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
9. That Worms are exanguious Animals, and such as have no bloud at all,
is the determination of Philosophy, the general opinion of Scholars, and
I know not well to dissent from thence my self. If so, surely we want a
proper term whereby to express that humour in them which so strictly
resembleth bloud: and we refer it unto the discernment of others what to
determine of that red and sanguineous humor, found more plentifully
about the Torquis or carneous Circle of great Worms in the Spring,
affording in Linnen or Paper an indiscernable tincture from bloud. Or
wherein that differeth from a vein, which in an apparent blew runneth
along the body, and if dexterously pricked with a lancet, emitteth a red
drop, which pricked on either side it will not readily afford.
In the upper parts of Worms, there are likewise found certain white and
oval Glandulosities, which Authors term Eggs, and in magnifying Glasses,
they also represent them; how properly, may also be enquired; since if
in them there be distinction of Sexes, these Eggs are to be found in
both. For in that which is presumed to be their coition, that is, their
usual complication, or lateral adhesion above the ground, dividing
suddenly with two Knives the adhering parts of both, I have found these
Eggs in either.
10. That Flies, Bees, etc. do make that noise or humming sound by their
mouth, or as many believe with their wings only, would be more warily
asserted, if we consulted the determination of _Aristotle_, who as in
sundry other places, so more expresly in his book of respiration,
affirmeth this sound to be made by the illision of an inward spirit upon
a pellicle or little membrane about the precinct or pectoral division
of their body. If we also consider that a Bee or Flie, so it be able to
move the body, will buz, though its head be off; that it will do the
like if deprived of wings, reserving the head, whereby the body may be
the better moved. And that some also which are big and lively will hum
without either head or wing.
Nor is it only the beating upon this little membrane, by the inward and
con-natural spirit as _Aristotle_ determines, or the outward air as
_Scaliger_ conceiveth, which affordeth this humming noise, but most of
the other parts may also concur hereto; as will be manifest, if while
they hum we lay our finger on the back or other parts; for thereupon
will be felt a serrous or jarring motion like that which happeneth while
we blow on the teeth of a comb through paper; and so if the head or
other parts of the trunk be touched with oyl, the sound will be much
impaired, if not destroyed: for those being also dry and membranous
parts, by attrition of the spirit do help to advance the noise: And
therefore also the sound is strongest in dry weather, and very weak in
rainy season, and toward winter; for then the air is moist, and the
inward spirit growing weak, makes a languid and dumb allision upon the
parts.
[Sidenote: _Of a Tainct._]
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.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account