And therefore the Sympathy of these Needles is much of the same mould with that intelligence which is pretended from the flesh of one body transmuted by incision into another. [SN: De curtorum Chyrurgia.] For if by the Art of _Taliacotius_, a permutation of flesh, or transmutation be made from one mans body into another, as if a piece of flesh be exchanged from the bicipital muscle of either parties arm, and about them both an Alphabet circumscribed; upon a time appointed as some conceptions affirm, they may communicate at what distance soever. For if the one shall prick himself in _A_, the other at the same time will have a sense thereof in the same part: and upon inspection of his arm perceive what letters the other points out in his. Which is a way of intelligence very strange: and would requite the lost Art of _Pythagoras_, who could read a reverse in the Moon. Now this magnetical conceit how strange soever, might have some original in Reason; for men observing no solid body, whatsoever did interrupt its action, might be induced to believe no distance would terminate the same; and most conceiving it pointed unto the Pole of Heaven, might also opinion that nothing between could restrain it. Whosoever was the Author, the _Æolus_ that blew it about was _Famianus Strada_, that Elegant Jesuit, in his Rhetorical prolusions, who chose out this subject to express the stile of _Lucretius_. But neither _Baptista Porta_, _de Furtivis Literarum notis_; _Trithemius_ in his Steganography, _Selenus_ in his Cryptography, [SN: Nunc. inanim. _by D._ Godwin _Bishop of Hereford_.] or _Nuncius inanimatus_ make any consideration hereof, although they deliver many ways to communicate thoughts at distance. And this we will not deny may in some manner be effected by the Loadstone; that is, from one room into another; by placing a table in the wall common unto both, and writing thereon the same letters one against another: for upon the approach of a vigorous Loadstone unto a letter on this side, the Needle will move unto the same on the other. But this is a very different way from ours at present; and hereof there are many ways delivered, and more may be discovered which contradict not the rule of its operations.