resting upon one of our armes it will be benumb'd and become as unsensible A. It is because that in pressing upon it the blood retires and runnes to the other parts of the body with the blood the natural heate its inseparable coÌ„panion and with them both the animal spirits causers of the feeling so that the member left of the blood of the naturall heate and of the animall spirits and seized with the cold remaines as insensible and immoveable Grafting Q. FRom whence comes it that trees grafted or inoculated be are better fruite then the wilde ones and yet more those which are againe inoculated beare yet better those which have bin twice I meane A. It is that Nature perceiving some want betakes her suddainely to repaire by a more ample and better nourishment so that the Tree being cut or slit to graffe in shee sendeth so much food as is necessary and of the best to that part slit and cut the which she fortifies in as much more as shee was sluggish before and produceth more faire and better fruite the same likewise hapneth to ruptures which being well joyned and set the Callus becomes more hard then the bone it selfe Q. Wherefore is it not good to graffe and inoculate in all times but onely in the Spring A. Because that in the Winter the over-much cold makes the Trees to dye by insinuating into the opening or incision of the graffe and in Summer the excessive heate withers the tree and kills it Likewise in Autumne it profiteth not neither in respect of the colds neerely comming which are enemies to Natures productions but in the Spring time because there is no very great frosts after the grafting is made but a temperate heate the friend of nature ayding to their increase and perfection Egges Q. WHerefore is it that Egges are such a good nourishment to the humane body A. Because that they are hot and give ayde by their owne decoction without much borrowing of naturall heate neverthelesse those which are roasted in the imbars and eaten without so me liquor as Verjuice Vineger or other the like are not good for aguish people because they are affected with a strange heat by the fever they doe adde yet more heat to the fever Sneezing Q. WHerefore is it that men sneeze more strongly and more often then any other Animals A. It is because they eate ordinarily more then need and of many sorts of meat too which is the cause that they cannot so well digest as other Animals so great quantity of vapours mounting to the braine which moveth and provoketh them to discharge it which they doe by the means of sneezing which proceedeth as saith the Philosopher by the force of the Spirits then when the humiditie forceth them to exhale and distill or by the strength or expulsion of some raw and undigested humour or as the Philosopher likewise saith man having the conduits of his nostrils more ample and open in respect to the proportion of his body he lodgeth more winde and spirits there which provoke him to sneeze I will adde hereunto that man having according to his temporall masse more brain then any other Animall so hath he more humiditie so as he growing cold great quantity of humours fill the conduits the which thrusting out by the effect of the spirits it makes that hee sneezeth strongly in and by this conflict and with great noise Q. Wherefore is it that old folkes sneeze with more pain then young A. Because they have the conduits of their nose more shut and more straight and as it were taken and clos'd together Q. But why have they the conduits of their nose more shut then the young A. Because they are cold and cold restraines and shuts Q. From whence comes it that sneezing wee shake shrug and tremble A. It is because the vaines voyd themselues of a certaine humour or heated spirit and fill them againe with fresh ayre for they cannot remaine empty it is that which maks us to shake the same happeneth to us in emptying the bladder Tickling Q. WHerefore is it that wee tickle not our selves A. Because that our touch is to us naturall and familiar and things familiar and ordinary mooves nor affects us much Q. Wherefore is it that we are very ticklish in the soles of our feet and under our arme-pits A. Because that the skinne in those parts is stretched and very delicate as also they are parts that we are seldome touched by which as I have formerly said give more cause of motion and effection Q. Wherefore is it that we are very ticklish about the place of the Spleen A. Because that the Spleene being a part spongeous and delicate it is also more easily affected so that men the which feeling the body shot through that part of the body have dyed laughing Heate Q. WHerefore is it that hot things are sooner cold in the Sun then in the shadow A. Because in the shadow the cold locks up the heat and hindreth it from dilating or exhaling which is the cause that it is more strong and vigorous And in the Sunne by the contrary the heat is extended or exhaled by the Ayre which is his neighbour which being heated by the reflection and stroke of his rayes so that it is much more weak and feeble for the same cause the fire is lesse hot in Summer where the Sunne shineth upon it then it is in Winter or in the shadow Q. From whence comes it that a peece of Iron red hot in the fire is much more hot and burnes much more then the fire it selfe seeing that the Philosophers hold that that wich is such by the meanes of another that which is the cause ought to be much more it selfe A. That the fire being a body simple and nothing solide cannot worke so powerfully as the Iron or some other body that is solide thick and grose unto which the fire hath imparted his quality Baldnesse Q. WHerefore is it that we become more bald in the fore part of the head then behinde it A. Because that the fore part of the head is more soft and more thinne and divided by many seames as we may see in the sculs of the dead and the hinder part is in the contrary very hard and close by reason whereof the humidity which is the nourishment of the hayre is exhaled more eaâ—â—ly from the parts before whereby it loseth the haire sooner then of that behinde Q. Wherefore is it that those which have curled locks become soonest bald and later gray then others A. They become sooner bald because that they are of complection hot and dry so that the hayre the which is also dry falls of for want of moysture which is its nourishment they are also later gray then others because their heat consumes the moist humour which is the cause of whitenesse of the hayres being it selfe of the same colour Q. But wherefore is it that Eunuches become seldome bald A.
being extreame hot it conceives easily his like and yet entertaines freely what he hath of matter Q. Wherefore is it that it is more light then any other liquour and likewise that it will swimme upon oyle A. It is because that it holds both of ayre and of fire which are the two light and subtill elements for all that is earthly and grosse in the wine whereof it was made and drawne by the Alembicke was separated from it Q. Wherefore is it that it being mixed with any other liquour it hinders it from freezing even during the extremity of thewinter A. Because that it is exteamly hot of it selfe and therefore it is called burning water the cause whereby it resists so the cold be it never so sharpe and vehement Q. VVherefore is it that it is not profitable to a leane and dry person A. Because it drieth and burneth the humours which be not superfluous but rather defailing in leane and dry persons it were better therefore they did conserve them then consume them Echo Q. WHerefore is it that the Echo reports more clearely to our hearing the last syllables then the first A. It is because that the first are broken by the last or that we are too neare or that wee speake the last in measure â—onger then the Echo giveth us the first and so we cannot so well understand them Elements Q. HOw can it be that the Elements which haue their qualities so contrary may be hoâ—den with so straight and perfect a bond together without destroying the one the other by their neighbourhood A. It is that their qualities are so justly and perfectly ballanced and proportioned that they themselves are the band which most strictly ties them the one being not able to undertake nothing too much upon the others for even as a consort of foure good voyces discordant in tone neverthelesse agreeing in their Systeme is much more harmonious then if they all agree'd in the unison likewise the accord of the foure Elements consisteth in their discord by the just proportion of their forces Infants Q. WHerefore is it that Infants which are borne in the 7 moneth after their conception many times live those which are borne in the 8 seldome doe A. Some attribute this to the order of the seaven planets and hold that the first moneth answers to Saturne the second to Iupiter and so according to the order of the Planets in descending towards us and although that the seaventh moneth bee past wee must beginne againe with Saturne which is a cold Planet and Symboliseth with weaknesse therefore children borne in the eight moneth cannot well live although that Aristotle and after him Pliny testifieth that sometimes they lived as well as the others and especially in Egypt because of the continuall serenity of the Ayre which is in that Region but the foresaid reason seemes to me more subtile then veritable Fracastorius the Italian thought better how to deale then others upon this question hee saith that the children of the seventh and ninth moneth may live but not on the eight in as much that as there are kindes of corne which comes in three moneths others in seven out of these times they are worth nothing so there is of the sorts of humane seed the one of seven and the other of nine and out of these times the children cannot live the which resolution is yet more impertinent then the precedent for even as the corne of seven moneths is worth nothing at three so to follow his manner of saying those that beget children of nine moneths know not how to beget for seven that may live on the contrary or to traverse it those which are begotten for seven moneths cannot beget for nine and neverthelesse experience every day sheweth us the contrary for my owne part I see well enough that neither the one nor the other sayes any thing of value neverthelesse I will adjoyne although it is possible enough that I shall say nothing to the liking of another but so much I love to attribute to the perfection of the Septenarie number the which by a certaine occult and secret vertue accomplisheth all things This number is very perfect because it is composed of the two first perfect numbers par and impar to wit of the third and fourth for the second being not composed but of an unite repeated the which is no number nor is perfect for his occult vertue I esteeme that it worketh upon all the things sublunary because that the Moone changeth her forme from seven to seven dayes that is every seventh day and shee is more apparent and manifest in man then in any other thing whatsoever For first being borne seven moneths after his conception hee may live in the seventh moneth after his birth his teeth beginne to come out at seven yeares hee beginnes to have the use of reason at twice seven yeeres hee enters into the age of Puberty and to bee capable of generation at three times seven yeares hee enters likewise into the flower of his Age at foure times seven yeares hee beginnes to enter into the Age of Virility and full perfection of his naturall vigor and manhood from seven to seven if wee take heed a man receives ordinarily some alteration and change in his spirit or body or in his temporall goods or in his fortune be it in adversity bee it in prosperity such a change is principally remarkeable in his complection and after all which is full of admiration the climatericall yeare which is the three score and third yeare of the age of man now count seven times nine or nine times seven the which is ordinarily reduced to some extreamity perill of his life which the Emperour Augustus well noting rejoyceth marvellously to have past that very yeare not without apprehension though without danger of his life then as by the number of seven and of nine multiplied the one by the other wee are in danger of death so the very same numbers are also happy for the prolongation of our lives now to cut short this question the Lawyers approving this doctrine from the Phisitians have judged that children borne the seventh month with perfection ought to be allowed as legitimate if by adventure the father had beene absent Q. Wherfore is it that children as as soone as they are out of their mothers wombs begin to cry A. The cause is they feele a great change in passing out of a place so close and hot to enter into an ayre free and cold together with clarity which dazeleth their weake eyes which causeth them to cry if we shal yet further enter into the profound mysteries of our beeing be it that they presage the miseries of their future life which is but a passage and a way not a life to goe to a true and immortall living Q. Wherefore is it that little children have their noses turned up A. It is as saith Aristotle that they have their blood boyling
become untastefull A. Because that by too much heat the moysture hath beene too much decocted and dryed and the taste or sauour consisteth in the mixture of the dry and the moyst moderately decocted by heat as I have formerly said Q. How comes it that sweete meates are more pleasing agreeable to the taste since that sweetnesse is but an index of temperature how then are they sharpe and sowre neverthelesse we are not so fully pleased with the sweete as with those which have some little pricking of sharpnesse A. It is because that the sweet victualls are ordinarily more succulent and nourishing by reason whereof they glut and fill more then the tart or meanly sharpe the sharpnesse of which pricketh exciteth and provoketh more the appetite then it doth glut it Q. Wherefore is it that the sick become ordinarily without taste A. Because that their palats of the mouth and the tongue which are the principall instruments of the taste are seized with some evill humour that depraves them Q. From whence comes it that there are some waters wallowish and meerely without any taste A. It proceeds by the ground by which they runne for if it be fat clay or marle they are fleshy and without taste A gouty question Q. WHerefore is it that they commonly say the gouty have great store of crownes A. It is because they being people given much to their ease idlenesse and to bee still sitting they bethinke themselves of nothing else but to tell over their money and so they contract themselves to the gout by their idlenesse and such businesse Fatnesse Q. WHerefore is it that fat folkes live ordinarily lesse time then the leane A. Because that fat folkes have lesse blood which is the humour in the most benigne and the most friend to nature for conservation of naturall heat for the food which turneth in them into fatnesse turneth it selfe into blood in the leane Q. Wherefore is it that fat folkes are more coole in the venerian combate then the leane A. Because that the superfluity of the food which turnes it selfe into seed in the leane persons is imployed into nourishment of the fat â—having a grosse masse of body to sustaine joyne to this that leane folkes have more blood Habitation Q. WHerfore is it that those which inhabite in hot Countries are more prudent then those which inhabit in cold A. Because that those are more sober more dry and lesse loaden with excrements and the others which are more devouring and given to the throate or swallow because their naturall heate is shut up within their entrailes and by that cause the braine is ordinarily more troubled with vapours and fumes which rise from the stomacke together those which inhabit cold Regions are more cholericke impatient and boyling but those of hot Countries are more melancholy patient and stayed Q. Wherefore is it that those which inhabit in hot Regions live longer for the most part then those which inhabit in cold A. Because that those in the cold Regions are ordinarily more afflicted with the cold the which extincts and corrupts their naturall heate On the contrary those in the hot Regions by the affinity of the aire provided also that it bee not extreame hot at all times are better preserved and more long Q. Wherefore is it that those which inhabite in cold Countries are commonly more robust and couragious then those which are in hot A. Because that the naturall heat of them there is held shut in the interiours makes them full of courage and in the others it is dispersed and expanded through al the members of the body by reason whereof it is more languishing and loose within them But on the contrary wee see many times and that truely that the nations more hot have in most times mastered the more cold and it is by reason the hot nations are more wairy and prudent as I have said before and also better polititians and better and more regular in martiall discipline Q. Wherefore is it that those which inhabit in high places are more healthful and grow old more late then those which keepe themselves and in habit in low grounds A. Because those diseases which are the most dangerous come from putrifaction and age it selfe is a kinde of putrifaction now the ayre in low places is in quiet in tranquility and lesse subject to the blasts of of winde and for the same reason more subject to putrifaction then those which are in up raised places where the Ayre is ordinarily agitated with the windes and so they live there more longer and in better health Q. Wherefore is it that the change of habitation is dangerous to those that are in good health and often profitable to the sick A. It is a good course that those which are in good health should not make change neither of their habitation nor of time unlesse they mean to alter their health as theÌ„ aire is alter'd on the contrary the sick if they cannot indure it receive ordinarily comfort by the changing of the habitation and of the time for if the one is not profitable to their complexion or estate of their health the other may be Breathing Q. WHether of the two precedeth in Animals either the inspiration or the expiration I call inspiration the reception of fresh ayre which stretcheth the Lungs and the expiration the expulsion of the heated ayre which is made in restrayning and abating the Lunges which are like to a paire of bellowes serving to refresh the heart A. This is a question very hard to resolve neverthelesse the decision of the Philosoper seemes to mee to carry a likelihood of a truth saying that since by the expiration of the Animals they finish their lives and dye it must bee that they beginne to live by a contrary principle that is inspiration Q. Wherefore is it that infants â—espire and breath more ofâ—en and short then aged perâ—ones A. Because that infants as I â—ave shewed you herein before â—re much more hot by reason whereof they have neede to â—ee more and more often refreâ—hed together that they alâ—o eate much more having regard to their corpulency and quantity of body then the aged so that the conduits of the respiration beeing ordinarily stopped in them by the vapours and fumeâ— of their dyet they breath more often and short Q. How comes it that one cannot breath but with great difficulty and especially when one is stuffed in a place where there is but little ayre A. It is because that the respiration is no other thing but the reception of a fresh ayre and the expulsion of that which is formerly heated by the within it comes then that being in a place where there is little ayre as also that it is soone hot by the frequent attraction which is in the within and not having more means of attracting and drawing in the fresh ayre it followes that one may bee soone stifled Q. From whence comes it that some people
infallible nor otherwise can they resolve me wherefore children of the seventh moneth live and those of the eight not if it be not as they say in Egypt because of the serenity of the Ayre which is in that Region Briefly there is an infinite number of other effects of whom the neighbour cause is hidden from us to the end that wee shall acknowledge our weakenesse and that wee should not grow proud upon our sufficiency so short in many things but that we should praise God and that otherwise marking the infinite desire to learne which is innated in our Soules the Engine of Divinity and which cannot be satisfied in this life drawing from us a certaine proofe of its Immortality and that it is in another place where shee ought to be made all-knowing and all accomplished by the enioying of the soveraigne good in the contemplation of her Creatour the most cleare Mirrour representing and teaching all things which shall bee to her eternally in view For the questions contayned in this Treatise I perswade my selfe that they shall here finde solution pleasant and not vulgar being for the most part drawne from the Problemes of Aristotle of Alexander Aphrodisea and from the workes of the most excellent Physitians Naturalists and other grave Authours which I have gleaned and beene choise in them having also contributed much of my owne as well in the invention disposition and facilitating the reasons of others so that those which though they have but little iudgement may resolve an infinite of other questions by the understanding of these here Also it is my principall ayme and marke to profit by my labours all sorts of studious persons and that the glory may be to God by whose grace and bounty we hold all sorts of goodnesse which appeare by so much the more great as we communicate his gifts to others for unhappy are those who hide or bury their treasures be it riches of spirit or other communicable blessings THE TABLE OF ALL the chiefest heads that are contained in this Booke AYre page 11 Animals p. 25 Ascending and descending p. 2â—0 A Gouty question p. 226 Age. p. 393 B Bitternesse and love p. 16 Blindnesse p. 22 Basili ke p. 33 Bastards p. 34 Beasts p. 36 Baldnesse p. 64 Bells p. 94 Bow-strings p. 103 Breathing p. 232 Birds p. 310 Blood p. 340 C Crooked Persons p. 40 Callus p. 41 Camelion p. 44 Calxes p. 46 Cocks p. 100 Cold. p. 208 Cause of the Hic-up p. 237 D Dogs p. 83 Dropsie p. 248 Drinking and Eating p. 273 Dumb folkes p. 289 Drowning p. 298 Death p. 403 E Egges p. 58 Eccho and of the Element p. 156 Excrements p. 183 Extremities p. 184 Eating and drinking p. 273 Eares p. 314 Earth p. 362 F Flesh p. 4â— Flame of a candle p. 44 Fingers p. 12â— Face p. 186 Females p. 189 Fire p. 194 Fevers p. 19â— Forme p. 20â— Fruit. p. 21â— Frost p. 214 Fatnesse p. 226 Fasting p. 252 Feare or fright p. 327 Fishes p. 333 G Gravell or stone in the bladder or raines p. 42 Gelded folkes p. 45 Grainesse p. 71 Gaping or choking p. 177 Generation p. 218 Gold p. 313 Gunpowder p. 336 H Heate p. 63 Heaven p. 83 Heart p. 93 Hornâ—s p. 107 Habitation p. 227 I Infancy and Increase p. 1 Infants p. 157. Images p. 249 Ioy excessive p. 25 L Lamenesse p. 39. Lightning p. 207 Letuce p. 258 Laurel or Bayes p. 264 Looking-glasses or Mirours p. 284 Life and to live p. 389 Lice p. 402 M Manginesse p. 113 Milke p. 256 Moone p. 266 Morning p. 276 Moores or Ethiopians p. 287 Musick p. 291 Mice p. 403 O Of Oyle p. 244 P Pissing and breaking Winde backward p. 172 Q Quicksilver p. 28 R Running p. 11 Right hand or side p. 138 Resounding and Retaining p. 337 Rats p. 403 S Sharpenesse p. 10 Stamerers p. 35 Speaking p. 38 Sneezing p. 59 Sleep p. 129. Sweetnesse p. 136 Shame p. 242 Swearers p. â—55 Sicknesse p. 269 Snow p. 294 Smelling p. 304 Sobriety p. 342 Spittle of maÌ„ p. 343 Salt p. 344 Sunne of the Firmament p. 347 Sorcery p. 350 Sweating p. 352 Spots p. â—59 Sight or seeing p. 367 T Tooth-ake p. 9 Tickling p. 62 Teeth p. 115 Tasting p. 223 Tongue p. â—60 Teares p. 162 V Vrine p. 387 W VVayes p. 70 VVater p. 141 VVomen p. 191 VVashing of hands p. 263 Winde p. 364 VVormes p. 402 Courteous Reader I intreat you to adde these 4 words to the latter end of the last line of page 205 common to all formes The Resolver OR CURIOSITIES OF NATVRE Of Infancy and Encrease QUESTION WHerefore is it that during our Infancy and the first yeare after our Birth our bodies increase much more and more hastily then in our Youth Answer Because that Nature being farre from her perfection hasteth as much as she may and troopeth up all the forces of naturall heat which is then fervent and boyling to turne great quantity of food into the increase of the body Que. Wherefore is it that Females are sooner perfect in their growth then Males Ans Because as in things Artificiall those which are done in most haste are the worst accomplished so Nature imployeth lesse time to the increase of Females as being lesse perfect then Males which have much more of naturall heate and are more vigorous strong and robust then they are It is also the cause wherefore Daughters are deemed by right of Law capable of Marriage at 12 yeares of age and Males onely at 14 which age is called Pubertie or Youth as also that Nature is so free to men that shee maketh them gaine twenty yeares above women for the two they went before them by increase in their childe-hood for women decline and decrease and cease to conceive about the 50 yeares of their age and men are capable of generation at 70 years and wee read of some that have begotten children after fourescore yeares as Cato the Censor and the King Massinissa although he had attained to the age of Foure-score and sixe yeares Q. Wherefore is it that the vitall Faculty exerciseth not so well its functions in the increase of the body to the end of the life as it doth to move the appetite to eate and drinke to concoct digest and dispense the victuals by all the members of the body to thrust out the excrements and briefly to nourish and sustaine the body Ans Because that all naturall bodies are determined to a certaine quantity otherwise they would increase unmeasurably being then arrived to that regular quantity for then Nature increaseth no more the bodily masse the which having remayned sometimes in his perfection beginneth in the contrary to decline and decrease So as it is not necessary to the life that the body should still increase without end but it is above all necessary that the other functions of the vitall faculty should be exercised because that without them we know not how to live Qu. But wherefore
are of figure round Q But how see wee not many times in one selfe same day that the Sun and Moone appeares more great one time then another especially at morning and evening A. That seemes so but it is not so for all that but the exhalations and vapours which are betwixt us and these great globes deceive our sight and represent them more great then of custome as it comes to those which regard any thing in the bottome of the water or with Spectacles Q. Wherefore is it that the Heavens remaine alwayes in an equall intervall and distance from the earth A. Because they have not in themselves neither lightnesse nor weight whatsoever in respect whereof they bouge nor stirre not at all from their naturall place but if they were of a fiery nature as some would have them they should descend to the firy circular which is under the Moone as tending to their naturall place or else they must since the creation of the world have alwaies still mounted and that it incessantly as it is the nature of fire to aspire alwayes in height Q. From whence comes it that the Heavens being of the same matter that the Starres are according to the agreement of all the grave Philosophers we see them not for all that and yet we see the Starres A. It is because that the Starres are more solid and massie then the Heavens which makes that they appeare more easily to our sight and the Heavens not because of their rarity and thinnesse neither more nor lesse then as wee see well enough thicke and grosse vapours and smoakes and see not the â—ost subtill and likewise as wee see the water but not the Ayre Q. From whence comes it that this great and vast space or extent which is betwixt us and the heavens to see the heavens themselves which seeme of a blewish and azure colour A. Neither the ayre nor the fire which are betwixt us and the heavens nor the heavens themselves in as much as they are all simple bodies are neither coloured nor susceptible of any colour neverthelesse because of the great distance there is betwixt us and the Heavens all those bodies there which are very rare simple and thinne seeme to condense and thicken and this condensation makes that all this immense extent seemes coloured with Azure Q. From whence comes it that certaine Starres twinkle to our eyes and others not A. Those which are in the Firmament and above the 7 Planets as most farre from us twinkle to our respect as doth a Torch farre off in like man-ner the little Starres more then the most great because that little objects rob more easily our eyes then the great but the Planets twinkle not or very little because they are more low then other Stars every one in his Orbe and likewise that they are more great neverthelesse Mars twinkleth also although that he is below other Planets that twinkle not but that is because hee is more reddishbrowne and by consequent lesse visible Q. But wherefore is it that the Starres more high and further from us twinkle more then the others A. This proceeds from the rayes of the fixed Stars which are in the Firmament and above the Planets their light descending in the Ayre as it were broken in our sight by the motion of the Ayre which is the cause they seem twinckling nor more nor lesse then the pibbles which are under the water seemes to tremble by the mooving of of the water the which cannot bee attributed properly to the Planets by the reason aforesaid because of their rayes comming more neere and that they are greater bodies to resist more strongly the mooving of the Ayre Q. Wherefore is it that wee see not the stars in the day time A Because that the middle meanes or the betwixt both which is the Ayre receives the impression of the light more strong and shining which is that of the Sunne in such manner that that of the other Stars remaines as offusked as being confused with that of the Sun so as we cannot distinguish it Q. Wherefore is it that the other Starres appeare not sometimes in forme of encreasing as the Moone doth A. Because that the Moone shines not by her proper light as doth all the other starres but onely by that of the Sunne so that according as she is diversly infused shee represents her selfe to us in divers figures but when shee is of all deprived by the interposition of the earth she is eclipsed and darkned Q. From whence comes it that the starres seeme to goe before us then when we goe of the same side that they runne and likewise on the contrary a merâ—â—ailous thing they seeme to follow us then when we goe the contrary course of their way A. It seemeth to us that they goe before when wee goe the very same way before and that whirle in because of their celerity and incomparable swiftnesse but when they seeme to follow us going on the contrary side of their course it is because of their immense greatnesse of their bodies in respect of the place where wee are although we go of the one side and they of the other they are alwayes seeming before us which cannot neverthelesse be well marked but that they remaine alwaies either neere to us before us or following us Bells Q. WHerefore is it that Bels of silver are more resounding then those of any other metall whatsoever they bee aad those of Iron lesse then any others A. That siluer holds most of ayre and Iron most earth and as ayry things are most resounding so are earthly things lesse then all others Q. Wherefore is it that Bells covered with cloathes be it of wollen cloath Silke or whatsoever other thinge like yeelds little or no sound A. Because that these bodies are soft and repercusse not the ayre which is the cause of sound Q. Wherefore is it also that a Bell filled with earth or some such like matter seemeth to yeeld no sound A. Because that the Ayre which as I come to say is cause of the sound and is choaked or suffocated by this other body where with he is filled Heart Q. WHerefore is it that the heart is set or placed in the middle of the Animall A. Because that it being the treasury of the naturall heat and magazine of the â—itall Spirits it is most commodiously placed in the middle of the body from thence to expand and to distribute over all the parts of the body as the Sunne in the middle of the 7 Planets Q. Wherfore is it that being so in the middle neverthelesse chafeth nor heateth not so much the back and the parts behinde us as those before A. Because that the bones that are in the back hinders that the heat cannot worke so lively together the coldnesse of the back bones and the temperament also of the heat which proceedeth from the heart is not so forcible to penetrate those parts there Q. Wherefore is it that
hee is seated in such a hidden place A. Nature hath done the like with all the noble parts as with the Braine with the Liver with the Lungs to the end that they should not be easily offended hurt or wronged seeing that these parts cannot be grieviously offended without losse and death of the Animal Q. Wherefore is it that the heart of some Animals being torne with force out of the body wil pant and moove still A. This panting and mooving comes from the fervor of the blood of the spirits from the heart as sparkes and flames from the naturall heat which are not suddenly extincted after the death of the Animals no otherwise then a snuffe or a meske of a lighted Lampe looseth not suddenly all his fire nor all his light although separated from the Oyle Q Wherefore is it that in Animals the most couragious as in Lyons and in Tigers they have their hearts very little and in those which are the most fearfull as the Deere the Asse and the Hare they should have the most great considering the proportion of their Bodies and neverthelesse to signifie a valiant man they commonly say heâ— is a man of a great heart A. The Animals that have little hearts are commonly the most hardy because that the force of the heat amassed together in a little place are more vigorous and doe greater deeds then being dispersed neither more nor lesse then an ordinary fire heats not so easily a great hall as a little chamber and whereas they commonly say a hardy man hath a great heart the same ought to be understood of quality not of quantity that is to say of courage it selfe of valour it selfe of hardinesse it selfe not of the masse or piece of the heart Q. Wherefore is it that hurting of the heart is mortall A. Because as saith the Philosopher that it being the principall and beginning of the life if it bee wounded there is nothing that can sustaine or snccour the other parts that depends on it neverthelesse it hath beene found of Animals that although wounded in the heart they have not dyed of the hurt judging by that that after they have made dissection and cure they have found the Iron head of an arrow or the bullet of a Hargubusse sticking in their hearts Q. From whence comes it that some renowned personages have their hearts hairy and have bin approved wonderfull valiant and couragious as Leonidas the Lacedemonian and Aristomenes the Argien A. Because that it testified an extraordinary calour or heate neverthelesse naturall in them the which excited smoaky exhalations in their hearts and such fumes are the matter of the haire and naturall heate is accompanied with vigour and courage Cockes Q. BY what vertue is it that the crowing of the Cocke so affrights the Lyon A. There is no Animall whatsoever is so fierce and couragious as the Cocke which combats most valiantly even to the death his crow is also very penetrating so as the Lyon knowing by instinct his invincible courage and fierce hardinesse in so little an Animall hearing him sing is astonished and retyres himselfe so writeth Pliny Q. What is it that induceth him to crow every third houre and so iustly at midnight A. One may ordinarily prove that he croweth not every third houre although it hath pleased Pliny to say so that tooke up much by heare-say but for his crowing at mid-night they give divers Reasons as some hold that the Cocke is an Animall wholly solarie because whereof the Ancients consecrated him to Aesculapius Sonne to the Sunne so that resenting about mid-night that the Planet predominating upon his nature is remounting upon our Horizon hee awaketh hee rejoyceth and sings for joy Others attribute the same to his Venerian desire for hee is an Animall which is very lascivious and why having his Hennes about him and otherwise hee is accustomed to sing rather after then before his treading and therefore this reason seemeth to mee nothing probable Democritus as Cicero reporteth held that the Cocke satisfied with sleepe after hee had perfected his digestion as hee hath in him much naturall heate to well concoct and digest his food hee awaketh all joyfull and proclaimes his joy with his owne Trumpet but that great Iulius Scaliger durst resolve nothing of this question but I dare say that there is some apparance in the first opinion but more in the last of Democritus Strings Q. WHerefore is it that the string of a long bow or a crosse-bowe breakes sooner when one dischargeth them without an arrow then when they shoote with an arrow A. It is because the Arrow abates and moderateth the violence of the motion but when one disbandeth the violence of the motion which findeth not an encounter nor stayeth makes a strength against the cord it selfe and is the cause it breakes and sometimes the Bow it selfe Q. Wherefore is it that the strings of a long Instrument breakes sooner and will not stretch so high as those of a short Instrument A. Because that those of the long stretch longer then the others have a more long space from the middle are more further from their center that is to say from the place where they are tied and that which is further from their center is most weake wherof we see divers examples from these words light waight Q. Wherefore is it that two strung Lutes or other like instruments being reached up and tuned in one and the selfe same tune if one soundeth or play eth upon the one neare to the other that which is not touched shall sound and moove also upon her Harmonious cordes and the dissonant not moove astraw being laid upon the string of the untouched Lute or such like strung instrument A. This is caused by the Sympathy and consonance of the instrument the strings of the one being touched the Ayre which is affected with the harmony makes to resound affect and stir the same strings of the other and by the same cause if one strike a string of a Lute which is accorded in the unison or in the octave it will shake also the other which one may prove by putting a litle straw upon that which is not touched and which is agreeing to the unison or to the octave of that which is struck and better yet to Philosop hize upon this subject wee will adjoyne that wee may observe a double mooving in the strings of an instrument the one is it which beats the Ayre then before is string is struck the other then behinde when it retyres after that it is struck the shake makes him to resound but encountering other strings streatched into another tune and out of the unison or the Octave they shall not finde the like disposition of mooving because of the dissonance and disproportion of tunes so as they will not resound at all Q. From whence comes it that the harmony and Systeme of the voice or of instruments well accorded is so agreeable to the hearing
well A. Because that naturall heat workes not so vigorously in them as in those which are â— good and perfect health Q. Wherefore is it that those â—hich are fasting accomplish the â—enerian act more nimble then â—hose which are fully glutted A. Because that those which are fasting have their conduits more open and moreover they have ended their concoction and digestion and that their naturall heate is more free and the matter of such sports is separated from that which serves to the refection of the members and distributed to the spermaticke vessels Swearing Q. WHerefore is it that common swearers blasphemers are so full of oatheâ— for all slight occasions and so ordinarily are lyers and periâ—rers altogether A. Lyers as the Philosophers say well beare alwayes the paine of their vice about them and although sometimes they tell true yet they are not beleeved their words being alwayes suspected for lyers then seeing that folkes will not give credit to their meere words fortifie their Tales with oathes and swearing and so very often they perjure themselves lying being to them a degree to passe to perjury as Cicero shews wisely the same in an Oration of his Milke Q. HOw is it that Milke is so white seeing that it is made of blood which is of a colour red Ans Because it is very well cocted and recocted and more it is purified from the more grosse parts as it is done within the spongious vessels of women so as this matter purified and subtillized as a scumme becomes white In like manner Wine after its decoction digestion becomes white as it is visible in the Urine of those which are in health and the victuals being well decocted become white within but for the outward part the adustion of the fire causeth them to bee of another colour the which the naturall heate doth not for it heates and decocts without burning Que. Wherefore is it that the milke of Women who indiscreetly and too often mixe with with men is hurtfull to little children A. Because that by the venerian conjunction the best and more subtile parts of the aliment goes to the matrix and to the genitall parts and that which is most corrupt remaines for the nourishment of the Infant Q. Wherefore is it that wine after milke is very hurtfull to the health A. Because that the wine makes it to crudde so as the milke within the stomack is as cheese so as it is after very hard to decoct and digest and most often corrupts within the stomack to the great prejudice of the health Letuce Q. VVHerfore is it that the Ancients eate letuce at the end of their repasts A. They used it so ordinarily after supper when they had eaten and drunke much in any banquet to the end that the letuce which is very cold should provoke them to sleepe and further resisting the excessive heate of the wine it might serve them as an Antidote against drunkennesse Q. Wherefore is it that now they eate it at the beginning of the meale A. Some doe it to sharpen the appetite especially when the letuce are dressed in a salâ—et with oyle and viniger for â—t serves also well to the viniger and the oyle is added to moderate the crudity of the one and the Acrimony of the other Others use it for a better consideration to the end that the substance of the letuce beeing brought before any other dish should serve to the cooling of the veines and that it might also refresh the blood and temperate the over great heate of the Liver Q. Wherefore is it that the Poets feigne that Venus buried her faire Adonis under a letucebed Answere To shew the extreame coldnesse of this herbe the which extincteth the luxurious appetite The Tongue Q. WHerefore is it commonly said that the tongue is the best and worst piece of the humane body A. This must be considered by its workes for the tongue is the deliverer of the reason and of the will and then it is the best piece of the humane body if it bee applied to the prayse of GOD and to the discourse of things honest and good and it is the worst also when it is imployed to evill speaking and to undecent and dishonest purposes Q. Wherefore is it that the tongue changeth very easily his colour A. Because it is covered with a skinâ—e very delicate and simple and for this cause it is the more susceptible of the impression of all colours especially of potions or drinks which extincts and paintes it diversly as also that being very spungeous it is imbibed more easily with all sorts of liquours Teares Q. VVHerefore is it that little children and women shed more abundance of teares then men of perfect age A. Because that little children and women are more humid and have the pores and subtill conduits by which issue the teares more open and loose Q. How comes it to passe that many times by great dolour sorrow and anguish as also for great ioy pleasure and contentment we shed teares A. Because that dolour and anguish shuts the pores by which followeth this humour and strayneth the drops which we call teares as one squezeth a sponge imbibed with some liquour and joy on the contrary loseth and makes overture of the same humour to issue out Q. From whence comes it that the teares of a Boare are hot and those of a Deere are cold A. It is because the Boare is couragious and of a nature hot and boyling and for this cause his blood is blacke hot and boyling the which mounting aloft when he is in his fury his teares are heated and the Deere on the contrary being fearefull loose and a flyer his feare and affright cooleth him more his blood retiring to his interiour so that his teares become so much more cold Washing the hands Q. FRom whence comes it that those which wash in winter their hands in warme water feele soone after them more cold then those which wash them in cold water A. It is because that warme water opens the pores and by that meanes gives entrance to the cold and cold water on the contrary shuts the pores for cold is restringent and hinders the cold from penetrating so easily I counsell not for all that to wash the hands in the morning with cold water but to mingle therewith a little Wine because the water cooleth the nerves and causeth shaking Laurell or Bayes Q. WHerefore is it that the Laurell-tree is so seldome touch'd with lightning A. It may bee often touch'd but the flash strikes not much nor leaveth much marke but in bodies which are more hard and which make resistance it doth but passe by the soft and souple without offending them for lightning is composed of a spirit or exhalation very subtill now the Laurell is very souple ayrie and as a sponge which is the cause that it resisteth not the lightning nor is by it offended neither more nor lesse then as wee see by experience that
lifted up unto the middle region of the Ayre which as wee have formerly sayd is cold in Summer by reason whereof the Snow is there conserved which falls not so to the lower parts where in in Summer the heate is predominant Q. How can it bee that hot water cover'd with strawe conserves and retaines his heate and that Snow covered also with straw in a fresh place remaines inâ—ire without resolving or melting retaining his coldnesse seeing that heat and cold are two qualities diametrally contrary A. It is because the straw is not properly of himselfe neither hot nor cold nor dry nor moyst and for this cause it is called of the Greeeks Apoion that 's to say exempt of quality and neverthelesse is susceptible of qualities of the subject to which it is applied to in as much more easily that if it participates of any of them it is therefore it conserves and entertaines hot things in their heate and cold things in their coldnesse from thence comes it also that it is very proper to conserve the fruits and to keepe them from corruption and rottennesse Drowning Q. WHerefore is it that the bodies of drowned folkes come againe to swimme upon the water after few dayes and notedly as they have observed upon the ninth day A. Some say that nine dayes after the body is drown'd and sunke under the water the gall splits and breakes and the bitter liquor which was therein contained being runne out the body lifteth it selfe upon the water Others hold that the gall crackes not for all that but that all the parts of the body being attenuated and thinned by the moisture of the water and the grosse humours being evacuated it is then more suple and comes againe upon the water some dayes after it is drowned But it seemes to me that it is rather because of windes which ingender within the caules filmes or membranes which cover the intestines and the belly called of the Physitians Omentum peritonium as an excessive swelling of the belly shews us for all corruption and rottennesse is ingender'd of heate and heate dissolves humidity and it ingenders winde the which reason is subtilly brought forth by Cardan Q. Wherefore is it that the bodyes of drowned men comming up upon the water swim upon their backs and those of women upon their bellies A. To attribute this as some have doe to the prudence of nature which hath a will to cover the secret partes of the one Sexe more then of the other seemeth to mee a reason too light and I will like better to say that it is because of the difference of the parts of the one and of the other for women have the vessells of before more ample large and capable then the men as the naturall parts the matrixe and the conduits of the Urine which is the cause that they are lesse subject to the stone and beare their children in their flancks besides that their breasts are spungeous and drink up a great quantity of water which weigheth and heavieth much more the fore parts of their bodyes and by consequent drawes it downeward for it is certaine that the most heaviest parts still incline downeward on the contrary men have their shoulders more grosse and large then the women and the bones and ligatures of the vertebres or back bones more strong great and firme by reason whereof those parts incline downeward as also that they have the organes and conduits of the voyce and of their respiration and breathing more ample as it appeares in this that they have the voyce more grosse and more strong which being filled with ayre lifts their bodies upward and the face towards the Heaven and the back upon the water Night Q. WHerfore is it that in the night time griefes wounds and other of our maladies gather together and increase A. Because that in the day we see heare breath smell taste runne and have many other divertments which allayeth our griefes and in the night the sence of the touch is onely busied and is also more affected with griefes together the excessive cold and moysture of the night aydes to it also very much Q. Wherefore is it that wee heare better and more further in the night then in the day A. Because that the noyse of Animals and an infinite of such like things ceaseth in the night and all beeing still in silence and in rest the hearing peirceth better upon his objects and moreover our other sences and especially the sight distracts us much in the day not exercising then their functions the hearing being then the most sharp Q. Wherefore is it that we rest sooner and better in the night then in the day A. The reason politick is that the day is more proper to us for travell and labour because of the light but the reason naturall is that the night is more cold and moyst then the day and the cold and the humidity provokes sleepe as also that having travelled hither and thither in the day we repose and rest better in the night Smells and Smelling Q. WHerfore is it that man excels not in smelling as many other Animals doe A. Because that man in regard of his corporall masse having much more of braine then any other Animal and the braine being cold and moyst and the Odours on the contrary holding more of hot and dry is the cause that the smelling of men is weakned by the neighbourhood of the braine for the faculty of smelling lies principally in certaine little bosses or rundells of flesh which the Physitians call Mamelles which are above the nares or nostrills joyning to the braine Q. Wherfore is it that those which have the braine tempered with hot and dry excell in smelling above others A. Because the odours are of the temperament of the hot and of the dry Q. Wherefore is it that those which excel in smelling have also ordinarily spirits good and subtile A. Because that their brain being of the above said temper the heat serves them to the prompt conception of the objects and the dry to retaine them which are the qualities of a faire spirit Q. Wherefore is it that they have seldome a good sight A. Because that the instrument of the sight is watrish and moyst and that of the smell is of the contrary temperature by reason whereof they cannot much excell in both the two together Q. Wherefore is it that Arabia Felix Africa and other hot regions are very aboundant and plant plentifull in all Oderiferous and Aromatick things A. Because that being hot and dry they have the same temperature as the odours are of Q. Wherefore is it that the flowers which grow neere to Oignions have a more violent smell then otherwise they would have A. Because that the Onyon dry and heate the earth and communicate by that meanes those two qualities to the flowers the which qualities fortifie the odours Q. Wherefore is it that those which are Rheumatick smell very little or
nothing A. Because the instrument of the smell being moistned by the the Rheum is altered and depraved Q. If good and sweete Odours come from heate wherefore is it then that dunghils and the excrements of the belly which are very hot stinke neverthelesse and are of a very ill savour A. No too much no excesse hath no temperature and in these things there is not onely heat but an excessive boyling of them but to the good smel is required a temperature not an excesse Q How is it that fishes can smel things under the water which wee cannot A. This hath bin a doubt whether the fishes can smell and doe affect Odours under the water but Experience hath shewed that they can being drawne by subtill unces and sweet-smelling pastes that the Anglers and crafty Fishers make for baits to take them with and the Philosopher hath so determined it Now the Fishes receiving or perceiving the odours by the Fistulaes and Conduits that the Greekes and Latines call Branchia without any respiration or attraction of aire covet them because they have no lungs for the most part but in our parts wee cannot sucke the water without breathing and in breathing instead of ayre we attract water which choakes us Q. Wherefore is it that perfumes are not so sweete smelling and pleasing neare the fire especially if the fire be sharpe and scalding A. Because that the too much asperous he ate of the fire dissipateth that which is odoriferous and by that meanes the odour exhales with the fume but if the fire be moderate the odours are more easily sented Q. Wherefore is it that in Winter we sent lesse the perfumes and odours then in Summer A. Because that the cold thickens the ayre and yeelds them more soft and slowly and as immoveable to beare the odours as also that the odour proceeds as I have often said of a temperature hot and dry the cold taking much of the vertue and perfection of the odour Q. VVherefore is it that hidden flowers smell not so well as others A. Because that the terrestrial part mingling with the odour bemusts the point of the odour Q. Wherefore is it that dogges have not as good a sent in the Spring-time as in any other time of the yeare A. Because that the great quantity of flowers which yeeld divers odours in that season deceiveth the dogges nose and makes them to lose the sent of the fumes and traces of the beasts Birds Q. WHerefore is it that wee have divers kinds of passengerbirds and not of foure-footed beasts A. Because that those birds being very chilly flying the rigour of the Winter and therefore fly into hot regions as also that it is more easie for them to carry themselves other-where then for the other Animals and to search the regions more temperate Nature having given them to that end wings Q. Wherefore is it that Birds being covered with feathers the which should keepe them marvellous warme are neverthelesse more chilly then foure-footed beasts A. Because that the quilles of their feathers let loose and inter-opens their skinne and by this meanes give way and make more overture for the cold Q. Wherefore is it that Birds have their sight more sharpe and subtill then other Animals A. It is because they are composed of a matter more ayry and subtill because whereof they are light and can lift themselves up in the Ayre and some of them dare looke fixtly the Sun shining in their face even at noone-day Q. Wherefore is that Birds have neither bladder nor tonnell thereto A. Because they pisse not and therefore those parts were to them unprofitable Q. But wherefore pisse they not since they drinke A. Because they have need of a great quantity of humidity to nourish and entertaine their feathers withall and on which they imploy their drinke as also that by drinking they make their excrements more humid the dry and the moist issuing out by one and the same conduit Q. Wherefore is it that birds have no teeth A. Because that the matter of the teeth is imployed in their beake and that they cannot have both together as also that having their stomacks very hot they can digest their victuals without the wing it and by that reason they have no neede of teeth for Nature hath done nothing in vaine Q. VVherefore is it that birds in sleeping hide their heads under their wings A. Because they may avoide the cold from their heads Gold Q. WHerefore is it that Gold is the most heavy of all metalls seeing that according to the Philosophers and the Chymists themselues it is the least terrestriall A. Because it is extreamely solid and more decocted then any other of the metalls Q. Wherefore is it that all metals leave a thicke ordure or taint to the hands if by a frequent touching excepting onely Gold A. It is because that it is very well decocted and is the lesse fat for this fatnesse and ordure of other metalls is as a kinde of viscous grease Eares Q. VVHerefore is it that the Eares which have lesse of blood then any other part of the Face neverthelesse grow red and most then when wee blush with shame A. Because that the blood mounting with the heate to the visage covers us when we are ashamed runnes more willingly to the parts that are voide as to the Eares then to the others or else it is that they are nearer to the temples where the heat rankes it selfe the most often Q. From whence comes it that the Membrane called Mening or Tympan where lies the hearing breakes easily in the divers or those which swimme betwixt two waters A. It is because they are constrained to hold their breath a long time and in so doing this Membrane swells and the water comming to beate above it breakes it if they bring not some remedy as is the infusion of Oyle or stopping the Eares with a sponge or other such like things Q. But wherefore is it that in holding our breath out of the water this happens not to us by the impulsion of the Ayre A. Because that the ayre which comes to strike within ouâ— eares is not so grosse a body nor so strong as the water and so it cannot doe such a forcible effect Que. VVhat is the cause of the bitternesse of our eare waxe A. It comes from a putrified and corrupt humour which gathered together thickens and heats there within and being such can bee no other then bitter as are all things overcocted and rotten this humour neverthelesse is not unprofitable within the eares but being thickned fleas and other little flyes which may insinuate within the eares may trouble us are there taken by this conglutinate humour Q. From whence comes it that wee cough in scratching within the eares A. It is because there is a little conduit which answeres to the Lungs so that in rubbing or scratching within the eares there runneth often by this little conduit a little humidity which
exciteth the cough Q. From whence comes it that the left eare being peirced the flesh is much more consolide then the right A. Because it is more moyst and more soft and things humid are consolid and heale themselves more easily then the dry and hard it is therefore that infants the which are more moist are healed of their hurts more easily and sooner then old folkes Q. Wherefore is it that neither birds nor fishes have exteriour cartilages rising up and ioyning with the conduits of the hearing A. Because the one may avoid in flying the danger which might happen of that side and the other being without that danger within the water those cartilages have been to them unprofitable and nature hath made nothing in vaine Q. Wherefore is it that men doe not moove the exteriour cartilages of the eares as doe other Animals which have them A. Because that the other Animals have a great volubilitie and flexibility wee must speake so for want of a better word in the muscles of the ears the which should bee unprofitable and indecent to men which can expresse their conceptions not onely by words but also by other signes and especially in their faces which are open and uncovered neverthelesse there have beene men knowne which have had this mooving of the eares as all the family of the Flacci of Rome and I my selfe have seen in Gascoigne two men which had this mooving Q. How is it that by a great noyse humming and a whizzing of the eares ceaseth A. It is because that a great noyse takes away the lesse by the repercussion of the ayre Q. How can it bee done that if there fall water within our eares it shall runne out by the infusion of oyle A. Because that oyle swimming upon the top of the water and sticking to the same drawes it with him in running out as also that Oyle is a liquor which makes gliding those things which are moistned and so that which is within shal flow forth more easily Q. Wherefore is it that in gaping wee scratch the Mening Tympan or interiour Membrane of the eares wee shall feele griefe A. Because that in gaping part of the ayre which we sucke and draw by the mouth runnes interiourly within the Eares and makes this Membrane to band his forces to thrust it out so that being so banded wee cannot scratch without suffering some griefe Q. VVherefore is it that nature hath made the cōduits of our eares sinewie oblique and awry and further rampir'd them with Cartilages within and without A. To the end that the ayre should temperate it selfe within his scrues and turnings and not offend many times by his coldnesse the sence of the hearing and to the end also that the bodies which happen to beate within our eares should not offend the Tympan or Mening and to repulse yet better shee hath beene pleased also with an admirable providence to rampire and defend this sence within and without with cartilages lifted up like Bastions Q. From whence comes it that putting the finger within the eare wee heare a deafe noise like a Taber A. It comes that the finger pressing the ayre which is within the Crany and Conduit of the eare and that ayre which is very moovable and subtile comming to strike against the mening tympan or interiour membrane of the eare which is the instrument of the hearing ingenders this tabouring and deafe noyse Q. Wherefore is it that water infused or shed within the eare offendeth the hearing although that many other liquours offend not at all A. It is because water is cold and coldnesse being an enemy to the nerves it offendeth the nerves which serve to the hearing Q. Wherefore is it that a harsh noyse as the whetting of sythes turning of Brasse and such other like things is very troublesome and disagreeable to the hearing A. Because that all noyse and all sound is heard by the meanes of a subtile ayre the which by a naturall sympathy and affection of the spirits or that the interiour ayre or the hearing it selfe is so affected and from thence it comes that the sounds of sweete and harmonious songs delight the hearing as on the contrary ratling of Iron skreeing of wheels scraping of Brasse and such rude sounds are so displeasing it is also the cause why wee sing sometimes without thinking of it and are moved to condole with those which lament Q. Wherefore is it that the Winde beeing opposite to places from whence comes the sound of Bells the roare of a Cannon or other like things wee heare not so well nor so farre as if the Winde accompany the sound A. It is because that the winde being opposite to the place forom whence comes the sound it hindereth the motion and agitation of the Ayre or repulseth the Ayre it selfe which beares the Sound to our cares and blowing from the same side from whence comes the sound it fortifies the agitation of the Ayre and makes it bee brought more nimbly to us more farre and more cleare Que. How comes it to passe that the glasse windowes tremble by the noyse and crack of the Thunder and of the Cannon although they are very farre off A. It is because the Ayre is so mooved agitated and beaten to the long to the large and veryfarre Q. Can one heare under water A. Very well as the divers testifie and even the fishes get them away at the noyce which is made upon the Water or by the water Pliny recites that there were Fishes in the store Ponds of the Roman Emperours which would come out of the water beeing called by certayne names they had given them Que. Wherefore is it that one understands better within the house those which speake without then those which are without understand those which speake within the house A. Because that the voyce of those within goes out and extends it selfe in the great and vast amplitude of the Ayre which weakens it much and the voice of those without entring within cannot be much dilated but is there as shut and is there then more strong and resounding Q. Wherefore is it that wee heare lesse in breathing then in holding our breath A. Because that in respiring we draw the ayre in height and the spirits which fill the conduits hinder that the sence of the hearing cannot so commodiously exercise his functions as also that in breathing wee our selves make a little noise to our selves which incommodates the hearing Q. Wherefore is it that wee heare better a voyce or a sound comming from high to low rather then from low to high A. Because that the voyce is accompanied with a certaine watry humidity the which being more heavy and light beareth more easily the voice from high to low then from low to high Feare or fright Q. WHerefore is it that those which are feared or frighted become pale and wan A. Because that Nature draweth the blood into the most noble and interiour parts even as those which
feeling themselves weake in the field get unto their Garrisons their Castles and Towers best fortified and most strong Now the blood which gives a vermillion colour to the face and to all the parts of the body being retired to the within it must bee of necessity that the exteriour parts by the want of it become wanne and pale Q. Wherefore is it that they tremble A. Because that the nerves becomming cold slack and weake by the absence of the blood of the naturall heate and of the animall spirits which are retired into the interiour cannot support the burthen of the body but the members shake and tremble Q. Wherefore is it that without thinking on it they let goe their excrements by both the conduits below A. Because that the muskels of the vessells which contayne the excrements are so weakned by the absence of the heate and of the animall spirits that they slacke and by that meanes sometimes they escape without being perceived Q. Wherefore is it that those which are seized with feare by an inevitable perill or danger as for example those that are led to execution have ordinarily an extreame thirst A. Because that the heate retiring and gathering together as is said into the interiors dries them and there exciteth the thirst although the extremities of their bodies as hands and feet are very cold trembling Q Wherefore is it that we are soone frighted in the night and in darkenesse especially being alone more then in the day and in the light A. Some attribute the same to the danger that one may get by stumbling or other mischiefe when wee can see nothing but the question is of another kinde of feare then of the danger of knocks and stumbling for I will suppose that if one bee within a good bed and stirrs not the true reason is then that the enemy of humane kinde being a friend of darknesse and as the Psalmist saies marcheth in darknes and is then most redoubtable to men as being a spirit and of a nature more strong then ours and that it is so there is none that hath not sometimes approoved it as in going alone in the night and it may bee without apprehension of any danger at all bnt in an instant a suddaine feare seiseth upon them because in my conceit there is some evill spirit that wee doubt without seeing it as the weaker Animals are affraid approaching to the Lyon although they see him not I will not deny neverthelesse that the night also augmenteth all sorts of feare because of the enterprizes and surprizes which may bee made then with the most commodity but there is another naturall terrour which comes often to men when they are in a place of perfect assurance and as soone to the most couragious as to the veriest cowards for verily I have seene brave generous and magnanimous persons feare spirits in the night extreamly when weak and fellowes of base courage have marcht on a long way with firme assurance Vlysses in Homer durst not goe alone in the night but would have for companion Diomedes the most most valiant of the Greekes next to Achilles I will attribute neverthelesse willingly all these feares come from the force of the imagination and want of faith for by the one and the other wee propose a thousand terrours but hee which hath his confidence in God and inhabites as saith the Psalmist under the wing of the Almighty shall not bee mooved at all with the Arrow which flyeth by day or the Spirits which wallketh by night nor the nightly horrours shall not feare him and to put this in our memories the church sings this in our evening song Q. Wherefore is it that the haire will stare and stand up an end with feare and horrour A. It is because that such passions coole the exteriour parts of the body and by the absence of the heat which retyres with the blood into the interiour and the cold binding and restraining the pores the haire being by the same meanes bound and pressed from the root lifts itselfe up and stares Fishes Q. WHerefore is it that Fish eate upon their backs and their bellies aloft contrary to all other Animals A. Because they feare the prey should scape them below besides that they should make the shaddow of themselves in eating it if they held the prey or the food below them Q. Wherefore is it that Fish are more gluttenous then other Animals A. It is because that being very moyst they have need of the dry and that the watry food with which they ordinarily nourish themselves sustaines them not so well as the terrestriall together that for those of the Sea the saltnesse of which excites yet more their appetites and makes them so much the more devouring and gluttonous Q. VVherefore is it that Fishes are not so subiect to diseases as land-animals A. It is because they are in an Element more pure then the Earth for the Earth is much more mingled with mixt bodies then the Water Q. How can it bee that during the Winter and the extreame rigour of the cold when the water is frozen over with Ice the Fish which of himselfe is also very cold dyes not for all that coldnesse A. It is because that the cold occupying the surface of the water the heate retires to the bottome and the Fish also for the conservation of their lives Q. Wherefore is it that Fish begin to spoile and corrupt in the head and other Animals in their intrayles A. Because that Fish have not much ordure and excrements in their intrailes as other Animals the which for this reason begin to corrupt there but the Fish having otherwise very little braine instead whereof there is aire inclosed within their heads the which being hot and moist is the ordinary cause of their corruption Gun powder Q. HOw is it possible that so little a quantity of Gun powder should thrust out a ball â— bullet so farre and with such a strength or force as is marvellous A. Because that this powder which is firy being a lighted and reduced into flame occupies much more of place then when it was in his masse or earthly substance so that for to extend it selfe and to make way to the end to take up as much place as he needs it forceth the bullet which is before it to flie out with such an impetuosity that it thrusteth it out so very farre that it makes it breake and shatter all that it encounters Q. From whence proceeds this great noise and terrible bounce that the Peeces make A. The reason is neare the very same that is in the precedent question and more as the fire is active and violent it forceth the ayre inclosed within the Cannon to give it place and in this conflict the ayre being beaten and repulsed with such force with the Bullets issue which is within and then ensueth this most fearefull cracke Resounding and retaining Q. WHerefore is it that the high places
and buildings of hard matters solid and well polish'd and are not otherwise subiect to humidity resound and retaine more then those which are soft moist or rough A. It is because that the ayre beaten by sound or by voyce is after rebeaten and repulsed by bodyes hard dry and well polish't and the ayre rebeaten and repulsed brings us againe the same sound oâ— voyce but this returning is not done by places soft and moyst because they give place to the Ayre beaten or received into them nor in places rough because the parts being one more elevated then another the Ayre beaten by the voyce lodged betwixt the two being not equall nor strongly beaten and from hence comes it also that Musick is more dull in hanged chambers then in empty Q. From whence comes it that old buildings resound so much if one make a noyse neere them A. Because that the inclosed Ayre within them being very dry serves as a Tabour against which the exteriour Ayre mooved and thrust by the voyce or some other sound comes to strike and resound by the sympathy that hee hath with it and reports the same voyce the same sound or the same wordes Q. How comes it that certaine â—laces repeat and report many times the same voyce A. According to the number of Cavernosities fill'd with ayre wee heare divers voyces for so many times as the voyce is repeated so many diuers hollow Cavernes there are which the Greeks call Echo Blood Q. WHerefore is it that the blood of all the other humours is red A. Because it is tincted by the Liver which makes it Q. Wherefore is it that man amongst all other animals bleeds at the nose without being hurt or struck A. Because that to the proportion of his body hee hath more great quantity of braine then any other animal and by the same meanes there proceedeth more of humidity so that he is forced when the veines bee full of too much excrements which mingle them with the blood to discharge themselves with that which is the most subtile by the conduits of the nostrills neere to the which the veines come to knit from the braine for as saith Aristotle that blood which goeth out of the nose being corrupt by the mixture of excrements becomes more subtile then if it were intire and as it is more subtile and thin so it runs more easily being by it selfe thrust out by the more grosse Q. Wherfore is it that the temperature of sanguine persons is better then any other A. Because that the blood is hot and moyst which are two qualities most friendly to nature and for this cause even old men which have this temperature beare themselves better then others Q. Wherefore is it that those which have their Lungs very hot have red faces A. It is because that the blood boyling in the Lungs sends up aloft red vapours the which staying under the skinne spots it with his proper colour Sobriety Q. HOw is it that Sobriety and Labour which we naturally fly keepes us in health and good cheere and Idlenesse to which we are much inclin'd ingenders the most part of diseases Answ Because that sicknesses proceed ordinarily from the superfluity of excrements which come from our incontinent eating and drinking idlenesse and too much rest And on the contrary labour consumes them and sobriety and abstinency are the cause that the naturall heate being not too much hindered makes its function the better and decocting the victuals and also consuming the superfluous humours Spittle of Man Q. WHerfore is it that humane spittle serves for an Antidote and Counter-poison to swellings which proceed from stinging of waspes and hornets or the touching of toads or Scorpions spiders and such other venemousthings and even kils the serpents And moreover by what vertue it heales also scratching Ring-wormes or that is called flying fire and takes away manginesse A. It is certaine that mans spittle especially when it is fasting serves as a soveraigne remedy to the above-said things and others the like because it hath in it a venom more strong which drawes and takes away the other as the fire healeth slight burnings now this venom proceedes from the crudities of the stomack and of corrupt humours the which â—ysing from the stomacke to the brain and descending again into the mouth the reason wherefore the breath of people fasting is more sowre and more strong then after they have drunke or eaten and that of sick folkes is more stincking then that of healthfull Persons Salt Q. WHerefore is it that salt and salt peter cast into the fire makes a noise and cracks A. In as much as within salt there is a humidity the which being attenuated by the fire turnes into exhalation and vapour which occupies more of place then did the humidity before so that to give way it breakes and opens the Salt and causeth this little pidling noyse and cracking Cardan hath held that the cracking and pidling of the Salt-peeter is because it holdes of the Earth the which reason is wholly sottish and absurd for if for holding of the earth the Salt-peeter should bee fizling within the fire the Earth it selfe should yet more fizle and crack then doth the Salt-peeter which is notoriously false Q. Wherefore is it that bread without salt weighes more then that which is salted being that all things should remaine equall A. Because that Salt dries the humidity and makes the bread much to evaporate and much lightening the bread And from thence it comes also that hot bread and tender weigheth more then when it is cold and setled the humidity being not yet evaporated in so great quantity Q. By what vertue is it that salt preserves victuals from putrifaction A. Putrifaction proceeds from a superfluous humidity which being dried by the Salt which hath vertue to consume moisture the poudered salt-meat is conserved a long time without being corrupted Sunne of the Firmament Q. FRom whence comes it that the heate of the Sunne tannes our skinne and on the contrary whitens linnen A. It is because that his heat boyling the humours of our bodies and it becomes blacke and blacketh by the same reason the hide or the skinne and linnen-cloath drying more easily in the Sunne becomes more white the humidity being evaporated for it is the moisture that tooke away his whitenesse neither more nor lesse then a white wall becomes blacke by casting water on it and whitens in its drying Q. From whence comes it that the Sun blacks more the flesh then the fire it selfe A. In as much as the heate of the Sunne is more subtile and infinuateth further within the flesh neverthelesse without burnings and the fire having his heate grosse because of the matter wherewith hee is nourished cannot black without burning for neere hee burnes and blacks and a farre off hee neither blackes nor burnes Q. From whence comes it that the sunne whytens oyle in heating it and blacks our flesh A. Because that in heating
same the Fever torments them strenger then it did before A. Because that such sweats are rather indices of weakenesse then of health as also that the excrements and the most subtill parts of the evill humours evaporate onely by the sweate the more grosse and dangerous remaining still within Spots Q. VVHerefore is it that little white spots come oftner upon the nailes of the hands then of those of the feete and sooner to little children then to men of perfect age A. It is because the feete by the continuall travell and exercise of going consume the flegme which is the cause of these white spots and on the nailes of the hands of little children sooner being they are more flegmaticke and more moist then men of perfect age they are therefore more subject thereto Q. From whence proceeds that the spots which appeare in the round of the Moone make arepresentation of a humane visage A. It is because the Moone hath some parts more thinne more smooth and simple then others the which for this cause are so much the more cleare and transparent the other parts which are more thicke remaine to our aspects as shaddowie cloudy and spotted shewing to us darkely which are the cause that the parts more cleare seeme to rise up and to make a resemblance of a humane visage being for certaine that things darke appeare not so far off so raised up as those which are white or cleare Plutarch hath made a Treatise upon this subject where hee hath many words without any reason or truth or truth-like but the solution before is of that great Arabian Philosopher Averroes Q. But wherefore is it that wee perceive it rather with a humane face then with any other image A. It is because of the roundnesse of this Planet especially when she is in the full for then representing to us a humane head shee after represents to us the face The Earth Q. HOw is it that the earth can subsist in the other Elements without tumbling or falling towards unto the other Hemispheare seeing that a little peece of it cannot be sustained neither in the Ayre nor in the VVater but descends alwayes downeward A. A little piece of Earth tends alwaies downeward because it is not in its owne naturall place as doth all this great and heavy Masse which maintaines it selfe in his natural place by his proper waight and cannot shrink nor tumble to the other side of the Hemispheare or Antipodes no more then from ours for that were to mount not descend or to fall downward Q. Wherefore is it that the â—arth sometimes smells and yeelds a certaine pleasant odour A. That happens not alwayes nor in all earths but onely in â—hose which are good and ferâ—ile and that after long drinesse and heates there fals some small â—aine for the humidity of the Earth being well decocted by â—he heates and drynesse minâ—les it selfe with the raine and â—hen comming to exhale it â—eelds a certaine pleasing sweet â—dour as things well decocted â—rdinarily yeeld a good smell Q. From whence proceed the earth-quakes A. They either proceed from exhalations or from windes â—nclosed within the Cavernes of the earth which if they cannot get out strive to give themselvs way by force grumbling and murmuring within and in the end violently opening and bearing up the earth Winde Q. WHerefore is it that the winde is more vehement in a straight place then in a vast or open place A. Because that in a straight and shut up place his forces are more united and heaped together and in a vast place they are diffused and by the same meanes more loose Q. VVherefore is it that when the South-winde blowes wee finde our selves loose and sluggish A. Because that winde by his heat and humidity looseth and weakens the body Q. Wherefore is it that when the south-winde blowes the plants thrust out grow flowrish and fructifie more hasâ—â—ly then with other windes A. Because as I have formerly sayd this Winde is hot and moyst and heate and humidity are the efficient causes of generation Q. Wherefore is it that the falling starres I meane the exhalaâ—ions which being inflamed in the â—yre and fall to the Earth when â—hey are made very hot are a cerâ—ain index or signe of great windes comming A. Because that such fires which resemble starres in falâ—ing so high are ordinarily thrust downward by the winde which beginnes sooner to blow aloft then below Q. From whence comes it that the Windes blow from that side where there are few on â—â— clouds A. It comes from this that the winds themselves chase the clouds before them or dissipate them Q. Wherefore is it that the most cold windes dry the most A. Because they carry away with them the vapours and humidities whereupon they blow Q. From whence comes it that the windes are more weake in places where they begin to blow and in extending they fortifie themselves alwayes more and more A. Because that all things have their beginning ordinarily little and weake and especially things moving as then the Rivers increase to a measure and runne over or overflow the fields in receiving the Rivers of all sides so the windes augment them with the matters of exhalations and neverthelesse fortifie themselves by blowing more strongly as they still extend for the after-movings are fortified by the precedents Sight or seeing Q. See wee or as speake the Philosophers the vision or is it made by the emission or sending out of the rayes of our eyes or by the reception in our eyes of the species or images of obiects belonging to the sight For example when I see a house a man or a horse is it that the rayes of my eyes glancing upon those obiects bring backe the image to the sight or is it that the image diffuseth it selfe through the ayre and sometimes by the water which is the medium betwixt our eies the obiect and so is received into the sight A. This hath beene a very great dispute agitated â—long amongst the Ancients and even to this day is amongst the Opinionists but I will resolve it onely thus that the vision making in an instant it selfe the object of things most farre it is impossible that it can make it selfe by the emission of the rayes of the eyes because that in an instant it cannot penetrate to the objects as in example even to the very Stars and then to retire backe againe and to bring the images to the sight therefore it must be of necessity that the vision is made by the reception of the species or images from the objects the which representeth themselves in all the space of the medium which is betwixt the objects and our eyes if some opacous body hinder it not Q. Wherefore is it that comming out of darknesse and going into the light or on the contrary going out of a very cleare light place and entring into a shadowed place we see not very clear but as it were
is it that wee see more exactly upon one eye then with both by reason whereof to better see wee are accustomed to close or shut the one A. Because that although their mooving be accordant and uniform neverthelesse being double it is not so exact and certain as being simple because that proceeding only from one there is nothing that can bee it never so little yeeld their mooving unequall as also that all the two eyes having one selfe principall and one selfe faculty and vertue of their mooving and function it is more vigorous and certaine being joyned and united for when wee shut the one and hold the other open it runnes and yeelds all to that onely which is open as is easie to judge by the example of the question following Que. Wherefore is it that some little flie or some little straw falling within one of our eyes the soverayneremedy for thrusting it out is to shut or halfe-close the other A. Because that the visuall spirits which runne flowes or passe by the Nerves optick within the two eyes yeelding it selfe all in grosse into him which is open finding the other close and filling him thrusts out this hindring stranger especially if it be very light Q. Wherefore is it that having two eyes wee cannot for all that looke with one aloft and the other below or with one here and another there as wee remoove the Armes or the Legs diversly A. Because as I have formerly said in the first question both the eyes together have one selfe principall of Seeing and therefore one selfe mooving nature haveing so ordained it to the end that they should not deceive themselves in the perception of their object as if they regarded it diversly which is not the same of the Armes and of the Legges that have every one their particular principall of their mooving and of their forces Q. From whence comes it that pressing one of the eyes either above or below wee see the obiect double A. Because that by this means the muskells of one eye beeing more shut then those of the other wee breake the Society of the eyes which conspire and accord intirely in their moovings affections and passions and scituating the instruments of the sight the one more high then the other it is of force that wee see two objects for in this sort they making two divers moovings also wee see two times not one onely the which wee may understand by the example of the touch for if wee crosse two fingers of one hand putting the ends the one upon another and then rowle a little pellet it will seeme to the touch two pellets because you touch two times one selfething Q. Wherefore is it that having two eyes yet we for all that see but one onely species or image of the obiect A. No otherwise then although we have two eares yet we heare but one sound cause is the principall of their moving being one thing and these two organs making but one and the same sence but provident Nature hath so pleased that one sence should have two instruments to the end that if wee should come to the perfection of one the other might remaine quiet Q. Wherefore is it that we see not the obiect which is right against or close to our sight A. Because that the sight is made by the meanes or medium illuminated or transparent as the ayre is so that if there bee not a medium illumined or transparent as is the aire and the water cleare and cleane betwixt our eyes and the object wee should not see for according to that Maxime of the Philosopher the â—encible object being applied right against us or close to the organ of the sence hinders the â—encibility the which Maxime is infallible to the sence of the sight Q. From whence comes it that when we are greatly moved with choler our eyes grow red as Homer said of Achilles when he grew wrathfull against Agamemnon Ans It is because that then when the blood boyleth the more subtill parts of it mount aloft and appeare principally in the eyes because that they are transparent Q. VVherfore is it that smoake vinegar onions and other sharpe and biting things are ill to the Eyes A. Because they are extreamely delicate and have moreover the pores and conduits much open they are therefore more easily affected and offended with those things the which exhale from vapours sharpe subtill and biting Q. VVherefore is it that being so delicate they are neverthelesse nothing chilly for all the cold that such things make A. It is because that they have in them Luminous and hot spirits and moreover they are furred with fatty and many tunicks Q. Wherefore is it that the teares which proceed from sorrow and trouble are hot and salt and those which proceede from some malady of the Eyes are cold and little or nothing strongly salt A. In asmuch as the Eyes being infected with malady there is great quantity of superfluous humidity which cannot bee decocted by the heat remains cruse and by consequent cold and then when the eyes are not infected with malady the heat easily decocts the humidity which is the cause that so being well decocted it is hot sharp and saltish Q. From whence comes it that the left eye shuts more easily then the right seeing that the right parts of the body are more vigorous then the left A. Because that the left eye is more moist for moyst things are more easie to restraine and shut now since all the left side of the body is most moyst it appeares by this that it is more soft and lesse robust and strong Q. Wherefore is it that man is more subiect to have his eyes turned more then any other Animal A. Because that man especially in his infancy is more subject to lofty evills then any of the other Animals the which malady by the extreame convulsions which it gives may make the eyes to tnrne as being â—ore moveable and more deliâ—te and yet sooner then any oâ—er part of the body as also â—at man having the eyes more â—eare one to another then any â—ther Animal and looking beâ—wixt them to the forehead this 〈◊〉 the cause that this default is â—ore easily to bee remarked in â—e eyes of man Q. VVherefore is it that those â—hich have double balls in their â—es are suspected to be witches A. As the other imperfections â—f the soule are most often marâ—ed by the imperfections of the â—ody so this vice of the eyes is 〈◊〉 marke of this other vice of the â—oule Vrine Q. WHerefore is it that in the Vrine the more it is retained within the bladder the more it becâ—mes stinking and the fecale and grosse matter on the contrary the more it is retained within the intestins the lesse it stinks A. It is because the urine becomes more greasie more sharp salt and grosse within the bladder and by the same meanes more stinking because that it is there more decocted being long retained and on