A discovery of the true cause of the wonderful multiplication of corn; with some general remarks upon the nature of trees and plants / By Dr. Wolfius.

  • Wolff, Christian, Freiherr von, 1679-1754.
Date:
1734
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A discovery of the true cause of the wonderful multiplication of corn; with some general remarks upon the nature of trees and plants / By Dr. Wolfius. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    PREFACE. proves to the Commonwealth. Truths of the for¬ mer Kind demonftrate the Perfection of the human Intelle&, not only in the Inventor, but in him alfo that’s able to apprehend them : very often theyihew likewife hidden Perfections in the Thing it- fel£ Why fhould they not therefore caufe Matter of great Pleafure to a reafonable Man, all Pleafure confifting in the Senfe of Perfection ? Truths of the latter Sort, and where the common Good is con¬ cern'd, are more needful than the former that give but a private Pleafure. For, to examine the Thing, narrowly, the Reafon of our making much of a Truth, that gives Pleafure, is, becaufe we confi- der this Pleafure as a Part of human Happinefs: Who therefore can take it amifs, that a Man makes more Account of a Thing that is needful, than of another that is lefs fo? I am ufed to com¬ pare thofe Arts, which the Society of Mankind has extreamly need of, to Bread, and the others to Diamonds. He that is not poflefled of more than w hat pays for his daily Bread, does well not to care for Jewels, but a wealthy Man may purchafe rich Stones to charm his Eyes and Mind with. However, it behoves us to judge of the Ufe a Truth may be of, with a great deal of Difcretion ; for fometirnes itmuft be far fetched, but is of great Importance when found out. It mull be faid in Praife of the Academies .of Sciences, that they have fuccefsfuily endeavoured hitherto, to fet in a clear Light Things of uncommon Penetration! But I wonder that there are not alfo Academies creCfed yet, whofe Bufinefs it would be ter enquire into Truths, which might advance the Welfare of Society. The learned Members or Fellows of thofe Academies have explained hitherto nothing elfe but Parts of Mathematicks, Aftronomy, natu-