228194Natural Hiſtory;
fication is a gentle and proportionable heat, working upon a gluttinous and
yielding ſubſtance; for the heat doth bring forth Spirit in that ſubſtance,
and the ſubſtance being gluttinous, produceth two effects; the one, That
the Spirit is detained, and cannot break forth; the other That the matter
being gentle and yielding, is driven forwards by the motion of the Spirits,
after ſome ſwelling into ſhape and members. Therefore all Sperm, all Men-
ſtruous ſubſtance, all matter whereof Creatures are produced by Putrefacti-
on, have evermore a Cloſeneſs, Lentor, and Sequacity. It ſeemeth therefore
that the Generation by Sperm onely, and by Putrefaction, have two diffe-
rent cauſes. The firſt is, for that Creatures which have a definite and exact
ſhape (as thoſe have which are procreated by Copulation) cannot be produ-
ced by a weak and caſual heat; nor out of matter, which is not exactly pre-
pared according to the Species, The ſecond is, for that there is a greater
time required for Maturation of perfect Creatures; for if the time required
in Vivification be of any length, then the Spirit will exhale before the Crea-
ture be mature; except it be incloſed in a place where it may have continu-
ance of the heat, acceſs of ſome nouriſhment to maintain it, and cloſeneſs
that may keep it from exhaling; and ſuch places, or the Wombs and Matri-
ces of the Females: And therefore all Creatures made of Putrefaction, are
of more uncertain ſhape, and are made in ſhorter time, and need not ſo per-
fect an encloſure, though ſome cloſeneſs be commonly required. As for
the Heathen opinion, which was, That upon great mutations of the World,
perfect Creatures were firſt ingendred of Concretion, as well as Frogs, and
Worms, and Flies, and ſuch like, are now; we know it to be vain: But if
any ſuch thing ſhould be admitted, diſcourſing according to ſenſe, it cannot
be, except you admit of a Chaos firſt, and commixture of Heaven and Earth;
for the Frame of the World once in order, cannot effect it by any exceſs or
caſualty.
yielding ſubſtance; for the heat doth bring forth Spirit in that ſubſtance,
and the ſubſtance being gluttinous, produceth two effects; the one, That
the Spirit is detained, and cannot break forth; the other That the matter
being gentle and yielding, is driven forwards by the motion of the Spirits,
after ſome ſwelling into ſhape and members. Therefore all Sperm, all Men-
ſtruous ſubſtance, all matter whereof Creatures are produced by Putrefacti-
on, have evermore a Cloſeneſs, Lentor, and Sequacity. It ſeemeth therefore
that the Generation by Sperm onely, and by Putrefaction, have two diffe-
rent cauſes. The firſt is, for that Creatures which have a definite and exact
ſhape (as thoſe have which are procreated by Copulation) cannot be produ-
ced by a weak and caſual heat; nor out of matter, which is not exactly pre-
pared according to the Species, The ſecond is, for that there is a greater
time required for Maturation of perfect Creatures; for if the time required
in Vivification be of any length, then the Spirit will exhale before the Crea-
ture be mature; except it be incloſed in a place where it may have continu-
ance of the heat, acceſs of ſome nouriſhment to maintain it, and cloſeneſs
that may keep it from exhaling; and ſuch places, or the Wombs and Matri-
ces of the Females: And therefore all Creatures made of Putrefaction, are
of more uncertain ſhape, and are made in ſhorter time, and need not ſo per-
fect an encloſure, though ſome cloſeneſs be commonly required. As for
the Heathen opinion, which was, That upon great mutations of the World,
perfect Creatures were firſt ingendred of Concretion, as well as Frogs, and
Worms, and Flies, and ſuch like, are now; we know it to be vain: But if
any ſuch thing ſhould be admitted, diſcourſing according to ſenſe, it cannot
be, except you admit of a Chaos firſt, and commixture of Heaven and Earth;
for the Frame of the World once in order, cannot effect it by any exceſs or
caſualty.