29012The Hiſtory of Life and Death.
It may be a Poſition, that Creatures which partake more of the ſubſtance of their Mother
112. than of their Father are longer-liv’d, as Birds are; which was ſaid before Alſo that thoſe
which have a longer time of bearing in the womb, do partake more of the ſubſtance of their
Mother, leſs of the Father, and ſo are longer-liv’d: Inſomuch that I am of opinion, that even
among ſt Men, (which I have noted in ſome) thoſe that reſemble their Mothers moſt are
longeſt-liv’d; and ſo are the Children of Oldmen begotten of young V Vives, if the Fathers be
ſound, not diſeaſed.
112. than of their Father are longer-liv’d, as Birds are; which was ſaid before Alſo that thoſe
which have a longer time of bearing in the womb, do partake more of the ſubſtance of their
Mother, leſs of the Father, and ſo are longer-liv’d: Inſomuch that I am of opinion, that even
among ſt Men, (which I have noted in ſome) thoſe that reſemble their Mothers moſt are
longeſt-liv’d; and ſo are the Children of Oldmen begotten of young V Vives, if the Fathers be
ſound, not diſeaſed.
The firſt breeding of Creatures is ever material, either to their hurt or benefit.
And
223. therefore it ſtands with reaſon, that the leſſer Compreſſion, and the more liberal Alimenta-
tion of the Young one in the womb, ſhould confer much to Long Life. Now this happens
when either the young ones are brought forth ſucceſſively; as in Birds; or when they are ſingle
Births, as in Creatures bearing but one at a Burthen
223. therefore it ſtands with reaſon, that the leſſer Compreſſion, and the more liberal Alimenta-
tion of the Young one in the womb, ſhould confer much to Long Life. Now this happens
when either the young ones are brought forth ſucceſſively; as in Birds; or when they are ſingle
Births, as in Creatures bearing but one at a Burthen
But long Bearing in the Womb makes for Length of Life three ways.
Firſt, for that the
334. young one partakes more of the ſubſtance of the Mother, as hath been ſaid. Secondly, that
it comes forth more ſtrong and able. Thirdly, that it undergoes the predatory force of the Air
later, Beſides, it ſhews that Nature intendeth to finiſb her periods by larger Circles. Now
though Oxen and Sheep, which are born in the womb about ſix months, are but ſhort-liv’d, that
happens for other cauſes.
334. young one partakes more of the ſubſtance of the Mother, as hath been ſaid. Secondly, that
it comes forth more ſtrong and able. Thirdly, that it undergoes the predatory force of the Air
later, Beſides, it ſhews that Nature intendeth to finiſb her periods by larger Circles. Now
though Oxen and Sheep, which are born in the womb about ſix months, are but ſhort-liv’d, that
happens for other cauſes.
Feeders upon Graſs and mere Herbs are but ſoort livers;
and Creatures feeding upon
445. Fleſh, or Seeds, or Fruits, long livers, as ſome Birds are. As for Harts, which are long-liv’d,
they take the one half of their meat (as men uſe to ſay) from above their heads; and the
Gooſe, beſides Graſs, findeth ſomething in the water, and stubble to feed upon.
445. Fleſh, or Seeds, or Fruits, long livers, as ſome Birds are. As for Harts, which are long-liv’d,
they take the one half of their meat (as men uſe to ſay) from above their heads; and the
Gooſe, beſides Graſs, findeth ſomething in the water, and stubble to feed upon.
u e ſuppoſe that a good Cloathing of the Body maketh much to long life;
for it fenceth
556. and armeth againſt the intemper ances of the Air, which do wonderfully aſſail and decay the
body: which benefit Birds eſpecially have. Now that Sheep, which have ſo good Fteeces,
ſhould be ſo ſhort-liv’d, that is to be imputed to Diſeaſes, where of that Creature is full, and to
the bare eating of Graſs.
556. and armeth againſt the intemper ances of the Air, which do wonderfully aſſail and decay the
body: which benefit Birds eſpecially have. Now that Sheep, which have ſo good Fteeces,
ſhould be ſo ſhort-liv’d, that is to be imputed to Diſeaſes, where of that Creature is full, and to
the bare eating of Graſs.
The ſeat of the Spirits, without doubt, is principally the Head;
which though it be uſual-
667. ly underſtood of the Animal Spirits onely, yet this is all in all. Again, it is not to be doubted
but the Spirits do moſt of all waſte and prey upon the Body, ſo that when they are either in
greater plenty, or in greater Inflamation and Acrimony, there the life is much ſhortned.
And therefore I conceive a great cauſe of long life in Birds to be the ſmalneſs of their
Heads in compariſon of their Bodies; for even Men which have very great Heads I ſuppoſe
to be the ſhorter livers.
667. ly underſtood of the Animal Spirits onely, yet this is all in all. Again, it is not to be doubted
but the Spirits do moſt of all waſte and prey upon the Body, ſo that when they are either in
greater plenty, or in greater Inflamation and Acrimony, there the life is much ſhortned.
And therefore I conceive a great cauſe of long life in Birds to be the ſmalneſs of their
Heads in compariſon of their Bodies; for even Men which have very great Heads I ſuppoſe
to be the ſhorter livers.
I am of opinion that Carriage is of all other motions the moſt helpful to long life;
which I
778. alſo noted before. Now there are carried Water-fowls upon the water, as Swans; all Birds
in their flying, but with a ſtrong endeavour of their limbs; and Fiſhes, of the length of
whoſe live we have no certainty.
778. alſo noted before. Now there are carried Water-fowls upon the water, as Swans; all Birds
in their flying, but with a ſtrong endeavour of their limbs; and Fiſhes, of the length of
whoſe live we have no certainty.
Thoſe Creatures which are long before they come to their perfection (not ſpeaking of
889. growth in ſtature onely, but of other ſteps to maturity; as Man puts forth, firſt, his Teeth,
next the ſigns of Puberty, then his beard, and ſo forward) are long liv’d, for it ſhews that
Nature finiſhed her Periods by larger Circles,
889. growth in ſtature onely, but of other ſteps to maturity; as Man puts forth, firſt, his Teeth,
next the ſigns of Puberty, then his beard, and ſo forward) are long liv’d, for it ſhews that
Nature finiſhed her Periods by larger Circles,
Milder Creatures are not long-liv’d, as the Sheep and Dove;
for Choler is as the whet-
9910. ſtone and Spur to many Functions in the Body.
9910. ſtone and Spur to many Functions in the Body.
Creatures whoſe Fleſh is more duskiſh are longer-liv’d than thoſe that have white Fleſh;
101011. for it ſheweth that the juice of the body is more firm, and leſs apt to diſſipate.
101011. for it ſheweth that the juice of the body is more firm, and leſs apt to diſſipate.
In every corruptible Body Quantity maketh much to the conſervation of the whole:
for
111112. a great Fire is longer in quenching, a ſmall portion of Water is ſooner evaporated, the Body
of a Tree withereth not ſo faſt as a Twig, And therefore generally (I ſpeak it of Species, not
of Individuals) Creatures that are large in body are longer-liv’d than thoſe that are ſmall,
unleſs there be ſome other potent cauſe to hinder it.
111112. a great Fire is longer in quenching, a ſmall portion of Water is ſooner evaporated, the Body
of a Tree withereth not ſo faſt as a Twig, And therefore generally (I ſpeak it of Species, not
of Individuals) Creatures that are large in body are longer-liv’d than thoſe that are ſmall,
unleſs there be ſome other potent cauſe to hinder it.