The Advantages of Philofophy. 9 Husbandman alfo, may know from the Rules of this Science, the most advantagious Methods of cultivating and manuring his Land; the Navigator from hence, borrows the Theory of his Art; and in fhort, there is no State, Art, or Capacity, in Life, which does not directly, or indirectly, receive Advantage and Benefit therefrom. CHAP. CHA P. II. Of the Parts and Subdivifions of PHÝ A. H SIOLOGY. OW many are the Parts of this Science of natural Philofophy? B. It may be properly divided into four general Parts. A. Pray what are they? B. These which follow, viz. I. Somatology, which treateth of the common Nature, Properties, and Qualities of Matter, and its various Combinations in natural Bodies. II. Cofmology, or Uranology, which treats of the Nature, Conftitution, and component Parts of the Univerfe in general, and particularly of our folar System. III. Ae The Parts and Subdivifions of Philofopby. 11 III. Aerology, which treats of the Nature of the Atmosphere, or Region of Air, and all the Phenomena thereto belonging IV. Geology, which treats of the Nature, A. I fuppofe each of those general Parts are yet farther to be fubdivided, are they not? B. Yes, into feveral other fubordinate Branches. A. Pray what are the Subdivifions of the first general Part, Somatology? B. Somatology, as it confiders the common and special Properties of natural Bodies, is divided with Respect to them in the Manner I shall by and by name to you when we difcourfe of that Part. A. What are the particular Branches of the fecond general Part? B. Cofmology, or more properly Uranology, comprehends the following Branches, viz. 1. Heliography, which treats of the Sun. 2. Selenography, which treats of the Moon. 3. Planetography, which treats of the Planets. 4. Co 4. Cometography, which treats of the Comets. 5. Aftrography, which treats of the fix'd Stars. A. Pray how is the third great Part fubdivided? B. Aerology, I divide as follows, viz. into, 1. Aerography, which treats of the Atmofphere, or Body of Air. 2. Anemography, which treats of the Winds. 3. Meteorography, which treats of the Meteors. 4. Phantafmatography, which treats of the celeftial Appearances, or fuch Phanomena, as exift only in Vifion, and not Corporally. A. How do you fubdivide the last general Part? B. Geology, is moft naturally divided into the following fubordinate Branches, viz. 1. Geography, which treats of the Earth, or Land 2. Hydrography, which treats of Water. 3. Phy The Parts and Subdivifions of Philofophy. 13 3. Phytography, which treats of Plants and Vegetables 4. Zobgraphy, which treats of Animals of all Kinds.... And thus you have a concife View of the feveral Parts or Subjects of our enfuing Colloquies. A. Sir, Nothing will fo enamour my intellectual Senfes, as Reflections and Contemplations on fuch Topics as these; I always love to hear People talk of the Wonders of Nature, and being now directly engaged in a Converfation purely on those delectable Topics, my Appetite is whet, and my Defires excited almoft beyond Saturity. B. I'll do my Endeavour to fatisfy you if poffible, and am very glad to find you hunger and thirst after ufeful Knowledge; while others vainly fpend their precious and irrevocable Time in idle and profane Amusements, you have the Happiness of fuperior Senfe to dictate to you the more noble, manlike, and virtuous Methods of improving your Time; which will yield you not only abundance of Delight, and rational Pleasure, but at the fame Time make you Wife and Happy: To this End, I fhall communicate to you whatever I have found in the Writings of the great Sages and |