Novum Organon

odies merely white are instantly seen here on earth; while there is no doubt that the lightof heavenly bodies exceeds many times over in force of radiation not merely the vividcolor of whiteness, but also the light of every flame that is known to us. Again, theimmense velocity in the body itself as discerned in its daily motion (which has soastonished certain grave men that they preferred believing that the earth moved) rendersthis motion of ejaculation of rays therefrom (although wonderful, as I have said, in speed)more easy of belief. But what had most weight of all with me was that if any perceptibleinterval of time were interposed between the reality and the sight, it would follow that theimages would oftentimes be intercepted and confused by clouds rising in the meanwhile,and similar disturbances in the medium. And thus much for the simple measures of time.But not only must we seek the measure of motions and actions by themselves but muchmore in comparison, for this is of excellent use and very general application. Now wefind that the flash of a gun is seen sooner than its report is heard, although the ball mustnecessarily strike the air before the flame behind it can get out. And this is owing, itseems, to the motion of light being more rapid than that of sound. We find, too, thatvisible images are received by the sight faster than they are dismissed. Thus the strings ofa violin when struck by the finger are to appearance doubled or tripled, because a newimage is received before the old one is gone; which is also the reason why rings beingspun round look like globes, and a lighted torch, carried hastily at night, seems to have atail. And it was upon this inequality of motions in point of velocity that Galileo built histheory of the flux and reflux of the sea, supposing that the earth revolved faster than thewater could follow, and that the water therefore first gathered in a heap and then felldown, as we see it do in a basin of water moved quickly. But this he devised upon anassumption which cannot be allowed, viz., that the earth moves, and also without beingwell informed as to the sexhorary motion of the tide.But an example of the thing I am treating of, to wit, the comparative measures of motions— and not only of the thing itself, but also of its eminent use (of which I spoke just now)— is conspicuous in mining with gunpowder where vast masses of earth, buildings, andthe like are upset and thrown into the air by a very small quantity of powder. The causeof which is doubtless this: that the motion of expansion in the impelling powder isquicker many times over than the motion of the resisting gravity, so that the first motionis over before the countermotion is begun, and thus at first the resistance amounts tonothing. Hence too it happens that in projectiles it is not the strong blow but the sharp andquick that carries the body furthest. Nor would it be possible for the small quantity ofanimal spirit in animals, especially in such huge creatures as the whale or elephant, tobend and guide such a vast mass of body were it not for the velocity of the spirit's motion,and the slowness of the bodily mass in exerting its resistance.This one thing indeed is a principal foundation of the experiments in natural magic (ofwhich I shall speak presently) wherein a small mass of matter overcomes and regulates afar larger mass — I mean the contriving that of two motions one shall by its superiorvelocity get the start and take effect before the other has time to act.