416 HISTORY OF 



CANON XI. 



The condensing of the spirits in their substance is available 

 to long life. 



THE EXPLICATION. 



This canon is subordinate to the next precedent ; for the 

 spirit condensed receiveth all those four properties of heat 

 whereof we speak ; but the ways of condensing them are 

 set down in the first of the ten operations. 



CANON XII. 



The spirit in great quantity hasteneth more to flying forth, 

 and preyeth upon the body more, than in small quantity. 



THE EXPLICATION. 



This canon is clear of itself, seeing mere quantity doth 

 regularly increase virtue. And it is to be seen in flames, 

 that the bigger they are the stronger they break forth, and 

 the more speedily they consume. And, therefore, over great 

 plenty, or exuberance of the spirits, is altogether hurtful to 

 long life ; neither need one wish a greater store of spirits, 

 than what is sufficient for the function of life, and the office 

 of a good reparation. 



CANON XIII. 



The spirit equally dispersed, maketh less haste to fly forth, 

 and preyeth less upon the body, than unequally placed. 



THE EXPLICATION. 



Not only abundance of spirits, in respect of the whole, is 

 hurtful to the duration of things, but also the same abun 

 dance, unevenly placed, is in like manner hurtful; and, 

 therefore, the more the spirit is shred and inserted by small 

 portions, the less it preyeth ; for dissolution ever beginneth 

 at that part where the spirit is loser. And therefore both 

 exercise and frications conduce much to long life, for agita 

 tion doth fineliest diffuse and commix things by small 

 portions. 



CANON xiv. 



The inordinate and subsultory motion of the spirits doth 

 more hasten to going forth, and doth prey upon the body 

 more, than the constant and equal. 



THE EXPLICATION. 



In inanimates this canon holds for certain, for inequality 

 is the mother of dissolution ; but in animates (because not 

 only the consumption is considered, but the reparation, and 

 reparation proceedeth by the appetites of things, and appe- 



