Ground of natural philosophy divided into thirteen parts : with an appendix containing five parts / written by the ... Dvchess of Newcastle.

CHAP. XXIX. Of COLOVRS.

AS for Colour, it is the same with Body: for sure∣ly, there is no such thing in Nature, as a Co∣lourless Body, were it as small as an Atom; nor no such thing as a Figureless Body; or such a thing as a Placeless Body: so that Matter, Colour, Figure, and Place, is but one thing, as one and the same Body: but Matter, being self-moving, causes varieties of Fi∣gurative Actions, by various changes. As for Colours, they are only several Corporeal Figurative Motions; and as there are several sorts of Creatures, so there

are several sorts of Colours: but, as there are those, Man names Artificial Creatures; so there are Artifi∣cial Colours. But, though to describe the several Spe∣cies of all the several sorts of Colours, be impossible; yet we may observe, that there is more variety of Co∣lours amongst Vegetables and Animals, than amongst Minerals and Elements: for, though the Rain-bow is of many fine Colours; yet, the Rain-bow hath not so much Variety, as many particular Vegetables, or Animals have; but every several Colour, is a several Figurative Motion; and the Brighter the Colours are, the Smoother and Evener are the Figurative Mo∣tions. And as for Shadows of Colours, they are cau∣sed when one sort of Figurative Motions is as the Foundation: for example, If the Fundamental Fi∣gurative Motion, be a deep Blew, or Red, or the like, then all the variations of other Colours have a tincture. But, in short, all Shadows have a ground of some sort of dark Figurative Motions. But, the Opinions of many Learned Men, are, That all Co∣lours are made by the several Positions of Light, and are not inherent in any Creature; of which Opinion I am not: For, if that were so, every Creature would be of many several Colours; neither would any Creature produce after their own Species: for, a Par∣rot would not produce so fine a Bird as her self; nei∣ther would any Creature appear of one and the same Colour, but their Colour would change according

to the Positions of Light; and in a dark day, in my opinion, all fine coloured Birds, would appear like Crows; and fine coloured Flowers, appear like the Herb named Night-shade; which is not so. I do not say, That several Positions of Light may not cause Colours; but I say, The Position of Light is not the Maker of all Colours; for, Dyers cannot cause several Colours by the Positions of Light.