322 HISTORY OF 



ash ; likewise flame moved and fanned with the wind sooner 

 than that which is still. Arftl, therefore, candles set in a 

 lantern will last longer than in the open air. There is a 

 tradition, that lamps set in sepulchres will last an incredible 

 time. 



25. The nature also and preparation of the nourishment 

 conduceth no less to the lasting of lamps and candles, than 

 the nature of the flame ; for wax will last longer than tallow, 

 and tallow a little wet longer than tallow dry, and wax 

 candles old made longer than wax candles new made. 



26. Trees, if you stir the earth about their root every 

 year, will continue less time; if once in four, or perhaps in ten 

 years, much longer ; also cutting off the suckers and young 

 shoots will make them live the longer but dunging them, 

 or laying of marl about their roots, or much watering them, 

 adds to their fertility, but cuts off from their long lasting. 

 And thus much touching the prohibiting of desiccation or 

 consumption. 



27. The inteneration or making tender of that which is 

 dried (which is the chief matter) affords but a small num 

 ber of experiments. And therefore some few experiments 

 which are found in living creatures, and also in man, shall 

 be joined together. 



28. Bands of willow, wherewith they use to bind trees, 

 laid in water, grow more flexible ; likewise they put boughs 

 of birch (the ends of them) in earthen pots filled with 

 water, to keep them from withering ; and bowls cleft with 

 dryness steeped in water close again. 



29. Boots grown hard and obstinate with age, by greasing 

 them before the fire with tallow wax soft, or being only held 

 before the fire, get some softness. Bladders and parchments 

 hardened also become tender with warm water mixed with 

 tallow or any fat thing, but much the better if they be a 

 little chafed. 



30. Trees grown very old, that have stood long without 

 any culture, by digging and opening the earth about the 

 roots of them, seem to grow young again, and put forth 

 young branches. 



31. Old draught oxen worn out with labour, being taken 

 from the yoke, and put into fresh pasture, will get young 

 and tender flesh again ; insomuch that they will eat as 

 fresh and tender as a steer. 



32. A strict emaciating diet of guiacum, biscuit, and the 

 like (wherewith they use to cure the French pox, old ca 

 tarrhs, and some kind of dropsies), doth first bring men to 

 great poverty and leanness, by wasting the juices and hu- 



