1 58 NATURAL HISTORY. 



hardness. So we see one apple ripeneth against 

 another. And therefore in making of cyder they 

 turn the apples first upon a heap. So one cluster of 

 grapes that toucheth another whilst it groweth, 

 ripeneth faster ; &quot; botrus contra botrum citius ma- 

 &quot; turescit.&quot; 



322. The apples in hay and the straw ripened 

 apparently, though not so much as the other ; but 

 the apple in the straw more. The cause is, for 

 that the hay and straw have a very low degree of 

 heat, but yet close and smothering, and which 

 drieth not. 



323. The apple in the close box was ripened 

 also : the cause is, for that all air kept close hath a 

 degree of warmth ; as we see in wool, fur, plush, &c. 

 Note, that all of these were compared with another 

 apple of the same kind that lay of itself ; and in com 

 parison of that were more sweet and more yellow, 

 and so appeared to be more ripe. 



324. Take an apple or pear, or other like fruit, 

 and roll it upon a table hard : we see in common 

 experience, that the rolling doth soften and sweeten 

 the fruit presently ; which is nothing but the smooth 

 distribution of the spirits into the parts ; for the 

 unequal distribution of the spirits maketh the harsh 

 ness : but this hard rolling is between concoction 

 and a simple maturation ; therefore, if you should 

 roll them but gently, perhaps twice a day, and 

 continue it some seven days, it is like they would 

 mature more finely, and like unto the natural 

 maturation. 



