LIFE AND DEATH. 349 



27. Marshes and fens are propitious to the natives, and 

 malignant to strangers, as touching the lengthening and 

 shortening of their lives ; and that which may seem more 

 marvellous, salt marshes, where the sea ebbs and flows, are 

 less wholesome than those of fresh water. 



28. The countries which have been observed to produce 

 long livers are these ; Arcadia, ./Etolia, India on this side 

 Ganges, Brazil, Taprobane, Britain, Ireland, with the islands 

 of the Orcades and Hebrides: for as for ^Ethiopia, which 

 by one of the ancients is reported to bring forth long livers, 

 it is but a toy. 



. 29. It is a secret; the healthfulness of air; especially in 

 any perfection, is better found by experiment than by dis 

 course or conjecture. You may make a trial by a lock of 

 wool exposed for a few days in the open air, if the weight 

 be not much increased ; another by a piece of flesh exposed 

 likewise, if it corrupt not over soon ; another by a weather 

 glass, if the water interchange not too suddenly. Of these, 

 and the like, inquire further. 



30. Not only the goodness or pureness of the air, but also 

 the equality of the air, is material to long life. Intermix 

 ture of hills and dales is pleasant to the sight, but suspected 

 for long life. A plain, moderately dry, but yet not over 

 barren or sandy, nor altogether without trees and shade, is 

 very convenient for length of life. 



31. Inequality of air (as was even now said) in the place 

 of our dwelling is nought; but change of air by travelling, 

 after one be used unto it, is good, and, therefore, great tra 

 vellers have been long lived. Also those that have lived 

 perpetually in a little cottage, in the same place, have been 

 long livers; for air accustomed consumeth less, but air 

 changed nourisheth and repaireth more. 



32. As the continuation and number of successions (which 

 we said before) makes nothing to the length and shortness 

 of life, so the immediate condition of the parents (as well 

 the father ,as the mother) without doubt availeth much. 

 For some are begotten of old men, some of young men, some 

 of men of middle age. Again, some are begotten of fathers 

 healthful and well disposed, others of diseased and lan 

 guishing. Again, some of fathers immediately after re 

 pletion, or when they are drunk ; others after sleeping, or 

 in the morning. Again, some after a long intermission of 

 Venus, others upon the act repeated. Again, some in the 

 fervency of the father s love (as it is commonly in bastards), 

 others after the cooling of it, as in long married couples. 



