BOOK II.] HARMOITY OF BODIES. 663 



?ally agree in conformation, as is manifest in many instances. 

 On the other hand, the metals agree in such quantity and 

 density (especially when compared with vegetables, &c.), but 

 differ in many respects in conformation. Animals and vegetables, 

 in like manner, vary in their almost infinite modes of confor 

 mation, but range within very limited degrees of quantity and 

 density of substance. 



The next most general correspondence is that between indi 

 vidual bodies and those which supply them by way of menstruum 

 or support. Inquiry, therefore, must be made as to the climate, 

 soil, and depth at which each metal is generated, and the same 

 of gems, whether produced in rocks or mines, also as to the soil 

 in which particular trees, shrubs, and herbs, mostly grow and, 

 as it were, delight ; and as to the best species of manure, whether 

 dung, chalk, sea sand, or ashes, &c., and their different propriety 

 and advantage according to the variety of soils. So also the 

 grafting and setting of trees and plants (as regards the readiness 

 of grafting one particular species on another) depends very much 

 upon harmony, and it would be amusing to try an experiment 

 I have lately heard of, in grafting forest trees (garden trees alono 

 having hitherto been adopted), by which means the leaves and 

 fruit are enlarged, and the trees produce more shade. The 

 specific food of animals again should be observed, as well as that 

 which cannot be used. Thus the carnivorous cannot be fed on 

 herbs, for which reason the order of feuilletans, the experiment 

 having been made, has nearly vanished; human nature being 

 incapable of supporting their regimen, although the human wili 

 has more power over the bodily frame than that of other animals. 

 The different kinds of putrefaction from which animals are 

 generated should be noted. 



The harmony of principal bodies with those subordinate to 

 them (such indeed may be deemed those we have alluded to 

 above) are sufficiently manifest, to which may be added those 

 that exist between different bodies and their objects, and, since 

 these latter are more apparent, they may throw great light when 

 well observed arid diligently examined upon those which are 

 more latent. 



The more internal harmony and aversion, or friendship and 

 enmity (for superstition and folly have rendered the terms of 

 sympathy and antipathy almost disgusting), have been either 

 falsely assigned, or mixed with fable, or most rarely discovered 

 from neglect. For if one were to allege that there is an enmity 

 between the vine and the cabbage, because they will not come 

 up well when sown together, there is a sufficient reason for it 

 in the succulent and absorbent nature of each plant, so that 

 the one defrauds the other. Again, if one were to say that 

 there is a harmony and friendship between the corn and 



