176 NOVUM ORQANUM 



while the heat of the female being too weak to effect this, 

 they are retained internally. 



The fins of fishes and the feet of quadrupeds, or the feet 

 and wings of birds, are similar instances; to which Aristotle 

 adds the four folds in the motion of serpents; 48 so that in 

 the formation of the universe, the motion of animals appears 

 to be chiefly effected by four joints or bendings. 



The teeth of land animals, and the beaks of birds, are 

 similar instances, whence it is clear, that in all perfect 

 animals there is a determination of some hard substance 

 toward the mouth. 



Again, the resemblance and conformity of man to an 

 inverted plant is not absurd. For the head is the root of 

 the nerves and animal faculties, and the seminal parts are 

 the lowest, not including the extremities of the legs and 

 arms. But in the plant, the root (which resembles the head) 

 is regularly placed in the lowest, and the seeds in the high 

 est part. 49 



Lastly, we must particularly recommend and suggest, 

 that man s present industry in the investigation and com 

 pilation of natural history be entirely changed, and directed 

 to the reverse of the present system. For it has hitherto 

 been active and curious in noting the variety of things, and 

 explaining the accurate differences of animals, vegetables, 

 and minerals, most of which are the mere sport of nature, 

 rather than of any real utility as concerns the sciences. 



48 Is not this very hasty generalization ? Do serpents move with four folds 

 only ? Observe also the motion of centipedes and other insects. 



49 Shaw states another point of difference between the objects cited in the 

 text animals having their roots within, while plants have theirs without; for 

 their la-cteals nearly correspond with the fibres of the roots in plants; so that 

 animals seem nourished within themselves as plants are without. Ed. 



