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
True it is, that a Glow-worm will afford a faint light, almost a days
space when many will conceive it dead; but this is a mistake in the
compute of death, and term of disanimation; for indeed, it is not then
dead, but if it be distended will slowly contract it self again, which
when it cannot do, it ceaseth to shine any more. And to speak strictly,
it is no easie matter to determine the point of death in Insects and
Creatures who have not their vitalities radically confined unto one
part; for they are not dead when they cease to move or afford the
visible evidences of life; as may be observed in Flies, who when they
appear even desperate and quite forsaken of their forms; by vertue of
the Sun or warm ashes will be revoked unto life, and perform its
functions again.
Now whether this lustre, a while remaining after death, dependeth not
still upon the first impression, and light communicated or raised from
an inward spirit, subsisting a while in a moist and apt recipient, nor
long continuing in this, or the more remarkable _Indian_ Glow-worm; or
whether it be of another Nature, and proceedeth from different causes
of illumination; yet since it confessedly subsisteth so little a while
after their lives, how to make perpetual lights, and sublunary moons
thereof as is pretended, we rationally doubt, though not so sharply
deny, with _Scaliger_ and _Muffetus_.
13. The wisdom of the Pismire is magnified by all, and in the
Panegyricks of their providence we alwaies meet with this, that to
prevent the growth of Corn which they store up, they bite off the end
thereof: And some have conceived that from hence they have their name in
Hebrew [SN: Nemalah à Namal circumcidit.]: From whence ariseth a conceit
that Corn will not grow if the extreams be cut or broken. But herein we
find no security to prevent its germination; as having made trial in
grains, whose ends cut off have notwithstanding suddenly sprouted, and
accordingly to the Law of their kinds; that is, the roots of barley and
oats at contrary ends, of wheat and rye at the same. And therefore some
have delivered that after rainy weather they dry these grains in the
Sun; which if effectual, we must conceive to be made in a high degree
and above the progression of Malt; for that Malt will grow, this year
hath informed us, and that unto a perfect ear.
[Sidenote: _A natural vicissitude of generation in Homogeneous things._]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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