240 UK SOUND AND HF.AKIXG. 



the middle of the barrel, before that the air inclosed arrive 

 at the mouth of the harquebuss. Therefore it is probable 

 that the sound and boom shall by many parts be dimi 

 nished. 



OF THE REPERCUSSION OF SOUNDS AND ECHO. 



The repercussion of sounds (which we call echo) can be 

 taken for an argument that sound is not a local motion of 

 the air; for if it were, the repercussion should be made in 

 manner conformable to the original, as happens in all cor 

 poreal repercussions. But in sound, wherein such an exact 

 generation is required, as in the voice, which hath so many 

 organs, and in musical instruments, which be curiously 

 framed, the things which yield the repercussed sound have 

 nothing- such, but are merely rude, having almost nothing 

 save this, that sound passes not through them. 



OF THE CONSENTS AND DISSENTS OF AUDIBLES AND VISI- 

 BLES, AND OF OTHER SO CALLED SPIRITUAL SPECIES. 



They agree in these : 



Both are diffused in a spherical compass or orb, and fill 

 the whole area of that sphere, and are carried to very distant 

 spaces, and wax faint by degrees, according to the distance 

 of the object, then vanish. Both carry their figurations 

 and differences into minute portions of their orb, entire and 

 unconfused, so as they are perceived through small crannies 

 no otherwise than in an open place. 



Both are of exceedingly sudden and swift generation and 



i i 



dilation, and conversely they are extinguished, and perish 

 suddenly and quickly. 



Both take and convey minute and exquisite differences, 

 as of colours, figures, motions, distances, in visibles; of 

 articulate voices, of musical tones, and of their swift changes 

 and trepidation, in audibles. 



Both, in their virtue and force, appear neither to emit 

 any corporeal substance into their mediums or their orb, 

 nor even to give forth or provoke a local perceptible motion 

 in their mediums, but to convey certain spiritual species, 

 of which the nature and manner is unknown. 



Both appear to be not generative of any other virtue or 

 quality beside their proper virtue, and so far to work, 

 being else barren. 



Both in their proper action appear, as if corporeally, to 



