friendly companions of sleepe Century 4. Of Plants Qu. WHerefore is it that very hot things as Water cresses Arsmart and the like doe grow in cold places and dry things as Reeds c. grow in moyst places An. Because nature would preserve a conveniency for every thing and agreeable to all which could not be unlesse one contrary in a contrary seate as hot in cold and cold in hot had beene situated As for example the juyce of an Orange which is cold to bee enclosed in a rinde of a very hot quality and the dry earth to bee encompassed with the moyst element of water and the cold ayre to be environed with the hot element of fire Qu. Wherefore is it that those Plants which grow wild are of longer continuance than those which are manured and cultivated by ingenious industry An. Because the cultivated spend their naturall vigour in the production of their fruite the other in the branch and extension of limbes in so much that Art seemeth rather to effeminate than encourage Nature Qu. Wherefore is it that those Plants which soone grow doe likewise soone decay A. Theophrastus indeed writes so but experience proves the contrary For Withyes Poplars Apple-trees Cherry-trees and Plumme-trees by cultivation attaine soone their full growth but then they as speedily decay But the garden Olive the Elme and others grow apace and yet are of a long continuance Qu. Wherefore is it that those Plants that now begin to decline bring forth a fruite more tastfull and sooner enripened An. Because the younger that have not yet attained their fulnesse of growth doe either suppeditate a crude and undigested humour to the fruite which hindereth it or else by the conversion of that humour to their growth but the ancient having now growne to their full quantity infuse not such a plentifull quantity of humour whereby the fruite may as it were be surfeited which it may more easily digest Qu. Wherefore is it that sower fruits are seldome worme-eaten and doe not so soone rot as other fruite An. Because all sower things are cooling piercing and extenuating by nature which qualities doe all resist putrefaction and therefore decayed Venison being steeped in Vinegar not onely resists the increase of a further putrefaction thereof but regaines to it its former sweetnesse Qu. Wherefore is it that grafted Plants bring forth more plentifully if the graft be againe grafted upon the same tree from whence it was cut An. Because Nature alwayes endeavours to comfort and cure a wound given not onely to sensitive Animals but also to the insensitive with a larger portion of aliment so that if a bone bee broken and carefully handled Nature sends it marrow in such plenty that the fracture is forthwith covered with a callous or thicke and hard skinne and afterwards becomes stronger in that part than before So also a Tree being cut in any part supplies it in like manner with such a quantity of sappe that in the place there groweth an exuberant knob or bunch Of Fishes Qu. VVHerefore is it that Oysters Cockles and the like shell-fish doe open against the Tyde although they bee farre from the Sea An. Either out of custome which they had when they were in their maritime habitacles at the certainty of the Tydes so to doe or else that naturally they feele in themselves the motion of the Sea by which they by their opening desire to feed and refresh themselves Qu. Wherefore is it that Sea-fish is usually better than that of fresh water An. The same may be demanded why River-fish is better than Pond-fish and Pond-fish better than Fen-fish and this better than Dike-fish Because these taste more of muddy impurity than those of the Sea for the Sea working admits no mudde and this appeares in River-mussels Vulgo Horse-mussels which savour of ranknesse of filth and the Sea-mussels are admitted for humane food the other rejected Qu. Wherefore is it that fresh water Fishes have windbladders the Sea fish none An. Because was necessary for the fresh Fish for its better navigation as I may say to have in it an ayery vessell to beare its body floating by the reason of the tenuity of the fresh water but the sult water Fish not by the reason of a grosser and stronger nature of the Sea and more apt for their swift and gliding supportation Of petty animals Q. VVHerefore is that unnecessary frogs and Mice doe breed as I may say of their owne accord seeing other animals for Mans use breed not but by propagation An. Even as the High Procurator of the great World provides store of all manner of Viands for his little world Man so also he chastiseth this neglecting Man when he subtracts and withdrawes from him the fruits of water earth Ayre and beasts for mans owne faults wherefore sometimes waters either abound by inundations sometimes by drought are extenuated and scarce sometimes the Ayre by contagion infects sometimes fire rageth so that from whence these breed it can no more be certainely affirmed than whence the swarmes of these Animals and the innumerable diseases of man doe also breed Qu. Wherefore is it that a Dormouse sleepeth so long without food An. Because fatnesse the pores being occluded or stopped by cold is condensed and when Animals remaine immote humours are lesse dissipated whereby it is that that fatnesse maintaines and sustaines them for naturall heate having no food to worke upon fasteneth upon superfluities and sleepe quencheth the appetite of thirst and hunger as it is very well said of the Dormouse by the Poet Tota mihi dormitur hyems pinguior illo Tempore sum quo me nil nisi somnus alit In English thus The tedious VVinter sleepe I then I batten And sleeping lose no flesh but rather fatten Qu. If the Dormouse sleepes so long is it not also necessary that it must make as long An. What else and that three Moneths or a quarter of a yeeres sleepe seemes to be shaped by the little beast for an example to man that he should sleepe likewise no more than the fourth part of 24 houres viz. 6 which by the circumference of the yeere doe containe one quarter Infants and children sleepe more the agedlesse for in them sleepe is sound in these slight as an argument of a longer shortly to ensue Of Major Animals Qu. VVHerefore is it that the Lyon is called the King of beasts An. Not because he is either stronger or more active than any other but for his Majestick courage because he seornes to lurke cowardly for his prey and feares no foure-footed fellow beast and rather spares a more imbecile creature than himselfe than tyrannically and basely expresse himselfe Qu. Wherefore is it that a Mare is more subject to abortion and miscarriage than a female Asse or Cow or any other beast An. Either because the courage of that kind of beast is animous and free and apt for running and leaping or that the Mare already great with
drown'd Qu. Which is rather to bee chosen for marriage a Maide or a Widow An. Herein I for my part am put to it Hesiod perswaded his brother to marry a Maide that hee might traine her up in the path of honesty but by your leave good old Poet I like it not for I had rather chuse a Widow who having beene vertuously matched already knows how to tread that path and that labour is saved in the other it were to come Centuary 2. Of Physicke Qu. WHat 's the reason that many things as bitter as the medicine yet purge not in effect so forcibly as the medicine it selfe An. Because it is not the onely quality of bitternesse that causeth purgation but also the resistance to the concoction For the medicine cannot be digested nor concocted by naturall heate or if it could it would not purge but its principall vertue consists in attracting the humors of the whole body or from some part thereof according to their severall vertues being insuperable in contention against the naturall heat of the body it retires to it selfe drawing with it and forcing all out that it meetes withall Of Cabage or Coleworts Qu. WHence is it that Coleworts are hurtfull to them that are aguish A. By the reason they are hot and cause the head-ach dreames and slumbers through their fumes and vapours Q. Wherefore is it that Rue and Coleworts are two plants that the one cannot thrive by the other A. Because they are both hot and attracting or drawing unto them an abundance of moysture from the earth for their aliment and refreshment they one starve the other through drought and for want of sufficient moysture Marmalade HOw can it possible bee that Marmalad being taken before meate bindes the body after meat loosneth it A. To say the truth it is all times restringent but it looseneth by accident because it is heavy and by that meanes it beares downe the meate and drives it downeward being eaten after meat Of contayning HOw can it bee that one glasse full of ashes can receive and containe another glasse of the same measure full of water An. It is because that the ashes being not a continuate and solid body containe much ayre which giving place to the water as to a grosse body the water fills and takes up the place Moreover for the receiving of as much water as ashes the ashes must bee reasonable warme or tepide at the least to the end that the Ayre by this meanes and the spirit therein inclosed may be exhaled by the infusion of the water and a part of the water it selfe may be â—vaporated by the heate of â—he ashes The same may be sayd of â—uicke Lime which will receive a great quantity of water and sand the heape knowing never the bigger because I say the spirits 〈◊〉 it are exhaled in smoake â—â—d the water also evaporaâ—th and the sand comming 〈◊〉 fill up their places the â—ape becomes more solid and heavy but very little or â—â—thing bigger Q. But how is it that a glasse â—â—…full of water will receive â—â—ny pieces of money without spilling one drop of water A. For this experiment the brim of the Glasse must bee dry and not moyst at all and and then the water giving place to the money that shal be put in will rise up above the brim of the glasse in the middle in a sphericall manner But if the brim be moist it will not containe so many peeces of money but presently runne over meeting its fellow moysture Of Beards Qu. HOw happeneth it that some have their Beards thicke and bushy and other some very thinne A. Even as saith Calen those trees become greater more branched and full of boughes that are planted in a fat and moyst ground than those in a sandy and drie by the same reason the beard becomes more bushy in them that are of a tender and moyst temperament and contrary wise thinne to those that have a flesh more hard and dry Neverthelesse it may happen also through a greatnesse of heate which much opens the pores that the matter of the haire is exhaled sometimes and comes forth and by that means the beard becomes very thinne for the haire proceedes of certaine fuliginous or smutty exhalations which become thicke and hard and taking root in the flesh bud out as it were through the pores and are nourished by the humidity and excrements of the body if then this matter cannot issue forth at the Pores they being stopped up or closed or on the contrary they being very open the beard growes very thinne Q. Wherefore is it that wee are ill conceited of them that have their haire of one colour and their beard of another Witnesse Martial against Zoilus Zoilus red headed and blacke bearded too What squint-eyd and stump-footed in thy shooe Thus markt thou art a knave or else there 's none If thou art good ten thousand 't is to one A. Because the diversity of colour of haire proceeds from the diversity of humours one and the selfe same man having divers humours predominant in him is commonly inconstant dissembling and mutable I speak of him as by nature so who neverthelesse by grace and discretion may overcome his constitution and maugre his ilnesse of temperature as Socrates said of himselfe Of Maids Q. WHerefore is it that Maidens having past the age of ripenesse and loosing that time of marriage become pale-coloured and yellowish A. By the reason of the retention of the superfluous humours which are evacuated by the consummation of Matrimony and those corrupting within them vitiates the blood and brings them into great and dangerous diseases which can very hardly be cured but by marriage Of Hares Qu. HOw is it that the Hare sleepes with her â—yes open A. Because her eye-â—â—ds are not large enough to â—over her eyes The like â—â—so is it as many doe â—eport with many other Aâ—imals as the Lyon himâ—â—lfe Of Lyons Q. WHerefore is it that the Lyon hates the Ape so extreamly A. It is because the Lyon is generous free couragious and without deceit the Ape contrariwise is a beast full of deceit and trickes which antipathy is the cause of the Lyons extraordinary hatred against him Some are of opinion that the flesh of the Ape is very medicinable to the Lyon which the Lyon knowing by a naturall instinct as many other beasts doe naturally know remedies fittest for them hee suddainly falls upon him and devoures him Of Wolves Qu. WHerefore is it that the VVolfe discovering a man before the man him is said to take away the mans breath A. I saith the Author have divers times found this to bee false by experience although some are of opinion that it is done not by being first perceived by the Wolfe or perceiving him first as the Poet saith Lupi Marim videre priores but because hee hath a kinde of a charming breath to stop our breath by corrupting the ambient aire that we are in for that
choler gnawes and corrupts the Liver the Liver the Blood and the Blood the whole Body Sometimes by the meanes of this Dew the Liver is oppilated obstructed or stopped which is the cause of a generall disease and death in the flock Albertus Magnus testifieth himselfe to have seene these experiences Of Frost Q. WHence proceedes the Frost A. Almost in the same manner it is generated as the Dew I say almost because a greater and more intense cold is required for the production of the frost than of the Dew that it may not onely dissolve the hot vapour into water but also congeale it when it is dissolved Of Springs and Fountaines Qu. WHence have Fountains and Springs their beginnings A. The earth in its womb hath many concavityes and hollow veines and passages in which because nothing can be empty certaine vapours being raised from the earth are dissolved into water and sticking to the sides of those veines destill into drops cause little streams which meeting together from all those parts in a lower place make a current and breaking forth make a spring Qu. Wherefore is it that some springs are constant and some increase in the Winter and decay in Summer An. By the reason of the disposition of the place of their beginning and mutation of the qualities For the more solid Hills whose secret passages the exteriour ayre cannot easily penetrate doe utter more constantly their waters for the former vapours being dissolved into a fluent liquor and that there may not bee a vacuum or emptinesse other vapours succeed and are likewise dissolved But the Hills that are porous that have open orifices or passages for the exterior ayre to penetrate especially in Summer doe not containe the vapors for they are dryed up by the exsiccating quality of the Ayre Q. Wherefore is it that the springs are warme in winter and cooler in summer A. The cause is from the fortification of the coldnesse of the cavernes and holes within the earth For in winter when the pores of the earth are stopped up by the exterior cold and the hot exhalations not finding a way out are there detained and warme the vapours the vapours consequently the waters in so much that they are usually seene reake smoake but in Summer the pores being open the exhalations easily passe and are drawne out And the coldnes of the cavernes kept in by Antiperistasis by the exteriour heate cooleth the vapours and waters Q. Wherefore is it that the Bath is so warme and coole and so different in qualities A. The reason and resolution of this question Philosophy gives affirming in generall that those Baths which are warme receive their heate by passing through the veines of sulphury and burning Mineralls But the diversity of the Springs proceeds from the various and divers permixtion of the first qualities by the concurse of the influences also by reason of the diversity of the Minerals and earths by which they passe But to give a reason for the strange effects and qualities of some waters it is very difficult referring that to the hand Omnipotent Qu. Which kind of waters are thought to bee purest and best An. Those that are lighter in weight purer in substance not standing but continually running over a pure earth towards the East and therefore these kind of waters are more usefull in medicine than any other by reason of their purity and vertue Q. Whence then are the Rivers caused An. The causes of Rivers in respect of their beginnings are the same with the springs A River is made by the concourse of divers waters as from the spring Ior and Dan which issue out at the foote of Libanus the river Iordan is produced so likewise many famous rivers have their like beginnings and denominations and all these run into the vast body of the devouring sea Of the Sea Qu. WHerefore is it that the water of the sea is so salt A. It is a generall opinion that the saltnesse of the sea proceedeth from the mixture of the adust terrene drynesse elevated by the power of the Sunne and mingled with the moyst vapours that fall into the Sea and by the same reason the water that is streined dreaned through ashes becomes bitter moreover the heate of the Sunne continually raiseth the sweeter and lighter Waters leaving the terrestriall earthinesse But the Rivers that runne out of the Sea and as it were are streyned through sands and earth flow not to us salt or bitter but become sweet leaving their salt qualitie in the earth and sand behinde them and returning againe into the sea do much temper and abate the saltnes thereof but many are of opinion that it was salt in its first creation Q. Wherefore is it that the sea ebs and flowes A. The cause hereof is attributed to the Mistresse of moysture the Moone for at her increase or decrease it is certaine that the humours almost of all things doe change and alter Wherupon the Moon running under the Sun which happeneth in her change the light of both being hindred cannot subtiliate the ayre which being grossened is turned to water and the encrease of the Sea is augmented in substance a flowing must necessarily follow but the Moone being in opposition of the Sunne which happeneth in her ful disperseth her light all over the inferiour bodies neither is she a hindrance to the Sun for the imparting his light and power to the Sea and hereupon the water of the Sea which by the reason of its grossenesse contayneth vapours becomes thinne ascends and flowes like the droppes of warme Milke and this encrease is not in substance but by accident by the rarefaction But in the interposed quartiles of the Moone the Sea encreaseth and decreaseth by the like causes In the first quartile the Sea decreaseth in the second it increaseth accidentally by the way of rarefaction In the third it decreaseth by the rarefaction by the decreasing of the light In the fourth the Moone comming nearer the Sunne the substance of the Sea againe increaseth by the thickenning of the ayre As for the foure quarters of the day naturall the Sea imitates the motion of the Moone For while the Moone upon the Horizon ascends towards the middle of the Heaven the Sea increaseth and floweth But the Moone declining from the middle of the Heaven towards the West the Sea decreaseth and ebbes Againe the Moone going forward to the West-ward towards the corner of the night the Sea increaseth and flowes but the Moone ascending from the corner of the night towards the East it decreaseth and ebbes Which when the Grand Syre of Philosophy Aristotle could not comprehend and conceive cast himselfe into the Sea saying If Aristotle cannot comprehend Euripe Euripe shall comprehend Aristotle Of the Earthquake Qu. VVHerefore is it that the Earth many times trembles which we cōmonly call Earthquakes An. When in the bowels and entrailes of the Earth a great abundance of vapours being included cannot finde
the returne of them every wife should use this kind of welcome by kissing him on the Lippes which before that time was not used and knowne which when the men perceived wondring and amazed at this novelty of embraces became indulgent to them and pacified whereupon since that it never went out of use but grew rather more and more in request Of Dwarfes Q. VVHence is it that Dwarfes are more drowsie and sleepy than others A. Because ordinarily their heads are very great in respect of other parts of their bodies by reason whereof their heads have need of greater nourishing seeing then a great quantity of nourishment ascends up into the head so by the same reason it causeth a great quantity of vapours the which naturall heate not being able to consume or so soone dissipate those vapours keepe the sences so much the longer asleepe Q. Wherefore are they more luxurious than those of a great stature A. Because the substance of the nourishment superfluous in Dwarfes turnes to seed in stead of the others nourishment of their bodies although they eat as little in quantity of Viands or no more than the Dwarfes Of Smelling Q. WHerfore is it that flowers sprinkled or dipped in Water smel not so wel and lose much of their fragrancy and sweetnesse A. Because humidity and moysture being of a contrary temperament impaireth and extinguisheth the perfection of their sent Q. What is the reason that they that have eaten any thing of a strong sent as Garlicke Onions or taken Tobacco do not perceive the malignity of the smell so easily as they doe which use them not A. The reason is this they that use them have their throat pallate and nostrells glutted with the sent these parts being next neighbours to the smelling part therefore themselves smell it little or nothing at all As for example touching or feeling any cold thing with cold hands one cannot so easily judge of the coldnesse as with warme Q. Why cannot those that have stinking breathes perceive the stench of it A. By the selfe same reason aforesaid because they have those parts affected and infected with their owne stinke themselves being disenabled to perceive it Of the biting of a mad dog Q. WHy is it that a man bitten with a madde dog fals not mad so soone as other animals doe A. It is because that man is of a more excellent structure and better temperament than any other sublunary creature also that he being endowed with a reasonable soule is not so soone mad nor so easily besides himselfe as other animals are Of a Jeere Q. WHat is the reason that wee commonly are offended more at a Ieere than at an angry word A. Because we perceive most times that an injurious or angry word proceedes from suddaine passion and choler or for some revenge against truth yea contrary to the Conscience and opinion of him that proffers it but a Jeere proceedes from a contempt and scorne and purposeth to put one in a chafe and outrage without any occasion at all Of Monsters Q. WHat is the cause of the generation of Monsters A. There are many as the superaboundance of Seede or the insufficiency of the Materia the weaknesse of the seminall vertue the defect of the wombe the imagination being absent from the female at the time of conception and the conjunction of two animals of different kindes or species Q. Wherefore doe not Monsters live long after their comming forth A. Because that being imperfect they are so much the more feeble so that feeling themselves out of the wombe and sensible of cold which is an enemy to nature they cannot subsist long especially in cold clymates and by how much the more they are imperfect the shorter time they live Q. VVherefore is it that Affricke produceth more Monsters than other Countryes A. The reason is because it is extreamly hot and waters very scarce and a Countrey very spacious vast and sandy so that all sorts of beasts assemble and flocke to the Fountaines to drinke where they couple together without any respect of Species or kinde and thence it comes to passe that so many Monsters are there bred Moreover Affricke being a Countrey very hot as is said and heare being a friend to nature Monsters live longer there than in any other part of the World of a colder temperature Of Women Qu. VVHy is it that Women are more desirous of pleasure in Summer than in Winter and men on the contrary in Winter than in Summer An. To say truth they are at all times more inclined that way than men because they being cold and imperfect cheere themselves and are comforted by the heate and conjunction with man but they are more desirous farre that way in Summer than in Winter because the heate and drynesse of that season doth very much temper their coldnesse and naturall humidity Men on the contrary which are of a hotter temperament dryer and stronger doe as it were languish and dissolve by this heate which weakens and much debilitates their strength and to that disenableth them Even as the Sun shining upon a fire much weakeneth the heate thereof But the intense coldnesse of the Winter enforcing naturall heate of the man inwardly he becommeth warmer and the Woman being afflicted with a double frigidity becomes as it were frozen for their temperature is much more cooled Then without doubt it is far more convenient and fit that the one Sexe one time the other another should affect than both together at one and the selfe-same season should be desirous For otherwise they would over-heate themselves by the too frequent emission and profusion to the great prejudice of health and much shorten life Q. Whence commeth it that those women that admit diversity of men become lesse fruitfull A. Because that the diversity of temperaments of divers ejections and emissions doe hinder conception even as the diversity of dishes and viands doe hinder the digestion of the stomacke Qu. Whence happeneth it that barren women are usually more desirous that way than those that are fruitfull A. Because they naturally are more excrementitious and commonly they purge not naturally as others doe by the womans healthy sicknesse Qu. Why is it that women married very young are more lustfull than others A. It is because that kind of appetite is awakened and provoked in them before its time and naturall passages being opened that kind of delight much increaseth in them and often-times proves a dangerous and pernicious habite Q. Wherefore is it that women with child have disordinate appetites and a longing to eate unusuall food An. This happeneth about the second or third Moneth of their conceiving when the naturall purgation gathers together about the Matrice for the nourishing of the fruite For if the naturall purgation be wholly corrupted and over charged with some ill humour this evill imparteth it selfe oftentimes as by some contagion to the Orifice beneath and from thence to the stomacke and causeth her
to requite a good with good is evill Bad to requite with bad 's a tricke o' th' Devill Bad to requite for good is most unjust Good to requite for good is good and just But good for ill is best so judge we must Q. Which of the two is more sufferable a Tyrant or hangman A. It is an easie question and yet a question Antisthenes the Philosopher was of opinion in behalfe of the Hangman For saith hee the Hangman kills the nocent but the Tyrant the innocent Of Money Qu. VVHat and whence is money A. Let her speak her selfe for when shee speakes all mouths are stopt nay can perswade more by silence than Cicero could with his Eloquence yet this she sayes of her selfe Terra fui primum latebris abscondita diris Nunc aliud regnum flamma nomenque dederunt Nec jam terra vocor licet en me terra paretur In English thus I first was earth enclosed deepe in ground The fire for me another name hath found Through earth the earth I sway where I abound Of Meteors Qu. VVHat is the reason of the Meteors An. The word Meteor signifies a thing drawne or lifted up on high because these imperfect bodies are engendred of exhalations or of vapors of the earth water and those are called Meteors and seeing that they are engendred not onely on high but also below and within the concavities of the earth those that write of this subject are very different in opinion Qu. Wherefore is it that sometimes we seeme to see the Starres fall An. Those are not Stars but Meteors caused of exhalations which being not great in quantity and drawne up to the lower Region of the Ayre taking fire fall in the likenesse of a Starre Q. What is the cause of the Ignis fatuus that either goes before or follows a man in the night An. It is caused of a great and well compacted exhalation and being kindled it stands in the aire and by the mans motion the Ayre is moved and the fire by the Ayre and so goes before or follows a man and these kind of fires or Meteors are bred neare Execution places or Church-yards or great Kitchins where viscous or slimy matter and vapours abound in great quantity Of Hayle Q. VVHat is to be thought the cause of Hayle Ans When by vertue of the Sunne and Starres a vapour is elevated it ascends to the middle Region of the Ayre but enters no farther which the environing cold by reason of its thinnesse penetrateth and driving out the warmth beginnes to turne the parts of the vapour into water and to thicken it but the cold because it is great congeleth those parts already turned into drops and fluide into a hardnesse and generates a greater or lesser Hayle according to the diversity of the cold and the vapour Sometimes also a vapour in the middle Region of the Ayre is converted into drops which in falling are congeled in the lowest Region of the Ayre by Antiperistasis and those drops by meeting together in their falling are congeled into a three-squar'd or angular haile and not sphericall or round Q. Wherefore is it that this watry impression is more frequent in the Spring than in any other time of the yeere A. Because the Spring is hot and moist by its temperature and by consequence most apt for the generating and elevating of vapors For Summer being hot and dry dryeth up and exhausteth the vapors Winter is cold and dry Autumne likewise cold but moist and these two last Quarters of the yeere many times permit not the vapors to bee dissolved For the materia of the hayle is very hot and therefore thinne and rare and is the sooner penetrable and convertible by the encompassing cold By the same reason it is that warme water in Winter will sooner be frozen than cold Of the small Hayle and Snow Q. VVHerefore is it that in March the Haile is usually smaller than at other times A. Their generation is the same but in quantity of heate different for being elevated up into the middle middle region of the Aire but in a lower place than the greater Hayle and by the cold being converted into droppes which are congealed extrinsecally before their fall into the forme of Haile but intrinsecally or inwardly by reason of the defect of cold they are softer and of the nature and quality of snow Q. Whence then proceedes the snow A. Out of a hot and moyst vapour drawne up to the lower part of the middle Region of the aire into which vapour the encompassing cold entereth by the reason of the vapors thinnenesse melts it into water and congeleth it in time into the similitude of tosed Wooll yet many times the snow while it falls through the lowest part of the aire is dissolved into raine by reason of warmth being then there and thence it happeneth that at one and the selfe same time snow falls on the hills and raine in the valleyes Of Raine Qu. WHence is the raine produced and generated A. When by the vertue of the Sunne and other Astres or Starres a hot moyst fumous and grosse vapour is drawne up to the upper part of the lower or to the lower part of the middle Region of the ayre and is dissolved into a cloud and the cloud into water and by its weightinesse tending to its center fals as being of a watry substance and falls in drops upon the earth and falling in greater drops it is commonly called a shower but falling in a lesse ponderous manner and with longer continuation we cal it raine Q. Whence is it that sometimes the raine seemeth to be red A. By the reason of anadust and dry earthlinesse which is mingled with the vapours that are elevated in a time of warmth Of Dew Qu. VVHence then hath the dew its causes A. The Dew is generated by a vapour weakly hot grosse and moyst which is elevated not much from the lowest part of the ayre and condensated or thickned by the nightly cold and dissolved into a water even as in an Alembicke the vapour a seending is converted into a water But the Dew most commonly falleth in the evening for at that time the lowest region of the aire is of a colder temperature Q. Wherefore is it that sheepefeeding on a Dew fallen on the grasse dye of the rot A. When a vapour participates much of the ayry moysture which is slimy and sweete and is dissolved into a Dew and falling upon the grasse and hearbs by the operation of the Sunne the watry part is exhaled leaving a kinde of mealy substance like a Sugar upon the leaves of trees and herbage and that is our now Manna And by the selfe same causes Laudanum is also generated in the Aire The sheepe then being much taken with the sweetnesse eate beyond their measure and surfet whereupon the gall being over-filled with choler this kinde of dew breeding it in them so abundantly breakes and that bile or
very waters and thence come our naturall Baths Of Comets or blazing Starres Q. VVHerefore is it that many times there appeare blazing-starres An. The Comets or blazing-starres are of a hot and dry matter but thicke and as it were fat oyly viscous and gluy which is the cause they keepe fire the longer and according as it thickens more or lesse it is also the more or lesse cleare Qu. Whether are they naturall Starres orno An. No although many ancient Philosophers as Seneca and others and the ignorant vulgar to this day esteeme to be naturall For being of a matter as aforesaid elevated on high takes the resemblance of a celestiall body and that ignorance is grosse because the Stars are in the Heavens and these in the ayre a great distance below the Moone and is discovered by Astronomicall instruments Moreover the Starres follow one certaine and infallible course and motion neither increase or diminish nor change or alter as the Comets doe Q Wherefore are they called Comets A. Because the word Comet signifies both in Greeke and Latin Cometa quasi stella Comata that is to say hayry or shaggy because they have ordinarily divers branches which by reason of their height and distance seeme to us to be no bigger than a thred or haire Q. What do the Comets portend A. There are in the Comets two remarkable things their long continuance and the evills that they presage As for the durance or continuation it cannot bee determined how long or short because that dependeth upon the matter already gathered together and raised up as aforesaid Plynies opinion is that they continue at the most 80 dayes and at the least 7. Seneca remarks that in Nero's time there appeared a Comet for the space of 6 moneths and Iosephus writeth that the Comet which threatned Hierusalems totall destruction and extreame desolation flamed over that miserable City a whole yeares space before Titus came before it and beleagurd it Q. Wherefore are they held prodigious A. That the Comets are prodigious signes and presages of some great Monarch King or some great or eminent person of Pestilence Famine all Authors of note have ever observed it yea even the Vulgar it selfe holds this for such a certainty that in Nero's time a Comet beginning to appeare the Commonalty as Tacitus mentioneth suddenly began to stirre and to talke of no other affaires than who should succeede in the Imperiall Crowne Wee read also in the History of France that a little before the famous conflict of Carolus Murtellus against the Sarracens where there were of the Sarracens more than 365000 slaine two Comets appeared one which followed the Sunne rising and another the Sunne setting in the evening and because Histories are full of these relations it is contrary to my intent to bee Historicall but to continue in the causes of things Naturall Century 3. Qu. BVt wherfore is it that they presage all these evills A. Certainely this is a great secret and to affirme securely as I thinke wee must referre those signes to the threatnings of divine vengeance which gives us that notice before it afflicteth and punisheth us Neverthelesse as far as naturall reason dictateth wee may say that the Comets cannot generate nor be generated or be nourished and preserved any long time without a very great quantity of exhalations by the attraction wherof the earth is extreamely dryed by the extream heat and inferiour bodies also are participant of that aridity so that a scarcity of fruits followeth through the want of necessary moisture thence famine frō famine dearth an ill nourishment from that the intemperance of the aire concurring also a general sicknes or Pest and many other maladies and a mortality Q. But again wherefore is that by long experiēce of precedent ages it is observed that Comets are particularly messengers of the death of some Monarch or great personage A. The reason of this is either the courages of great persons are also more susceptible or capable of all impressions and by living more delicately are more subject to sharp maladies or else that the death of inferior persons is not so remarkable as that of Princes and therefore they seeme to threaten them more particularly than others Of Minerals Qu. WHat is to bee held concerning those which are called Minerals A. This that there are 3 principall sorts of Minerals Metals Stones and a third pecies which comprehends many kinds of Minerals different one from another which Species as yet hath no name proper Q. What doth nature determine touching the generation of Metals A. The common matter of Metals are exhalations and vapours inclosed within the entrailes of the earth which comming together doe conglutinate and adhere one to another by cold which fastneth stones and other hard and solid bodies one to another for vapors enclosed and condensed by cold first resolve into water and the exhalations by the means of the heate of the Sun which penetrates even into the bowels of the earth a kind of burnt earth mingling with them and by such concretions and mixtures is the generation of Metalls which by this meanes are nothing else but water condensed by cold with some terrene matter Q. Wherefore is it then that they are so hard An. That the water giveth them the better part of their generation it is easily judged because being heated they are fluide like water and by cold they are againe condensed into hardnesse And if they were of earth onely they would by fire become harder as earth doth Qu. Wherefore is it then that the Chynicks hold that Metalls in generall are generated of Sulphur and Mercury A. 't is true they hold so and say they because they are ever found in Mynes joyning to the Metalls and moreover that metalls are resolved into them But these reasons are as fallible as their Authors For moreover than that Sulphur and Quicksilver which they tearme their Mercury are not alwayes found joyning with the Metalls by the same reason Stones and other minerals should bee the matter of Metalls Qu. Wherefore is it that Metalls being melted and running doe not moysten or wet according to their watry quality An. Because they participate with drought which hinders humectation or moystning and by the same cause they running over moysture drinke up none because the due mixture of droughth resisteth it There are many curious considerations upon this subject concerning the third species of Mineralls which are Sulphur Alume Vitriol Arsenicke Orpment Salts of all sorts as Salt Saltpetre Salgemme Sal Armoniack Sal-nitre and Bitumen also Christall and glasse in many famous Authors as Pliny l. 33. 34. Albert. Mag. demineralib and Cardanus lib. 5. subtil to whom I referre the curious Reader Of Vegetables not sensitive Qu. VVHerefore are Hearbes Trees and the like tearmed Vegetables insensitive An. Because they are different from the sensitive as Man and other Animals which are sensitive Vegetables which is to say they have
Q. Wherefore is it that one Cocko is sufficient for many Hens A. Because the Hens naturally covet not coupling so greatly as the Cocke as it may appear by her shunning him shee being of a colder and he of a hotter temperament Q. Wherefore is it that in some one egge there are two yelks A. Because it may happen that two Cocks may tread one and the selfe same Hen one immediately after the other and by the aggregation of two severall spermes two yelkes are conceived and if there by a partition between the yelkes it is likely there will be at winne-chicke if not a defective or a something monstrous bird Q. Wherefore is it that foule and brids make no water or excretion by Vrine A. Because they drinke little and what is superfluous is converted to the nutriment of Plumage of feathers and moreover what Animal soever that never sucketh maketh no excretion by urine Of Aquaticks of watry Animals Qu. WHat doth Philosophy hold concerning the generation of Fishes A. This that those which are of the same kinde couple not in the way of generation with any other of another different kinde as the Perch not with the Roath nor the Roach with the Perch c. But when they engender it is by glyding their bellies one against the other with such a celerity that humane eye cannot perceive it yet they all abserve the sex and kinde excepting the Lamprey which at the hissing of the Viper comes of shore and engenders with it As Saint Ambrose saith Lib. 5 in Hexam cap. 7. Q. Wherefore is it that the Female fish devoureth a great part of her spawne A. Because Nature wisely so decreed it least the the waters should bee overcharged and pestered with the infinite swarmes of increase and it is also observed that fishes of great bodies bring forth but a few young Q. Wherefore is it that some doe increase that have no distinction of Sex A. It is true that the Eele hath no distinction of sexe yet multiplyeth exceedingly not by coupling but out of a matter terrene very grosse and fat and lye as it were in beddes in which such a matter aboundeth prepared and aptned for their generation but the Sea-Eele or Conger is said to breede of some small strings growing at the feet of Rockes which by often and frequent attrition against the Rocks caused by the motion of the water at length conceiveth life some shel fish like wise as Oysters Mustles Cockles and the like are conceived out of mud and putrefaction and quickned by the Moone whom they follow in increase decrease Mar. Phil. Q. Wherefore is it commonly held that fishes doe breath seeing there is no Aire in the Waters A. That opinion may bee common but very erroneous for although by opening and shutting their Gills they seeme so to doe yet they onely receive in the water at the mouth and put it out againe at their Gills as we draw the aire in at the mouth and breath it up againe for the water to them is as aire to us and it appeares that if they breathed they would live longer out of the water than they doe Neither have they any lungs Q. Wherefore is it that they have blood A. They seeme to have blood which indeed is but a humour proportionated to blood which by its being cold affirmes it to be no blood for all blood is warm which concludeth them to bee no wayes participant of the highest element Q. Wherfore is it that seeing the water is their chiefe and principall food they have teeth A. Because there is a difference as there are in birds and heasts some of prey and some not and those that have no teeth are fed most by water but such as partake of grossenesse such as passe by houses of Office and the like also worms and grasse Those that have teeth are of prey as the Pike Perch Eele c. and alwaies the lesser fish is food for the greater so that in spawning time the Eele followeth them and devoures what he can Q. Wherefore is it that they live so confusedly and hant altogether A. That is not so for as St. Ambrose Vbi supra one kinde of fish breedeth in one part which is not found in another and what kinde is found in one place is wanting in another but for the nourishing and breeding up of their young they choose the convenient'st hants and places Of creeping animals or Reptibles Qu. WHerefore is it that some creepers doe breed without conjunction An. Those which doe so are generally bred at first out of corruption but afterwards multiply by generation excepting the Salamander which hath no distinction of sexe likewise the Lizard Crocodile Tortuce or Turtle and the Cameleon doe lay Egges without any conjunction although they are foure-footed as the Inquisitors of nature doe affirme Of the procreation of Man Qu. VVHerefore is it that Celestiall influences are necessarily concurring to the generation of Man An. Because as the Philosopher saith Home Sol generat hominem Man and the Sunne beget man who if he in a time manner place and naturall order doth couple with his mate and the Celestiall influences aptening and disposing them to that purpose begetteth his like because if the seed of either be not by the supernal influences prepared to that effect for Astra regunt homines sed regit astra Deus the conjunction is void as to sow Corne in a season improper and in a land already imprepared or by nature inept the hope of fruite can be none Qu. Wherefore is it that the seed of the male is onely necessary An. Not so for that of the Female must also concurre and by the mixture of both in the Matrix conception ensueth For the seed is a prime part of the last and purest aliment or nourishing separated after the third digestion and preserved in the seminary vessells which are the testicles for the preservation of the species or kind Qu. Wherefore is it that those that embrace Venus inordinately are abbreviated of life An. Because Nullum violentum perpetuum Nothing violent is of long continuance And because the seed is derived from the principall parts as the brayne chiefly the heart the liver and generally from all the parts of the body it must needs being forcibly and frequently provoked leave those parts destitute and in the end debilitate the whole body and deprive that of life which by temperance the Moderatrix of humane actions might have longer subsisted which too many in these dayes into more then a temporall ruine doe fall As it is likewise observed in those Animals as Sparrowes and the like that are eager in that kinde are not long-lived Q. What are after conception which is by union of seedes first formed A. The first that nature undertaketh in the shaping or forming of the fruit in the wombe of the mother are three of the principall members as first the brain second the heart third the
and it unlesse the Midde-wife bee more knowing and diligent Q. Wherefore is it that the infant cryeth as soone as it is borne A. Because it feeleth an unwonted cold and is payned with the handling of hands be they never so delicate and soft even as a Wound in a mans flesh is payned with a least touch whereupon the infant being dipped in warm water is quieted Or else perhaps because it Prophetically lameneth the future miseries of a troublesome life to ensue whereupon it is observed that the Male cryeth A and the Female E as if they did inculpate or blame our first Protoplastes or Sires Adam and Eve for that they lost to themselves and us the first originall justice and brought us into these miseries Q. Was there ever any born laughing A. Onely one as St. Austin de civitat Lib. 21. cap. 14. testifieth Zeroastes by name who was borne laughing neither did this his unnaturall mirth portend any such felicity to him for hee was the inventor of Magick which Art of his could not establish his vaine felicity of this present life nor secure him against his enemies for hee being King of the Bactrians was utterly vanquished by Ninus King of the Assyrians Mans life is divided into 1. An Infant from the birth till seaven yeares of age 2. A boy till 14 then beginning to be apt to procreate 3. A stripling till twenty eight 4. A young man in full strength and prime till fifty 5. A grave man now declining to age till seaventy two 6. And the time after how long soever he liveth is decrepit old age To know these things concerning the being of Man is necessarily usefull but not to know them were shameful ignorance I referre the more curious for further satisfaction concerning this argument to that learned Fernelius his Treatise De Hominis procreat Of growing and growth Qu. WHat is held concerning growing An. This that it is the enlarging of all the parts of the body untill it attaine to the limited and proportioned quantity which parts are either Homogenes or like or Heterogenes unlike which the Physitians call Similares and Dissimilares like and unlike Qu. What are the Homogenes or Similar An. They are such as being divided or cut in peeces every peece of them hath the same name and nature as the whole part hath As for Example the peece of a bone is bone a peece of flesh is flesh and so likewise of braines nerves arteries rendons blood skinne fat cartilages and marrow Qu. What are called Heterogenes or Dissimilar A. Those parts which being divided the peeces have not the same name and nature as a peece of the head the arme the leg is not a head an arme a leg c. This being presupposed it is to be observed that the Homogenes or Similar parts are the cause of the growth of the Heterogenes or Dissimilar for wee say that a mans arme is smaller at ten than at twenty yeares of age because the flesh the bone the sinewes and veines of his arme are growne and enlarged Q. How is it that the Homogenes doe grow A. The increasing or growing of the Similar parts or the Heterogenes is made by the nourishment in animated bodies as well sensible as not For the one and the other have a certaine humor which the Physitians cal the Humidum radicale the Radicall moysture because it is as it were the roote of life which preserveth in them naturall heate even as oyle in a Lampe nourisheth the the fire and as that diminisheth and wasteth so doth the naturall moysture grow weaker and when it is spent naturall heate is also extinguished and death most consequently follows Q. Wherefore is it generally that children and young folkes have good stomacks A. Because as long as they are young by the reason of the vigour of the naturall heate which broyles as it were in them their appetite is great and covets and receiveth more food and nutriment than is necessary for the conservation of the Humidum radicale and the over-plus serves for the growth of all Homogenes or similar parts Qu. Wherefore then serves that nourishment which was for growth after that growing is past An. After that the body is growne to its full and certaine period of quantity as every thing that growes in the world hath a limited and determinate quantity otherwise they would grow infinite the nourishment then serves onely for the conservation of the Radicall moysture and if more nutriment bee received than naturall heate is able to digest in liew of benefitting the body it greatly annoyeth it Qu. Why is digestion so necessary An. Because digestion or concoction according to the Physitians is a mutation of substance into a better estate of nature for the concoction doth not onely change the qualities but also the very substance it selfe of food for the preservation of the creature Of the Eyes Qu. VVHerefore doe our Eyes seeme to sparkle in the darke and when we are in choler and why some animals doe see perfectly in the darke An. Not because they are fiery or contayne any part of fire in them but because this clearenesse and bright sparkling proceedeth from hot spirits which are not seated onely in the eyes but diffused over all the parts of the body and are more apparent in the eyes than in any other part by reason of their chrystalline humour which is cleare and polite and fit for the property of glistening And because this humour is quicker in some Animals and more enabled by those hot spirits their eyes appeare glaring and fiery as it were nature having given them such eyes the better to seeke their prey and necessary food Qu. Wherefore is it that we see not the object that toucheth our sight An. Because the object being applyed quite contrary to the sense the sense is hindered And even so a visible object being applyed close to the eyes hindereth their sight by subtracting from them the medium or meanes of seeing which is the illuminated ayre Qu. Wherefore is it that clouds and mists seeme thicke and impenetrable to the sight An. Because in rare and thinne bodies a farre off the parts seeme contiguous close and united and consequently thicke which is by reason of the great distance And by the same reason we perceive not the admirable swiftnes of the Sun and Planets because of the great distance frō our view Q. Wherefore is it that a Woman having her naturall purgations doth blemish a Looking-glasse with looking or seeing her selfe in it An. It is not so that by her onely eyes shee staineth the glasse for the eyes doe not dart out their rayes to the object as divers contentiously have sought to affirme but by the corrupted vapours which proceed from her whole body Qu. Wherefore is it then that the Basiliske or Cockatrice killeth with his onely eyes An. That likewise is generally held to be false but by the infecting of the ambient Ayre neare him with the
contagion of his breath as Toads and other venimous creatures doe envenome those Hearbs under which they shelter themselves Q. Wherefore is it that lovers are said to enchant one another onely by the eye An. Not by the emission of the rayes as I sayd but because in the eyes which are the Indices animi The discoverers of the minde there is a certaine amorous passion which increaseth by frequent expression and discovereth it selfe by them more than by any other part especially if the complexions of those Lovers be both agreeable and amorously bent Of the exteriour Senses in generall Qu. VVHerefore is it that the five Senses viz. seeing hearing smelling tasting and touching are called exteriour An. Because they are necessary for the body and are common to Man and other Animals and in discourse to make a difference betweene them and the interiour which are faculties of the soule which are Vnderstanding Imagination and Memory Qu. Wherefore is it that Nature gave them neither more nor fewer but onely five An. Because all the objects of the world as well common as particular that are perceptible by the exteriour Senses of Animals doe fall under some one of them and therefore the Philosopher concludes that there can be no more than five Qu. Wherein consisteth the chiefe benefit of the sight An. In this that the sight is not onely usefull for the providing of necessaries but also for the avoyding of things hurtfull thereby to secure themselves from them and to man in particular that by the viewing of celestiall things he might employ himselfe in the contemplation thereof Qu. Where in consisteth that of hearing An. The hearing also serveth not onely for the following of things good and profitable for them or for the shunning of things hurtful according to the voice or noise which they beare but also to man for instruction or discipline who is capable of Sciences and holy mysteries Qu. Wherein availeth the use of Smelling An. For the recreating and purifying of the spirits of the braine by which they are cheered and better disposed by good wholesome and sweet savours Qu. Wherein that of Tasting An. It was given us for the discerning of the aliment which we make choice of for the sustentation of the body for growth in youth and afterwards for the repairing or restoring of that which is every day losing decaying Q. Wherein the Touching A. That is very necessary for the distinguishing in the darke the exteriour qualities of a body that wee meete with and by those the difference of the body it selfe Concerning these and further reasons I referre the curious to Scaliger contra Cardan exerc 297. Qu. Which of these are held most necessary A. Two which are Tasting and Touching The reason is because my Animal can be without food and aliment for the maintenance of life which cannot be chosen but by the Taste neither can it subsist without Touching without the other three it may Qu. Wherefore is it that Man of creatures the most perfect is inferiour to some creatures in the exteriour senses A. Although the Latine Verse concludeth him so to be which saith Nos aper auditu Lynx visu Simiagustu Vultur odoratu praecebâ—it Aranea tactu The Boare heares better Lynx sees Vultar smells The Apes taste and Spiders touch farre Mans 〈◊〉 in Taste and Touch hee is farre more curious and excellent as Dupâ—â—◠〈…〉 stantly maintaining Mans prerogative affirmeth Of the interiour Senses Qu. WHerefore are they tearmed interior An. To extinguish them from the exteriours Foreven as the exteriours doe perceive their objects outwardly so doe these theirs interiourly within the head and these are tearmed first Sensus communis which is the Intellect Secondly Phantasie or Imagination And thirdly Memory Qu. What is that which is tearmed the common sense A. It is the chiefe and master-sense and Prince of the exteriours and hath its seat in the highest and noblest part of the body which is the Braine where all the exteriours take their roote by nerves and they as scouts or spyes sent out to all parts come and give it an account of their severall objects to the end that it may judge and distinguish the one from the other So that it is that which gives us notice and knowledge of what the exteriours declare unto it Q. What is fantasie or imagination An. Fantasie according to Aristotle Cap. 3. Lib. 7. de Anima is an apparition or imagination under which are also meditation and thought comprised by which are represented Idaea's of things which may fall under the exteriour senses but also an infinity of other things which neither are nor can be and this either sleeping or waking as Gyants Devils Hydra's castles in the Ayre Chymaera's and any thing that can be imagined or thought upon joyntly or severally Qu. What is Memory A. It is the Store-house or Treasury of all conceits imaginations and thoughts For as the Fantasie imprints them in it it retaines and keeps them And that is the reason why we so easily forget those things which wee sleightly thought upon or tooke little notice of Qu. Wherefore is it that when wee would conceive any thing we put our hands to the forehead and when we would call a thing to memory wee scratch behinde the head A. By the reason of the diversity of the seates for the Intellect is seated in the fore part the Memory in the hinder part and the Fantasie in the interstice betweene them and therefore by those actions we doe as it were summon each by a peculiar motion to the use of its function Of sleeping Qu. VVHerefore is it that Women are more sleepy than men An. Because naturally they are more moyst and cold than men and humidity is the cause of sleepe and the cold is the congealer of the vapors into water which vapours stopping the conduits of the senses doe cause sleep Qu. Wherefore is it that fat and grosse people are ordinarily more sleepy than the leane and slender An. Because that more than that they are replete with a great quantity of humours which cause sleepe they are moreover very heavy and unweldy and desire their ease and rest which is the companion of sleepe The slender and leane contrary are more active and laborious and action and motion doe breake and interrupt sleepe Qu. Wherefore is it then that labouring men and the lazy and idle are very sleepy An. Because the idle by their lazinesse doe contract within them a great quantity of humours and the others by interrupting their sleepe by industrious labours and travaile doe enforce it Qu. Wherefore are those that are naturally merry and cheerefull more desirous of sleepe than the melancholy and those that are in sorrow and affliction An. Because that the latter are in trouble of the minde disquiet and agitation of spirit which are opposite adversaries to naturall rest and the other enjoy that by tranquillity and repose both
cabbages nought for the eyes An. By reason of the melancholy blood and sharpe rhume they ingender in the stomacke which flyes into the braine and distills inthe eyes Qu. Wherefore is it held dangerous to fast long An. By reason that by too much fasting a company of ill humors are ingendred and so will beget diseases and cause vomit Qu. What is the cause that wee have better stomacks to our meate when the winde is in the North than at other times An. By reason of his coldnesse which knits together and holds within us the natural heat of our bodies which causeth a quick digestion Qu. What is the reason that Vinegar is very wholesome to those that are cholerick and is of contrary operation to those that are melancholy An. Because it asswageth choler by his coldnesse and by his heate dryes up melancholy Qu. What is the reason that some men have hard haire and some againe have soft An. The greatnesse and smalnesse of the pores of the body is the cause of it for soft haire commeth by reason of the smalnesse of them and hard haire for the contrary And therefore women have commonly softer haire than men because their naturall cold doth restraine and close the pores Qu. Why is a dead body heavier than that which hath life within An. A body alive is full of ayre and fire which doe hold it upright for their nature is alwayes to mount upwards and a dead body is nothing but a lumpe of earth whose nature is heavy and melancholy and alwayes tending downwards Qu. VVhat is the cause that some dye for very joy and some againe with griefe and sadnesse An. Because great joy doth coole and refrigerate too much at that time the inward and vitall parts of man and too much sorrow and pensivenesse doth as it were suffocate and choake them Qu. Why hath Nature made the lungs of all creatures spungeous or full of holes like unto a spunge An. To the end it might receive the ayre the better to coole and qualifie the heart and to drive away from it all such vapours as are hurtfull unto it Qu. VVhy is our heart placed in the middest of the body A. To quicken equally all the members thereof even as the Sunne giveth heat equally to all vegetable things being in the middest of the Heaven Qu. VVhat is the cause that men doe neese and the benefit of it A. Some say by extreame cold taken from the feete which presently ascends into the braine and the braine being so pure that it will not suffer the pia mater to suffer wrong makes men to neese and because that the expulsive vertue or power and the sight should there by be purged and the braine also from super fluities which oppresse it so much which if they did not purge either by the counsell or advice of a Physitian or else by neesing will prove very dangerous And those which neese oft are held to have a strong and an able braine and those that cannot neese which are sicke or diseased dye suddenly because it is a manifest token that their braine or pia mater is stuffed with humor and nature hath lost her naturall office or function Qu. VVhy have men more teeth than women An. By reason of aboundance of heate and blood in the male kind which is not so hot in the female kind Qu. VVhat is the reason that wine mingled with water provoketh urine An. Because water being mingled with wine hurts the stomack weakens the retaining vertue or strength of the wine whereas wine alone doth cherish and comfort the heart Qu. Why doe ancient men and women neese with great difficulty An. Because of the decay of nature and the narrownesse of the pores of their body which wants that vigour which youth enjoyes Qu. Why is man of all other creatures whatsoever more subject to diseases infirmities than any other creature An. By reason of his intemperance and likewise being composed of the foure Elements and having blood choler phlegme and melancholy and one of these more predominant than the other causeth sicknesse and therefore Schola Salerni saith Esse cupis sanus sit tibi parcamanus That is If thou wilt live in health have a niggardly hand that is Use temperance of Dyet Qu. Why doe Physitians hold it a dangerous matter to let a fat man blood An. Because those that are grosse and fat have smaller veines and the veines are more hidden and appeare not so much Moreover they have but little blood and as small an appetite and are no way able to digest that meate which the retentive part requires Qu. VVhat is the reason that the beast called a Camelion changeth so often his colours An. By reason of his great feare and timorousnesse and by reason hee maketh much of his blood but hee will change the oftner and with greater delight to the beholder if you lay a cloath of that colour under him which you desire to see him change to Qu. VVherefore is it that an Orenge being roasted and put hot into a glasse of wine gathers about it a kinde of pearly froth An. Because the heate of the fire piercing the pores of the rinde of the Orenge by which heate those pores are opened as the nature of heate is proper to that effect and the property of cold to shut up or close them which being roasted and put hot into wine a liquor naturally cold but operatively hot the ambient cold suddenly stopping the pores of the rinde and the incident heat striving by the way of Antipathy to make a way out is restrayned by the over domineering cold and moysture which are the opposites of fire and so appeares in small bubbles like pearles Qu. VVherefore is it that it never snoweth in Summer An. Because although the cloud bee frozen yet the Snow cannot come Snow to us but resolved into water and by reason that passing the inferiour region of the Ayre which is hot it is melted although it falls and lyes upon high Mountaines because in high places it is alwayes cold Qu. Why doe men use to lay lime or chalke at the roote of Cherry-trees and other fruit-trees An. Because the Lime is hot and dry and in the winter season doth as it were nourish and heate the roote as the Sun doth in Summer and by thus doing you may have ripe fruite before the time Qu. Why is a storme said to follow presently when a company of Hogges runne crying home An. Some say that a Hog is most dull and of a melancholy nature and so by reason doth fore-see the raine that commeth And in time of raine indeed I have observed that most cattell doe pricke up their eares As for example an Asse will when hee perceiveth a storme of raine or haile doth follow Qu. Why did nature give all living creatures Eares An. For two maine reasons for so saith Galen because that with those eares they should heare any thing comming to
is it that soonest waxethold A. A benefit for nothing is sooner forgotten than a good turne and nothing longer remembred than an injury Qu. Vpon what men are almes deeds worst bestowed An. Vpon blind men for they would bee glad to see him hanged that relieves them I would not that any man should interprete them in earnest which is onely written in a merriment and that for this they should withdraw their charity from such poore men Qu. VVhy doe most men delight more in flesh than in fish and why it is wholesomer unto the body A. Because it strengthneth more and is of sounder nourishment or else because it agrees better with the substance of our bodies Qu. VVhereby doth a womans love resemble the shadow of our bodies An. Even as our shadow if we run towards doth fleete away from us and if we run from it doth follow us so the love of a woman if wee fondly pursue it wil disdaine us but if we set light by it or seeme to run from it will most earnestly desire us Qu. VVhat is the greatest friend to men at liberty and most enemy to such as are condemned A. Hope which encourageth men at liberty to attempt great matters and maketh such as are condemned unprepared for death Qu. VVhy is favour bought with money most uncertaine An. Because by discontinuance of giving it breeds inward grudging and by the ceasing of liberality it bursts out into open hatred Qu. What is the hardest thing to be learned An. To learne to know himselfe Qu. What doth cast from it a greater heate than fire An. Beauty which setteth not onely on fire those that touch it but also those that a farre off doe behold it Qu. Why doe Pullets their throats being cut survive after it longer than men An. Chickens and Pullets have smaller sinews and veines and therefore life cannot so soone leave them Qu. Why did the Lace demonians sacrifice a 〈◊〉 when they had obtained victory against their enemies by maine force and an Oxe when they had overthrowne them by subtilty surprise or intelligence An. Because they preferred Prudence and Wit before force or bodily strength and therefore a certaine Captaine of Grecia was wont to say If a Lyons skin cannot prevaile adde unto it the skinne of a Foxe meaning thereby if force cannot use policy Qu. VVhat is the reason that the bottome of a Kettell being full of boyling water and hanging over the fire is cold notwithstanding An. By reason of the hot vapours which continually doe mount upwards wherewith the higher parts being warmed the bottome remaines coole for the continuance of the water that is upon it Qu. VVhat is the immoderate use of too much liberty An. An occasion oftentimes of bondage slavery Qu. How or what are the gifts of Fortune An. Such as are the mindes of those that possesse them a helpe and comfort to them that can use them and a ruine and overthrow to them that know not how to use them Qu. VVhy were it better to be among Ravens than to live among flatterers An. Because Ravens prey not upon men but when they are dead but flatterers devoure them even when they are alive Qu. Why did Solon establish no Law against Parisides An. Because hee thought that such an enormity could not be committed by a child and therefore because hee should not seeme rather to remember men of such a wickednesse than to forbid it would in no wise appoint any punishment for it Q. How should Parents take the death of their children An. As Anaxagoras and a Lady of Lacena did for newes being brought to the one of his sonnes departure out of this life answered the messengers That hee knew long since that he had begotten a mortall man And this Lady whose constancy deserveth no lesse praise cōmendation having heard that her sonne was slaine in the battaile said to those that first brought her the tidings hereof To that end have I brought him to the world that there should not bee wanting one that should doubt and refuse to spend his life and blood in the defence of his Countrey Qu. VVho may bee said to suffer water continually to bee drawne out of his spring and yet for it hath nothing the lesse himselfe An. He that giveth good counsell to them that demand it or he that bestoweth a benefit upon another without any hinderance to himselfe Qu. By what meanes shall one become rich quickly An. In being poore of desire and therefore Seneca said If you have respect wherewith nature is sufficed you shall never be poore but if you looke unto that which opinion craveth you shall never be rich Qu. What men are said to live onely and longest An. Those that live onely and longest in ease quiet And therefore Adrian a most puissant Emperour who by great travaile and intercession obtained license in the end of his dayes to dwell in a little village of his where hee lived seven yeeres in great rest and quiet dying left an apparant token and testimony that the life led in honor and dignity was not the true life for he caused words to be graven on his tombe Here lieth the wight whose age is of many yeares but hee lived but onely seven Qu. What is marriage An. A Paradise on earth if her lawes be observed but a hell in the house if her statutes be broken Qu. What is it that of men is least esteemed and of God most honoured An. Chastity which is precious before God and a laughing stocke before men Qu. VVhat foure things have continuall residence in a noble minde An. Courage to repel the incroaching enemy a heart to consider a loyall friend a hand to reward the gifts of the simple and clemency to accept and pardon a well meaning mind Qu. Who is alone a worthy and a valiant man An. Hee who doth never bow his shoulders at the burden of misfortunes nor hee who never panted at his chance Qu. Wherein did Artemisia declare her great chastity towards her Husband deceased An. In her entire love towards him for when her Husband Mansolus King of Caria was dead shee caused his heart to be dryed in a vessell of Gold into pouder and by a little and little dranke it all up saying Their two hearts should never depart asunder and that she thought there might be no worthier sepulcher made for it but her owne body Notwithstanding she made for his body such a sepulchre that for the excellent workmanship beauty and costlinesse therof it was taken for one of the marvells of the world and for the notable fame of it all sumptuous and great sepulchres were afterwards called Mansalca Qu. How might a man become master over himselfe An. In amending that in himselfe which he rebuketh in another body Qu. What is the cause that in our age there are not so many excellent men as there were in times past An. By reason of Nature which dayly decreaseth or because Vertue is not so much esteemed of now adayes as it was in times past or else it is the custome of all ages to complaine Qu. Why doe men seeke to avoyde poverty An. Because it causeth them oftentimes to decline from the right way of vertue Qu. What maketh men in earth famous in their graves glorious and in the Heavens immortall An. Vertue FINIS * Modus Plut. ◠Lib 2. Lib. 5. Eleg. Explicand hic terminus Plin. cap 22. l. 2. Hist nat Plato in Theat Senec. li. 2. natur quest c. 6. Cap. 15. Li. 2. nat Hist * L. 7. cap. 12. 22. nat q. * L. 7. De bello Jud. Lib. 4. Annal. Vid. Fernel de procreat hom ubi latius Fernel e. 12. l. 3. Method med Arist c. 1. l. 3. de anim Duplaix Idem Idem Idem Lib. 1. de caus plant * Arist l. 7. c. 6 Hist anim