The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

374 NOVUM ORGANUIM. BOOK II.
and perverse methods, ill adapted to the nature of organic body are subjectto the same examination.
the body upon which he operates. A clear path, In these, however, as in our former inquiries, and
therefore, towards this object, also must be thrown therefore in the whole investigation of latent conopen, and well supported. formation, the only genuine and clear light which
Labour is well and usefully bestowed upon completely dispels all darkness and subtile diffithe anatomy of organized bodies, such as those culties, is admitted by means of the primary
of men and animals, which appears to be a sub- axioms.
tile matter, and a useful examination of nature. 8. This method will not bring us to atoms,*9
This species of anatomy, however, is that of first which takes for granted the vacuum, and the imsight, open to the senses, and takes place only in mutability of matter, (neither of which hypotheses
organized bodies. It is obvious, and of ready is correct;) but to the real particles, such as we
access, when compared with the real anatomy of discover them to be. Nor is there any ground
latent conformation in bodies which are considered for alarm at this refinement, as if it were inexplisimilar, particularly in specific objects and their cable, for, on the contrary, the more inquiry is
parts: as those of iron, stone, and the similar directed to simple natures, the more will every
parts of plants and animals, as the root, the leaf, thing be placed in a plain and perspicuous light;
the flower, the flesh, the blood, and bones, &c. since we transfer our attention from the compliYet human industry has not completely neglected cated to the simple, from the incommensurable to
this species of anatomy: for we have an instance the commensurable, from surds to rational quantiof it in the separation of similar bodies by dis- ties, from the indefinite and vague to the definite
tillation, and other solutions, which shows the and certain: as when we arrive at the elements
dissimilarity of the compound, by the union of of letters, and the simple tories of concords. The
the homogeneous parts. These methods are use- investigation of nature is best conducted when
ful, and of importance to our inquiry, although mathemnatics are applied to physics. Again, let
attended generally with fallacy: for many na- none be alarmed at vast numbers and fractions;
tures are assigned and attributed to the separate for, in calculation, it is as easy to set down or to
bodies, as if they had previously existed in the reflect upon a thousand as a unit, or the thoucompound, which, in reality, are recently bestow- sandth part of an integer as an integer itself.
ed and superinduced by fire and heat, and the 9. Fromnt the two kinds of axioms above speciother modes of separation. Besides, it is, after fled arise the two divisions of philosophy and the
all, but a small part of the labour of discovering sciences, and we will use the commonly adopted
the real conformation in the compound, which is terms, which approach the nearest to our meaning,
so subtile and nice, that it is rather confused and in our own sense. Let the investigation of forms,
lost by the operation of the fire, than discovered which (in reasoning at least, and after their own
and brought to light. laws) are eternal and immutable, constitute mnelaA separation and solution of bodies, therefore, physics, and let the investigation of the efficient
is to be effected, not by fire indeed, but rather by cause of matter, latent process, and latent conforreasoning and true induction, with the assistance mation (which all relate merely to the ordinary
of experiment, and by a comparison with other course of nature, and not to her fundamental and
bodies, and a reduction to those simple natures eternal laws) constitute physics. Parallel to these
and their forms, which meet and are combined in let there be two practical divisions; to physics
the compound; and we must assuredly pass from that of mechanics, and to metaphysics that of vmagic,
Vulcan to Minerva, if we wish to bring to light in the purest sense of the term, as applied to its
the real texture and conformation of bodies, upon ample means and its command over nature.
which every occult and (as it is sometimes called) 10. The object of our philosophy being thus
specific property and virtue of things depends, laid down, we proceed to precepts, in the most
and whence, also, every rule of powerful change clear and regular order. The, signs for the interand transformation is deduced. pretation of nature comprehend two divisions: the
For instance, we must examine what spirit is first regards the eliciting or creating of axioms
in every body, what tangible essence; whether that from experiment, the second the deducing or despirit is copious and exuberant, or meagre and riving of new experiments from axioms. The
scarce, fine or coarse, aeriform or igniform, active first admits of three subdivisions into nsinistraor sluggish, weak or robust, progressive or retro- tions. 1. To the senses. 2. To the memory.
grade, abrupt or continuous, agreeing with external and surrounding objects, or differing from * The theory of the Epicureans and others. The atoms are
them, &c. In like manner must we treat tangi- supposed to be indivisible, unalterable particles, endued with
ble essence, (which admits of as many distinctions all the properties of the given body, and forming that body by
~~~s ~~ the *.irit,) and tB htheir union. They must be separated of course, whicheither
as the spirit,) and its hairs, fibres, and varied takes a vacuum for granted, or introduces a tertiume quid into
texture. Again, the situation of the spirit in the the composition of the body.
corporea'l mar;ss, its pores, passages, veins, and f compare the three following aphorisms with the three, and the rudiments or first essayso last chapters of the third book of the De Augmentis Scientiao?1s, aid the rudiments or first essays of the MM