Page:The Anatomy of Tobacco.pdf/101

 matter as being stulti, stolidi, fatui, fungi, bardi, blenni, buccones, as Plautus hath it.

Now tobacco being the prior member of the division, let it be considered as the occasion may direct, and in such a way as will tend to the enlightenment of all. Firstly, then, it will be remembered that it was materially defined "Herba, in quâ inest nicotinica et soporifera virtus"—a herb in which there resides a nicotinic and soporific virtue. But metaphysically it is defined "Nicotinica et soporifera virtus, quæ sub tabaci specie, nostris sensibus perspicitur"—a nicotinic and soporific virtue which is evident to our senses under the form of tobacco. Hence this nicotinic virtue is an immutable and eternal idea, having a real existence; and though we know not the where, when, or how of this existence, yet we know that it does exist. And this virtue is also named an energy, and likewise an act. But however we name it, it is evident that it has no ordinary material existence, since all tobacco which we can see, touch, and smoke must have certain accidents,