The Co7ic'hifion. z 1 3 



know the beft. Our Capacities are certain- 

 ly beft adapted to the Examination of our 

 own Bodies, and what more immediately 

 relates to their Produftion, Safety and life : 

 yet after the EnquiHes of Ages, what Dif-' 

 coveries are made continually, and how 

 much flill remains unknown? Can we tell 

 certainly the Offices of all the Parts of our 

 own Bodies, and how each performs its 

 Duty ? Do we know in what Manner, or 

 by what Kind of Chemiilry, all the Variety 

 of Food, animal and vegetable, of different 

 Taftes, Qualities and Colours, are converted 

 into the fame common red Fluid call'd 

 Blood? What' know we yet of the digeftive 

 Power of the Stomach, which in a few 

 Hours will foften hard Subftances, and even 

 dillblve Bones ? 



If weconlider the Generation of ourfelves, 

 which we may be fuppofed to underftand 

 better than that of other Creatures; How is 

 a Child produced?" — If it be according to 

 the ancient Theory, by a Mixture of feminal 

 Matter, different as to Heat and Cold, 

 Moifture and Drynefs, and affiiled by a 

 Plaftic Nature : or if, according to the mo- 

 dern Hypothelis, it be by an Animalcule find- 

 ing Entrance into an Ovum, where, meeting 

 with proper Nourifhment, it thrives, and 

 P 3 puts 



