186 NOVUM ORGAN UM. 



regard to the assistance of motion it is seen in wooden 

 arrows or points, which penetrate more deeply into wood, 

 than if they were tipped with iron, from the similarity of 

 the substance, the swiftness of the motion breaking through 

 the sluggishness of the wood ; of which two last experi 

 ments we have spoken above in the aphorism on clandestine 

 instances.^ 



The confinement of the motion of lesser congregation, 

 which arises from the power of the predominant body, is 

 shown in the decomposition of blood and urine by cold. 

 For as long as these substances are filled with the active 

 spirit, which regulates and restrains each of their component 

 parts, as the predominant ruler of the whole, the several 

 different parts do not collect themselves separately on ac 

 count of the check ; but as soon as that spirit has evapo 

 rated or has been choked by the cold, then the decomposed 

 parts unite according to their natural desire. Hence it 

 happens, that all bodies which contain a sharp spirit (as 

 salts and the like) last, without decomposition, owing to 

 the permanent and durable power of the predominating and 

 imperious spirit. 



The confinement of the motion of lesser congregation, 

 which arises from external motion, is very evident in that 

 agitation of bodies, which preserves them from putrefaction. 

 For all putrefaction depends on the congregation of the 

 homogeneous parts, whence, by degrees, there ensues a 

 corruption of the first form (as it is called) and the gene 

 ration of another. For the decomposition of the original 

 form, which is itself the union of the homogeneous parts, 

 precedes the putrefaction, which prepares the way for the 

 generation of another. This decomposition, if not inter 

 rupted, is simple, but if there be various obstacles, putrefac 

 tions ensue, which are the rudiments of a new generation. 

 But if (to come to our present point) a frequent agitation 

 be excited, by external motion, the motion towards union 

 (which is delicate and gentle, and requires to be free from 

 all external influence) is disturbed and ceases ; which we 

 perceive to be the case in innumerable instances. Thus 

 the daily agitation or flowing of water prevents putrefaction; 

 winds prevent the air from being pestilent ; corn turned 

 about and shaken in granaries continues clean ; in short, 

 every thing which is externally agitated will with difficulty 

 rot internally. 



* See Aphorism 25. 



