HYDRIOTAPHIA, VRNE-BURIALL, OR, A Discourse of the sepulchral Urns lately found in NORFOLK.  
Together with The Garden of CYRUS, OR THE Quincunciall, Lozenge, or Network Hantations of the Ancients, Artificially, Naturally, Mystically Considered. With Sundry Observations.  
By Thomas Browne D. of Physic.  
LONDON, Printed for Hen. Brome at the Sign of the Gun in Ivy-lane. 1658.   

TO MY Worthy and Honoured Friend THOMAS Le GROS of Crostwick Esquire.  
WHen the Funeral pyre was out, and the last valediction over, men took a lasting adieu of their interred Friends, little expecting the curiofity of future ages should comment upon their ashes, and having no old experience of the duration of their Relics, held no opinion of such after-considerations.  
But who knows the fate of his bones, or how often he is to be buried? who hath the Oracle of his ashes, or whether they are to be scattered? The Relics of many lie like the ruins of 
a Pomp●●os juvenes Asia, atque Europa, sed ipsum terra tegit Lybic  Pompey's, in all parts of the earth; And when they arrive at your hands, these may seem to have wandered far, whoin a direct 
b Little directly, but Sea between your house ad Greenland.  and Meridian Travel, have but few miles of known Earth between yourself and the Pole.  
That the bones of Theseus should be seen again 
c Brought back by Cimon. Plutarch.  in Athens, was not beyond conjecture, and hopeful expectation; but that these should arise so opportunely to serve yourself, was an hit of fate and honour beyond prediction.  
We cannot but wish these Urns might have the effect of Theatrical vessels, and great 
d The great Urns in the Hippodrome at Rome conceived to resound the voices of people at their shows  Hippodrome Urns in Rome; to resound the acclamations and honour due unto you. But these are sad and sepulchral● Pitchers, which have no joyful voices; silently expressing old mortality, the ruins of forgotten times, and can only speak with life, how long in this corruptible frame, some parts may be uncorrupted; yet able to outlast bones long unborn, and noblest pile 
e Worthily possessed by that true Gellrleman Sir Horatio Townshend my honoured Friend.  among us.  
We present not these as any strange sight or spectacle unknown to your eyes who have beheld the best of Urns, and noblest variety of Ashes; Who are yourself no slender master of Antiquities, and can daily command the view of so many Imperial faces; Which raiseth your thoughts unto old things, and consideration of times before you, when even living men were Antiquities; when the living might exeeed the dead, and to depart this world, could not be properly said, to go unto the 
f Abiit ad plures.  greater number. And so run up your thoughts upon the ancient of days, the Antiquaries truest object, unto whom the eldest parcels are young, and earth itself an Infant; and without 
g Which makes the world so many years old.  Egyptian account makes but small noise in thousands.  
We were hinted by the occasion, not catched the opportunity to write of old things, or intrude upon the Antiquary. We are coldly drawn unto discourses of Antiquities, who have scarce time before us to comprehend new things, or make out learned Novelties. But seeing they arose as they lay, almost in silence among us, at least in short account suddenly passed over; we were very unwilling they should die again, and be buried twice among us.  
Beside, to preserve the living, and make the dead to live, to keep men out of their Urns, and discourse of humane fragments in them, is not impertinent unto our profession; whose study is life and death, who daily behold examples of mortality, and of all men lest need artificial mementoes, or coffins by our bed side, to mind us of our graves.  
'Tis time to observe Occurrences, and let nothing remarkable escape us; The Supinity of elder days hath left so much in silence, or time hath so martyred the Records, that the most 
h Wherein M. Dugdale hath excellently well endeavoured, and worthy to be countenanced by ingenuous and noble persons.  industrious heads do find no easy work to erect a new Britannia.  
'Tis opportune to look back upon old times, and contemplate our Forefathers. Great examples grow thin, and to be fetched from the passed world. Simplicity flies away, and iniquity comes at long strides upon us. We have enough to do to make up ourselves from present and passed times, and the whole stage of things scarce serveth for our instruction. A complete piece of virtue must be made up from the Centoes of all ages, as as all the beauties of Greece could make but one handsome Venus.  
When the bones of King Arthur were digged up 
i In the time of Henry the second, Cambden. , the old Race might think, they beheld therein some Originals of themselves; Unto these of our Urns none here can pretend relation, and can only behold the Relics of those persons, who in their life giving the Laws unto their predecessors, after long obscurity, now lie at their mercies. But remembering the early civility they brought upon these Country's, and forgetting long passed mischiefs; We mercifully preserve their bones, and piss not upon their ashes.  
In the offer of these Antiquities we drive not at ancient Families, so long out-lasted by them; We are far from erecting your worth upon the pillars of your Forefathers, whose merits you illustrate. We honour your old Virtues, conformable unto times before you, which are the Noblest Armoury. And having long experience of your friendly conversation, void of empty Formality, full of freedom, constant and Generous Honesty. I look upon you as a Gem of the 
k Adamas de rupe veteri praestantissim●s.  Old Rock, and must profess myself even to Urn and Ashes,  
Your ever faithful Friend, 
 and Servant, Thomas Browne. Norwich May 1,   

TO MY Worthy and Honoured Friend NICHOLAS BACON of Gillingham Esquire.  
HAd I not observed that 
a Plempius, Cabeus, etc.  Purblind men have discoursed well of sight, and some 
b D. Harvy.  without issue, excellently of Generation; I that was never master of any considerable garden, had not attempted this Subject. But the Earth is the Garden of Nature, and each fruitful Country a Paradise. Dioscorides made most of his Observations in his march about with Antonius; and Theophrastus raised his generalities chiefly from the field.  
Beside we write no Herbal, nor can this Volume deceive you, who have handled the 
c Besleri Hortus Eystetensis.  massiest thereof: who know that three 
d Bauhini Theatrum Bo●anicum, etc.  Folio's be yet too little, and how New Herbals fly from America upon us, from persevering Enquirers, and 
e My worthy friend M. Goodier an ancient and learned Botanist.  old in those singularities, we expect such Descriptions. wherein 
f As in London and divers parts, whereof we mention none, lest we seem to omit any.  England is now so exact, that it yields not to other Country's.  
We pretend not to multiply vegetable divisions by Quincuncial and Reticulate plants; or erect a new Phytology. The Field of knowledge hath been so traced, it is hard to spring any thing new. Of old things we write something new, If truth may receive addition, or envy will have any thing new; since the Ancients knew the late anatomical discoveries, and Hypocrates the Circulation.  
You have been so long out of trite learning, that 'tis hard to find a subject proper for you; and if you have met with a Sheet upon this, we have miss our intention. In this multiplicity of writing, bye and barren Themes are best fitted for invention; Subjects so often discoursed confine the Imagination, and fix our conceptions unto the notions of fore-writers. Beside, such Discourses allow excursions, and venially admit of collateral truths, though at some distance from their principals. Wherein if we sometimes take wide liberty, we are not single, but err by great 
g Hypocrates de superfoetatione, de dentitione.  example.  
He that will illustrate the excellency of this order, may easily fail upon so spruce a Subject, wherein we have not affrighted the common Reader with any other Diagramms, then of itself; and have industriously declined illustrations from rare and unknown plants.  
Your discerning judgement so well acquainted with that study, will expect herein no mathematical truths, as well understanding how few generalities and 
h Rules without exceptions.  V finitas there are in nature. How Scaliger hath found exceptions in most Vniversals of Aristotle and Theophrastus. How Botanicall Maxims must have fair allowance, and are tolerably currant, if not intolerably overbalanced by exceptions.  
You have wisely ordered your vegetable delights, beyond the reach of exception. The Turks who passed their days in Gardens here, will have Gardens also hereafter, and delighting in Flowers on earth, must have Lilies and Roses in Heaven. In Garden Delights 'tis not easy to hold a Mediocrity; that insinuating pleasure is seldom without some extremity. The Ancients venially delighted in flourishing Gardens; Many were Florists that knew not the true use of a Flower; And in Pliny's days none had directly treated of that Subject. Some commendably affected Plantations of venomous Vegetables, some confined their delights unto single plants, and Cato seemed to dote upon Cabbadge; While the Ingenuous delight of Tulipists, stands saluted with hard language, even by their own 
i Tulipo mania, Narrencru●id, La●renberg. Pet. Hondius. in lib. Belg.  Professors.  
That in this Garden Discourse, we range into extraneous things, and many parts of Art and Nature, we follow herein the example of old and new Plantations, wherein noble spirits contented not themselves with Trees, but by the attendance of Aviaries, Fishponds, and all variety of Animals, they made their gardens the Epitome of the earth, and some resemblance of the secular shows of old.  
That we conjoin these parts of different Subjects, or that this should succeed the other; Your judgement will admit without impute of incongruity; Since the delightful World comes after death, and Paradise succeeds the Grave. Since the verdant state of things is the Symbol of the Resurrection, and to flourish in the state of Glory, we must first be sown in corruption. Beside the ancient practice of Noble Persons, to conclude in Garden-Graves, and Urns themselves of old, to be wrapped up flowers and garlands.  
Nullum sine venia placuisse eloquium, is more sensibly understood by Writers, then by Readers; nor well apprehended by either, till works have hanged out like Apelles his Pictures; wherein even common eyes will find something for emendation.  
To wish all Readers of your abilities, were unreasonably to multiply the number of Scholars beyond the temper of these times. But unto this ill-judging age, we charitably desire a portion of your equity, judgement, candour, and ingenuity; wherein you are so rich, as not to lose by diffusion. And being a flourishing branch of that 
k Of the most worthy St Edmund Bacon prime Baronet, my true and noble Friend.  Noble Family, unto which we owe so much observance, you are not new set, but long rooted in such perfection; whereof having had so lasting confirmation in your worthy conversation, constant amity, and expression; and knowing you a serious Student in the highest arcana's of Nature; with much excuse we bring these low delights, and poor maniples to your Treasure.  
Norwich May 1. Your affectionate Friend and Servant, Thomas Browne.   


En Sum quod digitis Quinque Levatur onus Propert:    

HYDRIOTAPHIA Vrne-Buriall. OR, A Brief Discourse of the sepulchral Urns lately foundin NORFOLK.  

CHAPTER I.  
IN the deep discovery of the Subterranean world, a shallow part would satisfy some enquirers; who, if two or three yards were open about the surface, would not care to rake the bowels of Potosi 
a The rich Mountain of Per●. , and regions towards the Centre. Nature hath furnished one part of the Earth, and man another. The treasures of time lie high, in Urns, Coins, and Monuments, scarce below the roots of some vegetables. Time hath endless rarities, and shows of all varieties; which reveals old things in heaven, makes new discoveries in earth, and even earth itself a discovery. That great Antiquity America lay buried for a thousand years; and a large part of the earth is still in the Urn unto us.  
Though if Adam were made out of an extract of the Earth, all parts might challenge a restitution, yet few have returned their bones far lower than they might receive them; not affecting the graves of Giants, under hilly and heavy cover, but content with less than their own depth, have wished their bones might lie soft, and the earth be light upon them; Even such as hope to rise again, would not be contenr with central interment, or so desperately to place their relics as to lie beyond discovery, and in no way to be seen again; which happy contrivance hath made communication with our forefathers, and left unto our view some parts, which they never beheld themselves.  
Though earth hath engrossed the name yet water hath proved the smartest grave; which in forty days swallowed almost mankind, and the living creation; Fish's not wholly escaping, except the Salt Ocean were handsomely contempered by a mixture of the fresh Element.  
Many have taken voluminous pains to determine the state of the soul upon disunion; but men have been most fantastical in the singular contrivancss of their corporal dissolution: whilst the sobrest Nations have rested in two ways, of simple inhumation and burning.  
That carnal interment or burying, was of the elder date, the old examples of Abraham and the Patriarches are sufficient to illustrate; And were without competition, if it could be made out, that Adam was buried near Damascus, or Mount Calvary, according to some Tradition. God himself, that buried but one, was pleased to make choice of this way, collectible from Scripture-expression, and the hot contest between Satan and the Archangel, about discovering the body of Moses. But the practice of Burning was also of great Antiquity, and of no slender extent. For (not to derive the same from Hercules) noble descriptions there are hereof in the Grecian Funerals of Homer, In the formal Obsequies of Patroclus, and Achilles; and somewhat elder in the Theban war, and solemn combustion of Meneceus, and Archemorus, contemporary unto Jair and Eighth Judge of Israel. Consirmable also among the Trojans, from the Funeral Pyre of Hector, burnt before the gates of Troy, And the 
b Q. Calaber. lib. 1.  burning of Penthesilea the Amazonean Queen: and long continuance of that practice, in the inward Countries of Asia; while as low as the Reign of Julian, we find that the King of Chionia 
c Ammianus, Marellinus, Gumbrates King of Chionia a Country near Persia.  burned the body of his Son, and interred the ashes in a silver Urn.  
The same practice extended also far West 
* Arnoldis Montanis not in Caes. Commetar. L. L. Guraldus. Kirkmannus. , and besides Herulians, Geteses, and Thracians, was in use with most of the Celtaes, Sarmatians, Germans, Gauls, Danes, Swedes, Norwegians; not to omit some use thereof among Carthaginians and Americans: Of greater Antiquity among the Romans than most opinion, or Pliny seems to allow. For (beside the old Table Laws of burning 
d 12. Tabul. part. 1. de jure s●cro. Hominem mortuum in urbe ne sepelito, neve urito. tom 2. Rogum asciâ ne polito. to. 4. Item vigeneri Annotat. in Livium. & Alex. ab Alex. cum Tiraquello. Roscinus cum dempstero.  or burying within the City, of making the Funeral fire with plained wood, or quenching the fire with wine.) Manlius the Consul burned the body of his Son: Numa by special clause of his Will, was not burnt but buried; And R●mus was solemnly buried, according to the desoription of Ovid 
e Ultima prolato subdita flamma ●ogo. De Fast. lib. 4. cum Car. Neapol. anaptyxi. .  
Cornelius Sylla was not the first whose body was burned in Rome, but of the Cornelian Family, which being indifferently, not frequently used before; from that time spread, and became the prevalent practice. Not totally pursued in the highest run of Cremation; For when even Crows were funerally burnt, Poppaea the Wife of Nero found a peculiar grave innterment. Now as all customs were founded upon some bottom of Reason, so there wanted not grounds for this; according to feveral apprehensions of the most rational dissolution. Some being of the opinion of Thales, that water was the original of all things, thought it most equal to submit unto the principle of putrefaction, and conclude in a moist relentment. Others conceived it most natural to end in fire, as due unto the master principle in the composition, according to the doctrine of Heraclitus. And therefore heaped up large piles, more actively to waft them toward that Element, whereby they also declined a visible degeneration into worms, and left a lasting parcel of their composition.  
Some apprehended a purifying virtue in fire, refining the grosser commixture, and firing out the Aethereal particles so deeply immersed in it. And such as by tradition or rational conjecture held any hint of the final pyre of all things; or that this Element at last must be too hard for all the rest; might conceive most nanaturally of the fiery dissolution. Others pretending no natural grounds, politicly declined the malice of enemies upon their buried bodies. Which consideration led Sylla unto this practice; who having thus served the body of Marius, could not but fear a retaliation upon his own; entertained after in the Civil wars, and revengeful contentions of Rome.  
But as many Nations embraced, and many left it indifferent, so others too much affected, or strictly declined this practice. The Indian brahmin's seemed too great friends unto fire, who burned themselves alive, and thought it the noblest way to end their days in fire; according to the expression of the Indian, burning himself at Athens 
f And therefore the Inscription of his Tomb w●s made accordingly. Nic. Damasc. , in his last words upon the pyre unto the amazed spectators, Thus I make myself Immortal.  
But the Chaldeans the great Idolaters of fire, abhorred the burning of their carcases, as a pollution of that Deity. The Persian Magis declined it upon the like scruple, and being only solicitous about their bones, exposed their flesh to the prey of Birds and Dogs. And the Persees now in India, which expose their bodies unto Vultures, and endure not so much as feretra or Beers of Wood, the proper Fuel of fire, are led on with such niceties. But whether the ancient Germans who burned their dead, held any such fear to pollute their Deity of Herthus, or the earth, we have no Authentic conjecture.  
The Egyptians were afraid of fire, not as a Deity, but a devouring Element, mercilessly consuming their bodies, and leaving too little of them; and therefore by precious Embalments, depositure in dry earths, or handsome enclosure in glasses, contrived the notablest ways of integral conservation. And from such Egyptian scruples imbibed by Pythagoras, it may be conjectured that Numa and the Pythagorical Sect first waved the fiery solution.  
The Scythians who swore by wind and sword, that is, by life and death, were so far from burning their bodies, that they declined all interment, and made their graves in the air: And the Ichthyophagi or fish-eating Nations about Egypt, affected the Sea for their grave: Thereby declining visible corruption, and restoring the debt of their bodies. Whereas the old Heroes in Homer, dreaded nothing more than water or drowning; probably upon the old opinion of the fiery substance of the soul, only extinguishable by that Element; And therefore the Poet emphatically implieth the total destruction in this kind of death, which happened to Ajax Oileus 
g Which Magius reads 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. .  
The old 
Diodorus Siculus.  Balearians had a peculiar mode, for they used great Urns and much wood, but no fire in their burials, while they bruised the flesh and bones of the dead, crowded them into Urns, and laid heaps of wood upon them. And the 
* Ramusius in Navigat.  Chinois without cremation or urnall interment of their bodies, make use of trees and much burning, while they plant a Pinetree by their grave, and burn great numbers of printed draughts of slaves and horses over it, civilly content with their companies in effigy, which barbarous Nations exact unto reality.  
Christians abhorred this way of obsequies, and though they sticked not to give their bodies to be burnt in their lives, detested that mode after death; affecting rather a depositure than absumption, and properly submitting unto the sentence of God, to return not unto ashes but unto dust again, conformable unto the practice of the Patriarches, the interment of our Saviour, of Peter, Paul, and the ancient Martyrs. And so far at last declining promiscuous enterrment with Pagans, that some have sussered Ecclesiastical censures, for making no scruple 
Martialis the Bishop. Cyprian.  thereof.  
The Musselman believers will never admit this fiery resolution. For they hold a present trial from their black and white Angels in the grave; which they must have made so hollow, that they may rise upon their knees.  
The Jewish Nation, though they entertained the old way of inhumation, yet sometimes admitted this practice. For the men of Jabesh burned the body of Saul. And by no prohibited practice to avoid contagion or pollution, in time of pestilence, burned the bodies of their friends 
h Amos 6. 10. . And when they burned not their dead bodies, yet sometimes used great burnings near and about them, deducible from the expressions concerning Jehoram, Sedechias, and the sumptuous pyre of Asa: And were so little averse from 
i Sueton. in vita. Jul. Caes.  Pagan burning, that the Jews lamenting the death of Caesar their friend, and revenger on Pompey, frequented the place where his body was burnt for many nights together. And as they raised noble Monuments and Mausolaeums for their own Nation 
k As that magnificent sepulchral Monument erected by Simon. Mach. 1. 13. , so they were not scrupulous in erecting some for others, according to the practice of Daniel, who left that lasting sepulchral pile in Echbatana, for the Medean and Persian Kings 
l 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, whereof a Jewish Priest had always the custody unto Josephus his days. Jos. Lib. 10. Antiq. .  
But even in times of subjection and hottest use, they conformed not unto the Roman practice of burning; whereby the Prophecy was secured concerning the body of Christ, that it should not see corruption, or a bone should not be broken; which we believe was also providentially prevented, from the Soldier's spear and nails that past by the little bones both in his hands and feet: Not of ordinary contrivance, that it should not corrupt on the Cross, according to the Laws of Roman Crucifixion, or an hair of his head perish, though observable in Jewish customs, to cut the hairs of Malefactors.  
Nor in their long co-habitation with Egyptians, crept into a custom of their exact embalming, wherein deeply slashing the muscles, and taking out the brains and entrails, they had broken the subject of so entire a Resurrection, nor fully answered the types of Enoch, Eliah, or Jonah, which yet to prevent or restore, was of equal facility unto that rising power, able to break the fasciations and bands of death, to get clear out of the Cere-cloth, and an hundred pounds of ointment, and out of the Sepulchre before the stone was rolled from it.  
But though they embraced not this practice of burning, yet entertained they many ceremonies agreeable unto Greek and Roman obsequies. And he that observeth their funeral Feasts, their Lamentations at the grave, their music, and weeping mourners; how they closed the eyes of their friends, how they washed, anointed, and kissed the dead; may easily conclude these were not mere Pagan-Civilities. But whether that mournful burden, and treble calling out after Absalon, had any reference unto the last conclamation, and triple valediction, used by other Nations, we hold but a wavering conjecture.  
Civilians make sepulture but of the Law of Nations, others do naturally found it and discover it also in animals. They that are so thick skinned as still to credit the story of the Phoenix, may say something for animal burning: Moore serious conjectures find some examples of sepulture in Elephants, Cranes, the sepulchral Cells of Pismires and practice of Bees; which civil society carrieth out their dead, and hath exequys, if not interments.   

CHAP. II.  
THE Solemnities, Ceremonies, Rites of their Cremation or enterrment, so solemnly delivered by Authors, we shall not disparage our Reader to repeat. Only the last and lasting part in their Urns, collected bones and Ashes, we cannot wholly omit, or decline that Subject, which occasion lately presented, in some discovered among us.  
In a Field of old Walsingham, not many months past, were digged up between forty and fifty Urns, deposited in a dry and sandy soil, not a yard deep, nor far from one another: Not all strictly of one figure, but most answering these described: Some containing two pounds of bones, distinguishable in skulls, ribs, jaws, thigh-bones, and teeth, with fresh impressions of their combustion. Besides the extraneous substances, like pieces of small boxes, or combs handsomely wrought, handles of small brass instruments, brazen nippers, and in one some kind of Opal 
* In one sent me by my worthy friend Dr Thomas Witherley of Walsingham. .  
Near the same plot of ground, for about six yard's compass were digged up coals and incinerated substances, which begat conjecture that this was the Vstrina or place of burning their bodies, or some sacrificing place unto the Manes, which was properly below the surface of the ground, as the Arae and Altars unto the gods and Heroes above it.  
That these were the Urns of Romans from the common custom and place where they were found, is no obscure conjecture, not far from a Roman Garrison, and but five Miles from Brancaster, set down by ancient Record under the name of Brannodunum▪ And where the adjoining Town, containing seven Parishes, in no very different sound, but Saxon Termination, still retains the Name of Burnham, which being an early station, it is not improbable the neighbour parts were filled with habitations, either of Romans themselves, or Britain's Romanised, which observed the Roman customs.  
Nor is it improbable that the Romans early possessed this Country; for though we meet not with such strict particulars of these parts, before the new Institution of Constantine, and military charge of the Count of the Saxon shore, and that about the Saxon Invasions, the Dalmatian Horsemen were in the Garrison of Brancaster: Yet in the time of Claudius, Vespasian, and Severus, we find no less than three Legions dispersed through the Province of Britain. And as high as the Reign of Claudius a great overthrow was given unto the Iceni, by the Roman Lieutenant Ostorius. Not long after the Country was so molested, that in hope of a better state, Prastaagus bequeathed his Kingdom unto Nero and his Daughters; and Boadicea his Queen fought the last decisive Battle with Paulinus. After which time and Conquest of Agricola the Lieutenant of Vespasian, probable it is they wholly possessed this Country, ordering it into Garrisons or Habitations, best suitable with their securities. And so some Roman Habitations, not improbable in these parts, as high as the time of Vespasian, where the Saxons after seated, in whose thin-filled Maps we yet find the Name of Walsingham. Now if the Iceni were but Gammadims, Anconians, or men that lived in an Angle wedge or Elbow of Britain, according to the Original Etymology, this country will challenge the Emphatical appellation, as most properly making the Elbow or Iken of Icenia.  
That Britain was notably populous is undeniable, from that expression of Caesar 
m Hominum iufinita multitudo est, creber' imaque aedisicia ferè Gallicis consimilia. Caes. de bello Gal. l. 5. . That the Romans themselves were early in no small Numbers, Seventy Thousand with their associates slain by Boadicea, affords a sure account. And though many Roman habitations are now known, yet some by old works, Rampires, Coins, and Urns do testify their Possessions. Some Urns have been found at Castor, some also about Southcreake, and not many years past, no less than ten in a Field at Buxton 
n In the ground of my worthy Friend Rob Jegon Esq. wherein some things contained were preserved by the most worthy Sir William Past●n Bt. , not near any recorded Garrison. Nor is it strange to find Roman Coins of Copper and Silver among us; of Vespasian, Trajan, Adrian, Commodus, Antoninus, Severus, etc. But the greater number of Dioclesian, Constantine, Constans, Valens, with many of Victorinus Posthumius, Tetricus, and the thirty Tyrants in the Reign of Galliėnus; and some as high as Adrianus have been found about Thetford, or Sitomagus, mentioned in the itinerary of Antoninus, as the way from Venta or Castor unto London 
o From Castor to Thetford the Romans accounted thirty two miles, and from thence observed not our common road to London, but passed by Combretonium ad Ansam, Canonium, Caesaromagus, etc. by Bretenham, Coggesh all, Chelmesord, Burntwood, etc. . But the most frequent discovery is made at the two Casters by Norwich and Yarmouth 
p Most at Caster by Yarmouth, found in a place called East-bloudy-burgh furlong, belonging to Mr Thomas Wood, a person of civility, industry and knowledge in this way, who hath made observation of remarkable things about him, and from whom we have received divers Silver and Copper Coins. , at Burghcastle and Brancaster 
q Belonging to that Noble Gentleman, and true example of worth Sir Ralph Hare Baronet, my honoured Friend. .  
Besides, the Norman, Saxon and Danish pieces of Cuthred, Canutus, William Matilda 
a A piece of Maud the Empress said to be found in Buckenham Castle with this Inscription, Elle n'a elle. , and others, some British Coins of gold have been dispersedly found; And no small number of silver pieces near 
b At Thorpe.  Norwich; with a rude head upon the obverse, and an ill form horse on the reverse, with Inscriptions Ic. Duro. T. whether implying Iceni, Durotriges, Tascia, or Trinobantes, we leave to higher conjecture. Vulgar Chronology will have Norwich Castle as old as Julius Caesar; but his distance from these parts, and its Gothick form of structure, abridgeth such Antiquity. The British Coins afford conjecture of early habitation in these parts, though the City of Norwich arose from the ruins of Venta, and though perhaps not without some habitation before, was enlarged, builded, and nominated by the Saxons. In what bulk or populosity it stood in the old East-angle Monarchy, tradition and history are silent. Considerable it was in the Danish Eruptions, when Sueno burned Thetford and Norwich 
c Brampron Abbas Journallensis, , and Vlfketel the Governor thereof, was able to make some resistance, and after endeavoured to burn the Danish Navy.  
How the Romans left so many Coins in Countries of their Conquests, seems of hard resolution, except we consider how they buried them under ground, when upon barbarous invasions they were fain to desert their habitations in most part of their Empire, and the strictness of their laws forbidding to transfer them to any other uses; Wherein the 
d Plut. in vita Lycur●.  Spartans' were singular, who to make their Copper money useless, contempered it with vinegar. That the Britain's left any, some wonder; since their money was iron, and Iron rings before Caesar; and those of after stamp by permission, and but small in bulk and bigness; that so few of the Saxons remain, because overcome by succeeding Conquerors upon the place, their Coins by degrees passed into other stamps, and the marks of after ages.  
Then the time of these Urns deposited, or precise Antiquity of these Relics, nothing of more uncertainty. For since the Lieutenant of Claudius seems to have made the first progress into these parts, since Boadicea was overthrown by the Forces of Nero, and Agricola put a full end to these Conquests; it is not probable the Country was fully garrisoned or planted before; and therefore however these Urns might be of later date, not likely of higher Antiquity.  
And the succeeding Emperors desisted not from their Conquests in these and other parts▪ as testified by history and medal inscription yet extant. The Province of Britain in so divided a distance from Rome, beholding the faces of many Imperial persons, and in large account no fewer than Caesar, Claudius, Britanni●us, Vespasian, Titus, Adrian, Severus, Commodus, Geta, and Caracalla.  
A great obscurity herein, because no medal or Emperor's Coin enclosed, which might denote the date of their enterrments. observable in many Urns, and found in those of spital Fields by 
Stows Survey of London.  London, which contained the Coins of Claudius, Vespasian, Commodus, Antoninus, attended with Lacrymatories, Lamps, Bottles of Liquor, and other appurtenances of affectionate superstition, which in these rural interrements were wanting.  
Some uncertainty there is from the period or term of burning, or the cestation of that practice. Macrobius affirmeth it was disused in his days. But most agree, though without authentic record, that it ceased with the Antonini. Most safely to be understood after the Reign of those Emperors, which assumed the name of Antoninus, extending unto Heliogabalus. Not strictly after Marcus; For about fifty years later we find the magnificent burning, and consecration of Severus; and if we so fix this period or cessation, these Urns will challenge above thirteen hundred years.  
But whether this practice was only then left by Emperors and great persons, or generally about Rome, and not in other Provinces, we hold no authentic account. For after Tertullian, in the days of Minucius it was obviously objected upon Christians, that they condemned the practice of burning 
e Execrantur rogos, & damnant ignium sepulturam. Min. in Oct. . And we find a passage in Sidonius 
f Sidon. Apollinaris. , which asserteth that practice in France unto a lower account. And perhaps not fully disused till Christianity fully established, which gave the final extinction to these sepulchral Bonfires.  
Whether they were the bones of men or women or children, no authentic decision from ancient custom in distinct places of burial. Although not improbably conjectured, that the double Sepulture or burying place of Abraham, had in it such intention. But from exility of bones, thinness of skulls, smallness of teeth, ribs, and thigh-bones; not improbable that many thereof were persons of minor age, or women. Confirmable also from things contained in them: In most were found substances resembling Combs, Plates like Boxes, fastened with Iron pins, and handsomely overwrought like the necks or Bridges of Musical Instruments, long brass plates overwrought like the handles of neat implements, brazen nippers to pull away hair, and in one a kind of Opal yet maintaining a bluish colour.  
Now that they accustomed to burn or bury with them, things wherein they excelled, delighted, or which were dear unto them, either as farewells unto all pleasure, or vain apprehension that they might use them in the other world, is testified by all Antiquity. Observable from the Gem or Berill Ring upon the finger of Cynthia, the Mistress of Propertius, when after her Funeral Pyre her Ghost appeared unto him. And notably illustrated from the Contents of that Roman Urn preserved by Cardinal Farnese 
g Vigeneri Annot, in 4. Liv. , wherein besides great number of Gems with heads of Gods and Goddesses, were found an Ape of Agath, a Grasshopper, an Elephant of Amber, a Crystal Ball, three glasses, two Spoons, and six Nuts of Crystal. And beyond the content of Urns, in the Monument of Childerick the first 
h Chisslet in Anast. Children. , and fourth King from Pharamont, casually discovered three years passed at Tournay, restoring unto the world much gold richly adorning his Sword, two hundred Rubies, many hundred Imperial Coins, three hundred golden Bees, the bones and horse-shoe of his horse interred with him, according to the barbarous magnificence of those days in their sepulchral Obsequies. Although if we steer by the conjecture of many and Septuagint expression; some trace thereof may be found even with the ancient Hebrews, not only from the Sepulcrall treasure of David, but the circumcision knives which Josuah also buried.  
Some men considering the contents of these Urns, lasting pieces and toys included in them, and the custom of burning with many other Nations, might somewhat doubt whether all Urns found among us, were properly Roman Relics, or some not belonging unto our British, Saxon, or Danish Forefathers.  
In the form of Burial among the ancient Britain's, the large Discourses of Caesar, Tacitus, and Strabo are silent: For the discovery whereof, with other particulars, we much deplore the loss of that Letter which Cicero expected or received from his Brother Quintus, as a resolution of British customs; or the account which might have been made by Scribonius Largus the Physician, accompanying the Emperor Claudius, who might have also discovered that frugal Bit 
i Dionis excerpta per Xiphilin. in Sever●.  of the Old Britain's, which in the bigness of a Bean could satisfy their thirst and hunger.  
But that the Druids and ruling Priests used to burn and bury, is expressed by Pomponius; That belinus the Brother of Brennus, and King of Britain's was burnt, is acknowledged by Polydorus, as also by Amandus Zierexensis in Historia, and Pineda in his Vniversa historia. Spanish. That they held that practice in Galiia, Caesar expressly delivereth. Whether the Britain's (probably descended from them, of like Religion, Language and Manners) did not sometimes make use of burning; or whether at least such as were after civilised unto the Roman life and manners, conformed not unto this practice, we have no historical assertion or denial. But since from the account of Tacitus the Romans early wrought so much civility upon the British stock, that they brought them to build Temples, to wear the Gown, and study the Roman Laws and language, that they conformed also unto their religious rites and customs in burials, seems no improbable conjecture.  
That burning the dead was used in Sarmatia, is affirmed by Gaguinus, that the Sueons and Gothlanders used to burn their Princes and great persons, is delivered by Saxon and Olans; that this was the old German practice, is also asserted by Tacitus. And though we are bare in historical particulars of such obsequies in this Island, or that the Saxons, Jutes, and Angles burned their dead, yet came they from parts where 'twas of ancient practice; the Germans using it, from whom they were descended. And even in Jutland and Sleswick in Anglia Cymbrica, Urns with bones were found not many years before us.  
But the Danish and Northern Nations 
Roisold; Brendetiide. I'd tied.  have raised an Aera or point of compute from their Custom of burning their dead: Some deriving it from Vnguinus, some from Frotho the great; who ordained by Law, that Princes and Chief Commanders should be committed unto the fire, though the common sort had the common grave enterrment. So Starkatterus that old Hero was burnt, and Ringo royally burnt the body of Harald the King slain by him.  
What time this custom generally expired in that Nation, we discern no assured period; whether it ceased before Christianity, or upon their Conversion, by Ausgurius the Gaul in the time of Ludovicus Pius the Son of Charles the great, according to good computes; or whether it might not be used by some persons, while for a hundred and eighty years' Paganism and Christianity were promiscuously embraced among them, there is no assured conclusion. About which times the Danes were busy in England, and particularly infested this Country: Where many Castles and strong holds, were built by them, or against them, and great number of names and Families still derived from them. But since this custom was probably disused before their Invasion or Conquest, and the Romans confessedly practised the same, since their possession of this Island, the most assured account will fall upon the Romans, or Britain's Romanized.  
However certain it is, that Urns conceived of no Roman Original, are often digged up both in Norway, and Denmark, handsomely described, and graphically represented by the Learned Physician Wormius 
l Olai Wormii monumenta & Antiquitat. Dan. , And in some parts of Denmark in no ordinary number, as stands delivered by Authors exactly describing those Country's 
m Adolphus Cyprius in Annal. Sleswic. urnis adeo abundabat collis; etc. . And they contained not only bones, but many other substances in them, as Knives, pieces of Iron, Brass and Wood, and one of Norway a brass guilded Jewes-harp.  
Nor were they confused or careless in disposing the noblest sort, while they placed large stones in circle about the Urns, or bodies which they interred: Somewhat answerable unto the Mounment of Rollrich stones in England 
n In Oxfordshire; Cambden. , or sepulcrall Monument probaby erected by Rollo, who after conquered Normandy. Where 'tis not improbable somewhat might be discovered. Mean while to what Nation or person belonged that large Urn found at Ashburie 
o In Cheshire, Twinus de rebus Albionicis. , containing mighty bones, and a Buckler; What those large Urns found at little Massingham 
p In Norfolk, Holinshed. , or why the Anglesea Urns are placed with their mouths downward, remains yet undiscovered.   

CHAP. III.  
PLaystered and whited Sepulchers, were anciently affected in cadaverous, and corruptive Burials; And the rigid Jews were wont to garnish the Sepulchers of the 
a Mat. 23.  righteous; Ulysses in Hecuba 
b Eurspides.  cared not how meanly he lived, so he might find a noble Tomb after death. Great Princes affected great Monuments, And the fair and larger Urns contained no vulgar ashes, which makes that disparity in those which time discovereth among us. The present Urns were not of one capacity, the largest containing above a gallon, Some not much above half that measure; nor all of one figure, wherein there is no strict conformity, in the same or different Countries; Observable from those represented by Casalius, Bosio, and others, though all found in Italy: While many have handles, ears, and long necks, but most imitate a circular figure, in a spherical and round composure; whether from any mystery, best duration or capacity, were but a conjecture. But the common form with necks was a proper figure, making our jast bed like our first; nor much unlike the Urns of our Nativity, while we lay in the nether part of the Earth 
c Psa. 63. , and inward vault of our Microcosm. Many Urns are red, these but of a black colour, somewhat smooth, and dully sounding, which begat some doubt, whether they were burnt, or only baked in Oven or Sun: According to the ancient way, in many bricks, tiles, pots, and testaceous works; and as the word testa is properly to be taken, when occurring without addition: And chiefly intended by Pliny, when he commendeth bricks and tiles of two years old, and to make them in the spring. Nor only these concealed pieces, but the open magnificence of Antiquity, ran much in the Artifice of Clay. Hereof the house of Mausolus was built, thus old Jupiter stood in the Capitol, and the Statue of Hercules made in the Reign of Tarqvinius Priscus, was extant in Pliny's days. And such as declined burning or Funeral Urns, affected Coffins of Clay, according to the mode of Pythagoras, a way preferred by Varro. But the spirit of great ones was above these circumscriptions, affecting copper, silver, gold, and Porphyry Urns, wherein Severus lay, after a serious view and sentence on that which should contain him 
d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Dion. . Some of these Urns were thought to have been silvered over, from sparklings in several pots, with small Tinsel parcels; uncertain whether from the earth, or the first mixture in them.  
Among these Urns we could obtain no good account of their cover; Only one seemed arched over with some kind of brickwork. Of those found at Buxton some were covered with flints, some in other parts with tiles, those at Yarmouth Caster, were closed with Roman bricks. And some have proper earthen covers adapted and fitted to them. But in the Homerical Urn of Patroclus, whatever was the solid Tegument, we find the immediate covering to be a purple piece of silk: And such as had no covers might have the earth closely pressed into them, after which disposure were probably some of these, wherein we found the bones and ashes half mortered unto the sand and sides of the Urn; and some long roots of Quich, or Dogs-grass wreathed about the bones.  
No Lamps, included Liquors, Lachrymatories, or Tear-bottles attended these rural Urns, either as sacred unto the Manes, or passionate expressions of their surviving friends. While with rich flames, and hired tears they solemnised their Obsequies, and in the most lamented Monuments made one part of their Inscriptions 
c Cum lacrymis posuere. . Some find sepulchral Vessels containing liquors, which time hath incrassated into jellies. For beside these Lachrymatories, notable Lamps, with Vessels of Oils and Aromatical Liquors attended noble Ossuaries. And some yet retaining a 
* Laziu●.  Vinosity and spirit in them, which if any have tasted they have far exceeded the Palates of Antiquity. Liquors not to be computed by years of annual Magistrates, but by great conjunctions and the fatal periods of Kingdoms 
f About five hundred years. Plato. . The draughts of Consulary date, were but crude unto these, and Opimian 
g Vinum Opimi● ian●m annorum centum. Petron.  Wine but in the must unto them.  
In sundry Graves and Sepulchers, we meet with Rings, Coins, and Chalices; Ancient frugality was so severe, that they allowed no gold to attend the Corpse, but only that which served to fasten their teeth 
h 12. Tabul. l. xi. de Jure sacro. Neve aurum addito, hast quoi curo dentes vincti e●unt, in cum illo sepelire & urer●, se frau●e esto. . Whether the Opaline stone in this Urn were burnt upon the finger of the dead, or cast into the fire by some affectionate friend, it will consist with either custom. But other incinerable substances were found so fresh, that they could feel no sing from fire. These upon view were judged to be wood, but sinking in water and tried by the fire, we found them to be bone or Ivory. In their hardness and yellow colour they most resembled Box, which in old expressions found the Epithere 
i Plin. l. xuj. In●er 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 numeral Theophras●us.  of Eternal, and perhaps in such conservatories might have passed uncorrupted.  
That Bay-leaves were found green in the Tomb of S. Humbert 
k Su●ius. , after an hundred and fifty years, was looked upon as miraculous. Remarkable it was unto old Spectators, that the Cypress of the Temple of Diana, lasted so many hundred years: The wood of the Ark and Olive Rod of Aaron were older at the Captivity. But the Cypress of the Ark of Noah, was the greatest vegetable Antiquity, if Josephus were not deceived, by some fragments of it in his days. To omit the Moore-logs, and Firre-trees found underground in many parts of England; the undated ruins of winds, floods or earthquakes; and which in Flanders still show from what quarter they fell, as generally lying in a North-East position 
l Gorop. Becanus in Niloscopio. .  
But though we found not these pieces to be Wood, according to first apprehension, yet we miss not altogether of some woody substance; For the bones were not so clearly picked, but some coals were found amongst them; A way to make wood perpetual, and a fit associate for metal, whereon was laid the foundation of the great Ephesian Temple, and which were made the lasting tests of old boundaries and Landmarks; Whilst we look on these, we admire not Observations of Coals found fresh, after four hundred years 
m Of Beringuccio nella pyrotechnia. . In a long deserted habitation 
n At Elmeham. , even Eggeshels have been found fresh, not tending to corruption.  
In the Monument of King Childerick, the Iron Relics were found all rusty and crumbling into peecees. But our little Iron pins which fastened the Ivory works, held well together, and lost not their Magnetical quality, though wanting a tenacious moisture for the firmer union of parts, although it be hardly drawn into fusion, yet that metal soon submitteth unto rest and dissolution. In the brazen pieces we admired not the duration but the freedom from rust, and ill savour; upon the hardest attrition, but now exposed unto the piercing Atoms of air; in the space of a few months, they begin to spot and betray their green entrails. We conceive not these Urns to have descended thus naked as they appear, or to have entered their graves without the old habit of flowers. The Urn of Philopaemen was so laden with flowers and ribbons, that it afforded no sight of itself. The rigid Lycurgus allowed Olive and Myrtle. The Athenians might fairly except against the practice of Democritus to be buried up in honey; as fearing to embezzle a great commodity of their Country, and the best of that kind in Europe. But Plato seemed too frugally politic, who allowed no larger Monument than would contain for Heroic Verses, and designed the most barren ground for sepulture: Though we cannot commend the goodness of that sepulchral ground, which was set at no higher rate than the mean salary of Judas. Though the earth had confounded the ashes of these Ossuaries, yet the bones were so smartly burnt, that some thin plates of brass were found half melted among them: whereby we apprehend they were not of the meanest carcases, perfunctorily fired as sometimes in military, and commonly in pestilence, burnings; or after the manner of abject corpse, huddled forth and carelessly burnt, without the Esquiline Port at Rome; which was an affront continued upon Tiberius, while they but half burnt his body 
* Sueton. in vitâ Tib. & in Amphitheatro semiustu●andum, not. Casaub. , and in the Amphitheatre, according to the custom in notable Malefactore; whereas Nero seemed not so much to fear his death, as that his head should be cut off, and his body not burnt entire.  
Some finding many fragments of skulls in these Urns, suspected a mixture of bones; In none we searched was there cause of such conjecture, though sometimes they declined not that practice; The ashes of 
b Sueton. in vitâ Domitian.  Domitian were mingled with those of Julia, of Achilles with those of Patroclus: All Urns contained not single ashes; Without confused burnings they affectionately compounded their bones; passionately endeavouring to continue their living Unions. And when distance of death denied such conjunctions, unsatisfied affections, conceived some satisfaction to be neighbours in the grave, to lie Urn by Urn, and touch but in their names. And many were so curious to continue their living relations, that they contrived large, and family Urns, wherein the Ashes of their nearest friends and kindred might successively be received 
c S. the most learned and worthy Mr M. Casaubon upon Antoninus. , at least some parcels thereof, while their collateral memorial lay in minor vessels about them.  
Antiquity held too light thoughts from Objects of mortality, while some drew provocatives of mirth from Anatomies 
d Sic erimus cuncti. etc. Ergo dum vivimus vivamus. , and Jugglers showed tricks with Skeletons. When Fiddlers made not so pleasant mirth as Fencers, and men could sit with quiet stomaches while hanging was played 
e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. A barbarous pastime at Feasts, when men stood upon a rolling Globe, with their necks in a Rope, and a knife in their hands, ready to cut it when the stone was rolled away, wherein if they failed, they lost their lives to the laughter of their specators▪ Athenaeus.  before them. Old considerations made few mementoes by skulls and bones upon their monuments. In the Egyptian Obelisks and hieroglyphical figures, it is not easy to meet with bones. The sepulchral Lamps speak nothing less than sepulture; and in their literal draughts prove often obscene and antic pieces: Where we find D. M. 
f Diis manibus.  it is obvious to meet with sacrificing patera's, and vessels of libation, upon old sepulchral Monuments. In the Jewish Hypogaeum 
g Bosio.  and subterranean Cell at Rome, was little observable beside the variety of Lamps, and frequent draughts of the holy Candlestick. In authentic draughts of Anthony and Jerome, we meet with thigh-bones and deaths heads; but the cemiteriall Cells of ancient Christians and Martyrs, were filled with draughts of Scripture Stories; not declining the flourishes of Cypress, Palms, and Olive; and the mystical Figures of Peacocks, Doves and Cocks. But iterately affecting the pourtraits of Enoch, Lazarus, Ionas, and the Vision of Ezechiel, as hopeful draughts, and hinting imagery of the Resurrection; which is the life of the grave, and sweetens our habitations in the Land of Moles and Pismires.  
Gentile Inscriptions precisely delivered the extent of men's lives, seldom the manner of their deaths, which history itself so often leaves obscure in the records of memorable persons. There is scarce any Philosopher but dies twice or thrice in Laertius; Nor almost any life without two or three deaths in Plutarch; which makes the tragical ends of noble persons more favourably resented by compassionate Readers, who find some relief in the Election of such differences.  
The certainty of death is attended with uncertainties, in time, manner, places. The variety of Monuments hath often obscured true graves: and Cenotaphs confounded Sepulchers. For beside their real Tombs, many have found honorary and empty Sepulchers. The variety of Homer's Monuments made him of various Country's. Euripides 
h Pausan. in A●●icis.  had his Tomb in Africa, but his sepulture in Macedonia. And Severus 
i Lamprid. in vit. Alexand. Severi.  found his real Sepulchre in Rome, but his empty grave in Gallia.  
He that lay in a golden Urn 
k Trajanus. Dion.  eminently above the Earth, was not like to find the quiet of these bones. Many of these Urns were broke by a vulgar discoverer in hope of enclosed treasure. The ashes of Marcellus 
l Plut. in vit. Marcelli  were lost above ground, upon the like account. Where profit hath prompted, no age hath wanted such miners. For which the most barbarous Expilators found the most civil Rhetoric. Gold once out of the 
The Commission of the Gothish King Theodoric for finding out sepulchral treasure. Cassiodor. Var. l. 4.  earth is no more due unto it; What was unreasonably committed to the ground is reasonably resumed from it: Let Monuments and rich Fabrics, not Riches adorn men's ashes. The commerce of the living is not to be trrnsferred unto the dead: It is not injustice to take that which none complains to lose, and no man is wronged where no man is possessor.  
What virtue yet sleeps in this terra damnata and aged cinders, were petty magic to experiment; These crumbling relics and long-fired particles superannate such expectations: Bones, 
a Britannia hodie eam attonitè celebrat tantis ceremoniis, ut dedisse Persis videri possit. Plin. l. 29.  hairs, nails, and teeth of the dead, were the treasures of old Sorcerers. In vain we revive such practices; Present superstition too visibly perpetuates the folly of our Forefathers, wherein unto old Observation this Island was so complete, that it might have instructed Persia.  
Plato's historian of the other world, lies twelve days incorrupted, while his soul was viewing the large stations of the dead. How to keep the corpse seven days from corruption by anointing and washing, without exenteration, were an hazardable piece of art, in our choicest practice. How they made distinct separation of bones and ashes from fiery admixture, hath found no historical solution. Though they seemed to make a distinct collection, and overlooked not Pyrrhus his toe. Some provision they might make by fictile Vessels, Cover, Tiles, or flat stones, upon and about the body. And in the same Field, not far from these Urns, many stones were found under ground, as also by careful separation of extraneous matter, composing and raking up the burnt bones with forks, observable in that notable lump of Galuanus Martianus 
b Topygraphiae Roma ex Martiaano. Erat & vas ustrinum appellatum quod in eo cadavera comburerentur. Cap. de Campo Es. quilino. , who had the sight of the Vas Vstrinum, or vessel wherein they burned the dead, found in the Esquiline Field at Rome, might have afforded clearer solution. But their insatisfaction herein begat that remarkable invention in the Funeral Pyres of some Princes, by incombustible sheets made with a texture of Asbestos, incremable flax, or Salamander's wool, which preserved their bones and ashes 
c To be seen in Licet. de reconditis veterum lucernis.  incommixed.  
How the bulk of a man should sink into so few pounds of bones and ashes, may seem strange unto any who considers not its constitution, and how slender a mass will remain upon an open and urging fire of the carnal composition. Even bones themselves reduced into ashes, do abate a notable proportion. And consisting much of a volatile salt, when that is fired out, make a light kind of cinders. Although their bulk be disproportionable to their weight, when the heavy principle of Salt is fired out, and the Earth almost only remaineth; Observable in sallow, which makes more Ashes than Oak; and discovers the common fraud of selling Ashes by measure, and not by ponderation.  
Some bones make best Skeletons 
a Old bones according to Lyserus. Those of young persons not tal● nor fat according to Columbus , some bodies quick and speediest ashes: Who would expect a quick flame from Hydropical Heraclitus? The poisoned Soldier when his Belly broke, put out two pyres in Plutarch 
b In vita. Gracc. . But in the plague of Athens 
c Thucydides. , one private pyre served two or three Intruders; and the Saracens burnt in large heaps, by the King of Castille 
d Laurent. Valla. , showed how little Fuel sufficeth. Though the Funeral pyre of Patroclus took up an hundred foot 
e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. , a piece of an old boat burnt Pompey; And if the burden of Isaac were sufficient for an holocaust, a man may carry his own pyre.  
From animals are drawn good burning lights, and good medicines 
f Speran. Alb. Ovot.  against burning; Though the seminal humour seems of a contrary nature to fire, yet the body completed proves a combustible lump, wherein fire finds flame even from bones, and some fuel almost from all parts. Though the 
g The brain. Hypocrates.  Metropolis of humidity seems least disposed unto it, which might render the sculls of these Urns less burned than other bones. But all flies or sinks before fire almost in all bodies: When the common ligament is dissolved, the attenuable parts ascend, the rest subside in coal, calx or ashes.  
To burn the bones of the King of 
e Amos 2. 1.  Edom for Lyme, seems no irrational freity; But to drink of the ashes of dead relations 
e As Artemisia of her Husband Mansolus. , a passionate prodigality. He that hath the ashes of his friend, hath an everlasting treasure: where fire taketh leave, corruption slowly enters; In bones well burnt, fire makes a wall against itself; experimented in copels, and tests of metals, which consist of such ingredients. What the Sun compoundeth, fire analyseth, not transmuteth. That devouring agent leaves almost always a morsel for the Earth, whereof all things are but a colony; and which, if time permits, the mother Element will have in their primitive mass again.  
He that looks for Urns and old sepulchral relics, must not seek them in the ruins of Temples: where no Religion anciently placed them. These were found in a Field, according to ancient custom, in noble or private burial; the old practice of the Canaanites, the Family of Abraham, and the burying place of Josua, in the borders of his possessions; and also agreeable unto Roman practice to bury by highways, whereby their Monuments were under eye: Memorials of themselves, and mementoes of mortality into living passengers; whom the Epitaphs of great ones were fain to beg to stay and look upon them. A language though sometimes used, not so proper in Church-Inscriptions 
a Siste viator. . The sensible Rhetoric of the dead, to exemplarity of good life, first admitted the bones of pious men, and Martyrs within Church-wals; which in succeeding ages crept into promiscuous practice. While Constantine was peculiarly favoured to be admitted unto the Church Porch; and the first thus buried in England was in the days of Cuthred.  
Christians dispute how their bodies 
Kirckman nus de funer.  should lie in the grave. In urnall enterrment they clearly escaped this Controversy: Though we decline the Religious consideration, yet in cemiteriall and narrower burying places, to avoid confusion and cross position, a certain posture were to be admitted; Which even Pagan civility observed, The Persians lay North and South, The Megarians and Phoenicians placed their heads to the East: The Athenians, some think, towards the West, which Christians still retain. And Beda will have it to be the posture of our Saviour. That he was crucified with his face towards the West, we will not contend with tradition and probable account; But we applaud not the hand of the Painter, in exalting his Cross so high above those on either side; since hereof we find no authentic account in history, and even the crosses found by Helena pretend no such distinction from longitude or dimension.  
To be knaved out of our graves, to have our skulls made drinking-bowls, and our bones turned into Pipes, to delight and sport our Enemies, are Tragical abominations, escaped in burning Burials.  
Urnall enterrments, and burnt Relics lie not in fear of worms, or to be an heritage for Serpents; In carnal sepulture, corruptions seem peculiar unto parts, and some speak of snakes out of the spinal marrow. But while we suppose common worms in graves, 'tis not easy to find any there; few in Churchyards above a foot deep, fewer or none in Churches, though in fresh decayed bodies. Teeth, bones, and hair, give the most lasting defiance to corruption. In au Hydropical body ten years buried in a Churchyard, we met with a fat concretion, where the nitre of the Earth, and the salt and lixivious liquor of the body, had coagulated large lumps of fat, into the consistence of the hardest castle-soap; whereof part remaineth with us. After a battle with the Persians the Roman Corpse decayed in few days, while the Persian bodies remained dry and uncorrupted. Bodies in the same ground do not uniformly dissolve, nor bones equally moulder; whereof in the opprobrious disease we expect no long duration. The body of the marquis of Dorset seemed sound and handsomely cereclothed, that after seventy eight years was found uncorrupted 
c Of Thomas marquis of Dorset, whose body being buried 1530. was 1608 up on the cutting open of the Cerecloth found perfect and nothing corrupted, the flesh not hardened. but in colour, proportion, and solmesse like an ordinary corpse newly to be interred. Burtons' descript. of Leicestershire. . Common Tombs preserve not beyond powder: A firmer consistence and compage of parts might be expected from Arefaction, deep burial or charcoal. The greatest Antiquities of mortal bodies may remain in putrified bones, whereof, though we take not in the pillar of Lot's wife, or Metamorphosis of Ortelius 
d In his Map of Russia. , some may be older than Pyramids, in the putrified Relics of the general inundation. When Alexander opened the Tomb of Cyrus, the remaining bones discovered his proportion, whereof urnall fragments afford but a bad conjecture, and have this disadvantage of grave interments, that they leave us ignorant of most personal discoveries. For since bones afford not only rectitude and stability, but figure unto the body; It is no impossible Physiognomy to conjecture at fleshy appendencies; and after what shape the muscles and carnous parts might hang in their full consistences. A full-spread Cariola shows a well-shaped horse behind, handsome form sculls, give some analogy of fleshy resemblance. A critical view of bones makes a good distinction of sexes. Even colour is not beyond conjecture; since it is hard to be deceived in the distinction of Negro's sculls. 
e The Poet Dante in his view of Purgatory, sound gluttons so meager, and extenuated, that he conceited them to have been in the Siege of Jerusalem, and that it was easy to have discovered Homo or Omo in their faces: M being made by the two lines of their cheeks, archlng over the Eye brows to the nose, and their sunk eyes making O O which makes up Omo. Parean l'occhiaie anella senza gem che nel viso de gli hu●mini legge huomo Ben'hauria quivi conosciu●o l' ●mme.  Dantes Characters are to be found in sculls as well as faces. Hercules is not only known by his foot. Other parts make out their comproportious, and inferences upon whole or parts. And since the dimensions of the head measure the whole body, and the figure thereof gives conjecture of the principal faculties; Physiognomy outlives ourselves, and ends not in our graves.  
Severe contemplators observing these lasting relics, may think them good monuments of persons past, little advantage to future beings. And considering that power which subdueth all things unto itself, that can resume the scattered Atoms, or identify out of any thing, conceive it superfluous to expect a resurrection out of Relics. But the soul subsisting, other matter clothed with due accidents, may salve the individuality: Yet the Saints we observe arose from graves and monuments, about the holy City. Some think the ancient Patriarches so earnestly desired to lay their bones in Canaan, as hoping to make a part of that Resurrection, and though thirty miles from Mount Calvary, at least to lie in that Region, which should produce the first-fruits of the dead. And if according to learned conjecture, the bodies of men shall rise where their greatest Relics remain, many are not like to err in the Topography of their Resurrection 
Tirin. in Ezek.  though their bones or bodies be after translated by Angels into the field of ezechiel's vision, or as some will order it, into the Valley of Judgement, or Jehosaphat.   

CHAP. IU.  
CHristians have handsomely glossed the deformity of death, by careful consideration of the body, and civil rites which take of brutal terminations. And though they conceived all reparable by a resurrection, cast not off all care of enterrment. And since the ashes of Sacrifices burnt upon the Altar of God, were carefully carried out by the Priests, and deposed in a clean field; since they acknowledged their bodies to be the lodging of Christ, and temples of the holy Ghost, they devolved not all upon the sufficiency of soul existence; and therefore with long services and full solemnities concluded their last Exequys, wherein 
a Rituale Graecum opera J. Gore in officio exequiarum.  to all distinctions the Greek devotion seems most pathetically ceremonious.  
Christian invention hath chiefly driven at Rites, which speak hopes of another life, and hints of a Resurrection. And if the ancient Gentiles held not the immortality of their better part, and some subsistence after death; in several rites, customs, actions and expressions, they contradicted their own opinions: wherein Democritus went high, even to the thought of a resurrection 
b Similis reviviscendi promissa Democrito vanitas, qui non revixit ipse. Quae, malùm, ista dimentia est; iterari vitam morte. Plin. l. 7. c. 55. , as scoffingly recorded by Pliny. What can be more express than the expression of Phocyllides 
c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. & deincepsi ? Or who would expect from Lucretius 
d Cedit enim retro de terrâ quod fui● ante In terr●m, etc. Lucrer.  a sentence of Ecclesiastes? Before Plato could speak, the soul had wings in Homer, which fell not, but flew out of the body into the mansions of the dead; who also observed that handsome distinction of Demas and Soma, for the body conjoined to the soul and body separated from it. Lucian spoke much truth in jest, when he said, that part of Hercules which proceeded from Alchmena perished, that from Jupiter remained immortal. Thus 
e Plato in Phaed.  Socrates was content that his friends should bury his body, so they would not think they buried Socrates, and regarding only his immortal part, was indifferent to be burnt or buried. From such Considerations Diogenes might contemn Sepulture. And being satisfied that the soul could not perish, grow careless of corporal enterrment. The Stoics who thought the souls of wise men had their habitation about the moon, might make slight account of subterraneous deposition; whereas the Pythagorians and transcorporating Philosophers, who were to be often buried, held great care of their enterrment. And the Platonics rejected not a due care of the grave, though they put their ashes to unreasonable expectations, in their tedious term of return and long set revolution.  
Men have lost their reason in nothing so much as their religion, wherein stones and clouts make Martyrs; and since the religion of one seems madness unto another, to afford an account or rational of old Rites, requires no rigid Reader; That they kindled the pyre aversly, or turning their face from it, was an handsome Symbol of unwilling ministration; That they washed their bones with wine and milk, that the mother wrapped them in Linen, and dried them in her bosom, the first fostering part, and place of their nourishment; That they opened their eyes towards heaven, before they kindled the fire, as the place of their hopes or original, were no improper Ceremonies. Their last valediction 
f Vale, vale, nos te ordiquo natura permittet sequemur.  thrice uttered by the attendants was also very solemn, and somewhat answered by Christians, who thought it too little, if they threw not the earth thrice upon the interred body. That in strewing their Tombs the Romans affected the Rose, the Greeks Amaranthus and myrtle; that the Funeral pyre consisted of sweet fuel, Cypress, Fir, Larix, Yew, and Trees perpetually verdant, lay silent expressions of their surviving hopes: Wherein Christians which deck their Coffins with Bays have found a more elegant Emblem. For that he seeming dead, will restore itself from the root, and its dry and exuccous leaves resume their verdure again; which if we mistake not, we have also observed in fures. Whether the planting of yew in Churchyards, hold not its original from ancient Funeral rites, or as an Emblem of Resurrection from its perpetual verdure, may also admit conjecture.  
They made use of Music to excite or quiet the affections of their friends, according to different harmonies. But the secret and symbolical hint was the harmonical nature of the soul; which delivered from the body, went again to enjoy the primitive harmony of heaven, from whence it first descended; which according to its progress traced by antiquity, came down by Cancer, and ascended by Capricornus.  
They burned not children before their teeth appeared, as apprehending their bodies too tender a morsel for fire, and that their gristly bones would scarce leave separable relics after the pyrall combustion. That they kindled not fire in their houses for some days after, was a strict memorial of the late afflicting fire. And mourning without hope, they had an happy fraud against excessive lamentation, by a common opinion that deep forrows disturbed their ghosts 
a Tu manes ne laede meos. .  
That they buried their dead on their backs, or in a supine position, seems agreeable unto profound sleep, and common posture of dying; contrary to the most natural way of birth; Nor unlike our pendulous posture, in the doubtful state of the womb. Diogenes was singular, who preferred a prone situation in the grave, and some Christians 
b Russians, etc.  like neither, who decline the figure of rest, and make choice of an erect posture.  
That they carried them out of the world with their feet forward, not inconsonant unto reason: As contrary unto the native posture of man, and his production first into it. And also agreeable unto their opinions, while they bid adieu unto the world, not to look again upon it; whereas Mahometans who think to return to a delightful life again, are carried forth with their heads forward, and looking toward their houses.  
They closed their eyes as parts which first die or first discover the sad effects of death. But their iterated clamations to excitate their dying or dead friends, or revoke them unto life again, was a vanity of affection; as not presumably ignorant of the critical tests of death, by apposition of feathers, glasses, and reflection of figures, which dead eyes represent not; which however not strictly verifiable in fresh and warm cadavers, could hardly elude the test, in corpse of four or five days.  
That they sucked in the last breath of their expiring friends, was surely a practice of no medical institution, but a loose opinion that the soul passed out that way, and a fondness of affection from some 
* Fran●●sco Perucei. Pomp funebri.  Pythagorical foundation, that the spirit of one body passed into another; which they wished might be their own.  
That they poured oil upon the pyre, was a tolerable practice, while the intention rested in facilitating the accension; But to place good Omens in the quick and speedy burning, to sacrifice unto the winds for a dispatch in this office, was a low form of superstition.  
The Archimime▪ or Jester attending the Funeral train, and imitating the speeches, gesture, and manners of the deceased, was too light for such solemnities, contradicting their Funeral Orations, and doleful rites of the grave.  
That they buried a piece of money with them as a Fee of the Elysian Ferryman, was a practice full of folly. But the ancient custom of placing coins in considerable Urns, and the present practice of burying medals in the Noble Foundations of Europe, are laudable ways of historical discoveries, in actions, persons, Chronologies; and posterity will applaud them.  
We examine not the old Laws of Sepulture, exempting certain persons from burial or burning. But hereby we apprehend that these were not the bones of persons Planetstruck or burnt with fire from Heaven: No Relics of Traitors to their Country, Self-killers, or Sacrilegious Malefactors; Persons in old apprehension unworthy of the earth; condemned unto the Tartara's of Hell, and bottomless pit of Plato, from whence there was no redemption.  
Nor were only many customs questionable in order to their Obsequies, but also sundry practices, fictions, and conceptions, discordant or obscure, of their state and future beings; whether unto eight or ten bodies of men to add one of a woman, as being more inflammable, and unctuously constituted for the better pyrall combustion, were any rational practice: Or whether the complaint of Periander's Wife be tolerable, that wanting her Funeral burning she suffered intolerable cold in Hell, according to the constitution of the infernal house of Plato, wherein cold makes a great part of their tortures; it cannot pass without some question.  
Why the Female Ghosts appear unto Ulysses, before the Heroes and masculine spirits? Why the Psyche or soul of Tiresias is of the masculine gender; who being blind on earth sees more than all the rest in hell; Why the Funeral Suppers consisted of Eggs, Beans, Smallage, and Lettuce, since the dead are made to eat Asphodels about the Elyzian meadows? Why since there is no Sacrifice acceptable, nor any propitiation for the Covenant of the grave; men set up the Deity of Morta, and fruitlessly adored Divinities without ears? it cannot escape some doubt.  
The dead seem all alive in the humane Hades of Homer, yet cannot well speak, prophesy, or know the living, except they drink blood, wherein is the life of man. And therefore the souls of Penelope's Paramours conducted by Mercury chirped like bats, and those which followed Hercules made a noise but like a flock of birds.  
The departed spirits know things past and to come, yet are ignorant of things present, Agamemnon foretells what should happen unto Ulysses, yet ignorantly inquires what is become of his own Son. The Ghosts are afraid of swords in Homer, yet Sibylla tells Aeneas in Virgil, the thin habit of spirits was beyond the force of weapons. The spirits put off their malice with their bodies, and Caesar and Pompey accord in Latin Hell, yet Ajax in Homer endures not a conference with Ulysses: And Deiphobus appears all mangled in Virgil's Ghosts, yet we meet with perfect shadows among the wounded ghosts of Homer.  
Since Charon in Lucian applauds his condition among the dead, whether it be handsomely said of Achilles, that living contemner of death, that he had rather be a Ploughman's servant than Emperor of the dead? How Hercules his soul is in hell, and yet in heaven, and Julius his soul in a Star, yet seen by Aeneas in hell, except the Ghosts were but Images and shadows of the soul, received in higher mansions, according to the ancient division of body, soul, and image or simulachrum of them both. The particulars of future beings must needs be dark unto ancient Theories, which Christian Philosophy yet determines but in a Cloud of opinions. A Dialogue between two Infants in the womb concerning the state of this world, might handsomely illustrate our ignorance of the next, whereof methinks we yet discourse in Plato's den, and are but Embryon Philosophers.  
Pythagoras' escapes in the fabulous hell of Dante 
a Del inserno. c●nt. 4. , among that swarm of Philosophers, wherein whilst we meet with Plato and Socrates, Cato is to be found in no lower place than Purgatory. Among all the set, Epicurus is most considerable, whom men make honest without an Elysium, who contemned life without encouragement of immortality, and making nothing after death, yet made nothing of the King of terrors.  
Were the happiness of the next world as closely apprehended as the felicities of this, it were a martyrdom to live; and unto such as consider none hereafter, it must be more than death to die, which makes us amazed at those audacities, that durst be nothing, and return into their Chaos again. Certainly such spirits as could contemn death, when they expected no better being after, would have scorned to live had they known any. And therefore we applaud not the judgement of Machiavelli, that Christianity makes men cowards, or that with the confidence of but half dying, the despised virtues of patience and humility, have abased the spirits of men, which Pagan principles exalted, but rather regulated the wildness of audacities, in the attempts, grounds, and eternal sequels of death; wherein men of the boldest spirits are often prodigiously temetarious. Nor can we extenuate the valour of ancient Martyrs, who contemned death in the uncomfortable scene of their lives, and in their decrepit Martyrdoms did probably lose not many months of their days, or parted with life when it was scarce worth the living. For (beside that long time past holds no consideration unto a slender time to come) they had no small disadvantage from the constitution of old age, which naturally makes men fearful; And complexionally superannuaated from the bold and courageous thoughts of youth and fervent years. But the contempt of death from corporal animosity, promoteth not our felicity. They may set in the Orchestra, and noblest Seats of Heaven, who have held up shaking hands in the fire, and humanely contended for glory.  
Mean while Epicuras lies deep in Dante's hell, wherein we meet with Tombs enclosing souls which denied their immortalities. But whether the virtuous heathen, who lived better than he spoke, or erring in the principles of himself, yet lived above Philosophers of more specious Maxims, lie so deep as he is placed; at least so low as not to rise against Christians, who believing or knowing that truth, have lastingly denied it in their practice and conversation, were a query too sad to insist on,  
But all or most apprehensions rested in Opinions of some future being, which ignorantly or coldly believed, begat those perverted conceptions, Ceremonies, Sayings, which Christians pity or laugh at. Happy are they, which live not in that disadvantage of time, when men could say little for futurity, but from reason. Whereby the noblest minds fell often upon doubtful deaths, and melancholy Dissolutions; With these hopes Socrates warmed his doubtful spirits, against that cold potion, and Cato before he durst give the fatal stroke spent part of the night in reading the immortality of Plato, thereby confirming his wavering hand unto the animosity of that attempt.  
It is the heaviest stone that melancholy can throw at a man, to tell him he is at the end of his nature; or that there is no further state to come, unto which this seems progressionall, and otherwise made in vain; Without this accomplishment the natural expectation and desire of such a state, were but a fallacy in nature, unsatisfied Considerators; would quarrel the justice of their constitutions, and rest content that Adam had fallen lower, whereby by knowing no other Original, and deeper ignorance of themselves, they might have enjoyed the happiness of inferionr Creatures; who in tranquillity possess their Constitutions, as having not the apprehension to deplore their own natures. And being framed below the circumference of these hopes, or cognition of better being, the wisdom of God hath necessitated their Contentment: But the superior ingredient and obscured part of ourselves, whereto all present felicities afford no resting contentment, will be able at last to tell us we are more than our present selves; and evacuate such hopes in the fruition of their own accomplishments.   

CHAP. V.  
NOw since these dead bones have already out-lasted the living ones of Methuselah, and in a yard under ground, and thin walls of clay, outworn all the strong and specious buildings above it; and quietly rested under the drums and tramplings of three conquests; What Prince can promise such diuturnity unto his Relics, or might not gladly say, 

* Tibullus.  Sic ego componi versus in ossa velim.   
Time which antiquates Antiquities, and hath an art to make dust of all things, hath yet spared these minor Monuments. In vain we hope to be known by open and visible conservatories, when to be unknown was the means of their continuation and obscurity their protection: If they died by violent hands, and were thrust into their Urns, these bone● become considerable, and some old Philosophers would honour 
a Oracula Chaldaica cum scholiis Pselii & ●h●●honis. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vi corpus reli●quentium animae purissimae.  them, whose souls they conceived most pure, which were thus snatched from their bodies; and to retain a stranger propension unto them: whereas they weariedly left a languishing corpse, and with faint desires of reunion. If they fell by long and aged decay, yet wrapped up in the bundle of time, they fall into indistinction, and make but one blot with Infants. If we begin to die when we live, and long life be but a prolongation of death; our life is a sad composition; We live with death, and die not in a moment. How many pulses made up the life of Methuselah, were work for Archimedes: Common Counters sum up the life of Moses his man 
b In the Psalm of Moses. . Our days become considerable like petty sums by minute accumulations; where numerous fractions make up but small round numbers; and our days of a span long make not one little finger 
c According to the ancient Arithmetic of the hand wherein the little finger of the right hand contracted, signified an hundred. Pierius in Hieroglyph. .  
If the nearness of our last necessity, brought a nearer conformity unto it, there were a happiness in hoary hairs, and no calamity in half senses. But the long habit of living indisposeth us for dying; When Avarice makes us the sport of death; When even David grew politicly cruel; and Solomon could hardly be said to be the wisest of men. But many are too early old, and before the date of age. Adversity stretcheth our days, misery makes 
* One night as long as three.  Alcmena's nights, and time hath no wings unto it. But the most tedious being is that which can unwish itself, content to be nothing, or never to have been, which was beyond the malcontent of J●b, who cursed not the day of his life, but his Nativity: Content to have so far been, as to have a Title to future being; Although he had lived here but in an hidden state of life, and as it were an abortion.  
What Song the Sirens sang, or what name Achilles assumed when he hid himself among women, though puzzling 
The puzzling questions of Tiberius unto Grammarians. Marcel. Donatus in Suet. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hom. Job.  Questions are not beyond all conjecture. What time the persons of these Ossuaries entered the famous Nations of the dead, and slept with Princes and Counselors, might admit a wide solution. But who were the proprietaries of these bones, or what bodies these ashes made up, were a question above Antiquarism. Not to be resolved by man, nor easily perhaps by spirits, except we consult the Provincial Guardians, or tutellary Observators. Had they made as good provision for their names, as they have done for their Relics, they had not so grossly erred in the art of perpetuation. But to subsist in bones, and be but Pyramidally extant, is a fallacy in duration. Vain ashes, which in the oblivion of names, persons, times, and sexes, have found unto themselves, a fruitless continuation, and only arise unto late posterity, as Emblems of mortal vanities; Antidotes against pride, vainglory, and madding vices. Pagan vainglories which thought the world might last for ever, had encouragement for ambition, and finding no Atropos unto the immortality of their Names, were never dampt with the necessity of oblivion. Even old ambitions had the advantage of ours, in the attempts of their vainglories, who acting early, and before the probable Meridian of time, have by this time found great accomplishment of their ddsignes, whereby the ancient Heroes have already out-lasted their Monuments, and Mechanical preservations. But in this latter Scene of time we cannot expect such Mummies unto our memories, when ambition may fear the Prophecy of Elias 
e That the world may last but fix thousand years. , and Charles the fifth can never hope to live within two Methusela's of Hector 
f Hector's fame lasting above two lives of Methuselah, before that famous Prince was extant. .  
And therefore restless inquietude for the diuturnity of our memories unto present considerations, seems a vanity almost out of date, and superannuated piece of folly. We cannot hope to live so long in our names, as some have done in their persons, one face of Janus holds no proportion unto the other. 'Tis too late to be ambitious. The great mutations of the world are acted, or time may be too short for our designs. To extend our memories by Monuments, whose death we daily pray for, and whose duration we cannot hope, without injury to our expectations, in the advent of the last day, were a contradiction to our beliefs. We whose generations are ordained in this setting part of time, are providentially taken off from such imaginations. bAnd eing necessitated to eye the remaining particle of futurity, are naturally constituted unto thoughts of the next world, and cannot excusably decline the consideration of that duration, which maketh Pyramids pillars of snow, and all that's past a moment.  
Circles and right lines limit and close all bodies, and the mortal rightlined circle 
g▪ The character of death. , must conclude and shut up all. There is no antidote against the Opium of time, which temporally considereth all things; Our Fathers find their graves in our short memories, and sadly tell us how we may be buried in our Survivors. Grave-stones tell truth scarce forty years 
h Old ones being taken up, and other bodies laid under them : Generations pass while some trees stand, and old Families last not three Oaks. To be read by bare Inscriptions like many in Gruter 
i Gruteri Inscriptiones Antiquae. , to hope for Eternity by Enigmatical Epithets, or first letters of our names, to be studied by Antiquaries, who we were, and have new Names given us like many of the Mummies, are cold consolations unto the Students of perpetuity, even by everlasting Languages.  
To be content that times to come should only know there was such a man, not caring whether they knew more of him, was a frigid ambition in Cardan 
k Cuperem notum esse quod sim, non opto ut sciatur qualis fim. Card. in vita propria. : disparaging his horoscopal inclination and judgement of himself, who cares to subsist like Hypocrates Patients, or Achilles' horses in Homer, under naked nominations, without deserts and noble acts, which are the balsam of our memories, the Entelechia and soul of our subsistences. To be nameless in worthy deeds exceeds an infamous history. The Canaanitish woman lives more happily without a name, than Herodias with one. And who had not rather have been the good thief, than Pilate?  
But the iniquity of oblivion blindly scattereth her poppy, and deals with the memory of men without distinction to merit of perpetuity, Who can but pity the founder of the Pyramids? Herostratus lives that burned the Temple of Diana, he is almost lost that built it; Time hath spared the Epitaph of Adrian's horse, confounded that of himself. In vain we compute our felicities by the advantage of our good names, since bad have equal durations; and Thersites is like to live as long as Agamemnon, without ●he favour of the everlasting Register: Who knows whether the best of men be known? or whether there be not more remarkable persons forgot, than any that stand remembered in the known account of time? the first man had been as unknown as the last, and Methuselahs' long life had been his only Chronicle.  
Oblivion is not to be hired: The greater part must be content to be as though they had not been, to be found in the Register of God, not in the record of man. Twenty seven Names make up the first story, and the recorded names ever since contain not one living Century. The number of the dead long exceedeth all that shall live. The night of time far surpasseth the day, and who knows when was the Aequi●ox? Every hour adds unto that current Arithmetic, which scarce stands one moment. And since death must be the Lucina of lise, and even Pagans could doubt whether thus to live, were to die. Since our longest Sun sets at right descensions, and makes but winter arches, and therefore it cannot be long before we lie down in darkness, and have our light in ashes. Since the brother of death daily haunts us with dying mementoes, and time that grows old itself, bids us hope no long duration: Diuturnity is a drean and folly of expectation.  
Darkness and light divide the course of time, and oblivion shares with memory, a great part even of our living beings; we slightly remember our felicities, and the smartest strokes of affliction leave but short smart upon us. Sense endureth no extremities, and sorrows destroy us or themselves. To weep into stones are fables. Afflictions induce callosities, miseries are slippery, or fall like snow upon us, which notwithstanding is no unhappy stupidity. To be ignorant of evils to come, and forgetful of evils past, is a merciful provision in nature, whereby we digest the mixture of our few and evil days, and our delivered senses not relapsing into cutting remembrances, our sorrows are not kept raw by the edge of repetitions. A great part of Antiquity contented their hopes of subsistency with a transmigration of their souls. A good way to continue their memories, while having the advantage of plural successions, they could not but act something remarkable in such variety of beings, and enjoying the fame of their passed selves, make accumulation of glory unto their last durations. Others rather then be lost in the uncomfortable night of nothing, were content to recede into the common being, and make one particle of the public soul of all things, which was no more than to return into their unknown and divine Original again. Egyptian ingenuity was more unsatisfied, contriving their bodies in sweet consistences, to attend the return of their souls. But all was vanity, feeding 
* Omnia vanitas & pastio venti, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ut olim Aquila & Symmachus. V. Drus. Eccles.  the wind, and folly. The Egyptian Mummies, which Cambyses or time hath spared, avarice now consumeth. Mummy is become Merchandise, Mizraim cures wounds, and Pharaoh is sold for balsams.  
In vain do individuals hope for Immortality, or any patent from oblivion, in preservations below the Moon: Men have been deceived even in their flatteries above the Sun, and studied conceits to perpetuate their names in heaven. The various Cosmography of that part hath already varied the names of contrived constellations; Nimrod is lost in Orion, and Osiris in the Dogge-starre. While we look for incorruption in the heavens, we find they are but like the Earth; Durable in their main bodies, alterable in their parts: whereof beside Comets and new Stars, perspectives begin to tell tales. And the spots that wander about the Sun, with Phaeton's favour, would make clear conviction.  
There is nothing strictly immortal, but immortality; whatever hath no beginning may be confident of no end. All others have a dependent being, and within the reach of destruction, which is the peculiar of that necessary essence that cannot destroy itself; And the highest strain of omnipotency to be so powerfully constituted, as not to suffer even from the power of itself. But the sufficiency of Christian Immortality frustrates all earthly glory, and the quality of either state after death, makes a folly of posthumous memory. God who can only destroy our souls, and hath assured our resurrection, either of our bodies or names hath directly promised no duration. Wherein there is so much of chance that the boldest Expectants have found unhappy frustration; and to hold long subsistence, seems but a escape in oblivion. But man is a Noble Animal, splendid in ashes, and pompous in the grave, solemnising Nativities and Deaths with equal lustre, nor omitting Ceremonies of bravery, in the infamy of his nature.  
Life is a pure flame, and we live by an invisible Sun within us. A small fire sufficeth for life, great flames seemed too little after death, while men vainly affected precious pyres, and to burn like Sardanapalus, but the wisdom of funeral Laws found the folly of prodigal blazes, and reduced undoing fires, unto the rule of sober obsequies, wherein few could be so mean as not to provide wood, pitch, a mourner, and an Urn.  
Five Languages secured not the Epitaph of Gordianus; The man of God lives longer without a Tomb then any by one, invisibly interred by Angels, and adjudged to obscurity, though not without some marks directing humane discovery. Enoch and Elias without either tomb or burial, in an anomalous state of being, are the great Examples of perpetuity, in their long and living memory, in strict account being still on this side death, and having a late part yet to act upon this stay of earth. If in the decretory term of the world we shall not all die but be changed, according to received translation; the last day will make but few graves; at least quick Resurrections will anticipate lasting Sepultures; Some Graves will be opened before they be quite closed, and Lazarus be no wonder. When many that feared to die shall groan that they can die but once, the dismal state is the second and living death, when life puts despair on the damned; when men shall wish the cover of Mountains, not of Monuments, and annihilation shall be courted.  
While some have studied Monuments, others have studiously declined them: and some have been so vainly boisterous, that they durst not acknowledge their Graves; wherein 
Jornandes de rebus Geticis.  Alaricus seems most subtle, who had a River turned to hide his bones at the bottom. Even Sylla that thought himself safe in his Urn, could not prevent revenging tongues, and stones thrown at his Monument. Happy are they whom privacy makes innocent, who deal so with men in this world, that they are not afraid to meet them in the next, who when they die, make no commotion among the dead, and are not touched with that poetical taunt of Isaiah 
c Isa. 14. .  
Pyramids, Arches, Obelisks, were but the irregularities of vainglory, and wild enormities of ancient magnanimity. But the most magnanimous resolution rests in the Christian Religion, which trampleth upon pride, and sets on the neck of ambition, humbly pursuing that infallible perpetuity, unto which all others must diminish their diameters, and be poorly seen in Angles of contingency 
d Angulus contingentiae, the least of Angles. .  
Pious spirits who passed their days in raptures of futurity, made little more of this world, than the world that was before it, while they lay obscure in the Chaos of pre-ordination, and night of their fore-beings. And if any have been so happy as truly to understand Christian annihilation, extasis, exolution, liquefaction, transformation, the kiss of the Spouse, gustation of God, and ingression into the divine shadow, they have already had an handsome anticipation of heaven; the glory of the world is surely over, and the earth in ashes unto them.  
To subsist in lasting Monuments, to live in their productions, to exist in their names, and predicament of Chimaeras, was large satisfaction unto old expectations, and made one part of their Elyziums. But all this is nothing in the Metaphysics of true belief. To live indeed is to be again ourselves, which being not only an hope but an evidence in noble believers; 'Tis all one to lie in St Innocents' 
e In Paris where bodies soon consume.  Churchyard, as in the Sands of Egypt: Ready to be any thing, in the ecstasy of being ever, and as content with six foot as the Moles of Adrianus 
f A stately Mausoleum or sepulchral pile built by Adrianus in Rome, where now standeth the Castle of St Angelo .  Lucan 
— Tabesne cadaverasolvats  
An rogus haud refert.—    


Quid Quin cunce speciosius, qui, in quam cungz partem spectaveris, rectus est. Quintilian:    

THE GARDEN OF CYRUS. OR, The quincuncial, Lozenge, or Network Plantations of the Ancients, Artificially Naturally, Mystically Considered.  
BY Thomas Brown D. of Physic  
Printed in the Year, 1658.   

The Garden of Cyrus. OR, The quincuncial, Lozenge, or Network Plantations of the Ancients, Artificially, Naturally, Mystically considered.  

CHAPTER I.  
THat Vulcan gave arrows unto Apollo and Diana the fourth day after their Nativities, according to Gentile Theology, may pass for no blind apprehension of the Creation of the Sun and Moon, in the work of the fourth day; When the diffused light contracted into Orbs, and shooting rays, of those Luminaries. Plainer Descriptions there are from Pagan pens, of the creatures of the fourth day; While the 
a Plato in Timaeo.  divine Philosopher unhappily omitteth the noblest part of the third; And Ovid (whom many conceive to have borrowed his description from Moses) coldly deserting the remarkable account of the text, in three words 
b frond legisilvas. , describeth this work of the third day; the vegetable creation, and first ornamental Scene of nature; the primitive food of animals, and first story of Physic, in Dietetical conservation.  
For though Physic may plead high, from that medical act of God, in casting so deep a sleep upon our first Parent; And Chirurgery 
c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, in opening the flesh. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, in taking out the rib. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in closing up the part again.  find its whole art, in that one passage concerning the Rib of Adam, yet is there no rivality with Garden contrivance and Herbery. For if Paradise were planted the third day of the Creation, as wiser Divinity concludeth, the Nativity thereof was too early for Horoscopie; Gardens were before gardiner's, and but some hours after the earth.  
Of deeper doubt is its Topography, and local designation, yet being the primitive garden, and without much 
d For some there is from the ambiguity of the word Mikedem, whether ab orieute or a principio.  controversy seated in the East; it is more than probable the first curiosity, and cultivation of plants, most flourished in those quarters. And since the Ark of Noah first touched upon some mountains of Armenia, the planting art arose again in the East, and found its revolution not far from the place of its Nativity, about the Plains of those Regions. And if Zoroaster were either Cham, Chus, or Mizraim, they were early proficients therein, who left (as Pliny delivereth) a work of Agriculture.  
However the account of the Pencil or hanging gardens if Babylon, if made by Semiramis, the third or fourth from Nimrod, is of no slender antiquity; which being not framed upon ordinary level of ground, but raised upon pillars, admitting under-passages, we cannot accept as the first Babylonian Gardens; But a more eminent progress and advancement in that art, than any that went before it: Somewhat answering or hinting the old Opinion concerning Paradise itself, with many conceptions elevated, above the plane of the Earth.  
Nebuchodonosor whom some will have to be the famous Syrian King of Diodorus, beautifully repaired that City; and so magnificently built his 
a Josephus.  hanging gardens; that from succeeding Writers he had the honour of the first. From whence overlooking Babylon, and all the Region about it, he found no circumscription to the eye of his ambition, till over-delighted with the bravery of this Paradise; in his melancholy metamorphosis, he found the folly of that delight, and a proper punishment, in the contrary habitation, in wild plantations and wander of the fields.  
The Persian Gallants who destroyed this Monarchy, maintained their Botanicall bravery. Unto whom we owe the very name of Paradise: wherewith we meet not in Scripture before the time of Solomon, and conceived originally Persian. The word for that disputed Garden, expressing in the Hebrew no more than a Field enclosed, which from the same Root is content to derive a garden and a Buckler.  
Cyrus' the elder brought up in Woods and Mountains, when time and power enabled, pursued the dictate of his education, and brought the treasures of the field into rule and circum-scription. So nobly beautifying the hanging Gardens of Babylon, that he was also thought to be the author thereof.  
Ahasuerus (whom many conceive to have been Artaxerxes Longimanus) in the 
b Sushan in Susiana.  Country and City of Flowers, and in an open Garden, entertained his Princes and people, while Vasthi more modestly treated the Ladies within the Palace thereof.  
But if (as some opinion) King Ahasuerus were Artaxerxes Mnemon, that found 
Plutarch in the life of Artaxerxes.  a life and reign answerable unto his great memory, out magnified Cyrus was his second Brother: who gave the occasion of that memorable work, and almost miraculous retreat of Xenophon. A person of high spirit and honour, naturally a King, though fatally prevented by the harmless chance of post-geniture: Not only a Lord of Gardens, but a manual planter thereof: disposing his trees like his armies in regular ordination. So that while old Laertas hath found a name in Homer for pruning hedges, and clearing away thorns and briars; while King Attalus lives for his poisonous plantations of Aconites, Henbane, Hellebore, and plants hardly admitted within the walls of Paradise; While many of the Ancients do poorly live in the single names of Vegetables; All stories do look upon Cyrus, as the splendid and regular planter.  
According whereto Xenophon describeth his gallant plantation at Sardis, 
Xenophon in Oeconomico.  thus rendered by Strebaeus. 
e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  Arbores pari intervallo sitas, ●ectos ordines, & omnia perpulchrè in Quincuncem directa. Which we shall take for granted as being accordingly rendered by the most elegant of the 
f Cicero jam Cat. Major.  Latins; and by no made term, but in use before by Varro. That is the rows and orders so handsomely disposed; or five trees so set together, that a regular angularity, and through prospect, was left on every side, Owing this name not only unto the Quintuple number of Trees, but the figure declaring that number. which being doubted at the angle, makes up the Letter χ, that is the Emphatical decussation, or fundamental figure.  
Now though in some ancient and modern practice the area or decussated plot, might be a perfect square, answerable to a Tuscan Pedestal, and the Quinquernio or Cinque-point of a die; wherein by diagonal lines the intersection was regular; accomodable unto Plantations of large growing Trees; and we must not deny ourselves the advantage of this order; yet shall we chiefly insist upon that of 
g Benedict Curtius de Hortis. Bapt. porta in villa.  Curtius and Porta, in their brief description hereof. Wherein the decussis is made within a longilaterall square, with opposite angles, acute and obtuse at the intersection; and so upon progression making a Rhombus or Lozenge figuration, which seemeth very agreeable unto the Original figure; Answerable whereunto we observe the decussated characters in many consulary Coins, and even in those of Constantine and his Sons, which pretend their pattern in the Sky; the crucigerous Ensign carried this figure, not transverly or rectangularly intersected, but in a decussation, after the form, of an Andrean or Burgundian cross, which answereth this description.  
Where by the way we shall decline the old Theme, so traced by antiquity of crosses and crucifixion: Whereof some being right, and of one single piece without traversion or transome, do little advantage our subject. Nor shall we take in the mystical Tau, or the Cross of our blessed Saviour, which having in some descriptions an Empedon or crossing foot-stay, made not one single transversion. And since the Learned Lipsius hath made some doubt even of the Cross of St Andrew, since some Martyrologicall Histories deliver his death by the general Name of a cross, and Hippolytus will have him suffer by the sword; we should have enough to make out the received Cross of that Martyr. Nor shall we urge the labarum, and famous Standard of Constantine, or make further use thereof, then as the first Letters in the Name of our Saviour Christ, in use among Christians, before the days of Constantine, to be observed in 
a Of Marius, Alexander, Roma Sotterranea.  Sepulchral Monuments of Martyrs, in the Reign of Adrian, and Antoninus; and to be found in the Antiquities of the Gentiles, before the advent of Christ, as in the Medal of King Ptolemy, signed with the same characters, and might be the beginning of some word or name, which Antiquaries have not hit on.  
We will not revive the mysterious crosses of Egypt, with circles on their heads, in the breast of Serapis, and the hands of their Genial spirits, not unlike the character of Venus, and looked on by ancient Christians, with relation unto Christ. Since however they first began, the Egyptians thereby expressed the process and motion of the spirit of the world, and the diffusion thereof upon the Celestial and Elemental nature; employed by a circle and rightlined intersection. A secret in their Telesmes and magical Characters among them. Though he that considereth the 
b Wherein the lower part is somewhat longer, as defined by Vpton de study militari, and Johannes de Bado-Aureo, cum comment. clariss. & doctiss. Bissaei.  plain cross upon the head of the Owl in the Lateran Obelisk, or the 
c Casal. dé Ritihus. Bosio nellà Trionfant● croce.  cross erected upon a pitcher diffusing streams of water into two basins, with sprinkling branches in them, and all described upon a twofooted Altar, as in the Hieroglyphics of the brazen Table of Bembus; will hardly decline all thought of Christian signality in them.  
We shall not call in the Hebrew Tenapha, or ceremony of their Oblations, waved by the Priest unto the four quarters of the world, after the form of a cross; as in the peace-offerings. And if it were clearly made out what is remarkably delivered from the Traditions of the Rabbins, that as the Oil was poured coronally or circularlly upon the head of Kings, so the Highpriest was anointed decussatively or in the form of a X; though it could not escape a typical thought of Christ, from mystical considerators; yet being the conceit is Hebrew, we should rather expect its verification from Analogy in that language, then to confine the same unto the unconcerned Letters of Greece, or make it out by the characters of Cadmus or Palamedes.  
Of this quincuncial Ordination the Ancients practised much discoursed little; and the Moderns have nothing enlarged; which he that more nearly considereth, in the form of its square Rhombus, and decussation, with the several commodities, mysteries, parallelismes, and resemblances, both in Art and Nature, shall easily discern the elegancy of this order.  
That this was in some ways of practice in divers and distant Nations, hints or deliveries there are from no slender Antiquity. In the hanging Gardens of Babylon, from Abydenus, Eusebius, and others, 
d Decussatio ipsa jucundum ac peram●num conspectum praebuit. Cart. Hortar. l. 6.  Curtius describeth this Rule of decussation. In the memorable Garden of Alcinous anciently conceived an original fancy, from Paradise, mention there is of well contrived order; For so hath Didymus and Eustachius expounded the emphatical word. Diomedes describing the Rural possessions of his father, giveth account in the same Language of Trees orderly planted. And Ulysses being a boy was promised by his Father forty Figge-trees, and fifty 
e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Phavorinus Philoxenus  rows of Vines producing all kind of grapes.  
That the Eastern Inhabitants of India, made use of such order, even in open Plantations, is deducible from Theophrastus; who descrribing the trees whereof they made their garments, plainly delivereth that they were planted 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in such order that at a distance men would mistake them for Vineyards. The same seems confirmed in Creece from a singular expression in 
f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Polit. 7.  Aristotle concerning the order of Vines, delivered by a military term representing the orders of Soldiers, which also confirmeth the antiquity of this form yet used in vineall plantations.  
That the same was used in Latin plantations is plainly confirmed from the commending pen of Varro, Quintilian, and handsome Description of 
g Indulge ordinibus, nec secius omnis in u●guem Arbo●ibus positis, secto via limit quadret. Georg. 2.  Virgil.  
That the first Plantations not long after the Flood were disposed after this manner, the generality and antiquity of this order observed in Vineyards, and Wine plantations, affordeth some conjecture. And since from judicious enquiry, Saturn who divided the world between his three stones, who beareth a Sickle in his hand, who taught the plantations of Vines, the setting, grafting of trees, and the best part of Agriculture, is discovered to be Noah, whether this early dispersed Husbandry in Vineyards, had not its Original in that Patriarch, is no such Paralogicall doubt.  
And if it were clear that this was used by Noah after the Flood, I could easily believe it was in use before it; Not willing to fix such ancient inventions no higher original than Noah; Nor readily conceiving those aged Heroes, whose diet was vegetable, and only, or chiefly consisted in the fruits of the earth, were much deficient in their splendid cultivations; or after the experience of fifteen hundred years, left much for future discovery in Botanicall Agriculture. Nor fully persuaded that Wine was the invention of Noah, that fermented Liquors, which often make themselves, so long escaped their Luxury or experience; that the first sin of the new world was no sin of the old. That Cain and Abel were the first that offered Sacrifice; or because the Scripture is silent that Adam or Isaac offered none at all.  
Whether Abraham brought up in the first planting Country, observed not some rule hereof, when he planted a grove at Beer-sheba; or whether at least a like ordination were not in the Garden of Solomon, probability may contest. Answerably unto the wisdom of that eminent Botanologer, and orderly disposer of all his other works. Especially since this was one piece of Gallantry, wherein he pursued the specious part of felicity, according to his own description. I made me Gardens and Orchards, and planted Trees in them of all kinds of fruit. I made me Pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth 
Eccless. 2.  forth Trees, which was no ordinary plantation, if according to the Targum, or Chaldee Paraphrase, it contained all kinds of Plants, and some fetched as far as India; And the extent thereof were from the wall of Jerusalem unto the water of Siloah.  
And if Jordan were but Jaar Eden, that is, the River of Eden, Genesar but Gansar or the Prince of Gardens; and it could be made out, that the Plain of Jordan were watered not comparatively, but causally, and because it was the Paradise of God, as the Learned 
a Vet. Testaments Pharus.  Abramas hinteth, he was not far from the Prototype and original of Plantations. And since even in Paradise itself, the tree of knowledge was placed in the middle of the Garden, whatever was the ambient figure, there wanted not a centre and rule of decussation. Whether the groves and sacred Plantations of Antiquity, were not thus orderly placed, either by quaternios, or quintuple ordinations, may favourably be doubted. For since they were so methodical in the constitutions of their temples, as to observe the due situation, aspect, manner, form, and order in architectonical relations, whether they were not as distinct in their groves and Plantations about them, in form and species respectively unto their Deities, is not without probability of conjecture. And in their groves of the Sun this was a fit number, by multiplication to denote the days of the year; and might Hieroglyphically speak as much, as the mystical Statue of 
d Which King Numa set up with his fingers so disposed that they numerically denoted 365 Pliny.  Janus in the Language of his fingers. And since they were so critical in the number of his horses, the strings of his Harp, and rays about his head, denoting the orbs of heaven, the Seasons and Months of the Year; witty Idolatry would hardly be flat in other appropriations.   

CHAP. II.  
NOt was this only a form of practice in Plantations, but found imitation from high Antiquity. in sundry artificial contrivances and manual operations. For to omit the position of squared stones, cuneatim or wedgwise in the Walls of Roman and Gothick buildings; and the lithostrata or figured pavements of the ancients, which consisted not all of square stones, but were divided into triquetrous segments, honey-combs, and sexangular figures, according to Vitruvius; The squared stones and bricks in ancient fabrics, were placed after this order. And two above or below conjoined by a middle stone or Plinthus, observable in the ruins of Forum Nervae, the Mausoleum of Augustus, the Pyramid of Cestius, and the sculpture draughts of the larger Pyramids of Egypt. And therefore in the draughts of eminent fabrics, Painters do commonly imitate this order in the lines of their description.  
In the Laureate draughts of sculpture and picture, the leaves and foliate works are commonly thus contrived, which is but in imitation of the Pulvinaria, and ancient pillow-work, observable in jonick pieces, about columns, temples and altars. To omit many other analogies, in architectonical draughts, which art itself is founded upon 
b Of a structure five parts, Fundamentmm, parieses, Aperturae, Comp●rtitio, tectum, Leo. Alberti. Five Columes, Tuscan, Doric, jonick, Corinthian, Compound. Five different intercolumniations, Pycnostylos, dystylos, Systylos, Ar●ostylos, Eustylos. vitru.  five, as having its subject, and most graceful pieces divided by this number.  
The Triumphal Oval, and Civicall Crowns of Laurel, Oak, and Myrtle, when fully made, were pleated after this order. And to omit the crossed Crowns of Christian Princes; what figure that was which Anastatius described upon the head of Leo the third; or who first brought in the Arched Crown; That of Charles the great, (which seems the first remarkably closed Crown,) was framed after this 
c Vti constat ex pergamena apud Chifflet; in in B. R. Bruxelli, & Icon. f. Stradae.  manner; with an intersection in the middle from the main crossing bars, and the interspaces, unto the frontal circle, continued by handsome network-plates, much after this order. Whereon we shall not insist, because from greater Antiquity, and practice of consecration, we meet with the radiated, and starry Crown, upon the head of Augustus, and many succeeding Emperors. Since the Armenians and Parthians had a peculiar royal Capp; And the Grecians from Alexander another kind of diadem. And even Diadems themselves were but fasciations, and handsome ligatures, about the heads of Princes; nor wholly omitted in the mitrall Crown, which common picture seems to set too upright and forward upon the head of Aaron: Worn sometimes singly, or doubly by Princes, according 
Macc. 1. 11. De armis Scaccatis, masculatis, invectis fuselatis vide Spelm. Aspilog. & Vpton. cum ●rudid. Bissaeo.  to their Kingdoms; and no more to be expected from two Crowns at once, upon the head of Ptlomy. And so easily made out when historians tell us, some bound up wounds, some hanged themselves with diadems.  
The beds of the ancients were corded somewhat after this fashion: That is not directly, as ours at present, but obliquely, from side to side, and after the manner of network; whereby they strengthened the spondae or bedsides, and spent less cord in the work: as is demonstrated by 
e Aristot. Mechan. Quast.  Blancanus.  
And as they lay in crossed beds, so they sat upon seeming cross-legged seats: in which form the noblest thereof were framed: Observable in the triumphal seats, the sella curulis, or Aedyle Chairs, in the coins of Cestuis, Sylla, and Julius. That they sat also cross legged many noble draughts declare; and in this figure the sitting gods and goddesses are drawn in medals and medallions. And beside this kind of work in Retiarie and hanging textures, in embroideries, and eminent needle-works; the like is obvious unto every eve in glass-windows. Nor only in Glassy contrivances, but also in Lattice and Stonework, conceived in the Temple of Solomon; wherein the windows are termed fenestrae reticulatae, or lights framed like nets. And agreeable 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  unto the Greek expression concerning Christ in the 
m Cant. 2.  Canticles, looking through the nets, which ours hath rendered, he looketh forth at the windows, showing himself through the lattesse; that is, partly seen and unseen, according to the vifible and invisible side of his nature. To omit the noble reticulate work, in the chapters of the pillars of Solomon, with Lilies, and Pomegranates upon a network ground; and the Craticula or grate through which the ashes fell in the altar of burnt offerings.  
That the networks and nets of antiquity were little different in the form from ours at present, is confirmable from the nets in the hands of the Retiarie gladiators, the proper combatants with the secutores. To omit the ancient Conopeion or gnatnet, of the Egyptians, the inventors of that Artifice: the rushey labyrinths of Theocritus; the nosegaynets, which hung from the head under the nostrils of Princes; and that uneasy metaphor of Reticulum Jecoris, which some expound the lobe, we the call above the liver. As for that famous network of Vulcan, which enclosed Mars and Venus, and caused that unextinguishable laugh 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Hom.  in heaven; since the gods themselves could not discern it, we shall not pry into it; Although why Vulcan bound them, Neptune loosed them, and Apollo should first discover them, might afford no vulgar mythology. Heralds have not omitted this order or imitation thereof, whiles they symbolically adorn their Scuchions with Mascles Fusils and Saltyrs, and while they disposed the figures of Ermines, and vaired coats in this Quincuncial method.  
The same is not forgot by Lapidaries while they cut their gems pyramidally, or by aequicrural triangles. Perspective pictures, in their Base, Horizon, and lines of distances, cannot escape these Rhomboidall decussations. Sculptors in their strongest shadows, after this order do draw their double Haches. And the very Americans do naturally fall upon it, in their neat and curious textures, which is also observed in the elegant artifices of Europe. But this is no law unto the woof of the neat Retiarie Spider, which seems to wove without transversion, and by the union of right lines to make out a continued surface, which is beyond the common art of Textury, and may still nettle Minerva the Goddess 
As in the contention between Minerva and Arachne.  of that mystery. And he that shall hatch the little seeds, either found in small webs, or white round Eggs, carried under the bellies of some Spiders, and behold how at their first production in boxes, they will presently fill the same with their webs, may observe the early, and untaught finger of nature, and how they are natively provided with a stock, sufficient for such Texture.  
The Rural charm against Dodder, Tetter, and strangling weeds, was contrived after this order, while they placed a chalked Tile at the four corners, and one in the middle of their fields, which though ridiculous in the intention, was rational in the contrivance, and a good way to diffuse the magic through all parts of the Area.  
Somewhat after this manner they ordered the little stones in the old game of Pentalithismus, or casting up five stones to catch them on the back of their hand. And with some resemblance hereof, the Proci or Prodigal Paramours disposed their men, when they played at 
b In Eustachius.  Penelope. For being themselves an hundred and eight, they set fifty four stones on either side, and one in the middle, which they called Penelope, which he that hit was master of the game.  
In Chesse-boards and Tables we yet find Pyramids and Squares, I wish we had their true and ancient description, far different from ours, or the Chet mat of the Persians, and might continue some elegant remarkables, as being an invention as High as Hermes the Secretary of Osiris, figuring the whole world, the motion 
Plato.  of the Planets, with Eclipses of Sun and Moon.  
Physicians are not without the use of this decussation in several operations, in ligatures and union of dissolved continuities. Mechanics make use hereof in forcipall Organs, and Instruments of Incision; wherein who can but magnify the power of decussation, inservient to contrary ends, solution and consolidation, union, and division, illustrable from Aristotle in the old Nucifragium or Nutcracker, and the Instruments of Euulsion, compression or incision; which consisting of two Vectes or arms, converted towards each other, the innitency and stress being made upon the hypomochlion or fulciment in the decussation, the greater compression is made by the union of two impulsors.  
The Rhombus or Lozenge figure so visible in this order, was also a remarkable form of battle in the Grecian 
e Aelian, Tact.  Cavalry, observed by the Thessalians, and Philip King of Macedon, and frequently by the Parthians, As being most ready to turn every way, and best to be commanded, as having its ductors, or Commanders at each Angle.  
The Macedonian Phalanx (a long time thought invincible) consisted of a long square. For though they might be sixteen in Rank and file, yet when they shut close, so that the fixed pike advanced before the first, though the number might be square, the figure was oblong, answerable unto the quincuncial quadrate of Curtius. According to this square Thucydides delivers, the Athenians disposed their battle against the Lacedæmonians 
f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  brick wise, and by the same word t●e Learned Guellius expoundeth the quadrate of 
g Secto via limi●e quadret. Comment. in Virgil.  Virgil, after the form of a brick or tile.  
And as the first station and position of trees, so was the first habitation of men, not in round Cities, as of later foundation; For the form of Babylon the first City was square, and so shall also be the last, according to the description of the holy City in the Apocalypse. The famons pillars of Seth before the flood, had also the like foundation, if they were but Antidiluvian Obelisks, and such as Cham and his Egyptian race, imitated after the Flood.  
But Nineveh which Authors acknowledge to have exceeded Babylon, was of a 
h D●●d. Sic.  longilaterall figure, ninety five Furlongs broad, and an hundred and fifty long, and so making about sixty miles in circuit, which is the measure of three day's journey, according unto military marches, or castrensiall mansions. So that if Ionas entered at the narrower side, he found enough for one days walk to attain the heart of the City, to make his Proclamation. And if we imagine a City extending from Ware to London, the expression will be moderate of six score thousand Infants, although we allow vacuities, fields, and intervals of habitation, as there needs must be when the monument of Ninus took up no less than ten furlongs.  
And, though none of the seven wonders, yet a noble piece of Autiquity, and made by a Copy exceeding all the rest, had its principal parts disposed after this manner, that is, the Labyrinth of Crete, built upon a long quadrate, containing five large squares, communicating by right inflections, terminating in the centre of the middle square, and lodging of the Minotaur, if we conform unto the description of the elegant medal thereof in 
i Antonio Agostino d●lle n edaglie.  Agostino. And though in many accounts we reckon grossly by the square, yet is that very often to be accepted as a longsided quadrate, which was the figure of the Ark of the Covenant, the table of the Shewbread, and the stone wherein the names of the twelve Tribes were engraved, that is, three in a row, naturally making a longilaterall Figure, the perfect quadrate being made by nine.  
What figure the stones themselves maintained, tradition and Scripture are silent, yet Lapidaries in precious stones affect a Table or long square, and in such proportion, that the two lateral, and also the three inferior Tables are equal unto the superior, and the angles of the lateral Tables, contain and constitute the hypothenusae, or broader sides subtending.  
That the Tables of the Law were of this figure, general imitation and tradition hath confirmed; yet are we unwilling to load the shoulders of Moses with such massy stones, as some pictures lay upon them, since 'tis plainly delivered that he came down with them in his hand; since the word strictly taken implies no such massy hewing, but cutting, and fashioning of them into shape and furface; since some will have them Emeralds, and if they were made of the materials of Mount Sina, not improbable that they were marble: Since the words were not many, the letters short of five hundred, and the Tables written on both sides required no such capacity.  
The beds of the Ancients were different from ours at present, which are almost square, being framed ob-long, and about a double unto their breadth; not much unlike the area, or bed of this Quincuncial quadrate. The single beds of Greece were 
a Aristot. Mechan.  six foot, and a little more in length, three in breadth; the Giantlike bed of Og, which had four cubits of breadth, nine and a half in length, varied not much from this proportion. The Funeral bed of King Cheops, in the greater Pyramid, which holds seven in length, and four foot in breadth, had no great difformity from this measure; And whatsoever were the breadth, the length could hardly be less, of the tyrannical bed of Procrustes, since in a shorter measure he had not been fitted with persons for his cruelty of extension. But the old sepulchral bed, or Amazonian 
k Plut. in vit. Thes.  Tomb in the marketplace of Megara, was in the form of a Lozenge; readily made out by the composure of the body. For the arms not lying sasciated or wrapped up after the Grecian manner, but in a middle distension, the including lines will strictly make out that figure,   

CHAP. III.  
NOw although this elegant ordination of vegetables, hath found coincidence or imitation in sundry works of Art, yet is it not also destitute of natural examples, and though overlooked by all, was elegantly observable, in several works of nature.  
Could we satisfy ourselves in the position of the lights above, or discover the wisdom of that order so invariably maintained in the fixed Stars of heaven; Could we have any light, why the stellary part of the first mass, separated into this order, that the Girdle of Orion should ever maintain its line, and the two Stars in Charles' Wain never leave pointing at the Polestar, we might abate the Pythagorical Music of the Spheres, the sevenfold Pipe of Pan; and the strange Cryptography of gaffarel in his Starry Book of Heaven.  
But not to look so high as Heaven or the single Quincunx of the Hyadeses upon the neck of Taurus, the Triangle, and remarkable Crusero about the foot of the Centaur; observable rudiments there are hereof in subterraneous concretions, and bodies in the Earth; in the Gypsum or Taleum Rhomboides, in the Favaginites or honey-comb-stone, in the Asteria and Astroites, and in the crucigerous stone of S. jago of Gallicia.  
The same is observably effected in the Julus, Cutkins, or pendulous excrescencies of several Trees, of walnuts, Alders, and Hazels, which hanging all the Winter, and maintaining 
Capitula squammata Quercum Bauhini, whereof though he saith pe●●aro reperiuntur his tantum invenimus▪ yet we find them commonly with us and in great numbers.  their Network close, by the expansion thereof are the early foretellers of the Spring, discoverable also in long Pepper, and elegantly in the Julus of Calamus Aromaticus, so plentifully growing with us in the first palms of Willows, and in the Flowers of Sycamore, Petasites, Asphodelus, and Blattaria, before explication. After such order stand the flowery Branches in our best spread Verbascum, and the seeds about the spicous head or torch of Tapsas Barbatus, in as fair a regularity as the circular and wreathed order will admit, which advanceth one side of the square, and makes the same Rhomboidall.  
In the squamous heads of Scabious, Knapweed, and the elegant Jacea Pinea, and in the Scaly composure of the Oak-Rose, which some years most aboundeth. After this order hath Nature planted the Leaves in the Head of the common and prickled Artichoak; wherein the black and shining Flies do shelter themselves, when they retire from the purple Flower about it; The same is also found in the pricks, sockets, and impressions of the seeds, in the pulp or bottom thereof; wherein do elegantly stick the Fathers of their Mother. To omit the quincuncial Specks on the top of the Miscle-berry, especially that which 
Anthe. Grae inter Epigraminata 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  grows upon the Tilia or Lime-Tree. And the remarkable disposure of those yellow fringes about the purple Pestle of Aaron, and elegant clusters of Dragons, so peculiarly secured by nature, with an ●mbrella or skreening Leaf about them.  
The Spongy leaves of some Sea-wracks, Fucus, Oaks, in their several 
Especially the ports cervinus Impera●i, Sporosa, or Alga 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  kinds, found about the Shoar, with ejectments of the Sea, are overwrought with Network elegantly containing this order, which plainly declareth the naturality of this texture; And how the needle of nature delighteth to work, even in low and doubtful vegetations.  
The Arbustetum or Thicket on the head of the Tearell, may be observed in this order: And he that considereth that fabric so regularly palisadoed, and stemmed with flowers of the royal colour; in the house of the solitary maggot, may find the Seraglio of Solomon. And contemplating the calicular shafts, and uncous disposure of their extremities, so accommodable unto the office of abstersion, not condemn as wholly improbable the conceit of those who accept it, for the herb 
d jer. 2, 22.  Borith. Where by the way, we could with much inquiry never discover any transfiguration, in this abstemious insect, although we have kept them long in their proper houses, and boxes. Where some wrapped up in their webs, have lived upon their own bowels, from September unto July.  
In such a grove do walk the little creepers about the head of the burr. And such an order is observed in the aculeous prickly plantation, upon the heads of several common thistles, remarkably in the notable palisadoes about the flower of the milk-Thistle; and he that inquireth into the little bottom of the globe-thistle, may find that gallant bush arise from a scalp of like disposure.  
The white umbrella or medical bush of Elder, is an Epitome of this order: arising from five main stems Quincuncially disposed, and tolerably maintained in their subdivisions. To omit the lower observations in the seminal spike of Mercury wield, and Plantain.  
Thus hath nature ranged the flowers of Santfoyne, and French honey suckle; and somewhat after this manner hath ordered the bush in Jupiter's beard, or houseleek; which old superstition set on the tops of houses, as a defensative against lightning, and thunder. The like in Fenny Seagreen or the water 
e Strutiotes.  Soldier; which, though a military name from Greece, makes out the Roman order.  
A like ordination there is in the favaginous Sockets, and Lozenge seeds of the noble flower of the Sun. Wherein in Lozenge figured boxes nature shuts up the seeds, and balsam which is about them,  
But the Fir and Pinetree from their fruits do naturally dictate this position. The Rhomboidall protuberances in Pineapples maintaining this Quinouncial order unto each other, and each Rhombus in itself. Thus are also disposed the triangular foliations, in the conical fruit of the fir tree, orderly shadowing and protecting the winged seeds below them.  
The like so often occurreth to the curiosity of observers, especially in spicated seeds and flowers, that we shall not need to take in the single Quincunx of Fuchsius in the growth of the masle fear●, the seedy disposure of Gramen Ischemon, and the trunk or neat Reticulate work in the cod of the Satchel palm.  
For even in very many round stalk plants, the leaves are set after a Quintuple ordination, the first leaf answering the fifth, in lateral disposition. Wherein the leaves successively rounding the stalk, in four at the furthest the compass is absolved, and the fifth leaf or sprout, returns to the position of the other fifth before it; as in accounting upward is often observable in in fur pellitorye, Ragweed, the sprouts of Oaks, and thorns upon pollards, and very remarkably in the regular disposure of the rugged excrescencies in the yearly shoots of the Pine.  
But in square stalked plants, the leaves stand respectively unto each other, either in cross or decussation to those above or below them, arising at cross positions; whereby they shadow not each other, and better resist the force of winds, which in a parallel situation, and upon square stalks would more forcibly bear upon them.  
And to omit, how leaves and sprouts which compass not the stalk, are often set in a Rhomboides, and making long, and short Diagonals, do stand like the legs of Quadrupeds when they go: Nor to urge the thwart enclosure and furdling of flowers, and blossoms, before explication, as in the multiplied leaves of Pionie; And the Chiasmus in five leaved flowers, while one lies wrapped about the staminous beards, the other four obliquely shutting and closing upon each other; and how even flowers which consist of four leaves, stand not ordinarily in three and one, but two, and two cross wise unto the Stylus; even the Autumnal buds, which await the return of the sun, do after the winter solstice multiply their calicular leaves, making little Rhombuses, and network figures, as in the Sycamore and Lilac.  
The like is discoverable in the original production of plants, which first putting forth two leaves, those which succeed, bear not over each other, but shoot obliquely or crosswise, until the stalk appeareth; which sendeth not forth its first leaves without all order unto them; and he that from hence can discover in what position the two first leaves did arise, is no ordinary observator.  
Where by the way, he that observeth the rudimental spring of seeds, shall find strict rule, although not after this order. How little is required unto effectual generation, and in what diminutives the plastic principle lodgeth, is exemplified in seeds, wherein the greater mass affords so little comproduction. In Beanes the leaf and root sprout from the Germane, the main sides split, and lie by, and in some pulled up near the time of blooming, we have found the pulpous sides entire or little wasted. In Acorns the nebb dilating splitteth the two sides, which sometimes lie whole, when the Oak is sprouted two handfuls. In Lupins these pulpy sides do sometimes arise with the stalk in a resemblance of two fat leaves. Wheat and Rye will grow up, if after they have shot some tender Roots, the adhering pulp be taken from them. Beans will prosper though a part be cut away, and so much set as sufficeth to contain and keep the Germane close. From this superfluous pulp in unkindly, and wet years, may arise that multiplicity of little infects, which infested the Roots and Sprouts of tender Grains and pulses.  
In the little nebbe or fructifying principle, the motion is regular, and not transvertible, as to make that ever the leaf, which nature intendeth the root; observable from their conversion, until they attain their right position, if seeds be set inversedly.  
In vain we expect the production of plants from different parts of the seed, from the same corculum or little original proceed both germinations; and in the power of this slender particle lie many Roots, that though the fame be pulled away, the generative particle will renew them again, and proceed to a perfect plant; And malt may be observed to grow, though the Cummes be fallen from it.  
The seminal nebbe hath a defined and single place, and not extended unto both extremes. And therefore many too vulgarly conceive that Barley and Oats grow at both ends; For they arise from one punctilio or generative nebbe, and the Spear sliding under the husk, first appeareth nigh the top. But in Wheat and Rye being bare the sprouts are seen together. If Barley unhulled would grow, both would appear at once. But in this and Oatmeal the nebbe is broken away, which makes them the milder food, and less apt to raise fermentation in Decoctions.  
Men taking notice of what is outwardly vifible, conceive a sensible priority in the Root. But as they begin from one part, so they seem to start and set out upon one fignall of nature. In Beans yet soft, in Pease while they adhere unto the Cod, the rudimental Leaf and Root are discoverable. In the seeds of Rocket and Mustard, sprouting in Glasses of water, when the one is manifest the other is also peeceptible. In muddy waters apt to breed Duckweed, and Periwinkles, if the first and rudimental strokes of Duckweed be observed, the Leaves and Root anticipate not each other. But in the Datestone the first sprout is neither root nor leaf distinctly, but borh together; For the Germination being to pass through the the narrow Navel and hole about the midst of the stone, the generative germ is fain to enlengthen itself, and shooting out about an inch, at that distance divideth into the ascending and descending portion.  
And though it be generally thought that Seeds will root at that end, where they adhere to their Originals, and observable it is that the nebbe sets most often next the stalk, as in Grains, Pulses, and most small Seeds, yet is it hardly made out in many greater plants. For in Acorns, Almonds, Pistachios, walnuts, and accuminated shells, the germ puts forth at the remotest part of the pulp. And therefore to set Seeds in that posture, wherein the Leaf and Roots may shoot right without contortion, or forced circumvolution, which might render them strongly rooted, and straighter, were a Criticism in Agriculture. And nature seems to have made some provision hereof in many from their figure, that as they fall from the tree they may lie in Positions agreeable to such advantages.  
Beside the open and visible Testicles of plants, the seminal pores lie in great part invisible, while the Sun finds polypody in stonewalls, the little stinging Nettle, and nightshade in barren sandy Highways, Scurvygrasse in Greeneland, and unknown plants in earth brought from remote Countries, Beside the known longevity of some Trees, what is the most lasting herb, or seed, seems not easily determinable. Mandrakes upon known account have lived near an hundred years. Seeds found in Wilde-Fowls Gizards have sprouted in the earth. The Seeds of Marjorane and Stramonium carelessly kept, have grown after seven years. Even in Garden-plots long fallow, and digged up, the seeds of Blattaria and yellow henbane, and after twelve years' burial have produced themselves again.  
That bodies are first spirits Paracelsus could affirm, which in the maturation of Seeds and fruits, seems obscurely implied by 
a In met. cum Cabeo.  Aristotle, when he delivereth, that the spirituous parts are converted into water, and the water into earth, and attested by observation in the maturative progress of Seeds, wherein at first may be discerned a flatuous distenfion of the husk, afterwards a thin liquor, which longer time digesteth into a pulp or kernel observable in Almonds and large Nuts. And some way answered in the progressionall perfection of animal semination, in its spermaticall maturation, from crude pubescency unto perfection. And even that seeds themselves in their rudimental discoveries, appear in foliaceous surcles, or sprouts within their cover, in a diaphonous jelly, before deeper incr-ssation, is also visibly verified in Cherries, Acorns, Plums.  
From seminal considerations, either in reference unto one mother, or distinction from animal production, the holy Scripture describeth the vegetable creation; And while it divideth plants but into Herb and Tree, though it seemeth to make but an accidental division, from magnitude, it tacitly containeth the natural distinction of vegetables, observed by Herbarists, and comprehending the four kinds. For since the most natural distinction is made from the production of leaf or stalk, and plants after the two first seminal leaves, do either proceed to send forth more leaves, or a stalk, and the folious and stalky emission distinguisheth herbs and trees, and stand Authentically differenced, but from the accidents of the stalk.  
The aequivocal production of things under undiscerned principles, makes a large part of generation, though they seem to hold a wide univocacy in their set and certain Originals, while almost every plant breeds its peculiar insect, most a Butterfly, moth or fly, wherein the Oak seems to contain the largest seminality, while the Julus, Oak, apple, dill, woolly tuft, foraminous roundles upon the leaf, and grapes under ground make a Fly with some difference. The great variety of Flies lies in the variety of their originals, in the seeds of Caterpillars or Cankers there lieth not only a Butterfly or Moth, but if they be sterile or untimely cast, their production is often a Fly, which we have also observed from corrupted and mouldered Eggs, both of Hens and Fishes; To omit the generation of Bees out of the bodies of dead Heifers, or what is strange yet well attested, the production of Eels in the backs of living Cod and 
Schoneveldus de Pisc.  Perches.  
The exiguity and smallness of some seeds extending to large productions is one of the magnalities of nature, somewhat illustrating the work of the Creation, and vast production from nothing. The true 
a Doctissim. Laurenburg horr.  seeds of Cypress and Rampions are indistinguishable by old eyes. Of the seeds of Tobacco a thousand make not one grain, Th● disputed seeds of Heart's tongue, and Maidenhair, require a greater number. From such undiscernible seminalities arise spontaneous productions. He that would discern the rudimental stroke of a plant, may behold it in the Original of Duckweed, at the bigness of a pin's point, from convenient water in glasses, wherein a watchsull eye may also discover the puncticular Originals of Periwinkles and Gnats.  
That seeds of some Plants are less than any animals, seems of no clear decision; That the biggest of Vegetables exceedeth the biggest of Animals, in full bulk, and all dimensions, admits exception in the Whale, which in length and above ground measure, will also contend with tall Oaks. That the richest odour of plants, surpasseth that of Animals, may seem of some doubt, since animall-musk, seems to excel the vegetable, and we find so noble a scent in the Tulip-Fly, and 
b The long and tender green Capricernus rarely found, we could never meet with but two.  Goat-Beetle.  
Now whether seminal nebbes hold any sure proportion unto seminal enclosures, why the form of the germ doth not answer the figure of the enclosing pulp, why the nebbe is seated upon the solid, and not the channeld side of the seed as in grains, why since we often meet with two yolks in one shell, and sometimes one Egg within another, we do not oftener meet with two nebbes in one distinct seed: why since the Eggs of a Hen laid at one course, do commonly outweigh the bird, and some moths coming out of their cases, without assistance of food, will lay so many Eggs as too outweigh their bodies, trees rarely bear their fruit, in that gravity or proportion: Whether in the germination of seeds according to Hypocrates, the lighter part ascendeth, and maketh the sprout, the heaviest tending downward frameth the root; Since we observe that the first shoot of seeds in water, will sink or bow down at the upper and leafing end: Whether it be not more rational Epicurism to contrive whole dishes out of the nebbes and spirited particles of plants, then from the Gallatures and treddles of Eggs; since that part is found to hold no seminal share in Oval Generation, are queries which might enlarge but must conclude this digression.  
And though not in this order, yet how nature delighteth in this number, and what consent and coordination there is in the leaves and parts of flowers, it cannot eseape our observation in no small number of plants. For the calicular or supporting and dosing leaves, do answer the number of the flowers, especially in such as exceed not the number of Swallows Eggs; as in Violets, Stichwort, Blossoms, and flowers of one leaf have often five divisions, answered by a like number of calicular leaves; as Gentianella, Convolvulus, Bell-flowers. In many the flowers, blades, or staminous shoots and leaves are all equally five, as in cockle, mullein and Blattaria; Wherein the flowers before explication are pentagonally wrapped up, with some resemblance of the blatta or moth from whence it hath its name: But the contrivance of nature is singular in the opening and shutting of Bindeweeds, performed by five inflexures, distinguishable by pyramidcall figures, and also different colours.  
The rose at first is thought to have been of five leaves, as it yet groweth wild among us; but in the most luxuriant, the calicular leaves do still maintain that number. But nothing is more admired than the five Brethren of the Rose, and the strange disposure of the Appendices or Beards, in the calicular leaves thereof, which in despair of resolution is tolerably salved from this contrivance, best ordered and suited for the free closure of them before explication. For those two which are smooth, and of no beard are contrived to lie undermost, as without prominent parts, and fit to be smoothly covered; the other two which are beset with Beards on either side, stand outward and uncovered, but the fifth or half-bearded leaf is covered on the bare side but on the open side stands free, and bearded like the other.  
Besides a large number of leaves have five divisions, and may be circumscribed by a Pentagon or figure of five Angles, made by right lines from the extremity of their leaves, as in Maple, Vine, Figtree: But five-leaved flowers are commonly disposed circularly about the Stylus; according to the higher Geometry of nature, dividing a circle by five radii, which concur not to make Diameters, as in Quadrilaterall and sexangular Intersections.  
Now the number of five is remarkable in every circle, not only as the first spherical number, but the measure of spherical motion. For spherical bodies move by five, and every globular figure placed upon a plane, in direct volutation, returns to the first point of contaction in the first touch, accounting by the Axes of the Diameters or Cardinal points of the four quarters thereof. And before it arriveth unto the same point again, it maketh five circles equal unto itself, in each progress from those quarters, absolving an equal circle.  
By the same number doth nature divide the circle of the Sea-Starre, and in that order and number disposeth those elegant Semicircles, or dental sockets and eggs in the Sea Hedgehog. And no mean Observations hereof there is in the Mathematics of the neatest Retiary Spider, which concluding in forty four Circles, from five Semidiameters beginneth that elegant texture.  
And after this manner doth lay the foundation of the circular branches of the Oak, which being five-cornered, in the tender annual sprouts, and manifesting upon incision the signature of a Star, is after made circular, and swelled into a round body: Which practice of nature is become a point of art, 
Elem. li. 4.  and makes two Problems in Euclid. But the Briar which sends forth shoots and prickles from its angles, maintains itt pentagonal figure, and the unobserved signature of a handsome porch within it. To omit the five small buttons dividing the Circle of the Ivy-berry, and the five characters in the Winter stalk of the Walnut, with many other Observables, which cannot escape the eyes of signal discerners; Such as know where to find Ajax his name in Gallitricum, or Aaron's Mitre in Henbane.  
Quincuncial forms and ordinations, are also observable in animal figurations. For to omit the hioides or throat-bone of animals, the furcula or merrithought in birds, which supporteth the scapulae, affording a passage for the windepipe and the gullet, the wings of Flies, and disposure of their legs in their first formation from maggots, and the position of their horns, wings and legs, in their Aurelian cases and swaddling clouts: The back of the Cimex Arboreus, found often upon Trees and lesser plants, doth elegantly discover the Burgundian decussation; And the like is observable in the belly of the Notonecton, or water-Beetle, which swimmeth on its back, and the handsome Rhombusses of the Seapoult, or Werrell, on either side the Spine.  
The sexangular Cells in the Honey-combs of Bees, are disposed after this order, much there is not of wonder in the confused Houses of Pismires, though much in their busy life and actions, more in the edificial Palaces of Bees and Monarchical spirits; who make their combs six-cornered, declining a circle, whereof many stand not close together, and completely fill the area of the place; But rather affecting a six-sided figure, whereby every cell affords a common side unto six more, and also a fit receptacle for the Bee itself, which gathering into a Cylindrical Figure, aptly enters its sexangular house, more nearly approaching a circular Figure, than either doth the Square or Triangle. And the Combs themselves so regularly contrived, that their mutual intersections make three Lozenges at the bottom of every Cell; which severally regarded make three Rows of neat Rhomboidall Figures, connected at the angles, and so continue three several chains throughout the whole comb.  
As for the Favago found commonly on the ●ea shore, though named from an honeycomb, it but rudely makes out the resemblance, and better agrees with the round Cells of humble Bees. He that would exactly discern the shop of a Bees mouth, need observing eyes, and good augmenting glasses; wherein is discoverable one of the neatest pieces in nature, and must have a more piercing eye then mine; who finds out the shape of Bull's heads, in the guts of Drones pressed out behind, according to the experiment of Gomesius; wherein 
Gom. d● Sale.  notwithstanding there seemeth somewhat which might incline a pliant fancy to credulity of similitude.  
A resemblance hereof there is in the orderly and rarely disposed Cells, made by Flies and Infects, which we have often found fastened about small sprigs, and in those cottonary and woolly pillows, which sometimes we meet with fastened unto Leaves, there is included an elegant Network Texture, out of which come many small Flies. And some resemblance there is of this order in the Eggs of some Butterflies and months, as they stick upon leaves, and other substances; which being dropped from behind, nor directed by the eye, doth neatly declare how nature Geometrizeth, and observeth order in all things.  
A like correspondency in figure is found in the skins and outward teguments of animals, whereof a regardable part are beautiful by this texture. As the backs of several Snakes and Serpents, elegantly remarkable in the Aspis, and the Dart-snake, in the Chiasmus and larger decussations upon the back of the Rattlesnake, and in the close and finer texture of the Mater formicarum, or snake that delights in Ant-hils; whereby upon approach of outward injuries, they can raise a thicker Phalanx on their backs, and handsomely contrive themselves into all kinds of flexures: Whereas their bellies are commonly covered with smooth semicircular divisions, as best accommodable unto their quick and gliding motion.  
This way is followed by nature in the peculiar and remarkable tail of the Beaver, wherein the scaly particles are disposed, somewhat after this order, which is the plainest resolution of the wonder of ●ellomius, while he saith, with incredible Artifice hath Nature framed the tail or Oar of the Beaver: where by the way we cannot but wish a model of their houses, so much extolled by some Describers: wherein since they are so bold as to venture upon three stages, we might examine their Artifice in the contignations, the rule and order in the compartitions; or whether that magnified structure be any more than a rude rectangular pile or mere hovell-building.  
Thus works the hand of nature in the feathery plantation about birds. Observable in the skins of the 
* Elegantly conspicuous on the inside of the stripped skins of Dive-Fowl, of the Cormerant, Goshonder, Weasel, Loon, etc.  breast, legs and Pinions of Turkeys, Geese, and Ducks, and the Oars or finny feet of Waterfowl: And such a natural Net is the scaly covering of Fishes, of Mullets, Carp, Tenches, etc. even in such as are excoriable and consist of smaller scales, as Bretts, Sols, and Flounder. The like Reticulate grain is observable in some Russia Leather. To omit the ruder Figures of the ostration, the triangular or coney fish, or the pricks of the Sea-Porcupine.  
The same is also observable in some part of the skin of man, in habits of neat texture, and therefore not unaptly compared unto a Net: We shall not affirm that from such grounds, the Egyptian Embalmers imitated this texture yet in their linen folds the same is still observable among their neatest Mummies, in the figures of Isis and Osiris, and the Tutelary spirits in the Bembine Table. Nor is it to be over-looked how Orus, the Hieroglyphic of the world is described in a Network covering, from the shoulder to the foot. And (not to enlarge upon the cruciated character of Trismegistus, or handed crosses, so often occurring in the Needles of Pharaoh, and Obelisks of Antiquity) the Statuae Is●●cae, Teraphims, and little Idols, found about the Mummies, do make a decussation or jacob's Cross, with their arms, like that on the head of Ephraim and Nanasses, and this decussis is also graphically described between them.  
This Reticulate or Network was also considerable in the inward parts of man, not only from the first subtegmen or warp of his formation, but in the netty fibres of the veins and vessels of life; wherein according to common Anatomy the right and transverse fibres are decussated, by the oblique fibres; and so must frame a Reticulate and quincuncial Figure by their Obliquatio●●, Emphatically extending that Elegant expression of Scripture. Thou hast curiously embroidered me, thou hast wrought me up after the finest way of texture, and as it were with a Needle.  
Nor is the same observable only in some parts, but in the whole body of man, which upon the extension of arms and legs, doth make out a square, whose intersection is at the genitals. To omit the fantastical Quincunx, in Plato of the first Hermaphrodite or double man, united at the Loins, which Jupiter after divided.  
A rudimental resemblance hereof there is in the cruciated and rugged folds of the Reticulum, or Net-like Ventricle of ruminating horned animals, which is the second in order, and culinarily called the Honeycomb. For many divisions there are in the stomach of several animals; what number they maintain in the Scarus and ruminating Fish, common description, or our own experiment hath made no discovery. But in the Ventricle of Porpuses there are three divisions. In many Birds a crop, Gizzard, and little receptacle before it; but in Cornigerous animals, which chew the cudd, there are no less than four of distinct position and office.  
The Reticulum by these crossed cells, makes a further digestion, in the dry and exuccous part of the Aliment received from the first Ventricle. For at the bottom of the gullet there is a double Orifice; What is first received at the mouth descendeth into the first and greater stomach, from whence it is returned into the mouth again; and after a fuller mastication, and salivous mixture, what part thereof descendeth again, in a moist and succulent body, it slides down the softer and more permeable Orifice, into the Omasus or third stomach; and from thence conveyed into the fourth, receives its last digestion. The other dry and exuccous part after rumination by the larger and stronger orifice beareth into the first stomach, from thence into the Reticulum, and so progressively into the other divisions. And therefore in Calves newly calved, there is little or no use of the two first Ventricles, for the milk and liquid aliment slippeth down the softer Orifice, into the third stomach; where making little or no stay, it passeth into the fourth, the seat of the Coagulum, or Runnet, or that division of stomach which seems to bear the name of the whole, in the Greek translation of the Priest's Fee, in the Sacrifice of Peace-offerings.  
As for those Rhomboidal Figures made by the Cartilagineous parts of the Wezon, in the Lungs of great Fishes, and other animals, as Rondeletius discovered, we have not found them so to answer our figure as to be drawn into illustration; Something we expected in the more discernible texture of the lungs of frogs, which notwithstanding being but two curious bladders not weighing above a grain, we found interwoven with veins not observing any just order. More orderly situated are those cretaceous and chalky concretions found sometimes in the bigness of a small fech on either side their spin; which being not agreeable unto our order, nor yet observed by any, we shall not here discourse on.  
But had we found a better account and tolerable Anatomy, of that prominent jowl of the 
a 1652. described in our Pseudo. Epidem. Edit. 3.  Sperma Ceti Whale, than questuary operation, or the stench of the last cast upon our shore, permitted, we might have perhaps discovered some handsome order in those Net-like seizes and sockets, made like honey-combs, containing that medical matter.  
Lastly, The incession or local motion of animals is made with analogy unto this figure, by decussative diametrals, quincuncial Lines and angles. For to omit the enquiry how Butterflies and breezes move their four wings, how birds and fishes in air and water move by joint strokes of opposite wings and Fins, and how salient animals in jumping forward seem to arise and fall upon a square base; As the station of most Quadrupeds, is made upon a long square, so in their motion they make a Rhomboides; their common progression being performed Diametrally, by decussation and cross advancement of their legs, which not observed begot that remarkable absurdity in the position of the legs of Castor's horse in the Capitol. The Snake which moveth circularly makes his spires in like order, the convex and concave spirals' answering each other at alternate distances; In the motion of man the arms and legs observe this thwarting position, but the legs alone do move Quincuncially by single angles with some resemblance of an V measured by successive advancement from each foot, and the angle of indenture great or less, according to the extent or brevity of the stride.  
Studious Observators may discover more analogies in the orderly book of nature, and cannot escape the Elegancy of her hand in other correspondencies. The Figures of nails and crucifying appurtenances, are but precariously made out in the Granadilla or flower of Christ's passion: And we despair to behold in these parts that handsome draught of crucifixion in the fruit of the B●rbado Pine. The seminal Spike of Phalaris, or great shaking grass, more nearly answers the tail of a Rattle-Snake, than many resemblances in Porta: And if the man 
b Orchis Anthropophora, Fabii Columna.  Orchis of Columna be well made out, it excelleth all analogies. In young walnuts cut athwart, it is not hard to apprehend strange characters; and in those of somewhat elder growth, handsome ornamental draughts about a plain cross. In the root of Osmond or Water sern, every eye may discern the form of a Half Moon, Rainbow, or half the character of Pisces. Some find Hebrew, Arabic, Greek, and Latin Characters in Plants; In a common one among us we seem to read Acaia, Viviu, Lilil.  
Right lines and circles make out the bulk of plants; In the parts thereof we find Helicall or spiral roundles, volutas, conical Sections, circular Pyramids, and frustums of Archimedes; And cannot overlook the orderly hand of nature, in the alternate succession of the flat and narrower sides in the tender shoots of the Ash, or the regular inequality of bigness in the five-leaved flowers of Henbane, and something like in the calicular leaves of Tutson. How the spots of Persicaria do manifest themselves between the sixth and tenth rib. How the triangular cap in the stem or stylus of Tuleps doth constantly point at three outward leaves. That spicated flowers do open first at the stalk. That white flowers have yellow thrums or knops. That the nebbe of Beans and Pease do all look downward, and so press not upon each other; And how the seeds of many pappous or downy flowers locked up in sockets after a gomphosis or mortis-articulation, diffuse themselves circularly into branches of rare order, observable in Tragopogon or Goatsbeard, conformable to the Spider's web, and the Radii in like manner telarely inter-woven.  
And how in animal natures, even colours hold correspondencies, and mutual correlations. That the colour of the Caterpillar will show again in the Butterfly, with some latitude is allowable. Though the regular spots in their wings seem but a mealy adhesion, and such as may be wiped away, yet since they come in this variety, out of their cases, there must be regular pores in those parts and membranes, defining such Exudations.  
That 
b Suet. in vit. Aug.  Augustus had native notes on his body and belly, after the order and number in the Star of Charles wain, will not seem strange unto astral Physiognomy, which accordingly considereth moles in the body of man, or Physical Observators, who from the position of moles in the face, reduce them to rule and correspondency in other parts. Whether after the like method medical conjecture may not be raised, upon parts inwardly affected; since parts about the lips are the critical seats of Pustules discharged in Agues; And scrofulous tumors about the neck do so often speak the like about the Mesentery, may also be considered.  
The russet neck in young Lambs seems but adventitious, and may owe its tincture to some contaction in the womb; But that if sheep have any black or deep russet in their faces, they want not the same about their legs and feet; That black Hounds have mealy mouths and feet; That black Cows which have any white in their tails, should not miss of some in their bellies; and if all white in their bodies, yet if black-mouthed, their ears and feet maintain the same colour, are correspondent tinctures not ordinarily failing in nature, which easily unites the accidents of extremities, since in some generations she transmutes the parts themselves, while in the Aurelian Metamorphosis the head of the canker becomes the Tail of the Butterfly. Which is in some way not beyond the contrivance of Art, in submersions and Inlays, inverting the extremes of the plant, and fetching the root from the top, and also imitated in handsome columnary work, in the inversion of the extremes; wherein the Capitel, and the Base, hold such near correspondency.  
In the motive parts of animals may be discovered mutual proportions; not only in those of Quadrupeds, but in the thighbone, leg, foot-bone, and claws of Birds. The legs of Spiders are made after a sesqui-tertian proportion, and the long legs of some locusts, double unto some others. But the internodial parts of Vegetables, or spaces between the joints, are contrived with more uncertainty; though the joints themselves in many plants, maintain a regular number.  
In vegetable composure, the unition of prominent parts seems most to answer the Apophyses or processes of Animal bones, whereof they are the produced parts or prominent explantations. And though in the parts of plants which are not ordained for motion, we do not expect correspondent Articulations; yet in the setting on of some flowers, and seeds in their sockets, and the lineal commissure of the pulp of several seeds, may be observed some shadow of the Harmony; some show of the Gomphosis or mortis-articulation.  
As for the Diarthrosis or motive Articulation, there is expected little Analogy, though long-stalked leaves do move by long lines, and have observable motions, yet are they made by outward impulsion, like the motion of pendulous bodies, while the parts themselves are united by some kind of symphysis unto the stock.  
But standing vegetables, void of motive-Articulations, are not without many motions. For beside the motion of vegetation upward, and of radiation unto all quarters, that of contraction, dilatation, inclination, and contortion, is discoverable in many plants. To omit the rose of Jericho, the ear of Rye, which moves with change of weather, and the Magical spit, made of no rare plants, which winds before the fire, and roasts the bird without turning.  
Even Animals near the Classis of plants, seem to have the most restless motions. The Summer-worm of Ponds and plashes makes a long waving motion; the hair-worm seldom lies still. He that would behold a very anomalous motion, may observe it in the Tortile and tiring strokes of 
a Found often in some form of redmaggot in the standing waters of Cisterns in the Summer.  Gnatworms.   

CHAP. FOUR  
AS for the delights, commodities, mysteries, with other concernments of this order, we are unwilling to fly them over, in the short deliveries of Virgil, Varro, or others, and shall therefore enlarge with additional ampliations.  
By this position they had a just proportion of Earth, to supply an equality of nourishment. The distance being ordered, thick or thin, according to the magnitude or vigorous attraction of the plant, the goodness, leanness, or propriety of the foil, and therefore the rule of Solon, concerning the territory of Athens, not extendible unto all; allowing the distance of six foot unto common Trees, and nine for the Fig and Olive.  
They had a due diffusion of their roots on all or both sides, whereby they maintained some proportion to their height, in Trees of large radication. For that they strictly make good thei● profundeur or depth unto their height, according to common conceit, and that expression of 
a Quantum vertice ad auras Aethereas, tantum radice ad tartara tendit.  Virgil, though confirmable from the plane Tree in Pliny, and some few examples, is not to be expected from the generation of Trees almost in any kind, either of side-spreading, or tap-roots: Except we measure them by lateral and opposite diffusions; nor commonly to be found in minor or hearby plants; If we except Sea-holly, Liquorish, Sea-rush, and some others.  
They had a commodious radiation in their growth; and a due expansion of their branches, for shadow or delight. For trees thickly planted, do run up in height and branch with no expansion, shooting unequally or short, and thin upon the neighbouring side. And therefore Trees are inwardly bare, and spring, and leaf from the outward and Sunny side of their branches.  
Whereby they also avoided the peril of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or one tree perishing with another, as it happeneth ofttimes from the sick effluviums or entanglements of the roots, falling foul with each other. Observable in Elms set in hedges, where if one dieth the neighbouring Tree prospereth not long after.  
In this situation divided into many intervals and open unto six passages, they had the advantage of a fair perflation from winds, brushing and cleansing their surfaces, relaxing and closing their pores unto due perspiration. For that they afford large effluviums perceptible from odours, diffused at great distances, is observable from Onions out of the earth; which though dry, and kept until the spring, as they shoot forth large and many leaves, do notably abate of their weight. And mint growing in glasses of water, until it arriveth unto the weight of an ounce, in a shady place, will sometimes exhaust a pound of water.  
And as they send forth much, so may they receive somewhat in: For beside the common way and road of reception by the root, there may be a refection and imbibition from without; For gentle shows refresh plants, though they enter not their roots; And the good and bad effluviums of Vegetables, promote or debilitate each other. So Epithymum and Dodder, rootless and out of the ground, maintain themselves upon Thyme, Savory, and plants, whereon they hang. And Ivy divided from the root, we have observed to live some years, by the cirrous parts commonly conceived but as tenacles and holdfasts unto it. The stalks of mint cropped from the root stripped from the leaves, and set in glasses with the root end upward, & out of the water, we have observed to send forth sprouts and leaves without the aid of roots, and scordium to grow in like manner, the leaves set downward in water. To omit several Sea-plants, which grow on single roots from stones, although in very many there are side-shoots and fibres, beside the fastening root.  
By this open position they were fairly exposed unto the rays of Moon and Sun, so considerable in the growth of Vegetables. For though Poplars, Willows, and several Trees be made to grow about the brinks of Acheron, and dark habitations of the dead; Though some plants are content to grow in obscure Wells; wherein also old Elm pumps afford sometimes long bushy sprouts, not observable in any aboveground: And large fields of Vegetables are able to maintain their verdure at the bottom and shady part of the Sea; yet the greatest number are not content without the actual rays of the Sun, but bend, incline, and follow them; As large lists of solisequious and Sun-following plants. And some observe the method of its motion in their own growth and conversion twining towards the West by the South, as Bryony, Hops, Woodbine, and several kinds of Bindeweed, which we shall more admire; when any can tell us, they observe another motion, and Twist by the North at the Antipodes. The same plants rooted against an erect North-wall full of holes, will find a way through them to look upon the Sun. And in tender plants from mustard seed, sown in the winter, and in a plot of earth placed inwardly against a South-window, the tender stalks of two leaves arose not erect, but bending towards the window, nor looking much higher than the Meridian Sun. And if the pot were turned they would work themselves into their former declinations, making their conversion by the East. That the Leaves of the Olive and some other Trees solstitially turn, and precisely tell us, when the Sun is entered Cancer, is scarce expectable in any Climate; and Theophrastus warily observes it; Yet somewhat thereof is observable in our own, in the leaves of Willows and Sallows, some weeks after the Solstice. But the great Convolvulus or white-flowered Bindweed observes both motions of the Sun, while the flower twists Aequinoctionally from the left hand to the right, according to the daily revolution; The stalk twineth ecliptically from the right to the left, according to the annual conversion.  
Some commend the exposure of these orders unto the Western gales, as the most generative and fructifying breath of heaven. But we applaud the Husbandry of Solomon, whereto agreeth the doctrine of Theophrastus. Arise O Northwind, and blow thou South upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out; For the Northwind closing the pores, and shutting up the effluviums, when the South doth after open and relax them; the Aromatical gums do drop, and sweet odours fly actively from them. And if his garden had the same situation, which maps, and charts' afford it, on the East side of Jerusalem, and having the wall on the West; these were the winds, unto which it was well exposed.  
By this way of plantation they increased the number of their trees, which they lost in Quaternios, and square-orders, which is a commodity insisted on by Varro, and one great intent of nature, in this position of flowers and seeds in the elegant formation of plants, and the former Rules observed in natural and artificial Figurations.  
Whether in this order and one Tree in some measure breaking the cold, and pinching gusts of winds from the other, trees will not better maintain their inward circles, and either escape or moderate their excentricities, may also be considered. For the circles in Trees are naturally concentrical, parallel unto the bark, and unto each other, till frost and piercing winds contract and close them on the weatherside, the opposite semicircle widely enlarging, and at a comely distance, which hindereth ofttimes the beauty and roundness of Trees, and makes the Timber less serviceable; whiles the ascending juice not readily passing, settles in knots and inequalities. And therefore it is no new course of Agriculture, to observe the native position of Trees according to North and South in their transplantations.  
The same is also observable underground in the circinations and spherical rounds of Onions, wherein the circles of the Orbs are ofttimes larger, and the meridional lines stand wider upon one side then the other. And where the largeness will make up the number of planetical Orbs, that of Luna, and the lower planets exceed the dimensions of Saturn, and the higher: Whether the like be not verified in the Circles of the large roots of Briony and Mandrakes, or why in the knots of Deal or Fir the Circles are often eccentrical, although not in a plane, but vertical and right position, deserves a further enquiry.  
Whether there be not some irregularity of roundness in most plants according to their position? Whether some small compression of pores be not perceptible in parts which stand against the current of waters, as in Reeds, Bulrushes, and other vegetables toward the streaming quarter, may also be observed, and therefore such as are long and weak, are commonly contrived into a roundness of figure, whereby the water presseth less, and slippeth more smoothly from them, and even in flags of flat-figured leaves, the greater part obvert their sharper sides unto the current in ditches.  
But whether plants which float upon the surface of the water, be for the most part of cooling qualities, those which shoot above it of heating virtues, and why? whether Sargasso for many miles floating upon the Western Ocean, or Sea-lettuce, and Phasganium at the bottom of our Seas, make good the like qualities? Why Fenny waters afford the hottest and sweetest plants, as Calamus, Cyper●s, and Crowfoot, and mud cast out of ditches most naturally produceth Arsmart, Why plants so greedy of water so little regard oil? Why since many seeds contain much oil within them, they endure it not well without, either in their growth or production? Why since Seeds shoot commonly under ground, and out of the air, those which are let fall in shallow glasses, upon the surface of the water, will sooner sprout than those at the bottom? And if the water be covered with oil, those at the bottom will hardly sprout at all, we have not room to conjecture.  
Whether Ivy would not less offend the Trees in this clean ordination, and well kept paths, might perhaps deserve the question. But this were a query only unto some habitations, and little concerning Cyrus or the Babylonian territory; wherein by no industry Harpalus could make Ivy grow: And Alexander hardly found it about those parts to imitate the pomp of Bacchus. And though in these Northern Regions we are too much acquainted with one Ivy, we know too little of another, whereby we apprehend not the expressions of Antiquity, the 
a Galen. de med. secundum loc.  Splenetic medicine of Galen, and the Emphasis of the Poet, in the 
b Hedera formosior alba.  beauty of the white Ivy.  
The like concerning the growth of Misseltoe, which dependeth not only of the species, or kind of Tree, but much also of the Soil. And therefore common in some places, not readily found in others, frequent in France, not so common in Spain, and scarce at all in the Territory of Ferrara: Nor easily to be found where it is most required upon Oaks, less on Trees continually verdant. Athough in some places the Olive escapeth it not, requiting its detriment, in the delightful view of its red Berries; as Clusius observed in Spain, and Bellonius about Jerusalem. But this Parasitical plant suffers nothing to grow upon it, by any way of art; nor could we ever make it grow where nature had not planted it; as we have in vain attempted by inocculation and incision, upon its native or foreign stock. And though there seem nothing improbable in the seed, it hath not succeeded by sation in any manner of ground, wherein we had no reason to despair, since we read of vegetable horns, and how Rams horns will root about 
Linscholen.  Goa.  
But besides these rural commodities, it cannot be meanly delectable in the variety of Figures, which these orders open, and closed do make. Whilst every enclosure makes a Rhombus, the figures obliquely taken a Rhomboides, the intervals bounded with parallel lines, and each intersection built upon a square, affording two Triangles or Pyramids vertically conjoined; which in the strict quincuncial order do oppositely make acute and blunt Angles.  
And though therein we meet not with right angles, yet every Rhombus containing four Angles equal unto two right, it virtually contains two right in every one. Nor is this strange unto such as observe the natural lines of Trees, and parts disposed in them. For neither in the root doth nature affect this angle, which shooting downward for the stability of the plant, doth best effect the same by Figures of Inclination; Nor in the Branches and stalky leaves, which grow most at acute angles; as declining from their head the root, and diminishing their Angles with their altitude: Verified also in lesser Plants, whereby they better support themselves, and bear not so heavily upon the stalk: So that while near the root they often make an Angle of seventy parts, the sprouts near the top will often come short of thirty. Enen in the nerves and master veins of the leaves the acute angle ruleth; the obtuse but seldom found, and in the backward part of the leaf, reflecting and arching about the stalk. But why ofttimes one side of the leaf is unequal unto the other, as in hazel and Oaks, why on either side the master vein the lesser and derivative channels not directly opposite, nor at equal angles, respectively unto the adverse side, but those of one part do often exceed the other, as the Walnut and many more deserves another enquiry.  
Now if for this order we affect coniferous and tapering Trees, particularly the Cypress, which grows in a conical figure; we have found a Tree not only of great Ornament, but in its Essentials of affinity unto this order. A solid Rhombus being made by the conversion of two Equicrural Cones, as Archimedes hath defined. And these were the common Trees about Babylon, and the East, whereof the Ark was made; and Alexander found no Trees so accomodable to build his Navy; And this we rather think to be the Tree mentioned in the Canticles, which stricter Botanology will hardly allow to be Camphire.  
And if delight or ornamental view invite a comely disposure by circular amputations, as is elegantly performed in Hawthorns; then will they answer the figures made by the conversion of a Rhombus, which maketh two concentrical Circles; the greater circumference being made by the lesser angles, the lesser by the greater.  
The Cylindrical figure of Trees is virtually contained and latent in this order. A Cylinder or long round being made by the conversion or turning of a Parallelogram, and most handsomely by a long square, which makes an equal, strong and lasting figure in Trees, agreeable unto the body and motive parts of animals, the greatest number of Plants, and almost all roots, though their stalks be angular, and of many corners, which seem not to follow the figure of their Seeds; Since many angular Seeds send forth round stalks, and spherical seeds arise from angular spindle's, and many rather conform unto their Roots, as the round stalks of bulbous Roots, and in tuberous Roots stems of like figure. But why since the largest number of Plants maintain a circular Figure, there are so few with teretous or longround leaves; why coniferous Trees are tenuifolious or narrowleafed, why Plants of few or no joints have commonly round stalks, why the greatest number of hollow stalks are round stalks; or why in this variety of angular stalks the quadrangular most exceedeth, were too long a speculation; Mean while obvious experience may find, that in Plants of divided leaves above, nature often beginneth circularly in the two first leaves below, while in the singular plant of Ivy, she exerciseth a contrary Geometry, and beginning with angular leaves below, rounds them in the upper branches.  
Nor can the rows in this order want delight, as carrying an aspect answerable unto the dipteros hypoethros, or double order of columns open above; the opposite ranks of Trees standing like pillars in the Cavedia of the Courts of famous buildings, and the Porticoes of the Templa subdialia of old; Somewhat imitating the Peristylia or Cloister buildings, and the Exedrae of the Ancients, wherein men discoursed, walked and exercised; For that they derived the rule of Columns from Trees, especially in their proportional diminutions, is illustrated by Vitruvi●s from the shafts of Fir and Pine. And though the inter-arboration do imitate the Areostylos, or thin order, not strictly answering the proportion of intercolumniations; yet in many Trees they will not exceed the intermission of the Columns in the Court of the Tabernacle; which being an hundred cubits long, and made up by twenty pillars. will afford no less than intervals of five cubits.  
Beside, in this kind of aspect the sight being not diffused but circumscribed between long parallels and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and adumbration from the branches, it frameth a penthouse over the eye, and maketh a quiet vision: And therefore in diffused and open aspects, men hollow their hand above their eye, and make an artificial brow, whereby they direct the dispersed rays of sight, and by this shade preserve a moderate light in the chamber of the eye; keeping the pupilla plump and fair, and not contracted or shrunk as in light and vagrant vision.  
And therefore providence hath arched and paved the great house of the world, with colours of mediocrity, that is, blue and green, above and below the sight, moderately terminating the acies of the eye. For most plants, though green aboveground, maintain their Original white below it, according to the candour of their seminal pulp, and the rudimental leaves do first appear in that colour; observable in Seeds sprouting in water upon their first foliation. Green seeming to be the first supervenient, or aboveground complexion of Vegetables, separable in many upon ligature or inhumation, as Succory, Endive, Artichokes, and which is also lost upon fading in the Autumn.  
And this is also agreeable unto water itself, the alimental vehicle of plants, which first altereth into this colour; And containing many vegetable seminalities, revealeth their Seeds by greenness; and therefore soon expected in rain or standing water, not easily found in distilled or water strongly boiled; wherein the Seeds are extinguished by fire and decoction, and therefore last long and pure without such alteration, affording neither uliginous coats, gnatworms, Acari, hair-worms, like crude and common water; And therefore most fit for wholesome beverage, and with malt makes Ale and Beer without boiling. What large water-drinkers some Plants are, the Canary-Tree and Birches in some Northern Countries, drenching the Fields about them do sufficiently demonstrate. How water itself is able to maintain the growth of Vegetables, and without extinction of their generative or medical virtues; Beside the experiment of helmont's tree, we have found in some which have lived six years in glasses. The seeds of Scurvygrass growing in water-pots, have been fruitful in the Land; And Asarum after a years space, and once casting its leaves in water, in the second leaves, hath handsomely performed its vomiting operation.  
Nor are only dark and green colours, but shades and shadows contrived through the great Volume of nature, and trees ordained not only to protect and shadow others, but by their shades and shadowing parts, to preserve and cherish themselves. The whole radiation or branchings shadowing the stock and the root, the leaves, the branches and fruit, too much exposed to the winds and scorching Sun. The calicular leaves enclose the tender flowers, and the flowers themselves lie wrapped about the seeds, in their rudiment and first formations, which being advanced the flowers fall away; and are therefore contrived in variety of figures, best satisfying the intention; Handsomely observable in hooded and gaping flowers, and the Butterfly blooms of leguminous plants, the lower leaf closely involving the rudimental Cod, and the alary or wingy divisions embracing or hanging over it.  
But Seeds themselves do lie in perpetual shades, either under the leaf, or shut up in cover; And such as lie barest, have their husks, skins, and pulps about them, wherein the nebbe and generative particle lieth moist and secured from the injury of Air and Sun. Darkness and light hold interchangeable dominions, and alternately rule the seminal state of things. Light unto 
a Lux orco, tenebrae Jovi, tenebrae orco, lux Jovi. Hipp●cr. de diaeta.  Plato is darkness unto Jupiter. Legions of seminal Idaea's lie in their second Chaos and Orcus of Hipocrat●s; till putting on the habits of their forms, they show themselves upon the stage of the world, and open dominion of Jove. They that held the Stars of heaven were but rays and flashing glimpses of the Empyreal light, through holes and perforations of the upper heaven, took of the natural shadows of stars, while 
S. Hevelii Selenographia.  according to better discovery the poor Inhabitants of the Moon have but a polary life, and must pass half their days in the shadow of that Luminary.  
Light that makes things seen, makes some things invisible, were it not for darkness and the shadow of the earth, the noblest part of the Creation had remained unseen, and the Stars in heaven as invisible as on the fourth day, when they were created above the Horizon, with the Sun, or there was not an eye to behold them. The greatest mystery of Religion is expressed by adumbration, and in the noblest part of Jewish Types, we find the Cherubims shadowing the Mercy-seat: Life itself is but the shadow of death, and souls departed but the shadows of the living: All things fall under this name. The Sun itself is but the dark simulachrum, and light but the shadow of God.  
Lastly, It is no wonder that this quincuncial order was first and still affected as grateful unto the Eye: For all things are seen Quincuncially; For at the eye the Pyramidal rays from the object, receive a decussation, and so strike a second base upon the Retina or hinder coat, the proper organ of Vision; wherein the pictures from objects are represented, answerable to the paper, or wall in the dark chamber; after the decussation of the rays at the hole of the hornycoat, and their refraction upon the Crystalline humour, answering the foramen of the window, and the convex or burning-glasses, which refract the rays that enter it. And if ancient Anatomy would hold, a like disposure there was of the optic or visual nerves in the brain, wherein Antiquity conceived a concurrence by decussation. And this not only observable in the Laws of direct Vision, but in some part also verified in the reflected rays of sight. For making the angle of incidence equal to that of reflection, the visual ray returneth Quincuncially, and after the form of a V, and the line of reflection being continued unto the place of vision, there ariseth a semi-decussation, which makes the object seen in a perpendicular unto itself, and as far below the reflectent, as it is from it above; observable in the Sun and Moon beheld in water.  
And this is also the law of reflection in moved bodies and sounds, which though not made by decussation, observe the rule of equality between incidence and reflection; whereby whispering places are framed by Ellipticall arches laid side-wise; where the voice being delivered at the focus of one extremity, observing an equality unto the angle of incidence, it will reflect unto the focus of the other end, and so escape the ears of the standers in the middle.  
A like rule is observed in the reflection of the vocal and sonorous line in Echoes, which cannot therefore be heard in all stations. But happening in woody plantations, by waters, and able to return some words; if reached by a pleasant and well-dividing voice, there may be heard the softest notes in nature.  
And this not only verified in the way offence, but in animal and intellectual receptions. Things entering upon the intellect by a Pyramid from without, and thence into the memory by another from within, the common decussation being in the understanding as is delivered by 
a Car. Bovillus de intellectu.  Bovillus. Whether the intellectual and fantastical lines be not thus rightly disposed, but magnified diminished, distorted, and ill placed in the Mathematics of some brains, whereby they have irregular apprehensions of things, perverted notions, conceptions, and incurable hallucinations, were no unpleasant speculation.  
And if Egyptian Philosophy may obtain, the scale of influences was thus disposed, and the genial spirits of both worlds, do trace their way in ascending and descending Pyramids, mystically apprehended in the Letter X, and the open Bill and straddling Legs of a Stork, which was imitated by that Character.  
Of this Figure Plato made choice to illustrate the motion of the soul, both of the world and man; while he delivereth that God divided the whole conjunction length-wise, according to the figure of a Greek X, and then turning it about reflected it into a circle; By the circle implying the uniform motion of the first Orb, and by the right lines, the planetical and various motions within it. And this also with application unto the soul of man, which hath a double aspect, one right, whereby it beholdeth the body, and objects without; another circular and reciprocal, whereby it beholdeth itself. The circle declaring the motion of the indivisible soul, simple, according to the divinity of its nature, and returning into itself; the right lines respecting the motion pertaining unto sense, and vegetation, and the central decussation, the wondrous connexion of the several faculties conjointly in one substance. And so conjoined the unity and duality of the soul, and made out the three substances so much considered by him; That is, the indivisible or divine, the divisible or corporeal, and that third, which was the Systasis or harmony of those two, in the mystical decussation.  
And if that were clearly made out which Justin Martyr took for granted, this figure hath had the honour to characterise and notify our blessed Saviour, as he delivereth in that borrowed expression from Plato; Decussavit eum in universo, the hint whereof he would have Plato derive from the figure of the brazen Serpent, and to have mistaken the Letter X for T, whereas it is not improbable, he learned these and other mystical expressions in his Learned Observations of Egypt, where he might obviously behold the Mercurial characters, the handed crosses, and other mysteries not throughly understood in the sacred Letter X, which being derivative from the Stork, one of the ten sacred animals, might be originally Egyptian, and brought into Greece by Cadmus of that Country.   

CHAP. V.  
TO enlarge this contemplation unto all the mysteries and secrets, accomodable unto this number, were inexcusable Pythagorisme, yet cannot omit the ancient conceit of five surnamed the number of 
a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  justice; as justly dividing between the digits, and hanging in the centre of Nine, described by square numeration, which angularly 
 divided will make the decussated number; and so agreeable unto the quincuncial Ordination, and rows divided by Equality, and just decorum, in the whole com-plantation; And might be the Original of that common game among us, wherein the fifth place is Sovereign, and carrieth the chief intention. The Ancients wisely instructing youth, even in their recreations unto virtue, that is, early to drive at the middle point and Central Seat of justice.  
Nor can we omit how agreeable unto this number an handsome division is made in Trees and Plants, since Plutarch, and the Ancients have named it the Divisive Number, justly dividing the Entities of the world, many remarkable things in it, and also comprehending the 
a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Arbour, frutex, suffrutex, herba, and that fifth which comprehendeth the fungi and tubera, whether to be named 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, comprehending also conferva marina salsa, and Seacords, of so many yards length.  general division of Vegetables. And he that considers how most blossoms of Trees, and greatest number of Flowers, consist of five leaves; and therein doth rest the settled rule of nature; So that in those which exceed there is often found, or easily made a variety; may readily discover how nature rests in this number, which is indeed the first rest and pause of numeration in the fingers, the natural Organs thereof. Nor in the division of the feet of perfect animals doth nature exceed this account. And even in the joints of feet, which in birds are most multiplied, surpasseth not this number; So progressionally making them out in many, that from five in the fore-claw she descendeth unto two in the hindemost; And so in four feet makes up the number of joints, in the five fingers or toes of man.  
Not to omit the Quintuple Section of a 
a Elleipsts, parabola, Hyperbole, Circulus, Triangulum.  Cone, of handsome practice in Ornamental Garden-plots, and in s●me way discoverable in so many works of Nature; In the leaves, fruits, and seeds of Vegetables, and scales of some Fishes, so much considerable in glasses, and the optic doctrine; wherein the learned may consider the Crystalline humour of the eye in the cuttle fish and Loligo.  
He that forgets not how Antiquity named this the Conjugal or wedding number, and made it the Emblem of the most remarkable conjunction, will conceive it duly appliable unto this handsome Oeconomy, and vegetable combination; May hence apprehend the allegorical sense of that obscure expression of 
a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 id est nuptias multas. Rhodig.  Hesiod, and afford no improbable reason why Plato admitted his Nuptial guests by five, in the kindred of the 
b Plato de leg. 6.  married couple.  
And though a sharper mystery might be implied in the Number of the five wise and foolish Virgins, which were to meet the Bridegroom, yet was the same agreeable unto the Conjugal Number, which ancient Numerists made out by two and three, the first parity and imparity, the active and passive digits, the material and formal principles in generative Societies. And not discordant even from the customs of the Romans, who admitted but 
c Plutarch problem. Rom. 1.  five Torches in their Nuptial folemnities. Whether there were any mystery or not implied, the most generative animals were created on this day, and had accordingly the largest benediction: And under a Quintuple consideration, wanton Antiquity considered the Circumstances of generation, while by this number of five they naturally divided the Nectar of the fifth Planet,  
The same number in the Hebrew mysteries and Cabalistical accounts was the 
d Archang. dog. Cubal.  character of Generation; declared by the Letter He, the fifth in their Alphabet; According to that Cabalistical Dogma: If Abram had not had this Letter added unto his Name, he had remained fruitless, and without the power of generation: Not only because hereby the number of his Name attained two hundred forty eight, the number of the affirmative precepts, but because as increated natures there is a male and female, so in divine and intelligent productions, the mother of Life and Fountain of souls in Cabalistical Technology is called Binah; whose Seal and Character was Herald So that being sterile before, he received the power of generation from that measure and mansion in the Archetype; and was made conformable unto Binah. And upon such involved considerations, the 
e Jod into Herald  ten of Sarai was exchanged into five, If any shall look upon this as a stable number, and fitly appropriable unto Trees, as Bodies of Rest and Station, he hath herein a great Foundation in nature, who observing much variety in legs and motive Organs of Animals, as two, four, six, eight, twelve, fourteen, and more, hath passed over five and ten, and assigned them unto none, or very few, as the Phalangium monstrosum Brasilianum, Clus●i & Jac. de Laet. Cur. poster. Americae Descript. If perfectly described. And for the stability of this Number, he shall not want the sphericity of its nature, which multiplied in itself, will return into its own denomination, and bring up the rear of the account. Which is also one of the Numbers that makes up the mystical Name of God, which consisting of Letters denoting all the spherical Numbers, ten, five, and six; Emphatically sets forth the Notion of Trismegistus, and that intelligible Sphere, which is the Nature of God.  
Many Expressions by this Number occur in Holy Scripture, perhaps unjustly laden with mystical Expositions, and little concerning our order. That the Israelites were forbidden to eat the fruit of their new planted Trees, before the fifth year, was very agreeable unto the natural Rules of Husbandry: Fruits being unwholesome and lash, before the fourth, or fifth Year. In the second day or Feminine part of five, there was added no approbation. For in the third or masculine day, the same is twice repeated; and a double benediction enclosed both Creations, whereof the one, in some part was but an accomplishment of the other. That the Trespasser 
Lev 6.  was to pay a fifth part above the head or principal, makes no secret in this Number, and implied no more than one part above the principal; which being considered in four parts, the additional forfeit must bear the Name of a fifth. The five golden mice had plainly their determination from the number of the Princes; That five should put to flight an hundred might have nothing mystically employed; considering a rank of Soldiers could scarce consist of a lesser number. Saint Paul had rather speak five words in a known then ten thousand in an unknown tongue: That is as little as could well be spoken. A simple proposition consisting of three words and a complexed one not ordinarily short of five.  
More considerable there are in this mystical account, which we must not insist on. And therefore why the radical Letters in the Pentateuch, should equal the number of the Soldiery of the Tribes; Why our Saviour in the Wilderness fed five thousand persons with five Barley Loaves, and again, but four thousand with no less than seven of Wheat? Why Joseph designed five changes of Raiment unto Benjamin? and David took just five pebbles out of the Brook against the Pagan Champion? 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 four and one, or five. Scali●.  We leave it unto Arithmetical Divinity, and Theological explanation.  
Yet if any delight in new Problems, or think it worth the enquiry, whether the Critical Physician hath rightly hit the nominal notation of Quinque; Why the Ancients mixed five or three but not four parts of water unto their Wine: And Hypocrates observed a fifth proportion in the mixture of water with milk, as in Dysenteries and bloody fluxes. Under what abstruse foundation Astrologers do Figure the good or bad Fate from our Children, in 
a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, or bona fortuna the name of the fifth house.  good Fortune, or the fifth house of their Celestial Schemes. Whether the Egyptians described a Star by a Figure of five points, with reference unto the 
b Conjunct, opposite, sextile, trigonal, tetragonal.  five Capital aspects, whereby they transmit their Influences, or abstruser Considerations? Why the Cabalistical Doctors, who conceive the whole Sephiroth, or divine emanations to have guided ●he ten-stringed Harp of David, whereby he pacified the evil spirit of Saul, in strict numeration do begin with the Perihypate Meson, or ff●fa ut, and so place the Tiphereth answering C sol fa ut, upon the fifth string: Or whether this number be oftener applied unto bad things and ends, then good in holy Scripture, and why? He may meet with abstrusities of no ready resolution.  
If any shall question the rationality of that Magic, in the cure of the blind man by Serapis, commanded to place five fingers on his Altar, and then his hand on his Eyes? Why since the whole Comedy is primarily and naturally comprised in 
c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉▪  four parts, and Antiquity permitted not so many persons to speak in one Scene, yet would not comprehend the same in more or less than five acts? Why amongst Sea-starres nature chiefly delighteth in five points? And since there are found some of no fewer than twelve, and some of seven, and nine there are few or none discovered of six or eight? If any shall inquire why the Flowers of Rue properly consist of four Leaves, The first and third Flower have five? Why since many Flowers have one leaf or 
d Vnifolium, nullifolium.  none, as Scaliger will have it, divers three, and the greatest number consist of five divided from their bottoms; there are yet so few of two: or why nature generally beginning or setting out with two opposite leaves at the Root, doth so seldom conclude with that order and number at the Flower? he shall not pass his hours in vulgar speculations.  
If any shall further query why magnetical Philosophy excludeth decussations, and needles transversly placed do naturally distract their verticities? Why Geomancers do imitate the Quintuple Figure, in their Mother Characters of Acquisition and Amission, etc. somewhat answering the Figures in the Lady or speckled Beetle? With what Equity, Chiromantical conjecturers decry these decussations in the Lines and Mounts of the hand? What that decussated Figure intendeth in the medal of Alexander the Great? Why the Goddesses sit commonly crosslegged in ancient draughts, Since Juno is described in the same as a veneficial posture to hinder the birth of Hercules? If any shall doubt why at the Amphidromicall Feasts, on the fifth day after the Child was born, presents were sent from friends, of Polipusses, and Cuttle-fish? Why five must be only left in that Symbolical mutiny among the men of Cadmus? Why Proteus in Homer the Symbol of the first matter, before he settled himself in the midst of his Sea-monsters, doth place them out by five? Why the fifth years Ox was acceptable Sacrifice unto Jupiter? Or why the Noble Antoninus in some sense doth call the soul itself a Rhombus? He shall not fall on trite or trivial disquisitions. And these we invent and propose unto acuter enquirers, nauseating cram verities and questions over-queried. Flat and flexible truths are beat out by every hammer; But Vulcan and his whole forge sweat to work our Achilles his armour. A large field is yet left unto sharper discerners to enlarge upon this order, to search out the quaternios and figured draughts of this nature, and moderating the study of names, and mere nomenclature of plants, to erect generalities, disclose unobserved proprieties, not only in the vegetable shop, but the whole volume of nature; affording delightful Truths, confirmable by sense and ocular Observation, which seems to me the surest path, to trace the Labyrinth of Truth. For though discursive enquiry and rational conjecture, may leave handsome gashes and flesh-wounds; yet without conjunction of this expect no mortal or dispatching blows unto error.  
But the 
a Hyades near the Horizon about midnight, at that time.  Quincunx of Heaven runs low, and 'tis time to close the five ports of knowledge; We are unwilling to spin out our awaking thoughts into the phantasms of sleep, which often continueth praecogitations; making Cables of Cobwebs and Wildernesses of handsome Groves. Beside 
b De Insomnii●.  Hypocrates hath spoke so little and the 
c Artemodorus & Apomazar.  Oneirocriticall Masters, have left such frigid Interpretations from plants, that there is little encouragement to dream of Paradise itself. Nor will the sweetest delight of Gardens afford much comfort in sleep; wherein the dulness of that sense shakes hands with delectable odours; and though in the 
d Strewed with roses.  Bed of Cleopatra, can hardly with any delight raise up the ghost of a Rose.  
Night which Pagan Theology could make the daughter of Chaos, affords no advantage to the description of order: Although no lower than that Mass can we derive its Genealogy. All things began in order, so shall they end, and so shall they begin again; according to the ordainer of order and mystical Mathematics of the City of Heaven.  
Though Somnus in Homer be sent to rouse up Agamemnon, I find no such effects in these drowsy approaches of sleep. To keep our eyes open longer were but to act our Antipodes. The Huntsmen are up in America, and they are already past their first sleep in Persia. But who can be drowsy at that hour which freed us from everlasting sleep? or have slumbering thoughts at that time, when sleep itself must end, and as some conjecture all shall awake again?   
FINIS.   

THE STATIONER TO THE READER.  
I Cannot omit to advertise, that a Book was published not long since, Entitled, Nature's Cabinet Unlocked, bearing the Name of this Author: If any man have been benefited thereby this Author is not so ambitious as to challenge the honour thereof, as having no hand in that Work. To distinguish of true and spurious Pieces was the Original Criticism, and some were so handsomely counterfeited, that the Entitled Authors needed not to disclaim them. But since it is so, that either he must write himself, or Others will write for him, I know no better Prevention then to act his own part with less intermission of his Pen.   

Books Printed for Hen. Broome at the Gun in Ivy-Lane.  
The Souls Conflict, Being Eight Sermons, six whereof were preached at Oxford.  
The Queen's Exchange, A Comedy, By Richard Brome.  
Two Essays of Love and Marriage.  
The Grand Impostor Examined, Or, the life and Trial of James Nayler.  
The Souls Tournkey, Being a Conference betwixt Mr Hanum and Mr Tuke Moderator of Gr. Coll. in London.   

Books now in the Press which will shortly be extant.  
The Affinity of sacred Liturgies, By Hamon L'Estrage, Esq.  
Five New Comedies which were never before published, By Richard Brome.  
A Learned and much desired Commentary on the whole Epistle to the Philippians, By Nath. Tucker Late Preacher of the Gospel at Portsmouth.