To the extent possible under law, the Text Creation Partnership has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above, according to the terms of the CC0 1.0 Public Domain Dedication (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/). This waiver does not extend to any page images or other supplementary files associated with this work, which may be protected by copyright or other license restrictions. Please go to http://www.textcreationpartnership.org/ for more information.
NOw it followeth that I speak something of watery Meteors, and shew after what manner they are ge∣nerated. They be called watery because they consist most of water; their substance being that kinde of Exhalation which we call Vapor, and not Fumus.
And that which in the first place offereth it self, is Nubes, a Cloud.
I Begin therefore with clouds. And a cloud is a vapour or Exhalation cold and moist, drawn from the earth out of wet or watery places, by heat of the Sunne, into the middle Region of the aire; where by cold it is so thickened and knit together, that it hangeth, untill either a 1.1 the own weight, or some resolution, causeth it to fall. If it be a great cloud, it is Nubes; if it be but a little one, it is called Nubecula. The name comes ab obnubendo, id est, operiendo coelum, from hiding or covering the heavens: be∣cause a cloud (through the thicknesse that the vapour is condensed into) hindereth, that a lesse portion of the hea∣vens is conspicuous, then otherwise would be.
It is also two-fold; either fertill, or barren.
A fertill or fruitfull cloud affordeth rain: but a barren cloud doth not; because it is at length by the blasts of winde, and vertue of the heavenly bodies, turned into thin aire.
And to either of these clouds belong motion & colour.
Their motion is caused by the winde most commonly, through whose force they are driven to and fro: But if the windes blow not, then they are drawn along by the Sun, and made a companion with him in his travels, alwayes moving that way which the Sunne goeth.
Concerning their colours I spake before in Para∣graph 5. Article 2. And therefore here you may expect the lesse: yet let me say that they are either simple or mixt.
Black or white are simple; because they consist of no other colours. But red, green, and the rest, are mixt.
They appeare white when the vapour is thin; for then it is easily pierced by the light, which disperseth it self into it.
But when they appeare of a b 1.2 black colour, then the vapour is thick, and more closely condensed: in∣somuch that the beams of light cannot be admitted▪
As for their rednesse, it may be caused two wayes, according to Goclenius: either through the adustion of the aire, magno aestu incensum, as he saith: Or propter retusum radium Solis, by reason of the beams of the Sunne beat back again; which, falling upon a watery cloud that is thickly condensed, pierceth not; but being doubled cau∣seth rednesse, as in the morning: and this is a signe of rain: but the other is not. For the other rednesse is in such a cloud as sheweth the drinesse and adustion of the aire; the cloud it self consisting of a smokie humid substance, unto which is joyned a kinde of drie and adust matter. This therefore is a signe of c 1.3 fair weather, being seen in the evening towards the place of Sun-setting; according as it hath been said of old, Serò rubens coelum, mané indicat esse serenum.
Concerning green clouds they are altogether watery, and as it were already resolved into water; which recei∣ving into them the light appeare green, like unto water in a great vessel, or in the sea and deep rivers.
Blew clouds come something neare to the nature of black, excepting that the black are thicker.
And note, If when the Sunne sets, there appeare or arise black dark clouds, it portendeth rain. Also observe the place opposite to the Sunne at his setting, viz. the East, and see if that be cleare: for if it be pestered with black clouds, there is but small hope of fair weather that night, or the next day.
The common opinion is, that the height of the clouds* 1.4 is not above nine miles. But it is agreeable to no reason
at all why any certain height should be determined: for they are of unequall heights, differing both according to the matter of their composure, and also according to the time of the yeare; being lower in winter then in summer: for when the sunne hath the greatest force they then ascend the higher; and in his smaller force they hang the lower. By which it appeareth that the sunne helpeth to uphold them, and keepeth them (al∣though heavier then the aire) even in the aire: for they▪ sometimes also follow his motion.
But note that it is not the sunne alone which upholds* 1.5 them; for the aire it self is also a cause of their not fall∣ing; and that both within the clouds, and also without them: within the clouds; for the clouds are of a spungie nature, and full of pores, which are filled with aire le•…•…t there should be vacuum; and this aire heaveth them up, causing them to aspire: without the clouds also, because they do as it were float up and down in the aire, as some heavie things do in the water, and yet not sink, unlesse their substance be too earthie and heavie.
FRom clouds I proceed to speak of rain. And rain is nothing else but as it were the melting of a cloud turned into water. Or, according to Aristotle, it is the flux of a fertill cloud resolved by the heat of the sunne into distilling drops of water, which being depressed with their own weight, fall down to the earth. For when the matter of the cloud, being a cold vapour, and earthly humour, is drawn from the earth and waters, in∣to the middle Region of the aire, and there thickened through the cold, dwelling in the confines of that place, it is at the last dissolved, and cannot therefore but fall down in drops: which drops, if they be great, are caused,
either by the quick resolution of the cloud, or else by the little distance of it from the earth. But if they be small∣er, then either the a 1.6 great distance or slow resolution ma∣keth them of no ample quantitie.
The first of these is named nimbus; the other is called imber.
And note that the dissolution (as hath been said) pro∣ceedeth out of heat; which is not onely of the sunne, but of windes also of an hot temper: as is seen in the sou∣thern winde, which bloweth up rain sooner then any other winde. And as for rains which come from cold coasts, and at cold times of the yeare, if the cloud be not at such times (as some may think) dissolved through the heat of any winde, it dissolveth it self through its own weight, (being a little holpen by the sunne) for it conti∣nueth in the aire even whilest it can stay no longer. And at these times also, if we consider all aright, we shall finde that the winde somewhat helpeth, although not so speedily as from hotter coasts: for naturally there is a kinde of heat in every winde, (because it is an Exhala∣tion hot and drie) although by accident (as from the na∣ture of the place over which it passeth) it may be altered: of which I shall speak more afterwards. And besides all this, the secret influence of the Planets worketh greatly towards the dissolution of the foresaid vapours.
But I proceed. And now it followeth that I divide all sorts of rain into two kindes: First, such as are ordina∣ry;* 1.7 secondly, such as be extraordinary.
I call those ordinary when nothing but water falleth. And I call those extraordinary which others call prodi∣gious rains: as when worms, frogs, fish, wheat, milk,* 1.8 flesh, bloud, wooll, stones, iron, earth, &c. fall from the clouds. Plinie makes mention of many such prodigies as these, in the 56 chapter of his second book; setting down the times when they happened.
Concerning all which, next under God (the causer of the causes causing them) these or the like reasons may be urged to shew how it is possible they should be pro∣cured, and upon what causes they naturally depend.
1. And first for the raining of worms; it may be thought* 1.9 that the putrefaction of some dead carcasses or other hath been drawn up into the aire as fumes and vapours are, where it breedeth such worms as use to breed out of the like matter here below.
2. The like may be said of frogs, when the vapour is* 1.10 exhaled out of marish grounds at such times as they en∣gender.
3. So also of fishes; excepting that (as is supposed) the* 1.11 force of windes may suddenly sweep away little frey out of ponds upon montanous places: and so also little young frogs, with many the like things, may be taken up. Some write of a whole calf falling from the clouds; and have been thereupon perswaded that it is possible, of Vapours and Exhalations, with the power of heaven∣ly bodies concurring, a calf may be made in the aire. But this is idle. It was therefore (as others write) taken up in some storm of whirl winde, and so let fall again.
4. As for wheat and other grain, it hath been observed* 1.12 that their raining down hath often come in case of ex∣tremitie, to the great preservation and refreshment of the distressed: in which regard it may be supposed that it was an immediate work of God, wrought without the rule of nature: so, that were all the wits in the world prest into one, yet were they all too weak to shew a true cause of such a prodigie. Which made Du Bartas write concerning such;
Let them declare what cause could yerst beget Amid the aire those drizzling showres of wheat, Which in Carinthia twice were seen to shed; Whereof that people made them store of bread.
To speak therefore as I think, I will not boldly affirm how this was caused, but onely touch at the possibilitie of it; namely, that it might be effected like unto other strange rains, first drawn from the earth into the aire, and then sent down again. For (as I have b 1.13 already said) in shewing probable reasons for such things as are strange, we do also include God the chief and best cause of all things. And so also we reade, that when the Red sea was bayed up with a double wall, to give the children of Israel safe and free passage through it, God sent a strong East-winde all that night, &c. by which the wa∣ters were divided. Exod. 14. 21. And again, when the Quails came and filled their tents, being as it were rained round about them; they were brought from the sea with a winde, and let fall a dayes journey on this side, and a dayes journey on that side, even round about their camp. Numb. 11. 31.
He that hath seen (saith c 1.14 one) an egge-shell full of dew drawn up by the sunne into the aire, in a May morning, will not think it incredible, that wheat and other grain should be drawn up in much hotter coun∣treys then ours is, much rather the meal or flower which is lighter.
5. By the like reason also it sometimes raineth milk:* 1.15 for when the intensissimus solis calor, the vehement heat of the sunne, shall either draw milk from the udders * 1.16 of cattell, and shall mix it with the other parts of the cloud; or shall so throughly trie, purifie, digest or con∣coct the vapour, that it may look something white, then will the drops look as if it rained milk.
6. As for the raining of flesh, it is supposed to be after* 1.17 this manner, namely through the drawing up of bloud from places where much bloud hath been shed, which being clottered together seemeth as if it were flesh.
7. And so also it may rain bloud; namely when it is* 1.18
not clottered together, but thinner, &c. In the yeare of Christ 480 was such a rain. As also in the yeare 864, neare unto Brixia in Italie, was the like. Yea and before either of these times, our own d 1.19 chronicles tell us that in the dayes of Rivallo King of the Britains, we also had bloud rained; upon which ensued great mortalitie of peo∣ple. Histories make mention of the like wonders at other times.
But, say some, there is often great store of bloud spilt,* 1.20 and yet no prodigie appeareth.
To which is answered, that it is not the ordinarie ex∣haling* 1.21 vertue which resteth in the starres and Planets that can draw up such bloudy vapours, although much bloud be spilt; but then onely when there is a more un∣usuall concurrence of causes: for sometimes they are disposed to one thing, sometimes to another. And for the working of any strange thing, it must be when there is a strange kinde of combination amongst them. To which purpose we know (although we cannot alwayes directly see and demonstrate how they are mixed and combined) that they principally intend and cause at the same time other changes, of which the visible prodigie is but the proclaimer or fore-runner: as, if you look but a little before concerning Comets, you may see, and so rest satisfied.
And unto this also adde, that there may be drops like unto bloud, and yet no bloud drawn up: And this may be, either when the Sunne draweth vapours out of pu∣trified watery places, in which (as I have often seen) in a drought resteth much slimie and red-coloured corrupted water; or else when the Sunnes immensive heat doth so boyl the water in the cloud, that like unto the urine which a man maketh in a burning fever, it looketh red when it falleth. The like cause I gave before unto the water of a white colour: but know that it must then
be of another qualitie, the matter of the vapour I mean: for there are some kinde of waters, as is well known, which being boyled turn to white salt, &c. And as for a red colour, the ordinarie rain sheweth that it is possible: for we see that ordinary rain-water looketh alwayes more brown then spring or river-water, being as if a more powerfull operation would turn it into red.
8. The raining of wooll or hair, is when a certain* 1.22 mossinesse like wooll, such as is upon quinces, willows, and other young fruits and trees, is drawn up by the Sunne among Vapours and Exhalations, which being clottered together falleth down like locks of wooll, or hair.
9. Concerning stones, they proceed from earthly* 1.23 matter gathered into the clouds, as before was shewed concerning the Thunder-stone, &c.
Plinie, in the 58 chapter of his second book, writeth of a strange stone which fell out of the heavens; the fall whereof was foretold by Anaxagoras in the second yeare of the 78 Olympiad.
10. Iron may also drop out of the clouds, when the ge∣nerall* 1.24 matter of all metalls, which is quicksilver and brimstone, with the speciall matter of mixtion making iron, are all drawn up together, and there concocted into metall: Or (as one saith) Quando vapores metallici aut sulphurei in aëre indurantur, vehementi siderum caliditate; When metallick vapours, or vapours of a sulfurous na∣ture, are hardened in the aire by the vehement heat of the starres.
11. And as for earth, chalk, dirt, and the like, it is* 1.25 drawn up in thin dust at the first with the vapour: Or else, by force of some winde blowing from caverns, or holes of the ground, it is carried up; and being conglo∣merated, or as it were glued together, falleth down again.
12. But beside all these, there have sometimes been* 1.26 red drops, which falling upon mens garments have made a stain like unto a crosse. Such drops as these fell up∣on the e 1.27 clothes of the Jews, when in the dayes of the Apostata Iulian they went about to restore their citie and temple. For when the said Iulian raged with impi∣etie and devilish fury against the Christians, he gave the Jews licence to build their temple, that they might restore again their ancient sacrifices, and the like things that they longed for: at which time Cyril was Bishop of Ierusalem; and he (to animate the Christians) shewed that it was impossible for the Jews to finish that work which they had begun: alledging the prophet Da∣niel in his ninth chap. at the 27 verse; and also that say∣ing of our Saviour in the 24 of Matthew: by both which places it did appeare, that their house was left unto them desolate, and that there must not be one stone upon another; but that their desolations must be perpetuall.
Thus it happened to the Jews. But this surely was a thing altogether miraculous. For their red crosses came not alone, but were accompanied with other pro∣digies. As first of all an Earth-quake, which overthrew and tumbled down their building which they had raised upon the old foundation. Then came forth a fire which consumed all their engines and instruments. And last of all fell these drops, imprinting upon their clothes, crosses with so deep a stain, as they were not able to wash them out: And both the f 1.28 same night, and night after, was also a bright signe of the crosse seen int he skie, as Theodoret in his Ecclesiasticall historie reporteth: adding herewith∣all, that when the Jews saw this, they fled and returned home, being perplexed through fear of a divine scourge; confessing that he, whom their forefathers had nailed to a crosse, was God indeed.
This was both the prodigie, and the issue of it: of
which, being so plainly miraculous, I know not what to say.
But I finde that other times have in a manner afforded* 1.29 the like. Wherefore (although I speak nothing at all of these at this time thus miraculous) concerning them some reasons may be given.
And not to go farre, Magirus, in the g 1.30 Comment up∣on his Physicks, telleth us, that in Suevia a Province in Germanie, in the yeare of our Lord * 1.31 1534, the aire distil∣led certain red drops, which falling upon linen gar∣ments, made such an impression or stain as was like unto a crosse. Which impression (as he alledgeth out of Car∣dan his sixteenth book De subtilitate) might be procured thus; viz. because a certain kinde of extraordinarie dry dust sticked to those garments; which, by the piercing or through-washing drops falling upon it, was so miracu∣lously divided into parts, that there seemed a figure as of a crosse. Or thus, because the woven threads in them∣selves had such a form. Or else (which is most probable) because the humour in the middle part lay on high, whereas the sides were but thin, and fashioned according to the dashing of the drop. For when a drop falleth upon any thing with a kinde of force, we see that most of the humour resteth in the midst, whilest certain sparkling raies are dashed about the sides: And thus he thinketh it might be then, in the fall of those staining drops; which why they stain, hath relation to that which I said before concerning the raining of bloud.
I will therefore now conclude; adding in the last* 1.32 place, that the devil, by Gods permission, both often hath and also doth produce many such prodigies as these that I have spoken of, with sundry other like unto them; especially amongst the * 1.33 Heathen, Pagan, and super∣stitious nations. For he is quovis homine scientior, more subtill then any man; his knowledge and skill whereby
he worketh wonders, arising, First, from his spirituall* 1.34 nature, which proclaimeth a large measure of cunning and wisdome in him: for we know that there is a great∣er measure of knowledge in man, then is in a brute beast, by reason of that nature which God hath given unto man above beasts: and where there is a nature and a sub∣stance beyond either, there must also be knowledge above either. Secondly, God created him a good Angel; and although, like man, he lost much by his fall, yet thirdly by his long observations, and continuall experi∣ence, he hath as it were made up the breach, or want of his created knowledge, by acquired skill: and therefore, when he hath * 1.35 commission, he can upon occasion work strange wonders. As for example, nothing more familiar or common in h 1.36 Lapland, Lituania, and all over Scandia, as also in Tartaria, then to sell windes to mariners, and cause tempests; which the witches and sorcerers there procure by the help and power of the devil: wherein he sheweth himself, according to his * 1.37 title, Prince of the aire.
Wherefore (as I said) I do not doubt, but that many such as the former strange prodigies, especially long ago in heathen times, and amongst heathen people, were procured by his power. For what did the magicians in the sight of Pharaoh, but as it were rain frogs, and turn* 1.38 the waters into bloud, although Moses and Aaron were by?
Besides, it is apparent that in the little world, I mean when parties are possessed, the devil can cause them to vomit strange things out of their mouthes and stomacks; as crooked pins, iron, coals, nails, brimstone, needles, lead, wax, hair, straw, live eels, and the like; of which many have been eye-witnesses, confirming the same for truth. All which, he can as well and easily perform in the greater world; causing the aire to spit, and the clouds to
vomit (for his own advantage) most strange and prodi∣gious things.
Zanchius his opinion was not much differing: for, speaking of strange rains, i 1.39 he confessed (concerning some of them) that they were produced by such causes, or the like, as I before alledged; concluding for the rest which were more occult, that they were truely prodigi∣ous; and caused, either by the power of God, as porten∣ders of his wrath; or else by the sleights of the devil, through Gods permission.
DEw offers it self in the next place, as being a neare kinsman to rain. For it consisteth of a cold moist vapour which the sunne draweth into the aire: from whence, when it is somewhat thickened and condensed through cold of the night, and also of the place whither the sunne exhaled it, it falleth down in very small and in∣discernible drops, to the great refreshment of the earth.
And this is certain, that the morning and the evening are the onely times when it falleth; the reason being in* 1.40 regard of the sunne, which both positively & privative∣ly causeth it. Dew at night is caused privatively; dew in the morning, positively. At night or in the evening pri∣vatively, because when the sunne setteth, the lowest part of the vapour, not being high enough to hang in the aire, falleth down through absence of the sunne. And in the morning positively, because at the return of the sunne the residue of the vapour, together with the augmentati∣on of it (haply by some condensed aire caused by cold of the night) is dissolved by his approaching beams, and so made fit to fall, rather then hang any longer. For look what vapours are about the Horizon at the rising of the sunne, are dispersed by his first approach; and so it comes
to passe that the morning as well as the evening afford∣eth dew. But know that if the vapour be not convenient∣ly* 1.41 placed, that is, if it be very high above the Horizon, or in a loftie station of the aire, then the sunnes ap∣proaching beam neither dissolveth nor disperseth it; whereupon we have no dew, but rather look for rain, because the matter of dew is still in the aire, staying there till it be turned into a cloud, and so into rain.
And now by this you may see what is the materiall, what the efficient, what the formall, and lastly what the finall cause of dew.
The materiall cause is a subtil and moist vapour, be∣ing the thinnest of all vapours.
The efficient cause is the temperate cold of the night, together with the absence and approach of the sunne.
The formall cause is the sprinkling of most thin drops, which the hand can scarcely perceive.
And the finall cause, that (without rain) the earth may have some refreshment.
Yet neverthelesse, this I finde concerning dew, as it is of a calorificall nature, that a 1.42 rorilentas segetes collectas putrefacit, because every externall heat is putrefactive.
Also dew is a great enemie to sheep, begetting a* 1.43 deadly rot in them, or a dangerous flux of the bellie; which cometh to passe in regard of the humour being of much viscositie, and not throughly refined or purged. Wherefore your carefull and skilfull shepherds will never drive out their sheep to feed, untill the sunne or the winde have licked the tops of the grasse and flowers. Also know that a windie night hindereth the falling of dew. Some say three things hinder it; viz. winde, great* 1.44 heat, and cold: for the most temperate and calm times afford it; when other times want it.
As for the kindes of dew, I cannot but joyn with them who divide them into three.
For there is, first, common dew; secondly, sweet* 1.45 dew; and thirdly, bitter blasting dew.
The common dew is ordinary. Sweet dew is threefold. 1. Manna. 2. Mel. 3. Lada∣num.
Manna is said to be white like sugar: by some it is* 1.46 called Coeli sudor. The matter of it is a fat and pure va∣pour, not tainted with any putrid or corrupt Exhalati∣ons. Or, according to some, it is roris melliti genus, sed concreti, a kinde of hony-sweet dew, but concrete or compact more close together: it falleth in the East parts, Arabia, Syria, &c.
As for that Manna which God rained to the Israelites* 1.47 in the wildernesse, some think that it was altogether miraculous; others that it was ejusdem speciei cum Manna vulgari, of the same kinde with common Manna: which I also think; because Iosephus, in his third book and first chapter, writeth, that in his dayes there was great store of it in that part of Arabia wherein Moses was 40 yeares with the Israelites. What should hinder this opinion, I see not, unlesse because the common Manna is of a pur∣ging qualitie, and therefore to be taken for a medicine rather then for food. To which I b 1.48 finde an answer, that haply at the first it might work the like effect on their bodies also, till it expelled the humours proceeding from the onyons and leeks that they eat in Egypt; but after∣wards through custome it might not work at all upon them: or else God, for their good, that they might be fed, might allay that qualitie in it by his mighty power: for God resting from all his works on the seventh day, created no new species of anything afterwards. Fuohsius a learned Physician, testifieth that there falleth great store of Manna upon the mountain of Libanus, which is eaten without harm, although they take it in plentifull abundance. Yet neverthelesse it cannot be denied but
that the Israelites had many things miraculous in theirs:* 1.49 as that they could not finde it on the Sabbath day: that he which gathered little, and he which gathered much, had alwayes sufficient for his eating; and the like: All which proclaimed the power of God: In which regard he saith that he fed them with* 1.50 Angels food. Not that the Angels eat of it; but because it was cibus excellentissimus, a most excellent kinde of meat; insomuch that were the Angels to be fed with bread, they might be fed with this. In which sense, we also call that which is daintie meat, meat for a King, or a Prince, intimating the good∣nesse of it: So also the poets called their c 1.51 Myrrhina or their Nectar, the drink of the Gods, because it was a li∣quour of such excellencie. But besides this, the Scripture in like manner saith that it was bread from heaven, as* 1.52 well as Angels food. Not that it came from heaven, if heaven be taken in a strict sense; but because it was a symbole of Christs descending from heaven, as it is John the 6. Moses gave you not that bread (saith our Saviour) but I am that bread of life come down from heaven. Or else it is said to come from heaven, because it came out of the aire: for so the word signifying heaven is often used; as the fowls of the aire are said to flie in the open fir∣mament of heaven, Gen. 1. 20. The clouds are called the clouds of heaven: and the windes the windes of heaven, although they be but in the aire, Dan. 7. And thus much concerning Manna.
The other kinde of sweet dew is Mel, or an Hony-dew.* 1.53 Now this falleth, not onely in other countreys, but also here in England; and we cannot give it a more signifi∣cant name then a Mel-dew, being both as sweet, and also of the same substance that hony is. Some suppose that it is drawn out of sweet herbs and flowers, which I also beleeve, acknowledging that there is a kinde of re∣sudation of juice proceeding from them at a certain
convenient time of their growth: which juice is either drawn up as a vapour, and so sweeteneth the dew in the aire by such time as it falleth; or else, issuing of it self from the said flowers and plants, but not ascending, it sweeteneth the dew after it is come down or fallen on them, although the said dew be but ordinary: for when or∣dinary dew falleth upon any of those leaves which yeeld such a resudation or sweat, it cannot but be sweetened, although none of the sweet liquour be drawn into the aire as a vapour with it. Now of these two choose which in your judgement is the most probable.
d 1.54 Plinie witnesseth that these dews are most common at the shining of Syrius, or the greate 1.55 Dog-starre; and that before the rising of Virgiliae or thef 1.56 Seven starres in the morning with the Sunne, they cannot at all be.
Ladanum is another kinde of sweet dew. Arabia hath* 1.57 great plentie of it, and no other countrey (as Plinie wri∣teth) unlesse it be g 1.58 Nabathaea, bordering on the Arabick coast of Syria.
It is called Ladanum, because it is a vapour falling up∣on the herb Ladon or Ledum; and is sweetened by the juice issuing from the leaves of the said herb, mixing it self with the vapour. Goats hairs are often found a∣mongst it; because the Goat feeding upon that herb, scat∣tereth some of his hairs, which are incorporated with the vapour and the juice of Ladon, whilest like gumme it is hardened by the Sunne.
And thus much of sweet dews.
Now followeth that which I called bitter blasting* 1.59 dew. The Germanes say it is h 1.60 Mildaw; which is an im∣proper name if it hath relation to that which we call Mel-dew. For Mel-dew (as before I shewed) is an hony-sweet dew, and not a bitter dew. This therefore may be rather named Ros noxius, or bitter blasting dew, because it hurteth and killeth such herbs and
plants as it falleth on, and sticketh or cleaveth to. This vapour hath much earthly matter in it, and therefore it remaineth white when the moisture is gone. It is also corrupted: which comes to passe (as 'tis conjectured) through the often change of the Aire, which being tainted or infected through varietie of differing Exha∣lations, sendeth down noysome and unwholesome dews, falling sometimes even in the day time it self. And here an end concerning dew.
I Come now to speak of Frosts: for as dew claimed kindred of rain, so white hoar-frost is of the house and linage of dew: As for example thus. When a vapour drawn into the aire is congealed before it can be turned into dew, then we have Pruina in stead thereof, or a white hoar-frost: so that such a frost is nothing else but dew congealed by overmuch cold. a 1.61 Aristotle affirmeth the like, shewing among other things, that both in respect of matter, and place of generation, they do well agree; to which is also per∣tinent the calmnesse, clearnesse, and quietnesse of the time wherein either of them falleth. For both of them consist of subtill thin vapours, and are generated in the lowest region of the aire, because upon some high hills there is neither hoar-frost nor dew to be seen; the vapour (as it seemeth) ascendeth not so high: And as for a windie obscure time, it is an e∣nemie to them both. The difference being, that hoar∣frost is congealed in the vapour before it can be turned into water: The one caused in a season that is temperately warm; the other when it is cold. The materiall cause therefore of hoar-frost is a sub∣till thinne vapour. The formall, is the congeal∣ing
of it; by which it differeth from dew. The efficient is the autumnall or winter cold: for those are the most common and ordinary times peculiar to it, although sometimes it comes as an unwelcome guest in the spring and summer, when the aire through cold is forward to send it. And last of all the end, or principall effects (when it cometh not out of season) or the finall cause, is the con∣traction, or shutting up of the pores or breathing holes of the earth, and about the roots of plants; that thereby their spirits, being the chariots of heat, may be con∣tained in their own bowels for the good of such things as they give life unto. And thus much concern∣ing frost.
THere is no great difference between the matter of snow, and matter of rain and hail; excepting (as some think) that the vapour for snow is of an hotter qualitie then the vapour for rain, and yet not so hot as that which is the materiall cause of hail. For it is a tenent amongst Philosophers, that hot things being cooled are* 1.62 apter for congelation then cold: as is seen in warm wa∣ter taken from the fire, which will more suddenly and throughly be frozen then that which never felt the heat. And this comes to passe in regard of the pores or passages made into the water through heat: into which the cold entring, it both cooleth it the sooner, and congealeth it the more.
Neither is there any difference between white frost and snow; excepting that frost is made of a vapour be∣fore* 1.63 it be turned into a cloud; and snow of a cloud before it can be turned into water.* 1.64
Snow therefore is a cloud congealed by great cold, be∣fore it be perfectly resolved from vapours into water.
For if it should come to the densitie of water before the congelation, then it could not fall so like locks of wooll as it doth; but would be more closely compacted or joyn∣ed together, having little or no spunginesse in it.
As for the whitenesse, it proceedeth not from its own* 1.65 proper colour, but rather in respect of those parts which are more aierie then the rest: whereupon I finde some a 1.66 authours who determine the case thus; namely, that the white is by receiving the light into it at those many small parts; even as in froth and fome is seen. For, say some, b 1.67 Nix est spuma quaedam, Snow is a kinde of froth: and when it loseth part of its frothie nature, and begins to melt; it loseth also part of that whitenesse which at the first it retained. To this also may be added the coldnesse that is infused into it when it is congealed, as being a cause of whitenesse; even as in phlegmatick bodies and cold countreys may be seen: For such people are alwayes whiter of complexion then others; cold being the cause of that their whitenesse.
Such winters as are void of snow, are not so good for* 1.68 the fruits of the ground, as more snowie winters. Where∣upon c 1.69 Plinie affirmeth, that he which saith cleare win∣ters are to be wished, wisheth no good for the trees and plants: and in that regard your experienced husband man desireth that the winter may be cold and snowie, rather then cleare and warm: For besides this they also say, that a hot Christmas makes a fat Church-yard.
Wherefore, to see the earth do penance in a cold white sheet, and the woods hang periwigd with wooll, bending their boughs in token of thankfulnesse to gray∣hair'd Hyems for their safetie from the cold, is a sight both wished and welcome: the good whereof will shew it self, when liberall Nature, out of her bounteous ward∣robe, bestows more beauteous raiment on them.
And note it is found by experience, that it may snow
on the mountains, and rain in the valleys, and yet both* 1.70 come out of one and the same cloud; which comes to passe for this reason, because the snow coming from the middle Region melteth after it comes into the lowest Region: for here is alwayes more heat then above where the snow is generated; yet not alwayes heat enough to melt the snow as it falleth; neither will the congelation be alwayes so weak as to suffer it. And thus also it comes* 1.71 to passe that we have sometimes sleet, which is snow and rain together.
Moreover (as some affirm) Crystall is made of snow:* 1.72 for d 1.73 when the snow melteth upon the tops of high hills, and is afterwards frozen again, it then becometh so hard that it is a stone, and no other then that which we call Crystall.
HAil is said to be engendred of rain being congealed into ice, the drops freezing presently after the dis∣solving of the cloud.
Or (as some say) a cloud resolved into water, in the fall congealed, maketh hail.
Aristotle assenteth to the same, affirming that the ma∣teriall neare cause is rain; the remote a cloud; the effici∣ent an Antiperistasis, or a mutuall adverse strife be∣tween cold and heat; as in the first book of his Meteors, at the 12 chapter, may be seen: affirming moreover that the precedent heat of the water whereof it is made, helpeth to the speedie concretion of it: being agreeable to that which I said before concerning snow; namely that it consisted of a warmer vapour then rain, and yet not of one so warm as that from whence hail proceed∣eth.
Whereupon I think we may make this a conclusion
concerning hail, and say that it is an hot vapour drawn* 1.74 into the middle Region of the aire; where, by cold of that Region, it is made thick into a cloud, which falling down in drops like rain, is presently met withall and en∣countered by the sudden cold of the lowest Region, and so congealed into a kinde of ice. Now this sudden cold thus meeting with it, is in the highest part of the lowest Region, and caused by an Antiperistasis of heat from be∣low, which forceth up the cold to the greater augmen∣tation of it; and so (because the vapour it self at the first was also warm) it doth very speedily turn it into ice: for seeing (as hath been said) it was formerly warm, it is the sooner cooled; because heat having made it thin and full of passages, gives leave to the cold, both to pierce it more suddenly, and also more soundly. And this most commonly is the manner of generating hail.
But know that hail may sometimes also be made in* 1.75 the middle Region; and then it is without an Antiperista∣sis: of which sort for the most part is that small and spun∣gie hail falling in winter, when there is no such heat in any part of the aire, by whose Antiperistasis it may be congealed. For seeing the drops are scarcely come to the densitie of water before their congelation, as also seeing they are something swollen through the spirit of the Ex∣halation, they appeare not onely round, but also light, and hollow, or of a spungie substance, little differing from the matter of snow, being generated in the middle Region as well as this kinde of hail. And thus comes hail in winter.
But at other times of the yeare, the hail being more stonie, or better hardened, it may well be caused by an Antiperistasis proceeding from the heat of this lowest Region, which sendeth up, imprisons, and augments the cold above it.
And know that hail-stones are not alwayes of one and
the same bignesse, but are variable according to the* 1.76 quantitie of the drops whereof they be made; the cause whereof is their propinquitie or remotenesse from the earth, as was shewed before concerning the different drops of rain. And for the most part, know that they be also round, because the drop is so. Yet neverthelesse they be sometimes knotted and piked with many corners; or else fashioned like a Pyramis: the last of which shapes proceedeth from the spirit of the vapour which ascend∣eth to the top of the drop so soon as the lowest part of it toucheth the congealing cold; and so ascending, it makes it smaller above then below. And as for the triangled, knottie, or many-cornered shapes, they are caused thus, viz. when many are suddenly congealed and frozen into one.
Note also, that sometimes little straws, or light chaffie stuffe, is found within the stones; coming thus to passe, because they were at the first blown up from the earth by the winde, and mixed with the vapour.
And again know that sometimes you may see hail-stones all icie and cleare without, having within them (as their centre) little white round spungie parts. The reason of which is, because those white ones with∣in were generated in the middle Region: but in their fall justling themselves against the drops of rain which uncongealed came from the same cloud, they gat a wa∣terie substance on their outsides, which being frozen to them looketh cleare like ice; and so makes the whole conglomeration appeare in the shape and fashion before mentioned.
Moreover, it hath not seldome been that hail hath* 1.77 done much hurt. Yet evermore the greatest fear is whi∣lest the ripe corn standeth in the eare. For a violent storm of hail thresheth it so throughly, that turning the words a little, we may truely say, Illa seges demum votis non
respondet avari agricolae. Such a storm was felt in many parts of this kingdome not long ago, namely in the yeare 1631; which, about the beginning of harvest (beside the harm it did to other things) untimely beat out much corn in the fields to the great damage of many people. And at sundry other times also heretofore the like sad accidents have been. Wherefore the ancient husbandmen amongst* 1.78 the heathen (as Cato and Plinie mention) had certain charming verses to keep hail and other dreadfull cala∣mities from their fields: in which they shewed them∣selves of a like minde unto those devilish enchanting haggs, who made the Poet sing, Carmina vel coelo possunt deducere Lunam, Charms can pull even the very Moon out of heaven. But this was not all: For beside these, Palladius also makes mention of others who would take the skins of Crocodiles, Hyena's, or Sea-calves, and lay them here and there about their grounds; or else have a bloudie Ax lifted up in threatning manner against the heavens; or an Owl set staring up, with her feathers spread abroad. All which are but magicall, devilish, and absurd practises; such, as even an old doting woman (whose confidence is the sheers & the sieve) cannot but acknowledge to be void of any the least shew of reason: fit therefore for heathens onely, and not for Christians. For let Christians know that there is a God above, who can better secure their seed sowen, then all those magick spells and foolish fopperies. For, * 1.79 A fruitfull land he ma∣keth barren because of the wickednesse of those who dwell therein. Or, as it is in the 28 of Deuteronomie, If thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments, &c. then shalt thou be blessed in the citie, and in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body and the fruit of thy ground. But if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, cursed shalt thou be in the citie, and cursed in
the field. Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store. Yea and cursed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land.
Beside, adde unto this the danger of devilish practi∣ses,* 1.80 with the unlawfulnesse of charms and incantati∣ons. For thus again the Scripture speaketh, There shall none such be found among you. For all that do these things are an abomination to the Lord; as it is Deuteronomie 18. at the 10, 11, and 12 verses.
Here then I end this discourse concerning hail, and now proceed to speak of mists.
COncerning which, I like their division best who make two kindes of mist; the one ascending, the other descending.
That which ascendeth (saith Dr. Fulk) goeth up out of the water or earth as smoke, but seldome spreads it self any thing farre; being most of all seen about rivers and moist places.
The other (saith he) namely that which goeth down towards the earth, is when any vapour is lifted up into the aire by heat of the Sunne, which, not being strong enough to draw it so high that the cold may knit it, suffereth it to fall down again after it is a little made thick; and so it filleth all the aire with grosse vapours, obscuring the Sunne from shining on us.
Now this last kinde of mist may be two-fold; ei∣ther* 1.81 congealed, or incongealed. That which is con∣gealed comes neare to the nature of that matter whereof white frosts consist; and is never but in a ve∣ry cold time: it often also stinketh; which perhaps* 1.82 comes to passe in that the matter whereof it is made was drawn out of lakes, or other muddie
and stinking places. Or thus; the matter of this mist hath much earthy substance in it, which the hindering cold suffereth not to be consumed: and from this comes an unpleasant and an unwholesome smell. This wa∣ter,* 1.83 as also the water of dissolved frost, is very bad for cattell to drink: for it will quickly rot them. Neither can it be good for any one to walk abroad in such a mistie time: For, by breathing, we draw this unwhole∣some vapour into our bodies, and so corrupt our lungs extreamly.
But for incongealed mists, they are in warmer and more temperate seasons, coming neare the nature of that matter which is the matter of dew. Some call it a sterill vapour hanging neare the earth, being nei∣ther moist enough to drop like rain, nor yet hot enough to be carried up on high into the aire. Yet as sterill as it is, sometimes we finde that it is but the forerun∣ner of rain: For when it departeth, if it ascendeth,* 1.84 then rain followeth; if it descendeth, then expect a hot and fair day. And here an end concerning mists.
FOr mine own part I must confesse I have not seen ma∣ny who have writ any thing concerning this cob∣web-like kinde of Metcor: and therefore at the first I rested doubtfull, not knowing whether it were best for me to speak any thing of it or no. But at the last finding that some false tenents were engrafted amongst the ignorant, as if they perfectly knew what thing it was, I thought good to adde something whereby their fond opinion might be taken away, who, as in a
dream, suppose it to be spunne from out the spiders bowels: which cannot but be a strange absurditie. For it is evident that some one of these threads con∣taineth more matter then many spiders; their bodies not being big enough to afford a thing so copious: neither are their webs at any time of such a length, or their threads of such a thicknesse, as these thus fly∣ing about the aire.
This Meteor therefore (since it is a Meteor) may rightly be supposed to proceed out of a through-boyl∣ed or digested vapour, being mixed with earthy and slimie Exhalations: and, although it be no spiders web, yet the temperature of it little differeth from that vi∣scuous humour and slimie * 1.85 excrement which they in their spinning send out from them.
As for the time, it appeareth neither in Summer nor in Winter, but in the Spring and Autumne; be∣cause it requireth a temperate heat and temperate drinesse. Yet the chief time is Autumne, because the Aire hath then some drie relicks of the late Summers Ex∣halations left, and they are very necessary towards the tempering and generation of this Meteor.
And thus I end, not onely this Article, but the whole Paragraph also; coming at length to speak of that third kinde of Meteor which in the beginning I propound∣ed to be handled last.
It is said that clouds have sometimes fallen down to the earth with great noise, to the te•…•…rour & damage of such as had them in their Zenith, which clouds came but from the highest part of the lowest region: yet never∣thelesse they were generated in the middle Region, but waxing very heavie have sunk down by little and little, till at last they seem to fall no further then the lowest Region: But this is seldome. They may also fall by drops through their own weight.
Nigredo in nubi∣bus ob vaporum densitatem oritur, qu•…•… lumen collu∣strans non admittit. Et sic é contrá •…•…it Albor; viz. è va∣pore subtiliore & parùm conspissato, quem radius facil∣limé pe•…•…etrat, & •…•…quabiliter in illum spa•…•…gitur. Goclen. Dis•…•…us. Phys.
〈◊〉〈◊〉 rubedo 〈◊〉〈◊〉 signifi∣cat, quia▪ rubedo nu∣bem rara•…•…t est•…•… so∣lis 〈◊〉〈◊〉, ejús∣que 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ab∣•…•… esse •…•…∣tat. Sed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 rubedo plu•…•…ias 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ventos promi•…•…tit, quia vapores humi∣darum & sub densa∣rum 〈◊〉〈◊〉 absu∣mi non 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Ibid.
The height of the clouds.
How the clouds naturally hang in the aire.
This may be seen if any will but assay to poure water from an high place.
Ordinary and ex∣traordinary rains.
Prodigious rain.
Worms.
Frogs▪
Fishes▪
Wheat.
Paragraph •…•…. art. 3. and else∣where.
Fulk, in his Meteors.
Milk▪
Which may the sooner be done in sum∣mer, and in hot countreys.
Flesh.
Bloud.
Lanquet▪ •…•…tow, &c.
Object.
Answ.
Wooll.
Stones.
Iron.
Earth.
Red crosses.
Ru•…•…finus, Histor. Eccles. lib. 1. cap. 39
Theod. Histor. Eccles. lib. 3. cap. 20.▪
Reasons concern∣ing Red crosses at other times.
Lib. 4. cap. 6.
So also in West∣phalia, ann. 1543. at Lovane, 1568. ipso Pentecostes die. And in the yeare 1571 in duione Embdensi, in Frisus Orientalibus. See Fromond. Me∣teor. Lib. 5. cap. 6. art. 3.
The devil many times worketh in the Aire.
Psal. 78. 49.
How it comes to passe that the devi•…•…s know∣ledge is farre beyond mans.
Matth. 8. 31. Job 1. 12.
Saxo Grammat. Olaus magnus.
Ephes. 2. 2.
Exod. cap. 7▪ & 8.
Sentio (inquit) tales 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is ver•…•… prodigio•…•…as esse, & fieri 〈◊〉〈◊〉 solâ Dei potentiâ, eoque i∣ram Dei portendere; qualis fuit 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 pluit sulphure & igne supra Sodo∣mam, & alias ur∣bes: aut etiam 〈◊〉〈◊〉 praestigi•…•…, Deo permit ten•…•…e fie∣ri. Zanch. Tom. 3. lib. 3. cap. 5. qu•…•…st. 6. Thes. 3.
Why dew is but in the morning, and at evening.
Why no dew is a signe of rain.
Tit•…•…lm. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. lib. 6. cap. 6.
How sheep may•…•… get a deadly flux.
〈◊〉〈◊〉 of dew.
Three kindes of dew.
Manna.
Of the Israelites Manna.
〈◊〉〈◊〉 o•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
The Israelites Manna was not without miracle in many respects.
Psal. 78. 25, 26. How Manna is said to be Angels food.
Myrrhina is a wine mixed with Myr•…•…he and other sweet •…•…pices.
How Manna is said to come from heaven.
Hony-dew.
Lib. 11. cap. 12.
It riseth with Sol about the end of July.
Which is about the 17 day of April.
Ladanum, the third kinde of sweet dew.
Plin. lib. 12. cap. 17.
Blasting dew.
Magir. Phys. Com. lib. 4. cap. 6.
Lib. 1. de Mete•…•… c•…•…p. 10.
Hot things cool∣ed are soonest congealed.
Arist. Met. lib. 1. cap. 11.
The matter of snow.
Why snow is white.
Fulks Meteors.
Havenreut. com. In Arist. de Met. lib. 1.
Warm winters hurtfull.
Lib. 17. cap. 2.
One and the same cloud may give the mountains snow, and the valleys rain.
The reason of sleet.
Crystall.
Fulk. Met.
What hail is.
Winter-hail how and where it is made.
The sundry fashi∣ons of hail-stones
Hail doth many times much hurt.
How the heathen used to secure their fields from hail and other harms.
Psal. 107. 34, 35
Charms unlaw∣full.
The descending mist is two∣fold.
Why mists and fogs stink.
A rot for cattell, and an harm to men.
How, by a mist, to judge of the weather.
And that's the reason why (when it hangs on the stubble, or the like places) we see so many lit∣tle spiders busie in it: for the mat∣ter doth as it were feed them, and (perhaps) through the Sun∣beams, generate them.