NOVUM ORGANUM 283 



simple conformations, for it is nothing more than the sym 

 metry between these forms and conformations. 



The greater and more universal species of harmony are 

 not, however, so wholly obscure, and with them, therefore, 

 we must commence. The first and principal distinction be 

 tween them is this; that some bodies differ considerably in 

 the abundance and rarity of their substance, but correspond 

 in their conformation ; others, on the contrary, correspond in 

 the former and differ in the latter. Thus the chemists have 

 well observed, that in their trial of first principles sulphur 

 and mercury, as it were, pervade the universe; their reason 

 ing about salt, however, is absurd, and merely introduced 

 to comprise earthy dry fixed bodies. In the other two, 

 indeed, one of the most universal species of natural har 

 mony manifests itself. Thus there is a correspondence be 

 tween sulphur, oil, greasy exhalations, flame, and, perhaps, 

 the substance of the stars. On the other hand, there is a 

 like correspondence between mercury, water, aqueous vapor, 

 air, and, perhaps, pure inter-sidereal ether. Yet do these 

 two quaternions, or great natural tribes (each within its own 

 limits), differ immensely in quantity and density of sub 

 stance, while they generally agree in conformation, as is 

 manifest in many instances. On the other hand, the metals 

 agree in such quantity and density (especially when com 

 pared with vegetables, etc.), but differ in many respects in 

 conformation. Animals and vegetables, in like manner, 

 vary in their almost infinite modes of conformation, but 

 range within very limited degrees of quantity and density 

 of substance. 



The next most general correspondence is that between 

 individual bodies and those which supply them by way of 

 menstruum or support. Inquiry, therefore, must be made 



