The history of philosophy, in eight parts by Thomas Stanley.

CHAP. XII.

Of perfect mixt bodies.

a 1.1 THe common affections of perfect mixt bodies, are those which proceed from the primary qualities of the Ele∣ments, whereof two are active, heat and cold, two passive, hu∣midity, and siccity. The naturall effect of these is Generation, when heat and cold overcome the matter; otherwise it is inqui∣nation and inconcoction. The opposite to simple generation is Pu∣tre••action; every thing unlesse violently dissolved putrifieth. Hence those things that putrifie, become first humid, then dry; for the externall heat expelleth the internall, and at last consu∣meth it. All things therefore putrifie except fire, for putrefacti∣on is the corruption of the naturall heat in every humid body, by the externall. For this reason, things are lesse subject to putri∣fie in cold or in motion, and the hotter or greater they are, as a part of the sea may putrifie, the whole cannot.

Out of putrid things are bred living creatures; for the natu∣rall, heat whilst it is separating, endeavoureth as much as possi∣ble, that what is taken asunder and segregated by corruption, may gather together in some small parts, which afterwards, by help of the Sun, receive life. Thus are wormes, beetles, gnats, and other insects bred.

b 1.2 Concoction is the effect of heat, inconcoction of cold. Conco∣ction is a perfection caused by naturall heat of the opposite pas∣sive qualities, which are mixed with the matter, as being pas∣sive. The end of concoction in some things is mutation of the essence, as when food is converted into flesh or blood; in others only a mutation according to quantity or quality, as in fruites that ripen. Inconcoction is an imperfection in the opposite pas∣sive qualities, proceeding from defect of heat.

Concoction is three-fold, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Inconcoction is also three-fold, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

c 1.3 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is the concoction of that Element which is in fruits; it is perfect, when the seeds that are within the fruit are capa∣ble of producing their like, hereto is opposite 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the incon∣coction

of fruits not able through want of heat to overcome the humidity.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is a concoction of an humid interminate by externall humidity and heat▪ Hereto is opposite 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the inconcoction of a humid interminate, caused by defect of externall humidity and heat.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is a concoction by dry and externall heat, yet not ex∣cessive, for then it were adustion: to this is opposed 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, an in∣coction caused through defect of heat and fire, or excess of humi∣dity in the subject.

d 1.4 As concerning the two passive qualities; things are humid and dry, either actually, or potentially. Those things which are mixt of humid and dry, are terminate, for these qualities mutu∣ally terminate one another, whence bodies consist not without earth and water, this humid, that dry. And for this reason Ani∣mals can onely live in Earth and Water, which are their matter.

The first affections of terminate bodies are hardnesse and soft∣nesse; hard is that which yields not to the touch, soft the contra∣ry. Both these are such, either absolutely, or relatively. They are made such by concretion, which is a kind of exiccation.

e 1.5 Exiccation is of things that are water, or of the Nature of water, or have water in them, either naturally insite, or adven∣titious. It is done principally by heat, accidentally by cold. Hu∣mectation (its contrary) is the concretion of a vapour into wa∣ter, or liquefaction of a solid body, as Metall. Concretion is, when the humidity being removed, the dry is reduced together and condensed, either by cold, as in generation of stones, or by heat, as in segregation of salt from water. To concretion is opposite, resolution, which is effected by its contraries. Those things which are condensed by heat only, are resolved by cold only, and so on the contrary.

f 1.6 Besides these principall affections, there are others seconda∣ry, chiefly competent to homogeneous bodies, some passive, some active.

Of passive qualities in mixt bodies, there are 18. differences, Concretile, Eliquabile, Mollisicable, Humectable, Flexible, Frangible, Impressible, Formable, Compressible, Tractile, Ductile, Fissile, Sectile, Unctious, Friable, Condensable, Combustible, exhalable, and their contraries. From these are thus denominated, homiomerious mixt bodies, as Metalls, Gold, Brass, Silver, Stone and the like; and whatsoever is made out of these; as likewise similar parts in A∣nimals and in Plants, as flesh and bone, whereof some are more cold, which consist most of water, others more hot, which most of earth and air.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Meteor. lib. 4. cap. 1.
• b 1.2

  Cap. 2.
• c 1.3

  Cap. 3.
• d 1.4

  Cap. 4.
• e 1.5

  Cap. 6.
• f 1.6

  Cap. 8.