Parts of the Human Mind; which Parts, not regarding present Objects,
move either in devout Notions, or vain Fancies, Remembrances,
Inventions, Contrivancies, Designs, or the like. But the question
is, Whether the Sensitive Parts of a Human Society, do, at any time,
Contemplate? I answer, That some of the Sensitive Parts are so
sociable, that they are, for the most part, agreeable to the Rational:
for, in deep Contemplations, some of the Sensitive Parts do not take
notice of Forrein Objects, but of the Rational Actions. Also, if the
Contemplations be in devout Notions, the Sensitive Parts express
Devotion by their Actions, as I have formerly mentioned. Also, when the
Rational Parts move in Actions of Desire, straight the Sensitive move
in Sympathetical Appetites: Wherefore, if the Society be Regular, the
Sensitive and Rational Parts are agreeable and sociable.
CHAP. XXVIII. Of Injecting of the Blood of one Animal, into the Veins
of another Animal.
To put Blood of one Animal, into another Animal; as for example, Some
Ounces of Blood taken, by some Art, out of a Dogg's Veins, and, by some
Art, put into a Man's Veins, may very easily be done by _Injection_;
and certainly, may as readily convert it self to the Nature of Human
Blood, as Roots, Herbs, Fruit, and the like Food; and probably,
will more aptly be transformed into Human Flesh, than Hogg's Blood,
mixt with many Ingredients, and then put into Gutts, and boyled,
(an ordinary Food amongst Country People;) but Blood being a loose
Humourish Part, may encrease or diminish, as the other Humors, viz.
_Flegm, Choler_, and _Melancholy_, are apt to do. But this is to be
observed, That by reason Blood is the most flowing Humor, and of much
more, or greater quantity than all the rest of the Humours, it is apt
(if Regular) to cause, not only more frequent, but a more general
Disturbance.
The Eleventh Part.
CHAP. I. Of the different Knowledges, in different Kinds and Sorts of
Creatures.
If there be not Infinite Kinds, yet, it is probable, there are Infinite
several Sorts; at least, Infinite particular Creatures, in every
particular Kind and Sort; and the Corporeal Motions moving after a
different manner, is the cause there are different Knowledges, in
different Creatures; yet, none can be said to be _least knowing_, or
_most knowing_: for, there is (in my opinion) no such thing as _least_
and _most_, in Nature: for, several kinds and sorts of Knowledges,
make not Knowledg to be more, or less; but only, they are different
Knowledges proper to their kind, (as, Animal-kind, Vegetable-kind,
Mineral-kind,
Elemental-kind) and are also different Knowledges in several sorts:
As for example, Man may have a different Knowledg from Beasts, Birds,
Fish, Flies, Worms, or the like; and yet be no wiser than those sorts
of Animal-kinds. The same happens between the several Knowledges of
Vegetables, Minerals, and Elements: but, because one Creature doth
not know what another Creature knows, thence arises the Opinion of
_Insensibility_, and _Irrationability_, that some Creatures have of
others. But there is to be noted, That Nature is so Regular, or wise,
in her Actions, that the _Species_ and Knowledg of every particular
Kind, is kept in an Even, or Equal Balance: For example, The Death or
Birth of Animals, doth neither add or diminish from, or to the Knowledg
of the Kind, or rather the Sort. Also, an Animal can have no Knowledg,
but such as is proper to the _species_ of his Figure: but, if there
be a Creature of a mixt _Species_, or Figure, then their Knowledg is
according to their mixt Form: for, the Corporeal Motions of every
Creature, move according to the Form, Frame, or _Species_ of their
Society: but, there is not only different Knowledges, in different
Kinds and Sorts of Creatures; but, there are different Knowledges in
the different Parts of one and the same; as, the different Senses
of Seeing, Hearing, Smelling, Tasting, and Touching, have not only
different Knowledges in different Sensitive Organs, but
in one Sense, they have several Perceptive Knowledges: and though the
different Sensitive Organs of a Human Creature, are ignorant of each
other; yet, each Sense is as knowing as another. The same (no question)
is amongst all the Creatures in Nature.
CHAP. II. Of the Variety of Self-actions in particular Creatures.
There are numerous Varieties of Figurative Motions in some Creatures;
and in others, very few, in comparison: but, the occasion of that, is
the manner of the Frame and Form of a Creature: for, some Creatures
that are but small, have much more variety of Figurative Motions, than
others that are very bigg and large Creatures: so that, it is not only
the Quantity of Matter, or Number of Parts, but the several Changes
of Motion, by the Variety of their Active Parts, that is the cause of
it: for, Nature is not only an Infinite Body, but, being Self-moving,
causes Infinite Variety, by the altered Actions of her Parts; every
altered Action, causing both an altered Self-knowledg, and an altered
Perceptive Knowledg.
CHAP. III. Of the Variety of Corporeal Motion, of one and the same sort
or kind of Motion.
There is Infinite Variety of Motion of the same sorts and kinds of
Motions; as for example, Of Dilatations, or Extensions, Expulsions,
Attractions, Contractions, Retentions, Digestions, Respirations:
There is also Varieties of Densities, Rarities, Gravities, Levities,
Measures, Sizes, Agilness, Slowness, Strength, Weakness, Times,
Seasons, Growths, Decays, Lives, Deaths, Conceptions, Perceptions,
Passions, Appetites, Sympathies, Antipathies, and Millions the like
kinds, or sorts.
CHAP. IV. Of the Variety of particular Creatures.
Nature is so delighted with _Variety_, that seldom two Creatures
(although of the same sort, nay, from the same Producers) are just
alike; and yet Human Perception cannot perceive above four kinds of
Creatures, viz. _Animals, Vegetables, Minerals_, and _Elements_: but,
the several sorts seem to be very numerous; and the Varieties of the
several Particulars, Infinite: but, Nature is necessitated to divide
her Creatures into Kinds and Sorts, to keep Order and Method: for,
there may be numerous Varieties of sorts; as for example, Many several
Worlds, and infinite Varieties of Particulars in those _Worlds_: for,
Worlds may differ from each other, as much as several sorts of Animals,
Vegetables, Minerals, or Elements; and yet be all of that sort we name
Worlds: but, as for the Infinite Varieties of Nature, we may say, That
every Part of Nature is Infinite, in some sort; because every Part
of Nature is a perpetual Motion, and makes Infinite Varieties, by
change or alteration of Action: but, there is so much Variety of the
several Shapes, Figures, Forms, and Sizes, as, Bigger, and Less; as
also, several sorts of Heats, Colds, Droughts, Moistures, Fires, Airs,
Waters, Earths, Animals, Vegetables, and Minerals, as are not to be
expressed.
CHAP. V. Of Dividing, and Rejoyning, or Altering Exterior Figurative
Motions.
The Interior and Exterior Figurative Motions of some sorts of
Creatures, are so united by their Sympathetical Actions, as they cannot
be separated without a Total Dissolution; and some cannot be altered
without a Dissolution; and other Figurative Motions may separate, and
unite again; and others, if separate, cannot unite again, as they were
before: As for example, The Exterior Parts of a Human Creature, if
once divided, cannot be rejoyned; when as some sorts of Worms may be
divided, and if those divided Parts meet, can rejoyn, as before. Also,
some Figurative Motions of different sorts, and so different, that they
are opposite, may unite in agreement, in one Composition, or Creature;
yet, when the very same sorts of Figurative Motions, are not so united,
they are, as it were, deadly Enemies.
CHAP. VI. Of Different Figurative Motions in particular Creatures.
There are many Creatures that are composed of very opposite Figurative
Motions; as for example, Some Parts of Fire and Water; also, all
Cordials, Vitriols, and the like Waters; also, Iron and Stone, and
Infinite the like: But, that which is composed of the most different
Figurative Motions, is _Quick-silver_, which is exteriorly Cold, Soft,
Fluid, Agil, and Heavy: also, Divisible, and Rejoynable; and yet so
Retentive of its Innate Nature, that although it can be rarified, yet
not easily dissolved; at least, not that Human Creatures can perceive;
for, it hath puzled the best _Chymists_.
CHAP. VII. Of the Alterations of Exterior and Innate Figurative Motions
of several sorts of Creatures.
The Form of several Creatures, is after several manners and ways, which
causes several Natures or Properties: As for example, The Exterior and
Innate Corporeal Motions of some Creatures, depend so much on each
other, That the least Alteration of the one, causes a Dissolution of
the whole Creature; whereas the Exterior Corporeal Motions of other
sorts of Creatures, can change and rechange their actions, without the
least disturbance to the Innate Figurative Motions: In other sorts the
Innate Motions shall be quite altered, but their Exterior Motions be in
some manner consistent: As for proof, Fire is of that Nature, that both
the Exterior and Innate Motions, are of one and the same sort; so that
the Alteration of the one, causeth a Dissolution of the other; that is,
Fire loses the Property of Fire, and is altered from being Fire. On the
other side, the Exterior Figurative Motions of Water, can change and
rechange, without any disturbance to the Innate Nature: but, though the
Alteration of the Innate Figurative Motions of all Creatures, must of
necessity alter the Life and Knowledg of that Creature; yet there may
be such consistent Motions amongst the
Exterior Parts of some sorts of Creatures, that they will keep their
Exterior Form: As for example, A Tree that is cut down, or into pieces,
when those pieces are withered, and, as we say, dead; yet, they remain
of the Figure of Wood. Also, a dead Beast doth not alter the Figure of
Flesh or Bones, presently. Also, a dead Man doth not presently dissolve
from the Figure of Man; and some, by the Art of embalming, will
occasion the remaining Figurative Motions of the dead Man to continue,
so that those sorts of Motions, that are the Frame and Form, are not
quite altered: but yet, those Exterior Forms are so altered, that they
are not such as those by which we name a _Living Man_. The same of
Flyes, or the like, intomb'd in _Amber_: but by this we may perceive,
That the Innate Figurative Motions may be quite altered, and yet the
Exterior Figurative consistent Motions, do, in some manner, keep in the
Figure, Form, or Frame of their Society. The truth is, (in my opinion)
That all the Parts that remain undissolved, have quite altered their
Animal actions; but only the Consistent actions, of the Form of their
Society, remains, so as to have a resemblance of their Frame or Form.
CHAP. VIII. Of LOCAL MOTION.
All Corporeal Motion is _Local_; but only they are different Local
Motions: and some sorts or kinds, have advantage of others, and some
have power over others, as, in a manner, to inforce them to alter their
Figurative motions; as for example, When one Creature doth destroy
another, those that are the _Destroyers_, occasion those that we name
the _Destroyed_, to dissolve their Unity, and to alter their actions:
for, they cannot annihilate their actions; nor can they give or take
away the Power of Self-motions; but, as I said, some Corporeal motions
can occasion other Corporeal motions to move so, or so. But this is to
be noted, That several sorts of Creatures have a mixture of several
sorts of Figurative motions; as for example, There are Flying Fish, and
Swimming Beasts; also, there are some Creatures that are partly Beasts,
and partly Fish, as _Otters_, and many others; also, a _Mule_ is partly
a Horse, and an Ass; a _Batt_ is partly a Mouse, and a Bird; an _Owle_
is partly a Cat and a Bird; and numerous other Creatures there are,
that are partly of one sort, and partly of another.
CHAP. IX. Of several manners, or ways of Advantages, or Disadvantages.
Not only the Manner, Form, Frame, or Shape of particular Creatures;
but also, the Regularity or Irregularity of the Corporeal motions
of particular Creatures, doth cause that which Man names _Strength_
or _Weakness, Obedience_ or _Disobedience_, _Advantages_ or
_Disadvantages_ of Power and Authority, or the like: As for example,
A greater Number will overpower a lesse: for, though there be no
Differences (as being no Degrees) of Self-strength amongst the
Self-moving Parts, or Corporeal motions; yet, there may be stronger
and weaker Compositions, or Associations; and a greater Number of
Corporeal motions, makes a stronger Party: but, if the greater Party be
Irregular, and the lesser Party be Regular, a hundred to one, but the
weaker Party is victorious. Also, the manner of the Corporeal motions;
as, a Diving-motion may get the better of a Swimming-motion; and, in
some cases, the Swimming, the better of the Diving. Jumping may have
the advantage over Running; and, in other cases, Running, over Jumping.
Also, Creeping may have the advantage over Flying; and, in other cases,
Flying, over Creeping. A Cross Motion may have the advantage over a
Straight; and, in other cases, a Straight, over a Cross. So it may be
said, of Turning and Lifting, of Contracting and Dilating Motions. And
many the like Examples may be had; but, as I have often said, There is
much Advantage and Disadvantage in the manner and way of the Composed
Form and Figure of Creatures.
CHAP. X. Of the Actions of some sorts of Creatures, over others.
Some sorts of Creatures are more Exteriorly active, than other sorts;
and some more Interiorly active; some more rare, some more dense, and
the like: also, some dense Creatures are more active than the rare;
and some rare, are more active than other sorts that are dense. Also,
some Creatures that are rare, have advantage of some that are dense;
and some that are dense, over some sorts that are rare; some leight
Bodies, over some heavy Bodies; and some heavy Bodies, over some sorts
of leight Bodies. Also, several sorts of Exterior Motions, of several
sorts of Creatures, have advantage and disadvantage of each other; as
for example, Springs of Water, and Air, will make Passages, and so
divide hard strong Rocks. And, on the other side, a Straw will divide
Parts of Water; and a small Flye, will divide Parts of the Air: but,
mistake me not, I mean, that they occasion the Airy or Watry Parts, to
divide.
CHAP. XI. Of GLASSIE BODIES.
Tis impossible, as I have said, to describe the Infinite Corporeal
Figurative Motions: but, amongst those Creatures that are subject to
Human Perception, there are some that resemble each other, and yet
are of different Natures; as for example, _Black Ebony_, and _Black
Marble_, they are both Glassie, smooth, and black; yet, one is Stone,
the other Wood. Also, there be many light and shining Bodies, that are
of different Natures; as for example, Metal is a bright shining Body;
and divers sorts of Stones, are bright shining Bodies: also, clear
Water is a bright shining Body; yet, the Metal and Stones are Minerals,
and Water is an Element. Indeed, Most Bodies are of a Glassie Hue, or,
as I may say, Complexion; as may be observed in most Vegetables; as
also, Skins, Feathers, Scales, and the like.
But some may say, That _Glassiness is made by the Brightness of the
Light that shines upon them_.
I answer: If so, then the ordinary Earth would have the like
Glassiness: but, we perceive the Earth to appear dull in the clearest
Sun-shining Day: wherefore, it is not the Light, but the nature of
their own Bodies. Besides, every Body hath not one and the same sort
of Glassiness, but some are very different: 'Tis true, some sorts of
Bodies do not appear Glassie, or shining, until they be polished: but,
as for such sorts of shining Bodies that appear in the dark, there is
not many of them perceiv'd by us, besides the Moon and Starrs; but
yet some there are, as Fire; but that is an Element. There are also
Glow-worms Tayles, Cats Eyes, Rotten Wood, and such like shining-Bodies.
CHAP. XII. Of Metamorphoses, or Transformations of Animals and
Vegetables.
There are some Creatures that cannot be Metamorphosed: as for example,
Animals and Vegetables, at least, most of those sorts, by reason they
are composed of many several and different Figurative Motions; and
I understand _Metamorphose_, to be a change and alteration of the
Exterior Form, but not any change or alteration of the Interior or
Intellectual Nature: and how can there be a general change of the
Exterior Form or Shape of a Human Creature, or such like Animal, when
the different Figurative Motions of his different Compositions, are,
for the most part, ignorant of each others particular Actions? Besides,
as Animals and Vegetables require degrees
of time for their Productions, as also, for their Perfections; so,
some Time is requir'd for their Alterations: but, a sudden alteration
amongst different Figurative Motions, would cause such a Confusion,
that it would cause a Dissolution of the _whole_ Creature, especially
in actions that are not natural, as being improper to their kind, or
sort: The same of Vegetables, which have many different Figurative
Motions. This considered, I cannot chuse but wonder, that wise men
should believe (as some do) the Change or Transformation of Witches,
into many sorts of Creatures.
CHAP. XIII. Of the Life and Death of several Creatures.
That which Man names _Life_, and _Death_, (which are some sorts of
Compositions and Divisions of Parts of Creatures) is very different, in
different kinds and sorts of Creatures, as also, in one and the same
sort: As for example, Some Vegetables are old and decrepit in a Day;
others are not in Perfection, or in their Prime, in less than a hundred
years. The same may be said of Animal kinds. A _Silk-worm_ is no sooner
born, but dyes; when as other Animals may live a hundred years. As for
Minerals, Tinn and Lead seem but of a short Life, to Gold; as a Worm
to an Elephant, or a Tulip to an Oak for lasting; and 'tis probable,
the several Productions of the Planets and Fixed Starrs, may be as far
more lasting, than the parts of Gold more lasting than a Flye: for,
if a Composed Creature were a Million of years producing, or Millions
of years dissolving, it were nothing to Eternity: but, those produced
Motions that make Vegetables, Minerals, Elements, and the like, the
subtilest Philosopher, or Chymist, in Nature, can never perceive, or
find out; because, Human Perception is not so subtile, as to perceive
that which Man names Natural Productions: for, though all the Corporeal
Motions in Nature are perceptive; yet, every Perceptive Part doth
not perceive all the actions in Nature: for, though every different
Corporeal Motion, is a different Perception; yet, there are more
Objects than any one Creature can perceive: also, every particular kind
or sort of Creatures, have different Perceptions, occasioned by the
Frame and Form of their Compositions, or unities of their Parts: So as
the Perceptions of Animals, are not like the Perceptions of Vegetables;
nor Vegetables, like the Perceptions of Minerals; nor Minerals, like
the Perceptions of Elements: For, though all these several kinds and
sorts, be perceptive; yet, not after one and the same way, or manner of
Perception: but, as there is infinite variety of Corporeal Motions, so
there are infinite varieties of Perceptions: for, Infinite Self-moving
Matter, hath infinite varieties of Actions. But, to return to the
Discourse of the Productions and Dissolutions of Creatures; The reason,
that some Creatures last longer than others, is, That some Forms or
Frames of their Composition, are of a more lasting Figure. But this is
to be observed, That the Figures that are most solid, are more lasting
than those that are more slack and loose: but mistake me not; I say,
_For the most part_, they are more lasting. Also, this is to be noted,
That some Compositions require more labour; some, more curiosity; and
some are more full of variety, than others.
CHAP. XIV. Of CIRCLES.
A _Circle_ is a Round Figure, without End; which Figure can more easily
and aptly alter the Exterior Form, than any other Figure. For example,
A Circular Line may be drawn many several ways, into different and
several sorts of Figures, without breaking the Circle: also, it may
be contracted or extended into a less or wider compass; and drawn or
formed into many several sorts of Figures, or Works; as, into a Square,
or Triangle, or Oval, or Cylinder, or like several sorts of Flowers,
and never dissolve the Circular Line. But this is to be noted, that
there may be several sorts of Circular Lines; as, some Broad, some
Narrow, some Round, some Flat, some Ragged or Twisted, some Smooth,
some Pointed, some Edged, and numbers of the like; and yet the compass
be exactly round.
But some may say, that, _When a Circle is drawn into several Works, it
is not a Circle: As for example, When a Circle is squared, it is not a
Circle, but a Square._
I answer: It is a Circle squar'd, but not a Circle broken, or divided:
for, the Interior Nature is not dissolved, although the Exterior Figure
is altered: it is a Natural Circle, although it should be put into a
Mathematical Square. But, to conclude this Chapter, I say, That all
such sorts of Figures that are (like Circular Lines) of one piece, may
change and rechange their Exterior Figures, or Shapes, without any
alterations of their Interior Properties.
CHAP. XV. Human Creatures cannot so probably treat of other sorts of
Creatures, as of their own.
To treat of the Productions of Vegetables, Minerals, and Elements, is
not so easie a Task, as to treat of Animals; and, amongst Animals, the
most easie Task is, to treat of Human Productions; by reason one Human
Creature may more probably guess at the Nature of all Human Creatures
(being of the same Nature) than he can of other kinds
of other kinds of Creatures, that are of another Nature. But, mistake
me not, I mean not of another Nature, being not of the same kind of
Creature, but concerning Vegetables, Minerals, and Elements. The
Elements may more easily be treated of, than the other Two kinds: for,
though there be numerous sorts of them, at least, numerous several
Particulars; yet, not so many several Sorts, as of Vegetables: and
though Minerals are not, as to my knowledg, so numerous as Vegetables;
yet, they are of more, or at least, of as many Sorts as Elements are.
But, by reason I am unlearned, I shall only give my Opinion of the
Productions of some sorts; in which, I fear, I shall rather discover
my Ignorance, than the Truth of their Productions. But, I hope my
_Readers_ will not find fault with my Endeavour, though they may find
fault with my little Experience, and want of Learning.
The Twelfth Part.
CHAP. I. Of the Equality of ELEMENTS.
As for the Four Elements, _Fire, Air, Water_, and _Earth_; they
subsist, as all other Creatures, which subsist by each other: but,
in my opinion, there should be an Equality of the Four Elements, to
balance the World: for, if one sort should superabound, it would
occasion such an Irregularity, that would cause a Dissolution of this
World; as, when some particular Humour in Man's Body superabounds, or
there is a scarcity of some Humours, it causes such Irregularities,
that do, many times, occasion his Destruction. The same may be said
of the Four Elements of the World: as for example, If there were not
a sufficient quantity of Elemental Air, the Elemental Fire would go
out; and if not a sufficient quantity of Elemental Fire, the Air would
corrupt: also, if there were not a sufficient quantity of Elemental
Water, the Elemental Fire would burn the Earth; and if there were not
a sufficient quantity of Earth, there would not be a solid and firm
Foundation for the Creatures of the Earth: for, if there were not
Density, as well as Rarity; and Levity, as well as Gravity; Nature
would run into Extreams.
CHAP. II. Of several TEMPERS.