The Works of Sir Thomas Browne Volume II Part 6

Whether the Chicken be made out of the white, or that be not also its aliment, is likewise very questionable: Since an umbilical vessel is derived unto it: Since after the formation and perfect shape of the Chicken, much of the white remaineth.

Whether it be not made out of the grando, gallature, germ or tred of the Egg, as, _Aquapendente_ informeth us, seemed to many of doubt: for at the blunter end it is not discovered after the Chicken is formed; by this also the yelk and white are continued, whereby it may conveniently receive its nutriment from them both.

Now that from such slender materials, nature should effect this production it is no more then is observed in other animals; and even in grains and kernels, the greatest part is but the nutriment of that generative particle, so disproportionable unto it.

[Sidenote: _Of Eggs._]

A greater difficulty in the doctrine of Eggs, is, how the sperm of the c.o.c.k prolificates and makes the oval conception fruitful, or how it attaineth unto every Egg, since the vitellary or place of the yelk is very high: Since the ovary or part where the white involveth it, is in the second region of the matrix, which is somewhat long and inverted: Since also a c.o.c.k will in one day fertilate the whole racemation or cl.u.s.ter of Eggs, which are not excluded in many weeks after.

But these at last, and how in the Cicatricula or little pale circle formation first beginneth, how the Grando or tredle, are but the poles and establis.h.i.+ng particles of the tender membrans, firmly conserving the floating parts, in their proper places, with many other observables, that ocular Philosopher, and singular discloser of truth, Dr. _Harvey_ hath discovered, in that excellent discourse of Generation; So strongly erected upon the two great pillars of truth, experience and solid reason.

That the s.e.x is discernable from the figure of Eggs, or that c.o.c.ks or Hens proceed from long or round ones, as many contend, experiment will easily frustrate.

The _aegyptians_ observed a better way to hatch their Eggs in Ovens, then the _Babylonians_ to roast them at the bottom of a sling, by swinging them round about, till heat from motion had concocted them; for that confuseth all parts without any such effect.

Though slight distinction be made between boiled and roasted Eggs, yet is there no slender difference, for the one is much drier then the other: the Egg expiring less in the elixation or boiling; whereas in the a.s.sation or roasting, it will sometimes abate a dragm; that is, threescore grains in weight. So a new laid Egg will not so easily be boiled hard, because it contains a greater stock of humid parts; which must be evaporated, before the heat can bring the inexhalable parts into consistence.

Why the Hen hatcheth not the Egg in her belly, or maketh not at least some rudiment thereof within her self, by the natural heat of inward parts, since the same is performed by incubation from an outward warmth after? Why the Egg is thinner at one extream? Why there is some cavity or emptiness at the blunter end? Why we open them at that part? Why the greater end is first excluded? Why some Eggs are all red, as the Kestrils; some only red at one end, as those of Kites and Buzzards? why some Eggs are not Oval but Round, as those of fishes? etc. are problems, whose decisions would too much enlarge this discourse.

[Sidenote: _Of Snakes, etc._]

That Snakes and Vipers do sting or transmit their mischief by the tail, is a common expression not easily to be justified; and a determination of their venoms unto a part, wherein we could never find it; the poison lying about the teeth, and communicated by bite, in such are destructive. And therefore when biting Serpents are mentioned in the Scripture, they are not differentially set down from such as mischief by stings; nor can conclusions be made conformable to this opinion, because when the Rod of _Moses_ was turned into a Serpent, G.o.d determinately commanded him to take up the same by the tail.

Nor are all Snakes of such empoisoning qualities, as common opinion presumeth; as is confirmable from the ordinary green Snake with us, from several histories of domestick Snakes, from Ophiophagous nations, and such as feed upon Serpents.

Surely the destructive delusion of Satan in this shape, hath much enlarged the opinion of their mischief. Which notwithstanding was not so high with the heathens, in whom the Devil had wrought a better opinion of this animal, it being sacred unto the _Egyptians_, _Greeks_ and _Romans_, and the common symbole of sanity. In the shape whereof _aesculapius_ the G.o.d of health appeared unto the _Romans_, accompanied their Emba.s.sadors to _Rome_ from _Epidaurus_; and the same did stand in the _Tiberine_ Isle upon the Temple of _aesculapius_.

Some doubt many have of the Tarantula, or poisonous Spider of _Calabria_, and that magical cure of the bite thereof by Musick. But since we observe that many attest it from experience: Since the learned _Kircherius_ hath positively averred it, and set down the songs and tunes solemnly used for it; Since some also affirm the Tarantula it self will dance upon certain stroaks, whereby they set their instruments against its poison; we shall not at all question it.

Much wonder is made of the Boramez, that strange plant-animal or vegetable Lamb of _Tartary_, which Wolves delight to feed on, which hath the shape of a Lamb, affordeth a b.l.o.o.d.y juyce upon breaking, and liveth while the plants be consumed about it. And yet if all this be no more, then the shape of a Lamb in the flower or seed, upon the top of the stalk, as we meet with the forms of Bees, Flies and Dogs in some others; he hath seen nothing that shall much wonder at it.

It may seem too hard to question the swiftness of Tigers, which hath therefore given names unto Horses, s.h.i.+ps and Rivers, nor can we deny what all have thus affirmed; yet cannot but observe, that _Jacobus Bontius_ late Physitian at _Java_ in the East _Indies_, as an ocular and frequent witness is not afraid to deny it; to condemn _Pliny_ who affirmeth it, and that indeed it is but a slow and tardigradous animal, preying upon advantage, and otherwise may be escaped.

Many more there are whose serious enquiries we must request of others, and shall only awake considerations, Whether that common opinion that Snakes do breed out of the back or spinal marrow of man, doth build upon any constant root or seed in nature; or did not arise from contingent generation, in some single bodies remembred by _Pliny_ or others, and might be paralleld since in living corruptions of the guts and other parts; which regularly proceed not to putrifactions of that nature.

Whether the Story of the Remora be not unreasonably amplified; whether that of Bernacles and Goose-trees be not too much enlarged; whether the common history of Bees will hold, as large accounts have delivered; whether the brains of Cats be attended with such destructive malignities, as _Dioscorides_ and others put upon them.

As also whether there be not some additional help of Art, unto the Numismatical and Musical sh.e.l.ls, which we sometimes meet with in conchylious collections among us?

Whether the fasting spittle of man be poison unto Snakes and Vipers, as experience hath made us doubt? Whether the Nightingals setting with her breast against a thorn, be any more then that she placeth some p.r.i.c.kels on the outside of her nest, or roosteth in th.o.r.n.y and p.r.i.c.kly places, where Serpents may least approach her? Whether Mice may be bred by putrifaction as well as univocall production, as may be easily believed, if that receit to make Mice out of wheat will hold, which _Helmont_ hath delivered. [SN: Helm. Imago fermenti, _etc._] Whether Quails from any idiosyncracy or peculiarity of const.i.tution, do innocuously feed upon h.e.l.lebore, or rather sometime but medically use the same; because we perceive that Stares, which are commonly said harmlessly to feed on Hemlock, do not make good the tradition; and he that observes what vertigoes, cramps and convulsions follow thereon in these animals, will be of our belief.

THE FOURTH BOOK

Of many popular and received Tenents concerning Man, which examined, prove either false or dubious.

CHAPTER I

Of the Erectness of Man.

[Sidenote: _What figure in animals is properly erect._]

That only _Man_ hath an Erect figure, and for to behold and look up toward heaven, according to that of the Poet,

_p.r.o.naque c.u.m spectant animalia caetera terram, Os homini sublime dedit, caelumque tueri Jussit, et erectos ad sydera tollere vultus,_

is a double a.s.sertion, whose first part may be true, if we take Erectness strictly, and so as _Galen_ hath defined it; for they only, saith he, have an Erect figure, whose spine and thigh-bone are carried in right lines; and so indeed of any we yet know, _Man_ only is Erect.

For the thighs of other animals do stand at Angles with their spine, and have rectangular positions in Birds, and perfect Quadrupeds. Nor doth the Frog, though stretched out, or swimming, attain the rect.i.tude of _Man_, or carry its thigh without all angularity. [SN: _What seiante or sitting._] And thus is it also true, that Man only sitteth, if we define sitting to be a firmation of the body upon the _Ischias_: wherein if the position be just and natural, the Thigh-bone lieth at right angles to the Spine, and the Leg-bone or Tibia to the Thigh. For others when they seem to sit, as _Dogs_, _Cats_, or _Lions_, do make unto their Spine acute angles with their Thigh, and acute to the Thigh with their Shank. Thus is it likewise true, what _Aristotle_ alledgeth in that Problem; why _Man_ alone suffereth pollutions in the Night [SN: ????e????t????.], because _Man_ only lyeth upon his Back; if we define not the same by every supine position, but when the Spine is in rect.i.tude with the Thigh, and both with the arms lie parallel to the _Horizon_: so that a line through their Navel will pa.s.s through the Zenith and Centre of the Earth. And so cannot other Animals lie upon their Backs: for though the Spine lie parallel with the _Horizon_, yet will their Legs incline, and lie at angles unto it. And upon these three divers positions in _Man_, wherein the Spine can only be at right lines with the Thigh, arise those remarkable postures, p.r.o.ne, supine and erect; which are but differenced in situation, or in angular postures upon the Back, the Belly and the Feet.

But if Erectness be popularly taken, and as it is largely opposed unto p.r.o.neness, or the posture of animals looking downwards, carrying their venters or opposite part to the Spine, directly towards the Earth, it may admit of question. For though in _Serpents_ and _Lizards_ we may truly allow a p.r.o.neness, yet _Galen_ acknowledgeth that perfect Quadrupeds, as _Horses_, _Oxen_ and _Camels_, are but partly p.r.o.ne, and have some part of Erectness. And _Birds_ or flying Animals, are so far from this kind of p.r.o.neness, that they are almost Erect; advancing the Head and Breast in their progression, and only p.r.o.ne in the Act of volitation or flying. And if that be true which is delivered of the _Pengin_ or _Anser Magellanicus_, often described in Maps about those _Straits_, that they go Erect like _Men_, and with their Breast and Belly do make one line perpendicular unto the axis of the Earth; it will almost make up the exact Erectness of _Man_ [SN: _Observe also the_ Vrias Bellanii _and_ Mergus major.]. Nor will that Insect come very short which we have often beheld, that is, one kind of Locust which stands not p.r.o.ne, or a little inclining upward, but in a large Erectness, elevating alwaies the two fore Legs, and sustaining it self in the middle of the other four: by _Zoographers_ [SN: _Describers of animals._] called _Mantis_, and by the common people of _Provence_, _Prega_, _Dio_, the Prophet and praying Locust; as being generally found in the posture of supplication, or such as resembleth ours, when we lift up our hands to Heaven.

As for the end of this Erection; to look up toward Heaven; though confirmed by several testimonies, and the _Greek_ Etymology of _Man_, it is not so readily to be admitted; and as a popular and vain conceit was Anciently rejected by _Galen_; who in his third, _De usu partium_, determines, that _Man_ is Erect, because he was made with hands, and was therewith to exercise all Arts, which in any other figure he could not have performed; as he excellently declareth in that place, where he also proves that _Man_ could have been made neither Quadruped nor Centaur.

And for the accomplishment of this intention, that is, to look up and behold the Heavens, _Man_ hath a notable disadvantage in the Eye lid; whereof the upper is far greater than the lower, which abridgeth the sight upwards; contrary to those of _Birds_, who herein have the advantage of _Man_: Insomuch that the Learned _Plempius_[SN: Plemp.

Ophthalmographia.] is bold to affirm, that if he had had the formation of the Eye-lids, he would have contrived them quite otherwise.

The ground and occasion of this conceit was a literal apprehension of a figurative expression in _Plato_, as _Galen_ thus delivers; To opinion that _Man_ is Erect to look up and behold the Heavens, is a conceit only fit for those that never saw the _Fish_ Uranoscopus, that is, the Beholder of Heaven; which hath its Eyes so placed, that it looks up directly to Heaven; which _Man_ doth not, except he recline, or bend his head backward: and thus to look up to Heaven, agreeth not only unto _Men_, but _a.s.ses_; to omit _Birds_ with long necks, which look not only upwards, but round about at pleasure. And therefore _Men_ of this opinion understood not _Plato_ when he said that _Man_ doth _Sursum aspicere_; for thereby was not meant to gape, or look upward with the Eye, but to have his thoughts sublime; and not only to behold, but speculate their Nature, with the Eye of the understanding.

Now although _Galen_ in this place makes instance but in one, yet are the other fishes, whose Eyes regard the Heavens, as Plane, and Cartilagineous _Fishes_; as _Pectinals_, or such as have their bones made laterally like a Comb; for when they apply themselves to sleep or rest upon the white side, their Eyes on the other side look upward toward Heaven. For _Birds_, they generally carry their heads Erectly like _Man_, and have advantage in their upper Eye-lid; and many that have long necks, and bear their heads somewhat backward, behold far more of the Heavens, and seem to look above the aequinoxial Circle. And so also in many Quadrupeds, although their progression be partly p.r.o.ne, yet is the sight of their Eye direct, not respecting the Earth but Heaven; and make an higher Arch of alt.i.tude then our own. The position of a _Frog_ with his head above water exceedeth these; for therein he seems to behold a large part of the Heavens, and the acies of his Eye to ascend as high as the Tropick; but he that hath beheld the posture of a _Bittor_, will not deny that it beholds almost the very _Zenith_. [SN: _Point of heaven over our heads._]

CHAPTER II

Of the Heart.

[Sidenote: _How a Mans heart is placed in his Body._]

That the _Heart_ of Man is seated in the left side, is an a.s.severation, which strictly taken, is refutable by inspection, whereby it appears the base and centre thereof is in the midst of the chest; true it is, that the Mucro or Point thereof inclineth unto the left; for by this position it giveth way unto the ascension of the midriff, and by reason of the hollow vein could not commodiously deflect unto the right. From which diversion, nevertheless we cannot so properly say tis placed in the left, as that it consisteth in the middle, that is, where its centre resteth; for so do we usually say a Gnomon or Needle is in the middle of a Dial, although the extreams may respect the North or South, and approach the circ.u.mference thereof.

The ground of this mistake is a general observation from the pulse or motion of the _Heart_, which is more sensible on this side; but the reason hereof is not to be drawn from the situation of the _Heart_, but the site of the left ventricle wherein the vital Spirits are laboured; and also the great Artery that conveieth them out; both which are situated on the left. Upon this reason Epithems or cordial Applications are justly applied unto the left Breast; and the Wounds under the fifth Rib may be more suddenly destructive if made on the sinister side, and the Spear of the Souldier that peirced our Saviour, is not improperly described, when Painters direct it a little towards the left.

The other ground is more particular and upon inspection; for in dead Bodies especially lying upon the Spine, the _Heart_ doth seem to incline unto the left. Which happeneth not from its proper site; but besides its sinistrous gravity, is drawn that way by the great Artery, which then subsideth and haleth the _Heart_ unto it. And therefore strictly taken, the _Heart_ is seated in the middle of the Chest; but after a careless and inconsiderate aspection, or according to the readiest sense of pulsation, we shall not quarrel, if any affirm it is seated toward the left. And in these considerations must _Aristotle_ be salved, when he affirmeth the _Heart_ of Man is placed in the left side, and thus in a popular acception may we receive the Periphrasis of _Persius_[SN: ----Leva in parte mamillae.]; when he taketh the part under the left Pap for the _Heart_; and if rightly apprehended, it concerneth not this controversie, when it is said in _Ecclesiastes_: The _Heart_ of a wise Man is in the right side, but that of a Fool in the left, for thereby may be implied, that the _Heart_ of a wise Man delighteth in the right way, or in the path of Vertue; that of a Fool in the left or road of Vice; according to the mystery of the Letter of _Pythagoras_, or that expression in _Jonah_, concerning sixscore thousand, that could not discern between their right hand and their left, or knew not good from evil.

That a.s.sertion also that Man proportionally hath the largest brain, I did I confess somewhat doubt; and conceived it might have failed in Birds, especially such as having little Bodies, have yet large Cranies, and seem to contain much Brain, as _Snipes_, _Woodc.o.c.ks_, etc. But upon trial I find it very true. The Brains of a Man, _Archangelus_ and _Bauhinus_ observe, to weigh four pound, and sometime five and a half.

If therefore a Man weigh one hundred and fourty pounds, and his Brain but five, his Weight is 27. times as much as his brain, deducting the weight of that five pound which is allowed for it. Now in a Snipe, which weighed four ounces two dragms, I find the Brains to weigh but half a dragm; so that the weight of the Body (allowing for the Brain) exceeded the weight of the Brain, sixty seven times and an half.

More controvertible it seemeth in the Brains of Sparrows, whose Cranies are rounder, and so of larger capacity: and most of all in the Heads of Birds, upon the first formation in the Egg, wherein the Head seems larger then all the Body, and the very Eyes almost as big as either. A Sparrow in the total we found to weigh seven dragms and four and twenty grans; whereof the Head a dragm, but the Brain not fifteen grains; which answereth not fully the proportion of the brain of Man. And therefore it is to be taken of the whole Head with the Brains, when _Scaliger_[SN: Histor. Animal. _lib._ 1.] objecteth that the Head of a Man is the fifteenth part of his Body; that of a Sparrow, scarce the fifth.