XOVUM ORGANUM. 109 



therefore, on what other substances they exhibit the effects 

 of heat. Now, sailors tell us that when large quantities of 

 spices are suddenly opened, after having been shut up for 

 some time, there is some danger of fever and inflammation 

 to those who stir them or take them out. An experiment 

 might therefore be made whether such spices and herbs 

 when produced will, like smoke, dry fish and meat hung 

 up over them. 



Thirty-first negative to twenty-sixth affirmative. 



There is an acrid effect and a degree of penetration in 

 cold liquids, such as vinegar and oil of vitriol, as well as in 

 warm, such as oil of marjoram and the like. They have, 

 therefore, an equal effect in causing animated substances 

 to smart, and separating and consuming inanimate parts. 

 There is not any negative instance as to this, nor does there 

 exist any animal pain unaccompanied by the sensation of 

 heat. 



Thirty-second negative to twenty-seventh affirmative. 



There are many effects common to cold and heat, how 

 ever, different in their process. For snowballs appear to 

 bum boys hands after a little time, and cold no less than 

 fire preserves bodies from putrefaction, besides, both heat 

 and cold contract bodies. But it is better to refer these 

 instances and the like to the investigation of cold. 



13. In the third place we must exhibit to the understand 

 ing the instances in which that nature, which is the object 

 of our inquiries, is present in a greater or less degree, either 

 by comparing its increase and decrease in the same object, 

 or its degree in different objects. For since the form of a 

 thing is its very essence, and the thing only differs from its 

 form as the apparent from the actual object, or the exterior 

 from the interior, or that which is considered with relation 

 to man from that which is considered with relation to the 

 universe ; it necessarily follows that no nature can be con 

 sidered a real form, which does not uniformly diminish and 

 increase with the given nature. We are wont to call this 

 our table of degrees or comparative instances. 



TABLE OF THE DEGREES OR COMPARATIVE INSTANCES 

 OF HEAT. 



We will first speak of those bodies which exhibit no de 

 gree of heat sensible to the touch, but appear rather to 

 possess a potential heat, or disposition and preparation for 

 it. We will then go on to others, which are actually warm 

 to the touch, and observe the strength and degree of it. 



1. There is no known solid or tangible body which is by 



