The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

52 NATURAL HISTORY. CENT. IV.
doth hasten putrefaction, so convenient drying, and it sorted not: for dry bladders will not blow:
whereby the more radical moisture is only kept and new bladders rather further putrefaction: the
in, putteth back putrefaction; so we see that way were therefore to blow strongly with a pair
herbs and flowers, if they be dried in the shade, of bellows into a hogshead, putting into the
or dried in the hot sun for asmall time, keep best. hogshead, before, that which you would have
For the emission Sof the loose and adventitious preserved; and in the instant that you withdraw
moisture doth betray the radical moisture, and the bellows, stop the hole close.,
carrieth it out for company.
346. The sixth is the strengthening of the Experiment solitary touching wood shining in the
spirits of bodies: for as a great heat keepeth dark.
bodies from putrefaction, but a tepid heat inclineth 352. The experiment of wood that shineth in
them to putrefaction; so a strong spirit likewise the dark, we have diligently driven and pursued:
preserveth, and a weak or faint spirit disposeth to the rather, for that of all things that give light
corruption. So we find that salt water corrupteth here below, it is the most durable, and hath least
not so soon as fresh: and salting of oysters, and apparent motion. Fire and flame are in continual
powdering of meat, keepeth them from putrefac- expense; sugar shineth only while it is in scraption. It would be tried also whether chalk put ing; and saltwater while it is in dashing; glowinto water, or drink, doth not preserve it from worms have their shining while they live, or a
putrefying or speedy souring. So we see that little after; only scales of fishes putrefied seem to
strong beer will last longer than small; and all be of the same nature with shining wood: and it
things that arc hot and aromatical do help to is true, that all putrefactionhath with it aninward
preserve liquors, or powders, &c., which they do motion, as well as fire or light. The trial sorted
as well by strengthening the spirits as by soak- *thus: 1. The shining is in some pieces more
ing out the loose moisture. bright, in some more din; but the most bright
347. The seventh is separation of the cruder of all doth not attain to the light of a glow-worm.
parts, and thereby making the body more equal; 2. The woods that have been tried to shine, are
for all imperfect mixture is apt to putrefy; and chiefly sallow and willow; also the ash and hazle;
watery substances are rore apt to putrefy than it may be it holdeth in others. 3. Both root and
oily. So we-see distilled waters will last longer bodies do shine, but the roots better. 4. The
than raw waters; and things that have passed colour of the shining part, by day-light, is in some
the fire do last longer than those that have not pieces white, in some pieces inclining to red;
passed the fire, as dried pears, &c. which in the country they call the white and red
348. Theeighthisthedrawingforthcontinually garret. 5. The part that shineth is, for the most
of that part where the putrefaction beginneth; part, somewhat soft, and moist to feel to, but some
which is, commonly, the loose and watery moist- was found to be firm and hard, so as it might be
ure; not only for the reason before given, that it figured into a cross, or into beads, &c. But you
provoketh the radical moisture to come forth with must not look to have an image, or the like, in
it; but because being detained in the body, the any thing that is lightsome; for even a face in
putrefaction taking hold of it, infecteth the rest: iron red-hot will not be seen, the light confoundas we see in the embalming of dead bodies; and ing the small differences of lightsome and darkthe same reason is of preserving herbs, or fruits, some, which show the figure. 6. There was the
or flowers, in bran or meal. shining part pared off, till you came to that that
349. The ninth is the commixture of any thing did not shine; but within two days the part conthat is more oily or sweet: for such bodies are tiguous began also to shine, being laid abroad in
least apt to putrefy, the air worketh little upon the dew: so as it seemeth the putrefaction spreadthem, and they not putrefying, preserve the rest. eth. 7. There was other dead wood of like kind
And therefore we see syrups and ointments will that was laid abroad, which shined not at the first;
lastlonger than juices. but after a night's lying abroad began to shine.
350. The tenth is the commixture of somewhat 8. There was other wood that did first shine;
that is dry; for putrefaction beginneth first from and being laid dry in the house, within five or
the spirits and then from the moisture; and that six days lost the shining; and laid abroad again,
that is dry is unapt to putrefy: and therefore recovered the shining. 9. Shining woods being
smoke preserveth flesh; as we see in bacon and laid in a dry room, within a seven-night lose their
neats' tongues, and Martlemas beef, &c. shining; but being laid in a cellar, or dark room,
351. The opinion of some of the ancients, that keeps the shining. 10. The boring of holes in
blown airs do preserve bodies longer than other that kind of wood, and then laying it abroad,
airs, seemeth to me probable; for that the blown seemeth to conduce to make it shine: the cause
airs, being overcharged and compressed, will is, for that all solution of continuity doth help on
hardly receive the exhaling of any thing, but putrefaction, as was touched before. 11. No
rather repulse it. It was tried in a blown bladder, wood hath been yet tried to shine, that was cut
wbeereilto flesh was put, and likewise a flower, down alive, but such as was rotted both in stock