181 NOVUM ORGANUM 



pieces, or most finished works in each, as well as of 

 the mode of carrying them into effect. 



Nor do we confine the diligence to be used in such a 

 compilation to the leading works and secrets only of every 

 art, and such as excite wonder; for wonder is engendered 

 by rarity, since that which is rare, although it be com 

 pounded of ordinary natures, always begets wonder. 



On the contrary, that which is really wonderful, from 

 some specific difference distinguishing it from other species, 

 is carelessly observed, if it be but familiar. Yet the singu 

 lar instances of art should be observed no less than those of 

 nature, which we have before spoken of: and as in the lat 

 ter we have classed the sun, the moon, the magnet, and the 

 like, all of them most familiar to us, but yet in their nature 

 singular, so should we proceed with the singular instances 

 of art. 



For example: paper, a very common substance, is a 

 singular instance of art; for if you consider the subject at 

 tentively, you will find that artificial substances are either 

 woven by straight and transverse lines, as silk, woollen, 

 or linen cloth, and the like; or coagulated from concrete 

 juices, such as brick, earthenware, glass, enamel, porcelain 

 and the like, which admit of a polish if they be compact, 

 but if not, become hard without being polished; all which 

 latter substances are brittle, and not adherent or tenacious. 

 On the contrary, paper is a tenacious substance, which can 

 be cut and torn, so as to resemble and almost rival the skin 

 of any animal, or the leaf of vegetables, and the like works 

 of nature; being neither brittle like glass, nor woven like 

 cloth, but having fibres and not distinct threads, just as 

 natural substances, so that scarcely anything similar can 

 be found among artificial substances, and it is absolutely 



