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revolutions of the universe。 These each man should follow； and correct
the courses of the head which were corrupted at our birth； and by
learning the harmonies and revolutions of the universe； should
assimilate the thinking being to the thought； renewing his original
nature； and having assimilated them should attain to that perfect life
which the gods have set before mankind； both for the present and the
future。
Thus our original design of discoursing about the universe down to
the creation of man is nearly completed。 A brief mention may be made
of the generation of other animals； so far as the subject admits of
brevity； in this manner our argument will best attain a due
proportion。 On the subject of animals； then； the following remarks may
be offered。 Of the men who came into the world； those who were cowards
or led unrighteous lives may with reason be supposed to have changed
into the nature of women in the second generation。 And this was the
reason why at that time the gods created in us the desire of sexual
intercourse； contriving in man one animated substance； and in woman
another； which they formed respectively in the following manner。 The
outlet for drink by which liquids pass through the lung under the
kidneys and into the bladder； which receives then by the pressure of
the air emits them； was so fashioned by them as to penetrate also into
the body of the marrow； which passes from the head along the neck
and through the back； and which in the preceding discourse we have
named the seed。 And the seed having life； and becoming endowed with
respiration； produces in that part in which it respires a lively
desire of emission； and thus creates in us the love of procreation。
Wherefore also in men the organ of generation becoming rebellious
and masterful； like an animal disobedient to reason； and maddened with
the sting of lust； seeks to gain absolute sway； and the same is the
case with the so…called womb or matrix of women； the animal within
them is desirous of procreating children； and when remaining
unfruitful long beyond its proper time； gets discontented and angry；
and wandering in every direction through the body； closes up the
passages of the breath； and； by obstructing respiration； drives them
to extremity； causing all varieties of disease； until at length the
desire and love of the man and the woman； bringing them together and
as it were plucking the fruit from the tree； sow in the womb； as in
a field； animals unseen by reason of their smallness and without form；
these again are separated and matured within； they are then finally
brought out into the light； and thus the generation of animals is
completed。
Thus were created women and the female sex in general。 But the
race of birds was created out of innocent light…minded men； who；
although their minds were directed toward heaven； imagined； in their
simplicity； that the clearest demonstration of the things above was to
be obtained by sight； these were remodelled and transformed into
birds； and they grew feathers instead of hair。 The race of wild
pedestrian animals； again； came from those who had no philosophy in
any of their thoughts； and never considered at all about the nature of
the heavens； because they had ceased to use the courses of the head；
but followed the guidance of those parts of the soul which are in
the breast。 In consequence of these habits of theirs they had their
front…legs and their heads resting upon the earth to which they were
drawn by natural affinity； and the crowns of their heads were
elongated and of all sorts of shapes； into which the courses of the
soul were crushed by reason of disuse。 And this was the reason why
they were created quadrupeds and polypods： God gave the more senseless
of them the more support that they might be more attracted to the
earth。 And the most foolish of them； who trail their bodies entirely
upon the ground and have no longer any need of feet； he made without
feet to crawl upon the earth。 The fourth class were the inhabitants of
the water： these were made out of the most entirely senseless and
ignorant of all； whom the transformers did not think any longer worthy
of pure respiration； because they possessed a soul which was made
impure by all sorts of transgression； and instead of the subtle and
pure medium of air； they gave them the deep and muddy sea to be
their element of respiration； and hence arose the race of fishes and
oysters； and other aquatic animals； which have received the most
remote habitations as a punishment of their outlandish ignorance。
These are the laws by which animals pass into one another； now； as
ever； changing as they lose or gain wisdom and folly。
We may now say that our discourse about the nature of the universe
has an end。 The world has received animals； mortal and immortal； and
is fulfilled with them； and has become a visible animal containing the
visible…the sensible God who is the image of the intellectual； the
greatest； best； fairest； most perfect…the one only begotten heaven。
…THE END…
。