Water. And partly by an Observation of _Rondeletius_ concerning the
Growth of Animals also, Nourish'd but by Water, which I remember'd not
to mention, when I discours'd to you about the Production of things
out of Water. This Diligent Writer then in his instructive book of
fishes,[35] affirmes That his Wife kept a fish in a Glass of water
without any other Food for three years; in which space it was
constantly augmented, till at last it could not come out of the Place
at which it was put in, and at length was too big for the glass it
self though that were of a large capacity. And because there is no
just reason to doubt, that this Fish, if Distill'd, would have yielded
the like differing substances with other Animals: And However, because
the Mint which I had out of water afforded me upon Distillation a good
quantity of Charcoal, I think I may from thence inferr, that Earth it
self may be produc'd out of Water; or if you please, that water may be
transmuted into Earth; and consequently, that though it could be
prov'd that Earth is an Ingredient actually in-existent in the
Vegetable and Animal Bodies whence it may be obtain'd by Fire: yet it
would not necessarily follow, that Earth as a pre-existent Element
Does with other Principles convene to make up those Bodies whence it
seems to have been separated.
[Footnote 35: _Lib. 1. cap. 2._]
After all is said (sayes _Eleutherius_) I have yet something to
Object, that I cannot but think considerable, since _Carneades_
Himself alledg'd it as such; for, (continues _Eleutherius_ smiling) I
must make bold to try whether you can as luckily answer your own
Arguments, as those of your Antagonists, I mean (pursues he) that part
of your Concessions, wherein you cannot but remember that you supply'd
your Adversaries with an Example to prove that there may be Elementary
Bodies, by taking Notice that Gold may be an Ingredient in a multitude
of differing Mixtures, and yet retain its Nature, notwithstanding all
that the Chymists by their Fires and Corrosive Waters are able to do
to Destroy it.
I sufficiently intimated to you at that time (replies _Carneades_)
that I propos'd this Example, chiefly to shew you how Nature may be
Conceived to have made Elements, not to prove that she actually has
made any; And you know, that _a posse ad esse_ the Inference will not
hold. But (continues _Carneades_) to answer more directly to the
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