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CHAP. IX. Of Rarity, Density, Perspicuity, Opacity.
SECT. I.
* 1.1HAving thus steered through the dee∣pest Difficulties touching the pro∣per objects of the other Senses, the Chart of Method directs us in our next course to profound the parti∣cular natures of all those Qualities, which belong to the apprehensive jurisdiction of the Sense of TOUCH∣ING, either immediately, or rela∣tively. But, before we weigh Anchor, that we may avoid the quicksands of too General Apprehen∣sions, and draw a Map or Scheme of all the Heads of our intended En∣quiries; tha•• so we may praepare the mind of our Reader to accompany us the more easily and smoothly: it is requisite that we advertise,
* 1.2(1) That the Attribute of Touching is sometimes in Common to all Bodies, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 well Inanimate, as Animate, when their superficies or ex∣tremes ar•• Contingent; according to that Antithesis of Lucretius, Tactus Corporibus cunctis, intactus Inani. Sometimes in Common to all Sens••••, insomuch as all Sensation is a kind of Touching, it be∣ing necessa••••, that either the object it self immediately, or some sub∣stantial Em••nation from it, be contingent to the Sensory; as we have apodictically declared in our praecedent considerations of Visible, Au∣dible, Odo••••ble, and Gustable Species. Sometimes (and in praesent) Proper to th•• Sense of Touching in Animals; which, however it extend to the Per••••ption of Objects, in number manifold, in nature various and frequ••••••ly even repugnant (whereupon some Philosophers have contuma••iously contended for a Plurality of Animal Touchings; others gone so high as to constitute as many distinct Powers of Touch∣ing, as th••re are [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] Differences and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of conditions in Tangibles) doth yet apprehend them all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 one and the same common reason, and determinate qualification, after the same manner, as the sight discernes White,