386 NATURAL HISTORY. 



quality ; for there is not any other of the insecta, 

 but is bred of a duller matter. The body of the 

 cantharides is bright coloured ; and it may be, that 

 the delicate coloured dragon-flies may have like 

 wise some corrosive quality. 



Experiments in consort touching lassitude. 



730. Lassitude is remedied by bathing, or anoint 

 ing with oil and warm water. The cause is, for that 

 all lassitude is a kind of contusion, and compression 

 of the parts ; and bathing and anointing give a relax 

 ation or emollition ; and the mixture of oil and water 

 is better than either of them alone ; because water 

 entereth better into the pores, and oil after entry 

 softeneth better. It is found also, that the taking of 

 tobacco doth help and discharge lassitude- The rea 

 son whereof is, partly, because by cheering or com 

 forting of the spirits, it openeth the parts compressed 

 or contused ; and chiefly because it refresheth the 

 spirits by the opiate virtue thereof, and so dis- 

 chargeth weariness, as sleep likewise doth. 



731. In going up a hill, the knees will be most 

 weary ; in going down a hill, the thighs. The cause 

 is, for that in the lift of the feet, when a man goeth 

 up the hill, the weight of the body beareth most 

 upon the knees ; and in going down the hill, upon 

 the thighs. 



Experiment solitary touching the casting of the skin 

 and shell in some creatures. 



732. The casting of the skin is by the ancients 



