The 47. Chapter. Of the signes and tokens of the tides, wa∣ters, and windes vpon the coast of China and in the way to Iapon.
IN the time of the monson of the South and South∣west windes, it is most cer∣taine in the whole coast of China and the way to Iapon, that when the winds of the monson blow, and from thence run into the East, that they turne not againe out of the East into the south, but from thence into the North: and ha∣uing continued there for a certaine time, they turne againe into the east, and from thence into the South, & if it be a North∣east wind, then it turneth often times in∣to the Southwest, and not into the East, but not often, but the surest is as afore∣said. It changeth also often times from North to South, and not into the East, which is very common, and when the Sunne setteth and hath some red carna∣tion cloudes about it, and that many beames issueth from the Sunne, in such manner, that it séemeth to blaze, then it is a signe of great stormes and tempests. Likewise in the rising and going downe of the Moone, if it sheweth in the like ma∣ner, it is a signe of stormes and tempests.
When the Sunne riseth so faire and cléere, that you may in a manner sée into it, and perfectly discerne the compasse thereof, then it signifieth good weather, The like doth it signifie in the setting of the Sunne: and when the Sunne in the rising or setting is red and of a dead cou∣ler, and so darke that you may sée it round about, not casting forth any beames, it signifieth calme weather: The like doth the Moone.
In the time of the monson when the Northeast winds doe commonly blowe, and that the clouds at the Sun-setting bée red, then it signifieth North winds, when in diuers places of the sea you sée skumme driuing vpon the water as white as Cot∣ton, being about a finger long, then it sig∣nifieth tempests and foule weather: This skum procéedeth of the small waues that breake, wherof there are many in ye place.
In the moneth of Iuly there bloweth other winds in those places then the mon∣son running from one place to the other, till in the end they be northeast, then it is certain it will be tempest & foule weather.