Grounds of Natural Philosophy: Divided into Thirteen Parts The Second Edition, much altered from the First, which went under the Name of Philosophical and Physical Opinions

Part 3

Chapter 33,820 wordsPublic domain

There are so many different composed Parts, and so much of variety of Action in every several Part of one Creature, as 'tis impossible for Human Perception to perceive them; nay, not every Corporeal Motion of one Creature, doth perceive all the varieties of the same Society; and, by the several actions, not only of several Parts, but of one and the same Parts, cause such obscurity, as not any Creature can tell, not only how they were produced, but, not how they consist: But, by reason every Part knows his own Work, there is Order and Method: For example, In a Human Creature, those Parts that produce, or nourish the Bones, those of the Sinews, those of the Veins, those of the Flesh, those of the Brains, and the like, know all their several Works, and consider not each several composed Part, but what belongs to themselves; the like, I believe, in Vegetables, Minerals, or Elements. But mistake me not; for, I do not say, those Corporeal Motions in those particulars, are bound to those particular Works, as, that they cannot change, or alter their actions if they will, and many times do: as some Creatures dissolve before they are perfect, or quite finished; and some as soon as finished; and some after some short time after they are finished; and some continue long, as we may perceive by many Creatures that dye, which I name Dissolving in several Ages; but, untimely Dissolutions, proceed rather from some particular Irregularities of some particular Parts, than by a general Agreement.

CHAP. IV. Of Productions in general.

The Reason that all Creatures are produced by the ways of Production, as one Creature to be composed out of other Creatures, is, That Nature is but one Matter, and that all her Parts are united as one Material Body, having no Additions, or Diminutions; no new Creations, or Annihilations: But, were not Nature one and the same, but that her Parts were of different natures; yet, Creatures must be produced by Creatures, that is, Composed Figures, as a Beast, a Tree, a Stone, Water, &c. must be composed of _Parts_, not a _single Part_: for, a single Part cannot produce composed Figures; nor can a single Part produce another single Part; for, Matter cannot create Matter; nor can one Part produce another Part out of it self: Wherefore, all Natural Creatures are produced by the consent and agreement of many Self-moving Parts, or Corporeal Motions, which work to a particular Design, as to associate into particular kinds and sorts of Creatures.

CHAP. V. Of Productions in general.

As I said in my former Chapter, That all Creatures are produced, or composed by the agreement and consent of particular Parts; yet some Creatures are composed of more, and some of fewer Parts: neither are all Creatures produced, or composed after one and the same manner; but some after one manner, and some after another manner: Indeed, there are divers manners of Productions, both of those we name Natural, and those we name _Artificial_; but I only treat of Natural Productions, which are so various, that it is a wonder if any two Creatures are just alike; by which we may perceive, that not only in several kinds and sorts, but in Particulars of every kind, or sort, there is some difference, so as to be distinguished from each other, and yet the species of some Creatures are like to their kind, and sort, but not all; and the reason that most Creatures are in _Species_, according to their sort, and kind, is not only, that Nature's Wisdom orders and regulates her Corporeal Figurative Motions, into kinds and sorts of Societies and Conjunctions; but, those Societies cause a perceptive Acquaintance, and an united Love, and good liking of the Compositions, or Productions: and not only a love to their Figurative Compositions, but to all that are of the same sort, or kind; and especially, their being accustom'd to actions proper to their Figurative Compositions, is the cause that those Parts, that divide from the Producers, begin a new Society, and, by degrees, produce the like Creature; which is the cause that Animals and Vegetables produce according to their likeness. The same may be amongst Minerals and Elements, for all we can know. But yet, some Creatures of one and the same sort, are not produced after one and the same manner: As for example, One and the same sort of Vegetables, may be produced after several manners, and yet, in the effect, be the same, as when Vegetables are sowed, planted, engrafted; as also, Seeds, Roots, and the like, they are several manners, or ways of Productions, and yet will produce the same sort of Vegetable: but, there will be much alterations in replanting, which is occasioned by the change of associating Parts, and Parties; but as for the several Productions

of several kinds and sorts, they are very different; as for example, Animals are not produced as Vegetables, or Vegetables as Minerals, nor Minerals as any of the rest: Nor are all Animals produced alike, nor Minerals, or Vegetables; but after many different manners, or ways. Neither are all Productions like their Producers; for, some are so far from resembling their Figurative Society, that they produce another kind, or sort of Composed Figures; as for example, Maggots out of Cheese, other Worms out of Roots, Fruits, and the like: but these sorts of Creatures, Man names _Insects_; but yet they are Animal Creatures, as well as others.

CHAP. VI. Of Productions in general.

All Creatures are Produced, and Producers; and all these Productions partake more or less of the Producers; and are necessitated so to do, because there cannot be any thing New in Nature: for, whatsoever is produced, is of the same Matter; nay, every particular Creature hath its particular Parts: for, not any one Creature can be produced of any other Parts than what produced it; neither can the same Producer produce one and the same double, (as I may say to express my self:) for, though the same Producers may produce the like, yet not the same:

for, every thing produced, hath its own Corporeal Figurative Motions; but this might be, if Nature was not so full of variety: for, if all those Corporeal Motions, or Self-moving Parts, did associate in the like manner, and were the very same Parts, and move in the very same manner; the same Production, or Creature, might be produced after it was dissolved; but, by reason the Self-moving Parts of Nature are always dividing and composing _from_, and _to_ Parts, it would be very difficult, if not impossible.

CHAP. VII. Of Productions in general.

As there are Productions, or Compositions, made by the Sensitive Corporeal Motions, so there are of the Rational Corporeal Motions, which are Composed Figures of the Mind: And the reason the Rational Productions are more various, as also more numerous, is, That the Rational is more loose, free, and so more agil than the Sensitive; which is also the reason that the Rational Productions require not such degrees of Time, as the Sensitive. But I shall treat more upon this Subject, when I treat of that Animal we name _MAN_.

CHAP. VII. _Lastly_, Of Productions in general.

Though all Creatures are made by the several Associations of Self-moving Parts, or (as the Learned name them) _Corporeal Motions_; yet, there are infinite varieties of Corporeal Figurative Motions, and so infinite several manners and ways of Productions; as also, infinite varieties of Figurative Motions in every produced Creature: Also, there is variety in the difference of Time, of several Productions, and of their Consistency and Dissolution: for, some Creatures are produced in few Hours, others not in many Years. Again, some continue not a Day; others, numbers of Years. But this is to be noted, That according to the Regularity, or Irregularity of the Associating Motions, their Productions are more or less perfect. Also, this is to be noted, That there are Rational Productions, as well as Sensitive: for, though all Creatures are composed both of Sensitive and Rational Parts, yet the Rational Parts move after another manner.

CHAP. VIII. Productions must partake of some Parts of their Producers.

No Animal, or Vegetable, could be produced, but by such, or such particular Producers; neither could an Animal, or Vegetable, be produced without some Corporeal Motions of their Producers; that is, some of the Producers Self-moving Parts; otherwise the like Actions might produce, not only the like Creatures, but the same Creatures, which is impossible: Wherefore, the things produced, are part of the Producers; for, no particular Creature could be produced, but by such particular Producers. But this is to be noted, That all sorts of Creatures are produced by more, or fewer, Producers. Also, the first Producers are but the first Founders of the things produced, but not the only Builders: for, there are many several sorts of Corporeal Motions, that are the Builders; for, no Creature can subsist, or consist, by it self, but must assist, and be assisted: Yet, there are some differences in all Productions, although of the same Producers; otherwise all the Off-springs of one and the same Producer, would be alike: And though, sometimes, their several Off-springs may be so alike, as hardly to be distinguished; yet, that is so seldom, as it appears as a wonder; but there is a property in all Productions, as, for the Produced to belong as a Right and Property to the _Producer_.

CHAP. IX. Of Resemblances of several Off-springs, or Producers.

There are numerous kinds and sorts of Productions, and infinite manners and ways, in the actions of Productions; which is the cause that the Off-springs of the same Producers, are not so just alike, but that they are distinguishable; but yet there may not only be resemblances between particular Off-springs of the same Producers, as also of the same sort; but, of different sorts of Creatures: but the Actions of all Productions that are according to their own _Species_, are Imitating Actions, but not Bare Imitations, as by an Incorporeal Motion; for if so, then a covetous Woman, that loves Gold, might produce a Wedg of Gold instead of a Child; also, _Virgins_ might be as Fruitful as _Married Wives_.

CHAP. X. Of the Several Appearances of the Exterior Parts of One Creature.

Every altered Action of the Exterior Parts, causes an altered Appearance: As for example, A Man, or the like Creature, doth not appear when he is old, as when he was young; nor when he is sick, as when he is well in health; no, nor when he is cold, as when he is hot. Nor do they appear in several Passions alike: for, though Man can best perceive the Alteration of his own Kind, or Sort; yet, other Creatures have several Appearances, as well as Man; some of which, Man may perceive, though not all, being of a different sort. And not only Animals, but Vegetables, and Elements, have altered Appearances, and many that are subject to Man's perception.

The Fourth Part.

CHAP. I. Of Animal Productions; and of the Differences between Productions, and Transformations.

I understand Productions to be between Particulars; as, some particular Creatures to produce other particular Creatures; but not to transform from one sort of Creature, into another sort of Creature, as Cheese into Maggots, and Fruit into Worms, &c. which, in some manner, is like Metamorphosing. So by Transformation, the Intellectual Nature, as well as the Exterior Form, is transform'd: Whereas Production transforms only the Exterior Form, but not the Intellectual Nature; which is the cause that such Transformations cannot return into their former state; as a Worm to be a Fruit, or a Maggot a Cheese again, as formerly. Hence I perceive, that all sorts of Fowls are partly Produced, and partly Transformed: for, though an Egg be produced, yet a Chicken is but a Transformed Egg.

CHAP. II. Of different Figurative Motions in MAN's Production.

All Creatures are produced by Degrees; which proves, That not any Creature is produced, in perfection, by one Act, or Figurative Motion: for, though the Producers are the first Founders, yet not the Builders. But, as for Animal Creatures, there be some sorts that are composed of many different Figurative Motions; amongst which sorts, is Mankind, who has very different Figurative Parts, as Bones, Sinews, Nerves, Muscles, Veins, Flesh, Skin, and Marrow, Blood, Choler, Flegm, Melancholy, and the like; also, Head, Breast, Neck, Arms, Hands, Body, Belly, Thighs, Leggs, Feet, &c. also, Brains, Lungs, Stomack, Heart, Liver, Midriff, Kidnies, Bladder, Guts, and the like; and all these have several actions, yet all agree as one, according to the property of that sort of Creature named MAN.

CHAP. III. Of the Quickning of a Child, or any other sort of Animal Creatures.

The Reason that a Woman, or such like Animal, doth not feel her Child so soon as it is produced, is, That the Child cannot have an Animal Motion, until it hath an Animal Nature, that is, until it be perfectly an Animal Creature; and as soon as it is a perfect Child, she feels it to move, according to its nature: but it is only the Sensitive Parts of the Child that are felt by the Mother, not the Rational; because those Parts are as the Designers, not the Builders; and therefore, being not the Labouring Parts, are not the Sensible Parts. But it is to be noted, That, according to the Regularity, or Irregularity of the Figurative Motions, the Child is _well shaped_, or mishaped .

CHAP. IV. Of the Birth of a Child.

The reason why a Child, or such like Animal Creature, stays no longer in the Mother's Body, than to such a certain Time, is, That a Child is not Perfect before that time, and would be too big after that time; and so big, that it would not have room enough; and therefore it strives and labours for liberty.

CHAP. V. Of Mischances, or Miscarriages of Breeding Creatures.

When a Mare, Doe, Hind, or the like Animal, cast their Young, or a Woman miscarries of her Child, the Mischance proceeds either through the Irregularities of the Corporeal Motions, or Parts of the Child; or through some Irregularity of the Parts of the Mother; or else of both Mother and Child. If the Irregularities be of the Parts of the Child, those Parts divide from the Mother, through their Irregularity: but, if the Irregularity be in the Parts of the Mother, then the Mother divides in some manner from the Child; and if there be a distemper in both of them, the Child and Mother divide from each other: but, such Mischances are at different times, some sooner, and some later. As for false Conceptions, they are occasioned through the Irregularities of Conception.

CHAP. VI. Of the Encrease of Growth, and Strength of Mankind, or such like Creatures.

The reason most Animals, especially Human Creatures, are weak whilst they are Infants, and that their Strength and Growth encreases by degrees, is, That a Child hath not so many Parts, as when he is a Youth; nor so many Parts when he is a Youth, as when he is a Man: for, after the Child is parted from the Mother, it is nourished by other Creatures, as the Mother was, and the Child by the Mother; and according as the nourishing Parts be Regular, or Irregular, so is the Child, Youth, or Man, weaker, or stronger; healthful, or diseased; and when the Figurative Motions move (as I may say for expression sake) curiously, the Body is neatly shaped, and is, as we say, beautiful. But this is to be noted, That 'tis not Greatness, or Bulk of Body, makes a Body perfect; for, there are several sizes of every sort, or kind of Creatures; as also, in every particular kind, or sort; and every several size may be as perfect, one, as the other: But, I mean the Number of Parts, according to the proper size.

CHAP. VII. Of the several Properties of the several Exterior Shapes of several sorts of Animals.

The several Exterior Shapes of Creatures, cause several Properties, as Running, Jumping, Hopping, Leaping, Climbing, Galloping, Trotting, Ambling, Turning, Winding, and Rowling; also Creeping, Crawling, Flying, Soaring or Towring; Swimming, Diving, Digging, Stinging or Piercing; Pressing, Spinning, Weaving, Twisting, Printing, Carving, Breaking, Drawing, Driving, Bearing, Carrying, Holding, Griping or Grasping, Infolding, and Millions of the like. Also, the Exterior Shapes cause Defences, as Horns, Claws, Teeth, Bills, Talons, Finns, _&c._ Likewise, the Exterior Shapes cause Offences, and give Offences: As also, the different sorts of Exterior Shapes, cause different Exterior Perceptions.

CHAP. VIII. Of the Dividing and Uniting Parts of a particular Creature.

Those Parts (as I have said) that were the First Founders of an Animal, or other sort of Creature, may not be constant Inhabitants: for, though

the Society may remain, the particular Parts may remove: Also, all particular Societies of one kind, or sort, may not continue the like time; but some may dissolve sooner than others. Also, some alter by degrees, others of a sudden; but, of those Societies that continue, the particular Parts remove, and other particular Parts unite; so, as some Parts _were_ of the Society, so some other Parts are of the Society, and _will be_ of the Society: But, when the Form, Frame, and Order of the Society begins to alter, then that particular Creature begins to decay. But this is to be noted, That those particular Creatures that dye in their Childhood, or Youth, were never a full and regular Society; and the dissolving of a Society, whether it be a Full, or but a Forming Society, Man names _DEATH_. Also, this is to be noted, That the Nourishing Motion of Food, is the Uniting Motion; and the Cleansing, or Evacuating Motions, are the Dividing Corporeal Motions. Likewise it is to be noted, That a Society requires a longer time of uniting than of dividing; by reason uniting requires assistance of Foreign Parts, whereas dividings are only a dividing of home-Parts. Also, a particular Creature, or Society, is longer in dividing its Parts, than in altering its Actions; because a Dispersing Action is required in Division, but not in Alteration of Actions.

The Fifth Part.

CHAP. I. Of MAN.

Now I have discoursed, in the former Parts, after a general manner, of _Animals_: I will, in the following Chapters, speak more particularly of that sort we name _Mankind_; who believe (being ignorant of the Nature of other Creatures) that they are the most knowing of all Creatures; and yet a _whole Man_ (as I may say for expression-sake) doth not know all the Figurative Motions belonging either to his Mind, or Body: for, he doth not generally know every particular Action of his Corporeal Motions, as, How he was framed, or formed, or perfected. Nor doth he know every particular Motion that occasions his present Consistence,

or Being: Nor every particular Digestive, or Nourishing Motion: Nor, when he is sick, the particular Irregular Motion that causes his Sickness. Nor do the Rational Motions in the Head, know always the Figurative Actions of those of the Heel. In short, (as I said) Man doth not generally know every particular Part, or Corporeal Motion, either of Mind, or Body: Which proves, Man's Natural Soul is not inalterable, or individable, and uncompoundable.

CHAP. II. Of the variety of Man's Natural Motions.

There is abundance of varieties of Figurative Motions in Man: As, first, There are several Figurative Motions of the Form and Frame of Man, as of his Innate, Interior, and Exterior Figurative Parts. Also, there are several Figures of his several Perceptions, Conceptions, Appetite, Digestions, Reparations, and the like. There are also several Figures of several Postures of his several Parts; and a difference of his Figurative Motions, or Parts, from other Creatures; all which are Numberless: And yet all these different Actions are proper to the Nature of _MAN_.

CHAP. III. Of Man's Shape and Speech.

The Shape of Man's Sensitive Body, is, in some manner, of a mixt Form: but, he is singular in this, That he is of an upright and straight Shape; of which, no other Animal but Man is: which Shape makes him not only fit, proper, easie and free, for all exterior actions; but also for Speech: for being streight, as in a straight and direct Line from the Head to the Feet, so as his Nose, Mouth, Throat, Neck, Chest, Stomack, Belly, Thighs, and Leggs, are from a straight Line: also, his Organ-Pipes, Nerves, Sinews, and Joynts, are in a straight and equal posture to each other; which is the cause, Man's Tongue, and Organs, are more apt for Speech than those of any other Creature; which makes him more apt to imitate any other Creature's Voyces, or Sounds: Whereas other Animal Creatures, by reason of their bending Shapes, and crooked Organs, are not apt for Speech; neither (in my Opinion) have other Animals so melodious a Sound, or Voice, as Man: for, though some sorts of Birds Voices are sweet, yet they are weak, and faint; and Beasts Voices are harsh, and rude: but of all other Animals, besides Man, Birds are the most apt for Speech; by reason they are more of an upright shape, than Beasts, or any other sorts of Animal Creatures, as Fish, and the like; for, Birds are of a straight and upright shape, as from their Breasts, to their Heads; but, being not so straight as Man; causes Birds to speak uneasily, and constrainedly: Man's shape is so ingeniously contrived, that he is fit and proper for more several sorts of exterior actions, than any other Animal Creature; which is the cause he seems as Lord and Sovereign of other Animal Creatures.

CHAP. IV. Of the several Figurative Parts of Human Creatures.

The manner of Man's Composition, or Form, is of different Figurative Parts; whereof some of those Parts seem the Supreme, or (as I may say) Fundamental Parts; as the Head, Chest, Lungs, Stomack, Heart, Liver, Spleen, Bowels, Reins, Kidnies, Gaul, and many more: also, those Parts have other Figurative Parts belonging or adjoining to them, as the Head, Scull, Brains, _Pia-mater, Dura-mater_, Forehead, Nose, Eyes, Cheeks, Ears, Mouth, Tongue, and several Figurative Parts belonging to those; so of the rest of the Parts, as the Arms, Hands, Fingers, Leggs, Feet, Toes, and the like: all which different Parts, have different sorts of Perceptions; and yet (as I formerly said) their Perceptions are united: for, though all the Parts of the Human Body have different Perceptions; yet those different perceptions unite in a general Perception, both for the Subsistence, Consistence, and use of the Whole Man: but, concerning Particulars, not only the several composed Figurative Parts, have several sorts of Perceptions; but every Part hath variety of Perceptions, occasioned by variety of Objects.

CHAP. V. Of the several Perceptions amongst the several Parts of MAN.