Part II. in the Creation. 259 



tanquam vallo piloriim^ qiiibus & apertis oculis Ji- 

 quid infideret repelleretur. Idem, ibid. And be- 

 caufe it was neceffary that Man and other Ani- 

 mals fhould fleep, which could not be fo well 

 done if the Light came in by the Windows of the 

 Eyes, therefore hath Nature provided thefe Cur- 

 tains to be then drawn to keep it out. And be- 

 caufe the outward Coat of the Eye ought to be 

 pellucid, to tranfmit the Light, which, if the 

 Efyes fliould always fland open, would be apt to 

 grow dry and fhrink, and lofe their Diaphaneity, 

 therefore are the Eye-lids fo contriv'd as often to 

 wink, that fo they may as it were glaze and var-* 

 nifh them over with the Moifture they contain, 

 there being Glandules on purpofe to feparate a 

 Humour for that Ufe, and withal wipe off what- 

 ever Duft or Filth may flick to them; and this, 

 left they fliould hinder the Sight, they do with 

 the greateft Celerity. Cicero hath taken notice, 

 that they are made very foft, left they fhould hurt 

 the Sight. MoliJJime ta5iu ni Icederent aciem, ap^ 

 tijjime faBa & ad claudendas pupillas ne quid i?2ci- 

 derety & ad aperiendas, idque providit iit identic 

 demjieri pojfet maxima cum celeritate. 



Secondly, If we confider the Bulb or Ball of the 

 Eye, the exterior Membrane or Coat thereof is 

 made thick, tough and ftrong, that it is a very 

 hard matter to make a Rupture in it, and befides 

 fo flippery, that it eludes the Force of any Stroke, 

 to which alfo its globular Figure gives it a very- 

 great Advantage. 



S 2 Lajilyy 



