492 JfOVUM ORGANUM. [bOOK IL 



XXVIT. In the sixtli rank of prerogative instances we will 

 place similar or proportionate instances, ■wliicli we are also wont 

 to call physical parallels, or resemblances. They are such as 

 exhibit the resemblances and connection of things* not in minor 

 forms (as the constitutive do), but at once in the concrete. They 

 are therefore, as it were, the first and lowest steps towards the 

 union of nature ; nor do they immediately establish any axiom, 

 but merely indicate and observe a certain relation of bodies to 

 each other. But although they be not of much assistance in 

 discovering forms, yet they are of great Julvantage in disclosing 

 the frame of parts of the universe, upor^ whose members they 

 practise a species of anatomy, and thence occasionally lead us 

 gently on to sublime and noble axioms, esspecially such as relate 

 to the construction of the world, rather than to simple natures 

 and forms. 



As an example, take the following similar instances : a mirror 

 and the eye ; the formation of the ear, and places which return 

 an echo. From such similarity, besides observing the resem- 

 blance (which is useful for many purposes), it is easy to collect 

 and form this axiom. That the organs of the senses, and bodies 

 which produce reflections to the senses, are of a similar nature. 

 Again, the understanding once informed of this, rises easily to a 

 higher and nobler axiom ; namely, that the only distinction 

 between sensitive and inanimate bodies, in those points in which 

 they agree and sympathise, is this ; in the former, animal spirit 

 is added to the arrangement of the body, in the latter it is want- 

 ing. So that there might be as many senses in animals as there 

 are points of agreement with inanimate bodies, if the animated 

 body were perforated, so as to allow the spirit to have access to 

 tlie limb properly disposed for action, as a fit organ. And, on 

 the other hand, there are, without doubt, as many motions in an 

 inanimate as there are senses in the animated body, though the 

 animal spirit be absent. There must, however, be many more 

 motions in inanimate bodies than senses in the animated, from 

 the small number of organs of sense. A very plain example of 

 this IS afforded by pains. For, as animals are liable to many 

 kinds and various descriptions of pains (such as those of burning, 

 of intense cold, of prickmg, squeezing, stretching, and the like), 

 so is it most certain, that the same circumstances, as far as 

 motion is concerned, happen to inanimate bodies, such as wood 

 or stone when burnt, frozen, pricked, cut, bent, bruised, and the 

 like ; although there be no sensation, owing to the absence of 

 animal spirit. 



Again, wonderful as it may appear, the roots and branches of 

 trees are similar instances. For every vegetable swells and 

 throws out its constituent parts towards the circumference, both 

 upwards and down^^vrds. And there is no diffcrcGC<5 b^tweeo 



