[287] Plato, in his Timæus.
[288] Ἐκμαγεῖον. Harris, in his Philosophical Arrangements, translates this word by “impression”; but it does not, strictly speaking, signify impression, but the substance which receives the impression. Wax, for example, is not the impression of the seal, but the substance which receives the impression. Matter, in like manner, is not the impression of forms, but the substance which receives the impression.
[289] Plato, in his Timæus.
[290] Ibid. These opinions regarding the elements and the first matter are expressed with much precision and clearness; but, in other parts of his Timæus, it must be admitted that he betrays some confusion of ideas on this subject, as is remarked by his illustrious pupil Aristotle (De Ortu et Interitu, ii., 1). A translation of part of Plato’s Timæus regarding the elements, may be seen in the Somnium Scipionis of Macrobius, lib. i.
[291] Apuleius the Platonic Philosopher, On Natural Philosophy.
[292] Idem, On the Universe.
[293] Cicero, On the Nature of the Gods, ii., 33.
[294] Plotinus, Ennead ii., 4.
[295] Plotinus, Ennead ii., 6.
[296] Proclus, Inst. Theol., 72.