158 NOVUM ORGANUM. 



stances ; for the instances of divorce point out the separa 

 tion of a particular nature from some concrete substance 

 with which it is usually found in conjunction, whilst the 

 hostile instances point out the total separation of one nature 

 from another. They differ also from the instances of the 

 cross, because they decide nothing, but only inform us that 

 the one nature is capable of being separated from the other. 

 They are of use in exposing false forms, and dissipating 

 hasty theories derived from obvious facts : so that they add 

 ballast and weight, as it were, to the understanding. 



For instance, let the required natures be those four 

 which Telesius terms associates, and of the same family, 

 namely, heat, light, rarity, and mobility, or promptitude to 

 motion ; yet many instances of divorce can be discovered 

 between them. Air is rare and easily moved, but neither 

 hot nor light, the moon is light but not hot, boiling water 

 is warm but not light, the motion of the needle in the com 

 pass is swift and active, and yet its substance is cold, dense, 

 and opaque ; and there are many similar examples. 



Again, let the required natures be corporeal nature and 

 natural action. The latter appears incapable of subsisting 

 without some body, yet may we, perhaps, even here find an 

 instance of divorce, as in the magnetic motion, which draws 

 the iron to the magnet, and heavy bodies to the globe of 

 the earth : to which we may add other actions which ope 

 rate at a distance. For such action takes place in time, by 

 distinct moments, not in an instant ; and in space by regular 

 degrees and distances. There is, therefore, some one mo 

 ment of time and some interval of space, in which the 

 power or action is suspended betwixt the two bodies creat 

 ing the motion. Our consideration then is reduced to this, 

 whether the bodies which are the extremes of motion pre 

 pare or alter the intermediate bodies, so that the power 

 advances from one extreme to the other by succession and 

 actual contact, and in the mean time exists in some inter 

 mediate body ; or whether there exist in reality nothing but 

 the bodies, the power, and the space ? In the case of the 

 rays of light, sounds, and heat, and some other objects 

 which operate at a distance, it is indeed probable that the 

 intermediate bodies are prepared and altered, the more so 

 because a qualified medium is required for their operation. 

 But the magnetic or attractive power admits of an indifferent 

 medium, and it is not impeded in any. But if that power 

 or action is independent of the intermediate body, it follows 

 that it is a natural power or action existing in a certain 



