Bacon as a Gardener. 105 



the Earth, as it qualified! the Earth ; So as that Juyce 

 which remaineth is fit for the other Plant, there the 

 Neighbourhood doth good ; Because the Nourishments 

 are contrarie, or severall : But where two Plants draw 

 (much) the same Juyce, there the Neighbourhood 

 hurteth ; For the one deceive th the other." 



A little farther on, he has more to tell us 

 about these superstitions, absurdities, and 

 prejudices : 



" Some of the Ancients, and likewise divers of the 

 Moderne Writers, that have laboured in Naturall 

 Magick, have noted a Sympathy, between the Sunne, 

 Mootie, and some Principall Starres; And cetaine Herbs, 

 and Plants. And so they have denominated some Herbs 

 Solar, and some Lunar ; And such like Toyes put 

 into great Words. It is manifest, that there are 

 some Flowers, that have Respect to the Sunne, in 

 two Kindes ; The one by Opening and Shutting; And 

 the other by Bowing and Inclining the Head. For 

 Mary-golds, Tulippas, Pimpernell, and indeed most 

 Flowers, doe open or spread their Leaves abroad, 

 when the Sunne shineth serene and faire : And 

 againe, (in some part,) close them, or gather them in- 

 ward, either towards Night, or when the Skie is over- 

 cast. Of this there needeth no such Solemne Reason to 

 be assigned ; As to say, that they rejoyce at the pre- 

 sence of the Sunne; And mourne at the absence thereof. 

 For it is Nothing else, but a little Loading of the Leaves. 



