92 NATURAL HISTORY. 



i 

 for the most part, are larger than the bulls ; which is 



caused by abundance of moisture, which in the horns 

 of the bull faileth. Again, heat causeth pilosity and 

 crispation ; and so likewise beards in men. It also 

 expelleth finer moisture, which want of heat cannot 

 expel ; and that is the cause of the beauty and variety 

 of feathers. Again, heat doth put forth many excres 

 cences, and much solid matter, which want of heat 

 cannot do : and this is the cause of horns, and of the 

 greatness of them ; and of the greatness of the combs 

 and spurs of cocks, gills of turkey-cocks, and fangs of 

 boars. Heat also dilateth the pipes and organs, which 

 causeth the deepness of the voice. Again, heat re- 

 fineth the spirits, and that causeth the cock singing- 

 bird to excel the hen. 



Experiment solitary touching the comparative magnitude 

 of living creatures. 



853. There be fishes greater than any beasts ; as 

 the whale is far greater than the elephant : and beasts 

 are (generally) greater than birds. For fishes, the 

 cause may be, that because they live not in the air, 

 they have not their moisture drawn and soaked by the 

 air and sun-beams. Also they rest always in a man 

 ner, and are supported by the water ; whereas mo 

 tion and labour do consume. As for the greatness 

 of beasts more than of. birds, it is caused, for that 

 beasts stay longer time in the womb than birds, and 

 there nourish and grow ; whereas in birds, after the 

 egg laid, thei e is no further growth or nourishment 

 from the female ; for the sitting doth vivify, and not 

 nourish. 



