OF BODIES.Chap.XXXVrL 397 



motion (though perad venture, we did not in every circumftance 

 hit exactly upon the right ) thereby to defend our felves from 

 admitting thofe chymericall qualities, which we had already 

 condemned upon all ot her occai ions. 



So I conceive, it will be fuilicient for us in this, to mew how 

 the (e actions may be done by the fenfes , and by the motion of 

 corporeal! Ipirits and by material! impreflionsupon them; with- 

 out being conftrained to relbrt unto an immateriall principle, 

 which muft furnifti birds with reafbn and dilcourfe : in which, it 

 is not neceflary for my purpofe, to determine precifely every 

 f iep,by which thefe actions are performed , and to fettle the ri- 

 gorous truth of them : but leaving that unto thofe , who fhall 

 take pains to deliver the hifiory of their nature , I will content 

 my felfe with the polTibility and probability of my conje&utes. 

 The firft of which qualities,! am obliged to make plain; but the 

 latter concerneth thisTreatife no more, then it would do a man 

 to enquire anxioufly into the particulars of what it is that a beaft 

 is doing, whiles looking upon it at a great diftance,heperceiveth 

 plainly that it moveth it felfe : and his arrant is,but to be aflured 

 Whether it be alive or dead: which the moving ofit felfe in com- 

 mon, doth fufficiently demonftrate, without defcending into a 

 particular fearch.of what his motions are. 



But let us come to the matter : firft I conceive no man will 

 make anydifficulty in allowing.that it is the temper of the blood 

 and fpints in birds (brought thereunto by the quality of their 

 food,and by the fealbn of the yeere) which maketh them couple 

 with one another; and not any ayme or defire of having young 

 ones, that occafioneth this adion in them. Then it foliowcth 

 that the hens eg^.eswill encreafein her belly ; and when they 

 grow big, they cannot choofe but be troublefbme unto her ; and 

 therefore mutt of neceflity breed in her an inclination to refl in 

 fbme fbft place, and to be rid.ofnenu >fcnd as we fee a dog or a 

 cat preffed by nature,fearcheth about to findea convenient place 

 to disburden themfeives in, nor onely of their young ones, but 

 even of their excrements ; fo do birds,whole egges within them, 

 making them heavy and unfit to flic, they hcijm to lit much 

 and are pletied in a fbft and warme place r and thereupon they 

 arc delighted with ftrawi and moffe, and other gentle fub- 



Gg 



