OF SOUND AND HEARING. 235 



appear. The sound is indeed well heard, if one speak from 

 a high window or turret, by those who stand upon the 

 ground ; and contrariwise, being uttered by those that 

 stand upon the ground from the window or turret, but by 

 whether more easily, or further oft&quot;, let better inquiry be 

 made. 



Pulpits are used for speaking in assemblies, and generals 

 did usually speak standing upon mounds of sods; yet is it 

 in no wise hence confirmed that sound easilier descends 

 than it rises, since the cause hereof may be the liberty of 

 the air in the higher place, not thronged or hindered, as 

 below amongst the crowd, but not the readier motion down 

 wards. Therefore let not the contemplation stay in this 

 instance, but let a trial be made where other things are 

 equal. 



The power of the sound is received whole in every part 

 of the air, not the whole in the whole air, unless where the 

 opening or passage is exceedingly straight. For if one stand 

 in any place utterly closed, so as the sound may not pene 

 trate at all, and that in any part soever of a sphere of 

 sound, and there be a small opening made, the articulate 

 voice shall enter through that opening, and in fine through 

 as many openings as you shall chuse to make through the 

 whole round of the sphere of sound; so as it is manifest 

 that that whole articulation of sound is conveyed entire in 

 these minutest parts of the air, not less than if the air were 

 at large on every side. 



It is, however, to be observed whether sound proceeding 

 from the greater pulsations of the air (such as are made by 

 the discharge of ordnance) become not more exile when 

 they enter by those small apertures ; for it may be that the 

 subtilities of sound shall enter unconfused, but the whole 

 crash, or roar, not so well. 



The rays of visible bodies do not strike the sense, unless 

 they be conveyed through the medium in straight lines, 

 and the interposition of any opaque, in a right line, inter 

 cepts the sight, although every thing else be on all sides 

 wholly open. But sound, if there be a dilation or passage, 

 whether by arching over, or by inverted arching downwards, 

 or laterally, or even by winding, perishes not, but arrives. 

 Nevertheless, I judge that sound is more strongly carried 

 in straight lines, betwixt the pulsations and the ear, and 

 that by its archings and windings it is somewhat broken, 

 as if there be a wall betwixt the speaker and the hearer, I 

 think that the voice shall not be so well heard as if the 



