EXTRACTS FROM "MICROGRAPHIA." l8l 



the tinder (that is only a very curious small coal made of 

 the small threads of Linnen burnt to coals and char'd) it 

 easily sets it on fire!' Nor will any part of this Hypothesis 

 seem strange to him that considers — First, that either 

 hammering, or filing, or otherwise violently rubbing of steel 

 will presently make it so hot as to be able to burn one's 

 fingers. Next, that the whole force of the stroke is exerted 

 upon that small part where the Flint and Steel first touch : 

 for the bodies being each of them so very hard, the puis 

 cannot be far communicated, that is, the parts of each can 

 yield but very little, and therefore the violence of the 

 concussion will be exerted on that piece of steel which is cut 

 off by the flint" 



Extract from " Micrographia" p. 54 : — 



" And first for Light, it seems very manifest, that there 

 is no luminous body but has the parts of it in motion more 

 or less. 



" First, that all kinds of fiery burning Bodies have their 

 parts in motion, I think will be very easily granted me. 

 That the spark struck from a Flint and Steel is in a rapid 

 agitation, I have elsewhere made probable. And that the 

 parts of rotten wood, rotten fish, and the like, are also in 

 motion, I think, will as easily be conceded by those who 

 consider that those parts never begin to shine till the bodies 

 be in a state of putrefaction ; and that is now generally 

 granted by all, to be caused by the motion of the parts of 

 putrifying bodies. That the Bononian stone shines no 

 longer than it is either warmed by the sunbeams, or by the 

 flame of a fire, or of a candle, is the general report of those 

 that write of it, and of others that have seen it, and that 

 heat argues a motion of the internal parts, is (as I said 

 before) generally granted. 



