THIS, in short, is the best and only Reason I know, why _Children_ like to either _Parent_ in SEX, may yet differ in _Physiognomy_, _Manners_, &c: the SEED of the _one_ perhaps prevailing in _making_ the SEX, and That of the _other_, in _determining_ the rest of the Parts. Hence it is, in all Probability, that a CHILD like his _Father_ in SEX, may be like his _Mother_ in natural _Disposition_ and Tenderness of _Constitution_. Although by the way (without doubt) the _Place_ or _Sinus_ of the WOMB, _Matter_, _Heat_, and _Imagination_ of the WOMAN, contribute very much to the _Difference_ of the SEX; as will hereafter more plainly appear at large. AND, in fine, _This_ is the only _Cause_ of the _Conception_ of HERMAPHRODITES, that the emitted _Substance_ of BOTH PARENTS containing the full respective _Faculty_ of EACH, is sufficiently prolifick and prevalent to constitute and distinguish each proper SEX, in one and the same _personal Production_. But before I proceed farther on the _Similitude of Children_, I beg leave previously to describe the _Force_ of _IMAGINATION_. [Illustration] CHAP. VII. _Of the Power of the IMAGINATIVE FACULTY._ THE _Imagination_ is the strongest and most efficacious of all the SENSES; for the _Vivacity_ of all the _others_ (mention’d in Sect. I. Chap. 5.) in some measure, depend upon it. IT works upon, and affects, _others_ as well as _ourselves_, and operates in the very _Soul_, as well as _Body_ of Man; moving the Powers of all the _Passions_ of the Mind. AS it happens frequently by reason of the _Similitude_ of things; that by _seeing_ or _imagining_ ONE to eat some sharp or sour Matter, or _hearing_ it only mention’d, ANOTHER’S _Teeth_ may be set on edge, and his _Tongue_ wax tart; so by seeing _One_ gape, _Another_ often falls a yawning. In like manner, as the _sight_ of any _filthy_ Thing causeth _Nauseousness_; so the _sight_ of Man’s _Blood_, makes many Persons fall a-swooning. _GUILLAUME de Paris_ writes, that he saw a Man, who at the _SIGHT_ of a _Medicine_, went to _Stool_ as oft as he pleas’d, tho’ it neither in _Substance_, _Odour_, or _Taste_, did affect him; but only by an _Apprehension_ of a kind of _Resemblance_. Which is much the same Case of one in a _Dream_, who thinks he _burns_ and is in a _Fire_, or as much tormented, as if he did _really burn_, tho’ far enough from any Substance of _Fire_; only because of a _Resemblance_ apprehended by the Strength of _IMAGINATION_. AND besides, this _IMAGINATION_ hath not only such Power over the _Body_, but also over the very _Soul_ of Man; which Power of the _Soul_, hath its respective _Influence_ upon the _Body_: As _Avicen_ remarkably describes a certain _Man_, who (when he pleas’d) could affect his _Body_ with the PALSY.