CENTURY X. 295 



upon their bending one way or other ; or upon their 

 closing and opening, &c. 



992. For inanimate things, you may try the force 

 of imagination, upon staying the working of beer 

 when the barm is put in, or upon the coming of 

 butter or cheese, after the churning, or the rennet be 

 put in. 



993. It is an ancient tradition every where al 

 leged, for example of secret proprieties and influxes, 

 that the torpedo marina, if it be touched with a long 

 stick, doth stupefy the hand of him that toucheth it. 

 It is one degree of working at distance, to work by 

 the continuance of a fit medium, as sound will be 

 conveyed to the ear by striking upon a bow-string, 

 if the horn of the bow be held to the ear. 



994. The writers of natural magic do attribute 

 much to the virtues that come from the parts of 

 living creatures, so as they be taken from them, the 

 creatures remaining still alive : as if the creatures 

 still living did infuse some immateriate virtue and 

 vigour into the part severed. So much may be true ; 

 that any part taken from a living creature newly 

 slain, may be of greater force than if it were taken 

 from the like creature dying of itself, because it is 

 fuller of spirit. 



995. Trial would be made of the like parts of 

 individuals in plants and living creatures ; as to cut 

 off a stock of a tree, and to lay that which you cut off 

 to putrify, to see whether it will decay the rest of the 

 stock : or if you should cut off part of the tail or leg 

 of a dog or a cat, and lay it to putrify, and so see 



