On the Movement of Animals, Part One

perceive that language in which the Author of Nature is accustomed to write His concepts in this sensible Book. Such a language, I say, and the characters by which the Creator of Things speaks in His works, are Geometrical Configurations and Demonstrations: which the divine Plato expressed brilliantly; for when asked what GOD was doing, he replied, "God geometrizes," meaning that God exercises geometry; which most excellent sentiment, having been wonderfully interpreted by learned men, seems able to be adapted to our purpose.

For since animals are bodies, and their vital operations are either movements or cannot be performed without movement, and since bodies and movements are the subject of Mathematics, such scientific contemplation will be entirely Geometrical. Likewise, the operations of animals are produced by causes, and instruments, and mechanical principles, namely the balance, the lever, the pulley, the drum, the wedge, the screw, etc. And since the scientific knowledge of these is entirely Geometrical, it will be true that God exercises Geometry in the construction of the organs of Animals, and we have need of Geometry in their perception, which is the unique and adapted science, so that the divine Book inscribed in Animals may be read and perceived,