The Anatomy of Tobacco
sidered under the head De Insolubilibus in the former part of this work."[1] So far Smalgruelius, whom I have quoted, partly from the curiosity and rareness of his book and partly for the application of his words to our subject-matter. Under which class, then, shall we place tobacco—Determinate, Continuous, Indeterminate, or Temporary? Let us consider, then, the classes in their order and endeavour to resolve this matter. And firstly let it be Determinate. Now, determinate substance has three modes—privation, position, and negation, and tobacco before it is kindled with fire may be said to exist in privation. Next, being alight and in the condition of being smoked, it plainly exists in position. And when it has been reduced to ashes and the pipe is out it exists in negation, since the ashes cannot ever be applied to the use
- ↑ In confirmation of this theory I am able to adduce Ammonius De Interpretatione. "τὸ μὲν ξύλον ἐστι φύσει, ἡ δὲ θύρα θέσει" = timber exists naturally (privatively), but a door in position. But he only starts, as it were, the notion which Smalgruelius amplifies, and which, if time allow, I do myself intend to amplify to a still greater extent.
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