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-sea-water are sooner dry then those which are washed with freshwater A. Because that sea-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
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
Because they are very moist and charged with excrements and their hairs as I have formerly said are maintained and nourished with humidity The same thing one may say of young men and women and for the very same reason hornes fal not from gelded Deere nor the feathers from Capons as I have said heere before Q. But wherefore is it that old men become bald A. For the reason contrary to the precedent that is by declining with age naturall humidity consumes in them although they abound in corrupt excrements Q. Wherefore is it that bald men are esteemed more luxurious then other A. In the contrary we ought to say that they are more bald for being too much luxurious then luxurious for being bald for by force of drying their bodies and especially the braine which contributeth most to the act Venerian they become bald not retaining sufficient humidity to nourish the haires Q. Wherefore is it that bald persons are esteemed of others wicked and dangerous A. Because they are of a nature hot and dry and so are prompt hardy and cholericke if good education and nourture doth not moderate and correct them but also those persons that are of the same complexion are ordinarily judicious vigilant prudent and subtill Calxes Q. VVHerefore is it that one contrary ordinarily flies another neverthelesse Calx Sponge Cloath bran and many other dry things receive water very easily and imbibe and moisten A. We must observe that all bodies which have pores and subtill conduits some neverthelesse more close shut then others so then dry bodies which have pores shut admitteth not at all or very little of humidity and those which have the pores more open as the said things admit not more of themselves that is to say in as much as dry bodies but accidently because of the opennesse and laxity of their pones by which the humidity hath ingression Q. How is it that quicke Lyme breakes and fall in peeces being drenched with water A. In as much as the water insinuateth and penetrateth strongly without and within the parts of the Lyme opening the ties of it whereof followeth the division and separation Q. How is it that the Lyme quenched with water heateth and smoakes seeing that it ought rather to grow cold by the moist coldnesse of the water A. It is because the Lyme being a body well burnt in the Furnacâ— holds much of the fire and containes great quantity of fiery spirits the which bandeth and gathereth together against their contrary which is the water and worketh vigorously against it chafing and turning part of the same into fumes and vapours as those which breath out of a vessell full of water put upon the fire Wayes Q. FRom whence comes it that we finde the wayes more long which are to us unknowne then those which wee have often travelled A. It is because that wee determine and easily limit in our selves the way wee know and cannot limit that which we have never gone it seemes to us longer then it is Q. From whence comes it that a plaine smooth way although it be very easie as by fields and valleyes of great stretch it is much more trouble some then those which are unequall and rough A. It is because the plaine and smooth way is alwayes alike and that which is unequall and rough hath in it diversity and change which is agreeable to our nature and solaceth much more the incommodity that we receive of others as also that which is limited hath divers peeces and by retakes but in that which wee see in a long stretch it seemes to us infinite and to be without limit for the sight Graynesse Q. WHerefore is it that men beginneto waxe gray neare to the temples then behinde the head by reason whereof Homer calleth them Poliocrotapous that is to say to the gray temples A. Because that this part of the head is more watery humid and soft then the hinder part of the same and by so much more subject to the corruption of the humours which makes white the haires Q. How comes it that in age our haires become white A. Because as the Philosopher teacheth us old persons abound in flegme the which being white tincteth the haires in the same colour by which the haires are nourished Q. Wherefore is it that a man onely of all other Animals is properly said gray when Horses also become grisseled A. It is because that of other Animals where the haire fals all the yeare by little and little upon the Winter and then comes againe after as in Horses in Beeves and in Dogges or if they fall not as wooll doth not fall much from the sheepe it is because that such Animals live so few yeares that they cannot change their haires and colour but man is not of that nature so that his haire falls not yearely nor of so short life as the other Animals from whom the haire falls not it must be that in his age he still grisseleth and becomes wholly gray and in the end fully white by the abundance of moisture so farre that at last naturall heate being extinct in him by the default of radicall humidity which is associated with naturall heate Q. But how when other Animals having the same default and debilitation of radicall humidity and of naturall heate in their age wherefore shew they not the like effect A. This comes particularly to man in as much as according to the proportion of the corporall masse hee hath more quantity of braine then any other of the Animals Now the naturall heate debilitateth and diminisheth in him in his age and hee cannot conserve so great quantity of humidity so that this humidity superabounding leaveth him the naturall heate corrupts and the haires then receiving an evill nourishment whiteneth and representeth as I have said before by this whitenesse the colour of this corrupt humour which is a kind of flegme alwayes white Q. From whence comes it that there are men white before age and in the flower of their best time become gray A. The cause is labour travell torments affliction and sicknesses which doe often debilitate and often extinct before the time the power of naturall heate according to the saying of Pindarus in this Verse It sometimes happens in our way To meete a young man turned gray And Homer to this purpose Care sorrow griefe and dire distresse Gives the young head the old man s dresse Very feare it selfe horrour and the apprehension of an inevitable death hath so farre seized upon some men as we read of a kinsman of Francis Gonzagus Prince of Mantona who accused of treason became gray in the prison betwixt the evening and the morning Q. Wherefore is it that Horses become gray or griseld about the head more then any other kinde of Animal A. Because that they haue the bone which covers the braine much lesse hard considering the proportion of their bodies then any other Animal which is the cause as saith the
are of figure round Q But how see wee not many times in one selfe same day that the Sun and Moone appeares more great one time then another especially at morning and evening A. That seemes so but it is not so for all that but the exhalations and vapours which are betwixt us and these great globes deceive our sight and represent them more great then of custome as it comes to those which regard any thing in the bottome of the water or with Spectacles Q. Wherefore is it that the Heavens remaine alwayes in an equall intervall and distance from the earth A. Because they have not in themselves neither lightnesse nor weight whatsoever in respect whereof they bouge nor stirre not at all from their naturall place but if they were of a fiery nature as some would have them they should descend to the firy circular which is under the Moone as tending to their naturall place or else they must since the creation of the world have alwaies still mounted and that it incessantly as it is the nature of fire to aspire alwayes in height Q. From whence comes it that the Heavens being of the same matter that the Starres are according to the agreement of all the grave Philosophers we see them not for all that and yet we see the Starres A. It is because that the Starres are more solid and massie then the Heavens which makes that they appeare more easily to our sight and the Heavens not because of their rarity and thinnesse neither more nor lesse then as wee see well enough thicke and grosse vapours and smoakes and see not the â—ost subtill and likewise as wee see the water but not the Ayre Q. From whence comes it that this great and vast space or extent which is betwixt us and the heavens to see the heavens themselves which seeme of a blewish and azure colour A. Neither the ayre nor the fire which are betwixt us and the heavens nor the heavens themselves in as much as they are all simple bodies are neither coloured nor susceptible of any colour neverthelesse because of the great distance there is betwixt us and the Heavens all those bodies there which are very rare simple and thinne seeme to condense and thicken and this condensation makes that all this immense extent seemes coloured with Azure Q. From whence comes it that certaine Starres twinkle to our eyes and others not A. Those which are in the Firmament and above the 7 Planets as most farre from us twinkle to our respect as doth a Torch farre off in like man-ner the little Starres more then the most great because that little objects rob more easily our eyes then the great but the Planets twinkle not or very little because they are more low then other Stars every one in his Orbe and likewise that they are more great neverthelesse Mars twinkleth also although that he is below other Planets that twinkle not but that is because hee is more reddishbrowne and by consequent lesse visible Q. But wherefore is it that the Starres more high and further from us twinkle more then the others A. This proceeds from the rayes of the fixed Stars which are in the Firmament and above the Planets their light descending in the Ayre as it were broken in our sight by the motion of the Ayre which is the cause they seem twinckling nor more nor lesse then the pibbles which are under the water seemes to tremble by the mooving of of the water the which cannot bee attributed properly to the Planets by the reason aforesaid because of their rayes comming more neere and that they are greater bodies to resist more strongly the mooving of the Ayre Q. Wherefore is it that wee see not the stars in the day time A Because that the middle meanes or the betwixt both which is the Ayre receives the impression of the light more strong and shining which is that of the Sunne in such manner that that of the other Stars remaines as offusked as being confused with that of the Sun so as we cannot distinguish it Q. Wherefore is it that the other Starres appeare not sometimes in forme of encreasing as the Moone doth A. Because that the Moone shines not by her proper light as doth all the other starres but onely by that of the Sunne so that according as she is diversly infused shee represents her selfe to us in divers figures but when shee is of all deprived by the interposition of the earth she is eclipsed and darkned Q. From whence comes it that the starres seeme to goe before us then when we goe of the same side that they runne and likewise on the contrary a merâ—â—ailous thing they seeme to follow us then when we goe the contrary course of their way A. It seemeth to us that they goe before when wee goe the very same way before and that whirle in because of their celerity and incomparable swiftnesse but when they seeme to follow us going on the contrary side of their course it is because of their immense greatnesse of their bodies in respect of the place where wee are although we go of the one side and they of the other they are alwayes seeming before us which cannot neverthelesse be well marked but that they remaine alwaies either neere to us before us or following us Bells Q. WHerefore is it that Bels of silver are more resounding then those of any other metall whatsoever they bee aad those of Iron lesse then any others A. That siluer holds most of ayre and Iron most earth and as ayry things are most resounding so are earthly things lesse then all others Q. Wherefore is it that Bells covered with cloathes be it of wollen cloath Silke or whatsoever other thinge like yeelds little or no sound A. Because that these bodies are soft and repercusse not the ayre which is the cause of sound Q. Wherefore is it also that a Bell filled with earth or some such like matter seemeth to yeeld no sound A. Because that the Ayre which as I come to say is cause of the sound and is choaked or suffocated by this other body where with he is filled Heart Q. WHerefore is it that the heart is set or placed in the middle of the Animall A. Because that it being the treasury of the naturall heat and magazine of the â—itall Spirits it is most commodiously placed in the middle of the body from thence to expand and to distribute over all the parts of the body as the Sunne in the middle of the 7 Planets Q. Wherfore is it that being so in the middle neverthelesse chafeth nor heateth not so much the back and the parts behinde us as those before A. Because that the bones that are in the back hinders that the heat cannot worke so lively together the coldnesse of the back bones and the temperament also of the heat which proceedeth from the heart is not so forcible to penetrate those parts there Q. Wherefore is it that
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
become untastefull A. Because that by too much heat the moysture hath beene too much decocted and dryed and the taste or sauour consisteth in the mixture of the dry and the moyst moderately decocted by heat as I have formerly said Q. How comes it that sweete meates are more pleasing agreeable to the taste since that sweetnesse is but an index of temperature how then are they sharpe and sowre neverthelesse we are not so fully pleased with the sweete as with those which have some little pricking of sharpnesse A. It is because that the sweet victualls are ordinarily more succulent and nourishing by reason whereof they glut and fill more then the tart or meanly sharpe the sharpnesse of which pricketh exciteth and provoketh more the appetite then it doth glut it Q. Wherefore is it that the sick become ordinarily without taste A. Because that their palats of the mouth and the tongue which are the principall instruments of the taste are seized with some evill humour that depraves them Q. From whence comes it that there are some waters wallowish and meerely without any taste A. It proceeds by the ground by which they runne for if it be fat clay or marle they are fleshy and without taste A gouty question Q. WHerefore is it that they commonly say the gouty have great store of crownes A. It is because they being people given much to their ease idlenesse and to bee still sitting they bethinke themselves of nothing else but to tell over their money and so they contract themselves to the gout by their idlenesse and such businesse Fatnesse Q. WHerefore is it that fat folkes live ordinarily lesse time then the leane A. Because that fat folkes have lesse blood which is the humour in the most benigne and the most friend to nature for conservation of naturall heat for the food which turneth in them into fatnesse turneth it selfe into blood in the leane Q. Wherefore is it that fat folkes are more coole in the venerian combate then the leane A. Because that the superfluity of the food which turnes it selfe into seed in the leane persons is imployed into nourishment of the fat â—having a grosse masse of body to sustaine joyne to this that leane folkes have more blood Habitation Q. WHerfore is it that those which inhabite in hot Countries are more prudent then those which inhabit in cold A. Because that those are more sober more dry and lesse loaden with excrements and the others which are more devouring and given to the throate or swallow because their naturall heate is shut up within their entrailes and by that cause the braine is ordinarily more troubled with vapours and fumes which rise from the stomacke together those which inhabit cold Regions are more cholericke impatient and boyling but those of hot Countries are more melancholy patient and stayed Q. Wherefore is it that those which inhabit in hot Regions live longer for the most part then those which inhabit in cold A. Because that those in the cold Regions are ordinarily more afflicted with the cold the which extincts and corrupts their naturall heate On the contrary those in the hot Regions by the affinity of the aire provided also that it bee not extreame hot at all times are better preserved and more long Q. Wherefore is it that those which inhabite in cold Countries are commonly more robust and couragious then those which are in hot A. Because that the naturall heat of them there is held shut in the interiours makes them full of courage and in the others it is dispersed and expanded through al the members of the body by reason whereof it is more languishing and loose within them But on the contrary wee see many times and that truely that the nations more hot have in most times mastered the more cold and it is by reason the hot nations are more wairy and prudent as I have said before and also better polititians and better and more regular in martiall discipline Q. Wherefore is it that those which inhabit in high places are more healthful and grow old more late then those which keepe themselves and in habit in low grounds A. Because those diseases which are the most dangerous come from putrifaction and age it selfe is a kinde of putrifaction now the ayre in low places is in quiet in tranquility and lesse subject to the blasts of of winde and for the same reason more subject to putrifaction then those which are in up raised places where the Ayre is ordinarily agitated with the windes and so they live there more longer and in better health Q. Wherefore is it that the change of habitation is dangerous to those that are in good health and often profitable to the sick A. It is a good course that those which are in good health should not make change neither of their habitation nor of time unlesse they mean to alter their health as theÌ„ aire is alter'd on the contrary the sick if they cannot indure it receive ordinarily comfort by the changing of the habitation and of the time for if the one is not profitable to their complexion or estate of their health the other may be Breathing Q. WHether of the two precedeth in Animals either the inspiration or the expiration I call inspiration the reception of fresh ayre which stretcheth the Lungs and the expiration the expulsion of the heated ayre which is made in restrayning and abating the Lunges which are like to a paire of bellowes serving to refresh the heart A. This is a question very hard to resolve neverthelesse the decision of the Philosoper seemes to mee to carry a likelihood of a truth saying that since by the expiration of the Animals they finish their lives and dye it must bee that they beginne to live by a contrary principle that is inspiration Q. Wherefore is it that infants â—espire and breath more ofâ—en and short then aged perâ—ones A. Because that infants as I â—ave shewed you herein before â—re much more hot by reason whereof they have neede to â—ee more and more often refreâ—hed together that they alâ—o eate much more having regard to their corpulency and quantity of body then the aged so that the conduits of the respiration beeing ordinarily stopped in them by the vapours and fumeâ— of their dyet they breath more often and short Q. How comes it that one cannot breath but with great difficulty and especially when one is stuffed in a place where there is but little ayre A. It is because that the respiration is no other thing but the reception of a fresh ayre and the expulsion of that which is formerly heated by the within it comes then that being in a place where there is little ayre as also that it is soone hot by the frequent attraction which is in the within and not having more means of attracting and drawing in the fresh ayre it followes that one may bee soone stifled Q. From whence comes it that some people
middle that of the honey which is in the bottome is accounted the best in all three A. Because that of the oyle is most cleane ayrie and light and is the most excellent and that of the honey the most close and heavy is on the contrary the best now the parts the most light mounts to the most high and the more heavy descend to the bottome and so by consequence those are the most exquisite in the houey and those other in the oyle Now for Wine the part most low is lesse pure and sweete because of the lees and that above likewise because of the neighbourhood of the ayre the which invirons it on all sides of the vessels for the ayre by his too great humidity hurtheth and corrupts the wine Q. Wherefore is it that Oyle swimmeth above all other liquors except upon Aqua vitae A. Because it is fat and by consequent ayry for fat things hold much of the ayre and that which is airy is more light then that which is watry or earthy and beeing more light hee riseth on the top by the same reasoÌ„ oyle wil not much mingle with other liquors neverthelesse aqa vitae will swimme upon the oyle because it is firy and holds of the fire which is the most active subtile and light of all the Elements the cause also why it receives suddenly the flame and wherefore also it is denominated burning water Q. But why if oyle for being more fat holds him so above the other liquors how is it that it swimmes also upon grease it selfe against that Axiome of the Physitians who hold that which is such by the meanes of another the same is yet more such If then oyle is so light that it swimmes upon all other liquors because of his fatnesse it must bee that fatnes it selfe should swimme upon the oyle A. Oyle swimmes not upon all other liquors because of a strange fatnesse but because of his own proper which he holds more of the ayre and so this destroyes not this said Axiome of the Physitians if it swimme upon another strange fatnesse with which it hath not any participation Q. From whence comes it that a leafe of paper platted in forme of a vessell and filled with oyle will not bee consumed by the fire although that there is nothing almost more easie to receive fire A. Because that the paper being very porous the heate of of the fire penetrateth at h wart the pores and goeth working against the oyle which is more contrary to him as also that the partes of the oyle heated by the fire and bearing of his heate mounts aloft and they below remaining cold resist the heate of the fire and conserves the paper untill that the fire hath surmounted and affected all the parts of the oyle without finding any any more resistance from his action for then the paper burnes and consumes the like to this is the kettle full of water the bottome of which is cold the fire Dropsie Q. WHerefore is it that those which are sick of the dropsie though they are full of water and of humours cannot for all that quench their thirst with great drâ—nking A. Because that they digest not their drinkes and then specially when they have the fever it is heated become saltish and biting which ingenders an unextinguishable thirst within them as also that although they have their bodies full of water and humidity it runnes not nor distributeth it selfe to the other parts of the body being dryed for lack of being sprinkled and moystned and from this drynesse proceedes their extreame thirst Images Q. FRom whence comes it that pictures to the life seeme to regard us upon what side soever wee goe A. This same proceeds from our mooving in as much as wee take no regard to that but only to the picture neverthelesse perceiving that there is a mooving in one action wee attribute through errour of the sences to the aspect of the picture neither more nor lesse then doe those which are sayling within a boate they thinke it is not the boat which goes and remooves but the shore of the water the houses and the trees which they looke upon Ioy. Q. HOw can it bee that certaine persons have dyed of extreame ioy as the Roman women whereof one beleeving as they had told her that her sonne was dead at the battell of Trasemena where the Romans were defeated by Hannibal lamenting within her house but after seeing him enter safe and sound dyed suddenly with ioy and the other going out of the Gates of the Towne for to enquire of her sonne with those which came from the defeiture of Cannes and perceiving him there amongst others dyed in the place with sudden ioy A. Because that even as oyle being powred with moderation within a Lampe it entertaines and conserves the flame but being excessively and all at a sudden infused extinguisheth and choakes it even so moderate joy rejoyceth the vitall spirits but an excessive extream and sudden one choakes it or it may come thus because that as naturall heat flyes with the blood to the interiour parts of the body by an excessive affrighting or feare so by an excessive joy it abandons the interiour and most noble parts and by suddenly running to the exteriours wherof sometimes insues the dissolution of the soule from the body Fasting Q. WHerefore is it that those which have long fasted are more dry then hungry A. Because that naturall heat finding nothing against which it may worke or to what it may betake it selfe stickes to the humidity and consumes it so drying then by this meanes the body the thirst which is the appetite of the humidity and of the cold sezieth us sooner then the hunger which is the appetite of the dry and the hot Q. From whence comes it that we are more heavy fasting then after repast A. It is that by the meanes of the victualls the Animal spirits which were dull are wakened and rejoyced and being so under-lift the body neverthelesse this must bee understood of those which eate soberly and that it bee done for the refection of the spirits and of the forces not for to quell them for whosoever crams himselfe full of victualls shall finde himselfe after repast more heavy and dull then hee was fasting Q. Wherefore is it that wee are more prompt to bee cholericke being fasting then after meate A. The cause is that after the repast the spirits are more busied in concocting and digesting of the meate newly eaten but when wee are fasting they are easily moved to swel and boyle as also that the nourishment by the victuals repaires the losse and continuall effluxion of the substance of our bodies and we are then merry and joyfull after the refection and repast Q. Wherefore is it that sicke folkes although they are weake and by consequence have more neede of refection and reparation of spirits and of substance can ueverthelesse fast more long time then those which are
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