NOVUM ORGANUM. 209 



for their production. And there are a vast number of 

 similar false assertions. As for fables, they must be totally 

 exterminated. There remains then but a scanty supply of 

 such species of harmony as has borne the test of experi 

 ment, such as that between the magnet and iron, gold and 

 quicksilver, and the like. In chymical experiments on 

 metals, however, there are some others worthy of notice, 

 but the greatest abundance (where the whole are so few in 

 numbers) is discovered in certain medicines, which, from 

 their occult and specific qualities (as they are termed), affect 

 particular limbs, humours, diseases, or constitutions. Nor 

 should we omit the harmony between the motion and phe 

 nomena of the moon, and their effects on lower bodies, 

 which may be brought together by an accurate and honest 

 selection from the experiments of agriculture, navigation, 

 and medicine, or of other sciences. By as much as these 

 general instances, however, of more latent harmony are 

 rare, with so much the more diligence are they to be in 

 quired after, through tradition, and faithful and honest 

 reports, but without rashness and credulity, with an anxious 

 and, as it were, hesitating degree of reliance. There re 

 mains one species of harmony which, though simple in its 

 mode of action, is yet most valuable in its use, and must by 

 no means be omitted, but rather diligently investigated. It 

 is the ready or difficult coition or union of bodies in com 

 position or simple juxtaposition. For some bodies readily 

 and willingly mix and are incorporated, others tardily and 

 perversely, thus powders mix best with water, chalk and 

 ashes with oils^ and the like. Nor are these instances of 

 readiness and aversion to mixture to be alone collected, but 

 others also of the collocation, distribution, and digestion 

 of the parts when mingled, and the predominance after the 

 mixture is complete. 



VII. Lastly, there remains the seventh and last of the 

 seven modes of action; namely, that by the alternation and in 

 terchange of the other six ; but of this it will not be the right 

 time to offer any examples until some deeper investigation 

 shall have taken place of each of the others. , The series or 

 chain of this alternation, in its mode of application to sepa 

 rate effects, is no less powerful in its operation than difficult 

 to be traced. But men are possessed with the most ex 

 treme impatience, both of such inquiries arid their practical 

 application, although it be the clue of the labyrinth in all 

 greater works. Thus far of the generally useful instances. 

 51. The twenty-seventh and last place we will assign to 

 VOL. xiv. p 



