The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

384 NOVUM ORGANUM. o13001 II.
instance'destroys an hypothesis as to the form. reject principal nature, by which we mean that
Still, however, for the sake of clearness, and in which exists positively, and is not caused by a
order to show more plainly the use of the tables, preceding nature.
we redouble or repeat the exclusive. There are other natures to be rejected; but we
are merely offering examples, and not perfect
Jn, Example of the exclusive Table, or of the Rejec- tables.
lion of Natures from the Form of Heat. tables.
None of the above natures are of the form of
1. On account of the sun's rays reject element- heat; and man is freed from them all in his opeary (or terrestrial) nature. ration upon heat.
2. On account of common fire, and particularly
subterranean fires, (which are the most remote'ph. 19.
and secluded from the rays of the heavenly In the exclusive table are laid the foundations
bodies,) reject celestial nature. of true induction, which is not, however, com3. On account of the heat acquired by every pleted until the affirmative be attained. Nor is
description of substances, (as minerals, vegeta- the exclusive table perfect, nor can it be so at
bles, the external parts of animals, water, oil, first. For it is clearly a rejection of simple
air, &c.) by mere approximation to the fire or any natures; but if we have not as yet good and just
warm body, reject all variety and delicate texture notions of simple natures, how can the exclusive
of bodies. table be made correct l Some of the above, as
4. On account of iron and ignited metals, the notion of elementary and celestial nature
which warm other bodies, and yet neither lose and rarity, are vague and ill-defined. We,
their weight nor substance, reject the imparting therefore, who are neither ignorant nor forgetful
or mixing of the substance of the heating body. of the great work which we attempt, in rendering
5. On account of boiling water and air, and the human understanding adequate to things and
also those metals and other solid bodies which nature, by no means rest satisfied with what we
are heated, but not to ignition, or red heat, reject have hitherto enforced; but push the matter farflame or light. ther, and contrive and prepare more powerful aid
6. On account of the rays of the moon and for the use of the understanding, which we will
other heavenly bodies, (except the sun,) again next subjoin. And, indeed, in the interpretation
reject flame or light. of nature, the mind is to be so prepared and
7. On account of the comparison between red- formed, as to rest itself on proper degrees of cerhot iron and the flame of spirits of wine, (for the tainty, and yet to remember, (especially at first,)
iron is more hot and less bright, whilst the flame that what is present, depends much upon what
of spirits of wine is more bright and less hot,) remains behind.
again reject flame and light. 20. Since, however, truth emerges more readily
S. On account of gold and other ignited metals, from error than confusion, we consider it useful
which are of the greatest specific density, reject to leave the understanding at liberty to exert itself,
rarity. and attempt the interpretation of nature in the
9. On account of air, which is generally found affirmative, after having constructed and weighed
to be cold and yet continues rare, reject rarity. the three tables of preparation, such as we have
10. On account of ignited iron,* which does laid them down, both from the instances there
not swell in bulk, but retains the same apparent collected, and others occurring elsewhere. Which
dimension, reject the absolute expansive motion attempt we are wont to call the liberty of the
of the whole. understanding, or the commencement of interpre11. On account of the expansion of the air in tation, or the first vintage.
thermometers, and the like, which is absolutely
moved and expanded to the eye, and yet acquires The first Vintage of the Form of Heat.
no manifest increase of heat, again reject absolute It must be observed that the form of any thing
or expansive motion of the whole. is inherent (as appears clearly from our premises)
12. On account of the ready application of in each individual instance in which the thing
heat to all substances, without any destruction or itself is inherent, or it would not be a form. No
remarkable alteration of them, reject destructive contradictory instance, therefore, can be alleged.
nature or the violent communication of any new The form, however, is found to be much more
nature. conspicuous and evident in some instances than
13. On account of the agreement and conform- in others; in those, for example, where its nature
lty of the effects produced by cold and heat, is less restrained and embarrassed, and reduced
reject both expansive and contracting motion as to rule by other natures. Such instances we are
]egards the whole. wont to term coruscations, or conspicuous in14. On account of the heat excited by friction, stances. We must proceed then to the first vin* This is erroneous: all metals expand considerably when tage of the form of heat.
heated. From the instances taken collectively, as well