Phocæna, or The anatomy of a porpess dissected at Gresham Colledge: with a præliminary discourse concerning anatomy, and a natural history of animals.

A Preliminary Discourse Concerning ANATOMY AND A NATURAL HISTORY OF ANIMALS.

SInce first I applyed my self to Physick, and had spent some time in the various studies thereof; though each had its peculiar Charms, which al∣lured and greatly delighted the Mind busied and imployed therein; yet that of Anatomy in a more extraordinary manner affected my Genius. The great and useful discoveries that of late have been made by it in the Lesser World, have equalled, if not exceeded those done by curious Adventurers and Saylers in the Greater. New Tracts, new Lands, new Seas are daily sound out, and fresh descriptions of unknown Coun∣treys still from both brought in; so that we are forced to alter our Maps, and make anew the Geography of both again. Nor have the discoveries of the Indies more en∣riched

the world of old, than those of Anatomy now have improved both Natural and Medical Science: Nor can I tell how otherwise we can attain to that advice of the Oracle, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, but by Anatomy. Natures Synthe∣tic Method in the composure and structure of Animal Bo∣dies, is best learn't by this Analytic; by taking to pieces this Automaton, and viewing asunder the several Parts, Wheels and Springs that give it life and motion.

Physick certainly must acknowledge Anatomy its best Cynosure; and that Pilot must needs err and wander, who without it, being ignorant of the various Seas and Coasts he sails in, steers all in the dark and at random: or if possibly it happens that sometimes he be cast into the desired Port or Haven; yet he is to be esteemed more fortunate than skilful. The dissection of Morbid Bodies af∣fords the best account of Diseases; and often indicates the cure in others: that of Sanous, informs us of the true texture and uses of the parts. Both have their great ad∣vantages, both ought with equal Care and Sollicitousness to be cultivated. But since we must know what is the right, before we can understand the various deviations from that Rule; great and laborious have been the Re∣serches both of the present and former Ages, for the at∣taining this: But in nothing have their endeavours been more successful than in making a comparative survey. Nature when more shy in one, hath more freely con∣fest and shewn herself in another; and a Fly sometimes hath given greater light towards the true knowledge of the structure and the uses of the Parts in Humane Bodies, than an often repeated dissection of the same might have done. Hence it is that the great Improvers of this Learn∣ing have digged so much in these rich Mines, and have brought from thence so vast treasures; though they are still so far from exhausting them, or proclaiming Nature's Penury, that they cannot sufficiently extol her Bounty, or with too passionate a Zeal sollicit a farther prosecution of so great a work; which by their example and success

therein, they have both credited and encouraged. We must not therefore think the meanest of the Creation vile or useless, since that in them in lively Characters (if we can but read) we may find the knowledge of a Deity and our selves. What often our inconsiderate Ignorance disregards and thinks but despicable, were there a just scrutiny made, it could not but excite our greatest admi∣ration, and extort a Confession of its admirable contri∣vance and workmanship. In every Animal there is a world of wonders; each is a Microcosme or a world in it self: And that great Conquerour of the world, who wept that there was but one for his ambitious Rage to spoil, at length more nobly had his desires in these, and with greater Glory hath eterniz'd his Name, when after he had ravag'd the Air, Sea and Land, at last committed to Aristotle to write the History of his Trophies. The wisest of Kings and Men may be thought to have gained great part of his knowledge from them. Nor ever was there an Age so ignorant and Brutish, but in some mea∣sure or other hath endeavoured to bequeath to Posterity their Learning herein. Ours that hath so widely exten∣ded the Pomoeria or former Boundaries of all good Learn∣ing, and with vast labour hath at last pulled down those Herculean Pillars, that too narrowly confined its Em∣pire; having vindicated its just Liberties from the Tyran∣ny of usurping Authorities, and the Credulous slavery to some Great Names, does daily bring in its stores for the rearing a new and more lasting structure of Natural History. For impartially viewing the Build∣ings of the old, and finding in so many Places its founda∣tions so weak and infirm, although many of its Materials may serve again, yet it has been thought more adviseable to pull it down and begin a new, than to repair the Ru∣ines of so decrepit an Edifice. In so great a work many hands are daily imployed, some in battering down and re∣moving the Rubbish, others in endeavouring to lay a good foundation; some dig for new stone, others labour in polishing it; others in inventing new and more conve∣nient

Instruments and tools to work with; some give their Pains, others their Purses; all their desires and good wishes to so noble a design. But since it will be some time before we can expect so vast a Pile to be compleated; great care must be had, that what is brought in, be pre∣served and secured either from the Injuries of the wea∣ther or times, or danger of being squandered away, and that all may be ready at hand when they come to have occasion of using it in raising this stately fabrick; for the modelling and contriving of which the skilfullest Artists must be consulted with, though even the meanest in some things may give in their Informations. I shall therefore here propose a rude Draught or Sciagraphy of a Natural History of Animals; such as hastily occurred to me; not what may be done, or the thing requires, but what haply may afford some Hints to others.

In compiling therefore a Natural History of Animals, I have alwayes thought that Ambition of some of writing an Ʋniversal, more Pompous than Instructive; for the Method they have usually taken hath been to rake in all from former Authors, without separating the weeds, or sifting the chaff from the Grain: By this they have far∣ther propagated many antiquated errors, without adding much new Truths to the stock themselves. But had they taken as much pains and travail in searching the Books of Nature as they have in those of former Writers, and instead of giving us an account of Animals of forrain Countreys (which they could not observe) they had made a curious and strict Inquiry into those of their own, their accounts would have been more faithful and wel∣come, and they have deserved more for this Particular, than their universal History.

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I could therefore wish we had a good History of the Animals of our own Countrey, and not like giddy Tra∣vellers

ramble abroad to see fine things, and still remain ignorant of what we have at home. This History I could desire likewise might commence from the lowest degree of Animation in Zoophyta's or Plant-animals; in∣quiring here into Nature's first Rudiments and obscurer Vestigia of forming the Organs of an Amphibious life in them; then gradually ascending by her clew to run through all the various Tribes of Animals; carefully ob∣serving all along the Harmony she keeps, or the Liberty she takes in the different formation of them, and from the whole to give a general Prospect of her workings.

The various tribes of Animals I may reckon Insects, Reptiles, Fishes, Birds, Quadrupeds, and the Intermediate species; and of these may be given

An Account Physiological. Anatomical. Medical.

• The Physiological Account may contain The Names Synonyma's of our own or other Nations both Antient and Modern.
• Their general and external descriptions.
• Their various species and subdivisions, and Characte∣ristical marks.
• The Places they most frequent or are bred in.
• The season when, and the time how long they live.
• Their way of Living, their Food, &c.
• Any remarkable Observations relating to their saga∣city, &c.
• The use and Benefit they afford to Man, &c.
• for Food, and the best way of ordering them.
• for Cloathing.
• for Mechanical uses, &c.

• The Injuries they do, how to be avoided or remedied.
• The wayes of taking, preserving, propagating or de∣stroying them.

Former Naturalists in their Histories have contented themselves with more or fewer of these Inquiries, in which yet they too too oft misguide us by their Accounts taken from unsaithful Relators, or the fabulous Records of the Antients; nauseating and obscuring the whole by tedious Philological Harangues, or troublesome quotati∣ons for the confronting or establishing the Opinions of some; relying on others, when Autopsie, and their own Experience can only inform them; and their Conscience and eyes may be as a thousand Witnesses. I cannot see how a Natural History of Animals can be writ without Zootomy; at best their Accounts can be but superficial, and by them we may know a Pig from a Dog, or that this is a Bull, a Bear or Monky; but still remain ignorant of the curious Contrivance and Mechanisme of Nature within; just as if a person should think he had suffici∣ently described a Watch, when he had only taken notice of the Case, the Studs, the Glass, the figures and hand; by this he may know it to be perhaps a Watch, but knows not how it so exactly measures time. This most necessa∣ry part therefore and most instructive,

The Anatomical Account may contain,

1. An accurate Dissection and Description of all the solid Parts, to be illustrated (where necessary) with Fi∣gures; and herein to be mentioned not only their Site, Number, Figure, Colour, Magnitude, their Cavities, Ves∣sels, Integuments, Substances, Ligaments, and Commu∣nications they have with other Parts, but likewise in some, a more strict scrutiny may be made into their utmost Tex∣tures, by unravelling the same, and by the assistances of Glasses and other Methods. Thus viewing Nature where she more plainly discovers herself, by the Logick of a fair Analogy we may conclude she works the same, where yet

her tracts are more obscure, and shuns the view of our most sollicitous Inquiry.

2. But since life and the whole Oeconomia Animalis con∣sists chiefly in the fluider Parts of our Bodies; I have al∣wayes thought it a too narrow confinement of Anatomy, when restrained only to the search of the Containing Parts. The Contained likewise and Fluids are capable of an Ana∣lysis, if not by the knife, yet fire: and the various mix∣tures made of them with Acids and Alkali's of various sorts and consistences; and observing thence the various Results of Fermentations, Ebullitions, Coagulations, altera∣tions in Colours, and other Qualities, will afford abundance of curious and instructive speculations: and I would have not only a view to be made of all the Humours in each sin∣gle subject, but upon the whole a Reflection to be made; and from such a stock of Experiments, we may warrant an Inference, and be more happy in our guesses about the uses of the Parts, and the Offices they perform in this Oeconomy.

3. The Psychologia likewise will here deserve to be con∣sidered. Sensation and Motion, and what other functions there are of the soul, by such a Comparative survey may be rendered more intelligible; and from a clearer know∣ledge of them in Brutes, at length we may come the bet∣ter to know our selves.

4. Lastly, Embryotomia and the History of Generation, These as they will require a great deal of Labour in the Reserch, so will they abundantly recompence the Pains by the great plenty they will afford of fruitful Observa∣tions. Nature viewed in her naked form, in the first organization of Animal Bodies, before she hath drawn over the veil of slesh, and obscured her first lines by the succeeding varnish of her last hand, more freely dis∣plays herself, and suffers us to behold the disjoynted Parts of this admirable Machine, and how it is that in time she puts them all together: this certainly will be of the great∣est consequence both for the knowing the structure and the uses of the Parts.

But that we may yet reap farther advantage from this disquisition, and render it serviceable for the Prolongati∣on of Humane, as well as their own lives, I have added

The Medical Account, which may contain as well the Diseases they are most obnoxious to, with the History of Cures performed either by themselves, or the assistance of Others; as also the Copia of Medicines that may be thence obtained, for the enriching and inlarging Phar∣macy.

Physick, if we may believe the Antients, in its Infancy, took its Rise from Bruits; they taught us the use of Cly∣sters, Bleeding, Purging, Vomiting, the Soveraign vertues of Plants against Poysons, Haemorrhagies, Wounds, Blind∣ness, and almost the whole stock of all Pandora's Evils. And certainly were we but diligent in observing, our Rea∣son might here learn a great deal, which Provident Na∣ture hath taught them by Instinct to out do us in.

Experience tells us, some Distempers sometimes are more happily cured in them, than in Men. Physick at first was but Empiricy; success in one, encourag'd a try∣al in another. I could therefore wish we had an History of Cures performed on Brutes. The Antient Physicians thought this study not below them; hence 'tis we have the Medicina Veterinaria, Mulo-Medicina, Hippiatria, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. By this we may not only preserve their Lives for our Profits or Pleasure; but likewise be provided with further means of prolonging and lengthening our own.

Likewise on these Subjects when diseased, variety of Experiments may be tryed for the proof of the force of Medicines, for conquering the most stubborn distempers; the causes of their ailements may be enquired into by Anatomy, and more daring attempts offered at, which at length by repeated success in them, may be essayed in Man. In short, there is no part of Physick but what may receive Improvements from them, there being not that dif∣ference between our Bodies and theirs, only our Intem∣perance

hath made us liable to a greater number of dis∣eases.

As already they have furnished us with a great store of generous Medicines; so I doubt not, but that if a strict search were made, we might easily augment the stock from them. I could therefore wish, that this likewise were prosecuted, and the best Methods of preparing and giving them were faithfully recorded.

Having run through these three Accounts, the Physiolo∣gical, the Anatomical and Medical, a reflection upon the whole may be made; and the Pseudodoxia or false Opini∣ons of the Antients, and the fabulous traditions concerning them, may be taken notice of, rather by way of Catalogue than a larger Confutation.

But here it may be objected perhaps by some, That this design is too great to be effected, since a single subject so to be examined, will make a volume, and require some years, and the assistances of several heads and hands. But however slothful Ignorance may hence take a discourage∣ment, yet nothing is insuperable to diligence and pains. But he certainly is to blame, who because he can't have all, grows sullen, and will have none. If what may, were but performed, such a stock would easily be added to by future diligence; and far better a little with accu∣rateness, than an heap of rubbish carelesly thrown toge∣ther. Malpighi in his Silk-worm hath done more, than Jonston in his whole book of Insects; and he and the Inge∣nious Dr. Grew have taught us far more of Plants, than either Gerard or Parkinson. Since therefore it requires so much Pains, Expence and Time, many hands must be en∣gaged therein; although it were to be desired, that some whose great Labours and Experience had rendred them more capable and expert, were more immediately con∣cerned. Nor were it difficult, were there more Alexan∣ders to find out Aristotles.

All Animals are not capable of all these heads of In∣quiry, and several are so near a kin, that having fully de∣scribed a Genus, the accidental differences of its various species would be soon absolved; nor would there need a Repetition, but a bare Recital of the most remarkable discrepances; as the Anatomy of a Porpess might in∣differently serve for a Dolphin, and most of the Cetace∣ous kind. I could therefore wish that at least for the present we had an Account of the most Anomalous and Heteroclite sorts of Animals; or such whose spe∣cies are most different. These Essays as they would animate Others to the Prosecution of the same, so like∣wise they would be a great help and assistance to them in the design. Something this way I may do per∣haps my self; and though I may not be so able or skilful as to hit the mark, or to catch the Game; yet having raised it, and given the alarm to others, they may more successfully persue it.

What is here performed in the Anatomy of a Por∣pess; since 'tis but from a single Observation, and the first of the kind I had opportunity of dissecting, I can∣not think it so exact or full, but that another or my self upon a review, might meet with mistakes, or make additions thereto. Which is but what I have here done to those Accounts given us already of the Ana∣tomy of this Fish, by the famous Rondeletius, Bartholine, Jo. Dan. Major, and Mr. Ray. However had it not met with more favourable Censures than my own, it might have still enjoyed, what it best deserves, the si∣lent confinement of my Study. But since it creeps abroad, I must here acknowledge the kindness of my most Ingenious Friend Mr. Hook, and those worthy Persons, who gave me the opportunity of making the Ob∣servation; And his particular assisting me in design∣ing

several of the figures, and other favours deserve my best Remembrance.

I shall only farther add, that we may here take notice of something of Nature's working, and gradual formation of the different Species of Animals; who like a curious Artist in designing the richest Tapistry, does not hastily pass from one extreme Colour to another; but curiously shadowing and intermixing the same, does give a greater Grace and Beauty to the whole. This is but what hath been formerly observed by that antient Christian Philosopher Nemesius in his 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (p. m. 7.) where he tells us, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. several instances he gives of this amphibious or Hermophroditical Nature of Animals and Natural Bodies; or as it were a scale or Gradation of them; as first in Zoophyta's, then in the Testaceous Kind and Worms, then in more complete Brutes; after in such whose sagacity approaches the consines of Reason; at last in Man and Intelligent Be∣ings, that are a boundary between Divinity and the Creation. What we have here is a signal Example of the same between Land-Quadrupeds and Fishes; for if we view a Porpess on the outside, there is nothing more than a fish; if we look within, there is nothing less. It cannot abide upon the Land so much as the Phoca, yet is often drowned in its own Element, and hath a constant need of the reciprocal motion of Air in Respiration. It is viviparous, does give suck, and hath all its Organs so contrived according to the stan∣dard of them in Land-Quadrupeds; that one would al∣most think it to be such, but that it lives in the Sea, and hath but two fore sins. The Contrivance and Structure of several of its parts are most curious and admirable; much illustrating divers late Inventions

of some, and affording good hints for making others. And certainly by carefully perusing these Books of Na∣ture, we shall not squander away our time in trifles, but may expect to meet with what will both please and ravish the Phancy, inform the Judgement and en∣rich the mind with the knowledge of God in his works, and of our selves.