Family.
Paul the fourth attained to the age of eighty three years: a man of
an
harſh nature and ſevere, of an haughty mind and imperious, prone to anger;
his
ſpeech
was eloquent and ready.
Gregory the thirteenth fulſilled the like age of eighty
three
years:
an abſolute goodman, ſound in mind and body, politick, temperate, full of
good
works, and an alms-giver.
Thoſe that follow are to be more promiſcuous in their order, more doubtful in their
3319. faith, and more barren of obſervation.
King Arganthenius, who reigned at Cadiz
29719The Hiſtory of Life and Death. Spain lived an hundred and thirty, or (as ſome would have it) an hundred and for-
ty
years, of which he reigned eighty.
Concerning his Manners, Inſtitution of his
Liſe
, and the time wherein he reigned, there is a general ſilence.
Cyair as King of
Cyprus
, living in the I ſland then termed the Happy and Pleaſant I ſland, is affirmed
to
have attained to an hundred and fifty or ſixty years.
Two Latin Kings in Italy,
the
Father and the Son, are reported to have lived, the one eight hundred, the other
ſix
hundred years:
but this is delivered unto us by certain Philologiſts, who though
otherwiſe
credulous enough, yet themſelves have ſuſpected the truth of this matter,
or
rather condemned it.
Others record ſome Arcadian Kings to have lived three han-
dred
years:
the Country, no doubt, is a place apt for long life; but the Relation
I
ſuſpect to be fabulous.
They tell of one Dando in Illyrium, that lived without the
inconveniences
of old age to five hundred years.
They tell alſo of the Epians, a part
of
Ætolia, that the whole Nation of them were excceding long liv’d, inſomuch
that
many of them were two hundred years old;
and that one principal man amongſt
them
, named Litorius, a man of a Giant-like ſtature, could have told three hundred
years
.
It is recorded, that on the top of the Mountain timolus, anciently called
Tempſis
, many of the Inhabitants lived to an hundred and fifty years.
We read that
the
Sect of the Eſſeans amongſt the Jews did uſually extend their life to an hundred
years
:
Now that Sect uſed a ſingle or abſtemious diet, after the rule of Pythagoras.
Apollonius Tyaneus exceeded an hundred years, his face bewraying no ſuch age:
he
was an admirable man, of the Heathens reputed to have ſomething Divine in him,
of
the chriſtians held for a Sorcerer;
in his diet Pythagorical, a great traveller,
much
renowned, and by ſome adored as a god:
notwithſtanding, towards the end
of
his life he was ſubject to many complaints againſt him, and reproaches, all which
he
made ſhift to eſcape.
But leſt his long life ſhould be imputed to his Pythagorical
d
et, and not rather that it was hereditary, his Grandfather before him lived an
hundred
and thirty years.
It is undoubted that Quintus Metellus lived above an
hundred
years, and that after ſeveral Conſulſhips happily adminiſtred, in his old age
he
was made Pontifex Maximus, and exerciſed thoſe holy duties full two and twenty
years
;
in the performance of which Rites his voice never failed, nor his hand trem-
bled
.
It is moſt certain that Appius cæcus was very old, but his years are not extant,
the
moſt part whereof he paſſed after he was blind;
yet this misfortune no whit
ſoftned
him, but that he was able to govern a numerous Family, a great Retinue
and
Dependance, yea, even the Commonwealth it ſelf, with great ſtoutneſs.
In
his
extream old age he was brought in a Litter into the Senate-houſe, and vehe-
mently
diſſwaded the Peace with Pyrrhus:
the beginning of his Oration was very
memorable
, ſhewing an invincible ſpirit and ſtrength of mind;
I have with great
grief
of mind (Fathers conſcript) theſe many years born my blindneſs, but now I could
wiſh
that I were deaf alſo, when I hear you ſpeak to ſuch diſ@onourable Treaties.
Marcus
Perpenna
lived ninety eight years, ſurviving all thoſe whoſe Suffrages he had gather-
ed
in the senate-houſe, being Conſul, I mean, all the Senators at that time;
as al-
ſo
all thoſe whom a little after, being Conſul, he choſe into the Senate, ſeven onely
being
excepted.
Hiero King of Sicily, in the time of the ſecond Punick War, lived
almoſt
an hundred years:
a man moderate both in his Government and in his Life;
a
worſhiper of the gods, and a religious conſerver of Friendſhip:
liberal, and con-
ſtanſly
fortunate.
Statilia, deſcended of a noble Family in the days of Claudius,
lived
ninety nine years.
clodia, the daughter of Oſilius, an hundred and fifteen. Xe-
nophilus
, an ancient Philoſopher, of the Sect of Pythagoras, attained to an hundred
and
ſix years, remaining healthful and vigorous in his old age, and famous amongſt
the
vulgar for his learning.
The Iſlanders of Corcyra were anciently accounted
long
liv’d, but now they live after the rate of other men, Hipocrates Cous, the fa-
mous
Phyſician, lived an hundred and four years, and approved and credited his own
Art
by ſo long a life:
a man that coupled Learning and Wiſdom together, very
converſant
in Experience and Obſervation;
one that haunted not after Words or
Methods
, but ſevered the very Nerves of Science, and ſo propounded them.
Demo-
nax
a Philoſoper, not onely in Profeffion but Practice, lived in the dayes of Adrian al-
moſt
to an hundred years:
a man of an high mind, and a vanquiſher of his own
mind
, and that truly and without affectation;
a contemner of the world, and yet
civil
and courteous.
When his friends ſpake to him about his Burial, he ſaid,
Take
no care for my Burial, for Stench will bury a Carcaſe.
They replied, Is it
29820The Hiſtory of Life and Death. mind than to be caſt out to Birds and Dogs? He ſaid again, Seeing in my life-time I
endeavoured
to my uttermoſt to benefit Men, what hurt is it if when I am dead I
benefit
Beaſts?
Certain Indian People called Pandoræ are exceedingly long liv’d,
even
to no leſs than two hundred years.
They adde a thing more maryellous, That
having
, when they are boys, an hair ſomewhat whitiſh, in their old age, before their
gray
hairs, they grow coal black, though indeed this be every where to be ſeen, that
they
which have white hair whilſt they are boys, in their man’s eſtate change
their
hairs into a darker colour.
The Seres, another people of India, with their
Wine
of Palms are accounted long livers, even to an hundred and thirty years.
Euphranor the Grammarian grew old in his School, and taught Scholars when
he
was above an hundred years old.
The elder Ovid, father to the Poet, lived nine-
ty
years, differing much from the diſpoſition of his ſon, for he contemned the
Muſes
, and diſſwaded his ſon from Poetry.
Aſinius Pollio, intimate with Au-
guſtus
, exceeded the age of an hundred years:
a man of an unreaſonable Profuſe-
neſs
, Eloquent, and a lover of Learning;
but vehement, proud, cruel, and one
that
made his private ends the centre of his thoughts.
There was an opinion, that
Seneca
was an extream old man, no leſs than an hundred and fourteen years of
age
:
which could not poſſibly be, it being as improbable that a decrepit old man
ſhould
be ſet over Nero’s Youth, as, on the contrary, it was true, that he was
able
to manage with great dexterity the affairs of State:
beſides, a little before,
in
the midſt of Claudius his Reign, he was baniſhed Rome for Adulteries com-
mitted
with ſome Noble Ladies, which was a Crime no way competible with ſo
extreme
old age.
Johannes de Temporibus, among all the men of our later Ages, out
of
a common fame and vulgar opinion, was reputed long-liv’d, even to a mira-
cle
, or rather, even to a fable;
his age hath been counted above three hundred
years
:
He was by Nation a French man, and followed the Wars under Charls
the
Great.
Garcius Aretine, Great Grand-father to Petrarch, arrived at the age of
an
hundred and four years:
he had ever enjoyed the benefit of good health; be-
ſides
, at the laſt, he felt rather a decay of his ſtrength, than any ſickneſs or malady,
which
is the true reſolution by old age.
Amongſt the Venetians there have been
found
not a few long livers, and thoſe of the more eminent ſort:
Franciſcus Do-
natus
, Duke;
Thomas Contarenus, Procurator of St. Mark; Franciſcus Molinus,
Procurator
alſo of St.
Mark, and others. But moſt memorable is that of cornarus
the
Venetian, who being in his youth of a ſickly body, began firſt to eat and drink by
meaſure
to a certain weight, thereby to recover his health:
this Cure turned by uſe
into
a Diet, that Diet to an extraordinary long Life, even of an hundred years and bet-
ter
, without any decay in his ſenſes, and with a conſtant enjoying of his health.
In
our
age William Poſtel, a French-man, lived to an hundred and well-nigh twenty years,
the
top of his beard on the upper-lip being black, and not gray at all:
a man crazed in
his
brain, and of a fancy not altogether ſound;
a great Traveller, Mathematician, and
ſomewhat
ſtained with Hereſie.
I ſuppoſe there is ſcarce a Village with us in England, if it be any whit populous, but
1120. it affords ſome Man or Woman of fourſcore years of age;
nay, a few years ſince there
was
in the County of Hereforda May-game or Morrice dance, conſiſting of eight men,
whoſe
age computed together made up eight hundred years, inſomuch that what ſome
of
them wanted of an hundred, others exceeded as much.
In the Hoſpital of Bethlehem, corruptly called Bedlam, in the Suburbs of London, there
2221. are found from time to time many mad perſons that live to a great age.
The ages of Nymphs, Fauns, and Satyrs, whom they make to be indeed mortal,
3322. but yet exceedingly long-liv’d, (a thing which ancient Superſtition and the
late
Credulity of ſome have admitted) we account but for Fables and Dreams;
eſpecially being that which hath neither conſent with Philoſophy nor with Divi
nity
.
And as touching the Hiſtory of Long Life in Man by Individuals, or next
unto
Individuals, thus much.
Now we will paſs on to Obſervations by certain
Heads
.
The Running on of Ages, and Succeſſion of Generations, ſeem to have no whit
4423. abated from the length of Life;
for we ſee that from the time of Moſes unto theſe
our
dayes, the term of man’s life hath ſtood about fourſcore years of age,
neither
hath it declined (as a man would have thought) by little and little.
No
doubt
there are times in every Country wherein men are longer or ſhorter liv’d.
29921The Hiſtory of Life and Death. Longer, for the moſt part when the times are barbarous, and men fare leſs delici-
ouſly
, and are more given to bodily exerciſes:
Shorter, when the times are more
civil
, and men abandon themſelves to luxury and eaſe.
But theſe things paſs on by
their
turns, the ſucceſſion of Generations alters is not.
The ſame, no doubt, is in
other
living Creatuses;
for neither Oxen, nor Horſes, nor Sheep, nor any the
like
, are abridged of their wonted ages at this day.
And therefore the Great
Abridger
of Age was the Floud;
and perhaps ſome ſuch notable accidents (as
particular
Inundations, long Droughts, Earthquakes, or the like) may do the ſame
again
And the like reaſon is in the dimenſion and ſtature of Bodies;
for neither
are
they leſſened by ſucceſſion of Generations, howſoever Virgil (following the
vulgar
opinion) divined, that after Ages would bring forth leſſer Bodies than the
then
preſent:
whereupon ſpeaking of ploughing up the Æmathian and Æmonen-
ſian
Fields, he ſaith, Grandiáq;
effoſſis mirabitur oſſa Sepulchris, That after-ages ſhall
admire
the great bones digged up in ancient Sepulchres.
For whereas it is manifeſted that
there
were heretofore men of Gigantine Statures, (ſuch as for certain have been found
in
Sicily, and elſe-where, in ancient Sepulchres and Caves) yet within theſe laſt
three
thouſand years, a time whereof we have ſure memory, thoſe very places have
produced
none ſuch:
although this thing alſo hath certain turns and changes, by the
Civilizing
of a Nation, no leſs than the former.
And this is the rather to be noted,
becauſe
men are wholly carried away with an opinion, that there is a continual
decay
by Succeſſion of Ages, as well in the term of man’s Life as in the
ſtature
and ſtrength of his Body;
and that all things decline and change to the
worſe
.
In Cold and Northern Countries men live longer commonly than in Hot: which
1124. muſt needs be in reſpect the skin is more compact and cloſe, and the juices of
the
body leſs diſſipable, and the Spirits themſelves leſs eager to conſume, and in
better
diſpoſition to repair, and the Air (as being little heated by the Sun-beams)
leſs
predatory:
And yet under the Æquinoctial Line, where the Sun paſſeth to and
fro
, and cauſeth a double Summer and double Winter, and where the Days and
Nights
are more cqual, (if other things be concurring) they live alſo very long;
as in Peru and Taprobane.
Iſlanders are, for the moſtpart, longer-liv’d than thoſe that live in Continents: for
2225. they live not ſo long in Ruſſia as in the Orcades;
nor ſo long in Africa, though
under
the ſame Parallel, as in the Canaries and Tercera’s;
and the Japonians are
longer-liv’d
than the Chineſes, though the Chineſes are made upon long life.
And this
thing
is no marvel, ſeeing the Air of the Sea doth heat and cheriſh in cooler Regi-
ons
, and cool in hotter.
High Situations do rather afford long-livers than Low, eſpecially if they be not Tops
3326. of Mountains, but Riſing Grounds, as to their general Situations;
ſuch as was Ar-
cadia
in Greece, and that part of Ætolia where we related them to have lived ſo long.
Now there would be the ſame reaſon for Mountains themſelves, becauſe of the pureneſs
and
clearneſs of the Air, but that they are corrupted by accident, namely, by the
Vapours
riſing thither out of the Valleys, and reſting there;
and therefore in Snowy
Mountains
there is not found any notable long life, not in the Alps, not in the Pyre-
nean
Mountains, not in the Apennine:
yet in the tops of the Mountains running
along
towards Æthiopia and the Abyſſines, where by reaſon of the Sands beneath little
or
no Vapour riſeth to the Mountains, they live long, even at this very day, attaining ma-
ny
times to an hundred and fifty years.
Marſhes and Fens are propitious to the Natives, and malignant to Strangers, as touch-
4427. ing the lengthning and ſhortning of their lives:
and that which may ſeem more mar-
vellous
, Salt-Marſhes, where the Sea Ebbs and Flows, areleſs wholſome than thoſe of
Freſh
water.
The Countries which have been obſerved to produce long-livers are theſe; Arcadia,
5528. Ætolia, India on this ſide Ganges, Braſil, Taprobane, Britain, Ireland, with the Iſlands of
the
Orcades and Hebrides:
for as for Æthiopia, which by one of the Ancients is re-
ported
to bring forth long-Livers, ’tis but a toy,
It is a Secret; The healthfulneſs of Air, eſpecially in any perfection, is better
6629. found by Experiment than by Diſcourſe or Conjecture.
You may make a trial by
a
lock of Wool expoſed for a few dayes in the open Air, if the weight be not
30022The Hiſtory of Life and Death. increaſed; another by a piece of fleſh expoſed likewiſe, if it corrupt not over-ſoon;
another by a Weather-glaſs, if the Water interchange not too ſuddenly. Of theſe and
the
like enquire further.
Not onely the Goodneſs or Pureneſi of the Air, but alſo the Equality of the Air,
1130. is material to long life.
Intermixture of Hills and Dales is pleaſant to the ſight, but
ſuſpected
for long life.
A Plain, moderately drie, but yet not over-barren or ſan-
dy
, nor altogether without Trees and Shade, is very convenient for length of
life
.
Inequality of Air (as was even now ſaid) in the place of our dwelling is naught;
2231. but Change of Air by travelling, after one be uſed unto it, is good; and therefore
great
Travellers have been long liv’d.
Alſo thoſe that have lived perpetually in a little
Cottage
, in the ſame place, have been long-livers:
for air accuſtomed conſumeth leſs;
but air changed nouriſheth and repaireth more.
As the continuation and number of Succeſſions (which we ſaid before) makes no-
3332. hing to the Length and Shortneſs of Life;
ſo the immediate condition of the Parents,
(as well the Father as the Mother) without doubt availeth much.
For ſome are be
gotten
of old men, ſome of young men, ſome of men of middle age;
again, ſome
are
begotten of fathers healthful and well-diſpoſed, others of diſeaſed and languiſh-
ing
;
again, ſome of fathers immediately after repletion, or when they are
drunk
, others after ſleeping, or in the morning;
again, ſome after a long inter-
miſſion
of Venus, others upon the act repeated;
again, ſome in the fervency of the
father’s
love, (as it is commonly in Baſtards) others after the cooling of it, as in
long-married
couples.
The ſame things may be conſidered on the part of the Mother:
unto which muſt be added the condition of the Mother whilſt ſhe is with child,
as
touching her health, as touching her diet, the time of her bearing in the womb,
to
the tenth month, or earlier.
To reduce theſe things to a Rule, how far they
may
concern Long Life, is hard;
and ſo much the harder, for that thoſe things
which
a man would conceive to be the beſt, will fall out to the contrary:
For that
alacrity
in the Generation which begets luſty and lively children, will be leſs
proſitable
to long life, becauſe of the Acrimony and inflaming of the Spirits.
We
ſaid
before, That to partake more of the mother’s bloud conduceth to long life:

alſo
we ſuppoſe all things in moderation to be beſt;
rather Conjugal love than
Meretricious
;
the hour for Generation to be the morning; a ſtate of body not too
luſty
or full, and ſuch like.
It ought to be well obſerved, that a ſtrong Conſtitu-
tion
in the Parents is rather good for them then for the Child, eſpecially in the Mother:

And
therefore Plato thought, ignorantly enough, that the virtue of Generations
halted
, becauſe the Woman uſed not the ſame exerciſe both of mind and body
with
the Men.
The contrary is rather true; for the difference of virtue betwixt
the
Male and the Female is moſt profitable for the Child;
and the thinner Wo-
men
yield more towards the nouriſhment of the Child;
which alſo holds in
Nutſes
.
Neither did the Spartan Women, which married not beforetwenty two, or,
as
ſome ſay, twenty five, (and therefore were called Man-like women) bring forth a
more
generous or long-liv’d Progeny than the Roman or Athenian, or Theban
women
did, which were ripe for Marriage at twelve or fourteen years;
and if there
were
any thing eminent in the spartans, that was rather to be imputed to the Par-
ſimony
of their Diet than to the late Marriages of their Women.
But this we are
taught
by experience, that there are ſome Races which are long-liv’d for a few
Deſcents
;
ſo that Life is like ſome Diſeaſes, a thing hereditary within certain
bounds
.
Fair in Face, or Skin, or Hair, are ſhorter livers; Black, or Red, or Freckled,
4433. longer.
Alſo too freſh a colour in Youth doth leſs promiſe long life than paleneſs.
A hard skin is a ſign of long life rather that a ſoft; but we underſtand not this of a rug-
ged
skin, ſuch as they call the Gooſe skin, which is as it were ſpongy, but of that which
is
hard and cloſe.
A Fore-head with deep furrows and wrinkles is a better ſign than a
ſmooth
and plain Forehead.
The Hairs of the Head hard and like briſtles, do betoken longer life than thoſe that are
5534. ſoft and delicate.
Curled Hairs betoken the ſame thing, if they be hard withal; but the
contrary
if they be ſoft and ſhining:
the like if the curling be rather thick than in large
bunches
.
Early or late Baldneſs is an indifferent thing, ſeeing many which have been
6635.
30123The Hiſtory of Life and Death. Bald betimes have lived long. Alſo early gray hairs (howſoever they may ſeem fore-
runners
of old age approaching) are no ſure ſigns;
for many that have grown gray be-
times
have lived to great years:
nay, haſty gray hairs without Baldneſs is atoken of long
life
;
contrarily, if they be accompanied with Baldneſs.
Hairineſs of the upper parts is a ſign of ſhort life, and they that have extraordinary
1136. much hair on their breaſts live not long:
but hairineſs of the lower parts, as of the Thighes
and
Legs, is a ſign of long life.
Talneſs of Stature (if it be notimmoderate) with convenient making, and not too
2237. ſlender, eſpecially if the body be active withal, is a ſign of long life:
Alſo on the con-
trary
, men of low ſtature live long, if they be not too active and ſtirring.
In the proportion of the body, they which are ſhort to the waſtes, with long Leggs, are
3338. longer-liv’d than they which are long to the waſtes, and have ſhort Leggs:
alſo they which
are
large in the neather parts, and ſtreight in the upper, (the making of their body riſing,
as
it were, into a ſharp figure) are longer-liv’d than they that have broad ſhoulders, and
are
ſlender downwards.
Leanneſs, where the affections are ſetled, calm, and peaceable; alſo a more fat ha-
4439. bit of body, joyned with Choler, and a diſpoſition ſtirring and peremptory, ſignifie
long
life:
but Corpulency in Youth foreſhews ſhort life, in Age it is a thing more
indifferent
.
To be long and ſlow in growing is a ſign of long life; if to a greaterſtature, the greater
5540. ſign, if to a leſſer ſtature, yet a ſign though:
contrarily, to grow quickly to a great
ſtature
is an evil ſign;
if to a ſmall ſtature, the leſs evil.
Firm Fleſh, a raw-bone body, and veins lying higher than the fleſh, betoken long
6641. life;
the contrary to theſe, ſhort life.
A Head ſomewhat leſſer than to the proportion of the body; a moderate Neck, not
7742. long, nor ſlender, nor ſlat, nor too ſhort;
wide Noſtrils, whatſoever the form of the Noſe
be
;
a large Mouth; and Ear griſtly, not fleſhy; Teeth ſtrong and contiguous, ſmall, or
thin-ſet
, fore-token long liſe;
and much more if ſomenew Teeth put forth in our elder
years
.
A broad Breaſt, yet not bearing out, but rather bending inwards; Shoulders ſome-
8843. what crooked, and (as they call ſuch perſons) round-back’d;
a flat Belly; a Handlarge,
and
with few lines in the Palm;
a ſhortand round Foot, Thighs not fleſhy, and Calves
of
the Leggs not hanging over, but neat, are ſigns of long life.
Eyes ſomewhat large, and the Circles of them inclined to greenneſs; Senſes not too
9944. quick;
the Pulſe in youth ſlower, towards old age quicker; Facility of holding the
B
reath, and longer than uſual;
the body in youth inclined to be bound, in the decline
of
years more laxative, are alſo ſigns of long life.
Concerning the Times of Nativity, as they refer to long life, nothing hath been ob-
101045. ſerved worthy the ſetting down, ſave onely Aſtrological Obſervations, which we reje-
cted
in our opicks.
A Birth at the eighth month is not onely long-liv’d, but not likely
to
live.
Alſo Winter births are accounted the longer-liv’d.
A Pythagorical or Monaſtical Diet, according to ſtrict rules, and always exactly e-
111146. qual, (as that of Cornarus was) ſeemeth to be very effectual for long life.
Yet on the
contrary
, amongſt thoſe that live freely and after the common ſort, ſuch as have good
ſtomachs
, and feed more plentifully, are often the longeſt-liv’d.
The middle diet, which
we
account the temperate, is commended, and conduceth to good health, but not to
long
life:
for the spare diet begets few Spirits, and dull, and ſo waſteth the body leſs;
and the liberal diet yieldeth more ample nouriſhment, and ſo repaireth more: but the
middle
diet doth neither of both, for where the Extreamsare hurtful, there the Mean is
beſt
;
but where the Extreams are helpful, there the Mean is nothing worth.
Now to that spare diet there are requiſite Watching, leſt the Spirits being few
ſhould
be oppreſſed with much ſleep;
little Exerciſe, leſt they ſhould exhale; ab-
ſtinence
from Venery, leſt they ſhould be exhauſted:
but to the liberal diet, on the
other
ſide, are requiſite much Sleep, frequent Exerciſes, and a ſeaſonable uſe of Venery.
Baths and Anointings (ſuch as were anciently in uſe) did rather tend to delici-
ouſneſs
than to prolonging of life.
But of all theſe things we ſhall ſpcak more ex-
actly
when we come to the Inquiſition according to Intentions.
Mean while that of
celſus
, who was not onely a learned Phyſician, but a wiſe man, is not to be omitted,
who
adviſeth interchanging and alternation of the diet, but ſtill with an inclina-
tion
to the more benign:
as that a man ſhould ſometimes accuſtom himſelf
30224The Hiſtory of Life and Death. watching, ſometimes to ſleep; but to ſleep oftneſt: again, that he ſhould ſometimes
give
himſelf to faſting, ſometimes to feaſting;
but to feaſting oftneſt: that he ſhould
ſometimes
inure himſelf to great labours of the miud, ſometimes to relaxations of
the
ſame;
but to relaxations oftmeſt. Certainly this is withont all queſtion, that Diet
well
ordered bears the greateſt part in the prolongation of life:
neither did I ever meet
an
extream long liv’d man, but beingasked of his courſe, he obſerved ſomething pe-
culiar
;
ſome one thing, ſome another. I remember an old man, above an hundred
years
of age, who was produced as witneſs touching an ancient Preſcription.
When
he
had finiſhed his teſtimony the Jugde familiarly asked him how he came to live ſo long.
He anſwered, beſide expectation, and not without the laughter of the hearers, By
eating
before I was hungry, and drinking before I was dry.
But of theſe things we ſhall
ſpeak
hereafter.
A Life led in Religion and in Holy Exerciſes ſeemeth to conduce to long life. There
1147. are in this kind of life theſe things, Leiſure, Admiration and Contemplation of hea-
venly
things, Joyes not ſenſual, noblehopes, wholſome Fears, ſweet Sorrows;
laſtly,
continual
Renovations by Obſervances, Penances, Expiations:
all which are very pow-
erful
to the prolongation of life.
Unto which if you add that auſtere diet which hard-
neth
the maſs of the Body, and humbleth the Spirits, no marvel if an extraordinary
length
of life do follow;
ſuch was that of Paul the Hermite, Simeon Stelita the Columnar
Anchorite
, and of many other Hermites and Anchorites.
Next unto this is the life led in good Letters, ſuch as was that of Philoſophers, Rhe-
2248. toricians, Grammarians.
This life is alſo led in leiſure, and in thoſe thoughts, which,
ſeeing
they are ſevered from the affairs of the world, bite not, but rather delight
throughtheir
Variety and Impertinency:
They live alſo at their pleaſure, ſpending their
time
in ſuch things as like them beſt, and for the moſt part in the company of young
men
, which is ever the moſt chearful.
But in Philoſophies there is great difference
betwixt
the Sects as touching long life:
For thoſe Philoſophies which have in them a
touch
of Superſtition, and are converſant in high Contemplations, are the beſt;
as the
Pytbagorical
and Platonick:
alſo thoſe which did inſtitute a perambulation of the
world
, and conſidered the variety of natural things, and had reachleſs, and high, and
magnanimous
thoughts, (as of Infinitum, of the Stars, of the Heroical Vertues, and
ſuch
like) were good for lengthning of life;
ſuch were thoſe of Democritus Philolaus,
Xenophanes
, the Aſtrologians and stoicks:
alſo thoſe which had no profound Specu-
lation
in them, but diſcourſed calmly on both fides, out of common Senſe, and there-
ceived
Opinions, without any ſharp Inquiſitions, were likewiſe good;
ſuch were thoſe
of
Carneades and the Academicks, alſo of the Rhetoricians and Grammarians.
But
contrary
, Philoſophies converſant in perplexing Subtilties, and which pronounced pe-
remptorily
, and which examined and wreſted all things to the Scale of Principles, laſtly,
which
were thorny and narrow, were evil:
ſuch were thoſe commonly of the Peripa-
teticks
, and of the school-men.
The Country life alſo is well fitted for long life: it is much abroad, and in the open
3349. air, it is not ſlothful, but ever in employment;
it feedeth upon freſh Cates, and un-
bought
;
it is without Cares and Envy.
For the Military life, we have a good opinion of that whilſt a man is young. Certain-
4450. ly many excellent Warriors have been long-liv’d;
Corvinus, camillus, Xenophon, Ageſi-
laus
, with others both ancient and modern.
No doubt it furthereth long life to have
all
things from our youth to our elder age mend, and grow to the better, that a Youth
full
of croſſes may miniſter ſweetneſs to our Old age.
We conceive alſo that Military
affections
, inflamed with a deſire of Fighting, and hope of Victory, do infuſe ſuch a
heat
into the Spirits, as may be profitable for long life.
30325The Hiſtory of Life and Death.
Medicines for Long Life.
THe Art of Phyſick, which we now have, looks no further commonly than to Conſerva-
11To the
tenth
Ar-
ticle
.
tion of Health and Cure of Diſeaſes:
As for thoſe things which tend properly to
Long
Life, there is but ſlight mention, and by the way onely.
Notwith ſtanding we will
propound
thoſe Medicines which are notable in this kind, I mean, thoſe which are Cordials.
For it is conſonant to reaſon, that thoſe things which being taken in Cures do defend and
fortifie
the Heart, or, more truly, the Spirits, against Poyſons and Diſeaſes, being tranſ-
ferred
with judgment and choice into Diet, ſhould have a good effect, in ſome ſort, towards
the
Prolonging of Life.
This we will do, not heaping them promiſcuouſly together, (as
the
manner is) but ſelecting the beſt.
Gold is given in three forms; either in that which they call Aurum potabile, or in
221. Wine wherein Gold hath been quenched, or in Gold in the subſtance, ſuch as are Leaf
gold
, and the Filings of Gold.
As for Aurum potabile, it is uſed to be given in deſpe-
rate
or dangerous diſeaſes, and that not without good ſucceſs.
But we ſuppofe that
the
Spirits of the Salt, by which the Gold is diſſolved, do rather miniſter that vertue
which
is found in it, than the Gold it ſelf;
though this ſecret be wholly ſuppreſſed.
Now if the body of Gold could be opened with theſe Corroſive waters, or by theſe
Corroſive
waters (ſo the venomous quality were wanting) well waſhed, we conceive
it
would be no unprofitable Medicine.
Pearls are taken either in a fine Powder, or in a certain Maſs, or Diſſolution by the
332. juice of ſour and new Limons;
and they are given ſometimes in Aromatical Confecti-
ons
, ſometimes in Liquor.
The Pearl, nodoubt, hath ſome affinity with the Shell in
which
it groweth, and may be of the ſame quality with the Shels of Cra-fijhes.
Amongſt the transparent precious Stones, two onely are accounted Cordial, the Eme-
443. rauld and the Jacinth, which are given under the ſame forms that the Pearls are;
ſave
only
that the diſſolutions of them, as far as we know, are not in uſe.
But we ſuſpect
theſe
Glaſſie Jewels, leſt they ſhould be cutting.
Of theſe which we have mentioned, how far and in what manner they are helpful, ſhall
be
ſpoken hereafter.
Bezoar-Stone is of approved vertue for refreſhing the Spirits, and procuring a gen
554. tle Sweat.
As for the Vnicorn’s Horn, it hath loſt the credit with us; yet ſo, as it
may
keep rank with Hart’s Horn, and the Bone in the heart of a Hart, and Ivory,
and
ſuch like.
Amber-griece is one of the beſt to appeaſe and comfort the Spirits.
665.
Hereafter follow the names only of the Simple Cordials, ſeeing their Vertues are ſuf-
ficiently
known.
77
Hot
. # Hot. # Cold. # Cold.
Saffron
. # Clove-Gilly-flowers. # Nitre. # Fuice of ſweet
Folium
Indum. # Orenge flowers. # Roſes. Violets. # Orenges.
Lignum
Aloes. # Roſemary. # Strawberry- \\ Leaves. # Fuice of Pearmains.
Citron
Pill or \\ Rind. # Mint. # # Borage.
# Betony. # Straw-berries. # Bugloſs.
Balm
# Carduus Benedi- \\ Etus. # Fuice of ſweet \\ Limons. # Burnet. Sanders.
Baſil
. # # Limons. # Camphire.
Seeing our ſpeecb now is of thoſe things which may be transferred into Diet, all hot
Waters
and Chymieal Oiles, (which, as a certain Trifler ſaith, are under the Planet
Mars
, and have a furious and deſtructive force) as alſo all hot and biting Spices are
to
be rejected, and a Conſideration to be had, how waters and Liquors may be made of
the
former Simples:
not thoſe phlegmatick diſtilled Waters, nor again thoſe burning Waters
of
spirits of Wine;
but ſuch as may be more temperate, and yet lively, and ſending forth
a
benign Vapour.
I make ſome queſtion touching the frequent letting of Bloud, whether it conduceth
886. to long life nor no;
and I am rather in the opinion that it doth, if it be turned into a
habit
, and other things be well diſpoſed:
for it letteth out the old Juice of the body,
and
bringeth in new.
30426The Hiſtory of Life and Death.
I ſuppoſe alſo, that ſome Emaciating Diſeaſes well cured, do profit to long life, for
they
yield new Juice, the old being conſumed;
and, as (as he ſaith) To recover a
ſickneſs
is to renew youth:
Therefore it were good to make ſome Artiſicial Diſeaſes,
which
is done by ſtrict and Emaciating Diets, of which I ſhall ſpeak hereafter.
The Intentions.
HAving finiſhed the Inquiſition according to the Subjects, as namely, of Inanimate
11To the 12,
13
, and 14
Articles
.
Bodies, Vegetables, Living Creatures, Man;
I will now come nearer to the
matter
, and order mine Inquiſitions by certain Intentions, ſuch as are true and proper,
(as I am wholly perſwaded) and which are the very paths to Mortal Life.
For in
this
part, nothing that is of worth hath hitherto been inquired, but the contemplations
of
men have been but ſimple, and non-proficients.
For when I hear men on the one
ſide
ſpeak of comforting Natural heat, and the Radical moiſture, and of Meats which
breed
good Blood, ſuch as may neitber be burnt nor phlegmatick;
and of the cheering
and
recreating the Spirits;
I ſuppoſe them to be no bad men which ſpeak theſe things:
but none of theſe worketh effectually towards the end. But when on the other ſide I hear
ſeveral
diſcourſes touching Medicines made of Gold, becauſe Gold is not ſubject to cor-
ruption
;
and touching Precious ſtones to refrefh the ſpirits by their hidden properties
and
luſtre, and that if they could be taken and retained in Veſſels, the Balſoms, and
Quinteſſences
of living Creatures, would make men conceive a proud hope of Immorta-
lity
:
And that the Fleſh of Serpents and Harts, by a certain conſent, are powerful to
the
Renovation of Life, becauſe the one caſteth his Skin, the other his Horns:
(they
ſhould
alſo have added the Fleſh of Eagles, becauſe the Eagle changes bis Bill) And
that
a certain Man, when he had found an Oyntment hidden under the ground, and
had
anointed himſelf therewith from head to foot, (excepting onely the ſoles of his feet)
did
, by his anointing, live three hundred years, without any diſeaſe, ſave onely ſome
Tumors
in the ſoles of his feet:
and of Arteſius, who when he ſound his Spirit ready to
depart
, drew into his body the ſpirit of a certain young man, and thereby made him
breathleſs
, but himſelf lived many years by another mans Spirit:
And of Fortunate
Hours
according to the Figures of Heaven, in which Medicines are to be gathered and
compounded
for the prolongation of Life:
And of the Seales of Planets, by which ver-
tuesmay
be drawn and fetched down from Heaven to prolong Life:
and ſuch like fabulous
and
ſuperſtitious vanities:
I wonder exceedingly that men ſhould ſo much doat, as to
ſuffer
themſelves to be deluded with theſe things.
And again, I do pity Mankind that they
ſhould
have the hard fortune to be beſieged with ſuch frivolous and ſenceleſs apprehenſions.

But
mine Intentions do both come home to the Matter, and are far from vain and cre-
dulous
Imaginatious;
being alſo ſuch, as I conceive, poſterity may adde much to the
matters
which ſatisfie theſe Intentions;
but to the Intentions themſelves, but a little.
Notwith
ſtanding there are a few things, and thoſe of very great moment, of which I
would
have men to be forewarned.
Firſt, we are of that opinion, that we eſteem the Offices of Life to be more worthy
than
Ltfe it ſelf.
Therefore if there be any thing of that kind that may indeed exactly
anſwer
our Intentions, yet fo, that the Offices and Duties of Life be thereby hin-
dred
;
whatſoever it be of this kind, we reject it. Perhaps wemay make ſome light men-
tion
of ſome things, but we inſiſt not upon them.
For we make no ſerious nor diligent diſ
courſe
, either of leading the life in Caves, where the sunbeams and ſeveral changes of the
Air
pierce not, like Epimenides his Cave;
or of perpetual baths, made of Liquors pre-
pared
;
or of shirts, and Sear cloths ſo applied, that the Body ſhould be always as it were
in
a Box;
or of thick paintings of the body, after the manner of ſome Barbarous Na-
tions
;
or of an exact ordering of our Life and Diet, which aimeth onely at this, and
mindeth
nothing elſe but that a man live, (as was that of Herodicus amongſt the An-
tients
, and of Cornarus the Venetian in our days, but with greater moderation;)
or
of
any ſuch Prodigy, Tediouſneſs, or Inconvenience:
but we propound ſuch Remedies and
Precepts
, by which the Offices of Life may neither be deſerted, nor receive any great
interr
uptions or moleſtations.
30527The Hiſtory of Life and Death.
Secondly, on the other ſide we denounce unto men that they will give over trifling, and
not
imagine that ſo great a work as the ſtopping and turning back the powerful courſe of na-
ture
, can be brought to paſs by ſome Morning-draught, or the taking of ſome precious
Drug
, but that they would be aſſured that it muſt needs be, that this is a work of labour,
and
conſisteth of many Remedies, and a fit connexion of them amongſt themſelves;
for no
man
can be ſo ſtupid as to imagine, that what was never yet done, can be done, but by ſuch
ways
as were never yet attempted.
I hirdly, we ingeniouſly profeſs, that ſome of thoſe things which we ſhall propound have
not
been tried by us by way of Experiment, (for our courſe of life doth not permit that)
but
are derived (as we ſuppoſe) upon good reaſon, out of our Principles and Grounds,
(of which ſome we ſet down, others we reſerve in our mind) and are, as it were, cut and
digged
out of the Rock and Mine of Nature her ſelf.
Nevertheleſs we have been careful,
and
that with all providence and circumſpection, (ſeeing the Scripture ſaith of the Body
of
Man, that it is more worth than Raiment) to propound ſuch Remedies, as may at
leaſt
be ſafe, if peradventure they be not fruitful.
Fourthly, we would have men rightly to obſerve and diſtinguiſh, that thoſe things which
are
good for an Healthful Life, are not always good for a Long Life;
for there are ſome
things
which do further the alacrity of the Spirits, and the ſtrength and vigour of the
Functions
, which notwithſtanding, do cut off from the ſum of Life;
and there are other things
which
are profitable to prolongation of Life, which are not without ſome peril of health,
unleſs
this matter be ſalved by ſit Remedies;
of which, notwithſtanding, as occaſion ſhall be
offered
, we will not omit to give ſome Cautions and Monitions.
Laſtly we have thought good to propound ſundry Remedies, according to the ſeveral
Intentions
;
but the choice of thoſe Remedies, and the order of them, to leave to Diſ-
cretion
:
for to ſet down exactly which of them agreeth beſt, with which Conſtitution of
Body
, which with the ſeveral courſes of Life, which with each mans particular Age, and
how
they are to be taken one after another, and how the whole Practique of theſe things is to
be
adminiſtred and governed, would be too long, neither is it ſit to be publiſbed.
In the Topicks we propunded three Intentions: The Prohibiting of Conſumption,
The
Peifecting of Reparation, and the Renewing of Oldneſs.
But ſeeing thoſe things
which
ſhall be ſaid are nothing leſs than words, we will deduce theſe three Intentions to ten
Operations
.
The firſt is, the Operation upon the Spirits that they may renew their vigour.
111.
The ſecond Operation is upon the Excluſion of Air.
222.
The third Operation is upon the Bloud, and the Sanguifying Heat.
333.
The fourth Operation is upon the Juices of the Body.
444.
The fifth Operation is upon the Bowels, for their Extruſion of Aliment.
555.
The ſixth Operation is upon the Outward Parts, for their Attraction of Aliment.
666.
The ſeventh Operation is upon the Aliment it ſelf, for the Inſinuation thereof.
777.
The eighth Operation is upon the laſt Act of Aſſimilation.
888.
The ninth Operation is upon the Inteneration of the Parts, after they begin to be dried.
999.
The tenth Operation is upon the Purging away of Old Juice, and Supplying of New
101010.Juice.
Of theſe Operations, the four firſt belong to the Firſt Intention, the four next to the se-
cond
Intention, and the two laſt to the Third Intention.
But becauſe this part touching the Intenſions doth tend to Practice, under the name
of
Hiſtory, we will not onely compriſe Experiments and Obſervations, but alſo Counſels,
Remedies
, Explications of Cauſes, Aſſumptions, and whatſoever hath reference here-
unto
.
30628The Hiſtory of Life and Death.
The Operation upon the Spirits that they may remain
Youthful
, and renew their Vigour.
The Hiſtory.
THE Spirits are the Maſter-workmen of all effects in the Body. This is ma-
111. nifeſt by Conſent, and by infinite inſtances.
If any man could procure that a young man’s Spirit could be conveyed into
222. an old man’s Body, it is not unlikely but this great Wheel of the Spirits might
turn
about the leſſer Wheel of the Parts, and ſo the courſe of Nature become retro-
gade
.
In every Conſumption, whether it be by Fire or by Age, the more the Spirit of the
333. Body, or the Heat, preyeth upon the Moiſture, the leſſer is the duration of that thing.
This occurs every where, and is manifeſt.
The Spirits are to be put into ſuch a temperament and degree of activity, that
444. they ſhould not (as he ſaith) drink and guzzle the juices of the Body, but ſip them
onely
.
There are two kinds of Flames: the one eager and weak, which conſumes ſlight
555. ſubſtances but hath little power over the harder;
as the flame of ſtraw, or ſmall Sticks:
the other ſtrong and conſtant, which converts hard and obſtinate ſubſtances; as the
flame
of hard wood, and ſuch like.
The eager flames, and yet leſs robuſt, do dry Bodies, and render them exhauſt and
666. ſapleſs;
but the ſtronger flames do intenerate and melt them.
Alſo in Diſſipating Medicines, ſome vapour forth the thin part of the tumors
777. or ſwellings, and theſe harden the tumour;
others potently diſcuſs, and theſe ſof-
ten
it.
Alſo in Purging and Abſterging Medicines, ſome carry away the fluid humors vio-
888. lently, others draw the more obſtinate and viſcous.
The Spirits ought to be inveſted and armed with ſuch a heat, that they may chuſe ra-
999. ther to ſtir and undermine hard and obſtinate matters, than to diſcharge and carry away
the
thin and prepared;
for by that means the Body becomes green and ſolid.
The Spirits are ſo to be wrought and tempered, that they may be in Subſtance Denſe, not
101010. Rare;
in Heat strong, not Eager; in Quantity Sufficient for the offices of Life, not Re-
dundant
or Turgid;
in Motion Appeaſed, not Dancing or Unequal.
That Vapours work powerfully upon the Spirits, it is manifeſt by Sleep, by Drunken-
111111. neſs, by Melancholick Paſſions, by letificant Medicines, by Odours, calling the Spirits
back
again in Swounings and Faintings.
The Spirits are condenſed four ways; either by putting them to flight, or by refri-
121212. gerating and cooling them, or by ſtroaking them, or by quieting them.
And firſt of their
Condenſation
by putting them to flight.
Whatſoever putteth to flight on all parts, driveth the body into his Centre, and ſo
131313.Condenſeth.
To the Condenſation of the spirits by flight, the moſt powerful and effectual is Opi-
141414. um, and next Opiates, and generally all Soporiferous things.
The force of Opium to the condenſation of the Spirits is exceeding ſtrong, whenas
151515. perhaps three grains thereof will in a ſhort time ſo coagulate the Spirits, that they re
turn
no more, but are extinguiſhed, and become immoveable.
Opium, and the like, put not the Spirits to flight by their coldneſs, for they
161616. have parts manifeſtly hot;
but, on the contrary, cool by their putting the Spirits
to
flight.
The Flight of the Spirits by Opium and Opiate Medicines is beſt ſeen by applying the
171717. ſame outwardly;
for the Spirits ſtraight with-draw themſelves, and will return no more,
but
the part is mortified, and turns to a Gængrene.
Opiates, in grievous pains, as in the Stone, or the cutting off of a Limb, mitigate pains
181818. moſt of all, by putting the Spirits to flight.
Opiates obtain a good effect from a bad cauſe; for the Flight of the Spirits is evil but
191919. the Condenſation of them through their flight is good.
30729The Hiſtory of Life and Death.
The Grecians attributed much, both for health and for prolongation of life, as O-
1120. piates:
but the Arabians much more, inſomuch that their grand Medicines (which they
called
the gods Hands) had Opium for their Baſis and principal Ingredient, other things
being
mixed to abate and correct the noxious qualities thereof;
ſuch were Treacle,
Methridate
, and the reſt.
Whatſoever is given with good ſucceſs in the curing of Peſtilential and Malignant
2221. Diſeaſes, to ſtop and bridle the Spirits, leſt they grow turbulent and tumultuate, may
very
happily be transferred to the prolongation of life;
for one thing is effectual unto
both
, namely, the condenſation of the Spirits:
now there is nothing better for that
than
Opiates.
The Turks find Opium, even in a reaſonable good quantity, harmleſs and comfortable,
3322. inſomuch that they take it before their Battel to excite courage:
but to us, unleſs it be
in
a very ſmall quantity, and with good Correctives, it is mortal.
Opium and Opiates are manifeſtly found to excite Venus; which ſhews them to have
4423. force to corroborate the Spirits.
Diſtilled Water of wilde Poppy is given with good ſucceſs in Surfeits, Agues, and divers
5524. diſeaſes;
which no doubt is a temperate kind of Opiate. Neither let any man wonder
at
the various uſe of it;
for that is familiar to Opiates, in regard that the Spirits, cor-
roborated
and condenſed, will riſe up againſt any diſeaſe.
The Turks uſe a kind of Herb which they call Caphe, which they dry and powder,
6625. and then drink in warm water;
which, they ſay, doth not a little ſharpen them, both
in
their Courage, and in their Wits;
notwithſtanding, if it be taken in a large quantity,
it
affects and diſturbs the mind:
whereby it is manifeſt, that it is of the ſame nature
with
Opiates.
There is a Root much renowned in all the Eaſtern parts, which they call Betel, which
7726. the Indians and others uſe to carry in their mouths, and to champ it, and by that
champing
they are wonderfully enabled both to endure labours, and to overcome
ſickneſſes
, and to the act of carnal copulation:
It ſeems to be a kind of Stupefactive,
becauſe
it exceedingly blacks the Teeth.
Tobacco in our age is immoderately grown into uſe, and it affects men with a ſe-
8827. cret kind of delight, inſomuch that they who have once inured themſelves unto it can
hardly
afterwards leave it:
and no doubt it hath power to lighten the body, and to
ſhake
off wearineſs.
Now the vertue of it is commonly thought to be, becauſe it
opens
the paſſages, and voids humors:
but it may more rightly be referred to the con-
denſation
of the Spirits;
for it is a kind of Henbane, and manifeſtly troubles the
Head
, as Opiates do.
There are ſometimes Humors engendred in the body, which are, as it were, Opiate
9928. themſelves;
as it is in ſome kind of Melancholies, with which if a man be affected, it
is
a ſign of very long life.
The ſimple Opiates (which are alſo called Stupefactives) are theſe; Opium it ſelf,
101029. which is the juice of Poppy;
both the Poppies, as well in the Herb as in the Seed; Hen-
bane
, Mandrake, Hemlock, Tobacco, Night-ſhade.
The compound Opiates are, Treacle, Methridate, Trifera, Ladanum, Paracelſi, Diaco-
111130. nium, Diaſcordium, Philonium, Pills of Hounds-tongue.
From this which hath been ſaid, certain Deſignations or Counſels may be deduced
121231. for the prolongation of life, according to the preſent intenſion;
namely, of condenſing
the
Spirits by Opiates.
Let there be therefore every year, from Adult years of Youth, an Opiate diet; let it
131332. be taken about the end of May, becauſe the Spirits in the Summer are more looſe and
attenuated
, and there are leſs dangers from cold humours;
let it be ſome Magiſtral
Opiate
, weaker than thoſe that are commonly in uſe, both in reſpect of a ſmaller quan-
tity
of Opium, and of a more ſparing mixture of extreme hot things;
let it be taken in
the
morning betwixt ſleeps.
The fare for that time would be more ſimple and ſpa-
ring
than ordinary, without Wine, or Spices, or Vapourous things.
This Medicine to
be
taken onely each other day, and to be continued for a fortnight.
This Deſignation in
our
judgment comes home to the intenſion.
Opiates alſo may be taken, not onely by the mouth, but alſo by Fumes; but the
141433. Fumes muſt be ſuch as may not move the expulſive Faculty too ſtrongly, nor force
down
humours, but onely taken in a Weft, may work upon the Spirits within the
brain
.
And therefore a Suffumigation of Tobacco, Lignum-Aloes,
30830The Hiſtory of Life and Death. dried, and a little Myrrhe ſnuffed up in the morning at the mouth and noſtrils, would be
very
good.
In Grand Opiates, ſuch as are Treacle, Methridate, and the reſt, it would not be
1134. amiſs (eſpecially in youth) to take rather the diſtilled Waters of them than themſelyes
in
their bodies;
for the vapour in diſtilling doth riſe, but the heat of the Medicine com-
monly
ſetleth.
Now diſtilled Waters are good in thoſe vertues which are conveyed by
Vapours
, in other things but weak.
There are Medicines which have a certain weak and hidden degree, and therefore
2235. ſafe to an Opiate vertue;
theſe ſend forth a ſlow and copious vapour, but not malig-
nant
as Opiates do, therefore they put not the Spirits to flight;
notwithſtanding they
congregate
them, and ſome what thicken them.
Medicines in order to Opiates are principally Saffron, next Folium Indum, Am-
3336. ber-greeſe, Coriander-ſeed prepared, Amomum, Pſeuda-momum, Lignum-Rhodium,
Orenge-flower
water, and much more the Infuſion of the ſame Flowers new gathered
in
the Oil of Almonds;
Nutmegs pricked full of holes, and macerated in Roſe-
water
.
As Opiates are to be taken very ſparingly, and at certain times, as was ſaid, ſo theſe ſe-
4437. condaries may be taken familiarly, and in our daily diet, and they will be very effectual
to
prolongation of life.
Certainly an Apothecary of Calecute, by the uſe of Amber,
is
ſaid to have lived an hundred and ſixty years;
and the Noble-men of Barbary, through
the
uſe thereof, are certifi’d to be very long liv’d, whereas the mean people are but
of
ſhort life.
And our Anceſtors, who were longer-liv’d than we, did uſe Saffron
much
in their Cakes, Broths, and the like.
And touching the firſt way of condenſing
the
Spirits of Opiates and the Subordinates thereto, thus much.
Now we will enquire of the ſecond way of condenſing the Spirits by Cold. For the
5538. proper work of Cold is Condenſation, and it is done without any malignity, or adverſe
quality
;
and therefore it is a ſafer operation than by Opiates, though ſomewhat leſs
powerful
, if it be done by turns onely, as Opiates are.
But then again, becauſe it may
be
uſed familiarly, and in our daily diet with moderation, it is much more powerful for
the
prolongation of life than by Opiates.
The Refrigeration of the Spirits is effected three ways, either by Respiration,
6639. or by Vapours, or by Aliment.
The firſt is the beſt, but, in a ſort, out of our
power
;
the ſecond is potent, but yet ready, and at hand; the third is weak, and
ſomewhat
about.
Air clear and pure, and which hath no foggineſs in it, before it be received into the
7740. Lungs, and which is leaſt expoſed to the Sun-beams, condenſeth the Spirits beſt.
Such
is
found either on the tops of dry Mountains, or in Champagnes open to the wind, and
yet
not without ſome ſhade.
As for the Refrigeration and Condenſation of the Spirits by Vapours, the Root of this
8841. operation we place in Nitre, as a Creature purpoſely made and choſen for this end, be-
ing
thereunto led, and perſwaded by theſe Arguments.
Nitre is a kind of cool Spice: this is apparent to the ſenſe it ſelf, for it bites the
9942. Tongue and Palate with cold, as Spices do with heat, and it is the onely thing, as far as
we
know, that hath this property.
Almoſt all cold things (which are cold properly, and not by accident, as Opium is)
101043. are poor and jejune of Spirit;
contrarily, things full of Spirit are almoſt all hot, onely
Nitre
is found amongſt Vegetables, which aboundeth with Spirit, and yet is cold.
As
for
Camphire, which is full of Spirit, and yet performeth the actions of cold, it cooleth
by
accident onely;
as namely, for that by the thinneſs thereof, without Acrimony,
it
helpeth perſpiration in inflammations.
In congealing and freezing of Liquors, (which is lately grown into uſe) by laying
111144. Snow and Ice on the out-ſide of the Veſſel, Nitre is alſo added, and no doubt it ex-
citeth
and fortifieth the Congelation.
It is true, that they uſe alſo for this work ordinary
Bay-Salt
, which doth rather give activity to the coldneſs of the Snow, than cool by it
ſelf
:
But, as I have heard, in the hotter Regions, where Snow falls not, the congeal-
ing
is wrought by Nitre alone;
but this I cannot certainly affirm.
It is affirmed that Gun powder, which conſiſteth principally of Nitre, being taken in
121245. drink, doth conduce to valour, and that it is uſed oftentimes by Mariners and Souldiers
before
they begin their Battels, as the Turks do Opium.
30931The Hiſtory of Life and Death.
Nitre is given with good ſucceſs in burning Agues, and Peſtilential Fevers, to miti-
1146. gate and bridle their pernicious heats.
It is manifeſt, that Nitre in Gun-powder doth mightily abhor the Flame, from
2247. whence is cauſed that horrible Crack and puffing.
Nitre is found to be, as it were, the Spirit of the Earth: for this is moſt cer-
3348. tain, that any Earth, though pure and unmixt with Nitrous matter, if it be ſo laid up
and
covered, that it be free from the Sun-beams, and putteth forth no Vegetable,
will
gather Nitre, even in good abundance.
By which it is clear, that the Spirit of
Nitre
is not onely inferiour to the Spirit of living Creatures, but alſo to the Spirit
of
Vegetables.
Cattle which drink of Nitrous water do manifeſtly grow fat, which is a ſign of the
4449. cold in Nitre.
The manuring of the Soil is chiefly by Nitrous ſubſtances; for all Dung is Nitrous,
5550. and this is a ſign of the Spirit in Nitre.
From hence it appears, that the Spirits of Man may be cooled and condenſed
6651. by the Spirit of Nitre, and be made more crude, and leſs eager.
And therefore,
as
ſtrong Wines, and Spices, and the like, do burn the Spirits, and ſhorten life;
ſo on the contrary ſide, Nitre doth compoſe and repreſs them, and furthereth to
life
.
Nitre may be uſed with meat, mixed with our Salt, to the tenth part of the Salt;
7752. in Broths taken in the morning, for three grains to ten, alſo in Beer: but howſoever
it
be uſed, with moderation, it is of prime force to long life.
As Opium holds the preheminence in condenſing the Spirits, by putting them to
8853. flight, and hath withal his Subordinates, leſs potent, but more ſafe, which may be
taken
both in greater quantity, and in more frequent uſe, of which we have for-
merly
ſpoken:
ſo alſo Nitre, which condenſeth the Spirits by cold, and by a kind of
Freſcour
, (as wenow a-days ſpeak) hath alſo his Subordinates.
Subordinates to Nitre are all thoſe things which yield an Odour ſomewhat Ear-
9954. thy, like the ſmell of Earth, pure and good, newly digged or turned up;
of this ſort
the
chief are, Borage, Bugloſs, Langue de Bœuf, Burnet, Strawberry leaves and
Strawberries
, Frambois or Raſpis, raw Cucumers, raw Pearmains, Vine-leaves, and Buds;
alſo Violets.
The next in order are thoſe which have a certain fteſhneſs of ſmell, but ſomewhat
101055. more inclined to heat;
yet not altogether void of that vertue of refreſhing by cool-
neſs
;
ſuch as are Balm, green Citrons, green Orenges, Roſe-water diſtilled, roasted Wardens;
alſo the Damask, Red, and Musk Roſes.
This is to be noted, that Subordinates to Nitre do commonly confer more to
111156. this Intenſion, Raw, then having paſſed the Fire, becauſe that the Spirit of Cooling
is
diſſipated by the Fire;
therefore they are beſt taken, either infuſed in ſome liquor,
or
raw.
As the condenſation of the Spirits by Subordinates to Opium is, in ſome ſort, per-
121257. formed by Odours, ſo alſo that which is by Subordinates to Nitre;
therefore the ſmell
of
new and pure Earth, taken either by following the Plough, or by digging, or by
weeding
, excellently refreſheth the Spirits.
Alſo the Leaves of Trees in Woods, or
Hedges
, falling towards the middle of Autumn, yield a good refreſhing to the Spi-
rits
, but none ſo good as Strawberry-leaves dying.
Likewiſe the ſmell of Violets, or
Wall-flowers
, or Bean-flowers, or Sweet-briar, or Hony-ſuckles, taken as they grow, in
paſſing
by them onely, is of the ſame nature.
Nay, and we know a certain great word who lived long, that had every morning
131358. immediately after ſleep, a Clod of freſh Earth laid in a fair Napkin under his Noſe, that
he
might take the ſmell thereof.
There is no doubt, but the cooling and tempering of the blood by cool things, ſuch
141459. as are Endive, Succory, Liver wort, Purſlain, and the like, do alſo by conſequent
cool
the Spirits;
but this is about, whereas vaponrs cool immediately.
And as touching the condenſing of the Spirits by Cold, thus much: The third way
151560. of condenſing the Spirits, we ſaid to be by that which we call ſtroaking the Spirits:
The fourth, by quieting the alacrity and unrulineſs of them.
Such things ſtroke the Spirits as are pleaſing and friendly to them, yet they al-
161661. lure them not to go abroad;
but rather prevail, that the Spirits contented, as it
31032The Hiſtory of Life and Death. in their own ſociety, do enjoy themſelves, and betake themſelves into their proper
Centre
.
For theſe, if you recollect thoſe things which were formerly ſet down, as Subor-
1161. dinates to Opium and Nitre, there will need no other Inquiſition.
As for the quieting of the unrulineſs of the Spirits, we ſhall preſently ſpeak of that,
2262. when we enquire touching their Motion.
Now then, ſeeing we have ſpoken of that
Condenſation
of the Spirits which pertaineth to their ſubſtance, we will come to the
temper
of Heat in them.
The Heat of the Spirits, as we ſaid, ought to be of that kind that it may be robuſt,
3363. not eager, and may delight rather to maſter the tough and obſtinate, than to carry away
the
thin and light humors.
We muſt beware of Spices, wine, and ſtrong Drinks, that our uſe of them be very
4464. temperate, and ſometimes diſcontinued;
alſo of Savory, Wild marjoram, Penny-royal,
and
all ſuch as bite and heat the tongue;
for they yield unto the Spirits an heat not O-
perative
, but Predatory.
Theſe yield a robuſt heat, eſpecially Elecampane, Garlick, Carduus Benedictus,
5565. Water-creßes while they are young, Germander, Angelica, Zedoary, Vervin, Valerian,
Myrrhe
, Pepper-wort, Elder flowers, Garden-Chervile;
The uſe of theſe things with
choice
and judgement, ſometimes in Sallads, ſometimes in Medicines, will ſatisfie this
Operation
.
It falls out well that the Grand Opiates will alſo ſerve excellently for this Operation,
6666. in reſpect that they yield ſuch an heat by compoſition, which is wiſhed, but not to be
found
, in Simples.
For the mixing of thoſe exceſſive hot things (ſuch as are Enphor-
bium
, Pellitory of Spain, stavis-acre, Dragon-wort, Anacordi, caſtoreum, Ariſtolochium,
Opponax
, Ammoniachum, Galbanum, and the like, which of themſelves cannot be taken
inwardly
) to qualifie and abate the Stupefactive virtue of the Opium, they do make
ſuch
a conſtitution of a Medicament as we now require;
which is excellently ſeen in
this
, That Treacle and Methridate, and the reſt, are not ſharp, nor bite the tongue,
but
are onely ſomewhat bitter, and of ſtrong ſcent, and at laſt manifeſt their heat when
they
come into the ſtomach, and in their ſubſequent operations.
There conduce alſo to the robuſt heat of the Spirits Venus often excited, rarely
7767. performed;
and no leſs ſome of the affections, of which ſhall be ſpoken hereafter.
So touching the heat of the Spirits, Analogical to the prolongation of Life, thus
much
.
Touching the Quantity of the Spirits, that they be not exuberant and boiling, but
8868. rather sparing, and within a mean, (ſeeing a ſmall flame doth not devour ſo much as a
great
flame) the Inquiſition will be ſhort.
It ſeems to be approved by experience, that a spare Diet, and almoſt a Pythagori-
9969. cal, ſuch as is either preſcribed by the ſtrict Rules of a Monastical life, or practiſed
by
Hermites, which have Neceſſity and Poverty for their Rule, rendreth a man long-
liv’d
.
Hitherto appertain drinking of water, a hard Bed, abſtinence from Fire, a ſlender
101070. Diet, (as namely, of Herbs, Fruits, Fleſh, and Fiſh, rather powdred and ſalted than
freſh
and hot) an Hair-ſhirt, frequent Faſtings, frequent Watchings, few ſenſual Plea-
ſures
, and ſuch like;
for all theſe diminiſh the Spirits, and reduce them to ſuch a quan-
tity
as may be ſufficient onely for the Functions of Life, whereby the depredation is the
leſs
.
But if the Diet ſhall not be altogether ſo rigorous and mortifying, yet notwithſtand-
111171. ing ſhall be always equal and conſtant to it ſelf, it worketh the ſame effect.
We ſee
it
in Flames, that a Flame ſomewhat bigger (ſo it be always alike and quiet) conſu-
meth
leſs of the fuel than a leſſer Flame blown with Bellows, and by Guſts ſtronger
or
weaker:
That which the Regiment and Diet of Cornarus the Venetian ſhewed
plainly
, who did eat and drink ſo many years together by a juſt weight, where-
by
he exceeded an hundred years of age, ſtrong in limbs, and intire in his
ſenſes
.
Care alſo muſt be taken, that a body plentifully nouriſhed, and not emaciated by
121272. any of theſe aforeſaid Diets, omitteth not a ſeaſonable uſe of Venus, leſt the Spirits in-
creaſe
too faſt, and ſoften and deſtroy the body.
So then, touching a moderate quan-
tity
of Spirits, and (as we may ſay) Frugal, thus much.
The Inquiſition touching bridling the motions of the Spirits followeth next.
131373.
31133The Hiſtory of Life and Death. Motion doth manifeſtly attenuate and inſlame them. This bridling is done by three
means
:
by Sleep; by avoiding of vehement Labours, immoderate Exerciſe, and in a word,
all
Laſſitude;
and by refraining irk ſome Affections. And firſt, touching Sleep.
The Fable tells us, that Epimenides ſlept many years together in a Cave, and all that
1174. time needed no meat, becauſe the Spirits waſte not much in ſleep.
Experience teacheth us that certaϊn Creatures, as Dormice and Bats, ſleep in ſome
2275. cloſe places an whole Winter together;
ſuch is the force of ſleep to reſtrain all vital
Conſumption
.
That which Bees and Drones are alſo thought to do, though ſometimes
deſtitute
of Honey;
and likewiſe Butter-flies, and other Flies.
Sleep after Dinner (the ſtomach ſending up no unpleaſing Vapours to the head, as
3376. being the firſt Dews of our Meat) is good for the ſpirits, but derogatory and hurtſul
to
all other points of health.
Notwithſtanding in extream old age there is the ſame
reaſon
of Meat and Sleep, for both our meals and our ſleeps ſhould be then frequent,
but
ſhort and little;
nay, and towards the laſt period of old age, a mere Reſt, and, as
it
were, a perpetual Repoſing doth beſt, eſpecially in Winter-time.
But as moderate ſleep conſerreth to long life, ſo much more if it be quiet and not
4477.diſturbed.
Theſe procure quiet ſleep, Violets, Lettuce, eſpecially boiled, Sirrup of dried Roſes,
5578. Saffron, Balm, Apples, at our going to bed;
a ſop of Bread in Malmſey, eſpecially
where
Musk-Roſes have been firſt infuſed:
therefore it would not be amiſs to make
ſome
Pill, or a ſmall Draught of theſe things, and to uſe it familiarly.
Alſo thoſe
things
which ſhut the mouth of the ſtomach cloſe, as Coriander-ſeed prepared, Quinces
and
Wardens roaſted, do induce ſound ſleep;
but above all things in youth, and for
thoſe
that have ſufficient ſtrong ſtomacks, it will be beſt to take a good draught of clear
cold
Water when they go to bed.
To ching voluntary and procured Trances, as alſo fixed and proſound Thoughts, ſo
as
they be without irksomneſs, I have nothing certain:
no doubt they make to this Intenſion,
and
condenſe the Spirits, and that more potently than Sleep, ſeeing they lay aſleep, and
ſuſpend
the ſenſes as much or more.
Touching them, let further inquiry be made. so far
touching
Sleep.
As for Motion and Exerciſe, Laſſitude hurteth, and ſo doth all Motion and Exer-
6679. ciſe which is too nimble and ſwift;
as Running, Tennis, Fencing, and the like; and
again
, when our ſtrength is extended and ſtrained to the uttermoſt, as Dancing, Wreſt-
ling
, and ſuch like:
for it is certain, that the ſpirits being driven into ſtreights, either by
the
ſwiftneſs of the motion, or by the ſtraining of the forces, do afterward become
more
eager and predatory.
On the other ſide, Exerciſes which ſtir up a good ſtrong
motion
, but not over-ſwift, or to our utmoſt ſtrength, (ſuch as are Leaping, Shooting,
Riding
, Bowling, and the like) do not hurt, but rather benefit.
We muſt come now to the Affections and Paſſions of the Mind, and ſee which of them
are
hurtful to long life, which profitable.
Great Joys attenuate and diffuſe the ſpirits, and ſhorten life; familiar Chearfulneſs
7780. ſtrengthens the ſpirits, by calling them forth, and yet not reſolving them.
Impreſſions of Joy in the ſenſe are naught; ruminations of Joy in the memory, or
8881. apprehenſions of them in hope or fancy, are good.
Joy ſuppreſſed, or communicated ſparingly, doth more comfort the ſpirits than Joy
9982. poured forth and publiſhed.
Grief and Sadneſs, if it be void of Fear, and afflict not too much, doth rather pro-
101083. longlife;
for it contracteth the ſpirits, and is a kind of condenſation.
Great Fears ſhorten the life: for though Grief and Fear do both ſtreighten the ſpirit,
111184. yet in Grief there is a ſimple contraction;
but in Fear, by reaſon of the cares taken
for
the remedy, and hopes intermixed, there is a turmoil and vexing of the ſpirits.
Anger ſuppreſſed is alſo a kind of vexation, and cauſeth the ſpirit to feed upon the
121285. juices of the body;
but let looſe and breaking forth, it helpeth: as thoſe Medicines do
which
induce a robuſt heat.
Envy is the worſt of all Paſſions, and fecdeth upon the ſpirits, and they again
131386. uponthe body;
and ſo much the more becauſe it is perpetual, and, as it is ſaid, keepeth
no
holidays.
Pity of another man’s misfortune, which is not likely to befall our ſelves, is good.
141487.
31234The Hiſtory of Life and Death. but Pity, which may reflect with ſome ſimilitude upon the party pitying, is naught, be-
canſe
it exciteth Fear.
Light shame hurteth not, ſeeing it contracteth the spirits a little, and then ſtraight
1188. diffuſeth them:
inſomuch that ſhamefac’d perſons commonly live long: but Shame for
ſome
great ignominy, and which afflicteth the mind long, contracteth the spirits even
to
ſuffocation, and is pernicious.
Love, if it be not unfortunate, and too deeply wounding, is a kind of Joy, and is
2289. ſubject to the ſame Laws which we have ſet down touching Joy.
Hope is the moſt beneficial of all the Affections, and doth much to the prolonga
3390. tion of life, if it be not too often fruſtrated, but entertaineth the Fancy with an ex-
pectation
of good:
therefore they which fix and propound to themſelves ſome end,
as
the mark and ſcope of their life, and continually and by degrees go for ward in
the
ſame, are, for the moſt part, long-liv’d;
in ſo much that when they are come to
the
top of their hope, and can go no higher therein, they commonly droop, and live
not
long after:
So that Hope is a Leaf-joy, which may be beaten out to a great exten-
ſion
, like Gold.
Admiration and light contemplation are very powerful to the prolonging of life; for
4491. they hold the ſpirits in ſuch things as delight them, and ſuffer them not to tumultuate,
or
to carry themſelves unquietly and waywardly.
And therefore all the Contemplators
of
Natural things, which had ſo many and eminent Objects to admire, (as Demo-
critus
, Plato, Parmedides, Apollonius) were long liv’d:
alſo Rhetoricians, which ta-
ſted
but lightly of things, and ſtudied rather Exornation of ſpeech than profundity of
matters
, were alſo long-liv’d;
as Gorgias, Protagoras, Iſocrates, seneca. And certain-
ly
, as old men are for the moſt part talkative, ſo talkative men do often grow very old;
for it ſhews a light contemplation, and ſuch as doth not much ſtain the spirits, or vex
them
:
but ſubtil, and acute, and eager inquiſion ſhortens life; for it tireth the ſpirit,
and
waſteth it.
And as touching the motion of the Spirits by the Affections of the Mind, thus much.
Now we will adde certain other general Obſervations touching the Spirits, beſide the
former
, which fall not into the precedent diſtribution.
Eſpecial care muſt be taken that the Spirits be not too often reſolved; for attenua-
5592. tion goeth before reſolution, and the spirit once attenuated doth not very eaſily retire,
or
is condenſed.
Now Reſolution is cauſed by over-great labours, over-vebement affe-
ctions
of the mind, over great ſweats, over great evacuations, hot Baths, and an un
temperate
and unſeaſonable uſe of Venus;
alſo by over-great cares and carpings, and
anxious
expectations;
laſtly, by malignant diſeaſes, and intolerable pains and torments
of
the body:
all which, as much as may be, (which our vulgar Phyſicians alſo adviſe)
muſt
be avoided.
The ſpirits are delighted both with wonted things, and with new. Now it maketh
6693. wonderfully to the conſervation of the ſpirits in vigour, that we neither uſe wonted
things
to a ſatiety and glutting;
nor new things, before a quick and ſtrong appetite.
And therfore both cuſtoms are to be broken off with judgment and care, before they
breed
a fulneſs;
and the appetite after new things to be reſtrained for a time until
it
grow more ſharp and jocond:
and moreover, the life, as much as may be, ſo to
be
ordered, that it may have many renovations, and the ſpirits by perpetual converſing
in
the ſame actions may not wax dull.
For though it were no ill ſaying of Seneca’s,
The
fool doth ever begin to live;
yet this folly, and many more ſuch, are good for
long
life.
It is to be obſerved touching the ſpirits, (though the contrary uſed to be done)
7794. That when men perceive their ſpirits to be in good, placid, and healthful ſtate,
(that which will be ſeen by the tranquility of their Mind, and chearful diſpoſi-
tion
) that they cheriſh them, and not change them:
but when, in a turbulent
and
untoward ſtate, (which will alſo appear by their ſadneſs, lumpiſhneſs, and
other
indiſpoſition of their mind) that then they ſtraight overwhelm them, and
alter
them.
Now the ſpirits are contained in the ſame ſtate, by a reſtraining of the
affections
, temperateneſs of diet, abſtinence from Venus, moderation in labour,
indifferent
reſt and repoſe:
and the contrary to theſe do alter and overwhelm
the
ſpirits;
as namely, vehement affections, profuſe feaſtings, immoderate Venus,
difficult
labours, earneſt ſtudies, and proſecution of buſineſs.
Yet men are wont,
when
they are merrieſt and beſt diſpoſed, then to apply themſelves to
31335The Hiſtory of Life and Death. Venus, Labours, Endeavours, Buſineſſes, whereas if they have a regard to long life,
(which may ſeem ſtrange) they ſhould rather practiſe the contrary.
For we ought
to
cheriſh and preſerve good ſpirits, and for the evil-diſpoſed spirits to diſcharge and
alter
them.
Ficinus ſaith not unwiſely, That old men, for the comforting of their ſpirits, ought
1195. often to remember and ruminate upon the Acts of their Childhood and routh.
Cer-
tainly
ſuch a remembrance is a kind of peculiar Recreation to every old man:
and thet efore it is a delight to men to enjoy the ſociety of them which have been
brought
up together with them, and to viſit the places of their education.
Veſpaſian
did
attribute ſo much to this matter, that when he was Emperour he would by no
means
be perſwaded to leave his Father’s houſe, though but mean, leſt he ſhould
loſe
the wonted object of his eyes, and the memory of his childhood;
and beſides,
he
would drink in a wooden Cup, tipped with ſilver, which was his Grandmother’s,
upon
Feſtival dayes.
One thing above all is grateful to the Spirits, that there be a continual progreſs to
2296. the more benign;
therefore we ſhould lead ſuch a Youth and manhood, that our
Old
age ſhould find new Solaces, whereof the chief is moderate eaſe:
And there-
fore
old men in honourable places lay violent hands upon themſelves, who retire not
to
their eaſe:
whereof may be found an eminent Example in caſſiodorus, who was
of
that reputation amongſt the Gothiſh Kings of Italy, that he was as the Soul of their
affairs
;
afterwards, being near eighty years of age, he betook himſelfto a Monaſtery,
where
he ended not his dayes before he was an hundred years old.
But this thing doth
require
two Cautions:
one, that they drive not off till their bodies be utterly
worn
out and diſeaſed;
for in ſuch bodies all mutation, though to the more benign,
haſteneth
death:
the other, that they ſurrender not themſelves to a ſluggiſh eaſe, but
that
they embrace ſomething which may entertain their thoughts and mind with con-
tentation
;
in which kind the chief delights are Reading and Contemplation; and
then
the deſires of Building and Planting.
Laſtly, the ſame Action, Endeavour and Labour undertaken chearfully and with a good
3397. will doth refreſh the Spirits;
but with an averſation and unwillingneſs, doth fret and
deject
them.
And therefore it conferreth to long life, either that a man hath the art
to
inſtitute his life ſo as it may be free and ſuitable to his own humour;
or elſe to lay
ſuch
a command upon his mind, that whatſoever is impoſed by Fortune, it may rather
lead
him than drag him.
Neither is that to be omitted towards the government of the Affections, that eſpecial
4498. care be taken of the mouth of the Stomach, eſpecially that it be not too much relaxed;
for rhat part hath a greater dominion over the affections, eſpecially the daily affections,
than
either the Heart or Brain;
onely thoſe things excepted which are wrought by po-
tent
vapours, as in Drunkenneſs and Melancholly.
Touching the Operation upon the Spirits, that they may remain youthful, and re-
5599. new their vigour, thus much:
which we have done the more accurately, for that
there
is, for the moſt part, amongſt Phyſicians and other Authors touching theſe Ope-
rations
a deep ſilence;
but eſpecially, becauſe the Operation upon the Spirits, and their
waxing
green again, is the moſt ready and compendious way to long life;
and that for a
two-fold
compendiouſneſs:
one, becauſe the Spirits work compendiouſly upon the
body
;
the other, becauſe Vapours and the Affections work compendiouſly upon the
Spirits
;
ſo as theſe attain the end, as it were, in a right line, other things rather in
lines
circular.
The Operation upon the Excluſion of the Air. 2.
The Hiſtory.
THE Excluſion of the Air ambient tendeth to length of life two wayes:
661. Firſt for that the External Air, next unto the Native spirit, (how-
ſoever
the Air may be ſaid to animate the Spirit of Man, and con-
ferreth
not a little to health) doth moſt of all prey upon the juices of the
31436The Hiſtory of Life and Death. and haſten the Deſiccation thereof; and therefore the Excluſion of it is effectual to
length
of life.
Another effect which followeth the Excluſion of Air is much more ſubtil and pro-
112. found, namely, that the Body cloſed up, and not perſpiring by the pores, detaineth the
Spirits
within, and turneth it upon the harder parts of the body, whereby the Spirit
mollifies
and intenerates them.
Of this thing the reaſon is explained in the Deſiccation of Inanimate Bodies; and
223. it is an Axiom almoſt infallible, That the Spirit diſcharged and iſſuing forth, drieth
Bodies
;
detained, melteth and intenerateth them. And it is further to be aſſumed,
That
all Heat doth properly attenuate and moiſten, and contracteth and drieth onely by
Accident
.
Leading the Life in Dens and caves, where the Air receives not the Sun-beams, may
334. be effectual to long life.
For the Air of it ſelf doth not much towards the depreda-
tion
of the body, unleſs it be ſtirred up by heat.
Certainly, if a man ſhall recal things
paſt
to his memory, it will appear that the ſtatures of men have been anciently much
greater
than thoſe that ſucceeded, as in Sicily, and ſome other places:
but this kind of
men
led their lives, for the moſt part, in Caves.
Now length of life and largeneſs of
limbs
have ſome affinity.
The cave alſo of Epimenides walks among the Fables. I
ſuppoſe
likewiſe, that the life of Columnar Anchorites was a thing reſembling the life
in
Caves, in reſpect the Sun-beams could not much pierce thither, nor the Air receive
any
great changes or inequalities.
This is certain, both the Simeon Stelita’s, as well
Daniel
as Saba, and other Columnar Anchorites, have been exceeding long-liv’d.
Like-
wiſe
the Anchorites in our dayes, cloſed up and immured either within Walls or Pillars,
are
often found to be long-liv’d.
Next unto the life in Caves is the life on Mountains: for as the beams of the
445. Sun do not penetrate into Caves;
ſo on the tops of Mountains, being deſtitute of
Reflexion
, they are of ſmall force.
But this is to be underſtood of Mountains where
the
Air is clear and pure;
namely, whether by reaſon of the drineſs of the Vallies, Clouds
and
Vapours do not aſcend;
as it is in the Mountains which encompaſs Barbary, where,
even
at this day, they live many times to an hundred and fifty years, as hath been noted
before
.
And this kind of Air of Caves and Mountains, of its own proper nature, is little or
556. nothing predatory;
but Air, ſuch as ours is, which is predatory through the heat of
the
Sun, ought as much as is poſſible, to be excluded from the body.
But the Air is prohibited and excluded two ways: firſt, by cloſing the Pores; ſe-
667. condly, by filling them up.
To the cloſing of the Pores help coldneſs of the air, going naked, whereby the skin
778. is made hard, waſhing in cold water, Aſtringents applied to the skin, ſuch as are Ma-
ſtick
, Myrrbe, Myrtle.
But much more may we ſatisfie this Operation by Baths, yet thoſe rarely uſed, (eſpe-
889. cially in Summer) which are made of Aſtringent Mineral Waters, ſuch as may ſafely be
uſed
, as Waters participating of Steel and Coperas;
for theſe do potently contract the
skin
.
As for filling up the Pores, Paintings and ſuch like Vnctuous daubings, and (which
9910. may moſt commodiouſly be uſed) Oil and fat things, do no leſs conſerve the ſubſtance
of
the body, than Oil-colours and Varniſh do preſerve Wood.
The ancient Britains painted their bodies with Woad, and were exceeding long liv’d:
101011. the Picts alſo uſed paintings, and are thought by ſome to have derived their name from
thence
.
The Braſilians and Virginians paint themſelves at this day, who are (eſpecially the
111112. former) very long liv’d;
inſomuch that five years ago the French Jeſuites had ſpeech
with
ſome who remembred the building of Fernambuck, which was done an hundred
and
twenty years ſince;
and they were then at Man’s eſtate.
Joannes de temporibus, who is reported to have extended his life to three hundred
121213. years, being asked how he preſerved himſelf ſo long, is ſaid to have anſwered, By Oyl
without
, and by Honey within.
The Iriſh, eſpecially the Wild-Iriſh, even at this day live very long: certainly they
131314. report, that within theſe few years the counteſs of Deſmond lived to an hundred and
forty
years of age, and bred Teeth three times.
Now the Iriſh have a faſhion to chafe,
and
, as it were, to baſte themſelves with old Salt-butter againſt the fire.
31537The Hiſtory of Life and Death.
The ſame Iriſh uſe to wear Saffroned Linen and Shirts: which though it were at
1115. firſt deviſed to prevent Vermin, yet howſoever I take it to be very uſeful for length-
ning
of life;
for Saffron, of all things that I know, is the beſt thing for the skin,
and
the comforting of the fleſh, ſeeing it is both notably Aſtringent, and hath beſides
an
Oleoſity and ſubtle heat, without any Acrimony.
I remember a certain Engliſhman,
who
when he went to Sea carried a bagg of Saffron next his ſtomack, that he might
conceal
it, and ſo eſcape Cuſtom;
and whereas he was wont to be always exceed-
ing
Sea-ſick, at that time he continued very well, and felt no provocation to
vomit
.
Hippocrates adviſeth in Winter to wear clean Linen, and in Summer foul Linen and
2216. beſineared with Oil.
The reaſon may ſeem to be, becauſe in Summer the Spirits ex-
hale
moſt, therefore the pores of the skin would be filled up.
Hereupon we are of opinion, that the uſe of Oil, either of Olives or ſweet Al-
3317. monds, to anoint the skin therewith, would principally conduce to long life:
The
anointing
would be done every morning when we riſe out of bed, with Oil in which a
little
Bay-ſalt and Saffron is mixed.
But this anointing muſt be lightly done with
Wool
, or ſome ſoft ſponge, not laying it on thick, but gently touching and wet-
ting
the skin.
It is certain that Liquors, even the Oily themſelves, in great quantities draw ſome-
4418. what from the body;
but contrarily, in ſmall quantities are drunk in by the body: there-
fore
the anointing would be but light, as we ſaid, or rather the ſhirt it ſelf would be be-
ſmeared
with Oil.
It may happily be objected, that this anointing with Oil, which we commend,
5519. (though it were never in uſe with us, and amongſt the Italians is caſt off again)
was
anciently very familiar amongſt the Grecians and Romans, and a part of their Diet;
and yet men were not longer-liv’d in thoſe dayes than now. But it may rightly be an-
ſwered
, Oil was in uſe onely after Baths, unleſs it were perhaps amongſt Champi-
ons
:
now hot Baths are as much contrary to our operation, as Anointings are
congruous
, ſeeing the one opens the paſſages, the other ſtops them up:
therefore
the
Bath, without the anointing following, is utterly bad;
the anointing without the
Bath
is beſt of all.
Beſides, the anointing amongſt them was uſed onely for delicacy,
or
(if you take it at the beſt) for health, but by no means in order to long life;
and
therefore
they uſed them with all precious Ointments, which were good for deliciouſ-
neſs
, but hurtful to our intention, in regard of their heat:
So that Virgil ſeemeth not to
have
ſaid amiſs,
----Nec Caſiâ liquidi corrumpitur uſus Olivi,
That
odoriferous Caſia hath not ſupplanted the uſe of neat Oil-Olive.
Anointing with Oil conduceth to health, both in Winter, by the excluſion of the
6620. cold Air, and in Summer, by detaining the ſpirits within, and prohibiting the Re-
ſolution
of them, and keeping off the force of the air which is then moſt pre-
datory
.
Seeing the anointing with Oil is one of the moſt potent operations to long life, we
7721. have thought good to add ſome cautions, left the health ſhould be endangered:
They
are
four, according to the four Inconveniences which may follow thereupon.
The firſt Ineonvenience is, that by repreſſing ſweats, it may ingender diſeaſes from
8822. thoſe excrementitious humours.
To this a remedy muft be given by Purges and Cly-
ſters
, that evacuation may be duly performed.
This is certain, that evacuation by
ſweats
commonly advanceth health, and derogateth from long life;
butgentle Purgers
work
upon the humours, not upon the ſpirits, as ſweat doth.
The ſecond Inconvenience is, that it may heat the body, and in time inflame it; for
9923. the ſpirits ſhut in, and not breathing forth, acquire heat.
This inconvenience may be
prevented
, if the Diet moſt uſually incline to the colder part, and that at times ſome
proper
cooling Medicines be taken, of which we ſhall ſtraight ſpeak in the operation
upon
the Bloud.
The third is, that it may annoy the head; for all Oppletion from without ſtrikes back
101024. the vapours, and ſends them up unto the head.
This inconvenience is remedied by
Purgers
, eſpecially Clyſters, and by ſhutting the mouth of the ſtomach ſtrongly with
Stipticks
, and by combing and rubbing the head, and by waſhing it with convenient
Lies
, that ſomething may exhale, and by not omitting competent and good exerciſes,
that
ſomething alſo may perſpire by the skin.
31638The Hiſtory of Life and Death.
The fourth Inconvenience is a more ſubtil Evil, namely, that the Spirit being
1125. detained by the cloſing up of the Pores, is likely to multiply it ſelf too much;
for when
little
iſſueth forth, and new Spirit is continually ingendred, the Spirit in creaſeth too
faſt
, and ſo preyeth upon the body more plentifully.
But this is not altogether ſo;
for all Spirit cloſed up is dull, (for it is blown and excited with motion as Flame is)
and
therefore it is leſs active, and leſs generative of it ſelf:
Indeed it is thereby in-
creaſed
in Heat, (as Flame is) but flow in Motion.
And therefore the remedy to
this
inconvenience muſt be by cold things, being ſometimes mixed with Oil, ſuch
as
are Roſes and Myrtles;
for we muſt altogether diſclaim hot things, as we ſaid of
Caſſia
.
Neither will it be unprofitable to wear next the body Garments that have in
2226. them ſome Unctuoſity or Oleoſity, not Aquoſity, for they will exhauſt the body
leſs
;
ſuch as are thoſe of Woollen rather than thoſe of Linen. Certainly it is
manifeſt
in the Spirits of Odours, that if you lay ſwe@t powders amongſt Li-
nen
, they will much ſooner loſe their ſmell than amongſt Woollen.
And there-
fore
Linen is to be preferred for delicacy and neatneſs, but to be ſuſpected for our
Operation
.
The Wild Iriſh, as ſoon as they fall ſick, the firſt thing they do is to take the ſheets
3327. off their beds, and to wrap themſelves in the woollen cloaths.
Some report, that they have found great benefit in the conſervation of their health
4428. by wearing scarlet Waſcoats next their skin, and under their ſhirts, as well down to
the
neather parts as on the upper.
It is alſo to be obſerved, that Air accuſtomed to the body doth leſs prey upon it
5529. than new Air and often changed;
and therefore poor people, in ſmall Cottages, who
live
always within the ſmell of the ſame chimney, and change not their ſeats, are
commonly
longeſt liv’d:
notwithſtanding, to other operations (eſpecially for them
whoſe
Spirits are not altogether dull) we judge change of air to be very profitable;
but a mean muſt be uſed, which may ſatisfie on both ſides. This may be done by re-
moving
our habitation four times a year, at conſtant and ſet times, unto convenient
ſeats
, that ſo the body may neither be in too much peregrination, nor in too much
ſtation
.
And touching the Operation upon the Excluſion of Air, and avoiding the
predatory
force thereof, thus much.
The Operation upon the Bloud, and the
Sanguifying
Heat. 3.
The Hiſtory.
THE following Operations anſwer to the two precedent, and are in the re-
661. lation of Paſfives and Actives:
for the two precedent intend this, that
the
Spirits and Air in their actions may be the leſs depredatory;
and the
two
latter, that the Bloud and Juice of the body may be the leſs depredable.
But becauſe the Bloud is an irrigation or watering of the Juices and Members, and a
preparation
to them, therefore we will put the operation upon the Bloud in the firſt
place
.
Concerning this Operation we will propound certain Counſels, few in number,
but
very powerful in virtue.
They are three.
Firſt, there is no doubt, but that if the bloud be brought to a cold temper, it
772. will be ſo much the leſs diſſipable.
But becauſe the cold things which are taken
by
the mouth agree but ill with many other Intentions, therefore it will be beſt
to
find out ſome ſuch things as may be free from theſe inconveniences.
They
are
two.
The firſt is this: Let there be brought into uſe, efpecially in youth, Clyſters, not
883. purging at all, or abſterging, but onely cooling, and ſome what opening:
@hoſe are
approved
which are made of the Juices of Lettuce, Purſlane, Liver-wort, Houſesleek, and
the
Mucilage of the ſeed of Flea-wort, with ſome temperate opening decoction, and
31739The Hiſtory of Life and Death. little Camphire: but in the declining age let the Housleek and Purslane be left out, and
the
juices of Borrage and Endive, and the like, be put in their rooms.
And let theſe
Clyſters
be retained, if it may be, for an hour or more.
The other is this, Let there be in uſe, eſpecially in Summer, Baths of freſh water,
114. and but luke-warm, altogether without Emollients, as Mallows, Mercury, Milk, and
the
like;
rather take new Whey in ſome good quantity, and Roſes.
But (that which is the principal in this intention, and new) we adviſe that before
225. the bathing of the body be anointed with Oil, with ſome thickneſs, whereby the quality
of
the cooling may be received, and the water excluded:
yet let not the pores of the
body
be ſhut too cloſe;
for when the outward cold cloſeth up the body too ſtrongly, it
is
ſo far from furthering coolneſs, that it rather forbids, and ſtirs up heat.
Like unto this is the uſe of Bladders, with ſome decoctions and cooling juices, ap
336. plied to the inferiour region of the body, namely, from the ribbs to the privy parts;
for this alſo is a kind of bathing, where the body of the liquor is for the moſt part ex-
cluded
, and the cooling quality admitted.
The third counſel remaineth, which belongeth not to the quality of the blood, but
447. to the ſubſtance thereof, that it may be made more firm and leſs diſſipable, and ſuch,
as
the heat of the ſpirit may have the leſs power over it.
And as for the uſe of Filings of Gold, Leaf-gold, Powder of Pearl, Precious ſtones,
558. Coral, and the like, we have no opinion of them at this day, unleſs it be onely as they
may
ſatisfie this preſent Operation.
Certainly, ſeeing the Arabians, Grecians, and mo-
dern
Phyſicians have attributed ſuch virtues to theſe things, it cannot be altogether
Nothing
which ſo great men have obſerved of them.
And therefore omitting all fan-
taſtical
opinions about them, we do verily believe, that if there could be ſome ſuch
thing
conveyed into the whole maſs of the bloud in minute and fine portions, over
which
the ſpirits and heat ſhould have little or no power, abſolutely it would not only
reſiſt
Putrefaction, but Arefaction alſo, and be a moſt effectual means to the prolonga-
tion
of life.
Nevertheleſs in this thing ſeveral cautions are to be given. Firſt, that
there
be a moſt exact comminution.
Secondly, that ſuch hard and ſolid things be void
of
all malignant qualities, leſt while they be diſperſed and lurk in the veins, they breed
ſome
ill convenience.
Thirdly, that they be never taken together with meats, nor
in
any ſuch manner as they may ſtick long, leſt they beget dangerous obſtructions about
the
Meſentery.
Laſtly, that they be taken very rarely, that they may not congregate
and
knot together in the veins.
Therefore let the manner of taking them be fasting, in white wine, a little Oil of
669. Almonds mingled therewith, Exerciſe uſed immediately upon the taking of them.
The Simples which may ſatisfie this Operation are, in ſtead of all, Gold, Pearls, and
7710. Coral:
for all Mctalls, except Gold, are not without ſome malignant quality in the
diſſolutions
of them, neither will they be beaten to that exquiſite fineneſs that Leaf-
gold
hath.
As for all glaſſie and tranſparent Jewels, we like them not, (as we ſaid be-
fore
) for fear of Corroſion.
But, in our judgment, the ſafer and more effectual way would be by the uſe of
8811. woods in Infuſions and Decoctions;
for there is in them ſufficient to cauſe firmneſs of
bloud
, and not the like danger for breeding obſtructions;
but eſpecially, becauſe they
may
be taken in meat and drink, whereby they will find the more eaſie entrance into the
veins
, and not be avoided in excrements.
The Woods fit for this purpoſe are Sanders, the Oak and Vine. As for all hot Woods
9912. or ſomething Roſennie, we reject them:
notwithſtanding you may adde the woody
ſtalks
of Roſemary dried, for Roſemary is a Shrub, and exceedeth in age many Trees;
alſo the woody ſtalks of Ivy, but in ſuch quantity as they may not yield an unpleaſing
taſte
.
Let the Woods be taken either boiled in Broths, or infuſed in Muſt or Ale before
101013. they leave working:
but in Broths (as the cuſtom is for Guaiacum and the like) they
would
be infuſed a good while before the boiling, that the firmer part of the wood, and
not
that onely which lieth looſely, may be drawn forth.
As for Aſh, though it be uſed
for
Cups, yet we like it not.
And touching the Operation upon the Bloud thus much.
31840The Hiſtory of Life and Death.
The Operation upon the Juices of the Body. 4.
The Hiſtory.
THere are two kinds of Bodies (as was ſaid before in the Inquiſition touching In-
111. animates) which are hardly conſumed, Hard things and Fat things;
as is
ſeen
in Metalls and Stones, and in Oil and Wax.
It muft be ordered therefore, that the juice of the body be ſomewhat hard, and that it
222. be fatty or ſubroſcid.
As for bardneſs, it is cauſed three ways: by Aliment of a firm nature, by Cold con-
333. denſing the skin and fleſh, and by Exerciſe, binding and compacting the juices of the
body
, that they be not ſoft and frothy.
As for the Nature of the Aliment, it ought to be ſuch as is not eaſily diſſipable; ſuch
444. as are Beef, Swine’s-fleſh, Dear, Goat, Kid, Swan, Gooſe, Ring-dove, eſpecially if they be a
little
powdred;
Fiſh likewiſe ſalted and dried, Old Cheeſe, and the like.
As for the Bread; Oaten-bread, or bread with ſome mixture of Peaſe in it, or Rye-
555. bread, or Barly-bread, are more ſolid than Wheat-bread, and in Wheat-bread, the
courſe
Wheat-bread is more ſolid than the pure Manchet.
The Inhabitants of the Orcades, which live upon ſalted fiſh, and generally all Fiſh-eaters,
666. are long liv’d.
The Monks and Hermites which fed ſparingly, and upon dry Aliment, attained com-
777. monly to a great age.
Alſo pure Water uſually drunk makes the juices of the body leſs frothy? unto which
888. if, for the dulneſs of the ſpirits, (which no doubt in VVater are but a little penetrative)
you
ſhall adde a little Nitre, we conceive it would be very good.
And touching the
firmneſs
of the Aliment thus much.
As for the Condenſation of the skin and fleſh by Cold: They are longer-liv’d for the
999. moſt part that live abroad in the open air, than they that live in Houſes;
and the Inha-
bitants
of the cold Countries, than the Inhabitants of the hot.
Great ſtore of clothes, either upon the bed or back, do reſolve the body.
101010.
Waſhing the body in Cold Water is good for length of life; uſe of hot Baths is naught.
111111. Touching Baths of Aſtringent Mineral Waters we have ſpoken before.
As for Exerciſe; an idle life doth manifeſtly make the fleſh ſoft and diſſipable: robuſt
121212. exerciſe (ſo it be without over-much ſweating or wearineſs) maketh it hard and com-
pact
.
Alſo exerciſe within cold Water, as ſwimming, is very good; and generally
exerciſe
abroad is better than that within houſes.
Touching Frications, (which are a kind of exerciſe) becauſe they do rather call forth
131313. the Aliment than harden the fleſh, we will inquire hereafter in the due place.
Having now ſpoken of hardning the juices of the body, we are to come next to the
141414. Oleoſity and Fattineſs of them, which is a more perfect and potent Intention than Indu-
ration
, becauſe it hath no inconvenience or evil annexed.
For all thoſe things which
pertain
to the hardning of the juices are of that nature, that while they prohibit the
abſumption
of the Aliment, they alſo hinder the operation of the ſame;
whereby it
happens
, that the ſame things are both propitious and adverſe to length of life:
but thoſe
things
which pertain to making the Juices Oily and Roſcid, help on both ſides, for they
render
the Aliment both leſs diſſipable, and more reparable.
But whereas we ſay that the Juice of the body ought to be Roſcid and Fat, it is to be
151515. noted that we mean it not of a viſible Fat, but of a Dewineſs diſperſed, or (if you will
call
it) Radical in the very ſubſtance of the body.
Neither again let any man think, that Oil or the Fat of Meats or Marrow do engen-
161616. der the like, and ſatisfie our intention:
for thoſe things which are once perfect are
not
brought back again;
but the Aliments ought to be ſuch, which after digeſtion
and
maturation do then in the end engender Olcoſity in the Juices.
Neither again let any man think, that Oil or Fat by it ſelf and ſimple is hard of diſſi-
171717. pation, but in mixture it doth not retain the ſame nature:
for as Oil by it ſelf is much
more
longer in conſuming then VVater;
ſo in Paper or Linnen it ſticketh longer, and
is
later dried, as we noted before.
31941The Hiſtory of Life and Death.
To the Irroration of the body, roaſted meats or baked meats are more effectual than
1118. boiled meats, and all preparation of meat with water is inconvenient:
beſides, Oil is
more
plentifully extracted out of drie bodies than out of moiſt bodies.
Generally, to the Irroration of the body much uſe of ſweet things is profitable, as of
2219. Sugar, Honey, ſweet Almonds, Pine-Apples, Piſtachio’s, Dates, Raiſins of the Sun, Corans,
Figs
, and the like.
Contrarily, all ſour, and very ſalt, and very biting things are oppo-
ſite
to the generation of Roſcid Juice.
Neither would we be thought to favaur the Manichees, or their diet, though we com-
3320. mend the frequent uſe of all kinds of Seeds, Kernels, and Roots, in Meats or Sauces,
conſidering
all Bread (and Bread is that which maketh the Meat firm) is made either
of
Seeds or Roots.
But there is nothing makes ſo much to the Irroration of the body, as the quality of
4421. the Drink, which is the convoy of the Meat;
therefore let there be in uſe ſuch Drinks as
without
all acrimony or ſowrneſs are notwithſtanding ſubtil:
ſuch are thoſe Wines
which
are (as the old woman ſaid in Plautus) vetuſtate edentula, toothleſs with age,
and
Ale of the ſame kind.
Mead (as we ſuppoſe) would not be ill if it were ſtrong and old: but becauſe
5522. all Honey hath in it ſome ſharp parts, (as appears by that ſharp water which the Chy-
mists
extract out of it, which will diſſolve metals) it were better to take the ſame por-
tion
of Sugar, not lightly infuſed in it, but ſo incorporated as Honey uſeth to be in Mead,
and
to keep it to the age of a year, or at leaſt ſix months, whereby the Water may loſe
the
crudity, and the Sugar acquire ſubtilty.
Now ancientneſs in Wine or Beer hath this in it, that it ingenders ſubtilty in the
6623. parts of the Liquor, and acrimony in the Spirits, where of the firſt is profitable, and the
ſecond
hurtful.
Now to rectifie this evil commixture, let there be put into the veſſel,
before
the Wine be ſeparated from the Muſt, Swines-fleſh or Deers-fleſh well boiled,
that
the Spirits of the Wine may have whereupon to ruminate and feed, and ſo lay aſide
their
mordacity.
In like manner, if Ale ſhould be made not only with the grains of Wheat, Barly,
7724. Oates, Peaſe, and the like;
but alſo ſhould admit a part (ſuppoſe a third part to theſe
grains
) of ſome fat roots, ſuch as are Potado-roots, Pith of Artichokes, Burre-roots,
or
ſome other ſweet and eſculent roots;
we ſuppoſe it would be a more uſeful drink
for
long life than Ale made of grains onely.
Alſo ſuch things as have very thin parts, yet notwithſtanding are without all acri-
8825. mony or mordacity, are very good Sallets:
which vertue we find to be in ſome few
of
the Flowers;
namely, Flowers of Ivy, which infuſed in Vinegar are pleaſant even
to
the taſte;
Marigold leaves, which are uſed in Broths; and Flowers of Betony. And
touching
the operation upon the Juices of the Body thus much.
The Operation upon the Bowels for their Extruſion
of
Aliment. 5.
The Hiſtory.
WHat thoſe things are which comfort the Principal Bowels, whichare the foun-
991. tains of Concoctions, namely, the Stomack, Liver, Heart and Brain, to
perform
their functions well, (whereby Aliment is diſtributed into the parts,
Spirits
are diſperſed, and the Reparation of the whole body is accompliſhed) may be
derived
from Phyſitians, and from their Preſcripts and Advices.
Touching the Spleen, Gall, Kidneys, Meſenteries, Guts and Lungs, we ſpeak not, for
10102. theſe are members miniſtring to the principal;
and whereas ſpeech is made touching
health
, they require ſometime a moſt ſpecial conſideration, becauſe each of theſe
have
their diſeaſes, which unleſs they be cured, will have influence upon the Prin-
cipal
Members.
But as touching the prolongation of life, and reparation by ali-
ments
, and retardation of the incoction of old age;
if the Concoctions
32042The Hiſtory of Life and Death. thoſe principal Bowels be well diſpoſed, the reſt will commonly follow according to ones
wiſh
.
And as for thoſe things which, according to the different ſtate of every man’s body
113. may be transferred into his Diet and the regiment of his life, he may collect them out
of
the Books of Phyſicians, which have written of the comforting and preſerving the
four
Principal Members:
For conſervation of health hath commonly need of no more
than
ſome ſhort courſes of Phyſick;
but length of life cannot be hoped without an or-
derly
diet, and a conſtant race of ſoveraign Medicines.
But we will propound ſome few,
and
thoſe the moſt ſelect and prime directions.
The Stomach (which, as they ſay, is the Maſter of the houſe, and whoſe ſtrength
224. and goodneſs is fundamental to the other concoctions) ought ſo to be guarded and
confirmed
, that it may be without Intemperateneſs hot;
next aſtricted or boúnd,
not
looſe;
furthermore clean, not ſurcharged with foul Humours, and
yet
(in regard it is nouriſhed from it ſelf, not from the veins) not altogether
empty
or hungry:
laſtly, it is to be kept ever in appetite, becauſe appetite ſharpens
digeſtion
.
I wonder much how that ſame Calidum bibere, to drink warm drink, (which was in
335. uſe amongſt the Ancients) is laid down again.
I knew a Phyſician that was very fa
mous
, who in the beginning of dinner and ſupper, would uſually eat a few ſpoonfulls
of
very warm broth with much greedineſs, and then would preſently wiſh that it were
out
again, ſaying, He had no need of the broth, but only of the warmth.
I do verily conceive it good, that the firſt draught either of Wine, or Ale, or any
446. other drink, (to which a man is moſt accuſtomed) be taken at ſupper warm.
Wine in which Gold hath been quenched, I conceive, would be very good once in a
557. meal;
not that I believe the Gold conferreth any vertue thereunto, but that I know
that
the quen ching of all Metals in any kind of liquor doth leave a moſt potent Aſtri-
ction
:
Now I chuſe Gold, becauſe beſides that Aſtriction which I deſire, it leaveth
nothing
elſe behind it of a metalline impreſſion.
I am of opinion, that the ſops of bread dipped in wine, taken at the midſt of the
668. meal, are better than wine it ſelf;
eſpecially if there were infuſed into the wine in
which
the ſops were dipped Roſemary and Citron-pill, and that with Sugar, that it
may
not ſlip too faſt.
It is certain that the uſe of Quinces is good to ſtrengthen the ſtomach; but we
779. take them to be better if they be uſed in that which they call Quiddeny of Quinces,
than
in the bodies of the Quinces themſelves, becauſe they lie heavy in the ſtomach.
But thoſe Quiddenies are beſt taken after meals, alone; before meals, dipped in Vi-
negar
.
Such things as are good for the ſtomach above other Simples are theſe, Roſemary,
8810. Elecampane, Maſtick, Wormwood, Sage, Mint.
I allow Pills of Aloes, Maſtick and Saffron in Winter time, taken before dinner;
9911. but ſo, as the Aloes be not only oftentimes waſhed in Roſe water, but alſo in Vinegar in
which
Tragacanth hath been infuſed, and after that be macerated for a few hours in
Oil
of ſweet Almonds new drawn, before it be made into Pills.
Wine or Ale wherein Wormwood hath been infuſed, with a little Elecampane and
101012. yellow Sanders, will do well, taken at times, and that eſpecially in Winter.
But in Summer, a draught of White-wine allayed with Strawberry-water, in which
111113. Wine Powder of Pearls and of the ſhells of cra-fiſhes exquiſitely beaten and (which
may
perhaps ſeem ſtrange) a little Chalk have been infuſed, doth excellently refreſh
and
ſtrengthen the ſtomach.
But generally, all Draughts in the morning (which are but too frequently uſed) of
121214. cooling things, as of Juices, Decoctions, Whey, Barly-waters, and the like) are to be
avoided
, and nothing is to be put into the ſtomach faſting which is purely cold.
Theſe things are better given, if need require, either at five in the afternoon, or elſe an
hour
after a light breakfaſt.
Often faſtings are bad for long life; beſides, all thirſt is to be avoided, and the ſto-
131315. mach is to be kept clean, but al ways moiſt.
Oil of Olives new and good, in which a little Methridate hath been diſfolved,
141416. anointed upon the back-bone, juſt againſt the mouth of the ſtomach, doth wonderfully
comfort
the ſtomach.
A ſmall bag filled with locks of Scarlet-wool ſteeped in Red-wine, in which
151517.
32143The Hiſtory of Life and Death. Myrtle, and Citron-pill, and a little Saffron have been infuſed, may be always worn
upon
the ſtomach.
And touching thoſe things wich comfort the ſtomach thus much,
ſeeing
many of thoſe things alſo which ſerve for other operations are helpful to
this
.
The Liver, if it be preſerved from Torrefaction, or Deſiccation, and from Obſtruction,
1118. it needeth no more;
for that looſeneſs of it which begets Aquoſities is plainly a diſ-
eaſe
, but the other two old age approaching induceth.
Hereunto appertain moſt eſpecially thoſe things which are ſet down in the Operation
2219. upon the Bloud:
we will adde a very few things more, but thoſe ſelected.
Principally let there be in uſe the Wine of ſweet Pomegranats, or, if that cannot be
3320. had, the juice of them newly expreſſed;
let it be taken in the morning with a little
sugar
, and into the glaſs into which the Expreſſion is made put a ſmall piece of Citron-
pill
green, and three or four whole Cloves:
let this be taken from February till the end
of
April.
Bring alſo into uſe above all other Herbs Water-creßes, but young, not old; they
4421. may be uſed either raw in Sallets, or in Broths, or in Drinks:
and after that take
Spoon-wort
.
Aloes, however waſhed or corrected, is hurtful for the Liver, and therefore it is
5522. never to be taken ordinarily.
Contrariwiſe, Rhubarb is ſovereign for the Liver, ſo
that
theſe three cautions be interpoſed.
Firſt, that it be taken before meat, leſt it dry
the
body too much, or leave ſome impreſſions of the Stipicity thereof.
Secondly, that
it
be macerated an hour or two in Oil of ſweet Almonds new drawn, with Roſe-water,
before
it be infuſed in Liquor, or given in the proper ſubſtance.
Thirdly, that it be
taken
by turns, one while ſimple, another while with Tartar, or a little Bay-ſalt, that
it
carry not away the lighter parts onely, and make the maſs of the Humours more ob-
ſtinate
.
I allow Wine, or ſome decoction with Steel, to be taken three or four times in the
6623. year, to open the more ſtrong obſtructions;
yet ſo, that a draught of two or three
ſpoonfuls
of Oil of ſweet Almonds new drawn ever go before, and the motion of the
Body
, eſpecially of the arms and ſides, conſtantly follow.
Sweetned Liquors, and that with ſome fatneſs, are principally, and not a little effe-
7724. ctual to prevent the Arefaction, and Saltneſs, and Torrefaction, and in a word, the
Oldneſs
of the Liver, eſpecially if they be well incorporated with age.
They are made
of
ſweet Fruits and Roots, as namely, the Wines and Julips of Raiſins of the Sun new,
Jujubaes
, dried Figs, Dates, Parſnips, Potatoes, and the like, with the mixture of Li-
coris
ſometimes:
alſo a Julip of the indian grain, (which they call Maiz) with the
mixture
of ſome ſweet things, doth much to the ſame end.
But it is to be noted,
that
the intention of preſerving the Liver in a kind of ſoftneſs and fatneſs,
is
much more powerful than that other which pertains to the opening of the
Liver
, which rather tendeth to health than to length of life, ſaving that that
Obſtruction
which induceth Torrefaction is as oppoſite to long life as thoſe other
Arefactions
.
I commend the Roots of succory, spinage and Beets cleared of their piths, and
8825. boiled till they be tender in Water, with a third part of White-wine, for ordinary Sal-
lets
, to be eaten with Oil and Vinegar:
alſo Aſparagus, pith of Artichokes, and
Burre-roots
boiled and ſerved in after the ſame manner;
alſo Broths in the Spring-time
of
Vine-buds, and the green blades of wheat.
And touching the preſerving of the Li-
ver
thus much.
The Heart receiveth benefit or harm moſt from the Air which we breath, from
9926. Vapours, and from the Affections.
Now many of thoſe things which have been for-
merly
ſpoken touching the Spirits may be transferred hither;
but that indigeſted maſs
of
Cordials collected by @ byſicians avails little to our intention;
notwithſtanding
thoſe
things which are found to be good againſt Poyſons may with good judgment
be
given to ſtrengthen and fortifie the Heart, eſpecially if they be of that kind, that
they
do not ſo much reſiſt the particular poyſons as arm the heart and ſpirits againſt poy-
ſon
in general.
And touching the ſeveral Cordials, you may repair to the Table already
ſet
down.
The goodneſs of the Air is better known by experience than by ſigns. We hold
101027. that Air to be beſt where the Country is level and plain, and that lieth open
on
all ſides, ſo that the ſoil be dry, and yet not barren or ſandy;
which puts
32244The Hiſtory of Life and Death. Wild Thyme, and Eye-bright, and a kind of Marjoram, and here and there ſtalks of Ca-
lamint
;
which is not altogether void of wood, but conveniently ſet with ſome Trees
for
ſhade;
where the Sweet-briar-reſe ſmelleth ſomething Musky and Aromatically. If
there
be Rivers, we ſuppoſe them rather hurtful than good, unleſs they be very ſmall,
and
clear, and gravelly.
It is certain that the morning air is more lively and refreſhing than the evening air,
1128. though the latter be preferr’d out of delicacy.
We conceive alſo, that the air ſtirred with a gentle wind is more wholeſome than
2229. the air of a ſerene and calm skie;
but the beſt is, the wind blowing from the Weſt in the
morning
, and from the North in the afternoon.
Odours are eſpecially profitable for the comforting of the heart, yet not ſo as though
3330. ag oododour were the prerogative of a good air:
for it is certain, that as there are ſome
Peſtilential
airs which ſmell not ſo ill as others that are leſs hurtful;
ſo, on the contra-
ry
, there are ſome airs moſt wholſome and friendly to the ſpirits, which either ſmell
not
at all, or are leſs pleaſing and fragrant to the ſenſe.
And generally, where the air is
good
, odours ſhould be taken but now and then;
for a continual odour, though never
ſo
good, is burthenſome to the ſpirits.
We commend above all others (as we have touched before) odour of Plants, grow-
4431. ing, and not plucked, taken in the open air:
the principal of that kind are Violets,
Gilliflowers
, Pinks, Bean-flowers, Lime-tree-bloſſoms, Vine-buds, Honey-ſuckles, yellow Wall-
flowers
, Musk-Roſes, (for other Roſes growing are faſt of their ſmells) Strawberry-leaves,
eſpecially
dying, Sweet-briar, principally in the early Spring, wild Mint, Lavender flowered;
and in the hotter Countries, Orenge-tree, Citron-tree, Myrtle, Laurel: Therefore to walk
or
ſit near the breath of theſe Plants would not be neglected.
For the comforting of the Heart, we prefer cool ſmels before hot ſmells: therefore
5532. the beſt perfume is, either in the morning, or about the heat of the day, to take an equal
portion
of Vinegar, Roſe-water, and claret-wine, and to pour them upon a Fire-pan ſome-
what
heated.
Neither let us be thought to ſacrifice to our Mother the Earth, though we adviſe,
6633. that in digging or ploughing the Earth for health, a quantity of claret-wine be poured
thereon
.
Orenge-flower-water, pure and good, with a ſmall portion of Roſe-water and brisk wine,
7734. ſnuffed up into the noſtrils, or put into the noſtrills with a springe, after the manner of an
Errhine
, (but not too frequently) is very good.
But champing (though we have no Betel) or holding in the mouth onely of ſuch
8835. things as cheer the Spirits, (even daily done) is exceeding comfortable.
Therefore
for
that purpoſe make Grains or little cakes of Amber-griece, Musk, Lignum-Aloes,
Lignum
Rhodium, Orr as Powder, and Roſes;
and let thoſe Grains or Cakes be made up with
Roſe-water
which hath paſſed through a little Indian Balſam.
The Vapours which ariſing from things inwardly taken do fortifie and cheriſh the
9936. heart ought to have theſe three properties, that they be Friendly, Clear, and Cooling;
for hot vapours are naught, and wine it ſelf, which is thought to have onely an heating
vapour
, is not altogether void of an Opiate quality, Now we call thoſe vapours Clear
which
have more of the vapour than of the exhalation, and which are not ſmoaky.
or
fuliginous
, or unctuous, but moiſt and equal.
Out of that unprofitable rabble of cordials, a few ought to be taken into daily diet:
101037. inſtead of all, Amber-griece, Saffron, and the grain of Kermes, of the hotter ſort; Roots
of
Bugloſs and Borrage, Citrons, Sweet Limons, and Pearmains, of the colder ſort.
Alſo that
way
which we ſaid, both Gold and Pearls work a good effect, not onely within the
veins
, but in their paſſage, and about the parts near the heart;
namely, by cooling, with-
out
any malignant quality.
Of Bezoar-ſtone we believe well, becauſe of many trials: but then the manner of
111138. taking it ought to be ſuch, as the vertue thereof may more eaſily be communicated to
the
ſpirits:
therefore we approve not the taking of it in Broths or Syrups, or in Roſe-
water
, or any ſuch like;
but onely in wine, Cinnamon-water, or the like diſtilled water,
but
that weak or ſmall, not burning or ſtrong.
Of the Affections we have ſpoken before; we onely adde this, That every Noble, and
121239. Reſolute, and (as they call it) Heroical Deſire, ſtrengthneth and inlargeth the powers of
the
Heart.
And touching the Heart thus much.
32345The Hiſtory of Life and Death.
As for the Brain, where the Seat and Court of the Animal spirits is kept, thoſe things
1140. which were inquired before touching Opium, and Nitre, and the Subor dinates to them
both
, alſo touching the procuring of placid ſleep, may likewiſe be referred hither.
This
alſo
is moſt certain, that the Brain is in ſome ſort in the cuſtody of the Stomach;
and
therefore
thoſe things which comfort and ſtrengthen the Stomach do help the Brain
by
conſent, and may no leſs be transferred hither.
We will adde a few Obſervations,
three
Outward, one Inward.
We would have bathing of the Feet to be often uſed, at leaſt once in a week; and
2241. the Bath to be made of Lye with Bay-ſalt, and a little Sage, chamomile, Fennel, Sweet-
marjoram
, and Pepper-wort, with the leaves of Angellica green.
We commend alſo a Fume or Suffumigation every morning of dried Roſemary, Bay-
3342. leaves dried, and Lignum-Aloes:
for all ſweet Gums oppreſs the head.
Eſpecially care muſt be taken that no bot things be applied to the Head outwardly;
4443. ſuch are all kind of Spices, the very Nutmeg not excepted: for thoſe hot things we
debaſe
them to the ſoles of the Feet, and would have them applied there onely;
but a
light
anointing of the Head with Oil, mixed with Roſes, Myrtle, and a little Salt and Saf-
fron
, we much commend.
Not forgetting thoſe things which we have before delivered touching Opiates, Nitre,
5544. and the like, which ſo much condenſe the spirits;
we think it not impertinent to that
effect
, that once in fourteen days Broth be taken in the morning with three or four grains
of
Caſtoreum, and a little Angelica-ſeed, and Calamus, which both fortifie the Brain, and
in
that aforeſaid denſity of the ſubſtance of the ſpirits, (ſo neceſſary to long life) adde
alſo
a vivacity of motion and vigour to them.
In handling the Comforters of the four principal Bewels, we have propounded thoſe
6645. things which are both proper and choice, and may ſafely and conveniently be tranſ-
ferred
into Diets and Regiment of Life:
for variety of Medicines is the Daughter of
Ignorance
;
and it is not more true, that many Diſhes have cauſed many Diſeaſes, as the
Proverb
is, than this is true, that many Medicines have cauſed few Cures.
And touch-
ing
the Operation upon the principal Bowels for their Extruſion of Aliment, thus
much
.
The Operation upon the Outward Parts for their
Attraction
of Aliment. 6.
The Hiſtory.
ALthough a good Concoction perſormed by the Inward Parts be the principal to-
771. wards a perfect Alimentation;
yet the Actions of the Outward Parts ought
alſo
to concur;
that like as the Inward Faculty ſendeth forth and extrudeth the
Aliment
, ſo the Faculty of the Outward Parts may call forth and attract the ſame:
and
the
more weak the Faculty of Concoction ſhall be, the more need is there of a concurring
help
of the Attractive Faculty.
A ſtrong Attraction of the outward parts is chiefly cauſed by the motion of the Body,
882. by which the parts being heated and comforted, do more chearſully call forth and attract
the
Aliment unto themſelves.
But this is moſt of all to be foreſeen and avoided, that the ſame motion and heat which
993. calls the new juice to the members, doth not again deſpoil the member of that juice
wherewith
it had been before refreſhed.
Frications uſed in the morning ſerve eſpecially to this Intention: but this muſt
10104. evermore accompany them, that after the Frication the part be lightly anointed with
Oil
, leſt the Attrition of the outward parts make them by Perſpiration dry and
juiceleſs
.
The next is Exerciſe, (by which the parts confricate and chafe themſelves) ſo it
11115.
32446The Hiſtory of Life and Death. be moderate, and which (as was noted before) is not ſwift, nor to the utmoſt ſtrength,
nor
unto wearineſs.
But in Exerciſe and Frication there is the ſame reaſon and caution,
that
the body may not perſpire or exhale too much:
Therefore Exerciſe is better in
the
open air than in the houſe, and better in Winter than in Summer;
and again, εxer-
ciſe
is not onely to be concluded with Unction, as Frication is, but in vehement Ex-
erciſes
Unction is to be uſed both in the beginning and in the end, as it was anciently
to
Champions.
That Exerciſe may reſolve either the ſpirits or the juices as little as may be, it is
116. neceſſary that it be uſed when the ſtomach is not altogether empty:
and therefore that
it
may not be uſed upon a full ſtomach, (which doth much concern health) nor yet
upon
an empty ſtomach, (which doth no leſs concern long life) it is beſt to take a
breakfaſt
in the morning, not of any Phyſical Drugs, or of any Liquors or of Raiſins,
or
of Figs, or the like;
but of plain Meat and Drink, yet that very light, and in moderate
quantity
.
Exerciſes uſed for the irrigation of the members, ought to be equal to all the mem
227. bers;
not (as Socrates ſaid) that the Legs ſhould move, and the Arms ſhould reſt, or
on
the contrary;
but that all the parts may participate of the motion. And it is alto
gether
requiſite to long life, that the Body ſhould never abide long in one poſture, but
that
every half hour, at leaſt, it change the poſture, ſaving onely in ſleep.
Thoſe things which are uſed to Mortification may be transferred to Vivification; for
338. both Hair-ſhirts, and Scourgings, and all vexations of the outward parts, do fortifie the
Attractive
force of them.
Cardan commends Nettling, even to let out Melancholly: but of this we have no ex-
449. perience;
and beſides, we have no good opinion of it, leſt, through the venemous
quality
of the Nettle, it may with often uſe breed Itches and other diſeaſes of the skin.
And touching the Operation upon the Outward Parts for their Attraction of Aliment,
thus
much.
The Operation upon the Aliment it ſelf for
the
Inſinuation thereof. 7.
The Hiſtory.
THe vulgar reproof touching many Diſhes doth rather become a ſevere Re-
551. former than a Phyſician;
or howſoever it may be good for perſervation of
health
, yet is is hurtful to length of life, by reaſon that a various mixture of
Aliments
, and ſomewhat heterogeneous, finds a paſſage into the veins and juices of the
body
more lively and chearfully than a ſimple and homogeneous diet doth:
beſides, it
is
more forcible to ſtir up Appetite, which is the ſpur of Digeſtion.
Therefore we
allow
both a full Table, and a continual changing of Diſhes, according to the Seaſons of
the
year, or upon other occaſions.
Alſo that opinion of the Simplicity of Meats without Sawces is but a ſimplicity of
662. judgment;
for good and well-choſen Sawces are the moſt wholeſome preparation of
Meats
, and conduce both to health and to long life.
It muſt be ordered, that with Meats hard of digeſtion be conjoyned ſtrong Liquors
773. and Sawces that may penetrate and make way;
but with Meats more eaſie of digeſti-
on
, ſmaller Liquors and fat Sawces.
Whereas we adviſed before, that the firſt Draught at Supper ſhould be taken warm;
884. now we adde, that for the preparation of the ſtomach, a good draught of that Liquor
(to which every man is moſt accuſtomed) be taken warm half an hour before meat
alſo
, but a little ſpiced, to pleaſe the taſte.
The preparation of Meats, and Bread, and Drinks, that they may be rightly hand-
995. led, and in order to this Intention, is of exceeding great moment howſoever it may
ſeem
a Mechanical thing, and ſavouring of the Kitchin and Buttery;
yet it is of more
conſequence
than thoſe Fables of Gold and precious Stones, and the like.
32547The Hiſtory of Life and Death.
The moiſtning of the juices of the body by a moiſt preparation of the aliment, is a
116. childiſh thing;
it may be ſomewhat available againſt the fervours of diſeaſes, but it is
altogether
averſe to roſcid alimentation.
Therefore boiling of meats, as concerning
our
Intention, is far inſeriour to roaſting, and baking, and the like.
Roaſting ought to be with a quick fire, and ſoon diſpatched; not with a dull fire, and
227. in long time.
All ſolid fleſhes ought to be ſerved in, not altogether freſh, but ſomewhat pow-
338. dered or corned;
the leſs Salt may be ſpent at the table with them, or none at all:
for Salt incorporated with the meat before is better diſtributed in the body, then eaten
with
it at the table.
There would be brought into uſe ſeveral and good Macerations, and Infuſions of
449. Meats in convenient Liquors, before the roaſting of them:
the like whereof are ſome-
time
in uſe before they bake them, and in the Pickles of ſome Fiſhes.
But beatings, and as it were ſcourgings, of fleſh-meats before they be boiled, would
5510. work no ſmall matter.
We ſee it is confeſſed that Partridges and Pheaſants killed with
an
Hawk, alſo Bucks and Stags killed in Hunting, (if they ſtand not out too long, eat
better
even to the taſte;
and ſome Fiſhes ſcourged and beaten, become more tender
and
wholſome;
alſo hard and ſour Pears, and ſome other Fruits, grow ſweet with row-
ling
them.
It were good to practiſe ſome ſuch beating and bruiſing of the harder kinds
of
Fleſhes before they be brought to the fire;
and this would be one of the beſt prepa-
rations
of all.
Bread a little levened, and very little ſalted, is beſt, and which is baked in an Oven
6611. throughly heated, and not with a faint heat.
The preparation of Drinks in order to long life ſh all not exceed one Precept. And
7712. as touching water-drinkers we have nothing to ſay;
ſuch a diet (as we ſaid before) may
prolong
life to an indifferent term, but to no eminent length:
but in other Drinks, that
are
full of ſpirit, (ſuch as are wine, Ale, Mead, and the like) this one thing is to be ob-
ſerved
and purſued, as the ſum of all, That the parts of the Liquor may be exceeding
thin
and ſubtil, and the Spirit exceeding mild.
This is hard to be done by Age alone,
for
that makes the parts a little more ſubtil, but the ſpirits much more ſharp and eager:
therefore of the Infuſions in the Veſſels of ſome fat ſubſtance, which may reſtrain the
acrimony
of the ſpirits, counſel hath been given before.
There is alſo another way
without
Infuſion or Mixture:
this is, that the Liquor might be continually agitated,
either
by carriage upon the Water, or by carriage by Land, or by hanging the veſ-
ſels
upon lines, and daily ſtirring them, or ſome ſuch other way:
for it is certain that
this
local motion doth both ſubtilize the parts, and doth ſo incorporate and compact the
ſpirits
with the parts, that they have no leiſure to turn to ſowrneſs, which is a kind of
putrefaction
.
But in extream old age ſuch a preparation of meats is to be made as may be almoſt in
8813. the middle way to clylus.
And touching the Diſtillations of Meats, they are mere toys;
for the Nutritive part, at leaſt the beſt of it, doth not aſcend in Vapours.
The incorporating of meat and drink before they meet in the ſtomach is a degree
9914. to chylus:
therefore let Chickens, or Partridges, or Pheaſants, or the like, be taken
and
boiled in water with a little ſalt, then let them be cleanſed and dried, after-
ward
let them be infuſed in Muſt or Ale before it hath done working, with a little
Sugar
.
Alſo Grazies of meat, and the mincings of them ſmall well ſeaſon’d, are good for
101015. old perſons;
and the rather, for that they are deſtituted of the office of their Teeth in
chewing
, which is a principal kind of preparation.
And as for the helps of that defect, (namely, of the ſtrength of Teeth to grind the
111116. meat) there are three things which may conduce thereunto.
Firſt, that new Teeth may
put
forth;
that which ſeems altogether difficult, and cannot be accompliſhed without
an
inward and powerful reſtauration of the body.
Secondly, that the Jaws be ſo con-
firmed
by due Aſtringents, that they may in ſome ſort ſupply the office of the Teeth;
which
may
poſſibly be effected.
Thirdly, that the meat be ſo prepared, that there ſhall be no
need
of chewing:
which remedy is ready at hand.
We have ſome thought alſo touching the Quantity of the meat and drink, that the
121217. ſame taken in a larger quantity at ſome times is good for the irrigation of the body;
therefore both great Feaſtings and free Drinkings are not altogether to be inhibited.
And
touching the Operation upon the Aliments and the Preparation of them, thus much.
32648The Hiſtory of Life and Death.
The Operation upon the laſt Act of Aſsimilation. 8.
TOuching the laſt A ct of Aſſimilation (unto which the three Operations immediately
preceeding
chiefly tend) our advice ſhall be brief and ſingle:
and the thing it ſelf ra-
ther
needs Explication, than any various Rules.
IT is certain, that all bodies are endued with ſome deſire of Aſſimilating thoſe things
111. which are next them.
This the rare and pneumatical bodies, as Flame, Spirit, Air,
perform
generouſly and with alacrity:
on the contrary, thoſe that carry a groſs and
tangible
bulk about them, do but weakly, in regard that the deſire of aſſimilating other
things
is boundin by a ſtronger deſire of Reſt, and containing themſelves from Motion.
Again, it is certain that the deſire of aſſimilating being bound, as we ſaid, in a Groſs
222. body, and made uneffectual, is ſome what freed and ſtirred up by the heat and neighbour-
ing
ſpirit, ſo that it is then actuated:
which is the onely cauſe why Inanimates aſſimi-
late
not, and Animates aſſimilate.
This alſo is certain, that the harder the Conſiſtence of the body is, the more doth
333. that body ſtand in need of a greater heat to prick forward the aſſimilation:
which falls
out
ill for old men, becauſe in them the parts are more obſtinate, and the heat weaker;
and therefore either the obſtinacy of their parts is to be ſoftned, or their heat increaſed.
And
as touching the Malaciſſation or mollifying of the members, we ſhall ſpeak after ward,
having
alſo formerly propounded many things which pertain to the prohibiting and
preventing
of this kind of hardneſs.
For the other, touching the increaſing of the
heat
, we will now deliver a ſingle precept, after we have firft aſſumed this Axiom.
The Act of Aſſimilation (which, as we ſaid, is excited by the heat circumfuſed) is
444. a motion exceeding accurate, ſubtile, and in little;
now all ſuch motions do then
come
to their vigour, when the local Motion wholly ceaſeth which diſturbeth it.
For
the
Motion of Separation into homogeneal par ts, which is in Milk, that the Cream ſhould
ſwim
above, and the Whey ſink to the bottom, will never work, if the Milk benever
ſo
little agitated;
neither will any Putrefaction proceed in Water or mixt Bodies, if
the
ſame be in continual Local Motion.
So then, from this Aſſumption we will conclude
this
for the preſent Inquiſition.
The Act it ſelf of Aſſimilation is chiefly accompliſhed in Sleep and Reſt, eſpecially
555. towards the morning, the diſtribution being finiſhed.
Therefore we have nothing
elſe
to adviſe, but that men keep themſelves hot in their ſleep;
and further, that to wards
the
morning there be uſed ſome Anointing, or ſhirt tincted with Oil, ſuch as may gently
ſtir
up heat, and after that to fall aſleep again.
And touching the laſt Act of Aſſimilation
thus
much.
The Operation upon the Inteneration of that which begins to
be
Arefied, or the Malaciſſation of the Body. 9.
VVE have inquired formerly touching the Inteneration from within, which is done by
many
windings and Circuits, as well of Alimentation as of Detaining the Spirit
from
iſſuing forth, and therefore is accompliſhed ſlowly.
Now we are to inquire touching
that
Inteneration which is from without, and is effected, as it were, ſuddenly;
or touching
the
Malaciſſation and Suppling of the Body.
The Hiſtory.
IN the Fable of reſtoring Pelias to youth again, Medea, when ſhe feigned to do it
661. propounded this way of accompliſhing the ſame, That the Old man’s body ſhould
be
cut into ſeveral pieces, and then boiled in a Cauldron with certain Medicaments.
There may, perhaps, ſome boiling be required to this matter, but the cutting into pieces
is
not needful.
32749The Hiſtory of Life and Death.
Not withſtanding, this cutting into pieces ſeems, in ſome ſort, to be uſeful; not
112. with a knife, but with judgment.
For whereas the Conſiſtence of the Bowels and
Parts
is very diverſe, it is needfull that the Inteneration of them both be not effected the
ſame
way, but that there be a Cure deſigned of each in particular, beſides thoſe things
which
pertain to the Inteneration of the whole maſs of the Body;
of which, notwith-
ſtanding
, in the firſt place.
This Operation (if perhaps it be within our power) is moſt likely to be done by
223. Baths, Unctions, and the like;
concerning which theſe things that follow are to be
obſerved
.
We muſt not be too forward in hoping to accompliſh this matter from the Exam-
334. ples of thoſe things which we ſee done in the Imbibitions and Macerations of Inani-
mates
, by which they are intenerated, where of we introduced ſome inſtances before:
For this kind of operation is more eaſie upon Inanimates, becauſe they attract
and
ſuck in the Liquor;
but upon the bodies of Living creatures it is har-
der
, becauſe in them the motion rather tendeth outward and to the Circum-
ference
.
Therefore the Emollient Baths which are in uſe do little good, but on the contrary
445. hurt, becauſe they rather draw forth than make entrance, and reſolve the ſtructure of
the
body rather than conſolidate it.
The Baths and Unctions which may ſerve to the preſent Operation (namely, of Inte-
556. nerating the body truly and really) ought to have three properties.
The firſt and principal is, That they conſiſt of thoſe tlings which in their whole
667. ſubſtance are like unto the body and fleſh of man, and which have a feeding and nurſing
virtue
from without.
The ſecond is, That they be mixed with ſuch things as through the ſubtilty of their
778. parts may make entrance, and ſo inſinuate and conveigh their nouriſhing virtue into the
body
.
The third is, That they receive ſome mixture (though much inferiour to the reſt)
889. of ſuch things as are Aſtringent;
I mean not ſour or tart things, but unctuous and
comforting
;
that while the other two do operate, the exhaling out of the body, which
deſtroyeth
the virtue of the things intenerating, may (as much as is poſſible) be pro-
hibited
;
and the motion to the in ward parts, by the Aſtriction of the skin and cloſing
of
the paſſages, may be promoted and furthered.
That which is moſt conſubſtantial to the body of man is warm Bloud, either of man,
9910. or of ſome other living creature:
but the device of Ficinus, touching the ſucking of
bloud
out of the arm of a wholeſome young man, for the reſtauration of ſtrength in
old
men, is very frivolous;
for that which nouriſheth from within ought no way to
be
equal or homogeneal to the body nouriſhed, but in ſome ſort inferiour and ſubor-
dinate
, that it may be converted:
but in things applied out wardly, by how much the
ſubſtance
is liker, by ſo much the conſent is better.
It hath been anciently received, that a Bath made of the bloud of Infants will cure the
101011. Leproſie, and heal the fleſh already putrefi’d;
inſomuch that this thing hath begot envy
towards
ſome Kings from the common people.
It is reported that Heraclitus, for cure of the Dropſie, was put into the warmbelly of an
111112. Ox newly ſlain.
They uſe the bloud of Kitlins warm to cure the diſeaſe called St. Anthony’s Fire, and
121213. to reſtore the fleſh and skin.
An Arm or other Member newly cut off, or that upon ſome other occaſion will not
131314. leave bleeding, is with good ſucceſs put into the belly of ſome creatures newly ripped up,
for
it worketh potently to ſtanch the bloud;
the bloud of the member cut off by con-
ſent
ſucking in, and vehemently drawing to it ſelf, the warm bloud of the creature ſlain,
where
by it ſelf is ſtopped and retireth.
It is much uſed in extreme and deſperate diſeaſes to cut in two young Pigeons, yet
141415. living, and apply them to the ſoles of the feet, and to ſhift them one after another,
where
by ſometime there followeth a wonderful eaſe.
This is imputed vulgarly as if
they
ſhould draw down the malignity of the diſeaſe;
but howſoever, this application
goeth
to the Head, and comforteth the Animal Spirits.
But theſe bloudy Baths and Unctions ſeem to us ſluttiſh and odious: let us ſearch
151516. out ſome others, which perhaps have leſs loathſomeneſs in them, and yet no leſs
benefit
.
32850The Hiſtory of Life and Death.
Next unto warm Bloud, things alike in ſubstance to the Body of a man are nutritives:
1117. fat fleſhes of Oxen, Swine, Dear; Oiſters amongſt Fiſhes; Milk, Butter, Yolks of
Eggs
, Flower of Wheat, ſweet wine, either Sugred, or before it be fined.
Such things as we would have mixed to make impreſſion are, inſtead of all, Salts,
2218. eſpecially Bay-ſalt;
alſo Wine (when it is full of Spirit) maketh entrance, and is an
excellent
Convoy.
Aſtringents of that kind which we deſcribed, namely, unctuous and comfortable
3319. things, are Saffron, Maſtick, Myrrhe, and Myrtle berries.
Of theſe parts, in our judgment, may very well be made ſuch a Bath as we deſign:
4420. Phyſicians and Poſterity will find out better things hereafter.
But the Operation will be much better and more powerful, if ſuch a Bath as we have
5521. propounded (which we hold to be the principal matter) be attended with a fourfold
Courſe
and Order.
Firſt, that there go before the Bath a Frication of the body, and an Anointing with
6622. Oil, with ſome thickning ſubſtance, that the virtue and moiſtning heat of the Bath may
pierce
the body, and not the watry part of the Liquor.
Then let the Bath follow, for
the
ſpace of ſome two hours.
After the Bath, let the body be Emplaiſtered with Ma-
ſtick
, Myrrhe, Tragacanth, Diapalma, and Saffron;
that the perſpiration of the body
may
(as much as is poſſible) be inhibited, till the ſupple matter be by degrees turned
into
ſolid:
This to be continued for the ſpace of twenty four hours or more. Laſtly,
the
Emplaiſtering being removed, let there be an anointing with Oil mixed with salt and
Saffron
.
And let this Bath, together with the Emplaistering and Unction, (as before)
be
renewed every fifth day.
This Malaciſſation or ſuppling of the body be continued
for
one whole month.
Alſo during the time of this Malaciſſation, we hold it uſeful and proper, and accord-
7723. ing to our intention, that men nouriſh their bodies well, and keep out of the cold air,
and
drink nothing but warm drink.
Now this is one of thoſe things (as we warned in general in the beginning)
8824. whereof we have made no trial by Experiment, but onely ſet it down out of our
aiming
and levelling at the end:
For having ſet up the Mark, we deliver the Light to
others
.
Neither ought the warmths and cheriſhings of living bodies to be neglected. Ficinus
9925. ſaith, and that ſerioufly enough, That the laying of the young Maid in David’s boſom
was
wholſome ſor him, but it came too late.
He ſhould alſo have added, That the young
Maid
, after the manner of the Perſian Virgins, ought to have been anointed with Myrrhe,
and
ſuch like, not for deliciouſneſs, but to increaſe the virtue of this cheriſhing by a
living
body.
Barbaroſſa, in his extream old age, by the advice of a Phyſician, a Jew, did con-
101026. tinually apply young Boys to his ſtomach and belly, for warmth and cheriſhing:
alſo
ſome
old men lay Whelps (creatures of the hotteſt kind) cloſe to their ſtomachs every
night
.
There hath gone a report, almoſt undoubted, and that under ſeveral names, of cer-
111127. tain men that had great Noſes, who being weary of the deriſion of people, have cut
ofſ
the bunches or hillocks of their Noſes, and then making a wide gaſh in their arms,
have
held their Noſes in the place for a certain time, and ſo brought forth fair and come-
ly
Noſes:
which if it be true, it ſhews plainly the conſent of fleſh unto fleſh, eſpecially
in
live fleſhes.
Touching the particular Inteneration of the principal Bowels, the Stomach, Lungs, Liver,
121228. Heart, Brain, Marrow of the Back-bone, Guts, Reins, Gall, Veins, Arteries, Nerves, Carti-
Lages
, Bones, the Inquiſition and Direction would be too long ſeeing we now ſet not forth
a
Practick, but certain Indications to the Practick.
32951The Hiſtory of Life and Death.
The Operation upon the Purging away of old Juice, and Sup-
plying
of new Juice; or of Renovation by Turns. 10.
The
Hiſtory.
ALthough thoſe things which we ſhall here ſet down have been, for themoſt part,
ſpoken
of before;
yet becauſe this Operation is one of the principal, we will
handle
them over again more at large.
It is certain that Draught-Oxen which have been worn out with working, being put
111. into freſh and rich paſtures, will gather tender and young fleſh again:
and this will ap-
pear
even to the taſte and palat;
ſo that the Inteneration of fleſh is no hard matter.
Now it is likely that this Inteneration of the fleſh being often repeated, will in time reach
to
the Inteneration of the Bones and Membranes, and like parts of the body.
It is certain that Diets which are now much in uſe, principally of Guaiacum, and of
222. Sarſaperilla, China, and Saſſafras, if they be continued for any time, and according to
ſtrict
rules, do firſt attenuate the whole juice of the body, and after conſume it and
drink
it up.
Which is moſt manifeſt, becauſe that by theſe Diets the French-Pox,
when
it is grown even to an hardneſs, and hath eaten up and corrupted the very mar-
row
of the body, may be effectually cured.
And further, becauſe it is manifeft that
men
who by theſe diets are brought to be extream lean, pale, and as it were ghoſts,
will
ſoon after become fat, well-coloured, and apparently young again.
Wherefore
we
are abſolutely of opinion, that ſuch kind of diets in the decline of age, being uſed
every
year, would be very uſeful to our Intention;
like the old skin or ſpoil of Ser-
pents
.
We do confidently affirm, (neither let any man reckon us among thoſe Hereticks
333. which were called Cathari) that often Purges, and made even familiar to the body, are
more
available to long life than Exerciſes and Sweats:
and this muſt needs be ſo, if that
be
held, which is already laid for aground, That Unctions of the body, and Oppletion
of
the paſſages from without, and Excluſion of air, and Detaining of the ſpirit within
the
maſs of the body, do much conduce to long life.
For it is moſt certain, that by
Sweats
and outward Perſpirations not only the Humours and excrementitious vapours
are
exhaled and conſumed, but together with them the juices alſo and good ſpirits,
which
are not ſo eaſily repaired:
but in Purges (unleſs they be very immoderate) it is
not
ſo, ſeeing they work principally upon the Humors.
But the beſt Purges for this
Intention
are thoſe which are taken immediately beforemeat, becauſe they dry the body
leſs
;
and therefore they muſt be of thoſe Purgers which do leaſt trouble the belly.
Theſe Intentions of the Operations which we have propounded (as we conceive) are
moſt
true, the Remedies faithful to the Intentions.
Neither is it credible to be told (al-
though
not a few of theſe Remedies may ſeem but vulgar) with what care and choice they
have
been examined by us, that they might be (the Intention not at all impeached) both
ſafe
and effectual Experience, no doubt, will both verifie and promote theſe matters.
And ſuch, in all things, are the works of every prudent counſel, that they are Admi-
rable
in their Effects, Excellent alſo in their Order, but ſeeming Vulgar in the Way
and
Means.
The Porches of Death.
WE are now to enquire touching the Porches of Death, that is, touching thoſe things
which
happen unto men at the point of Death, both a little before and after;
that
ſeeing
there are many Paths which lead to Death, it may be under ſtood in what
33052The Hiſtory of Life and Death. way they all end, eſpecially in thoſe Deaths which are cauſed by Indigence of Nature
rather
than by Violence:
although ſomething of this latter alſo muſt be inſerted, becauſe
of
the connexion of things.
The Hiſtory.
THe living Spirit ſtands in need of three things that it may ſubſiſt; Convenient
111. Motion, Temperate Refrigeration, and Fit Aliment.
Flame ſeems to ſtand in
need
but of two of theſe, namely, Motion and Aliment;
becauſe Flame is a
ſimple
ſubſtance, the Spirit a compounded, inſomuch that if it approach ſome what too
near
to a flamy nature, it overthroweth it ſelf.
Alſo Flame by a greater and ſtronger Flame is extinguiſhed and ſlain, as Ariſtotle well
222. noted, much more the Spirit.
Flame, if it be much compreſſed and ſtreightned, is extinguiſhed: as we may ſee in.
333. a Candle having a Glaſs caſt over it; for the Air being dilated by the heat, doth con-
trude
and thruſt together the Flame, and ſo leſſeneth it, and in the end extinguiſheth it;
and fires on hearths will not flame if the fuel be thruſt cloſe together without any ſpace
for
the flame to break forth.
Alſo things fired are extinguiſhed with compreſſion; as if you preſs a burning coal
444. hard with the Tongs or the foot, it is ſtreight extinguiſhed.
But to come to the Spirit: if Bloud or Phlegm get into the Ventricles of the
555. Brain, it cauſeth ſudden death, becauſe the Spirit hath no room to move it
ſelf
.
Alſo a great blow on the head induceth ſudden death, the Spirits being ſtreightned
666. within the Ventricles of the Brain.
Opium and other ſtrong Stupefactives do coagulate the Spirit, and deprive it of the
777.motion.
A venemous Vapour, totally abhorred by the ſpirit, cauſeth ſudden death: as in deadly
888. poiſons, which work (as they call it) by a ſpecifical malignity;
for they ſtrike a loath-
ing
into the Spirit, that the ſpirit will no more move it ſelf, nor riſe againſt a thing ſo
much
deteſted.
Alſo extreme Drunkenneſs or extreme Feeding ſometime cauſe ſudden death,
999. ſeeing the ſpirit is not onely oppreſſed with over much condenſing, or the malignity
of
the vapour, (as in Opium and malignant poiſons) but alſo with the abundance of
the
Vapours.
Extreme Grief or Fear, eſpecially if they be ſudden, (as it is in a ſad and unexpected
101010. meſſage) cauſe ſudden death.
Not onely over-much Compreſſion, but alſo over-much Dilatation of the ſpirit, is
111111.deadly.
Joys exceſſive and ſudden have bereft many of their lives.
121212.
In greater Evacuations, as when they cut men for the Drepſie, the waters flow forth
131313 abundantly;
much more in great and ſudden fluxes of bloud oftentimes preſent
death
followeth:
and this happens by the mere flight of Vacuum within the body,
all
the parts moving to fill the empty placcs, and amongſt the reſt the ſpirits
themſelves
.
For as for ſlow fluxes of blood, this matter pertains to the indigence
of
nouriſhment, not to the diffuſion of the ſpirits.
And touching the motion
of
the ſpirit ſo far, either compreſſed or diffuſed, that it bringeth death, thus
much
.
We muſt come next to the want of Refrigeration. Stopping of the breath cauſeth
141414. ſudden death, as in all ſuffocation or ſtrangling.
Now it ſeems this matter is not ſo
much
to be referred to the impediment of Motion, as to the impediment of Refri-
geration
;
for air over-hot, though attracted freely, doth no leſs ſuffocate than if
breathing
were hindred;
as it is in them who have been ſometime ſuffocated with
burning
coals, or with char-coal, or with walls newly plaiſtered in cloſe chambers
where
a fire is made:
which kind of death is reported to have been the end of the
Emperor
Jovinian.
The like happeneth from dry Baths over heated, which was pra-
ctiſed
in the killing of Fauſta, wifeto Conſtantine the Great.
It is a very ſmall time which Nature taketh to repeat the breathing, and in
151515.
33153The Hiſtory of Life and Death. which ſhe deſireth to expel the foggy air drawn into the Lungs, and to take in new,
ſcarce
the third part of a minute.
Again, the beating of the Pulſe, and the motion of the Syſtole and Diaſtole of the
1116. heart, are three times quicker than that of breathing:
inſomuch that if it were poſſi-
ble
that that motion of the heart could be ſtopped without ſtopping the breath, death
would
follow more ſpedily there upon than by ſtrangling.
Notwithſtanding, uſe and cuſtom prevail much in this natural action of breathing;
2217. as it is in the Delian Divers and Fiſhers for Pearl, who by long uſe can hold their breaths
at
leaſt ten times longer than other men can do.
Amongſt living Creatures, even of thoſe that have Lungs, there are ſome that are able
3318. to hold their breaths a long time, and others that cannot hold them ſo long, according
as
they need more or leſs refrigeration.
Fiſhes need leſs refrigeration that Terreſtrial Creatures, yet ſome they need, and
4419. take it by their Gills.
And as Terreſtrial Creatures cannot bear the air that is too
hot
or too cloſe;
ſo Fiſhes are ſuffocated in waters if they be totally and long
frozen
.
If the Spirit be aſſaulted by another heat greater than it ſelf, it is diſſipated and de-
5520. ſtroyed;
for it cannot bear the proper beat without refrigeration, much leſs can it
bear
another heat which is far ſtronger.
This is to be ſeen in burning-Fevers, where
the
heat of the putrefied humours doth exceed the native heat, even to extinction or
diſſipation
.
The want alſo and uſe of Sleep is referred to Refrigeration. For Motion doth atte-
6621. nuate and rarifie the ſpirit, and doth ſharpen and increaſe the heat thereof;
contra-
rily
, sleep ſetleth and reſtraineth the motion and gadding of the ſame:
for though
Sleep
doth ſtrengthen and advance the actions of the parts and of the liveleſs ſpi-
rits
, and all that motion which is to the circumference of the body;
yet it doth in
great
part quiet and ſtill the proper motion of the living Spirit.
Now ſleep regu-
larly
is due unto humane nature once within four and twenty hours, and that for ſix
or
five hours at the leaſt:
though there are, even in this kind, ſometimes miracles of
Nature
;
as it is recorded of Mecanas, that he ſlept not for a long time before his
death
.
And as touching the want of Refrigeration for conſerving of the Spirit thus
much
.
As concerning the third Indigence, namely of Aliment, it ſeems to pertain rather to
7722. the parts than to the living Spirit;
for a man may eaſily believe that the living Spirit
ſubſiſteth
in Identity, not by ſucceſſion or renovation.
And as for the reaſonable Soul
in
man, it is above all queſtion that it is not engendred of the Soul of the Parents, nor is
repaired
, nor can die, They ſpeak of the Natural spirit of living Creatures, and alſo
of
Vegetables, which differs from that other Soul eſſentially and formally.
For out of
the
confuſion of theſe that ſame tranſmigration of Souls, and innumerable other devices
of
Heathens and Hereticks have proceeded.
The Body of man doth regularly require Renovation by Aliment every day, and a
8823. body in health can ſcarce endure faſting three days together;
notwithſtanding uſe and
cuſtome
will do much even in this caſe:
but in ſickneſs faſting is leſs grievous to the
body
.
Alſo Sleep doth ſupply ſomewhat to nouriſhment; and on the other ſide
Exerciſe
doth require it more abundantly.
Likewiſe there have ſome been found
who
ſuſtained themſelves (almoſt to a miracle in nature) a very long time without
meat
or drink.
Dead Bodies if they be not intercepted by putrefaction, will ſubſiſt a long time with-
9924. out any notable Abſumption;
but Living bodies not above three days, (as we ſaid) un-
leſs
they be repaired by nouriſhment:
which ſheweth that quick Abſumption to be
9696[Handwritten note 96] the work of the living spirit, which either repairs it ſelf, or puts the parts into a ne-
ceſſity
of being repaired, or both.
This is teſtified by that alſo which was noted a little
before
, namely, that living creatures may ſubſiſt ſomewhat the longer without Aliment
if
they ſleep:
now ſleep is nothing elſe but a reception and retirement of the living
Spirit
into it ſelf.
An abundant and continual effluxion of blood, which ſometimes happeneth in
101025. the Hæmorrhoides, ſometimes in vomitting of blood, the inward Veins being
unlocked
or broken, ſometimes by wounds, cauſeth ſudden death, in regard that
the
bloud of the Veins miniſtreth to the Arteries, and the bloud of the Arteries
to
the Spirit.
33254The Hiſtory of Life and Death.
The quantity of meat and drink which a man, eating two meals a day, receiveth into
1126. his body is not ſmall;
much more than he voideth again either by ſtool, or by urine,
or
by ſweating.
You will ſay, No marvel, ſeeing the remainder goeth into the juices
and
ſubſtance of the body.
It is true; but conſider then that this addition is made twice
a
day, and yet the body aboundeth not much.
In like manner, though the ſpirit be re-
paired
, yet it grows not exceſſively in the quantity.
It doth no good to have the Aliment ready, in a degree removed, but to have it of that
2227. kind, and ſo prepared and ſupplied that the ſpirit may work upon it:
for the ſtaff of
a
Torch alone will not maintain the flame, unleſs it be fed with wax, neither can men
live
upon herbs alone.
And from thence comes the Inconcoction of old age, that though
there
be fleſh and bloud, yet the ſpirit is become ſo penurious and thin, and the
juices
and bloud ſo heartleſs and obſtinate, that they hold no proportion to Ali-
mentation
.
Let us now caſt up the accounts of the Needs and Indigences, according to the ordi
3328. nary and uſual courſe of nature.
The Spirit hath need of opening and moving it ſelf
in
the Ventricles of the Brain and Nerves even continually, of the motion of the Heart
every
third part of a moment, of breathing every moment, of ſleep and nouriſhment
once
within three days, of the power of nouriſhment commonly till eighty years be
paſt
:
And if any of theſe Indigences beneglected, Death enſueth. So there are plainly
three
Porches of Death;
Deſtitution of the Spirit in the Motion, in the Refrigeration,
in
the Aliment.
It is an error to think that the Living Spirit is perpetually generated and extinguiſhed,
as
Flame is, and abideth not any notable time:
for even Flame it ſelf is not thus out of
its
own proper nature, but becauſe it liveth amongst enemies, for Flame within Flame
endureth
.
Now the Living Spirit liveth amongſt friends, and all due obſequiouſneſs. So
then
, as Flame is a momentany ſubſtance, Air is a ſixed ſubſtance, the Living Spirit is
betwixt
both.
Touching the extinguiſhing of the Spirit by the deſtruction of the Organs (which is
cauſed
by Diſeaſes and Violence) we enquire not now, as we foretold in the beginning, al-
though
that alſo endeth in the ſame three Porches.
And touching the Form of Death it
ſelf
thus much.
There are two great forerunners of Death, the one ſent from the Head, the other
4429. from the Heart;
Convulſion, and the extreme labour of the Pulſe; for, as for the deadly
Hiccough
, it is a kind of Convulſion.
But the deadly labour of the Pulſe hath that
unuſual
ſwiftneſs, becauſe the Heart at the point of death doth ſo tremble, that
the
Syſtole and Diaſtole thereof are almoſt confounded.
There is alſo conjoyned
in
the Pulſe a weakneſs and lowneſs, and oftentimes a great intermiſſion, becauſe
the
motion of the Heart faileth, and is not able to riſe againſt the aſſault ſtoutly or
conſtantly
.
The immediate proceeding ſigns of Death are, great unquietneſs and toſſing in the
5530. bed, fumbling with the hands, catching and graſping hard, gnaſhing with the teeth;
ſpeaking hollow, trembling of the neather lip, paleneſs of the face, the memory con-
fuſed
, ſpeechleſs, cold ſweats, the body ſhooting in length, lifting up the white of
the
eye, changing of the whole viſage, (as the noſe ſharp, eyes hollow, cheeks fallen)
contraction
and doubling of the coldneſs in the extreme parts of the body;
in ſome,
ſhedding
of bloud or ſperm, ſhrieking, breathing thick and ſhort, falling of the nea-
ther
chap, and ſuch like.
There follow Death a privation of all ſenſe and motion, as well of the Heart and
6631. Arteries as of the Nerves and Joynts, an inability of the body to ſupport it ſelf upright,
ſtiffneſs
of the Nerves and parts, extream coldneſs of the whole body;
after a little
while
, putrefaction and ſtinking.
Eeles, serpents and the Inſecta will move a long time in every part after they are cut
7732. aſunder, inſomuch that Country people think that the parts ſtrive to joyn together
again
.
Alſo Birds will flutter a great while after their heads are pulled off; and the
hearts
of living creatures will pant a long time after they are plucked out.
I remem-
ber
I have ſeen the heart of one that was bowelled, as ſufſering for High Treaſon, that
being
caſt into the fire, leaped at the firſt at leaſt a foot and half in height, and after
by
degrees lower and lower, for the ſpace, as I remember, of ſeven or eight minutes.
There is alſo an ancient and credible Tradition of an Ox lowing aſter his bowels were
plucked
out.
But there is a more certain tradition of a man, who being under
33355The Hiſtory of Life and Death. Executioner’s hand for high Treaſon, after his Heart was plucked out and in the Exe-
cutioner’s
hand, was heard to utter three or four words of prayer:
which therefore
we
ſaid to be more credible than that of the Ox in sacrifice, becauſe the friends of the
party
ſuffering do uſually give a reward to the Executioner to diſpatch his office with
the
more ſpeed, that they may the ſooner be rid of their pain;
but in Sacrifices we
ſee
no cauſe why the Prieſt ſhould be ſo ſpeedy in his office.
For reviving thoſe again which fall into ſudden Swooning and Catalepſes of aſtoniſh-
1133. ments, (in which Fits many, without preſent help, would utterly expire) theſe things
are
uſed;
Putting into their mouths Water diſtilled of Wine, which they call Hot-
waters
, and Cordial-Waters, bending the body forwards, ſtopping the mouth and noſtrils
hard
, bending or wringing the fingers, pulling the hairs of the beard or head, rubbing
of
the parts, eſpecially the face and legs, ſudden caſting of cold water upon the face,
ſhrieking
out aloud and ſuddenly;
putting Roſe-water to the noſtrills with Vinegar in
faintings
;
burning of Feathers or Cloth in the ſuffocation of the Mother: but eſpe-
cially
a Frying-pan heated red hot is good in Apoplexies;
alſo a cloſe embracing of the
body
hath helped ſome.
There have been many examples of men in ſhew dead, either laid out upon the
2234. cold floor, or carried forth to burial;
nay, of ſome buried in the earth, which not-
withſtanding
have lived again, which hath been found in thoſe that were buried (the
earth
being afterwards opened) by the bruiſing and wounding of their head, through
the
ſtrugling of the body within the Coffin;
whereof the moſt recent and memo-
rable
example was that of Foannes scotus, called the Subtil, and a School-man, who
being
digged up again by his Servant, (unfortunately abſent at his burial, and who
knew
his Maſters manner in ſuch fits) was found in that ſtate:
And the like happened
in
our days in the perſon of a Player, buried at Cambridge.
I remember to have heard
of
a certain Gentleman, that would needs make trial in curioſity what men did feel that
were
hanged;
ſo he faſtened the Cord about his neck, raiſing himſelf upon a ſtool, and
then
letting himſelf fall, thinking it ſhould be in his power to recover the ſtool at
his
pleaſure, which he failed in, but was helped by a friend then preſent.
He was
asked
aſterward what he felt.
He ſaid he felt no pain, but firſt he thought he ſaw before
his
eyes a great fire and burning;
then he thought he ſaw all black and dark; laſtly
it
turned to a pale blew, or Sea-water green;
which colour is alſo often ſeen by them
which
fall into Swoonings.
I have heard alſo of a Phyſician, yet living, who reco-
vered
a man to life which had hanged himſelf, and had hanged half an hour, by Fri-
cations
and hot Baths:
And the ſame Phyſician did profeſs, that he made no doubt to
recover
any man that had hanged ſo long, ſo his Neck were not broken with the firſt
ſwing
.
The Differences of Youth and Old Age.
THe Ladder of Man’s Body is this, To be conceived, to be quickned in the womb,
33To the 16
Article
.
to be born, to ſuck, to be weaned, to feed upon Pap, to put forth Teeth the
firſt
time about the ſecond year of age, to begin to go, to begin to ſpeak, to
441. put forth Teeth the ſecond time about ſeven years of age, to come to Puberty about
twelve
or fourteen years of age, to be able for generation and the flowing of the Men-
ſtrua
, to have hairs about the legs and arm-holes, to put forth a Beard;
and thus long,
and
ſometimes later, to grow in ſtature, to come to full years of ſtrength and agility, to
grow
gray and bald;
the Menſtrua ceaſing, and ability to generation, to grow decrepit
and
a monſter with three legs, to die.
Mean-while the Mind alſo hath certain periods,
but
they cannot be deſcribed by years, as to decay in the Memory, and the like;
of
which
hereafter.
The differences of Youth and old Age are theſe: A young man’s skin is ſmooth
552. and plain, an old man’s dry and wrinkled, eſpecially about the forehead and eyes;
a
young
man’s fleſh is tender and ſoft, an old man’s hard;
a young man hath ſtrength
and
agility, an old man feels decay in his ſtrength and is ſlow of motion;
a young
33456The Hiſtory of Life and Death. hath good digeſtion, an old man bad; a young man’s bowels are ſoft and ſucculent, an
old
man’s ſalt and parched;
a young man’s body is erect and ſtreight, an old man’s
bowing
and crooked;
a young man’s limbs are ſteady, an old man’s weak and trem-
bling
;
the humours in a young man are cholerick, and his bloud inclined to heat, in an
old
man phlegmatick and melancholick, and his bloud inclined to coldneſs;
a young
man
ready for the act of Venus, an old man ſlow unto it:
in a young man the juices
of
his body are more roſcid, in an old man more crude and wateriſh;
the ſpirit in a
young
man plentiful and boiling, in an old man ſcarce and jejune:
a young man’s ſpi-
rit
is denſe and vigorous, an old man’s eager and rare;
a young man hath his ſenſes
quick
and intire, an old man dull and decayed;
a young man’s teeth are ſtrong and
entire
, an old man’s weak, worn, and faln out;
a young man’s hair is coloured, an
old
man’s (of what colour ſoever it were) gray;
a young man hath hair, an old man
baldneſs
;
a young man’s pulſe is ſtronger and quicker, an old man’s more confuſed
and
ſlower;
the diſeaſes of young men are more acute and curable, of old men longer
and
hard to cure;
a young man’s wounds ſoon cloſe, an old man’s later; a young man’s
cheeks
are of a freſh colour, an old man’s pale, or with a black bloud;
a young man
is
leſs troubled with rheums, an old man more.
Neither do we know in what things
old
men do improve as touching their body, ſave onely ſometime in fatneſs;
whereof
the
reaſon is ſoon given, Becauſe old men’s bodies do neither perſpire well, nor aſſimi-
late
well:
now Fatneſs is nothing elſe but an exuberance of nouriſhment above that
which
is voided by excrement, or which is perfectly aſſimilated.
Alſo ſome old men
improve
in the appetite of feeding by reaſon of the acid humors, though old men digeſt
worſt
.
And all theſe things which we have ſaid, Phyſicians negligently enough will
refer
to the diminution of the Natural heat and Radical moiſture, which are things of no
worth
for uſe.
This is certain, Drineſs in the coming on of years doth forego Cold
neſs
;
and bodies when they come to the top and ſtrength of heat do decline in Drineſs,
and
after that follows Coldneſs.
Now we are to conſider the Affections of the Mind. I remember when I was a
113. young man, at Poictiers in France I converſed familiarly with a certain French man, a
witty
young man, but ſomething talkative, who afterwards grew to be a very eminent
man
:
he was wont to inveigh againſt the manners of old men, and would ſay, That if
their
Minds could be ſeen as their Bodies are, they would appear no leſs deformed.
Be-
ſides
, being in love with his own wit, he would maintain, That the vices of old men’s
Minds
have ſome correſpondence and were parallel to the putrefactions of their Bo-
dies
:
For the drineſs of their skin he would bring in Impudence; for the hardneſs of
their
bowels, unmercifulneſs:
for the lippitude of their eyes, an evil Eye and Envy:
for the caſting down of their eyes, and bowing their body towards the earth,
Atheiſm
;
(for, ſaith he, they look no more up to Heaven as they are mont) for the
trembling
of their members, Irreſolution of their decrees and light inconſtancy;
for the
bending
of their fingers, as it were to catch, Rapacity and covetouſneſs;
for the buck-
ling
of their knees, Fearfulneſs;
for their wrinkles, Craftineſs and Obliquity: and other
things
which I have forgotten.
But to be ſerious, a young man is modeſt and ſhame-
fac’d
, an old man’s fore-head is hardned;
a young man is full of bounty and mercy, an
old
man’s heart is brawny;
a young man is affected with a laudable emulation, an old
man
with a malignant envy;
a young man is inclined to Religion and Devotion, by
reaſon
of his fervency and inexperience of evil, an old man cooleth in piety
through
the coldneſs of his charity, and long converſation in evil, and likewiſe
through
the difficulty of his belief;
a young man’s deſires are vehement, an old man’s
moderate
;
a young man is light and moveable, an old man more grave and conſtant;
a
young man is given to liberality, and beneficence, and humanity, an old man to co-
vetouſneſs
, wiſdom for his own ſelf, and ſeeking his own ends;
a young man is
confident
and full of hope, an old man diffident and given to ſuſpect moſt things;
a
young
man is gentle and obſequious, an old man froward and diſdainful;
a young man
is
ſincere and open-hearted, an old man cautelous and cloſe;
a young man is given
to
deſire great things, an old man to regard things neceſſary;
a young man thinks
well
of the preſent times, an old man preferreth times paſt before them;
a young man
reverenceth
his Superiours, an old man is more forward to tax them:
And many other
things
, which pertain rather to Manners than to the preſent Inquiſition.
Notwithſtand-
ing
old men, as in ſome things they improve in their Bodies, ſo alſo in their Minds,
unleſs
they be altogether out of date:
namely, that as they are leſs apt for
33557The Hiſtory of Life and Death. tion, ſo they excel in judgment, and prefer ſafe things and ſound things before ſpe-
cious
;
alſo they improve in Garrulity and Oſtentation, for they ſeek the fruit of ſpeech,
while
they are leſs able for action:
So as it was not abſurd that the Poets feigned old
Tithon
to be turned into a Graſhopper.
Moveable Canons of the Duration of Life and Form of Death.
Canon I.
COnſumption is not cauſed, unleſs that which is departed with by one body paſſeth into
another
.
The Explication.
THere is in Nature no Annihilating, or Reducing to Nothing: therefore that which
is
conſumed is either reſolved into Air, or turned into ſome Body adjacent.
So
we
ſee a spider, or Fly, or Ant in Amber, entombed in a more ſtately Monument than
Kings
are, to be laid up for Eternity, although they be but tender things, and ſoon
diſſipated
:
But the matter is this, that there is no air by, into which they ſhould be
reſolved
;
and the ſubſtance of the Amber is ſo heterogeneous, that it receives nothing
of
them.
The like we conceive would be if a Stick, or Root, or ſome ſuch thing were
buried
in Quick-ſilver:
alſo Wax, and Honey, and Gums have the ſame Operation, but in
part
onely.
Canon II.
THere is in every Tangible body a Spirit, covered and encompaſſed with the groſſer
parts
of the body, and from it all Conſumption and Diſſolution hath the begin-
ning
.
The Explication.
NO Body known unto us here in the upper part of the Earth is without a Spirit,
either
by Attenuation and Concoction from the heat of the Heavenly Bodies, or
by
ſome other way:
for the Concavities of Tangible things receive not Vacuum, but
either
Air, or the proper Spirit of the thing.
And this spirit where of we ſpeak is not
ſome
Virtue, or Energie, or Act, or a Trifle, but plainly a Body, rare and inviſible;
notwithſtanding circumſcribed by Place, Quantitative, Real. Neither again is that
Spirit
Air, (no more than Wine is Water) but a body rarefied, of kin to Air, though
much
different from it.
Now the groſſer parts of bodies (being dull things, and not
apt
for motion) would laſt a long time;
but the Spirit is that which troubleth, and
plucketh
, and undermineth them, and converteth the moiſture of the body, and what-
ſoever
it is able to digeſt, into new Spirit;
and then as well the pre-exiſting Spirit of the
body
as that newly made flie away together by degrees.
This is beſt ſeen by the Di-
minution
of the weight in bodies dried through Perspiration:
for neither all that which
is
iſſued forth was Spirit when the body was ponderous, neither was it not Spirit when
it
iſſued forth.
Canon III.
THe Spirit iſſuing forth Drieth; Detained and working within either Melteth, or Pu-
trefieth
, or Vivifieth.
The Explication.
THere are four Proceſſes of the Spirit, to Arefaction, to Colliquation, Putre-
faction
, to Generation of bodies.
Arefaction is not the proper work of the Spirit,
but
of the groſſer parts after the Spirit iſſued forth:
for then they contract them-
ſelves
partly by their flight of Vacuum, partly by the union of the Homogeneals:
as
appears
in all things which are arefied by age, and in the drier ſort of bodies which
have
paſſed the fire, as Bricks, Char-coal, Bread.
colliquation is the mere work of the
Spirit
:
neither is it done but when they are excited by heat: for when the Spirits
dilating
themſelves, yet not getting forth, do inſinuate and diſperſe themſelves
among
the groſſer parts, and ſo make them ſoft and apt to run, as it is in Metalls and
wax
:
for Metalls and all tenacious things are apt to inhibit the Spirit, that
33658The Hiſtory of Life and Death. excited it iſſueth not forth. Putrefaction is a mixed work of the Spirits and of the
groſſer
parts:
for the Spirit (which before reſtrained and bridled the parts of the
thing
) being partly iſſued forth and partly infeebled, all things in the body do diſſolve
and
return to their Homogeneities, or (if you will) to their Elements:
that which was
Spirit
in it is congregated to it ſelf, whereby things putrefied begin to have an ill ſa-
vour
:
the Oily parts to themſelves, whereby things putrefied have that ſlipperineſs
and
unctuoſity;
the watry parts alſo to themſelves: the Dregs to themſelyes: whence
followeth
that confuſion in bodies putrefied.
But Generation or Vivification is a work
alſo
mixed of the Spirit and groſſer parts, but in a far different manner:
for the Spirit
is
totally detained, but it ſwelleth and moveth locally:
and the groſſer parts are not
diſſolved
, but follow the motion of the ſpirit, and are, as it were, blown out by it,
and
extruded into divers figures, from whence cometh that Generation and Organiza-
tion
:
and therefore Vivification is always done in a matter tenacious and clammy, and
again
, yielding and ſoft, that there may be both a detention of the ſpirit, and alſo a
gentle
ceſſion of the parts, according as the ſpirit forms them.
And this is ſeen in the
matter
as well of all Vegetables as of living Creatures, whether they be engendred of
Putrefaction
or of Sperm;
for in all theſe things there is manifeſtly ſeen a matter
hard
to break through, eaſie to yield.
Canon IV.
IN all living Creatures there are two kinds of Spirits: Liveleſs Spirits, ſuch as are in bo-
dies
Inanimate;
and a Vital Spirit ſuperadded.
The Explication.
IT was ſaid before, that to procure long life the Body of man muſt be conſidered,
firſt
, as Inanimate, and not repaired by nouriſhment:
ſecondly, as Animate, and
repaired
by nouriſhment:
for the former conſideration gives Laws touching (Conſump-
tion
, the latter touching Reparation.
Therefore we muſt know that there are in hu-
mane
fleſh bones, Membranes, Organs:
finally, in all the parts ſuch ſpirits diffuſed
in
the ſubſtance of them while they are alive, as there are in the ſame things (Fleſh,
Bones
, Membranes, and the reſt) ſeparated and dead:
ſuch as alſo remain in a Car-
kaſs
:
but the Vital Spirit, although it ruleth them, and hath ſome conſent with them,
yet
it is far differing from them, being integral, and ſubſiſting by it ſelf.
Now there
are
two ſpecial differences betwixt the Liveleſs Spirits and the Vital Spirits.
The one,
that
the Liveleſs spirits are not continued to themſelves, but are, as it were, cut off,
and
encompaſſed with a groſs body which intercepts them;
as Air is mixed with
Snow
or Froth:
but the Vital Spirit is all continued to it ſelf by certain Conduit-pipes
through
which it paſſeth, and is not totally intercepted.
And this Spirit is two-fold
alſo
:
the one branched, onely paſſing through ſinall pipes, and, as it were, ſtrings:
the other hath a Cell alſo, ſo as it is not onely continued to it ſelf, but alſo congre-
gated
in an hollow ſpace in reaſonable good quantity, according to the Analogy of
the
body, and in that Cell is the fountain of the Rivulets which branch from thence.

That
Cell is chiefly in the Ventricles of the Brain, which in the ignobler ſort of crea-
tures
are but narrow, inſomuch that the ſpirits in them ſeem ſcattered over their whole
body
rather than Celled;
as may be ſeen in Serpents, Eels and Flies, whereoſ every of
their
parts move long after they are cut aſſunder.
Birds alſo leap a good while after
their
heads are pulled off, becauſe they have little heads and little Cells.
But the nobler
ſort
of creatures have thoſe Ventricles larger, and Man the largeſt of all.
The other
difference
betwixt the Spirits is, that the Vital Spirit hath a kind of enkindling, and
is
like a Wind or Breath compounded of Flame and Air, as the Juices of living
creatures
have both Oil and water.
And this enkindling miniſtreth peculiar motions
and
faculties:
for the ſmoke which is inflamable, even before the flame conceived, is
hot
, thin and movable, and yet it is quite another thing after it is become flame:

but
the enkindling of the vital ſpirits is by many degrees gentler than the ſofteſt flame,
as
of Spirit of Wine, or otherwiſe;
and beſides, it is in great part mixed with an Aerial
ſubſtance
, that it ſhould be a Myſtery or Miracle, both of a Flammeons and Aere-
ous
nature.
Canon V.
THe Natural A Etions are proper to the ſeveral Parts, but it is the Vital Spirit that excites
and
ſharpens them.
33759The Hiſtory of Life and Death.
The Explication.
THe Actions or Functions which are in the ſeveral Members follow the nature of
the
Members themſelves, (Attraction, Retention, Digeſtion, Aſſimilation, Separation,
Excretion
, Perspiration, even Senſe it ſelf) according to the propriety of the ſeveral
Organs
, (the Stomach, Liver, Heart, Spleen, Gall, Brain, Eye, Ear, and the reſt:)
yet none of theſe Actions would ever have been actuated but by the vigour and pre-
ſence
of the Vital spirit and heat thereof:
as one Iron would not have drawn another
Iron
, unleſs it had been excited by the Load ſtone, nor an Egge would ever have brought
forth
a Bird, unleſs the ſubſtance of the Hen had been actuated by the treading of the
Cock
.
Canon VI.
THe liveleſs Spirits are next Conſabſtantial to Air; the vital Spirits approach more to the
ſubſtance
of Flame.
The Explication.
THe Explication of the precedent fourth Canon is alſo a declaration of this preſent
Canon
:
but yet further, from hence it is that all fat and oily things continue
long
in their Being;
For neither doth the Air much pluck them, neither do they
much
deſire to joyn themſelves with Air.
As for that conceit it is altogether vain,
That
Flame ſhould be Air ſet on fire, ſeeing Flame and Air are no leſs heterogeneal
than
Oil and Water.
But whereas it is ſaid in the Canon, that the vital ſpirits approach
more
to the ſubſtance of Flame;
it muſt be underſtood, that they do this more than
the
liveleſs spirits, not that they are more Flamy than Airy.
Canon VII.
THe Spirit bath two Deſires; one of multiplying it ſelf, the other of flying forth and
congregating
it ſelf with the Connaturals.
The Explication.
THe Canon is underſtood of the liveleſs spirits; for as for the ſecond Deſire, the
vital
spirit doth moſt of all abhor flying forth of the body, for it finds no Con-
natural
here below to joyn withal:
Perhaps it may ſometimes flie to the outward
parts
of the body, to meet that which it loveth;
but the flying forth, as I ſaid, it ab-
horreth
.
But in the liveleſs ſpirits each of theſe two Deſires holdeth. For to the for-
mer
this belongeth, Every ſpirit ſeated among ſt the groſſer parts dwelleth unhappily;
and
therefore
when it finds not a like unto it ſelf, it doth ſo much the more labour to cre-
ate
and make a like, as being in a great ſolitude, and endeavour earneſtly to multiply it
ſelf
, and to prey upon the volatile of the großer parts, that it may be encreaſed in quan-
tity
.
As for the ſecond Deſire of flying forth, and betaking it ſelf to the Air, it is cer-
tain
that all light things (which are ever movable) do willingly go unto their likes near
unto
them, as a Dröp of water is carried to a Drop, Flame to Flame:
but much more
this
is done in the flying forth of ſpirit into the Air ambient, becauſe it is not carried
to
a particle like unto it ſelf, but alſo as unto the Globe of the Cannaturals.
Mean-while
this
is to be noted, That the going forth and flight of the ſpirit into air is a redoubled
action
, partly out of the appetite of the ſpirit, partly out of the appetite of the air;
for
the
common air is a needy thing, and receiveth all things ſpeedily, as Spirits, Odours, Beams,
Sounds
, and the like.
Canon VIII.
SPirit detained, if is have no poſſibility of begetting new ſpirits, itenerateth the groſſer
parts
.
The Explicætion.
GEneration of new Spirit is not accompliſhed but upon thoſe things which are in
ſome
degree near to ſpirit, ſuch as are humid bodies.
And therefore if the groſſer
parts
(amongſt which the Spirit converſeth) be in a remote degree, although the ſpirit
cannot
convert them, yet (as much as it can) it weakneth, and ſoftneth, and ſubdueth
them
, that ſeeing it cannot increaſe in quantity, yet it will d well more at large, and live
amongſt
good neighbours and friends.
Now this Apheriſm is moſt uſeful to our
End
, becauſe it tendeth to the Inteneration of the obſtinate parts by the detention of the
ſpirit
.
Canon IX.
THe Inteneration of the harder parts cometh to good effect, when the Spirit neither fly-
eth
forth, nor begetteth new Spirit.
33860The Hiſtory of Life and Death.
The Explication.
THis Canon ſolveth the knot and difficulty in the Operation of Intenerating by the
Detention
of the Spirit:
for if the Spirit not flying forth waſteth all within, there
is
nothing gotten to the Inteneration of the parts in their ſubſiſtence, but rather they are
diſſolved
and corrupted.
Therefore together with the Detention the Spirits ought to
be
cooled and reſtrained, that they may not be too active.
Canon X.
THe heat of the Spirit to keep the body freſh and green, ought to be Robuſt, not
Eager
.
The Explication.
ALſo this Canon pertaineth to the ſolving of the knot aforeſaid, but it is of a
much
larger extent, for it ſetteth down of what temperament the heat in the
body
ought to be for the obtaining of Long life.
Now this is uſeful, whether the
spirits
be detained, or whether they be not.
For howſoever the heat of the spirits
muſt
be ſuch, as it may rather turn it ſelf upon the hard parts than waſte the ſoft;
for the one Deſiccateth, the other Intenerateth. Beſides, the fame thing is available
to
the well perfecting of Aſſimilation;
for ſuch an heat doth excellently excite the fa-
culty
of Aſſimilation, and withall doth excellently prepare the matter to be Aſſimi-
lated
.
Now the properties of this kind of heat ought to be theſe. Firſt, that it be
ſlow
, and heat not ſuddenly:
Secondly, that it be not very intenſe, but moderate:
Thirdly
, that it be equal, not incompoſed, namely, intending and remitting it ſelf:

Fourthly
, that if this heat meet any thing to reſiſt it, it be not eaſily ſuffocated or lan-
guiſh
.
This Operation is exceeding ſubtil, but ſeeing it is one of the moſt uſeful, it is not
to
be deſerted.
Now in thoſe Remedies which we propounded to inveſt the ſpirits with
a
Robust heat, or that which we call Operative, not Predatory, we have in ſome ſort ſatiſ-
fied
this matter.
Canon XI.
The Condenſing of the Spirits in their Subſtance is available to Long life.
The Explication.
THis Canon is ſubordinate to the next precedent: for the Spirit condenſed receiveth
all
thoſe four properties of heat whereof we ſpeak;
but the ways of Condenſing
them
are ſet down in the firſt of the Ten Operations.
Canon XII.
THe Spirit in great quantity haſtneth more to flying forth, and preyeth upon the body
more
, than in ſmall quantity.
The Explication.
THis Canon is clear of it ſelf, ſeeing mere Quantity doth regularly increaſe virtue.
Andit is to be ſeen in flames, that the bigger they are, the ſtronger they break forth,
and
the more ſpeedily they conſume.
And therefore over-great plenty or exuber ance
of
the ſpirits is altogether hurtful to Long life;
neither need one wiſh a greater ſtore
of
ſpirits than what is ſufficient for the function of life, and the office of a good Re-
paration
.
Canon XIII.
THe Spirit equally diſperſed maketh leſs haſte to flie forth, and preyeth leſs upon the body,
than
unequally placed.
The Explication.
NOt onely abundance of ſpirits in reſpect of the whole is hurtful to the Duration
of
things, but alſo the ſame abundance unevenly placed is in like manner hurtful;
and therefore the more the ſpirit is ſhred and inſerted by ſmall portions, the leſs it prey-
eth
for Diſſolution ever beginneth at that part where the ſpirit is looſer.
And there-
fore
both Exerciſe and Frications conduce much to long life, for Agitation doth fine-
lieſt
diffuſe and commix things by ſmall portions.
Canon XIV.
THe inordinate and ſubſultory motion of the ſpirits doth more haſten to going forth, and
doth
prey upon the body more, than the conſtant and equal.
The Explication.
IN Inanimates this Canon holds for certain; for Inequality is the Mother of Diſſo-
lution
:
but in Animates (becauſe not onely the Conſumption is conſidered, but
33961The Hiſtory of Life and Death. Reparation, and Reparation proceedeth by the Appetites of things, and Appetite is
ſharpned
by variety) it holdeth not rigorouſly;
but it is ſo far forth to be received, that
this
variety be rather an alternation or enterchange than a confuſion, and as it were con-
ſtant
in inconſtancy.
Canon XV.
The Spirit in a Body of a ſolid compoſure is detained, though unwillingly.
The Explication.
ALl things do abhor a Solution of their Continuity, but yet in proportion to their
Denſity
or Rarity:
for the more rare the bodies be, the more do they ſuffer
themſelves
to be thruſt into ſmall and narrow paſſages;
for water will go into a paſſage
which
duſt will not go into, and air which water will not go into, nay, flame and
spirit
which air will not go into.
Notwithſtanding of this thing there are ſome
bounds
:
for the spirit is not ſo much tranſported with the deſire of going forth, that
it
will ſuffer it ſelf to be too much diſcontinued, or be driven into over-ſtreight pores
and
paſſages;
and therefore if the ſpirit be encompaſſed with an hard body, or elſe
with
an unctuous and tenæcious, (which is not eaſily divided) it is plainly bound, and,
as
I may ſay, impriſoned, and layeth down the appetite of going out:
wherefore we
ſee
that Metalls and Stones require a long time for their ſpirit to go forth, unleſs either
the
ſpirit be excited by the fire, or the groſſer parts be diſſevered with corroding and
ſtrong
waters.
The like reaſon is there of tenacious bodies, ſuch as are Gums, ſave onely
that
they are melted by a more gentle heat:
and therefore the juices of the body hard,
a
cloſe and compact skin, and the like, (which are procured by the drineſs of the Aliment,
and
by Exerciſe, and by the coldneſs of the air) are good for long life, becauſe they
detain
the ſpirit in cloſe priſon that it goeth not forth.
Canon XVI.
In Oily and Fat things the Spirit is detained willingly, though they be not tenacious,
The Explication.
THe ſpirit, if it be not irritated by the antipatby of the body encloſing it, nor fed by
the
over-much likeneſs of that body, nor ſollicited nor invited by the external body,
it
makes no great ſtir to get out:
all which are wanting to Oily bodies; for they are
neither
ſo preſſing upon the ſpirits as hard bodies, nor ſo near as watry bodies, neither
have
they any good agreement with the air ambient.
Canon XVII.
THe ſpeedy flying forth of the Watry humor conſerves the Oily the longer in his
being
.
The Explication.
WE ſaid before that the Watry humors, as being conſubſtantial to the Air, flie
forth
ſooneſt;
the Oily later, as having ſmall agreement with the Air. Now
whereas
theſe two humors are in moſt bodies, it comes to paſs that the Watry doth in a
ſort
betray the Oily, for thatiſſuing forth inſenſibly carrieth this together with it.
There-
fore
there is nothing more furthereth the conſervation of bodies than a gentle drying of
them
, which cauſeth the watry humour to expire, and inviteth not the Oily;
for then
the
Oily enjoyeth the proper nature.
And this tendeth not onely to the inhibiting of
Putrefaction
, (though that alſo followeth) but to the conſervation of Greenneſs.
Hence it is, that gentle Frications and moderate Exerciſes, cauſing rather Perſpiration than
Sweating
, conduce much to long life.
Canon XVIII.
Air excluded conferreth to Long life, if other inconveniences be avoided.
The Explication.
WE ſaid a little before, that the flying forth of the spirit is a redoubled action,
from
the appetite of the ſpirit and of the air, and therefore if either of theſe be
taken
out of the way, there is not a little gained.
Notwithſtanding divers Inconve-
niences
follow hereupon, which how they may be prevented we have ſhewed in the
ſecond
of our Operations.
Canon XIX.
YOuthful spirits inſerted into an old Body might ſoon turn Nature’s courſe back
again
.
34062The Hiſtory of Life and Death.
The Explication.
THe nature of the spirits is as the uppermoſt wheel, which turneth about the other
wheels
in the body of man, and therefore in the Intention of Long life, that ought
to
be firſt placed.
Hereunto may be added, that there is an eaſier and more expedite
way
to alter the ſpirits, than to other Operations.
For the Operation upon the spirits is
two-fold
:
the one by Aliments, which is ſlow, and, as it were, about; the other, (and
that
two fold) which is ſudden, and goeth directly to the ſpirits, namely, by Vapours,
or
by the Affections.
Canon XX.
Juices of the Body hard and roſcid are good for Long life.
The Explication.
THe reaſon i@ plain, ſeeing we ſhe wed before, that hard things, and oily or roſcid are
hardly
diſſipated:
notwithſtanding there is difference, (as we alſo noted in the
tenth
operation) That juice ſome what hard is indeed leſs diſſipable, but then it is withal
leſs
reparable;
therefore a Convenience is interlaced with an Inconvenience, and for this
cauſe
no wonderful matter will be atchieved by this.
But roſcid juice will admit both
Operations
;
therefore this would be principally endeavoured.
Canon XXI.
VVHatſoever is of thin parts to penetr ate, and yet hath no Acrimony to bite, begetteth
Roſcid
Juices.
The Explication.
THis Canon is more hard to practiſe than to underſtand. For it is manifeſt, what-
ſoever
penetrateth well, but yet with a ſting or tooth, (as do all ſharp and ſour
things
) it leaveth behind it whereſoever it goeth ſome mark or print of drineſs and
cleaving
, ſo that it hardneth the juices, and chappeth the parts:
contrarily, whatſoever
things
penetrate through their thinneſs merely, as it were by ſtealth, and by way of in-
ſinuation
, without violence, they bedew and water in their paſſage.
Of which ſort we
have
recounted many in the fourth and ſeventh Operations.
Canon XXII.
Aſſimilation is beſt done when all Local Motion is expended.
The Explication.
THis Canon we have ſufficiently explained in our Diſcourſe upon the eighth Ope-
ration
.
Canon XXIII.
ALimentation from without, at leaſt ſome other way than by the Stomach, is most pro-
fitable
for Long life, if it can be done.
The Explication.
WE ſee that all things which are done by Nutrition, ask a long time, but thoſe which
are
done by embracing of the like (as it is in Infuſions) require no long time.
And
therefore
Alimentation from without would be of principal uſe, and ſo much the more,
becauſe
the Faculties of Concoction decay in old age:
ſo that if there could be ſome auxi-
liary
Nutritions, by Bathings, Vnctions, or elſe by Clyſters, theſe things in conjunction
might
do much, which ſingle are leſs available.
Canon XXIV.
WHere the Concoction is weak to thruſt forth the Aliment, there the Outward parts
ſhould
be strengthned to call forth the Aliment.
The Explication.
THat which is propounded in this Canon is not the ſame thing with the former; for
it
is one thing for the outward Aliment to be attracted inward, another for the in-
ward
Aliment to be attracted outward:
yet herein they concur, that they both help
the
weakneſs of the inward Concoctions, though by divers ways.
Canon XXV.
ALL ſudden Renovation of the Body is wrought either by the Spirit, or by Malaciſſa-
tions
.
The Explication.
THere are two things in the body, Spirits and Parts: to both theſe the way by Nu-
trition
is long and about;
but it is a ſhort way to the Spirits by Vapours and by
the
Affections, and to the Parts by Malaciſſations.
But this is diligently to be noted,
that
by no means we confound Alimentation from without with Malaciſſation;
for the
intention
of Malaciſſation is not to nouriſh the parts, but onely to make them more fit
to
be nouriſhed.
34163The Hiſtory of Life and Death.
Canon XXVI.
MAlaciſſation is wrought by Conſubſtantials, by Imprinters, and by Cloſers
up
.
The Explication.
THe reaſon is manifeſt, for that Conſubſtantials do properly ſupple the body, Im-
printers
do carry in, Cloſers up do retain and bridle the Perspiration, which is a
motion
oppoſite to Malaciſſation.
And therefore (as we deſcribed in the ninth Ope-
ration
) Malaciſſation cannot well be done at once, but in a courſe or order.
Firſt, by
excluding
the Liquor by Thickners:
for an out ward and groſs Infuſion doth not well
compact
the body:
that which entreth muſt be ſubtil, and a kind of vapour. Second-
ly
, by Intenerating by the conſent of Conſubstantials:
for bodies upon the touch of
thoſe
things which have good agreement with them, open themſelves, and relax their
pores
.
Thirdly, Imprinters are Convoys, and inſinuate into the parts the Conſubſtan-
tials
, and the mixture of gentle Aſtringents doth ſomewhat reſtrain the Perspiration.
But
then
, in the fourth place, follows that great Aſtriction and Cloſure up of the body by
Emplaiſtration
, and then afterward by Inunction, until the supple be turned into Solid,
as
we ſaid in the proper place.
Canon XxVII.
FRequent Renovation of the Parts Repairable watereth and reneweth the leſs Reparable
alſo
.
The Explication.
WE ſaid in the Preface to this Hiſtory, that the way of Death was this, That the
Parts
Reparable died in the fellowſhip of the Parts leſs Reparable:
ſo that in the
Reparation
of theſe ſame leſs Reparable Parts all our forces would be employed.
And
therefore
being admoniſhed by Ariſtotle’s obſervation touching Plants, namely, That
the
putting forth of new ſhoots and branches refreſheth the body of the Tree in the paſſage;
we conceive the like reaſon might be, if the fleſh and bloud in the body of man were
often
renewed, that thereby the bones themſelves, and membranes, and other parts
which
in their own nature are leſs Reparable, partly by the chearful paſſage of the
juices
, partly by that new cloathing of the young fleſh and bloud, might be watered and
renewed
.
Canon XXVIII.
REfrigeration or Cooling of the body, which paſſeth ſome other ways than by the Sto-
mach
, is uſeful for Long life.
The Explication.
THe reaſon is at hand: for ſeeing a Refrigeration not temperate, but powerful, (eſpe-
cially
of the bloud) is above all things neceſſary to Long life:
this can by no means
be
effected from within as much as is requiſite, without the deſtruction of the sto-
mach
and Bowels.
Canon XXIX.
THat Intermixing or Intangling, that as well Conſumption as Reparation are the works
of
Heat, is the greateſt obſtacle to Long life.
The Explication.
ALmoſt all great works are deſtroyed by the Natures of things Intermixed, whenas
that
which helpeth in one reſpect hurteth in another:
therefore men muſt proceed
herein
by a ſound judgement, and a diſcreet practice.
For our part, we have done ſo
as
far as the matter will bear, and our memory ſerveth us, by ſeparating benign heats
from
hurtful, and the Remedies which tend to both.
Canon XXX.
CUring of Diſeaſes is effected by Temporary Medicines; but Lengthning of Life re-
quireth
Obſervation of Diets.
The Explication.
THoſe things which come by accident, as ſoon as the cauſes are removed ceaſe
again
;
but the continued courſe of nature, like a running River, requires a con-
tinual
rowing and ſailing againſt the ſtream:
therefore we muſt work regularly by Di-
ets
.
Now Diets are of two kinds: Set Diets, which are to be obſerved at certain times;
and Familiar Diet, which is to be admitted into our daily repaſt, But the set Diets are
the
more potent, that is, a courſe of Medicines for a time:
for thoſe things which are
of
ſo great virtue that they are able to turn Nature back again, are, for the moſt part,
more
ſtrong, and more ſpeedily altering, than thoſe which may without danger be re-
ceived
into a continual uſe.
Now in the Remedies ſet down in our Intentions
34264The Hiſtory of Life and Death. ſhall find onely three Set Diets, the Opiate Diet, the Diet Malaciſſant or Suppling, and
the
Diet Emaciant and Renewing.
But amongſt thoſe which we preſcribed for Familiar
Diet
, and to be uſed daily, the moſt efficacious are theſe that follow, which alſo come
not
far ſhort of the vertue of Set Diets:
Nitre and the ſubordinates to Nitre; the Re-
giment
of the Affections and Courſe of our Life;
Refrigeratours which paſs not by the
Stomach
;
Drinks Roſcidating, or ingendring Oily Juices; beſprinkling of the bloud with
ſome
firmer Matter, as Pearls, certain Woods, competent Unctions to keep out the Air,
and
to keep in the Spirit;
Heaters from without, during the Aſſimilation after ſleep;
avoiding of thoſe things which inflame the Spirit, and put it into an eager heat, as wine
and
Spices;
laſtly, a moderate and ſeaſonable uſe of thoſe things which endue the Spi-
rits
with a robust Heat, as Saffron, Croſſes, Garlick, Elecampane, and compound Opiates.
Canon XXXI.
THe Living Spirit is instantly extinguiſhed if it be deprived either of Motion, or of Re-
frigeration
, or of Aliment.
The Explication.
NAmely, theſe are thoſe three which before we called the Porshes of Death, and
they
are the proper and immediate paſſions of the Spirit.
For all the Organs of
the
principal parts ſerve hereunto, that theſe three Offices be performed;
and again,
all
deſtruction of the Organs which is deadly brings the matter to this point, that one or
more
of theſe three fail.
Therefore all other things are the divers ways to Death, but
they
end in theſe three.
Now the whole Fabrick of the Parts is the Organ of the Spirit,
as
the Spirit is the Organ of the Reaſonable Soul, which is Incorporeous and Divine.
Canon XXXII.
FLame is a Momentany Subſtance, Air a Fixed; the Living Spirit in Creatures is of
a
middle Nature.
The Explication.
THis matter ſtands in need both of an higher Indagation and of a longer Explica-
tion
than is pertinent to the preſent Inquiſition.
Mean-while we muſt know
this
, that Flame is almoſt every moment generated and extinguiſhed;
ſo that it is con-
tinued
only by ſucceſſion:
but Air is a fixed body, and is not diſſolved; for though Air
begets
new Air out of watery moiſture, yet notwithſtanding the old Air ſtill remains;
whence cometh that Super-oneration of the Air whereof we have ſpoken in the Title
De
Ventis.
But Spirit is participant of both Natures, both of Flame and Air, even as
the
nouriſhments thereof are, as well Oil, which is homogeneous to Flame, as
Water
, which is homogeneous to Air:
for the Spirit is not nouriſhed either of Oily
alone
, or of watry alone, but of both together;
and though Air doth not agree well
with
Flame, nor Oil with water, yet in a mix’d body they agree well enough.
Alſo
the
Spirit hath from the Air his eaſie and delicate impreſſions and yieldings, and from
the
Flame his noble and potent motions and activities.
In like manner the Duration
of
Spirit is a mixed thing, being neither ſo momentany as that of Flame, nor ſo fixed as
that
of Air:
And ſo much the rather it followeth not the condition of Flame, for
that
Flame it ſelf is extinguiſhed by accident, namely, by Contraries and Enemies envi-
roning
it;
but Spirit is not ſubject to the like conditions and neceſſities. Now the
Spirit
is repaired from the lively and florid bloud of the ſmall Arteries which are in-
ſerted
into the Brain;
but this Reparation is done by a peculiar manner, of which we
ſpeak
not now.
FINIS.
343
ARTICLES
OF

ENQUIRY
,
TOUCHING

METALS
& MINERALS.
Written by the Right Honorable,
FRANCIS BACON,
BARON
of VERULAM,
Viſcount
St. Alban.
Thought fit to be added, to this Work
OF
HIS
NATURAL
HISTORY.
Nevvly
put forth in the Year, 1661.
By
the former Publisher.
12[Figure 12]
LONDON,
Printed
for VVilliam Lee at the Turks-head
in
Fleetſtreet. 1669.
344
[Empty page]
345221 13[Figure 13]
ARTICLES
OF

ENQUIRY
,
TOUCHING

METALS
& MINERALS.
THe firſt Letter of the Alphabet is, the Compounding,
Incorporating
, or Union, of Metals or Minerals.
With what Metals, Gold will incorporate, by Sim-
ple
Colliqueſactions, and with what not?
And in what
quantity
it will incorporate?
and what kinde of Body
the
Compound makes?
Gold with Silver, which was the ancient Electrum.
11
# # Gold with Quick-ſilver.
# # Gold with Lead.
# # Gold with Copper.
# # Gold with Braſs.
# # Gold with Iron.
# # Gold with Tin.
# So likewiſe of Silver.
# # Silver with Quick-ſilver.
# # Silver with Lead.
# # Silver with Copper.
# # Silver with Braſs.
# # Siver with Iron.
# # Silver with Tin.
346222Articles of Enquiry,11
# So likewiſe of Quick-ſilver.
# # Quick-ſilver with Lead.
# # Quick-ſilver with Copper.
# # Quick-ſilver with Braſs.
# # Quick-ſilver with Iron.
# # Quick-ſilver with Tin.
# So of Lead.
# # Lead with Copper.
# # Lead with Braſs.
# # Lead with Iron.
# # Lead with Tin.
# So of Copper.
# # Copper with Braſs.
# # Copper with Iron.
# # Copper with Tin.
# So of Braß.
# # Braſs with Iron.
# # Braſs with Tin.
# So of Iron.
# # Iron with Tin.
What are the Compound Metals, which are common, and known?
And what are the Proportions of their mixtures? As
Lattin of Braſs, and the Calaminar-ſtone.
Bell-metal of, & c.
The counterfeit Plate, which they call Alchumy.
The Decompoſites of three Metals, or more, are too long to enquire,
except
there be ſome Compoſitions of them already obſerved.
It is alſo to be obſerved, Whether any two Metals which will not
mingle
of themſelves, will mingle with the help of another;
and
what
?
What Compounds will be made of Metal, with Stone, and other
Foſſiles
?
As Lattin is made with Braſs, and the Calaminar-ſtone. As
all
the Mettals with Vitriol:
All with Iron poudered. All with Flint,
&
c.
Some few of theſe would be enquired of, to diſcloſe the Nature
of
the reſt.
WHether Metals, or other Foſſiles, will incorporate with Molten
Glaſs
?
And what Body it makes?
The quantity in the mixture would we well conſidered: For ſome
ſmall
quantity, perhaps, would incorporate;
as in the Allays of Gold,
and
Silver Coyn.
Upon the Compound Body, three things are chiefly to be obſerved.
The Colour, the Fragility or Pliantneſs, the Volatility or Faxation, com-
pared
with the Simple Bodies.
For preſent uſe or profit, this is the Rule. Conſider the price of the
two
Simple`Bodies;
conſider again the Dignity of the one above
347223Touching Metals and Minerals. other, in uſe. Then ſee, if you can make a compound that will ſave more
in
the price, then it will loſe in the dignity of the uſe.
As for example,
Conſider
the price of Braſs Ordnance;
conſider again the price of Iron
Ordnance
;
and conſider, wherein the Braſs Ordnance doth excel the Iron
Ordnance
in uſe.
Then if you can make a Compound of Braſs and Iron
Ordnance
, that will be near as good in uſe, and much cheaper in price,
there
is profit both to the private and to the Commonwealth.
So of Gold and Silver, the price is double of Twelve. The dignity
of
Gold above Silver is not much;
the ſplendor is alike, and more plea-
ſing
to ſome eye, As in Cloth of Silver, Silver Lace, ſilvered Rapiers,
&
c. The main dignity is, that Gold bears the Fire, which Silver doth not;
but that is an excellency in Nature, but it is nothing at all in uſe. For any
dignity
in uſe, I know none, but that Silvering will ſully and canker more
then
Gilding;
which, if it may be corrected, with a little mixture of Gold,
there
is profit:
And I do ſome what marvel, that the later ages have loft
the
ancient Electrum, which was a mixture of Silver with Gold;
whereof,
I
conceive, there may be much uſe both in Coyn, Plate, and Gilding.
It is to be noted, that there is in the Verſion of Metals, impoſſibility,
or
at leaſt great difficulty;
as in making of Gold, Silver, Copper: On the
other
ſide, in the adulterating or counterfeiting of Metals there is de-
ceit
and villainy;
but it ſhould ſeem there is a middle way, and that is,
by
new compounds, if the ways of incorporating were well known.
What Incorporation or Imbibition, Metals will receive from Veget-
ables
, without being diſſolved mightbe inquired.
As when the Armorers
make
their Steel more tough and plyant, by the aſperſion of Water, or
Juyce
of Herbs:
When Gold being grown ſome what churliſh by recover-
ing
, is made more plyant by throwing in ſhreds of Tanned Leather, or
by
Leather oyled.
Note, that in theſe, and the like ſhews of Imbibition, it were good to
try
by the weight, whether the weight be increaſed, or no?
For if it be not,
it
is to be doubted, that there is no Imbibition of Subſtance;
but onely,
that
the Application of the other Body, doth diſpoſe and invite the Metal
to
another poſture of parts then of it ſelf, it would have taken.
After the Incorporation of Metals, by ſimple Colliquefaction, for the
better
diſcovery of the Nature:
And Conſents and Diſſents of Metals by
incorporating
oſ their Diſſolutions, it would be enquired.
What Metals being diſſolved by Strong-waters, will incorporate well
together
, and what not?
which is to be inquired particularly, as it was in
Colliquefactions
.
There is to be obſerved in thoſe Diſſolutions, which will not incor-
porate
what the effects are:
As the Ebullition, the Precipitation to the
bottom
, the Ejaculation towards the top, the Suſpenſion in the midſt, and
the
like.
Note, that the Diſſents of the Menſtrua, or Strong-waters, may
hinder
the Incorporation, as well as the Diſſents of the Metals themſelves:
Therefore where the Menſtrua are the ſame, and yet the Incorporation
followeth
not, you may conclude, the Diſſent is in the Metals, but where
the
Menſtrua are ſeveral, not ſo certain.
348224Articles of Enquiry,
THe Second Letter of the Croſs Row, is the Separation of Metals,
and
Minerals.
Separation is of three ſorts; the firſt is, The ſeparating
of
the pure Metal from the Ure or Droſs, which we call Refining.
The
ſecond
is, The drawing one Metal or Mineral out of another, which we
may
call Extracting.
The third, The ſeparating of any Metal into his
Original
or Elements, or call them what you will) which work we call
Precipitation
.
For Refining, we are to enquire of it according to the ſeveral Metals;
As Gold, Silver, & c. Incidently, we are to enquire of the firſt Stone, or
Ure
, or Spar, or Marcaſite of Metals ſeverally;
and what kinde of
Bodies
they are;
and of the degrees of Richneſs.
Alſo, we are to enquire of the Means of ſeparating, whether by Fire,
parting
Waters, or otherwiſe.
Alſo, for the manner of Refining, you are to ſee how you can multi-
ply
the Heat, or haſten the Opening;
and to ſave charge, in the
Refining
.
The means of this is in three manners; that is to ſay, In the Blaſt
of
the Fire:
In the manner of the Furnace to multiply Heat, by Union and
Reflexion
:
And by ſome Additament or Medicines, which will help the
Bodies
to open them the ſooner:
Note, the quickning of the Blaſt, and the multiplying of the Heat in
the
Furnace, may be the ſame for all Metals;
but the Additaments muſt be
ſeveral
accerding to the natures of the Metals.
Note again, That if you think the multiplying of the Additament in
the
ſame Proportion that you multiply the Ure, the work will follow,
you
may be deceived:
For quantity in the Paſſive will add more reſiſtance,
then
the ſame quantity in the Active will add force.
For Extracting, you are to enquire what Metals contain others, and
like
wiſe what not?
As Lead Silver, Copper Silver, & c.
Note, although the charge of Extraction ſhould exceed the worth,
yet
that is not the matter;
For, atleaſt, it will diſcover Nature and Poſſi-
bility
, the other may be thought on afterwards.
We are likewiſe to enquire, what the differences are of thoſe Metals,
which
contain more or leſs, other Metals;
and how that agrees with the
poorneſs
or richneſs of the Metals, or Ure, in themſelves:
As the Lead,
that
contains moſt Silver, is accounted to be more brittle;
and yet other-
wiſe
poorer in it ſelf.
For Principiation, I cannot affirm, whether there be any ſuch thing,
or
no.
And, I think, the Chymiſts make too much ado about it. But how-
ſoever
it be, whether Solution or Extraction, or a kinde of Converſion
by
the Fire, it is diligently to be enquired, What Salts, Sulphur, Vitriol,
Mercury
, or the like Simple Bodies are to be found in the ſeveral Metals;
and in what quantity.
349225Touching Metals and Minerals.
THe third Letter of the Croſs-Row, is the variation of Metals into
ſeveral
Shapes, Bodies, or Natures;
the particulars whereof ſol-
low
.
Tincture.
Turning to Ruſt.
Calcination.
Sublimation.
Precipitation.
Amalgamàtizing, or turning into aſoft Body.
Vitrification.
Opening or Diſſolving into Liquor.
Sprouting, or Branching, or Arboreſcence.
Induration and Mollification.
Making tough or brittle.
Volatility and Fixation.
Tranſmutation or Verſion.
For Tincture, it is to be enquired how Metals may be tincted, through
and
through;
and with what, and into what colours: As Tincting-Silver
yellow
, Tincting-Copper white, and Tincting red, green, blew, eſpecial-
ly
with keeping the luſtre.
Item, Tincture of Glaſs.
Item, Tincture of Marble, Flint, or other Stone.
For turning to Ruſt, two things are chiefly to be enquired: By what
Corroſives
it is done, and into what colours it turns:
As Lead into white,
which
they call Serus;
Iron into yellow, which they call Crocus Martis:
Quick-ſilver into Vermilion, Braſs into green, which they call Verdegraß,
&
c.
For Calcination, to enquire how every Metal is calcined? And
into
what kinde of Body?
And what is the exquiſiteſt way of Calcina-
tion
?
For Sublimation, to enquire the manner of Subliming; and what
Metals
endure Subliming;
and what Body the Sublimate makes?
For Precipitation likewiſe, By what ſtrong Waters every Metal will
precipitate
?
or with what Additaments? and in what time? and into what
Body
?
So for Amalgama, what Metals will endure it? What are the means
to
do it?
And what is the manner of the Body?
For Vitrification like wiſe, what Metals will endure it? what are
the
means to do it?
into what colour it turns? and further, where the
350226Articles of Enquiry, Metal is turned into Glaſs? and when the Metal doth but hang in the Glaſ-
ſie
part?
alſo what weight the vitrified Body bears, compared with the
crude
Body?
Alſo becauſe Vitrification is accounted, a kinde of death of
Metals
, what Vitrification will admit, of turning back again, and what
not
?
For Diſſolution into Liquor, we are to enquire, what is the proper
Menſtruum
to diſſolve any Metal?
And in the Negative, what will touch
upon
the one, and not upon the other?
And what ſeveral Menſtrua will
diſſolve
any Metal?
And which moſt exactly? Item, the proceſs or motion
of
the Diſſolution?
The manner of Riſing, Boiling, Vaporing? More
violent
or more gentle?
Cauſing much heat, or leſs? Item, the quan-
tity
or charge the Strong-Water will bear, and then give over?
Item,
the
colour into which the Liquor will turn?
Above all, it is to be enquired,
whether
there be any Menſtruum, to diſſolve any Metal that is not fretting and
corroding
;
but openeth the Body by ſympathy, and not by mordacity or
violent
penetration?
For Sprouting or Branching, though it be a thing but tranſitory, and
a
kinde of toy or pleaſure;
yet there is a more ſerious uſe oſ it: For that it
diſcovers
the delicate motions of ſpirits, when they put forth, and cannot
get
forth, like unto that which is in vegetables.
For Induration or Mollification, it is to be enquired, what will make
Metals
harder and harder, and what will make them ſofter and ſofter?
And
this
Enquiry tendeth to two ends;
Firſt, for Uſe: As to make Iron ſoft by the Fire, makes it malle-
able
.
Secondly, Becauſe Induration is a degree towards Fixation; and
Mollification
towards Volatility:
And therefore the Inquiry of them, will
give
light towards the other.
For tough and brittle, they are much of the ſame kinde with the
two
former, but yet worthy of an Inquiry apart:
Eſpecially to joyn
Hardneſs
to Toughneſs;
as making Glaſs malleable, & c. And
making
Blades, ſtrong to reſiſt, and pierce, and yet not eaſie to
break
.
For Volatility and Fixation, it is a principal Branch to be en-
quired
.
The utmoſt degree of Fixation is, That whereupon no Fire
will
work, nor Strong-water joyned with Fire, if there be any ſuch
Fixation
poſſible:
The next is, when Fire ſimply will not work with-
out
Strong-waters:
The next is, when it will endure Fire not blown,
or
ſuch a ſtrength oſ Fire:
The next is, when it will not endure Fire,
but
yet is malleable:
The next is, when it is not malleable, but yet it
is
not fluent, but ſtupified.
So of Volatility, the utmoſt degree is,
when
it will flee away without returning:
The next is, when it will
flee
up, but with eaſie return:
The next, when it will flee upwards,
over
the Helm, by a kinde of Exufflation, without Vaporing:
351227Articles of Enquiry, &c. The nekt is, when it will melt, though not riſe; And the next, when it will
ſoften
, though not melt.
Of all theſe, diligent inquiry is to be made, in
ſeveral
Metals;
eſpecially of the more extream degrees.
For Tranſmutation or Verſion, if it be real and true, it is the furtheſt
point
of Art;
and would be well diſting uiſhed from Extraction, from Re-
ſtitution
, and from Adulteration.
I hear much of turning Iron into Cop-
per
;
I hear alſo of the growth of Lead in weight, which cannot be with-
out
a Converſion of ſome Body into Lead:
But whatſoever is of this kinde,
and
well approved, is diligently to be inquired, and ſet down.
THe fourth Letter of the Croſs Row, is Reſtitution. Firſt therefore,
it
is to be enquired in the Negative;
what Bodies will never return,
either
by reaſon of their extream fixing, as in ſome Vitrifications, or by
extream
Volatility.
It is alſo to be enquired of the two Means of Reduction; and firſt by
the
Fire, which is but by Congregation of Homogeneal parts.
The ſecond is, by drawing them down, by ſome Body, that hath con-
ſent
with them:
As Iron draweth down Copper in Water; Gold draweth
Quick-ſilver
in vapor;
whatſoever is of this kinde, is very diligently to be
enquired
.
Alſo it is to be enquired, what Time or Age will reduce without the
help
of Fire or Body?
Alſo it is to be enquired, what gives Impediment to Union or Reſti-
tution
, which is ſometimes called Mortification;
as when Quick-ſilver is
mortified
with Turpentine, Spittle, or Butter.
Laſtly, it is to be enquired how the Metal reſtored, differeth in any
thing
from the Metal raw or crude?
As whether it becometh not more chur-
liſh
, altered in colour, or the like?
352
THE
BOOK-SELLER

UNTO
THE
READER
.
IReceived ſome Moneths ſince theſe Articles of Enquiry, touching
Metals
and Minerals, from the hands of the Reverend Dr.
Rawley,
who
hath published ſeveral of the Lord Verulams Works ſince his
Death
(he having been his Lordships Chaplain) and who hath been careful to
Correct
at the Preß this little Piece (an Addition to the Natural Hiſtory)
according
to the Original Copy, remaining amongſt his Lordships Manuſcripts:
Amongſt which there is nothing more of that ſubject to be found, ſo as no more
Additions
can be expected.
W. Lee.
FINIS.
353
[Empty page]
354
[Empty page]
355
NEW
ATLANTIS
.
9797[Handwritten note 97]
A VVork unfinished.
Written by the Right Honorable,
FRANCIS

Lord
Verulam, Viſcount St. Albans.
14[Figure 14]
356
[Empty page]
3573 15[Figure 15]
TO THE
READER
THis Fable my Lord deviſed, to the
end
that hemight exhibit therein
a
Model or Deſcription of a College,
inſtituted
for the Interpreting of
Nature
, and the producing of
great
and marvellous Works for the benefit of
Men
, under the name of Solomons Houſe, or, The
College
of the Six days Works.
And even ſo far his
Lordship
hath proceeded as to finish that Part.
Certainly, the Model is more vaſt and high,
than
can poſſibly be imitated in all things, not-
withſtanding
moſt things therein are within
Mens
power to effect.
His Lordship thought
alſo
in this preſent Fable to have compoſed a
Frame
of Laws, or of the beſt State or Mould
of
a Commonwealth;
but fore-ſeeing it would be a
long
Work, his deſire of Collecting the Natural
Hiſtory
diverted him, which he preferred many
degrees
before it.
This Work of the New Atlantis (as much as
concerneth
the English Edition) his Lordship de-
ſigned
for this place, in regard it hath ſo near
affinity
(in one part of it) with the preceding
Natural
Hiſtory.
W. Rawley.
358
[Empty page]
3595 16[Figure 16]
NEW ATLANTIS.
WE ſailed from Peru (where we had continued by the
ſpace
of one whole year) for China and Japan by the
South
Sea, taking with us Victuals for Twelve Moneths,
and
had good Winds from the Eaſt, though ſoft and
weak
, for Five Moneths ſpace and more;
but then the
Wind
came about, and ſetled in the Weſt for many
days
;
ſo as we could make little or no way, and were
ſometimes
in purpoſe to turn back:
But then again,
there
aroſe ſtrong and great Winds from the South, with a Point Eaſt,
which
carried us up (for all that we could do) to wards the North;
by which
time
our Victuals failed us, though we had made good ſpare of them:
So
that
finding our ſelves in the midſt of the greateſt Wilderneſs of Waters in
the
World, without Victual, we gave our ſelves for loſt men, and prepared
for
death.
Yet we did lift up our hearts and voices to God above, Who
ſheweth
his wonders in the deep;
beſeeching him of his mercy, That as in the
Beginning
he diſcovered the Face of the deep, and brought forth dry-land;
ſo he
would
now diſcover Land to us, that we might not periſh.
And it came to
paſs
, that the next day about Evening, we ſaw within a Kenning before us,
towards
the North, as it were thicker Clouds, which did put us in ſome
hope
of Land;
knowing how that part of the South-Sea was utterly un-
known
, and might have lſlands or Continents that hitherto were not come
to
light.
Wherefore we bent our courſe thither, where we ſaw the ap-
pearance
of Land all that night;
and in the dawning of the next day, we
might
plainly diſcern that it was a Land flat to our ſight, and full of Boſcage,
which
made it ſhew the more dark;
and after an hour and a halfs ſailing,
we
entred into a good Haven, being the Port of a fair City, not great in-
deed
, but well built, and that gave a pleafant view from the Sea:
And we
thinking
every minute long, till we were on Land, came cloſe to the Shore
and
offered to land;
but ſtraight-ways we ſaw divers of the people with
Baſtons
in their hands, (as it were) forbidding us to land, yet without any
cries
or fierceneſs, but onely as warning us off by ſigns that they made.
Whereupon being not a little diſcomforted, we were adviſing with our
ſelves
, what we ſhould do.
During which time, there made forth to us a
ſmall
Boat with about eight perſons in it, where of one of them had in his
hand
a Tip-ſtaff of a Yellow Cane, tipped at both ends with Blew, who
made
aboard our Ship without any ſhew of diſtruſt at all:
And when he
ſaw
one of our number preſent himſelf ſome what afore the reſt, he drew
forth
a little Scroul of Parchment (ſomewhat yellower then our
3606New Atlantis. and ſhining like the Leaves of Writing-Tables, but other wiſe ſoft and flexi-
ble
) and delivered it to our foremoſt man.
In which Scroul were written
in
ancient Hebrew, and in ancient Greek, and in good Latine of the School,
and
in Spaniſh, theſe words, “Land ye not, none of you, and provide to be
gone from this Coaſt within ſixteen days, except you have fur ther time
given you:
Mean while, if you want Freſh-water or Victual, or help for
your Sick, or that your Ship needeth repair, write down your wants, and
you ſhall have that which belongeth to Mercy.
This Scroul was ſigned
with
a ſtamp of Cherubims VVings, not ſpred, but hanging down wards, and
by
them a Croß.
This being delivered, the Officer returned, and left onely
a
Servant with us to receive our anſwer.
Conſulting hereupon amongſt our
ſelves
, we were much perplexed.
The denial of Landing, and haſty warn-
ing
us away, troubled us much.
On the other ſide, to finde that the peo-
ple
had Languages, and were ſo full of Humanity, did comfort us not a
little
;
and above all, the Sign of the Croß to that Inſtrument, was to us a
great
rejoycing, and, as it were, a certain preſage of good.
Our anſwer was
in
the Spaniſh Tongue, “That for our Ship it was well, for we had rather
met with Calms and contrary Winds then any Tempeſts.
For our Sick,
they were many, and in very ill caſe;
ſo that if they were not permitted to
land, they ran in danger of their lives.
Our other wants we ſet down in
particular
, adding, “That we had ſome little ſtore of Merchandize, which
if it pleaſed them to deal for, it might ſupply our wants without being
chargeable unto them.
We offered ſome re ward in Piſtolets unto the
Servant
, and a piece of Crimſon Velvet to be preſented to the Officer;
but the Servant took them not, nor would ſcarce look upon them, and
ſo
leſt us, and went back in another little Boat which was ſent ſor
him
.
About three hours after we had diſpatched our Anſwer, there came to-
wards
us a perſon (as it ſeemed) of place:
He had on him a Gown with
wide
Sleeves of a kinde of Water-Chamolet, of an excellent Azure colour,
far
more gloſſie then ours;
his under apparel was green, and ſo was his Hat,
being
in the form of a Turbant, daintily made, and not ſo huge as the
Turkiſh
Turbants;
and the Locks of his Hair came down below the brims
of
it:
A Reverend Man was he to behold. He came in a Boat gilt in ſome
part
of it, with four perſons more onely in that Boat, and was followed by
another
Boat wherein were ſome twenty.
When he was come within a
flight-ſhot
of our Ship, ſigns were made to us, that we ſhould ſend forth
ſome
to meet him upon the Water;
which we preſently did in our Ship-
boat
, ſending the principal Man amongſt us ſave one, and four of our num-
ber
with him.
When we were come within ſix yards of their Boat, they
called
to us to ſtay, and not to approach further;
which we did: And there-
upon
the Man whom I before deſcribed ſtood up, and with a loud voice in
Spaniſh
, asked, Are ye Chriſtians?
We anſwered, VVe were; fearing the leſs,
becauſe
of the Croß we had ſeen in the Subſcription.
At which anſvver, the
ſaid
perſon lift up his right hand tovvards Heaven, and drevvit ſoftly to his
mouth
, (vvhich is the geſture they uſe vvhen they thank God) and then ſaid,
If you vvill ſvvear (all of you) by the Merits of the Saviour that ye are no
Pirates, nor have ſhed blood, lavvfully nor unlavvfully, vvithin forty
days paſt, you may have Licenſe to come on Land.
VVe ſaid, “VVe vvere
all ready to take that Oath.
VVhere upon one of thoſe that vvere vvith
him
, being (as it ſeemed) a Notary, made an Entry of this Act.
VVhich
done
, another of the attendants of the Great Perſon, vvhich vvas
3617New Atlantis. him in the ſame Boat, aſter his Lord had ſpoken a little to him, ſaid aloud,
My Lord, would have you know, that it is not of Pride or Greatneſs that
he cometh not aboard your Ship;
but for that, in your Anſwer, you de-
clare, That you have many ſick amongſt you, he was warned by the Con-
ſervator of Health of the City, that he ſhould keep a diſtance.
VVe bowed
our
ſelves towards him, and anſwered, “VVe were his humble Servants,
and accounted for great Honor and ſingular Humanity to wards us, that
which was already done;
but hoped well, that the nature of the ſickneſs
of our Men was not infectious.
So he returned, and a while after came
the
Notary to us aboard our Ship, holding in his hand a Fruit of that Coun-
trey
like an Orenge, but of colour between Orenge-tawny and Scarlet, which caſt
a
moſt excellent Odor:
He uſed it (as it ſeemeth) for a Preſervative againſt
Infection
.
He gave us our Oath, By the Name of Jeſus, and his Merits; and
after
told us, that the next day by ſix of the clock in the morning we ſhould
be
ſent to, and brought to the Strangers Houſe, (ſo he called it) vvhere vve
ſhould
be accommodated of things both for our vvhole and for our ſick.
So he left us; and vvhen vve offered him ſome Piſtolets, he ſmiling, ſaid,
He
muſt not be twice paid for one labor, meaning (as I take it) that he had ſalary
ſufficient
of the State for his ſervice;
for (as I after learned) they call an
Officer
that taketh revvards, Twice paid.
The next morning early, there came to us the ſame Officer that came to
us
at firſt vvith his Cane, and told us, “He came to conduct us to the Strangers
Houſe, and that he had prevented the hour becauſe we might have the whole
day before us for our buſineſs:
For (ſaid he) if you vvill follovv my ad-
vice, there ſhall firſt go vvith me ſome fevv of you, and ſee the place, and
hovv it may be made convenient for you;
and then you may ſend for your
ſick, and the reſt of your number which ye will bring on Land.
VVethanked
him
, and ſaid, “That this care vvhich he took of deſolate Strangers, Ged
vvould revvard.
And ſo ſix of us vvent on Land vvith him; and vvhen
vve
vvere on Land, he vvent before us, and turned to us, and ſaid, He was
but
our Servant, and our Guide.
He led us through three fair streets, and all
the
way we went there were gathered ſome people on both ſides, ſtanding
in
a row, but in ſo civil a faſhion, as if it had been not to wonder at us,
but
to welcome us;
and divers of them, as we paſſed by them, put their
arms
a little abroad, which is their geſture when they bid any welcome.
The Strangers Houſe is a fair and ſpacious Houſe, built of Brick, of ſome-
what
a bluer colour then our Brick, and with handſome Windows, ſome
of
Glaſs, ſome of a kinde of Cambrick oiled.
He brought us firſt into a
fair
Parlor above-ſtairs, and then asked us, “What number of perſons
we were, and how many ſick.
VVe anſwered, “We were in all (ſick and
whole) One and fiſty perſons, whereof our ſick were ſeventeen.
He
deſired
us to have patience a little, and to ſtay till he came back to us,
which
was about an hour after;
and then he led us to ſee the Chambers
which
were provided for us, being in number Nineteen.
They having caſt
it
(as it ſeemeth) that four of thoſe Chambers, vvhich vvere better then
the
reſt, might receive four of the principal men of our company, and
lodge
them alone by themſelves;
and the other fifteen Chambers vvere to
lodge
us, tvvo and tvvo together;
the Chambers vvere handſome and
chearful
Chambers, and furniſhed civilly.
Then heled us to a long Gal-
lery
, like a Dorture, vvhere he ſhevved us all along the one ſide (for the
other
ſide vvas but Wall and Windovv) ſeventeen Cells, very neatones,
having
Partitions of Cedar-vvood.
VVhich Gallery and Cells, being
3628New Atlantis. all forty, (many more then we needed) were inſtituted as an Infirmary for
ſick
perſons.
And he told us withal, that as any of our ſick waxed well,
he
might be removed from his Cell to a Chamber;
for which purpoſe,
there
were ſet forth ten ſpare Chambers, beſides the number we ſpake of
before
.
This done, he brought us back to the Parlor, and lifting up his
Cane
a little (as they do when they give any charge or command) ſaid to
us
, “Ye are to know, that the Cuſtom of the Land requireth, that after this
day and to morrow (which we give you for removing your People ſrom
your Ship) you are to keep within doors for three days:
But let it not
trouble you, nor do not think your ſelves reſtrained, but rather left to
your Reſt and Eaſe.
You ſhall want nothing, and there are ſix of our
people appointed to attend you for any buſineſs you may have abroad.
We gave him thanks with all affection and reſpect, and ſaid, God ſurely is
manifeſted
in this Land.
We offered him alſo twenty Piſtolets; but he ſmiled,
and
onely ſaid, VVhat, twice paid?
and ſo he left us. Soon after our Dinner
was
ſerved in, which was right good Viands, both for Bread and Meat,
better
then any Collegiate Diet, that I have known in Europe.
VVe had
alſo
drink of three ſorts, all wholeſome and good;
VVine of the Grape,
a
Drink of Grain, ſuch as is with us our Ale, but more clear;
and a kinde
of
Sider made of a Fruit of that Countrey, a wonderful pleaſing and re-
freſhing
drink.
Beſides, there were brought in to us greatſtore of thoſe
Scarlet
Orenges for our ſick, which (they ſaid) were an aſſured remedy
for
ſickneſs taken at Sea.
There was given us alſo a Box of ſmall gray or
whitiſh
Pills, which they wiſhed our ſick ſhould take, one of the Pills
every
night before ſleep, which (they ſaid) would haſten their recovery.

The
next day, after that our trouble of carriage and removing of our
Men
and Goods out of our Ship, was ſomewhat ſetled and quiet, I thought
good
to call our company together, and when they were aſſembled, ſaid
unto
them, “My dear Friends, let us know our ſelves, and how it ſtandeth
with us.
VVe are Men caſt on Land, as Fonas was out of the VVhales
Belly, when we were as buried in the deep;
and now we are on Land,
we are but between Death and Life, for we are beyond both the Old
VVorld and the New, and whether ever we ſhall ſee Europe, God onely
knoweth:
It is a kinde of miracle hath brought us hither, and it muſt be
little leſs that ſhall bring us hence.
Therefore in regard of our deliver-
ance paſt, and our danger preſent and to come, let us look up to God,
and every man reform his own ways.
Beſides, we are come here amongſt
a Chriſtian People, full of Piety and Humanity;
let us not bring that con-
fuſion of face upon our ſelves, as to ſhew our vices or unworthineſs be-
fore them.
Yet there is more; for they have by commandment (though
in form of courteſie) cloiſtered us within theſe VValls for three days;

vvho knovveth vvhether it be not to take ſome taſte of our manners and
conditions;
and if they finde them bad, to baniſh us ſtraight-vvays; if
good, to give us further time?
For theſe men that they have given us ſor
attendance, may vvithal have an eye upon us.
Therefore for Gods love,
and as vve love the vveal of our Souls and Bodies, let us ſo behave our
ſelves as vve may be at peace vvith God, and may finde grace in the eyes
of this people.
Our Company vvith one voice thanked me for my good
admonition
, and promiſed me to live ſoberly and civilly, and vvithout
giving
any the leaſt occaſion of offence.
So vve ſpent our three days
joyfully
and vvithout care, in expectation vvhat vvould be done vvith us
vvhen
they vvere expired:
During vvhich time, vve had every hour
3639New Atlantis. of the amendment of our ſick, who thought themſelves caſt into ſome di-
vine
Pool of Healing, they mended ſo kindly and ſo faſt.
The morrow after our three days were paſt, there came to us a new Man
that
we had not ſeen before, cloathed in blew as the ſormer was, ſave that
his
Turbant was white with a ſmall Red Croſs on the top;
he had alſo a
Tippet
of fine Linnen.
At his coming in he did bend to us a little, and put
his
arms abroad.
We of our parts ſaluted him in a very lowly and ſubmiſſive
manner
, as looking, that ſrom him we ſhould receive ſentence of Life or
Death
.
He deſired to ſpeak with ſome ſew of us; whereupon ſix of us
onely
ſtaid, and the reſt avoided theroom.
He ſaid, “I am by office Go-
vernor of this Houſe of Strangers, and by Vocation I am a Chriſtian Prieſt;
and therefore am come to you to offer you my ſervice, both as Strangers,
and chiefly as Chriſtians.
Some things I may tell you, which I think you
will not be un willing to hear.
The State hath given you licence to ſtay on
Land for the ſpace of ſix weeks;
and let it not trouble you, if your occa-
ſions ask further time, for the Law in this Point is not preciſe;
and I do
not doubt, but my ſelf ſhall be able to obtain for you ſuch ſurther time as
ſhall be convenient.
Ye ſhall alſo underſtand, that the Strangers Houſe is at
this time rich and much aforehand, for it hath laid up Revenue theſe Thir-
ty ſeven years;
for ſo long it is ſince any Stranger arrived in this part: And
there fore take ye no care, the State will deſray you all the time you ſtay,
neither ſhall you ſtay one day leſs for that.
As for any Merchandize you
have brought, ye ſhall be well uſed, and have your Return, either in Mer-
chandize, or in Gold and Silver;
for to us it is all one. And iſ you have
any other requeſt to make, hide it not, for ye ſhall finde we will not make
your countenance to fall by the anſwer ye ſhall receive.
Onely this I muſt
tell you, that none of you muſt go above a Karan (that is with them a mile and
an half) from the Walls of the City without ſpecial leave.
We anſwered,
after
we had looked a while upon one another, admiring this gracious and
parent-like
uſage, “That we could not tell what to ſay, for we wanted
words to expreſs our thanks, and his noble free offers leſt us nothing to
ask.
It ſeemed to us, that we had before us a Picture of our Salvation in
Heaven;
for we that were a while ſince in the Jaws of Death, were now
brought into a place where we found nothing but Conſolations.
For the
Commandment laid upon us, we would not fail to obey it, though it
was impoſſible but our hearts ſhould be inflamed to tread further upon
this happy and holy Ground.
We added, “That our Tongues ſhould firſt
cleave to the Roofs of our Mouths, ere we ſhould forget either this Re-
verend Perſon, or this whole Nation, in our Prayers.
We alſo moſt
humbly
beſought him to accept of us as his true Servants, by as juſt a right
as
ever Men on Earth were bounden, laying and preſenting both our per-
ſons
and all we had at his feet.
He ſaid, He was a Prieſt, and looked for a Prieſts
re
ward, which was our Brotherly love, and the good of our Souls and Bodies.
So he
went
from us, not without tears of tenderneſs in his eyes;
and leſt us alſo
confuſed
with joy and kindneſs, ſaying amongſt our ſelves, That vve vvere
come
into a Land of Angels, which did appear to us daily, and prevent us with comforts
which
we thought not of, much leß expected.
The next day about ten of the clock the Governor came to us again,
and
after ſalutations, ſaid familiarly, That he vvas come to viſit us, and called for
a
Chair, and ſate him down;
and we being ſome ten of us (the reſt were of
the
meaner ſort, or elſe gone abroad) ſite down with him:
And when we
were
ſet, he began thus, “We of this Iſland of Benſalem (for ſo they call it
36410New Atlantis.their Language.) have this, That by means of our ſolitary ſituatior, and of
the Laws of Secrecy which we have for our Travellers, and our rare
admiſſion of ſtrangers, we know well moſt part of the Habitable World,
and are our ſelves unkrown.
Therefore, becauſe he that knoweth leaſt,
is fitteſt to ask Queſtions, it is more reaſon, for the entertainment of the
time, that ye ask me Queſtions, than that I ask you.
We anſvvered, That
we humbly thanked him, that he would give us leave ſo to do, and that
we conceived by the taſte we had already, that there was no worldly thing
on Earth, more worthy to be known, then the ſtate of that happy Land.
But above all (vve ſaid) ſince that vve vvere met from the ſeveral Ends of
the World, and hoped aſſuredly, that vve ſhould meet one day in the
Kingdom of Heaven, (for that vve vvere both parts Chriſtians) vve deſired
to knovv (in reſpect that Land vvas ſo remote, and ſo divided by vaſt and
unknovvn Seas, from the Land vvhere our Saviour vvalked on Earth)
vvho vvas the Apoſtle of that Nation, and hovv it vvas converted to the
Faith.
It appeared in his face, that he took great contentment in this our Queſtion. He
ſaid
, “Ye knit my heart to you by asking this Queſtion in the firſt place,
for it ſhevveth that you firſt ſeek the Kingdom of Heaven;
and I ſhill gladly and
briefly ſatisfie your demand.
About tvventy years after the Aſcenſion of our Saviour, it came to
paſs
, that there vvas ſeen by the people of Renfuſa (a City upon the
Eaſtern
Coaſt of our lſland) vvithin night (the night vvas cloudy and
calm
) as it might be ſome mile in the Sea, a great Pillar of Light, not ſharp,
but
in form of a Column or Cylinder, riſing from the Sea a great vvay up
to
vvards Heaven, and on the top of it was ſeen a large Croß of Light, more
bright
and reſplendent then the Body of the Pillar:
Upon which ſo
ſtrange
a ſpectacle the people of the City gathered apace to gether upon
the
Sands to wonder, and ſo after put themſelves into a number of ſmall
Boats
to go nearer to this marvellous ſight.
But when the Boats were
come
within (about) ſixty yards of the Pillar, they found themſelves all
bound
, and could go no further, yet ſo as they might move to go about,
but
might not approach nearer;
ſo as the Boats ſtood all as in a Theatre,
beholding
this Light as an Heavenly Sign.
It ſo ſell out, that there was in
one
of the Boats, one of the wiſe Men of the Society of Solomens Houſe,
(which Houſe or College (my good Brethren) is the very Eye of this King-
dom
) who having a while attentively and devoutly viewed and contem-
plated
this Pillar and Croſs, fell down upon his face, and then raiſed him-
ſelf
upon his knees, and liſting up his hands to Heaven made his Prayers
in
this manner.
LOrd God of Heaven and Earth, thou haſt vouch-
ſafed
of thy Grace to thoſe of our Order, to know thy
Works
of Creation, and true Secrets of them, and to
diſcern
(as far as appertaineth to the Generations of Men)
between
Divine Miracles, VVorks of Nature, VVorks
of
Art, and Impoſtures and Illuſions of all ſorts.
I do here
acknowledge
and teſtifie before this People, that the
36511New Atlantis. we now ſee before our eyes is thy Finger, and atrue Mi-
racle
.
And foraſmuch as we learn in our Books, that thou
never
workeſt Miracles but to a Divine and excellent End,
(for the Laws of Nature, are thine own Laws, and thou
exceedeſt
them not but upon good cauſe) we moſt humbly be-
ſeech
thee to proſper this great Sign, and to give us the Inter-
pretation
, and uſe of it in mercy, which thou doſt in ſome part
ſecretly
promiſe, by ſending it unto us.
When he had made his Prayer, he preſently found the Boat he was
in
, moveable and unbound, whereas all the reſt remained ſtill fiſt;
and
taking
that for an aſſurance of leave to approach, he cauſed the Boat to be
ſoftly
, and with ſilence, rowed towards the Pillar;
but ere he came near it,
the
Pillar and Croß of Light brake up, and caſt it ſelf abroad, as it were, into
a
Firmament of many Stars;
which alſo vaniſhed ſoon after, and there was
nothing
leſt to be ſeen but a ſmall Ark or Cheſt of Cedar, dry, and not wet
at
all with Water, though it ſwam;
and in thefore end of it, which was
towards
him, grew a ſmall green Branch of Palm.
And when the Wire-
man
had taken it with all reverence into his Boat, it opened of it ſelf, and
there
was found in it a Book and a Letter, both written in fine Parchment,
and
wrapped in Sindons of Linnen.
The Book contained all the Canonical
Books
of the Old and New Teſtament, according as you have them, (for we
know
well what the Churches with you receive;)
and the Apocalypſe it ſel,
and
ſome other Books of the New Teſtament, which were not at that time
written
, were nevertheleſs in the Book.
And for the Letter, it was in theſe
words
.
IBartholomew, a Servant of the Higheſt, and
Apoſtle
of FESVS CHRIST, was warn-
ed
by an Angel that appeared to me in a
Viſion
of Glory, that I should commit this
Ark
to the Flouds of the Sea.
Therefore I
do
teſtifie and declare unto that People, where
GOD
shall ordain this Ark to come to Land,
that
in the ſame day is come unto them Salva-
tion
, and Peace, and Good Will from the
FATHER
, and from the LORD FESVS.
There was alſo in both theſe Writings, as well the Book as the
Letter, wrought a great Miracle, conform to that of the Apoſtles in the
Original Gift of Tengues.
For there being at that time in this Land Hebrews,
Perſians, and Indians, beſides the Natives, every one read upon the
36612New Atlantis.and Letter, as if they had been written in his own Language. And thus
was this Land ſaved from Infidelity (as the Remain of the old World
was from Water) by an Ark, through the Apoſtolical and Miraculous
Evangeliſm of S Bartholomevv.
And here he pauſed, and a Meſſenger
came
and called him forth ſrom us.
So this was all that paſſed in that
Conference
.
The next day the ſame Governor came again to us immediately aſter Din-
ner
, and excuſed himſelf, ſaying, “That the day beſore he was called from us
ſome what abruptly, but now he would make us amends, and ſpend time
with us, if we held his Company and Conference agreeable.
We anſwered,
That we held it ſo agreeable and pleaſing to us, as we forgot both dangers
paſt and fears to come, for the time we heard him ſpeak, and that we
thought an hour ſpent with him, was worth years of our former life.
He
bo
vved himſelf alittle to us, and after vve vvere ſet again, heſaid, “Well, the Queſti-
ons are on your part.
One of our number ſaid, after a little pauſe, “That there
was a matter we were no leſs deſirous to know then fearful to ask, leſt we
might preſume too far;
but encouraged by his rare Humanity to wards us,
“(that could ſcarce think our ſelves ſtrangers, being his vowed and profeſſed
Servants) we would take the hardineſs to propound it:
Humbly beſeech-
ing him, if he thought it not fit to be anſwered, that he would pardon it,
though he rejected it.
VVe ſaid, We well obſerved thoſe his words
which he formerly ſpake, That this happy Iſland where we now ſtood
vvas knovvn to fevv, and yet knevv moſt of the Nations of the World;
vvhich vve found to be true, conſidering they had the Languages of
Europe, and knevv much of our ſtate and buſineſs;
and yet vve in Europe
“(notvvithſtanding all the remote Diſcoveries and Navigations of this laſt
Age) never heard any of the leaſt inkling or glimpſe of this Iſland.
This
vve found vvonderful ſtrange, for that all Nations have interknovvledge
one of another, either by Voyage into Forein Parts, or by Strangers
that come to them:
And though the Traveller into a Forein Countrey,
doth commonly know more by the Eye, then he that ſtaid at home can
by relation of the Traveller;
yet both ways ſuffice to make a mutual
knowledge in ſome degree on both parts:
But for this Iſland, we never
heard tell of any Ship of theirs that had been ſeen to arrive upon any
ſhore of Europe, no nor of either the Eaſt or VVeſt-Indies, nor yet of any
Ship of any other part of the World that had made return for them.
And
yet the marvel reſted not in this;
for the ſituation of it (as his Lordſhip
ſaid) in the ſecret Conclave of ſuch a vaſt Sea might cauſe it:
But then,
that they ſhould have knowledge of the Languages, Books, Affairs of
thoſe that lie ſuch a diſtance from them, it was a thing we could not tell
what to make of;
for that it ſeemed to us a condition and propriety of
Divine Powers and Beings, to be hidden and unſeen to others, and yet
to have others open, and as in a light to them.
At this Speech the Go-
vernor
gave a gracious ſmile, and ſaid, “That we did well to ask pardon
for this Queſtion we now asked, for that it imported as if we thought
this Land, a Land of Magicians, that ſent forth Spirits of the Air into all
parts to bring them news, and intelligence of other Countreys.
It was
anſwered
by us all, in all poſſible humbleneſs, but yet with a countenance
taking
knowledge, that we knew, that he ſpake it but merrily, “That we
were apt enough to think, there was ſomewhat ſupernatural in this
Iſland, but yet rather as Angelical then Magical.
But to let his Lord-
ſhip know truly what it was that made us tender and doubtful to ask
36713New Atlantis.Queſtion; it was not any ſuch conceit, but becauſe we remembred he
had given a touch in his former Speech, that this Land had Laws of Se-
crecy, touching Strangers.
To this he ſaid, “You remember it right; and
therefore in that, I ſhall ſay to you, I muſt reſerve ſome particulars which
it is not lawful for me to reveal, but there will be enough left to give you
ſatisfaction.
You ſhall underſtand (that which perhaps you will ſcarce think cre-
dible
) that about Three thouſand years ago or ſomewhat more, the Na-
vigation
of the VVorld (ſpecially for remote Voyages) was greater then
at
this day.
Do not think with your ſelves, that I know not how much
it
is increaſed with you within theſe threeſcore years, I know it well;
and
yet
I ſay, greater then then now.
VVhether it was, that the example of
the
Ark that ſaved the remnant of Men from the Univerſal Deluge, gave
men
confidence to adventure upon the VVaters, or what it was, but ſuch
is
the truth.
The Phœniciæns, and ſpecially the Tyrians, had great Fleets;
ſo had the Carthaginians their Colony, which is yet further VVeſt: To-
ward
the Eaſt the Shipping of Egypt and of Paleſtina was likewiſe great;

China
alſo, and the Great Atlantis (that you call America) which have now
but
Junks and Canoaes, abounded then in tall Ships.
This Iſland (as
appeareth
by faithful Regiſters of thoſe times) had then Fifteen hundred
ſtrong
Ships of great content.
Of all this, there is with you ſparing memory
or
none, but we have large know ledge thereof.
At that time this Land was known, and frequented by the Ships and
Veſſels
of all the Nations beforenamed, and (as it cometh to paſs) they
had
many times Men of other Countreys that were no Sailers, that came
with
them, as Perſians, Chaldeans, Arabians;
ſo as almoſt all Nations of
might
and fame reſorted hither, of whom we have ſome Stirps and little
Tribes
with us at this day.
And for our own Ships, they went ſundry
Voyages
, as well to your Streights, which you call the Pillars of Hercules,
as
to other parts in the Atlantick and Meditterranean Seas;
as to Peguin (which
is
the ſame with Cambalu) and Quinſay upon the Oriental Seas, as far as to
the
Borders of the Eaſt Tartary.
At the ſame time, and an Age after or more, the Inhabitants of the
Great
Atlantis did flouriſh.
For though the Narration and Deſcription
which
is made by a great Man with you, of the Deſcendents of Neptune
planted
there, and of the magnificent Temple, Palace, City, and Hill,
and
the manifold ſtreams of goodly Navigable Rivers, which (as ſo many
Chains
) invironed the ſame Site and Temple, and the ſeveral degrees of
aſcent
, whereby men did climb up to the ſame, as if it had been a Scala
Cœli
, be all Poetical and Fabulous;
yet ſo much is true. That the ſaid
Countrey
of Atlantis, as well that of Peru, then called Coya, as that of
Mexico
then named Tyrambel;
were mighty and proud Kingdoms in
Arms
, Shipping, and Riches;
ſo mighty, as at one time (or at leaſt with-
in
the ſpace of ten years) they both made two great expeditions, they of
Tyrambel
through the Atlantick to the Meditarranean Sea, and they of Coya
through
the South-ſea upon this our Iſland.
And for the former of theſe,
which
was into Europe, the ſame Author amongſt you (as it ſeemeth) had
ſome
relation from the Egyptian Prieſt whom he citeth, for aſſuredly ſuch
a
thing there was.
But whether it were the ancient Athenians that had
the
glory of the repulſe and reſiſtince of thoſe Forces, I can ſay nothing;

but
certain it is, there never came back either Ship or Man from that Voy-
age
.
Neither had the other Voyage of thoſe of Coya, upon us, had
36814New Atlantis. fortune, if they had not met with enemies of greater clemency. For the
King
of this Iſland (by name Altabin) a wiſe Man, and a great Warrior,
knowing
well both his own ſtrength, and that of his enemies, handled the
matter
ſo, as he cut off their Land forces from their Ships, and entoiled
both
their Navy and their Camp, with a greater power than theirs, both
by
Sea and Land, and compelled them to render themſelves without
ſtriking
ſtroke;
and after they were at his mercy, contenting himſelf one-
ly
with their Oath, that they ſhould no more bear Arms againſt him, diſ-
miſſed
them all in ſaſety.
But the Divine revenge overtook not long
after
thoſe proud enterpriſes;
for within leſs then the ſpace of One hun-
dred
years the Great Atlantis was utterly loſt and deſtroyed, not by a great
Earthquake
, as your Man ſaith, (for that whole Tract is little ſubject to
Earthquakes
) but by a particular Deluge or Inundation, thoſe Countreys
having
at this day far greater Rivers, and far higher Mountains to pour
down
Waters, than any part of the Old World.
But it is true, that the
ſame
Inundation was not deep, not paſt forty ſoot in moſt places from
the
ground;
ſo that although it deſtroyed Man and Beaſt generally,
yet
ſome ſew wilde Inhabitants of the Wood eſcaped:
Birds alſo were
ſaved
by flying to the high Trees and Woods.
For as for Men, although
they
had Buildings in many places higher then the depth of the VVater;
yet that Inundation, though it were ſhallow, had a long continuance,
whereby
they of the Vale, that were not drowned, periſhed for want of
food
, and other things neceſſary.
So as marvel you not at the thin Popu-
lation
of America, nor at the Rudeneſs and Ignorance of the People;
for
you
muſt account your Inhabitants of America as a young People,
younger
a thouſand years at the leaſt than the reſt of the VVorld, for
that
there was ſo much time between the Univerſal Flood, and their par-
ticular
Inundation.
For the poor remnant of Humane Seed which re-
mained
in their Mountains peopled the Countrey again ſlowly, by little
and
little:
And being ſimple and a ſavage people (not like Noah and his
Sons
, which was the chief Family of the Earth) they were not able to
leave
Letters, Arts, and Civility to their Poſterity.
And having like wiſe
in
their Mountainous Habitations been uſed (in reſpect of the extream
Cold
of thoſe Regions) to cloath themſelves with the skins of Tigers,
Bears
, and great Hairy Goats, that they have in thoſe parts;
when after
they
came down into the Valley, and found the intolerable Heats which
are
there, and knew no means of lighter Apparel, they were ſorced to
begin
the cuſtom of going naked, which continueth at this day;
onely
they
take great pride and delight in the Feathers of Birds:
And this alſo
they
took from thoſe their Anceſtors of the Mountains, who were in-
vited
unto it by the infinite flight of Birds that came up to the high
Grounds
, while the Waters ſtood below.
So you ſee by this main
accident
of time, we loſt our Traffick with the Americans, with whom,
of
all others, in regard they lay neareſt to us, we had moſt commerce.

As
for the other parts of the World, it is moſt manifeſt, that in the
Ages
following (whether it were in reſpect of VVars, or by a Natural
revolution
of time) Navigation did every where greatly decay, and
eſpecially
far voyages (the rather by theuſe of Gallies, and ſuch Veſſels
as
could hardly brook the Ocean) were altogether left and omitted.

So
then, that part of entercourſe which could be from other Nations
to
ſail to us, you ſee how it hath long ſince ceaſed, except it were by
ſome
rare accident, as this of yours.
But now of the ceſſation of
36915New Atlantis. other part of enter courſe, which might be by our ſailing to other Nauons,
I
muſt yield you ſome other cauſe:
For I cannot ſay (if I ſhould ſay traly)
but
our ſhipping for number, ſtrength, Mariners, Pilon, and all things that
appertain
to Navigation, is as great as ever;
and thereſore why we ſhould
ſit
at home, I ſhall now give you an account by it ſalf, and it will draw nearer
to
give you ſatisfaction to your principal Queſtion.
There reigned in this I ſland about One thouſand nine liundred years
ago, a King, whoſe memory of all others we moſt adore, not ſuperſtitiouſly,
but as a Divine Inſtrument, though a Mortal Man;
his name was Salomona,
and we eſteem him as the Law-giver of our Nation.
This King had alarge
heart inſerutable for good, and was wholly bent to make his Kingdom and
People happy:
He therefore taking into conſideration, how ſufficient and
ſubſtantive this Land was to maintain it ſelf with out any aid (at all) of the
Foreigner, being Five thouſand ſix hundred miles in circuit, and of rare
fertility of ſoil in the greateſt part thereof;
and finding alſo the ſhipping of
this Countrey might be plentiſully ſet on work, both by Fiſhing, and by
Tranſportations from Port to Port, and likewiſe by ſailing unto ſome ſmall
Iſlands that are not far from us, and are under the Crown and Laws of this
State;
and recalling into his memory the happy and flouriſhing eſtate
wherein this Land then was, ſo as it might be a thouſand ways altered to
the worſe, but ſcarce any one way to the better;
thought nothing wanted
to his Noble and Heroical Intentions, but onely (as far as Humane fore-
ſight might reach) to give perpetuity to that which was in his time ſo happily
eſtabliſhed;
therefore amongſt his other Fundamental Laws of this King-
dom, he did ordain the Interdicts and Prohibitions which we have touch-
ing entrance of ſtrangers, which at that time (though it was after the cala-
mity of America) was ſrequent, doubting novelties and commixture of
manners.
It is true, the like Law againſt the admiſſion of ſtrangers, with-
out licence, is an ancient Law in the Kingdom of China, and yet continued
in uſe;
but there it is a poor thing, and hath made them a curious, igno-
rant, fearful, fooliſh Nation.
But our Law-giver made his Law of another
temper.
For firft, he hath preſerved all points of humanity, in taking or-
der and making proviſion for the relief of ſtrangers diſtreſſed, whereof you
have taſted.
At which Speech (as reaſon was) we all roſe up and bowed our ſelves.
He went on. That King alſoſtill deſiring to joyn Humanity and Policy to-
gether, and thinking it againſt Humanity to detain Strangers here againſt
their Wills, and againſt Policy, that they ſhould return and diſcover their
knowledge of this State, he took this courſe.
He did ordain, that of the
Strangers that ſhould be permitred to Land, as many (at all times) might
depart as would, but as many as would ſtay, ſhould have very good con-
ditions and means to live from the State.
Wherein he ſaw ſo far, that
now in ſo many Ages, ſince the Prohibition, we have memory not of one
Ship that ever returned, and but of thirteen perſons onely at ſeveral times
that choſe to return in our Bottoms.
What thoſe ſew that returned, may
have reported abroad, I know not;
but you muſt think, whatſoever they
have ſaid, could be taken where they came, but ſor a dream.
Now for
our travelling from hence into parts abroad, our Law-giver thought fit al-
together to reſtrain it.
So is it not in China, for the Chineſes fail where they
will, or can;
which ſheweth, that their Law of keeping our Strangers, is
a Law of puſillanimity and fear.
But this reſtraint of ours hath one onely
exception, which is admirable, preſerving the good which cometh by
communicating with ſtrangers, and avoiding the hurt;
and I will
37016New Atlantis.open it to you. And here I ſhall ſeem a little to digreſs, but you will by
and by finde it pertinent.
Ye ſhall underſtand (my dear Friends) that
amongſt the excellent acts of that King, one above all hath the preemi-
nence:
It was the erection and inſtitution of an Order or Society which
we call Solomons Houſe, the nobleſt Foundation (as we think) that ever
was upon the Earth, and the Lanthorn of this Kingdom.
It is dedicated
to the ſtudy of the Works and creatures of God.
Some think it beareth
the Founders name a little corrupted, as if it ſhould be Solomons Houſe;
but the Records write it as it is ſpoken, ſo as I take it to be denomi-
nate of the King of the Hebrews, which is famous with you, and no ſtranger
to us;
for we have ſome parts of his Works which with you are loſt,
namely, that Natural Hiſtory which he wrote of all Plants, from the Cedar
of Libanus to the Moß that grovveth out of the Wall, and of all things that have
Life and Motion.
This maketh me think that our King finding himſelf to
ſymbolize in many things with that King of the Hebrevvs (which lived
many years before him) honored him with the Title of this Foundation.

And I am the rather induced to be of this opinion, for that I finde in an-
cient Records this Order or Society is ſometimes called Solomons Houſe,
and ſometimes The Colledge of the Six days VVorks;
whereby I am ſatisfied,
that our Excellent King had learned from the Hebrevvs, that God had
created the World, and all that therein is within Six days;
and therefore
he inſtituting that Houſe for the finding out of the true Nature of all
things (whereby God might have the more glory in the workmanſhip of
them, and Men the more Fruit in their uſe of them) did give it alſo that
ſecond name.
But now to come to our preſent purpoſe.
When the King had forbidden to all his People Navigation in any
part that was not under his Crown, he made nevertheleſs this Ordinance,
That every twelve years there ſhould be ſet forth out of this Kingdom
two Ships appointed to ſeveral Voyages;
that in either of theſe Ships,
there ſhould be a Miſſion of three of the Fellows or Brethren of Solomons
Houſe, whoſe errand was onely to give us knowledge of the affairs and
ſtate of thoſe Countreys, to which they were deſigned, and eſpecially of the
Sciences, Arts, Manufactures and Inventions of all the World;
and withal
to bring unto us Books, Inſtruments, and Patterns in every kinde.
That
the Ships after they had landed the Brethren ſhould return, and that the
Brethren ſhould ſtay abroad till the new Miſſion.
The Ships are not other-
wiſe fraught than with ſtore of Victuals, and good quantity of Treaſure,
to remain with the Brethren for the buying of ſuch things, and rewarding
of ſuch perlons as they ſhould think fit.
Now for me to tell you how the
vulgar ſort of Mariners are contained from being diſcovered at Land,
and how they that muſt be put on ſhore for any time colour themſelves
under the names of other Nations, and to what places theſe Voyages have
been deſigned, and what places of Rendezvous are appointed for the new
Miſſions, and the like circumſtances of the practick, I may not do it, neither
is it much to your deſire.
But thus you ſee we maintain a Trade, not for
Gold, Silver, or Jewels, nor for Silks, nor for Spices, nor any other com-
modity of Matter, but onely for Gods firſt Creature, which was Light;
to
have Light (I ſay) of the growth of all parts of the World.
And when he
had
ſaid this, he was ſilent, and ſo were we all;
for indeed, we were all aſtoniſh-
ed
to hear ſo ſtrange things ſo probably told.
And he perceiving, that we
were
willing to ſay ſome what, but had it not ready, in |great courteſie,
took
us off, and deſcended to ask us Queſtions of our Voyage and Fortunes;
37117New Atlantis. and in the end concluded, that we might do well to think with our
ſelves
what time of ſtay we would demand of the State;
and bad us
not
to ſcant our ſelves, for he would procure ſuch time as we deſired.
Whereupon we all roſe up and preſented our ſelves to skiſs the skirt of
his
Tippet;
but he would not ſuffer us, and ſo took his leave. But when
it
came once amongſt our people, that the State uſed to offer conditions to
ſtrangers
that would ſtay, we had work enough to get any of our men to
look
to our Ship, and to keep them from going preſently to the Governor
to
crave conditions;
but with much ado, we refrained them till we might
agree
what courſe to take.
We took our ſelves now for Freemen, ſeeing there was no danger of
our
utter perdition, and lived moſt joyfully, going abroad, and ſeeing
what
was to beſeen in the City and places adjacent within our Tedder, and
obtaining
acquaintance with many of the City, not of the meaneſt qua-
lity
, at whoſe hands we found ſuch humanity, and ſuch a freedom and
deſire
to take ſtrangers, as it were into their boſom, as was enough to
make
us forget all that was dear to us in our own Countreys, and con-
tinually
we met with many things right worthy of obſervation and rela-
tion
:
As indeed, if there be a Mirror in the World, worthy to hold mens
eyes
, it is that Countrey.
One day there were two of our company
bidden
to a Feaſt of the Family, as they call it;
amoſt natural, pious and
reverend
cuſtom it is, ſhewing that Nation to be compounded of all good-
neſs
.
This is the manner of it. It is granted to any man that ſhall live to
ſee
thirty perſons deſcended of his body alivetogether, and all above three
years
old, to make this Feaſt, which is done at the coſt of the State.
The Father of the Family, whom they call the Tirſan, two days before the
Feaſt
taketh to him three of ſuch Friends as he liketh to chuſe, and is
aſſiſted
alſo by the Governor of the City or place where the Feaſt is cele-
brated
;
and all the Perſons of the Family of both Sexes are ſummoned to
attend
him.
Theſe two days the Tirſan ſitteth in conſultation concern-
ing
the good eſtate of the Family;
there, if there be any Diſcord or Suits
between
any of the Family, they are compounded and appeaſed;
there,
if
any of the Family be diſtreſſed or decayed, order is taken for their re-
lief
and competent means to live;
there, if any be ſubject to vice or take
ill
courſes, they are reproved and cenſured.
So likewiſe, direction is
given
touching Marriages, and the courſes of liſe which any of them
ſhould
take, with divers other the like orders and advices.
The Go-
vernor
aſſiſteth to the end, to put in execution by his publick Autho-
tity
, the Decrees and Orders of the Tirſan, if they ſhould be diſobeyed,
though
that ſeldom needeth;
ſuch reverence and obedience they give
to
the order of Nature.
The Tirſan doth alſo then ever chuſe one man
from
amongſt his Sons to live in Houſe with him, who is called ever
after
the Son of the Vine;
the reaſon will hereafter appear. On the Feaſt-
day
, the Tather or Tirſan cometh forth after Divine Service into a large
Room
where the Feaſt is celebrated;
which Room hath an Half-
pace
at the upper end.
Againſt the Wall, in the middle of the Half-
pace
, is a Chair placed for him, with a Table and Carpet before it:

Over
the Chair is a State made round or oval, and it is of Ivy;
an Ivy
ſome
what whiter then ours, like the Leaf of a Silver Aſp, but more ſhi-
ning
, for it is Green all Winter.
And the State is curiouſly wrought with
S@lver
and Silk of divers colours, broiding or binding in the Ivy;
and is
ever
of the work of ſome of the Daughters of the Family, and
37218New Atlantis. over at the top with a fine Net of Silk and Silver: But the ſubſtance of it
is
true Ivy, where of, after it is taken down, the Friends of the Family are
deſirous
to have ſome Leaf or Sprig to keep.
The Tirſan cometh forth with
all
his Generation or Lineage, the Males before him, and the Females fol-
lowing
him.
And if there be a Mother, from whoſe body the whole Li-
neage
is deſcended, there is a Traverſe placed in a Loft above on the right
hand
of the Chair, with a Privy Door, and a carved Window of Glaſs,
leaded
with Gold and Blew, where ſhe ſitteth, but is not ſeen.
When
the
Tirſan is come forth, he ſitteth down in the Chair, and all the Li-
neage
place themſelves againſt the Wall, both at his back, and upon the
return
of the Half-pace, in order of their years, without difference of
Sex
, and ſtand upon their Feet.
When he is ſet, the room being always
full
of company, but well kept, and without diſorder, after ſome paute
there
cometh in from the lower end of the room a Taratan, (which is as
much
as an Herauld) and on either ſide of him two young Lads, where-
of
one carrieth a Scroul of their ſhining yellow Parchment, and the other
a
cluſter of Grapes of Gold, with a long foot or ſtalk:
The Herauld
and
Children are clothed with Mantles of Sea-water-green Sattin, but the
Heraulds
Mantle is ſtreamed with Gold, and hath a Train.
Then the
Herauld
, with three Courteſies, or rather Inclinations, cometh up as far
as
the Half pace, and there firſt taketh into his hand the Scroul.
This
Scoul
is the Kings Charter, containing Gift of Revenue, and many Pri-
viledges
, Exemptions, and Points of Honor granted to the Father of
the
Family;
and it is ever ſtiled and directed, To ſuch an one, Our wel-
beloved
Friend and Creditor, which is a Title proper onely to this caſe:
For
they
ſay, the King is Debtor to no Man, but for propagation of his Sub-
jects
.
The Seal ſet to the Kings Charter, is the Kings Image imboſſed or
moulded
in Gold.
And though ſuch Charters be expedited of courſe,
and
as of right, yet they are varied by diſcretion, according to the num-
ber
and dignity of the Family.
This Charter the Herauld readeth aloud;
and while it is read, the Father or Tirſan ſtandeth up, ſupported by two
of
his Sons, ſuch as he chuſeth.
Then the Herauld mounteth the Half-
pace
, and delivereth the Charter into his hand, and with that there is an ac-
clamation
by all that are preſent in their Language, which is thus much,
Happy
are the People of Benſalem.
Then the Herauld taketh into his hand
from
the other Childe the cluſter of Grapes, which is of Gold, both the
S@alk
and the Grapes;
but the Grapes are daintily enamelled: And if the
Males
of the Family be the greater number, the Grapes are enamelled
Purple
, with a little Sun ſet on the top;
if the Females, then they are
enamelled
into a greeniſh yellow, with a Creſcent on the top.
The
Grapes
are in number as many as there are Deſcendants of the Family.

This
Golden Cluſter the Herauld delivereth alſo to the Tirſan, who pre-
ſently
delivereth it over to that Son that he had formerly choſen to be in
houſe
with him;
who beareth it before his Father as an Enſign of Honor
when
he goeth in publick ever aſter, and is thereupon called The Son of
the
Vine.
After this Ceremony ended, the Father or Tirſan retireth, and
after
ſome time cometh ſorth again to Dinner, where he ſitteth alone
under
the State as before;
and none of his Deſcendants ſit with him; of
what
degree or dignity ſoever, except he hap to be of Solomons Houſe.

He
is ſerved onely by his own Children, ſuch as are Male, who perform
unto
him all ſervice of the Table upon the knee;
and the Women onely
ſtand
about him, leaning againſt the Wall.
The Room below his Half
37319New Atlantis. hath Tables on the ſides for the Gueſts that are bidden, who are ſerved
with
great and comely order;
and toward the end of Dinner (which in
the
greateſt Feaſts with them, laſteth never above an hour and a half)
there
is an Hymn ſung, varied according to the Invention of him that com-
poſed
it, (for they have excellent Poeſie;)
but the ſubject of it is (always)
the
praiſes of Adam, and Noah, and Abraham;
where of the former two
peopled
the World, and the laſt was the Father of the Faithful;
concluding
ever
with a Thankſgiving for the Nativity of our Saviour, in whoſe Birth
the
Births of all are onely Bleſſed.
Dinner being done, the Tirſan retireth
again
, and having with drawn himſelf alone into a place, where he maketh
ſome
private Prayers, he cometh forth the third time to give the Bleſſing,
with
all his Deſcendants, who ſtand about him as at the firſt.
Then he
calleth
them forth, by one and by one, by name, as he pleaſeth, though
ſeldom
the order of age be inverted.
The perſon that is called (the Table
being
before removed) kneeleth down before the Chair, and the Father lay
eth
his hand upon his head, or her head, and giveth the Bleſſing in theſe
words
;
Son of Benſalem (or Daughter of Benſalem) thy Father ſaith it, the
Man
by whom thou haſt breath and life ſpeaketh the word:
The Bleßing of the Ever-
laſting
Father, the Prince of Peace, and the Holy Dove be upon thee, and make the
days
of thy Pilgrimage good and many.
This he ſaith to every of them; and that
done
, if there be any oſ his Sons of eminent Merit and Vertue, (ſo they
be
not above two) he calleth for them again, and ſaith, laying his arm over
their
ſhoulders, they ſtanding, Sons, it is well you are born;
give God the praiſe,
and
perſevere to the end.
And withal delivereth to either of them a Jewel,
made
in the figure of an Ear of Wheat, which they ever after wear in the
front
of their Turbant or Hat.
This done, they fall to Muſick and Dances
and
other Recreations after their manner for thereſt of the day.
This is the
full
order of that Feaſt.
By that time ſix or ſeven days were ſpent, I was faln into ſtraight ac-
quaintance
with a Merchant of that City, whoſe name was Joabin;
he was
a
Jew, and circum ciſed:
For they have ſome few ſtirps of Jews yet re-
maining
among them, whom they leave to their own Religion;
which
they
may the better do, becauſe they are of a far differing diſpoſition from
the
Jews in other parts.
For whereas they hate the Name of CHRIST,
and
have a ſecret inbred rancor againſt the people, among whom they
live
:
Theſe (contrariwiſe) give unto our SAVIOUR many high Attri-
bu@es
, and love the Nation of Benſalem extreamly.
Surely this Man, of
whom
I ſpeak, would ever acknowledge that CHRIST was born of a
Virgin
, and that he was more then a Man;
and he would tell how GOD
made
him Ruler of the Seraphims which guard his Throne;
and they
call
him alſo the Milken way, and the Eliah of the Meßiah, and many
other
high Names;
which though they be inferior to his Divine Majeſty,
yet
they are far from the Language of other Jews.
And for the Countrey
of
Benſalem, this Man would make no end of commending it, being de-
ſirous
, by Tradition among the Jews there, to have it believed, that the
people
there of were of the Generations of Abraham by another Son,
whom
they call Nachoran;
and that Moſes by a ſecret Cabala ordained the
Laws
of Benſalem, which they now uſe;
and that when the Meßiah ſhould
come
and ſit in his Throne at Jeruſalem, the King of Benſalem ſhould ſit
at
his Feet, whereas other Kings ſhould keep agreat diſtance.
But yet
ſetting
aſide theſe Jewiſh Dreams, the Man was a wiſe man and learned,
and
of great policy, and excellently ſeen in the Laws and Cuſtoms of
37420New Atlantis. Nation. Amongſt other diſcourſes, one day I told him, I was much
affected
with the Relation I had from ſome of the company, of their
Cuſtorm
in holding the Feaſt of the Family, for that (me thought) I had
never
heard of a Solemnity wherein Nature did ſo much preſide.
And
becauſe
Propagation of Families proceedeth from the Nuptial Copulation,
I
deſired to know of him what Laws and Cuſtoms they had concerning
Marriage
, and whether they kept Marriage well, and whether they were
tied
to one Wife.
For that where Population is ſo much affected and
ſuch
as with them it ſeemed to be, there is commonly permiſſion of Plu-
rality
of Wives.
To this he ſaid, “You have reaſon for to comm@nd
that excellent Inſtitution of the Feaſt of the Family;
and indeed we
have experience, that thoſe Families that are partakers of the Bleſſings
of that Feaſt do flouriſh and proſper ever after in an extraordinary man-
ner.
But hear me now, and I will tell you what I know. You ſhall un-
derſtand, that there is not under the Heavens, ſo chaſte a Nation as this
of Benſalem, nor ſo free from all pollution or foulneſs;
it is the Virgin
of the World.
I remember I have read in one of your European Books
of an holy Hermit amongſt you, that deſired to ſee the Spirit of Fornication,
and there appeared to him a little foul ugly Æthiope:
But if he had
deſired to ſee the Spirit of Chaſtity of Benſalem, it would have appeared to
him in the likeneſs of a fair beautiful Cherubin;
for there is nothing
amongſt Mortal Men more fair and admirable, then the chaſte Mindes
of this People.
Know therefore, that with them there are no Stews,
no diſſolute Houſes, no Courteſans, nor any thing of that kinde;
nay
they wonder (with deteſtation) at you in Europe which permit ſuch
things.
They ſay you have put Marriage out of office; for Marriage
is ordained a remedy for unlawful concupiſcence, and natural concu-
piſcence ſeemeth as a ſpur to Marriage:
But when Men have at hand
a remedy more agreeable to their corrupt will, Marriage is almoſt ex-
pulſed.
And therefore, there are with you ſeen infinite Men that mar-
ry not, but chufe rather a Libertine, and impure ſingle life, then to be
yoaked in Marriage;
and many that do marry, marry late, when the
prime and ſtrength of their years is paſt;
and when they do marry,
what is Marriage to them, but a very Bargain, wherein is ſought Alli-
ance, or Portion, or Reputation, with ſome deſire (almoſt indifferent)
of iſſue, and not the faithſul Nuptial Union of Man and Wife that was
firſt inſtituted?
Neither is it poſſible, that thoſe that have caſt away ſo
baſely ſo much of their ſtrength, ſhould greatly eſteem Children (be-
ing of the ſame matter) as chaſt Men do.
So likewiſe during Marriage,
is the caſe much amended, as it ought to be, if thoſe things were tole-
rated onely for neceſſity?
No, but they remain ſtill as a very affront to
Marriage;
the hunting of thoſe diſſolute places, orreſort to Courteſans,
are no more puniſhed in Married men, then in Batchelors:
And the de-
praved cuſtom of change, and the delight in meretricious embrace-
ments, (where Sin is turned into Art) maketh Marriage a dull thing, and
a kinde of Impoſition or Tax.
They hear you defend theſe things as
done to avoid greater evils, as Advowtries, Deflouring of Virgins,
Unnatural Luſt, and the like:
But they ſay this is a prepoſterous Wiſ
dom;
and they call it Lots offer, who to ſave his Gueſts from abuſing
offered his Daughters:
Nay, they ſay further, that there is little gained
in this, for that the ſame Vices and Appetites do ſtill remain and abound,
Unlawful Luſt being like a Furnace, that if you ſtop the Flames
37521New Atlantis.gether, it will quench but if you give it any vent, it will rage. As fo
Maſculine Love, they have no touch of it, and yet there are not ſo faith-
ful and inviolate.
Friendſh ps in the World again as are there; and to
ſpeak generally (as I faid before) I have not read of any ſuch Chaſtity in
any People as theirs.
And their uſual ſaying is, That whoſoever is unchaſte,
cannot reverence himſelf.
And they ſay, That the reverence of a Mans ſelſ
is, next Religion, the chiefeſt Bricle of all Vices.
And when he had ſaid
this
, the good Jevv pauſed a little.
Whereupon, I far more willing to hear
him
ſpeak on, than to ſpeak my ſelf;
yet thinking it decent, that upon his
pauſe
of Speech I ſhould not be altogether ſilent, ſaid onely this.
That I
would ſay to him, as the Widow of Sarepta ſaid to Elias, That he was
come to bring to memory ourſins;
and that I confeſs the righteouſneſs of
Benſalem was greater than the righteouſneſs of Europe.
At vvhich Speech, he
bovved
his Head, and vvent on in this manner.
They have alſo many wiſe and
excellent Lawstouching Marliage;
they allow no Polygamy; they have
ordained, that none do intermarry or contract until a moneth be paſt from
their firſt interview.
Marriage without conſent of Parents, they do not
make void, but they mulct it in the Inheritors;
for the Children of ſuch
Marriages are not admitted to inherit above a third part of their Parents
Inheritance.
I have read in a Book of one of your Men, of a Feigned
Common wealth, where the married couple are permitted before they
contract to ſee one another naked.
This they diſſike, for they hink it a
ſcorn to give a refuſal after ſo familiar knowledge;
but becauſe of many
nidden defects in Men and Womens Bodies, they have a more civil way;
for they have near every Town, a couple of Pools (which they call
Adam and Eves Pools) where it is permitted to one of the Friends of the
Man, and another of the Eriends of the Woman, to ſee them ſeverally
bath naked.
And as we were thus in Conference, there came one that ſeemed to be
a
Meſſenger, in a rich Huke, that ſpake with the Jevv;
whereupon he
turned
to me, and ſaid, You vvill pardon me, for I am commanded avvay in haſte.
The nex@ morning he came to me again, joyful, as it ſeemed, and ſaid,
There is word come to the Governor of the City, that one of the Fathers
of Solomons Houſe will be here this day ſeven-night;
we have ſeen none of
them this dozen years.
His coming is in ſtate, but the cauſe of his coming
is ſecret.
I will provide you and your Fellows of a good ſtanding to ſee
his entry.
I thanked him, and told him, I was moſt glad of the nevvs. The
day
being come, he made his entry.
He was a Man of middle ſtature and
age
, comely of perſon, and had an aſpect as if he pitied men:
He was
cloathed
in a @obe of fine black Cloth, with wide Sleeves, and a Cape;

his
under Garment was of excellent white Linnen down to the Foot,
girt
with a Girdle of the ſame, and a Sindon or Tippet of the ſame about
his
Neck;
he had Gloves that were curious, and ſet with Stone, and Shooes
of
Peach-coloured Velvet;
his Neck was bare to the Shoulders; his Hat
was
like a Helmet or Spaniſh Montera, and his Locks curled below it de-
cently
, they were of colour brown;
his Beard was cut round, and of the
ſame
colour with his Hair, ſomewhat lighter.
He was carried in a rich
Chariot
without Wheels, Litter-wife, with two Horſes at either end,
richly
trapped in blew Velvet embroidered, and two Footmen on each
ſide
in the like attire.
The Chariot was all of Cedar, gilt and adorned
with
Cryſtal, ſave that the fore-end had Pannels of Saphires ſet in borders
of
Gold, and the hinder-end the like of Emeralds of the Peru colour.
37622New Atlantis. There was alto a Sun of Gold, radiant upon the top in the midſt; and on
the
top before a ſmall Cherub of Gold, with Wings diſplayed.
The
Chariot
was covered with Cloth of Gold tiſſued upon blew.
He had
beſore
him fifty attendants, young men all, in white Satten looſe Coats,
up
to the mid-leg, and Stockins of white Silk, and Shooes of blew Velvet,
and
Hats of blew Velvet, with fine Plumes of divers colours ſet round like
Hatbands
.
Next before the Chariot, went two men bare headed, in
Lichen
Garments down to the Foot, girt, and Shooes of blew Velvet,
who
carried, the one a Croſier, the other a Paſtoral Staff like a Sheep-
hook
, neither of them of Metal, but the Croſier of Balm-wood, the
Paſtoral
Staff of Cedar.
Horſemen he had none, neither before, nor be-
hinde
his Chariot, as it ſeemeth, to avoid all tumult and trouble.
Be-
hinde
his Chariot went all the Officers and Principals of the Companies
of
the City.
He ſate alone upon Cuſhions, of a kinde of excellent Plufh,
blew
, and under his Foot curious Carpets of Silk of divers colours;
like
the
Perſian, but far finer.
He held up his barehand as he went, as bleſs-
ing
the People, but in ſilence.
The Street was wonderfully well kept,
ſo
that there was never any Army had their Men ſtand in better battel-
array
, then the people ſtood.
The Windows likewiſe were not crouded,
but
every one ſtood in them, as if they had been placed.
When the
ſhow
was paſt, the Fevv ſaid to me, “I ſhall not be able to attend you as I
would, in regard of ſome charge the City hath laid upon me for the en-
tertaining of this great Perſon.
Three a ays after the Jew came to me again, and ſaid,
Ye are happy men, for the Father of Solomons Houſe taketh knowledge of
your being here, and commanded me to tell you, that he will admit all
your company to his preſence, and have private conference with one of
you that ye ſhall chuſe;
and for this, hath appointed the next day after to
morrow.
And becauſe he meaneth to give you his Bleſſing, he hath
appointed it in the forenoon.
We came at our day and hour, and I
was
choſen by my fellows for the private acceſs.
We found him in a fair
Chamber
richly hanged, and carpeted under Foot, without any degrees to
the
State:
He was ſet upon alow Throne, richly adorned, and a rich Cloth
of
State over his head of blew Sattin embroidered.
He was alone, ſave
that
he had two Pages of Honor on either hand one, finely attired in
white
.
His under Garments were the like, that we ſaw him wear in the
Chariot
;
but inſtead of his Gown, he had on him a Mantle with a Cape
of
the ſame fine Black, faſtned about him.
When we came in, as we were
taught
, we bowed low at our firſt entrance;
and when we were come
near
his Chair, he ſtood up, holding forth his hand ungloved, and in
poſture
of Bleſſing;
and we every one of us ſtooped down and kiſſed the
hem
of his Tippet.
That done, the reſt departed, and I remained. Then
he
warned the Pages forth of the Room, and cauſed me to ſit down beſide
him
, and ſpake to me thus in the Spaniſh Tongue.
37723New Atlantis.
God Bleſs thee, my Son, I will give thee the greateſt Jewel I
have
;
for I will impart unto thee, for the love of God and Men,
a
Relation of the true ſtate of Solomons Houſe.
Son, to make
you
know the true ſtate of Solomons Houſe, I will keep this order.
Firſt, I will ſet ſorth unto you the End of our Foundation. Secondly,
The
Preparations and Inſtruments we have for our Works.
Thirdly,
The
ſeveral Employments and Functions whereto our Fellows are aſſign-
ed
:
And fourthly, The Ordinances and Rites which we obſerve.
The End of our Foundation, is the Knowledge of Cauſes and Secret
Motions
of things, and the enlarging of the Bounds of Humane Empire,
to
the effecting of all things poſſible.
The Preparations and Inſtruments, are theſe. We have large and
deep
Caves of ſeveral depths;
the deepeſt are ſunk Six hundred fathom,
and
ſome of them are digged and made under great Hills and Mountains;

ſo
that if you reckon together the depth of the Hill, and the depth of the
Cave
, they are (ſome of them) above three miles deep:
For we finde that
the
depth of an Hill, and the depth of a Cave from the Flat, is the ſame
thing
, both remote alike from the Sun and Heavens Beams, and from the
open
Air.
Theſe Caves we call the Lower Region, and we uſe them for
all
Coagulations, Indurations, Refrigerations, and Conſervations of
Bodies
.
We uſe them likewiſe for the Imitation of Natural Mines, and
the
producing alſo of new Artificial metals, by Compoſitions and Mate-
rials
which we uſe and lay there for many years.
We uſe them alſo ſome-
times
(which may ſeem ſtrange) for curing of ſome Difeaſes, and for pro-
longation
of life in ſome Hermits that chuſe to live there, well accommo-
dated
of all things neceſſary, and indeed live very long;
by whom alſo we
learn
many things.
We have Burials in ſeveral Earths, where we put divers Cements
as
the Chineſes do their Porcellane;
but we have them in greater variety
and
ſome of them more fine.
We alſo have great variety of Compoſts
and
Soils for the making of the Earth fruitful.
We have high Towers, the higheſt about half a mile in height, and
ſome
of them likewiſe ſet upon high Mountains, ſo that the vantage of the
Hill
with the Tower, is in the higheſt of them, three miles at leaſt.
And
theſe
places we call the Upper Region, accounting the Air between the
high
places, and the Low as a Middle Region.
We uſe theſe Towers,
according
to their ſeveral heights and ſituations, for Inſolation, Refrige-
ration
, Confervation, and for the view of divers Metcors, as Winds, Rain,
Snow
, Hail, and ſome of the Fiery Meteors alſo.
And upon them, in ſome
places
, are dwellings of Hermits, whom we viſit ſometimes, and inſtruct
what
to obſerve.
We have great Lakes, both ſalt and freſh, whereof we have uſe for
the
F@ſh and Fowl.
Weuſe them alſo for Burials of ſome Natural Bodies;
for
we finde a differencein things buried in Earth, or in Air below the Earth,
and
things buried in Water.
We have alſo Pools, of which ſome do ſtrain
Freſh
Water out of Salt, and others by Art do turn Freſh Waterinto Salt.

We
have alſo ſome Rocks in the midſt of the Sea, and ſome Bays upon
the
Shore for ſome Works, wherein is required the Air and Vapor of the
Sea
.
We have likewiſe violent ſtreams and cataracts, which ſerve us for
many
Motions;
and likewiſe Engins for multiplying and enforcing oſ
Winds
, to ſet alſo on going divers Motions.
37824New Atlantis.
We have alſo a number of attificial Wells and Fountains, made in
imitation
of the Natural Sources and Baths;
as tincted upon Vitriol, Sul-
phur
, Steel, Braſs, Lead, Nitre, and other Minerals.
And again we have
little
Wells for Infuſions of many things, where the Waters take the vir-
tue
quicker and better then in Veſſels or Baſins:
And amongſt them we have
a
Water which we call Water of Paradiſe, being by that we do to it, made
very
ſovereign for health, and Prolongation of Life.
We alſo great and ſpacious Houſes, where we imitate and demon-
ſtrate
Meteors;
as Snow, Hail, Rain, ſome Artificial Rains of Bodies, and
not
of Water, Thunders, Lightnings;
alſo Generations of Bodies in Air,
as
Frogs, Flies, and divers others.
We have alſo certain Chambers which we call Chambers of Health,
where
we qualifie the Air, as we think good and proper for the cure of di-
vers
Diſeaſes, and preſervation of Health.
We have alſo fair and large Barhs of ſeveral mixtures, for the cure of
Diſeaſes
, and the reſtoring of Mans Body from Arefaction;
and other, for
the
confirming of it in ſtrength of Sinews, Vital Parts, and the very Juice
and
Subſtance of the Body.
We have alſo large and various Orchards and Gardens, wherein we
do
not ſo much reſpect Beauty, as variety of ground and ſoyl, proper for
diver
Treesand Herbs;
and ſome very ſpacious, where Trees and Berries
are
ſer, whereof we make divers kindes of Drinks, beſides the Vineyards.
In theſe we practiſe like wiſe all concluſions of Grafting and Inoculating, as
well
of Wild-trees as Fruit-trees, which produceth many effects.
And we
make
(by Art) in the ſame Orchards and Gardens, Trees and Flowers to
come
earlier or later then their ſeaſons, and to come up and bear more
ſpeedily
then by their natural courſe they do We make them alſo (by Art)
much
greater then their nature, and their Fruit greater and ſweeter, and of
differing
taſte, ſmell colcur and fgure from their nature;
and many of them
we
ſo order, that they become of Medicinal uſe.
VVe have alſo means to make divers Plants riſe, by mixtures of
Earths
without Seeds, and likewiſe to make divers new Plants differing
from
the Vulgar, and to make one Tree or Plant turn into another.
VVe have alſo Parks and Encloſures of all ſorts of Beaſts and Birds;
which
we uſe not onely for view or rareneſs, but like wiſe for Diſſections
and
Tryals, that thereby we may take light, what may be wrought upon
the
Body of Man, wherein we finde many ſtrange effects;
as continuing
life
in them, though divers parts, which you account vital, be periſhed
and
taken forth;
Reſuſcitating of ſome that ſeem dead in appearance,
and
the like.
VVe try alſo all poyſons and other medicines upon them,
as
well of Chirurgery as Phyſick.
By Art likewiſe we make them greater
or
taller then their kind is, and contrariwiſe dwarf them, and ſtay their
growth
:
VVe make them more fruitful and bearing, then their kind
is
, and contrariwiſe barren, and not generative.
Alſo we make them
differ
in colour, ſhape, activity, many ways.
VVe finde means to make
commixtures
and copulations of divers kinds, which have produced
many
new kinds, and them not barren, as the general opinion is.
VVe
make
a number of kindes of Serpents, VVorms, Flies, Fiſhes, of Putre-
faction
;
whereof ſome are advanced (in effect) to be perfect Creatures,
like
Beaſts or Birds, and have Sexes, and do propagate.
Neither do we
this
by chance, but we know beforehand of what matter and commixture
what
kind of thoſe Creatures will ariſe.
37925New Atlantis.
We have alſo particular Pools where we make tryals upon Fiſhes,
as
we have ſaid before of Beaſts and Birds.
We have alſo places for Breed and Generation of thoſe Kinds of
Worms
and Flies which are of ſpecial uſe, ſuch as are with you, your
Silk-worms
and Bees.
I will not hold you long with recounting of our Brew-houſes, Bake-
houſes
and Kitchins, where are made divers Drinks Breads, and Meats,
rare
and of ſpecial effects.
Wines we have of Grapes, and Drinks of
other
Juice, of Fruits, of Grains and of Roots;
and of mixtures with
Honey
, Sugar, Manna, and Fruits dried and decocted;
alſo of the Tears
or
Woundings of Trees, and of the Pulp of Canes;
and theſe Drinks are
of
ſeveral Ages, ſome to the age or laſt of forty years.
VVe have Drinks
alſo
brewed with ſeveral Herbs, and Roots, and Spices, yea, with ſeveral
Fleſhes
, and VVhite-meats;
whereof ſome of the Drinks are ſuch as they
are
in effect Meat and Drink both;
ſo that divers, eſpecially in Age, do
deſire
to live with them with little or no Meat or Bread.
And above all, we
ſtrive
to have Drinks of extream thin parts, to inſinuate into the Body,
and
yet without all biting, ſharpneſs, or fretting;
inſomuch, as ſome of
them
put upon the back of your hand, will, with a little ſtay, paſs through
to
the palm, and yet taſte milde to the mouth.
VVe have alſo VVaters
which
we ripen in that faſhion as they become nouriſhing;
ſo that they
are
indeed excellent Drink, and many will uſe no other.
Breads we have
of
ſeveral Grains, Roots and Kernels, yea, and ſome of Fleſh and Fiſh
dried
, with divers kinds of Levenings and Seaſonings;
ſo that ſome do
extreamly
move Appetites;
ſome do nouriſh ſo, as divers do live of them
without
any other Meat, who live very long.
So for Meats, we have ſome
of
them ſo beaten, and made tender and mortified, yet without all cor-
rupting
, as a weak heat of the Stomach will turn them into good Chylus,
as
well as a ſtrong heat would meat otherwiſe prepared.
VVe have ſome
Meats
alſo, and Breads, and Drinks, which taken by men, enable them to
faſt
long after;
and fome other that uſed, make the very Fleſh of Mens
Bodies
ſenſibly more hard and tough, and their ſtrength far greater then
other
wiſe it would be.
VVe have Diſpenſatories or Shops of Medicines, wherein you may
eaſily
think, if we have fuch variety of Plants and Living Creatures, more
then
you have in Europe, (for we know what you have) the Simples, Drugs,
and
Ingredients of Medicines, muſt likewiſe be in ſo much the geater
variety
.
VVe have them like wiſe of divers Ages, and long Fermenta-
tions
.
And for their Preparations, we have not onely all manner of ex-
quiſit
Diſtillations and Separations, and eſpecially by gentle Heats, and
Percolations
through divers Strainers, yea and Subſtances;
but alſo exact
Forms
of Compoſition, whereby they incorporate almoſt as they were
Natural
Simples.
VVe have alſo divers Mechanical Arts, which you have not, and
Stuffs
made by them;
as Papers, Linnen, Silks, Tiſſues, dainty works of
Feathers
of wonderful luſtre, excellent Dies, and many others;
and Shops
likewiſe
as well for ſuch as are not brought into vulgat uſe amongſt us,
as
for thoſe that are.
For you muſt know, that of the things before re-
cited
, many are grown into uſe throughout the Kingdom;
but yet, if
they
did flow from our Invention, we have of them alſo for Patterns and
Principals
.
38026New Atlantis.
VVe have alſo Furnaces of great div erſities, and that keep great di-
verſity
of heats, fierce and quick, ſtrong and conſtant, ſoft and milde;
blown, quiet, dry, moiſt, and the like. But above all we have heats, in
imitation
of the Suns and Heavenly Bodies heats, that paſs divers Inequa-
lities
, and (as it were) Orbs, Progreſſes and Returns, whereby we may
produce
admirable effects.
Beſides, we have heats of Dungs, and of Bel-
lies
and Maws of Living Creatures, and of their Bloods and Bodies;
and
of
Hays and Herbs laid up moift;
of Lime unquenched, and ſuch like.
Inſtruments
alſo which generate heat onely by motion;
and ſurther, places
for
ſtrong Inſolations;
and again, places under the Farth, which by Na-
ture
or Art yield Heat.
Theſe divers heats we uſe, as the nature of the ope-
ration
which we intend, requireth.
VVe have alſo Perſpective Houſes where we make Demonſtration
of
all Lights and Radiations, and of all Colours;
and out of things un-
coloured
and tranſparent, we can repreſent unto you all ſeveral colours,
not
in Rainbows (as it is in Gems and Priſms) but of themſelves ſingle.

VVe
repreſent alſo all Multiplications of Light, which we carry to great
diſtance
, and make ſo ſharp as to diſcern ſmall Points and Lines;
alſo all
colourations
of Light, all deluſions and deceits of the Sight, in Figures,
Magnitudes
, Motions, Colours, all demonſtrations of Shadows.
VVe
finde
alſo divers means yet unknown to you of producing of Light origi-
nally
from divers Bodies.
VVe procure means of ſeeing objects afar off,
as
in the Heaven, and remote places;
and repreſent things near as afar off,
and
things afar off as near, making feigned diſtances.
VVe have alſo helps
for
the Sight, far above Spectacles and Glaſſes in uſe.
VVe have alſo
Glaſſes
and Means to ſee ſmall and minute Bodies perfectly and diſtinctly,
as
the ſhapes and colours of ſmall Flies and VVorms, grains and flaws in
Gems
, which cannot otherwiſe be ſeen, obſervations in Urine and Blood,
not
otherwiſe to be ſeen.
VVe make Artificial Rainbows, Halo’s, and
Circles
about Light.
VVe repreſent alſo all manner of Reflexions, Re-
fractions
, and Multiplication of Viſual Beams of Objects.
VVe have alſo Precious Stones of all kindes, many of them of great
beauty
, and to you unknown;
Cryſtals likewiſe, and Glaſſes of divers
kindes
, and amongſt them ſome of Metals vitrificated, and other Materi-
als
, beſide thoſe of which you make Glaſs:
Alſo a number of Foſſiles
and
imperfect Minerals, which you have not;
likewiſe Loadſtones of pro-
digious
virtue, and other rare Stones, both Natural and Artificial.
VVe have alſo Sound-houſes, where we practiſe and demonſtrate all
Sounds
and their Generation.
We have harmonies which you have not,
of
Quarter-ſounds, and leſſer Slides of Sounds;
divers Inſtruments of
Muſick
likewiſe to you unknown, ſome ſweeter then any you have, with
Bells
and Rings that are dainty and ſweet.
We repreſent ſmall Sounds as
great
and deep, like wiſe great Sounds extenuate and ſharp.
We make
divers
tremblings and warblings of Sounds, which in their original are
entire
.
We repreſent and imitate all articulate Sounds and Letters, and
the
Voices and Notes of Beaſts and Birds.
VVe have certain helps, which
ſet
to the Ear, do further the hearing greatly.
We have alſo divers ſtrange
and
artificial Echo’s reflecting the voice many times, and as it were toſſing
it
;
and ſome that give back the voice louder then it came, ſome ſhriller,
and
ſome deeper, yea, ſome rendring the voice differing in the Letters or
articulate
Sound ſrom that they receive.
We have all means to convey
Sounds
in Trunks and Pipes in ſtrange lines and diſtances.
38127New Atlantis.
We have alſo Perfume-houſes, where with we joyn alſo practices of
Taſte
;
we multiply Smells, which may ſeem ſtrange; we imitate Smells,
making
all Smells to breath out of other mixtures then thoſe that give them.
We make divers imitations of Taſte like wiſe, ſo that they will deceive any
Mans
taſte.
And in this Houſe we contain alſo a Confiture-houſe, where
we
make all Sweet-meats, dry and moiſt, and divers pleaſant Wines, Milks,
Broths
, and Sallets, far in greater variety then you have.
We have alſo Engine-houſes, where are prepared Engines and Inſtru-
ments
for all ſorts of motions.
There we imitate and practiſe to make
ſwifter
motions then any you have, either out of your Muskets or any En-
gine
that you have;
and to make them, and multiply them more eaſily, and
with
ſmall force, by wheels and other means;
and to make them ſtronger
and
more violent then yours are, exceeding your greateſt Cannons and
Baſilisks
.
We repreſent alſo Ordnance and Inſtruments of War, and En-
gines
of all kindes;
and likewiſe new mixtures and compoſitions of Gun-
powder
, Wildefires burning in Water and unquenchable;
alſo Fireworks
of
all variety, both for pleaſure and uſe.
We imitate alſo flights of Birds;
we
have ſome degrees of flying in the Air;
we have Ships and Boats for
going
under Water, and brooking of Seas;
alſo Swimming-girdles and
Supporters
.
We have divers curious Clocks, and other like motions of
Return
, and ſome perpetual motions.
We imitate alſo motions of Living
Creatures
by Images of Men, Beaſts, Birds, Fiſhes, and Serpents;
we have
alſo
a great number of other various motions, ſtrange for quality, fineneſs
and
ſubtilty.
We have alſo a Mathematical-houſe, where are repreſented all Inſtru-
ments
, as well of Geometry as Aſtronomy, exquiſitely made.
We have alſo Houſes of Deceits of the Senſes, where we repreſent
all
manner of feats of Jugling, falſe Apparitions, Impoſtures and Illuſions,
and
their Fallacies.
And ſurely, you will eaſily believe that we that have ſo
many
things truly Natural, which induce admiration, could in a world of
particulars
deceive the Senſes, if we would diſguiſe thoſe things, and labor
to
make them more miraculous:
But we do hate all Impoſtures and Lies
inſomuch
, as we have ſeverely forbidden it to all our Fellows, under pain
of
Ignominy and Fines, that they do not ſhew any natural work or thing,
adorned
or ſwelling, but onely pure as it is, and without all affectation of
ſtrangeneſs
.
Theſe are (my Son) the riches of Solomons Houſe.
For the ſeveral employments and offices of our Fellows; we have
twelve
that ſail into Foreign Countreys under the names of other Nations,
(for our own we conceal) who bring us the Books, and Abſtracts, and Pat-
terns
of Experiments of all other Parts.
Theſe we call Merchants of
Light
.
We have three that collect the Experiments, which are in all Books.
Theſe
we call Depredators.
We have three that collect the Experiments of all Mechanical Arts,
and
alſo of Liberal Sciences, and alſo of Practices which are not brought
into
Arts.
Theſe we call Myſtery-men.
We have three that try new Experiments, ſuch as themſelves think
good
.
Theſe we call Pioneers or Miners.
We have three that draw the Experiments of the former four into
Titles
and Tables, to give the better light for the drawing of Obſervations
and
Axioms out of them.
Theſe we call Compilers.
38228New Atlantis.
We have three that bend themſelves, looking into the Experiments
of
their Fellows, and caſt about how to draw out of them things of uſe
and
practice for Mans life and knowledge, as well for Works, as for plain
dem
onſtration of Cauſes, means of Natural Divinations, and the eaſie
and
clear diſcovery of the Virtues and Parts of Bodies.
Theſe we call
Dowry
men or Benefactors.
Then after divers Meetings and Conſults of our whole number, to
conſider
of the ſormer Labors and Collections, we have three that take
care
out of them to direct new Experiments of a higher Light, more pene-
trating
into Nature then the former.
Theſe we call Lamps.
VVe have three others that do execute the Experiment ſo directed,
and
report them.
Theſe we call Inoculators.
Laſtly, VVe have three that raiſe the former Diſcoveries by Experi-
ments
into greater Obſervations, Axioms, and Aphoriſms.
Theſe we call
Interpreters
of Nature.
VVe have alſo, as you muſt think, Novices and Apprentices, that
the
ſucceſſion of the former employed Men do not fail;
beſides a great
number
of Servants and Attendants, Men and VVomen.
And this we do
alſo
, VVe have Conſultations which of the Inventions and Experiences,
which
we have diſcovered ſhall be publiſhed, and which not;
and take all
an
Oath of Secrecy for the concealing of thoſe which we think meet to keep
ſecret
;
though ſome of thoſe we do reveal ſometime to the State, and
ſome
not.
For our Ordinances and Rites; we have two very long and fair Gal-
leries
.
In one of theſe we place Patterns and Samples of all manner of the
more
rare and excellent Inventions;
in the other we place the Statues of
all
principal Inventors.
There we have the Statue of your Columbus, that
diſcovered
the Weſt-Indies, alſo the Inventor of Ships;
your Monk that
was
the Inventor of Ordnance, and of Gun-powder;
the Inventor of
Muſick
;
the Inventor of Letters; the Inventor of Printing; the Inventor
of
Obſervations of Aſtronomy;
the Inventor of Works in Metal; the
Inventor
of Glaſs;
the Inventor of Silk of the Worm; the Inventor of
Wine
;
the Inventor of Corn and Bread; the Inventor of Sugars: And
all
theſe by more certain Tradition, then you have.
Then we have divers
Inventors
of our own of excellent Works, which ſince you have not ſeen,
it
were too long to make Deſcriptions of them;
and beſides, in the right
underſtanding
of thoſe Deſcriptïons, you might eaſily err.
For upon every
Invention
of value we erect a Statue to the Inventor, and give him a libe-
ral
and honorable reward.
Theſe Statues are ſome of Braſs, ſome of Marble
and
Touch-ſtone, ſome of Cedar, and other ſpecial Woods gilt and adorn-
ed
, ſome of Iron, ſome of Silver, ſome of Gold.
We have certain Hymns and Services which we ſay daily, of Laud and
and
Thanks to God ſor his marvellous Works;
and Forms of Prayers, im-
ploring
his aid and bleſſing for the Illumination of our Labors, and the
turning
them into good and holy uſes.
Laſtly, We have Circuits or Viſits of divers principal Cities of the
Kingdom
, where, as it cometh to paſs, we do publiſh ſuch new profitable
Inventions
, as we think good.
And we do alſo declare Natural Divinati-
ons
of Diſeaſes, Plagues, Swarms of hurtful Creatures, Scarcity, Tempeſt,
Earc
h quakes, great Inundations, Comets, Temperature of the Year, and
divers
other things;
and we give counſel thereupon, what the People ſhall
do
ſor the prevention and remedy of them.
38329New Atlantis.
And when he had ſaid this, he ſtood up: And I, as I had been taught,
kneeled
down, and he laid his right hand upon my head, and ſaid, God
bleß
thee, my Son, and Ged bleß this Relation which I have made:
I give thee leave to
publiſh
it for the good of other Nations, for we here are in Gods Boſome, a Land un-
known
.
And ſo he left me, having aſſigned a value of about Two thouſand
Ducats
for a Bounty to me, and my Fellows;
for they give great largeſſes
where
they come upon all occaſions.
The reſt was not perfected.
17[Figure 17]
38430New Atlantis. 18[Figure 18]
Magnalia Naturæ præcipue quoad
uſus
Humanos.
11
# {Prolongation of Life.
# Reſtitution of Youth in ſome degree.
THe
# Retardation of Age.
# Curing of Diſeaſes, counted Incurable.
# Mitigation of Pain.
More eaſie and leß loathſome Purgings.
22
# {increaſing of Strength and Activity.
# increaſing of Ability, to ſuffer Torture or Pain.
The
# altering of Complexions, and Fatneß, and Leanneß.
# altering of Statures.
# altering of Features.
# increaſing and exalting of the Intellectual Parts.
Verſion of Bodies into other Bodies.
Making of new Species.
Tranſplanting of one Species into another.
Inſtruments of Deſtruction, as of War and Poyſon.
Exhilaration of the Spirits, and putting them in good diſpo-
ſition
.
Force of the Imagination, either upon another Body, or upon
the
Body it ſelf.
33
# {Time in Maturations.
# Time in Clarifications.
Acceleration
of # Putrefaction.
# Decoction.
# Germination.
Making rich Compoſts for the Earth.
38531New Atlantis.
Impreßions of the Air, and raiſing of Tempeſts.
Great alteration, as in Induration, Emollition, & c.
Turning Crude and Watry Subſtances into Oyly and Unctu-
ous
Subſtances.
Drawing of new Foods out of Subſtances not now in uſe.
Making new Threds for Apparel, and new Stuffs, ſuch as
are
Paper, Glaß, &
c.
Natural Divinations.
Deceptions of the Senſes.
Greater Pleaſures of the Senſes.
Artificial Minerals and Cements.
FINIS.
19[Figure 19]
3869898[Handwritten note 98]
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