Q. Why do such as are apoplectic sneeze, that is, such as are subject easily to bleed?  A. Because the passages, or ventricles of the brain are stopped, and if they could sneeze, their apoplexy would be loosed.

Q. Why does the heat of the sun provoke sneezing, and not the heat of the fire?  A. Because the heat of the sun doth dissolve, but not consume, and therefore the vapour dissolved is expelled by sneezing; but the heat of the fire doth dissolve and consume, and therefore doth rather hinder sneezing than provoke it.

Of the Ears.

Q. Why do beasts move their ears, and not men?  A. Because there is a certain muscle near the under jaw which doth cause motion in the ear; and therefore, that muscle being extended and stretched, men do not move their ears, as it hath been seen in divers men; but all beasts do use that muscle or fleshy sinew, and therefore do move their ears.

Q. Why is rain prognosticated by the pricking up of asses’ ears?  A. Because the ass is of a melancholic constitution, and the approach of rain produceth that effect on such a constitution.  In the time of rain all beasts prick up their ears, but the ass before it comes.

Q. Why have some animals no ears?  A. Nature giveth unto everything that which is fit for it, but if she had given birds ears, their flying would have been hindered by them.  Likewise fish want ears, because they would hinder their swimming, and have only certain little holes through which they hear.

Q. Why have bats ears, although of the bird kind?  A. Because they are partly birds in nature, in that they fly, by reason whereof they have wings; and partly they are hairy and seem to be of the nature of mice, therefore nature hath given them ears.

Q. Why have men only round ears?  A. Because the shape of the whole and of the parts should be proportionable, and especially in all things of one nature; for as a drop of water is round, so the whole water:  and so, because a man’s head is round, the ears incline towards the same figure; but the heads of beasts are somewhat long, and so the ears are drawn into length likewise.

Q. Why hath nature given all living creatures ears?  A. 1.  Because with them they should hear. 2.  Because by the ear choleric superfluity is purged; for as the head is purged of phlegmatic superfluity by the nose, so from choleric, by the ears.

Of the Mouth.

Q. Why hath the mouth lips to compass it?  A. Because the lips cover and defend the teeth; for it would be unseemly if the teeth were always seen.  Also, the teeth being of a cold nature, would be soon hurt if they were not covered with lips.

Q. Why has a man two eyes and but one mouth?  A. Because a man should speak but little, and hear and see much.  And by hearing and the light we see difference of things.

Q. Why hath a man a mouth?  A. 1.  Because the mouth is the gate and door of the stomach. 2.  Because the meat is chewed in the mouth, and prepared and made ready for the first digestion. 3.  Because the air drawn into the hollow of the mouth for the refreshing of the heart, is made pure and subtle.