466 NOVUM ORGANUM. [BOOK IL 



those of beat in causing incrustation. Let an experiment also be 

 made with a graduated glass or calendar,' concave at tlie top, by 

 pouring well-rectified spirits of wine into the cavity, and cover- 

 ing it up in order that they may the better retain their heat, 

 then observe whether their heat make the water descend. 



Spices and acrid herbs are sensibly warm to the palate, and 

 Btill more so when taken internally; one should see, therefore, 

 on what other substances they exhibit the effects of heat. Now, 

 sailors tell us that when large quantities of spices are suddenly 

 opened, after having been shut up for some time, there is some 

 danger of fever and inflammation to those who stir them or take 

 them out. An experiment might, therefore, be made whether 

 such spices and herbs, when produced, will, like smoke, dry fish 

 and meat hung up over them. 



There is an acrid effect and a degree of penetration in cold 

 liquids, such as vinegar and oil of vitriol, as well as in warm, 

 such as oil of marjoram and the like ; they have, therefore, an 

 equal effect in causing animated substances to smart, and sepa- 

 rating and consuming inanimate parts. There is not any nega- 

 tive instance as to this, nor does there exist any animal pain 

 unaccompanied by the sensation of heat. 



There are many effects common to cold and heat, however 

 different in their process ; for snowballs appear to burn boys' 

 hands after a little time, and cold no less than fire preserves 

 bodies from putrefaction, — besides both heat and cold contract 

 bodies. But it is better to refer these instances and the like to 

 the investigation of cold. 



XIII. In the third place we must exhibit to the understand- 

 ing the instances in which that nature, which is the object of 

 our inquiries, is present in a greater or less degree, either by 

 comparing its increase and decrease in the same object, or its 

 degree in different objects ; for since the form of a thing is its 

 very essence, and the thing only differs from its form as the 

 apparent from the actual object, or the exterior from the interior, 

 or that which is considered with relation to man from that which 

 is considered with relation to the universe ; it necessarily follows 

 that no nature can be considered a real form which does not 

 uniformly diminish and increase with the given nature. We 

 are wont to call this our Table of Degrees, or Comparative 

 Instances. 



Table of the Decrees or Comparative Instances of Heat. 



We will first speak of those bodies which exhibit no degree of 

 heat sensible to the touch, but appear rather to possess a poten- 

 tial heat, or disposition and preparation for it. We will then go 



■ See No. 88 in the table of tjiq degrees of beat. 



