| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin: quantity. Man, though acting on external characters alone and often
capriciously, can produce within a short period a great result by adding up
mere individual differences in his domestic productions; and every one
admits that there are at least individual differences in species under
nature. But, besides such differences, all naturalists have admitted the
existence of varieties, which they think sufficiently distinct to be worthy
of record in systematic works. No one can draw any clear distinction
between individual differences and slight varieties; or between more
plainly marked varieties and sub-species, and species. Let it be observed
how naturalists differ in the rank which they assign to the many
representative forms in Europe and North America.
 On the Origin of Species |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Aeneid by Virgil: The steel thro' both his temples forc'd the way:
Extended on the ground, Numanus lay.
"Go now, vain boaster, and true valor scorn!
The Phrygians, twice subdued, yet make this third return."
Ascanius said no more. The Trojans shake
The heav'ns with shouting, and new vigor take.
Apollo then bestrode a golden cloud,
To view the feats of arms, and fighting crowd;
And thus the beardless victor he bespoke aloud:
"Advance, illustrious youth, increase in fame,
And wide from east to west extend thy name;
 Aeneid |