254 NOVUM ORGANUM 



When the spirit or moisture, which has evaporated into 

 spirit, has escaped from a porous body (such as wood, 

 bone, parchment, and the like), the thicker parts are drawn 

 together, and united with a greater effort, and induration 

 or desiccation is the consequence; and this we attribute not 

 so much to the motion of connection (in order to prevent a 

 vacuum), as to this motion of friendship and union. 



Union from a distance is rare, and yet is to be met with 

 in more instances than are generally observed. We per 

 ceive it when one bubble dissolves another, when medi 

 cines attract humors from a similarity of substance, when 

 one string moves another in unison with it on different 

 instruments, and the like. We are of opinion that this 

 motion is very prevalent also in animal spirits, but are 

 quite ignorant of the fact. It is, however, conspicuous in 

 the magnet, and magnetized iron. While speaking of the 

 motions of the magnet, we must plainly distinguish them, 

 for there are four distinct powers or effects of the magnet 

 which should not be confounded, although the wonder and 

 astonishment of mankind has classed them together. 1. The 

 attraction of the magnet to the magnet, or of iron to the 

 magnet, or of magnetized iron to iron. 2. Its polarity 

 toward the north and south, and its variation. 8. Its pene 

 tration through gold, glass, stone, and all other substances. 

 4. The communication of power from the mineral to iron, 

 and from iron to iron, without any communication of the 

 substances. Here, however, we only speak of the first. 

 There is also a singular motion of attraction between quick 

 silver and gold, so that the gold attracts quicksilver even 

 when made use of in ointment; and those who work sur 

 rounded by the vapors of quicksilver, are wont to hold a 

 piece of gold in their mouths, to collect the exhalations, 



