BOOK II.] INSTANCES OF POWER. 497 



place bordering instances, which we are also wont to term parti 

 cipants. They are such as exhibit those species oi bodies which 

 appear to be composed oi two species, or to be the rudiments 

 between the one and the other. They may well be classed 

 with the singular or heteroclite instances ; for in the whole sys 

 tem of things, they are rare and extraordinary. Yet from their 

 dignity, they must be treated of and classed separately, for they 

 point out admirably the order and constitution of things, and 

 suggest the causes of the number and quality of the more com 

 mon species in the universe, leading the understanding from that 

 which is, to that which is possible. 



We have examples of them in moss, which is something be 

 tween putrescence and a plant ; 8 in some comets, which hold 

 a place between stars and ignited meteors ; in flying fishes, 

 between fishes and birds ; and in bats, between birds and 

 quadrupeds. 11 Again, 



Simia quam similis turpissima beatia nobis. 



We have also biformod foetus, mingled species, and the like. 



XXXI. In the tenth rank of prerogative instances, we will 

 place the instances of power, or the fasces (to borrow a term from 

 the insignia of empire), which we are also wont to call the wit 

 or hands of man. These are such works as are most noble and 

 perfect, and, as it were, the masterpieces in every art. For since 

 our principal object is to make nature subservient to the state 

 and wants of man, it becomes us well to note and enumerate the 

 works, which have long since been in the power of man, espe 

 cially those which are most polished and perfect : because the 

 passage from these to new and hitherto undiscovered works, is 

 more easy and feasible. For if any one, after an attentive con 

 templation of such works as are extant, be willing to push for 

 ward in his design with alacrity and vigour, he will undoubtedly 

 either advance them, or turn them to something within their 

 immediate reach, or even apply and transfer them to some more 

 noble purpose. 



Nor is this all : for as the understanding is elevated and raised 

 by rare and unusual works of nature, to investigate and discover 

 the forms which include them also, so is the same effect fre 

 quently produced by the excellent and wonderful works of art ; 

 and even to a greater degree, because the mode of effecting and 

 constructing the miracles of art is generally plain, whilst that of 



* The discoveries of Tournefort have placed moss in the class of plants. 

 The fish alluded to below are to be found only in the tropics. Ed. 



11 There is, however, no real approximation to birds in either the 

 flying-fish or bat, any more than a man approximates to a fish because 

 he can swim. The wings oi the flying-fish and bat are mere expansio&i 

 &amp;lt;ui skin, bearing no resemblance whatever to those oi birds. 



