some of them Red, and others White, some of them Blew, & others Yellow,
_&c._ but that in the several parts of the self-same feather there may
often be seen the greatest disparity of Colours; and so in the leaves of
Tulips, July-flowers, and some other Vegetables the several leaves, and
even the several parts of the same leaf, although no difference have been
observed in their other properties, are frequently found painted with very
different Colours. And such a variety we have much more admired in that
lovely plant which is commonly, and not unjustly call'd the _Marvayl of
Peru_; for of divers scores of fine Flowers, which in its season that gaudy
Plant does almost daily produce, I have scarce taken notice of any two that
were dyed perfectly alike. But though _Pyro_: such things as these, among
others, keep mee from daring to affirm, that the Diversity and change of
Colours does _alwaies_ argue any great difference or alteration, betwixt,
or in, the Bodies, wherein it is to be discerned, yet that _oftentimes_ the
Alteration of Colours does signifie considerable Alterations in the
disposition of parts of Bodies, may appear in the Extraction of Tinctures,
and divers other Chymical Operations, wherein the change of Colours is the
chief, and sometimes the only thing, by which the Artist regulates his
proceeding, and is taught to know when 'tis seasonable for him to leave
off. Instances of this sort are more obvious in divers sorts of fruits, as
Cherries, Plums, &c. wherein, according as the Vegetable sap is sweetned,
or otherwise ripened, by passing from one degree to another of Maturation,
the external part of the fruit passes likewise from one to another Colour.
But one of the noblest Instances I have met with of this kind, is not so
obvious; and that is the way of tempering Steel to make Gravers, Drills,
Springs, and other Mechanical Instruments, which we have divers times both
made Artificers practise in our presence, and tryed our selves, after the
following manner, First, the slender Steel to be tempered is to be hardened
by heating as much of it as is requisite among glowing Coals, till it be
glowing hot, but it must not be quenched assoon as it is taken from the