ORGAKUM. 339 



&quot; Surprise &quot; is Conformable to the figure in music called &quot; Declension 

 of the Cadence.&quot; In like manner the Mathematical Postulate, 

 Things which are equal to the same are equal to one another,&quot; is 

 Conformable to the construction of the syllogism in Logic which unites 

 properties agreeing in a middle term. In fine, a certain sagacity in 

 investigating and tracking Physical Conformities and Resemblances 

 is of great use in very many cases. 



xxviii. Among Prerogative Instances we shall put in the seventh 

 place, Singular Instances, which we also call Hctcroclite (borrowing 

 the term from the grammarians). These are those which exhibit in 

 the concrete ; bodies which seem to be extravagant and, as it were, 

 abrupt in Nature, and noways agreeing with other things of the same 

 kind. Conformable Instances are like each other ; Singular Instances 

 arc like themselves alone. Now the use of Singular instances is the 

 same as that of Clandestine Instances, viz. to raise and unite Nature 

 for the discovery of Genera or Common Natures, which are afterwards 

 to be limited by true Differences. For we must not desist from inquiry 

 until the properties and qualities found in such things as these, and 

 which may be taken for miracles of Nature, are reduced and com 

 prehended under some fixed Form or Law ; so that all irregularity or 

 singularity be found to depend on some common Form ; and the 

 miracle at last turn out to consist only in accurate differences ; in 

 degree, and in an unusual concurrence, not in the species itself: 

 whereas, at present, the contemplation of man does not go 

 further than to set down such things as secrets and great works of 

 Nature : things, as it were, without cause, and exceptions to general 

 rules. 



Examples of Singular Instances are the sun and moon among 

 heavenly bodies ; the magnet among stones ; quicksilver among 

 minerals ; the elephant among quadrupeds ; the sensus Vencris among 

 the kinds of touch ; the scent of dogs among the kinds of smell. 

 Moreover, the letter S is held by grammarians to be singular, on 

 account of the facility with which it enters into composition with con 

 sonants, sometimes two and sometimes three at a time; which is the 

 case with no other letter. Now, Instances of this sort should be made 

 much of, because they sharpen and quicken inquiry, and heal the 

 Intellect when it has become depraved by habit and the customary 

 course of things. 



xxix. Among Prerogative Instances we shall put in the eighth place, 

 Deviating Instances ; errors, that is, of Nature, things which arc vague 

 and monstrous, wherein Nature declines and deflects from her ordinary 

 course. For errors of Nature differ from Singular Instances in the 

 fact that the latter are miracles of species, the former of individuals, 

 liut their use is nearly the same, for they correct errors arising in the 

 Understanding from Habit, and reveal common Forms. Nor must 

 \ve desist from inquiry with regard to them, until the cause of this 

 declension is discovered. Hut that cause does not properly reach to 

 any Form, but only to the Latent Process towards Form. For he who 

 knows the ways of Nature will more easily observe her deviations 



