KovtiM OIUUKUM. [BOOK II, 



B cnt of sporting clogs amongst those of smell. The letter S, 

 too, is considered by the grammarians as sui generis, from iU 

 easily uniting with double or triple consonants, which no other 

 letter will. These instances are of great value, because they ex 

 cite and keep alive inquiry, and correct an understanding 

 depraved by habit and the common course of things. 



XXIX. In the eighth rank of prerogative instances, we will 

 place deviating instances, such as the errors of nature, or 

 strange and monstrous objects, in which nature deviates anc 

 turns from her ordinary course. For the errors of nature differ 

 from singular instances, inasmuch as the latter are the miracle* 

 of species, the former of individuals. Their use is much the 

 same, for they rectify the understanding in opposition to habit, 

 and reveal common forms. For with regard to these, also, we 

 must not desist from inquiry, till we discern the cause of the 

 deviation. The cause does not, however, in such cases rise to a 

 regular form, but only to the latent process towards such a form. 

 For he who is acquainted with the paths of nature, will more 

 readily observe her deviations; and, vice versa, he who has learnt 

 her deviations, will be able more accurately to describe her 

 paths. 



They differ agnin from singular instances, by being much 

 more apt for practice and the operative branch. For it would 

 be very difficult to generate new species, but less so to vary 

 known species, and thus produce many rare and unusual results. 

 The passage from the miracles of nature to those of art is easy ; 

 for if nature be once seized in her variations, and the cause be 

 manifest, it will be easy to lead her by art to such deviation as 

 she was at first led to by chance ; and not only to that but 

 others, since deviations on the one side lead and open the way to 

 others in every direction. Of this we do not require any exam 

 ples, since they are so abundant. For a compilation, or par 

 ticular natural history, must be made of all monsters and 

 prodigious births of nature ; of everything, in short, which is 

 new, rare, and unusual in nature. This should be done with a 

 rigorous selection, so as to be worthy of credit. Those are most 

 to be suspected which depend upon superstition, as the prodigies 

 of Livy, and those perhaps, but little less, which are found in the 

 works of writers on. natural magic, or even alchymy, and the 

 like; for such men, as it were, are the very suitors and lovers 

 of fables ; but our instances should be derived from some grave 

 and credible history, and faithful narration. 



XXX. In the ninth rank of prerogative instances, we will 



f This is well illustrated in plants, for the gardener can pro luca 

 endless varieties of any known species, but can never produce a new 

 Bpeciea itself. 



