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The Emperess was so wonderfully taken with this
discourse of the Worm-men, that she not onely pardoned
the rudeness they committed in laughing at first
at her question, but yielded a full assent to their opinion,
which she thought the most rational that ever she
had heard yet; and then proceeding in her questions, enquired
further, whether they had observed any seminal
principles within the Earth free from all dimensions
and qualities, which produced Vegetables, Minerals,
and the like? To which they answered. That concerning
the seeds of Minerals, their sensitive perceptions
had never observed any; but Vegetables had certain
seeds out of which they were produced. Then
she asked, whether those seeds of Vegetables lost their
species; that is, were annihilated in the production of
their off-spring? To which they answered, That by
an annihilation, nothing could be produced, and that
the seeds of Vegetables were so far from being annihilated
in their productions, that they did rather numerously
increase and multiply; for the division of one
seed, said they, does produce numbers of seeds out of it
self. But replied the Empress, A particular part cannot increase
of it self. 'Tis true, answer'd they: but they increase
not barely of themselves, but by joining and commixing
with other parts, which do assist them in their productions,
and by way of imitation form or figure
their own parts into such or such particulars. Then, I
pray inform me, said the Emperess, what disguise those
seeds put on, and how they do conceal themselves in
their transmutations? They answered, That seeds
did no ways disguise or conceal, but rather divulge
themselves in the multiplication of their off-spring;
onely they did hide and conceal themselves from their
sensitive perceptions so, that their figurative and productive
motions were not perceptible by animal Creatures.
Again, the Emperess asked them, whether there
were any Non-beings within the Earth? To which
they answered, That they never heard of any such
thing; and that, if her Majesty would know the truth
thereof, she must ask those Creatures that are called Immaterial
Spirits, which had a great affinity with Nonbeings,
and perhaps could give her a satisfactory answer
to this question. Then she desired to be informed;
what opinion they had of the beginning of forms?
They told her Majesty, That they did not understand
what she meant by this expression; For, said they, there
is no beginning in Nature, no not of Particulars, by
reason Nature is Eternal and Infinite, and her particulars
are subject to infinite changes and transmutations
by vertue of their own corporeal, figurative self-motions;
so that there's nothing new in Nature, nor properly
a beginning of any thing. The Emperess seem'd
well satisfied with all those answers, and inquired further,
whether there was no Art used by those Creatures
that live within the Earth? Yes, answered they:
for the several parts of the Earth do join and assist each
other in composition or framing of such or such particulars;
and many times, there are factions and divisions,
which cause productions of mixt species's; as for
example, weeds, instead of sweet flowers and useful
fruits; but Gardeners and Husbandmen use often to
decide their quarrels, and cause them to agree; which
though it shews a kindness to the differing parties, yet
'tis a great prejudice to the Worms, and other animal
Creatures that live under ground; for it most commonly
causes their dissolution and ruine, at best they
are driven out of their habitations. What, said the
Emperess, are not Worms produced out of the Earth?
Their production in general, answered they, is like
the production of all other natural Creatures, proceeding
from the corporeal figurative motions of Nature;
but as for their particular productions, they
are according to the nature of their species; some are
produced out of flowers, some out of roots, some out
of fruits, some out of ordinary Earth. Then they are
very ungrateful Children, replied the Emperess, that
they feed on their own Parents which gave them life.
Their life, answered they, is their own, and not their
Parents; for no part or creature of Nature can either
give or take away life, but parts do onely assist and join
with parts, either in the dissolution or production of other
parts and Creatures.
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