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
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.
abateth this extraordinary boyling for so saith Aristotle in his Problems and the wisest Physitians approveit Frost Q. WHerefore is it that the Frost and Ice being ingendred of one selfe same matter that is Raine it freezeth not for all that as it raines in all seasons A. Because that the Snow and Raine comes from great clouds amassed from vapours which are drawne into the middle region of the Ayre and there hanging many dayes and the Hayle comes not but from vapours drawne from the bodies hanging one night the same vapours being not able to lift themselves high are congealed and taken together by the cold in cold seasons but in seasons temperate and warme they come to dissolve in small drops of water which wee call the dew Q. Wherefore is it that water and oyle congeales easily so doth not Wine nor Vinegar or saltish waters A. It is because that Wine or saltish waters having in them some heate resist easily the cold and cannot be brought to congeale but very seldome or by an extreame cold Vinegar also because it is very subtile and retaines some thing of the qualities of wine resisting also the cold but water beeing very cold and participating with the grosse vapours of the earth is easily taken congealed with the cold and oyle being temperate resisteth more the cold then the water but not so much as wine and liquors more hot Q. But wherefore is it that in frosty weather a little fall or an overturne maks us runne into the danger of breaking an arme or a legge sooner then in other seasons A. The cause is that the humidity being bound in by the cold the body and limbes are more stiffe more bended and by the same meanes more fraile brittle and more easie to break even as candles frozen be they of waxe of tallow or of rosin as also on the contrary the humidity being spread diffused through all the body the members are more loose flexible Q. Wherefore is it that Aqua vitae being mixt with any other liquour keepes it from freezing A. Because it is very hot and therefore it is called burning water and is very good in your inke in the winter-time Q. How comes it that the cakes of ice swimme upon the top of the water in Rivers A. Because they are made of the most light water that is to say of that which is uppermost for the bottome of Rivers congeale not because that all the heate retires thither flying the cold which seizeth upon the surface of the water of the earth Q. Wherefore is it that the bodies most grosse are sooner congcaled and frozen then the subtile and smooth as by example the mud sooner then the water A. Because that the more subtill being more active resists â—more then the passive neverthelesse if the more grosse bodies bee more hot and they resist yet more easily then the subtile cold so the wine resists the frost more then the water and the water of the Sea more then the water of the River Generation Q. FRom whence comes it that all the Animals of the world have appetite to ingender and beget their like A. Nature hath given them all this appetite to the end they should conserve their species and kinde Q. Wherefore is it that the naturalists hold that of all the motions and changings onely generation and corruption are done in an instant and without any consideration of times A. In asmuch that if generation and corruption should bee done with any space of time a thing should receive his being in part and part Q. From whence comes it that certaine Animals bring a great sort of little ones and others onely one A. Nature as I have said often above all things pleaseth her selfe with diversity but yet we must note herein the providence for commonly the Animals that live but a little while produce also often and that much more often then the others the multitude of their little ones where the frequent production repaireth the small lasting of their lives as in dogges in swine and also in all birds and fishes on the contrary those which live more long time produce seldome but one because that during their long lasting they may divers times beget many others as Men Elephants and Deere doe Q. Wherefore is it that during the blowing of the northern windes they beget more of males and when the winde blowes in the south they beget more femals A. Many learned and wise men say they have so observed it and the reason of this is that the North winde by his coldnesse makes to close and unite the naturall heat within the interiours so the males which are naturally more hot then the females are begot oftner in that time then on the contrary because that the south winde languisheth and letteth slack naturall heat the generation is lesse vigorous so that it must be then the Sex feminine which is more cold and more weak and begotten oftner then the masculine Q. From whence comes it that learned and prudent men often beget children unhealthfull weake and sots and the sots and ignorant on the contrary beget children unhealthfull well advised warie and strong A. It is because the sots and ignorants attend brutishly the carnall copulation and have not their spirits diverted other where so as they accomplish the act fully and from thence it comes that they beget children well complexioned and accomplished On the contrary men learned and wise have often such extravagancy of spirits that they least attend the carnall and brutish pleasure in this act of generation that they doe little and the children which are then begot are lesse accomplished Q. Wherefore is it that the Physitians hold that the corruption of one thing whatsoever it be is followed with the generation of another A. Because that there is no corruption but by the privation of the forme precedent and succession of another wholly new the matter alwayes remayning the which cannot bee naturally annihilated nor cannot change but in the formâ— Taste or tasting Q. HOw comes it that all bodies are not sappish that is to say savorous and perceptable by the taste A. For that the watry humidity is not decocted in all by the heate for savour and taste consisteth in the mixture of the dry in earth with the moist in water both concocted with heat Q. From whence comes it that fruits are of better taste in moderate and temperate Regions then in cold A. Because that in cold Regions the moisture is not sufficiently decocted by the heate and that the cold hinders them from full ripening Q. Wherefore is it that by the rigour of an extreame cold victualls become walowish and without taste A. Because that the taste I take the taste for the sauour according to the vulgar fashion consisting in a temperate heate so an extreame cold makes and takes away the taste from the victualls Q. Wherefore is it on the contrary that victualls too much decocted
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
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
the Oyle hee drawes that which is there terrestriall and our flesh being wholly terrestriall cannot he heated without blacking of it Q. From whence comes it that the heate of the Sunne melts wax and dryes durt or mud A. We must not onely consider but also the disposition of the agent as also of the subject or patient so then though the heate of the Sunne or of the Fire which melts wax bee the very same that hardens the mudde or the Earth but so it is that the disposition of the subject is very divers for the Wax being fusill that is to say apt to melt melts and runnes liquid in the Fire or in the Sunne the heate mooving the humidity even the same that is within it for wax is very moyst but the mudde and the Earth beeing of their selves very sandy and dry the same heate drawes out all the humidity which is to them a stranger and so it is hardened and dry in drying and dryed in hardning neverthelesse the fire may bee so violent and sharp that it may consume the waxe and reduce it into a cinder or ashes or extreamely harden the clay Q. From whence comes it that sometimes wee see a forme of a crowne or roundle about the Sunne or the Moone and likewise two or three sunnes at a time A. It comes from the reflection or beating back of the rayes or light of the Sunne by the opposition of some dewie clowd that is ready to melt Sorcery Q. HOw is is it that Sorcerers can transforme men into Wolves and other kindes of Animals A. Errour for that they cannot doe but they charme the eyes of men and especially of those which are in an evill estate of their soule or which have a weake and wavering faith for they cannot change forme without dying Q How can it bee that certaine wicked persons can be-witch with their onely looke and especially doe mischiefe to little children A. This is not as holds the Platonists and the Opticks by the rayes of their eyes but by some wicked and venemous vapour that goes out of their eyes or rather from all their body which hurts more the little children then perfect men because that the children being more soft and tender they are more easily affected and infected yet thinke I further that the same may be done more by charmes and spells or other detestable meanes that the sorcerers learne of the authour of all accursednesse Sweating and to sweat Q. VVHerfore is the sweat salt A. Because the most sweete and benigne part of the foode turnes it selfe into nourishment and the remainder into the excrements of which the hardest to digest retaining their crudities have also some pricking and saltnesse as the sweate and the urine Q From whence comes it that the sweat of the head smells not so ill as that of the other parts of the body A. Because that being lesse constrained it exhales more easily now it is lesse constrayned from the head then the others as it is easie to judge for that the haires grow there and increase by opening the pores of the skinne with more facility so then where the sweate of the head sents not so ill or at least smells not so ill as the other parts of the body it is because that it exhales more easily and doth not strive so to get out Q. Wherefore is it that when one wrestles when one leapes or doth some other violent exercise they sweate lesse then when they doe rest after such exercise A. Because that by these exercises they move the humours with violence and neverthelesse they give them not the leisure to gather together during the agitation as they doe when they rest after so great motion and stirring or else that it is because that wee retayne our breath forcibly within during that time wee so travell and labour which is the cause that the nervs streatching and spreading the Spirits stop the Conduits for the sweate and when wee repose suddenly after wee breath and blow so that the Nerves unbend and the spirits retire letting at liberty the sweate to issue for the sweating then so these two reasons besides many others are brought by the Philosopher upon this question but these two seeme to mee to bee sufficient Q. Wherefore is it that the Sunne heates more those which are naked then those which are cloathed and yet those which are naked sweat more then those which are cloathed A. Because that it dryes the humours of the bodyes of them which it heates naked and the cloathes turnes the heat of the Sunne retayning by that meanes the humours and hindring that they shall not be so easily dryed and consumed Q. From whence comes it those which rubbes and dryes themselves sweate yet much more then if they left the sweat still upon their bodyes A. Because that the drops of the sweat which are upon their bodyes stoppes the pores and hinders the issue of the sweat which is within but drying away the sweat which is upon their bodies they give liberty for that which is within to againe issue out Q. Wherefore is it that after wee have drunke fresh coole drinke especially in the Summer wee sweate more then if wee had not drunke it so coole and fresh A. Because that fresh and coole drinke thrusts out the heate the which constraineth with him the humours and dilates the pores making them issue to get forth Q. Wherefore is it that wee sweate more sleeping then waking Ans Because that the heate retiring into the interiours by the meanes of the sleepe during the which the parts exteriour are seized with cold and so it thrusteth out the superfluous humidity which hee sendeth also to the braine Que. Wherefore is it that in stewes or hot houses or within hot bathes they sweate more when it is cold weather then when it is hot An. This is by an Antiperistasis for the cold thrusting and shutting the heate within the body it makes to exhale the humidity without by the pores Q. Wherefore is it that wee doe sweate more going up a hill then comming doâ—ne A. The reason is very easie for naturally our bodies are heavy and incline downeward by reason whereof having more paine and that wee breath with more difficulty in mounting then in descending wee also sweate the more Q. Wherefore is it the Physitians hold that cold sweate is a certaine index or signe that the body is in an indisposition and hold not so of the hot sweats A. Because that sweate is a kinde of excrement the which being but in a little quantity may easily be heated but when it is in abundance not For on the contrary it remaines cold now the superfluities of excrements being the ordinary cause of sicknesses it must bee that when it is in great quantity as is judged by the coldnesse the body is then in a great in disposition Q. Wherefore is it that the Physitians call â—th sweating of aguish folkes unprofitable if after the
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
beards on their chinnes Q. How comes it that Eunuches are so extreamly moyst A. In that their seed which they cannot thrust out or consume by naturall heat so well as perfect men spreads through all their bodies and are moyst excessively by which they have their cheeks blowne up and their Paps great even as women Q. But since the excessive humidity is the cause that they have no beard from whence comes it that they have hayre as well as entire men and besides become not too much bald A. Because that this excessive himidity which is in them falls by his weight below upon the other parts of the body hindreth not the haire from being thrust out besides the neighbourhood to the brayne which is temperate and besides the aboundance of the Spirits which are in the head moderateth it very much neverthelesse because that it remaines alwaies to nourish the haire more then in ful men that become seldome or rarely bald Q. Wherefore is it that their legges are feeble and crooked A. Because they are very moist and by consequence fleshy and weak and besides they make a great weight upon the body which is the much more heavy and more charged with humours then that of perfect men even as green wood is lesse proper to serve the bearing up and portage of a great burthen because it stoopes under the burthen by the same cause also great drinkers and bathers are lesse strong Q Wherefore is it that the Eunuches become more gray hayrd then those which have all their peeces A. Because they cannot discharge the moyst humours by the Venerian act or that they cannot consume it as well as others because they have the lesse heate and this white humidity blancheth also sooner their haires whereas others become white in their Age which aboundeth then in that humour if it be not by accident as we shall declare in its place Q. Wherefore is it that the Evnuches cannot swallow the splean of any Animal A. Because that the spleane is extreamly spungeous and swells alwaies more and more being chewed so that the gelded having the throat pipe narrow because of their greace of their moysture cannot swallow a morcell great or spongeous Q. Wherefore is it that they have the voyce whining and sharp A. Because as I intend to say the grease and the humidity stopping the conduit or pipe of the voice and narrowing it it must of necessity make the voice sharpe and small as the Oaten pipes the more smaller they are yeeld the most smallest sound together with having the respiration more weak then full man and mooving by that cause lesse ayre their voyces are more close and sharpe and so it is with sick folkes Q. But wherfore is it then that Oxen low more grosly then Bulls and Capons have their voyce more bascthen Cocks A. It is because that Bulls do bellw and Cockes do not sing but with great strength and contention of voyce the cause wherefore their voyce is more sharp and high as also more strong the which we may prove in our selves for when we would cry the most strongliest wee lift up our voyces as we doe in the most base song grave and low Q. From whence comes it that gelded men are not afflicted with the gout and Capons are extreamly subiect to it A. It is because that pullen is extreamly lascivious and aâ—oundant in sperm so that Capons being too much moyst by their retention of the same seed become gouty being that Capons also excessivly eat seeing that heat is little in them but gelded men according to the proportion of their bodies are not so moyst so as the Capons â—re not so subject to the gout in the contrary those which have all their peeces and that play too much with women and too often become gouty by the to much emission of their seed and so the perfect man is gouty too by the Evacuation of the genitall humour and the Capon by the retention of the same seed in the contrary the gelded man is not subject to the Goute because of the retention of the same humour and the Cocke because of the evacuation of the same and this in all is because that Pullen is of a nature much more moist then man Q. Wherefore is it that gelded Animals as the Wether Sheepe or gelded sheepe and the Capon are better and more tender then those that have all their pieces A. Because that the gelded lose not their better humours with females and are more delicate and more fat Q. Wherefore is it that the gelded Animals are sooner tamed and easily brought more gentle then those which have their genitall parts A. Because they are deprived of their heat and of the abundance of spirit that is ingendred in the spongious vessels the which heate and spirits amove and lift up the courage and embolden those which have all their parts Q. Wherefore is it that gelded Animals become more fat then others A. Because they lose not their better humours and doe not runafter the Females For the like reason the Hornes increase more in Animals that are horned Q. From whence comes it that the Hornes of gelded Deere fall not as of the others nor the feathers of Capons as those of Cocks A. Inasmuch as the Deere amongst all other horned Animals having onely their hornes solide and massive it is needfull they have a great quantity of humidity to entertaine their branches as also to fill moisten and nourish the feathers of the Pullen Now the gelded Deere and Capons being more moist then those which are perfect Animals because of the retention of their seed have by the same meanes wherewith better to moisten and entertaine the one their Hornes the other their Feathers and by the same cause gelded men seldome become bald as I have said before Q. From whence comes it that we are sometimes benumb'd and asleepe in our members but principally in our feete and our hands by gouts crampes or otherwise A. This proceeds of the cold which infinuateth into the body by the absence of the blood which is retired and forasmuch as the feete and the hands are parts of the body most farre from the heart where the source and siege and as it were the spring of the naturall heate is and that those exterior parts are least fleshy they are the most apt to be seized on by the cold to be benumb'd and asleepe Q. How is it possible that the fish called a Torpedo benumbeth so the armes of the Fisher without touching him so as he is not able to helpe himselfe but seemes as it were insensible A. It is because this Fish exhales a certaine humour and vapour the which hath this naturall vertue to benumbe but Pliny in a few words saith that it is by his odour and a certaine winde or vapour of his body which so affecteth the members of man Q. From whence comes it that we desiring to rest our selves and fall asleepe and
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 digest their victuals better then those which are sluggish and given too much to their ease A. It comes that Exercise moves the naturall heate concocteth and digesteth better then if the victuals were asoped and crude like a drown'd toast so as the digestion and former repast not put over but laying load upon load against the Faulconers rule Extremities Q. WHerefore is it that the extreame parts of the body as the feete the hands the nose the eares are more chilly and cold then the others A. It is because they are more nervy lesse fleshy and by consequent more sencible and besides that they have the lesse of blood so they have lesse heate to resist the cold moreover that they are farther from the heart which is the fire and heater of the body Q. Wherefore is it that they esteeme it a signe of good health if there be no other sinister accident to be cold in the extremities of the members farthest from the heart after repast A. Because it shewes that the naturall heate is shot within the body Q. Wherefore is it to those extreame sicke they often apply extreame remedies A. Because it must bee that the remedy bee proportioned and answerable to the sicknesse being for a certaine that a sharpe and violent malady cannot bee healed by benigne and gentle remedies in as much that they cannot vanquish neither more nor lesse then as a Fort well amunitioned and defended by couragious men cannot bee wonne without great and strong forces Of the Face Q. WHerefore is it that Nature hath made Man with a Face upright and looking towards heaven A. To the end that he should ordinarily contemplate celestiall things the originall of his Soule and the eternall seate that he ought to ayme at after the passage from this life which the Pagan Poets themselves have knowne Vpreared lookes God onely granted man The other Animals he curbed downe But he to judge the earth heaven to scan Ha h only power besides to smile orfrown To laugh and weepe and all this in the face The high Creator plac't to mans high grace Q. Wherefore is it that wee sweate more in the face then in any other part of the body being that the face is uncovered A. Because that it is more humid as its hairinesse shews which is nourished by humidity and that the braine which is very moist being within the head dischargeth it selfe on all sides by divers conduits as also that the humidity is descending and mounteth not as in the parts below Q. Wherefore is it that the face is not cold although it is uncover'd and that other parts of the body although they are well cover'd are cold and chilly A. Because that the face being ordinarily bare the cold stopps the pores which is more the head being full of spirits which are hot and heateth therefore it is lesse cold but I beleeve that custome of keeping the face uncover'd doth more then all for we see in the like that those which goe commonly bare legged feele no cold and an ancient Hermite that went all naked was used to say that he was all face to shew that custome and the habitude of going naked was the cause that he fear'd no more cold unto the other parts of the body then to the face Q. Wherefore is it that little swellings and pimples come out more in the face then in any other part of the body A. In as much as there is more humidity in the Head then other where and that these little pimples and pushes are no other thing then an evacuation of a crude and undigested humour Females Q. WHerefore is it that amongst all the kinds of Animals the females are ordinarily the most subtil scape more cunningly and craftily from mens ambusbes then the males A. It is that being for the most part more weak then the males nature to repaire that defect hath given them more wily craft for the conservation of their lives Q. But wherefore then amongst the Serpents the fishes the be ares the Tigers the Panthers and such other kindes of Animals the females are commonly more great and furious then the males A. It is that nature so pleaseth her selfe with diversity for the ornament of the world as also that it was expedient for the good of humane kinde that the males of some of the foresaid kindes should bee something gentler for if they were ful as furious as the females they should be well neere all invincible Women Q. WHerefore is it that women have no beards and arâ— not so hairy or downy as men A. Because that they are of a nature cold and moist and the cold which restrains is the cause that the pores of the flesh being shut up the haire cannot peirce nor get out but onely in some parts of their bodies where there is a particular heat also their too great moystnesse likewise hinders that their haire cannot spring out as it is in the gelded and in children and no otherwise then a ground too moyst becomes infertile Q. Wherefore is it that women become sooner gray haird then men A. Because as I intend to say they are naturally cold and ordinarily more idle and lesse given to labour and violent exercises by which reason they gather together great quantities of evil humours the which whiten their haire Q. Wherefore is it that they beare more easily cold then men for ordinarily they are thinner cloathed in winter then men A. Because that they being cold they feele cold the lesse for every like is least affected to his like in example he which hath his hands cold feeles not so well the coldnesse of a nother by as if they were hot Q. But how blood being alwayes accompanied with heat and women having much more blood then men as their natural purgations make proofe doth it not follow then that they should have more blo od then men A. No for on the contrary leaving to speake further of that blood with my modesty in the rest they have lesse good blood then men for not the crude blood but the good is accompanied with heat Q. VVherefore is it that Women are sooner capable of conceiving then begetting because the lawes permit them marriage at twelve and men at foureteene and not before these ages A. It is certaine that women increase in all things sooner then men because that nature striveth to conduce sooner to perfection things of least lust recompencing in that course what shee tooke away in the other so then men being still capable of generation at threescore ten women ceasing at fifty it is no great marvaile though nature advanced women in the beginning since shee sooner failes them then men in the end Fire Q. FRom whence comes it that fyre doth yeeld lesse heat in Summer then in winter seeing that in Summer it seemes that its heate were ioyned to that which comes from the double reflection oâ— stroke of the Sunnes â—ayes it should
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
are so short breathed A. It proceeds of some rhume that it dischargeth it selfe upon the Lungs or it is some other indisposition of the Lunges of which wee can make but judgement according to the effects Q. From whence comes it that â—ommonly being fasting our breath â—s sharp and strong A. It is because that from the stomack issue and evapourate fumes of an evill savour if they are not tempered with fresh victuals this comes priâ—cipally to much sitting persons to the sick and those which have eaten too much because both the one and the other have crudities in their stomacks or that they cannot wel and intirely decoct and â—igest their victuals although this also may proceed from too great heat and adustion for things over cuted and adust have an unpleasing smell violent sharp or stinking or else according to Aristotle it is because that the aire which is within the body voideth doth not moove after the digestion being that heat corrupts the Phlegmy excrements by his immobility or it appeares that it is overmuch heat for it ordinarily ingenders thirstinesse Q. From whence comes it that in winter we see the breath of men and other animals as it comes fuming out of their mouthes and nostrils and as they respire it and in Summer wee cannot see or discerne it A. It is because that in Summer the exteriour ayre being more subtill and more hot then in another season the breath which issueth from the interiour parts of the body is so heated that it spreads suddenly through the ayre affecting the same quality spreads I say with so much attenuation that it cannot bee perceived and contrarily in the winter finding the ayre more thicke grosse and very cold it eepes it selfe unite and close in â—suing to resist the coldnesse in â—e ayre which is its contrary The hic-up Q. WHerefore is it that the hic-up especially if it â—e not very violent ceaseth in holling the breath or else if we are â—uddenly frighted or afflicted with â—ome opinionate unhappinesse A. Because that the hic-up proceedeth of a sudden difficulty in breathing and that in holding our breath it must bee of necessity that we shall a little after respire by course likewise we being made attentive to that which feared us banded us against that which frighted us of some unhappines makes us hold our breath and sometimes with a profound sigh fetcht from the stomacke it hinders the cause of of the hic up so reasoneth Alex. Aphrod but Aristotle yeeldeth another reason not much different from this it is saith he that the hic up proceedeth from a chilly cold and the retention or holding of the breath heating the inward part the hic up ceaseth from his cause by means of a contrary cause Q. Wherefore is it that Vinegar also stayeth the hic up A. Because that Vinegar heateth the stomack and the hic up proceedeth from a certaine cold humour which stayes the ayre and the breath this humour being so heated and thinned exhaleth and by the same meanes giveth free way to the respiration Man Q. WHerefore is it that Man amongst all other Animals is borne naked A. To the end that he should acknowledge his frailty and misery and otherwise that hee should praise God that although he hath made him to bee borne naked yet neverthelesse he hath created all things for him and therefore if hee should be afterwards covered that he may cover and cloath himselfe as it seemes good to him bee it modestly or proudly lightly or heavily according to the temperature of the place of his habitation and the divers seasons of the yeare Q. Wherefore is it that men resemble not their fathers and mothers as doe the beasts A. In as much as men in the venerian act use it in all times as also because of the vivacity of their spirits which is divine have some divertisment and thought of divers things whereas the beasts are wholly attentive to their couplement and also that men often mingle indiscreetly with women and with much heating themselves in the businesse which the beasts doe not Q. Wherefore is it that men twinkle their eyes more often and more quicke then any other animal A. Because that as noteth the Philosopher some Animals have no eye-lids as the Fishes and others have none but underneath as the birds and foure-footed beasts which engender Egges not a living animall and those which have both above and below as well as men have their skinnes more hard which is the cause that they have them not so moveable and flexible Q. Wherefore is it that commonly little men are more prompt more subtill and cholericke then â—he great A. It is because that the vertue and naturall vigour together with the forces of the spirit being more united in a little body then in a great and not having to sustaine so great and heavy a masse have also their motions more prompt and more subtill and for this same cause the Physitians hold that men which are great and fat are not so healthfull as those which are of little or middle stature Shame Q. WHerefore is it that shame makes us to blush red A. Because there is a respect and reverence of those of which we have that shame retaining oâ— our actions as in suspence the blood hath leasure to spread and run more easily by all the body and especially to the exteriouâ— parts the rednesse whereof wee suddenly marke because it is not ordinary or else it is that nature as to cover us sends the blood to the exteriour parts of the body and being it cannot sufficiently cover teacheth us in the same case to put our hands before the face as the little children doe for nature will doe it although they were never shewed it Q. Wherefore is it that shame being a kinde of feare we should not rather grow pale then red A. Shame is not an absolute feare not feare of receiving any hurt in our bodies or in our health but onely a feare to be mock't misprized or blamed by reason whereof nature makes the blood to mount up and cover the face and teacheth us to carry the hand before the visage and to bow downe the head something to hide us when we are ashamed but when wee feare to receive some hurt in our bodies or to lose our lives nature sends the blood to the heart which is the principle of life to fortifie it and the other parts during that time disprovided remaine pale and wan Q. Wherefore is it that they esteeme young men to bee of a good nature when they have failed in any thing which dâ—e blush for the same A. Because that they acknowledge their fault and that they acknowledging it have shame which is a true signe and testimony that they are sorry which gives a hope of amendment Oyle Q. WHerefore is it that that part of the oyle which is most high within the vessell that of the wine which is in the
the lightning breakes the bones within the body without any way touching or offending and produceth many other strange effects as I have shewed elsewhere Q. Wherfore is it that the leafe of a Laurel cracks in the fire A. It is for the reason aforesaid that it greatly holds of the ayre â—he which is extreamly humid and pressed by the fire cracks in goeing out because that it takes is way by force and ontrance as doth the humidity of the chesse-nut when it is put under the embers without being cut on the top Moone Q. WHerefore is it that Physitians the labourers the Mariners and others observe so strictly in the exercise of their Arts the constitution of the Moone A. Because she hath a particular vertue and predomination upon the things here below and which is more shee is more neerer to us then any other oâ— the Planets and having a lesse â—urne and circuit to make shee changes more often her constitution and this frequent change ought to bee more exactly considered and observed especially by those men which are to prove every day the events Q. Wherefore is it that victuals corrupt sooner in the shine of the Moone then of the Sunne A. Because that the Moone hath her heat weake and moysteneth more then shee dries and the Sunne on the contrary dryes much Now excessive humidity being cause of corruption it is no marvaile if the Moone which extends dilates and spreads humidity and likewise augments it and aydes corruption Q. Wherefore is it that wood cut in the full of the Moon is more subiect to be worme eaten and to rot sooner then if it were cut in any other time A Because the Moon then being in her most strong vigour dilates so much more the bodies as well sensible as insensible which yeeldeth them more subject to putrifaction Q. From whence comes it that those which sleepe in the rayes of the Moone comming to wake finde themselves all besorted bebenummed and as troubled in their understanding A. Because that as I intend to say the Moone dilates the humours of the body and especially and notedly those of the head the which mingling with the Animal spirits troubles the braine Sick folkes and Sicknesse Q. FRom whence comes it that people more often fall sick in â—ummer and that the sick dye â—ore often in Winter A. It is that in Summer there â— more causes of sicknesses then â— winter because that the natuâ—all heate is spread and diffused â—rough all the body by reaâ—on whereof the interiour being â—sse heated the stomack is â—lled with crudities and undiested humours and to the me also adde the great quanâ—y and diversity of fruites that â—eople are accustomed to eate â—ves ayd also as also that the â—res being open and the â—inne being loose by this diffuâ—n of the naturall heate they 〈◊〉 ordinarily subject to take cold from whence ensâ—eth many maladies to the contrary in Winter the naturall heate being inclosed within the interiouâ— parts by Antiperistice wee digest more easily our meate and therefore if we doe fall sicke iâ— must come from some great and violent cause Q. From whence comes it thaâ— the Spring-time and the Autumnâ— which are the most temperate seaâ— sons bring us neverthelesse morâ— maladies then either Winter â— Summer A. It is because that goinâ— out of an intemperate and weâ— risome season to enter into temperate and an agreeable thâ— evill humours gathered togâ—ther during the intemperaâ— season beginne to stirre aâ— move by this change and 〈◊〉 fect also the body and make â— sicke and therefore the Spring-time and the Autumne are two unhealthfull Seasons and yet more by accident and inconsequence then the Winter or Summer which brings them of themselves Q. But why is it yet that Autumne is more unhealthfull then the Spring-time A. Because that comming out of Winter and from the cold we enter into the Spring-time and into the heate which is a friend to Nature And on the contrary wee goe out of the Summer and heate and enter within the Autumne and approach to the cold which is an enemy to Nature Q. Wherefore is it that sicknesses are many times infectious to those which approach neere the sicke and health cannot be so communicated A. Because that health as saith well the Philosopher is as rest and sicknesse is a mooving or stirring which is many times comunicable according to the disposition of the subject and quality of the disease for all maladyes are not infectious but onely those which they call contagious and striking which proceeds from some corruption of the spirits or which corrupt the spirits and which comming to exhale outwardly infecting the neighbour aire communicates so their corruption Q. Wherefore is it that according to the doctrine of the Physitians it is not good for sick folkes to eate much A. Because they cannot well digest it by reason that their naturall heate is in them so weakned and hindred by the evill humours and the sâ—perfluous nourishment miâ—gâ—ed with their evill humours easily corrupt so that the sicknesse is aided and prolonged to the perill and danger of the subject Eating and Drinking Q. VVHerefore is it that as the proverb saies one shoulder of mutton will pluck on another and that the appetitâ— comes in eating A. It is that the pores and subtile eoâ—duits of the body being stuffed with some thick humour grosse or gluing are opened by the victualls especially if they have some little pointing or sharpnesse the which like a tickling excites the appetite or naturall heate as also dissolves or consumes the humours the repletion of whom hinders the appetite Q. From whence comes it that hunger passeth away in drinking and thirst augmenteth in eating A. It is because that the drinke temperateth all that it findes dry and unprofitable by its hardnesse and weight within the stomack the which digesteth better or more easily being so temperate and then after by the other concoctions the same is distributed to all the parts of the body and so hunger passeth in this sort but thirst which proceedeth for want of humidity augments the more in eating because that victualls if they be solid dry up the humidity which resteth within the stomack Q. Wherefore is it that in Summer one drinkes more and in Winter they eat more then in any other season of the yeare A. It is because that the Summers heate drying our bodyes we must moysten and liquour them more then is usuall and by Antiparisticis it comes that in Summer the externe or outward heate is the cause that wee have lesse of naturall heate within the stomack to digest and on the the contrary in Winter the cold predominating upon the exteriour the naturall heate enforceth himselfe and gathers all into the interiour by reason whereof we eate and digest our victualls better Q. Wherefore is it then that in Autumne wee eate many times yet better then in winter A. It is not that in Autumne we have interiourly more
naturall heate but because wee have greater appetite to the new fruits which is then in abundance and likewise that bread which is our dayly food is then made of new corne Morning Q. WHerefore is it that the Mornings are many times colder then the night seeing that in the morning the Sun is more neare to us A. Because that in the Morning the dew which is gathered together by the coldnesse of the night fals upon the earth and cooleth the ayre together that the evening and the first parts being lesse removed from the precedent day then the last have some feeling of the heate of the same day the which weakening and diminishing by little and little is extinct or diminished at the end of the Night Que. Wherefore is it that the Morning-study is best and most profitable A. Because that the spirits are more free after their repose and the Braines and Organs of the body are discharged of the fumes and vapours arising from the victuals the digestion being accomplished Memory Q. WHerefore is it that we retaine better that which wee have learned in the 〈◊〉 â—orning then in any other time of the day Answ It is because that the braine is not then hindered and troubled with vapours the digestion being intirely perfected as also because the spirits are more free and lesse occupied then after the perception of many new objects which bring confusion and trouble ranking themselves in the memory Q. But how is it possible that so many and divers obiects can ranke themselves and bee kept in the memory without confusion A. In truth it happens often that those which know most confound themselves also the most if they rule not their memories by judgement but this treasure being prudently dispenced although that it must bee that the diversity of things confounds the one the other But on the contrary they may bee brought to more advantage for as a house well furnished and garnished with all sorts of moveables or as a Farme accompanied with plowed fields with woods with vines with fountaines and with all other profitable things for a countrey-house is much more to be esteemed then if it consisted onely of one of these things Q. From whence comes it that a very happy memory is seldome found with a very great and neate iudgement and a gentle spirit in one selfe person A. From this that the retayning memory consisteth in the dry and hard temperature of the braine neverthelesse it hindreth the vivacity of the spirits but yet if the organ of the imagination is of a temper soft moist and that of the memory of a temper mediocrally dry they both may bee found in one selfe person although the same is as rare as excellent Q. Wherefore is it that neither young children nor old folkes have any hould in their memories A. Because that both the one and the other are in perpetuall mooving the one in increasing and the other in declining which is the cause that the Images of the objects are not so deeply ingraven in their memories ot else it may bee for this cause that young children have the Organ of the me morie too moyst and old folkes to dry so that the one cannot imprint and strongly engrave the Images of the objects deepe enough in their memory and the other perceive the object too lightly neverthelesse children may have a good memorie for another reason that is because they are not disturbed either with affaires of importance that may divert them nor other waies to charge their memories with too many things Q. Wherefore is it that those which learne promptly retayne it lesse then those which are long a learning A. Because that those which are so prompt imprint the images of the object too lightly in the memory and the others ingrave them profoundly because they repeat and inculcate them Q. Wherefore is it that Elephants Dogs Horses and other Animals bethinke them better of the wayes where they have but once gone or beene then men doe A. Beasts have not properly this bethinking but a continuall thinking the which having once lost they cannot recover neither by discourse nor reasoning because they have it not neverthelesse the beasts retaine more long time their thoughts to marke a way then men doe because they are not distracted in their sences by diders things as men are and by the same cause country clownes and rustick people also marke better the wayes and such other things more heedfull then men of knowledge or those which have their minds disturbed with many businesses Q. How is it possible that wee bethinke our selves of dreames seeing that they are not things done but representations to the interiour sence A. Because that the soule then represents the Images of things then dreamed as truthes nor more not lesse then when they describe us a Towne a Province or they report us a battaile wee doe then imagine in our selves that which we have not seene Q. Wherefore is it that wee easily forget dreames A. Because that during the time of sleepe the sences being clouded the faculties of our soule exercise more loosly their functions and that the images of the dreames being but represented as in darknesse and shaddowes are therein lesse perceived and lesse stable Q. Wherefore is it also that we easily forget our soules being being during that time distracted and other-where busied things which appeare during that distraction A. As we have perceived them lightly so as lightly wee forget them for the sence being distracted and occupied with divers objects the operation is more weake the imagination more light and the images lesse way imprinted and ingraven in the memory Looking-glasses or Mirrours Q. VVHerfore is it that wee suddenly forget our proper images after wee have seene them in the Glasse and retire our look from the glasse or mirror A. It is because that wee see the image representing us in the Mirrour only by reflection and not by imprint or graving in solid matter and as it is so lightly represented it is also as lightly imprinted in the imagination or fantasie and by consequent lesse profoundly graved in the memory Q. Wherefore is it that hollow Mirrours burne things which are opposed to them in the rayes of the Sunne A. It is that the solary rayes comming to give themselves together and by a conjunct forme they incountering in one selfe point they yeeld an extreame heate by their reflection and redargement the which heate burnes the opposite bodies and likewise inflames strawes leaves and such other dry and tender things as also wood c. by the meanes of which Mirrours and glasses Archimedes burnt the vessels and engines of Marcellus before Syracusa Q. From whence is it that wood stone or any other like body well polished cleane and united may serve for a mirrour although that in truth they are more shaddowish and dull then diaphanicall or transparent bodies A. Because the pollishment of such bodies yeelds them shining and shining bodies
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
Because they are very moist and charged with excrements and their hairs as I have formerly said are maintained and nourished with humidity The same thing one may say of young men and women and for the very same reason hornes fal not from gelded Deere nor the feathers from Capons as I have said heere before Q. But wherefore is it that old men become bald A. For the reason contrary to the precedent that is by declining with age naturall humidity consumes in them although they abound in corrupt excrements Q. Wherefore is it that bald men are esteemed more luxurious then other A. In the contrary we ought to say that they are more bald for being too much luxurious then luxurious for being bald for by force of drying their bodies and especially the braine which contributeth most to the act Venerian they become bald not retaining sufficient humidity to nourish the haires Q. Wherefore is it that bald persons are esteemed of others wicked and dangerous A. Because they are of a nature hot and dry and so are prompt hardy and cholericke if good education and nourture doth not moderate and correct them but also those persons that are of the same complexion are ordinarily judicious vigilant prudent and subtill Calxes Q. VVHerefore is it that one contrary ordinarily flies another neverthelesse Calx Sponge Cloath bran and many other dry things receive water very easily and imbibe and moisten A. We must observe that all bodies which have pores and subtill conduits some neverthelesse more close shut then others so then dry bodies which have pores shut admitteth not at all or very little of humidity and those which have the pores more open as the said things admit not more of themselves that is to say in as much as dry bodies but accidently because of the opennesse and laxity of their pones by which the humidity hath ingression Q. How is it that quicke Lyme breakes and fall in peeces being drenched with water A. In as much as the water insinuateth and penetrateth strongly without and within the parts of the Lyme opening the ties of it whereof followeth the division and separation Q. How is it that the Lyme quenched with water heateth and smoakes seeing that it ought rather to grow cold by the moist coldnesse of the water A. It is because the Lyme being a body well burnt in the Furnacâ— holds much of the fire and containes great quantity of fiery spirits the which bandeth and gathereth together against their contrary which is the water and worketh vigorously against it chafing and turning part of the same into fumes and vapours as those which breath out of a vessell full of water put upon the fire Wayes Q. FRom whence comes it that we finde the wayes more long which are to us unknowne then those which wee have often travelled A. It is because that wee determine and easily limit in our selves the way wee know and cannot limit that which we have never gone it seemes to us longer then it is Q. From whence comes it that a plaine smooth way although it be very easie as by fields and valleyes of great stretch it is much more trouble some then those which are unequall and rough A. It is because the plaine and smooth way is alwayes alike and that which is unequall and rough hath in it diversity and change which is agreeable to our nature and solaceth much more the incommodity that we receive of others as also that which is limited hath divers peeces and by retakes but in that which wee see in a long stretch it seemes to us infinite and to be without limit for the sight Graynesse Q. WHerefore is it that men beginneto waxe gray neare to the temples then behinde the head by reason whereof Homer calleth them Poliocrotapous that is to say to the gray temples A. Because that this part of the head is more watery humid and soft then the hinder part of the same and by so much more subject to the corruption of the humours which makes white the haires Q. How comes it that in age our haires become white A. Because as the Philosopher teacheth us old persons abound in flegme the which being white tincteth the haires in the same colour by which the haires are nourished Q. Wherefore is it that a man onely of all other Animals is properly said gray when Horses also become grisseled A. It is because that of other Animals where the haire fals all the yeare by little and little upon the Winter and then comes againe after as in Horses in Beeves and in Dogges or if they fall not as wooll doth not fall much from the sheepe it is because that such Animals live so few yeares that they cannot change their haires and colour but man is not of that nature so that his haire falls not yearely nor of so short life as the other Animals from whom the haire falls not it must be that in his age he still grisseleth and becomes wholly gray and in the end fully white by the abundance of moisture so farre that at last naturall heate being extinct in him by the default of radicall humidity which is associated with naturall heate Q. But how when other Animals having the same default and debilitation of radicall humidity and of naturall heate in their age wherefore shew they not the like effect A. This comes particularly to man in as much as according to the proportion of the corporall masse hee hath more quantity of braine then any other of the Animals Now the naturall heate debilitateth and diminisheth in him in his age and hee cannot conserve so great quantity of humidity so that this humidity superabounding leaveth him the naturall heate corrupts and the haires then receiving an evill nourishment whiteneth and representeth as I have said before by this whitenesse the colour of this corrupt humour which is a kind of flegme alwayes white Q. From whence comes it that there are men white before age and in the flower of their best time become gray A. The cause is labour travell torments affliction and sicknesses which doe often debilitate and often extinct before the time the power of naturall heate according to the saying of Pindarus in this Verse It sometimes happens in our way To meete a young man turned gray And Homer to this purpose Care sorrow griefe and dire distresse Gives the young head the old man s dresse Very feare it selfe horrour and the apprehension of an inevitable death hath so farre seized upon some men as we read of a kinsman of Francis Gonzagus Prince of Mantona who accused of treason became gray in the prison betwixt the evening and the morning Q. Wherefore is it that Horses become gray or griseld about the head more then any other kinde of Animal A. Because that they haue the bone which covers the braine much lesse hard considering the proportion of their bodies then any other Animal which is the cause as saith the