170 NATURAL HISTORY. 



parts, and thereby making the body more equal ; for 

 all imperfect mixture is apt to putrify ; and watery 

 substances are more apt to putrify than oily. So we 

 see distilled waters will last longer than raw waters ; 

 and things that have passed the fire do last longer 

 than those that have not passed the fire, as dried 

 pears, &c. 



348. The eighth is the drawing forth continually 

 of that part where the putrefaction beginneth ; which 

 is, commonly, the loose and watery moisture ; not 

 only for the reason before given, that it provoketh 

 the radical moisture to come forth with it; but 

 because being detained in the body, the putrefaction 

 taking hold of it, infecteth the rest : as we see in the 

 embalming dead bodies ; and the same reason is of 

 preserving herbs, or fruits, or flowers, in bran or meal. 



349. The ninth is the commixture of any thing 

 that is more oily or sweet : for such bodies are least 

 apt to putrify, the air working little upon them, 

 and they not putrifying, preserve the rest. And 

 therefore we see syrups and ointments will last 

 longer than juices. 



350. The tenth is the commixture of somewhat 

 that is dry ; for putrefaction beginneth first from 

 the spirits and then from the moisture : and that that 

 is dry is unapt to putrify : and therefore srnoke 

 preserveth flesh ; as we see in bacon and n eats 

 tongues, and Martlemas beef, c. 



351. The opinion of some of the ancients, that 

 blown airs do preserve bodies longer than other airs, 

 seemeth to me probable ; for that the blown airs, 



