Minerals nor Minerals like the Perceptions of Elements For though all these several kinds and sorts be perceptive yet not after one and the same way or manner of Perception but as there is infinite variety of Corporeal Motions so there are infinite varieties of Perceptions for Infinite Self-moving Matter hath infinite varieties of Actions But to return to the Discourse of the Productions and Dissolutions of Creatures The reason that some Creatures last longer than others is That some Forms or Frames of their Composition are of a more lasting Figure But this is to be observed That the Figures that are most solid are more lasting than those that are more slack and loose but mistake me not I say For the most part they are more lasting Also this is to be noted That some Compositions require more labour some more curiosity and some are more full of variety than others CHAP. XIV Of CIRCLES A Circle is a Round Figure without End which Figure can more easily and aptly alter the Exterior Form than any other Figure For example A Circular Line may be drawn many several ways into different and several sorts of Figures without breaking the Circle also it may be contracted or extended into a less or wider compass and drawn or formed into many several sorts of Figures or Works as into a Square or Triangle or Oval or Cylinder or like several sorts of Flowers and never dissolve the Circular Line But this is to be noted that there may be several sorts of Circular Lines as some Broad some Narrow some Round some Flat some Ragged or Twisted some Smooth some Pointed some Edged and numbers of the like and yet the compass be exactly round But some may say that When a Circle is drawn into several Works it is not a Circle As for example When a Circle is squared it is not a Circle but a Square I answer It is a Circle squar'd but not a Circle broken or divided for the Interior Nature is not dissolved although the Exterior Figure is altered it is a Natural Circle although it should be put into a Mathematical Square But to conclude this Chapter I say That all such sorts of Figures that are like Circular Lines of one piece may change and rechange their Exterior Figures or Shapes without any alterations of their Interior Properties CHAP. XV. Human Creatures cannot so probably treat of other sorts of Creatures as of their own TO treat of the Productions of Vegetables Minerals and Elements is not so easie a Task as to treat of Animals and amongst Animals the most easie Task is to treat of Human Productions by reason one Human Creature may more probably guess at the Nature of all Human Creatures being of the same Nature than he can of other kinds of other kinds of Creatures that are of another Nature But mistake me not I mean not of another Nature being not of the same kind of Creature but concerning Vegetables Minerals and Elements The Elements may more easily be treated of than the other Two kinds for though there be numerous sorts of them at least numerous several Particulars yet not so many several Sorts as of Vegetables and though Minerals are not as to my knowledg so numerous as Vegetables yet they are of more or at least of as many Sorts as Elements are But by reason I am unlearned I shall only give my Opinion of the Productions of some sorts in which I fear I shall rather discover my Ignorance than the Truth of their Productions But I hope my Readers will not find fault with my Endeavour though they may find fault with my little Experience and want of Learning The Twelfth Part. CHAP. I. Of the Equality of ELEMENTS AS for the Four Elements Fire Air Water and Earth they subsist as all other Creatures which subsist by each other but in my opinion there should be an Equality of the Four Elements to balance the World for if one sort should superabound it would occasion such an Irregularity that would cause a Dissolution of this World as when some particular Humour in Man's Body superabounds or there is a scarcity of some Humours it causes such Irregularities that do many times occasion his Destruction The same may be said of the Four Elements of the World as for example If there were not a sufficient quantity of Elemental Air the Elemental Fire would go out and if not a sufficient quantity of Elemental Fire the Air would corrupt also if there were not a sufficient quantity of Elemental Water the Elemental Fire would burn the Earth and if there were not a sufficient quantity of Earth there would not be a solid and firm Foundation for the Creatures of the Earth for if there were not Density as well as Rarity and Levity as well as Gravity Nature would run into Extreams CHAP. II. Of several TEMPERS HEAT doth not make Drought for there is a Temper of Hot and Moist Nor Cold doth not make Drought for there is a Temper of Cold and Moist Neither doth Heat make Moisture for there is a Temper of Hot and Dry. Nor doth Cold make Moisture for there is a Temper of Cold and Dry. But such or such sorts of Corporeal Figurative Motions make Hot Cold Moist Dry Hot and Dry Hot and Moist Cold and Dry Cold and Moist and as those Figurative Motions alter their Actions those Tempers are altered the like happens in all Creatures But this is to be observed That there is some opposite or contrary Tempers which have a likeness of Motion as for example A Moist Heat and a Moist Cold have a likeness or resemblance of Moistness and the same is in dry Heats and Cold but surely most sorts of Moistures are some sorts of dilative Motions and most Droughts are some sorts of Contractive Motions but there are several sorts of Dilatations Contractions Retentions Expulsions and the like for there are Cold Contractions Hot Contractions Cold Dilatations Hot Dilatations Hot Retentions Cold Retentions and so of Digestions Expulsions and the like But as I said Moist Heats and Moist Colds seem of a Dilative Nature as Dry of a Contractive Nature But all Cold and Heat or Dry and Moist may be made by one and the same Corporeal Motions for though the Actions may vary the Parts may be the same yea the like Actions may be in different Parts But no Part is bound to any particular Action having a free Liberty of Self-motion But concerning Hot and Cold and the like Actions I observe That Extream Heat and Extream Cold is of a like Power or Degree neither can I perceive the Hot Motions to be quicker than Cold for Water in little quantity shall as suddenly freeze as any leight Fewel or Straw burn and Animals will as soon freeze to death as be burned to death and Cold is as powerful at the Poles as Heat in the Torrid Zone And 't is to be observed That Freezing is as quick and sudden as Thawing but
Light is not Flame nor hath it any Fiery Property although it be such a sort of Extenuating or Dilating Actions as Flame hath CHAP. IX Of the two sorts of Fire most different THere are many sorts of Fires but two sorts are most opposite that is the Hot Glowing Burning Bright Shining Fire and that sort of Fire we name a Dead Dull Fire as Vitriol Fires Cordial Fires Corrosive Fires Feverish Fires and numerous other sorts and every several sort hath some several Property as for example There is greater difference between the Fiery Property of Oyl and the Fiery Property of Vitriol for Oyl is neither Exteriorly Hot nor Burning whereas Vitriol is Exteriorly Burning though not Exteriorly Hot but the difference of these sorts of Fires is That the Actions of Elemental Fire are to ascend rather than to descend and the Dull Dead Fire is rather apt to descend than ascend that is to pierce or dilate either upwards or downwards but they are both of Dilating and Dividing Natures But this is to be noted That all sorts of Heats or Hotness are not Fire Also it is to be noted That all Fires are not Shining CHAP. X. Of Dead or Dull Fires OF Dull Dead Fires some sorts seem to be of a mixt sort as for example Vitriol and the like seem to be Exteriorly of the Figurative Motions of Fire and Interiorly of the Figurative Motions of Water or of Watry Liquors And Oyl is of Fiery Figurative Motions Interiorly and of Liquid Figurative Motions Exteriorly which is the cause that the Fiery Properties of Oyl cannot be altered without a Total Dissolution of their Natures But such sorts whose Fiery Figurative Motions are Exterior as being not their Innate Nature may be divided from those other Natural Parts they were joyned to without altering their Innate Nature CHAP. XI Of the Occasional Actions of Fire ALL Creatures have not only Innate figurative Motions that cause them to be such or such a sort of Creature but they have such and such actions that cause such and such Effects also every Creature is occasioned to particular Actions by forrein Objects many times to improper actions and sometimes to ruinous actious even to the dissolution of their Nature And of all Creatures Fire is the most ready to occasion the most Mischief at least Disorders for where it can get entrance it seldom fails of causing such a Disturbance as occasions a Ruine The reason is that most Creatures are porous for all Creatures subsisting by each other must of necessity have Egress and Regress being composed of Interior and Exterior Corporeal Motions And Fire being the sharpest figurative Motion is apt to enter into the smallest Pores But some may ask Whether Fire is porous it self I answer That having Respiration it is a sufficient proof that it is Porous for Fire dyes if it hath not Air. But some may say How can a Point be porous I answer That a Point is composed of Parts and therefore may very well be porous for there is no such thing as a Single Part in Nature and therefore not a Single Point Also some may say If there be Pores in Nature there may be Vacuum I answer That in my opinion there is not because there is no empty Pores in Nature Pores signifying only an Egress and Regress of Parts CHAP. XII Fire hath not the Property to Change and Rechange OF all the Elemental Creatures Fire is the least subject to change for though it be apt to occasion other Creatures to alter yet it keeps close to its own Properties and proper Actions for it cannot change and rechange as Water can Also Natural Air is not apt to change and rechange as Water for though it can as all the Elements divide and join its Parts without altering the Property of its Nature yet it cannot readily alter and alter again its Natural Properties as Water can The truth is Water and Fire are opposite in all their Properties but as Fire is of all the Elements the furthest from altering so Water is of all the Elements the most subject to alter for all Circular Figures are apt to variety CHAP. XIII Of the Innate Figurative Motions of Water THE Nature of Water is Rare Fluid Moist Liquid Wet Glutinous and Glassie Likewise Water is apt to divide and unite its Parts most of which Properties are caused by several sorts of Dilatations or Extenuations but the Interior or Innate Figure of Water is a Circular Line But yet it is to be observed That there are many several sorts of Waters as there are many several sorts of Airs Fires and Earths and so of all Creatures for some Waters are more rare than others some more leight and some more heavy some more clear and some more dull some salt some sharp some bitter some more fresh or sweet some have cold Effects some hot Effects all which is caused by the several Figurative Motions of several sorts of Waters but the nature of Water is such as it can easily alter or change and rechange and yet keep its Interior or Innate Nature or Figure But this is also to be observed That the Dilating or Extenuating Circle of Water is of a middle Degree as between Two Extreams CHAP. XIV The Nature or Property of Water WEtness which is the Interior or Innate Property or Nature of Water is in my opinion caused by some sort of Dilatations or Extenuations As all Droughts or Dryness are caused by some sorts of Contractions so all Moistures Liquors and Wets by Dilatations yet those Extenuations or Dilatations that cause Wet must be of such a sort of Dilatations as are proper to Wet viz. Such a sort of Extenuations as are Circular Extenuations which do dilate or extenuate in a smooth equal dilatation from the Center to the Circumference which Extenuations or Dilatations are of a middle Degree for otherwise the Figure of Water might be extended beyond the Degree of Wet or not extended to the Degree of Wet And it is to be observed That there is such a Degree as only causes moistness and another to cause liquidness the third to cause wetness for though Moistness and Liquidness are in the way of Wetness yet they are not that which we name Wet also all that is Soft or Smooth is not Wet nor is all that is Liquid or Flowing Wet for some sorts of Air are liquid and flowing but not wet nay Flame is liquid and flowing but yet quite opposite from wet Dust is flowing but neither liquid or wet in its Nature And Hair and Feathers are soft and smooth but neither liquid nor wet But as I said Water is of such a Nature as to have the Properties of Soft Smooth Moist Liquid and VVet and is also of such flowing Properties caused by such a sort of Extenuating Circles as are of a Middle or Mean Degree but yet there are many several sorts of Liquors and VVets as we may perceive in Fruit Herbs and the like but
great heavy Ship as big as an ordinary House fraughted with Iron will swim upon the face of the Water when as a small Bullet no bigger than a Hasle-Nut will sink to the bottom of the Sea A great Bodied Bird will flye up into the air when as a small Worm lies on the earth with a slow kind of crawling and cannot ascend All which is caused by the manner of their Shapes and not the matter of Gravity and Levity CHAP. VII Why Heavy Bodies descend more forcibly than Leight Bodies ascend ALthough the manner of the Shape of several Creatures is the chief cause of their Ascent and Descent yet Gravity and Levity doth occasion more or less Agility for a Heavy Body shall descend with more force than a Leight Body ascend and the reason is not only that there may be more Parts in a Heavy Body than a Leight but that in a Descent every Corporeal Motion seems to press upon each other which doubles and trebles the Strength Weight and Force as we may perceive in the Ascending and Descending of the Flight of Birds especially of Hawks of which the weight of the Body is some hindrance to the Ascent but an advantage to the Descent but yet the Shape of the Bird hath some advantage by the Weight in such sort that the Weight doth not so much hinder the Ascent as it doth assist the Descent CHAP. VIII Of several sorts of Densities and Rarities Gravities and Levities THere are different sorts of Densities and Rarities Softness and Hardness Levities and Gravities as for example The density of Earth is not like the density of Stone nor the density of Stone like the density of Metal nor are all the Parts of the Earth dense alike nor all Stones nor all Metals as we may perceive in Clay Sand Chalk and Lime-Grounds Also we may perceive difference between Lead Tynne Copper Iron Silver and Gold and between Marble Alablaster Walling-Stone Diamonds Crystals and the like and so much difference there is between one and the same kind that some particulars of one sort shall more resemble another kind than their own as for example Gold and Diamonds resemble each other's Nature more than Lead doth Gold or Diamonds Crystal I say in their Densities Also there is a great difference of the Rarity Gravity and Levity of seral sorts of Waters and of several sorts of Air. CHAP. IX Of VEGETABLES VEgetables are of numerous sorts and every sort of very different Natures as for example Some are Reviving Cordials others Deadly Poyson some are Purgers others are Nourishers some have Hot Effects some Cold some Dry some Moist some bear Fruit some bears no Fruit some appear all the year Young others appear but part of the year Young and part Old some are many years a producing others are produced in few hours some will last many hundred years others will decay in the compass of few hours some seem to dye one part of the year and revive again in another part of the year some rot and consume in the Earth after such a time and will continue in perfection if parted from the Earth Others will wither and decay as soon as parted from the Earth Some are of a dense Nature some of a rare Nature some grow deep into the Earth others grow high out of the Earth some will only produce in dry Soyls some in moist some will produce only in Water as we may perceive by some Ponds others on Houses of Brick or Stone Also some grow out of Stone as many Stones will have a green Moss some are produced by sowing their Seed into the Earth others by setting their Roots or Slips into the Earth others again by joyning or engrafting one Plant into another so that there is much variety of Vegetables and those of such different Natures that they are not only different Sorts but are variety of Effects of one and the same sort and it requires not only the study of one Human Creature or many Human Creatures but of all the Human Creatures in all Nations and Ages to know them which is the reason that those that have writ of the Natures of Herbs Flowers Roots and Fruits may be much mistaken But I living more constantly in my Study than in my Garden shall not venture to treat much of the particular Natures and Natural Effects of Vegetables CHAP. X. Of the Production of Vegetables T IS no wonder that some sorts of Vegetables are produced out of Stone or Brick as some that will grow on the top of Houses by reason that Brick is made of Earth and Stone is generated in the Bowels of the Earth which shows they are of an Earthly Nature or Substance Neither is it a wonder that Vegetables will grow upon some sorts of Water by reason some sorts of Waters may be mixt with some Parts of Earth But I have been credibly informed That a Man whose Legg had been cut and a Seed of an Oat being gotten into the Wound by chance the Oat did sprout out into a green Blade of Grass which proves that Vegetables may be produced in several Soyls But 't is probable that though many sorts of Vegetables may sprout as Barly in Water yet they cannot produce any of the off-spring of the same Sort or Kind But my Thoughts are at this present in some dispute as Whether the Earth is a Part of the Production of Vegetables as being the Breeder or whether the Earth is only Parts of Respiration and not Parts of Production and so rather Breathing-Parts than Breeding-Parts as Water to Fishes But if so then every particular Seed must encrease not only by a bare Transformation of their Parts into the first Form of Production but by division of their united Parts must produce many other Societies of the same sort as Religious Orders where one Convent divides into many Convents of the same Order which occasions a numerous Encrease So the several Parts of one Seed may divide into many Seeds of the same sort as being of the same Species but then every Part of that Seed must be encreased by additional Parts which must be by Nourishing Parts which Nourishing Parts are in all probability Earthy Parts or at least partly of Earthy Parts and partly of some of the other Elemental Parts but as I have often said all Creatures in Nature are Assisted and do Subsist by each other CHAP. XI Of Replanting Vegetables REplanting of Vegetables many times occasions great Alterations in so much as a Vegetable by often Replanting will be so altered as to appear of another sort of Vegetable the reason is that several sorts or parts of Soyls may occasion other sorts of Actions and Orders in one and the same Society But this is to be noted in the Lives of many Animals That several sorts of Food make great alterations in their Temper and Shape though not to alter their Species yet so as to cause them to appear worse or better but
be an upright and just Judg of her self and so not of any of her Parts because every particular part is a part of her self Besides as she is Self-moving she is Self-changeing and so she is alterable Wherefore nothing can be a perfect and a just Judg but something that is Individable and Unalterable which is the Infinite GOD who is Unmoving Immutable and so Unalterable who is the Judg of the Infinite Corporeal Actions of his Servant Nature And this is the reason that all Nature's Parts appeal to God as being the only Judg. CHAP. XIV Nature Poyses or Balances her Actions ALthough Nature be Infinite yet all her Actions seem to be poysed or balanced by Opposition as for example As Nature hath dividing so composing actions Also as Nature hath regular so irregular actions as Nature hath dilating so contracting actions In short we may perceive amongst the Creatures or Parts of this World slow swift thick thin heavy leight rare dense little big low high broad narrow light dark hot cold productions dissolutions peace warr mirth sadness and that we name Life and Death and infinite the like as also infinite varieties in every several kind and sort of actions but the infinite varieties are made by the Self-moving parts of Nature which are the Corporeal Figurative Motions of Nature CHAP. XV. Whether there be Degrees of Corporeal Strength AS I have declared there are in my Opinion Two sorts of Self-moving Parts the one Sensitive the other Rational The Rational parts of my Mind moving in the manner of Conception or Inspection did occasion some Disputes or Arguments amongst those parts of my Mind The Arguments were these Whether there were degrees of Strength as there was of Purity between their own sort as the Rational and the Sensitive The Major part of the Argument was That Self-motion could be but Self-motion for not any part of Nature could move beyond its power of Self-motion But the Minor part argued That the Self-motion of the Rational might be stronger than the Self-motion of the Sensitive But the Major part was of the opinion That there could be no degrees of the Power of Nature or the Nature of Nature for Matter which was Nature could be but Self-moving or not Self-moving or partly Self-moving or not Self-moving But the Minor argued That it was not against the nature of Matter to have degrees of Corporeal Strength as well as degrees of Purity for though there could not be degrees of Purity amongst the Parts of the same sort as amongst the Parts of the Rational or amongst the Parts of the Sensitive yet if there were degrees of the Rational and Sensitive Parts there might be degrees of Strength The Major part said That if there were degrees of Strength it would make a Confusion by reason there would be no Agreement for the Strongest would be Tyrants to the Weakest in so much as they would never suffer those Parts to act methodically or regularly But the Minor part said that they had observed That there was degrees of Strength amongst the Sensitive Parts The Major part argued That they had not degrees of Strength by Nature but that the greater Number of Parts were stronger than a less Number of Parts Also there were some sorts of Actions that had advantage of other sorts Also some sorts of Compositions are stronger than other not through the degrees of innate Strength nor through the number of Parts but through the manner and form of their Compositions or Productions Thus my Thoughts argued but after many Debates and Disputes at last my Rational Parts agreed That If there were degrees of Strength it could not be between the Parts of the same degree or sort but between the Rational and Sensitive and if so the Sensitive was Stronger being less pure and the Rational was more Agil being more pure CHAP. XVI Of Effects and Cause TO treat of Infinite Effects produced from an an Infinite Cause is an endless Work and impossible to be performed or effected only this may be said That the Effects though Infinite are so united to the material Cause as that not any single effect can be nor no Effect can be annihilated by reason all Effects are in the power of the Cause But this is to be noted That some Effects producing other Effects are in some sort or manner a Cause CHAP. XVII Of INFLVENCE AN Influence is this When as the Corporeal Figurative Motions in different kinds and sorts of Creatures or in one and the same sorts or kinds move sympathetically And though there be antipathetical Motions as well as sympathetical yet all the Infinite parts of Matter are agreeable in their nature as being all Material and Self-moving and by reason there is no Vacuum there must of necessity be an Influence amongst all the Parts of Nature CHAP. XVIII Of FORTVNE and CHANCE FOrtune is only various Corporeal Motions of several Creatures design'd to one Creature or more Creatures either to that Creature or those Creatures Advantage or Disadvantage If Advantage Man names it Good Fortune if Disadvantage Man names it Ill Fortune As for Chance it is the visible Effects of some hidden Cause and Fortune a sufficient Cause to produce such Effects for the conjunction of sufficient Causes doth produce such or such Effects which Effects could not be produced if any of those Causes were wanting So that Chances are but the Effects of Fortune CHAP. XIX Of TIME and ETERNITY TIME is not a Thing by it self nor is Time Immaterial for Time is only the variations of Corporeal Motions but Eternity depends not on Motion but of a Being without Beginning or Ending The Second Part. CHAP. I. Of CREATVRES ALL Creatures are Composed-Figures by the consent of Associating Parts by which Association they joyn into such or such a figured Creature And though every Corporeal Motion or Self-moving Part hath its own motion yet by their Association they all agree in proper actions as actions proper to their Compositions and if every particular Part hath not a perception of all the Parts of their Association yet every Part knows its own Work CHAP. II. Of Knowledg and Perception of different kinds and sorts of Creatures THere is not any Creature in Nature that is not composed of Self-moving Parts viz. both of Rational and Sensitive as also of the Inanimate Parts which are Self-knowing so that all Creatures being composed of these sorts of Parts must have a Sensitive and Rational Knowledg and Perception as Animals Vegetables Minerals Elements or what else there is in Nature But several kinds and several sorts in these kinds of Creatures being composed after different manners and ways must needs have different Lives Knowledges and Perceptions and not only every several kind and sort have such differences but every particular Creature through the variations of their Self-moving Parts have varieties of Lives Knowledges Perceptions Conceptions and the like and not only so but every particular part of one and
scabbed the Patient lives but if they fall flat and neither break nor are scabbed the Patient is in danger to dye Also it is to be noted That this Disease is sometimes accompanied with a Feverish Distemper I say Sometimes not Always and that is the cause that many dye either with too hot or too cooling Applications for in a Feverish Distemper hot Cordials are Poyson and when there is no Fever Cooling Remedies are Opium The like for letting Blood for if the Disease be accompanied with a Fever and the Fever be not abated by letting Blood 't is probable the Fever joyned with the Pox will destroy the Patient and if no Fever and yet loose Blood the Pox hath not sufficient Moisture to dilate nor a sufficient natural Vapour to breathe or respirate so as the Life of the Patient is choaked or stifled with the contracted Corruptions As for Measles though they are of the same kind yet not of the same sort for they are rather Small Risings than Corrupted Sores and so are less dangerous CHAP. IV. Of the Intermission of Fevers or Agues AGVES have several sorts of Distempers and those quite opposite to each other as Cold and Shaking Hot and Burning besides Sweating Also there are several times of Intermissions as some are Every-day Agues some Third-day Agues and some Quartan Agues and some Patient may be thus distempered many times in the compass of Four and twenty hours but those are rather of the Nature of Intermitting Fevers than of perfect Agues Also in Agues there is many times a difference of the Hot and Cold fits for sometimes the Cold Fits will be long and the Hot short other times the Hot Fits will be long and the Cold Fits short other times much of an equal degree but most Intermitting Fevers and Agues proceed either from ill-digestive Motions or from a superfluity of Cold and Hot Motions or an Irregularity of the Cold Hot Dry or Moist Motions where each sort strives and struggles with each other But to make a comparison Agues are somewhat like several sorts of Weather as Freezing and Thawing Cloudy or Rainy or Fair and Sun-shining days or like the Four Seasons of the Year where the Cold Fits are like Winter cold and windy the Hot Fits like Summer hot and dry the Sweating Fits like Autumn warm and moist and when the Fit is past like the Spring But to conclude the chief Cause of Agues is Irregular Digestions that make half-concocted Humours and according as these half-concocted Humours digest the Patient hath his Aguish Distempers where some are every day others every second day some every third day and some Quartans but by reason those half-concocted Humours are of several sorts of Humors some Cold some Hot some Cold and Dry some Hot and Dry or Hot and Moist and those different sorts raw or but half-concocted Humours they occasion such disorder not only by an unnatural manner of Digestion as not to be either timely or regular by degrees but those several sorts of Raw Humours strive and struggle with each other for Power or Supremacy but according as those different Raw Humours concoct the Fits are longer or shorter also according to the quantity of those Raw Humours and according as those Humours are a gathering or breeding so are the times of those Fits and Intermissions But here is to be noted That some Agues may be occasioned from some Particular Irregular Digestions others from a General Irregular Digestion some from some obscure Parts others from ordinary Humours CHAP. V. Of CONSVMPTIONS THere are many sorts of Consumptions as some are Consumptions of the Vital Parts as the Liver Lungs Kidneys or the like Parts Others a Consumption of the Radical Parts Others a Consumption of the Spiritous Parts Other Consumptions are only of the Flesh which in my opinion is the only Curable Consumption But all Consumptions are not only an Alteration but a Wasting and Dis-uniting of the Fundamental Parts only those Consuming Parts do as it were steal away by degrees and so by degrees the Society of a Human Creature is dissolved CHAP. VI. Of DROPSIES DRopsies proceed from several Causes as some from a decay of some of the Vital Parts others through a superfluity of indigested Humours some from a supernatural Driness of some Parts others through a superfluity of Nourishing Motions some through some Obstructions others through an excess of Moist Dyet but all Dropsies proceed not only from Irregular Motions but from such a particular Irregularity as all the Motions endeavour to be of one Mode as I may say that is To move after the manner of those sorts of Motions which are the innate Nature of Water and are some sorts of Circular Dilatations but by these actions the Human Society endeavours to make a Deluge and to turn from the Nature of Blood and Flesh to the Nature of Water CHAP. VII Of SWEATING ALL Sweating-Diseases are somewhat of the nature of Dropsies but they are at least seem to be more Exterior than Interior Dropsies but though there be Sweating-Diseases which are Irregular yet Regular Sweating is as proper as Regular Breathing and so healthful that Sweating extraordinary in some Diseases occasions a Cure for Sweating is a sort of Purging so that the evacuation of Sweat through the Pores is as necessary as other sorts of evacuation as Breathing Urine Siege Spitting Purging through the Nose and the like But Excess of Sweating is like other sorts of Fluxes of which some will scowr to death others vomit to death and others the like Fluxes will occasion death the like is of Sweating so that the Sweating-Sickness is but like a Fluxive-Sickness But as I said Regular Sweating is as necessary as other ordinary Evacuations and as some are apt to be restringent others laxative and sometimes one and the same Man will be laxative other times costive so are Men concerning Sweating and as some Men take Medicines to purge by Stool or Vomits or Urine so they take Medicines to purge by Sweating And as Man hath several sorts of Excremental Humours so several sorts of Sweats as Clammy Sweats Cold Sweats Hot Sweats and Faint Sweats and as all Excess of other sorts of Purgings causes a Man to be weak and faint so doth Sweating CHAP. VIII Of COVGHS THere are many several sorts of Coughs proceeding from several Causes as some Coughs proceed from a Superfluity of Moisture others from an Unnatural Heat others from a Corruption of Humors others from a Decay of the Vital Parts others from sudden Colds upon Hot Distempers Some are caused by an Interior Wind some Coughs proceed from Salt Humors Bitter Sharp and Sweet some Coughs proceed from Flegm which Flegm ariseth like a Scum in a Pot when Meat is boiling on a Fire for when the Stomack is distemperedly hot the Humors in the Stomack boyl as Liquid Substances on the Fire those boiling Motions bearing up the gross Humors beyond the Mouth of the Stomack and causing a
be a Dry Densed Hard or Fixt Body But certainly the Stone of the Bladder Kidneys and Gaul are of several sorts as being produced by several sorts of Figurative Motions as also according to the Properties and Forms of those several Parts of the Body they are produced in for as several sorts of Soyls or Parts of the Earth produce several sorts of Minerals so several Parts of the Body several sorts of the Disease of the Stone And as there are several sorts of Stones in the several Parts of the Earth so no doubt there may not only be several sorts of Stone in several Parts but several sorts in one and the same Part at least in the like Parts of several Men. CHAP. XII Of Apoplexies and Lethargies APoplexies Lethargies and the like Diseases are produced by some decay of the Vital Spirits or by Obstructions as being obstructed by some Superfluities or through the Irregularities of some sorts of Motions which occasion some Passages to close that should be open But mistake me not I do not mean empty Passages for there is no such thing in my opinion in Nature but I mean an open passage for a frequent Course and Recourse of Parts But an Apoplexy is somewhat of the Nature of a Dead-Palsie and a Lethargy of a Numb-Palsie but I have heard that the Opinion of Learned Men is That some sorts of Vaporous Pains are the Fore-runners of Apoplexies and Palsies but in my opinion though a Man may have two Diseases at once yet surely where Vapour can pass there cannot be an absolute Stoppage CHAP. XIII Of EPILEPSIES EPilepsies or that we name the Falling-Sickness is of the nature of Swounding or Fainting Fits but there are two visible sorts the one is that only the Head is affected and not the other Parts of the Body and for proof Those that are thus distempered only in the Head all the other Parts will struggle and strive to help or assist the affected or afflicted Parts and those Parts of the Head that are not Irregular as may be observed by their Motions but by the means of some other Parts there will also be striving and strugling as may be observed by foaming through the Mouth The other sort is like ordinary Swounding-Fits where all the Parts of the Body seem for a time to be dead But this is to be observed That those that are thus diseased have certain times of Intermissions as if the Corporeal Motions did keep a Decorum in being Irregular But some have had Epilepsies from their Birth which proves That their Productive Motions was Irreguar CHAP. XIV Of Convulsions and Cramps COnvulsions and Cramps are somewhat alike and both in my Opinion proceed from Cold Contractions but Cramps are caused by the Contractions of the Capillary Veins or small Fibers rather than of the Nerves and Sinews for those Contractions if violent are Convulsions so that Cramps are Contractions of the small Fibers and Convulsions are Contractions of the Nerves and Sinews But the reason I believe that these Diseases proceed from Cold Contractions is That Hot Remedies produce for the most part perfect Cures but they must be such sorts of Hot Remedies that are of a dilating or extenuating nature and not such whose Properties are Hot and Dry or Contracting also the Applications must be according to the strength of the Disease CHAP. XV. Of CHOLICKS CHolicks are like Cramps or Convulsions or Convulsions and Cramps like Cholicks for as Convulsions are Contractions of the Nerves and Sinews and Cramps Contractions of the small Fibers so Cholicks are a Contracting of the Gutts and for proof So soon as the Contracting Motions alter and are turn'd to Dilating or Expelling Actions the Patient is at ease But there are several Causes that produce the Cholick for some Cholicks are produced by Hot and Sharp Motions as Bilious Cholicks others from Cold and Sharp Motions as Splenetick Cholicks others from Crude and Raw Humours some from Hot Winds some from Cold Winds The same some sorts of Convulsions and Cramps may be but though these several Cholicks may proceed from several Causes yet they all agree in this To be Contractions for as I said when those Corporeal Motions alter their Actions to Dilatation or Expulsion the Patient is at ease But those Cholicks that proceed from Hot and Sharp Motions are the most painful and dangerous by reason they are for the most part more strong and stubborn As for Cholicks in the Stomack they are caused by the same sorts of Motions that cause some sorts of Contractions but those sorts of Cholick Contractions are after the manner of wreathing or wringing Contractions The same in Convulsive-Contractions CHAP. XVI Of Shaking Palsies SHaging Palsies proceed from a Slackness of the Nerves or Sinew strings as may be observed by those that hold or lay any heavy weight upon the Arms Hands or Leggs for when the Burdens are removed those Limbs will be apt to tremble and shake so much for a short time until they have recovered their former strength that the Leggs cannot go or stand steadily nor the Arms or Hands do any thing without shaking The reason of these sorts of Slackness is That heavy Burdens occasion the Nerves and Sinews to extend beyond their Order and being stretched they become more slack and loose by how much they were stretched or extended until such time as they contract again into their proper Posture And the reason that Old Age is subject to Shaking-Palsies is That the Frame of their whole Body is looser and slacker than when it was young As in a decayed House every Material is looser than when it was first built but yet sometimes an old shaking House will continue a great while with some Repairs so old shaking Men with Care and good Dyet will continue a great time But this is to be noted That trembling is a kind of a Shaking-Palsie although of another sort and so is Weakness after Sickness but these sorts are occasioned as when a House shakes in a great Wind or Storm and not through any Fundamental Decay CHAP. XVII Of the Muther Spleen and Scurvy AS for those Diseases that are named the Fits of the Muther the Spleen the Scurvy and the like although they are the most general Diseases especially amongst the Females yet each particular sort is so various and hath such different Effects that I observe they puzzle the most Learned Men to find out their jugling intricate and uncertain Actions But this is to be observed That the Richest sorts of Persons are most apt to these sorts of Diseases which proves That Idleness and Luxury is the occasion CHAP. XVIII Of Food or Digestions AS I have said Digestions are so numerous and so obscure that the most Learned Men know not how Food is converted and distributed to all the Parts of the Body Which Obscurity occasions many Arguments and much Dispute amongst the Learned but in my opinion it is not the Parts of the Human Body that
all sorts of VVets and Liquors are of a watry kind though of a different sort But as I have said all things that are Fluid are not VVet as Melted Metal Flame Light and the like are fluid but not wet and Smoak and Oyl are of another sort of Liquidness than VVater or Juyce but yet they are not wet and that which causes the difference of different sorts of VVaters and VVatry Liquors are the differences of the watry Circular Lines as some are edged some are pointed some are twisted some are braided some are flat some are round some ruff some smooth and so after divers several Forms or Figures and yet are perfect Circles and of some such a Degree of Extenuations or Dilatations CHAP. XV. Of the Alteration of the Exterior Figurative Motion of Water AS I formerly said The Figurative Motions of the Innate Nature of VVater is a sort of Extenuating as being an equal smooth Circle which is the cause VVater is rare fluid moist liquid and wet But the Exterior Figurative Motions of the watry Circle may be edged pointed sharp blunt flat round smooth ruff or the like which may be either divided or altered without any alteration of the Innate Nature or Property As for example Salt-water may be made fresh or the Salt Parts divided from the watry Circle The like of other sorts of VVaters and yet the Nature of VVater remains CHAP. XVI Of OYL and VITRIOL THE Exterior Figurative Motions of Oyl are so much like those of Water as to be fluid smooth soft moist and liquid although not perfectly wet but the Interior Figurative Motions of Oyl are of that sort of Fire that we name a Dull Dead Fire and the difference between Salt Waters Vitriol or the like and Oyl is That the Exterior Figurative Motions of Vitriol and Salt Waters are of a sort of Fire whereas it is the Interior Figurative Motions of Oyl or the like that are of those sorts of Fire and that is the reason that the fiery Motions of Oyl cannot be altered as the fiery Motions of Vitriol may But this is to be noted That although the Interior Figurative Motions of Oyl are of such a sort of fiery Motions yet not just like those of Vitriol and are not burning corroding or wounding as Vitriols Corrosives and the like are for those are somewhat more of the Nature of bright shining Fires than Oyls CHAP. XVII Of Mineral and Sulphureous Waters IN Sulphureous and Mineral Waters the Sulphureous and Mineral Corporeal Motions are Exterior and not Interior like Salt waters but there are several sorts of such waters also some are occasionally others naturally so affected for some waters running through Sulphureous or Mineral Mines gather like a rowling Stone some of the loose Parts of Gravel or Sand which as they stick or cleave to the rowling Stone so they do to the running Waters as we may perceive by those waters that spring out of Chalk Clay or Lime Grounds which will have some Tinctures of the Lime Chalk or Clay and the same happens to Minerals But some are naturally Sulphureous as for example Some sorts of hot Baths are as naturally Sulphureous as the Sea-water is Salt but all those Effects of Minerals Sulphurs and the like are dividable from and also may be joyn'd to the Body of water without any disturbance to the nature of water as may be proved by Salt-water which will cause fresh Meat to be salt and salt Meat will cause Fresh-water to be salt As for hot Baths those have hot figurative Motions but not burning and the moist liquid and wet Nature of water makes it apt to joyn and divide to and from other sorts of Motions as also to and from its own sort CHAP. XVIII The Cause of the Ebbing and Flowing of the Sea THE Nature of water is to flow so that all sorts of waters will flow if they be not obstructed but it is not the Nature of Water to ebb Neither can water flow beyond the Power of its Quantity for a little water will not flow so far as a great one But I do not mean by flowing the falling of water from some Descent but to flow upon a Level for as I have said all waters do naturally flow if they be not obstructed but few sorts of water besides Sea-water ebbs As for the Exterior Figurative Motions of water in the action of flowing they are an Oval or a half Circle or a half Moon where the middle parts of the half Moon or Circle are fuller than the two Ends. Also the figure of a half Moon or half Circle is concave on the inside and convex on the outside of the Circle but these Figurative Motions in a great quantity of water are bigg and full which we name Waves of Water which waves flowing fast upon each other presses each other forward until such time as the half Circle divides for when the Bow of the half Circle is over-bent or stretched it divides into the middle which is most extended and when a half Circle which is a whole wave of water is divided the divided Parts fall equally back on each side of the flowing waves so every wave dividing after that manner in the full extension it causes the motion of ebbing that is to flow back as it flow'd forward for the divided Parts falling back and joining as they meet makes the head of the half Circle where the Ends of the half Circle were and the Convex where the Concave was by which action the ebbing Parts are become the flowing Parts And the reason that it ebbs and flows by degrees is That the flowing half Circles require so much time to be at the utmost extension Also every wave or half Circle divides not all at one time but one after another for two Bodies cannot be in one place at one point of time and until the second third and so the rest flow as far as the first they are not at their full extension And thus the Sea or such a great Body of Water must flow and ebb as being its nature to flow and the flowing Figure being over-extended by endeavouring to flow beyond its power causes a dividing of the Extended Parts which is the Cause of the Ebbing But whether this Opinion of mine be as probable as any of the former Opinions concerning the Ebbing and Flowing of the Sea I cannot judg but I would not be mistaken for the flowing of the water is according to its Quantity for the further it flows the fainter or weaker it is CHAP. XIX Of OVERFLOWS AS for Overflows there be many and many more would be if the waters were not hindred and obstructed by Man's Inventions But some Overflows are very Uncertain and Irregular others Certain and Regular as the flowing of Nilus in Egypt but as for the distance of time of its flowing it may proceed from the far Journey of those flowing-waters and the time of its ebbing may be attributed to the great
this is most visible amongst Human Creatures whom some sorts of Food will make weak sick faint lean pale old and withered other sorts of Food will make them strong and healthy fat fair smooth and ruddy So some sorts of Soyls will cause some Vegetables to be larger brighter smoother sweeter and of more various and glorious Colours CHAP. XII Of Artificial Things ARtificial Things are Natural Corporeal Figurative Motions for all Artificial Things are produced by several produced Creatures But the differences of those Productions we name Natural and Artificial are That the Natural are produced from the Producer's own Parts whereas the Artificial are produced by composing or joyning or mixing several Forrein Parts and not any of the particular Parts of their composed Society for Artificial things are not produced as Animals Vegetables Minerals or the like but only they are certain seral Mixtures of some of the divided or dead Parts as I may say of Minerals Vegetables Elements and the like But this is to be noted That all or at least most are but Copied and not Originals But some may ask Whether Artificial Productions have Sense Reason and Perception I answer That if all the Rational and Sensitive Parts of Nature are Perceptive and that no part is without Perception then all Artificial Productions are Perceptive CHAP. XIII Of several Kinds and Sorts of Species ACCording to my Opinion though the Species of this World and all the several Kinds and Sorts of Species in this World do always continue yet the particular Parts of one and the same Kind or sort of Species do not continue for the particular Parts are perpetually altering their Figurative Actions But by reason some Parts compose or unite as well as some Parts dissolve or disunite all kinds and sorts of Species will and must last so long as Nature lasts But mistake me not I mean such kinds and sorts of Species as we name Natural that is the Fundamental Species but not such Species as we name Artificial CHAP. XIV Of Different WORLDS T IS probable if Nature be Infinite there are several kinds and sorts of those Species Societies or Creatures we name Worlds which may be so different from the Frame Form Species and Properties of this World and the Creatures of this World as not to be any ways like this World or the Creatures in this World But mistake me not I do not mean not like this World as it is Material and Self-moving but not of the same Species or Properties as for example That they have not such kind of Creatures or their Properties as Light Darkness Heat Cold Dry Wet Soft Hard Leight Heavy and the like But some may say That is impossible for there can be no World but must be either Light or Dark Hot or Cold Dry or Wet Soft or Hard Heavy or Leight and the like I answer That though those Effects may be generally beneficial to most of the Creatures in this World yet not to all the Parts of the World as for example Though Light is beneficial to the Eyes of Animals yet to no other Part of an Animal Creature And though Darkness is obstructive to the Eyes of Animals yet to no other Parts of an Animal Creature Also Air is no proper Object for any of the Human Parts but Respiration So Cold and Heat are no proper Objects for any Part of a Human Creature but only the Pores which are the Organs of Touch. The like may be said for Hard and Soft Dry and Wet and since they are not Fundamental actions of Nature but Particular I cannot believe but that there may be such Worlds or Creatures as may have no use of Light Darkness and the like for if some Parts of this World need them not nor are any ways beneficial to them as I formerly proved surely a whole World may be and subsist without them for these Properties though they may be proper for the Form or Species of this World yet they may be no ways proper for the Species of another kind or sort of World as for example The Properties of a Human Creature are quite different from other kinds of Creatures the like may be of different Worlds but in all Material Worlds there are Self-moving Parts which is the cause there is self-joyning uniting and composing self dividing or dissolving self-regularities and self-irregularities also there is Perception amongst the Parts or Creaturs of Nature and what Worlds or Creatures soever are in Nature they have Sense and Reason Life and Knowledg but for Light and Darkness Hot and Cold Soft and Hard Leight and Heavy Dry and Wet and the like they are all but particular actions of particular Corporeal Species or Creatures which are finite and not infinite and certainly there may be in Nature other Worlds as full of varieties and as glorious and beautiful as this World and are and may be more glorious or beautiful as also more full of variety than this World and yet be quite different in all kinds and sorts from this World for this is to be noted That the different kinds and sorts of Species or Creatures do not make Particulars more or less perfect but according to their kind And one thing I desire That my Readers would not mistake my meaning when I say The Parts dissolve for I do not mean that Matter dissolves but that their particular Societies dissolve APPENDIX TO THE GROUNDS OF Natural Philosophy The FIRST PART CHAP. I. Whether there can be a Substance that is not a Body WHAT a Substance that is not Body can be as I writ in the First Chapter of this Book I cannot imagine nor that there is any thing between Something and Nothing But some may say That Spiritual Substances are so I answer That Spirits must be either Material or Immaterial for it is impossible for a thing to be between Body and no Body Others may say There may be a Substance that is not a Natural Substance but some sort of Substance that is far more pure than the purest Natural Substance I answer Were it never so pure it would be in the List or Circle of Body and certainly the purest Substance must have the Properties of Body as to be divisible and capable to be united and compounded and being divisible and compoundable it would have the same Properties that grosser Parts have but if there be any difference certainly the purest Substance would be more apt to divide and unite or compound than the grosser sort But as to those sorts of Substance which some Learned Men have imagined in my opinion they are but the same sort of Substance that the Vulgar call Thoughts and I name the Rational Parts which questionless are as truly Body as the grossest Parts in Nature but most Human Creatures are so troubled with the Thoughts of Dissolving and Dis-uniting that they turn Fancies and Imaginations into Spirits or Spiritual Substances as if all the other Parts of their Bodies
Parts every altered Action causing both an altered Self-knowledg and an altered Perceptive Knowledg CHAP. III. Of the Variety of Corporeal Motion of one and the same sort or kind of Motion THere is Infinite Variety of Motion of the same sorts and kinds of Motions as for example Of Dilatations or Extensions Expulsions Attractions Contractions Retentions Digestions Respirations There is also Varieties of Densities Rarities Gravities Levities Measures Sizes Agilness Slowness Strength Weakness Times Seasons Growths Decays Lives Deaths Conceptions Perceptions Passions Appetites Sympathies Antipathies and Millions the like kinds or sorts CHAP. IV. Of the Variety of particular Creatures NAture is so delighted with Variety that seldom two Creatures although of the same sort nay from the same Producers are just alike and yet Human Perception cannot perceive above four kinds of Creatures viz. Animals Vegetables Minerals and Elements but the several sorts seem to be very numerous and the Varieties of the several Particulars Infinite but Nature is necessitated to divide her Creatures into Kinds and Sorts to keep Order and Method for there may be numerous Varieties of sorts as for example Many several Worlds and infinite Varieties of Particulars in those Worlds for Worlds may differ from each other as much as several sorts of Animals Vegetables Minerals or Elements and yet be all of that sort we name Worlds but as for the Infinite Varieties of Nature we may say That every Part of Nature is Infinite in some sort because every Part of Nature is a perpetual Motion and makes Infinite Varieties by change or alteration of Action but there is so much Variety of the several Shapes Figures Forms and Sizes as Bigger and Less as also several sorts of Heats Colds Droughts Moistures Fires Airs Waters Earths Animals Vegetables and Minerals as are not to be expressed CHAP. V. Of Dividing and Rejoyning or Altering Exterior Figurative Motions THE Interior and Exterior Figurative Motions of some sorts of Creatures are so united by their Sympathetical Actions as they cannot be separated without a Total Dissolution and some cannot be altered without a Dissolution and other Figurative Motions may separate and unite again and others if separate cannot unite again as they were before As for example The Exterior Parts of a Human Creature if once divided cannot be rejoyned when as some sorts of Worms may be divided and if those divided Parts meet can rejoyn as before Also some Figurative Motions of different sorts and so different that they are opposite may unite in agreement in one Composition or Creature yet when the very same sorts of Figurative Motions are not so united they are as it were deadly Enemies CHAP. VI. Of Different Figurative Motions in particular Creatures THere are many Creatures that are composed of very opposite Figurative Motions as for example Some Parts of Fire and Water also all Cordials Vitriols and the like Waters also Iron and Stone and Infinite the like But that which is composed of the most different Figurative Motions is Quick-silver which is exteriorly Cold Soft Fluid Agil and Heavy also Divisible and Rejoynable and yet so Retentive of its Innate Nature that although it can be rarified yet not easily dissolved at least not that Human Creatures can perceive for it hath puzled the best Chymists CHAP. VII Of the Alterations of Exterior and Innate Figurative Motions of several sorts of Creatures THE Form of several Creatures is after several manners and ways which causes several Natures or Properties As for example The Exterior and Innate Corporeal Motions of some Creatures depend so much on each other That the least Alteration of the one causes a Dissolution of the whole Creature whereas the Exterior Corporeal Motions of other sorts of Creatures can change and rechange their actions without the least disturbance to the Innate Figurative Motions In other sorts the Innate Motions shall be quite altered but their Exterior Motions be in some manner consistent As for proof Fire is of that Nature that both the Exterior and Innate Motions are of one and the same sort so that the Alteration of the one causeth a Dissolution of the other that is Fire loses the Property of Fire and is altered from being Fire On the other side the Exterior Figurative Motions of Water can change and rechange without any disturbance to the Innate Nature but though the Alteration of the Innate Figurative Motions of all Creatures must of necessity alter the Life and Knowledg of that Creature yet there may be such consistent Motions amongst the Exterior Parts of some sorts of Creatures that they will keep their Exterior Form As for example A Tree that is cut down or into pieces when those pieces are withered and as we say dead yet they remain of the Figure of Wood. Also a dead Beast doth not alter the Figure of Flesh or Bones presently Also a dead Man doth not presently dissolve from the Figure of Man and some by the Art of embalming will occasion the remaining Figurative Motions of the dead Man to continue so that those sorts of Motions that are the Frame and Form are not quite altered but yet those Exterior Forms are so altered that they are not such as those by which we name a Living Man The same of Flyes or the like intomb'd in Amber but by this we may perceive That the Innate Figurative Motions may be quite altered and yet the Exterior Figurative consistent Motions do in some manner keep in the Figure Form or Frame of their Society The truth is in my opinion That all the Parts that remain undissolved have quite altered their Animal actions but only the Consistent actions of the Form of their Society remains so as to have a resemblance of their Frame or Form CHAP. VIII Of LOCAL MOTION ALL Corporeal Motion is Local but only they are different Local Motions and some sorts or kinds have advantage of others and some have power over others as in a manner to inforce them to alter their Figurative motions as for example When one Creature doth destroy another those that are the Destroyers occasion those that we name the Destroyed to dissolve their Unity and to alter their actions for they cannot annihilate their actions nor can they give or take away the Power of Self-motions but as I said some Corporeal motions can occasion other Corporeal motions to move so or so But this is to be noted That several sorts of Creatures have a mixture of several sorts of Figurative motions as for example There are Flying Fish and Swimming Beasts also there are some Creatures that are partly Beasts and partly Fish as Otters and many others also a Mule is partly a Horse and an Ass a Batt is partly a Mouse and a Bird an Owle is partly a Cat and a Bird and numerous other Creatures there are that are partly of one sort and partly of another CHAP. IX Of several manners or ways of Advantages or Disadvantages NOT only the Manner Form Frame