An essay towards a real character, and a philosophical language by John Wilkins ...

Of Beasts.

BEASTS, may be distinguished by their several shapes, properties, uses, food,* 1.1 their tameness or wildness, &c. into such as are either

• Viviparous; producing living young.
  • WHOLE FOOTED, the soles of whose feet are undivided, being used chiefly for Carriage. I.
  • CLOVEN FOOTED. II.
  • Clawed, or multifidous; the end of whose feet is branched out into toes; whether
    • NOT RAPACIOUS. III.
    • RAPACIOUS; living upon the prey of other Animals; having generally six short pointed incisores, or cutting teeth, and two long fangs to hold their prey; whether the
      • CAT-KIND; having a roundish head. IV.
      • DOG-KIND; whose heads are more oblong. V.
• OVIPAROUS; breeding Eggs. VI.

I. WHOLE FOOTED BEASTS,* 1.2 may be distinguished into such as are either of

• Solid hard hoofs; considerable for
  • Swiftness and comeliness; being used for riding.
    1.
    • HORSE, Mare, Gelding, Nag, Palfrey, Steed, Courser, Gennet, Stallion,* 1.3 Colt, Fole, Filly, Neigh, Groom, Ostler.
  • Slowness and strength in bearing burdens; having long ears; ‖ either the more simple kind: or that mungrel generation begotten on a Mare.
    2.
    • * 1.4ASSE, Bray.
    • MULE.
• Softer feet; having some resemblance to the
  • * 1.5Cloven footed-kind; by reason of the upper part of the hoof being divided, being ruminant, having a long slender neck, with one or two bunches on the back.
    3.
    • * 1.6CAMEL, Dromedary.
  • Multifidous kind; having little prominencies at the end of the feet, representing toes, being of the greatest magnitude amongst all other beasts, used for the carriage and draught of great weights, and more particularly esteemed for the tusks.
    4.
    • * 1.7ELEPHANT, Ivory.

II. CLOVEN FOOTED BEASTS,* 1.8 may be distributed into such as are

• Horned and Ruminant; having two horns.
  • Hollow; not branched nor deciduons, being common both to the males and females, useful to men both living and dead; whether the
    • Bigger; being useful both by their labour and flesh;
      1.
      • KINE, Bull, Cow, Ox, Calf, Heifer, Bullock, Steer, Beef, Veal,* 1.9 Runt, bellow, low, Heard, Cowheard.
    • Lesser; being useful either in respect of the Fleece and Flesh: or Hair and Flesh.
      2.
      • SHEEP, Ram, Ewe, Lamb, Weather, Mutton, Bleat, Fold, Flock,* 1.10 Shepheard.
      • GOAT, Kid.
  • Solid; branched, deciduous, being proper only to the males; whe∣ther the
    • Bigger kind; ‖ either that of the highest stature, having horns with∣out brow-antlers, of a short stemm, and then spreading out into breadth, branched at the edges: or that of a lower stature, ha∣ving round, long, branched horns.
      3.
      • ELKE.
      • STAGG, Hart, Hind, Red Deer, Venison.* 1.11
    • Middle kind; whose horns become broad towards the ends; ‖ ei∣ther that of lesser horns, not used for labour: or that which hath the largest horns in proportion to that body, of any other Deer, with a double branched brow-antler, being in the Northern Countries used for the drawing of Sleds.
      4.
      • BUCK, Doe, Fawn, Pricket, Sorel, Sore, Fallow Deer, Venison.* 1.12
      • REIN-DEER, Tarandu.
    • Least kind; having a short, round, branched horn.
      5.
      • ROE-BUCK, Roe.* 1.13
• Horned but not ruminant; having but one horn, placed on the nose, be∣ing a beast of great bigness, covered with a kind of Armature, and counted untamable.
  6.
  • RHINOCEROT.* 1.14
• Ruminant but not horned; being useful to men only, when living, for carriage of burdens, having the longest neck of any other Animal (if there be really any such Beast.)
  7.
  • CAMELOPARD, Giraffa.* 1.15
• Neither horned nor ruminant; useful only when dead, for its flesh.
  8.
  • HOG, Swine, Bore, Sow, Pig, Porket, Barrow, Shoot, Pork,* 1.16 Ba∣con, Brawn. Grunt.

Amongst those that belong to the Bovinum genus, there are several sorts described by Authors distinguished by their having either

• A Beard; stiled Vrus.
• A Bunch on the back; stiled Bisons.
• Horns reflected about the ears. stiled Bonasus.
• Broad, flat, rugged horns; stiled Buffalus.

Besides the more common kinds of Sheep, there are others mentioned by Authors, and described to have

• Streight wreathed horns. called Ovis Stepsiceros.
• Great thick tails. called Broad tailed Sheep.

Amongst those that belong to the Goat-kind, besides the more vulgar sort, there are others whose horns are either

• * 1.17Angular and knobbed. called Stone Buck.
• * 1.18Small and round; being hooked at the end. called Shamois.
• Streight and wreathed. called Antilope.

* 1.19III. CLAWED Beasts NOT RAPACIOUS, may be distinguished into such as are either

• Man-like; having faces and ears somewhat resembling those of Men, with only four broad incisores, or cutting teeth, and two short eye-teeth, not longer then the other, their fore-feet being generally like hands, with thumbs, going upon their heels; whether the
  • Bigger kind; ‖ either that which hath a short tail: or that which hath no tail.
    1.
    • BABOON, Drill.
    • * 1.20APE, Iackanapes.
  • Lesser kind; having a long tail, and being very nimble: to which may be adjoined, for its affinity to this kind in respect of the face, that beast which is the slowest of all others, having but three toes on each foot, feeding on leaves, having a blind gut joyned to the upper orifice of his stomack, being probably ruminant.
    2.
    • MONKEY, Marmosit.
    • * 1.21SLOTH, Haut, Ay.
• Hare-kind; having two long teeth in the lower jaw before, and two o∣thers opposite to those (tho not quite so long) in the upper jaw, most of which are counted ruminant, because when they have by the help of their incisores filled their mouths with meat, they after chew it over again with their Molares or grinders,* 1.22 but they are not properly rumi∣nant, because they have but one stomack, out of which they do not fetch up their food being once swallowed.

These may be distinguished into the

• Bigger kind; whether such as are covered with
  • Hair; living either
    • Above ground; being of all others the most fearful.
      3.
      • HARE, Leveret.
    • * 1.23Vnder ground; ‖ either that with long ears and a short tail: or that with short ears and a long tail, being said to sleep all the Winter.
      4.
      • CONNY, Rabbet.
      • * 1.24MARMOTTO.
  • Quills; ‖ either the bigger: or the lesser kind.
    5.
    • PORCUPINE.
    • * 1.25HEDGHOG.
• Middle kind; ‖ either that which lives in Trees, with a spreading bushy tail: or that which lives on the ground, with a short tail, and course hair, having only three toes on a foot.
  6.
  • SQUIRREL.
  • * 1.26GINNY PIG.
• Least kind; living commonly, either
  • In houses; being mischievous to Corn; ‖ the greater: or lesser kind
    7.
    • * 1.27RAT.
    • MOUSE.
  • Abroad, under ground; having small eyes, and broad feet like hands, be∣ing not so properly belonging to this tribe, but of near affinity to it.
    8.
    • * 1.28MOLE.

Besides the common Rat there are others having

• Flat tails, their hinder feet being palmipedes. called Water-rat, Musk-rat.
• Short tails, and spotted skins. called Leming.* 1.29

Besides the more common sort of Mice there are others

• Of long snouts, counted venemous. called Field-mouse, Sheew-mouse.* 1.30
• Of a sandy colour, a spreading tail, sleeping much. called Dormouse.* 1.31
• Having wings, upon which there are four claws instead of feet, the only flying beast. called Batt, Flittermouse.* 1.32

IV. RAPACIOUS Beasts of the CAT-KIND,* 1.33 may be distributed into such, whose bodies are in proportion to their legs, either

• Less long; having generally two Claviculae or canel-bones, by which they are inabled to strike or cuff with their fore-feet, and to climb, being able to sheath their claws; whether the
  • Bigger; considerable for
    • Boldness and courage; being the chief of all wild beasts: or for slow∣ness and slugginess, going upon the heels.
      1.
      • LION-ess, Whelp, roar.* 1.34
      • BEARE, Cub.
    • Spottedness; ‖ either with Rundles: or with Streaks.
      2.
      • TYGER.* 1.35
      • PARD, Panther, Leopard.
    • ...Quick sightedness;
      3.
      • OUNCE, Lynx.* 1.36
  • Lesser; ‖ either that Domestic Animal, the Enemy to Mice: or that wild fierce creature, of some resemblance to this, producing Civet.
    4.
    • CAT, Kitling, Kitten, Mew.
    • CIVET-CAT.* 1.37
• More long; namely such as by the length of their bodies, and shortness of their legs, are fitted to creep and wind themselves into holes, for the catching of their prey. The Verminous-kind; whether such as are
  • Terrestrial; of a
    • Courser furr; being noxious to Rabbets; ‖ either that which is fre∣quently trained up by Men for the catching of Connies: or that which is of a stinking savour.
      5.
      • FERRET.
      • POLECAT, Fitchew.* 1.38
    • Finer furr; whether the
      • Bigger; being commonly white under the throat.
        6.
        • MARTIN, Sable, Gennet.* 1.39
      • Lesser; ‖ either that which is wholly white, excepting a black spot on the tail: or that whose belly is white, the tip of the tail black, the back of a light dun.
        7.
        • STOAT, Ermine.
        • WEESLE.* 1.40
  • Amphibious; ‖ either that of a finer furr, having a broad, thick, scaly tail: or that of a courser furr.
    8.
    • CASTOR, Beaver.
    • OTTER.* 1.41

As for that mongrel generation, which many Authors describe, as being begotten betwixt a Pard and a Lioness, being therefore called Leopard, as likewise that other Beast, commonly described by the name of Gulo or Ierf, and that other named Hyaena. There is reason to doubt, whether there be any such species of Animals, distinct from those here enumerated. Tho the belief of these (as of several other fictitious things) hath been propagated by Orators, upon account of their fitness to be made use of in the way of similitude.

* 1.42V. RAPACIOUS Beasts of the DOG-Kind, may be distinguished into such as are either

• ...Europaean;
  • Terrestrial; whether
    • Bigger; ‖ either that which is noted for tameness and docility: or for wildness and enmity to Sheep▪
      1.
      • * 1.43DOG, Bitch, Puppy, Whelp▪ Bark, bay, yelp.
      • WOLF, Howle.
    • Lesser; living usually in holes within the ground; ‖ either that which is noted for subtilty, having a bushy tail: or that which is noted for tenacity in biting, being esteemed commonly (tho falsly) to have the legs on the left side shorter then the other.
      2.
      • * 1.44FOX.
      • BADGER, Grey, Brock.
  • Amphibious; whether the Bigger, Being less hairy, having great tusks: or the lesser, being more hairy.
    3.
    • MORSE, Sea-horse.
    • * 1.45SEAL, Sea-calf.
• Exotic; being noted for
  • Gregariousness; going in great troops, and being said to assist the Lion in hunting.
    4.
    • * 1.46JACKALL.
  • Long snout, and feeding on Ants, and sometimes on roots; ‖ either that of a hairy: or that of a crustaceous covering.
    5.
    • * 1.47ANT-BEARE.
    • ARMADILLO.
  • A bag under the belly; wherein the young ones are received, being apt to hang by the tail, having a mixed resemblance both to an Ape and a Fox.
    6.
    • * 1.48CARAGUYA.

Amongst the several species of Animals, there is not any of greater variety in respect of accidental differences, then that of Dogs, which be∣ing the most familiar and domestick Beast, hath therefore several names assigned to it according to these differences, which are derived either from the Countries in which they are originally bred, and from which they are brought to other places, as England, Ireland, Iceland, Ginny, &c. or their bigness or littleness, or from their shape, colour, hairiness, &c. But they are chiefly distinguishable from those uses which men imploy them about, either in respect of

• Delight; LAP-DOGS.
• Companying; when they serve only to follow us up and down. CURRS.
• Custody of places or things; MASTIFS.
• Hunting; either by
  • Sight; GASE-HOUNDS.
  • Smell; whether for
    • Birds; SPANIELS
      • Terrestrial; LAND SPANIELS.
      • Aquatic; WATER SPANIELS.
    • Beasts; of a
      • Greater kind; HOUNDS.
      • Lesser kind; BEAGLES.
  • Swiftness; and running after
    • Greater Beasts; GREYHOUNDS.
    • Lesser Beasts; LURCHERS.
  • Play; TUMBLERS.

VI. OVIPAROUS BEASTS;* 1.49 may be distinguished by their diffe∣rent ways of progressive motion; whether

• Gradient; having four feet, the figure of their bodies being either more
  • Broad; whose outward covering is
    • Crustaceous; ‖ belonging either to the Land: or to the Water.
      1.
      • TORTOISE, Land-tortoise.* 1.50
      • TURTLE, Sea-tortoise.
    • Skinny; ‖ either that which is not poisonous: or that which is counted poisonous.
      2.
      • FROG, Tadpole, croke.* 1.51
      • TOAD, Tadpole.
  • Oblong; whose bodies and tails are more produced; whether the
    • Greatest kind; being skinned and scaly; ‖ either the larger: or the lesser, the latter of which is described to have a dew-lap under the throat.
      3.
      • CROCODILE, Allegator, Cayman, Leviathan.* 1.52
      • SENEMBI, Iguana.
    • Middle kind; ‖ either that which is most common in other Countries, and of greatest varieties: or that which hath two toes behind in each foot, with prominencies upon the head like ears, being said (tho falsly) to feed only upon air.
      4.
      • LIZARD.* 1.53
      • CHAMELION.
    • Least kind; ‖ either that of a brownish colour with yellow spots: or that of a more dark colour, having a broad tail for swimming.
      5.
      • LAND SALAMANDER, Land Eft, Newt.* 1.54
      • WATER SALAMANDER, Eft, Newt.
• Creeping; being without feet, and of round oblong bodies; whether the
  • ...Bigger kind;
    6.
    • SERPENT, Hiss.* 1.55
  • Middle kind; ‖ either that which is not poisonous: or that which is counted poisonous, having two long, hollow, moveable teeth, hatch∣ing the Eggs within its body.
    7.
    • SNAKE, Hiss.* 1.56
    • VIPER, Adder, Aspe.
  • Least kind; commonly esteemed blind and poisonous.
    8.
    • SLOW WORM.* 1.57

That kind of Animal which is commonly called a Dragon, and descri∣bed to be a kind of Serpent with wings and feet (if there ever were any such thing) might possibly be some monstrous production, but there is reason to believe that there is no such standing species in nature.

Besides the common kind of Frogs, there is another distinct sort, called the Green frog, feeding on leaves, having blunt broad toes.

Besides the more usual sorts of Lizards, there are others described, as having some distinct peculiarity in respect of

• Bigger magnitude, and greenness of colour. called The green Lizard.
• Blunt broad toes. called The Facetane Li∣zard.
• Thicker body, having a tail annulated with scales. called Cordylus.
• Slender body and small feet, resembling a Slow worm. called Chalcidica, Lizard.
• Small head, and lesser scales. called Scinke.

* 1.58HAving now dispatched the enumeration and description of the se∣veral species of Animals, I shall here take leave for a short digressi∣on, wherein I would recommend this, as a thing worthy to be observed, namely, that great difference which there is betwixt those opinions and apprehensions which are occasioned by a more general and confused view of things, and those which proceed from a more distinct considera∣tion of them as they are reduced into order.

He that looks upon the Starrs, as they are confusedly scattered up and down in the Firmament, will think them to be (as they are sometimes stiled) innumerable, of so vast a multitude, as not to be determined to any set number: but when all these Starrs are distinctly reduced into particular constellations, and described by their several places, magni∣tudes and names, it appears, that of those that are visible to the naked eye, there are but few more then a thousand in the whole Firmament, and but a little more then half so many to be seen at once in any Hemi∣sphere, taking in the minuter kinds of them, even to six degrees of mag∣nitude. It is so likewise in other things: He that should put the Questi∣on, how many sorts of beasts, or birds, &c. there are in the world, would be answered, even by such as are otherwise knowing and learned men, that there are so many hundreds of them, as could not be enumerated; whereas upon a distinct inquiry into all such as are yet known, and have been described by credible Authors, it will appear that they are much fewer then is commonly imagined, not a hundred sorts of Beasts, nor two hundred of Birds.

From this prejudice it is, that some hereticks of old, and some Atheisti∣cal scoffers in these later times, having taken the advantage of raising ob∣jections, (such as they think unanswerable) against the truth and au∣thority of Scripture, particularly as to the description which is given by Moses, concerning Noah's Ark, Gen. 6.15. where the dimensions of it are set down to be three hundred cubits in length, fifty in breadth, and thirty in height, which being compared with the things it was to contein, it seemed to them upon a general view, (and they confidently affirmed accordingly) that it was utterly impossible for this Ark to hold so vast a multitude of Animals, with a whole years provision of food for each of them.

This objection seemed so considerable, both to some of the ancient Fathers, and of our later Divines, who were otherwise learned and ju∣dicious men, but less versed in Philosophy and Mathematicks, that they have been put to miserable shifts for the solving of it. Origen, and Saint Austin, and several other considerable Authors, do for the avoiding of this difficulty affirm, that Moses being skilled in all the learning of the Aegyptians, doth by the measure of cubits, here applyed to the Ark, un∣derstand the Aegyptian Geometrical cubit, each of which (say they) did contein six of the vulgar cubits, namely, nine foot. But this doth upon several accounts seem very unreasonable, because it doth not appear, that there was any such measure amongst the Aegyptians or Iews, styled the Geometrical cubit: And if there were, yet there is no particular reason, why this sense should be applyed to the word cubit here, rather then in other places. It is said of Goliah,* 1.59 that his height was six cubits and a span, which being understood of the Geometrical cubit, will make him fifty four foot high, and consequently his head must be about nine foot in the height or diameter of it, which must needs be too heavy for Da∣vid to carry.

Others not satisfied with this solution, think they have found a better answer, by asserting that the stature of mankind being considerably larger in the first ages of the world, therefore the measure of the cubit must be larger likewise, and perhaps double to now what it is, which will much inlarge the capacity of the Ark. But neither will this afford any reasonable satisfaction. For if they will suppose men to be of a much bigger stature then, 'tis but reasonable that the like should be supposed of other animals also; in which case this answer amounts to nothing.

Others will have the sacred cubit to be here intended, which is said to be a hands breadth longer then the civil cubit, Ezeck. 43.13. But there is not any reason or necessity for this. And 'tis generally believed, that the sacred cubit was used only in the measure of sacred Structures, as the Tabernacle and Temple.

This seeming difficulty is much better solved by Ioh. Buteo in the Tract de Arca Noe, wherein supposing the cubit to be the same with what we now call a foot and a half, he proves Mathematically that there was a sufficient capacity in the Ark, for the con••eining all those things it was designed for. But because there are some things liable to exception in the Philosophical part of that discourse, particularly in his enumeration of the species of Animals, several of which are fabulous, some not distinct species, others that are true species being left out; therefore I conceive it may not be improper in this place to offer another account of those things.

It is plain in the description which Moses gives of the Ark, that it was divided into three stories, each of them of ten cubits or fifteen foot high, besides one cubit allowed for the declivity of the roof in the upper sto∣ry. And 'tis agreed upon as most probable, that the lower story was assigned to contein all the species of beasts, the middle story for their food, and the upper story, in one part of it, for the birds and their food, and the other part for Noah, his family and utensils.

Now it may clearly be made out, that each of these stories was of a sufficient capacity for the conteining all those things to which they are assigned.

For the more distinct clearing up of this, I shall first lay down several tables of the divers species of beasts that were to be received into the Ark, according to the different kinds of food, wherewith they are usual∣ly nourished, conteining both the number appointed for each of them, namely, the clean by sevens, and the unclean by pairs, together with a conjecture (for the greater facility of the calculation) what proportion each of them may bear, either to a Beef, or a Sheep, or a Wolf; and then what kind of room may be allotted to the making of sufficient Stalls for their reception.

Beasts feeding on Hay.	Beasts feeding on Fruits, Roots and In∣sects.	Carnivorous Beasts
Number.	Name.	Proportion to Beeves.	Breadth of Stalls	Number.	Name	Proportion to Sheep.	Breadth of the Stalls.	Number.	Name	Proportion to Wolves.	Breadth of their Stalls.
			feet				feet				feet
2	Horse	3	20	2	Hog	4	20	2	Lion	4	10
2	Asse	2	12	2	Baboon	2	2	Beare	4	10
2	Camel	4	20	2	Ape	2	2	Tigre	3	8
2	Elephant	8	36	2	Monky	7	2	Pard	3	8
7	Bull	7	40	2	Sloth	2	Ounce	2	6
7	Urus	7	40	2	Porcupine	2	Cat	2	6
7	Bisons	7	40	2	Hedghog	2	Civet-cat
7	Bonasus	7	40	2	Squirril	2	Ferret	3	6
7	Buffalo	7	40	2	Ginny pig	2	Polecat
7	Sheep	1	30	2	Ant-bear	2	2	Martin
7	Stepciseros	1	2	Armadilla	2	2	Stoat
7	Broad-tail	1	2	Tortoise	2	2	Weesle
7	Goat	1	30					2	Castor
7	Stone-buck	1			21	20	2	Otter
7	Shamois	1					2	Dog	2	6
7	Antilope	1					2	Wolf	2	6
7	Elke	7	30					2	Fox	2	6
7	Hart	4	30					2	Badger
7	Buck	3	20					2	Jackall
7	Rein-deer	3	20					2	Caraguya
7	Roe	2	36
2	Rhinocerot	8
2	Camelopard	6	30
2	Hare	2 Sheep.
2	Rabbet
2	Marmotto
		92	514							27	72

In this enumeration I do not mention the Mule, because 'tis a mungrel production, and not to be rekoned as a distinct species. And tho it be most probable, that the several varieties of Beeves, namely that which is stiled Vrus, Bisons, Bonasus and Buffalo▪ and those other varieties reckon∣ed

under Sheep and Goats, be not distinct species from Bull, Sheep, and and Goat; There being much less difference betwixt these, then there is betwixt several Dogs: And it being known by experience, what vari∣ous changes are frequently occasioned in the same species by several countries, diets, and other accidents: Yet I have ex abundanti to pre∣vent all cavilling, allowed them to be distinct species, and each of them to be clean Beasts, and consequently such as were to be received in by sevens. As for the Morse, Seale, Turtle, or Sea-Tortoise, Crocodile, Senembi, These are usually described to be such kind of Animals as can abide in the water, and therefore I have not taken them into the Ark, tho if that were necessary, there would be room enough for them, as will shortly appear. The Serpentine-kind, Snake, Viper, Slow-worm, Lizard, Frog, Toad, might have sufficient space for their reception, and for their nou∣rishment, in the Drein or Sink of the Ark, which was probably three or four foot under the floor for the standings of the Beasts. As for those lesser Beasts, Rat Mouse, Mole, as likewise for the several species of Insects, there can be no reason to question, but that these may find sufficient room in several parts of the Ark, without having any particular Stalls appoint∣ed for them.

Tho it seem most probable, that before the Flood, both Men, Beasts and Birds did feed only upon Vegetables, as may appear from that place, Gen. 1.29, 30. And God said, Behold I have given you every herb bearing seed which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree in which is the fruit of a tree yelding seed, to you it shall be for meat. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat, com∣pared with chap. 9.3. Where after the Flood, when the productions of the Earth were become of less efficacy and vigor, and consequently less fit for nourishment, God saith to Noah, Every moving thing that liveth, shall be meat for you, even as the green herb have I given you all things. Yet because this proof is not so very cogent to convince a captious Adversa∣ry, but that he may still be apt to question, whether the Rapacious kinds of Beasts and Birds, who in the natural frame of their parts are peculiar∣ly fitted for the catching and devouring of their prey, did ever feed up∣on herbs and fruits; Therefore to prevent such Cavils, I shall be content to suppose that those Animals which are now Praedatory were so from the begining: upon which, it will be necessary to enquire, what kind of food might be proper and sufficient for them, during their abode in the Ark. Now 'tis commonly known, that the ruminant kind are most usually the prey for the rapacious kind of beasts.

It appeares by the foregoing tables, that the beasts of the rapacious car∣nivorous kinds, to be brought into the Ark by pairs, were but forty in all, or twenty pairs, which upon a fair calculation are supposed equivalent, as to the bulk of their bodies and their food, unto twenty seven Wolves; but for greater certainty, let them be supposed equall to thirty Wolves: and let it be further supposed, that six Wolves will every day devour a whole Sheep, which all Men will readily grant to be more then sufficient for their necessary sustenance: According to this computation, five Sheep must be allotted to be devoured for food each day of the year, which amounts in the whole to 1825.

Upon these suppositions there must be convenient room in the lower

story of the Ark to contein the forementioned sorts of beasts which were to be preserved for the propagating of their kinds, besides 1825. Sheep, which were to be taken in as food for the rapacious Beasts.

And tho there might seem no just ground of exception, if these beasts should be stow'd close together, as is now usual in Ships, when they are to be transported for any long voyage; yet I shall not take any such advan∣tage, but afford them such fair Stalls or Cabins as may be abundantly suf∣ficient for them in any kind of posture, either standing, or lying, or turn∣ing themselves, as likewise to receive all the dung that should proceed from them for a whole year.

And that the Ark was of a sufficient capacity for these purposes, will appear from the following Diagram. In which there is a partition at each end of the Ark, marked AA, of fifteen foot wide, and the breadth of the Ark being seventy five foot; these partitions must contein in them five Areas of fifteen foot square, and an Area of five foot square, being sufficient to contein four Sheep, therefore one of fifteen foot square must be capable of thirty six Sheep; Allowing one of these Areas at each end for stairs, there will eight of them remain, (viz. four at each end) to be reckoned upon for the conteining of Sheep; which eight will be capable of receiving 288 Sheep.

Besides these partitions, at the end there are five several passages marked BB, of seven foot wide for the more convenient access to the se∣veral Stalls; the four Areas on the side marked CC, designed for Stalls, are each of them eighteen foot wide, and about two hundred foot long. And the two middle Areas marked DD, are each of them twenty five foot wide, and about two hundred foot long.

Supposing the two middle Areas to be designed for Sheep; an Area of twenty five foot square must be capable of a hundred, and there being sixteen of these, they must be capable of 1600 Sheep, which being added to the former number of 288 will make 1888. somewhat more then 1825 the number assigned for those that were to be taken in for food.

The four side Areas marked CC, being each of them eighteen foot wide, and two hundred foot long, will be more then sufficient to contein the several beasts which were to be preserved for the propagating of their kind; for which in the foregoing Tables their is allotted to the length of their Stalls only six hundred and six foot, besides the largeness of the Stalls allotted to each of them. So that there will be near upon two hundred foot overplus, for the reception of any other beasts, not yet enumerated or discovered.

As for that fashion of the Keel of Ships now in use, whereby they are fitted for passage through the Waters, and to endure the motion of the Waves: This would not have been convenient for the business here de∣signed; The Ark being intended only for a kind of Float to swim above water, the flatness of its bottom, did render it much more capacious for the reception of those many living Creatures, which were to be contein∣ed in it. And tho towards the end of the Flood when it began to abate, God is said to Make a wind to pass over the Earth, whereby the waters were asswaged, Gen. 8.1. Yet 'tis not likely that in the time of the deluge, when the whole Earth was overflowed, that there should be any such rough and boisterous winds as might endanger a Ves••el of this Figure; such winds usually proceeding from dry Land.

[illustration]

From hence it may be evident, that there was sufficient room in the lower story for the convenient reception of all the sorts of beasts that are yet known, and probably for those other kinds that are yet un∣known to these parts of the World,

The next thing to be cleared up, is the capacity of the second story for conteining a years provision of food. In order to which 'tis to be ob∣served, that the several beasts feeding on hay, were before upon a fair cal∣culation supposed equal to ninety two Beeves: but to prevent all kind of Cavils which may be made at the proportioning of them, let them be as a hundred, besides the 1825. Sheep taken in for food. But now because these are to be devoured by five per diem, therefore the years provision to be made for them, is to be reckoned but as for half that number, viz. 912. These being divided by seven to bring them unto a proportion with the Beeves, will amount to 180, which added to the former hundred make 280, suppose three hundred. So then according to this supposition, there must be sufficient provision of hay in the second story to sustein three hundred Beeves for a whole year.

Now 'tis observed (saith Buteo) by Columella, who was very well ver∣sed in the experiments of Husbandry, that thirty or forty pound of hay is ordinarily sufficient for an Ox for one day, reckoning twelve ounces in the pound. But we will suppose forty of our pounds. And 'tis asserted by Buteo upon his own tryal and experience, that a solid cubit of dryed hay, compressed, as it uses to be, when it hath lain any considerable time in Mows or Reeks, doth weigh about forty pound; so that for three hundred Beeves for a whole year there must be 109500. such cubits of hay, (i. e.) 365. multiplied by 300. Now the second story being ten cubits high, three hundred long, and fifty broad, must contein 150000. solid cubits, which is more by 40500. then what is necessary for so much compressed hay; and will allow space enough both for any kind of beams and pillars necessary for the fabric, as likewise for other reposito∣ries, for such fruits, roots, grain or seed, as may be proper for the nourish∣ment of any of the other Animals. And likewise for such convenient passages and apertures in the floor as might be necessary for the putting down of the hay to the Stalls in the lower story. From which it is mani∣fest that the second story was sufficiently capacious of all those things de∣signed for it·

And then as for the third story; there can be no colour of doubt, but that one half of it will be abundantly sufficient for all the species of birds, tho they should be twice as many as are enumerated in the foregoing tables, together with food sufficient for their sustenance, because they are generally but of small bulk, and may easily be kept in several partiti∣ons or Cages over one another. Nor is there any reason to question, but that the other half would afford space enough both for Noah's family and utensils.

Upon the whole matter, it doth of the two, appear more difficult to as∣sign a sufficient number and bulk of necessary things, to answer the capa∣city of the Ark, rather then to find sufficient room for those several species of Animals already known. But because it may be reasonably presumed, that there are several other species of beasts and birds, especially in the undiscovered parts of the world, besides those here enumerated, therefore 'tis but reasonable to suppose the Ark to be of a bigger capacity, then

what may be sufficient for the things already known, and upon this ac∣count it may be asserted, that if such persons who are most expert in Phi∣losophy or Mathematicks, were now to assign the proportions of a Vessel that might be sutable to the ends here proposed, they could not (all things considered) find out any more accommodate to these purposes, then those here mentioned.

From what hath been said it may appear, that the measure and capa∣city of the Ark, which some Atheistical irreligious men make use of, as an argument against the Scripture, ought rather to be esteemed a most rational confirmation of the truth and divine authority of it. Especially if it be well considered, that in those first and ruder ages of the World, when men were less versed in Arts and Philosophy, and therefore pro∣bably more obnoxious to vulgar prejudices then now they are, yet the capacity and proportions of the Ark are so well adjusted to the things it was to contein; whereas if it had been a meer humane invention, 'tis most probable, that it would have been contrived according to those wild apprehensions, which (as I said before) do naturally arise from a more confused and general view of things, as much too big, as now such men are apt to think it too little, for those ends and purposes to which it was designed.

Notes

• * 1.1

  §. V.
• * 1.2

  I. WHOLE FOOTED BEASTS.
• * 1.3

  Equus.
• * 1.4

  Asinus. Mulus.
• * 1.5

  Lev. 11.4.26.
• * 1.6

  Camelus.
• * 1.7

  Eliphas.
• * 1.8

  II. CLOVEN FOOTED BEASTS.
• * 1.9

  Bos.
• * 1.10

  Ovis. Caper.
• * 1.11

  Alcis. Cervus.
• * 1.12

  Dama. Rangifer.
• * 1.13

  Capreolus.
• * 1.14

  Rhinoceros.
• * 1.15

  Camelopardus.
• * 1.16

  Porcus.
• * 1.17

  Ibex.
• * 1.18

  Gimpse Rupi∣capra. Gazel.
• * 1.19

  III. CLAW∣ED NOT RAPACI∣OUS.
• * 1.20

  Papio. Simia.
• * 1.21

  C••rcopithecus. Ignavus.
• * 1.22

  Levit. 11.
• * 1.23

  Lepus.
• * 1.24

  Cuniculus. Mus Alpinus.
• * 1.25

  Histrix. Echinus.
• * 1.26

  Sciurus,
• * 1.27

  Sorex. Mus domes••i∣cus.
• * 1.28

  Talpa.
• * 1.29

  Mus Norva∣gicus.
• * 1.30

  Mus Araneus.
• * 1.31

  Mus Avella∣narum.
• * 1.32

  Vespertilio.
• * 1.33

  IV. RAPA∣CIOUS CAT-KIND.
• * 1.34

  Leo. Vrsus,
• * 1.35

  Tigris. Pardus.
• * 1.36

  Lynx.
• * 1.37

  Catus. Zibetta.
• * 1.38

  Viverra. Putorius.
• * 1.39

  Martes.
• * 1.40

  Mustela.
• * 1.41

  Castor. Lutra.
• * 1.42

  V. RAPA∣CIOUS DOG-KIND.
• * 1.43

  Canis. Lupus.
• * 1.44

  Vulpes. Taxus.
• * 1.45

  Phocas.
• * 1.46

  Lupus aureus.
• * 1.47

  Tamandua. Ta••u.
• * 1.48

  S••••ivulpes.
• * 1.49

  VI. OVIPA∣ROUS BEASTS.
• * 1.50

  Testudo. Testudo mari∣na.
• * 1.51

  Rana. Bufo.
• * 1.52

  Crocodilus.
• * 1.53

  Lacerta. Chamal••••.
• * 1.54

  Salamandra terrestris. Salamandra aquatica.
• * 1.55

  Serp••n••.
• * 1.56

  Katrin t••••∣quata. Vipera.
• * 1.57

  Ca••illa.
• * 1.58

  §. VI.
• * 1.59

  1 Sam. 17.4.