CENTUKY IV. 167 



340. Moss is a kind of mould of the earth and 

 trees. But it may be better sorted as a rudiment of 

 germination, to which we refer it. 



Experiments in consort touching prohibiting and 

 preventing putrefaction. 



It is an inquiry of excellent use to inquire of the 

 means of preventing or staying putrefaction ; for 

 therein consisteth the means of conservation of bo 

 dies : for bodies have two kinds of dissolutions ; the 

 one by consumption and desiccation, the other by 

 putrefaction. But as for the putrefactions of the 

 bodies of men and living creatures, as in agues, 

 worms, consumptions of the lungs, impostumes, and 

 ulcers both inwards and outwards, they are a great 

 part of physic and surgery ; and therefore we will 

 reserve the inquiry of them to the proper place, 

 where we shall handle medicinal experiments of all 

 sorts. Of the rest we will now enter into an inquiry : 

 wherein much light may be taken from that which 

 hath been said of the means to induce or accelerate 

 putrefaction : for the removing that which caused 

 putrefaction, doth prentve and avoid putrefaction. 



341. The first means of prohibiting or checking 

 putrefaction is cold : for so we see that meat and 

 drink will last longer unputrified, or unsoured, in 

 winter than in summer : and we see that flowers and 

 fruits, put in conservatories of snow, keep fresh. 

 And this worketh by the detention of the spirits, 

 and constipation of the tangible parts. 



342. The second is astriction : for astriction pro 



