258 NOVUM ORGANUM 



brings out our several limbs and parts by separation and 

 rejection. But to leave such trifling, it is most certain that 

 all the parts of vegetables and animals, as well the homo 

 geneous as organic, first of all attract those juices contained 

 in their food, which are nearly common, or at least not very 

 different, and then assimilate and convert them into their 

 own nature. Nor does this assimilation, or simple genera 

 tion, take place in animated bodies only, but the inanimate 

 also participate in the same property (as we have observed 

 of flame and air), and that languid spirit, which is contained 

 in every tangible animated substance, is perpetually work 

 ing upon the coarser parts, and converting them into spirit, 

 which afterward is exhaled, whence ensues a diminution of 

 weight, and a desiccation of which we have spoken else 

 where. 88 



Nor should we, in speaking of assimilation, neglect 

 to mention the accretion which is usually distinguished 

 from aliment, and which is observed when mud grows into 

 a mass between stones, and is converted into a stony sub 

 stance, and the scaly substance round the teeth is converted 

 into one no less hard than the teeth themselves; for we are 

 of opinion that there exists in all bodies a desire of assim 

 ilation, as well as of uniting with homogeneous masses. 

 Each of these powers, however, is confined, although in 

 different manners, and should be diligently investigated, 

 because they are connected with the revival of old age. 

 Lastly, it is worthy of observation, that in the nine 

 preceding motions, bodies appear to aim at the mere 

 preservation of their nature, while in this they attempt 

 its propagation. 



88 See the citing instances, Aphorism xl. 



