544 KOVUM ORGANUM. [bOOK II. 



influence) is disturbed, and ceases ; which we perceive to be the 

 case in innujaerable instances. Thus, the daily aj^itation or 

 flowing of water prevents putrefaction ; winds prevent the air 

 i'rom being pestilent ; corn turned about and shaken in granaries 

 continues clean : in short, everything which is externally agitated 

 will with difficulty rot internally. 



We must not omit that union of the parts of bodies which is 

 the principal cause ot induration and desiccation. AVhen the 

 spirit or moisture, which has evaporated into spirit, has escaped 

 from a porous body (such as wood, bone, parchment, and the 

 like), the thicker parts are drawn together, and united witli a 

 greater effort, and induration or desiccation is the consequence ; 

 and this we attribute not so much to the motion of connection 

 (in order to pi'event a vacuum), as to this motion of friendship 

 and union. 



Union from a distance is rare, and yet is to be met with in 

 more instances than are generally observed. We perceive it 

 when one bubble dissolves another, when medicines attract 

 humours from a similarity of substance, when one string moves 

 another in unison with it on different instruments, and the like. 

 We are of opinion that this motion is very prevalent also in 

 animal spirits, but are quite ignorant of the fact. It is, how- 

 ever, conspicuous in the magnet, and magnetized iron. Whilst 

 speaking of the motions of the magnet, we must plain) v dis- 

 tinguish them, for there are four distinct powers or effects of the 

 magnet which should not be confounded, although the wonder 

 and astonishment of mankind has classed them together. 1 . The 

 attraction of the magnet to the magnet, or of iron to the magnet, 

 or of magnetized iron to iron. 2. Its polarity towards" the 

 north and south, and its variation. 3. Its penetration throuo^h 

 gold, glass, stone, and all other substances. 4. The com- 

 munication of power from the mineral to iron, and from iron to 

 iron, without any communication of tlie substances. Here, 

 however, we only speak of the first. There is also a singular 

 motion of attraction between quicksilver and gold, so that the 

 gold attracts quicksilver even when made use of in ointment ; 

 and those who work surrounded by the vapours of quicksilver, 

 are wont to hold a piece of gold in their mouths, to collect the 

 exhalations, w hich would otherwise attack their heads and bones, 

 and this piece soon grows white.'i Let this suffice for the motion 

 of lesser congregation. 



Let the ninth be the magnetic motion, which, although of the 

 nature of that last mentioned, yet, when operating at great 

 distances, and on great masses, deserves a separate inquiry, 

 especially if it neither begin in contact, as most motions of con- 



' Query. 



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