ANATOMICAL EXERCITATIONS, Concerning the GENERATION Of Living Creatures: To which are added Particular Discourses, of Births, and of Conceptions, etc. By WILLIAM HARVEY, Doctor of Physic, and Professor of Anatomy, and Chirurgery, in the COLLEGE of Physicians of LONDON.  
LONDON, Printed by James Young, for Octavian Pulleyn, and are to be sold at his Shop at the Sign of the Rose in St. Paul's Churchyard. 1653.   

TO THE Venerable, & highly Accomplished, THE PRECEDENT & FELLOWS of the COLLEGE of Physicians in LONDON, GEORGE ENT Wisheth Health and full Felicity.  
ABout Christmas last, while, full weary of anxious, and in the end not much availing Solicitude, I endeavoured to render my mind serene, and free from that Eclipse; I addressed myself to that Eminent Person, the chiefest Glory and Ornament of our College, Doctor Harvey, at that time residing not far from the City: and found Him very intent upon the perscrutation of Nature's Works, and with a Countenance as cheerful, as Mind imperturbed, Democritus like, deeply searching into the Causes of natural things. I then instantly saluted Him, with, Are all Affairs well, and right?  
How can they, He gravely answered, when the Commonwealth is surrounded with intestine troubles; and I myself as yet far from land, tossed in that tempestuous Ocean? And, unfeignedly (added He) if the comfort of my Studies, and the remembrance of many things, long since fallen under my observation, were not some refreshment to my Mind; I know not what could prevail upon me, to desire to survive the present. So it hath happened, that this umbratile kind of life, and vacation from public Cares, which commonly causeth a Sadness of Mind in others, hath proved a Sovereign Remedy to mine.  
Here I answering, said, Sir, I shall soon afford you the Reason of that happy Event; which is this: While the greatest number of men flatter themselves with thoughts of growing wise, by the notions of others Brains, and (without any addition, unless the deceitful Gloss of different Phrase, and new Method) with ostentation obtrude upon the World the Traditions of the Ancients; it hath been always your choice, about the secrets of Nature, to consult Nature Herself. And this kind of Study ever hath as less of Fallacy, so more of Delight: in regard, that frequently, while you are fixed upon the indagation of some one thing, many others offer themselves to your observation; and such, perhaps, of which you had no thought to inquire. For, yourself (I well remember) was pleased once to tell me, that you never yet Dissected any Animal (and, indeed, you have dissected very many) but you found in it somewhat beyond your expectation, and which you never so much as thought of before.  
'Tis true, replied He; it hath ever been the delight of my Genius, to make strict Inspection into Animals themselves: And I have constantly been of opinion, that from thence we might acquire not only the knowledge of those less considerable Secrets of Nature; but even a certain Adumbration of that Supreme Essence, the Creator. And, though I was ever ready to acknowledge; that many things have been discovered by Learned Men of former times: Yet do I still believe, that the number of those things which remain yet concealed in the darkness of Impervestigable Nature, is incomparably greater: nay, I cannot forbear frequently to wonder, and sometimes smile at those, who persuade themselves, that all things were so consummatly and absolutely delivered by Aristotle, Galen, or some other great Name, as that nothing was left to the superaddition of any, that succeeded. Nature, truly, is Herself the most faithful Interpreter of Her own secrets: and what she exhibits, either more briefly, or more obscurely, in one kind, the same she explains more largely and openly, in another. No man doubtless, hath ever rightly determined of the Use, or Office of any Part; who hath not in many Animals, beheld, and with himself diligently considered the Fabric, Situation, annexed Vessels, and other Accidents thereof. Those Ancient Oracles of Wisdom did terminate the knowledge, as of all Countries, so also of all Animals, Plants, and other things whatever, almost with the narrow limits of Greece alone: But, to Us the whole Theatre of the World is now open, and, by the Sedulity of Travellers, we well know, not only the Place, Habits, and Manners of its Inhabitants; but also, what Animals, what Vegetables, what Minerals every Region is furnished withal. Nor is there any Nation so Barbarous, which hath not either by chance, or the constraint of some inevitable necessity, found out something for the common use and benefit of Mankind, which hath escaped the invention of other Nations more Civilised. And shall we think that nothing of Commodity can accrue to the stock of Sciences, from these Helps and Advantages: but that all the Fountains of Wisdom were drawn dry by the First Ages? Certainly, this Fault is to be imputed to our own defect of Industry; not at all to Nature.  
To this, another Evil hath adjoined itself; which is, that many, wanting the Experimental cognition of things, from the formerly conceived verisimilitude of some Opinion, afterwards boldly broach a positive Judgement thereupon, as if it were certainly known: whereupon it follows, that they are not only grossly deluded themselves, but seduce others also (who are not sufficiently circumspect) into Error.  
These, and other Discourses of the like importance; flowing from the Doctor, with admirable readiness, as is customary with Him; I interrupted Him, saying: Sir, How free you are from all culpability in this kind, all, who know you, sufficiently understand: and that's the reason, why many Learned and Judicious Men, who are acquainted with your Unwearied Industry, in the advancement of Philosophy, greedily expect the Communication of your further Experiments.  
And would you then advise me, (smilingly replies the Doctor) to quit the tranquillity of this Haven, wherein I now calmly spend my days: and again commit myself to the unfaithful Ocean? You are not ignorant, how great troubles my Lucubrations, formerly published, have raised. Better it is, certainly, at some times, to endeavour to grow wise at home in private; then by the hasty divulgation of such things, to the knowledge whereof you have attained with vast labour, to stir up Tempests, that may deprive you of your Leisure and Quiet for the future.  
Yea but (answered I) to deserve well, and receive ill, is the usual reward of Virtue: And the Winds, which raised those your troubles, have, like the Wind Caecias, drawn mischief upon themselves. With that, He showed me His Exercitations, touching the Generation of Animals, A work framed, and polished with very great pains. At sight whereof, I instantly rejoicing, said, I now have obtained what I earnestly desired: and must tell you, that, unless you impart these Exercitations to the World, you will both be wanting to your own Honour, and envy the Utility of others. Nor shall you sustain any further trouble in the Business; for, whatever of Care is requisite to the oversight of the Press, I shall willingly take wholly upon myself. To this He condescended with much ado, at first urging, among many other Dissuasive Arguments, that this His Tractate would be imperfect, without the conjunction of the History of the Generation of Infects. In a word; at length I prevailed: and He said, Lo, I resign these my Writings freely into your hands, with absolute power, either suddenly to publish, or for a while to suppress them, as you shall think convenient. Having returned Him very many thanks for so high a favour; I took my leave, and departed as another Jason, enriched with the Golden Fleece. And when, upon my return home, I had surveyed the Book; I could not but admire that so vast a Treasure had lain so long concealed: And that, while other men arrogate so highly to themselves, only for the entertainment of their nanseating Readers, with Trifles and Toys, and Dishes twice (yea, an hundred times) brought to the Table before; the Modesty of this Gentleman should be such, as to set so small a value upon these His Excellent Observations. And truly, when ever He hath been pleased to give any of his own Inventions leave to see the light, He hath not deported Himself with Ostentation, or superciliousness, after the custom of many, as if an Oak had spoken, or he had deserved a draught of Hen's-Milk: but, His Dictates were Oraculous, and Merits above the reach of Elegy, or Reward: but, with exceeding Modesty, as if only casually, or without any difficulty of inquest, he had fallen upon the Discovery of those Mysteries, which, indeed, he long searched into with professed diligence, and study indefatigable.  
And this also is an Argument of eminent Candour in Him; that he never inwades the reputation of any Author, but every where delivers his own judgement, in mild and friendly language. For, with him it is Proverbial, that That Cause is worthy to be suspected for scarcely good and profitable, which its Author contends for with brawling and fierceness: But Truth can want no Patron.  
And when it was easy to him, to have woven this whole Web, from materials of his own; such was his care, for the prevention of Envy, that he yet chose to follow the clue of Aristotle and Aquapendens, as if he had contributed thereunto no more then merely the Woof. Of Him I shall speak no more, lest I appear to praise to his face a Person, whose Worth hath advanced Him infinitely above my praises; especially to You, to whom his Virtue, Candor, and Ingeny, are long since very well known. But, of Myself, I shall add only thus much; that in this great Business I have performed no more than the mere office of a Midwife: producing into the light this noble Issue of His Brain, in all its parts and lineaments perfect and consummate, as it is now presented to your View; but staying long in the Birth, & fearing, perhaps, some injurious Blast of Envy or Detraction. To speak more plainly, I made it my Province to oversee and correct the Press; and because the Author writes so obscure a Hand (A thing, as we say, common to learned men (as that scarce any man, but who hath been accustomed thereto, can read it without difficulty, I used all diligence to provide against the Errors of the Compositor, that might be occasioned thereby; which I observed, not to have been duly prevented in the Impression of a small Treatise of the Doctors, not long since set forth.  
And thus, most Learned Sirs, have I rendered you the Reason of this my Writing to you; which is, to let you know, that our HARVEY hath Sacrificed to the Benefit of the Commonwealth of Learning, to the Dignity of our College, and to His own Eternal Honour.  
Farewell, and Prosper.   

To the Incomparable Dr. HARVEY, On his Books Of the MOTION of the HEART and BLOOD, And of the GENERATION of ANIMALS.  
TO Sol, the grateful Persian homage pays;  
He Sees by them, and so Adores the rays:  
Deeming the Sun's just title to arise  
To th' Tribute, as to th' Vision of his Eyes.  
And such is thy due claim, Great Light of Art,  
Who to the long-dim World dost sight impart.  
To thy Loud Fame for ever be applied,  
As th' Conduct, so the Glory of our Guide.  
While grey Antiquity Oracular hairs,  
Not for the Truths she brings, but for the Years,  
And her sour Dictates from the Tripod thrown,  
Look more to be Obeyed, then to be Known.  
Thy daring Art first stands her, and doth breed  
This Reseve thence, that Science is not Creed.  
Who for their Age alone do Writers trust,  
Prise Armour, not for th' Proof, but for the Rust.  
From Books to Nature thy Appeal is made,  
Thy Copies by their Archetype are swayed.  
Though High and Reverend thy Authors sit,  
Yet the Creation is thy Classic Writ.  
The various Colonies, whose brood supplies  
Inhabitants to Earth, to Seas, and Skies,  
These are thy Vatican, and only these  
Are thy Infallible Hypocrates;  
Thy Sibyll-Volumes, and Thou know'st them all,  
Like their first Godfathen before the Fall.  
Their Natures, Kind's, Distinctions and Consent,  
The Parts conteineced, and Parts continent,  
Their Order, Substance, Temper, Site, their Force,  
Relations, and confederate Intercourse.  
Their different Cells which different Bowels bound,  
Roofed and partitioned from their Neighbour's ground.  
The Numerous entrails Thou hast searched through,  
Might both Appease the Gods, and Surfeit too.  
Not in the dull Emerit Carcase, where  
The Shops remain where once the Workmen were;  
And only yield this cold Account; there stands  
The Stuff and Tools perhaps, but not the Hands.  
But in the Living Laboratories, when  
The Vitals plied their task like Labouring men;  
When Life and Industry one Fountain fed,  
And to give over Work, was, to be Dead.  
And now the Beasts hold their Instructive life  
Ennobled by the cunning of thy Knife.  
Their Fall hears Sacrifice to th' Public good,  
Nor is it to be Slain, but Understood.  
There thy Observing Eye first found the Art  
Of all the Wheels and Clockwork of the Heart:  
The mystic causes of its Dark Estate,  
What Pulleys Close its Cells, and what Dilate.  
What secret Engives tune the Pulse, whose din  
By Chimes without, striketh how things fare within.  
There didst thou trace the Blood, and first behold  
What Dreams mistaken Sages coined of old.  
For till thy Pegasus the fountain broke,  
The crimson Blood, was but a crimson Lake.  
Which first from Thee did Tide and Motion gain,  
And Veins became its Channel, not its Chain.  
With Drake and Candish hence thy Bays is curled,  
Famed Circulator of the Lesser World.  
Yet thou no sooner wroughtst this wonder out,  
Though proof both 'gainst the cool suspense of Doubt,  
And rougher Violence o'th' Despisers tongue,  
But Europe round with hot combustions rung:  
It's early first Defiance sprung up here,  
At last a swarm of Champion Pens appear  
From Foreign coasts, and to the conflict come,  
Some thy bold Challengers, thy Seconds some.  
But when Experience vanquished their defence,  
And Prejudice was captive led by Sense:  
The Ingenuous laid down Arms, and fled to You,  
As their Instructor, and their Victor too.  
Thus twice endeared, thy Secrets we allow,  
By Truths at first, and by Opposers now.  
So Gold disputed, and Approved such,  
Comes Mettle, but parts Treasure from the Touch.  
A Calmer welcome this choice Peice befall,  
Which from fresh Extract hath deduced all,  
And for belief, bids it no longer beg  
That Castor once and Pollux were an Egg:  
That both the Hen and Housewife are so matched,  
That her Son Born, is only her Son Hatched;  
That when her Teeming hopes have prosperous been,  
Yet to Conceive, is but to Lay within.  
Experiment, and Truth both take thy part:  
If thou canst scape the Women! there's the Art.  
Live Modern Wonder, and be read alone,  
Thy Brain hath Issue, though thy 〈◊〉 have none.  
Let frail Succession be the Vulgar care;  
Great Generation's self is now thy Heir.  
M. LL. M. D.   

THE PREFACE.  
SInce many have requested, and some have importuned me; it will not, I hope, be unwelcome, (candid Reader) if what I have observed concerning the Generation of Animals, out of Anatomical dissections (for I have found the whole matter to be much different, from that which is delivered, either by Philosophers or Physicians) I expose in these Exercitations, in favour, and for the use of the Lovers of Truth.  
All Physicians, following Galen, teach, that out of the Seed of Male and Female mingled in Coition, according to the predominant power of this, or that, the Child resembles either this, or that Parent, and is also either Male or Female. And sometimes they pronounce the Males Seed to be the Efficient cause, and the Females the Material; and sometimes again the clean contrary.  
But Aristotle (Nature's most diligent searcher) affirms that the Male and Female are the principles of Generation, and that she contributes the matter, and he the form; and that forthwith after Coition, there is form in the Womb out of the Menstruous blood, the Vital principle, and first particle of the future Foetus, (namely, the Heart, in Creatures that have blood.)  
But that these are false, and rash assertions, will soon appear; and will like clouds instantly vanish, (when the light of Anatomical dissection breaks forth) nor will they require any elaborate confutation, when the Reader, instructed by his own eyes, shall discover the contrary by ocular inspection; and shall also understand, how unsafe, and degenerate a thing it is, to be tutored by other men's commentaries, without making trial of the things themselves: especially, since Nature's Book is so open, and legible.  
I have therefore exhibited to public view, what in these my Exercitations, I intent to deliver concerning the Generation of Animals; not only that posterity may thence discern the certain and apparent truth; but also, and that chiefly too, that (by revealing the Method I use in searching into things) I might propose to studious men, a new, and (if I mistake not) a surer path to the attainment of knowledge.  
For although it be a more new and difficult way, to find out the nature of things, by the things themselves; then by reading of Books, to take our knowledge upon trust from the opinions of Philosophers: yet must it needs be confessed, that the former is much more open, and less frandulent, especially in the Secrets relating to Natural Philosophy.  
Nor is there any reason, why any man should be deterred by the trouble of it; if he will but so much as consider with himself, that even life itself is continued to him, by the never Wearied Agitation of the Heart. Nor truly would this journey present so much of solitude and desert to us; did not most men by the custom (or fault rather) of the age we live in, yielding themselves up to sluggishness, desire rather to err with the many, then with the expense of their pains and coin, endeavour to be wise with the few: when notwithstanding the Ancient Philosophers (whose industry also even we extol) went a quite contrary way to work; and by indefatigable toil searching after several experiments, have set up a clear light to direct our studies. So that, whatever notable and approved thing we have in Philosophy, it all is derived unto us by the pains and industry of ancient Greece. Yet when we content ourselves with their discoveries, and calmly believe (which is mere sleepiness) that there is now no more place for new inventions, the sprightly edge of our own wit languisheth, and we extinguish the lamp which they lighted to our hands. And certainly he alone will grant, that the whole truth was engrossed by the Ancients, (who is ignorant of the many noble discoveries, to pass by other Arts) lately found out in the business of Anatomy. And this was chiefly done either by such, who wholly intent upon some one thing, did casually descry some other: or (which is more commendable) by those, who following Natures conduct with their own eyes, have at length through a perplexed, but yet a most faithful tract, attained to the highest pitch of Truth. And in such an undertaking it is pleasant, not to be tired only, but even to faint away; where the Irkesomness of Discovering is abundantly recompensed by the discovery itself. We use, being covetous of Novelty, to wander far into unknown lands, that our own eyes may witness, what our ears have received at second hand: where yet for the most part  
— minuit praesentia famam.  
Our sight decries report.  
Let us then blush, in this so ample, and so wonderful field of nature, (where performance still exceeds what is promised) to credit other men's traditions only, and thence coin uncertain problems, to spin out thorney and captious questions. Nature herself must be our adviser; the path she chalks must be our walk: for so while we confer with our own eyes, and take our rise from meaner things to higher, we shall be at length received into her Closet-secrets.  

Of the Manner and Order of attaining knowledge.  
THough there be one only road to Science, namely, that by which we proceed from things more known, to things known less; and from that which is more manifest, to that which is more obscure; and though Universals are chiefly known to us (for Science is begot by reasoning from Universals to Particulars) yet that very comprehension of Universals in the Understanding, springs from the perception of Singulars in our sense. So that both Aristotle's 
L. 1. c. 2. 3.  assertions are true, as well that in his Physics; There is a way naturally laid from those things which are more known and clear to us, to those things which are more intelligible and clear by nature. For the same things are not both known to us, and simply so too: wherefore we of necessity must thus proceed; to wit, from those things which are by nature indeed more obscure, but yet are more clearer to us; to those things which are more clear and intelligible by nature. But those things are first perspievous and manifest to us, which are most confused. Therefore we must go from Vniversals to Singulars: for the Whole is more known by sense: now an Universal is a certain Whole. As that in his Analytics. Singulars are more known by 
Post. 2.  us, and do first exist according to sense: for nothing is in the understanding, which was not before in the sense. And although that Ratiocination is naturally first and more known, which is made by Syllogism; yet that is more conspicuous to us, which is made by Induction: and therefore we define Singulars with more ease, then Universals: for there lies more Aequivocation in Vniversals. Wherefore we must pass from Singulars to Generals.  
That which we have now delivered, hangs very well together, though at first it seem to clash: because Generals are first collected from Singulars by sense, and so far only are more known to us, as an Universal is a certain whole and indistinct thing; and that Whole is more known to us according to sense. For though in all knowledge, we begin from Sense, because, (as the Philosopher said before) Sensible particulars are most known to Sense; yet Sensation itself is an Universal thing. For (if you mind it well) though (while we perceive) that which is in the outward organ of sense be a Singular, as suppose, a yellow colour, in the sight: yet that which is thence abstracted by the internal sense, and is judged and apprehended by it, is an Universal. Hence it comes to pass, that several persons, do at the same instant, abstract divers species, and fashion several notions, even of one and the same Object. As it is evident in Poets, and Painters: who, though at the same time, and in the same place, all circumstances being alike, they behold one and the same Object, yet each of them, be they never so many, express and describe it a several way, according to the several Ideas which they have drawn in their Fancy. So that a Painter being to draw any one man's picture, though he take a thousand several draughts, will make them all distinct faces; and them too not only differing from each other, but from the Archetype itself: yet with so small distinction, that if you look upon each of them apart, you will think he still brings the same piece he brought before: and yet set them all together and compare them, and you will plainly discover a difference. Now the reason of all this is, that in Uision, or the act of Seeing, each particular by itself was clear and distinct: which very particular, the Object being removed, (as suppose you should shut your eyes,) abstracted in the Fancy, or laid up in the Memory, is presented obscure, and confused: nor is it any longer apprehended as a particular, but as some General and Universal thing.  
This subtlety Seneca doth elegantly express, 
Epist. 58.  according to Plato's opinion. An Idea, saith he, is an eternal Exemplar of Natural things. I will explain this definition, that you may conceive it the better. Suppose I intent to draw your picture, you yourself are the Exemplar of that picture, from whom my mind takes a representation, which she indeavoureth to pattern in her work. So then your face, which is my director, & which I labour to represent, is the Idea. And a little after, he saith. In my discourse even now I made use of a picture-drawer, to illustrate what I was speaking of. He, when he would paint Virgil, his eye is upon Virgil himself: Virgil's face is his Idea, and the Exemplar of his future design: now that which the Artist takes from this Idea, and worketh off, is the Picture. If you demand the difference between these two, it is this: the one is the Pattern, the other is the copy taken by the Pattern, and laid upon the work: He imitates the one, and makes the other. A Statue hath a face, but that face is but the Idos, or representation: But the Exemplar which the Statuary copies out, hath a face, and that face is the Idea. Do you desire a farther explication? take it thus. The Idos is that which you see in the piece: the Idea is quite without the piece, and not only without it, but also had a being before the piece was at all. For those things that have been formerly observed, and either by use, or custom have taken deep root in the mind of the Artificer, do constitute art itself, and the Operative Habit: for Art itself is nothing but the reason of the work, implanted in the Artists mind. And the same way by which we gain an Art, by the very same we attain any kind of science or knowledge whatever: for as Art is a habit whose object is something to be done; so Science is a habit, whose object is something to be known: and as the former proceedeth from the imitation of Exemplars; so this latter, from the knowledge of things natural. The Source of both is from sense and experience; since it is impossible that Art should rightly be purchased by the one, or Science by the other, without a direction from Ideas. Yet in both Art & Science too, that thing which in sensible objects we perceive, differs from the perception itself, which is kept in the memory, or imagination. That, is the exemplar, the Idea, the form informing: this, the Representation, the Idos, the abstracted Species. That, is a natural thing, a real entity; this, a resemblance, or similitude, and an ens rationis. That, is employed about some particular thing, and is itself a singular, and an individual; this, is a kind of universal and common thing. That, is in every Artist and Philosopher, a sensible thing, clear, and perfect; this belongs to the mind, and is obscure. For what we discover by sense, is much more sure and manifest, than what we discover by the Intellect: because the latter springs from the former, and is illustrated by it. To conclude, Sensible Objects are of themselves, and before Intelligible; but Intelligible are after them, and arise from them: nor can we attain to them at all, without their help.  
Wherefore it is, that our judgement erreth about phantasms and apparitions comprised in our minds, unless sense give a right verdict, established upon frequent observations, and infallible experiments. For in every Science, be it what it will, a diligent observation is requisite, and Sense itself must be frequently consulted. We must not (I say) rely upon other men's experience, but on our own; without which, no man is a proper disciple of any part of natural knowledge; nor a competent judge of what I shall deliver concerning Generation; for without experimental skill in Anatomy, he will no better apprehend it, than a man born blind can judge of the nature and difference of colours; or one born deaf, of Sounds. Therefore (discreet Reader) trust nothing I say, about the Generation of Animals; I appeal to none but thine eyes. For since every perfect Science builds upon those Principles, which it finds out by Sense: we must have a special care, that by customary dissections, we be sure those Principles are safely grounded. If we do otherwise, we may get a tumid and floating opinion: but never a solid and infallible knowledge: As it happeneth to those, who see foreign countries only in Maps, and the bowels of men falsely described in Anatomical tables. And hence it comes about, that in this rank age, we have many Sophisters, and Book-wrights; but few wise men, and Philosophers.  
And thus much I thought fit to premise as a Taste, that you may understand, by what helps I myself was assisted, and upon what consideration I was induced to communicate these my Observations, and Experiments: and that you treading the same path, may be able not only to be in equitable Umpire between Aristotle, & Galen, but also forsaking all subtleties; and probable conjectures, and viewing Nature in her own glass, may search out many other things yet unrevealed, and perhaps more precious.   

Of the former matters, according to Aristotle.  
NO kind of knowledge is innate to us, according to Aristotle: For neither Opinion, nor Art, nor Understanding, nor Speech, nor Reason itself, are in us by nature, and from our birth; but all these are of the lineage of those things, which happen to us from without, according to nature As also all those qualities and habits which are esteemed to be spontaneous, & placed within our own power; such are Virtues and Vices, for which we receive neither commendation, and reward, or disgrace, & punishment. The knowledge therefore of any thing whatsoever must be ou● proper purchase. But which are the first principles of this knowledge, is not the scope of this discourse.  
Yet I suppose it will not be amiss, t● premise here, Whence, and How we com● to know, that we may attain to a mo●● perfect understanding of the Generation Animals, and also take away any scruple which any man might raise about Aristotle opinion. For he affirms, all doctrine, an● 
Analyt. post. l. 1. c. 1.  Dianoetical discipline to be framed out of precedent knowledge: Whence it seems to ensue, that there is either no first knowledge or else that that first knowledge is bo●● with us; which is dissonant to what is sai● before.  
This doubt is hereafter cleared by Aristotle 
Ib. l. 2. cap. ult.  himself; where he teacheth th● manner how knowledge is acquired. For having taught, that all certain knowledge is gained by Syllogism, and Demonstration; and that all demonstrative Syllogisms, are built upon some first, true, and necessary principles; he at last inquires, how principles become known, and what is that notifying habit; as also, whether habits are begotten, since they were not in us before; or else, whether they lurked concealed, in case they were in us? We have not, saith he, those habits; for it happens that they are hid from those who acquire more exquisite knowledge by demonstration. But if we receive them, when we had them not before, how should we make it known, and how should we learn out of a non-preceding knowledge? It is plain therefore that we have them not, and that they are not in us, and we not know of them; and that they cannot be begotten in men that have yet no habit at all. Wherefore it necessarily follows, that we have some power to attain them, and yet not such a one as is more excellent, and exquisite than they. Now this seems to be a common thing to all creatures living: to have a connate power of Judging, which is called Sense.  
Now since they have Sense, some of them retain in them the things they perceive by sense, and some not. They who retain not, have either no knowledge at all, or else no knowledge of what they do not retain, beyond the bare sensation itself. Others do retain in their Soul something of what they perceive. And since there are many such, they are thus differenced; that in some there doth result a certain discourse from the memory of things retained, and in some not. By Sense therefore memory is made, as we say; and out of a frequent remembrance of the same thing, is experience made: (for many numerical Remembrances, are one Experience) but out of Experience, or an Universal resting in the soul (namely out of one, which is distinct from the many particulars, and is one and the same in all of them) is raised a Principle of Art, and Science: of Art, if it relate to Generation; (that is, to doing, or effecting;) of Science, if it appertain to that which is, (that is, to the knowledge of an Entity simply;) so that the habits we speak of, are neither naturally in us, neither are they made out of other habits more known, but they proceed from Sense.  
By which words of Aristotle, it evidently appears, by what Order the knowledge of any Art, or Science is attained: Namely, by Sense there remains an impression of the thing perceived: by that impression is made a remembrance of it, and from multiplied memory, proceeds Experience: from Experience, Universal Reason, Definitions, Maxims, or common Axioms, which are the most certain Principles of knowledge. As for example, The same thing, under the same capacity cannot possibly be, and not be. Every Affirmation, or Negation, is either true or false; and so forth.  
Wherefore, as we said before, no perfect knowledge, which may be called ours, is in us; but such as is in some sort derived to us from Experience, and Sense; or is at least examined, and approved by them, and strongly grounded upon some knowledge pre-existent in us. For without memory, there can be no experience, which is nothing else but a multiplied memory: neither can memory be, without a remaining impression of the sensative object, and the object cannot remain, where it never was.  
The great Dictator of Philosophy hath 
Metaph. l. 1. c. 1.  another passage to this purpose. All men naturally desire knowledge. And this is evidenced, by the love of our Senses: amongst which we prefer the sight; because this chiefly conveyeth knowledge to us, and distinguisheth best of things.  
Now naurally Animals are sensative: but some of them remember not what they perceive by sense, and some do. And for this cause some are prudent, some are more capable of discipline than others that remember not. Prudent, without being taught; as all those that have not the sense of hearing, as Bees, and all such other kinds of creatures; But all creatures may be taught which have both memory, and hearing too.  
Therefore other creatures have fancies, and memories, but have no title to experience. But Men have Arts, and Ratiocination. And to them experience comes by remembrance: for many recordations of the same thing, make one Experience. Wherefore experience seems much of kin to Art, and Science. For by experience men gain both Art and Science. For Experience begets Art (as Polus rightly notes) but Inexperience, Chance.  
By which he clearly shows, that no man 
Apud. Plat. in Gorgiâ.  can be truly called prudent, or knowing, who doth not by his own experience (attained by manifold remembrance, frequent sensation, and diligent observation) know things to be so. For without that, we think only, or believe: and such a knowledge as that, is to be reputed other men's, rather than our own. Wherefore fond and erroneous is that Method of seeking truth, in use in our times: while most men diligently inquire, not what the truth is, but what other men say it is: and inferring Universal conclusions from particular premises, & thence shaping to themselves irrational deductions, they transmit to us things like truth, for truth itself.  
Hence it is, that Sophisters and halfe-knowing men, polling other men's inventions, saucily impose them upon us for their own; (shifting only the phrase and order, and adding some impertinencies of their own) and render Philosophy (which ought to be clear and perspicuous) obscure, intricate, and confused. For whosoever they be that read authors, and do not, by the aid of their own Senses, abstract true representations of the things themselves (comprehended in the author's expressions) they do not resent true Ideas, but deceitful Idols, & Phantasms; by which means they frame to themselves certain shadows and Chimaeras, and all their theory and contemplation (which they count Science) represents nothing but waking men's dreams, and sick men's frenzies.  
Give me leave therefore to whisper this to thee (friendly Reader) that thou be sure to weigh all that I deliver in these Exercitations, touching the Generation of living Creatures, in the steady scale of experiment; and give no longer credit to it, than thou perceivest it to be securely bottomed, by the faithful testimony of thy own eyes. This very thing did Aristotle persuade us to; who when he had discoursed much of Bees, added at last: That the Generation of Bees is after this manner, appears 
De gen. an. l. 3. c. 1.  by reason, and by those things which are seen to come to pass after the manner of Bees. Yet have we not a sufficient discovery of what may fall out. Therefore when the discovery shall be completed, then is Sense more to be trusted to, then Reason. For so far only is Reason to be relied upon, as those things which are demonstrated, agree with those things which are perceived by sense.   

Of the Method to be observed in the knowledge of Generation.  
SInce therefore in the Generation of Animals (as in all other things of which we covet to know any thing) every inquisition is to be derived from its Causes, and chiefly from the Material and Efficient; it seems fit to me, looking back on perfect animals (namely by what degrees they are begun, and completed) to retreat, as it were, from the end to the beginning: that so at last when there is no place for farther retreat, we may be confident we have arrived at the principles themselves: and then it will appear, out of what first matter, by what efficient, and what procession the plastic power hath its original; and then also what progress Nature makes in this work. For both the first, and remoter matter, appears the clearer (being stripped naked as it were) by Negation; and whatsoever is first made in Generation, that is, as it were, the material cause of that which succeedeth. So, for example, A Man, was first a Boy (because from a Boy he grew up to be a Man;) before he was a Boy, he was an Infant; and before an Infant, an Embryo.  
Now we must search farther, what he was in his Mother's Womb, before he was this Embryo, or Foetus; whether three bubbles? or some rude and indigested lump? or a conception, or coagulation of mixed seed? or whether any thing else? according to the opinion of writers.  
In the same manner, before a Hen or Cock came to perfection, (and that is called a perfect Animal, that can beget its like) there was a Chicken; before that Chicken, there is seen in the egg an Embryo, or Foetus; and before that Embryo, Hieronymus Fabricius Aquapendens hath descried the rudiments of the Head, Eyes, and Spine of the Back. But where he affirms, that the Bones are made before the Muscles, Heart, Liver, Lungs, and all the Viscera; and that all the inward parts ought to exist before the outward; he relieth upon probability, rather than experience; and laying aside the verdict of sense, which is grounded upon dissections; he flies to petty reasonings borrowed from mechanics: which is very unbeseeming so famous an Anatomist. For he ought to have told us what daily changes his own eyes had discovered in the egg, ere ever the Foetus came to perfection. Especially seeing he professedly wrote the History of the Generation of the Chicken out of the Egg; and hath described in pictures what progress is made from day to day. It was, I say, befitting so much diligence, to have acquainted us from the allegation of his own sight, what things in the egg are made first, what last, and what happen together: and not to have confined himself to the example of building of Ships, and Houses, to render a cloudy conjecture and persuasion only, of the order, and manner of forming the parts.  
We therefore (according to the Method proposed) will explain, first in an Egg, and afterwards in other Conceptions of several creatures, what is constituted first, and what last, in a most miraculous order, & with a most inimitable prudence and wisdom, by the great God of nature; and at length we will discover, what we have found out, concerning the first matter out of which, and the first efficient by which, the foetus is made, as also of the order & Oeconomy of Generation: that thence we may attain to some infallible knowledge of each faculty of the formative and vegetative Soul, by the effects of it; and of the nature of the Soul itself, by the parts, or organs of the body, and their functions.  
Now this indeed we could not perform in all kind of Animals; because some of them cannot be gotten; and others again are so exceeding small, that our eyes can hardly discern them.  
Let it suffice therefore that we have done it in some creatures, which are more known to us; to whose platform, the first originals of all other creatures may be reduced. We have made choice therefore of such, as might render the credit of our experiments less questionable, namely larger, and perfecter creatures, and such as are within our own power. For in the larger creatures, all things are more conspicuous; in the perfecter, more distinct; and in those that are in our own power, & conversant amongst us, more obvious: so that we have liberty (at pleasure) by searching into them, to rescue our observations from wavering hesitation. And of this sort, in the race of Oviparous creatures, are Hens, Geese, Pigeons, Ducks Eishes, Shellfish of both kinds (as Lobsters, Oysters, etc.) Fishes that have no shells at all, Frogs, Serpents: also Infects, as Bees, Wasps, Butterflies, Silkworms. And of Viviparous, Sheep, Goats, Dogs, Cats, all cattle that divide the Hoof; and in chief, the perfectest of all creatures, Man himself.  
Having through insight & knowledge of these things, we may then contemplate the abstruse nature of the Vegetative Soul; and discern in all creatures what ever, the manner, order, and causes of their Generation: because all other creatures agree either generically, or specifically with the forecited, or at the least with some of them; and are procreated after the same manner of generation, or else in a manner proportioned to it. For Nature being divine, and perfect, is always consonant to herself in the same things. And as her works do either agree or differ (namely in kind, species, or some analogy) so her operation (that is to say, generation or Fabric) is the same or different in them. Whoever entereth this new, and unfrequented path, and inquires for truth in the vast volume of Nature, by Anatomical dissections, and experiments, he meets with such a crowd of observations, and those too in such exotic shapes, that to unfold to others the mysteries himself hath discovered, will be more toil, than the finding of them out: for many things occur which have yet no name; such is the plenty of things, and the dearth of words. So that if a man should clothe them in Metaphors, and express his new inventions by old words, and such as are in use: the Reader could no more understand them, then canting: and would never be able to comprehend the business, since he never saw it.  
And then again to mint up new and fictitious terms, would rather cast a mist, then enlighten. For so he must needs express things unknown, by that which is less known: and the Reader would be more afflicted to unriddle the words, then to understand the matter. And therefore Aristotle by unexperimented persons is thought obscure: And this perhaps was the reason, why Fabricius ab Aquapendente chose rather to describe the Fabric of the Chicken in the Egg by tables than words.  
Therefore be not offended, Courteous Reader, if in setting out the History of an Egg, and in the description of the Generation of the Chicken, I make use of a new method, and sometimes of unusual terms; nor think me hereby more desirous of vainglory, then of advantaging others by true experiments, and such as are grounded in Nature's self. To take off that prejudice, know, I tread but the steps of other men who have lighted me the way, and (so far as is fit) I make use of their notions. But in chief, of all the Ancients, I follow Aristotle; and of the later Writers, Hieronymus Fabricius ab Aquapendente, Him as my General, and This as my Guide. For as they which find out new Plantations, and new Shores, call them by names of their own coining, which Posterity afterwards accepts and receives; so those that find out new Secrets, have good title to their compellation. And here, me thinks, I hear Galen advising; If we consent in the things; contend not about the words:    
OF GENERATION.  

The Reason why we begin with a Hens' Egg.  
EXERCITATION I.  
HIeronymus Fabricius Aquapendens (whom, as I said before, I have chosen for my guide) in the beginning of his Book concerning the formation of the Egg and Chicken, hath these words: My purpose is to treat of all sorts of formation of the foetus, taking my rise from that which proceeds from an egg; For this aught to precede all other discourses of this nature, in that it not only be friends us with a more easy discovery of Aristotle's thoughts concerning this matter, but because the Treatise of framing the foetus out of an egg is much the fullest, and exceeds the other both in extent, and difficulty.  
But we begin our discourse from the history of an Egg, both for the reasons by him recited, and likewise, because we may thence borrow more infallible grounds, which (in regard they are more known to us) may enlighten us to contemplate the Generation of any other Animals. For since Eggs are a cheap merchandise, and are at hand at all times, and in all places; it is an easy matter to observe out of them, which are the first evident, and distinct groundworks of Generation; what progress nature makes in formation, and with what wonderful providence she governs the whole work.  
Fabricius goes on: That the contemplation of framing the foetus out of Eggs is the largest of all, appears in this, that the greatest part of animals are begotten of eggs. For to pass by almost the whole race of Infects, and imperfect Creatures, which sense itself discovers to spring from eggs; even the most part of perfect productions are of that extraction. Hither he referreth, All sorts of Birds; and of Fishes too; (bating only Whales) also Crusted-fish, Shellfish, and Fishes without scales,; and amongst Terrestrials, all Creeping things, Creatures that have numerous feet, and also all kinds of Serpents; and amongst fourfooted Beasts, all sorts of Lizards.  
But we pronounce (as shall appear hereafter) all animals whatever, even Viviparous also, nay man himself to be made of an Egg: and that the first conceptions of all living creatures which bring forth young, are certain Eggs, just as the first conceptions of all Plants are certain seeds. And therefore Empedocles rightly styled the seeds of Plants, a sort of Eggs. The history therefore of Eggs is most spacious, because it yields an insight into all kind of generation.  
Wherefore of an Egg, we shall first show, where, whence, and how it is made. And then, by what means, order, and degrees, the foetus or chicken is fashioned, and perfected in the Egg, and of it.  
Here again Fabricius: The productions of Animals do some of them spring out of Eggs, some out of Seed, and some out of Putrefaction; and hence it is, that some are called oviparous, some viviparous, others the issues of putrefaction, or creatures born of their own accord; by the Greeks, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  
But I dislike this division; because all Animals may in some sort be said to be born out of Eggs, and in some sort out of Seed: besides, they are styled Oviparous, Viviparous, or Vermiparous, rather from the issues themselves bring forth, then from the original matter of which themselves were made; namely, because they produce an Egg, a Worm, or a living Creature. Some of them are also said to be sponte nascentia, creatures born of their own accord, not because they quicken out of putrid matter, but because they are begotten by chance, by natures own accord, and by an aequivocal generation, (as they call it) and by parents of a different species from themselves. For other Animals also do bring forth an Egg, or a Worm, as their Conception, and Seed; out of which, after they have exposed it to the wide world, they produce a foetus, and so are named Oviparous, or Vermiparous. But now the Viviparous are therefore so called, because they retain and cherish their conception, or seed, so long within their own bowels, till the foetus come forth shaped, and alive.   

Of the place of Generation.  
EXERCITATION II.  
NAture (saith Fabricius) was first solicitous of the place, which she at length decreed to be either within the Animal, or without it; and appointed the womb to be the place, within the creature; but without, the egg: in the womb, nature generates of seed and blood; but, in the egg, of such parts as the egg is made of.  
For whatsoever is begotten of seed properly so called, is begun, and perfected, either in the same place, or in a divers. All Viviparous creatures have both their original and perfection in the womb itself; but all Oviparous, as they have their foundation within their parent, and there become an egg; so are they completed into a foetus, when they are divided from their parent. And, in the Catalogue of these, some creatures continue their eggs so long within themselves, till those eggs be ripe, and accomplished: and thus do Birds and Beasts too, as many as bring forth eggs; and serpents likewise. But others again expose their seed whiles it is yet unperfect and immature, to acquire its growth, perfection, and ripeness from abroad: and thus do many sorts of Fishes, Frogs; also Fishes without scales, and both sorts of Shellfish, and Snails, whose eggs, when first excluded, are but designs or beginnings, being yolks only, which do afterward invest themselves with whites, and by degrees attracting, concocting, and affixing aliment to themselves, become perfect seed, and a complete egg And of this kind also is the seed of Infects (which Aristotle saith is a Worm) which being exposed incomplete at the first, seek their own food, and so thrive, and enlarge, from an imperfect egg, to a perfect egg, and seed. But the Hen, and all other Oviparous creatures, do lay a perfect egg; of which, from without the womb, they hatch a foetus. And for this cause Aquapendens mentions two places assigned to generation; one Internal, namely the womb; the other external, which he calls the Egg. But (in my opinion) he might, upon better grounds, have called the Nest, or Repository, the external place; because in that the exposed seed is cherished, ripened, and hatched into a foetus. For the Generation of Oviparous creatures, is mainly differenced by their Nest. Nor is it less than admirable, that such little creatures should make choice of these receptacles with such exquisite prudence; and shape, build, guard, and conceal them, with such unimitable art and contrivance: whence we must needs conclude (with the Poet treating of Bees) that they are endowed with a portion of divine inspiration: and that we may easier admire their uninstructed art and prudence, then attain unto it.   

Of the Ovary, or upper part of the Hens' womb.  
EXERCITATION III.  
THe womb of the Henn is divided by Fabricius, into the Upper, and the Lower; the Upper he names the Ovary.  
The seat of the Ovary is next under the Liver at the spin of the back, above the descending trunk of the great Artery. For just in that place where in bigger sangineous creatures, the Coeliacal artery goes into the Mesentery, namely, at the original of the Emulgent veins, or a little lower; and in that place where the preparing seed vessels which go down to the Testicles have their rise, in all other sanguineous & viviparous creatures; & where also the cock wears his Testicles, there is the Hens Ovary found. For some Animals have their stones hanging out, others conceal them about the Loins within; in a middle space as it were, at the beginning of the preparing vessels. But the Cock hath his stones immediately adjoined to the vasa praeparantia, as if his seed wanted no preparation. Aristotle indeed saith, that the Egg is begun at the midriff; but we, saith Fabricius, in our treatise of Respiration, deny that Birds have any midriff at all. Which difficulty is thus resolved: Birds are not quite destitute of a midriff; because they have a thin membrane instead of the midriff; which Arist. calls cinctum, or septum: but they have no musculous midriff, as other Animals have, neither is it used by them for Respiration. But, to say truth, Aristotle acknowledged no muscles at all.  
Thus, in one and the same breath he accuses the Philosopher, and excuses him too: yet he himself is in an Error the while. For it is certain, that Aristotle did acknowledge muscles (as we have elsewhere observed, and demonstrated) and also that membranes in Birds (which are not only placed transversly to gird the body, but are also extended according to the longitude of the belly) do supply the place of the diaphragma, or midriff, and do conduce to respiration: as in another place in our Exercitations, concerning the Respiration of animals, we have clearly proved. And, to say no more at present, Birds do not only respire with much more facility than other creatures, but in their songs do tune and accent their voices with manifold variety: yet, notwithstanding all this, their Lungs are so knit to their ribs and sides, that they can be but very little dilated, raised up, or contracted. Besides all this, (though no man to my remembrance hath ever observed so much before) their Bronchia, or extremities of the rough Artery are hollow as far as the very abdomen, and they treasure up the inspired air in the cavities of their membranes. Even as Fishes, and Serpents draw the air into large bladders, which are seated in their abdomen or belly, and so reserve it, and by that means are conceived to swim the better: and as frogs, and toads, in the Summer time when they breathe most, do imbibe much more air then at other times into their numerous vesicles, (which occasions their wondrous swelling) that so they may afford more liberal exspirations in their croaking: So in Birds, the Lungs seem rather a thoroughfare, and a passage for breathing, than the adaequat organ of it. Which had Fabricius observed, he would not then have denied, but that those membranes (at lest with the assistance of the muscles of the belly) do serve for respiration, and execute the office of a diaphragma: since even that is not a respiratory organ, without the help of the muscles of the belly; though it have also another employment in those creatures in whom it is musculous, and fleshy; Namely, to depress the stomach enlarged with meats, and the guts distended with wind and excrements; lest the heart and lungs should be straitened by their intrusion, and the closet of life itself invaded. Now, since there is no fear of any such mischance in Birds, their midriff is membranous, and exceeding advantageous to the work of respiration; and for this cause they are said to have a diaphragma. Moreover, were birds quite destitute of a diaphragma, yet Aristotle were not to be blamed, for saying, That Eggs receive their first rudiment at the septum transversum; for by this name he only points at the place where the diaphragma is commonly found in other Animals. So we also say, that the Ovary is situate at the beginning of the preparing spermatical vessels, though a Hen hath no such vessels at all.  
The Perforation of the Lungs, by me first discovered (of which I made mention but now) is in no sort dark and obscure; but, in Birds especially, very patent: so that in an Ostrich I found many perforations, into which I could easily thrust the top of my finger. In a Turkey, nay in an ordinary dunghill Cock, and almost all Birds whatsoever, a probe being put into the windpipe, will find an open and wide passage, clean through the lungs into the cavities of the abdomen, or lower belly. Blow the air into their lungs with a pair of bellows, and you shall find it hasten into the lower parts, and that not without a sensible force.  
Nay, we may very well question whether, even in man whilst he is living, the air doth not penetrate into the cavity of the chest, by the aforesaid passages. For could otherwise the putrefied matter of impostumated, and the blood shut out of the veins of pleuritical persons, flow from thence? How could the air, when the breast is wounded (though the lungs be untouched) rush out of the wound? or how could injections cast into the cavity of the chest, be returned again with the spittle? But of this at large in our Exercitations, of the Causes, Instruments, and Use of Respiration.  
I return now to the Ovary, and the upper part of the womb of the Hen; in which the first rudiments of the Eggs are conceived, which are (according to Aristotle) small at first, and white; but increasing, afterwards become of a pale yellow.  
As for this upper womb mentioned by Fabricius, the truth is, there is no such thing at all, till the Hen have conceived, and hath the principles of Eggs within her, which may then be properly called a cluster of wheals. And therefore he saith very rightly: The superior matrix is nothing else but almost an infinite crowd of yolks, which are amassed in one heap together, being of a round figure, and of divers magnitude; amongst which there is a like difference from the greatest to the least, as between a grain of mustardseed and a walnut, or a medlar. This multitude of yolks are united and knit together as it were upon a bunch: and therefore I call it a Vitellary, or a bunch of yolks, because it much resembles a bunch of grapes. As Aristotle also said of fishes that want scales, where he writes, That their eggs are laid as if they were glued together like grapes; for as in a bunch of grapes, the berries are some biggest, some less, and some least of all, and each is tied to its proper sprig, so is it in the Vitellary.  
But now in Fishes, Frogs, hard or crusted Shellfish, and Snails, the matter is much otherwise; for they contain in them Eggs of the selfsame magnitude; which being discharged, do grow alike, are perfected alike, and at the same time produce young ones. But in the Ovary of a Hen, and almost of all other Oviparous creatures, there is a distinct increase of the yolkes, from almost an invisible smallness, till they arrive to a complete magnitude: though the Eggs of Hens (not unlike the eggs of those creatures which conceive and lay their eggs together) are hatched into chickens in the same nest, almost at the same time. Yet in Pigeons (which lay, and hatch only two eggs at a time) I have observed all the Eggs in the Ovary to be of a like magnitude, excepting only those two which were greater than the rest, and were now ready to descend into the second uterus, or womb; so that of them there is great increase, not by the multitude of their young at once, but by the frequency of their repeated births, which happen every month. So in cartilaginous Fishes; as the Thorn-back, the Fork-fish, the Dogfish, etc. two eggs are only ripe at a time, and falling down on both sides from the right and left horn, they are cherished in the lower womb, and exclude their young alive (as the Viviparous creatures do:) yet in their Ovary they have almost an infinite number of eggs, and of different dimensions; in the Thornback I have numbered above a hundred.  
But the Eggs of other oviparous creatures are either perfected when they are out of the womb, as the eggs of fishes; or at least concocted, as the eggs of snails, of hard shellfish, and of spiders. The snails they treasure up their eggs in froth; crusted shellfish, (as shrimps, crayfish, lobsters) carry them about fastened to their fins; but the spider beareth them about with her, as it were in a basket wrought of her web, and so cherisheth them. The Beetle wrappeth her eggs in dung, (rolling them in it with her hinder legs) and so layeth them up: and, in all these, there are an incredible number of eggs. Fishes have two oblong bladders, or bags, as you may see in the Carp, the Herring, and the Smelled; in all which, as there is no womb at all discernible, besides the Ovary, so is this Ovary sometimes so thronged with eggs, that it far exceeds the bulk of the whole body besides.  
Of the Ovaries of these Carp and Mullets, amassed together, and salted, and hardened in the smoke, is made that kind of meat so much in request with the Greeks and Italians (called by these Botarcha, by the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, that is to say, pickled eggs) such as is that which is found in our red Herrings, & the red and compacted seed within a Lobster. That meat which is made of the salted eggs of Sturgem, is called Caviar, which resembleth black soap, and is the delight of gluttons.  
In all fishes (which have a numerous offspring) so great abundance of eggs is generated, that the whole capacity of the belly can hardly contain them, when they are newly conceived, much less when they are of any growth. And therefore in fishes, saving their Ovary, there is no other part dedicated to generation. For their eggs take growth abroad; nor need they any womb for that office. And this Ovary seems to carry some Analogy to the resticles, or little seminal bladders, not only because they are found in that place where the stones are bred in males; (for the stones in Cocks are situate, as we have said, at the ingress of the Coeliacal artery, near the midriff, and there the Hens Ovary is found) but also, because in both sexes of fishes, at the time of generation, there are two little bags passing through the whole belly, alike in site, figure, and magnitude; which increasing at the same time, are filled, in males with a similary, spermatical, and milky substance, (whence it is called fishes milk) and in the females, with little invisible grains or sands; so that in the beginning of conception (by reason of their close fabric) they look like a similar body, and like the males milk regularly coagulated, and may afterwards be discerned like the smallest sands clinging together in their proper bags.  
In lesser Birds (which bring forth eggs, and those few ones, but once a year) you will scarce find any Ovary at all; but just where the stones hang in males, there in females, instead of an Ovary, are found three or four bubbles (according to the number of eggs, whose foundation they are) as discernible as the testicles of the males.  
In the horns of the Serpent's womb (which are like the spermatical vessels of the males) appear the first rudiments of the eggs, like little balls fastened on a string, as is usual in women's bracelets, or chaplets of beads made of amber.  
They therefore that are found in the Vitellary, or Ovary, are not to be counted perfect eggs, but the first groundworks or rudiments of eggs, which are in such order and magnitude disposed in the bunch, that one may daily succeed the other, to supply the hens laying. But no egg in the Ovary is clothed with a white, for only yolks are found there; which, as they gain growth, get without the small ones; that being arrived to a larger room, they may the better thrive and enlarge. And therefore that of Fabricius is very true, where he saith, The greater yolks of the bunch are in the surface, 
pag. 3.  the lesser are in the middle, encompassed as it were by the greater; last, the least of all lie undermost. For as they get greater bulk by growing, they are separated from their fellows; which, while it is doing, every yolk, besides his proper coat, borroweth another from the Ovary, which encompasseth it without, and tieth it to the foundation from whence it sprung: wherefore by Fabricius it is called pediolus, sive pedunculus, the stalk, because by its means, as the fruit draweth nourishment and increase from the tree, so doth the yolk from the cluster. For this stalk is a membranous hollow fastening, which is extended from the bottom of the cluster to the yolk: which so soon as it arrives at, it is dilated, and (just as the optic nerve is spread in the eye) covereth the yolk with an outward coat. Hence Aristotle probably called it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, that is, the little umbilical appendix, or pipe. This little stalk conveys 
De Gen. An. l. 3. c. 2.  with it many vessels into the yolk, through which they are many ways divaricated.  
These things are indeed truly delivered by Fabricius, but he mistaketh, when he saith, This coat doth not environ the whole yolk, but only a little more than half of it, just as the cover of an acorn, called the cup: whence it cometh to pass, that the outward part of the yolk, being deserted by the forementioned membrane, is exposed to the view without veins, and appeareth naked. For it embraceth all the yolk; but in the outward part of the yolk, it is not easily discerned from its own coat, because they both are very thin. But, in the forepart, where the yolk respecteth the foundation of the cluster, this coat adhereth not to the yolk, neither doth it send any veins into it, but only begirts it like a bag.  
Every yolk assumeth a particular coat from the same foundation; and therefore this place is not to be reputed the common womb, since nothing is here to be found, beside the cluster, or heap of many eggs, of different magnitude, arising from the same foundation.  
Now this Foundation is a particular body of itself, arising at the spin of the Fowl, annexed to the great Artery and Vein, being loose, porous, and fungous, that so it may produce divers yolks out of itself, and afford each of them their coats; which coats do afterwards stretch, as the yolks enlarge, and enclose them like a Bag, with a narrow neck, but a large belly, in like manner as glass-vials are fashioned by the breath of the Glass-maker. Fabricius saith further; The yolks, as they spring from a very small original, being about the magnitude of the seed of Millet, or Mustard, so they are very little, and white, as Aristotle observes, and do also increase by degrees; and, as the same Aristotle saith, grow like yolks, and yellow, till they attain the just magnitude which every body knoweth them to be of. But I have observed them to be much less than the seeds of Millet, even as slender as the smallest wheals, or spots, or sands, (such as I have told you are found in the Ovaries of Fishes) scarce to be discovered by the eye itself, as if they were only the ruggedness of the membranes of that part from whence they proceed.   

Of the Infundibulum, or Tunnel.  
EXERCIT. IU.  
THe next part of the Womb of the Hen, is by Fabricius called the Infundibulum: for it is like a Tunnel, or Trumpet, tending downward from the Oudry, (which it every where encompasseth) and growing wider by degrees, is terminated in the superior production of the Womb.  
This Infundibulum doth afford a passage to the yolks (when their stalks are broken off) into the second womb (as Fabricius thinketh) and resembleth the Tunicae vaginalis, or coat of the Testicles in the Cod, consisting of an exceeding thin membrane, and easy to be dilated, that so it may entertain the yolks which daily roll thither, and convey them into the aforesaid Uterus.  
Do you desire an Illustration of this matter? fashion in your mind a very slender plant, whose knobby roots may represent the cluster of yolks, and its trunk the little vaginal, or sheath-like pipe: as the stalks of that herb do in the winter die, and vanish away; so, in like manner, when the Hen ceaseth to lay any more eggs, the entire Ovary, together with the Infundibulum, are retired, and abolished, and (like useless things) quite dried up; leaving only the fundamentum remaining, and some tracks and footsteps of their roots.  
That this Infundibulum doth only supply the office of a thoroughfare, is hence enough evinced, in that the yolk is never found residing in it: but as the Testicles sometimes do through the Tunica vaginalis creep upwards into the Groin, and as those Testicles are in some creatures (as the Hare and Mole) hidden within the Abdomen, and do from thence again return and descend; so by the Infundibulum do the yolkes slide down from the Ovary into the Uterus; and it supplieth the place of that Tunnel (as it also hath its form and shape) through which liquors are transmitted, from one vessel into an other of a narrower neck.   

Of the Exterior part of the Uterus of the Hen.  
EXERCIT. V.  
FAbricius prosecuteth the description of the Uterus, after the Ovary, and so by a perverse method, premitteth the treatise of the superior part, and production of the womb, to that of the very womb itself. And is also too precise and conclusive in assigning three circles to it, and in determining their certain situations, when indeed themselves are uncertain. And there also he doth preposterously repeat the definition of the Infundibulum.  
Give me leave therefore to propose here my Observation, and history of the Uterus of the Hen, (which I apprehend to be more commodious, according to Anatomical method) and to proceed from the outward parts to the inward, (contrary to the course of Fabricius.)  
In a Hen that is plucked, you may perceive the Fundament, not (as in other creatures) gathered up into a ring, but having a depressed orifice divided transversly, shrunk up as it were into two lips, the superior of which gathereth the inferior into it, and so covereth and concealeth it. That uppermost lip, or covering, ariseth from the root of the rump; and, as the upper eyelid covereth the eye, so doth this the three orifices of the Privity, (namely that of the Fundament, of the Uterus, and of the Ureters) which lie retracted under this covering, as under a praepuce, or foreskin: as in the Lap of a Woman, the passage into the womb and bladder is vailed by the labra of the privity, and the parts called Nymphae; so that, without dissection, or at lest some forcible retraction of that covering, neither the passage of the Excrements out of the guts, nor of the Urine out of the Ureters, nor of the Egg out of the Uterus, can appear in a Hen. And therefore those two excrements (namely the Urine, and the Dung) are rejected both together, as out of a receptacle common to them both, by lifting up of that covering, & so disclosing the perforation: and so likewise in coition, the Hen unvaileth her lap, and accommodateth it for the Cock that treadeth her: as Fabricius observed in a Turkey-Hen, which courted a Cock. I have seen an Ostrich-Hen (when her Keeper gently stroked her back, with design to inflame her) grovelling on the ground, lift aside that veil, and expose and stretch out her lap; which the Cock perceiving, being instantly cupidstruck, proceeded to tread her; and having one leg on the ground, and the other on her back, with an exceeding large Yard (of the dimensions almost of a Neats-tongue) pursued his attempt: great was the noise and clamours on both sides, and their necks often extended and retracted, and many other expressions of content. Nor is this proper to Birds only, but common also to other Creatures, which by removing aside their Tail, and extending their Lap, prepare themselves to receive the Male. So that the Tail in other creatures seems to be almost of the same use, with the Veil in the Hen, which, unless it be removed, or lifted up, there is neither passage for the excrements, nor the addresses of the Male.  
In Hinds and Does (as if they were more severely chaste then other beasts) such a screen of modesty, and skinney covering, shrowdeth both the lap, and passage of urine, which must of necessity be lifted up, ere they can have conversation with the Male. In Beasts also that have tails, there must be an elevation of them, before they can bring forth their young. And Midwives also, by unction and retrusion of the extremity of the os sacrum, do facilitate women's labours.  
A certain Chirurgeon of my acquaintance, an honest man, being returned from the East-Indies, told me upon his credit, that in the Island called Bornea, in the Inland and Hilly parts of it, there are a race of men born with Tails, (as Pausanias writes of another place) and that he saw a Virgin of that flock, whom they had much ado to catch, (for they are wild) who had a fleshy, thick tail, a span long, reflected between her legs, to conceal her modesty: such care hath nature to hide those parts.  
The fabric of this Covering in a Hen, is like to that of the upper lid of the eye, composed of skin, and of a fleshy and musculous membrane, with fibers every where drawn from the circumference to the Centre; and its inward superficies, like that of the eyelid, and foreskin, is soft. It hath also in its extremity a semicircular small gristle, like the Tarsus of the eyelid: and, beside that, between the skin, and fleshy membrane, a cartilaginous interstitium, from the root of the rump joined in a right angle to the semicircular Tarsus, or gristle: (as Bats have a kind of little tail, concealed under their membranous wings) by reason of which composition, this covering doth, as it were with a tail, shelter and hide the perforations of the privities. 
The Perforations in the Fundament of a hen.   
Wherefore, no sooner is this protection cut away, but certain perforations appear, whereof some are more apparent, others more obscure. The more visible, are that of the fundament, and the lap; namely, the passage of the excrements, and the entrance into the womb: the obscurer are, as well that through which the urine flows from the kidneys, as also that smaller one found out by Fabricius, into which (saith he) the Cock doth immit his seed; which cavity notwithstanding Antonius Ulmus a diligent dissector in Aldrovandus did not own, nor any one else besides Fabricius, so far as I 
The Sink.  know. These Holes are all so near neighbours the one to the other, that they seem all to consent and pass into one and the same cavity; which (because it lies in common both to the excrement and the urine) may be called the Sink; because, in it, the excrements of the guts, together with the urine descending from the reins, are mixed together, till they be together excluded. And through this the egg also passing forth, worketh its way.  
The making of this cavity is such, as if both the excrements descended into the Bladder, and nature did abuse the urine into a natural clyster. And therefore it is something thicker and ruggeder then the gut, and also in ejection and coition, thrusts itself out, (the covering, as I have said, being removed) and hangeth out like the inside of the gut: and at that time all the holes appear distinctly; which presently again upon its retraction, being collected as it were into a purse, are hidden out of sight.  
The more conspicuous Holes, (namely that of 
The situation of the orifice of the womb.  the fundament, and the lap) obtain a contrary situation in all fowls, from all other creatures; for in these, the Pudendum, or female genital, is seated foremost, between the right gut and the bladder: but in those, the passage of the Excrement is placed foremost, and between that passage and the rump, the passage into the matrix.  
But that Hole into which Fabricius thinketh the 
The Perforation of the Purse, so called by Aquapendens.  Cock doth cast his seed, is discovered between this door of the matrix, and the rump. But, for my part, I acknowledge no such employment of it; for, in Pullet's or young Hens, it is hardly found at all; but in grown fowl it is promiscuously as well in the Cock as in the Hen. And, besides that, this hole is very small and obscure, and cannot therefore be imagined to be of so concerning an office; for it scarce admits the point of a small needle or a slender hair, and terminateth also in a blind and obscure cavity: nor could I ever perceive any seminal humour at all in it; though Fabricius affirmeth, that the semen is there reserved as in a purse, for a whole year together, and that in the interim all the eggs receive fecundity from thence, as shall be discoursed hereafter.  
All Birds, Serpents, fourfooted beasts, which are Oviparous, and Fishes also, (as is evident in Carp) 
The passage of Urine in a Hen.  are endowed with Kidneys and Ureters, through which the Urine floweth: which Aristotle, and other Philosophers hitherto knew not. But Birds, and Serpents, whose Lungs are fungous, have but very little urine; because they drink but little, and that by sips; and therefore they need no Bladder of Urine, but do deposit it (as we have said) into the common sink and receptacle with the drier excrements. But in Carp, and some other fishes I have found a Bladder of Urine.  
In a Hen, the Ureters descend form the Kidneys on both sides, (which Kidneys are large and ample and seated in the cavity or hollow of the back and do end in the cavity or common sink. But their Outlet is so obscure, and concealed in the very entrance of the cavity, that to discover it from without, or to search it with the most slender probe, is altogether impossible. Nor is it indeed any great wonder; for in all creatures, even in the greatest of all, the insertion of the Ureters near the neck of the Bladder, is dark and winding, that (though urine, nay and stones too do sometimes glide through them into the bladder) not so much as the air itself can go back that way, nor the urine, be it never so much forced.  
All these things are clear in an Ostrich; in which I have found, beside the outward orifice of the common cavity, which was vailed by the Covering; another orifice within the Fundament, which was round and gathered up, and shut as it were with a sphincter muscle. But to pass these, and return to our purpose.  
The Orifice of the Womb, or Lap; namely the passage out of the public cavity into the womb of 
The Orifice of the Uterus.  the Hen, is as it were a certain soft protuberance or rising, loose, wrinkled, and orbicular; just like the end of the Foreskin closed up, or a prominence of some interior coat of the matrix. But it is situate (as I said before) between the perforation of the fundament and the rump, tending something to the left hand; which Ulysses Aldrovandus conceives so to be disposed, for more convenient coition, and more commodious reception of masculine incursion.  
But I have often observed, that the Hen doth indifferently incline her back parts towards the Cock, on which side soever he prepare his ascent, be it on the right or left. I find no Penis, or Yard at all in a Cock, neither could Fabricius find any, though it appear most manifest in Drakes, and Ganders. But, instead thereof, I find an Orifice in a Cock (not different from that of a Hen) but it is less, and narrower; which Orifice is like wise found in the Swan, the Drake, and the Gander: but the Penis of the Drake and Gander (in the act of Coition) is sent out of this orifice.  
In a black Drake, I saw a Penis of that extent, that after coition, the Duck pursued it as it trailed upon the ground, with intent to devour it; (deeming, as I suppose, that it had been a worm) which occasioned the Drake to retract it sooner than his custom is.  
In a Male-Osirich, I found, within this orifice of the Privy-parta a very large glans, or nut of the yard, and a ruddy nerve, of the form and magnitude of a Deers tongue, or small Neat's tongue; which I observed him many times brandish in coition, stiff, and something embowed: which, when he had dispatched into the female, he detained there a good space, without any commotion of these parts at all, as they had been staked together; yet all the while strange were the gesticulations of their Heads and Necks (as if they had approved their Nuptials) proclaiming their full complacence.  
I have read in D. du Val, a most learned Physician of Roven, that a certain Hermaphrodite was delivered up to the Chirurgeons and Midwives, to determine whether he was a Man or a Woman. They, upon discovery, judged him to be a woman; and thereupon he was enjoined to habit himself like one of that sex. He notwithstanding was in the mean time accused of soliciting women, and playing the man's part. And at last he had a penis issuing out of its hidden prepuce, (as out of a woman's secrets) which executed the man's office.  
I myself once saw a man's penis so shrunk up (excepting only when it was provoked) that nothing appeared in the wrinkled prepuce above the scrotum, but the mere extremity of the Glans.  
In a Horse, and some other creatures, the vast dimension of that part is shut forth from within. In a Mole also, that little Animal, there is a great retraction of the penis into the skin and muscles of the Abdomen; and his female also hath a longer and deeper Matrix then is usual.  
I conceive, it is with a Cock, who hath no penis, as it is with the lesser sort of Birds; which quickly conclude their acts of coition, and do perform them by affriction only. For the Orifices of the Privities (of the Cock and Hen) by often conjunction, as by repeated salutes, do celebrate coition, not by one continued inition, (which orifices being turned outward, do protuberate, wax stiff, and stretch after the manner of a Glans; especially that of the Cock, which only doth outwardly press upon the female, and, as I suppose, doth not enter in.  
In the Coition of Horses, Dogs, and Cats, and other creatures, when the male presenteth his penis, the female proportioneth her parts stiff, and extended. And Birds also that are tame, suffer themselves to be gently stroked, and swelling with Venereal appetite, expose that Orifice, which you may by your finger perceive to be hardened and resisting. Nay sometimes birds are so lustful, that if you only gently smooth their backs, they will instantly incline, and extend and make bare their Uterine Orifice; which if your finger softly comply with, they will declare their accepted recreation, in extravagant murmurs, and flutterings of their wings. And that the females will even thence conceive eggs, both Aristotle beareth witness, and I myself have found in a Thrush, a Blackbird, and others: and this experiment I gained long since, and by chance, but at my own cost. For my wife had an excellent, & a well instructed Parrot, which was long her delight; which was now grown so familiar, that he was permitted to walk at liberty through the whole house: where he miss his Mistress, he would search her out, and when he had found her, he would court her with a cheerful congratulation. If she had called him, he would make answer, and flying to her, he would grasp her garments with his claws, and bill, till by degrees he had scaled her shoulder; whence he descending by her arm, did constantly seat himself upon her hand. If she bade him talk, or sing, were it night, and never so dark, he would obey her. Many times when he was sportive and wanton, he would sit in her lap, where he loved to have her scratch his head, and struck his back, and then testify his contentment, by kind mutterings, and shaking of his wings. I still interpreted all this to proceed from his customary familiarity and obsequiousness, for I always thought him to be a Cock-Parrat, by his notable excellence in singing and talking. For amongst Birds, the females seldom sing, or provoke to discourse; but the males only charm the females by the pleasant music of their voice, and allure them to pay their homage to Venus. And therefore Aristotle saith, If Partridge-hennes stand 
Hist. an. l. 5. c. 5. and l. 6. c. 2.  over against the cocks, and the wind blow from whence the cocks are, they conceive and grow big, and for the most part, they teem even by the voice of the cock, if they be at that time wanton and lustful: and this also may fall out from the cocks flying over them; namely if the cock do transmit a fructifying spirit into the Hen. And this happens chiefly in the Springtime; whence the Poet: 
Virgil. 2. Georg.   

Vere tument terrae, & genitalia semina poscunt.  
Tum Pater Omnipotens foecundis imbribus aether.  
Conjugis in gremium laetae descendit, & omnes  
Magnus alit, magno commistus corpore, foetus.  
Avia tum resonant avibus virgulta sonoris,  
Et Venerem certis repetunt armenta diebus.   

Earth swells in Spring, and fertile seed requires,  
Descending Aether with her vote conspires,  
And fruitful showers cheer his glad consorts hart,  
Which do to all her Issues growth impart.  
The Desert woods are then the shrill Birds Choir,  
And all Beasts are inflamed with Venus' fire.   
But not long after these kind dalliances, the Parrot, which had lived many years sound and healthy, grew sick, and being much oppressed by many convulsive motions, did at length deposit his much lamented spirit in his Mistress' bosom, where he had so often sported. When dissecting his carcase, (to find out the cause of his death) I found in the womb an egg almost completed, but, for want of a Cock, corrupted. Which many times befalleth those Birds, that are immured in Cages, when they covet the society of the Cock.  
By this and other examples, I am induced to believe, that the dunghil-cock, and the Cock-Pheasant, do not only delight their Hens by their voices, but also do confer something by those very voices to the conception of the eggs: for even at night, some of the Hens at roost with him, do bestir themselves at the Cocks crowing, shaking their heads and wings; as if possessed by a gentle horror, their senses were ravished as after Coition.  
A certain Fowl, as big again as a Swan, was not long since brought into Holland out of Java, a● Island of the East-Indies, which fowl the Dutchmen called a Cassoware: the figure of this fowl Aldrovandus representeth, and saith, that the Indians 
Ornith. lib. 20. p. 541.  call it Eme: it is not cloven-footed, as the Ostrich, but hath three claws on every foot; one of which is armed with so long, so hard, and so strong a spur, that it will easily pierce through an Inc●board. Now its manner of smiting is forward; its body, legs, and thighs, are like an Ostriches, but it hath not a broad bill, as the Ostrich hath, but a roun● and black one. Instead of a crest, it hath upon the head a round extuberant horn; it hath no tongue at all; eateth any thing without distinction, be it stones, or coals, and those red-hot too, likewise pieces of glass; it hath two feathers springing out from every quill, and those black, short, and thin, approaching to the nature of hair, or down; it hath very little wings, and imperfect; it is a creature of a horrid aspect, and hath long red and blue gills hanging down the neck (like a Turkeycock.)  
This fowl continued in Holland above seven years, and afterwards Maurice, the most Illustrious Prince of Orange sent it, with other things, for a Present to King James, in whose gardens it lived above five years: but afterward, when two Ostriches, Cock and Hen, chanced to be kept in the same place, and the Cassoware oftentimes overheard them at the act of coition, being but in the next pens (where they were fed apart) She unexpectedly conceived eggs (stirred up, as I suppose, by a certain sympathy, from those that were something of the same kin and lineage with her) yet all that saw her, did conjecture she was rather a Cock, than a Hen, considering her we apons and martial provisions. One of these eggs she laid whole and entire, which I opened and found it complete; for it had a white embracing the yolk round about, together with the chalazae, or specks like hailstones annexed on both sides, and also a little cavity or emptiness in the obtuse end of it: there was likewise the cicatricula, the little cicatrice, or whitish speck; the shell was thick, hard, and strong, which I caused to be made into a cup (the top being taken off) such as is usually made of the Ostriches egg. This egg was something less than an Ostriches egg, but every way perfect, as I said before; yet without all question it was but a subventaneous and an unfruitful one, by reason of the want of a Cock. But at the same time as she brought forth the egg, I did presage she herself would die; and that according to Aristotle, who saith, That Birds will be sick and die, unless they bring forth, which fell out not long 
Gen. an. l. 3  after: and dissecting her, I found an imperfect and corrupt egg in the Upper end of her Uterus, which caused her untimely death, (as I had formerly observed in the Parrot and other Birds.)  
Most Birds, by how much the more salacious they are, so much the more fruitful are they; and sometimes do without a Cock (either from high feeding, or some other cause) conceive eggs, which very seldom are either perfected, or brought forth at all, without the use of a Cock; but they thenoe fall into desperate diseases, and at length die.  
But the Dunghill-henne doth not only conceive eggs, but lay them also; and those perfect too, but yet subventaneous and barren ones. So also many of the Infects (in whose list are Silkworms and Butterflies) do both conceive, and lay eggs, without conjunction with the male, (as fishes also) but they are all addle, and wind-eggs. As if it were the same thing for these creatures to be with egg, as for virgins to have their wombs grow warm; their terms flow, their breasts increase, and (in a word) to become marriageable; which if they be too long detained from, they are assaulted with dangerous symptoms; (namely hysterical affections, or furor Uterinus) or else fall into the green sickness, and several other distempers. For all Creatures, when they are love-struck, grow extravagant, and if debarred of enjoyment, do at length recede much from their usual temper. Hence some women grow frantic for love; and this extravagancy is so outrageous in some, that they seem bewitched, planet-struck, or possessed. And this inconvenience would be frequent, did not pious education, respect to their reputation, and inbred modesty, temper and assuage these inordinate commotions of the mind.   

Of the Privities of a Hen.  
EXER. VI  
FRom the exterior uterine orifice, is the passage to the inner parts, and matrix, in which the egg is perfected: and this passage in other creatures is termed vagina uteri, or vulva, into which the males penis is transmitted to the matrix. But in a Hen, this passage is so perplexed, and so wrinkled and folded, by reason of the laxity of its inward coat, that though there be an easy passage from the matrix outward, insomuch that a very great egg can come forth without any great difficulty; yet that the masculine penis should get in, and that the seed should find admission into the inner cavity of the Uterus, is scarce probable: for I could not trace a way inward, with either probe, or bristle, nor could Fabricius neither; nay, if you will credit his testimony, the very air cannot be blown into the womb: which, I suppose, was the cause why he, describing the history of the Egg, proceedeth from the interior to the exterior parts: And also considering this fabric of the womb, he denyeth 
pag. 30.  the seed to attain so far as the cavity of the womb, or to constitute any part of the egg: of which opinion I willingly profess myself. For you shall find nothing at all in a fertile egg, either added, or altered, (which is not in an addle one) to give any suspicion of the entrance of the Cock's seed into the womb or egg. But yet though all the eggs are, without the accession of the Cock, subventaneous and addle; yet by his assistance (even for a good while after his treading) the subsequent eggs, of which there is yet no principle, or matter out of which they can be made, become fertile. Fabricius, that he may express after what manner the seed of the Cock maketh the eggs fertile, 
pag. 17.  hath these words: Since no seed at all appeareth in the egg, and yet it is cast by the cock into the womb, it may be demanded, to what purpose the cock's seed is cast into the womb, if it pass not into the egg? as also, if the seed be not in the egg, how can the egg be made fertile by that seed which is not in it? My opinion is, that the seed of the cock injected into the beginning of the womb, doth make the whole womb, and also all the yolks that come into it, and lastly, the whole egg, fertile; and that it doth this by its virtue, or spiritual irradiating substance; after the same manner, as we perceive other creatures become fertile, by the testicles, and seed: for if any man consider that incredible transmutation, which doth seize upon a creature that is gelded, by which it looseth its heat, vigour, and fecundity in the whole body; he will easily consent, that what we say, may well befall the single womb of a Hen. But that it is most true, that the power of rendering all the eggs fertile, together with the womb itself, proceedeth wholly from the seed of the Cock, appeareth, even from the practice of women, which having a Hen without a Cock, commit her for a day or two to a neighbour's Cock: and from this small commerce, all the eggs are endowed with fertility, for all that year. And this is also confirmed by Aristotle, who is of opinion, that 
de Gen. an. l. 3. c. 1.  after birds have once had the advantage of coition, almost all the eggs they lay afterward are fertile. Now, lest the virtue of making fertile, which is contained in 
pag. 38.  the seed, should by any means exhale or evaporate, but that it may remain long in the womb, and so be imparted to the whole; nature hath concluded, and treasured it up as it were in a purse, in the cavity near the fundament, which is annexed to the womb, to which there is only an entrance, but no retreat, so that the seed being there long detained, its virtue may be the better preserved, and communicated to the whole womb.  
But I did doubt the verity of the foresaid experiment, and that the rather, because I perceived the Philosopher's words were falsely recited; for, he doth not say, that, Birds, when they once have had the advantage of coition, almost all the eggs they lay are fertile, but, they lay almost all their eggs: where the word Fertile is superadded by Fabricius: for it is one thing, to say, that Birds are with egg after coition; and another thing, to say, that those eggs are made fertile by coition. And this is more manifest by Aristotle's precedent words, where he saith, In Birds, not so much as those very eggs which are begotten by coition, can for the most part gain their just growth, unless that coition be continued. And the reason is, because, that as in women by coition with the male, the menstruous excrement is drawn forth (for the womb being warmed draweth the moisture, and the pores are opened) so it falls out in birds, whilst the menstruous excrement cometh by little and little, which cannot get out, because it is but little, and is contained above about the diaphragma, but slideth down into the womb itself. For with this the egg is nourished, as the foetus of viviparous creatures is nourished with that which comes in at the Navel. For after birds have once been at tread, they still persist to have almost all their eggs, but yet small ones, and imperfect; and therefore barren: for the perfection of an egg, is its fecundity. If therefore without continued coition, not so much as those very eggs which are conceived by that coition, do attain their Growth, or (as Fabricius interpreteth it) their Perfection; much less can those eggs be fertile, which the Birds persist to lay, without coition.  
But let no man think that these words (namely, the womb being warmed draweth, and the pores are opened) do any way conclude, that the womb can draw the seed of the Cock into its cavity; for we must take notice, that the Philosopher doth not say, that the womb draweth the seed from without, but, that in women, the menstruous blood is drawn out of their own bodies, the veins and passages being opened by the heat caused by coition; and so likewise in Birds, that the blood is drawn to the womb, it being warmed by repeated coition, and that the eggs do thence increase; as the foetus of viviparous creatures do by the Navel. But what he adjoineth concerning that cavity or purse, in which he fancyeth that the seed is entertained, even for a whole year together, is confuted by us formerly; where we affirm, that no seed at all is contained in it and that both hens and cocks indifferently have that cavity.  
Wherefore, though I easily believe (if by fertility we understand an increase of more and fairer eggs) that poor women's hens (whose poultry probably wanteth good feeding) will lay lesser and fewer eggs, except they have resort to a cock (according to that of the Philosopher, namely, If they once mix with a cock, than they continue to have fairer, better, and more eggs, for the whole ensuing year; to which end also, plenty and wholesomeness of feeding do very much conduce) yet that hens, by some few acts of coition with a cock should lay all fertile eggs for a whole year together; that, I say, seemeth to me improbable. For if a few acts of coition were of force to so lasting a generation, Nature (which maketh nothing in vain) would have made the male birds less salacio● than they are: nor would the cock so often in one day invite his hens to Venery, nay sometimes force a rape upon them.  
We all know, how the hen, so soon as she forsaketh the nest where she hath laid her egg crieth out with a shrill voice, and enticeth the cock to coition; who also replying with a loud and divided tone, carefully seeketh her out, and having found her, instantly ascendeth: which surely Nature had never permitted, but for procreation sake.  
A Cock-Pheasant, penned up in an aviary, both with such scorching lust, that unless he have sewrall hens with him, (six at the least) he will ●● extremely afflict them with repeated Coitions, and rather retard their fertility, than promote it ●●● once saw a Pheasant-henne, so spent and worn o●● by the cock who was shut up with her (whom she could no ways escape, neither by flight, nor concealment) that her back was grown bald by his frequent ascents, until at last, in miserable torture, ●●e expired for grief. Yet, when I cut her up, I sound not the lest rudinient of an egg. I have observed likewise a Gander, who wanting a mate, sojourned with the hens, where his lust was so unbounded, that for some hours together he pursued a young pullet whithersoever she fled, arresting her with his bill, till at length he triumphed upon her weariness, and subdued her to a Rape.  
A dunghil-cock having gotten the mastery in the duel, doth sat his desires not only upon the concubines of his foe, but upon the conquered himself.  
So likewise some females are so prone to Venery, that they will chastise their males with their bitings; (as if they meant to whisper and advise them of conjugal delights) sometimes getting uppermost themselves, endeavouring by these and other arts to entice them to their recreation: and in this rank are pigeons, and sparrows.  
And therefore it seems not so likely, that a few coitions celebrated in the beginning of the year, should store up fecundity enough, to endow all the eggs for a twelvemonth following.  
And yet once (that Fabricius may have some patronage) in the Spring time (attempting some discovery of the time wherein coition is most successful, and the necessity thereof) I did separate two hens from the cock for four day's space, which in that time laid three eggs a piece, which were as prolifical as the rest. And I did after that immure another hen, which on the tenth day of her separation laid an egg, and another egg on the twentieth, and both were fruitful: so that it may seem possible, that one or two acts of conjunction may fructify the whole cluster, and consequently all the eggs of that year.  
I shall tell you likewise, what I farther observed at that time; when I restored the two hens (which I had formerly divorced) to the cock again, whereof one of them was now big with egg, the other had newly laid; the cock ran instantly to the latter, and enjoyed her greedily three or four times: about the former, he circuited often, and by trailing his wings at her feet, seemed to greet her kindly, and congratulate her return; yet presently retired to the other, and repeated his lust again, and again, committing violence upon her refusal; neglecting in the mean time the henn that was with egg, using no solicitation nor request. Truly I admired, by what significations he could be inspired to know, that coition could be useful to the one, and unseasonable to the other. It is not easy to say, how males will either by the eye, ear, or smell, distinguish (even from far) which females are ripe for their turn, and desirous of their company. Some, though they only hear their voice, or sent their urine, or footsteps only on the ground are presently heightened, and pursue them to a compliance. But of this elsewhere, in our tract o● the Love, Lust, and act of Generation of Animals, w● shall treat at large. We return to our purpose.   

Of the Belly of a Hen, and other Birds.  
EXERCIT. VII.  
FRom the outward Orifice through the privy parts, we arrive at the Uterus or matrix of the Hen, wherein the egg is perfected, encompassed by the white, and covered with the shell; but before we speak any thing of its situation, and position, something must be premised, concerning the peculiar anatomy of the Belly of Birds. For I have observed the stomaches, guts, and other entrails of Feathered creatures, to be otherwise seated and constituted in their lower belly, then of other creatures that go upon the ground.  
All kinds of Birds, almost, have a twofold stomach, whereof one is the Ingluvies, the other the Ventriculus, properly so called: in the former they treasure up their meat, and prepare it; in the latter, they digest it, and concoct it into the chyle: the first, we call the crop or craw; the latter, the Gisard. Birds reserve in their craw the whole grains which they ingorge, and from thence transmit them into the gisard, moistened, macerated, and softened by the water which they imbibe, that it may there be grinded, and concocted. And for that purpose, almost all sorts of Fowl swallow down sands, stones, & other harder bodies, & reserve them in their gisard with their meat; (when no such thing is to be seen in their craw) and this gisard of theirs is compacted of two exceeding thick'st strong muscles, (which in lesser Birds are composed of flesh or ligaments) that with these two, as it were with two Grind-stones, fastened together with two hinges, they may grind and mould their food; whilst the stones supply the place of teeth, of which they are destitute. By this means they digest and chylifie their meat, and afterward by compression (as we strain a juice or a pultis out of herbs or fruits bruised) the softer and more liquid part lieth uppermost; and that they convey into the beginning of the guts (which in them is just at the entrance into the gullet, seated above the gisard. Now that this is so, appears in several sorts of Birds, in whose gisard, if gravel, or any other harder and rugged bodies continue any time, they receive so much impair and smoothness from the continual attrition, that at last they grow useless, and so are ejected. And for this cause Birds exercise their tongues in the choice of their pebbles, and if they discover that they are no● rough, they presently refuse them. By this mean● I have found Iron, Silver, and Stones, almost worn away and consumed in the gisard of an Ostrich, and the Cassoware; which gives occasion to the popular persuasion, that they digest Iron, and are nourished by it.  
In Falcons, Eagles, and other Birds of Prey, if you bring your ear near, when their gisard is empty you shall evidently discover the noise of stones collected in it, grating one against another. For Hawks do not swallow pebbles to cool and all● their heat, (as the common sort of Falconers dream) but to grind their meat: as also other Birds (whose gisard is made fleshy on purpose t● mould their meat) for the same intent, do ingorge pebbles, or sand, or such like bodies.  
The gisard of Birds therefore, is seated within the capacity of the Abdomen, beneath the Heart, Lungs, and Liver; but the crop sticketh (for the most part) as it were out of the body, in the lower part of the neck, at the Os Jugale: in which (as I have said) their meat is only mollified, and prepared: and from it some Birds return their meat macerated to their chickens, and nurse them up (at the same rate as fourfooted beasts do theirs with milk) as you may observe in all sorts of Pigeons, and also in the Spermologi, which we call Rooks. And Bees also, when they are returned to their Hives, do refund the honey which they gather from the flowers, and have digested in their stomach, into their proper celles: and so do Hornets and Wasps nourish their offspring. And a Bitch hath been seen to disgorge the meat which she had swallowed before, and half concocted, to supply her whelps. Wherefore, the wonder is less, when we see poor beggar-women, when their milk faileth them, to feed their Infants with scraps, which their own teeth have first prepared, and reduced into a kind of pap.  
The Guts in Birds arise (as is said) from the upper part of the Gisard, and are replicated up and down in Longitude (not transversly, as in us.) And next to them, just under the heart, about the middle of the body, where the diaphragma (which is wanting in Birds) is seated in Beasts, is their Liver, which is very large, and divided into two lobes, (for they have no spleen neither) placed on either side, and fills the hypochondria: below the Liver is the gisard put, under which lie the replications of the intestines, having very many slender membranes interposed, which are filled with air: for into these (as we have said) the rough arteries of the lungs descend with open mouth. The kidneys (which are large in Birds) being of an oblong figure, composed as it were of gobbets of flesh, having no cavities at all, do lie on both sides of the Spine, and great descending vein and Artery, and are buried in the spacious oblong cavity of the huckle bones or sides-men. From the forepart of the kidneys are the Ureters extended in Longitude, even to the common sink, and fundament itself: that so the serous excrement may from the Reins be wafted thither. Now Birds have very little of this serum, because they are small drinkers, and some of them (as the Eagle for one) drink not all. Nor doth their urine flow apart by its self; but, as we have said, doth distil from the Ureters into the common receptacle, which is allowed also to entertain the excrement of the guts, whose discharge is by this means the better provided for. The urine of Birds differeth from that of other creatures; for the parts of their urine are twofold, one more serous, and liquid, the other more gross and thick, which in men in health we call the hypostasis, and when the urine is now cold, it sinketh down to the bottom: now Birds (clean contrary to other viviparous Animals) have greater store of this thick sediment; which is distinguished from the other part of the urine, by its white or silver-like complexion, and it is not only discernible in the cloaca or sink, (where it much aboundeth) and giveth a tincture to the excrements of the guts: but in the whole conduct of the Ureters, which are distinguished from the coats of the kidneys, by this very white excrement. Nor is the thicker substance which descendeth from the Reins, only visible in Birds, but in Serpents also, and other oviparous creatures; especially those whose egg is guarded by a harder kind of shell. And they have much more abundance of this, then of the thinner serous part: and it hath a middle consistence between a thicker kind of urine, and the excrement of the guts; so that as it passeth through the Ureters, it resembleth milk coagulated, or something thickened, and presently upon ejection it congealeth into a crust that is friable.   

Of the situation and fabric of the rest of the parts of the Womb in a Hen.  
EXERCIT. VIII.  
BEtween the Gisard, and the Liver, at the Spine of the back, where in men and other animals the Pancreas lieth, between the vena Porta, and descending trunk of vena Cava, at the beginning of the Emulgent veins, and the preparing spermatical vessels, where the Coeliacal artery goeth into the Mesentery, there also in a Hen and other Birds, is the Ovary, and cluster of yolkes bred, which hath Before it the Trunk of the Vena Porta, the gullet, and the mouth of the Gisard; and Behind it, the Hollow vein, and the Great Artery descending by the Spine of the back; Above it lieth the Liver, Under it the Gisard. And therefore the Infundibulum, which is constituted of a very thin membrane, descendeth downward from the Ovary, all along the back, between it and the Gisard. And from the Infundibulum or Tunnel (between the Gisard, Guts, Reins, and Loins) the Process of the Uterus, or its superior part, having many revolutions and cells (like the Colon & right-gut in a man) descendeth into the Womb itself. But the Womb itself, which is continuous to this Process, is seated below the Gisard at the Fundament, at the lower end of the Abdomen, between the loins, kidneys, and right-gut: so that when the egg now clothed with the White is contained in it, it presseth down so low, that you may easily perceive by your finger, whether it be soft, or hard, and ready to be laid.  
This Womb, in a Hen, is of different magnitude and fabric: For in a Hen which is big with egg, or hath lately laid, it differeth very much from the womb of a Virgin-henne, or Pullet; for her womb is fleshy and round, like an empty purse; smooth without, within rough, having certain folds and revolutions according to its longitude: at first sight, you would conceive it to be a larger kind of bladder of Urine, or a second lesser gisard. But in a teeming Hen, and one ripe for the cock (which our housewives distinguish by the redness of their crest, or comb) the Uterus is of much better growth, and more carnous, having larger folds, and thicker, and of that extent, that it may conveniently receive an egg. And this womb is extended and passeth upward a good way, along the Spine of the back, and is made up of many complications and cells; (as the Collick-gut is) which several cells are composed of the replications of the womb itself. The Bottom hereof, as it is the largest, so it is the thickest, and most carnous part of all, fortified with more and greater foldings than the rest, whose figure within is Ovale, as if it were the Mould to cast eggs in. I call the Ascending part, or production of the Womb, a Process: Fabricius calleth it, the second Uterus, and saith it consists of three rundels or turnings: Ulysses Aldrovandus calleth it the stomach of the womb: there are, I confess, most commonly three spires or rundels, yet this is not so constant, but that nature fashions it otherwise, for variety, (as she doth sometimes in the circumgirations of the Colon.  
This womb, the higher it goeth, the slenderer and sparer it groweth by degrees, and hath fewer and lesser circumvolutions, till at length as it were dissolving into very thin membranes, it becomes to be the Infundibulum, which arising up as far as the diaphragme, encompasseth all the Ovary.  
And therefore Fabricius divideth his second womb into three parts; viz. the beginning, the middle, and 
pag. 17.  the end. The beginning, saith he, degenerating into a stender and most soft membrane, frameth a wide orifice, representing as it were a little pipe or tunnel. The middle part (which I call the Process of the Uterus) is constituted of three transverse spires or Rundels, and serveth to furnish the yolk of the egg with a white, and extendeth itself to the lowest and most capacious place or part of all; which he calls the End of that Uterus, wherein (saith he) the Chalazae, or specks, and the two membranes and shell are form.  
The whole substance of the Uterus (especially about the folds) as well in the Uterus itself, as in its Process, is embroidered with many large veins, and yet there are more divarications of Arteries then of Veins.  
The Folds which in the inside of the womb are oblique and transverse, are of a fleshy substance, and look exceeding white and milky, breathing forth a kind of stiff moisture; so that the inward superficies both of the Uterus, and also of its Process, is lined as it were with very much, and thin whites of eggs; by which means the descending yolk gains greater bulk, and clotheth itself in white by degrees, till it arrive at full perfection.  
You shall seldom find the Uterus unfurnished of eggs, but that there are some still either sticking in the revolutions of the Process of the womb, or else contained in the Uterus or womb itself. If you blow up this Process when it is empty, it will appear like a little oblique distorted pipe, rising up sharp at the end in manner of a snails shell, or a Top. And the Fabric of the womb is like that which we lately observed in the privy parts; namely, that though there be open way enough to receive the egg in its descent, yet there is scarce any return to be obtained upwards again, (even for the air itself, though backed by inflation.)  
The Process of the Uterus, together with the spires, is so diminished in a Hen past laying (as we have said) and also in young pullets, that it resolveth into most thin membranes, and is quite abolished, and leaveth no appearance of it, as neither of the Ovary, or Infundibulum; only there remains (like the root of the cluster) a glandulous and spongy substance, which tasteth pretty sweet in a boiled Hen; as in Viviparous creatures (especially if they be young and tender) the Pancreas, and Thymus do; which therefore the people call the Sweetbreads.  
The Womb, together with its Process, is by the help of a membrane fastened to the back: which membrane Fabricius doth therefore call Mesometrium; because, the second womb, together with this membranous body, wherein many veins are divaricated, may fitly be compared to the Intestines, and their Mesentery. For as the Mesentery keepeth firm the Guts, so doth that Mesometrium fasten this long Process from the chine, lest being dislocated, and involved, it should disturb and obstruct the passage of the yolks, whereas now being free and open, it entertaineth them gently. Through this Mesometrium, many vessels stored with blood, are branched into every replication of the womb. And therefore it beareth much analogy to the Mesentery, both in its beginning, substance, fabric, use, and office. There is also a Ligament (like a fillet) extended long-ways from the bottom of the womb to the Infundibulum, such a one as we may see produced in the upper region of the Colon; which is as it were a portion or fragment of the outward coat, going along and contracted, that the rest of the Process might by its help be wrinkled into folds and replications. Thus, if you cut off a gut, and put in a thread into it all along the whole length of one side of it, and then tie it hard, the other opposite side will curl up into wrinkled complications and windings.  
This then is the Constitution of the womb of a Hen that layeth eggs; namely, fleshy, large, ductile and extensive into length and breadth, full of windings, spires, and convolutions all along the spin of the back from the fundament, upwards, and continuous to the Infundibulum.   

Of the generation of the Egg.  
EXERCIT. IX.  
THe yolk, in the cluster, is only a little wheal or push, and growing by degrees, attaineth the complexion and bulk of a yolk; and falling off from the cluster, it descendeth through the Infundibulum; and rolling through the Spires and caverns of the Process of the womb, doth clothe itself all over with the White: though (as Fabricius rightly observed against Aristotle) it doth adhere to the womb no where at all, nor is it nourished by any Umbilical vessels: but as the eggs of frogs or fishes, provide themselves whites out of the waters wherein they lie; or as beans, pease, and other pulse and grain, being moistened, do swell, and thence acquire aliment to the blossoms which spring from them: So in like manner out of the aforesaid folds of the womb, an albugineous humidity issuing thence (as it were out of a dug, or Uterine cake) the Yolk (by virtue of a vegitative heat, and faculty wherewith it is endowed) findeth out, and concocteth its white. And therefore in those folds, and in the cavity of the Uterus, a liquor, in taste much like the white of an egg, doth most plenteously abound. And in this sort the yolk descending by little and little, is invested with a white, until at last, assuming membranes, and a harder shell in the extremity of the womb, he is completed for his Exit.   

Of the Growth and departure of the Egg from the Womb.  
EXER. X.  
ATtend Fabricius: as we pronounce (saith he) the action of the Stomach to be Chylification: and 
pag. 8.  the action of the Testicles to be the Generation of Seed; because we find chyle in the Stomach, and Seed in the Testicles: So we confidently affirm the Action of the Birds womb, to be the Generation of eggs, because there we find the eggs. But this is not the only Function of the womb, but the Augmentation of the egg also, which succeedeth immediately after the Generation, till the egg be perfected, and purchase a just enlargement, is employed. For the Hen doth not naturally lay her egg, before it be complete, and have attained a convenient magnitude. The Action therefore of the Uterus is both the Generation, and Augmentation of the egg: Now Augmentation supposeth Nutrition, and includeth it. But since all Generation proceedeth from two Principles; namely, the Efficient, and the Subject Matter: The Efficient in the procreation of eggs is nothing else, but the Instruments, or proposed organs, namely, the twofold Uterus: and the Subject Matter, is nothing but Blood.  
But we, for Brevity sake (omitting, as is meet, all controversy) as we do easily allow, that the use and office of the womb, is to procreate eggs: so we pronounce the Adequate Efficient (as they call it) to be contained in the egg itself: and we do conceive that both the Generation, and Augmentation of the Egg, proceedeth not from the womb, but from an innate natural principle of its own: And that this Principle doth flow first from the whole Hen, into the Yolk while it yet is only a rudiment, or first wheal as it were; which afterwards like a congenial heat, or Efficient Nature) inherent in the Yolk, nourisheth and Augmenteth it: As there is a certain inbred faculty in every part of the Body, by which it is fed and augmented. As concerning the manner how the Yolk is invested with the White, Aristotle seems to 
de Gen. an. l. 3. c. 2.  have conceited it to be thus: That there is in eggs, while their membranes are yet tender, a kind of umbilical channel, existent in the sharper end of the egg (at which he determineth the egg to begin) by which it increaseth: which persuasion Fabricius reprehendeth, denying any being at all to any such channel; Or that the Yolk doth any where adhere to the womb: and salveth that scruple concerning that small appendix found in the egg after it is laid, saying; The augmentation of the egg is twofold, 
pag. 11.  according to the twofold womb, that is the superin, and inferior: and also, according to the twofold substance, whereof the egg is compounded, that is, the Yolk and the White; the Yolk is increased by a true Augmentation; namely, by blood; which is conveyed to it by the Veins, whilst it is yet adjoined to the Vitellary. But the White is increased, and groweth to the yolk, after another fashion: For it receiveth not nourishment by the Veins, nor by a true kind of Nutrition, as the Yolk doth but by Juxtaposition, adhering to the Yolk, while it passeth through the Second Uterus.  
But in my Opinion, the Egg is augmented after the same manner (wheresoever it be) as the yolk is augmented in the cluster, viz. from an Intrinsecal concocting principle, with this distinction only, that while it is in the cluster, its aliment is conveyed to it by the vessels, but in the womb it findeth it ready for it to imbibe. For in all Nutrition and Accretion, a Juxtaposition of the parts is equally necessary, and also a Concoction and Distribution of the applied nutriment; nor can the one be thought to be less a True Nutrition than the other: for both of them are made by a new accession, apposition, agglutination, and transmutation of the Aliment. Nor can Beanes or Pease, which attract moisture from the Earth (which they suck in like sponges) be said to be less truly nourished, then if they did draw in that moisture through the Orifice of Veins: And Trees also drinking Dews and Showers in at their Barks, are as truly nourished, as they are by their Roots. But concerning the manner of this Nutrition, we have spoken more largely in another place. At present, it remains that we encounter another difficulty; that is, whether the Yolk, while it acquireth a White, doth not make some separation, and choice in it: and so, while it is about augmenting, whether some more earthy part be not dismissed into the Yolk or middle of the egg, (as into the Centre, as Aristotle would have it) and the lighter, and thinner parts be not reserved in its superficies or surface: For between the Yolk which is yet in the cluster, and that which is in the midst of the egg when it is perfected, this is the difference in chief, that though the former be yellowish in colour and appearance, yet its consistence representeth rather the White; and being sodden, thickneth like it, groweth compact, and viscous, and may be cut into slices. But the Yolk that is in the midst of a perfect egg, being boiled, groweth friable, and of a more earthy consistence, not thick and glutinous like the White.   

Of the Eggshell.  
EXERCITATION XI.  
IT is convenient, that having declared how the Egg is generated, we should now treat of its parts, and their differences. An Egg is compounded 
pag. 22.  (saith Fabricius) of a Yolk, a White, two Chalazae, or specks, three membranes (namely one membrane proper to the yolk alone, and two other, common to the whole egg) and last of all, of a Shell. To all which, two things are to be added, which may not be truly ranged amongst the parts of the egg; one whereof is a certain small cavity in the blunter end of the egg near the top of the Shell; the other is a certain little white print, like a small round Cicatrice, affixed to the superficies of the yolk. The account of every of which we shall lay down more punctually, beginning from the outward parts. The outward Covering (which is by Pliny called the Bark, Rind, or Paring; and by (〈◊〉 Serenus, the Eggshell) is a hard, slender, friable, and porous tegument, having divers colours, namely, white, pallid, red, spotted, and sprinkled with several p●●ctures: to wit, the Hens, and Pigeons eggshells 〈◊〉 white; the Water-fowles, pale; the Hawks, or Kestrells, red as Vermilion; the Pheasants, spotted, and distinguished with points, as Aristotle noteth. All eggs have not a shell; for Serpent's eggs have none; and 
de Hist. an. l. 6. c. 2.  some hens (though rarely) lay eggs without a shell This shell, though it be hard, is not equally hard in all parts, but is more hard about the top, and superior part of the egg. And therefore Fabricius saith, It is a question, when the eggshell is form, and out of 
pag. 13.  what subject-matter. For Aristotle and Pliny affirm, that the shell is not made within, but when the egg is 
Hist. an. l. 6. c. 2. & gen. an. 1. 8. l. 10. c. 52. de gen. an. l. 3. c. 2.  laid, & as it is going out; so that the outward heat drying up the moisture, the Air condenseth & hardeneth it. And this is done, as Aristotle supposeth, both that it may have the easer passage, and also that it may not pain the parent: As they say that an egg softened in vinegar, may be crowded into a vessel of a narrow neck.  
Fabricius indeed was long at odds with this opinion, by reason he had found an egg with a hard shell in the belly of the Hen; an experiment which is daily proved by housewives, whilst endeavouring to know whether the Hen be ready to lay, they grope the belly without, to try whether the shell be hard. But afterwards, when he had received from creditable women, that the eggshell assumed its obduration from the ●ire in its exit, which air doth exiccate a stiff moisture which environeth the egg, and condenseth and fasteneth it to the shell, before the shell of itself be exactly hard: and having also discovered the same by his own experience, he altered his opinion, and was persuaded, that the egg in the Uterus hath truly a shell, which shell is of a middle consistence, between soft and hard, but that it obtaineth a much greater degree of obduration presently after it is laid, by reason of a certain clammy tenacious humidity which concealeth about the shell, occasioned by the evaporation ●f the thin and moist parts; with which humidity the whole superficies is bedewed, which adhering to the tender shell, is dried and hardened, the cold ambient air ●mducing something thereunto. And this (saith he) you may soon perceive, if you keep Hens in your yard, and be dexterous and diligent to receive the eggs from them, as they lay.  
This opinion of Aristotle did for a long time prevail with me, till I discovered the contrary by infallible experience. For I take it as a measured truth, that the Egee-shell is most commonly hard even in the womb itself. And I once saw an egg cut out of a live Hen, which had no shell at all, but yet was thoroughly drenched and begin with a glewey moisture: and yet the egg never hardened at all, by the congelation, or evaporation of the moisture about the Skin, (as Fabricius would have it) nor was it any whit altered by the ambient cold air, but continued the tenderness which it had in the womb. I have also seen a Newlaied egg, which had a complete hard shell, over which was a case made of a cuticular soft membrane, which membrane did never congeal. Moreover I have seen an egg exactly surrounded with a Shell, save only on the very top of the acute end of the egg, where remained a small soft rising, such a one as Aristotle perhaps conceived to be the Relics of the Navel.  
And therefore Fabricius seemeth to me to be in an error; for though I was never so good at slight of Hand, to surprise an egg in the very laying, and so make discovery whether it was soft or hard; yet this I confidently pronounce, that the Shell is compounded within the womb, of a substance there at hand for the purpose: and that it is framed in the same manner as the other parts of the egg are, by the Plastic faculty: and the rather, because I have seen an exceeding small egg, (Fabricius calleth it Ouum Centeninum, and our Women call it the Cock's egg) which had Shell of its own, and yet was contained within another egg, greater, and fairer than it, which egg also had a Shell too. And this Egg I showed King Charles my most gracious Master, in presence of many others. And that very year, cutting up a large Limon, I found another small, but yet a perfect Limon in it, which had also a yellow rind: Which thing is now frequent in Italy, as I am informed.  
It is the usual error of the Philosophers of these times, to seek the diversity of the causes of Parts, out of the diversity of the matter, from whence they should be framed. So Physicians affirm, that the different parts of the body are fashioned and nourished by the different materials of Blood, or Seed; namely the softer parts, as the Flesh, out of a thinner matter; and the more earthy parts, as the Bones, etc. out of gross, and harder. But this error now too much received, we have confuted in another Place. Nor are they less deceived, who make all things out of Atoms, as Democritus; or out of the Elements, as Empedocles. As if (forsooth) Generation were nothing in the world, but a mere Separation, or Collection, or Order of things. I do not indeed deny, but that to the Production of one thing out of another, these forementioned things are requisite: But Generation herself is a thing quite distinct from them all. (I find Aristotle in this opinion) and I myself intent to clear it anon; that out of the same White of the Egg (which all men confess to be a similar body, and without diversity of Parts) all and every the parts of a Chicken, whether they be Bones, Claws, Feathers, Flesh, or what ever else, are procreated and fed. Besides, they that argue thus, assigning only a Material cause, deducing the causes of Natural things, from a voluntary or casual concurrence of the Elements, or from the several disposition or contriving of Atoms: they do not reach that which is chiefly concerned in the Operations of Nature, and in the Generation, and Nutrition of Animals: namely, the Divine Agent, and God of Nature, whose operations are guided with the highest artifice, providence, and wisdom, and do all tend to some certain end, and are all produced, for some certain Good.) But these men derogate from the honour of the Divine Architect, who hath made the Shell of the Egg with as much skill, for the eggs defence, as any other particle; disposing the whole out of the same matter, and by one and the same formative faculty.  
Now though what I have delivered is very true, (namely, that the egg whilst it is yet in the womb, is guarded with a hard Shell) yet I have still prized Aristotle's judgement so highly, that I never would recede from his Oracles without premeditation, and therefore I do conceive (which thing also my own observations do confirm) that some accession to the induration of the eggshell, doth accrue from the ambient air in its very exit: and that, that stiff and slimy moisture, (wherein it is drenched at its being laid) doth presently after its exclusion harden. For the Shell, while it is yet in the womb, is much thinner, more transparent, and of a smother superficies: But after laying, it is much thicker, less translucid, and of a rough Superficies (as if it were rough cast with a white powder, which had newly dried to insides.)  
And now we are upon this subject, give me leave to expatiate a while.  
In the Eastern barren Islands of Scotland, there is such a mighty affluence of almost all sorts of of Sea-fowle, that if I should relate all that I have heard, though from persons of great integrity, I fear I should be suspected more Fabulous than those several Authors, who discourse of the Scotish or Soland-geeses, which they story to be born from the fruit of certain Trees falling into the Sea (which fruit or Geese, themselves never saw) However I shall venture to relate what my own Eyes have seen.  
There is a little Island, the Scots call it Basse, (by this, Reader, guess at the rest of them) it is not far from the shore, seated in the Main Sea; standing upon a rugged and dangerous Clift, (you may call it rather one great continued Stone, or Rock, than an Island) it is not above a mile about. The superficies of this Island (in the months of May and June) is almost covered quite over with Nests, Eggs, and Young-Ones, that for their infinite abundance, you can scarce set your foot in a spare place, and such a mighty flock hovereth over the Island, that (like thick clouds) they darken and obscure the day: and such a cry, and noise they make, that you can hardly hear those that stand next you. If you look down into the Sea beneath you (as from a steep Tower, or Precipice) you shall see it all spread over with several sort of fowl, swimming to and fro, in pursuit of their Prey. Just at the rate, as some ditches and lakes in the Spring time, are paved with Frogs; and open Hills, and steep mountains, are stuck and embossed with flocks of sheep, and Goats. If you sail round the Island, and look up into the several Cliffs, and Caverns of it, you shall find them all peopled and inhabited with several colonies of Birds and Fowl, of distinct Kind, and magnitude: more indeed, then in a clear night, when the Moon is absent, there are Stars to be discerned in the Firmament: and if you observe the several Regiments of those that saily out, and those that flocks home wards at the same time, you would take them for an infinite swarm of Bees. It is not to be imagined what a vast yearly revenue the Lord of the Island maketh of the Plumes, and the Remainders of the Nests (which are useful for firing) together with the Eggs which he seetheth, and then trafficketh away: that which he himself told me, was indeed incredible. But this one thing which reflects nearer upon our discourse, seemeth to me remarkable in chief, and doth give a clear testimony of the excessive multitude: which is, that this Island as you approach it, shineth with a white glazing, and the cliffs resemble mountains of the purest Chalk, though the native complexion of the Stone be obscure and black. That which thus discoloureth the Island, is a white crust, which is friable, and of the very same Consistence, Complexion, and Nature with the Eggshell; so that all parts of the Island are plastered over with this hard tegument, and crumbling or friable crust or shalt. The bottom of the Island which the Tide washeth every day, retaining still its natural colour, clearly showeth that that fucus, or sophisticated whiteness, proceeds from the liquid Excrements of the Birds (which they discharge when they disburden their Belies) and by which, as it were with an Eggshell, white, hard and friable, the Walls are crusted and disguised: And after the same manner, do Aristotle and Pliny consent, that the Eggshell is form. None of these Birds are Citizens of the place, but Foreigners all, and resort thither for convenient Laying, and there they continue some weeks as in their Inn; till they and their Young-ones be all in condition to fly away together. But that white Ruff-cast is so solid, firm, and thick, that you would think it were the genuine and natural substance of the soil.  
This liquid, white, and bright Excrement, doth glide with the Urine from the kidneys of the Birds through the Ureters, into the common cavity or Jakes, and there covering over the excrements of the guts, passeth forth together with them, and it is a thicker part of their Urine, then that which we call the Sediment or Hypostasis in ours. We have spoken something of this matter before, and we have demonstrated it fuller elsewhere.  
Store of this white excrement is there chiefly to be seen, where the Hawks defile the walls that do neighbour their pertches with their ejections, which they bedaub with a glewy white, and distinguish as it were with a Ceruse.  
I have found as much of this slimey cement in the repository of a dead Ostrich, as would fill one's hand: so also in a Land-Tortoise, and several other fourfooted creatures, that are Oviparous, this white plaistering-stuff doth abound; and being disloaded, the thinner parts evaporating, it doth soon congeal either into a friable crusly substance, or into a dust or powder, resembling the eggshell, pounded in a Mortar.  
Amongst the so many several kinds of Birds (which make their conflux to the aforesaid Island for Procreation sake) and so many several structures of their nests, wherein they hatch their young, there was one Bird showed me above all the rest, which layeth one only egg, fixing it upon the steep point of a sharp stone, (having neither nest, not any other materials to support it) and that so secure, and firmly, that the mother-bird can leave it there, and return again to it at pleasure, without any prejudice to the egg at all. But if this egg be once removed from its station, no art nor cunning in the world can fasten it again, but it instantly falleth into the sea, as from a precipite, without redemption. The reason is, because the place where it is mounted, is incrustated all over with the white cement; and the egg being newly laid, wreaketh with a stiff and viscous humidity, which presently congealing, it is agglutinated to the subjacent stone, as it were with a kind of soldier.  
An example of so nimble a concretion as this, we may see at the Statuaries, who out of calcined Alabaster, or certain mortar tempered with water, do make a liquid cement; which being artificially applied, will take off the figure of the countenance of a dead man, or the shape and resemblance of any thing whatsoever, be it never so little; and so that growing hard, remaineth for a Mould.  
As therefore in almost all liquors there is some earthy consistence, (as in Wine, there is the Tariar; in Water, mud or sand; in Lie, salt; which when the greater part of the moisture is exhaled, doth subside, and congeal at the bottom) so is there a white sediment, descending with the urine from the Birds kidneys into the common Jakes, with which I did conceive the egg was there incrustated, and plastered over; as the pavements are by Hawks, and the cliffs of the foresaid Island by the numerous conflux of Birds and Fowl: And thus chamberpots, and places where people urine much, use to be overcast with a yellow crust, from the concrescence of that substance, which createth stones in the kidneys and bladder, and other parts of the Body. I did, I say, conceive (especially being induced thereto by the authority of Aristotle and Pliny) that out of this white hypostasis, which doth much abound in all Oviparous creatures, (whose eggs are encompassed by a hard shell) the fabric of the Hens' eggshell was erected, and congealed (upon exclusion) by the cold ambient air. And this opinion is so rooted in me by many other experiments, that I can hardly forbear to believe, that some part of the shell at jest, is produced from thence.  
But (as Fabricius rightly adviseth) let reason be silent, where experience warranteth the contrary; for it is too much the crime of the age we live in, to obtrude opinions built upon conjecture, and slender reasoning, as infallible truths (without any testimony at all from sense.)  
For I am certainly assured from Experiment, that the egg (at lest here in England) is adorned with its shell, while it hath its abode in the Womb, though Aristotle and Pliny affirm the contrary, and Fabricius also is not very obstinate in the negative. Perchance indeed in hotter countries, where the hens are of a stronger constitution, the eggs are commonly laid soft, and without shells, but that is very rare amongst us. So when I was at Venice, Aromatarius, a famous Physician, showed me a small leaf form between the two shales of a Pease cod, though with us in the like case there is only a small knob of the future pulse to be seen. So much doth the indulgent temper and clemency of the Heavens, Soil, and Air, conduce to the fecundity, and happy increase of things.   

Of the rest of the parts of the Egg.  
EXERCIT. XII.  
WHere, how, and when the rest of the parts of the egg are generated, we have partly declared already in the history of the Womb; and shall partly mention hereafter, when we come to treat of their Use.  
The White (saith Fabricius) is by Pliny called 
pag. 22. The White.  Ovi albus liquor; by Celsus, Ovi candidum; by Paladius, Ovi Albor; by Apicius, Ovi album, and albamentum; in Greek, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉; by Aristotle, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉; by Anaxagoras, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Lac avium, the Milk of the Bird. And it is the cold, stiff, white liquor of the egg, of different thickness, (for at the obtuse and acute end of the egg it is more fluid, but more crass in other parts) and quantity (for it is in more abundance at the blunt end of the egg, and less at the sharp, and yet still less in the other parts) embracing the yolk round about.  
But I have ever observed in a Hen's egg, not only a difference in the same White, but two distinct Whites in the same egg, and both of them involved in a peculiar membrane of their own: One of which is more thin and fluid, and almost of the same consistence with that humour which we have said to flow in the folds of the Uterus, and to constitute and nourish the White. The other White is more thick and viscous, & died of a deeper whitecolour than the other; which in stale, and such eggs as the Hen sitteth on, after some days of her Incubation, waxeth yellowish; and as this thicker White doth immediately surround the yolk, so doth the liquid White encompass this. Now, that these two whites are really distinct, will soon appear, if after you have broken and removed the shell, you ●●ick the two membranes which come next to ●ind; for then presently this liquid and exterior White will run about, and the two membranes sink to the bottom of the basin: but the grosser White will all the while keep within its own bounds, and globous figure, as being terminated with its own proper membrane, which yet is so subtle and slender, that your eye cannot perceive it; but if you cut it cross the White, it will presently stream out, and lose its round figure: as when a bladder is divided, the moisture contained therein is set at liberty; and so also if you make a breach upon the proper containing-coat of the yolk, the saffron-coloured juice will issue out, and its former globosity be destroyed.  
The Yolk (saith Fabricius) is called in Latin Vitellus, from Vita, Life; because the chicken liveth 
The Yolk. pag. 23.  upon it: It is also called from its colour Ovi Luteum, the yellow of the Egg; in Greek, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉; by Hypocrates, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉; by Aristotle, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉; ●●e Ancients (as Suidas out of Menander) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉▪ that is, the pullus, or chicken; because they conceived the chicken was bred of that part. It is the softest juice that is in all the egg, and confined within a most thin membrane, which being broken, it presently glideth forth, and is then inconstant to any figure: it is treasured up in the middle of the egg, being sometimes yellow, and sometimes of a mixed complexion, betwixt yellow and pallid; it is exactly circular, and of divers magnitude, according to the diversity of the magnitude of the Fowls themselves; for Waterfowl have a larger yolk, and Land-fowle a larger White, saith Aristotle. According to whom also, The yolk 
Hist. an. l. 6. c. 2.  and White are of a contrary nature, not in colour only but power; for the yolk is condensed by cold, which cold doth not condense the white, but dissolve it. And so on the contrary, the white is condensed by fire, but the yolk is not condensed thereby, but remaineth soft unless the egg be overroasted; being more dried and hardened by being boiled then roasted. And as in the greater world, the earth is deposited in the Centre the Air and the Water being round about it, so also the yolk, as the more earthy part, is encircled by the two whites, whereof the one is grosser, the other finer. Nay (Aristotle addeth further) if any man beat many eggs together in a basin, and boil 
Hist. an. l. 6. c. 2. de gen. an. l. 3. c. 1.  them with a soft and gentle fire, the yolks will in their entire mass gather themselves orbicularly into the midst, and the whites surround them. Yet Physicians generally do decree the White to be the colder part. But of that more hereafter.  
The Chalazae, that is, the Hailstones, or little pearls or specks, like Hail (which the Italians call 
The Chalazae.  Galladura, and we the Treddle) are two in every egg; one seated in the obtuse, the other in the Acute Angle of the egg. The major part of both which is found in the white, but yet they adhere closer to the yolk, and are annexed to its membrane. They are something oblong bodies, more congealed, and whiter than the white itself, knotly, and in some sort transparent, as Hail is, from whence they borrow their compellation: for every Chalaza containeth several hailstones as it were, glued to one another by the white. One of these Chalazae is larger than his fellow, and more distant from the yolk, towards the blunt end of the egg; the other smaller, and tendeth from the yolk to the sharp end of the egg. The larger of these two is made up of three knotty substances, like hailstones, or seed-pearles, which are placed a small space one from the other, the lesser lying behind the greater.  
In all eggs of all Birds whatsoever, whether they be fertile, or addle, these chalazas are to be found, and that in each end, one; whence the fond persuasion of old Wives, that the chalazae are the Cock's seed, and the subject matter out of which the chicken is procreated, lieth waste, and overturned. And yet Fabricius himself, though he absolutely deny that they are made of the seed of the Cock, yet he laboureth with many arguments, to prove, 
pag. 48.  that they are that immediate matter, which the Cock endoweth with fecundity, and out of which the fabric of the chicken is erected: which he endeavoureth to evince by this frail ground, that (forsooth) in an 
pag. 57  egg when its boiled, the chalazae are in such sort contracted and shrunk up, as that they represent a conception, or chicken shaped, and hatched. But how improbable a thing is it, that every egg should have two seeds or rudiments, for the constitution of one only chicken, when no man living ever yet beheld any foundation or progress of a chicken, but only in the blunt angle of the egg? And moreover, there is no sensible difference at all between the chalazae of those eggs which coition hath made fruitful, and those which are altogether barren. But this worthy man was mistaken in the intent of the chalazae, which shall appear more clearly hereafter.  
In the eggs of the least Birds of all, you may tract these chalazae, which appear there like a fine thread, or slender nerve. But in the two ends of the eggs of the Ostrich and Cassoware, I have seen exceeding thick, long, and white chalazae, consisting of many little globous bodies, of different dimension.  
In the blunter end of the egg, near the shell in 
The Cavity.  the inside, you may discover a little small cavity, or hollowness; which is sometimes exactly at the top of all, and sometimes inclining to one side, almost directly opposite to the Chalaza which is at the other end: the figure of it is most commonly circular, but in a goose or duck-egge it is not so precisely round. This cavity you may plainly see, appearing like a cloudy spot, if at night you hold an egg against a candle in one hand, and lay the other hand transversly upon the obtuse angle of the egg.  
In a new-layed egg it is but little, seeming in magnitude of the bigness of the ball of a man's eye; but it increaseth daily, according as the egg groweth staler, and the weather hotter.  
After one day's incubation, it spreadeth mainly, as if some thinner part of the white, which lieth uppermost, were exhaled, and the rest contracted, and so the space grown wider. For this cavity resideth between the shell, (which in that place hath no membrane to line it) and that outward membrane which containeth all the liquidities of the egg. All eggs whatever have it, nay, I have found it in the eggs which remain as yet in the Uterus of the Hen, so soon as ever they assume a shell. Some that pretend to cunning in this matter, will prognosticate, that if this cavity be directly in the top of the egg, the chicken than will be a cock, but if it deflect to the side, it will be a hen. But this is most certain, if the cavity be very small, it signifieth the egg is new-layed, but if it be any thing large, a stale one. But more largely of this hereafter.  
There is a very small white circle embracing the 
The Cicatrice.  coat of the yolk (in fashion of a small Cicatrice) which Fabricius therefore calleth Cicatricula; but he setteth little by it, counting it rather a blemish, than a part of the egg. This is a very little spot, about the bigness of a small Lentile, like the ball of a Birds eye, being white, flat, and round. And all eggs have this too, even from their very first original in the yolk. And therefore Fabricius is deceived, while he fancieth this spot to be nothing but a relic of the stalk broken off from the yolk; by which it was incorporated to the cluster in the Ovary. For the Pedunculus or stalk (as himself acknowledgeth) is hollow, and as it approacheth nearer to the yolk, it dilateth itself, that it may encompass it round, and shut it up as in a little bag or purse; for it is not fastened into the middle of the yolk (as the stalks of Apples, and other Fruits are) that so it should leave a relic behind it, when it falleth off. Now if sometimes in a very fair yolk (as Fabricius reporteth) you chance to find a double Cicatrice, it may probably occasion a Monster, or Twins, (as shall be discoursed hereafter) but doth no way import a double stalk. But he is extremely overseen, in thinking this Cicatrice to be utterly useless: for it is the most material, concerned part in the whole egg, for whose sake all the rest of the parts are created, and the original and foundation out of which the Chicken itself is form. And Parisanus doth falsely contend, that this is the Cock's seed.   

Of the difference of Eggs.  
EXERCIT. XIII.  
THere is a twofold acceptation of the word Egg; proper, or improper. An egg in its proper Acceptation is that thing, to which Aristotle's definition 
Hist. an. l. 1. c. 5.  of an egg doth square: An egg is that thing, one part of which doth constitute an Animal, and the rest doth nourish it, when it is constituted. In its improper acceptation, it is that to which Aristotle's definition 
de gen. an. l. 1. c. 2.  about the same place is proportioned. An Egg is that thing out of which the whole Animal is constituted. And of this kind are the eggs of Ants, Flies, Spiders, some kind of Butterflies, and many other very small eggs of that kind: which Aristotle doth almost every where scruple to call by the name of eggs, but styleth them little worms. Thus far Fabricins; but we (whose design is chiefly to treat of the 
pag. 19  generation of Hen-eggs) have no intention to deliver the several distinctions of all sorts of Eggs, but only to lay down the diversities of Hen-eggs. Of Hen-eggs therefore, some are new-laid, and some staler, the former are whiter than the later; for 
The distinction and difference of Eggs from their Age.  time doth cloud them, and especially incubation. The New-laid also have a very small hollowness or cavity in the obtuse angle; and if they be very new indeed, they are something rough with a dust or powder that sticketh to their sides; but those that are stale, as their complexion is darker, so their shell is smother. New-layed eggs (if they be whole) being put near the fire will sweat, and are of much pleasanter taste, and more esteemed of, then other. And eggs after two or three day's incubation, are even then sweeter relished then stale ones are: as if the cherishing warmness of the Hen, did refresh and restore them to their primitive excellence and integrity. And after full fourteen days (when the Chicken now beginneth to be downy, and extendeth his dominion over half the egg, and the jolke is almost still entire) I have boiled an egg till it was hard, that so I might discern the position of the chicken more distinctly, which was limned out in the white of the egg, as if the chicken had been cast in a Mould: and yet the yolk was as sweet and pleasant as that of a new-laid egg, when it is in like manner boiled to an induration. The yolk of an egg taken out of a live Hen, and presently eaten, tasteth much sweeter raw, then dressed.  
Eggs are likewise distinguishable from their figure; 
From their Figure. Hist. an. l. 6. c. 2. l. 10. c. 52. lib. 9 the Rust. c. 5.  for some are longer, and sharper than others. Out of these oblong and acute eggs (according to Aristotle) are hens begotten, and of the blunt, cocks. But Pliny saith the contrary; The rounder sort of eggs (saith he) breed Hens, the other, Cocks. And Columella is of his mind too: If one would have good store of Cocks (quoth he) let him place the longest and sharpest eggs under his Hen; and if the contrary, let him provide the roundest he can get for money. Aristotle's 
Scaliger upon the place.  opinion is grounded upon this reason; namely, because the Rounder are the hotter; for it is the custom and condition of heat, to congregate, and fix; and that heat is most powerful, that ●● most operative. And therefore from the stronger, and perfecter principle, the stronger and perfecter Animal doth arise. Now such is the Male in respect of the Female (especially the Cock being compared to the Hen.) And now on the other side, the lesser sort of eggs are reputed imperfect, and the least sort of all, utterly improlifical. And therefore Aristotle, to procure a constant race of eggs of a fair size, recommendeth the frequent coition of cock and hen; for he concludeth the barren and subvontuneous eggs to be all of the lesser sort, and more insipid; and that because they are moister and imperfecter than others. Now this distinction of eggs here spoken of, is to be understood of the eggs of one and the same hen (for should a hen lay eggs always of the same dimensions, she would always hatch them all cocks, or all hens) because if you take it otherwise, the conjecture of which will be a cock or a hen, raised from the signs above mentioned, will be very dubions. For several hens, lay eggs of a several shape, and magnitude: for some lay oblong, some rounder, and little differing the one from the other. For though I have sometimes found a difference in the eggs laid by the same henn, yet the distinction is so exceeding small, that unless a man be very well versed, he will not perceive it. For since all the eggs of the same hen, are cast and modelled in the same womb (as in a Mould) they are all impressed with, near upon, the same figure: and therefore it cannot be avoided, but that they should much resemble one another (as those excrements that are figured in the same complications of the same Colon) insomuch that I myself have with case in a little basket of eggs sorted every hens eggs by themselves. And who ever practiseth it, shall be nimble at it. Certainly it is worth our wonder which daily experience declareth in Keepers. The more diligent sort of Keepers of Parks, that have the charge of several herds of Deer, will tell you punctually which and which are the Horns of such and such Deer, as often as they ca● their Heads. A silly, ignorant Shepherd, who had the care of a great flock of sheep, grew so well acquainted with every particular sheep, that if any one were missing (though he had not arithmetic enough to count them) he could punctually tell which it was, of whom it was bought, and whence it came. And once, to make trial of him, his Master commanded him, out of forty lambs which he penned up in a Fould on purpose, to single out the particular lamb of such an Ewe, which he did exactly, and carried to the Dam. I know some Huntsmen, that if they have once seen a Deer, or the horns of a Deer, or footsteps only in soft ground, are able to know the same Deer again from all the Herd besides, even by those very horns, or tread: (just as the Lion is distinguished by his Pew) nay having merely seen the print of the Deers hoof, they will exactly resolve, how large the Deer is, how fat, and how swift: as whether he be well in breath, or over-hunted; and also, whether a Buck or a do. And more than this, there are some, who when forty Dogs are pursuing the Chase, and are in full Cry, will distinguish them all, (though a great way off) and will by their ●●● inform you, which Dog is first, and which behind; which hunteth upon the sent, and which is at a loss; whether the Deer be still in flight, or ●● a Bay, & disputing the conquest with his horns; whether he have stood long, or be newly roused. And all this in the very midst of the dogs, hunter's, and windings of the horns, even in a woody Park, and where they were never in their lives before. We are not therefore to wonder so much, if those ●●●t practise it, can discover which Egg belongeth to which Hen: I would we could as easily judge which Son belongeth to which Father.  
But the chief difference of Eggs consisteth in this, that some are fruitful, and some addle, which 
From their Fecundity.  are called Ova improlifica, irrita, Hypenemia, or subventanea, and Zephyria. They are called Hypenemia, which being laid by the Hen without conference had with the Cock, are therefore of no use to the generation of Chickens, being styled hypenemia, quasi a vento prognata forent, as if they were begotten by the wind: as Varro saith, that Mares in Spain conceive by the Wind. For the 
de Re rust. c. 1.  West wind is exceeding fruitful, and thence the name Zephyrus, quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, enlivening; for so Virgil:  

— Zephyrique tepentibus auris  
Laxant arva sinus, superat tener omnibus burner,  
Parturit omnis ager, etc.   

— And when warm Zephyrus blows,  
The fields dissolve, soft moisture overflows,  
And every Pasture grows.   
And therefore the people of old, seeing their Hens in the Springtime lay, this wind then blowing, did conceive Zephyrus to be the Author of the generation of those eggs. Eggs are likewise Urine, and Cynosura (when the Hen will sit no longer upon them) so called, because eggs grow often addle in the Dog-days, for the hen deserteth them by reason of the extreme Heat; or else because about that time of the year, it thundered often: for Aristotle saith, that Eggs rot, if at the 
Hist an. l. 6. c. 2. Pliny lib. 10. c. 54.  time of the Hen's incubation it chance to thunders Those eggs are esteemed foecunda, fruitful, which (if there be no outward impediment) by a quickening heat will generate chickens; which may be effected not only by the incubation of the Hen● whose eggs they are, but of any other Fowl of competent magnitude to cherish and cover them, or by any other cherishing warmth whatsoever.  
For Aristotle saith, That chickens are as well hatched upon the ground of their own accord, as by the 
Ibid.  birds incubation: As in Egypt they cover the eggs with dung. And the Story goeth, That a good fellow of Syracuse sat so long upon a mat under the which eggs were laid, that ere he had done tippling the chickens were hatched. The Empress Livia is also reported to have cherished an egg so long in her bosom, till the chicken was bred. And to this day in Egypt, and other parts, chickens are hatched by stoves and ovens. An egg therefore (as Fabricius truly affirmeth) is not only the Uterus, and place 
pag. 19  of residence of the chicken, but the matter also on which the whole generation of the foetus doth depend: which generation the egg doth perform and accomplish, both as Agent, Matter, Instrument, Place, and ever other Requisite whatsoever. For certain it is, that the chicken is constituted by an internal principle in the egg, and that there is no accession to a complete and perfect egg, by the Hen's incubation, but bare cherishing and protection: no more than the Hen contributeth to the chickens which are now hatched, which is only a friendly heat, and care, by which she defendeth them from the cold, and foreign injuries, and helpeth them to their meat. And therefore the Incubation of the Hen is required, that she may upon that relation undertake the education of the chicken, instruct and direct their walks, prepare and look for their feeding, and by the comfort of her wings cherish them. And all these things will not be so well performed by any but her. We have indeed Capons, and mungrel-fowle, such as are the issue of a Pheasant-cock and a Dunghill-henne, which will sit upon the eggs, and hatch them too, but they have no dexterity to guide the chickens, or manage the charge of their education.  
I can here but admire (intending to treat larger hereafter of the same matter) with what constancy and patience, almost all female Birds will outsit whole nights and days, and impair their healths, and almost famish themselves; and to what hazards they expose themselves in defence of their eggs, which, if upon necessary occasion they are at any time constrained to leave, oh! how earnestly, and with what dispatch do they hasten their return! Ducks, and Geese, for the time of their absence, cover their eggs with straw. And with what undaunted resolution will these feeble parents many times combat in right of their eggs, which perhaps are subventaneous or addle, nay sometimes artificial offsprings, the issues of chalk or ivory, whose injuries yet they will revenge with the same magnanimity, with those done to their legitimate productions? Indeed the Birds affection towards the dull, liveless egg, is exceeding wonderful, which is altogether incapable of making any return of friendship or respect. Who can forbear to be amazed at the affection, or frenzy rather of a Hen that is glocking, or ready to sit● which nothing can extinguish, but a deluge of cold water; for so long as this rage is upon her, 〈◊〉 groweth quite careless, and walks like a bed him, with her wings trailed, and feathers rough, and advanced, and she herself mournful, and restless: ●● she meet with any Hen sitting, she will depose● her, having all her thoughts bend upon eggs and incubation; nor will she desist, till she either 〈◊〉 eggs to sit upon, or chickens to discipline: which than she doth assemble, nurture, feed, and protect with admirable zeal. Who can refrain smiling, to see a Hen follow young Ducklins, and having hatched up that supposititious brood (apprehending them to be her own) pursue them when they are now swimming in the Pond, while she herself circuits about the brims, and many times attempts to sail after to the hazard of drowning, still calling, and enticeing them back, as if they had mistaken themselves.  
Aristotle giveth this reason why sterile eggs produce 
Hist. an. l. 6. c. 2.  no chickens, namely, because the juices contained in them receive no thickening by incubation, neither doth their yolk or white recede any thing from the nature they were of before. But of this we shall discourse hereafter, in our general contemplation of Generation.  
Our women, that they may distinguish between eggs that have chickens in them, and eggs that are barren and addle, after the fourteenth or sixteenth day from the Hen's first sitting, do gently drop the eggs into warm water, and those that sink to the bottom they account barren, but those that swim, fertile. And if the chicken in the egg be of any considerable growth, and bestir himself lustily, the egg will not only tumble up and down, but leap and caper. And if you listen close for some days before exclusion, you may perceive the chickens, kick, make a noise, and cry after their manner. Which kind of Commotions when the Sitting Hen discovereth in her nest, she removeth the eggs, and rolleth them to and fro, (as careful mothers do their disquiet and peevish infants in the craedle) till the chickens being accommodated with convenient posture, lie hushed, and still.  
Hen-eggs are likewise distinguished from their 
From Number.  Number. For some Hens (saith the Philosopher) lay 
Hist. an. l. 6. c. 1.  all the year long, bating only the two Winter months. Some gallant Hens will bring sixty eggs before the Suiting time; yet these are not so fruitful as the ordinary sort of Hens. The Adrian Hens are small, but lay every day; yet they are very testy, and many times 〈◊〉 their chickens; and their feathers are of change 〈◊〉 colours. Some domestic Hens will lay twice a day and the fecundity of some, shorteneth their days.  
Some Hens in England lay every day; but the ordinary fertile race, for the most part, lay for two days together; namely, the first egg in the morning, the second in the evening following, and the third is a day of vacancy. Some Hens have an unlucky custom to break their eggs, and leave their nests; but whether this be their disease, or vice, is yet unresolved.  
There are differences also taken from Incubation; for some Hens sit once, some twice, others thrice, 
Incubation.  and some oftener. Florentinus writeth, that certain Hens, Natives of that Alexandria which is in Egypt, called Monosirae, of whom springeth a race of Game-cocks, do sit two or three times, having the chickens which they have newly hatched taken from them, & brought up apart. By which mean it cometh to pass, that one Hen will hatch forty, sixty, and sometimes more chickens at one sitting.  
Some Eggs also are of a large, some of a less, and 
Magnitude.  some of the least size of all; and these last are commonly called in Italy, Centenina; and our Women, to this day, (as of old also) belly them to be Cocks-eggs, and that they produce Basilisks. The Common people (saith Fabricius) think this small egg to be the Hen's concluding production, after she hath laid at 
pag. 10.  hundred eggs (from whence it is called Centeninum, the Hundred egg) which hath no yolk at all; yet hath all the other parts, as the Chalazae, the White, the Membranes, and the Shell. For it is likely that this is then laid, when all the yolkes are already completed into Eggs, and there is no more remaining, yolks the Vitellary, that may become eggs; but yet on the other side, there is still some little White behind, and ●● of that Modicum of White it is probable this little Egg is framed. But this seemeth not probable to 〈◊〉; because it is an assured truth, that when the Ovary is exhausted, the Second Uterus also (as himself confesseth) is also spent, and wasted into a ●eer membrane, not containing any residue of the White, or Moisture at all. Fabricius goeth on: There i● sound a twofold Ouum Centeninum, one without a yolk, (and this is properly called Centeninum) which is the last the hen layeth, with which the hen, concludeth her Laying for that season: the other also is a very small egg, but hath a yolk, and is not the concluding, but some intervenient egg, after which the hen doth persist to lay eggs of a just magnitude, as before; but it faileth in its dimensions, by reason of some impair in the vegetal faculty, as it happeneth to Peaches, and other Fruits, whereof some are of a full growth, and others exceeding small. He might have accused for this mischance, the inclemency of the Air, and Soil, also the penury, and pravity of the nourishment. But, that the last Eggs are always very little, I cannot willingly consent.  
Nor are even Eggs without their Monsters. For 
Aldrovand. Ornithol. l. 14. pag. 260  the Augurs (saith Aristotle) did account it Ominous, when Eggs were laid that were all yolk; or when such eggs were found in the hen, she being cut up, under the Septum Transversum, and they of the magnitude of a Perfect Egg.  
And hither may be referred Ova Gemellifica, Twinne-eggs, which are furnished with two yolkes; such as I lately found in the Uterus of a hen, i● being complete, and guarded with a Shell, having Yolks, Cicatrices, and the grosser Whites, all doubles it had also four Chalazae; but, as for the White of thinner consistence, there was only One, which did encompass all the rest: it had also two only common investing Membranes, and one single Shell. For though Aristotle affirm, that some hens always produce such Eggs; yet, that it so happeneth by the course of nature, I can hardly believe. And though two chickens may be hatched out of such Eggs, (which I have experimented, contrary to Fabricius his persuasion, who saith, that of such all egg, the chicken hatched will have four legs, two heads, & four wings; of which hereafter) yet they are not vital, but commonly die soon, and that either for defect of Air, or room in the Shell, or that one is an impediment to the other, and doth violence to it; for it cannot be, that both should be equally ready and ripe for Exclusion, and that one should not prove an Abortion.  
To sum up all: The Differences of Eggs are chiefly of three kinds: For some are Fertile, and some Addle; some produce Cocks, and some Hens; some spring from Parents of the same species, and some from Parents of a divers species, and so bring mungril-chickens; such as are conceived from a Dunghill-hen, and a Cock-Pheasant, and so resemble either the Cock that obtained the first, or last Coition.  
For, according to Aristotle, the egg which is constituted by Coition, passeth from its own kind into another, 
Hist. an. l. 6. c. 2.  in case the hen proceed to Coition, (having either a barren egg in her, or else an egg conceive by the semen of cocks of different kind) before the yolk have procured its white. And thus are barren egg fructified, and fruitful eggs entertain the form of that ●ocke, who had the last courtesy in Coition. But if the White be already obtained, it cannot be, that either barren eggs should be altered into fruitful; or that those eggs which are already conceived by Coition, should pass into the kind of that cock who was last entertained. For the Cock's semen is (as Scaliger sharply observeth) like A Testament, where the last will 
In loc.  is that which taketh place.  
To these differences may be perhaps added, that, whereby some Eggs are strong, veget, and (if we may so say) courageous; for as there is a soul in Eggs, so have they likewise a competent virtue. For as in other sorts of Animals, some Females are so libidinous and full of venery, that they take like Tinder, from one single act of Coition (be it never so feeble, and the male never so impotent) and conceive forthwith, and bring divers foetuses by that one act: others again are so dull and sluggish, that unless they be provided with a more generous male, and him also highly inflamed (and the coition likewise repeated and continued) they will remain unsuccessful. The same also befalleth in Eggs, whereof some, though conceived by coition, are improlifical, unless they be impowered by repeated, and continued coition.  
Hence it cometh to pass, that some eggs are quickly altered, and after three days of Incubation discover some rudiments of a foetus: but others are either easily corrupted, or are slow in their progress towards chickens, and yield no expectation of a chicken, even at the seventh day: As shall be hereafter proved, in the discourse of the Generation of the Pulbus, or Chicken out of the Egg.  
And thus far of the Womb of the Hen, and its Office: as also of the Generation of the Hen-egge, its differences, and accidents: wherein we have delivered what we have experimented ourselves; by which you may give judgement of other Oviprous creatures.  
It now remaineth that we should prosecute 〈◊〉 history, of the Generation, and Formation of the Foetus out of the Egg. For (as I informed you before) the whole Contemplation of the brood of H●● and Cocks is comprehended in these two things namely, how the Egg is produced of the Hen and Cock, and how the Cock and Hen are framed out of an Egg: and by this circle the propagation of their Race may by the benefit and favour of Nature, be prolonged, and continued.   

Of the generation of the Foetus out of a Hen-egge.  
EXERCIT. XIV.  
We have already discovered the Formation, and Generation of the Egg; it remains that we now deliver our Observations, concerning the Procreation of the Chicken out of the Egg. An undertaking equally difficult, useful, and pleasant as the former. For Nature's Rudiments and Attempts are involved in obscurity and deep night, and so perplexed with subtleties, that they delude the most piercing wit, as well as the sharpest eye.  
Nor can we easier discover the secret recesses, and dark principles of Generation, than the method of the fabric and Composure of the which world. In this reciprocal interchange of Generation and Corruption consists the Eternity and Dura●● of mortal creatures. And as the Rising and ●etting of the Sun, doth by continued revolutions complete and perfect Time: so doth the alternate vicissitude of Individuums, by a constant repetition of the same species, perpetuate the continuance of ●ading things.  
Those Authors which have delivered any thing touching this subject, do for the most part tread a several Path: for having their Judgements prepossessed with their own private opinions, they proceed to erect and fashion principles proportionable to them.  
Aristotle of old, and Hieronymus Fabricius of late, 
Hist. an. l. 6. c. 3.  have written so accurately concerning the Formation and Generation of the Foetus out of the Egg, that they seem to have left little to the industry of Posterity. And yet Ulysses Aldrovandus hath undertaken 
Ornithol. l. 14.  the description of the Pullulation or formation of the Chicken out of the Egg, out of his own Observations: wherein he seems rather to have directed and guided his thoughts by the Authority of Aristotle, than his own Experience.  
For Volcherus Coiter, living at Bononia at the same time, did by the advice of the said Aldrovandus (whom he calls Tutor) daily employ himself in the opening of Eggs than sat upon by the Hen, and hath discovered many things truer than Aldrovandus 
Nobil. exer. l. 6.  himself, of which he also could not be ignorant. Likewise Aemilius Parisanus (a Venetian Doctor) despising other men's opinions, hath fancted A new procreation of the Chicken out of the Egg.  
But because somethings, (according to our experience) and those of great moment and consequence, are much otherwise, then hath been y●● delivered, I shall declare to you what daily progress is made in the egg, and what parts are alt●●ed, especially about the first days of Incubation at which time all things are most intricate, confused, and hard to observe, and about which Authors do chiefly stickle for their own observation, which they accommodate rather to their own 〈◊〉 conceived persuasions (which they have entertained concerning the Material and Efficient causes of the generation of Animals) then to truth herself.  
What Aristotle relates concerning the Pr●c●●tion of the Chicken, is most true in itself; yet li●● one who had not experimented the matters himself, but had received them from other experienced persons, he doth not rightly distinguish them by their proper times: and is very much mistaken concerning the place in which the first principle of the Chicken is cast, which he decrees to be in th● Acute Angle of the Egg, and is therefore justly reprehended by Fabricius. Nor doth he seem to have observed the beginning of the Pullus in the egg, or to have been able to have found those things there, which he accounts necessary to every Generation. For he would have the White (because nothing can possibly be made of nothing, according to the natural course) to be the Matter constitution the Chicken. Nor did he sufficiently apprehend how the Efficient cause (namely the Cock's seed) ●● act without a contact; or how the Egg could of its own accord, without any inherent geniture of the Male, engender the Foetus.  
Aldrovandus, partaking of the same error with Aristotle, saith moreover, (which none but a blind man can subscribe to) that the Yolk doth in the first days, arise to the Acute Angle of the Egg: and tinks the Grandines to be the Seed of the Cock; and that the Pullus is framed out of them, but nourished as well by the Yolk as the White: which is clean contrary to Aristotle's opinion, who conceived the Grandines to conduce nothing to the fecundity of the Egg.  
Volcherus Coiter delivers truer things, and more consonant to autopsy, yet his three Globuli are mere fables. Nor did he rightly consider the principle, from whence the Foetus is derived in the Egg.  
Hieronymus Fabricius indeed contends, that the Grandines are not the Seed of the Cock: and yet he ●ill have the body of the Chicken to be framed out of them. (as out of its first matter) being made fruitful by the Seed of the Cock. He likewise saw the Original of the Chicken in the Egg; namely the Macula, or Cicatricula annexed to the membrane of the Yolk, but conceived it to be only a Relic of the stalk broken off, and an infirmity or blemish only of the Egg, and not a Principle part of it.  
Parisanus hath plentifully confuted Fabricius his opinion concerning the Chalazae or Grandines, and yet himself is evidently at a loss in some certain circles and points of the Principle parts of the Foetus (namely the Liver and the Heart:) and seems to have observed a Principium, or first Principle of the Foetus, but not to have known which it was, ●● that he saith, That the Punctum Album in the Middle of the Circles is the Cock's Seed, out of which the Chicken is made.  
So that it comes to pass, that while each of them desire to reduce the manner of the Formation of the Chicken out of the Egg, to their own preconceived opinions, they are all wide from the mark.  
For some conceive the Seed and Blood to be the Matter which doth constitute the Chicken: Others conceive the Seed to be the Efficient and producing cause, or Artificer that builds the fabric of it: wh●● yet upon deliberate consideration it appears most infallible, that there is no matter at hand at all, 〈◊〉 no menstruous blood, which the Seed of the Male can fall to work upon, or coagulate: (as Aristotle would have it) nor is the Foetus made of the Seed of Male or Female, or any commixture of them both.   

The first Inspection of the Egg, what the first day of Incubation doth produce in the Egg.  
EXERCIT. XV.  
THat we may the better discover what the first day of incubation hath produced in the Egg we must first know what alterations will befall o● eggs of their own accord; by which a stale egg is distinguished from a fresh, (without any consideration of the Hens sitting at all) that so it may appear, what is wrought by the very incubation itself. There is therefore (as we have declared before) in all eggs, a certain cavity or hollow i● the blunt end of the egg; which cavity as the egg groweth staler, increaseth accordingly: especially in hot Countries and seasons (by reason the exhalation of a thinner part of the white:) we have spoken in the History of the egg. An● while that cavity doth exspatiate, it enlarges mo●● according to the longitude, than latitude of the Egg, and obtaineth a figure at last which doth re●●●e from being orbicular.  
The Eggshell being now less transparent, growth cloudy.  
The White groweth thicker, and more viscous, ●ding towards a dusky or Straw-colour.  
The Proper membrane or coat of the Yolk becometh more remiss and loose, shrinking up into winckles.  
The Chalazas continue still the same place, site, and consistence, at each end of the egg (and that not in new-layed eggs only, but stale ones; nor ●● those alone that are conceived after coition, but wind-eggs also;) by whose firm connexion, the Yolk and White are so fast cemented together, that both retain their proper position. For these are two abiliments mutually opposed, or the Poles and ●●inges of this Microcosm: so composed, as if they were only a conflux of the numerous coats of the White, and were wound as it were into a knotty ●●rd, at both ends where they respect the yolk. And hence it cometh to pass, that the yolk is not easily ●●ted from the company of the White, except the Chalazae be first divided: which done, they presently dis-join. And by the assistance of these hin●es, the yolk is both fixed in the centre, and preserved in its right consistence. So that the chief part ●f all, namely the Cicatricula, retaineth still the 〈◊〉 region or altitude in the Egg, and continueth a middle space from both the extremities. For ●is Spot, or Cicatrice, as well in a stale, as new-laid egg, is still found in the same consistence, magnifide, colour, and site. But so soon as ever the egge ●lineth to Pullulation, be it either from the Incubation of the Hen, or the accession of any other fo●●ing heat whatsoever, this Spot is presently dilated, and widened like the Ball of the eye: and from it (as from the choicest centre of the egg) the secret plastic faculty doth issue out, and germinate. And yet this first Principle of the egg was never yet (to my knowledge) observed by any man.  
Now, at the second day of Incubation, when the Egg hath grown warm four and twenty hours under the Hen, as its cavity which is in the obtuse angle is much amplified, and fallen lower; so also doth the interior constitution of the egg vary and change. For the Yolk which before stuck fast in the centre of the White, ariseth towards the bl●● angle; and the middle part of it, where the Spot i● engrafted, is elevated, and applieth itself to that membrane which encompasseth the cavity, so that now the Yolk seemeth to be annexed to the cavity by the Cicatrice. And as much as the Yolk riseth upward, so much is the grosser part of the White depressed towards the acute or lower angle Whence it appeareth (as Fabricius rightly noted) that either Aristotle was in an error, or else the 
Hist. an. l. 6. c. 3.  there is a fault in the impression, where it is said, About that time (namely, within three days and a nights) the yellow humour is lifted to the 〈◊〉 there where the eggs beginning is, and where the egg● is naked there about (namely, at the dilated cavity. For Aristotle calleth that the beginning where the Acute Angle is, which parteth last from the Henn● 
Ibid. l. 3. c. 2.  But notwithstanding all this, it is an undoubt● truth, that the Yolk ariseth towards the Blunt angle of the egg, and that the cavity is there dilated And so questionless Aldrovandus is deceived, 〈◊〉 (though he speak as if he had experimented 〈◊〉 matter) saith, that the Yolk riseth to the Acute angle. I confess, I have sometimes seen, about second and third day, the Cicatricula dilated, and a foundation laid towards the formation of the Foetus, when the yolk as yet was not ascended. But this is very rare, and I conceived it to happen so, by reason of the imbecility, and infirmity of the Egg.  
On the second day of Incubation, or first of Inspection, the foresaid Spot is dilated to the magnitude of a Pease, or Lentil, and is divided into circles, (as if they were drawn by a pair of Compasses) which have a very small white Point for their Centre. It is very probable, that Aldrovandus also did observe this Macula, or Spot; for he saith, In the midst of the yolk there appeared some kind of whitish thing. So did Coiterus, where he saith, The second day, there remained in the middle of the yolk a whiter part. And Parisanus also, who saith, The second day, I saw a white substance about the bigness of an indifferent fair Lentile, and of that figure: and this (saith he) is the Cock's semen, enwrapped in a white and most slender coat, lying under the two common membranes of the egg, but above the proper containing coat of the yolk. And yet I conceive, that no man hitherto hath acknowledged, that this Cicatricula was to be found in every egg, nor that it was the first Principle of the Egg.  
In the mean while the Chalazae or seed-pearls, do decline on each side from the two ends of the egg, towards the sides: and this proceedeth from the shifted situation of the White and Yolk. So that one of the Chalazae descendeth something from the obtuse angle, and the other ascendeth proportionably, from the Acute; as in an Oblique Sphere, by how much one Pole is elevated above the Horizon, by so much is the other depressed under it.  
And now the Yolk (especially about that part where the Cicatricula resideth) doth begin to dissolve and melt a little, and the proper coat thereof (which in staler eggs is remiss, slack, and wrinkled) groweth smooth and full; the Yolk itself also seemeth to have regained the same colour, consistence, and inoffensive taste, which it formerly had, when the egg was new.  
And this is the first day's Progress of the Egg, towards a Chicken, and the first platform of its approach. But Aldrovandus addeth, that there is as yet no alteration at all in the White; wherein he saith right. But where he affirmeth, that the Semen of the Cock is perceived in the Yolk, he is apparently in the wrong. His Argument by which he would maintain the Chalazae to be Semen Galli, is exceeding slender, and that is, because eggs which are destitute of these Chalazae, are not fruitful. He is much in the right; for indeed they are not Eggs without them. For in all eggs, be they fertile, or not fertile, these Chalazas are inseparable Inmates. But perhaps the Goodwives deceived him (which call these Chalazae, Galladura, in Italian) and so betrayed him into the common Heresy. Nor is Hieronymus Fabricius less guilty of Imprudence, who offereth to our view the formation of the Pullus, graven in several Tables; contending, that it is bodied, and constituted out of these Chalazae; not so much as taking notice, that the Chalazas are all this while both of them entire, and unaltered (having only removed their stations) and that the Exordium of the Chicken is to be sought a good distance from the Chalazae.   

The second Inspection of the Egg.  
EXERCIT. XVI.  
WHen two days are now passed, the aforesaid circles of the Cicatricula are more ample, and conspicuous, being of the breadth of the Ring-finger, and sometimes of the Middle; wherein the whole Macula or Spot is divided into two (and sometimes into three) Regions, and those oftentimes inammelled, and obscurely shadowed with several colours; fully representing the figure of an Eye, and that not only by reason of its protuberance, like that in the Tunica Cornea, or horny membrane, or coat of the Eye; but magnitude also, and likewise of that most transparent, most lucid humour contained in it: whose Centre representeth the Pupilla, or sight of the eye; but having a white point fixed in the centre, it resembleth the eye of some small Bird, where the middle of the Pupilla is blemished and disfigured by some suffusion, or Cataract: (as they call it) and from this Resemblance we call it Oculum Ovi, the Eye of the Egg. Between these Circles is contained a most bright refulgent liquor, clearer than any Crystalline humour in the world; which if you look upon against the light, the whole Macula will now rather appear in the White of the Egg, then riveted into the membrane of the Yolk (as formerly it did) and (like some part or portion of the White, dissolved, and clarified) contained and bounded within a most slender coat belonging to itself. And this is the reason why I call this Liquor, Oculum, the Eye, or Colliquamentum Candidum, the white dissolved substance; as if it were some portion of the white of the Egg, melted and liquefied by the heat shining in its own sphere apart, (unless it be scattered and distracted by concussion) and seemeth like a more refined, and more concocted, spirituous part, distinguished from the courser White by a peculiar enclosure of its own, and seated and enthroned in the midst, between both Yolk and White. It as much surpasseth the rest of the White in clearness, and transparence, as the most Crystal Spring excelleth the troubled Lake. The Coat encircling this humour, is so nice and frail, that (if you be not exceeding circumspect) it will soon be rend, and so disparage the purity of this, with the confusion of other liquors.  
And here my thoughts were a long time strangely divided, what I should resolve concerning this Candidum colliquamentum; whether I should name it the Calidum Innatum, or Humidum Radical, the Radical Heat, or Moisture, or the prepared matter from which the future foetus was to take its rise: or the Aliment exactly concocted, such as the Ros is reputed to be amongst the secundary humours? For I was fully satisfied (as I shall declare hereafter) that in the midst of this the first rudiments of the Foetus lay, and that this also was its nourishment, and after it was of some growth, the place of its abode.  
Hence it appeareth, that this Colliquamentum is soon enlarged, (namely in the compass of a day) as is evidently deciphered in Fabricius his second Figure, especially the inward Region of it; which, while it dilateth itself, it obliterateth and quite expungeth the outward. As you may observe in the Eyes of those creatures whose fight of the Eye is very large, and therefore they see better in the Night then in the Day (of which kind are Owls, Cats, and the like; whose Sight is most dilated in the dark, but more contracted in the Light:) for if you transfer such a creature nimbly from the light into the shade, you shall perceive plainly how the the sight is distended, so that it will much diminish the other circle, (which is called the Iris) and almost quite overrun it.  
Parisanus lighting upon these circles, was much mistaken; for he mustereth up amongst his circles, a white one, a yellow one, one of the complexion of honey, and another white one besides; asserting the foetus to be made of the middle white point (which doth indeed really appear in the midst of those circles) which he fancieth to be the Semen Galli. And that he may approve himself more cunning and subtle yet, Before (saith he) there appeareth any blushing or redness in the body of the Foetus, there are in it as it were two exceeding small Bullulae or Bubbles; neither of which hath any ruddiness at all at the first: and one of these Bullulae he would obtrude upon us for the Heart, and the other for the Liver. But the truth is, that no such Bullula is to be seen at all, before a sanguine ruddiness doth appear; Nor doth the Foetus look red at all at first; Nor do any of those Bullulae give us any representation at all of a Liver, but both of them express the two Ventricles of the Heart, and by leaping (as shall be explained hereafter) do make mutual returns to one another by their Systole and Diastole.  
Aristotle seemeth to have understood this colliquamentum, 
Hist. an. l. 6. c. 3.  where he saith, About that time (namely the third day) there is a certain membrane divaricated with certain sanguineous fibers, which contain a white liquor, arising from the sprigs of those veins. For by white liquor, he could not mean the whole white of the egg; because the coat of the white is not then sprinkled with veins, but only the coat of this colliquamentum. And therefore he saith, There is a membrane also, intimating a distinct membrane from those of the Yolk and White, in that he saith it ariseth from the sprigs of the veins, about the third day. Coiterus also seemeth to have acknowledged this colliquamentum, saying, Some part of the White approacheth nearer to whiteness then the other, and some to density. Now the aforesaid colliquamentum is encompassed with its proper coat, and is distinct and separate from the rest of the White, before any part at all of the blood appear.  
We shall have occasion to discourse hereafter of the mighty use of this colliquamentum, in relation to the foetus of all kind of Animals. For while they swim there, they are guarded, and skreened from all concussion, contusion, and other outward injuries, and are also nourished by it.  
I saw long since a foetus of the magnitude of a Pease-cod, cut out of the Uterus of a Do, which was complete in all its members (so that it was apparently a Male by the parts:) I showed this pretty Spectacle and Rarity of Nature to our late King, and Queen. It did swim, trim and perfect, in such a kind of White, most transparent, and crystalline moisture (as if it had been treasured up in some most clear glassy receptacle) about the bigness of a Pigeous egg, and was invested with its proper coat.   

The third Inspection of the Egg.  
EXERCIT. XVII.  
WE have seen the second Progress, or preparation of the Egg towards the Foetus, which falleth within the third day's Observation. It followeth that we now attend the third Appearance; which presenteth itself to our view after three days and as many nights.  
And of this Aristotle: There do begin to appear 
Hist. ● 1. ●. 6. c. 3.  some indications of Generation in Hens, after three days, and so many nights; (as suppose upon Monday morning, in case that on the precedent Frydaymorning the Eggs were laid under the Hen, then ready to sit) and the declaration of this Inspection, is the purpose of Fabricius his third Figure.  
If therefore you observe on the fourth day, you will meet a great Metamorphosis, and wonderful alteration; which are more evident, for almost every hour all that day long: about which time the Egg beginneth to step from the life of a Plant, to the life of an Animal. For now the Limbus or hem of the colliquamentum beginneth to blush and purple, being encompassed with a slender bloody line: and in the centre almost of it, there leapeth a capering bloody point, which is yet so exceeding small, that in its Diastole, or Dilatation, it flasheth only like the most obscure and almost indiscernible spark of fire; and presently upon its Systole or Contraction, it is too subtle for the eye, and quite disappeareth. So slender are the first Rudiments of Creatures lives, which the Plastical faculty sets on foot by so undiscoverable beginnings.  
If you are desirous to make discovery of this observation toward the declining of the third day, you may if you be extremely intent, by the assistance of a clear & great light, or by the Sun beams, or a Perspective, make a shift to discern it. For else, this purple streak is so exceeding nice, and fine, and the motion of the Punctum saliens is so imperceptible, that you will only lose your labour. But, at the beginning of the fourth day it is evident, and at the end thereof, most notoriously visible, that the Punctum sanguineum saliens hath now Animal motion (saith Aristotle) in the candid liquor: (which I call colliquamentum.) And from that (Point) two hollow threads like veins, full of blood, are carried crooked to the purple Line, and the coat encompassing the colliquamentum: scattering as they pass along many fibrous branches through the whole space and continent of the colliquamentum, all which spring from the same Original (as the boughs of Trees from the same Trunk,) In the crooked Angle of this Root, and the Middle of the colliquamentum, the Punctum Rubrum Saliens is enthroned, which keeps time and decorum in its pulsation, compounded of a Systole, and Diastole. In the Diastole, as if it did imbibe a larger proportion of blood, it dilates itself, and leaps; but connives in the Systole, as if it suffered a convulsion by the stroke, and resigned the blood again.  
Fabricius hath described this Punctum or Point, in his third Figure, and, (which is strange) took it for the body of the Foetus; as if either he had not observed its leaping, and pulsation, or else had not understood that text of Aristotle, or at best had forgotten it. But that which is yet more strange, is, that he should be nothing mindful all this while of his chalazae, from which himself deduces the rudiments of the chicken.  
Ulysses Aldrovandus, a Writer in Bovonia, about 
Ornithol. l. 14. pag. 217.  that time saith, There appeared in the White a little kind of Punctum saliens, or capering Point, which is the same which Aristotle decrees to be the Heart. Out of which I plainly discovered a little Trunk of a vein to arise, and two other little branches tending towards this, which were those very channels of blood, which he had wrote to be sent forth to the two coats encompassing the Yolk and White. Now I am clear of his Opinion, conceiving those passages to be Veins, and to have a pulsation, containing a purer blood in them, and such as is useful and proper for the generation of the more principle parts; namely, the Liver, and the Lungs, and the like. But both these are not veins, nor have they both a pulsation; for one is an Artery, the other a vein, as we shall hereafter show: where we shall also declare, that these Meatus do become the Umbilical vessels of the Foetus.  
Volcherus Coiter hath these words: The little bloody Point, or Globulus found before in the yolk, is now rather in the white, and evidently pulsatile. Now he is out, in saying, It was found before in the yolk; for that Point which was in the yolk was white; and did not leap neither; nor doth the bloody point or Globulus appear to leap the second day after Incubation. But that Point (which we have declared to be placed in the Middle of the round, as if it were the centre, and which is annexed to the yolk) doth vanish quite away, before the Point, which Aristotle calleth Punctum saliens, can be discerned at all, or (as I believe) becometh red, and leaping. For both these Points are seated in the centre of the colliquamentum, and near the root and original of the veins which spring from thence: but they are never seen together, but the Red, which is the Punctum saliens, succeeds in the place of the White one.  
In this indeed Volcherus is in the right, where be saith, The Punctus saliens is now rather found in the White, then in the Yolk. By which words, ● was incited to make diligent search, whether th●● Punctus albus be transmuted into the Punctum sanguineum; because both of them are almost of the same magnitude, and did seem situate in the same place. And sometimes, I found, the glistering purple circle which is the outermost, ending about the vermilion horizon, encompassed by the Colliquamentum; in whose centre there was the Punctus albus, but not the Ruber, or Saliens: but I never saw those two Points together. This disquisition is of great moment; namely, Whether there be blood before Pulsation, and, Whether the Punctus arise from the Veins, or the Veins from the Punctus?  
According to my observation the Blood seems to be before the Pulse; and I therefore believe it, because, Upon Wednesday about the Evening, I put three eggs under the Hen, and upon Saturday, a little before the same time, I found these eggs cold, as being forsaken by the Hen; however, opening one of them, I found the rudiments of a Chicken; namely the Purple and bloody Line in the circle: but in the centre, instead of the Punctum saliens, I found the Punctum album, which is bloodless. By which I perceived the Hen had not long deserted her charge: whereupon, seizing upon her by force, I penned her up all night, having first laid the two former remaining eggs, with other that were not there before, into the Nest. Now for the success: The next morning betimes, my two eggs were well recovered; and I found in the centre the Punctum Micans, which was much less than the Punctum Album; out of which (namely the Punctum Album) a spark or lightning, darting as it were from a cloud, appeared in the Diastole only: So that to my Apprehension, the Punctum Rubrum did leap out of the Punctum Album, at least that Punctum is generated in the Punctum Album, and 〈◊〉 being now there, hath its Birth, or at least its 〈◊〉 there. Nay, I have many times observed, The Punctum saliens, when (as quite expired) it lay deprived of all motion, it hath regained fresh motion and pulsation, by a new heat and cherishing. Therefore in order of Generation, I conceive that the Punctum and Blood do first exist, but the pulsation arriveth not till afterward.  
And this is most certain, that nothing at this time appears, besides the bloody streaks, the Punctum saliens, and those Veins which are all derived from one Trunk (as that Trunk itself from the Punctum saliens) and do afterward constitute the Umbilical Vessels: which being disseminated far and wide, the foetus at length (according to it growth) doth attract sustenance from the Yolk and White. You may see a lively resemblance of these Veins & their propagations in the leaves of Trees, whose fibres do all proceed from the pedunculus or stalk, and are diffused from one Trunk through the whole capacity of the Leaf.  
This whole entire Colliquamentum, distinguished and sprinkled with bloody fibres, representeth the form & magnitude of the two wings of a Butterfly. And it is no other than that Membrane which Aristotle 
In loc. supra dict.  speaks of, where he saith, The Membrane divaricated with bloody fibres, containeth then a white liquor, springing from those Meatus of the Veins.  
About the end of the fourth, and beginning of the fifth day, being now enlarged, it seemeth to be changed into a small thin bladder, containing blood in it; which it ejects at every contraction, and recalls again at every diastole.  
Hitherto I could not discover any distinction of Vessels: for the Arteries do not yet differ from veins, either in coat, or Pulsation: and therefore I call the vessels indifferently veins, or with Aristotle, Meatus Venales, Veinal Passages, or Channels.  
This Punctum (saith Aristotle) now bestirs itself like an Animal; for Motion and Sense distinguish an Animal from a non Animal. Since therefore this Punctum begins now first to move, we may justly say it hath put on the nature of an Animal: and that the Egg which was before endowed with a vegetative soul, is now over and above that, furnished with a Motive and sensation power; and is raised from a Plant to an Animal and that at the same time the soul of the Foetus is gone in, which first forms the chicken ou● of the Egg, and afterward informs that chicken. For Aristotle demonstratively resolves of the 
Lib. de Animâ.  Faculties, by the Operations; and from them also concludes of the cause and fountain of Life (namely the Soul) and that to be in, actually, (where the Operations actually are.)  
And I am confirmed by many proofs and experiments, that not motion only is now the companion of the Punctum saliens, but also Sense itself For upon every touch, be it never so gentle, it is variously provoked, and disturbed, (at the same rate as sensative bodies proclaim their distastes by particular motions) and so offended with repe●●● injuries, that they did confound the chime and order of its pulses. So in the Plant, called the sensative Plant, and other Zoophyta, we conclude there is sense; because upon touch they contract themselves, and take it unkindly.  
I have, I say, often seen, and so have many more who have been present, this Punctum, upon contaction by a needle, probe, or the finger itself, nay upon the admission of a more searching heat or cold, or any other thing that could molest, and disorder, declare many symptoms of its resentment; for it would fly into many permutations of pulse, beating much stronger, and nimble then before. So that, no question, this Punctum doth (as an Animal) Live, Move, and Perceive.  
Moreover, expose an egg too long to the colder air, and the Punctum saliens beats slower, and hath a languishing motion; but lay your finger warm upon it, or cherish it kindly any other way, and it presently gaineth strength and vigour. And after this Punctum hath declined by degrees, and being full of blood hath ceased from all motion, exhibiting no specimen of life at all, and was given up for lost, and dead, upon laying of my finger warm upon it, for the space of only twenty pulses, the poor heart hath awaked, and recovered again, and as it were rescued from the grave, proceeds to its former harmony afresh. And this hath been done again and again by me, and others, by any other reviving heat, were it of the Fire, or warm Water: as if it were in our dispose to condemn the little Soul to the Shades, or repreive it to life, at pleasure.  
What we have here delivered, doth for the most part come to pass the fourth day from the first Incubation, or at the Third Inspection. I say, for the most part; for it falls not out perpetually so, because there is a great diversity in the maturity of Eggs, and some come to perfection sooner than their fellows. As is usually in the fruits of any Tree, whereof some are ripe, and ready to fall of themselves: whilst others are crude and greener, and cannot be shaken from the Boughs. So that some Eggs are less forward the fifth day, than others the third. And (that I may instance in what I have found and tried) I have found this true in very many eggs, whom the Hen hath fostered the same length of time, and I have opened them all the same day. So that I have had no cause to quarrel against the weaker Sex, the distemper of the Air, the neglect of the Hen, or any other Accident; but only the innate weakness of the Egg; and the penury of the ingenit Heat.  
Ova Hypenemia, or Addle Eggs, do at this time (as in a critical day) begin to alter and discover their genius: For as fruitful Eggs, by the innate plastic virtue do alter and resolve into a Colliquamentum (which doth after shift into blood) so Subventaneous Eggs, at the same time, begin to corrupt, and putrify. And yet I have sometimes observed the Macula or Cicatricula to be distended wider even in barren eggs; but it never rose up to the top, nor was ever circumscribed by the circles orderly drawn about it. I have also sometimes seen the Yolk grow clear, and liquifie, and the parts congealed, as it were, by rash, inconsiderate coagulation, float up and down like scattered clouds. And though these Eggs cannot yet be called corrupt, putrid, and unsavoury; yet they are very much prepared towards putrefaction, and do completely arrive thither, by the continuation of the warmth of the Sitting-Henne, and set out their progress towards corruption, from the very place and stage, whence prolifical Eggs advance to Generation.  
The Perfecter sort of Eggs therefore do now about the declension of the fourth day, acquire a twofold, or bipartite Vesicula pulsans, or vesicle of pulsation, one making answer and replies, to the other by a double pulsation, in that Order and Method, that whilst one is contracted, the other shines and swells with blood; which presently being contracted, dischargeth itself of the blood that was in it; and in a moment's time intervening, the former swells and returns the Pulse, so that you may evidently see, that the action of these vesicles is Contraction; by which the Blood is driven, and pumped into the vessels.  
The fourth day, (saith Aldrovandus) the two Puncta were discovered, and each of them did move: which two points were without doubt the Heart and 
pag. 217.  the Liver; which Viscera Aristotle saith are seen in the Eggs after three days Incubation.  
But Aristotle never said so, nor are those viscera usually to be seen before the tenth day. And I wonder Aldrovandus could think one of these Puncta Pulsantia was the Liver: as if the Liver ever had any such motion.  
It is safer to believe that one of the Puncta salientia (when the Foetus enlargeth) doth constitute the Auriculae or deaf Ears, and the other the Ventriculi, or Ventricles of the Heart. For in grown bodies, the Ventricles of the Heart are after this manner filled, and supplied by the Auriculae, which by their Systole, are depleated and emptied again: as we have observed in our Tract, de Motu cordis & sanguinis. In better grown eggs, sometimes about the declining of the fourth day, I know not what cloudy substance did obscure these Vesiculae Pulsantes, and did (like an interposed shade) obstruct my Inspection, that I could not so clearly discern the Puncta salientia. Yet by the help of a clearer light, and with a Perspective, and conferring with my observations for the subsequent days: it appeared to be the Rudiment of the foetus, or a Cloud exhaled from the Colliquamentum, or an Effluvium congealing about the beginning of the veins: as shall more at large be treated of in the fifth days observation.  
Aldrovandus also seems to have observed it: The fifth day, (saith he) that Punctum which we called the Heart, did no longer appear to move outwardly, but seemed rather to be covered, and concealed; and the two Meatus Venosi were seen more conspicuous, but one larger than the other. But the Learned Aldrovandus is deceived, for this Tutelar deity taketh possession, and locks himself up in most reserved and secret recesses (when the habitation is almost completely erected) a long time after. And he likewise mistakes, where he saith, that by the innate virtue of the veins, the remaining portion of the white is turned into a kind of straw-coloured substance. For that complexion is in the the thicker white, of all eggs that are stale, and is daily increased in them, (namely, according as the Egg groweth Staler, as is said) and that without any assistance of veins, by reason of the thinner substance exhaling.  
But the Foetus growing bigger, (as we shall declare in its place) and the circles of the branches of the veins being disseminated up and down, part of both the juices are dissolved, not (as Aldrovandus would have it) by an innate virtue of the veins, but by the heat of the blood inhabiting there. For into what part soever of the moisturer the foresaid veins extend their Territories, there presently appears a colliquation or resolution in the bordering parts; and therefore the Yolk at that time seems double, because its superior part (which is joined to the cavity above, about the obtuse angle) being more mollified, and dissolved then the rest of the Yolk, appears like melted Wax, compared to the other cold, compacted part. And upon that score (as all melted things do) it obtaineth a larger room. And that Upper part, liquefied by the genital warmth is disterminated from the other liquors (and especially from the White) by a peculiar most thin coat of its own. Whence it happens, that a breach being made upon this slender, frail, and invisible membrane, there presently follows a confusion and mixture of the Yolk and White, which disturbs the whole frame. And it is many times a cause to frustrate and void Generation (when those liquors become to be of a divers, nay of a contrary nature) according to that Text in Aristotle, 
de gen. an. l. 3. c. 2.  so often cited. Eggs are depraved and made addle most in hot weather, and that upon good reason. For as Wines grow sour in hotter weather, the dregs being subverted (for that is the cause of their depravation) so Eggs are destroyed, their Yolk being corrupted: for these are the more terrene and earthy parts in both. So that Wine is disturbed by a commixture of the dregs, and the Eggs by diffusion of the Yolk. And hither you may justly reduce that of 
Hist. an. l. 6. c. 2.  him too, where he saith, Eggs that are under the Hen in tempestuous thunders, are corrupted. For the exceeding small membrane is by so great a noise quickly torn asunder. And therefore perhaps, confused and putrid Eggs, are called Ova Cynosura, because (as we have observed) it thunders 
Lib. 8. c. 5.  most in the Dog-days. And therefore Columella rightly admonisheth, that most men deem the Summer-Solstice to be inconvenient for hatching of chickens.  
This is most certain, that Eggs suffer quassation, concussion, and dissolution very easily, if any man disturb them while the Hen is Sitting, because at that time the liquors in them are liquefied, and swell, and the membranes embracing them are dilated, and grow tender.   

The fourth Inspection of the Egg.  
EXERCIT. XVIII.  
THE fifth day of Incubation, is discerned first (saith Aristotle) the body of the Pullus, being very 
Hist. an. l. 6. c. 3.  small, and white, wherein the head is conspicum and in it the eyes much turgent, which continue so a long time, for it is long ere they abate, and connive. But in the lower part of the body, there is no part ●● first extant, correspondent to the upper. But th●s● Branches which shoot out from the Heart, one tending to the ambient membrane, the other to the Yolk, do supp●● the office of the Navel. The original of the Chicken therefore from the White, but its nourishment from the Yolk by the Navel.  
By which words Aristotle seems to distribute the whole Generation of the Pullus into three class●● or orders, namely from the first day of Incubation to the fifth: and thence, on to the tenth or fourteenth and so on to the twentieth. As if he had o●● recorded those things in his History, which he ● covered at these three Inspections. The great changes in the Egg do indeed happen at these times: as if by these Decretory days, as by three distinct degrees, the progress of the perfect Egg, to the utmost exclusion of the Chicken, were distinguished. For the fourth day the first particle of the Foetus, namely the Punctum saliens, and the Blood appear; and after that the Foetus is corporated. The Seventh, the Chicken is distinguished into parts, and begins to move. The tenth it begins to be down-feathered; about the twentieth, it breathes, and cries according to its kind, and seeks to make its escape. The Life which it obtains about the fourth day, seems to emulate that of Plants, and is to be esteemed only a vegitative animation. But from that to the tenth, it enjoys a sensative and moving soul as Animals do: and after that, it is completed by degrees, and being adorned with Places, Bill, Claws, and other furniture, it hastens to get out, that being at length emancipated, it may be unconfined and free.  
Aristotle therefore enumerates amongst those things which befall after the fourth day, chiefly three; that is to say, the fabric of the body, the branchings of the veins, which now supply the Nature and Office of the Navel: and the matter or substance whence the Foetus doth first spring, and is constituted, and nourished.  
Concerning the Fabric of the Body, he relates four things, first, what magnitude it is of; secondly, what complexion; thirdly, what parts are most conspicuous, (namely the Head, and Eyes) and last, what distinction or difference there is between the Parts. Truth is, the Body is exceeding small, resembling in form that common worm or Maggot, out of which the Fly is bred; it is also white of colour, like that little Worm, which the Fly depositeth in putrified flesh. to be cherished, and bred up; and he elegantly adds, that it is most notorious from its Head and Eyes. For that which first appears, is a similar and indistinct Body, as if it were some concrete and congealed substance of the colliquamentum itself (like that Jelly which is made of the decoction of Hartshorn) being like a transparent cloud, which were hardly distinguishable, were it not divided as it were into two parts; whereof the one lies in a heap together; and is much larger than the other, being the Rudimens of the Head; which is first discerned on the fifth day: in which the Eyes are anon manifestly distinguished; which at first are the biggest of all, much puffed up, and prominent, and are discriminated both from the rest of the Head, and the whole Body besides, by a certain blackness cast round about them. Any one of these, is larger than the whole Head; as also, the Head alone exceeds all there of the Body in magnitude. This Whiteness of the Body, endureth a while, as also, the tumour of the Eyes: (which are filled also with a most clear moisture or water within, but are dark and blackish without, as it is also with the Brain) that is to say, to the tenth day, and more: for (saith Aristotle) It is late ere they diminish, and contract to their allotted proportion. Nay, according to my observation, the Eyes of Birds do never reduce themselves to the Proportion, which is allotted as the standard between the Eyes, and the Head of a Viviparous Animal. For if you lay aside the Skin, which covereth the Eyes of a Hen, or any other Bird, either of them alone will soon countervail the whole bulk of the Brain: In a Woodcock and the like, any one of the Eyes is bigger than all the Head besides, (bating only the Bill) but it is common to all Birds whatsoever to have the Orbita, or cavity which contains the Eyes to exceed the Brain itself, as you may see in their cranium, or Scull. But yet it falls out that their Eyes seem lesser, because they are all (except the Sight or Apple only) shrouded with Skin and Plumes; nor are they of an Orbicular Figure (which might occasion their prominence or standing out) but of a Depressed, as Fishes eyes are.  
In the lower part of the Body (saith Aristotle) there is no part extant at first, which is correspondent to the Superior: And so indeed it is: The Body at first were scarce discernible, were it not for the Eyes and the Head; so that downwards, it is not distinguished by any members at all, whether Wings, Feet, Breastbone, Rump, or any Viscus: nor indeed is it graced with any Shape of a Body: but as far as I could discover, it is only a Little Substance, next adjacent to the small vein, like the carina or keel of an imaginable small Ship wound up together, and like a Maggot or Worm, without any platform of Ribs, Legs, or Wings: to which is fastened a little round body, which is the rudiment of the Head, which is more discernible th●n it, and divided into three Bubbles, (on which fid: soever you make your Inspection:) But it is indeed divided into four, whereof two are largest, and blackish, being the rudiments of the Eyes; the third of the Brain; and the fourth of the cerebellum, or After-Braine. All these are full of exceeding clear Water, but in the middle of the Blackness of the eyes, is the Apple or Ball of the Eye (as in the Centre) shining like a transparent Spark or Crystal. Hence I suppose, the Tres Bullae, the three Bubbles which are only conspicuous, have imposed upon those, who have not thoroughly observed the thing. For having learned, according to the old doctrine of the Schools, that there were three Principalities in the Animal Body, and three Principal Parts; (namely, the Brain, the Heart, and the Liver) executing the chief Functions: They soon induced themselves to believe, that these Three Bullae were the platforms, and groundworks of these three parts. But Coiterus, as becomes a skilful Anatomist, affirms much truer, that he saw, on the Seventh day after Incubation, the Bill, and the Eyes, but could discover none of the Viscera.  
But to Aristotle again. Those Branches, which proceed from the Heart, one of them tendeth to the circumambient membrane, the other to the Yolk, supplying the office of a Navel. The Foetus being now bodied, those veins do execute the office of a Navel: and one of their branches, or propagations is disseminated into the outward coat, which embraceth the White; but the sprouts of the other go directly to the coat of the Yolk, and are disseminated through its juice or liquor. By which it is plain and evident, that both the Liquors are dedicated to the nourishment of the Foetus. And though Aristotle say, that the Original of the chicken is from the White, and its nourishment from the Yolk by the Navel: Yet he doth not say that the chicken is made of the White; for the Foetus is made of that white Liquor which we call the colliquamentum: and all that which we call Oculum Ovi, the Eye of the Egg, is contained in the White. Nor doth he say that the sustenance of the Chicken is only from the Yolk by the Navel: but I shall interpret his words (according to my one Observations) thus: Though the Pullus assume its original in the White, yet it is not fed by the White only, but by the Yolk also (to which one of the Sprigs of the Umbilical veins doth extend) nay chiefly by the Yolk; for the White (according to Aristotle) is the more concocted, and purer liquor of the egg, but the Yolk the more terrene, and solid, and therefore more congruous to the Chicken, when he is grown stronger: and therefore (as shall be said hereafter) it supplies the place of Milk, and is that which is last consumed; for the remainder of it (after the Chichen is hatched, and walks abroad with the Hen) it yet contained in its Belly.  
What I have hitherto spoken, cometh to pass, from the fourth day to the seventh. But When, How, and in what Order, all the Particulars are framed, I shall now explain.  
The Next Appearance, which presents itself the fifth day, about the short vein drawn from the Angle (where the two points leaping in course are seated) there appears a grosser, and whiter substance, like a little cloud, (which yet is transparent) through which the foresaid vein doth obscurely, and as through a cloud, cast a glimpse of itself. I have seen the same sometimes, in well grown eggs, upon the fourth day. But this is the Rudiment of the Body, which now every hour groweth more close, and compact, and doth encompass the foresaid vein, and also is annexed to it, like a little globous body. That globous Rudiment doth much exceed the Keel (as I may call it) of this little Worm, in magnitude: and it is of a triangular figure, that is to say, (like the small sprout of a knotted shrub) obscurely divided into three pieces: Whereof one is Orbicular, and larger than the other two, and looks black, by reason of some most slender fibres, which are drawn from the Circumference towards the Centre: resembling the platform of the Septum Ciliare, and therefore it implies, that this particle is transformed into the Eye. In the midsts of this, is a very little Pupilla or Eyeball, appearing like a most bright point: (as we have said) and upon that ground I raised my conjecture, that this entire little round body, was designed for the Rudiment of the Head: and that that black circle was to be one of the Eyes, to which the other standeth opposite on the other side: for they are so seated, that you cannot discern them both at once, because the uppermost covereth and hideth the lower.  
This first Rudiment of the Body, which we affirm to grow about the vein, (hath obtained an oblong, and something an embowed figure, (like the Keel of a Ship; it is of a mucous consistence, like the film or hoariness which is contracted by moist things, when they are penned up in a close place. But the small vein to which this hoary substance doth accrue, is the descending Vena Cava, passing along the Spine of the Back: as my subsequent observations have cleared. If you diligently mind the order of the pulsation of the two vesicles, you shall discern the blood driven by the Systole of that which was last contracted into the beginning of this vein, and this vein distended by it.  
So that there are two manifest Contractions and Dilatations of the two vesicles which cause a motion and pulse in one another: and the preceding Contraction of the one, creates the Distension of the other: for the blood being darted into the second vesicle, by the Contraction of the cavity of the first, causeth an impletion, distension, and pulsation in it: which by and by contracting itself, disgorgeth the blood (which it now received from the former vesicle) into the beginning of the foresaid vein, and so dilateth that. I call it yet a vein, though by its pulse I conceive it to be the Artery, called Aorta; for the Arteries are not yet distinguished from the veins by the thickness of their coats.  
Having often observed these things with much caution and circumspection in several eggs, I stood a while in suspense, what opinion I should entertain of them. As, whether I should conclude this concrete, and annexed globous body were made of the Colliquamentum, (in which it swum) as out of a compacted and coagulated substance; as Clouds are form out of vapours in the upper Region of the Air (which vapours were never discovered to ascend:) Or else out of some Effluvium or exhalation of blood transpiring, or some Transudation, weeping by a kind of diapedeses, from the vein. For the first Rudiments even of the greatest things, are exceeding small, and so very obscure, because very little.  
This, I presume, I am assured of, viz. that the Puncta salientia, the Branching of the veins, & the Vena cava itself are first existent, & that afterwards this corpulency or bulk is joined to them. And I am also most certain, that the Blood is driven into this Vein out of the Punctum saliens, and that by this Vein that little bulk or body is fed. For that first hoariness or Mucus is first of all made by an Effluvium of the Vein, (to which it grows) and from it afterward draweth its nourishment and increase: As film and hoariness doth in other moist places grow between the chinks of walls, which lie long unswept; as Camphor upon Cedar-planks, and Moss upon Stones, and Barks of Trees; or lastly, as a kind of down is bred upon some kind of Worms.  
I did also doubt at the same time, whether this Rudiment of the Head and Body had its existence so soon, as the coagulation of the Colliquamentum, together with the Blood, and Punctum saliens had theirs, but was then imperciptible by reason of its thinness, and clearness of substance; till congealing into a grosser film, it put on a more solid, compacted whiteness, by which it might be discerned: while yet the Blood which is thicker and shining might be well perceived in the Colliquamentum which is so diaphanous. But whilst I consider the matter more narrowly, I am fully satisfied, that the Blood hath a being, before any other part of the body besides, and is the elder brother to all other parts of the foetus; and that from it, both the matter out of which the foetus is constituted, as also the aliment by which it is supplied, is desumed, and is (if any thing be) the first genital particle. But how I am induced to this persuasion, shall be afterwards copiously recited, when we discourse concerning the primitive fructifying Part, the Innate Heat, and Radical Moisture; and when also we shall resolve what is to be thought concerning the soul, out of many Observations conferred together.  
About this time, almost every hour, all things appear larger and clearer, and more distinct, and unfolded; and now there comes a nimble Alteration in the Egg, and many things appear one upon the neck of another. The Cavity of the Egg is now much larger, and layeth the upper part of it all void and empty, as if a fifth part of the Egg were vanished.  
The little branches of the Veins are farther spread out, and grow more numerous in their distributions, not only into the Colliquamentum, (as before) but up and down both into Yolk and White, & both those liquors are checkered over with fibers. The upper part of the Yolk is much dissolved and melted, as if it were a distinct thing from the inferior, and that the yolk were now become two; the superior shining like melted wax, swelled, and bright; and the inferior and earthier, together with the duller part of the White, being depressed to the acute angle. And the proper coat of the superior part of the yolk is now so thin, that the least concussion breaks it; upon which ensues a confusion of liquors, and an utter frustration of generation.  
And now is the first Rudiment of the Foetus to be clearly seen (as you may perceive it in Fabricius his fifth and sixth Tables;) which being put into a basin of clear water, will plainly discover, what parts of the body are already framed, and what are yet wanting and behind. For there appears the form of a small Worm or Maggot, as we see the rudiments of Worms and Flies in the boughs of Trees, in the knots of the Bark, in Fruits, Flowers, and other things; but especially in Oak apples, in whose centre, within a small round Shell or Kernel, is contained a clear liquor, which thickening and coagulating by degrees, is interlaced with most slender fibres, and represents the shape of a Maggot, but continues a while immovable, till at length endued with sense and motion, it becomes an animal, and departs a Flie.  
Aristotle describes a Generation like this, in 
Hist. an. l. 5. c. 19  those things that are called Sponte nascentia. Some creatures are born of the Dew, which falls upon the Leaves. And a while after he says: Butterflies are made of Worms, but these Worms of green Leaves; and especially of the Leaves of that sort of Raphanus, which some call Brassica. They are first smaller than Millet, and afterward very little worms; then increasing, within three days they become little Maggots; and after this being more grown, they cease to move, and changing their form, are called Crystallides, being contained in a hard crust; and if you touch them, they stir: a great while after the crust or shell is broken, and so they being become winged creatures, take their flight, and are called Butterflies.  
But we shall prove anon, that the Generation of all creatures is alike, and that all creatures, even perfect ones, are begotten of a Worm; which Aristotle also seemeth to have noted, where he saith: In all Creatures, even those which produce a perfect egg, the 
de gen. an. l. 3. c. 9  first conception groweth before it be distinguished: such is also the nature of the Worm. Now this difference there is between the generation of the Worm, and other Creatures; that the Worm grows before he have his shape, or distinction into parts: according to that of the Philosopher, An animal is made out of a Worm, not as if it were made out of a part of it, as out of its Egg; but in that the whole Worm grows, and so becomes a dearticulate animal; namely, in growing it becomes to be jointed or distinguished.  
We have indeed cause to wonder, that the Rudiments 
De hist. an. l. 5. c. 9  of all Creatures whatsoever, especially of Creatures that have blood, (viz. of a Dog, a Horse, a Dear, an Ox, a Hen, a Viper, nay of Man himself) should so exactly resemble the shape and consistence of a Maggot, that you can perceive no difference at all.  
Towards the end of the Fifth day, or the beginning of the Sixth, the Head is distinguished into three vesicles or little bladders; whereof the first; and greatest, which is round, and blackish, is that of the Eye: in whose centre the Pupilla is discovered like a crystalline Point. Under this a lesser vesicle, whereof part is hidden, represents the Brain; ●● which the third, like a crest adjoined, or a small ●●nd knobb, appears uppermost; of which at last ●he Cerebellum or After-brain is made: yet in all ●●ese you shall find nothing, besides a clear water.  
And now the Rudiment of the Body, (which we all the Keel) doth more distinctly represent the ●pina dorsi, or Chine of the Back: to which, sides begin to be built and appear; for the Wings and legs do now jut out from the Maggot. And the vessels do now plainly express the Navel.   

The fifth Inspection of the Egg.  
EXER. XIX.  
THe sixth day the three Bullae of the Head do more plainly appear, and the coats of the eyes are now distinct: also the Legs and Wings do bud forth; as at the end of June, the Gyrini (which the Italians call Ravabottoli, and we Tadpoles) begin to have legs, when now they forsake the wa●ers, lose their tail, and put on the shape of Frogs.  
The form of the Chickens Rump is yet no other, then that which is seen in all other animals, may in very vipers, namely a round slender tail. The Parenchyma of the heart now groweth to the vesicula pulsans; and a little after the Rudiments of the Liver, and Lungs are discovered, and also the Bill, all appearing exceeding white, especially the Bill. And about this time all the Viscera and the Guts may be seen. But the heart exposeth it ●● first to sight, and the Lungs before the Liver or the brain. But before all are the eyes visible, because o● their largeness and blackness of their colour.  
And now the foetus moves, and gently tumbles, and stretcheth out the neck, though nothing of a brain be yet to be seen, but merely a bright water shut up in a small bladder. And now it is a perfect Maggot, differing only from those kind of worm● in this, that those when they have their freedom, crawl up and down, and search for their living abroad: but this worm constant to his station, and swimming in his own provision, draws it in by his Umbilical Vessels.  
The Viscera and the Guts being now erected, and the foetus being furnished with motion too; yet the forepart of the Body still lies wide open, being deprived of the Thorax, and Abdomen; and the Heart itself, the Liver, and the Guts hanging out.  
About the end of this day, and the beginning of the seventh, the claws are distinguished; and the foetus begins to have the Effigies of a Chicken, it opens the bill, and kicks: lastly, all the parts are delineated, especially the Eyes. But the Viscera or bowels are yet so obscure, that Coiterus truly affirme●. That he saw indeed the Eyes and the Bill, but could discover no Viscus at all, though never so concealed or confused.  
That which followeth from the beginning of the sixth day to the end of the seventh, cometh ●● pass sooner in some, and in some eggs later. No● are the coats of the Eyes seen, though they have nothing in them but a liquid clear humour: the Ey● themselves are something prominent, or hanging out of their seats, and each of them doth no le● exceed the brain in magnitude, than the head, the rest of the body that is fastened to it.  
A little bubble, like a crest, placed out of the circuit of the brain, supplied the place of the cerebellum, and that is also full of a clear water.  
The brain seemeth obscurely divided, and shines not so much as the cerebellum doth, though it look whiter. And as the Heart is now to be seen without the enclosure of the chest, so is the cerebellum, out of the Confines of the cerebrum.  
In cutting off the Head, I saw (by the benefit of ●●y Perspective) in the Neck, a bloody speck of ●●e vein which ascends to the brain. And by ●his means only could I distinguish the rudiment of the Spine, from the other Pulp, it was of a milky complexion, but firmer consistence than milk. And so also like slender cobwebs, narrow white lines, wan●ing through the pulp of the body, to give some laymen of the Ribs, and other bones; and this is much more discernible in the formation of other Viviparous Animals. The Heart, the Lungs, the Liver, and, instead of Guts, the most slender threads, ●re all white. The Parenchyma of the Liver ●ows to the Umbilical vein, there where it enters ●o the Liver, upon thin fibrous strings: in like manner as the Rudiment of the Body grows to the ●● passing from the Heart, or to the Vesicula pul●●s. For as Grapes grow to the cluster, buds to ●●eir stalks, and the ears of corn to the straw: So ●●th the Liver to the Umbilical vessels, like mushed out of Trees, or proud flesh in Ulcers, or fleshy ●●●rs which border upon the branches of the Ar●●●●es, by which they are fed, and spread sometimes ●●● vast tumour.  
Having had an Eye upon this employment of Arteries, or circulation of the blood, I have sometimes perfectly cured exceeding great Herniae carnosae, beyond all expectation; providing only, that the little artery being tied or cut off, no nutriment or spirit might have accession to the part affected; by which it fell out, that the fatal tumour was afterwards easily extirpated either by incision, or adustion.  
A certain man, besides other infirmities, (and of this story I can produce many testimonies) had a Sarcosis or fleshy tumour in his Scrotum or God, bigger than a man's head, hanging down to his Knees; and from it, another Hernia carnosa, as thick as ones wrist (or a cable) passed into his Abdomen, so that the disease growing to so great a height, no man would undertake the Cure, by incision, or otherwise. Yet I perfectly cured this so vast excrescence, which so much distended the Scrotum, and encompassed the Testicle, by the means aforesaid; and yet left the leading and preparing vessel to the use of the Testicle, without any prejudice or touch upon the other vessels descending into the S●●tum, by the Tunica vaginalis, or coat of the Testicles so called. But these and other Cures, accomplished clean beside the common opinion, I shall in my Physical Observations (if God grant me life) discover at large.  
I mention these things with this intent, that men may plainly see, that the Liver grows to the vessels, and is generated some time after the Blood is born, and that its parenchymas is produced by the Arteries, (which administer matter to frame 〈◊〉 and also that for a while it continues white, and without blood; which is likewise common to other parts of the body. For after the same man●● and order, as we have declared the production ●● the Chicken to be out of the Egg, doth the 〈◊〉 ration of Man, and all other Animals proceed. By which it appears, how incongruous their persuasion is, (though it hath obtained both of old, and now too) who decree the Liver to be both the 〈◊〉 where the Blood is wrought, and the Author of it; and do upon that account, rank it amongst the ●hiefe and firstborn parts of the Body: who also give so much renown to this Viscus, that they proclaim it to spring with the Heart, from the first beginning, out of the semen of the mother; and do rigorously maintain the Fable de tribus Capellis, or the three imaginary Bubbles. In which Choir, Parisanus of late, with a loud, but unmannageable voice, hath sung his part of the Catch.  
These honest men never took notice, that the Vesicles move, the Heart pants, & the Blood is now perfectly concocted, before any tract or foundation of the Liver appears. Without all question the Blood is to be counted the Author of the Liver, ●ither then the Liver the Author of the Blood. For the Liver is made after the Blood, and of it, cleaving ●the Veins that contain the Blood.  
Nor yet can I subscribe to the Aristotelians, which repute the Heart to be the Author of the ●●id. For its substance also, or Parenchyma is born 〈◊〉 the Blood, and is then superadded to the Ve●●●●la Pulsantes. But I am much in doubt whether Vesicula, or Punctum saliens or the Blood, that is to ●y, whether the contained liquor, or the containing ●●ssels be the elder. Now it seems in reason, that ●● container is made for the contained; and therefore after it. This indeed our eyes can truly witnese, ●●● the Veins are the first woof, and the first visi●● foundation of the body, and that all the other 〈◊〉 are superadden to them, and born after 〈◊〉. But of this matter hereafter more at large.  
In the Interim we cannot choose but smile at that fond and fictitious Division of the Parts, into Spermatical, and Sanguineous; as if any part were immediately framed of the Semen, and were not all of one extract and original.  
But I return to our purpose. The extent of the Colliquamentum doth not reach over more than half the Egg. The Heart hanging out, stands something off from the body. And if you makes diligent inspection, you may discover some of the Umbilical Vessels beat.   

The sixth Inspection of the Egg.  
EXER. XX.  
ON the seventh day all things are clearer, and the primordia of each particular part are now visible; namely, the Wings, Legs, Genitals, the divided Claws of the feet, the Thighs, the Sides●ien, etc.  
Now the Foetus bestirrs itself, and kicks, and the Chicken is found complete, there being no addition to be expected after but only the growth o● the parts yet tender: which the more they increase, the more the White decays; and the out ward membranes uniting, supply the place of the Secundina, or afterbirth; as also the Veins do every day more and more represent the Navel. Therefore I conceive it convenient to pass from the Seventh, to the Tenth day, because nothing worth observation doth intervene in the mo●● time, though Authors usually, especially Aristotle do not do so.  
Notwithstanding all this, if you observe many Eggs at a time, you shall find some that are forward, and better grown, have all the parts apparent in them; other Truants will present them jess distinct. Though on the other side, many things concur to the work, as the Season of the year, the warmth of the Nest, Outward cherishings, Deligent Incubation, and the like. I remember I have sometimes seen in a sluggish Egg, the cavity indeed dilated on the seventh day, and the Colliquamentum sprinkled o'er with veins, also a Maggot in the midst of it, together with the rudiments of the Eyes, and other things which come to pass in other Eggs, about the fourth or fifth day; yet there were no vesiculae pulsantes at all: nor could I find the Trunk or root out of which the Veins rise. And therefore I justly counted it a seeble backward Egg, endowed but with a sickly generative power, and now upon the point to die. And that chiefly, because its Colliquamentum was more clear and refulgent then usual, and the veins did also shine a little. For when the Vital spirit departs, that part first declines and corrupts, which is first in order of Generation.   

The Inspection after the tenth day.  
EXER. XXI.  
WHatever is visible the tenth day, is delivered so accurately by Aristotle, that little or nothing remains to be added. And this opinion, according to my Paraphrase, is thus: The tenth day all the Chicken is visible; and all pellucid, and white, save only the Eyes and divarications of the Veins. And the Head is bigger than all the rest of the body besides; and the Eyes stick fast in the Head, or rather stick to the Head as Appendices, being yet unfurnished of a Pupilla or Eyeball; (that is, having none yet perfectly form; and yet it is no hard matter to discover the distinct coats or membranes) for if then you pluck them out, you shall find them black, and bigger than Beans: from which if you take off the skin, there flows a white, cold humour, very refulgent if you hold it in the light, and beside that humour, there is nothing (namely in the whole entire Head) contained at all. And this is the state of these parts, from the seventh day, to the tenth.  
At the same time (saith Aristotle) the Viscera or entrails also appear, and all the appurtenances belonging to the Belly and Guts; namely, the Parenchyma of the Heart, Lungs, and Liver, etc. but all are white, mucilaginous, and washy, and have no firm consistence in them. And the Veins also that proceed from the Heart, are applied to the Navel. And from the Navel one Vein passeth to the membrane containing the yolk; which is then more liquid and dissolved, than his natural constitution uses to be. But the other, to the other membrane, which containeth the whole membrane (namely the coat of the Colliquamentum) which encompasseth the Foetus, and the Yolk, and the interjacent humour. For while the Chicken grows by degrees, part of the yolk is above, and part below; but the White being in the midst, is liquid. And the white is also under that lower part of the yolk, as it was under it before. So far Aristotle.  
And now you may plainly see the Veins accompany the Arteries; as well those which 〈◊〉 to the Whites, as those which pass to the yolk. The yolk also now dissolves, and yet not all of it, but that which lies uppermost: nor do the sprigs of the Veins run through the whole yolk, but through that part only which we have said to be like melted wax. So also the Veins which tend to the White, have some Arteries for their companions. And the greater part of the White itself, is dissolved also into that white moisture (called the Colliquamentum) which surrounds the Chicken swimming in the midst of it, and lieth between the two divisions of the yolk; namely, the Upper, and the Lower: under which (in the acute angle of the Egg) the grosser and more viscous part of the White remaineth. The Upper part of the yolk appears now more liquid and resolved, than the Inferior doth; for wheresoever the fibers of the Veins disseminate themselves, the parts grow presently tumid, and softer.  
But Aristotle adds, saying, the White at the tenth day sinketh down, being now grown less, viscous, thicker, and yellowish; namely that part of it which is not transformed into the Colliquamentum.  
Now the greatest part of the White is resolved into the Colliquamentum, and the Foetus; that is, all the thinner part of the Albumen, and the greater part also of the thicker.  
But the Yolk appears now larger, than it was at first. By which it is evident, that the Yolk doth not yet serve for nutrition, but is afterwards designed for that office. And as far as I could conjecture, by the disseminations and distributions of the Veins, the Foetus is at first nourished by the Colliquamentum; for the Veins are first distributed into it alone, and thence into the membrane of the thinner White; and after that, into the grosser White, and Yolk: so that even the grosser White becomes the nutriment, before the Yolk. For the most tender Foetus, whilst it is yet a small Maggot, is fed with the thinnest diet of best concoction; that is, the Colliquamentum, and the thinner White. But when it grows more hearty, it is received with entertainment proper for its age and strength.  
In the next words, Aristotle describes the situation of the particulars contained in the egg. At the upper and lower end of the egg, doth the membrane of the egg reside, not the membrane which belongeth to the shell, but under it: and in that membrane is contained the white liquor: (namely the Colliquamentum) then the Chicken, and the membrane containing it, which provides such a separation, that the Foetus itself doth not wallow in the liquor.  
Where I suspect a fault in the Text. For the thing itself speaks, that it should be rather thus. Then the Chicken encompassed in a Membrane, is seated, or swims in that white liquor; which Membrane is not that exterior one, which immediately lineth the shell, but another Membrane, lying under that: which when the exterior White is spent, and the remaining thicker White is depressed into the Acute Angle, of two Membranes (namely, that of the thinner White, and that which is proper to the Colliquamentum) is made one coat, which begins to appear like the Secundine, called Chorion. Yet Aristotle says well, In that Membrane is contained the white liquor: for by that he doth not understand the Albumen, but the Colliquamentum made of that Albumen, in which the Foetus swims; for the remainder of the Albumen is now sunk down into the Acute Angle.   

The Inspection after the fourteenth day.  
EXERCIT. XXII.  
From the seventh to the fourteenth day, all parts are enlarged (as hath been said) and more visible. The Heart and all the other entrails are now concealed in the several Ventures or Bellies of the Chicken: and those that before were exposed, and naked, cannot now be seen, but by opening the breast, and lower belly. Now is the Chicken clothed in Plumes, whose roots appear, like black points. The Apple of the Eye is now distinct, and the Eyelids are plain to be seen: likewise the Membrana Nictatoria, or membrane moving the Eyelid, is visible in the greater Canthus or corner of the Eye, which is a membrane peculiar to all birds, by which they cleanse their Eyes. Also now the Gyri or Involutions of the brain are distinguished, and the After-braine is covered by the Scull: and the Tail hath attained the form of a Rump.  
After the fourteenth day, the entrails (which were white before) put on by degrees a ruddy flesh-colour. The Heart now entered into the caverns of the Chest, and being guarded by the Sternum, or Brest-bone, enjoys the habitation which himself hath erected. The Brain and After-braine grow firm and solid in the Arch of the Cranium or Scull. But the Guts and Gisard, are not concluded in the Abdomen, but hang out, being continued and fastened to the rest of the entrails.  
One of the two Vessels which are derived to the Navel from the Belly near the Fundament, is an Artery (as the Pulse discovers) springing from the Great Artery: the other is a Vein, conveyed from the Yolk by the Guts into the Vena Porta, or Gate-vein, at the concavous part of the Liver: for the other Trunk of the Umbilical vessels having received its branches from the White, passeth by the convex part of the Liver, and is inserted into the Vena Cava, or Hollow vein, near the basis of the Heart.  
As these parts grow daily more conspicuous, so the greater portion of the White is daily consumed; but it is not so with the Yolk, which is hitherto almost entire, and of the same bulk it was the first day.  
In the subsequent days, you may see the five Umbilical vessels, whereof one is a very large vein, arising from the Hollow vein above the Liver, and scattering branches into the White: the other two veins derived from the Gate-veine (having both the same original) are disseminated into the two parts of the Yolk; (which we have before described) and have two small Arteries which arise from the Arteries of the loins, accompanying them.  
The Chicken doth now possess a greater room in the egg, than all the other things contained in it: and begins to be down-feathered; and the larger the Chicken grows, the more the White diminisheth. And it is worth the observation, that the membrane of the Colliquamentum, which were have said is joined with the outward coat, and with it doth constitute the Secundine, or Chorion) doth now likewise contain all the Yolk, and being grown more contract, doth convey the Yolk together with the Guts to the Foetus, and fasten them to it, and shut them up like a purse, where the strings are drawn together. And though it was subtle, and transparent before, yet now as it grows more contract, so it thickens, and becomes more fleshy: and at length, like a Hernia intestinalis in the scrotum or Cod's dilated, it covereth the Guts together with the Yolk, and sustaineth them all: till at last growing narrower by continual contraction, it constitutes the Abdomen of the Chicken. You may find the Yolk thus disposed between the Guts, the belly hanging loser about the 1st day: and yet not so fast rooted, but that the Guts (as it happeneth in the Hernia intestinalis) easily driven either backward into the belly, or downward into the Scrotum, may be moved up and down together with the Yolk. I have seen the Yolk in this manner fall from the belly of a Pigeon, which in the summer time, had too hastily broke loose from the shell.  
About this time the Chicken hath a huge belly, as if it laboured of a Hernia. And now the Colliquamentum by degrees grows troubled and thick, being altered, and diminished, (which was before in very great quantity) and the Chicken lies brooding upon the Yolk. And in those days, before the Liver attains a bloody complexion, or executes the of office the second concoction (as they say) the Gall (which is separated by the virtue of the Liver, and is an excrement of that second concoction, as is commonly thought) is now to be seen, of a green colour between the Lobes of the Liver. In the Cavity of the Stomach there is a clear Liquor, having the very same consistence, colour and taste, with the Colliquamentum, in which the Foetus swum; which gliding down the Guts changeth its colour by degrees, and is converted into Chyle; and at last just such an excrement is discovered in the lower end of the Guts, as that which the Chickens eject after they are hatched. When the Chickens are more grown, you shall see the liquor concocted and coagulated in their Stomach: as in Infants that feed on Milk, there is a thick substance, which turns into Whey and Curds.  
And now the White being almost spent, and a small quantity of the Colliquamentum remaining, the Chicken for some days before exclusion, doth no longer swim, (but as we have said) lies brooding upon the Yolk; and rolling himself up in a heap, his Head for the most part being nuzzled between his right Leg and Wing, he is completely accoutered with Bill, Claws, Plumes, and other furniture. He sometimes wakes, and sometimes sleeps, and stirring himself, respires and cries. If you lay the Egg, to your Ear, you shall plainly hear the chicken bustling, kicking out his Legs, and according to Aristotle, he will stare upon you, and in his manner cry and complain. If you let it fall gently into warm water, it will swim, and the chicken within it, being roused by the ambient heat, will bond and leap, and the egg (as is said) will tumble up and down. And this is the experiment which women make to prove the fruitful from the barren eggs, for the latter sink in the water. When the White is now clean consumed, a little before exclusion, that other Navel (which as we said is derived to the White) is obliterated & expunged, or as Aristotle saith, that Navel which is extended to the exterior Secundine, is loosened from the Animal, and falls off. But that which is conveyed to the Yolk, is knit to the small gut of the chicken.  
The first Excrements that are found in the chicken, 
Hist. an. l. 6 c. 3.  are white and muddy, like the eggshell softened and dissolved. And such also are to be found out of the Foetus wrapped up in the Secundine. To which Aristotle consents, saying, At that time the Chicken discharges much excrement to the outward membrane. And a white excrement is discoverable, not only within, but without the belly. But in process of time, when the exclusion of the Foetus approaches nearer, the excrement grows greenish, like that which the chicken ejects after exclusion. And you may also perceive in his craw, a part of the Colliquamentum swallowed down, and in his Gisord a schiston, or coagulated substance.  
Nor is the complexion of the Liver hitherto either purple, or sanguine, but declining from white to yellow, as the Livers of Fishes, yet the Lungs are sanguine.  
The Yolk is now concluded in the Abdomen between the Guts: and that not only while the chicken remains in the egg, but also when he is excluded, when he walks abroad with his Mother to seek his provision. By which it appears true, which Aristotle so often repeats: That the yolk is intended for the Aliment of the Chicken: for the yolk being shut up within him, the Chicken for the first days after exclusion (till his Bill is confirmed and strong enough to divide and prepare his meat, and his Stomach enabled to digest it) feeds upon it: so that it carrieth some analogy and proportion to milk. Aristotle casts in his suffrage with us, in the place so often recited. Much of the yolk 
Hist. an. l. 6. c. 3.  doth now lie under the Chicken: which yolk at last decreases, and in process of time, is all turned into the chicken itself, in whose bowels it is contained: so that ten days after the chicken is excluded, if he be dissected, you shall find even then some small remainder of the yolk adhering to his Intestines. Nay I have found some Relics of the yolk after the thirtieth day. And, if the argument be of force from the production of the Umbilical veins (which we have showed to be terminated in the Vena Porta of the Liver, by one or two Trunks) the Chicken is now nourished by Aliment attracted by the Umbilical vessels from the yolk: in the same manner as he afterward is sustained by the chyle drawn out of the Intestines by the Meseraike veins. For the vessels on both sides are terminated at the Gate of the Liver, whither they do alike convey the nourishment they draw; that we may not fly to the Vene Lacteae in the Mesentery (which in feathered Creatures are no where to be found)  
Give me leave to add something here, which I have tried often; That I might the better discern the situation of the Foetus, and the Liquors after the fourteenth day, to the very exclusion: (the greate● part of the White being now exhausted, and the yolk divided) I have boiled an egg till it grew hard, and then pilling away the shell, and seeing the Situation of the Chicken, I found both the remaining part of the White, and the two parts of the yolk (which as we have said before, are divided by colliquation caused by the gentle warmth) of the same consistence, colour, taste, and other accidents, as any other stale egg, thus ordered, i● And upon this Experiment, I did much pondar whence it should come to pass, that Improlifical Eggs should, from the adventitious heat of a Sitting Hen, putrify, and stink; and yet no such in convenience befall the Prolifical: But both their Liquors (though there be a Chicken in them to●, and he also with some Pollution and Excrement) should be sound, wholesome, and incorrupt; so that if you eat them in the dark after they are boiled, you cannot distinguish them from eggs that are so prepared, which have never undergon the Hen's incubation.   

Of the Exclusion, or Birth of the Chicken out of the Egg.  
EXERCIT. XXIII.  
THe Egg is (as we have said) a kind of an exposed Womb, and placed where the Foetus i● form: for it executes the office of the Matrix, and shelters the Chicken till its just time of Birth: who when he is perfect, is born from thence. Oviparous creatures are therefore not distinguished from Viviparous, in this, that these bring forth their Foetus live, but they do not; (for the Chicken in the Egg doth not only live and move, but doth breath also, and exercise a voice, and being born, enjoys a perfecter life, than the issues of other Animals) but their main difference cons●●● in the manner of Generation; namely, in that Viviparous creatures continue their Womb within them, in which the Foetus is fashioned, cherished, and completed: but Oviparous expose their Egg or Matrix without: yet nevertheless they do ripen and cherish it as much by Incubation, as if they did reserve it within their bowels.  
For though the Mother do sometimes upon sundry occasions desers the Eggs, yet her affection continues still with them, and making speedy returns, she receives them in her tender bosom, for stireth, and diligently defends them.  
But when the Chicken now covets the freer air, the Shell being parted, he entereth into the world, and this about the one and twentieth, or two and twentieth day.  
The Common mistake of Fabricius, and almost all others, concerning this Exclusion or Nativity of the Chicken, must not be passed by. Read Fabricius himself: The Chicken (saith he) doth want the free air before it wants meat, because there is yet some aliment 
pag. 55.  residing within it: in which condition the Chicken being unable to break the shell, in regard the shell is hard, and his hill soft, and also by reason of the distance between them, his bill being sheltered under his wing he gives his mother a sign, by which he signif●● the necessity he stands in to have it broke up, and this s●●ne he uttereth by his cry. For the Chicken is at that time solusty, and the cavity so enlarged, and so great a quantity of air contained within it, that his restorations being large, can send forth an exsufflation, and cry proper to his kind, and probably such a one as doth express his request; which also the standers by may easily hear: and this do both Pliny and Aristotle mutually affirm. Which clamour of the Chicken coming 
Lib. 10. c. 53. the Hist. an. l. 6. c. 3.  to the Hen's care, and she finding a necessity of breaking the shell, that her darling may enjoy the fr●●● air to continue its life; or, if you will, she being affected with a strong desire to see her beloved Infan● breaks up the egg with her bill; which is no hard matter to do, since in that place, by reason the cavity hath been long destitute of liquor, and hath been much dried by the air within it, and the heat without it, 〈◊〉 shell is become more frail, and brittle. The cry therefore of the Chicken, is the first and greatest taken of desire of enlargement, and of the oxigence it stands in ●●ant of Air: Which the Hen so exactly understands, that if it so fall out, that she perceive the ●●●ckens cry to be low, and inward, than she turns ●● egg up side down with her feet; that she may cleave ●● egg just in that place from whence the voice comes, ●●out any injury to the chicken. Hypocrates ad●● 
L. de nat. puer.  another token of the Chickens inclination to get out 〈◊〉 shell; namely, that the Chicken being now strait●● for want of sustenance, bestirs himself strongly, ●●quest of better feeding; and that the Membranes ●●ow every where torn a sunder; and that the Mo●● discovering these violent Motions of her young, scratching holes in the Shell, delivers it from bon●●e.  
Thus far Fabricius, pleasantly and elegantly: this arguments are not well bottomed. For ●●e found by Experience, that the Chicken it ●● (and not the Hen) doth break up the Shell: ●● this is also most consonant to Reason. For ●● could the eggs which are fostered in Stoves ●● Ovens (as it is in Egypt and elsewhere) be o●●●●wise broken up? Where there is no Mother to ●● the distressed supplicants, nor redress their brings. And so how can the eggs of your Land ●●ea-Tortises, your fishes, silkwormes, vipers, and ●●bes be unlocked, when either the Issues them●● are mute and silent, or else lie hid under ●nd, quite out of hearing. Chickens therefore born by themselves, and break loose from ●● eggs by their own industry. And this I ●●prove by infallible Arguments. For in the perforation of the Shell, the gap is so little, ● it bears no proportion at all with the Bill of 〈◊〉, but exactly answers the chickens; and ●●d about the hole (in manner of a coronet) the Shell stands up in splinters, being always pierced at the same distance from the top: and the shivered pieces (especially if the breach be new made) always jets out erect, and tufted. And as when Glass-windows are broken, a man may easily discover whether they were burst from within, or without; if he do but take the pains to compare the bent and inclination of the fragments remaining: So also when the egg is pierced, by the erection of the splinters all along the circuit of the Coronet, it is manifest that the invasion came from within. And I myself, and many more with me, when we have heard the Chicken grate and scrape the Shell with his Claws, have presently seen it bored with his Bill, and a circular breach forced through it in the manner of a coronet. I have also seen the chicken bear up the top of the Shell with his Head, and so shake it off. We have been something large in this subject, because the speculation is not to be contemned: as will appear hereafter. But as for Fabricius, he is easily answered: For I grant the chicken hath a voice in the Egg, and perhaps a significant petitory voice: But it doth not thence follow that the Hen breaks the Shell, nor that the chickens Bill is so soft, and at so great a distance, that it cannot penetrate the Shell; especially since the Shell, according to his own arguments, is now very brittle. Nor doth the chicken always confine his Head to his Wing, that so he may be made incapable of working his passage, but then only when he is asleep, or else hath given up the Ghost For sometimes, as Fabricius confesseth, he wake kicks, scrapes, soratches, strains the Shell, straggles, tears the membranes that enwrap him, 〈◊〉 (and that he implores help by these cries, ●● do not withstand it) and all these actions may any man hear, that has a mind to it. Wherefore the Hen diligently listening, so soon as she discovers the voice to be remote, and come from below, she doth not burst the egg, but gently move it to and fro with her foot, till she have procured a more commodious situation for the prisoner. Yet it doth no way appear, that the Pullus doth by his cry signify the necessity of his release from the Shell to his Mother, or desire an enlargement of her procuring, for you may often times, even for two days together before exclusion hear him cry in the Shell. Nor doth the Hen by the several removes of the egg, seek a convenient place to break it up: but as when the sick Infant in the cradle is disquiet, weeps, and roars, his affectionate Mother turns him from side to side, and rocks him till he lie at ease: so likewise the Hen, when she finds her chicken bufling, or crying in the egg: or after his exclusion tumbling up and down in a distempered posture: she presently ●arts up, and provides that the weight or heat of her body may not offend him, and moves him from place to place with her Claws and Bill, till he have procured his ease and quiet.   

Of Twinne-Egges.  
EXERCIT. XXIV.  
THey are called Ova Gemellifica, or Twin-Egges, 
de hist. an. l. 6. c. 2.  which bring two chickens; being (as Aristotle 〈◊〉) Stocked with two yolks, which in some are divided with a slender partition of White, to preserve them from confusion: but in others there is no White at all, but the yolks are contiguous.  
I have often seen these Ova Gemellifica or Twin-Egges, where they have had two Whites to every yolk, together with common, and proper membranes respectively embracing them. And I have again seen other eggs where the two yolks did cleave to one another, and were both encompassed with one single Common White.  
There are some Hens (saith Aristotle) which bring none but Twinne-Egges, in which the Yolk is clearly disposed, as we said before: for a certain Hen in 
Ibid.  two and twenty eggs, laid none but Twinne-Egges; except only those that were barren. Now it comes to pass, that one of the Twins is bigger than the other: but the last is a Monster.  
With us sometimes there are Twin-Egges, and the Chickens also are sometimes Twins too, though very seldom. And for my part I never saw two such Chickens that both of them lived: but one perished either in the egg itself, or in the Exclusion. And this also seems to have befallen Aristotle's Chickens, because he saith, One was bigger than the other: implying that one of them was heartier than the other, and sooner quickened: but the other weaker, and so less ready to endure exclusion: For (I am persuaded that) the two Yolks are of different production, and maturity. And therefore it can hardly be, but that the forwarder Chicken, being now ripe for enlargement, in breaking up the egg, to make way for his own nativity, must needs induce abortion to his brother: And should he forbear to break up the egg, his own life were in imminent danger, being now straightened for breath. So that in Exclusion, the one or the other, receives their inevitable doom.  
Fabricius either not observing, or not understanding 
pag. 29.  those words of Aristotle, saith: If there chance to be such an egg that hath two yolks in it, the Chicken that is produced thence, is born with four legs, and four wings, and two heads, and so becomes a kind of Monster: but the Chickens never come forth so distinctly two: (as that they may truly be called two) but have only one main Trunk of body, where two heads, and four legs and the like are adjoined.  
Whence it appears, that himself never saw, nor heard by others that had seen it, that such kind of Eggs produce Twins: and therefore he must needs be of my mind; namely, that such eggs rarely happen; and that they never exclude two vital Foetuses. Yet I cannot but admire that (if he saw this place of Aristotle) he should say, that such an egg doth never produce two distinct Chickens, but always a Monster: especially since he believes, that the Foetus is form of the Chalazae, as out of the subject Matter, and he could not but see four chalazae in every Gemellifical Egg. I rather believe that when in a Gemellifical Egg there are two Yolkes concluded in the same White, and are so conjoined together, that their cicatriculae, while they are opened together, do constitute one Eye (which we call the colliquamentum) a Monster chicken may be then produced, having four Legs, two Heads, 〈◊〉. because I can see nothing to hinder it; and such a one I suppose was bred of Fabricius his Egg.  
Yet nevertheless, where the two yolks are distinct, and separate by their proper Coats, and are furnished with their Grandines, and Whites, and other necessaries conducing to the Generation of the Foetus: I conceive we ought to conclude with Aristotle, that such an egg as it hath all the parts required to two eggs (save only the Shells) so it obtains the virtue and power too; and unless it be barren and addle, will for the most part produce two chickens, but seldom a single Monster.   

CERTAIN THEOREMS taken out of the foregoing History of the Egg.  
EXERCIT. XXV.  
THe History of the Hen-Egge, is such as hath been said. Wherein we have delivered how the Egg itself is generated, and how by its Action (which is Propagation) it formeth the chicken. All which, hath perhaps been sufficiently prolix, and tedious to such who are not yet acquainted, whither these so great undertake, and so exact and accurate Observations, tend. And therefore I hold it convenient to discover what fruit and advantage may be reaped by my labour: and hereupon (to use the expression of our most learned Verulamius) we shall proceed to our Second Vintage: collecting certain Theorems out of our former History; some of which are Infallibly True, some Doubtful, and must submit to a farther Discussion: Some are Paradoxical, and contrary to the received opinion: Some of them also relate to the Cock, or Male, some to the Female; some, to the Egg itself; and lastly, some to the Formation of the Pullus. Which when we have once throughly discussed, and understood, Our knowledge and insight into the Generation of all other Animals, will be less exposed to difficulty, and Error.   

What an Egg is.  
EXERCIT. XXVI.  
THe Theorems, which are employed about the Contemplation of the Egg, some do teach what an Egg is, some what its Generation, and others what Parts go to its Constitution.  
And first it is evident, that One Chicken proceeds but from one Egg: which though it be a 
One Chicken proceeds but from One Egg.  kind of an exposed Womb, yet it seldom produces more Chickens than One. And though sometimes it produce two, yet that egg is not to be accounted a single, but a double egg; as having obtained both the Nature and Parts of two eggs.  
For the egg is a certain Conception proceeding from Male and Female, qualified with the 
An egg is a Conception.  power of both: and out of it being One, one Animal is constituted.  
Nor is it the Beginning, but the Fruit also, and the End; Namely, the Principium, the Beginning 
Both the Beginning and the Fruit.  or Principle of the Offspring, that is to be generated; but the Fructus, the Fruit of Both Parents; namely, the Cocks and the Hen's Work (or End, which they proposed to themselves in Generation) and the Original of the future foetus. Now, the 
De gen. an. l. 1. c. 18.  Seed and the Fruit (according to Aristotle) are distinguished from one another, under the notion of For●ar, and Latter: for the Fruit is that which is made ●ut of another, and the Seed is that out of which another is made; for otherwise they were both the same.  
The Egg also seems to be a kind of Medium; 
It is also a certain Medium.  not only as it is the Principium, and the Finis, but as it is the Common work or production of both Sexes, and compounded of both: which containing in itself the Matter, and the Efficient or Operative Faculty, it hath the power of both, by which he produceth a Foetus like to One, or the Other. It is also a Medium, or thing between an Animate and ●n Inanimate creature; being neither absolutely impowered with life, nor absolutely without it. It is a Midway or Passage between the Parents and the Children; between those that were, and those that are to come, and the very Hinge and Centre about which the Generation of all the Race and Family of Cocks and Hens doth move, and depend. It is the Terminus à quo, the Point or Original from which all the Cocks and Hens in the world do arise and spring: and it is also the Terminus ad quem, the Aim and End proposed by nature, to which they direct themselves all their life long. By which it comes to pass, that all Individuals, while to supply their Species they beget their Like, do continue and perpetuate their duration. The Egg is at were the Period of this Eternity; for it is hard to say, Whether the Egg be made for the Chickens sake, or the Chicken for the Eggs. Now, which of these two, namely the Egg or the Hen, have the priority in Nature, or Time, we shall now copiously handle, when we come to discourse of the Generation of all Animals in general.  
The Egg also (which is chiefly to be noted 
It is also the Sperma.  answers in proportion to the Seeds of Plants, and hath obtained the same qualifications with them, so that it may justly be styled the Sperma, and Semen, or Seed of the Hens (as also the Seeds of Plants may be rightly called Ova Plantarum, the Plants Eggs) not only ex quo, out of which, as out of a subject Matter; but also à quo, by which, as by an Efficient cause, the Chicken springs. In which also there is no part of the Future Foetus, actually 〈◊〉 it, but yet all the parts of it are in it potentially.  
Now, Semen, or Seed properly so called, doth differ from Genitura, Geniture, because (according 
Ibid. The difference between Sperma & Genitura.  to Aristotle's definition) That is called Genitura, which proceeding from the Male-Parent, is the chief and principle cause of Generation; namely, in f●ll as nature hath designed to coition; but the semen is that, which proceeds from both Parents in the act of coition, the Seed of all Plants is like to this, and so is the Seed of some Animals, which have no distinction of Sex at all, being as it were at the first a kind of mixture of both Sexes, or promiscuous conception, or Animal: for these kind of creatures have in their single selves, as much as is required of both Sexes.  
An Egg therefore is a Natural Body endowed with an Animal power: namely, with a Principle of Motion, Transmutation, Rest, and Conservation. And lastly, it is such a thing, as all impediments being removed, it will pass into an Animal: not do heavy bodies, when all obstacles are out of their way, tend downward more naturally; then Seed, and the egg, do by an inbred Natural Propensity incline to become a Plant, or an Animal. And the Seed also, and the Egg, are the Fr●● and End, of that very thing, whose Beginning and Efficient they are.  
Of One Chicken there is but One Egg: So Aristotle, Of One Seed is begotten One Body; as for example, 
Gen. an. l. 1. c. 20.  of One Grain of Wheat, One Ear; of One Egg, one Animal; for a Twinne-egge is Two Eggs.  
And so Fabricius saith, Truly: An egg is not only an exposed Uterus, and place of Generation, but the very thing also on which the entire Generation of the Chicken depends; which the egg accomplisheth, both as Agent, as Matter, as the Place, as the Instrument, and all other things, whatsoever are necessary requisites to Generation. He proves it to be in Organum, or Instrument, because it consists of several parts, and that according to Galen, who requires 
pag. 47.  this to the very being of an Instrument, that it be composed of divers particles, which conspire all to one 〈◊〉, but under several capacities, and for several uses: for some of these parts are the chief Agent in the Action; some are necessary Assistants, without which the Action could not be performed at all; others conduce to the more convenient & better performance; and lastly, some again, to the welfare and preservation of all the rest. And he also proves it to be an Agent, where he propounds out of Aristotle and Galen, the two actions of the Egg; namely, the Generation, and Augmentation, and Nutrition of the Chicken. And lastly, he saith exceeding well, when he affirms, that in the Operations of Nature, the Artificer or Agent, the Instrument, and the Matter are one and the same thing: So the Liver is both the Efficient, and the Instrument of sanguification: and so the other parts of the body: wherefore Aristotle was in the right, saying, It is hard to distinguish the Agents from the Instruments. In artificial Operations 
de gen. an. l. 2. c. 4.  indeed the Agent and the Instrument are divided, as the Smith and his Hammer, the Painter and his P●●cil. And the reason is rendered by Galen, because in artificial Operations, the Artificer is without 
1. the form. Foet.  Work; but in Natural the Efficient cause is include in the Instruments, and received with intimacy in the very substance of the Organ. To which I ad● those Perspicuous passages of Aristotle, Of thing that are, some are caused by nature, and some by other causes: by Nature do Animals, and their Parts 
Phys. l. 1. e. 1.  also Plants, and simple bodies, as the Earth, Fire, 〈◊〉 and Water, consist: For these and the like, we s●● are made by Nature. Now all these forenamed creatures seem to be differenced from those which are not made by Nature. For all those things that 〈◊〉 made by Nature, seem to have in themselves a Principle of Motion, and Rest; some in relation to place some in relation to increase and diminution, and s●●, in relation to alteration. Now a Horselitter, and Garment, and all such kind of things, according to their several notions, as far forth as they are the products of Art, they have no inbred principle of Mutation: but so far as it chances, that they are framed of Stone, or Earth, or bodies composed of these, so far they have one. As if Nature were a certain principle and cause, why that thing doth move, and rest, in which it first is, of itself, and not by Accident. Now I say, not by Accident; because it may come to pass that a man may be the cause of his own health, in case he be a Physician: Yet he is not in health under the same Respect, as he is a Physician; but it is a men Accident, that the same Man should be in Health, and a Physician too. And therefore these two things are sometimes apart. And thus it is in all other artificial things: for none of them have in themselves an Efficient Principle, but some of them have such a Principle in others, that are without themselves, as a House and all other Manual Productions: some indeed have it in themselves, but not by themselves: namely, all those things which may by accident become causes to themselves. Nature therefore is that thing which she hath ●●eady been said to be. And all those things have ●ature in them, which have such a kind of Principle. And all those things are substances. For Nature is ever ●●me subject, and in some subject.  
We have related these Passages more at large, 
The Efficient Cause of Generation is in the Egg.  and in their Authors own words; that so it may appear, that what we attribute to the egg, is ●●ally in it; namely, the Matter, the Organ, the ●●fficient Cause, Place, and what ever else is required to the Generation of the Pullus. And chiefly, for the clearing of some most difficult questions, 〈◊〉 namely, which is, and what kind of Principle it is, from whence Motion and Generation do pro●●d? Also, by what Power the Seed doth act, according to Aristotle? And lastly, what it is that ●oth inspire and qualify the Seed with its faecundity? (For Aristotle decrees, that Nature is the Principle of Motion and Rest, Innate in all bodies, ●●d not Accidental.) Whether that which in the egg, is the Cause Efficient, and Principle of Generation, and of the Vegetative and Vital Operations, be some Innate thing in it, or something Added to it? And whether it be in it first, and by itself, as a kind of Nature: or else by Accident, as the Physician is in the Cure? Whether it be some In●●ed, or some Acquired power which doth transform the Egg into a Chicken; or nourish it when it was but begun in the Ovary, augmenting, and perfecting, also preserving it while it is not Set upon by the Hen.  
Moreover, what it is that fructifies the egg, whether it be to be called the Soul? or a Part of the Soul? or some faculty of the Soul? or some thing that has a Soul? or an Intellect? or la●● the Deity? because it acts for some end, 〈◊〉 disposes all things by providence, and 〈◊〉 mitable art, and after an incomprehended manner; and always provides what is best, b●●● for the being, and well-being; as also for defence, and ornament. And this not only in perfect egg which it fructifies, but even in a subventaneous one too, nourishing, augmenting, and preserving it. And doth not only supply and nourish the yolk in the Vitellary, but that very le●● speck (whence that proceeds) being of no grea●● magnitude than Millet, or Mustardseed, which i● feeds and enlarges; and at last invests it with the White, the Chalazae, the Membranes, and the Sh●ll For it is probable, that even an Improlifical, barr●● egg●, by an innate and inbred principle (though it be contained in the Bowels of the Hen, and adhear to her) doth feed, conserve, augment, alter (in like manner as Fishes and Frogs-egges, which being exposed do grow, and are perfected) and transform itself out of a small Whelke or spe●k into a yolk, and afterward take its journey from the Ovary to the Uterus (though it have no Connexion to the Uterus) and there inrobe itself in the White; and at last complete itself with the Membranes, Chalazae, and Shel.  
But be it what it will, which doth alike both in a Subventaneous, and in a Fruitful, equally produce the same effects, after the same manner, and from the same Causes or Principles; whether it be the same Soul, or the same Part of the Soul; in both it is very well worth our inquiry. Now in probability, the same things do spring from the same Causes.  
Though the egg while it is making, is contained within the Hen, and grows to its parent in 
Whether the Egg be a Part of the Hen?  〈◊〉 Vitellary by the Pedunculus or stalk, and is supplied from the Hen's veins: yet may it not be ●aid to be a Part of its mother, nor to take life and vegetation from her soul, but from its own proper power, and intrinsical principle: As Mush●●s, Misletoe, and several kinds of Moss are bred 〈◊〉 of Trees, (which though they adhere to the ●lant, and are sustained by the same sap with its ●wn blossoms, and leaves, yet are they not Parts of those Trees, nor are they called so. Aristotle to salve these doubts, allows a Vegetative soul to 
de gen. an. l. 3. c  ●e, even in the very Subventaneous Egg, where he saith, Both Females, and all things that live, have a Vegetative soul, as hath been often said: Wherefore this egg (treating of a Subventaneous egg) considered a● the Conception of a Plant, is perfect, of an Animal, it is Imperfect. And in another place he teacheth the same thing, enquiring: After what manner 
de gen. an. l. 2. c. 4.  ●● Subventaneous eggs said to live? for they cannot be said to live as fruitful eggs live: For then an Animal might be produced out of them. Nor are they in the condition of Wood, and Stones; because they perish by a kind of corruption, as things that formerly did in some sort partake of life. It is certain therefore that they have some Potential soul: But what Soul is that? doubtless that Soul which they last enjoyed, which is a vegetable Soul; for this is indifferently in all Plants as well as Animals.  
And yet the same soul is not in Subventaneous Eggs, and in fruitful. For if so, A Chicken might alike be form out of both. But how their Souls differ, and in what, Aristotle doth not sufficiently declare, in his enquiry, Why all the parts of an egg are framed in a Subventaneous Egg, and yet an Animal is not procreated thence? Because (saith he) it is necessary it should have a sensative soul. As if in fruitful Eggs there were a sensative soul, besides the vegetative. Unless you apprehend it thus, that the Vegetative soul is Actually in a fruitful egg, which contains in it a sensative soul, in Potentiâ; out of which afterwards an Animal, and the sensative parts of an Animal are produced. But this doth not sufficiently salve the scruple, not release the mind involved in perplexities and doubts. For an Egg seems to be the true Sper●● of an Animal, according to that of Aristotle. In those things that have life, and no distinction of Sexes, 
de gen. an. l. 1. c. 20.  the Seed is a kind of Conception already. I call that a Conception (which bears proportion to Seed) which is the mixture of Male and Female; wherefore out of 〈◊〉 Seed proceedeth one Body, v. g. out of one egg 〈◊〉 Animal.  
One egg therefore seems to have one Soul: now 
What soul is that wherewith the Egg is informed.  whether is that Soul the soul of the Hen? or of the Cock? or a mixed soul of Both? For the doubt chiefly concerns those eggs, which proceed from Animals of a distinct kind: as out of a dunghill Hen, and a Cock Pheasant. I inquire whether such an egg participate of the soul of the Hen, or of the Pheasant? or is the soul of the Egg compounded of them both? But how can there be a commixture of souls, if (according to Aristotle) the soul (as being the form) be an Act, and a Substance. For no man can deny, but that that thing whatsoever it be, which is the Principle and Cause of those Effects which we see produced in a Fertile Egg, is a substance susceptible of divers powers, forces, and faculties, as also of several conditions, virtues, vices, health, and sickness. For some Eggs are longer lived then others: and some do procreate Chickens endowed with the virtues, and soundness of constitution of the parents; and others produce them inclinable to distempers. Nor can we for this inconvenience accuse the Matter, out of which they are generated, since the diseases of the Male are sometimes transferred to the Chickens; who is not concerned any thing at all in the Matter of the egg. For from the Male the Plastical and Generative faculty only doth proceed, which renders the egg fertile, but doth constitute no part of it. For the Geniture which is emitted from the Male in Coition, doth not enter into the Matrix: (where the Egg is form) Nor (as we have said before, and Fabricius also joins in the Suffrage) can it any way penetrate those recesses, and much less the Ovary, which is seated near the Precincture, or Midriff of the body, that so it might communicate any portion of the Matter, or any thing at all besides its single Virtue. For constant experience testifies, that one and the same act of Coition doth fructify many eggs together: and not only those that are existent in the Uterus and the Ovary; but those also that are not yet begun: as we shall declare hereafter, and have already proved in our History.  
If therefore the Egg be rendered Fertile from its own proper soul, or be endowed with an innate 
The Egg doth not live by the Soul of the Hen.  fructifying principle of its own; by which either a dunghill Chicken, or a mongrel-issue between the dunghil-Henne, and the Cock-Pheasant doth arise; and that either Male, or Female, like the Male, or Female-Parent, sound, or sickly; we must then conclude, that the Egg (even while it is contained in the Ovary) doth not live by the Soul of the ●●●ne; but is a freeborn, Independent Issue from 〈◊〉 very first original: As the Acorne taken off from the Tree, and the Seed from the Plant, are no longer to be counted parts of them; but creatures, as it were, at their own dispose; living and subsisting, by an inbred vegetative faculty peculiarly their own.  
Now if we affirm that a Fertile Egg hath a soul, a question will arise; whether that selfsame soul, be now at present in the Egg, and how after, in the Chicken, or whether their souls be distinct. For we must of necessity acknowledge, that some Principle there is which doth constitute, and nourish the egg; and also that there is a Principle which produceth and sustaineth the Chicken. The question therefore is, whether the Principle, or soul of the Egg and Chicken, be one and the same, or more than one, and divers? For if there be more than one soul; (namely, one which belongs to the Egg, and another to the Chicken) it will be farther enquired, whence, and at what time the Chickens soul arrives to it? And what that is in the Egg, which dilates the Cicatricula raises the Yolk to the top, and produces that Eye, (which we call the Colliquamentum) altars the Constitution of the liquors, and doth predispose all things for the fabric and structure of the Chicken when as yet there is nothing at all of the chicken existent? Whence also can we pretend that proper and convenient Aliment is derived to ●●● Chicken, to sustain and augment it, when there i● yet no Chicken at all? For these operations s●● to belong to the Vegetative soul of the Chicken, ●● cause they relate to the Chickens use; namely ●● nutrition, and Augmentaetion. But now, when the fabric of the Chicken is in hand, and half-perfected, what is it that makes the Foetus, One ●● the same thing with the Liquors, conjoining the together by continuity, and concrescence? What is it that feeds, and enlarges the Pullus; that doth vindicate those juices which are advantageous to its nourishment from Putrefaction, preparing, melting down, and concocting them?  
Since the soul is the Act of an Organical Body, which hath life in Potentiâ, it is an incredible thing that that soul should be in the Chicken before its body have received any Organization. Nor yet can we believe that the soul of the egg, & the chicken is one and the same: for the soul is the Preserver of that thing only, whose soul it is; but the Puttus and the Egg, are two distinct things; and do exercise not only distinct vital operations, but Contrary; in so much that one of them seems to result from the Corruption of the other. May we then say, that the Cause and Principle of life to them both is one and the same? namely to the Chicken which is yet but an Embryo, and to the rest of the Egg, as if it were the simple and single act of one and the some body; or as if out of the parts constituting ●●● natural body, one soul did spring, which were all in the whole (as they say) and all in every part. As we find in the Trunk, Leaves, and Fruits ●●● Tree: in which, wheresoever we make a separation or division (be it in what part it will) we say, that the first Cause and Principle of that part, ●● the same with that of the Whole, as being the Form and End of the One, but the Principle only of the Other. For so in a Line, in what point soever a division be made, it will be the End of the foregoing part, but the Beginning of the subsequent. And the same thing may seem to befall in ●●lity, and Motion; namely, in every Transmutation, and Generation.  
And so much at present concerning these matters: which we shall more exactly, and more copiously handle, when we treat in General of the Nature of the Soul of the Foetus, of any Animal whatsoever; as also what it is? From whence, and when it comes? What part it takes first possession of? and how it is all in the Whole, and all in every part? And also how it is the same, and yet divers? All which we shall determine and resolve out of multiplied experiments.   

That the Egg is not the Production of the Womb, but of the Soul.  
EXER. XXVII.  
AS we conclude (saith Fabricius) the Action of the Stomach to be Chylification; and the action 
pag. 8.  of the Testicles to be the Generation of Seed; because the Chyle is found in the Stomach, and Seed in the Testicles: So we positively resolve, that the Generation of Eggs is the action of the Uterus of the Fowl, because the egg is found resident there. So then we evidently know, and understand, which is the Instrument and Place of the Generation of Eggs. But 〈◊〉 again, since there are two Wombs in a Fowl, th● Superior and Inferior, and those much unlike one another, and therefore their Actions are divers, yet it i● apparent which action is peculiar to each. For 〈◊〉 Superior is ordained for the Generation of the Yolk the Inferior of the White, and the other parts, ●● the whole, as is evident even to sense: For in the Superior nothing is contained but a throng of Yolks, but the Inferior the entire perfect egg. And yet this is not all the employment of the Womb; but the Augmentation of the egg, which presently ensueth after the egg is generated, and continueth till it be completed and have attained its just stature or magnitude, is also employed herein. For a Hen doth not naturally lay her egg till it be perfect, and have its just proportion. The Action therefore of the Womb, is both the Generation and Augmentation of the Egg. Now Augmentation includeth and supposeth Nutrition. But since all Generation is effected by two; namely, the Agent, and the Matter: The Agent in the procreation of Eggs is nothing else, but the Instrument or proposed Organs, namely the twofold Uterus. But the Matter is nothing else but Blood.  
Now we, though we acknowledge the Action of the Uterus to be in some sort the Generation of the Egg, yet we do not agree upon any terms in the world, that the Egg is nourished and increased by the Uterus. And this both for the reasons before alleged, when we discoursed concerning the soul of the Egg, which nourisheth it: and also because it is an improbable thing, that an External Agent (as the Womb is, in regard of the Egg) should form, nourish, and augment all the interior parts of the Egg, according to their several dimensions: nay according to Aristotle, it is altogether 
de gen. an. l. 2. c. 1.  impossible. For how can an agent that is extrinsical in respect of the patient, work upon the Aliment that is elsewhere provided, and restore it into the place of that which is wasted away, according to all dimensions; or how can any thing be affected and altered by that, which doth not touch it? Therefore doubtless the same things befall the Generation of Eggs, as happen to the exordiums of all living creatures; namely, that they should be constituted by some preexistent external thing; but presently (upon the reception of life) nourish, and augment themselves; and that by ● proper inspired efficacy, proceeding from a Principle which is now borne, and implanted in them.  
What we have lately delivered concerning the soul, doth seem to evince clearly, that the Egg is neither the Workmanship of the Uterus, nor controlled or governed by it: For it is apparent that even a Subventaneous egg is furnished with a Vegetative Soul, because we discover even such an egg also to enjoy Vegetation, Nutrition, Augmentation, and Conservation, which are infallible sight of the foresaid Soul. Now these faculties cannot issue out of the Mother, or Matrix, because the Egg hath no Coherence, or Union to it; but tumbles and rolls in its Cavity free, and disjoined (like a Son who hath obtained his Freedom) and grows up to perfection, as the Seeds of Plants do in the Womb of the Earth, by an internal Vegetative Principle, which can be no less than a Vegetative Soul.  
Much more will it appear, that it hath a Soul, when we consider, after what manner, and by whose impulsion, the Round and Ample Yolk, being new loose from the Vitellary, maketh its descent through the Infundibulum, (which is a slender Tunnel, wrought with a niost thin membrane, which hath no provision of motory fibres) working out its own way, till through all those straits it arrive at the Uterus; where it nourisheth, augmenteth, and invests itself in the White. And yet all this while, there is no Motory Instrument at all in the Vitellary, which should expel it thence, nor in the Infundibulum, which should transmit it, or in the Uterus which should attract it: Nor is the Egg fastened by veins to the Uterus, as in the Ovary, nor hath any dependence upon it by the Umbilical Vessels; as Fabricius truly affirms, and is obvious to every eye. What then remains, but that upon discovery of such wonderful Operations, we should cry out with the Poet,  
Spiritus intus alit, totamque infusa per artus 
6. Aenead.   
Mens agitat molem.  
An innate Spirit feeds, an Infused Soul  
Into each part, doth the whole Mass control.  
And though the first groundworks of Eggs (which we have proved to be but Whelks, as it were, and of the magnitude of the Seed of Millet) do cohear to the Vitellary by the mediation of Veins and Arteries; (as the Seeds of Plants are born adhering to the Plants) and thereupon seem to be Parts of the Hen, and to be nourished and live after the manner of other Parts: yet it is evident, that as the Seeds of Plants being disunited from the Plants, are no more accounted parts of them; no more are Eggs, now come to maturity, empowered with fertility, and separated from the Vitellary, any longer to be ranked amongst the Parts of the Hen, but like a Son come to age, and at his own dispose, are regulated and enlivened by their own proper soul.  
But of this morefully hearafter, when we shall discourse concerning the Soul of an Embryo in general; and of the excellence and divinity of the Vegetative Soul, ordering all things after a wonderful manner: (which providence, art, and divine discretion, as far exceeding our capacity, as God excels Man; and therefore are (confessed by all) truly admirable, not to be gazed upon by our cloudy apprehensions, by reason of their ineffable lustre.  
What shall we say then of those little Animals, which are begotten in our own bodies, which no man ever doubted to be regulated and vegetated by their own proper soul? And of this kind are Worms in the Stomach, Guts, and Fundament, Lice, nits, little Worms in the Flesh, Mites: Or what shall we resolve concerning those Worms, which proceed from Plants, and their fruit? such as you may find in Galls, Nuts, the Scarlet-Berry, and Eglantine, etc. For an Animal may be created almost in all dry things, growing moist, or moist things 
Hist. an. l. 5. c. 32  growing dry. It is impossible that those Animals which are bred in the Galls should be enlivened by the Okes soul, though they live joined to the Oak, and provide their Aliment out of the Sap of the Oak. And so it is credible, that the very Rudiments of the Eggs, while they are yet in the Cluster, do subsist by their own, and not by the Hen's Soul, though they are united to her by Veins and Arteries, and she also do administer nourishment to them. For (as we have observed in our History) the Whelks do not all grow at once (as Grapes grow in the Bunch, and Grains in the Ear of Corn) as if they were inspired by the same concocting and formative faculty; but are increased one after another; (as by their own efficacy) and that which first separates its self from its fellows, changeth colour and consistence, and of a White Whelke is made a Yolk; and so they follow one another in order: And which is more remarkable, in Pigeons, and some other Birds, they grow up from the Cluster in pairs to make up one Laying, and one of them moves for the most part a Cock, and the other a Hen. And yet in the mean time some of the Papulae, or Whelks in the Ovary stay at a stand, till two other grow up for a new production, which have received fecundity from the repeated coition of the Male, and are both inspired with a Soul. Which when they have received, they order themselves, and grow; living at their own, not at their Parents command. For indeed what can you fancy to dispose, select, separate, and perfect these Papulae, or Whelks (rather then the other) unless it be their own proper souls. For though they assume nourishment from their Parent, yet they do it no otherwise, than the Plants attract from the Earth, or the Foetus from the Yolk and White.  
Lastly, because the Papula continuing in the Ovary, receives its fecundity from coition, and such a one too, that it by and by passeth into the form of the Cock concerned in the coition; (whether it be dunghil-cock, or Cock-Pheasant) and since so great a difference befalls the Papulae, as there is in the males themselves of different kind, what shall we conclude to be in the Papulae themselves, by whose virtue they are distinguished both from themselves, and their female parent? Doubtless it must needs be the soul, by which they are diversified both from one another, and from their Mothers also.  
And just in this manner do Mushrooms, and Plants growing to Trees, live. We discover likewise often in our own bodies, that Cancers, fleshy, and also phlegmatical Tumours, and such like swellings, are supplied and fed as it were with their own proper vegetative souls; while in the interim the true and genuine parts of the Body, do extenuate and wither: And that because these tumours do seduce all the aliment to themselves, and so defraud the rest of the body of its fostering juice (as of its Genius) whence they are called Phagedaenae and Lupi, Devouring Cankers and Wolves. And perhaps Hypocrates by his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, understood those diseases, which spring from venom, or contagion; as if they were furnished with a life, or inspired with a certain divine principle, by which they provide for themselves, and propagate their kind, and so did beget by contagion distempers like themselves, in several person●. Wherefore (Aristotle saith) Animae plena sunt omnia, All things are filled with a soul. And i● 
De Gen. an. l. 3. c. 11. Ibid. l. 4. c. 11.  another place, he conceives that even Wind hath its life, birth, and decease. But the yolk, which it is now divorced from the Ovary, and spoiled of all commerce with the Hen, then doubtless (a● beans and such like pulse derive of their own accord humidity from the Earth, which they imbibe, and digest) passing through the Infundibulum, and residing now in the Cavity of the Uterus, it doth attract a slow thick moisture, which it receives into itself, and from it obtaineth nutrition and augmentation, begirts itself with the White, and being ingarrisoned in the membranes and the shell, is at last exact and perfect. All which being duly considered, we conclude, that it is stored with a peculiar soul of its own.   

That the Egg is not made without a Hen.  
EXERCIT. XXVIII.  
TO omit what ever is in dispute; and to wave all controversies till we come to the General contemplation concerning this subject; we now proceed to things of more certainty, & more obvious.  
And first it is manifest that an Egg cannot be made fertile, without the help of the Cock and Hen. For without a Cock it cannot be fruitful, without a Hen it cannot be at all. And this is opposite to that opinion, which deduceth the first rise and fabric of all living creatures out of the clay of the Earth. For since the several parts of Generation (namely the Testicles and Leading Vessels in the Cock) are form with such eminent Art, Industry, and Reason, and likewise the Ovary and Uterus in the Hen, together with the Veins and Arteries which are subservient to them, are so skilfully composed, and the situation, figure, and temper of every particular, are disposed in a miraculous method; and all these things are some way or other required to the generation and fecundity of the egg: most certain it is (for nature makes nothing in vain, nor doth she go to work by digressions, where she may be more compendious in her dispatch) that an egg cannot be any other way produced, then now it is, (namely, by a cock & a hen) neither by nature of her own accord, nor by any other means whatever; nor can either cock or hen be produced, but from an Egg. So that the cock & the hen are made for the Eggssake, and likewise the Egg for the Cock and Hen's sake: and you may be justly doubtful with Plutarch, which of these is first, namely the Egg, or the Hen For she was first in order of Nature, but the Egg i● order of Time. For whatsoever excels, is first in order of Nature; but that from which another i● produced, is first in order of Time. Or else we may say, That that Egg from which this or that particular Hen sprung, is of more Antiquity th●● the Hen: and so on the contrary, That Hens which produceth this particular Egg, is elder than it. For this Vicissitude and Circuit perpetuate the Race of Cocks and Hens; while now the Chicken, and now the Egg by a constant series and return do continue an Immortal Species, out of the decay and ruins of the Individuals. And after this sort do many sublunary creatures emulate and approach to the Perpetuity of Celestial bodies.  
And whether we affirm a soul to be in the egg or not, yet by this circumvolution it appears, that there is some principle of the vicistitude from the Hen to the Egg, and again from the Egg to the Hen, which conferrs a sempiternity unto them. And that very thing (saith Aristotle) beareth an Analogy to the substance of Stars; and causeth the Parents to propagate, and their seed, or eggs, to be 
de gen. an. l. 2. c. 3.  prolifical: and is like Proteus, disguised in several forms, ever existent both in the Parents, and in the Eggs. For as that Mind or Spirit which rules the world, doth continually reduce the same Rising and Setting Sun from several Quarters and Regions of the Earth: so also in the Progeny of Cocks and Hens, the Vis Enthea, or divine Principle, which is now called the Plastical, sometimes the Nutritive, and sometimes the Augmentatin Power or Virtue, is also ever conceived to be the Conservative, and Vegetative too: and now putting on the form of the egg, and now of the Chicken, continues for ever. And though some Animals are born of their own Accord, or (as they commonly say) of Putrefaction: and others only produced from a Female (as Pliny notes in some kind of 
Lib. 9 c. 16.  living creatures there is no Male at all; as in the Ruffs, and the Roches: for they are all taken great with spawn) yet whatsoever is produced from a perfect egg, doth not proceed but from both Sexes.  
And therefore, saith Aristotle, The Male and the 
de gen. an. l. 1. c. 2.  Female are chiefly to be counted the Principles of Generation. The Cock therefore and the Hen are the two first Principles of the egg; the fruit, or common conception of both which is the egg, containing in it the virtue of both Parents. So that an egg can no more be made without the assistance of the Cock and Hen, than the fruit can be made without the Trees aid. And each particular Individuum, both Cock and Hen, seems to be created for the eggs sake, that the same Species may be prolonged, though by the ruin and obsequies of the Authors. And it is also clear, that the Parents are no longer youthful, beautiful, complete and Jovial, than they can generate, or fructify their eggs, and produce their own like, by the mediation of those eggs. Which work of nature so soon as they have accomplished, as if then they had attained the highest 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, or Pitch of their perfection, and last end for which they were born, they presently wither, grow old, and Emerit, and as if God and Nature had forsaken them, they decline speedily, and hasten to their end, like creatures weary of their lives. Whereas on the contrary, the Males when they arm themselves, and are in all respects well appointed for Love's encounter, how strangely doth the potent Cupid heighten their inflamed spirits, how spruce are they, how do they pride it; how vigorous, how testy are they, and prone to conflicts! But when this office and performance ceaseth: oh! how soon doth their force abate, and their late fury cool! how do they hale in all their swelling sails, and check their dare? Nay even while this jocund Sacrifice to Venus is in season, no sooner is the act performed, but they grow tame and pusillanimous; as if it were then deep printed in their thoughts, that while they impart a life to others, they are in full career to their own urns. Only our Cock, full fraught with seed and spirits, approves himself the only cheerful loser, and with the plaudit of his wings and voice, crownes his past triumphs, and lights his wedding Torch at his own Cinders. And yet he also flags after long game, and like an Emerit soldier resigns his Commission. And so the Hens likewise, like Plants worn out, grow decayed Matrons, and forego their Nurseries.   

How a perfect and fruitful Egg is produced by Male and Female, according to Aristotle.  
EXERCIT. XXIX.  
We have lately said, that an Egg, especially a fruitful one, is no spontaneous issue; nor doth proceed from any thing but a Hen, nor yet a fruitful one from her neither, without her intercourse with a Cock: According to that of Aristotle; We are to conclude, that male and female 
De gen. an. l. 1. c. 2.  are the chief principles of Generation: the Male, because he hath the preeminence in the original of the Motus and Generation, the Female in the original of the Matter.  
Now according to our decision, A fertile egg is truly a sperm, and genit all seed, Analagous to the seed of Plants, and the first conception resulting from both Parents, and the promiscuous production of them both. For as an Egg cannot have a being without a Hen, so it cannot have fecundity without a Cock.  
It remains therefore that we inquire, how the egg is made by the hen, and how it is made fertile by the Cock; for we see that subventaneous eggs, and those animate too, are produced by the hen: but yet are not prolifical without the Cock. And therefore both Cock and Hen lay their stock together to constitute a fertile egg. And yet (as I conceive) not in that manner as Aristotle would have it; namely, that the Male should be Master only of the original of the Matus and Generation: and the Female only contribute the Matter. For the contrary appears in Subventaneous eggs: And tho●● it be true, where he saith: The Male and Female are different according to reason, because their faculties are divers, and according to sense, because some● of their parts are divers too. The difference between them according to reason consists in this, that the Male is that creature which doth generate in another; the Female is that, which generates in itself, and out of which, that which is generated is made, being contained in that which doth generate it. But since these 〈◊〉 distinguished by the diversity of the Faculty, and of the Office or employment; and every performance of 〈◊〉 office requires an instrument; and the parts of the body are commodious instruments to the faculties; it i● necessary that some parts should be accommodated for procreation and Coition; and that those parts should be different too, that so the Male and Female may be distinguished.  
Yet it doth not thence follow, which he see● desirous to infer, saying: The Male is the Efficient and by the virtue of its Geniture doth produce that which is designed out of the Matter contained in 〈◊〉 Female: and the Female doth always contribute the Matter. So that it is necessary that the Female should contribute the Body, and the Quantity or Magnitude, but there is no such thing required at the males hand. Nor is it necessary that the Instruments, or the Efficient itself should be in those things that are produ●●● by them. The Body therefore proceeds from the female, and the soul from the male. For the Substance of 〈◊〉 Body is the soul. For an egg, and that an anima●● one too, is produced by the Hen alone, without the Cock. Whence it appears, that the Female 〈◊〉 Hen is also the Efficient cause; and that all power of Production, or the Soul doth not proceed 〈◊〉 the Male. And this the example urged by Aristotle seems to confirm: for he saith. Those creatures 
De gen. an. l. 2. c. 4.  that proceed to Coition, and ●re not of the same kind (which they do, whose season is alike, and time of hearing, together near at hand, and do not much differ in the dimensions of their bodies) do bring forth their first issues like to themselves, partaking of the Species of both kinds: as those that are begotten by a Wolf and a Bitch, or by a Partridge and the Dunghil●rood: but in process of time, these divers Parents, produce a divers issue, the offspring at length assuming like form with the Hen, as foreign Seed is at last transformed according to the Nature of the Soil where it grows, for the Soil contributes matter and Body to the Seed.  
By which words it is manifest, that in the Generation between a Cock-Partridge and a Dunghil-Hen, the Male is not the sole efficient, but the Female is concerned too: because a Common Species and form, and not that of the Male only, is produced; being alike, both in Body, and Soul, as well to the Female as the Male. Now the Soul ●● the Form and Species of an Animal.  
And again: the Female may seem to have most ●ight to the title of Efficient, for he saith, in Promise of time, these divers Parents produce a divers 〈◊〉, the offspring at length assuming like form with the Hen. As if the Seed of the Male were less powerful; and did in time lose the Species which it imprints; as being razed out and expunged by 〈◊〉 more potent Efficient. And this that instance concerning the soil doth more strengthen: For, ●●reign Seed is at last transformed according to the ●●ture of the soil where it grows. By all which it 〈◊〉 probable, that the Female is a stronger 〈◊〉 in Generation, than the Male: For in the Universe likewise, the Earth is held to be, as it were, the Female and the Mother: But the Heavens and the 
De gen. an. l. 1. c. 2.  Sun, and the other Bodies of that kind, Philosopher's call by the name of Father and Genitor. Now the Earth also produceth many things of its own accord, without any Seed: And amongst Animals, some Females do procreate of themselves without a Male; (thus the Hen generates a Subventaneous Egg) but the Male never begetteth any thing without a Female.  
Nay by those very Arguments which contend to prove the Male to be the Principle of Generation, and the primary Efficient; the energy or efficiency of the Female seems to be confirmed, and ratified: For that is to be counted the Primary Efficient, in which the reason of the foetus, and form of the Production is most eminent; and whose apparent similitude is discovered in the foetus, and also which hath an existence itself before, and then generates. Since therefore, the Form, Reason, and Similitude of thè foetus is no less (not more) in the Female then in the Male; and she also is in being before, as a Primary Mover: We may well conclude, that the Female is as eminent an Efficient of Generation, as the Male.  
And though Aristotle truly say, that the Conception or egg assumes no part of its body from the Male, but only its form, species, and soul, and that the Female contributes only the body, and quantity 
de gen. an. l. 2. c. 4.  Yet it doth no way appear to the contrary, 〈◊〉 that the Female doth contribute in some s●● both Form, Species, and Soul, (and not the Ma●● singly) As is evident in the Hen, which produ●● Eggs without a Male (as the Trees bear the Fruits, Herbs and Seed without any distinction of Sexes at all.) And Aristotle himself confess● that even a Subventaneous Egg hath a Soul. The Female therefore must be the Efficient Cause of the 
Ibid.  Egg.  
And yet though there be a Soul in the Subventaneous Egg, yet that Soul is not Prolifical; and therefore we must acknowledge that the Hen is not properly the Efficient of a Perfect Egg, but that she is so made, by Authority and Commission procured from the Cock. For an Egg, except it be Prolifical, cannot justly be said to be Perfect. Now such an Egg is produced only by the Male; or rather by the Hen, having received such instructions from the Cock; as if from his Coition, the Female did receive the Art, Reason, Form, laws, Rule and Model of the future Foetus. Thus the Female (like a fruitful Tree) being made fertile by Coition, is made Oviparous, bearing perfect and Prolifical Eggs. For though the Hen have at present no rudiment of Eggs at all ready in the Ovary, yet being fructified upon Coition, ●he suddenly after, both hath, and lays Eggs; and those also Prolifical ones. And here the experiment of poor Women is of use; Which having a Hen at home, but never a Cock, they commit her for a 
Fabric. pag. 37.  day or two to a neighbour's Cock: and from that small communication, all her eggs succeed fruitful, for all that season.  
That is, not only those Eggs, which now are Yolks, and only want a White, or else have some Rudiment of their future growth, though never so little; but even those Eggs also which are not yet begun at all, and are to be conceived a great while hence, are all rendered fruitful by the same virtue.   

The Benefit of this Disquisition con. cerning Fecundity.  
EXERCIT. XXX.  
THe Disquisition wherein we examine, What it is in the Egg that renders it fruitful? is very subtle, and difficult, and of exceeding great use: As also what is in the Conception, what in the Seed, and what in the Hen that confers Fecundity upon them: Likewise what in the Cock distinguisheth him from a barren cock? Is it the same cause, which we call the Soul in the Foetus? or some part of the Vegetative Soul? For the knowledge of the First Cause conduceth much to the complete science of Generation: For Science springs from Known Causes, especially those that are the first Causes. Nor is this indagation less useful to the knowledge of the Nature of the Soul. But when once the verity of this is throughly discovered, not only Aristotle's opinion concerning the Causes of Generation is refuted, and chastised; but even those things also which Physicians have written against him, are easily disproved. Our Quere therefore is, whether that which affords the Fertility to the Egg, Yolk, Papula, or Whelke, Cock, Hen, and to its Womb, be one and the same thing, or divers? Likewise whether it be a Substance from whence this virtue flows? For it seems to be susceptible of Powers, Faculties, and Accidents. Or whether it be also a Corporeal thing For that seems to be mixed itself, which generates a mixed thing; namely a similitude common to both Cock and Hen; such as is that ambiguous Species produced by a Cock-Phesant and a Dung bill Hen. It seems also to be a Corporeal thing, which suffers from without; in so much that it doth not only produce feeble issues, but deformed also, and sickly ones, and such as are obnoxious to, and do inherit the Virtues, and Vices of their Parents.  
We may also make a question concerning each particular, whether that which confers the Fertility, be ingenerated, or comes from without? Namely, whether it be transferred from the Egg to the Chicken; from the Hen to the Egg, and from the Cock to the Hen. For it seems to be a thing ex Traduce; namely, which is transferred from the Cock to the Hen; and from Her to the Egg, the Womb, and the Ovary: From the Seed to the Plant, and back again from the Plant to the Seed. For this is common to all things that are perpetuated by Generation; namely, that their first rise should result from Seed. Now the Seed, the Conception, and the Egg are all of one and the same kind, and that which renders these Fruitful, is in all of them the same thing, or something of a like nature; and that is some divine thing, and hath an analogy to the Heavens, to Art, Intellect, and Providence. As is plain by the wonderful operations, artifice and counsel of those creatures, in whom nothing is constituted in vain, rashly, or by chance, but all for some Good, and to some End. We shall hereafter be more ample, concerning the Universal Speculation, and knowledge of this thing: Having already spoken as far as occasion hath presented itself to discourse of it by the by, in order to the Hen-Egge. Namely, how many things is that thing in, which brings Fecundity? and how is it in them? whether as an Accident, as either an Affection, a Habit, a Power, or a Faculty? or as a Form, and a Substance or as a thing Contained in a thing Containing or as a thing reserved in some peculiar part? For it is most certain, that the very Subventaneous egg is complete in all parts as far as sense can discover, and yet it is Barren: and likewise, that the Uterus, and also the Hen are perfect, and so is the Cock; and yet they all were barren, were they deprived of that which conveys their Fecundity to them. All which we shall relate, after we have expounded, What, and How, the two Principles, Male and Female, do confer to the Egg, and to Generation; and likewise in what manner they may both be called the Efficient Causes and Parents of the egg.   

That the Egg doth not proceed from the Cock and Hen, after that manner which Aristotle would design.  
EXERCIT. XXXI.  
IT is most certain, that the Fertile Egg cannot be made, but by both Cock and Hen: and yet not in that fashion as Aristotle thought, as if forsooth, the Cock alone were the prime Efficient, and the Hen did contribute nothing but the Stuff, or Materials.  
For I am not of his mind, where he saith: When the Seed of the Male enters into the Womb of the 
de gen. an. l. 1. c. 4.  Female, it doth reduce the purest part of the Excrement into a consistence: and a little after. But when the excrement of the Female is in the Womb, it is made by the Geniture of the Male, like to congulated Milk. For that Coagulum is Milk containing vital Heat, which carrieth parts that are alike, the same way together, uniting, and joining them. Now the Geniture demeans itself just so towards the Menstrua, or excrement. For the nature of the Menstrua and of Milk is the same. Therefore the parts being gathered together, the corpulent humour is discarded, and upon the arefaction of the more earthy part, the Membranes result to encompass the whole; and this upon necessity, and to some intent and use besides. And these things proceed in the same manner, as well in all Oviparous, as Viviparous Animals.  
But the matter is much otherwise, in the generation of the Egg. For the Seed (or Geniture rather) proceeding from the Male in Coition, can by no means enter the Womb. Nor hath the Hen after Conception, any excrementitious substance, or purer part of any such substance, or any Blood at all in the Cavity of the Womb, which might receive perfection from the Geniture of the Male. Nor are the Parts of the Egg (namely the membranes and the Liquors) procured by any kind of Coagulation; nor is there found any thing like Coagulated Milk, as is clear and evident out of what hath passed. And hence it follows, that neither the Conception (out of which the Animal springs, as out of Fertile Seed) is after that manner as Aristotle imagined: For the Conception is after the same manner in Viviparous, as the Egg is produced in Oviparous creatures: as himself confesses, and shall anon appear in some of our Observations. For it is a certain truth, that the Egg, be it barren, or fertile, is made and form by the Hen alone: only the fertility indeed is derived from the Cock. I positively affirm, that the Cock confers neither Matter nor Form to the Egg; but only that thing by which the Egg is Fertile, and made fit and capable to produce a Chicken. And this Faculty the Cock imparts by his Geniture, discharged in Coition; not only to the Egg which is then begun, or already made, but to the Womb also, and the Ovary, and likewise to the Hen herself: and that after such a manner, that the eggs which are yet to come (of which there is now no particle in being either in the Ovary, or any other part of the Body) shall have the happiness to be fruitful by it.   

Nor after that manner which Physicians fancy.  
EXER. XXXII.  
THe Conception according to the opinion of Physicians is thus: In Coition the Male and Female being both delighted, do eject their Geniture, or Seed into the Cavity of the Womb; and there their united stock or contribution is mingled together; obtaining from both the potentiality of Matter, and the activity or force of the Efficient cause. And that so it comes to pass, as the Geniture of this or that Parent shall get the upper hand, the conception proves either Male or Female. And they farther suppose, that immediately after Coition (the Active and Passive ingredients now cooperating together) something of the Conception is put in ●and, and begun.  
They still affirming, contrary to those who side with Aristotle, that the Male is no more the Efficient cause of Generation, than the Female, but something compounded of them both: & likewise, that neither the Menstruous Blood, nor the purest part of it; but the Sperm itself is the first Matter of the Conception: and upon this ground, they call the first groundworks, or first parts of the Conception, Spermatical Parts; which are afterwards to be nourished and supplied by Blood.  
But the thing is plain, that this also is not the manner, by which the egg is produced by the Cock and Hen. For the Hen doth emit no Seed at all in Coition, out of which the egg may be framed: nay more than this, there is no part of her Seed to be any where found: for she is quite destitute of all parts necessary to the Generation of Seed; namely, of Testicles, and Spermatical Vessels. For though the Hen hath an Efficient power together with the Cock, (as appears by our former discourse) and that power which renders the egg fertile, be in some sort a mixed power; yet this proceeds not from the overruling force of the Genitures, or from the manner of their mixture: for it is very certain (and Fabricius confesses it) that the Cock's Seed enters not into the Cavity of the Womb: nor is there any particle of the egg made in the Womb presently upon Coition; though Aristotle generally affirms there is, (saying, that some part of the Conception doth forthwith ensue) Nay I shall demonstrate hereafter, that this commixture of Seeds doth never obtain in any Animal whatsoever; and that presently after Coition (though it succeed and be fruitful) there is no particle of Seed, or Blood or of any begun or attempted Conception, really in the Womb, or to be found there. Nor is there in truth any thing to be discerned, in the Conception or Egg, that may any ways argue the Seed the Male to be contained, or mingled in it. The Common people indeed do falsely conceive, that the Chalazas are the Cock's Seed: and I much wonder, that since there are two of them (in each extremity of the egg, one,) that no man hath hither to fond pronounced, that the one was the Cock, and the other the Hen's Seed. But this popular error is soon blown over; for the Chalazas are a like manner found, both in the Subventaneous, and Fertile egg.   

That both the Male and Female, are the Efficients of Generation.  
EXERCIT. XXXIII.  
THe Physicians do rightly maintain against the Aristotelians, that both Sexes participate ●● the Efficient power; because that which is generated, is a thing compounded of them both: for it is mixed of them both, in the figure and similitude of the Body, and in the Species too; as suppose it a thing mixed between a Partridge-Cock, and a Dunghil-Hen. And it is very consonant to reason, for a man to conceive, that those are the Efficient causes of a Conception, whose com-m●●ture that which is produced, doth represent and express.  
And this is Aristotle's opinion. In some creatures, saith he, it is apparent that, that which generates is 
Metaphys. l. 7. c. 8.  such like, as that which is generated: and yet not the ●ame, not that very numerical thing, but of the same Species, as in natural productions. For a Man begets ● man, unless something befall praeturnatural; as when ●● Horse begets a Mule, and the like. For that which is common to a Horse and an Ass, is not called Propinquissimum genus, the Next Kind: and yet they two may be commixed in one, for such is a Mule. And in the same place he saith; The Generant is sufficient to generate, and be the cause of the existence of the Species in the matter: but such a Species being now in such particular flesh and Bones, is now several persons, is Callias, and Socrates are.  
Wherefore since such an entire form, as namely of a Mule, is mixed of both; namely, Horse and Ass: the Horse alone is not sufficient to produce this form of a Mule in the Matter; but as the whole entire form is mixed, so another efficient cause must be conferred and joined to it from the Ass. That therefore that doth produce a Mule mixed of both, must be itself adequate, and mixed too, if it be Univocal. As for example. This Man and that Woman, do beget this Socrates; not under the capacity of being both of them Homines, Men, and so are of one and the same species; but by reason, that this particular Man, and that particular Woman, are of humane kind, composed of this and that particular flesh, and bones: of both which since socrates is a kind of Mixture, and is mingled of them both; that of which Socrates is made, must needs be as it were a compounded Univocal mixed ●●ing; that is to say, the mixed Efficient of a mixed Effect. And therefore the Male and Female, are not generative apart, but as they are united in Coition, and made, as it were, one entire Animals and thence from them both, as from one, the true efficient immediate cause of the Conception doth result, and is deduced.  
The Physicians also, while they, minding only what befalls humane kind, give resolutions at large concerning Generation in general; and it seeming probable to them, that the Geniture flowing in Coition from both Parents, is the true sperm or Seed, proportionable to the Seed of Plants; do not without reason constitute that mixture which is the next efficient cause of the future Foetus, out of the mixture of the Seed of both Parents: and therefore affirm, that such a mixed body is contained in the Womb presently upon Coition, and is the first Conception. But our precedent History makes it appear, that the thing is clean otherwise in an Egg (which is a true Conception.)   

Concerning the Matter of the Egg, contrary to Physicians and Aristotelians.  
EXERCIT. XXXIV.  
THat which Physicians deny in opposition to the Aristotelians, namely that the Blood is the First Matter of the Conception, doth evidently appear out of the Generation of the Egg. For there is no Blood at all contained in the Womb of the Hen, either in Coition, or before, or after it: Nor are the Rudiments of the Egg sanguine, but white. And many living Creatures conceive, in whose Genitals (if you open them nimbly) not one drop of Blood is to be seen.  
But while they contend, that the Mother's Blood is the Nutriment of the Foetus in the Womb, especially of the Parts Sanguineae, the bloody parts (as they call them) and that the Foetus at first, as if it were a part of the Mother, is sustained by her blood, and quickened by her spirits: in so much that the Heart beats not, and the Liver sanguifies not; nor any part of the foetus doth execute any public function; but all of them make Holiday and lie idle; in this Experience itself confutes them. For the Chicken in the egg enjoys his own Blood, which is bred of the liquors contained within the egg; and his Heart hath its motion from the very beginning: and he borrowth nothing, either blood, or spirits, from the Hen, towards the Constitution either of the Sanguineous parts, or Plumes; as those that strictly observe it may plainly perceive. And I make no question, fully to demonstrate in my succeeding Observations, that the foetus of Viviparous creatures, while they are yet imprisoned in the Womb, are no way sustained by the Mother's blood, nor vegetated by her spirits, but do rejoice in their own Souls and endowments, (as the Chicken uses to do in the egg) and sat themselves from their own stock of Blood.  
But as for that which concerns the Matter of the foetus, arising from Male and Female, and that so magnified manner of Generation, so much countenanced by the confident Schools (namely, that the Conception is rendered prolifical from the com●●sture of the Genitures, and their mutual Action and Passion) as also those other Heresies of their concerning the Seed of Females, and concerning the division of Parts into Spermatical, and Sanguineous; many, and those very remarkable and excellent observations, which shall be treated ●● hereafter, have compelled me to descent from them. I shall at present say only this, that I extremely wonder, how Physicians (especially such as are skilful Anatomists) should prop up their opinion upon two arguments, as most invincible ● when those very arguments, if rightly understood ● do make against them rather.  
As for Instance. From that Concussion, Solution and Profusion of Humour (which befalls Women many times with delight, in Coition) they conclude● that all Women do emit a Semen in Coition, and that that Semen is necessary to Generation. Whereas, to pass by this reply, namely, that the Female of all Animals, nay all Women have not such a Profusion; and that it is no way necessary that th●● Conception must be frustrate without it: (for ● know many Women that are Mothers without it, and some also, which upon having it, were indeed much affected with enjoyment, but came much short of their former fruitfulness: Besides infinite and innumerable examples of Women, wh●● though they receive much satisfaction by their Husbands, do yet emit nothing, but do conceive how ever) But I most admire that those, who com● this Emission necessary to Propágation, did not mind how that humour is ejected clean out, and lost for the most part near the Clitoris, and out●●● of the Secrets; but is seldom admitted into them and never into the Uterus, that so it may be come mixed with the Sperma of the Male; and that it also of an Ichorous, and Serous consistence, 〈◊〉 is, and not so Compact and Unctuous as ●● Geniture, which the very touch denoteth.  
Now wherefore should that be excluded out of 〈◊〉, which is of so great consequence within? 〈◊〉 that humour, under pretence of departure, thrown out to the utmost approaches of the U●●, that so it may be recalled again with the ●●ter bounty and favour?  
Another Argument they erect upon the Spermatical Organs of Women; namely, the Testiculi, and ●● Spermatical preparing, and leading Vessels, which 〈◊〉 supposed to conduce to the Generation of the 〈◊〉.  
But for my part I wonder much, how they fan●● that so elaborate, concocted, and quickening ●●men, can arise from so imperfect and obscure 〈◊〉, so that, that of theirs (when the controversy concerning the preeminence and overruling ●●wer is in debate; namely, whether the Males or ●eirs commands in chief, and which of the two ●● to be reputed the Efficient, or Agent, or the Mat●●, or Patient) should exceed the Males in power, 〈◊〉, and generative ability; and should subject the Males seed under it, enforcing it to submit itself to supply the place of the Material Cause, notwithstanding it is digested by so quick & active ●heat, refined in such variety of Vessels, and daring itself with so much activity. But of these more hereafter.  
In the mean time it is most certain, that the hen-egge is generated by no such conjugal Profu●●●: though the Mother after recreation (as one ●ished with delight) shakes her feathers for joy, ●nd as if she grew proud from the Boon she received, composeth and rectifieth all her extravagant 〈◊〉: like one that adored the deity for the grand benediction of multiplying issues. Tha● Pigeon (especially that kind of Pigeon which 〈◊〉 transported hither out of Africa) expresseth wonderful content from the enjoyment of her Male, leaping, and spreading her tail, and sweeping the low earth with the bristles of it, and them combing and rectifying her Plumes with her Bill; as though she deemed nothing comparable to the blessing of fertility.  
We have said before, that the first matter of the Egg is not form of Blood, as Aristotle thought; nor yet as the Physician's conjecture, out of the commixture of the Males and Females Geniture. But from whence we do derive it, is partly already shown in our History, and shall be more largely explained hereafter, when we treat in general of the matter which doth constitute every foetus.   

How far the Hen is an Efficient Cause in the Generation of the Egg, according to Aristotle: and why the assistance of the Male is required.  
EXER. XXXV.  
WE have already proved the Cock and Hen to be the two Principles of Generation in regard of the Egg, though we are otherwise p●●● swaded of the manner how it comes to pass, 〈◊〉 Aristotle and Physicians are. For we have made it manifest out of the generation of the Egg, that the Hen as well as the Cock is an efficient cause, and hath in her a principle from whence the mutation succeeds, and also a constituting faculty: though ● Coition, neither the Cock doth confer matter to ●●e Egg, nor doth any profusion of seed result ●●om the Hen, by which the Egg should arise. It ●● therefore evident, that nature (amongst some Animals at least) did not therefore institute a distinction of Sexes; that the one (as an Agent) should contribute the form, and the other (as the Patient) the matter, as Aristotle did conceive: nor that a semen should result from both in coition, that about of the mixture of them, a Conception, or Egg should be framed, as Physicians imagine.  
Now since these two opinions do comprehend the whole Legend of Antiquity, concerning the causes and principles of Generation: it appears that all men were hitherto ignorant of the reason, doth why the female doth not generate alone by herself (as Plants do) but requires the assocition of the male: and also how the conception, or egg is procreated both by male and female thus enjoined: and likewise in what either of them induce to the work, and to what end and purpose coition was instituted.  
Aristotle, contrary to his own universal Hypostasis (namely, That the male is the Agent, and the female only for the matters sake) perceiving the egg ●● proceed from the Hen without any help of the ●ack at all, was enforced to subscribe, that the female also is an efficient cause: and that the Egg, ●hen it is excluded, doth conserve, nourish, and ●●ment itself, and produce a foetus out of it 〈◊〉: (as the eggs, or spawn of fishes do) and therefore he concludes, that there is also a soul even in a subventaneous, barren egg. And how far forth the Female is an Efficient, and also a subventaneous egg informed by a soul, he attempts to explain, where he saith. Subventaneous eggs admit Generation as far as they may; but that they 
de gen. an. l. 3. c. 7.  should be completed to the very fecundity of an Animal, is quite impossible; for to that a sensitive soul is required. But even females, and all things that live at all do obtain the vegetative faculty of the soul, as hath been often repeated. And therefore this barren egg considered as the conception of a Plant, is complete, but considered as an Animals, it is incomplete. By which words he seems to consent, that the Vegetative soul is also in the very subventaneous egg, because that soul is in all living things; now an egg doth live. He also allows the Hen a creating Prerogative, and a power of inducing a Vegetative soul: because all females have that privilege: and therefore a subventaneous egg considered under the capacity of a Plant, and living as that doth, is styled a perfect conception, but under the rank of Animals, an imperfect one. A● if the male were no whit requisite to the being of the perfect conception or egg, but only that, out of that egg an Animal might proceed: Not to the compliment of the egg, in order to any perquisite relating to its own perfection (for the conceptions of plants themselves are in this sense complete) but that it may be endowed with a● Animal principle. So then, the Egg is made by the Hen, but is made prolifical by the Cock. Aristatle in the same place goes on: In all the Genealogy ●● Birds, there is a male and a female; so that a Hen may make her conception perfect, as a Plant, though is be unalterod by coition: but as an Animal, she cannot perfect it; nor can she empower it to produce any other thing out of it. Nor is it rendered as the fruit of a Plant simply, nor as of an Animal, by coition. He sreaks of a subventaneous egg: and adds further: But those eggs which are conceived by coition, and are 〈◊〉 discovered to have obtained some portion of the White, they become fruitful by virtue of that Cock who was first concerned in coition; for they are now furnished with both Principles.  
Whereby he seems to confess, that the Female also is an Efficient in Generation, or hath a generative power; because every female hath a vegetative ●●ule: now generation is a faculty of the vegetative soul. And upon this ground, when he propounds the difference between the male and female, he even there owns them to be Generative 〈◊〉: for he saith, We call that animal the male, which begets or generates in another, and that the female, which generates in itself. And therefore according to Him, both do Generate; and as have is in both a vegetative soul, so is there in both Generative power. But how these differ, hath been ●●ved before in the History of the Egg. Name●● the Hen, alone by herself, without any assistance of the Cock, Generates a subventaneous egg, (as 〈◊〉 do from themselves produce a fruit) but she 〈◊〉 not produce a fortile egg, with out either ●● antecedent, or subsequent Coition of the Cock. the female doth generate, but it is only in some 〈◊〉; and the males coition is required, that that ●●rative faculty should be perfected in the female: that so she may not only bring forth an 〈◊〉, but such an egg that may produce a chicken. 〈◊〉 for this defect in the females generation, the 〈◊〉 seems to have been created (as shall herein appear) that so what the female cannot complete alone, (namely the seed, or fertile egg) that the male should supply by coition; wherein he doth impart that power either to the Hen, or the Egg.   

A perfect Henne-egge hath two Colours.  
EXERCIT. XXXVI.  
ALl eggs therefore are not perfect eggs; but some are reputed imperfect, because they have not yet attained their just magnitude, which they afterwards do receive abroad: And others, be-because they are yet improlifical, and afterward do borrow a prolifical power from without; as Fish's eggs, or the spawn of fishes. Other eggs also, are by Aristotle counted imperfect, because they are of one colour only; but those that are of two colours, perfect, as being constituted of a Yolk and White: which are conceived to be more distinct, better concocted, and endowed with more heat. And therefore those that are called Ov● Centenina, which Fabricius conceits to be only constituted of the Relics and Remainders of 
pag. 10.  the White, are only of one colour, and rep●●●● imperfect, because of the defect of their heat, and their own imbecility. But amongst all the egg● that are, there is none more perfect than the Hen, which is still produced perfect, and adorned with all its liquors and accoutrements, and of a convenient and just magnitude.  
Now Aristotle gives this reason why it comes to 
De gen. an. l. 3. c. 1.  pass that some Eggs are of two colours, and others of one only: because, saith He, in hotter Animals those things out of which the rudiments of Generation, and those out of which the Aliment is derived, are always distinct and apart: and of them one is white, and the other yellow. As if the Chicken took its life from the White, and were only fed by the Yolk. And in the same place he saith. That part of it which is hot, doth more resemble the complexion of the parts that are to be made; but that which is the more terrene part, affords only supply to the body, and keeps at greater distance from it. And therefore in eggs that have two colours, the Animal assumes its beginning from the White. For the Animal rudiment is in the White, and the nourishment is derived from the Yolk. Therefore we see his opinion is, that the foresaid Liquors are distinct, and that eggs are produced particoloured.  
And these Assertions of his, are partly true, and partly false. For it is false, that the Chicken is made out of the White, and fed by the Yolk. For by our History of the Fabric of the Chicken, both from the dissemination of the Umbilical Vessels, and the distribution of their propagations, which without all question do serve for the attraction of the Aliment, it is most manifest that both the constituting matter and the Aliment, are from the first original supplied both from the yolk and white; for some part of both these liquors doth melt and dissolve. And also the Macula, by whose first dilatation the Colliquamentum is made, which is also styled by us the Oculus, or Eye of the Egg, is plainly seen to be imprinted into the 〈◊〉 of the Yolk.  
And yet for all this, the distinction of the egg into the yolk & white doth seem to be very necessary: because those two Liquors, as they are without all doubt of a divers nature, so do they serve to a divers use. And that is the reason why they are distinct in every perfect egg; one of them being the Aliment which is next at hand, and the other, that which is farther off: with the one the foetus is sustained at its first formation, with the other in succeeding time. For it is most unquestionable (as Fabricius affirms truly, and we also shall explain anon) that both the Yolk and White are the Aliment of the chicken, and th●● the White is first spent. Wherefore I agree with Aristotle against the Physicians, that the White is the most sincere, most concocted, and elaborate part of the Egg: and therefore as being the better part, it encompasseth the whole circumference of the egg, which is yet in the Womb, whilst the Yolk as the more terrestrial part doth reside in the Centre. For the White seems to contain 〈◊〉 plenteous animal heat in it, and therefore to be the nearer and first nourishment. And so also upon the same account, the exterior part of the White, seems to be more simple, and better concocted, than the interior.  
In that Physicians affirm, that the Yolk is the hotter part of the egg, and most nourishing, I conceive they understand it, in relation to us, as it is become our nourishment, not as if it doth supply more congruous aliment to the chicken in the Egg. And this appears out of our History of the Fabric of the Chicken: which doth first 〈◊〉 upon and devour the thinner part of the white, before the grosser: as if it were more proper diet, and did more easily submit to transmutation into the substance of the future foetus. And therefore the yolk seems to be a remoter and more differred entertainment then the white; for all the white is quite and clean spent, before any notable invasion is made upon the yolk. Nay, the yolk is found in the Abdomen of the Chicken, even after his exclusion, as if it were reserved for the Infant - chicken instead of Milk.  
The two-coloured eggs therefore are most perfect, as being more distinct and wrought up by a more vigorous heat. For since there ought to be treasured in the egg not only the matter of the Chicken, but his first feeding too: that which is provided for a perfect animal, ought itself to be perfect too; and such is that egg which consists of two distinct complexioned parts: whereof the one is the former, and more simple, and therefore of gentler digestion; the other the latter, or more remote, and therefore translated into the substance of the Chicken with more difficulty; (now the yolk and white are thus different amongst themselves) and therefore Perfect eggs are Particoloured, compounded of a white and yolk: as containing and storing up in them several provisions of harder or more friendly digestion, according to the several age and ability of the Chicken.   

How the Egg is supplied with its White.  
EXER. XXXVII.  
IT appears by our History that the primordia of the eggs in the Ovary are wondrous little, resembling small whelks, and less than the seed of Millet, being full of a white watery moisture: and that these Papulae, or whelks do at length shoot up into yolks, and that those yolks are at last invested and clothed with a white.  
Aristotle seems to be of opinion, that the white is generated out of the yolk by way of Separation. Let us read his words: The Sex, saith he, is not the 
de gen. an. l. 3. c. 1.  cause of the party-colours, as if the white did proceed from the Male, and the yolk from the Female; but both are derived from the female or Hen. But one is hot, and the other cold. And in those creatures that have good store of heat, they are distinguished from one another; but where that heat is fainter, they are not distinguished. And for that reason the conceptions of such Animals are of one only colour, as is said. Now the Males seed only doth constitute the egg: and therefore at first the conception of all Birds is white, and small, but in process of time, it is all yellow, because now a larger quantity of blood is admixed; and lastly, the heat abating, the whiter part environs it round, as being a humour equally tempered on all sides. For the white part of the egg is naturally moist, containing in it an animal warmth, and therefore it is placed about the egg, and the yellow earthy part remains within.  
But Fabricius conceives, The White of the Egg to grow to the yolk by a juxt aposition merely. For while, 
pag. 12.  saith he, the yolk rolleth through the second Uterus, and falls down by degrees, it doth by degrees gather to ● a part of the White, which is purposely generated in the Uterus, that it may cleave to the yolk; until the ●●lke having now passed the intervening or middle ●●ires, and arriving at the last of all; it is together with the White encompassed with the membranes also, and thou assumes a shell. He conceits therefore, that the egg attains its increase in a twofold manner; partly by the Veins, as it is with the yolk, and partly by an additional accession or apposition, as it is with the White. And this perhaps did induce him to be of that judgement; namely, because the White being boiled hard, doth easily part and distinguish into ●●kes, whereof the one lies above the other. But his also doth befall the yolk not yet departed from the Ovary, if it be hard boiled as the former. And therefore being otherwise instructed by Experience, I rather join in opinion with Aristotle; for the White is not adjoined (as Fabricius would ●●ave it) but bred also, and furnished with the Chalazae, and distinguished by several membranes, and divided into two white liquors: and all this, by the same vegetative soul, by whose industry the Egg itself is distinguished into two liquors, (a yolk and a white.) For every part of the Egg is form and constituted by the same faculty which frames the whole Egg. Nor is it true, that the yolk is first made, and then the white adjoined to it. For, what we see in the Ovary, is not the yolk of an egg, but rather some compound, comprehending both liquors mixed together. It resembles the yolk indeed in complexion, but the white in confidence: for being boiled hard, it is not friable (as the yolk is) but concrete and glutinous, and consisting of several flakes, as the White, and hath as it were a white Papula, or whelk in the 〈◊〉.  
Aristotle seems to erect this separation from 〈◊〉 
Ibid.  divers nature of the yolk and white. For, saith 〈◊〉 If you cast divers eggs into a basin, or such like 〈◊〉 sell, and prepare them over a Chafin-dish of coals in 〈◊〉 sort, that the force of the fire be not nimbler the● 〈◊〉 distinction of the eggs; the same thing will befall all the heap of eggs, as happens to every particular eggs namely all the yolks will gather and assemble themselves into the middle, and the Whites get round about th●●.  
And this I have often experimented; and, what ever will, may try it: provided, he shake the y●● and whites together, and with a piece of butter ●● guessed them temperately into a Cake, having mingled them between two dishes, placed over a Chafin-dish of coals, or in an Oven; for he shall pl●●●ly see the whites cover the yolks which are assembled at the bottom.   

What the Cock and Hen do conferr● to the Generation of the Egg.  
EXER. XXXVIII.  
BOth Cock and Hen are to be reputed the Chickens Parents; for both of them are necessry principles of the Egg, and both alike Efficient causes. For the Egg itself is the Hens' work, a● the Fertility the Cocks. Both are therefore Instruments of the plastic virtue, by whose means th● species is continued to the world.  
But since in some Animal species (as if the 〈◊〉 were a useless thing, and the Female alone did suffice to the perpetuity of the species) there are no Males to be found at all, but the whole race is female, as in some species there are Males only, and no Females at all to be found; for they do all by an emission of something out of them into the ●●d, the earth, or water, progenerate, and preserve their species: Nature seems in these and the like creatures to have satisfied herself with one sex only, using that alone (as an instrument) for procreation.  
And now again some other creatures have a seed provided for them, casually as it were, without any distinction of sex at all; namely those creatures whose Birth is spontaneous. For as some things 
Arist. phys. l. 1. c. 1.  are the productions of art, and the self same things are the issues of chance too, as Health, for one: So likewise some kind of Animal seed is not simply produced from an univocal Agent (as a Man from a Man) but only in some sort univocal; (namely in all those creatures whose extract and matter out of which they spring, is casual in relation to them, and yet undergoes a mutation of itself, as the seed doth) namely, Those Animals that are not produced by coition, but are born of their own accord, are produced from such an original as Infects have, which breed a worm. For as some Artificers 
de gen. an. l. 3. c. 9  work with their bare hands, but others again use instruments in all their operations; and the better sort and more excellent Arts do employ instruments of several figure and magnitude, to the execution of several, and especially of the more curious and subtle Operations: (for the more eminent and more laborious works, are made for the most part of several motions, and do require several subordinate productions and ends; & in this thing, as in all other, Art is Nature's Ape, and Mimic) so in like manner Nature doth of necessity set a work more instruments, and those too of divers faculties and abilities, in the production of the more perfect, and more excellent Animals. For the Sun, or the Heavens (or what ever else is understood to be a common and general Father in the production of living creatures) do produce some things by themselves, by chance, and as it were without employing any intermediate Instrument, by an equivocal generation, and yet beget some only by an univocal procreation: namely all those, that are begotten by some other of the same kind, which doth contribute both Matter and Form to them.  
And thus in the Generation of the most perfect Animals, where these Principles are distinguished, and these seeds of the Animals are distinct: the Male and Female are the two necessary requisite Instruments to the production. And in this manner is our Hen-egg produced from the Cock and Hen.  
The Hen generates in herself, and therefore communicates place, materials, nourishment, and cherishing to the conception; but the Cock conveys fecundity: For the Male, saith Aristotle, doth ever 
Gen. an. l. 2. c. 3.  complete the generation, and causeth a sensitive soul to be introduced, and from an egg creates an Animal.  
And therefore proper Organs for both faculties are dispersed among the Cocks and Hens. Namely in the Hen, all the Genital parts are commodious for reception, and containing; and in the Cock for transferring and immission, or preparing of that thing which doth convey fecundity to the Hen, he being one that generates in another.  
Now, having made strict discovery, by Anatomical dissection, of the parts sacred to Generation, we well know, what both Male and Female do confer to it. For the knowledge of the Instruments doth lead in a strait line, to their functions and uses.   

Some things worthy observation concerning the Cock.  
EXERCIT. XXXIX.  
THe cock (as we have showed you) is the Primary Efficient of the perfect or fertile egg, and the main cause of Generation. For were it not for the cock, a chicken could never spring from the Egg; nor the Egg itself have any being in many Oviparous creatures. And therefore we must make farther search concerning the Action and use of the cock, namely what advantage he brings to the egg, and the chicken, as well by Coition, as other offices.  
It is evident that the cock (though, as I suppose, he wants a Yard) doth emit his Geniture, commonly called Seed, as may be collected from his Genital Parts; for the Testicles are furnished with it, and there is great abundance of it discoverable in the long and ample Leading Vessels. But whether it leap out, capering, and frothy by the activity of the spirits, and at several ejections (as in hotter Viviparous creatures) I am not yet able to resolve. But because I can find no Vesicles containing the Geniture, by which it should be fermented, and dart forth, heightened by the spirits into a Spuma, or froth: and also finding no Yard through whose narrower channel it being protruded, it might leap, and result, verberating the Interiours of the Hen, especially seeing coition in Cocks so soon over; I rather believe, that there is only a light tincture of seminal humour, such as doth only moisten the Orifice of the Pudenda; and that the seed is speedily dislodged without any sprightly exilition: so that, what other Animals do ejaculate by several reverberations at one and the same Inition, Birds (which do not long insist upon venereal undertake) do expedite by many repeated Coitions. For those creatures that dwell long in venereal offices, do make but feldom repetitions: and such, among Birds, are the Swan, and the Ostrich: Because the Cock therefore cannot stay long in his performances, he doth execute that at several returns, which other creatures do at several impulses. And though he neither have Glans, nor Ponis, yet the extremity of the deferent Vessels growing turgent by spirits (in Coition) doth extuberate after the manner of a Glans, by which he doth compress the Orifice of the Uterus of the Hen, it being bared and exposed by the apertion of the Fundament; and so bedewing it with genital moisture, he stands in no need of a Yard for the immission of his Geniture.  
Now, we have showed you, that the Cock's Seed is of so great virtue, that it doth render not the Uterus only, but the Egg in the Uterus, the Papula in the Ovary, and lastly the whole Hen herself, and all the Rudiments of the Eggs, either already in being, or to be produced hereafter, fertile and Prolifical.  
And therefore Fabricius rightly observed, that store of Geniture was entrusted to the Testicles, and deferent Vessels of the Cock: not that the Hen stands want of much of it to fructify each single egg; at that one Cock may approve himself sufficient ●● his several Concubines, and repeated performances.  
Now the brevity and rectitude of the Cocks spermatical Vessels do conduce to the nimbler discharge of the Seed: for that which travels through long and perplexed Meanders, makes slower passage, and needs a more copious impulsive spirit to quick●● it's Exit.  
Amongst the Males, none more jovial, none more haughty, nor of stiffer garb, nor more effectual in concocting his food, than the Cock, a great part of whose Aliment is transformed into geniture; and therefore Polygamy is convenient for him, as ten or twelve obedient Hens. For in some species of Animals, one single Male can treat ●boudance of Females, as we may see Stags, Bucks, and several cattle: and there are others again there the lusty Female is not satisfied by several Males; as the Bitch, and the Wolf; upon which ●ore Meretrices Lupae dicuntur, Prostitutes are called Wolves, and Brothel-houses Lupanaria. And ●gain some Creatures are more chaste, and reserve, ●s it were, a Conjugal integrity: so that one Male keeps faith with one Female, and both pro●●d virtuously to propagate their kind. For ●●ce Nature requires, that the Male should supply the defects of the Female in Generation, and that ●● alone is not sufficient to sustain, cherish, and defend her issue, the Male is added as a Consort ●o her, who should join in the task of generating, and nurturing the Young. Thus the Partridges enjoy a Conjugal Life, and because their 〈◊〉 cannot hatch so many eggs at once, nor attend the education when the Young are excluded they are reported to build each of them a N●●. And so the cock-Pigeon takes his turns of Incubation, and joins in the erection and fabric of hi● nest, and likewise in laying in provision for he offspring. And so in like manner you may discover many examples of a Conjugal life among bruit beasts, of which more hereafter.  
But those Males that serve many Females (a● the cock) their Testicles are much lined with Seminal moisture, and they are provided with long and large deferent Vessels. And at that time, and age that the cluster in the Ovary begins to ripen and become mature, and stands now in need of Fructifying, that the Papulae may be perfected into Eggs, the cock's seed begins to increase, and hi● Testicles grow turgent and tumorous, and are also seated in the same place (namely near the Diaphragma) into which they instil fertility. And this is evident in fishes, birds, and all other Oviparous creatures, whose males are all replenished with seed, at the same time, and place, whereat their females do conceive their eggs.  
And therefore all those parts of the Hen which are designed to Generation, namely, the Ovary, Infundibulum, the process of the Womb, and the Womb itself, and the Privities: and also the situation, fabric, quantity, and Temper of all these, and what soever else relates thereto: they are all inservient, and handmaids either to the procreation of the Egg, or to its Augmentation, or else to Coition, and fertility received from the Male, or to the foetus: to which they conduce either necessarily and principally, or as a Causa sine qua non, or some way or other to the better being.  
For there is nothing made either vain or rash in all the operations of Nature. So likewise all the Genital parts in the Cock are contrived for preparing or concealing, or else transmitting the geniture into the Hen.  
But such males as are so vigorous, that they can supply many females, these do much exceed heir females in their growth, and stature, as also in their ornaments, courage, and weapons; which is not so eminent in those that are conjugal and chaster. For a cock-Partridge, Crow, or Pigeon, are not so much superior and different from their consorts, as the Cock is from the Hen, or the Stag from his Hinds.  
And therefore the Cock, as he is well appointed in his weapons, brave in his plumes, haughty, ambitious, valiant, and a famous duelist; so doth he also abound in Seed, and is swift in his chamber-offices, and of so unbounded a luxury, that (except he have his Seraglio for his concubines) ●e will tyre out his wives by frequent invitations, ●nd compressions, and (as we have observed in the Pheasant, the Turkeycock, and others) will cruelly handle them, with unseasonable advancings, and molestations. I have seen Hens sometimes so tired and torn by the insolency and incivility of the insatiate Cock, that all their backs have been deplumed, and they themselves by deep ex●●●erations piercing to the bare bone, have miserably expired.   

Of the Hen.  
EXER. XL.  
THere are two first Causes and Instruments of Generation, the Male and Female. For the Hen seems to be the Author of the Egg, as the Cock of the Fertility: and therefore by the coition of these two, that which renders the egg fruitful, is traduced from the Male into the Female, or generated in the Female by that coition.  
But what that is, is no less difficult to be known then to what it is communicated: namely, whether to the whole Hen, or to its Uterus, or to the Eggs already made, or else to all the Eggs not begun in the Ovary, or to be begun hereafter? For it is probable, according to our former discourse● and also by Fabricius his experiment, that a 〈◊〉 coitions, and the commerce of the Hen with the Cock for a few days, doth sufficiently fructify her, or her womb at jest, for a whole year together. And I myself, informed by experience, can parth affirm the same thing; namely, that the twentieth egg laid by the Hen (after her divorce from th● Cock) hath been fruitful, and prolifical. That a● from the geniture of the Male-fish scattered in ●● water, a great family of eggs is endowed with the lifical virtue; and as in Bitch's, and Sows, and also other Animals, some few coitions have satisfy to the fertility of several foetuses: (insomuch the some think it an approved Maxim, that in case Bitch be oftener compressed by the dog then th●● or four times, it will wrong her fertility, and make her births degenerate most into females) ●● also the Cock by some few familiarities with the Hen, doth not only render the egg now being in ●he Ovary, but the entire Ovary, and Hen herself prolifical (as hath been often repeated.) Nay, what ●s more than this, and admirable indeed; In a cer●●in part of Persia (saith Aristotle) if you cut up a 
Hist. an. l. 6. c. 37  〈◊〉- Mouse, you shall find even the young ones within ●●, that are females, to be great with young themselves: being made mothers before they are born: as if ●he male did not only fructify his female, but all ●he females also of which she labours; as our Cock ●oth not only render his hen fruitful, but all ●he eggs also that she is to lay.  
Now this Physicians do confidently deny, who ●●me the conceptions of Animals to be produced by the mixed geniture of both Sexes. And therence Fabricius, though he pronounce the Cocks seed ●ver to enter, nor to have any possibility of en●●ance 
pag. 38. 39  into the hollow of the womb, (where either ●● egg is made, or increased) and though he ●●inly saw, the eggs now newly begun in the Ovary, to be made fertile by the same coition, as ●ell as those eggs which were already made; ●● particle of which could be made by the seed of ●t Cock; yet he will needs have the Cock's seed ●s if its presence and continuance were absolutely necessary) to be locked up for a whole year together in the pouch of a prolifical Hen, and there to ●● reserved in a blind chink. Which perswasi●● we have formerly rejected, and that because ●t cavity is indifferently found as well in a Cock, in a Hen; and also for that we could never scover such a standing pool of Geniture, either that cavity, or any other cranny in a Hen: but soon as the Geniture hath delivered her message, ●●d performed her trust, by imprinting a prolifical virtue in the Hen, it either retires back again, or is dissolved, and rarified into air, and so vanisheth. And though Galen, and all Physicians with 
Arist. de gen. an. l. 2. c. 3.  him, do strongly oppose this dissolution of the Genture, yet having thoroughly considered the fabric of the genital part by Anatom call administrations, and having likewise pondered other most invincible arguments, they must necessarily acknowledge, that the seed of the male, as it is derived from the Testicles by the leading vessels, and contained in the spermatical vessels, is not prolifical, unless by the fervency of Coition, and desire, it become aerial, and rarified into a spume. For (witness Aristotle) it is not the corpulency of the seed, or 
Ibid.  its fire, that renders it prolifical, or any quality like to those, but the spirit which is enclosed in the seed and spumous body, and the nature which is in that spirit, being answerable and like in proportion to the Element or substance of the Stars. Wherefore, though we should indulge Fabricius in his opinion, that the Seed is reserved in that pouch; yet notwithstanding, after the prolifical effervency, or the spirit is resolved, it would grow useless, and improlifical. And from hence may Physicians take notice, that the geniture of the male is not therefore the architect of the foetus, because the first cenception assumes its body from it, but because it is spirituous, and boiling, as being inspired with a fertile spirit, and turgent like a thing possessed. For otherwise Averrhoes his fable, of the woman that conceived in a Bath, might have some title to true story. But of these things more in their proper place.  
As therefore the Egg is made by the Hen, so i● it also very likely that all the first conceptions (a● shall be shown hereafter) do assume both their Matter and Form from the female; and that also after the males geniture is immitted, and now for some time quite departed and vanished away. For the Cock doth not confer any fertility to the Hen or Eggs, by the bare emission of his geniture; but only so far forth as that geniture is prolifical, and impowered with a plastical virtue; that is to say, spiritous, operative, and proportionable to the subtence of the Stars. The male therefore is no more to be prized as the chief principle of the conception, and foetus, by reason he can concoct and emit seed, than a female, which can produce an egg without his help. But he therefore rather claims prerogative, in that he empowers his seed with spirit, and divine efficacy; and so, that in a moment it can perform its affairs, and convey fertility. For as we see things immediately set on fire, and infamed by a spark struck from a flint, or by a flash of Lightning from a cloud; so the geniture of the male doth immediately affect the female with the touch, and transfers fruitfulness unto her, which doth not only virtuate the eggs, but the womb also, and the Hen herself, and all in an instant: for to combustible substance is sooner set on fire by the approach of the flames, than the Hen is made pregnant by the coition of the Cock.  
But what it is that is transferred from him to her, we shall have occasion to discover in its order, than we shall determine the matter more perspicuously and in general.  
In the mean time we must take notice, that if it be derived from the soul (for it is most likely that whatsoever is fruitful, the same is also animate, and we have said before, that an Egg in Aristoiles opinion is endowed with a vegetative soul, as also all the seed of Plants) that soul (at least the vegetative) must of necessity be ex traduce, and derived  
in a prolifical Conception as after it) as it is in the Generation of the Chicken out of the Egg, and just in that manner as Plants do spring from seeds of their own kind. For it doth not appear that the Male is required, to the intent that he should be as an Agent, Operator, or Efficient per se, nor that the Female, is required that she should contribute the matter; but both Male and Female are to be esteemed in some sort the Operator, and Parent: and the foetus is procreated a mixed similitude, and resemblance, as if it proceeded from both mixed together. Nor is it true which Aristotle often affirms, and Physicians take for granted, namely, that presently after Coition, there is something to be found of the foetus, or conception, (as the Heart, or the Tres Bullae, or some other Principle part) or something at least in the cavity of the Womb, as some Coagulum, or Spermatical mixed substance, or the like. But on the contrary, in case the Female prove fertile, and pregnant, it happens that the eggs, and conception in the most, and most perfect creatures, is first begun long after coition. And that the Female also is prolifical, before any thing of the conception be at all contained in the Womb, many indications do conspire to ascertain, as shall be afterwards discovered in the History of Viviparous Animals: as the enlargement of the Breasts, and the turgid swelling of the Womb, by which and other Symptoms we may perceive an Alteration in the whole Body.  
But as for the Hen, though she have for the most part the Rudiments of eggs in her before coition, which are afterwards by the Tread made prolifical, and therefore she than hath something in her presenly upon coition, or treading: yet when it falls out so with her, that like other creatures, she hath nothing at hand ready in her Ovary, or hath already laid all the eggs she formerly had there; she being afterwards trod (though some time pass between and intervene) as if she were then both Principles herself alone, or did possess the power of both Sexes, doth after the manner of Plants generate eggs by herself, and those too (I speak it knowingly) not subventaneous, but prolifical.  
For if you take all the eggs from under a Hen that is now sitting, in case that very Hen was a fruitful Hen in former time (though she have now already laid all the eggs she hath, and have not so much as one remaining in her Ovary) she will lay again, and those eggs shall be fructifying, prolifical eggs, having the principles of both Sexes in them.   

In what respect the Hen may be called the Primum Efficiens, the first or Chief Efficient. And also of her issue.  
EXERCIT. XLI.  
WE have already pronounced the Hen, to be an Efficient Cause of Generation, or nature's Instrument in that employment; (but she is not absolutely, and per se; but by commission, and by virtue of the Male rendered prolifical.) But as the Male is by Aristotle counted the first principle of Generation, suo merito, upon his own score, because the first Motus or progress towards Generation proceeds from him; so the Hen also may in some respect be esteemed the first cause of Generation; insomuch as the male by the approach and presence of the female, like one possessed, is inflamed to Venery. The female-Fish (saith Pliny) at the time of 
Lib. 9 c. 50.  coition will pursue and follow the Male, punching his belly with her head: And again, about the time of bringing forth, the Male will do the like to the Female. I myself have sometimes seen the male Fishes follow the female that was ready to spawn, (just as Dogs do a salt-Bitch) all in troops, that they might sprinkle her eggs so soon as she had laid them, lacte suo, with their milky substance, or seed. But that is most sensible in wanton and lascivious females, which will stir up Cupid's slow and drowsy fires in their tame males, and instill a silent love into them.  
And hence it is, that the dunghil-cock, so soon as ever he sees his own spouse whom he hath miss never so little a while, or any other stranger-Henn, being presently arrested at Cupid's suit, he mounts her. And likewise when he is Victor in fight, though he return wounded and wearied from the battle, yet he still delights to ravish his captives wives. And that he may kindle this declining spark of lust, which now lies expiring in his breast, into a vigorous flame, with several gesticulations, incitements, and Love-scenes (while he often crows, assembles his Hens, and now approaching circuits about them, and trails his stiff wings at their feet) he enticeth his Females, as by a spell or enchantment, to sport with him. Now these are the Cock's projects and arts: but sometimes the coyness and morosity of the Hen doth not a little conduce to rouse and heighten the males sleepy heat, and languishing appetite, to quicken and encourage his performance. But of these provocations and allurements, so far as they serve to promote conception, we shall speak more anon. For if you carefully ponder Nature's works, you shall find none of them made in vain, but all directed to some end, and for some good.  
Almost all females are pleased & delighted with the act of coition, and rejoice at their great bellies, but many groan at their delivery. But the thing is quite contrary in Hens, which in coition complain, and hang back; but in laying, though the Egg be very great in comparison of their own bulk and the straits of the Uterine Orifice, and the Egg brings no furtherance at all to his own release, (as the Issues of Viviparous animals do) yet she brings forth without any pain, and still rejoices as soon as she hath laid, and raising a loud laughter, invites in the Cock to share in her triumphs.  
But though there are many rudiments of eggs, of different magnitude, and degree, in the Hens Ovary, insomuch that some are augmented and come to maturity before others, yet they all seem to be fructified alike, and receive the prolifical stamp together, by the Cock's coition.  
And though a good space of time pass away (namely, thirty days or more) before the Common - hen or Partridge-hen disburden all the Eggs in their Ovary, yet when ever the Hen sits upon them, they bring forth all their chickens almost together, at the set time (namely, in the compass of twenty, or two and twenty days) and they are all likewise no less complete, then if they had all taken the same rise and original at the same instant of coition (as the Bitch's whelps do.)  
And being upon this contemplation, while I consider how small the prolifical groundworks of Eggs are, namely little whelks, and exudations, less than the seeds of Millet; and meditating the stature, magnanimity, and furniture of the Cock who is born from thence; I cannot but admire, that Nature should intrust such great abilities to so slender beginnings: and observe, how the Omnipotent Creator is pleased to manifest his greatness most, in the smallest originals.  
For the Hen, and the Cock, that haughty and magnificent Animal, springs from a small and almost invisible whelk. A vast Tree rises from a little Acron. Nay, from the smallest bud and point of an Acorn, how doth the Aged Oak display her spreading arms? how lofty a crest doth she exalt to heaven? and how deep a root doth she send down to fathom the earth? It is indeed (saith Pliny) an incomprehensible miracle, that a substance 
Lib. 17. c. 10.  which defies the axe, that presses, undaunted at the hugest weights, that masts patient of the largest sails, and ramms unbattered by the shock of Towers, and Bulwarks, should proceed from so mean principles. But this is Nature's power, this her ability. Now there is such a little sprout in the seeds of all Plants, whose bare top of all no bigger than a point, if it be once pared away, all hope of generation presently dies, as if the entire plastical virtue that is to fashion and compose the whole Tree, did take up its abode in so small a point. And therefore the provident Ant, eating of this small particle before hand, doth safely treasure up the grains and seeds of corn in her barns that lie under ground, cunningly, providing by this means against the inconvenience which she might suffer in their growing afresh. The Cypress-Tree (saith the same Pliny) beareth a seed exceedingly affected by the Ant; and this enlarges the miracle, that so inconsiderable an Animal should devour and destroy so vast a Tree in its cra●le. But of these also in general we shall speak more, when we shall show that many Animals themselves, especially Infects, do germinate and spring from seeds and principles not to be discerned even by the eye, by reason of their contract invisible dimensions, (like those atoms, that fly in the air) which are scattered and dispersed up and down by the winds: all which are esteemed to be Spontaneous issues, or born of Putrefaction, because their seed is not any where seen. And this speculation is useful to that Philosophy, which teacheth, that all things are made out of nothing; for between the Original, and the Compliment of any Living creature, there is almost no commensurable proportion.  
Nor are we so much to admire, what it is in a Cock, that doth conserve and govern so perfect and noble a creature, and is the first cause of his existence, which we say is his soul: but far more what it is in the egg, nay in the very whelk, which hath so grand an authority to produce so gallant an animal, and advance its own renown to so high a stretch of glory. Nor are we only to admire, how great the Artist is that doth assist and cooperate in so great a work; but rather the manner of conveyance, it being by the contagion of only a momentany coition: namely, what the thing is that passeth from the Male to the Female, from the Female to the Egg, and from the Egg to the Foetus? What it is, that is hoc Traducis, this Derived essence, which cannot be perceived to be either remaining, or touching, nor any sensible contained thing; and yet doth operate with a vast discretion and providence, beyond all the bounds of Art: & which doth render the Egg prolifical, even when itself is fled and vanished, not because it now doth, or hath touched before; not fructifying only the perfect, and absolved eggs, but even the imperfect and intended only, when they are yet but whelks and bushes: nay the Hen herself before she have yet produced any whelks at all, and that so nimbly, as if the Almighty himself should say, Let there be a production, and straight there is one.  
Let Physicians therefore cease to wonder at what they do not find, but with astonishment; namely, at Contagious, Epidemical, and Pestilential Diseases, how they do foment and disperse their infection through the air, and propagate distempers like to themselves in other bodies, and by a secret course, as it were, by a solemn generation tacitly multiply, and grow sometimes so destructive, that (if God would leave the reins in their own hands) they would spread a sweeping desolation over Men, and Beasts: for greater things than these are the daily results of the generation of Animals. For more, and abler operations are required to the Fabric and erection of Living creatures, then to their dissolution, and plucking of them down: For those things that easily and nimbly perish, are slow and difficult in their rise and compliment. Seneca (as he is wont) elegantly 
Nat. quest. l. 3. c. 27.  saith: How long a time is required to ripen the conception for the Birth! With how great care and tenderness is it trained when now it is an Infant! With what choice of aliment is it cherished to a Youth! and yet how obnoxious is this carcase at last! how lost without any pains! An age builds Towers, which one hour levels with the ground. With great caution things continue, but perish at an easy rate. The Forest which is growing long, one active spark and moment turns to cinders. Nay, not so much as a spark; for the conflagration of the vastest bodies, will put us only to the expense of a Burning-glass, where the Sun beams being assembled, and directed in a Cone, will raise a nimble flame to speed the mischief. So that nothing is difficult to Nature's Royalty, which to the production of things is sparing of her power, and warily dispenseth it with a great deal of thrift, by insensible accessions; but she is quick to destroy, running in full speed. In the generation of things, the best, eternal, and omnipotent God, or Nature's deity, is evidently seen; but all mortal things find out a thousand ways to ruin, of their own accord.   

How the generation of the Chicken is procured out of the Egg.  
EXER. XLII.  
WE have thus far considered the Egg, as the Fruit, and End: it remains, that we now treat of it, as the Seed, and Principle. Now 
pag. 28.  we must inquire (saith Fabricius) how the generation of the Chicken follows out of the Egg; taking our rise from that Principle or Position of Aristotle and Galen, and approved by all: namely, That all things that are made in this world, are produced of these three; the Agents, the Instruments, and the Matter. But because in natural Productions, the Agent is not without, but either existent in the Matter, or Instruments, he concludes, That we are to consider of the Agent, and Matter only.  
But because we are here to show after what manner the Chicken is made out of the Egg, I conceive it not useless, to demonstrate, how many several ways one thing may be said to be made out of another: for by that means it will more clearly and distinctly appear, how many several ways generation doth proceed from an Egg, and what is to be resolved, concerning the Matter, Instruments, and Efficient.  
Aristotle hath taught, that one thing is made out of another four manner of ways: First, when we say the 
De gen. an. l. 1. c. 18.  Night is made out of the Day, and a Man of a Boy; because this is after that. The second, when a Statue is made out of Brass, or a Bedstead out of Wood, or whatsoever we affirm to be made of matter, that so a whole may result, from something that is form, and in it. Thirdly, when of a Musical, a man unskilled in Music, or of a Sound, a Sick man, or one contrary of another. Fourthly, as Epicharmus makes his exaggeration: of Calumnies, Cursings; of Cursings, Conflict. All which are referred to the first beginning of the progress; for the Calumnies are a certain part of the whole Broil. Since therefore one thing may be made out of another so many ways, it is apparent, that the Seed is in another, two of these ways. For that which is begotten, is out of it, either as out of its matter, or as its first mover. For it is not barely, as this thing is after that, as Navigation after the Panathenaea, nor as one contrary out of another; for a contrary is begotten out of the corruption of a contrary, and there must needs be some subject matter, out of which, as out of a first immanent thing it should be made. By which words Aristotle truly infers, that the Seed proceeding from the male, is the efficient cause of the Foetus, or else the Instrumental; because it is no part of the Foetus, neither according to the First, nor third acceptation (namely, as this thing out of that, or as out of its contrary) nor is it the subject matter.  
But, as he saith in the same place, that which proceeds from the Male in coition, is not truly and properly called Seed, but Geniture rather, and doth differ from Seed properly so called. For that is called Geniture, which proceeding from the Generant, is that first cause which obtains the beginning of the generation; namely, in those creatures which Nature hath designed to generation: but the Semen is that thing which takes its original from the coition of those two (namely, the Male and Female:) and such is the seed of all Plants, and of some Animals, in whom there is no distinction of Sex: as being that which is first mixed by the Male and Female, as it were a promiscuous conception; and such as we have formerly in our History declared the Egg to be, which is called both a Fruit and a Seed. For the Seed and the Fruit are distinct things, and differ ratione prioris & posterioris, under the notion of that which is first, and that which is after; for the Fruit is that which proceeds from another, the Seed is that out of which another doth proceed; otherwise they were both the same. It remains therefore that we inquire, how many of the foresaid ways the Foetus doth proceed, not from the Geniture of the Male, but from the true Seed, or Egg, or Conception (which are truly the seeds of Animals.)   

How many ways the Chicken may be said to be made out of the Egg.  
EXERCIT. XLIII.  
IT is therefore granted, that the Chicken is made out of a prolifical Egg, as out of its Matter, and as by its Efficient; and that the same Egg is both the Causes of the Chicken. For as it deduceth its original from the Hen, and is esteemed the fruit, it is the Matter: but in as much as it containeth in it, throughout all its substance, a plastical, and prolifical virtue infused by the Male, it is called the Efficient of the Chicken. So that not only (as Fabricius would have it) these things are inseparably joined together in one and the same Egg; namely, the Agent, and the Instrument, but it is also necessary, that the same place should also contain Aliment, by which it should be nourished. So that in a prolifical Egg these four things are to be found together; namely, the Efficient, the Instrument, the Matter, and the Aliment, as appears plainly in our History.  
Wherefore we affirm, that the Chicken is made out of the prolifical Egg all the foresaid ways; namely, as out of its Matter, Efficient, and Instrument: and also as a Man is made out of a Boy, and the Whole out of a Part: and also tanquam ex Alimento, as a thing may be said to be made of its nutriment; and likewise as a contrary is made out of a contrary.  
For when by Incubation (by the Internal motive principle) some clear part is liquefied (which we call Ovi Oculum the Eggs-Eye) we say that very thing is made tanquam ex contrario, as a contrary out of a contrary: as we suppose the Chyle to be made out of contraries by concoction; (namely, out of crude, unconcocted meats) and in the same sense, as we ourselves are said to be nourished by contraries. Just in that manner is the Colliquamentum and the Oculus Ovi made of the White, and augmented: and in that manner likewise is the Blood and the Vesicula pulsans (which are the first particles of the Chicken) made, nourished and augmented, out of that white liquor, or Colliquamentum: nourished I say, the Nutriment being assimulated by concoction (as out of its contrary) by the power of the innate heat; for that which is crude and unconcocted, is contrary to that which is concocted and assimulated: as a Man unskilled in Music is contrary to a Musician; and a Sick man, to a Sound.  
And when Blood is made out of the white Colliquamentum, or the Colliquamentum out of the Yolk or White, it is called the generation of the one, and the corruption of the other: there being an alteration made from the contrary to the contrary, the same subject matter remaining still. For the proceeding form of the White being corrupted, the Colliquamentum ariseth: and from the privation of the form of the Colliquamentum, resulteth the form of Blood: in the same manner as nourishment is turned into the substance of that which is nourished.  
Therefore in this sort the Chicken is said to be made out of the egg, tanquam ex Contrario, as out of a Contrary. For the Chicken being nourished and increased in the Egg, both the Yolk and the White are corrupted and consumed, and afterwards all the substance of the Egg. It is therefore manifest that the Chicken is made out of the Egg, as out of a contrary, namely, as out of Aliment: and also, tanquam exprivatione, & non ente, as out of a Privation and non Ens. For the first particle of the Chicken, (namely the Blood, or Punctum saliens) is made ex non sanguine, of that which is not blood, and altogether its contrary, the same subject Matter still remaining.  
The Chicken also is made out of the Egg, sicut vir ex puero, as a Man is made out of a Boy. For as out of Plants Seeds are made, out of Seeds, Blossoms, Sprouts, Stems, Flowers, and Fruits: so also out of an Egg, (which is the Hen's Seed) is made the dilatation of the Macula, the Colliquamentum, the Blood and Heart, as the first particle of the fatus (or fruit.) And that, tanquam ex nocte dies, as the Night is made out of the Day; the Summer out of the Spring; and a Man out of a Boy: Where this thing, is after that. So that as the Fruit doth arise in the same Stem after the Flowers; so likewise, after the Egg the colliquamentum; and after that, as out of the Humour Primigenius, out of the radical first moisture, the Blood, after the Blood, and out of it, the chicken; as the Whole out of a Part. And again, as by Epicharmus his Exaggeration, ex calumniâ fiunt maledicta, & ex maledict is pugna, out of slander come cursings, and out of cursings fight. For the Blood together with the Punctum saliens is first existent; and doth likewise seem to be a part of the chicken, and a kind of Efficient, or Instrument of its Generation, inseparable from the Agent: (as Fabricius supposeth) Now, in what manner the Egg may be called the Instrument and Efficient of Generation, is in part showed already; and shall appear more at large hereafter.  
It is evident out of our History, that the Punctum saliens and the Blood, (while they increase) do assemble the rest of the body and all the other members of the chicken to themselves: as the Yolk in the Womb, descending from the Ovary, encompasseth itself with the White, and that by way of concoction, and Nutrition. Now all men conceive calor. innatus, aut calidum innatum, the innate or primigenial Heat, or Spirit diffused through the whole, and the Soul in that Spirit, or the faculty of that Soul, to be the common Instrument of the Vegetable Operations. The egg therefore without all question hath its Operative soul, which is all in the whole, and all in every part; and contains a spirit, or Animal heat in it, which is the immediate instrument of that soul.  
If any man therefore ask, how a chicken is made out at the egg? We reply, after all those ways recited by Aristotle, or invented by any else, after the which, one thing may be made out of another.   

Fabricius is mistaken concerning the Matter of the Generation of the Chicken out of the Egg.  
EXER. XLIV.  
AS I decreed with myself from the beginning, so I shall continue to take Fabricius along with 
pag. 28.  me in my progress: and therefore we shall consider with him of those three things, which he saith are to be inquired after in the Generation of the chicken, namely, the Agent, the Matter, and the Aliment of the chicken. All which ought to be in an egg, concerning which he proposeth some doubts, together with the opinions of Authors, who are of another mind. The first doubt relates to the Matter and Aliment of the chicken. Indeed Hypocrates, Anaxagoras, Alcmaeon, Menander, and 
De Nat. pueri.  all the ancient Philosophers, did conceive the Chicken to be born out of the Yolk, and nourished by the White. And Aristotle and Pliny, contrary 
Hist. an. l. 6 c. 3. and De gen. an. l. 3. c. 1. & 3. l. 10. c. 53.  to that opinion, did believe, that the chicken did assume its body from the White, and its Aliment from the Yolk. But Fabricius for his own part, conceived neither Yolk nor White to be the Matter of the chicken: endeavouring to confute the former opinions, and to show, that both Yolk and White did serve to nourish the Chicken. And this, besides other Arguments (which I conceive to be of less force) with this which is evincing enough, namely that the propagations of the Umbilical Vessels (by which without doubt the chicken doth attract his Aliment) are disseminated both into the Yolk and white, and that both those liquors (accordingly as the chicken increases, and doth expend a greater stock of nourishment) are quite exhausted. And hereupon Fabricius for confirmation 
pag. 34.  of his opinion, saith: There are three only substances which do conduce to the fabric of the egg, and the generation of the chicken, the White, the Yolk, and the Chalazae: the White and Yolk are the Chickens substance; therefore the Chalazae only are the subject matter of the chicken. But that the most excellent Fabricius is in an error, we have demonstrated before in our History. For after the chicken is well nigh completed, when his Head and Eyes are distinctly to be seen, the Chalazae are still found in the Egg far remote from the Chicken, and still entire, being then depressed from the two ends of the egg to the sides, and do execute (as he also confesses) the office of Ligaments, to keep the Yolk in its true position within the White. Nor is that true neither, which Fabricius adds to justify his persuasion; namely, that the Chalazas are seated directly under the Obtuse Angle of the Egg. For after the first days Incubation the Liquors shift their stations; the Yolk is exalted, and the chalazae are depressed from both ends, as hath been said.  
He is also deceived, when he saith that the chalazae are parts of the Egg: for in truth, the egg is constituted only by the Yolk, and the White; but the chalazae, as also the membranes, are only certain little Appendices of the White, and nothing else but merely the extremities of the membranes contorted and twisted, (as filaments or strings are twisted into a Rope) that so they may the better preserve the Liquors in their proper places, by a firmer tye.  
And therefore his Inference is infirm, when he saith: The chalazas are found to be in that part of the egg where the chicken is made, and therefore the chicken is made out of them. For even according to Fabricius himself, that can no ways be: who confesses, that the chalazae are to be found in the two extremities of the egg, and yet denies, that the chicken is any where made, but only in the Obtuse end of it: in which end truly, from the very first setting out towards the Generation of the Chicken, there is no chalazae to be found at all. Nay, if you make trial in a New-layd Egg, you shall find that the superior chalaza is not directly seated under the Obtuse end, or the cavity thereof, but inclining something to the side; nor on that side neither, where the cavity doth tend, but rather on the contrary side. Moreover, it hath been showed before, that the situation of the Liquors immediately upon Incubation is shifted, because the Oculus, or Eye of the egg being enlarged by the colliquamentum, is exalted to the cavity in the Obtuse Angle, upon which the liquors and chalazae at each end do remove to the sides. For the Macula or Speck, which before Incubation, was seated in the midst between both the extremities of the egg, now being enlarged into an Oculus, or Eye, is adjoined to the cavity in the Obtuse end; and one of the chalazae is deposed from the Obtuse Angle, and the other is exalted (so much as the other is deposed) from the Acute Angle; (just as the Poles of the World are seated in an Oblique Hemisphere) and at the same time, the greatest part of the White, especially of the grosser part of it, doth sink down to the Acute Angle.  
Nor is that true neither where he endeavours to infer a probable argument to prove the chalazae to be the Matter of the Pullus, from the likeness & similitude of their consistence, alleging, that the chalazae 
pag. 35.  do represent the first formation of the Chicken, by their figure and longitude, and have also as many twists or knots, as there are principle parts in the Chicken.  
Nor is that corpus Rubrum (which he also took for the Liver) or red substance in the chalazae, or any thing near them, but in the middle of the colliquamentum candidum; and it is the rudiment of the Heart only. Nor doth the example of the Tadpoles alleged by him, square to his purpose, of which, saith he, you can only discern their Head and Taile, that is, their Head and spin of the Back, having neither forelegs nor hinder-legs. And he proceeds, that whosoever seeth a Chalaza, and one of these conceptions, will think he sees one and the same body.  
Now I have made many dissections of these Tadpoles, and have seen a pretty large Belly in them, and in that Belly Guts, and a Liver, and a Heart panting; and also I have discovered their Head and Eyes too. But that which Fabricius takes for their Head, is their round figure, from which they are called Gyrini; because their form or figure in gyrum vertitur, curls into a round. They have also a Tail by which they swim, but legs indeed they want. Yet about the Solstice, they lose or cast their Tail, having then hinder-legs, and forelegs beginning to strut out. Now there is nothing in the first division of a Chicken into his Head and Spine, that any way resembles this; which should any way induce us to believe that the Chicken is made out of the Chalazae, in manner of a Tadpole.  
To proceed farther in the confutation of this matter, the worth of Fabricius (a man so exceedingly well skilled in Anatomy) forbids: nor indeed is there any great need, since the thing is so evident in our History. He at last concludes, that this his opinion is wondrous old, and was on foot in Aristotle's days. But I rather think the opinion of Ulysses Aldrovandus to be old, by which it is thought, that the Chalazas are the Cocks Treddle, out of which, and by which the chicken is procreated.  
But neither of these opinions is true: for that the Grandines, or Chalazae (the Italians call them Galladura, and our Countrymen the Treddle) do either proceed from the Cock, or are his seed, is a vulgar error, and an old Wife's tale, both heretofore, and in our times.  
The Grandines (saith Aldrovandus) are the Cock's sperm, because no fertile Egg is without them. No nor infertile Egg neither; which he or knew not, or did not declare. And this Fabricius indeed acknowledgeth; but while he denyeth the Cock's seed to enter into the womb, or to be any where found in the Egg; yet he still contends, that the Chalazae, before any other parts of the Egg, are chiefly stocked with fecundity from the power of the Males seed, and do contain a prolifical virtue; though he could not observe that there is no difference or distinction at all between the Chalazae of the barren & the fruitful egg. But seeing he hath granted, that the very rudiments of Eggs in the Vitellary are as well fructified by the Cocks treading, as those Eggs which are encompassed with the white. I suppose the occasion of his so able a man's error was this: It was hitherto (as we have often said) the received opinion of all Philosophers and Physicians, that the Geniture of the Male, or Female, or of both together, was the subject matter in the generation of Animals: out of which residing in the Uterus (after coition) the Animals are generated (in like manner as Plants are made, and spring out of the seeds sown in the ground:) nor was Aristotle much distant from this opinion, who would needs have the menstruous blood to be the woman's, which the Males geniture doth coagulate, and so constitute the conception.  
Now the foresaid Error being granted by all, (for an infallible principle) it is no great wonder, if afterwards (according to every man's particular conjecture) many false opinions do creep in. For they are quite beside their mark, who conceive that after coition some kind of substance or matter doth remain, fit and convenient for the production of the foetus, or first conception; or that any thing else is form in the cavity of the womb, which may be of like use with the seed which is sown in the bowels of the earth. For it is most certain, that in the Uterus of a Hen (and the same thing shall be afterwards evidenced of all females whatsoever) upon coition, nothing is to be discovered, more than was there before.  
And therefore it is clear that Fabricius is out, when he saith, As a Viviparous animal is incorporated of a little quantity of seminal matter, but that which 
pag. 35.  sustaineth him afterward is in a great abundance: so also the little Chalazae are sufficient for the generation of the Chicken; but all the other parts contained in the Egg, serve only for his nourishment.  
By which words he declares, that he conceived such a kind of substance was at hand in the Egg, for constituting the model of the foetus: lest he should seem to recede any thing from the definition of an Egg, delivered by Aristotle; namely, An Egg is that thing, out of part of which an Animal is produced, and the remainder of which becomes the 
Hist. an. l. 3. c. 8. de gen. an. l. 2. c. 1.  nourishment for it when it is produced.  
And this therefore seemed an invincible Argument to Fabricius; Since there are three only parts in the Egg; namely, the White, the Yolk, and the Chalazae: and the two first do only administer nutriment to the Chicken; it must needs be that the Chalazae only are the matter, out of which the Chicken is constituted.  
Thus than it fell out, that this able Anatomist (while he sought in the Egg some convenient matter, out of which to constitute the Chicken) being benighted by a vulgar Heresy, lost his way. And this inconvenience doth likewise befall many men more, who forsaking that light, which the frequent dissection of bodies, and the familiar converse with Nature's self would help them to, do yet persist to make discoveries out of their own conjectures, or some conceived probable arguments, or the Authority of former Writers; when they themselves ought to look into the matter, and assent to it by their own sense. No wonder therefore that infinite errors, which were delivered over by common consent from the first dawning of Antiquity, are handed down even to our times: and that so by that means, men otherwise very ingenious, are egregiously deluded; because they conceive it plentiful satisfaction of mind to them, that they find it in Books, and have their memories well loaded with sage sentences. For they that are thus Philosophers extraduce, by descent and derivation, are just as wise as their own Libraries.  
To conclude therefore, there is in an Egg (as we have often said) no distinct part, or disposed matter, out of which the foetus may be form and fashioned: but as in the seeds of Plants, there is a little point or budding shot out; so is there in an Egg, a small Cicatrice, or Macula, which being inspired with plastical endowments, enlarges itself into the Oculus or Colliquamentum, out of which, and in which, the primordia of the Chicken (namely the Blood and Punctum saliens) are engendered, nourished, and augmented, till they become a complete Chicken. Nor is Aristotle's definition of an Egg true, where he will have it to be that, out of part of which the Chicken is made, and nourished by the rest; unless you understand it thus: An Egg is that, out of part of which a Chicken is framed, not as out of its Matter, but as Vir ex Puero, a Man is made out of a Boy: or thus; An Egg is a perfect conception, out of which the Chicken is said partly to be made, and partly to be nourished: or lastly thus; An Egg is that thing, whose liquors do serve both for the Matter, 
de gen. an. l. 2. c. 4.  and Nourishment of the parts. And in this sense Aristotle teacheth, That the matter of the foetus in women is menstruous Blood, which (while it is poured into the womb by the veins) Nature emploies it to another use; namely, to the use of Generation, that such another creature may be made, as it would have been; for it is already such in potentiâ, in possibility, as the bodies from whence it was separated; that is, the Mothers.   

What the Matter of the Chicken is, and how the Chicken is form in the Egg.  
EXERCIT. XLV.  
SInce therefore the truth cannot, as I suppose, be attained out of the opinions of other men, (whether they be confirmed by either their naked authority, or probable argumentations) unless wary experience be employed in the discovery: we shall declare to you out of Nature's own Volume, and clear Observations, what the Matter of the Foetus is, and how it is form thence.  
I have declared that one thing is made out of another (as out of its Matter) two several ways, and that as well in artificial, as natural Productions, but especially in the Generation of Animals. The First is, when one thing is made of another thing that is pre-existent; and thus a Bedstead is made out of Timber, and a Statue out of a Rock, where the whole Matter of the future fabric was existent and in being, before it was reduced into the subsequent shape, or any tittle of the design begun. But the other way is, when the matter is both made, and receiveth its form at the same time. As therefore Artificial productions are perfected two several ways; one, when the Artificer cuts and divides the matter which is provided to his hands, and so by paring away the superfluous parts, doth leave an Image remaining behind, as the Statuary doth: the other, when the Potter forms the like Image of Clay, by adding more stuff, or augmenting, and so fashioning it, so that at one and the same time, he provides, prepares, fits, and applies his materials: (and in this way an Image or Figure may be rather said to be made, then fashioned) so likewise in the Generation of Animals; some are form and transfigured, out of matter already concocted and grown; and all the parts are made and distinguished together per metamorphosin, by a metamorphosis, so that a complete Animal is the result of that Generation: but some again, having one part made before another, are afterwards nourished, augmented, and form out of the same matter; that is, they have parts, whereof some are before, and some after other, and at the same time, are both form, and grow. Now the Fabric or constitution of these, proceeds from some one part, as from its original, and by the help of that, the other members are produced, and these we say are made per Epigenesin, by a post-generation, or after-production; that is to say, by degrees, part after part; and this is more properly called a Generation, than the former.  
After the former way doth the generation of Infects proceed, as when by a Metamorphosis a Worm is made of an Egg; or as when out of a putrifying matter (the moisture drying, or the dry part growing moist) the primordia or rudiments are generated, out of which (as out of a Canker-worm now grown to its just magnitude, or out of the worm called Aurelia) by a Metamorphosis ariseth a Butterfly, or common Fly in its just magnitude or stature, being nothing augmented since its first birth. But the more perfect Animals which have blood, are made by an Epigenesis, or superaddition of parts, and do grow, and attain their just stature or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, after they are born. In those other, Casus seu Fortuna, Chance or Fortune, seemeth chiefly to promote the generation; in which the form ariseth ex potentiâ materiae prae-existentis, out of the power or potentiality of the pre-existent matter; and the matter is rather the first cause of the Generation, than any external Efficient. And hence it is, that these kind of Animals are more imperfect, and do less continue their kind, or are less durable, then Terrestrial or Aquatile creatures that have Blood, which attain a Perpetuity from an Univocal principle: (that is, from the same Species) the chief cause whereof we ascribe to Nature, and the Vegetative Virtue.  
Some Animals therefore suâ sponte nascuntur, are born of their own accord, out of a Matter digested of itself, or else casually, as Aristotle seems to assert: Whose Matter is capable of mutation of itself, undergoing that mutation by Chance, which seed 
Metaphys. l. 7. c. 9  doth, in the generation of other Animals. And the same thing falls out in the generation of Animals, as in Art: for some things are accomplished by Art, and those very things, by chance too; as Health: and other things again are never produced without Art, as a House.  
Bees, Wasps, Butterflies, and all those creatures, that are generated out of a Worm by a Metamorphosis, are said to be Casu orta, creatures bred by chance, and therefore things not preserving their kind: but a Lion, or a Cock, are never made by chance, or of their own accord, but have their existence from Nature, or a more divine operative faculty; at whose hands they rather require, that it produce a Species like to themselves, then supply a fit Matter.  
In Generation by Metamorphosis, creatures seem to be fashioned like things wrought off with a Mould, or the Print of a Seal; where the whole Matter is transformed. But an Animal produced by Epigenesis, attracts, prepares, concocts, and applies the Matter at the same time, and is at the same time form, and Augmented. In those the Plastical virtue divides the same fimilar Matter, and being divided, disposes, and reduces it into members; out of a similar Matter making a dissimilar; or out of a similar subject Matter, dissimilar Organs. But in these, while it produces divers parts, and those parts diversely disposed, one after another; it requires and makes a divers Matter, and that Matter diversely disposed, or qualified, such as may be convenient to the production of different parts. For which cause we conceive, that the Perfect Egg is constituted and made up of several parts.  
It therefore is clear by our History, that the generation of the Chicken out of the Egg, proceeds rather per Epigenesin, quam per Metamorphosin, by an Epigenesis, then by a Metamorphosis; and that all its parts are not constituted at once, but successively, & in Order; and that while it is augmented it is also form, & while it is form, it is also augmented; as likewise that some parts are superadded to others, and distinguished from others; and that the beginning, increase, and perfection of it do proceed by way of growth, till at the last the Foetus doth result. For the forming Faculty of the Chicken, doth rather acquire, and temper its own Matter, then find its Matter ready tempered, and fitted to its hand; and the Chicken seems more to be framed, and increased by his own self, then by any other. And as all things are increased or nourished by the same things, out of which they are made; so likewise the Chicken is in all likelihood made by the same thing, (be it the Soul, or some faculty of the Soul) by which he is preserved, and sustained. For the same Efficient and Preserver, is found both in the egg & in the Chicken; and out of the same Matter of which it doth constitute the first particle or rudiments of the Chicken, it nourisheth, augmenteth, and superaddeth all the other parts. Lastly, in Generation by Metamorphosis, the whole is distributed and distinguished into parts; but by Epigenesis the whole is constituted, and made of parts, by a certain order and succession.  
Wherefore Fabricius did erroneously seek after the Matter of the Chicken, (as if it were some distinct part of the egg,) which went to the imbodying of the Chicken) as though the Generation of the Chicken were effected by a Metamorphosis, or transfiguration of some collected lump or mass, and that all parts of the body, at least the Principal parts were wrought off at a heat, or (as himself speaks) did arise and were corporated out of the same Matter: and not by Epigenesis, in which an order is observed according to the dignity, and worth, and use of the Parts; where first a small foundation is laid, which at the same time while it doth increase, grows distinct, and form, and so attains all its parts by degrees, according to their proper order, which are supergenerated, and born to it.  
For as the little top or point which jets forth or protuberateth from the acorn, taking heat and increasing, multiplies into a Root, Wood, Sap, Bark, Shoots, Tendrels, Boughs, Blossoms, and Fruits, and at last ariseth into a complete Tree: such is the progress of the Chicken in the Egg; the Cicatricula or small speck, which is in the foundation of the future Pile, increases in Oculum, into an Eye, and at the same instant is distinguished into a Colliquamentum, or dissolved substance, in whose Centre is born the Punctum sanguineum pulsans, the Bloody panting point, together with the Ramifications of the Veins: from these doth by and by result the Nebula, or little cloudy Substance, and first concrete Matter of the future Body, which also as it grows, is divided, and distinguished into parts, but not all at once, but such as give place and eldership to one another.  
To conclude therefore, in the Generation of those Animals, which are produced by Epigenesis, (as the Chicken in the Egg is) we are not to inquire a particular or distinct matter, out of which the productions should be embodied, different from that out of which they are nourished and increased: for it is nourished and increased by the same matter, whereof it is made, and so on the oath hand, the Pullus in the Egg is constituted out of the same matter, by which it is sustained and augmented. And potentiâ animal, an Animal in potentiâ, is one and the same thing, with Alibile and Augmentativum, a creature fed, and augmented in potentiâ, (as we shall show hereafter) and do differ only ipso esse formally, (as Aristotle saith) but otherwise are the very same. For, for as much as this particular thing is, and is convertible into substance, Nutritivum est, it is Nutritive: and for as much as it is quantum, endued with quantity, it is Augmentativum, Augmentative: for as much as it is substituted in the room of a substance that is lost, Nutrimentum appellatur, it is called Nutriment: for as much as it is added to a substance already in being, Incrementum dicitur, it is called Growth. And the same thing is Materia, the Matter in the Generation; Alimentum, the Sustenance in the Nutrition, and Incrementum, the Increase in the Augmentation of the Chicken. But that is formally and simply said to be generated, whereof no part was existent before, but that to be nourished and grow which was, and had an existence or being before. That part of the Foetus which is first made, is said to be begotten or born: that which is substituted or superadded to it, is said to be annate, aggenerate, or born to it. There is in all things the same generation, and transmutation from the same into the same: which is performed in respect of a part, by Nutrition and Augmentation, but in respect of the Whole by Generation: else it is the very same in both. For from whence the first existent matter proceeds, from thence also doth Nutriment and Growth accrue unto it.  
And it shall also appear by that which shall be delivered hereafter, that all Parts of Bodies are nourished by the same Nutritive substance diversely transformed or altered. For as all Plants do indifferently spring, grow, and are sustained from the same Common Nutriment, diversely varied and digested (whether it be Dew, or the juice and moisture of the ground) so likewise out of the same Liquors of the Egg (namely, the White and Yolk) the whole Chicken, and all its parts are procreated and increased.  
We will then also explain, what Animals are begotten by a Metamorphosis: and what kind of pre-existent matter that of the Infects is, which spring from a Worm, out of which, all the parts are together constituted and concorporated, and at last a perfect Animal born, by Transmutation only: as also what Animals have any order and degrees in their production, and have their Parts produced successively: and what kind of creatures they are which are first borne imperfect, but afterwards shoot up, and attain to perfection, as all those that are produced out of an Egg.  
These, as they are together made, and augmented, growing, and transformed; and are by a proposed method and order distinguished into parts; so have they no immediate pre-existent Matter (such as is usually designed them; namely, the commixture of the feminine and masculine seed, or the Menstruous Blood, or some little portion of the egg) out of which the foetus should assume his body; but so soon as ever the Matter is made and provided, it grows also, and takes some shape; so soon as there is a Nutriment, there is a creature to be nourished by it.  
And this Generation is rather by Epigenesis (as a Man is out of a Boy) that is, the fabric and structure of the body is out of the Punctum saliens, as out of its foundation: as out of the Keel the Ship is built: and rather as the Potter forms an Image, without any pre-existent Matter; then out of any subject matter: as the Carpenter forms a Bench out of Board's: and the Statuary a Statue of Marble. For out of the same matter whence the first particle of the Chicken, or its least atom arises, thence also doth the whole Chicken proceed: whence the first small drop of Blood, thence also is the whole stream or current of it generated in the egg: whatsoever gives a consistence or being to the members or organical parts of the body, doth also afford the same to all the similar parts likewise; as, to the Skin, the Flesh, Veins, Membranes, Nerves, Cartilages, and Bones. For that very part which was soft and fleshy, at first, is afterward upon its increase, made a Nerve, Ligament, Tendon, by the same Aliment; that which was only a Membrane, becomes a Coat; and that which was a Gristle, is afterwards advanced into a Skin or Bone; and this by the same similar matter variously altered. For a similar mixed body (which is commonly conceived to be framed out of the Elements) is not made of the Elements first subsisting apart by themselves, and then afterwards compounded, united, and altered, but out of this particular mixed body being altered, another mixed body is born and produced, that is, Of the Colliquamentum is the blood made, of the blood the bulk of the body; which bulk at first doth appear similar, and like the Spermatical Gluten, or clammy substance; but from it the parts are delineated by an obscure indiscernible division at first, but afterwards become organical and distinct.  
Those similar parts, I say, do not arise from the dissimilar, and heterogeneous Elements, united together, but are framed and discriminated by Generations out of a similar substance, and so become dissimilar. As if by the Omnipotents command, or fiat, the whole Chicken were created.  
As thus: let there be a similar White lump, and let that lump or mass be divided into parts, and increased; and while it is increased, let there be a secretion and delineation of the parts; and let this part be harder, thicker, and whiter; and that softer, and well coloured; And it was so. For thus doth the structure of the Chicken in the Egg proceed daily; out of one and the same matter are all its limbs and utensils made, nourished, and augmented. From the Spine first do the Ribs grow out, and the Bones are distinguished from the Flesh, by their most white slender Lines: three Bullae are discernible in the Head, which are all fraught with a Crystalline Water, being the Rudiments of the brain, After-braine, and (as by a sprinkled black streak is employed) of one of the Eyes: The substance which at first resembleth coagulated milk, becomes at last gristly, spinous, and bony: and that which at first was white, and gellyish: passeth at length into a blushing flesh, and Parenchyma. That which was formerly most transparent and pure Water, is transformed anon into the brain, After-braine, and eyes. For there is a far greater, and diviner mystery in Generation, than a bare assembling, altering, and compounding of Parts: for the Whole is made and discovered before its parts; the Mixed body before the Elements. But of this more hereafter; when also its Causes, and Principles come to be assigned.   

Of the Efficient Cause of the Generation of the Chicken, and Foetus.  
EXER. XLVI.  
THus far of the Matter, out of which the Chicken springs in the Egg: it remains now that we inquire a little with Fabricius, concerning the Efficient cause of the Chicken. But because it is a perplexed business, and Authors do no where more cavil and contend; and Aristotle himself is wonderful intricate in explaining it; and also many doubts, not to be despised, do interpose; I conceive it worth the while, (as we have done in making search after the Matter) in the first place to set down, how many ways a thing may be said to be Efficient, or Effective: that so it may more certainly and distinctly appear, what is to be enquired after under the name of Efficient; as also what is to be resolved concerning the opinion of Authors about this matter: and that it may likewise appear out of our own observations, what is to be truly and properly called an Efficient.  
Aristotle defines an Efficient cause, to be that from whence the first beginning of Mutation or Rest proceeds; 
Metaph. l. 3. c. 2. & Phys. l. 2. c. 28.  as an Adviser; a Father; and simply, he that doth a thing, of the thing that is done; that which is the transmutor, of that which is transmuted. Whereupon many and sundry kinds of causes, from whence a motion or mutation doth proceed, are brought and amassed in the Generation of Animals: sometimes an accident, or quality is assigned the Efficient, and so the animal heat, and forming faculty are alleged, as the Efficient. Sometimes an external substance before existent, in which the plastical power, and forming faculty resides; as the father, or the seed of that creature by whose efficacy the Chicken is procreated of the egg. Sometimes some internal substance existent by itself; as the spirit, or Calidum innatum. And sometimes some other substance; as the Form, or Nature, or Soul, or some Vegetative part of the Soul: which kind of principle, we have said, is in the Egg.  
Moreover, because some things from which mutation doth proceed, are nearer causes of it, and some more remote: thereupon sometimes media, the things between the first efficient, and the last effect, and also the Instruments are counted Efficients: as also subordinate ends, or the principles of subsequent things, are ranked amongst efficient causes; and hereupon is it, that some parts are called Genital parts; as the Heart, from which Aristotle affirms the other parts to proceed, as is clear also by our History, I say the Heart, or at lest the rudiment of the Heart; namely, the Vesicula, and Punctum saliens, doth erect and set up the rest of the Body, as a future habitation for itself: and when it is built, takes possession, enlivens, and sways it, and fortifies it with the superaddition of the Ribs, and Breastbone, as with a Bulwark: and becomes, as it were, a Tutelar God, the first chamber that entertains the soul, the first receptacle of the primigenial heat, and the Vestal animal-fire; the source and fountain of all the Faculties, and the only solace in Afflications.  
Again, since the Efficient is so called, in order to the Effect; seeing by Epigenesis some parts are after other in order, and divers also spring from those that are before them: it is therefore probable, that as the Effects, so the Efficients are also divers; which produce divers works, from which also divers mutations do proceed. So Physicians, in the Physiological part of Physic, do constitute some Instruments of Chylification, some of Sanguification, and some of Generation: and some Anatomists, an Ossifical, Carnifical, and a Nervifical faculty; which they depute to make the Bones, the Flesh, and the Nerves.  
But in the Generation of the Chicken, the efficient causes must needs differ, by reason of the several actions relating to it, which differ very much; which, though they may seem Efficientes per accidens, contingent Efficients of Generation, yet are they necessarily required, since nothing could be done without their associate aid. For while they remove external Impediments, or do cherish, or awaken the conception, and de potentiâ in actum deducunt, raise it from possibility into actual being, they are justly styled efficients. And in this Roll, the Incubation of the Hen, the temper and warmth of the Place, and Air, the Springtime, and the approach of the Sun by the Zodiac, may be well listed: as also the preparing causes, which cause the Yolk to ascend, the Macula to be dilated, and the resolution, or melting of the humours in the Egg, may be mustered amongst efficients.  
And then the Generative and Architectonical faculties, which Fabricius calls parts, are to be numbered with the efficient causes; as, the Immutatrix, Concoctrix, Formatrix, & Auctrix, the Altering, Concocting, Forming, and Augmenting faculty; as also those causes that are efficients in the Accidents relating to the Chicken, as that, by which the Chicken is either a Cock or a Hen, resembling the He or Shee-parent: and that in relation to the form of the Cock which was concerned in the former, or latter coition: whence it comes to pass that the Chicken is an animal, and that an entire one, and not dismembered, sturdy, and sound, not diseased, and crazy, but a long liver; and retaining the Species, or degenerating from it; or proves a Monster, or of a mixed race.  
Lastly, since in treating of the efficient cause of the foetus, we discover the notable structure of it, and the actions, functions, uses, and benefits of all the parts and members, and with what prudence, skill, and judgement, by how divine an inspiration all things are managed, and artificially composed for the advantage of Life: we must not only amuse ourselves in enquiring, which is the Efficient, Architect, and Projector, but also adore, and admire the Omnipotent Author and Preserver of so great a Fabric (as justly merits the title of a Microcosm.) We also inquire, when, and whence it proceedeth; and where this divine Vicar, and Viceroy of the deity, which is analogous to the substance of Stars, and near allied to Art, and Intellect, takes up its residence, and keeps its Court.  
It is apparent therefore by what hath been said, that it is a difficult thing to enumerate all the efficient causes of the Pullus: and we must needs refer the fuller disquisition of the thing to a general consideration; nor is it possible to treat fully and profitably of those things which agree to all in general, out of the single generation of the Chicken (without a clearer light borrowed by experience from other Animals.) And that the rather, because Aristotle himself hath recounted so many various efficient principles of Animals: For sometimes he ordains 
a Metaphys. 1. 2. & 4. 1.  the Male the chief efficient cause, as in whom the Ratio pulli, the Reason or ground of the Made Chicken consists: according to that, 
b Meta. 7. 10.  all things are made by the same Univocal. Sometimes, 
c De par. an. 1. 1.  the Males seed: or 
d De gen. an. 1. 20.  the Nature of the Male ejecting seed. Sometimes, 
e Ibid. l. 2. c. 3.  that which is in the seed, causing seed to be fruitful; namely, the Spirit, and the nature in that Spirit, answerable in proportion to the substance of the Stars. Else where, 
f l. 5. c. 3.  heat, 
g l. 4. c. 2.  moderate heat, 
h l. 4. c. 4.  a certain proportionable degree of heat, 
i De par. an. 2. 2.  the heat in the Blood; and in some places, the heat of the Ambient Aire. Likewise 
k De gen. an. 4. 2.  the Winds, the Sun, the Heavens, Jupiter, the Soul, and in general, Nature, which is the Principle of Motion and Rest. And so by the same rule, Any of the Stoics, who thought the Soul to be fire, may decree fire the efficient cause of Animals; because fire doth nourish and augment itself, and seems in some sort to live at its own dispose 
De gen. & corrup. l. 2. c. 30.  and liberty: though not our destructive culinary fire, but the Natural, Celestial, Vegetative, 
De gen. an. l. 2. c. c.  Generating, and Healthy fire, which the Heathen worshipped by the name of Jupiter, whom they called the Father of Men and Things; not his lame Brother Vulcan, (whose aid and benefit we notwithstanding daily use in several employments to our great advantage) but the divine, Animal Spirit, the Author of Living creatures.  
And therefore Aristotle saith, That this question concerning the Efficient is very dubious; namely, Whether it be an extrinsical thing, or something inserted in the Geniture or Seed: and Whether it be a part of the soul, or the soul, or something which hath a soul.  
Wherefore that we may deliver and rid ourselves of the maze and labyrinth of the manifold Efficient causes, in this disquisition of the Efficient of the Chicken, we have need of Ariadne's Clew, woven and cunningly wrought of the Observations of almost all Creatures living. And therefore it is to be deferred to a more general Inquest. In the mean time, we shall recount those things, which relating to the particular generation of the Chicken out of the egg, do manifestly appear, or are strangers to the common persuasion, or else do require any further search.   

How the Efficient cause of the Chicken doth operate, according to Aristotle.  
EXERCIT. XLVII.  
ALl men generally confess the Male to be the primary efficient cause in Generation; as in whom the Species or Form resides: And they farther affirm, that his Geniture being emitted in coition doth cause both the being, and fertility of the Egg. But how the seed of the Cock doth produce the chicken out of the Egg, neither the Ancient nor Modern Philosophers and Physicians have sufficiently explained, nor yet solved the question proposed by Aristotle. Nay Aristotle himself hath not done it. He saith, The Male doth not conduce to the Quantity, but the Quality; and is Principium Motûs, the 
De gen. an l. 1. c. 20.  Principle of Mutation; but the Female contributes the matter. And a while after: Every Male doth not emit seed, nor is it any part of the Foetus, in those that do emit it: As nothing which passeth from the Carpenter contributes to the matter of the Wood; nor is there any part of the Carpenter's art in that which is made, but the form and species doth exist in the matter per motum ab illo, by the motion or mutation which proceeds from him. Now the soul in which the form and knowledge is, moves the hands, or other members, by the motion of a certain quality; which motion is either divers, in such as make a divers thing, or the same in such as make the same. But the hands and instruments move the matter. So the Nature of the Male which emitteth seed, employs that seed, as an Instrument, and having motion actually in it, as in the productions of Art the Instruments are moved; for in them, in some sort, the motion of Art is implanted.  
By which words he seems to imply, that Generation is made by the motion of a certain Quality. As in Art, though the first cause (namely ratio operis, the reason or ground of the work) be in the soul of the Artist; yet afterward the work is effected by the motion of the hands, or other Instruments; and though the first cause be removed (as in automatis, things that seem to move of themselves) yet is it in some sort said to move that, which at present it doth not touch, but hath touched formerly, so long as the motion goes on in the Instruments.  
And in the following Book he hath these words: The seed of the Male when now it hath access 
Lib. 2. c. 4.  into the womb of the Female, it doth coagulate, and cause a consistence in the purest part of the excrement (meaning the menstruous blood residing in the womb) and doth transmute the matter which lies ready in the womb by such a motion or mutation, that at last, though the seed vanish after the motion is performed, some part of the foetus is existent, and that an animate part (as the heart) which now doth augment and dispose itself, as a Son who is free from his Father, and hath taken a house of his own. It is necessary therefore that there be some principle by which afterwards the order of the members may be delineated, and all things disposed, which pertain to the absolution and compliment of the Animal; and from which growth and motion may arrive to the rest of the parts, and be the author of all the similar and dissimilar parts, and of their last aliment. For that which is now an Animal, doth increase; but the last aliment of the Animal is blood, or something proportionable to blood, whose vessels and receptacles are the Veins. Now the principle or original of the veins is the Heart. But the Veins like Roots extend even to the womb, by which the Foetus draweth his aliment. The Heart also being the beginning of the whole nature, and also the containing End, aught to be made first, as being a genital part of its own nature; which must needs be the first, as the original of the rest, and of the whole Animal, and of Sense: in whose heat (because all the parts are in the matter potentially) since the principle of motion did abide, that which follows afterwards, is stirred up by it, as in those self-moving miracles; and the parts are moved, not shifting their places, but altering in softness, hardness, heat, and other distinctions of similar parts, being now actually made, which were potentially before.  
This is Aristotle's opinion almost word for word, by which he conceives the foetus to be made of seed by motion; though it do not at present continue touching it, but hath touched it formerly: a nice opinion, and of a fine thread; and according to those things which are discovered in the order of the generation of the parts, not improbable. For the heart, together with the ramifications of the Veins, is discerned first; as being an animate principle, in which both sense and motion reside; and being also like a free Son, and a Genital part, by which the order of the member is delineated, and all things conducing to the accomplishment of an Animal, are disposed, and having all those attributes which Aristotle bestows upon it.  
But it seems impossible that the heart should be made in the egg by the males seed; since that seed is neither in the egg, nor doth touch, nor ever did touch it: because it neither enters the womb (where the egg is made) as Fabricius confesseth, nor is any way attracted by it; and besides this, the mother's blood is not in the egg neither, nor any other prepared matter, out of which the males seed might form this first genital part, the author of all the rest. Nor yet presently upon coition (while the seed as yet remains within, and is tangent) doth any particle of the chicken exist, but many days after, upon Incubation. And it is likewise improbable too, that in fishes, where the males geniture only toucheth the egg on the outside, but doth not enter into it, that the geniture should have any more operation and power upon it, (since it is merely an external Agent) than the Cock's seed hath upon the Hen's eggs which are now perfectly form.  
Again, since presently after coition there is no tract of the egg extant, but that it is afterwards generated by the Hen by herself, and that prolifical too, when now the Cock's seed is clean gone and vanished; it is unlikely that the foetus should be made by that seed in that egg, by one single motion, or by successive motions.  
Nor do prolifical eggs differ from improlifical, and subventaneons in this, that the former contain the Cock's seed (as Aldrovandus would have it;) nor is there found any thing done or coagulated in the egg by the seed of the male, or any sensible alteration made, (for there is no sensible difference at all between a prolifical, and an addle egg) and yet a prolifical, which is conceived a long time after coition, contains in it the power of both Sexes, and the capacity of being made, and of making a chicken: as if it had deduced its original from the coition of both Sexes, and their consent and conspiring together in one, as Aristotle would have it; 
De gen. an. l. 1 c. 18.  who being pressed by that argument, (as we have declared before concerning the generation of the egg) did constitute a soul in the egg; which if it be there, must without scruple be the principle and efficient, of all those things which are naturally met with in the egg. For it is most certain, What thing soever at last it prove which doth procreate the chicken out of the egg, (in whose fabric so much skill, so divine contrivance and providence is required; fitting eyes for sight, the bill for reception of the meat, the feet for walking, the wings for flight, and all the other Utensils for some employment or other) that it is either a soul, or else something more worthy and excellent than a soul, working by wisdom and providence.  
And by the generation of the chicken it is also manifest, that whatsoever be the principium vitae, the first cause of life, and vegetation, was first of all in the heart. Wherefore, if it be the soul of the Chicken, it is plain that it also was in the Punctum saliens, and in the Blood; because we discover motion & sense there: for it moves and dances like an Animal; so that if the soul do exist in the Punctum saliens, building, nourishing, and enlarging the rest of the body, (as we have showed in our History) Than it flows from the Heart as from the Springhead into the whole body.  
Likewise if the Egg be therefore Prolifical because 
de gen. an. l. 2. c. 4.  it hath a soul, or (as Aristotle would have it) a part of the Vegetative soul; it is plain, that the Punctum saliens, and the Genital animate part, do proceed from the Soul of the egg; (for nothing is the Author of itself) and that the soul is derived from the egg into the Punctum saliens, by and by into the Heart, and at length into the Chicken.  
Add to these, if the egg have a prolifical virtue, and Vegetative soul, by which it erects a Pullus; and do owe them (as it is plain it doth, and all men confess it) to the seed of the Cock; it is then certain that this Seed is Animate: For so Aristotle: Whether the seed have a soul or no; there is the same reason 
Ibid. l. 2. c. 1.  to be given for it as for the Parts. For no soul can be in any thing but in that whose soul it is; nor can there be any part which is not partaker of the soul: unless it be an aequivocal part, as the eye of a dead man. That therefore the seed hath a soul, and a being in potentiâ, is clear.  
It therefore follows out of what hath been said, that the Male is the Primary Efficient, in which Ratio, & forma, the Reason and Form is; which Efficient begets a prolifical seed, or Geniture rather, and that Geniture endowed with a Vegetative soul, (with which also its other parts are endowed) he doth transmit into the female. This Geniture being transmitted, it moveth the Matter in the Hen, that so an Animate egg may be produced; by which means the first particle of the Chicken is animated, and afterwards the whole Chicken. So that according to Aristotle, either the same soul is conveied by a Metempsychosis, from the Cock into his Geniture, from his Geniture into the substance of the Hen, from thence into the egg, and from the egg into the Chicken; or else is raised up in the subsequent by the precedent things, namely by the Male, in his proper seed; by the seed, in the egg: and at last by the egg, in the Chicken, tanquam lumen de lumine, as light derived from light.  
The Efficient therefore which is sought for in the egg, from whence the Chicken is born, is a soul; and the soul of the Egg: for according to Aristotle, the soul is only in that thing, whose soul it is.  
But it is manifest that the Seed of the Male is not the Efficient of the Chicken, neither an Instrument, by whose motion the Chicken might be form, (as Aristotle would have it) nor as an Animate substance, as if the soul were its soul. For in the egg there is no seed at all, either now touching it, or that ever did touch it, (and it is impossible that that should move, which doth not touch; 
Ibid.  or that any thing should be affected by that, which doth not move it) and therefore the seeds soul ought not to be said to be in it. And yet though the soul be the Efficient in the Egg, yet it doth not appear to be derived rather from the Cock, or his seed, then from the Hen.  
Nor is it transferred by a Metempsychosis, or certain translation of the soul from the Cock and his seed, into the egg, and thence into the Chicken? For how can it be translated into the Eggs that are yet to come, and to be conceived after Coition? Unless some Animate Seed do lurk in the Hen all the while; or else the soul only without seed be translated, that so it may be afterwards infused into the Egg when the Egg shall be made. But neither of these is true. For the seed is no where found in the Hen: nor is it possible that the Hen should after Coition possess two souls; namely, her own, and the soul of the future eggs, and Chickens: for the soul is never said to be, but in that whose soul it is: much less can one, or more souls lie lurking in the Hen, that so they may attend the future eggs and chickens which are to be born in their order.  
We have deduced these passages out of Aristotle, that from them it might appear, how the Cock's seed doth, according to him, produce the Chicken out of the Egg, that so some light might be afforded to this perplexed disquisition. But seeing they do not explain how this business is accomplished, nor yet salve his own objections; we are still sticking in the same mire, and involved in the same doubts, (concerning the Efficient cause of the Foetus, in the Generation of Animals) nay so far are we from receiving any clear satisfaction, that we are rather more perplexed, and to seek, than we were before. And therefore no wonder this excellent Philosopher was in the straits concerning this matter, and did therefore range together so many several sorts of efficient causes of Animals, and sometims betake himself to examples drawn from Automata, things seeming to move of themselves, sometimes to coagulatedmatter, sometimes to Art, Instruments, and Motion; sometimes to the soul in the egg, and in the seed of the Male, (to illustrate the thing) and where he seems to be positive and settle upon some determination, concerning what it may be, that should render the Seed, (be it of Plants, or Animals) fertile; he renounces Heat and Fire, as improper Agents; nor doth he admit any such like faculty; nor can he find out any thing in the seed itself, which should be fit for the undertaking; but is compelled to admit of a certain Incorporeal extrinsical thing, which should (like Art, or the Mind) form the foetus by wisdom and providence, and ordain and institute all things relating to it, to some end and purpose, and to its better subsistence. He takes, I say, sanctuary, in an obscure and ignote thing; namely, in a spirit contained in the seed and frothy substance, and a certain nature in that spirit answerable in proportion to the substance of the Stars. But what that should be, he no where reveals.   

Fabricius his Opinion concerning the Efficient cause of the Chicken is confuted.  
EXERCIT. XLVIII.  
SInce I have proposed Aristotle, the chiefest of the old Philosophers, and Hieronymus Fabricius ab Aquapendente, an eminent Anatomist amongst the Modern, to be my Leaders, that from them I might chiefly be enlightened concerning the generation of Animals, and since I cannot better myself by Aristotle, I have resolved to set upon Fabricius, to see what account he can give of it.  
Now he attempts to give resolution to three doubts arising in the case: namely, First, What is the Efficient of the Chicken? and that he concludes to be the Males seed. 2. How this appears in the egg to be so, and by what means the Cock's seed doth rinder the egg fertile? Lastly, In what Order are the parts of the Chicken procreated?  
As for the first, it appears out of our Observations, that the Cock and his seed are indeed the Efficicient cause of Generation, but not the adequate cause; but that the Hen also comes in for a share.  
In this place therefore we must chiefly inquire, how the Cock's seed doth fructify the Egg, and raise a Chicken out of it, which would else be subventaneous, and improlifical.  
But let us give ear to Fabricius: Those creatures, 
pag. 38.  saith he, that are produced out of an egg, are different from those which are born out of seed; in this, that Oviparous creatures have a matter, out of which the Chicken is corporated, distinct and separate from the Agent: but Viviparous creatures have both the material and efficient cause adjoined, and concorporated together. For the Agent in Oviparous creatures, is the seed of the Cock in the feathered kind, which neither is, nor can be in the Egg: but the matter out of which the Chicken is corporated, is the Chalaza. These two are much distant one from another; for the Chalaza is in the Yolk now form, and fallen into the second Uterus, and is adjoined intimately to the egg: on the contrary, the Cock's seed remains near the fundament, and is removed from the Chalaza by a large chasm, and yet by its irradiating faculty it fructifies both the Uterus, and all the egg. But in a Viviparous animal, the seed is both the Matter, and the Efficient too, both being contracted into one body.  
He seems to have introduced this difference between Oviparous and Viviparous Animals; that so he might countenance the opinion of Physicians concerning the Generation of Man, or at least not subvert it; who conceive that the seeds of both Sexes, ejected together in coition are mingled, and according as the one prevails over the other, so the one approves itself the Efficient, and the other submits itself to become the Matter; so that they both conspiring together, do constitute the conception in Viviparous Animals.  
But when he had observed, that neither Seed nor Blood is attracted by means of coition into the womb of the Hen, nor contained there, and could not believe, that any thing emitted from the cock in coition, could possibly arrive so far, nor could find any thing in the Egg, that is adjoined to the males seed, he was enforced to doubt, how the seed (which is no where present with, nor mingled amongst the feminine geniture, nor is adjoined to it, nor doth so much as touch it at all) should constitute the Chicken, or fructify the Egg? especially when he had before delivered, that from some premised coitions, all the eggs that were to be laid that year, were made prolifical. For how could it choose but seem impossible, that from the seed of the cock received in the Spring (but now departed, lost, and consumed) the posthume eggs (laid possibly in Summer or Autumn) should be rendered fruitful, and produce chickens?  
That he might rid his hands of this grand difficulty, he coined the foresaid distinction; and to ratify his opinion, he adds three farther Assertions: First, that though the cock's seed were neither in the Egg, nor at any time in the Womb, nor adjoined to the material cause, (as it is in Viviparous Animals) yet it continues for a whole year in the hen. Secondly, to reserve this seed in, he invents a dark perforation, near the door of the Womb, wherein the cock should deposit his seed, and in which (as in a pouch) it should be concluded; that thence all the eggs might receive their fertility. Lastly, though the seed in that pouch, neither touch the womb, the egg, nor the Ovary, that by that means it might fructify the egg, or raise a Chicken out of it; yet, he saith, that it gains addresses into the very egg, by the insinuation, or irradiation of a certain spiritual substance in it, and by those arts doth fructify the Chalazae, and so model a Chicken. And yet by that assertion lie seems to confirm Aristotle's opinion (who assures us that the female contributes the matter, and the male the efficiency to generation) which is contrary to the Physician's position concerning the commixture of seeds: for whose sake he seems to have introduced his foresaid distinction between Oviparous, and Viviparous Animals. And that this his opinion may seem more probable, he recites what changes and alterations the seed reserved in the Testicles and seminary Vesicles, not yet emitted, doth procure in Animals.  
But to take no notice that all this makes little to his purpose: (for the question in chief is not, How the Cock's seed doth render the egg fertile? but rather, How it doth frame and erect a Chicken out of the Egg?) all those things which he hath conjured up to guard his opinion, seem for the most part false, or very suspicious; as appears by our Observations delivered in this History. For neither is that blind perforation in the root of the rump (which he calls the purse, or pouch) destined to cupboard up the Cock's seed, nor is there (as we have said) any seed at all found in it: but it is an empty unprovided thing both in the Cock, and Hen.  
But what he would have by his spiritual substance, and irradiation, he is yet to acquaint us, as also what substance he understands that to be, which he affirms, doth by its virtue vivify the egg, Whether a corporeal, or formal substance, which should proceed from the irradiation of the seed, (which lies at roost in the pouch) and (which is chiefly required) should fashion the Chicken out of the egg.  
To conclude, in my mind, he saith no more in substance then this: It makes the Chicken, because it irradiates the Egg; and forms it, because it vivifies it: and so he labours to reveal and illustrate the obscure manner of formation, by one more obscure than itself. For the same scruple returns entire; namely, how the Cock's seed, a mere nontangent, an external efficient, and disjoined by place, remaining in the pouch, can fashion the interior parts (that is, the Heart, Liver, Lungs, and Guts, etc.) in the egg out of the Chalazae, by Irradiation? Unless he will have it sitting in its chair of State, like the Creator of all, only by this word of common, Fiant, Let all things be so; (namely the Bones for Support, the Muscles for Motion, the Organs for Sense; the Members for Action, the entrails for Concoction, and the like) and so order, and by its beams or influence constitute all things to their proper end, with providence, wisdom, and art. For neither doth Fabricius expound the manner, nor yet demonstrate the seed to be of such force and virtue, that (without coming near) it can effect all this; especially since an egg can, by Incubation of a stranger fowl, or any other fostering warmth; as in dung, in a mat, or an oven, though never so remote from the pouch of its own mother-hen, be quickened, and produce a foetus.  
The same difficulty therefore lies still upon our hands; namely, How the Cock's seed is the Efficient cause of the Chicken? nor is it any whit salved by the influence of this spiritual substance. For though we should grant, that the seed is reserved in the purse, and that by a Metamorphosis, and Irradiation, it did corporate the chicken out of the Chalazae: yet the scruple would stick no less by us; namely, How the entrails of the Chicken are modelled. But these things are long since confuted by us.  
Wherefore, when we are in quest of the efficient cause of the Chicken, we must look for it in the Egg, and not dormant in a pouch; and for such a one, which, though the egg now grown stale, were distant many miles from the Hen, and laid under an other Hen (as a Turkey-hen, or African-hen) to be hatched; or (as in Egypt) under warm sand, or dung, or in an Oven proper for the purpose, would still raise up a chicken, of the same species, and very like the Cock and Hen that were its natural parents; or else (in case the Cock were of a different kind) a mongrel offspring, of a mixed species, and resemblance.  
Wherefore the knot remains to be united, which neither Aristotle nor Fabricius have loosened; namely, How the seed of the Male, or Cock, doth produce the chicken out of the egg, or is to be named the Efficient cause of the chicken, especially, since it is neither present, tangent, nor adjoined to the Egg? And though almost all men conclude, that the Male, and its seed are the Efficient cause of the Foetus; no man yet hath sufficiently declared, how it can be done, especially in our Hen-egg.   

The Efficient cause of the Chicken, is hard to be found out.  
EXER. XLIX.  
THe disquisition of the Efficient is exceeding difficult; (as we have said) and that the rather, because so many names are attributed to it. Whereupon Aristotle doth recount very many efficient causes of Animals: And many controversies are risen amongst authors; chiefly, between Physicians and Aristotelians, who contend very earnestly about it; endeavouring by different opinions to explain both the Efficient cause, and the manner of its Efficiency.  
And indeed the Omnipotent Creator, doth in none of his works more manifestly reveal the presence of his Deity, then in the Fabric and Structure of Animals. And though it be a known thing, subscribed by all, that the foetus assumes its original and birth from the Male and Female, and consequently that the Egg is produced by the Cock and Hen, and the Chicken out of the Egg: yet neither the Schools of Physicians, nor Aristotle's discerning Brain, have disclosed the manner, how the Cock and its seed, doth mint and coin the Chicken out of the Egg. For it is evident enough, by what we have delivered, concerning the Generation of Oviparous Animals, and others, that neither the Opinion of Physicians, deducing Generation from the mixture of the Seeds of both Sexes, nor Aristotle's neither, establishing the seed of the Male for the Efficient, and the Menstruous Blood for the material Cause, are to be embraced: because that neither in Coition, nor presently upon Coition, any thing doth part from the Female into the Cavity of the Uterus; out of which, as out of the Matter, any thing relating to the Foetus should be suddenly produced: nor doth the Geniture of the Male (whether it be animate itself, or an animate Instrument) enter into the Womb, or is attracted thither, or any where else reserved in the Female, but doth either vanish, or retract: nor is there any thing else to be found in the Uterus presently after Coition, which issuing either from the Male or Female, may be fancied to be the Matter or Original of the future Foetus. Nor is the Cock's seed surviving in Fabricius his Pouch, or any where else in the Hen; that thence, either by the irradiation and influence of spiritual substance, or by contact the egg is made, or a Chicken out of the Egg. Nor doth the Hen contribute any other seed, than the Papulae, the Yolk, and the Egg. And therefore the contemplation is rendered more intricate by our Observations; because by them all those suppositions, upon which both the other opinions were supported, are thrown down to the ground. But especially, when we shall anon demonstrate, that all Animals are alike generated out of an Egg; and that in Coition (whether of Viviparous, Brutes, or Men) no Seed or Blood, proceeding from either Male or Female, is entertained in the Hollow of the Womb, or drawn up thither before Coition, or in Coition, or after Coition is found in the Womb, which may be conceived to be the Matter Efficient, or Principle of the future Foetus.  
Daniel Sennertus, a late learned Man, and a careful Inquirer into Nature, having first balanced other men's opinions, attempts at last to resolve the business; concluding that the Soul is in the Seed, and that it is the very same Soul with that, which afterwards informs the Infant: so that he makes no scruple to affirm that the Rational soul of man, is present in his Seed: and that therefore the Egg possesses the Soul of the Chicken: and that the soul is conveied with the Seed into the Womb of the Female: and from that seed of both Sexes conjoined (as one flame to another) but not mixed (for mixture, saith he, respects things of divers Species) but endowed with a soul, a perfect Animal doth result. And therefore, saith he, the Seed of both Sexes is required, both to the constitution of an Infant, and of an egg. And thus, (like one that had subdued all difficulties) He conceives, he hath delivered a certain and perspicuous Truth.  
But, granting that there is a Soul in the egg, and that soul united and made up of the souls of the Parents, and sometimes proceeding from Parents of of several kinds, as from a Mare and an Ass, from a Dunghil-Hen and a Cock-Pheasant; and that it is not Mixed, but United; and that the Chicken (after the manner of the Seed of Vegetables) is made by that efficient soul, being afterwards preserved by it, all its life long: so that it be counted absurd to affirm, that the foetus is cherished by one soul out of the Uterus, or egg; and by another in the Uterus or egg: suppose, I say, we grant all this (though it be invalid, and doubtful) yet our History of the Generation out of the Egg, doth utterly subvert, and confute as false the very foundation and basis upon which all his doctrine leans, and relies: Which is this, That the egg is constituted of the Seed of Cock and Hen: or, that the seed is transmitted from both into the Uterus: or that the foetus, or any part of it is form of the seed so entertained by the womb, or cast into it: or, that the seed of the Cock (as an Efficient cause, or Operator) is any where reserved in the Hen, which (as he conceives) draws matter and nutriment from her into the Womb, to support the foetus which it hath made. For the conditions which he himself according to Aristotle reputes necessary, will be found wanting: namely, that the foetus ought to be made of that which actually is in being, and doth pre-exist: and that the Chicken is nourished by that which is present with it, and in the same place where itself is first constituted: As also, that it should be made by that which doth operate being immediately conjoined to it; and aught to be the same thing, by which the chicken is preserved, and augmented all its life-time. For the cock's seed (whether Animate, or Inanimate, it matters nothing) is not at all in the Egg, not in the Uterus, present, and conjoined; nor in the matter whence the chicken is framed, as neither in the Chicken itself now begun, that so it may either frame, or perfect it.  
He miscarries likewise, when he goes about to illustrate his opinion concerning the Animal seed, by allusion to that of Plants, and Mast: because he did not understand the difference alleged by Aristotle, between the Geniture proceedings by coition, and the first conception made out of both Sexes; nor did observe that an egg might be first conceived in the Cluster of the Vitellary (without the translation of any Geniture from Male and Female into the Uterus.) Nor did he apprehend that the Uterus, even for some time after Coition, is quite void of any matter at all, either transmitted from the Parents, or made by Coition, or occasioned any other way. Nor had he read, or at least observed Fabricius his experiment; namely, that after some Coitions of the Cock, the Hen may be so fructified, that from that time for the whole succeeding year she may lay all Prolifical Eggs: though she have not in the interim conversed with the cock, whereby each particular egg might receive fecundity; nor yet retained so long the seed she formerly received.  
This is agreed upon by universal consent; that all Animals whatsoever, which arise from Male and Female, are generated by the coition of both Sexes; and so begotten as it were per contagium aliquod, by a kind of contagion. In like manner as Physicians observe, that contagious diseases (as the Leprosy, the Pox, the Plague, and Pthisick) do propagate their infection, and beget themselves in bodies yet sound and untouched, merely by an extrinsical contact; nay sometimes only by the breath, and per 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, by inquination; and that at a distance, through an inanimate medium, and that medium no way sensibly altered. So that, that which had the first touch, begets an Univocal like itself, not as touching at this instant, nor yet now actually in being, nor as present, or conjoined, but merely because it once hath touched. Of so great operation and energy is Contagion. And perhaps the same thing obtains in the Generation of Animals. For Fish's eggs, which acquire their growth abroad at their own dispose, without any Male-seed, (and therefore do without all doubt live without it) being besprinkled with the Males prolifical milky substance, and only tinctured from without, do generate fishes. 'tis not, I say, an intromission, or intimate reception of the masculine seed into each particular egg, which sets it a work about the fabric of bodies, or introduces the soul, but a bare contact. Whereupon Aristotle calls lac maris, the Males milk, or 
Hist. an. l. 6. c. 13.  genital seed cast into water, sometimes genital, and propagating liquor: and sometimes Vital Venom. For saith he, The Masculine fish sprinkles the eggs with genital seed, and those eggs which that Vitale Virus, Vital or quickening Venom touches, out of them are born fishes. It being therefore laid down as an undoubted principle, that the foetus is made by Contagion, there will a weighty doubt arise; namely, how bare Contagion can be the author of so great a work? and how the parents can by that generate issues like themselves; or the males seed produce an Univocal like that creature from which it proceeded? since after contact it bids adieu, and is no longer in being, or touching, or present at all, but clean corrupted, and a Nonens. How, say I, can a Nonens act? or a Non-tangens erect a fabric like itself? or that which is dead itself, impart a life to another thing, and merely upon this account, that the time was when it did touch.  
For Aristotle's argumentation seems false, or 
de gen. an. l. 1. c. 6.  lame at least, where he contends: That Generation cannot be without an Agent and a Patient: and those things cannot act and suffer, which do not mutually touch each other: but those things do mutually touch, which having each their particular magnitude and place apart, have their extremities meeting one another.  
But since the case is plain, that Contagion (where the things touch not, nor have their extremities kissing one another) can destroy living creatures, what should hinder, but that it should be as powerful, to conduce to the life and generation of animals.? The Efficient in an Egg, by a plastical virtue (because the male did but only touch, though he now be far from touching, and have no extremity reached out towards it) doth frame and set up a foetus in its own species and resemblance. And this author of fecundity, this piercing power is translated through so many mediums or instruments, that one cannot pattern it, neither by that mutation procured by instruments (as in the productions of Art) nor by Aristotle's Automata, nor our Clocks or Watches; nor by the instance of a King in his own dominions, where his command is every where a law; nor can you ratify this our doctrine, by introducing a soul into the seed or geniture.  
And hereupon many controversies, and problems are started concerning the attractive power of the Loadstone and Jet: concerning Sympathy, and Antipathy, concerning Poison, and the contagion of pestilential diseases: concerning Alexipharmacal Medicines, and such as cure or kill from an occult (or rather ignote) quality and propriety: all which seem to execute their pleasures without any touching. And chiefly this. What is there in generation, that by a momentany touch (nay not touching at all, unless through the sides of many mediums) can orderly constitute the parts of the Chicken by an Epigenesis, and produce an Univocal creature, and its own like? and for no other reason, but because it touched heretofore. How, I say, can that which is not present, and did only touch outwardly, constitute, orderly dispose and limne all the members of the Chicken, in an egg which is now exposed to the wide world, and oftentimes transported a great way off. For nothing can make and generate itself into another's likeness.   

What the Efficient cause of Animals is; and what its Conditions.  
EXERCIT. L.  
THat therefore we may in some proportion dive into the knowledge of the efficient cause, (so far forth as concerns our present contemplation) we must take notice first of the Instruments or Mediums which pertain to the efficient or forming cause: and into this rank is the Male and Female for to be reduced, likewise the Geniture, and the egg, and its first rudiment. For some males (and females too) are barren, or unfruitful. And likewise the males geniture is sometimes more, and sometimes less fertile: for the Semen Virile as it is barely contained in the Seminal Vesicles (except it be rarified into froth by the spirits, and forceably leap out) is unfruitful. And this too, possibly is not always successful. Nor are the Papulae, or Yolks bred in the Cluster of the Ovary, or the Eggs contained in the Womb, all presently fruitful.  
Now I call that fruitful, which (except some impediment happen from without) will attain its designed end, by the efficient power implanted in it, and compass that, for whose sake it is ordained. So that Cock is reputed fertile, who causes his Hens to lay oftener, and more constantly, and also renders their eggs generative.  
So likewise that Hen is fruitful, which is useful in laying eggs, and hath a good retention in order to the prolifical virtue imparted to her from the Cock. So the Cluster of the Papulae, and Ovary itself are counted fertile, when they are well fraught with store of rudiments and foundations of eggs, and those mature.  
Likewise that egg is fertile, which is farthest from being subventaneous or addle, and doth less fail in producing a Chicken, howsoever you dispose of it, either to Incubation, or any other fostering-heat.  
Therefore such an efficient of the Chicken is required, as may impart virtue to all these, by which they may be fructified, and obtain an efficient power; for the same thing, or at least something proportionable to it, is in them all, bestowing fecundity upon them. And the Inquiry is the same, namely, what it is in the Egg, that renders it fertile: what in the Ovary, and what in the Papula; likewise what in the female, and lastly in the seed and Cock himself, etc. What in the Blood, and Punctum saliens, or first genital particle, from whence afterwards the rise, fabric, and order of all the other parts is derived: as also, what is it in the Chicken itself, from whence it grows sturdy and active, attains its youth and maturity, lives a healthy life, and a long.  
Nor is that inquiry unlike this, which demands, what both male, and female (Cock and Hen) confer to the fertile egg; or what it is which proceeds from both, towards the perfection and similitude of the chicken; as whether the egg, conception, matter, and nutriment proceed from the female, and the Operative virtue from the male; whether a certain contagion sent forth by coition, or created by it, or received from it, remaining in the Hen or Eggs, work upon the matter of the egg; or attract a nutriment from the Hen, concocting and distributing it, to the increase of the egg, and afterwards to the production of the chicken: Or lastly, whether all that which relates to the form, soul, and fecundity, do proceed from the male; but from the female, whatever relates to the matter, constitution, place, and sustenance. For in animals (whose Sexes are distinct) it is so contrived, that because the female cannot alone generate, nourish, & protect the foetus, the male is joined as yoke-fellow in the task (as the Superior, and more eminent progenitor) to supply her failings; and so to correct the infirmity of the Subventaneous eggs, and inspire them with fertility.  
For as a chicken born of an egg, is indebted to that egg for his body, soul, and principal or genital part: So is the egg for all it has, to the Hen; and the Hen also for her fecundity to the Cock.  
But whether the male be the first and principal cause of the progeny, or whether the male and the female are intermediate and Instrumental causes set a-work by nature, or the first and Supreme Genitor, we have here an occasion offered to inquire; and it is a very worthy and necessary one, because all perfect science depends upon the knowledge of all causes: and therefore to the plenary comprehension of Generation, we must ascend from the last and lowest efficient to the very first and most supreme, and know them all.  
But as for the first and highest Efficient of the chicken, we shall determine what that is afterwards, (when we treat of the Efficient of all other Animals) but what kind of one it is, we will here declare.  
The first condition, or qualification, of the first and primary Efficient properly so called, is, that it be the first & principal fructifier, from whence all intermediate causes assume their derived fecundity. For instance, the chicken is derived from the Punctum saliens in the egg, not only in regard of its bulk, but also, and that chiefly in regard of its soul; the Punctum saliens, or Heart is derived from the egg, the egg from the Hens, and the Hen's fertility from the Cock.  
Another requisite or condition of the primary Efficient is desumed ex opere facto, from the production itself, viz. the Chicken: because that is the prime efficient, in which the reason of the effect doth chiefly appear. But because every Generative efficient doth generate its like, and the issue is of a mixed nature; the first efficient must needs be mixed too.  
Now I therefore pronounce their issue to be of a mixed nature, because, the mixture of both parents is refulgent in it, both in the figure and lineaments of the body, and all its parts; as in complexion or colours, moles or spots, diseases, and other accidents of the body. Likewise in the soul and actions, and functions (as in like manners, docility, gate, and voice) such a kind of temperature is discoverable. For as we say that a similar mixed body is made of the Elements, because their virtues, heat, cold, moisture, and siccity, are found compounded in the same similar body: so likewise the paternal and maternal handiwork may be tracked and pointed out both in the body, soul, and other accidents of the Chicken: (which follow the temperature, or happen unto it) for instance; In a Mule, the soul, body, manners, and voice of both parents; (viz. of the Mare, and the Ass) are apparent. So also in those Chickens which are the Offspring of the dunghill-hen, and Cock-Pheasant: and in that mongrel Cur, which is produced by the sodomy of a Wolf and a Bitch.  
Since therefore the Chicken resembles both parents, and is a mixed Effect: the generant primary cause (which it resembles) must needs be mixed likewise. Therefore that which frames the Chicken in the Egg is a mixed nature (as being united, or compounded of both) and the work of both parents. And if any contagion do arise or remain in the female upon coition, (in which they two are mixed, and become as it were one Animal) that also will be of a mixed nature or power, by which the egg shall afterwards become fertile, and achieve a plastical virtue, which is an Agent of a mixed nature, or a mixed efficient-Instrument, producing a Chicken of a mixed nature also.  
The contagion, I say; because Aristotle's persuasion is altogether refractory to experience herself: namely, where he saith, that some part of the Foetus is instantly made upon coition. Nor is that true neither, which some of the Moderns aver, namely, that the soul of the future chicken is in the egg: for that is no whit the chickens soul, which is in no part of the chickens body. Nor can the soul be said either to be begotten, or left behind presently upon coition: for otherwise there should be two souls in a Woman with child. Therefore till it be determined what the efficient of the egg is, which is of a mixed nature, and aught to remain present upon coition: give me leave to call it contagium, Contact, or contagion.  
But where the contagion lurks in the female after coition, and how it is communicated and derived to the egg, requires a more exact Disquisition: and we will afterwards fall upon it, when we treat generally of the conception of females. It shall suffice, in the mean time to have taken notice, that it must needs be the fate of the first efficient (in which the reason of the future offspring doth abide) that, since its offspring is mixed, to be of a mixed nature itself; and either to proceed from both Parents, or from something which makes use of both (as animate Instruments, cooperative, and mixed, and moulded into one by coition.)  
The third condition of the Primary Efficient is, that either it impart motion successively to all its intermediate instruments, or else employ them otherwise, but that itself be subservient to none: whence a doubt arises, whether the Cock be the Primary Efficient in the Generation of the chicken, or have any before, or superior to him. For all generation seems to be derived from Heaven, and issue from the motion of the Sun, and Moon. But we will be positive in this matter, when we have first declared, what an instrument, or the instrumental efficient cause is, and how divided.  
Now Instrumental Efficients are of divers kinds; some, according to Aristotle, are factiva, Making, and some, activa, Doing; some do not operate, but when they are conjoined with a prior efficient, as the hand, foot, and genital parts; others operate, disjoined, as the Geniture and the Egg: some Instruments have not motion or action, but what is given them by the first Efficient; others have proper internal principles of their own, to which nature affords no motion in generation, but yet employs their faculties, and sets them the rule, and law of their performances; as the Cook employs fire, and the Physician herbs, and the virtues of medicines to cures.  
Sennertus, to maintain his conceit, concerning the soul in the Seed, and the formative faculty in the Egg, affirms, that not only the Egg, but the Cock's seed also, is endowed with the soul of the future Chicken, and is not the Instrumental Agent, but the principal; absolutely denying that any separate Efficient, is Instrumental: but pronouncing, that only that is to be reckoned an Instrument in propriety of speech, which is conjoined with the primary efficient: and that, that only is an Instrumental efficient, which hath no other motion, or action, then that which is immitted, or continually and successively received from the primary efficient, by whose power it acts. And upon that account, he rejects the instance concerning things cast or hurled, which receiving their force from the thing that doth hurl, do yet notwithstanding move, even when they are separated from it. As if the Sword and Spear were to be counted Instruments of War, but not Arrows, and Bullets. He also rejects the instance drawn from a Republic, and denies that the Magistrates, Counsellors, or Officers of a Commonwealth, are the Instruments of a Nation: And yet Aristotle reckons a Counsellor for 
Polit. l. 1. c. 4.  an Efficient, and calls on Officer an Instrument, in plain terms. He likewise decries the instance of the Automata, and many other things, that so he may ratify the seed (or egg) to be Animals, and not an Instrumental, but a Principal Agent. And yet (as if he were enforced by the truth) he lays down such conditions for a Principal Agent, as do absolutely prove contrary to his own forementioned opinion. Whatsoever produceth a work, or effect more noble than itself; or else an effect lake to itself, is not an Efficient, but an Instrumental cause. Which being granted, who will not conclude, that Seed and an Egg, are Instruments? Since a chicken is an effect nobler than the egg, and neither like an Egg, nor Seed. Wherefore, when this most Learned Man denies the Seed or Egg, to be an Instrument, because they are separated from the Primary Agent, he stands upon a false bottom. For since the first generant produceth its offspring by several mediums, whether any of those mediums be conjoined to it, as the Hand to the Artist; or whether it be separated from it, as the Arrow shot from the Bow; yet both are called Instruments.  
From these recited Conditions of the Instrumental cause, it may seem to ensue, that the cock, or at least the cock with the hen, are the Primary efficients in the Generation of the chicken: for the chicken is like them; nor can it be thought to be more noble than its Efficients or Parents. I shall therefore add one condition more to the Primary efficient, by which perhaps it may appear that the Male is not the Primary, but the Instrumental cause; namely, that it is required of the Primary efficient in the fabric of the Chicken, that he employ Skill, Providence, Wisdom, Goodness, and Understanding, far above the capacity of our rational souls; as that, in which the Reason or Idea of the future work, aught to consist, and which ought likewise to act for some destinated end, disposing and perfecting all parts, forming the smallest and most inconsiderable appendices of the Chicken for some use, and employment: not providing only for the structure of the creature, but for its welfare, ornament, and defence.  
Now the male, or his seed, either in, or after coition, is not so qualified, that Art, Understanding, and Providence, may be attributed to it.  
Which things being pondered, the Male seems to be an Instrumental efficient, as well as his seed, and the Hen likewise as well as the Egg she lays. And therefore we must take our flight to a more Primary, Superior, and more excellent cause; to which we may justly attribute Providence, Understanding, Art, and Goodness; and such a one as is as much superior to its effects and Workmanship, as an Architect is better than a Barn he sets up; a Prince than his Officers, or an Artist, than his own hands.  
And therefore both Male and Female are but Instrumental efficients, subservient to the high Creator, or Protogenitor. And in this sense it is truly said, that the Sun, and Man, beget an Animal, because the Spring and Autumn do ensue upon the Approaching and Receding Sun, at which times commonly, the generation and corruption of Animals happen. So the chiefest of Philosophers. The first 
De Gen. & Corr. l. 2. c. 10.  Movers motion is not the cause of generation and corruption, but the motion of the Oblique circle: for that is continual, and hath also two Motions: for if generation and corruption were to be always continual, it were necessary that something should be always moved, lest those mutations should fail; but yet it must have two motions, lest one only of the two mutations should succeed. The cause therefore of the continuity is the motion of the Universe, but the declivity itself is the cause of the Approach, and the Recesses. For it comes to pass, that He, (namely the Sun) is sometimes nearer, and sometimes farther from the earth. And when the Interval is inequal, the motion must be inequal too. If then he therefore generate because he approaches nearer: and cause corruption, because he remotes and recedeth farther from the earth: Then it follows that if he often do generate, it is because he often approacheth: and if he often cause corruption, it is because he often recedeth. For contraries have contrary causes.  
And therefore in the Spring all things flourish and grow; (namely, from the Approach of the Sun, who is the Common Father, and Parent: or at least the immediate and Common Instrument in Generation employed by the high Creator) and that not Vegetables only, but Animals too: nor they only which are Spontaneous issues, but those also which are generated by Male and Female. As if at the approach of this noble Planet, soft Venus did descend from the Sky, with Cupid and the Graces entertained for her Retinue, inciting and provoking all living things, by their Allegiance to Love, to propagate their kind. Or (as it is in the Fable) as if Saturn did then become an Eunuch, and threw his masculine evidences into the Sea, to raise a Foam, which might give birth to Venus: For in the Generation of Animals, Superat tener omnibus humour; A gentle dew doth moisten all (as the Poet hath it) and the genital parts do foam and strut with Seed.  
And therefore the cock and Hen are chiefly fruitful in Spring, as if the Sun, or Heavens, Nature, the Soul of the Universe, or the Omnipotent Deity (for these are Synonoma's) were a Superior and Diviner cause of Generation than they. So, Sol & homo generant hominem; The Sun, and Man beget a Man (that is to say) the Sun by Man as its Instrument. And so, the Creator of all things, and the cock, beget an egg, and out of an egg a chicken: namely, by the constant approach and recess of the Sun: who according to the will, and decree of the Almighty, is employed in the generation of all things.  
We conclude therefore that the male (though he be a Primary and more excellent efficient than the female) is only an Instrumental Efficient: and doth himself, no less than the Female, owe his fecundity, or generative Virtue to the Sun his Creditor: and therefore the artifice and providence (which we discover in his workmanship) doth not proceed from him, but God. For the Male uses neither counsel, nor understanding in generation: nor do Men generate by any part of their reasonable soul, but by a faculty of their vegetative: which is not inrouled amongst the primary, and more divine powers of the soul, but the meanest, and basest.  
Since therefore in the structure of a chicken, Art and Providence are no less visible, then in the Fabric of Man himself, and the creation of the Universe: we must needs acknowledge, that in the generation of Man, there is an Efficient cause more excellent than man himself: or else that the vegetative faculty, or that part of the soul, which raiseth this pile of man, and doth conserve it, is much more divine and excellent, and doth more personate the Image of God, than the Rational part itself: whose worth and dignity we more cry up, than all the faculties of the soul beside; though she were Regent and Empress of the rest, and held them all as Tributaries to her. Or at least we must confess, that there is neither prudence, nor skill, nor understanding in the works of Nature, but they seem such only to our apprehensions, who judge of the divine productions of nature, by our own Arts, and Faculties, (or copies drawn by our own fancies) as if the active principles of Nature did so produce their effects, as we do our artificial issues: namely by consultation, and rules desumed from the Mind and Intellect. But Nature, which is the Principle of Motion and Rest, in all those things wherein she is: and the vegetative soul, which is the primary Efficient cause of every generation, do move and act by no acquired faculty (as we do) which may be distinguished by the name of Art, or Providence, but work by a certain Destiny, and Mandate according to rule, after the same manner, and constraint, as light things fly up, and heavy press downwards. The Vegetative faculty of Parents doth generate, and the seed arrives at last at the form of the foetus, after the same manner as the Spider spreads her Net, the Bees and Ants build their Cottages, and furnish their storehouses for future exigences, Birds compile their Nests, hatch, and protect their young: namely, Naturally, and by their Mother-wit, not by any discursive providence, discipline, or consultation. For that which is in us the Principle of Artificial operations, & is called Art, Understanding, or Prudence: is in those natural effects, Nature, (which is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, her own Tutor, and taught by no man) and what is acquired, and a purchase in us, is in them inbred, and a Birthright. And therefore they who look back to Art, are incompetent and partial Judges of natural things: for we are rather to judge of the contrary, and compare artificial productions to their Sampler in Nature. For all Arts are attained by an imitation and personating of Nature; and our Reason, or Intellect is derived from the divine understanding, exercised in its works. And when it is rooted in us by a complete habit, like another adventitious acquired soul, reflecting a resemblance of the highest and divinest Agent, it produceth like effects and operations.  
Wherefore (in my opinion) he is the right and pious Philosopher, who deduceth the generations of all things from that eternal and Omnipotent Deity, upon whose pleasure the Universe dependeth. Nor do I think we ought to contend, by what notion we call, or adore this first Agent, (to whom all the names of veneration are most due) whether that of Deus, or Natura naturans, or Anima mundi. For all men understand him to be that Beginning and End of all things, which is Omnipotent, and everlasting, the Author and Creator of all things, preserving, and perpetuating the fluxibility of mortal creatures, by the several vicissitudes of generations: which being every where present, is no less assistant to the particular operations of natural things, then of the whole Universe; that so he may propagate all Animals by his Deity, Providence, Art, and divine Understanding. Whereof some are spontaneous births, without any Univocal efficient; some born by the associate operations of male and female, some from one Sex only; others by other intermediate Instruments, which Instruments are sometimes fewer, sometimes more, sometimes univocal, and sometimes equivocal, and ex accidenti casual.  
But all natural bodies whatever are both the productions, and Instruments of that Great God; and are either only natural, as Heat, Spirit, the tepidity or warmth of the Air, or Putrefaction, etc. or animate also; for he makes use in some sort of the motions, faculties, and souls of animals themselves, in order to the perfection of the Universe, and procreation of Animals.  
It appears therefore in some proportion, what the males contribution is towards generation; namely, the cock brings that same virtue to the egg, by which of a subventaneous it becomes a fertile one, as vegetable Fruits borrow from the Summer heat to ripen themselves, and fructify their seeds; and which induceth fertility into spontaneous productions, by which from worms they become a Canker-worm, and from a Canker-worm, they become the worm called Aurelia, and from an Aurelia, Butterflies, common Flies, and Bees, etc.  
And in this manner the Sun by his access to the earth, is the Beginning of the motion and transmutation in the Increase of Fruits; and the End also, when he becomes the author of the fertility of their Seeds. And as in the early Spring he is the primary efficient of Leaves, Blossoms, and Fruits, so is he the last completer of the maturity and fecundity of the Seed in the strength of Summer. For confirmation of which, amongst many other observations, I shall insert this one: There are some amongst us who manure their Orange-trees with a great deal of care and husbandry; so that the Oranges which the first year grew to the bigness of the top of ones thumb, are the next Summer mature and complete, save only that they have no kernels, or seeds. While my thoughts were bend upon this contemplation, I fanfied these Oranges to be a Specimen of the Subventaneous eggs, which are produced by the Hen, without the Cock's assistance, having all the sensible appearances or requisites of fruitful eggs, bating only the fecundity, or propagating seed. As if the same thing were conferred by the Cock upon a subventaneous egg, to make it fruitful, which the Sun contributes in hotter climates, whereby the fruit of their trees are produced with kernels. And as if the English Summer were no farther useful to some fruit, than the simple Hen to the Egg, and were only like the female, an impotent progenitress: which Summer in other Countries, where they enjoy a greater bounty from the Sun's presence, were a masculine Summer, and did complete her productions.  
This, by the by, that by the eggs example it might appear, what qualifications are required to a primary efficient in the generation of Animals. For it is clear, that there is in an egg an operator (and also in every conception, and rudiment) which is not only infused into it from the fentale, but is first communicated from the male by the gemture in coition, but yet first of all contributed to the Male, from the Heavens, the Sun, or the Almighty Creator. It is likewise manifest, that this Operator or Agent, which is existent in the egg, and in every seed, is so inspired with power from the Parents, that it fashions the chicken to the likeness of the Parents, not of itself; and that a mixed likeness too, as proceeding from them both united in coition: and since all things are transacted with an admirable providence and wisdom, the presence of the divine Deity is clearly employed.  
But of this we shall more largely treat elsewhere, when we shall endeavour to show, what remains in the Female presently after coition, and where it abideth: and likewise (because nothing at all is discoverable in the cavity of the womb after coition) what that prolifical contagion, or first conception is? Whether it be any corporeal thing, any where reserved in the female, or something incorporeal? And whether the conception of the womb be like the conception of the Brain, and so Fecundity be attained, as Science is? (for there are arguments not wanting to prove it) and as Motion, and Animal operations, do take their rise from the conception of the Brain (which we call the desire, or appetite) so whether do Natural motions likewise, and the Operations of the Vegetative faculty (especially Generation) depend upon the conception of the womb? Again, how that prolifical contagion is of a mixed nature, and transferred from the Male into the Female, and from her into the Egg? And lastly, how the contagion, or infection of all preternatural diseases, and distempers do spread, and propagate insensibly.   

Of the Order of Generation, and first, of the first Genital Particle.  
EXER. LI.  
WHat that is which is produced in the Female immediately upon coition, or doth remain in her, which we hitherto do comprise under the name of contagion, by which, as by Infection, the female is rendered fruitful by the male, and afterwards doth generate a foetus of her own accord, shall be said in its place, where we shall make a stricter disquisition and examination of that matter. In the mean time, we shall signify to you, all such things as do openly display themselves in the order of the production of the parts, and are worth the Observation.  
And first of all, because it is plain that the chicken is built by Epigenesis, or the additament of parts budding one out of another, we will discover what part is first founded before all its company, and what is observable concerning it, and the manner of its generation.  
That which Aristotle affirms concerning the generation 
de gen. an. l. 2. c. 1.  of perfect animals, is an undoubted truth, and most apparent in an egg; namely, that all the parts are not framed together, but one after another in order; & that the first in being is that genital particle; by virtue of which afterwards (as from their original) all the rest of the parts do arise. As we see in the seeds of Plants (as Beans and Acorns) a budding, or protuberant point, which is the foundation of the future Tree.  
And this particle is like a Son set free, and dwelling 
Ibid. c. 1.  in a manor of his own, and a principle subsisting of himself; whence afterwards the order of the parts is delineated, and all things ordered and regulated which conduce to the compliment of the Animal. For since, no part is its own parent, but when it is once begotten, doth provide for itself: therefore that part must of necessity be first made, which doth contain the principle of increase (for be they Plants or Animals, they have all that in them which contains a power of vegetation and sustaining;) and distinguisheth also and formeth 
Ib. c. 4.  all the other parts in their due order and rank: therefore the Soul is primarily in that primogenit particle; which Soul is the fountain and author of Sense, Motion, and Life of the whole. That therefore is the principal particle, from which the vital spirit, and native heat do descend into all the rest; in which the Physicians calidum Innatum sive implantatum, innate or implanted warm substance, doth first display itself; and the domestic houshold-God or lasting fire inhabits; from whence Life floweth into the Body in general, and each particular part; from whence Nutrition, Aid, Growth, and Comfort derive their streams: Lastly, where Life first ariseth to the born, and sets to the dying creature.  
These indeed are all true of the first genital part, and do evidently appear in the generation of the chicken; and therefore, as I conceive, being moved thereunto by sundry Observations, the opinion of some Physicians, whose Philosophy is ill founded, is to be rejected (whereby they decree that the three principal and eldest parts, the Brain, the Heart, and the Liver, do together spring out of the small bladders or bubbles) so neither can I assent to Aristotle himself, who concludes that the Heart is this first genital and animate particle. For the truth is, I am persuaded that this Prerogative is only due to the Blood: for the blood is it which is first seen in Generation. And that not only in an Egg, but in every Foetus, and animal conception whatsoever: As shall plainly appear anon.  
There appears, I say, from the beginning, Punctum Rubrum saliens, Vesicula pulsans, Fibraeque inde deductae, the Red capering Point, the Panting Vesicle, and the Fibers deduced thence, which contain blood. And so far as I could possibly discern by accurate Inspection, the Blood is form before the Punctum saliens, and is endowed with vital heat, before it moves by pulse; and in it, and from it doth the pulsation begin. For I have found it true by sundry experiments both in an egg, and elsewhere, that the blood is it, in which (so long as the vital heat is not quite extinct) resideth the possibility of reviving.  
And since the Vesicula pulsans, and the Fibres containing blood which are derived from it, are seen before any other parts; I conceive it consonant to reason, that the blood is made before his receptacles; that is to say, the thing contained, before the thing containing; for the latter is made to be serviceable to the former. And therefore it is most probable, That the Veins, and Fibres, and then the Vesicle, and after it the Heart, as being Instruments destined to receive and house the blood, are erected for the transmission, and distribution of it, and that the blood is the primary particle of the body.  
And this is manifest by many Observations; but chiefly, in that some living creatures (and such too as have blood) live a good while without any pulse at all; and some become like Anchorites all the Winter long, and yet survive, though their Hearts within them do respite all their motions, and their Lungs make Holiday, and forbear respiration; like those persons, who in a Syncope, Lipothymia, or Hysterical passions, lie half-dead without the motion of the Pulse.  
Being therefore ascertained out of those things which I have observed in an Egg, and the dissection of Animals while they were alive, I conclude (against Aristotle) that the blood is the first Genital particle, and that the Heart is its Instrument designed for its Circulation. For the Heart's business or function is the propulsation or driving forth of the blood, as appears in all Animals that have blood: and the office of the Vesicula pulsans is the very same, (in the generation of the Chicken) which I have showed to many persons, in the first conceptions of Animals, (as well as in an Egg) when it hath been less than a Spark, panting, and in its motion, drawing itself together, and so squeezing out the blood contained in it, and by relaxing itself again, receiving and entertaining blood afresh.  
And hence the prerogative and antiquity of the blood appears, seeing that the Pulse proceedeth from it. For there being two parts of Pulsation; (Distension, and Contraction, or Systole, and Diastole) and the first of these motions is Distension, it is manifest that that action proceeds from the blood; but the Contraction is made by the Vesicula pulsans in an Egg, (as by the Heart in a Chicken) by its proper fibres; as by an Organ destined to that use. And it is also certain, that the said Vesicula, as also the Auricula cordis, the deaf-eare of the Heart, afterwards (from whom the Pulsation first begins) are incited to the constrictive motion, by the blood distending them. The Diastole, or Dilatation, is made by the blood boiling or swelling by the spirits within it: And so Aristotle's Opinion concerning the pulsation of the Heart, (namely, that it is made by a kind of Ebullition) is in some sort true. For as in Milk set upon the fire, and in Beer, we see daily a Fermentation, working, or Intumescence; so is it in the pulse of the Heart, in which the blood, as by a kind of fermentation working up, is distended, and then ebbs, or falls down again: and that which befalls them per accidens, from an external agent (namely, an adventitious heat) that is accomplished in the blood, by its own internal heat, or innate spirit; and is also regulated by the soul in a natural way, and for the preservation of living creatures.  
The Pulse therefore is performed by a twofold Agent; namely, the Distension or Dilatation proceeds from the Blood; and the Constriction, from the membrane of the vesicula in the Egg; (but in the Foetus when it is born, from the Deaf-eares, and Ventricles of the Heart) and by the mutual performance of this alternate and interchanging motion, the blood is driven round the whole body, and so our lives continued.  
Nor is the Blood therefore only to be called the Primigenial and principal part, because that in, and from it the fountain of motion and pulsation is derived; but also, because the Animal heat, or vital spirit is first radicated and implanted, and the soul takes up her first mansion in it. For wheresoever the immediate and principal Instrument of the vegetative faculty is first found, there in probability the soul first resides, and takes her Beginning; as being inseparable from the spirit, and the calidum innatum.  
For however in Artificial Operations (as Fabricius rightly admonisheth) the Artificer and the Instruments 
pag. 28.  are separated; yet in the works of Nature they are conjoined, and one and the same: so the Stomach is both the Author, and the Instrument of chylification. So in like manner, the Soul with the Spirit (her Instrument) is immediately conjoined: and therefore be it in what part it will, that heat and motion first begin, there also the Life doth first arise, and last expire; and out of question, the most intimate domestic Deities, and Soul itself, are there enshrined.  
Life therefore consists in the blood, (as we read in Holy Scripture) because in it the Life and Soul 
Levit. 17. 11. & 14.  do first dawn, and last set. For I have experimented in the dissection of many live Animals, that when the body was now a dying, and breathing done, the Heart continued its pulse a while, and kept up life in it. And when the Heart hath now given over, you shall discern a motion yet surviving in the Auriculae, or Deaf-eares; and though the other fail, yet the Right will still be stirring; and when that submits to Fate too, yet you shall perceive a kind of undulation, or waving to and fro, and obscure trepidation, or palpitation in the champion - blood, proclaiming that he gave the last blow. And any man may plainly see, that the blood retains heat, (that deriver of Life and Palsation) when all the other parts are chilled, and cold: which heat when it is quite extinct, as the blood is then no longer sanguis, sed cruor, Blood, but Gore; so now no longer hope of returning back to lise. But, both in an Egg, and in gasping Animals, after all pulsation is expunged, if you apply a gentle warmth either to the Punctum saliens, or the right Auricle of the Heart, you shall presently see the motion, pulsation, and life set on foot again by the Blood; except he have quite foregone all his innate heat, and vital spirit.  
By all which it is most evident, that the blood is the Genital Part, the fountain of Life, Primum vivens, & ultimum moriens, the Firstborn, and the Longest Liver, and the chief Palace and Court of the soul: in which (as in its Springhead) the heat doth first and chiefly flow, and flourish: and from which all the other parts of the Body derive their life and influent warmth. For that heat streaming with the blood, doth sprinkle, cherish, and preserve the whole: as we have heretofore demonstrated in our Book, de Motu sanguinis.  
And therefore Blood is found in every particle of the Body, nor can you find footing for the point of a needle, or the edge of your nail, where you shall not immediately start the blood: as if, were it not for the blood, the body would enjoy no heat, nor life. Therefore the blood being never so little concentrated and fixed, (Hypocrates calls it, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉) as it is in Swooning, frights, extreme cold weather, and the approach of the Paroxysm or fit of an Ague, you shall presently behold, the whole body freeze, and grow stiff, and languish in a pale and livid complexion: but the blood being summoned back, by applied Fomentations, exercise, or affections of the Mind, (as Joy, or Anger) how nimbly do all parts recover their Heat, Floridnesse, Vigour and Beauty.  
And hereupon the ruddy sanguine parts alone, are called the Hot parts, as the Flesh; but the white and bloodless parts, as the Nerves and Ligaments, the Cold. And as Sanguineous Animals exceed the bloodless; so even in the parts, those that are more liberally endowed with Blood, are counted the Eminent parts. And the Liver, Spleen, Reins, Lungs, and Heart itself (if you strain all the blood out of them, for whose sake they are chiefly called Viscera) they presently grow pale, and wan, and are to be registered amongst the colder parts.  
The Heart himself, I say, doth by the Coronary Arteries receive the Blood, it's influent heat and life, both which it enjoys upon no other account, than the mere bounty of the Blood. Nor can the Liver proceed in its public office, without the influence of blood and heat from the Coeliacal Artery. For there is no where any affluence of heat, without an Influence or influx of blood by the Arteries. And therefore in the first Confirmation of all the parts, before they put themselves into public undertake, they are to be discovered pale, and bloodless: hereupon the old Physicians and Anatomists supposed them to be spermatical parts, and this speech was wont to obtain amongst them, that in Generation, Aliquot in Lacte dies absumuntur, some days are spent in the Milk, that is about the Constitution of the white; Spermatical parts. The very substance of the Liver itself, the Lungs, and the Heart, at their first appearance are exceeding white. Nay the Cone of the Heart, and the walls or sides of its Ventricles, are even then white, when the Auriculae are full, and died with Scarlet-blood, and the Coronary Vein looks ruddy. So likewise the Parenchyma of the Liver is itself white, when the branches and propagations of its Veins are blushing with blood: nor doth it execute its public office, until it be throughly drenched with blood.  
And lastly, the blood doth so surround, and pierce into the whole body, and impart heat and life to all its parts, that the soul may justly be counted resident in it, and for his sake, Tota in tota & tota in qualibet parte, to be all in all, and all in every part, (as the old saying is.)  
But it is so far from truth (which yet Aristotle and all Physicians affirm) that the Liver, or Heart is the Author of the Blood: that the contrary, out of the fabric of the chicken in the egg, is most manifest: namely, the Blood rather is the Author of the Heart, and Liver. And this also Physicians before they are aware seem to acknowledge, while they conclude that the Parenchyma of the Liver is a certain affusion, or conflux of Blood: as if it were nothing else but blood congealed. Now it must have a being before it can be affused, or coagulated: and that it is so, experience herself openly displays; for blood appears in the egg, before there be any tract or Rudiment of any such thing as the Body, or any of the Viscera. And yet no blood can come thither from the Mother to the Fatus, (as people commonly fancy in Viviparous productions.)  
The Liver of Fishes is always whitish, though their Veins are purpled, and dark. And our Hens the better they are crammed, so much the more do their Livers impair, and grow pallid. Green-sickness Virgins that are Cachectical, as the habit of their bodies is pale, so is their Liver: an evident sign of the penury and dearth of Blood. Therefore the Liver borrows his heat and complexion from the blood, and not the blood from him.  
Hence it is plain, that blood is the prime genital Part, whence the soul primarily results, and out of which the primary animate part of the Foetus, which is the fountain of all the rest, both similar, and dissimilar is derived, which by that means attain their Vital heat, and become subservient to it: And the Heart is erected for this end and purpose only, that it may by continual pulsation (to which the Veins and Arteries are ministerial and subservient) entertain this blood, and spout it out again up and down through the whole body.  
All which is the clearer discovered by this, that the Heart hath not a pulsation in all Animals, nor yet at all times; when yet the blood, or something proportionable to blood is never wanting in any.   

Of the Blood, as it is the Principal Part.  
EXER. LII.  
IT is therefore evident, even to the Eye, that the blood is the Primigenial, and so the Genital part: & that all those attributes recited in the precedent Chapter are consistent with it: namely, that it is the builder and preserver of the body and principal part wherein the soul hath her Session. For (as we newly said) before any particle of the body appear, the blood is born, and groweth, having a palpitation (as Aristotle saith) within the Veins moving 
De hist. an. l. 3. c. 19  to and fro with a Pulse, and is above all the humours dispersed through the whole body. And so long as life doth last, the Blood alone is Animate, and hot.  
Moreover, by his various motions, in celerity, or slowness; vehemence, or feebleness, etc. He plainly discovers his resentment of the affronts which any thing casts upon him, and the friendships of such as cherish him. We therefore conclude, the blood lives and is nourished of itself, no way depending upon any other part of the body, as elder or worthier than itself. But whether the whole body depend upon it, as being postgenit, adjoined, and a kind of appendix or retainer to it, is not the business of this place. I shall only add, what Aristotle confesses, Truly the nature of the blood 
De part. an. l. 2. c. 4.  is the cause, why very many things befall Animals, both in order to their manners and sense. So that hence we may perceive the Causes not of life only in general, (for you can never discover any other Calidum innatum aut influens, innate or influent heat which may be the immediate instrument of the soul, besides the Blood) but also of longer or shorter life, or sleep, and wakefulness, of Wit and Strength etc. For by its tenuity (saith Aristotle in the same place) and cleannesses or purity, creatures are wiser, and have quicker senses: and likewise are either more timorous, or courageous, angry and furious: according as their blood is more dilute and thin, or more compact and gross by fibres.  
Nor is blood the Author of life only, but according to its several discriminations, it is the cause of health, or diseases. And Poisons themselves, which assault us from without, (as poisoned darts or bullets) did they not infect the blood, would do us no prejudice. So that our life, and welfare is derived unto us from the same spring. If the 
Hist. an. l. 3. c. 9  blood be over liquid, saith Aristotle, men grow sick; for it degenerates into so serous a gore, that some have sweat Blood. If too much of it stream out, they die. For by want of blood, all the parts do not only languish presently, but the Animal itself soon expires. I conceive it inconvenient to set down Experiments to confirm this, because they require a peculiar Tract. I perceive that the wonderful Circulation of the blood, first found out by me, is consented to almost by all: and that no man hath hitherto made any objection to it, greatly worth a confutation: Wherefore if I shall subjoine the causes, and benefits of that Circulation, and lay open some other secrets of the blood, as, how much it conduceth to the happiness of the creature, as also to both soul, and body, that so men may be cautious to preserve their blood pure and clean, by commodious diet, I conceive I shall perform an office, not more new, then useful, and acceptable to Philosophers, and Physicians: nor will this opinion seem so improbable and absurd to any, as once to Aristotle; namely, That the Blood, like a Tutelar 
De Anima. l. 1. c. 2.  Deity, is the very soul in the body, as Critias of old, and others thought, supposing sense to be the chiefest property of the soul, and that sense to be in her by the nature of the Blood. Now some concluded it to be the soul, because it hath a power of moving by its own nature: As Thales, Diogenes, Heraclitus, Alcmaeon, and others.  
But that both sense and motion are in the Blood, 
De hist. an. l. 1. c. 19 & de part. an. l. 2. c. 3.  is conspicuous by many tokens, though Aristotle denied it. For if he himself compelled by the truth of the thing itself, did confess, that there was a soul in an egg, though the egg were addle: and that in the Geniture and Blood was found a divine substance, proportionably answering to the Matter of the Stars, and that it was the Creator's Viceroy: If some of the Moderns say, that the seed of Animals ejected in Coition is animate, Why should we not upon as good reason say, that there is a soul in the Blood? and seeing it is the first begotten, first moved, & first nourished, why should we doubt to affirm, that the soul is first raised, & kindled out of it? Blood is that, wherein the Vegetal and sensative operations first shine forth: in which the primary and immediate officer of the soul, is bred; which is the common tye of soul and body; and in which, as in her Chariot, the soul visits and scattereth influence upon all the parts of the body.  
Besides, since the contemplation of Geniture is (as we have seen already) so difficult, (namely, how the fabric of the body should be built by it, with providence, art, and divine understanding) why should we not by the same right, admire the excellent nature of blood, and harbour as worthy thoughts concerning it, as seed? especially seeing the Geniture itself (as appears by the egg) is made of the blood; and all the whole body (as from its Genital part) seems not only to desume its first Foundation, but Preservation also, from it.  
Thus much by the way concerning this matter, being to treat more fully and exactly of it elsewhere. Nor do I conceive it worth the trouble, to dispute here, whether the definition of a part in its proper acceptation agree to blood? which some deny upon these grounds chiefly, because it hath not sense, and because it flows and insinuates into all the parts of the body, to cater convenient diet for them. But I have found many things about the manner of Generation, by which being convinced, I shall establish the contrary to those things, (which Philosophers & Physicians commonly affirm, or deny.) At present I will only say, that in case we should consent that the blood hath not sense, yet it cannot be thence inferred, that it is no part of the sensitive body, and that the chiefest too. For neither the Brain, nor the Spinal Marrow, or the Crystalline, or Glassy humour of the Eye have any sense, and yet all Philosophers and Physicians do to this day with one consent, allow them to be parts of the body. But Aristotle did number it amongst the similar parts, and Hypocrates also; for while he constitutes the Animal body, out of containing, and contained parts, and impetum facientibus, spirits, he did necessarily own the blood amongst the contained parts.  
But of this more at large, when we inquire what a part is, and how many several acceptations there are of it. In the mean time, we will not conceal this Admirable Experiment (by which it shall appear that the most principal member of all, namely, the very Heart itself, may seem to be insensible.)  
A Noble young Gentleman, Son and Heir to the honourable the Vice-Count of Mountgomery in Ireland, when he was a child, had a strange mishap by an unexpected fall, causing a Fracture in the Ribs on the left side: the Bruise was brought to a Suppuration, whereby a great quantity of putrified matter was voided out, and this putrefaction gushed out for a long while together out of the wide wound. I deliver it from his own mouth, and the testimony of other creditable persons, who were eye-witnesses. This person of Honour, about the eighteenth, or nineteenth year of his Age, having been a Traveller in Italy and France, arrived at last at London: having all this time a very wide gap open in his Breast, so that you might see and touch his Lungs (as it was believed.) Which, when it came to the late King Charles his ear, being related as a miracle, He presently sent me to the Young Gentleman, to inform Him, how the matter stood. Well, what happened? When I came near him, and saw him a sprightly Youth, with a good complexion, and habit of body, I supposed, some body or other had framed an untruth. But having saluted him, as the manner is, and declared unto him the Cause of my Visit, by the King's Command, he discovered all to me, and opened the void part of his left side, taking off that small plate, which he wore to defend it against any blow or outward injury. Where I presently beheld a vast hole in his breast, into which I could easily put my three Fore-fingers, and my Thumb; and at the first entrance I perceived a certain fleshy part sticking out, which was driven in and out by a reciprocal motion, whereupon I gently handled it in my hand. Being now amazed at the novelty of the thing, I search it again and again, and having diligently enough enquired into all, it was evident, that that old and vast Ulcer (for want of the help of a skilful Physician) was miraculously healed, and skinned over with a membrane on the Inside, and guarded with flesh all about the brims or margin of it. But that fleshy substance (which at the first sight I conceived to be proud flesh, and every body else took to be a lobe of the Lungs) by its pulse, and the differences or rythme thereof, or the time which it kept, (and laying one hand upon his wrist, and the other upon his heart) and also by comparing and considering his Respirations, I concluded it to be no part of the Lungs, but the Cone or Substance of the Heart; which an excrescent fungous' Substance (as is usual in soul Ulcers) had fenced outwardly like a Sconce. The Young Gentleman's Man did by daily warm injections deliver that fleshy accretion from the filth & pollutions which grew about it, and so clapped on the Plate: which was no sooner done, but his Master was well, and ready for any journey or exercise, living a pleasant, and secure life.  
Therefore, instead of an Account of the Business, I brought the Young Gentleman himself to our late King, that he might see, and handle this strange and singular Accident with his own Senses; namely, the Heart and its Ventricles in their own pulsation, in a young, and sprigtly Gentleman, without offence to him: Whereupon the King himself consented with me, That the Heart is deprived of the Sense of Feeling. For the Party perceived not that we touched him at all, but merely by seeing us, or by the sensation of the outward skin. We likewise took notice of the motion of his Heart; namely, that in the Diastole it was drawn in and retracted, and in the Systole came forth, and was thrust out; and that the Systole was made in the heart, when the Diastole was sensible in the wrist; and also that the proper motion of the heart is the Systole; and lastly, that the heart than beats upon the breast, and is a little prominent, when it is lifted upwards and contracted into itself.  
Nor is that other Controversy (namely, whether the Blood do only serve to nourish the Body) to be much insisted upon in this place. Aristotle indeed doth in several places contend, that the blood is Alimentum ultimum, the last Aliment, and with him the whole School of Physicians give suffrage. And yet many things hard to be unfolded, and of bad coherence, will ensue upon that opinion. For, when Physicians treat of the Blood in  
stotle, did constitute the blood out of parts and differences in some manner alike. Physician's indeed do only take notice of humane blood, and of that as it spins into a Saucer in Phlebotomy, and so coagulates. Aristotle contemplates the blood of all creatures in general, or that which beareth an Analogy with blood. But laying aside all cavil, and omitting the inconveniences which do pursue their opinion, I shall briefly touch upon those things, which they both consent in, and are plainly discovered by sense itself, and are more pertinent to our business: intending elsewhere to examine them at large.  
Though (as I have informed you) the blood is called a part of the body, and that the primigenial and principal part; yet if it be considered in the whole lump (as it is in the Veins) nothing hinders, why we may not say, that it contains Aliment, concocts it, and doth apply it to all parts: and that being one and the same thing, yet in that acceptation it may be said, both to feed, and to be fed, as also to be both the material and efficient cause of the Body: and naturally to have that very constitution, which Aristotle conceived to be necessary in the primigenial part; namely, that the blood is partly of a similar, and partly of a dissimilar constitution. For, saith he, Since for senses sake it is necessarily ordered, that there should be similar members in Animals; and since both the power of sensation, motion, and nutrition, are all comprehended in the same member, (namely the Primogenit) it is necessary that that member (which contains such principles in it) should both be simple, that it may be capable of all sensible objects; and also dissimilar, that it may move, and act. Wherefore, he goes on, in the race of creatures that have blood, the Heart is counted such a member: but in the bloodless, that member which is proportionable to the Heart.  
Now if by the Heart he understand that particle which is first seen in the Egg; namely, the Blood, together with its receptacles (the Vesiculae pulsantes, and the Veins) as one and the same Organ; I then conceive he speaks most true: for the Blood as it is discovered in the Egg and the Vesicula, is partly similar, and partly dissimilar. But if he understand it otherwise, that which is seen in the egg, will easily confute him: for the substance of the Heart, being considered without the Blood (namely, its Cones, and the Walls or partitions of its Ventricles) is generated long after: and continues so long white, without any irrigation of blood upon it, until the Heart be fashioned into an Organical form, such as may spout the blood through the whole body. Nor doth the Heart, then, appear of a similar or simple constitution (as is fit for a Primogenit part to do) but fibrous, fleshey, and musculous: and indeed (as Hypocrates would have it) a plain Muscle, or Instrument of motion. But, the blood, (as it is first seen, and as it beats being yet comprehended in the Vesicula,) is plainly of that constitution, which Aristotle judgeth necessary to a Principal part. For the blood, while it is in its natural constitution in the body, is altogether similar. But so soon as it is dislodged, and out of its receptacles, and puts of its native heat; it presently degenerates into several parts, as some dissimilar thing.  
But if the blood were naturally designed only to the nourishing of the body, it would be only of a similar constitution; like the Chyle, or White of an egg; or at least it would be a mixed body, being compounded of the foresaid parts or juices, and yet truly one: as those other juices; namely, the Choler and Phlegm, which after death, even when they are taken out of their habitations, remain the same, as when they were seen in the live body: but are not so soon changed.  
Wherefore, what Aristotle attributes to a Principal part, that very same thing is proper to blood. For blood, as it is a Natural body, being an Heterogeneous, or Dissimilar substance, is compounded of those parts, or juices. But as it lives, and it the chief Animal part, compounded of a body and soul. But when that soul, by reason of the expiration of the native heat, doth vanish, and its native substance is presently corrupted, and is dissolved into those parts, of which it was formerly made: namely, first into a Watery Blood, next into Red, and White parts: and the Red parts, which are uppermost, are most florid: but those that sink downwards grow dark, and black. Now some of the parts also are fibrous, and thicker, as being the tye, and connexion of the rest; others are ichorous and serous, upon which the coagulated lump useth to float. And into this Serum almost all the blood degenerates. Now these parts are not in the live blood, but only when it is now corrupted and dissolved by death.  
Besides the recited parts, there is seen in hotter and stronger Animals, as in Horses, Oxen, and Men also of a more lively constitution, another part of blood, which when the blood is let out and grumefieth, seating itself in the upper part of the redder blood, doth condense, and plainly resemble a Jelly made of Hartshorn, or kind of Mucilage, or thicker white of an egg. The vulgar count it the Phlegm, and Aristotle the crude and unconcocted part of the blood.  
I have observed this part, to differ, as well, from the serous, (upon which the coagulated gore useth to swim) as from the other parts, as likewise from the Urine, which is dreined by the Kidneys from the blood. Nor is it to be thought the cruder and colder part of the blood, but the more spirital, as I suppose, and that by two experiments; First, because it swims above the florid and brighter part of the blood, (which is vulgarly conceived to be the Arterial blood) as being hotter, and fuller of spirits than it, and upon the disgregation of the blood, obtains the upper place.  
Also in breathing a Vein, this sort of blood (where of there is plenty in persons of a hot temperature, that are strong and fleshy) it darts itself out in a longer stream, and more vehemency (as if it spirted out of a Syringe) & hereupon we count it hotter, and more spirital: as that geniture is counted most fertile & fraught with spirits, which leaps farthest and most forcibly.  
And that this jelly doth much differ from that ichorous and watery substance, which (as being colder than the rest) sinketh down to the bottom of the saucer, is evident for two reasons: for the watery and washy part is more crude and inconcocted, then that it may be wrought up into perfect blood. But the jelly, which is thicker and more fibrous, swimming above the lump of blood, appeareth more concocted and elaborate than it. And therefore in the solution or partition of the blood, this jelly keeps aloof, the whey or sanies lowest, but the lump and red parts (as well the brighter as the darker) possess the middle region.  
Now is it most certain, that not only that part, but all the blood, nay the very flesh itself (as may be observed in Bodies hanged in Chains) may may be corrupted into ichorous whey. As being resolved into that substance, of which they were first compounded: so Salt is resolved into Lie, from whence it first sprung. So likewise in every cachexy, the blood that is let, abounds with plenty of Serum: so that sometimes there scarce appears any grumous part at all, but all the blood seems to be one entire washy gore; as we find in that kind of Dropsy called Anasarca: and it is also natural in creatures that are bloodless.  
Likewise, if you breathe a vein immediately after you have eat and drank, (before the second concoction be finished, and the Serum descended through the Kidneys) or upon the first approach of a fit of an Ague, you shall find the blood to be washy, inconcocted, and mingled with much whey. But on the contrary, if upon an empty Stomach, or discharge of the Urine, or a large Sweat, you open a Vein, you shall find the blood thick (as being quite destitute of Serum) and being almost all condensed into a lump.  
And as when the blood grows raw and crude, you shall perceive but very little of this jelly floating a top. So if you pour out the Serum separated from the lump or mass, and let it simper upon a gentle fire, you shall soon see it changed into this jelly: which is a manifest sign, that that washy or serous substance, which is now divided from the rest of the blood, is perhaps some matter of the Urine, but not the Urine itself, though in colour and consistence it look like it. For the Urine being boiled, is not thickened into a fibrous Jelly, but rather into a Lie: but this washy or serous part being a while gently heated, condenseth into a jelly like that above: as on the contrary, that kulago, or jelly, degenerating into more crudity by corruption, is dissolved into Serum.  
And thus far have I brought this part of the blood (which is my own Observation) upon the Stage; of which (and the other parts of blood, which are apparent to sense, and allowed by the authority of Aristotle, and Physicians) I shall more copiously discourse hereafter.  
In this place, not to digress farther, I conceive the blood to be taken (with Aristotle) not as it is 
De gen. an. l. 2. c. 3.  simply understood, and called Cruor, but as it is a living part of an Animal body. For so Aristotle: The blood is hot in such a sense, as if we could call hot water by one only word, and not as a subject receiving heat into it. For heat is in the essence of the blood; as whiteness, in a white man. But when blood is made hot by any distemper, or passion of the Mind, it is not then calidus pierce, hot, by its own heat. And thus we may say of that which is moist, or dry. Wherefore, partly a hot, and partly a moist substance is in the nature of such kind of things; but if you divide them, they then grow cold, and congeal; and such is blood.  
Blood therefore as it is a living part of the Body, is of a doubtful nature, and falls under a two fold consideration. And therefore materialiter & per se, it is called nutriment; but formaliter, as it is endued with heat, and spirits, (which are the immediate instruments of the Soul) and with the Soul itself: it is to be counted the Body's Genius, and Conserver, the Principal, Primogenit, and Genital part. And as a Prolifical egg is the Matter, Instrument, and Efficient cause of the Chicken, and as all Physicians count the geniture of both Sexes mingled in the womb after coition, both for the material and efficient of the Foetus; so, upon a better right, may we affirm, That the Blood is both the Matter and Preserver of the Body, and not the bare Aliment. For it is a known thing in Creatures that are starved by hunger, and Men also that dye of Consumptions, that a great quantity of blood remains in their Veins even after death. And also Young men that are in their growth, and Old men that are declining, have a proportionable quantity of blood; namely, according to the increase, or diminution of their Flesh. So that the blood is a part, and not the nutriment only of the Body. For if that were the only use of it, no man would be starved, so long as any drop of the blood remains in the veins, as the flame of a Lamp doth not expire, so long as any oil at all remains to support it.  
But while I affirm the soul to reside first, and principally in the blood, I would not have any man hastily to conclude from hence, that all Blood-letting is dangerous, or hurtful; or believe with the Vulgar, that as much of blood, so much of life is taken away, because Holy-writ placeth the life in the blood. For daily experience shows, that Letting blood is a safe cure for several Diseases, and the chiefest of Universal Remedies: because the default, or superfluity of the blood is the seminary of most distempers; and a seasonable evacuation of it, doth often rescue men from most desperate maladies, and Death itself. For look how much blood is according to Art taken away, so many years are added to the Age.  
Nature herself was our Tutor here, whom Physicians transcribe: for She, of her own accord, doth many times vanquish the most mortal Infirmities by a plentiful and critical evacuation, either at the Nose, Haemorrhoids, or by menstruous Purgations. And therefore young people, who feed high, and live idly, unless about the eighteenth or twentieth year of their age (at which time the stock of blood increases, together with the bulk of their bodies) they be disburdened of the load and oppression of their blood, either by a spontaneous release at the Nose, or Inferior parts, or by breathing a Vein, they are dangerously set upon by Fevers, Smallpox, headaches, and other more grievous Distempers and Symptoms. Alluding to which, the Farriers, do begin almost all Cures of Beasts with Letting blood.   

What Observations are to be collected from the Ramifications of the Umbilical veins in the Egg.  
EXERCIT. LIII.  
WE see the Blood is made in the Egg and Conception before any thing else; and near upon that time, do its Receptacles, that is, the Veins, and Vesicula pulsans appear. And therefore if we admit the Punctum saliens, together with the blood and veins, as one and the same Organical part, visible in the first dawning of the Foetus, to stand for the Heart (whose Parenchyma doth afterwards, in the formation of the Foetus, grow to the Vesicula;) it is clear then, that the Heart under this acceptation (namely, as an Organ compounded of a Parenchyma, Ventricles, Deaf-ears, Vessels, and Blood) is truly (according to Aristotle's own mind) the principal and primary part of the body: and yet its first and chief part is blood; and that not only in order of Nature, but of Generation too.  
The parts next in Generation to the blood, are the Veins: for the blood must needs be kept in vessels. And therefore (as Aristotle observed) there are found two venal Channels near upon the very beginnings of all, which do afterwards (as we have taught in our History) constitute the Umbilical vessels.  
From their Situation therefore and Ramification, some things come to be observed. The First is, that all the Veins and Arteries arise from the heart; for they are as so many retainers belonging to the Heart, or as certain parts of it. If therefore you diligently observe a (humane or any other) foetus new born, and cutting in sunder the Vena Cava between the right Auricle of the Heart, and the Diaphragma, if you mark it as it looks downwards, you shall discover three Holes, whereof the greatest and hindemost tending towards the Spine of the back, is the Hole of the descending Vena Cava; the fore-most, and lesser, is carried into the Root and Trunk of the Umbilical vessels; the third, and the lest of all, passeth into the Liver, and is the Fountain and Trunk of all the branches disseminated into the Gibbous part of the Liver. By which it is evident, that the veins do not (as some would have it) proceed from the Liver, as from their Original, but from the Heart: unless they will obstinately affirm, that the Trunk and body of a vein arises from some little branch of the vein, and not the branches from the Trunk.  
Moreover, since the foresaid vessels in the Egg, are alike disseminated into the Yolk and White (after the manner as Plants work in their Roots into the Ground) it appears, that both their liquours are the nutriment of the Foetus, and that that nourishment is by these Vessels conveyed unto it: and that against Aristotle, who every where affirms, that the Chicken assumes nourishment by the Navel, 
De hist. an. l. 2. c. 3. De gen. an. l. 3. c. 1. & 3.  only from the Yolk, but is made of the White. The White indeed is first spent, and the Yolk, though late, doth yet at last become the Nutriment, and supplies the place of Milk when the Chicken is now hatched: to the intent, that Nature might afford to Oviparous creatures such an aliment as she holds out to Viviparous by the Breasts, or Udder. Hereupon it falls out, that when all the White is exhausted, the Yolk continues almost entire, even when the Chicken is consummate, and complete; nay, even after his Exclusion.  
Aristotle, indeed, ten days after the Chickens exclusion, found some remainder of the Yolk in the Chicken: but I have observed even after six week's time, some part of it fastened to the Guts in the Chickens belly.  
Yet upon the reception of the Yolk into the Abdomen of the Chicken, (which while the Foetus is forming, and growing, doth not abate so much as the White, but continues almost entire, when both the Whites are now quite wasted) and also upon the Observation at the Distribution of the Veins through the substance of the Yolk: all which being collected into one Trunk, do pass into the Vena Porta, and do carry part of the Yolk thither, to receive a further concoction in the Liver; upon these, I say, and such like grounds, I cannot but acknowledge with Aristotle, that the Yolk doth nourish the Chicken, and hath some analogy to Milk.  
The Yolk doth not remain entire after the Consummation of the Foetus, for a portion of it is dissolved in the first conformation of the Chicken; and it likewise doth admit the propagations of the Veins (as well as the White) by which after it is now prepared, it becomes the Nutriment of the Foetus: yet certain it is, that the greatest part of it doth survive the wasted white, and that surviving part is entertained into the belly of the Chicken; and being attracted by the small branches of the Vena Porta, is at last conveyed into the Liver.  
It is therefore a clear case, that the Chicken newly hatched, (while it is yet weak and tender) is nourished by the yolk. And as while he remained within the Egg, he was partly fed by the yolk, and partly by the whites, but chiefly by the hospitality of the whites, which as they are in greater quantity, so are they sooner exhausted: so in like manner, when he is now hatched, (at which time all his aliment passeth through his Liver, and there receives a farther preparation) he is nourished partly by the yolk attracted from the Guts, and partly by the Chyle, which the several propagations of the Meseraick Veins suck into themselves; when there is in the yolk only one propagation of the Vena Porta distributed into it, and a little only of the yolk remaining. For Nature, as Nurses, being about to wean their Infants by degrees, gives them other meats sometimes, that so they may the better endure the decay of the milk: so the Chicken is trained by degrees, from meat of easier concoction, to harder (as from the Yolk, to the Chyle.)  
Therefore what we see of the propagation of the Veins in the Egg, is done upon exceeding good grounds. For as soon as the Chicken begins first to be modelled, the Veins are then extended only into the Colliquamentum; by which the blood being fed and grown, adjoins the rest of the body to himself, to be brought up with him. Afterwards, the veins reach into the thinner white, from whence the Chicken receiveth his sustenance, (while he yet resembleth a Jelly, or Mucilage, and a Maggot) afterwards they spread into the thicker White, and anon into the Yolk, that by that also it may be entertained; and being as yet but tender, it is fed in part by the yolk (as by milk) hoarded up in the abdomen, and in part by food provided and prepared by the Hen, till it be able to seek abroad for nourishment convenient, and can digest it. So that through the whole series of Generation, Nature hath most prudently considered of various Aliment proportionable to the various abilities of the Digestive faculty of the future Foetus. For while it is yet feeble, she hath provided it milder diet, and solider meats for its stronger capacity: and when it is now hearty enough, and can away with courser cates, it is served with commons answerable to it. And hereupon I conceive, that perfect eggs are not only particoloured, but also furnished with a double White.  
And what we have found out by Experience, 
De gen. an. l. 3. c. 1.  seems also to agree with Aristotle's opinion, where he saith, That Part of it which is hotter, comes nearer the form designed to the institution of the members, but that which is earthier, yields matter to frame the body, and is more unlike. As in particoloured eggs, the animal assumes the Rudiments of its generation from the White, (for the animals beginning is in the hot part) and its aliment from the yolk. Therefore in hotter animals, those two are reserved apart; namely, that from whence they take the beginning of their being, and that from whence they derive their aliment, and one of them is white, and the other yellow.  
It appears by what hath been said, that the Chicken (and the same thing shall afterwards be demonstrated of all conceptions) as he results, or is framed from the implanted principle, or soul of the egg, so he also obtains his nourishment from the Egg too: wherefore he hath no need of a mother, as the Plants have of the Earth.  
And it is no truer of him, that he is nourished by his mother's blood, or lives by her spirits; and so his own heart lies fallow and idle the while, then that he moves and perceives by his mother's organs, or is enlivened and takes growth from her soul. But the case is plain, and all men acknowledge, that the Foetus is fed by the Umbilical Vessels; and that the Venal branches disseminated into the White and Yolk, do hence derive sustenance, which they impart to the Foetus.  
It is likewise clear, that when the Chicken is now hatched, or excluded, he is supplied with provisions, partly from the Yolk, and partly from the Chyle; and that they both pass into the Liver by the same Vena Porta, though by several branches of it.  
It is also clear, (to speak by the way) that the Chyle which nourisheth all living creatures, is transported by the Meseraick Veins out of the Guts; and that there is no need to search out new ways (namely the Venae Lacteae) or to fancy any other passage in grown bodies, besides what we find in the Egg and Chicken. But as for the Inconveniences of that invention, we shall elsewhere discover them.  
Lastly, by the constitution of the Umbilical Vessels in the Egg, (whereof we have declared some to be Veins, and some Arteries) we may tollect a Circulation of the Blood, (such as we have long since demonstrated in our Book, de Motu Sanguine is in Animalibus) and that for vegetation, nutrition, and augmentation sake: and therefore the Umbilical Vessels are disseminated into both the Liquors, that they may lead sustenance from them to the foetus; and the Arteries are derived thither too, that by a plentiful affluence of heat they may concoct, dissolve, and render the aliment useful to nutrition.  
And hence it comes to pass, that wheresoever the veins (and under that name the Arteries also are here comprehended) do arrive to the substance of the White or Yolk, those parts seem to be dissolved, and put on a different look or appearance from the rest. For so soon as ever the branches of the Veins shoot forth, the superior or exterior part of the White (into which they are inserted) grows transparent, and melts into a Colliquntion; but the inferior part remaining still thick, and compact, is confined to the Lower angle of the Egg. So likewise there seem to be two parts (a superior and an inferior) of the Yolk, which do as much differ from one another, as melted from unmelted wax; namely, that part which hath entertained Veins into it, from the other which is yet destitute.  
Hence also we are acquainted with the Exordium, and first inherent principle of the Egg. For it is clear, that the Cicatricula or Speck, is the principal particle of the Egg, to which all the rest are to be referred, and to which (if to any part before another) whatsoever it be, which makes the Egg prolifical, is to be imputed, as also the first onset towards the generation of the Chicken. And therefore (as we have showed) presently after the Incubation of the Hen, the Cicatricula is first of all dilated, enlarged, and makes a Colliquation; wherein forthwith the blood moves, the veins are scattered, and the operations and effects of the native heat, do by the help of the formative Operator, betray themselves; and by how much the deeper the small Filaments of these veins do take rooting, by so much the wider is the Empire of the Vital faculty advanced, and the Majesty of the Vegetal Soul revealed. For indeed every Effect is a clear testimony of its Efficient.  
In a word, upon the Cicatricula (wherein the first twilight of native heat doth dawn) the whole Generation doth depend: Upon the Heart, the whole Chicken, and upon the Umbilical Vessels, all the Membranes involving the Foetus (which we call the Secundine) do rely. Wherefore we conclude, that the parts of the Foetus are in subordination one to the other, and do first borrow life from the Heart.   

Of the Order of parts in the Generaration out of an Egg, according to Fabricius.  
EXERCITATION LIV.  
IT being now resolved, which is to be esteemed the first part, namely the Blood, with its Receptacles, the Heart, Veins, and Arteries; it now follows, that we discover in what order all the parts of the Body are generated.  
Fabricius (whose steps we trace in the Generation of the Pullus) ere he proceed to the order of the Parts, doth first recite the actions discovered in an Egg, and by whose assistance the Parts are form; repeating also in order their Faculties: as if out of them the order also of the Generation of the Parts may be more clearly discovered. There are three actions, saith he, which appear first in an Egg upon which the Hen sits: the first is, the Generation of the Chicken; the second, its Growth; the third, its Nutrition. The first, that is, the Generation, is the proper action of the Egg; the second and third (namely accretion and nutrition) do for the greatest part come to a height out of the egg; yet they are begun in the egg, and perfected there too. Which actions, as they flow from three faculties, (the Generative, Augmentative, & Nutritive) so three Effects do ensue upon them: For from generation do all the parts of the Chicken result; from accretion and nutrition, Growth, and Increase: treating first of the Generation of the Chicken, we may discover, that by the help of Generation the parts of the Chicken (which were not before) are produced, and so the Egg is transformed into the body of the Chicken. Now while any part doth commigrate into another, it must needs pass through a commutation of its own proper essence; (for otherwise it must continue the same thing still) and also must be fashioned into a figure, scite, and magnitude convenient and consistent with its nature: and in these two things is the Procreation of a substance absolved, namely, Commutation, and Conformation; therefore the Immutative and Formative faculties, are the causes of these functions: Whereof the One hath produced each particular part of the body, just as we see it, out of the Chalaza of the Egg; the Other conferred the figure, scite, and composition convenient for all the several uses of it. The first of these Faculties, which is the Immutative or Alterative faculty, is wholly natural, and doth act without any knowledge at all; and taking to itself, the hot, the cold, the moist, and the dry parts, it altars the whole subance of the Chalaza throughout, and by altering, it doth change it into the parts of the Chicken; that is to say, into Flesh, Bones, Gristles, Ligaments, Veins, Arteries, Nerves, and into all the other similar and simple parts of the Animal, or Chicken: and the Cock's seed doth by its proper ingenit heat and spirit, generate, create, and produce them out of the Egg (that is, the Chalaza) by Alteration and Commutation; imparting to every one of them its proper substance, and the proprieties belonging to that substance. The Other faculty which is called Formative, and which makes the similar parts dissimilar (bestowing their beauty upon them, from convenient figure, just dimension, proper scite, and competent number) being much more noble than the former, and full of incomparable wisdom, doth not act Naturally, but by Election or Choice, Knowledge, and Understanding. For truly this Formative faculty seems to be stored with most exact knowledge, and praevision, both of the future Action, and also of the Use of every particular Part, and Organ. And thus of the first Action of the Egg, which is the generation of the Chicken, to whose celebration, both the seed of the Cock, as Agent, and Fructifier, and the Chalaza, is required, as the subject Matter. Next comes Accretion, which is done by Nutrition; whose Faculties are the Attractive, the Retentive, the Digestive, and Expulsive faculties: and lastly, the Faculty of Apposition, Agglutination, and Assimulation.  
But as for this distribution of the Actions, I conceive it neither to be right, nor useful, nor pertinent in this place. Not Right; because those actions, which he seems to hold to be distinct, in their species, and time; namely that the parts should be first made similar, by the Immutative faculty; after that, form, and made Organical by the formative; and then augmented by the augmentative) do no where appear so in the Generation of the Chicken; for the parts are all generated, distinguished, and augmented together. For though it be otherwise in the Generation of those Animals which are framed by a Metamorphosis; where all the parts are transformed, and lineated out of a pre-existent matter, which is large enough, and prepared before hand, (as when out of a Worm is made a Butterfly, and out of another Worm a Silkworm) yet in Generation by Epigenesis, the business is much otherwise, nor is the proceeding there, as it is in Nutrition, which is performed by the divers actions of divers parts, joining their confederate forces and helps together: namely, where the Aliment is first attracted and retained; then concocted, then distributed, and at last agglutinated. Nor is the similar constitution produced by the Alterative faculty, without all kind of providence (as Fabricius would have it) And the Organical, by the Formative, which employs knowledge and providence in her undertake. For Generation and Accretion, are not made without Nutrition, nor Nutrition, or Augmentation, without Generation. For to Nourish, is to substitute into the place of that which is lost, as much, and such as is lost: namely, Flesh, or Nerves, into the room of that Flesh, and those Nerves, which are impaired. And what is this other, then to make Flesh, or Nerves? So likewise Accretion is not without Generation: For all Natural bodies, are Augmented, by a new accession of those parts, of which they did consist before: and that according to all dimensions: So that they at once do grow, are distinguished, and organised together,  
And now, to Generate a Chicken, is nothing else, but to constitute all its parts, members and organs: which though they are made in order, and some are postgenit, or later productions than others (as the less principal parts, compared with the more principal) yet while the organs themselves are distinguished, their generation doth not proceed in such order, that the similar parts must be first made, and the organical be afterwards compounded out of them: as if the compounding parts were first to exist, and then the Composition to be raised out of them. For though the Head of the Chicken, and the rest of its Trunk, or corporature (being first of a similar constitution) do resemble a Mucus, or a soft glewey substance: out of which afterwards all the parts are framed in their order: yet by the same operation, and the same Operator, they are together made and augmented: and as that substance resembling glue doth grow, so are the parts distinguished. Namely, they are Generated, Altered, and form at once: they are at once similar and dissimilar: and from a small similar, is a great organ made. In the same manner as out of the straw, the spike, reeds, and grains do arise, and are distinguished: and as the Trees, when they shoot forth their young buds, do out of them, expand and produce flowers, leaves, fruit, and at last, seed.  
And this we have learned out of those things which are conspicuous in an egg, by diligent observation of them. For by the effects, the actions, or operations are perceived; by the operations, the faculties, and by them, the Operator or Efficient. Wherefore in the Generation of the Chicken, the actions or faculties of the Generant (which Fabricius recites; namely, the Immutative and Formative) do not differ Specie, nor yet secundum prius & posterius, but (as Aristotle useth to speak) ipso esse, and ratione solum: not as it befalls the actions of the nutritive faculty, after the birth, (to wit, Attraction, Concoction, Distribution, and Apposition) which perform their duties in several places, and at several times. For otherwise the Generative faculty herself, should be enforced also to use divers instruments to perform her several operations.  
Wherefore Fabricius affirms amiss, that the Immutative Faculty doth operate by the qualities of the Elements, namely, Heat, Cold, Moisture, and Dryness: (as being its instruments) but that the formative works without them, and after a more divine manner: as if (forsooth) she did finish her task, with meditation, choice, and providence. For had he looked deeper into the thing, he would have seen, that the Formative, as well as the Alterative faculty makes use of hot, cold, moist, and dry, (as her instruments) & would have deprehended as much divinity and skill, in Nutrition and Immutation, as in the operations of the Formative faculty herself. For nature hath instituted all those faculties for some end; and doth every where work with providence, and understanding. Whatsoever it is which makes the seed of Plants fruitful, and doth exercise a plastic virtue in it: and that which in an egg executes the office of a most skilful Workman, doth produce and build the parts, and by Calefying Refrigerating, Moistening, Drying, Concocting, Condensing, Hardening, Softening, Dissolving, both Fashion, and Augment them; doth also distinguish them, by Figure, Scite, Constitution, Temperature, Number, and Order: disposing and completing all things, with like providence, election, and understanding, (no less in the alteration, than nutrition, augmentation, and formation of them.)  
I say the Concocting, and Immutative; the Nutritive, and Augmenting faculties; (which Fabricius would have to busy themselves only about Hot, Cold, Moist, and Dry, without all knowledge) do operate with as much artifice, and as much to a designed end, as the Formative faculty: which he affirms, to possess the knowledge and foresight of the future action, and use of every particular part, and Organ.  
As the Art of Physic, the Bakers and the Cooks slight (which set on work, the hot, cold, moist, and dry, and such like natural Instruments) do no less require the exercise of reason, then Mechanical Trades, which either work with their own hand, (as the Smith, the Statuaries, and the Potters) or other artificial instruments. But as in the greater world, we say, Jovis omnia plena, All things are full of the Deity, so also in the little edifice of a Chicken, and all its actions and operations, Digitus Dei, the Finger of God, or the God of Nature, doth reveal himself.  
Therefore if it be lawful for us to judge of the faculties by the operations; the Vegetal Operations do rather seem to be executed by Art, Election, and Providence; then the very actions of the Rational soul, and the Mind, though in a most perfect man, the top and pinnacle of whose Knowledge and Understanding, consists chiefly (according to Apollo's verdict) in this, ut no seat se ipsum, that he know himself. A more sublime, and diviner Artificer therefore (than man is) seems to make and preserve man: and a nobler Agent than a Cock, doth produce a Chicken out of the Egg. For we acknowledge our Omnipotent God, and most high Creator, to be every where present in the structure of all creatures living; and to point himself out by his Works; whose Instruments the Cock and Hen are in the Generation of the Chicken. For it is most apparent, that in the Generation of the Chicken out of the egg, all things are set up and form, with a most singular providence, divine wisdom, and an admirable, and Incomprehensible Artifice.  
Nor can these Attributes appertain to any, but to the Omnipotent Maker of all things, under what name soever we cloud and veil him: whether it be, Mens divina, the divine Mind, with Aristotle, or Anima mundi, the soul of the Universe, with Plato; or with others, Natura Naturans, Nature of Nature herself; or else Saturnus, or Jupiter, with the Heathen; or rather, as befits us, the Creator, and Father of all things in Heaven, and Earth: upon whom all Animals, and their births depend: and at whose Beck, or Mandate, all things are created, and begotten.  
Moreover (as I have observed) this distribution of the Actions, or faculties of the Soul (which Fabricius doth premise to the order of Generation of the parts) as I apprehend it to be faulty, so also I conceive it to be unprofitable and inconvenient, or impertinent to our business. For we do not attain to the knowledge of the Effect, by the knowledge of the actions or faculties, but rather on the contrary, from the Effects we ascend to the Faculties; for the effects or works are notiora nobis, more known unto us, than the faculties from whence they spring: and the parts (which we see made already) are more intelligible in Generation, than the actions which framed them.  
Nor do those things which are to be considered and determined in the general observation of all Animals, fall properly within the compass of the particular generation of the Chicken out of the Egg. But of them more hereafter.  
In the mean time, we shall proceed to the Order of the Generation of the parts. It remains, saith Fabricius, that we consider and contemplate in what Order, that is, which part is made first, and which after in the Egg. In prosecution whereof there are two foundations to be laid: one in respect of the body: the other in relation to the incorporeal substance, as, the Nature or Soul. I call that (saith he) the Corporeal foundation, which depends upon, and flows from the Nature of the body: and whereof an instance is easily deduced from things made by art: For, as every edifice doth first require a foundation, upon which the whole frame is to be laid and supported: whence the walls are set up, which do sustain the Floors and Roof: and then the Householdstuff, and other furniture are introduced; so doth nature proceed in the Fabric of Animals. For first she lays the Bones as the foundation, that all the parts of the Body may grow to, hang, upon, and be established by them. Which bones are first made under another capacity. For since Bones take their first rise from a most soft and membranous substance, and do afterwards attain their induration; therefore much time must be allotted to the Generation of the Bones, that so they may become the hardest parts; and hereupon they are begotten first. And for this reason Galen did not compare the structure of an Animal to every kind of building, but chiefly to that of a Ship. For, saith he, as the foundation and original of the Ship is the Keel, from which the sides, or planks embowed, and placed at a distance one from the other (like a Hurdle) are set up on both sides, that so the whole frame of the Ship may be afterwards finished out of the Keel, as a convenient foundation; So in the fabric of an Animal, Nature first stretcheth out the Chine bone, with the Ribs drawn round it, as the Keel, and congruous principle, whereon she foundeth and finisheth the whole Pile.  
But Experience doth abundantly confute this fancy: for it is evident, that the Bones are rather made last of all. For the Bones of the Limbs, the Skull and Teeth, are not made before the Brain, the Muscles, and fleshey parts; but even after the nativity, in the tender, and (otherwise) perfect foetus, they are only Gristles, and Membranes, and afterwards in tract of time arrive to the solidity of Bones, as doth appear by Infant's Skulls, and the Ribs and Joints of Embryo's.  
And though it be true, that the first platform of the body appears like a Bent or incurved Keel, yet is it of a soft, mucous, and glutinous consistence, no way resembling either the Nature, Constitution, or Office of a Bone. As also the small Globous bodies which are its appendices (designed for the parts of the Head) have no solidity at all in them, but are only Vesicles stuffed with clear water, which are afterward transformed into the Brain, After-braine, and Eyes; and are at last fenced with the Skull, namely, after the Bill, and Claws have attained solidity, and obduration.  
Wherefore this Contemplation of Fabricius is a sleepy, and injurious one; He not considering what really is done by nature in the order of Generation, but rather what nature according to his fancy, aught to have done; as if Nature did imitate Art, and Art were not rather Natures Ape. Which coming into his head, himself afterwards saith, Satius fuerit dicere, etc. It is a more diliberate 
pag. 44.  assertion to say, that Art was Nature's Scholar, and wrought by her Copy: because as Galen every where pronounceth, Nature is of more Antiquity, and wiser in her productions then Art.  
And though the bones are the foundation of the whole body, without which it can nor stand nor move: yet it is sufficient for them, if they are made together with those parts, which do rely upon them. For where the things which are to be upheld are not in being, the Props are provided to no purpose. But nature doth nothing rashly; nor constitutes parts, before there is use of them. But all Animals attain their parts, so soon as action and usefulness is required of them. And therefore this first foundation of Fabricius his laying, countenanced by his own observations in the Egg, and Galens simile, is clean demolished.  
He seems to come nearer the Mark, when he saith, The other foundation of producing the parts in order, is desumed from Nature, that is, the soul; which is Queen Regent of the animal body. For since there are two degrees of the soul, the Vegetal and Sensative; and the Vegetal is, tempore & naturâ prior, first both in time and nature, because it is common to the very Plants; doubtless the Instruments subservient to the Vegetal, are first to be made and fitted, before those that attend the sensitive and motive faculties: especially the more principal ones, and where the Queen keeps Court. Now these are chiefly two, the Liver, and the Heart: the Liver as the throne of the Vegetal or Nutritive: and the Heart as that Minister of State, who by his heat and warmth, doth enliven and complete both the Vegetal, and other Faculties, and therefore holds a strong league and confederacy with the Vegetal. Wherefore if after three day's Incubation, you discern in that part of the egg where the Chicken is bred, the heart panting, (as Aristotle also testifieth) muse not at it, but conclude that the heart relates to the vegetal Faculty, and is therefore the first begotten. Now it is also consonant to Reason, that the Liver also should be Twin to the Heart, and born with it, but doth not appear, because he wants a palpitation, which the Heart hath. For even Aristotle himself saith, That the Liver and the Heart are constituted in the body upon like grounds; so that if there be a Heart, there must be a Liver too. If therefore the Liver and Heart are first begotten, it also follows, that the other Organs that are menial servants relating to these two, should be begotten together with them; as, the Lungs for the Heart; and for the Liver, almost all the parts which are contained in the Lower Belly.  
But all this is very wide from that order and progress which we see in the Egg. Nor is it true, that the Liver is born together with the Heart: nor will that shift serve his turn, where he pretends, Latere Jecur, quia non palpitat, that the Liver lieth concealed, because it is not exposed by palpitation. For the Eyes, the Vena Cava, and the Carina, the Keel, are discerned even from the very first, yet have they no palpitation. What impediment then to bar the Liver and Lungs (if they are then in being) from being seen? Nay, he himself, in his Figure or Table, representing the fourth day, hath described a small Point in the midst, and yet he hath not signified any palpitation belonging to it; nor did he own it for the Heart, but supposed it to be the first rudiment of the body: wherefore he speaks only out of conjecture, and preentertained opinion, when he proclaims the Principality of the Liver: as other men have also done, (namely, Aldrovandus, and Parisanus) who casually lighting upon two Points, and could not discover a Pulse in both, at one and the same time, conceived the one to be the Heart, and the other the Liver. As if the Liver had any pulse at all; but those two Points are the two Vesiculae Pulsantes, returning answer to each other in alternate contractions; as hath been noted in our History.  
Wherefore, either Fabricius is deceived, or doth deceive, where he saith, Presently in the first progress of generation, the Liver, Heart, Veins, Arteries, Lungs, and all the parts contained in the lower belly; likewise the Keel, that is, the Head, with the Eyes, and the whole Spine and Chest, are born and framed. For the Heart, Veins, and Arteries, are perfectly distinguished, for some time, before the Keel; and the Carina, or Keel, before the Eyes; and the Eyes, the Bill, and Sides, before the Members contained in the lower belly: and also the Stomach, and Guts, before the Liver, or Lungs, are discerned. And that order is observed in generation, which we shall presently describe.  
He is likewise deceived, when he decrees the Vegetal part to have a being both in time and nature before the sensitive and the motive. For that which is first in Nature, is for the most part after, in the order of Generation. In time, indeed, the Vegetal part is before, because the sensitive soul cannot be without it. For it cannot actually exist in the body without Organs, it being Actus corporis Organici, the Act of the Organical body: but the sensitive and motive Organs, are the workmanship of the vegetative; and the sensitive soul (before it actually exist) is tanquam Trigonus in Tetragono, like a Triangle in a Quadrangle. But Nature first intends that which is most principal and noble; and therefore the Vegetal faculty is after in the order of Nature, as being subservient to the sensitive, and motive Faculty.   

Of the Order of Parts in Generation, according to Aristotle.  
EXER. LV.  
THat which relates to the order of Generation, according to Aristotle, is thus: When the Conception 
De gen. an. l. 2. c. 4.  is ordained, it proceeds as Seeds do. For Seeds also have a first Principle in themselves; which being first contained in potentiâ, when by and by it is severed, it sends forth a bud, and a root, whereby it attracts aliment; for it requires growth. So in some sort in a conception, where the parts are all in potentiâ, the Principle is chiefly active.  
This Principle in an Egg (analogous to the blossom of Plants) we with Fabricius call Macula, a Speck, or Cicatricula, a small Cicatrice: which we have avouched to be the principal particle, in which all the other parts are in potentiâ, & whence afterwards they arise in their order. For in it is contained that thing (be it what it will) which renders the Egg prolifical; and there is the first effect of the vegetal heat, and operation of the Forming faculty first discovered.  
Macula isthaec, that Speck (as hath been showed) is presently dilated after incubation, and divided into Circles; in whose Centre a small white Point (like the Cicatricula, in the ball of the Eye) doth display itself: where by and by the Punctum rubrum, the Red point, is discovered panting, with the capillary branches of Veins containing blood; and that presently, so soon as ever the Colliquamentum by us mentioned, is framed of that Macula.  
Wherefore Aristotle proceeds; The Heart is first actually discerned; and that not only discoverable to 
Ibid.  sense, but according to reason. For since that which is begotten is now disjoined from both parents, it ought to demean, govern, and dispose of itself, as a Son set free by his Father, and seated apart. And therefore a Principle, and that an intrinsical one, must needs be had, by which afterwards the order of the Parts is to be prescribed, and all things relating to the compliment of the Animal, managed, and disposed. For if it were extrinsical at any time, and afterwards began to enter in, you would not only be in suspense, and question when it went in, but conclude, that since each part is distinguished, it was necessary that part should subsist, out of which both growth and motion is conferred upon the other parts. In another place he saith, The first Principle is a part of the whole, and not any separate thing, which is contained apart from it. For, saith he, when the Animal is now generated, is that Principle corrupted, or doth it remain? Now nothing seems to be in, which is not a part of the whole, be it Plant, or Animal. And that it should be corrupted, when it hath been at the expense of making all, or some of the parts, is very absurd; for what shall make the remainder? Wherefore (he proceeds) who side with Democritus, saying, That the exterior parts of the Animal are first made, and then the interior: as if they were to build a wooden or stony Animal, do not say well; for such a creature as that hath no Principle in itself. But all Animals have, and contain one within them. Whereupon the Heart is first seen in all Animals, in which there is blood; for that is the Principle of the similar, and dissimilar parts. Now that thing which requires Aliment, ought already to have received that principle of an Animal, and constituted Foetus.  
Which words do plainly declare, that Aristotle did conclude of an Order in the Generation of Animals, and of a Principal part, namely, the Heart, which (like a Son at liberty) is the first animate, and primogenit part of the Animal, contained, and abiding in it: whence not only the method of the parts is set down, but the Animal itself, preserved, and relies upon it, receiving continual life and sustenance; and that thence, whatsoever is necessary to the perfection of the Animal, is derived. For, (as Seneca saith) in the Seed is the whole 
Nat. quest. l. 3. c. 19  account of the future Man comprehended. And the Infant yet unborn hath a Standard and Commission for a Beard, and a Gray-head. For the dimension of his body, and ensuing years, are already deciphered in a small, mysterious character.  
Now whether the Heart be the Primigenial part, or no, we have determined above. To wit, if Aristotle's speech be understood of that part, which (in the Anatomy of Living creatures) is seen by the eye to be before the rest, (that is, of the Punctum saliens, together with the Veins streaming with blood) we cheerfully embrace his judgement. For we believe, that the Blood, together with the Vessels, and Instruments; namely, the Umbilical Veins, (by which, as by Roots, the Nutriment is attracted) and Vesiculae pulsantes (to whom it is distributed for the life and growth of the parts) is constituted before any other. For (as Aristotle saith) the matter by which any thing is augmented, and out of which it is first made, is one and the same.  
But they are much abused, who conceive, that the divers parts of the Body are sustained with a divers aliment. As though Nutrition were nothing but a bare choice, and attraction of aliment: and that no concoction, assimilation, apposition, and transmutation, were required of the particular parts which are to be nourished: which was the opinion of Anaxagoras of old. 
Lucret. l. 1.   

Principium Rerum qui dixit Homoeomeriam;  
Ossa videlicet è pauxillis atque minutis  
Ossibus; sic & de pauxillis atque minutis  
Visceribus, Viscus gigni: sanguenque creari,  
Sanguinis inter se multis coeuntibu' guttis.   

Who said, that Things from their Likeparts begin;  
That Bones from less, and fewer Bones do spring;  
And entrails rise from entrails, Blood from Blood,  
Where the Confederate drops make up the Flood.   
But Aristotle most truly saith: Distinction of parts is not, as some suppose, upon that ground, that Like is 
In the place before cited.  of its own nature tending to its Like: for besides many other difficulties which beset that opinion, it will follow, that every similar part must be ordained apart by itself: as for instance; Bones by themselves, Nerves, and Flesh by themselves, in case that opinion be admitted. But, indeed, the Nutriment of all parts is common and similar, as the Yolk in the Egg; and not heterogeneous, and compounded of divers parts. And therefore what we have said concerning the matter out of which the Parts are made: we pronounce the same of the matter out of which they are augmented; namely, that the parts do assume their Nourishment out of that matter, in which all the Parts are in potentiâ, but none actu.  
As out of the same Shower all kinds of Plants take growth, because that moisture, which was before like in potentiâ to them all, is now made like them actu, being transformed into their substance; And is also bitter in Rue, sharp in the Mustard, and sweet in Licorise; and so in the rest.  
He goes on, to explain what Parts are generated before others; and that with a reason not much unlike Fabricius his Fundamentum secundum, his second ground or foundation, saying, Id cujus causâ, & quod ejus causâ, differunt; & alterum generatione, alterum essentiâ prius est; namely, the End is first in Nature and Essence, in respect of that thing which is made for the Ends sake; but That which is made for the Ends sake, must needs be first in Generation. And by that Argument Fabricius rightly infers, that those Parts which are subservient to the Vegetative soul, are all made before those which are instrumental to the sensative, because that is subordinate to this.  
After this, he subjoines the differences of such things as are made for any End; namely, that some things are instituted for some End by nature, because the End doth ensue upon them: but some, because they are Instruments which the End makes use of: and those he calls Genitalia, but these, Instrumentalia. For the End, saith he, in some things is after, and in some, before those things which are their causes. For the Generant himself, and that which he employs in Generation, must needs exist before that which is generated by them. And therefore the Parts subservient to the Vegetative soul, are before those which are retained by Sense, and Motion. But the Parts dedicated to Motion and the Senses, are after the sensitive and motive Faculties; as being instrumental, and made use of by the sensitive and motive Faculty. For by Nature's Law, no Parts or Instruments are made and constituted, before there be employment for them, and a faculty be ready at hand, to set them to work. So neither the Eye, nor the Instruments of Motion are set up, till the Brain is built, or the faculty be already provided, which is to See, or Move.  
In like manner, because the Vesiculae pulsantes do (as Instruments) minister to the motion of the Blood; and likewise the whole Frame and Fabric of the Heart (as we have evidenced in our Book de Motu Sanguinis) is Instrumental; (namely, that the Blood may be continually hurried round the Body in a Circle) the Blood seems to have a being both in Order of Nature and Generation before the Heart; which he employs as an Instrument, having begotten it also, and doth persist to nourish, and convey heat, spirits, & life unto it by the Coronal Artery.  
But how this General Rule of Aristotle concerning the prae-ordering of the Parts, doth appear to be true by Anatomical Observation, we shall declare hereafter. In the mean time, we will inquire, after what manner he himself doth sufficiently deduce the Causes of Priority, as I may so say, in Generation, according to this Rule.  
After the Principle (namely the Heart) are the Interior parts begotten, before the exterior; the superior, before the inferior: for the inferior are for the superiors sakes, as being their instrument: after the pattern observed in Plants, which shoot forth their Roots, before their Branches.  
But Nature doth not use that method in Generation; nor is the instance always true; for in Beanes, Ciches, and other Pulse, also in Acorns or Mast, and Corn, it is apparent that at the same time, the Stalk shoots upward from the same Bud, and the Roots downward. Likewise Onions, and other bulbous plants, do germinate upwards before they fix downwards.  
But he adjoines another cause of this order; to wit, Nature makes nothing superfluous, nor nothing in vain, whence it appears, that nothing is made by her, either before or after another, otherwise then need requires. Namely, those parts are first generated, whose uses and functions are first required: some also are sooner begun, because they call for more time to perfect them, that so they may be ready for the birth, together with others that are forwarder than they. As the Cook being to provide a feast, where some provisions (by reason of their solidity) ask a slower fire, and longer time to prepare them, he lays them down to the fire first: but to those that are sooner dispatched, and are dressed with a gentler heat, he applieth himself last: and such also as are to be served up in the first course, he makes ready first, but those in the second, last. So likewise nature, in the generation of Animals, is late ere she delineate the moist, soft, and fleshey parts, (as being quickly cooked, and reduced into shape) but for the hard and more solid (as the bones) because they exact a large Evaporation, and Exsiccation, and their matter continues long indigested, to them she addresses herself first of all. For in the Brain also, saith he, the same falls out, namely, that at first it is very moist, and great in quantity: but anon, the humidity evaporating, and being concocted, it grows more solid, and so the quantity of the Head, and Eyes, do abate. In the beginning therefore, the Head seems very big (in comparison of all the rest of the body, which it much exceeds in bulk) by reason of the Brain: and the eyes very large, by reason of the humour contained in them. But yet the eyes are perfected last; because even the Brain itself is long ere it grow to a consistence. For it is long ere it get the mastery, and drain the water, and especially in a Man. For the Sinciput is last confirmed of all the Bones; for that bone is yet soft, even when the Child is born into the World.  
He also proceeds to another reason; namely, that the parts are framed of different materials. The more noble parts, (saith he) and those that participate the worthiest principles, are constituted of the concocted, purest, and chiefest aliment: the other necessary parts, made for their sakes, are fashioned out of the base matter, the relics, and dregs. For Nature, like a prudent Master of a Family, loseth nothing, out of which he can make any advantage, but so manages the matter in his house, that his Children may far best, his Servants harder than they, and the scraps or refuse thrown to the Dogs. As therefore, Incremento jam addito, mens advena facit haec, that is, (as I interpret it) a prudent man grown to years of discretion, disposes thus of his Charge; So in the framing of things, Nature (by an inbred wisdom and prudence) forms the flesh, and substance of the instruments of sense, out of the most refined matter, but the Bones, Nerves, Hair, Nailes, Hoofs, and the like, out of the Dregs, (that is the refuse, remainders, or fragments) And therefore these are made last, when nature hath now good store of course materials. And after this, he distinguisheth of two sorts of Aliment; one of Nutrition, the other of Augmentation. That of Nutrition, saith he, doth supply a being to the whole, and all the parts, that of augmentation procureth an accession to the magnitude.  
According to what we find in the Egg; where the White (as the more refined Aliment) relates to the first Nutrition of the Chicken; the Yolk to its augmentation. And the thinner White (as hath been showed) conduceth to the formation of the First, and nobler Parts; but the Courser, and the Yolk, to the augmentation of the Nobler, and formation of the more Ignoble. For, he saith, the Nerves are framed as the Bones, out of the seminal and nutritive excrement. But the Nails, Hair, Spurs, and all like these, are form out of augmentative, and adventitious meats; which the Foetus both receives from the Mother, and also doth provide of itself. And after this he at last gives the reason, why Man (since other Animals are provided with their Garments, and Weapons at Nature's price) should be borne naked, and unarmed; namely, that those kind of parts are constituted of the excrementitious parts, and relics, but the materials of Men are purer, in which there is very little terrene, or crude excrement to be found.  
And thus far have we made use of Aristotle, concerning the Order of Generation: where all seems to be bottomed upon one foundation; namely, Nature's Perfection; which in all her Workmanship, hath nothing short, nor nothing superfluous, but always disposeth matters for the best. And therefore no parts had been precedent or subsequent to one another, if it had been more advantageous to have form them altogether; which is to be understood of Her, as often as she acts freely, and by choice. For sometimes she acts otherwise, being as it were under constraint, and put beside her purpose; which happens, when either by defect of matter, or superfluity thereof, or by the default of her instruments, or some outward impediments, she is hindered in her work, and frustrated of her aim, or end. And hence it comes to pass sometimes, that the final parts are generated before the Instrumental: I call those final parts, which employ others, (as their instruments.)  
And because some parts are Genital parts, which Nature sets to work about the Generation of other parts, or else to remove some Obstructions in her proceedings, which in case they continue, the Generation may be retarded: and others are under another capacity: therefore it comes to pass, that according to the disposition of the matter, and other requisites, the parts are diversely made some after other, and some of them are in hand before, but are not finished till afterwards: some are begun and finished before others are begun, and others are as soon begun as their fellows, but finished after them. And therefore in the generation of some Animals, the same order is not always observed, but it is much different and various; and in some no order at all: but all the parts are begun, and finished at a heat: namely by a Metamorphosis, as we showed. And lastly, hence it happens that the Primogenit part is such, that in it is concluded both the Beginning, and the End; as well that for whose sake all are made (namely the soul) as also that which is its cause in chief, and Genital part. The Heart therefore (or, according to my persuasion, the Blood) is the first throne of the Soul; the fountain of life; the Vestal fire; the Genital warmth; and the very Calidum Innatum; the first Efficient of all his ministering parts, having atcheived the soul for his end, which commands them all as her leige-people. The Heart I say, (as Aristotle will have it) is he, for whose sake the whole Fabric and Family of the parts are provided, and who also is the Fountain, and Father of them all.   

Of the Order of Parts in Generation, as it appears by our Observations.  
EXER. LVI.  
THat we may at last propose our own opinion of the Order of Parts, as we have collected it out of several Observations of our own; we intent to distinguish the whole work of Generation (in all Animals whatsoever) into two Fabrics.  
Whereof the first is that of the Egg; namely, of the Conception, and Seed, or of that, whatsoever it is, which (in Spontaneous productions) answereth in proportion to Seed; whether we understand it under the notion of Calidum nativum coeleste in humido primigenio, the Innate celestial substance, in the Primigenial moist, with Fernelius, or with Aristotle, of Calor Vitalis in humours comprehensus, the vital heat concluded in moisture. For the Conception in Viviparous Animals (as we have said) is answerable to the Seed and Fruit of Plants; as also the Egg, in Oviparous; in Spontaneous productions, the Worm, or some Bulla teeming by the Vital heat of the contained moisture. In all which the same thing is comprehended, which may truly call them Seeds; namely, out of which, and by which (as the matter, and Efficient, and pre-existent Organ) every Animal is first made and borne.  
The Other Fabric is of the Foetus, born out of the Seed, or Conception. For the Matter, and the Final, and Efficient causes, and the Instruments necessary to the work, must first be, before any part of the Production can begin.  
The Fabric of the Egg we have already seen: but that of the Foetus (so far as we could discover out of dissections) is perfected (especially in the more perfect race of Animals, and such as have blood) chiefly by four degrees, or processions: which according to the several times of generation, we shall reduce into as many Orders; demonstrating withal that the same thing which is discerned in the Egg, is alike in every conception and seed.  
The First progress is of the Primogenit, and Genital part, namely of the blood, with its receptacles, or if you will have it so, of the Heart and his Veins.  
Now this part is first begotten, chiefly for two reasons, both because it is the principal part, which makes use of all the rest, as its Instruments; and for whose sake the other parts seem to be produced: as also, because it is the Chief Genital part, the Fountain and Author of the rest; The part in which is concluded both the Beginning and End of Generation; the same being Pater & Rex, Parent, and Sovereign.  
In the Generation of these Parts, (which is determined in the Egg the Fourth day) though I could not observe any Order; because all its particles (Blood, Veins, and Vesicula pulsans) appear at once; yet I believe (as I said) that the blood is in it, before the Pulse: and that it also in Nature's Law, is before it receptacles, the Veins: for the substance and structure of the Heart (namely the one with its Ventricles and Auricles) as it is generated long after with the other entrails, so ought it to be registered in their Classis, which is the Third.  
In this structure, the veins are conspicuous before the Arteries, at least, as far as we could observe.  
The Second Journal, which sets out after the fourth day, discovers a certain Concrementum, or coagulated substance, which I call Vermiculum, seu Galbam, the little Worm, or Maggot; (for it seems to enjoy the life and obscure motion of a Galba) and this, as it congeals into a jelly, is divided into two parts; whereof the upper and the larger is conglobated, and distinguished into three Vesicles; namely, that of the Brain, After-brain, and one of the Eyes: but the lesser, carinam referens, resembling the Keel of a Ship, is superinduced upon the Vena Cava, and is extended according to its length.  
In the structure of the Head, the Eyes are first discerned, and anon a white spot starts up for the Bill, and the film drying about, it becomes protected by a membrane.  
At this time also the adumbration, or rough draft of the rest of the Body seems to succeed; where first upon the Carina the sides or planks, as it were, of a Boat seem to arise; being at first of a similar consistence, but afterwards by most white streaks they are signified to be the lines of the Ribs. After this, the members of Motion, namely, the Wings and Legs do appear: and at last the Keel, and Limbs born by a kind of Superfoetation, are distinguished into Muscles, Bones, and Joints.  
Those two first mishapen materials of the Head and Body, do together appear, and are together distinguished: but afterwards, when they tend towards growth and perfection, the body gets the start, and is much sooner grown and shaped; so that the Head which did at first outstrip the whole body beside, in bulk and magnitude, is now very much short of it. And this is likewise natural to humane productions.  
The like Disparity is between the Body itself & the Limbs; for in an Infant (from that time that the Embryo exceeds not the length of the Nail of the little Finger, till he be increased to the stature of a Frog, or a Mouse) his Arms are so short, that if you stretch out his fingers over his breast, to their farthest extent, they will not be able to touch one another; and his thighs are so short, that being reflected upon his Abdomen, they will hardly reach to his Navel.  
Nay, in Children lately born, the proportion of the bulk of the Body is a pretty deal larger than that of the Limbs, until they are able to stand, and go. And therefore Infants are first Dwarves, and crawl like beasts, & attempt to move on, though upon all four: but go upright they cannot, till the prolixity of their Legs and Thighs exceed the longitude of the rest of the Body. And hence is it, that their first venture to foot it, represents them a prone kind of cattle, which can scarce exalt themselves to the erection of a Cock.  
And therefore amongst grown persons, the long slimme Fellows, (whose Thighs, but especially their Shanks, are longer than ordinary) can stand, walk, run, or vault longer, and at more ease, then square, and well trussed men.  
In this second Process, several actions of the Formative faculty pursuing one another, may be observed; (as in the Automata, or engines that go of themselves; where the foregoing wheel sets his follower upon motion too) and all the parts spring from the same jelly, and similar substance. Not as 
De gen. an, l. 2. c. 4.  some Natural Philosophers expound it, who say, that Like is hurried unto its like: but we must say, That the parts are moved not by changing their station, but remaining where they were, and altering in softness, hardness, complexion, and those other differences of similar parts; being now made those things Actu, which they were before in Potentiâ: that is, the Limbs, the Spine, and the rest of the Body, are altogether form and increased, are together described, and complexioned: also the Bones, Flesh, Nerves, and Gristles, which were all similar at first in the same members, and of one kind of substance, in progress of Time are plainly distinct; and being conjoined, make up Organical Parts, by whose mutual connexion and continuity the whole body is compiled. So in the Head, the membrane growing every where light, the Brain arrives to its consistence, the Eyes are polished out of a fluid instable moisture.  
Nature doth feed and enlarge all the Parts, out of the self same Nutriment, whereof the first did frame them, (not as many will have it, out of a divers one, and such as is like to every particle) namely, by augmenting her same jelly, or worm: and like a potter, first she divides her materials, and she allots to the Trunk, the Head, and the Limbs, every one their share or cantlin: as Painters do, who first draw the Lineaments, and then lay on the Colours: and as a Ship Carpenter, first lays the Keel for a foundation, and then sets up the Ribs, and Breastbone, or Deck: and as he builds a boat, so doth Nature the Trunk of the Body, and hasp on the Joints. And in her work, she begins all the similary part out of the same Primitive jelly, or glutinous mass, (namely, the Bones, Gristles, Flesh, Nerves, etc.) For at first there appears nothing of the Bones, but a kind of filaments, or threddy fibres; which afterwards become nervous, anon Gristles, after that, like thorns, and at last down right Bones. So likewise the thicker Membrane investing the Brain, proceeds first to be gristly, and afterwards into a Skull: while the thin Membrane doth improve into a Coat, or Pericranium, and Flesh. And in the same Order the Flesh, and Nerves, out of a yielding jelly, do concoct and strengthen, into Muscles, Tendons, and Ligaments: The brain, and after-braine, from a thin Water, coagulate into a Callous Curd; for the brain of Infants, before the bones of the Synciput are confirmed, appears soft and fluid, and hath no more coherence, then coagulated Milk.  
The third Process is of the entrails; whose generation is discovered in the Chicken, after the delineation of the body; (namely about the sixth or seventh day) and near upon the same time, they all appear, that is, the Liver, Lungs, Kidneys, the Cone of the Heart and its ventricles, and also the Guts. But their first original is from the Veins, and are bred growing to them, (like Wens to the bark of Trees) and at first they appear white, bloodless, and like a jelly; and so continue till they are ripe for public employment. The Guts with the Stomach seem at first like white threads, waved or contorted, extended through the longitude of the belly: and together with them the Fabric of the Mouth is discovered; from which to the Fundament in a continued procession, the top is united and linked to the bottom: the Genitals also are about this time visible.  
Yet hitherto the Bowels and Guts are not shut up within the hollow of the body, but being fastened as it were to the Veins hang forth: and thus doth even the Heart himself. For the trunk of the body hitherto resembles a Skiff without a deck, or a House without a roof; as being hitherto no way covered over by the anteriour parts; namely, the Breast, and Abdomen.  
But so soon as the Sternum, or breastbone is framed, the Heart enters into the breast, as into a habitation of his own setting up, and furnished purposely for him; and being now retired, like the Genius of the place, he undertakes the patronage of the whole Mansion; and there dwells, with his servants the Lungs. After this, the Heart and Stomach retreat too; & at last the Guts shroud themselves in the Belly. So that in a Hen-egge after the tenth day of Incubation, the Heart admits no spectators without dissection.  
About this time the top of the Bill, and the Claws break forth, being all exceeding white; and now a chylous matter is visible in the Stomach, and a kind of Excrement in the Guts; and the Liver being now begun hath the Gall, which appears green adjoined to it. By which it appears, that a different Concoction, and Preparation of the Aliment is now made, (whereof these are the Excrements, from that which is performed by the Propagations of the Umbilical Vessels: so that a just doubt may hence arise, how Choler (the Excrement of the Second Concoction) can be separated from the rest of the Humours by the Livers help, when it is itself in being at the same time with the Liver.  
The Interior parts are Universally generated, after the Order proposed: for in all Animals (which I ever diffected) they are framed after the same Manner, and Order: and especially in the more perfect, in fourfooted Beasts, and so in Man himself; In whom the Heart, Liver, Lungs, Spleen, and Guts, appear framed, and augmented in the Second, Third, and Fourth Months, at which times they are white, as also the whole Body. And hereupon the first days are not improperly called in lacte dies, the Days in the Milk; for the Bowels, and all the other parts appear spermatical, except only the Veins, and chiefly those of the Navel.  
The Umbilical Arteries are, I conceive, framed after their Namesakes, the Veins; because they are scarce to be found in the first months, and take their Original from the Branches which descend to the Thighs: And therefore, I conceive, they are not constituted before that part of the body, (from whence they are derived.) But the Umbilical Veins are conspicuous long before any part of the Body is in hand.  
What I have now delivered, hath been ratified out of many dissections of humane Embryo's of (almost) all sizes: for I have observed them from the bigness of a Tad-pole, till they became of the longitude of seven or eight fingers breadth, and so upwards to the Birth. And especially in the second, third, and fourth months; at which times the greatest Alterations befall them, and the progress of Generation is most evident.  
Therefore, in a humane Embryo of two months old, those very things which we have related in the second Process, do appear begun. For in the first month I conceive there is little or nothing of the foetus extant in the womb; at least I never found any thing. But that month expiring, I have frequently seen a conception cast out (like to that which Hypocrates relates to have fallen from the Minstrel) of the bigness of a Pheasants, or Pigeons egg, and it was of an Oval figure, just like an Egg with the Shell peeled off; but the thicker membrane (called Chorion) encompassing it, was plastered on the out side, as it were, with a mucous substance, (especially in the obtuser end) but within it was slippery, being full of clear and stiff water, containing nothing else at all.  
In the second month, I have often seen such a kind of Egg (but larger) ejected upon indications of Abortment, namely the Lochia ichorosa; and it hath been sometimes entire, and sometimes broken, covered over with clotted blood. Within, it was smooth and slippery, the blood adhering without, and its form was like the other. In some of these ejectments I have found a foetus, in other, none. That foetus hath been of the length of the nail of the little finger, but the shape was like a little frog, save only that the head was great, and the legs extremely short: just like the Tadpoles in June, which when their limbs begin to shoot out, they lose their tail, and put on the shape of Frogs. All its substance was white, and so soft and gellyish, that unless it were cast into clear water, you could not hold it in your hand. The face was like that of other Animals, as of a Dog, or Cat, without lips, and a wide mouth from one care to the other.  
Divers Women, whose Conception (like an addle Egg) is fruitless, and without a Foetus, do suffer abortion the third month. I have often dissected an abortion of that age (being of the bigness of a Goose-egg) wherein was a foetus, distinct in all its parts; though their form was rough, and unshapen, The Head, Eyes, and Limbs appeared, but the Muscles were confused: having no bones, but in their places, certain Lineaments, and softer Gristles, as it were; the substance of the Heart was most white, having two Ventricles of equal magnitude and thickness, and a double Cone, like two small Twin-kernels of a Nut; the Liver was wondrous little, and also white. All this time, namely, for three month's space Vix quicquam Placentae, sive hepatis Uterini, scarce any thing of the After-burden is to be seen.  
In all these kind of Conceptions (as many as I have seen) I still found the ambient membrane fraught with a vast quantity of watery substance: in which the floating Embryo is so exceeding small, compared with the place where his abode is, and hath withal so long and winding a Navel; that those waters ought not upon any terms to be thought the sweat, or Urine of the Embryo; but more probably, his nutriment, provided by nature (like the Colliquamentum in the Egg.) For I could find no indication to induce me to believe, that that conception, or Egg had any connexion to the Womb: only the outward superficies of the obtuser end, looked something more wrinkled and thick; like the first intention of a future placenta.  
Moreover those Conceptions appeared to me, like certain eggs, which were only to be harboured within the Womb, but to be nourished (like the Henne-egge) by their own projection, or industry.  
Now in the fourth month, you would admire how much the Foetus is improved; for by this, it is increased from a Thumb-length to a Span: and all his members appear distinct, and have a tincture of Blood; the Muscles of the Limbs, and the Bones are now apparent; and also the Rudiments of the Nails; and the Embryo begins to bestir himself sound. Yet the Head is still very big; and the Face without Lips, Cheeks, or Nose: the chasm of the Mouth is very large, whose space is half supplied by the Tongue; the Eyes small, and without Lids; the middle part of the Forehead, and all the upper-part of the Head is covered with a Membrane, which is not as yet cartilaginous, so far is it from being Boney: but the hinder part of the Head is something hard, and Cartilaginous, implying that the Skull begins to grow solid.  
The Genitals likewise did appear, but the Testicles were seated within the Abdomen (where in females the Uterus resideth) the Scrotum remaining empty. The Feminine parts were imperfect, and the Uterus with its little Tubuli, did represent formam bicornem, the two horned shape of the Uterus of a Lamb.  
And now the Placenta was enlarged, and affixed to the Womb; comprehending almost half the Conception; appearing to my eye like a Tumour, or fleshey excrescence of the Womb: its Gibbous part did stick so fast, even throughout its whole extent, to the Womb, which was now grown thicker. Into this Placenta the little Umbilical branches (like slender roots into the Earth) did insinuate themselves: and by its mediation the Conception was now first tied to the Womb.  
The large and fluid Brain resembled Cheese-Curd, and was embroidered with larger Veins. The two Ventricles of the Heart, both of the same magnitude, and their walls equally thick. In the Region of the Breast within the Ribs, I saw three hollow places, and those not much unlike each other: the lowest of which, the Lungs having Blood in them, and of like complexion with the Liver and Kidneys, did inhabit: the middle was possessed by the Heart and Pericardium: but the upper was filled with that large Glandule which we call Thymus, the Sweetbread.  
In the Stomach was Chyle, of like substance to that in which the Embryo swims: There was also a coagulated substance which was white, like to those white curdled pollutions which the Midwife washeth off from the Infant (especially from the folds of the Skin) so soon as it is borne. In the superior Intestines was Excrement, or some part of the Chyle, in the inferior a little dark excrement. In the Bladder was Urine found: and Gall in the Vesicle designed for its reception. Intestinum Cacum, the blind Gut (just as it is in grown persons) like an empty superfluous appendix of the Colon; and nothing like what it is in other Animals, (as the Hog, the Horse, and the Hare) in which it is like a Second Stomach. The Omentum, or Kell, did like a Caule, or thin transparent cloud, lie floating upon the Guts.  
The Reins at this time are not form into a gibbous figure, as it is when men are grown, but are moulded of several gobbets (as you see in a Calf, and in a Sturgeon) as if to every sprig or divarication of the Ureters, there were a gobbet or Teat, out of which their Orifices did drain the Urine. Upon the Kidneys there are the two Glandules (which Eustachius first found out) wherein store of blood lies; and their Vein, which Anatomist call Adipose, seems not much less than the Emulgent itself. The Liver, and Spleen, are equally full of blood (according to their several proportions.)  
And here we must observe by the way, that in every Humane Foetus that is lively and well, perfect Milk is found; wherewith chiefly the Glandule Thymus, or the Sweetbread is stored. It is also found in the Pancreas, and almost all along the Mesentery, in certain Venae Lacteae as it were, and the Glandules placed between the divarications of the Meseraicke Veins. Nay sometimes it may be milked out at the breasts of Newborn Infants, and sometimes also it starts out of itself: which some Midwives say, doth make for the Infant's Health.  
And that it may plainly appear, that the water (which is so plenteous in the Conception) is no excrement discharged by the Embryo, as either his Sweat, or Urine; it is less (in proportion) near the birth (when the foetus is now more grown, and upon that account doth accumulate more excrement, because he requires more nourishment) then in the first months of pregnation. And moreover, at that time his bladder is full, and distended with Urine. And to say truth, that passage, (which Anatomists call the Urachus) which should (as they fancy) convey the Urine from the bladder, through the Navel, could never yet be found out: but I have often seen the bladder, pressed or gripped with the hand, discharge the Urine out at the Yard, but never at the Urachus.  
And let this suffice, concerning what we have observed in a humane Foetus, so far forth as it relates to the knowledge of the Order of the Parts.  
In the Fourth and last Process, the parts of meaner rank and condition are form: such as do not simply relate to the very being, and preservation of the Animal, but only ad tutelam, to its safeguard against foreign injuries: or ad ornatum, vel pugnam, to its Ornament, or for Defence.  
For that kind of Safeguard or Defence, the utmost part (namely the Skin) is chiefly constituted, and all that proceeds out of it, as the Scarfe-skin, the Hair, Wool, Plumes, Scales, Shells, Clans, Hoofs, and the like. And indeed it is a prudent contrivance of Nature (who never makes any thing indiscreetly,) to beget those parts last of all, whereof she hath no use till after nativity. And therefore the Chicken is borne with down only on him, and not Feathers (as other Birds are, who are presently fitted for flight) because by wand'ring to and fro, he earns his sustenance with the industry of his Legs, rather than his Wings: And so again young Ducklins, and Goslins, who prey in the water, have their Plumes, and Wings later perfected than their Legs: which is clean contrary in young Swallows, which, because they are to fly about to glean up a living, are sooner versed in flight, then walking.  
Now the Down starts up in the Chicken after the Fourteenth day, when the Foetus is now complete, and provided with all his parts. But in many of them, at their first nativity, it looks like dark spots or points; and after that the Feathers sprout up like Grass in the Field, and at last expatiate, and clothe the body round, protecting it from the inclemency of the Air.  
The Feathers differ from Quills, in form, use, and place of Production. For Chickens are Feathered ere they have Quills: for Quills spring only in their Wings, and Rump; and stick deeper in the bottom of the flesh, or the very Periostium itself, and are useful to motion: but the Feathers rise out of the superficies of the Skinn, and serve for protection.  
Nailes, Hair, Horns, and the like, saith Aristotle, 
De gen. an. l. 2. c. 4.  are bred out of the Flesh, in so much that they change colour with the Flesh: for the white, and black, and divers coloured, are made so, according to the different complexion of the Skin. But in our Chicken, all this is clean otherwise, for what various colour soever the Feathers be of, the Skin beneath them is of one only. And many times one and the same Feather is diversely painted and discoloured, for the pomp and beauty of the Fowl.  
Likewise in the Humane Foetus, the Cutis and all the skinny parts are last perfected. And therefore at the beginning, there are neither Lips, nor Cheeks, nor Ears, nor Eyelids, nor Nose to be seen: and that line whereby the upper-lip is united into one, doth close the last of all.  
The Humane production is also borne naked and unarmed; as one whom Nature had intended for a sociable, political, and peaceable creature: and to be ruled more by reason, then constrained by force. And therefore she hath furnished him with Hands, and Understanding, that having provided properties, he might clothe, and defend himself. For those Animals whom Nature hath made strong, she hath also armed with weapons agreeable to their strength: but where she hath denied strength, she hath bestowed wit, and cunning, and an admirable dexterity to evade affronts.  
The Ornaments, as the Tuft upon the Head, the Comb, the Gills and the like, wherewith the haughty Animals swagger, are for the most part imparted to the male, more than the female: as also all weapons too, as Teeth, Horns, and Spurs, etc. which appoints them for the Battle. And they are then compleatest in the male, about that time when the female is in her prime, and provoked to leave an Heir behind her. For they are yet to come in the younger Animals, and in the aged they whither, and decline (as useless.)  
Our Dunghil-Cock (that famous Champion) so soon as he is strong, and ripe for generation, is provided of his Spurs, Comb, and Plumes; by which he becomes amiable in the fight of his Concubines: and combats other Cocks not from any vain Itch of Ostentation, but to perpetuate his own Lineage, that so he that is best able to protect himself and his Charge, may have the prerogative to propagate the Species. For all those Animals which are well appointed with arms, and more Martial creatures than the rest, do ground their quarrels, either upon the Rescue of their Young, or their title to their habitations, or their husbandry for their provisions, but in chief, upon Rivalship in their Loves (and that, for posterities sake) and being subdued, as they lay by their pomp, and disdainful demeanour, so they surrender their claim to their Wives; and with dejected spirits languish out their days; while the Victor fleshed with the conquest, riots in the enjoyment of the Captives Females.  
Nor is this their bravery any ascititious Wardrobe, or some few day's Pageantry, or Masquingstuff, but a lasting one, and Nature's liberal Dowry, which delights not only in the Embroidery of Animals (and chiefly of Birds) but hath employed her Pencil upon Flowers, and Plants, adorning them with wonderful Art and variety of colours.   

Certain Paradoxes, and Problems to be considered of, concerning this Subject.  
EXEECIT. LVII.  
THus far have we spoken concerning the Order of Generation: by which the difference between those creatures which are produced by a Metamorphosis, and those which are borne by an Epigenesis, hath been discovered: as also, between those that spring from a Worm, and those that arise from an Egg: for these are bodied out of one part of the prepared matter, and fed with the other; But they take up the whole matter in their frame, or Constitution: these are together augmented and form; they are augmented first, and from a Cankerworm grow into an Aurelia, and are afterwards form and made consummate Animals, as Butterflies, Silk-wormes, and such like Animals.  
And therefore Aristotle (as Fabricius observes) as he constitutes a kind of twofold nature of the egg, and a kind of twofold Egg in these creatures; so he lays down a twofold action, and a twofold Animal produced by it. For (saith he) out of the first eggs, which are the first rudiments of the Generation, a Worm constantly doth proceed: namely, out of the Eggs of Files, Ants, Bees, Silk-wormes, etc. in which a certain fluid matter is contained, and out of all that fluid matter is the Worm made. But out of the second Eggs, which are laid by the Worm himself, the Butterfly is born, and proceeds; that is, a Volatile Animal, which is concluded in a kind of Shell, Skin, little bag, or egg, and when that bag is broken it departs thence as Aristotle delivereth concerning the Locusts eggs. Lastly these are perfected by a succession of parts; but they (namely, such as are generated by a Metamorphosis) are made entire at once. And in the same manner, are both Spontaneous productions generated, which obtain their first matter, and first extraction from putrefaction, filth, dew, excrements, or out of the parts of Plants, or Animals; as also those issues which proceed from the seed of Univocal Animals. For it is common to all Animals, to desume their Original from seed, or an egg: whether that seed proceed from other Animals of the same species, or happen there casually from some thing else. For as it sometimes befalls in Art, so also in Nature; namely, that the same things are sometimes casual, which at other times are effected by Art: as Aristotle doth instance in Health, so in like manner is the Generation of any Animals; (as far as they proceed from Seed) whether their seed be casual, or else proceed from an Univocal Agent of the same kind. For even in casual seed, there is a motive principle of Generation, which can generate out of itself, and by itself: and the same thing is found in it, as in Univocal Animals; namely, a power to form a living creature. But of this more at large hereafter.  
Now some Paradoxes do here arise to be examined. For since the Macula is dilated, the Colliquamentum concocted, and prepared, and many other things (not without great providence) ordered, towards the formation, and growth of the Chicken, before any particle of the Chicken appear; what should hinder the Innate beat, and vegetative soul of the Chicken to be existent before the Chicken itself? For what can produce the effects and operations of Life, but that which is the cause and efficient of those Effects and Operations; namely, the heat, and faculty of the Vegetal soul? And therefore the soul doth not seem to be Actus corporis Organici vitam habentis in potentiâ, the Act of an Organical body, which hath life in it in potentiâ: for we conceive the form of the Chicken to be such an Act. Now in what can we imagine the form, or soul of the Chicken to be, but in the Chicken itself? unless we allow the forms to be separate, or grant a Metempsychôsis.  
But this is most manifest, where the same Animal lives by a succession of forms; (as Aristotle speaks) as for example, Out of a Canker-worm, an Aurelia, and then a Butterfly. For the same Efficient, Nutritive, and Preserving principle, must needs be in each of these: unless we will place one soul in the Boy, another in the Young man, and a third in the Old: or affirm, that the Canker-worm, and that worm which becomes a Silkworm, also the Silkworm, and the Butterfly, have the same form, of which matter Aristotle hath accurately written, and whereof more largely hereafter.  
Again, it seems a Paradox, that the blood should be made, and move, and be endowed with Vital spirits, before any sanguifying, or Motive Organs are constituted at all.  
Nor is it less new and unheard of, that there should be Sense and Motion in the Foetus, before his brain is made; for the Foetus moves, contracts, and extends himself, when there is nothing yet appears for a brain, but clear water.  
Besides, the body is nourished and increased, before the Organs dedicated to Concoction (namely the Stomach and Liver) are form. And likewise Sanguification (which is the second Concoction) is performed before the first, (which is by the Stomach) and called Chylification.  
The Excrements of the first and second Concoction (namely in the Guts, and the two bladders, of Urine one, the other of Gall) are coetaneous to the concocting Instruments themselves. Lastly, there is a Mind, Providence, and Understanding, not only in the Vegetal part of the soul, but even before the soul itself; procuring, disposing, and ordering all things, and artificially moulding the future foetus to a resemblance with his parents, even from the very first original; and all this, to advance the being, and well being of the Foetus.  
Concerning which Resemblance, we may inquire, what should be the cause why the Foetus sometimes resembles the Father, sometimes the Mother, and sometimes also the Progenitors, and those either of the Father or Mother's side? And this the rather, since upon one single coition, and at the same moment of time, many Eggs are fructified together. This also is a wonderful thing, that the Virtues, and Vices, the Diseases, the Marks, the Moles or Spots should be transferred to Posterity: and that into some only of the Progeny, and not unto all. In the race of Cocks, some are of a generous spirit, and born to battle; who will die rather than turn their backs upon their Adversaries: and yet their Nephews, unless they proceed of like parents, do by degrees forfeit their gallantry; according to that saying, Forts creantur fortibus. In many other Animals (and especially in Man) the Bravery of the Succession, or Family is observable: and many of the Endowments both of body and soul are derived down to it ex traduce.  
This I have often admired, that when the Issue hath obtained a mixed fabric or composition from both Parents, and that in all other parts of the body, yet it hath not been so in the Genitals; but that it commonly proves either Male, or Female, and very seldom an Hermaphrodite.  
Lastly, many things are in the foetus ere they appear at all; and some things are begun with the first, but perfected with the last: as the Eyes, Genitals, and Bill.  
And hence there arise debates concerning the pre-eminence, or dignity of the Parts; in which the Wits of such as are curious in these cases, may employ themselves. As, Whether the Heart bestow life and vigour upon the blood, or the blood rather upon the Heart? Whether the blood be made for the body's sake, as the Matter, Nutriment, and Instrument; or else the body, and all its parts for the blood, and the soul which doth first and principally reside in it? Likewise, Whether the Ventricles, or Auricles of the Heart are most honourable? For we find that the Auricles have life and pulse first, and do expire last. And farther, Whether the left Ventricle of the Heart, which is deeper in a Man, and is fenced with a thicker and more carnous wall, and is conceived to be the fountain of the Spirits, be the more excellent, hotter, more fraught with Spirits, and livelier of the two: or the Right, which doth last languish and subscribe to Death, containing a large quantity of blood: and where the Dying man's blood doth last congeal, and is deprived of life and spirit? and whether also the Umbilical Vessels do transport the blood (as to their fountain) and whence also they derive their extraction?  
Now these things do result out of the Observation of the Order of the Generation of the Parts, as also other things which may be hence deduced, and do not a little clash against the Physiology commonly approved. Namely, (when we plainly see that there is both Sense & Motion, before the brain is begotten) it is evident that all Sense and Motion is not derived from the brain: for it appears by our History, that Sense and Motion do clearly discover themselves in the first small drop of blood in the Egg, before any particle of the body is framed. And likewise, the first platform or constitution (which we call jelly) is laid before any part is discerned; and when the brain is now nothing but a clear water: which first rudiment of the Body, if it be lightly pricked, will, like a Worm or Maggot, obscurely move, and contract itself: which is a plain testimony of its sense.  
There are also other Arguments deduced from Sense and Motion, by which we may conclude (with Aristotle) That the Heart, and not (with Physicians) that the Brain is the first Principle.  
Those Motions and Actions, which Physicians call Natural, because they proceed whether we will or no; and we cannot moderate, accelerate, retard, or refrain them at our own pleasure: & which therefore are Independent in regard of the brain; yet even they are not performed without all sense, but do imply sense, as by which they are excited, provoked, and altered. For we conceive, that in the Heart itself, its Palpitation, Trembling, Fainting, Swooning, and all the changes in the pulse, either in magnitude, celerity, order, rhythme, or the like, do proceed from morbifical causes indisposing it, and offensive to its sense. For whatsoever by diversity of motions makes war against those things that enrage and molest it, must needs be endowed with sense.  
The Stomach and Guts provoked by injurious humours, do raise a Nauseating, Belching, Rumbling, Vomiting, and Flux; and as it is beyond our power, either to raise or lay these combustions, so are we to seek for any such sense retaining to the brain, which should excite those parts to such Expressions.  
It is very strange, that upon the Infusion of Antimony taken in a Vomit, though we neither distinguish it by taste, nor find any disgust in it, either swallowing it down, or in returning it back again; yet there passeth a censure upon it by the Stomach, which discerns between what is useful and prejudicial, and so provokes to Vomit.  
Nay, the Flesh itself doth easily distinguish a poisonous wound from one that is not poisonous; and thereupon contracts itself, and condenseth; upon which inflamed tumors arise: as we may see in the stingings of the Bee, the Gnat, and the Spider.  
I myself once, for experiment sake, pricked my hand with a needle; and presently rubbing the same needle upon a Spider's tooth, I pricked my hand in another place, so that I myself could not distinguish between the two pricks. But there was something in my Skin that did distinguish; for in that place where the poisoned prick fell, it presently contracted itself into a pimple, and presently grew red, hot, and inflamed; as if it fortified itself, and stood upon its guard, to oppose, and subdue the malice of the Venom.  
The Offences undergone by the Matrix, as its Contorsion, Descension, Falling down, Rising, Suffocation, and other Maladies and Provocations, do no whit depend upon the Brain, or Common sense; nor yet can they be conceived to befall it insensibly. For that which is plainly void of Sense, cannot seem any way to be porouked, or heightened into any motion, or action. Nor have we any other signs to distinguish an animate and sensitive creature, from a dead and senseless one, then by its motion provoked from some offensive object, which doth always follow, and argue Sense.  
But of this more at large, when we treat of the Actions and Use of the Brain. But the Reverence due to the Ancients, and Antiquity herself, doth advise us to uphold their doctrines, so far as they are true. Nor can it beseem us rashly to reject, and discountenance their Labours, and Decrees, whose light hath been our direction to the Shrines of Philosophy; wherefore I conceive we ought to think thus. We perceive we have Five Senses, by which we give judgement upon outward things; but because it is not the same sense, by which we perceive, and by which we perceive our own perception; (for we see with our Eyes, but we do not by them know we see) but by another sense, which employs another sensitive Organ (namely, the Internal Common sense) by which we give judgement upon all those things which we perceive by our external Organs, and so distinguish white from sweet, and hard: This common Sensorium, or Organ of Sense (whither all Species are conveyed from the outward Organs) is plainly the Head; which, together with all his Nerves, and outward Organs adjoined to them, is understood to be the adequate Organ of Sensation. And it is like the Sensitive Root, from which several Fibers' result; whereof one sees, another hears, a third toucheth, and the other smell, and taste.  
Yet as there are certain Actions and Motions, whose Regiment or Jurisdiction relates not to the Brain, and they therefore are called Natural: so also must we conclude, that there is a certain sense of Touching, which is not conveyed to the Common sense, or any way communicated to the brain; and therefore in that kind of sense, we do not perceive our sensation: but just like men whose understanding is perverted, or else are distracted by some violent Passion, insomuch that they are insensible of all pain, and takes no notice of any thing that meets their senses: So we must conceive it to be in this sense, which we therefore distinguish from Animal sense. Having observed such a kind of sense in the Zoophyta, or Plant-Animals (as the Sensitive Plant, Sponges, and the like.)  
Wherefore, as many Animals have both Sense and Motion, without the Common sense, or a brain; as the Worms in the Guts, also those Worms which turn into Silkworms, and the like, so also do some actions befall the Embryo, and us also without any assistance from the brain, and a kind of sensation doth proceed, without sense. And as Physicians teach, that Natural Actions differ from Animal; so upon like reason, the Natural Touch seems to differ from the Animal sense of Touching, and constitute a distinct species of Feeling: so that the one is communicated to the Common sense, or brain, and the other not.  
Moreover, it is one thing for a Muscle to be moved or contracted, and another thing for it to perform an Action, at distinct regulated contractions and relaxations; as to go forward, or receive any thing in the hands. Doubtless, the Muscles, or Motory Organs, in the Cynical distortion, or Convulsion proceeding from some cause that disturbs them, are no otherwise moved, than a Cock or Hen, which when the Head is quite chopped off, is disturbed with many convulsive motions of the Legs and Wings: but such as are altogether confused, and disordered, because the sway of the brain is dethroned, and the common sense deposed, under whose Government formerly, those motions were regulated by rhythm and harmony, either to walking, or flight.  
We conceive therefore, that it ought to be said, That all Natural Motions proceed from the power of the Heart, and are as his Retinue: but the Spontaneous, and such as perfect any Action, (which Physicians call animal) are not produced but by the brain and common sense controlling them. For as by this common sense, we perceive our own Sensation, so also we perceive our own motion; and that whether it be regular, or perverse.  
We have a clear Instance of both these motions in Respiration; for the Lungs (as the Heart) are continually moved up and down by a natural motion, and also provoked to cough, and frequent Agitation; but produce or shape a voice, or sing they cannot, without help, and commission from common sense.  
But these things are to be more fully handled, when we shall fix our contemplation upon the Action and Use of the Brain, and the Consideration of the Soul. But thus much hath been delivered by the way, that we may declare our desire and inclination to pay our Masters the respect we owe them.   

Of the Nutrition of the Chicken in the Egg.  
EXERCIT. LVIII.  
HOw much the Authority of the Ancients is not rashly to be rejected, appears even in this: It was of old an opinion much prized (which yet many at this day disclaim as erroneous; and Fabricius decryes it as a mere delusion, and fond persuasion) that the Embryo did suck, in its mother's 
De form. foet. p. 19 or 134. l. de carn. & de nat. puer.  Womb: and it had Democritus, Epicurus, and Hypocrates himself for its Abettors. And Hypocrates doth establish his opinion chiefly upon two arguments; For, saith he, unless it had sucked, how could it deposit any excrements: or know how to suck so soon as it is born.  
Now in other cases they use to subscribe to every word pronounced by this so famous, and ancient Oracle, and his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was warrant enough: but here (because he delivers things dissonant to what is commonly received, Fabricius doth not only renounce his bare assertion, but stands out in defiance against his proofs. Therefore I appeal to the judgement of the most skilful Anatomists, and most learned Physicians, whether our Observations concerning the Generation of Animals, do not only cast a probability, but enforce the necessity of this opinion of Hypocrates.  
All in general acknowledge, that the Foetus while he abides in the Womb doth wallow in abundance of Water, (which Liquor, we, in the History of the Egg, style the Colliquamentum, and the Moderns say that Water is the Sweat and Urine of the Foetus; affording this advantage, that the Foetus floating in it (while the Mother runs, leaps, or uses any other violent motion) doth not easily offend the Womb, nor is himself wronged by allision against the bones seated there round about him, or some outward blows; and the rather, for that at this time, his body is but tender, and infirm.  
Fabricius adjoines other benefits arising from 
pag. 137.  these Waters; namely, Their moistening and lubrifying all the passages round about, and rendering the neck of the Matrix capable of the largest dilatation; and all these commodities, saith he, do no less arise from that thick white Excrement, answerable to that of the third concoction, which is Uncivous, Oily, and Fat, and neglected by the Ancients. Which it also performeth, lest the Sweat which may sometimes transpire, sharp, and saltish, should erode the tender Infant's body.  
I willingly acknowledge the several benefits assigned to this water, by all Writers; namely, that the tender Foetus in order to his indemnity from any sudden, and violent motions of his Mother, is thus securely nestled in alis vespertilionum, in the Bats Wings, as they call them, and moated round with store of water, so that he cannot easily, by every (though violent) motion dash himself against his Mother's sides; (because of those ties which fasten him on every side) at least this circumambient liquor being equally poised in the midst doth protect him from all outward harm. But my own Observations, as they do in many other matters, so also in this enforce me to be of a contrary opinion to Fabricius: for I am most certain, that the said liquor, is not the Sweat of the Foetus. Nor can I believe, that that water doth perform those offices in the birth, which he commemorates: and much less, that it is so sharp and Briny, that the foetus must stand in need of an oily unctuous fence to secure him from it, especially that foetus, which is either clothed with Wool, Hair, or Feathers. For this liquor is of a good savour, and like a kind of watery Milk; and therefore, almost all Viviparous Animals, so soon as they have brought their Young into the world, fall aboard and eat it up, and lick their new born issues clean, greedily swallowing the humour which they receive in, when they will not so much as touch the excrements of their foetus.  
Fabricius conceived this water to be sharp, and salt, because he thought it to be the sweat. But what injury, I pray, can the sweat do to the foetus now clothed in feathers? if at least he ever saw such a creature as a sweeting Chicken.  
And I suppose he will not say, that the use of that water in an egg, is by its moisture and lubricity to expedite the Chickens birth. For the dryer and older the shell is, by so much the frailer, and britler it becomes. Lastly, were it the Chickens sweat, it would most abound near the Exclusion; for the larger the Chicken is, and the more Aliment he takes in, so much the more sweat must he necessarily create. But a little before his Exclusion (about the ninteenth or twentieth day) there is none of this kind of humour discernible; whereby, he should have rather reputed it an Aliment, than an Excrement: (had he rightly considered the matter) especially, seeing he allows the Chicken in the Egg, the use of Respiration, Voice, and Crying, which, were he begirt with water, could not have been.  
Nor are these Waters of any great use, to the Expedition, or Lubricity of the Delivery (as experienced Midwives know full well) though Fabricius would have it otherwise. For the neighbour Parts are about that time, (without any profusion of those Waters, mellow and relaxed by a certain maturity of their own: especially, those which may be an obstruction to the work: namely, the Ossa pubis, & Coccygis; about which the chiefest care of the Midwife is exercised in furthering the delivery: for she is less solicitous, to anoint the fleshey parts, lest they rend in sunder, then in putting back the Coccyx; which if she cannot effect with her own hand, she calls in the Man-Midwife to procure her purpose by the Speculum matricis; which instrument by its triple sides, whereof one is applied to the Coccyx, the other two to the Ossa pubis, doth distend those parts by force.  
For the Infant now just at his Birth, while he turns himself, and precipitates his Head downward, doth relax and open the orifice of the Womb: but if in his descent he light upon the top of the Bone, there he sticks; and hardly gets forth, and that not without danger, to himself, and his Mother too. Now it is evidently nature's intent, to mollify and relax those parts. For, if the Midwife do discover the Orifice of the Matrix become soft and loose, she lays it down for an infallible sign of the approaching delivery, though the Waters are not yet broken. Nay (I speak what I know by Experience) in case any thing remain after the delivery, which ought to be discharged, or if at any other time there be any thing in the Womb, which it endeavours to be rid of, the Orifice doth not only descend, but is also soft and relaxed: but if after the delivery, that Orifice be retired into its place, and be perceived to be grown something hard, it is an evident sign that all is well.  
And by the like Experience, I pronounce, the Ossa pubis to be often loosened one from another in delivery, their cartilaginous connexion being mollified, and all the Region of the Lower Belly miraculously dilated; and this not by the profusion of the Watery substance, but of their own accord, as ripe fruits use to revolt or open, to make room for the Exclusion of their seeds. But how much the Coccyx may retard the delivery, is clear in fourfooted beasts, that have Tails; for they can neither bring forth young, nor disload the excrements of the Guts, unless they remove their Tail; which if you depress with your hand, you hinder the passage of the Excrement.  
Moreover, that is accounted the most Natural Delivery, when the Foetus and Secundines with the Watery substance (that is, the Entire Egg) get forth together. For if the Secundines be entire, and the waters not broken, the circumjacent parts are more distended, & dilated by the Throws, namely, by the distension of the Membranes, whereupon, the foetus works his release with less struggling; though the Mother's pains be the greater. In which condition, we know how the Woman in Labour is much relieved from the intolerable torment caused by distension, upon the breaking of the Membranes, (whether it be done by Midwives nails, or by a pair of Scissors) the Waters by that means being set a float.  
And the skilful Midwives know very well, that in case all the Waters be come away, before the natural opening of the Womb, the Woman with Child, continueth the longer in Labour, and her Travail is the harder; which would yet be contrary, in case those precedent Waters (as Fabricius would have it) did so much conduce to the mollifying, and Lubricity of the parts.  
Besides that this humour, which we call the Colliquamentum, is not the sweat of the foetus, is evident, both in the Egg and other Animals; for it is in being, before any part of the foetus is constituted, or any rudiment of him extant. Nay so soon as he is discernible, and is yet but jelly, and very small, so great a quantity of Water is to be seen, that it is utterly impossible, so inconsiderable a bulk should afford such plenty of Excrement.  
Add to this, that the fibres of the Umbilical vessels are scattered and terminated in the membrane containing this Water, as in the Yolk and White of the Egg: to give evidence clearly (if you consider the thing, as it truly is) that this humour, is rather to be conceived the Aliment, than the Excrement.  
Wherefore Hypocrates his opinion seems to me more probable than that of Fabricius, and other Anatomists, who count this Liquor the Sweat, and Prejudice of the foetus. For I believe that this Colliquamentum, or Water wherein the foetus swims, doth serve for his sustenance; and that the thinner & purer part of it, being imbibed by the Umbilical Vessels, do constitute and supply the primogenit parts: and the rest, like Milk, being by suction conveyed into the Stomach and there concocted or chylified, and afterwards attracted by the Orifices of the Meseraick Veins, doth nourish and enlarge the tender Embryo. And to fortify my persuasion, I shall lay down some arguments, that prevail with me.  
So soon as the foetus attains any perfection, he presently stirs his Limbs, and proceeds to make trial of those actions, to which his Instruments of motion are designed. Now we see the Chicken in the Egg, open his mouth amidst this Water; whereby he must needs swallow it down. For it is most certain, that whatsoever is gone beyond the root of the Tongue, and is arrived at the top of the Gullet, no creature can return (but by Vomition) whereupon the Farriers, which administer medicinal Potions, Bowls, or Pills, to cattle, taking them by the tongue cast it in beyond the protuberance of the Tongue, just at the Root, that so they cannot avoid the swallowing. And if any of us, convey a Pill so far as the root of the tongue, he shall find himself necessitated to swallow it down, unless a Vomit meet, and repel it. Wherefore since the Embryo wallowing in the foresaid liquor, doth open his mouth; it follows likewise that it must enter in; and since he moves his other muscles, why should we doubt, but that he employs the Instrument of his throat likewise, and so imbibes the humour.  
Moreover it is certain, that in the Craw of the Chicken (and the like is also found in the Stomach of all Embryo's) there is seen a substance most like in colour, taste, and consistence to the said liquor; which being a while digested in the Stomach, resembles coagulated Milk; and we have also found it like to Chyle, in the upper Gut, the lower Guts being then stuffed with Excrements.  
So also in the foetus of Viviparous creatures, the thicker Guts are full of such an Excrement as that, wherewith they do abound all the while they are said with Milk. Also in Sheep and other beasts which divide the Hoof, the dried dung is manifestly to be seen.  
About the seventeenth day, I have evidently found excrement in a Chicken, near the fundament; and have also seen it, when it hath been discharged into the Secundines, a little before the exclusion. And Volcherus Coiter, a diligent and skilful Anatomist, records the same observation. Why then should we scruple to say, that the foetus in the Womb doth suck; and that a Chyle is made there; when we have both the apparent principle, and rejectments of it.  
Besides, at that time when we see both the bladders, one full of Gall, and the other of Urine (both which are excrements of the second concoction) why may we not conclude that Chylifaction, which is the first concoction, went before it.  
The Embryo therefore sucks, and receives nutriment in at the Mouth. And this you shall soon descry, if so soon as ever he is borne, you put your finger into his mouth. Which according to Hypocrates, would not be, had he not sucked before in the Womb. For we see young Children make essays, and attempt upon all performances: namely, moving their Limbs, crawling along, and endeavouring to speak: all which they attain at last with dexterity, by long practice, and education. But so soon as ever they are born, nay before they are born, they will suck. For we have found by experience, that while they yet stick fast in the Birth, before they can either cry or breath, they will seize upon the finger extended to them, and suck it.  
Nay, A Newborn Child is more exact at sucking, than a grown body, or himself either if he discontinue it but a few days. For the Infant doth not compress the Nipple, and suck at the rate that we do by gulping down: but as if he would devour the Nipple, he still draws it into his mouth, and by the aid of his tongue, and palate, he sucks the milk, as if he chewed it; with far more earnestness, and slight, than a grown body. Wherefore he seems to be good at it of old, and to have practised it in the womb; for we see how soon he unlearns it by discontinuance.  
By these and other Observations it is probable, that the Chicken is fed two ways in the Egg, namely, both by the Umbilical, and the Meseraick Veives: by the former, he attracts well digested aliment, whereby the Blood, and primogenit parts are constituted, and increased; by the other, Chyle, which conduces to the fabric, and augmentation of the other parts.  
Now, perhaps the reason may seem obscure, wherefore the same Agent should out of the same Matter proceed to a divers manner of Nutrition: (when Nature doth nothing in vain) yet we will endeavour to discover the reason.  
That Part which is attracted by the Umbilical Veins, is the purer and sincerer part: But the remaining Colliquamentum wherein the Foetus floats, is a kind of crude milk, without cream, deprived of its purer part. The more pure part therefore stands in no need of farther concoction, as the other doth, which therefore is received into the Stomach, and there chylified. The thin, and crude milk, such as is found in the breast presently after delivery, is like this. For the dissolved White of an Egg, and the crude and watery milk in the breast or udder, are of the self same colour, taste, and consistence. Also the first milk given, is serous, and watery; and Women in Childbed do milk a kind of water out of their breasts, before the milk is concocted, and perfectly white.  
And therefore the Colliquamentum found in the Chickens crop is a kind of crude Milk; and the very same afterwards found in the Gisard, is concocted, white, and coagulated. So likewise in Viviparous Animals, before their milk is digested in their breast, it looks like a kind of Dew, or Colliquamentum; and so on the contrary, the Colliquamentum, after it is concocted in the Stomach, puts on the likeness of Milk. Whence it comes to pass, according to Aristotle's opinion, that the first and most principal parts are fashioned out of the finer and purer materials: but of the courser, (by a new concoction in the Stomach) refined, the meaner and inferior sort of parts are made: so that Nature like a kind, indulgent mother, would rather abound with Supernumeraries, then be scanted in Necessaries. Or rather, we must affirm it consonant to reason, that the foetus now grown more perfect in himself, should also be sustained after a more perfect manner (viz. by the Mouth) and attract his aliment more refined, and rendered more devoid of dregs, by the two precedent Concoctions; (As being thereby cleansed from two several sorts of Excrements.) At first, indeed, being sustained by the Umbilical Vessels, he lives like a Plant supplied by its root; and hereupon his body looks indigested, white, and imperfect; and like a Plant, he remains fixed, and immovable. But so soon as he enjoys the same aliment more elaborate, as now inspired with a diviner spirit, and triumphing in a higher pitch of Vegetation, the former Jelly is transformed into flesh, the Organs of motion are distinct, the spirits are enriched, and he himself begins to move: and now no longer is cherished like a Plant by his roots, but lives the life of an Animal, and is nourished at the Mouth.   

Of the Uses of the whole Egg.  
EXER: LIX.  
HAving declared those mutations, and several proceedings, which are required in a Hen-egg, in order to the production of the Chicken; Fabricius proceeds to discourse of the uses of the whole Egg, and of its Parts: and this not only in a Hen-egge, but in all other kinds of Eggs. Where he also demands, Why some Eggs are heterogeneous, and compounded of divers parts; and others are homogeneous, and similar? such as the Eggs of Infects are, and of those creatures, which are constituted out of the whole Egg, (by a Metamorphosis) and not generated out of one part of the egg, and nourished by the other, as the Chicken is.  
But my business is not to treat of all Eggs in general (as not having in this Tract delivered their history) but only of Hen-eggs, and the benefits or advantages arising from their parts: all which ought to tend to that, to which the Action of the whole is directed; which Fabricius truly observeth, 
pag. 50.  to be nothing else but the Generation and Augmentation of the Chicken.  
And amongst those things which relate to the Whole Egg, Fabricius doth recount the Figure, Quantity, and Number of the Eggs. The Figure of the Egg, saith he, is round, that the whole bulk of the Chicken might be contained in the lesser space; for 
l. 10. de us. Part.  which cause God made the Universe Round, to comprehend all things: and for the same cause, this Figure, saith Galen, appeared always most lovely, and convenient to Nature. Besides, in that it hath no angle exposed to outward injuries; it is therefore esteemed the safest figure, and most convenient for the Exclusion of the Chicken. Now Fabricius upon this ground, aught to have assigned the reason, why Hen-eggs are not spherical (as the fry, or eggs of fishes, worms, and frogs are) but acuminated and oblong. What impediment is there which hinders them from this perfect figure? Therefore, in my judgement, the figure of the egg hath no influence at all upon the Generation of the Chicken, but is merely accidental; which I the rather conceive, because there are so many several varieties of figures, even in the Hen-eggs only. For the figure differs according to the diversity of the Uterus, in which (as in a Mould) it receives its form.  
Aristotle, indeed, saith, That oblong eggs produce 
Hist. an. l. 6. c. 2.  Hens, but the rounder, Cocks: But I have never yet observed any such thing. And Pliny affirms the clean contrary: The rounder sort of eggs, saith he, 
l. 10. c. 52.  exclude Hens, and the rest, Cocks. And, to say truth, if there were any certainty to be collected hence, some Hens would ever generate Cocks, and other, Hens: for some do lay eggs which are always of one and the same figure, that is, ever oblong, or ever round. And the oblong would rather exclude 
Plin. ibid.  Cocks, because they are the more perfect, and better concocted; and therefore Horace esteemed them to be more pleasant than the round.  
The Reasons alleged by Fabricius for the figures of the Eggs, we willingly pass by, because they are invalid.  
As for the Magnitude of the Egg, that indeed doth seem to conduce to the largeness of the fatus, which is thence to be generated; for your great Hens lay fairer eggs. And yet the Crocodile lays eggs no bigger than Goose-eggs: no living creature 
Id. l. 8. c. 25  spreading into so large a bulk from so small an Original. It is also probable, that the largeness of the Egg, and the plenty of the liquours contained in it, do conduce something to the fecundity of the Egg: for the very small eggs (called Centenina) are all of them addle.  
The Number of Eggs affords the same benefit, as plenty of Conceptions do in Viviparous creatures; that is, they are useful to the continuation of the species. For Nature doth commonly bestow a plenteous issue upon those Animals which are weak, and liable to the insolences of other Creatures: recompensing the shortness of their lives, with the number of their offspring. Nature, saith Pliny, hath bequeathed this legacy to the Race of Birds, that the 
l. 10. c. 52.  more fearful amongst them, should be more fruitful, than the more valiant. For since all Generation is designed by Nature for Perpetuity sake, it befalls those Animals more frequently, which are shorter lived, and obnoxious to outward injuries, that so their species may not decay. Hereupon, Birds of Prey, which excel in strength, and thence maintain their lives the longer, and remain in more security, do seldom lay above two eggs. Indeed, the Pigeon, Turtle, and Ring-dove, hatch but two eggs at once; but the frequency makes satisfaction for the paucity, for they hatch ten times a year. So that they Generate Much, though not Many.   

Of the Benefits or Uses of the Yolk and White.  
EXERCITATION LX.  
AN Egg, saith Fabricius, properly so called, is 
pag. 47.  compounded of several parts, because it is the Organ or Instrument of the Generant; and Galen affirms, That every Organ consists of several parts. Which gives an occasion of doubt, whether every egg be not Heterogeneous, seeing every egg is an Organ. And indeed, every egg seems to be constituted out of several parts, even the very eggs of Infects, and Fishes: for they all consist of Membranes, Cover, and Muniments: and the Matter also contained in them, is not altogether destitute of a dissimilar constitution.  
Fabricius doth also farther conclude truly, with Galen, That some parts of the Egg are the chief Instruments of Action; others, such Instruments as the Action cannot be performed without them; others, as conducing to the better performance of the Action; and lastly, others, as useful to the safety and preservation of all the rest. But he is deceived, where he saith; If we speak of the chief Action of all, which is the Generation of the Chicken, the chief cause thereof is the Seed, and the Chalaza; for these two are the prime cause of the generation of the chicken: the Seed being the Efficient cause, and the Chalaza the material only. For, as Aristotle affirms, he must of necessity acknowledge, that the Generant must be within the Egg. But he denies the Cock's seed to be within the Egg.  
Nor is he less mistaken concerning the Material cause, out of which the Chicken is made by the artifice of the seed. For it is neither made of both the Chalazae, nor yet of any one of them, as hath been discovered in our History. Nor is the Generation of the Chicken accomplished by a Metamorphosis, or delineation and division of the Chalazae, but by in Epigenesis, as we have explained. Nor is the Chalaza principally fructified by the seed, but the Cicatricula rather, or the Eggs-eye, as we call it: out of which being enlarged, the colliquamentum doth result: and afterward in the colliquamentum, and out of it, the Blood, Veins, Vesiculae pulsantes, and the whole Body is at last constituted. And upon his own confession, the seed of the Cock doth not so much as pass into the womb of the Hen at all: and yet notwithstanding it doth fructify, not only the Eggs already form, but those also that shall be form hereafter.  
To the Eggs second Action (which is the Nutrition, and Augmentation of the Chicken) Fabricius calls in the White and Yolk. The Quantity of the yolk and white, saith he, is proportioned to the better performance of the former action, as also to the absolution and just increase of the chicken. The Eggshell, and Membranes, are constituted for the safeguard of the whole, and also of the action of the Egg. But the veins, and arteries, which do convey the aliment, are such as without them the increase and nutrition could not proceed.  
But yet he leaves us in suspense, not knowing whether he mean the Umbilical Vessels of the foetus itself, or the veins and arteries of the mother, as those instruments by which the egg is augmented. And yet upon as good ground, both the Uterus, and the Incubation itself, may be reduced into this classis.  
Come we then to the Liquors of the Egg, namely the Yolk and White, for these are, rather than the other parts, instituted for the sake of the foetus, and also in them the second action of the Egg is most remarkable.  
Hen-eggs are of two colours, and constituted of two liquors, which are fenced by distinct membranes, and kept apart the one from the other: and likewise, since they are distinguished by a twofold propagation of Umbilical Vessels (whereof the one passeth to the Yolk, the other to the White) they themselves are in all probability of a different nature, and therefore of a divers use and advantage. The Yolk and White of Eggs, saith Aristotle, do obtain a contrary nature; not only in regard 
Hist. an. l. 6. c. 2.  of Heat, but Power: for the Yolk is condensed by cold, but the White is not only not condensed thereby, but liquified the more. So on the contrary, the White is condensed by fire, but the Yolk is not condensed by it, but continues soft, unless it be very much burned: And is more condensed, and dried by being sodden, then roasted. The Yolk being now warmed by Incubation, becomes more moist; for it resembles melted wax, or dissolved fat: whereupon also it fills a larger room than before. For by degrees, as the foetus is enlarged, the White is consumed and thickened: but the Yolk on the contrary, when the foetus is now complete, seems to have lost little or nothing of its dimensions, but seems only to be more liquid and moist, even when the belly of the foetus begins now to be covered over with the Abdomen.  
And Aristotle gives the reason of this differences 
De gen. an. l. 3. 5, 2.  Because a Bird cannot complete her of spring within 〈◊〉 own bowels, she produceth the Aliment also together i● the Egg. For in Viviparous creatures the nourishment of the foetus, which is called milk, is provided in a distinct part of the body; namely, in the Breasts. But Nature hath implanted this aliment in the Eggs of Birds: but yet contrary to the Opinion of most men, and the Assertion of Alcmaeon Crotoniates; for the White is not the Milk of the Egg, but the Yolk. For as the foetus of Viviparous Animals, adhering hitherto to their parent (as the Plant doth to the ground) attract their first aliment from her womb: but after their birth, being then seated without the Uterus, they suck milk from the breast, and so increase: so the Chicken finds something proportionable to both these aliments in the Egg itself: for as the Uterus of Viviparous Animals is within the parents themselves; so on the contrary, in Oviparous, the parents themselves may be said to be within their Uterus. For an egg it as it were an exposed womb; wherein there is a substance concluded, as the Representative, and Substitute or Vicar of the Breasts. For the Chicken in the egg is first nourished by the White, which being exhausted, it is afterwards sustained by the Yolk, as by Milk. And therefore the Navel or Umbilical propagation, which is derived into the White, when the white is spent, doth fade, and break off before the Chicken is hatched, leaving no tract or relic remaining, but quite vanisheth, before the Lower belly is shut up in the Abdomen (when yet in the race of Viviparous Animals the Navel-string continues still:) But as for that other propagation of the Umbilical Vessels, which is disseminated into the yolk (when the abdomen is now drawn over the guts) it is, together with the yolk itself, laid up in the belly, & thence attracts nutriment for the tender foetus; till the bill, being now confirmed, & hardened, is able to pick up, and break its meat into pieces, & the Stomach, or Gisard, be fortified to digest it: As the production of Viviparous Animals is sustained with milk from the Dug, till it be provided of teeth, by which it may chew and grind its food. For the Yolk is instead of Milk to the Chicken: and therefore a Hen-egge (being to supply the office both of the Womb and Breast or Udder) is furnished with a party coloured juice, namely the Yolk and White.  
And as for these two distinct Liquors all men living do admit them; But I, as I lately told you, have discovered even two distinct Whites in an egg, divided by two distinct Membranes, the superior White comprehending another within it; just as the Yolk is comprehended by the White. And these two Whites are of a different nature: being reserved in a distinct place, and contained or concluded in a distinct Membrane, and therefore designed to a distinct use and intent. And yet both are designed to Nutrition: but the exterior is first devoured, as having the propagations of the Umbilical Vessels (which are derived to the Whites) first disseminated into it, before they pass into the other White which is thicker than it: just as those very propagations do first assault both the Whites, ere they set upon the Yolk which is encompassed by them, and which is reserved for the last nourishment of the foetus.  
But of this more hereafter, when we come to explain the manner, how the foetus of Viviparous Animals is form, & augmented in the Womb, and also to demonstrate, that every foetus what ever doth derive its original from an Egg; and is sustained by a twofold Albugineous Aliment in the Uterus. For one of these is thinner, and contained within the Egg (or Conception) itself: the other is attracted and drawn by the Umbilical Vessels from the Cotyledones, or Orifices of the Vessels disseminated into the Afterbirth, and the Womb. That substance is contained in the Conception itself, doth resemble the thinner White, both in colour, and consistence, for it is glewy, liquid, and pellucid, and very like that substance, which we call the Colliquamentum in the Egg, and in this the foetus swims, & is fed by it at the mouth. But that which the foetus attracts by the aid of his Umbilical Vessels from the Placenta or After-burden, is more thick and mucous, and very like to the thicker White of the egg. By which it plainly appears, that the foetus is no more sustained in the Womb by his mother's blood, than the sucking Child is afterwards nourished by it, or the Chicken in the egg: but is fed by an Albugineous Matter, which is concocted in the Placenta or Cake of the Womb; and doth resemble the White of an Egg.  
Nor is the contemplation of that divine providence less profitable, then wonderful; by which nature both in the Generation and Growth of the foetus (as taking into her consideration their age, and abilities) provides a convenient aliment for each of them, accommodating meats of more easy to some, and of more difficult digestion to others. For as the foetus attains a greater strength and ability to digest; so is a grosser and tougher aliment provided for him. And this may be observed even in the divers kind of Milk in Animals: for when the Infant is new born, the Mother's Milk is thinner, and of more facile digestion; but in process of time, and the strength of the foetus being now improved, it grows thicker and more coagulated. And therefore those choice and delicate Dames, which do not suckle their Infants themselves, are injurious to their children's welfare; for since mercenary Nurses are for the most part of a ranker constitution, than they: and so have older Milk, and more coagulated, and consequently of harder digestion; it often falls out, that the Infants which are born of such Mothers cannot away with the Milk of such Nurses (especially about the time of breeding their Teeth) but by reason of crudities, or corrupted Milk, are tormented with Fevers, Looseness, Vomitings, Pains in the Guts, Coughs, and Epilepsies, and the like.  
That which Fabricius affirms, and endeavours to strengthen with certain arguments: namely, that the Chalazas are the subject matter of the 
pag. 34.  Chicken, we have formerly disproved in our History, and have withal made it appear, that the substance and first lineaments of the chicken are laid, while the Chalazae are entire, and unaltered: as likewise in a distinct place of the Egg.  
Nor is it true that the chalazae (which he conceius the cock's seed doth fructify) do supply the office 
pag. 54.  of seed, that so the chicken might be made out of them. Neither do the chalazae so represent the seed, in colour, substance, or propriety of body (as he would 
pag. 57  have it) or so resemble the picture of a chicken in an egg that is boiled, that we ought of right to conceive all the spermatical parts to be thence extracted. But we are rather to conceive that the colliquamentum mentioned by us, or the thinner part of the white resolved, and concocted, doth put on the nature of seed, and supply its place, as our eyes may evidence.  
And therefore that contemplation of this reverend sage is too supine, where he saith: Since the 
pag. 54.  whole substance of the Animal is constituted of two different, and contrary bodies; namely, hot, and cold, (all the red and sanguineous parts being hot, as the Liver, Heart, Spleen, Reins, Lungs, and in short all the fleshy, and musculous parts: and on the contrary, all the White and Bloodless, as the Ligaments, Nerves, Bones, Gristles; and all the Membranous parts, as the Stomach, Guts, Womb, the Pericardium, or Purse of the Heart and the like, are cold) these two divers kind of parts, do, without question, require a divers, and yet a like Aliment to sustain them; if that position be true, namely, ex iisdem nutrimur, ex quibus constamus, we are nourished by the same substances, out of the which we are made. Therefore of right, do the Spermatical cold, and white parts, require a white and cold Aliment; but the Sanguineous, the red, and hot parts, require a red and hot sustenance. And therefore of good right is the White of the Egg, which is cold and bloodless, deputed to nourish the cold; white, and bloodless parts; but the Yolk, as being a hot, red, and sanguineous Liquor, substituted to the hot, and sanguineous. For by this means all the parts of the Animal, may cater and procure for themselves a convenient and familiar nutriment. For we do by no means consent, that the divers parts of the egg, are ordained to nourish the divers parts of the chicken, having formerly showed, that the Heart, Lungs, Reins, Liver, Muscles, Ligaments, and all the parts of the whole body, do appear white and bloodless at the first.  
And upon this argument of Fabricius, it would ensue, that the Heart, Lungs, Liver, Spleen, etc. are not Spermatical parts, or constituted out of the Seed: (which he will upon no terms consent to) because they also are afterwards fed, and increased by Blood; for all things are made, and nourished by one and the same thing; because nutrition is only a substitution of a like substance into the room of that which is lost.  
Nor will it less distract him to make answer, how (when the white is now clean exhausted) the cold, and white parts (namely, the Ligaments, Bones, Brain, Spinal-Marrow, etc.) are likewise nourished, and enlarged by the Yolk, the Yolk being no less a disproportionated aliment to these, than the White is to the hot, red, and sanguineous parts.  
Nay, according to the forecited opinion, the hot, and sanguineous parts are to be the postgenit parts, or born last: that is, the Flesh after the Bones; the Liver, and the Lungs after the Ligaments and Guts: and the cold parts of the body are to be upon the Forge all the while the White is consuming; and after them the hot, when the Yolk begins to decline and wash itself away to supply their growth: so that all the parts could not possiby arise out of the same Whites. But all these matters are confuted by ocular experiment.  
To confirm this: the Eggs, or Spawn of Cartilagineous Fishes (namely, the Ray, the Fork-fish, and the Dogfish) are partly coloured, and have a well complexioned Yolk; and yet all the parts of those very fishes (even the Parenchyma of the Liver itself) appears white, cold, and bloodless. And on the contrary, I have seen a race of Hens and Cocks, which are of a large stature, their feathers blackish, their flesh full of blood, and their Liver more ruddy than ordinary; and yet their eggs, even the fertile ones, have exceeding pale Yolks, of no deeper a yellow than the straw of ripe Barley.  
Fabricius in the subsequent words, seems to retract his former speeches: saying, But one thing is 
pag. 55.  very wonderful both in the Yolk and White; that neither of them being blood, yet they are so near of kin to blood, that they are but little different from it, and a small matter keeps them from being, very blood itself: and therefore a little pains, and a slender concoction sufficeth to convert them into blood. And this is the reason why we always discover those Veins and Arteries which are propagated into the membranes of the Yolk and White to be full of blood; and yet the Yolk and White abide still in their own nature: but so soon as either of the two is attracted into the Vessels, it presently transforms into blood; so near allied are they to blood.  
Now if it is most certain, that blood is no less contained in those propagations of the Veins which are disseminated into the White, then in those that are derived into the Yolk: and each of these Liquors is so nearly related to blood, that a very small matter will procure their transmigration into it; who will deny, that the blood, and consequently all the Sanguineous parts are as well nourished and enlarged by the White, as by the Yolk.  
Hereupon Fabricius provides for his retreat: saying, Though all this be true, yet we are to conceive, 
Ibid.  that this substance, which is attracted from the Yolk and White by the Veins, is blood in that manner only, as Chyle is in the Meseraick Veins; in which there is nothing discoverable but mere blood; whereas the Chyle hath only received the shadow of blood, and is to be completed in the Liver; so that substance attracted by the Veins out of the Yolk and White, presently puts in the shadow and resemblance of blood, etc. Well, be it so: yet though he lurk in this shadow, he doth not salve the doubt, which is, why the Blood, and sanguineous parts may not, for the forecited reasons, be as well nourished by the White as the Yolk.  
If he had said, that the hotter parts, are rather nourished by that blood (or Aliment contained in the blood, which is proportionable to the Chyle) which is attracted out of the Yolk, than out of the White: and so on the contrary, that the cold parts are supplied rather by that Nutriment which the Veins transport from the White, then from the Yolk, I should not have much opposed him.  
The main thing that disturbs him in this business, is this, how the Blood can be made in the Egg; or what Artificer can transform the two Liquors into blood, when there is yet no Liver in Being? For he could not say that the blood in the Egg is derived from the Mother's blood. But saith, This blood is rather wrought in the Veins then in the Liver: but it becomes a bone, a gristle, or flesh, etc. in the parts themselves, where it is exactly concocted, and assimulated, without any farther addition at all; not signifying by whom the blood which is in the Veins dispersed both into the Yolk and White, is concocted, elaborated, and made perfect, when as yet no Liver at all is extant, or any particle of the body, that might concoct or complete it. And when he had formerly said, that the cold parts are nourished by the White, the hot by the Yolk; not mindful of his assertion, he here concludes the quite contrary, viz. that the same blood doth transmigrate into bones, gristles, flesh, and other parts.  
But he lets that grand difficulty, which so much disoviets the Physician's minds, glide by in silence, without taking any knowledge of it: namely, how the Liver can be the Original and Author of the blood: seeing that blood is not only found in the egg, before any one of the bowels are framed at all: but Physicians themselves do teach, that all the substance or Parenchyma of the bowels themselves, are merely so many affusions; or confluxes of blood. Is the Effect, the Author of its own Efficient? If the Parenchyma of the Liver is made of blood, how can the Liver be the cause of blood?  
And the ensuing passages are of the same batch, where he saith: There is also another use of the White, when it is now segregated from the Yolk: namely, that the foetus may swim in it, and so be sustained, lest tending downwards by his own weight, he might incline to one part rather than another, and so drawing the Vessels along with him, might break them in sunder: and to this use the purity and tenacity of the White do conduce. For if the foetus should take up his residence in the Yolk, he would easily descend down into the bottom, and so disorder and break the Yolk also.  
A very weak construction this! For what doth the purity of the White avail to the sustentation of the Chicken? Or how can the White which is more thin, better support the Chicken, than the Yolk which is thicker and more gross than it? Or what danger is there, that the Chicken should fall down? Since the egg in Incubation lies always side-long, so that there is no fear of ascent, or falling down. True it is, indeed, that not only the Chicken, but every foetus whatsoever (while it is forming) doth swim: but that innatation is in the Colliquamentum spoken of by us, and not in the Yolk or White: and we have rendered the reason thereof elsewhere.  
Aristotle (saith he) Writes, that when the Chicken is conceived, the Yolk ascends to the Obtuse Angle of the Egg, and the reason is, because the Chicken is form out of the Chalaza, which adhereth to the Yolk; whereupon it behoves the Yolk, which is placed in the middle to mount up to the larger part of the Egg; that so the Chicken may be there made, where there is a natural cavity, very necessary to the welfare of the Chicken. But the Chalaza is more fastened to the White, then to the Yolk.  
But the reason of that ascent of the Yolk is this; the Macula or little cicatrice which appears in the coat of the Yolk, is by reason of the spirituous colliquamentum which is bred in it, dilated; and thereupon requiring more room, doth tend towards the Obtuse Angle of the Egg: and so likewise that portion of the Yolk and White which is melted, is distended, and being now grown more concocted and spirituous, doth swim upon the other parts that remain crude: as those parts of water which are warmed in any vessels, arise from the bottom up to the top: an experiment approved by all Physicians, who holding the Urinal containing a thick and troubled Urine in warm water, do perceive the upper part thereof, to clear and grow transparent first. This following Instance will explain the matter. There is a device known to most men, which is intended rather for a jocular babble to gaze upon and laugh at, then for any useful implement; namely, a certain Glass-globe, which is almost filled up with clear water, wherein several Glass-balls which are fraught with nothing but Air, do swim upon the surface of that water, which by reason of their levity do support several figures (of quivered Cupids, armed Centaurs, Chariots of the Sun, and the like) which else would all sink down to the bottom. So in like manner, this Oculus pulli, this Eye of the Chicken as I term it, or first Colliquation, being dilated by the heat of the Sitting-Hen, and the Genital virtue in the Egg, and so made lighter, ascends to the top, and draws up the Yolk to which it adheres together with it. Hereupon the thicker White gives place to it, and the Chalazas retire to the sides of the Egg, because the Cicatricula, which was formerly fituate in the side of the egg, now mounteth directly upward.   

Of the Uses of the other parts of the Egg.  
EXER. LXI.  
THe Shell is hard and thick, that so it may fence the Liquors, and the Chicken which dwells in them, from outward injuries. But yet it is brittle, and especially in the Obtuse end, and near the time of the exclusion of the Chicken, lest it might obstruct the Chickens Exit. This Shell is also porous, for while an egg (especially a new-laid one) is in roasting before the fire, it doth breath out a kind of sweat, trickling down, as it were, drop by drop. Now these pores are useful for Ventilation, as also for the more easy penetration of the heat which results from the Sitting Hen; and likewise that the Chicken may attract air from without: for as we have said before, the chicken doth, without all question, both breath, and cry before his exclusion.  
The Membranes serve to contain the Liquors, and therefore they are as many in number, as the liquors are. And the Colliquamentum also, so soon as it is in being, is presently invested in its own proper tunicle: as Aristotle did imply in these words. A membrane also, variegated with sanguineous 
Hist. an. l. 6. c. 3.  fibres, doth now encompass the white Liquor, etc. But now when the exclusion of the Pullus is at hand, and the White and Colliquamentum are exhausted, all the Membranes (excepting only that which embraceth the Yolk) are dried away, and vanish: but that membrane is together with the Yolk drawn into the Peritonaeum, and concluded in the lower Belly. Now of these membranes, two are common to the whole egg, which they do immediately comprehend next under the Shell; but the other are proper membranes, relating to the White, the Yolk, and the Colliquamentum: but they all of them serve to the preservation, and distinction of those parts which they embrace. Of the two Common coats, the exterior which doth stick to the Shell, is the tighter, that so it may not suffer violence by the neighbourhood of the Shell, but the interior is smooth and soft, that so it may not prejudice the Liquors, as the meanings or membranes called dura and pia mater, do defend the Brain, from the roughness of the Scull. The interior, and proper membranes do, (as I have said) embrace, and distinguish the Liquors: whereupon they are very thin, transparent and frail.  
Fabricius doth indeed highly extol the Chalazae, (as those parts out of which he conceived the Chicken was framed) but as for the Macula, or little Cicatrice, which is bred adhering to the tunicle of the yolk; he concludes it to be a useless thing, esteeming it to be no more than a bare relic or remainder of the stalk broken off from the Vitellary, or superior Uterus of the Hen. For (according to his persuasion) the yolk did formerly attract its sustenance through that stalk, or the Vessels passing through it; but the yolk being now no longer nourished by the Hen, but disjoined from the Ovary, there still continues a sign or tract of the former conjunction, and the benefits received thereby.  
But I on the contrary apprehend, that there is no other use of the Chalazae, beyond that which I formerly observed; namely, that they should be as the Poles of that Microcosm, and the ends or connexion's of all the membranes wound up together, whereby the liquors are not only continued each in their proper places, but also retain a just and convenient position in relation to one another. But as for the foresaid Macula, I am certain, that it is of the greatest concern and consequence of all; as being the chief Centre of the Egg, wherein the Innate heat hovers and lurks, and out of which, as out of the first spark, the soul herself is lighted; and lastly, for whose sake, all the liquors, and their respective cover are constituted, and made.  
Heretofore, indeed, I was of Fabricius his mind, deeming this little Cicatrice to be nothing else but the remainder or tract of the stalk broken of; but afterwards, upon more accurate observation, I discovered, that the stalk, whereunto the yolk is annexed, is not inserted into any little cranny or cavity of the yolk (as it is with the stalks of Apples, and Plumms) and that so some tract or print of the connexion or dependence which the yolk once had upon the Ovary, should continue in it; but that the stalk, before it arrives to the Yolk from the Cluster, is all the way dilated into a round, (like a little trumpet) that so it may encompass the horizon, or the circle of the Yolk, which divides it into two parts; (as the Tunica Amphiblestroides, or tunicle which resembleth a little round Casting-Net, doth the Egg) so that the superior part of the Yolk, or Hemisphere, which looketh towards the Cluster, is quite free from any contact or coherence of the stalk, & yet the forementioned Macula, or little Cicatrice, is seated upon the superior part of that little cup, or portion of the membrane of the Yolk; (something inclining towards the side) so that this Macula can upon no terms be said to be the print of the stalk broken off from the Yolk. But of how great importance this macula is in the generation of the Chicken, hath already been discovered in our History.  
It now remains, that following the steps of Fabricius, who was formerly my Tutor, and is now my Guide, I should declare the uses of that Cavity which is in the obtuse part of the Egg.  
Fabricius recounts several conveniences arising from it, according to its several magnitude: which I shall declare in short, saying, It contains air in it, and is therefore commodious to the Ventilation of the Egg, to the Respiration, Transpiration, and Refrigeration, and lastly to the Vociferation of the Chicken. Whereupon, that Cavity is at the first very little, afterwards greater, and at last greatest of all, according as the several recited uses do require.  
And thus far have we discoursed, concerning the Generation of the Egg and Chicken, and the Uses of all the parts of the Egg; according to which discourse, we are to conclude and give judgement concerning all kinds of Oviparous productions. We are now to declare the manner of the Generation of Viviparous animals, according to the example and pattern of the Generation of some one Viviparous Animal which is perfectly known, and discovered, by us.   

That an Egg is the Common Original of all Animals.  
EXER. LXII.  
ANimals, saith Aristotle, have this in common together with Plants; that some do spring out of 
Hist. an. l. 1. c. 1.  seed, and some of their own accord: for as Plants do either arise from the seed of other Plants, or else spring up of their own accord, having attained some principle fit for their production: and some of them do attract aliment to themselves out of the earth, and some again are bred in other plants: so some Animals are generated by the cognation or affinity of their form; and some of their own accord, no seed at all proceeding which is of kin to them: whereof some are generated out of putrefied earth or plants, (as several Infects) others are begotten in Animals themselves, and out of the excrements of their parts. But this is common to all those (whether they be generated of their own accord, or else in other Animals, or out of the putrefaction of their parts, or their excrements) namely, to arise out of some principle fit for that purpose, and by some efficient contained in that principle: so that All living creatures must of necessity have a principle out of which, and by which they are begotten. Give me leave to call this principle, Primordium vegetale, the vegetal principle; namely, some corporeal substance, having life in it in potentiâ, or something subsisting of itself, which is apt to be transformed into a vegetative form, by some internal principle acting in it: Namely, such a principle as the Egg, and the seed of Plants is: such is the conception of Viviparous Animals, and the Worm of Infects, as Aristotle calls it: the principles of divers Animals being also divers, according to the diversity of which principles, the manner of the generation of Animals is divers likewise: and yet they all consent and agree in this, that they spring from a vegetal principle, as out of a matter endowed with an efficient or productive virtue; but differ, in that this principle doth either result casually, or of its own accord, or else proceed from something pre-existent, (as the fruit thereof.) Whereupon those Animals are called sponte nascentia, spontaneous productions, these à parentibus genita, offsprings derived from their parents. They are also distinguished from their manner of Birth; for some of them are Oviparous, others Viviparous: to which Aristotle addeth 
Hist. an. l. 1. c. 5.  Vermiparous. But if we may distinguish them, as they fall under sense, there are only two Species or sorts of productions; namely, these: all Animals do either produce an Animal Actu, actually; or potentiâ, potentially. Those Animals which produce an Animal actu, are called Viviparous; and those that produce an Animal in potentiâ, Oviparous. For every principle which is only alive in potentiâ, we (with Fabricius) do conceive, aught to be called Ouum, an Egg: and as for that principle which Aristotle calls Vermis, a Worm, we do not at all distinguish it ab Ovo, from an Egg; and that because it looks like one to the eye, and also because that indistinction seems consonant to reason. For that Vegetal Principle, which is alive in potentiâ, is also an Animal in potentiâ. Nor is that distinction which Aristotle puts between an Egg, and a Worm, to be allowed of; for he calls that an Egg, ex cujus parte fit Animal, out of part of which an Animal is made: quod autem totum mutatur, 
Gen. an. l. 3. c. 7. Hist. an. l. 1. c. 5.  nec ex parte ejus Animal gignitur, est Vermis: and that a Worm, which is wholly transformed, and doth not produce an Animal out of some part of it only. But now these two do both agree in this, that they are productions not yet alive, but Animals only in potentiâ; and therefore are both Eggs.  
And Aristotle himself calls the very same things 
Hist. an. l. 5. c. 29. Ibid. c. 30.  Worms in one place, and Eggs in another: And treating of Locusts, saith, There eggs are corrupted in Autumn, when it is wet weather: and (speaking of Grasshoppers) When the little worm, saith he, groweth in the ground, it becomes Tettigometra, a Grasshopper-matrix: and a little after, The females taste the sweeter after coition; for they have white eggs. Nay, in that very place, where he had raised a distinction between a Worm and an Egg, he adds; 
Gen. an. l. 3. c. 9  But all this kind of little worms, when it hath attained the end of its magnitude, is made a kind of Egg; for their shell doth harden, and so long they continue without motion: which is apparent in the worms of Bees, and Wasps, and also in the Canker-worm. And indeed every body may see, that the first rudiments of Spiders, Silkworms, and other Infects, are to be no less ranked in the classis and scale of Eggs, than the spawn, or Eggs of Fishes which have softer shells, or of Fishes which have no shells at all, and almost of all sort of fishes whatsoever: which Spawn of theirs is not actually an animate body, but yet Animals are begotten out of them. Since therefore those creatures which do produce actu Animal, a Creature actually alive, are called Viviparous: doubtless, those Animals which do bring forth a creature which is alive in potentiâ, must be called Oviparous Animals, or else they cannot be comprehended under any Common notion; especially, seeing such Productions are vegetal Rudiments, proportionable to the seeds of Plants, such as an egg also is allowed to be. We must therefore conclude, that all Animals are either Viviparous, or Oviparous.  
But because there are several species of Oviparous Animals, therefore the difference of Eggs is also several. For any kind of Rudiment is not a competent Recipient of every kind of animal form. Though therefore Eggs in a large or general acceptation do not differ, yet since some are perfect, and some imperfect, they are justly distinguished. Perfect Eggs we call those, which are perfected in the Uterus, and obtain there a requisite magnitude, before they are laid: as the Eggs of Fowl. But those we call Imperfect, which are excluded ere they are ripe, and have not yet attained their just bulk, but do expect that abroad, after they are laid; as the Spawn or Eggs of Fishes, that have a softer shell, and of Fishes which have none at all; and likewise the Rudiments of Infects (which Aristotle calls Worms) are to be listed in this rank: as also the Rudiments of those Creatures which are spontaneous productions.  
Moreover, though some kinds of perfect Eggs are particoloured, as being compounded of a yolk and white; yet some of them are only of one single colour, as constituted of a white alone: so also amongst imperfect Eggs, others are properly so called, as out of which a perfect Animal is produced, as out of the Eggs of Fishes: and others improperly, from whence an imperfect Animal proceeds; namely, a Worm, or Canker-worm; which is a kind of Medium between a perfect, and an imperfect Egg: which in respect or comparison of its own egg, or Rudiment from whence it sprung, is an Animal endowed with Sense and Motion, and doth nourish itself; but in comparison of a Fly, or Butterfly, whose rudiment is in potentiâ, it is to be counted no better than a crawling-egge, sustaining itself: like to a Canker-worm, which having now attained its perfect magnitude, is transformed into an Aurelia, or perfect Egg; and now ceasing to move any longer, like a very Egg indeed, is an Animal in potentiâ.  
In like manner, though there are some Eggs, out of whose whole and entire substance (by a Metamorphosis, or Transformation) a perfect Animal is form, which is not fed by any remaining portion of the Egg, but instantly seeks out for its maintenance abroad: and other Eggs, out of part of which a Foetus is constituted, and nourished by the remainder; though (I say) there are so many several sorts and diversities of Eggs, yet nothing stands in the way, to forbid those to be called Eggs, which Aristotle styles Worms, (if we may give judgement upon things, according as they discover themselves to our sense and reason) since they are all Vegetal principles, not actually Animals, but in potentiâ, & the true seeds of Animals, proportionable to the seeds of Plants; as we have long since demonstrated in a Hen-egg. All Animals therefore, are Viviparous, or Oviparous; because they either produce an Animal actually alive, or else an Egg, or Rudiment, which is an Animal, not actu, but in potentiâ.  
The Generation therefore of all Oviparous Animals may be reduced to the example of Hen-eggs, or at least be easily deduced from thence: because the same things which are related in their history, may be discovered in the rest of Viviparous creatures.  
But hereafter, when we treat of the Generation of Infects, and of Spontaneous productions, we shall discover how each of them are either differenced amongst themselves, or do else agree. For since every generation is a pathway to the attaining of the form of every Animal: according as Animals are either like, or unlike one another, so that their parts do neither specifically, nor generically agree; so likewise is it usual in their Generations. For Nature, who is a Perfect Operatrix, and consonant to herself in her Operations, doth design Parts that are alike, to Operations and Functions that are alike and agree; and so likewise to the attainment of the same form, and the same end, she treads the same steps, and persists always in the same method in the Generation of Animals.  
Hereupon, in every perfect particoloured egg of any fowl whatever (which is compounded of a Yolk and White, and fenced with a Shell) as we have still observed the same parts, as are in a Hen-egg, so have we ever found the same order and method of generating, and constituting the foetus (as in a Hen-egg.) And the self same things may also be observed in the Eggs of Serpents, and all Oviparous fourfooted Animals, as the Tortoise, Frogs, and Lizards; as from whose perfect and particoloured eggs, the foetus is framed and produced, the same way, as in others of the like kind. But how Spiders, and the softer Shellfish, as Lobsters, and Shrimps, and the race of Fishes that have scales and no shells, as the Cuttlefish and the Calamire do get out of their Eggs, or Spawn; as also how Worms, and Caterpillars do first creep out of the Eggs of Infects, out of which, at length retreating into the worm or vermin called Aurelia, (as into other new eggs again) at last a common Fly, or Butterfly is generated; how these Creatures, I say, do differ in their Generation out of Eggs, from the brood arising out of Hen-eggs, shall be declared in its due place.  
Lastly, though all particoloured eggs are not generated and fructified the same way; but some become prolifical by the Coition of a Male and Female, and others by other means, as the eggs or fry of Fishes; and though there be also a difference in the manner of the growth of Eggs, insomuch as some are nourished and increased within their parents bowels, and others abroad: yet nothing hinders, why a foetus may not be produced out of any egg whatsoever, (in case it be a perfect egg) as well as out of a Hen-egge. Wherefore, the History wherein we have already unfolded the generation of a Hen-egge, is satisfactory and full enough for the knowledge of the Generation of all other Oviparous creatures beside; as likewise to the knowledge of all those things which do thence ensue, by way of Corollary, or Deduction.   

Of the Generation of Viviparous Animals.  
EXER. LXIII.  
THus far have we proceeded in the Generation of Oviparous Animals; it follows, that we now produce our Observations, concerning the other species of Viviparous productions: wherein we have found very many things which are altogether the same with those which occur in the Egg; which we have reduced hither to be consulted, and come last to be delivered. Which, though they are paradoxical, and run counter to the common received tenets, yet are they, if my judgement fail me not, entirely consonant to the Truth.  
Amongst Viviparous Animals, Man is the chief, and most perfect of all: next him (that we may proceed from such as are more known) are ranked those creatures that are more sociable & obvious: (whereof some be solidipeda, whole-hoofed; as the Horse, and Ass: some be Bisulca, cloven footed; as the Ox, the Goat, the Sheep, the Hogg, and the Deer: others fissipeda, sive digitatis pedibus, Creatures whose feet are distinguished into Toes; as the Dog, the Cat, the Coney, the Mouse, and the like; out of the manner of whose generation, we may conclude concerning the generation of all other Viviparous Animals. Wherefore, (as we have done in the History of the Egg, so) we shall single out some one kind of these, as an Exemplar or Representative of all the rest; which, as being most known to us, will give light to the rest, and become a platform, to which all the other may be reduced, by way of Analogy.  
I have already given you the reason, why I have drawn out documents concerning all other Eggs, from the Eggs of Hens: namely because those are cheap, and every man's purchase; and upon that score we ourselves had the advantage to make the more diligent disquisition, and others also have the better opportunity to experiment the truth of our doctrine.  
But there is more difficulty in the search into the Generation of Viviparous Animals: for we are almost quite debarred of dissecting the humane Uterus: and to make any inquiry concerning this matter, in Horses, Oxen, Goats, and other cattle, cannot be without a great deal of pains and expense. But those who are desirous to make trial, whether we deliver truth, or not, may assay the business, in Dogs, Coneys, Cats, and the like.  
Fabricius ab Aquapendente, as if every Viviparous conception were a kind of egg, begins his Tract with that; (as being the general exemplar of Generation) giving this amongst other, as the chief ground of his proceedings; namely, because the contemplation of the egg, is of the largest extent: 
De form. Ovi & Pulli, c. 1.  for the greatest part of Animals, saith he, is generated out of Eggs. But we in the entrance of these our Observations, have concluded that all Animals are in some sort produced out of an Egg: For the foetus of Viviparous creatures is produced after the same manner and order out of a pre-existent conception, as the Chicken is form and constituted out of an Egg: There being one and the same species of generation in them all, and the exordium or first principle of them all is either called an egg, or at lest something answerable and proportionable to it. For an Egg is an exposed conception from which a Chicken is produced; but a conception is an egg retained within, until the foetus have attained its just bulk, and magnitude: in other matters it squares with an egg: for they both are Vegetal rudiments, and also Animals in potentiâ. Wherefore the same Theorems, and Corollaries, (though contrary to the received persuasion) which we have already inferred in the History of the Egg, are most true: Likewise of the generation of all kind of Animals. For it is a confessed and plain thing, that all foetuses, even humane ones also, are procreated out of some conception, (or certain groundwork.) And this is also as true: that that thing which is called Primordium, the first rudiment in spontaneous productions, semen, the seed in Plants, and Ouum the Egg, in Oviparous (as being that corporeal substance, out of which moving and operating by an intrinsical principle, that which is produced is either a Plant or an Animal:) that same thing in the Generation of Viviparous Animals is conceptus primus; the first Conception: and this is approved to be true both by sense and reason.  
What we have formerly affirmed of the egg, namely, that it is the sperm and seed of Animals, proportionable to the seed of Plants: the same do we now pronounce of the conception, which is the real seed of Animals, and therefore also called An Egg. For that is true seed according to Aristotle, 
De gone. an. l. 1. c. 18.  which takes its Original from two Animals joined in coition; and obtains the virtue or power from both Sexes; such is the seed of all Plants, and of some Animals which know no distinction of Sexes: as it were that which is first mixed from. Male and Female, being a kind of promiscuous conception, or Animal: for these creatures have that in themselves alone, which is required of both Sexes: namely, a fit matter to feed the foetus, and also a plastical, or formative, and operative virtue able to produce it. So in like manner, the conception is the fruit of the Male, and Female joined in coition, and also the seed of the future foetus; wherefore it differeth not from an egg.  
But that, which proceeding from the Generant, is the cause which first obtains the principle of Generation 
Ibid.  (viz. the Efficient) ought to be called the Geniture, but not the seed (as it is miscalled by the common people, and Philosophers too at this day) because it hath not in it that thing which is required of two in coition, neither is it proportionable to the Seed of Plants. But whatsoever doth possess the foresaid condition, and is answerable to the Seed of Plants, that also doth deserve to be called an Egg, and a Conception.  
Also the definition of an Egg, delivered by Aristotle doth fully square to it: saying, An Egg is 
Hist. an. l. 1. c. 5.  that thing in perfect productions of part whereof an Animal is made, and sustained by the remainder, after it is made. Now the same things agree to a Conception, as shall afterwards appear by the dissection of Viviparous Animals, our Eyes themselves being witnesses thereunto.  
Besides, as a Chicken is hatched out of an Egg, by the fostering heat of the Sitting Hen, or some other ascititious hospitable patronage, so also the Foetus is produced out of the conception in the egg, by the soft and most natural warmth of the parent.  
In a word: that which Oviparous Animals afford by Incubation, or gathering under their Wings and Breast; that is exhibited by Viviparous, by the Womb, and nearest, or inward embraces. And then, concerning that which relates to procreation, the foetus is produced out of the Conception, in the self same manner, and order, as the Chicken out of the Egg; With this only difference, that in an egg, whatsoever relates to the Constitution and Nutrition of the Chicken, is at once contained in it: but the conception (after the foetus is now form out of it) doth attract more nourishment out of his Parent's Womb; whereupon the nourishment increases with the foetus. Moreover the Egg is quite emptied, when the Chicken is grown; and the Aliment which was in it consumed, nor doth the Chicken attract any more sustenance from the Hen: but the Oviparous Foetus doth still find out fresh supplies, and sustaineth itself by Milk.  
Now the Eggs, or Spawn of Fishes are supported by food procured from without; the Eggs of Infects also, whether they have shells or not, have their provisions from abroad, nor are they less eggs for that, either really, or nominally: so in like manner the Conception deserves the title of an Egg, though it be sustained by a various kind of Aliment from without.  
Why some Animals are Oviparous, and all do not produce their Foetus alive, Fabricius offers this reason: namely, because eggs (if they were detained in the Uterus till the Pullus were hatched) would by their weight prejudice the flight of Birds. And also in Serpents, or creeping things the multitude of eggs would be an impediment to their winding motions. Nor is there compass enough in the narrow circuit of the Snails shell, to afford room to the number & increase of eggs. So likewise the Fishes bellies are too scanty to contain their numerous Fry, should they grow within them. And therefore these several creatures are enforced to exclude their births, ere they arrive to perfection. So that it seems most natural for an Animal, to contain and cherish its conception within itself, until the foetus be quite perfected: but nature is sometimes constrained to expose her issue's immature, and imperfect, and to complete them with provisions sought for from without.  
For as much therefore as concerns procreation, All kind of Animals are generated after the same manner out of an Egge-like Rudiment: (which we call Egg-like, not that every Rudiment of an Animal doth resemble an Egg in Figure, but in Nature and Consistence) For in all their respective Generations this they have in common, namely, that a certain Vegetal principle is pre-existent (of like nature to an Egg, and answering in proportion to the Seed of Plants) out of which the foetus is produced. And this Egg or Egg-like substance is in them all, possessing the nature and conditions required in an Egg: which conditions also the seeds of Plants have common to them, as well as Animals. And for that cause the principles of any kind of Animals, are called their Fruits, and Seeds, and so likewise the Seeds of all Plants may in a manner be called Eggs, and Conceptions.  
And to this purpose Aristotle speaks, saying: 
De gen. an. l. 3. c. 9  Those creatures which bring forth an Animal from within themselves, have something form in them upon the first conception like unto an egg: for they have an humour contained in a thin coat, such as that in an egg when the shell is peeled off. Whereupon those depravations of conceptions which fall out about that time, fluxus vocant, the people call, Fluxes, or miscarryings.  
Those Fluxes are chiefly observable in Women, when they miscarry in the first or second month: and such I have often seen discharged about those times: and such a one also Hypocrates reports to have been discharged, and fallen from the Minstrel.  
The first Conception, or Rudiment therefore of all 
Hist. an. l. 7. c. 7.  Animals is in the Uterus: which according to Aristotle, is licks an egg covered over with a membrane when the shell is peeled off. And this shall appear more clearly by what shall be said hereafter. In the interim we conclude with the Philosopher: All Animals, whether they be swimming, walking, or flying Animals; and whether they be born in the form of an Animal, or of an Egg: are all generated after the same manner.   

The History of the Generation of Hinds and Does, is laid down as the Example of all other Animals: together with the reason of our so doing.  
EXERCIT. LXIV.  
OUr late Sovereign King Charles, so soon as he became a Man, was wont for Recreation, and Health sake, to hunt almost every week, especially the Buck and Do; no Prince in Europe having greater store either wand'ring at liberty in the Woods, or Forests, or enclosed and kept up in Parks and Chases. In the three summer months, the Buck and Stag, being then fat and in season, were his game, and the Do and Hind in the Autumn, and Winter, so long as the three seasonable months continued. Hereupon (for the Rutting time, when the Females are lusty, and admit the Males, whereby they conceive and bear their young) I had a daily opportunity of dissecting them, and of making inspection and observation of all their parts; which liberty I chiefly made use of in order to the Genital parts.  
We shall therefore disclose the Generation of all Viviparous Animals, out of the History of the Hind and Do, as being the most commodious Exemplar: treating thereof after the same manner as we have already handled the Generation of all Oviparous productions, out of the History of the Hen-Egge. And this not from any peculiar design of my own, or for the same causes for which I did prefer the Hen-Egge to all other: but because by the favour and bounty of my Royal Master (whose Physician I was, and who was himself much delighted in this kind of curiosity, being many times pleased to be an eye witness, and to assert my new inventions) I had great store of his Deer at my devotion, and frequent opportunity and licence to dissect and search into them.  
I intent therefore to set before you the History of Hinds and Does, composed out of my sundry observations for many years together, whereby I myself am chiefly versed in them, and from whence also something may be infallibly concluded concerning the Generation of other Viviparous Animals: which History, whilst we faithfully compile, we shall also insert all those observable Occurrences, which we have either casually met withal, or else attained by intended dissections in other Animals; namely, such as are cloven-footed, whole-hoofed, and those which have their feet distinguished into toes, as likewise in Man himself: declaring the series, or order of the Formation of the Foetus, according to the several proceedings which Nature herself doth observe therein.   

Of the Uterus of Hindes and Does.  
EXER. LXV.  
BEing about to treat of the Formation and Generation of the Hind and Do, we must first discourse concerning the place wherein those actions are performed, namely the Uterus; (as we have already done in the History of the Hen) that so those things which ensue, may be more easily and rightly understood. For in this very thing. History hath the precedence of Romance and Fable; namely, in that she describes events with their just circumstance of set times and places, and so guides us unto knowledge by a surer way.  
But that we may the better conceive the Deere's Uterus, we shall explain both the internal, and external fabric thereof, taking our pattern from the womb of Women. For Man, who is the most consummate or complete Animal of all other, as he hath obtained all other parts more perfect than they, so are his Genital parts also. And therefore the Uterine parts are most distinct in a Woman, and to us (by reason of the special industry of Anatomists about this Part) better known.  
Now in the Uterus of Hinds, & Does, many things do occur which you may discover to be the same in the womb of a Woman; but yet some things do differ. In the external orifice, are neither the labra, nor the Clitoris, nor the Nymphae; but only two Orifices (whereof one is the Orifice of the Bladder, adjoined to the Share-bone; the other of the Privity, seated between the fundament and the Urmary cavity.) The membranous Cuticle (like to that which we have noted in a Hen) tending downwards from the fundament, doth cover the veil, and supply the office of the Nymphae & labia of the Privity, in order to its defence from outward injuries: this veil is something retracted in a Woman in coition, or at lest forced to retreat by the entrance of the Yard into the Orifice of the Privity.  
The Suture or connexion of the Share-bones being divided in Hindes, or Does, and the legs laid wide open, the Bladder of Urine, and Vagina Uteri, or Privity wherein the Yard of the Male is entertained, as also the neck of the Womb, and its situation, are presently discovered, together with the ligaments whereby it is fastened, as likewise the Veins, Arteries, and Testieles, as they call them: also the Horns of the Womb, even in these creatures, are more remarkable than the other parts of it.  
But as for the preparing, and the leading, or ejaculatory vessels, there are no such things to be found here; nor (as far as I know) in any other Female whatsoever: And Anatomists (who suppose that the Female doth emit a seed in coition) make too industrious an enquiry after them; for they are not at all in some; and in those in whom they are, they are never found in the same manner, or agreeing. Wherefore it comes nearest to truth, which also (as I have observed) the greater part of Women acknowledge; namely, that they do not emit any seed in coition. And though the more salacious do discharge a certain moisture in coition, yet I neither approve it to be fruitful seed, nor necessarily conducing to conception; for very many do conceive without any such effusion at all: (and some also without any pleasure) but of these more elsewhere.  
The Privity, or Vagina Uteri, which is extended from the outward Orifice of the secret parts, to the inward Orifice of the Womb, is in a do, as in a Woman, seated between the Bladder of Urine, and the Rectum intestinum, or Right Gut, and is correspondent to the Yard of the male in form, largeness, and longitude. And being dissected, is discovered to be furrowed with oblong wrinkles and rugosities, and also made glib and slippery with a stiff moisture. In its bottom, you may perceive a more narrow and closed Orifice, which is the beginning of the neck of the Uterus, through which, whatsoever is driven out from the cavity of the Womb, doth make its passage. And this is that Orifice, which Physicians affirm to be so closely compressed, sealed up, and concluded in a Virgin, and Woman with child, that it will not admit the point of the finest Needle, or Probe.  
After this follows the Neck, or Process of the Womb, which is a much longer and rounder passage in them, then in Women; and in its whole extension, from the bottom of the Privity to the Womb itself, is much more fibrous, thick, and nervous, then theirs. And if you make incision into this Neck, according to its longitude, you shall discover not only its exterior ingress, which is conspicuous in the bottom of the Privity, so exactly to connive, and cling together, that the air itself though driven by one's breath, cannot arrive at the cavity of the Womb; but also five alike straits more ranked in order, blocked up against the access of any outward approacher, and sticking firmly together by a glewy mucilage: just as the most compact and narrow orifice of a Woman's Uterus is locked up by a yellow glutinous substance. And such narrow straits as these, are discernible in the neck of the Sheep's, Cows, and Goat's womb, all which are close locked up, and forbid any admittance (which Fabricius also observed.) But these five Recesses are most distinguishable in a Hind, and a Do, appearing like so many several ports or orifices of the Uterus tied up, and sealed fast, which you may justly esteem as so many Barracadoes opposed to the admission of any thing whatsoever. So careful doth Nature seem to have been, that in case any insolent intruder should have forced the first gate, yet his rudeness should be foiled by the next, making like provision in the other Avenues, that so nothing might insinuate itself into the womb. And yet for all this a Probe being put in from the Cavity of the Uterus outwards, doth with ease pass through all these ports, and find a way out. For it was convenient that a passage should be afforded to the discharge of Flatulencies, Menstruous Blood, and other Humours; but all entrance debarred to the entertainment of outward things, though they be never so little (as to the air itself, or the Seed.)  
This Uterine Orifice is alike blocked up in all other Animals, as it is in Women; whose womb we have known so closed sometimes, that their Courses, Purgations after delivery, and other humours, have for want of free disburdening, excited most terrible Hysterical affections, insomuch that I have been fain to invent an instrument proper to this inconvenience, whereby the orifice of the womb being opened, the imprisoned superfluities might be released, and the recited casualties subdued; as also that injections might find a reception in the cavity of the womb, by which I have sometimes cured the internal Ulcers of the Matrix, and also Barrenness itself.  
The Cavity of the Uterus in Hindes and Does, is exceeding small, as the substance of the Uterus is very little both in magnitude and thickness. For the womb in those creatures, is only as a Porch, or Foregate, in the Cavity whereof lieth an open way both on the right, and left hand, which leadeth to the Horns of the Womb.  
For those parts are different in almost all other Animals which have Blood, from what they are in Women; in whom the chief part of the womb, is the Body thereof: but the Neck, and the Horns, (as being only Appendices) are scarce discernible. For the Neck is short, & the Horns little, like round & long processes, extended upwards from the bottom of the womb, like two Trumpets; the Anatomists commonly conceiving them to be the Ejaculatory vessels. But in the Hind and Do, as in all other Viviparous Animals which have blood (except only Women, she-Apes, and those Female Animals that are whole-hoofed) the chief part for Generation is not the Womb, but the Horns thereof. For in Women, and whole-hoofed Beasts, the place of Conception is the Womb, but in other Animals, the Conception is accomplished in the Horns of the Womb. And therefore Authors generally call those Horns by the name of Uterus, the Womb, saying, that the Womb in some Animals is bipartite, and in some not; understanding thereby the places of Conception, which are the Horns of the womb, wherein almost all Viviparous Animals, praesertine multipara, especially those that bring forth several young ones at a birth, do conceive: and unto which also all the Uterine veins & arteries are conducted, and the other Genital parts are subservient. Wherefore give us leave also, in the History of those Animals, to use promiscuously the name of Uterus or Womb, and of Horns of the womb, for the same thing.  
In a Woman, as we have said, the two Trumpets near the process of the Neck of the womb, which are perforated into the cavity thereof, are not commonly reputed proportionable to the Horns, but are conceited by some Anatomists to be Vasa Spermatica, Spermatical Vessels; by others, Spiramenta Uteri, the Pores of the Uterus; by a third sort, Vasa semen deferentia, aut reservantia, Leading Vessels, or Vessels reserving the Seed in them. As if they were a certain kind of Seminal vesicles; when, in truth, they are answerable in proportion to the Horns of the womb of other Animals; as appears clearly, by their situation, connexion, largeness, perforation, form, and function: for as other Animals do always conceive in the Horns, so a Woman also is sometimes found to bear her Foetus in Cornu sive Tubâ, in the Horn or Trumpet 
Anthrop. l. 2. c. 34.  of the womb, as the most learned Riolanus reports by the observation of other men, and I have seen with my own eyes.  
Those Horns do terminate in the Common Cavity, which (like a Porch or Threshold) is seated before them both; and is in Deer proportionable to the Woman's uterus, as the trumpets of the Woman's womb, are proportionable to the Horns of the Deers womb. But their denomination they assume from their figure; for as the Horns of a Ram or Goat are large at bottom, jutting out before, and again reflected backward; so also these Horns of the womb (in Hinds and Does) at their original are large and ample, and lessening by degrees as they look upwards, are at last retorted towards the Spine of the Back. And as those other Horns are inequal, knotty, and wrinkled in their forepart, but behind appear smooth and even; so the Horns of the Deers womb, are below wrinkled, and gathered, by reason of certain cells or rings bunching out, in manner like the Gut Colon: but above (where they respect the Spine) they are smooth and even, and recurved, as if they were tied back by a kind of fillet-like ligament, and so by degrees grow slender as Horns do. If you take an empty gut (such a one as puddings are made in) keeping it contract, wrinkled, and straightened, by a tape or fillet which binds it all along on one side, you shall see it curled and distinguished into little cells or windings (after the fashion of the Colic Gut.) And such is the fabric of the Horns of the womb of a Hind, or a do. In other Females the case is different, for they either have larger cells, or none at all. And in these Horns of Hinds and Does also, though there be several cells or windings, yet are not all of equal magnitude, but the first is much larger than any of the rest, and in it chiefly the Conception is contained.  
And as in a Woman, the womb, and its trumpets (or Horns) with the rest of its appurtenances, are tied fast to the Share-bones, the Back, & the neighbour Parts, by the mediation of a broad and carnous Membrane, (as by a pendulous band or tye) which Anatomists do style Vespertilionum alas, the Bats wings; because the Uterus hanging in this manner, doth resemble a Bat with its wings spread abroad: so also in Hinds, and Does, the two Horns of the womb, together with the Testicles, and all the Vessels of the Uterus, are by a thick membrane fastened to the circumjacent Parts, (but especially to the Back) which membrane performs the same office to the Uterine Parts, as the Meseutery doth to the Guts, and that which we call the Mesometrion doth to the Uterus of the Hen. For as by the Mesentery the Meseraick Veins and Arteries are derived to the Guts; so are the Uterine Vessels disseminated through the foresaid membrane: in which also certain small Bladders and Glandules are on both sides discovered, which Glandules Anatomists commonly call the Testicles.  
The substance of the Horns of the Hinds and Does wombs is cuticular or skinny, or else a fleshy skin or coat (like that of the Guts) besprinkled with certain slender Veins. This coat you may, as Anatomists use to do, divide into several coats, observing the several situation of the fibers, which serve to several functions, namely to Retention, and Expulsion. For I have many times seen those Horns moving just like Earthworms; in the same manner as any man may perceive the Guts, in an Animal newly killed, and the abdomen or covering of the lower belly laid open, stirring to and fro, in a kind of waving motion, whereby (as if they were close begirt and bound in by some small narrow ring, or pressed and squeezed between ones fingers) they crowd down and depress the Chyle & Excrement towards the inferior Guts.  
All the Uterine Veins do here (as in a woman) assume their original from the Hollow vein, near the Emulgents: but the Arteries (which they also do partake as well as Women) do arise from the Branches of the Great Artery, which pass into the Thighs: and as in a woman great with child, the Uterine Vessels which contain blood, are more and greater than in the rest of her body; so is it also with Hinds and Does which are with Fawn. But the Arteries (contrary to that Which we see in the rest of the body) are much more numerous for their proportion then the Veins; and being blown into, they will distend, & fill their neighbour veins, but the veins being in the same manner blown into, will never do so much for them. And this also I see taken notice of by the learned Riolanus, and it is a prevalent argument for the Circulation of the Blood, which was my Invention; for it doth clearly evince a passage from the Arteries into the Veins, but no retreat from the Veins into the Arteries again: & there are likewise more Arteries than Veins, because the foetus requires great store of sustenance to supply his growth, the remainder whereof fewer Veins are sufficient to return.  
There are also Testicles discernible in these also, as they are in Sheep, Goat, and all Animals which cleave the hoof; but such Testicles as resemble the Prostatae, or seed Glandules, and the Kennels of the Mesentery (whose office is to secure the divarications of the Veins, and retain a moisture in them whereby to keep the parts glib) rather then things designed to the concoction of Prolifical seed, and the Reservation or treasuring it up till it be fit for profusion in the time of Coition. And this is my opinion of them, both for sundry reasons elsewhere alleged: as chiefly, because that at the time of coition (when the males Testicles are swelled with seed, and full of seminal juice) the Horns of the womb indeed are in Hindes and Does, and all other Viviparous Animals (wherein they reside) much altered: but the Testicles, as they call them, (like things utterly unconcerned in the matter of Generation) do neither swell, nor differ any way from the constitution they were of (either before, or after coition) affording no testimony at all of their use either in respect of Coition, or Generation.  
It is a wonderful thing to see how great a quantity of geniture doth abound in the Testicles, and much distended Seminal Vessels of the very masculine Moles, and Mice, about the time of their coition (which we have also formerly observed in the dunghil-cock) and how vast an alteration is espied in the Genitals of both Sexes; and yet these Glandulae, or little Kernels (which men conceive to be the Testicles of the Females) do still reserve their wont appearance, without any variation at all.  
What we have hitherto observed, concerning the Womb and the Horns thereof in Hinds and Does, doth for the most part relate also to other Viviparous Animals, though they differ in a Woman; because she conceives in her womb, but all the rest in the Horns of the womb, except the Mare, and the she-Ass; and even they also, though they seem to bear their Conception in the womb, yet that place of Conception doth more resemble the nature and constitution of a Horn, then of a Womb: for that place is not bipartite, but something more oblong,, and different from a womb, both in situation, connexion, fabric, and substance, and ought rather to be compared to the superior Uterus, or process of the womb of the Hen, (wherein the Egg groweth, and is encompassed with the White) then to the womb of a Woman.   

Of the Coition of the Hinds and Does.  
EXER: LXVI.  
THe History of the Womb of Hinds and Does, is such as hath been showed. Wherein we have briefly declared those things which did seem necessary to Generation, namely, the place of Conception, and those parts which are ordained thereunto. It remains that we now treat of the Action and Function of this place, namely of Coition and Conception.  
Hinds and Does do admit their Males at one only set time of the year; that is about the midst of September, after the Feast of the Holy Cross, and they bring forth after the midst of June, near the Feast of Saint John Baptist. So that they go nine months, not eight, as Pliny would have it: 
L. 8. c. 32.  for they calve or bring forth, with us at least, the nineth month after their first Rutting.  
At Rutting time the males assemble themselves amongst the females, but at other times they feed apart: and the elder Deer (as the Staggs) do associate with their own Sex, and the Hinds and Does keep company and feed among the other Hinds and Does, together with the younger sort of Ducks, and Fawns. About a whole month their Rutting time continues, which doth begin later, if the season be dry, but if it be moist and rainey, sooner. And therefore in Spain (as I am informed) they seldom rut before the Calends of October, because moist weather comes not on there till then. But in England their Rutting time seldom lasts beyond the midst of October.  
At that time their lust enrages them so, that they will assault or Dogs or Men, when at other times they are shy and timorous, and suffer themselves to be chased and put to flight upon the alarm of the least barking cur that is.  
Every Male Deer knows all his Females, and will not endure any one of them to straggle, but will pursue and bring her back to his Herd: and being now grown very jealous of them, he frequently surveys them, and rangeth them together. And if perhaps a stranger Do intrude among them, he is not very passionate in her expulsion, but affords her a fair departure: but if another Male Deer address himself to this Herd, he bids him a speedy defiance, and charges him with his Head.  
The Hind and Do are numbered amongst the chaster rank of Animals; because they do not willingly admit Coition (for the Stag and Buck, like the Bull, do celebrate their Coition with violence) and unless they be overmastered, or tired out with assaults, they eat the act. And this seems to be the cause of the assembling themselves together in a Herd to their own proper mates, and chiefly to those that are the elder Deer, and are best headed: for if a foreigner attempt their chastity, they presently fly to their own Herd and consort, for sanctuary, as the refuge of their affrighted modesty.  
If a young Bachelor Buck find a Do straggling alone, he presently pursues, and having tired her by his chase, he takes advantage of her inability for resistance, and so enjoys her by force.  
All the Male Deer provide themselves a Rutting place at some distance from the Herd, by digging up trenches, or standing behind some convenient rise of ground, whither they constrain their Females to appear. She that is now about the act of Rutting, placeth her hinder feet in the furrow or trench provided for the purpose, and (if occasion be) inclining her body doth something depress her Haunches; by which means the Stag or Buck may at one inition (as Bulls do) pressing her forward, finish his affairs.  
The Elder, and abler Stags, and Bucks have a larger Herd of Hinds and Does, than the juniour and infirmer Deer: some assemble to themselves ten, some fifteen. Our Keepers say, that the Females are sated at the second coition, or third at the most, and she, so soon as she conceives, admits the male no more.  
The Male when he hath fructified all his Females, his lust cooleth; and having impaired both his audacity, and his flesh, quits his Herd, straggles alone, and feeds greedily to repair his broken strength, making no farther assault upon any Female all that year.  
When the Buck grows first ripe for Rutting, the Hair about his Throat and Neck grows black; as also doth the extremity of his prepuce, which doth putrify likewise, and stink extremely.  
The Does and Hinds are but very seldom compressed, and that too in the night time only, and in obscure places, such as are purposely made choice of by the Males for that performance. If the Stags or Bucks chance to contest (which is usual) then the conquered his Females are all made the Victor's purchase.   

Of the Constitution or Alteration of the Uterus of the Hind and Do in the month September.  
EXERCIT. LXVII.  
WE now come to the Alteration of the Geniral parts of the Hind, and Do, after Rutting time, and also to the conception itself.  
In September, when the Hinds and Does first Rutting time is now arrived, their Uterus (I mean the Horns of the Uterus, or the place wherein they conceive) is become more fleshy, and thick, and likewise more soft and tender. In the cavity of each of the Horns of the womb (in that part which resembleth a wrinkled fillet; namely, where it reflects towards the spin of the Back) five Caruncles, or soft Warts, or Nipples, do jet out, being placed in order: whereof the first is the biggest of all, and the rest as they lie in order, are still one less than the other; just as these Horns themselves do lessen by degrees from the bottom upwards, to the very top. Some of these Caruncles do grow out as broad as the middle finger, (appearing like a kind of a luxuriant, fungous, fleshy substance) being paler or whiter than some, and more ruddy than others.  
About the six and twentieth, or eight and twentieth day of September (as likewise afterwards in October) the Uterus is grown thicker; and the caruncles being now more tumid, do resemble the Nipples of women's Breasts: so that you would believe they were designed to yield Milk. Their top or uppermost part being cut away (for I divided the outward superficies from them, to discover their interior constitution) I beheld them compacted and form out of an innumerable company of white points, as out of so many bristles set up stiff and erect, by a certain mucous viscidity or glewy substance, and pinching them hard from the roots upward, between my fore finger and my thumb, I squeezed out of each of those white points a small drop of blood. Whereupon by a more strict enquiry, I discovered them to be nothing else, but the Capillary productions of so many slender Arteries.  
At Rutting time therefore, the Uterine Vessels (especially the Arteries) are discovered to be more in number, and more conspicuous then at other times: Though (as I have noted before) those that are called the Testicles, are neither more large, nor more full than they were before, nor any thing changed from their pristine constitution.  
The Cavity of the Uterus (that is, of the Horns of the Uterus) and interior superficies thereof (which you may call the wall of the little Cells) presents itself exceeding soft and glibbe to the touch, like to the interior concameration of the Ventricles of the Brain, or the flesh of the Nut of the Yard, which is within the Prepuce. But in that Cavity, I could never discover any sperm ejected from the Male Deer, nor any other thing which relates to the conception, (though I have made most accurate dissection through all the entire months of September and October.) And yet the Male Deer did go to rut daily, and I dissected a great number of Does. And this is the result of many years' experience.  
I have seen indeed in some the Caruncles so nearly seated the one to the other, as if they had made one continued protuberance out of all the five united together. And when upon frequent experiment, I never met with any other thing within the Cavity of the Uterus, I began at first to consider, whether the masculine seed could by any means (namely either by way of Injection, or Attraction) insinuate itself into the seat of Conception? and at last my many repeated observations did ratify this conclusion, namely, that no part or portion of the seed doth ever enter into those receptacles.   

What befalls them in the month of October.  
EXERCIT. LXVIII.  
HAving made several dissections in the month of October, as well before the expiration of the Rutting time, as after: I could never find any seed, or blood, or the tract of any other thing whatsoever, in the cavity of the Uterus. Only the Womb or Uterus was grown larger and thicker, and the Caruncles more tumid and florid then before, and out of them upon a close constriction or pinching them between the fingers, some small drops of blood did issue out, as a watery kind of milk is expressed out of the nipples of the breasts of such as are with Child, about the fourth month of their pregnation. In the Uterus of one, or two, which was exceedingly impated and extenuated contrary to the course of Nature, I found indeed a kind of a green, ichorous putrified substance, like to impostumated matter, filling the cavity thereof; whereas those very Does were in all other points sound, and something fat, no less than their fellows which I diffected at the same time.  
About the End of October, and the Beginning of November, when the Rutting time is now concluded, and the Females and Males part company: the Uterus began to seem of a lesser bulk (in some sooner, and in others later) and the wall or sides of the inner cavity appeared to tumefie, as if it were puffed up; for in those places where of late the little Cells were, there did now round gobbets extuberate inwards, filling almost the whole capacity: so that the sides now seemed to touch one another, and glued as it were together, leaving no space vacant between them. For as liquorish Boys (while they plunder the honey-combs, that they may greedily devour the honey) have their Lips so stung by the Bees, that they swell and grow tumerous, and so straighten the gap of their Mouths; in the same manner doth the interior superficies of the Does Uterus become turgid, and a most soft and pulpous substance (like that of the Brain) doth fill the cavity, and involve the Caruncles in it. And as for the Caruncles themselves, they are no bigger than they were before, but only appear something paler, and as it were maderated or stewed in warm water, as the Nurse's nipples look presently after the Child hath had the breast. But I could not squeeze out any blood from them, as before.  
This interior superficies of the Uterus being thus swollen; it is at that time so tender and smooth, as nothing can be more. It resembles the softness of the brain itself, and when you touch it, did not your own eyes give evidence to that touch, you would not believe your fingers vere upon it. The cavity of the Womb being laid open immediately after the kill of the Deer, I have often discovered a slow waving motion, (such a one as is seen in the bottom of a creeping Snails belly) as if the Womb were Animal in Animali, one living creature in another; and had a peculiar independent motion of its own.  
Such a kind of motion as this, I have (as I mentioned but now) often observed in the intestines of creatures dissected alive: & the same may be experimented both by the testimony of the sight and touch, in live Dogs and Coneys, though you dissect them not. I have likewise observed the same kind of motion, in the Testicles and Scrotum of the Males; and I have known some Women, whom such palpitations have deluded with the hopes of being with Child. But whether in Hysterical affections (such as are the Ascent, descent, & contortion of the Uterus) the Womb of Women move and stir by such a kind of agitation; as whether the Brain also in its conceptions be in like manner moved to and fro, as the discovery is very difficult, so is it vorthy the attempt.  
A little while after the foresaid Extuberance of the interior coat of the Uterus begins to shrink, and lessen: and in some, (but that is rare,) a certain purulent matter doth stick to the fides, (in manner of sweat) such as is visible in wounds, and ulcers, when they are said to be Concocted, and cast forth a white, smooth, and equal matter. When I first discovered this kind of substance, I was in suspense, whether I should conceit it to be the seed of the Male, or some concocted substance arising from it. But because I did observe this matter but seldom, and in few only, and also seeing twenty days were now past, since any commerce with the male had been celebrated, and likewise for as much as this substance was not thick, clammy, or frothy, (as seed is) but more friable and purulent, inclining to yellow, I concluded that it arrived thither casually rather, or else proceeded from over much sweat, the Dear being newly quite spent in the chase: and so in a Rheum falling down into the Nose, the thinner portion of the Catarrh being thickened into a mucous substance, puts on a yellow complexion.  
This alteration in the Womb when I had often discovered to His Majesty's sight (as the first assay towards impregnation) and having likewise plainly showed that all this while no portion of seed, or conception either was to be found in the Womb; and when the King himself had communicated the same as a very wonderful thing to divers of his followers, a great debate at length arose: The Keepers and the Huntsmen concluded, first, that this did imply, that their conception would be late that year, & thereupon accused the drought; but afterwards when they understood that the rutting time was past, and gone; and that I stood stiffly upon that, they peremptorily did affirm, that I was first mistaken myself, and so had drawn the King into my error; and that it could not possibly be, but that something at lest of the Conception must needs appear in the Uterus: until at last, being confuted by their own eyes, they sat down in a gaze and gave it over for granted. But all the King's Physicians persisted stiffly, that it could no ways be, that a conception should go forward unless the males seed did remain in the womb, and that there should be nothing at all residing in the Vterus after a fruitful and effectual Coition; this they ranked amongst their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  
Now that this experiment which is of so great concern might appear the more evident to posterity; His Majesty for tryal-sake (because they have all the same time and manner of conception) did at the beginning of October separate about a dozen Does from the society of the Buck, and lock them up in the Course near Hampton Court. Now lest any one might affirm that doubtlessly these did continue the seed bestowed upon them in Coition (their time of Rutting being than not past) I dissected divers of them, and discovered no seed at all residing in their Vterus: and yet those whom I dissected not, did conceive by the virtue of their former Coition (as by Contagion) and did Fawn at their appointed time.  
In Bitch's, Coneys, and several other Animals, I have certainly discovered, that nothing after Coition is to be found in their Vterus, for many days together. In so much that I am very well ascertained that in Viviparous, (as well as in Oviparous creatures) the Foetus doth neither proceed from the Seed of Male and Female emitted in Coition, nor yet from any commixture of that seed, (as the Physicians will have it) nor yet out of the Menstruous blood, as Aristotle conceits; and likewise that there is not any thing of the conception necessarily in being, presently after Coition. And hence it follows, that it is not true, that in a prolifical coition, any matter is ready at hand in the Vterus, which matter or substance, the Masculine seed should concoct, coagulate and fashion, or reduce into an actual generation, or by drying its outward Superficies, Form, and Afterbirth to wrap it in. For nothing at all is to be found in the Womb for many days together, even to the twelfth of November.  
It is also evident, that all Females, in the Act of coition, do not effund a seed into the Vterus; for neither in Hinds, or Does, or several other Viviparous Animals, is there any tract or sign of either Seed, or Menstruous blood. But what it may be, which flows from some salacious Women in Coition, as well as from Men, which procures pleasure to them, and a kind of resolution of their Spirits; as also whether it do necessarily conduce to the Conception; likewise whether it do proceed from the Testicles, or whether it be seed, and whether prolifical or not, we have elsewhere discovered.  
And while I am in this discourse, let the ingenious bear with me, (if being mindful of my great wrongs) I let slip a sigh or two, grounded upon this my misfortune: namely, that while I did attend upon our late Sovereign in these late distractions, and more than Civil Wars; (and that not by the Parliaments bare permission, but command) some rapacious hand or other not only spoiled me of all my Goods; but also (which I most lament) have bereft me of my Notes, which cost me many years industry. By which meant, many observations (especially those concerning) the Generation of Infects) are lost and imberelled to the prejudice (I may boldly say it) of the Commonwealth of Learning.   

What things happen in the Uterus of Deer in November.  
EXER. LXIX.  
ABout the twelfth or fourteenth day of November there is something, which is then first of all to be found in the Cavity of the Womb of the Deer, conducing to the future foetus, and this I truly avouch, and of many years' Experience.  
I remember indeed, that in the year of our Lord 1653, these signs or rudiments of conception did appear sooner, because it was a cloudy, and wet season. In Hinds also, which go to Rutilio six or seven days before the Does, I have still discovered some tract of the future conception, about the eighth or nineth day of November. But what that is, and how it doth begin, I shall now declare.  
A little before any thing at all is to be seen, the substance of the Vterus, or Horns appear lesser, than when the females first went to Rutilio; and the white Caruncles are more flaggy (as I informed you before;) and the protuberance of the inward that doth a little abate, growing more wrinkled, and moist. For about the time aforesaid, some certain mucous filaments (like the Spider's threads) are led from the last or upper angle of the Horns of the Vterus, through the midst of both the Horns, and also through the cavity of the Womb, which being joined together, do resemble a membra●●ns or filmy coat, or empty wallet. And as that implication or web of vessels called Pleocus Choroides, ●● led through the Ventricles of the Brain, so this little oblong sack, or wallet is spun over all the space of both the Horns, and the intermediate cavity of the womb. In which dissemination, insinuating itself into the rugosities of the flagging membrane, it doth insert slender fibres between the forementioned round extuberances or nipples; after the same manner as the membrane called Fiametta Mater doth work itself into the convolutions of the brain.  
A day or two being now over, this wallet is filled with a watery, white, stiff, albugineous substance, and being stuffed with that moisture, doth resemble a long pudding, sticking or cleaving a little to the containing sides of the Vterus by its exterior glutinosity; and yet so, that it may be easily separated from them: for being taken in the narrow part of the Vterus (where it is tied to it as it passeth along) it may be brought away entire from both the Horns, if it be warily handled.  
This Conception now grown, and taken out, is of the figure of a wallet, or double pudding: being besmeared on the outside with a kind of purulent filth; but within it is glibbe, containing in it a stiff moisture, much like to the more liquid White of an Egg.  
Now this is the first Conception of Hindi and Does. And seeing the nature and condition of an Egg, together with the definition is applicable thereto, for Aristotle defines an Egg, to be that thing out of part whereof an Animal is begotten, and 
Hist. an. l. 1. c. 5. & de gen. an. l. 2. c. 1. de gen. an. l. 3. c. 9  the remainder is the food of that Animal which is begotten: and likewise, seeing it is the groundwork or rudiment of the future foetus, it is therefore also called Ouum Animalium, the Animals Egg, According to that of Aristotle. Those creatures which beget an Animal within themselves, have upon the first conception something form in them in manner of an egg. For a moist substance is contained in a Membrane, just as if you should pill off the shell from the Egg: whereupon the depravations of these conceptions are called fluxes. This Conception therefore, as we said before of an Egg, is a true sperm, or seed, embracing in itself the virtue of both Sexes, and proportionable to the seed of Plants. Aristotle therefore describing the first Conceptions of Women, 
Hist. an. l. 7. c. 7.  saith they are, as it were, an Egg covered over with a Membrane, but the shell taken off: such as Hypocrates records to have dropped from the Minstrel, and such as I have often seen fallen from Women in the second Month, which was of the bigness of a Pige●● egg, without any foetus at all in it: and sometimes about the bulk of a Pheasants, or Hen's egg: and at this time the floating Embryo is of the longitude of the nail of the Litle-finger. But the Membrane involving the Conception, hath not yet attained any After-burden to which it may be fastened, nor is it fastened to the womb itself; but only at its obtuser and upper end, as if it were ●●uck with moss or down; it presents to our view the first designs and rudiments of the After-burden, or Cake of the Womb: but the inner superficies being smooth and glib, is divaricated with the several propagations of the Umbilical Vessels. At the third Month, this Egg exceeds a Goose-Egge in magnitude, and infolds within it an Embryo of the length of two transverse fingers. At the fourth Month, it is larger than the Egg of an Ostrich. And thus much I have diligently observed in Abortions, having made several dissections of them.  
And in this manner do Hinds and Does, though for a whole month together (and more) after their Rutting time, no sensible thing at all be contained in their uterus, produce by a kind of Contagion, these conceptions and rudiments in the shape of eggs, (as Plants bring forth their seed, and Trees their fruit) which about the eighteenth or one and twentieth day of November (at the farthest) are complete; and that sometimes in the Right Horn, and sometimes in the Left, and at other times in both: having in them a certain dissolved substance, transparent, & crystalline (which we call the Colliquamentum, or Eye in the Hen-egg) which is contained in a proper thin orbicular coat of their own, being much purer than that humour wherein the Conception swims afterwards; in the midst whereof the sanguineous fibers, & the Punctum saliens (which is the first foundation of the future foetus) without the presence of any thing else, are clearly discerned; and this is the first Genital particle. Which being constituted, not only the Vegetative soul, but the Motive also is said to be in it, from which all the other parts of the foetus are each in their order generated, form, disposed, and endowed with life: after the same manner as we have declared the Chicken to be constituted out of the Colliquamentum of the Egg.  
Both these humours are in the Conceptions of all Viviparous Animals; which many men conceive to be the Excrements of the Foetus, deeming the one to be its urine, the other its sweat; when notwithstanding they have no offensive taste at all, and are always most manifest in the Conception, even before any particle of the foetus is discerned.  
The Outward coat which embraceth both the humours, is called Chorion; the Inward, Amnium. And more than these two you can never find; the former, involving the whole Conception, and extended over both the Horns of the uterus; the later, swimming in the first water, and contained only in one of the Horns, except there be a Twin-foetus; in which case, there is one in each of the Horns: as in the Gemellifical Egg there are two Colliquamentums. So that where there is a double foetus, they are both contained in one and the same conception, together with their twofold crystalline waters: (as in one and the same Egg.) If you make an incision into any part of the Exterior membrane, the more impure water will presently issue out from both the Horns; but the crystalline water, which is comprehended in the interior membrane called Amnion, doth not flow forth with the former, unless you have pierced it also.  
The Vein, which is first seen within the Amnion, in the crystalline humour, takes its original from the Punctum saliens; exercising the office, and partaking of the nature of the Umbilical Vessels; and being by degrees enlarged, it is disseminated into other ramifications, which are scattered into the Colliquamentum: whereby it is most evident, that the nutriment is at first attracted from the Colliquamentum only, wherein the Foetus swims.  
Having dissected the uterus, I have exposed this Punctum saliens, while it yet continued its palpitation, to the view of our late dread Sovereign; which was then so small, that without the advantage of the Sunbeams obliquely illustrating it, he could not have perceived its shivering motion.  
The entire Colliquamentum being cast into a silver or tinn-Bason, which is full of clear warm water, doth very neatly lay open the Punctum saliens to the eye. To which, in the following days, a certain jelly, like a little worm, in the form of a Maggot, is adjoined, (as being the first platform of the future body) divided into two parts; of one part whereof the Trunk is constituted, & the Head of the other: in the very same manner, as hath been formerly delivered in the History of the Hen-egg. The Spine of the Back is a little inflected in manner of a Keel; the Head is imperfectly composed of three small vesicles, or little balls, and swimming in the Crystalline water, doth daily enlarge, and grow into shape: With this difference only, that the Eyes are much larger, and more visible in Oviparous, then in Viviparous productions.  
After the six and twentieth day of November, the foetus is discerned, having his whole body almost complete, being found without distinction, sometimes seated in the Right, and sometimes in the Left horn of the Vterus: but where there is a Twin-foetus, there is one of them placed in each of the Horns.  
And at this time the Male is distinguishable from the Female by his Genital parts; which are conspicuous in a humane Embryo, so soon as ever the rough Artery doth appear.  
You shall find the Male and Female sometimes in the Right, and sometimes in the Left horn, merely as it falleth out. But yet the Male is more frequently discovered in the Left, and the Female in the Right horn, and this frequently in Does, which have Twins within them, and I once also observed it in an Ewe. Whence I am confirmed, that the proper constitution, or peculiar virtue of either side, doth signify nothing to the discrimination of the Sex. Nor is the uterus the Fabricatour or former of the Foetus, no, nor the mother herself, any more than the Hen is the framer of the Chicken in the Egg whereon she sitteth. But as the Chicken is made in the Egg by an internal formative Agent, so likewise is the foetus constituted out of this Egg of the do.  
A man would admire to see the Foetus formed and completed in the Amnion, in so small a time after the first rise and beginning of the Blood and Punctum saliens. For about the nineteenth or twentieth day of November, that Point makes his first appearance: about the one and twentieth or two and twentieth day, the little unshapen Worm or Maggot discovers itself: but within six or seven days after that, the Foetus is so complete, that you may distinguish the Male from the Female, (by the Genital parts) and perceive the feet form, and the little hooves cleft, being then like Jelly, something inclining to yellow.  
So soon as ever the foetus begins to be form and grow, the substance of the Uterus is much extenuated: contrary to the custom of it in Women, whose Womb according to the increase of the Foetus becomes thicker, and more fleshy. For in Hinds, and Does, how much the more the foetus augmenteth, so much the Horns of the Uterus approach nearer to the shape of the Guts: and chiefly that Horn, wherein the Foetus doth reside, doth resemble a little wallet, though in its extent and capacity it exceed the other.  
This Egg or Conception, doth as yet on no side adhere, or grow fast to the Matrix (though the foetus is now complete) but may be very easily drawn away whole; as I have tried it in an Ewe, which bore a foetus in her Womb, almost the length of my Thumb. Wherefore it is most apparent, that the foetus is yet only nourished by the White, which is shut up with it in the Conception, as it hath been observed in the Hen-egge before; for the Orifices of the Umbilical Vessels are quite obliterated between the White of the Conception, and the adjacent humours with their membranes; not being any where as yet fastened to the Uterus itself, though those Veins or Vessels only are the convoy to administer nourishment to the foetus. And as in an Egg the propagations of the Veins are first disseminated into the Colliquamentum; (as the roots of plants are into the ground) and are afterwards communicated to the exterior Membrane (called the Chorion) and do dispatch their branches up and down with innumerable divarications through the albugineous humour contained in the utmost membrane, that so they may forage, and provide Aliment: so likewise in humane abortions, I have plainly discovered the vein in the Chorion; and Aristotle himself affirmed, that that coat was full 
Hist. an. l. 7. c. 7.  of veins.  
If there be a single foetus, the distribution of its Umbilical vessels is extended to both the Horns of the Womb (having little branches disseminated through the cavity thereof) that so it may attract aliment on both sides. But if there be two (namely one in each Horn) they both shoot forth their Umbilical propagations into that part only of the Conception which borders upon their proper Horn: so that the foetus seated in the right Horn deriveth his sustenance from the right side of the conception, and he in the left from the left only: The Gemellifical conception being in all other matters also like the Gemellifical Egg.  
Now, about the end of November, all the parts are clear and distinct, and the foetus now appears of the magnitude of a large Beane, or a Nutmeg: the hinder part of his Head being a little prominent, as it is in a Chicken, but his Eyes are less. His Mouth lies gaping wide even from Ear to Ear: for the Cheeks and Lips are last of all perfected, as being cutaneous parts. So that in all Productions (even in humane also) the slit of the Mouth is dilated as far as the Ears on both sides, having neither Lips nor Cheeks to abate it. And for this cause, as I conceive, many are born with cleft lips, (we call them Hare-lips, that is, having such lips as Hares, and Camels have) because in the formation of the humane foetus, the upper lips do very slowly close.  
I have often times cast the foetus, when it was now grown to the quantity of a fair Bean, being transparent under his coat Amnios', and swimming in his most pure alinient, into a silver basin full of the clearest water, whereby I discovered chiefly these most remarkable following things. His brain being of a little thicker consistence than the White of an Egg, (like milk a little coagulated) of a rude shape, lieth encompassed on every side in a membrane, having as yet no scull at all. The After-brain stands up something prominent, as in a Chicken. The Cone or whole frame of the Heart looks white, and so also all the other Bowels (even the Liver itself) are white, and as it were spermatical. The Trunk of the Umbilical Vessels doth arise from the heart, and passing the gibbous part of the Liver, doth insert itself into the Trunk of the Vena Porta, or Gate Vein; and running thence a little farther, and distinguishing itself into several propagations, it is diffused through the colliquamentum, and the coat called Chorion, by an infinite number of branches. The Sides on both hands arise from the spin, so that the Thorax or chest looks like a boat, or little pinnace, before the Heart and Lungs are retired into its circuit: just in like manner as it is in the chicken. For the Guts, Heart, and the rest of the Bowels are very conspicuous, and seem to be little appendices of the body; until at last the chest and coverture of the lower Belly are drawn over them (as the Roof is erected upon the open rooms) and so veil and conceal them. At that time the sides as well of the Breast, as the Loins, seem to be white, mucilagineous, and of a similar constitution, excepting only that through the inside of the Breast, some certain slender capillary lines do run along, and so occasion a distinction between the future Ribs, and the carnous or fleshy parts of the sides.  
I have also sometimes seen the Twinne-foetus in the Conceptions of Ewes, which have been about the same time whereof we now speak (and sometimes one alone) which were of the longitude of a transverse finger: their form was like that of the smallest Lizard, and their magnitude like that of a Wasp, or Worm called Eruca: the Spine of the back was bend round, so that the head did almost reach to the tail. Both of them did swim in a peculiar clear humour of their own, enclosed within the Amnion: and both were of the same magnitude, (as if they had been begotten at one and the same act of coition and conception) For though the one lay in the right, and the other in the left Horn, yet both were included in the same wallet, and in the same exterior water: (and so consequently in the same egg, or conception.) Their mouths were wide, but their eyes were small, and scarce discernible points; contrary to those of Birds. Their Bowels or entrails also were not as yet enclosed within the cavity of the body, but were hanging out. Their Exterior Membrane called Chorion, did not adhere to the Uterus, so that I could not take away the conception whole & entire. There were also in the same coat an infinite number of Umbilical propagations which had no connexion at all to the Uterus: as we have noted in Deer also, and after the same manner, as we have described them in the outward membrane of the Hen-egge. There were only present two humours, and as many coats containing them: whereof the exterior called Chorion was extended over both the Horns, and being full of a more turbid humour, did fashion or shape the egg, or conception. But the coat called Amnios', was almost invisible (like that coat of the Eye which is called Arachnoides, or the Cobweb, being the membrane of the Crystalline humour) containing in it a clear bright Water like Crystal, wherein this foetus of the Ewe did swim.  
The humour contained within the Chorion, was in proportion a hundred times more (I might say a thousand) then the other, though the Crystalline humour too which is reserved in the Amnios, was in a larger quantity, then to be suspected for the Sweat of so small a foetus swimming amidst it. Nor was it of any distasteful savour, or sent, but exceeding clear: and (as we have noted in Hinds and Does) resembling thin watery milk, being tainted with no kind of excrementitious pravity. Now in case this humour were an Excrement, it would also grow and increase as the foetus itself doth: But I find the matter clean contrary in the foetus of the Ewe also; for a little before it is ●aned, there is scarce any portion of this humour left. Wherefore I conceive it rather to be the Aliment, than the Excrement of the Foetus.  
The Interior coat of the Ewes womb was embossed with an infinite number of caruncles, (as the Sky is with stars) which were of the likeness of Crabs eyes, as I call them, but something less; and resembling loose or hanging warts, were glandulous, and white, sticking within the coats of the womb, being something hollow or excavated on that side wherewith they incline towards the Conception: (contrary to their course in Hinds and Does, in which they do extuberate towards the Foetus itself) and besides all this, they did strut with blood; and their interior superficies, as it did direct itself towards the conception, was full of black, sanguineous points. The Umbilical Vessels of the Foetus were not as yet inserted into these caruncles, nor was the conception hitherto fastened to the Uterus.  
As for that coat, which they talk much of, and call Allantoides, I can find no such matter in the conceptions of Ewes; but afterwards (when the foetus is now grown bigger) when the Egg or Conception doth now cleave to the Uterus, and the veins are inserted into the caruncles, then is the Chorion extended farther, and in its two ends (or Appendices as it were) a certain humour died yellow (you would conceive it to be an excrementitious humour) is secluded, and reserved apart from the rest.  
As for a Humane Conception, that hardly differs any thing from an Egg, for the first months. For before the Afterbirth or Uterine cake hath been framed, I have seen a white humour (like to the thinner White of the Egg, and equal in magnitude to a Pigeons egg, nay sometimes to a Pheasants) encompassed in a slender membrane; wherein the Embryo, who was as long as the nail of the little finger, did appear like a small frog: having a broad body, a wide mouth, and his arms and legs newly shot forth, like the young buds of flowers: he had a prominent Occiput, or After-braine, which may be rather called a little bladder annexed like an appendix to the rest of the head, as hath been mentioned in the first rudiment of the Occiput of chickens.  
An other humane Conception I saw (which was about fifty days standing) wherein was an egg, as large as an Hen-egg, or Turkey-egg. The foetus was of the longitude of a large Bean, with a very great head, which was over-looked by the Occiput, as by a crest; the Brain itself was in substance like Coagulated milk; and instead of a solid scull, there was a kind of Leather-membrane, which was in some parts like a gristle, distributed from the forehead, to the Roots of the Nose. The Face appeared like a Dog's snout. Without both Ears, and Nose. Yet was the rough Artery, which descends into the Lungs, and the first rudiment of the Yard, visible. The two deaf-ears of the Heart, appeared like two black eyes.  
In a Woman with child, who died of a Fever, I found an Hermaphrodite Embryo of almost the same bigness. It's Privity was like that of a Coney, the labra resembling the prepuce; and the Nymphae, the Glans or Nut. Above this privity I saw the first rudiments of a Yard, to which there hung down on both Sides, instead of Testicles, the lax or flaggy skin of the Scrotum, or Cod. Its Uterus or womb. was very little, resembling the Uterus of an aborted Lamb, or Mole, having both the Horns. And as the Glandules or Kernels, called Prostatae, were situate near the Yard, so also were the Testicles, which were of a discernible magnitude, placed next to those Horns. So that, according to outward appearance, it did most express a Male child, but upon inward discovery of the Parts, a Female. The womb of the woman that bore it, was very vast, having the bladder of Urine adjoined to it (as its Appendix:) but chose in the Foetus, the Bladder of Urine was large, and the Uterus looked only like its Appendix.  
All these forementioned humane Conceptions, like the Ewes, had a rough or wrinkled superficies outwardly, and were daubed over with a kind of Jelly, or glutinous substance; and at that time, there was neither any appearance of the After-burden, nor yet any union of the Conception to the matrix, nor any insertion of the Umbilical Vessels into the matrix, or womb, though they were disseminated into the superficies of the Conception.  
Though divers foetus are sometimes found in the same Conception of Hinds, and Does, (as divers Chickens in the same white of a gemellifical Egg) as it also happeneth in Ewes, she-Goats, and other cloven footed creatures: yet in Bitch's, Coneys, Sows, and other Viviparous and Multiparous Animals, the matter is clean otherwise; for every foetus in them doth challenge two several humours, and two distinct coats.  
In Bitch's there are several Knots through the whole cavity of the Horns of their uterus, in which so many several humours are contained, and in every one of them a several Foetus. In the Hare, and Coney which are Does, you may perceive many round gobbets or balls (such as the eggs of Serpents are) like bracelets made of several Amber beads.  
The Hare's Conception is exceeding like an Acorn, and the After-burden covereth it in manner of a Cup; and the Humours contained in the membranes hang down like little Acorns.   

Of the manner how the Conception of Hinds, and Does, is found to be in the month of December.  
EXER. LXX.  
IN the beginning of December, the Foetus is now more grown and perfect, being of a finger's length. The Heart, and other Bowels, together with the Guts (all which were formerly exposed to public view) are retreated into the hollow of the body; so that you can neither discern them, nor the motion of the Heart, without dissection.  
The Conception or Egg, by the mediation of the five Caruncles in each Horn, (formerly spoken of) is in five several places adjoined and fastened to the Uterus, yet not so firmly neither, but that a small force will disjoin them again. Which being done, you shall discern the different print of the Caruncles in the outward superficies of the Chorion, by which Caruncles it was united to the Uterus, the impression which they leave behind them being rugged and viscous, as if by that glue or passed, the said adhesion or conjunction had been effected. And thus have we revealed the Nature and use of these Caruncles; for they which before (like Warts or Mushrooms) were bred at the sides of the Uterus, do now, being knit to the conception, supply the place and office of an After-burden, or Uterine Cake (as it is in Women) namely, they are instead of so many nipples from which the foetus by the assistance of his Umbilical Vessels doth derive to himself such Aliment as his Mother affords him: as shall appear hereafter.  
The Magnitude and capacity of the Vterus (under which name we understand the Horns of the Vterus; namely the places of conception) do enlarge according to the growth of the foetus, but yet so, that, that Horn wherein the foetus settleth his abode, is larger than the other.  
Their conception or egg is one only; whether they produce a single, or divers Foetus: and that single conception is dilated over both the Horns; so that it looks like a brace of puddings, or rather like one only, and that tied in the middle, as hath been formerly said: for passing along slender, and round, from the farthest part of the Horn on one side, it doth by degrees enlarge, and so goeth on to that common place, which in a Woman we call the Womb and Matrix or Mother; (because a Woman in that part is made a Mother, by conceiving and fostering a foetus in it) where it is straightened as if it passed through an Isthmus; and being again dilated, as it arriveth at the other Horn, it proceedeth still on to the farthest extremity thereof likewise; where growing less, and pointed (as it did at the beginning) it erects its non Vltra, and proceeds no farther. Therefore these kind of conceptions, if they be drawn away entire, do resemble a wallet whose both ends are full of Water: and thence also that coat chorion, is likewise called Allantoides; because the conceptions of such Animals resemble a Gut blown up, or stuffed pudding, which is tied fast in the midst.  
If you dissect an Embryo at this time, you shall discern all the interior parts distinct, and complete: but chiefly the Stomach, the Heart, and Kidneys, and the Lungs; which are also divided into their Lobes, and look as they had blood in them, having gained their just form. But the complexion of these Lungs is more ruddy, then of those which have at any time breathed; because the Lungs stretched and dilated by the Air, put on a whiter colour. And by this observation of the different complexion, you may discover whether a Mother brought her Child alive or dead into the world; for instantly after inspiration the Lungs change colour: which colour remains, though the foetus die immediately after.  
In a Female foetus, the Testicles (improperly so called) are seated near the Kidneys, in the hanging or loose ligament of the uterus, or womb, at the ends or extremities of the Horns on both sides; and are for their proportion larger in a foetus, then in a grown body, and look white, like the caruncles.  
In the Stomach of the Foetus, there is found a watery substance, (not unlike that wherein he (swims) but something more troubled, and less transparent: like to that milk which is dreined out of women's breasts, that are about four or five months gone, or like white Posset as we call it.  
In the upper Guts there is store of chyle made of the foresaid substance now concocted. But in the Colon or colic Gut there do begin to appear yellow excrements, and shaped.  
But as for the Urachus (or Perforation of the Navel of the foetus, by which it is imagined to discharge the urine into the coat called Allantoides) I find no such matter; nor any difference at all between the coat Allantoides (which is supposed to contain the urine) and the Chorion; nor do I discover any urine in the Afterbirth, but only in the Bladder, and in that, good store: the Bladder itself, being something Oblong, is situate between the Umbilical Arteries, which arise from the branches of the descending Trunk of the Great Artery.  
The Liver is rude, and almost inform or unshapen, as if it were something besides Nature's intention, it looks only like a ruddy affusion of Blood. The Brain being now somewhat reduced into shape, is comprehended in a thick membrane. The Eyes lie concealed under the lids; and those lids are so starched together, and shut so fast (as it is with puppies newly whelped) that I had much ado to disjoin them, and open the eyes. The Breastbone and Ribs do now harden by degrees: and the complexion of the Muscles shifts from white, to be blood coloured.  
Having made very many several dissections for the whole course of this Month, I am become more assured, that the caruncles before mentioned, do exercise the office of an Afterbirth or Uterine cake; which I now discerned to be red and swelled, and about the bigness of a Walnut. The Conception, which, as we said, did before stick only to the caruncles by the help of the glutinous substance, doth now dispatch the little branches of the Umbilical Vessels into the very body of the caruncles (as Plants work in their Roots into the earth) by which it is fastened, and grows to the Womb.  
About the end of December I have seen the foetus being then about a span long, lustily bestirring himself, and kicking; opening his mouth and jaws, and also shutting them again. His hear● was now placed in its purse, or pericardium, and the Breast being dissected, it was very discernible making apparent and forcible Palpitations; and yet the Ventricles of the Heart were Uniform, and of equal magnitude, and did consist of equal height, or of a double cone: the thickness also of their sides was equal. Where also I clearly discerned the deaf ears of the Heart, which at this time were full of blood, like two pretty large bladders, to continue and persist in their motion for a little space, even when the Heart itself had resigned it up.  
All the Bowels, which were indeed perfect before, are now larger and more conspicuous. The Scull is partly cartilagineous, and partly bony. The Hoofs are yellowish, flexile, and soft (just as the Hoofs of grown Deer are, being mollified in seething water) the Caruncles, now very great, (as large Mushrooms) are spread over the whole cavity of the Uterus, and do evidently supply the use of an Afterbirth: for several propagations and those large ones too, are from the Umbilical Vessels disseminated into them, that so they may derive aliment to the foetus: in like manner as in those that are already in the world, the chyle is transported by the Meseraick branches into the Gate vain of the Liver.  
In whatsoever Conception of this kind, there is but one only foetus, there the Umbilical vessels are conveied to all the caruncles: (as well of the opposite, as the same side) but in that conception where there is a double foetus, there the ramifications of the umbilical vessels relating to each foetus, are not propagated beyond the caruncles of the same side wherein it resideth.  
The lesser umbilical veins as they respect the foetus, do where they unite and join together determine and end in other greater Veins; and those again passing farther on, and uniting, do conclude in Veins yet greater than themselves, till at the last they constitute two trunks, which being conjoined, do convey Blood into the Hollow, and Gate Vein. But the umbilical Arteries (arising from the branches of the descending Trunk of the great Artery.) are two, and those very small ones, and such as were it not for their pulse, could scarce be discerned, which being carried along, to the capacity or superficies of the conception) where the caruncles or Afterbirth meet the propagations of the Veins) do first diminish or lessen into capillary threads, and at last become quite invisible, and are clean expunged.  
As in the Vterus the Extremities of the umbilical vessels are terminated into the caruncles, so likewise out of the Vterus, the Vterine vessels (which are many, and large) carrying blood from the Mother to the Womb (by the conduct of the suspensory ligaments) do terminate outwardly in those very caruncles. We are also to take notice, that the Interior vessels, are all of them Veins, for the most part: but the Exterior are for the most the propagations of Arteries. In the Woman's After-burden, if you mind it well, presently after she is delivered, are many more Arteries than Veins, and also larger too, which are disseminated with almost innumerable propagations up and down, even to its utmost superficies. As also in the fungous Parenchyma, or Affusion of the Spleen, which is not unlike it, the number of the Arteries exceedeth that of the Veins.  
The exterior Vterine vessels do, as I say, tend towards the Matrix, and towards the Testicles, which are seated in the suspensory ligament; as some men imagine.  
In the Gibbous or convex part of the caruncles, which respect the Matrix, I have observed a wonderful contrivance in Nature: For in divers of the Cavities, and Cotyledones, or Orifices of the vessels gaping outwards, I found a white mucilaginous substance, which did fill up the whole body of the caruncle, (as the Honey stuffs up the Honeycomb) and was of a complexion, consistence, and taste much like the White of an Egg. But if you pluck a sunder the conception from the caruncles, you shall presently descry so many sprigs, or capillary branches of the umbilical vessels (which look like long threads or filaments) to be drawn out also from every one of the Cotyledones, and Combs as it were, and out of their mucous substance: just as Herbs plucked up from the Earth, have their Roots trailing after them.  
By which it is evident, that the Extremities of the umbilical vessels, are no way conjoined to the Vterine vessels by an Anastomôsis; nor do extract blood from them, but are terminated in that white mucilaginous matter, and are quite obliterated in it, attracting nourishment from it; after the self same manner, as they did formerly draw Aliment from the white moisture or sap, which was concluded within the membranes of the conception. And as the chicken in the Hen-egge is sustained by the White attracted by its umbilical vessels; so the Conception also of Hinds and Does, is nourished with a white substance like to that, which is stored up in these little Cells, and not with blood.  
Wherefore these Caruncles may be justly styled the Vterine cakes, or dugs: that is to say, Convenient and proportionate Organs or Instruments designed for the concocting of that Albuginous Aliment, and for preparing it for the attraction of the Veins. And therefore those Viviparous Animals which have not these Caruncles or Afterbirth; (as the Mare, and the Sow have none) their foetus is sustained even till the hour of their birth, with the humours which are contained in the Conception only; and their conception doth no where adhere or grow to the Vterus.  
It is therefore manifest in those, and also in these sorts or species of Viviparous Animals, (and perhaps in all other whatsoever;) that the Embryo is in no other manner sustained in the Vterus, than the chicken in the Egg; but out of the same Nutritive substance, and of like kind to the Aliment in the White of an Egg. For as in an Egg, the extremities of the umbilical vessels are terminated in the White and Yolk: so likewise in Hinds and Does, and other Animals, that are furnished with these Caruncles, the extremity of the Orifices of the umbilical vessels are opened into, & terminated in the humour which is contained in the Conception; and in that white substance, which is found in those Orifices or Cotyledones.  
And this truth is hence also asserted, in that the extremities of the threads or filaments of the umbilical vessels, when they are drawn out of that mucous or white substance, are all of them white likewise; which is a forcible argument they do only imbibe this jelly or mucilage, and not blood. And any man may prove the same Experiment in an Egg also, if he desire it.  
The After-burden, or Vterine cake of a Woman, is in its gibbous part, wherewith it respects the Womb, uneven, & hilly, by reason of several tumours or mushroom-like substances; and seems by their mediation to grow to the Womb. As if it were not fastened to the womb in every part, but only in those places, where the vessels disseminated into it do extract Aliment, and in which for that cause, the extremities of the vessels are broken off. Now whether those extremities or terminations of the vessels do suck blood from the Womb, or rather some kind of concocted substance like to the White of an Egg, such as we perceive plainly in Hinds, and Does, I am not yet satisfied.  
Lastly, (that the truth in hand may be certainly confirmed) if you squeeze those caruncles between your fingers; you may easily Milk as much of that Nutritive juice as a spoon can contain, out of any one of those Caruncles; (as out of a Nipple) without any appearance of blood at all; which blood you shall never squeeze from them though you force them never so much. Moreover, the caruncle thus milked & drained, doth contract itself, and flag, like to a sponge that is squeezed, and appears to be bored through with several perforations. So that by all signs and tokens it appears that those Caruncles are Ubera Vterina, the Breasts or Udders of the Uterus, or the receptacles and storehouses of that Nutritive white substance.  
At the end of December, these Caruncles do less firmly cleave to the Vterus, than they did before, and are with case divided from it. And by how much the foetus doth improve, and grow nearer to the birth, so much the easier do those caruncles disjoin from the Womb: and in the end (as ripe fruit falls off from the Tree) they depart from the Vterus of their own accord, as being things which relate to the conception.  
And when they are parted from the Womb, you may, in the impressions which they leave behind them, perceive the points or terminations of the Arteries which pass on towards them, breathing forth blood. But if you force the conception from the caruncles, no blood doth issue out from the impressions which they leave behind them: though it do seem more consonant to reason, that blood should issue out of the caruncles, then of the conception upon their divorce. For since the caruncles are embroidered by several propagations of Arteries derived from the Vterus; and are commonly conceived to convey blood for the nutriment of the Foetus, they ought in consequence to abound with plenty of Blood. And yet though you milk or compress them, they effund no blood at all; because they are not full of blood, but of this white substance; nor do they seem to be instruments instituted for the concoction of the former, but Promptuaries, or Treasuries of the latter. By which it is apparent, that the foetus in the Womb, is not sustained by the Mother's blood, but by this white substance fitly prepared. And perhaps even grown bodies are not nourished by blood, but something which runs in the blood, is their common and last Aliment: as shall perhaps be elsewhere discovered in our Physiological Treatise, and in the proper disceptation relating to the blood.  
I do much question the truth of that place of Hypocrates, where he saith: Those Animals whose 
L. de nat. Mul. de morb. vulg. & Sect. 5. & aphor. 45.  Acetabula or Orifices of their Vterine vessels are full of a mucous substance, do suffer Abortment. For that substance is not an Excrement, and cause of Abortion, but an Aliment and first cause of life. But Hypocrates perhaps meant some other Acetabula: for in a Woman they are not found, nor hath her Afterbirth any such substance as this to be sensibly perceived in any of its cavities.  
The Later Physicians, according to the opinion of the Arabians, do fancy three several Nutritive Humours; namely, Rorem, the dewy substance, Gluten, the glutinous substance, and Cambium, the substance which is immediately transformed into the essence of the parts: and these Fernelius calls succos Nutritios, the alible juices; as conceiving, that the Parts of our bodies are not immediately nourished by the Blood, as its last aliment, but by these secundary humours: by the first whereof, as by a kind of Dew, all the smallest particles of the body and parts thereof, are sprinkled and bedewed; which humour being thickened by a farther concoction, and sticking more firmly to the Parts, is now called Gluten, which at last being altered and assimilated by the power and virtue of the Parts, is called Cambium.  
We may, according to these men's conceit, call that substance which we find in the Acetabula, or Orifices of the vessels, the Gluten, or Nutritive white, and say that it is (as being the last Aliment which is designed to all the several parts of the foetus) proportionable to the White or Yolk of the Egg. For as we said erewhile, with Aristotle, that the Yolk is proportionable to milk: so we likewise conceive it consonant to reason, to affirm, that this substance, which is contained in the Cotyledones, or Acetabula of the Uterine cake, doth supply the office of milk to the foetus, so long as it continues in the womb: and consequently, that the Caruncles are as it were Ubera interna, internal Dugs, and that the alible juice is (after the delivery) transported into the Breasts, and there made milk; that so the foetus may enjoy the same nutriment after he is born, wherewith he was fed when he continued in the womb. And therefore this only difference is between the particoloured Eggs of Oviparous Animals (which are compounded of the Yolk and White) and the Eggs or Conceptions of Viviparous Animals, that in the former, the Yolk (which is their secundary sustenance) is provided for them within the Egg, and presently upon their Exclusion, is shut up within the belly of the Chicken, as being reserved there for their support; but in the latter, this nutritive substance is before the Birth preserved in the Acetabula, and after the Birth transmitted to the Breasts or Udder. So that the Pullus is supplied with a kind of milk, which is concluded in itself; but the Viviparous foetus, sucks the same from the duggs of the Dam.  
When December is ended, seeing that in the subsequent months of January, February, etc. there is nothing new or notable doth befall the foetus, but all its accessions have been observed already, (save only the Hair, Teeth, Horns, and the like) only the parts formerly described seem to have attained a larger Augmentation, little or nothing respecting the business of Generation, we conceive it useless to discourse any more of them at present.  
But as to the Conceptions of Ewes, I have dissected divers of them about this time, which (like those of Does) did also resemble the figure of a Wallet, or double-pudding, being extended over both the Horns of the Womb. In some of these Conceptions I found two foetus; in other, one only, and that void of all kind of wool, with its eyes so congealed and fixed together, that I could not open the lids, and yet the hoofs were already made. Where there were two foetus, they lay in several Horns of the Uterus, and that promiscuously, without any order at all observed, the male being sometimes in the left, and the female in the right Horn, and sometimes clean contrary: but both were still encompassed in the same common Conception, and concluded in the same exterior membrane called Chorion; whose Extremities or ends on both Sides towards the termination of the Horns, were stained as it were by a kind of cholerical excrement, and did seem to have some turbid and excrementitious matter within them.  
The Caruncles, or little Cakes, were divers, and of a different magnitude, and of a distinct figure from the caruncles of Hinds and Does: for in Ewes, there is a kind of round mushroom with the stalk broken off, contained between the Coats of the Uterus, whose gibbous Part lieth towards the Uterus; (as it is also in the Conceptions of Cows) but the concave (which is smooth) towards the foetus: and likewise larger Branches or Vessels are derived to this concave part, as it also happens to the interior part of a Woman's After-burden.  
The Propagations of the Umbilical Vessels being annexed to the caruncles, do grow so firmly to them, that when I endeavoured to divide them, the gibbous part would be sooner broken off from the interior coat of the Womb, then recede from the Conception: contrary to their custom in Hinds and Does, whose membrane called Chorion, is easily separated from the Cotylidones of the caruncles; and the convexe side of the caruncles, which adhereth to the Conception, may be divided from it; but the Concave part, or root rather, or stalk, sticketh fast to the Uterus. But in other matters, the office is alike in all, and they have the like Acetabula, and an Albugineous jelly may in like manner be milked out of them, as out of these caruncles of Cows also.  
Where there is but one single foetus in a Conception, there that foetus doth transmit his Umbilical Vessels to all the caruncles of both the Horns of the womb, that so he may derive nutriment from both. But that Horn wherein the foetus himself (swimming in the crystal water which lies within the coat called Amnion) doth reside, is larger than the other. But where there are two foetus in one and the same Conception, there each of them are confined to their proper caruncles, and do transmit their Umbilical Vessels into their own proper Horn only, and receive their Nutriment from thence.  
If it be a Male foetus, the Testicles are large (for its time) hanging without in the Scrotum. If an Ewe-lamb, the Udder hanging in the same place, hath little Tets or Nipples, as women's Breasts.  
In the twofold stomach of the foetus (namely, the Maw and the Dew-lap) there appeared a crystal water like to that where he swum; for they did agree both in colour, sent, taste, and consistence: there was also in the upper Guts a substance like to chyle; in the lower, a green excrement, and dry dung, such as they use to eject when they graze: the Liver was something large, and the Bladder of Gall of an oblong figure, and in some of them it was quite empty.  
But as to the order of the production of the Parts, we have still found the same to be observed in all Viviparous Embryo's whatsoever, as Experience hath revealed to us in that of the Egg, the Hind, and the Do.   

Of the Innate Heat.  
EXER. LXXI.  
BEcause there is much talk of the Calidum Innatum, or Innate Heat, we do intend in this place (by way of second course, or addition) to discourse a while concerning both it, and the Humidum Primigenium, the Radical or Primigenial moisture; and that the rather, because I perceive many men to please themselves much with those two Notions, when as (according to my judgement) they do not understand their meaning. The truth is, there is no need at all to inquire after any kind of spirit distinct from the Blood itself, or to introduce any foreign heat, or invoke the Deities to appear in the fable, and so trim up Philosophy with vain opinions and fictions; for what we commonly derive from the Stars, is bred and born at home, and within us. For the Blood alone is the true Galidum Innatum, or firstborn Animal heat: as it is made apparent by our observations concerning the Generation of Animals; (especially of the Chicken out of the Egg) and therefore to multiply Entities, is merely frivolous. For, indeed, there is nothing either before, or more excellent in the Animal body, than Blood; nor are those spirits which some men distinguish from Blood, any where to be found a part from the blood; and the Blood itself, without spirit and heat, is no longer to be called Blood, but Gore. The Blood, 
De part. an. l. 2 c. 3.  saith Aristotle, is in a manner hot, and in such a manner, as it hath the essence of Blood in being hot just as if we should express Hot water under one word: but yet being considered as the subject of Heat, and such a substance, as when it is in being, is Blood, so it is not hot: for it is in some respect hot per se, or essentially, & in some respect it is not hot per se; for Heat is of its essence, as Whiteness is of the essence of a white man: but for as much as it is blood, in relation to Action or Passion, so it is not calidus per se, or essentially hot.  
We Physicians call that Spiritus, a Spirit, which Hypocrates called Impetum faciens, that is, whatsoever doth attempt any thing proprio conamine, by its own proper endeavour, and doth set upon any action, or excite any motion with agility and vehemence: and under that capacity, the spirits of Wine, or of Vitriol, are called spirits. And hereupon Physicians count as many spirits, as principal parts, or operations; namely, Animal, Vital, Natural, Visory, Auditory, Concoctive, Generative, Implanted, Influent Spirits, etc. But the Blood (the primogenit and principal part of the Body) is furnished with all these respective qualities, and endowed with active power beyond all other parts of the body, and doth therefore deserve the name of a spirit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  
Scaliger, Fernelius, & others, having not throughly considered the excellent endowments implanted in the Blood, have fancied other Aerial or Aetherial spirits, composed of an Aetherial and Elementary substance, to be a more excellent and diviner Innate heat then blood; which they conceited to be the most immediate instrument of the Soul, most proportionable to all its operations: grounding their opinion upon this opinion; namely, that the Blood (as being a substance compounded out of the Elements only) cannot perform any action beyond the sphere or activity of the Elements, and such bodies as are framed out of them. Hereupon they feigned a distinct spirit, and innate heat, which is of a celestial extract; namely, a most simple, most subtle, most thin, swift, lucid, and aetherial substance, partaking of a fifth essence. But yet they have no where demonstrated that there is any such substance, or that it doth act beyond the power of the Elements, or execute greater things than the Blood alone is able to accomplish. But we, who examine the nature of things according to sense, have never discovered any such substance. Nor are there in the Body any receptacles designed to the conservation, or generation of such matters, and they themselves also have not assigned any. Feruelius, indeed, saith, That whosoever hath not yet attained to the knowledge of the substance and condition of the Innate Heat, must first consider the structure of our bodies, and then address himself to the arteries which are seated in the cavity of the Heart, and to the Ventricles of the Brain; which when he shall discover void and empty, and without any humour contained therein, yet can be not imagine that such worthy matters are made by Nature rashly, and to no use: and upon this consideration, I conceive, he will presently conclude, that while the Animal was alive, they were replenished by some thin Aerial substance, which when the animal Soul departed, being exceeding light, did insensibly vanish. Now, to support this substance, the faculty of Inspiration is bestowed upon us, which doth not only cool the body (for that might be derived to us by other means) but also administer a kind of nourishment. But we affirm, that (so long as the Animal is alive) the Arteries & Ventricles of the Heart, are filled with blood; reputing the Ventricles of the Brain, to be too mean instruments for so noble a work, conceiving them rather allotted to the reception of excrements. For, what shall we say of those several Animals, whose Brain hath no Ventricles at all? And though we should admit, that a kind of Air or vapour may be there found (because Nature doth decline a vacuity) yet that that substance is of a celestial extract, and heir apparent to such excellent performances, hath no semblance of truth at all. But that which we most admire, is, How this so exquisite, so divine a Spirit, should be sustained and fed by our common elementary air? especially, since themselves assure us, that none of the Elements can perform any thing beyond their own abilities.  
These men do likewise confess, that the spirit is in continual declension, and quickly dissipated, and corrupted, and that it could not subsist one moment of time, were it not repaired by the plentiful accession of outward aliment; and that therefore like the Primum Vivens, the first particle inspired with life, it must continually be fed. And now what need of this foreign guest, this Innomate Spirit, or etherial heat? Since the blood is of ability to execute whatsoever is attributed thereunto; and since these spirits cannot recede from the blood, (without their dissolution) Nay they do not move any whither, or insinuate themselves into any part (as distinct bodies) without the company of the blood. For whether you conceive them to be framed, nourished, and increased out of the thinner part of the blood, (as some imagine) or out of the primigenial moisture (as others) yet all confess that they are no where to be found out of the blood, but that they continually cleave to the blood, as to their support (as the flame cleaveth to the oil in the lamp.) And therefore their tenuity, subtlety, and mobility, etc. are of no more use than the blood, whose inseparable companions they are. So that the blood is sufficient, to become the proportionate and immediate instrument of the Soul; because it is every where present, and doth fly to and fro with an admirable agility. Nor are there any other bodies, or spirital incorporeal qualities, or any diviner heat to be allowed of, (as lux & lumen, the Light, and Shine) as Caesar 
Dictato. 7.  Cremoninus (a man excellently versed in Aristotle's Philosophy) doth solidly contend against Albertus.  
If these men pretend, that these spirits do reside in the primigenial moisture, as in the last Aliment, and from thence insinuate themselves into the whole body, thereby to nourish all the parts; they then conclude upon an impossibility, namely that the Calidum Innatum the Innate Heat, which is the primigenial part of the body (and stands itself in need of sustenance) doth nourish the whole body. For upon this account, the same thing is both the thing that is nourished, & also the thing by which it is nourished; and the self same substance, under the same respect, should both feed itself, and be fed also, which is indeed impossible: for in probability the thing which doth feed, and the thing which is fed, are not so much as mixed together: for miscible things must be of equal power, and operate one upon the other. And Aristotle's position is, Ubi nutritio, ibi nulla mistio est, Where there is Nutrition, there is no Mistion. For wheresoever Nutrition is, there the Aliment is one thing, and the thing nourished another; and a necessity of the transmutation of the one into the other.  
But whereas they conceive that the Spirits, and the last or primigenial Aliment, or some other thing what ever it be in an Animal, can (more than the blood) operate above the power of the Elements; they seem not to understand what it is to operate above the power of the Elements: nor do they rightly interpret that place of Aristotle, where he 
De gen. an. l. 2. c. 3.  saith: Every virtue or faculty of the Soul, seemeth to partake of another substance, and that more divine than those substances which are called Elements. And likewise where he saith, There is a certain thing in the seed of all things, causing them to be fruitful, which thing is called heat, which is not fire, nor no such faculty, but a spirit which is contained in the seed and frothy body, and the nature which is in that spirit is answerable in proportion to the Element of the Stars For fire doth not generate any Animal, nor doth any thing seem to be constituted by thick, moist, or dry qualities. But the heat of the Sun, and of Animals, not that only which is contained in the seed, but also whatsoever excrement there be, though of a different nature yet even that also hath a vital principle. Wherefor it appeareth by what hath been said, that the hea● contained in Animals, neither is itself fire, nor doth take its original from fire. For I also do affirm the same of the Innate Heat, and of Blood, namely that they are not Fire, neither do they take their original from fire, but do partake of a different, and more divine substance then fire is, and therefore do not act by any elementary faculty; but as in the seed there is something which doth make it fruitful, and exceeds the virtues or powers of the Elements in constituting an Animal body; namely the spirit and the nature which is in that spirit, answerable in proportion to the element or substance of the Stars.  
So likewise in the Blood, there is a spirit or virtue, which doth act above the power of Elements (most conspicuous in the nutrition or preservation of each particular part) and also a nature, nay a soul in that spirit and blood answerable in proportion to the Element of the Stars. And lastly, it is most evident, and my observations do plainly show it, that there is a Heat in the Blood of Animals (whilst life continueth) which is neither fire, nor doth derive its original from fire.  
But for the clearer illustration of these matters, give us leave to digress a while from our purpose, and declare briefly, what a spirit is, and what it is to act above the power of Elements, and likewise what is meant by these words, namely, to partake of a different body, and that more divine, than those bodies which are called Elements: as likewise what is that nature in that spirit which is answerable in proportion to the element or substance of the Stars. What A Spirit, and Vital principle is, we have partly spoken already, and shall now handle something more largely. There are three several (simple) bodies, which do chiefly seem to challenge the name, or function at least of a spirit; namely, the Fire, the Air, and the Water; and every one of these doth seem to partake of a life, or other body, by reason of their perpetual motion and flux; (I mean) the Flame, the Wind, and the Flood. The Flame is the Flux, or Stream of Fire, the Wind of Air, and the Flood of Water. Flame like an Animal, doth move itself, nourish, and increase itself, and is an Emblem of humane life. And therefore it is much used in divine Ceremonies: and was religiously kept (as a sacred thing) in the Temples dedicated to Apollo, and Vesta, by Virgins; and amongst the Persians, and divers other Nations, it was from all Antiquity honoured with divine worship. As if God were more visible in Fire, and did converse with us, (as heretofore with Moses) out of the Fire. The Air also seems to merit the name of a spirit too, for a spirit is called spiritus a spirando, from breathing; and Aristotle confesseth in plain terms, that there is a kind of life and death of Winds. And lastly, the Water of the Flood 
De gen. an. l. 4. c. ult.  or River, is called Viva, living Water. Those three bodies therefore (in as much as they enjoy a kind of life) do seem to operate above the power of Elements, and so partake of a diviner body or substance, and hereupon were by the Heathen ranked amongst the gods, who conceived that whatsoever did perform any eminent effects, which did surpose the naked abilities of the Elements, those effects did proceed from some diviner Agent. As if it were the same thing, to act above the power of the Elements, and to partake of a more divine essence, which did not deduce itself from the Elements.  
Thus in like manner the Blood doth act above the Power of the Elements, when now being the Primogenite part, and Innate Heat (as it is in the Seed, and in the Spirit) it doth constitute the other parts in order; and this with an eminent providence and understanding, acting in order to a certain end, as if it did exercise a kind of Ratiocination or discourse. For it doth not these offices as as it is Elementary, and deriveth its original from Fire, but in as much as it is made the Primigenial Heat, and most immediate and convenient instrument of life itself, by being empowered by the Plastical virtue, and function of the Vegetative soul 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, the Blood is the Vegetal part of Man, saith Suidas, which is true also of all other Animals. And Virgil seemeth to have intended as much, where he saith:  
— Unâ eâdemque viâ sanguisque Animusque sequuntur:  
Both Soul and Blood 
Aenead. 10.   
Stream in one Flood.  
The Blood therefore is a Spirit, in regard of its excellent power and virtue; and also celestial, because the Soul is an Inmate in that spirit, which Soul is of a nature answerable in proportion to the Element of the Stars; that is, something which beareth an Analogy to the Heavens, as being the Instrument and Deputy of the Heavens.  
And so in this manner, all natural bodies fall under a double consideration; namely, as they are considered, in their private capacity, concluded within the bounds of their own proper nature; or else, as they are the Instruments of a nobler Agent, and superior power. For being considered in their own proper abilities, it is perhaps no question, but that being all subject to generation and corruption; they do derive their original from the Elements, and act according to their rule: but being considered as they are the Instruments of a more worthy Agent, and regulated thereby, they do not now act of themselves, but by the guidance of another; and thereupon seem to participate of another more divine Essence, and so exceed the power of the Elements.  
So likewise the heat of the blood is an animal heat, inasmuch as it is guided in its operations by the soul; and also a Celestial heat, as being subservient to the Heavens; and lastly, a Divine heat, in that it is the Instrument of Almighty God: as we have formerly said, where we also did demonstrate, that the Male and Female, are the Instruments of the Sun, the Heavens, and of God himself, as being subservient to the generation of Animals.  
The Inferior World, according to Aristotle, is so continuous to the Superior Orbs, that all its motions and mutations do seem to borrow their original, and regulation from them. And truly in this World (which the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, from the beauty of its order) the inferior and corruptible things are subservient to the superior and incorruptible: and yet they all are obedient to the will of the Almighty and Eternal Creator.  
They therefore who conceive that in a body compounded of the Elements, it cannot act beyond the power of the Elements; except it do also participate of another more divine body; and upon that ground, do suppose those Spirits whereof they treat, to be constituted partly out of the Elements, and partly out of a certain Aetherial and Celestial substance, do seem to have built their reasons upon a very shallow foundation. For you can hardly find out any Elementary body, which doth not in its actions surpass its own proper power. Not to seek far for an instance, which is every where obvious; the Air and the Water, while they carry ships to the farthest Indies, and round the world; (and many times also into contrary parts) while they Grind, Bake, Sift, drain deep Wells, cut Timber in sunder, kindle fires, bear up some things, and overwhelm others, and perform many other innumerable and wonderful offices, do they not seem to act above the power of Elements? So also Fire; how many, and how strange employments doth it undergo? viz. in the Kitchen, and also in the Shops of such as deal in Mettles, and in the Chemist's furnace, by sub●●●ation, fusion, concoction, corruption, coagulation, and infinite other uses. What shall we say of it, when Iron itself is produced by its assistance,  
— quod terram domat, & quaetit oppida bello?  
Which tills the Field,  
And makes Towns yield.  
When the Loadstone (to which Thales did therefore ascribe a Soul) draws Iron unto it, and that Mettle which subdueth all opposers, (as Pliny speaketh) 
L. 36. c. 16.  pursueth after I know not what vanity; and the Needle also being only touched by this Loadstone, doth still direct itself towards the Poles of the world. When our Clocks do faithfully strike all the hours both of Day and Night, do they not seem to partake of another Body, (besides the Elements) and that more divine than the Elements? Since then such excellent Operations are produced by the dominion and sway of Art; which operations do far exceed the power of the Materials themselves; what shall we then think may be produced by the prescript and regiment of Nature, whom Art doth only imitate? And if they effect such wonderful things in obedience to Men, what performances may we expect from them, when they are instruments in the hands of God himself.  
In short therefore, this distinction is necessary, namely, that no Primary or first Agent, doth act any thing beyond its own power: but every Instrumental Agent, doth exceed its own power; for it acts not only by its own power, but also by the virtue of the superior efficient.  
They therefore which deny such eminent endowments to the blood, and fly up to Heaven to fetch down I know not what Spirits, to whom they may ascribe those divine operations: they do not know, or at least do not consider, that the work of Generation (and of Nutrition also, which is indeed a Species of Generation) for whose sake they attribute such notable prerogatives to those Spirits, doth much exceed the power of those spirits themselves: & not of those spirits only, but even of the Vegetal Soul, nay of the Sensitive, & in a word, of the Rational soul herself, and not the power only, but the very apprehension of the Rational soul; for the Nature and Order of Generation, is truly admirable and divine, beyond the comprehension and grasp of our thoughts, or understanding.  
That it may therefore more clearly appear, that those eminent attributes which learned men bestow upon the Spirits, and the Innate Heat, do belong to the blood alone; These few following considerations do offer themselves, over and above those things, which are wonderfully evident in an Egg (before any rudiment of the Chicken appear) and also in a perfect and adult Foetus. Namely, that the blood being considered absolutely in itself out of the Veins, as it is an elementary substance, and composed of several parts (namely, of serous, thin, crass, and concrete parts) is called Cruor, Gore, and doth possess a few only, and those obscure abilities. But being in the veins, as it is a part of the body, and that also an Animate, and Genital part, and the Immediate Instrument, and primary seat of the soul: and also as it seemeth to partake of another more divine body, and is inspired with a divine animal heat; it is then endowed with excellent abilities, and answerable in proportion to the element of the Stars. In as much as it is a Spirit, so it is the Fire, the Vesta, the Household deity, the Calidum Innatum, the Sun of the Microcosm, and Plato's Fire; not because (like ordinary fire) it shineth, burneth, and destroyeth: but because it doth conserve, nourish, and increase itself, by a free perpetual motion. It doth also challenge the name of Spirit, in as much as it doth primarily, and before the other parts, abound with Radical moisture, which is the last and nearest aliment thereof, and doth dispense and provide the same sustenance for all the rest of the parts; wherewith itself is supported: namely while it doth nimbly dart itself through the whole body, and nourish, cherish, and keep alive all the parts thereof, (which itself doth first frame, and adjoin to itself) after the same manner as the superior Orbs (but especially the Sun and Moon) do, by their continual motions, quicken and preserve the inferior world.  
Seeing therefore that the Blood doth act above the power of the Elements, and is inspired with such notable virtues, being also the Instrument of the Omnipotent Agent; no man can worthily magnify and extol its wonderful and divine faculties. In it the soul doth first, and principally reside, and that not the Vegetative soul only, but the Sensitive and Motive also; it penetrates every part, and is every where present; and that being taken away, the soul is presently gone: so that the blood seems to differ nothing from the soul; or ought at least to be counted that substance, whose act the soul is. For such is the soul, that it is not altogether a body, nor yet wholly without a body; it comes partly from without, and is partly born at home: in some sort it is a part of the body, and in some the beginning and cause of all things which are contained in the Animal body; namely, nutrition, sense, and motion; and so consequently of Life, and Death also: for whatsoever is nourished, doth also live; and so on the contrary. Likewise whatsoever is plentifully nourished, is also enlarged; but that which is too sparingly nourished, doth diminish: that also which is perfectly nourished, doth continue in health, but that which is not, doth incline to diseases. The blood therefore, as well as the soul, is to be reputed the cause and author, both of Youth, and Old Age, of Sleep and Waking, and of Breathing also: especially since in Natural productions the first Instrument doth contain in itself the internal moving cause. And therefore it comes all to the same reckoning, whether we say, that the soul and the blood, or the blood with the soul, or the soul with the blood, doth perform all the effects in an Animal.  
We use, as persons that neglect the things themselves, to pay much reverence to the specious names. The blood which is still at hand, and daily in our view, makes no great noise in our ears; but at the magnificent name of Spirits, and of an Innate Heat, we are strangely amused. But when once the vizour is plucked from before them, as our error, so our wonder ceaseth. That miraculous Stone, rendered so venerable to Mizaldus by the commendation of Pipinus, did not only fill him with admiration, but Thuanus also: (who was an eminent Historiographer in his time) I shall here adjoin the Riddle itself. I saw, saith he, a Stone which was lately brought hither to our King out of the East Indies, which Stone did dart forth light, and brightness, after a wonderful manner, sparkling and shining with so much incredible lustre, as if it were all burning, and in a flame. This stone doth by his rays scattered into every corner, illustrate the ambient air with so clear a shine, that the firmest sight is scarce able to behold it. It is also most impatient of earth: for if you attempt to cover it, it doth of its own accord, with an impetuous violence fly upward. All the Art of man cannot confine and shut it up into a narrow room, for it seemeth to be affected with free & open places only. The infinite purity, and brightness thereof, is not tainted by the least spot, or blemish. It hath no certain shape or figure, but varieth, and is altered in an instant. And though it be most fair and beautiful to the Eye: yet will it not endure to be touched: and if you attempt too long to handle it, and continue too obstinate in your resolution, it will mischief you: as many in my presence have dear found. And if any thing be by violence taken from it, it remains for all that (which is very wonderful) nothing less than it was before. The stranger who brought it, adds farther to all this, that its virtue and power is exceeding useful to sundry employments, but will not discover them without a great reward.  
This traveller also might have added to his description, that this Stone is neither soft nor hard; that it puts on several shapes and complexions, that it hath a continual trembling and palpitation, and doth like an Animal (though it be an Inanimate thing) daily devour great store of food, converting it to its own nutriment and augmentation: and that he hath been told by men of good credit, that this Stone did long ago fall down from heaven, and is to this day the cause of Thunders and Lightnings; being some times begotten by the refraction of the Sunbeams through the Waters.  
Who can but admire so strange a Stone, and conceive less of it, then to be above the power of the Elements, and so to partake of another body, and of an etherial spirit, especially when he finds that it is answerable in proportion to the Element or substance of the sun himself. And yet if Fernelius 
De abd. rer. cause. l. 2. c. 17  may be the Oedipus, all this is but a Riddle of the Flame.  
In like manner, if I should describe the Blood under the veil and covering of a Fable, calling it the Philosopher's stone, and displaying all its endowments, operations, and faculties, in an enigmatical manner; doubtless every body would set a greater price upon it, and believing it to act beyond the Activity of the elements, would ascribe another and more divine body unto it.   

Of the Primigenial Moisture.  
EXER: LXXII.  
WE have now adorned the Blood with the Title of Calidum Innatum; and do likewise conceive it proper, to dignify the Colliquamentum Crystallinum, as we call it (out of which the foetus, and its first parts do immediately arise) by the name of Humidum radical & Primigenium, the Radical and Primigenial moisture. For we meet with nothing in the Generation of Animals, to which this title doth upon better right belong.  
We have styled it the Radical moisture, because out of it the first particle of the foetus, namely the Blood, and all the postgenit parts do arise, as out of their Root; and do own the same, as the matter out of which they are procreated, sed, increased and conserved.  
We likewise call it Primigenial, because it is first generated in the constitution of every Animal, and is as it were the foundation of all the other parts: as is evident in an Egg, in which after a short time of Incubation, it doth approve itself to be the first production of the implanted fructifying, and generative faculty.  
It is likewise the most simple, pure, and sincere body imaginable: wherein all the parts of the Chicken do abide in potentiâ, but none, actu: nature seeming to have afforded to it the same privilege which men commonly ascribe to the materiaprima, or first Matter, for which all things spring; namely, to be capable of all forms, potentially, but to possess none, actually. So the Crystalline humour of the Eye, to the intent that it may be susceptible of all Colours, is itself void of all: and in like manner the Mediums, or organs of each particular sense, are quite destitute of the qualities of sensible things, or objects: namely the Organs of Hearing and Smelling, and the Air which is subservient unto them, are without all Sound or Odour: so likewise, the moisture of the tongue and mouth, is of itself insipid. And upon this Argument chiefly do they rely, who constitute Intellectum possibilem incorporeum, a Potential Understanding which is incorporeal, namely, because it is susceptible of all forms without matter; and as the Hand is called Organum Organorum, the instrument of instruments, so they affirm that to be foreman formarum, the Form of forms, having no matter at all, but being altogether Incorporeal, and therefore they assert it to be Possibilis, Potential, but not Passibilis, passable. And this moisture also doth seem, if not the same, yet proportionable to the last Aliment, whereof Aristotle doth teach that the Animal Geniture or Seed is made. I say the last Aliment, which the Arabians call Ros, the Dew, wherewith all the parts of the Body are moistened and bedewed. For as that dew doth by farther condensation and adhesion pass into the alible gluten, or glewey substance, and Cambium, which is that substance which doth constitute the parts of the body: so on the contrary, in the first generation and nutrition, out of the glutinous substance dissolved and rarefied, is made a Dew: namely, out of the White of an Egg is the Colliquamentum framed; which is the radical moisture, and Ros primigenius, the primigenial Dew. Nay if there be any faith due to our observations, the matter is the self same in both; and that is a truth which all Philosopher's consent in, and Physicians do not descent, namely, that an Animal is nourished by the same thing whereof it is made; and augmented by that out of which it is generated. So that Ros nutritius, the nutritive Dew, doth differ from the Colliquamentum, or primigenial moisture, only under the several respect of that which is first, and that which is after: in that this is concocted and made by the Parents, and that by the Foetus itself: and both the juices are the next and immediate aliment of the Animal: yet not the first aliment; according to that saying, Contraria ex contrariis augeri necesse est, Contraries are are necessarily increased out of contraries; but the last (as I have said, and as Aristotle also doth denote) according to that other saying, Similiae ex similibus, Like are fed by like. And both these humours do stand in that proximâ potentiâ, that next or most immediate capacity or potentiality, by which (all impediments being removed) they are ready of their own accord, or by the law of nature, to pass or be transformed into all the parts of the Body.  
Which things being so, all the controversies which do arise concerning the matter, and aliment of Animals, seem to be easily reconciled. For whereas some were of opinion, that the seed, or matter ejected in coition was deduced from all the parts of the body, and that therefore the child had the resemblance of the Parents imprinted in it, Aristotle saith thus: We must be of a different judgement from the Ancients: for whereas they do 
De gen. an. l. 1. c. 18.  own that to be the seed which is discharged from the whole body; we conclude that to be the seed, which of its own inclination doth conduce to the constitution of the whole body: and whereas they call it a Colliquamentum, or melted substance, we rather style it excrementum, an excrement; (but he had a little before said, I call an excrement the relics of the aliment, and a Colliquamentum, that which is separated from the excrement by a preternatural resolution:) for that which cometh last to the parts, and is the excrement of that last aliment, is in probability a like substance. As Painters have commonly some remnant of those colours, which they have spent upon their Pictures: but now that which doth melt away and dissolve, doth corrupt and degenerate. One Argument to prove that the excrement is rather the seed, than any colliquated matter, is this; namely, that those Animals which are of great growth, are less fruitful; but little Animals are most of all fertile. For there must of necessity be more dissolved matter in great Animals, but less excrement: for the stock of aliment is wasted in the support of a large bulk; and thereupon there is little excrement. Moreover, there is no place designed by nature for the reception of that substance or matter which doth melt off from the body: but there is a place assigned to all the natural excrements: as for example, the Guts are intended for the excrements of the dry aliment; the bladder of urine for the moist; the stomach for the profitable or useful excrements; and the Womb, the Genital parts, and the Breasts, for the Seminal: for unto those places they resort, and assemble themselves. Likewise by several other arguments he proceedeth to maintain, that the seminal substance, out of which the Foetus is framed, is the same with that which is provided for the nourishment of the parts. As if a man should desire a little colouring from a Painter; surely the Painter would not scrape off that colouring which he hath already laid upon his Picture, but afford him some of that which remains, and this supernumerary staff is of the same nature with that which he hath expended upon his Picture. So likewise the Excrement of the last Aliment, or the Relics of that nutritious substance which is called Ros, and Gluten, is deposited in the Genetal parts: and this opinion is most agreeable to the Generation of the Eggs in the Hen.  
Physician's also (who conclude that all the parts at the beginning are made out of seed, or sperm, (and upon that ground call them spermatical parts) do affirm that the seed is by the power of the Genital parts made out of the last aliment (which they with Aristotle conceive to be blood) and so doth constitute the matter of the Foetus. It is indeed a plain case, that the egg is produced by the Hen, and from her last aliment (namely her Ros nutritius, her nutritive juice.) The White therefore of an Egg, or that primogenit, or rather antegenit colliquamentum, or melted substance, is to be reputed the truer seed of the Hen (though it be not ejected in coition, but provided ready before coition, or else collected after it; (as shall be perhaps more largely declared, to be incident to several Animals) which the geniture of the Male, doth according to Aristotle, coagulate.  
Since therefore I plainly see, that all the parts are fashioned and fed by this one moisture only, (as the matter and first root of all) and since the forecited argument doth necessarily conclude as much; I can scarce refrain my pen from rebuking those that follow Empedocles and Hypocrates also: (who will needs have all similar bodies to be generated by the congregation of the four contrary Elements: (as being mixed bodies) and dissolved or corrupted by their segregation) nor is Democritus and the Epicureans, who follow him, less unblamable, who constitute all things out of the confluence of Atoms of different Figures. For it was their error of old, and is a popular error at this day, that all similar bodies are framed out of heterogeneous or different bodies. For according to this opinion, had a man Lincous his eyes he could not discern any thing that were similar, one in number, identity, and continuity: but there were nothing but an appearing union, and an assembly or heap made up of a congregation and certain colligation of indivisible bodies: so that generation were nothing else but an aggregation, and convenient positure of several parts.  
But for my part, neither in the production of Animals, nor in the generation of any similar body whatsoever, (whether it were of the parts of Animals, Plants, Stones, or Minerals, etc.) I could never discover any such congregation, or any several preaexistent miscible bodies, which were to be united afterwards in the work of Generation. Nor (so far as I could ever yet perceive, or by any means observe) are there any similar parts which are first constituted in their several order, or existence at the same time together (as membranes, flesh, fibres, gristles, bones, etc.) that so from them conjoined together (as out of the Elements or first rudiments of Animals) the organs or parts, and the whole entire animal should at last be framed; but as we said before, the first rudiment of the body is only a similar soft gluten, or stiff, substance, not unlike a spermatical concernment, or coagulated seed: out of which (the decree of Generation going on) being changed, cut in sunder, or distributed into several parcels, as by the divine Mandate as we have said, (let here be a Bone, there a Nerve, or a Muscle, here the Bowels, the receptacles of the Excrements, etc.) out of an inorganical substance, was made an organical: out of one, and that one being of the same nature, were many things made, and those also divers, and contrary: not by a kind of transposition, or local motion (as if by the virtue of the heat, there did arise a congregation of homogeneous, and a disgregation of hetorogeneous bodies) but rather by a disgregation of homogeneous parts, or bodies, than any composition of heterogeneous.  
And this do I believe to be observed in every Generation; so that the Similary mixed bodies have not their Elements existent in time before them, but are rather themselves in being before their Elements, (whether you understand by Elements the Fire, the Air, the Earth, and the Water, with Empedocles, and Aristotle; or the Salt, the Sulphur, and the Mercury, with the Chemists; or the Atoms with Democritus) as being in Nature more perfect than they. There are I say mixed and compounded bodies, even in respect of time before any Elements, as they call them, into which they are corrupted and determine; for they are dissolved into those elements rather in order to our apprehension, then really and actually. And therefore those bodies called Elements, are not before those things which are made and generated; but rather after them, and their Relics rather than their Principles. Nor doth Aristotle himself, nor any other Philosopher, demonstrate that the elements do subsist apart, or are the Principles of similar bodies.  
Indeed Aristotle, where he goes about to prove, 
L. 3. de coelo. c. 31.  that there are such things as Elements, seems to waver in his judgement, whether he should resolve that they were actually in being, or only in potentiâ: and doth conceive that in natural things they are in potentiâ rather then actu: and therefore he affirms that there are such things as Elements, out of the division, segregation, and solution of things. And yet that is but an infirm argument, namely, that natural bodies are generated or compounded first out of those things, into which they are at last dissolved and corrupted: for by that argument, somethings should be compounded of Glass, of Ashes, and of Smoke; (because we see them reduced at last into such bodies) and since Artificial Distillation doth clearly demonstrate, that so many several Vapours or Waters, and those all of them of different Species, are extracted out of so many several bodies; the number of the elements ought to multiply in infinitum. Nor doth any Philosopher say, that the Bodies which are dissolved by Art, and are called Sincere Bodies, and indivisible in species, are more single elements, than the Air, Water, and Earth, which we perceive by Sense, and are obvious to our eyes.  
And lastly, we do not see that any thing is naturally produced out of fire, as a miscible substance; and perhaps it is altogether impossible there should; since fire (like a kind of living body) is in contival flux, and seeketh sustenance whereby it may be nourished, and conserved: according to that of Aristotle, that fire only is nourished, and that chiefly because of its form. But whatsoever 
De gen. & corr. l. 2. c. 50.  is nourished, cannot possibly be itself mixed with its nutriment. Whereupon it followeth, that it is impossible for Fire to be miscible. For Mistion, according to Aristotle, is miscibilium alteratorum unio, the union of miscible things altered; where one miscible thing is not transformed into another, but both of them being both active and passive in regard of themselves, do constitute a third thing: but generation (especially that which is by a Metamorphosis) is the distribution of one similar thing which is to be altered into divers more. Nor are mixed similar bodies said to be generated out of the Elements, but in some sort to be constituted out of them: into which also they are capable to be dissolved.  
But these matters do properly relate to that part of Physiology, which treateth of the Elements, and the Temperaments: where also we shall discourse more copiously of them.   

Of the Birth.  
AFter the Generation, the Birth succeedeth, by which the Foetus coming into the world, doth enjoy the outward Air. Whereupon we conceive it convenient to speak something concerning it. And therefore (with Fabricius) we shall consider the Causes, Manner, and Times of Birth; as also those things which are precedent and subsequent thereunto.  
Those things which are incident a little before the Birth, and especially to Women, presaging the approaching delivery, are in part the preparation and disposition of the Childing Woman, whereby she may bring forth: and in part the scite, or proper position of the Infant in order to the Birth.  
As concerning the Position, Fabricius saith, that it is of a conglobated and inflex figure, left the Foetus by his extreme and eminent parts, might injure the 
De form. Foetus c. 9 pag. 140. The Position of the Foetus in the Womb.  Womb, or the containing membranes: and likewise that so he may be comprehended in the lesser room. But I am not of opinion that the foetus doth still observe the same scite or positure of his members in the Womb, (for the fore-scited causes.) For he swimmeth in a water, and moveth himself to and fro, he stretcheth himself, now this way, and anon that, and so is variously inflected, and tumbled up and down; in so much that sometimes being entangled in his own Navel-string, he is strangely ensnared. True it is that all Animals, while they lie still and sleep, do for the most part draw in, and contract themselves, and direct themselves toward an Oval or Conglobated figure. So likewise Embryo's, which pass their time most in slumbers, do compose their bodies in that posture wherein they are form: (as being the most natural, most easy, and most advantageous for their sleep.) And therefore the Infant in the Womb is commonly found, with his Knees drawn up to his Belly, his Thighs bend backwards, his Feet hanging down, and his Hands elevated to his Head, whereof the one is placed about his Temples or Ears, and the other at his Cheek; in which parts there are white spots discovered in the skin, as being the signs of his confrication: His Spine is bend round, and his Neck being inflected, his Head hangs near his Knees. The Embryo is situated with that position of parts, wherewith we commonly apply ourselves to rest, with his Head uppermost, and his Face directed towards his mother's Spine. But a little before his Birth, his head being bend downwards, he dives towards the bottom, and the Orifice of the Matrix, (as if he were seeking his way out.) So Aristotle: All Animals 
Hist. an. 2. c. 8.  do naturally come into the world with their head foremost; but those that lie cross, or come with their heels foremost, are unnatural births. But yet this is not constant in all Animals, but according to their several site or position in the Womb, so is their Birth various; as in Bitch's, Sows, and other Multiparous Animals. And the Great-bellied Women know full well, that even the humane Embryo doth sometimes acquire a different situation; when they find the Child kick sometimes above, sometimes below, and now on this side, and at other times on that.  
So also the Matrix being near delivery, doth 
The Matrix.  bear down, groweth soft, and openeth its Orifice. The Waters also as they commonly call them, are Gathered, that is, a certain part of the Chorion, in which the foresaid humour is contained, doth usher in the Foetus, and slide down from the Matrix into the Vagina, or Sheath of the Womb: and the neighbouring parts also are loosened, and ready to distend: also the Articubation of the Holy bone, and the Share-bone to the Hanch-bone (which Copulation, or Articulation is by Synchondrosis, or a gristly ligament) is so softened and losened, that the foresaid bones do easily give way to the parting Infant; and by gaping open, do amplify the whole region of the Hypogastrium, or Lower belly. And when these things are in this condition, it is certain that the Birth is at hand. And that so the Foetus (like a ripe fruit) may come forth into the World, Nature makes this provision of dilating the parts: as she likewise concocteth the Milk which is sent before into the Breasts, that the Infant now ready to be born, may have his entertainment ready to welcome him, being now to be sustained from without. And these are the forerunners of the Birth. Wherefore the Milk is counted amongst the chiefest signs of an imminent birth: I mean such Milk, which both for store, plenty, and consistence, is convenient to feed the Child: which (according to Aristotle) is never so qualified but near the time of the Birth, and therefore is never found before the seventh month.  
Fabricius concludeth upon two queries, chiefly 
Gen. an. l. 4. c. 8. & l. 7. c. 5. pag. 141.  in order to the Foetus: namely, how the birth is, and when? the last whereof relates to the time of Bearing, the first to the manner of the Birth itself.  
The times of bearing, are by Aristotle conceived 
De gen. an. l. 4. c. 4. & ult.  to be various. There are, saith he, peculiar times of bearing to all kind of Animals, for the greatest part as long as they live: for the race of Animals which is longer lived than others, must of necessity be more durable. But the magnitude of the Animals is by him assigned as the chiefest cause of the variety of the times of bearing. For, saith he, the great fabric, either of Animals, or any thing else, cannot be easily absolved in a short space: Wherefore Mares, and those Animals that are of kin to them, though they live but a shorter time, yet they are longer in bringing forth: And therefore the Elephant (as they say) is two years in her production, because of its excessive magnitude. But every Animal hath certain bounds of magnitude, which it cannot exceed: and therefore they have a definite matter, out of which they are made: he addeth moreover: But there is exceeding good reason, why Animals do receive the dimension or measure of their times of ingravidation, generation, and their lives also by certain Circulations. Now I call a Circulation, a day, a night, a month, a year, and all those times which are described by them, as also the motions of the Moon: for these are the common beginnings of Generation to all Animals: For it stands to good reason that the Circulations of less principal things should follow the Circulations of more principal. And therefore Nature hath defined or limited the generation and decease of Animals, by their motions.  
And as the Births of Animals do depend upon the Revolutions or Circuits of the Sun and Moon, so do their times of Coition, and bearing their young vary, and are either more prolix, or breifer.  
The time of going with young (saith Aristotle in the same place) is enormous only in Women. For all other creatures have some one time, but a Woman hath several, for a Child may be borne either the Seventh, or the Tenth month, and likewise in the month's intervening between the Seventh and the Tenth: For they that are borne in the Eighth month, though they do seldom live, yet they may live. Divers Animals have indeed a set time of bringing forth, and specially in the Spring, when the Sun returns; divers in the Summer, and some in the Autumn, as the Gristley Fishes. And hence it happens, that when the time of bringing forth approacheth, they direct themselves to their wont places, where they may safely build their Stalls, or Nests, where they may bring forth, cherish, and sustain their young.  
Hence it is that those Winds which blow about the beginning of the spring, are called, Or●ithiae, namely from the coming or flocking in of the Birds, which about that time, do by the help of those Winds arrive at certain usual places. And Fishes also which swim in Shoals many hundred thousands together, do conspire to meet in such particular parts, and at such set times, to spawn and cherish their fry.  
And likewise in the Spring, so soon as ever the Cankerwormes do appear, (whose seeds are for the most part carried about by the Winds like invisible Atoms; and are not begotten as people commonly believe, either of their own accord, or out of putrefaction) the trees do presently shoot forth their buds, which are to become the sustenance of those creatures: and they themselves also are pursued by small Birds, and conducted into their Nests to be devoured by their young.  
So that whensoever we see unusual kinds of these Cankerworms, we do likewise meet with several sorts of foreign little birds, which are seldom seen at other times, (as if these Birds did Son sued for the Inheritance, did cast him in Law though his Mother did affirm that the eldest Son was born in the thirteenth month: because there seemet to be no certain time allotted for bringing forth. There was a Woman not long since amongst us, which kept a Child within her above sixteen months, and perceived him to bestir himself in her Womb above ten months (as many did evidence) and ye● at last she brought him forth alive. But, I confess those are rare accidents. And therefore Spigelius doth reprechend Ulpian the Lawyer without cause in that he admits none to be legitimate Heirs tha● are borne after the tenth month. For Laws and rules of Art, are for the most proportioned o● fitted to the actions of life, which are rightly ordered.  
Besides, it must not be denied, that there are many crafty, fraudulent Women, which for lu●● 
Hist. an. l. 7. c. 4.  cre sake, or for fear of punishment or infamy, wi●● feign and swear that they are with Child. And likewise it is well known, that others are easily deceived, and being inexperienced in the matter do conceive themselves to be with Child, when it is no such thing. And to this purpose are those words of Aristotle. The conception of those Infants which are borne after the eleventh month seemeth to have not been exactly known to the Women who are with Child, for the women do not know when they first conceived. For their Wombs being possessed with flatulencies, and they afterwards conceiving a Child upon Coition, conceive that flatulency to have been the first beginning of their conception, because they then had some usual indications, as do accompany such as do really conceive. And we have also a● other times known, that after three, or four month's space, the former conception dying in the Womb, and putrifying, and the corrupt matter (like to putrid after-purging) flowing forth, a Superfoetation hath happened: and yet the same Women have constantly affirmed that they have been delivered of a Child after the fourteenth month. It falleth out some times, saith Aristotle, that after one Abortment, ten or twelve succeeding 
Ibid.  Infants which have been conceived by a superfoetation, have fallen from the Mother. But if the Mothers have been delivered in some short time after, they have brought forth that Child which was begotten by a superfoetation: and so they bring them forth, like those children which are born Twins: As the Fable runs of Iphicles and Hercules. And this hath been already found to be so. For a certain Adultress brought forth two Children, one like her own Husband, and the other like the Adulterer. And likewise a certain Woman a long while since, having Twins within her, did conceive a third Child also, so that when the time of her delivery was fully come, she brought forth the Twins in their just time, and they were perfect: but the third was but of five month's time, and so he died instantly.  
A certain Servant-Maid being gotten with Child by her Master, to hide her knavery came to London in September, where she Lay in by stealth: and being recovered again, returned home: but in December following, a new birth (for she had a Superfoetation) did proclaim the crime which she had cunningly concealed before.  
It happened to another Woman (as Aristotle proceedeth) that when she had brought forth one Child in the seventh month, she was after two month's end, delivered of two more, whereof the first Child died, but the Twins survived. Likewise some Women that have suffered abortment, have conceived two Children at the same time, whereof the one hath been aborted before the time, and the other hath continued the full time, and been brought forth perfect.  
For it is an easy matter, that the first, or last Conception which is conceived by a Superfoetation; being ejected after the third or fourth month, the following months may be reckoned more or less than they ought to be, especially by credulous or unskilful Women.  
I have sometimes known the Conception to perish in the Womb, and being turned into Putrid Matter, to have glided and issued forth: (like the flores albi) and this both in Women and other Animals. There was not long since a Woman in London, which after such a kind of Abortment did conceive again; and was delivered at the just time. But a little after, as she went about her work, being not in any great pain, or distemper, she did eject by pieces the black little Bones, which related to her former Abortment. Some of these Bones were brought to me, which I could discover to be the fragments of the Spine, the Bone of the Thigh, and of other Bones.  
I know a young Woman, who was the Daughter of a Physician, who was of my near acquaintance, which being Big, felt all the Symptoms incident to Women in that condition; and continuing healthy and sprightly, after the fourteenth week she perceived the motions of a Foetus in her Womb; and having finished her time for going with Child, conceiving the hour of her delivery to be nigh at hand, she had her Bed furnished, her Cradle ready, and all the implements appertaining to the purpose laid out for use. But all these preparations came to nothing, and Lucina was cross to her wishes; for her customary pains quite left her, and her Belly as it rose by degrees, so it sunk again, and she never sick for the matter, but she remained barren ever after.  
I also knew a noble Matron, who had borne above ten Children, and whose Courses were never suppressed unless she were with Child. But being afterwards married to another Husband, besides other usual signs, she apprehended herself to be with Child, by the stirring of it (which both she herself, and her Sister also, who then lay with her in bed, did many times in the night perceive) and all the Arguments I could suggest, could not remove that persuasion from her: till at the last, all her hopes vanished into flatulency and fatness.  
So that sometimes, the most approved signs of Ingravidation, have not only deluded the silly Women, but the experienced Midwives, and the skilful Physicians themselves. Wherefore, since besides the deceits of Women themselves, there are several false Indications of Gravidation, we must not rashly determine of the Inordinate Birth, before the Seventh Month, or after the Eleventh.  
The ordinary Computation of going with Child, observeth that time which our blessed Saviour, the perfectest of all men, did fulfil in the Virgin's Womb: namely, from the day of the Annunciation, which is in March, to that blessed day of the Nativity, which we celebrate in December. And according to this Rule, the Sager Matrons keeping their account (while they cast in the wont day in every month, whereon they were accustomed to have their purgations) they are seldom out of their Reckoning; but, ten Revolutions of the Moon being expired, they are delivered, and reap the fruit of their Womb, upon that very day whereon (were it not for their Praegnation) their Purgations would ensue.  
As concerning the causes of the exclusion or delivery of the Foetus, Fabricius, besides that given 
De usu part. l. 15. c. 7.  by Galen (wherein he delivers, That the Foetus is so long continued in the Womb, till being now enlarged and made perfect, he is capable of being sustained at the mouth: by which argument, the weaker sorts of Foetus ought to protract their continuance in the Womb, which yet is no such matter:) conceives the other reason, and that the more rational one too, to be the necessity that the Foetus standeth in of more large refrigeration procured by respiration: because the Foetus, so soon as it is borne, doth presently respire, but doth not so soon feed. And this (he affirmeth) is not only observable in Men and Beasts, but chiefly in Birds: which though they be small, and have yet but a tender bill, yet will the Chickens peck that part of the shell, where they stand in most need of respiration: which thing they do, being more straightened for Breath, than Aliment: Seeing that immediately as soon they are escaped out of the shell they do respire, but abstain from meat two or three days together.  
But whether Respiration be instituted for Refrigeration, or for any other use: we shall more largely debate elsewhere, out of our Observations.  
In the mean time I shall propose this Problem to the Learned; namely, How the Embryo doth subsist after the seventh month in his Mother's womb? when yet in case he were borne, he would instantly breathe: nay he could not continue one small hour without it? and yet remaining in the womb, though he pass the ninth month, he lives, and is safe without the help of Respiration. I shall deliver it yet more plainly. How cometh it to pass, that the Foetus being now borne, and continuing yet covered over with his entire membranes, and abiding still in his water, can subsist for some hours space, without any danger of suffocation: and yet being shifted out of those membranes, if he have but once attracted the Air into his Lungs, he cannot afterwards live a minute without it, but dyeth instantly? doubtless this is not for want of Refrigeration: for in a difficult Delivery, he sticketh fast in the straits without any Respiration, sometimes for some hours together; and yet we find him alive: but yet so soon as he hath escaped, and tasted the vital air, if you deprive him of it, you destroy him in a moment. So likewise in the Cesarean Section the Infant is taken out of his Mother's womb, many hours after his Mother's decease, and yet he is found alive, and continueth safe, without the use of Air, though he lie entombed in the Secundines: but having once attracted the Air, (though you instantly restore him to the Secundines again) he will expire for want of breath. Whosoever doth carefully consider these things, and look narrowly into the nature of Air, will (I suppose) easily grant, that the Air is allowed to Animals, neither for refrigeration, nor nutrition sake. For it is a tried thing, that the Foetus is sooner suffocated after he hath enjoyed the Air, then when he was quite excluded from it: as if the Heat within him, were rather inflamed, then quenched by the Air.  
But thus much we have discovered by the way concerning Respiration; being perhaps resolved to discuss the debate more fully in its proper place: than which disquisition you shall hardly meet with a more nice; for it is debated with Arguments of almost equal weight on both sides.  
I return to the Birth, which Fabricius conceiveth to come to pass (besides the forementioned necessity of Respiration, and want of Sustenance) because the Foetus being grown bigger, doth press out by his weight; and also can be no longer contained within, by reason of his large bulk; and likewise, saith he, the Excrements are so multiplied, that there is no longer place for them in the membranes. But we have already proved, that the humours in the Womb are not Excrementitious. Nor is the reason deduced from the Weight and Magnitude of the Foetus more available than the former: for the Foetus swimming aloof in the humours, is scarce any burden at all to the Afterbirth or Womb; for some Infants of nine months are very little, and less than some others of eight months only, yet can they no longer subsist in the Womb. And as to the Weight, Twins of eight months do preponderate any one single Foetus whatsoever, though of nine month's abode in the Womb, yet are they not born till the nineth month. Nor can we quarrel at the scarcity of Aliment: since at that time there is entertainment enough even for Twins, and sometimes for more Infants: and also the milk which is conducted to the Breasts of Women in Childbed, being recalled to the Uterus, would as conveniently supply the foetus in the Womb, as out of it.  
I shall rather impute the cause of being born, to the juice contained in the Amnion, which being most proportionate to the nourishing of the Foetus, doth either much fail, or else is depraved by the admixture of the superfluities. As I have also hinted before.  
But as for the diversity of going with Child, which is contrary to the time allotted by Nature (which diversity doth chiefly respect Women) I do ascribe it to the custom of living, the infirmity of the constitution, and the several passions incident to Women. And therefore those tame Animals, which live amongst us, by reason of their lazy lives, and plenty of food, are of more incertainty in their times of Coition, and production, then wild Beasts, which live according to Nature's intent. Likewise sickly Women have easier and greater dispatch in their Travail, then others: but it falls out clean contrary to such Women, whose strength is very much consumed. For the same thing befalls them, as happeneth to Plants, whose fruits and seeds, do more slowly and seldom arrive to maturity in cold Countries, then to other Plants of the same kind which are in a fat and warm soil.  
So Oranges in England adhere to the trees almost two whole years together, before they come to maturity: and Figgs also scarce ever arrive at any perfection here, which are ripe in Italy twice or thrice a year. And the like befalleth the fruits of the Womb; namely, the Foetus is brought to maturity sooner or later, by reason of the scarcity or plenty of Aliment, the imbecility, or strength of the body, and the orderly or inordinate regiment of life (according to the six non-natural things recited by Physicians.)  
Fabricius hath described the Manner of the Birth, thus: The Womb being dilated by the weight of the Foetus; in so much that it can now be no farther distended, and thereupon being excited to disburden 
The manner of the Birth.  itself, is by the motion of the transverse fibres gathered up into itself, and so contracted into a narrower compass. And therefore, whereas before, neither the Excrements, by means of their abundance, nor the Foetus by reason of his weight could be contained any longer, the Uterus being more straightened and drawn together then it was, can be much less able to contain them, and therefore first the membranes as being the weaker parts, and more distended, do break, and the humour which is most fluxile, doth first pass out to make the parts glibbe. And hereupon the Foetus followeth, as being not only increased in his weight (by reason that he now no longer swimmeth in the humour) and so descendeth downwards, forcing the Orifice of the Womb, but as being also compressed, driven forward, and shut out by the action of the Womb itself: in which act on, the muscles of the Abdomer, together with the Midriff, are wonderfully assistant.  
By which words he describes the ejectment of the Excrements of the Guts, and an Abortion rather, than a Natural Birth: for though the membranes in Women do for the most part break, and so disload the Water before the Birth; yet that is not always so: for other Animals do not bring forth as they do, but produce the Entire Conception together, (namely the foetus together with the Secundines) as we may observe in Ewes, Mares, Bitch's, and other Animals: and especially in the Viper, which doth conceive within an Egg which is of one only colour, having a soft shell (such as the humane conception is) and continueth that Conception so long within her, until a foetus be form thereout, which she doth produce wrapped up in a membrane, which membrane (according to Aristotle) is broken up the third day. And yet it so happeneth, sometimes, that the young 
Hist. an. l. 5. c. 34.  ones are produced, having eaten through the membranes, (while they are yet in the Uterus.)  
And so also it is no novelty to experienced Midwives, that their Women do sometimes bring forth their Conceptions whole, and entire, without any breach in the Membranes at all. And this kind of birth seemeth to me the most Natural; wherein the foetus (like a mellow fruit which droppeth from the tree, without shaking out its seed before the time assigned by nature) is born with the Secundines embracing it. But, where it cometh otherwise to pass, and the After-burden doth adhere to the Uterus after the Child is borne: it is oftentimes hardly divided from it, and doth induce evil Symptoms, which are accompanied with noisome smells, and sometimes with a Gangreen, whereby the Mother is brought into imminent danger.  
Because therefore the Birth described by Fabricius, is not agreeable to all kinds of Births, but only to Women, and not to all their Births neither, but to such only whose Births are premature, and as it were forced: it is to be ranked rather amongst preternatural, precipitate, and in some sort abortive productions.  
In a Natural and Genuine Birth, therefore, two 
Two things required in a Natural Birth.  things are required, which are assistant the one to the other, that is to say, the Woman in travail, and the Foetus which is to be produced. Both which, except they be ripe for the business, the Birth is hardly successful. For if the Foetus being disquiet, and coveting to be enlarged, do prevent his parent by exciting her, and offering violence to her womb: or if the Mother, by reason of the infirmity of her retention, (as if her womb were disturbed with a kind of nauseousness) or by some necessity of expulsion, be before hand with the Infant, the Birth is to be reputed a Disease or Symptom, rather than a Natural and critical Production. As also when some parts of the conception escape out, and others are still retained within: namely, if the Foetus attempt a departure ere the After-burden be dismissed from the sides of the Womb; or else the After-burden, on the contrary, be loose from the Uterus, the foetus being not rightly composed, nor the Uterus relaxed for the accommodation of the work. And therefore the younger, more giddy, and officious Midwives are to be rebuked; which, when they hear the woman in travail, cry out for pain, and call for help; lest they should seem unskilful at their trade, and less busy than comes to their share, by daubing over their hands with oils, and distending the parts of the Uterus, do mightily bestir themselves, and provoke the expulsive faculty by medicinal potions: so that being impatient of a competent expectation, by their desire to hasten and promote the Birth, they do rather retard and pervert it, and make it an unnatural and difficult delivery; and leaving the Membranes, or some part of the After-burden still adhering to the Womb, they do both expose the poor women to the injuries of the Air; and vainly persuading them to their three-legged stool, weary them out, and bring them in danger of their lives. It is much happier with poor women, and those that dare not own their great bellies, where the Midwives help is never required; for the longer they retain and retard the Birth, the easier, and more successful proves the delivery.  
And therefore there are chiefly two sorts of Unnatural Births; namely when the foetus is either born before, or after the time allotted by nature: (and this is a kind of Abortive Birth) and the Birth proves difficult and painful, because it doth not succeed in that manner, and order as it ought to do: or else is hindered by some bad Symptoms: which cometh to pass chiefly for two reasons: namely, in that the Mother doth fail in her expulsive office, or else that the Foetus is himself but sluggish, and so doth not promote his own release: for a facile and natural delivery relieth upon the endavour and joint furtherance of both parties.  
Fabricius doth ascribe the work of bringing forth to the Uterus, to which performance, saith he, the Muscles of the Lower Belly, and the Midrifle are assistants. But when I consider the matter throughly, the throws of the woman in travail do seem to proceed from the Motion and Agitation of all the Body, (just as we find it in Sternutation.) I knew a young Woman, which by reason of her extreme torment in her travail fell into a Swoon; and became instantly so consternated, stupid, and sleepy, that nothing could recover her. I being called in to her cure (finding that Clysters, and other proper remedies had been applied to no purpose, and that nothing could go down her throat) I put up a feather which was dipped in a strong Sneezing medicine, into her Nose; by which being moved (though she was so overwhelmed with a deep stupidity, that she could neither sneeze, nor be awaked) she began to be seized by a kind of general Convulsion, all her body over, which beginning at the shoulders, did by degrees extend itself to the lower parts. But as often as I applied this provocation to her, her delivery was advanced and came on, and at last, the Mother being insensible of it herself, and remaining still in her sleepy condition, a healthy and sprightly Child was born into the world.  
We may observe the manner of their throws, in other Animals: (as in the Ewe, the Bitch, and in great cattle) wherein we shall discover that it is not by the sole action of the Uterus, or Belly either, but is the joint conflict of all the whole body. And how much the Foetus doth confer to the acceleration and facilitating of his own Birth, is chiefly evident in Oviparous Creatures: for it is apparent that the Foetus itself, and not the Mother, doth break through the shell. By which it is probable that in Viviparous births also, the chiefest cause of being born is owed to the Foetus itself, and that, to his industry and endeavour, and not to his weight, as Fabricius conceiveth. For what doth the weight thereof conduce to the birth in fourfooted beasts which stand upright, or sit down; or in Women which lie along? nor doth the endeavour of the foetus proceed, as he supposeth, from its largeness of bulk, or the plenty of the water, (the Water indeed is the cause of the delivery of the foetus which is dead and putrified in the womb, in that by its corruption and acrimony it doth extimulate the Uterus to relieve itself) but the foetus himself sets open the Gates of the Womb with his head turned downward, and unlocks their enclosure by his own force, and so struggleth himself into the world by conquest: And therefore that kind of birth is counted the nimbler and more fortunate. But when the Child comes into the world thrusting his feet foremost, saith Pliny, the birth is counted unnatural, and those that are so born are called 
L. 7. c. 8.  Agrippae, quasi aegre parti, born with much difficulty: For their birth is slow and painful. And yet notwithstanding in abortment, and where the foetus is dead, or that there would be a hard delivery any other way, so that there is necessity of handiwork in the business, the more convenient way of coming forth, is with the feet foremost; for by that means the straits of the Uterus are opened, as it were by a Wedge. Wherefore when the hope of delivery relieth chiefly upon the foetus, (as being strong and lively) we must endeavour to further his coming out with his head fore-most; but in case the task is like to depend upon the Uterus, we must procure his coming out with his feet fore-most.  
That the assistance of the foetus is chiefly required in the birth, is evident, not in Birds only, which do by their own industry without the help of their Parent break up the shell; but also in other Animals; for all Flies, and Butterflies, do perforate the little membranes (in which they did lurk when they were the Worm Aurelia) and likewise the Silkworm doth at his appointed time mollify and erode the little Silken bag, which he had weaved for his defence and security, and so gets out without any foreign aid. And in like manner, Wasps, Beetles, and other Infects; and all Fishes, are borne without others helps; as doth chiefly appear in the Ray, the Fork-fish, the Lamprey, and all cartilagineous Fishes, which do conceive their Eggs within themselves, and those perfect ones, and particoloured, (being furnished with a Yolk and White) and concluded in a strong cartilagineous quadrangular shell: out of which being detained within the Belly and the Uterus, they do form their young; which breaking open the shell by force, do get abroad: as also the young Vipers, by their erosion of the membrane which containeth the Egg, do sometimes in their Mother's Bowels, and sometimes as they stick in the very passage, and other times at the end of two or three days after their nativity, expose themselves to the wide World. From whence that Fable, that the Vipers do eat their way through their Mother's bowels, and so revenge the death of their Father, took its foundation: When yet they do no more than all other issues which come into the world, breaking through the membranes which encompass them, either in their very Birth itself, or a little after it.  
But how great furtherance the foetus doth confer to its own Birth, several observations do clearly evince. A certain Woman here amongst us (I speak it knowingly) was, (being dead over night) left alone in her Chamber: but the next morning an Infant was there found between her Legs, which had by his own force wrought his release. Gregorius Nymmanus, hath collected certain examples of this nature out of approved Authors.  
I also knew a Woman, who had all the interior part of the neck of her Womb excoriated and torn, by a difficult and painful delivery: so that her time of Lying in being over, though she proved with Child again afterward, yet not only the sides of the Orifice of the Neck of the Womb near the Nymphae did close together, but all the whole Cavity thereof, even to the inner Orifice of the Matrix, whereby there was no entrance even for a small probe, nor yet any egress to her usual fluxes. Hereupon the time of her delivery being now arrived, the poor soul was lamentably tortured, and laying aside all expectation of being delivered, she resigned up her keys to her Husband, and setting her affairs in order, she took leave of all her friends. When behold, beyond expectation, by the strong contest of a very lusty Infant, the whole tract was forced open, and she was miraculously delivered; the lusty Child proving the author of his own, and his Parent's life, leaving the passage open for the rest of his Brethren who should be borne in time to come. For, proper applications being administered, his Mother was restored to her former health.  
I shall add one example more memorable than this. The Queen had an exceeding white Mare, excellently shaped, presented unto her: whose genital parts (lest by going to Horse she might endanger the beauty of her proportions, and become unfit for use) were, as the custom is, locked up all with iron rings. Notwithstanding which, this Mare (by what accident I cannot tell, nor could the Grooms inform me) was made big with Foal: and at last, when they feared no such matter, she foaled by night, and the Foal was found alive next morning by the mare's side. When I came to hear thereof, I went presently to the Stables, and saw both the labia of the lap, which were locked up with rings, and all the privity towards the left side, so torn and dilacerated from the right haunch-bone, that the unity of that most tied part being dissolved, by the incredible force of the young Foal, he might easily find a passage through that wide gap. So forcible is the vigour and efficacy of a mature and lively Foetus.  
But on the contrary, in case the Foetus be sickly, and languishing, or borne before its time; it is not properly a birth, but an abortment: and the Foetus is rather ejected, then borne: and therefore though he be now some days old, he will neither take the breast kindly, nor deposit his excrements as he ought to do.  
And yet the Uterus hath its share in this business of Delivery: as shall appear in the following example. A poor woman, who was a Laundress, did for a long time labour under the Bearing down, or precipitation of her womb, and the sheath thereof did hang down to the bigness of ones fist, and at length, using no applications to it, her grief grew so forcible upon her, that it now begun to resemble a Scrotum, the skin being rugged and squalid; and yet found now less pain or trouble in it, than she was formerly used to find, when it newly bore down. But, she ask my advice, I counselled her to keep her Bed for some certain days, and to mollify the drier parts thereof with fomentations, and ointments, and so when her womb was reduced into her body, to keep it still up with pessaries and swaths, till by the use of drying and strengthening remedies it was confirmed and settled in its proper place. The cure did for some time succeed to our wish; but she being poor, was fain to fall to her calling again, to get money, and so intermitting her appointed applications, she fell into a relapse, and endured it pretty well, her womb sometimes retiring back again, and sometimes continuing quite out; but for the most part, at night she did reduce it, and there it remained for some time. But after many days, she addressed herself to me again, complaining that her womb being swelled by the use of her remedies, and especially of her fomentations (as she conceived) would now no longer abide in her body. And yet applying some ointments which I had prescribed, she had forced it in again, but her cure did not continue long: for no sooner did she rise, and stand upon her legs, and so go about her work, but her womb did presently, by reason of its bulk and weight, disturb her again, and would easily bear down upon any occasion. And now at this time it was as large as a Bull's Cod, dangling between her legs,: so that I suspected, that not only the sheath, but that the womb itself was now inverted, or else that she was diseased with a Uterine Hernia, or rupture. It grew at last bigger than a man's head, being then a hard tumour, and hanging down to her knees did much pain her, so that she could not go (but upon all four) and breaking just in the bottom of it, it did effund a moisture (as if it had been an Ulcer) and blood with it. Looking upon it (for I did not explore it by touch) I did suspect it to be a Cancer of the womb, and therefore did bethink myself of a Ligature, and cutting it off: and in the interim, I advised her to apply gentle fomentations to it to assuage the pain. But the following night, an Infant perfectly shaped, of a span long, was cast out of that Tumour, but it was dead; and the next morning they brought it to me; which having emboweled, I kept swimming in cold water without corrupting for some month's time, showing it to many of my friends (as a miraculous spectacle.) The skin in this Foetus was not yet form; but only a thin paring appeared (such as lieth about a Codlin) which I easily drew away whole and entire; whereupon all the muscles disclosed themselves very distinctly, (for the Foetus was lean.) What other matters I observed in the dissection of this Foetus, shall be related elsewhere: in this place, I thought it only convenient to signify, how the Matrix itself alone did promote this Abortive, and did eject this Foetus by its own industry.  
Fabricius doth propose two things worthy admiration 
De form. foet. pag. 142.  (as he saith) in the birth, and after it: the first is concerning the dilatation of the Uterus in the Birth: and the other is, of the reduction of the Uterus after the Birth into its former compass and narrowness: Wondering that the womb should be so much distended to make way for the foetus, and that in a short time after delivery, it should retire into its pristine dimension.  
How the Neck of the Womb, which is thick, hard, and so shut up, that it will not admit a slender probe, should subscribe to so vast a distension in the time of Delivery, We may with Galen 
Deus. part. l. 15. c. 7. pag. 143.  admire, saith he, but we shall never comprehend it.  
Yet he gives this Reason for it, namely That the Uterus, while it is not pregnant, is a thick and hard body, so likewise is its orifice; but being impregnated, it becomes soft and thin: and the nearer it draws to delivery, so much the more is the substance, and by consequence its orifice too, made thinner, and softer. And this he conceiveth to be effected by its distension; which being distended, its compact and complicated body (if he may so speak) is expanded and smoothed, and so, though it was thick and hard before, yet now it is rendered thin and soft, and so consequently fit to afford an exit to the foetus. And afterwards he saith, There was one, who once enquired of me, how, if it be so indeed, it can be true that in women with child the orifice of the womb is so occluded, that not so much as a small probe can get into it? I make answer, that it came to be so, in that the womb while it is distended, and is unfolded like a linen cloth that is compacted and folded up together, doth begin to be raised up first in its upper part, and there to be unfolded, and after it the lower parts do by degrees begin to distend, till at the last that distending faculty doth arrive at the very orifice of the womb itself; which is convenient to be so then, when the Uterus is inclining towards delivery. Wherefore the Orifice of the womb is deservedly shut for the first months, (whilst it is crass and obdurate) but in the last dilated. And thus much touching Galens unknown cause: we might also add other Reasons, whereby the dilatation of the womb becometh more easy, as, suppose, the Excrements of the Foetus, namely the Sweat and the Urine: which though they are contained in their own proper membranes and receptacles, yet may the power of Humectation arrive even unto this Orifice, especially since it is placed below, and near to these humours, being always present with them. Add also moreover, that a certain mucous and pituitous substance is always found about the orifice of the womb.  
But, in my opinion, this worthy man is mistaken; for the Neck of the womb is not hard by complication, but of its own essence, and nervous constitution: and likewise, those accidental Causes (which he allegeth) are of little advantage to this purpose. For, doubtless, this is done by the Divine Providence of Nature (as well as the rest of the wonderful Fabric of the Body) which doth direct her workmanship to a certain End, Action, and Use. The Wombs constitution therefore is such, that in the first Conception it should have its nervous Orifice constringed, for retention sake, which afterwards in the delivery of the foetus (like the fruit in the Tree) doth of hard become soft and mellow, for the convenience of expulsion: and that not from any unfolding, but from the alteration of its Temper; for even the connexion of the bones themselves, namely the Synchondrosis of the Haunch-bone with the Share, and Holy-bone, & the synneuresis or natural union or coalition of the Rump, or utmost end of the Os Sacrum is dissolved and mollified. It is indeed a wonderful thing, that the little bud of a growing Nut (as suppose of the Kernel of an Almond, or other Fruit) should break those bones which a Malet can hardly bruise: and that the tender fibers of the Ivy-root crawling along the narrow chinks or crannies of stones, should at last demolish large walls. But it is nothing so wonderful, that the genital parts of Women which are relaxed in the birth, should afterward harden, and draw themselves together, because it is natural to those parts; especially if we consider that the Yard of the Male is in coition very much stretched, and hardened, and anon doth flag, and soften. We are more to admire (which is beyond all plicature or folding) that the substance of the Uterus is not only daily amplified and distended, according to the growth of the foetus, (as if it were, according to the opinion of Fabricius, unfolded) but doth grow thicker, more carnous, and stronger than before. That indeed is more wonderful; yet, as Fabricius admireth it, that the so large bulk of the Uterus should in so few day's space, by the customary purgations of Childbed, return to its pristine dimensions: since it is not so in other ●umours and impostumations: which consisting of preternatural, and digestive faculties, which rebel against the expulsive, are longer under cure. And yet this is no more admirable, than the other works of Nature; for all things are filled with the Deity, and the God of Nature displayeth himself in all things.  
In the last place, Fabricius doth most admire, that those Vessels of the Embryo (namely the Oval perforation out of the Hollow-vein into the Venal Artery, and the passage from the Arterial Vein into the Aorta; (whereof we have treated at large, in our Tract of the Circulation of the Blood) should presently after the birth wither, and be obliterated, and is enforced to betake himself to that reason cited by us before out of Aristotle; namely, that all parts are constituted for some Action ot other, 
De part. an. l. 1. c. 5.  and that Action being taken away, the parts also themselves do vanish. As the Eye seeth, the Ear heareth, the Brain perceiveth, the Stomach concocteth; not because they are endowed with such a kind of temper and fabric; but those organs are therefore endowed with such a kind of temper and fabric, that so they may perform the Functions assigned them by Nature.  
By which argument it appeareth, that the Uterus is the chiefest of the Parts dedicated to Generation: for the Testicles are constituted for the geniture or seed; but the seed for coition; and coition itself, or emission of seed, that the Uterus may receive fecundity, and so generation ensue thereby.  
We have formerly said, that the Egg is as it were the fruit of Animals, and as it were an exposed Womb. Now on the contrary, we shall contemplate the Uterus as an Egg residing within. For as Trees, at set times, do flourish with leaves, flowers, and fruits: and Oviparous Animals do sometimes generate eggs, and lay; but sometimes they grow emerit, and the place or part which did contain them is not to be found: so also Viviparous Animals have their Spring, and Autumn. At the Seasons of fecundity and generation, the Genital parts, especially in Females, are very much altered: insomuch that the Ovary in Birds, which at other times is conspicuous, doth then appear something turgid: and the Belly of Fishes, about the time of Spawning, doth much exceed all the rest of their body, by reason of the multitude of their eggs, and affluence of their seed or spawn. In many Viviparous Animals, the Genitals (namely the Uterus, and Spermatical Vessels) are perceived to be at some times of a divers Constitution, Temper, and Fabric; but as they grow pregnant, or forbear to be so, so do they diversely change; so that a man can hardly know them for the same things. For as in Nature nothing is wanting, so there is no superfluity. And therefore the Genital parts, when there is no more use of them, do wither, are retracted, and as it were obliterated and expunged.  
At the times of Coition, the Testicles are conspicuous in male Hares, and Moles, and the Horns are then visible in the Uterus of their females. It were strange to relate, how great an affluence of seed is then conspicuous in the larger sort of Moles, and Mice, in which at other times no seed at all is to be seen (but their Testicles are extenuated and retracted into their Bellies) but when they forgo impregnation, there is hardly any such thing as a Uterus to be perceived: insomuch that it is a difficult matter to distinguish Male from Female.  
The Womb doth, chiefly in Women, exceedingly vary both in Temper, as also in those Adjuncts which follow the Temper (namely Situation, Magnitude, Figure, Colour, Thickness, Hardness, & Density.) Unripe Virgins, as their Breasts are no bigger than the Breasts of Boys; so is their Uterus very small, white, of a skinny substance, destitute of Veins, and in magnitude, not exceeding the top of ones Thumb, or a large Bean. So also ancient Women, as their breasts do sink, so have they a retreated, flaggy, lank, pallid Womb, void of Veins and Blood. Which I also conceive to be the cause, why Women growing Ancient have not their monthly Terms: but that they descend into the Haemorrhoides, or else do abruptly forsake them, and so endanger their health. But when the Womb is now i'll, and as it were defunct, & all the Veins and Arteries thereof are expunged, the superfluous blood, when it boileth, doth either restagnate, or divert its course into the neighbouring Haemorrhoids. But on the contrary, in pale Virgins, and such as have the Green sickness (whose Womb is slender, and their Terms are at a stay) by Coition with the Male, saith Aristotle, 
De gen. an. l. 3. c. 1.  the excrement of the Terms is drawn down, for the Uterus being tepefied, doth attract the humours, and the passages are opened. Whereupon a vast abatement of their distemper doth ensue: for the Womb being unmindful of his function, many mischiefs do befall the Body in general: because the Womb is a principal part, which doth easily draw the whole body into consent with it. No man (who is but never so little versed in such matters) is ignorant, what grievous Symptoms, the Rising, Bearing down, and Perversion, and Convulsion of the Womb do excite; what horrid extravagancies of mind, what Frenzies, Melancholy Distempers, and Outragiousness, the preternatural Diseases of the Womb do induce, as if the affected Persons were enchanted: as also how many difficult Diseases, the depraved effluxion of the Terms, or the use of Venus much intermitted, and long desired do foment. Nor is it less known, how great an Alteration doth befall Virgins, when their Uterus doth enlarge, and is tepefied, for they grow mature, and their Complexion doth improve; their Breasts strut forth, they become more beautiful, their Eyes glisten, their Voice is more tuneable, their Gate, Gesture, and Discourse, are more graceful then formerly; and their more grievous Distempers are at this time, or never, cured.  
I knew a noble Lady, which was wild by reason of a Uterine Melancholy and Distemper, for above ten years together: and when all Remedies had been in vain employed, she fell at last into the Bearing down of the Uterus; which accident, contrary to others judgement, I did prognosticate would conduce to her health; and persuaded her not to return her womb, until its distemper was assuaged by the outward cold air: the success was answerable to my persuasion, and in a short time she was perfectly cured; and her womb being at last restored to its seat, did remain there, and she lives a healthy life, even to this day.  
I knew another Woman, which was troubled with Hysterical symptoms, such as no Applications could subdue; who at length after many years was cured by the Bearing down of the Womb. And both these being relieved in their Symptoms, I did restore their wombs to their places with happy success. For the Uterus being by any sharp humour excited violently to expulsion, doth not only gently bear down, but (like unto the Right Gut when it is irritated by a troublesome Tenesmus) doth precipitate itself outward.  
Divers therefore is the Constitution of the Uterus; and that not only preternatural, but natural also, namely, in the time of Fecundity, and Barrenness. In young Girls, and Women past Childing, it is (as I have said) of the magnitude of a Bean, and without any blood: in a Virgin ripe for a husband, it resembleth the bulk and form of a Pear: in fruitful Women, and such as are apt to conceive, it is as large as a small Gourd, or a Goose-egge; and doth likewise swell as the breasts do, and growing more lax and fleshy, it becometh warm; and as Virgil speaketh of the Fields,  
— superat tener omnibus humour,  
— & genitalia semina poscunt:  
They all a flowing moisture have,  
And so a fruitful seed do crave.  
Wherefore their Terms being now at hand, or newly over, whilst the warmth and moisture of the Part (which are two necessary causes of Generation) do remain, Women are most apt to conceive. And so other Animals likewise (when they are excited to Venery) their Genital parts are moist, turgid, and swelled.  
And this Constitution I have found in the Womb, before the Birth. But in Women with Child, the Uterus (as hath been said) doth extend according to the growth of the Infant, and so enlargeth into a vast proportion. I have found it presently after Delivery, of the bigness of ones head, and thicker than the middlefingers breadth, and fraught with divers vessels full of blood. It is indeed a wonderful thing, and (as Fabricius noteth) doth much exceed our humane apprehension, that the so vast bulk of the Uterus should so much lessen, in so short a space, namely in the space of fifteen, or twenty days.  
For no sooner is the foetus and the After-burden excluded, but the Uterus doth by degrees gather itself together, streighteneth its Neck, and retreateth itself towards the interior parts; being partly insensibly abated by a diaphoresis, and partly dissolved into the Purgations: and all the bordering parts, the bones, belly, and all the Hypogastrical region, are together contracted, and grow sirme again. In the Purgations, first of all pure blood, then corrupt blood, like that Water wherein flesh that is newly killed is washed, and then paler blood doth issue forth: our women do call it lactis proventum, the coming of the Milk, when their purgations are now no longer died with blood; because perhaps, the Milk doth at that time flow more plenteous, and sound for the Infant, from the breasts; and the purgations do then begin to diminish, and dry away: the alible juice being now translated from the Uterus to the breasts.  
And yet other Animals do not require so great trouble in the business, for the foresaid parts in them are, in the compass of a day or two, quite restored, and perfectly consolidated. Nay some of them (as the Hare, and the Coney) in the space of an hour after they have kindled, do admit the Buck, and are again fructified by Coition. As we have showed that the Hen so soon as ever she hath laid, is compressed by the Cock. But Women alone, as they only have Terms, so do they abound with after-purging, and do alone undergo difficult and hazardous deliveries: because their Uterus doth either unseasonably gather itself together, by reason of weakness, or else the After-purging are depraved contrary to nature, or do not come away kindly. For it often befalls Women (especially the more tender sort) that the After-purging being corrupted, and grown noisome within, do call in Fevers, and other grievous Symptoms. For the Womb being excoriated by the separation of the After-burden (especially if the separation were violent) like a large inward Ulcer, is cleansed and mundified by the liberal emanations of the After-purging. And hereupon we conclude of the welfare or danger of a Woman in Childbed, according to her excretions. If any part of the After-burden be left sticking to the Uterus, the After-purging will flow forth evil-sented, green, and as if they proceeded from a dead body: and sometimes the courage and strength of the womb being quite vanquished, a sudden Gangrene doth induce a certain death.  
In case any Clotted Blood, or any other preternatural matter, do remain in the cavity of the womb after the Delivery; the Womb will neither retire upwards, nor close its Orifice, but its Neck will continue soft and open: As I have had experience in a Woman, which lying very sick of a Malignant Fever, and being very weak, did suffer an Abortion: who after the exclusion of the Foetus; which was incorrupt and entire, yet lay exceeding weak with a disorderly Pulse, and in a cold sweat, as if she were a dying. I perceived the Orifice of her Womb was lax, soft, and very open, and her After-purging were something noisome: whereupon I suspected that something did lurk in her Womb which did putrefy: and putting in my hand, I extracted a false Conception, as big as a Goose-egge; which was made of a most thick, nervous, and almost gristly substance, having some perforations in it: (whereout did issue a viscid and putrefied matter) and immediately upon this she was discharged of those grievous Symptoms, and suddenly after did perfectly recover.  
When the Neck of the Womb doth a little contract itself, and thereupon the Clotted Blood doth get out, though not without pain and difficulty, causing those pains, which our Midwives call the After-throws: the danger is then supposed to be over, and indeed it is usually so; because it is a sign of the strength and firmness of the Uterus, collecting itself easily together; whereby the After-purging are more readily expelled, and the Woman is the sooner well.  
But I have known the Orifice of the Womb draw together so close in some immediately after the delivery, that the Blood being detained in the Womb, and thereupon suddenly putrefying and thickening into Clots, did induce most grievous Symptoms; and when no means would avail to unburden them, a present death ensued.  
A very Honourable Lady in Childbed falling into a fever (by reason no After-purging came from her) had her Privities swollen, and scorching: the Orifice of her Matrix being hard, and shut up, I did open it a little way by force with an Iron Instrument, that so I might immit an Injection by a little Syringe; whereupon black, clotted, and noisome blood did issue out, even to some certain pounds weight, whereby she received present ease.  
The Wife of a Doctor of Divinity, who was of a good habit of Body enough, but being Barren, did consult me; and being very desirous of Children, she had tried many Medicines, and Physicians, but all to no purpose: she had her Terms at the usual times; but sometimes (especially when she had rod on Horseback) some corrupt and purulent substance did issue from her: Which presently after would stop again. Some conceived it to be the Whites: others suspected it to be some deep Ulcer: being persuaded thereunto, chiefly, because her flux was not constant, and by little and little, but by certain intervals, and much at a time: Whereupon by the help of a Speculum Matricis they did survey all the sheath of the Uterus, and did apply several Medicines, but all in vain. At last I, being called, did open the inward Orifice of the Womb, and presently there did issue forth to the quantity of two spoonfuls, of corrupt matter, sprinkled with bloody streaks. Which when I perceived, I told them that there lay an Ulcer lurking in the cavity of her Womb; and by injecting proper Medicaments, I restored her to her former health. But being intent upon the cure, and seeing the ordinary remedies did little avail, I applied more forcible ones; because I suspected that the Ulcer was inveterate (and perhaps with flesh growing upon it) wherefore to my former injections, I added a little Roman Vitriol; by whose acrimony the Uterus being extimulated, did grow so hard, that it did seem as hard to the touch as a Stone: and occasioned several Hysterical Symptoms withal; which Physicians commonly conceive to proceed from the suffocation of the Matrix, and foul vapours being thence sent upwards. This inconvenience continued a while; till the Uterus being assuaged by milder applications, and such as abate pains, did relax its Orifice again, and did exclude the sharp liquor which I had injected, together with a putrid matter. Whereby the Patient was in a short time restored.  
I conceived it convenient to transfer this History out of my Medicinal Observations, to this place, that it may evidently appear, of how sharp and quick a sense the Uterus is: and how easily it doth close itself upon the presence of its adverversary: especially in a grievous and difficult Lying in. Now these casualties are most incident to Women above all other Creatures, and of them, to those that are tenderly brought up, and do lead a sedentary and lazy life; as also to such as are of a sickly constitution, and do easily fall into distempers.  
For Country Women, and such as take great pains, are not so dangerously ill, upon so small grounds. Some of these will be with Child again within a month's time: when as the other are often out of order for two years after.  
Hypocrates allotteth as many days for the Afpurging, as for the formation of the foetus; and therefore 
I. de foetu.  more for a female, than a male Child. But that, witness Scaliger, is false: For none of our Women are purged above a month after their delivery: many 
Com. in hist. an. Arist. l. 7. c. 3.  not beyond fifteen days: and some but seven: nay I have known a Woman, who was cleansed in three days, even after she had brought forth Twins. Galen hath many things concerning this subject, in his Book 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. The Women (as the report goeth) in the Newfound Land, keep close the day of their delivery; but the next day return to their ordinary employments.  
I will only add, for conclusion, a memorable relation, delivered to me from the Noble Lord George Carew, Baron of Tatnes, and for a long time Precedent of Munster in Ireland, who also wrote the Annals of those times. There was a Woman big with Child, which followed her Husband, who was a Soldier in the Army; and the Army being daily in motion, was it seems forced to make a Halt, by reason of a little River that run cross the place whether they intended to March: whereupon the poor woman finding her labour come upon her, retired to the next thicker, and alone by herself, without any Midwife, or other preparation, brought forth Twins: which she presently carried to the River, and there washed both herself and them; which done, she wrapped her Infants into a course cloth, and tied them to her back, and that very day, marched along with the Army twelve mile together, barefooted: and was never the worse for the matter.  
The next day after, the Deputy of Ireland, the Lord Montioy (who at that time was General of the Army against the Spaniards, at the siege of Kingsale) and the Precedent of Munster, being affected at the strangeness of the story, did both vouchsafe to be Godfathers to the Infants.   

Of the Membranes and Humours of the Uterus.  
HIeronymus Fabricius recounteth four sorts of bodies, 
Lib. de for. foetus c. 1.  which do consist without the Foetus, namely the Umbilical Vessels, the Membranes, Humours, and fleshy substance. Concerning which, I shall briefly declare, wherein I differ in opinion from him, (by the instigation of several Observations) but first I shall succinctly lay down his opinion.  
There are, saith he, three Membranes, two whereof do encompass the Infant throughout, but the third doth not. Of those which do encompass the Foetus, one is the interior, called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 id est, amiculum, the little covering. The other is placed next to the former, and called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, in Latin, Innominata, the coat without a name (but it is by Interpreters falsely called Secundae, or Secundina, the Secundine) and this also doth encompass the whole Foetus. The third is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, id est, Intestinalis, the Gut-like Membrane, because it is like a stuffed Gut, or Pudding: which therefore doth not encompass the Foetus, but lieth over part of the breast and lower belly, and is extended to each horn of the Uterus. He doth confess that this Membrane is only to be found in a Lamb, and a Calf; and saith that it is joined to the Uterus, and doth by the Urachus receive the Urine of the foetus from the Bladder. And therefore, saith he, In Horned beasts, which 
cap. 7.  have this coat called Allantoides, the Urachus is so large, and straight, that it resembleth a Gut; growing by degrees lesser and lesser, even till it reach to the bottom of the bladder: which doth easily evince that its original is rather from the Allantoides, then from the Bladder. But in a Man, and other Animals which have teeth in both Jaws, the forementioned largeness of the Urachus is so small, that whereas it riseth single from the bottom of the Bladder, it is presently after divided into most slender fibers, which passing along with the Umbilical Vessels, do transfund the Urine into the coat Chorion (in an almost invisible manner.) And upon this ground he doth challenge Arantius of a double error; both in that he denied any Urachus to be found in a humane foetus; and likewise for saying, that it doth discharge its Urine through its privy member.  
But for my part, I confess myself to be involved in the same errors with Arantius (if at least they be errors.) For I am sure of this, that if you compress the bladder of a large-grown foetus, (be it the humane foetus, or of any other Animal) the Urine will start out at the Privities. But as for the Urachus, I never yet saw any such thing, nor could ever observe that upon compression of the bladder, the Urine would gush out into the Secundines. I have indeed in Sheep and Deer, seen a certain Process of the bladder, which doth contain Urine in it; but never saw any such as the Urachus by him described.  
And yet I will not too stiffly deny, that there is a Coat called Allantoides; for the Interior membranes are so thin and transparent, (such as we have signified to be found between the two whites of an Egg) that they may easily impose upon the Eye. Likewise in a Hen-egg, between the Colliquamentum and the White (that is, between the Amnion, and the Chorion) there is to be seen some whitish excrements, nay, sometimes the very downright excrements of the Guts; as we have formerly spoken, and Coiterus hath also observed. Moreover, the Membrane of the Colliquamentum itself (wherein the Chicken doth swim) though it be pellucid, thin, and so subtle, that (according to Fabricius his own confession) thinner cannot be imagined: yet (since according to Him, all the membranes though never so thin, are nevertheless double) Nature may possibly sometimes upon necessity deposit the Urine, or some other excrement between the Reduplications or folds thereof. And such a kind of Allantoides as this, I shall willingly indulge to Fabricius: but as for any other kind of Pudding, carried on to both the bornes of the Womb, I find no such thing in the Secundines of Cloven-footed-beasts, nor any thing else, but the Conception itself. I only find, (as I have said before) a kind of Process of the bladder, which being seated between the Umbilical Arteries, doth contain an excrementitious humour, and this Process is in some longer, and in others shorter.  
Wherefore, in my judgement, the Coat which Fabricius calls Allantoides, is the mere Chorion: and yet the Ancients called it Allantoides, from the figure of a double-pudding, which it doth resemble. For the exterior membrane, which (like a Wallet tied in the middle) is extended to the extremities of each Horn; and passing through the interposed part of the Uterus (or the connexion of both the Horns) is fastened together, is the Chorion; which, in Sheep, Goats, Hinds, and Does, and other cloven-footed beasts, if you take it in your hand in the middle of that passage, you may draw it away entire: and this we have called their Egg, or Conception.  
For it containeth as an Egg doth, a twofold liquor, a foetus, and all things relating thereunto; and hath the same qualifications which Aristotle assigneth to an Egg; namely, that out of part thereof an Animal ought to be constituted, and that the remainder ought to become the support and sustenance of that Animal, when it is now constituted.  
And therefore that Coat which Fabricius calleth Allantoides, I either conceive to be the Choriou, or that something preternatural had befallen some Animal which he had seen. For certain it is, that it is only to be found in some few Animals, and not always in them neither: for at the Beginning it is not found, & afterwards, in some it is more, and in others less conspicuous, and in some nothing at all is discernible, but merely a Process. And Fabricius himself conceiveth it not useful to the encompassing of the Infant, but only to the reception of the Urine. And truly I believe, that he maketh mention of it, rather in justification of the Doctrine of the Ancients, then that himself found any such thing, or thought it useful to any intent. But (both with the Ancients, and the whole School of Physicians) he doth confess, that the Chorion doth contain Urine; where he saith, that two humours are about the foetus, the one being Sweat, which is in the Amnion, the other Urine, which is contained in the Chorion.  
By which it is manifest, that the Ancients understood one & the same membrane under a double compellation; namely, in cloven-footed beasts, (in whom alone it is found) they called it Allantoides, by reason of its figure: but in other Animals, they called it Chorion, from its employment, because they conceived it was designed for the entertainment of the Urine. And therefore they confess that this Coat is neither found in a Man, nor any other Animals. For what need of any other Coat to entertain the Urine, when that office, by their own confession, is already executed by the Chorion? And indeed, there can no probable reason be alleged why that coat should be found in Sheep, Goats, and other beasts which cleave the hoof, and not also in Dogs, Cats, Mice, and Others. For if it were instituted for the reception of the Urine, it is necessary, that the foetus of Sheep, and Cows, should either abound with greater plenty of Urine than other animals which have Teeth in both Jaws; or else, that there are three divers kinds of humours; or at least two Receptacles of the Urine. For this I am sure, that the Chorion is from the first beginning full of water. But I do not here intent to dispute controversies, I shall rather rehearse what I have found by experience.  
It is one thing to exhibit the fabric of a Conception, or Embryo that is now perfected, as Fabricius doth: but another thing, to disclose the the generation thereof, and first scheme and rudiments of all: as it is a divers business to describe Apples, or the ripe seeds of Plants, and their first production from the bud. We therefore will briefly relate, how the Conception is framed by little and little, even from the beginning to the end; that it may thence more likely appear, what we are to conclude concerning the Membranes, and other Appurtenances relating to the Foetus.  
All Living things do derive their Original (as we have said) from something, which doth contain in it both the matter, and efficient virtue and power: which therefore is that thing, both out of which, and by which, whatsoever is born, doth deduce its beginning. And such an Original or Rudiment in Animals (whether they proceed from other Animals which do beget them, or else are spontaneous, and the Issues of Putrefaction) is a certain humour, which is concluded in some certain coat, or shell; namely, a similar body, having life actually in it, or in potentiâ: and this, in case it be generated within an Animal, and do there remain, until it have produced an univocal Animal, is commonly called a Conception: but if it be exposed without, by being born, or else assume its beginning elsewhere, it is called either an Egg, or a Worm. But I conceive that both aught alike to be called Primordium, the first Rudiment from which an Animal doth spring; as Plants assume their nativity from the Seed: and all these Primordia are of one kind, namely, Vital.  
And this kind of Rudiment I find in the Vterus of all Viviparous Animals, before any part of the foetus appear; namely, there is a clear, stiff, white humour (like the white of an Egg) which is included in a membrane, which I call their egg: and this doth fill up all the Vterus, and both the Horns thereof, in Hinds, Does, Sheep, and other Beasts which cleave the Hoof.  
In process of Time, there is a most pure, and clear watery part distinguished or severed from the rest of the Rudiment, or egg, which we call the Colliquamentum, or dissolved part in a Hen-egge) and this doth in brightness or perspicuity far exceed all the rest of the egg (in which it is comprehended. The form thereof is round, and it is concluded in its own proper membrane, which is most thin and transparent, which they call Amnion; as for the rest of the humour, which is thicker and darker than this, an exterior coat, which is contiguous to the concave superficies of the Vterus, and embraceth the whole Egg, doth contain it: which obtaineth a several figure, according to the diversity of the shape of the womb: for in some it is oval, in other oblong, but in Beasts which cleave the hoof, it resembleth a Wallet.  
A little while after, there doth appear in this crystal Colliquamentum, Punctum rubrum saliens, A Red leaping Point; from which most slender strings of little Veins are disseminated, like rays or beams. Anon the first concrement or substance of the Body doth appear, like a Maggot, which is bend like a Keel of a Ship: and so the rest of the Parts do follow in their order, as hath been related in our History. For we have observed that the Procreation of the foetus in Viviparous Animals is instituted in the same manner out of the Egg or Conception, as the Chicken out of the Henn-Egg.  
But these Viviparous conceptions do (as I have noted) differ in Figure, Number, and Connexion to the Vterus. For at the beginning, the Conception (especially in those that cleave the hoof) doth not grow to the Vterus; but being only contiguous thereunto, doth fill up all its cavity, and distend it, and may be easily drawn out whole.  
In such Creatures as cleave the hoof, (which do conceive in the Horns of the Womb) and also in those that are whole-hoofed, there is only one of these eggs found at a time, and that also extending itself to both the Horns, and though sometimes they do produce a single, and sometimes a double foetus; and thereupon have sometimes one single Colliquamentum, and sometimes two (namely, one in the Right, and another in the Left Horn) yet are they still concluded in that Common Egg or Conception.  
But in other Animals, so many foetus, so many several Eggs are to be seen apart; and as many Colliquamentums in them, as it is in the Dog, the Cat, the Mouse, and such like Animals as have teeth in both their Jaws.  
The Figure of the Conception in such as cleave the hoof, is like a Wallet; namely such, as Fabricius doth attribute to the Allantoides. In a Mare, the internal shape of the womb resembleth a little oblong Sack; but in a Woman, it is Orbicular.  
In those Animals, whose conception doth cleave to their womb (which, truly, is not so in many, until the foetus be fully form) it is distinguished by its Diversity of Connexion: for in some, it doth stick only in one place, by the mediation of a carnous substance, which we call Placenta, the Uterine cake in women, because it resembleth the round figure of a Cake; but in others, it groweth to the Uterus in several places, being fastened thereunto by divers fleshy substances, or caruncles: namely, by five, in Hinds, and Does; by more in Cows, but they are lesser also: but in the race of Sheep, by very many, and those of different magnitude. In Dogs and Cats, these Carnous Bodies, do (like a girdle) encompass every conception round. A like substance doth in Hares, and Moles, grow to the sides of their Uterus: as also the Uterine cake in a woman, which embraceth more than one half of the conception (as the cups do the Acorns, when they first spring) and therefore the gibbous part thereof doth stick fast to the womb, but the hollow part doth grow to the Chorion.  
These things being premised, we shall now disclose, what our judgement is of these Humours, membranes, fleshy substance, and also of the distribution of the umbilical vessels (which are spoken of by Fabricius.)  
Fabricius doth rightly understand by the words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, the Secundines, or After-Burden, 
cap. 5.  namely not the Membranes only, but all that which doth come away last in the delivery (or at least, not long after it) and is constituted of humours, membranes, and fleshy substance, as also of the umbilical Vessels.  
But as for what he relateth concerning the humours, 
Of the Humours.  which as he supposeth he doth receive from the Ancients (as a thing most sure, and which standeth in no need of any proof) namely, that the water in the Amnion, wherein the foetus swims, is its sweat; and that that outward Water in the Chorion is the Urine, are both incongruous, and false assertions: For both those two humours do appear in the conception before any portion of the foetus itself be in being: and that which he calleth the Urine, is before that (which they conceive to be the sweat.) Nay you may find these humours, especially the last, in some barren, and unfruitful conceptions (wherein there is no tract of a foetus at all.)  
Such Conceptions as these, or Subventaneous eggs, Women do sometimes eject: and Aristotle saith 
De gen. an. l. 3. c. 9 Ibid.  thy are called, Fluxus, Emanations or Fluxes, but we call them false conceptions, and slips. Such an egg as these, did Hypocrates shake from his aborting Minstrel. For those creatures which do breed an Animal within themselves, have in some sort after their first conception, something like an egg within them, for a humour is contained in a thin membrane, just as if you should pluck the shell off of the egg. But as for that humour contained in the Chorion, which Fabricius and other Physicians conceive to be the Urine, Aristotle seemeth to apprehend it to be the liquor of the sperm, or Geniture. For, he saith, 
Hist. an. l. 7. c. 7.  The seed being received by the Uterus, having continued in it a while, is covered with a membrane. For if it chance to fall out, before any dearticulation, or delineation of the parts do appear, it looketh like an egg covered with a membrane, when the shell is peeled off. But that membrane is full of Veins, namely, the Chorion, which hath assumed its denomination a venarum choro, sive copia, from the conflux or multitude of veins.  
I have often seen those kind of eggs ejected in the second, or third month: they are many times corrupt and rotten within, and do steal out insensibly (like the Whites) and so delude those, who have entertained hopes of a true conception.  
Again, those forementioned humours cannot be conceived to be sweat, or Urine: because they abound in such plenty at the very beginning, that the Embryo swimming in the midst thereof, is thereby secured (whilst his Mother runneth, or danceth, or doth imply her body by any forcible agitation) from the collision of the circumjacent parts, as it were by a fortress.  
Add to all this, that many Animals never sweat at all: (when yet according to Aristotle, all Water, Land, and Volatile Animals, and I shall put in creeping things, and Infects also, whether they be produced in the shape of an egg, or an Animal, or else be spontaneous productions, are all procreated after a like manner) all fowl, creeping things, and fishes, are conceived neither to Sweat, nor Urine. 
Ibid.  The Dog, and Cat, do never sweat; nor any other Animal, while it doth emit abundance of Urine. And certainly it is impossible, that any Animal should make water, before the Reins and Bladder are made.  
Besides, which is a more evincing Argument then the rest, these humours cannot be excrementitious, because so many little filaments of Veins are disseminated into them: which do derive Aliment from thence (as from a large stock) and afterwards conduct it unto the foetus.  
Again, if the humour contained in the Chorion, be the Urine; what need is there of the Allantoides? and if the humour contained in the Amnion be the Sweat, why did nature, who is so exact in all her contrivances, order the matter so ill, as to condemn the foetus to lie wallowing in its own Excrement? and why doth the Parent presently after delivery (for that is usual with several creatures) devour that which is but the Excrement of her foetus, together with the membranes which contain it, with so much greediness and appetite? Some have observed, that if the Animal do not eat up these membranes and humours, it will not give down its Milk freely.  
If, notwithstanding all these arguments, some men will still maintain that these humours (which we dispose to the nutriment of the foetus) are excrementitious; and that upon this inducement, viz. because they also improve according to the growth of the foetus: and that in the birth of some Animals (at which time the whole stock of Aliment is in probability almost consumed) great store of these humours doth abound; and that therefore they must needs perform other offices, then can well consist with the dignity of the nutriment. Yet for all this, I confidently pronounce, that these humours are the Aliment of the foetus from the beginning of all; (as the Colliquamentum and the White do serve the Chicken for the same purpose) but in process of time, the thinner, and purer parts being exhausted, the relics do then put on the nature of an useful excrement: and are reserved in some Animals, that so they may secure the foetus and facilitate the delivery. For as Wine, when the Spirits are exhaled, turns into dead-wine: and as several Excrements do result from the relics of the Aliment: so in like manner, when all that substance, which is commodious to the sustenance of the foetus, is derived out of the humour concluded in the Chorion; the remainder doth turn into a kind of excrement, and is reserved for the uses aforesaid. But all that humour which was included in the Amnion, it commonly spent near the approaching delivery; so that it is probable, that the foetus desireth to get out by reason his provisions fail him.  
Lastly, if at any time there be any other humour contained in the Allantoides (as indeed there sometimes is) I esteem it to be a preternatural humour. For I have seen when women at their delivery have had a mighty flux of water; and sometimes a twofold water: our Midwives call them the By-waters. And therefore some women have a monstrous great belly, though they are brought to bed of a very little & lean Child; but such women do effund abundance of Waters. Some are of opinion, that the larger quantity of Waters, doth accompany weakly, and those female Children: but the lesser, strong, and male Children. I have often seen waters burst forth in the midst of the going with Child without Abortion, the Child remaining safe, and strong even to the birth. As therefore there are naturally but two Waters only, (whereof the one is contained in the Chorion, and the other in the Amnion) so it may sometimes fall out, beside the ordinary course of nature, that several Waters may be accumulated in membranes proper to themselves, or else in the reduplications of the Chorion.  
As for the Membranes or Coats of the Womb, 
Of the Membranes.  since their proper use and office chiefly is, to contain the Waters; and those Waters appear to be two only; it is most certain that the membranes themselves are not (necessary and usually) more than two.  
But as for those who reckon three, I conceive they were deluded, because the Ancients call the selfsame membrane sometimes Chorion, from the conflux of Veins; and sometimes Allantoides, from its figure.  
Every conception is covered over with these two membranes; as also every Brain hath a double Meninx: every Tree and Shrub a twofold Bark; every Seed and Fruit a twofold Covering: whereof the Exterior is the harder, and tighter.  
The more Interior of the two forementioned membranes (containing the Colliquamentum, or purer humour) is the thinnest, and is called Amnion, that is, Amiculum, the little covering, because it covereth and involveth the foetus. The Exterior (which is by much the larger, and stronger membrane) is called Chorion, because (saith Fabricius) many Veins, and Arteries are assembled in it, tanquam in Choro, as in a Quire. And hence the Coat of the Eye, and likewise that contexture of Veins and Arteries which is found in the Ventricles of the Brain, are both called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, from the resemblance they have with these veins in the Chorion.  
This Membrane Chorion doth fill all the Womb; containing a stiff, troubled humour; and to its exterior part, the Vterine Cake or Caruncles adhering, do fasten the Conception to the Womb.  
The Interior part of this Membrane (in a Woman) is almost conjoined to the Amnion, nor is it easily separated from it. In those Animals which cleave the hoof it is exceeding large, and containeth a hundred-fold more moisture in it, than the Amnion. For the Amnion at the beginning, is scarce so large as a Nutmeg, or fair Bean, and is commonly found in one Horn of the womb only, namely in that where the Foetus inhabiteth.  
The Coat Chorion is (chiefly in Women) rough, and viscous without; but within smooth, and glibbe, and interwoven with abundance of Veins. The upper part of it is (in Women) thicker, and softer, but the lower part, thinner and more membranous.  
In women the After-burden groweth to the upper part of this membrane: But in Sheep, several Caruncles are fastened to several parts of it. In Hinds, and Does, the conception doth cling to the Vterus at five places only: but in a Mare it doth adhere to the Vterus in an infinite company of places. And therefore Fabricius saith, that the 
cap. 3.  Afterbirth is in almost all Viviparous creatures, a soft flesh, lax, porous, thick, and something black, growing about the terminations of the umbilical vessels, which he resembleth to a loser Parenchyma or affusion of a Liver or Spleen; which is therefore by Galen called Caro adenosa, a glandulous 
5. apho. 45.  flesh; and we now commonly call it Hepar Vterinum, the Uterine Liver; into which the extremities of the umbilical vessels are disseminated, which do derive nutriment from the womb to the foetus.  
But now, this fleshy Substance neither is in all Animals, nor at all times in those in whom it is: but in those Animals only in whom the conception doth firmly cleave to the womb, and then only, when it is fastened to the womb to bring down sustenance to the foetus. For in the beginning, the conception (like an egg seated in the womb) is contiguous to all the circum-jacent parts of the Uterus, but doth on no side grow thereunto; but doth produce its foetus (as it is in an Egg which is sat upon by the Hen) out of the Humours contained in it: but that adhaesion and cleaving to the womb, is then first of all procured, and also this fleshy body is then first beginning to be generated (which fleshy substance is the Tie of the Conception to the womb) when the foetus is now perfectly form, and standing in need of other, and more plentiful supply of Aliment, doth dispatch the Extremities of the Umbilical vessels to the Uterus, as Emissaries or Agents, that may from thence (as the Roots to Plants) convey provisions. For in the beginning, (as we have showed) when the Punctum saliens, and the Blood do only appear, the Propagations of the umbilical vessels are only disseminated through the Colliquamentum, and the Coat Amnion. But when once the fabric of the Body is set up, those Propagations do conduct themselves farther, and being grown more numerous, are divaricated in the Chorion also, that so they may transport sustenance from thence to the foetus, out of the whitish humour which resideth there.  
By which it appeareth, that the foetus of Viviparous Animals is at the beginning fed in the same manner, as the Chicken is sustained in the egg; and doth for that cause abide in the Vterus, that at length (when it hath no longer a supply from its own stock) it may, by the mediation of the caruncles grow to the Vterus; and be more plentifully supported, by the contribution of its Parent.  
Wherefore Fabricius did rightly observe, that the conception was in some Animals scarce fastened to the Vterus at all. And therefore Sows, and Mares, have none of this carnous connexion; but their egg or conception, as it is first of all constituted out of the moisture or juices which do flow in the Vterus, (as the Egg in the Hen is enlarged by the White, without any tye to the Vterus) so doth it also receive Augmentation; and the foetus also, having Aliment administered to him from the conception, (wherein he is contained) is in the same manner supported, as the egg out of the liquors. Whence a notable argument doth result, that the Foetus of those Animals is no more nourished by the Mother's blood, than the Chicken in the egg: and that the Humour comprehended in the Chorion, is neither Urine, nor any other Excrement, but the Aliment of the Foetus. Although (as we have observed before) when the alible juice is exhausted, the remainder thereof doth degenerate into an Excrement, like to the Urine. And this also is evident, from that which we have formerly noted, concerning the Cotyledones; namely, that the fleshy substance is in those Animals of a spongy substance, and doth (like a Hony-comb) consist of innumerable acetabula, holes or orifices, which are all of them full of a mucous white matter; (which Galen also records to be anciently observed) and that thence the Extremities of the umbilical vessels do suck Nutriment, which they transport to the foetus; as the small branches of the Mesenterical veins do, in those Animals which are already born, derive chyle out of the coats of the Guts, through which they are diffused.  
I therefore apprehend the employment of the Vterine cake and the caruncles, to be such as is commonly imputed to the Liver and the Breasts. For the Liver doth add a preparation to the chyle which is attracted from the Guts, fitting the same for the sustenance of the Body; and likewise the Vterine cake doth afresh concoct the alible nutriment which proceedeth from the Parent, to support the foetus. The Breasts also (being composed of a glandulous substance) do strut with milk; and though they are parts which (in some Animals) do not appear at all, yet at the time of pregnation they are seen to be full, and tumorous: so the Vterine cake, being a lax or flaggy and fungous substance, both flow with a whitish sap, and is never found but at the time of Ingravidation. The Liver, I say, is the nutritive instrument of the Body wherein it is; the Breasts of the Infant, and the Placenta of the Embryo. And as the mother doth by her own food acquire more milk than she hath use for to sustain her flesh, and blood, which milk is reconcocted in her breasts, and treasured up; so also such Females as are great with young (in whose womb this Placenta is) do prepare, and suppeditate to their foetus an aliment which is defecated by those caruncles: by which it cometh to pass, that an impure or laudable diet is administered to the Embryo's, according as the Parents diet itself is either wholesome or impure, and according to the sufficient or imperfect concoction, which they afford it in those organs of the Vterus. For some Embryo's have a more perfect organ provided for them, such as is that carnous substance of the Uterus, which is wanting in some. In some likewise this Vterine cake is thicker, larger, and fuller of Blood; but in others it is more spongy and paler: like those two Sweetbreads, or glandulous bodies called Thymus, and Pancreas. For you shall find as much difference of these in Animals, as of the Breasts, or of the Bowels: for to instance only in Livers, they are in some ruddy and sanguine; in others, (as in the greatest part of Fishes, and likewise Cachectical persons) pale. Mares do feed upon the crude grass, and do not chew the cud; Sows swill themselves with any filth, and both these want a Vterine cake, which is the organ of completing the Aliment.  
And therefore true is that of Fabricius; saying, 
cap. 3.  This fleshy substance is, in several kinds of Animals, different in Magnitude, Figure, Scite, and Number. Women have one only; as Mice, Coneys, Ginny-pigs, Bitch's, Cats, and several Animals, whose feet are distinguished into toes, and have teeth in both jaws: but all Animals which cleave the hoof, and have teeth in one jaw only, whether they be domestics, as the Sheep, the Cow, and the Goat; or wild, as the Hind, the Do, the Roe, and the like, have divers. Again, those Animals which have but one, in them it either resembleth a Cake (and thence cometh its denomination) as in Women, Coneys, the Hare, and the Mole, Mice, and Ginney-pigs: or else it resembleth a zone or girdle, or swath ingirting the trunk of the body, as in Bitch's, Cats, Ferrets, and the like. In some it is like a chalice, or Acorn cup, comprehending the greater part of the foetus (as in the Hare and the Coney:) where the convexe part groweth to the Vterus, and the concavous respects the foetus. Likewise in those females which have but one, and that resembling a Cake, though the figure be alike in them all, yet the situation is unlike. For in a woman it groweth to the bottom of the womb, and is distant a great way, that is by the length of long vessels from the foetus: but in Mice, Ginny-pigs, and Coneys, it is annexed partly to the Region of the Loins, partly to the sides of the breast. But those animals which have more of these carnous substances than one, they are all of them furnished with teeth in one jaw only, as Sheep, Cowes, Hinds, Roe-deer, and the like, and yet in these also there is a diversity. For Ewes have more caruncles, and those of different magnitude; the biggest whereof are as large as a Nutmeg; the least, as a Cich-pease, or Vetch: which are also of a round figure, and ruddy complexion, and their convex parts do respect the Uterus, appearing like soft Warts, or Nipples. But Cows have greater, flatter, and paler, which are of a spongy consistence, like Mush-rooms: and these seem to take their original from the Chorion. Hinds and Does have five only; and those bred out of the womb, do protuberate towards the conception, and there exhibit their Cavities. But being firmly fastened to the Uterus, are not easily separated from it; except it be when the birth is drawing nigh; at which time (like ripe fruits) they do very easily forego their former connexion. And being torn off from the womb, I have observed the greater part of the Blood which flows afterward, to issue, not from the Conception, but from the Uterus itself.  
Fabricius treating of the Union of this Carnous substance with the Vterus, doth labour by many (but weak) arguments to prove, that the umbilical vessels, do join to the extremities of the vessels of the Womb by several insertions: and 
De form. foet. pag. 122.  this he doth undertake, chiefly, to countenance the old opinion received almost by all: for he confesseth that he can deliver nothing certain touching this matter, because the Carnous substance hinders a man from discovering the truth thereof. But yet neither sense, nor reason do evince, that there are any more anastomosis in the Vterus, then in the Liver, between the branches of the Gate, and Hollow-vein; or in the Breasts, between the veins which convey blood, and those that waft the Milk. There is indeed, in some places a kind of contiguity or juxtaposition of those vessels, and sometimes an insertion of the one into the Coat of the other; but no where any such coalition, or Union, as Fabricius conceiteth. For were it so, the veins ought to be inserted into the Arteries: for the vessels, which do convey blood into the Vterus and Caruncles are Arteries: but they which transport it from the Vterus to the Foetus, are Veins, as is apparent to all men; because they waft the blood from the Afterbirth into the Hollow-vein.  
Wherefore the Opinion of Arantius seems to me to be more true; namely that the Orifices of the Umbilical vessels are not united to the Orifices of the Vessels of the womb. For there are fewer Vessels conducting blood to the womb, than veins returning it to the foetus: and the greatest part of the propagations of these are terminated in the Chorion. And yet Fabricius, either overswayed by his respects to Antiquity, or his envy to Arantius, doth stubborny persist in the patronage of the old opinion.  
As concerning the Cotelydones, or Acetabula, 
cap. 4. De Acetabulis.  Fabricius concludeth nothing certain: but only compileth the several opinions of Antiquity. But we have before, in the History of Hinds and Does, showed in what Animals these Acetabula be; where we have withal signified, that they are certain little Cells of small capacity, dispersed through the Caruncles or fleshy substance, and fraught with a white, or gellyish substance: as the Honeycomb is full of Honey.  
In Hinds, they do fitly resemble the shape of that cavity in the Haunch-bone which receiveth the Bone of the Thigh; and therefore they are by the Greeks called Cotyledones: and in Latin, Acetabula, because they resemble those little Vessels or Sawsers, which were anciently brought to the table with Vinegar for sauce. These cavities do not exceed in magnitude the perforations of a large sponge, and into each of them, so many slender sprigs of the Umbilical Vessels do deeply insinuate themselves; because in them is laid up the sustenance of the foetus, and not blood (as Fabricius conceived) but a jelly resembling the thicker white of an egg. Whereby it appears (as we have formerly declared) that the foetus of such as cleave the hoof (as likewise all other) are not sustained by the mother's blood.  
That which Aristotle delivereth concerning the 
Hist. an. l. 7. c. 8.  Acetabula, that they are diminished as the Foetus doth improve: is contrary to experience; for the larger the foetus, the larger the caruncles also, and their Acetabula, or cavities, are more capacious, and more numerous, and more full of an albugineous juice.  
If you compress these caruncles, no blood at all doth issue out; but as water, or honey doth distil out of a squeezed Sponge, or Honeycomb. So in like manner if you press the Acetabula, an albugineous liquor doth drop out; and when that liquor is pressed out, the Acetabula are more contract, pale, and flaggy: and at last do resemble the Nipples of the Breasts, or large falling Warts.  
Aristotle indeed doth truly affirm, that these Acetabula are not in all Animals; for they are not in Women, nor in any else (as far as I know) who have only one carnous substance in their Vterus. But as for their office and use: I conceive that all the Caruncles (like Breasts) do not contain blood, but digest a sap, like to the White of an Egg, which they do administer to nourish the foetus.  
The description of the umbilical Vessels, is 
Of the Navel.  elegantly delivered by Fabricius, as his Tables or Pictures of them are very artificial. 
cap. 2.   
The Veins, saith he, passing from the Uterus towards the Foetus, are ever united, and improved: nor doth their conjunction give over, until two large Trunks do result out of them all; which penetrating the Navel of the Infant, they do constitute one only large Trunk; which is inserted into the Liver of the Infant, and perforated into the Hollow and Gate-vein. In like manner, the Arteries adjoined to these Veins, which are very numerous, and small, passing on from the Womb to the Foetus, and at last uniting their forces together, and so enlarging, do conspire into two large Trunks also; which after they have passed the Navel, do separate themselves and break company from the Veins, and sticking to the sides of the Bladder of Urine, by the help of an intervening Membrane; they do here and there disperse themselves into the branches of the great Artery descending into the Thighs. But we must take notice that this description given by Fabricius, doth agree only to the Navel of an Infant, and is not common to the foetus of every Animal at large: Nor yet to an Infant neither, but after it is fully form; for the Arteries (at the beginning,) are inconspicuous, as being so slender, that we have need of the quick sight of a Lynceus to discern them: nor do they indeed reveal themselves afterwards, but only by their pulsation: for in other things they are no way distinguishable from Veins. Because therefore (as I have showed elsewhere) the slender branches or filaments of the Arteries have no pulsation, (at lest so far as we can discover) they cannot be known from Veins: for they are at that time so thin & subtle, that they are woven to the coats of the veins like the finest threads: or rather do obscurly insinuate themselves into the tunicles of the veins: whereby they are utterly indiscernible. But all the veins (by a retrograde production) uniting their sprigs at last, do all conspire into one Trunk, (as all the branches into one stock) as also the Meseraick Veins are all concluded in the Venae Portae.  
Near the Embryo, they are divided into two Trunks; but when once they enter into him, they do constitute one only Navel, which doth terminate in the Hollow-vein, near the right deaf-eare of the Heart; & passing through the Liver, is inserted into the Gate-vein, and doth scatter no more Propagations, until by a very large Orifice it displayeth itself out of the gibbous part of the liver. So that if you open the Trunk of the Hollow-vein from the deaf-ear of the Heart, downwards, and so exhaust it of all its blood, you may perceive three Orifices as conjoined together; one whereof is the entrance into the descending Trunk of the Hollow vein, the other is the going out of the Branch of the Liver disseminated through all its gibbous part; but the third is the Original of this Umbilical vein. Whereby it clearly appeareth, that the original of the veins is not to be sought for in the Liver: because the Orifice of the descending Trunk of the Hollow-vein is much larger than the Liver-branch; for the Umbilical branch is as large as that. But the Branches are never said to be the Original of their Trunk, but rather where the Trunk is largest, there are we to repute the Original of the branches toreside: now that happeneth at the entrance of the right ventricle of the Heart; and therefore that ventricle is to be accounted the original, & promptuary of all the veins.  
I return now to the Umbilical vessels, which are not divided after the same manner in all Animals; for there are found in some 2. or more little Branches in the body of the foetus; whereof some pass into the Liver, others into the Vena Portae, or Meseraical veins. But in a human foetus, the Trunks of the veins & arteries being involved together, are complicated, some 3. or 4. Finger's breadth from the Navel (as if one should twist so many wax candles together like a cord) being skinned over, and conglutinated by the help of a thick & gellyish memmembrane. This little cord passing on to the Chorion, is in the flat part of the Afterbirth, and interior superficies of the Chorion distributed into several Propagations; and thence is ramified into many other almost infinite little Branches; by which the Aliment attracted as it were by so many roots, is derived to the foetus. The Veins relating to this little Cord, are distinguished in sundry places by little knobbs, or warts, as it were by little bladders full of blood, that so the blood might not rush in too forcibly upon the foetus. By the number of these protuberations, the superstitious Midwives do spend their divination concerning the number of children yet to come; and in case they find none of these knobs, they pronounce the Woman barren for the future; and likewise by the distance between these protuberations, they fond prophesy of the space between child and child; and also of the discrimination of the Sex, from the variety of their complexion.  
Also the constitution of the Umbilical vessels is like to this, in almost all other foetuses which have but one only Uterine cake; namely, in Bitch's, Mice, and others: but the little cord is in them shorter, and less complicated. But in Cows, Ewes, Hinds, Does, Sows, and other Animals, whose foetus is not sustained by aliment derived from one carnous substance, or cake, but from divers, the distribution of the Umbilical vessels is also divers: For the little branches, or terminations of the vessels are not disseminated through the cake only, but also (and that chiefly too) without it, through the coat called Chorion, dispatching their most slender fibers thither likewise: just as the distribution of the Umbilical vessels (namely without the little cord) appeareth in a humane foetus, before the conception is fastened to the Uterus. Whereby it appeareth, that the Embryo doth not derive all his Aliment from the cake; but part thereof, and that the chiefest, from the humour contained in the Chorion.  
As touching the uses of the umbilical vessels, I do not consent with Fabricius: for he is of opinion that all the blood is derived to the foetus from the Vterus by the veins; and the vital spirits from the mother by the Arteries. He also denyeth, that any part of the foetus in the womb doth execute any public function: but affirmeth, that each particular part taketh care only for itself, how it may be nourished, augmented, and preserved. And also, because he findeth no Nerve amongst the Umbilical Vessels, he concludeth the foetus to be void of all Sense and Motion: Implying, that the Mother's Womb, or the Uterine Cake, is as it were the Heart, and Original from whence all things spring to the foetus, and from whence the Influent heat is divided amongst all the parts. All which are manifest mistakes. For the Humane Embryc, when he is not yet four months standing in the Womb (and some sooner) exerciseth an opparent motion, volutation, and calcitration: especially if he be prejudiced by extremity of cold or heat, or any other outward inconvenience. Likewise the Punctum saliens itself, (before the Heart is erected) doth stir by an apparent pulsation, and also distribute blood, and spirits: and being (as we have observed) reduced to a dying and langivishing condition by cold, is by the fresh accession of heat, kindled anew, and revived. And also in the Caesarean birth, it is very evident, that the Embryo's life doth not immediately proceed from the Parent, nor the Spirits result from her: for we have often seen Infants, which have been cut out of their Mother's Womb, survive their Parent for several hours: and have also known a Coney and a Hare which did live, though they were born by incision made upon the Uterus of their Parents. Moreover, it is a sure way to know whether the Infant that sticketh in the birth be alive, or not, by the pulsation of the umbilical Arteries. But most certain it is, that those Arteries are not moved by the virtue or operation of the Mothers, but of his own proper Heart: For they keep a distinct time and pawze, from the Mother's pulse: which is easily experimented, if you lay one hand upon the Mothers wrest, and the other on the Infant's Navel-string. Nay in a Casarean Section, when the Embryo's have been yet involved in the membrane called Chorion, I have oftentimes found (even when the Mother was extinct, and stiff almost with cold) the umbilical Arteries beating, and the Foetus himself lusty. Wherefore it is not true, that the Spirits do proceed to the foetus from the Mother's Arteries: nor is that more true; namely, that the umbilical Vessels of the foetus are conjoined by Anastomosis, to the Vessels of the Vterus. For the Foetus enjoyeth his own proper life, and is furnished with beating Arteries, which are full of Blood, and Spirits long before the conception (in which he is form, and walloweth) doth cleave to the Vterus: just as it is with Chicken in the Egg.  
As for the use of the Arteries in the foetus (as also in grown bodies) we have in our Treatise of the Circulation of the blood, demonstrated it to be much different from what hath been formerly received: all which is also confirmed from hence.  
The Secundines; they also are an undeniable part of the Conception, and do depend upon the Foetus, assuming life and their vegetal faculty from him. For as in the Mesentery, the blood is derived to the Guts, by the branches of the Coeliacal, and Mesenterical Arteries; and that very Blood being circulated by the Veins, doth convey the chyle together with it unto the Liver, and the Heart: so in like manner, the umbilical Arteries do derive blood to the Secundines, which blood the Veins do reduce to the Foetus, together with alible juice. And therefore those Arteries do not immediately proceed from the Heart as principal Vessels; but (as instruments of inferior rank and quality) do arise out of the Crural branches.  
There came forth a Book of late, wrote by Adrianus Spigelius, entitled De formato Foetu, of the form foetus: wherein he treateth concerning the Use of the Umbilical Arteries; and doth demonstrate by powerful arguments, that the Foetus doth not receive its Vital Spirits by the Arteries from the Mother: and hath fully answered those arguments which are alleged to the contrary. But he might also as well have proved by the same Arguments, that the Blood neither is transported into the foetus from the Mother's Veins by the Propagations of the Umbilical Veins: which is chiefly made manifest by the examples drawn from the Hen-egge, and the Caesarean Birth.  
For did the Heat and Life flow to the blood from the Mother; she being extinct, the Infant would instantly die also; (for he must needs be a thing concluded in the same fatality) nay before her: for when death approacheth, the subordinate parts do first languish, and grow cold, before the principal; and hereupon the Heart declines the last of all. The Blood, I say, of the Foetus himself, should grow i'll first, and disproportionate to its Office, as being derived from the Uterus; seeing that the Vterus itself, is deprived and destitute of all vital heat, before the Heart.   

Of the Conception.  
FAbricius hath indeed recounted many miraculous things, concerning the Birth, but we meet with more things worthy our wonder concerning the Conception. It is indeed a dark, obscure business; however we shall adventure to propose something in a problematical way, in such sort that it shall appear we do not only go about to subvert other men's opinions, but also to disclose our own. And yet whatsoever falleth from me concerning this subject, I desire may not be so taken, as if I conceived them pronounced by an Oracle; but that liberty which I freely allow all other men, I do of right challenge to myself; that so I may offer those things as true, which seem probable in such dark matters, until such time as they can be convinced of falsity or error.  
This employment doth chiefly relate to the Uterus, without whose preparations and functions, you may in vain expect a Conception. And because it is certain, that the Geniture of the Male doth not so much as reach to the cavity of the Uterus, much less abide there for any time; that geniture doth derive foecundity to the Uterus only by a kind of contagion, (not as if it were now tangent, and operating, but because it hath formerly touched.) The Woman or Female doth seem after the spermatical, contact (in coition) to be affected in the same manner, and to be rendered prolifical, by no sensible corporeal Agent, as the Iron touched by the Loadstone, is presently endowed with the virtue of the Loadstone, and doth draw other iron-bodies unto it. Namely, having once received that virtue, which we have spoken of, it doth exercise the plastic generative power, and procreateth its own like, no otherwise then plants do, which we see are impowered with the force of both Sexes.  
But I cannot but wonder, where that faculty, (when the act of coition is finished, before the production of the Egg or Conception doth reside? and to what that active virtue of the Male is imparted? namely, whether to the Uterus alone, or to the whole Female? or rather, primarily to the Uterus, but secondarily to the Female? or lastly, whether, as we see with our eyes, and think with our brains, so a female doth conceive with her Vterus?  
For though the female sometimes (conceiving after coition) doth not produce a Foetus: yet we know that those Symptoms did ensue, which gave a clear testimony of a conception set on foot, (though it came to nothing.) Your little Bitch's which are kept too plentifully, and thereupon admit coition (without success) are notwithstanding observed to be sluggish about the just time whereat they ought to puppy, and bark as if they were in distress, and likewise filch away the young whelps from another Bitch, and lick them over and cherish them, (as tenderly as if they were their own natural productions) and fight eagerly to keep them from the true Parent. Nay some of them have milk, or beesting (as they call it) in their teats; and are obnoxious to the distempers incident to those that have really puppied; just as Hens will cluck in their season, though they have no eggs at all to sit upon. Some kind of birds (as namely Pigeons) if they admit coition at the wont time, though they lay no eggs at all, or subventaneous ones only, yet are possessed with their usual sedulity & providence of building nests.  
For the virtue proceeding from the Male, doth so largely fructify the whole Female, that it produceth a thorough change and alteration, as well in the frame of their minds, as in the constitution of their bodies. And though this do principally happen to the Vterus fitted for the impression; and from thence the power and efficacy thereof be derived to the whole body; (as from the turgent testicles of the Male, there is an accession of strength superadded to the whole body) yet the same scruple remains: namely, how this power communicated to the Vterus itself, doth inhere in it? as whether in the whole Vterus, or in any one part of it only? For there is nothing to be found abiding therein after coition: for the geniture of the Male doth either suddenly fall out again, or vanish away, and the blood doth circulate again from the uterus, by the vessels.  
Besides, what preparation or maturity of the Vterus is it, that doth require the genital seed; or from whence doth it proceed? for unless the uterus be prepared for coition, all other attempts are frustrate; nay several animals do not admit coition itself, without they be thus prepared. That maturity, I confess, doth sooner befall them, by reason of their converse with the Male, and the incitements which he useth to provoke them; yet it is procured (as that ripeness of fruits in plants) by natures own inclination and tendency. But what this Alteration is, I shall now deliver, according as I have found it by experience.  
First of all the uterus appears thicker and more fleshy: and afterwards (forasmuch as concerneth the interior superficies, which is the place where the future conception is to be received) it groweth more tender, answering in lubricity and softness to the internal ventricles of the Brain, as we have even now affirmed concerning Hinds, and other creatures which cleave the hoof. But in Bitch's, Cats, and other multiparous Animals, whose feet are distinguished into toes, the horns of the Womb do exactly resemble the little smooth trumpets of a woman's womb, or the appendices of the guts of Birds, or the Ureters in Men: and in some places have little knobs which do swell inward, and become exceeding soft, through which, after coition (as we have observed in Hinds and Does) as if they did open themselves, the first albugineous humours do transpire into the capacity of the Uterus, out of which humours the Conception or Egg is form. And this is the manner how the Uterus is by the Coition of the Male (like Fruit by the Summer heat) impregnated, and heightened into the highest pitch of maturity.  
But because there are no manifest signs of Conception visible, before the Uterus doth begin to open, and the albugineous liquor, or slender threads, (like the Spider's web) and the first rudiments of the future Egg or Conception appear: and seeing the substance of the Uterus, now ready for Conception, doth so nearly resemble the Constitution of the Brain: why may we not imagine, that both their functions are also alike; and that something like, if not the self same thing that the phantasm, or appetite is to the brain, is excited in the Uterus: from which the generation or procreation of the Egg doth succeed? for both their functions are equally called conceptions, and both are Immaterial; though they be the principles of all the actions of the body: namely this, of the Natural, that of the Animal actions: this the first cause and principle of all actions relating to the generation of Animals, & that of all actions tending to their preservation. And as Appetite doth spring from the conception of the brain, and that conception from the outward appetible or desirable objects: So also from the Male (as being the more perfect Animal) as from the most natural appetible object, the natural conception dotharise in the Uterus, as the Animal conception in the Brain.  
And from this Appetite or Conception it cometh to pass, that the female doth produce an offspring like the male Genitor. For as we, from the Conception of the Form, or Idea, in the Brain, do fashion a form like to it in our works, so doth the Idea or Species of the Genitor, residing in the Uterus, by the help of the formative faculty, beget a Foetus like the Genitor himself; namely by implanting that Immaterial species which it hath, upon its Workmanship. In like manner as Art, which is the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, or Species of the future work, doth produce a Like in its operation, and generate it in the matter: As the Builder erects a House, according to his pre-received conception. And the same thing happeneth in other productions, and artificial generations. So that what discipline doth effect in the Brain, namely Art, that in proportion doth the Coition of the Male effect in the Uterus, namely the plastical Art: whereby several foetuses are procreated either like or unlike, by the same Coition. For if the Generations, and first artificial conceptions (which are only imitations of the natural) are thus produced by the Brain; how much more probable is it, that the Exemplars of Animal Generation and conception, are in like manner produced by the Uterus.  
And because Nature (all whose works are admirable and divine) doth institute such an Organ (namely the Brain) by whose sensitive faculty and virtue, the conceptions of the rational soul do exist; namely Desires, and Arts, and the Principles and Causes of so many several productions, whereof man (by the motive faculty of the Brain) is the Author by Imitation; why shall we not think, that the same Nature, which hath contrived the Womb, which is a no less admirable Organ than the Brain, and hath framed it of a like constitution to execute the office of Conception, hath designed it also to a like function, or at least to one which beareth an Analogy with it: and that Nature did intend an Organ which is every way like the Brain, to an employment, like to that to which the Brain is assigned? For since a skilful Artificer, doth accomplish his Workmanship, by his ingenious proportioning one Instrument to one thing, and the same to the same, and the like to the like: So that by the materials and shape of his Instruments, a man may easily judge of their use and actions; no less than Aristotle hath instructed us, to know the nature of Natural Bodies, by 
Analyt. l. 2. c. 35.  their conformation, and the Fabric of their Parts; and the Art of Physiognomy, doth by lineaments and parts of the face (as the Eye, Nose, Forehead, etc.) give judgement of the manners and dispositions of Men: What shall hinder us, out of the same fabric of parts, to pass our conjecture that their Office is also the same?  
But such is the preposterous success of things, that when we come to debate customary and familiar things, their frequency doth diminish their greatness, and admiration which is due unto them; but when matters of less consequence (but such as are more unusual) do present themselves, we instantly magnify them because of their novelty and rarity. Whosoever shall weigh with himself, how the brain of the Artist, or the Artist himself by virtue of his brain, doth form things which are not present with him, but such as he only hath formerly seen, so much to the life: and how little birds which immure themselves all winter long, do exactly chant, and recall to mind those Ditties, the next Spring, which they had learned the Summer before, though they did never practise them all the while; and which is yet more strange, how a little bird will most artificially contrive a Nest (whereof she never saw any platform before) and that not from her memory, or any habit implanted in her, but only by mere fancy: and how a young Spider, without any pattern, or brain, by the help of fancy only, doth dispose her web; whosoever, I say, doth diligently ponder these things, will, I conceive, not think it an absurd or monstrous matter, for a woman to become the efficient cause of Generation, being impregnated by the conception of a general, immaterial Idea.  
I know full well, that some scoffing persons will laugh at these conjectures; approving nothing but their own private inventions. Yet this is the wont of Philosophers, when they cannot clearly discover how things themselves are brought about, to conceive some way consonant to the course of nature, and the next borderer upon truth herself, how such matters may be achieved. And, indeed, all those Opinions (which we now cry up) were at first mere figments, and imaginations; until they wrought a solid credit in us, by sensible experiment, and were ratified by their necessary known causes. Aristotle saith, That Philosophers are in some sort lovers of Fables, because a Fable doth consist of 
Metaph. l. 1. c. 2.  strange things. And, indeed, those who were first possessed with the admiration of things, did advance Philosophy. And for my own particular, since I plainly see that nothing at all doth remain in the Uterus after coition, whereunto I might ascribe the principle of generation; no more than remains in the brain after sensation, and experience, whereunto the principle of Art may be reduced; but finding the constitution to be alike in both, I have invented this Fable. Let the Learned and ingenious stock of men consider of it; let the supercilious reject it: and for the scoffing ticklish generation, let them laugh their swinge.  
Because, I say, there is no Sensible thing to be found in the Uterus, after coition; and yet there is a necessity, that something should be there, which may render the female fruitful; and that (in probability) can be no corporeal essence; we have no refuge left us, but to fly to mere Conception, and reception of Species without any matter; namely, to apprehend, that the same thing is effected in the womb, as in the Brain: unless some cunning Philosopher, whom the Gods have better provided for, can find out some efficient cause, which is not concluded in our recapitulation.  
Some Philosophers, even of our own time, have furbushed over the old opinion concerning the Atoms: and do therefore conceive, that this Contagion (as also all other) doth proceed from the most subtle effluviums, or emanations of the masculine seed, which do easily transpire after the manner of Odours, and so are shot into the Uterus at the time of coition. Some again raise up certain incorporeal spirits, like so many Agents, Angels, or Daemons. Others understand a Contagion, like to a kind of ferment, or sour leavening. Others fancy, and imagine otherwise. Allow therefore, amongst others, some place for this conjecture of mine, until there be some certainty established in the business.  
I have observed many things, which will easily extirpate the recited opinions of other men: (so that now it is much more obvious to say what it is not, than what it is) but those Observations relate not to this place, but must be proposed elsewhere. At the present I shall say this only: If that which we commonly call Contagion, as being derived from the spermatical contact in coition, and remaining behind in the female, (when the Geniture itself is not then in presence) is the efficient and operator of the future procreation: if, I say, this Contagion (whether it be Atoms, or Odour, or Ferment, or whatsoever else) be free from the nature of a body, it must of necessity be an incorporeal thing. And if moreover, upon enquiry it do appear, to be neither a Spirit, nor a Daemon, nor a Soul, nor any part of a Soul, nor yet something which hath a Soul (as I conceive I can demonstrate by several arguments, and experiments.) What remains, since I can imagine nothing else, nor no man hath hitherto dreamt of any other thing, but freely to profess myself to be at a stand? But He that doubts & admires, saith Aristotle, doth confess 
Ibid.  he doth not know. Wherefore, if to avoid the stain of Ignorance, ingenuous Men turn Philosophers, it is clear, that they pursue Knowledge, for Knowledge sake, and not for any other use.  
We ought not therefore to be condemned, if being desirous of knowing things, and upon that account walking in untrodden paths, we set before you something, which, at first blush, may seem fabulous, and fictitious. For as all things are not to be swallowed with too much credulity; so those things which have been exactly and long considered, are not utterly to be despised, though they do not appear so rare to sharp-witted men.  
Aristotle himself wrote a Book de Mirabilibus 
Metaph l. an. ●.  Auditis, of Hearsay Wonders. And in another place he saith, That we must not only pay thanks to them, to whose Opinions a man may safely subscribe; but to those also who have spoken but superficially to the purpose. For even they also are of some use, for they exercise our habits. For had not Timotheus been, we had lost a great deal of Music: And yet if Phrynis had not been, Timotheus had not been existent neither. In like manner they who have delivered any kind of truth; for we have received some Opinions from some Philosophers, and yet some others were the occasion of these Philosophers.  
And therefore being moved by the example and authority of so Gallant a person as Aristotle, lest I might seem made up of nothing but the subversion of other men's Doctrines; I have chosen rather to propose a feigned Opinion, than none at all: and have contented myself in this place to play the Phrynis to Timotheus; viz. to shake off the sloth and drowziness of the Age we live in, and to awaken the wits of Industrious heads, permitting rather that abler men should sport themselves with my proposals, then that any careful Enquirer into the nature of Things should accuse me of sluggishness.  
Truth is, a man cannot search after a more august Theorem, nor learn any thing of more use, than this; namely, How all things are produced by an Univocal Agent? or after what manner the same thing doth still generate the same? and that not only in the productions of Art, (for so a House erects a House, one Face limnes another, and one Image formeth another Image) but in those also which relate to the Mind: as a Mind begets a Mind; and one Opinion another Opinion. Democritus his Atoms, and Eudoxus his Chiefest Good placed in Pleasure, did impregnate Epicurus: Empedocles his Four Elements, Aristotle: the Doctrine of ancient Thebes, Pythagoras and Plato: and Geometry, Euclid. Just in this manner is the Son borne like the Father; and the Virtues which do ennoble a Family, and the Hereditary Vices also, are sometimes after many Generations transported to Posterity: some Diseases also produce their like in other subjects; as the Leprosy, the Gout, Syphilis, or French-Pox, and so forth. But what talk I of Diseases, since Succession 
Arist. hist. an. l. 7. c. 6. &, de gen. an. l. 1. c. 17 l. 7. c. 11.  hath at a vast remove, repeated the very Moles, Warts, and Scars, which the Great-grand-sires formerly wore? The mark of the Family (saith Pliny) is repeated in the arms of the Daci, every fourth Birth. That Mind, Opinion, and those very Manners, which are now out of use, may many years hence (when all those are decried, which are now received) return again. For the Eternal mind of the Divine Creator; which is imprinted in Things, doth create the Image of itself in Humane Conceptions.  
Having therefore overcome some difficulties which relate to this Subject, I have a strong desire to discourse the Matter more closely: that what I have hitherto delivered cursorily, may seem to carry a fairer probability at least with it, and also to excite the Wits of Studious men, to make a deeper search into the business.  
Therefore (that we may illustrate the thing the better) let A stand for the fruitful egg (namely the matter of the fruitful chicken) which is alterable and convertible into a chicken, or is a chicken in posse: and let B stand for that which fructifieth the egg, distinguishing it from a subventaneous egg: namely, the efficient cause of the chicken, or that which doth alter the Egg, and convert or terminate it into a chicken. And C for the chicken itself, or final cause, for whose sake both the Egg, and that which fructifieth the Egg do exist: namely, the act, or reason of the chicken.  
Now we take it for granted (which Aristotle doth demonstrate) that every first Mover or Alterer is together with that thing which is moved or altered by it. Now those things are most properly said to be simul, together, which are generated at the same time: so that movens & mobile the thing altering, and the thing altered are actually together, and in case one of them be, the other must needs be also; for of necessity if the effect be in being, the cause thereof must also be.  
Whensoever therefore A (namely the fruitful Egg, is actually in Being; B likewise (namely the internal mover, and efficient, or fructifier) is actually in being also. But whensoever B is actually existent, C also, (at least in some sort) namely the Species of the chicken, or the form without matter is existent. For B is the internal efficient of the chicken; that is to say, that thing which doth move, or alter) A, (namely the Egg) into C, namely the Reason of the chicken. That therefore every moving thing, may be together with the thing that is moved; and every cause with the thing caused, it is necessary that C, should exist together with B, because the Final cause, as well in Nature, as Art, is the first of all the causes; for it moveth, and is itself not moved: But the efficient moveth, because it is incited by the final cause. For there is in every efficient, in some sort, ratio finis, the reason of the End or final cause; by which final cause, the efficient, operating with providence, is moved.  
Aristotle's Authority is clearly on our side. 
de part. an. l. 1. c. 1.  That seemeth, saith he, to be chiefest amongst Natural causes, which we signify under this notion, Cujus Gratia, for whose sake: For that is the reason; but the reason is the first cause as well in Natural, as Artificial effects. For when the Physician doth define Health, and the Mason a House, by either the Intellect, or by Sense, he useth to render the reasons and causes of the thing which he doth effect, and also subjoineth the reason why he maketh it so: though that cause which is the cause for whose sake, which is the cause, and reason of the good and fair, is rather conjoined to the works of Nature, then of Art.  
But the End, saith he, is the thing for whose 
Phys. l 2. tract. 3.  sake: as the thing for whose sake we walk, is Health. For if you ask, why a man doth walk, we reply, to continue his Health: and having made that answer, we conceive we have rendered the cause thereof. And therefore whatsoever is interposed, some other thing moving thereunto, is done for the Ends sake: as Extenuation is procured for Health sake, or Purgation, or Physic, or any other instruments, for all those are for the Ends sake. And a while after. But we ought always to seek out the first cause of every thing: as in other matters. As a man buildeth because he is a Builder: but he is a Builder by reason of his Art of building: this therefore is the first cause: and so it is in all things whatsoever. And hereupon he affirmeth, that, that cause which doth first move, and in which the Reason and 
de gen. an. l. 2. c. 1.  form doth lie, is a worthier, and more divine cause, than the material.  
In every Natural Generation of Animals therefore, both the matter out of which, and the efficient by which (namely A, the thing moved, and B, the thing moving) are both for the sake of the Animal already begotten, or which is to be begotten: because that which moveth, and is not moved itself, namely C, is alike in them both. For both they (namely A, & B,) are both movable, and moved; namely the thing fructifying, which is B, (which doth both move and is moved,) and that thing which is fructified, which is A, namely the Matter or Egg, which is only moved or altered. Wherefore if no movable thing be actually moved, unless the thing moving be together present with it. Certainly, neither shall the Matter be moved, nor the Efficient move or effect any thing, unless the first mover be in some sort present too: viz. the form, or species which is without Matter, and is the principal cause. For the Efficient and Generant (according 
de gen. an. l. 2. c. 4.  to Aristotle) as they are such, do belong to that which is effected, and generated. And therefore it is a syllogism framed out of the first and necessary causes: namely,  

Whensoever B is actually existent, C also is actually existent: (namely, moving in some sort)  
Whensoever A is actually existent, B is also actually existent.  
Therefore, whensoever A is actually existent, C also is actually existent.   
Indeed Natural, and Artificial Generation are after one and the same manner. For both are instituted for the sake of something, and do alike out of a kind of providence direct themselves to a proposed End: for both are first moved by some conceived form, which is immaterial, and is produced by Conception. For the Brain is the Organ of 
Arist. de part. an. l. 1. c. 6.  the Conception of the one, (for Art is the Reason of the Work) (devoid of all Matter) in the Soul, whose Organ the Brain is) but the Uterus, or Egg of the Other.  
The Conception therefore of the Egg, or Uterus, is (in some sort) like the Conception of the Brain itself, and both of them do alike partake of the End. For the Species, or Form of the Chicken is in the Uterus, or Egg, without any matter at all: as the reason of the Work is in the Artificer, and the Reason of the House, in the Brain of the Builder.  
But because, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 inesse, this word, to be in, is perhaps an Equivocal word, and things may be said to be Simul, together, several ways; therefore we say, and affirm, that the Species and Immaterial Form of the future Chicken is Aliquo modo, in some sort, the cause of the pregnation, and fecundity of the Uterus: because, after coition, there is no corporeal thing found therein.  
But how this Immaterial cause, as the principle, can be alike in the Brain, and in the Vterus, and how they agree among themselves, or do differ, namely the Conceptions of the Brain, and of the Vterus, or Art, and Nature; and in what manner, that which fructifieth (namely, the internal Efficient cause of the procreation of an Animal) is in the Male, and its Geniture; in the Female and her Womb; in the Egg also, or mixed Workmanship of both; and what the difference between them is: hereafter, when we shall treat Universally of the Generation of all Animals (even of those also, which are generated by Metamorphosis; namely, of Infects, and Spontaneous Productions, in whose Eggs, or first Rudiments, there is a plain Species or Immaterial form, as being the moving principle in regard of those things which are to be produced, as also in all other Seed whatsoever) and also when we shall discourse of the Soul, and its affections; and also how Arts, Memory, and Experience, are only the Conceptions of the Brain, we shall endeavour both largely, and perspicuously to explain.   
FINIS.  

ERRATA.  
PAg. 42. lin. 36. read arising from the Chine. p. 46. l. 30. r. doth, but by Juxtaposition. p. 67, l. 11. carried it to. p. 69. l. 20. every other. p. 70. l. 27. clocking. p. 93. l. 23. its growth. p. 105. l. 11. is yet. p. 291. l. 13. cone. p. 292. l. 5. for are not, r. would not be. ibid. l. 12. after part, r. made up of those humours mixed together; it is a similar animate part. ibid. l. 14. del. and. p. 293. l. 16. del. it. p. 294. l. 25. for pour out the Serum, r. pour it out.