CENTURY X- 159 



993. It is an ancient tradition every where alleged, 

 for example of secret proprieties and influxes, that the 

 torpedo marina, if it be touched with a long stick, doth 

 stupefy the hand of him that toucheth it. It is one 

 degree of working at distance, to work by the continu 

 ance of a fit medium ; as sound will be conveyed to the 

 ear by striking upon a bow-string, if the horn of the 

 bow be held to the ear. 



994. The writers of natural magic do attribute much 

 to the virtues that come from the parts of living creat 

 ures ; so as they be taken from them, the creatures 

 remaining still alive : * as if the creature still living did 

 infuse some immateriate virtue and vigour into the part 

 severed. So much may be true ; that any part taken 

 from a living creature newly slain, may be of greater 

 force than if it were taken from the like creature dying 

 of itself, because it is fuller of spirit. 



995. Trial would be made of the like parts of indi 

 viduals in plants and living creatures ; as to cut off a 

 stock of a tree, and to lay that which you cut off to 

 putrefy, to see whether it will decay the rest of the 

 stock : or if you should cut off part of the tail or leg 

 of a dog or a cat, and lay it to putrefy, and so see 

 whether it will fester, or keep from healing, the part 

 which remaineth. 



996. It is received, that it helpeth to continue love, 

 if one wear a ring, or a bracelet, of the hair of the 

 party beloved. But that may be by the exciting of 

 the imagination : and perhaps a glove, or other like 

 favour, may as well do it. 



997. The sympathy of individuals, that have been 

 entire, or have touched, is of all others the most in- 



1 Porta, Natural Magic, i. 14. 



