500 NOTE A. 



when there is an antipathy between the spirit and the body which acts 

 upon it, and where the force of impulse is quicker than the force of 

 recovery opium, for instance, is exceedingly powerful in condens 

 ing the spirits, so powerful that a grain or two will tranquillize the 

 nerves : and by a few grains they may be so compressed as to be 

 irrecoverable: now, if there is an antipathy between opium and 

 spirit, as there is sympathy between the magnet and iron, and the 

 opium acts without intermission upon the spirit before it recovers 

 itself, the cause of the condensation appears. This may, perhaps, be 

 illustrated by fainting from fear, where if the impression be re 

 peated before the spirits rally, the patient falls : but this may be 

 Erevented by the application of a stimulant, surprize from a sudden 

 npulse, as a glass of water or the prick of a pin, or self possession. 

 &quot; I am not sick, if Brutus have in hand 

 Any exploit worthy the name of honor.&quot; 



This subject is more fully explained in the Novum Organum, 

 where Bacon, speaking of what he calls magical instances, by which, 

 &quot; We understand such wherein the matter, or efficient, is but 

 &quot; small, compared with the greatness of the work or effect produced : 

 &quot; so that though these instances were common, they would still be 

 &quot; almost miraculous ; some of them at first sight, and others even 

 &quot; when attentively considered.&quot; 



That great effects are sometimes produced by apparently small 

 causes, is obvious &quot; By the rapid and powerful expansion of gun- 

 &quot; powder into flame, vast masses of building are in a moment 

 tf overturned, and great weights thrown to considerable distances 

 By some poisons the most powerful animals may in a moment be 

 destroyed.&quot; 



The following experiments made with a peculiar poison, will 

 illustrate this 



&quot; MODS. Condamine relates the experiments made by him with 

 &quot; the vegetable poison of ticunas mixed with that of lamas 



&quot; June 8th. I made a very small incision with a lancet between 

 &quot; the ears of a cat, and with a pencil I put into it a drop of the poi- 

 &quot; son : in an instant the creature died in my hands. 



&quot; July 15. I pricked a hawk in the left claw: into the puncture 

 &quot; I introduced a small drop of the poison, and then set the creature 

 &quot; at liberty ; but he could not fly : the utmost he could do was to 

 &quot; perch on a stick, which was within six inches of the ground. He 

 &quot; shook his head several times, as if to get rid of something that 

 &quot; seemed troublesome in his throat. His eyes were restless, and his 

 &quot; feathers were all bristled up. His head fell between his legs, and 

 &quot; in three minutes he died. 



&quot; M. le Chevalier de Grossee had an eagle, which he kept a good 

 &quot; while in his court-yard, and intended to make a present of it to M. 

 &quot; Reaumur, to adorn his cabinet, but wanted to know how to put it 

 to death without injuring its feathers. M. de Reaumur sent him an 

 &quot; arrow fresh dipped in the poison : it was stuck into the wing of 

 &quot; this large bird, the eagle dropped down dead in an instant.&quot; 



These effects, Bacon says, may be ascribed to one or more of 

 three causes. 



&quot;3. By self-multiplication, as in fire, and those poisons, called 

 &quot; specific; as also in motions, which pass and increase, as they go 

 &quot; from wheel to wheel; (.2.) by excitation, or invitation, in another 

 &quot; body : as the loadstone animates numberless needles, without 



