204 NOVUM ORGANUM. 



latent power. These harmonies are as yet but rarely ob 

 served, at which we cannot be surprised, since there is 

 little to hope for from their investigation, unless the disco 

 very of forms and conformation be attained. With regard 

 to animal bodies, it is not to be questioned that there are 

 many internal and external medicines which condense by 

 harmony, as we have before observed, but this action is 

 rare in inanimate bodies. Written accounts, as well as 

 report, have certainly spoken of a tree in one of the Tercera 

 or Canary Islands (for I do not exactly recollect which) 

 that drips perpetually, so as to supply the inhabitants, in 

 some degree, with water; and Paracelsus says that the 

 herb called ros solis is filled with dew at noon, whilst the 

 sun gives out its greatest heat, and all other herbs around 

 it are dry. We treat both these accounts as fables ; they 

 would however, if true, be of the most important service, 

 and most worthy of examination. As to the honey-dew, 

 resembling manna, which is found in May on the leaves of 

 the oak, we are of opinion that it is not condensed by any 

 harmony or peculiarity of the oak leaf, but that whilst it 

 falls equally upon other leaves it is retained and continues 

 on those of the oak, because their texture is closer, and 

 not so porous as that of most of the other leaves.^ 



With regard to heat, man possesses abundant means 

 and power, but his observation and inquiry are defective in 

 some respects, and those of the greatest importance, not 

 withstanding the boasting of quacks. For the effects of 

 intense heat are examined and observed, whilst those of a 

 more gentle degree of heat, being of the most frequent 

 occurrence in the paths of nature, are, on that very account, 

 least known. We see, therefore, the furnaces, which are 

 most esteemed, employed in increasing the spirits of bodies 

 to a great extent, as in the strong acids, arid some chymical 

 oils ; whilst the tangible parts are hardened, and, when the 

 volatile part has escaped, become sometimes fixed ; the 

 homogeneous parts are separated, and the heterogeneous 

 incorporated and agglomerated in a coarse lump ; and (what 

 is chiefly worthy of remark) the junction of compound 

 bodies, and the more delicate conformations are destroyed 

 and confounded. But the operation of a less violent heat 

 should be tried and investigated, by which more delicate 

 mixtures, and regular conformations may be produced and 



* it may often be observed on the leaves of the lime and other trees. 



