[352] See Simon’s Chemistry, vol. i., p. 5; Sydenham Society’s edition. The etymology of the term protein is there given from πρωτέυω, I am first; but it may more properly be derived from Proteus, to which, as we have mentioned above, the first matter was likened.
[353] Lucretius, de R. N., i., 48.
[354] I have always looked upon the story of the Sirens as being one of the most beautiful fictions in the Homeric poems. By the two Sirens I cannot but think that the poet meant to represent Philosophy and Melody, these being, as it were, the handmaids of Poetry. They assail the virtue of Ulysses with no vulgar temptations, by assuring him that they were well acquainted with all the martial exploits in which he had been engaged, and that he would leave them “much delighted, and with an increase of knowledge.”
Ἀλλ’ ὄγε τερψάμενος νεἰται καὶ πλέιονα ἐιδώς.
Odyss, xii., 188.
[355] Diogenes Laertius, in fact, states that Xenophanes, the founder of the school, held the doctrine of the four elements. On the Eleatic philosophy, see further, Aristotle (de Xenophane; and Metaphys., i., 5); and, of the modern authorities Ritter (History of Ancient Philosophy, vol. i.,) and Grote (Hist. of Greece, tom. iv., p. 518, etc.) Whether or not these modern authors, however, have rightly apprehended the doctrine of Xenophanes and Anaximander with regard to the elements, may, I think, be justly doubted. Dr. Thirlwall gives a very judicious exposition of the ethical opinions of the Eleatic philosophers, but does not touch on their physical. (Hist. of Greece, § 12.)
[356] M. Littré is inclined to give the Pythagorean philosopher, Alcmæon, the credit of priority in broaching the philosophical theory which runs through this treatise. His only authority, however, on this point is Plutarch (De Placit. Philos., v., 30); whereas Galen, as he admits, says expressly that Hippocrates himself is the author of this theory. Now, I must say that, of the two, Galen appears to me to be the better authority, being profoundly skilled both in medical and philosophical literature. But further, neither Diogenes Laertius in his life, nor any other writer who has noticed Alcmæon, says anything of his having promulgated the theory of the Crasis.
[357] Tom. i., p. 567.
[358] See Note, p. 191.
[359] The invention of bread must have been very ancient, as is obvious from the circumstance of its being referred to a mythological name, that is to say, Demeter or Ceres. The ancients would appear to have paid great attention to the manufacture of bread. See Athenæus Deipnos, iii., 26; and Paulus Ægineta, B. I., 78, Syd. Soc. edition.