NOVUM ORGANUM. 



men, when they knit and shape perfectly, do seldom 

 grow to a farther stature, so knowledge, while it is in 

 aphorisms, and observations, it is in growth ; but when it 

 once is comprehended in exact methods, it may perchance 

 be farther polished and illustrated, and accommodated for 

 use and practice ; but it increaseth no more in bulk and 

 substance, (a) 



Instead of explaining our different powers, our Senses, Our 

 our Imagination, our Reason, there are in the Novum P owers - 

 Qrganum only some scattered observations upon the 

 defects of the senses ; upon the different causes or idols 

 by which the judgment is always liable to be warped, and 

 some suggestions as to the artificial helps to our natural 

 powers in exploring the truths which are exhibited to 

 the senses. 



With respect to the defects of the senses, he says that Defects of 

 things escape their cognizance by seven modes : (b) the senses - 



1st. From distance; which is remedied by substitutes, 



as beacons, bells, telegraphs, &c. 

 2nd. By the interception of interposing bodies; which is 



remedied by attention to outward or visible signs, 



as the internal state of the body by the pulse, &c. 

 3rd. By the unfitness of the body : or, 

 4th. Its insufficiency in quantity to impress the sense, 



as the air and the vital spirit, which is imperceptible 



by sight or touch. 

 5th. From the insufficiency of time to actuate the sense, 



either when the motion is too slow, as in the hand 



of a clock or the growth of grass, or too rapid, as 



a bullet passing through the air. 



(a) See Advancement of Learning, vol. ii. p. 48. 



(6) See what he terms citing Instances, vol. ix. p. 305. 



