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BACON 



nature, are, on that very account, least known. We see, there- 

 fore, the furnaces, which are most esteemed, employed in in- 

 creasing the spirits of bodies to a great extent, as in the strong 

 acids, and some chemical oils; whilst the tangible parts are 

 hardened, and, when the volatile part has escaped, become some- 

 times fixed; the homogeneous parts are separated, and the 

 heterogeneous incorporated and agglomerated in a coarse lump ; 

 and (what is chiefly worthy of remark) the junction of com- 

 pound bodies, and the more delicate conformations are de- 

 stroyed and confounded. But the operation of a less violent heat 

 should be tried and investigated, by which more delicate 

 mixtures, and regular conformations may be produced and 

 elicited, according to the example of nature, and in imitation 

 of the effect of the sun, which we have alluded to in the aphorism 

 on the instances of alliance. For the works of nature are carried 

 on in much smaller portions, and in more delicate and varied 

 position? than those of fire, as we now employ it. But man will 

 then appear to have really augmented his power, when the 

 wcrks of nature can be imitated in species, perfected in power, 

 and varied in quantity ; to which should be added the accelera- 

 tion in point of time. Rust, for instance, is the result of a long 

 process, but crocus martis is obtained immediately; and the 

 same may be observed of natural verdigris and ceruse. Crystal 

 is formed slowly, whilst glass is blown immediately: stones 

 increase slowly, whilst bricks are baked immediately, etc. In 

 the mean time (with regard to our present subject) every differ- 

 ent species of heat should, with its peculiar effects, be diligently 

 collected and inquired into; that of the heavenly bodies, 

 whether their rays be direct, reflected, or refracted, or con- 

 densed by a burning-glass ; that of lightning, flame, and ignited 

 charcoal ; that of fire of different materials, either open or con- 

 fined, straitened or overflowing, qualified by the different forms 

 of the furnaces, excited by the bellows, or quiescent, removed 

 to a greater or less distance, or passing through different media ; 

 moist heats, such as the balneum Marise, and the dunghill ; the 

 external and internal heat of animals ; dry heats, such as the 

 heat of ashes, lime, warm sand ; in short, the nature of every 

 kind of heat, and its degrees. 



We should, however, particularly attend to the investigation 

 and discovery of the effects and operations of heat, when made 

 to approach and retire by degrees, regularly, periodically, and 

 by proper intervals of space and time. For this systematical 

 inequality is in truth the daughter of heaven and mother of 

 generation, nor can any great result be expected from a vehe- 

 ment, precipitate, or desultory heat. For this is not only most 

 evident in vegetables, but in the wombs of animals also there 

 arises a great inequality of heat, from the motion, sleep, food, 



