APHORISM.
I.

NAture is situate in a threefold state, and doth, as it were,The division of the Natural History. undergo a triple Government: For either she is at liber­ty, and carries her self according to her ordinary course; or she is disturb'd and thrust from her state by the vi [...]i­ousness and insolency of the Matter, and by the vio [...]ence of Impediments: Or she is constrained and framed by Art and Humane Operation. Now the first of these Conditions relates to the Species of things; the second to Monsters; the third to Artificials: For in things effected by Art, Nature receives the yoke from Humane Dominion; for those things would never have been made without Man: but through the labour and operation of Man, there seems to be quite a new frame of Bodies, and, as it were, another Universality of things, or another Theatre. Threefold therefore is the Natural History; for it treates of either the Liberty, or the errors, or the Bands of Nature: So that we may not unfitly divide it into a History of Generations, Preter generations, and Arts, the last whereof we use to nomi­nate also Mechanical and Experimental. Nor do we give in precept that these three be treated of severally; for why may not Relations of Mon­sters, in their several kinds, be joyned to the History of the Species them­selves? And Artificials are sometimes rightly joyned with the Species, but sometimes they do better apart: Wherefore it is best to deal with these things according as the matter will bear it; for Method doth equally cause repetitions and prolixity, as well where there is too much, as where there is none of it at all.

II.

This Natural History, as it is threefold in its subject (as before we haveThe twofold use of the Natural Hi­story. told you) so it is twofold in its use? for it is used either for the bare knowledge of those things which are therein contained; or as the Prin­cipal and first matter of Philosophy, and the substance or stuff (if I may so say) of the true Induction. And this last use of it is now intended; [Page 2] now, I say, and never before by any man; for neither did Aristotle, nor Theophrastus, nor Dioscorides, nor Cajus Pliniw, much less the Modern Wri­ters, ever propound unto themselves this end of a Natural History, whereof we now speak. And it is of much concernment, that whoever hereafter shall undertake the Penning of a Natural History, should continually think upon, and consider this with themselves. That they ought not to serve the delight of their Reader, no, nor the very profit which he may gain at pre­sent by the Relations; but to seek and find out plenty, and variety of things which may suffice for the composure of true actions: For if they will think on this, they will prescribe to themselves the manner of such an History; for the end governs the means.

III.

Now, by how much this thing is a business of greater pains and indu­stry, by so much it is the more probable, that it will be less burdened with superfluous matters. There are three things therefore, of which men areThree things to be avoided in the Natural History to be plainly warned, that they very seldome spend pains about them, be­ing such things, which may increase the bulk of the work prodigiously, but can little or nothing promote its virtue.

First then, Let Antiquities, Quotations, and Suffrages of AuthorsPhilosophy must be avoided. cease; let Strifes, Controversies, and Dissenting Opinions, and all things Philological be avoided: Let not an Author be cited, unless in a dubious mat­ter; nor let a Controversie be interposed, except in a matter of great mo­ment. But let those things, which tend to the ornament of Speech, and to similitudes, and the treasure of Eloquence, and all such toys as these, be totally rejected; and let all those things which are received, be them­selves propounded briefly, and in short, that they be nothing less than words; for no man that collects, and lays up Materials for Edifices, ei­ther for Ships, or any the like Structures, doth (as is done in Shops) take care to pile them in order for a sight to please, but he looks only that they be sound and good, and that they take up but little room in the place where they are laid, And just so must it be done with this.

Secondly, That Luxury of Natural Histories makes not much to theDescriptions, and Pictures. matter, which consists in the numerous Descriptions and Pictures of the Species, and in the curious variety of them; for these minute varieties of them are nothing but a certain sport, or pastime, and wantonness of Na­ture, and they happen almost to the Nature of Individuals: And they have a certain pleasant and delightful expatiation in the things themselves, but a very small and almost superfluous Information towards the Sciences.

Thirdly, All Superstitious Relations (we say not Prodigious ones, whenSuperstitious Relations. the memory of them may be found credible and maintainable, but Supersti­tious ones) and the experiments of Ceremonial Magick are wholly to be omitted. For we would not, that the Infancy of Philosophy, whereunto a Natural History gives the first Suck, should be accustomed to old Wo­mens Fables. There may happily be a time (after there is made some­what a deeper entrance into the inquiry of Nature) to run lightly over such things as these, if there remain any whit of Natural Virtue in those dregs, it may be extracted and laid up for use; mean time let them be laid aside. Even the experiments of Natural Magick must be diligently and [Page 3] severely vanned before they be received, especially those which are wont to be derived from the vulgar sympathy and antipathy, with a great deal of slothfulness and facility, both in believing and feigning them.

Neither is it a small business that is done, In the imburdening of a Natu­ralThis Natural History must be penned suc­cinctly. History of these three superfluities, which we have mentioned, which would otherwise stuffe up whole Volumes. Nor is here an end yet; for, in a great work, it is as requisite, that the things received be Penned suc­cinctly, as that superfluous matters be lopt of: Although there is no doubt, but that this kind of curtness and brevity, will afford far less de­light both to the Reader and Writer. But it must always be remembred, that this thing, that is in hand, is nothing else, but the Garner and Store­house of things, wherein men must not tarry or dwell with pleasure; but must descend thereto as need requires, when any thing is to be made use of, about the work of the Interpreter which follows it.

IV.

In the History which we require, and purpose in our mind, above allThe extent of the Natural History. things it must be looked after, that its extent be large, and that it be made after the measure of the Universe, for the World ought not to be tyed into the straightness of the understanding (which hitherto hath been done) but our Intellect should be stretched and widened, so as to be capable of the Image of the World, such as we find it; for that custome of Respect­ing but a few things, and passing sentence according to that paucity and scantness hath spoiled all. Therefore we re-assuming that division of our Natural History, which we made of it a little before (that it be either of Generations, Pretergenerations, or Arts.) We have constituted five Parts of the History of Generations. Let the first be concerning the Firmament Five parts of the History of Generations. and Celestial things, the second of Meteors, and Regions (as they call them) of the Air, to wit of the Tracts from the Moon to the Superficies of the Earth: To which part also we assign for orders sake (however the truth of the thing be) all kind of Comets, both sublimer as lower. The third, of the Land and Sea. The fourth, of the Elements (as they call them) of Flame, or Fire, Aire, Water, and Earth. But we would have the Elements understood, not for the First Principles of things, but for the greater Masses of Natural Bodies: for the Nature of things is so distributed, that the Quantity, or Mass of certain Bodies in the Universe is very great, because that there is required an easie and obvious Texture of the Matter to the framing of them, such as are those four bodies which we speak of. But for certain other bodies their Quantity is in the Universe small and sparing­ly afforded, by reason of the Texture of the Matter very unlike and sub­till, and in most of them Determinate and Organical: Such as are the Species of Natural things, Metals, Plants, Animals. Wherefore we are wont to stile the former sort of bodies Greater Collections, the latter Smaller Collections. But of those Greater Collections the fourth part of this History treateth under the name of Elements, as we said before. Not is the fourth part confounded with the second and third in this, that in all of them we make mention of Air, Water, and Earth; for in the second and third part is contained the History of them, as the Entire parts of the World, and as they respect the fabrick and framing of the Universe; but in the fourth [Page 4] part there is contained the History of their Substance and Nature, which bears sway in the several similar parts of them, and is not related to the whole. In fine, the fifth part of the History treats of the Lesser Collecti­ons or Species, about which Natural Histories have hitherto been chiefly conversant.

But as to the History of Pretergenerations, we have already said, that itSuperstition to be avoided. may very commodiously be joyned with the History of Generations, but that part only which is Prodigious and Natural; for we set aside the Su­perstitious History of Miracles (of what sort soever) for a Treatise by it self. Nor is it to be at all received at the beginning, but a little after, when there is a little deeper entrance made into the enquiry of Nature.

But the History of Arts, and of Nature, altered and changed by Man,The History of Arts threefold. or the Experimental History, we make threefold: For it is either drawn forth from Mechanick Arts, or from the Operative Part of Liberal Sciences; or from many Practices and Experiments, which have not grown into a proper Art, yea, which sometimes we meet in most vulgar experience, which do not at all require any Art. Wherefore if a History should be made out of all these which we have spoken of, out of Generations, Preter­generations, Arts, and Experiments, nothing seems to be passed by, where­by the sense might be instructed to inform the Understanding, and then we should not any longer dance round within small Circles (as if we were en­chanted by a Spell) but should equalize the Circumference of the World in our Circuits.

V.

Amongst those parts of History which we have spoken of, the History ofThe use of the History of Arts. Arts is of most use; because it demonstrates things in Motion, and leads more directly to Practice. Besides, it takes away the Vizard and Vail from Natural things, which for the most part are hidden and obscured un­der variety of figures and outward appearances. In fine, the vexations of Art are indeed like the Bands and Fetters of Proteus, which manifest the utmost endeavours and abilities of the Matter; for Bodies will not be destroyed or annihillated, but they will rather alter themselves into various forms. Therefore the greatest diligence must be used about this History, although Mechanick (as it may seem) and less Liberal (without any arro­gancy and pride.)

Again, of Arts, those are preferred, which exhibite, alter, and prepareWhat Art [...] are preferred. Natural Bodies, and the Materials of things; as Husbandry, Cookery, Chymistry, Deying, the Workings of Glass, Esmalta, Sugar, Gunpow­der, Artificial Fires, Paper, and the like. But those are of smaller use, which chiefly consist in a subtle motion of the Hands and Instruments: such as are Weaving, Forgery, Architecture, the Operations of Mills, Clocks, and the like; although these also are by no means to be neglected; as well, because we may meet with many things in them, which have re­spect to the alterations of Natural Bodies; as because they do accurately inform us concerning the motion of Lation, which is a business of very great moment for many things. But through the whole compiling of thisAdmonition of what Experi­ments are to be received. History of Arts, this is always to be admonished, and to be throughly committed to Memory; that in experiments of Arts, not only those are [Page 5] to be received which lead to the end of the Art, but those also which intervene by any means. As for example, that Locusts and Crabs boiled, though before they were of the colour of the durt, wax red, belongs not to the Table, yet this very instance is not amiss to in­quire out the nature of Redness, seeing the same thing happens also to burned Bricks. Likewise that Flesh is sooner salted in Winter than in Summer, not only tends thither, that the Cook season his Meats well, and as much as is sufficient, but also it is a good instance to discover the Nature and Impression of Cold. Wherefore he is quite out of the way, that thinks to satisfie our Intention by Collecting Experiments of Arts, to this end only, that the several Arts may be better perfected, (although we do not altogether despise this also in many things.) But this is plainly our mind, that all the Rivulets of Mechanical Experiments, may flow from everyThe best end of Experiments. part into the Sea of Philosophy. But the choise of Instances most emi­nent in every kind (which must be chiefly and diligently sought for, and, as it were, hunted after) is to be looked for in the Prerogatives of In­stances.

VI.

We should resume in this place also that which we have elsewhere more largely handled; but here, by way of precept it will suffice brieflySee the Lord Bacons No­vum Organum libro primo. Aphor. 99. 119. 120. to command, that there be received into this History, first most Vulgar things, such as any one would think not worthy to commit to Writing, be­cause they be so familiarly known: Next, things of no value, illiberal and sordid, (for all things are clean unto the clean, and if Lucre smell wellWhat things may be r [...]ceiv­ed i [...]to this Nat. History. though out of Stale, much more doth Light and Information out of any thing:) Also trivial and childish things (no wonder, for we must plainly grow children again:) Last of all, things that seem to be of too nice a subtilty, and in themselves are of no use. For (as is already said) those things that are proponnded in this History are not gathered together for their own sake; wherefore it is not fit to measure the Dignity of them byThe way to judge of the dignity of Ex­periments. themselves, but so far forth as they may be transferred to other things, and have an influence upon Phylosophy.

VII.

This also we give in precept, that all things as well in Natural Bodies,The manner of propounding things in the Nat. History. as Virtues, may (as much as is possible) be propounded according to num­ber, weight, and measure, and determinate: for we meditate of Works, not Speculations. Now Physicks and Mathematicks well intermingled be­get Practice. Wherefore the exact restitutions and distances of the Pla­nets must be inquired after, and set down in the History of Celestials: The Circle of the Earth, and how much place it occupieth, in respect of the Waters, in the Superficies, in the History of the Land and Sea: How great a compressure the Air will suffer without any notable change, in the History of the Air: How much in Metals one is heavier than the other, in the History of Metals; and innumerous such others, must be enquired and writ down. But when exact proportions cannot be had, then indeed we [Page 6] must flye to those that are according to estimation, or comparative indefi­nite ones. As (if we happily distrust to the Calculations of Astrono­mers concerning distances) that the Moon is within the shade of the Earth, that Mercury is above the Moon, and the like. Also when middle propor­tions cannot be had, let the extreams be propounded; As that a weaker Loadstone can Elevate a peice of Iron of such a weight, in respect of the weight of the Stone it self, and that one most full of virtue, to a sixty fold proportion; which we have seen done our selves with a very small armed Loadstone. And we very well know, that those determinate Instances are not easily or often met withal, but they should be sought out as auxilia­ry in the very Course of the Interpretation it self (when the matter most of all requires it) notwithstanding if one do chance to meet with them, they may be inserted into the Natural History, so they do not too much re­tard the progress of its composure.

VIII.

But as to the Faith and Credit of those things which are to be received inHow things must be pro­pounded ac­cording to their Credit. this History, they must needs either be of a certain Beleif, of a doubtful Credit, or of a condemned Faith. Now the former sort of these must be propounded simply, the second with some Note, as, (it is reported) or (they say) or (I heard it from a person of Credit) or the like; for it would be too burdensome a business to set down the Arguments of Beleif on both sides, and doubtless would be too great a Remora in the Writers way; nor makes it much matter to the business in hand, for the true Axioms willSee Nov. Org. libro primo Aphor. 118 lib. 1. a little after convince the falseness of the Experiments, (if it be not too breif) as elsewhere we have declared. But if the Instance be any thing Noble, either for its own use, or because many others may depend upon it, then indeed the Author must be named, and that not only barely, but with some mention, whether he affirmed those things either upon credit, as the relations or writings of other Men (such as are very frequent in C. Plinie) or else upon his own knowledge; and also whether the thing was done in his time, or before him; further, whether it be such a thing as needs must have had many witnesses; if it were true; in fine, whether that very Author himself were fabulous and not credible, or sober and se­vere, and the like, which make much to the weight of its credit. Lastly, things of a condemned faith, and yet used and celebrated, which partly byFalsly received things should expresly be warned against neglect, and partly for the use of Similitudes, have for many Ages toge­ther prevalied (as, that the Adamant binds the Loadstone, and Gatlike enervates it; that Amber draws all things but the Herb Basil) must not be passed over in silence, but be warned against in express words, that they be no more troublesome to the Sciences.

Moreover it will not be amiss, if happily one meet with the OriginalThe Causes of false opinions sometimes to be insed [...]. Cause of any Vanity or Credulity, to note it: As that the Herb Satyr [...] (or Ragwort) is said to have a force and efficacy to excite Lust; because, forsooth, its Root is shaped after the figure of the Testicles, when the truth is, that happens, because every year there grows a new knotty Root, which adheres to that part of the Root which was of the last year, whence come those Testicles; for it is manifest, that the new Root is always found solid and juicy, the old one is always withered and spungy. Wherefore, no [Page 7] wonder, that one of them Sinks in the water, and the other Swims, which notwithstanding is counted a wonderful thing and adds authority to the other vertues of that Herb.

IX.

There remain certain profitable additions to the Natural History, andFive Additions to the Natural History. which may more commodiously incline, and fit it for the Work of the Inter­preter which follows it. And these are five.

First Questions (I say, not of Causes, but of Fact) are to be ad­ded,1. Questions. to provoke and solicite a further Enquiry. As in the History of the Land and Sea. Whether the Caspian-sea doth Ebbe and Flow, and in what space of hours: Whether there be any Southern Continent, or rather Islands, and the like.

Secondly, In every new and more subtle Experiment, the manner it self2. The manner when to be ex­pressed. of the Experiment propounded should be added: That the Judgment of Men may be free, whether the Information by that Experiment be to be trusted to, or be deceitful, and that the Industry of Men may be stirred up to seek out ways (if it may be) more accurate.

Thirdly, If there be any doubt or scruple lurking under any relation,3. Doubts. that we would not have suppressed or kept silent at all, but be plainly and perspicuously set down, by way of Note or Advertisement; for we desire that the First History should be writ so circumspectly and scrupulously, as if the Writers thereof had taken an Oath for the truth of every thing therein contained; seeing it is the Volume of the Works of God, and (as much as is lawful to compare the Majesty of Divine things with the hu­mility of things terrene) as it were Another Scripture.

Fourthly, It will not be amiss sometimes to interweave observations4. Observations. (that which C. Plinie did) as in the History of the Land and Sea. That the figure of the Lands (which are yet known) in respect of the Seas, is South­ward narrow, and in a manner picket; towards the North broad and large; of the Seas quite contrary. And that great Oceans cut between the Lands with Channels stretched forth between the South and the North, not between the East and West; unless, happily in the farthest Polar Re­gions. Also Canons (which are nothing else but General and UniversalCanons. Observations) may very well be joyned, as in the History of Celeftials. That Venus never is farther distant from Sol than 26. degrees, Mercury than 23. and that the Planets, which are placed above the Sun, move very slowly, being at the farthest distance from the Earth; but the Planets below the Sun move most swiftly. Moreover there is another sort of Observations A new sort of Observations. to be used, which hitherto hath not been in use, though it be of no small moment, and that is this, that to those things that are, those things that are not, be annexed, as in the History of Celestials; that there is not found, any Star of a long Figure or Triangular; but that every Star is Globous and that either Globous simply as the Moon, or Angulate to the sight, but round in the middle, as the other Stars, or radious to the sight and circular in the middle, as the Sun, or that the Stars are scattered without any order at all; so that amongst them there cannot be found either a five set figure, or quadrangle, or any other perfect figure (however there be imposed upon them the Names of Delta, of a Crown, a Cross, a Chariot and four horses, [Page 8] and the like) scarce even a straight line, unless, happily, in the Zone and Dagger of Orion.

Fifthly, That may perhaps somewhat help an Inquirer which altogether perverts and destroys a credulous person. And that is, That the Opinions now received with their Variety and Sects, be rehearsed in a brief compre­hension of words, that they may excite the understanding and no more.

X.

And let these suffice as for general Precepts; which if they be heedfully5. Opinions. observed, This Work of History will tend straight to its end, and will not grow above measure: But if also, as it is circumscribed and limited, it seem a vast work to any mean spirited person, let him turn his eyes upon Liberaries, and amongst others upon the Bodies of the Civil and Canonical Law, on one side, and upon the Commentaries of Doctors and Lawyers on the other side, and he may see, what the difference will be, as to the Bulk and Volumnes. Now for us, (who like faithful Scribes cuil out and write the LAWS themselves of Nature, and nothing else) brevity is proper and almost imposed upon us by the very things themselves; but of Opinions, De­crees, and Speculations there is neither number nor end. But for that we have made mention, in the Distribution of our work of Cardinal virtues, in Nature; And for that also the History of these should be finished, before we shall come to the Work of the Interpretation, we have not been unmind­ful of this business, but we have reserved this work for our self, because we dare not much promise our selves the Industry of others in this busi­ness, before men shall have begun to acquaint themselves a little nearer with Nature.