FOOTNOTES:

[a] It may not only gratify the Reader’s Curiosity, but also be of Use for preventing Encroachments in Time to come, to give the following Account of Mr. Boyle’s Lectures.

Mr. Boyle, by a Codicil, dated July 28. 1691. and annexed to his Will, charged his Messuage or Dwelling-House in St. Michael’s Crooked-Lane, London, with the Payment of the clear Yearly Rents and Profits thereof, to some Learned Divine in London, or within the Bills of Mortality, to be Elected for a Term not exceeding Three Years, by his Grace the present Lord Archbishop of Canterbury (then Dr. Tenison), Sir Henry Ashurst, Sir John Rotheram, and John Evelyn, Esq; The Business he appointed those Lectures for, was, among others, to be ready to satisfie real Scruples, and to answer such new Objections and Difficulties, as might be started: to which good Answers had not been made. And also, To Preach Eight Sermons in the Year, the first Monday of January, February, March, April and May, and of September, October and November. The Subject of these Sermons was to be, The Proof of the Christian Religion against notorious Infidels, viz. Atheists, Theists, Pagans, Jews, and Mahometans, not descending lower to any Controversies that are among Christians themselves. But by Reason the Lecturers were seldom continued above a Year, and that the House sometimes stood empty, and Tenants brake, or failed in due Payment of their Rent, therefore the Salary sometimes remained long unpaid, or could not be gotten without some Difficulty: To remedy which Inconvenience, his present Grace of Canterbury procured a Yearly Stipend of 50l. to be paid Quarterly for ever, charged upon a Farm in the Parish of Brill, in the County of Bucks: Which Stipend is accordingly very duly paid when demanded, without Fee or Reward.

TO THE
READER.

Vid. Bp. Burnet’s Funeral Serm. p. 24.

As the noble Founder of the Lectures I have had the Honour of Preaching, was a great Improver of Natural Knowledge, so, in all Probability, he did it out of a pious End, as well as in Pursuit of his Genius. For it was his settled Opinion, that nothing tended more to cultivate true Religion and Piety in a Man’s Mind, than a thorough Skill in Philosophy. And such Effect it manifestly had in him, as is evident from divers of his published Pieces; from his constant Deportment in never mentioning the Name of God without a Pause, and visible Stop in his Discourse; and from the noble Foundation of his Lectures for the Honour of God, and the generous Stipend he allowed for the same.

Vid. Mr. Boyle’s Will.

And forasmuch as his Lectures were appointed by him for the Proof of the Christian Religion against Atheists and other notorious Infidels, I thought, when I had the Honour to be made his Lecturer, that I could not better come up to his Intent, than to attempt a Demonstration of the Being and Attributes of God, in what I may call Mr. Boyle’s own, that is a Physico-Theological, Way. And, besides that it was for this very Service that I was called to this Honour, I was the more induced to follow this Method, by reason none of my learned and ingenious Predecessors in these Lectures, have done it on purpose, but only casually, in a transient, piece-meal manner; they having made it their Business to prove the great Points of Christianity in another Way, which they have accordingly admirably done. But considering what our Honourable Founder’s Opinion was of Natural Knowledge, and that his Intent was, that those Matters by passing through divers Hands, and by being treated of in different Methods, should take in most of what could be said upon the Subject, I hope my Performance may be acceptable, although one of the meanest.

As for others, who have before me done something of this kind; as Mersenne on Genesis; Dr. Cockburne in his Essays; Mr. Ray in his Wisdom of God, &c. and I may add the first of Mr. Boyle’s Lecturers, the most learned Dr. Bently in his Boyle’s Lectures, the eloquent Arch-Bishop of Cambray, (and I hear, the ingenious Mons. Perault hath something of this kind, but never saw it:) I say, as to these learned and ingenious Authors, as the Creation is an ample Subject, so I industriously endeavour’d to avoid doing over what they before had done; and for that Reason did not, for many Years, read their Books until I had finish’d my own. But when I came to compare what each of us had done, I found my self in many Things to have been anticipated by some or other of them, especially by my Friend, the late great Mr. Ray. And therefore in some Places I shorten’d my Discourse, and referr’d to them; and in a few others, where the Thread of my Discourse would have been interrupted, I have made use of their Authority, as the best Judges; as of Mr. Ray’s, for Instance, with Relation to the Mountains and their Plants, and other Products. If then the Reader should meet with any Thing mention’d before by others, and not accordingly acknowledged by me, I hope he will candidly think me no Plagiary, because I can assure him I have along, (where I was aware of it,) cited my Authors with their due Praise. And it is scarce possible, when Men write on the same, or a Subject near a-kin, and the Observations are obvious, but that they must often hit upon the same Thing: And frequently this may happen from Persons making Observations about one, and the same Thing, without knowing what each other hath done; which indeed, when the first Edition of my Book was nearly printed off, I found to be my own Case, having (for want of Dr. Hook’s Micrography being at hand, it being a very scarce Book, and many Years since I read it,) given Descriptions of two or three Things, which I thought had not been tolerably well observ’d before, but are describ’d well by that curious Gentleman.

One is a Feather, the Mechanism of which we in the main agree in, except in his Representation in Fig. 1. Scheme 22. which is somewhat different from what I have represented in my [Fig. 18], &c. But I can stand by the Truth, though not the Elegance of my Figures. But as to the other Differences, they are accidental, occasion’d by our taking the Parts in a different View, or in a different Part of a Vane; and to say the Truth, (not flattering my self, or detracting from the admirable Observations of that great Man,) I have hit upon a few Things that escap’d him, being enabled to do so, not only by the Help of such Microscopes as he made use of; but also by those made by Mr. Wilson, which exceed all I ever saw, whether of English, Dutch, or Italian make; several of which Sorts I have seen and examined.

The other Thing we have both of us figur’d and describ’d, is, The Sting of a Bee or Wasp; in which we differ more than in the last. But by a careful Re-examination, I find, that although Dr. Hook’s Observations are more critical than any were before, yet they are not so true as mine. For as to the Scabbard, (as he calls it,) I could never discover any Beards thereon; and I dare be confident there are none, but what are on the two Spears. And as to the Point of the Scabbard, he hath represented it as tubular, or bluntish at the Top; but it really terminates in a sharp Point, and the two Spears and the Poyson come out at a Slit, or longish Hole, a little below the Top or Point. And as to the Spears, he makes them to be but one, and that the Point thereof lies always out of the Scabbard. But by a strict Examination, they will be found to be two, as I have said, and that they always lie within the Scabbard, except in stinging; as I have represented them, in [Fig. 21.] from the transparent Sting of a Wasp. And as to the Spear being made of Joynts, and parted into two, as his Fig. 2. Scheme 16. represents, I could never upon a Review, discover it to be so, but imagine, that by seeing the Beards lying upon, or behind the Spears, he might take them for Joynts, and by seeing the Point of one Spear lie before the other, he might think the Spear was parted in two. But lest the Reader should think himself imposed upon both by Dr. Hook and my Self, it is necessary to be observ’d, that the Beards (or Tenterhooks as Dr. Hook calls them) lie only on one Side of each Spear, not all round them; and are therefore not to be seen, unless they are laid in a due Posture in the Microscope, viz. sideways, not under, or atop the Spear.

The last Thing (which scarce deserves mention) is the Mechanism of the Hair, which Dr. Hook found to be solid, like a long Piece of Horn, not hollow, as Malpighi found it in some Animals. And I have found both those great Men to be in some Measure in the Right, the Hair of some Animals, or in some Parts of the Body being very little, if at all tubular; and in others, particularly Mice, Rats and Cats, to be as I have represented in my [Fig. 14.] &c.

And now if my Inadvertency in other Things hath no worse Effect than it hath had in these, namely, to confirm, correct, or clear others Observations, I hope the Reader will excuse it, if he meets with any more of the like kind. But not being conscious of any such Thing (although probably there may be many such) I am more sollicitous to beg the Reader’s Candour and Favour, with Relation both to the Text and Notes: In the former of which, I fear he will think I have much under-done, as in the latter over-done the Matter: But for my Excuse, I desire it may be consider’d, that the textual Part being Sermons, to be deliver’d in the Pulpit, it was necessary to insist but briefly upon many of the Works of God, and to leave out many Things that might have been admitted in a more free Discourse. So that I wish it may not be thought I have said too much rather than too little for such an Occasion and Place. And indeed, I had no small Trouble in expunging some Things, altering many, and softening the most, and, in a word, giving in some measure the Whole a different Dress than what I had at first drawn it up in, and what it now appears in.

And as for the Notes, which may be thought too large, I confess I might have shorten’d them, and had Thoughts of doing it, by casting some of them into the Text, as an ingenious, learned Friend advis’d. But when I began to do this, I found it was in a Manner to new-make all, and that I should be necessitated to transcribe the greatest Part of the Book, which (having no Assistant) would have been too tedious for me, being pretty well fatigu’d with it before. I then thought it best to pare off from some, and to leave out others, and accordingly did so in many Places, and would have done it in more, particularly, in many of the Citations out of the Ancients, both Poets and others, as also in many of the anatomical Observations, and many of my own and others Observations: But then I consider’d as to the First, that those Citations do (many of them at least) shew the Sense of Mankind about God’s Works, and that the most of them may be acceptable to young Gentlemen at the Universities, for whose Service these Lectures are greatly intended. And as to the anatomical Notes, and some others of the like Nature, most of them serve either to the Confirmation, or the Illustration, or Explication of the Text, if not to the learned, yet to the unskilful, less learned Reader; for whose sake, if I had added more, I believe he would forgive me. And lastly, as to the Observations of my self and some others, where it happens that they are long, it is commonly where a Necessity lay upon me of fully expressing the Author’s Sense, or my own, or where the Thing was new, and never before Publish’d; in which Case, it was necessary to be more Express and Particular, than in Matters better known, or where the Author may be referr’d unto.

In the former Editions I promised another Part I Had relating to the Heavens, if I was thereunto encouraged. And two large Impressions of this Book, having been sold off, so as to admit of a Third before the Year was gone about; and hearing that it is translated into two, if not three Languages; but especially being importuned by divers learned Persons, both known and unknown, I have thought my self sufficiently engaged to perform that Promise; and have accordingly published that Part.

So that I have now carry’d my Survey through most Parts of the visible Creation, except the Waters, which are for the most Part omitted; and the Vegetables, which, for want of Time, I was forced to treat of in a perfunctory Manner. And to the Undertaking of the former of these, having receiv’d divers Sollicitations from Persons unknown as well as known, I think my self bound in Civility to own their Favour, and to return them my hearty Thanks for the kind Opinion they have shewn of my other Performances, that they have encourag’d me to undertake this other Task. And accordingly I have begun it, and (as far as my Affairs will permit) have made some Progress in it: But Age and Avocations growing upon me, I begin to fear I shall scarce be able to finish it as I would, and therefore must recommend that ample and noble Subject to others, who have more leisure, and would do it better than I.

As to Additions, I have been much sollicited thereto by divers curious and learned Persons, who would have had me to insert some of their Observations, and many more of my own: But in a Work of this Nature, this would have been endless; and although the Book would thereby be render’d much better, and more compleat, yet I could by no Means excuse so great an Injustice to the Purchasers of the former Editions. And therefore (except in the second Edition, where it was not easy to be avoided) few Additions or Alterations have been made, besides what were Typographical, or of small Consideration. Only in the third Edition I amended the first Paragraph of [Note (a). Chap. 5. Book 1.] concerning Gravity; and in the Fourth, [Page 16.] and [18.] I inserted two Passages out of Seneca, that were inadvertently left out, and corrected many Things, that upon a careful Review, seem’d to want amendment.

And lastly, as to the following Analysis, it was added at the Request of some of my learned and ingenious Friends; and although it might have been contracted, they would not suffer it to be so.

AN
ANALYSIS
OF THE
Following Book.

The Works of the Creation relating to our Terraqueous Globe, are such as are visible in the

Outworks or Appendages of the Globe, viz. these three:
1. The Atmosphere
Composed of Air and Vapours,Page [4.]
Useful to
Respiration and Animal Life[5.]
Vegetation of Plants[9.]
Conveyance of
The winged Tribes.
Sound[11.]
The Functions of Nature.
Reflecting and Refracting Light[12.]
Containing the
Winds, which are of great Use and Necessity
To the Salubrity and Pleasure of the Air[14.]
In various Engines[18.]
In Navigation.
Clouds and Rain: Of great Use to the
Refreshment of the Earth and the things therein[20.]
Origine of Fountains, according to some[23.]
2. Light. Its
Fountain[26.]
Wonderful Necessity and Use.
Improvement by Glasses[28.]
Velocity.
Expansion[29.]
3. Gravity.
Its great Benefit[33.]
Cause of Levity, which is of great Use in the World[35.]
Terraqueous Globe it self. Of which I take a View in General of.
Its Spherical Figure, which is the most commodious in regard of,
Light[40.]
Heat.
Lodgment of the Waters.
The Winds[41.]
Its Bulk[43.]
Its Motion[ibid.]
Annual.
Diurnal.
Its Place and Distance from the Sun, and other heavenly Bodies[46.]
Its Distribution, so as to cause all the Parts of the Globe to
Balance each other[48.]
Be helpful to one another.
The great Variety and Quantity of all things serving for Food, Physick, Building, and every Use and Occasion of all Ages, Places, and Creatures[53.]
An Objection answered[55.]
Particular of the Earth: of its Constituent Parts, viz. Its
Soils and Moulds, necessary to the
Growth of various Vegetables[61.]
Various Occasions of Man, and other Animals[62.]
Various Strata or Beds, affording Materials for
Tools.
Firing.
Building.
Dying, and thousands of other things[64.]
Conveyance of the sweet Fountain-Waters[65.]
Subterraneous Caverns and Vulcano’s; of great Use to the Countries where they are[67.]
Mountains and Valleys, which are not rude Ruins, but Works of Design, inasmuch as this Structure of the Earth is
The most beautiful and pleasant.
The most Salubrious: to some Constitutions, the Hills; to some, the Valleys[71.]
Best to skreen us, and other things[72.]
Beneficial to the
Production of various Vegetables.
Harbour and Maintenance of various Animals[73.]
Generation of Minerals and Metals[75.]
Absolutely necessary to the Conveyance of the Rivers; and in all probability to the Origine of Fountains[ibid.]
Conclusion against blaming GOD[81.]
Its Inhabitants; which are either Sensitive or Insensitive.
Concerning the Sensitive, some things are
Common to all the Tribes, particularly these Ten:
I. The five Senses and their Organs; the[85.]
Eye, an admirable Piece of Mechanism in regard of its
Form, for the most part Spherical, which is best for
The Reception of Objects.
Motion of the Eye[90.]
Situation in the most commodious part of the Body of every Creature.
Motion, in some Animals,
Every way.
Fixed; and the excellent Provision in that case[91.]
Size: which is in
All Creatures, according to their Occasions.
Such as live abroad in the Light; larger.
Such as live under ground, less.
Number, in some Animals:
Two[94.]
More: Together with the wise Provision to prevent double Vision.
Parts; some of which are viewed
Transiently, the Arteries, Veins, and some of the Muscles and Tunicks.
More strictly some of the
Muscles, and the excellent Provision made for their peculiar Uses, Equilibration, &c.[96.]
Tunicks: Among which the various Apertures, Forms, and Positions of the Pupil are particularly noted[99.]
Humours, especially the prodigious Finery and Composition of the Crystalline, according to Mr. Lewenhoeck.
Nerves[105.]
Optick.
Motory.
Guard and Security, provided for by
The Reparation of the Aqueous Humour.
Covering of the Eye Lids.
Strong and curious Bones.
Hard and firm Tunicks.
Withdrawing them into their Heads[109.]
Of erect Vision[111.]
Hearing. Its
Organ, the Ear,[113.]
Double, enabling us to hear every way, and a good Provision for the Loss or Hurt of one.
Situated in the very best place for Information, Security, and near the Eye and Brain.
The Fabrick of the Outward Ear, which is in
All Creatures formed, guarded, placed, and every way accoutered according to their various Places and Occasion[115.]
Man suitable to his erect Posture; and all its Parts, the Helix, Tragus, Concha, &c. admirably suited to the Reception and Melioration of Sounds, and the Security of the Part.
Inward Ear: In which I take a View of the[121.]
Auditory Passage, curiously tunnelled, tortuous and smooth and being always open, is lined with the nauseous Ear-wax for a Guard.
Tuba Eustachiana[122.]
Bone, particularly hard and context for Guard, and to assist the Sound.
Tympanum, and its Membrane, Muscles, and four little Bones to correspond to all kinds of Sound.
Labyrinth, Semicircular Canals, Cochlea; all made with the utmost Art[127.]
Auditory Nerves, one of which is ramified to the Eye, Tongue, Muscles of the Ear, and to the Heart; whence a great Sympathy between those Parts[128.]
Object, Sound. Under which I consider,
The Improvements thereof by the Wit of Man[129.]
Its great Necessity, and excellent Uses[132.]
Its Pleasure, and the Power of Musick[134.]
Smelling. In which sense these things are remarkable; the
Nostrils, always open, cartilaginous, and endowed with Muscles[137.]
Laminæ, serving for
A Guard against noxious Things[138.]
The spreading of the Olfactory Nerves.
Prodigious Use of it in all, especially some of the Irrationals[139.]
Taste. The Things most remarkable in which Sense are, the
Nerves spread about the Tongue and Mouth, with their Guard.
The Papillæ, neatly made[140.]
Situation thereof to be a Centinel to the Stomach and Food.
Consent thereof with the other Senses, by some Branches of the fifth Pair[141.]
Feeling.[142.]
Whose Organ is the Nerves[143.]
Which is dispersed through every Part of the Body, and the admirable Benefit thereof.
II. Respiration the grand Act of Animal Life[145.]
Ministering to the Circulation of the Blood and Diastole of the Heart.
The Parts concerned therein are
The Larynx, with its great Variety of Muscles, &c. for Respiration, and forming the Voice[148.]
Trachea and Epiglottis, exquisitely contriv’d and made.
Bronchi and Lungs, with their curious Arteries, Veins and Nerves[150.]
Ribs, Diaphragm, and the several Muscles concerned.
Its Defects in the
Fœtus in the Womb[153.]
Amphibious Creatures[157.]
Some Animals in Winter.
III. The Motion of Animals: Concerning which I consider
Transiently the
Muscles, and their Structure, their Size, Fastening to the Joynts, Motions, &c.[158.]
Bones, and their curious Make.
Joynts, with their Form, Bandage and Lubricity[161.]
Nerves, and their Origine, Ramifications and Inosculations.
More particularly the Loco-Motive Act it self, which is
Swift or slow, with Wings, Legs many or few, or none at all, according to the various Occasions and Ways of Animals Lives. As particularly in
Reptiles, whose Food and Habitation is near at hand.
Man and Quadrupeds, whose Occasions require a larger Range, and therefore a swifter Motion[164.]
Birds, and Insects, whose Food, Habitation and Safety require yet a larger Range, and have accordingly a yet swifter Motion and direct Conveyance.
Geometrically and neatly performed by the nicest Rules.
Well provided for by the
Due Equipoise of the Body[165.]
Motive Parts being accurately placed with regard to the Center of the Body’s Gravity, and to undergo their due Proportion of Weight and Exercise.
IV. The Place allotted to the several Tribes of Animals to live and act in. Concerning which I observe that
Their Organs are adapted to their Place[167.]
All Places habitable are duly stocked.
Various Animals have their various Places; and the Wisdom thereof[168.]
V. The Balance of Animals Numbers, so that the World is not
Overstocked by their Increase.
Depopulated by their Death.
Which is effected in
The several Tribes of Animals by a due Proportion in the
Length of their Life[169.]
Number of their Young, in
Useful Creatures being many.
Pernicious few.
Man very remarkably by the
Different Length of his Life.
Soon after the Creation[171.]
When the World was more, but not fully peopled[171.]
When it was sufficiently stocked, down to the present time.
Due Proportions of Marriages, Births and Burials[174.]
Balance of Males and Females[175.]
VI. The Food of Animals. In which the Divine Management and Providence appears in the[179.]
Maintaining such large Numbers of all kinds of Animals on the Land, in the Seas, and divers Places too unlikely to afford sufficient Food.
Adjustment of the Quantity of Food to the Number of Devourers, so that
There is not too much, so as to rot, and annoy the World[181.]
The most useful is most plentiful, and easiest propagated[ibid.]
Delight which the various Tribes of Animals have to the Varieties of Food, so that what is grateful to one, is nauseous to another: Which is a wise means to cause
All Creatures to be sufficiently supplied.
All sorts of Food to be consumed.
The World to be kept sweet and clean by those means[183.]
Peculiar Food, that particular Places afford to the Creatures residing therein[184.]
Curious Apparatus in all Animals for Gathering, and Digestion of their Food, viz. the
Mouth, nicely shaped for Food, &c. In
Some, little and narrow[189.]
Some, with a large deep Incisure.
Insects very notable to catch, hold and devour Prey; to carry Burdens, to bore and build their Habitations[190.]
Birds as notable, Horned in all. In some
Hooked for Rapine, climbing, &c.[192.]
Sharp and strong to pierce Trees, &c.
Long and slender to grope.
Long and broad to quaffer.
Thick and sharp edged to husk Grain.
Compressed to raise Limpets, &c.
Teeth, which are peculiarly hard, firmly inserted in the Jaws, variously shaped in the same, and different Animals, deficient young Creatures, &c.[194.]
Salival Glands, commodiously placed for Mastication and Deglutition[196.]
Muscles and Tendons, serving to Mastication, strong and well lodged.
Gullet, sized according to the Food; with curious Fibres, &c.[196.]
Stomach;[197.]
Which hath a curious Mechanism of Fibres, Tunicks, Glands, Nerves, Arteries and Veins.
Whose Faculty of Digestion by such seeming weak Menstruums is admirable.
Whose Size and Strength is conformable to the Nature of the Food, or Occasions of Animals.
Which is in
Tame Animals but one.
Ruminants, Birds, &c. more.
Guts, whose Tunicks, Glands, Fibres, Valves, and Peristaltick Motion deserve Admiration[201.]
Lacteals, together with the Impregnations from the Pancreas, Gall, Glands, and Lymphæducts.
Sagacity of all Animals in finding out, and providing Food. In
Man less remarkable for the sake of his Understanding[202.]
Inferiour Creatures. In such as are
Come to mature Age, and are able to help themselves, by their
Accurate Smell[203.]
Natural Craft.
Hunting and groping out of Sight.
Seeing and Smelling at great Distances[205.]
Climbing; the strong Tendons and Muscles acting therein.
Seeing in the dark.
Helpless. As[207.]
Young Creatures.
Man, born the most helpless of any, the Parents Reason, Hands and Affection sufficing.
Irrationals: For whose Young the Creator hath made a sufficient Provision partly by the
Parent-Animal’s own
Στοργὴ, and Diligence in Nursing and Defending them[207.]
Sagacity and Care in repositing their Eggs and Young, where Food and all Necessaries are to be found[209.]
Ability of the Young themselves to shift for, and help themselves, with the little Helps of their Dams[210.]
Creatures destitute of Food at some Seasons, or likely to want it, who
Are able to live long without Food[211.]
Lay up Food before-hand.
VII. The Cloathing of Animals, which is[214.]
Suited to the Place and Occasions of all. In
Man, it is left to his own Reason and Art, joined with sufficient Materials: Which is best for him,
Because he may sute his Cloathing to his Quality and Business[218.]
For Perspiration and Health sake.
To exercise his Art and Industry.
To excite his Diligence in keeping himself sweet and clean.
In being the Parent of divers Callings[219.]
Irrationals: Who are either
Ready furnished with proper Cloathing.
On the dry Land with Hair, Fleeces, Furrs, Shells, hard Skins, &c.[220.]
In the Air with Feathers, light, strong and warm.
In the Waters with Scales, hard for Guard; smooth for Passage; or with strong Shells to guard such as move more slowly[223.]
Provide for themselves by their Textrine, or Architechtonick Art. Of which under the next Branch.
Well garnished, being all Workman-like, compleat, in its kind beautiful, being[224.]
Adorned with gay, various and elegant Colours.
If sordid, yet with exact Symmetry, and full of curious Mechanism.
VIII. The Houses and Habitations of
Man, who is abundantly furnished with
Contrivance and Art to build and garnish his Habitations[226.]
Materials of all sorts to effect his Works.
Irrationals, whose marvellous Instinct is manifested by the
Convenience of their Nests and Habitations for the
Hatching and Education of their Young[228.]
Guard and Defence of themselves and their Young.
Fabrick of their Nests, scarce imitable by Man, and shewn by their Contrivance and Make, being exactly suitable to their Occasions, and made by
Putting only a few ugly Sticks, Moss, Dirt, &c. together[231.]
Building Combs according to the best Rules of Mathematicks.
Weaving Webs, and making Cases. For which Service the Parts of their Bodies, and Materials afforded by them are very considerable.
IX. Animals Self-Preservation. For which there is always a Guard in proportion to the Dangers and Occasions of their State. Which is observable in
Man, whose Reason and Art supplies the Defect of Natural Armature.
Irrational Creatures; who
As they are on one Hand sufficiently guarded by their
Shells, Horns, Claws, Stings, &c.[239.]
Changing their Colours.
Wings, Feet, and Swiftness.
Diving in, and tinging the Waters.
Ejecting Juices out of their Body.
Accurate Smell, Sight and Hearing.
Natural Craft[243.]
Uncouth Noise, ugly Gesticulations, and horrid Aspect.
Horrible Stink and Excrements.
So on the other Hand can by their Strength, Sagacity, or natural Artifices entrap and captivate, what is necessary for their Food and other Occasions.
X. Animal’s Generation.
Equivocal, is denied[244.]
Univocal, Which of
Man, is οὐ πρέπειας ἕνεκα, passed wholly by
Irrational Creatures, which is remarkable for their
Sagacity in chusing the fittest Place for their Eggs and Young: Where it is observable what a
Compleat Order they observe.
Neat Apparatus their Bodies are provided with for this purpose[248.]
Natural Venom they inject with their Eggs into Vegetables to pervert Nature, and produce Balls, and Cases[250.]
Making use of the fittest Seasons, either
All Seasons[251.]
When Provisions are most plentiful and easiest had.
Due Number of Young[252.]
Diligence and Concern for their Young, in point of
Incubation[253.]
Safety and Defence[254.]
Faculty of Nursing their Young, by
Suckling them. In which it is observable
How suitable this Food is.
How willingly parted with by all, even the most savage.
What a compleat Apparatus in all Creatures of Dugs, &c.
Putting Food in their Mouths, with their proper Parts
for catching and conveying Food[255.]
Neither way, but by laying in Provisions before-hand[256.]
Having in the Fourth Book thus dispatched the Decad of Things in common to the Sensitive Creatures, I take a view of their particular Tribes, viz. of
Man; whom I consider with relation to his
Soul. Concerning which having cursorily mentioned divers things, I insist upon two as shewing an especial divine Management, the
Various Genii, or Inclinations of Men, which is a wise Provision for the Dispatch for all the World’s Affairs, and that they may be performed with Pleasure[263.]
Inventive Faculty, In which it is remarkable that
Its Compass is so large, extending to all things of Use, and occasioning so many several Callings.
Things of greatest Necessity and Use were soon and easily found out; but things less useful later, and dangerous things not yet. Here of divers particular Inventions, with an Exhortation to exercise and improve our Gifts.
Body. In which the things particularly remarked upon are the
Erect Posture[282.]
The most convenient for a Rational Being.
Manifestly intended, as appears from the Structure
of some particular Parts mentioned[285.]
Nice Structure of the Parts ministring thereto.
Equilibration of all the Parts[286.]
Figure and Shape of Man’s Body most agreeable to his Place and Business[287.]
Stature and Size, which is much the best for Man’s State[288.]
Structure of the Parts, which are
Without Botches and Blunders.
Of due Strength.
Of the best Form.
Most accurately accommodated to their proper
Offices.
Lodgment of the Parts, as the
Five Senses[297.]
Hand.
Legs and Feet,
Heart.
Viscera.
Several Bones and Muscles, &c.[298.]
Covering of all with the Skin.
Provision in Man’s Body to
Prevent Evils by the
Situation of the Eyes, Ears, Tongue and Hand[300.]
Guard afforded all, especially the principal Parts.
Duplication of some Parts.
Cure Evils by means of
Proper Emunctories[301.]
Diseases themselves making Discharges of things more dangerous[303.]
Pain giving Warning, and exciting our Endeavours.
Consent of the Parts, effected by the Nerves, a Sample whereof is given in the Fifth Pair, branched to the Eye, Ear, &c.
Political, sociable State. For the Preservation and Security of which the Creator hath taken by variety of Mens.
Faces[308.]
Voices.
Hand-writing.
Quadrupeds. Of which I take no notice, but wherein they differ from Man, viz.
Prone Posture, which is considerable for
The Parts ministering to it, especially the Legs and Feet, sized and made in some for
Strength and slow Motion[315.]
Agility and Swiftness.
Walking and Running.
Walking and Swimming.
Walking and Flying.
Walking and Digging.
Traversing the Plains.
Traversing Ice, Mountains, &c.
Its Usefulness to
Gather Food[317.]
Catch Prey.
Climb, Leap and Swim.
Guard themselves.
Carry Burdens, Till the Ground, and other Uses of Man.
Parts differing from those of Man.
Head, wherein I consider
Its Shape, commonly agreeable to the Animal’s Motion[319.]
The Brain, which is,
Lesser than in Man[319.]
Placed lower than the Cerebellum.
The Nictitating Membrane[321.]
Carotid Arteries, and Rete Mirabile.
Nates.
Neck.
Answering the Length of the Legs[322.]
Strengthened by the Whitleather.
Stomach,[324.]
Corresponding to the several Species.
Suited to their Proper Food, whether Flesh, Grain, &c.
Heart: Its
Ventricles in some
One only[325.]
Two.
Three, as some think.
Situation nearer the midst of the Body, than in Man.
Want of the Fattening of the Pericardium to the Midriff[327.]
Nervous kinds. A Sample of which is given in the different Correspondence between the Head and Heart of Man and Beast by the means of the Nerves.[329.]
Birds. Concerning which I take a View of their
Body and Motion; where I consider
The Parts concerned in their Motion[333.]
The Shape of the Body, made exactly for swimming in, and passing through the Air.
Feathers, which are
Most exactly made for Lightness and Strength.
All well placed in every Part, for the Covering and Motion of the Body.
Preened and dressed[334.]
Wings, which are
Made of the very best Materials, viz. of Bones light and strong; Joynts exactly opening, shutting, and moving, as the Occasions of Flight require; and the Pectoral Muscles, of the greatest Strength of any in the whole Body.
Placed in the nicest point of the Body of every Species, according to the Occasions of Flight, Swimming or Diving.
Tail, which is well made, and placed to keep the Body steady, and assist in its Ascents and Descents[337.]
Legs and Feet, which are made light for Flight, and incomparably accoutred for their proper Occasions of
Swimming[338.]
Walking.
Catching Prey.
Roosting.
Hanging.
Wading and Searching the Waters.
Lifting them upon their Wings.
Motion it self.
Performed by the nicest Laws of Mechanicks.
Answering every Purpose and Occasion.
Other Parts of the Body, viz. the
Head, remarkable for the commodious
Shape of it self[341.]
Forms of the Bill.
Site of the Eye and Ear.
Position of the Brain.
Structure of the
Larynx.
Tongue.
Inner Ear.
Provision by Nerves in the Bill for tasting and distinguishing Food[344.]
Stomachs, one to
Macerate and prepare[345.]
Grind and digest
Lungs incomparably made for
Respiration[346.]
Making the Body buoyant.
Neck, which is made
In due Proportion to the Legs.
To search in the Waters, and
To counterpoise the Body in Flight.
State. Of which I take notice of three Things, viz. their
Migration remarkable for
The Knowledge Birds have of
Their Times of Passage[348.]
The Places proper for them.
Their Accommodation for long Flights by long or else strong Wings.
Incubation, which is considerable for
The Egg, and its parts[351.]
Act itself; that these Creatures should betake themselves to it, know this to be the Way to produce their Young, and with delight and Patience fit such a due Number of Days.
The Neglect of it in any, as the Ostrich, and the wonderful Provision for the Young in that Case[354.]
Nidification. Of which before.
Insects. Which, altho’ a despised Tribe, doth in some Respects more set forth the infinite Power and Wisdom of the Creator, than the larger Animals.
The things in this Tribe remarked upon are their
Body[359.]
Shaped, not so much for long Flights, as for their Food, and Condition of Life.
Built not with Bones, but with what serves both for Bones and Covering too.
Eyes, reticulated to see all ways at once[360.]
Antennæ, and their Use[361.]
Legs and Feet made for
Creeping[363.]
Swimming and Walking.
Hanging on smooth Surfaces.
Leaping.
Digging.
Spinning and Weaving Webs and Cases.
Wings, which are
Nicely distended with Bones[365.]
Some incomparably adorned with Feathers and elegant Colours.
Some joynted and folded up in their Elytra, and distended again at pleasure.
In Number either
Two, with Poises.
Four, without Poises.
Surprizing Minuteness of some of those Animals themselves, especially of their Parts, which are as numerous and various as in other Animal Bodies[367.]
State: which sets forth a particular Concurrence of the Divine Providence, in the wise and careful Provision that is made for their
Security against Winter, by their
Subsisting in a different, viz. their Nympha or Aurelia state[369.]
Living in Torpitude, without any Waste of Body or Spirits[370.]
Laying up Provision before-hand.
Preservation of their Species by their
Chusing proper Places, to lay up their Eggs and Sperm, so that the
Eggs may have due Incubation[373.]
Young sufficient Food.
Care and Curiosity in repositing their Eggs in neat Order, and with the proper Part uppermost[382.]
Incomparable Art of Nidification, by being endow’d with
Parts proper for, and agreeable to the several Ways of Nidification, and the Materials they use in it.
Architectonick Sagacity to build and weave their Cells, or to make even Nature herself their Hand-maid[384.]
Reptiles. Which agreeing with other Animals in something or other before treated of, I consider only their
Motion, which is very remarkable, whether we consider the
Manner of it, as
Vermicular[394.]
Sinuous.
Snail-like.
Catterpillar-like.
Multipedous.
Parts ministring to it.
Poison, which serves to
Scourge Man’s Wickedness[398.]
Their easy Capture and Mastery of their Prey.
Their Digestion.
Watery Inhabitants considerable for their
Great Variety[401.]
Prodigious Multitudes.
Vast bulk of some, and surprizing minuteness of others[403.]
Incomparable Contrivance and Structure of their Bodies.
Supplies of Food.
Respiration.
Adjustment of their Organs of Vision to their Element.
Poise and Motion of the Body every Way[402.]
Insensitive Inhabitants. Among which having mentioned Fossils and others, I insist only upon Vegetables, and that in a cursory manner upon their
Great Variety for the several Uses of the World[404.]
Anatomy.
Leaves[407.]
Flowers and their admirable Gaiety.
Seed, remarkable for its
Generation.
Make.
Containing in it a compleat Plant[408.]
Preservation and Safety in the Gems, Fruit, Earth, &c.
Sowing, which is provided for by Down, Wings, Springy Cases, carried about by Birds, sown by the Husbandman, &c.[412.]
Growing and Standing: Some by
Their own Strength[417.]
The Help of others, by clasping about, or hanging upon them.
Remarkable Use, especially of some which seem to be provided for the Good of
All Places[420.]
Some particular Places, to
Heal some Local Distempers.
Supply some Local Wants.
Practical Inferences upon the whole are these Six, viz. That GOD’s Works.
1. Are great and excellent[425.]
2. Ought to be enquired into, with a Commendation of such as do so[427.]
3. Are manifest to all, and therefore Atheism unreasonable[428.]
4. Ought to excite Fear and Obedience[431.]
5. Ought to excite Thankfulness[432.]
6. Should move us to pay God his due Homages and Worship, particularly that of the Lord’s Day: which is an Appointment
The most ancient[438.]
Wisely contrived for Dispatch of Business, and to prevent Carnality.
Whose proper Business is, to cease from Worldly, and to follow Spiritual Employments; the chief of which is the Publick Worship of GOD.

A
SURVEY
OF THE
Terraqueous Globe.

INTRODUCTION.

In Psal. cxi. 2. The Psalmist asserts, That the[a] Works of the Lord are great; sought out of all them that have Pleasure therein. This is true of all God’s Works, particularly of his Works of Creation: Which, when sought out, or, as the Hebrew Word [] signifieth, when heedfully and deeply pried into, solicitously observ’d and enquir’d out, especially when clearly discovered to us; in this Case, I say, we find those Works of God abundantly to deserve the Psalmist’s Character of being Great and Noble; inasmuch as they are made with the most exquisite Art, [c] contrived with the utmost Sagacity, and ordered with plain wise Design, and ministring to admirable Ends. For which reason St. Paul might well affirm of those Ποιήματα of God, [d] That the invisible Things of God, even his eternal Power and Godhead, are understood by them. And indeed they are the most easy, and intelligible Demonstrations of the Being and Attributes of God;[e] especially to such as are unacquainted with the Subtilties of Reasoning and Argumentation; as the greatest part of Mankind are.

It may not therefore be unsuitable to the Nature and Design of Lectures[f] founded by one of the greatest Vertuoso’s of the last Age, and instituted too on purpose for the Proof of the Christian Religion against Atheists and other Infidels, to improve this occasion in the Demonstration of the Being and Attributes of an infinitely wise and powerful Creator, from a Cursory Survey of the Works of Creation, or (as often called) of Nature.

Which Works belong either to our Terraqueous Globe, or the Heavens.

I shall begin with our own Globe, being nearest, and falling most under our Senses. Which being a Subject very various and copious, for the more methodical and orderly proceeding upon it, I shall distribute the Works therein:

I. Into such as are not properly Parts, but Appendages or Out-works of the Globe.

II. The Globe it self.