472 NATURAL HISTORY. 



contract suddenly; and when they are much con 

 tracted by darkness, they cannot dilate suddenly. 

 And excess of both these, that is, of the dilatation 

 and contraction of the spirits visual, if it be long de- 

 stroyeth the eye. For as long looking against the 

 sun or fire hurteth the eye by dilatation ; so curious 

 painting in small volumes, and reading of small 

 letters, do hurt the eye by contraction. 



872. It hath been observed, that in anger the 

 eyes wax red ; and in blushing, not the eyes, but 

 the ears, and the parts behind them. The cause is, 

 for that in anger the spirits ascend and wax eager ; 

 which is most easily seen in the eyes, because they 

 are translucid ; though withal it maketh both the 

 cheeks and the gills red ; but in blushing, it is true 

 the spirits ascend likewise to succour both the eyes 

 and the face, which are the parts that labour ; but 

 then they are repulsed by the eyes, for that the 

 eyes, in shame, do put back the spirits that ascend 

 to them, as unwilling to look abroad : for no man 

 in that passion doth look strongly, but dejectedly ; 

 and that repulsion from the eyes diverteth the 

 spirits and heat more to the ears, and the parts 

 by them. 



873. The objects of the sight may cause a great 

 pleasure and delight in the spirits, but no pain or 

 great offence ; except it be by memory, as hath 

 been said. The glimpses and beams of diamonds 

 that strike the eye ; Indian feathers, that have 

 glorious colours; the corning into a fair garden ; the 

 coming into a fair room richly furnished ; a beautiful 



