water but the rather more inflamed by it 32. That is called Petreolum which flows from Rocks and sometimes Naptha Petra 33. Amber is fragrant Bitumen and kept amongst the richest merchandise and it is gotten about Arabia 34. Vitriol is a concreted Juice looking like the clearness of glass it is called by the Latines Atramentum sutorium and sometimes Chalchanthum 35. The native is found concreted in the Veins of the Earth or clefts of the Rock and from thence doth distil by drops part thereof hanging like frozen Ice and part found in the bottom of Channels 36. Furthermore Juices which cannot be melted yet not indurated into stones are Auripigmentum Sandarach Chalk Gypsum Lime Oker Argil Sealed earth Armenian earth 37. Auripigmentum or Arsnick is B a concreted Juice of a yellowish colour flourishing Pictures with a golden colour is hot and dry in the fourth degree and a present poyson 38. Sandarach is a reddish earth of the colour of Cinabaris yet something inclining to a yellow much of it is gotten in the veins of Metals with Auripigmentum smelling strong of Sulphure 39. Lime is a dry earth cocted to a stone which after it is burnt is inflamed with water and extinguished with oyl it is called Viva or Living because it contains fire hidden within it 40. Gypsum is a shining earth gentle and light akin to Lime but not so dry nor hot which is digged out of the bottom of the earth the Factitious is made of a certain stone and so placed in walls for the ornament of houses 41. Chalk is a tender earth and white plentiful in the Island of Crete 42. Ocher is a light and yellowish earth which when it is burnt is red 43. Argil is a fat and soft earth of which figuline vessels are made 44. Sealed and Lemnian earth is a portion of earth that is very red digged out of the Island Lemnos and sealed with the seal of Diana's high Priest it is also digged daily in Silesia and Hassia it resists poyson 45. The Armenian is a portion of earth digged out in Armenia drying by nature and of a pale colour The Commentary A SAlt is derived a saliendo from leaping because it leaps in the fire Some judge it to be called salt from the sun because it is gotten of its own accord of sea-water the spume thereof left upon the shore by the sun is concreted into salt The efficient cause of salt is the heat of the sun and the rest of the stars which drawing the sweeter and tender parts out of the saltish matter leaves the Terrene which being boyled makes a saltish substance Two things are required to a salt sapour the dry and Terrene parts and their adustion of the first is made a sapour of the latter a salt sapour Erroneous therefore is that opinion which judg'd salt to concrete as Ice of cold For if salt doth concrete of â—…old it is dissolved with heat because it is a general rule with Naturalists every thing to be dissolved by the contrary wherewith it was congealed but salt is dissolved with nothing less then with heat for that hardens it and dryes it more but it is quickly dissolved with water therefore it is not constringed of cold The matter is a Terrene Juice adust and dryed with heat the forme is dryed vapours with concocted water the end and use of salt is various in the whole course of life whence it is rightly said that nothing is more profitable then salt and the sun And old Homer called salt Divine because â—…t is accommodated to various â—…ses Salt hinders putrefaction and â—…akes away superfluous humidity â—…n our Bodies without salt a perfect concoction cannot be made besides it is of frequent use in the cure of wounds B Auripigmentum is double native and factitious that which is like to Ackorns erupts of its own accord from Metals this again is double the one is made of Arsnick and natural salt of equal parts mixed and burned in a crucible till the vapour appear like Chrystal hence it is called Christalline Arsnick the other is made of natural Arsnick and Sulphure mixed together and combustible both of them are dry and hot in the fourth degree and a present poyson CHAP. 4. Of the Nature of Plants in general and of their corruptions 1. HItherto we have spokeâ—… of an inanimate Body perfectly mixed Now we proceed to Animate Bodies which are perfectly mixed endowed with soul and life 2. There are two parts in the life of a furnisht Body the external Body and the soul which subministers life of the former we have spoken before of the latter we shall now 3. An animate Body is expert of sense or sensitive 4. A Plant is a Body expert in sense which is also called stirps A which is a body perfectly mixed endowed with a vigent soul which doth grow live wax green is nourished and increased from the earth 5. For when Plants are nourished and increased and bear flowers and fruits it proceeds from the soul and they are the works of animated Bodies neither can they be without this soul 6. Therefore rejected is that opinon of the Philosophers which call that the form which vivificates Plants and that their nature which indeed is the soul. 7. And also Erroneous is that opinion which maintans Plants to be Animals endowed with sense which Scaliger refutes Exer. 138. 8. For they are not accommodated with Organs which are requisite to sensitive faculties neither can the actions of any such faculties be apprehended in Plants for which of them can see hear smell taste or feel Arist. lib. 1. de planc C. 1. 9. We do not deny but some sense is resident in Plants in attracting to them what is profitable and shunning what is unprofitable but then the question will be how can Plants which are always fixed in a place properly be said to draw what is profitable and shun what is incommodious 10. The vegetable soul alonâ—… that is within the Plant is used as an instrument to the preservation of life by heat both native and adventitious lawfully temperated which the Plants draw out of the earth where they are fixed by the roots 11. That heat adhering in the moist matter it attracts as convenient to its nature and so alters and converts it into the substance of the Plant. 12. Hence there are two vital principles in every Plant heat and humour the want whereof as it is death to Animals so it is a corruption and decaying to Plants 13. Corruption doth either infest part of the Plant or the whole 14. A total corruption is either natural or preternatural 15. The natural is made when Plants are rendred more dryer for their internal heat and their moisture decayed by progress of time 16. Some are corrupted sooner others later and so accordingly they live long or short 17. The cause of which variety is especially the form yet sometimes it happens from the gluishâ—…ess of the humour and
more exact in its new guest 39. Hence it is that wilde Plants if they be engrafted do remain firm because they are nourished by a more sincere Aliment so that a Domestick or Garden Plant engrafted into a wilde Plant wâ—… grow better and yield more pleasanter fruit 50. The Fruits of these respond in sapour colour and odour the nature of the Plant whence the Graft was taken because the juice whereby the fruit is nourished is of great moment in this matter The Commentary A NAture doth proceed always from the less perfect to the more perfect therefore it is in the first place disputed seeing that Plants by reason of forms do want of the perfection of Animals whether it be a body perfectly mixed First it is defined to be a Body perfectly mixed to difference it from Meteors in which there is an alteration of Elements made whereas in Plants and also in Metals there is a notable mutation of elementary parts therefore there is added in the definition endowed with 〈◊〉 vegetive soul. Therefore in the first place that I may take away the opinion both of Philosophers and Physitians who call that the form which governs the Plant and that the nature which is the soul for when Plants are nourished and increase they bear fruits and flowers which are the works of animate Bodies and they cannot want that soul Secondly to take away their opinion who declare that Plants are endowed with sense as Animals are concèrning which Plato Anaxagoras Empedocles and many others maintain to which many later writers assent but especially Cardan First Flight Hatred Aversion Appetite cannot be attributed to any Bodies but such as are endowed with a sensitive soul but Plants refuse and fly too much Heat as the Vine hath no propinquity with the Cabbadge and many other Plants also the Vine desires the Elm and almost all other Plants do gather what is familiar unto them and fly from what is unprofitable therefore by these actions it is not obscure that Plants are endowed with sense Secondly they are distinguished in the sex the Feminine Plant cannot consist with the Masculine each other desiring their congress neither can they come to ripeness or bear fruit without their mutual society But to the first we Answer That the Hatred Flight and Appetite of Plants is not proper but translated as Danaeus speaks indeed they contract and extend themselves by the benefit of their Fibres and so receive what is familiar and profitable by a certain natural faculty yet not with any sense onely endowed with the strength of a vegetive soul and led by the impulse of nature which Cicero calls an instinct for what things love or hate by sense those cannot hate or love as Scaliger saith Exer. 138. But for example the Cabbadge always refuses the Vine and hath a continual enmity against it and hence doth manifestly evade it But this Flight and Appetite of Plants is altogether without sense yet some attribute this to the Sex of the Plants which is to be understood metaphorically as a certain similitude taken from strength and weakness for the Masculine is more stronger then the Feminine the Feminine more weaker then the Masculine therefore we are to understand that masculine Plants are always strong and robust the feminine weak and fecundine But it is said in the Definition which do grow out of the earth for this is as it were the belly of Plants as Anaxagoras saith and out of this the Fibres of the roots whatsoever is profitable to them and agreable to their nature they attract and convert into their substance Further it is said to grow live nourish and increase in which vital actions the Plant differs from other Inanimate things which as they are destitute of a soul so they want these actions Hence it is that a Plant is said to be dissolved not that it hath onely an animate Body but organical also and so of it self alone and not of the earth as the Soicks would have it to have the beginning of its actions but although these strengths and actions are common to Animals yet notwithstanding they are insited in Plants the soul is used to the life and preservation of the Plants instrumentally with heat well tempered which Plants do draw out of the earth where they are placed by the roots and that heat which cleaves to the humid tressel and subject the defect whereof as it is death to Animals so it is dryness and corruption to Plants B The plenty of the inward humour causes the longevity of Plants for thereby the innate heat which is the instrument of form is thereby made First therefore when plenty of heat is discerned it suggests the aliment not easily to be dissipated but that the Plant will live long and yield much oleous and resinous juice Secondly when they are dense and compact they faithfully preserve their vital heat and moisture neither can they suffer external injuries and for this cause trees are more diuturnal then Fruits and Fruits then Herbs Thirdly the Longitude and crassitude of roots is of great moment by reason of their hardness for lengthening of life First because by how much the roots are deeper by so much they stick more firm and the more do resist the external injury of winde and heat Secondly the roots are as it were the beginning of Plants in which the hot moisture doth chiefly flourish and the subterranean heat and humour daily cherished for it is consonant to reason where there is much humidity and calidity there the roots must needs be ample and profound and therefore a small and simple root is defective of calidity and humidity and thereupon cannot grow long Fourthly fecundity also is the cause of shortning its life because of the too little dissipation of Juice whereby the inward humour is nourished which juice should go into the seed and fruit C Heat hurts Plants less then cold unless arridity accede which is called squalor and those are easily hurt by cold whose roots are not deep for there the sun doth the sooner pierce unto them and the proximate parts of the roots are affected strongly by the beams of the sun because the earth is wanting to nourish them D But why certain Plants do arise quickly after sowing the seed and others a long time after The first and chiefest cause is the force of form The second is the strength and imbecility of the insited heat The third is the rarity and density the softness and hardness of the seeds for in hard and dense Bodies the humour is elicited not so readily by the force of heat out of the earth whereby the seed doth swell and for this cause it is that the seed of Pyony doth bud so long after Sation and Mandrake longer which is more hard and dense which certain space of days of budding or sprouting happens according to the variety of the suns influence and heavens concurrence and hence it is that if dung be commixed
and nourished with humidity and new always substituted in the place of that which is absumed for I do not see why if radical humidity be wanting that death should follow but answer may be made that the privation or defect of the radical humor depends upon the impotency of heat for whatsoever suffices in the place of its native humour that is necessary to be changed by the help of heat which as Scaliger thinks is altered and grows feeble by use and diuturnity of time therefore what accedes of aliment is more worse and impure then that which decedes therefore heat destitute of idoneous aliment is dissipated And hence it is that man necessarily must dye CHAP. 8. Of Spirits 1. HItherto of humors so called Now we shall handle the doctrine of spirits they are called A spirits because they fly away by their subtil and aereal tenuity which after a certain manner responds to the Nature of Spirits indeed 2. But here the word spirit is taken B for a very small or thin substance aereal and vaporous the first instrument of life as to the performance of action 3. Here its essence is not to be understood ethereal and celestial but in a manner elementary First because such like spirits are what like their matter is but their matter is elementary Secondly they can accend refrigerate increase diminish and extinguish but the celestial on the contrary want these neither can they be changed by natural cause Thirdly because to their preservation the inspiration of the air is necessary Fourthly and lastly the spirits do restore again an elementary body in a swounding fit 4. A spirit is either insited or fixed or influent 5. Insited which is ordinarily C complanatus is an aereal and tender substance lying within several solid members and procreated of the genital seed from the governess faculty of the principal parts the first and proximate seat of native heat and a certain faculty as it were the band of unition of the soul with the body 6. Of this there seems to be so many differences as there are natures and temperaments of parts if it may be accommodated to these and attemperated to the nature of every part 7. The influent is that which is implanted and lest it should dissolve and vanish it remains fixed 8. And here it is threefold natural vital and animal 9. And as in mans body First there are three Vertues Natural Vital and Animal Secondly so also there are three principal bowels if I may so call them the Liver Heart and Brain Thirdly three Organs also administring to these the Veins Arteries and Nerves so there are so many spirits distinct in species and form which are as it were the chariots of strength 10. The natural is D a thin vapour procreated in the liver of the purer part of blood and thence diffused by the veins into the habit of the body to absolve all natural actions 11. Concerning this many great questions are made some do expunge it from the catalogue of spirits First because it takes its natural faculty from the Liver Secondly that it doth renew the same faculty insited from every part Thirdly and by this Spirit or Captain the gross blood is carried to distant parts 12. The vital spirit E is a thin halite vapour or breath begotten of inspirated air and natural spirit carried to the left side of the heart and so runs by the artery over the whole body and so supplies the vivifical strength unto them 13. All the ancient Neotericks do conclude this to be coacted when it is chiefly necessary to life for as Plato doth affirm if the sun should quiesce one moment the whole world would perish because it excites spirit and heat by its motion so here if the spirits be prohibited forthwith the Animal perishes 14. The animal spirit is F a pure halite begotten of a portion of vital spirit carried to the brain and insited in its faculty diffused by the nerves into the body that it may incite it to motion sense and all animal actions 15. This as it pleases some doth not differ from the vital in kinde and nature because they maintain that there is but one universal spirit but as aliment doth take a new form by a new coction and thence a new denomination So that first there are divers Organs Secondly divers faculties Thirdly divers manner of generations so also this spirit is diverse from the rest in species The Commentary A BY spirit here we understand not an incorporeal substance or the intellect of man which is rightly called by the Philosophers a spirit which Scaliger otherwise a man very learned dothseem to dissent from for he speaks Theologically and is to be understood as speaking of an incorporate substance but by spirit we mean a thin and subtil body B Because nature is not wont to copulate one contrary to another unless it be with some medium not unlike a band for mortal and immortal do differ more then in kinde and therefore an incorporate being is not consentaneous to a brittle body and immortality cannot be united to the intellect of man without the concurrence of a medium and this is no other then a spirit which doth bring mortality to the body having a thin and tender substance as it were acceding to the intellect The medium between both is nature and this spirit is not void of a body but begotten of the elements which were in the seed and it is most elaborate nearly acceding to the nature of celestial spirits and most thin that it may fly all sense very apt to pass by an incredible celerity for it passes over the whole body with a great celerity that it may give motion sense and strength to its parts and perform other functions of the soul. D Concerning this spirit many great questions are agitated some do-banish it from the catalogue of spirits moved thereto by these Arguments First because there is no use nor necessity for it We answer Its use is great for first of all it is the chariot of aliment for the humours gotten in the liver can scarce penetrate of themselves through the narrow passages by reason of their crassitude nor can they well be carried to the other parts of the body by reason of the slowness of their motion Furthermore this spirit takes its natural faculty from the liver whose work is to attract retain and concoct familiar aliment to all the parts of the body and by a certain force doth expel the excrements Secondly they will have no place to be given by nature proper for this spirit We answer the liver is its fountain and principle as the heart of life and the brain of the soul. Thirdly they alledge that this spirit doth not lead any thing to any part or carry any thing thereunto But we say that as the animal spirit is carried by the Nerves the Vital by the Arteries so the natural spirit is carried by the veins together with the
NATURE'S CABINET UNLOCK'D Wherein is Discovered The natural Causes of Metals Stones Précious Earths Juyces Humors and Spirits The nature of PLANTS in general their Affections Parts and Kinds in Particular Together with A Description of the Individual Parts and Species of all Animate Bodies Similar and Dissimilar Median and Organical Perfect and Imperfect With a compendious Anatomy of the Body of Man As also the Manner of his Formation in the Womb. All things are Artificial for Nature is the Art of God By Tho. Brown D. of Physick London Printed for Edw. Farnham in Popes-head alley near Cornhil 1657 OF PHYSIOLOGY Treating of BODIES Perfectly mixed With Comments thereupon CHAP. 1. Of Metalls 1. WE shall here Treat of those Bodies which are perfectly mixed and substantial 2. That Body is perfectly mixed â—…hich is made solid by the Concretion of the Elements and therefore daily grows harder and harder 3. All the Elements do abide and are concentricated in a mixed Body because all mixed Bodies are carried to a place of the Earth and therefore much of earth must needs be in them And if earth be in them then water without which earth cannot consist for all Generation happens from their contraries so that if there be one contrary it 's necessary that there should be an opposite contrary to that Arist. lib. 2. De gen corrupt c. 8. 4. And these Bodies are either Inanimate or Animate 5. Inanimate bodies are such as are void of life As Metalls Stones precious Earths 6. Metall is a body perfectly mixed and Inanimate of Sulphure and Quicksilver gotten in the veins of the earth 7. Sulphure and Quicksilver is often found in the veins of Metalls and of these for the variety of the temperament and mutuall permission the Professors of the Rosie Cross do adjudge Metalls to have their original 8. They define Sulphure to be a Metallick matter consisting of a subtill exhalation fat and unctuous included in the earth 9. Quicksilver B is a Metallick matter consisting of a vapour more subtil then water which is conglutinated with the earth and cocted by the heat of Sulphure 10 The Peripateticks will have a double vapour to lye hid in the bowels of the earth the one dry that is more terrene then water the other moist and glutinous that is more watry then terrene and from these do Stones and Fossiles grow and these do produce proper Metall Arist. 3. Met. c. 7. 11. The Chymists do not dissenâ—… from this opinion of Aristole for he maketh the matter of Metalls to be a remote vapour They a nearer matter Sulphure and Quicksilver which do grow from the aforesaid vapour as the remote matter of Metalls 12. The efficient Cause of Metall is heat and cold for heat whether Elementary or Celestial doth animate digest and exactly mingle all portions of matter which mass so temperated and prepared for this or that kind of metall doth grow by cold and is condensated 13. The place in which Metals are ingendered is the bosom of the earth Arist. 3. met c. 7. 14. Many are made amongst Stones and that oftner in mountains then in plains for according to their solidâ—…ty they do retain their colour better which is easily decayed and dispersed in plains because of the softness of the earth 15. If it be demanded whether their form be one or more C that is to say whether they can be distinguished amongst themselves in specifical differences which do effect divers and incommunicable forms amongst themselves 16. To the latter it is agreed First Because every Species hath its Essence and that perfect Secondly Its Definition Thirdly Its Heats Fourthly It Strength and Use Scal. Exer. 106. sect 2. 17. But it is a great dispute amongst late writers whether Metalls are Bodies Inanimate or whether they Live It is most certain they perform no vitall action as other bodies that are endowed with a vegetive soul therefore they are not Animated Scal. Exer. 102. 18. But Metalls are either pure or impure 19. Pure Metall is when there is a perfect decoction exquisitely made as in Gold and Silver 20. Gold E is a pure Metall begotten of pure Quicksilver fixed red and clear and of pure red Sulphure not too hot but well qualified 21. This of all Metalls is the softest and tenderest wanting fatness It is heavy having a sweet pleasant and excellent sapor and odor 22. But whether the Chymists by the industry of art can make true and approved Gold it is a question much disputed of late yet in my opinion it is clear that though it be very difficult experience witnessing it yet it is â—…ot altogether impossible for if Art be a follower and imitator of Nature I see not why Nature may not be imitated in framing of true Gold 23. And whether it may be made potable that is so prepared that it may be taken into the body without danger is a great controversie between the Chymists and Galenists 24. The favourers of Galen defend the Negative to which Scaliger doth subscribe being perswaded with these two reasons I. There is no similitude to be discerned between Gold and our Body as there is between Aliment and Body to be nourished II. Because Gold is more solid then that it can be overcome by our heat or changed from its substance Scal. Exer. 272. 25. Silver is a pure Metall G begotten of clear Quicksilver shining white and of pure Sulphure almost fixed 26. Such Metalls are impure which do consist of impure Sulphure and Mercury 27. Of these some have more of the Humor or Mercury and some more of the Earth or Sulphure 28. Lead and Tinn do participate more of the Humor 29. Lead H is a Metall procreated of much crass and less-pure Quicksilver and burning Sulphure 30. Its Species are various according to the matter of which it consists and the heat by which it is cocted 31. And hence it is black or clear 32. Black-lead doth consist of impure Quicksilver and it is less elaborate therefore of a baser value 33. Clear or White-lead is fully cocted and doth coâ—… somewhat of a more purer matter 34. Tin I is a White-metal begotten of much yet not so pure Quicksilver outwardly white but inwardly red and of impure Sulphure not well digested 35. Brass and Iron have more of Earth to which is added Copper 36. Brass K is an impure Metall begotten of much Sulphure red and gross and a little impure Quicksilver 37. Cyprian Brass is a Species of it which doth grow copiously in the Island Cyprus whence it is called Cuprum 38. Iron is L a Metall impure begotten of much Sulphure Crude Terrestrial and burning and a little impure Quicksilver 39. And although it 〈◊〉 hard yet it is bruised with daily labor because there goes to its generation less Quicksilver or Humor but more Sulphure or Terrene 40. Copper is factitious Brass clarified of the colour of Gold or rather more yellow 41. The Native is now of no use and
Galen whether Gold may be made potable or no that is to say so prepared that without any danger it may be received into the body the Chymists stiffly maintain it and by this very golden Potion have miraculously preserved restored increased repaired the strengh of the heart and principall members lengthned out age and revoked youth The Galenists deny it To which Scaliger subscribes who confutes them with these two Reasons especially 1. Between Aliment and the Body nourished there is a certain necessary similitude but between Gold and our Body there is no apparent similitude but far different from our nature therefore Gold cannot nourish our Bodies nor restore strength I prove the minor our bodies are concreted especially of mixed elements for the elements by the various and almost infinite mixtures are infinitely altered and changed before they become fit matter for Animalls but there are but few mixtions that do precede the concretion of Metalls and therefore elements that are but lightly altered and changed do exist in them and what similitude is there between Inanimate and Animate 2. Whatsoever cannot be overcome and changed by our native heat that cannot possibly recreate our native bodies Gold is such-like therefore doth not nourish The minor is proved because Gold is of a solid and hard substance insomuch that it is impossible for it to be melted by coction like to Aliment G The nature of Silver is cold and moist and it is found in deep Mines sometimes it is entangled with stones hairs trees fishes whole serpents scorpions with the Species of many other things which it brings with it Now for the generation of Silver there goes more Quicksilver then Sulphure because it represents its colour and whilst it melts it contains almost all its accidents in it self for it doth not melt nor is it diffunded as water and oyl nor doth it adhere to the Tangent which are the faculties of Quicksilver and hence it is that it is not so ponderous as Gold Now that a certain portion of Sulphure doth concur to the procreation of Silver is clear by this because a sulphurous odour doth offend the nostrils when it is melted the natural mixture of this metal is not so absolute and perfect as Gold and hence it is that it doth not resist the fire like to Gold but every time that it is melted something is lost of it and it is more easie to engrave then Gold neither are the liquors which remain in Silver vessels for several days together so sincere and clear as those in Gold but become after a certain manner venenate both in odor and sapor especically if the liquor be sowre or sharp H That there is much crudity and imperfect concoction in Lead the faecies demonstrate which is left when it is melted and hence it is that it doth not sustain the fire as Gold but doth easily melt and consume by fire if it long remain therein it will be brought to ashes yet it is thought to increase of its own accord when it is laid upon the roofs of houses both in weight and quantity Galen rehearses a story of Lead buried in a humid place under the earth to have increased both in magnitude and weight It is of a cold and astrictive nature hence it is that many leaden vessels are hurtful especially that Lead which is white I Tinn doth differ from white Lead because this doth arise by it self the other always with Silver And although Tinn doth emulate the splendor of Silver yet it is far better and doth excede more from the fire whence it is judged of many to be a Species of candid Lead but in the excellency of its nature doth far exceed Lead its substance is thin and less excocted K Brass having more mixtion of earth then humor doth melt more difficultly because all its humor is almost dried away for which cause it is of greater price and esteem then Iron and therefore in ancient time Armour and Weapons were made of Brass Bucklers and Launcets also so highly was this Metal esteemed L Iron is found in deep Mines a powdry Mass red and ponderous Now to the generation of Iron there is less Quicksilver but more of Sulphure hence it is that it is so hard and obscure and the hardest of all is steel which is onely a species of Iron or Iron purged and so hardned by many quenchings in water and hence it is that it is more frangible then Iron Native Steel in times past was found about Thrace where the people Chalibes do inhabit CHAP. I. Of Stones 1. MEtals being explicated Stones do follow which neither the heat of the sun or the blows of the hammer can extend 2. Stones are A Bodies perfectly mixed inanimate hard of a dry exhalation mingled with a certain watry unctuosity by the continuance of time the strength of heat and cold and so conglutinated by a mineral vertue 3. These like as other friable Bodies of which a little after because they have in them Sulphure and Quicksilver of a weak nature are not accounted by some for Metals 4. Stones B are both vulgar â—…nd precious 5. The Vulgar do congeal of a gross and impure matter 6. And they are either Porous or solid 7. They are porous which do consist of a matter not well compacted and therefore they have rare or thin parts as the Tophas and Pumice 8. The Tophas is a stone thin easily to be crummed or friable rough and not equal 9. Here it is disputed whether it be cold or hot This Cardan affirms which Scaliger reâ—… saying Who told thee that the Tophas must be hot It cannot be discovered by the touch or the taste or medicinal experience such a quality was never found out or experimented Exer. 57. 10. The Pumice C is a Stone rare and cavernous or spungie very fit to be rubbed to powder of which there are three sorts according to Scaliger Exer. 133. 11. Solid stones are those which have continuated parts and strongly coacted 12. And these either do want Nitre or endeavor it those that want Nitre are these the Flint the Whetstone a Rock the Emrod the Marchasite 13. The Flint is a solid and hard stone whence if it be smitten upon with Steel fire will appear Scal. Exer. 108. 14. The Whetstone is a solid stone wanting Nitre consisting of little grains whose use is to sharpen iron 15. The Lydian stone is a Species of the same which if any metal be rubbed thereupon it will discover the true from the counterfeit 16. The Rock is a stone large and hard consisting of a great quantity of matter strongly concreted 17. Khe Emrod is a hard stone which doth cut glass 18. The Marchasite is a stone upon which if any hard body as Steel be struck sparks of fire will erupt 19. Solid stones which incline to Nitre are these 20. Marble is a solid stone precious and clear bespangled with various colours and spots 21. And according to the
earth is necessary to the composition which doth afford matter for the unctuosity to astringe therefore stones are gotten of gross earth by the coalition of this humour which must be so understood not that the two other elements to wit the fire and the aire must be separated from their mixtion if so be the opinion of Philosophers be true that every mixed thing doth consist of four Elements The efficient causes of Metals or Minerals are two heat and cold heat persisting in the matter doth diduce moisture and unctuosity of â—…errene substance by certain tender parts and so doth coct and digest and perfectly mingle the portions of the several elements but especicially of water and earth and so purge them from all the excrementitious parts and at last doth prepare that matter rightly to produce the form of a stone and so cold at length doth condensate it with its astrictiveness expel all its superabundant humor and so indurate it into a stone But some may say that cold rather is the cause of corruption then generation I answer it is true in Animate bodies but in Inanimates to wit in meteors and metals coldness is the cause of generation Yet it may further be objected If stones do coalesce from coldness it follows by the same rule that they must melt by heat and so be resolved but that cannot be aâ—…â—…erefore nor the former I anâ—…wer Stones cannot be melted by heat alone without the affusion of some other humor because there is in them such an exquisite natural commixture of moisture and dryness that they refuse liquation by their contraries neither are they to be reduced to the action of their external faculty without the sympathy of some familiar quality B According to the divers and various subtilty of the matter whether pure or impure crass viscous or the like Stones both pure and impure noble and ignoble are ingendred whence it is that there is so great variety of Stones and Gemms and here an objection will arise whether precious Stones may change the matter of the earths generation Gems because of their noble fulgor and transparency do not seem to persist of earth which is dusky and blackish an enemy to such pulchritude whence many are of this opinion that Gems are partakers equally of celestial fire and water and from them to receive their fulgor and christalline clearness But we must know that Gems also do consist of certain earthly matter but not obscure but subtil mixed with a watrish humidity well cocted and tempered for the matter according to Logicians doth vary the dignity of things but the propinquity of the sun cocts better and stronger the matter of stone in Oriental regions makes the Gems and Stones both more excellent and precious Another question will here arise whether Stones do differ in forms and species We maintain the affirmative with this one undeniable reason divers actions and vertues do arise from divers Forms but there are divers actions in divers Stones therefore c. The assumption is proved because one stone resists poyson another discusses swellings another draws iron which are indeed divers effects C Pliny relates of the generation of the Pumice that it is gotten of Fruits some of Bays some of Thyme beyond the Columns of Hereules which are transformed into the Pumice which if it be true it is not strangâ—… why the Pumice cast into the water doth swim when it is made of porous and rare matter and therefore it hath its levity from its matter and will not sink to the bottom of water but that for use is accounted the best which is candid light and very spungious The flower of it according to Theophrastus doth take away drunkenneâ—…s D A Gemm properly is the sprouting or bud of a Tree fair and round bunching out at the first out of bunâ—…s and chiefly of Vines and so those precious Stones which reâ—…mble this form are wont to be called Gems because they respond thereunto in figure and form But the vertues and the effects of Gems are wonderful if we may believe Cardan Some says he are effectual in prolonging life others available in love in obtaining riches some for divination others for consolation some for wisdom others for good fortune some work effects to make men dull others joyful some sad others fearful some do resist poyson others help the concoction of the ventricle and liver But concerning the vertues of Gems read Scaliger Exer. 106. But Heaven no doubt hath infused into Gems many admirable properties and vertues concerning which Hermes Trismegistus hath sufficiently treated E But why doth the Adamant preserve its substance whole against the weighty stroaks of the hammer and furious flames of of the fire yet suffer it self to be dissolved with the blood of a goat There are some of our later writers who will admit of no occult property at all but go about to manifest every thing by plain reason therefore they judge goats blood by reason of its analogy which is in the beginning common to pierce the Adamant But says Scaliger what other thing is that anology of its common principle then an occult property No doubt but it is a great miracle of nature and why it should pierce so hard a body no man well can demonstrate F The Carbuncle comes from the Eastern regions shining like to white clouds but because it hath golden spots it is reckoned by some amongst Gems G Of which there are three sorts First that which shines in the dark they call Pyropus secondly that which is put in a black vessel shining water being powred upon it thirdly that is the basest which glisters onely when the light shines H Achates is of so many various kindes that it will scarce be credited to be one stone for it is clear red yellowish cineritious green dark blue insomuch that this one answers to all the colours of other Gems I Albertus Magnus relates that he hath tryed this that if this stone be hung about the neck it roborates the strength of the whole body which is incredible for by its frigidity it constringes the spirits By the same reason it is related that if it be hung about the belly it hinders venery whereupon the Indians every-where preserve themselves K Whether chrystal be glass is a subtil controversie between Cardan and Scaliger He denies it upon this reason because glass is dissolved by the fire but chrystal not unless for several days it lie in the midst of a vehement fire and be continually blown therefore Chrystal can never be glass Scaliger answers glass that hath never obtained the hardness of a stone is as yet water and therefore easily dissolvable by fire because it is but congealed with a little cold but when it is concreted and congealed by a diuturnal cold insomuch that it hath obtained the perfect form and hardness of a stone it will not easily melt or not at all but it is generated oftentimes under the earth
and sometimes upon the tops of high mountains where there is perpetual snow therefore it must needs be congealed into a hard substance for much of it is brought from the Alpes Helvetia and Italy L Coral is called by the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as it were a shrubby stone for it is called frutex marinus because being extracted from the sea by the air it is hardned into a stone under the water the Coral is green and soft but assoon as it is taken out and reposed to the air it grows hard and red because of the tenuity and subtilty of the air which compels and hardens its parts M The Loadstone is called Magnes as is supposed from its first finder out by some it is called the Herculean stone it hath a wonderful vertue in attraction it doth not onely strongly draw iron to it self but also infuse an attractive vertue into the iron drawn insomuch that it will attract other iron to it which thing can hardly be demonstrated with reason If any say that iron is drawn by the similitude of substance he errs not for similitude and the flight of the vacuum are the two causes of attraction heat draws by the flight of the vacuum every part doth draw its proper aliment according to the similitude of the substance whence iron is as it were the aliment of the Loadstone and therefore it is drawn by it for in the flakes of iron the Loadstone is preserved although Scaliger by no means will assent to this But we say that iron is the proper aliment of the Loadstone not so as to say that it lives as Scaliger well infers but as it were nourished by it But as the Elements move spontaneously to their places as to their end and perfection so the Loadstone because it is kept in the filings of iron and as it were nourished by them moves to the iron therefore we may well rest in the opinion of the antient that iron is drawn by the Loadstone by the similitude of substance and therefore it is that this stone is of the colour of iron Yet some say that the Loadstone doth not always draw iron I answer That happens by accident for when the Adamant is near it hinders and impedes its attraction Cardan yet denies that the Adamant can hinder the attraction of iron or can be hindred by Leeks and Onyons but maintains that it will always attract iron as he hath proved by experience N The manner of the generation of Pearl is this Shell-fishes in the spring time being incited to the desire of copulation or conception whereupon they come out to the shore and dilate themselves attracting the heavenly dew return as it were burdened and so bring forth Margaries Hence it is that there is so much difference in the goodness of the Pearl which happens according to their age or magnitude and also the quality of the dew received of round shell-fishes the best Pearls are gotten Those are the best Pearls which are found in the bottom of the sea and sometimes found floating upon the shore CHAP. 3. Of Juices or precious Earths 1. VVE having explained the Nature of hard metallick Bodies we shall now treat of such as are soâ—…t which precious Earthâ—… are of a milde Nature between Metals and Stones 2. And many of these Bodies are fricable that is to say rubbed small or brought into fine powder 3 Some of these may be melted others not those that are soft may that may be hardned into the body of a stone 4. Of the first kinde of these are those that are dry and concreted as Salt Alom Bitumen Vitriol 5. Salt is A a metallick Body friable begotten of a humid and watry Juice and gross earth mixed and boyled together 6. It hath force to absterge expurge astringe dissipate and attenuate 7. And it is either Natural or Artificial that which is Natural is called Fossile that which is Artificial Factitious 8. The Fossile is found either in the Earth or out of the Earth 9. That which is found in the Earth is either digged out of mountains or effoded out of the fields or sandy places 10. Of these there are various differences according to the diversity of places where they are found but four especially are most known to us Sal Ammoniack Sal gemm Sal Nitre Indian salt 11. Ammoniack is a bitter salt found in or about the sand of Cyrene whence it is called Cyrenaicus 12. Salt Gem is a Fossile salt found in Mines or Pits shining and resembling the form of Chrystal 13. Salt Nitre or salt-Peter consists of a coagulated humor in moistsubterraneous places shining like to congealed snow upon walls to this day by art it is made 14. The Indian is a salt blackish cut out of the mountain Oromontus in the Indies 15. Those Salts that are found out of the Earth are such as are digged or effoded out of waters and they are called either fontal when fountains or rivers by the heart of the sun are dryed and converted to salt or fluvial when the arm of some river is condensated into salt or stagnal when ponds in the summer are dryed and a salt remains or marine when in the shore a certain tender salt is gotten which Dioscorides calls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pliny interprets it the spume of the sea we call it the dry spume of the sea or more rightly a salt made by heat of the sea-spume 16. Factitious 〈◊〉 cocted salt is made of water and that either Marine Fluvial Fenny Fountain or of the water of Ponds 17. Alome by the definition of Pliny is a certain salsugo or the salt sweat of the Earth concreted of a muddy and slimy water 18. And it is either clear or black 19. That which is clear is judged the best and it is either thick or liquid 20. The liquid is soft fat and clear 21. The thick is either round or scissile and it hath the form of of Sugar 22. The black is found in Cyprus which purges Gold 23. Bitumen is the juice of the Earth gentle and tender like to Pitch easily taking fire 24. And it is either hard 〈◊〉 soft 25. The hard is strongly concreted not unlike to the clods of the earth 29. Of this sort are Asphaltus Pissaphaltus and Amber 27. Asphaltus is a blackish Bitumen like to Pitch but harder and more inspissated splended and less olcous and this sort is gotten all over Babylon 28. Pissaphaltus is a certain Bitumen in a manner black but of a more Terrene concretion 29. Amber also is a Bitumen and fat of the Earth proceeding from the heat of the sea and the colour is sometimes white yellow or obscure 30. The liquid Bitumen is that which flows like an oleous liquor of whose species are Naptha and the Arabian Amber 31. Naptha is liquid Bitumen of an oleous crassitude the fire hath such force over it that it will leap into it where-ever it is neither can it be quenched by
and some three times a year the proximate cause of which is no other then the proximate form of every species 18. Of fecundine Plants some are fertile continently and that by the reason of the abundance of their heat and fatness of their humour as the Fig-tree which fructicates sometimes but every year the same is observed in Pear-trees and Apple-trees 19. These Trees are very profuse for they require so much aliment for the generation of fruit that if they receive not annually so much by reason of the season of the year they become barren for that year 20. The property of the substance of Plants may be discerned by their various affections whereby they exercise and act 21. Plants exercise their strength in things that are either Animate or Inanimate 22. Inanimate things as upon other Plants or Animals 23. Upon Plants they either exercise a sympathy or antipathy friendship or enmity so that the Olive-tree will be averse to the Oak the Cabadge to the Vine the Reed to the Fearn but on the contrary there is a friendship sympathy between Rue and the Fig-tree that each other profits much by their vicinity 24. The inquisition of these things is so obscure insomuch that some have referred their original to an occult cause and others have gone about to demonstrate it by reason 25. But however this is most likely the true meaning why they prosecute such a sympathy and antipathy by reason of the substraction of aliment and corruption for this cause it is that where the Oak is the Olive will not live because the aliment is corrupted by the dryness of the Oak and therefore is made more arrid then the nature of Olive is So the Cabbage and the Vine cannot grow together First because the roots of the Vine do draw abundance of aliment from all the parts of the ground where it is planted Secondly because the bushiness of the Vine obstructs the reflection of the sun upon the Cabbage 26. So in like manner do they exercise sympathy and friendship the Rue seems to have nutriment with the Fig-tree which is the cause of this loving correspondence for if the nature of the Fig-tree be hot it must needs attract hot nutriment which corresponds with the nature of Rue 27. Plants also have a sympathy and antipathy to Animals and that either to man alone or other Animals 28. Some Plants are friendly to mankinde others are adverse to humane nature and others do partake of a certain medium between both 29. Those that are friendly do repair and defend the universal Body or determinated parts 30. Those which are said to preserve the life of the universal Body are such as have a strong faculty in nourishing whose is the consent of principles if so be all things be nourished with its like 31. But whether this consent happens from the form or rather matter is an intricate doubt Indeed the hability of the matter is altogether necessary but the consent of the form ought to accede 32. And these Plants do nourish either in the whole or in part 33. Whole Plants that do nourish are such as these pot-herbs Lettice Cabbage Water-cresses Brooklime 34. Part of Plants as the roots of Rape Parsnip Radish fruits as of Mellons Cucumbers seeeds as of Beans and Pease corn as of Barley Wheat Rye c. 35. What things do defend a certain part of the body are various as Pyony the head Saffron the heart Mint the stomack Egrimony the liver Capers the spleen Hermodactyls the arteries the cause of which is a certain similitude and consent of that Plant with the form of that part to which ordained 36. Some Plants are enemies pernicious and hurtful and that either to the whole body or part to the whole they prove fatal by everting the continuity of union and depraving of life or stupefie or benum part of the body as Henbane to the head Pepper of the Mount to the liver Ervus to the reins and bladder Aloes to the hemorrhoids the cause of which antipathy or corruption is the controversie of the form 37. One and the same Plant is sometimes salutary to one man but noxious and death to another by reason of the peculiar constitution of the individuum 38. Some Plants there are partly friends and partly enemies to our bodies partaking of a middle nature between sympathy and antipathy 39. They are enemies indeed which are infested with a bad sapour or odour they are friends that are correspondent to our constitution which do bring out unprofitable juices out of our Bodies as Coloquintida and othâ—…r purging Plants 40. But as far as Medicaments act by purgation so far they operate upon nature by a â—…ertain force which may be accounted under the name of being an enemy to nature and those which draw corruption with humours are enemies though they be judged to draw them by a certain similitude and congruity 41. The strength of Plants have also a certain friendship and enmity with other Animals for Fennel is a friend to the Serpent but Rue an enemy the Ash to the Scorpion but Wolfs-bane infests him white Hellebore is a friend to him for if he be laid thereto he revives so Basil in which he hath been seen to ingender so the herbs Oenothara Crateva Lysimachus hung about the necks of mad Animals or untamed Bulls they will cause them as Antiquity hath observed to turn round all which do express necessarily a certain tacite consent of forms 42. Plants also do produce various effects in inanimite things for the ancients have left upon record that by the force and touch of Missletoe and the herb Aethiopis all Locks and Bolts do fly open The Spina of Theophrastus doth congeal water Radix Hybisci and the juice of Purslain and Mercury doth abate the force of fire this hath often been experimented in our time all which in reason we ought to believe to be acted no other ways then by the power of proper forms 43. Lastly for the nourishment and contemperation of the elementary qualities in Plants four degrees are constituted in Plants to wit that some be hot or cold moist or dry in the first or second third or fourth degree 44. And these degrees respectively taken are either remiss or intense those that are remiss are such as are placed in the first degree the rest are intense so that the fourth be the chief and exceed altogether mediocrity The Commentary A VVHy Plants are delighted to grow in various places is a thing not easily unfolded yet it is a thing worth inquiring Therefore according to the opinion of the Philosophers the place is the conservator of all things that as the nature of Plants is various so they have need of divers places to preserve life therefore that place alone or soyl is proper and profitable to the life of Plants which doth suggest convenient aliment unto them and in which the roots of the Plant may have foundation commodious for its nature
onely distinguish of those which are idoneous to be eaten of which sort are edible Fruits and Herbs Fruits as Wheat Rye Barley Oats c. all manner of pulse as Pease c. Pot-herbs as Radish Fennel c. and all other Herbs that are eaten or mingled with meats as the Cabbadge Lettice c. Those which are not fit for esure are healthful or exitial the use whereof is in medicine either to absterge calefie or refrigerate with many other properties which medicine requires exitial are those that have an excedent quality as Hemlock But why have Plants and Animals such a familiarity or hatred amongst themselves is a question worth resolving There are certain Herbs which are edible which preserve the life of Animals now the consent must be in principles for all things are nourished by their simile and corrupted by their contrary but whether this consent be from the form or matter is a question not yet resolved That it doth proceed from the matter is a thing seemingly to be proved because the aliment doth not come from the naked form but body of the Plants and when it begins to nourish for those aliments which nourish must be concocted by the innate heat of the Animal and so be changed divers manner of ways it seems rather to belong to the matter then the form but we must know that matter cannot be idoneous for the nourishment of any body unless also the consent of form doth concur for neither without the help of other can be the cause of any action For whatsoever is made from a body that doth consist of matter and form is so made that the actions may be given rather to the form then matter and the passions rather to the matter then form and therefore the familiarity of nutriment is chiefly to be referred to the form although that the concurrence of the hability of the matter be necessary From these may be gathered why certain herbs are so averse from putrefaction but on the contrary apt and ready to the breaking of the whole body and everting of life for the cause of corruption is the contrariety of form and the matter makes repugnancy lest that any nutriment happen to the other for so the seeds of Grapes have of the matter and yet not nourish men and the wolf Thos hath of form and matter and yet averse from the life of men CHAP. 7. Of parts contained in animate Bodies and first of all of Humors 1. HItherto we have spoken of the first kinde of natural Animates to wit of Plants We shall now prosecute the other kinde aistheton or such as have sense 2. Aisthetice is a nature which is indowed with sense 3. And it is Zoophyton or an Animal 4. An Animal is a A sensible and animated body moving it self to a place 5. For Sense belongs onely to Animals and they are constituted for them and herein they differ from Plants 6. This animated Body B is one and simple harmony of many parts by continuation and union of form and it is dividual and variable into almost infinite parts 7. Therefore all that is part of an animate Body into which the same body cannot be divided or remain well whole Arist. 7. Polit. c. 8. 8. And some things are contained in these parts 9. They are contained which when they have a fluent and coherent nature are yet sustained by help of others 10. Of which sort C are both humours and spirits 11. An humour is the liquid and fluent part of a body contained in the spaces of an animate body and so placed therefore for the preservation of the same 12. Therefore whatsoever doth flow in and from the body insomuch that a vessel is required to be subjected in which the thing may be contained is called an humour 13. And humour is either insite or acquisite the insite is engendered of the whole mass of the body having its rise from the seed and menstruous blood for the conformation of the body and it is also called radical or primogenial 14. And it is either airy or oleous in which the native heat is preserved even as a flame by the candle 15. It is daily made of aliment for whatsoever suffices in its place it is needful to be changed by the help of heat but heat in product of time begins to fade and therefore what happens of aliment is impure and if it be destitute of fit aliment then heat at length quite dissipates 16. The acquisite doth come out for reparation sake for the more profitable parts of aliments 17. And it is either primary or secondary 18. The primary is gotten immediately of aliments concocted in the liver 19. Chylus therefore is not to be accounted the first humour both for that it is unapt of it self to nourish the body or any part thereof and also that it is not as yet truly fluid and not cocted in the liver 20. Primary humours are either profitable or excrementitious 21. Those that are profitable and make much to nutrition are blood and flegme 22. Blood D is a hot humour temperate sweet rubicund prepared in the Miseraick veins and confected in the liver of the most temperate oleous and airy parts of chyle 23. With this alone are all the parts of animals nourished First when it is certain that we are nourished of those things of which we consist but we are made of pure blood in the womb Secondly because this humour alone is distributed by vessels over the whole body and so doth accede to every part Thirdly this alone also is sweet and apt to nourish other humours are either bitter or acid Fourthly this alone can concrete by the benefit of the fibres and be assimilated to the body Arist. l. 2. de part anim c. 23. 24. Therefore this alone is contained in the veins not mingled with any other humour although it be conflated of four divers parts which do so constitute the sanguineous Mass as Cheese and Whay belongs to the substance of milk 25. Therefore because nature is not one and the same in all parts therefore from this Mass several stocks of juices may be drawn 26. Those parts are various of which blood doth consist some improperly entitle them by the name of excrementitious humours 27. For those humours are not carried with blood into the body if it injoys fully its native health but if infested with any preternatural affection then it is not blood but an excrement as Aristotle calls it and the Philosophers Nosodes haima diseased blood 28. Flegme E is a cold humour moist white and insipid gotten of a cold portion of chyle in the liver that by the progress of time and greater concoction it may divert to blood and so nourish the body 29. Therefore nature prudently hath hid no receptacle which might expurge it therefore seeing it cannot be evacuated it requires to be altered 30. Furthermore there are excrementitious humours which are unprofitable to nourish the body
therefore they are purged by nature 31. And these are made either by the second concoction together with the blood in the liver and may be discerned or of the third of what is left of every part 32. Two excrementitious humors are generated in the second concoction in the liver the one representing the flower the other the fecies of wine to wit yellow and black choler and whey 33. Yellow bile or choler F is an excrementitious humour hot and dry bitter also being procreated of the tender and hotter parts of chyle and so gathered into the bladder of the gall 34. This humor doth flow from the bladder of the gall by the passage of the Choledochum from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is choler and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is to receive to the end of the intestines that it may stimulate the dull intestines by its acrimony to excretion and so bring down the slow flegme adhering to the interior membranes 35. Black choler G or melancholy is a cold and dry humour crass and black acerb acid arising from the grossâ—…r and feculent part of aliment and expurged from the spleen 36. Serum or whey is an excrementitious humor begotten of drink or any other liquor wherewith meat is digested in the stomach by the action of heat in the liver 37. Part of it is mild and distributed together with blood into the veins and so the same made gross by the coction and plenty of fibres and as it were deduced in a chariot to the extremities of the body the other part which is unprofitable is forthwith expelled to the â—…ins and hence by the Uretra's to the bladder 38. This Serum therefore is matter of urine for this is no other thing then serum altered in the liver and vessels attracted from the reins and expulsed into the bladder and at last excreted by the passage of the vein that purer blood may be made 39. But the excrementitious humours which are discerned in the third concoction do either break out of the whole body or by some determinate part 40. Of which sort are sweats and tears which we put amongst the excrements of the third concoction not that they are then generated for their matter is the same with serum but after that the concoction is made they are discerned 41. Sweat therefore is serum altered in the liver and by the conveyance of the blood is transmitted by the veins and at length out of these veins by the insensible passages of the body expulsed into the species of water 42. The usual and natural sweat of our body is of a watry colour but sometimes it is yellowish and reddish by reason of the tenuity of the blood which Aristotle mentions 43. A Tear is a drop contained in the head and angles of the veins which are in the eyes and doth break out by the watry holes to the internal angle of the eye and by compression and dilatation by the scissure of the conjunctive tunicle 44. Hence it is that the coming of tears doth not proceed from the eyes for they are as it were but the emissaries of the drops 45. It behoves also that nature should have given to every man tears properly so called because sometimes he is sad and sometimes rejoyces whence his veins are dilated and compressed 46. They are most prone to tears whose bodies are endowed with a cold and moist tender soft and effeminate constitution and with a moist and languid brain hence it is that children and women more then men are addicted more to pour out tears in such a plentiful manner 47. Great plenty and abundance of tears do flow from them also who have the carnucles and angles of the eyes great and lax 48. And on the contrary some by no force nor means can be made to weep because in them the Lachrymal flesh doth obduce the veins and so hinder the flux of tears 49. Let these suffice to have been spoken of the primary humours both excrementitious and profitable the secondary humours are those which are made new of insited or radical moisture or of blood much concocted 50. Of which sort are these two H Ros and Gluten 51. Ros is an humour which doth distil like a dew generated of blood resolved into vapour and doth resude by the tunicles of the veins and partly flows from or by the pores thereof 52. Gluten is an humour begotten of Ros applied first to the substance of the part and there adhering and then changed by the heat of the parts and it is called Gluten because it agglutinates the parts 53. Therefore we shall exclude the rest either because they are or may be referred to what hath been said or that they are improper wanting names whereby they cannot be appropriated to any class The Commentary A IT is delivered in the definition that an Animal doth consist of Matter and Form Matter is an Animate or Organical body Form is endowed with sense for sense ought to belong and is necessary to such an Animal and of that alone are Animals constituted and therein do they differ from Plants which indeed are animates but destitute of sense Now in animals motion doth always accompany sense as a thing necessary to the conservation of the animal for because it is preserved by nutriment it stands in need of motion to procure that nutriment but every animal by divine ordination doth generate the whole and perfect simile to it self in which generation matter is the seed of both sexes masculine and feminine or a certain simile that is in stead of seed although sometimes certain animates are produced out of putrefaction yet there must be some certain seminal force therein or else it could not be the efficient cause of any such generation B Because these sublunaries do consist of dissimilar natures therefore they are mortal corruptible therefore lest that God should seem to be wanting to them he hath or dained that they that cannot remain in the same number or at least in the same species be revived by annual succession and therefore by the benefit of procreation that one species should proceed out of another whence the life of the dead as we may say is placed in the memory of the living and the father doth live in the son as the artificer in his work But as God is always the first cause of all natures so is he the true proper and first efficient cause in the rise of all animals The secondary or instrumentary are the animals themselves whether masculine or feminine of the same species that they may make one when they are united and distinctly ordered to the obscene parts and instruments of generation for the masculine is generated in another and not in it self the feminine doth generate in it self and not in another Where observe that perfect animals onely can be said to proceed from the congress of the masculine and the feminine yet some may be excepted for of little animals as insects
compelling them into one of the ligaments serving the arteries to a voluntary motion the fibres of the tendons growing of the junctures are joyned amongst themselves E They are called spermatick parts because they are generated of seed and not of blood which argues that their colour must be white and cold in substance All nerves do arise from the brain and not from the heart as Aristotle imagined their use is to carry that animal spirit gotten in the brain and the motive and sensitive faculty and to communicate it to the body F The veins and arteries are joyned with a friendly intercourse that the veins may supply them with matter of spirit for the spirit doth cherish the blood with its heat in the arteries and there are mutual orifices that the spirit may take nutriment out of the veins and the veins spirit and heat out of the arteries But the arteries and veins do differ First in their original because they come out of the sinister ventricle of the heart Secondly in their function because they subminister vital spirits to the whole body Thirdâ—…y in their substance for the arâ—…eries so likewise the veins do â—…onsist of a membranous body â—…et more solid harder and conâ—…rmed by more crasser tunicles Now a tunicle is twofold exterior interior that fibre which is knit with many strait and crooked windings hath the like crassitude and firmness with the tunicle of the veins but this hath five times a more harder and grosser substance lest the subtil spirit should exhale and the artery it self be broken with the perpetual motion of the heart Fourthly in motion for the arteries are moved without intermission by dilatation and contraction when dilated they draw the cold air and when contracted cast out hot fumes G This question is moved by Physitians and Philosophers about the veins Whether they have a force or faculty to generate blood Some maintain it that the blood which the veins contain within themselves to elaborate more exquisitely and to be made by an insited force and faculty and therefore in that blood that the chiefest degree of perfection is gotten But the falsity of this opinion is easily known by those who diligently mark the thin tunicle of the veins and its white substance Now it is provided by nature that every part of the body should be converted to the other and transmuted into its colour then how can the veins with their thinness and whiteness change white chyle and gross into red and pure blood Therefore more truer is that opinion that the generation of blood is onely the work of the liver which doth make blood by a certain force and faculty within it self seated all the sanguifick force is given to the veins yet they receive it from the liver as Avicen demonstrates H Aristotle and Hippocrates do prove that fibres do concrete the blood by their frigidity because that blood out of which fibres are taken can never be concreted by any cold for when blood is let out of the veins if it doth not concrete it is a sign of death I Fat is the matter of blood and although it be made of the cream of blood yet notwithstanding it is cold and without blood degenerating into fat by the want of heat and frigidity of the membrane it consists of coldness and dryness because by heat it is melted and by the humidity of other parts coagulated by cold The efficient cause is the want of heat which is thus proved because you shall finde no fat as to any quantity about the liver or the heart or any other hot part by reason of the heat of those parts K Take this as another definition of the cutis the skin is a thin part membranous porous endowed with blood the tegument or cover of all the parts of the body which as it is easily taken away by accident so it doth easily grow again which denotes thus much that the skin is not altogether endowed with a sensitive faculty but onely so far as it hath the nerves and of the faculty of blood in it and whereas it is defined to be membranous that is smooth simple thin and white and that it hath a middle nature between flesh and nerves for neither is it altogether without blood as the nerves are so neither doth it abound with blood as the flesh doth whence it is adjudged to be the rule of temperaments and indeed the skin about the hands in it there is the most exquisite and perfect faculty of sense but not so in other parts of the body and the skin is porous that it may thereby attract the coldness of the air and expulse the excrementitious vapours of the body Now the excrement which comes out of the pores is sweat sweat is an excrementitious humidity of the third coction breaking out by the skin in the species or form of water the matter of sweat is the whole humidity which is gotten in meat and drink which thing is necessary to all animals because it might make way for other aliment and not longer lie in the vessels it is of the same genus with urine onely differing in this that the urine is carried to the bladder this with blood a longer passage through the body its efficient cause is heat but not so vehement as to have a drying faculty but moist so calefying the nature of sweat by the habit of the body that it becomes thin and so softens the skin by relaxation that it may the better pass through those whose skins are hard and thick are very unapt to sweat L Flesh may be taken either properly or improperly when properly taken then absolutely that which is described by us and it is the chiefest part of the muscles for the substance of them doth truly and properly deserve the name of flesh that which is taken improperly is the flesh of the bowels generated of blood poured out as the liver heart and lungs CHAP. 10. Of External dissimilar Parts 1. HItherto we have spoken of similar parts Now of dissimilar or organical which are diversly compounded of the similar 2. And they are either external or internal 3. The external parts are first the head secondly the trunk of the body thirdly the artus under which we comprehend the arms and feet 4. The head is the highest part of the body globular set upon the neck the seat of the animal faculty 5. Its parts that are external are chiefly the skull and the face 6. The skull is a crafs bone of the head round distinguished into twenty bones and certain futures covering the brain environing it on every side 7. Its bones are thus distinguished there are two in the crown one in the front two in the temples one in the form of a wedge another in the form of a sieve twelve in the superior jaw and one in the hinder part of the head 8. There are three sutures The first is transverse the crown going from towards one ear to the
in air by inspiration and they continue out of the water upon the earth or at least receive their nutriment most part from thence 11. And they are either such as go or creep or fly Arist. 1 de Hist. An. c. 1. 12. They that go or creep are such as move on the face of the earth 13. And they are either four-footed beasts or creeping vermine 14. Fourfooted beasts are those that go upon four feet or at least consist of four such parts as man hath two arms for two former feet 15. There is a diverse constitution of these as also of the temperament of man for in Dogs choler doth abound in Hogs phlegme and in others other humours whence their temperament doth chiefly depend 16. Fourfooted beasts are distinguished by the manner of their generation in oviparas and viviparas 17. Those are oviparae which bring forth eggs or breed after that manner out of which afterwards the animal is produced as Frogs Crocodiles Lizards Salamanders Chameleons and Serpents all which are endowed with four feet 18. Although these in many faculties of the soul and parts of the body have no little similitude to man yet they differ much nay more then such as are born alive called viviparae for neither do we see the same ingenuity in them which is in these nor altogether the same parts and strength of body 19. Viviparae are such as bring forth perfect animals 20. And those have a large lung dense and carnous filled with blood and therefore they breath 21. The yong also D is nourished and brought almost after the same manner in the bellies of their damms as the childe in the womb of a woman 22. Therefore erroneous is that opinion of Avicenna Albertus and Cardan himself who think that all animals that are gotten in the matrix may arise without it meerly of putrefaction if so be it be true that animals do proceed from a mutual copulation onely but never any man or dog did ever proceed from putretude but seed Scal. Exer. 193. 23. Viviparae are wont to bring forth either those which have solid feet as an Horse or Ass and many others which want horns so likewise many cornuted beasts as the Ox Hart Goat and the like or such as have their feet divided into divers parts as Dogs Apes c. 24. And their yong are multifarious for the many cells in the womb where the seed is contained 25. Creeping beasts E are those which crawl upon the ground and they are either Serpents which by convolving themselves do move or all other kind of worms upon the earth 26. Furthermore F there are volatile beasts which do use to fly much in the air and they are otherwise called birds 27. Aereal birds G have by nature two feet and they do move themselves above the earth by their feathers by flying 28. Their bodies do consist like to other bodies of the four elements of a legitimate commixtion and they have both similar and dissimilar parts 29. Yet they want reins and bladder whereby it happens that they never urine because they drink little and by reason of the heat and dryness of their nature which converts their water into aliment 30. Their generation is of an egg and chiefly of the white for it is nourished by the yolk till it is excluded these eggs engender and do receive life from the heat of the damm sitting upon them 31. And they are sooner hatched in summer then in winter Hens in summer usually sit but eighteen days but in winter twenty five 32. And unless they bring forth they labor under a disease and perish Arist. 33. Birds H are distinguished by their meat for some are very carnous because as they feed upon flesh as those which have crooked claws as the Crow and Hawk and some are fed by worms others by herbs and some by fruits 34. So much concerning Terrestrials Now concerning such as live in the water and they are called fish 35. Fish I is a sanguineous animal of cold and watrish substance of a long body and squamous skin diving in the water 36. Their propagation is much by seed onely this difference some lay eggs which are committed to the water and thereby cherished others bring forth their yong alive as the Whale Dolphine and the sea-Calf 37. In the time of copulation male and female are conversant and the female by a gentle touch conceives eggs in the matrix but they are not perfected till they be sprinkled with the seed of the male for these eggs into which the seed is ejected do become 〈◊〉 the rest remains barren 38. Of the particular parts of Fish these things are to be observed There is a heart in most of them but inverse or much turned in contrary to other animals whereby a certain passage is made to their gills by which they return the humor which they receive into their mouths 39. All their teeth are serrated yet some have teeth upon their tongues 40. Their tongue is hard and almost thorny and so 〈◊〉 to the roof that they seem â—…o be without a tongue 41. They have the parts of hearing and smelling but none of sensuality but the eyes for the passage is broad and open where they should have that sense their 's eyes are without lids 42. They want lungs K and asper arteries therefore they neither have a voice nor breath 43. Aristotle proves it First because in breathing water must be drawn in as well as air which two bodies do mutually hinder themselves Secondly because they do not move any particle of the belly as other breathing creatures do Thirdly because when they dye in the water we cannot perceive any bubbles to be made which happens when there is any animal that breathes suffocated in the water Fourthly because if it were so other animals also might breath in the water which experience denies 44. But some ancient writers and Neoterick Philosophers defend the contrary opinion who conclude that all manner of fish do breath 45. It is not for the former Arguments onely that we part from the doctrine of the Peripateticks but also Julius Scaliger defends it 46. But some fish do onely live in the waters some partly on the water and some partly on the earth 47. Those that dive in the water are either those that have blood or are without blood 48. Those which have blood are properly called Pisces 49. And those are great small middle or little according to their adjunct quantity 50. Those are called great the Whale the Salmon Dolphine and sea-Calf 51. Those that are of the middle rank the Eel Pike Carp Pearch Stockfish Tench c. 52. The least are these a Horsleech Turdus Sprats c. 53. Those that are called Exsangues are such as are without blood and do consiâ—… in its stead of a certain vital humidity and these are either soft or hard 54. Those that are soft Albertus calls them Malachias and they are those that
call cogitativam and aestimativam For Madness Phrensie and Melancholy are Diseases that cannot hurt corporeal affections by themselves to wit simply alone but corporeal faculties also for they disturb the minde by accident because it is contained in that very house or situation where this distemper raigns and where the senses are used But Bruits suffer madness by reason of imagination or their estimative faculty not for their reason or understanding C It is common to all perfect animals to have blood and therefore without it they neither can be accounted perfect or produce any vital action for blood is after a manner another soul. D It is a thing common almost to the Universal Genus of fourfooted Beasts that their generation proceeds from the commixtion of the Masculine with the Feminine and they copulate either at certain times or seasons or promiscuously at any time And whereas they are void of reason especially when they have a sensual appetite thereunto at which time the Male is so furiously inflamed with such an irresistable light that it will furiously assail the Female and prosecute her even till his appetite be satisfied as we see often verified in Stags E All Serpents are referred to fourfooted Beasts because they have Blood Flesh Nerves and other internal Bowels of that Nature with them although not so perfect and also dissimilar from the members of those animals This animal is crafty and wise in the preservation of its life in seeking out a Den to lurk in and Food to live on F Volatiles do consist of all the elements but chiefly of water which we may read and prove by sacred writ where it is said That the waters brought forth both creeping things on the earth and flying things in the air where a question will arise why God produced flying things out of the water rather then the earth Because the greatest part of them do reside upon the earth For upon the earth they feed sleep pull off their feathers and altogether haunt the earth and not the water because according to Aristotle we are nourished by those things of which we consist Birds consist of earth rather then water therefore c. This argues that their substance is hard and dense which must needs differ much from the nature of water but little from earth But for the further solution we must know that there is no animal gotten or procreated in the fire or air but in the water and on the earth all Bodies are procreated and that of the commixtion of siccity with humidity but of the two other Elements they receive light temperaments and vertues therefore because Birds are wandring animals they ought to be framed of an Aery temperament that it may be consentaneous to their nature Now Birds are procreated from the water which comes nearest to the nature of air for it is made air extenuated by heat as we see the density of air to pass into water and therefore Birds are produced out of the water into the air as it were a proper Element for their nature G When in the definition we say Birds to be two-footed and winged this ought to be understood of perfect Birds for there are certain Birds found without feet called Apodes and also without feathers of which see Scaliger and it is called a Bird from Avia because it cuts an uncertain flight in the air For there are three things uncertain and past finding out the way of a Ship in the sea the way of a Bird in the air and the way of a Yongman on earth H Other divisions there are of Birds of which see Scaliger Exer. 227. and of the species of Birds see Freigeus his Physicks I By Fish I generally understand all water-animals that swim in water and all these are produced of the water which their natures doth demonstrate for if they be taken out of the waters they die and perish because they are robbed of their proper Nature or Womb but in water they grow and are nourished by reason of the similitude and cogination of their nature with the place which is cold and moist But how can Fish which seem to be constituted of a 〈◊〉 Matter and a mixed body be produced from water alone one simple Element and fluid I answer first the concretion of water in the producing of 〈◊〉 to be done forthwith by the voice and command of God insomuch that it is so constricted and firmly coagulated that the body of fish is solid and well compacted Again we do not deny but that other Elements concur to this aquatical constitution but water hath the dominion whose nature fish emulates because they are cold and moist where notwithstanding we must observe that this same watry constitution doth participate of heat and moisture in which the vital faculty or life doth consist K It is an old tossed question whether fishes that want a lung breathe Aristotle denies it but Plato and all the ancient Philosophers affirm it and these are their Reasons First what animals soever have not the organs of respiration so called cannot breath but fishes have neither lungs nor arteries which are the organs of respiration in all other animals therefore fish breath not Secondly if fish do breath it must either be by the mouth or fins and then they both receive and let out the spirit together but this cannot be because these motions are contrary in themselves and contraries cannot act together in the same therefore fishes do not breath Thirdly if Fishes that are destitute of attractive arteries and lungs breath then they must breath by the benefit of the belly but this is absurd therefore the consequence false The reason of the Minor is that if the belly of fish doth attract air then it would do so in other animals but it is not so therefore c. Fourthly In all those animals that inspire and exspire some part of their body may be discerned to move as in man when he breaths the brest is lifted up if he exspires it is pressed down but in fish there is no such motion to be seen therefore they breath not Fifthly when any breathing Creatures are suffocated in the water certain bubbles will arise if they be there detained till suffocation but if fish be never so long detained they cause no bubbles therefore they breath not neither do they receive any extrinsecal air Sixthly if fish did breath under the water it would follow then that men and other animals might breath also but the consequence is false therefore the antecedent Seventhly if fishes do breath in the water then it is so that they may attract air which they must do also without the water but they do not breath out of the water nor attract air Ergo c. if all animals do breath then insects also should breath which are animals but they breath not Ergo c. the assumption is confirmed for those animals that breath do breath whilst they live and when
poured into the greater veins from the fleshy parts that are already filled and satiated 13. Therefore this blood is laudable and alimentary whose efficient cause is the weakness of the heat of the woman 14. For the female is always more colder then the male therefore she cannot make all the last alâ—…ment and convert it into the substance of the body and therefore by little and little it is sent into the veins of the womb that it may he excerned 15. The time of excretion is not designed but in many it begins at the fourteenth year of their age and ceases about the fiftieth year because then heat grows weak and doth not longer generate the reliques of laudable blood neither can it expel them if they do abound 16. The use of this menstruous blood is very necessary both that it may cause a conception and afterwards nourish after conception 17. Therefore seed is the principle from which as it were the efficient cause the conformation is made from which as from the matter the spermatick parts are generated but blood hath the name of the matter alone and passive principle 18. For of it are both the carnous parts generated and both the spermatick and carnous nourished 19. But to the seed is alotted the nature both of the efficient and matterial principle because it consists of two parts for the efficient is by reason of the Spirits on which on every side is poured the material by reason of the thickness of the body and crassament of which the spermatick parts are generated 20. And the seed is double the one of the male the other of the female but the seed of the male is of greatest force 21. Neither do the Peripateticks altogether deny women to emit seed as Galen and not a few more have exclaimed against them but as they say they do not emit seed as men neither have they such seed 22. For women do put forth seed but not such as men do that is not so crass white and full of spirit 23. For when mans seed is poured out into the womb it is exquisitely mixed with the womans and is as it were in a fruitful field and immediately upon the permixion of the seeds the womb is gathered up together and doth contract it self so close that no empty space be left within 24. Seed so E taken and strictly comprehended is cherished in the womb by its heat and ingenital property exciting its strength lurking within it and stimulates it to act insomuch that it breaks out into action 25. This action of the womb they call conception which is a promotion of the retained seed to duty 26. The Signs of conception F are these a tickling over the whole body upon the meeting of the seeds a retention of the seed if the inward mouth of the womb doth exquisitely shut and open a small pain wandring about the belly if the Tearms be stopped if the brests swell and grow hard a nauseous stomach and frequent vomitings 27. Therefore the spirit of the seeds is used as an instrument for this divine faculty of generation in going to the bottom or centre whereby the work of conception is carried on and of which the conception it self is constituted 28. This work cannot be made without ordination position secretion concretion densation rarefaction extension contraction Arist. 29. Therefore when the spirit begins to act in the substance of the seed consisting of Heterogeneous parts it first divides its dissimilar parts those that are thin and tender and full of spirit it hides within those that are cold and thick which arise from the seed of the woman it covers without 30. The middle and more nobler parts of the seed are puffed up or blowen up by heat and spirit to the effiguration of the members 31. The number of these membranes are yet undetermined we reckon onely three the first whereof is called Amnios which is next to the yong wrapping it from the neck to the feet containing the excrements also with it in which the yong swims as it were 32. The second is called Alantois it is the middle between the first and the third thin and narrow onely going to the middle of the yong and it is the receptacle of urine 33. The third tunicle is called Chorion and it is the outermost covering the whole body of the yong and adheres to the womb by the interposition of the umbilical veins and arteries 34. These 3 membranes mutually connated to themselves do seem to constitute one tunicle which is called by the Latines secundina 35. The interior and subtil part of the seed being encloistered in these and as it were environed the formative vertue and as it were vital spirit of the same seed which contains in potency all parts both similar and instrumental doth coact together and as it were delineated so that the rude exordium of these parts or at least a resemblance of them may be seen which is wont to be made in seven days 36. For when the vital spirit which is the framer of generation is the same and doth act in one and the same moment disposited into the same matter and altered by heat what hinders but that this agent may decline all parts natural once and again 37. Yet there is an order observed in the formation of members I one member is perfected before another 38. And the more nobler and most necessary the first of all the ignobler and least necessary the last of all 39. Therefore the formatrix faculty doth perfect in the first place the spermatick parts of the male in thirty days of the female in forty or fourty two 40. Nor doth it hinder what some learned men do object that so little seed doth not suffice for the constituting of these parts for the sperme is appointed not onely to suffice the formation but the auction also 41. Again if this sperme which proves Abortive or may be known by the section of the living animal be cast into cold water it will scarce exceed the bigness of a large Emmeâ—… 42. The carnous parts are framed after the spermatical delineation from the other principle of generation to wit blood which flows by the navel vein 43. There are three sorts of flesh which grows in the bowels First the flesh 〈◊〉 Secondly the flesh of the Muscles which is called properly and absolutely Flesh Thirdly the peculiar flesh of every part and it is likely that these three sorts of flesh are not generated together but in order 44. For first of all the flesh Parencyma which is the substance of the Liver Spleen and Biters afterwards the peculiar flesh of every part and lastly the flesh of the Muscles 45. And amongst the fleshes Parencymate that of the Liver is the first made because the umbilical vein doth first pour blood into it which concretes after fusion and becomes flesh then that of the heart and lastly that of the rest of the bowels 46. So that the infant begins
to be Dearticulated and absolute after forty five days living at first the imperfect life as it were of a Plant after the manner of an animal and at last the life of a man 47. And this happens not by reason of the form which is simple and individual but by reason of the matter that is of the organs 48. But the embryon takes aliment onely by the navel but after the liver is made it ministers to all the members but it doth not yet move though it hath life by reason of the imbecility of the brain and softness of nerves 49. The weak and tender members of the infant by little and little are dried by heat and so made more solid and then the yong begins to feel by perfect Sensories and by and by to be moved in the womb 50. But a man-childe doth move sooner then a female for boys because they are conformed in thirty days do move on the ninetieth day which compleatly make three moneths but because the female is framed in forty or forty two days she moves not till the hundred and twentieth day which is about the latter end of the fourth moneth 51. And the infant is nourished and doth increase all this space of time and when it is ripe it is brought forth partly by the endeavor of the womb for it being burthened with its weight and abundance of excrements it strives to be exonerated partly by its proper motion for the necessity of breathing the want of aliment and the narrowness of the place do enforce the yong to endeavor a passage out 52. At the time of birth the doors are opened which immediately after delivery are shut again This we see done saith Galen but how it is done we know not onely we may admire it Avicen calls it a work to be wondred at above all wonders 53. The womb being opened the infant begins to come out by the head and by many painful throws it draws out and brings with it three membranes and thus by the prescript of nature are we born into the world 54. The time of bringing forth is not fully defined nor can it for some are delivered at seven moneths end some at nine and most then some at ten but seldom and very seldom at eleven but in the eighth moneths end seldom any are delivered with a live childe 55. And this is the manner of the Conception Conformation and Procreation of the noblest of Creatures The Commentary A THe definition of a Man delivered consists of a Genus and Difference As to the Genus he is an animal and as to the Difference one endowed with reason And in this it is that man hath a Prerogative Dignity and Excellency above all other Creatures for his minde which is Divine is the Image of God and he differs much from other animals and as it were exercises a regality over them for are not Lyons and Elephants tamed by the strength of man and overcome and made subject to him Man is created with his face looking up to Heaven as it were contemplating upon God Hence Ovid could say Pronaque cum spectent animalia caetera terram Os homini sublime dedit caelumque tueri Jussit erectos ad sidera tollere vultus For whereas God created all other animals with their faces downwards to the ground man alone he erects with his eyes fixed upon heaven whither he should tend B The generation of man is made after this manner the seed of both Sexes being perfectly mixed the whole doth proceed from thence therefore the matter of the generation of mans Body is the seed both of the man and the woman plentiful and fruitful This seed doth consist of two parts watrish Humidity and Spirit the watrish Humidity proceeds from the blood whence Aristotle affirms blood to be a profitable excrement of the last aliment that is of the sanguineous aliment I say it is an excrement not supervacaneous in its nature or substance as Stones and Worms nor in its quality as Dung Sweat c. but onely in its abundance or quantity for because it superabounds from nourishing the parts of the body and cannot be assimilated thereunto it obtains the place of an excrement C The spiritual part of seed is no other thing then the vital Spirit which by reason of this Spirit it becomes hot and sometimes this Spirit is ingendred in the heart and thence sent out into the whole body so doth the Seed also according to the Spirit proceed from the whole because the Spirit is communicated from the heart to the whole Hence Aristotle saith if the Seed did not proceed from every part of the animal the cause of the similitude were false therefore seed ejected by the yard into the womb becomes fruitful when it is exquisitely mixed with the womans seed and it is the principal motion that is the first agent for the formotion of the yong by reason of the spirits contained in it For this going to the bottom as to its centre is cherished and preserved and so proceeds to action as to formation all which things are necessary for the framing of the yong for besides the seed of the man and the woman it is necessary that this vital spirit concur to the conception because the seed of man cannot besmear all the parts of the womb which else will impede conception and if the seed of the woman be onely present that will not cause conception by reason of its imperfection for the seed of man is more hot then womans and although this seed be not so perfect yet it concurs as an agent to the formation although not as the first agent for as Galen observes the mixture of the seed of man and woman is perfect seed whence Aristotle saith that what arises from the seed of man and woman do arise from contraries as when there are contraries in the same Genus and although each seed according to Aristotle is in its Genus an agent yet they do not act alike in power and strength but differ in these functions magis minus the seed of the woman doth concur as the matter of which both by reason of the seed of man which is its aliment for mans seed is nourished and made more perfect by womans seed as also by reason of the membranes which are produced out of it But in this place we may take notice what the Peripateticks in a manner aledge that the woman emits no seed but they are basely and injuriously dealt withall it is an aspersion cast upon them by some later Philosophers because Aristotle saith That the seed of the woman is not so crass while hot and full of spirit as the seed of man but he doth not say that women emit no seed at all D Besides the seed of both Sexes the menstruous blood of the woman concurs to generation it is called menstruous blood because it is an excrement yet it differs from that blood whereby a woman is
nourished and it is called exerementitious blood to difference it from the seminal excrement and it is an excrement of the second concoction which is made in the liver and veins and therefore it is that it hath a red colour furthermore that matter which is contained in the veins and expurged by the veins of the womb is this superfluous blood and excrement of the second coction for whereas the Bodies of women are more colder then mens they cannot make perfect their last aliment nor convert it into the substance of the body to be nourished whereupon that which is above and cannot be converted by little and little is thence conveyed to the veins of the womb where it gathers together into one place and what of it cannot be sustained by nature is expelled It s use is necessary for as it helps conception so it nourishes the yong But here a question will arise how the yong whilst it is conceived and framed in 〈◊〉 â—…omb is gotten nourished by this same blood when it is endowed with a bad quality and puts forth many ill affections I answer This blood is not always so bad as is imagined for those women whose bodies are temperate their blood also must needs be temperate and when the body is vitious the blood also must needs be infected But again this pravity in women is purged away every moneth and in them it is otherwise then in those who keep their tearms beyond their accustomed time the former hath no noxious quality in it as to hurt what is generated of it which need not seem strange but if the same blood be not evacuated at its accustomed time but retained it will stir up and cause many bad affections as the suffocation of the matrix 〈◊〉 and the like But now if it be considered in a woman that hath milk in her brests it is otherwise for then blood is conflated of a treble substance for then the alimentary or pure portion of it goes to the nourishment of the yong and part somewhat impurer goes to the brests and converts to milk and the worst of all is contained as excrements in the tunicles where the yong is enrolled which is evacuated at the womans delivery E After the seed of both Sexes together with the menstruous blood is received into the womb it closes up and the seed therein contained is cherished by its heat and begins to act the spiritual part of the seed passes to the bottom and begins the formation and of the crass part of the seed the spermatick parts are engendred and of the menstruous the sanguineous parts F The Notes of conception are these The close shutting up of the womb A kinde of trembling and tickling over the whole body And after that an exceeding refrigeration Loss of stomach Nauseating of victuals Vomitings c. G Generation is made by the mutation of the power into the act and an artificial composition of many existents in the act the Soul is the act of an organical body but the seed is not the organ therefore not the animate then the power above will be the animate for as the Sun not hot doth calefie the Whetstone not sharp yet doth sharpen so also the seed may animate that is the yong is animated by the seed although there be no soul or life in it I It is a great and difficult dispute among Physitians and Philosophers in what order the parts of the yong are framed some think the liver first to be generated others the heart which they say is the first that lives and the last that dies In this Controversie we are to observe that neither the Liver nor the Heart nor any other principal member nor umbilical vessels are generated first as divers have judged â—…everal manner of ways but that all are inchoated in one and the same moment and that for this subsequent reason The vital spirit which is the efficient cause of the generation and the internal natural agent not the external voluntary hath the whole formatrix faculty in every part where it is joyned to the matter fitly disposited it must necessarily act secundum potentias and therefore all the parts of the body are produced by it at once this experience confirms by those who have miscarried in ten twenty or thirty days after conception when the whole substance hath not exceeded the bigness a grain of Barley a Bee or the figure of a Bean yet all its bowels are formed as some late Anatomists have observed CHAP. 16. De Zoophytis or of things that are partly Animals and partly Plants 1. HItherto we have illustrated the first Species of Nature Aisthetices to wit an animal the other which remains to be explained is part Plant and part Animal 2. And these Zoophyta's are corporeal Natures endowed onely with certain senses contracting and dilating themselves by motion 3. Whence Hermolaus Barbarus calls them Plantanimalia Budaeus tearms them Plantanimes because they have a middle and as it were a third Nature between Plants and Animals 4. Whereas they have a certain sense with Animals Hence they dilate themselves pleasantly to such things as they attract and affect but contract themselves if pricked or offended 5. But in the effigies of the Body they come nearest to the Nature of Plants 6. Their formes differ according to their greater or lesser vertue of feeling all of them adhere to Rocks Sand or Mud of which sort are these Holothuria Stella marina Pulmo marinus Uâ—…tica spongiae 7. To these may be added that Tree which grows in the Province of Pudifetanea to which if a man draws nigh it will gather in its boughes as though it were ashamed and when he is gone spread them abroad for which cause the inhabitants thereabouts have nominated it the Chaste tree Scaliger Exer. 181. Sect. 28. FINIS An Advertisement to the Reader THere is now in the Press that excellent Piece intituled Natural Magick in twenty Books by John Baptist Porta a Neopolitane Enlarged by the Author himself and cleared from divers errors wherewith the former Editions were tainted In which all the riches and delights of the natural Sciences are set forth Carefully Translated from the Latine and rendred into English by a worthy hand The Books of Natural Magick are these 1 OF the causes of wonderful things 2 Of the Generation of divers Animals 3 Of the production of new Plants 4 Of increasing Houshold-stuff 5 Of Changing Metals 6 Of Counterfeiting precious Stones 7 Of the wonders of the Load-stone 8 Of strange Cures 9 Of Beautifying of women 10 Of extracting Essences 11 Of Perfuming 12 Of Artificial Fires 13 Of the most rare Tempering of Steel 14 Of Cookery 15 Of Hunting 16 Of invisible Writing 17 Of strange Glasses 18 Of Staticks Experiments 19 Of Pneumatick Experiments 20. Chaos