Part 11
As I formerly said, The Figurative Motions of the Innate Nature of Water, is a sort of Extenuating; as being an equal, smooth Circle: which is the cause Water is rare, fluid, moist, liquid, and wet. But, the Exterior Figurative Motions of the watry Circle, may be edged, pointed, sharp, blunt, flat, round, smooth, ruff, or the like; which may be either divided, or altered, without any alteration of the Innate Nature, or Property: As for example, Salt-water may be made fresh, or the Salt Parts divided from the watry Circle: The like of other sorts of Waters; and yet the Nature of Water remains.
CHAP. XVI. Of OYL, and VITRIOL.
The Exterior Figurative Motions of _Oyl_, are so much like those of _Water_, as, to be fluid, smooth, soft, moist, and liquid, although not perfectly wet: but, the Interior Figurative Motions of Oyl, are of that sort of Fire, that we name a _Dull, Dead Fire_: and the difference between _Salt Waters_,
_Vitriol_ or the like, and _Oyl_, is, That the Exterior Figurative Motions of _Vitriol_ and _Salt Waters_, are of a sort of Fire; whereas it is the Interior Figurative Motions of Oyl, or the like, that are of those sorts of Fire; and that is the reason that the fiery Motions of Oyl cannot be altered, as the fiery Motions of _Vitriol_ may. But this is to be noted, That although the Interior Figurative Motions of Oyl, are of such a sort of fiery Motions; yet, not just like those of _Vitriol_; and are not burning, corroding, or wounding, as _Vitriols, Corrosives_, and the like, are: for, those are somewhat more of the Nature of bright shining Fires, than Oyls.
CHAP. XVII. Of Mineral and Sulphureous Waters.
In _Sulphureous_ and _Mineral Waters_, the _Sulphureous_ and _Mineral_ Corporeal Motions, are Exterior, and not Interior, like Salt waters: but, there are several sorts of such waters; also, some are occasionally, others naturally so affected: for, some waters running through Sulphureous, or Mineral Mines, gather, like a rowling Stone, some of the loose Parts of Gravel, or Sand; which, as they stick or cleave to the rowling Stone; so they do to the running Waters; as we may perceive by those waters that spring out of Chalk, Clay, or Lime Grounds, which will
have some Tinctures of the Lime, Chalk, or Clay; and the same happens to Minerals. But, some are naturally Sulphureous; as for example, Some sorts of hot Baths are as naturally Sulphureous, as the Sea-water is Salt: but, all those Effects of Minerals, Sulphurs, and the like, are dividable from, and also may be joyn'd to, the Body of water, without any disturbance to the nature of water; as may be proved by Salt-water, which will cause fresh Meat to be salt; and salt Meat will cause Fresh-water to be salt. As for hot Baths, those have hot figurative Motions, but not burning: and the moist, liquid, and wet Nature of water, makes it apt to joyn, and divide, to, and from other sorts of Motions; as also, to and from its own sort.
CHAP. XVIII. The Cause of the Ebbing and Flowing of the Sea.
The Nature of water is to flow; so that all sorts of waters will flow, if they be not obstructed: but it is not the Nature of Water, to ebb. Neither can water flow beyond the Power of its Quantity: for, a little water will not flow so far as a great one. But, I do not mean by flowing, the falling of water from some Descent; but, to flow upon a Level: for, as I have said, all waters do naturally flow, if they be not obstructed; but, few sorts of water, besides Sea-water, ebbs. As for the Exterior Figurative Motions of water, in the action of flowing, they are an Oval, or a half Circle, or a half Moon; where the middle parts of the half Moon, or Circle, are fuller than the two Ends. Also, the figure of a half Moon, or half Circle, is concave on the inside, and convex on the outside of the Circle: but, these Figurative Motions, in a great quantity of water, are bigg and full, which we name _Waves of Water_; which waves flowing fast upon each other, presses each other forward, until such time as the half Circle divides: for, when the Bow of the half Circle is over-bent, or stretched, it divides into the middle, which is most extended: and when a half Circle (which is a whole wave of water) is divided, the divided Parts fall equally back on each side of the flowing waves: so, every wave dividing, after that manner, in the full extension, it causes the motion of ebbing, that is, to flow back, as it flow'd forward: for, the divided Parts falling back, and joining as they meet, makes the head of the half Circle, where the Ends of the half Circle were; and the Convex, where the Concave was; by which action, the ebbing Parts are become the flowing Parts. And the reason that it ebbs and flows by degrees, is, That the flowing half Circles require so much time to be at the utmost extension. Also, every wave, or half Circle, divides not all at one time, but one after another: for, two Bodies cannot be in one place at one point of time; and until the second, third, and so the rest, flow as far as the first, they are not at their full extension. And thus the Sea, or such a great Body of Water, must flow, and ebb, as being its nature to flow; and the flowing Figure, being over-extended, by endeavouring to flow beyond its power, causes a dividing of the Extended Parts, which is the Cause of the Ebbing.
But, whether this Opinion of mine, be as probable as any of the former Opinions concerning the Ebbing and Flowing of the Sea, I cannot judg: but I would not be mistaken; for the flowing of the water, is according to its Quantity; for, the further it flows, the fainter, or weaker it is.
CHAP. XIX. Of OVERFLOWS.
As for _Overflows_, there be many; and many more would be, if the waters were not hindred and obstructed by Man's Inventions. But, some Overflows are very Uncertain and Irregular; others, Certain and Regular, as, the flowing of _Nilus_ in _Egypt_: but as for the distance of time of its flowing, it may proceed from the far Journey of those flowing-waters: and, the time of its ebbing, may be attributed to the great Quantity of Water; so that the great quantity of water, will cause a longer or a shorter time in the flowing or ebbing; and certainly the waters are as long a flowing back, as flowing forward.
As for Spring Tides, they are only in such a time when there is a Naturall Issue of a greater quantity of water: so that Spring-Tides are but once a Month, and Single-Tides in so many hours: but, many several occasions, may make the Tides to be more or less full.
As for Double-Tides, they are occasioned through the Irregular dividing of the Half-Circle; as, when they divide not orderly, but faster than they orderly should do; which, falling back in a Crowd, and being, by that means, obstructed, so that they cannot get forward, they are necessitated to flow, where they ebb'd.
The reason the Tides flow through Streams of Running-waters, is, That the Tide is stronger than the Stream: but, if the Stream and Tides pass through each other, then the Tide and Stream are somewhat like Duellers together, which make Passes and Passages for their conveniency.
CHAP. XX. Of the Figure of Ice and Snow.
A Circle may not only extend and contract it self without dividing; but may draw it self into many several Figures, as Squares, or Triangles: as also, into many other Figures mix'd of Squares, Triangles, Cubes, or the like; being partly one, and partly, another; and into other several ways, and after several manners; which is the reason, Water may appear in many several Postures of Snow, Ice, Hail, Frost, and the like: and, in my Opinion, when the Water-Circle is Triangular, it is Snow; when the Circle is Square, it is Ice: as for Hail, they are but small pieces of Ice; that is, small Parts, or few Drops of Water, changed into Ice; and those several Parts moving after several manners, make the Exterior Figures, after several shapes; as, great Bodies of Ice will be of many several shapes, occasioned by many or fewer Parts, and by the several Postures of those Parts: but, such Figures, though they are of Ice, yet, are not the Innate Figures of Ice. The same is to be said of Snow. But, the reason of these my Opinions concerning the Figures of Ice and Snow, is, That Snow is leighter than the Water it self; and Ice is heavier, at least, as heavy. And the reason Snow is so leight, is, That a Triangular Figure hath no poyse, being an odd Figure; whereas a Square is poysed by Even and Equal Lines, and just Number of Points, as, Two to Two: but, a Triangle is Two to One. Also, a Circle is a poysed Figure, as being equal every way, from the Center to the Circumference; and from the Circumference to the Center, all the Lines drawing to one Point. But, mistake me not; for I treat (concerning the Figures of Snow and Ice) only of those Figures that cause Water to be Snow or Ice; and not of the Exterior Figures of Snow and Ice, which are occasioned by the Order or Disorder of Adjoining Parts: for, several Parts of Water, may order themselves into numerous several Figures, which concern not the nature of Water, as it is Water, Snow, or Ice: As for example, Many Men in a Battel, or upon Ceremony, joyn into many several Figures or Forms; which Figures or Forms, are of no concern to their Innate Nature. Also, the several Figures or Forms of several Houses, or several sorts of Building in one House, are of no concern to the Innate Nature of the Materials. The like for the Exterior Figures of Ice and Snow; and therefore _Microscopes_ may deceive the Artist, who may take the Exterior for the Interior Figure; but there may be great difference between them.
CHAP. XXI. Of the Change and Rechange of Water.
_Water_ being of a Circular Figurative Motion, is, as it were, but one Part, having no divisions; and therefore can more easily change and rechange it self into several Postures, viz. into the Posture of a Triangle, or Square; or can be dilated or extended into a larger compass, or contracted into a lesser compass; which is the cause it can turn into Vapour and Vaporous Air; or into Slime, or into some grosser Figure: For example, Water can extend it self beyond the proper degrees of Water, into the degree of Vapour; and the Circle, extending further than the degree of a Vaporous Circle, is extended into a Vaporous Air; and if the Vaporous Airy Circle be extreamly extended, it becomes so small, as it becomes to be a sharp Edg, and so, in a degree, next to Fire; at least, to have a hot Effect: but, if it extends further than an Edg, the Circle breaks into Flashes of Fire, like Lightning, which is a flowing Flame: for, being produced from Water, it hath the property of Flowing, or Streaming, as Water hath, as we may perceive by the Effects of some few Parts of Water flung on a bright Fire; for those few drops of Water being not enough to quench the Fire, straight dilate so extreamly, that they break into a Flame; or else cause the Fire to be more brisk and bright: and as the Water-Circle can be turned into Vapour, Air, and Flame, by Extension; so, it can be turned into Snow, Hail, or Ice, by Contraction.
CHAP. XXII. Of Water Quenching Fire; and Fire Evaporating Water.
There is such an Antipathy betwixt _Water_ and _Fire_, (I mean bright shining Fire) that they never meet Body to Body, but Fire is in danger to be quenched out, if there be a sufficient Quantity of Water. But it is to be observed, That it is not the actual Coldness of Water, that quenches out Fire; for, Scalding-water will quench out Fire: wherefore, it is the Wetness that quenches out Fire; which Wetness choaks the Fire, as a Man that is drown'd: for, Water being not fit for Man's Respiration, because it is too thick, choaks and smuthers him; and the same doth Water to Fire: for, though Air is of a proper temper for Respiration, both to some sorts of Animals, such as Man; as also, to Fire: yet, Water is not: which is most proper for other sorts of Animals, namely, Fish; as also, for some sorts of Animals that are of a mixt kind or sort, partly Fish, and partly Flesh: to which sort of Creatures, both Air and Water are both equally proper for their Respiration; or, their Respiration equal to either: for certainly, all sorts of Creatures have Respiration, by reason all Creatures subsist by each other; I say, _By each other_, not _Of each other_. But, there are many several sorts and kinds of Respirations; as concerning Water and Fire, though a sufficient quantity of Water, to Fire, doth always choak, smuther, or quench out the Fire's Life, if joyn'd Body to Body; yet, when there is another Body between those two Bodies, water is in danger to be infected with the Fire's heat; the Fire first infecting the Body next to it; and that Body infecting the Water: by which Infection, Water is consumed, either by a languishing Hectick Fever; or, by a raging Boyling Fever; and the Life of Water evaporates away.
CHAP. XXIII. Of Inflamable Liquors.
There are many Bodies of mixt Natures; as for example, Wine, and all Strong Liquors, are partly of a watry Nature, and partly of a fiery Nature; but, 'tis of that sort we name a _Dead_, or _Dull Fire_: but, being of such a mixt Nature, they are both apt to quench Bright Fire, as also, apt to burn or flame; so that such sorts are both Inflamable, and Quenchable. But, some have more of the fiery Nature; and others more of the watry Nature; and, by those Effects, we may perceive, that not only different, but opposite Figurative Motions, do well agree in one Society.
CHAP. XXIV. Of THUNDER.
I observe, that all Tempestuous Sounds have some resemblances to the flowing of waters, either in great and ruffling waves; or, when the waters flow in such sort, as to break in pieces against hard and rugged Rocks; or run down great Precipices, or against some Obstruction. And the like Sound hath the Blowings of Wind, or the Clappings of Thunder; which causes me to be of opinion, That Thunder is occasioned by a Discord amongst some Water-Circles in the Higher Region; which, pressing and beating upon each other in a confused manner, cause a confused Sound, by reason all Circles are Concave within the Bow, and Convex without; which is a Hollow Figure, although no Vacuum: which Hollow Figure, causes quick Repetitions and Replies; which Replies and Repetitions, we name Rebounds but, Replies are not Rebounds; for, Rebounds are Pressures and Re-actions; whereas Repetitions are without Pressure, but Re-action is not: and, Replies are of several Parts; as, one Part to reply to another.
But for _Thunder_, it is occasioned both by Pressures and Re-actions; as also, Replies of Extended Water-Circles, which make a kind or sort of Confusion, and so a confused Sound, which we name _Horrid_; and, according to their Discord, the Sound is more or less terrifying, or violent. But this is to be noted, That as _Thunder_ is caused by undivided or broken Circles; so _Lightning_ is caused by broken or divided Circles, that are extended beyond the Power of the Nature of the Water-Circle; and when the Circle is extreamly extended, it divides it self into a straight Line, and becomes a flowing Flame.
CHAP. XXV. Of Vapour, Smoak, Wind, and Clouds.
_Vapour_ and _Smoak_ are both fluid Bodies: but, Smoak is more of the Nature of Oyl, than Water; and Vapour more of the Nature of Water, than Oyl; they are dividable: and may be join'd, as other Elements: also, they are of a Metamorphosing Nature, as to change and rechange; but, when they are Metamorphosed into the form of Air, that Air is a gross Air, and is, as we say, a corruptible Air. As for Vapour, it is apt to turn into Wind: for, when it is rarified beyond the Nature of Vapour, and not so much as into the Nature of Air, it turns into some sorts of Wind. I say, some sorts: and certainly, the strongest Winds are made of the grossest Vapours. As for Smoak, it is apt to turn into some sorts of Lightning; I say, apt: for, both Vapour and Smoak can turn into many sorts of Metamorphosed Elements. As for Wind, it proceeds either from Rarified Vapour, or Contracted Air. And there are many sorts of Vapours, Smoaks, and Winds; all which sorts of Vapours and Smoaks, are apt to ascend: but, Wind is of a more level action. As for Clouds, they cannot be composed of a Natural Air; because Natural Air is too rare a Body to make Clouds. Wherefore, Clouds are composed of Vapour and Smoak: for, when Vapour and Smoak ascends up high without transformation, they gather into Clouds, some higher, some lower, according to their purity: for, the purer sort (as I may say for expression-sake) ascends the highest, as being the most agil. But, concerning the Figurative Motions of Vapour and Smoak, they are Circles; but of Winds, they are broken Parts of Circular Vapours: for, when the Vaporous Circle is extended beyond its Nature of Vapour, the Circumference of the Circle breaks into perturbed Parts; and if the Parts be small, the wind is, in our perception, sharp, pricking, and piercing: but, if the Parts are not so small, then the wind is strong and pressing: but wind, being rarified Vapour, is so like Air, as it is not perceived by human sight, though it be perceived by human touch. But, as there are hot vapours, cold vapours, sharp vapours, moist vapours, dry vapours, subtil vapours, and the like; so there is such sorts of winds. But, pray do not mistake me, when I say, that some sorts of winds are broken and perturbed Circles, as if I meant, such as those of Lightning: for, those of Lightning, are extended beyond the degree of Air; and those of Vapours, are not extended to the degree of Air: also, those of Lightning, are not perturbed; and those of Wind, are perturbed. Again, those of Lightning, flow in Streams of smooth, small, even Lines; those of Wind, in disordered Parts and Fragments.
CHAP. XXVI. Of WIND.
_Wind_ and _Fire_ have some resemblance in some of their particular actions: as for example, Wind and Fire endeavour the disturbance of other Creatures, occasioning a separating and disjoining of Parts. Also, Wind is both an Enemy and Friend to Fire: for Wind, in some sorts of its actions, will assist Fire; and in other actions, dissipates Fire, nay, blows it out: but certainly, the powerful Forces of Wind, proceed not so much from Solidity, as Agility: for, soft, weak, quick Motions, are far more powerful, than strong, slow Motions; because, quick Replies are of great Force, as allowing no time of respit. But this is to be observed, That Wind hath some watry Effects: for, the further water flows, the weaker and fainter it is: so the Wind, the further it blows, the weaker and fainter it is. But this is to be observed, That according to the agilness or slowness of the Corporeal Motions; or, according to the number; or, according to the manner of the compositions, or joynings, or divisions; or, according to the regularity or irregularity of the Corporeal Figurative Motions, so are the Effects.
CHAP. XXVII. Of LIGHT.
Water, Air, Fire, and Light; are all Rare and Fluid Creatures; but they are of different sorts of Rarities and Fluities: and, though Light seems to be extreamly Rare and Fluid; yet, Light is not so Rare and Fluid, as pure Air is, because it is subject to that sort of Human Perception we name _Sight_; but yet, it is not subject to any of the other Perceptions: and, pure Air is only subject to the Perception of Respiration, which seems to be a more subtil Perception than Sight; and that occasions me to believe, That Air is more Rare and Pure, than Light: but howsoever, I conceive the Figurative Motions of Light, to be extraordinary even, smooth, agil Lines of Corporeal Motions: but, as I said before, there are many sorts of Lights that are not Elemental Lights; as, Glow-worms Tails, Cats Eyes, Rotten Wood, Fish Bones, and that Human Light which is made in Dreams, and Infinite other Lights, not subject to our Perception: which proves, That Light may be without Heat. But, whether the Light of the Sun, which we name _Natural Light_, is naturally hot, may be a dispute: for, many times, the Night is hotter than the Day.
CHAP. XXVIII. Of DARKNESS.
The Figurative Motions of _Light_ and _Darkness_, are quite opposite; and the Figurative Motions of Colours, are as a Mean between both, being partly of the Nature of both: but, as the Figurative Motions of Light, in my opinion, are rare, straight, equal, even, smooth Figurative Motions: those of Darkness are uneven, ruff, or rugged, and more dense. Indeed, there is as much difference between Light and Darkness, as between Earth and Water; or rather, between Water and Fire; because each is an Enemy to other; and, being opposite, they endeavour to out-power each other. But this is to be noted, That Darkness is as visible to Human Perception, as Light; although the Nature of Darkness is, To obscure all other Objects besides it self: but, if Darkness could
not be perceived, the Optick Perception could not know when it is dark; nay, particular dark Figurative Motions, are as visible in a general Light, as any other Object; which could not be, if Darkness was only a privation of Light, as the Opinions of many Learned Men are: but, as I said before, Darkness is of a quite different Figurative Motion, from Light; so different, that it is just opposite: for, as the property of Light is to divulge Objects; so, the property of Darkness is to obscure them: but, mistake me not; I mean, that Light and Darkness have such properties to our Perception: but, whether it is so to all Perceptions, is more than I know, or is, as I believe, known to any other Human Creature.
CHAP. XXIX. Of COLOURS.
AS for _Colour_, it is the same with Body: for surely, there is no such thing in Nature, as a Colourless Body, were it as small as an Atom; nor no such thing as a Figureless Body; or such a thing as a Placeless Body: so that Matter, Colour, Figure, and Place, is but one thing, as one and the same Body: but Matter, being self-moving, causes varieties of Figurative Actions, by various changes. As for Colours, they are only several Corporeal Figurative Motions; and as there are several sorts of Creatures, so there are several sorts of Colours: but, as there are those, Man names Artificial Creatures; so there are Artificial Colours. But, though to describe the several Species of all the several sorts of Colours, be impossible; yet we may observe, that there is more variety of Colours amongst Vegetables and Animals, than amongst Minerals and Elements: for, though the Rain-bow is of many fine Colours; yet, the Rain-bow hath not so much Variety, as many particular Vegetables, or Animals have; but every several Colour, is a several Figurative Motion; and the Brighter the Colours are, the Smoother and Evener are the Figurative Motions. And as for Shadows of Colours, they are caused when one sort of Figurative Motions is as the Foundation: for example, If the Fundamental Figurative Motion, be a deep Blew, or Red, or the like, then all the variations of other Colours have a tincture. But, in short, all Shadows have a ground of some sort of dark Figurative Motions. But, the Opinions of many Learned Men, are, That all Colours are made by the several Positions of Light, and are not inherent in any Creature; of which Opinion I am not: For, if that were so, every Creature would be of many several Colours; neither would any Creature produce after their own _Species_: for, a Parrot would not produce so fine a Bird as her self; neither would any Creature appear of one and the same Colour, but their Colour would change according to the Positions of Light; and in a dark day, in my opinion, all fine coloured Birds, would appear like Crows; and fine coloured Flowers, appear like the Herb named Night-shade; which is not so. I do not say, That several Positions of Light may not cause Colours; but I say, The Position of Light is not the Maker of all Colours; for, _Dyers_ cannot cause several Colours by the Positions of Light.