247. This is indeed remarkable in the mass of human members; at one time all the limbs which form the body, united into one by Love, grow vigorously in the prime of life; but yet at another time, separated by evil Strife, they wander each in different directions along the breakers of the sea of life. Just so it is with plants[81] and with fishes dwelling in watery halls, and beasts whose lair is in the mountains, and birds borne on wings. 254. But as divinity was mingled yet more with divinity, these things kept coming together in whatever way each might chance, and many others also in addition to these continually came into being. 257. Many creatures arose with double faces and double breasts, offspring of oxen with human faces, and again there sprang up children of men with oxen’s heads; creatures, too, in which were mixed some parts from men and some of the nature of women, furnished with sterile members. 261. Cattle of trailing gait, with undivided hoofs. 262. But come now, hear of these things; how fire separating caused the hidden offspring of men and weeping women to arise, for it is no tale apart from our subject, or witless. In the first place there sprang up out of the earth forms grown into one whole,[82] having a share of both, of water and of fire. These in truth fire caused to grow-up, desiring to reach its like; but they showed as yet no lovely body formed out of the members, nor voice nor limb such as is natural to men. 270. But the nature of the members (of the child?) is divided, part in the man’s, part in the woman’s (body). 271. But desire also came upon him, having been united with ... by sight. 273. It was poured out in the pure parts, and some meeting with cold became females. 275. The separated harbours of Aphrodite. 276. In its warmer parts the womb is productive of the male, and on this account men are dark and more muscular and more hairy. 279. As when fig-juice curdles and binds white milk. 280. On the tenth day of the eighth month came the white discharge. 281. Knowing that there are exhalations from all things which came into existence. 281. Thus sweet was snatching sweet, and bitter darted to bitter, and sharp went to sharp, and hot coupled with hot. 284. Water combines better with wine, but it is unwilling to combine with oil. 286. The bloom of the scarlet dye mingles with shining linen.