On the Secrets of Women

is clear, because assimilation follows the nature of a thing. The minor premise is proven, because man is assimilated to the heavens in regard to the twelve signs of the zodiac, three of which are virtually hot, namely Aries, Gemini, and Leo: to these correspond three members in man, namely the heart, the liver, and the testicles. Likewise, three are cold, namely Cancer, Taurus, and Virgo: to these correspond the intestines, the bladder, and the diaphragm. Likewise, three are humid, namely Scorpio, Aquarius, and Pisces: to these correspond the brain, the stomach, and the lungs. Likewise, three are dry, namely Capricorn, Sagittarius, and Libra: to these correspond the spleen, the gall bladder, and the kidneys. Whence he says in the 12th book of the Metaphysics that the whole heaven is like one contiguous composite; therefore, we must be inclined toward the knowledge of the present book, which treats of human generation. Its efficient cause is said to have been Albertus Magnus, having taken many things from Aristotle, who was sufficiently learned or literate in experiments and informed by women. And especially in the book on animals, which he composed after he had traveled around the whole world with Alexander. And it is supposed to belong to natural philosophy; because it is a book on "small natural things" referring to the Parva Naturalia, and it is not purely natural, but partly medicinal.

PREFACE.

To his beloved companion and friend in Christ, N., a cleric of such a place: true wisdom and a continuous increase of the present life.