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monstrous objects, in which nature deviates and turns from 

 her ordinary course. For the errors of nature differ from 

 singular instances, inasmuch as the latter are the miracles 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 again 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 examples, 

 since they are so abundant. For a compilation, or particular 

 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 alchemy, 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. 



30. In the ninth rank of prerogative instances, we will place 

 bordering instances, which we are also wont to term partici- 

 pants. They are such as exhibit those species of bodies which 

 appear to be composed of 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 system 

 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 ; in some comets, which hold a 



