362 NATURAL HISTORY. 



the summer. The cause is, for that the spirits, in a 

 body more hot and dry, as the spirits of men are, by 

 the summer are more exhaled and dissipated ; and in 

 the winter more condensed and kept entire ; but in 

 bodies that are cold and moist as women s are, the 

 summer doth cherish the spirits, and calleth them 

 forth ; the winter doth dull them. Furthermore, the 

 abstinence, or intermission of the use of Venus in 

 moist and well habituate bodies, breedeth a number 

 of diseases : and especially dangerous imposthuma- 

 tions. The reason is evident ; for that it is a prin 

 cipal evacuation, especially of the spirits ; for of the 

 spirits there is scarce any evacuation, but in Venus 

 and exercise. And therefore the omission of either 

 of them breedeth all diseases of repletion. 



Experiments in consort touching the insecta. 

 The nature of vivification is very worthy the in 

 quiry : and as the nature of things is commonly better 

 perceived in small than in great ; and in imperfect 

 than in perfect ; and in parts than in whole ; so the 

 nature of vivification is best inquired in creatures bred 

 of putrefaction. The contemplation whereof hath 

 many excellent fruits. First, in disclosing the origi 

 nal of vivification. Secondly, in disclosing the ori 

 ginal of figuration. Thirdly, in disclosing many 

 things in the nature of perfect creatures, which in 

 them lie more hidden. And fourthly, in traducing, 

 by way of operation, some observations on the insecta, 

 to work effects upon perfect creatures. Note, that 



