Ocellus Lucanus On the Nature of the Universe (Taylor 1831)

they exist in perfection when they are generated and receive their proper nature. Therefore, matter [or a universal recipient] is necessary for the existence of generation.

The second requirement is the existence of contrarieties, so that mutations and changes in quality may occur. For this purpose, matter receives passive qualities and an aptitude for participating in forms. Contrariety is also necessary to ensure that powers which are naturally opposed to one another do not ultimately destroy or be destroyed by each other. These powers are the hot and the cold, the dry and the moist.

Essences rank in the third place. These are fire, water, air, and earth, of which the hot, cold, dry, and moist are the powers. Essences differ from powers; for essences are locally corrupted by one another, but powers are neither corrupted nor generated, because their underlying principles [or forms] are incorporeal.

Of these four powers, however, the hot and the cold exist as causes and effective forces, but the dry and the moist rank as matter and passive elements*; but matter is the first

• Thus also Aristotle, in his Treatise on Generation and Corruption: original: "θερμον δε και ψυχρον, και ὑγρον, τα μεν τῳ ποιητικα ειναι, τα δε τῳ παθητικα λεγεται." i.e., "With respect to heat and cold, dryness and moisture, the two former of these are said to be effective, but the two latter passive powers."