The Second Part

The Wisdom of God manifested in the Works of the Creation.

I proceed now to select some particular Pieces of the Creation, and to consider them more distinctly.
They shall be only <**135> Two:

I. Whole Body of the Earth
II. Bodies of man. And other Animals.

First, The Body of the Earth, and therein I shall take Notice of, 1. Its Figure. 2. Its Motion. 3. The Constitution of its Parts.

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By Earth I here understand not the Dry Land, or the Earth contradistinguished to Water, or the Earth considered as an Element: But the whole Terraqueous Globe, composed of Earth and Water.

I. For the Figure, I could easily demonstrate it to be Spherical. That the Water, which by Reason of its fluidity should, one would think, compose it self to a Level, yet doth not so, but hath a Gibbose Superficies, may to the Eye be demonstrated upon the Sea. For when two Ships sailing contrary ways lose the sight one of another: first the Keel and Hull disappear; afterwards the Sails, and if when upon Deck you have perfectly lost sight of all, you get up to the Top of the Main-mast, you may descry it again. Now what should take away the sight of these Ships from each other but the gibbosity of the interjacent Water ? The roundness of the Earth from North to South is demonstrated from the appearance of Northern Stars above the Horizon, and loss of the Southern to them that travel Northward and on the contrary, the loss of the Northern and <**136> appearance of the Southern to them that travel Southward. For were the Earth a Plain we should see exactly the same Stars where-ever we were placed on that Plain. The roundness from East to West is demonstrated from Eclipses of either of the great Luminaries. For why the same Eclipse, suppose of the Sun, which is seen to them that live more Easterly, when the Sun is elevated 6 Degrees above the Horizon,

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should be seen to them that live but one degree more Westerly, when the Sun is but five degrees above the Horizon, and so lower and lower proportionably to them that live more and more Westerly, ‘till at last it appear not at all, no Account can be given, but the globosity of the Earth. For were the Earth a perfect Plain, the Sun would appear Eclipsed to all that live upon that Plain, if not exactly in the same Elevation, yet pretty near it; but to be sure it would never appear to some, the Sun being elevated high above the Horizon; and not at all to others. It being clear then that the Figure of the Earth is Spherical, le us consider the Conveniencies of this Figure.

I. No Figure is so capacious as this, and consequently whose Parts are so well compacted and united, and lie so near one to another for mutual Strength. Now the Earth, which is the Basis of all Animals, and as some think of the whole Creation, ought to be firm, and stable, and solid, and as much as is possible secured from all Ruins and Concussions.

2. This Figure is most consonant and agreeable to the natural Nutus, or Tendency of all heavy Bodies. Now the Earth being such a one, and all its Parts having an equal propension, or connivency to the Center, they must needs be in greatest Rest, and most Immoveable when they are all equidistant from it. Whereas were it an Angular Body, all the Angles

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would be vast and steep Mountains, bearing a considerable Proportion to the whole bulk, and therefore those Parts being extremely more remote from the Center, than those about the Middle of the Plains, would consequently press very strongly thitherward; and unless the earth were made of Adamant or Marble, in Time the other parts would give way, ‘till all were levelled.

3. Were the Earth an Angular Body, and not round, all the whole Earth would be nothing else but vast Mountains, and so incommodious for Animals to live upon; for the middle Point of every Side would be nearer the Center than any other; and consequently from that Point which way soever one travelled would be up Hill, the <**138> Tendency of all heavy Bodies being perpendicularly to the Center. Besides, how much this would obstruct Commerce is easily seen: For not only the declivity of all Places would render them very difficult to be travelled over, but likewise the Middle of every Side being lower and nearer the Center, if there were any Rain, or any Rivers, must needs be filled with a Lake of Water, there

being no Way to discharge it, and possibly the Water would rise so high, as to overflow the whole Land. But, surely, there would be much more danger of the Inundation of whole Countries than now there is, all the Waters falling upon the Earth, by Reason of its declivity every Way, easily descending, down to

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the common Receptacle of the Sea. And these Lakes of Water being far distant one from another, there could be no Commerce between far remote Countries, but by Land.

4. A Spherical Figure is most commodious for dinetial Motion or Revolution upon its Axis; for in that, neither can the Medium at all resist the motion of the Body, because it stands not in its way, no part coming into any Space but what the precedent left, neither doth one part of the Superficies move faster than another: Whereas were it Angular, the parts about the Angles would find strong resistance from the <**139> Air, and those parts also about the Angles would move much faster than those about the middle of the Plains, being remoter from the Center than they. It remains therefore that this Figure is the most commodious for Motion.

Here I cannot but take notice of the folly and stupidity of the Epicureans, who fansied the Earth to be flat and contiguous to the Heavens on all sides, and that it descended a great way with long Roots; and that the Sun was new made every Morning, and not much bigger than it seems to the Eye, and of a flat Figure, and many other such gross Absurdities as Children among us would be ashamed of.

Secondly, I come now to speak of the Motion of the Earth. That the Earth (speaking according to Philosophical Accurateness) doth

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move both upon its own Poles, and in the Ecliptick, is now the received Opinion of the most learned and skilful Mathematicians. To prove the diurnal Motion of it upon its Poles, I need produce no other Argument than, First, The vast disproportion in respect of Magnitude that is between the Earth and the Heavens, and the great unlikelihood, that such an infinite number of vast Bodies should move about so inconsiderable a spot as the Earth, which in comparison with them by <**140> the concurrent Suffrages of Mathematicians of both perswasions, is a mere point, that is, next to nothing.

Secondly, The immense and incredible Celerity of the Motion of the Heavenly Bodies in the Ancient Hypothesis.

Thirdly, Of its Annual Motion in the Ecliptick, the Stations and Retrogradations of the superior Planets are a convincing Argument, there being a clear and facile Account thereof to be given from the mere Motion of the Earth in the Ecliptick; whereas in the Old Hypothesis no account can be given, but by the unreasonable Fiction of E:picycles and contrary Motions; add hereto the great unlikelihood of such an enormous Epicycle as Venus must describe about the Sun, not under the Sun, as the old Astronomers fansied. About the Sun, I say, as appears by its being hid or eclipsed by it, and by its several Phases, like the Moon. So that whosoever doth clearly understand both Hypotheses, cannot, I perswade myself, adhere to the Old and reject

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the New, without doing some violence to his Faculties.

Against this Opinion lie two Objections, First, That it is contrary to Sense, and the common Opinion and Belief of Mankind. Secondly, that it seemeth contrary to some Expressions in Scripture. To the first I answer that our Senses are sometimes mistaken, and what appears to them is not <**141> always in reality so as it appears. For Example: The Sun or Moon appear no bigger, at most, than a Cart-wheel, and of a flat Figure. The Earth seems to be plain: The Heavens to cover it like a Canopy, and to be contiguous to it round about: A Fire-brand nimbly moved round, appears like a Circle of Fire; and to give a parallel Instance, a Boat lying still at Anchor in a River, to him that Sails and Rows by it, seems to move apace; and when the Clouds pass nimbly under the Moon, the Moon itself seems tc move the contrary way; And there have been whole Books written in Confutation of vulgar Errors.

Secondly, As to the Scripture, when hpeaking of these things, it accommodates itself to the common and received Opinions, and employs the usual Phrases and Forms of Speech (as all Wise Men also do, though in strictness they be of a different or contrary Opinion) without intention of delivering any thing Doctrinally concerning these Points, or confuting the contrary: And yet by those that maintain the Opinion of the Earth’s motion there might a convenient Interpretation be given

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of such Places as seem to contradict it. Howbeit, because some pious Persons may be offended at such an Opinion, as favouring of Novelty, thinking it inconsistent <**142> with Divine Revelation, I shall not positively assert it, only propose it as an Hypothesis not altogether improbable. Supposing then, that the Earth doth move, both upon its own Poles, and in the Ecliptick about the Sun, I shall shew how admirably its Station and Motion are contrived for the conveniency of Man and other Animals: Which I cannot do more fully and clearly than Dr. More hath already done in his Antidote against Atheism, whose Words therefore I shall borrow.

First, Speaking of the Parallelism of the Axis of the Earth, he saith, I demand whether it be better to have the Axis of the Earth steady and perpetually parallel to itself, or to have it carelessy tumble this way and that way as it happens, or at least very variously and intricately ? And you cannot but Answer me, it is better to have it steady and parallel. For in this lies the necessary Foundation of the Art of Navigation and Dialling. For that steady Stream of Particles, which is supposed to keep the Axis of the Earth parallel to itself, affords the Mariner both his Cynosura and his Compass. The Load-stone and the Load-star depend both upon this. The Load-stone, as I could demonstrate, were it not too great a digression; and the Load-star, because that which keeps the Axis parallel to itself, makes each of the Poles

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constantly respect such a Point in the Heavens as for Example, the North-Pole to point almost directly to that which we call the Pole-Star. And besides, Dialling could not be at all without this steadiness of the Axis. But both thes Arts are pleasant, and one especially of mighty Importance to Mankind. For thus there is an orderly measuring of our time for Affairs at home, and an opportunity of Traffick abroad with the most remote Nations of the World and so there is a mutual Supply of the several Commodities of all Countries, Besides the enlarging our Understandings by so ample Experience we get both of Men and Things. Wherefore if we were rationally to consult, whether the Axis of the Earth were better be held steady, and parallel to itself; or left at random, we would conclude it ought to be steady, and so we find it de Facto, though the Earth move floating in the liquid Heavens. So that appealing to our own Faculties we are to affirm, that the constant Direction of the Axis of the Earth was Establiahed by a Principle of Wisdom and Counsel.

Again, there being several Postures of the steady Direction of the Axis of the Earth, viz. either perpendicular to a Plain, going through the Center of the Sun, or <**144> co-incident or inclining, I demand which of all these Reason and Knowledge would make choice of. Not of a perpendicular Posture; for so both the pleasant Variety, and great Convenience of

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Summer and Winter; Spring and Autumn, would be lost, and for want of Accession of the Sun, these Parts of the Earth, which now bring forth Fruits, and are Habitable, would be in an incapacity of ever bringing forth any <1717>sith then, the heat could never be greater than now it is at our 10th of March, or the 11th of September, and therefore not sufficient to bring their Fruits and Grain to Maturity,</1717> and consequently could entertain no Inhabitants, and those Parts that the full heat of the Sun could reach, he plying them always alike without any annual Recession or Intermission, would at last grow tired or exhausted, or be wholly dried up, and want moisture, the Sun dissipating and casting off the Clouds Northwards and Southwalds. Besides, we observe that an orderly Vicissitude of Things, doth much more gratifie the Contemplative Property in Man.

And now in the second Place neither would Reason make choice of a co-incident position. For if the Axis thus lay in a Plain that goeth through the Center of the Sun, the Ecliptick would like a Colure or one of the Meridians, pass through the Poles of the Earth, which would put the Inhabitants of the World into a pitiful condition. For they that escape best in the Temperate Zone, would be accloyed with long Nights very tedious, no less than forty Days, and those that now never have their Night above twenty-four Hours, as Friesland

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Island, the further Parts of Russia and Norway, would be deprived of the Sun, above a Hundred and Thirty Days together. Ourselves in England, and the rest of the same Clime, would be closed up in Darkness no less than a Hundred or Eighty Days; and so proportionably of the Rest, both in and out of the Temperate Zones. And as for Sumnaer and Winter; though those Vicissitudes would be, yet it could not but Cause raging Diseases, to have the Sun stay so long, describing his little Circles so near the Poles, and lying so hot on the inhabitants, that had been in so long extremity of Darkness and Cold before.

It remains therefore, that the posture of the Axis of the Earth be inclining not perpendicular, not co-incident to the fore-mention’d Plain. And verily, it is not only inclining, but in so fit a Proportion, that there can be no fitter imagined to make it to the utmost Capacity, as well pleasant as habitable. For though the Course of the Sun be curbed between the Tropicks, yet are not those Parts directly subject to his perpendicular Beams, either Unhabitable, or extremely <**146> Hot, as the Ancients fansied: By the Testimony of Travellers, and particularly Sir Waltcr Raleigh, the parts under and near the Line, being as fruitful and pleasant, and fit to make a Paradise of, as any in the World. And that they are as suitable to the Nature of Man, and as convenient to live in, appear from the Longevity of the Natives; as for

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Instance, the Ethiopes, called by the Ancients <greek>Machrobioi</greek>; but especially in the Brazilians in America, the ordinary Term of whose Life is a Hundred Years, as is set down by Piso, a Learned Physician of Holland, who travelled thither on purpose to augmcnt Natural Knowledge, but especially what related to Physick. And rcafonable it is, that this should be so, for neither doth the Sun lie long upon them, their day being but twelve Hours, and their Night as long, to cool and refresh them, and besides they have frequent Showers, and constant Breezes, or fresh Gales of Wind from the East.

<1717>It was the Opinion of Asclepiades, as Plutarch reports, that generally the Inhabitants of Cold Countries are longer live’d than those of Hot because the cold keeps in the natural heat, as it were locking up the Pores to prevent its Evaporation; whereas in hot Regions the heat is easily dissipated, the Pores being large and open to give it way. Which opinion, because I fnd some Learned Men still to adhere to, I shall produce some further Instances out of Monsieur Rochefort’s History of the Antilles Islands, to confirm the contrary, and to shew how often and easily we may be deceiv’d, if we trust to our own Ratiocinations, how plausible soever, and consult not Experience.

The ordinary Life (saith he) of our Caribbeans is an hundred and fifty years long, and sometimes more. There were some among them not long since living;, who remembred to havc

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seen the first Spaniards, that aborded A1nerica, who, we may thence conclude, lived to be at least 160 years old.

The Hollanders who traffick in the Molucca Islands, assure us, that the ordinary term of Life of the Natives there is one hundred and thirty years.

Vincent le Blanc tells us, that in Sumatra, Java, and the neighbouring Islands, the life of the Inhabitants is extended to 140 Years, and that in the Realm of Cassuby it reaches 150. Francis Pirara promotes the life of the Brazilians beyond the Term we have set it, v.g. to 160 years or more, and says that in Florida and Jucatan there are Men found, who pass that age. And it is said, that the French in Laudoniers Voyage into Florida, Anno. 1564. saw a certain old Man, who affirmed himself to be three hundred years old, and the Father of five Generations; "And well he might be of double that number".

Lastly, Mapheous reports, that a certain Bengalese vaunted himself to be 335 years old. So far Monsieur Rochefort. Indeed these two last Instances, being perchance singular and extra-ordinary, do not prove the point; for even among us, where the ordinary term of Life is about threescore and ten, or fourscore, there occur some rare instances of Persons, who have lived 130, 140, 150 Years and more. But the other Testimonies being general, prove it beyond contradiction; neither yet is the thing

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in itself improbable; for there being not so great inequality of Weather in those hot Countries, as there is in cold, the Body is kept in a more equal Temper, and not having such frequent Shocks, as are occasion’d by such Air, and often changes, and that from one cxtreme to another, holds out much longer. So we see infirm and crazy Persons, when they come to be so weak as to be fixed to their Beds, hold out many Years, some I have heard of, that have laid bed-rid 20 years: because in the Bed they are always kept in an almost equal Temper of Heat, who, had they been exposed to the excesses of Heat and Cold, would not probably have survived one.</1717>

Seeing then, this best posture which our Reason could make choice of; we see really established in Nature, we cannot but acknowledge it to be the issue of Wisdom, Counsel, and Providence. Moreover, a further Argument to evince this is, That though it cannot but be acknowledged, that if the Axis <**147> of the Earth were perpendicular to the Plane of the Ecliptick, her motion would be more easie and natural, yet notwithstanding for the Conveniences fore-mentioned, we see it is made in an inclining posture.

<1717>Another very considerable, and heretofore unobserv’d Convenience of this inclination of the Earth’s Axis, Mr. Kiel affords us in his Examination of Dr. Burnet’s <title>Theory of the Earth</title>, p. 69.

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There is (saith he) one more [besides what he had mentioned before] considerable advantage, which we reap by the present position of the Earth, which I will here insert, because I do not know that it is taken notice of by any. And it is, that by the present inclination of the Earth’s Axis to the Plane of the Ecliptick, we who live beyond 45 degrees of Latitude, and stand most in need of it, have more of the Sun’s heat throughout the year, than if he had shined always in the Equator, that is, if we take the sum of the Sun’s actions upon us both in Summer and Winter, they are greater than its Heat would be if he moved always in the Equator or, which is the same thing, the aggregate of the Sun’s heat upon us while he describes any two opposite Parallels, is greater than it would be if in those two Days he described the Equator. Whereas in the Torrid Zone, and even in the Temperate almost as far as 45 degrees of Latitude, the sum of the Sun’s heat in Summer and Winter is less than it would be, were the Axis of the Earth perpendicular to the Plane of the Ecliptick. For the Demonstration of which, I refer the Reader to the Book itself.

I think (proceeds he) this Consideration can not but lead us into a transcendent admiration of the Divine Wisdom, which hath placed the Earth in such a posture as brings with it several Conveniencies beyond what we can easily discover without Study and Application: And I

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make no question, but if the rest of the Works of Nature were well observed, we should find several advantages which accrue to us by their present Constitution, which are far beyond the uses of them that are yet discovered; by which it will plainly appear, that God hath chosen better for us than we could have done for ourselves.</1717>

If any Man should object and say, it would be more convenient for the Inhabitants of the Earth, if the Tropicks stood at a greater Distance, and the Sun moved further Northward and Southward, for so the North and South Parts would be relieved, and not exposed to so extreme Cold, and thereby rendred uninhabitable as now they are.

To this I Answer, That this would be more inconvenient to the Inhabitants of the Earth in general, and yet would afford the North and South Parts but little more comfort; for then as much as the Distances between the Tropicks were enlarg’d, so much would also the Arctick and Antartick Circles be enlarg’d too; and so we here in England, and so on Northerly, should not have that grateful and useful Succession of Day and Night, but proportionally to the Sun’s coming towards us, so would our Days be of more than Twenty-four hours length, and according to his recess in Winter our Nights proportionable, which how great an inconvenience it would be, is easily seen. <**148>Whereas now the whole Latitude of the Earth, which hath at any time above Twenty-four hours Day, and

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Twenty-four hours Night, is little and inconsiderable in comparison of the whole Bulk, as lying near the Poles. And yet neither is that Part altogether unuseful, for in the Waters there live Fishes, which otherwhere are not obvious, so we know the chief Whale-fishing is in Greenland:

<1717>Yea, not only Fish, but great varieties of Water-Fowl, both whole and cloven-footed, frequent the Waters, and feed there, breeding also on the Cliffs by the Sea-side, as they do with us: The Figures and Descriptions of a great many whereof are given us by Martin in his Voyage to Spitzberg, or Greenland.</1717>

And on the Land, Bears, and Foxes, and Deer, in that most Northerly Country that was ever yet touched, and doubtless, if we shall discover further to the very North-Pole, we shall find all that Tract not to be vain, useless, or unoccupied.

Thirdly, The third and last Thing I proposed was the Constitution and Consistency of the Parts of the Earth. And first, Admirable it is that the Waters should be gathered together into such great Conceptacula, and the dry Land appears, and though we had not been assured thereof by divine Revelation, we could not in Reason but have thought such a Division and Separation, to have been the Work of Omnipotencey and infinite Wisdom and Goodness; for in this condition the Water nourishes and maintains innumerable Multitudes of various kinds of Fishes; and the dry Land supports and feeds as

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great variety of Plants and Animals, which have their firm Footing and Habitation: Whereas had all been Earth, all the Species of Fishes had been lost, and all those Commodities which the Water affords us; or all Water, there had been no living for Plants, or Terrestrial Animals, or Man himself; and all the Beauty, Glory, and Variety of this Inferior World had been gone, nothing being to be seen, but one uniform dark Body of Water: Or had all been mixt and made up of Water and Earth into one Body of Mud or Mire, as one would think should be most natural: For why such a Separation, as at present we find, should be made, no account can be given, but Providence. I say, had all this Globe been Mire or Mud, then could there have been no possibility for any Animals at all to have lived, excepting some few, and those very dull and inferior ones too. That therefore the Earth should be made thus, and not only so, but with so great variety of Parts, as Mountains, Plains, Vallies, Sand, Gravel, Limes Stone, Clay, Marble, Argilla, etc. which are so delectable and pleasant, and likewise so useful and convenient for the breedig, and living of various Plants and Animals; some affecting Mountains, some Plains, some Valleys, some Watery Places, some Shade, some Sun, some Clay, some Sand, some Gravel, etc. That the Earth should be so figured as to have Mountains in the Midland Parts; abounding with Springs of Water, pouring down Streams and

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Rivers for the Necessities and Conveniencies of the Inhabitants of the lower Countries and that the Levels and Plains should be formed with so easie a declivity as to cast off the Water and yet not render Travelling, or Tillage very difficult or laborious. These things, I say, must needs be the result of Counsel, Wisdom and Design. Especially when (as I said before) not that way which seems more ficile and obvious to Chance is chosen, but that which is more difficult and hard to be traced, when it is most convenient and proper for those nobler Ends and Designs, which were intended by its Wise Creator and Governor.

Add to all this, that the whole dry Land is, for the most part, covered over with a lovely Carpet of Green Grass, and other Herbs, of a colour not only most grateful and agreeable, but most useful and salutary to the Eye; and this also decked and adorned with great variety of Flowers of beautiful Colours and Figures, and of most pleasant and fragrant Odours for the refreshment of our Spirits, and our innocent Delight.

<1717>As also with beautiful Shrubs, and stately Trees, affording us not only pleasant and nourishing, Fruits, many Liquors, Drugs, and good Medicines, but Timber and Utensils for all sorts of Trades, and the Conveniencies of Man. Out of many Thousands of which we will only just name a few, lest we should be tedious and too bulky.

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First, The Coco, or Coker-Nut-Tree, that supplies the Indians with almost whatever they stand in need of; as Bread, Water, Wine, Vinegar, Brandy, Milk, Oyl, Honey, Sugar, Needles, Thread, Linen, Cloaths, Cups, Spoons, Beesoms, Baskets, Paper, Masts for Ships, Sails, Cordage, Nails, Coverings for their Houses, etc. Which may be seen at large in the many printed Relations of Voyages and Travels to the East Indies, but most faithfully in the <title>Hortus Malabaricus, published by that immortal Patron of Natural Learning, Henry Van Rheede van Draakenstein, who has had great Commands and Employs in the Dutch Colonies.

Secondly, The Aloe Muricata vel Aculeata, which yields the Americans every thing their Necessities require, as Fences and Houses, Darts, Weapons, and other Arms, Shoes, Linen, and Clothes, Needles and Thread, Wine and Honey, besides many Utensils, for all which Hernandes, Garcililasso de la Vega, and Margrave, may be consulted.

Thirdly, The Bandura Cingalensium, called by some the Priapus Vegetabilis, at the end of whose leaves hang long Sacks or Bags, containing a pure limpid Water of great use to the Natives, when they want Rain for eight or ten Months together.

A parallel Instance to this of the Bandura, my Learned and Worthy Friend Dr. Sloane affords

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us in a Plant by him observed in the Island of Jamaica, and described by the Title of Viscum Caryophilloides Maximum flore tripetalo pallide luteo, semine filamentoso, which is commonly called, in that Island, Wild Pine, Philosoph.Transact. N. 251. Pag. 114. I shall not transcribe the whote Description, but only that Part of it which relates to this Particular:

"From the Root (which he had described before ) arise Leaves on every side, after the manner of Leeks, or Anana’s, whence the Name of Wild-Pine, or Aloes, being folded or enclosed one within another, each of which a is two Foot and an half long, and from a three Inch breadth at Beginning, or base Ends in a Point, having a very hollow, or concave, inward Side, and a round, or convex, outward one: So that by all their hollow Sides is made within a very large Preservatory, Cistern or Basin, fit to contain a pretty Quantity of Water, which in the rainy Season falls upon the utmost Parts of the spreading Leaves, which have Channels in them, conveying it down to the Cistern where it is a kept, as in a Bottle, the Leaves after they are swelled out like a bulbous Root to make the Bottle; bending inward or coming again close to the Stalk, by that means hindring the Evaporation of the Water, by the Heat of the Sun-Beams.

"In the mountainous, as well as the dry low Woods, in Scarcity of Water, this Reservatory

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" is not only necessary and sufficient for the Nourishment of the Plant itself, but likewise is very useful to Men, Birds, and all Sorts of Insects, whether in Scarcity of Water they come in Troops, and seldom go away without Refreshment.

"Captain Dampier in his Voyages, Vol. II. of Campeche (tell us) that these Basins made of the Leaves of the Wild Pine, will hold a Pint and half, or a Quart of Water, and that when they find these Pines, they stick their Knives into the Leaves just above the Roots, and that lets out the Water, which they catch in their Hats, as, saith he, I have done many times to my great Relief.

Fourthly, The Cinnamon-Tree of Ceylon, in whose Parts there is a wonderful Diversity: Out of the Root they get a Sort of Camphire, and its Oyl; out of the Bark of the Trunk, the true Oyl of Cinnamon; from the Leaves, an Oyl like that of Cloves; out of the Fruit a Juniper Oyl, with a Mixture of those of Cinnamon and Cloves; besides, they boil the Berries into a Sort of Wax, out of which they make Candles, Plaisters, Unguents. Here we may take Notice of the Candle-Trees of the West Indies, out of whose Fruit, boil’d to a thick fat Consistence, are made very good Candles, many of which have been lately distributed by that most ingenious Merchant, Mr. Charles Dubois.

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Fifthly, The Fountain, or Dropping-Trees, in the Isles of Ferro, St. Thomas, and in Guiny, which serve the Inhabitants instead of Rain and fresh Springs: My honoured Friend Dr Tancred Robinson, in a late Letter to me, is not of Vossius’s Opinion, that these Trees are of the Ferulaceous Kind, because he observes, that by the Descriptions of Eye-witnesses, and by the dry’d Sample, lent by Paludanus, to the Duke of Wirtenberg, the Leaves are quite different From those of the Ferula’s, coming nearer to the Seseli Ethiopicum Salicis vel Periclymeni folio : Therefore the Doctor rather thinks them to be of the Laurel-kind, though he concludes here may be many different Sorts of these running Aqueous-Trees; because that Phaenomenon does not depend upon, or proceed from any Peculiarity of the Plant, but rather from the Place and Situation ; of which he writes more at large, in a Letter printed in another Ditcourse of mine.

Sixthly, and Lastly, We will only mention the Names of some other Vegetables, which, with Eighteen of Twenty Thousand more of that Kind, do manifest to Mankind the illustrious Bounty and Providence of the Aimighty and Omniscient Creator, towards his undeserving Creatures; as the Cotton-Trees; the Manyoc, or Cassava; the Potatoe; the Jesuit’s Bark-Tree; the Poppy; the Rhubarb; the Scammony;

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the Jalap; the Coloquintida; the China Sarfa; the Serpenatria Virginiana, or Snake-weed; the Nisi, or Genseg; the Numerose Balsam, and Gum-trees, many of which are of late muct illustrated by the great Industry and Skill of that most discerning Botanist, Dr. Leonard Plukenet.

Of what great Use all these, and innumerable other Plants, are to Mankind in the several Parts of Life, few or none can be ignorant; besides the known Uses in Curing Diseases, in Feeding and Cloathing the Poor, in Building, in Dying; in all Mechanicks there may be as many more not yet discoverd, and which may be reserv’d on purpose to exercise the Faculties bestow’d on Man, to find out what is necessary, convenient, pleasant, or profitable to him.

To sum up all in brief: This Terraqueous Globe we know is made up of two Parts,

1. A thin and fluid.

2. A firm and consistent.

The former called by the Name of Watcr; the latter, of Earth, or dry Land. The Land being the more dense and heavy Body, doth naturally descend beneath the Water, and occupy the lower Place; the Water ascends and floats above it. But we see that it is not thus: For the Land, though the more heavy, is forcibly and contrary to its Nature so elevated as to cast of the Water, and stand above it, being

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( as the Psalmist phrases it ) Founded upon, or above the Seas, and established above the Floods, Psalm. 24. 2. And this in such manner, that not only on one side of the Globe, but on all sides, there were probably continents ; and Islands raised so equally as to counterbalance one another, the Water flowing between them, and filling the hollow and depressed Places. Neither was the dry Land only raised up, and made to appear, but some Parts (which we call Mountains) were highly elevated above others; and those so dispersed and situated ( as we have shewn) in the mid-land Parts, and in continued Cbains running East and West, as to render all the Earth habitable) a great Part whereof otherwise would not have been so: but the Torrid Zone must indeed have been such a Place as the Ancients fansied it, unhabitable for Heat. Let us now consider how much better it is, that the dry Land should be thus raised up, and the Globe divided almost equally between Earth and Water, than that all its Surface should be one uniform and dark Body of Water. I say Water, because that naturally occupies the superior Place, and not Earth; for were it all Water; the whole Beauty on this inferior world were gone: There could be no such pleasant and delicious Prospeets as the Earth now affords us; no Distinction and grateful Variety of Mountains and Hills, Plains and Valleys, Rivers and Pools, and Fountains; no shady Woods stored with lofty and towering

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Trees for Timber; lowly, and more spread ones, for Shade and Fruit: No amicable Verdure of Herbs, bespangled with an infinite variety of specious and fragrant Flowers: For those Plants that grow at the Bottom of the Sea, are for the most part of a dull, sullen and dirty Olive Colour, and bear no Flowers at all. Instead of the elegant Shapes and Colours, the Sagacity and Docility of ingenious Beasts and Birds, the musical Voices and Accents of the Aereal Choristers, there had been nothing but mute and stupid and indocile Fishes, which seem to want the very Sense of Discipline, as may be gathered from them that they are not Vocal, and that there appear in them no Organs of Hearing: It being also doubtful whether the Element they live in be capable of transmitting Sounds, the best Sense they have, even their Sight, can be but dull and imperfect; the Element of Water being Semiopake, and reflecting a good Part of the Beams of Light. The most noble and ingenious Creatures that live there, the Cetaceous Kind, being near akin to Terrestrial Animals, and breathing in the samme Element, the open Air.

Had, I say, all been Water, there had been no Place for such a Creature as Man; as we see there is no such there: There is no Business for him, no Subject to employ his Art and Faculties, and consequently there could be no Effects of them; no such things as Houses and Cities, and stately Edifices, as Gardens and Orchards, and Walls,

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Walks and Labyrinths, as Corn-fields, and Vineyards, and the rest of these Ornaments, wherewith the Wit and Industry of Man hath embellished the World.

These are great Things, and worthy the Care and Providence of the Creator; which whoso considereth, and doth not discern and acknowledge, must needs be as stupid as the Earth he goes upon.

But because Mountains have heen look’d upon by some as Warts, and superfluous Excrescencies, of no Use or Benefit ; nay, rather as Signs and Proofs, that the present Earth is nothing else but a heap of Rubbish and Ruins, I shall reduce and demonstrate in Particulars, the great Use, Benefit, and Necessity of them.

I. They are of eminent Use for the Production and Original of Springs and Rivers. Without Hills and Mountains there could be no such Things, or at least but very few: No more than we now find in plain and level Countries ; that is, so few, that it was never my Hap to see one. In Winter time indeed, we might have Torrents and Land-floods, and perhaps sometimes great Inundations, but in Summer nothing but stagnating Water, reserved in Pools and Cisterns, or drawn up out of deep Wells. But as for a great Part of the Earth (all lying within, or near the Tropicks) it would neither

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have Rivers, nor any Rain at all: We should consequently lose all those Conveniencies and Advantages that Rivers afford us, of Fishing, Navigation, Carriage, Driving of Mills, Engines, and many others. This end of Mountains I find assigned by Mr. Edmund Halley, a Man of great Sagacity and deep Insight into the Natures and Causes of Things, in a Discourse of his Published in the Philosoph. Transactions, Numb. 192. in these Words: This, if we may allow final Causes, fier [ Hardiment, the Thing is clear, pronounce boldly without any Ifs or Ands ] This seems to be one Design of the Hill, that their Ridges being placed through the midst of their Continents, might serve as it were Alembicks, to distil Fresh Water for the Use of Man and Beast; and their Heights to give a descent to those Streams, to run gently, like so many Veins of the Microcosm, to be the more beneficial to the Creation.

II. They are of great Use for the Generation, and convenient digging up of Metals and Minerals; which how necessary Instruments they are of Culture and Civility I have before shewn. These we see are all digged out of Mountains and I doubt whether there is, or can be any Generation of them, in perfectly plain and level Countries: But if there be, yet could not such Mines, without great Pains and Charges, if at all, be wrought; the Delfs would be so flown with Waters ( it being impossible to make any

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Addits or Soughs to drain them) that no Gins or Machines could suffice to lay and keep them dry.

III. They are useful to Mankind in affording them convenient Places for Habitation and Situations of Houses and Villages, serving as Skreens to keep of the cold and nipping Blasts of the Northern and Easterly Winds, and reflecting the benign and cherishing Sun-beams, and so rendering their Habitations both more comfortable and more chearly in Winter; and promoting the Growth of Herbs and Fruit trees, and the Maturation of their Fruits in Summer. Besides casting off the Waters, they lay the Gardens, Yards, and Avenues to the houses dry and clean; and so as well more Salutary, as more Elegant. Whereas Houses built in Plains, unless shaded with Trees, lie bleak and exposed to Wind and Weather, and all Winter are apt to be grievously annoyed with Mire and Dirt.

IV. They are very Ornamental to the Earth, affording pleasant and delightfiul Prospects, both, I. To them that look downwards from them, upon the subjacent Countries; as they must needs acknowledge, who have been but on the Downs of Sussex, and enjoyed that ravishing Prospect of the Sea on one Hand, and the Country far and wide on the other. And, 2. To those that look upwards and behold them from

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the Plains, and low Grounds; which what a Refreshing and Pleasure it is to the Eye, they are best able to judge who have lived in the Isle of Ely, or other level Countries, extending on all Sides further than one can ken; or have been out far at Sea, where they can see nothing but Sky and Water. That the Mountains are pleasant Objects to behold, appears, in that the very Images of them, their Draughts and Landskips, are so much esteemed.

V. They serve for the Production of great Variety of Herbs and Trees; for it is a true Observation, That Mountains do especially abound with different Species of Vegetables because of the great Diversity of Soils that are found there, every Vertex, or Eminency, almost affording new Kinds. Now these Plants serve partly for the Food and Sustenance of such Animals as are proper to the Mountains, partly for Medicinal Uses; the chief Physick herbs and Roots, and the best in their Kinds growing there: It being remarkable, That the greatest and most luxuriant Species in most Genera of Plants are Native of the Mountains: Partly also for the Exercise and Diversion of such ingenious and industrious Persons, as are delighted in searching out these natural Rarities; and observing the outward Form, Growth, Natures, and Uses, of each Species, and reflecting upon the Creator of them his due Praises and Benedictions.

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VI. They serve for the Harbour, Entertainment, and Maintenance of various Animals, Birds, Beasts, and Insects, that breed, feed and frequent there; for the highest Tops and Pikes of the Alps themselves, are not destitute of their Inhabitants, the Ibex, or Stein-buck, the Rupicapra, or Chamois, among Quadrupeds; the Lagopus among Birds; and I myself have observed beautiful Papilio’s, and store of other Insects, upon the Tops of some of the Alpine Motmtains. Nay, the highest Ridges of many of those Mountains, serve for the Maintenance of Cattle for the Service of the Inhabitants of the Vallies: The Men there leaving their Wives, and younger Children. below, do not, without some Difficulty, clamber up the Acclivities, dragging their Kine with them, where they feed them, and milk them, and make Butter and Cheese, and do all the Daiery-work, in such sorry Hovels and Sheds as they build there to inhabit in during the Summer Months: This I myself have seen and observed in Mount Jura, not far from Geneva, which is high enough to retain Snow all the Winter.

The same they do also in the Grisons Country, which is one of the highest Parts of the Alps, travelling through which I did not set Foot off Snow for four Days Joulney, at the latter End of March.

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VII. Those long Ridges and Chains of lofty and topping Mountains, which run through the whole Continents East and West, (as I have elsewhere observed ) Serve to stop the Evagation of the Vapours to the North and South in hot Countries, condensing them like Alembick Heads into Water, and so by a kind of external Distillation giving Original to Springs and Rivers ; and likewise by amassing, cooling, and constipating of them, turn them into Rain ; by those Means rendring the fervid Regions of the Torrid Zone habitable.

This Discourse concerning the Use of Mountains, I have made use of in another Treatise <margin>The Dissolution of the World</margin>; but because it is proper to this Place, I have, with some Alterations and Enlargements, here repeated it.

I had almost forgotten that Use they are of to Mankind, in serving for Boundaries and Defences to the Territories of Kingdoms and Common-wealths.</1717>

A second Particular I have made choice of more exactly to survey and consider, is the Body of Man: Wherein I shall endeavour to discover something of the Wisdom and Goodness of God; First, by making some general Observations concerning the Body. Secondly, by running over and discoursing upon its principal Parts and Members.

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I. Then in general, I say, the Wisdom and Goodness of God appears in the erect Posture of the Body of Man, which is a Privilege and Advantage given to Man, above other Animals. But though this be so, yet I would not have you think, that all the Particulars I shall mention are proper only to the Body of Man, divers of them agreeing to many of the Creatures. It is not rny Business to consider only the Prerogatives of Man above other Animals, but the Endowments and Perfection which Nature hath conferred on his Body though common to them with him. Of this Erection of the Body of Man, the Ancients have taken Notice as a particular Gift and Favour of God.

<latin>Pronaq; cum spectent Animalia caetera terram, Os homini sublime dedit, coelumq; tueri Jussit, et erectos ad Sydera tollere vultus.</latin> Ovid. Metamorphoses.I.

<**152>And before him, Tully in his second Book, De Nat. Deorum.

<latin>Ad hanc providentiam naturae tam diligentem tamq; solertem adjungi multa possunt, <&egrave> quibus intelligatur quantae res hominibus <&agrave> Deo, quamq; eximiae tributae sunt, qui primum eos humo excitatos, celsos et erectos constituit, ut Deorum cognitionem caelum intuentes capere possent. Sunt enim <&egrave> terra homines, non ut incolae atq; habitatores,

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sed quasi spectatores superarum rerum atq; coelestium, quarum spectaculum ad nullum aliud genus animantium pertinet.</latin>

Man being the only Creature in this sublunary World, made to contemplate Heaven, it was convenient that he should have such a Figure or situs of the Parts of his Body, that he might conveniently look upwards. But to say the Truth in this respect of contemplating the Heavens, or looking upwards, I do not see what Advantage a Man hath by this Ereetion above other Animals, the Faces of most of them being more supine than ours, which are only Perpendicular to the Horizon, whereas some of theirs stand reclining. But yet two or three other Advantages we have of this Erection, which I shall here mention.

<**153> First, it is more Commodious for the sustaining of the Head, which being full of Brains, and very heavy ( the Brain in Man being far larger in Proportion to the Bulk of his Body, than in any other Animal ) would have been very painful and wearisome to carry, if the Neck had lain parallel or inclining to the Horizon.

Secondly, This Figure is most convenient for Prospect, and looking about one. A Man may see further before him, which is no small Advantage for avoiding Danger, and discovering whatever hc searches after.

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Thirdly, The Conveniency of this Site of our Bodies will more clearly appear, if we consider what a pitiful Condition we had been in if we had been constantly necessitated to stand and walk upon all Four; Man being by the Make of his Body, of all Quadrupeds ( for now I must compare him with them) the most unfit for that kind of incessus, as I shall shew anon. And besides that, we should have wanted, at least in a great Measure, the Use of out Hand, that unvaluable Instrument, without which we had wanted most of those Advantages we enjoy as reasonable Creatures, as I shall more particularly demonstrate afterwards.

But it may be perchance objected by some, that Nature did not intend this Erection of the Body, but that it is superinduced and artificial; <**154> for that Children at first creep on all Four, according to that of the Poet,

<latin>Mox Quadrupes, ritisque tulit sua membra serarum.</latin> Ovid.

To which I Answer, that there is so great an Inequality in the Length of our Legs and Arms, as would make it extremely inconvenient, if not impossible, for us to walk up on all Four, and set us almost upon our Heads; and therefore we see that Children do not creep upon their Hands and Feet, but upon their

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Hands and Knees; so that it is plain that Nature intended us to walk as we do, and not upon all Four.

2. I argue from the Situs, or Position of our Faces; for had we been to walk upon all Four, we had been the most prone of all Animals, our Faces being parallel to the Horizon, and looking directly downwards.

3. The Greatness and Strength of the Muscles of the Thighs and Legs above those of the Arms, is a clear Indication that they were by Nature intended for a more difficult and laborious Action, even the moving and transferring the whole Body, and that Motion to be sometimes continued for a great while together.

<**155>As for that Argument taken from the contrary Flexure of the Joints of our Arms and Leas to that of Quadrupeds, as that our Knees bend forward, whereas the same joint of their Hindlegs bends backward; and that our Arms bend backward, whereas the Knees of their Fore-legs bend forward. Although the Observation be as old as Aristotle, because I think there is a Mistake in it, in not comparing the same Joints ( for the First or uppermost joint in a Quadruped’s Hind-legs bends forward, as well as a Man’s Knees, which Answer to it, being the uppermost Joint of our Legs; and the like mutatis mutandis may be said of the Arms) I shall not insist upon it.

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<1717>Another Particular which may serve to demonstrate that this erect Posture of the Body of Man was intended and designed by the Wise and Good Author of Nature, is the Fastning of the Cone of the Pericardium to the Midriff : An Account whereof I shall give the Reader out of the ingenious Dr. Tyson’s Anatomy of the Orang-Outang, or Pygmie, p. 49.

Vesalius (saith he) and others make it a Peculiarity to Man, that the Pericardium, or Bag that incloses the Heart, should be fastned to the Diaphragm. Vesalius tells us, (De Corporis Humani fabrica, lib. 6. cap. 8.) <latin>Caeterum involucri mucro, et dextri ipsius lateris egregia portio Septi transversi nerveo circulo validissime amploque admodum spatio connascitur, quod Hominibus est peculiare.</latin>

The Point of the Pericardium, and a very considerable Portion of its right side, is most firmly fastned to the nervous Circle of the Midriff for a large Space, which is peculiar to Mankind.

So Blancardius Anat. reformat. cap. 2. p. 8. <latin>Homo prae caeteris Animalibus hoc peculiare habet, quod eius Pericardium Septi transversi medio semper, accrescat cum idem in Quadrupedum genere librum et aliquanto spatio ab ipso remtum sit: Man hath this peculiar to him, and different from other Animals, that his Pericardium doth always grow to the Middle of the Midriff; whereas in the Quadruped-kind it is free and removed some Distance from it.

The Pericardium in Man is therefore thus fastned, that in Expiration it might assist the

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Diastole of the Diaphragm: For otherwise the Liver and Stomach being so weighty, they would draw it down too much towards the Abdomen, so that, upon the Relaxation of its Fibres in its Diastole, it would not ascend sufficiently into the Thorax, so as to cause a Subsidency of the Lungs by lessening the Cavity there.

In Quadrupeds there is no need of this Adhesion of the Pericardium to the Diaphragm; for in them, in Expiration, when the Fibres of the Diaphragm are relaxed, the Weight of the Viscera of the Abdomen will easily press the Diaphragm up into the Cavity of the Thorax, and so perform that Service. Besides, were the Pericardium fastned to the Diaphragm in Quadrupeds, it would hinder its Systole in Inspiration, or its Descent downwards upon the Contraction of its Muscular Fibres; and the more, because the Diaphragm being thus tied up, it could not then so freely force down the Weight of the Viscera, which are always pressing upon it, and consequently not sufiiciently dilate the Cavity of the Thorax, and therefore must hinder their Inspiration. Thus we see how necesary it is, that in Man, the Pericardium should be fastened to the Diaphragm, and in Quadrupeds how inconvenient it would be.

And since we find this Difference between the Hearts of Brutes and Men in this particular, how can we imaginc but that it must needs be the Effect of Wisdom and Design, and that Man was intended by Nature to walk erect, and not upon all Four, as Quadrupeds do ?

</1717><1691=155>

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II. The Body of Man may thence be proved to be the Effect of Wisdom because there is nothing in it deficient, nothing, superfluous, nothing but hath its End and Use. So true are those Maxims we have already made use of, <latin>Natura nihil facit frustra, and Natura non abundat in superfluis, nec deficit in necessariis,</latin> no Part that we can well spare. "The Eye cannot say to the Hand, I have no need of thee, nor the Head to the Feet I have no need of you," I Cor. xii. 21. that I may usurp the Apostle’s Similitude.

The Bellv cannot quarrel with the Members, nor they with the Belly for her seeming <**156> Sloth; As they provide for Meat for her, so she concocts and distributes it to them. Only it may be doubted to what use the Paps its Men should serve. I Answer, partly for Ornament, partly for a kind of Conformity between the Sexes, and partly to defend and cherish the Heart; in some they contain Milk, as in a Danish Family we read of in Bartholines Anatomical Observations. However, it follows not that they or any other Parts of the Body are useless because we are ignorant.

<1717>I have lately met with a Story in Seignior Paulo Boccone his Natural Obserrvations, printed at Bologna in Italy, 1684. well attested, concerning a Country-man, called Billardino di Billo, living in a Village belonging to the City of Nocera in Umbria, called Somareggio, whose Wife dying, and leaving a young Infant, he nourished it with his own Milk. This

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Man, either because in the small Village where he lived there was not a wet Nurse to be had, or because he was not able to hire one, took the Child, and applying it to his own Bosom, and putting the Nipples of his Breasts into its Mouth, invited it to suck, which the Infant did, and after divers times drawing, fetch’d some Milk; whereat the Father encouraged, continued to apply it, and so after a while it brought down the Milk so plentifully as to nourish it for many Months, till it was fit to be weaned. Hereupon my Author having proved by sufficient Authority of able Anatomists, such as Franciscus Maria Florentinus, and Marcellus Malpighius, that the Paps of Men have the same Structure and the same Vessels with those of Women, concludes, that Nature hath not given Paps to Men, either to no Purpose, or for meer Ornament, but, if Need requires, to supply the Defect of the Female, and give Suck to the Young.

</1717><1691=156>

Had we been born with a large Wen upon our Faces, or a Bavarian Poke under our Chins, or a great Bunch upon our Backs like Camels, or any the like superfluous Excrescency; which should be not only useless but troublesome, not only Stand us in no stead, but also be ill-favoured to behold, and burdensome to carry about, then we might have had some Pretence to doubt whether an intelligent and bountiful Creator had been our Architect; for had the Body been made by Chance, it must in all

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Likelihood have had many of these superfluous and unnecessary Parts.

But now seeing there is none of our Members but hath its Place and Use, none that w could spare, or conveniently live without were it but those we account Excrements, <**157> the Hair of our Heads, or the Nails on our Fingers ends; we must needs be mad or sottish if we can conceive any other than that an infinitely Good and Wise God was our Author and Former;

III. We may fetch an Argument of the Wisdom and Providence of God from the convenient Situation and Disposition of the Parts and Members of our Bodies: They are seated most conveniently for Use, for Ornament, and for mutual Assistance. First, for Use; so we see the Senses of such eminent Use for our Well-being, situate in the Head, as Sentinel in a Watch-Tower, to receive and convey to the Soul the Impressions of External Objects.

<latin>Sensus autem interpretes ac nuntii rerum in capite tanquam in arce mirifice ad usus necessarios et facti et collati sunt.</latin> Cicero. de Nat. Deorum. The Eye can more easily see Things at a Distance, the Ear receives Sounds from afar: How could the Eye have been better placed either for Beauty and Ornament, or for the Guidance and Direction of the whole Body. As Cicero proceeds well, <latin>Nam Oculi tanquam speculatores altissimum locum obtinent, ex quo plurima conspicientes funguntur suo munere:

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Et Aures quoe sonum recipere debent, qui natura in sublime fertur, recte in altis corporum partibus collocatae sunt; itemq; Nares, <**158> eo quo omnis odor ad superiora fertur, recte sursum sunt.</latin> For the Eyes, like Sentinels occupy the highest Place, from whencc seeing many things they perform their Functions: And the Ears, which are made for the Reception of sounds, which naturally are carried upwards, are righly placed in the uppermost Parts of the Body; also the Nostrils, because all Odors ascend, are fitly situate in the superior Parts.

I might instance in the other Members: How could the Hands have been more conveniently placed for all Sorts of Exercises and Works, and for the Guard and Security of the Head and principal Parts ? The Heart, to dispense Life and Heat to the whole Body, viz. near the Center, and yet because it is harder for the Blood to ascend than descend, somewhat nearer the Head. It is also observable, that the Sinks of the Body are removed as far from the Nose and Eyes as may be, which Cicero takes Notice of in the fore-mentioned Place.

<latin>Ut in AEdificiis Architecti overtunt ab Oculis et Naribus Dominorum ea quae profluentia necessario essent tetri aliquid habitura, sic natura res similes procul amandavit &agrave; sensibus.

Secondly, For Ornament. What could have been better contrived, than that those Members which are Pairs, should stand by one another in equal Altitude, and <**159> answer on each Side one to another ? And,

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Thirdly, For mutual Assistance. We have before shewed how the Eye stands most conveniently for guiding the Hand, and the Hand for defending the Eye; and the like might be said of the other Parts, they are so situate to afford Direction and Help one to another. This will appear more clearly, if we imagine any of the Members situate in contrary Place or Positions; Had a Man’s Arms been fitted only to bend backwards behind him; or his Leg only to move backwards, what Direction could his Eyes then have afforded him in Working or Walking ? Or how could he then have fed himself ? Nay, had one Arm been made to bend forward, and the other directly backward, we had then lost half the Use of them since they could not have assisted one the other in any Action. Take the Eyes, or any other of the Organs of Sense, and see if you can find any so convenient a Seat for them in the whole Body, as that they now possess.

IV. From the ample Provision that is made for the Defence and Security of the principal Parts: Those are, I . The Heart; which is the Fountain of Life and Vegetation, <latin>Officina spirituum vitalium, principum et fons caloris nativi, lucerna humidi radicalis;</latin> <**160> and that I may speak with the Chymists, ipse Sol Microcosmi, the very Sun of the Microcosme or little World, in which is contained that Vital Flame or Heavenly Fire, which Prometheus is fabled to have stole from Jupiter; or as Aristotle

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phrases it, that <greek> Aialogon tO tOn aplanOn zoicheiO </greek>, <latin>Divinum quid respondens Elemento Stellarum</latin>. This for more Security is situate in the Center of the Trunk of the Body, covered first with its own Membrane, called Pericardium, lodged within the soft Bed of the Lungs, encompassed round with a double Fence, ( 1.) Of firm Bones or Ribs to bear off Blows: (2.) Of thick Muscles and Skins, Besides the Arms, conveniently placed to fence of any Violence at a Distance before it can approach to hurt it.

2. The Brain, which is the Principle of all Sense and Motion, the Fountain of the Animal Spirits, the chief Seat and Palace Royal of the Soul upon whose Security depends whatever Privilege belongs to us as Sensitive or Rational Creatures. This, I say, being the prime and immediate Organ of the Soul, from the right Constitution whereof proceeds the Quickness of Apprehension, Acuteness of Wit, Solidity of Judgment, Method and Order of Invention, Strength and Power of Memory ; which if once weakened and Disordered, <**161> there follows nothing but Confusion and Disturbance in our Apprehensions, Thoughts and Judgments, is environed round about with such a potent Defence, that it must be a mighty Force indeed that is able to injure it.

1. A Skull so hard, thick, and tough, that it is almost as easy to split a Helmet of Iron as to make a Fracture in it.

2. This covered with Skin and Hair, which serve to keep it warm, being naturally a very cold Part, and

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also to quench and dissipate the Force of any Stroke that shall be dealt it, and retund the Edge of any Weapon.

3. And yet more than all this, there is still a thick and tough Membrane which hangs looser about it, and doth not so closely embrace it, (that they call dura mater ) and in case the Skull happens to be broken, doth often preserve it from Injury and Diminution: And, lastly, a thin and fine Membrane strait and closely adhering, to keep it from quashing and shaking. <1717> The many Pairs of Nerves proceeding frorn it, and afterwards distributing and branching themselves to all the Parts of the Body, either for Nutrition or Motion, are wonderful to behold in prepared Bodies, and even in the Schemes and Figures of Dr. Mills and Vieusens. </1717>

I might `instance (3.) in the Lungs, which are so useful to us, as to Life and Sense, that the Vulgar think our Breath is our very Life and that we breathe out our Souls from thence. Suitable to which Notion, both anima and spiritus in Latin, and pneuma in Greek, are derived from Words that signify <**162> Breath and Wind: And esslare or exhalare animam signifies to die. And the old Romans used to apply Mouth to Mouth, and receive the last Gasps of their dying Friends, as if their Souls had come out that way. From hence, perhaps, might first spring that Opinion of the Vehicles of Spirits; the Vulgar, as I hinted before, conceiving that the Breath was, if not the Soul itself, yet that wherein it was wafted and carried away. These Lungs,

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I say, are, for their better Security and Defence, shut up in the same Cavity with the Heart.

V. In the abundant Provison that is made Against evil Accidents and Inconveniences. And the Liberality of Nature, as to this Particular, appears, 1. In that she hath given many Members, which are of eminent Use, by Pairs, as two Eyes, two Ears, two Nostrils, two Hands, two Feet, two Breasts, [Mammae] two Reins; that so, if by any cross or unhappy Accident one should be disabled or rendred useless, the other might serve us tolerably well; whereas had a Man but one Hand, or one Eye, etc. if that were gone, all were gone, and we left in an evil Case. See then, and acknowledge the Benignity of the Deity, who hath bestowed upon us two Hands, and two Eyes, and other the like Parts, not only for our Necessity <**163> but Conveniency, so long as we en)oy them; and for our Security, in case any Miscance deprive us of one of them. 2. In that all the Vessels of the Body have many Ramifications: Which particular Branches, though they serve mainly for one Member or Muscle, yet send forth Some Twigs to the neighbouring Muscles; and so interchangeable the Branches that serve these, send to them. So that if one Branch chance to be cut off or obstructed, its Defect may, in some measure, be supplied by the Twigs that come from the neighbouring Vessels. 3. In that she hath provided

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so many ways to evacuate what migh be hurtful to us, or breed Diseases in our Bodies. If any thing oppress the Head, it hath a Power to free itself by Sneezing: If any thing fall into the Lungs, or if any Humour be discharg’d upon them, they have a Faculty of clearing themselves, and casting it up by Coughing: If any thing clog or burden the Stomach it hath an Ability of contracting itself, and throwing it up by Vomit. Besides these ways of Evacuation, there are Siege, Urine, Sweating, Haemorrhoigies from the Nose, and Haemorrhoidal Veins, Fluxes of Rheum. Now the Reason why Nature hath provided so many ways of Evacuation, is, because of the different Humours that are to be voided or cast out. <**164> When therefore there is a Secretion made of any noxious Humour, it is carried off by that Emunctory whose Pores are fitted to receive and transmit the minute Parts of it; if at least this Separation be made by Percolation, as we will now suppose, but not assert. Yet I doubt not but the same Humour may be cast off by divers Emunctories, as is clear in Urine and Sweat which are for the main the same Humour carried off several ways,

<1717>To this Head of Provision against Inconveniences, I shall add an Observation or two concerning Sleep.

I. Sleep being necessary to Man and other Animals for their Refreshment, and for the Reparation of that great Expence of Spirits, which

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is made in the day-time, by the constant Exercise of the Senses and Motions of the Muscles, that it might ease and refrexh us indeed; Nature hath provided, that tho’ we lie long upon one side, we should have no Sense of Pain or Uneasiness during our Rest, no, nor when we awake. Whereas in Reason one would think, that the whole Weight of the Body pressing the Muscles and Bones on which we lie, should be very burdensome and uneasy, and create a grievous Sense of Pain; and we find by Experience that it doth so, when we lie long awake in the Night, we being not able (especially if never so little indisposed) to rest one quarter of an Hour in the same Posture without shifting of Sides, or at least etching this way and that way, more or less. How this may be effected is a great Question. To me it seems most probable, that it is done by an Inflation of the Muscles, whereby they become both soft, and yet renitent like so many Pillows, dissipating the Force of the Pressure, and so preventing or taking away the Sense of Pain. That the Muscles are in this manner inflated in time of Rest, appears to the very Eye in the Faces of Children, and may be proved from that when we Rest in our Clothes, we are fain to loosen our Garters, Shoo-Strings, and other Ligatures, to give the Spirits free Passage, else we shall experience Pain and Uneasiness in those Parts, which when we are waking we find not.

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The Reason of this Phaenomeon, viz. that <greek>analgEsia</greek>, or want of Pain, we experience in Sleep, during and after a long decubitus on one Side, Dr. Lister in his <title>Journey to Paris, p.113. and Dr. Jones in his Treatise of the Mysteries of Opium revealed, attribute to the Relaxation of the Nerves and Muscles in time of Sleep; and the Sense of Pain and Uneasiness when we lie awake to the Tension of them during that time. This I do not deny, but yet I think the Reason I have assigned hath a great Interest in that Rest and Easiness we enjoy when asleep.

2. Because Sleep is inconsistent with the Sense of Pain, therefore during Rest, those Nerves which convey that Motion to the Brain, which excites in the Soul a Sence of Pain, are obstructed. This I myself have had frequent Experience of, since I have been troubled with Sores on my Legs. Upon sudden awakening, finding myself at perfect Ease, and void of all Sense of Pain for a Minute’s time or more, the Pain then by degrees returning, which I could attribute to nothing but the dessipating that Vapour, or uhatever else it were, which obsructed the Nerves, and giving the dolorific Motion free Passage again.

Upon sesond Thoughts, and reading what Dr. Lister and Dr. Jones have written concerning this Subject, I rather incline to believe, that the Motion causing a Sense of Pain, is convey’d to the brain by the Nerves themselves in Tension,

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as we see in Cords, any the least Touch at one End passes Speedily to the other when they are stretch’d, which it doth not when they are relaxed, and not by the Spirits passing through them: And on the other tide, the Unsensibleness of Pain proceeds rather from the Relaxation of the Nerves than their Obstruction. But yet this Tension of the Nerves and Muscles is owing to the Spirits flowing down into them, and distending them. </1717><1691=164>

VI. From the Constancy that is observed in the Number, Figure, Place, and Make of all the principal Parts; and from the Variety in the less. Man is always mending and altering his Works: But Nature observes the same Tenor, because her Works are so perfect, that there is no Place for Amendments; nothing that can be reprehended. The most Sagacious Men in so many Ages, have not been able to find any Flaw in these Divinely contrived and formed Machines, no Blot or Error in this great Volume of the World, as if any thing had been an imperfect Essay at the first, to use the Bishop of Chester’s words: Nothing that can be altered for the better; nothing but if it were altered would be marred. This could not have been, had Man’s Body been the Work of Chance, and not Council and Providence. Why should there be constantly the same Parts ? Why should they retain constantly the same Places? And why should they be endued with the same Shape and Figure ? Nothing so contrary

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as Constancy and Chance. Should I see a Man throw the same Number a thousand times together upon but three Dice, could you Persuade me that this were Accidental, and that there was no necesary Cause of it ? How much more incredible then is it, that Constancy in such a Variety, such a Multiplicity of Parts, should be the Result of Chance ? Neither yet can these Works be the Effects of Necessity or Fate, for then there would be the same Constancy observed in the Smaller as well as the larger Parts and Vessels; whereas there we see Nature doth ludere, as it were, sport itself; the minute Ramifications of all the Vessels, Veins, Arteries, and Nerves, infinitely varying in Individuals of the same Species, so that they are not in any two alike.

VII. The great Wisdom of the Divine Creator appears, in that there is Pleasure annexed th those Actions that are necessary for the Support and preservation of the Individuum, and the Continuation and Propagation of the Species; and not only so, but Pain to the Neglect or Forbearance of them. For the Support of the Person, <**166> it hath annex’d Pleasure to Eating and Drinking; which else, out of Laziness or Multiplicity of Business, a Man would be apt to neglect, or sometimes forget. Indeed, to be obliged to chew and swallow Meat daily for two Hours space, and to find no relish or pleasure in it, would be one of the most burdensome and ungrateful Tasks of a Man’s whole

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Life. But because this Action is absolutely necessary, for abundant security Nature hath inserted in us a Painful sense of Hunger to put us in mind of it, and to reward our Performance hath adjoined Pleasure to it. And as for the Continuation of Kind, I need not tell you, that the Enjoyments which attend those Actions are the highest Gratifications of Sense.

VIII. The wonderful Art and Providence of the Contriver and Former of our Bodies, appears in the Multitude of Intentions he must have in the Formation of the several Parts, or the Qualifications they require, to fit them for their several Uses. <margin>Bishop of chester, Nat Rel. lib.1. c.6. </margin> Galen in his book De Formatione Foetus, "takes

notice, That there are in a humane Body above Six hundred several Muscles, and there are at least Ten several Intentions or due Qualifications to be observed in each of these; proper Figure, just Magnitude, right Disposition <**167> of its Several Ends, upper and lower, Potition of the whole, the Insertion of its proper Nerves, Veins, and Arteries, which are each of them to be duly placed; so that about the Muscles alone, no less than Six thousand several Ends or Aims are to be attended to. The Bones are reckoned to be 284. The distinct Scopes or Intentions in each of these are above 40, in all about 100,000. And thus it is in some Proportion with all the other Parts, the Skin, Ligaments, Vessels, Glandules, Humors:

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But more especially with the several Members of the Body, which do, in regard of the great Variety and Multitude of those several Intentions required to them, very much exceed the homogeneous Parts. And the failing in any one of these would cause Irregularity in the Body, and in many of them such as would be very notorious."

Now to imagine that such a Machine composed of so many Parts, to the right Form, Order and Motion whereof such an infinite Number of Intentions are required, could be made without the Contrivance of some Wise Agent, must needs be irrational in the highest Degree.

<1717>This wonderful Mechanism of humane Bodies, next to viewing the Life, may be seen at large in the excellent Figures of Spigelius and Bidloo; their Situation, Order, Connexion and Manner of separating them, in Lyserus his Cult. Anatom. The almost infinite Ramifications, and Inosculations of all the several sorts of Vessels, the Structures of the Glands, and other Organs, may easily be detected by Glasses, and trac’d by blowing in of Air, and drawing them, or by injecting through peculiar Syringes, melted Wax, or Quicksilver; the Operations whereof may be learnt out of Swammerdam, Caspar Bartholine, and Antonio Nuck.

IX. Another Argument of Wisdom and Design in Contrivance of the Body of Man, and other Animals, is the Fitting of some Parts to divers Offices and Uses, whereby Nature doth

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(as the Proverb is) <latin>Una fidelia duos parietes dealbare</latin>; Stop two Gaps with onc Bush. So, for Instance, the Tongue serves not only for Tasting, but also to assist the Mastication of the Meat and Deglutition, by turning it about, and menaging it in the Mouth, to gather up the Food in Man by licking; in the Dog and Cat-kind by lapping ; in Kine, by plucking up the Grass : Particularly in Man, it is of admirable Use for the Formation of Words and Speaking.

The Diaphragm and Muscles of the Abdomen, or lower Belly, are of Use, not only for Respiration, but also for compressing the Intestines, and forcing the Chyle into the lacteal Veins, and likewise out of the said Veins into the thoracick Chanel: And here, to note that by the way, appears the Use of a common receptacle of Chyle, that by the Motion of the Muscles of Respiration, it being pressed upon, the Chyle might with more facility be impelled into the foremention’d Duct. Besides, this Action of Respiration and Motion of the said Diaphragm and Muscles, may serve also for the Comminution and Concoction of the Meat in the Stomach (as some, not without Reason, think) by their constant Agitation and Motion upwards and downwards, resembling the pounding or braying of Materials in a Mortar.

And to instance in no more, the muscular Contraction and Pulse of the Heart serves not only for the Circulation of the Blood, but also for

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for the more perfect Mixture of its Parts, preserving its due Crasis and Fluidity, and incorporating the Chyle and other Juices it receives with it.

X. The Wisdom and Goodness too of the Divine Former of our Bodies appears in the Nourishment of them: For that Food which is of a wholesome Juice, and proper to nourish and preserve them in a healthful State, is both pleasant to the Taste, and grateful and agreeable to the Stomach, and continues to be so till our Hunger and Thirst be well appeased, and then begins to be less pleasant, and at last even nauseous and loathsome. The full stomach loathes the Honey-comb.

On the other side, that which is unwholsome and unfit for Nourishment, or destructive of Health, is also unpleasant to the Taste, and ungrateful and disagreeable to the Stomach, and that more or less according as it is more or less improper or noxious. And though there be some sorts of Food less Pleasant to the Taste, which by Use may be rendred grateful; yet to Persons that are in Health, and in no necessity of using such Viands, I think it were better to abstain from them, and follow Nature in eating such Things as are agreeable to their Palate and Stomach: For such unpleasant Diet must needs alter the Temper of the Body, before it can become acceptable; and doubtless for the worse.

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I might add hereto, that even Pain, which is the most grievous and afflictive thing that we are sensible of, is of great use to us. God hath annexed a Sense of Pain to all Diseases and Harms of the Body inward and outward, (and there is no Pain but proceeds from some Harm or Disease) to be an effectual Spur to excite and quicken us to seek for speedy Help or Remedy; and hath so order’d it, that ae the Disease heals, so the Pain abates. Neither doth Pain provoke us only to seek ease and Relief when we labour under it, but also makes us careful to avoid for the future all such things as are productive of it; that is, such things as are hurtful to our Bodies, and destructive of the Health and Well-being of them, which also are, for the most part, prohibited by God, and so sinful and injurious to our Souls.

So we see what Care the Divine Providence hath taken, and what effectual Means it hath used for the Healing of our Diseases, and the maintenance and Preservation of our Health. This is the true Reason of Pain: Howbeit, I will not deny, but that God doth sometimes Himself immediately inflict Diseases, even upon his own Children, for many good Considerations which I shall not here enumerate. Neither shall I mention the Uses that Parents and Masters make of it, for the correcting their Children and Servants, or Magistrates for the punishing of Malefactors, they being beyond my Scope; only I cannot but take Notice, that it is a <greek>posuchrEson</greek> a thing of manifold Uses, and

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necessary for the Government both of Commonwcalths and Families. </1717>

<**168><1691 Eighthly>

XI. Some fetch an Argument of Providence from the Variety of Lineaments in the Faces of Men, which is such, that there are not two Faces in the World absolutely alike; which is somewhat strange, since all the Parts are in Species the same. Were Nature a blind Architect, I see not but the Faces of some Men might be as like, as Eggs laid by the same Hen or Bullets cast in the same Mould, or Drops of Water out of the same Bucket. This Particular I find taken notice of by Pliny in his Seventh Book, Cap. I. in these Words: <latin>Iam in facie vultuque nostro, cum sint decem aut paulo plura membra, nullas duas in tot millibus hominum indiscretas effigies existere, quod Ars nulla in paucis numero praestet affectando;</latin> to which among other things, he thus prefaces, <latin>Naturae vero rerum vis atque majestas in omnibus momentis fide caret.</latin>

Though this at first may seem to be a Matter of small Moment, yet, if duly considered, will appear to be of mighty Importance in Humane Affairs: For should there be an undiscernible Similitude between divers Men, what Confusion and Disturbance would necessarily follow ? What Uncertainty in all Sales and Conveyances, in all Bargains and Contracts ? What Frauds and Cheats, and suborning of Witnesses? What <**169> a Subversion of Trade and Commerce ? What Hazard in all

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Judicial Proceedings? In all Assaults and Batteries, in all Murders and Assassinations, in Thefts and Robberies, what Security would there be to Malefactors ? Who could swear that such and such were the Persons that commited the Facts, though they saw them never so clearly? Many other Inconveniencies might be instanced in: So that we see this is no contemptible Argument of the Wildom and Goodness of God.

<1717>

Neither is the Difference of Voices less considerable for the distinguishing of Sexes and particular Persons, and Individuals of all Animals, than that of Faces; as Dr. Cockburn makes out, Essay, etc. Part II. Pag.68. etc. Nay, in some cases more; for hereby Persons in the dark, and those that are blind, may know and distinguish one another, which is of great Importance to them; for otherwise they might be most grossly cheated and abused.

Farther we may add out of the same Author, p. 71 "And to no other Cause than the Wise Providence of God can be referred the no less strange Diversity of Handwritings. Common Experience shews, that though Hundreds and Thousands were taught by one Master, and one and the same Form of Writing, yet they should all write differently: Whether Men write Court or Roman Hand, or any other; there is some thing peculiar in every one’s Writing, which distinguisheth it. Some, indeed, can counterfeit another’s Character and Subscription;

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but the Instances are rare; nor is it done without Pains and Trouble: Nay, the most expert and skilful cannot write much so exactly like, as that it cannot be known, whether it be Genuine or Counterfeit. And if the Providence of God did not so order it, what Cheats and Forgeries too would daily be committed, which would not only justle private Men out of their Rights, but also unhinge States and Governments, and turn all into Confusion ? The Diversity of Handwritings is of mighty great Use to the Peacc of the World; it prevents Fraud, and secures Mens Property; it obligeth the Living and Present to Honesty and Faithfulness; it importeth the Mind of the Absent, and sheweth the Will of the Dead, which ought to be sacredly observed. And what is so very Useful, is not the Effect of any humane Concert. Men did not of themselves agree to it, they are only carried to it by the secret Providence of God, who understandeth and mindeth what is for the Good and Interest of Mankind in general, and of every particular Person.

Add farther to all this, That whereas there are Several Parts peculiar to Brutes, which are wanting in Man; as for Example, the seventh or suspensory Muscle of the Eye, the nictating Membrane, the strong Aponeuroses on the sides of the Neck, called by some Packwax, it is

very remarkable, that these Parts are of eminent and constant Use to them, as I shall particularly

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shew hereafter, but to Man would have been altogether useless and superfluous.</1717><1691 page=169>

I have done with my general Observations. I proceed now more accurately and minutely to consider some particular Parts or Members of the Body; and First, the Hcad, because it was to contain a large Brain made of the most capacious Figure, as near as could be to a Spherical; upon this grows the Hair; which, though it be esteemed an Excrement, is of great Use (as I shewed before) to cherish and keep warm the Brain, and to quench the Force of any Stroke that might otherwise endanger the Skull. It serves also to disburden the Brain of a great deal of superfluous Moisture wherewith it abounds. <1691> and for a graceful ornament to the Face.</1691>

<1717>

I find it remark’d by Marchetti, a famous Anatomist in Padua, that the Cause of Baldness in Men is the Dryness of the Brain, and its shrinking from the Cranium or Skull; he having observ’d, that in bald Persons, under the bald part, there was always a Vacuity or empty Space between the Skull and the Brain. And, Lastly, to name no more, it serves also for a graceful Ornament to the Face, which our present Age is sensible enough of, bestowing so much Money upon false Hair and Periwigs.</1717>

Secondly, Another Member which I shall more particularly treat of; is the Eye, a Part <**170> so artificially composed, and commodiously situate as nothing can be contrived better for

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Use, Ornament or Security, nothing to Advantage added thereto, or altered therein. Of the Beauty of the Eye I shall say little, leaving that to Poets and Orators; that it is a very pleasant and lovely Object to behold, if we consider the Figure, Colours and Splendor of it, is the least that I can say. The Soul, as it is more immediately and strongly moved and affected by this Part than any other, so doth it manifest all its Passions and Perturbations by this.

As the Eyes are the Windows to let in the Species of all Exterior Objeets into the dark Cells of the Brain, for the Informlation of the soul; so are they flaming Torches to reveal to those Abroad, how the soul within is moved or affected. These Representations made by the Impressions of External Objects upon the Eye, are the most clear, lively and distinct of any others. Now to this Use and Purpose of informing us what is Abroad round about us in this aspectable World, we shall find this Structure and Mechanism of the Eye, and every Part thereof; so well fitted and adapted, as not the least Curiosity can be added:

For, first of all, the Humours and Tunicles are purely transparent, to let in the Light and <**171> Colours unfolded and unsophisticated by any inward Tincture. It is usually said by the Peripateticks, that the Crystalline Humour of the Eye (which they ineptly fancied to be the immediate Organ of Vision, wherein all the Species of Extemal Objects were terminated) is without all Colour, because its Office was to discern

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all Colours, or at least, to receive the Species of several Colours, and convey them to the common Sense. Now if itself had been coloured, it would have transmitted all visible Objects tinctured with the same Colour; as we see whatever is beheld through a coloured Glass, appears of the Same Colour with the Glass; and to those that have the Jaundice, or the like Suffusion of Eyes, Objects appear of that same Colour wherewith their Eyes are infected. This they say, is in a great Measure true, although they are much mistaken about the Organ and Manner of Vision, and the Uses of the Humours and Membranes of the Eye. Two Reasons therefore may be assigned, why all the Membranes and Humours of the Eye are perfectly pellucid, and void of Colour. First, for the Clearness. Secondly, For the Distinctness of Vision.

I. The Clearness; for had the Tunicles and Humours of the Eye, all, or any of them been colorate, many of the Rays proceeding <**172> from the visible Object, would have been stopt and suffocated before they could come to the bottom of the Eye, where the formal Organ of Vision is situate; for it is a most certain Rule, how much any Body hath of Colour, so much hath it of Opacity, and by so much the more unfit it is to transmit the Species.

Secondly, For the Distinctness of Vision; for, as I said before, and the Peripateticks observe well, were the Humours of the Eye tinctured with any Colour, they would refund that

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that Colour upon the Object, and so it would not be represented to the soul, as in itself it is. So we see, that through a coloured Glass things appear as well more dim and obscure, as tinctured with the Colour thereof.

Secondly, The Parts of the Eye are made convex, and especially the Crystalline Humour, which is of a lenticular Figure, convex on both sides; that, by the Refractions there made, there might be a Direction of many Rays coming from one Point in the Object viz. as many as the Pupil can receive, to one Point Answerable in the Bottom of the Eye, without which the Sense would be very obscure, and also confused.

There would be as much Difference in the Clearness and Distinction of Vision, were the outward Surface of the Tunica Cornea plain, and <**173> the Crystalline Humour removed; as between the Picture received on a white Paper in a dark Room through an open or empty Hole, and the same received through a Hole furnished with an exactly polished lenticular Crystal; which, how great it is, any one, that hath but seen this Experiment made, knows well enough. Indeed, this Experiment doth very much explain the Manner of Vision; the Hole answering to the Pupil of the Eye, the Crystalline Humour to the lenticular Glass, the dark Room to the Cavity, containing the vitreous Humour, and the white Paper to the Tunica Retina.

Thirdly, The Uveous Coat, or Iris of the Eye, hath a musculous Power, and can dilate and

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contract that round Hole in it, called the Pupil, or Sight of the Eye. It contracts it for the excluding superfluous Light, and preserving the Eye from being injured by too vehement and lucid an Object, and again dilate it for the apprehending Objects more remote, or placed in a fainter Light; <latin>tam miro artificio (saith Scheiner) quam munifica naturae largitate.</latin>

If any one desires to make Experiment of these Particulars, he may, following Scheiner and Des Cartes their directions, take a Child, and setting a Candle before him, bid him look upon it, and he shall observe his Pupil contract itself <**174> very much, to exclude the Light, with the Brightness whereof it would otherwise be dazzled and offended; as we are, when after we have been some time in the dark, a bright Light is suddenly brought in and set before us, till the Pupils of our Eyes have gradually contracted themselves: Let the Candle be withdrawn, or removed aside, he shall observe the Child’s Pupil by Degrees to dilate itself. Or let him take a Bead, or the like Object, and holding it near the Eye, command the Child to look at it, the Pupil will contract much when the Object is near; but let it be withdrawn to a greater Distance in the same light, and he shall observe the Pupil to be much enlarged.

Fourthly, The Uveous Coat, and also the Inside of the Choroides, are blacken’d like the Walls of a Tennis-Court, that the Rays may be there suffocated and suppressed, and not reflected

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backwards to confound the Sight: And it’ any be, by the Retiform Coat, reflected, they are soon choaked in the black Inside of the Uvea. Whereas were they reflected to and fro, there could be no distinct Vision: As we see the Light admitted into the dark Room we even now spake of obliterates the Species which before were seen upon the white Cloath or Paper.

<**175> Fifthly, because the Rays from a nearer, and from a more remote Object, do not meet just in the same Distance behind the Crystalline Humour (as may easily be observed in Lenticular Glass, where the Point or Concourse of the Rays from a nearer Objeet is at a greater Distance behind the Glass, and from a farther at a lesser) therefore the Ciliary Processes, or rather the Ligaments observed in the Inside of the Sclerotick Tunicles of the Eye, by a late ingenious Anatomist, do serve instead of a Muscle, by their Contraction to alter the Figure of the Eye, and make it broader; and consequently draw the Retina nearer to the Crystalline Humour; and by their Relaxation suffer it to return to its natural Distance, according to the Exigency of the Object, in respect of Distance or Propinquity: And besides, possibly the Ciliary Proceisses may, by their Constriction or Relaxation, render the Crystalline itself more gibbose or plain; and with the Help of the Muscles, a little alter the Figure of the whole Eye for the same Reason.

To what I have said might be added that the retiform

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Tunicle is whitish, for the better and more true Reception of the Species of Things. That there being a Distance necessarily required for the Collection of the Rays receiv’d by the Pupil, viz. those that proceed from one Point <**176> of the Object to one Point again in the Bottom of the Eye, the Retina must needs be set at a Distance from the Crystalline Humour: And therefore, Nature hath provided a large Room, and filled it with the pellucid vitreous Humour most fit for that Purpose.

I must not omit a notable Observation concerning the Place of the Insertion of the Optick Nerve into the Bulb of the Eye, and the Reason of it; which I owe to that learned Mathematician Petcr Herigon; <latin>Nervus Opticus (saith lie in his Optica) ad latus ponitur, ne pars imaginis in eius foramen incidens pictura careat</latin>. The Optick Nerve is not situate directly behind the Eye, but on one side, lest that Part of the Image that falls upon the Hole of the Optick Nerve, should want its Picture. This I do not conceive to be the true Reason ofthis Situation ; for even now as it is situate, that Part of the Object, whose Rays fall upon the Center or Hole of the Optick Nerve, wants its Picture, as we find by Experiences that Part not being seen by us, though we heed it not: But the Reason is, because if the Optick Axis should fall upon this Center (as it would do, were the Nerve seated just behind the Eye) this great Inconvenience would follow, that the middle Point of every Object <**177> we viewed would be invisible,

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or there would a dark Spot appear in the midst of it. Thus we see the admirable Wisdom of Nature in thus placing the Optick Nerve in respect of the Eye; which he that did not consider or understand, would be apt to think more inconveniently situate for Vision than if it had been right behind.

Another Thing also concerning Vision is most remarkable, that though there be a Decussation of the Rays in the Pupil of the Eye, and so the Image of the Object in the Retina, or Bottom of the Eye, be inverted, yet doth not the Object appear inverted, but in its right or natural Posture. The Reason whereof is, because the Visual Rays coming in streight Lines, by those Points of the Sensory or Retina which they touch, affect the common Sense or Soul, according to their Direction. That is, signifie to it, that those several Parts of the Object from whence they proceed, lie in streight Lines, (Point for Point) drawn through the Pupil to the several Points of the Sensory where they terminate, and which they press upon. whereupon the Soul must needs conceive the Object, not an inverted, but a right Posture; and that the Nerves are naturally made, not only to inform the soul of External Objects which press upon them, but also of <**178> the Situation of such Objects, is clear, because if the Eyes be distorted, the Object, will we, nill we, will appear double: so if the fore and middle Fingers be cross’d, and a round Body put between them, and moved, it will seem to

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be two; the Reason is, because in that Posture of the Fingers the Body touches the Outsides of them, which in their natural Sight are distant one from another, and their Nerves made to signifie to the soul Bodies separate and distant in like manner, two Fingers lying between them. And tho’ our Reason, by the Help of our Sight, corrects this Error, yet cannot we but fancy it to be so.

Neither is the aqueous Humour, as some may supinely imagine, altogether useless or unprofitable as to Vision, because by its Help the Uvea Tunica is sustained, which else would fall flat upon the Crystalline Humour; and fluid it must be to give way to the Contraction and Dilatation of the Uveous: And because the outermost Coat of the Eye might chance to be wouncled or pricked, and this Humour being fluid let out, therefore Nature hath made Provision speedily to repair it again in such a Case, <1717> by the help of certain Water-pipes, or Lymphae-ducts inserted into the Bulb of the Eye, proceeding from Glandules design’d by Nature to separate this Water from the Blood for that use. Antonius Nuck affirms, that if the Eye of an Animal be prick’d, and the aqueous Humour squeez’d out, in ten Hours Space the said Humour and Sight shall be restored to the Eye, if at least the Creature be kept in a dark Place. And that he did publickly demonstrate the same in the Anatomical Theatre at Leyden, in a Dog, out of whose Eye being wounded the aqueous Humour did

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so copiously flow, that the Membranes appeared flacid, and yet in six Hours Space the Bulb of the Eye was again replete with its Humour, and that without the Application of any Medicines. Antonius Nuck de Ductu novo salivali, etc.</1717>

Moreover, it is remarkable, that the Cornea Tunica [ horny or pellucid Coat of the Eye ] doth not lie in the same superficies <**179> with the white of the Eye, but riseth up, as it were a Hillock above its Convexity, and is of an Hyperbolical or Parabolical Figure: so that though the Eye seems to be perfectly round, in Reality it is not so, but the Iris thereof is protuberant above the White; and the Reason is, because that if the Cornea tunica, or Crysalline Humour, had been concentrical to the Sclerodes, the Eye could not have admitted a whole Hemisphere at one View, <latin>et sic Animalis incolumitati in multis rebus minus cautum esset</latin>, as Scheiner well observes. In many Things there had not been sufficient Caution or Care taken for the Animal’s Safety.

And now (that I may use the Words of a late Author of our own <margin> Dr More, Antidote against Atheism</margin> the Eye is already so perfect, that I believe the Reason of a Man would easilly have rested here, and admired at his own Contrivance. For he being able to move his whole Body upward and downward, and on every Side, might have unawares thought himself sufficiently well provided for; but Nature hath added Muscles also to the Eyes, that no

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Perfection might be wanting: For we have often occasion to move our Eyes, our Head being unmoved, as in reading and viewing more particularly an Object set before us, by transferring the Axes of our Eyes all <**180> over it: And that this may be done with the more ease and Accuracy, she hath furnished this Organ with no less than six Muscles, to move it upward, downward, to the Right and Left, obliquely and round about.

I shall now consider what Provision is made for the Defence and Security of this most excellent and useful Part.

First, the Eyes are sunk in a convenient Valley, latent utiliter, and are encompassed round with eminent Parts, as with a Rampart <latin> et excelsis undique partibus sepiuntur, </latin> <margin>De Natur. Rerum l.2 Cicero </margin> so are defended from the strokes of any flat or broad Bodies. Above stand the Eye-Brows, to keep of any thing from running down upon them, as Drops of Sweat from the Forehead, or Dust, or the like. <latin>Superiora superciliis obducta sudorem &agrave; capite et fronte defluentum repellunt. Cicero. Then follow the Eye-lids, which fence them from any sudden and lesser Stripes. These also round the Edges are fortified with stiff Bristles, as it were Pallisadoes, against the Incursions of importunate Animals, serving partly as a Fan to Strike away Flies or Gnats, or any other troublesome Insect; and partly to keep off

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Superfluous Light. <latin>Munit eq; sunt palpebrae tanquam vallo siquid incideret repelleretur. <**181> Idem ibid.

And because it was necessary that Man and other Animals should sleep, which could not be so well done if the Light came in by the Windows of the Eyes, therefore hath Nature provided these Curtains to be then drawn to keep it out.

And because the outward Coat of the Eye ought to be pellucid to transmit the Light, which if the Eyes should always stand open, would be apt to grow dry and shrink, and lose their Diaphaneity, therefore are the Eyelids so contrived, as often to wink, that so they may as it were glaze and varnish them over with the Moisture they contain, there being Glandules on purpose to separate a Humour for that Use, and withal wipe off whatever Dust or Filth may stick to them: And this, lest they should hinder the Sight, they do with the greatest Celerity. Cicero hath taken Notice, that they are made very soft, lest they should hurt the Sight. <latin> Mollisimae tactu ne loederent aciem, aptissime factoe et ad claudendas pupillas ne quid incideret, et ad aperiendas, idq; providit ut identidem fieri posset maxima cum celeritate.</latin>

Secondly, If we consider the Bulb or Ball of the Eye, the exterior Membrane or Coat thereof is made thick, tough and strong, that it is a very hard Matter to make a Rupture in it, and besides so slippery, that it eludes the Force of

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any Stroke, to which also its globular Figure gives it a very great Advantage. <**182>

Lastly, because for the Guidance and Direction of the Body in Walking, and any Exercise, it is necessary the Eye should be uncovered, and exposed to the Air at all times and in all Weathers, therefore the most wise Author of Nature hath provided for it a hot Bed of Fat, which fills up the Interstices of the Muscles; and besides made it more patient and less sensible of Cold, than our other Parts and tho’ I cannot say with Cicero, absolutely free from Danger or Harm by that Enemy, yet least obnoxious to the Injuries thereof of any Part, and not at all, unless it be immoderate and extreme.

To all this I might add the Convenience of the Situation of the Eye in respect of its Proximity to the Brain, the Seat of_Apprehension and Common Sense: Whereas had it been further removed, the Optick Nerves had been liable to many more Dangers and Inconveniencies than now they are.

Seeing then the Eye is composed of so great Variety of Parts, all conspiring to the Use of Vision, whereof some are absolutely necessary others very useful and convenient, none idle or superfluous; and which is remarkable, many of them of a different Figure and Consistency from any others in the Body besides, as being transparent, which it was absolutely nccessary they should be, to transmit <**183> the Rays of

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Light: Who can but believe that this Organ was designed and made Purposely for the Use for which it serves ?

Neither is it to be esteemed any Defect or Imperfection in the Eyes of Man, that they want the seventh Muscle, or the nictating Membrane, which the Eyes of many other Animals are furnished withal; for though they be very useful, and in a manner necessary to them, considering their manner of living, yet they are not so to Man. To such Beasts as feed upon Grass and other Herbs, and therefore are forced to hold their Eyes long in a hanging Posture, and to look downwards for the choosing and gathering of their Food, the Seventh or Suspensory Muscle is very useful, to enable them to do so without much Pain or Weariness; yet to Man, who doth not, nor hath any Occasion, indeed cannot hold his Head, or look long downwards, it would be useless and superfluous.

As for the nictating Membrane, or Periophthalmium, which all Birds, and I think most Quadrupeds, are furnished with, I have been long in doubt what the Use of it might be; and have sometimes thought it was for the more abundant Defence and Security of the Eye; but then I was puzzled to give any tolerable Account, why Nature should be more solicitous <**184> for the Preservation of the Eyes of Brutes than Men, and in this respect also to be a Step-Mother to the most noble Creature.

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But the honourable Author <margin> Boyle, Of Final Causes, ch. 2, p. 53,54</margin> formerly mention’d, gives a probable Account why Frogs anal Birds are furnished with such a Membrane. Frogs, because being Amphibious Animals, designed to pass their Lives in watery places, which for the most part abound with Sedges, and other Plants endowed with sharp Edges or Points; and the progressive Motion of this Animal being to be made not by Walking, but by Leaping, if his Eyes were not provided of such a Sheath, he must either Shut them, and so leap blindly, and by consequence dangerously, or by leaving them open run a Venture to have the Cornea cut, prick’d, or otherwise offended by the Edges or Points of the Plants, or what may fall from them upon the Animal’s Eye: Whereas this Membrane (being something transparent as well as Strong) is like a kind of Spectacle that covers the Eye without taking away the Sight. Birds are likewise furnished with it because being destinated to fly among the Branches of Trees and Bushes, their Prickles, Twigs, Leaves, or other Parts, would be apt otherwise to wound or offend their Eyes.

But yet still we are to seek why it is given <**185> to other Quadrupeds, whose Eyes are in no such Danger.

Thirdly, The Ear, another Organ of Sense, how admirable it is contrived for the receiving and conveying of sounds ? First, There is the outward Ear or Auricula, made hollow and

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contracted by Degrees to draw the sound inward, to take in as much as may be of it, as we use a funnel to pour Liquor into any Vessel. And therefore if the Auricula be cut clear off, the Hearing is much impaired, and almost quite marred, as hath been by Experience found.

From the Auricula is extended a small, long, round Hole, inward into the Head, to intend the Motion, and so augment the force of the Sound, as we see in a shooting Trunk, the longer it is to a certain Limit, the swifter and more forcibly the Air passes in it, and drives the Pellet. At the End of this Hole is a Membrane, fastned to a round bony Limb, and stretched like the Head of a Drum, and therefore by Anatomists called also Tympanum, to receive the Impulse of the sound, and to Vibrate or quaver according to its reciprocal Motions or Vibrations; the small Ear-bones being at the End fastned to the Tympanum, and furnished with a Muscle, serve for the Tension of that Membrane, or the Relaxaticn of it according to the Exigency <**186> of the Animal, it being Stretch’d to the utmost when it would hearken diligently to a lower or more distant sound.

Behind the Drum are several Vaults and Anfractuose Cavities in the Ear-Bone, filled only with what Naturalists call the Implanted Air; so to intend the least sound imaginable, that the Sense might be affected wth it, as we see in subterraneous Caves and Vaults, how the sound is redoubled, and what a great Report it makes, however moderate it be: And because

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it was for the Behoof of the Animal, that upon any sudden Accident it might be awakened out of its fleep, therefore were there no Shuts or Stopples made for the Ears, that so any loud or sharp Noise might awaken it, as also a soft and gentle Voice or Murmur provoke it to sleep.

Now the Ears, for the Benefit and Conveniencies of the Animal, being always to stand open, because there was some Danger that Insects might creep in thereat and eating their way through the Tympanum harbour in the Cavities behind it; therefore hath Nature loricated or plaistred over the sides of the forementioned Hole with Ear-wax, to stop and entangle any Insect that should attempt to creep in there. But I must confess myself not sufficiently to understand the Nature of sounds to give a full and satisfactory <**187> Account of the Structure and Uses of all the Parts of the Ear. <1717>They ltX o have a mind to le r~-h into the Ctljious Anatoll ;nd Use of this Part, may consult Monsieur da Verx y.</1717>

****

Fourthly, The next Part I shall take notice of shall be the Teeth; concerning which I find Seven Observations in the honourable Mr. Boyle’s Treatise of Final Causes, which I shall briefly recapitulate, and add one or two more.

1. That the Teeth alone, among the Bones continue to grow in Length during a Man’s whole Life, as appears by the unsightly Length of one Tooth, when its Opposite happens to fall,

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or be pulled out; which was most providently design’d to repair the Waste that is daily made of them by the frequent Attrition in Mastication. Here, by the by, I might advise Men to be careful how they attempt to cure this Blemish, by filing or cutting off the Head of such an overgrown Tooth, lest that befall them which happened to a certain Nun in Padua, who, upon cutting of a Tooth in that manner, was presently convulsed, and fell into an Epilepsy, as Bartholine in his Anatomy reports.

II. That that Part of the Teeth which is extant above the Gums, is naked, and not invested with that sensible membrane called Periosteum, wherewith the other Bones are covered. <**188>

III. That the Teeth are of a closer and harder substmce than the rest of the Bones, for the more easy Breaking and Comminution of the more solid Aliments, and that they might be more durable, and not so soon worn down by grinding the Food.

IV. That for the nourishng and cherishing these so necessary Bones, the All wise Author of Things has admirably contrived an unseen Cavity in each side of the Jaw-bone, in which greater Channel are lodged an Artery, a Vein, and a Nerve, which through lesser Cavities, as it were through Gutters, send their twigs to each particular Tooth.

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V. Because Infants were for a considerable time to feed upon Milk, which needs no Chewing, and lest Teeth thould hurt the tender Nipples of the Nurse, Nature hath deferred the production of them for many Months in a humane foetus, whereas those of divers other Animals, which are reduced to seek betimes Food that needs Mastication, are born with them.

VI. The different Figure and Shape of the Teeth is remarkable. That the Fore-Teeth should be formed broad, and with a thin and sharp Edge, like Chizzels, to cut off and take away a morsel from any solid Food, called therefore Incisores. The next one on each side, stronger, and deeper rooted, and <**189> more pointed, called therefore Canini, in English Eye-Teeth, to tear the more tough rnd resisting sort of Aliments. The rest called Jaw-Teeth or Grinders, in Latin, Molares, are made flat and broad atop, and withal somewhat uneven and rugged that by their Knobs and little Cavities they may the better retain, grind, and commix the Aliments.

VII. because the Operations to be performed by the Teeth, oftentimes require a considerable Firmness and Strength, partly in the Teeth themselves, partly in the Instlruments which move the lower Jaw, which alone is moveable, Nature hath provided this with Strong Muscles,

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to make it bear forcibly against the upper Jaw.

And thus not only placed each Tooth in a distinct Cavity of the Jaw-bone, as it were in a close, strong, and deep socket, but has furnished the several sorts of Teeth with Hold-fasts suitable to the Stress, that by Reason of their different Offices they are to be put to. And therefore, whereas the Cutters and Eyeteeth have usually but one Root, which in these last named, is wont to be very long; the Grinders, that are employed to crack Nuts, Stones of Fruit, Bones, or other hard Bodies, are furnished with three Roots, and in the upper jaw often with four, because these are pendulous, and the Substance of the Jaw somewhat softer. <**190>

VIII. The Situation of the Teeth is most convenient, viz. the Molares or Grinders behind, nearest the Center of Motion, because there is a greater Strength or Force required to chew the Meat, than to bite a Piece, and the Cuttcrs before, that they may be ready to cut off a Morsel from any solid Food, to be transmitted to the Grinders.

IX. It is remarkable, that the Jaw in Men, and such Animals as are furnished with Grinders, hath an oblique or transverse Motion, which is necessary for Chewing and Comminution of the Meat; which it is observed not to have in those Animals that want the Molares.

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Now if (as Galen saith) he that shall marshal a Company but of 32 Men in due Order is commended for a skilful and industrious Person, shall we not admire Nature whicn hath so skilfully ranked and disposed this Quire of our Teeth ?

Fifthly, The Tongue is no less admirable for the Contexture and manifold Uses of it. First, It is the Organ of Tasting; for being of a spungey Substance, the small Particles of our Meat and Drink being mingled with the Saliva, easily insinuate themselves into the Pores of it, and so do either gratefully affect it, or harshly grate upon it, accordingly as they are figured and moved; and <**191> hereby we discern what is convenient or inconvenient for our Nourishment. It helps us likewise in the Chewing and Swallowing of our meat: And, Lastly, It is the main Instrument of Speaking, a Quality so peculiar to Man, that no Beast coud ever attain to it. And although Birds have been taught to form some Words, yet they have been but a few, and those learnt with great Difficulty; but what is the Chief, the Birds understand not the Meaning of them, nor use them as signs of Things, or their own Conceptions of them; though they may use them as Expresions of their Passions: As Parrots having been used to be fed at the Prolation of certain Words, rnay afterwards, when they are hungry, pronounce the same. For this Des Cartes makes his main Argument, to

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prove, that Brutes have no Cogitation, because the highest of them could never be brought to signify their Thoughts or Conceptions by any artificial Signs, either Words, or Gestures, (which, if they had any, they would, in all likelihood, be forward enough to do) whereas all Men, both Fools and Mutes, make use of Words or other Signs to express their Thoughlts, about any Subjects that present themselves; which Signs also have no reference to any of their Passions. Whereas the Signs that Brute <**192> Animals may be taught to use, are no other than such as are the Motions of some of their Passions, Fear, Hope, Joy, etc. Hence some of the Jewish Rabbins did not so absurdly define a Man Animal loquens, a speaking Creature.

Having had occasion just now to mention the Saliva, or Spittle, I am put in mind of the eminent Use of this Humour, which is commonly taken for an Excrement. because a great Part of our Food is dry; therefore Nature hath provided several Glandules to separate this Juice from the Blood, and no less than four <1717>Pair of</1717> Channels to convey it into the Mouth, which are of late Invention, and called by Anatomists Ductus Salivales, through which the Saliva distilling continually, serves well to macerate and temper our Meat, and make it fit to be chewed and swallowed. If a copious Moisture did not, by these Conduit-Pipes, incessantly flow down into the Mouths of Horses and Kine, how were it possible they should for a long

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time to, ether grind and swallow such dry Meat as Hay and Straw ? Moreover, it is useful not only in the Mouth, but in the Stomach too, to promote Concoction <1717>, as we have already noted</1717>.

Sixthly, To the Mouth succeeds the Windpipe, no less wonderful in its Conformation. For because continual Respiration is necessary for the Support of our Lives, it is made <**203 193-202 not pages> with annulary Cartilages to keep it constantly open, and that the Sides of it may not flag and fall together. And lest when we swallow, our Meat or Drink should fall in there, and obstruct it, it hath a strong Shut or Valve, called Epiglottis, to cover it close, and stop it when we swallow: For the more convenient bending of our Necks, it is not made of one entire continual Cartilage, but of many annular ones join’d together by strong Membranes, which Membranes are mtuscular, compounded of streight and circular Fibres, for the more effiectual Contraction of the Wind-Pipe in any strong or violent Expiration or Coughing. And lest the Asperity or Hardness of these Cartilages should hurt the Oesophagus, or Gullet, which is tender, and of a skinny Substance, or hinder the Swallowing of our Meat, therefore these annulary Gristles are not made round, or entire Circles; but where the Gullet touches the Wind-Pipe, there to fill up the Circle, is only a soft Membrane, which may easily give Way to the Dilation of the Gullet. And to demonstrate that this was designedly done for this

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End and Use, so soon as the Wind-Pipe enters the Lungs, its Cartilages are no longer deficient, but perfect Circles or Rings, because there was no necessity they should be so, but ie was more convenient they should be entire. <**204>

Lastly, For the various Modulation of the Voice the Upper end of the Wind-Pipe is endued with several Cartilages and Muscles, to contract or dilate it, as we would have our Voice Flat or Sharp; and, moreover, the whole is continually moistned with a glutinous Humour issuing out of the small Glandules that are upon its inner Coat, to fence it against the Sharp Air received in, or Breath forced out; yet is it of quick and tender Sense, that it may be easily provoked to cast out by Coughing, whatever may fall into it from without, or be discharged into it from within.

<1717>It is also very remarkable which Caspar Bartholine hath observed in the Gullet, that where it perforateth the Midriff; the carneous Fibres of that Muscular Part are inflected and arcuate, as it were a Spincter embracing and closing it fast, by a great Providence of Nature, lest, in the perpetual Motion of the said Midriff, the upper Orifice of the Stomach should gape, and cast out the Victuals as fast as it received it.</1717>

Seventhly, The Heart, which hath been always esteemed, and really is, one of the principal Parts of’ the Body, the <latin>primum vivens, et ultimum moriens</latin> <1717>the First that quickens and the Last that dies,</1717> by its incessant Motion

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distributing the Blood, the Vehicle of Life, and with it the Vital Heat and Spirits, throughout the whole Body, whereby it doth continually irrigate, nourish, and keep hot and supple all the Members. Is it not admirable, that from this Fountain of Life and Heat, there should be Channels and Conduit-Pipes, to every, even the least and most remote, Part of the Body ; just as if from one Water-house, there should be Pipes conveying the Water to every House in a Town, and to every Room in each House; <**205> or from one Fountain in a Garden, there should be little Channels or Dikies cut to every Bed, and every Plant growing therein, as we have seen more than once done beyond the Seas.

I confess, the Heart seems not to be designed to so noble an Use as is generally believed, that is, to be the Fountain or Conservatory of the vital Flame, and to inspire the Blood therewith; (for the Lungs serve rather for the Accension, or maintaining that Flame, the Blood receiving there from the Air those Particles which are one Part of the Pabulum or Fewel thereof, and so impregnated, running back to the Heart) but to serve as a Machine to receive the Blood from the Veins, and to force it out by the Arteries through the whole Body, as a Syringe doth any Liquor, though not by the same Artifice: And yet this is no ignoble Use, the Continuance of the Circulation of the Blood being indispensably necessary for the quickening and enlivening of all the Members of the Body, and supplying of Matter to the Brain, for the Preparation of the Animal Spirits,

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the Instruments of all Sense and Motion.

Now for this Use of receiving and pumping out of the Blood, the Heart is admirably contrived. For, First, being a Muscular Part, the Sides of it are compos’d of two Orders of <**206> Fibres, running circularly or spirally from Base to Tip, contrarily one to the other, and so being drawn or contracted contrary-ways, do violently constringe and straiten the Ventricles, and strongly force out the Blood, as we have formerly intimated.

Then the Vessels we call Arteries, which carry from the Heart to the several Parts, have Valves which open outwards like Trap-doors, and give the Blood a free Passage out of the Heart, but will not suffer it to return back again thither; and the Veins, which bring it back from the several Members to the Heart, have Valves or Trap-doors which open inwards, so as to give way unto the Blood to run into the Heart, but prevent it from running back again that way. Besides, the Arteries consist of a quadruple Coat, the Third of which is made up of Annular or Orbicular Carneous Fibres to a good Thickness, and is of a Muscular Nature, after every Pulse of the Heart, serving to contract the Vessel successively with incredible Celerity; so by a kind of peristaltick Motion, impelling che Blood onwards to the capillary Extremities, and through the Muscles, with great Force and Swiftness.

So the Pulse of the Arteries is not only caused by the Pulsation of the Heart, driving the Blood through them, in manner of a Wave or Flush,

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as Des Cartes <**207> and others, would have it; but by the Coats of the Arteries themselves, which the Experiments of a certain Lovain Physician <margin>Cartes Epist. Vol.1 Ep.77 & Seq. </margin> (the first whereof is Galen’s) do, in my Opinion, make good against him.

First, saith he, "if you slit the Artery, and thrust into it a Pipe, so big as to fill the Cavity of it, and cast a strait Ligature upon that Part of the Artery containing the Pipe, and so bind it fast to the Pipe; notwithstanding, the Blood hath free Passage through the Pipe, yet will not the Artery beat below the Ligature; but do but take of the Ligature, it will commence again to beat immediately. But because one might be ready to reply to this Experiment, that the reason why when bound it did not beat, was, becauce the Current of the Blood being straitned by the Pipe, when beneath the Pipe it came to have more Liberty, was not sufficient to stretch the Coat of the Artery, and so cause a Pulse; but when the Ligature was taken of it might flow between the enclosed Tube, and the Coat of the Artery: Therefore he adds another, which clearly evinces, that this could not be the Reason, but that it is something flowing down the Coats of the Artery that causes the Pulse: That is, if you straiten the Artery never so much, provided the Sides of it do not quite meet, and stop all Passage <**208> of the Blood, the Vessel will, notwithstanding, continue still to beat below or beyond the Coarctation. so we see some Physicians, both Ancients, (as Galen)

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and Modern, were of Opinion, that the Pulse of the Arteries was owing to their Coats; though the first, that I know of, who observed the third Coat of an Artery to be a muscular Body, composed of annular Fibres, was Dr. Willis.

This Mention of the perstaltick Motion, puts me in mind of an ocular Demonstration of it, in the Gullet of Kine when they chew the Cud, which I have often beheld with Pleasure. For, after they have swallowed one Morsel, if you look stedfastly upon their Throat, you will soon see another ascend, and run pretty swiftly all along the Throat up to the Mouth, which it could not do, unless it were impelled by the successive Contraction, or peristaltick Motion of the Gullet, continually following it. And it is remarkable, that these ruminant Creatures have a Power by the imperium of their Wills, of directing this peristaltick Motion upwards or downwards.

I shall add no more concerning the Heart, but that it, and the Brain, do mutuas opera tradere, enable one another to work: For, First, the Brain cannot itself live, unless it receive continual Supplies of Blood from the Heart, but less can it <**209> perform its Functions of preparing and distributing the Animal Spirits; nor the Heart pulse, unless it receives Spirits, or something else that descends from the Brain by the Nerves. For do but cut asunder the Nerves that go from the Brain to the Heart, the Motion thereof, in most perfect and hot Creatures,

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ceaseth immediately. which Part began this Round is the Question.

<1717>I find, in the Philosophical Transactions Numb. 280. some notable Observations of the famous Anatomist Mr. William Cowper concerning the Artifice of Nature, in regulating the Motion of the Blood in the Veins and Arteries to assist and promote it in the one, and moderate it in the other, which I shall give you in his own Words:

"As the Arteries, (saith he) are known to export the Blood, so the Veins to carry it back again to the Heart ; but having already described their Extremities, we come now to the large Trunks of the Veins, and here, as in the Arteries, we find the common Practice of Nature, in disposimg the Branches of Veins to discharge the refluent Blood into the next adjacent Trunk, and so on to the Heart. As the Arteries afford abundance of Instances of Checks given to the Velocity of the Current of Blood through several Parts, so the Veins supply us with as many Artifices, to assist its regular Return to the Heart, as well as favour those Contrivances in the Arteries.

The carotid, vertebral, and splenick Arteries, are not only variously contorted, but also here and there dilated to moderate the Motion of the Blood; so the Veins that correspond to those Arteries are also variously dilated. The Beginnings of the internal Jugulars have a bulbous Cavity, which are diverticula to the refluent Blood, in the Sinus’s of the dura Mater,

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lest it should descend too fast into the Jugulars. The like has been taken Notice of by Dr. Lower, in the Vertebral Sinus’s. The Splenick Vein has divers Cells opening into it, near its Extremities in Humane hodies; but in Quadrupeds, the Cells open into the Trunks of the Splenick Veins.

The Spermatick Veins do more than equal the Length of the Arteries of the Testes in Men; their various Divisions, and several Inosculations, and their Valves are admirably contrived to suspend the Weight of the Blood, in order to discharge it into the larger Trunks of the Veins; and were it not that the refluent Blood from the Testes, is a Pondus to the influent Blood from the Arteries, and still lessens its Current in the Testes, these Spermatick Veins, like those of other Parts, might have discharged the Blood into the next adjacent Trunk.

Who can avoid Surprize at the Art of Nature, in contriving the Veins, that bring Part of the refluent Blood from the lower Parts of the Body, when they consider the Necessity of placing the Humane Heart, as well as that of most quadrupeds, so far from the Center of the Body towards its upper Part. It is for that End neceery, that the large Trunks of the Veins and Arteries should not associate each other. For if all the Blood sent to the lower Parts, by the descending Trunk of the Aorta, should return to the Heart again by one single Trunk, ( as it is sent out from thence ) the

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Weight of so much Blood in the ascending Trunks of the vena Cava, would oppose all the Force the Heart could give it from the Arteries, and hinder its Ascent. For this Reason the vena Azygos, or fine Pari, is contrived to convey the B!ood sent to the Muscles of the Back and Thorax, into the descending Trunk of the vena Cava above the Heart. Hence it’s evident, that more Blood comes into the Heart by the descending or upper Trunk of the vena Cava, than pases out by the ascending Trun of the Aorta. Nor does the Quantity of Blood convey’d to the Heart by the superior Trunk of the Cava, seem, without some other Design in Nature besides transporting it thither, to free the inserior Trunk from its Weight. But perhaps it was necesary so much Blood should be ready there to join with the Chyle, for its better Mixture, before it reaches the right Auricle of the Heart. So far Mr. Cowper. </1717>

Eighthly, The next Part I shall treat of shall be the Hand, this <greek>organon organOn</greek> or superlative Instrument, which serves us for such a multitude of Uses, as it is not easy to enumerate; whereto, if we consider the Make and Structure of it, we shall find it wonderfull