An entire body of philosophy according to the principles of the famous Renate Des Cartes in three books, (I) the institution ... (II) the history of nature ... (III) a dissertation of the want of sense and knowledge in brute animals ... / written originally in Latin by the learned Anthony Le Grand ; now carefully translated from the last corrections, alterations, and large additions of the author, never yet published ... by Richard Blome.

CHAP. I. Concerning the Original of the Earth, its Parts and Figure.

I. What the Earth is. THE EARTH is a congested Mass of the greater Particles of the Third Element, having Irregular Figures, and by Rest clinging to∣gether.

II. The For∣mation of the Habi∣table Earth. But, forasmuch as by the Name of EARTH, we commonly understand the whole Globe which we Inhabit, it will be a fit place here to speak of its Original, and to describe how at first it might have been form'd, had it so pleas'd GOD: Let us imagine therefore, that it was made at first only of the Matter of the First Element, being like unto the Sun, tho' much less than it; and that it had a vast and peculiar Vortex in the Center whereof it was seated. But that by the clinging together of the less Subtil Parts of the First Element, they were changed into the Matter of the Third Ele∣ment, which gathering together produced dark Spots about its Surface, like to those that are con∣tinually generated about the Sun, and again dis∣solved. Upon the continual Dissolution whereof, the remaining Particles of the Third Element, being scatter'd through the Neighbouring Heaven, made there a vast Mass of Aether, which being afterwards greatly increased, caused the generation of more compact Spots, which at last wholly cover'd the whole Earth. Which Spots being no longer in a condition to be dissolved, and many of them lying heaped together, and the Force of the Vortex, which contain'd the Earth being thereby diminish'd,

gave occasion to the Sun's Vortex to swallow up the Earth, together with the Spots, Air, and all, which stop'd in▪that place where it now is.

III. There are three Re∣gions to ••e distinguisht in the Earth. Supposing the Earth in this state, we are to take notice of Three Regions in it: Whereof the First and Inmost I seems to contain nothing but the Matter of the First Element, which is there moved like the Sun, and much of the same Na∣ture; save only, that probably it is not so pure, because it cannot rid it self of that Matter, which the Sun continually casts forth, and of which Spots are generated. The Middle Region M, consists of a very dark and compact Body: For seeing that * 1.1this Body was at first made up of very minute Particles (as at first appertaining to the first Ele∣ment) joyn'd together, it seems probable that there could be no Pores in it, but such only as were so small, that they could only transmit those striate Particles with the other Matter of the First Ele∣ment. And Experience witnesseth as much in the Spots of the Sun, which being of the same nature as this Body M; save only that they are much more thin and loose, do notwithstanding obstruct the passage of Light, which could not be in case their Pores were large enough to admit the Globuli of the Second Element. For seeing that these Pores were at first formed in fluid and soft Matter, they would also without doubt be strait and smooth enough, not to hinder the Action of Light. But these two Regions of the Earth do not much concern us, as being conceal'd from us. The Third Region, is that out of which all Earthly Bodies are formed, as we shall shew hereafter: At present we suppose nothing to be in it, besides a vast Mass or gathering together of the Particles of the Third Element, encompass'd with much Hea∣venly matter, whose nature we may easily under∣stand from the manner of their Primordial Gene∣ration.

IV. The Forma∣tion of the various Earthly Bodies. From what hath been said, we easily apprehend, that no great Change could happen in the inner∣most or middle Region of the Earth; but the Ex∣ternal part of it, was capable of being formed into various Bodies. For at the first 2, then 3, and afterwards 4, with many other different Bodies, were to be made out of it.

V. The Upper∣most Region of the Earth di∣stinguisht into two Bodies. And here, in the first place let us consider, that the grosser Particles of this Third Region being thrust down below the rest, by the force of the Heavenly Globuli, this Supream part of the Earth, here marked with the Letter A, is thereby distin∣guish'd into two different Bodies, represented by B and C; whereof the uppermost B, is of a loose * 1.2contexture, fluid and pellucid; whereas the under∣most is somewhat close, hard and opake.

VI. The For∣mation of the Third Body, be∣tween the two former. Again, because we find that the Body C was distinguish'd from the Body B, only by this means; because its Parts being prest downwards by the Heavenly Globuli, did cling together, we shall easily apprehend, that it was necessary that ano∣ther Body, such as is that marked D, must have been generated between them. For the Figures of the Particles of the Third Element, of which the Bo∣dies B and C consist, are very different, and may be here distinguish'd by us into 3 Chief General Heads; for some of them are variously divided and extended like the Branches of Trees, and these chiefly were those, which being driven down by the Celestial matter cling together▪ and compose the Body C. Again, there are others that are more solid, and as to their Figure, are not all of them Round or Cubical, but of several Figures, like the small parts of Rubbish; and these, if they be some∣what great, sink down below the rest by the force of Gravity; but in case they be somewhat less, they continue mix'd with the former, and fill up the Spaces that are left by them. Lastly, there are some of a longish Figure, and without any Jettings∣out like Boughs, but like long and even Sticks, which also mingle themselves with the former, where they find Pores or Intervals wide enough for them to enter, but do not readily cling or stick to them. Which being thus supposed, it will be obvious to believe, that when first the Branchy Particles of the Body C began to be entangled together, many of the Longish were intermix'd with them; and that they afterwards, whilst those being still more and more prest down, became more closely joyn'd together, got up above them to∣wards D, and there constituted a Body, very diffe∣rent from the two other B and C. After the same manner as we see, that by Treading the Earth, in Moorish places, Water is squeez'd out of it, which afterwards comes to cover the Surface of it.

VII. The Forma∣tion of the Fourth Body. Now when some other Particles less solid than those of the Body D, fell down from B, they stuck to the surface of the Body D; and because most of them were Branchy, they by degrees clung together, and constituted the hard Body E, very different from B and D, which are fluid. Which Body E, at the first was very thin, like a Crust or Shell co∣vering the Body D; but grew thicker in process of time, new Particles from the Body B, as likewise from D, joyning themselves to them.

VIII. How a Space was left be∣tween the Third and Fourth Body. We are likewise to consider, that it could so happen in process of Time, that a great part of the Body D, might be wasted, by which means a considerable Space F, might be left between D and E, which could not be fill'd up with any other matter, besides that out of which the Body B did consist, the thinnest Particles whereof, easily found a passage through the Pores of the Body E, into * 1.3those places which were quitted by other thicker parts, which came forth from D.

IX. How Cracks or Slits came to be in the Fourth Bo∣dy. And how it broke into several pieces. Lastly, We may grant, that many Cracks might be made in the Body E, by the heat of the Sun; as we find that there are many Cracks in the Ground in Summer time, when it is parched by the Sun; and that these Cracks grow greater and greater, the longer that the Drought lasts: By which means its parts at last did so loosly hang together, that it was no longer able to hold up as an Arch between F, and B; but being broke to pieces, by reason of its Heaviness fell down upon the Surface of the Body C; and forasmuch as that Surface was not broad enough, for to receive all the Fragments lying together, so as to keep the same situation they had before, some of the said Frag∣ments were forced to lye shelving one upon ano∣ther. As for Example, If we suppose that in that part of the Body E, which this Figure represents, * 1.4the chief Crack or Slits were so disposed in the places 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. that the two Frag∣ments 2, 3, and 6, 7, should fall a little before the rest, and the ends of the four other Fragments 2, 3, 5, and 6, before the opposite 1, 4, and V; as also the End 5, of the Fragment 45, before the End V of the Fragment V, 6, there is no question

but they would be rang'd upon the Surface of the Body C, in the same manner as they are delineated, * 1.5viz. so as that the Fragments 2, 3, and 6, 7, would be joyned next to the Body C, and the other four lye shelving on their sides, the one leaning upon the other, &c.

X. ••••at hence was t••e Original of M••untains, 〈…〉〈…〉 &c. Further, if we consider that by the Body B, and F, here, the Air is to be understood; and by C, an inward very thick Crust of the Earth, from whence Metals are generated; by D, the Water; and lastly by E, the outward part of the Earth, which consists of Stones, Clay, Sand and Mud; we shall easily understand by the Water arising above the Fragments 23, and 67, the Sea; by other Frag∣ments that are but a little leaning, and not cover'd with any Waters, as 8, 9, and VX, great Plains; and by others that stand more upright, as 12, and 94 V, Mountains. We shall also take notice, that when these Fragments by their own weight thus fell down, their extremities or ends forceably dash'd against each other, which made them fly into many less Fragments; which made great Stones on some Sea-shoars, as at 1; and several tops of Mountains, partly very High, as at 4; partly Rising only, as at 9 and V; as also Rocks in the Sea, as at 3 and 6.

XI. T••e Earth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a Round Body. As to what belongs to the Figure of the Earth, it may be Mathematically demonstrated that it is Spherical; but forasmuch as Mathematical De∣monstrations seem obscure to those who are igno∣rant in the Doctrin of Dimensions, it will here be sufficient to prove it to be so: First, Because its Particles are equally prest on all sides by the Heavenly Matter that surrounds it. Secondly, Because the Sun, who is at a great height above us, doth not enlighten all the Parts of the World at once, but first vouchsafes his Light to the Eastern Inhabitants, and afterwards to the Western; in which communication of his Light he observes this proportion, that those who live 15 Degrees nearer to the East, perceive his Light one hour sooner; and those who live 30 Degrees nearer, two hours, and so for the rest, observing the Proporti∣on of 15 Degrees for each hour. Which could not be so, if the Earth were not of a Round figure.

XII. The same proved from the position of the Stars. The situation of the Stars also confirms this. For those Stars which are about the North Pole are always in sight; whereas those that are about the South Pole do not appear, except we move so far towards the South, as to be in the midst between both Poles: In like manner the Sun doth sooner Rise and Set to those that live more Eastward, than to those that live Westward, as appears by an Eclipse, which was seen by us at Midnight; and by those that liv'd Eastward, not till after 3 a Clock.

XIII. The Moun∣tains are no Argu∣ment a∣gainst the Round Figure of the Earth. Neither is the Inequality of the Surface of the Earth, by reason of High Mountains and Deep Valleys, and Proof against its Roundness: For the Earth is not Mathematically Round, as an exact polish'd Globe, but Geometrically; inasmuch as all these Inequalities, compar'd with the Compass of the Earth, are no more an obstacle to its Round∣ness, than the unevenness of the Rind of an Orange spoils the Roundness of its figure.

XIV. What we are to un∣derstand by the Globe of the Earth. By the Globe of the Earth, we do not only un∣derstand the Earth it self, but the Water also which covers a great part of it; seeing that the Parts of both of them tend to the same common Center; and because the Surface of the Sea is continuous with that of the Earth; so that to those who Sail North or South, or Inhabit Eastward or Westward, the same Quarters of Heaven appear, or disappear. Which is an evident Proof, that the Surface of the Earth is not a level or plain, since those that set Sail do find, that the swelling Roundness of the Sea hides the Earth from them, and at last makes it altogether disappear.

XV. There can be no exact Parallels upon the surface of the Earth. Accordingly GASSENDUS well infers, that no two Plumb-Lines, or Perpendiculars, are exactly Parallel; and consequently, that no two Walls built by a Plumb-Line, are such, tho' they appear so to the Eye: For seeing that all Perpendiculars fall upon the Convex surface of the Earth, they must needs meet in the Center, in case we should suppose them to be drawn on at length, and con∣sequently cannot be parallel.

XVI. The Bigness of the Earth. Forasmuch as the Semidiameter of the Earth is a Measure, whereby we discover the magnitude and distance of the Stars; we are to take notice that one Degree of a great Circle doth contain 60 Miles on the surface of the Earth: By which Number, if we multiply the 360 Degrees that are in a whole Circle, we shall find that the Compass of the Earth consists of 21600 Miles. Besides, we are to observe, that when a Circle is divided into 22 parts, its Diameter contains 7 of them, and its Semidiameter 3 and an half: So that the whole Compass hath the same proportion to the Diameter, as 22 to 7. Wherefore the Diameter of the Earth consists of 7200 Miles, and the Semidiameter 3600 Miles.

XVII. Other Pro∣perties of the Earth. From the Description, we have already given of the Earth, it follows also that it must be Hard and Dry: For the Dryness and Hardness of any Body proceeds from the Resting of its Parts. As also, that it must be Cold: For seeing that its Parts have either but a very weak, or else no motion at all, neither can they be conceived to have any heat to speak of. It is necessary also that it should be Heavy: For seeing its parts have less Force than others, to recede from the Center of the Vortex wherein it is contain'd, they must needs be driven down towards it. So likewise it is Opake, and reflects the Light it receives; by reason of the In∣terruption and manifold Windings of its Pores, not exactly answering to one another.

XVIII. There are four kind of Pores in the in∣ward parts of the Earth. There are 4 kind of Pores, that are found with∣in the Earth. The First whereof are such as are extended in length, but with wavings and turnings this way and that way. The second are strait Pores, whereof some have a hollow Surface, but rough and rugged, and others smooth and even. The third kind are those, that run into one ano∣ther, and whereof one has often communication with many other Pores, upon which account we may compare them to the Branches of Trees. And lastly, the fourth kind of Pores are such, as are somewhat like Screws.

XIX. All the Pores that are of the same kind, are not altogether alike. But tho' we have here deduced all the Pores of the Earth to four kinds; yet we allow that there may be infinite variety in one and the same kind, so that it may be there are not two Pores of one and the same kind, that are altogether like one another.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Figure 35.
• * 1.2

  Fig. 36.
• * 1.3

  Figure 37.
• * 1.4

  Figure 38.
• * 1.5

  Figure 38.