CENTURY IX. 427 



better. And besides, it is a principal means of na 

 tural divination ; for that which in these perceptions 

 appeareth early, in the great effects cometh long 

 after. It is true also, that it serveth to discover that 

 which is hid, as well as to foretel that which is to 

 come, as it is in many subtile trials ; as to try whe 

 ther seeds be old or new, the sense cannot inform ; 

 but if you boil them in water, the new seeds will 

 sprout sooner : and so of water, the taste will not 

 discover the best water ; but the speedy consuming 

 of it, and many other means, which we have hereto 

 fore set down, will discover it. So in all physiognomy, 

 the lineaments of the body will discover those natu 

 ral inclinations of the mind which dissimulation will 

 conceal, or discipline will suppress. We shall there 

 fore now handle only those two perceptions, which 

 pertain to natural divination and discovery ; leav 

 ing the handling of perception in other things 

 to be disposed elsewhere. Now it is true, that divi 

 nation is attained by other means ; as if you know 

 the causes, if you know the concomitants, you 

 may judge of the effect to follow : and the like may 

 be said of discovery ; but we tie ourselves here to 

 that divination and discovery chiefly, which is caused 

 by an early or subtile perception. 



The aptness or propension of air, or water, to cor 

 rupt or putrify, no doubt, is to be found before it 

 break forth into manifest effects of diseases, blastings, 

 or the like. We will therefore set down some prog 

 nostics of pestilential and unwholesome years. 



801. The wind blowing much from the south 



