DIES. Chap. 23^ 



aUvity of it muft needs be greater then theirs ( as being the 

 fource of motion unto them ) and that there wanteth not humi- 

 dity for it to extend it felf by. 



And thus you fee three roots of three divers plants, all in the 

 fame plant, proceeding by naturall resolution from one primi- 

 tive fource. Whereof that which is moft watry, is fitteft to fa- 

 bricate the body and common outfide of the triformed plant ; 

 lance water is the moft figurable principle that is in nature, and 

 the moft fufceptiblc ofmultiplication ; and by its cold is cafieft 

 to be hardened} and therefore fitteft to refift the injuries of ene- 

 my bodies that may mfeft it. The oily parts are fitteft for the 

 continuance and fblidity of the plant: for we fee that vilcuofity 

 and oylineffe hold together the parts where they abound; and 

 they arc flowly wafted by fire, but do conferve and are an ali- 

 ment to the fire that confumeth them. The parts of the third 

 kind arc fittett for the confcrvadon of heat: which though in 

 them it be too violent; yet it is necefTary for working upon o- 

 ther parts, and for maintaining a due temper in them. 



And thus we have armed our plant with three forts of ri- 

 vers or brooks to run through him, with as many different 

 ftreams ; the one of a gentle balfamike oyl ; an other , of 

 ftreaming fire ; and the third, of a connaturall and cooler 

 water to irrigate and temper him. The ftreams of water , 

 (as we have (aid) muft run through the whole fabrick of 

 this informed plant : and becaufc it is not a fimplc water, 

 but warm in a good degree, and as it were a middle fub- 

 ftance betwixt water and aire ( by rcafon of the ardent vo- 

 latile fpirit that is with it ) it is of a fit nature to fwell, as 

 aire doth ; and yet withall to refift violence in a conveni- 

 ent degree, as water doth. Therefore if from its fource na- 

 ture fcndeth abundance into any one part; that part muft fwell 

 and grow thicker and fhorter; and fo muft be contra&cd that 

 way which nature hath ordered it. Whence we perceive a means 

 by which nature may draw any part of the outward fabrick, 

 which way foever fhe is pleafed by fct inftruments for fuch an 

 effect. But when there is no motion, or but little in thefe pipes, 

 the ftanding ftream that is in a very little.though long channel, 

 mnft needs be troubled in its whole body,if any one part of it be 

 preffcd upon, fo as to receive thereby any imprcffion: and there- 

 fore 



