beards on their chinnes Q. How comes it that Eunuches are so extreamly moyst A. In that their seed which they cannot thrust out or consume by naturall heat so well as perfect men spreads through all their bodies and are moyst excessively by which they have their cheeks blowne up and their Paps great even as women Q. But since the excessive humidity is the cause that they have no beard from whence comes it that they have hayre as well as entire men and besides become not too much bald A. Because that this excessive himidity which is in them falls by his weight below upon the other parts of the body hindreth not the haire from being thrust out besides the neighbourhood to the brayne which is temperate and besides the aboundance of the Spirits which are in the head moderateth it very much neverthelesse because that it remaines alwaies to nourish the haire more then in ful men that become seldome or rarely bald Q. Wherefore is it that their legges are feeble and crooked A. Because they are very moist and by consequence fleshy and weak and besides they make a great weight upon the body which is the much more heavy and more charged with humours then that of perfect men even as green wood is lesse proper to serve the bearing up and portage of a great burthen because it stoopes under the burthen by the same cause also great drinkers and bathers are lesse strong Q Wherefore is it that the Eunuches become more gray hayrd then those which have all their peeces A. Because they cannot discharge the moyst humours by the Venerian act or that they cannot consume it as well as others because they have the lesse heate and this white humidity blancheth also sooner their haires whereas others become white in their Age which aboundeth then in that humour if it be not by accident as we shall declare in its place Q. Wherefore is it that the Evnuches cannot swallow the splean of any Animal A. Because that the spleane is extreamly spungeous and swells alwaies more and more being chewed so that the gelded having the throat pipe narrow because of their greace of their moysture cannot swallow a morcell great or spongeous Q. Wherefore is it that they have the voyce whining and sharp A. Because as I intend to say the grease and the humidity stopping the conduit or pipe of the voice and narrowing it it must of necessity make the voice sharpe and small as the Oaten pipes the more smaller they are yeeld the most smallest sound together with having the respiration more weak then full man and mooving by that cause lesse ayre their voyces are more close and sharpe and so it is with sick folkes Q. But wherfore is it then that Oxen low more grosly then Bulls and Capons have their voyce more bascthen Cocks A. It is because that Bulls do bellw and Cockes do not sing but with great strength and contention of voyce the cause wherefore their voyce is more sharp and high as also more strong the which we may prove in our selves for when we would cry the most strongliest wee lift up our voyces as we doe in the most base song grave and low Q. From whence comes it that gelded men are not afflicted with the gout and Capons are extreamly subiect to it A. It is because that pullen is extreamly lascivious and aâ—oundant in sperm so that Capons being too much moyst by their retention of the same seed become gouty being that Capons also excessivly eat seeing that heat is little in them but gelded men according to the proportion of their bodies are not so moyst so as the Capons â—re not so subject to the gout in the contrary those which have all their peeces and that play too much with women and too often become gouty by the to much emission of their seed and so the perfect man is gouty too by the Evacuation of the genitall humour and the Capon by the retention of the same seed in the contrary the gelded man is not subject to the Goute because of the retention of the same humour and the Cocke because of the evacuation of the same and this in all is because that Pullen is of a nature much more moist then man Q. Wherefore is it that gelded Animals as the Wether Sheepe or gelded sheepe and the Capon are better and more tender then those that have all their pieces A. Because that the gelded lose not their better humours with females and are more delicate and more fat Q. Wherefore is it that the gelded Animals are sooner tamed and easily brought more gentle then those which have their genitall parts A. Because they are deprived of their heat and of the abundance of spirit that is ingendred in the spongious vessels the which heate and spirits amove and lift up the courage and embolden those which have all their parts Q. Wherefore is it that gelded Animals become more fat then others A. Because they lose not their better humours and doe not runafter the Females For the like reason the Hornes increase more in Animals that are horned Q. From whence comes it that the Hornes of gelded Deere fall not as of the others nor the feathers of Capons as those of Cocks A. Inasmuch as the Deere amongst all other horned Animals having onely their hornes solide and massive it is needfull they have a great quantity of humidity to entertaine their branches as also to fill moisten and nourish the feathers of the Pullen Now the gelded Deere and Capons being more moist then those which are perfect Animals because of the retention of their seed have by the same meanes wherewith better to moisten and entertaine the one their Hornes the other their Feathers and by the same cause gelded men seldome become bald as I have said before Q. From whence comes it that we are sometimes benumb'd and asleepe in our members but principally in our feete and our hands by gouts crampes or otherwise A. This proceeds of the cold which infinuateth into the body by the absence of the blood which is retired and forasmuch as the feete and the hands are parts of the body most farre from the heart where the source and siege and as it were the spring of the naturall heate is and that those exterior parts are least fleshy they are the most apt to be seized on by the cold to be benumb'd and asleepe Q. How is it possible that the fish called a Torpedo benumbeth so the armes of the Fisher without touching him so as he is not able to helpe himselfe but seemes as it were insensible A. It is because this Fish exhales a certaine humour and vapour the which hath this naturall vertue to benumbe but Pliny in a few words saith that it is by his odour and a certaine winde or vapour of his body which so affecteth the members of man Q. From whence comes it that we desiring to rest our selves and fall asleepe and
resting upon one of our armes it will be benumb'd and become as unsensible A. It is because that in pressing upon it the blood retires and runnes to the other parts of the body with the blood the natural heate its inseparable coÌ„panion and with them both the animal spirits causers of the feeling so that the member left of the blood of the naturall heate and of the animall spirits and seized with the cold remaines as insensible and immoveable Grafting Q. FRom whence comes it that trees grafted or inoculated be are better fruite then the wilde ones and yet more those which are againe inoculated beare yet better those which have bin twice I meane A. It is that Nature perceiving some want betakes her suddainely to repaire by a more ample and better nourishment so that the Tree being cut or slit to graffe in shee sendeth so much food as is necessary and of the best to that part slit and cut the which she fortifies in as much more as shee was sluggish before and produceth more faire and better fruite the same likewise hapneth to ruptures which being well joyned and set the Callus becomes more hard then the bone it selfe Q. Wherefore is it not good to graffe and inoculate in all times but onely in the Spring A. Because that in the Winter the over-much cold makes the Trees to dye by insinuating into the opening or incision of the graffe and in Summer the excessive heate withers the tree and kills it Likewise in Autumne it profiteth not neither in respect of the colds neerely comming which are enemies to Natures productions but in the Spring time because there is no very great frosts after the grafting is made but a temperate heate the friend of nature ayding to their increase and perfection Egges Q. WHerefore is it that Egges are such a good nourishment to the humane body A. Because that they are hot and give ayde by their owne decoction without much borrowing of naturall heate neverthelesse those which are roasted in the imbars and eaten without so me liquor as Verjuice Vineger or other the like are not good for aguish people because they are affected with a strange heat by the fever they doe adde yet more heat to the fever Sneezing Q. WHerefore is it that men sneeze more strongly and more often then any other Animals A. It is because they eate ordinarily more then need and of many sorts of meat too which is the cause that they cannot so well digest as other Animals so great quantity of vapours mounting to the braine which moveth and provoketh them to discharge it which they doe by the means of sneezing which proceedeth as saith the Philosopher by the force of the Spirits then when the humiditie forceth them to exhale and distill or by the strength or expulsion of some raw and undigested humour or as the Philosopher likewise saith man having the conduits of his nostrils more ample and open in respect to the proportion of his body he lodgeth more winde and spirits there which provoke him to sneeze I will adde hereunto that man having according to his temporall masse more brain then any other Animall so hath he more humiditie so as he growing cold great quantity of humours fill the conduits the which thrusting out by the effect of the spirits it makes that hee sneezeth strongly in and by this conflict and with great noise Q. Wherefore is it that old folkes sneeze with more pain then young A. Because they have the conduits of their nose more shut and more straight and as it were taken and clos'd together Q. But why have they the conduits of their nose more shut then the young A. Because they are cold and cold restraines and shuts Q. From whence comes it that sneezing wee shake shrug and tremble A. It is because the vaines voyd themselues of a certaine humour or heated spirit and fill them againe with fresh ayre for they cannot remaine empty it is that which maks us to shake the same happeneth to us in emptying the bladder Tickling Q. WHerefore is it that wee tickle not our selves A. Because that our touch is to us naturall and familiar and things familiar and ordinary mooves nor affects us much Q. Wherefore is it that we are very ticklish in the soles of our feet and under our arme-pits A. Because that the skinne in those parts is stretched and very delicate as also they are parts that we are seldome touched by which as I have formerly said give more cause of motion and effection Q. Wherefore is it that we are very ticklish about the place of the Spleen A. Because that the Spleene being a part spongeous and delicate it is also more easily affected so that men the which feeling the body shot through that part of the body have dyed laughing Heate Q. WHerefore is it that hot things are sooner cold in the Sun then in the shadow A. Because in the shadow the cold locks up the heat and hindreth it from dilating or exhaling which is the cause that it is more strong and vigorous And in the Sunne by the contrary the heat is extended or exhaled by the Ayre which is his neighbour which being heated by the reflection and stroke of his rayes so that it is much more weak and feeble for the same cause the fire is lesse hot in Summer where the Sunne shineth upon it then it is in Winter or in the shadow Q. From whence comes it that a peece of Iron red hot in the fire is much more hot and burnes much more then the fire it selfe seeing that the Philosophers hold that that wich is such by the meanes of another that which is the cause ought to be much more it selfe A. That the fire being a body simple and nothing solide cannot worke so powerfully as the Iron or some other body that is solide thick and grose unto which the fire hath imparted his quality Baldnesse Q. WHerefore is it that we become more bald in the fore part of the head then behinde it A. Because that the fore part of the head is more soft and more thinne and divided by many seames as we may see in the sculs of the dead and the hinder part is in the contrary very hard and close by reason whereof the humidity which is the nourishment of the hayre is exhaled more eaâ—â—ly from the parts before whereby it loseth the haire sooner then of that behinde Q. Wherefore is it that those which have curled locks become soonest bald and later gray then others A. They become sooner bald because that they are of complection hot and dry so that the hayre the which is also dry falls of for want of moysture which is its nourishment they are also later gray then others because their heat consumes the moist humour which is the cause of whitenesse of the hayres being it selfe of the same colour Q. But wherefore is it that Eunuches become seldome bald A.
feeling themselves weake in the field get unto their Garrisons their Castles and Towers best fortified and most strong Now the blood which gives a vermillion colour to the face and to all the parts of the body being retired to the within it must bee of necessity that the exteriour parts by the want of it become wanne and pale Q. Wherefore is it that they tremble A. Because that the nerves becomming cold slack and weake by the absence of the blood of the naturall heate and of the animall spirits which are retired into the interiour cannot support the burthen of the body but the members shake and tremble Q. Wherefore is it that without thinking on it they let goe their excrements by both the conduits below A. Because that the muskels of the vessells which contayne the excrements are so weakned by the absence of the heate and of the animall spirits that they slacke and by that meanes sometimes they escape without being perceived Q. Wherefore is it that those which are seized with feare by an inevitable perill or danger as for example those that are led to execution have ordinarily an extreame thirst A. Because that the heate retiring and gathering together as is said into the interiors dries them and there exciteth the thirst although the extremities of their bodies as hands and feet are very cold trembling Q Wherefore is it that we are soone frighted in the night and in darkenesse especially being alone more then in the day and in the light A. Some attribute the same to the danger that one may get by stumbling or other mischiefe when wee can see nothing but the question is of another kinde of feare then of the danger of knocks and stumbling for I will suppose that if one bee within a good bed and stirrs not the true reason is then that the enemy of humane kinde being a friend of darknesse and as the Psalmist saies marcheth in darknes and is then most redoubtable to men as being a spirit and of a nature more strong then ours and that it is so there is none that hath not sometimes approoved it as in going alone in the night and it may bee without apprehension of any danger at all bnt in an instant a suddaine feare seiseth upon them because in my conceit there is some evill spirit that wee doubt without seeing it as the weaker Animals are affraid approaching to the Lyon although they see him not I will not deny neverthelesse that the night also augmenteth all sorts of feare because of the enterprizes and surprizes which may bee made then with the most commodity but there is another naturall terrour which comes often to men when they are in a place of perfect assurance and as soone to the most couragious as to the veriest cowards for verily I have seene brave generous and magnanimous persons feare spirits in the night extreamly when weak and fellowes of base courage have marcht on a long way with firme assurance Vlysses in Homer durst not goe alone in the night but would have for companion Diomedes the most most valiant of the Greekes next to Achilles I will attribute neverthelesse willingly all these feares come from the force of the imagination and want of faith for by the one and the other wee propose a thousand terrours but hee which hath his confidence in God and inhabites as saith the Psalmist under the wing of the Almighty shall not bee mooved at all with the Arrow which flyeth by day or the Spirits which wallketh by night nor the nightly horrours shall not feare him and to put this in our memories the church sings this in our evening song Q. Wherefore is it that the haire will stare and stand up an end with feare and horrour A. It is because that such passions coole the exteriour parts of the body and by the absence of the heat which retyres with the blood into the interiour and the cold binding and restraining the pores the haire being by the same meanes bound and pressed from the root lifts itselfe up and stares Fishes Q. WHerefore is it that Fish eate upon their backs and their bellies aloft contrary to all other Animals A. Because they feare the prey should scape them below besides that they should make the shaddow of themselves in eating it if they held the prey or the food below them Q. Wherefore is it that Fish are more gluttenous then other Animals A. It is because that being very moyst they have need of the dry and that the watry food with which they ordinarily nourish themselves sustaines them not so well as the terrestriall together that for those of the Sea the saltnesse of which excites yet more their appetites and makes them so much the more devouring and gluttonous Q. VVherefore is it that Fishes are not so subiect to diseases as land-animals A. It is because they are in an Element more pure then the Earth for the Earth is much more mingled with mixt bodies then the Water Q. How can it bee that during the Winter and the extreame rigour of the cold when the water is frozen over with Ice the Fish which of himselfe is also very cold dyes not for all that coldnesse A. It is because that the cold occupying the surface of the water the heate retires to the bottome and the Fish also for the conservation of their lives Q. Wherefore is it that Fish begin to spoile and corrupt in the head and other Animals in their intrayles A. Because that Fish have not much ordure and excrements in their intrailes as other Animals the which for this reason begin to corrupt there but the Fish having otherwise very little braine instead whereof there is aire inclosed within their heads the which being hot and moist is the ordinary cause of their corruption Gun powder Q. HOw is it possible that so little a quantity of Gun powder should thrust out a ball â— bullet so farre and with such a strength or force as is marvellous A. Because that this powder which is firy being a lighted and reduced into flame occupies much more of place then when it was in his masse or earthly substance so that for to extend it selfe and to make way to the end to take up as much place as he needs it forceth the bullet which is before it to flie out with such an impetuosity that it thrusteth it out so very farre that it makes it breake and shatter all that it encounters Q. From whence proceeds this great noise and terrible bounce that the Peeces make A. The reason is neare the very same that is in the precedent question and more as the fire is active and violent it forceth the ayre inclosed within the Cannon to give it place and in this conflict the ayre being beaten and repulsed with such force with the Bullets issue which is within and then ensueth this most fearefull cracke Resounding and retaining Q. WHerefore is it that the high places
halfe blinded A. Because that going from one extremity to another the sight is troubled at the first dash by the object contrary to the precedent as sayes Alex. Aphro but better and more profoundly to philosophize it is not the darkenesse makes our visuall spirits to retire so much or farre in the within of the nerves opticks and comming after to the light our sight is dazeled by the flash of the strange light contrarily cōming into a place very cleare as the Sunne-shine or in a place lesse cleare as within a shadowed chamber the eyes not being ayded with his great stranger light which had dazeled the naturall light and therefore we see not suddenly so cleare Q. Wherefore is it that putting our hand before the Sun or a flame we see the obiect better A. Because that the light of the Sunne or of a flame is more strong and aboundant and dazleth our sight but in putting something before it our sight is not dazeled but rather ayded exerciseth more commodiously its functions Q. Wherefore is it that those which cough or vomit forcibly seeme to see flashing of light before their eyes A. Because that the convulsion which all the body receives by such thrust-out strengths of the visuall spirits out of the eyes the which being cleare and luminous represent also a certaine clearenesse or firy flashing by reflection to our sight Q. From whence comes it that wee waking in the night or suddenly rysing we perceive a certain kinde of light which we call chiming of the eyes A. Because that during the sleep great quantity of visuall spirits gather together in our eyes the which being shut and pressed as they are firy and luminous produce some kinde of light especially if we rub our eyes in the waking for these visual spirits represent to us a certaine flashing of fire Q. Wherfore is it that we grow ashamed if one kisseth the sight or turnes them from it A. It is because that the eyes being as the mirrours of the soule in which one may see anger love feare such other passions also one likewise doth become shamed the rather if we bear respect to any one we fear and so have shame to regard them fixtly and with audacity Q. From whence comes it that we sooner see the lightning then wee heare the crack of the thunder being that the thunder precedes it or is made in the same time A. It is because that the sight receives in the instant the images of things being presently represented to our view as within a very cleare mirrour and the Sounds caunot bee heard but in the measure that the menings or tympans of the eares are beaten with the exteriour Ayre which bears the sounds through the hollow and screwed turnings of our eares which cannot be done in an instant for the same reason also if wee looke from a farre upon one stricking upon any thing wee shall see him give the Blow before the Sound will come to our eares but if in the same time that the lightning flasheth our sight wee also heare the thunder it is a signe that wee are not farre then from it It is therefore that the Latines cal it Periculum which signifieth danger quia tunc imminet periculum Q. But wherefore is it that all things being visible by the meanes of their colour and that the bodies retaine every one his colour as well in the darke as in the light we see them not so for all that in the darke A. It is because that the colours are not perceptible to the sight but by beeing cleared by some light by reason whereof all things seeme darke in the night Q. Wherefore is it that looking over-thwart the water the obiects seeme to us more great then they are A. It is not as say the Opticks and Platonicians because of the diffusion of the rayes of our eies but by the reception of the species for that is the cause that the images of the objects dilate themselves in the water as being more grosse then the ayre neither more nor lesse then a soft body as waxe stumbling or hitting upon a body more hard stretcheth long and wide Q. Wherefore is it that looking with spectacles things seeme to us more great A. For the reason deduced in the question precedent for the matter of the Spectacles receiving the species or images of the objects makes them to extend as being more grosse then the ayre Q. Wherefore is it that a water-mans Oare or a straight staffe being part within the water and part out of the water seemes to bee broken A. It is because that the species of visible things represent themselves not so well nor so neately athwart the water which is much more grosse then the ayre and so the parts within the water seeme more farther Q. Wherfore is it that a smoake or mist appeares more thicke a far-off then neare hand A. Because that wee perceive not a farre-off his tenuity and thinnesse and that the parts seeme to us wholly contiguous and shut together Q. Wherefore is it that purblind folkes and those which have their sight short looke upon the obiects so neare and old men so farre A. It is because the purblind as is manifest by the whites of their eyes have much clarity and internall light the which hath no neede of much ayde from the externall on the contrary they are dazeled with too much externall light by reason whereof they draw the objects to their eyes or shut their eyes halfe way to regard it On the contrary old folks have little internall light and are constrained to regard the object a far off to the end they may aide themselves with the strange light Q. Wherefore is it that the obiect seemes lesse a farre off then neare hand Ans Because that the species and images of them diminish themselves in all their parts cōming from a long distance yea even dissipate and loose themselves in the ayre if they are too farre or too little Q. Wherfore is it that a white colour hurts the sight An. Because that it is an extreame object the which dissipateth great quantity of visuall spirits or else according to Galen because that the whitenesse strikes backe upon our eies with too great a flash of light which dazeleth and by too long continuation extincts the interne light of our eyes Q. Wherefore is it that long darkenesse also hurts our sight A. Because it is of the other extreame and that it sutteth the visuall spirits farre within the head without which the externall light is unprofitable to our sight Q. Wherefore is it that a light very shining and sparkling offends the sight A. Because it is disproportioned to the sence for it must be that the sensible object be proportioned to the sence thereby to accomplish the enjoy but all extream objects offends the Sence as too great noyse the hearing a too violent Smell the Smelling and so of the others Q. Wherefore
Imprimatur THO. WEEKES R. P. Episcope Londinens Cap domest Octavo die Maij. Astro logus THE RESOLUER OR Curiosities of NATURE Written in French by Scipio Du Plesis Counseller and Historiographer to the French King Vsefull pleasant for all GOD and Nature hath done nothing in Vaine Arist lib 5. Cap 8. Plato Aristotle Iason W. Marshall London Printed by N. I. Okes. Anno Domini MDC XXXV Alâ—humil Sculpsiâ— THE PREFACE OF the Authour upon his naturall Curiosity super-tituled THE RESOLVER ARistippus being asked wherefore he instructed his Son in good Disciplines with so great care made this crude or raw Answer to the end said he That one stone should not bee set in the Theater upon another stone It seemes by this answer hee esteemed ignorant men below beasts and things though animated he esteemed rather a stone above them which hath neither sence nor life Neverthelesse I would not so viliâ—te the dignity of Man although he were ignorant because of the divine Character of the Soule but I dare hold and maintaine that of base things he is of worse condition then the beasts although that they for the conservation of their kinds have beene indowed with many rich naturall faculties the effects of which seeme to approach even to reason But man having no neede of such faculties being he hath beene created of Reason it selfe if he would vouchsafe to use it by the meanes of which hee may bee a neighbour even to Divinity which is farre from brutality Now the use of Reason appeares principally in the search and knowledge of causes the which makes us to equally distinguish of those which are ignorant and of the beasts together For the ignorant and the beasts know well the being of things but not the causes of them they see well that it is Day that it is Night they heare well enough the murmure and grumbling of the Thunder they marke the progresse the perfection the decline and the alteration of things which are in Nature but the causes of all these things are onely in the learned which know and that with singular contentment of spirit the causes Neverthelesse as those which are shut up within a darke dull prison cannot extend their aspects upon all sides but onely a traverse by the grates and little openings of the same so our Soule a prisoner within the grosse carkasse of this materiall body having no other way of knowledge for the most part of those things then by the meanes of the Sences which are as the windows of his prison cannot commodiously speculate and consider nor by consequent know but as the Hydropickes augment their thirst in drinking so the desire that they have to learne increaseth in them even in their learning And yet further in admiring the divers obiects that present themselves ordinarily as marveils to his ignorance so that hee may have a solace in his knowing without being satisfied and yet may draw some resection not perfection the which hath therefore beene so wisely ordayned by the singular providence of the soveraigne authour of Nature to the end that being stayed in the search of the Causes in these low things and being not able but to admire the effects in many subiects our Soule lifts it selfe up to the knowledge of the first cause which is God wholly wise wholly good and Almighty This is therefore that I ought not to be blamed of curious spirits if in this curious search of causes in naturall things I have not digg'd so profoundly into all the secrets of Nature as they would desire for it is a thing above more then humane power and although I have not fed them with vaine imaginations or imagined vanities as some who with an ambitious arrogancy have published resolutions of the most abstruce things which the Ancients more able then they have held either for inexcrutable or for uncertaine Also it is easie to iudge that they did but trifle themselves herein and that silence would have better becommed them then their too much pratling for in the end they could not discharge themselves from those barres where their subtill spirits were so inwrapped that they were constrained to have often recourse to the first causes or to the universall For if one asked them the reason why the Adamant drawes the Iron or the Ieate or Amber the straw they answere that it is by Sympathy Analogy and resemblance of qualities that there are in these two bodies but aske them what are those qualities they are stopped there so as they are lesse resolved after such their solution then they were before for if I should grant them that if the resemblances of some qualities are the cause of such attractions then wherfore is it That wood doth not draw or attract wood stones stones and so of other things which not onely sympathize in qualities but are also of the same essence Who is he that can yeeld a certaine reason why the little Chickens feare the Kite although they have never seene him and that hee is so farre from them as almost in the clouds and yet they feare not the Dogge the Cat the Horse nor any other Animals which passe hard by them The same one may say of the feare which naturally the Hare hath of the Dogge the Rat of the Cat and other the like but these subtill spirits will answer that it is a certaine Antipathy In truth on the contrary it is uncertaine since wee can neither designe it nor particularize it for what other thing can we say but to runne to the generall cause and say that nature hath given them as by instinct this knowledge of their enemy for the safegard and conservation of their kinde Who can resolve me of the marvelloas invention of our Fathers touching the needle in the Mariners Compasse which turnes alwayes towards the Pole Articke or North-starre so necessary to Navigation the point of the same being onely touched by the Adamant There are say they Mountaines of Iron under this Pole or neare it the which for the sympathy that is betwixt the Iron and the Adamant wherewith this Needle is touched and is the cause that this point is alwayes turned towards that coast there neither will I deny that these Mountaines are so because I have never beene vpon them but yet I am not bound to beleeve it so although I shall deferre this to the authority of those which have written hereof Therefore I will not very willingly perswade my selfe that the attractive faculty of these Mountaines of Iron are so powerfull that they can extend so long a distance as they ordinarily prove it in the vastity of the Seas Who is he amongst the Physitians that can give mee a cleare and true Reason of the comming and going of the Ague be it quartan quotidian or tertian and why at his comming it first shakes him with a cold fit and after seizeth him with a hot and how successively the sick have their houres certaine and
is it that the body having his perfect growth hath neverthelesse yet neede of nourishment Ans Because that our bodies have this imperfection that they are in continuall fluxe and losse of substance the which we repaire and renew by meate and drinke which I have other where shewed more amply Qu. How is it then possible wee should dye since that by eating and drinking we repaire the losse of our substance An. Because that which is added by the meate and drinke is of strange matter and is not so excellent as that which is innate and wholly naturall as the light in the Lampe by the meanes of Oyle abateth with time and in the end we corrupt by the ordinary alteration we receive by food so that it is of necessity we dye Q. But how is it the Apostle teacheth us Rom. 5. Cap. That by a man sin entred into the world and by sin death it is not then by the fault and imperfection of the body but rather of the foale A. If the first man had not sinned truely hee should never have dyed but had remained in the state of innocence within the Garden of Felicity untill that after a lâ—â—g tract of yeares it had pleased God to lift him living into the Heavens but the humane body framed of corruptible matter had not left to have the default and imperfection afore-said the which neverthelesse he had repaired by a more singular and soveraigne Dyet then that whereof wee feed at this present which food was of the Tree of Life Q. Wherfore is it that little children increase more in the Head then in any other part of the body A. Because according to Aristotle eating much and often naturall heate which is very boyling in that age lifteth great quantity of the aliment to the superiour parts especially to the Head which nourisheth it much more and sooner so that it hath beene observed five daies after their birth the little children have not beene able to move and turne the necke so have the parts above beene filled with humours Adolescentior Youth Q. FRom whence comes it that youths about 14 or 15 years become hoarse having their voyces rough and unequall and a little time after change their voyces into a more grosse and grave tone A. It is because in that age the Organs and Conduits of the body dilate and stretch themselves and all the members ingrosse and fortifie to be the more proper to travell and especially to generation and amongst other Organs that of the voice dilateth it selfe also but because that it is not done at 〈◊〉 suddaine nor according to some equally by the Artery of the throate the voyce sharpe and small stretcheth into a more grosse and grave tone becommeth unequall untill it be entirely changed by a perfect dilatation of the vocall Artery Q. Wherefore is it that about the same Puberty or Youth that is in young youthes at 14 yeares and maides at 12 the haire begins to appeare in their chinnes and secret parts A. Because then as the great and ample conduits of the body stretch and dilate themselves so doe the pores and subtile conduits of the flesh so the haire hath liberall issue likewise in the parts naturall where the heate begins to descend with the spirits which aideth to carnall copulation neverthelesse women have no beards because of their excessive humidity and coldnes as I shall say more amply hereafter upon this word Woemen Tooth-ache Q. FRom whence proceedeth the aking of the Teeth A. From cold and austere iuyces and liquours which fret in the Teeth as wee may prove in cutting a greene and unripe Apple by the iuyce upon the knife Q. Wherefore is it that Parsley and Salt taketh away the akeing of the teeth A. Parsley hath a weake iuyce yet neverthelesse it is gluing and binding the which being administred and sticke in the teeth taketh away the akeing Salt also by his acrimonious and stinging quality produceth the same effect and in as much as he is hot and corrosive hee taketh away the akeing from the teeth which proceedes of coldnesse upon the subiect see more after where I speake of Teeth Sharpenesse Q. WHerefore is it that Victuals sharpe and biting provoke appetite to â—ate A. It is in asmuch as they are opening for they open the stomacke and by a kinde of tickling or pricking they awake the naturall heate in cleansing or dissipating that which held his action still or in quiet Ayre Q. HOw can it be that the Ayre is more moist then the VVater for in the common opinion of Philosophers seeing that the VVater wets much more and the Ayre in the contrary dries A. In asmuch as Water is a body much more grosse then Ayre so it is lesse humid then Ayre and wetteth therefore the more even as a piece of Iron red hot in the fire burneth more then the fire it selfe because of the solidity of the matter and for that which is said that the Ayre drieth it is because it is hot but it dries not much without the aide of the Sun and Winde which holdeth of hot and dry Q. From whence comes it that where motion chafeth the Ayre we refresh our selves neverthelesse when we are hot in beating the ayre with our hats hand-cerchiffs or Fannes A. It is that in so moving and beating the Ayre we chase behind us that which was formerly chafed and that which succeedeth and followeth suddainly after the other is more fresh for there is nothing voide in nature Q. VVherefore is it that it is more hot and smothering the Skie being covered and charged with Clouds then when it is cleare and faire seeing that the Starres may more commodiously heate the â—arth the ayre being faire A. It is because that all the heate exhal'd aloft when the Ayre is faire nothing doth thrust it downe below and in the contrary the clouds repulsing it downwards it falls of necessity that the inferiour region of the Ayre is more heated and as it were stifled or choaked by this repulsing of the heate Q. VVherefore is it that the Ayre is more moist in Townes then in the fields A. Because that the buildings hinder that it cannot bee strucke or beaten by the rayes of the Sunne and of the winds Q. VVherefore is it that the middle region of the Ayre is more cold in Summer then in VVinter A. It is because of the Antiperistasis and counter-resistance or counter-battery of heate and cold for the heate occupying the face of the earth in Summer the cold is shut up partly within the entrayles of the earth by reason wherof the water which issueth out is fresh and part flyeth into the middle region of the Ayre because whereby Hayle is ingendred which is of the water taken and congealed by the cold Q. VVherefore is it that the ayre is not perceiveable by any of our exteriour senses but by the touch onely A. Because that it hath no other quality of it selfe to those which are
Because they are very moist and charged with excrements and their hairs as I have formerly said are maintained and nourished with humidity The same thing one may say of young men and women and for the very same reason hornes fal not from gelded Deere nor the feathers from Capons as I have said heere before Q. But wherefore is it that old men become bald A. For the reason contrary to the precedent that is by declining with age naturall humidity consumes in them although they abound in corrupt excrements Q. Wherefore is it that bald men are esteemed more luxurious then other A. In the contrary we ought to say that they are more bald for being too much luxurious then luxurious for being bald for by force of drying their bodies and especially the braine which contributeth most to the act Venerian they become bald not retaining sufficient humidity to nourish the haires Q. Wherefore is it that bald persons are esteemed of others wicked and dangerous A. Because they are of a nature hot and dry and so are prompt hardy and cholericke if good education and nourture doth not moderate and correct them but also those persons that are of the same complexion are ordinarily judicious vigilant prudent and subtill Calxes Q. VVHerefore is it that one contrary ordinarily flies another neverthelesse Calx Sponge Cloath bran and many other dry things receive water very easily and imbibe and moisten A. We must observe that all bodies which have pores and subtill conduits some neverthelesse more close shut then others so then dry bodies which have pores shut admitteth not at all or very little of humidity and those which have the pores more open as the said things admit not more of themselves that is to say in as much as dry bodies but accidently because of the opennesse and laxity of their pones by which the humidity hath ingression Q. How is it that quicke Lyme breakes and fall in peeces being drenched with water A. In as much as the water insinuateth and penetrateth strongly without and within the parts of the Lyme opening the ties of it whereof followeth the division and separation Q. How is it that the Lyme quenched with water heateth and smoakes seeing that it ought rather to grow cold by the moist coldnesse of the water A. It is because the Lyme being a body well burnt in the Furnacâ— holds much of the fire and containes great quantity of fiery spirits the which bandeth and gathereth together against their contrary which is the water and worketh vigorously against it chafing and turning part of the same into fumes and vapours as those which breath out of a vessell full of water put upon the fire Wayes Q. FRom whence comes it that we finde the wayes more long which are to us unknowne then those which wee have often travelled A. It is because that wee determine and easily limit in our selves the way wee know and cannot limit that which we have never gone it seemes to us longer then it is Q. From whence comes it that a plaine smooth way although it be very easie as by fields and valleyes of great stretch it is much more trouble some then those which are unequall and rough A. It is because the plaine and smooth way is alwayes alike and that which is unequall and rough hath in it diversity and change which is agreeable to our nature and solaceth much more the incommodity that we receive of others as also that which is limited hath divers peeces and by retakes but in that which wee see in a long stretch it seemes to us infinite and to be without limit for the sight Graynesse Q. WHerefore is it that men beginneto waxe gray neare to the temples then behinde the head by reason whereof Homer calleth them Poliocrotapous that is to say to the gray temples A. Because that this part of the head is more watery humid and soft then the hinder part of the same and by so much more subject to the corruption of the humours which makes white the haires Q. How comes it that in age our haires become white A. Because as the Philosopher teacheth us old persons abound in flegme the which being white tincteth the haires in the same colour by which the haires are nourished Q. Wherefore is it that a man onely of all other Animals is properly said gray when Horses also become grisseled A. It is because that of other Animals where the haire fals all the yeare by little and little upon the Winter and then comes againe after as in Horses in Beeves and in Dogges or if they fall not as wooll doth not fall much from the sheepe it is because that such Animals live so few yeares that they cannot change their haires and colour but man is not of that nature so that his haire falls not yearely nor of so short life as the other Animals from whom the haire falls not it must be that in his age he still grisseleth and becomes wholly gray and in the end fully white by the abundance of moisture so farre that at last naturall heate being extinct in him by the default of radicall humidity which is associated with naturall heate Q. But how when other Animals having the same default and debilitation of radicall humidity and of naturall heate in their age wherefore shew they not the like effect A. This comes particularly to man in as much as according to the proportion of the corporall masse hee hath more quantity of braine then any other of the Animals Now the naturall heate debilitateth and diminisheth in him in his age and hee cannot conserve so great quantity of humidity so that this humidity superabounding leaveth him the naturall heate corrupts and the haires then receiving an evill nourishment whiteneth and representeth as I have said before by this whitenesse the colour of this corrupt humour which is a kind of flegme alwayes white Q. From whence comes it that there are men white before age and in the flower of their best time become gray A. The cause is labour travell torments affliction and sicknesses which doe often debilitate and often extinct before the time the power of naturall heate according to the saying of Pindarus in this Verse It sometimes happens in our way To meete a young man turned gray And Homer to this purpose Care sorrow griefe and dire distresse Gives the young head the old man s dresse Very feare it selfe horrour and the apprehension of an inevitable death hath so farre seized upon some men as we read of a kinsman of Francis Gonzagus Prince of Mantona who accused of treason became gray in the prison betwixt the evening and the morning Q. Wherefore is it that Horses become gray or griseld about the head more then any other kinde of Animal A. Because that they haue the bone which covers the braine much lesse hard considering the proportion of their bodies then any other Animal which is the cause as saith the
are of figure round Q But how see wee not many times in one selfe same day that the Sun and Moone appeares more great one time then another especially at morning and evening A. That seemes so but it is not so for all that but the exhalations and vapours which are betwixt us and these great globes deceive our sight and represent them more great then of custome as it comes to those which regard any thing in the bottome of the water or with Spectacles Q. Wherefore is it that the Heavens remaine alwayes in an equall intervall and distance from the earth A. Because they have not in themselves neither lightnesse nor weight whatsoever in respect whereof they bouge nor stirre not at all from their naturall place but if they were of a fiery nature as some would have them they should descend to the firy circular which is under the Moone as tending to their naturall place or else they must since the creation of the world have alwaies still mounted and that it incessantly as it is the nature of fire to aspire alwayes in height Q. From whence comes it that the Heavens being of the same matter that the Starres are according to the agreement of all the grave Philosophers we see them not for all that and yet we see the Starres A. It is because that the Starres are more solid and massie then the Heavens which makes that they appeare more easily to our sight and the Heavens not because of their rarity and thinnesse neither more nor lesse then as wee see well enough thicke and grosse vapours and smoakes and see not the â—ost subtill and likewise as wee see the water but not the Ayre Q. From whence comes it that this great and vast space or extent which is betwixt us and the heavens to see the heavens themselves which seeme of a blewish and azure colour A. Neither the ayre nor the fire which are betwixt us and the heavens nor the heavens themselves in as much as they are all simple bodies are neither coloured nor susceptible of any colour neverthelesse because of the great distance there is betwixt us and the Heavens all those bodies there which are very rare simple and thinne seeme to condense and thicken and this condensation makes that all this immense extent seemes coloured with Azure Q. From whence comes it that certaine Starres twinkle to our eyes and others not A. Those which are in the Firmament and above the 7 Planets as most farre from us twinkle to our respect as doth a Torch farre off in like man-ner the little Starres more then the most great because that little objects rob more easily our eyes then the great but the Planets twinkle not or very little because they are more low then other Stars every one in his Orbe and likewise that they are more great neverthelesse Mars twinkleth also although that he is below other Planets that twinkle not but that is because hee is more reddishbrowne and by consequent lesse visible Q. But wherefore is it that the Starres more high and further from us twinkle more then the others A. This proceeds from the rayes of the fixed Stars which are in the Firmament and above the Planets their light descending in the Ayre as it were broken in our sight by the motion of the Ayre which is the cause they seem twinckling nor more nor lesse then the pibbles which are under the water seemes to tremble by the mooving of of the water the which cannot bee attributed properly to the Planets by the reason aforesaid because of their rayes comming more neere and that they are greater bodies to resist more strongly the mooving of the Ayre Q. Wherefore is it that wee see not the stars in the day time A Because that the middle meanes or the betwixt both which is the Ayre receives the impression of the light more strong and shining which is that of the Sunne in such manner that that of the other Stars remaines as offusked as being confused with that of the Sun so as we cannot distinguish it Q. Wherefore is it that the other Starres appeare not sometimes in forme of encreasing as the Moone doth A. Because that the Moone shines not by her proper light as doth all the other starres but onely by that of the Sunne so that according as she is diversly infused shee represents her selfe to us in divers figures but when shee is of all deprived by the interposition of the earth she is eclipsed and darkned Q. From whence comes it that the starres seeme to goe before us then when we goe of the same side that they runne and likewise on the contrary a merâ—â—ailous thing they seeme to follow us then when we goe the contrary course of their way A. It seemeth to us that they goe before when wee goe the very same way before and that whirle in because of their celerity and incomparable swiftnesse but when they seeme to follow us going on the contrary side of their course it is because of their immense greatnesse of their bodies in respect of the place where wee are although we go of the one side and they of the other they are alwayes seeming before us which cannot neverthelesse be well marked but that they remaine alwaies either neere to us before us or following us Bells Q. WHerefore is it that Bels of silver are more resounding then those of any other metall whatsoever they bee aad those of Iron lesse then any others A. That siluer holds most of ayre and Iron most earth and as ayry things are most resounding so are earthly things lesse then all others Q. Wherefore is it that Bells covered with cloathes be it of wollen cloath Silke or whatsoever other thinge like yeelds little or no sound A. Because that these bodies are soft and repercusse not the ayre which is the cause of sound Q. Wherefore is it also that a Bell filled with earth or some such like matter seemeth to yeeld no sound A. Because that the Ayre which as I come to say is cause of the sound and is choaked or suffocated by this other body where with he is filled Heart Q. WHerefore is it that the heart is set or placed in the middle of the Animall A. Because that it being the treasury of the naturall heat and magazine of the â—itall Spirits it is most commodiously placed in the middle of the body from thence to expand and to distribute over all the parts of the body as the Sunne in the middle of the 7 Planets Q. Wherfore is it that being so in the middle neverthelesse chafeth nor heateth not so much the back and the parts behinde us as those before A. Because that the bones that are in the back hinders that the heat cannot worke so lively together the coldnesse of the back bones and the temperament also of the heat which proceedeth from the heart is not so forcible to penetrate those parts there Q. Wherefore is it that
hee is seated in such a hidden place A. Nature hath done the like with all the noble parts as with the Braine with the Liver with the Lungs to the end that they should not be easily offended hurt or wronged seeing that these parts cannot be grieviously offended without losse and death of the Animal Q. Wherefore is it that the heart of some Animals being torne with force out of the body wil pant and moove still A. This panting and mooving comes from the fervor of the blood of the spirits from the heart as sparkes and flames from the naturall heat which are not suddenly extincted after the death of the Animals no otherwise then a snuffe or a meske of a lighted Lampe looseth not suddenly all his fire nor all his light although separated from the Oyle Q Wherefore is it that in Animals the most couragious as in Lyons and in Tigers they have their hearts very little and in those which are the most fearfull as the Deere the Asse and the Hare they should have the most great considering the proportion of their Bodies and neverthelesse to signifie a valiant man they commonly say heâ— is a man of a great heart A. The Animals that have little hearts are commonly the most hardy because that the force of the heat amassed together in a little place are more vigorous and doe greater deeds then being dispersed neither more nor lesse then an ordinary fire heats not so easily a great hall as a little chamber and whereas they commonly say a hardy man hath a great heart the same ought to be understood of quality not of quantity that is to say of courage it selfe of valour it selfe of hardinesse it selfe not of the masse or piece of the heart Q. Wherefore is it that hurting of the heart is mortall A. Because as saith the Philosopher that it being the principall and beginning of the life if it bee wounded there is nothing that can sustaine or snccour the other parts that depends on it neverthelesse it hath beene found of Animals that although wounded in the heart they have not dyed of the hurt judging by that that after they have made dissection and cure they have found the Iron head of an arrow or the bullet of a Hargubusse sticking in their hearts Q. From whence comes it that some renowned personages have their hearts hairy and have bin approved wonderfull valiant and couragious as Leonidas the Lacedemonian and Aristomenes the Argien A. Because that it testified an extraordinary calour or heate neverthelesse naturall in them the which excited smoaky exhalations in their hearts and such fumes are the matter of the haire and naturall heate is accompanied with vigour and courage Cockes Q. BY what vertue is it that the crowing of the Cocke so affrights the Lyon A. There is no Animall whatsoever is so fierce and couragious as the Cocke which combats most valiantly even to the death his crow is also very penetrating so as the Lyon knowing by instinct his invincible courage and fierce hardinesse in so little an Animall hearing him sing is astonished and retyres himselfe so writeth Pliny Q. What is it that induceth him to crow every third houre and so iustly at midnight A. One may ordinarily prove that he croweth not every third houre although it hath pleased Pliny to say so that tooke up much by heare-say but for his crowing at mid-night they give divers Reasons as some hold that the Cocke is an Animall wholly solarie because whereof the Ancients consecrated him to Aesculapius Sonne to the Sunne so that resenting about mid-night that the Planet predominating upon his nature is remounting upon our Horizon hee awaketh hee rejoyceth and sings for joy Others attribute the same to his Venerian desire for hee is an Animall which is very lascivious and why having his Hennes about him and otherwise hee is accustomed to sing rather after then before his treading and therefore this reason seemeth to mee nothing probable Democritus as Cicero reporteth held that the Cocke satisfied with sleepe after hee had perfected his digestion as hee hath in him much naturall heate to well concoct and digest his food hee awaketh all joyfull and proclaimes his joy with his owne Trumpet but that great Iulius Scaliger durst resolve nothing of this question but I dare say that there is some apparance in the first opinion but more in the last of Democritus Strings Q. WHerefore is it that the string of a long bow or a crosse-bowe breakes sooner when one dischargeth them without an arrow then when they shoote with an arrow A. It is because the Arrow abates and moderateth the violence of the motion but when one disbandeth the violence of the motion which findeth not an encounter nor stayeth makes a strength against the cord it selfe and is the cause it breakes and sometimes the Bow it selfe Q. Wherefore is it that the strings of a long Instrument breakes sooner and will not stretch so high as those of a short Instrument A. Because that those of the long stretch longer then the others have a more long space from the middle are more further from their center that is to say from the place where they are tied and that which is further from their center is most weake wherof we see divers examples from these words light waight Q. Wherefore is it that two strung Lutes or other like instruments being reached up and tuned in one and the selfe same tune if one soundeth or play eth upon the one neare to the other that which is not touched shall sound and moove also upon her Harmonious cordes and the dissonant not moove astraw being laid upon the string of the untouched Lute or such like strung instrument A. This is caused by the Sympathy and consonance of the instrument the strings of the one being touched the Ayre which is affected with the harmony makes to resound affect and stir the same strings of the other and by the same cause if one strike a string of a Lute which is accorded in the unison or in the octave it will shake also the other which one may prove by putting a litle straw upon that which is not touched and which is agreeing to the unison or to the octave of that which is struck and better yet to Philosop hize upon this subject wee will adjoyne that wee may observe a double mooving in the strings of an instrument the one is it which beats the Ayre then before is string is struck the other then behinde when it retyres after that it is struck the shake makes him to resound but encountering other strings streatched into another tune and out of the unison or the Octave they shall not finde the like disposition of mooving because of the dissonance and disproportion of tunes so as they will not resound at all Q. From whence comes it that the harmony and Systeme of the voice or of instruments well accorded is so agreeable to the hearing
and digest their victuals better then those which are sluggish and given too much to their ease A. It comes that Exercise moves the naturall heate concocteth and digesteth better then if the victuals were asoped and crude like a drown'd toast so as the digestion and former repast not put over but laying load upon load against the Faulconers rule Extremities Q. WHerefore is it that the extreame parts of the body as the feete the hands the nose the eares are more chilly and cold then the others A. It is because they are more nervy lesse fleshy and by consequent more sencible and besides that they have the lesse of blood so they have lesse heate to resist the cold moreover that they are farther from the heart which is the fire and heater of the body Q. Wherefore is it that they esteeme it a signe of good health if there be no other sinister accident to be cold in the extremities of the members farthest from the heart after repast A. Because it shewes that the naturall heate is shot within the body Q. Wherefore is it to those extreame sicke they often apply extreame remedies A. Because it must bee that the remedy bee proportioned and answerable to the sicknesse being for a certaine that a sharpe and violent malady cannot bee healed by benigne and gentle remedies in as much that they cannot vanquish neither more nor lesse then as a Fort well amunitioned and defended by couragious men cannot bee wonne without great and strong forces Of the Face Q. WHerefore is it that Nature hath made Man with a Face upright and looking towards heaven A. To the end that he should ordinarily contemplate celestiall things the originall of his Soule and the eternall seate that he ought to ayme at after the passage from this life which the Pagan Poets themselves have knowne Vpreared lookes God onely granted man The other Animals he curbed downe But he to judge the earth heaven to scan Ha h only power besides to smile orfrown To laugh and weepe and all this in the face The high Creator plac't to mans high grace Q. Wherefore is it that wee sweate more in the face then in any other part of the body being that the face is uncovered A. Because that it is more humid as its hairinesse shews which is nourished by humidity and that the braine which is very moist being within the head dischargeth it selfe on all sides by divers conduits as also that the humidity is descending and mounteth not as in the parts below Q. Wherefore is it that the face is not cold although it is uncover'd and that other parts of the body although they are well cover'd are cold and chilly A. Because that the face being ordinarily bare the cold stopps the pores which is more the head being full of spirits which are hot and heateth therefore it is lesse cold but I beleeve that custome of keeping the face uncover'd doth more then all for we see in the like that those which goe commonly bare legged feele no cold and an ancient Hermite that went all naked was used to say that he was all face to shew that custome and the habitude of going naked was the cause that he fear'd no more cold unto the other parts of the body then to the face Q. Wherefore is it that little swellings and pimples come out more in the face then in any other part of the body A. In as much as there is more humidity in the Head then other where and that these little pimples and pushes are no other thing then an evacuation of a crude and undigested humour Females Q. WHerefore is it that amongst all the kinds of Animals the females are ordinarily the most subtil scape more cunningly and craftily from mens ambusbes then the males A. It is that being for the most part more weak then the males nature to repaire that defect hath given them more wily craft for the conservation of their lives Q. But wherefore then amongst the Serpents the fishes the be ares the Tigers the Panthers and such other kindes of Animals the females are commonly more great and furious then the males A. It is that nature so pleaseth her selfe with diversity for the ornament of the world as also that it was expedient for the good of humane kinde that the males of some of the foresaid kindes should bee something gentler for if they were ful as furious as the females they should be well neere all invincible Women Q. WHerefore is it that women have no beards and arâ— not so hairy or downy as men A. Because that they are of a nature cold and moist and the cold which restrains is the cause that the pores of the flesh being shut up the haire cannot peirce nor get out but onely in some parts of their bodies where there is a particular heat also their too great moystnesse likewise hinders that their haire cannot spring out as it is in the gelded and in children and no otherwise then a ground too moyst becomes infertile Q. Wherefore is it that women become sooner gray haird then men A. Because as I intend to say they are naturally cold and ordinarily more idle and lesse given to labour and violent exercises by which reason they gather together great quantities of evil humours the which whiten their haire Q. Wherefore is it that they beare more easily cold then men for ordinarily they are thinner cloathed in winter then men A. Because that they being cold they feele cold the lesse for every like is least affected to his like in example he which hath his hands cold feeles not so well the coldnesse of a nother by as if they were hot Q. But how blood being alwayes accompanied with heat and women having much more blood then men as their natural purgations make proofe doth it not follow then that they should have more blo od then men A. No for on the contrary leaving to speake further of that blood with my modesty in the rest they have lesse good blood then men for not the crude blood but the good is accompanied with heat Q. VVherefore is it that Women are sooner capable of conceiving then begetting because the lawes permit them marriage at twelve and men at foureteene and not before these ages A. It is certaine that women increase in all things sooner then men because that nature striveth to conduce sooner to perfection things of least lust recompencing in that course what shee tooke away in the other so then men being still capable of generation at threescore ten women ceasing at fifty it is no great marvaile though nature advanced women in the beginning since shee sooner failes them then men in the end Fire Q. FRom whence comes it that fyre doth yeeld lesse heat in Summer then in winter seeing that in Summer it seemes that its heate were ioyned to that which comes from the double reflection oâ— stroke of the Sunnes â—ayes it should
middle that of the honey which is in the bottome is accounted the best in all three A. Because that of the oyle is most cleane ayrie and light and is the most excellent and that of the honey the most close and heavy is on the contrary the best now the parts the most light mounts to the most high and the more heavy descend to the bottome and so by consequence those are the most exquisite in the houey and those other in the oyle Now for Wine the part most low is lesse pure and sweete because of the lees and that above likewise because of the neighbourhood of the ayre the which invirons it on all sides of the vessels for the ayre by his too great humidity hurtheth and corrupts the wine Q. Wherefore is it that Oyle swimmeth above all other liquors except upon Aqua vitae A. Because it is fat and by consequent ayry for fat things hold much of the ayre and that which is airy is more light then that which is watry or earthy and beeing more light hee riseth on the top by the same reasoÌ„ oyle wil not much mingle with other liquors neverthelesse aqa vitae will swimme upon the oyle because it is firy and holds of the fire which is the most active subtile and light of all the Elements the cause also why it receives suddenly the flame and wherefore also it is denominated burning water Q. But why if oyle for being more fat holds him so above the other liquors how is it that it swimmes also upon grease it selfe against that Axiome of the Physitians who hold that which is such by the meanes of another the same is yet more such If then oyle is so light that it swimmes upon all other liquors because of his fatnesse it must bee that fatnes it selfe should swimme upon the oyle A. Oyle swimmes not upon all other liquors because of a strange fatnesse but because of his own proper which he holds more of the ayre and so this destroyes not this said Axiome of the Physitians if it swimme upon another strange fatnesse with which it hath not any participation Q. From whence comes it that a leafe of paper platted in forme of a vessell and filled with oyle will not bee consumed by the fire although that there is nothing almost more easie to receive fire A. Because that the paper being very porous the heate of of the fire penetrateth at h wart the pores and goeth working against the oyle which is more contrary to him as also that the partes of the oyle heated by the fire and bearing of his heate mounts aloft and they below remaining cold resist the heate of the fire and conserves the paper untill that the fire hath surmounted and affected all the parts of the oyle without finding any any more resistance from his action for then the paper burnes and consumes the like to this is the kettle full of water the bottome of which is cold the fire Dropsie Q. WHerefore is it that those which are sick of the dropsie though they are full of water and of humours cannot for all that quench their thirst with great drâ—nking A. Because that they digest not their drinkes and then specially when they have the fever it is heated become saltish and biting which ingenders an unextinguishable thirst within them as also that although they have their bodies full of water and humidity it runnes not nor distributeth it selfe to the other parts of the body being dryed for lack of being sprinkled and moystned and from this drynesse proceedes their extreame thirst Images Q. FRom whence comes it that pictures to the life seeme to regard us upon what side soever wee goe A. This same proceeds from our mooving in as much as wee take no regard to that but only to the picture neverthelesse perceiving that there is a mooving in one action wee attribute through errour of the sences to the aspect of the picture neither more nor lesse then doe those which are sayling within a boate they thinke it is not the boat which goes and remooves but the shore of the water the houses and the trees which they looke upon Ioy. Q. HOw can it bee that certaine persons have dyed of extreame ioy as the Roman women whereof one beleeving as they had told her that her sonne was dead at the battell of Trasemena where the Romans were defeated by Hannibal lamenting within her house but after seeing him enter safe and sound dyed suddenly with ioy and the other going out of the Gates of the Towne for to enquire of her sonne with those which came from the defeiture of Cannes and perceiving him there amongst others dyed in the place with sudden ioy A. Because that even as oyle being powred with moderation within a Lampe it entertaines and conserves the flame but being excessively and all at a sudden infused extinguisheth and choakes it even so moderate joy rejoyceth the vitall spirits but an excessive extream and sudden one choakes it or it may come thus because that as naturall heat flyes with the blood to the interiour parts of the body by an excessive affrighting or feare so by an excessive joy it abandons the interiour and most noble parts and by suddenly running to the exteriours wherof sometimes insues the dissolution of the soule from the body Fasting Q. WHerefore is it that those which have long fasted are more dry then hungry A. Because that naturall heat finding nothing against which it may worke or to what it may betake it selfe stickes to the humidity and consumes it so drying then by this meanes the body the thirst which is the appetite of the humidity and of the cold sezieth us sooner then the hunger which is the appetite of the dry and the hot Q. From whence comes it that we are more heavy fasting then after repast A. It is that by the meanes of the victualls the Animal spirits which were dull are wakened and rejoyced and being so under-lift the body neverthelesse this must bee understood of those which eate soberly and that it bee done for the refection of the spirits and of the forces not for to quell them for whosoever crams himselfe full of victualls shall finde himselfe after repast more heavy and dull then hee was fasting Q. Wherefore is it that wee are more prompt to bee cholericke being fasting then after meate A. The cause is that after the repast the spirits are more busied in concocting and digesting of the meate newly eaten but when wee are fasting they are easily moved to swel and boyle as also that the nourishment by the victuals repaires the losse and continuall effluxion of the substance of our bodies and we are then merry and joyfull after the refection and repast Q. Wherefore is it that sicke folkes although they are weake and by consequence have more neede of refection and reparation of spirits and of substance can ueverthelesse fast more long time then those which are
well A. Because that naturall heat workes not so vigorously in them as in those which are â— good and perfect health Q. Wherefore is it that those â—hich are fasting accomplish the â—enerian act more nimble then â—hose which are fully glutted A. Because that those which are fasting have their conduits more open and moreover they have ended their concoction and digestion and that their naturall heate is more free and the matter of such sports is separated from that which serves to the refection of the members and distributed to the spermaticke vessels Swearing Q. WHerefore is it that common swearers blasphemers are so full of oatheâ— for all slight occasions and so ordinarily are lyers and periâ—rers altogether A. Lyers as the Philosophers say well beare alwayes the paine of their vice about them and although sometimes they tell true yet they are not beleeved their words being alwayes suspected for lyers then seeing that folkes will not give credit to their meere words fortifie their Tales with oathes and swearing and so very often they perjure themselves lying being to them a degree to passe to perjury as Cicero shews wisely the same in an Oration of his Milke Q. HOw is it that Milke is so white seeing that it is made of blood which is of a colour red Ans Because it is very well cocted and recocted and more it is purified from the more grosse parts as it is done within the spongious vessels of women so as this matter purified and subtillized as a scumme becomes white In like manner Wine after its decoction digestion becomes white as it is visible in the Urine of those which are in health and the victuals being well decocted become white within but for the outward part the adustion of the fire causeth them to bee of another colour the which the naturall heate doth not for it heates and decocts without burning Que. Wherefore is it that the milke of Women who indiscreetly and too often mixe with with men is hurtfull to little children A. Because that by the venerian conjunction the best and more subtile parts of the aliment goes to the matrix and to the genitall parts and that which is most corrupt remaines for the nourishment of the Infant Q. Wherefore is it that wine after milke is very hurtfull to the health A. Because that the wine makes it to crudde so as the milke within the stomack is as cheese so as it is after very hard to decoct and digest and most often corrupts within the stomack to the great prejudice of the health Letuce Q. VVHerfore is it that the Ancients eate letuce at the end of their repasts A. They used it so ordinarily after supper when they had eaten and drunke much in any banquet to the end that the letuce which is very cold should provoke them to sleepe and further resisting the excessive heate of the wine it might serve them as an Antidote against drunkennesse Q. Wherefore is it that now they eate it at the beginning of the meale A. Some doe it to sharpen the appetite especially when the letuce are dressed in a salâ—et with oyle and viniger for â—t serves also well to the viniger and the oyle is added to moderate the crudity of the one and the Acrimony of the other Others use it for a better consideration to the end that the substance of the letuce beeing brought before any other dish should serve to the cooling of the veines and that it might also refresh the blood and temperate the over great heate of the Liver Q. Wherefore is it that the Poets feigne that Venus buried her faire Adonis under a letucebed Answere To shew the extreame coldnesse of this herbe the which extincteth the luxurious appetite The Tongue Q. WHerefore is it commonly said that the tongue is the best and worst piece of the humane body A. This must be considered by its workes for the tongue is the deliverer of the reason and of the will and then it is the best piece of the humane body if it bee applied to the prayse of GOD and to the discourse of things honest and good and it is the worst also when it is imployed to evill speaking and to undecent and dishonest purposes Q. Wherefore is it that the tongue changeth very easily his colour A. Because it is covered with a skinâ—e very delicate and simple and for this cause it is the more susceptible of the impression of all colours especially of potions or drinks which extincts and paintes it diversly as also that being very spungeous it is imbibed more easily with all sorts of liquours Teares Q. VVHerefore is it that little children and women shed more abundance of teares then men of perfect age A. Because that little children and women are more humid and have the pores and subtill conduits by which issue the teares more open and loose Q. How comes it to passe that many times by great dolour sorrow and anguish as also for great ioy pleasure and contentment we shed teares A. Because that dolour and anguish shuts the pores by which followeth this humour and strayneth the drops which we call teares as one squezeth a sponge imbibed with some liquour and joy on the contrary loseth and makes overture of the same humour to issue out Q. From whence comes it that the teares of a Boare are hot and those of a Deere are cold A. It is because the Boare is couragious and of a nature hot and boyling and for this cause his blood is blacke hot and boyling the which mounting aloft when he is in his fury his teares are heated and the Deere on the contrary being fearefull loose and a flyer his feare and affright cooleth him more his blood retiring to his interiour so that his teares become so much more cold Washing the hands Q. FRom whence comes it that those which wash in winter their hands in warme water feele soone after them more cold then those which wash them in cold water A. It is because that warme water opens the pores and by that meanes gives entrance to the cold and cold water on the contrary shuts the pores for cold is restringent and hinders the cold from penetrating so easily I counsell not for all that to wash the hands in the morning with cold water but to mingle therewith a little Wine because the water cooleth the nerves and causeth shaking Laurell or Bayes Q. WHerefore is it that the Laurell-tree is so seldome touch'd with lightning A. It may bee often touch'd but the flash strikes not much nor leaveth much marke but in bodies which are more hard and which make resistance it doth but passe by the soft and souple without offending them for lightning is composed of a spirit or exhalation very subtill now the Laurell is very souple ayrie and as a sponge which is the cause that it resisteth not the lightning nor is by it offended neither more nor lesse then as wee see by experience that
the lightning breakes the bones within the body without any way touching or offending and produceth many other strange effects as I have shewed elsewhere Q. Wherfore is it that the leafe of a Laurel cracks in the fire A. It is for the reason aforesaid that it greatly holds of the ayre â—he which is extreamly humid and pressed by the fire cracks in goeing out because that it takes is way by force and ontrance as doth the humidity of the chesse-nut when it is put under the embers without being cut on the top Moone Q. WHerefore is it that Physitians the labourers the Mariners and others observe so strictly in the exercise of their Arts the constitution of the Moone A. Because she hath a particular vertue and predomination upon the things here below and which is more shee is more neerer to us then any other oâ— the Planets and having a lesse â—urne and circuit to make shee changes more often her constitution and this frequent change ought to bee more exactly considered and observed especially by those men which are to prove every day the events Q. Wherefore is it that victuals corrupt sooner in the shine of the Moone then of the Sunne A. Because that the Moone hath her heat weake and moysteneth more then shee dries and the Sunne on the contrary dryes much Now excessive humidity being cause of corruption it is no marvaile if the Moone which extends dilates and spreads humidity and likewise augments it and aydes corruption Q. Wherefore is it that wood cut in the full of the Moon is more subiect to be worme eaten and to rot sooner then if it were cut in any other time A Because the Moon then being in her most strong vigour dilates so much more the bodies as well sensible as insensible which yeeldeth them more subject to putrifaction Q. From whence comes it that those which sleepe in the rayes of the Moone comming to wake finde themselves all besorted bebenummed and as troubled in their understanding A. Because that as I intend to say the Moone dilates the humours of the body and especially and notedly those of the head the which mingling with the Animal spirits troubles the braine Sick folkes and Sicknesse Q. FRom whence comes it that people more often fall sick in â—ummer and that the sick dye â—ore often in Winter A. It is that in Summer there â— more causes of sicknesses then â— winter because that the natuâ—all heate is spread and diffused â—rough all the body by reaâ—on whereof the interiour being â—sse heated the stomack is â—lled with crudities and undiested humours and to the me also adde the great quanâ—y and diversity of fruites that â—eople are accustomed to eate â—ves ayd also as also that the â—res being open and the â—inne being loose by this diffuâ—n of the naturall heate they 〈◊〉 ordinarily subject to take cold from whence ensâ—eth many maladies to the contrary in Winter the naturall heate being inclosed within the interiouâ— parts by Antiperistice wee digest more easily our meate and therefore if we doe fall sicke iâ— must come from some great and violent cause Q. From whence comes it thaâ— the Spring-time and the Autumnâ— which are the most temperate seaâ— sons bring us neverthelesse morâ— maladies then either Winter â— Summer A. It is because that goinâ— out of an intemperate and weâ— risome season to enter into temperate and an agreeable thâ— evill humours gathered togâ—ther during the intemperaâ— season beginne to stirre aâ— move by this change and 〈◊〉 fect also the body and make â— sicke and therefore the Spring-time and the Autumne are two unhealthfull Seasons and yet more by accident and inconsequence then the Winter or Summer which brings them of themselves Q. But why is it yet that Autumne is more unhealthfull then the Spring-time A. Because that comming out of Winter and from the cold we enter into the Spring-time and into the heate which is a friend to Nature And on the contrary wee goe out of the Summer and heate and enter within the Autumne and approach to the cold which is an enemy to Nature Q. Wherefore is it that sicknesses are many times infectious to those which approach neere the sicke and health cannot be so communicated A. Because that health as saith well the Philosopher is as rest and sicknesse is a mooving or stirring which is many times comunicable according to the disposition of the subject and quality of the disease for all maladyes are not infectious but onely those which they call contagious and striking which proceeds from some corruption of the spirits or which corrupt the spirits and which comming to exhale outwardly infecting the neighbour aire communicates so their corruption Q. Wherefore is it that according to the doctrine of the Physitians it is not good for sick folkes to eate much A. Because they cannot well digest it by reason that their naturall heate is in them so weakned and hindred by the evill humours and the sâ—perfluous nourishment miâ—gâ—ed with their evill humours easily corrupt so that the sicknesse is aided and prolonged to the perill and danger of the subject Eating and Drinking Q. VVHerefore is it that as the proverb saies one shoulder of mutton will pluck on another and that the appetitâ— comes in eating A. It is that the pores and subtile eoâ—duits of the body being stuffed with some thick humour grosse or gluing are opened by the victualls especially if they have some little pointing or sharpnesse the which like a tickling excites the appetite or naturall heate as also dissolves or consumes the humours the repletion of whom hinders the appetite Q. From whence comes it that hunger passeth away in drinking and thirst augmenteth in eating A. It is because that the drinke temperateth all that it findes dry and unprofitable by its hardnesse and weight within the stomack the which digesteth better or more easily being so temperate and then after by the other concoctions the same is distributed to all the parts of the body and so hunger passeth in this sort but thirst which proceedeth for want of humidity augments the more in eating because that victualls if they be solid dry up the humidity which resteth within the stomack Q. Wherefore is it that in Summer one drinkes more and in Winter they eat more then in any other season of the yeare A. It is because that the Summers heate drying our bodyes we must moysten and liquour them more then is usuall and by Antiparisticis it comes that in Summer the externe or outward heate is the cause that wee have lesse of naturall heate within the stomack to digest and on the the contrary in Winter the cold predominating upon the exteriour the naturall heate enforceth himselfe and gathers all into the interiour by reason whereof we eate and digest our victualls better Q. Wherefore is it then that in Autumne wee eate many times yet better then in winter A. It is not that in Autumne we have interiourly more