The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 2

Certainly the Eyes of the understanding, and those of the sense are differently deceived in their greatest objects; the sense apprehending them in lesser magnitudes then their d...

Whereof to speak distinctly: among the Southern constellations two there are which bear the name of the Dog; the one in 16 degrees of latitude, containing on the left thigh a St...

Beside the slender consideration men of latter times do hold of the first ages, it is commonly opinioned, and at first thought generally imagined, that the earth was thinly inha...

Concerning the beginning of the World, that the time thereof is not precisely to be known, as men generally suppose: Of mens enquiries in what season or point of the Zodiack it...

1. And first from great Antiquity, and before the Melody of _Syrens_, the Musical note of Swans hath been commended, and that they sing most sweetly before their death. For thus...

Hereof uncontroulably and under general consent many opinions are passant, which notwithstanding upon due examination, do admit of doubt or restriction. It is generally esteemed...

It is evident not only in the general frame of Nature, that things most manifest unto sense, have proved obscure unto the understanding: But even in proper and appropriate Objec...

It is also suspicious, and not with that certainty to be received, what is generally believed concerning the right and left hand; that Men naturally make use of the right, and t...

Concerning the _Chameleon_ there generally passeth an opinion that it liveth only upon air, and is sustained by no other aliment: Thus much is in plain terms affirmed by _Solinu...

1. If an Hare cross the high way, there are few above threescore years that are not perplexed thereat: which notwithstanding is but an Augurial terror, according to that receive...

The next shall be of East and West; that is, the proprieties and conditions ascribed unto Regions respectively unto those situations; which hath been the obvious conception of P...

Concerning the Pictures of the _Jews_, and Eastern Nations at their Feasts, concerning the gesture of our Saviour at the Passover, who is usually described sitting upon a stool...

That there is but one Phœnix in the World, which after many hundred years burneth it self, and from the ashes thereof ariseth up another, is a conceit not new or altogether popu...

The double sex of single Hares, or that every Hare is both male and female, beside the vulgar opinion, was the affirmative of _Archelaus_, of _Plutarch_, _Philostratus_, and man...

Why we confine our food unto certain Animals, and totally reject some others; how these distinctions crept into several Nations; and whether this practice be built upon solid re...

There being therefore two opinions repugnant unto each other, it may not be presumptive or skeptical to doubt of both. And because we remain imperfect in the general Theory of c...

That _Jews_ stink naturally, that is, that in their race and nation there is an evil savour, is a received opinion we know not how to admit; although concede many questionable p...

Great account and much profit is made of _Unicorns horn_, at least of that which beareth the name thereof; wherein notwithstanding, many I perceive suspect an Imposture, and som...

That the young Vipers force their way through the bowels of their Dam, or that the female Viper in the act of generation bites off the head of the male, in revenge whereof the y...

1. That temperamental dignotions, and conjecture of prevalent humours, may be collected from spots in our nails, we are not averse to concede. But yet not ready to admit sundry...

Of the Divisions of the seasons and four Quarters of the year, according unto Astronomers and Physitians; that the common compute of the Ancients, and which is still retained by...

A Second opinion there is, that this complexion was first a curse of God derived unto them from _Cham_, upon whom it was inflicted for discovering the nakedness of _Noah_. Which...

Having thus beheld the ignorance of man in some things, his error and blindness in others, that is, in the measure of duration both of years and seasons, let us a while admire t...

Concerning the venomous Urine of Toads, of the stone in the Toads head, and of the generation of Frogs, conceptions are entertained which require consideration. And first, that...

That a Chicken is formed out of the yelk of the Egg, was the opinion of some Ancient Philosophers. Whether it be not the nutriment of the Pullet, may also be considered: Since u...

An opinion there is, which magnifies the fourth _Finger_ of the left Hand; presuming therein a cordial relation, that a particular vessel, nerve, vein or artery is conferred the...

That Men swim naturally, if not disturbed by fear; that Men being drowned and sunk, do float the ninth day when their gall breaketh; that Women drowned, swim prone, but Men supi...

The common opinion of the _Ostrich_, _Struthiocamelus_ or _Sparrow-Camel_ conceives that it digesteth Iron; and this is confirmed by the affirmations of many; beside swarms of o...

By _Pigmies_ we understand a dwarfish race of people, or lowest diminution of mankind, comprehended in one cubit, or as some will have it, in two foot or three spans; not taking...

We will not pass over the Scutcheons of the Tribes of _Israel_, as they are usually described in the Maps of _Canaan_ and several other pieces; generally conceived to be the pro...

Few eyes have escaped the Picture of _Mermaids_: that is, according to _Horace_ his Monster, with womans head above, and fishy extremity below; and these are conceived to answer...

We commonly accuse the phancies of elder times in the improper figures of heaven assigned unto Constellations, which do not seem to answer them, either in Greek or Barbarick Sph...

That Moles are blind and have no eyes, though a common opinion, is received with much variety; some affirming only they have no sight, as _Oppianus_, the Proverb _Talpa Cæcior_,...

is a double assertion, whose first part may be true, if we take Erectness strictly, and so as _Galen_ hath defined it; for they only, saith he, have an Erect figure, whose spine...

Fourthly, There are certain vulgar opinions concerning days of the year, and conclusions popularly deduced from certain days of the moneth: men commonly believing the days incre...

What Sperma-Ceti is, men might justly doubt, since the learned _Hofmannus_ in his work of Thirty years, [SN: De medicamentis officin.] saith plainly, _Nescio quid sit_. And ther...

The hand of the Painter confidently setteth forth the Picture of _Jephthah_ in the posture of _Abraham_, sacrificing his only daughter: Thus is it commonly received, and hath ha...

Contrary apprehensions are made of the Erythræan or Red Sea; most apprehending a material redness therein, from whence they derive its common denomination; and some so lightly c...

The Pictures of the nine Worthies are not unquestionable, and to critical spectators may seem to contain sundry improprieties. Some will enquire why _Alexander_ the Great is des...

That the Amphisbæna, that is, a smaller kind of Serpent, which moveth forward and backward, hath two heads, or one at either extream, was affirmed first by _Nicander_, and after...

Concerning Sternutation or Sneezing, and the custom of saluting or blessing upon that motion, it is pretended, and generally believed to derive its original from a disease, wher...

That Men weigh heavier dead then alive, if experiment hath not failed us, we cannot reasonably grant. For though the trial hereof cannot so well be made on the body of Man, nor...

Another mistake there may be in the Picture of our first Parents, who after the manner of their posterity are both delineated with a Navel. And this is observable not only in or...

That there are Griffins in Nature, that is a mixt and dubious Animal, in the fore-part resembling an Eagle, and behind, the shape of a Lion, with erected ears, four feet and a l...

That all Animals of the Land, are in their kind in the Sea, although received as a principle, is a tenent very questionable, and will admit of restraint. For some in the Sea are...

In common draughts, _Haman_ is hanged by the Neck upon an high Gibbet, after the usual and now practised way of suspension, but whether this description truly answereth the Orig...

That a Salamander is able to live in flames, to endure and put out fire, is an assertion, not only of great antiquity, but confirmed by frequent, and not contemptible testimony....

And first in every place we meet with the picture of the Pelecan, opening her breast with her bill, and feeding her young ones with the blood distilling from her. Thus is it set...

That the _Heart_ of Man is seated in the left side, is an asseveration, which strictly taken, is refutable by inspection, whereby it appears the base and centre thereof is in th...

There is also among us a common description and picture of a Grashopper, as may be observed in the pictures of Emblematists, in the coats of several families, and as the word _C...

Concerning the Seasons, that is, the quarters of the year, some are ready to enquire, others to determine, in what season, whether in the Autumn, Spring, Winter or Summer the Wo...

The Picture of _Jerom_ usually described at his study, with a Clock hanging by, is not to be omitted; for though the meaning be allowable, and probable it is that industrious Fa...

Whether Lampries have nine eyes, as is received, we durst refer it unto _Polyphemus_, who had but one, to judge it. An error concerning eyes, occasioned by the error of eyes; de...

The frontispiece to this volume is reproduced from a photograph kindly lent to me for the purpose by Mr. Charles Williams, F.R.C.S.E., of Norwich, whose note upon the measuremen...

Certainly of all men that suffered from the confusion of _Babel_, the _Ægyptians_ found the best evasion; for, though words were confounded, they invented a language of things,...

In the Picture of Paradise, and delusion of our first Parents, the Serpent is often described with humane visage; not unlike unto _Cadmus_ or his wife, in the act of their Metam...

Whether _Snayls_ have eyes some Learned men have doubted. For _Scaliger_ terms them but imitations of eyes; and _Aristotle_ upon consequence denyeth them, when he affirms that _...

In many pieces, and some of ancient Bibles, _Moses_ is described with horns. The same description we find in a silver Medal; that is, upon one side _Moses_ horned, and on the re...

That there are different passages for Meat and Drink, the Meat or dry aliment descending by the one, the Drink or moistening vehicle by the other, is a popular Tenent in our dai...

The Picture of St. _George_ killing the Dragon, and, as most ancient draughts do run, with the daughter of a King standing by, is famous amongst Christians. And upon this descri...

The Picture of St. _Christopher_, that is, a man of a Giantlike stature, bearing upon his shoulders our Saviour Christ, and with a staff in his hand, wading thorow the water, is...

The Picture of _John_ the Baptist, in a Camels skin is very questionable, and many I perceive have condemned it. The ground or occasion of this description are the words of the...

Great wonder it is not we are to seek in the original of _Æthiopians_ and natural Negroes, being also at a loss concerning the Original of Gypsies and counterfeit Moors, observa...

That Dolphins are crooked, is not only affirmed by the hand of the Painter, but commonly conceived their natural and proper figure; which is not only the opinion of our times, b...

The Picture concerning the death of _Cleopatra_ with two Asps or venemous Serpents unto her arms, or breasts, or both, requires consideration: for therein (beside that this vari...

The Pictures of the _Sibyls_ are very common, and for their Prophesies of Christ in high esteem with Christians; described commonly with youthful faces, and in a defined number....

Another Picture there is of our Saviour described with long hair, according to the custom of the _Jews_, and his description sent by _Lentulus_ unto the Senate. Wherein indeed t...

In the Picture of the Immolation of _Isaac_, or _Abraham_ sacrificing his son, _Isaac_ is described as a little boy; which notwithstanding is not consentaneous unto the authorit...

That _Pleurisies_ are only on the left side, is a popular Tenent not only absurd but dangerous. From the misapprehension hereof, men omitting the opportunity of remedies, which...