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CHAP. XIV.
Of Generation and Corruption.
a 1.1 POssidonius asserteth foure species of generation and corrup∣tion, of things that are into things that are (for that of things that are not, and of things that are not he rejected, conceiving there is none such.) Of transmutations into things that are, one is by division, another by alteration, a third by confusion, a fourth of the whole by resolution. Of these, alteration concern∣eth the substance, the other three are of the qualities which in∣here in the substance. According to these are generations made. But the substance it selfe is neither augmented nor diminished by apposition or detraction, but is only altered as happeneth to numbers and measures. But in things properly qualited, as Dion and Theon, there is augmentation and diminution, wherefore the quality of each remaineth from the generation untill the corruption thereof, in plants and living creatures which are ca∣pable of corruption. In things properly qualited, he asserted two susceptible parts; one, according to the substance, another according to the quality: This, as we have often said, admit∣teth augmentation and diminution. Neither is the thing pro∣perly qualited, and the substance out of which it is, all one, nor divers, but only, not all one, because the substance is a part, and occupateth the same place; but things that are divers have di∣stinct places, and are not consider'd in part. That as to the thing properly qualited, and as to the substance, it is not the same, Mnesarchus affirmeth to be evident, because it is necessary, that to the same happen the same things. For if, for example, a man having formed a horse, should break it, and make a dog, we would presently, beholding it, say, this was not before, but it is now: So are the qualited and the substance divers. Neither is it likely that we should all be the same as to substance; for it often happens, that the substance is preexistent to the generation, as the substance of Socrates was, before Socrates was; and after the corruption and death of Socrates, the substance remaineth, though Socrates himselfe be not.