32. How men's words fail when they stand for substances.
In our notions concerning Substances, we are liable to
all the former inconveniences: v.g. he that uses the word tarantula, without having any imagination or idea of
what it stands for, pronounces a good word; but so long means nothing at all by it. 2. He that, in a
newly-discovered country, shall see several sorts of animals and vegetables, unknown to him before, may have as
true ideas of them, as of a horse or a stag; but can speak of them only by a description, till he shall either take the
names the natives call them by, or give them names himself. 3. He that uses the word body sometimes for pure
extension, and sometimes for extension and solidity together, will talk very fallaciously. 4. He that gives the name
horse to that idea which common usage calls mule, talks improperly, and will not be understood. 5. He that thinks
the name centaur stands for some real being, imposes on himself, and mistakes words for things.
