NOVUM ORGANUM 267 



For of the motions here laid down, some are quite in 

 vincible, some more powerful than others, which they con 

 fine, check, and modify ; others extend to a greater distance, 

 others are more immediate and swift, others strengthen, 

 increase, and accelerate the rest. 



The motion of resistance is most adamantine and invin 

 cible. We are yet in doubt whether such be the nature of 

 that of connection; for we cannot with certainty determine 

 whether there be a vacuum, either extensive or intermixed 

 with matter. Of one thing, however, we are satisfied, that 

 the reason assigned by Leucippus and Democritus for the 

 introduction of a vacuum (namely, that the same bodies 

 could not otherwise comprehend, and fill greater and less 

 spaces) is false. For there is clearly a folding of matter, 

 by which it wraps and unwraps itself in space within cer 

 tain limits, without the intervention of a vacuum. Nor is 

 there two thousand times more of vacuum in air than in 

 gold, as there should be on this hypothesis; a fact demon 

 strated by the very powerful energies of fluids (which would 

 otherwise float like fine dust in vacuo), and many other 

 proofs. The other motions direct, and are directed by each 

 other, according to their strength, quantity, excitement, 

 emission, or the assistance or impediments they meet with. 



For instance; some armed magnets hold and support 

 iron of sixty times their own weight; so far does the mo 

 tion of lesser congregation predominate over that of the 

 greater; but if the weight be increased, it yields. A lever 

 of a certain strength will raise a given weight, and so far 

 the motion of liberty predominates over that of the greater 

 congregation, but if the weight be greater, the former 

 motion yields. A piece of leather stretched to a certain 



point does not break, and so far the motion of continuity 



SCIENCE Vol. 23 12 



