15 



But with respect to the peculiarities of each, heat 

 is the peculiarity of fire, dryness of earth, moisture 

 of air, and frigidity of water. The essences, there- 

 fore, of these remain permanent, through the pos- 

 session of common properties ; but they change 

 through such as are peculiar, when one contrary 

 vanquishes another. 



Hence, when the moisture in air vanquishes the 

 dryness in fire, but the frigidity in water, the heat 

 in air, and the dryness in earth, the moisture in 

 water, and vice versa, when the moisture in water 

 vanquishes the dryness in earth, the heat in air, the 

 coldness in water, and the dryness in fire, the 

 moisture in air, then the mutations and genera- 

 tions of the elements from each other into each 

 other are effected. 



The body, however, which is the subject and 

 recipient of mutations, is a universal receptacle, 

 and is in capacity the first tangible substance. 



But the mutations of the elements are effected, 

 either from a change of earth into fire, or from fire 

 into air, or from air into water, or from water into 

 earth. Mutation is also effected in the third place, 

 when that which is contrary in each element is 

 corrupted, but that which is of a kindred nature, 

 and connascent, is preserved. Generation, there- 

 fore, is effected, when one contrariety is corrupted. 

 For fire, indeed, is hot and dry, but air is hot and 



