they cannot breath longer they cease to live But insects do live though they cannot breath for when they are cut in two parts they will live in each part whereas it is not possible that all the parts of an animal should breath Observe this last Argument to impugne all the Ancients opinion Fishes do therefore breath because the life of animals consists not without breath These are the reasons of Arist. denying fish to breath But because there is a heart in them therefore they have need to have their heat temperated and that it may be so temperated they draw in by their gills water for air and let it out by the same For as in man the lungs and the thorax are lifted up and down in breathing so the gills of fish are dilated and contracted in drawing in of water to temper the heat of the heart for when the gills are dilated they draw in some small portion of water which is conveyed by certain passages to the heart which cools the heat thereof and when their gills are contracted the water again is expelled Some do stifly oppugne these opinions whose reasons we shall now consider of First a Fish is an animal therefore breathing is necessary because it hath need of air I answer If by breathing or respiration they understand refrigeration then the consequence is to be received but if they mean the attraction of air I deny it for the spiration of air is onely competent to those animals endowed with lungs but Fish may be refrigerated by that water which both they draw in by the mouth and gills Secondly Air is contained under the earth therefore under the water and by consequence fish do attract it and so breath Ans. I deny the consequence though air may easily pierce into the earth which is porous cavernous and dry yet into the water it cannot pierce because of the fluidness of its body being so easily reduced to unity and so closely gathering it self together that there can be no vacuity for air for if a Staff be thrust into the water and drawn out again there will be no holâ—… left or resemblance where it was but will forthwith rise up and swim at top But if it be fixed into the earth the hole whereinto it was put will remain which is immediately filled with air and therefore it is that the breathing faculty of Moles under the earth is not taken away because they always make a hole whereby they receive breath But now in water no pores or passages can be apprehended whereby air may be attracted therefore it is impossible that fish should breath therein Thirdly Fishes do breathe by their gills therefore breath is drawn by them though not in the usuall manner I answer that some spiration iâ—… manifest or perfect some obscure and imperfect 'T is manifest in those animals that are endowed with the organs of spiration and then it is properly called respiration but that â—…tion of the fishes gills is more rightly tearmed transpiration and onely answers by Analogy to the true spiration for as their parts viz. lungs and gills differ in species so also their functions differ for as the wings oâ—… birds and fins of fishes do agree analogically in themselves as to the efficient cause viz. of motion yet they are not of the same Genus because fish by their fins do not fly as birds by their wings but swim so those gills that are given to fish in stead of lungs are not of the same species with the lungs of animals The fourth is taken from Experience if fish be put into a vessel with a narrow orifice filled half full of water and so the mouth of the vessel stopped there is so great a desire in them of the injoying of the air that they strive who shall be uppermost swimming one upon another for no other cause then a desire to be next the air Scaliger answers the reason of their so much strugling is not for the injoyment of air but the avoiding of their close imprisonment endeavouring to finde a way out of the vessel to free themselves from that scarcity of water into a place of more plenty and liberty Fifthly if a vessel full of water and with a row orifice be closely covered the fish that are encloistered within are suddenly suffocated because no air can come unto them therefore 't is absolute necessary for fish to breathe under the water for the preservation of their lives This if it be true I thus answer If so then it may be judged to happen rather from the defect of the celestial light then air for thereby force and heat is added by the influence of light for all animate things stand in need of this celestial spirit for the preservation of their lives Again if it be so that fish included in a vessel are suffocated it must happen that the water being deprived of air loses it nature Scaliger Exer. 275 for it is preserved from corruption by the air as from a superiour form therefore it kills the fish But to conclude If fish should die for want of air how come they to live where the waters are frozen all over many thousands of paces together or can they receive air through the ice therefore the Objections of our Antagonists are frothy and vain L Insects are called by the Greeks Entoma because they have Bodies distinguished some into two three and some more incisures and they have in stead of blood a certain vital juiâ—…e or humour which is Analogous to blood which assoon as it is exhausted they perish And because those Insects want blood their natures are cold and therefore it is that they breathe not for breath is given to animals by nature to â—…ool the blood and because those insects saith Aristotle want bowels therefore they leave no respiration because they have no convenient organs for that use But against this received opinion of Aristotle Pliny objects that Insects do breathe which he maintains by two Arguments First That many kinds of Insects do put forth a certain noise as Bees and those that want wings others to sing as Grashoppers so also Gnats Flies make a certain buzzing noise which cannot be except they received air I answer When Bees and Flies make a noise it happens by the agitation of the interior spirit and not the exterior for those Insects that seem to sing as Grashoppers do make a noiâ—…e from the agitation of the included spirits fretting as it were against that membrane with which their bodies are wrapped for they do not make a noise by the attracting of spirit at the mouth for they alone in the Universal Genus of animals by the observation of Aristotle want mouths Secondly Insects are endowed with smelling but smelling cannot be effected but with the attraction of air by respiration therefore they breathe I answer The Sense of smelling is far different in these Insects from that in other sanguineous animals for they have this
NATURE'S CABINET UNLOCK'D Wherein is Discovered The natural Causes of Metals Stones Précious Earths Juyces Humors and Spirits The nature of PLANTS in general their Affections Parts and Kinds in Particular Together with A Description of the Individual Parts and Species of all Animate Bodies Similar and Dissimilar Median and Organical Perfect and Imperfect With a compendious Anatomy of the Body of Man As also the Manner of his Formation in the Womb. All things are Artificial for Nature is the Art of God By Tho. Brown D. of Physick London Printed for Edw. Farnham in Popes-head alley near Cornhil 1657 OF PHYSIOLOGY Treating of BODIES Perfectly mixed With Comments thereupon CHAP. 1. Of Metalls 1. WE shall here Treat of those Bodies which are perfectly mixed and substantial 2. That Body is perfectly mixed â—…hich is made solid by the Concretion of the Elements and therefore daily grows harder and harder 3. All the Elements do abide and are concentricated in a mixed Body because all mixed Bodies are carried to a place of the Earth and therefore much of earth must needs be in them And if earth be in them then water without which earth cannot consist for all Generation happens from their contraries so that if there be one contrary it 's necessary that there should be an opposite contrary to that Arist. lib. 2. De gen corrupt c. 8. 4. And these Bodies are either Inanimate or Animate 5. Inanimate bodies are such as are void of life As Metalls Stones precious Earths 6. Metall is a body perfectly mixed and Inanimate of Sulphure and Quicksilver gotten in the veins of the earth 7. Sulphure and Quicksilver is often found in the veins of Metalls and of these for the variety of the temperament and mutuall permission the Professors of the Rosie Cross do adjudge Metalls to have their original 8. They define Sulphure to be a Metallick matter consisting of a subtill exhalation fat and unctuous included in the earth 9. Quicksilver B is a Metallick matter consisting of a vapour more subtil then water which is conglutinated with the earth and cocted by the heat of Sulphure 10 The Peripateticks will have a double vapour to lye hid in the bowels of the earth the one dry that is more terrene then water the other moist and glutinous that is more watry then terrene and from these do Stones and Fossiles grow and these do produce proper Metall Arist. 3. Met. c. 7. 11. The Chymists do not dissenâ—… from this opinion of Aristole for he maketh the matter of Metalls to be a remote vapour They a nearer matter Sulphure and Quicksilver which do grow from the aforesaid vapour as the remote matter of Metalls 12. The efficient Cause of Metall is heat and cold for heat whether Elementary or Celestial doth animate digest and exactly mingle all portions of matter which mass so temperated and prepared for this or that kind of metall doth grow by cold and is condensated 13. The place in which Metals are ingendered is the bosom of the earth Arist. 3. met c. 7. 14. Many are made amongst Stones and that oftner in mountains then in plains for according to their solidâ—…ty they do retain their colour better which is easily decayed and dispersed in plains because of the softness of the earth 15. If it be demanded whether their form be one or more C that is to say whether they can be distinguished amongst themselves in specifical differences which do effect divers and incommunicable forms amongst themselves 16. To the latter it is agreed First Because every Species hath its Essence and that perfect Secondly Its Definition Thirdly Its Heats Fourthly It Strength and Use Scal. Exer. 106. sect 2. 17. But it is a great dispute amongst late writers whether Metalls are Bodies Inanimate or whether they Live It is most certain they perform no vitall action as other bodies that are endowed with a vegetive soul therefore they are not Animated Scal. Exer. 102. 18. But Metalls are either pure or impure 19. Pure Metall is when there is a perfect decoction exquisitely made as in Gold and Silver 20. Gold E is a pure Metall begotten of pure Quicksilver fixed red and clear and of pure red Sulphure not too hot but well qualified 21. This of all Metalls is the softest and tenderest wanting fatness It is heavy having a sweet pleasant and excellent sapor and odor 22. But whether the Chymists by the industry of art can make true and approved Gold it is a question much disputed of late yet in my opinion it is clear that though it be very difficult experience witnessing it yet it is â—…ot altogether impossible for if Art be a follower and imitator of Nature I see not why Nature may not be imitated in framing of true Gold 23. And whether it may be made potable that is so prepared that it may be taken into the body without danger is a great controversie between the Chymists and Galenists 24. The favourers of Galen defend the Negative to which Scaliger doth subscribe being perswaded with these two reasons I. There is no similitude to be discerned between Gold and our Body as there is between Aliment and Body to be nourished II. Because Gold is more solid then that it can be overcome by our heat or changed from its substance Scal. Exer. 272. 25. Silver is a pure Metall G begotten of clear Quicksilver shining white and of pure Sulphure almost fixed 26. Such Metalls are impure which do consist of impure Sulphure and Mercury 27. Of these some have more of the Humor or Mercury and some more of the Earth or Sulphure 28. Lead and Tinn do participate more of the Humor 29. Lead H is a Metall procreated of much crass and less-pure Quicksilver and burning Sulphure 30. Its Species are various according to the matter of which it consists and the heat by which it is cocted 31. And hence it is black or clear 32. Black-lead doth consist of impure Quicksilver and it is less elaborate therefore of a baser value 33. Clear or White-lead is fully cocted and doth coâ—… somewhat of a more purer matter 34. Tin I is a White-metal begotten of much yet not so pure Quicksilver outwardly white but inwardly red and of impure Sulphure not well digested 35. Brass and Iron have more of Earth to which is added Copper 36. Brass K is an impure Metall begotten of much Sulphure red and gross and a little impure Quicksilver 37. Cyprian Brass is a Species of it which doth grow copiously in the Island Cyprus whence it is called Cuprum 38. Iron is L a Metall impure begotten of much Sulphure Crude Terrestrial and burning and a little impure Quicksilver 39. And although it 〈◊〉 hard yet it is bruised with daily labor because there goes to its generation less Quicksilver or Humor but more Sulphure or Terrene 40. Copper is factitious Brass clarified of the colour of Gold or rather more yellow 41. The Native is now of no use and
therefore by some rejected from the value of Metalls 42. Though in times past the Native was in much use and more nobler by far then Brass As Pliny witnesseth L. 34. c. 2. The Commentary A THe name Metall is derived from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is to search because it is sought for with much pains and cost in the Veins and Caverns of the Earth Pliny adjudges it to be derived from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies near another because where one Vein is found of Metall not far from thence another is found For they have a kinde of sympathy with them as Gold and Silver Brass and Iron Others are called Minerals which are generated in the Veins Pores and Bowels of the Earth those are called Fossiles which are digged out of the Earth Fossiles are separated and distinguished from Metalls by Aristotle 3. Met. ch 7. because Fossiles are cast up out of the Earth onely by digging needing no other art or further labor for their discovery But Metalls are much boyled and separated by the fire and purged several ways as need requires Now the definition of Metall delivered doth consist of a genus and difference The Genus is a Body because a Metall doth receive three Dimensions the Difference contains four In the first place it is called a Body perfectly mixed to the difference of Meteors for there is not so light a concourse of Elements in Metalls as in Meteors In the second place it is called Inanimate to difference it from Animate as are Plants and Animalls whence Brighthus did right Comment in Scribonius who defines Metallick-bodies imperfectly to be called Animates If they have a soul they must have it perfectly because the soul doth not receive more or less of quantity but is the very perfection and absolution of a thing The opinion therefore of Cardan is to be reproved who asserts all Metalls to be perfect Animates but seeing they produce no vitall action they cannot have a soul attributed unto them In the third place the matter of Metall is credited to be Sulphure and Quicksilver which are as it were the Father and Mother of Metalls which two are mingled variously and from the mixtion of these two are all Metalls imediately procreated But Cardan resists this opinion who denies that Metalls do consist of Sulphure and Quicksilver and that upon this account because by the act of two Existents a third cannot be made Scaliger answers Exer. 106. sect 6. that it is the property of things mingled that by the act of many Existents a third to be made And Cardan himself doth affirm that Copper doth consist of Tinn and Brass which are two in one existent act Aristotle following Plato in Timaeus doth demonstrate of a double vapour doth lie hid in the bowels of the earth The one dry that is more terrene then watry The other Humid and Glutinous that is more watry then terrene From the former he thinks hard Fossiles as stones to grow and from the latter that which is properly called Metall But this Controversie may easily be reconciled if we say that these vapours or habits are the more remote matter of Metalls but the proximate and proper to to be Sulphure and Quicksilver But let it seem strange to none why such hard bodies as Metalls are should be generated of vapour for this vapour is Crass and Fumid whence it happens that in those Pits and Mines where Metalls are digged that many are suffocated and killed by those vapours and hence it is that those who are daily laborerâ—… therein are â—…oxious to various Diseases and Catarrhs But I say that the matter of Metalls is not simply a vapour or watrish humor but that which is more watry then earthy for the watry vapour simply cannot be the matter of Metalls For how should they then cohere or how come Metalls so solid Hence it is that they have certain mixed parts of that and slimy earth yet notwithstanding they obtain more of water then of earth because they may be powred out melted which can never be done without there be some inward moisture for it is the faculty of an humor to soften therfore those of them that have most humidity as Gold Silver c. are the soonest powred out and melted but such as have but little humor as Iron and Brass are hard to be melted But it is said in the definition that Metalls are begot as by sperme of Sulphure and Quicksilver mixed and tempered In which words the efficient Causes are included which are two Heat and Cold Heat indeed doth precede Cold follows the generation of Metalls for Heat whether Celestial or Elementary doth mingle digest temper and concoct all the portions of the matter which mass so tempered is rudely prepared for this or that kinde of Metall and so grows and condenses with cold for because all Metalls are dissolved by the force of heat then it remains that they must be concreted by cold so that it is needful that one contrary be the cause of another What is more clearer to sence then that which is soluble by heat must needs condense by cold For if Gold Silver or Lead be melted and removed from the fire they presently come into their pristine form for cold is the privation of heat and according to the various preparations of that mixtion divers kindes of Metalls are gotten of the same Mass for by how much more subtil and defaecate the matter is by so much the more nobler and purer the Metall will be In brief all Heat and Splendor and all the Excellency of Metalls doth depend upon a decent and legitimate mixtion and temperation of the matter unto which the temperature of the Air the soyl of the place doth much profit for the various Influence and Efficacy of the Sun Moon and Stars as in other things so in the procreation of Metals is of great moment And hence it happens that all sorts of Earth will not bear Metalls although the matter of it be contained within it So we see also in such Regions as are too dry as Affrica that Metalls will not easily be generated because the matter to wit the moist vapour doth not abound there nor in Regions too cold will Gold or silver be found but in places onely moist Fourthly In the definition the Veins of the earth are the subject of Metalls for these are as it were the mothers of these Bodies but sometimes they are found in stones and that rather upon Mountains then Plains in higher Places rather then Groves for according to their solidity they do retain their colour better which in Plains is sooner dissipated by reason of the softness of the earth And this shall suffice for the explication of the Definition B It is called quick metaphorically because it always moves And it is called Mercury because as Mercury is joyned to all the Planets so this to all Metals or as Mercury turns round so is
water but the rather more inflamed by it 32. That is called Petreolum which flows from Rocks and sometimes Naptha Petra 33. Amber is fragrant Bitumen and kept amongst the richest merchandise and it is gotten about Arabia 34. Vitriol is a concreted Juice looking like the clearness of glass it is called by the Latines Atramentum sutorium and sometimes Chalchanthum 35. The native is found concreted in the Veins of the Earth or clefts of the Rock and from thence doth distil by drops part thereof hanging like frozen Ice and part found in the bottom of Channels 36. Furthermore Juices which cannot be melted yet not indurated into stones are Auripigmentum Sandarach Chalk Gypsum Lime Oker Argil Sealed earth Armenian earth 37. Auripigmentum or Arsnick is B a concreted Juice of a yellowish colour flourishing Pictures with a golden colour is hot and dry in the fourth degree and a present poyson 38. Sandarach is a reddish earth of the colour of Cinabaris yet something inclining to a yellow much of it is gotten in the veins of Metals with Auripigmentum smelling strong of Sulphure 39. Lime is a dry earth cocted to a stone which after it is burnt is inflamed with water and extinguished with oyl it is called Viva or Living because it contains fire hidden within it 40. Gypsum is a shining earth gentle and light akin to Lime but not so dry nor hot which is digged out of the bottom of the earth the Factitious is made of a certain stone and so placed in walls for the ornament of houses 41. Chalk is a tender earth and white plentiful in the Island of Crete 42. Ocher is a light and yellowish earth which when it is burnt is red 43. Argil is a fat and soft earth of which figuline vessels are made 44. Sealed and Lemnian earth is a portion of earth that is very red digged out of the Island Lemnos and sealed with the seal of Diana's high Priest it is also digged daily in Silesia and Hassia it resists poyson 45. The Armenian is a portion of earth digged out in Armenia drying by nature and of a pale colour The Commentary A SAlt is derived a saliendo from leaping because it leaps in the fire Some judge it to be called salt from the sun because it is gotten of its own accord of sea-sea-water the spume thereof left upon the shore by the sun is concreted into salt The efficient cause of salt is the heat of the sun and the rest of the stars which drawing the sweeter and tender parts out of the saltish matter leaves the Terrene which being boyled makes a saltish substance Two things are required to a salt sapour the dry and Terrene parts and their adustion of the first is made a sapour of the latter a salt sapour Erroneous therefore is that opinion which judg'd salt to concrete as Ice of cold For if salt doth concrete of â—…old it is dissolved with heat because it is a general rule with Naturalists every thing to be dissolved by the contrary wherewith it was congealed but salt is dissolved with nothing less then with heat for that hardens it and dryes it more but it is quickly dissolved with water therefore it is not constringed of cold The matter is a Terrene Juice adust and dryed with heat the forme is dryed vapours with concocted water the end and use of salt is various in the whole course of life whence it is rightly said that nothing is more profitable then salt and the sun And old Homer called salt Divine because â—…t is accommodated to various â—…ses Salt hinders putrefaction and â—…akes away superfluous humidity â—…n our Bodies without salt a perfect concoction cannot be made besides it is of frequent use in the cure of wounds B Auripigmentum is double native and factitious that which is like to Ackorns erupts of its own accord from Metals this again is double the one is made of Arsnick and natural salt of equal parts mixed and burned in a crucible till the vapour appear like Chrystal hence it is called Christalline Arsnick the other is made of natural Arsnick and Sulphure mixed together and combustible both of them are dry and hot in the fourth degree and a present poyson CHAP. 4. Of the Nature of Plants in general and of their corruptions 1. HItherto we have spokeâ—… of an inanimate Body perfectly mixed Now we proceed to Animate Bodies which are perfectly mixed endowed with soul and life 2. There are two parts in the life of a furnisht Body the external Body and the soul which subministers life of the former we have spoken before of the latter we shall now 3. An animate Body is expert of sense or sensitive 4. A Plant is a Body expert in sense which is also called stirps A which is a body perfectly mixed endowed with a vigent soul which doth grow live wax green is nourished and increased from the earth 5. For when Plants are nourished and increased and bear flowers and fruits it proceeds from the soul and they are the works of animated Bodies neither can they be without this soul 6. Therefore rejected is that opinon of the Philosophers which call that the form which vivificates Plants and that their nature which indeed is the soul. 7. And also Erroneous is that opinion which maintans Plants to be Animals endowed with sense which Scaliger refutes Exer. 138. 8. For they are not accommodated with Organs which are requisite to sensitive faculties neither can the actions of any such faculties be apprehended in Plants for which of them can see hear smell taste or feel Arist. lib. 1. de planc C. 1. 9. We do not deny but some sense is resident in Plants in attracting to them what is profitable and shunning what is unprofitable but then the question will be how can Plants which are always fixed in a place properly be said to draw what is profitable and shun what is incommodious 10. The vegetable soul alonâ—… that is within the Plant is used as an instrument to the preservation of life by heat both native and adventitious lawfully temperated which the Plants draw out of the earth where they are fixed by the roots 11. That heat adhering in the moist matter it attracts as convenient to its nature and so alters and converts it into the substance of the Plant. 12. Hence there are two vital principles in every Plant heat and humour the want whereof as it is death to Animals so it is a corruption and decaying to Plants 13. Corruption doth either infest part of the Plant or the whole 14. A total corruption is either natural or preternatural 15. The natural is made when Plants are rendred more dryer for their internal heat and their moisture decayed by progress of time 16. Some are corrupted sooner others later and so accordingly they live long or short 17. The cause of which variety is especially the form yet sometimes it happens from the gluishâ—…ess of the humour and
the plenty thereof whereby the 〈◊〉 heat the instrument of form is nourished together with the firmness and solidity of the whole Plant. 18. For such grow a long time As first have much soft and gentle humidity in them Secondly a solid substance Thirdly their roots long and thick Fourthly those that are barren and fruitless Fifthly such as grow in a dry place 19. On the contrary part those Plants are short lived and sooner perish by natural corruption as have not the contraries to the former 20. Preternatural or violent â—…ruption happens either by â—…tinction or â—…nt of nourishâ—… 21. Corruption happening 〈◊〉 extinction is when the Plant perishes by too much cold 22. When cold 〈◊〉 goâ—… to the bottom it hinders 〈◊〉 warm vapour or heat from coming to the roots and at length causes the whole to perish 23. This corruption doth not happen but when an extream cold comes and invades the roots denuded of earth 24. Corruption happening from want of nourishment and that by heat by which the Plant is as it were scorched the humidity thereof being C exhausted by the vehemency of heat 25. And there are two seasons especially wherein Plants are exposed to this injury the one when they begin to bud because then they are more laxi the other when they bear fruit when their juice is exhausted and made weak 26. That is called partial corruption or sideration when the native heat of any part is extinguished either by cold or heat or with a wound mortification of that part following 27. Furthermore some kinde of Plants grow of their own accord and some are propagated by the art and industry of man 28. Such arise of their own accord of seed as are either manifest or obscure 29. Those that grow of manifest seed have but one manner of rising as in all Herbareous Plants that are sown of seed and others are propagated divers manner of ways 30. From manifest seed after this manner seed falling into the moist earth is thereby softned and is cherished both with naturall and celestial heat and so swelling by reason of the plenty of humour flowing into them from the earth it breaks and out of that part which is broken a certain soft and tender sprout doth grow by so little becomes more firm and crass one part whereof being partaker of the airy nature ascends up the other which is terrestrial and crass resides in the earth and there coaâ—…esces 31. So then Plants arising â—…rom seed are cherished by the humour of the earth decocted â—…y heat and attracted by their â—…nternal nature 32. But the time of sprouting of Plants is not one and the same D for some do begin to grow within three days as the Bafil and Rape some on the fourth day as Lettice some on the fifth as the Gourd some on the sixth as Beet some on the eighth as Arach some on the tenth as Colwort Leeks in twenty days Smallidg forty or fifty Last of all Pyony and Mandrake â—…rce in the space of a whole year 33. The causes of this diversity of sproutings are these First 〈◊〉 strength of Form Secondly the strength or weakness of their inward heat Thirdly the variety or density fatness or hardness of the seeds for in hard and dense Bodies the humour cannot be illicited out of the earth so readily whereby seed must swell before it erupts 34. Certain Plants E according to the opinion of Theophrastus are said to grow without evident or manifest seed and he declares the cause to be a certain permistion of earth and putrefied water which being as it were preserved both by the heat of the sun and the propriety of the matter renders a fit generation of spontaneous Plants 35. This opinion is probable enough for as a strange heat is the cause of putretude so also into things of new forms which are putrefied and he makes the heat of the sun and stars to be a beneficial induction therâ—… 36. But besides these the air and the earth may be the cause of sproutings of such Plants as grow spontaneously If it be true that according to the various station of first and second qualities in substance various mutations and generations of things may be made 37. Moreover a Plant sometimes is produced out of a hard stone which happens when air is included therein and endeavors to asâ—…end but when it cannot finde a passage it is reflected and so waxes hot by its agitation whereby it draws the humor of the stone to it self That vapour with the humour breaks out and of that vapour and humour brought out of the stone a Plant is ingendered by the concurrent heat of the sun Arist. lib. 2. de Plantis c. 5. 38. Furthermore Plante are variously propagated by the art and industry of men by setting of roots or ingrafting yong slips 39. By setting of roots as Liquorice Lilly for these do easily attract aliment and so live 40. By ingrafting or planting and that either by fastning them in the earth or upon the stock of a tree 41. Planted or fixed in the earth as the Rose Willow Vine Mulberry which is called a propagation 42. Engrafted upon the stock of a tree by thrusting a slip into the wood of another which properly indeed is called insition as an Apple-tree into a Pear-tree 43. Indeed most Plants may be propagated all these ways as Olives Figgs and Cherry-trees 44. But there are invented other manner of propagations more artificially whereby a leaf digged out of the earth to bud in a new stock 45. But it is a question not to be contemned F why the dissected parts of Plants do live and thereby propaga ed when it is the cause of death in Animals This is said to happen because Plants have the strength and force of the soul engrafted within them and so diffused over all their parts Heat also which is an individual companion of the soul and moisture gentle and thin and therefore not dissipable but it is not so with Animals for they stand in need of that faculty which flows from the heart 46. Therefore part of a bough which is planted in the earth doth preserve in it self heat humour and strength of the soul and by that attracted humour begins to swell and receive spirit and by the strength of the soul it detaines and by the help of its innate heat it distributes the grossest parts of the humour from whence the roots are framed and the thinnest part it preserves which causes it to grow higher 47. The same manner is observed in engrafting for as Plants out of the earth as out of a womb so Grafts from those where they are grafted do preserve keep and attract the nutriment of the Plant by the force of the soul and heat and by a continued action a generation of parts is made 48. But Aliment which the Graft draws is by far more elaborate First in that was concocted before in the mother Secondly in that is made
with the earth where seed is to be sowen the seed will sooner erupt not onely excited thereunto by the innate heat of the seed as the extream calidity of the earth so the seeds of Palmes if infused and macerated in water before its sation it sooner sprouts E Theophrastus saith that experience teaches that certain Plants do grow without seed and that some have been seen to grow in the earth where none was sowen or planted before he instances in Laserpitium which sometimes hath been seen in Affrica and never found before in the same place Some of the Philosophers do inquire out the seminal cause of these Plants Anaxagoras judges the air to convey the seed from some other place and there to fix according to the course of nature others judge it to happen by the inundation and conflux of waters whereby seeds are conveyed from some places to other parts of the earth more remote And although these things are not spoken altogether foolishly as without reason yet the truth thereof is to be questioned but it is certain that many Plants however have been found to grow of their own accord without any seed As Polypody of the Oak as we see certain little Animals to have their original by accidents as lice worms and other insects that are generated by accidents F It is a question deserves solution whence it is that the insected parts of Plants do live longer then if they had remained whole nay and are thereby propogated whereas it is not so with Animals for if their parts be cut they perish For we see that boughs plucked from their stock and plants plucked up by the roots to grow and are thereby propagated but with Animals after the division of a foot ear arm leg or ther parts forthwith they die I answer that Plants do longer survive after their section if again planted or engrafted because they have the force of the soul insited and that diffused through all and every part And besides they have scattered abroad their native heat the individual companion of the soul and their humidity which is lent and crass and therefore less dissipable through all the parts by which two principles they live and undergo all the functions of nature and hence it is that part of a Plant sejoyned from its stock is said to live in the earth the matrix as it were of Plants by the benefit of the soul which is correllative in the whole and every part and to beget a root or take rooting which is a new principle from the humidity resident and attracted out of the earth or sprout and grow out of another trunk planted therein by insition and so coalesce after the same manner even now declared For as long as Plants preserve that humidity of theirs stedfast and dense so long are they capable of life and soul but such as are perfect Animals and are consequently of a stronger and better nature do not onely stand in need of an insited but an influent faculty which is drawn from the heart and hence it is that their humidity is not so stedfast viz. substantial but more thin and tenderer and therefore doth the sooner expire Hence it is that if a hand be separared from the body all the life therein is extinguished because it is destitute of an influent faculty from the heart for that thing cannot have a soul unless it have a continued derivation from the heart which if it once be destitute of it loses to be an animated being CHAP. 5. Of certain affections of Plants 1. HItherto we have Treated of the rise of Plants both Natural and Artificial Now we shall proceed to their Affections or Corruptions wherewith they are infested their Affections may proceed either from their native soyl or rather the ground where planted from the variety of their germination fecundity and propriety of substance or from their qualities 2. The soyl or rather matter of the rise of Plants is either Terrestrial or Aquatical 3. Terrestrial viz. their native place in the earth and that either in gardens or fields sative or wilde 4. The Sative are Domestick Plants such as grow in Gardens 5. The Wilde are such as grow in the Woods Mountains Valleys and the like 6. Aquatical such as grow in waters and that either in the ocean or lesser waters as in Fountains Rivers Ponds c. Arist. 7. Again some Plants are delighted in a hot place some in a cold place some in the open field some in the shade some upon rocks and some upon sandy-ground 8. But why A Plants should delight to grow in such variety of soyls is not easily determined yet notwithstanding the place where the thing is sited is the conservation of that thing and indeed of all things sublunar therefore divers Plants are of divers natures and accordingly do attract convenient Aliment out of that soyl for the preservation of life and do therefore rejoyce as it were in a fit and convenient soyl 9. Furthermore notice must be taken in the germination of Plants the time when they germinate their Celerity and Tardity 10. The time of germination is the Spring when there is plenty of humour abounding which was gathered in the winter-season and then their innate heat is excited by the extremity of external heat insomuch that the cutis of Plants and the meatus of the universal Body begins to be opened which causes the juice to be educed abroad and a budding or germination to be made 11. Others put forth their summer-fruit sooner or later according to their naure which happens according to the greater or lesser force of the innate heat and humour and also the rarity or density of the Plants body 12. Sometimes notwithstanding tilled or pruned Plants do bud later then the untilled First by reason of the less revocation of the inward heat to the outward parts and by reason of the wounds made by pruning Secondly either from the debilitation or weakness of the same heat or the denudation of the root or from the incrassitude of the humour Thirdly from the density and thickness of the Plant induced or brought into the root by the force of nocturnal frigidity and by the root into the whole Plant. 17. And they do not generate forthwith in their first age neither do Animals whilst young and tender bear young because all their aliment at that time is diverted into their increment Secondly their force is more weak whereby it cannot concoct it nor condensate it into fruit 14 Neither do all Plants generate for so some are fruitful others not fruitful 15. The cause of fruitfulness is referred by some onely to heat but when there is heat without matter that is copious aliment it can effect or frame nothing Hot and succulent Plants are onely fruitful 16. Of fruitful or fecundine Plants some do bear fruit once in all their life others oftner 17. Those that bear fruit oftner are such as fructicate annally once a year some twice
in air by inspiration and they continue out of the water upon the earth or at least receive their nutriment most part from thence 11. And they are either such as go or creep or fly Arist. 1 de Hist. An. c. 1. 12. They that go or creep are such as move on the face of the earth 13. And they are either four-footed beasts or creeping vermine 14. Fourfooted beasts are those that go upon four feet or at least consist of four such parts as man hath two arms for two former feet 15. There is a diverse constitution of these as also of the temperament of man for in Dogs choler doth abound in Hogs phlegme and in others other humours whence their temperament doth chiefly depend 16. Fourfooted beasts are distinguished by the manner of their generation in oviparas and viviparas 17. Those are oviparae which bring forth eggs or breed after that manner out of which afterwards the animal is produced as Frogs Crocodiles Lizards Salamanders Chameleons and Serpents all which are endowed with four feet 18. Although these in many faculties of the soul and parts of the body have no little similitude to man yet they differ much nay more then such as are born alive called viviparae for neither do we see the same ingenuity in them which is in these nor altogether the same parts and strength of body 19. Viviparae are such as bring forth perfect animals 20. And those have a large lung dense and carnous filled with blood and therefore they breath 21. The yong also D is nourished and brought almost after the same manner in the bellies of their damms as the childe in the womb of a woman 22. Therefore erroneous is that opinion of Avicenna Albertus and Cardan himself who think that all animals that are gotten in the matrix may arise without it meerly of putrefaction if so be it be true that animals do proceed from a mutual copulation onely but never any man or dog did ever proceed from putretude but seed Scal. Exer. 193. 23. Viviparae are wont to bring forth either those which have solid feet as an Horse or Ass and many others which want horns so likewise many cornuted beasts as the Ox Hart Goat and the like or such as have their feet divided into divers parts as Dogs Apes c. 24. And their yong are multifarious for the many cells in the womb where the seed is contained 25. Creeping beasts E are those which crawl upon the ground and they are either Serpents which by convolving themselves do move or all other kind of worms upon the earth 26. Furthermore F there are volatile beasts which do use to fly much in the air and they are otherwise called birds 27. Aereal birds G have by nature two feet and they do move themselves above the earth by their feathers by flying 28. Their bodies do consist like to other bodies of the four elements of a legitimate commixtion and they have both similar and dissimilar parts 29. Yet they want reins and bladder whereby it happens that they never urine because they drink little and by reason of the heat and dryness of their nature which converts their water into aliment 30. Their generation is of an egg and chiefly of the white for it is nourished by the yolk till it is excluded these eggs engender and do receive life from the heat of the damm sitting upon them 31. And they are sooner hatched in summer then in winter Hens in summer usually sit but eighteen days but in winter twenty five 32. And unless they bring forth they labor under a disease and perish Arist. 33. Birds H are distinguished by their meat for some are very carnous because as they feed upon flesh as those which have crooked claws as the Crow and Hawk and some are fed by worms others by herbs and some by fruits 34. So much concerning Terrestrials Now concerning such as live in the water and they are called fish 35. Fish I is a sanguineous animal of cold and watrish substance of a long body and squamous skin diving in the water 36. Their propagation is much by seed onely this difference some lay eggs which are committed to the water and thereby cherished others bring forth their yong alive as the Whale Dolphine and the sea-Calf 37. In the time of copulation male and female are conversant and the female by a gentle touch conceives eggs in the matrix but they are not perfected till they be sprinkled with the seed of the male for these eggs into which the seed is ejected do become 〈◊〉 the rest remains barren 38. Of the particular parts of Fish these things are to be observed There is a heart in most of them but inverse or much turned in contrary to other animals whereby a certain passage is made to their gills by which they return the humor which they receive into their mouths 39. All their teeth are serrated yet some have teeth upon their tongues 40. Their tongue is hard and almost thorny and so 〈◊〉 to the roof that they seem â—…o be without a tongue 41. They have the parts of hearing and smelling but none of sensuality but the eyes for the passage is broad and open where they should have that sense their 's eyes are without lids 42. They want lungs K and asper arteries therefore they neither have a voice nor breath 43. Aristotle proves it First because in breathing water must be drawn in as well as air which two bodies do mutually hinder themselves Secondly because they do not move any particle of the belly as other breathing creatures do Thirdly because when they dye in the water we cannot perceive any bubbles to be made which happens when there is any animal that breathes suffocated in the water Fourthly because if it were so other animals also might breath in the water which experience denies 44. But some ancient writers and Neoterick Philosophers defend the contrary opinion who conclude that all manner of fish do breath 45. It is not for the former Arguments onely that we part from the doctrine of the Peripateticks but also Julius Scaliger defends it 46. But some fish do onely live in the waters some partly on the water and some partly on the earth 47. Those that dive in the water are either those that have blood or are without blood 48. Those which have blood are properly called Pisces 49. And those are great small middle or little according to their adjunct quantity 50. Those are called great the Whale the Salmon Dolphine and sea-Calf 51. Those that are of the middle rank the Eel Pike Carp Pearch Stockfish Tench c. 52. The least are these a Horsleech Turdus Sprats c. 53. Those that are called Exsangues are such as are without blood and do consiâ—… in its stead of a certain vital humidity and these are either soft or hard 54. Those that are soft Albertus calls them Malachias and they are those that
call cogitativam and aestimativam For Madness Phrensie and Melancholy are Diseases that cannot hurt corporeal affections by themselves to wit simply alone but corporeal faculties also for they disturb the minde by accident because it is contained in that very house or situation where this distemper raigns and where the senses are used But Bruits suffer madness by reason of imagination or their estimative faculty not for their reason or understanding C It is common to all perfect animals to have blood and therefore without it they neither can be accounted perfect or produce any vital action for blood is after a manner another soul. D It is a thing common almost to the Universal Genus of fourfooted Beasts that their generation proceeds from the commixtion of the Masculine with the Feminine and they copulate either at certain times or seasons or promiscuously at any time And whereas they are void of reason especially when they have a sensual appetite thereunto at which time the Male is so furiously inflamed with such an irresistable light that it will furiously assail the Female and prosecute her even till his appetite be satisfied as we see often verified in Stags E All Serpents are referred to fourfooted Beasts because they have Blood Flesh Nerves and other internal Bowels of that Nature with them although not so perfect and also dissimilar from the members of those animals This animal is crafty and wise in the preservation of its life in seeking out a Den to lurk in and Food to live on F Volatiles do consist of all the elements but chiefly of water which we may read and prove by sacred writ where it is said That the waters brought forth both creeping things on the earth and flying things in the air where a question will arise why God produced flying things out of the water rather then the earth Because the greatest part of them do reside upon the earth For upon the earth they feed sleep pull off their feathers and altogether haunt the earth and not the water because according to Aristotle we are nourished by those things of which we consist Birds consist of earth rather then water therefore c. This argues that their substance is hard and dense which must needs differ much from the nature of water but little from earth But for the further solution we must know that there is no animal gotten or procreated in the fire or air but in the water and on the earth all Bodies are procreated and that of the commixtion of siccity with humidity but of the two other Elements they receive light temperaments and vertues therefore because Birds are wandring animals they ought to be framed of an Aery temperament that it may be consentaneous to their nature Now Birds are procreated from the water which comes nearest to the nature of air for it is made air extenuated by heat as we see the density of air to pass into water and therefore Birds are produced out of the water into the air as it were a proper Element for their nature G When in the definition we say Birds to be two-footed and winged this ought to be understood of perfect Birds for there are certain Birds found without feet called Apodes and also without feathers of which see Scaliger and it is called a Bird from Avia because it cuts an uncertain flight in the air For there are three things uncertain and past finding out the way of a Ship in the sea the way of a Bird in the air and the way of a Yongman on earth H Other divisions there are of Birds of which see Scaliger Exer. 227. and of the species of Birds see Freigeus his Physicks I By Fish I generally understand all water-animals that swim in water and all these are produced of the water which their natures doth demonstrate for if they be taken out of the waters they die and perish because they are robbed of their proper Nature or Womb but in water they grow and are nourished by reason of the similitude and cogination of their nature with the place which is cold and moist But how can Fish which seem to be constituted of a 〈◊〉 Matter and a mixed body be produced from water alone one simple Element and fluid I answer first the concretion of water in the producing of 〈◊〉 to be done forthwith by the voice and command of God insomuch that it is so constricted and firmly coagulated that the body of fish is solid and well compacted Again we do not deny but that other Elements concur to this aquatical constitution but water hath the dominion whose nature fish emulates because they are cold and moist where notwithstanding we must observe that this same watry constitution doth participate of heat and moisture in which the vital faculty or life doth consist K It is an old tossed question whether fishes that want a lung breathe Aristotle denies it but Plato and all the ancient Philosophers affirm it and these are their Reasons First what animals soever have not the organs of respiration so called cannot breath but fishes have neither lungs nor arteries which are the organs of respiration in all other animals therefore fish breath not Secondly if fish do breath it must either be by the mouth or fins and then they both receive and let out the spirit together but this cannot be because these motions are contrary in themselves and contraries cannot act together in the same therefore fishes do not breath Thirdly if Fishes that are destitute of attractive arteries and lungs breath then they must breath by the benefit of the belly but this is absurd therefore the consequence false The reason of the Minor is that if the belly of fish doth attract air then it would do so in other animals but it is not so therefore c. Fourthly In all those animals that inspire and exspire some part of their body may be discerned to move as in man when he breaths the brest is lifted up if he exspires it is pressed down but in fish there is no such motion to be seen therefore they breath not Fifthly when any breathing Creatures are suffocated in the water certain bubbles will arise if they be there detained till suffocation but if fish be never so long detained they cause no bubbles therefore they breath not neither do they receive any extrinsecal air Sixthly if fish did breath under the water it would follow then that men and other animals might breath also but the consequence is false therefore the antecedent Seventhly if fishes do breath in the water then it is so that they may attract air which they must do also without the water but they do not breath out of the water nor attract air Ergo c. if all animals do breath then insects also should breath which are animals but they breath not Ergo c. the assumption is confirmed for those animals that breath do breath whilst they live and when
this moveable But why doth Quicksilver like a drop of water in powder or dust and also upon a dry substance be globular and round The question is subtil and difficult Cardan renders this reason What things are dry do fly from touching or mixing with their contrary and therefore in hatred thereof is compelled into a globular form This opinion is refuted by Scaliger Exer. 105. 1. This happens not in a dry substance onely but in water which is moist 2. That it will gather it self in the dust of Lead and not fly from it because Lead is like to the nature of Quicksilver and therefore it doth not fly from its nature but rather desire it 3. A drop of water when it falls in the air is globular and round but doth not refuse the air which is moist therefore the flight from dryness will not be the cause of its globular form if it be the same in moistness But the truest reason is taken from the material cause to wit Quicksilver for its exquisite mixture of moist and dry to be forced into one and conglobulated for pure water alone cannot be convolved into a globular form but if there be any thing of earth exquisitely mixed with water then indeed it will be globular as we see in drops falling upon dust with which assoon as any dust is mingled it becomes round for from dryness it received a certain firmness to cause that roundness From which Example the substanâ—…e of Quicksilver may be easily understood because it hath the same form way or station in nature as water gathered in dust therefore Quicksilver according to the definition of Scaliger is nothing else then a watry earth or earthly water not without much air and I shall adde to these another cause of conglobulation both from the form and the end desumed For whatsoever they be they are always one but unity in its kinde is excellently preserved in a globular form because there is nothing different nothing absent no inequality and therefore Quicksilver that it might better conserve its unity it goes into a globular form C It is a Controversie to this day agitated whether Metalls are distinguished amongst themselves in specificall differences which do effect divers and incommunicable forms amongst themselves so that one kinde of metall cannot be changed or converted into another or rather do they differ in the manner of perfection and imperfection This last Tenent is defended by the Chymists to which Cardan and Danaeus subscribe The first the followers of Galen and Julius Scaliger defend Reas. 1. Metals have their divers Definitions divers Colours Strength Seats Weights and many such like differences between them 2. In Species what is imperfect cannot be reposed or exist in any Species for the Essence of every thing is indivisible but the Essence alone is perfection As Scaliger saith Exer. 106. sect 2. 3. Metalls between themselves are not changed therefore they have a proper and compleat Essence and do differ in specificall forms I confirm the proposition for either its nature must change or art But it doth not change its nature because its place is not outward as to operation then much less art which is an imitator of nature 4. Saith Scaliger there are both other Metalls appointed by nature that of them Gold should be made and other Animates that of them man may be made Therefore it is not true that Gold is the perfection of Metalls So Thomas Erastus his second Part of dispute against Paracelsus and Iacobus Albertus and Thomas More D In this place that long controversed Point whether Metalls live or produce vitall action as other Bodies do that are endowed with a vegetable soul Cardan De subtil lib. 5. pag. 150. doth affirm it and these are his reasons 1. Every thing that is nourished or generated doth live Every mingled Body is nourished or at least generated therefore it lives To this Scaliger answers by denying the Proposition The Tophus or Gravel-stone is generated yet it doth not live because it wants a soul therefore the name Generation is common to all things generable and corruptible as also to Inanimate and corporall Simples for this water is generated of the air without a living soul. The second reason which is judged the most valid is this Where there is heat there is a soul where a soul there is life In a Stone there is heat therefore also life and soul. The major is deniable for in fire there is heat which notwithstanding wants a soul the minor also is false for a stone is rather cold then hot 3. Attraction comes from the soul the Loadstone attracts Iron therfore it hath a soul or is animated Scaliger answers That all attraction not to be from the soul as is plain from fire which doth gather and attract its kinde neither is it animated 4. Metalls have Veins and Pores therefore the office and end of Veins the end is the passage of Aliment but Aliment is onely of the soul. Scaliger answers and denies the first That there is no true Veins in Metalls but rather certain Internalls by which the parts are distinguished and grant they were true Veins and necessary then they would be found in all Metalls which are not in the most precious Metalls as in Gold the Adamant and others therefore they are not true 5. Metalls do grow therefore they have a vegetable soul. I answer Metalls do grow and increase not by the benefit of a soul but rather by accretion or apposition of parts extrinsecally adhering no otherwise then as a stone in the bladder therefore a soul cannot rightly be attributed unto them 6. Metalls do suffer Diseases and old Age as Albertus doth attest which must necessarily proceed from life We answer That old Age and Diseases are metaphorically given to them when by much preservation we say they have lost their first goodness and vertue as Scaliger doth instance in the Adamant which never can be said to wax old E These properties are denoted of Gold First that it is of all Metalls the most softest and tenderest and therefore it may be dilated into a thin leaf insomuch that one ounce of Gold will cover eight of Silver 2. It wants fatness and therefore it doth not tincture not defile neither is it conâ—…umed with fire for Gold according to Aristotle of all Metalls loses nothing in the fire the oftner it is burnt the better it is 3. It is heavy considering the thickness of its substance because it is compacted well with heat 4. It hath a pleasant and excellent Sapour and Odour for it is temperately hot and dry whence it is said to exhilarate the heart of man and to corroborate the vitall Spirits Native Gold is found in the mountains about Arabia in Caverns and Ponds in Germany in Rivers at Tago and sometimes in the heads of Fishes it is also generated and mingled with other metalls F There is a great Controversie amongst latter Chymists and followers of
earth is necessary to the composition which doth afford matter for the unctuosity to astringe therefore stones are gotten of gross earth by the coalition of this humour which must be so understood not that the two other elements to wit the fire and the aire must be separated from their mixtion if so be the opinion of Philosophers be true that every mixed thing doth consist of four Elements The efficient causes of Metals or Minerals are two heat and cold heat persisting in the matter doth diduce moisture and unctuosity of â—…errene substance by certain tender parts and so doth coct and digest and perfectly mingle the portions of the several elements but especicially of water and earth and so purge them from all the excrementitious parts and at last doth prepare that matter rightly to produce the form of a stone and so cold at length doth condensate it with its astrictiveness expel all its superabundant humor and so indurate it into a stone But some may say that cold rather is the cause of corruption then generation I answer it is true in Animate bodies but in Inanimates to wit in meteors and metals coldness is the cause of generation Yet it may further be objected If stones do coalesce from coldness it follows by the same rule that they must melt by heat and so be resolved but that cannot be aâ—…â—…erefore nor the former I anâ—…wer Stones cannot be melted by heat alone without the affusion of some other humor because there is in them such an exquisite natural commixture of moisture and dryness that they refuse liquation by their contraries neither are they to be reduced to the action of their external faculty without the sympathy of some familiar quality B According to the divers and various subtilty of the matter whether pure or impure crass viscous or the like Stones both pure and impure noble and ignoble are ingendred whence it is that there is so great variety of Stones and Gemms and here an objection will arise whether precious Stones may change the matter of the earths generation Gems because of their noble fulgor and transparency do not seem to persist of earth which is dusky and blackish an enemy to such pulchritude whence many are of this opinion that Gems are partakers equally of celestial fire and water and from them to receive their fulgor and christalline clearness But we must know that Gems also do consist of certain earthly matter but not obscure but subtil mixed with a watrish humidity well cocted and tempered for the matter according to Logicians doth vary the dignity of things but the propinquity of the sun cocts better and stronger the matter of stone in Oriental regions makes the Gems and Stones both more excellent and precious Another question will here arise whether Stones do differ in forms and species We maintain the affirmative with this one undeniable reason divers actions and vertues do arise from divers Forms but there are divers actions in divers Stones therefore c. The assumption is proved because one stone resists poyson another discusses swellings another draws iron which are indeed divers effects C Pliny relates of the generation of the Pumice that it is gotten of Fruits some of Bays some of Thyme beyond the Columns of Hereules which are transformed into the Pumice which if it be true it is not strangâ—… why the Pumice cast into the water doth swim when it is made of porous and rare matter and therefore it hath its levity from its matter and will not sink to the bottom of water but that for use is accounted the best which is candid light and very spungious The flower of it according to Theophrastus doth take away drunkenneâ—…s D A Gemm properly is the sprouting or bud of a Tree fair and round bunching out at the first out of bunâ—…s and chiefly of Vines and so those precious Stones which reâ—…mble this form are wont to be called Gems because they respond thereunto in figure and form But the vertues and the effects of Gems are wonderful if we may believe Cardan Some says he are effectual in prolonging life others available in love in obtaining riches some for divination others for consolation some for wisdom others for good fortune some work effects to make men dull others joyful some sad others fearful some do resist poyson others help the concoction of the ventricle and liver But concerning the vertues of Gems read Scaliger Exer. 106. But Heaven no doubt hath infused into Gems many admirable properties and vertues concerning which Hermes Trismegistus hath sufficiently treated E But why doth the Adamant preserve its substance whole against the weighty stroaks of the hammer and furious flames of of the fire yet suffer it self to be dissolved with the blood of a goat There are some of our later writers who will admit of no occult property at all but go about to manifest every thing by plain reason therefore they judge goats blood by reason of its analogy which is in the beginning common to pierce the Adamant But says Scaliger what other thing is that anology of its common principle then an occult property No doubt but it is a great miracle of nature and why it should pierce so hard a body no man well can demonstrate F The Carbuncle comes from the Eastern regions shining like to white clouds but because it hath golden spots it is reckoned by some amongst Gems G Of which there are three sorts First that which shines in the dark they call Pyropus secondly that which is put in a black vessel shining water being powred upon it thirdly that is the basest which glisters onely when the light shines H Achates is of so many various kindes that it will scarce be credited to be one stone for it is clear red yellowish cineritious green dark blue insomuch that this one answers to all the colours of other Gems I Albertus Magnus relates that he hath tryed this that if this stone be hung about the neck it roborates the strength of the whole body which is incredible for by its frigidity it constringes the spirits By the same reason it is related that if it be hung about the belly it hinders venery whereupon the Indians every-where preserve themselves K Whether chrystal be glass is a subtil controversie between Cardan and Scaliger He denies it upon this reason because glass is dissolved by the fire but chrystal not unless for several days it lie in the midst of a vehement fire and be continually blown therefore Chrystal can never be glass Scaliger answers glass that hath never obtained the hardness of a stone is as yet water and therefore easily dissolvable by fire because it is but congealed with a little cold but when it is concreted and congealed by a diuturnal cold insomuch that it hath obtained the perfect form and hardness of a stone it will not easily melt or not at all but it is generated oftentimes under the earth
and sometimes upon the tops of high mountains where there is perpetual snow therefore it must needs be congealed into a hard substance for much of it is brought from the Alpes Helvetia and Italy L Coral is called by the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as it were a shrubby stone for it is called frutex marinus because being extracted from the sea by the air it is hardned into a stone under the water the Coral is green and soft but assoon as it is taken out and reposed to the air it grows hard and red because of the tenuity and subtilty of the air which compels and hardens its parts M The Loadstone is called Magnes as is supposed from its first finder out by some it is called the Herculean stone it hath a wonderful vertue in attraction it doth not onely strongly draw iron to it self but also infuse an attractive vertue into the iron drawn insomuch that it will attract other iron to it which thing can hardly be demonstrated with reason If any say that iron is drawn by the similitude of substance he errs not for similitude and the flight of the vacuum are the two causes of attraction heat draws by the flight of the vacuum every part doth draw its proper aliment according to the similitude of the substance whence iron is as it were the aliment of the Loadstone and therefore it is drawn by it for in the flakes of iron the Loadstone is preserved although Scaliger by no means will assent to this But we say that iron is the proper aliment of the Loadstone not so as to say that it lives as Scaliger well infers but as it were nourished by it But as the Elements move spontaneously to their places as to their end and perfection so the Loadstone because it is kept in the filings of iron and as it were nourished by them moves to the iron therefore we may well rest in the opinion of the antient that iron is drawn by the Loadstone by the similitude of substance and therefore it is that this stone is of the colour of iron Yet some say that the Loadstone doth not always draw iron I answer That happens by accident for when the Adamant is near it hinders and impedes its attraction Cardan yet denies that the Adamant can hinder the attraction of iron or can be hindred by Leeks and Onyons but maintains that it will always attract iron as he hath proved by experience N The manner of the generation of Pearl is this Shell-fishes in the spring time being incited to the desire of copulation or conception whereupon they come out to the shore and dilate themselves attracting the heavenly dew return as it were burdened and so bring forth Margaries Hence it is that there is so much difference in the goodness of the Pearl which happens according to their age or magnitude and also the quality of the dew received of round shell-fishes the best Pearls are gotten Those are the best Pearls which are found in the bottom of the sea and sometimes found floating upon the shore CHAP. 3. Of Juices or precious Earths 1. VVE having explained the Nature of hard metallick Bodies we shall now treat of such as are soâ—…t which precious Earthâ—… are of a milde Nature between Metals and Stones 2. And many of these Bodies are fricable that is to say rubbed small or brought into fine powder 3 Some of these may be melted others not those that are soft may that may be hardned into the body of a stone 4. Of the first kinde of these are those that are dry and concreted as Salt Alom Bitumen Vitriol 5. Salt is A a metallick Body friable begotten of a humid and watry Juice and gross earth mixed and boyled together 6. It hath force to absterge expurge astringe dissipate and attenuate 7. And it is either Natural or Artificial that which is Natural is called Fossile that which is Artificial Factitious 8. The Fossile is found either in the Earth or out of the Earth 9. That which is found in the Earth is either digged out of mountains or effoded out of the fields or sandy places 10. Of these there are various differences according to the diversity of places where they are found but four especially are most known to us Sal Ammoniack Sal gemm Sal Nitre Indian salt 11. Ammoniack is a bitter salt found in or about the sand of Cyrene whence it is called Cyrenaicus 12. Salt Gem is a Fossile salt found in Mines or Pits shining and resembling the form of Chrystal 13. Salt Nitre or salt-Peter consists of a coagulated humor in moistsubterraneous places shining like to congealed snow upon walls to this day by art it is made 14. The Indian is a salt blackish cut out of the mountain Oromontus in the Indies 15. Those Salts that are found out of the Earth are such as are digged or effoded out of waters and they are called either fontal when fountains or rivers by the heart of the sun are dryed and converted to salt or fluvial when the arm of some river is condensated into salt or stagnal when ponds in the summer are dryed and a salt remains or marine when in the shore a certain tender salt is gotten which Dioscorides calls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pliny interprets it the spume of the sea we call it the dry spume of the sea or more rightly a salt made by heat of the sea-spume 16. Factitious 〈◊〉 cocted salt is made of water and that either Marine Fluvial Fenny Fountain or of the water of Ponds 17. Alome by the definition of Pliny is a certain salsugo or the salt sweat of the Earth concreted of a muddy and slimy water 18. And it is either clear or black 19. That which is clear is judged the best and it is either thick or liquid 20. The liquid is soft fat and clear 21. The thick is either round or scissile and it hath the form of of Sugar 22. The black is found in Cyprus which purges Gold 23. Bitumen is the juice of the Earth gentle and tender like to Pitch easily taking fire 24. And it is either hard 〈◊〉 soft 25. The hard is strongly concreted not unlike to the clods of the earth 29. Of this sort are Asphaltus Pissaphaltus and Amber 27. Asphaltus is a blackish Bitumen like to Pitch but harder and more inspissated splended and less olcous and this sort is gotten all over Babylon 28. Pissaphaltus is a certain Bitumen in a manner black but of a more Terrene concretion 29. Amber also is a Bitumen and fat of the Earth proceeding from the heat of the sea and the colour is sometimes white yellow or obscure 30. The liquid Bitumen is that which flows like an oleous liquor of whose species are Naptha and the Arabian Amber 31. Naptha is liquid Bitumen of an oleous crassitude the fire hath such force over it that it will leap into it where-ever it is neither can it be quenched by
neither have scales nor a rough skin as the Cutle Calimary Lollium Polipus sea-Wolf 55. They are called hard which have a crustous and scalous skin as the Crab Muscle and Oyster 56. And amongst the rest it is doubtful whether those that are called Amphibia what their natures are they have lungs and breath and also whether they sleep by the mouth or fistula in the water or out 57. And they are partly four-footed as Frogs Crocodiles Otters Badgers partly reptile as the Water-snake and partly aereal as the Cormorant Wild-ducks c. 58. And thus much of perfect Animals those that are imperfect are such whose bodies do not so cohere but they may be said to be divided and they want â—…lood and have their original from pâ—…action and are called Insects 59. Therefore an Insect L is an imperfect animal wanting blood having a body distinct by its open junctures so likewise breathes not 60. Whence these Insects are said to consist of three chief Parts the Head Belly and some Space between both 62. Some of these Insects M are ingendred of Caenous earth and putrid slime As for example from putrid dung and wood the Palmer-worm from putrid water Gnats from mire and dirt Worms And some from the puâ—…action of a dead carcase as the Beetle from the Ass Bees from the Bull and Wasps from a Horse 63. The cause of those that take their original from putrid matter is celestial heat diffused in the ambient air 64. Of them which are gotten of a mixed or cadaverous putredue they are procreated of the proper heat of the mixed putretude 65. This the Philosopher indeavored to find out when he said In those things that do putrefie are animals procreated because of the natural calidity existent therein which being segregated makes a body 66. Therefore that calidity so segregated doth dispose the matter and doth produce both a form and substance of the same not by its proper force as though an arridous could effect a living substance but by the concurrence of the celestial heat 67. And as the putrefied matter is diverse and various into which the heat both mixed with it self and that which is by the influence of the heavens darted into it so it must needs produce divers and various Insects and they both noble and ignoble 68. For if the matter be very terrene then testaceous animals are generated if tender and subtil then more slender animals are produced 69. Hence it is that when there is much terrene portion in the sea existent that of such a concretion a shelly substance to arise so that the terrene part doth quickly indurate and coâ—…late 70. But there are two kinds of insects some are winged some not 71. Amongst those that are winged there are some that have two and some four wings 72. Those that have two wings are such as these Flies Gnats Butterflies c. 73. Four wings as Bees 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Beetles Spanish Flies 74. Those that want wings are such as 〈◊〉 upon the ground 75. And amongst these there are some that walk by degrees as the Pismire Spider Horslice Locusts Fleas others crawl slowly on the ground as Worms Grass-worms Glow-worms c. The Commentary A BEtween a rational Creature to wit a man and an irrational to wit a beast there is a certain Medium called a Satyre or Ape which is rightly referred to monsters B Some things are here to be touched concerning the reason or intelligence which seems to be in Bruits For there are some now in these days who besides that particular sense and reason they attribute unto them do believe that they are moved with a certain singular sagacity and doâ—…lity in wonderful operations which they say cannot be acted without some prudence and reason For the great Bucephalus of Alexander would permit no body to come upon his back but his Lord and at last one putting on Alexanders Robes and mounting thereupon was notwithstanding immediately thrown off Nicomedes is reported to have had a Horse who when he perceived his master to be lost in the battel he refused to eat his fodder or provender but pined away and died The Panther after that it hath tasted of poyson presently runs to mans dung that it may be thereby helped The Goats in the woods of Crete being shot with darts runs to the herb Dittany and thereby have their darts plucked out Swallows aslo shew a wonderful art in building of their nests with clay Bees in the making of Wax and Honey And so many other Beasts several other performances which cannot be imitated by us all which â—…ms to some to be acted with reason But for true solution of this between the true actions of Reason and the sensitive Faculty for the Operations Performances and Actions of Bruits are not to be adjudged as proceeding from reason but partly from the instinct of Nature partly from a Phanâ—…e and partly from a natural sagacity or that daily assuefaction they perform And though we should grant that these Actions did proceed from a certain kinde of force or faculty of discretion or prudence existent in Bruits yet it is different far from humane discretion and reason neither doth it differ in quantity as more or less but in the quality or thing it self for it cannot properly be called reason or be comprehended under the name of a rational faculty but to be understood Analogically for it is the property of reason not onely to understand know and judge of its action but to vary the same according to its will but Beasts can do neither of these for those things wherein they are always occupied in them they do continue and from them do not depart neither can they vary their action at will as those that are endowed with reason But some will alledge first that Bruits are capable of Discipline because they are taught many things and to perform many works therefore they are competent of reason if by Discipline they understand Science properly so called I deny that ever any Bruit was ever capable of any such Discipline For though they may learn 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yet they cannot learn 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and therefore there are certain Birds which learn to speak by a certain custom and inclination but what they say they are altogether ignorant Secondly those that are fallen into frantick fits and madness may be said to have had ratiocination and understanding but many Bruit beasts are said to be mad as Apes taken in drunkenness Dogs often run mad The Ox Horse Ass Camel are said to suffer diseases which Physitians rank in the regiment of madness therefore c. I answer it cannot truly hence be gathered that Bruits have any similitude with mans reason for men are said to be mad when they are void of that reason which distinguishes them from a 〈◊〉 Now Bruits are mad according to their internal senses which are common to them to wit imagination sensitive faculty which some
censory hidden within the skull and therefore they cannot perceive odours but by the conduct of the ambient air introsumed But Insects do not perceive odours by the attraction of air but by the alone presence of the thing to be smelled at the censory which organ in them is always open and exposed to smelling not unlike to the eyes of those animals that have no lids nor covering but always open M The material cause of Insects is double as the Insects themselves are of two kinds for some are gotten of slimy earth and putrid mud as for example from putrified Pot-herbs the Canker or Palmer-worm from putrid Water the Gnat from decayed Wine the Midge from Slime worms from Mud frogs others arise from a mixed putretude as Beetles from the karcass of an Ass Bees from a Bull Wasps from a Horse And as there are two kinds of Insects so there is also a double efficient cause of them for they which take their rise from putrid Matter their efficient cause is the heat of the Sun diffused in the Ambient air But they which are gotten of a mixed and cadaverous putretude are procreated meerly from the proper heat of the mixed putretude for that heat doth dispose the Matter and produce a substantial form of the same not by its proper force for an accident cannot make a living substance but by the vertue of the Celestial heat But some may say that heat of mixture is broken in putretude if putretude be the corruption of heat natural therefore the heat of a mixed body putrefied cannot be the efficient cause of Insects I answer In the natural decay of mixtures simply all heat doth not vanish so that none may be said to remain but broken as natural and according to that measure which is necessary to retain the humidity with the â—…iccity as in the destruction death or decay of living creatures all heat simply doth not vanish but that onely which was convenient for the existence of the soul in the body and the preservation of life therefore that heat which is yet left in a mixed putretude hath reason to be the efficient cause of Insects But some may further instance that heat in the generation of mixtures ought to domineer passively not actively according to Aristotle who saith that heat and cold do generate when they overcome and rule in passives but in putretude the heat of mixture doth not obtain the name of dominion because its wants strength and vigor and is so unfurnished that it cannot retain the moist with the dry for the preservation of the mixture therefore it cannot be the efficient cause of Insects which Insects are procreated of the unity and consistency of humidity and sicâ—…ity I answer The heat of the body putrefied may be considered two manner of ways either in respect of that mixture which doth putrefie or in respect of the animals which are produced from that mixture if it be considered after the first manner then it is preternatural and not fit to retain the humidity with the siccity because it doth not further rule in these passive qualities but if heat be considered in the second respect then it is natural and hath force and dominion over the moist and dry and it can terminate and couple them and out of that matter produce a substantial form by the concurrence of the celestial heat but now as the matter is various and diverse in which heat doth exercise its action so likewise various and divers animals and insects are produced for if the matter be much terrene and corpulent then it will produce testaceous animals but if tender thin and subtil then heat doth generate slender animals as Flies Gnats c. For as Aristotle says In the sea there is much of an earthly substance and thence it is that from the concretion thereof so many shell-fishes are procreated But again it may be objected by some Every thing that is generated must proceed from a thing that is like to it self for a celestial body and heat are not similar to those which do arise from coenous and putrid Matter therefore from these they cannot rightly be said to be generated I answer Every thing that is generated is said to be generated from its simile either according to an univocal generation or an equivocal generation by analogy I call that an univocal generation when one man begets another or one dog another for here the thing getting and the thing begotten are of one Genus for the bitch generating is an animal and the dog generated is an animal But an equivocal generation is made by similitude as a frog that is produced out of filth by the force of the sun and it is so called because the thing getting and the thing gotten are Heterogeneous But now although the Insects proceeding from such like bodies are not similar according to the univocal Genus yet they are generated a simile according to the equivocal Genus by analogy because they are produced by some existent act as by a celestial body or the like which concur in the way of act to produce a body CHAP. 15. Of Man and his Formation in the Womb. 1. HItherto we have Treated of irrational Creatures Now we shall say something of the rational viz. Man 2. Man is A an animal endowed with reason 3. And as he is the most noblest of all Creatures so he hath the most beautiful and excellent structure of body of all other animals being erect and looking up to heaven 4. But as every thing which is gotten doth proceed of something and from something so there are certain necessary principles to the generation of mans Body 5. The seed B therefore of both Sexes is plentiful and fruitful and pronounced by the ancients to be the Mother-blood of principles 6. The Seed is a humid body spumous and white generated from the flower or cream oâ—… the spirits elaborated by the insited force of the stones for generation sake 7. Hence it consists of two parts of a watrish humidity and spirit 8. The Serous humidity is generated of blood whence he affirms seed to be an excrement of the last sanguineous aliment not in substance but by a profitable abundance Arist. 1 de Gen. Anim. c. 18 29. 9. The Spiritual part C is no other then the vital spirit dilated by the spermatick arteries to the cods where it is exquisitely mixed with blood and of two becomes one perfect body therefore the Seed is compounded of spirit and water 10. Maternal blood D or menstruum another principle of our generation is a sanguineous excrement begotten from the heat of the female for the conservation of her species 11. It is called menstruous because it comes monethly which nevertheless after conception is forthwith stopped 12. It is called a sanguineous excrement not that it is like thereunto or noxious in its quality as the Neotericks do affirm but that it is too luxuriant in quantity and therefore it is