528 NATURAL HISTORY. 



more when we handle in general the nature of minds, 

 and souls, and spirits. 



989. We have given formerly some rules of ima 

 gination ; and touching the fortifying of the same. 

 We have set down also some few instances and di 

 rections, of the force of imagination upon beasts, 

 birds, &c. upon plants, and upon inanimate bodies : 

 wherein you must still observe, that your trials be 

 upon subtle and light motions, and not the contrary ; 

 for you will sooner by imagination bind a bird from 

 singing than from eating or flying : and I leave it to 

 every man to choose experiments which himself 

 thinketh most commodious, giving now but a few 

 examples of every of the three kinds. 



990. Use some imaginant, observing the rules 

 formerly prescribed, for binding of a bird from sing 

 ing, and the like of a dog from barking. Try also 

 the imagination of some, whom you shall accommo 

 date with things to fortify it, in cock-fights, to make 

 one cock more hardy, and the other more cowardly. 

 It would be tried also in flying of hawks, or in 

 coursing of a deer, or hare, with greyhounds : or in 

 horse-races, and the like comparative motions ; for 

 you may sooner by imagination quicken or slack a 

 motion, than raise or cease it ; as it is easier to make 

 a dog go slower, than to make him stand still, that 

 he may not run. 



991. In plants also you may try the force of ima 

 gination upon the lighter sort of motions : as upon 

 the sudden fading, or lively coming up of herbs, or 



