LIFE AND DEATH. 417 



tite is sharpened by variety), it holdeth not rigorously; but 

 it is so far forth to be received, that this variety be rather 

 an alternation or interchange, than a confusion ; and, as it 

 were, constant in inconstancy. 



CANON xv. 



The spirit in a body of a solid composure is detained, 

 though unwillingly. 



THE EXPLICATION. 



All things do abhor a solution of their continuity, but 

 yet in proportion to their density or rarity ; for the more 

 rare the bodies be, the more do they suffer themselves to 

 be thrust into small and narrow passages ; for water will 

 go into a passage which dust will not go into, and air 

 which water will not go into ; nay, flame and spirit which 

 air will not go into. Notwithstanding of this thing, there 

 are some bounds, for the spirit is not so much transported 

 with the desire of going forth, that it will suffer itself to be 

 too much discontinued, or be driven into over straight 

 pores and passages ; and therefore if the spirit be encom 

 passed with a hard body, or else with an unctuous and 

 tenacious (which is not easily divided), it is plainly bound, 

 and, as I may say, imprisoned, and layeth down the appe 

 tite of going out ; wherefore we see that metals and stones 

 require a long time for their spirit to go forth, unless either 

 the spirit be excited by the fire, or the grosser parts be 

 dissevered with corroding and strong waters. The like 

 reason is there of tenacious bodies, such as are gums, save 

 only that they are melted by a more gentle heat; and 

 therefore the juices of the body hard, a close and compact 

 skin, and the like (which are procured by the dryness of 

 the aliment, and by exercise, and by the coldness of the 

 air), are good for long life, because they detain the spirit in 

 close prison, that it goeth not forth. 



CANON XVI. 



In oily and fat things the spirit is detained willingly, 

 though they be not tenacious. 



THE EXPLICATION. 



The spirit, if it be not irritated by the antipathy of the 

 body inclosing it, nor fed by the over much likeness of that 

 body, nor solicited nor invited by the external body, it 

 makes no great stir to get out ; all which are wanting to 

 oily bodies, for they are neither so pressing upon the 

 spirits as hard bodies, nor so near as watery bodies, neither 

 have they any good agreement with the air ambient. 



VOL. xiv. E E 



