CENTURY IX. 



are enclosed in a fast body : but generally those 

 smells are the most grateful, where the degree 

 of heat is small ; or where the strength of the smell 

 is allayed ; for these things do rather woo the sense, 

 than satiate it. And therefore the smell of violets 

 and roses exceedeth in sweetness that of spices and 

 gums ; and the strongest sort of smells are best in a 

 weft afar off. 



Experiment solitary touching the corporeal substance 



of smells. 



834. It is certain, that no smell issueth but with 

 emission of some corporeal substance ; not as it is in 

 light, and colours, and in sounds. For we see 

 plainly, that smell doth spread nothing that dis 

 tance that the other do. It is true, that some woods 

 of oranges, and heaths of rosemary, will smell a 

 great way into the sea, perhaps twenty miles; but 

 what is that, since a peal of ordnance will do as 

 much, which moveth in a small compass ? Whereas 

 those woods and heaths are of vast spaces ; besides, 

 we see that smells do adhere to hard bodies ; as in 

 perfuming of gloves, &c. which showeth them 

 corporeal ; and do last a great while, which sounds 

 and light do not. 



Experiment solitary touching fetid and fragrant 



odours. 



835. The excrements of most creatures smell ill ; 

 chiefly to the same creature that voideth them : for 

 we see, besides that of man, that pigeons and horses 



