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the earth. That also is said to be generated, 

 which, in mental conception, subsists as a compo- 

 site, though it never has been a composite. Thus, 

 in music, the middle chord is said to be composed 

 of the lowest and highest chord. For though it is 

 not thus composed, yet there is perceived in it the 

 power of the one with reference to the other. The 

 like also takes place in flowers and animals. In 

 the world, therefore, composition and mixture are 

 perceived; according to which, we are able to 

 withdraw and separate qualities from it, and re- 

 solve it into a first subject. The world also is said 

 to be generated, because it always subsists in be- 

 coming to be, like Proteus changing into all- various 

 forms ; hence, with respect to the world, the earth, 

 and the natures, as far as to the moon, are con- 

 tinually changed into each other. But the natures 

 above the moon are as to their subject nearly the 

 same, sustaining only a small mutation. They 

 change, however, according to figure; just as a 

 dancer being one and the same according to sub- 

 ject, is changed into various forms by a certain 

 gesture and motion of the hands. The celestial 

 bodies, therefore, are thus changed, and different 

 habitudes of them take place, between the motions 

 of the planets with reference to the fixed stars, and 

 of the fixed stars with respect to the planets. 

 " The world, likewise, may be said to be gene- 



