proposed in the same and by the same meanes to establish the truth oâ— the cause Q. From whence comes it that throwing in a perpendicular line a chippe or other piece of wood equally bigge within the water the upper end which first entereth within the water shall bee â—ooner remounted upon the water then that above shall sinke to the bottome A. It is certaine that wood being a thinne body containes very much ayre the naturall place whereof is above the water by reason whereof being thrust by violence under the water he riseth above by his owne nature in lesse time then the violence which thrusts him downe because it was but accidentary Q. Wherefore is it that a ball blowne full of winde being thrust downe by force under water sudâ—ainly mounts up againe upon the top of it A. Because that the Ayre or winde wherewith it is full comes to his naturall place which is above the water Q. Wherefore is it that a piece of wood being cast from high to low within the water with a piece of lead stone or any other hard or solid body of the same weight they shall both descend and fall in the same time upon the water yet neverthelesse the lead or stone shal sinke into the water and the wood shall swimme upon the top of the water A. The wood sinks not within the water because it is ayerie and the place of the Ayre is above the water the other sinks because they are earthly watery but in the ayre the wood descends as swiftly as the terrestriall and watery bodies because that the ayre as all other Elements excepting the fire weighs in his naturall place Finger Q. FRom whence comes it that the fourth finger of the left hand next to the little finger hath beene so esteemed amongst the Egyptians Greeks and Romans that they have onely adorned it with a gold Ring A. Because in making Anatomies dissections of the body they have found that there is a little nerve in the same which stretcheth and reacheth even to the heart and for the conjunction and ligature it hath with that noble part they more honoured it then the others and more they call it the medicinable finger Sleepe Q. WHerfore is it that Physitians forbid us to lie in our beds upon our backes and our bellies aloft A. The cause is that lying in that sort the Reines heate and the Phlegme which is there hardeneth whereby is ingendred the stone in the reines it chafes also the blood that is in the veine called Cave and the spirits that are within the great Artery and it likewise shuts and stops the conduits of the excrements whereof ensueth and proceedeth as saith Avicen Apoplexies Phrensies and Incubus Q. Wherefore is it that the morning sleepe is more pleasant then that of the night A. Because that the Sunne remounting in our Hemispheare and comming neare us mooveth sweetly in our bodies such vapours as provoke us to sleep Q. But wherefore is it that sleep after dinner is hurtfull A. If one have watched the night before I doe not condemne him to sleep in the day but having sufficiently rested the night and to take a nappe betwixt the two meales it corrupts the digestion looseth and slakes the members too much dulleth and makes the head heavy and brings one to be carelesse and unprofitable I will say neuerthelesse that although the Physitians permit old folkes to sleepe sometimes in the day because they cannot well rest in the night therefore they may take a nap when they desire it but it is not good to use it too soone after meat or if then but a short one with the Proverb Somnum Meridianum aut brevis aut Nihil Q. Wherefore is it that little children are very sleepy and old folkes on the contrary very watchfull A. Because that little children are very moist and neverthelesse abounding in naturall heat the which evaporates great quantitity of the humidity sendeth it to the brain so as the conduits by which the animal spirits flow from the brain to the other parts of the body being stoppen they sleepe easily Old folkes on the contrary are dry have besides litle natural heat in them is the cause that the matter efficient cause of sleep fails in them that they cannot long sleep whereas I say that aged folkes are dry I mean they have little of radicall moisture although they abound in ill humours the which neverthelesse are not the cause and matter of sleep Q. Wherfore is it that those which have their veines very small are more sleepy then those which have them great A. Because as Aristotle saith very well that the fumes and vapours which have their mouÌ„ture to the brain have their stopping by the conduits of the sence cannot easily flow nor be dissipated by the natural heat so easily as if the wayes were large and ample so then it is requisit they have more time to take away the cause of sleepe as also the effect lasteth n t long Q. From whence comes it that Harmony and a sweet consort of a well agreeing musick be it of voice or of instruments yea a sweet murmur of waters and Rivers the chirping of birds the humming of flyes and other such obiects of the hearing provoke sleep A. The same procedeth from that as the soule is greatly affected as it were seized charmed by the hearing gathereth all his forces for to send up great quaÌ„tity of spirits so as the other sences being altogether deprived remain as filled the Agitation of the same spirits mooving the vapours fumes to the Organes and conduits of the hearing provoke a sweet and pleasant sleep Q. How can it bee that sorrow breakes the sleepe and yet neverthelesse sleepe allaies sorrow anâ— griefe A. It is that sorrow and griefe troubles and hinders so much the concoction that imagination it selfe breaks the sleepe and neverthelesse rest increaseth the motion of the troubled spirits and releaseth the anguish and sorrow Q. How can it be that labour provoketh sleepe seeing it expandeth and throweth abroad naturall heate through all the body and neverthelesse naturall heate amasseth from the interiour is the efficient cause of sleepe making to vapour the fumes from the stomacke to the braine the which turning them into water stoppeth the conduits of the sense which remaines by this meanes filled and bound A. Sleepe comes not from the labour but by accident and mediately not as the nearest cause because labour ingenders wearinesse and wearinesse constraines us to rest so that during the rest naturall heate retires within and worketh so with that shee findes within the stomacke and inwards that it exhales the fumes and vapours to the braine the which provokes sleepe and stops the conduits of the Senses Q. Wherefore is it that the first sleepe is more strong more profound and holds the sense more bound and more drown'd in sleepe A. Because that then it sends
say they benignè agendum A. This is not as the vulgar commonly say that the Fever quartane and the Gout the Physitians cannot see looking all about for they know right well violent remedies doe take away the Fever quartane yea better then the Mountebanks and Empyricks but they proceed more discreetly then they for they love better you should travell your selfe with this Fever then to hazard your lives in giving you Antimony or Sow-bread for these are the violent remedies that beare away good and evill humours together and other corâ—asives so that in curing you of one evill they leave you many others and sometimes kill the malady indeed as I have seene and observed but the But or ayme of the prudent Physitian is to take away the sicknesse and restore the patient unto his intire health and perfect estate not to chase one malady by another as boyes doe with Elder-gunnes by shutting out one paper-pellet and leaving in another Forme Q. WHerefore is it that the Physitians establish not a primer forme for the first matter and principall of things naturall as they do for a first matter A. In asmuch that forme is not onely the principall which giveth being to things but also that it makes difference and distinction and to diversify the one from the other to which diversification nature is pleased above all for if she had but one forme commonto al matters all the things of the world should not onely be of one liknesse but also vniforme that 's to say one selfe same thing Q. A branch of a tree halfe dry and dead and the other halfe green and living is this one selfe same thing A. No they are truely two formes of bodyes but not mathematicall that is to say they are two bodyes different in nature and in forme but their dimentions are conjunct although different in quantity Lightning Q. HOw is it possible that lightning can produce so marvelous effects for it kils Animals breaking their bones without any wound appearing it breakes the sword within the scabard without hurting the sheath melteth the mony within the purse without hurting the purse A. The lightning which produceth these effects is extramly subtile and wholy firy which is the cause that it breakes bruseth or melts that which resisteth it and doth nothing of force to that which yeeldeth without any resistance Q. But what produceth it yet more contrary effects for it makes the raine to issue out of the vessell without any knowne passage whatsoever according to Lucretius and on the contrary according to Seneca it makes a thick skumme or conglutinate substance within the space of three dayes although the vessell be crack't and broken A. Ha! intruth these are marvells indeed but all founded upon naturall reasons for as reciteth Lucretius the lightning can by this subtil heat wholly exhale the wine as a vapour and as saith Seneca it doth it when the lightning suddenly decocts it by his extreame and unexpressable heat upon the surface of the wine producing a froth containing the wine as a skinne of a Goat Cold. Q. WHerfore is it that those whit hare seized with a great cold comming near a good fire fâ—ele a great griefe are like to swoun as wee proove ordinarily rubbing then our cold hands close to and before it A. It is because contraries working veheâ—ently and violently against contraries they must of necessity be subject to the passioÌ„ during that conflict especially the humane body the which being more temperate then those of other Animals feels much more of the combate of those two contrary extreames with griefe but to apply and moderate remedy let them warme themselves a farre off Q. Wherefore is it that cold things offend more the teeth and the nerves then the flesh A. Because that those parts are more terrestrial and by conscquent more cold then the flesh which holdes more of ayr and of fire so that adjoyning cold to another cold the subject is much more effected and offended Q. From whence comes it that the extreame parts of the body are blacke and as it were transpierced with the cold during the extremity of the winter although that in our interiours wee are warme A. It is because the extreame cold closeth and shutteth within the naturall heate and the cold seizeth onely upon the extremities of the outward members as when a powerfull enemy assaults the courtaines and outward walles of a strong place or Fort and constraines the besieged to keepe within the wals and Cittadell Q. From whence comes it that those which are seized with a great cold have their flesh looking as dead folkes and their visages tarnish't with a leaden colour A. Because the cold surmounteth the heate and congealeth the blood and for this cause old folkes for want of naturall heate become so tarnish and looke with a leaden colour Q. Wherefore is it that those which are chill with cold are so unperfecâ— in talking or speaking A. Because that the cold shutting and thickning the humidity bindes up their tongues and takes away the easinesse of its moving as also that their shaking caused by the cold causeth itso Q. Wherefore is it that the cold benumbeth and makes animals slothfull A. Because that it chaseth the naturall heate from the interiour parts and is the cause that the body being exterially seized with it the members are restrayned all stiffe and as taken and bound so as they are not able to exercise their functions and remaine all unable and benumb'd Fruits Q. WHerfore is it that of fruits some are within their parts unprofitable and are nothing worth to eate and others as Nuts and Chesnuts A. It is because that nature is so pleased with her diversity and neverthelesse shee so diversifieth with such a providence that shee intends principally to the generation and conservation of their kinds and it is therefore that shee hideth and shuts up within the seede of the fruits and puts on the out-side that which is least profitable to the production of the like Q. Wherefore is it that the fruits and such as are most tender little and furthest from their maturity and perfection are in so much the more bitter A. Because that with time they are decocted alwayes to more advantage ripening and becomming more sweete and savorous by the exhalation of the superfluous humidity and by the heating of the Sunne Q. Wherefore is it that vulgarly they hold that after raw fruite they must be temper'd with drinking wine A. Because that raw fruite boyling within the stomacke as must within the vessell as being hot moist and further being heated within the stomacke with naturall heate but wine being infused cocts the crudity humidity rebounding besides wine by his stroÌ„ger heat extincts the boyling of the raw fruite and abateth his waight but water although contrary to the quality of Wine is also very good and more wholesome after raw fruite although the common speech of drinkers say that it cooles and
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
Philosopher that by comming old the naturall humiditie is exhal'd and the corrupt humours affect more easily their haire Q. From whence proceedeth the the divers colours of the haire A. From the divers temperaments of the humours whereof they are composed nourished for example those which have their humours much boyled have black haire as the Ethiopians Egyptians Moores Affricans and others those which have them indifferently boyled are red or deep yellow according as the matter is more or lesse boyled or according to the mixture of Phlegme with choler but these which abound in Phlegme and Crude humours have flaxen haire Q. From whence comes it that some have naturally their haire curled A. Galen yeelds many reasons saying that frizling of the haire is caused by the temperature hot and dry of the person as wee see that little long and straight bodies when we dry them at the fire they bend and reply or it may proceed saith he from the weaknes of the matter of the haire which cannot remain streight streached all a long but turneth up againe and frizells below or we may with Aristotle attribute the same with a double mooving from the matter of the haires which are but of sooty exhalations the which being something hot and dry and by the same holding of Terrestriate and firy quality the earthly fals downe below and the fire affects the height it falls then of necessity that by this double and contrary motion the haire frizels and curles all which reasons are sufficiently receiveable Q. Wherefore is it that those which have their haire rough grosse and harsh are ordinarily more strong robust and couragious then those which have it soft smooth and subtile A. Intruth the same may bee noted in many sorts of Animals as in Sheepe in Hares and in such other cowardly and flying Animals which have all their wooll or haire downish and lies smooth but in the contrary Lyons Boares and Bares have it rough and staring the which is found by experience also true amongst men and not without reason for haire which is harsh rough and grose testifieth that there is great aboundance of naturall heat mixed with the humiditie the which opening the pores giveth passage to the humours which are the matter of the haire to this purpose saies very well a Latine Poet A thick beard and curled locks Shewes a soldier fit for knocks Q. Wherefore is it that those which have curled locks are ordinarily camesd or the nose turning up A. Because they have the blood very hot and boyling and heat hindreth superfluous matter to strech and extend for the nose is of Cartilages and a Cartilage is a kinde of bony substance and the bone is of a superfluous matter for this cause also little children having boyling blood have their noses also turning up Q. Wherefore is it that such complexionated persons are more watchfull then others A. In as much that they are dry and the humidity dryed up hindreth the sleepe upon the contrary reason those which abound in moyst humors as little children women and drunkards and those which often wash and bath themselves are very much given to slee ping Q. Wherefore is it that those which have red haire are deemed commonly naughty boyes A. Because they are of a fiery nature hasty and cholerick but those which are well bred knowe how to moderate and rule their passions Q. Wherefore is it that those which have the haire of their head of one colour and their beard of another are ordinarily dangerous A. Because that it marks in them an inequality of their humours and complections which makes them naturally variable deceivers and disguised if they correct not their evill nature by good discipline from whence ariseth this common saying A black head and a red beard Take him with a good turne and chop ofâ— his head Dogges Q. WHerefore is it that the Dog excels in smell more then all other Animals A. The cause is that according to the proportion of his body he hath the Nerve of that sence more great then any other Animal And man in the contrary hath it very little so that he smells not very much Q. Wherefore is it that a dog of all other Animals remaines lynde or fastned within to the female after coupling without being able easily to unloose and undoe A. Alexander Aphrodeisea saith the cause is that the bitch in her native waies is very straiâ—â—â— and the verge of the dog being swolne within by the Ebullition of the spirits he is hardly able to withdraw it after the coupling HEAVEN Q. HOw is it that we have some small perceivance of the number of Heavens A. By 2 principall meanes the one is by the eclipses defaults or obscurity of the stars are eclipsed and hidden from us a certain time by others it is a firme argument that they finde betwixt our sight and those which they eclipse and make defalling of light to us that they are in some more low stage of the Heavens for if they were not below they would not robbethe other light from our sight The other proofe is drawne from the diversity and different mooving of the Heavens for all naturall bodies have one onely proper and particular motion yet neverthelesse they note divers movings in the Heavens and more great number in the inferiour Orbes then in the superiour for it is infallible that the inferiour receive this diversity of moovings besides their owne naturall from the superiour Orbes and therefore it is of necessity that there should be as many Heavens as there be divers motions Q. How is it that they have a little learned that the Heavens are round A. I have brought out to that purpose many reasons in my Physicke of which I will repeat heere the principall in few words First that the Heavens inclosing and containing all the other bodies of the universe ought to have the figure thereto most capable is round Sphearick or circular secondly that the Heauens being the bodies most mooveable of the world as wee may perceive by the continuall motion we ought therefore to attribute this figure to them as most proper to the motion thirdly that if the Heauens were of any other figure but round they would be jumbling and dashing or piercing and penetrating with their angles corners and extremities in turning and rowling the one within the other or â—else there must rest some vacuity or voydnesse betwixt the angles corners or extremities of their bodyes which were absurdities in and against nature fourthly that if they were of any other figure but round in one selfe day the Sunne the Moone and the other Starres which are carryed by the rapidity or incogitable swiftnesse of the primum mobile or first mover should make in foure and twenty houres the Center of the Universe to appeare at certaine houres more great then at other times from measure taken when they approach neare the earth which being not it must be concluded that the Heavens
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