NOVUM OHGANUM. 139 



place Bordering instances, which we are also wont to term 

 participants. They are such as exhibit those species of 

 bodies which appear to be composed of two species, or to 

 be the rudiments between the one and the other. They 

 may well be classed with the singular or heteroclite instances : 

 for in the whole system of things, they are rare and extra 

 ordinary. Yet from their dignity they must be treated of 

 and classed separately, for they point out admirably the 

 order and constitution of things, and suggest the causes of 

 the number and quality of the more common species in the 

 universe, leading the understanding from that which is, to 

 that which is possible. 



We have examples of them in moss, which is something 

 between putrescence and a plant ; in some comets, which 

 hold a place between stars and ignited meteors ; in flying 

 fishes, between fishes and birds; and in bats, between birds 

 and quadrupeds. 5 * Again, 



&quot; Simla quam similis turpissima bestia nobis.&quot; 



We have also biformed foetus, mingled species, and the 

 like. 



31. In the tenth rank of prerogative instances, we will 

 place the instances of Power, or the fasces (to borrow a term 

 from the insignia of empire), which we are also wont to call 

 the wit or hands of man. These are such works as are 

 most noble and perfect, and, as it were, the masterpieces in 

 every art. For since our principal object is to make nature 

 subservient to the state and wants of man, it becomes us well 

 to note and enumerate the works, which have long since 

 been in the power of man, especially those which are most 

 polished and perfect; because the passage from these, to new 

 and hitherto undiscovered works, is more easy and feasible. 

 For if any one, after an attentive contemplation of such 

 works as are extant, be willing to push forward in his de 

 sign with alacrity and vigour, he will undoubtedly either 

 advance them, or turn them to something within their im 

 mediate reach, or even apply and transfer them to some 

 more noble purpose. 



Nor is this all : for as the understanding is elevated and 

 raised by rare and unusual works of nature, to investigate 

 and discover the forms which include them also ; so is the 

 same effect frequently produced by the excellent and wonder- 



* There is, however, no real approximation to birds in either the flying fish 

 or bat, any more than a man approximates to a fish because he can swim. The 

 wings of the flying fish and bat are mere expansions of skin, bearing no resem 

 blance whatever to those of birds. 



