CENTURY IX. 105 



that breedeth in ponds, hath bred within thirty years: 

 but then, which is strange, it hath been tried, that they 

 do not only gape and shut as the oysters do, but re 

 move from one place to another. 



Experiment solitary touching the right side and the left. 



876. The senses are alike strong both on the right 

 side and on the left ; but the limbs on the right side 

 are stronger. 1 The cause may be, for that the brain, 

 which is the instrument of sense, is alike on both sides ; 

 but motion and abilities of moving are somewhat holp- 

 en from the liver, which lieth on the right side. It 

 may be also, for that the senses are put in exercise in 

 differently on both sides from the time of our birth ; 

 but the limbs are used most on the right side, whereby 

 custom helpeth ; for we see that some are left-handed ; 

 which are such as have used the left hand most. 



Experiment solitary touching frictions. 21 



877. Frictions make the parts more fleshy and full ; 

 as we see both in men, and in currying of horses, &c. 

 The cause is, for that they draw greater quantity of 

 spirits and blood to the parts : and again, because they 

 draw the aliment more forcibly from within : and 

 again, because they relax the pores, and so make 

 better passage for the spirits, blood, and aliment : 

 lastly, because they dissipate and digest any inutile 

 or excrementitious moisture which lieth in the flesh ; 

 all which help assimilation. Frictions also do more 

 fill and impinguate the body, than exercise. The 

 cause is, for that in frictions the inward parts are at 



1 Arist. Prob. xxxi. 13. Hippocrates asserts the contrary. 



2 See Arist. Prob. xxxvii. 3. and 6. 



