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.

(Book 6)

[illustration]

Book. 1. Part. 6. Chap. 1.

G. 〈…〉〈…〉

I Kip

To the Right Noble Henry Duke of Beaufort Marquess and Earle of Worcester, Baron Herbert of Chepstow, Raglon & Gower, Lord Leivtenant of Wales and the Marshes, and of the Countyes of Glocester, Hereford and Monmouth, and of the Citty and County of Bristol, Lord Warden of his Ma^tys. Forest of Deane, and Constable of the Castle of S^t. Briavels, Knight of the most noble order of the Garter, Gen∣tleman of his Ma^tys. Bedcham∣ber, and one of the Lords of his Ma^tys. most Honourable privy Councell &c.^a. to King Charles and King Iames the Second.

This Plate is humbly Dedicated by Richard Blome.

(Book 6)

The Sixth Part OF THE INSTITUTION OF PHILOSOPHY. OF The Four Great Bodies, Viz. THE EARTH, THE WATER, THE AIR, and FIRE; AND OF The Mixt and Compound Bodies, which arise from them; AS ALSO OF METALS, and METEORS. (Book 6)

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.

CHAP. II. The Earth is moved by the fluid Heaven, that encompasseth it round.

I. The Com∣mon People 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to 〈…〉〈…〉 the 〈…〉〈…〉 World. THe Common People are not more obstinate in any Persuasion, than they are in that of the Earths Immobility; for they cannot imagine, that that which is the foundation and support of all things, should be moved; or that a Body of such prodigious Weight and Bulk should be carried about by another. Hence it is they believe, that the Sun and fix'd Stars are whirl'd round about us, and that the Earth rests immovable in the midst of the Heaven. Indeed our Eyes are not wanting to confirm this Persuasion; for we see that the Stars turn towards us from the East to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 West, and that the Sun after the same manner 〈◊〉〈◊〉 approacheth to us.

II. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••ust 〈…〉〈…〉 to•• ••••t t•• trust our 〈◊〉〈◊〉. But we ought to remember, that we must not too much rely upon the report of our Senses. For in this case it is with us, as with those that are in a Ship, who think that the Shoar departs from them, when indeed they themselves do depart from the Shoar. For to make a thing appear as if it were moved, it is all one, as ARISTOTLE saith, Whether the Motion be in the Spectator, or in the thing that is moved. Wherefore neither must it seem strange to us, who are carried about with the Earth, from whence we see nothing but the Roof of Heaven, and the Stars in a manner resting in their several Stations, that they do seem to draw near, pass by, and depart from us, the motion of the Earth being most steady and even. This is the Reason, that whilst Men look upon the Earth; they cannot conceive it to be moved; but when they turn their Eyes to any other Object, with regard to which the Interval is either increased or diminished, then indeed it seems to be moved: But our Sight, or rather our Mind, is more apt to ascribe it to the thing seen, tho' it be at rest, than to the thing that is moved, which it finds to be at no distance from it self. But that we may not seem to assert this without any grounds, we will enquire, Whether the Earth in it self have any Repugnance to motion; and if we find it hath not, Why should not we conclude that it is moved?

III. The Obje∣ctions that are made against the Motion of the Earth. Two things are only alledg'd against the Mo∣tion of the Earth, viz. its Bulk, and its Weight. For they Object, that all the parts of the Earth tend to the Center, where they are kept by the force of their Gravity. As we see that Stones and Metals rest in their several places, whence they cannot be removed without force, by reason of the propension they have to the Center. But that this Reason is not conclusive, appears from hence, that round Bowls or Bullets, made of Iron or Steel, are by a small Force made to trundle along a Plain or Level. Stones therefore and Metals continue in their places, not because they strive to tend towards the Center, but because they are firmly joyned to the Bodies whereon they lye; which Impediment is not to be found in the Earth, as being surrounded with the Fluid Hea∣ven.

IV. There is no inward Heaviness in the Earth. Besides, we know that there is no Inward Gra∣vity in the Earth, seeing that all Gravitation is caused by the Heavenly Globuli, which drive Ter∣restrial Bodies towards the Center; so that if we should suppose all the Space about the Earth to be fill'd with such Bodies, as did neither promote nor hinder the motion of other Bodies, and the Earth to be turn'd about its Axis in 24 Hours, all its Parts, which did not very closely stick together, would fly away on every side; as we find that Sand, which is cast into a Whirlpool, is every way dissipated. And accordingly we may rather ac∣count the Parts of the Earth to be Light, than Heavy.

V. The Hea∣viness 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Earth cann••t hi••der 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Motion. Neither do I see what else can be understood by the Heaviness of the Earth, than a Quality whereby Bodies tending towards the Center of the Earth, have a tendency also to lye closer and cling together. Now such a Heaviness cannot hinder the Earth from being whirl'd about with the motion of the Heaven that surrounds it; no more than a Company of Men, being in a Boat that is whirl'd round, could hinder their turning round, by their mutual embracing and holding fast to one another.

VI. Its 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 no 〈◊〉〈◊〉 t•• its Motion. Neither can the Bulk or Magnitude of the Earth hinder its motion: For the Bigness of a Body doth not deprive it of Mobility, which is a Property of all Bodies, and cannot be removed from them, except we should own all motion to be violent.

VII. The Earth is tur••'d round ••y a year•••• and 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉. We must conclude therefore, that the Earth can be carried round by the Coelestial matter that sur∣rounds it. For seeing that according to our Sup∣position, the Vortex of the Earth hath been swal∣low'd up by that of the Sun; and that by this means the Earth hath been thrust down to that place where it now is, where it is surrounded with the Fluid Heavenly matter, always turning round, it cannot be otherwise but that the Earth must be carried about with it. This is clear of it self. Secondly, from the Nature of the Earth, which being a Planet, must not only be carried round by an Annual motion, in the surrounding Coelestial matter; but also by a daily Circumvolution: For the Earth having formerly been a Star, may easily be conceived to have retain'd the motion it had before; and seeing that the subtil Matter in its Center doth turn round, it communicates that motion to the other Parts of the Earth, and makes the whole to turn round likewise.

VIII. An Obje∣ction a¦gainst the Earths be∣ing a Pla∣net. But youl'l say, What resemblance is there be∣tween the Earth and the Planets, seeing that it is the meanest of all other Bodies?

IX. The Pro∣perties o•• a Planet do belong to the Earth. Yet for all this, if we consider the Form and Nature of the Earth, we shall meet with several Arguments to persuade us, that it is a Planet. For it is very like to the Planets in its bulk and bigness. Its figure also and situation prove the same; for it is as round as they are, and hangs pois'd in the midst of the Air. So also like them, it wants Light of its own, and shines only with a borrowed Reful∣gency from the Sun: And lastly, It is subject to the same Appearances, Aspects, Directions, Stations, Retrogradations, &c. For to pass by its various Reciprocations with the Moon, whatsoever Mer∣cury and Venus do appear to the Earth, the same doth the Earth appear to Mars, Jupiter, and Sa∣turn: And as Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn appear to her, so doth she appear to Venus and Mercury. Wherefore since the Planets are moved, why may not we conclude that the Earth, forasmuch as it

is like them, must likewise move about its own Axis, and about the Center of the Universe. How does it appear then, that the Earth is the meanest and most ignoble of all Bodies; but only from that mistaken Opinion, that the Matter of Heaven is something that is Divine, and that the Earth is no∣thing else but the very Sink of the World? What can hinder the Earth from being as Noble a Body as Venus, Mercury, or any other Planet?

X. According to Tycho's Hypothesis t•••• Earth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 moved 〈◊〉〈◊〉 o•• all. This Opinion will not seem strange to those that follow TYCHO BRAHE; for upon exa∣mining of his Hypothesis they will find, that he attributes more Motion to the Earth than we do. For supposing the Earth to be immovable, the Heaven and Stars must whirl round it in 24 hours; but this cannot be done, except that the Parts of the Earth be translated out of the Neighbourhood of those Parts of the Heaven which they touch; and forasmuch as Motion is nothing else than such a Translation, we may well conclude, that accord∣ing to his Hypothesis, a motion must be attributed to the Earth. Yea, if we consider rightly of the Matter, we must conclude that the Earth is more moved than the Heaven it self; forasmuch as the Earth, according to its whole Surface, doth recede from the Body that surrounds it; whereas the Hea∣ven only removes according to its hollow Surface, which is very little if compar'd with its Convex Surface. And thus according to TYCHO's Hy∣pothesis, there is an evident Reason for attributing a motion to the Earth; whereas the Reason where∣by he attributes Motion to the Heaven, and Rest▪ to the Earth, is altogether uncertain, and forged by his own Imagination.

XI. The Motion of the Earth pro∣du••••th no diversity 〈◊〉〈◊〉 A••p••ct in the fix'd Stars, because of their vast distance. You'l say, If the Sun has its position amongst the fix'd Stars, and the Earth be moved round it, it is necessary that the Earth must at some times be nearer to them, by the whole Space of its Orb, than at other times; but the Appearances make out no such thing to us.

To which I Answer, That this Difficulty will vanish, if we consider the vast Distance that is be∣tween us and the fix'd Stars, which is so very great, that the whole Orb, which is describ'd by the Earth about the Sun, is but a Point compared with it. Which tho' it may seem to be incredible to those, who are not used to consider the wonder∣ful Works of GOD, and who look upon the Earth as the chiefest part of the World, and the Habita∣tion of Man, for whose sake all other things were made: Yet can it not seem so to Astronomers, who are well acquainted with these things.

XII. The Globe of the Earth is of an imper∣ceptible Magnitude, when com∣pared with the vast Compass of the Starry Heaven. From hence also we may easily answer the Ob∣jection of some Astronomers, alledging, That if the Earth were not in the midst of the World, the whole Hemisphere could not appear to us, or the one half of the Heaven, and especially of the Zo∣diack, which always contains 6 Signs. For these Men do not consider, that the whole Earth, com∣par'd to the Heaven, is of an insensible Bulk. Which thing PYTHAGORAS and COPER∣NICUS do not only affirm concerning the Earth, but also of the Annual Orb, compar'd with the Heaven of the fix'd Stars: For they assert, That 2 Plains, whereof the one being drawn through the Sun, the other through the Surface of the Orb, as Horizontal, would appear to meet toge∣ther, because of the vast Distance: So that by that time they reach the Heaven, notwithstanding that they are terminated at Circles so greatly distant from each other, as is the Sun from the Earth, they will seem to end at the same indivisible Point; neither doth the amplitude of the great Orb, hinder us from seeing the whole Hemisphere, and whole 6 Signs of the Zodiack.

XIII. How it comes to pass, that this Motion of the Earth, doth not over∣turn Houses and Build∣ings. In the second place you'l Object, That it hath been asserted in the General Physicks, that a Body which is turn'd round, doth endeavour, as much as in it lies, to recede it from the Center: How then comes it to pass, that Castles and Steeples are not cast off into the Air by this Circular motion of the Earth?

XIV. The An∣swer. It is Answered, That all the Parts of the Earth are on all sides prest down towards the Center, and hindred from flying loose and being scatter'd abroad: For the Heavenly Globuli moving by right Lines, or such as little deviate from them, drive with great force against the Earth; and thus thrusting all its Parts towards the Center, hinder it from flying out towards the Heaven: For seeing that the Heaven, which lies between the Earth and the Moon, is much more swiftly carried about the Earth, than the Earth is carried about its Axis: And since the Particles whereof the Heaven con∣sists, are most fluid and variously agitated in Right Lines, or approaching thereto, they with great force strike against the Earth, by which means all the parts of the Earth are comprest and thrust to∣wards the Center.

CHAP. III. The Earths Motion established by other Arguments.

I. FOrasmuch as it is evident from what hath been said already, that the Earth of it self hath no repugnance to Motion; and that neither its Bulk, or Heaviness, can hinder it from being 〈◊〉〈◊〉 about by the fluid Heaven: It remains no•• that we superadd some Reasons, which have no•• only induced our Modern Mathematicians, but also the Ancients, to favour this Opinion.

But before I enter upon these Arguments, I would desire such as are free from Prejudice, to contemplate the vast extension of the Heavens, and compare the same with the small Bulk of the * 1.6the Earth, which is so many Thousand times less: (For even the Common Opinion admits the Cir∣cumference of the Firmament to exceed that of the Earth 50000 times.) Next, let them consider the swiftness of that Motion, which we must necessa∣rily allow to those high Bodies, if we suppose them to be whirl'd about the Earth in the space of 24 Hours. Which being attentively consider'd, I question not but they will be more inclin'd to think the Heavens immovable, and that the Earth by its Diurnal motion is turn'd round the Sun, than that the whole Universe is snatch'd round about it, with a swiftness that is altogether uncon∣ceivable.

III. The Motion of the Stars is incredible. For the Mathematicians do allow, that the fix'd Stars are distant from us 14000 Semidiameters of the Earth. And since, according to ARCHI∣MEDES his Computation, the Semidiameter of the Earth consists of 859 German Miles, every one of which contains 4000 Geometrical Paces, or 20000 Foot, the Circumference of the Sphere

of the fix'd Stars will be of 75592984 German Miles. And seeing all this Space must be run over in 24 hours, in 1 hour the 24th part of it must be dispatch'd, that is, 3149066 German Miles; in the 60th part of an hour, or a first Minute, 52494 German Miles; in a second minute, that is, the 3600th part of an hour, 874 German Miles, that is, 3496 Italian Miles, or 3496000 Geometrical Paces, or 174900000 Foot, which is inconceivable in so short a Space.

IV. The Earths Motion, proved by an Argu∣ment drawn r••m the Ptolomaick Hypothesis. A strong Argument for the Earths Motion, may likewise be drawn from the PTOLOMAICK Hypothesis. For according to it, the Heavenly Bodies are moved more slowly or swiftly, according to their Bulk; they that are less in Bulk perform∣ing their Revolution in less time, than those that are of a greater Bulk. Thus Saturn, the highest and biggest of all the Planets, takes up almost 30 years in running through his Orb; Jupiter 12, Mars 2•• and so of the rest, according as the Orbs they are to run over, are nearer or further from the Earth: But if we suppose the Immobility of the Earth, all this Order must be overthrown, since not only Saturn, but all the Intermediate Planets between him and the Earth, must be hurl'd about in 24 hours: All which things are contrary to the Phaenomena.

V. The Motion o•• t•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 makes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the ••••••uty and Order o•• t••e World. But supposing the Earth to be moved, all these things are salv'd, and the comely Order of the Uni∣verse preserv'd and establish'd. Seeing that we may proceed from the Earth, to those Bodies that are more slowly moved, without any confusion, till we come to the Heaven of fix'd Stars. Or if any one should assert the fix'd Stars also to be moved, thence will follow another Absurdity, viz. that their Motions will be unequal. For some of them that are in the Greatest Circles will be most swiftly moved, and others in the least Circles, with a very slow motion, according as the said Circles shall be further from the Ecliptick, and nearer to the Poles. Now what can be more absur'd, than to suppose Bodies to be moved at the remotest distances from the Center, and yet to assign the least Spaces to their motions?

VI. I•• the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••e immovable, there must be two contrary Motions in the Heavens. Moreover, all those who are of the contrary Opinion, hold, that the Determination of a motion towards one part, and its meeting of another Body, resting, or otherwise moved, are contrary to one another: Now supposing that the Heaven is moved, we shall find divers motions in it, one from East to West, and another from West to East. For the Heaven, according to them, is most swiftly whirl'd towards the West; and the Planets from West to East; which two motions are Diametri∣cally opposite. Now, it is impossible for one and the same Body to be carried divers ways by con∣trary Motions: For if a Body be carried from East to West, it cannot at the same time be carried from West to East.

VII. These Diffi∣culties are removed by the Motion of the Earth. But what still more surpasseth our Apprehen∣sion is, How it is possible that whilst the Heaven is with such incredible swiftness hurl'd about, the Planets should in spight of it perform their Courses in a quite contrary motion to it; especially seeing that their motion, compared with that of the Heaven, is very slow, and therefore may be 〈…〉〈…〉 by a stronger motion. But by 〈…〉〈…〉 a Motion to the Earth, all this contrariety 〈…〉〈…〉 and we have no more than one motion, viz. from West to East, which way the Earth and all the Planets are carried.

VIII. 'Tis incre∣dible that all the Heavens should be moved a∣bout the Earth, and that i•• should be unmov••∣able. The great Force also of the Motion of the Heavens, asserted by the Followers of PTOLO∣MAEUS his Opinion, is a strong Argument to prove the Diurnal Circumvolution of the Earth; for they must allow it to be so powerful, as to whirl about with it not only the Planets, but also the fix'd Stars. Now if it be so that all Inferiour Bodies are forc'd to follow the motion of the Highest Heaven; and that the Element of Fire, and a great part of the Air, cannot resist its motion, how is it possible that the Earth that hangs in the midst of the Air, and is indifferent to Motion, or Rest, and surrounded with fluid Matter, should for all that alone remain immovable, and resist so vast a Force? This, according to my sense, seems utterly inconceivable; for by what Ropes or other Holdfasts, is it kept immovable in this Aethereal Ocean? For altho' the Heavenly Matter be li∣quid, and doth not push against other Bodies, with as much force as hard Bodies do; yet neither can it be denied, but that the motion of fluid Bodies, when determin'd to some one part, doth carry along with them whatsoever Matter is contained in them, how solid or compact soever it may be, except it be detained by some outward Force. As we see that great Stones, by the strong Current of Rivers, are carried along to a vast distance, except they be stopt by the unevenness of the Bottom, or some other Obstacle. Now all these Difficulties vanish by ascribing to the Earth, which is a very little Body, yea, imperceptible, if compar'd with the Universe, and unable to cause any Change in the World, a motion round its own Cen∣ter.

IX. It is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 contra••i∣ctory to the Order of Nature. Moreover, what shall we assign to be the Cause, that keeps the Earth immovable? Is it by some Force? But where shall we look for this Force? or what is it? Is it a Natural Force, depending on the Divine Order and Constitution, setled in the first Creation, and consequently the ordinary Pro∣vidence of GOD? Or is it an immediate Hand of GOD? It cannot be the ordinary Power of GOD: For the Order of Nature is this, that where Bo∣dies that are near and far off, are hurried away by another Body, there also that which intervenes be∣tween those that are near and far off, must be carried about also, except something hinder it. Let us suppose Lines to be drawn from the Sun through the Earth and Planets; by which Lines we are to conceive the Sun-beams to be diffused, according to TYCHO, that by them he may carry about with him the Upper and Lower Pla∣nets; if therefore he snatcheth the superiour Pla∣nets along with him, must not he of necessity do the same for the Earth, which is in the midst be∣tween them? Neither can this be said to be done by the immediate Power of GOD, since TYCHO himself never thought fit to have recourse to any such▪ Power, for the making out of his Hypo∣thesis.

X. The Sun being the great Lamp of the World, it would be absurd to conceive i•• pla••'d in a 〈◊〉〈◊〉. The Light of Nature also seconds our Opinion; for those Bodies are supposed to be of different Natures, which are endued with different Affecti∣ons: Thus Lucid and Opake Bodies are distin∣guish'd in their Composition, because they have distinct Properties. Wherefore seeing that the Planets, of whose number the Earth is, are solid

and destitute of all Light; it is necessary that the Sun and fix'd Stars should continue unmoved, and that the Earth and the rest of the Planets, should move round him, to partake of his Light. For as it would be absurd to place a Light, that is to enlighten a Church, in some Corner of it, and not in the midst: So the Sun being design'd to be the Great Light of the Universe, by which other Bo∣dies were to be illuminated, it was to be placed in the Center, and not in one of the Sides of it. And accordingly we must conclude, that the Sun stands still, and that the Earth, with the rest of the Planets, are carried round him.

XI. The same Effects follow, whether the Earth be supposed to move or stand still. Besides, I cannot conceive what Reason some Philosophers could have, to maintain the Earths Immobility, seeing that the same Effects follow, whether its motion be allow'd or deny'd. For the Sun seems to us to run through the Zodiack after the same manner, notwithstanding that he rests in the Center of our Vortex: For wheresoever the Earth is, the Sun being look'd upon from it, will always hide that Sign, in opposition to which the Earth is placed. Thus when the Earth is in Libra, the Sun is seen in Aries; and when the Earth passeth from Cancer to Leo, the Sun is seen to pass out of Capricorn into Aquarius.

XII. Some Body must rest, or stand still, for to be able to judge of the motion of another Body. For seeing that no relation can be fixt between Bodies that are in motion, and it is necessary that some be moved, and others stand still, that we may be able to form some respect between them: The same Appearances happen to us, whether we sup∣pose the Earth only to be moved, or the Heaven with the Circumambient Bodies; forasmuch as by this means the Relation only of a Body moving and at rest, is varied, the same effect being indifferently produc'd by either of them, as to us. Now this being supposed, it will not be easie for any one to believe, that Nature, which always proceeds the most short and compendious way, should have chosen to perform that by the unconceivable mo∣tion of so many vast Bodies, which she might, without all that ado, have brought about by the alone motion of the Earth.

XIII. The Air and Water are whirl'd about with the Earth. These and other like Arguments, which I might alledge, are sufficient, as I suppose, to prove that the Earth moves, at least to those who listen to Reason, rather than Authority; especially if they consider, that the Globe of the Earth is turned round together, with the Neighbouring Bodies of Water and Air. For as the Water, as hath been said already; so likewise the Air makes a part of the Terrestrial Globe, and may be conceived to have the same respect to the Earth, as the soft Down that grows upon a Body hath to it.

CHAP. IV. The Objections answer'd, which by ARISTO∣TLE and others, are framed against the Motion of the Earth.

I. Objections afford a greater Evidence, to discern the truth of the matter in question. AS Lucid Bodies, compar'd with such as are Opake, do thereby appear the clearer; and as the Sun shines brighter, when newly got from under a Cloud: So I question not, but that this Opinion concerning the Earths motion, will appear more plausible by a Refutation of the Objections that Adversaries make against it. Amongst those who oppose this Opinion, ARISTOTLE is the Chief; a Man of a great Wit, and fit for the Contemplation, not only of Earthly, but Sublime things: Who 'tis like, had he liv'd in these our days, would either have been of our Opinion, or at least have better refuted the Arguments, which are brought to overthrow the stability of the Earth.

II. Aristotle's Objection, drawn from the Nature of Natural and Violent Motion. The First Argument he brings against us is, That this Circumvolution of the Earth is not a Natural, but a Violent motion; because it is repug∣nant for that to agree Naturally to any thing, that doth not agree to all its parts likewise. Now it is evident that the Parts of the Earth do not move so, for they are carried in a strait Line to the Center; wherefore Circular motion cannot be said to be Natural to the Earth, and therefore much less to be everlasting.

III. The word Violent doth not belong to Natural things. This Objection is easily answer'd, by saying, That the word Violent doth not at all belong to Natural things, forasmuch as they are indifferent to Motion or Rest; and it is no less Natural for Bodies to be moved, when they are push'd forwards by an External Agent; than it is for them to rest, when they are not push'd out of their places. It belongs only to our Will to suffer Violence, when any thing is done that is contrary and adverse to it. But let us grant that Violence may be attributed to Bodies, and that there are certain Inclinations in things, by which they prose∣cute the Ends they are design'd for; yet cannot we conclude thence, that the Earth is moved against Nature, because its parts are moved downwards by a strait, and not by a Circular motion: For this is to be understood of the parts of the Earth, separated from the rest of the Globe; and thus consider'd, it is not necessary that they should be in all things like unto the whole: No more than it is necessary, that all the Particles of the Earth should be round; or every part of a Circle, make a Circle, because the whole is Round, and the motion of the whole constitutes a Circle: But only that the parts of the whole be moved together with it; and like as the Globe of the Earth is whirld about in 24 hours, so all the parts that compound it, be in the same Space carried about its Center.

IV. Nothing hinders, but that the Motion of the Earth may be Ever∣lasting. Which Motion may be no less Everlasting to the Earth, than any other motion; yea, and more too, if we attend to the Nature of Strait motion. For it is certain; that the Earth cannot move for ever upwards or downwards: But what can hinder that a Body may move Round continually, suppo∣sing the same cause that produceth it at first, to persevere? Wherefore, according to our Principle we are to assert, that no force or violence is to be found in its Nature; and that it is no less natural for Bodies to move Round, than to move in a strait Line, upwards or downwards, or any other way whatsoever.

V. The second Objection, from the Heaviness of Bodies. The Heaviness of Bodies seems of all other things to be most contrary to the Circumvolution of the Earth. For Heavy Bodies do from on high, fall to the Earth by a strait Line: Now supposing this Circular motion of the Earth; how can it be, that a Stone let fall from the Top of a Tower, should fall down plumb to the Bottom of it, when in the mean time that the Stone is falling down, the Earth that bears the Tower moves many Cubits; and therefore the Stone, in case the Earth

were moved, would not light at the foot of the Tower, but a good distance from it, which is con∣trary to daily experience.

VI. A S••••ne ••all••ng down from the top of a Tower, is carried by a twofold motion. This Objection, tho' accounted of great weight by our Adversaries, is nevertheless easie enough to be answered, if we consider, that in every Heavy Body, besides its motion downwards, there is ano∣ther imprest upon it, from the Earth, whirling round about its own Axis, whereby not only it self, but the Bodies that are about it, are carried along. There is therefore a twofold motion in a a Stone that falls from a Tower, the one a straight motion, whereby it falls down to the Ground, the other a circular, whereby the Earth is carried a∣long with the Coelestial matter that surrounds it; and therefore it is not necessary that a Stone fallen down from a Tower, should fall at a distance from it, since both of them are carried about with the same swiftness, and the Stone cannot but fall plumb down at the foot of the Tower. For it is no contradiction in Philosophy for one mo∣tion to be compounded of a straight and circular. ARISTOTLE himself owns as much, when he attributes to the Fire a straight motion, by which it is carried upwards; and a circular, in which it is carried about the Earth by the supream Heaven. A Stone therefore falls plumb down to the Earth, because with respect to the Stone it is all one, as if it were not mov'd at all, seeing that the Air and all the Bodies contain'd in it, ••are prest down by the subtil matter, and are whirl'd about toge∣ther with the Terrestrial Globe. This is proved by a Stone falling from the Mast of a Ship, which whether it move, or stand still, the Stone ever falls down in the same place. The reason whereof is plainly this, because the Stones motion downwards, which it derives from the Coelestial matter, is ac∣companied with a Lateral motion, communicated to it by the Ship, which is swiftly driven along. And consequently it is not strange at all, that it falls down perpendicularly, because the Stone moves as much forwards as the Earth, and con∣sequently one and the same point of the Earth ever answers to the Stone, and therefore upon it the Stone must needs fall.

VII. The motion of a Stone falling down is not straight, but accord∣ing to a Paraboli∣cal ••ine. Tho' indeed to speak exactly concerning these things, we must own, that heavy Bodies do not fall downwards by a Right, or Perpendicular Line to the surface of the Earth, but by a kind of Trans∣verse or Crooked, called a Parabolical Line: and the Reason why the motion of a Stone appears to be Right and Perpendicular, is, because the Eye doth not perceive that motion whereby it self is moved, and which is common to it with the Stone, but on∣ly that motion which proceeds from the Action of Gravitation, or which is imprest upon the Stone, by him that casts it.

VIII. A Third Objection from the Shot of a Gun. Against this Solution it may be, will be urged an Argument taken from the Shot discharged out of Great Guns, viz. how it comes to pass, the Earth being moved about its own Center, that a Bullet discharged from the East, should not move more slowly than another that is discharged from a like Gun, and an equal quantity of Powder from the West? For if the Earth be carried from West to East, it must necessarily follow that the Bullet discharged from the West, must much exceed the swiftness of the other, as being assisted and promo∣ted by the Circumvolution of the Earth the same way; whereas the other is as much obstructed by the same, because it moves a quite contrary way.

IX. The An∣swer. I Answer in the First Place, that when a Bullet is discharged towards the West, as much as the Earth moves towards the East, so much is the Bullet also driven back that way, by the common motion of the Vortex: and on the contrary, when a Bullet is discharged towards the East, as much as the Earth hasts the same way, so much is the Bullet retarded by the Vortex of the Earth.

X. A common or general motion is no obstacle to particu∣lar motions. I Answer in the Second Place, that the motion of the Earth which is common to it with the Air, and other Bodies contained in it, doth neither hin∣der nor promote the motions of particular Bodies; and consequently, that all things happen in the same manner, as if the motion of the Earth were not determined to any certain part. As is mani∣fest from this Example. Suppose we, a Boat to be driven with great swiftness to some particular Region, and one part thereof to be full of Water, in which two Fishes are swiming, the one from the East to the West, and the other from West to East; no body will imagine, that that Fish whose motion conspires with that of the Boat, will therefore move faster than the other. For it is certain, that which way soever they move, it will be with equal swiftness, as if the Boat were not moved at all. Thus the motion of the Earth from West to East, is no hinderance at all to those Bodies that move the contrary way. Yea the motion being common, its the very same, as if there were none at all.

XI. The motion of a Bullet discharged from a Gun, compared with the motion of Fishes in a Boat. For as these Fishes, besides the motion they have from their Animal Spirits, whereby they are car∣ried which way they please, have also a motion imprest upon them from the Boat: In like manner a Bullet, besides that motion communicated to it by the Gunpowder, which carries it straight for∣ward, hath another motion imprest upon it by the Earth, whereby it is whirl'd about in the same swiftness with it from West to East, and therefore runs through the same spaces as if there were no motion at all in the Earth.

XII. A fourth Objection from the Nature of the Winds. Others again raise this Objection against the mo∣tion of the Earth: Supposing the circumvolution of the Earth, say they, there would always be a sensible Breez of Wind upon the Surface of it, as we perceive when we ride on Horseback, we are sensible of a kind of a Breez of Wind coming against our Faces, because the motion of the Horse exceeds the motion that is in the Air. According∣ly what a strong Breez of Wind ought we to feel, if with so swift a whirling about, as that of the Earth is supposed to be, we should run against the opposing Air? Wherefore seeing we find nothing of this, we have reason to conclude, that there is no such motion at all.

XIII. Forasmuch as all the Bodies up to the Moon are moved together with the Earth, it cannot seem strange that we feel no wind from the ••••••••on of the Earth. But this Objection is not so much the effect of Reason, as of an inverate Prejudice about the sta∣bility of the Earth, which makes it a difficult thing for some men to conceive, that the Air, with all other ambient Bodies to the Moon, are carried about together with the Earth. Whereas, to speak exactly, the Heavenly matter that carries the Earth along with it, is more swiftly moved about the Earth than the Earth it self is about its Axis. Wherefore, in this Case, no wonder if we feel no Wind at all, no more than it is strange that a man

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that pursues us with a Sword doth never reach us, in case we move faster than he.

XIV. A Fifth Objection from Holy Scripture. The Authorities taken from Scripture seem to be of more force against this Opinion: For the Scri∣pture in may places attributes stability to the Earth, and to the Sun a motion from East to West, as in the 1st Chapter of Ecclesiastes, where it is said, The Sun ariseth, and goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose. And in the Book of Joshua it is reported for a Miracle, that the Sun stood still at the Prayer of Joshua, when he said, Chap. 10. 12. Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon. Now this would not have been a Prodigy, if the Sun had always stood still in the midst of the World, and the Earth had whirl'd about it; for if so, it had been more proper for Joshua to have said, Earth, be not thou moved.

XV. The Scri∣pture in may places accommo∣dates it self to our man∣ner of con∣ceiving of things. To which I Answer, That it is generally own∣ed, that the Scripture speaks of things according to the manner of men, that is, our way of con∣ceiving them. As when the Scripture speaks of the Ends and Foundations of the Earth, neither of which do properly belong to it. In like man∣ner, when it attributes to the Sea, an Abyss of an unmeasurable depth, with other various Affections and Motions, which it hath not. Thus likewise it is said in the 1st. Chapter of Genesis, that God made two Great Lights, the Greater to rule the Day, and the Lesser to rule the Night. Which can only be understood as to outward appearance, and not according to exact Truth. Because the Sun and Moon are not the greatest Lights, espe∣ally not the Moon, for Saturn and any of the Fixt Stars are greater than it. Neither can the Moon be called absolutely the least Light, seeing that Mercury is much less. And therefore we must conclude, that the Scripture calls them so, only be∣cause they appear so to us, and are accounted so according to vulgar opinion. And upon the same account it is, that the Earth in Scripture is said to stand still, and the Heaven to move about it; because, as to our sight, the Earth seems ra∣ther to stand still, and the Sun to be whirl'd about it, than the contrary. The same thing happening to us in this case, as to those that Sail, to whom the Shoars seem to withdraw, tho' indeed they withdraw or depart from the Shoar. When there∣fore Joshua said, Sun, stand thou still, this is not to be understood, as if the Sun then had been stopt in his motion, and made to stand still; but only that the Light of the Sun, at Joshua's Prayer, continued without change, by which means the Body of the Sun seem'd to stand.

XVI. The Obje∣ction far∣ther urged from Scri∣pture. If it be urged, that this Explication cannot be admitted, forasmuch as in many other places of Ho∣ly Scripture the stability of the Earth is plainly asserted: As in the 92 d. Psalm, The Earth is esta∣blished, that it cannot be moved, and the 1 st. of Ecclesiastes, One Generation passeth away, and another cometh, but the Earth standeth for ever. For how can the Earth be said to stand fast for ever, when indeed it is continually in motion?

XVII. The Obje∣ction an∣swered. I Answer, that these places are not so to be understood, as if the Earth were immoveable, and did not turn about its own Axis, but only that there is such a firm and indissoluble union of its parts, that it continues the same, notwithstanding the perpetual generation and corruption of Ani∣mals, Plants, and other things that are upon it. So as that passage of the Poet may be attri∣buted to the Earth.

The same that our Progenitors did see, The same is now, and still shall be.

And that this is the genuine sense of this place, plain∣ly appears from the foregoing words, one Gene∣ration passeth away, and another cometh. As if it had been said; tho' the Earth, according to some of his parts, be changed by means of Generation and Corruption, yet it standeth for ever, that is, it always continues in the same state: Much af∣ter the same manner as a Ship is said to continue the same, though it hath been often repaired, and several new Parts put instead of the old and de∣cayed.

CHAP. V. Concerning Day and Night, and the Vicissi∣tudes of Seasons.

I. What a Natural and Arti∣ficial Day is. A Day is commonly taken by Philosophers for the stay of the Sun above the Horizon: In which sense it is opposed to Night, which is the abode of the Sun under the Horizon. Or else a Day is taken for that Duration in which the Sun is conceived to run round the whole Earth. The Astronomers call the former of these an Artificial, and the later a Natural Day, as containing both the Artificial Day and Night.

II. A Natural Day is ei∣ther Astro∣nomical or Civil. A Natural Day, is either Astronomical or Civil. An Astronomical Day is that space of time, wherein the whole Revolution of the Aequator is absolved, together with that portion of the Aequator, which answers to that part of the Ecliptick, which the Sun in the same time is understood to run through. The Civil Day, is that which is determined as to its Beginning and Ending, according to the custom of particular Cities or Nations. Thus the Itali∣ans begin their Day from Sun set; the Babyloni∣ans from the Rising of the Sun; the Umbrians from Noon; the Romans from Midnight, &c.

III 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 A Year, which consists of Days and Nights, is that time, wherein the Sun runs through the whole Ecliptick, or all the Signs of the Zodiack; which it doth in 365 days, 5 hours and 49 minutes: Which form of the Year, that it might be observed throughout the whole Roman Empire, Julius Cae∣sar appointed that the 5 hours, with the 49 mi∣nutes, which the Year contained over and above the 365 days, should every fourth Year 〈◊〉〈◊〉 one Day, which should then consist of 3••6 Days.

IV. 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 But forasmuch as these 20 hours with their mi∣nutes could not make up a whole Day, it was so or∣dered that those minutes which were added to eve∣ry Year, over and above the due length of it, by process of time were so increased, as by exact com∣putation to amount to 10 days. And consequent∣ly also the Vernal Aequinox had changed its place, so as that the Sun, which entred Aries at the be∣ginning of Christianity, on the 21st day of March, did about 1500 years after, enter the same about the 11th. day. To remedy which error, Pope Gregory XIII. restored the Aequinox to its former Seat, and by taking away 10 days, made it to re∣turn to the 21st of March again. Which is the

Reason why we here in England, not receiving this Reformation of the Kalender, differ 10 days from the account of others; so that when in France it is the 11th. day of March, it is no more than the 1st. day with us, and so on.

V. A threefold Revolution of the Earth. Forasmuch as the Diversity of the Days, Nights and Seasons of the Year, are consequent upon the motion of the Earth; we are to take notice of a threefold motion in the Earth, viz. A Diurnal, Annual, and Motion of Inclinations.

VI. The Diur∣nal motion of the Earth. The Diurnal motion, is that whereby the Earth is whirl'd about from West to East, in the space of 24 hours. This motion, according to our Hy∣pothesis, doth not properly belong to the Earth, but to the fluid matter, in the midst whereof the Earth being poised, is together with the Atmos∣phere, carried about, not by a motion of its own, but of the Fluid Heaven that surrounds it: so that according to DES CARTES his Opini∣on, motion doth not properly belong to the Earth, but to the little Vortex which carries the Earth round with it self.

VII. The An∣nual. The Annual motion, is that whereby the Earth runs through the Ecliptick in a years time; which motion is also imparted to it by the Fluid matter, whereby it is pois'd, which being whirl'd round by the force of the Solar matter, doth necessarily carry about with it all the Bodies that Swim, or are poised in it. The Earth therefore being car∣ried about the Sun, between the Orbs of Venus and Mars, runs through the 12 Signs of the Zo∣diack in a years time. Now how the Earth can, besides its turning round, about its own Axis, per∣form a circuit about the Sun, we may learn by the Example of a Top, which turning round upon your Hand, may by you in the mean time be car∣ried round a Tree, without hindring the motion of it about its own Center.

VIII. The Earths motion of Inclination. The motion of Inclination or Declination of the Earth, is the Deflexion of its Axis, from a Paral∣lelism with the Axis of the Ecliptick, and ever keeping it so in every Situation, that it may al∣ways continue Parallel to the Axis of the World. So that indeed this motion, is not so much a di∣stinct motion from the foregoing motions, as a cer∣tain modification of them; for whilst the Earth absolves its Diurnal and Annual motion, it al∣ways hath its Poles directed to the same parts of Heaven.

IX. This three∣fold Motion of the ••arth ex∣plained. These three motions of the Earth will be ap∣prehended without difficulty, by comparing the two former to a Bowl delivered out of ones Hand, and rowling along the ground: and the third to a Flag fixt to the Mast of a Ship, but so, as to be able to turn round, in which Flag we suppose the Globe of the Earth to be painted, with its Axis, not placed right upwards, but somewhat leaning on one side, parallel with the Axis of the Terre∣strial Globe. Now suppose a Ship, in which a Most and Flag is, were to sail round some Castle or Fort, a strong South Wind blowing, it is mani∣fest that this moveable Flag on the top of the Mast, would not turn about with the Ship, but by the force of the Wind, would be always dire∣cted towards the North, together with the Axis painted in it. So that by that time the Ship, pur∣suing its course, had performed one round, about the Fort, the Flag also would have perform'd one round, about the Iron Pin to which its fastned, contrary to the motion of the Ship; the Axis of the painted Globe of the Earth being still directed towards the same part of Heaven.

X. The Great Orb, is but a Point in compa∣rison with the fix'd Stars. The Orb, whose middle Line the Earth, by its Annual motion describes, is called the Great Orb, which with regard to the fix'd Stars is but like a Point, according to our Hypothesis, so great is the distance between the fix'd Stars and the Earth; and therefore 'tis all one, whether the Stars be viewed from the Center of this Great Orb, or from the Circumference. And thus much will be readily admitted by those who consider how rash a thing it is, to define the Works of GOD to be less August and Ample, than indeed they are; and especially if we consider, that the Appearances can no other way be explained; neither doth Reason oppose it, seeing that the whole Earth is but a Point, compar'd with the Sun: Which ls prov'd by this Instance, because the Sun seems to move about a Round Sun-Dial placed upon the Surface of the Earth, after the same manner as it Rolls about the Earth; which shews, that the Diameter of the Earth is of no account in this case.

XI. The Pole of the Earth declines 23 Degrees from the Pole of the Ecliptick. It is to be noted also, that the Axis about which the Earth, in a Days time, turns round, is not perpendicularly raised above the Plain of the Ecliptick, in the which, in a years time, it is whirl'd about the Sun; but declines above 23 Degrees from a Perpendicular. The reason whereof is, because the striate Matter of the first Element, which enters into the Poles of the Earth, near to the Poles of its Axis, coming from that part of the Vortexes which constitute the second Heaven, doth in this manner inflect or turn it aside: The other Parts of the Earth having not their Pores so dis∣pos'd, that other subtil Matter, coming from other parts of Heaven, should enter into them, and turn it another way.

XII. Without the Motion of Inclina∣tion, there could be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 difference of Seasons. The Necessity of the Motion of the Axis of the Earth appears from hence, that without it there would be no inequality of Days and Nights, but the Inhabitants of the same place would al∣ways have the same length of Days and Nights, and the same constitution of the four Seasons of the Year; that is, some would have all the year, Winter, others Summer, others Autumn, and others Spring. Wherefore it is of absolute necessity to admit the motion of Inclination, to salve the Ap∣pearances, and to make all things agree in Har∣mony.

XIII. How Days and Nights come to be. Forasmuch therefore as the Earth is a great Spherical Body, and at a great distance from the Sun, its whole extension cannot be enlightned at once, but only one half of it; and therefore when the Earth is once carried about its Axis AB in the space of 24 Hours, it makes the same part of the Earth, when turn'd toward the Sun, to enjoy Day-light; and when turn'd away from him, to have Night. For Day is said to be in that Part of * 1.7the Earth, which being turn'd to the Sun, receives its Rays; and Night in that Part, which being turn'd from the Sun, cannot immediately receive them. And therefore it is no wonder, if the Parts of Heaven seem to arise and go down; because by the Revolution of the Earth they are gradually discovered, and seem in order to approach towards us; and on the opposite side to set and vanish.

XIV. W••••n••e the diver∣sity of Sea∣sons of the Year ari∣••••th. And because the Axis of the Earth AB, (as hath been said already) about which its Diurnal Revolution is performed, doth at present decline almost 23 Degrees from the Perpendicular 1, 6 of the Ecliptick, in which the Earth in a Years time performs his Course ▪round the Sun; it so is, that the Earth, in various parts of its Orb, by objecting these two Poles of the inclined Axis, more or less, turned to or from the Sun, and exposing its several parts, sometimes for a longer, at other times for a shorter Space to the Sun, doth by this means produce the different Season's of the Year, and the Inequality of Days and Nights. So that that part of the Earth which hath its Axis more inclin'd towards the Sun, enjoys Summer, as ad∣mitting the more direct Rays of the Sun, and consequently stronger and hotter: Whereas in that part which hath its Axis more turn'd away from the Sun, it is Winter, because it receives the Rays of the Sun more obliquely, and consequently more scatter'd and less agitated. And that part which continues longer turn'd toward the Sun, enjoys longer Days; as that which is for a less time illu∣strated by the Sun, has shorter Days.

XV. There are ••our Signs, to which w••••n the Earth ap∣p••o••c••e••h, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 produ∣ceth the different Seasons of the Year. This will appear more manifest, by shewing how the Seasons come to be, and how it happens that with some Inhabitants of the Earth it is Spring, with others Summer, with others Autumn, and with others Winter. Let us place therefore 4 Points, Libra ♎, Capricorn ♑, Aries ♈, and Cancer ♋, as Centers, or 4 Equal Circles, that may represent the Earth to us, placed there at divers Seasons; the Earth with its Center running through the whole Circumference of Libra, Capricorn, Aries and Can∣cer in a years time, from West to East, according to the Order of the Signs.

XVI. How Spring c ••m••s t•• be. For it is manifest, that the Earth being placed in the Point of Libra ♎, at the same time that the Sun is in the opposit Sign of ♈, Spring time begins with us, who inhabitate the North parts of the Earth; because the North Pole of the Earth A, being con∣stituted between its past greatest Declination from the Sun, and its future greatest Inclination to it, makes, that the Sun-beams falling upon our Tem∣perate Zone 1, 2, reach it only obliquely; and there∣fore make the Air, yet thick and sluggish by reason of the Winters Cold, more temperate about this time of the Year. And forasmuch as both the Poles AB, about which the Earth is carried by its Annual Revolution, are constituted in the Extream parts of the Hemisphere of the Earth, that is illuminated by the Sun; by this means it comes to pass that we, and all other Inhabitants of the Earth have equal Days and Night.

XVII. How we come to have Sum∣mer, and those who ••ive in the South parts Winter at the same time. But when the Earth, in its Annual Revolution, comes nearer to Capricorn ♑, the North Pole A, doth further enter into the Hemisphere, illuminated by the Sun; whereas the Southern Pole B, is more withdrawn from it. By which means it comes to pass, that to those who live towards the North Pole A, the Days begin to increase, and the Heat to prevail; whereas those who live about the South Pole B, experience the contrary. But when the Earth is come quite to Capricorn ♑, viz. at the same time that the Sun appears in Cancer ♋, we enjoy Summer; because the North Pole A being a•• that time most inclined towards the Sun, it makes the Sun-beams to fall directly, and almost perpen∣dicularly upon our Temperate Region 1, 2, and th•• Cold Region 1, A; and therefore produceth the greatest Heat. But to them who live beyond the Aequator 3, towards the South Pole B, Winter happens at the same time; because the Antartick Pole being at that time in his furthest declination from the Sun, the Beams thereof reach it very ob∣liquely and consequently impart but very weak Light to them. At the same time the Longest Days are with us, and the Heat increaseth; because the North Pole A continuing for a long time in that Hemisphere of the Earth which is illustrated by the Sun, makes us to enjoy the longest Days and shortest Nights. The contrary to which happens to the Southern Inhabitants, because the Antartick Pole B, is then entred into the Darkned Hemisphere; and therefore makes, that those who inhabit the temperate Zone 4, 5, and the Cold 5 B, are for many Hours overwhelm'd with Darkness, and enjoy the Light but a very little Space.

XVIII. How it comes to be Spring with us, and Au∣tumn with those who live to∣wards the South Pole. Afterwards, when the Earth having left Capri∣corn proceeds to Aries ♈, the North Pole A, doth more and more decline from the Sun, towards the Hemisphere of the Earth that is cover'd with Darkness; but the Antartick B, towards the illu∣minated Hemisphere, which causeth the Days to be shortned to us, that live North; whereas those that live South, begin to have their Days and Heat increased: 'Till at last the Earth being arriv'd at Aries ♈, both the Poles being in the Extremes of both the Hemispheres, viz. of that which is en∣lightned, and that which is Darkned, produce Equal Days and Nights to all the Inhabitants of the Earth.

XIX. How it comes to be Winter with us, and with the Inha∣bitants of the South Summer. Last of all, As the Earth continues his Course from the Point of Aries ♈, towards Cancer ♋, the Artick Pole A by degrees begins to enter the darkned Hemisphere, and the Antartick or Sou∣thern Pole, the illuminated Hemisphere: By which means it comes to pass, that they who live beyond the Aequator 3, begin to have longer Days; and they shorter, who live towards the North: Till the Earth being arriv'd at Cancer ♋, the North Pole becomes dipt 23 Degrees in the darkned Hemi∣sphere, and thus makes Winter and the shortest Day to the Northern Inhabitants; whereas to those that dwell in the South, it makes Summer and the longest Day. Lastly, the Earth proceeds from the Point of Cancer ♋, to Leo ♌, and Virgo ♍; till that being arriv'd again at Libra ♎, it restores Spring to those of the North, and Autumn to those of the South.

XX. Why the Seasons are every year alike. All the foresaid Seasons of the Year, as to the length and shortness of the Days and Nights, in the continual process of Years, are much alike; because the Diurnal and Annual Revolution of the Earth, whence the Vicissitudes of Days and Nights do arise, are in all years much alike.

XXI. How the Poles of the Aequa∣tor and Ecliptick come to approach to one another. However, because the two Conversions of the Earth, viz. the Annual and Diurnal, would be more commodiously performed, if they were done about Parallel Axes, the Causes that hinder this are by degrees changed; whereby it comes to pass, that in process of time this declination of the Ecliptick from the Aequator will grows less and less.

CHAP. VI. Of the Zones and their Inhabitants, and of the Climats.

I. There are five Zones in the Earth; and what we are to understand by the word Zone. THe Ancients, to distinguish the Degrees of Heat and Cold on the Surface of the Earth, did divide it into 5 Zones, viz. into the Torrid Zone, 2 Temperate, and 2 Cold Zones. By the Name Zone they understood a space of the Earth, lying between the two Tropicks; or one of the Tropicks, and the next Polar Circle; or between either of the Polar Circles, and the Neighbouring Pole. So that the Zones are nothing else, but different Regions of the Earth differing in Tempe∣rature, according to the Suns Nearness, or Di∣stance.

II. The Torrid Zone. The Torrid Zone, is that Space which is com∣prehended between the Tropicks; the Northern part whereof reacheth 23 Degrees and an half from the Aequator; and the other part, as far towards the South: So as that the whole Space contains 47 Degrees in Latitude; and is therefore called the Torrid Zone, because it is scorched by the perpendicular Beams of the Sun.

III. The Tempe∣rate Zones. The Zones that are placed between the Tropicks and the Polar Circles, are called Temperate; the one of them being between the Tropick of Cancer and the Artick Circle, which is 43 Degrees broad. And this is called the Temperate Zone towards the North. The other is call'd, the Temperate Zone towards the South, between the Tropick of Capri∣corn and the Antartick Circle, and hath as many Degrees in Latitude as the former.

IV. The Frigid Zones. The other two which are comprehended within the Polar Circles, are called Frigid or Cold: Where∣of one is the Northern Frigid Zone, between the Artick Circle and the North Pole; from which Circle to the Pole, are accounted 23 Degrees and an half. The Southern Frigid lies between the Antartick Circle and the South Pole, and is just as many Degrees in Latitude.

V. The Torrid Zone is not inhabita∣ble▪ as was believ'd by the An∣cients. The Ancients believ'd the Torrid Zone to be Inhabitable; according to that of Ovid,

—of these, the Middle Zone, Is scorch'd with Heat, inhabited by none.

But Experience hath now better inform'd us; for the Spaniards, Portuguese, Hollandors, and also the English, who have Sailed round the World, as they call it, have found the Torrid Zone not to be scorch'd with intolerable Heat, but Tem∣perate enough, and water'd with plentiful Showers, and with frequent Rivers and Springs, abounding also with all manner of Fruit and Corn, and affording a pleasant and delightful Abode to Ani∣mals and Men, so as that People of several Nations come to inhabit there. This appears also conso∣nant to Reason; because the Length of the Nights, which are equal to the Days, in those Regions, doth greatly allay the heat of the Air. Neither are there wanting in this Space many Lakes, Pools, and other moist places, whence copious Vapours are raised, which afterwards coming down in Rain, do allay and temper the heat of the Sun. For tho' the Rains that fall there be but small, yet they are so frequent, as sometimes to continue for some Months together, greatly favouring the growth of Plants, and conducing to the refresh∣ment of Men, and other Living Creatures. Which inclines me to be of Polybius his Opinion, who asserts that part of the Earth under the Ae∣quator to be more Temperate, than that which is under the Tropicks; because when the Sun is about the Aequator, he presently runs over the Vertical Point; but when at the Tropicks, he continues Ver∣tical for several Days.

VI. The Inha∣bitants of the Torrid Zone, are in a three∣fold diffe∣rence. There is a difference amongst the Inhabitants of the Torrid Zone: For some of them live under the Aequator, others under the Tropicks, and others again between the Aequator and the Tropicks. The Sun toucheth the Zenith or Vertical Point of all these, once or twice every Year. They who live under the Aequator, in the first place, have a Right Sphere: Secondly, They alone enjoy a Perpe∣tual Aequinox: Thirdly, They alone have the view of both Poles: Fourthly, To them alone all the fix'd Stars Rise and Set: Fifthly, They have two Summers and two Winters: Sixthly, The Sun passeth their Zenith twice in a Year. Those who live under the Tropicks do first experience two Meridional Shadows, in a Years time: Secondly, They have but one Summer, and one Winter: And lastly, The Sun reacheth their Zenith once in a Year. They who live betwixt the Aequator and the Tropicks, have 3 South shadows in a Year; in the next place they have 2 Summers and 2 Winters, especially if they be more remote from the Tropicks: Thirdly, The Sun passeth their Zenith twice in a Year.

VII. The Inha∣bitants of the Tempe∣rate Z••••••••. The Inhabitants of the Temperate Zones, in the first place, have one South shadow in a whole year: Secondly, They have two Solstices: Thirdly, They have one Summer and one Winter in a year: Fourthly, The Sun never reacheth their Vertical Point: Fifthly, They have 2 Aequinoxes every year, as all those have that have an oblique Sphere, or that dwell betwixt the Aequator and the Poles.

VIII. The Inha∣bitants 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Fr••g••d Zones. The Inhabitants of the Frigid or Cold Zones, are of 3 sorts: For they either live under the Polar Circles, or under the Poles themselves; or betwixt the Circles and the Poles. They who live under the Polar Circles, do alone enjoy a Day of 24 Hours long; and all other things which happen to the Inhabitants of the Temperate Zones, happen also to them. They who live under the Poles, have a Day of 6 Months, to which succeeds a Night of the same length. They have never any Aequinox, and to them alone no fix'd Stars ever Rise or Set. But they who live betwixt the Poles and the Polar Circles, their longest Day in the Summer is above 24 Hours. They do not see the Sun, whilst he is in the Tropick of Capricorn. Other things they have common with those that live under the Polar Circles.

IX. The diffe∣rence of the Inha∣bitants 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Earth, with re∣spect to their situ∣ation. Another Distinction of the Inhabitants of the Earth is taken from the opposite situation of their Habitation; and this Difference is Threefold, being distinguish'd into Perioeci, Antoeci, and Anti∣podes.

X. Perioeci. They are call'd Perioeci, who live under the same Parallel, and the same Meridian, but yet under the opposite Points thereof. Such are those who live in the places marked 7 and 8, and 3 and 6. Now all these have the same Summer and Winter, and much the same Temperature of the Air, and the same Length and Shortness of Days * 1.8

and Nights; but have their Day and Night at a contrary time to one another: Except they be placed within the Frigid Zone, because then it may so happen, that they have the same Day and Night.

XI. Antoeci. Antoeci are those that live under Parallels, that are equally distant from the Aequator, and under the same Meridian, in the same Longitude. Such are those who dwell in the Points 3 and 7, and in 6 and 8. They have the same Noon and Mid∣night; but have their Summer and Winter at op∣posite times: So as that the longest Day of one of them, is the shortest Day of the other. The An∣toeci between the Tropicks may have the same Winter, but never Summer at the same time.

XII. Antipodes. Antipodes, or Antichthones, are those who live under Parallels or Points distant the same Latitude on either side of the Aequator; or under the Aequator it self, but yet in opposite Points of the same Meridian: Or more briefly, as Cicero has it, Antipodes are those whose steps are opposite to each other. And such are they who live in 1 and 2, 5 and 4, 6 and 7. The Antipodes without the Aequator, 5 and 4, have all things opposite. Those at 5 and 4, have Night and Day quite con∣trary: And all the rest have also their Summer and Winter at contrary times. There is no Point assignable on the Surface of the Earth, to which an Antipodal Point doth not answer; and this is nothing else, but the other Extremity of the Dia∣meter from the foresaid Point, passing through the Center of the Earth. Whence it is, that these great Varieties must needs happen.

XIII. The Opinion of the An∣cients con∣cerning the Antipodes. Those who are our Antipodes, live towards the South Pole, and are yet undiscover'd what kind of People they are; but the Antipodes of other Nations are known. For though some Great Men of Old did deny Antipodes, as supposing that if any such were, they must hang in the Air, and have their Heels higher than their Heads; yet these are worthily derided by Lactantius, Lib. 4. cap. 14. de Falsa Sapientia; forasmuch as the Inhabitants of the Earth, in what part soever they live, tread upon the Earth with their Feet, which every one may easily under∣stand that considers the Earth to be Ro und.

XIV. Way the Surface of the Earth was divi∣ded into Climats. But because the Distinction of Zones did not seem sufficient to the Ancients, to specifie all the diversity of the Situations of Regions about the Aequator, they thought convenient to add many Parallels, by which, as by so many lesser Zones they divided the Earth, and called them Climats, as being so many Inclinations or Deflexions from a Right Sphere. Yet there is this difference betwixt the Parallels and Climats; that the Parallels are only of one Quarter of an Hour, but the Climats of Half an Hour. So that in whatsoever place of the Earth the Solstitial Day is one Quarter of an Hour longer than 12 Hours, that place is under the first Parallel. But if the Excess reach to Half an hour, that place is situate under the second Parallel; or, which is the same, under the first Cli∣mat. For by Climats the Ancients understood nothing else, but large Spaces of the Earth, or Zones, between two Circles Parallel to the Aequa∣tor, equal in Latitude, and passing through every 10th Degree of the Meridian. These are 18 in all, 9 whereof are called Northern, and 9 Sou∣thern.

XV. The first Northern Clime, is that which is call'd Aethiopi∣cum. The first Climat, from the Aequator towards the North, hath its beginning where the Longest Day is of 12 Hours, and its Latitude or distance from the Aequator is 10 Degrees; towards the further part of which, the Longest Day is 12 Hours, 35 Minutes. It is commonly called Ae∣thiopicum, from the Country of Aethiopia, as passing over the City Meroe. For the Custom of the Ancients was, to put the Name of some Famous place contained in it upon the several Cli∣mats.

XVI. The second, Arabicum. The second Climat is that, where the Latitude is of 20 Degrees, and the Longest day of 13 hours and 12 minutes, and is called Arabicum, from Arabia Foelix, through which it passeth.

XVII. The third, Aegyptia∣cum. The third is that where the Latitude is of 30 Degrees, and the Longest day of 13 hours and 56 minutes: And took the Name Aegyptiacum from Alexandria, the Metropolis of Aegypt, through which it passeth.

XVIII. The fourth, Syriacum. The fourth Clime is that, where the Latitude is of 40 Degrees, and the Longest day of 14 hours and 51 minutes. It is called Syriacum, be∣cause it passeth through Rhodes in Syria.

XIX. The fifth, Italicum. The fifth is, where the Latitude is of 50 De∣grees, and the Longest day of 16 hours and 9 mi∣nutes; and it was call'd Italicum, or Gallicum; because it passeth through Rome and Paris, where the Longest day is of 16 Hours.

XX. The sixth, Britanni∣cum. The sixth is where the Latitude is of 60 De∣grees, and the Longest day of 18 hours and 30 minutes; and this is called Britannicum, or Ger∣manicum.

XXI. The seventh Suecicum. The seventh is, where the Latitude is of 70 Degrees, and the Longest day of 65 Days; and is commonly call'd Suecicum.

XXII. The eighth, Glaciale Boreum. The eighth is, where the Latitude is of 80 Degrees, and the Longest day of an 134 Days; and is called Glaciale Boreum.

XXIII. The ninth, Polare Bo∣reum. Lastly, The ninth is that Space which is ex∣tended to the Northern Pole, where the Longest day is of Half a year, or of 188 Days, and is called Polare Boreum.

XXIV. The first of the Sou∣thern Cli∣mats, is called Brasilia∣num. The first of the Southern Climats begins at the Aequator, and ends in the 10th Degree, where the Longest day is of 12 hours, 35 minutes. It takes its name of Brasilianum, from the Country of Brazile.

XXV. The second, Peruanum. The second is, where the Latitude is of 20 De∣grees, and the Longest day of 13 hours and 12 minutes: And is called Peruanum, from the Country of Peru.

XXVI. The third, Paragua∣ticum. The third is, where the Latitude is of 30 De∣grees, and the Longest day of 13 hours and 56 minutes; and is called Paraguaticum.

XXVII. The fourth, Chiliacum. The fourth is called Chiliacum, from the Coun∣try of Chili, which is extended 40 Degrees towards the South; where the Longest day is of 14 hours and 51 minutes.

XXVIII. The fifth, Sylvestre. The fifth is, where the Latitude extends to 50 Degrees, and the Longest day is of 16 hours 9 minutes. It is called Sylvestre, because it is inhabited by Savages and Wild People.

XXIX. The sixth, Magella∣nicum. The sixth is call'd Magellanicum, where the Longest day is of 18 hours and 30 minutes, and reacheth to 60 Degrees.

XXX. The seventh Incogni∣tum. The seventh is of 70 Degrees, and is call'd Incognitum, Unknown; where the Longest day is of 65 Days.

XXXI. The eighth. Glaciale Austrinum. The eighth is that, where the Latitude is of 80 Degrees and the Longest day makes 134 of our Days; and is called Austrinum Glaciale.

XXXII. The ninth, Polare Austrinum. The ninth and last is extended to 90 Degrees, where the Longest day is of 6 Months, and is called Polare Austrinum.

XXXIII. O•• Old t••ere were 〈◊〉〈◊〉 seven C••••mats, whereas now there are ••••gh∣t••••n. Formerly there were only 7 Climes, because they contained all the Countries that were then known: But the Earth being more known and discover'd, is now distinguish'd into 18 Climats, which Astronomers call by another name, Eleva∣tions of the Pole; and Geographers, the Latitudes of Places, or their Distances from the Aequa∣tor.

CHAP. VII. Of those things which are generated in the Earth; and first of Fountains.

I. Fountains and Rivers have their R••se from t e S••••. FOrasmuch as Fountains break forth on the Surface of the Earth, and proceed from its Bowels, we must enquire in the first place, what is the Original of Fountains, and from what Principle they are derived. And this we find can be nothing else but the Sea: For seeing that many Fountains flow continually, and that the Rivers which are made by them, do without ceasing continue their Course towards the Sea, without ever increasing the same, according to that of the Wise King in the 1st of Ecclesiastes: All the Rivers run into the Sea, yet the Sea is not full; unto the place from whence the Rivers come, thither they return to flow again. And accordingly we may easily ga∣ther, that the Original of Fountains is from this, That the Sea-Water being driven into the Bowels of the Earth, is led up to the Surface thereof; where breaking forth, it at last, after various Turn∣ings and windings, returns to the Sea.

II. They return to the Sea, from whence they came. And indeed, forasmuch as the Earth contains many Clefts, by which, as by so many Channels, the Water may be carried from one place to ano∣ther; there is no reason to oppose, but that Water may come from the Sea, to the bottoms of Moun∣tains; and that the same which break forth in Springs from those Mountains, may after various windings run again into the Sea. Much after the same manner, as we find that in Living Creatures the Blood is carried from the Left Ventricle of the Heart, through the Aorta into the Arteries and Veins, and after having finish'd its Circulation, returns to the Vena Cava, and from thence to the Heart, from whence it came forth at first.

III. How the Water riseth from the Sea to the Tops of Moun∣tains. But forasmuch as the Surface of the Earth is not even, some part of it being stretch'd out into Plains and Levels, and others rising into Moun∣tains, which do far exceed in height the Surface of the Ocean; we are to enquire, by what means the Water becomes raised from the Depths of the Earth, to the Tops of the highest Mountains; as also how the Sea-Water becomes deprived of all its Saltness, when it breaks forth into Springs and Fountains whose Waters are fresh.

IV. Not by the Section or Attraction of the Earth. As to the first of these, some are of Opinion that this is performed by the Earth, to which they attribute a Virtue of sucking and attracting the Water to the tops of the Mountains: After the same manner as Bread being dip'd in Wine, doth suck and draw up the Wine into it self; or as a Sponge, sucks-up Water. But this way of explain∣ing this Difficulty is not Rational, since Sucking presupposeth a sensible Motion in the Body that sucks; for I cannot suck without some dilatation and swelling of my Body: Neither can it be sup∣pos'd that the Earth can perform any such action. And as to the Instance of Bread, or a Sponge dip'd in Water, nothing can be inferr'd thence to prove, that the Earth sucks up the Water to the tops of the Mountains; seeing that it is but a small quan∣tity of Water that is suck'd-in by the Spongious Body; and that that which is attracted by it, doth never run out from it. And so likewise may that part of the Earth, which lies next to the Spring, be moistned and soak'd through with the Water of it; but this will never make the Water spring or break forth from thence.

V. Nor by the pressure of the Sea-Water. Others suppose, that the Sea-Water is raised to the highest parts of the Earth, by means of that pressure whereby the surface and upper-part of the Sea-Water presseth that which is at the Bottom, and forceth it up the passages of the Earth, till having at last found an Out-let, it breaks forth on the Surface thereof. But neither can this Opinion be admitted; for tho' the Water at the bottom of the Sea, be driven into the Cavities and open Pas∣sages of the Earth, by the weight of the Water that lies upon it; yet can it not by this means be raised higher than the Surface of the Sea. Besides, if the Water by some Channels, or wide and open Passages, should be conveyed by one continued Channel, from the Sea to the Surface of the Earth, then it would not be fresh, but salt; because the Salt easily gets through those places, where the Water in any quantity can pass; and so all Springs would be as salt, as the Sea it self.

VI. The Sea-Water being 〈◊〉〈◊〉 into Vapours, mounts up∣wards. We suppose therefore, that the Water in those Holes and Caves, whither it is driven by its weight, is resolved into Vapours by the Sub∣terranean heat; and that this Heat, by those Pas∣sages which it every where meets with, mounts it upwards, and raises it to the tops of the Mountains. To which may be added, that the Pores through which the Vapours tend upwards, are continued open towards the very tops of the Mountains, and that they more easily mount up through the said Pores, because they are supported by the Particles of Earth, than through the Air, whose fluid and soft particles, cannot so uphold them and assist their Elevation. Now that there are such Sub∣terraneous Fires, that turn the Water into Vapours, is evident from those Fire-Vomiting-Mountains, Hecla, Vesuvius, Aetna, and others of the same nature. And tho' such Fires do not break forth from all parts of the Earth; yet it is probable that they communicate their Heat far and near, by means of hollow Passages in the Earth, in the same manner as the inborn Heat is dispersed through the Guts and other parts of the Body.

VII Condensed Vapours fu••ni•••• 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 with Water. But when the Vapours are thus mounted up, and are come near the surface of the Earth, they then become condensed by meeting with the Cold parts of the Earth; and by this means being un able to mount higher, they cling together, and are turn'd to drops of Water: And since in this state they are not able to return back by the same Passages, or Pores, because of their Narrowness, they are carried downwards by their own weight;

where many of them being united together make a Subterraneous Rivulet; and many of these Rivu∣lets gather'd together make a greater, which break∣ing forth out of the Earth, constitutes a Living Fountain or Spring. An Example whereof we have in Chymical Distillations; where, by the means of Fire, many Vapours are driven up the Alembick from moist Bodies, which are condensed in the cool Head of the Still, and being united into Drops, run down the Neb thereof.

VIII. What Springs or Fountains are. So that Springs are nothing else, but Sea-Water, which being by its own weight driven to the bottom of Mountains, is there changed into Va∣pours by the inward heat of the Earth, and again condensed into VVater by the Coldness of the Air, or that of the tops of Mountains; whence these run down, according to the declining of the Passages that convey them, to the open place they have made for themselves on the side, or at the foot of the Mountains.

IX. Why some Springs are dried-up in Summer. Some, it may be, will object: If it be true that Springs have their Rise from the Sea, whose VVa∣ters being resolv'd into Vapours, by means of heat are again changed into VVater; how comes it to pass that some Springs are altogether dried up in Summer time, and do quite vanish by extream heat, since it cannot be question'd, but at that time many Vapours mount up from Subterraneous places, and that likewise there is Cold enough about the sur∣face of the Earth to condense them.

X. Answer. I Answer, That these Springs which are subject to dry up in Summer, do for the most part owe their Original to Rain and Snow, which running through the Clefts of Rocks, do afterwards insinu∣ate themselves through the Pores of the Earth, and drop down into some hollow places, and being there resolv'd into Vapours, by the Heat lodg'd in the Bowels of the Earth, meet with some proper place, by the Coldness whereof they become condensed, and so discharge themselves through some open passages on the surface of the Earth. Hence it is, that after long continued Rains we see many New Springs arise, which afterwards by degrees vanish, except more Showers succeed and fill those hollow places of the Earth from whence they proceeded, and supply Matter for a new breaking forth of VVater.

XI. Of the various kinds of Fountains. Whence we may distinguish Fountains into several kinds, according to their different ways of Flowing, Failing, or Duration; and so Springs or Fountains, are either Temporal or Perpetual: Temporal, are those that do not run continually: Perpetual are such as spring without ceasing. Which are again divided into clear and pure Fountains, falling down by drops, or gushing out with a stream; or mixed, being such as are im∣pregnated with Salt, Sulphur, Bitumen, or Jews Lime, and the like.

XII. How Wells come to be generated in the Bowels of the Earth. VVells are furnish'd with VVater much after the same manner as Springs are: For after that the Vapours of VVater have been raised to the surface of the Earth, they are by the Coldness thereof changed into VVater; which afterwards wandring under Plains and Mountains, without being able to mount up to the surface of the Earth, are there turn'd into VVells. Now the reason why VVell-water doth not ascend higher, is, because VVater cannot mount up above the place of its first Rise; for being come up to that pitch, it is equally pois'd, and so can rise no higher. Another Reason also may be, because VVells, for the most part borrow their VVaters from Rivers, Lakes, and Pools, not far off: Or if they receive their VVaters from the Sea, the said VVaters being drained through the Earth, run together into one and the same place.

XIII. Why Spring and Well-water is fresh. Hence it is that Springs and Wells, tho' they proceed from the Sea, yet their Waters are fresh, whereas the Sea-water is salt. The Reason whereof is this, because the Sea-water, consisting of fresh and salt Particles, whereof the fresh only are turned into Vapours, and carried upwards, leaving the salt particles behind, it is plain that their Water must be fresh. For the salt Particles, being stiff and inflexible, can neither be changed into Vapours, nor pass through the winding and bending pores of the Earth. The Water there∣fore of Wells and Fountains is fresh, because the Sea water being drain'd through much Sand or Earth, is depriv'd of its stiff saline Particles, and so becomes fresh.

XIV. How it comes to pass, that Salt water is found in some Wells. If any Man enquire how it comes to pass, since only fresh Water is drained through the Earth, that notwithstanding much Salt should be found in some Wells, at a great distance from the Sea.

XV. The An∣swer. I Answer, That this may happen, because the Passages of the Earth in some places are more wide and open, through which the Sea-water pas∣sing freely, may reach those Wells, without leaving its Saline particles behind it: Or, because the sur∣face of the Sea may lye level with the bottom of those Wells; or likewise, because where the ways are wide and open, the particles of Salt are car∣ried upwards by the particles of Fresh water. Of which this is a confirmation, because in some Mountains are found vast lumps of Salt grown together like great Stones: For the Sea-water be∣ing got up thither, whilst the particles of Fresh-water mount still higher, the Salt is left alone in those Cavities it meets with there, and fills them up.

XVI. Of Foun∣tains that Ebb and Flow. Some Fountains are famous for their ebbing and flowing, like the Sea; yet not all in the same manner. For there is one at Cadiz, and another at Bourdeaux, that imitate the motion of the Sea, and ebb and flow at the same time with it. There is another in Spain which ebbs when it is flood at Sea, and flows when there is an Ebb-tide at Sea.

XVII. The Cause of these ebbing and flowing Fountains, is the Sea. The Cause of this ebbing and flowing in Foun∣tains cannot be attributed to any thing, but to the Sea-tide; by means whereof the Sea entring into some Subterranean passages, drives up the Water as high as it self riseth. But the Reason why these Springs variously imitate the Sea-tide, is to be de∣duc'd from the difference of the passages through which the Water is convey'd: For if these Channels be strait without windings, or if the distance from the Sea be small, the Fountain flows at the same time with the Sea, and falls again when the Sea ebbs. But if the Water be convey'd to the Cavi∣ties of Fountains, through many crooked and winding passages, it may so happen that the Foun∣tain may not swell when the Sea flows, nor fall when it ebbs; but quite contrary may swell when it ebbs, and sink when the Sea flows; because the Water having so many winding passages to go through, much time is thereby lost, so that by that time the water of the Fountains begins to swell, the Sea begins to ebb.

CHAP. VIII. Of Metals and Minerals.

I. What Me∣tals are. MEtals are Bodies dug out of the Earth, Heavy, Hard, and Fusible by Fire, hid in the Inward part of the Earth, and there generated by the heat of the Sun, and subterraneous Fires. Such as are Gold, Silver, Copper, Iron, Tin, and Lead.

II. Of what Parts the Metals are compound∣ed. The Particles which compose Metals, are Salt, Oil, and Earth; which being mingled together, and meeting in the long and branch-like Pores of the inward parts of the Earth, are in the same so straitly link'd together, that Art hath not as yet found out any means whereby to separate them.

III. Which be the pure Metals. Some of these are called Pure Metals, others Impure: Pure Metals are those, which compar'd with others, have been excocted or digested to a greater degree of fineness and perfection, by means of the Solar and subterraneous Heat; such as are Gold and Silver. Gold is the most heavy and most perfect of all Metals, very ductil, consisting of parts of equal Fineness and Heaviness, and being more heavy than the particles of Fire, cannot be carried away by them: Which is the Reason why Gold, when it is melted, loseth nothing of its weight, as having no Dross, which by the Action of the Fire might be separated from it. Silver is a Metal in Fineness and Perfection inferiour to Gold, heavy and solid, less ductil than Gold, and which being melted in the Fire, loseth something of its weight; more especially that which by the agitation of the Fire is turned to Dross.

IV. Which the Impure. Impure Metals, are those whose Principles are not so mature and refin'd, nor so fix'd and pure. Some of these, because of their impure Earthy substance, are made Red-hot before they can be melted; as Copper and Iron: Whereas others of them, because of their abounding Moisture, are melted before they become Red-hot; as Tin and Lead.

V. The Prin∣ciples of the Chy∣mists exa∣mined. To the end that the Nature, not only of Me∣tals, but of Minerals also, may be the more clearly and distinctly known, it will be fitting that we know before-hand, what we are to under∣stand by the Active Principles of the Chymists; and what the Philosophers mean by Salt, Sulphur, and Mercury.

VI. What we are to understand by the word Salt. By the Name of SALT, we understand a sharp Juice, consisting of slender and stiff parti∣cles, which being intercepted in the Pores of the inward part of the Earth, are beaten or forged into little Swords: For as a round Rod of Red-hot Iron, is by the frequent stroaks of Hammers beaten into a longish thin Plate; so those parti∣cles, by being dash'd and rubbing against the hard Sides of the Pores of the Earth, are form'd into such Figures. Wherefore Salt is nothing else, but a sharp Juice, consisting of slender, stiff and sharp Particles. Which, if it be volatil and very bitter, is called Salt Armoniack; if it be more fat and inflammable, growing to Walls and Rocks, 'tis called Nitre and Saltpeter; if it be found in Mines and Mineral-waters, Allom; if it be joyn'd with a Metallick matter, and a most sharp and subtil Mercurial Juice, 'tis called Vitriol.

VII. What Sul∣phur is. By SULPHUR we understand, the very soft amd minute Branchy particles of Fat and Oily matter. And that such particles abound in Brim∣stone, we can demonstrate by this that it is very inflammable; for it is evident, that soft and thin particles, are the first of all others put in motion, and snatch'd away by the Fire. Sulphur therefore is a Mineral Juice, consisting of the most soft and minute Branch-like particles of Fat and Oleagi∣nous Matter, easily inflammable, and generated in the Caverns of the Earth.

VIII. What Mer∣cury is. By the Name of MERCURY we under∣stand Quicksilver, or an opake and ponderous Liquor, consisting of thick, slippery and smooth particles; whose Nature shall be explained here∣after.

IX. The number of Metals. Metals are commonly reduced to six species, as was before mention'd, viz. Gold, Silver, Copper, Iron, Tin and Lead. To which some joyn Mercury or Quicksilver, which tho' it be liquid in its Natural state, and Proteus-like changeth it self into all forms; yet may it be made solid, and that several ways; as when it is held over the Fumes of Molten-Lead, &c. The Astrologers seem to favour this Opinion, viz. That Quicksilver is a Metal, who, as they appropriate Gold to the Sun; Silver to the Moon; Iron to Mars; Copper to Venus; Tin to Jupiter; and Lead to Saturn; so they attribute Quicksilver to Mercury, and do own its Virtue to be derived from the Influences of that Planet.

X. The vari∣ous Juices that are in the Bowels of the Earth. To the end we may more clearly discover the Original of Metals, it will be of use to suppose, that in the Inward part of the Earth there are certain fluid Bodies, whose particles do not stick so close together, but that they may be easily dis∣solved: Such as are some Earthy Juices, which being generated in the deepest Bowels of the Earth, and consisting of the thickest particles of the upper part thereof, do fall down thicker by the force of the Globuli of the second Element, which by pressing them makes them heavy, and by passing through the Pores, wherewith they abound, somewhat agitates and makes them less, and so reduceth them to two kinds of Figures. For the Particles whose Matter is more solid, as those of Salt are, being intercepted, and, as it were, hammer'd in those Pores, of round and stiff, are made plain and flexible: Much after the same manner, as we have said, that a Rod of Red-hot Iron is hammer'd into a thin longish plate. And forasmuch as these particles, being agitated by the force of Heat, do this way and that way creep through these pores, by dashing and rubbing against their hard Sides, they become sharp like so many little Swords, which then constitute sharp, sourish, and corroding Juices. But the more soft particles, as are those of Fresh-water, and the like, being in the said pores wholly crush'd and bruised, are reduced to so great a thinness, that by the Motion of the first Element, they are divided into many very small and extreamly flexible little Boughs, which lying upon one another, are moved by a slow and creeping motion.

XI. Metals are formed in the inward parts of the Earth. Forasmuch therefore as Metals are solid and heavy Bodies, it is evident that they cannot consist of the outward Crust of the Earth, which is softer than the other parts. For tho' the uppermost part of the Earth consists of Ramous or Branchy parts,

which are firmly joyn'd together; yet because there are many Intervals between them, which may be taken up by the Air, or other Bodies, and by their agitation are an obstacle to Solidity, which is the Property of Metalline Particles, it is ne∣cessary that they should be generated in the more inward parts of the Earth, which are more close, hard and compact. So that it seems probable that these Metals are hid, and cannot be reached or come to, by reason of the Depth of the Earth, and the store of Water that is about them, which those that go to search for them cannot fail to meet with.

XII. How the Particles of Metals are con∣veyed to the out∣ward part of the Earth. But seeing, that besides the Vapours which exhale from the Waters that lye hid under the Earth, there are also many sharp Spirits, and oily Exhalations; and likewise Vapours of Quicksilver, which can carry along with them, from the inward part of the Earth, the particles of other Metals, and with them ascend to the outside of the Earth; by this means these Metalline Particles being brought to the surface of the Earth, do there stop between the Sand, and constitute Veins of several Metals. For it is probable, that the Reason why any Metals come within our reach is, because the foresaid sharp Juices flowing through the passages of the inward parts of the Earth, do separate some of its particles from their fellows, which being wrapt up in some oily Matter, are afterwards easily carried upwards by Quicksilver rarified by Heat, where they consti∣tute several Metals, according to the diversity of their magnitudes and figures.

XIII. The distin∣ction and diversity of Metals, depends on the diffe∣rence of their Parts. For nothing else is required to the Distinction of Metals, than the changing of their parts, or a different ranging of them: Because Bodily things, whose parts are of the same bigness, and alike ranged, are to be accounted the very same things; their distinction only proceeding from the various contexture of their Parts, as when by the accession of new Parts others are thrust out of their places, or they become otherwise ranged. And thus those particles that have long and round, as also smooth and slippery Figures, which because of their weight lye one above another, and are moved only by the Matter of the First Element, that fills up the Spaces between them, do constitute Quicksilver. For this is nothing else, but a very heavy and opake Liquor, consisting of such thick Particles as are long, and round like a Pillar, and very smooth; which tho' by reason of their weight they lye one upon the top of another, yet are easily moved by the Aethereal Matter that fills their Pores. And so likewise those Parts which are so firm and fix'd, as that they cannot be changed by any Fire, or consum'd by any acid Spirits, constitute Gold. Thick and Branchy Particles, whose surfaces lye close together, and whose Pores are only penetrated with the striate Matter, make Iron. And so for the rest of the Metals, which derive their di∣stinction from the different magnitude and figure of their Parts.

XIV. Transmuta∣tion of some Me∣tals is possible. For this Reason some have believed the Trans∣mutation of Metals to be possible, since it is notorious that Iron may easily be changed into Copper: For if Iron be cast into Copperas or Vitri∣olick Water, its outside is thereby turned Red, which Red powder being frequently scrap'd from it, and melted down, becomes true Copper. The same Transmutation is also effected by some Foun∣tains; as by that which AGRICOLA mentions, near Smolnitz, the Water whereof being derived into three Channels rang'd in order, in which pieces of Iron are laid, they are thereby changed into Copper; and the small scales of Iron are so corroded by this Water, as to become like Clay or Dirt: All which afterwards being melted down, becomes pure and good Copper. It is manifest also that Quicksilver may be chang'd into another Metal. For if after you have reduc'd Lead, or Litharge, to Ashes, you pour the Flegm of Vinegar upon it, and afterwards pour some drops of this Vinegar upon Quicksilver dissolv'd in strong Water, it will presently be precipitated to the bottom of the Vessel in the form of a Powder, which being melted down becomes Lead.

XV. It is mo∣rally im∣possible to make Gold. But the Question is, Whether Imperfect Metal, by Example Quicksilver, can be turn'd into Gold? This the Chymists confidently assert, and take for their Vouchers, RAYMUND LULLY and ARNOLDUS de Villa Nova; who, they tell us could do as much. But I take all this to be no more than Lies and Stories: Or if ever they did make Gold, that this Effect was not to be attributed to their Art, but to meer Chance. And indeed it is a thing as unlikely, as if a Man having broke his Hour-Glass, should so dexterously throw the Sands of it upon a Table, that the grains of it should be ranged into the figures of such Letters as should make up some Verses of Ovid's Fastorum. For since we are ignorant of the precise bigness and figure of those Particles that enter the Com∣position of Gold; as well as of the way of knitting them together, so as to make one Body of them; we may well conclude, that to make Gold is a thing morally impossible.

XVI. Ductility is a Pro∣perty of Metals. It is a Property of Metals to be Ductil, and more especially of Gold, a small quantity whereof may be beaten or drawn out into a vast extent. For out of one Broad piece of Gold, a vast number of Leaves may be beaten, 5 or 6 whereof are sufficient to cover a piece of Silver, of a Cylindrical Figure; which being drawn into a fine Thred, the Gold is coextended with it, there being no part of the Silver-thred to be seen which is not gilt. The reason of this Ductility in Metals is, because the particles of Metals are of a Longish figure, and are so disposed, that they lye upon one another according to their whole surface; which makes, that when they are prest under the Hammer, or in Drawing, they fall down sideling, and joyn side to side without any separation. Thus it comes to pass, that Metals under the Hammer, may be ex∣tended into length and breadth, still retaining the firm cohaesion of their parts; and the same is the Cause of their ductility into Threds.

XVII. Metals are subject to Rust. Metals are subject to Corruption by Rust, and more especially Iron. Which is an Argument, that its particles are not more solid than those of other Metals, tho' they be Thicker; but that it abounds with Pores. And because these Pores after Infusion grow less, therefore it is that Steel is not so easily penetrated by other Bodies, as Iron, and conse∣quently, less subject to Rust. Now Rust is nothing else, but a perturbation of the Parts of Metals, caused by the Exhalations of a greatly agitated Sulphureous Liquor, the particles whereof thrust themselves into the Pores of Metals, and stop the Orifices of them.

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XVIII. The Sun is the Effici∣ent Cause o•• Metals. The Efficient Cause of all Metals is the Sun, whose heat pierceth through all the Passages and Pores of the Earth. For tho' the Action of Light be nothing else, but a kind of Pression, whereby the Sun pusheth the subtil Matter to Right Lines, that reach from his Body to the Earth; yet the Terrestrial particles being agitated by his heat, do continue in their motion, except some inter∣vening Cause do chance to hinder them. Hence it is we perceive, that the Heat which the Light hath left upon the surface of the Earth, doth conti∣nue for some time; so that it is no wonder, if from thence by degrees it proceeds to the Bowels of the Earth, because the Terrestrial parts that are struck by the Sun-beams, do move those that lye next to them, and they again their Neighbours, till the Heat at last be derived to the most Inmost parts of the Earth. After the same manner as a mans Head cover'd with a Hat, tho' it be not enlightned by the Sun, yet is sensible of its heat, even after that the Sun-beams do no more beat upon it. And thus much shall be sufficient to have spoken of the Nature of Metals, their Original and Affections; we proceed now to the Mine∣rals.

XIX. What Mi∣nerals are. MINERALS, are Bodies made up of Salt, Sulphur and Mercury, mingled in a certain pro∣portion with Aqueous and Terrestrial particles, and excocted or brought to perfection by means of Subterraneous fires, or the Sun's heat, and digg'd cut of the Mines of the Earth. Wherefore also they are called Fossils.

XX. How many sorts of Minerals there are. There are Three kinds of Minerals: 1. Mine∣ral, or Coagulated Juices: 2. Mineral Earths: 3. Stones.

XXI. Mineral Juices. Coagulated Juices are Mineral Bodies, com∣pounded of sharp and oleaginous Juices, mingled with a more gross Earthly Matter, endued with a strong taste or smell, and easily soluble in Water or Oil. The chiefest of this kind are Salt and Sulphur.

XXII. Mineral Earth. Mineral Earth, is a Body dug out of the Earth, consisting of Terrestrial Particles, joyned with a tough and viscous Humidity, reducible to Powder, and soluble in Water, so as thereby to be turn'd into a kind of Clay. Wherein it differs from Mineral Coagulated Juices, which are wholly dissolv'd in Water, and are not turn'd into Clay by admixtion of the Aqueous particles.

XXIII. The vari∣ous kinds of Mineral Earths. These Mineral Earths are various, according to the diversity of the Particles whereof they consist; or of the Juice. whereby their Parts are joyned together; as also of the Country where they are found. For if the Matter be very tough, ropy and unctuous, it makes Potters-Clay; if it be tough, white and dug up in the Isle of Crete, it is Chalk; if in the Isle of Samos, Samian Earth; if a yellow Colour, Oker; if Red, and found in the Isle of Lemnos, Lemnian Earth, and Sealed Earth, because it was used to be sealed with the Seal of Diana's Priest; if it be of a pale Red, and digg'd in Armenia, 'tis call'd Ar∣menian Earth, or Bole. What Stones are, shall be delivered in the next Chapter.

XXIV. In what part of the Earth Mi∣nerals are produced. Minerals are not generated, like Metals, in the Inward parts of the Earth, where they have the whole weight of the Earth lying upon them; but about the surface of it, where its Parts are separated by infinite Chinks and Crevisses, by which they give a free passage to Vapours and Ex∣halations, and to other particles of that Matter, which the Heat contain'd in its Bowels hath put into motion. And forasmuch as it is peculiar to Exhalations, to mingle themselves with the smal∣lest particles of the Earth they snatch along with them, they by this means come to form certain little Lumps or Masses, which after various agita∣tion acquire also the same motion; but that ceasing, they are all at last brought to a state of Rest, being cloathed with a roundish Figure. And after this manner 'tis probable that the Grains of Sand are formed; which are Heavy, because they are compacted of Terrestrial Matter; Hard, because they are without motion; and Transparent, because they have Pores that transmit the Globuli of the second Element to right Lines, in the very same manner as they were moved, before that the Par∣ticles of Sand were yet Coagulated.

XXV. The Pella∣c••d Grains of Sand being heap∣ed together, make an Opake Body. Tho' every single grain of Sand be transpa∣rent, nevertheless where many of them meet together, so as to make a Heap, they constitute an opake Body; because in this state they cannot give a free passage to the Light, seeing that each sur∣face reflects some Rays of it. Thus the Powder of Glass is not Transparent, because the various particles of Glass cannot have their pores so cor∣responding with one another, as freely to transmit the Light. Thus the Grains of Sand, especially those of the Indies, when beheld through a Microscope, be transparent, and resemble Diamonds; yet when they lye in heaps, they can no longer give free passage to the Light, and therefore con∣stitute an opake Body.

XXVI. How Pot∣ters Clay differs from Sand. Potters Clay, notwithstanding that it is tough and fat, yet is produc'd much after the same man∣ner as Sand; only with this difference, that the Grains of Clay are much less, which make their Intervals not to let in water so readily, nor indeed without some force.

XXVII. The reason of the difference of Clay in several parts. If the Particles of Salt and Oil, which conti∣nually ascend from the Inward parts of the Earth, were always like one another, we should every where meet with the same kind of Sand and Clay: But it being very probable, that the said Particles of Salt and Oil, are not in all places the same; it is to be of no matter of Wonder to us, that the Clay and Sand likewise is not always the same, but differing in Colour and the Magnitude of their Parts.

CHAP. IX. Of the Generation of Stones, Common and Precious, and of their difference and distinction.

I. What Common Stones are. STONES are Mineral Bodies, hard, and compounded of a petrifying Juice, and Ter∣restrial Particles, not subject to Fusion, but Cal∣cination by Fire; nor malleable, but breaking to pieces under the stroak of the Hammer. These, according to the Purity or Impurity of the Matter whereof they consist, are divided into Common and Precious, which are either generated in the Bowels of Animals, or without them.

II. New Stones are daily generated in the Earth. Some are of Opinion, that there are no New Stones produced, but that all of them were created at the Beginning. But Miners assure us to the contrary, who often find Stones in those places, where before was nothing but Sand or Clay. Whence it is obvious to conclude, that both these are the matter of Stones, and that of the particles thereof variously joyned and mingled together, they are compounded. For tho' things made of Sand be hard, and cannot be softned; yet this nothing hin∣ders, but that by the help of some Terrestrial mat∣ter, filling their Pores and Intervals, they may so hang together, as to constitute Stones. Thus it frequently happens, that Waters running through the Earth, do carry away with them some small particles of the Stones through which they run; which water coming afterwards to places where its Current is very slow, may give occasion to those particles to unite together, and constitute a Stone.

III. A twofold Rise of Stones. Stones may be made of Sand these two ways; first, out of dissolved Sand, as when Sand dissolved in any quantity, is afterwards hardned. And the Stones thus formed are transparent, as the single grains of Sand are, and are of various figures, according to the Compression of the Bodies that are lying about them. The other way is, when Stones are made of solid Sand; as when a great heap of grains of Sand, by the intervening of some Exha∣lation, do grow together: This way all opake and rough Stones are made, which are proper for the grinding of Iron, and polishing of other Stones.

IV. That there is such a Matter wherewith the parts of Stones are knit together. It is not to be doubted, but that much of this Matter is sublimed towards the surface of the Earth, in the form of such Exhalations as accompany the rising Vapours. This is evident in many Foun∣tains, which notwithstanding that the water of them being very clear to the Eye, yet contains great store of them, which meeting and joyning together in some Parts, become sensible. Thus there is a River in Avergne in France, which doth so abound with these Exhalations, that the Channel of it is become Stony, swelling by degrees higher and higher. In like manner there are found some Springs which cover the Channels and Convey∣ances by which they pass, with a Crust of Sand∣stone. And there is one at Rome, which stopt the Pipe, through which its water passed, with Ala∣baster.

V. How Mar∣ble is formed. The production of Marble doth not at all differ from the production of other Common Stones; save only that the Clay whereof it is made consists of lesser particles, and hath straiter Pores, which for that Reason are more easily fill'd with those Exha∣lations that stick to the Sides of them. And this makes the Composition of Marble more acurate, and the Texture of its parts more close and com∣pact, than the common mixture of Stones is. Which may be easily gather'd from the smooth∣ness of its surface, seeing that the Roughness of Sand-stones and Pumice-stones, and other such like, proceeds only from their Cavities. Now Marble is polish'd with Sand, by the rubbing whereof its prominent particles are worn away. In this Po∣lishing, Water also is made use of; which being mix'd with the Sand, doth by this means more easily insinuate it self into the pores of these Par∣ticles, that are to be rubb'd off. There are several sorts of Marble, some being White, others Black, some Transparent, and some Opake; all which diversity proceeds from the various Contexture of their Parts.

VI. Some Stones are Dia∣phanous, others Opake. For Transparent Stones are generated, when the Exhalations and Vapours being first changed into Juices, in the Chinks or Cavities of the Earth; afterwards by the departure of those fluid Parti∣cles, do come nearer together, and by degrees so cleave together, that the Globuli of the second Element have free passage through their pores, in order to the Transmission of the Action of Light. And on the contrary Stones become Opake, when the Vapours that are shut up in the narrow Chinks and Clefts of the Earth, are there stopt, and be∣come so mingled with the Earthy particles, that the pores, in many places, are not wide and open enough to transmit the Light.

VII. Several kinds of Common Stones. There are many kinds of Common Stones, viz. Marble, Flint, Touch-stone, Whet-stone, Pumice, and Sand-stone; Stones in the Bladder or Reins; Talck, Load-stone, &c. Of Marble we have treated already.

VIII. Flint. Flint is almost the hardest of all Stones, and is commonly Round, and somewhat Flat, like Len∣tiles, and being dash'd against another, divides it self in two little Hemispheres. Because of its ex∣tream hardness it is apt to leap back or rebound, since it neither yields, nor can be easily reduc'd to Powder. Its production is much like that of Marble, being found buried in Clay, as in its Matrix, whose pores being fill'd with the said Exhalations, procure it the great Hardness it hath.

IX. Touch-stone. Touch-stone belongs either to Marble or Flint. It admits of the most perfect Polishing, and is sometimes found very exquisitely smooth'd by Na∣ture. For which Reason also it is very hard, and doth not admit any Division without diffi∣culty.

X. Whet-stone. A Whet-stone has a Roughness, which conduceth to the Smoothing and Grinding of Glass and Me∣tal; in which Operation Water is sprinckled upon it: For the Water being pour'd over it, smooths and makes even the more sensible Asperities of the Whet-stone, and hinders it from acting too boiste∣rously upon the Body that is to be Ground.

XI. Pumice-stone. Pumice-stone is a Stone of an Ash••colour, full of great Cavities like a Sponge, into which it admits Moisture, but soon lets it go again. It is made use of for the Polishing of Marble; for by its Rough∣ness it reduceth the prominent parts of Marble to smoothness.

XII. Sand, or Grave••∣s••••ne▪ The Sand-stone is formed in Holes, from whence the intercepted Matter derives its smoothness. Its Colour is white; because its particles are so dis∣pos'd, as to reflect or send back the Rays of Light, in the same manner as it hath received them. Wherefore also it appears in the likeness of Froth. Tho' it be very Light, yet doth it not swim upon the VVater; but the moisture entring into its pores, it sinks immediately.

XIII. Talck. Talck is a Stone that is Transparent, except it be too thick; for then it is opake, by reason of the multiplicity of Surfaces heap'd one upon the top of another, and whose pores do not correspond exactly enough for the Transmission of Light.

XIV. Stones form'd in the Body of Man. A Stone in the Body of Man, is formed in like manner as other Stones are▪ viz. by the Coalition of Sand, by means of some slimy Matter in the Reins or Bladder. It commonly inclines to a reddish Colour, and according to the different dispo∣sition of the Sand, is either smooth or rough; as we see that Stones that lye at the bottom of Rivers, are some of them smooth, and others very rough and uneven.

XV. What pre∣cious Stones are. Precious Stones, are Bodies small in bulk, of a hard and strong substance; which either are Trans∣parent, or of a lustrous Colour.

XVI. How preci∣ous Stones are gene∣rated in the Earth; and first of such as are transpa∣rent. Gems are generated, not of a company of Sands grown together, as the Common Stones are; but of a certain fluid Matter, which only consti∣tutes one grain; provided there be but so much of it, as to make some sensible Bulk, and such as is suffi∣cient for a pellucid Body. Because that when the Exhalations that in the Clefts and Cavities of the Earth are gather'd into a Drop, by the loss of their slippery and fluid Particles, begin by little and little to cleave to one another, the Globuli of the second Element can on all sides freely and strongly enough pass through their pores; which could not be, in case they did consist of many grains: For how soft soever they might afterwards come to be, yet they could never be so joyned, but that there would be some Interruption, which would spoil their Transparence. And therefore these kind of Exhalations, according to the different degrees of their Hardness, and the various disposition of their Parts, are turned into Stones; as into Crystal, Diamonds, and the like. There is no difference betwixt a Crystal and a Diamond, save only that the particles of a Diamond are more closely knit together.

XVII. Of Colour'd Gems. But if it so happen, that any Metalline particles be mix'd with this matter, that is common to all precious Stones; this causeth some modification of the Light that passeth through them, so that it produceth in us the sense of divers Colours; and thus instead of a Diamond or Crystal, we shall have several kinds of precious Stones, as Saphirs, Chryso∣lits, Jaspars, Agats, and the like.

XVIII. The seve∣ral kinds of Precious Stones. Precious Stones therefore are divided into Trans∣parent and Colour'd. The transparent are Crystal, the Diamond, and the Beryl, which have their Parts so ranged, as to leave Intervals, through which the Globuli may transmit their Action to Right Lines. The most precious of these is the Adamant, being of an exceeding Hardness, because of the close coherence of its Parts. Yet is not its Hardness such, as to be of proof against the stroaks of a Hammer, as some relate, seeing that it may be grinded into Powder. So likewise the Common Story of its becoming soft in the Blood of a Goat, is no better than a Fable; and that it cannot be hurt by the Fire: All which Experience hath condemn'd of falsity.

XIX. Crystal. Crystal is of an Hexagonal figure; for every particle of Crystal being surrounded and kept in by six others, it must necessarily admit of a six Cor∣ner'd figure. There are some that affirm, That Crystal by the strength of the Fire can be melted; whereas others assert the contrary, and that after utter Diligence used, they could never bring it to Liquefaction. Some of the Ancients believ'd, that Crystal was the effect of extream Cold; but this is a vain Imagination, for all confessing Crystal to be a Stone, we cannot attribute its Coagulation to Cold. DIO DORUS was better advis'd, who Lib. II. tells us, that Crystal is a Stone coagulated out of pure Water, not by Cold, but by the virtue of a Divine Fire.

XX. The Beryl. The Beryl hath a great resemblance with Cry∣stal; it is chiefly found in the East Indies, accord∣ing to PLINY, at least the best and most lustrous are found there. For those we have from Babylon are of a kind of greasy Colour; yea, it is said, that there are Beryls found in Germany of the Colour of Oil.

XXI. The Car∣buncle. The most Noble of all the Colour'd precious Stones is the Carbuncle, of a Red colour, and resem∣bling the flame of Fire.

XXII. The Chry∣solite. The Chrysolite is a Gem of a Golden colour, whence it took its Name; transparent and very hard.

XXIII. The Hya∣cinth. The Hyacinth is of a Yellow colour, resembling the lustre of Gold.

XXIV. The Eme∣rald. The Emerald is the most precious of all Gems, and well nigh the most Brittle too, for it is easily broken. It is of a Green colour, like Grass.

XXV. The Topaz. The Topaz approacheth to the Colour of an Hyacinth; tho' some do say it is of a Green colour. It is said, that when it is laid under the Sun-beams it represents a Star; which is rather the effect of its form and colour, than of any peculiar Nature.

XXVI. The Turcois. The Turcois is a precious Stone, of a Sky colour mixt with Green.

XXVII. The Ame∣thyst The Amethyst is much of the same softness as Crystal, and is found in the same place. It is of a Violet Purple colour, very grateful to the sight.

XXVIII. Morion. The Gem Morion, is of a very Black colour.

XXIX. The Agate. The Agate admits of all Colours, as having white, black, and other variegated stroaks in the midst of it. And by this diversity of its colours, it is represented of divers kinds, by those who have a mind to deceive the Buyers.

XXX. The Jasper. The Jasper is a Green stone, with the mixture of Bloody spots. The best are those that come from the East.

XXXI. The Ruby. The Ruby takes its names from the glorious Red colour wherewith it sparkles.

XXXII. The Granat. The Granat is also of a Red colour, but with some mixture of a Yellow; so called, because of its likeness to the grain of a Pomgranate.

XXXIII. The Onyx. The Onyx is the Alabaster of the Ancients, but much more precious than that which we commonly call so; it resembles the colour of the Nail of a a Mans Hand, with some Veins running through it, which imitate the colour of a Jasper.

XXXIV. The Saphire The Saphire exceeds the other Gems in Beauty, and is of a Sky Blew colour, resembling the lively colour of the Sky, by its wonderful lustre, and ex∣traordinary perspicuity. It is the hardest of all precious Stones, next to the Diamond.

XXXV. Of other Stones that are counted amongst the Pre∣cious, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are not 〈◊〉〈◊〉. There ••re also other Stones which are reckoned amongst the Precious, as the Pezar, or Bezoar, Pearls, Chelidonius or the Swallow-stone, &c. But these do not seem to deserve the name of Gems; because the Pezar, which is found in the Stomach of a Beast called Pezain, is too soft to deserve that name. Pearls which are found in the shells of Oysters and Muscles are of too dark and faint a colour, and without transparence. And the Swallow-stone, which is found in the Stomach of Swallows, hath nothing in the least in it that resembles a Gem.

CHAP. X. Of the Load-Stone, and Electrical Bodies.

I. Of the Ori∣ginal and Composition of the Load-stone, and what its Nature is. THo' the Load-stone be reckon'd amongst Common Stones, yet doth not the Earth produce any thing more wonderful than it, the effects whereof, as they were matter of Astonish∣ment to the Ancients, so do they still puzzle the Brains of the Greatest Philosophers. This won∣derful Stone is compounded of thick and branchy Particles of the Earth, approaching to the Nature of Iron; since there is no Iron Oar, which hath not much Earthy matter joyn'd with it; nor any Load-stone, which doth not enclose more or less of Iron. Yea, so great is the affinity between the Load-stone and Iron, that they are both digged out of the same Mines; and if we will take the word of GILBERTUS, the best Iron is got out of the Load-stone.

II. The Defini∣tion of the Load-stone and Iron. The Load-stone therefore is a Stone, resembling the Matter that constitutes the Middle part of the Earth, which having Pores from one of its Poles to the other, sitted for the free passage of the striate Matter, can turn it self towards one of the Poles of the Earth. It is said to resemble the Middle part of the Earth; because the Load-stone, of all other Stones, seems to be of the same make and composition with the Middle part of the Earth. By the striate Matter mention'd in the Definition, we are to understand the Matter of the first Ele∣ment, twisted in the manner of the Tendrils of a Vine or Ivy-Bush. It is said, that it can turn it self to one of the Poles of the Earth; because a Load-stone being left without impediment, always turns it self to the Poles. Iron is a Metal of Affinity with the Load-stone, endued with Pores, accommodated for the free passage of the striate Matter, by which means it is able to turn it self to the Poles of the Earth.

III. The Virtues of the Magnet may be referr'd to three Heads. The Virtues of the Load-stone may be referr'd to three Heads; whereof the First is, that being in a free position without any thing to hinder it, it spontaneously directs it self to the Poles of the World. Secondly, That it draws Iron or another Magnet to it self, and sometimes also repels the same. Thirdly, That by a Touch it communicates to the Iron, as well the virtue it hath of pointing to the Poles of the World, as that whereby it draws Iron.

IV. The Cele∣stial mat∣ter is the Cause of all the Motion in the World. For the better understanding of these Virtues of the Load-stone, we are to suppose in the First place, that the Heavenly matter is the Principle of all the motions of the World; which, as it consists of most subtil and thin parts; so it easily pene∣trates the Pores of all Bodies, and according to the different degree of its agitation, doth put them into motion, and push them forward; and being fluid, doth accommodate it self to the narrow Spaces through which it passeth, and puts on va∣rious Figures, according to the diversity of their situation; so that its particles which pass through the Triangular Spaces, which are left in the midst of three Globuli of the second Element touching one another, must take upon them a Three-corner'd figure, which we may conceive as so many little Pillars, with three hollow'd Channels, winding like a Screw. And this more or less, as they pass nearer to, or further from the Axis of the Vortex, because the Globuli of the second Element move more slowly in the former part of the Vortex, than in the latter; as it hath been declared more at large in the Fifth Part of this Institution.

V. The Striate Particles are vari∣ously crook'd and turn'd. We are likewise to Note, that because the Striate particles come towards the Middle of Heaven from contrary Quarters; that is, some of them from the South, and others from the North Pole, whilst in the mean time the whole Vortex is moved one and the same way; therefore those Particles which come from the Southern Pole, cannot have their Screw turn'd the same way, as those which come from the Northern Pole, but the quite contrary.

VI. How the Striate Particles, that pro∣ceed from the Earth, do affect the Load-stones that come in their way. Again, we are to suppose that in the Region of the Earth CADB, there are many Pores parallel to its Axis, through which the Striate, or Screw∣like Particles, coming from the parts about one Pole, may pass freely to the other opposite to it; but forasmuch as they are writh'd a contrary way, and that the one go one way, and the other quite opposite, the Pores which admit the Striate parti∣cles that come from the South Pole A, will never be able to receive those that proceed from the North Pole B. Whence it comes to pass, that those Particles that proceeded from one Quarter, * 1.9can never return by the opposite part, because of the different writhing of the Pores, and because of several most minute fibres arising in them, which obstruct their return. So that after the Striate Particles have run through that Great Load-stone, the Earth CADB, in Right Lines, or equivalent to such, from one Hemisphere to the othe other; or from the North B to the South A, or else quite contrary from A to B, they are forced to return to the same Hemisphere through which they at first entred the Earth.

VII. About eve∣ry Magnet a Vortex is formed, as about the Earth. So that about every Magnet, as well as about the Earth, C, A, D, B, a perpetual Voxtex of the Striate Matter, which is manifest from this Expe∣riment, that if you cast the filings of Iron or Steel round about a Load-stone laid upon Paper, the said filings will dispose themselves a-round the Load-stone in manner of a Vortex. Wherefore if you shall direct the North Pole of a Load-stone you hold in your hand, to the North Pole of another Load-stone plac'd upon a piece of Cork in a Bason of Water, the North Pole of the later Magnet will turn away from that you have in your hand. But when the Load-stone placed on the Water, being turned about, directs his South Pole to the North Pole of the Magnet in your hand, then it will approach to it, because the interjacent Air being driven away by the Striate Matter, the Loadstone is also pusht forwards by the Air that surrounds it. Whence it is that the Poles of a Loadstone are said to be of a contrary virtue.

And if by chance the Striate Particles, in pas∣sing from one Hemisphere to another, do there meet with the Load-stone I, K, L, M, N, forasmuch as they find in the same, Pores ranged in the same manner, as the Pores of the inward part of the Earth, they easily and freely pass through them; especially if the Load-stone be so posited, as to have the arangement of his Pores turn'd towards that quarter, from whence the Sriate Particles proceed.

VIII. The Striate Particles do not so easily pass through the Air or Water, as through the Earth. Moreover we are to observe that the Striate Par∣ticles cannot pass so freely through the Air or Water, as through Iron; for they being fluid Bo∣dies, their parts cannot always keep the same situ∣ation, and therefore if at any time such pores come to be formed in them, they are presently again spoil'd and confounded by the continual agitati∣on of their Parts. Those Bodies only are dis∣posed to admit the Striate Particles, that consist of Thick and Branchy Parts, such as rationally we may believe Iron and Steel to have. For of all Metals, none is either with more difficulty melted in the Fire, or extended under the Hammer than Iron is, or made harder without the addition of any other Body: which three instances abun∣dantly shew, that the Particles whereof it consists must be Angular and Branchy, which is the reason they are so closely knit together, this being the most necessary condition in order to the free trans∣mission of the Striate Particles. For we find that Iron temper'd and hardned, doth more freely afford them passage, than other Iron; and so likewise 'tis observed, that when the Iron is smooth and bur∣nisht, the Striate Particles, that proceed from one Pole do more orderly return to the other.

IX. In every Magnet are two Poles, an Axis, and Paral∣lel Lines. For the better understanding of this Magnetick virtue, we are to take notice, that in every Load-stone there be 2 Poles, South and North. The South Pole is the Point A. being the middle of that part wherein are the Orifices of the Pores, by which that striate matter enters, which comes from the South part of Heaven: and the North * 1.10Pole is the middle of the other part, by which these Striate Particles go forth, and others coming from the North F, do enter. Besides the Poles, consi∣dered in a Load-stone, there is also its Axis, or the Diameter from the North point F, to the South A, drawn through the Center of the Load-stone. And lastly, its Parallel Lines, which being drawn from the North to the South, are at an equal distance from the Axis of the Load stone.

X. Why the Magnet points to the Poles of the Earth. These things being premised, it will not be diffi∣cult to explain, why a Load stone turns its Poles to the Poles of the Earth; because the Magnetical Particles coming from the North Pole F, and South B of the Earth, rushing obliquely against the Poles of the Magnet, do push it this way and that way, till that they can freely, that is in right lines, pass through its Pores.

XI. How one Load-stone turns to another. And it is for the same reason that one Load-stone turns to another. But it is to be observed, that the South pole of the Magnet always turns to the North pole of the Earth, or of another Load-stone; be∣cause the particles that come forth from the South pole, are writhed another way than those that enter. Whence it is that the Poles of the same denomina∣tion do always flee from one another. As for in∣stance, suppose we that the Poles of 2 Magnets be turned to the North Pole of the Earth; these 2 Poles are of the same Denomination, because the Particles that flow from the North Pole of the Earth, do act upon them after the same manner; but it is apparent that these Poles flee one another, and therefore would flee from the Pole of the Earth also, in case they were of the same Denomination with it.

XII. A Load-stone flees from ano∣ther, if it be apply'd to the same Pole. For the same Reason it is that a Load-stone being set on one end on its North Pole, and swiming on a piece of Cork in the Water, if to the South Pole of this Load-stone, the same Pole of another Load-stone be applied, the Cork flees away from it; for seeing that the Particles cannot enter those Pores, they require some space, in the which turning themselves, as in a Vortex, they may return to their North Pole.

XIII. Whereas it draws near to it, when apply'd to the opposite Pole. When the North Pole of one Load-stone is turned to the South Pole of another, and that the Spheres of both of them become one, then they approach to each other; because in this case they act with their joynt forces upon the Air, and therefore make it withdraw; which, by its Circulating, pusheth on both the Magnets till they come to touch one another.

XIV. Why the Poles of a Load-stone, that are of the same deno∣mination, do not unite or come together. But some, it may be, will demand, Why for the same Reason the Poles of the same denomi∣nation do not as well come together; or, why the Magnet doth not approach to their Bodies, seeing that the Air in both cases is alike prest upon?

The Answer to this is obvious, for the Magne∣tical particles, because of their different way of wreathing, finding no fit passages for themselves in the Pole of the same denomination, do greatly hinder this Conjunction. And the same is the rea∣son, why it doth not draw near to other Bodies, since the Magnetical matter doth not find any corresponding Pores in them.

XV. How a Load-stone attracts Iron. From what hath been said, it will not be diffi∣cult to explain, how a Load-stone draws Iron or Steel; or rather how a Load-stone, Iron and Steel draw near to each other: by saying that the Load-stone B. attracts the Iron C. because both their pores are so disposed, that the striate matter A, which comes from about the Poles of the Heaven, and continues its course through the pores of the Earth, that are parallel to the Axis thereof, pas∣sing more easily through the pores of the Load-stone B. and of the Iron C. than of other Bodies, drives away the intermediate Air. Now because the Air finds no place (for there is no Vacuum) to which it might pass, but that which is left by one of these two Bodies; it cannot be otherwise, but that the Load-stone B, must be push'd towards the Iron C, or the Iron C towards the Load-stone B. For this is a General Rule, That the Virtue of the Load-stone is increased or diminished, according to the approaching or withdrawing of the Iron. It is increased, when the Load-stone and Iron are so disposed, as that the one sends its Striate par∣ticles into the other; but diminished, when the Iron is withdrawn from the Magnet, or the Mag∣net from the Iron. For the Communication of the Striate matter being by this means removed, their force must needs be weakned and les∣sened.

XVI. How the Air thrusts forwards a Body. This will not be hard to conceive, if we take notice, that the Parts of the Air, as of all other fluid Bodies, are in continual motion, and that therefore of necessity they must push continually towards the Load-stone B, which they surround on every side: And because they equally push it forwards on all sides, they do not push it more one way than another. But when the Air is driven out of its place by the Striate matter, pro∣ceeding from the Magnetical Body at A, it so happens that the Magnet is less push'd forwards on that side, than on the other, and so approacheth to the Iron C, or on the contrary.

XVII. The Sphere 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Magnetical Activity. Wherefore the Sphere of Magnetical Actions is conceived to be about the Circuit DE, within which the Striate particles, composing the Vortex from F to G, can affect Bodies that have their Pores dispos'd alike. And this Sphere is by so much the greater, as the Load-stone is bigger, or at least the longer it is; because the Magnetick matter, passing through the longer Pores of it, thereby acquires the force of passing farther in a strait Line in the Air; which makes, that the Virtue of great Load-stones doth reach farther than that of small ones.

XVIII. The Mag∣net doth not proper∣ly ••raw Iron. Hence it appears, that the Load-stone B, cannot properly be said to draw the Iron C; because in this Action there is no Attraction at all, but as soon as the Iron C, is placed within the Sphere of the Activity of the Load-stone B, it gets strength, and is carried towards the Magnet; which Action doth not so much deserve the Name of Attraction, as that of Circumpulsion, or of being push'd for∣wards on all sides.

XIX. Why an Armed Load-stone b••ars much more Iron, than a bare one. There still remains one Difficulty behind, which is this: If there be so great a Correspondence be∣twixt the Pores of a Load-stone and Iron, how comes it to pass, that the Load-stone AB, armed with Iron; that is, to which the Iron Plates CD, and EF, are fastned, should carry much more Iron, than one that is bare. To which I return * 1.11this Answer, That this greater Force or Virtue, doth not proceed from the Iron that is fastned to it, but from the contact of it; because the pores of the Iron Plates CD, and EF, do exactly answer to the Pores of another Iron, and their Parts are so joyned, as to appear immediately to touch one another. Whence it is that the Striate matter passing through these Pores, from the Iron fastned to the Load-stone, to another Iron b a, doth with more ease drive away the intermediate Air, and make them more closely cleave together. Now the Pores of the Magnet, cannot so immediately agree with the Pores of the Iron, by reason of its Impurity and Stony Nature. Which makes, that there is always some Interval between the Load-stone and the Iron, by which the Striate matter doth remove from the Pores of the one, to those of the other.

XX. The Con∣trariety of the Poles of the Load-stone, do not hinder their con∣currence to bear up the Iron. Neither doth the Contrariety of the particles of the Striate Matter, whereby those that enter at one Pole, cannot enter in by the other, hinder them from agreeing to bear up the Iron; because those that come from A, the South Pole of the Load-stone, being reflected by the Steel-plate, enter in at one part of the Iron b, in which they make its North Pole, and flowing from thence to the South Pole a, they meet with others of the Steel-plate FE, by which they mount up to B, the North-pole of the Load-stone; and on the contrary, those that go out from B, through the Plates FE, the Iron that hangs at it HG, and the other Plate DC, return to A.

XXI. Why a Load-stone, be it never so strong, cannot draw an Iron that is not con∣tiguous to it from another. Neither can any other Reason be given in my Judgment, why a Load-stone, tho' never so strong, cannot withdraw an Iron that is distant from it, from the contact of another, tho' much weaker Magnet; because tho' the Striate particles pass through both those Magnets, and the intermediate Iron, so that one only Load-stone is made of them all three; yet by reason of the Contact, and a greater agreement of the parts, the Iron cannot be withdrawn from a weaker Magnet, to which it is joyn'd, by a stronger. Forasmuch as the Load-stone, not only joyns the Iron to it self, but over and above communicates its virtue to it.

XXII. The Load-stone com∣municates its Virtue to the Iron. It remains still to be explained, how the Load-stone communicates its virtue to the Iron, without any loss of its own strength and virtue. The Iron acquires this New virtue, when it hath pores fit for the receiving of the striate Particles, and so situate, that they can freely pass through them, as hath already been said. For nothing is wanting to it towards the acquiring of this Virtue, save only that some small ends of the Branchy particles, which stick out here and there in those pores, must all of them be turned away in those pores, through which the striate Particles that come from the South are to pass; whereas in the other pores they must be turned the quite contrary way. Now as soon as the Load-stone toucheth the Iron, the Mag∣netical particles rush with great force and in crowds into the pores of the Iron, and by this means bow these Extremities of the Branchy par∣ticles; and consequently contribute all that which was requir'd to the Magnetical virtue.

XXIII. How Red-hot Iron comes to acquire a Magnetical Virtue. Hence it is, that when a God of Steel or Iron being Red-hot, is set to cool, with its Extremities turn'd directly North and South, it is, by reason of its contexture and pores, which the action of the Fire hath clear'd and opened, immediately penetrated by the Magnetical Effluvia's of the Earth; which continually do course it through the Air from one Pole to another, and so becomes endued with a Magnetical property: Which doth not so happen in an Ingot of Silver turn'd South and North, and that because of the difference of its Contexture, and disposition of its Pores.

XXIV. How it comes to pass that an Iron, according as it is variously apply'd to a Load∣stone, doth also diffe∣rently re∣ceive its Virtue. An Iron differently receives the Magnetical virtue, according to its different way of applica∣cation to the Load-stone. For the part R, of the Iron RST, if it be apply'd to the North-Pole of the Magnet P, will become the South Pole of the Iron; because the Striate particles coming from the South, will enter in by it, and the Northern will enter in by the part T, being reflected or beat back from the Pole A, through the Air. And the same part R, if it lye upon the Aequator of the Load-stone, and look towards its North-Pole, as in C, it will again become the South Pole of the Iron. But if it be turn'd about, and look to∣wards the South Pole, as in D, then it will lose the * 1.12Virtue of the South Pole, and become the North Pole. Lastly, If the Middle part of this Iron S, touch the Pole of the Magnet A, the Northern Striate particles which have entred into it by S, will go out again by R and T; and by this means the Iron will receive at both ends the Virtue of the South Pole, and in the midst that of the North.

XXV. Why a long piece of Iron doth not receive this Vir∣tue, but in its length. It may be Queried, why those Striate particles, that from the Pole A of the Magnet, do enter the part of Iron marked S, do not directly pass on to E; but are reflected this way and that way to∣wards R and T; so as the Iron receives the Mag∣netick virtue, rather according to its Longitude, than to its Latitude? The Answer to which is obvious, viz. because they meet much more free and open passages in the Iron, than in the Air; for which Reason they rebound from the Air to∣wards the Iron.

XXVI. A Plate of Iron hinders the attra∣ctive Vir∣tue of the Load-stone. There is also another Difficulty remains to be explained. viz. how the Iron Plate DCD, being apply'd to the Pole of the Magnet AB, which, we said before, did much help the carrying or bearing force of the Load-stone, should notwithstanding hinder its force of attracting and turning Iron to it; so as to make the Point E of the Magnetick Needle EF, not to be directed to the Pole of the Magnet B, but towards the end of the Iron Plate D. To which we Answer, That the Striate particles, which, if this Plate had been out of the * 1.13way, would have past from B, toward EF, are diverted by it from C, towards the Extremities thereof DD, because they find a more ready and free passage for themselves through the whole length of the Plate from C to D, than through the small interval of its thickness C. To this may be added also, that the Striate particles do pass more freely through the Plate, than through the Air, so that scarcely any of them reach the Needle EF.

XXVII. Iron is more apt to receive the Mag∣netick Vir∣tue accord∣ing to its length, than breadth. Wherefore, tho' Iron be made partaker of the Magnetick virtue, yet doth it more readily admit it according to its length, than according to its breadth, even then when the Middle part of it is applied to either of the Poles: The Reason where∣of is, because the Striate particles proceeding from the Load-stone, do find fitter Pores for them in the Iron, than in the Air, which is the reason why they go towards it. This likewise is the Cause why Needles endued with the Magnetick virtue, have the Poles of their virtue at their Ends or Ex∣tremities.

XXVIII. And this in a mo∣ment. This Virtue is communicated, as it were, in a moment, the course of the Magnetick particles through the Iron being very swift; because they meet with, in the Iron and Magnet, Pores exactly fitted to their figure. Now this Virtue is after∣wards confirmed by long stay; for the longer that the ends of the Branchy particles have continued turn'd one way, it is with the more difficulty that they are turn'd the contrary way. This Virtue is longer retain'd in the Load-stone, than in the Iron; because the parts of the Magnet are more stiff and inflexible, by reason of the Stony matter that is mixed with them.

XXIX. Steel better keeps the Magnetical Virtue, than common Iron. Hence it is that Steel receives a greater Magne∣tick virtue than common Iron, forasmuch as it hath more and more open Pores, and doth more surely keep, and preserve the same; because its Branchy particles are more stiff and rigid.

XXX. The Reason why a Load-stone loseth no∣thing of its Virtue. The Reason why the Magnet, tho' it commu∣nicates its virtue to the Iron, yet loseth nothing of it, is, because nothing of its Substance or Con∣stitution is destroy'd by this Contact, seeing this whole operation is performed by the Striate mat∣ter; which tho' it be hurried forceably and abun∣dantly through the Pores of the Load stone, yet by its passage takes nothing from the Magnet, nay, rather its virtue by this free communication thereof, is much increased.

XXXI. By what Efficiency Glass and Amber draw to them bits of Straw and Stub∣ble. And here, seeing that besides the Load-stone there be some other things that draw to them out∣ward Bodies, such as Glass, Amber, Jet, Dia∣monds, which attract bits of Straw and Stubble; it will not be amiss to say something of them. And first concerning Glass; it seems probable that besides those Intervals, which in other Bodies give a free passage to the Matter of the first Element, there be some Long pores like unto slits, and so narrow, that they are only fit to admit the Matter of the first Element, without being capacious enough to receive the Globuli of the second Ele∣ment. And forasmuch as the Matter of the first Element, accommodates it self, as hath been said, to the Pores through which it passeth, and assumes their figures, as it is wandring through those little Slits or Chinks, it becomes turned into certain Wreaths or Twists; which because of the various disposition of the parts of Air, being not able to penetrate its Pores, do remain in their own lodging, and there move from one Chink to another by a Circular motion. So that when a piece of Glass is rubb'd hard and swiftly against some other Body till it grow hot, the particles lodged in the Glass are by this agitation first thrust out of their places, and so being driven from the Glass, and flying through the Air, penetrate the Pores of other Bodies: But because they cannot so freely course it between their parts, they soon return to the Glass again, and carry along with them those small Bodies, out of whose Cavities they cannot extricate themselves. And the fame may be said of Diamonds, Amber, Jet, Rosin, Sealing-Wax, and the like, since we suppose the same Intervals or Pores in them, viz. such as only can admit the Matter of the first Element, and that their Par∣ticles have the same force to enter the Pores of Bodies, and of carrying them along with them.

CHAP. XI. Of Water.

I. What Wa∣ter is. WATER is a congested Mass of Particles of the Third Element, which are very thin. longish, smooth, and therefore very flexible, resem∣bling small plying Cords, disposed to bend and yield every way.

II. The Parti∣cles of Wa∣ter are smooth. That the Particles of Water are smooth, may easily appear by Bodies that are wetted therewith; which with the least degree of Heat, or with the motion of the Air only are dried. For the Parti∣cles of Water are by this means separated, and by force of the Motion of Heat, or the Agitation of the Air, driven out from the Bodies to which they were joyned. Hence it is, that Water is not frozen without some difficulty; for its Particles being smooth, are readily separated from one another, by the Agitation of the Aethereal matter.

III. That the Particles of the Water are in conti∣nual moti∣on. Now that these Watry particles are in continual motion, besides what we have already cleared in our General Physiology, may be proved by these Instances, viz. that Liquors pour'd together do readily mingle; that Oil and Water, by strong shaking, become incorporated together; that Co∣lours and Tastes are, as it were, in an instant dif∣fus'd through all the parts of them, and other such like, which occur to our daily Experi∣ence.

IV. Whence Water hath its Liqui∣dity. Forasmuch as the Subtil matter is in perpetual motion, and never ceaseth to agitate the Bodies, through which it passeth; it needs not seem strange to us, that it should make the Water Liquid, seeing it moves all its Particles one by one, and bends them one upon another. And on the contrary,

[illustration]

[illustration]

Book. I. Part. VI. Chap: XI.

The Honourable S^r. Richard Haddock Knight Comptroller of their Majesties Navy Royall &c.^a.

This Plate is humbly Dedicated by Richard Blome.

when this its Force is hindred (which chiefly hap∣pens in Winter time, because of the Suns distance) the parts of the Water being promiscuously hudled together, and without order heap'd upon one ano∣ther, remain immovable, and constitute that which we call Ice. Which Consistence of the Parts, is the Reason why Frozen Liquors are so cold, for that their Parts being deprived of the agitation of the Subtil matter are closely joyned, and there∣fore cannot admit any greater particles of the said matter or heat.

V. How Wa∣ter becomes turn'd to Ice. Water is never frozen, but when the Heavenly matter which runs betwixt the Watry Particles, becomes more subtil than is customary; by which means it comes to pass, that the Pores of the Ice being reduced to the measure of these lesser particles of that matter, do shut out those that are never so little bigger. For which Reason it is that Ice is extream cold, and always keeps its Hardness, tho' it be kept till the midst of Summer. Neither doth it grow soft by little and little, as Wax doth, for∣asmuch as by reason of the narrowness of its pores, the heat cannot enter into the Inner parts of it, but as the Outward parts of it begin to melt.

VI. Some parts of the VVater are flexible, and others inflexible. There are two sorts of particles in the Water, Flexible and Inflexible: The Flexible particles are those, which are agitated by the Heavenly matter that surrounds them; and of these, Fresh-water is composed. These Flexible particles have no Ela∣stick force, and apply'd to the Nerves that are disperst through the Tongue, they produce no Taste; for wherever they meet with the least resistance they slip away. The Inflexible parts of the Water are stiff and sharp, like so many Swords, and these constitute Salt. As appears from what hath been said before.

VII. Why Salt water pricks the Tongue. Hence we may see the Reason, why Salt-water as it were pricks the Tongue; for since the Saline particles cannot be made to ply or bend, by the subtil Matter which surrounds them, they con∣tinue stiff, and as so many sharp-pointed Needles enter the pores of the Tongue, and entring, prick them with their Points: Whereas the parts of Fresh-water lye smooth upon the Tongue, and touch it not with their Points, but with their Sides.

VIII. Salt-water is more heavy than Fresh-water, and lighter than Earth. It also appears from what hath been said, why Salt-water is more heavy than Fresh, viz. because it abounds with thicker and more solid Parts, which therefore cannot be resolved into Vapours: For the Saline particles being long and strait, they cannot long continue suspended in the Air, but that one end of them must hang downwards, which is an obstacle to their mounting upwards. But Water, whether Salt or Fresh, is lighter than the Earth; because quantity for quantity, it hath less Force to withdraw it self from the Center of its motion, than the Earth.

IX. Why Wa∣ter is transpa∣rent. Water is made Transparent by the Globuli of the second Element, which continually passing through the pores of it, and being of sufficient force to remove some of its particles, by this means easily form therein passages fitted for the trans∣mission of Light. And as for those Liquors which are dark and troubled, the Reason thereof is, because their parts are too thick to admit the Globuli of the second Element. As is apparent in Blood and Quicksilver.

X. Why the Surface of the Water is smooth and even. The Surface of the Water is kept smooth and even, by the motion of the Air, which continually presseth down its Outward parts; whence it is that small Needles being laid softly upon the Sur∣face of it do not sink, but make a kind of hollow under them; but when once the surface of the Water is divided, they immediately sink to the bottom.

XI. Why the Water is not so fit to receive Sounds, as the Air. Tho' the Water do admit the Light, as well as the Air, as being capable of the Rectilineal pres∣sure of the Matter of the second Element, conti∣nually passing through its Pores; yet is it not so susceptive of Sounds as the Air, because its parts are thicker and more slowly moved. Hence it is that Vessels fill'd with Air being struck upon yield a Sound; but not those that are full of any Liquor. And for the same Reason, dry Wood is more susceptive of Sound, than Green-wood; be∣cause the pores of Dry-wood have the same respect to those of Green-wood, as an Empty Vessel hath to one that is full; the pores of the Dry-wood being open and empty, whereas the other are stopt up.

XII. Whence the saltness of the Sea pro∣ceeds. It is a Question much canvas'd, whence the Saltness of the Sea proceeds? Which may be thus answer'd, That the same is caused by the Salt which is mingled with its Waters: For Sea-water abounds with Salt, as appears by its distillation; for the Water distill'd from it is sweet, and the Salt remains in the bottom. What some say, that the Sea borrows its saltness from some Veins of Salt, doth not seem probable; because if th••se Veins be near the Water, they must needs have been all dissolved long before this; for Salt immediately dissolves in moisture. And if the waters do not touch them, how shall they communicate their saltness to them? We conclude therefore, that the Sea is salt, and continues so, because it abounds with many inflexible and stiff Parts; which tho' they may get up into the Air for some time, yet by reason of their Thickness, soon fall down thi∣ther again. Which is the Reason also, why they cannot, together with the flexible particles, pass through the Sand, but are left behind.

XIII. The Sea being salt, how come•• it to pass, that Fresh water is found in it? But tho' the Sea be salt, yet Fresh-water hath been sometimes found in the midst of it, and that by reason of the many subterraneous Channels of Fresh-water, which are found at the bottom of it. Thus we see, that the Sea about the shoars, which are near to the Mouths of great Rivers, is less salt; because the Fresh-water of the Rivers over∣powering the Salt-water, continue to be fresh for some distance in the Sea. As may be seen at the Mouth of the River Rhôsne in France, where the Salt-water doth not mingle with its Fresh-water, till at some distance.

XIV. Water is not Natu∣rally cold. We are not to think with some Modern Philo∣sophers, that Water is cold in its own Nature: For tho' it feels cold, when frozen, this only hap∣pens to it from the Rest of its parts, wherein the Nature of Cold consists. But when it is in its Liquid form, it is indifferent to Heat or Cold, as being naturally susceptive of a greater or less de∣gree of Agitation, according to which it appears hot or cold. So that when heated Water, by de∣degrees is reduc'd to its former coldness; this pro∣ceeds not from its Natural propension to Coldness, but because it communicates some part of its Agita∣tion (wherein its heat doth consist) to some Neigh∣bouring

Bodies. And therefore when Hot-water is so close shut up in any Vessel; as to have no Com∣munication with any ambient Bodies, it preserves its heat for a long while. Running-water there∣fore seems to be of such a Temperature, as to be a kind of Mean betwixt the Excess of Heat and Cold; seeing that by great heat it would all vanish into Vapours, and by excess of cold be lock'd up into Ice.

XV. Hot Foun∣tains do not receive their Heat from sub∣terraneous Fires. Supposing, according to what hath been deli∣ver'd before, that the Earth contains great store of Brimstone, Jews-Lime, and other inflammable Bodies, it will not seem strange to us, that Hot-waters or Bathes break forth in several places of the Earth. Nor is it necessary that these Bodies should be actually set on fire, in order to heat the water flowing by them: For it doth not seem probable, that any such matter should be able to flame in the Earth; because the Smoak of it would soon choak it for want of vent, or the surface of the Earth must burst to give it Air. Wherefore it seems more likely, that as of Saltpeter, Brimstone, Jews-Lime, and Quick-Lime Mixtures are made, which by sprinkling water upon them, do grow hot (which happens also to Aqua Fortis and Oil of Tartar, and to Butter of Antimony, and Spi∣rit of Nitre, when put together;) so the like Mixtures may be under the Earth, and the same Heat may happen when any Moisture comes to them.

XVI. But from a Mixture of Hetero∣geneous Bodies. For it is not always necessary that Hot Foun∣tains should proceed from subterraneous Fires, seeing that a mixture of Heterogeneous Bodies is sufficient for this purpose, as being able by Fer∣mentation to produce the same effect. Heat there∣fore is communicated to Hot Bathes, whilst their water passeth through Channels heated by the fumes from Jews-Lime, Brimstone, or the like. For the water, by passing through these Hot places, becomes heated thereby, after the same manner as when water is heated in a Stove.

XVII. The Qua∣lities of Water. Accordingly, if the water of Fountains, before it breaks forth on the surface of the Earth, hap∣pen to pass through Juices and Minerals, it ac∣quires from them their Taste and Smell, and several other qualities. For the strong Scents of some waters are from Brimstone and Jews-Lime, their Bitterness, from Nitre; their Acidity from Coppe∣ras; their Harshness and Adstringency, from A∣lom; their Saltness, from Common Salt; their sharp Taste, from Marchasite or Fire-stone; their Iron taste, from Iron.

XVIII. Waters receive their Medi∣cinal vir∣tue from the Mine∣ral Juices, through which they flow. And forasmuch as those Juices through which these waters flow, abound with a Medicinal vir∣tue, 'tis from them they derive it, and by means thereof are profitable for the Cure of many Diseases. The Purgative virtue that some have being chiefly owing to Brimstone, Salt, or Nitre; the Adstringing faculty of others to Alom, which is made use of by Physicians against Ulcers, Bloody∣fluxes, and Relaxations of the Nerves. Those Waters that have a power of mollifying the Earth, receive it mostly from Brimstone and Jews-Lime. Which is the Cause why Bituminous Bathes are accounted profitable to those who are troubled with the Gout or Ach in their Hips. In like man∣ner Waters are made hurtful, by being imbued from some Metallick Bodies; such are those which have received a taint from Lead, or Quicksilver, or are infected with a petrifying Juice, or of some middle Mineral, as that of Antimony; and there∣fore causing Vomitings, and Scourings. And, in a word, whatsoever Waters exert any special Opera∣tion on the Body of Man, have it derived from Subterraneous matters.

CHAP. XII. Of the Ebbing and Flowing of the Sea.

I. The Ebbing and Flow∣ing of the Sea is pro∣portion'd in time, accor ding to the Motion of the Moon. BY the Sea-Tide we understand the Ebbing and Flowing of the Sea, which twice hap∣pens in the time of 24 hours, and about 50 minutes. The Sea-Tide is Regular, tho' it do not happen at the same time, nor after the same manner in all places. For the Sea swells as oft as the Moon passeth our Meridian, whether above or under our Horizon; and it falls again, when the Moon is on the Horizon, whether it riseth or sets: For we find, that the Sea in its motion keeps a propor∣tion of Time with the Moon; for as the Moon riseth every day 3 Quarters of an Hour and 5 Mi∣nutes later••, so at the same Interval doth the Sea rise.

II. What the Sea-Tide is. For the Flowing of the Sea is nothing else, but the motion of the Sea-water towards the Shoars, in about Six Hours time: And the Ebbing; is the motion of the said Waters from the Shoars, Sea-ward, in other Six Hours time.

III. The Tide is not the same in all Seas. The Tide is not the same in all Seas; but in some the same is greater, and in others less, yea, in some the Tide is verry inconsiderable, or none at all. In some places the Flowing of the Sea, is equal to its Ebbing, in others greater and in others less. The greatest variety of Tides is at the Ae∣quinoxes and Solstices, as also at the different As∣pects of the Moon: Thus at the Full and New Moon the Tide runs highest, as it is least at the Quarters. This is observ'd in almost all the Shoars of Europe, which the Ocean beats upon. But the Flood is always so much the greater, and comes the slower, by how much the Shoars against which they beat, lye more towards the North; and on the contrary is scarcely sensible between the Tropicks.

IV. The Opinion of the Ancients, and some of the Peri∣pateticks, concerning the Cause of the Sea-Tide. The Ancients, to give a Reason of all these Appearances, feigned the World to be a great Ani∣mal, which by breathing through its Nostrils, placed by them at the bottom of the Sea, did cause the Sea to rise and fall. But this Monster is long since vanish'd into a Chymoera. Some of the later Philosophers, Peripateticks, and others say, that this Reciprocation of the Sea proceeds from an Occult quality. But what is this else, but a Pro∣fession of their Ignorance, and that in plain terms they do not know the Thing they pretend to Ex∣plicate? At this rate, it is an easie matter to ex∣plain all the Mysteries of Nature. For that which is hid is not known; and indeed we know no Effects, but such as we can demonstrate by their proper Causes.

V. The Opini∣on of Gali∣laeus, and of some others. Some attribute this Effect to the Agitation of the Saline particles of the Sea-water, by the moderate heat of the Moon. GALILAEUS, to the multifarious and unequal motion of the Earth. But these their Opinions are overthrown by this Observation, that neither of them gives the least probable Reason of these motions in the upper

Hemisphere, when the Moon is in the lower; and on the contrary. The latter Opinion is indeed the better of the two, but somewhat obscure, and not altogether consonant to Reason; because it attri∣butes less to the Moon than her due, who certainly hath a great stroak in this matter.

VI. Some things supposed for the bet∣ter under∣standing of the Sea-Ti••e. For the understanding of the true Cause of the Sea-Tide, some things are to be presupposed.

First, That the Course of the Moon, and of the rest of the Planets is Elliptical, not perfectly Round. And this is granted by all who suppose the Heavens to be fluid.

Secondly, That whilst the Earth is whirl'd about from West to East, in the Center of her * 1.14Vortex ABCD, the Moon is carried in the outward Surface or Circumference of the said Vor∣tex, and in a Months Space absolves her Course.

Thirdly, That when the Moon is plac'd at B, the Heavenly matter will be more strong between B, and 6, than between 8 and D; because it there flows through a narrower Space, by reason of the Moons presence; and therefore the place of the Earth, which is determin'd by the force of the Circumfluent matter, will also be changed, that is, the Earth will withdraw towards D, till the force be equal on both Sides.

VII. The true Cause of the Sea-Tide. These things presuppos'd, let us consider the Fi∣gure where the Elliptick ABCD represents the Vor∣tex of the Earth, in the midst whereof the Earth EFGH is placed. The Circle B ☽, the Globe of the Moon; 1 2 3 4, the surface of the Sea; and 5 6 7 8, the Air, which surrounds the Sea. This suppos'd, we may easily understand that the Rising and Falling of the Sea must proceed from the presence of the Moon. For seeing that all places are fill'd with Bodies, and that the same portion of Matter is preserv'd every where; it follows that New Bodies cannot be admitted into them, except thereby other Bodies be compressed, so that they that come in must thrust the others out of their places, and force them to betake them∣selves elsewhere. Which happens here by reason of the Lunar Globe B ☽; for the Moon being a great Body, and requiring a large Space to dilate it self in, she cannot ascend upon our Horizon, without lessening the Interval that is betwixt her and the surface of the Earth, and by this means forcing the Coelestial matter to flow more swiftly; and consequently pressing as well the surface of the Air 5 6 7 8, as that of the Water 1 2 3 4 the more, which being fluid Bodies, do readily yield to the said pressure.

VIII. An Obje∣ction an∣swer'd. It is of no weight, to say that the Air and Hea∣venly matter move more slowly in the great Dia∣meter, even then when the Moon takes up a part of it, than they move in the little Diameter, when the Moon is without the same: For it is enough, if the passage only of the Air and Coelestial matter be more straitned in the great Diameter, when the Moon is in it, than it is when she is not, to cause the Waters that are in this Diameter to be driven towards the Poles, and so by this means to cause an Ebbing and Flowing.

IX. The pre∣sence of the Moon pres∣seth the Water and the Air in tw•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 parts Forasmuch therefore as it is manifest, that the Earth EFGH is kept in, and determin'd to the same place, by the equal pressure of the subtil Matter that surrounds it; it cannot be conceived, how that part of the surface of the Earth, which is opposite to the Moon, existing in the Point B, should be more pressed, without conceiving at the same time, that the Matter of the Heaven must push the Earth out of its place, thrusting it for∣wards to the opposite part D, until the Earth, about the Point 8, be pressed after the same manner, as about 6. Wherefore there are two streights, B and 6, and D and 8, made in this Vortex or Hea∣ven, which are diametrically opposite to each other, viz. the one betwixt the Moon ☽, and the Earth T; and the other between the Earth T, and D.

X. How the Howing of the Sea is caused. Whilst therefore the Coelestial matter, which moves round about the Earth, moves more swiftly in these Streights, one whereof is betwixt the Earth T, and the Moon B; and the other betwixt the same Earth T, and the opposite part D. It presses the Sea 2 and 4, and drives it from thence towards those places that are free from this Pression, that is, towards G and E; where swelling by the force of its own Heaviness, it is driven towards the Shoars.

XI. The Sea-Tide must happen twice in a day. And because the Circumvolution of the Earth about its own Center, is performed in 24 Hours, if we divide its surface into Four parts EFGH, that part of it which is at F, where the Sea is lowest, because of the presence of the Moons Body, 6 Hours hence will be in G, over against the Point C. where it is highest; and after 6 Hours more at H, and so on. Whence it follows, that the Sea-water must of necessity flow and ebb every 12 Hours, in one and the same place. And be∣cause the Moon every Day runs 12 Degrees to∣wards the East, the Tide must be retarded, that is, come later by almost an Hour: For tho' the Earth be carried about in 4 Hours, and must at a certain time bring back the same part of the Ocean; yet because it must also run over those 12 Degrees, which the Moon hath run through before it can bring back that part of the Ocean, and oppose the same to the Body of the Moon, so it is that the Tide happens every day about 50 minutes later; and consequently between the two Tides that happen every day, there is the difference of 25 minutes.

XII. Why the Waters return to the Paral∣lel, above which the Moon moves. It is easie to apprehend, that if the Earth and Moon were immovable, the Waters that have been prest towards the Poles, would not return from thence; forasmuch as they would be held there by the same Cause that hath push'd them thither: But seeing that the Earth and the Moon are in a perpetual motion, it will follow of necessity, that the Waters which have been thrust from the Pa∣rallel which is under the Moon towards the Poles, must return afterwards by their own weight, from the Poles towards the Parallel, above which the Moon is, at that time when the parts, from whence they have been driven, are no longer opposite to the Moon.

XIII. Why the Tide is longer in 〈…〉〈…〉 the 〈…〉〈…〉 th•• 〈…〉〈…〉 an•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fore is greater there. It is apparent also, why the Tide must come later to the Northern Shoars, than to those that are further from the North; for seeing that the moved Waters are driven from the South part to the North, they must of necessity reach the nearer Shoars before those that are further off: And because the Waters that beat the Shoars near to the Torrid Zone, may pass further and flow toward the Poles, except they be hindred by the Northern Coasts, it comes to pass by this means, that the Tide is greater and more sensible in that part which is at a greater distance from the Aequi∣noctial Line; because the Waters about the Ae∣quator,

by reason of the largeness of the Circle, are diffused towards the Poles, that they may be gather'd together in a narrower Region.

XIV. An Obje∣ction an∣swer d. But if any one Object here, That the Waters, in the space of 6 Hours, which is the time of the Duration of the flood, cannot flow from the Tro∣pick to the Poles; and thence conclude, that the swelling of the Sea towards the Northern parts, cannot be an effect of the pressing of the Moon betwixt the Tropicks. I answer, That in order to make the Sea swell towards the North, it is not necessary that the Waters, betwixt the Tropicks, should go to the Poles; but that it is sufficient, if they only drive away those that are nearest; and that these again drive others before them, and so on to the last; which may be done in less than 6 Hours time, because the Sea is a continuous Body.

XV. Why the greatest Tides are about the Aequinoxes. Now the Body of the Moon continuing of the same Thickness, takes up more of the narrow Space, when she is in the less Diameter, than she does of the larger Space, when she is in the greater Dia∣meter; and therefore it matters not whether she be in her farthest distance from the Earth, or in her nearest; because at either time she makes the Space of the Vortex wherein she is streighter or more narrow; and it is only her presence over against the Earth that is the Cause of the Tide, and not her nearness to it. And this furnisheth us with the true Reason, why the highest Tides are at the Aequinoxes; because at the Beginnings of Aries and Libra, the Moon more directly acts upon the Earth, and presseth it accordingly, foras∣much as its Plain at both those times doth not de∣cline from the Plain of the Aequator of the Earth, above 5 Degrees. For then the middlemost part of the Earth, or the Aequator, is in the Ecliptick, near to which the Moon always continues; and consequently the Space being there narrower, the pressure must be so much the greater. But at the time of the Solstices, she declines 23 Degrees and 30 Minutes from the Plain of the Earths Aequa∣tor. Seeing therefore that from the former direct Opposition, doth follow a great Pressure of the Air and Water, it is no wonder if about that time the greatest Tides do happen.

XVI. Why the Tides are greater at New and Full Moon, than at the Quar∣ters. So likewise it is manifest, why the Tides at New and Full Moon are greater, than at the Quarters. For the Vortex ABCD, wherein the Moon is, is not exactly round, but somewhat Elliptical, and leaves a greater Space betwixt the Earth and its Circumference, about A, and C, than about B, and D. And therefore seeing the Diameter, wherein the Moon is when she is New or Full, is narrower than that which intersects it at right Angles, it must follow, that when the Moon is in those narrower streights of Heaven, she must with more force press the interfluent Matter, and con∣sequently produce greater Tides. But in the Quarter of the Moon about A and C, the Tides are less; because the Moon is then in those more ample Spaces, and consequently there must be a less pressure of the Waters.

XVII. An Obje∣ction an∣swer'd. It signifies nothing therefore to say, that the Moon is not always nearer to the Earth, when she is in Conjunction or Opposition, than when she is in her Quarters; and that consequently the Tides ought not to be greater at the Conjunctions or Oppositions, than at the Quarters: Because, as I have before ob∣served, the highest Tides do not precisely depend upon the Moons being nearer to the Earth; but because at the Conjunctions and Oppositions the Moon is always in the least Diameter of the Ellipsis; where, whensoever she is, be she nearer to, or further from the Earth, she always more streight∣ens the passage of the Air and Heavenly matter, than she doth when she is in the greatest Diameter of the Ellipsis.

XVIII. Why the greatest Tides are three days after the New and Full Moon. The greatest Floods commonly happen 3 days after the New and Full Moons, because of the Dis∣position the Sea-water is in at that time, to be moved more than ordinary: For having been strongly moved the two foregoing days, it is no wonder to find the Tides still to increase for 2 days after that the Sea hath received its greatest Impul∣sion from the Moon.

XIX. The Cause of the various Tides in the Sea, proceeds from the different situation of the several places, It remains still to be explained, how it comes to pass, that seeing the Moon is the common Cause of all Tides, there is a great variety of them to be observed in the Ocean. To clear this Diffi∣culty, I say, that this variety of Tides is often to be attributed to the Sea-shoars, which according as they are nearer or more remote, so the Waters reach them sooner or later. Wherefore, if the Sea about the Aquitain shoar flows 7 Hours, and ebbs but 5; and on the contrary, if near Canada, it flows 5 Hours, and ebbs 7; if on the shoars of Guinea in Africa, it flows 4 Hours, and ebbs 8. If at Venice the Tide rises many Foot high, and at Ancona nothing at all, or very little, this depends on the diversity of the situation of those Coasts. Of this we have an Instance in the Banks of Rivers, between which, according to the difference of their situation, the Water runs either headlong, or glides away smoothly; runs winding and turning, or takes a strait course. The Aquitain Sea there∣fore is longer a flowing, than it is ebbing; whereas on the Belgick shoar, the Flood and Ebb is equal, because of the different degrees of their Steepness and Declining. So likewise at Venice, and on the Coast of Syria, the Tide riseth much higher than with us; because the former places are situate, as it were, at the end of the Channel; whereas the latter are in the midst of it: For it is manifest, that the rising or falling of the Water shaken in a Vessel, is only perceived at the Extream parts of the Vessel; whereas in the Middle there is nothing to be perceived, but an equal and simple flowing of the Water.

XX. And fr•••• the vari∣ous pression of the the Moon. But to determine something more particularly about this Diversity of Tides, we are to take no∣tice, that the motion of the Waters chiefly depends on this, That in that vast Tract of the Sea, there be some peculiar places where the Waters are very much pressed, because of the Moons presence; and others again, where no force at all seems to be put upon them: Which makes that the Waters are driven to those places where there is no pressure, and so arise there against the Shoars, and make a Flood. Wherefore, if there be any Waters in the Sea, which because of the inconsiderableness of their Extension, are all over cover'd by the Body of the Moon, they must needs be so equally prest in all their parts, as that no Rising or Falling can be perceived in them. Thus those Lakes, Pools, and Rivers that are between the Tropicks, have no Tides, seeing that because of the smalness of their surfac••, compar'd with the Bulk of the Moon, they cannot be sensibly prest one way more than another.

[illustration]

[illustration]

Book. 1. Part. 6. Chap. 13

G. Freman. In.

I. Kip. Scul

To Captaine Thomas Newman•• of Iver in the County of Buckingham Gent.

This Plate is humbly Dedicated by Ric: Blome

XXI. Why some Seas suffer no Tides. Wherefore it is no wonder, if in the Baltick Sea, the Dead Sea, and the Euxine Sea, no Tides at all are perceived; because those Seas have no enter∣course with the Ocean; or if any of them have any communication with it, it is by such narrow passages, that the agitation of the Sea can have no great force upon them.

XXII. The meeting of Waters, a Cause of the diffe∣rence of of Tides. To this Diversity of Tides, the various Meet∣ings of Waters, and difference of Winds, which differently agitate them, and drive them one against another, do much contribute. For the Sea flows continually from East to West, which those who fail from Spain to the West Indies have Experience of; for they frequently perform this Voyage in 30 Day,; whereas in their Return, they spend no less than 3 Months, because the Course of the Sea is against them, and runs Westward. And the same is observ'd by those who sail from Lisbon to Brazile.

XXIII. Why the Gulf of Venice flows to∣wards the West. If you Object, That the quite contrary to this is found in the Gulf of Venice; for the Sailers tell us, that when they are over against Epirus and Dalmatia, they perceive that the Waters are car∣ried with a strong Stream Westward, towards Venice; and that when they are near the Coast of Italy, they are carried Eastward, towards the Morea. I Answer, That these motions of the Waters are caused by Rivers, which from subter∣raneous Cavities flow into the Sea; which in their coming forth, do with great Violence push forwards the water of the Sea that meets them, and divert it from its Course. Or else those Rivers, being beaten back by the VVater of the Sea, are forc'd to turn their motion, and to run another way.

XXIV. An Obje¦ction against the foresaid Explica∣tion, of the Ebbing and Flowing of the Sea. But against this Explication of the Ebbing and Flowing of the Sea, it is Objected, First, That if the Moon did drive the Waters from between the Tropicks towards the Poles, it would follow, that when the Moon is in the Meridian, it would be Low-water in that part which was opposite to it, and High-water towards the Poles; whereas Experience shews the contrary, viz. that the Tide comes in when the Moon approacheth to the Me∣ridian, and that the water falls, as she withdraws from it.

XXV. Answer'd. I Answer, That when the Moon is in the Meridian, the Sea must be low precisely in that place which is over against it; but it doth not follow therefore, that it must be High-water under the Poles, but only that it must be High-water between the Tropicks and the Poles, and so it is. For we find by Experience, that the Sea increaseth from about the Tropicks, to the most Northern part of England; and that from thence, towards the Poles, it increaseth no more. Whence it is, that in the Northern Ocean, from about the Latitude of about 65 Degrees, to the Poles, there is no Flood nor Ebb at all.

XXVI. A second Objection against this Expli∣cation of the Tide. In the Second place it is Objected, That the Coelestial matter which follows the Moon, and which moves somewhat swifter than she doth, from West to East, doth not only run under the Moon, but also above it, and on the sides of it; so that that part of the Sea, over against which the Moon is, will be no more pressed than the rest.

XXVII. Answer'd. For Answer: It is certain that the Heavealy matter which follows the Moon, and is in a ten∣dency to go somewhat swifter than she doth, from West to East, doth not all of it flow under the Moon, but that a part of it passeth above it, and on the sides of it; yet doth not this hinder, but that the Way of the said matter under the Moon is more streightned, which is sufficient to make the Sea to be more pressed in that part, than in all the rest.

XXVIII. There is a threefold Tide. From what hath been said, we may gather, that there is a Threefold Tide, according to the diffe∣rence of Times, viz. a Daily, Monthly, and Yearly Tide.

The Daily Tide is that, whereby the Sea in 24 Hours time doth twice approach to the same Shoar, and as many times retires again in this order, That the Tide of the Day following falls about 50 minutes later, than that of the Day fore∣going.

The Monthly Tide consists in this, that the Daily Tide increaseth twice in a Month, viz. about the New and Full Moon, and twice decreaseth, viz. in the Quadrate Aspects of the Moon.

The Yearly Tide consists in this, that the Monthly Tide twice in a Year riseth higher than ordinary, viz. at both the Aequinoxes, and as often decreaseth, viz. at the Solstices. Wherefore if these 3 Periods be compared with the Daily and Yearly motion of the Earth, it will seem impossible, they are the words of GALILAEUS, in the 4th Dialog. System. Mundani, That Naturally there should be any Tide, supposing the Earth to stand immovable, without betaking ones self to the absolute Power of GOD, and conclude, that the Sea-Tide is a supernatural Effect.

CHAP. XIII. Of the Air.

I. Of the Atmosphere. THe AIR, according to the Order of Nature, follows the Earth and Water, to the Surfaces whereof it adheres and is joyned. The Astrono∣mers call that part of Heaven, Air, into which the Vapours and Exhalations ascend. And be∣cause all those Exhalations, which are continually breath'd forth from the Earth and Sea, are by the pressing of the Subtil matter, dispos'd into a Round surface (at least as far as the agitation of those Bodies will permit) they gave the Name of At∣mosphere to those Vapours. It is various, accord∣ing to the diversity of Heat and Cold, and of the Vapours themselves; and from thence proceeds a various Refraction and Reflexion of the Rays of the Sun and Moon, and the other Stars in the Air.

II. There is a twofold Substance in the Air. Accordingly we are to distinguish a twofold Substance in the Air, viz. one Native and Primi∣tive, which hath been from the Beginning of the World, and which is the most pure and thin part of it: And the other Adventitious or Foreign, which consists of the Effluvia's or Steams of other Bodies, according to the difference of Place and Time. Hence the Air is accounted, First, abso∣lutely Pure, when these Steams are not so thick, that they can easily cling together, and thereby lose the form of Air. Secondly, With respect to us, whilst those steams are not so hurtful to our Bodies; such as they are at the time of Epidemical and Contagious Diseases.

III. What the Air is. The Air is a loose Body, fluid and transparent, whose Particles are so small, and so little clinging together, that they may with the least force be separated from the Globuli of the second Element and by a peculiar motion be carried independently about their own Center. The Fluidity of the Air proceeds, from its being compos'd of very subtil and thin Particles; for tho' their irregular Figures seem to dispose them to cling together, yet are they forced to continue separate, because the mi∣nuteness of their Branches makes them yield to the motion of the Subtil matter, which by its great Mobility keeps them disunited, and makes them continue in a Liquid form. And forasmuch as its Particles are thin and disjoyned, every one of them moves independently from any of its Neigh∣bours, and takes up that whole little Sphere, which is needful to its being whirl'd about its own Axis, keeping all other particles out of it.

IV. The Pro∣perty of the Air is to Polish and Smooth. The Air's Property is to polish and smooth moist Bodies, and to keep them from being easily penetrated; as appears in the Water, which easily bears a Steel Needle, or a Pane of Glass, as long as its surface is not broken. Now the Cause of this is, because the Parts of the Air are moved otherways than the Parts of the Water; so that by their rubbing against one another, both their sur∣faces are hardned, and made more unfit to be divided.

V. What Va∣pours and Exhalati∣ons are. But because the more subtil parts of Exhalations do compose the Air, it will not a little conduce to our better understanding of the Nature of the Air, if we explain what Exhalations are, and how they are distinguish'd from Vapours. Vapours therefore are nothing else, but Particles of VVater, which the Heat of the Sun, and the Circular motion of the Earth, have separated from one another, and raised into the Air. And, Exhalations are certain Particles, which by the same Causes have been separated and raised from Earthly Bodies.

VI. How they are said to be raised by the Sun. When it is said▪ that Vapours and Exhalations are raised into the Air by the Sun, it is not so to be understood, as if the Sun did attract them by his Beams (for such an Attraction is unintelligible) but only that at the presence of the Sun, or some other Cause, the Subtil matter which pierceth the Pores of Bodies, doth separate some Particles from them; which finding no other place but the Air, wherein they can move, do tend that way, in a manner not much unlike to that, whereby the Dust, which in Summer time we tread upon with our Feet, mounts upwards, and is raised up into many Clouds, according to the number of those that Tread it.

VII. Another Property of the Air, is to be Rarefied and Con∣densed. The Air, and all Vapours, are easily condensed and rarefied, according as they are more or less agitated. They become Rarefied, when they are more swiftly than ordinary tossed by the Heat: For seeing their Particles are flexible, the least commotion doth dilate them, and then they require a greater Space to continue their motion in. Again, they become Condensed, when they cease to be agitated by Heat; for then their Particles cling to∣gether, and are comprest by Cold: For nothing else can be understood by Heat, but the Agitation of the minute Particles of Bodies; as by Cold, th•• Diminution or Cessation of that motion.

VIII. The Air being com∣prest, hath the power of spring∣ing back. The Air that is forceably comprest in any Vessel, hath a power of springing back (which is called its Elastick virtue,) and of extending it self into a larger space. By which means Instruments are made, which, with the help of the Air only, drive the Water upwards, as we see in Artificial Fountains; and others, that shoot Darts, like Bows. The Cause whereof is, for that when the Air is thus compressed, each of its spherical Particles hath not sufficient place left it, wherein to perform its Circular motion, by reason of the crowding in of other Bodies: And forasmuch as at the same time, the agitation of these Particles is continued, by the motion of the Heavenly matter perpetually flowing about those parts, it can be no otherwise, but they must hit against one another, and push each other out of their places; and thus at last, all of them together, make a strong push for it, to acquire a larger space.

IX. Air con∣dens'd is more heavy than that which is rarefied. Condensed Air is more heavy, than that which is Rarefied; because it contains less Heavenly matter. We may Experience this, by filling a Bladder first with a little, and rarefied Air; and afterwards with much, and condensed Air.

The Di∣stance of the Air from the Eart••, is uncertain. From the Greater or Lesser Agitation, or Rare∣faction and Condensation of the Air, we conclude, that the Compass of the Air is greater in Summer than in Winter; and therefore that what is com∣monly said, that the furthest distance of the Air from the Earth is of 52 Italian miles, is vain and uncertain. And the same is to be said concerning the three Regions of the Air, and their several Bounds; as when they ascribe to the Lowest Region, the height of half an Italian mile; to the Middle∣most, of three and an half; and to the Highest, the heigth of 48 miles. For seeing there are no cer∣tain Bounds whereby these Regions are discrimi∣nated, it is a Fond undertaking, to go about to determine their Limits.

XI. The Air is Heavy. Another Property of the Air is Heaviness. For as we find that the VVater presseth the bot∣tom it lies upon; so likewise the Air, which en∣compasseth the Earth, doth press it on every side; and so much the more vehemently presseth it, by how much it is nearer to the Earth: As appears in a Bag-Pipe or Bladder fill'd with Air, which thereby becomes heavier than it was before. The same also may be proved, by the running of Quicksilver out of a Pipe that is stopt at the Top; for the Quicksilver changeth its height, according as it is carried along a low, or high place; so as to be depress'd deeper in a high place, and mount up higher in a low place.

XII. Why the weight of the Air is not selt. If you demand, How comes it then to pass, that we are not sensible of the weight of the Air? I answer, That the Reason is, because there is as great a Force in our Body to resist, as there is in the Heavy Air to press. For our Body being full of Blood and Spirits, doth with no less Force resist the pressure of the surrounding Air; which is the Reason, why the Air with its weight cannot move our Nerves, nor impress a sense of Heaviness upon us.

XIII. Whence the Heaviness of the Air proceeds. Now the Heaviness of the Air, is to be ascrib'd to the watry Particles that are mingled with it; because that part of it which is diffus'd about the Earth, and reacheth to some certain distance, doth approach to the Nature of a watry Vapour, espe∣cially when many steams are mix'd with it. Yea, if we may believe some Men, Thick Air is not

only fill'd with Steams from the Earth and Water; but receives also the Breathings of all other Bodies, and abounds with their Spirits.

XIV. Why the Lower Re∣gion of the Air is hot∣ter than the higher. The Region of the Air, which is nearest to the Earth, is hotter than that which is at a good di∣stance from it; because the Solar Rays being more copiously reflected from the compact Body of the Earth, do produce a greater agitation of its Par∣ticles. And therefore it is that the higher Region of the Air is cold, where Clouds, Snow and Rain are generated; because the Rays that are reflected from the Earth, do not so copiously mount up to it.

XV. The Air is not Moist, as the Peri∣pateticks suppose. The Peripateticks hold the Air to be Moist, but without any sufficient ground, that ever I could understand; save only, because they thought it convenient to attribute two of their invented Qua∣lities to the Air, which they call an Element. For tho' the Air be sometime called Moist, this doth not suppose it to have an Essential Humidity; but is so denominated, because of those Watry par∣ticles resolv'd into Vapours, that are joyn'd with it; which, when they are removed, it is called Dry: In which condition it cannot be turn'd into Water, no not by the most extream Cold.

CHAP. XIV. Of the Elastick or Spring like Force of the Air.

I. What a Spring is. BY the word SPRING is commonly under∣stood, that whereby a thing that is forceably bent and reduc'd to a less Extension, doth explicate it self again, and strive to return to its former Expansion.

II. Wherein the Ela∣stick or Spring-like force of Bodies doth consist. This Elastick, or Spring-like Force in Bodies, proceeds from the Subtil or Aethereal matter; for when any hard Body, by Example, the Blade of a Sword is bent, its parts are by this means de∣flected from the Convex or Jetting-side of the Blade, and approach nearer on the Concave or Hollow-side of it; by which means the Pores on this side, must needs be made more narrow. Now because the Subtil Matter cannot exert its Force, to return through those parts of the bended Body, it passeth through; but strives at the same time, to reduce the parts thereof to that state wherein they were before, it must necessarily follow, that this Body must fly back.

III. The Air is easily Con∣densed and Rarefied. This Affection is most peculiar to the Air; which being nothing else, but a company of thin Particles of the third Element, which comply with the motions of the Heavenly matter, becomes easily condens'd; not only when by the decrease of Heat, and the less agitation of its parts, they do not with so great Force push against one another, as before they did; but also because they are shut up within the parts of another Body, which com∣press them more than ordinary. And on the con∣trary, the Air is as easily Rarefied, as soon as those Causes are removed, which reduc'd it to a less Space. Whether this happens by means of Heat let into its Pores, if before it was condensed by Cold; or by opening the Prison wherein it was shut up before, if by Compression only it was re∣duced to a less Bulk.

IV. The Air can be Rarefied and Con∣densed di∣vers ways. For the Air can be dilated three several ways, either by its Elastick virtue, whereby it resists its being Comprest; or by the Force wherewith the Subtil matter strives to enter again into the Pores, whence it hath been driven away; or, lastly, by the extream Agitation of the said Matter, which moving the parts of the Air more strongly than ordinary, causeth it to extend it self farther. And on the contrary, the Air becomes condensed, either because it is pressed; or, because the Subtil matter, which before moved its Particles, is slipt away from them; or, because the said matter having lost part of its Agitation, hath no more the Force to move them as much as it did before, which makes them to lye more close together.

V. The Action whereby the Air flies back like a Spring, is very sud∣den. But we are to take notice, that this Dilatation, whereby the Air removes all Obstacles that com∣press it, is and must be very sudden; because its parts, which before could not move without cling∣ing together, do then with joynt Forces leap back, and by the force of the Heavenly Globuli, continually flowing about them, make an assault together, in order to take up a larger Space. There are various Experiments that are founded on this Affection of the Air, which we admire in Artificial Fountains, and Wind Guns, which shoot Leaden-bullets, and other things.

VI. An Exam∣ple of an Artificial Fountain. For let the Air be comprest in the Pneumatick Vessel, the lower part of it being fill'd with Water, and the Water will spout out thence with so great force, that it will surpass almost any supposed height. For Example, Let the Pneumatick Vessel be ABC, the lower part whereof BC contains Water, and the superiour BAC Air; which being crowd∣ed into it by the Pipe AD, at several times; let it be comprest, as is wont, in the upper Cavity BAC; * 1.15then let the Tube▪ or Pipe AD be well stopt, by turning the Key of the side Pipe, appearing above B. This supposed, if the Key of the greater Pipe DA be open'd, the Water will spout forth through the said Pipe with great force to E, being forc'd upwards by the compr••st and condensed Air. And forasmuch as the Air is still capable of greater degrees of Compression, it is certain that the Air may also be push'd upwards with still greater and greater force.

The Reason of this Experiment is this, that the Particles of Air contained in the Pneumatick Vessel, being thin, and separate from each other, do yield to the motions of the Globuli of the second Ele∣ment: But when these Globuli are by some force thrust out, the Particles of the Air are forc'd to come nearer together, and entangle one another, so as that they can no longer whirl round, as they were us'd to do. Now being toss'd about by the Subtil matter, they with their Corners hit one against another, and thrust each other out of their place: By which means they so bend their Force, to get more room for themselves, as that by that Effort they spout out the Waters with great force towards E.

VII. Musical Wind Instruments may be play'd upon by the Compression of the Air. And for the same Reason a strong Wind can be excited, by means of the Compression of the Air, which will be able to express all Variety of Sounds. For so we Experience, that even great Organs, by the Pneumatick Art, can play variety of Tunes, without any assistance of a Musicians Hand, to wit, by our blowing into some Pipes, and thereby turning a Wheel, whose

Teeth shall tuneably strike the Keys of the Or∣gan.

VIII. How the Wind-Gun can dis∣charge Leaden Bullets. As for the Wind-Gun, which by means of Air only doth discharge Bullets with an extraordinary Violence, the same may be made after this manner. Suppose CA, in the Figure, to be a Brass Pipe, or Bore; and let the end thereof, marked A, be well stopt, and be furnish'd with its Stock, and with two Keys I and K, so as that one of them may touch the other; and having open'd both the Keys, let a Plug be put in at the Mouth of the Bore C, by the help of a Screw, the Operation * 1.16being several times repeated, in order to a stronger Compression; then let the Key K be shut home, and the other Key I be a little open'd, that by letting in of Air the Plug may be drawn forth; then let a Bullet be put into the Bore, with a little Tow, to keep it in; then open first the Key I, and afterwards K, and there will follow a force∣able explosion or discharge of the Bullet at a great distance, by force of the Comprest Air.

IX. The Com∣pression of the Air raiseth Quicksilver two Foot high, and keeps it so suspended. It is from the same Compression of the Air, that Quicksilver contain'd in a Glass-Pipe, open at one end and stopt at the other, remains suspended 2 Foot and a quarter high; whereas Water is raised to almost 32 Foot. For take a Glass-Pipe AB, 3 Foot long, being open at the one end A, and Hermetically sealed at the other B; let it be fill'd with Quicksilver, and turn'd upside down into the Vessel CD, also full of Quicksilver; it will clearly appear, that the Quicksilver will not sink down to the bottom of the Glass, but will con∣tinue suspended in the same almost 27 Inches high, at E. And the Reason is, because the Quicksilver * 1.17cannot sink lower, but by pressing the Ambient Air, which being already condensed by that which lies upon it, and endeavouring to regain its for∣mer Expansion, strives against it, and by reason of the rowling of its complicated parts, cannot ply or give way. For tho' the Quicksilver be very heavy, yet can it not force the Air, consisting of thickish, vehemently extended, and continually rowling Parts, to a farther Compression.

X. The Air proved to be the Cause of this Effect. Now that this Effect doth wholly depend on the Elastick Power of the Air, may be perceiv'd chiefly by this; because in the Pneumatick Engin, invented by Mr. Boyle, if the Pipe fill'd with Quick∣silver be thrust into other Quicksilver, as soon as the Air is exhausted, the Mercury no longer con∣tinues elevated 27 Inches high, but sinks by de∣grees, and falls into the Vessel. But as soon as the Air is let in again into the Engin, the Quick∣silver riseth again, and takes possession again of its former station.

XI. This Sink∣ing of the Quick∣silver doth vary ac∣cording to the diffe∣rence of Places. Yet we find that the Air hath not the same Force in all Countries, nor resists the weight of Quicksilver alike; but according as the same is purer or more gross, so the sinking thereof is different. For tho' the Air be a Liquid Body, and be so ranged about the Center of the Earth, that its surface is of a Round Figure; yet because about the Poles, by reason of the great Cold it is more condensed, than in other places, it must needs be found there in greater abundance; and consequently must lye more heavily upon the Earth of those Countries, than upon those that are nearer to the Aequinoctial. Upon which ac∣count it is, that the Quicksilver sinks less in the Glass-Pipe, in Holland, Denmark and Sweden, than in France, where the Air is more thin and rarefied; and more at Florence than at Paris: So that in the Year 1643, in which this Experiment was first tried, the Quicksilver in a Weather-Glass, at Florence in Italy, stopt at 2 Foot and almost 3 Inches: At Paris, at 2 Foot 3 Inches and an half; and in Holland, at 2 Foot, and 6 or 7 Inches.

XII. And of the Weather. And not only so, but this Rising and Falling differs also, according to the Change of the Wea∣ther; for we find that the Quicksilver in a Weather-Glass, sinks more in Fair than Rainy weather, and on a high Mountain, than in a low Valley, or any other place, where the Air is more Thick and Gross, and so strives more against the weight laid upon it. For the Air is condensed according to the Proportion of the weight of the Air that is above it, which is always so much the greater, by how much the Air is lower; and consequently it is necessary, that this Virtue be greater in that part of the Air, which is nearer unto the Earth, than in that which is farther from it.

XIII. All the Motions that are commonly attributed to the avoiding of a Va∣cuum, are caused by the Weight of the Air. From this Weight, or Elastick Power of the Air, proceed all those motions which are commonly ascribed to Natures abhorrence from a Vacuum, and may be readily explained by it: For no other Reason can be given why the Water riseth in a Pump, but only this, because it is pressed by the Air, that is about it, and so tends thither, where there is either very little or no pressure at all of the Air, viz. within the Bore of the Pump, out of which the Plug is pull'd; as hath been explained in our General Physicks, by many Instances.

CHAP. XV. Of Meteors in General.

I. What Me∣teors are. WE come now to treat of those things that are generated in the Air, commonly called METEORS: Which are nothing else but certain various impressions made upon the Ele∣ments, exhibiting them sometimes in this, and some∣times in another Form. And because for the most part they appear on high in the Air, they have got the Name of Meteors from their Eleva∣tion.

II. Meteors are Threefold. METEORS are Threefold, viz. Fiery, Airy, and Watry, according to the Predominion of that Element, which is most conspicuous in them.

III. Fiery. FIERY METEORS, are those that con∣sist of a fat, sulphureous kindled Smoak. And these are various, according to the diversity of their Figure, Situation, Motion, and Magnitude. For when a Fat kindled Smoak appears in the form of a lighted Candle, wandring up and down, it is called an Ignis Fatuus, or Will with the Wisp: When it hath the appearance of a Cross Bar or Beam, it is called Trabs; when of a Pillar of Fire standing upright, it is called Ignis Pyramidalis; when its parts are of unequal thickness, the middle parts being thicker and broader, and the ends smaller, 'tis called Draco Volans, that is, a Flying Dragon; when the Fiery Meteor seems to skip like a Goat, appearing sometimes kindled, and at other times extinguish'd, it is called Capra Saltans, that is, a Skipping Goat. But the most wonderful and

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Book. 1. Part. 6. Chap. 16

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To the Honourable John Granville Second Son to the Right Honourable John Earle of Bath &c.^a

This Plate is humbly Dedicated by Richard Blome

terrible of all the rest are Thunder and Lightning, of which hereafter.

IV. Airy. AIRY METEORS, are those which con∣sist of Flatuous and Spirituous Exhalations, such as the Winds are.

V. Watery. WATERY METEORS consist of Va∣pours or Watry Particles, by the Action of Heat separated from each other, and variously modified. These are manifold.

VI. As Clouds, Snow, Rain. For if these Vapours be elevated above the Earth, and hanging in the Air, are either by a West-wind, opposing the ordinary motion of the Vapours Westward; or by Two other Winds, blow∣ing from different Quarters; or by the alone Cold∣ness of the Air, condensed and joyned into some small Icy particles, Clouds are generated. If these Icy particles chance to be resolved by the Heat of the Sun, or of some Wind blowing from a hot Quarter, and the Wind driven together, do entan∣gle with one another like Carded-wool, they make Snow; but if they be wholly melted into Drops, they constitute Rain.

VII. Hail. But when a Cold wind blowing congeals these Drops, when they are either altogether or almost dissolved, they become turned into Hail.

VIII. Mist, Dew, and Hoar-Frost. If the Vapours hover near the Earth, they are called a Mist, which continues either till it be drawn upwards by the Rays of the Sun; or that by its own weight, or some other External Cause, it falls down to the Earth; where, by a less de∣gree of Cold, it is changed into Dew, and by a greater, into Hoar-frost.

IX. Appearing Meteors. There is another sort of Meteors, which are called Appearing; such as are Mock-Suns, Mock-Moons, the Meteor called Virgae, in the appearance of a Fire-brand or Rod, the Rainbow, &c.

X. A Mock-Sun and Mock-Moon. What these are, and how they are formed, take this short account: When the Extremities or Ends of a Snowy Cloud, being dissolved by Heat, are by a supervening Cold wind constipated into thin Ice, and such a Cloud as this happens to be op∣posite to the Sun or Moon, then is the Image of either of them reflected in the said Cloud, as in a Looking-Glass. That of the Sun is called Parelius, or a Mock-Sun; and the other of the Moon, Para∣selene, or a Mock-Moon.

XI. Virgae, a Meteor in the form of a Bun∣dle of Rods. Again, when a watry Cloud is compos'd of Parts, whereof some are more close and compact, and others more loose and lax, and the Sun-beams chance to pierce the more lax and open parts of it, then it exhibits a Meteor, representing a Bundle of Rods, which the Latins call Virgae.

XII. The Rain∣bow. Lastly, If a Cloud be resolved into small Drops, and the same be illustrated by the Sun plac'd over against it, then is form'd a Semi-Circle of divers Colours, called the Rainbow; whereof more here∣after.

CHAP. XVI. Of Meteors in particular; and first, of the Winds, Clouds, and Mists.

I. What Wind is. WIND is a Vapour agitated and rarefied, which by passing from a narrow place, into one that is more large and wide, sensibly drives the Air before it.

II. What is properly to be un∣derstood by the word, Wind. The Name of WIND is improperly attributed to the Agitation caused by a Fan or a Bellows: Neither can Air that is moved or rarefied by Fire, be called a Wind; seeing that the Air may be variously moved, when yet there is no Wind at all; as when Drums are beaten, or great Guns dis∣charged. For we speak here only of a Natural Wind; which is nothing else, as hath been said, but an Agitated Vapour, which being distended, makes its way out of a narrower Space, wherein it was pent up, into a larger; and by this means sensibly driving the Air before it. If there chance to be a meeting of many Vapours together, then, according to the Quantity of Matter, the Wind is so much the greater, and diffuseth it self far and near.

III. Whence Vapours and Exha∣lations do proceed. VAPOURS derive their Original, not only from the surface of the Water, but likewise from the moist Earth, Clouds, Snow, &c. for the parts of these Bodies being not so firmly united, are easily disjoyned, and so break forth into the Air; where meeting with several Exhalations in their way, they together with the Air carry them along with them; because the Air, as well as Exhala∣tions, contribute much to the Force and Violence of Winds. Tho' Vapours proceed promiscuously from the Earth and Water; yet the Sun shining raiseth more of them from the Sea, than from the Earth. And on the contrary, the Earth being heated with the Sun-beams, in the Night time, sends forth more Vapours, than the Sea; because the Earth longer preserves the heat of the Sun, than the Sea. Whence it is, that in the day time Winds are frequently perceived to blow from the Sea, and in the Night time more from the Land; as at Jamaica, and other of the American Islands.

IV. How Winds are raised, by the Example of an Aeo∣lipyle. Forasmuch therefore as the Globe of Earth and Water doth surnish a vast number of Vapours and Exhalations, which for the most dilate themselves between Clouds, Mountains, and other Bodies that are about them, by the force of this their dilatation, they rush from the places where they are streightned, into those where they find more Room and less Obstacles, and there vehemently tossing the Air, produce a Wind; much in the same man∣ner, as we find that VVind is excited in Aeolipyles. Suppose we therefore an Aeolipyle ABCDE of * 1.18Brass, all hollow, with a very narrow Orifice D, by which water is poured into it, the part ABC, to be full of VVater; and other AEC, to contain nothing but Air. This Aeolipyle being set near the Fire, as soon as it is thorough hot, many of the watry Particles begin to whirl round, and being elevated above the surface AC, and variously dashing against one another, rush through the narrow hole D, (where they find the least Resi∣stance) with great Violence, and putting the Air into a great Commotion, they produce a wind from D to F. Thus we may know and judge by this little Instance, of the great and wonderful Causes of VVinds.

V. Mountains compared with Aeo∣lipyles. For the Hollow of Mountains may be com∣pared, to the Cavity of this Aeolipyle: The Heat shut up in the Bowels of the Earth, to that whereby the water in the Aeolipyle becomes di∣lated and elevated: The water, which the Sea by Subterraneous Channels conveys into the Earth, to that which is contained in the said Vessel: And lastly, the Clefts of the Earth, at which the Vapours and Exhalations come forth, to the Orifice

thereof. Only with this difference, that the small∣ness of the Hole in the Aeolipyle causeth the Va∣pours to rush forth with greater violence, than they do from the more open and manifold Clefts of the Earth. Yet doth not this hinder, but that sometimes VVinds may have as violent a Blast, as that which is perceived to rush through the small Hole of the Aeolipyle; because some Mountains are so situated, that the Vapours that come from them, can but go one way, which makes them move with great violence and swiftness. Tho' sometimes also VVinds may rise in those Countries, where there are no Mountains at all, viz. when the Vapours that move from a higher to a lower Place, are by the Clouds or Mists they meet with, forced to discontinue their course, and to turn off side-way.

VI. Which are th Card∣••••al Winds. According to the various parts of the Horizon, or Quarters whence the VVinds blow, they are denominated Cardinal or Cellateral. The Cardi∣nal VVinds are four, so called, because they blow from the four Corners of the VVorld. The East wind, from the Sun-rising; the South wind from the South; the VVest wind, from the Setting of the Sun; the North wind from the North.

VII. Which the Collateral. The Collateral winds are those, which are in∣serted between two of the Cardinal; and these, according to the Account of our Modern Seamen, amount to 28; viz. 7 between the East and South wind, 7 between the South and VVest wind, 7 between the West and North wind, and as many between North and East wind. So that the Cardinal and Collateral winds put together, make up the Number of 32.

VIII. The Names and Order of the Winds. To the end that the Order of the Winds may be the better understood, it will do well to mind the Figure, where they are all set down by their usual Names. The first is the North wind, the second is the South-wind, the third is the East-wind, and the fourth the West-wind; which are called Car∣dinal * 1.19winds. The 4 that follow are called Colla∣teral; each of which is placed in the midst of 2 Cardinal winds, and hath its Name composed of the 2 Cardinal winds, between which it is placed, viz. the North-east wind, the North-west wind, the South-east wind, and South-west wind. The 8 remaining Winds, which are placed each of them betwixt a Cardinal and Collateral wind, take their Denomination from them both: Thus that which is between the North and North-east wind, is called North-North-east; and so of the rest.

IX. Why the East-wind blows in the Morn∣ing, and the West-wind at Even. The East-wind is chiefly found to blow in the Morning, because the Sun heating the Air, doth dilate, rarefie, and makes it to move in one and the same C untry; sometimes one way, sometimes another, according as he is placed with respect to that Country. For this diversity of Position pro∣duceth variety of VVinds. As for Example, When the Sun riseth to us, he dilates the Air, as hovering perpendicularly over it, and doth so whirl it round, that one part of it rusheth towards the VVest, where we are; whence it is that we then perceive an East-wind. On the contrary, when the Sun sets, the Air that is opposite to him becomes dilated, and thereupon one part of it must betake it self to the East, where we are then with respect to the Sun, and therefore must perceive a VVest-wind. And the same happening in all the Coun∣tries that are situate without the Torrid Zone, it follows, that in the Morning East-winds must blow, and at Even-tide West-winds: As I have exprest it in a Figure, in my History of Nature, Part VI. Chap. II.

X. Why the North-wind, for the most part blows in the day time. And with the like facility a Reason may be given, why North-winds most frequently blow in the Day time; by observing that the Earth EB FD, under the Poles EF, where it is not much heated by the Sun, is surrounded with Clouds and Mists; and that at B, where the Sun sends down his direct and perpendicular Rays, many Vapours are raised, which are carried upwards till they come thither, where, by the force of their own weight, they are more easily turned Side-ways, to continue their way towards I, and M, above the Clouds G, and K, than to mount higher in a Right line. And * 1.20forasmuch as these Clouds G, and K, become rare∣fied by the heat of the Sun, the Vapours proceeding from thence, do rather take their progress from G, to H, and from K, to L, than to E, or to F: For the thick and gross Air, which is under the Poles, makes a stronger resistance, than the Vapours that rise from the Earth, towards the South; for these being strongly pusht, and on all sides ready for motion, do easily give way to them. So that if we suppose the Northern Pole to be towards F, the motion of the Vapours from K, to L, will excite a North-wind blowing in the Day time through Europe.

XI. Why the South-wind mostly blows at Night. Altho' the Sun ceaseth its Action in those Coun∣tries, where it is Night; Yet because the heat imparted to the Earth in the Day time, is for some time preserv'd in it, it so happens that many Vapours are thereby raised, which the Air at P, being condensed by the Cold of the Night, hin∣ders from roaming towards Q, and R; like as those which are in the other part, wander towards I, and M; but they are there (for we suppose it to be Night in the part D) gather'd into Clouds, which hindring other Vapours raised out of the Earth from ascending to any great Height, do on every side beat them down towards N, and O, and so produce a South-wind, which commonly riseth at Night.

XII. The East-wind is much stronger than the West-wind. As Winds proceed from different Quarters of the World, so they differ in their Properties: For those that blow from the East, are more violent than those that proceed from the West; and this partly, because these comply with the motion of the whole Body of the Air; and partly, because the Air that is dilated and blows towards the West, tends to a place, where for 18 Hours it hath not been Noon: So that by this long absence of the Sun, the Air is much more condensed, than that to which the Western▪winds tend; because there it is not above 6 Hours since it was Noon, and the pre∣sence of the Sun, caused a great heat and rarefa∣ction of Vapours.

XIII. The North-wind is more 〈◊〉〈◊〉 than the S••••t••-w••n••. The North-wind for the most part is very strong and impetuous, because it is excited by the greatest heat, viz. that of Noon-day; and because it consists of a Matter that is most easily dissolved into Vapours, viz. Clouds. And for the contrary Reason, the South-wind must be the most gentle, as well because the Thickness of the Nocturnal Air, is a stop to its Course, as likewise because the Matter whereof it consist, as proceeding from the Earth, or from the Water, cannot be so readily, nor so copiously dilated, as is the Northern matter,

which, as we have already said, is pour'd forth from the Clouds.

XIV. The East-wind is more dry than the West. As to the other Qualities of the Winds, it is notorious that East-winds for the most part are dryer, and produce a more serene and clear Air, than those that come from the West; because these latter, by striving against the Natural Course of the Vapours, do stop them, and drive Clouds toge∣ther, whereas the former do dispel and dissipate them.

XV. Which Winds are said to be Dry, Moist, Hot and Cold. Hence it is evident, that the North-wind is of a more drying Quality, that is, hath a power of driving watry Particles out of the pores of Bodies, or from their Outsides, whilst they are expos'd to the Air; because, for the most part, it is composed of the grosser parts of Fresh-water, mix'd with the Air. The same VVind is likewise cold, because it carries along with it the most subtil Northern mat∣ter, towards the South, which is the Primary Cause of Cold. But the South-wind is hot and moist: Moist, because it consists of the more gross, and subtil parts of Fresh-water, elevated together from the Earth: And it is Hot, because it brings along with it the Subtil matter, which was in the Sou∣thern quarter, towards the North. For the VVinds are much alter'd, according to the place through which they pass; and therefore, according to the Nature of the Region through which they go, are either Hot, Cold, Moist, or Dry.

XVI. The Regu∣larity of the Winds is some∣times hin∣dred by particular Causes. All these things we have here spoken concerning the 4 Cardinal-winds, would happen so continu∣ally, if the Earth in all its parts lay equally above the VVater, and there were no difference of Soils and Springs, nor any other Cause, but the presence of the Sun, to dilate the Vapours; but there are so many other Causes that conduce to the produ∣ction of VVinds, that it is no wonder to find them so irregular, and not to rise in the same Order. Wherefore we cannot with Reason expect Regular winds, save only in those parts of the Sea which are most remote from the Land. Forasmuch as there is no such great inequality in the surface of the Sea, as there is in that of the Earth; and be∣cause the VVinds, which are driven that way from the Shoars, very rarely can reach so far▪ as to disturb the Course of those VVinds that blow there.

XVII. What Winds are called Pe∣rennes, or Continual. Besides the foremention'd kinds of VVinds, some VVinds are called Perennes, that is, Continual; others stati, or such as blow at certain Times and Seasons; others, Provincial; and others, Free.

The Continual VVinds are 2; the one in the Torrid Zone, which continually blows from East to VVest: The other in the Temperate Zones, which, as far as about the 40th Degree, blows also from the East to VVest. These VVinds are very observable at Sea, but are scarce discernible at Land.

XVIII. What Venti stati are, that is, such as blow at certain Seasons. VVinds, Named by the Latins, stati, are such as return at certain and set Times. The most famous of this kind are the VVinds called Etesiae, which return every Year, towards the end of July, and continue 40 Days together, especially in Italy and Aegypt: They blow at Night, about 3 hours after Sun-set, and for the most part cease at the approach of the Evening. Their Course is from the East or the North, or from between them both.

XIX. Provincial Winds. Provincial VVinds are such as blow in certain Provinces or Countries: Such is the North-wind, that blows on the North-side of the Alpes, ac∣cording to the Course of a River, about 1 or 2 Leagues in length, but much less in breadth. This is a Daily-wind, and seems to blow continually, and with great evenness, like a River.

XX. Free Winds. Those are called Free-winds, which without any order of time or place, do blow from different Quarters. Thus the VVest-winds blow most commonly about Noon, or after, when the Sun is hastning towards its setting. The South-wind frequently riseth at Night, and blows more vehe∣mently than in the Day time; whereas the North-wind blows more in the Day time, than at Night.

XXI. The Origi∣nal of Clouds. As Vapours that are dilated in the Air, do pro∣duce Winds; so when they are comprest and con∣dens'd, they make Clouds. Which then happens, when their motion is diminished; for then their little Particles come closer together, which as soon as they are joyned, rise up in little heaps, and these gather'd together compose vast Bulks. For the Clouds are nothing else, but Vapours and Exhala∣tions sublim'd so high, that the Coldness of the Air makes them come together, and so to constitute a Whole, which is so loose and spungy, that it cannot by its weight overcome the Resistance of the Air, which oppeseth its descent.

XXII. How Clouds come to darken the Light of the Sun. Clouds do often interrupt the Action of Light; for tho' the Drops of Water, and the flocks of Ice whereof they consist are singly transparent; yet their multiplied Surfaces do repress the Light of the Sun. As appears in Froth, which because of the various surface of its Parts, cannot receive the Light. The Cause of this Condensation is, either the Winds which compress the Vapours to∣gether, especially if they be opposite, and blow from divers parts; or else the figuration of the Particles that compose the Vapours, whereby they are more fit to cling and close together.

XXIII. How Clouds are support∣ed in the Air. The Reason why Clouds do not fall down out of the Air upon the Earth, is, because their Par∣ticles are very thin, and have large Surfaces, their Matter consider'd, and therefore are easily born up by the Air, which is ever thicker near the Earth; or else are hindred by the Winds from coming down: Much in the same manner, as a deep loaden Ship, is born up by the weight of the Water. Hence it is, that according to the less, greater, or equal weight of a Cloud, it doth either ascend, descend, or hang equally pois'd in the Air; even as a Ship, proportionable to its less, greater or equal Gravity, doth rise, sink, or is evenly pois'd in the Water. But when the parti∣cles of the Clouds are so thick, that they can no longer be kept up by the resistance of the Air, then are they resolved into Water, and by their weight fall down to the ground.

XXIV. The diffe∣rence be∣tween a Mist and a Cloud. A MIST differs from a Cloud, only by the diversity of its place; for Mists are Vapours that reach to the very surface of the Earth; whereas those that constitute the Clouds are pois'd in the Air. For a Mist is nothing else, but a Duskish Vapour, hovering on the Earth, which continues either till it be drawn up by the Rays of the Sun, or by its own weight, or some other outward Cause, falls down to the Earth.

〈…〉〈…〉 the Clouds. 〈…〉〈…〉 are to take notice that the Parts of Ice, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of I have said that Clouds consist, are not so 〈…〉〈…〉 together; but that there is some distance between, so as to make up several little Heaps: So that if they chance to be ••haken with any strong Wind, they are easily separated, and fall down to the Earth. If these Hillocks or Flocks are not wholly dissolved, they make Snow. But if the Air, through which they are carried, be so hot as to make them to melt, they come down in Rain. It happens also sometimes, that after they are turn'd into Drops of Water, a Cold wind meeting with them, congeals them into Hail; for Hail is nothing else but frozen or congealed Rain.

CHAP. XVII. Of Rain, Dew, Hoar-Frost, and the Cool Evening Air.

I. What Rain is. RAIN is nothing else, but those Drops into which a Vapour elevated above the Earth, is resolved. We have a resemblance hereof in distill'd Liquors; for the rising Vapour, being condensed by the Coolness of the Air, returns to its former state, and runs together into Drops, which at first are insensible, but in their fal∣ling do wn are commonly increased, by others joyning with them; and those commonly are the largest, that fall down from the highest place.

II. Whence the difference of Rain doth pro∣ceed. We must not therefore suppose, as some do, that Rain is produc'd in the Air, as Water, that by being poured from on high, becomes disperst into many Drops; or that it is generated in manner of a Pool, the Water whereof falling from the Clouds is dissolv'd first into greater, and then into less Drops; but only by degrees and by parts: For the Drops of Rain, are formed of the particles of Vapours joyning together, and being joyned fall down to the Earth. Hence Rain hath got several Names, according to the different bigness of the Drops, whereof it consists: For the Rain that falls down in small or midling Drops, is called by the common Name, Rain; if it drops very small, 'tis called a Drizling Rain; if it falls down in great Drops, and those close and thick, 'tis called a Shower; if it comes down in great Drops, and fiercely, 'tis called a Storm.

III. Whence the Greatness of the Drops of Rain proceed The Drops of Rain are great, when the Heat acts upon the upper part of the Cloud; because then the Drops that descend do increase in their passage, by the addition of other Drops they meet with from the top of the Cloud to the bottom Whereas on the contrary, when the action of Heat is only exerted on the lower part of the Cloud, as it commonly happens in the Winter, the Drops are so small, that they are not called Rain, but only a Mizling Dew.

IV. How the Rain falls down from the Clouds. Tho' it be evident enough how Clouds, that consist only of Watry Drops, come down in Rain, viz. either by their own weight, when the Drops by the coalition of many particles, have attained to a sufficient thickness; or, when that the Air that is under them, by its withdrawing, or that which is above, by pressing upon them, inclines them to a descent; or, when many of these Causes chance to concur: But yet it is not so evident to all, how Rain is generated at first out of a condensed Cloud.

V. Rain is sometimes caused by Wind. Now this will be easily made out, if we con∣sider how 2 contrary Winds do gather great abun∣dance of Vapours into the middle Space between them, and thereby cause the production of a Mist or Cloud there. For let us suppose, for Example, a Wind to blow upon the Earth AB, from the West D, and another to blow the contrary way, from the East C, so as that both these Winds come to stop one another about the Space FGP; * 1.21it must necessarily follow, that the Vapours inter∣cepted between the wind D, and the wind C, being driven together, must be there condensed, and make a kind of confus'd Mass. In like manner the Wind that drives against this Cloud, yet not with that Violence as to carry it along with it, must drive the parts of it closer together; by which means many of the watry Particles, which before were insensible, and separate from each other, are by the force of the wind driven together, and so become great Drops, which by their own weight fall down. For as in your common Stills, Drops are not formed as soon as the Vapour is got to the Head of them, for that other Vapours ascending to the top of the Still, must increase their bulk. So neither can Rain be generated, as soon as the Vapours are got up to the Region of the Clouds; but it is necessary, that those Particles of which the Vapours do consist, be by the Wind driven together, and more closely joyned; and that being thus become more heavy, so as to be able to vanquish the resistance of the Air, they fall down to the Earth.

VI. The more common Cause of Rain is Heat. Notwithstanding that by this way Clouds are often turned to Rain, yet is the Heat of the Air a more frequent and efficacious Cause of it. For this heated Air clinging to the Clouds, makes the subtil Snow, whereof they consist, to dissolve, and separates it into many little Flocks, which have then force enough to drive away the Air that opposeth their descent; and so by the action of the Heat they meet with in their passage, they are quite melted, and turn'd into Drops: Which sometimes are large, when the Cloud is thick and close, and comes down by the pressure only of the Air that is above it; because the upper Drops meet with others in their way downward, that increase them and make them larger, as before hath been mentiond.

VII. W••y the Drops of Rain are Round. The Drops of Rain, as they fall down, are made round: For a Liquid Body then becomes Round, when all its Parts are by an equal force driven towards some Common Center; for all the Parts of that Circumference being moved by a like force, are at an equal distance from the Center. Now Rain is a Liquid Body, all whose Parts, when the Air is calm and free from Winds, are comprest by an equal Virtue to some Common Center. For the Calm Air doth on all sides equally compress these Drops, there being no Reason to be given why it should press them one way, more than another.

VIII. How the Dew is formed. Having premised thus much concerning Rain, it will not be difficult to conceive how the DEW is formed, if we observe that when the Air is clear and not ruffled with Winds; many loose and thin little Bodies are disperst abroad, especially in the Summer time, when Vapours and Exhala∣tions are copiously elevated from the Earth:

Which small Bodies flying in the Air, in the form of Vapours, when the cold of the Night comes on, do lose their agitation, and many of them clinging together, produce insensible Drops, which falling down upon the Dry ground are suck'd up; but falling upon the Leaves of Trees, or the Spires of Grass, are there gather'd into greater Drops. This chiefly happens in the Night, or before Day-break; because then the Earth is most cold, as being turned from the Sun. Whence it follows, that the Dew is nothing else, but certain Vapours, that have by Heat been elevated in the Day time; and which being condensed by the Coldness of the Night, fall down in small insensible Drops upon the Leaves of Plants; where many of them joyning together, they become sensible.

IX. What Hoar-frost is, and ••ow it is distinguisht from Dew. HOAR-FROST is generated, when the Vapours, that are near the Earth, are congealed by the coldness of the Night: Which only happens in the VVinter, when Cold predominates. For tho' when the Coldness of the Night is yet tempe∣rate, it be sufficient to compress the watry Particles up and down disperst through the Air, into sen∣sible Drops, yet not to congeal them: But the Cold of VVinter-Nights being more intense, con∣geals the said Drops in the form of Snow or Hail. So that it appears, that the difference between Dew and Hoar-Frost is this, That Mists do turn to Dew, if they consist of Drops of water; but into Hoar-Frost, when they consist of Vapours that are frozen before, or are congealed in their passage down to the Earth.

X Why Hoar-Frostt makes Coleworts tender. It is observed, that the Hoar-Frost makes some Herbs, and particularly Coleworts, tender; the Reason whereof is, because the Cold acting upon them, doth very much condense them, and causeth many humid Particles to congeal together; which afterwards are easily resolved again by any super∣vening Heat, and by this means their fibres be∣come in a manner clean dissolved, which is the cause of the Tenderness of those Plants. The like also happens in Flesh, which having been frozen, doth thereby grow very Tender.

XI. What the Cool Even∣ing Breez is, which is conse∣quent upon clear Sum∣mer days. As to that COOL EVENING-AIR, or Breez, which is consequent to fair Summer-days, we find that it commonly happens when the Heat of the Sun hath been very intense all the Day long, and there∣by greatly agitated the Air; by which means the surface of the Earth also is moved to send forth abundance of subtil Exhalations upwards, to the Region of Vapours; and because these Exhalations do more easily lose their agitation, than the Vapours do, as soon as they are deprived of the Sun's Heat, the former of these fall down. And herein doth chiefly consist the Nature of this Cool Air, or Breez; which according to the difference of places, is endued with different Qualities: For it is pro∣bable, that those Particles which exhale from places Infected, or poisonous Plants, are far more hurtful, than simple Vapours that arise out of the Earth.

XII. When the Cool of the Evening is hurtful. The Cool Air, or Breez of the Evening, is never more hurtful, than when the Day fore-going hath been very clear, and the Heat of the Sun mode∣rate: For the immoderate Heat of the Day doth much extenuate these Vapours, and elevates them on high, so that they cannot so readily be con∣densed by the Cold of the Evening. It is also very hurtful after that the Sun it set, because the more heavy Exhalations, which have less of Vapour mix'd with them, as soon as they are left destitute of the Sun-beams, do immediately come down∣wards.

XIII. If when the Air is duskish, the Sun shines in the East, it is a sign of Rain. The Air cover'd with Clouds, is a sign of Rain, if the Sun shine in the Morning; for this is an evident Token, that there are no other Clouds in the Neighbourhood of our Air, towards the East, which can hinder the heat of the Sun from con∣densing those that hang over our Heads, or from raising new Vapours, whence they might be in∣creased, out of the Earth. But this Cause only takes place in the Morning; for if it do not Rain before Noon, it cannot afford any signification of what is to happen in the Evening. Neither are those signs, which are taken from the Croaking of Frogs, or Crows, the Praesentions of Beasts, the Redness of the Sun, the Paleness of the Moon, and other such like, any whit more certain, but generally very fallacious: And he that would take the pains to observe them diligently, will frequently find the contrary, to what is commonly expected from such like Presages.

XIV. When no Dew falls in the Morning, it is a sign of Rain. Yet we find, that when no Dew falls in the Night, or the Mist is carried upwards, leaving the Earth destitute of all Moisture, this is a sign of Rain; because this seldom happens, but when the Earth, having not been sufficiently cooled in the Night-season; or been agitated by too much heat in the Day time, doth send forth abundance of Vapours, which driving the Mist upwards, make its Parts to run together; by which means they become so great and weighty, as that they are forced to come down in Rain.

CHAP. XVIII. Of Snow and Hail.

I. What Snow is. SNOW may be said to be a dissolved Cloud, which being driven downwards by its own weight, falls down to the ground in Flocks. It is said to be a Dissolved Cloud; because a Cloud is nothing else, but a great heap of Snow close clinging together. And it is said to be Dissolv'd, because when the union of the parts of a Cloud are broken by force, one part of it becomes sever'd from its next part, and being more weighty than the Air, comes down in the form of Snow or Rain. It is said in the next place, that it is driven downwards by its own weight. For a Dissolved Cloud, by its own weight, either turns to Snow, Rain, or Hail. And lastly, it is said, that it comes down in sever'd or distinct Flocks. For as a Flock of Wool, consists of many particles of Wool, en∣tangled together; so the Flocks of Snow are com∣pos'd of may Shaggy particles clinging toge∣ther.

II. How Snow and Hail are formed, and why they are white. It is not always necessary, that the parts of Clouds should be wholly melted before they come down, since it is common for them not to be dis∣solved, or to turn to Drops, before that they come near the Earth, where the Heat is strongest, as exceeding that which is on high. Wherefore, when the parts of a Cloud that are only condensed, without being melted, do meet with the cold Air, which is no longer able to bear them, they fall down with their own weight, and that in Flocks of Snow, and not in Drops.

III. How the Snow, whereof Clouds con∣sist, is condensed. To understand the way how the Clouds come to be condensed, we are to suppose that the Heat which commonly rarefies most Bodies, doth not∣withstanding condense that of Snow; whose Parts are so separate from each other, that the least agi∣tation is sufficient to bring them together. Whence it comes to pass, that when the Air, which is near the Earth, and is always more hot, than that which is at a greater distance from it, comes to elevate it self to the Clouds, either by the Force of some VVind that carries it along, or by the Action of some new Fermentation, which causeth it to swell, it is necessary that it condense the Snow, whence the Clouds are composed.

IV. How Hail is produc'd, and what is the fi∣gure of it. The Flocks of Snow are of a white Colour, because the watry Matter, whereof they are com∣posed, contain a great deal of Air; and its pores are so disposed as to reflect the Light, rather than to afford it a free passage, as Ice doth. But if these small Flocks, after that they are melted by warm Air, do afterwards meet with other Air that is cold, and by it are congealed; then they turn to Hail, whose Stones are of a different Figure, according to the various Solution of the Flocks. For if the Cold wind, that congeals the Hail, doth meet with the Flocks of Snow, when they are almost dissolved, but not yet rounded into Drops, then they obtain an Horned figure; and when the wind meets with the Drops of water already formed, it produceth little transparent round Pellets, save only that commonly they are somewhat flattish on that side where the wind beats upon them.

V. Why the Hail is sometimes of a Coni∣cal figure. So that from the divers degrees of Heat where∣with the Air is agitated, and whereby the Cloud must be dissolved, there ariseth a great variety of Effects. For if the Heat, which by the Cold wind is driven into the pores of the Flocks, and penetrates their inmost Parts, chance to drive them towards the Center and condense them, whilst the External parts being become stiff and bound by the Cold, cannot follow, they must of necessity be slit, according to Right lines tending to the Cen∣ter; and as the number of these Slits do increase, as the Cold penetrates deeper, they must at last fly in pieces, into many longish and Pyramidal particles, which are so many Hail-stones, which at the first approaching of VVinter, fall down to the ground, especially if a Spring▪like constitution of the weather have gone before.

VI. Why it seldom Hails in Winter. For it is apparent, that it cannot Hail much in the Winter; or if it doth, the Stones cannot be great. The Reason is, because during that Season there is seldom heat enough so high as the Clouds to melt them; but only when they are so low, as that being melted, or near melted; they have no time to be congeal'd again before they reach the Earth. Whence Hail may be described to be a Cloud that is melted, either whole or in part, and being driven downwards by its own weight, becomes so congealed by a Colder wind, that it falls down commonly in round and transparent Pellets.

VII. Whence the different Figures of Hail do proceed. The Hail-stones are sometimes of an Oval figure, viz. when a melted or dissolved Cloud is stronger comprest on one side, by the wind, than on the other. Sometimes they are rough, by rea¦son of many Angles, which happens when a Cold wind seizeth the Flocks of Snow as they are m••lting, but before they▪ are turn'd into round Drops of Rain. To which may be added, that the Hail-stones are sometimes so violently dash'd against the Earth, as thereby to be broken to pieces, and so lose their Natural figure.

VIII. The various Figures of Snow. But much more wonderful is the figure of Snow, which sometimes is Hairy, as in M and Z, some∣times Six-corner'd, and consisting of 6 equal Rays, like Stars, as in O; sometimes like a Rose, as at Q; sometimes in the figure of 6 Rays, or like 3 Rods laid Crosswise, which like greater * 1.22Branches, shoot out lesser Branches from them, the broadest whereof are nearest to the Center, so as to reach and entangle one another; and the shortest or narrowest towards the Top, ma∣king a Corner'd or Angulous Ray or Beam, as in R.

IX. How Snow comes to be of a Hairy figure. HAIRY-SNOW MZ, is produc'd, when the particles of Ice, which constitute the Flocks of Snow, being condensed by the heat of the Air, and several times after congeal'd by the Cold, whirl round their own own Centers in the Air: In which motion they are cover'd with some longish and slender particles of Ice, as with Hair, and so exhi∣bit the figure of Hairy-Snow.

X. How Snow comes to be formed into the figure of Stars. Snow of a 6 Corner'd or Starry figure, O, is formed, when the Wind, which hath dispos'd the Flocks of Snow into the form of Leaves, by pas∣sing freely betwixt them, doth melt the particles of Waters, that stand upright like Hairs; so that afterwards insinuating it self into the 6 Corner'd Spaces, it melts the most subtil and loose Snow that is about the Circumference of them; and the par∣ticles of Water, being agitated by the force of heat, joyning themselves with others that are not melted, do presently congeal them; and so their Hair-like Extremities being bent this way and that way, the Flocks grow less, and are changed, as it were, into a small plate of Ice. And as to those Hairy promi∣nences, which are melted in the Circumference of these Intervals, these become condensed, whilst they withdraw themselves towards those which joyn every one of these Flocks, to 6 others that surround it: By which means 6 Breaches, or Slits, are made in the 6 parts of the Circumference, where the Heat is most predominant.

XI. How the Flocks of Snow are formed into the Figure of Roses. Snow is formed into the figure of a Rose, Q, when the Heat of the Air is somewhat greater, than what we just now supposed: For then dash∣ing against these 6 prominent Points, it makes them shorter; and causeth the plate of Ice, which before resembled the figure of a Star, to become like a Rose with 6 Leaves, the points being round∣ed like the Teeth of the Wheels we see in Watches.

XII. How the Flocks of Snow come to resemble Lillies. If the Flocks, whereof Snow is composed, be bigger than ordinary, it may happen that by this means it may be not only divided into 6 places, in order to the forming of 6 points; but that also every one of those 6 points, be divided into 6 others, by the intervening of 2 Breaches or Slits, from the Hairy prominences or Capillaments, which reach the Capillaments of another Flock of Snow: So that by this means 2 points might be formed, bending outwards; because the Heat there acting with more vehemence, produceth a greater Con∣densation: And thus instead of one Starry-point, or a Rose-leaf, there must appear the Leaf of a Lilly, as is represented in R.

[illustration]

[illustration]

Book. 1. Part. 6. Chap▪ 1••

To the Right Honourable William Wentworth Earle of Strafford, Viscount Wentworth, and Baron Wentworth Woodhouse, New∣march, Oversley, and Raby, Knight of the Garter &c.^a.

This Plate is humbly Dedicated by Richard Blome

XIII. How some of these Snowy Stars come to be white, or pellucid. Some of these Snowy Stars are white, like re∣fin'd Sugar; and others of them are Transparent. The Whiteness of them proceeds from the Medio∣crity or Temperateness of Heat; as when it hath not force enough to pierce to the bottom of the Matter whereof they are composed. Or because in their passage through the Air, they have joyn'd to themselves some particles of Water, before they got down to the Earth. Whereas other Flocks, that are more thin and small, are transparent; because the Heat hath wholly penetrated them, and made their particles to come nearer, and to be joyn'd more closely together.

XIV. How there comes to be a Point in the midst of the Rosie-Snow. One thing remains still to be noted, viz. that there is seen a white Point in the Center of the Rosie-Snow, as is represented in Q. The Reason whereof may be, because the Heat that hath formed these Stars, is so moderate, that tho' it makes all their other parts pellucid; yet not being strong enough to pierce to their Center, it leaves them white.

CHAP. XIX. Of Thunder, Lightning, and Coruscation, or Flashes.

I. Lightning and Corus∣cation fol∣low after Thunder. TO the end that the Nature of Lightning and Coruscation may be the better understood, we must premise something concerning THUN∣DER; for usually they are Concomitants of it, and depend on it, as their Cause. Now Thunder is produc'd, when many Clouds rush down upon others that lye directly under them. For it comes to pass sometimes, that the highest Clouds being condensed by Heat, and made more weighty, fall down upon others that lye under them, and cause that Noise which we call a Thunder-Clap. For it cannot be question'd, but that in the Sum∣mer time especially there are abundance of Nitrous, Fat and Sulphureous Exhalations, in the Air. It is certain also, that Snowy Clouds are condensed by Heat, and thereby become more Heavy. It is also as apparent, that all Clouds are not of the same height, but some higher, and others lower; since besides Reason, Sense it self comes to confirm it, which often shews us one Cloud moving over ano∣ther. These things being thus presuppos'd, we proceed to the Explication of Thunder, Lightning, and Coruscation.

II. What is the Cause of Thunder. When any Clouds condensed by Heat, and by this means being become more Heavy, rush down upon an Inferiour Cloud, the intermediate Air be∣ing thereby strongly agitated, is the cause of a dreadful Sound, which is called Thunder. For let us suppose two Clouds A and B, composed of loose and much dilated Snow; let us also suppose, that there is a warmer Air about the upper Cloud A, * 1.23than about the lower Cloud B; it is evident, that for this Reason it must be more and more con∣densed, and consequently become more Heavy: So that its most outward parts falling down first, push others they meet with in their way, and hurrying them along with them, do at last rush down all together, with great Violence, upon the Lower Cloud, with a dreadful rumbling Noise.

III. Heat con∣denseth the Clouds. I have said, that Heat condenseth the Clouds: For tho' Heat do rarefie some Bodies, yet it ordinarily is wont to condense Clouds, as hath before been said of Snow, which consists of the same matter as a Cloud doth. For if Snow be laid in a warm place, it contracts it self into a less Figure, before that any water drop from it, or its weight be diminished. The Clouds therefore being thus condensed, do easily descend, and op∣pose the passage of others that moved upwards, by reason of their Loosness, and thrust down∣wards whatsoever opposeth them in their way. And forasmuch as this cannot be without a violent concussion of the Air, therefore it is accompanied with that terrible Noise, the resounding Air making it still louder.

IV. What Thunder is. Thunder therefore is a Noise excited by the Air, which hath been intercepted between two Clouds, whereof the Upper falling upon the Lower, and which being forc'd to retire thence, by the weight of the middle part of the Upper Cloud, which continues to come down, forceth for it self narrow and irregular Gaps, to get out by, which produceth a dreadful Sound, being much augmented by the Rarefaction caused by the enkindling of the Nitrous Sulphurs betwixt these 2 Clouds.

V. Why Thun∣der is much more frequent in Summer, than in Winter. It Thunders but rarely with us in the Winter time, because then the Heat that is sufficient to dissolve the Upper Clouds, cannot reach so far. But in the Summer time, when the Heat is violent, and more especially when the North-wind makes the Heat to be more close and stifling, Thunder is produc'd; because this wind is wont to carry the heated Air, that is near the Earth, upwards, to those higher Clouds; by which means not only those Superiour Clouds are condensed and rush'd downwards, but also the Lower continue so loose and dilated, and by the Dilatation of the Air that is under them, are so thrust upwards, that they, as it were, meet the others falling down upon them, and stop them there, hindring any part of them from coming down to the Earth.

VI. Why every Clap of Thunder i•• commenly ••ollow'd by 〈…〉〈…〉 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ Thunder is commonly follow'd by a Shower of Rain, and when the Rain is very copious, it is a sign that little more Thunder will follow▪ because when the Force wherewith the Upper Cloud rusheth down from the Lower, is strong enough to make it come down wholly, the Thunder must needs cease: And if it be no•• strong enough, and the Lower Cloud dissolves into Rain, the same thing will still happen; be∣cause the Air that is shut up betwixt the 2 Clouds, can now with ease get forth, because of the small resistance of the Lower Cloud dissolving into Rain.

VII. The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Bells to make Thunder cease. The Sound of Bells, and of Canons discharged, makes Thunder to cease; because thereby the Air is strongly agitated, and communicating its motion to the Neighbouring Air, and that again to the Intermediate, till it reach and shake the Snow, whereof the inferiour Cloud consists, occasions its descent. Which Experience makes evident to those, who are us'd to Travel in those Vallies, where the falling down of heaps of Snow from the Hills is apprehended; for fearing lest the Sound of their Voice, by shaking the Air, should bring down the Snow, they are afraid so much as to Cough, to prevent that danger.

VIII. What is the Cause of Corus∣cation. The Exhalations that are found in that Space which is between the 2 Clouds, are the matter of Coruscations and Lightning, and according to the degree of Rarefaction and Condensation, produce either the one or the other: For Coruscation proceeds from an abundance of very subtil Exhalations, and very inflammable. For these subtil and sul∣phureous Exhalations in the Air, become kindled by this Agitation, by reason that the Matter of the first Element being by this Concussion deli∣ver'd from its Bonds, doth most swiftly run through them, which is the Reason of those Flashes. This does frequently happen after great Heat and Droughts; for then by the dashing toge∣ther of Light Clouds, a Flame is kindled and breaks forth, which often reacheth our Eyes, without the hearing of any Noise; because the Clouds dashing against each other, is too soft to be heard at so great a distance.

IX. What is the Cause of Light∣ning. But if the Exhalations, which are intercepted between 2 Clouds rushing against one another be thicker and closer, then with great vehemence break∣ing through the shatter'd Clouds, and obliquely darted down to the Earth, they constitute the Lightning; by which (according to the condition of its own Matter, which sometimes is more thick, or gross and copious, and therefore more Violent; and at other times, more subtil and in less quantity, and so more penetrative; or of the matter of its Objects, whereof the more hard and solid, do make a greater and stronger Resistance, because they cannot give way, and so are dissi∣pated by it: Whereas the softer and porous Ob∣jects do easily give way, but withal more readily take Fire) those wonderful and stupendous Effects are produc'd, which strike Mens Minds with Astonishment, and force the most impious Minds, tho' sore against their wills, to revere the Divine Power.

X. Of the Thunder∣bolt. It is commonly believ'd, that besides the Corus∣cation and Lightning which proceed from the 2 Clouds, there comes forth also a hard Stony sub∣stance, which is called a Thunderbolt, tho' it is own'd that the same is not always discharg'd, as oft as it Thunders; but some think this is only asserted, and not proved. Yet if any such thing should be, we must suppose it to be generated of some gross Matter, which in its descent, hath by the great Heat been reduc'd to that hardness.

XI. How the Lightning differs from Co∣ruscation. The difference between Lightning and Corusca∣tions or Flashes, is this: Coruscations or Flashes, may be caused by Exhalations that lye under one Cloud only; whereas Lightning doth not pro∣ceed, but from such Exhalations as are intercepted betwixt two or more Clouds. Because Lightning is an Exhalation with a great force breaking through the Clouds, which cannot be, but by Clouds that lye one upon another, when by the heavy fall or rushing down of the upper Cloud, the Exhalations are kindled, and through a Breach made in the Lower Cloud, are darted downwards towards the Earth. We must conceive that the whole Upper Cloud rusheth down upon the Lower equal∣ly and altogether; for then it Lightens, by reason of the kindled Exhalations breaking through the Lower Cloud.

XII. The Defini∣tion of Flashing ing and Lightning. For Flashing or Coruscation is nothing else, but an Exhalation spread under a Cloud, which by the motion of the said Cloud rushing downwards, is set on fire, and flasheth. Much after the same manner, as a Torch newly put out, and yet smoaking, is by some violent and sudden motion again enkindled. But Lightning is an Exhalation intercepted be∣tween two or more Clouds, which by the Heavy Fall of the Superiour Cloud is not only kindled, but through the Lower Cloud is thrust down to the Earth.

XIII. Why the Lightning commonly strikes Mountains and the Tops of Steeples. The Lightning doth more frequently strike the Tops of the Mountains and Steeples; for seeing that the Clouds, where the Thunder is generated, are high, and that the breach is usually made at the end of them; it cannot well be conceived, but that the Exhalation that breaks forth thence, rushing down slantingly, must needs meet with the highest Bodies first. To which we may add, That if 2 Clouds, whose Ends are separate from each other, were to open in the Lower part of them, we must suppose that it would rather hap∣pen in that part which answers to the High Body; because the same, by hindring the descent of the Air, doth determine it by its Resistance, to break rather in that place, than in any other.

XIV. The vari∣ous Effects of Light∣ning. The various Effects of Lightning are to be attributed to the composition of the several Exha∣lations. It burns the Cloaths or Hair of a Man, without touching his Body; because the Exha∣lations whereof it consists, is of the nature of Oil, whose flame is weak. Sometimes it melts the Gold that is in a Mans Purse, and the Sword in the Sheath, without hurting the Purse or Sheath; which happens, because the Exhalations are very subtil, as participating of the Nature of Salt and Aqua-Fortis, by which means they pass through porous Bodies without any Impediment or hurt to them; but dissolve whatsoever resists entrance. As we find much the same effect of Aqua-Fortis, which dissolves the Hardest Bodies, and yet leaves Wax, and other Soft Bodies, in a manner un∣touch'd.

CHAP. XX. Of the Rainbow, Circles about the Sun and Moon, and of Mock-Suns and Mock-Moons.

I. The Defi∣nition of a Rainbow. THe RAINBOW may be defin'd a Bow of diverse Colours, which the opposite Sun paints on Drops of Water by a various Modifica∣tion of his Light. It is called a Bow, because it is represented in the figure of half a Circle. For the Rainbow is a portion of that Circle, which is drawn from that Line, as from its Center, which passeth from the Sun, through our Eye, called the Axis Visorius. It is said to be of many Colours; because of the several Colours which may be dis∣cern'd in it. And lastly, it is said, That the opposite Sun paints, or represents it, in Watry Drops, these being indeed the Matter of a Rain∣bow.

II. What things are to be noted in a Rain∣bow. We shall the better be able to understand the nature of a Rainbow, by taking a view of all the particulars that are contained in it. First then, we say that the Rainbow is represented in a Dewy Cloud. Secondly, That the Dewy Cloud consists of innumerable drops opposite to the Sun. Thirdly,

That every one of these drops are like a Globe of Glass filled with Water. Fourthly, That all and every one of these drops, being heavy, and con∣sisting of particles of water joined together, are carried downwards. Fifthly, That the Rainbow is produced in such a manner in that part of the Air, which is opposite to the Sun; that the Spe∣ctators are in the middle between them, so that if a line drawn from the Sun to the Eye of the Spe∣ctator, should be continued, it would pass through the Center of the Rainbow, and consequently that the Center of the Rainbow, the Eye and the Sun, are placed in the same line. Sixthly. That the drops of water, illustrated by the Sun, must be round, and send back the Sun-beams from each part of their surface, either by Reflexion or Refra∣ction.

III. How many ways the Solar Rays may be transmit∣ted to us from ob∣jects. To the end we may the better conceive, how the various colours of the Rainbow are represented to us, we are to presuppose that we can never per∣ceive them, but when the Sun shines, whose Rays are either reflected to our Eyes from the surface of some Opake Body, or are transmitted to us by passing through a Body that is partly transparent, yet ting'd with some colour or other: Or, Lastly, They reach our Eye by passing through some Dia∣phanous Body, wherein they have met with some Refraction. For no other way can be imagined for Beams to come to us, besides one of these three. Now because these Beams which proceed to our Eye, from a Dewy Cloud, cannot be said to be re∣flected from an Opake Body, seeing it is not at all probable that any such can be so suddenly form'd in the Air: or any Body that is in some sort Tran∣sparent, but yet coloured, to send back the Rays of Light to us in such a manner as is necessary for us to see the appearance of a Rainbow: and that we find by experience, that when a Rainbow appears, the Air is full of watry or dewy Drops, which are transparent, without any colour; therefore we may with good ground conclude, that the Rainbow re∣presents these colours to us, only by the mode or manner of the Sun-beams acting upon the Drops they pass through, and so suffering some Refra∣ction.

IV. There be many other things that represent the Colours of the Rain∣bow. This may be confirm'd by many Examples, as by water spouted out by FULLERS when they bedew and moisten their Cloath. In those Bubbles which Children make by dipping a Straw or other small Pipe in a Lather of Soap and Water. And in Artificial Fountains that cast up Water to a great height, which being there disperst in the Air do exhibit the form of a Rainbow on these scatter'd drops, illustrated by the Sun.

V. What are the Prima∣ry and Se∣cundary Colours of the Rain∣bow. The chiefest colours are Scarlet or Crimson Red, which is seen in the utmost part of it; next to which is Yellow, the third Green, and the in∣most Purple or Violet colour, or as others will have it Blew. I said that these are the chiefest colours, because by the mixture, passage and termination of these, many other colours arise. The foresaid co∣lours are chiefly seen in the Primary Rainbow, which many times appears alone. But in the Se∣condary Rainbow, which is higher and more large than it, these colours are weaker, and turn'd the con∣trary way: for in it the Purple is the utmost colour, the next Green, the third Yellow, and the lowest deep Scarlet. And the same thing happens in a Prism, according as the same is beheld upwards or downwards, for accordingly the order of those co∣lours appears inverted to us.

VI. What is the Cause of the Colours in the Rainbow. As to the cause of these various colours that ap∣pear in the Rainbow, it will be sufficient for us to know that Light is nothing else but a certain acti∣on or motion of a subtil matter, whose particles, like so many Globuli or round Pellets, are concei∣ved to roul through the Pores of Earthly Bo∣dies; which Globuli, according to the variety of the Causes, which determin their Actions or Moti∣ons, are diversly moved. So that if we suppose them to be so determined, that they whirl round with a greater force, than they move according to a Right Line, they produce a Deep Red Colour: if they be not whirl'd about altogether so strongly they imprint the sensation of a Yellow. And on the contrary, if they be not whirl'd about so fast, as used to be at other times, when there is no such Cause to resist their motion, they produce a Green colour; and a Blew when they are mov'd much more slowly.

VII. How these various Colours do appear in the Rain∣bow. How these Colours are produced, we shall easily apprehend, by exposing a Globe of Glass BCD, to the Sun; for then we shall see, supposing the Sun to shine in the part of Heaven AFZ, and the Eye placed in the point E, that the part D, of the Bottle or Globe of Glass, will be ting'd with a deep red colour. And that whether we bring it nearer, or remove it farther from us, the same co∣lour * 1.24will still appear to us, provided we keep the same station; and that the line DE, with the other EM, which we are to conceive drawn from the Center of the Eye, to the Center of the Sun, do constitute an Angle of about 42 degrees, for then the part D will be equally coloured Red. But if we should dilate this Angle a little, this Redness will disappear; and if we contract the said Angle, then will it not altogether vanish, but will first be divided into two parts less bright, in the which Blew, Yellow and other colours will appear.

Afterwards if we proceed and view the part of the Glass Bottle K, we shall observe, by making the Angle KEM, of about 52 degrees; that the said part K, will be likewise ting'd Red, but not so bright and lustrous as that of D; and that upon dilating the said Angle, as before, other colours will appear, but more weak and fading, and that upon our contracting the same, or by dilating the same much wider, they will wholly vanish.

From which instance we are plainly inform'd, that the whole space of the Air to M, being filled with such Glass Globes, or which is equivalent in this case, with drops of Water, some point of them must be ting'd with a Red colour; from whence the lines drawn to the Eye E, will with the line EM, constitute a line of about 42 degrees, such as we suppose those to be that are marked by the Letter R; and that these points considered altoge∣ther, without observing the place wherein they are, save by the Angle under which they are be∣held, will appear like a continuous Circle of a Red colour; and so likewise that there must be some points in those Drops, which are at S and T, from whence lines drawn to E, will constitute somewhat more acute Angles with EM, by which the Circles of the more weak and fading colours are composed. And that in this the Primary or Inward Rainbow doth consist. Then supposing the Angle MEX, to be of 52 degrees, that a Red Circle must appear

in the Drops at X, and other Circles of a less deep colour, in the Drops at Y; and that in this the Se∣condary or outward Rainbow doth consist. And lastly, that by all the other drops marked V, no co∣lours at all are produced.

VIII. A Primary Rainbow is represented in the drops, after two Refra∣ctions and one Reflexi∣on. A Primary Rainbow therefore is produced by those Rays which come to the Eye after 2 Refra∣ctions, and one Reflexion; whereas the Secondary is generated of the Solar-beams, reaching the Eye, after 2 Refractions and 2 Reflexions. For if we make a more accurate search whence the Red colour proceeds, which appears in the part D, of the Round Glass, we shall find that it d••pends on the Sun beams (which we look upon as so many pa∣rallel lines, because of the vast distance of the Sun from us) which coming from A, to B, entring the water, are refracted in the point B, and go on to C, whence being reflected to D, and there coming out of the water, and a second time refracted tend to E. For as soon as any Opake Body shall be op∣posed to any of the Lines AB, BC, CD, or DE, immediately the Red colour will disappear; and tho' we should darken the whole Ball of Glass, excepting only the 2 points B and D▪ and should round about beset it with Opake Bodies, provided nothing do hinder the Action of the Rays AB CD, yet the same will shine brightly. After∣wards having in the same manner searched out the Cause of the Red colour appearing in K, we shall find that the same depends on the Solar Beams, which coming from F to G, are there refracted to∣wards H, and in H, reflected to I, and again from I, reflected to K; and lastly being again refract∣ed in the point K, tend towards E. And therefore a Primary Rainbow is represented in a Dewy Cloud, or in the several drops oppsit to the Sun, after 2 Refractions and 1 Reflexion: but the Secondary after 2 Refractions, and as many Reflexions.

IX. It always rains in that place where the Rainbow appears. If any object that Rainbows sometimes appear in those places where there falls no Rain at all; and therefore they do not always proceed from those Causes we have here assigned to them. I answer that a Rainbow is ever represented in Rainy Drops, and that they never appear but in rainy weather; for the Rainbow is an individual companion of Falling Rain, tho' possibly it may not rain in that place from whence the Rainbow is seen, yet sure it is that it must rain in that place where it ap∣pears.

X. Rainbows appear va∣riously ac∣cording to the diffe∣rent positi∣on of the Spectator. Tho' a Rainbow be visible to all, yet it is not seen by all after the same manner: For seeing that the Drops which appear stain'd with some colour, are perceived about the Axis Visorius, under a cer∣tain Angle, and that all Spectators have a different Axis, it follows that every one of them must have his peculiar Rainbow. Yea, if the same person chance to go back, or forward, only some few steps, he will not behold the same, but still a diffe∣rent Rainbow; seeing that the Drops of VVater, are for example, represented under a certain Angle of Refraction, as the said Angle is enlarged by going forwards, or diminisht by going back∣wards, the Rays of Light will be variously return∣ed, and will make a different Rainbow. So that there are as many Rainbows, as there are places, from whence they are beheld; wherefore it is no wonder what the Proverb saith, that the Rain∣bow flies from those that follow it, and follow those that flee from it.

XI. What Ha∣los, are and wherein they agree with the Rainbow. HALOS, or the Circles which appear about the Sun and Moon, are much of the same nature with the Rainbow. For they are round like the Rainbow, or approach to it, and have always some Star for their Center; for how swift soever the Stars motion may be, it is always found in the Center; which is a manifest Argument, that these conspicuous Circles or Crowns are produced by Reflexion or Refraction. They agree also with the Rainbow in this, that they are of various co∣lours like it; whence we must conclude that Re∣fraction, and a shadow that may terminate the Light, are necessary to the Production of these Circles.

XII. How these Circles dif∣fer from a Rainbow. Yet these Circles differ also from a Rainbow, be∣cause a Rainbow is never seen but in rainy weather, tho' it be not necessary that it should always rain where the Spectator is. Whereas these never ap∣pear in rainy weather, which is a plain argu∣ment that they are not generated by Refraction made in the drops of water, but by that which is made in the particles of Ice, found in the fi∣gure of Stars; for we cannot meet with any other Cause to which we may ascribe this ef∣fect.

XIII. How these Circles are formed in the Clouds. When therefore at any time there be Clouds in the Air, of a moderate thickness, the Light of the Sun or Moon, piercing the little particles of Ice, whereof they are composed, becomes refracted in such a manner, that not being visible save only to a certain distance from those Stars, it produceth the appearance of several colours, viz. Red on the shady side, and Blew or Purple on the side toward the Sun or Moon.

XIV. A further Explicati∣on how these Cir∣cles are formed a∣bout the Stars. As for example, when the Beams, proceeding from the Sun or Moon ABC, darting against a Heap of Icy Stars GEF, lying upon one another, are refracted, and reach the Eye of the Spectator D. For if the Beam proceeding from the point A, to the end of the Icy Star G, and the Ray from the point C, to the end of the little Star F, be refract∣ed towards D, it is plain, that besides the Beams AD, and CD, and such like, which passing in a right line, do represent the Sun or Moon in their * 1.25proper form; others being refracted in EE, will make the Air comprehended in this Circle FF, very Bright, and represent its circumference be∣twixt the Circles FF, and GG, in the form of a Crown or Circle distinguisht with the colours of the Rainbow. So as that the Red colour will appear on the inside about F, and a Blew colour on the outside at G.

XV. How these Circles are pro••uc'd in which Mock-Suns are f••rm••d. There are likewise other CIRCLES formed in the Clouds, but very different from those we have now mentioned: because they appear only of a White colour, nor have they any Star in their Center, as the Circles or Halos have; but for the most part pass through the Centers of the Sun or Moon, and seem to be altogether, or almost paral∣lel to the Horizon. And these are only seen in Great and Round Clouds, covered with Ice, in which Mock-Suns are represented by means of Re∣flexion or Refraction. For the Sun darting its Beams against a Snowy Cloud that is covered with Ice, and from the Ice reflecting into the Snow, must represent the same to the Eyes of the Spectators standing on the Earth under it, in the form of a great Circle. Hence it is that these PARHELIA are called Mock-Suns, because they are reflected re∣presentations

[illustration]

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Book. 1. Part. 6. Chap. 21.

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To the Worshipfull Thomas Phillips of Southampton in Hant Shire Esq Second Engineer of England &^a.

This Plate is humbly Dedicated by Richard Blome

of the true Sun in a Cloud, as Images in a Looking Glass.

XVI. How six Suns may be seen in this Circle. In such a Circle as this, there sometimes appear 2 Suns, sometimes 4, yea and sometimes 6. For let DEFGHI, be a great and round Cloud, the upper part whereof DEF, we suppose to be thicker, as being more exposed to the Wind and the Heat of the Sun. The Sun being sufficiently High to the South A, and the Eye of the Spectator K, 6 Suns may appear in this Circle: The first * 1.26and chiefest at E, by Beams proceeding from the Sun A, at right lines: the second and third at D and F, by refracted Beams, that penetrate the Ice in those places; where its thickness decreasing by degrees, they are on both sides crooked or bent inwards. Whence it is that these two Suns cast a Red Colour towards their Circumference, on that side where they look towards E, where the Ice is thicker; and a Blew Colour on the other side, where it is more thin. The fourth at H, is seen by directly reflected Rays: And lastly, the fifth and sixth G and I, by Rays reflected to equal An∣gles.

XVII. How it happens that less than six Suns are seen. But in case the Spectator be not at K, but somewhere nearer to the point B, so as that the Circle, whose Center is supposed in his Eye, and to pass through B, do not cut the Circumference of the Cloud; then will not he be able to see the 2 Suns G and I, but only the other 4. And if on the contrary he go back much to H, or somewhat fur∣ther to C, he will see 5 only, viz. DEFG and I, and removing much more backwards, he will see 3 only, and those 2 not contained within a white Circle, but as it were pierced with a white Cloud.

XVIII. What a Mock-Moon is. When such a like Image is beheld under the Moon it is called PARASELENE, that is, a Mock-Moon, which admits of a like application with that of the Mock-Suns already spoken of; for as a Mock-Sun is the Image of the Sun reflected in a Cloud; so is a Mock-Moon an Image of the Moon appearing in a Cloud. Such were those which ap∣peared in the year 1671, the 25th of May about 11 a Clock at Night, when the Moon was very much declined towards the South, and near the Horizon.

CHAP. XXI. Of Fire.

I. What Fire is. FIRE is a Company of Particles of the Third Element, moved with the most rapid motion imaginable. Or, it is a Lucid and Fluid Body, con∣sisting of Earthly Particles, most swiftly moved by the matter of the First Element, upon which they swim, as it were.

II. Why Fire is said to be hot and shining. Fire is said to be hot, by reason of the various agitation of its Particles, whereby they are most rapidly agitated every way. It is said to be Lucid or shining, because the subtil matter, which agi∣tates the Terrestrial Particles, is whirl'd round, whence whilst it endeavours to recede or withdraw it self, it presseth the Heavenly Globuli, in which pression Light consists.

III. The variety of Fire. Nevertheless every Fire is not Hot and Shining; for there is one sort of Fire which is only shining, as in Rotten Wood and Glow-worms; and another sort which is hot only, as in Dung, and a third sort that is both hot and shining together.

IV. What is the Cause of these va∣rious Fires. Fire is only shining when the most subtil mat∣ter of the First Element running this way and that way in the strait pores of Earthly Bodies, which resist the entrance of any other matter, doth push forwards the Heavenly Globuli: or else when the said matter is in so small a quantity, that it can only press the Coelestial Globuli, which of their own nature are sufficiently incited to Motion, with∣out being able to agitate the Terrestrial Particles. Again, the Fire will be only hot, when the subtil matter is in such abundance, that it can also agi∣tate those Earthly Particles, but yet withal is so entangled with the Earthly and Watry Particles, that it cannot explicate it self, nor push forwards the Heavenly Globuli every way, in a right line. And Lastly, Fire is both shining and hot, when it is so at liberty as both to be able to press the Hea∣venly Globuli, and most swiftly to move the Ter∣restrial Particles.

V. Violent Mo∣tion produ∣ceth Fire. Violent Motions are very proper to produce this effect, because the Earthly Particles, to which they communicate themselves, tho' they be at first en∣compast with the Second Element, yet they move fast enough to drive them away from about them∣selves, and to admit nothing but the First Element, which much augmenting their agitation, doth dispose them soon to separate themselves from one another, and to take upon them the form of a Flame.

VI. Fire is kindled by driving out the Globuli from the Intervals of the Ter∣restrial Particles. In order therefore to the kindling of Fire, that is, to the gathering such store of the matter of the First Element, as may both shine and burn, it is necessary that the Globuli be driven out of the Inter∣vals of some Terrestrial Particles, which being after∣wards separated from each other, and only swiming in the matter of the First Element, may be snatched away with its most swift motion, and driven every way. That this is so, we shall easily conceive, if we consider that the matter of the First Element doth in swiftness much exceed that of the Second Element, and that those little Bodies which swim amongst the particles of these 2 Elements, can only be carried along by the motion of the Second Element, for that its Globuli do break the force of the First Element, and resist its motion: whereas on the contrary, whilst those Earthly Bodies are surround∣ed with the matter of the First Element, they must necessarily comply with its agitation, in like manner as we see that a piece of wood is carried away by the swiftness of the stream wherein it swims.

VII. Whence it is that the Brightness of a Flame is greater in a dark than in a light Place▪ Thus we find that the Brightness of a Flame is greater, and more conspicuous in a dark Place, than in one enlightned by the Sun; because in a place so illustrated, many Globuli of the Second Element from the Sun, are sent into the Flame, which lessen the agitation of the matter of the First Element, and consequently also the violence of the Fire. Whence also it is that when our Optick Nerve is strongly affected by the Fulgid Light of the Sun, the light of a Candle, compa∣red with that of the Sun, seems to be none at all▪ as being scarcely discernable by our Eyes.

VIII. Why Fire is hot and shining. From what hath been said, we may gather the chief Qualities of Fire: for seeing that its particles are solid, and most swiftly moved, they cannot but produce heat, which, as shall be said in the follow∣ing Chapter, is nothing else save the actual vari∣ous motion of the little parts of the Body, affecting

the sense of feeling. And so also if together with this we call to mind, what before hath been said concerning Light, viz. that it consists in an endea∣vour of receding from the Center, or in the pres∣sure of the Heavenly Globuli. For seeing that the subtil matter, that constitutes Fire, is constantly whirled round, and endeavours to recede thence, it cannot but procreate the sense of Light, and make the Fire Bright and Shining.

IX. Of the se∣veral ways whereby Fire may be kindled. Fire may be kindled several ways: First out of Flints, for they being of a hard substance, if other stiff Bodies dash against them, by this means the Globuli of the Second Element, because of the nar∣rowness of the interjected space, are forced to march off, leaving only behind them the matter of the First Element, and so the Earthly Particles which swim upon it, and follow its motion produce Fire and are turned to Sparks. Which may be the Cause why we find that in Subterraneous Places Fire is often kindled. For since there is always in those places a viscous slimy matter, and many ex∣halations are sublimed there by the Suns heat, it may so happen that one Flint dashing against ano∣ther, may send forth sparks, by which the exhala∣tions that cleave to the kindled viscous or sulphure∣ous matter, may communicate a flame to the Bo∣dies that are nearest to them. Now that there are such fat and sulphurous Flames in the Bowels of the Earth, is well known to the Miners, and Reason evinceth the same; for seeing that there is a Fire in the Bowels of the Earth, there must be Fumes arising from it; seeing also that there are sulphurous hot Bathes, and veins of Jews Lime, and other oily matter boyling in the hidden Channels of the Earth, we may easily judge that from these also a continual Smoak or Fume must proceed by way of exhalation. And it seems probable, that the first kindling of those Fires which burn in Mount Aet∣na in Sicily, and Vesuvius in Campania, hapned after this manner.

X. How Fire is kindled by a Burn∣ing Glass. There is also another way of kindling Fire, viz. when the Beams of the Sun are concentred in a concave Glass, for by this means the Globuli act∣ing with their joint forces, do excite a various and vehement excitation of the Terrestrial Particles, whence proceeds a Flame, the Heavenly Globuli being beaten back, by the swift agitation of the Terrestrial Particles, so as that the Particles of the most subtil matter can freely flow together and continue this agitation.

XI. Sharp Spi∣rits can also kindle a fire. A Fire also may be kindled by sharp Spirits, as appears in Hay, which if it be laid up before it be sufficiently dry, it becomes hot by degrees, and at last breaks forth into a Flame, because the Spirits of Herbs that are shut up in it, have not so free an egress, as when they were Green, and before they began to be dried; and therefore being no longer able to enter into the same passages, with the Globuli of the Second Element, they become surrounded only by the matter of the First Ele∣ment, which putting them into a most swift motion, makes a Flame to appear. But this never happens in Wood, tho' it be struck never so much, because its substance is not stiff enough, that by a concus∣sion of another hard Body, the Globuli of the Se∣cond Element should be driven away, because the part that is struck bends towards another, before that the Second begins to bend towards the Third, and that again towards those that are next to it, by which means its force of flying back is lost.

XII. How Fire is Nourish•• or Fed. But forasmuch as Flame is perpetually turn'd to Smoak, and is no more the same than a River, which is continually supplied by an access of new waters, it is of absolute necessity that it have some Food or Fewel whereby it may be preserved and maintained. And this is no other but those Ter∣restrial Parts, which being agitated by the matter of the First Element, have a power to drive away the Air or any other Body, that might extinguish it. It is also requisit that these particles be very thin, that they may be able to supply the room of the vanishing Smoak: for the thicker particles are easily surrounded by the Globuli of the Second Element, and possessing themselves of the places which the particles of the First Element have left, do much break the force of the Fire, and choak its Flame.

XIII. Oily and Sulphurous Bodies are a proper fewel to preserve Fire. For which reason also all Oily, Sulphurous and Bituminous Bodies are of all others most conducive to maintain and preserve Fire; for that by reason of the contexture of their Branch-like Parts, and their fit Thickness, they are most fit and disposed to be agi∣tated by the particles of the First Element, and being thereby driven out of their places, to com∣municate their motion to other Bodies with such force as that they drive away the particles of the Second Element, which otherwise would extinguish the Fire into which they strive to enter on every side.

XIV. How Flame is produced. These things premis'd, it will be easie to con∣ceive, that Flame is nothing else but a Fire wholly at liberty, that is, a Fire whose parts are so agitated, that they entirely separate themselves from each other, and do only swim in the matter of the First Element. It will be likewise readily conceived how a Flame is produc'd, by viewing the Candle AB, and reflecting that there be many parts of * 1.27Wax that move very swiftly throughout the whole space CDE, where they constitute a Flame, be∣cause they swim alone in the matter of the First Element. We must also consider, that the parts of Wax that constitute the Flame do continually strive to mount still higher, for that by reason of their great agitation they are more light than the Air, that surrounds them, which having been forced to descend continually, endeavours to return to its place again, and to which indeed it would return, if the new particles of Wax that come forth from the Wick, and which begin to follow the Course of the First Element, did not hinder it; which is confirmed by experience, which shews us that as soon as the particles of Wax cease to proceed thence, or tho' they do, yet have not force enough, the Flame ceaseth in the space CDE, and the Air possesseth it self of its place.

XV. Why the Flame always mounts up∣wards, and ends in a point. It is peculiar to Flame to mount upwards, and to end in a sharp point; the reason whereof is, be∣cause the Flame, by reason of the great abundance of the matter of the First Element that is in it, being lighter than the Air that surrounds it, must of necessity tend upwards: and because the middle parts of the Flame GDE, are more strongly agi∣tated by means of their greater solidity, than those which are about the utmost parts CC, whose mo∣tion is much diminisht by the neighbouring Air, this makes the Flame to end in a point, and its Smoak to break forth chiefly at the top H, where

the Terrestrial particles begin to lose their agita∣tion. As for Example, When the Smoak ascends towards H, it makes the Air to descend by I and K, towards B, where razing the Wick, it pushes the particles of Wax towards the flame, which serve to nourish it: Which Circular motion of the Air towards the flame, Experience shews us, in that when a Chamber is close shut, save only some little Hole or Chink, and a Fire be kindled in it, a Wind is perceived to enter in by the said Chink; and which is so much the stronger, by how much the Fire is greater.

XVI. The force of Fire upon Earth∣ly Bodies. Fire is extreamly active, and exerts its Force upon the hardest Bodies; for its Particles, as so many sharp Needles penetrate their Pores, and driving out the par∣ticles therein contained, they divide its parts, and turn them into their own Matter; and in case the particles of the Bodies, the Fire acts upon, are easily separable, then they melt. For to be melted, or in a liquid form, imports nothing else, but that the Body in that state consists of Particles that are divided from each other, and in some agitation. As on the other hand, Bodies are dried, when by approaching to the fire, their thin and slippery Particles are exhaled, the more thick Parts being left, which being thereby more closely joyn'd together, con∣stitute hard Bodies.

XVII. The Venti∣lation of the Air is necessary, to the preser∣vation of Fire. The Ventilation of the Air is necessary to Fire; because the Air being push'd upwards by the mounting flame, cannot enter into another place, which the Fire, by consuming its Fewel, leaves open for it; and whilst it thus succeeds, it like a Fan or Bellows, drives the fire into the more in∣ward parts of the fewel, and dissipating those that are more Heavy, doth thus by blowing preserve the fire: For where this is not, and the Air is hindred from supplying the said place, the flame not being able to give way, becomes choak'd by the more heavy and gross Fumes.

XVIII. Fire is ex∣tinguish'd by any Li∣quor poured upon it. Fire is put out, when any liquor or moisture is poured upon it in a greater quantity, than can be put into motion by the force of the fired Par∣ticles; which is the Cause why a little Water in∣creaseth the Fire, whereas a great deal of it doth put it out.

XIX. Why the Air must have free access into a Chamber, that the Fire may not fill it with Smoak. Hence it is, that when a Fire is kindled in a Chamber, if the Air hath no free access to it, the whole Chamber becomes presently fill'd with Smoak. Because the Air drives away from it great store of Air, together with the Particles, of combustible Bodies: For it is these that being mix'd with the Air, constitute the Smoak, as the more solid Parts of those Bodies are turn'd to Ashes. And since it is repugnant that there should be any Vacuum in Nature, it is necessary that so much Air enter the Chamber, as there is Smoak going out: For except this be, the whole Chamber will be fill'd with Smoak.

CHAP. XXII. Of the Nature of Heat and Cold.

I. Heat and Cold do not belong to any species of Quality really di∣stinct from the Subject. HAving already rejected all Qualities really di∣stinct from their Subjects, we shall not trouble our selves with the enquiry, to what Species of these Qualities, Heat and Cold do belong. And the rather, because these Forms are unknown to us; and if we should admit them, the Enquiry will still remain, by what Virtue they operate, if they be Active; and how the Sense suffers by them, if they be Patible. Wherefore it remains only for us to determine, to what General Head of things Heat and Cold do belong; viz. Whether they be Substances, or are only to be accounted amongst the Modes of Substances.

II. Wherein the Nature of Quali∣ties in ge∣neral doth consist. Qualities that belong to Matter are nothing else, but certain dispositions in the Subjects, consisting in Magnitude, Figure, Motion and Situation of Parts, whence they produce several ways of Sensation: Tho there be nothing in these Bodies like to those Idea's they awake or excite in us; so that tho' the Par∣ticles, for Example, of an Hot Object be other∣wise dispos'd than those of a Cold, yet in neither of them is there any thing like to those Idea's or Modes of Sensation they stir up in us.

III. Qualities are certain Modes in Bodies. If any one therefore enquire, whether these Qualities are Modes existing in Bodies? We An∣swer that they are so, if they be taken for the various disposition of Parts; but not so, if they be taken for those Modes of Perception which they excite in us.

IV. What Heat and Cold is. Heat therefore is a Quality arising from a greater and unequal Motion of the Terrestrial Particles: And Cold is a Quality proceeding from the quiet of the Parts, or at least from a less de∣gree of Motion in them.

V. Heat con∣sists in Motion, and Cold in Rest. We assert therefore, That Heat is nothing else, but the motion or agitation of the small Parts of a Body; and Cold, their rest or consistence. Now that Heat is nothing else, but motion, may be proved from its Increase and Decrease; for we find that Liquid Bodies become hot, when their Par∣ticles are put in motion by Fire. Thus we find that boyling Water, melted Metals, and all other things, when set on fire, are very much agitated, neither is heat to be perceived in them, till their Parts be put in motion. In consistent or compact Bodies we likewise find, that when they are struck or rub one against the other, provided it be done with some Force, (as when two pieces of Wood are rub'd against each other, or a Knife whetted upon a Whetstone) heat is excited in them both. For the Heat in any Body becomes increased, and grows stronger, by how much the agitation is greater. Hence it is, that nothing, amongst Na∣tural Bodies, is more hot than Flame is, because nothing hath its Parts more agitated, as daily Experience teacheth. And if there appear any difference between one Flame and another, that proceeds only, because the Parts whereof they are composed, are more or less thick; and conse∣quently more or less powerful to agitate those Bodies, on which they exert their Forces.

VI. All the Particles of Fire are moved, but not the whole Fire it self. When we say, That Heat is Motion; we are not so to be understood, as if the whole Body that is heated were agitated: For it is repugnant that the same Body, should at one and the same time be moved by various Motions; but only that the small particles thereof be in motion and variously agitated; that is, that they change their situation, and are differently apply'd to the different parts of ambient Bodies; so as to be tossed with various determinations, to the Right, to the Left, Upwards, Downwards, Forwards and Back∣wards, according to their several dispositions and figures.

VII. In what sense Li∣quid Bo∣dies are said to be hot. If any one Object, That according to this Expli∣cation it will follow, that all Liquid Bodies, as Water, Wind, Air, and the like, are hot; because, as hath been said in our General Physicks, their parts are variously moved. For Water is no other ways distinguish'd from Ice, but because its parts are in continual motion; whereas those of Ice continue always in the same situation.

VIII. The An∣swer to the foregoing Objection. Before I come to give a satisfactory Answer to this Difficulty, I would have it noted, that every agitation cannot be called Heat, but that only which is of force enough to affect the Sense of Feeling, and to shake the Filaments of our Nerves: For if the motion be not strong enough to produce this effect, we cannot give it the Name of Heat; that being an Appellation, which is attributed to things with relation to our Senses. Thus when a Sound is so weak, as not to reach our Ears, tho' it may wave the Air, it cannot be called a Sound. And so to denominate any thing hot, it is requisite that there be such a motion of the Particles, as to affect the Nerves of our Hand, or some other part of our Body. Fluid Bodies therefore, consi∣der'd in themselves, and without any respect to our Senses, may be called Hot, tho' not compa∣ratively, that is, with reference to our Sense of Feeling; except it should happen, that the Par∣ticles of our Hand, which is the ordinary Organ of Feeling, be more slowly moved than the Par∣ticles of the Body that is felt: As it happens, when with a hot Hand we touch a Body that is Luke-warm, which then feels cold to us; and yet we shall feel the same Body hot, if we apply our other Hand that is cold. Water therefore abso∣lutely consider'd, may be said to be hot, because it contains some heat in it self, and is capable of being more cold by many degrees, as when it be∣gins to freez: But with regard to our Sense it is cold, because it excites no such Sensation as we call Heat, in our Organs.

IX. The Nature of Cold consists in Rest. Having discover'd the Nature of Heat, we cannot be ignorant of that of Cold: For as Heat is the various agitation of the insensible parts of a Body; so Cold is their Rest, or at least a diminu∣tion of their Motion. For we find by daily Ex∣perience, that Hot-water grows by so much the colder, as the Agitation of its parts ceaseth, till at last, by a total Cessation thereof, it be changed into Ice, which of all others is the most cold Body. Thus the things that are said to be cold, are en∣dued with little or no Agitation, and consequently are not able to move our Senses, but rather mode∣rate and put a stop to the motion of our Animal Spirits. Thus, as long as our Fingers are warm, we can do any thing with them; but when once they are seiz'd with cold, they become useless to us in the performing of any work.

X. Why hot things take up more place, than such as are cold. A Hot thing therefore differs from a Cold thing, as a thing that is at rest or less moved, differs from that which is moved, or more swiftly moved. Whence it is that those Bodies, whose Parts are agitated by heat, contrary to their Custom, cannot be comprehended in so small a space or room, as those which are at rest, or are less moved; foras∣much as by means of this motion their small par∣ticles are rendred irregular, which therefore require more room, than when they are united, and are not separated by any agitation.

XI. Cold is something that is Positive. Some suppose Cold to be nothing else, but a Privation of Heat; but these seem not to have understood the Nature of Rest; which is nothing else, but an abode in the same situation: Now Abode or Continuance, is something Positive, yea, more positive than motion it self. For that which is unchangeable, must without doubt more partake of the Nature of an Entity, than that which con∣sists in continual Change and Vicissitude. Where∣fore we must conclude, that Rest or Quiet is a positive thing, as having no less efficacy than Motion. For which of the two shall we reckon to be most positive; that which keeps together and preserves other Bodies, or that which dissipates and destroys them? Now it is the Property of Rest to preserve many things, that by Motion are spoil'd and damnified: Wherefore Rest ought to be look'd upon as being more positive than Motion. For who will assert, that to abide in a place, to continue in time, to rest in a Seat, or the like, which belong to Rest, to be less positive, than to take a Journey, to run a Race, or to be in a con∣tinual flowing, which belong to Motion? Indeed it is an Error of our Mind, whereby we take Rest to be something Privative, and Motion to be Po∣sitive; because we experience, that the one depends on our Will, whereas the other is scarcely taken notice of by us.

XII. It is by Rest alone that Ri∣vers are frozen, ••ea, the Sea it self, and that Li∣ving Crea∣tures die. It seems strange to some, that by Rest only, which constitutes the Nature of Cold, Rivers and Seas should be frozen, and the Life of Animals should be destroy'd: And yet it is evident, that all this is done by Rest alone, not the least of Motion being to be found in any of these Effects. For what doth the freezing of Rivers and Seas import, but such a union and clinging together of their parts, whereby they do consist and are at rest? For no stronger Argument can be alledg'd to prove, that any Bodies are joyn'd, than to say that they lye at rest together.

XIII. The parts of Ice are at Rest, tho' the whole may be carried along by the stream of the River. For tho' a whole Body of Ice may be carried along the Water, yet its Parts notwithstanding are at Rest together; for in case they were in agitation, then would they no longer constitute Ice, but Water; as we find, that when the Frost breaks, the parts of the Ice that lay still together before, by being separated through motion, turn to Water.

XIV. Cold, as it is a Rest of the Parts of a Body kills Li∣ving Crea∣tures. That Cold is the Cause of the Death of Living Creatures, must not seem strange to us, seeing that our Bodily Life consists in the various agitation of the Blood, Spirits and Humours, upon the diminu∣tion or cessation whereof, Life it self must cease also. For as by too intense Cold, that is, by the consistence of the insensible Particles of the Air and Water, the Water that turns a Mill is con∣gealed; so the total cessation or diminution of the motion of the Blood and Spirits in the Bodies of Living Creatures, deprives them of Life. As we find, that in the Winter time, Flies and many other Living Creatures consume and dye, especially when the cold is very intense.

XV. What Po∣tential Heat a••d Cold is. As there is an Actual Heat and Cold found in Bodies, so some Bodies are said to be Potentially hot or cold. Those are called Potentially hot▪ which have an aptitude or disposition to grow hot▪ or heat other things; which ariseth from hence, that their particles are so disposed, that they are liable to be more violently moved by the Subtil

matter, which runs through all Bodies. Thus Quick-Lime, which is cold to the Touch, is said to be hot Potentially, because the Subtil matter can easily excite an Agitation in its Pores. In like manner all other Bodies, which can produce such a motion in the Particles of other Bodies, are said to be Potentially hot; such as are Pepper, Ginger, Spirit of Wine, and the like. And on the contrary, that Body is said to be Potentially cold, whose Particles cannot be agitated by the Subtil mat∣ter; or whose disposition of parts is such, as to hinder the particles of any Body to be put in agi∣tation by others; such as are Lettice, Vine∣gar, &c.

CHAP. XXIII. Of the various Effects of Fire.

I. Some Ef∣fects of Fire re∣main still to be ex∣plained. HAving hitherto consider'd the Nature of Fire, and how it diffuseth Light from it self through the Air, and communicates heat to those Bodies that are near it; it remains now that we explain some other of its Effects, viz. how it rarefies and condenses some Bodies, softens and melts others, and again hardens and dries; changeth some into Calx or Ashes, and others into Glass. In order to the giving of a Reason for these dif∣ferent Effects, we are to presuppose that Rule of the Philosophers; that Every Action is received, not so much according to the manner and condition of the Agent, as according to the Disposition of the Patient. The Action of the Fire is every where one and the same; but the difference of the Effect proceeds from the diversity of the Matter whereon it acts.

II. How the Fire rare∣fies Bodies. In the First place therefore, if a Body, whose Parts are pretty close together, be very much heated, let those parts be of what figure they please, provided only that they be not Round, whilst they are whirl'd about their own Center, they cannot but meet with their Corners, and push one another, and then such a Body is said to be rarefied; as ap∣pears in Milk, when it boils, as well as in other Liquors. The same may be often perceived in hard Bodies, which being heated, do lose few of their Particles by Exhalation. Thus Red-hot Iron is more turgid than that which is cold.

III. How it condenseth them. But in case the Parts of a Body be very light, and very susceptible of Agitation, and yet have some slight Coherence; yet so, as that they scarce∣ly touch one another, and constitute a Whole, that is, of a very loose and incompact Substance, the least heat supervening to such Bodies as these, and communicating some motion to their parts, disposeth them to a nearer Conjunction, and by this means condenseth the whole Body: As when Heat reduceth Snow to a less bulk, by making the parts of it closer together.

IV. How Bodies grow soft by the force of the Fire. The Fire softens Bodies, by agitating their Par∣ticles with so moderate a Motion, as doth only move them, without separating them from one another. Which happens only in those Bodies that consist of such parts, as are with equal facility separated from each other; as in Wax, a hot Hand, Lead, and other such like, whose insensible parts are not wholly without motion, tho' the slow∣ness of it make it imperceptible.

V. How Bo∣dies are melted by the Fire▪ The Fire melts Bodies, whilst it not only moves their Particles, but also separates them from each other, as to their situation. For by the violent agitation of the Fire, the particles of Bodies are separated from one another, and most swiftly moved. And accordingly Metals, tho' otherwise hard Bodies, are by the force of Heat melted, and resolved into Homogeneal Particles, as they are usually called.

VI. How Bodies by Fire are resolved into Va∣pour, and afterward turn to Water, or other Li∣quor. A like Effect of Fire is DISTILLATION, by means whereof a Body is changed first into Vapour, and afterward, as that Vapour condenseth, is turn'd to Liquor: Which may be done several ways, according to the several de∣grees of Fire, as by the moist Heat, as the Chy∣mists call it, which is that of a Balneum, or by the dry heat of Ashes, Sand, or a naked Fire. And by this separation of parts, there are distill'd from Bodies first Burning Spirits; then Phlegm or in∣sipid Water; and lastly, a sharp and corroding Liquor, which by a very violent Fire is distill'd from Salts.

VII. How Bodies come to heat and boil, by means of Fire. But if the agitation of the Liquid particles be so great, that some of them be carried upwards, or be changed into Air or Fire, and so requiring a greater Space wherein to dilate themselves, and to pursue their motion, do thrust other Bodies out of their places; then these Liquid Bodies become very hot and boil. Now this great Heat or effervescence is carried on with an equal motion, and without any great perturbation of their parts, when the said Liquid Bodies do not contain much Hetero∣geneous matter; as it happens in Wine and pure Water. But they boil, where the Matter of Bodies is more Heterogeneous, partly spirituous and vola∣tile, and partly thick and clammy, or ropy: These being the two Matters that concur to the making of Bubbles; for viscous and clammy Mat∣ter, serves to make the Skins of the Bubbles, and the volatile Matter furnisheth that Aiery Spirit that fills and distends them. But if the agitation of the Heat be not strong enough to overcome the Heaviness of Bodies, then it cannot dilate those Bodies, so as to make them take up a greater Space. And therefore it is, that the particles of Metals do not fly up into the Air, because the force of Heaviness that is in them, surpasseth the Activity of the Fire.

VIII. How it comes to pass, that the Fire hardens and dries some Bo∣dies. As the Fire softens and melts some Bodies, so it hardens and dries others, viz. such as are com∣pounded partly of thin, flexible, slippery and vola∣tile Parts; and partly of Thick and Branchy parts mix'd together, but not very firmly sticking to one another. For that Body is said to be dry, which wants those fluid Particles, which when united together do constitute Water, or any other Liquor. Such Bodies as these therefore, as soon as they come near the fire, their fluid and thin Particles being exhaled or turned into Vapour, become dry, and their thick and branchy Particles are left alone by themselves; which being more nearly and closely joyned, and with greater firmness hanging together, do constitute hard Bodies. As is manifest in Clay, some of the pores whereof are by heat shut up, and others again dilated and left more open.

IX. How Fire turns Bo∣dies into a Calx and Ashes. Another Effect of Fire is, that it separates most Bodies either into a kind of Calx, or into Ashes, according to the various application thereof. For when those Bodies that are apt to melt, are so

placed, as that a violent flame of Reverberation may beat upon them, they become turned into a Calx. For all Hard Bodies, which by the Action of Fire, are reduc'd to a powder, by expulsion of some of their thinner Particles, which joyned the other parts together, are said by the Chymists to be turned into a Calx. So that Calcination is an Operation, whereby a mix'd Body, especially Stones and Metals, are reduced into a small Powder. Neither is there any other difference between Ashes and a Calx, save that Ashes are the Re∣mainders of those Bodies, whereof a great part hath already been consumed in the fire: Whereas a Calx is of those Bodies, which suffer little or no diminution at all by the Action of fire, as not being inflammable. And both of them agree in this, that they consist of solid and thick Parts, such as by the ordinary force of the fire cannot be changed into Vapours, and are of irregular and many Corner'd figures; so that they only lye upon one another, without sticking close together, and probably do not touch one another, but in some very small Points.

X. How these Calces, and the Ashes of Bodies are by Fire turn'd into Glass. If afterwards these Calces, or the Ashes, are committed to a strong and long continued Fire, their Corners or Angles, which are the cause of the Roughness and Opacity that is in Ashes, become bended, by which means the particles being agi∣tated and tost together, are at last more closely joyned, polished, and made more smooth, which touching each other only, according to little Surfaces, do constitute that hard, transparent and brittle Body, which is commonly called Glass.

XI. Why Glass is hard, stiff, trans∣parent, and brittle. GLASS is a hard and stiff Body, because it consists of thick and inflexible particles, which are not joyn'd together by any intangling of the Branchy parts, but by contact only. It is Trans∣parent, because after its concretion or coagulation it still retains its Pores, through which the Hea∣venly Globuli can continue their motion to Right Lines, according as they were moved before, when it was Liquid. Lastly, It is Brittle, because the Surfaces, in which its particles touch one another are very small.

XII. How Earth∣quakes are caused by Fire. Fire not only exerts its Activity upon the Sur∣face of the Earth, but also in the Cavities or Inward parts of it; where it is the cause of EARTHQUAKES, as often as any great store of Exhalations are found there: Not that they of themselves are able to produce this effect, seeing their Particles do only constitute the Air; but because they easily mingle themselves with the more Subtil particles of Spirits, and being heated and kindled by them, seek for a larger place wherein they may dilate themselves; and being not able to find that, they shake all that stands in their way: Much in the same manner as Gan∣powder, shut up in a Mine, as soon as it is kindled, by endeavouring to make room for it self, makes a great Concussion, making the Earth to quake. Which is the reason why those places are most subject to Earthquakes, which abound with Veins of Saltpeter, Brimstone, or other Oleaginous mat∣ters; these being easily kindled by Spirits, or by any spark of Fire, from the dashing together of Stones or Flints. And as soon as they are kindled, not being able to contain themselves in the same Space, they are carried upward, and break through their Prison Walls, to make room for themselves.

XIII. Subterra∣neous Fires act diffe∣rently. EXHALATIONS, kindled in the Holes of the Earth, do break forth outwardly on the Sur∣face of it, when they are of force enough to make a way for themselves thro' the outward Crust of the Earth; but when they are not of strength enough to do this, they only cause a simple Earthquake, that is, they only make the Country round about to rise a little; as Gun-powder raiseth the Terrassee that lead to the Mines. An Earthquake therefore is nothing else, but the Shaking of any Place or Country, which is accompanied sometimes with a breach of the Ground, and a terrible Noise.

XIV. What Fer∣mentation is, and the Cause of it. FERMENTATION is accounted amongst the Effects of Fire; and happens, when the Mat∣ter of the first Element is so shut up in the narrow Pores of Earthly Bodies, that tho' many thick Particles swim in their little Spaces, yet are they so agitated by some Watry and Airy particles that are insensibly mix'd with them, as to be able to affect our Nerves, and produce the perception of Heat. Such a fervescence or rising is found in Dough, and in the working of New Wine, Beer, and other potulent Liquors: So likewise in Oil of Vitriol, mix'd with Salt of Tartar; Aqua-fortis, in which Copper is put, and other such like. Be∣cause the Particles of these Bodies are so agitated by the Aethereal matter, that runs through their Pores, as not only thereby to be heated, but also rarefied and subtiliz'd; so that the Hooks and In∣tanglements, whereby their Particles before were held and kept together, are dissolved. Fermenta∣tion therefore is nothing else, but the adventitious and expansive Motion of the insensible Heteroge∣neous parts of fermenting Bodies, excited without any sensible Cause.

XV. Heteroge∣neous Par∣ticles are required to the Motion of Fermenta∣tion. Bodies subject to Fermentation are not of one kind; for they may be either Animate, or with∣out Life, Thin or Thick, Natural or Artificial, provided they do consist of Heterogeneous parts. Now this Heterogeneity of parts is found in those Bodies, which are compounded of Particles, where∣of some are in continual motion, and others again are Earthly, thick, and more fix'd, which hinder the more Volatile parts from flying away. For on this contrariety and strife of the Parts fermen∣tation chiefly depends; for where the Particles are of the same figure and conformation, no fermen∣tation can be excited. Thus we find, that New Beer, or Wine, when shut up in narrow Mouth'd Bottles do ferment or work with such Violence, that they often break the Bottles: Whereas if the parts of these Liquors be separated by distillation, they will no longer be capable of fermentation. For which Reason, Stillatitious Oils, burning Spi∣rits, and distill'd Waters, will continue a vast while without the least change by fermentation. Thus Spirit of Wine, shut up in a Bottle, is very far from falling into a fret or effervescence; but if you add some Oil of Turpentine to it, it excites such a commotion of the parts, as endangers the breaking of the Bottle, in case it be close stopt.

CHAP. XXIV. Of the Mixtion of Bodies: As likewise of their Changes, Conversion, Generation, Corruption, Alteration, Augmentation and Diminution.

I. There is a twofold Mixtion of Bodies. THAT it may be the better apprehended what Mixtion is, we are to observe that things may be mingled after a twofold manner; the first way is, by a Composition or rather Apposi∣tion of the things to be mingled. The second by their Coalition or Confusion.

II. What Ap∣position and Confusion is. Those Bodies are said to be mingled by Apposi∣tion, whose parts do not wholly mix and run through one another, but only superficially touch one another, keeping their distinct natures, as when Fruits of several sorts are heaped together, and make one heap. But the Mixtion by Coalition or Confusion of Bodies is, when they are so ming∣led▪ as that they wholly run through one another, so that there is not the least particle assignable in the mixt Bodies, which doth not consist of every one of them. According as some think that the parts of Water pour'd into Wine, are so throughly mixed with the parts thereof, as to be susceptive of the same Action and Passion. This last kind of Mixtion ARISTOTLE seems to defend lib. 1. de Generat. cap. 10. where he asserts that a new substantial form is produced in Generation, and that there is no part of the mixt Body so small but is mixed.

III. Aristotle's mistake about the Mixtion of Bodies. But this opinion of Aristotle is not at all proba∣ble, for if we should suppose the most perfect mix∣tion of all the most minute parts of a Body, this would destroy the very nature and notion of mix∣ture; since it is the common notion of mixture, that the things mixed must still continue; for if they do not abide, then it is not a mixture of several things, but a destruction. Besides, if the parts of a Mixt Body, do wholly through and through pierce one another, so as to be coextended every way, then two Bodies will be in the same place, seeing there is no part so small that is not mixed, and that is not partaker of all the parts both in substance and quality. From hence also it will follow, that a small Body, by example a Pint of Water, will be equal and coextended to a far greater Body, viz. a Gallon of Wine, seeing that there is no part so small, which does not consist of Wine and Water.

IV. The opinion of the Peri∣pateticks concerning Mixture. Some Aristoteleans, to avoid these absurdities, tell us, that all Miscibles are not of the same Power and Virtue, and that the weaker do yeild to the stronger. So that when a drop of Water is cast into a Hogshead of Wine, it produceth no mix∣ture, but that the form of the weaker part, viz. Water, is by the more powerful Wine, changed into its own nature, so that by the addition of this drop of Water, the Wine contained in the Hogshead is encreased one drop.

V. The Peripa∣teticks con∣futed. But this Evasion doth not agree with Reason; for I will only demand of them, whether this drop of Water cast into the Hogshead be changed into Wine? They will say it is. But if after this first drop, another and another he put in, and this con∣tinued, till the first quantity be 2 fold, 10 fold, 100 fold, 1000 fold encreased, what will be the kind or substance of this Liquor then? The Peri∣pateticks according to their Principles, must say that the whole Mass of this Liquor will be pure Wine, tho' instead of one Gallon of Wine, a 1000 of Water may have been pour'd into it drop by drop, since according to them, every drop of Wa∣ter, by the overpowering quantity of Wine, was turned into Wine. But is not this absurd? If they will not own this, let them tell us when the VVine began to lose its form; and at what particular drop of VVater, the whole mass of VVater became de∣prived of its form. But here they must be silent, and tho' sore against their wills, acknowledge their Ignorance.

VI. That Mix∣ture is caused by Apposition. Wherefore rejecting this Sentence, we must ad∣here to the former, and maintain that the Mixtion of Bodies is performed by the apposition of parti∣cles to each other: Thus when VVine and VVater are mixed together, the parts of each Liquor con∣tinue in their distinct natures; so as that the par∣ticles of VVine and VVater are not in the same, but in distinct places, as black and white Threads, in the Weaving of any Stuff or Cloath do each possess their distinct intervals. Neither must it seem contradictory to what we here assert, that the mixture of VVine and VVater, cannot be perceived by our Senses, because the particles of VVine and VVater are so small and subtil that they cannot be perceived by our Sight, nor distinguisht by our Tast.

VII. Experi∣ments pro∣ving Mix∣tion to be by Apposition. And certainly we have great reason to believe that Mixtion is performed after this manner, since we find that Bodies that are mixed may be sepa∣rated again from each other. Thus VVine that is mixed with VVater may be separated from it, ei∣ther by a Spunge dipt in Oyl, or by a Cup made of Ivy, or by extream Cold, which freezing the VVater, leaves the VVine, or at least the most Spi∣rituous Part thereof in the center of the Icy mass unfrozen. And the same is almost perceived in every Body, wherein there is but a little quantity of Sulphur and Spirit; for if you distil out of Vi∣triol, Tartar, Saltpeter and the like, their Phlegm and Acid Spirit, and after distillation, put them again to the remaining dregs, which the Chymists call their Caput Mort, you will find the same Body restored, which was before distillation, and almost of the same quantity or bigness as it was before. Chymists observe that when they mix the Spirit of Vitriol with the Salt of Tartar, there at first happens a great effervescence or ebullition, and when that is over, both the Liquor and Sult do quite lose their sharpness and acrimony, so that the Body remaining after this their effervescence, is a meer insipid Body: But if then by distillation you sepa∣rate the Spirit of Vitriol from the Salt of Tartar, you'l find that neither of them are deprived of their former virtue and force, but that they are as sharp and corrosive as before. All which Experi∣ments do give us an undoubted evidence, that things after mixture retain the same nature they had before, and that Mixture is performed by Appo∣sition of the Particles of one Body to those of ano∣ther.

VIII. What Mix∣ture is, and how many several ways the same may be. Mixtion therefore or Mixture is nothing else but the Collection of divers Bodies into one, and that by way of Apposition. It may be performed divers ways. 1st. By Percolation or straining; thus Blood, Urin, Medicinal VVaters, Stones, al∣most all Juices, VVine, Oyl, &c. are made.

2ly. By Coction or by Baking, thus Salt, Bricks, Earthen ware and Glass become one mixt Body. 3ly. By Sublimation, thus Soot, Snot or Snivel, and, it may be Metals also, and some Salts used by Chymists are made. 4ly. By Distillation, as many sorts of VVater, Rain, Dew, Manna, and other things are made. 5ly. By Dissolution, thus Salt-water, the Chyle, or nutritive Juice, and dissolved or melted Bodies are made. 6ly. By Ex∣halation, as Flame, Steams, Clouds and other such like. 7ly. By Concretion or growing together, as Snow, Frost, Hail, the Stone in Mans Body, &c. 8ly. By Calcination, as many sorts of Salts, Ashes, Quick-lime. 9ly. By Simple Commix••ion, as Wine mingled with Water, Ointments. 10ly. By Sim∣ple Expression, as Wine; Oyl, and most other Juices.

IX. The Chan∣ges of Na∣tural things. Mutation or Change is the Vicissitude or Altera∣tion of any thing, but chiefly of such as are bodi∣ly. The nature whereof we shall the better ap∣prehend, by taking notice that all Changes are of two kinds, viz. Accidentary or Essential. An Ac∣cidentary Change is that whereby only some Ac∣cidents are changed, which do not constitute the essence of a thing, such as are the changes of Heat∣ing and Cooling. Essential Changes are those where∣in the essences of things are changed by the Intro∣duction of a New Form, and by depriving them of the Form they had before. And forasmuch as ac∣cording to what hath been said in our General Phy∣sicks, there are in the usual sense of the Peripate∣ticks no substantial Forms, besides the Soul of Man, it follows that neither can there be in their mean∣ing any substantial change, save that in the pro∣duction of man, because in no other production, any such new substance, as they understand, is made; but in all Alterations and Generations the matter or common subject is only Accidentally or Essenti∣ally modified according to Measure or Quantity, Rest, Motion, Position and Figure.

X. What Con∣version is. To be more particular, Conversion is that Acti∣on, whereby one thing is changed into another, by the Alteration of its former Modification, and the introduction of another, diverse from the former, the same common subject still remaining. It is said that the same Common Subject remains: For the Matter which is the Subject, is numerically the same after the Change, as it was before, be∣ing only Modified anew. And this is well to be observed, because that otherwise it will not be any true Conversion or Change of one thing into ano∣ther, but rather an Exchange of one thing for ano∣ther.

XI. The diffe∣rence be∣tween an Accidental, Essential and Sub∣stantial Conversion. That Action, which is terminated in those Modes or Accidents that may be present or absent without the destruction of the Subject, is called an Acci¦dental Conversion. But that which is terminated in that peculiar Modification, which is Essential to any thing, and doth distinguish it from all others, the same is called an Essential Conversion, and sometimes Substantial, inasmuch as it affects the ve∣ry substance or subject it self, so and so modified. For indeed by the substance of any thing we are not to understand that bare Entity, which is con∣ceived to be the Subject of the Form, and to be specificated by it, but both Subject and Form taken together, to wit, that Thing which consists of them both, or rather the Subject, as I said, it self, as considered with its peculiar Modification: So that when this Constitution or Modification is changed, and another introduced into the common Subject, it is evident that then the former substance is also changed, and turned into another. Thus when that peculiar modification, which constitutes the na∣ture of Wood, is changed, and the Essential dispo∣sition that constitutes a Stone is introduced, in this case we must say that the Wood is essentially and ••••b∣stantially changed into a Stone. And so likewi•••• in the case of Nutrition, when Corn is reduced to Flower, that to Bread, and the Bread into the Blood and Flesh of our Bodies, this I say is an Es∣sential and Substantial Conversion.

XII. What 〈◊〉〈◊〉 i••. So likewise Generation is nothing else but a cer∣tain disposition of matter according to the foresaid Modifications of Measure, &c. as in the Producti∣on of PLANTS and BEASTS; because in the generation of either of these, a new substance is no more produced, than in the framing of a Sta∣tue, or the building of a House. Now what hap∣pens to Stone or Wood when it is framed into a Statue, more than a new form or habitude in the matter of Wood or Stone? So likewise in the build∣ing of a House, there is no other change but what ariseth from the joining of Stones, Boards, Tiles, Nails, &c. which before were separate, but now being set together make such a composure or stru∣cture as hath the form of a House. And tho' the framing of a Statue, and the building of a House do terminate in a Substance, for both the Statue and House are Substances, yet no new Substance other than I have before asserted, is found in either of them, there being nothing superadded to them besides a new Modification, with which both these Substances are affected. Accordingly, Generation is nothing else but a translation or new ranging of the parts of matter, which is alike in Natural and Artificial Compositions.

XIII. What Cor∣ruption is. As for Corruption, it is nothing else but the dis∣solution of parts that were before united. Thus as a House is said to be destroyed when its several parts are separated from each other; so Wood or other combustible matter is said to be corrupted or destroyed, when by Flame it is resolved into Ashes and Smoak. The Cause of the Corruption of Bo∣dies is when strange particles, by thrusting them∣selves into their pores, do thereby change and de∣stroy the Texture, Connexion and order of their Parts. Hence it is that those Bodies that have less pores, are for the most part more durable than others, and less subject to Corruption or De∣struction.

XIV. What Al∣teration is. Alteration is nothing else but the change, where∣by a subject, still abiding the same, becomes chan∣ged as to some Accidents. So Water is said to be altered, when it is heated by the Sun or Fire: and a Man is said to be altered, when of Healthful, he becomes Sick, and of Ignorant, Learned, &c. Because Man, by supervening Sickness or Learn∣ing is not changed into another thing than he was before. And therefore Aristotle in the 1st. Book of Generation chap. 4. defines Alteration to be that whereby a sensible subject, abiding still the same, becomes changed in its affections.

XV. What Aug∣mentation or Growth is. Augmentation or Growth, to speak properly, is nothing else, but Nutrition, whereby more substance is restored, than was lost or dissipated. For Aug∣mentation is never performed without local Moti∣on, since nothing can grow or encrease, but by

[illustration]

[illustration]

Book. 1. Part. 7. Introduction.

G. Freman. Inv.

I. Kip Sculp.

To the Right Hon^ble: Francis, Viscount Newport of Bradford, Lord Leivtenant of Shropshire, Treasurer of their Majesties Household, and one of the Lords of their Ma∣jesties most Ho∣nourable Privy Councell &c.^a

This Plate is humble Dedicated by Richard Blome.

the access or apposition of aliment to its parts, and by the union thereof with them. Thus when the Innate Heat, and Temperament of the Body are such, as that more prepared Food or Aliment is added to it, than it has lost, that Body is said to grow or encrease. As when a Tree by the Juice it draws out of the Earth grows taller, and spreads wider.

XVI. What Di∣minution is. The Diminution or Decrease of Bodies, is when this Nutrition ceaseth, and when less Substance is restored than has been dissipated or lost. The Cause of Diminution is, either the want of Food, or when the Food is not such as is proper to feed the Body; or because of the weakness of the Innate Heat, as happens in those that are Old; or because the said Heat is too strong, as in those who are of a Cholerick Temperament; or when the Body is so disposed, that it cannot be supplied with sufficient Food: Or lastly, when the little constitutive parts of the Body begin to waste and are consumed, whatsoever may be the cause of it; for then the Musculous Parts fall down, and grow Flaggy for want of a sufficient accession of new Substance, caused by a too sparing supply of Food, or because the same is not fitly prepared or concocted. Whence we understand that Augmentation or Growth, and Diminution do consist in Local Mo∣tion.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Figure 35.
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  Fig. 36.
• * 1.3

  Figure 37.
• * 1.4

  Figure 38.
• * 1.5

  Figure 38.
• * 1.6

  〈1 line〉〈1 line〉
• * 1.7

  Figure 39.
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  Fig. 40.
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  Figure 41.
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  Figure 42.
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  Figure 43.
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  Figure 44.
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  Figure 45.
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  Figure 46.
• * 1.15

  Figure 47.
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  Figure 48.
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  Figure 49.
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  Figure 50.
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  Figure 51.
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  Figure 52.
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  Figure 53.
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  Figure 54
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  Figure 55.
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  Figure 56.
• * 1.25

  Figure 57.
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  Figure 58.
• * 1.27

  Figure 59.