Part 10

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.

Heat doth not make Drought: for, there is a _Temper_ of Hot and Moist. Nor Cold doth not make Drought: for, there is a _Temper_ of Cold and Moist. Neither doth Heat make Moisture: for, there is a _Temper_ of Hot and Dry. Nor doth Cold make Moisture: for, there is a _Temper_ of Cold and Dry. But, such or such sorts of Corporeal Figurative Motions, make Hot, Cold, Moist, Dry; Hot and Dry, Hot and Moist; Cold and Dry, Cold and Moist; and, as those Figurative Motions alter their Actions, those _Tempers_ are altered: the like happens in all Creatures. But this is to be observed, That there is some opposite or contrary _Tempers_, which have a likeness of Motion: as for example, A Moist Heat, and a Moist Cold, have a likeness or resemblance of Moistness;

and the same is in dry Heats and Cold: but surely, most sorts of Moistures, are some sorts of dilative Motions; and most Droughts, are some sorts of Contractive Motions: but, there are several sorts of Dilatations, Contractions, Retentions, Expulsions, and the like: for, there are Cold Contractions, Hot Contractions; Cold Dilatations, Hot Dilatations; Hot Retentions, Cold Retentions; and so of Digestions, Expulsions, and the like: But, as I said, Moist Heats, and Moist Colds, seem of a Dilative Nature; as Dry, of a Contractive Nature. But, all Cold and Heat, or Dry and Moist, may be made by one and the same Corporeal Motions: for, though the Actions may vary, the Parts may be the same: yea, the like Actions may be in different Parts. But, no Part is bound to any particular Action, having a free Liberty of Self-motion. But, concerning Hot and Cold, and the like Actions, I observe, That Extream Heat, and Extream Cold, is of a like Power, or Degree: neither can I perceive the Hot Motions to be quicker than Cold: for Water, in little quantity, shall as suddenly freeze, as any leight Fewel or Straw, burn: and Animals will as soon freeze to death, as be burned to death: and Cold is as powerful at the Poles, as Heat in the _Torrid Zone_. And 'tis to be observed, That Freezing is as quick and sudden, as Thawing: but sometimes, nay very often, Cold and Hot Motions will dispute for Power; and some sorts of Hot, with other sorts. The like Disputes are amongst several sorts of Cold Motions; Dry with Moist, Dry with Dry, Moist with Moist. And the like Disputes are also often amongst all Creatures. As for Density, it doth not make Gravity: for, there may be Dense Bodies, that are not Grave; as for example, Feathers, and Snow. Neither doth Gravity make Density: for, a quantity of Air hath some weight, and yet is not dense. But mistake me not; for, I mean by _Grave, Heavy_; and not for the Effects of Ascending, and Descending: for Feathers, though Dense, are more apt to ascend, than descend; and Snow, to descend. Also, all sorts of Fluidity, do not cause Moist, Liquid, or Wet; nor all Extenuations, cause Light: but, they are such and such sorts of Fluidities and Extenuations, that cause such and such Effects. And so for Heats, Colds, Droughts, Moistures, Rarities. The same for Gravities, Levities, and the like. So that, Creatures are Rare, Fluid, Moist, Wet, Dry, Dense, Hard, Soft, Leight, Heavy, and the like, according to their Figurative Motions.

CHAP. III. Of the Change and Rechange; and of Dividing and Ioyning of the Parts of the Elements.

Of all Creatures subject to Human Perception, the Elements are most apt to Transform, _viz._ to _Change_ and _Rechange_; also, to _Divide_ and _Ioyn_ their Parts, without altering their Innate Nature and Property. The reason is, because the Innate Figurative Motions of Elements, are not so different as those of Animals and Vegetables, whose Compositions are of many different Figurative Motions; in so much, that disjoining any Part of Animals, or Vegetables, they cannot be joined again, as they were before; at least, it is not commonly done: but, the Nature and Property of the Elements, is, That every Part and Particle are of one innate Figurative Motion; so that the least grain of Dust, or the least drop of Water, or the least spark of Fire, is of the same Innate Nature, Property, and Figurative Motions, as the whole Element; when as, of Animals, and Vegetables, almost, every Part and Particle is of a different Figurative Motion.

CHAP. IV. Of the Innate Figurative Motions of Earth.

There are many sorts of _Earth_, yet all sorts are of the same kind; that is, they are all Earth: but (in my opinion) the prime Figurative Motions of Earth, are Circles; but not dilated Circles, but contracted Circles: neither are those Circles smooth, but rugged; which is the cause that Earth is dull, or dim, and is easily divided into dusty Parts: for all, or at least, most Bodies that are smooth, are more apt to joyn, than divide; and have a Glassie Hew or Complexion; which is occasioned by the smoothness, and the smoothness occasioned by the evenness of Parts, being without Intervals: but, according as these sorts of Circular Motions are more or less contracted, and more or less rugged, they cause several sorts of Earth.

CHAP. V. Of the Figurative Motions of Air.

There are many sorts of _Airs_, as there is of other Creatures, of one and the same kind: but, for Elemental Air, is composed of very Rare, Figurative Motions; and the Innate Motions, I conceive to be somewhat of the Nature of Water, viz. Circular Figurative Motions, only of a more Dilating Property; which causes Air, not to be Wet, but extraordinary Rare; which again causes it to be somewhat of the nature of Light: for, the Rarity occasions Air to be very searching and penetrating; also, dividable and compoundable: but, the Rarity of Air, is the cause that it is not subject to some sorts of Human Perception; but yet, not so Rare, as not to be subject to Human Respirations; which is one sort of Human Perception: for, all Parts of all Creatures, are perceptive one way, or another: but, as I said, there are many sorts of Air; as, some Cold, some Hot; some Dry, some Moist; some Sharp; some Corrupt, some Pure, some Gross; and numbers more: but, many of these sorts are rather Metamorphosed Vapours, and Waters, than pure Elemental Air: for, the pure Elemental Air, is, in my opinion, more searching and penetrating, than Light; by reason Light may be more easily eclipsed, or stopt; when as Air will search every Pore, and every Creature, to get entrance.

CHAP. VI. Of the Innate Figurative Motion of Fire.

The Innate Figurative Motions of Elemental Fire, seem the most difficult to Human Perception, and Conception: for, by the Agilness, it seems to be more pure than the other sorts of Elements; yet, by the Light, or Visibleness, it seems more gross than Air; but, by the dilating Property, it seems to be more rare than air, at least, as rare as Air. By the Glassie or Shining Property, it seems to be of Smooth and Even Parts: also, by the piercing and wounding Property, Fire seems to be composed of sharp-pointed Figurative Motions: Wherefore, the Innate Figurative Motions of Fire, are, Pure, Rare, Smooth, Sharp Points, which can move in Circles, Squares, Triangles, Parallels, or any other sorts of Exterior Figures, without an alteration of its Interior Nature; as may be observed by many sorts of Fuels: as also, it can contract and dilate its Parts, without any alteration of its Innate Property.

CHAP. VII. Of the Productions of Elemental Fire.

It is to be observed, That Points of Fire are more numerous, and more suddenly propagating, than any other Element, or any other Creature that is subject to Human Perception. But, Sparks of Fire, resemble the Seeds of Vegetables, in this, That as Vegetables will not encrease in all sorts of Soyles, alike; neither will the Points of Fire, in all sorts of Fuel, alike. And, as Vegetables produce different Effects in several Soyls; so doth Fire on several Fuels: As for example, The Seeds of Vegetables do not work the same Effect in a Birds Crop, as in the Earth: for, there they encrease the Bird by digestion; but, in the ground, they encrease their own Issue (as I may say): So Fire, in some Fuels, doth destroy it self, and occasions the Fuel to be more consumed; when as, in other sorts of Fuel, Fire encreases extreamly. But Fire, as all other Creatures, cannot subsist single of it self, but must have Food and Respiration; which proves, Fire is not an Immaterial Motion. Also, Fire hath Enemies, as well as Friends; and some are deadly, namely, Water, or Watry Liquors. Also, Fire is forced to comply with the Figurative Motions of those Creatures it is joyned to: for, all Fuels will not burn, or alter, alike.

CHAP. VIII. Of FLAME.

_Flame_ is the Rarest Part of Fire: and though the Fuel of Flame be of a vaporous and smoaky Substance; yet surely, there are pure Flames, which are perfect Fires: and, for proof, we may observe, That Flame will dilate and run, as it were, to catch Smoak: but, when the Smoak is above the Flame, if it be higher than the Flame can extend, it contracts back to the Fiery Body. But, Flame doth somewhat resemble that we name _Natural Light_: but yet, in my opinion, Light is not Flame; nor hath it any Fiery Property, although it be such a sort of Extenuating or Dilating Actions, as Flame hath.

CHAP. IX. Of the two sorts of Fire most different.

There are many sorts of Fires: but two sorts are most opposite; that is, the Hot, Glowing, Burning, Bright, Shining Fire; and that sort of Fire we name a _Dead, Dull Fire_; as, Vitriol Fires, Cordial Fires, Corrosive Fires, Feverish Fires, and numerous other sorts; and every several sort, hath some several Property: as for example, There is greater difference between the Fiery Property of Oyl, and

the Fiery Property of Vitriol: for, Oyl is neither Exteriorly Hot, nor Burning; whereas Vitriol is Exteriorly Burning, though not Exteriorly Hot: but, the difference of these sorts of Fires, is, That the Actions of Elemental Fire, are to ascend, rather than to descend: and the Dull, Dead Fire, is rather apt to descend, than ascend; that is, to pierce, or dilate, either upwards, or downwards: but, they are both of Dilating and Dividing Natures. But this is to be noted, That all sorts of Heats, or Hotness, are not Fire. Also it is to be noted, That all Fires are not Shining.

CHAP. X. Of Dead or Dull Fires.

OF _Dull, Dead Fires_, some sorts seem to be of a mixt sort: as for example, Vitriol, and the like, seem to be Exteriorly, of the Figurative Motions of Fire; and Interiorly, of the Figurative Motions of Water, or of Watry Liquors: And Oyl is of Fiery Figurative Motions, Interiorly; and of Liquid Figurative Motions, Exteriorly; which is the cause that the Fiery Properties of Oyl cannot be altered, without a Total Dissolution of their Natures. But, such sorts whose Fiery Figurative Motions are Exterior, as being not their Innate Nature, may be divided from those other Natural

Parts they were joyned to, without altering their Innate Nature.

CHAP. XI. Of the Occasional Actions of Fire.

All Creatures have not only Innate figurative Motions that cause them to be such or such a sort of Creature; but, they have such and such actions, that cause such and such Effects: also, every Creature is occasioned to particular Actions, by forrein Objects; many times to improper actions, and sometimes to ruinous actions, even to the dissolution of their Nature: And, of all Creatures, Fire is the most ready to occasion the most Mischief; at least, Disorders: for, where it can get entrance, it seldom fails of causing such a Disturbance, as occasions a Ruine. The reason is, that most Creatures are porous: for, all Creatures, subsisting by each other, must of necessity have _Egress_ and _Regress_, being composed of Interior and Exterior Corporeal Motions. And Fire, being the sharpest figurative Motion, is apt to enter into the smallest Pores.

But some may ask, _Whether Fire is porous it self?_

I answer: That having Respiration, it is a sufficient proof that it is Porous: for, Fire dyes if it hath not Air.

But some may say, _How can a Point be porous?_

I answer, That a Point is composed of Parts, and therefore may very well be porous: for, there is no such thing as a Single Part in Nature, and therefore, not a Single Point.

Also, some may say, _If there be Pores in Nature, there may be Vacuum_.

I answer, That, in my opinion, there is not; because there is no empty Pores in Nature: Pores signifying only an _Egress_ and _Regress_ of Parts.

CHAP. XII. Fire hath not the Property to Change and Rechange.

Of all the Elemental Creatures, _Fire_ is the least subject to change: for, though it be apt to occasion other Creatures to alter; yet it keeps close to its own Properties, and proper Actions: for, it cannot change, and rechange, as Water can. Also, Natural Air is not apt to change and rechange, as Water: for, though it can (as all the Elements) divide and join its Parts, without altering the Property of its Nature: yet, it cannot readily alter, and alter again, its Natural Properties, as Water can. The truth is, Water and Fire, are opposite in all their Properties: but, as Fire is, of all the Elements, the furthest from altering: so Water is, of all the Elements, the most subject to alter: for, all Circular Figures are apt to variety.

CHAP. XIII. Of the Innate Figurative Motions of Water.

The Nature of _Water_ is, Rare, Fluid, Moist, Liquid, Wet, Glutinous, and Glassie. Likewise, Water is apt to divide and unite its Parts, most of which Properties are caused by several sorts of Dilatations, or Extenuations: but, the Interior, or Innate Figure of Water, is a Circular Line. But yet, it is to be observed, That there are many several sorts of Waters, as there are many several sorts of Airs, Fires, and Earths, and so of all Creatures: for, some Waters are more rare than others, some more leight, and some more heavy; some more clear, and some more dull; some salt, some sharp; some bitter, some more fresh, or sweet; some have cold Effects, some hot Effects: all which is caused by the several Figurative Motions of several sorts of Waters: but, the nature of Water is such, as it can easily alter, or change, and rechange, and yet keep its Interior, or Innate Nature or Figure. But this is also to be observed, That the Dilating or Extenuating Circle of Water, is of a middle Degree, as between Two Extreams.

CHAP. XIV. The Nature or Property of Water.

Wetness, which is the Interior or Innate Property, or Nature of Water, is, in my opinion, caused by some sort of Dilatations or Extenuations. As, all Droughts, or Dryness, are caused by some sorts of Contractions; so, all Moistures, Liquors, and Wets, by Dilatations: yet, those Extenuations, or Dilatations, that cause Wet, must be of such a sort of Dilatations, as are proper to Wet; _viz._ Such a sort of Extenuations, as are Circular Extenuations; which do dilate, or extenuate, in a smooth, equal dilatation, from the Center, to the Circumference; which Extenuations, or Dilatations, are of a middle Degree; for otherwise, the Figure of Water might be extended beyond the Degree of Wet; or, not extended to the Degree of Wet. And it is to be observed, That there is such a Degree as only causes moistness, and another to cause liquidness, the third to cause wetness: for, though Moistness and Liquidness are in the way of Wetness; yet, they are not that which we name Wet: also, all that is Soft, or Smooth, is not Wet; nor is all that is Liquid, or Flowing, Wet: for, some sorts of Air are liquid and flowing, but not wet: nay, Flame is liquid and flowing, but yet quite opposite from wet. Dust is flowing, but neither liquid or wet, in its Nature. And Hair and Feathers are soft and smooth, but neither liquid, nor wet. But, as I said, Water is of such a Nature, as to have the Properties of Soft, Smooth, Moist, Liquid, and Wet; and is also of such flowing Properties, caused by such a sort of Extenuating Circles as are of a Middle or Mean Degree: but yet, there are many several sorts of Liquors, and Wets, as we may perceive in Fruit, Herbs, and the like: but, all sorts of Wets, and Liquors, are of a watry kind, though of a different sort. But, as I have said, all things that are Fluid, are not Wet; as, Melted Metal, Flame, Light, and the like, are fluid, but not wet: and Smoak and Oyl are of another sort of Liquidness, than Water, or Juyce; but yet they are not wet: and that which causes the difference of different sorts of Waters, and Watry Liquors, are the differences of the watry Circular Lines; as, some are edged, some are pointed, some are twisted, some are braided, some are flat, some are round, some ruff, some smooth; and so after divers several Forms or Figures: and yet are perfect Circles, and of some such a Degree of Extenuations or Dilatations.

CHAP. XV. Of the Alteration of the Exterior Figurative Motion of Water.