96 NOVUM ORGANUM. 



but simply a continued process, which for the most part 

 escapes the observation of the senses. 



For instance ; in all generations and transformations of 

 bodies we must inquire, what is in the act of being lost 

 and escaping, what remains, what is being added, what is 

 being diluted, what is being contracted, what is being 

 united, what is i&amp;gt;eing separated, what is continuous, what 

 is broken off, what is urging forward, what impedes, what 

 predominates, what is subservient, and many other circum 

 stances. 



Nor are these inquiries again to be made in the mere 

 generation and transformation of bodies only, but in all 

 other alterations and fluctuations we must in like manner 

 inquire ; what precedes, what succeeds, what is quick, what 

 is slow, what produces and what governs motion, and the 

 like. All which matters are unknown and unattempted by 

 the sciences, in their present heavy and inactive state. 

 For, since every natural act is brought about by the smallest 

 efforts, or at least such as are too small to strike our senses, 

 let no one hope that he will be able to direct or change 

 nature unless he have properly comprehended and observed 

 these efforts. 



7. In like manner the investigation and discovery of the 

 latent confirmation in bodies is no less new, than the dis 

 covery of the latent process and form. For we as yet are 

 doubtless only admitted to the antechamber of nature, and 

 do not prepare an entrance into her presence-room. But 

 nobody can endue a given body with a new nature, or 

 transform it successfully and appropriately into a new body, 

 without possessing a complete knowledge of the body so to 

 be changed or transformed. For he will run into vain or, at 

 least, into difficult and perverse methods, ill adapted to the 

 nature of the body upon which he operates. A clear path, 

 therefore, towards this object also must be thrown open, 

 and well supported. 



Labour is well and usefully bestowed upon the anatomy 

 of organised bodies, such as those of men and animals, 

 which appears to be a subtile matter, and an useful exami 

 nation of nature. This species of anatomy, however, is that 

 of first sight, open to the senses, and takes place only in 

 organised bodies. It is obvious, and of ready access, when 

 compared with the real anatomy of latent conformation in 

 bodies which are considered similar, particularly in specific 

 objects and their parts : as those of iron, stone, and the 



