110 NOVUM ORGANUM 



III. He who has learned the cause of a particular nature 

 (such as whiteness or heat), in particular subjects only, has 

 acquired but an imperfect knowledge : as he who can induce 

 a certain effect upon particular substances only, among those 

 which are susceptible of it, has acquired but an imperfect 

 power. But he who has only learned the efficient and 

 material cause (which causes are variable and mere vehicles 



consists in invariable sequence between certain classes of phenomena; but this 

 cannot be the complete sense attached by Bacon to the term form, as he em 

 ploys it in the fourth aphorism as convertible with the nature of any object; 

 and again, in the first aphorism, as the natura naturans, or general law or con 

 dition in any substance or quality natura naturata which is whatever its 

 form is, or that particular combination of forces which impresses a certain 

 nature upon matter subject to its influence. Thus, in the Newtonian sense, 

 the form of whiteness would be that combination of the seven primitive rays 

 of light which give rise to that color. In combination with this word, and 

 affording a still further insight into its meaning, we have the phrases, latens 

 processus ad formam, et latens schematismus corporum. Now, the latens sche~ 

 inatismus signifies the internal texture, structure, or configuration of bodies, or 

 the result of the respective situation of all the parts of a body ; while the latens 

 processus ad formam points out the gradation of movements which takes place 

 among the molecula of bodies when they either conserve or change their figure. 

 Hence we may consider the form of any quality in body as something converti 

 ble with that quality, i.e., when it exists the quality is present, and vice versa. 

 In this sense, the form of a thing differs only from its efficient cause in being 

 permanent, whereas we apply cause to that which exists in order of time. The 

 latens processus and latens schematismus are subordinate to form, as concrete 

 exemplifications of its essence. The former is the secret and invisible process 

 by which change is effected, and involves the principle since called the law of 

 continuity. Thus, the succession of events between the application of the 

 match to the expulsion of the bullet is an instance of latent progress which we 

 can now trace with some degree of accuracy. It also more directly refers to 

 the operation by which one form or condition of being is induced upon another. 

 For example, when the surface of iron becomes rusty, or when water is con 

 verted into steam, some change has taken place, or latent process from one 

 form to another. Mechanics afford many exemplifications of the first latent 

 process we have denoted, and chemistry of the second. The latens schematis 

 mus is that visible structure of bodies on which so many of their properties 

 depend. &quot;When we inquire into the constitution of crystals, and into the inter 

 nal structure of plants, we are examining into their latent schematism. Ed. 



