The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 2 — John Shaqi
The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 2Browne, Thomas, Sir
Religion
The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 2
Browne, Thomas, Sir
Christianity; Ethics; Religion and medicine
Again, Nature is so far from leaving any one part without its proper
action, that she oft-times imposeth two or three labours upon one, so
the Pizel in Animals is both official unto Urine and to generation, but
the first and primary use is generation; for some creatures enjoy that
part which urine not. So the nostrils are useful both for respiration
and smelling, but the principal use is smelling; for many have nostrils
which have no lungs, as fishes, but none have lungs or respiration,
which have not some shew, or some analogy of nostrils. [SN: _Nature
provides no part without its proper function or office._] Thus we
perceive the providence of Nature, that is, the wisdom of God, which
disposeth of no part in vain, and some parts unto two or three uses,
will not provide any without the execution of its proper office, nor
where there is no digestion to be made, make any parts inservient to
that intention.
Beside the remarkable teeth, the tongue of this animal is a second
argument to overthrow this airy nutrication: and that not only in its
proper nature, but also its peculiar figure. For of this part properly
taken there are two ends; that is, the formation of the voice, and the
execution of tast; for the voice, it can have no office in _Chameleons_,
for they are mute Animals; as beside fishes, are most other sorts of
Lizards. As for their tast, if their nutriment be air, neither can it be
an Instrument thereof; for the body of that element is ingustible, void
of all sapidity, and without any action of the tongue, is by the rough
artery or wezon conducted into the lungs. And therefore _Pliny_ much
forgets the strictness of his assertion, when he alloweth excrements
unto that Animal, that feedeth only upon Air; which notwithstanding with
the urine of an Ass, he commends as a magicall Medicine upon our
enemies.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account