lifted up unto the middle region of the Ayre which as wee have formerly sayd is cold in Summer by reason whereof the Snow is there conserved which falls not so to the lower parts where in in Summer the heate is predominant Q. How can it bee that hot water cover'd with strawe conserves and retaines his heate and that Snow covered also with straw in a fresh place remaines inâ—ire without resolving or melting retaining his coldnesse seeing that heat and cold are two qualities diametrally contrary A. It is because the straw is not properly of himselfe neither hot nor cold nor dry nor moyst and for this cause it is called of the Greeeks Apoion that 's to say exempt of quality and neverthelesse is susceptible of qualities of the subject to which it is applied to in as much more easily that if it participates of any of them it is therefore it conserves and entertaines hot things in their heate and cold things in their coldnesse from thence comes it also that it is very proper to conserve the fruits and to keepe them from corruption and rottennesse Drowning Q. WHerefore is it that the bodies of drowned folkes come againe to swimme upon the water after few dayes and notedly as they have observed upon the ninth day A. Some say that nine dayes after the body is drown'd and sunke under the water the gall splits and breakes and the bitter liquor which was therein contained being runne out the body lifteth it selfe upon the water Others hold that the gall crackes not for all that but that all the parts of the body being attenuated and thinned by the moisture of the water and the grosse humours being evacuated it is then more suple and comes againe upon the water some dayes after it is drowned But it seemes to me that it is rather because of windes which ingender within the caules filmes or membranes which cover the intestines and the belly called of the Physitians Omentum peritonium as an excessive swelling of the belly shews us for all corruption and rottennesse is ingender'd of heate and heate dissolves humidity and it ingenders winde the which reason is subtilly brought forth by Cardan Q. Wherefore is it that the bodyes of drowned men comming up upon the water swim upon their backs and those of women upon their bellies A. To attribute this as some have doe to the prudence of nature which hath a will to cover the secret partes of the one Sexe more then of the other seemeth to mee a reason too light and I will like better to say that it is because of the difference of the parts of the one and of the other for women have the vessells of before more ample large and capable then the men as the naturall parts the matrixe and the conduits of the Urine which is the cause that they are lesse subject to the stone and beare their children in their flancks besides that their breasts are spungeous and drink up a great quantity of water which weigheth and heavieth much more the fore parts of their bodyes and by consequent drawes it downeward for it is certaine that the most heaviest parts still incline downeward on the contrary men have their shoulders more grosse and large then the women and the bones and ligatures of the vertebres or back bones more strong great and firme by reason whereof those parts incline downeward as also that they have the organes and conduits of the voyce and of their respiration and breathing more ample as it appeares in this that they have the voyce more grosse and more strong which being filled with ayre lifts their bodies upward and the face towards the Heaven and the back upon the water Night Q. WHerfore is it that in the night time griefes wounds and other of our maladies gather together and increase A. Because that in the day we see heare breath smell taste runne and have many other divertments which allayeth our griefes and in the night the sence of the touch is onely busied and is also more affected with griefes together the excessive cold and moysture of the night aydes to it also very much Q. Wherefore is it that wee heare better and more further in the night then in the day A. Because that the noyse of Animals and an infinite of such like things ceaseth in the night and all beeing still in silence and in rest the hearing peirceth better upon his objects and moreover our other sences and especially the sight distracts us much in the day not exercising then their functions the hearing being then the most sharp Q. Wherefore is it that we rest sooner and better in the night then in the day A. The reason politick is that the day is more proper to us for travell and labour because of the light but the reason naturall is that the night is more cold and moyst then the day and the cold and the humidity provokes sleepe as also that having travelled hither and thither in the day we repose and rest better in the night Smells and Smelling Q. WHerfore is it that man excels not in smelling as many other Animals doe A. Because that man in regard of his corporall masse having much more of braine then any other Animal and the braine being cold and moyst and the Odours on the contrary holding more of hot and dry is the cause that the smelling of men is weakned by the neighbourhood of the braine for the faculty of smelling lies principally in certaine little bosses or rundells of flesh which the Physitians call Mamelles which are above the nares or nostrills joyning to the braine Q. Wherfore is it that those which have the braine tempered with hot and dry excell in smelling above others A. Because the odours are of the temperament of the hot and of the dry Q. Wherefore is it that those which excel in smelling have also ordinarily spirits good and subtile A. Because that their brain being of the above said temper the heat serves them to the prompt conception of the objects and the dry to retaine them which are the qualities of a faire spirit Q. Wherefore is it that they have seldome a good sight A. Because that the instrument of the sight is watrish and moyst and that of the smell is of the contrary temperature by reason whereof they cannot much excell in both the two together Q. Wherefore is it that Arabia Felix Africa and other hot regions are very aboundant and plant plentifull in all Oderiferous and Aromatick things A. Because that being hot and dry they have the same temperature as the odours are of Q. Wherefore is it that the flowers which grow neere to Oignions have a more violent smell then otherwise they would have A. Because that the Onyon dry and heate the earth and communicate by that meanes those two qualities to the flowers the which qualities fortifie the odours Q. Wherefore is it that those which are Rheumatick smell very little or
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
the Species which shee maintains in the continuall succession of her individualls thrusts alwaies out the love of predecessors to the successors and regards not much behinde her the posterity of the ancestors that is it which causeth this coÌ„mon saying that love descends more then ascends Animals Q. FRom whence comes it that wee cannot finde any private and domestick Animall but that there is of the same kinde wild and savage and neverthelesse there is of the savage that can never be made tame A. That is saith the Philosopher that the evill is more easie to bring forth and produce then the good in as much that the good are more perfect and that which is most perfect is of hardest production now that which is Domestick and tame being better then that which is wilde is not so frequent the same one may say of plants as well as of Animals Q. From whence comes it that houshold beasts are more fruitfull then the wilde when they engender A. It is because they travell lesse and are better nourished Q. From whence comes it that certaine beasts as Elephants and Camells will not drinke in the water unlesse it bee stirred and troubled A. Because that seeing their Images in the cleare water they are afraid and get out not daring to drinke Q. How is it that some Animals can sleepe with their eyes open as doe Lyons and Hares A. It is because they have not their eye-lids sufficiently large to cover wholy their eyes Q. From whence comes it that women have not a certaine season for childe birth as well as all other kinds of Animals have for the most part the most perfect producing ducing their fannes and their Colts at certaine seasons of the year A. That the conjunction of man with woman is at will irregular and indifferent at all times and the most part of all other Animals â—oupleth not but at certaine seasons and not all the yeare through Q How comes it that certaine Animalls naturally feare others even at the first sight as little Chickins the Kite the Hare the Dog the Lambe the Wolfe the Rat the Cat and so others and yet feare not other strong Animals and more formidable then they are A. I have said herebefore in the Preface of this booke that it is not easie to yeeld a particular reason and a neere cause but onely in generall that the same proceeds from an Antipathy or a naturall hate which is between certaine kindes of Beasts to the most weak whereof nature hath given this instinct and knowledge of their enemies from their birth for their safegard and for the conservation of their kindes Quick Silver Q. FRom whence comes it that Quick Silver separateth and div deth it selfe into divers parcels upon a body solide dry plaine and smooth A. It is because of his subtilty that hee holds alwaies inmooving according as the figure of the place permits him because of which mooving subtilty and Activity it is called quick Q. Wherefore is it that being separated in peices he gathereth together and againe comes into a body if he be powred into a hollow place A. Because that being liquid the parts separated researcheth and easily findeth their union in a proper place to containe and border them for it is the nature of liquors to Unite and Remasse because of their resemblance and the easinesse that they have to stretch forth and runne the one within the other Q Wherefore is it that it runneth still round A. It is the nature of all the Elements to occupy the place Spherick Circular or round by reason where of they are parties as by some naturall right that they hold from the total aroundeth so now quick silver being no other thing then water mixed with very little of Terrestrial exhalations and that the most subtile takes the same figure even so as we see by experience that drops of water or other liquor shed upon the earth gather themselves together round as little bullets being that moist things flye the dry as their contrary clap into a roundnesse to touch the lesse Q. But why it seemes not to me that all the Elements occupie a round place in their parties for the fire is alwaies in a Pyramis not in a round the earth hath no certaine figure in his parties and for the Ayre being invisible wee can know nothing of it A. Intruth the materiall fire is alwayes in a Pyrmais because that wee can never see it but in motion and tending to his naturall place above the Ayre and likewise the small drops of water are Ropes in the Ayre hanging their motion and casteth them into rounds being come to their Center but if the fire were in his naturall place with the fire Elementary it should bee without doubt in a Spherick figure as the other bodies which invâ—ron it for the earth she hath her Center round as well as the other Elements making but one selfe globe with the water but if she is removed in her parts and peeces shee retains such figure as the giver or as shee falls in the division because of their soliditie and drinesse which permits them not to extend forth as those of other Elements which are fluid and moist Q. Wherefore is it that Quicksilver wets not a dry body running over it seeing that it is very waterish A. Because that being in part composed of Terrestriall exhalations so in all metalls the drynesse of them hindereth the moisture so as Quick-silver flies marveilously and will not be long stayed but runnes along or leapes to avoide the touch Blindnesse Q. WHerefore is it that the blind hath better hearing then the cleare seeing A. Because that the Sense of the sight doth not distract them other-where and being they can see nothing they hearken alwayes more attentively being that Nature recompenseth in one Sense the losse of another Q. Wherefore is it that they have also better memories A. For the same reason above said for perceiving little of obiect in comparison of cleare seeing they retaine what they heare better and longer time Basiliske Q. HOw comes it to passe that the Basiliske kills men with his onely looke on them A. There is more apparance that he kills men by certaine stinkes and venemous vapours that he exhales and breaths out with which hee infecteth those that approach neare him for if he saw from a far he could not hurt them Bastards Q. WHerefore is it that Bastard children are ordinarily more ingenious and more couragious then the legitimate A. The cause is that being conceived by stealth the businesse is done with an affection more particular and ardently searching those parts which cause the child to be much more accomplished then those which are begot with an ordinary and common affection and sometimes languishingly and this is the cause wherefore the ancient Bastards that the Poets called Hero's or demy gods have bin esteemed Sonnes of a god and of a mortall woman oâ— of a Goddesse and of a
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
the water being heavy accabels not and overpresseth with his wheightinesse those which plunge or dive into it and those which swim between two waters likewise wherfore a paile full of water weighes not or swallowes not within the water it selfe it from him that sustaines it aloft by the chain or cord although that it weighes very much being out of the water A. It is because that water in his proper and naturall place is so well united that the parts sustayn the one to the other which hindreth that his weight keepeth it not down or pressingly those which are under it for the opinion of those which hold that water weighes not in his naturall place is false Q. Wherefore is it that raiâ—â— water nourisheth the plants better then that of ponds and rivers A. Because that in falling from aloft she wraps up in heâ— much ayre as the little botteâ— or bubles which are here begotten in falling downe makâ— proofe and the ayre being of iâ— selfe hot and moist aydeth much to the production and increase of the plants together that those waters so ingendereâ— in the ayre are more pure and more cleare whereas the o ther 's still retaine some qualities of the ground upon and by which they runne Q. Wherefore is it that rivers beare in winter greater burthens and that boats sayle or swimmâ— more slowly then at other seasons even in equall depth of water A. It is because that the cold â—ickens condenseth and shutâ—th close the water and especiâ—lly the frost by reason whereâ—f being brought to be more soâ—d it will beare a greater burâ—en but it runnes the more â—owly Q. VVherefore is it that seaâ—ater better beares sustains the â—essels then fresh waters though in â—n equall profundity and depth A. It is in as much as the Sea-water is grosse and more terâ—estriall caused by the burning â—xhalations which mingleth with it and thereby it becommeth so salt Q. Wherefore is it that those which often wash themselves in sea-water are sooner dry then those which are washed with freshwater A. Because that Sea-water is more thicke and dry his proper saltnesse ayding to dry and fresh water wetteth much more which is the cause that they are longer a drying although that Plutark seems to hold a contrary opinion without yeelding any other reason then the authority of Homer to as little purpose and as far from this matter Q. Wherefore is it that fresh water is more proper and better to wash and clense our cloathes woollen or linnen then that of the Sea A. Because that fresh water is more subtile by reason where of it easily insinuates into the little holes of the cloth and so thrusts out the ordure and dirt Q. Wherefore is it that those which sayle upon the sea even in calme and faire times are more heart sick then those that sayle upon fresh Rivers A. It is in asmuch as the odour of the sea is more violeÌ„t moving and provoking them as a strong medicine to cast void vpwards downwards together with the fear apprehension of danger which often there is much but this doth not happen upon fresh rivers because they have neither that vapour there nor any such apprehension of perill as upon the Sea Q. Wherfore it it that the sea water wil not nourish herbs plants A. Because that is so grosse that it can neither peirce nor penetrate even to the roots besides it is so heavy that it cannot mount to the branches now that it is much more grosse and by consequence more heavy then fresh water it appeareth by that wee have formerly said that it beareth a greater burthen and sustaineth the vessells better even in equall depth joyne also that it is a dust bitter and saltish because of the burning exhalations which are mixed with it the which taketh away the vertue of the nourishing hearbs and trees as the faculty of moystning by reason whereof wee cannot drinke it for to the contrary as wee have formerly shewed Sea water makes dry Q. Wherefore is it that the sea in winter is lesse salt then in any other time of the yeare A. Bccause that it is then lesse heated by the Sunne for beeing that the saltnesse of the Sea proceeds from burning exhalations and are drawne from the profundity of the same by the heat of the Sunne this heat being much more weake in winter then in any other season of the yeare it must of neceâ—ssit y be that the sea should be lesse saltish together that in the winter so many and such aboundance of flods come and discharge themselves within the sea with much more great quantity of fresh water then accustomed may also something moderate and attemperate the saltnesse of the Sea all these things together may doe that which they cannot doe particularly Q. Wherefore is it that all the naturall waters that of the sea is onely susceptible of the flame that 's to say may bee onely burned A. Because that it is more grosse as its saltnesse sheweth and otherwise it is as oyly for of salt one may draw and distill an oyly liquor and oyle will conceive flame Q. Wherefore is it then that sea water being more fat grosse is neverthelesse more cleare and more transparent then fresh water A. It is because the Sea water is fat and oyly as I have said before it is neverthelesse more transparent then fresh water which is ordinarily sulied thickned wâ—th the clay and dirt of the earth but Sea water is not so sullied and muddie in going from any fountaine but his issuing is from Rocks and floting upon sand it is cleare and transpaparent as Crystall it selfe Q. Wherefore is it that hot water is sooner cold in the Sunne then in the shadow A. It is because that the neighbour Ayre being heated by the reflective rayes of the Sun the heat extends it selfe and dissipateth sooner then when his forces are shut up within it selfe flying the cold of the shadowed ayre by the like reason the fire is lesse hot then when the rayes of the sunne toucheth it Q. Wherefore is it that water which hath beene boyled and after cold sooner congealeth or freezeth then that which hath never beene heated A. It is inasmuch that cold worketh with more force against that which hath beene heated as being more contrary to him or else that the fire hath evapoured by his heate the more subtile parts of the water so that as they which remaine being more grosse are taken and frozen more easily by the cold for grosse things are more easily frozen then the most subtile and soft as the mudde sooner then the water neverthelesse Sea-water because of his heate and saltnesse freezeth not so soone as fresh water although it is more grosse Q. Wherefore is it that Aqua vitae if it be excellent conceives flame and burnes without hurting the body that is in it be it a linnen cloath or such other thing A. It is that
abateth this extraordinary boyling for so saith Aristotle in his Problems and the wisest Physitians approveit Frost Q. WHerefore is it that the Frost and Ice being ingendred of one selfe same matter that is Raine it freezeth not for all that as it raines in all seasons A. Because that the Snow and Raine comes from great clouds amassed from vapours which are drawne into the middle region of the Ayre and there hanging many dayes and the Hayle comes not but from vapours drawne from the bodies hanging one night the same vapours being not able to lift themselves high are congealed and taken together by the cold in cold seasons but in seasons temperate and warme they come to dissolve in small drops of water which wee call the dew Q. Wherefore is it that water and oyle congeales easily so doth not Wine nor Vinegar or saltish waters A. It is because that Wine or saltish waters having in them some heate resist easily the cold and cannot be brought to congeale but very seldome or by an extreame cold Vinegar also because it is very subtile and retaines some thing of the qualities of wine resisting also the cold but water beeing very cold and participating with the grosse vapours of the earth is easily taken congealed with the cold and oyle being temperate resisteth more the cold then the water but not so much as wine and liquors more hot Q. But wherefore is it that in frosty weather a little fall or an overturne maks us runne into the danger of breaking an arme or a legge sooner then in other seasons A. The cause is that the humidity being bound in by the cold the body and limbes are more stiffe more bended and by the same meanes more fraile brittle and more easie to break even as candles frozen be they of waxe of tallow or of rosin as also on the contrary the humidity being spread diffused through all the body the members are more loose flexible Q. Wherefore is it that Aqua vitae being mixt with any other liquour keepes it from freezing A. Because it is very hot and therefore it is called burning water and is very good in your inke in the winter-time Q. How comes it that the cakes of ice swimme upon the top of the water in Rivers A. Because they are made of the most light water that is to say of that which is uppermost for the bottome of Rivers congeale not because that all the heate retires thither flying the cold which seizeth upon the surface of the water of the earth Q. Wherefore is it that the bodies most grosse are sooner congcaled and frozen then the subtile and smooth as by example the mud sooner then the water A. Because that the more subtill being more active resists â—more then the passive neverthelesse if the more grosse bodies bee more hot and they resist yet more easily then the subtile cold so the wine resists the frost more then the water and the water of the Sea more then the water of the River Generation Q. FRom whence comes it that all the Animals of the world have appetite to ingender and beget their like A. Nature hath given them all this appetite to the end they should conserve their species and kinde Q. Wherefore is it that the naturalists hold that of all the motions and changings onely generation and corruption are done in an instant and without any consideration of times A. In asmuch that if generation and corruption should bee done with any space of time a thing should receive his being in part and part Q. From whence comes it that certaine Animals bring a great sort of little ones and others onely one A. Nature as I have said often above all things pleaseth her selfe with diversity but yet we must note herein the providence for commonly the Animals that live but a little while produce also often and that much more often then the others the multitude of their little ones where the frequent production repaireth the small lasting of their lives as in dogges in swine and also in all birds and fishes on the contrary those which live more long time produce seldome but one because that during their long lasting they may divers times beget many others as Men Elephants and Deere doe Q. Wherefore is it that during the blowing of the northern windes they beget more of males and when the winde blowes in the south they beget more femals A. Many learned and wise men say they have so observed it and the reason of this is that the North winde by his coldnesse makes to close and unite the naturall heat within the interiours so the males which are naturally more hot then the females are begot oftner in that time then on the contrary because that the south winde languisheth and letteth slack naturall heat the generation is lesse vigorous so that it must be then the Sex feminine which is more cold and more weak and begotten oftner then the masculine Q. From whence comes it that learned and prudent men often beget children unhealthfull weake and sots and the sots and ignorant on the contrary beget children unhealthfull well advised warie and strong A. It is because the sots and ignorants attend brutishly the carnall copulation and have not their spirits diverted other where so as they accomplish the act fully and from thence it comes that they beget children well complexioned and accomplished On the contrary men learned and wise have often such extravagancy of spirits that they least attend the carnall and brutish pleasure in this act of generation that they doe little and the children which are then begot are lesse accomplished Q. Wherefore is it that the Physitians hold that the corruption of one thing whatsoever it be is followed with the generation of another A. Because that there is no corruption but by the privation of the forme precedent and succession of another wholly new the matter alwayes remayning the which cannot bee naturally annihilated nor cannot change but in the formâ— Taste or tasting Q. HOw comes it that all bodies are not sappish that is to say savorous and perceptable by the taste A. For that the watry humidity is not decocted in all by the heate for savour and taste consisteth in the mixture of the dry in earth with the moist in water both concocted with heat Q. From whence comes it that fruits are of better taste in moderate and temperate Regions then in cold A. Because that in cold Regions the moisture is not sufficiently decocted by the heate and that the cold hinders them from full ripening Q. Wherefore is it that by the rigour of an extreame cold victualls become walowish and without taste A. Because that the taste I take the taste for the sauour according to the vulgar fashion consisting in a temperate heate so an extreame cold makes and takes away the taste from the victualls Q. Wherefore is it on the contrary that victualls too much decocted
objects to the other 4 Senses which are Colour Sound Odour and Savour but in asmuch as it is naturally moist and dry sometimes also hot or cold as it is diversly affected we feele it strongly by the touch Q. But wherefore is it that nature hath not given it neither colour nor sound nor savour nor odour A. Because that being the medium or meanes by the which we perceive the said qualities it should be impossible for us to marke or discerne in the world the admirable variety of colours sounds savours and odours if the Ayre were participant for as wee behold traversly a glasse red or yellow all things seeme red or yellow in like sort if the Ayre had certaine colour sound savour or odour all things would seeme to us of the same colour sound savour or odour that the Ayre had in as much that by the meanes of it we perceive these said qualities in all other things Bitternes Q. FRom whence comes it that bitter things have for the most part some medicinall vertue or purgative faculty A. It is in as much that they are of a difficult digestion and concoction so that they serving not for food and nourishment to the body they yet serve at least for purgation and medicine Love Q. HOw comes it to passe that many times we love those that we never saw A. This hapneth not often that we love so but those the which by reputation wee beleeve to have some perfection be it of Vertue of Science or Beauty that we are so taken and our soules doe imagine this selfe perfection more great then it is so that it is no marvell she is so taken and that she loves and honours much more then after she hath seene the subject for rare persons are like to Tapestries which seeme fairer a far off then neare hand Q. VVherefore is it as saith the Comicke that the falling out of lovers is the renewing of love A. Because that Love is like to a flame that increaseth by the blast and by the winde likewise Love augmenteth by some disfavour that one Lover receiveth from another so as they are sometimes unassociated and retired but after they desire a re-union of their love with more fervour and passion then before Q. VVherefore is it that the love of men augmenteth when there are many corrivals in the enquest of one selfe subiect A. It is because that the jealousie that the one hath against the other the which as a puffe of winde re-inflames the fire so doth the amorous passion this is therefore that the ancient Poets feigned very properly that Venus knew never how to put into credit her sonne Cupid or Love that the Greekes call Eros untill shee had brought forth an Anteros or Counter-love Q. From whence commeth that we are ashamed to discover our amorous appetites when they surmount us and discover frankely and without any shame our appetite of eating drinking sleeping and such like A. It is because the amorous appetite is not necessary to the life as the others are and the open practice thereof is shamefully censured amongst the most politicke Nations and being shamefull to be acted but in the night and in hidden corners it is not comely to speake lasciviously but amongst Nations which held it no shame nor made it no more difficult to publikely play with women in love-tricks then to eate and drinke And Diogenes the Cynick had no more shame in this action then to say he was planting a man as if he would say that it should bee as lawfull to plant publikely Men as Trees Q. From whence comes it that lovers are ordinarily pale and wan and that sometimes the extremities of their bodies are quickly hot and cold and all for love A. They are wanne when they are in defiance feare or despaire of their loves because that such passions cause the blood to retire to the interiour parts by reason whereof also the extremities of the body become cold for blood giveth the Vermillion blush and heate together but when they are in hope or assurance to enjoy their loves then they are red and have the extremities of their bodies hot the blood running and spreading over all the parts even to the extremities and with the blood the naturall heate Q. VVhich of the two is more constant in love man or woman A. Virgil and other Poets have accused Women of extreame lightnesse and inconstancy neverthelesse it seemeth to me that reason and experience should combate for them herein Reason in as much as they are more cold then Men and the nature of cold is to hold and shut constantly heate in the contrary the which aboundeth more in men then in women unties disunites and dissolves Experience confirmes the reason in that we ordinarily see more women deceived by men then men deceived by women Q. VVherefore is it that women love more ardently and constantly those which have had their maiden-head A. It is because a woman receives her perfection by coupling with the Male as the matter by union with the forme and so women love most those which have given beginning to this perfection or that those which have depucillated them hold the most faire and most rich gage of their love which is their Virginity Q. Wherefore is it that Mothers love their Infants more tenderly then their Fathers A. It is because they cost the Mothers more deere who have contributed to their generation with their Fathers And besides they have borne and nourished them within their flankes and after brought them forth with perill of their lives Also that the Mother is very certaine that they are her children but the Father doth but thinke it onely that they are his not being wholly certaine that they be begotten by his works this is the reason that the Poet Menander singeth in his Verse The Infant is beloved by his Mother More tenderly then by his Father Because she well doth know it is her owne And hee but thinkes it fruit himselfe hath sowne And the same reason makes Homer to feigne that Telemachus the Sonne of Vlysses being asked who was his Father answered in this sort My Mother hath mee told Ulysses was the man I do beleeve it so for who tell better can Q. Wherefore is it that fathers and mothers love much more dearely their children then they are beloved of them A. For three principall reasons the one is that the Fathers and Mothers love further their Children to wit from their birth by which cause their love is more fortified and the children love not but since they had the judgement to acknowledge them for Parents the other is that the fathers and mothers love their children as themselves seeing a continuance and a progeny of their being to posterity and the children love them not but as being sprung from their truncks without regarding of them as propagators of their being the third that nature that alwaies hath regard to the conservation and promotion of
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
in them which makes that they first loosen and then fall for that which is set upon too much moisture is not firme Q. VVherefore is it then that from old persons they also fall seeing that they are very dry A. No too much is neither friend of nature nor of perfection so old folkes losing their teeth with too much drinesse and children with too much humidity is neither more nor lesse then as a wall built of dry earth and sand instead of good morter cannot long endure no more then if it were founded upon a place too moist Q. VVherefore is it that the teeth still increase and become large above in aged persons and on the contrary thinne cleare and small below towards the rootes although that they have beene other wayes well stopt A. They become large above in as much as they increase well neere all their life time but that they cleare it is by their grinding besides they grow barâ— in their drying by their age which is the cause they are more cleare and small below then above Q. Wherefore is it that the teeth increase so well neere all the length of the life being that they are bones and the other bones increase not but with the members of the body A. Nature hath it so wisely ordained well foreseeing that other wayes within a little time the teeth would consume themselves by their grinding of their food Q. Wherfore is it that the teeth fall from old folkes A. By the lack of humiditie as doth the leafes from the trees as also Rumes Catars makes them hollow rot and at last fall from yong folks likwise Q. Wherefore is it that they iudge shortnesse of life in those that have their teeth thinne cleare and not firmly set A. Because it is a certaine signe of the thicknesse of the bone of the head the matter of defailance in the teeth being turned into the thicknesse of that bone the which is the cause that the braine cannot so easily discharge himselfe hee makes within the head great corruption and putrifaction of the humidity whereof followeth mortall maladies this is the resolution of the Philosopher but I wil say further those which have their teeeth so thinne are of weake complection and of a feeble nature for if they were of a nature robust and vigorous shee had planted in the gums teeth firmly and thick set for the fertile and well bearing earth makes the graine grow thicke without leaving vetle void places neverthelesse the learned Scaliger noteth upon this purpose that if the chawers were too hard set the matter feeding the teeth could not pierce them which should be an argument rather of long then of short life Descending and Ascending Q. WHerefore is it that wee Descend more easily and more nimbly then wee Ascend A. Because that wee beeing naturally heavy our bodies with their proper weight and naturall motion bears vs belowe when wee descend on the contrary then when wee ascend they load and keepe us backe in this motion being against nature by the same reason a stone thrust from high to low runnes much more swiftly then she can mount from below to high although throwne with a strong hand moreover I say that all bodies heavy and weighty tend naturally to their center below Q. Wherefore is it that we wallow much more going upwards then downewards A. Because that we have more paine in mounting then in descending by the reason deduced in the precedent question which is because that the interiour ayre heateth sooner then when wee goe at our ease for wee often then blow and respire for quicke breath Q. Wherefore is it that water being heavy may neverthelesse be made to mount as high as its spring A. The vulgar holds this commonly as a great marvaile and likewise Cardan hath put it amongst his subtilties without yeelding any reason but onely he saith that nature hath so ordained it with much providence if she had not given it this faculty and property to the water the course of Brooks and Rivers should be arrested and stayed at all the encounters of bodies a little height from whence it should have followed inundations which would have covevered the earth on all sides but if we consider that the first Sources of all waters comes from the Sea and that all ebbe and return into the Sea as teacheth the divine Oracle wee shall â—inde that this reasoÌ„ is more false â—hen common since that expeâ—ience her selfe shewes us ordiâ—inarily the contrary for we may â—urne easily the water by ditches and bankes of earth which we may oppose to their courses â—he true cause is then that the â—odies of the most soft and most â—uple being pressed or repulsed by the most hard yeeld not place plumne downe or perpendicularly but lift up and inâ—ance themselves for example presse your foot amongst dirt or Ouse and it will swell and rise â—n height insteed of falling of the sides if one would say to me it is because of his humidity I shall answere that one doing the same to a heap of sand it hapens not or shall it not so doe so then the water hath his way falling from an high and eminent place the flux of that which is behind shaâ— incess antly thrust still on thaâ— which is before pressing upoâ— and thrusting one another which is the cause that finding resistance or hindrance in his course and that which is thrust cannoâ— penetrate or pierce the body iâ— encounters gives place so as it iâ— forced by that which followeâ— it to lift it selfe up mount and the other likewise that followes him if it findes not some easie meanes to extend and spread iâ— selfe for in asmuch as it is liquid the extention defusion is naturall to it and the descent also because of his heavinesse and its mounting is contrary caused by vyolence for it extends in breadth and descends sooner more easily then it mounts by the hindrances that it encounters by its course but suppose that the water bee so well inclosed within a pipe of lead that it cannot extend side waies yet it cannot for al that be so limited in his course but that it will mount to the height of the place from his course this depends upon the force impulsion weight of the body which thrusts him behinde of it that resists before for if the repulsion weight of the body pressed by the behinde is more weak then the resistance of the body which is in the before the water wil not mount so high as if the impulsioÌ„ weight of the body pressing by the behinde surmounteth it must be as is said forced by him that resisteth in him before this may bee seen in the pipes of fountains that one may cause the water to mount as high as one will by the Artifice of weight but here let us stay fix't I havâ— dwelt the longer upon the resolution of this question to destroy the popular errour
proposed in the same and by the same meanes to establish the truth oâ— the cause Q. From whence comes it that throwing in a perpendicular line a chippe or other piece of wood equally bigge within the water the upper end which first entereth within the water shall bee â—ooner remounted upon the water then that above shall sinke to the bottome A. It is certaine that wood being a thinne body containes very much ayre the naturall place whereof is above the water by reason whereof being thrust by violence under the water he riseth above by his owne nature in lesse time then the violence which thrusts him downe because it was but accidentary Q. Wherefore is it that a ball blowne full of winde being thrust downe by force under water sudâ—ainly mounts up againe upon the top of it A. Because that the Ayre or winde wherewith it is full comes to his naturall place which is above the water Q. Wherefore is it that a piece of wood being cast from high to low within the water with a piece of lead stone or any other hard or solid body of the same weight they shall both descend and fall in the same time upon the water yet neverthelesse the lead or stone shal sinke into the water and the wood shall swimme upon the top of the water A. The wood sinks not within the water because it is ayerie and the place of the Ayre is above the water the other sinks because they are earthly watery but in the ayre the wood descends as swiftly as the terrestriall and watery bodies because that the ayre as all other Elements excepting the fire weighs in his naturall place Finger Q. FRom whence comes it that the fourth finger of the left hand next to the little finger hath beene so esteemed amongst the Egyptians Greeks and Romans that they have onely adorned it with a gold Ring A. Because in making Anatomies dissections of the body they have found that there is a little nerve in the same which stretcheth and reacheth even to the heart and for the conjunction and ligature it hath with that noble part they more honoured it then the others and more they call it the medicinable finger Sleepe Q. WHerfore is it that Physitians forbid us to lie in our beds upon our backes and our bellies aloft A. The cause is that lying in that sort the Reines heate and the Phlegme which is there hardeneth whereby is ingendred the stone in the reines it chafes also the blood that is in the veine called Cave and the spirits that are within the great Artery and it likewise shuts and stops the conduits of the excrements whereof ensueth and proceedeth as saith Avicen Apoplexies Phrensies and Incubus Q. Wherefore is it that the morning sleepe is more pleasant then that of the night A. Because that the Sunne remounting in our Hemispheare and comming neare us mooveth sweetly in our bodies such vapours as provoke us to sleep Q. But wherefore is it that sleep after dinner is hurtfull A. If one have watched the night before I doe not condemne him to sleep in the day but having sufficiently rested the night and to take a nappe betwixt the two meales it corrupts the digestion looseth and slakes the members too much dulleth and makes the head heavy and brings one to be carelesse and unprofitable I will say neuerthelesse that although the Physitians permit old folkes to sleepe sometimes in the day because they cannot well rest in the night therefore they may take a nap when they desire it but it is not good to use it too soone after meat or if then but a short one with the Proverb Somnum Meridianum aut brevis aut Nihil Q. Wherefore is it that little children are very sleepy and old folkes on the contrary very watchfull A. Because that little children are very moist and neverthelesse abounding in naturall heat the which evaporates great quantitity of the humidity sendeth it to the brain so as the conduits by which the animal spirits flow from the brain to the other parts of the body being stoppen they sleepe easily Old folkes on the contrary are dry have besides litle natural heat in them is the cause that the matter efficient cause of sleep fails in them that they cannot long sleep whereas I say that aged folkes are dry I mean they have little of radicall moisture although they abound in ill humours the which neverthelesse are not the cause and matter of sleep Q. Wherfore is it that those which have their veines very small are more sleepy then those which have them great A. Because as Aristotle saith very well that the fumes and vapours which have their mouÌ„ture to the brain have their stopping by the conduits of the sence cannot easily flow nor be dissipated by the natural heat so easily as if the wayes were large and ample so then it is requisit they have more time to take away the cause of sleepe as also the effect lasteth n t long Q. From whence comes it that Harmony and a sweet consort of a well agreeing musick be it of voice or of instruments yea a sweet murmur of waters and Rivers the chirping of birds the humming of flyes and other such obiects of the hearing provoke sleep A. The same procedeth from that as the soule is greatly affected as it were seized charmed by the hearing gathereth all his forces for to send up great quaÌ„tity of spirits so as the other sences being altogether deprived remain as filled the Agitation of the same spirits mooving the vapours fumes to the Organes and conduits of the hearing provoke a sweet and pleasant sleep Q. How can it bee that sorrow breakes the sleepe and yet neverthelesse sleepe allaies sorrow anâ— griefe A. It is that sorrow and griefe troubles and hinders so much the concoction that imagination it selfe breaks the sleepe and neverthelesse rest increaseth the motion of the troubled spirits and releaseth the anguish and sorrow Q. How can it be that labour provoketh sleepe seeing it expandeth and throweth abroad naturall heate through all the body and neverthelesse naturall heate amasseth from the interiour is the efficient cause of sleepe making to vapour the fumes from the stomacke to the braine the which turning them into water stoppeth the conduits of the sense which remaines by this meanes filled and bound A. Sleepe comes not from the labour but by accident and mediately not as the nearest cause because labour ingenders wearinesse and wearinesse constraines us to rest so that during the rest naturall heate retires within and worketh so with that shee findes within the stomacke and inwards that it exhales the fumes and vapours to the braine the which provokes sleepe and stops the conduits of the Senses Q. Wherefore is it that the first sleepe is more strong more profound and holds the sense more bound and more drown'd in sleepe A. Because that then it sends
more great quantity of vapours to the braine then after that one hath slept sometime and that the digestion is made or very neare accomplished for naturall heat not being so busied beginnes to disperse and coâ—sume the vapours which stoâ— the conduits of the Senses Q. Wherefore is it that when we are seized with sleepe our eye-lids fall downe and cover thâ— eyes A. Because that the naturall heate being then occupied to concoct the victuals which are within the stomacke where they are shut up the parts a loft during that time are seized with cold the which stiffens and makes them without motion for it is that heate which worketh and moveth this corporall masse in all his parts and cold on the contrary stiffens all our members Sweetnesse Q. FRom whence comes it that we well feele and perceive â—owernesse and bittâ—rnesse of the pittle that is sometime in our mouths and not the sweet A. It is because that the sweet is the natural temperament which one perceiveth not him selfe as he doth of the other qualities which proceed from some alteration coÌ„meth beside nature Q. Wherfore is it that sweet meats ingender vermin in our bodies soner then those which have in them acrimony or sharpnesse A. Because that sweet meats are very easily corrupted for sharp tasting things resist corruption by reason wherof we salt pouder our meat to keep it the salt drying consuming the superfluous humidity but the swetnes in victuals testifieth a temperature of heat with humidity very much disposed to receive a new forme by corruption Right hand or side Q. WHerefore is it that thâ— instruments of the sences those of the right side as thâ— eye the eare and the right nostril are not more excellent then those of the left seing that in all other things wee prize more the right then the left and especially in the parts of the body where the right is more strong and robust then the left A. In as as much as to feel is to suffer or to be affected and being so that the one the other instruments of the sences as wel the left as the right is equally susceptible for the affections of the object and the other parts of the bodie consist more in action then in passion so that the right being ordinarily and from its birth more exercised it is therefore more strong robust wherof the contrary if the left were as much exercised it would surmount the right in force and in nimblenes as you see in those that they call left handed but neverthelesse the right part is esteemed more excelent then the left because it is consecrated to divinity is taken for a symbol of good luck and honour together as we somtimes read in the Poets that the thunder held in the left hand is esteemed a presage of good luck that is because that that which commeth to us on the left side comes from the right of God which regards us froÌ„ high for he that opposeth me face to face hath his right hand answering to my left my left answering to his right Q. Wherefore is it that according to the common saying that male children are ingendered oâ— the right side of the matrix and females on the left A. It is a popular errour that they have beleeved otherwise then at the present for by the Anatomies dissections of the bodies of Women they have seene the contrary and that the males and females are engendered indifferently in all the Cells of the matrix Q. Wherefore is it that wee beare more easily a burthen upon the left side then upon the right since the right side is more strong A. It is because that upon the right wee hinder the part more strong and lest it remaine in his infirmity and weakenesse and bearing it upon the left side the right remaines free and we are something eased or else it is that as the right part is more easie to move then the left also it endures lesse in travell Water Q. WHerefore is it that pit-water is more fresh in the winter then in Summer A. It is in as much as naturally all contraries fly most strongly their contrary the face of the earth being then in Summer heated by the double reflection of the Sunnes rayes which beate right downe and in a right line from high to low the cold which cannot resist it is shut up within the intrailes of the earth from whence it comes that the waters in the pits are fresh on the contrary the Sunne darting his rayes in winter obliquely and aside the face of the Earth is not much heated so that the colâ— there predominates as the more strong and the heate is inclosed within the earth and for this cause the water which is in the pits participates of this heate and is by this resistance of mutuall contrarieties which the Greeks call Antiperisâ—asin Q. Wherefore is it that the waters in pits being drawne and left within the tub neverthelesse without touching the same it is more fresh then that which they draw at the present It is because the Ayre in the bottome of the pit or well and so it comes to coole the water which is left to rest within the vessell and therefore those which love to drinke their wine fresh in Summer make their bottels to be hanged within the Wells or pits that they may be â—he better tempered within the water Q. But wherefore is it that the ayre doth not coole as well as pit-pit-water though it bee formerly drawne and left to rest within the bottome of the pit or in the tub A. It will coole also without doubt but not so much because it is more eaâ—ie to affect a little quantity then a much more great Q. Wherefore is it that water being heated to that degree that it is more hot then the fire it selfe to the touch cannot for all that burne and consume wood or such like bodies as doth the fire A. It is because that the flame of the fire which burnes and consumes is very subtill active and penetrating and the water is grosse at least in regard of the fire together that the humidit â— of the water hindreth it from consuming and burning Q. Wherfore is it that casting a stone or another heavy body within the water it will make many roundles of circles waving even to the bankes A. It is as saith Alexander Aphrâ—diseus in as much as water yeeâ—ding to a body more strong retyres it selfe and in his retyring one wave thrusteth another of all sides in a round because that the water is naturaly round as wee have shewed in that the drops of raine falls in roundells upon the earth for the same reason ought to be in the whole as he is in his parts so teacheth upon this subject the Philosopher Q. Wherfore is it that water descends more nimbly then ascends A. It is because it is heavy and tends naturally to below Q. Wherefore is it then that
returne the images of objects opposed Q. But wherefore are they shining A. Because that they have not in them any slits or enter-opennings and all their parts being very equall and united provided also they bee very cleane the light is not any way taken from them as it is in the bodies ill polished or full of Crevises bee the Crevises never so little in as much as the parts more high take away the light from the more low Moores or Aethiopians VVHerefore is it that the Aethiopians and the Moores have their Teeth very white and their skinne very blacke A. It is because that the heate of the Sunne which is very powerfull and vehement in their Countrey affects the skinne burnes the blood and the humours within and dries also the teeth exhales the humidity and makes them to appeare more white as also that the teeth seeme yet more white neare to their skinne which is blacke because that contraries appeare with more luster being neare their contraries Q. How can it be that the Sun blancheth their teeth and blackes their skinne A. It is because as I will boldly say the extreame heate of the Sunne makes to exhale the humidity from the teeth and dries them and the things dryed become more white but in burning the humidity of the flesh without exhalation their skinne becomes blacke Q. Wherefore is it that the nailes of the Moores are not also white as their teeth seeing that the heat of the Sunne doth also exhale the humidity A. Their nailes are in truth white but they appeare not so much as they are because of their black flesh which is underneath their nailes and takes away their shine from the light Dumbe folkes Q. FRom whence comes it that those which are borne deafe are also dumbe A. Some say that there is a certaine tye and conjunction of â—he nerves which stretch to â—he eares and from the tongue â—he which being indisposed â—rom the birth it must bee of â—ecessity â—hat those two faculâ—ies should be equally affected â—hey agree also that certaine â—icknesses may cause deafnesse â—ithout making them dumbe â—nd on the contrary that one may be made dumb for all that without becomming deafe beâ—ause that it may so fall out â—hat the one branch of the nerve may be offended without hurâ—ing the other but without searching further into so much subtilty we may say that the deafe which have not heard nor understood word from their birth have not knowne how to learne for which cause they seeme to be dumbe for it is certaine most part of the deafe are able yet to yeeld some inarticular voice Q. Wherefore is it that the dumbe can expresse themselves so lively by signes A. It is because they have gotten such a habitude using alwayes signes as the others doe words and speech joyning to it that Nature recompenceth their want of Speech in the invention of signes to expresse their conceptions Musicke â— WHerefore is it that singing musically if â—e base be wanting they finde it â—ore easily then if the treble â—re or another part A. Because it is the voice the â—ost grosse and which singeth â—e most softly for the most â—osse things and which goe â—ith a more slow moving are â—ost perceiveable by our senâ—es then those which are more â—ooth and light as also that â—e Base is the foundation of all â—e Harmony the which wanâ—ng or failing all the rest are in â—nfusion Q. Wherefore is it that Musicke 〈◊〉 so agreeable to all sorts of people â—ung and old learned and ignoâ—ant civill and rusticke A. Because it is composed and ruled with a certaine order and well measured cadency being a Systeme together or a consort of many different voyces together well accorded or as the colours well mingled and sorted delight the sight exquisite perfumes the smell victuals and sauces well seasoned the taste Likewise voyces consonant and agreeing delight the hearing for in generall Nature is well pleased in the faire order and temperature and our sences in the same imitate Nature Que. How is it then possible that some persons are not pleased with Musicke since that being a thing so well ordayned so sweete pleasing and measurable and so much according to Nature A. It is because that such men are ful of discord of hatred of envy of cruelty and felony briefly they are wholly unnaturall and inhumane as that Atheas King of the Tartars to whom Ismeneas a most excellent player on the Flute being brought to him prisoner he was requested to permit him play before him which having done and all the assistance ravished with the sweetnesse of his Harmony excepting onely this barbarous Tartar who sayd in mocking Ismeneas that hee tooke much more pleasure in hearing his Horse hinny Q. Wherefore is it that the most part of those which are ignorant of Musicke are more pleased with hearing an onely voyce shrill and tuneable then to a Musicke accomplished with all his parts Answ It is as with the ignorant vulgar in the Art of Painting which are taken more with fresh colours in pictures and white dawbed faces then with the delicated draughts and rare bestowed shaddowes and lightnings of an Apelles or Michael Angelo where all the proportions are curiously observed and makes more businesse of a petulant and bawling advocate then of him which observes with moderation al the precepts of Rhetorick likewise those which understand nothing of musick love better to heare often a long squealing voyce then a perfect and harmonious consort Snow Q. HHow comes it that snow is so white seeing that when it is dissolved into water it becomes black insteede of that white A. Because that Snow containes in him much ayre by reason whereof hee is very light white and as a scumme but neverthelesse in his resolution we perceive nothing but water in as much as the ayre in him is invisible because of his thinnes Bodin very little to the purpose as hee ordinarily miscounts in that which is of naturall things attributeth this whitenes to the water for on the contrary the water blacks which experience makes us to see in things wetted of what soever colour they be they seeme more black Q. Wherfore is it that snow prositeth much to the fruites of the earth A. Form any reasons first that in covering them it defends them from the extreame rigour of the winter secondly that it choakes the evill weedes that then but begin to peep upon the face of the earth and are not much rooted within the same thirdly that being scum it holds something of fatnesse because of the ayre which is inclosed in it and comming to resolve into water it fatneth the earth fourthly that if the fruits thrust too forward forth it repulseth their vigour to the root by reason whereof they are the better nourished Q. Wherefore is it that in summer there is snow upon the height of the mountaines and neitheâ— in the vallies nor fields A. Because that the high mountaines are
nothing A. Because the instrument of the smell being moistned by the the Rheum is altered and depraved Q. If good and sweete Odours come from heate wherefore is it then that dunghils and the excrements of the belly which are very hot stinke neverthelesse and are of a very ill savour A. No too much no excesse hath no temperature and in these things there is not onely heat but an excessive boyling of them but to the good smel is required a temperature not an excesse Q How is it that fishes can smel things under the water which wee cannot A. This hath bin a doubt whether the fishes can smell and doe affect Odours under the water but Experience hath shewed that they can being drawne by subtill unces and sweet-smelling pastes that the Anglers and crafty Fishers make for baits to take them with and the Philosopher hath so determined it Now the Fishes receiving or perceiving the odours by the Fistulaes and Conduits that the Greekes and Latines call Branchia without any respiration or attraction of aire covet them because they have no lungs for the most part but in our parts wee cannot sucke the water without breathing and in breathing instead of ayre we attract water which choakes us Q. Wherefore is it that perfumes are not so sweete smelling and pleasing neare the fire especially if the fire be sharpe and scalding A. Because that the too much asperous he ate of the fire dissipateth that which is odoriferous and by that meanes the odour exhales with the fume but if the fire be moderate the odours are more easily sented Q. Wherefore is it that in Winter we sent lesse the perfumes and odours then in Summer A. Because that the cold thickens the ayre and yeelds them more soft and slowly and as immoveable to beare the odours as also that the odour proceeds as I have often said of a temperature hot and dry the cold taking much of the vertue and perfection of the odour Q. VVherefore is it that hidden flowers smell not so well as others A. Because that the terrestrial part mingling with the odour bemusts the point of the odour Q. Wherefore is it that dogges have not as good a sent in the Spring-time as in any other time of the yeare A. Because that the great quantity of flowers which yeeld divers odours in that season deceiveth the dogges nose and makes them to lose the sent of the fumes and traces of the beasts Birds Q. WHerefore is it that wee have divers kinds of passengerbirds and not of foure-footed beasts A. Because that those birds being very chilly flying the rigour of the Winter and therefore fly into hot regions as also that it is more easie for them to carry themselves other-where then for the other Animals and to search the regions more temperate Nature having given them to that end wings Q. Wherefore is it that Birds being covered with feathers the which should keepe them marvellous warme are neverthelesse more chilly then foure-footed beasts A. Because that the quilles of their feathers let loose and inter-opens their skinne and by this meanes give way and make more overture for the cold Q. Wherefore is it that Birds have their sight more sharpe and subtill then other Animals A. It is because they are composed of a matter more ayry and subtill because whereof they are light and can lift themselves up in the Ayre and some of them dare looke fixtly the Sun shining in their face even at noone-day Q. Wherefore is that Birds have neither bladder nor tonnell thereto A. Because they pisse not and therefore those parts were to them unprofitable Q. But wherefore pisse they not since they drinke A. Because they have need of a great quantity of humidity to nourish and entertaine their feathers withall and on which they imploy their drinke as also that by drinking they make their excrements more humid the dry and the moist issuing out by one and the same conduit Q. Wherefore is it that birds have no teeth A. Because that the matter of the teeth is imployed in their beake and that they cannot have both together as also that having their stomacks very hot they can digest their victuals without the wing it and by that reason they have no neede of teeth for Nature hath done nothing in vaine Q. VVherefore is it that birds in sleeping hide their heads under their wings A. Because they may avoide the cold from their heads Gold Q. WHerefore is it that Gold is the most heavy of all metalls seeing that according to the Philosophers and the Chymists themselues it is the least terrestriall A. Because it is extreamely solid and more decocted then any other of the metalls Q. Wherefore is it that all metals leave a thicke ordure or taint to the hands if by a frequent touching excepting onely Gold A. It is because that it is very well decocted and is the lesse fat for this fatnesse and ordure of other metalls is as a kinde of viscous grease Eares Q. VVHerefore is it that the Eares which have lesse of blood then any other part of the Face neverthelesse grow red and most then when wee blush with shame A. Because that the blood mounting with the heate to the visage covers us when we are ashamed runnes more willingly to the parts that are voide as to the Eares then to the others or else it is that they are nearer to the temples where the heat rankes it selfe the most often Q. From whence comes it that the Membrane called Mening or Tympan where lies the hearing breakes easily in the divers or those which swimme betwixt two waters A. It is because they are constrained to hold their breath a long time and in so doing this Membrane swells and the water comming to beate above it breakes it if they bring not some remedy as is the infusion of Oyle or stopping the Eares with a sponge or other such like things Q. But wherefore is it that in holding our breath out of the water this happens not to us by the impulsion of the Ayre A. Because that the ayre which comes to strike within ouâ— eares is not so grosse a body nor so strong as the water and so it cannot doe such a forcible effect Que. VVhat is the cause of the bitternesse of our eare waxe A. It comes from a putrified and corrupt humour which gathered together thickens and heats there within and being such can bee no other then bitter as are all things overcocted and rotten this humour neverthelesse is not unprofitable within the eares but being thickned fleas and other little flyes which may insinuate within the eares may trouble us are there taken by this conglutinate humour Q. From whence comes it that wee cough in scratching within the eares A. It is because there is a little conduit which answeres to the Lungs so that in rubbing or scratching within the eares there runneth often by this little conduit a little humidity which
exciteth the cough Q. From whence comes it that the left eare being peirced the flesh is much more consolide then the right A. Because it is more moyst and more soft and things humid are consolid and heale themselves more easily then the dry and hard it is therefore that infants the which are more moist are healed of their hurts more easily and sooner then old folkes Q. Wherefore is it that neither birds nor fishes have exteriour cartilages rising up and ioyning with the conduits of the hearing A. Because the one may avoid in flying the danger which might happen of that side and the other being without that danger within the water those cartilages have been to them unprofitable and nature hath made nothing in vaine Q. Wherefore is it that men doe not moove the exteriour cartilages of the eares as doe other Animals which have them A. Because that the other Animals have a great volubilitie and flexibility wee must speake so for want of a better word in the muscles of the ears the which should bee unprofitable and indecent to men which can expresse their conceptions not onely by words but also by other signes and especially in their faces which are open and uncovered neverthelesse there have beene men knowne which have had this mooving of the eares as all the family of the Flacci of Rome and I my selfe have seen in Gascoigne two men which had this mooving Q. How is it that by a great noyse humming and a whizzing of the eares ceaseth A. It is because that a great noyse takes away the lesse by the repercussion of the ayre Q. How can it bee done that if there fall water within our eares it shall runne out by the infusion of oyle A. Because that oyle swimming upon the top of the water and sticking to the same drawes it with him in running out as also that Oyle is a liquor which makes gliding those things which are moistned and so that which is within shal flow forth more easily Q. Wherefore is it that in gaping wee scratch the Mening Tympan or interiour Membrane of the eares wee shall feele griefe A. Because that in gaping part of the ayre which we sucke and draw by the mouth runnes interiourly within the Eares and makes this Membrane to band his forces to thrust it out so that being so banded wee cannot scratch without suffering some griefe Q. VVherefore is it that nature hath made the cōduits of our eares sinewie oblique and awry and further rampir'd them with Cartilages within and without A. To the end that the ayre should temperate it selfe within his scrues and turnings and not offend many times by his coldnesse the sence of the hearing and to the end also that the bodies which happen to beate within our eares should not offend the Tympan or Mening and to repulse yet better shee hath beene pleased also with an admirable providence to rampire and defend this sence within and without with cartilages lifted up like Bastions Q. From whence comes it that putting the finger within the eare wee heare a deafe noise like a Taber A. It comes that the finger pressing the ayre which is within the Crany and Conduit of the eare and that ayre which is very moovable and subtile comming to strike against the mening tympan or interiour membrane of the eare which is the instrument of the hearing ingenders this tabouring and deafe noyse Q. Wherefore is it that water infused or shed within the eare offendeth the hearing although that many other liquours offend not at all A. It is because water is cold and coldnesse being an enemy to the nerves it offendeth the nerves which serve to the hearing Q. Wherefore is it that a harsh noyse as the whetting of sythes turning of Brasse and such other like things is very troublesome and disagreeable to the hearing A. Because that all noyse and all sound is heard by the meanes of a subtile ayre the which by a naturall sympathy and affection of the spirits or that the interiour ayre or the hearing it selfe is so affected and from thence it comes that the sounds of sweete and harmonious songs delight the hearing as on the contrary ratling of Iron skreeing of wheels scraping of Brasse and such rude sounds are so displeasing it is also the cause why wee sing sometimes without thinking of it and are moved to condole with those which lament Q. Wherefore is it that the Winde beeing opposite to places from whence comes the sound of Bells the roare of a Cannon or other like things wee heare not so well nor so farre as if the Winde accompany the sound A. It is because that the winde being opposite to the place forom whence comes the sound it hindereth the motion and agitation of the Ayre or repulseth the Ayre it selfe which beares the Sound to our cares and blowing from the same side from whence comes the sound it fortifies the agitation of the Ayre and makes it bee brought more nimbly to us more farre and more cleare Que. How comes it to passe that the glasse windowes tremble by the noyse and crack of the Thunder and of the Cannon although they are very farre off A. It is because the Ayre is so mooved agitated and beaten to the long to the large and veryfarre Q. Can one heare under water A. Very well as the divers testifie and even the fishes get them away at the noyce which is made upon the Water or by the water Pliny recites that there were Fishes in the store Ponds of the Roman Emperours which would come out of the water beeing called by certayne names they had given them Que. Wherefore is it that one understands better within the house those which speake without then those which are without understand those which speake within the house A. Because that the voyce of those within goes out and extends it selfe in the great and vast amplitude of the Ayre which weakens it much and the voice of those without entring within cannot be much dilated but is there as shut and is there then more strong and resounding Q. Wherefore is it that wee heare lesse in breathing then in holding our breath A. Because that in respiring we draw the ayre in height and the spirits which fill the conduits hinder that the sence of the hearing cannot so commodiously exercise his functions as also that in breathing wee our selves make a little noise to our selves which incommodates the hearing Q. Wherefore is it that wee heare better a voyce or a sound comming from high to low rather then from low to high A. Because that the voyce is accompanied with a certaine watry humidity the which being more heavy and light beareth more easily the voice from high to low then from low to high Feare or fright Q. WHerefore is it that those which are feared or frighted become pale and wan A. Because that Nature draweth the blood into the most noble and interiour parts even as those which
same the Fever torments them strenger then it did before A. Because that such sweats are rather indices of weakenesse then of health as also that the excrements and the most subtill parts of the evill humours evaporate onely by the sweate the more grosse and dangerous remaining still within Spots Q. VVHerefore is it that little white spots come oftner upon the nailes of the hands then of those of the feete and sooner to little children then to men of perfect age A. It is because the feete by the continuall travell and exercise of going consume the flegme which is the cause of these white spots and on the nailes of the hands of little children sooner being they are more flegmaticke and more moist then men of perfect age they are therefore more subject thereto Q. From whence proceeds that the spots which appeare in the round of the Moone make arepresentation of a humane visage A. It is because the Moone hath some parts more thinne more smooth and simple then others the which for this cause are so much the more cleare and transparent the other parts which are more thicke remaine to our aspects as shaddowie cloudy and spotted shewing to us darkely which are the cause that the parts more cleare seeme to rise up and to make a resemblance of a humane visage being for certaine that things darke appeare not so far off so raised up as those which are white or cleare Plutarch hath made a Treatise upon this subject where hee hath many words without any reason or truth or truth-like but the solution before is of that great Arabian Philosopher Averroes Q. But wherefore is it that wee perceive it rather with a humane face then with any other image A. It is because of the roundnesse of this Planet especially when she is in the full for then representing to us a humane head shee after represents to us the face The Earth Q. HOw is it that the earth can subsist in the other Elements without tumbling or falling towards unto the other Hemispheare seeing that a little peece of it cannot be sustained neither in the Ayre nor in the VVater but descends alwayes downeward A. A little piece of Earth tends alwaies downeward because it is not in its owne naturall place as doth all this great and heavy Masse which maintaines it selfe in his natural place by his proper waight and cannot shrink nor tumble to the other side of the Hemispheare or Antipodes no more then from ours for that were to mount not descend or to fall downward Q. Wherefore is it that the â—arth sometimes smells and yeelds a certaine pleasant odour A. That happens not alwayes nor in all earths but onely in â—hose which are good and ferâ—ile and that after long drinesse and heates there fals some small â—aine for the humidity of the Earth being well decocted by â—he heates and drynesse minâ—les it selfe with the raine and â—hen comming to exhale it â—eelds a certaine pleasing sweet â—dour as things well decocted â—rdinarily yeeld a good smell Q. From whence proceed the earth-quakes A. They either proceed from exhalations or from windes â—nclosed within the Cavernes of the earth which if they cannot get out strive to give themselvs way by force grumbling and murmuring within and in the end violently opening and bearing up the earth Winde Q. WHerefore is it that the winde is more vehement in a straight place then in a vast or open place A. Because that in a straight and shut up place his forces are more united and heaped together and in a vast place they are diffused and by the same meanes more loose Q. VVherefore is it that when the South-winde blowes wee finde our selves loose and sluggish A. Because that winde by his heat and humidity looseth and weakens the body Q. Wherefore is it that when the south-winde blowes the plants thrust out grow flowrish and fructifie more hasâ—â—ly then with other windes A. Because as I have formerly sayd this Winde is hot and moyst and heate and humidity are the efficient causes of generation Q. Wherefore is it that the falling starres I meane the exhalaâ—ions which being inflamed in the â—yre and fall to the Earth when â—hey are made very hot are a cerâ—ain index or signe of great windes comming A. Because that such fires which resemble starres in falâ—ing so high are ordinarily thrust downward by the winde which beginnes sooner to blow aloft then below Q. From whence comes it that the Windes blow from that side where there are few on â—â— clouds A. It comes from this that the winds themselves chase the clouds before them or dissipate them Q. Wherefore is it that the most cold windes dry the most A. Because they carry away with them the vapours and humidities whereupon they blow Q. From whence comes it that the windes are more weake in places where they begin to blow and in extending they fortifie themselves alwayes more and more A. Because that all things have their beginning ordinarily little and weake and especially things moving as then the Rivers increase to a measure and runne over or overflow the fields in receiving the Rivers of all sides so the windes augment them with the matters of exhalations and neverthelesse fortifie themselves by blowing more strongly as they still extend for the after-movings are fortified by the precedents Sight or seeing Q. See wee or as speake the Philosophers the vision or is it made by the emission or sending out of the rayes of our eyes or by the reception in our eyes of the species or images of obiects belonging to the sight For example when I see a house a man or a horse is it that the rayes of my eyes glancing upon those obiects bring backe the image to the sight or is it that the image diffuseth it selfe through the ayre and sometimes by the water which is the medium betwixt our eies the obiect and so is received into the sight A. This hath beene a very great dispute agitated â—long amongst the Ancients and even to this day is amongst the Opinionists but I will resolve it onely thus that the vision making in an instant it selfe the object of things most farre it is impossible that it can make it selfe by the emission of the rayes of the eyes because that in an instant it cannot penetrate to the objects as in example even to the very Stars and then to retire backe againe and to bring the images to the sight therefore it must be of necessity that the vision is made by the reception of the species or images from the objects the which representeth themselves in all the space of the medium which is betwixt the objects and our eyes if some opacous body hinder it not Q. Wherefore is it that comming out of darknesse and going into the light or on the contrary going out of a very cleare light place and entring into a shadowed place we see not very clear but as it were
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
is it that wee see more exactly upon one eye then with both by reason whereof to better see wee are accustomed to close or shut the one A. Because that although their mooving be accordant and uniform neverthelesse being double it is not so exact and certain as being simple because that proceeding only from one there is nothing that can bee it never so little yeeld their mooving unequall as also that all the two eyes having one selfe principall and one selfe faculty and vertue of their mooving and function it is more vigorous and certaine being joyned and united for when wee shut the one and hold the other open it runnes and yeelds all to that onely which is open as is easie to judge by the example of the question following Que. Wherefore is it that some little flie or some little straw falling within one of our eyes the soverayneremedy for thrusting it out is to shut or halfe-close the other A. Because that the visuall spirits which runne flowes or passe by the Nerves optick within the two eyes yeelding it selfe all in grosse into him which is open finding the other close and filling him thrusts out this hindring stranger especially if it be very light Q. Wherefore is it that having two eyes wee cannot for all that looke with one aloft and the other below or with one here and another there as wee remoove the Armes or the Legs diversly A. Because as I have formerly said in the first question both the eyes together have one selfe principall of Seeing and therefore one selfe mooving nature haveing so ordained it to the end that they should not deceive themselves in the perception of their object as if they regarded it diversly which is not the same of the Armes and of the Legges that have every one their particular principall of their mooving and of their forces Q. From whence comes it that pressing one of the eyes either above or below wee see the obiect double A. Because that by this means the muskells of one eye beeing more shut then those of the other wee breake the Society of the eyes which conspire and accord intirely in their moovings affections and passions and scituating the instruments of the sight the one more high then the other it is of force that wee see two objects for in this sort they making two divers moovings also wee see two times not one onely the which wee may understand by the example of the touch for if wee crosse two fingers of one hand putting the ends the one upon another and then rowle a little pellet it will seeme to the touch two pellets because you touch two times one selfething Q. Wherefore is it that having two eyes yet we for all that see but one onely species or image of the obiect A. No otherwise then although we have two eares yet we heare but one sound cause is the principall of their moving being one thing and these two organs making but one and the same sence but provident Nature hath so pleased that one sence should have two instruments to the end that if wee should come to the perfection of one the other might remaine quiet Q. Wherefore is it that we see not the obiect which is right against or close to our sight A. Because that the sight is made by the meanes or medium illuminated or transparent as the ayre is so that if there bee not a medium illumined or transparent as is the aire and the water cleare and cleane betwixt our eyes and the object wee should not see for according to that Maxime of the Philosopher the â—encible object being applied right against us or close to the organ of the sence hinders the â—encibility the which Maxime is infallible to the sence of the sight Q. From whence comes it that when we are greatly moved with choler our eyes grow red as Homer said of Achilles when he grew wrathfull against Agamemnon Ans It is because that then when the blood boyleth the more subtill parts of it mount aloft and appeare principally in the eyes because that they are transparent Q. VVherfore is it that smoake vinegar onions and other sharpe and biting things are ill to the Eyes A. Because they are extreamely delicate and have moreover the pores and conduits much open they are therefore more easily affected and offended with those things the which exhale from vapours sharpe subtill and biting Q. VVherefore is it that being so delicate they are neverthelesse nothing chilly for all the cold that such things make A. It is because that they have in them Luminous and hot spirits and moreover they are furred with fatty and many tunicks Q. Wherefore is it that the teares which proceed from sorrow and trouble are hot and salt and those which proceede from some malady of the Eyes are cold and little or nothing strongly salt A. In asmuch as the Eyes being infected with malady there is great quantity of superfluous humidity which cannot bee decocted by the heat remains cruse and by consequent cold and then when the eyes are not infected with malady the heat easily decocts the humidity which is the cause that so being well decocted it is hot sharp and saltish Q. From whence comes it that the left eye shuts more easily then the right seeing that the right parts of the body are more vigorous then the left A. Because that the left eye is more moist for moyst things are more easie to restraine and shut now since all the left side of the body is most moyst it appeares by this that it is more soft and lesse robust and strong Q. Wherefore is it that man is more subiect to have his eyes turned more then any other Animal A. Because that man especially in his infancy is more subject to lofty evills then any of the other Animals the which malady by the extreame convulsions which it gives may make the eyes to tnrne as being â—ore moveable and more deliâ—te and yet sooner then any oâ—er part of the body as also â—at man having the eyes more â—eare one to another then any â—ther Animal and looking beâ—wixt them to the forehead this 〈◊〉 the cause that this default is â—ore easily to bee remarked in â—e eyes of man Q. VVherefore is it that those â—hich have double balls in their â—es are suspected to be witches A. As the other imperfections â—f the soule are most often marâ—ed by the imperfections of the â—ody so this vice of the eyes is 〈◊〉 marke of this other vice of the â—oule Vrine Q. WHerefore is it that in the Vrine the more it is retained within the bladder the more it becâ—mes stinking and the fecale and grosse matter on the contrary the more it is retained within the intestins the lesse it stinks A. It is because the urine becomes more greasie more sharp salt and grosse within the bladder and by the same meanes more stinking because that it is there more decocted being long retained and on