168 NATURAL HISTORY. 



hibiteth dissolution ; as we see generally in medicines, 

 whereof such as are astringents do inhibit putrefac 

 tion : and by the same reason of astringency, some 

 small quantity of oil of vitriol will keep fresh water 

 long from putrifying. And this astriction is in a 

 substance that hath a virtual cold ; and it worketh 

 partly by the same means that cold doth. 



#43. The third is the excluding of the air ; and 

 again, the exposing to the air : for these contraries, 

 as it cometh often to pass, work the same effect, ac 

 cording to the nature of the subject matter. So we 

 see, that beer or wine, in bottles close stopped, last 

 long : that the garners under ground keep corn 

 longer than those above ground ; and that fruit 

 closed in wax keepeth fresh ; and likewise bodies put 

 in honey and flour keep more fresh : and liquors, 

 drinks, and juices, with a little oil cast on the top, 

 keep fresh. Contrariwise, we see that cloth and 

 apparel not aired, do breed moths and mould ; and 

 the diversity is, that in bodies that need detention of 

 spirits, the exclusion of the air doth good ; as in 

 .drinks and corn: but in bodies that need emission of 

 spirits to discharge some of the superfluous moisture, 

 it doth hurt, for they require airing. 



344. The fourth is motion and stirring; for pu 

 trefaction asketh rest : for the subtle motion which 

 putrefaction requireth, is disturbed by any agitation : 

 and all local motion keepeth bodies integral, and 

 their parts together ; as we see that turning over of 

 corn in a garner, or letting it run like an hour-glass, 

 from an upper-room into a lower, doth keep it sweet : 



