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CHAP. XXIIII. Of the Sunnes eclipse.
THALES was the first who observed the Sunnes eclipse, and said, that it was occasioned by the Moone, which is of a terrestriall nature, when as in her race, she commeth to be just and plumbe under him; which may be plainly seene as in a mirrour, by setting a bason of water underneath.
ANAXIMANDER said, that the Sun became eclipsed, when the mouth or tunnill (at which the heat of his fire commeth forth) is closed up. [ 10]
HERACLITUS is of opinion, that this hapneth, when the bodie of the Sun which is made like a boat, is turned upside downe, so as the hollow part thereof is upward, and the keele down∣ward to our sight.
XENOPHANES affirmeth, that this commeth by extinction of one Sun, & the rising of an∣other againe in the East: he addeth moreover, and reporteth, that there is an eclipse of the Sun, during one whole moneth; as also one entire and universall eclipse, in such maner, as the day scemeth to be night.
Others ascribe the cause thereof, to the thickenesse of clouds, which suddenly and after an hidden maner, overcast the rundle and plate of the Sunne.
ARISTARCHUS reckoneth the Sunne among the fixed Starres, saying, that it is the earth [ 20] which rolleth and turneth round about the Sunnes circle, and according to the inclinations thereof, the Sunnes lightsome bodie commeth to be darkened by her shade.
XENOPHANES holdeth, that there be many Sunnes and Moones, according to the divers Climats, Tracts, Sections, and Zones of the earth: and at a certeine revolution of time, the rundle of the Sunne falleth upon some Climate or Section of the earth, which is not of us inha∣bited; and so marching (as it were) in some void place, he suffereth eclipse: he also affirmeth, that the Sun goeth indeed infinitly forward stil, but by reason of his huge distance and retract from us, seemeth to turne round about.