Chapter 26 Section 13

Four ○ (17) The case of subpoena—this is a term borrowed from the court, and it is also called the case of calling, which means that it can summon the object that did not appear in the present.That is to say, such a case can make an insensible object a sensible object; by showing the imperceptible by means of the immediately perceivable. An object escapes the senses for several reasons: first, because of its distance; The amount is not enough to impress the senses; fifth, there is not enough time for it to act on the senses; sixth, because its impression is beyond the senses; seventh, because the senses have been filled and occupied by other objects, so that there is no room for new movements. ① These plots are mainly about vision, and secondarily about touch.For the information supplied by these two senses is unlimited, and the objects involved are also extensive; as for the other three senses, they can provide no information except what is directly related to and related to their specific objects.

In the first case, that is, where an object is rendered imperceptible by reason of its distance, it can only be brought before the senses by combining it with other things capable of impressing the senses at a greater distance. Connect it or replace it.For example, beacon fires for warning, bells ringing for signs and so on. ②①Fuller pointed out that among the above-mentioned seven scenarios, the first and fourth two seem to be the same as the portal cases at first glance.However, analyzing the specific examples given by Bacon, it can be seen that he has in mind a distinction between two kinds of objects: here, the objects themselves cannot be known, only by signs or omens; in the case of the portal, the objects themselves can detect out, as long as there are sufficiently powerful tools.

② Kachin believes that this is no different from the case of the door, and the example of the telescope is also applicable here. Fleur believes that the two objects are different (see above note), so he uses the telegram as an example. As far as the author's original intention is concerned, it is consistent with Fleur's theory.But today's invention of television has fundamentally shaken the fact that "objects cannot be perceived because of their distance". Or the sign: In this way, this situation is still in line with the case of the door. - translator In the second case, when the object is concealed by intervening bodies which surround it and cannot be opened, it can be brought to the senses only by means of its exposed parts, or by means of its opening. The part exposed inside.For example, the condition of the human body can be perceived through the pulse, defecation and so on. ①① "The realization of insensible objects into sensible objects" has an excellent example, which can be found in a recent study by Hopkins and Jules on the determination of the various substances under great pressure. Under the melting point experiment.The plastids to be tested are contained in a tube, completely out of sight.A small piece of magnetized steel is placed on it beforehand, and as long as the thing remains solid, it is held up.Install a magnetic needle beside the apparatus, and the steel in the tube will of course deflect it by a certain measure.As soon as the temperature reaches the melting point, the piece of steel sinks; and its sinking is indicated by the movement of the magnetic needle (if we take the X-ray photography in modern medicine as an example, this is close to the case of portals) .--Translator

) In the third and fourth cases, ① the method of realization is applicable to a large number of things, and we should seek it from all sides in our investigation of nature.Air and essence, for example, and other objects which are thin and subtle throughout the substance, are evidently neither seen nor touched.To investigate such objects, we must resort entirely to the method of realization. ① Regarding the third situation, Kachin commented that using chemical methods to detect some gases is one example; another example is using a silver plate to feel sunlight and discover the properties of sunlight that cause chemical changes. This is another good example.

Regarding the fourth situation, Kachin believes that the example of the microscope mentioned in the portal case is also applicable here.Fleur thought it was inappropriate.He says that the thermometer (which Bacon himself cites) is a good example here, and that thermoelectric microthermographs are still better, since these mark slight increases in temperature, imperceptible to the senses. - translator for example.Suppose that the nature to be studied is the activity and movement of spirits enclosed in tangible objects.We know that every tangible object with which we are acquainted contains an invisible and intangible spirit, which is like a suit of clothing.Thus occurs the strange and powerful process of tripleness of the essence in tangible bodies: if the essence is released, it shrinks and dries up the substance; softens and melts the body; and if it is neither fully released nor fully imprisoned, it forms the plastid, produces limbs, assimilates, digests, expels, organizes, and other similar operations.All three processes are revealed to our senses by their manifest results.

Look at the first process first.In all tangible inanimate matter, the encased spirit first of all multiplies itself, and preys, so to speak, on those tangible elements arranged and ready for it to prey on, thereby dispossessing the latter. They are also digested, managed, and transformed into essence; then they escape together.This management and multiplication of essence is shown to our sense organs through the result of weight reduction.For in all processes of desiccation there is always a reduction in quantity; not only the quantity of the spirit which was formerly in the body diminishes, but also the quantity of the body itself which was once tangible and which is now somewhat altered. ; because essence is weightless.Let us say that the release or emanation of the essence is manifested to our senses by the rusting of metals and other similar processes of decay; ① this process ends before the initial life occurs, because it belongs to the third process.Since the essence cannot find holes or passages to escape in a compact body, it has to drive the touchable molecules themselves ahead, so they also run out with the essence, and rust and the like occur. something comes out.As for the shrinkage of the touchable molecules which occurs after some of the spirits have been released (and withering), this is not only manifested in the hardening of the body, but is more caused by the cracks, shrinkage, Wrinkles, wrinkles and other phenomena are displayed to our senses.For example, the molecules of wood crack and shrink; ① Fleur pointed out that rust is due to the chemical reaction of iron and oxygen.Iron, like many other metals, oxidizes when exposed to moist air. - translator

The second process is just the opposite.When the essence is detained and stimulated by heat or similar expansion (as happens in a solider or stronger body), the body is softened, such as white-hot iron; Or it becomes fluid, as in various metals; or it becomes liquid, as in gums, waxes, and the like.We have seen above that heat hardens some substances, and here we see it melting others; The essence is released, and the essence in the latter is stimulated and seized.Of these two actions, melting is that which is proper to heat and essence, and hardening is that which is proper to touchable molecules only where they give off essence. ① Fleur noted that the hardening caused by heat is due to the escape of moisture, or due to some chemical changes in the plastid.

- translator Look at the third process.If the Yuan Jing is neither completely released nor completely detained, but is only in the prison cell for experiments and experiments, and what he encounters are some touchable elements who are good at obeying and quick to follow, then the Yuan Jing can be let go. Wherever it leads, it follows—if this is the case, then there follows the formation of an organic body, the development of parts, and all the other things that occur in vegetable and animal matter. Animate activity.All these actions are manifested to our senses mainly by our careful observation of the beginning, the first form, and the first stages of life of the little creatures born of decay, the ant-egg, the worm, the fly, the frog after the rain, etc. s hard work.It should be noted that both the mildness of the heat and the compliance of the plastid are necessary for the production of life.Only in this way, the essence will neither be forced to protrude, nor be imprisoned under the tenacity of the molecules, but can knead and mold them like wax.

We see here an extremely noble distinction with its many applications (that is, there are truncated essences, there are essences that can only branch, and there are both branched and branched). cellular spirits; the first of which belongs to all aplastids, the second to plants, the third to animals), are shown to us by some examples of this mode of transformation. up. From these likewise we see that the finer structures and structures of a thing are imperceptible to sight or touch (though the whole body may be seen or touched).Therefore, our news about them can only be obtained by this method of realization.When it comes to structural differences, the most fundamental and main point is the difference in the amount of matter that occupies the same space, that is, has the same volume.All other differences in structure (that is nothing but differences in the molecules of the same body, and in their arrangement and position) are of secondary importance compared with this.

Take another example.It is assumed that the property to be studied is the comparison of the stretching or convergence of matter among some objects. That is to say, it is necessary to compare and study how much matter occupies how much space in each object.There is a pair of twin propositions in nature that are absolutely true, that is, "nothing is born from nothing" and "nothing becomes nothing"; the absolute amount or total amount of matter remains unchanged, neither increases nor decreases. ①It is also true that the same space or the same volume contains more or less matter according to different bodies, ②For example, more in water and less in air.Therefore, to say that a certain volume of water can be transformed into an equal volume of air is equivalent to saying that something can be reduced to nothing; Things can be born out of nothing.

Although the two abstract concepts of density and thinness are used very differently and confusedly, they are actually drawn from the situation of how much matter is more or less.We must also assume that the third proposition is also sufficiently certain, that is, that the amount of matter in this or that body is more or less, in comparison, it can be calculated and exact or nearly exact ratios can be given. of. ③ It is therefore perfectly justified to assert that to accumulate alcohol to a quantity of matter equal to that contained in a given volume of gold requires twenty-one times as much space as that occupied by that point of gold. ④①Fuller pointed out that this principle is the principle of the indestructibility of matter, and another principle parallel to it is the so-called conservation of energy.These laws are all at once the highest generalizations, the most glorious principles of science. Ellis pointed out in the English translation note that Bacon here asserts a maxim that is not derived from experience as absolute certainty, which is worth noting.Teresias also expressly affirms this same dogma, though not so emphatically as Bacon, see De Rerum Natura, Volume I, Chapter 5. - translator ②Fleur pointed out that for this and the previous proposition, please refer to Bacon's other book "Historia Densiet Rari" (Alice and Spatine's English translation of "The Complete Works of Bacon", Volume II, pp. 243-244). - translator ③ Kachin pointed out that Bacon is here to explain that there must be a standard for measuring weight, and density and weight are used as the standard. He took alcohol as the standard of specific gravity, we now use water instead. - translator ④ Kachin pointed out that Bacon seems to think that his so-called essence is a kind of substance, and it may be measurable.The essence mentioned here seems to be almost like referring to the gas in nature. Fleur notes that this sentence must refer to the essence of animals rather than the essence of roughness; because Bacon is in the book "Historia Densiet Rari" (Alice and Spatine's English translation of "The Complete Works of Bacon", Volume II, II Five or six pages) and elsewhere have said that the rough spirit is thicker and denser than air (which he considers to be weightless and light), while the animal spirit has the nature of positive lightness or absolute lightness.For the theory of air being weightless, see the twenty-ninth experiment in Sylva Sylvarum's book. - translator Now let us say that the volume of matter in bodies and their relation to one another are revealed to our senses by weight. For weight corresponds to the amount of matter in an object, the amount of matter in its touchable molecules; as for the essence and the amount of matter contained in it, it cannot be measured by weight, because it would rather reduce the weight than increase it. . 1 On this subject I have made a very accurate table, recording the weights and volumes of all metals, principal stones, woods, liquids, oils, and many other substances, natural and artificial. ②This is a thing that is very useful in many ways, both as a light for information and as a guide for practice.The table also reveals a lot of unexpected things.Among them is the very important one, that is, the specific gravity of all tangible bodies of every kind known to us (I mean those that are fairly compact and not too soft and porous and mostly filled with air) None of them exceeds the limit of one to twenty-one;③—It can be seen from this that nature, at least the part of nature that is mainly concerned with us, is thus limited. ① Fleur points out that this is incorrect; the ratio of the specific gravity of wrought gold to the specific gravity of pure alcohol is nineteen.Thirty-six to ○.Eighty is about twenty-four.Two to one, the ratio of the specific gravity of cast gold to the specific gravity of pure alcohol is nineteen.258 to 0.Eighty-three is about twenty-four. ○ Seven to one. - translator ②As noted by Fleur, this table is found in the book "Historia Densiet Rari" (the English translation of "The Complete Works of Bacon" Vol. II, pp. 245-246). - translator ③ Kachin pointed out that it is absurd for Bacon to limit the specific gravity ratio to 21:1 and to exclude soft and porous substances. Fleur also pointed out that the objects arranged by animal spirits in the table may be objects that Bacon thought were soft and porous.Otherwise, the 21:1 ratio limit cannot be established.Platinum is heavier than gold, and alcohol is lighter than alcohol. The ratio of the specific gravity of platinum to the specific gravity of alcohol is 22. ○69 to ○.Seven two three is about thirty.Five to one. - translator It also occurred to me that the ratio between the intangible body or gas and the touchable body could not be calculated, and this was worth trying.I have tried with the following design. ①Take a small glass bottle that can hold about a bottle—the reason why I use a small container is to use less heat to produce evaporation—and fill it with alcohol up to its neck—— I have chosen alcohol, because it is seen from the above table that, of all tangible bodies (i.e., those that are well coagulated and not hollow), it is the thinnest, that is, contains the least amount of matter in a given space. A kind of; - add the weight of alcohol and vial together to check the accuracy. Then take another urine cell that holds about a quart and expel as much air as possible from it until the sides are closed and I rub the cell lightly with oil to plug any pores (if any) to make it more rigorous.When this was done, I inserted the mouth of the vial into the mouth of the urine cell, fastened the latter round the former with a string, and sealed it with wax, to bind it more closely and bind it more tightly.Then I put the vial on top of a pot of blazing hot coals.At this time, the steam from the heated, expanded and vaporized alcohol begins to gradually prop up the urine cell, making it inflate from all sides like a full sail.As soon as this happened, I took the glass bottle from the fire, and placed it on a felt rug, so that it would not shatter by sudden cold.At the same time, a hole was punched in the urine cell to prevent the steam from turning into a liquid and returning to the bottle after the heat was stopped, thereby disrupting our calculations.Then I dissolve the urine cells, and measure the remaining alcohol in the bottle, and calculate how much alcohol has turned into vapor or air.Comparing the space occupied in the bottle when it was alcohol with the space occupied in the urine cell when it becomes gas, we can clearly see that this change of body has expanded itself a hundred times than before. . ②① Kachin points out that the experiments described here illustrate how Bacon lacked utensils and tools in performing the labor which he sought to alleviate.Now with the aspirator, the empty spots in this particular experiment have been filled. Fleur notes that in the book "Historia Densiet Rari" (page 257), Bacon also described the same experiment.The result obtained there is that the space occupied by alcohol after it turns into vapor is more than 320 times larger than when it was originally alcohol.The same two experiments, but different results, are due to the difference in the temperature of the vapor, because the tension of the vapor increases rapidly with the temperature, and, the higher the temperature, the greater the rate of increase than the temperature itself. - translator ② In the book Phaenomena Universi (English translation "Bacon's Complete Works", Volume III, pages 705-707), Bacon also described the same experiment conducted with water, and obtained the same experiment with alcohol Comparing results. - translator Let us also take, as an example, properties to be studied, such as heat and cold which are imperceptible to a very low degree.This is revealed to our senses by means of a thermometer of the kind mentioned above. ① Such coldness and heat itself cannot be felt by the sense of touch, but heat expands the air, and cold shrinks it.The expansion and contraction of the air is still invisible to the eyes, but the expansion of the air lowers the water, and the contraction raises the water.Only in this way can this nature be finally displayed in front of the vision. It won't work before this time, and it won't work otherwise. ① See the example in Item 38, Article 13, Volume 2. - translator Take another example.Assume that the properties to be studied are mixtures.That is, to inquire into what mixtures water, oil, alcohol, ashes, salt, and the like consist; or, to take a particular instance, to inquire into what proportions of cream, curds, milk, etc., are contained in milk.These mixed ingredients, if we only take the tangible ingredients, are shown to our senses through the decomposition of artificial skills.However, the nature of the essence is not directly perceived by us. It is revealed by the different movements and efforts of the touchable objects in their decomposing activities and processes, and also by their stimulating properties and erosive effects, as well as in the process of decomposition. Different colors, different smells and different tastes are revealed later.It should be said that people have indeed worked hard in this regard with distillation and other artificial decomposition methods, but they have not seen more success than some experiments that have been used so far.This is because they only grope in the dark, they only stumble blindly, they make laborious efforts without intellectual effort; and worst of all, they never try to imitate or outcompete nature, but use violent heat and excessive ability, so as to destroy the more subtle structure on which the hidden nature and sympathy of things mainly depend.Nor, in doing this disintegration, do they remember or pay attention to what I have elsewhere pointed out, namely, that when objects are tortured by fire or other means, there are many The properties of the fire are transmitted from the fire itself, or from the other body used to effect this decomposition; thus many inexplicable errors occur. 1 For example, we can never suppose that all the vapor which comes out of water by the action of fire is the vapor or air which originally existed in the body of water; created by the expansion of water.In general, then, we should refer to the This chapter; because this kind of experiment can show things that cannot be directly perceived to our senses through things that can be directly perceived.We should therefore seek and collect such tests from all parts with diligent attention. ① Refer to the seven articles in the second volume. - translator Let's talk about the fifth situation.It is obvious that the activity of the senses takes place in movement, and movement takes place in time.The senses, therefore, cannot perceive it at all, if the motion of a body is so slow or so rapid that it is out of proportion to the time it takes for its action, the former like the hands of a clock, the latter like the bullet of a musket.Movements that are too slow to be felt are usually easily revealed to the senses by the accumulation of movements. ①As for rapid motion, it has not been able to be effectively measured so far; ②The investigation of nature requires this in certain cases. ① Fleur notes that there are also movements slower than clock hands that can be measured with considerable accuracy, such as the sinking of continents, the advancement and retreat of oceans, the gradual receding of waterfalls, and so on. - translator ②Kachin noted that for high-speed movement, electricity can now be used to measure it. - translator In the sixth case, that is, when the senses are hindered by the power of the object, there are but two ways of realizing it: either the object is moved farther from the senses, or its influence is weakened.The latter method is nothing more than inserting an intermediate that can weaken the object without canceling it; ① or avoid the strong direct impression of the object and accept its reflection, such as observing the sun through the reflection in a basin of water . ① Fleur notes that the use of colored glasses is an example. - translator As for the seventh case, that the sense is so overwhelmed by one object that there is no room for another, this is confined almost entirely to the sense of smell,1 which has little relation to the matter in question. ① Fleur pointed out that this is undoubtedly a shortcoming shared by all senses.We often cannot distinguish various objects under the shining of the sun; cannot hear the sound clearly when the carriage or train shakes; cannot feel the light touch when it hurts; taste.It is a well-known fact that the softer and finer sensations are always overwhelmed by the stronger and coarser ones.See the last paragraph of Article 43 of Volume II. - translator So it is with regard to the ways in which insensible objects are made sensible, or with respect to the various ways of bringing to our senses the imperceptible by means of the immediately perceivable. But this method of realization is sometimes not applied to human senses, but from other animals, whose senses are in some episodes Some animals have more acute senses than humans.For example, the dog's senses are especially sensitive to certain smells; or the air has a hidden light when it is not illuminated by external light, which can only be sensed by cats and owls and other similar night-sighted animals.Theresias is right, that there is in the air itself a light so feeble that it is of little use to the eyes of men, and of most animals; and some animals see in the dark, because their senses are adapted to this light. light, and it cannot be said that they can see without light, or with inner light. ① Fleur noted that Teresias’ statement can be found in the third chapter of the first volume of his book “De Rerum Natura”.In the fourth book of the book and elsewhere, Teresias discusses the problem of light very hard, meaning that air is itself light, because air always contains some heat, and light is the incidental companion of heat. . It is also mentioned in Bacon's elaborate account of the opinions of Theresias in "De Principiisatque Originibus".See page 106 of the third volume of the English translation of Bacon's Complete Works. Kachin pointed out that Teresia's statement (which Bacon agreed with) is now completely shattered.Air does not have light of its own.Even in the dark of night, there are a few rays of light floating in the air.The reason why cat owls can see at night is only because their eyes have a special structure, which is easier to catch this kind of low light than human eyes. - translator Know also that I am now dealing with defects of the senses and their remedies.As for the deceptiveness of the senses, we must return to the question of the senses and sense objects for another specific inquiry. 1 But one of the greatest deceptions of the senses must be mentioned here, namely, that their delimitations of nature always refer to man and not to the universe; 2 and this cannot be corrected except by reason and general philosophy. . ① Note by Fleur, see "De Augmentis Scientiarum" Volume Four Chapter Three (English translation "Bacon's Complete Works" Volume One Pages 610-613). - translator ②Refer to Volume 59 and Article 41. - translator