Chap. 14- 'ATfMiftif BO DIES. 



which their mixture with the liquid ones,maketh them yicldthe 

 more eafily unto: it is impoffible that the elements fhould have 

 any other naturall figure in thefe their leaft parts, then fuch as 

 chance giveth them. But that one part muft be bigger then an- 

 other is evident; for the nature of rarity and denfity giveth it: 

 the firft of them caufing divisibility into little parts, and the lat- 

 ter hindering it. 



Having then fettled in what manner the elements may be va- 

 ried in the competition of bodies; let us now begin our mixture- 

 In which our ground to work upon muit be earth and water; 

 for onely thefe two are the bafis of permanent bodics,that fuffer mancnt m : xcd 

 our fen fes to take hold of them, and that fubmit themfelvcs to bodici< 

 triall: whereas if we fliould make the predominant element to 

 be aire or fire, and bring in the other two folid ones under their 

 jurifdiition to make up the mixture, the compound refultingout 

 of them would be cither in continuallconfumption(as ordinary 

 fire is ) or elie imperceptible to our eyes or touch, and therefore 

 not a fit fubjcft for us to difcourfe of, fince the other two afford 

 us enough to fpeculate upon. Peradvemure our fmell might 

 ;ake fbmecognifance of a body fo compofed, or theeffedt of it 

 :aken in by refpiration, might in time fhcw it fclf upon our 

 icalth.- but it concerneth not us now to look fo far; our defigne 

 requireth moremaniable fubftances. 



Of which let water be the firfi; and with it we will mingle 12 



:hc other three elements, in exceffe over one another by turns ; ^ at k ' n( |,of 



n-ii 11 r i c i L J f "Q"e* thole are 



jut mil all or them overiwayed by a predominant quantity of where water is 



^ater: and then let us fee what kind of bodies will refult one of canh^hVIc- 



ueh proportions. Firft, ifearth prevail above fire and aire, aild dominant eic- 



irrive next in proportion to the water, a body offuch a compo- other two! thc 



ition muft needs prove hardly liquid, and uot eafie to let ics 



>arts run afunder, by reafon of the great proportion of fo cienfe 



i body as earth that holdeth it together. Yet fome inclination it 



vill have tofluidnefle.by reafon the water is predominant over 



ill; which alfo will make it be eafily divifjb!e>andgivc very lit- 



le reliftance to any hard thing thatfhall be applyed to make 



vay through it. Jn a word, this mixture makcth theconnituti- 



)n of mud, dirt, honey, butcer, and lach like things where thc 



nain parts are great ones. And Rich are thc pares of earth and 



vaterin themfelyes. 



tec 



