Speculum mundi· Or A glasse representing the face of the world shewing both that it did begin, and must also end: the manner how, and time when, being largely examined. Whereunto is joyned an hexameron, or a serious discourse of the causes, continuance, and qualities of things in nature; occasioned as matter pertinent to the work done in the six dayes of the worlds creation.

Artic. 7. 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 D^r. 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* 1.1 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* 1.2 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,* 1.3 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,* 1.4 then rain followeth; if it descendeth, then expect a hot and fair day. And here an end concerning mists.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The descending mist is two∣fold.
• * 1.2

  Why mists and fogs stink.
• * 1.3

  A rot for cattell, and an harm to men.
• * 1.4

  How, by a mist, to judge of the weather.