NOVUM ORGANUM. 205 



elicited, according to the example of nature, and in imita 

 tion of the effect of the sun, which we have alluded to in 

 the aphorism on the instances of alliance. For the works 

 of nature are carried on in much smaller portions, and in 

 more delicate and varied positions than those of fire, as we 

 now employ it. But man will then appear to have really 

 augmented his power, when the works of nature can be 

 imitated in specie, perfected in power, and varied in quan 

 tity; to which should be added the acceleration in point of 

 time. Rust, for instance, is the result of a long process, 

 but crocus Martis is obtained immediately ; and the same 

 may be observed of natural verdigris and ceruse. Chrystal 

 is formed slowly, whilst glass is blown immediately : stones 

 increase slowly, whilst bricks are baked immediately, &c. 

 In the mean time (with regard to our present subject) every 

 different species of heat should, with its peculiar effects, be 

 diligently collected and inquired into ; that of the heavenly 

 bodies, whether their rays be direct, reflected, or refracted, 

 or condensed by a burning glass ; that of lightning, flame, 

 and ignited charcoal; that of fire of different materials, 

 either open or confined, straightened or overflowing, qua 

 lified by the different forms of the furnaces, excited by the 

 bellows, or quiescent, removed to a greater or less distance, 

 or passing through different media ; moist heats, such as 

 the balneum Marise, and the dunghill; the external and 

 internal heat of animals ; dry heats, such as the heat of 

 ashes, lime, warm sand ; in short, the nature of every 

 kind of heat, and its degrees. 



We should, however, particularly attend to the investi 

 gation and discovery of the effects and operations of heat, 

 when made to approach and retire by degrees, regularly, 

 periodically, and by proper intervals of space and time. 

 For this systematical inequality is in truth the daughter of 

 heaven and mother of generation, nor can any great result 

 be expected from a vehement, precipitate, or desultory heat. 

 For this is not only most evident in vegetables, but in the 

 wombs of animals also there arises a great inequality of 

 heat, from the motion, sleep, food, and passions of the 

 female. The same inequality prevails in those subterra 

 neous beds where metals and fossils are perpetually form 

 ing, which renders yet more remarkable the ignorance of 

 some of the reformed alchymists, who imagined they could 

 attain their object by the equable heat of lamps, or the like, 

 burning uniformly. Let this suffice concerning the opera 

 tion and effects of heat ; nor is it time for us to investigate 



