The sphere of Marcus Manilius made an English poem with annotations and an astronomical appendix / by Edward Sherburne, Esquire.

OF THE Fixed STARS.

HAving already treated sufficiently both in our Notes, and in this Appendix of the Fixed Stars, as reduced into Signs and Con∣stellations; We shall now consider them distinctly, and apart, as they are several Mundane Bodies disseminated and dispersed through the Immense Space of the Etherial Region, which We call Heaven.

They are said to be fixed, because they alwayes keep (at least seemingly) the same invariable Distance from one another, and from the Ecliptick, as if they were so many Studs of Gold fixed in the Chrystal Firmament, as Empedocles and Anaximenes (according to the Testimony of Plutarch De Placit. Philosoph. l. •…•…. c. 13.) held. Hence the Sphere wherein they are conceiv∣ed to be ranged, is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. inerrans in regard of the unalterable Order observed in their Intervals or Interstitia. And for this Reason chiefly, Ricciolus conceives the Multitude of the Fixed Stars (as it were an Army drawn up in Battle Array) might be called the Militia of Heaven.

The Particulars to which We shall confine our Enquiries, touching these Glorious and splendid Bodies, shall be These following:

First,

Their Substance.

Secondly,

Their Light, Colour, and Scintillation.

Thirdly,

Their Number.

Fourthly,

Their Figure.

Fifthly,

Their Magnitude.

Sixthly,

Their Place and Distance from the Earth, or rather the Sun.

As to their Substance, the Opinions of the Ancients are various, Zoroaster maintained the Stars to be of a fiery Nature; Thales held them to be Earthly, yet withall fiery: Empedocles maintained them to be siery, and to consist of that Fire which the Aether containing in it self, struck forth in its first Secretion. Anaxagoras affirmed (but very extravagantly) that the Ambient Aether being of a fiery Nature, by the Swiftness of its Motion snatcheth up Stones from the Earth, which be∣ing set on Fire become Stars, and are carried from East to West. Diogenes conceived them to be of the Substance of Pumice Stones set on Fire, and to be the Spiracula or breathing Holes of the World. Plato with more Reason held them to be for the most Part of a fiery Nature, yet to ad∣mit of the mixture of other Elements, as it were Cement, to knit and consolidate them. Xeno∣phanes supposed them to be Clouds, set on Fire in the manner of Coals, quenched in the Day Time, and in the Night rekindled. Heraclides and the Pythagoreans held every Star, to be a World by it self, existing in the Infinite Etherial Space, and containing an Earth, an Air and a Sky; which Opinion is found in the Works of Orpheus, for his Followers affirmed the Stars to be so ma∣ny Worlds. Aristotle and his Followers maintain them to be of the same Substance as the Hea∣vens, but only more condensed; and to be simple Bodies without the Mixture of any Elements. The Stoicks, and with them our Manilius, make them to be of a fiery Substance. Others con∣ceive them to be composed of the same Matter as Exhalations and Vapours, and consequently to consist of a Substance partly Aqueous, partly Aerial, of which see Pliny l. 2. c. 9. Petrus Comestor, Hugo Victorinus, and Eugubinus.

Of all These the most celebrated, and most probable Opinion, is, that the Stars are fiery Bodies. An Opinion which wants not the Authority of the Ancient Christian Church to back it, which (in Hymn, seria secunda ad Vesper. of which Saint Ambrose is held to be the Composer) sings after this Manner.

Immense Caeli Conditor Qui mixta ne confunderent

Aquae fluenta dividens Coelum dedisti Limitem Firmans Locum Coelestibus Simulque Terrae Rivulis Ut unda flammas temperet. Terrae solum nec dissipent, &c.

Where we find the Reason why the Waters are placed above the Heavens, viz. to restrain and temper the excessive fervor of the Sun and Stars. Again in Hymn. fer. quarta ad Vesper. the same Church thus sings.

Coeli Deus sanctissime Qui Lucidum Centrum Poli Candore pingis igneo.

Of the same Sentiment are most of the Fathers, not only of the Latin, but the Greek Church, as Cyrillus Hierosolimitanus and Caesarius, who speaking of the Firmament, sayes, recepturum erat Subjectorum Luminarium Splendorem, Solem inquam, (& Lunam) & reliquum Astrorum Caetum, ex Igne Naturam habentem. Theodoretus likewise to the same Purpose; Bifariam Deus Omnium divisit Aquarum Naturam, & quasdam sursum collocavit, quae suo liquore▪ ac frigiditate non sinerent corrumpi Firmamentum ab Igne Luminarium. St. Chrysostom is positive for the fiery Nature of the Stars, with whom concurr Gregory Nissen. Procopius, and Anastasius Sinaita; Conform to whose Opinions is that of Tertullian, St. Ambrose, St. Augustin, Arnobius, Lactantius, Anselmus, Alcuinus, Beda. Con∣clude we therefore, induced as well by the Authority of these Ancient Fathers, as perswaded by the concordant Sentiments of divers eminent Modern Philosophers, and Astronomers, that the Stars are compound, and not simple Bodies, made up of Elementary Matter, formed into fiery Globes, and consisting ex Solido & liquido, as this Terraqueous Globe of ours, and consequently Subject to Corruption and Alteration. See Franciscus Patricius l. 15. Pancosmias; Ricciolus Almagest Nov. l. 9. Sect. 1. Scheinerus in Rosa Ursina l. 4. Part. 2. c. 22, 23, & 24. Kircherus in Itinerar. Extatic. & Schottus upon Him. From whom the more Curious Reader may receive further Satisfaction in his Enquiry touching the Igneous Nature and Substance of

Those tremulous Tapers of the Skies Which burn at the Dayes Obsequies. Resplendent Sparks of the first Fire! In which the Beauty We admire And Light of those eternal Rayes, The uncreated Mind displayes. Visible Prints by which We trace Time in it's Invisible Race! Pure bright Idaea's that direct To the first Cause our Intellect. Iewels that deck with their rich Light The Sable Garment of the Night, Mirrors▪ in whose clear polish•…•…d Faces, Nature sees hers: Th' World's Looking-Glasses.

To express them in some of those Poetical Characters, which the Ingenious Marino hath given of them. The next thing We are to take Notice of is

Their Light.

As to their Light, that which is chiefly to be considered, is, whether it be innate, given them by God at their Creation, or Mutuatitious, borrowed from the Sun? The latter is maintained by Me∣trodorus in Plutarch de Placit. Philosoph. l. 2. c. 17. with whom concurr Albategnius and Vitellio, and divers others both Philosophers and Astronomers at this Day.

But the first Opinion seems to carry more of Truth in it, and is by Macrobius asserted in Somn. Scip. l. 1. c. 17. where he affirms Omnes Stellas (i. e. fixas) Lumine lucere suo, quod illae supra Solem locatae in ipso purissimo Aethere sunt; in quo Omne quicquid est, Lux Naturalis & sua est. And this seems consequent to what hath already been declared touching their Igneous Nature; for Fire cannot be without Light; and indeed it appears altogether improbable that the Sun should illu∣minate the Fixed Stars, seeing as Bulialdus (in Astronom. Philolaic. l. 1. c. 11.) observes, the Sun's Diameter if beheld from Saturn would not appear greater than 3′. 24″. and therefore must needs afford too weak and extenuated a Light sufficiently to illustrate even that Planet, much less is it able to give Light to the Fixed Stars removed to so great a Distance beyond Saturn. Wherefore

with Aristarchus Samius de Systemate Mundi (if at least that Piece revived by Roberval, and pub∣lished by Mersennus in Observat. Physico-Mathemat. be genuine) We may reasonably imagine each of the Fixed Stars to be the Head and chief Part of a distinct Mundane System; as the Sun is the Head and chief Part of our Visible System, and as the Sun hath several Planets constituted and carri∣ed about him; so likewise every one of the Fixed Stars hath other Mundane Bodies like Planets dispo∣sed and moving about them, though not to be discerned by us by reason of their great Distance from our Earthly Habitation. And accordingly Galilaeo (Dialog. 3. System. Cosmic.) doubts not to assert that the fixed Stars are so many Suns, conform and like unto this Sun of ours; serving to illuminate the innumerable other Planetary and Lunary Bodies within their respective Systems; and there fore indued with innate and Original Light. Of the same Opinion is Antonius Maria de Reitha (in suo Radio Sydereomystico p. 177.) with whom Ricciolus (Almagest Nov. l. 6. c. 2.) concurrs, where he sayes, Mihi longe Probabilior horum Opinio videtur (Bruni Galilaei Renati Des Cartes & Reithaei) quia magis congruit Opisicis Numinis Majestati, ut non unicam Stellarum à se ipsa Lucentem, sed plures instar Solis accenderit; Nec alium sui Luminis fontem agnoscerent quam omnium Luminum Patrem, Deum. See to this Effect more fully, Gassendus Syntagmat. Physic. part. 2. l. 4. c. 4. Kir∣cherus Itinerar. Extatica Dialog. 1. c. 9. Hevelius in Cometograph. l. 7. and Otto de Gueriek l. 7. De vacuo spatio, where he treats, De Stellis Fixis. As to

Their Colour.

It is visibly various according to the Difference of their Light, attempered by the divers Consti∣tution of their Matter or Substance; some appearing of a ruddy, others of a gold colour; some of a silver white, some pallid, others of a leaden hue; whence some have made an Estimate of their Natures, and ranged them under the several Planets, of whose qualities they conceived them to be participant, according to the proportion they carry of Resemblance in their Colours, as for Example; of the Nature of ♄, they reckon Propus, and that in the Belly of the Southern Fish, and in the Belly and Tail of Cetus; of the Nature partly of ♄, partly of ♃, they reckon that in the right shoulder of Cepheus, and in his left Foot, and those in the Girdle of Orion, Of the Nature of ♄ and ♂, the first Star in Anes, that in the Beak of the Crow, and in the Head of Ophi∣u•…•…hus. Of ♄ and ♀ the Pole Star, those in the Head of the Dragon and Medusa, those in the Breast of Cassiopaea and Hydra, in the Side of Perseus, that in the Wing of Virgo, called Praevinde∣miarix, and in the Back and Tail of Leo. of ♄ and ☿, those in the left shoulder of Bootes, in the Belly of the Hare, and in the Northern Scale of Libra. Of the Nature of ♄, they count those in the Nodus or Commissura Piscium, of the Nature partly of ♃, partly of ♂. Arcturus, the Eagle and the Thigh of Pegasus, Regulus or Cor Leonis, Syrius and Cor Scorpii. Of the Nature of ♃ and ♀, that in the Head of Andromeda, in the Thigh of Aquarius, and Achar Nahr sive ultima fluminis Orionis. Of the Nature of ♄ and ☿, that in the Mouth and Shoulder of Pegasus, and the Southern Scale of Libra. Of the Nature of ♂, the three in the Tail, and the four in the side of the greater Bear, Aldebaran, the Hyades, and Pollux (one of the Twins.) Of the Nature of ♂ and ☉, the Aselli, and Oculus Sagittarii. Of the Nature of ♂ and ♀, Spica Virginis. Of the Nature of ♂ and ☿, the Head of Hercules, the Goat with the Kid, and those in either Shoulder of Orion. Of ♂ and ☽, the Pleiades, and those in the Praesepe or Manger. Of ♀, that in the Navel of Andromeda. Of ♀ and ☿; that in the shoulder Blade of Andromeda, those in the Lyra, in Corona Guossia in the Beak and Tail of the Swan, the Cup, and Fomalhaut. Of the Nature of ☿, Procyon or the lesser Dog, as by Schikardus (in Astroscopio) we find them ranged and distinguished.

Their Scintillation.

Is that Pathos by which they are particularly distiguished from the Planets, for the Planets have no such Vibration, twinckling or glimering of Light; but generally all the Fixed Stars, more or less; and at sometimes more than at others, especially (flante Euro) while the wind blows •…•…asterly, as Schickardus (in Astroscop) observes. The Cause of this their Scintillation is variously dis∣coursed of, both by Philosophers and Astronomers. Aristotle among the Ancients (l. 1. poster. c. 13.) assigns the cause thereof to their Remoteness from our sight, by which they are weakly, and as it were by a trembling weariness reached, which Opinion Pontanus following, thus asserts the same in his Urania l. 2.

Scilicet alta illis Regio, sedesque repostae, Quo postquam advenit de fesso Lumine Visus, Defessus tremit ipse, tamen tremere ipsa videntur.

But this Reason is not at all convincing, for then Iupiter and Saturn, by reason of their great Di∣stance should in some Proportion affect our Sight with such a kind of Tremor or Scintillation; which yet we find they do not in their greatest Altitude. Blancanus (in Sphaera Mundi) ascribes the Cause thereof only to Refraction; and therefore (sayes he) Syrius and Procyon twinckle or glimmer more than any of the rest, because they never ascend beyond 45°. above the Horizon: But then

why does not Iupiter which is nearer to us, (especially when within the Limits of Refraction) do the like? Schikardus is much of the same Opinion, and conceives this Phaenomenon to arise from the unequal Superficies of the fluctuating Air or Medium, as Stones in the Bottom of a River by the rapid Course of the Water, seem to have a kind of tremulous Motion, which is only in the crisped and uneven Undulation of the Stream. But if this Reason were true, not only the Fixed Stars, but the Planets, nay the Moon it self would be liable to the like Scintillation. Gassendus more probably conceives this Scintillation of the Fixed Stars to proceed from that Native and Primigenial Light they are indued with, like that of the Sun, sparkling, and casting forth •…•…uch quick darted Rayes, as our Weaker Sight cannot behold without that trembling 〈◊〉〈◊〉. To which likewise may be added the most swift and quick Motion of theirs about their own Axes, by that means making a more suddain and nimble variation in those radiant Objects than the Eye can pursue. From which Opinion yet the learned Scheinerus in his Mathematical Disquisitions clearly dissents. The Scintillation of the Stars (sayes he) is not their proper Revolution or C•…•…nvolution not any intern exestuating Commotion: No tremulous revibrating of the Sun beams proceeding 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their first or second Motions; no unquiet or unequal Ejaculation of their Proper Rad•…•…i; no •…•…remor of the wearied Sight; not any of These, nor all of These; but the only and sole Intercision of their several Species falling upon the Eye, occasioned by the unquiet Intercursation of Vapours variously affected. But this Reason of his will not satisfie the more Curious Hevelius, who yet allows that of their Cir∣cumgyration about their proper Axes, instanced by Gassendus, yet only as an adjuvant not the sole Cause of their Scintillation, he imputing it rather to a constant Evibration of Lucid Matter, or a continual Exspiration of fiery Vapours and Effluvia from those Celestial bodies, in the same man∣ner as we perceive those fulgurations and Ebullitions in the Body of the Sun, which by how much the grosser, and in greater plenty they are ejaculated, by so much the greater and more signal Scin∣tillation is caused by them. And with this Reason, and that of Gassendus we may reasonably rest satisfied, until further Observation and Inquisition shall produce one more convincing. As to

Their Number.

If we look to those only which are most notable and visible, as being reduced to the six Vulgar Degrees of Magnitude, we shall find them according to Ptolemic's Computation to amount to but 1022. Pliny yet (l. 2. c. 4.) reckons them to be 1600. But if we reflect upon the absolute Number of all the Stars in the Firmament, we may conclude them (though not with Iordanus Brunus to be infinite yet) to be innumerable, at least by humane Calculation, either as looked upon by the bare Eye only, or by the Help of a Telescope; by the means of which last Galilaeo (in Nuncio Sidereo) reports, that he discovered in the Cloudy Star in Orion, no less than 21. others; in the Nebulous Star in the Praesepe, or Manger 36. In the Asterism of the Pleiades above 40. In the space between the Girdle and Sword of Orion, no fewer than 80, and within little more than one Degrees Space in the Constellation of Orion above 500 Stars, by which numerous Discovery he was deterred from making out and describing that Constellation, which he had particularly intended to have done. Reitha likewise (in suo Radio Sydereomystic. p. 197.) affirms that he observed in the same Constellation above 2000. Stars. Whereupon Ricciolus thus argues, that if the Constellation of Orion take up in the Heavens the space of 500 square Degrees, as it is found to do, and that every square space whose side is but two Degrees, shall contain no less than 500 Stars, according to the observation of Galilaeo before mentioned, there will be found in the whole Constellation of Orion, at least 62500 Stars, whereas look'd upon by the Bare Eye only there appear not therein above 63 Stars. According to which Proportion if the rest of the Constellations were examined and the Difference computed of the number of the Stars appearing by the Telescope over and above those discerned by the bare Eye; there might be reckoned above Ten hundred thousand Stars, besides those in the Via Lactea. Nay, if one should reckon them above twenty hundred thou∣sand, Mihi quidem nihil inopinabile finxerit (sayes Ricciol. Almagest. Nov. Tom. 1. l. 6. p. 413.)

Some of the Iewish Doctors reckon not above 12000 Stars in all, but those of the Cabala, no less than 29000 Myriads, which Number Schickardus conceives to be too transcendent; and be∣lieves that the whole Area of the Heavens would not receiue above 26712 Myriads, though they were placed contiguous to one another, & but 1‴. of a minute allowed for the space that every one should take up. But as to this Particular conclude we rather with Schottus in Praelus. in Firmament. Itiner. Exstatic. Kircheri. in Schol. 1. Punctum est Terra quam incolimus, &c. This Globe of the Earth which We inhabit, which We harrass with so many Armies, so many Warlike Fleets, and which We divide with such Insatiable Avarice, is but a Point, and yet We have not overrun every Kingdom, nor pene∣trated every Region thereof, although enriched with the Accession of America. There are greater Tracts from the Straits of Magellan to the Southern Pole which be yet undiscovered. What think We then re∣mains undetected in the Vast Immensity of the Heavens, in that great Kingdom of the Almighty Crea∣tour hardly to be approached by our Weak Eyes. It is intolerable Arrogance therefore to Imagine that our Sight though never so strengthened by the help of Tellescopes can discover all the Stars in the Cele∣stial Expansum, and extream folly to go about to range them within the Limits of any definit Number; That being the Work of God alone, who Numbers the Multitude of the Stars, and calls them by their Names.

Their Figures.

As to their Figure, it is apparently Spherical or round; maintained to be such by the Stoicks, and with them by our Manilius, Plutarch yet (De Placit. Plilisoph. l. 2. c. 14.) gives us the different opini∣ons of some of the Ancients, for Cleanthes held them to be Pyramidal or pointed; Anaximenes conceived them to be like Studs or Nails fixed in the Chrystalline Firmament; others imagined them to be fiery or lucid Plates or Laminae, like so many flat Pictures, not of any thickness or Pro∣fundity; Scheinerus, and Antonius Maria de Reitha, will have them to be of divers Figures or Faces, of a Poly-angular shape, and such the larger sort of Telescopes represent them, or as Kepler in Epitom. Astron. (p. 498.) describes them, like so many Lucid Points or Sparks casting forth eve∣ry way their Rayes, of Light; so that we are to apprehend their Figure to be only Physically Sphe∣rical, not Mathematically such; for in the first Acceptation they may be said to be round Bodies, however according to the later, their superficies may be found to be uneven, and to consist of ma∣ny Angles and Sides.

Their Magnitudes

Before We undertake to say any thing as to the Magnitudes of the Stars, it will not be amiss in the first place, which Schickardus ingeniously to acknowledge, that Veras illorum Magnitudines ve∣rè ignoramus.

But that we may in some measure satisfie the Readers Expectation. We shall in the following Tables, give some Accompt thereof, according to the divers Calculations made by several Eminent Astronomers; the first of which Tables shews how many Minutes or Seconds their Apparent Dia∣meters contain; the second how many Diameters of the Earth their true Diameters contain; the third, what is the Solidity of their Bodies to that of the Earth. In which Tables may be observed a great Diversity; arising partly, from the various Distances assigned to them by several Authors from the Earth, the supposed Mundane Center; partly, from the divers Estimate of their Apparent Diameters, made by the bare Eye, by Tycho and others more Ancient, and by Telescopes by Mo∣dern Astronomers.

I. Table of the Apparent Diameters of the Fixed Stars.

Their several Magnitudes.	1	2	3	4	5	6
According to Maginus	10′	0″	5′	30″	4′	0″	3′	0″	2′	0″	1′	0″
Tycho, Longom. Blanc.	2	0	1	30	1	5	0	45	0	30	0	20
Lansbergius	1	0	0	40	0	30	0	20	0	10	0	5
Hortensius	0	8	0	6	0	5	0	4	0	3	0	2
Kepler	3	0	2	0

II. Table of the true Diameters of the Fixed Stars, and how many Diameters of the Earth each contains.

Their several Magnitudes.	1	2	3	4	5	6
According to
Maurolicus and Clavi•…•…s	4	¾	4	20 / 90	4	1 / •…•…	.3	⅘	3	11 / 3•…•…	2	5 / 8
Fernelius	4	3 / 6	4	½	4	7 / 60	3	¾	3	¼	2	7 / •…•…2
Tycho	4	1⅓	3	1 / 1•…•…	2	⅕	1	19 / 30	1	1 / 49	0	⅖
Lansbergius	40712	27132	20356	13580	6776	3388

III. Table of the Solidity of the Fixed Stars to that of the Earth.

Their several Magnitudes	1	2	3	4	5	6
According to	As	to	As	to	As	to	As	to	As	to	As	to
Alfraganus	100	1	90	1	72	1	54	1	36	1	18	1
Fernel. Maurolyc. Clav.	107	1	90	1	72	1	55	1	36	1	18	1
Tycho, Boyer. Blancan.	68	1	28½	1	11	1	4½	1	1 1 / 1•…•…	1	0 1 / •…•…	1

To these we shall add.

IV. Table from the Observations of Ricciolus shewing as well their Apparent Magnitudes, as their true Magnitudes, deduced from their undermentioned supposed Distances from the Earth.

Degrees of Mag∣nitude	Names of the Stars of the several Degrees of Magnitude	Apparent Diameter	The greatest Distance according to Ricciolus of 210000 Semidia∣meters of the Earth	The least Distance ac∣cording to Ricciolus of 100000 Semidiame∣ters of the Earth	The greatest Distance according to the Ptole∣maick 40000 Semidia∣meters of the Earth	The greatest Distance according to Tycho 14000 Semi-Diame∣ters
			The true Diameter contains the Earths Diameter	The Body contains the Earths Body	The true Diameter contains the Earths Diameter	The Body contains the Earths Body	The true Diameter contains the Earths Diameter	The Body contains the Earths Body	The true Diameter contains the Earths Diameter	The Body contains the Earths Body
1	Sirius	18″	0‴	17	45 / 100	5355	8	7 / 10	815	3	½	42		0	61 / 100	0	1 / 7
1	Arcturus	16	42	16	⅔	3932	8	0	512	3	⅕	32		0	46 / 100	0	1 / 9
1	Aldebaran	15	24	14	⅕	2810	7	⅗	402	3	0	27		0	57 / 100	0	⅛
1	Spica	15	5	13	9 / 10	2660	7	⅓	374	2	7 / 10	18		0	47 / 100	0	1 / 10
1	Regulus	14	5	13	3 / 5	2202	6	⅘	249	2	6 / 10	16		0	43 / 100	0	1 / 1•…•…
1	Rigil	13	40	13	0	2197	6	⅖	220	2	½	15	½	0	1 / 2	0	41 / 100
2	Procyon	12	20	12	0	1728	6	0	216	2	3 / 10	12		0	39 / 100	0	1 / 1•…•…
2	Aquila	11	0	10	⅗	1120	5	7 / 25	137	2	1 / 10	8	⅖	0	37 / 100	0	1 / 20
2	Polaris	7	53	7	⅗	402	3	9 / 10	62	1	55 / 100	3	¼	0	27 / 100	0	1 / 50
3	Algol	7	3	6	⅗	260	3	2 / 5	34	1	35 / 100	2	⅕	0	24 / 100	0	7 / 500
4	Propus	6	10	6	0	216	2	9 / 10	26	1	15 / 100	1	½	0	20 / 100	0	4 / 500
5	Pleias	4	⅘	4	⅘	92	2	7 / 10	18	1	8 / 100	1	¼	0	18 / 100	0	3 / 500
6	Alcor	4	0	4	0	64	2	15 / 100	9	0	86 / 100	0	7 / 10	0	15 / 100	0	3 / 1000

But seeing the Astronomers of the Copernican Opinion, maintain the Magnitudes of the Fixed Stars to be far greater than the former Tables show them to be: It will not be amiss to annex the following One.

V. Table shewing the true Magnitude of the Fixed Stars, that is of One of the Greatest, and One of the Least, viz. Sirius and Alcor; supposing the Apparent Diameter of Sirius to be 18″. of Alcor, 4″. ac∣cording to the Distance in the Copernican Hypothesis, maintaining the Parallax of the Fixed Stars made by the Earths Motion, not to exceed 10″. and imagining the Diameter of the Annual Orb, to be such as upon those Principles it is stated to be.

According to	The Distances to be asserted in	The true Magnitude of Sirius	The true Magnitude of Alcor
	Semidiameters of the Earth	The Diameters of Sirius con∣tains Diameters of the Earth	The Body of Sirius con∣tains the Earths Body	The Diameter of Alcor contains Diameters of the Earth	Its Body contains the Earths Body
Copernicus	47, 439, 800	4170	71, 6771, 713, 000	1992	4, 378, 454, 048
Herigonius	49, 502, 400	4350	82, 312, 875, 000	2068	8, 844, 058, 432
Galilaeus	49, 832, 416	4380	8, 427, 672, 000	2092	9, 155, 362, 688
Bulialdus	60, 227, 920	5300	148, 877, 000, 000	2530	15, 941, 277, 000
Lansbergius	61, 616, 122	5424	159, 371, 956, 024	2588	17, 333, 761, 472
Keplerus	142, 746, 428	12550	1, 967, 656, 371, 000	6000	216, 000, 000, 000
Vendelinus	604, 589, 312	53200	15, 056, 882, 800, 000	25380	1, 767, 384, 872, 000

These Magnitudes may to some (happily) seem Exorbitant; but in the Judgment of the Intelli∣gent Schikardus, Eorum Speculationes qui Coelum Stellatum longissimè à Nobis removent, & conse∣quenter Astra plurimum amplificant, Veritati sunt propiores quoniam Minora neutiquam admittit con∣cessa Orbis Annui Parallaxis. (Astrocop. p. 14▪)

Of their Place and Distance from the Earth (or rather the Sun.)

This seems a Question of that Difficulty, that Pliny pronounced the Investigation thereof to be no less than a Piece of Madness. And therefore Ricciolus (Almagest. Nov. l. 6. c. 7.) treating upon this Subject, thought fit in the Front of his Discourse to prefix this Theorem, as a most certain Truth, that, Parallaxis & Distantia fixarum non potest certâ & evidenti Observatione humanitùs compre∣hendi.

For we know not whether the Stars are all in the same Spherical Superficies equally distant from the Centre of the World, or whether they be placed at unequal Distances, some higher, some lower. This latter yet was the Sentiment of the Ancient Stoical Philosophers, who conceived the difference of their Lustre and Apparent Magnitudes, to proceed from their diversity of Situation, as more or less removed from our Sight. And this Opinion our Manilius long since declared, where speaking of some Stars in Orion, appearing more obscure than the rest, he gives the reason of that Phoenomenon to be

Non quod clara minus, sed quod magis alta recedunt.

An Hypothesis so seemingly rational, that the Famous Tycho, Galileo, and Kepler have readily im∣braced the same; and therefore we may reasonably suppose, that their Distances are as divers as those of the Planets, how ever our weak sight unable to distinguish their divers Intervals, judges them to be all inherent in the same Concave Spherical Superficies. Ricciolus in Almagest. Nov. l. 6. c. 7. reckons up five manner of wayes of attaining in some Probability to the Knowledge of their Immense and hitherto incomprehensible Distances, which I shall only reckon up; referring the Reader to be further satisfied from the more Ample Discourse of that Author: The first is from the Supposition of their least sensible Parallax: The second is from the Proportion of the Peri∣odical Motion, and Distance of some of the more certainly known Celestial Lights. The third, from the difference of Refractions of the Sun, Moon, or other of the Planets, and that of the Fixed Stars. The fourth, from the Computation of the bare Distance of Saturn from the Earth, without any regard to his shaddow: The fifth, from the Distance of Saturn joyned with the length of its shaddow, which Method Ricciolus supposes the most probable. As for example; The shadow of Saturn is supposed (according to Ricciolus) to extend to 118680 Semidiameters of the Earth, which joyned with the greatest Distance of Saturn, being according to the said Author 90155 Semidiameters of the Earth. The Distance of the Fixed Stars can be computed no less than 200000. of those Semidiameters, or rather 208835. that they may be clearly exempt from the Reach of Saturns shadow, and although there is no fear of their being obscured by the same, in regard they are not illuminated by the Sun, but shine by their own innate Light; yet it is sup∣posed they are seated beyond it, by the wise and great Architect of Nature; and (if you will take the Opinion of Des Cartes) for this Reason; that there might be a convenient space be∣tween the Planetary Heaven, and that of the Fixed Stars, for the Production and Ascent of Co∣mets and New Stars. Wherefore (according to the computation of Ricciolus) the least Distance that may be assigned to the Fixed Stars, to raise them beyond the shadow of Saturn and its Satel∣lites, will be found to amount to 210000. Semidiameters of the Earth. The greatest being alto∣gether uncertain, by reason the Crassitude or Profundity of their Heaven is not to be determi∣ned; and that they are as well by their Extreme Parts, as by their Centers, unequally removed from us. But let the Reader for his more particular Satisfaction, look upon the following Ta∣bles.

Table of the Distance of the Fixed Stars from the Earth (or rather the Sun.)

According to the se∣veral Authors follow∣ing.	Semidiameters of the Earth.	Horizontal Parallax of the Fixed Stars.
	Least Distance	Greatest Distance	″	‴
Albategnius, Iunctinus	19000	Uncertain	10	58
Alfraganus, Barocius	20220	40440	10	14
Maurolycus	20077	20086	10	16
Fernelius, Clavius	22612	45225	9	08
Maginus	20110	40220	10	15
Tycho	13000	14000	15	6
Marius Bettinus	2290		90	0
Ant. Mar. Rheita.	20000000		00	1
Ricciolus according to the fourth Method	100000	Uncertain	2	0
To the fifth Method	210000		1	ferè

The Parallaxes placed in the last Column answer to their least Distances, for according to their greatest Distances assigned by Alfraganus, Maginus, Fernelius, and Clavius, 5″. or 6″. would be sufficient.

DISTANCE of the Fixed Stars asserted by the followers of Copernicus in

	Semidiameters of the Earth	The greatest Parallax of the Fixed Stars made from the Annual Motion of the Earth
Authours		The Half from the Semidiame∣ter	The whole from the Diameter of the An∣nual Orb
		′	″	′	″
Copernicus	Indefinite	*	*	*	*
Galilaeus	13,046,400	0	20	0	40
Kepler formerly	34,077,067	0	9	0	17
Kepler afterward	60,000,000	0	12	0	24
Lansbergius formerly	10,312,227	0	30	1	00
Lansbergius later dayes	41,958,000	0	07	0	15
Hortensius	10,312,227	0	30	1	00
Herigon	144,0000	3	0	6	00

Distance of the Fixed Stars, supposing the Earth's Annual Motion about the Sun, and the Copernican Distance of the Earth from the Sun.

According to the Cal∣culation of	Semidiameters of the Earth	Total Parallax of the Fixed Stars
		′	″
Tycho and Maginus	7850,000	1	00
Longomontanus	7906,818	1	00
Scheinerus	13,133,376	0	40
	10,320,000	0	48

Distance of the Fixed Stars from the Earth, supposing the Earths Motion, and the greatest Parallax of the Fixed Stars to be 10″. and the Distances of the Sun and Earth, as underwritten.

According to the seve∣ral Authors follow∣ing.	Distance of * and Earth in Semidiameters of the Earth	Distance of the Fixed Stars in Semidiameters of the Earth
Copernicus	1150	47,439,800
Maestlinus, Galilaeus	1208	49,832,416
Keplerus	3469	142,746,428
Lansbergius	1498½	61,616,122
Bullialdus	1460	60,227,920
Herigonius	1200	49,502,400
Vendelinus	14656	604,589,312

It rests that something be said of the Proper Motion of the Fixed Stars, which is double.

The first is their Circumrotation about their own Centers, termed Motus Vertiginis; in which they are carried about with extraordinary Celerity; whence the Reason in part (as already hint∣ed) of their Scintillation.

The second is their Motion of Revolution from West to East, Secundum Ductum Eclipticae, in which they are observed to move, but very slowly. Touching this, it will not be amiss to insert the three following Conclusions of Ricciolus in his Astronom. Reformat. p. 259.

The first is, that the Motion of the Fixed Stars is equal and uniform.

Secondly, That their Annual Motion is not less than 49″. nor greater than 51″.

Third, That it seems most Probable that their Annual Motion is 50″. 40‴. though the Opinion of those who compute it to be within 50″. or 51″. wants not fair Probability.

From the Supposition of their Annual Motion of 50″. 40‴. It follows that they complete not one Degree in the Ecliptick sooner than in 71 years and 16 / 304, or 19 dayes and 12 Houres in a manner; but the whole Circle of 360 Degrees they run not through save in 25579 years, which is the Annus Magnus Platonicus (though by the Ancients computed to extend to no less than 36000 years) which 25579 Sidereal years, are equal to 25580 Equinoctial years. But this will be clearlier manifested by the following Table.

Table of the Motion of the Fixed Stars in Longitude.

Years	′	″	‴		Years	′	″	‴		Years	Gr.	′	″	‴
1	0	50	40		43	36	18	40		83	1	10	5	20
2	1	41	20		44	37	9	20		84	1	10	56	0
3	2	22	00		45	38	0	0		85	1	11	46	40
4	3	22	40		46	38	50	40		86	1	12	37	20
5	4	13	20		47	39	41	20		87	1	13	28	0
6	5	4	0		48	40	32	0		88	1	14	18	40
7	5	54	40		49	41	22	40		89	1	15	09	20
8	6	45	20		50	42	13	20		90	1	16	0	0
9	7	36	00		51	43	04	0		91	1	16	50	40
10	8	26	40		52	43	54	40		92	1	17	41	20
11	9	17	20		53	44	45	20		93	1	18	32	0
12	10	8	0		54	45	36	0		94	1	19	22	40
13	10	58	40		55	46	26	40		95	1	20	13	20
14	11	49	20		56	47	17	20		96	1	21	4	0
15	12	40	0		57	48	8	0		97	1	21	54	40
16	13	30	40		58	48	58	40		98	1	22	45	20
17	14	21	20		59	49	49	20		99	1	23	36	0
18	15	12	0		60	50	40	0		100	1	24	26	40
19	16	2	40							200	2	48	53	20
20	16	53	20			Gr.	′	″	‴		300	4	13	20	0
21	17	44	0		61	0	51	30	40		400	5	37	46	40
22	18	34	40		62	0	52	21	20		500	7	2	13	20
23	19	25	20		63	0	53	12	0		600	8	26	40	0
24	20	16	0		64	0	54	2	40		700	9	51	6	40
25	21	6	40		65	0	54	53	20		800	11	15	33	20
26	21	57	20		66	0	55	44	0		900	12	40	0	0
27	22	48	0		67	0	56	34	40		1000	14	4	26	40
28	23	38	40		68	0	57	25	20		2000	28	8	53	20
29	24	29	20		69	0	58	16	0		3000	42	13	20	0
30	25	20	0		70	0	59	6	40		4000	56	17	46	40
31	26	10	40		71	0	59	57	20		5000	70	22	13	20
32	27	1	20		72	1	0	48	0		6000	84	26	40	0
33	27	52	0		73	1	1	38	40		7000	98	31	6	40
34	28	42	40		74	1	2	29	20		8000	112	35	33	20
35	29	33	20		75	1	3	20	0		9000	126	46	0	0
36	30	24	00		76	1	4	10	40		10000	140	44	26	40
37	31	14	40		77	1	5	01	20		20000	281	28	13	20
38	32	5	20		78	1	5	52	0		25579	360	0	0	0
39	32	56	0		79	1	6	42	40
40	33	46	40		80	1	7	33	20
41	34	37	20		81	1	8	24	0
42	35	28	0		82	1	9	14	40

Table of the Right Ascension and Declination of 100 of the Fixed Stars for the year of Christ 1700 completed: according to Ricciolus in Astronom. Reformat.

Names of the fixed Stars.	Right Ascention for the year 1700.	Declination for the year 1700.	Difference of	Ascention in 100 years	Declination in 100 years
	Gr.	′	″	Gr.	′	″	Gr.	′	′
Head of Andromeda	358	14	8	27	27	26 B	1	17	34	A
Girdle of Andromeda	13	11	20	34	2	40	1	23	33	A
Southern Foot of Andromeda	26	21	51	40	52	30	1	29	30	A
Fomalhaut of ♒	340	11	0	31	8	10 A	1	25	31	S
Right Shoulder of ♒	327	36	55	1	43	44	1	20	29	S
Left Shoulder of ♒	318	55	54	6	48	46	1	21	26	S
Left Hand of ♒	307	45	54	10	33	44	1	26	19	S
Bright one in the Eagle	294	2	47	8	6	32 B	1	27	13	A
First in ♈ Horn	24	17	2	17	48	24 B	1	23	31	A
Second in ♈ Horn	24	30	3	19	19	24	1	22	31	A
Bright one in Aries	27	35	58	22	1	30	1	25	30	A
Goat of Auriga	73	35	56	45	40	0	1	49	10	A
Right Shoulder of Auriga	84	29	42	44	51	30	1	58	4 ⅙	A
Arcturus in Bootes	210	33	2	20	48	2 B	1	11	29 ½	S
Left Shoulder of Bootes	215	2	33	39	35	12	1	2	27	S
Praesepe in S	125	46	2	20	43	4 B	1	28	19	S
Northern Asinego in S	126	26	0	22	3	0	1	30	20	S
Southern Asinego in S	126	54	3	19	15	0	1	27	20	S
Great Dog, Sirius	97	57	6	16	18	6 A	1	7	4	A
Little Dog, Procyon	110	54	33	5	59	12 B	1	20	12	S
Upper Horn of ♑	300	24	34	13	22	6 A	1	25	16	S
Lower Horn of ♑	301	7	29	15	38	2	1	27	17	S
First in the Tayl of ♑	320	56	29	17	54	21	1	26	26	S
Second in the Tayl of ♑	322	43	30	17	22	22	1	25	27	S
Bright one in Cassiopea's Chair	358	14	33	57	32	16 B	1	15	34	A
Scheder or the Breast of Cassiopea	5	56	0	54	55	16	1	22	34	A
In the flexure of Cassiopea	9	45	58	59	7	36	1	27	34	A
In Cassiopea's Knee	16	36	0	58	40	22	1	35	33	A
Cepheus his Girdle	321	6	20	69	17	10	0	22	26	A
Bright one in the Whales Jaw	41	38	7	2	53	50 B	1	15	25	A
Northern Whales Belly	24	12	0	11	44	50 A	1	15	31	S
Southern in the Whales Tayl	7	5	8	19	35	40	1	18	34	S
Northern in Whales Tayl	1	4	12	10	24	54	1	17	34	S
Bright one in the Northern Crown	230	39	0	27	45	20 B	1	5	21	S
In the Beak of the Swan	289	39	48	27	22	40	1	1	11	A
In the Swans Breast	302	55	52	39	20	5	0	53 ½	18	A
In the Swans Tayl	307	47	17	44	14	51	0	51 ½	20 ½	A
Upper Wing of the Swan	293	56	2	44	26	21	0	48	14	A
Lower Wing of the Swan	308	29	10	32	51	24	0	0	21	A
Bright one of the Dragon	267	25	20	51	35	2	0	35	2	S
In the Head of Castor	108	50	46	32	30	26 B	1	44	11	S
In the Head of Pollux	111	43	36	28	43	2	1	34	12	S
Bright one Foot of the Twins	95	3	32	16	37	32	1	28	2	S
Head of Hercules	255	21	37	14	46	48 B	1	8	8	S
Right Shoulder Hercules	244	19	35	22	11	40	1	5	15	S
Left Shoulder Hercules	255	31	33	25	15	48	0	52	8	S
Heart of Hydra	138	12	22	7	21	30 A	1	15	25	A
Lions Heart Regulus	148	4	15	13	25	16 B	1	22 ½	28 ½	S
Lions Tayl	175	25	34	16	14	4	1	19	34	S
Bright one in Iuba Leonis	150	48	47	21	21	0	1	25 ½	29	S
Bright one in Lumbis Leonis	164	32	20	22	7	44	1	27	34	S
Uppermost in the Neck	149	58	52	24	53	54	1	28	29	S
Lowest in the Neck	147	47	52	18	13	33	1	28	28	S
Thigh of the Hare	78	51	30	20	59	0 A	1	5	7	S
Northern Scale of Libra	225	15	26	8	14	46	1	21 ½	24	A

The rest of the Table of the Right Ascension, &c.

Names of the fixed Stars.	Right Ascension for the year 1700.	Declination for the year 1700.	Difference of	Ascension in 100 years	Declination in 100 years
	Gr.	′	″	Gr.	′	″	Gr.	′	′
Southern Scale of Libra	218	38	12	14	45	18	1	25	27	A
Bright one in Lyra	276	39	32	38	32	16 B	0	50	4	A
Head of Ophiuchus	260	15	38	12	49	22 B	1	11	7	S
Left Hand of Ophiuchus	239	47	37	2	52	2 A	1	23	18	A
Right Knee of Ophiuchus	252	39	40	9	53	30	0	50	10	A
Left Knee of Ophiuchus	245	11	37	15	16	30	1	23	15	A
Right Shoulder of Ophiuchus	162	8	38	4	44	40 B	1	13	5	S
Uppermost in the Head of Orion	79	41	10	9	34	38 B	1	22	7	A
Right Shoulder of Orion	84	43	4	7	18	20	1	22	4	A
Left Shoulder of Orion	97	16	40	6	3	2	1	19	8	A
Foot of Orion Rigel▪	75	2	50	8	33	42 A	1	15½	9½	S
1. in the Belt of Orion	79	9	48	0	32	50	1	17	7	S
2. in the Belt of Orion	80	12	54	1	25	46	1	17	6	S
3. in the Belt of Orion	81	18	25	2	8	20	1	16	5	S
Mouth of Pegasus	322	27	36	8	32	14 B	1	18	26	A
Sa'd Alpharas in the Leg	342	20	36	26	28	38	1	12	32	A
Markab in the joyning of the Wing	342	28	10	13	35	58	1	15	32	A
End of Pegasus Wing	359	27	25	13	32	56	1	16	34	A
Bright one in the side of Perseus	45	32	18	48	44	54	1	28	12	A
Ras Al Gol of Perseus	42	12	42	39	46	30	1	37	25	A
The Hindermost in the Head of the Southern Fish	345	24	5	1	40	2	1	17	33	A
In the Knot in the Line of ♓	26	38	5	1	19	0	1	18	30	A
Bright one in the Head of ♐	283	1	5	21	22	48 A	1	31	8	S
Antares, Heart of Scorpius	242	47	28	25	39	54	1	32	16	A
Northern Front of Scorpius	236	58	15	18	53	36	1	28	19	A
Middlemost	236	14	34	21	41	40	1	30	20	A
Southern Front of Scorpius	235	18	0	25	9	54	1	37½	21	A
Bright one in the Neck of the Serp.	232	24	0	7	24	36 B	1	15	21	S
Aldebaran, or Southern Eye ♉	64	41	35	15	52	10 B	1	26½	15	A
In the Northern Horn of ♉	76	51	18	28	19	2	1	37	8	A
Southern Horn of ♉	79	55	20	20	55	58	1	31	7	A
Northern Eye of ♉	62	43	36	18	30	28	1	24	17	A
Lowest of the Hyades ♉	60	39	35	14	55	38	1	25	17	A
Bright one of Pleiades ♉	52	27	35	23	9	24	1	29	21	A
Spica Virginis	197	22	55	9	33	30	1	19½	32½	A
Girdle of Virgo	190	10	22	5	2	54 B	1	18	34	S
Vindemiatrix in Virgo	191	52	20	12	34	58	1	17	33	S
The bright one in the Shoulder of the greater Bear	161	17	5	63	22	2 B	1	41	32	S
The bright one in its Side	160	52	20	57	59	2	1	37	32	S
The bright one in the hinder∣most Thigh	174	23	34	55	23	42	1	23	34	S
On the Back near the Tayl	180	8	2	58	41	42	1	20	34	S
1. in the Tayl	190	7	56	57	36	58	1	9	33	S
The 2. in the Tayl	197	55	2	56	30	52	1	3	32	S
Last in the Tayl	203	53	50	50	50	56	1	2	31	S
The last in the Tayl of the lesser Bear now the Pole-Star	9	52	10	87	42	51	3	10	34⅙	A
The bright one in the Shoulder heretofore called Cynosura	222	39	20	75	37	30	1	15	2½	A
The right Ascension of this still decreases.

To what we have already said of the Fixed Stars, it will not be amiss to add something touch∣ing those, which in regard they are now and then visible at other times disappear, are called New Stars, as that in Cassiopea observed by Tycho; and three others in the same Constellation lately discovered by Signeur Cassini, that in Serpentarius by Kepler and others; two more in the begin∣ning of the Constellation Eridanus detected by Cassini. That in the Whale's Neck, and in the Northern Part of Andromeda's Girdle, by Bullialdus; that in the Swan's Breast, and another near its Beak, by Hevelius and Don Anthelm a Carthusian of Dijon; and four others near the Artick Pole lately taken Notice of by Cassini. The Nature, Substance and Generation of which Stars are diversly discoursed of both by Philosophers and Astronomers▪ Some conceiving them to be generated of Sublunary Matter, and to be Comets wanting their Bush or Train; others conceive them to be generated of Celestial Matter by Condensation, as the other of the Fixed Stars at the first Creation; but not so compact and solid as those other Fixed Stars are, and therefore by degrees come to lose their Consistence, and with the Dissipation of their Substance, their Light. Some imagine them to be of the same Nature, Substance, and of equal continuance with other of the Fixed Stars, but assign to them a different Motion; by which Motion of theirs they sometime approach nearer to, sometimes recede further from the Earth; by means of their first Motion be∣coming visible and solving the different Appearances of their Light and Magnitude; by the latter, shewing the Reason of their Disappearance. But this Motion is by others denied; but because they find even in the Fixed Stars themselves, the like Alteration of their Lights and Magnitudes, which sometimes appear so small, as if they were Stars of the last, at other Times so bright, as if they were of the first Degree; they allow of some Alteration to be made in the very Bodies of these Stars; and as the Sun appears sometimes over-cast with Spots; so they conceive these Stars to be sometimes ore-clouded with such kind of Spots at what time they disappear; at other times to recover their Light, and become visible; others are of Opinion, that the Globes of these kind of Stars are so made, that but one side of them, shines, the other being altogether obscure (the first Authour of which Opinion seems to be Ricciolus, as he affirms of himself, Almagest. Nov. Tom. 2. l. 8. c. 17.) and that they move and have a Circumrotation about their own proper Axes, now turning their bright sides to us, at another time their dark; And for this Reason they are by Le Pere Cherubin termed Stellae Versatiles. The Periods of their several Motions not being yet clear∣ly determined; but by the Observations hitherto made, it appears, that, that in the Whales Neck makes its Revolution in Eleven Moneths; that in the Swans Breast is supposed not to finish the Period of its Revolution sooner then in fourteen Years, that near the Beak of the Swan compleat∣ing hers in about ten Months Time; the Periods of the others Revolutions not being yet cer∣tainly known.

Of the SUN.

What seemed requisite to be added touching the Fixed Stars being dispatched; Something is to be said concerning those which are commonly termed Erratick or Planets; and among them in the first Place of the most glorious Luminary the Sun.

Whose Nature or Substance, with Anaxagoras, Democritus, Metrodorus, Epicurus, Pythagoras* 1.1 and Plato of old, and with Kepler, Scheinerus, Rheita, Bullialdus, Kircher, Ricciolus, and others of late, We cannot with fairer probability conjecture to be other than a formal fiery Body, consist∣ing of true proper Elementary Fire, partly liquid, partly solid. The liquid, being an Ocean of Light, and moving with fiery Billows, and flaming Ebullitions, as is manifest to those that look up∣on it through a Telescope. The solid Parts, being like the Land in our Terraqueous Globe, di∣vided into Continents, Islands, Mountains, Rocks, that thereby the Vehement Motion of the ex∣estuating Solar Ocean, might be restrained, and by frequent Allisions, repulsed, dissipated, and broken, to the end it might more efficaciously communicate its Panspermatick Virtue to all those Bodies, to which it is to afford Light and Influence. We may likewise probably conceive, that the Solar Globe, is, as this Earth of ours, hollowed with vast Subterraneous Caverns and Recepta∣cles of Fire, which break forth out of the Solar Ignivomous Mountains, in the same manner as we find our Subterranean Fires to break out of Etna, Hecla, and Vesuvius. And it is in all Appearance as probable, that the solid Parts of the Sun within which the fluid and liquid Fire is contained, as Mettal in a Furnace, are thoroughly ignified in the same manner as we find the Bricks in the Roofs and sides of Furnaces, are made red hot, and look of the same colour as the fiery Mass of melted matter within them. We may further probably infer, that the earthly or solid Parts of the Sun are of an Asbestinous and incombustible Nature, and far better able to resist the Voracity of the Fire then this Earth of ours; And though it should be supposed that some Parts here and there should be consumed, and perhaps whole Mountains be levelled and wasted; yet it follows not that the Globe of the Sun should therefore be totally destroyed, more than this Earth of ours is, by the frequent Accidents of such kind of partial Ruines and Decayes. It is also evident that the Splendor as well of the fluid, as the solid Fire of the Solar Globe, is far more bright than our Earthly Fire or Flame. The End for which it was made necessarily requiring the same, as being intended for the Fountain of Light, and Lamp, if not of the whole World, at least, of the Pla∣netary System.

This fire, as well the Liquid, or Solar Sea, as that which breaks out of the Caverns and Moun∣tains, exhales constantly fuliginous Vapours, not black and sooty, like the Smoak of our Fire; but bright and pure, which collected together and condensed in the Circumambient Aether, do in a manner overcast the Sun, as Clouds overshadow the Earth. But all this will be clearlier repre∣sented in the annexed Scheme, taken from the joynt Observations of Scheinerus and Kircherus.

From what hath been said, and the Evidence of frequent Observations lately made by help of the Telescope, it is manifest, that the Sun is not (as Aristotle and his Followers fancy it to be) of an unalterable Substance, but Subject to divers Changes and Alterations, as not only the Generation and Production, but the Dissolution and Corruption of several strange Phaenomena, in the Body thereof (altogether unknown to the Ancients) clearly demonstrate. Among which the most Emi∣nent are those by later Astronomers termed the

Maculae, & Faculae Solares.

The Maculae or Spots, are certain Cloudy Obscurities appearing upon the Disque of the Sun;* 1.2 supposed by some Astronomers, to be a fuliginous obscure Matter or Vapour, sometime closely compacted into one; sometimes dispersed and dissipated into several Parcels issuing from its fer∣vent fiery Body, by force of its extream Heat. And though it cannot be certainly determined (by reason of the Want of Parallax) whether they be in the Sun it self, or distant from it some space; yet if one consider, their first Appearance or Birth, their Decay or Disappearance, their Shape or Figure, Increase, Diminution, Separation, Conjunction, Motion, and other like Accidents; It is credible, and (by what Observation makes out) most probable, that they are in the very Body of the Sun, at least not far from the Superficies thereof; in regard that when they are observed near the Border or Edge of the Sun's Disque going off from its visible Hemisphere, and turning about to the other (at what time they begin to disappear) they cannot be perceived to be raised above the Superficies of the Sun, or to shew any apparent Space or Distance between them and the Edge of the Sun's Globe, as in reason they would, and indeed (if it were so) they ought to do.

Their Shapes and Figures, are of unequal Form and Grandeur, and most irregular, which ar∣gues* 1.3 them not to be Stars or Planets moving about the Body of the Sun, as Tarde and Malaperti∣us have supposed; the one entituling them Sidera Borbonia, the other Sidera Austriaca. Some of these are more durable and lasting than others, and those are conceived to be the solid Parts of the Sun, shewing themselves variously figured, and of different Magnitudes, by reason of the vertiginous Motion of the Sun about its own Axis representing them to our Sight diversly situa∣ted, which diversity of their Appearance arises likewise from the Manner of the Sun's Circum∣gyration, which is such, that its Axis does not alwayes keep the same Inclination to the Plane of the Ecliptick.

They have a Motion from the Oriental Part of the Sun's Disque, to the Occidental, which* 1.4 Course they ordinarily finish within the space of thirteen Dayes more or less, according to their greater or lesser Latitude, for they make by their Motion as it it were a Zodiack of about sixty Degrees broad, that is, about thirty Degrees on each side of the Sun's Ecliptick.

The Faculae Solares

Are conceived to be partly Massie fiery Globes bursting forth out of the Ignivomous Solar Mountains; and by reason of their Brightness shining amidst the Fuliginous Cloudy Vapours, or Maculae, at sometimes suddenly disappearing, at others, making a long continuance or Duration. Partly Effervencies of the exestuating Solar Ocean: Which by reason of the excessive in∣nate Fervour of the Sun's Globe, boyls up into mighty Waves like Mountains of Light, scatte∣ring and dispersing the darker Maculae, and discovering as it were a fiery Ocean fluctuating and agi∣tated with Flaming Billows and unusual Splendour; or as Scheinerus (in Disquisit. Mathem.) de∣fines them. Faculae, sunt Areolae in Sole Lucidiores reliquo ejusdem Corpore, i. e. they are certain small Plats or Spaces in the Sun, brighter than the rest of its Body, thus described by Galilaeo (in Letter. 3. Delle Macchie Solar.) In the face of the Sun their appear certain Marks, brighter than the rest, in which is observed the same Motion as in the Maculae, which that they are inherent in the very Body of the Sun, cannot be doubted, in regard it is not credible there can be any other Substance beside brighter than that of the Sun; In which few Words he hath comprized much.

Of the Sun's Vertiginous Motion.

The Observation of the Motion of the Sun's Spots and Lights, hath given Occasion to Astrono∣mers to remark that the Sun hath a Motion about its own Axis, from East to West, which Con∣version is finished in the space of twenty seven Dayes, or thereabouts, though there be some who will have it to move much faster,* 1.5 making its Period of Circumrotation to be compleated in twen∣ty four Hours. Others assigning to it a much more wonderful Celerity, and affirming its Vertigi∣nous

[illustration]

Schema corporis SOLARIS▪ prout a P. P. Kirchero et Scheinero. Romae Anno 1635 observatum fuit.

Course to be finished in a * 1.6 Moments space. Of its Motion of Revolution Diurnal and An∣nual according to the Hypothesis of the Earth's Immobility, We shall here say nothing. Leaving likewise the Reader to be further satisfied as to what We have already briefly indicated touching this glorious Luminary from the larger Arguments of Galilaeo, Scheinerus in Rosa. Ursina. Kepler, Gassendus, Hevelius, Bullialdus. Kircherus in his Iter. Extatic. and Schottus upon him Ricciol. Alma∣gest. Nov. l. 3. Hodierna in Ponderation. De Admirandis Phasibus in Sole & Luna Visis, &c. Otto de Guerick in Experiment. Magdeburg. and Le Pere Cherubin in his Dioptricks. Only adding something touching

The Sun's Magnitude, and Distance from the Earth.

The true Magnitude of the Sun (sayes Ricciolus Almagest. l. 3. c. 11.) is to be had from its true Semidiameter; for that being doubled gives its true Diameter, whence its other Species of Magni∣tudes are derived, according to the Rule of Proportion. Of which take the following Table.

The true Magnitude of the Sun compared with the Earth.

The Suns	True Diameter contains	Its Circumfe∣rence contains	The Area of its greatest Circle contains	Its convex super∣ficies contains	Its solidity con∣tains
According to the fol∣lowing Authors	Simple Diame∣ters of the Earth	Simple Diame∣ters of the Earth	Square Diame∣ters of the Earth	Square Diame∣ters of the Earth	The Solidity of the Earth
Ptolemy, Maurolycus Clavius and Barocius	5	½	17	2 / 7	24	0	134	0	166	3 / 2
Aristarchus more than	6	1 / 3	20	1 / 7	30	⅔	127	0	254	1 / 17
Aristarchus less than	7	⅙	22	3 / 7	38	0	155	0	368	1 / 11
Albategnius	5	7 / 10	18	5 / 7	26	0	108	0	186	0
Copernicus	5	27 / 60	16	½	22	0	91	0	161	•…•…
Tycho and Blancanus	5	•…•…	16	2 / 7	22	0	85	0	140	0
Longomontanus	5	807 / 1000	18	1 / 15	26	0	95	0	196	0
Keplerus	15	0	47	1 / 10	176	0	706	0	3375	0
Lansbergius	7	17 / 30	24	0	46	0	176	0	434	0
Bullialdus	7	0	22	2 / 7	39	0	156	0	343	0
Wendelinus	64	0	200	96 / 100	3216	0	12864	0	262144	0
Kircherus	5	⅕	16	0	21	0	83	0	140	0
Rheita	10	0	31	4 / 10	78	0	314	0	1000	0
Ricciolus	33	5 / 6	106	15 / 100	885	0	30056	0	38600	0

Times

The Distance of the Sun from the Earth is such, that, if you will believe Pliny, to search af∣ter it, penè dementis otii est. Ricciolus likewise acknowledging its Sublimity to exceed the Subtle∣ty of all Astronomers hitherto. Who yet proposes three several Methods or Wayes of finding it out. The first by means of the Horizontal or any other Parallax of the Sun; the second by the Eclipses of the Sun and Moon; the third by the Moon's Dichotomy, and its Distance from the Earth. But however the Investigation thereof be made, this is to be considered, that the Sun is sometimes in Apogaeo, or its furthest Distance from the Earth, sometimes in Perigaeo, or its nearest Proximity to the Earth; by the half of the Difference of which two Distances, the mean Di∣stance of the Sun is determined. But it will be worth the while to represent to the Readers view in the following Table, the several Opinions as well of the Ancient as Modern Astrono∣mers touching this matter.

Table of the Sun's Distance from the Center of the Earth in Semi∣diameters of the same.

AUTHORS	Greatest Distance of the Sun in A∣pogaeo	Mean Di∣stance	Least Distance in Perigaeo
According to Hipparchus his Data	1586	1472	1357
Or	1429	1379	1231
Posidonius	13141	†	†
Ptolemaeus and Maurolycus	1210	1168	1126
Clavius and Barocius	1216	1168	1126
Albategnius and Alphonsus	1146	1107	1068
From the Data of Albategnius as Lansberg.	7936	†	†
Alfraganus	1220	1215	1210
Fernelius	1309	1256	1204
Copernicus and Maginus	1179	1142	1105
From the Data of Copernicus Lansberg.	0942	†	†
Michael Neander	1197	1160	1122
Maestlinus in Max. Excentr.	1208 ½	1160	1111 ¾
Maestlinus in Min. Excentr.	1197 ½	1160	1122 ¾
Io. Offusius	†	1152	†
Tycho and Blancanus	1182	1150	1117
Longomontanus	1334	1288	1242
Kepler in Ephemer.	1800	1768	1736
Kepler in Coment. Martis	—	—	—
Kepler in Stella Nova	—	1432	—
Kepler in Epitome Astronom.	3469	—	—
Kepler ex Parallax. in Tabul. Rudolphin.	3438	3381	3327
Lansberg. in Min. Excentr.	1550 52 / 60	1498 3•…•… / 60	1446 1•…•… / 60
Ismael Bullialdus	1485 56 / 60	1460	1433 •…•… / 60
Athanas. Kircherus	1940 ¾	1906 ¼	1872 〈◊〉〈◊〉
Anton. Maria de Rheita	2073	2000	1927
Godefridus Vendelinus	14905	14656	14407
Galilaeus	†	1208	†
Marius Bettinus	†	1145	†
Langrenus	†	3420	†
Ricciolus	7580	7327	7074
Or	7600	7300	7000

Of the MOON.

THE MOON the nearest Neighbour of all the Planets to this our Elementary Sphere comes next to be considered; whose Nature, Composition, and Constitution, may best be judged of by its Opacity, Asperity, and Heterogeneity of Parts.

The first shews it to be altogether deprived of any innate or proper Light, evidenced in its To∣tal Eclipses, wherein She altogether looses her Lustre, which contrarily (if She had any of her own) would rather in the greatest darkness become more conspicuous. Hence it may be infer∣red the Light She hath is from the Sun, and that the Moon as She is an opacous, so She is a dense Body, apt to receive and reflect the Sun's Light.

The second argues the Globe of the Moon to be full of Eminencies, and Depressions, like our Hills and Valleys, estimated to be such by the Conjectures of the Ancients, (mentioned by Plutarch l. de facie in Orbe Lunae) but at present manifest to sight by help of the Telescope, and ascertain∣ed to reason by those lesser Spots, which are called New ones, varying their Scituation and Mag∣nitude, according to the divers Access and Recess of the Sun, to which their Site is alwayes opposite, thence evidencing them to be the Shadows of the more eminent Parts of the Moons Globe, emulating our Alps, Hills, and Mountains, and here and there surpassing them for Height.

The third, viz. The Heterogeneity of its Parts was long since believed by the Ancients, as may appear by Plutarch (l. 2. De Placit. Philosoph. c. 25.) but at this day certainly demonstrated by the

various Reflections of its Light; whence We may conclude the brighter and more splendid Parts of the Moon, to be those which are more dense, solid, and opacous, like our Earth, in regard they reflect a greater Portion of Light; but the obscurer Parts commonly called the Ancient Spots, for as much as they reflect a less, and absorbe a greater Quantity of Light, to be therefore Pellucid and Diaphanous, and Analogous to our Ocean, Seas, Lakes, and Rivers.

From what hath been already said, We may probably inferr that the Moon is composed of Solid and Liquid Parts, as this our Terraqueous Globe which we inhabit; above which it is placed in such a •…•…itting Degree of Neighbourhood, that thereby the Light and Influence of the Celestial Bodies, especially of the Sun's fervent Rayes, might by the Celerity of its Motion be so tempered, and by the Asperity and Inequality of its Superficies so received, and thence reflected, that they might be transmitted to us with less Incommodity than otherwise they would, if they were dire∣ctly projected without that temperating Medium.

We are not yet to imagine, though most Astronomers as well Ancient as Modern conceive the Moon to be as it were another Earth, that it is composed of the same Sand, Clay, Stones, as this Terrestrial Globe, or that the Lunary Seas, Lakes, Pools, &c. are of the same Water with our Seas, Lakes, or Pools; but happily of a quite different Matter, and to us incomprehensible. And therefore as to its Nature and Substance, We shall forbear with Anaximander to determine that its Concave Orb is full of Fire, breathing out at one Part as out of a Tunnel; or with Xeno∣phanes, that it is a Constipated Cloud, or with Pythagoras, that it is a stony Body, or with the Stoicks, that it is composed of Fire and Air, or as Plato will of a terrene Composition, or as Anaxagoras pre∣tends of a mixture cold and earthly, darkness being mixed with her fiery Nature, whence She is called a Star of false Light; or with Heraclitus that it is another Earth inveloped within a misty dim Cloud; or with Pliny and some of the Moderns, that it is of a Watery Substance, or as * 1.7 Otto de Guerrick conjectures, that it is a Globe of Ice. But shall leave these Opinions as being dubious and uncertain to the further Disquisition of the learned, and give the Reader a view of its Figure and several Phases in the Annexed Scheme, according to the Observations of Ricciolus and Grimaldus.

And seeing mention hath been made of the Maculae, or Spots appearing in the Face or Body of the Moon; as well those obvious to the Bare Eye, as the others discernable by help of the Te∣lescope; We hold it necessary to make a more particular Description of them.

They are distinguished into the ANCIENT and the NEW.

The Ancient Spots, are those greater and larger Spots at all Times discernable without the Help of a Telescope, resembling, large Seas, Lakes and Bayes; Heretofore known and taken No∣tice of by the Ancients, of which Plutarch hath written a Particular Treatise under the Title, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. i. e. De facie in Orbe Lunae, translated and commented upon by Kepler, and annexed to his Somnium Lunare.

The New Ones, are those Lesser Spots, which are not discernable but by the help of a Teles∣cope, which are various; differing in Magnitude, Figure, Scituation, Colour, &c. observed and with exactness described by sundry eminent Modern Astronomers: Some of whom have imposed, as well upon the Old as New, distinct Names and Appellations for the better Knowledge of them. Among whom Langrenus in his Selenographia, hath noted them by the Names of several Persons eminent either for their Skill in the Mathematicks, or their Dignity and Honours, or their Parti∣cular Friendship and Favour to him and his Studies. Hevelius, as if the Moon were another Earth, hath described and distinguished them by Geographical Marks and Denominations, transferring to them the Names proper to our Terrestrial Continents, Promontories, Mountains, Islands, Seas, Lakes, &c. Grimaldus hath signalized them by the Names (for the most Part) of Persons pecu∣liarly addicted to, and eminent in the Study of Astronomy. The Scheme and Tables of the two last (that of Langrenus not yet come to my hand) the Reader may here take notice of, as being of great Use and Advantage to all Students in Astronomy, and very Necessary not only for making their own, but better Understanding others Observations.

The first Scheme is that of Hevelius, whereof the Alphabetical Table follows.

The Names of HEVELIUS his Selenographical TABLE.

A.

• ABarim, a Mountain, called likewise Nebo and Phasga where Moses died.
• Acabe, a Mountain of Egypt, near the Arabian Gulf.
• Aconitus, a Hill, where likewise is the Acherusi∣an Cave.
• Adriaticum Mare, at this day called Golfo di Ve∣netia, by Vitruvius Gallicae Paludes; the In∣most Recess of the Adriatick Sea, where Ve∣nice is seated, at this Day called Lagume di Ve∣netia.
• Aea, an Island, at this day called Satabella.
• Aegyptus a famous Region of Africa, heretofore known by the Names of Aeria, Aetia, Ogygia, Hephaestia and Chemia, according to Herodotus, by the Iews called Chus, by the Turks Elche∣bitz, in the Egyptian Tongue Cam.
• Aegyptiacum Mare, the Egyptian Sea.
• Africae Pars, Part of Africa.
• Aemus or Haemus, a Mountain of Thrace called by some Catena Mundi, by the Italians Monte Argentario, by the Turks Balkan.
• Aerii Montes, Mountains of Sicily anciently so called.
• Aetna, a Mountain of Sicily, called by Pindar the Celestial Pillar, by Silius Italicus the Tiphaean Mountain; at present Mongibello, anciently called Inesia.
• Aethusa, an Island not far from Sicily otherwise called Aegusa, Limoza, Aegates.
• Ajax, a Mountain of Egypt.
• Agarum, a Promontory of Sarmatia Europaea.
• Alabastrinus Mons, a Mountain of Africa.
• Alani Montes, sive Roxolani, Mountains near the River Tanais, and the Lake Maeotis.
• Alopecia, an Island in the Lake Maeotis; called likewise Tanais, and Calarus, at present L'Isle des Renards.
• A•…•…aunus, a Mountain of Sarmatia.
• Alpes, a long Tract of Mountains dividing Italy from Germany and France.
• Amarae Paludes, about Arsinoe not far from the the Arabian Gulf.
• Amari Fontes, in Egypt.
• Amadoca, Palus, in Sarmatia Europaea.
• Amanus Mons, a Mountain of Syria, which it divides from Cilicia, called likewise Cedrenus and Monte Nero•…•…, and Monte di Scanderona, from the City Scanderoon seated at the Foot of the said Mountain.
• Ambenus Mons, a Mountain near the Outlet of Ister in Sarmatia Europaea, otherwise called Ambolus and Embolus.
• Animusa, an Island lying between Leopadusa and Aethusa, which in the African Tables are called the Pelagian and Taricinian Islands.
• Anna, a Mountain in Arabia Deserta.
• Antilibanus, a Mountain in Syria, or Phaenicia, between which and Libanus stretches along and fertile Valley well peopled and called by the Inhabitants Abellinas.
• Antitaurus, a Mountain in the Lesser Armenia, called according to Thevet, Roham Thoura.
• Apenninus Mons, a Ridge of mighty Hills, run∣ning through the middest of Italy from the Maritime Alps as far as the Brutii.
• Apollinis Promontorium, a Promontory of Mauri∣tania Caesariensis, called at this Day Cabo de Te∣nes, or Cabo de tres Forcas.
• Apollonia, an Island called likewise Thynias.
• Apollonia Minor, an Island in the Euxine Sea.
• Arabia, at this Day called Aden, by some Aiman, by the Saracens Mamotta.
• Arabiae Paludes, the Moors or Fens of Arabia.
• Archerusia Palus, or Anthemois is not far from the Euxine Sea.
• Archerusia Promontorium, a Promontory not far from Apollo's Island in the Euxine Sea.
• Areesa Palus, or Arsina, or Arethusa in Armenia Major.
• Argentarius Mons, a Peninsula or Promontory of Thuscany; at this day called Monte Argentaro, where once was the Town or Harbour, called Portus Herculis.
• Arietis frons seu Promontorium, a Promontory in the Taurick Chersonesus, of old called Brixa∣ba, or Acroma, now Fanar, or Famar.
• Armeniae Montes, the Armenian, or Gordiaean Mountains.
• Arrhentias, an Island about the Cappadocian Sea.
• Asiae Pars, Part of Asia, by Sacred Writers called Semia, by the Asiaticks Siana.
• Atheniensis Sinus, the Bay of Athens in Cappa∣docia, not that of Greece; called otherwise Themis, and Syrium, at this Day Cacari.
• Athos Mons, a Mountain of Greece; now called Monte Santo; by the Turks Monastir.
• Atlas Minor, a Mountain of Africa, Part of Atlas Major.
• Atlas Major, one of the greatest Mountains of Africa.
• Audus Mons, a Mountain of Africa, upon the Confines of Mauritania Caesariensis, by the Moores called Aurais.
• Aureus Mons, a Mountain in Maesia; of which Name are several others in divers Regions.

B.

• BAronisus, a Mountain within the Kingdom of Fesse and Marocco in Africa.
• Besbicus, an Island in the Propontick Sea, at this Day called Calomio, or Calolino, and Izola del Principe.
• Berosus, a Mountain of Scythia, where Pliny writes there were three Fountains, which if drunk of, killed without Pain or Remedy.
• Bontas Mons, or Tabas, seated about the Serrian Mountains.
• Borysthenes, a Lake near the Euxine Sea, into which the River Borysthenes discharges it self.
• Byces Palus, a Lake and River flowing into the Lake Maeotis, which is Part of the Euxine Sea, otherwise called Buges, and Suza Morsi.
• Byzantium, or Constantinople.

[illustration]

TABVLA SELENOGRAPHICA Seu Vera adminiculo tubi Orthogra∣phica delineato Marium Sinuum Insularū Continent Promont. Lacuū Paludū Montium Planit Vallium in visibilis Lunae hemispherio existent〈…〉〈…〉 Autore Iohanno Helvelio. A^o. 1645.

C.

• CAdmus, a Mountain of Lydia, not far from Laodicea, whence the River Lycus springs.
• Calabraria, or rather Colubraria, at this day call∣ed Mont Colibre, and as some will, Dragonera, an Island in the Mediterranean Sea, under the Spanish Dominion, not far from Majorca.
• Calathe, an Island in the African Sea; by some conceived to be the same with Goletta not far from Tunis.
• Calchistan, anciently Paropamissus, a Mountain of Persia.
• Capraria, an Island in the Tyrrhen Sea, now called Cabraia.
• Carpates, a mighty Mountain, or Ridge of Hills, dividing Moravia, Polonia, and Russia from Hungary and Transylvania, at this day called Crapack.
• Carpathus, an Island between Creet and Rhodes, one of the Sporades, known likewise by the Names of Porphyris and Tetrapolis, at present by that of Scarpanto.
• Caput de Tornese, a Promontory of Peloponesus, happily Promontorium Taenaria, or Taenarus, at present called Capo Matapan, and Capo Maina.
• Carcinites Sinus, a Bay between the Outlet of Borysthenes, and the Bosphorus Cymmerius; known likewise by the Name of Tamyraces, at this day called Golfo di Nigropoli.
• Cassiotis, a Region in Egypt or Syria.
• Casius Mons, a Mountain on the Coast of Egypt, at this day Larissa; where was the Sepulchre or Monument of Pompey the Great.
• Caspium Mare; the Caspian Sea; called likewise the Hyrcanian, Albanian, and Tartarian Sea, at present Abachu, Sala, Cunsar.
• Cataractes, a Mountain of Egypt; not far from Nilus.
• Caucasius Sinus, a Bay of the Euxine Sea.
• Caucasus, or Caucasii Montes, Part of Mount Taurus, between the Euxine and the Caspian Sea, otherwise called Marpesia Cautes, at this day Cochias.
• Celenorum Tumulus, Mountains of Pamphilia, not far from Apamia.
• Cercinna, an Island in the African Sea, at this Day called Gamelaria, and Querquenes, by the Ita∣lians Chercara.
• Chadisia Promontorium, a Promontory otherwise called Phadisana on the Coast of the Euxine Sea.
• Cha•…•…idici Montes, Mountains of Sicily, at this day vulgarly called S. Riti, or S. Rici, Part of the N•…•…ptunian Mountain or Pelorus.
• Cilicum, an Island in the Euxine Sea.
• Cimmerius Mons, a Mountain or Promontory of the Taurick Chersonesus.
• Cimmeriae Paludes, the Moors or Fens of the Cimmerii.
• Cimaeus, a Mountain of Asia, near Troas.
• Circaeum Promontorium, a Promontory of Campa∣nia in Italy, now called Monte Circello.
• Cirna, a Mountain of Africa,
• Climax, a Mountain on the South of the Lower Egypt, as also of Phaenicia, not far from the City Biblus, called Passo di Cane; there is another of the same Name in Arabia Felix.
• Coibacarani Montes, Mountains of Persia; known likewise by the name of Bagous Mons, seated in the Region Aria, now Chorazan.
• Colchis, a Region of Asia, bordering on the Eux∣ine Sea, now called Mengrelia, and by the Turks Caracomulu.
• Corax, a Mountain of Sarmatia Asiatica.
• Corocondametis Lacus, a Lake so called from the City Corocondame, scituate near the Euxine Sea, into which the said Lake falls.
• Corsica, an Island in the Tyrrhene Sea, anciently called Cyrnus, Corsis and Cerneatis, lying a∣gainst Italy, not far from Sardinia; at pre∣sent by the Italians called Corsica, by the French La Corse.
• Cossyra, or Cossura, an Island in the Mediterrane∣an, reckoned among the African Islands, call∣ed likewise Pantalerea.
• Cratas Mons, or Craton, a Mountain of Sicily, called likewise Nebrodes, at present Madonia.
• Crathis, or Chelidoreus Mons, a Mountain of Pe∣loponesus, whence springs a River of the same Name.
• Cragus, a Mountain of Cilicia, or as others will of Lycia, now called Monte di Gorante, and Li Sette Cavi.
• Creta Insula, the Island of Creet or Candy, here∣tofore Aeria, Curetis, Macaros, and Macaro∣nesus.
• Creticum Mare, the Cretan Sea; that Part of the Aegean and Ionian Seas which surrounds Creet.
• Cydises, a Mountain about Armenia.
• Cyprus, an Island in the Mediterranean Sea; heretofore known by the divers Names of Acamantis, Cerastis, Aspelia, Macaria, Cryptus, Colinia, Spechia, Mejonis, Erosa, Paphus, Che∣tima, Citica, &c.
• Cyanea Europaea, an Island near the Thracian Bos∣phorus.

D.

• DElanguer, a Mountain of Scythia, rising from the Foot of Taurus, by Ptolomy called Chemantini Montes, anciently Imaus, running as far as India, which it divides from Scythia, called by several Names; In Tartary, Moreghar, Belgyan and Althai; by the Indi∣ans Dalanguer, and Naugracut.
• Didymae, small Islands in the Mediterranean Sea so called.
• Didymus, or Dindimus, a Mountain of the lesser Asia, of which Name likewise there are seve∣ral others.

E.

• EBissus, an Island in the Balearick Sea, now Yvica.
• Echinades, Islands in the Ionian Sea, at present called Cozzulari.
• Eos, a Mountain of Egypt.
• Eoum Mare, the Eastern or Indian Sea.
• Ericht ini Scopuli, Rocks in the Euxine Sea.
• ...

• Erroris Insula, an Island in the Mediterranean Sea, called likewise Albusama, and at this Day Alboran.
• Eryx Mons, a Mountain in Sicily, at this Day Monte S. Iuliano.
• Evila, a Desert in Palaestina.

F.

• FIcaria, an Island not far from Sardinia, at this Day Serpentaria.
• Fontes Amari, Fountains so called near Nilus in Egypt, already mentioned.
• Fretum Ponticum, the Pontick Straits, the same with the Bosphorus Cimmerius.
• ...Fortis Mons.

G.

• GAllicus Sinus, the Gallick Bay; that Part of the Mediterranean Sea into which Rho∣danus or the Rhosne discharges it self; called likewise Angulus Gallicus & Salsus.
• Germanicianus, a Mountain of Africa, otherwise called Mons Iovis:

H.

• HAjalon, a Vally in Palaestine, otherwise called Vallis Lunae, at present Val di Luna.
• Herculeus Lacus, a Lake in Sicily not far from Aetna, in the Leontine Region, at this Day Lago di Leontini.
• Herculis Mons, a Mountain near the Heraclean Promontory.
• Hereus Mons, a Mountain of Sicily, otherwise called Artisino and Tavis.
• Herculeum Promontorium, stretching into the Pa∣lus Maeotis.
• Heracleum Promontorium, a Promontory of the Euxine Sea.
• Hermo Mons, the Hill Hermon in Palaestina, call∣ed likewise Gal•…•…ad.
• Hier•…•…, an Island near Sicily, called likewise Ma∣ritima, at this Day Maretamo, not far from the Lylibaean Promontory.
• Hippici Montes, Mountains of Asia, near Tartary, at this Day Mazarisci.
• Hippolai Promontorium, in Europaean S•…•…ythia, near Borysthenes.
• Hipponiates Sinus, a Bay on the Calabrian Coast, at this Day Golfo di Taranto.
• Hor, a Mountain in Palaestine on the Borders of Edom, where Aaron dyed and was buri∣ed.
• Horminius Mons, or Ormenius, a Mountain in Asia near Pontus.
• Horeb, a Mountain in the Desert of Madian, and contiguous to Mount Sinai.
• Hiblaei Montes, Mountains of Sicily, of which Name Stephanus reckons three.
• Hyperboreum Mare, the Northern Frozen Sea.
• Hyperborei Montes, the Riphaean Mountains to the North of Russia Alba, or Muscovia, called at this Day Camenopoias, whose Summit or Top is called Stolp, they are known likewise by the Names of Doffrini, and Doffrafiel.
• Hyperboreus Lacus Superior, the upper Hyperbo∣rean Fenns.
• Hyperboreus Lacus Inferior, the lower Hyperbo∣rean Fenns.
• Hyperborei Scopuli, the Hyperborean Rocks.
• Hyperborea Regio, the Hyperborean Region.

I.

• IDa Mons, a Mountain of Phrygia in the lesser Asia.
• Insula Orientalior, the Eastern Island in the Car∣pathian Sea.
• Insula Occidentalior, the Western Island in the same Sea.
• Insula, an Island near the Promontory of Aries in the Pontick Sea.
• Insula Major, the greater Island in the Caspian Sea.
• Insula Minor, the lesser Island in the Caspian Sea.
• Italia, heretofore called Ausonia, Hesperia, O•…•…no∣tria, Saturnia, &c.

L.

• LAcus Major Occidentalis, the greater We∣stern Lake near the Palus Maeotis; known more particularly by the Name of Odojum, and Iwanow.
• Lacus Minor Occidentalis, the lesser Western Lake; more particularly called Ploto.
• Lacus Meridionalis, the Southern Lake.
• Lacus Niger Major, the greater black Lake.
• Lacus Niger Minor, the lesser black Lake.
• Lathmus Mons, a Mountain of Caria, famous for the Loves of Luna and Endymion, at this Day called Monte di Palatia.
• Lea, an Island on the Coast of Barbary.
• Lemnos, an Island in the Aegaean Sea, at this Day Stalimene.
• Lesbos, an Island in the Aegaean Sea, at this Day Metellino.
• Letoa, an Island in the Mediterranean not far from Creet, otherwise called Christiana.
• Leucopetra Promontorium, a Promontory of Italy on the Southern Coast of Calabria, called Capo Dell' Armi, which yet Brieti∣us conceives to be that called Punta Della Saetta.
• Libanus Mons, a Mountain of Syria, at this Day Libano.
• Ligustinus Mons, a Mountain of Italy, per∣haps the Ligustick Alps called Montagna di Tenda.
• Lion sive Leonum Mons, a Mountain of Afri∣ca so called, near the Sea Coast of Guinne, heretofore by the Greeks called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. the Chariot of the Gods, by the Por∣tugals Sierra Liona, from the continual Noise of Thunder there heard, resembling the roaring of Lions; by the Natives it is called Boulombel.
• ...Lipulus Mons.
• Loca Paludosa, the Moores or Fenns in the Island Cercinna, in whose midst in an emi∣nent Hill.
• ...

• Lunae Promontorium, a Promontory on the Coast of Thuscany so called.
• Lybicum Mare, the Libian or Aegyptian Sea.
• Lychnitis, a Moore or Fenn in A•…•…menia Major, called Exsechia.
• Lybiae Pars, Part of Africa heretofore known by the Names of Olympia, Oceania, Hespe∣ria, and Cepheni•…•….

M.

• MAcra Insula, called likewise Achillis, and Leuce, seated in the Bay of Carcinites.
• Macrocemnii Montes, Mountains so called, in Sarmatia Europaea, not far from the Rivers Ister and Tyras.
• Malta, or Melita, an Island in the African Sea between Sicily and Africa, famous for the Order of Knights of St. Iohns of Ierusa∣lem there residing.
• Majorca, an Island in the Balearick Sea.
• Mampsarus, a Mountain of Africa so called.
• Mantiana Palus, a large Meere or Pool, in Media on the Confines of Armenia, called by some Actamar, Van, and Vastan, by others Abaunias, and as Paulus Venetus affirms, Gelu∣chalat.
• Marinus Lacus, a Lake in Thuscany, not far from Porto Ercole, at this Day called Lago d' Orbitello.
• Masicytus, a Mountain of the lesser Asia, by Stra∣bo called Clymax.
• Mauritania, a Region of Africa, in Hebrew Phut; at this Day called Regno d' Algier, and Regno di Tremessin, and by a more peculiar Name Barbary.
• Mediterraneum Mare, the Mediterranean Sea; by the Italians and Spaniards called Mare di Levanto, by the Turks Actenitz, i. e. the White Sea, by the Arabs, Bohar Rumi, i. e. the Grecian Sea.
• Melos Insula, an Island in the Aegaean Sea, now Milo.
• Menyx Insula, an Island in the African Sea, known likewise heretofore by the Names of Lotophagitis, and Cyra.
• Mercurii Promontorium, a Promontory on the African Coast, over against Sicily, now called Capo Bon.
• Mesogys, a Mountain of Lydia.
• Mycale, a Mountain of Ionia.
• Mimas, a Mountain and Promontory of Ionia; now Capo Stillari.
• Mingui, the same with Carmania Deserta, a Re∣gion of Asia.
• Minorca, an Island in the Balearick Sea.
• Miris, vel Maeris, a great Lake in Egypt, famous for King Maeris his Sepulcher.
• ...Mons Meridionalis.
• Montana Pharan, in Palaestina.
• Montana Seir, in Palaestina, or Idumaea, now Sar∣dinay.
• Montuniates, a Mountain of Thuscany.
• Mortuum Mare, the dead Sea in Palaestina, call∣ed by the Greek and Latine Writers Asphal∣tites Lacus.
• Myconius Mons, a Mountain of Sicily, not far from Messana.
• Moesia, a Region of Europe, otherwise called, Servia, Bosnia, and Moldavia.
• Mysius Mons, a Mountain of Asia, heretofore called Collis Saturni; by the Turks at this Day Geschisdage.

N.

• NEptunius Mons, a Mountain of Sicily not far from Messana; now Monte di Namari, heretofore Pelorus.
• Nerossus, a Mountain of Tartary.
• Nilus, or the River Triton.
• Nitria, a Mountain of Egypt.

O.

• OLympus, here taken for a Mountain of Asia in the Province of Mysia; known to the Turks at present by the several Names of Anatolaidag, Emerdag, or Emiodag, and Kes∣chisdag.
• Ophiusa, an Island in the Balearick Sea, under the Dominion of Spain, now Formentera.

P.

• PPaludes circa Mare Mortuum, the Moors or Fenns about the Dead Sea.
• Paludes Palaestinae, the Moors or Fenns of Palae∣stina.
• Paludes Superiores Ponti Euxini, the upper Moors or Fenns of the Euxine Sea.
• Paludes Inferiores Ponti Euxini, the lower Moors or Fenns of the Euxine Sea.
• Palus Maraeotis, the Lake, Moor, or Fenn Marae∣otis in Egypt, now Lago di Buchiara.
• Palus Maeotis, the Lake, Moor, or Fenn Maeotis, at this Day called Mar Della Sa∣bacche, Mar Della Tana, and Mar Bian∣co.
• Pamphylium Mare seu Phaselicum, the Pam∣phylian Sea, at this Day Mar di Carma∣nia.
• Pangaeus Mons, a Mountain of Thrace, now call∣ed Malacca, and Castagna.
• Paestanus Sinus, sive Posidoniates, a Bay of the Mediterranean, at this Day Golfo Agro∣politano, and Golfo di Salerno.
• Paropamisus Mons, Part of Mount Taurus, where it rises to the greatest Height; by Aristotle called Parnassus, at present Pamer, by some Calchistan.
• Parthenius Mons, a Mountain of Peloponesus in Arcadia.
• Poloponesus, a Grecian Peninsula, at this Day Mo∣rea.
• Pentadactylus, a Mountain of Egypt, near the Red Sea.
• Peronticus Sinus, a Bay of the Euxine Sea, now Cabo de Manco.
• Persia a Region of Asia, at this Day Farsi, Aza∣mia, and Curazan.
• S. Petro, an Island near Sardinia, heretofore call∣ed Herculis Insula.
• ...

• Petra Pyramidalis, seu Pyramis, sive Mons Faroni∣anus, perhaps the same with Petra Santa in Tuscany, heretofore Fanum Feroniae.
• Petra Sogdiana, near the Hyrcanian Sea.
• Peuce, a Mountain in Sarmatia Europaea.
• Phasianus Sinus, a Bay▪ so called in the Euxine Sea.
• Pherme, a Mountain of Egypt.
• Philyra, an Island of the Euxine Sea.
• Phaenix, a Mountain of Caria on the Coast over against Rhodes.
• Pontia, an Island of the Mediterranean Sea; un∣der the Dominion of Naples, at this Day Ponza.
• Pontus Euxinus, the Euxine Sea; at this Day Mar de Marmora, Mar Majore, Caradenis, and Mauro-thalassa.
• Porphyrites Mons, a Mountain so called from its Colour, which tincture according to Aga∣tharchides it receives from the Minium with which it abounds, of which Colour likewise is this of the Moon.
• Promontorium freti Pontici, a Promontory of the Pontick Straits.
• Propontis Sinus, a Bay between the Hellespont and the Euxine Sea; heretofore known by the Names of Mare Bebricium, and Mare Thra∣cium.
• Prophetarum Mons, a Mountain so called in Pa∣laestine.

R.

• RAphidim, a Desert in Palestine, not far from Mount Horeb.
• Rhodus, an Island in the Carpathian Sea, famous heretofore for the Colossus of the Sun.
• ...Riphaei Montes.
• ...Rupes in Sinu Atheniensi.

S.

• SAcer Mons, a Mountain of Egypt so called. Sagaricus Sinus, a Bay of Scythia Europaea, in∣to which the Rivers Sagaris and Tyras dis∣charge themselves.
• Salmidessus Sinus, a Bay of the Euxine Sea, so called from the Town Salmidessus, at this Day Stagnara; others make it Philia, a Promon∣tory of Thrace, at the Mouth of the Pontick Sea.
• Sanctus Mon▪s, a Mountain near the Palus Maeotis.
• Sardinia Insula, an Island in the Tyrrhene Sea, under the Dominion of Spain, by the Italians called Sardegna, by the Spaniards Zerdegna.
• Sarmatiae Europaeae Pars, Part of Sarmatia Europaea.
• Sarmatici Montes, Mountains of Sarmatia Euro∣paea, at this Day called Montes Scepusienses.
• Sarmatiae Asiaticae Pars, Part of Sarmatia Asia∣tica.
• Scithiae Pars, Part of Scythia at this Day Tar∣tary.
• Sepher Mons, a Mountain of Palaestine; but there is another so called in India, of an ex∣ceeding Height, as this likewise of the Moon is.
• S•…•…rrorum Mons, a Mountain of Sarmatia Europaea.
• Sicilia, the greatest Island in all the Mediterrane∣an, heretofore called Sicania, Trinacria, Tri∣quetra.
• Sinai Mons, Mount Sinai in Arabia Petraea, at this Day called S. Catharina, by the Turks Turla, and Gibel Thor, and Gibel Mousa; that is, the Mountain of Moses.
• Sinopium Mons, a Mountain of Egypt, otherwise called Memphidis Mons, or the Mountain of Memphis.
• Sinus Orientalis Maris Hyperborei, the Eastern Bay of the Hyperborean Sea.
• Sinus Inferior Maris Caspii, the Inferior Bay of the Caspian Sea, in which there is seen a signal Rock.
• Sinus extremus Ponti Euxini, the utmost Bay of the Euxine Sea.
• Sinus ad Bosphorum Thracium Propontidis, the Bay of Propontis at the Thracian Bosphorus.
• Sinus ad Hellespontum Propontidis, the Bay of Propontis at the Hellespont.
• Sipylus, a Mountain of the lesser Asia; of which Name likewise there are divers others.
• Sirbonidis Eruptio, the Sirbonick Straits.
• Sirbonis Sinus, a great Lake in Palaestina, upon the Confines of Egypt; called at this Day by the several Names of Stagnone, Golfo di Te∣nesse, Golfo di Damiata, Camet Esturnel, and Baranguerlis.
• Sogdiani Montes, the Sogdian Mountains, the Boundaries of Media, and Assyria, at this Day Cabusco.
• Strobilus Mons, a Mountain so called, Part of Caucasus.
• Strophades, two small Islands in the Ionian Sea, at this Day Strivali.
• Strimonicus Sinus, the Bay of Strymon in the Aegaean Sea, or Archipelago, now Golfo di Con∣tessa, from an adjacent Town of that Name.
• Syrticus Sinus Minor, the Bay of the lesser Syr∣tis in the Mediterranean, upon the Coast of Africa, at this Day Golfo de Capes.
• Syrticum Mare, the Bay of the great Syrtis in the Mediterranean extended between the Regi∣ons of Cyrene and Tripolis, now by the French called Les Seiches de Barbarie▪ by the Spaniards Baxos de Barbaria, by the Italians, Golfo di Si∣dra.

T.

• TAbor Mons, Mount Tabor in Iudaea, famous for the Transfiguration of our Saviour, at this day retaining its old Name.
• Taygetus, a Mountain of Laconia near Sparta; now Portes.
• Tancon Mons, a Mountain so called near the Caspian Sea.
• Tarantinus Sinus, a Bay in the Mediterranean Sea, at this day Golfo di Taranto.
• Taurus Mons; Mount Taurus the greatest of the whole Earth, as this of the Moon.
• Taurica Chersonesus, the Taurick Chersonesus; at this Day Chrimski, Precopska, and Gazaria.
• ...Taraciniae Insulae.
• Techisandum Mons, a Mountain of Persia.
• Thambes Mons, a Mountain of Africa.

• ...

• ...
  [illustration]

• ...
  [illustration]

  FIGURA PRO NOMENCLATURA, ET LIBRATIONE LUNARI
• ...

• ...

• ... Tenarium Promontorium, the. Promontory of Tae∣narus in Peloponesus, now Capo Matapan.
• Thospitis Lacus, a great Lake or Meer in Armenia on the Borders of Mesopotamia, now Gabacu.
• Tmolus Mons, or Timolus, a Mountain of Phrygia, at this Day Tomalitze.
• Trapezus Mons, a Mountain in the Taurick Cherso∣nesus, at this Day called Lustra, and Trebizon∣de, by the Turks Tarabossan.
• Trasimenus Lacus, a famous Lake of Italy, at this Day Lago di Perugia.
• Troicus Mons, a Mountain whence the Aegyptian Pyramids were hewen.

U.

• VUlcania Insula, an Island in the Mediterra∣nean Sea, near Lipara, on the right hand of Sicily not far from Italy, now Vulcano.
• Uxii Montes, Mountains so called in Armenia Major, whence Tygris hath its Source.

Z.

• ZAcynthus, an Island near Peloponesus, at this Day Zante.

And thus much as to the Explanation of the several Names of the Luna∣ry Spots, according to the Design of HEVELIUS in his Selenographick Scheme or Mapp.

To the Scheme of Hevelius, We shall add that of Grimaldi, as the same is represented by Riccio∣lus in his Almagest. l. 4. p. 204. divided into Eight Parts or Octants, and describing the several Parts, or Spots of the Moon, not according to the Geographical Design of Hevelius; but by the Names of the most Eminent Philosophers, and Astronomers, as well Ancient as Modern, as may appear by the following Nomenclature, wherein the Synonyma of such Spots, or Parts as are added from the Selenography of Langrenus, and Hevelius, are respectively marked with the first Letters of their Names, L. and H.

Nomenclature of the Parts of the Moon for the Selenography of P. Maria Grimaldi.

• ...
  1. OCTANS.
  • ...
    • Anaximander
    • Aristarchus
  • L. Balthassar
    • Cleostratus
    • Ecphantus
    • Eratosthenes
  • L. Gassendus
  • L. Haro
    • Harpalus
    • Helicon Cyzicenus
    • Heraclides Ponticus
    • Oenopides
    • Pitheas Massil.
  • L. Pythagoras
    • Timocharis
    • Xenophanes.
• ...
  2. OCTANS.
  • ...
    • Anaxagoras
    • Aratus
    • Archimedes
  • L. Roma
  • H. Corsica
    • Archytas
    • Aristillus
    • Aristoteles
  • L. Brahe
    • Autolycus
    • Calippus
    • Conon
    • Democritus
    • Epigenes
    • Euctemon
    • Eudoxus
  • ...L. Pozzo
    • Meton
  • L. Amalsi
    • Philolaus
    • Plato
  • L. Panciroli Lacus
  • H. Lacus Niger
    • Thales
  • L. Xenophanes
    • Theaetetus
    • Timaeus.
• ...
  3. OCTANS.
  • ...
    • Atlas
    • Berosus
    • Cepheus
    • Endymion
    • Geminus
    • Hercules
    • Hermes
    • Hyginus
    • Manilius
  • L. Isabella R. Hisp:
  • H. Insula Besbicus
    • Menelaus
  • L. Maria Imperatrix
    • Mercurius
    • Messala Arabs
    • Osymandiez
    • Posidonius
  • L. Lafailli
    • Sulpicius Gallus
    • Zoroaster
• ...
  4. OCTANS.
  • ...
    • Agrippa
    • Alcuinus
    • Ariadaeus
    • Beda
    • Cleomedes
    • Dionysius Exiguus
    • Firmicus
    • Goclenius
    • Iul. Caesar
    • Langrenus
    • Macrobius
    • Plinius
    • Plutarchus
    • Proclus
  • L. Puteanus
    • Seneca
    • Sosigenes
    • Taruntius
    • Vitruvius.
• ...
  5. OCTANS.
  • ...
    • Aben Ezra
    • Abulfeda
    • Alfraganus
    • Almaeon
    • Azophi
    • S. Catharina
  • ...L. Picolomini
    • S. Cyrillus Alex.
    • ...

• ...
  • ...
    • ...S. Dionysius Areop.
    • Fabricius
    • Fracastorius
    • Fournerius S. I.
    • Geber
    • Hypparchus
    • Hypatia
    • S. Isidorus Hisp.
    • Rab. Levi
    • Mart. Capella
    • Metius
    • Mulerius
    • Neander
    • Petavius S. I.
    • Pontanus
    • Picolomineus
    • Reitha
    • Riccius
    • Sacroboscus
    • Santbechius
    • Snellius
    • Stevinus
    • Stiborius
    • Tatius Achill.
    • Theon Sen.
    • Theon. Iun.
    • S. Theophilus Alex.
    • Vendelinus
    • Zagutus
• ...
  6. OCTANS.
  • ...
    • Albategnius
  • L. Ferdinandus Imp.
    • Aliacensis
    • Alpetragius
    • Alfonsus Rex
  • L. Ludovicus 14.
    • Apianus
    • Arzachel
    • Arzet S. I.
    • Barocius
    • Bettin•…•…s S. I.
    • Blancanus S. I.
    • Blanchinus
    • Cabaeus S. I.
    • Clavius S. I.
  • L. Maximilianus
    • Curtius S. I.
    • Cysatus S. I.
    • Daniel Bartolus S. I.
    • Fernelius
    • Gauricus
    • Gemma Frisius
    • Griembergerus S. I.
    • Gulielm. Hassiae Princ.
    • Hagecius
    • Homelius
    • Kircherus S. I.
    • Licetus
    • Lilii Fratres
    • Longomontanus
    • Maginus
  • L. Visilii
    • Manzinus
    • Malapertius S. I.
    • Maurolycus
  • H. Estensis Dux
    • Moretus S. I.
    • Mutus
    • Nonius
    • Orontius
    • Pitatus
    • Pitiscus
    • Ptolemaeus
  • L. Innocentius X.
  • H. Mons Sypilus
    • Purbachius
    • Regiomontanus
    • Sasserides
    • Scheinerus S. I.
    • Schomberger S. I.
    • Simpelius S. I.
    • Stoeflerus
    • Tannerus
    • Waltherus
    • Vernerus
    • Zucchius S. I.
• ...
  7. OCTANS.
  • ...
    • Bayerus
    • Bullialdus
  • L. Medicaei
    • Byrgius
    • Campanus
    • Capuanus
    • Cichus Asculanus
    • Crugerus
    • Dersennis S. I.
    • Eichstadius
    • Fontana
    • Gassendus
  • L. Annullus Neptuni
    • Hainzelius
    • Herigonus
    • Iunctinus
    • Kristmannus
    • Mersennus
    • Morinus
    • Munosius
    • Origanus
    • Phocylides
    • Profacius
    • Rothmannus
    • Schikardus
    • Schillerus
    • Vieta
    • Zupus S. I.
• ...
  8. OCTANS.
  • ...
    • Anton. Rocca
    • Bessarion
    • Billy S. I.
    • Cardanus
    • Cavallerius
    • Copernicus
  • L. Philippus 4.
  • H. Mons Aetna
    • Cusanus
    • Dominicus Maria
    • Egnatius Dantes
    • Eustachius
    • Galilaeus
    • Grimaldus S. I.
  • L. Lacus Posidonii
  • H. Lacus Maeotis
    • Hortensius
    • Hevelius
    • Keplerus
    • Lansbergius
    • Linemannus
    • Milichius
    • Moletius
    • Reinerus
    • Reinholdus
    • Rheticus
    • Ricciolus S. I.
    • Seleucus
    • Simon Marius
    • Sirsalis S. I.
    • Stadius.

Nomenclature of the Lunary Regions, whereto is added the Number of the respective Octants to which they appertain.

• ...
  • Insula Ventorum, 8.
  • Lacus Mortis, 3.
  • Lacus Somniorum, 3.
• L. Lacus Scientiae
• H. Palus Hyperborea
  • Littus Eclipticum, 1, & 8.
• L. Littus Philippicum
  • Mare Crisium, 4.
• L. Mare Caspium
• H. Palus Maeotis
  • Mare faeeunditatis, 4, 5.
• L. Mare Langreni
  • Mare Frigoris, 2.
• L. Mare Astronomicum
  • Mare Humorum, 7.
• L. Mare Venetum
  • Mare Imbrium, 1, 2.
• L. Mare Austriacum
  • Mare Nubium, 7.
• L. Mare Borbonicum
  • Mare Nectaris, 5.
• L. Sinus Batavicus
  • Mare Serenitatis, 3▪
• L. Mare Eugenianum
• H. Mare Euxinum
  • Mare Tranquillitatis, 4.
• L. Mare Belgicum
• H. Euxinus
  • Mare Vaporum, 3.
  • Oceanus Procellarum, 1, 8.
• L. Oceanus Philippicus
• H. Mare Eoum
  • Palus Nebularum, 2.
• ...

• L. Terra Virtutis
  • Palus Nimborum, 7.
  • Palus Putredinis, 2.
  • Palus Somni, 4.
• L. Aestuaria Bamelr.
  • Peninsula Deliriorum, 7.
  • Peninsula Fulgurum, 7.
  • Peninsula fulminum, 7.
  • Sinus Aestuum, 7.
• L. Sinus Medius
• H. Mare Hadriaticum
  • Sinus Epidemiarum▪ 7
• L. Mare Populorum
  • Sinus Iridum, 1.
• L. Sinus Geometricus
• H. Sinus Apollinis
  • Sinus Roris, 1.
• L. Sinus Principis
  • Stagnum Glaciei, 2.
  • Terra Caloris, 7.
  • Terra Iustitiae
  • Terra Fertilitatis, 5, 6.
• L. Terra Dignitatis
• H. Asia
  • Terra Grandinis, 2.
  • Terra Mannae, 4, 5.
• L. Terra Temperantiae.
• H. Cholchis
  • Terra Nivium, 2.
• L. Montes Austriaci
• H. Ital. Apenninus
  • Terra P•…•…uinae, 1.
• L. Terra Laboris
• H. Mauritania
  • Terrra Sanitatis, 5.
• L. Terra Dignitatis
• H. Asiae Pars
  • Terra Siccitatis, 1, 2.
• L. Terra Honoris
  • Terra Sterilitatis, 7.
  • Terra Vitae, 3, 4.
• L. Terra Sapientiae
• H. Sarmatia
  • Terra Vigoris, 4, 5.
• L. Terra Pacis.

Of its motion either of Revolution or Libration, We shall not here say any thing, it being be∣side our present Design. But as to its Distance, Apparent Diameter and Magnitude, We have thought fit to add the following Tables.

Table of the Moons Distance from the Center of the Earth in Semidia∣meters of the same, and its Horizontal Parallax.

In Opposition, or	Conjunction
Distance from the Center of the Earth	Horizontal Parallax
According to the fol∣lowing Authors	Apog.	Med.	Perig.		Apog.	Med.	Perig.
	Semid.	′	Semid.	′	Semid.	′		′	″	′	″	′	″
Ptolemaeus	64	10	59	0	53	50		53	34	58	16	63	51
Copernicus	65	30	60	19	55	8		52	56	57	0	62	54
Tycho	58	8	56	30	54	52		59	9	60	51	62	39
Longomontanus	57	38	56	0	54	23		59	37	61	26	63	14
Lansbergius	64	10	59	5	54	0		53	34	58	8	63	39
Bulialdus	61	40	59	5	56	30		55	56	58	16	60	52
Ricciolus	64	15	59	0	53	45		53	30	58	16	63	55
Kepler. in Ephemerid.	62	52	59	0	55	8		54	41	58	16	62	20
Kepler. in Epit. Astr. & Tab. Rudolph.	59	0	56	28	54	0		58	22	60	53	63	41
Hipparchus for sometime	83	0	77	0	71	0		41	30	45	0	48	30
Afterwards	72	30	67	30	62	30		47	30	51	30	55	30
Alphonsus	61	8	57	45	54	23		53	19	59	21	63	17
Argolus	60	4	56	0	51	57		56	45	61	17	65	36
Vendelinus	63	56	60	0	56	4		53	46	57	18	61	18
Kircherus.	67	50	62	37	57	24		—	—	—	—	—	—

In its Quadratures.

Distance from the Center of the Earth	Horizontal Parallax
Authors	Apog.	Med.	Perig.		Apog.	Med.	Perig.
	Semid.	′	Semid.	′	Semid.	′		′	″	′	″	′	″
Ptolemaeus	43	53	38	43	33	33		60	19	89	0	103	0
Copernicus	68	21	60	19	52	17		50	19	57	0	65	48
Tycho	60	36	56	30	52	24		56	44	60	51	65	36
Longomontanus	60	4	56	0	51	57		57	15	61	26	66	9
Lansbergius	66	58	56	5	51	12		51	20	58	8	67	6
Bulialdus	64	15	59	5	53	55		53	30	58	8	63	43
Ricciolus	66	42	59	0	51	20		51	32	58	16	66	56
Kepler. in Ephemerid.	61	36	59	0	56	24		55	26	58	16	60	58
Kepler. in Epit. Astr. & Tab. Rudolph.	59	0	56	28	54	0		58	22	60	53	63	41

As to the Apparent Diameter of the Moon (not saying any thing of the several Methods of attaining the same from the Observation of Eclipses, of which Ricciolus l. 4. Almagest. N. c. 16.) the following Table (taken from the said Ricciolus) will shew the several Opinions of the Anci∣ent and Modern Astronomers.

Synopsis of the Ap∣parent Diameters of the Moon	In Opposition, Conjunction, and square Aspects	Apparent Diameter of the Moon	Apog.	Perig.
Authours		′	″	′	″
Ptolemaeus	in ☌ and ☍	31	20	35	20	in □	42	8	55	0
Albategnius	in ☌ and ☍	29	30	35	20
Alphonsus and Purbacchius	in ☌ and ☍	29	0	36	8
Copernicus, Rein∣holdus, and some∣time Maginus	in ☌ and ☍	30	0	35	38	in □	28	45	36	44
Maginus in Suppl. Ephemer.	in conjunction; and ☍	30	30	34	40
Clavius and Heri∣gonius	in ☌ and ☍	30	0	36	8
Tycho, Origanus, and Mulerius	in ☌	25	36	28	48	in ☍	32	0	36	0	in □	32	32	36	0
Longomontanus Physice	in ☌ and ☍	32	0	34	0
Keplerus in Ephemer.	in ☌ and ☍	30	0	34	10
In Epit. and Tab. Rudolph	in ☌ and ☍	30	0	32	44
Lansbergius	in ☌ and ☍	30	0	35	38
Petr. Gassendus	in ☌ and ☍	26	36	31	06
Ism. Bulialdus	in ☌ and ☍	31	10	34	0	in □	29	56	36	4
Got. Vendelinus	in ☌ and ☍	28	40	32	42
Sed in Vertice	in ☌ and ☍	29	10	33	18
Kircherus	in ☌ and ☍	29	22	34	40
Ricciolus	in ☌ and ☍	28	0	33	30	in □	27	0	35	6

From the Distances of the Moon, and apparent Diameters already given, the true Magnitude thereof may methodically be deduced; which (without the trouble of calculating) the Reader may see plainly exhibited, in the following Table, according to the Opinions of the several Au∣thours therein mentioned.

The true Magnitude of the Moon compared with that of the Earth and Sun.

According to	The true Diameters of the Moon and Sun unto that of the Earth supposed to be 100.	The Solidity of the Moon to the	Earth	Sun	Moon	Earth	Sun	as	to	as	to
Aristarchus more than	31	2 / 4	100	633	1	16	1	5832
Aristarchus less than	39	4 / 5	100	716	1	32	1	8000
Ptolemaeus	29	2 / 6	100	550	1	40	1	6648
Copernicus	28	4 / 7	100	545	1	42 •…•…	1	6999 1 / 60
Moestlinus	28	•…•…	100	546	1	44	1	7300
Tycho	29	1 / 6	100	520	1	41 11 / 12	1	5848
Longomontanus	26	5 / 6	100	580	1	51 1 / 49	1	10000
Keplerus	25	7 / 10	100	1500	1	59	1	204671
Lansbergius	28		100	757	1	45 11 / 20	1	19770
Bullinldus	27	11 / 12	100	700	1	45 29 / 30	1	15765 1 / 3
Vendelinus	26	5 / 8	100	6400	1	53	1	13833632
Kircherus	29	7 / 17	100	520	1	40	1	5600
Schyrlaeus	28	3 / 7	100	1000	1	42 19 / 20	1	42875
Ricciolus in Alm.	26	1 / 5	100	3383	1	55	1	2123000
Ricciolus Astr. Ref.	27	1 / 2

Whether the MOON be Habitable.

That the Moon is inhabited, is by divers as well Philosophers as Astronomers at this Day maintained and asserted; from the Appearance of Mountains, Vallies, Woods, Lakes, Seas and Rivers discovered therein by help of the Telescope, which Opinion was long since embraced by the Ancients, as Cicero testifies, (Academ. Quaest. l. 4.) where he cites the Authority of Xeno∣phanes. Habitari ait Xenophanes in Luna, Eamque esse Terram multarum Urbium & Montium. Plu∣tarch likewise De Placit. Philosophicis l. 2. c. 30. reports that the Pythagoreans affirm, the Moon to be an other Earth, and that she is inhabited round about like this Earth of ours, and peopled with Living Creatures fifteen times larger than those with us. These Inhabitants were by the Ancients called Antichtones, in regard they dwelt in an Earth opposite to ours. And in that noted Piece of his, De faciè in Orbe Lunae. He sayes that there are Caverns in the Moon which are called Penetralia Hecates, and that the Upper Parts of the Moon which alwayes respect the Heavens are the Elysian Fields; that it is likewise inhabited by Genii, which dwell not alwayes there, but sometime descend to the Earth to the Assistance or Punishment of Mankind, &c. Macrobius likewise in Somn. Scipionis l. 1. and Achilles Tatius in Isagog. report the like of the Moon's being habitable. The Words of Macrobius are these, Lunam, Aetheream Terram Physici vocaverunt, & Habitatores Ejus Lunares populos nuncupa∣runt; quod ita esse plurimis Argumentis, quae nunc longum est enumerare, docuerunt. See to this Pur∣pose more in Kepler in his Astronomia Optica, and particularly in that marvellously ingenious Post∣hume Piece of his called Somnium, sive de Lunari Astronomia; and in his Learned Annotations thereupon, and on Plutarch his Book, De facie in Orbe Lunae, thereto annexed: Nor will this seem an extravagant Opinion to those who shall upon due consideration, be perswaded to admit that the Moon enjoys as favourable an Aspect from the Sun as this Earth of ours; though their Dayes and Nights be answerable to our half Months, in regard it is skreened with Hills and Mountains, under which lie deep and shady Vallies, with Hollow Caves and Recesses, equally advantagious against the Extremities of Heat and Cold, watered likewise with great Lakes and Rivers, and consequently by Nature furnished with all things requisite for sustentation of life, and therefore it cannot reasonably be thought, that these Advantages and Benefits should be conferred by Na∣ture for no Use or End; or that the Moon should only be made to reflect the Sun's Light to us. See the Learned Dr. Isaac Vossius in his Treatise De Natura & Propriet. Lucis. c. 19.

But what kind of Creatures these Lunary Inhabitants are, is not agreed upon, though Kepler be something Positive, Concludendum videtur (sayes he, in Not. ad Appendic. Selenograph.) in Luna Creaturas esse Viventes, Rationis, ad Ordinata facienda, Capaces. The like is affirmed by him as to the other Planets, nay the Sun it self, touching which last, in the Epilogue to his Fifth Book,▪ De Mundi Harmonia, he breaks out into this Expression, Vel Sensus ipsi exclamant, ignea hic habitare corpora, Mentium Simplic•…•…um Capacia, Veréque Solem esse 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Si non Regem, at saltem Regiam.

This cannot perhaps seem more strange to some, than the following Assertion to Others, which maintains the Moon to be the Paradise wherein Our first Parents were created, and from whence for their Transgression they were thrust down to this Earth of ours; and yet this from Reason and the Authori∣ty of Fathers and Schoolmen, is endeavoured to be proved by Hieronymus Vitalis in Lexic. Mathe∣mat. in Voce Paradisus; where he sayes, fateor id novum, Singulare & hactenus inauditum; at non per hoc temerarium, atque intolerabile dixeris; for, as he urges, modò partâ tantâ rerum Notitiâ, Lu∣nae facie Telescopio penitissimè observatâ, Veterum dictis Expensis, Locis (super hanc Terram) investiga∣tis, Paradisum in Lunae superficie collocare, Ratio ipsa compellit. To whose large Discourse upon that Subject we refer the Reader.

MERCURY.

The next Planet in order is Mercury; of whose Place, Figure, Nature, and Substance some∣thing, according to our Method is briefly to be added.

It is carried in an Epicycle about the Sun, as the Center of its Motion and Orb: Now running above, now beneath the Sun; Sometimes higher than Venus, sometimes lower: For when these two Planets (Venus and Mercury) are in their Apogaea, and above the Sun, then Mercury is beneath Venus; when in their Perigaea and beneath the Sun, then Mercury is above Venus: So when Venus is in her Apogaeum, and Mercury in his Perigaeum, then is he beneath Venus; when Venus is in her Perigaeum, and Mercury in his Apogaeum, then is he above Venus, as may appear by the Egyptian and Tychonick Systems.

Its Figure is orbicular or round, not Mathematically but Physically such, rising here and there with extuberating Hills and Mountains, in the same manner as this Earthly Globe of ours; be∣ing, like that, an opacous Body, and receiving its Illumination from the Sun; whence at several times it is seen under several Phases or Appearances; for in it's greatest Digression from the Sun, (which is never above 28°.) it appears Dichotomous; but when he is retrograde, and approaching to an Opposition with the Sun, he appears in a Figure like that of the New Moon, when distant a∣bout 60°. Degrees from the Sun; though this Phasis be very rarely discerned by reason of his small Digression from the Sun, and the quick Vibration of his Rayes, (whence by the Greeks he is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,) the Vivacity of his Light exceeding that of Venus and Iupiter, and thence im∣peding the Sight from rightly beholding that Phaenomenon, unless fortified by an excellent Teles∣cope, as likewise in regard of the great Refractions made by Vapours near the Horizon, especially in Climates more obliquely posited, as is noted by Regiomontanus and Copernicus, who for that Reason could never be so happy as duly to observe these Mercurial Phases. Riccciolus (in Astr. Reform. l. 10.) reports that he, together with Franciscus Maria Grimaldi in the year 1643. the fifth of March, when Mercury was in the Upper Part of his Epicycle, and Vespertine at 15°. of E∣longation from the Sun, beheld him in a Gibbous Figure, like the Moon when more than half full; the like in the year 1656. December 16^th. In the year 1643. August 25^th. the same Persons, beheld him being Matutine, and 19°. distant from the Sun, in a Figure like that of a Sickle or Sy•…•…he; so likewise in the year 1644. August the 6^th. being distant from the Sun 20°. But in the year 1647. April 30^th. being Vespertine, and distant from the Sun 20°. they beheld him in a like Sythe-like Fi∣gure, but more approaching toward a Dichotomy, in the same Figure likewise they beheld him in the year 1650. when Vespertine and distant 18°. from the Sun. There are observed in him like∣wise several Spots successively following one another, some light, some duskish; which light Spots are by Kircherus (in Itiner. Exstatic. Dial. 1. c. 4.) conceived to be the said Terrestrial and Mountanous Parts of the Mercurial Globe illuminated by the Sun, the dusky ones to be the liquid or watery Parts thereof, which by their Successive Motion likewise evince that he hath a Vertigi∣nous Rotation about its own Axis, determined within the space of six Hours, or thereabouts, as Rheita affirms.

As to its Distance from the Earth, the same is by Tycho computed to be in its greatest Distance 1660. Semidiameters of the Earth, in its mean Distance 1150. in its least 630. but according to the Calculation of Ricciolus, in its greatest Distance 10868. Semidiameters, in its mean 8057. in its least 5246.

Its Apparent Diameter in its mean Distance is by Tycho computed to be 2′. 10″. by Ricciolus in its greatest Distance to be only 9″ in its least Distance 25″.

Its true Magnitude, according to Ricciolus (supposing its mean Distance to be as before exprest, and its Diameter to contain ¼ part of the Earth's Diameter) is concluded to be less than the Earth's Body by 1 / 256 part. Which being reduced to the Measures of Kepler, its Diameter may be reckoned to contain 377 Italian Miles, the Solidity of its Body 21253933 Cubical Italian Miles, or thereabout.

VENUS.

The most illustrious of all the lesser Planets, hath been observed by the curious from all Anti∣quity: The chief Remarks made by the Ancients are these: First, they observed her sometime to precede the Sun, rising in the Morning before him, sometime to follow the Sun, setting in the Evening after him, now to be in Conjunction with the Sun, that is in the same right Line drawn from the Observers Eye to the Center of the Sun, at other times receeding from him, to the Di∣stance of 48 Degrees, and this was the first and most obvious Phaenomenon.

They observed her likewise to differ in Magnitude, appearing sometimes greater, sometimes less, sometime of a mean or middle Size, whence they concluded her to approach sometime nearer to the Earth, and to be in Perigaeo, at other times to recede further from it, and to be in Apogaeo, and this was the second Phaenomenon; but not commonly observed or obvious to All.

As to her rising and setting they observed that she was never so remote from the Sun, as that she ever set Cosmically, or rose Acronychally; that is, that she (the Sun rising in the Eastern Horizon) never set at the same time in the West, or (the Sun setting in the West) never rose at the same time in the East; for Venus cannot be opposed Diametrically to the Sun, in regard she never digresses from him above 48°. or thereabout: Whence, Venus rising in the Morning Heliacally, that is emerging out of the Sun's Beams, under which she lay hid, digresses more and more from him, and (he rising) appears higher and higher above the Horizon, until she comes to the Terms of her greatest Digression aforesaid; thence reapproaching the Sun, is hidden in the Morning Heliacal∣ly, that is, is obscured under the Sun's Beams, until such time as emerging Heliacally in the Eve∣ning, she rises (the Sun setting) higher and higher above the Horizon, until she comes to the a∣foresaid Terms of her greatest Elongation; which past, she again approaches toward the Sun until such time as in the Evening she sets Heliacally. And this is the third Phoenomenon, observa∣ble by All, but noted only by the curious, sayes Schottus (in Praelus. in Vener. in Itiner. Exstat. Kircheri.)

Besides these Observations of the Ancients, Modern Astronomers by the help of the Telescope have noted several other signal Phaenomena, as that she is lyable to the same variety of Changes as the Moon, sometimes almost full, at other Times gibbous, and now and then horned, as well when she is Vespertine as Matutine, manifested by the various Observations of Galilaeo, Scheinerus, Fontana, Hortensius, Keplerus, Rheita, Gassendus, and Hevelius. She is sometime likewise seen by Day, at which time according to Galilaeus and Hevelius, her true Figure is best to be discerned in regard she is despoyled of those Adventitious Rayes, with which in the Night time she is invested. Ricciolus and Grimaldus in the year 1649. on the first of April beheld her of a Gibbous Figure; and on the twentieth of the same Moneth bisected or dichotomised; and on the first of May, and first of September the same year, horned, and so continued until the fourth Day, two Hours after Noon, and so to the eighth Day of the same Moneth from the Sun's rising 'till Noon. On the eighteenth she was exactly Bisected or Dichotomised; on the twenty sixth growing toward a Gibbous Figure. But the rarest and most Signal Phaenomenon of Venus (sayes Ricciolus) is when she hath greatest Latitude, near her Lowest Conjunction with the Sun: For being then seen by a good Telescope she appears horned, as big as the New Moon to the bare Eye.

Of the Structure, Nature and Substance of this Planet from the Phaenomena already recited, it may be concluded that it is an opacous Body, and hath its Light from the Sun; that it is spheri∣cal, because it is spherically illuminated; that it is of a solid and consistent Substance in regard, though carried in a rapid Course through the liquid Aether it is not dissolved or dissipated: It is of a rough and uneven Superficies, in regard it is represented to be such by the Telescope, and o∣therwise, could not in such abundance reflect the Sun's Light upon the Earth, which it is observed sometimes to do to such an eminent Degree, that Bodies objected to its Rayes are seen to cast a shadow, it is made up of solid and liquid Matter, as our Terraqueous Globe, and is found to have a Vertiginous Motion about its own Axis and Center, which it compleats within the space of four∣teen Hours, according to Rheita.

As to its Apparent and true Diameter, its Solidity and Proportion to the Body of the Earth, as likewise its Distance from thence, Authours extreamly vary. Ricciolus in the Seventh Book of his Almagest, Sect. Sixth, hath collected their several Opinions into one Table, to which for Brevities sake We refer the Reader; contenting our selves only to note that according to the said Ricciolus.

The Apparent Diameter of Venus in its greatest Distance from the Earth, is, 0′. 33″. 30‴. in its mean Distance 1′. 44″. 12‴. in its least 4′. 8″. 0‴.

Its true Diameter contains of the Earth's Diameters 1. 15 / 1000. Its Circumference three Diameters

of the Earth and ⅗. the Area of its greatest Circle, square Diameters of the Earth 1. 4 / 1000. Its con∣vex Superficies square Diameters 4. 15 / 1000. The Body of Venus that of the Earth 1. ½.

Its Distance from the Earth he makes to be when greatest 12919 Semidiameters of the Earth; Its mean Distance 7580, its least 2241 of the same Semidiameters.

MARS.

Though of all the rest the most inobservable Planet (as both Pliny and Kepler affirm) hath not yet been able to lie hid from the subtle Discoveries of Astronomical Spies; who have observed that he moves in a large Orbit about the Sun, as the Center of its Motion, in which Circle or Or∣bit he includes the Earth with the Moon, Mercury and Venus, and takes up a great Part of the So∣lar Region, and when in his Perigaeum, becomes nearer to the Earth than the Sun, as may appear by his Parallax, at that time greater than the Suns; and the notable increase of his Light, by rea∣son of which he is sometimes taken for a Comet or New Star.

As to his Figure, it is without doubt (as the other Planets) Spherical; and is observed by Kepler (l. 6. Epit. Astr.) when in □ with the Sun, to be almost bisected or Dichotomous, at other times between □ and ☍ to the Sun to be gibbous, and rarely perfectly round as Rheita affirms. Hevelius denies that it can ever be seen horned. Fontana in his Observations represents it, as by him viewed in the year 1636. in a round Figure with a black Spot in the Middle, which he con∣ceives to be a Cavity, and not a rising or swelling. Nicholaus Zucchius, as Ricciolus (in Astronom. Reform.) reports, beheld him in the year 1640. between △ and □ with the Sun to be gibbous or bossed without any such Spot, perhaps by reason of his vertiginous Motion or Libration about his own Center changing its Position. Daniel Bartolus in the year 1644. (as he writes to Ricciolus) affirms, that Father Sirsalis the Jesuite at Naples beheld him with an excellent Telescope to be al∣most round with two Spots a little beneath the Middle of his Globe. Ricciolus likewise together which Grimaldus in the year 1651. on the fourth, fifth, and sixth of April beheld that black spot in him; which appeared to them as if composed of divers smaller ones; the same Phoenomenon be∣ing by them afterwards often observed in the years 1653, 1655, and 1657. which black or rud∣dy Macula or Spot Kircherus (in Itiner. Exstat.) conceives to be a great Vorago or Gulf, of no less Extent than all Africa; the ingenuous Mounsieur Hugens in the year 1656. observed a broad ob∣scure Zone or Belt, to shadow or obfuscate half the Disque of the said Planet. From the several Phases before mentioned of his Dichotomy and Gibbosity, Astronomers argue his light to be de∣rived from the Sun, as that of the Moon; and Ricciolus is of opinion that if he could be seen in ♂ with the Sun, We might discern him to be horned.

As to the Structure and Nature of his Globe, it is as the rest of the Planets, composed ex Solido & Liquido. The Solid Parts by Kircherus (in Itiner. Exstatic.) supposed to consist of a fuliginous Substance like that of Sulphur, Arsenick or Orpiment, hard, and incombustible, evapourating malignant and destructive Qualities, and sweating out in great plenty a kind of bituminous Mat∣ter, not unlike to Naphtha. Its liquid Parts he imagines to consist of a soft and clammy Substance, like to our melted Pitch mixt with Sulphur. He hath a Vertiginous Motion about its own Center, which is compleated according to Rheita in the space of forty five Hours, six Minutes.

Its apparent Diameter according to Ricciolus, being in its greatest Distance from the Earth 10″. 6‴. in its mean Distance 22″. in its least 1′. 32″.

Its true Diameter contains of the Earth's Diameter 0. 12 / 1000. Parts, the solidity of his Body, the Earth's Body 0. 14 / 1000.

Its greatest Distance from the Center of the Earth, being by the said Ricciolus computed to be 21005 Semidiameters of the Earth, its Mean Distance 11000, and its least 2373 of the said Semi∣diameters.

JUPITER.

One of the most noted and Beneficent Planets, is carried in an Orbit above Mars, as is mani∣fest in the mutual Conjunctions of those Planets, at which time he is obscured and hidden from our Sight by the Interposition of Mars, as the Sun is by that of the Moon's Body.

Rheita affirms that he observed Iupiter to be invested round with a vapid Atmosphere. And Leander Bandtius Abbot of Duisburgh (as Ricciolus in Astron. Reform.) reports in the year 1643. observed the Edges or Margins of his Globe to be very rough and uneven, rising with Tumours like Hills and Mountains, and discovered in his Body by the help of an excellent Telescope, two

small Maculae or Spots, and two great Ones, like hollow Caverns, one Round, the other Oval, e∣qualling in Longitude the seaventh Part of his Diameter, as the Scheme thereof transmitted by the said Bandtius from Flanders to Ricciolus is said to have represented the same. Hevelius like∣wise in his Selenography (p. 44) affirms, that the Face of Iupiter is variegated with Spots in a man∣ner like that of the Moon, and rugged with uneven Swellings and Asperities as that is. But leaving these to further Discovery; We shall only take Notice of the more Ordinary Phaenomena, manifested by frequent Observations. And those are:

First, Certain Fasciae, or Belts, girdling as it were the Disque of Iupiter, whether eminent Parts of his Body like Ridges, or rather hollow Furrows or Trenches, is uncertain. But they are said first to have been discovered at Naples by Io. Baptista Zuppus, and Daniel Bartolus Jesuits; since by Fontana, Grimaldi, Ricciolus, and others frequently discerned and distinguished. They appear sometimes three, sometimes two, at other times single, and bordered with two other smaller Welts like a Bend Cottize (as the Heralds term it) sometimes only with one of those small Welts. They are now and then beheld in the Middle of its Disque, now above it, at other Times below it, not alwayes strait, but sometimes crooked and bending; their Convexities appearing turned sometimes upward, sometimes downward; Evident Marks of the Vertiginous Motion or Rotati∣on of that Planet about its Center. These sometimes cease to appear, and therefore being at such times observed by Gassendus, no marvail if in his Astronomical Institutions (l. 3.) he seems to sus∣pect those Phaenomena, as denying that they ever could be discerned by him, though he made use of a very good Telescope, and one of Galilaeo's making.

Secondly, His Satellites, being four Stars so called moving about the Body of Iupiter, as his Guards; discovered first in Italy by Galilaeo in the year 1610. In Germany by Simon Marius by means of the Telescope; without which by Reason of Iupiter's Splendor, and their small Di∣stance from him (None of them receding above twelve Degrees from the Body of Iupiter) they are not to be discerned; and therefore altogether unknown to the Ancients. The Number of these have by some Astronomers been questioned, Rheita maintaining them to be no less than nine. Io. Baptista Zuppus affirming he observed in the year 1644. no less than twelve smaller Stars moving about Iupiter, whereof he verily believed eight to be Jovial Guards. But the Num∣ber of four only is by Gassendus, Hevelius, and Vincentius Reinerus, who for ten years together most diligently observed them, as also by Vendelinus, Io. Phocylides Olwarda, Ricciolus, and Gri∣maldus upon surer Grounds defended and asserted. These by Galilaeus their first discoverer were called Sidera Medicaea. The first or inmost next to Iupiter he called Cosmus Minor; the next or Penintimous Cosmus Major; the third or Penextimus Maria Medicaea; the fourth or outer∣most Katherina Medicaea; Simon Marius giving yet to the Inmost the Name of Iovial Mercury, to the next Venus; to the Third Iupiter; to the Fourth Saturn: But Io. Baptista Hodierna, who lately first of all published Ephemerides of the Motions of the said Stars, names the first or inmost (from the Young Prince of Tuscany) Principharus; the Second (from Victoria Dutchess to the Grand Duke) Victripharus; the Third (from Cosmus the first Duke of Florence) Cosmipharus; the Last (from Ferdinand the late Duke) Fernandipharus.

Of these the greatest Digressions from the Body of Jupiter computed in Semidiameters of the same, are as followeth.

Satellties	1	2	3	4
Authours	Sem.	′	Sem.	′	Sem.	′	Sem.	′
Galilaeus	3	0	5	0	8	0	12	0
Sim. Marius	3	0	5	0	8	0	13	0
Rheita	3	0	4	0	6	0	10	0
Vendelinus	3	0	5	0	8	0	14	0
Hodierna	3	30	5	30	9	0	14	30

Their Periodical Revolutions in their several Orbits.

Of the	According to	Dayes	Hours	′	″
1	Galilaeus	1	18	30	fere
Marius	1	18	28	30
Rheita	1	18	30	0
Hevelius	1	18	28	0
Hodierna	1	18	28	44
Vendelinus	1	769 / 1000		—
2	Galilaeus	3	13	20	circiter
Marius	3	13	18	0
Rheita	3	13	20	0
Hevelius	3	13	18	0
Hodierna	3	13	18	15
Vendelinus	3	554 / 1000		—
3	Galilaeus	7	4	0	fere
Marius	7	3	56	34
Rheita	7	4	0	0
Hevelius	7	3	57	0
Hodierna	7	4	1	26
Vendelinus	7	164 / 1000		—
4	Galilaeus	16	18	0	fere
Marius	16	18	9	15
Rheita	16	18	0	0
Hevelius	16	18	9	0
Hodierna	16	18	14	33
Vendelinus	16	756 / 1000		—

Their Diurnal and Horary Motion in their respective Orbits each divided into 360°.

Of the	According to	Diurnal	Horary
1		Gr.	′	″	Gr.	′	″
Galilaeus	—	—	—	8	29	circiter
Marius	203	25	0	8	28	30
Hodierna	203	23	44	8	28	29½
2	Galilaeus	—	—	—	4	13	fere
Marius	101	17	22	4	13	0
Hodierna	101	17	21	4	13	13
3	Galilaeus	—	—	—	2	6	circiter
Marius	50	14	57	2	6	30
Hodierna	50	13	32	2	5	34
4	Galilaeus	—	—	—	0	54	30
Marius	21	29	3½	0	53	30
Hodierna	21	28	48	0	53	42

As to Iupiter's Distance from the Center of the Earth, the same is computed by Ricciolus, in its greatest Distance to be removed from thence 47552 Terrestrial Semidiameters; in its Mean Distance 36500, and in its least 26441 of the said Semidiameters.

Its Apparent Diameter according to the said Ricciolus, being when least, in Apogaeo, 0′. 38″. •…•…8‴. when mean, in its mean Distance from the Earth, 0′. 49″. 46‴. when greatest, in his Perigaeum, 1′. 08″. 46‴.

Its true Diameter contains of the Earth's Diameters Eight and 4 / 5. Its Circumference 27, 63 / 100 of the said Diameters. The Area of his greatest Circle 64 square Diameters of the Earth: Its Con∣vex Superficies 242 of the said square Diameters. The Solidity of its Body, contains that of the Earths 685 Times.

As to the structure of its Globe, We may conclude it with the rest of the Planets, to be com∣posed of Solid and Liquid Parts, and by what hath been already said, that it is of a Body though Physically Round, full of uneven Asperities, invested with a vapid Atmosphere, carried about its own Center by a Vertiginous Motion, finished according to Rheita in 11 Dayes, 20 Hours, 1 Minute 15″. and that its Zones or Belts are solid Parts less capable of Light than the rest of its solid or liquid Parts are.

SATURN.

The Highest, and of all the Primary Planets (hitherto known) the most remote from the Earth, runs his Course above all the rest, and beneath the Fixed Stars; as is collected from his Parallax, (of all the Planets) the least, and in a manner none at all. Nor are there any either of the Fix∣ed or Erratick Stars that afford to the observing Eye, by means of the Telescope such strange and admirable Phaenomena:

The chiefest and most worthy of Note are Three.

First, That he appears girdled about, with a certain Fascia or Zone, or rather encompassed about with an Armilla or Ring of Light.

Second, That he hath several Lunulae, or lesser Planets, like the Jovial Satellites moving about his Body.

Third, That his Figure appears variously and incredibly diversified, being sometimes beheld solitary in a round Form, at other Times represented with two Rundles adhering to each side, which again alter their Figure, and appear like certain Ansae or Handles.

As to the first Phaenomenon, the ingenious Mounsieur Hugens (in his System. Saturn. p. 46.) hath noted that the said Ring about the Body of Saturn is every way alike distant from it, the Plane whereof alwayes keeps in a certain and constant Inclination to the Ecliptick, appearing (accord∣ing to its diversity of Aspect) now like a large Ellipsis, now like a more contracted one; at other times like a strait Line, and now and then like two Brachia or Ansae, as it were on each side the Body of the said Planet. This Hypothesis of his he laid down in the following Proposition by him published in the year 1656.

Annulo cingitur, tenui, plano, nusquam cohaerente, ad Eclipticam inclinato. But Ricciolus conceives the said Saturnian Phaenomena may be as well salved, if instead of Monsieur Hugens his Annulus or Ring distant from the Body of Saturn, there were an Elliptical Armilla supposed coherent to it at the Extremities of the Lesser Diameter of the Ellipsis, which his Hypothesis he delivers in this Pro∣position.

Armilla cingitur tenui, plana, Elliptica, duobus locis cohaerente; sive Parallela Aequatori; sive in se circumvolubili, aut Libratili, Versus Mundi Polos. But of this let the learned Judge.

As to the second Phaenomenon; the forementioned Monsieur Hugens in the year 1655. on the 25^th of March, discovered a small Star or Planet moving about the Body of Saturn; which Star Hevelius likewise observed at Danzick, and Sir Paul Neal, together with Sir Christopher Wrenn here in England, much about the same time; but took it not to be a Planet, 'till ascertained of its be∣ing such by the Information of the said Monsieur Hugens.

This Saturnian Companion, after several Moneths Observation, he found to finish his Periodical Revolution it its Orbit about the Body of Saturn, in the space of sixteen dayes.

Since which the excellent Signiour Cassini hath lately made in the Royal Parisian Observatory, a Discovery of two other Planets moving about Saturn, the one nearer to the Body thereof than the Hugenian, the other farther removed from him than that. The Revolution of which interiour Planet he found to be compleated in four Dayes and an half, or rather four Dayes thirteen Hours. The Exteriour in something more than eighty Dayes.

Touching the last and various Phaenomenon; Hevelius in a Particular Treatise, De Nativâ Satur∣ni facie, hath endeavoured to give the Reason. He conceiving that diversity of Appearance to proceed from the Diversity of Aspect, as he is more directly or more obliquely b•…•…ld by Us: For seeing according to the Rules of Opticks, a Cylinder and an Ellipsis being beheld at a Distance or obliquely, seem to be circular; Hence he inferrs, that Saturn as well when in the Apogaeum as Perigaeum of his Excentrick appears, as he terms it, Elliptico Ansatus, but in his mean Distance either from the Earth or Sun, he appears Monosphaericus, solitary and round, in other positions he appears Sphaerico-Ansatus, but diversly figured according to his divers Latitude and Situation in his Epicycle. And seeing at this Time Saturn's Apogaeum is in the 27^th Degree of ♐ his Perigaeum in the 27^th of ♊, and his Mean Distance in 27^th Degrees of ♍ and ♓, he hath accordingly distribu∣ted the various Phases, and different Appearances of that Planet quite through his Excentrick. Of which see the following Table taken from Ricciolus in Paralip▪ Astronom▪ Reformat▪ something differing from that of Hevelius inserted in his forementioned Treatise.

Table of the divers Phases of Saturn according to the Opinion of HEVELIUS.

	Sign.	Gr.	Denominations of the Figures
Apog.	♐	27	Elliptico-ansatus plenus
Decreasing.	♑	12
	♑	27
	♒	12	Sphaerico-cuspidatus Major
	♒	27	Sphaerico-cuspidatus Minor
	♓	12	Trisphaericus
Mean Distance	♓	27	Mono-sphaericus
Increasing.	♈	12	Trisphaericus
	♈	27	Sphaerico-cuspidatus Minor
	♉	12	Sphaerico-cuspidatus Major
	♉	27	Sphaerico-ansatus
	♊	12	Elliptico-ansatus Diminutus
Perig.	♊	27	Elliptico-ansatus Plenus
Decreasing.	♋	12	Elliptico-ansatus Diminutus
	♋	27	Sphaerico-ansatus
	♌	12	Sphaerico-cuspidatus Major
	♌	27	Sphaerico-cuspidatus Minor
	♍	12	Trisphaericus
Mean Distance	♍	27	Mono-sphaericus
Phases increasing.	♎	12	Trisphaericus
	♎	27	Sphaerico-cuspidatus Minor
	♒	12	Sphaerico-cuspidatus Major
	♒	27	Sphaerico-ansatus
	♐	12	Elliptico-ansatus Diminutus

By the help of the foregoing Table and Ephemerides, the true Place of Saturn being given, it may be known (sayes Hevelius) what the Phases of Saturn will be for any Year to come, of which, for the greater Ease of such as would avoyd the trouble of Calculation, he hath composed the following Ephemerid ending in the Year 1701.

EPHEMERIS PHASIUM SATURNI.

Year	Moneth	Phases of Saturn
1674		Tricorpor
1677		Ansatus
1678
1679
1680
1682	From November to Iuly	Tricorpor
1683
1684
1685	From September To October	Rotundus perfecte
1686
1687		Tricorpor
1688
1690		Ansatus
1691
1692
1693
1694
1695
1696
1699		Tricorpor
1700
1701		Rotundus.

But whether these Phases may exactly answer the Hypothesis, We leave to the Discovery of the Curious, and shall only add what we find reported by Ricciolus (in Paralipom. ad Astronom. R•…•…∣mat.) touching some Mechanical Trials, made by Signior Campani for the better discovering the various Face of this Celestial Proteus, being as follows. He caused a round white Ball or Globe to be inserted within an Armilla of the same colour, a Wire being made to pass through the Ar∣milla, and the said Globe as a Diameter, so that the Armilla could be raised or deprest at Pleasure. This being placed in a convenient Light, and at a fitting Distance looked upon through a small Telescope, gave to him according to the divers Elevation or Depression of the said Armilla, all the Phases that were not only then (viz. 1664.) by him really observed in Saturn, but what like∣wise for the future might hereafter be observable. The same Tryal is also affirmed to have been made by Ricciolus by inserting a Globe as aforesaid, within an Armilla of an Elliptical Form.

Touching the Structure, Nature, and Substance of this Planet, it may be probably concluded: First, That it is composed ex solido & liquido, of a plumbeous or leaden temper and colour; that it is Spherical, but withall full of uneven Asperities. Secondly, That it is an Opacous Body, and illuminated ab extra, and although the Sun's Light may approach it, yet it is not sufficient to give a requisite Lustre to so great and so distant a Body, and therefore must needs receive its Light from some other Fountain. Thirdly, That his Companions or Satellites, have their proper light, and thereby administer Supplies to that of their Prince: Fourthly, that he hath a gyration about its own Center and Axis, compleated according to Rheita in 29 Dayes, 10 Hours, 1′. 16″.

His Distance from the Earth is by divers Astronomers diversly computed, but according to Ric∣ciolus, in his greatest Distance he is found to be distant from the Center of the Earth 90155 Semi∣diameters thereof, in his Mean Distance 73000, in his least 57743 of the said Semidiameters.

His apparent Diameter, according to Ricciolus, when least in his Apogaeo cum Comitib▪ is reckoned to be 46″. when in his Mean Distance from the Earth 57″. when greatest in his Perigaeo 1′. 12″.

His true Diameter cum Comitibus, contains of the Earth's Diameters 20. 1 / 6. His Body that of the Earth 891 Times.

We are now come to the Conclusion of the Poem, wherein Manilius for the more perfect Consummation of this Work, by way of Corollary, hath inserted a brief but not unelegant Description

Of Fiery Meteors and Comets.

Touching the first of These, it will be needless to say much; We shall only reckon them up.* 1.8 Those whose Place and Generation is in the Lower Region of the Aire, are Draco volans, Ignis Fatuus, Ignis Lambens, Sidus Helenae, Castor & Pollux: Those whose Birth is in the middle Regi∣on, are, Stella cadens, Lancea ardens, Fulmen, &c. In the Upper Region of the Air are recko∣ned, Fax, Ignis Perpendicularis, Bolis, Capra Saltans, Scintillae Volantes, Trabs &c. All which a∣rise from Vapours and Exhalations which the Earth continually exspires, and diffuses round about through its ambient Atmosphere.

Of the second Sort something more is to be said; but with that Brevity as may suit with our Method; it being not our Design to amass together what ever might be collected upon this Sub∣ject, but only to hint so much as may serve either to explain what our Author hath written there∣on, or to supply in some measure what he hath omitted, referring the more Inquisitive Reader to what among the Ancients, Aristotle, Seneca, Pliny, Plutarch and Ptolemy have written; among the Modern, to what Tycho, Blancanus, Cabaeus, Fortunius Licetus, Camillus Gloriosus, Longomontanus, Keplerus, Galilaeo, Fromondus, and divers others have largely and learnedly discoursed of; more especially to what the Learned and Reverend Prelate, Seth Lord Bishop of Sarum, hath publish∣ed in his Dissertation De Cometis, to what Monsieur Petit hath discoursed in his Piece of the Nature of Comets, as likewise Lubieniecius in his Theatrum Cometicum; Hevelius in his accurate Cometogra∣phia, and Ricciolus in Almagest▪ Nov. Tom. 2. de Cometis.

Touching the Matter, Place, and efficient Cause of Comets, both the Ancient and Modern* 1.9 Philosophers and Astronomers differ much; We shall here give the Reader their several Opinions, collected from divers of the forementioned Authours, which may be reduced to Twelve distinct Heads.

The first will have Comets not to be any thing real, or distinct from other pre-existent Celestial Bodies, but rather a meer Emphasis or Appearance made by the Reflexion or Refraction of the Sun's Beams, or those of the Moon, in the same manner almost as is the Halo, Parelii, Paraselene and Rainbow. Of this Opinion was Panaetius, and some others mentioned by Seneca (Natural. Quaest.) and Plutarch (De Pl•…•…it. Philosoph.)

The second likewise denies Comets to be any thing De Novo, existing in the Heavens; but to be a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Sympha•…•…s or Coappearance of divers Stars already known, joyned together in corporal Conjunction▪ as Astrologers use to speak, and so making a kind of a long Star, as if it were (as Sen•…•… expresses it) duaru•…•… (vel plurium) Stellarum Ignis extensus, which Opinion is by some ascribed to Democritus, Anaxago•…•…as and Z•…•…no; this is touched at by Manilius, where he sayes,

Nature did those fading Lights design As subunited Stars in Heaven to shine.

Which see already explained in our Notes.

The third Opinion makes Comets to be some New and extraordinary Planets differing from the seven commonly known, being seldom seen, by reason either of their nearness to the Sun, or their too great Distance from the Earth, which after some space of time, emerging out of the Sun's Beams under which they lay hid, or approaching nearer to the Earth, become visible. This was the Opinion of the Pythagorean Italick Philosophers, Hippocrates, Diogenes, and generally of the Chaldaean Astronomers, and is likewise taken notice of by our Manilius.

The fourth Opinion maintains Comets to be an Aggregate of many small but ancient Stars com∣posed into one Body, which afterwards parting asunder vanish and disappear; which Opinion Ricciolus conceives ought more properly to be ascribed to Democritus, Anaxagoras and Zeno, than that already under the second Head attributed to them.

The fifth Opinion is that of Aristotle, and divers of his Interpreters, asserting Com•…•…ts to be Fiery Meteors, generated anew of copious Exhalations from the Earth and Sea, and elevated to the supream Region of the Aire; which being closely compacted together, and hurried abou•…•… by the swift Motion of the primum Mobile, take fire, and last as long, as the Sulphur•…•…, Unc•…•…uous, Fat, Oleaginous, or Nitrous Matter of which they consist, affords them Fuel to burn and shine; nor is this omitted by our Authour.

The sixth Opinion allows Comets to be formed of Sublunary Vapours and Exhalations, but not to be set on fire; only to be illustrated by the Sun, by reason of the Diaphaneity of their Matter, like Phials of Glass full of Water of a red or yellow Colour; or as Scaliger (Exercit. 79.) Opines: That Comets are composed of a subtle Vapour raised by its own Levity, or attracted by the Stars, into the Upper Region of the Aire, and so attenuated, that it not only receives but transmits the Sun Beams, like those thin Clouds which in the time of twilight are discerned not far above the Horizon; which Opinion seems to be derived from Heraclides Ponticus and Metrodorus.

The seventh maintains Comets to be formed of Elementary Matter, that is to say of thin and subtle Exhalations, mounting by their Levity above the Orb of the Moon, and by reason of their Diaphaneity drinking up the Rayes of the Planets, chiefly of the Sun; and afterwards transmit∣ting them into a long Train, Bush, or Beard. Authours of this Opinion among the Moderns, are Guiduccius, Galilaeus, and Rothmannus.

The eighth Opinion, affirms Comets to be made anew of Celestial Matter; not by Generation of a new substantial Form, but by Condensation, with a Mixture of Darkness and Diaphaneity, aptly receiving the Light of the Sun, and transmitting it again, of which Opinion are Libavius, Licetus, Camillus gloriosus, Tannerus and Resta.

The ninth Opinion conceives Comets to be generated a new of Celestial Matter, which after a Time corrupts and is dissolved. Of this Opinion are most of the Eminent Astronomers from Tycho to this present: Differing yet among themselves as to the Manner of this Generation; Some conceiving the Generation of Comets to be made of that Celestial Matter, which is in the Via Lactea; as being of all the other Parts of the Heavens more nearly prepared and disposed for such Productions. And that Comets are not Flagrant, but rather pespicuous, and tralucent Bodies. Kepler yet and with him Hevelius, and some others will have the Aetherial Region to be full of gross Fumes or Fuliginous Effluvia from the Bodies of the Stars, and Planets (and more particularly of the Sun congregated as it were into one Aposthem) and that their Origine and Matter is in a manner the same with that of the Solar Maculae and Faculae.

The tenth Opinion is (as Ricciolus notes) peculiar only to Kepler; which asserts Comets to be formed anew of Celestial Matter, but that some of them are abased and thrust down below the Orb of the Moon; as on the contrary, the seventh Opinion (before mentioned) maintained them to be formed of Elementary Matter, yet notwithstanding to be carried up above the Orb of the Moon; and certainly (sayes the same Ricciolus) I see no reason why Comets, being composed of the Effluvia of the Planets in their Perigaea's, may not sometimes be carried beneath the Moon.

The eleventh Opinion supposes that Comets, if not All, yet the most Part, are created by God of Nothing, or at least formed of such Matter as best pleases him, whether Celestial or Elemen∣tary, and of such Shape and Figure, as may serve to terrifie, or admonish mankind and presignifie Calamities to ensue, which Opinion is likewise delivered by Manilius in these Verses

Or God in pitty to our humane state, Sends these as Nuncio's of ensuing Fate.

Touching which enough is already said in our Notes.

The twelfth Opinion is not distinct from all the former, but rather distinctive of the Matter and Place of Comets. Of which it admits some to be composed of Terrestrial Exhalations beneath the Orb of the Moon, whether inflamed or set on fire, or only enlightned. Others to be genera∣ted of Celestial Matter after the manner already delivered in the tenth Opinion.

And seeing mention hath been made in the ninth Head or Opinion, that the Origine and Mat∣ter of Comets is in a manner the same with the Solar Maculae. It will not be amiss here to add the Particulars in which they agree; as by Hevelius in the seventh Book of his Cometographia, they are compendiously exhibited in the following Aphorisms.

• 1. Comets (as the Maculae) have both a Physical and Astronomical Rising; but few of them* 1.10 have both Astronomical rising and setting, in regard they last not long, but are dissolved before

• they attain the Western Horizon. Others have neither Astronomical rising nor setting, but Phy∣sical only, as being produced and dissipated above the Horizon.
• 2. As the Maculae are composed, of the grosser Solar Matter, or more dense Effluvia, so Co∣mets are formed of the Evaporations of divers Planetary Bodies.
• 3. Comets have a threefold Age; their green and growing Age, their full grown or ripe Age, and their declining or decaying Age; that is to say their time of Augmentation, Duration, and Decay.
• 4. Comets have their Augmentation and Decrement, as well Physical as Optical, not in a cer∣tain Part of the Heavens, but in any Part thereof; and that without Intermission, successively, sensibly, and unequally. Hence it happens sometimes, that a Comet increasing slowly and more durably, is on a suddain extinguished, and on the contrary, another that suddainly shews it self, lasts a long time, and is slowly dissolved.
• 5. Comets (as the Maculae) are generated, and increase by the Accession of similar Matter, through Condensation, Adgeneration, substantial Generation, and Aggregation of Minute Bodies, and by contrary Means are dissipated, aud decay.
• 6. Comets (as the Maculae) are by no means spherical Bodies, but Plane, and of different thick∣ness; sometimes represented to our view like round or regular Figures, at other times appearing in irregular Forms, and differ in Magnitude, Crassitude, Colour, Obscurity, Density, and Rarity, and have their Nuclei (Kernels or Knots of Light) of divers Magnitudes, Crassitudes, Density and Colour.
• 7. The Nuclei, Kernels, or Knots of Comets sensibly increase and decrease. And those which suddainly increase are of shortest Duration, and are soonest dissolved; Those which by Degrees augment, are of longest Continuance.
• 8. These Nuclei are composed of Dense and rare Parts; That is, are generated of the most di∣lute Planetary Vapours and Exhalations, and of certain smallest Particles; and sometimes grow together from many into one; and not seldome from one are divided into two or three, or more.
• 9. Comets as they seldom and very rarely consist of one single Nucleus; so the greater of these Nuclei is seldom seen, precisely placed in the middle of the Cometical Body, but declines toward the sides, drawing along with it the thinner Mass.
• 10. The Nuclei, as their rarer Parts by a Flux of Matter and Condensation, increase and be∣come more splendid; so by difflux of Matter and rarefaction they become more pale, wan, and dull.
• 11. Every Comet, as each Solar Macula, is circumvested with an other kind of Body, less ob∣scure and more rare, as it were a peculiar Atmosphere, in which the Sun's Rayes are lodged, whence its Tayl or Bush is produced.
• 12. It seems likewise consonant to Reason, that the rarer Parts are procreated before the Nuclei or Kernels, and that in the Dissolution of a Comet, the Nuclei sensibly first decay; so that the so∣lid and more Dense Parts are sooner dissolved than the more rare.
• 13. The Nuclei of Comets (as of the Solar Maculae) have not their Generation or Corruption in one Part of the Heavens only, but every where indifferently. And of these some are more lasting than others, by reason of their more Unctuous and Dense Matter; some of them likewise are formed about the beginning or Birth of the Comet; others about the middle, and some to∣ward the End. Yet sometime the same Nucleus lasts from the beginning to the End of the Comet now increasing, at other times decreasing. But in this, both Comets and their Nuclei altogether differ from the Solar Maculae, for that Comets, by reason of their Proper Motion in their Orbits never return again, and a second time ascend above our Horizon, that is to say rise again Astrono∣mically (except in their Diurnal Motion, which is not here considered) insomuch as a Comet be∣ing once extinguished, cannot be again produced or continued.
• 14. Oftentimes divers Comets which seem at the same time to begin, and to be almost equal as to their Density and Magnitude; have not yet the same Dissolution, but differ both as to the Time and Place; the same is to be understood of their Nuclei.
• 15. Every Comet, as each Solar Macula, consists of an opacous, dense, and (of it self) obscure Matter, drawing all its Light wholly from the Sun.
• ...

• 16. Comets are alwayes greater than they seem to be; be their Apparent Diameter greater or less than the Apparent Diameter of the Sun, which is the Body that illuminates them.
• 17. No Comet whatsoever either as to its Whole or Parts, or Nuclei, hath a Gyration about its Axis; but alwayes turns the same face to the Earth and Sun, unless happily it may be carried in an equal librating or reciprocal Motion, according as it is more or less distant from the Earth.
• 18. The Nuclei of Comets (as of the Solar Maculae) have a peculiar Motion, but alwayes Irre∣gular or Anomalous. Hence those Corpuscula or Nuclei, of which the Comet is composed, have Motions among themselves, as to their Accession, Conjunction, or separation, quite different from that proper Motion of the Comet in its Orbit, and thence proceed the suddain Coalitions, Di∣gressions, and inordinate Deviations, as also the various Transformations of the Figures of the said Nuclei.
• 19. Comets: although sometime, as to their Diameter or Disque, or the Area of their greater Circle, they exceed in Magnitude the Moon and Earth; yet do they not for all that exhaust the Planets, nor do those Bodies suffer any Detriment or Diminution, no more than the Sun does by Generation of his Maculae: for every Celestial Body calls back unto it self that Matter which by Dissolution or Attenuation issues from it.
• 20. Comets are never at one and the same equal Distance removed from the Earth or Sun; but are sometimes higher, sometimes lower, as is evident; in regard they are sometimes found to have a sensible Parallax, at other times to have none at All.
• 21. As the Sun does not constantly, but at certain times produce his Maculae; So neither does the Aether at all times by reason of the defect of Matter, produce Comets. Since that tenuous Matter of which they are composed, being diffused beyond the Atmosphere of the several Planetary Bodies, whence it flows through the vast Aether, and most distant Parts of the Heavens; it is not likely that those thin Exspirations can find so easie a Congress; but that they concurr and are aggregated as it were by chance; whence it comes to pass that Comets are so seldom seen.

Of the Tayl, Train, or Bush of Comets, and the Causes thereof something is likewise to be* 1.11 said, touching which there are as many different Opinions produced by Ricciolus and Hevelius, as those already mentioned touching Comets.

The first is that of Aristotle and his followers, asserting the Bush or Train of a Comet to be an Exhalation set on fire, in a more rare and less constipated Matter than that of its Head, and di∣versified, according to the divers Disposition of the Matter that feeds its Flame.

The second is that of Seneca; who conceives the Cauda or Bush to be no part of the Comet, nor a Flame, but the Rayes or Light which the Comet by its Native Vigour sends forth.

The third is that of Gemma Frisius, who will have it to be a Fire of a simple Celestial Body, kindled by the Sun in the Head of the Comet, and by the Violent Action thereof thrust forth and expelled into the Opposite Part.

The fourth is that of Petrus Apianus, who makes the Bush of a Comet to be nothing else, but the Rayes of the Sun, transmitted through the Semidiaphanous Head thereof, as it were through a Globe of Glass.

The fifth is Tycho Brahe's, who conceives it to be nothing else but the Beams of the Sun pene∣trating the Head of the Comet, and terminated in some Matter not altogether Perspicuous, and reflected towards us; for he supposes the Substance of the Aether not to be thoroughly Diapha∣nous.

The sixth is that of Kepler; who endeavours to give a double reason of this Phaenomenon; for he supposes, First, that the Tayl or Bush may be enlightned by the Sun-Beams passing through the Body of the Comet, which he imagines to be purely pellucid, yet withall Dense, in such manner as the Sun's Beams are thereby conduplicated and coloured. In the second he makes the Comet to expire a certain Lucid Matter from its Head, toward that Part where the Sun's Beams break forth. With him in a manner Gassendus consents, who conceives the Tayl or Bush to be of the same Matter with the Head, only to differ in rarity, which rare and tenuous matter is by the force of the Sun's Beams expelled into the Part directly turned from the Sun; and this Opinion is like∣wise embraced by Camillus Gloriosus, and Franciscus Reita.

The seventh is that of Galilaeo; viz. that the Tayl of a Comet is of its own Nature straight; as

being produced by the Sun-Beams, but appears to us to be crooked when near the Horizon, and inclined thereunto by reason of the Refraction of the Species, or of the Visual Rayes, made in the Spherical Superficies of the Aire, which near the Earth is filled with gross Vapours. This he il∣lustrates by the Example of an Oar, which though straight, seems in the Water by the force of Re∣fraction to be crooked.

The eighth is that of Io. Baptista Cysatus, who conceives the Tayl of a Comet not to be a Flame, but a radious Cone or Pyramid, made by the Sun's Beams, transmitted through the Head of the Comet, in the same manner as the Sun's Light passing through a Hole, or Convex Glass, illustrates a Room or Chamber, which he sayes is done partly by Refraction, partly by Reflexion from the Poly∣angular Sides of the Corpuscula, that forme the Head of the Comet.

The ninth is of Nichol. Cabaeus, who makes the Tayl of the Comet to be the Sun-Beams shine∣ing through the Head of the Comet and refracted; but since all Beams however refracted are propagated by right Lines, he affirms the Tayl of a Comet cannot possibly be really crooked, but only apparently such; and the Cause of this apparent Crookedness he refers to the divers Site or Plane of the Eye, and of the Tayl or Bush of the Comet.

The tenth is that of Fromondus Meteor. l. 3. c. 4. where he affirms the Tayl of a Comet to be the Sun-Beams transverberated per Cerebrum Capitis Cometae, as he terms it; and at the beginning not to be of any Length, nor directly to tend toward the Part turned from the Sun, in regard of the various Diversion it meets with, by reason of the Profundity and Opacity of the Head of the Co∣met; but after that Opacity is a little cleared, and the Matter better digested, then the Sun-Beams issue forth directly, and stream into a long Bush or Train.

The eleventh is that of Fortunius Licetus, who conceives that to the Body of the Comet there is a certain Matter that adheres, by some Extrinsecal Appulse, and hath its coagmentation and generation near the Body of the Comet, from the same Cause that formed the Comet; and either by the innate or proper Light of its Head, or by the Sun Beams is illuminated, and becomes visi∣ble in the shadow of the Comet, that is in that part of it which is directly turned from the Sun.

The twelfth is that of Ricciolus, who first conceives it not improbable, that the Tayl or Train of a Comet is of the same Substance with the Comet, and to shine by its own Light propagated from its Head. The Face of which is alwayes converted to the Sun like a Heliotrope, or as a Magnet to the Pole; and by a slow Vertiginous Motion about the Center of its Head to be so moved, that the more perfect part of the Comet alwayes respects the Sun, the other part to be turned from the Sun; and to have divers Shapes and Figures, according to the several Species of Comets, and the diversity of its Matter and Configuration. Secondly, he holds it very probable, that the Train or Bush of a Comet, is a Multitude of most subtle Corpuscula in the Air or Aether, flying about the Head of the Comet, not such as We see through a Chink dancing in the Sun-Beams, nor like those Exhalations which make the Crepusculum or Twilight, but much more subtle and higher, nor apt by reason of their smallness, their little opacity and great distance from the Sun, to be discerned by us through the Reflexion of the Sun's Beams, unless very strongly illumi∣nated; that, that strong Illumination is made by the Collection of the Sun's Beams by the Power of Refraction into one, though not precisely after the same Manner as they unite after their tra∣jection through a Sphere of Glass. He likewise conceives the Head of the Comet to consist of divers minute Bodies Homogenial, partly Polyangular, partly Spherical, partly Spheroeidal. Hence by the Benefit of these various Superficies, the Sun Beams passing after a divers Manner through the Head of the Comet, according to the Rules as well of Refraction as Reflexion, come forth much more multiplyed and collected together than otherwise they would do, if they passed not through the Head of the Comet, or were not refracted.

To these We might add the different Opinions of the Excellent Des Cartes, and the much knowing Doctor Isaac Vossius, but that We are obliged to keep within the Bounds of our pre∣scribed Brevity, and therefore shall referr the curious Reader to receive further satisfaction in this particular from their own better Pens; as delivered by the first in Princip. Philosoph. Part. 3. by the other in his Learned Treatise De Natura & Propriet. Lucis. c. 32. and in his Appendix there∣unto, c. 8.

From the divers Figures and Appearances of these Trains or Bushes, Comets are distinguished* 1.12 into several Kinds or Species; reducible to two chief Heads, that is to say, Criniti seu Comati, and Barbati; to the first Head or Classis, relate these following, viz. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, seu Hircus; to the latter 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Veru, seu Pertica, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

• 1. Disceus, sive Disci-formis Cometa, is a Comet resembling in Shape or Form a round Dish or

• Platter, among these kind the chief is that which is called Rosa, sive Chryseus; bright shining, and of a Silver Colour, mixed with Gold or Amber Colour. Those of this sort which are not abso∣lutely round, resemble the Figure of a Shield, and are accordingly called Clypei-Formes.
• 2. Pitheus sive Doli-formis, resembles the Form or Shape of a Tun, of which there are divers Kinds; some of an Oval Figure; some like a Tun or Barrel erect or set on End; some like one in∣clining, and cut short off; others have a Bush or Train annexed.
• 3. Hippeus seu Equinus, resembles a Horses Main, not alwayes of the same Shape or Figure; for now it spreads its Syrma or Train from the Fore-part or Front; now from the hinder Part; now of an Oval Figure; now like a Rhomboides, and therefore it is distinguished into Equinus Bar∣batus, Equinus Angularis, sive Quadrangularis, and Equinus Ellipticus. Of this Pliny sayes, it is very swift in Motion, and turneth round about it self.
• 4. Argyrocomus, sive Argenticomus, is not much different from that which is called Solaris sive Rosa, but that it is of a whiter Colour, and shines with such a dazling silver haired Light, as it can scarce be looked upon.
• 5. Hircus, or the Goat is environed with a kind of Main, seemingly rough and hairy by the slender Fibrae of its Beams or Rayes; it is sometimes of a round Figure without any Train or Bush.
• 6. Lampadias, sive Lampadi-formis, is a Comet resembling burning Lamps or Torches, and is of several Shapes, for sometimes it hath its Flame or Blaze carried upward like a Sword, sometimes double and treble pointed; which Phaenomenon is yet very rare.
• 7. Ceratia, or the horned Comet, sometimes appears Bearded, sometimes with a Tayl or Train. Some have the Figure of a New Moon; those that are tayled have sometimes a crooked Tayl bending upward, sometimes downward; others have the Tayl of an unequal Breadth and thick∣ness every Way; some have their Hare or Bush pointed, others like a Horn or Trumpet.
• 8. Acontiae, are Comets formed like a Dart, or Javelin, with an oblong and close compressed Head, and prolix extenuated Tayl or Train.
• 9. Xiphias, sive Ensi-formis, is a Comet resembling a Sword; the Head being fashioned like to a Hilt, the Tayl being long, straight, and pointed; yet sometimes bending like a Cimitar; when it is of a lesser and more contracted Form, it resembles a Dagger or Knife.
• 10. Lonchites seu hasti-formis, is a Comet resembling a Lance, its Head being of an Elliptical Figure, its stream of Light, or Tayl, being very long, thin and pointed.
• 11. Veru seu Pertica, is almost of the same Species with the Former, save that its Head is round∣er, and its Train of Light longer and sharper pointed.
• 12. Tetragonias, seu Quadratus, is a Comet whose Head is for the most Part Quadrangular. It hath a long Train very thick and uniform, and is not unlike that Meteor called Trabs, or a fiery Beam. But all these will better appear by the several Schemes hereunto annexed, to which We referr the Reader, and shall forbear to add those Distinctions which some have given them in refe∣rence to the Planets; making some Solar, others Lunar, Mercurial, Venerial, Martial, Iovial, and Saturnine, or of their Magnitudes, Duration, Motion, Prognosticks, or final Causes, of which Authours are full; but give the Reader an Historical Abstract of the Times of the several Ap∣pearances of THESE SPLENDID AENIGMA'S, PROPOSED BY GOD, BUT NEVER TO BE RESOLVED BY HUMANE WIT; as Ricciolus ingeniously sayes of them.

Table exhibiting (according to the Series of Time) the several Comets that have appeared, together with their Principal Phaenomena; Collected for the most from Hevelius and Lubieniecius▪

Anni ante Christ.	The time of first Appearing	The time of Du∣ration and Dis∣appearance	The time of Day or Night	The Place or Re∣gion of the World	The Motion, Di∣rect or Retrograde, swift or slow	The Nature, Mag∣nitude, Figure & colour of the Head	The length, shape, and scituation of the Bush or Tayl
2292	About three dayes before the Death of Methusaiem a Comet appeared	Visible by the space of one Month, and disappearing the sixteenth of April Rochen•…•…ch		In Pisces under Iu∣piter.	Passed through the twelve Signs of the Zodiack	Iovial
2191	A little before the Confusion of Tongues at Balel	La•…•…ed sixty five Dayes		In Capricorn visible in Egypt	Passed three Signs in the Zodiack	Saturnine
1920	in the 80▪ year of Abraham's life 5 years after his De∣parture from Ha∣•…•…an	Shined for the space of twenty two days		In Aries visible in Chaldaea		Martial
182•…•…	In the fifth year after Abraham's Death	Lasted nine dayes		Under Leo in E∣gypt		The Head like an Imperfect Circle or Globe very fiery
1718	According to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (though 〈◊〉〈◊〉 will have •…•…t to be in the year 1•…•…32.) not long be∣fore the seven years scarcity in the time of Ioseph			In Sagittary under Iupiter visible all over Arabia		Of a dreadful As∣pect, called Ty∣phon, by an Egypti∣an King then reign∣ing, and resembling a Wheel.
1495	A little before the Children of Israel departed out of E∣•…•…ypt for the Land of Promise			Under Capricorn seen in Syria, Ba∣byloniae; and India		Like a Wheel
1200	In the Moneth of August, not long after which follow∣ed the Death of the impious Amenem•…•… King of Egypt, the Trojan War, and a great Sedition a∣mong the Israelites wherein 42000 of the Tribe of E∣phraim were de∣stroyed			In Cemint visible in Assyria		Of a dreadful As∣pect
1100	In the Reign of •…•…eutamus King of Assyria, contem∣porary with Samp∣s•…•…n	Lasted forty three Nights		Under Aries visi∣ble all over Greece
479	At which time ac∣cording to Calvisius there hapned an extraordinary E∣clipse of the Sun, and Nerues march∣ed from Sardis a∣gainst the Greeks, or rather (according to Pliny) incoun∣tred them in the Sea-fight at Salamis	Lasted twenty two dayes					Like that called Ceratias, being crooked like a Horn
〈◊〉〈◊〉		Seventy five dayes	After San-set			Fiery, and Martial, of a great and un∣usual Splendor, like a huge Beam

411	In the Month of Ianuary			Towards the North
371	In the Winter a∣bout the Time of the great Earth∣quake, and Inun∣dation in Achaia, Aristaus being Archon at Athens		In the Evening af∣ter Sun-set		It ascended as high as the Girdle of Orion, and there va∣nished, and conse∣quently its Motion was direct	At the beginning it was like a Beam, and extended its Rayes to the third Part of the Hea∣vens, and was there∣fore, as Aristotle (l. 1. Met. c. 6.) affirms, called the Way▪ in the End it parted into two Stars	At the first Day of its Appearance, it▪ Tayl was seen and not the Head
354	About the time of Alexander the Great his Birth, and the burning of the Temple of Di∣ana at Ephesus			In Leo			At first Bushy, or as some affirm, re∣presenting a kind of Beard, afterwards turned into the Fi∣gure of a Spear
339	About the begin∣ning of Alexan∣der's Reign, Nich•…•…∣machus being Ar∣chon at Athens	Lasted 19 dayes	Never rose in the Evening	Appeared near the Equinoctial Circle about the 19° of Sagittary
220		Lasted twenty two dayes		In Aries
196	Two Comets; first The second	Lasted but few days nineteen dayes		In Capricorn In Cancer		Of a stupendious Magnitude
194	About the Birth of Mithridates King of Pontus	Lasted eighty dayes				Of an extraordina∣ry Bigness
183	A little before the Death of Scipio, Africanus	Lasted eighty eight dayes		In Pisces		Exceeding the Sun in Brightness	Taking up near the fourth part of the Heavens
174		Lasted thirty two Nights		In Aries
172		Lasted fifty five Weeks
166	September fourth			In Taurus		Of the Nature of that called Hircus
154		Lasted nine dayes
144		Lasted twenty two dayes		In Capricorn		Not less in appear∣ance than the Sun, fiery red, bright shining, and dis∣pelling the dark∣ness of the Night; but by degrees di∣minishing
134		Lasted eighty three dayes		In Gemini seen at Praneste in Italy		At first small, but in few dayes spread so, as to reach the Equinoctial Circle, and to be equal to that Part of the Heavens called the Via Lactea▪
122		Lasted eighty dayes				It was so bright, that the Heavens seemed to be on Fire, and of that Magnitude as to take up the fourth Part of the Hea∣vens, was more conspicuous than the Sun, and four Hours in rising and setting
111		Lasted fifteen dayes	Appeared in the Evening	In Cancer			Shedding a very conspicuous Train of Light.

65		Lasted ninety five dayes		In Virgo		A terrible and mighty Comet
60		Lasted nine dayes		The Sun totally losing its Light, it was seen; whereas before it lay hid under its Beams
41		Lasted seven dayes	Rising before Sun∣set	In Scorpio toward the North		Of a dreadful Magnitude	Xiphias, with a long and sharp pointed Blade
29		Lasted ninety five dayes		In Libra
27		Lasted seven dayes	Appeared about 11 of the Clock	In the North		Clear and most Conspicuous
23		Lasted a few dayes		In Taurus
Anni post N. Christ.
1		Lasted three Nights		In Leo			Like to a flaming Torch or Firebrand
10		Lasted 32 Nights		In Aries
14		Lasted twenty days		In Aries
40				In Gemini
54		Lasted four Months		In Cancer	Rose from the North towards the Hea∣ven Eastward	Every Day obscu∣rer and obscurer
60		Lasted six Moneths		In the North	Tending from the North, Westward, inclining toward the South; and run through half the Heavens	Growing every day more obscure
64						A hairy Comet
66				In Gemini
71	On Easter Day the eighth of April	Lasted a whole year		In Virgo over the City of Ierusalem			Xiphias, or Ensi∣formis
76				in Taurus toward the East Rocken∣bach			Acontias, sive Ia∣culi-formis, of which the Emperour Titus wrote an excellent Poem, it is mentio∣ned by Sextus Au∣relius Victor in Ve∣spas.
79		Lasted 180 dayes		In Scorpio
128		Lasted 39 Nights		In Aquarius and Capricorn
145		Lasted six Nights		In Aquarius
188							Of the Nature of that which from its Figure is termed Pogonias, or a B•…•…ard
204		Lasted many dayes		Seen at Rome
218		Lasted 18 dayes		In Pisces	Moving from West to East, as Lycosthe∣nes and Eichstormi∣us out of Xiphilinus affirm
323				In Virgo
335		Lasted six Moneths three dayes		In Aries			Of an Immense and terrible Grandeur

367		Of many dayes con∣tinuance seen in the day time
370		Lasted 11 Weeks		In Aries
380	Appeared in the beginning of May	Lasted four Months		In Libra		Of a round Figure bigger than the Planet Venus, and illuminating the whole Horizon
384						Like that which ap∣peared over Hieru∣salem
389		Lasted twenty days	Rose about Cock∣crowing	In Gemini toward the North		Shining like Luci∣fer, or the Morning-Star
390		Lasted thirty dayes				Hanging like a Pigeon or Dove of Light hovering in the Sky
392		Lasted forty dayes	Rose about Mid∣night	Near Venus, about the Zodiack	Ascending sensibly from the Place of Venus towards Ur∣sa Major, in the midst of which it disappeared	Large and shining as bright as Venus, unto which divers other Stars assem∣bling, compposed the Form or Figure of a Sword, whose Hilt was made of the former bright Star
396						The Figure not de∣scribed by Aretius who affirms its Ap∣pearance
409 or 402							A Sword Comet, of extraordinary brightness, and of that Grandeur that it reached from Heaven down to the Earth
408	A little before the Death of Arcadi∣us, Lubieneci.	Lasted from Mid∣summer to the end of Autumn.		In Capricorn, Rock∣enboch
409 or 413	About the time when the Sun was totally Eclipsed	Lasted four Months and more		In Virgo	Moved from the Eastern Equinocti∣al Point by the Tayl of Ursa Ma∣jor toward the West	Its Light seemed to present the Figure of a Cone, not like a Star, but rather like a great Lant∣horn, or Lamp, the Top of its Flame running into a great length, and point∣ed; so that some∣times it varied from the proportion of a Cone, at other times again con∣tracted it self into a Conick Figure
418	August the four∣teenth	Lasted till Septem∣tember		In Libra
423						A horrible Comet	Of the Nature of those called Cri∣niti
442		Lasted many dayes	At Night the Moon being eclipsed

448		Lasted many dayes		In the East in Leo
454 or 457						Of a wonderful Magnitude, to whose Beám or Train of Light, ad∣hered a Fiery Dra∣gon, from whose Mouth issued two Rayes, the one extending beyond France, the other stretch'd toward Ire∣land, ending in se∣ven other lesser Rayes
459 or 488						Of an unusual Fi∣gure and Magni∣tude surrounded with a dark cloud, but casting forth a bright Ray
504		Lasted many Nights					The Tayl very long crowned with the Figure of a fiery Dragon
519		Lasted twenty nine dayes		In the East			Of the Figure of a Beard, or Pogonias, the Rayes stream∣ing Westward
531		Lasted twenty days					Its Beams ascend∣ing upward like that called Lampa∣dias
539	In December			In Sagittary	Running against the Course of the Moon
541	Upon Easter Day					A dreadful Comet
555 or 556				Seen at Constanti∣nople	Moving from North to South		In Form of a Lance
570						The Figure is not described by Ricci∣olus, who makes mention of it
589		Lasted a Moneth		Seen at Constanti∣nople		Surrounded with a Duskish Cloud, and casting forth a sin∣gle Ray
594 or 597	In Ianuary	Lasted a Moneth	Seen Morning and Evening			Of a Terrible As∣pect
599						Its Figure not de∣scribed either by Aimonius or Cal∣vi•…•…s who mention its Appearance
601	In September	Lasted many dayes				Of an extraordina∣ry Magnitude	Like a bright Sword without any Rayes
604	April and May, November and De∣cember	Lasted many dayes				Very bright, its Fi∣gure not described
613		Lasted a Moneth				Martial

633		Lasted thirty dayes		Toward the South			Xiphias, or Ens•…•…∣formis
676	In August	Lasted 3 Moneths	Seen from Cock∣crowing to Sun∣rising	In the East			Casting forth a great Flame like a fiery Trabs or Pil∣lar
684	Between Christmas▪ Day and Twelftide	Lasted 3 Moneths	Seen as well by Day as Night	In the East near the Pleiades	Moved from South to North	Of a Duskish Co∣lour like the Moon appearing through a Cloud
729	In Ianuary	Lasted 14 dayes▪	Seen in the Morn∣ning before Sun∣rising, and in the Evening after Sun∣set				Like to a flaming Torch, or Firebrand streaming North∣ward
745	About the End of the Year			Seen in Syria
761		Appeared 10 dayes And 21 dayes		In the East In the West
763				In the East		Terrible to behold	Like to a Beam
800	A little before the the time, the Em∣pire of Rome was transferred to Char∣lemain					The Figure not de∣scribed
814	In November imme∣diately before the Death of Charle∣main					A singular and ter∣rible Comet, of a wonderful Figure, resembling two half Moons, now sensi∣bly joyning toge∣ther, anon parting asunder, and be∣tween them both exhibiting the Fi∣gure of a Man without a Head
830				In Aries
837	At Easter	Lasted twenty five dayes		In Virgo, in that Part where her feet touch the Tayl of the Serpent and the Crow	Ran through Leo, Cancer, and Gemini in a Retrograde Motion, and in the Head of Taurus va∣nished
838	In Autumne		Seen in the Morn∣ing before Sun∣rising	In Libra		Dreadful to behold
839	In the Spring	Lasted but a few dayes	In the Evening af∣ter Sun-setting	In Aries
842				In Aquarius
844				Above Venus, as ob∣served by Albu∣mazar
868						Its Figure not de∣scribed by Lavate∣rus and Rockinbach
874	In the beginning of April	Lasted a Moneth			Preceding the Moon	Dreadfully red and fiery, and project∣ing a long Train of Light
875	On the sixth of Iune	Lasted a few nights	Shining by Day as well as Night	Preceding the Moon		Extraordinary spar∣kling, and more than usually red▪ and flaring with long hairy. Beams

882	In the eighteenth of Ianuary						Its Bush or Tayl of a great length
902		Lasted forty dayes					Its Tayl projected toward the East
904	In the Moneth of May	Its Duration not mentioned				Nor its Figure de∣scribed by any
908						More than ordinary bright and glistring
930				In Cancer
942	On the seventeenth of November	Lasted 14 Nights		Seen about Con∣stance a City in up∣per Germany
945						Of a wonderful Magnitude and Pro∣cerity, scattering a∣bout fiery Rayes or Beams
962				In Italy		Of an unusual Grandeur
975	In August	Lasted 8 Moneths
979				In Virgo
983		Its Duration not mentioned				Nor Figure descri∣bed
999 or 1000	In the beginning of December		Seen about nine of the Clock in the Evening			Of a most stupen∣dious Magnitude
1005 or 1009	About the end of May			In the South		Of a terrible As∣pect
1017		Lasted four Months		In Leo		More strange than usual	Like a mighty Beam
1027		Their Duration not mentioned				Nor Figures de∣scribed
1031
1038
1042	On the sixth of October	Lasted a Moneth	Seen in the Morn∣ning		Moving retrograde from East to West		With long flaming Hairs
1058	In Easter Week	Lasted the whole Week		Seen in Polonia			Casting forth a long Train of Fire
1066	In Easter Week	Lasted forty dayes		Following the set∣ting Sun		At first equal in ap∣pearance to the Moon, afterward as its Tayl or Bush in∣creased it diminish∣ed
1067 or 1068						Extreamly fiery
1071		Lasted twenty five dayes	Seen in the Morn∣ing	In the East			Its hair long and flaming
1096 or 1097	About the begin∣ning of October	Lasted a Week		In the West in Ca∣pricorn		Duskish	Casting forth a sin∣gle Ray or Beam

1098 or 1099	About the Nones of October	Lasted 15 Dayes		In the Southern Part of the Hea∣vens.			Like a Sword, but obliquely waved, casting forth long Haires toward the East, and shorter toward the South
1101			Soon after Sun∣setting	In the West		Of a wonderful greatness
1102 or 1103	February the twenty second			In the East	Changing its Place by Leaps, and long Interstitia's		Broad spread and bright flaming
1104							Like burning Tor∣ches or fiery Darts
1106	In the first Week of Lent	Lasted until Good-Fryday after, being twenty five dayes	Seen in the Eve∣ning first Afterward in the Morning	South west Eastward		Great and horrible to sight	A Splendor issuing from it very clear, like a great Beam
1109		Lasted some few dayes
1110	On the sixth of Iune, as Calvisius, or of Iuly, as My∣zaldus	Lasted six Moneths			Its Motion Retro∣grade		Its Rayes directed to the South
1113	In the Moneth of May					A huge Comet
1132 or 1133	On the eighth of the Ides of October					Of a stupendious Greatness
1141
1145	In the Moneth of May
1146		Lasted a whole Moneth		In the West			Illuminating with its bright Rayes the circumambient Air
1165 Two Ce∣m•…•…ts at the same time			Seen before Sun∣rising	In Libra, One in the South, the other in the North		Two together, or one with two long projected Rayes
1168 Two Co∣mets to∣gether	On the twenty fourth of December	Disappeared after being seperated at a great Distance.		Seen in the West		One great, the o∣ther small, of a fiery colour
1180		Lasted only the re∣mainder of the day of its first Appear∣ance, and the Night following
1200				In the fifteenth of Scorpio	Moving contrary to the Course of the Celestial Signs	Appearing thrice bigger than Venus, of a round Figure, Casting as great a Light, as the Moon in her Quarter
1211	In the Moneth of May	Lasted eighteen dayes		Near the North Pole			Its Tayl or Train directed in the Eve∣ning to the East, in the Morning to the West
1214 Two Co∣mets	In March		One appearing be∣fore Sun-rising; the other after Sun∣setting			Of a terrible As∣pect
1217	In Autunme			In the South a little declining toward the West over against Ariadne's Crown			A Ray issuing from it like a Beam which seemed to ascend up to the Mid-heaven

1219				Seen in England		Of a vast Gran∣deur
1223				Conspicuous all o∣ver France		Of a dreadful Ap∣pearance, and of a bloody Colour
1238		Lasted some dayes	Seen before Sun∣rising			Of a vast Magni∣tude	Sending forth Fire before it, and smoke behind it
1240	In February observ∣ed by Albertu▪ Magnus	Lasted six Moneths the last of any Co∣net, as noted by Lubieniecius, which •…•…ad so long a dura ion	Seen in the Eve∣ning	Westward near the North Pole		Duskish	A long Train cast∣ing its Rayes be∣tween East and South
1241	In Ianuary	Lasted thirty dayes				Terrible to behold
1245	About the Feast of the Ascension, whic•…•… according to Calvi∣sius was the twenty fifth of May			In Capricorn toward the South		Of a great Magni∣tude, clear but red∣dish like Mars, without a Tayl, per∣haps mistaken (as Hevelius supposes) for that Planet
1254 or 1255		Lasted for some Moneths		Seen in Germany and in England		Of an Immense Grandeur
1264	In Iuly, much a∣bout the time of Pope Urban the fourth, his Decum∣biture: observed by Palaeologus	Lasted 3 Moneths and disappeared the very Night that Pope Urban the fourth dyed	Rose in the Morn∣ing	In Taurus behind Venus, or the Morn∣ing-Star	Moving from East to West, and at length preceding the Morning Star	Of a most signal Magnitude	Its Tayl long and broad appeared be∣fore the Head, and extended its Rayes from the East unto the Mid-heaven
1267	On the eighteenth of Iuly	Lasted not long	A little before Sun∣rising	Near the Moon	Running from the Moon by a swift Course Eastward to the Mid-heavens	Of great bright∣ness	Leaving a white and fiery hairiness behind it
1268		Lasted many dayes	Seen about Noon			Of a wonderful greatness
1284						Of a signal Magni∣tude	Projecting its hairy Blaze to the West
1298	In Summer
1300						A dreadful Comet
1301	In the Kalends of December, or as some will at Micha∣elmas	Lasted 15 Nights▪	Rose after Sun-set, and set after Mid∣night	In Aquarius and Pisces	Moved from the East Northward		Its Blaze directed toward the East
1304		Lasted 3 Moneths		Toward the North
1305	About the Holy Week as some, as others about Easter
1307	Its Appearance	Duration				Or Figure not de∣scribed
1312		Lasted 14 dayes			Running its Course from North to South	Of a stupendious greatness
1313					Moving from North to South, according to the Motion of Mars

1314	In Autumne in the Moneth of October	Lasted as some will three Moneths, as others but six Weeks		Toward the North, in the last degrees of Virgo		Of a terrible As pect	Its Flaming Train directed to the North
1315	In December	Lasted 'till Februa∣ry		In Cancer	Taking its Course the Pole	Terrible to Sight	Casting forth Rayes resembling a Broom one while East∣ward, another West∣ward, and sometime Northward
1318				In Cancer, as Lu∣bieniecius from the Authority of Herli∣cius
1337 Two Co∣mets	The first in April, The second in May	Together with the first continuing, May, Iune, and Iuly		The first seen in Taurus
1338	In Iune		In the Evening	About the Feet of Pegasus	Moving toward the North, and ascend∣ing every day three degrees, by the les∣ser Bear, right Foot of Hercules, and left Hand of Ophiu∣chus	Barbed	After the Figure of a Sword, extended Eastward
1339 or 1340 or 1341	In March			Near Spica Virg.	Moving every Day a degree, and com∣ing to the Sign Leo disappeared		Xiphias or Ensi∣formis
1347	In August	Lasted 2 Moneths		In Taurus toward the North
1351 or 1352	In December say some In September others			Far North			Like a fiery Beam
1353						Mentioned, but not described by Praeto∣rius, and out of him by Alstedius and Ricciolus
1362	On the eleventh of March	Lasted five Weeks	Seen all Night	In the End of A∣quarius, with signal North Latitude			Its Tayl spread in the Evening toward the East
1375				In Aquarius		Of the Nature of those Comets call∣ed Criniti
1380		Lasted 3 Moneths
1382	In August	Lasted 14 dayes
1394			Seen in the Eve∣ning	In the West	Passing toward the North		Having the Resem∣blance of that call∣ed Veru or Pertica, very remarkable with its Rayes standing upwards, and the Head hang∣ing down below them
1399 Three Co∣mets at once						The Heads not vi∣sible	But three great fie∣ry Tayls appearing
1400	In the time of Lent			Seen toward the North in the Ori∣ental Angle	Moving with great swiftness toward the East	A most fiery and dreadful Comet	Its Tayl long and projected toward the West

1401	In the End of Fe∣bruary			In the West		A great, terrible, and most splendid Comet.	Its Tayl expanded and stretched out like that of a Pea∣cock, casting its Rayes like a Dart or Jayelin from West to East, and after Sun-set shin∣ing so bright, that hardly any Part of the World was not enlightned by its Beams; which were of that brightness as hindred the Stars from shining, and quite expelled the darkness of the Night
1402	A little before Car nival Time	Lasted many dayes	Seen after Sun-set	Towards the North∣west			Its Tayl erected like a Lance, about the thickness of three feet, some∣times more, some∣times less
1403	About the latter end of March, o•…•… beginning of A∣pril			Seen North-east			Its Tayl pointing toward the North
1407 or 1408	In Iune					Several Comets, of which we have no particular descripti∣on
1426	On the ninth of Iune	Continued near a Week		Seen directly over the City of Leige			Its Tayl pointing toward the Market-Place, as if it threatned that City
1432	In February, abou•…•… the beginning of the Moneth					A very small one	Its Tayl or Train projected to the North
1433		Lasted 3 Moneths	Seen from Evening till Morning			glistering bright and very great
1435	In Autumne
1439 or 1444	In the Summer Sel stice			In the West in Leo			Its Tayl extended toward the South
1450	In the Summer time		Seen immediately after Sun-setting		Moved from West to East, and passing under the Moon e∣clipsed the same		Like a two-handed Sword
1456 Two Co∣mets	In Iune	Lasted a Moneth		In Cancer and Leo, one toward the West, the other to∣ward the East			Their Tayls extend∣ing beyond sixty de∣grees
1457	In Iune▪	Lasted 30 dayes		In the twentieth degree of Pisces		Black and dusky
1458	In Iuly			In Tauru•…•…
1460						A most bright, shin∣ning and dreadful Comet
1463	The day before the Death of Iames the Second King of Scotland					Very clear and bright

1467	After Michaelmas		Seldom seen by reason of rainy Weather	In Pisces oc Cancer perhaps, instead of Cancer should be put Capricorn			It cast its Rayes to∣ward the East, the Sun being in the midst of Libra
1468 Two Co∣mets		Lasted fifteen dayes each				The latter brighter than the first
1472	About the End of December, or be∣ginning of Ianua∣ry, observed by Re∣giomontanus	Lasted eighty dayes	At the beginning it appeared in the Morning, about the End in the Eve∣ning, at the middle shining all Night	It past from Virgo, by Bootes, the Dra∣gon, Ursa Major, feet of Cepheus, Breast of Cassiopaea, Belly of Andro∣meda, the Northern Fish, and came to the Whale; where setting hellacally it disappeared: At first, and at its End moving slowly, in the middle ex∣tremely swift, in so much as it ran through in one day forty Degrees of the Circle it moved in		At the beginning its Head was small and thin, afterwards grew to a wonder∣ful greatness, and then less and less; sometime pale and white, sometime of a flame colour	Its Tayl at the be∣ginning short, a∣bout the middle stretching about fif∣ty degrees in length resembling a Perti∣ca, or Javelin, and directed at divers times to divers Quarters of the World
1473	Ianuary the seven∣teenth	Lasted till the eigh∣teenth of February following		Toward the South in Cancer
1475				In Libra, as Her∣licicius, Rockenbach and Alstedius			Its Tayl alwayes directed towards Gemini, as Lubie∣niecius, citing Gas∣sendus
1476	In Iune, as Lubie∣niecius from Schule∣rus in Disquis. Phi∣•…•…soph, De Comet.
1477						Of a pale Caerule∣an Colour inclin∣ing to Black.
1479				Seen in Arabia			In Form of a sharp Beam or Pillar▪ wherein divers Points might be ob∣served
1491	About the Feast of the Epiphany		Seen in the Eve∣ning.	In the third Face or Decanate of Pisce▪ or beginning of Aries with South Latitude		Its Head not great	Its Tayl long but thin, casting but a small Light direct∣ed to the East
1492	In December	Lasted two Months	Seen after Sun-set
1500 Two Co∣mets	One in April The other in Ianu∣ary	Lasted four Months Lasted ten Dayes	Seen as well by Day as Night	In the North in Pis∣ces, as also in Sagit∣tarius & Aquarius
1505	About the Feast of St. Michael	Lasted until Shrove∣tide following	Seen from four in the Morning until eight before Sun∣rising, or from four before Sun-rising until eight after Sun-set		Moving from the South toward the West	Very large and shining, almost as bright as the Moon
1506 Two Co∣mets	One on the twelfth of April The other in the beginning of Au∣gust	The first lasted twenty five dayes. Continued 'till▪ the fifteenth of Au∣gust	The latter seen at first near the Pole above Ursa Major, the next day among the Stars of the Wain, till at length it came to touch the Horizon and disappeared		The first passed from West to East. The other ran through the Signs Cancer, Leo and Virgo	Of a hideous dark colour	Its Tayl bright and splendid, and spread like that of a Pea∣cock, whence it was so called

1510						From it fell certain small Sulphurious Stones of an ill Scent, as Cardan relates, sayes Lubi∣eniecius citing Ke∣cherman. System. Phys. l. 6. c. 5.
1511 or 1512	May the eleventh March and April	Lasted till the third of Iuly		In Leo		Of a sanguine Co∣lour
1513	In December	Lasted from the End of December, to the nineteenth of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ▪ following	Shined all Night		Moved from the End of Cancer to the End of Virgo	Variously coloured	Its Tayl long
1515 or 1516				Seen in Italy, Roch. and Myzald.	Ran in a short space through the twelve Signs	Of the Nature of the Moon
1521	In April			In the End of Can∣cer		Cleer, and like the Moon in its Dicho∣tomy	Having short Rayes or Hair
1522				Toward the West		Of the Nature of Saturn.
1523	In November			Seen in the King∣dom of Naples
1526	August the twenty third	Lasted until the twenty third of Sep∣tember					Like to a flaming Sword
1528	Ianuary the eigh∣teenth			In Pisces in Oppositi∣on with Saturn
1529 Four Co∣mets at ou•…•…				Mutually opposed to each other		Hevelius doubts whether they were genuine Comets	Their Tayls point∣ed directly toward the four Quarters of the World
1530	In Iune
1531	August the sixth observed by P. Apianus	Lasted till the third of September	At first seen in the Morning before Sun-rising, at last in the Evening after Sun-set	Seen all over Ger∣many, Italy, and France	Ran from the be∣ginning of Leo, to the beginning of Libra in North La∣titude	Of a ruddy or ra∣ther yellow Colour
1532	September the twen∣ty fifth observed by P. Apianus	Lasted 'till the twentieth of No∣vember	Seen in the Morn∣ing before Sun∣rising		Ran from the be∣ginning of Virgo to the beginning of Scorpio, at first in South, at last in North Latitude	Thrice bigger than Iupiter, but of a pale obscure colour	Its Tayl very long and radiant, stretch∣ing Southwest
1533	In the beginning of Iune observed by P. Apianus			It appeared first in Gemini near Perseus	Thence moved re∣trograde unto Tau∣rus encreasing day∣ly	Bigger than Iupiter	Its Tayl extending fifteen Degrees in length, like to a Military Spear; by others resembled to a two-handed Sword
1538	In Ianuary observ∣ed by P. Apianus	Lasted three Weeks	Seene in the Eve∣ning	In the West in the beginning of Pisces in seventeen De∣grees of Northern Latitude		Of a fiery Colour, some yet make it obscure and pale	Its Tayl extending thirty Degrees in length toward the East
1539	On May the sixth	Lasted till May the seventeenth		In Leo in North La∣titude at first, at last in South Lati∣tude	Moved according to the Course of the Signs direct; but from North to South	Its Head small and obscure	Its Tayl short

1541	August the twenty first					Resembling the shape of a Dragon	With a fiery Tayl
1542		Lasted forty dayes		Seen over Constan∣tinople		Dreadful to behold
1545		Lasted a few dayes		In the West		Of a sanguine Co∣lour
1554		Lasted some few dayes				Of the colour of Fire	Its Tayl pointing to the West
1556	The fifth of March			From the left Wing of Virgo it passed by Bootes, and ascend∣ed to the Northern Pole of the Eclip tick, thence by An∣dromeda it came to the Northern Fish, where it was extinguished. In its middle Course most swift, running through fifteen De∣grees dayly; at first its Motion was retrograde, at last direct.		Its Rayes and Co∣lour changed It seemed like a bright Globe of Flame, equal to the Half Moon	Its Tayl rare and thin, casting forth rather a pale than ruddy Light, strait∣er near the Head, and extending West∣ward
1557	In the Moneth of October			Seen in the West in Sagittarie			In the Form of a Dagger, of a pale Colour, and its light thin and weak
1558	In August	Lasted till the Nones of September	Seen in the Eve∣ning	Under Coma Bere∣nices, above Leo in the East	Moved Eastward	Of a pallid Co∣lour
1559	About the End of May	Lasted to the se∣cond of Iune
1560	December the twen∣ty eight	Lasted twenty eight dayes		Seen over most Parts of France
1564	On the twenty fifth of Iuly	Its. Duration not mentioned				Its Figure not des∣cribed
1569	About the begin∣ning of November	Lasted to the End of the Moneth	Seen in the Eve∣ning	In 5°. of Capricorn near the bright Star of Sagittary; but Ricciolus affirms it appeared in Serpen∣tar•…•…s, and in the Signs Sagittarie and Capricorn	It passed from Can∣cer, and declining from its right Course, went aside to the 4°. of Virgo, where it became Stationary	Of a very bright Colour	Streaming with fie∣ry Rayes, directed to the East
1577	On the ninth of November sayes He∣velius, on the twelfth Rockenbach, on the tenth Ec∣storm.	Lasted 3 Moneths	Appearing about five of the Clock in the Evening	About the begin∣ning of Capricorn, in the highest Hea∣vens; for its Pa∣rallax at the begin∣ning was 19′. 12″. at the End 2′. So that its Distance from the Earth at first was 173. at last 1733. Seinidia∣meters of the Earth	It moved from the beginning of Ca∣pricorn by the Con∣tact of the Equa∣tor, and the Meridi∣an Line, passing the Pole of the Zodi∣ack between Equi∣culus and the Dol∣phin, unto the Breast of Pegasus, its Mo∣tion continually de∣creasing. It ran through Capricorn and Aquarius to the middle of Pis∣ces	Its Colour was like the purest Silver, a little glittering, its apparent Magnitude exceeding that of Venus or Iupiter	Its Tayl was of the colour of Blood, projected to a great length toward that part of the Hea∣vens opposite to the Sun, in the mid•…•… crooked, the con∣vexity thereof respecting the Ze∣nith. Its concavity the Horizon, Its length extended to thirty Degrees, its Breadth to five
1578	On the sixteenth of May		Appeared about nine houres after Sun-set, at which time Iupiter and the Moon were in Conjunction in Li∣bra	Toward Southwest			Its Tayl long and directed to the North

1580	October the second sayes He•…•…l. eighth at Nortmberg. tenth at Gorlic. sayes Bu∣col•…•…rus	I asted above three Moneths	In the Evening a∣bout seven of the Clock, until the fourteenth of No∣vember, and then matutine till the sixth of December, whence only seen in the Morning	Between the Zodi∣ack and the Aequa∣tor, about the fifth degree of Pisces, distant from the Earth 157 S. D. thereof: So that (as Hevelius notes,) it was in the Orbe of Mercury or Con∣fines of that of Ve∣nus	At first moving in a slow and retrograde Motion, afterwards in a swifter Course it ran through A∣quarius, Capricorn, and Sagittary. At the End its Motion was more remiss, and almost Statio∣nary, at length di∣rect, creeping for∣ward from Aries, by the Aequator behind the Stars in the left hand of A∣quarius to the Head of Pegasus, by Equi∣culus and the Dol∣phin, 'till in the Constellation of Serpentarius it dis∣appeared	Its looks sad, mournful, obscure, wan, and dull, ex∣ceeding in Magni∣tude (as to appear∣ance) the Stars of the first Magnitude for its apparent Di∣ameter on the fif∣teenth of October was found to be 16′. 30″.	At first it wanted a Tayl, but afterward about the ninth of October it acquired a Tayl, but rare and thin, and al∣wayes extending precisely against that part of the Heaven opposed to the Sun
1582	On May the four∣teenth	Lasted to May the eighteenth	In the Evening af∣ter Sun-set	Between West and North	Its Motion retro∣grade and swift, as∣cending toward the North	Of a vast Magni∣tude, and dreadful to behold	Its Tayl extended between the right and left shoulder of Auriga, ascending toward the Sun
1585	October the eighth	Lasted 'till the fifth of November	In the Evening a∣bout nine of the Clock	In the 23°. 9′. of Pisces, and in 13°. 52′ of Southern La∣titude	It moved continu∣ally in direct Moti∣on, but something slow from Pisces to Aries, 'till toward the middle of Tau∣rus, where about the eighteenth de∣gree of that Sign it disappeared	Its light obscure, rare, and cloudy, formed like a Crab; Its apparent Magni∣tude, equalling that of Iupiter's. In the middle part of its Body shone a more compact Light, about the extremities thereof thin, and less ap∣pearing	It had no Tayl or Beard, unless about the twentieth and twenty second of October, at which time there appeared some slight Marks thereof
1590	February the twenty third	Lasted 'till the sixth of March	Seen in the Evening	Between the Con∣stellations of An∣dromeda, and the Ram, near the Northern Fish. Its Place being in the highest Heavens, and not nearer to the Earth than the Sun	It described by its Motion an Arch of a greater Circle, and measured in its Course a fourth part of the Hemis∣phere	Its head small, shining with a pale and obscure light; at the first biggest, but then not exceed∣ing 3′. in Diame∣ter, and successive∣ly diminishing both in Magnitude and Light	It cast forth some small Rayes, but thin and rare, and extended toward that part of the Heavens, opposite to the Sun
1593	Iuly the tenth	Lasted 'till the twenty first of Au∣gust	Conspicuous before Sun-rising	In the Cardinal Solstitial Signs	By its Motion, it went from the Tro∣pick of Cancer, to the Artick Circle, contrary to the Se∣ries of the Signs, that is from Cancer through Gemini and Taurus, and in Ce∣pheus disappeared
1596	On the ninth of Iu∣ly		In the Evening a∣bout the Prime of Night	In the North among the Stars of Ursa Major	By its Motion going forward a little to∣ward the hinder Parts of the greater Bear, so that it ran through Cancer, Leo and Virgo, and at last became Statio∣nary as to longi∣tude, declining its course to the fourth Degree of Virgo	Of the Colour of Saturn	Its Tayl stretching to the Part opposed to the Sun toward the Pole of the E∣cliptick, yet with some little deviati∣ation
1597	About the sixteenth of Iuly	Lasted 'till the ninth of August

1607	On the twenty fifth on twenty sixth of September	Lasted 'till the fifth of November	Seen in the Eve∣ning about seven of the Clock, and from thence all Night	Under the great∣er Bear a little higher than that Star which is to∣ward the Square, in the 30°. of Leo, and 36°. of North∣ern Latitude; its Parallax being found, not to ex∣ceed 3′. and conse∣quently its Place in the Highest Heaven or Aether	It moved in direct Motion from the formost foot of the greater Bear under its Belly, passing by the midst of Bootes, and strook through the Serpent, com∣ing under the Hand of Ophiuchus arrived at his formost foot and stayed in his Leg. The Orbit in which it was carri∣ed seemed to be a greater Circle; at last extreamly bent or bowed toward the Ecliptick. On the thirtieth of Sep∣tember, its Diurnal Motion was thir∣teen Degrees; but both before anc after, its Motion was slower; at length Retrograd▪ and Stationary, a to longitude	Its Head was not of •…•…n even or equal roundness, but here and there extubera∣ting. Its apparent Magnitude greater than any of the Fixed Stars; o•…•… than that of Iupiter. Its Light weak, p•…•…le and waterish, like that of the Moon when near the sha∣dow of the Earth, towards its End diminishing more and more	Its Tayl was some∣thing long and thick, projected with some little De∣viation against that part of the Hea∣vens opposite to the Sun. Vend•…•…nus saw it like a flame∣ing Lance o•…•… Sword, seven De∣grees in length
1618 The first Comet	August the twenty fifth	Lasted 'till the twenty fifth of Sep∣tember	Appearing about three of the Clock before Sun-rising	A little beneath the left fore-foot of Ursa Major inclin∣ing toward the Head of Leo, in the tenth Degree of the said Sign, and in the twenty se∣cond Degree of Northern Latitude	The second of Sep∣tember it proceeded in Motion retro∣grade in Antece∣dence of the Signs▪ one Degree after∣wards in its Course more remi•…•…s	It •…•…ppeared (as ob∣served by a Teles∣cope) to be hairy; Its Light not clear, shining, but cloudy and duskish	Its Tayl short and broad, spreading toward the West
1618 The se∣cond Co∣met	On the tenth of November	Lasted to the eight∣eenth or twenty third of the same Moneth	Appearing two hours before Sun∣rising	Between the Au∣tumnal Section, and the eighteenth De∣gree of Libra	Declining from the Ecliptick South∣ward 15°. Its Mo∣tion retrograde	Its Head was not distinctly observed by the Europaeans, by reason of its vi∣cinity to the Sun. But in Persia its co∣lour was found to be like the Va∣pour of Flower of Brimstone set on fire	Its Tayl was like that of an Estrid•…•…∣bowed; In length forty five Degree•…•… In Persia it was ob∣served to be like: Cymit•…•…r, or rathe•…•… like a young Palm∣tree who•…•…e top Bowes bend but little
1618 The third Comet	November the twen∣ty second or twenty third	Lasted to the thir∣teenth of December	Seen in the Morn∣ing	It took its Rise from the Equinocti∣al Eastern Point	Its Motion wa•…•… Northward	Its Colour was like that of Ve•…•…us, whose Magnitude it equal∣led if not exceeded	It had a long Mai•…•… or Tresses
1618 The 4th▪ and last Comet	On the twenty fourth of Novem∣ber	Lasted sixty dayes, viz. until the twen∣ty fourth of Ianu∣ry next following	Seen in the Morn∣ing before Sun∣rising	On the twenty ninth of November it was seen between the Scales of Libra, more Eastward than a Line drawn di∣rectly between the said Scales, and more approaching to the Northern Scale. Its true place being in the Ae∣ther, for at first it was distant from the Earth, seventy one of its Semidia∣meters. At last it was higher than the Sun it self, for its Parallax was found to be less than that of the Sun	Its Motion was to the North, with some Inclination Westward; for it passed by the mid∣dle of Libra and by Bootes, and when it had advanced as far as his Head, it shined all Night, thence proceeded above his Wrist, and over Ursa Ma∣jor. Its Motion be∣coming every day flower and flower. As to its progress in the E∣cliptick, it ran from the End of Scorpio to the mid∣dle of Cae•…•…er above one third part of the Heavens. At first Southern, at last Northern	Its colour was pa∣lish, the lower part of its Head was perfectly round; •…•…e upper part whence the Tayl issued was uneven, and as it were in∣dented; Its light languid, whitish and cloudy, yet sometimes a little twinkling. In the midst of the Head at first was one sin∣gle Kernel or Nucle∣us, afterwards se∣parated into three or more, and at length parting into more lesser and les∣ser, was dissolved. Its apparent as well as true Magnitude being various, and unconstant	Its Tayl toward the Head was very narrow, about the Middle, and its Extremity, prett•…•… large; it was extended with some Incurvation, now to the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, now to the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, but not precisely in oppo•…•…ion to the Sun, through its middle, according to Longitude ran a clear Line like the Pith of a Tree, not seldom the whole Bush or Train▪ seemed to have a kind of Scintillation an•…•… Fluctuation; its Head likewise darting forth Ra•…•…es, and suddainly withdrawing them. It length was sometimes extended to 45, 60, 75▪ n•…•…y to 104 Degrees its Breadth to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Degrees. Its C•…•…lour near the Head 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and fiery, toward the End pale and whitith

1647	On the twenty ninth of November	Lasted but two dayes	Seen in the Eve∣ning at half an hour past Eight	In the Constellati∣on of Berenice's hair, not so far as five Degrees from the left Leg of Bootes, about 10°▪ from Arcturus, in the eighth degree of Libra, and in the twenty sixth De∣gree of Northern Latitude	Its Motion was con∣trary to the Series of the Signs, viz. from the Head of Bootes towards the Ecliptick, and Spica Virginis	It was something less in Appearance than Arcturus, but sufficiently bright and splendid	Its Tayl was ere∣cted upwards to∣ward the Zenith; in length twelve Degrees, like to a Broom, conspicu∣ous and splendid e∣nough where it issu∣ed from the Head, towards its Extre∣mity, more thin and dilute
1652	On the twentieth of December	Lasted 'till Ianua∣ry the tenth	Appearing about six of the Clock in the Evening	In 9° of Gemini, and 31° of Southern La∣titude, not far from Rigel, in the left foot of Orion. So that by its Situati∣on with the said Star, and another above the foot of Orion in Eridanus, it made in a manner an equilateral Tri∣angle. Its true place was in the Aether or highest Heaven: for when it was nearest the Earth, its Distance thence was 110 Se∣midiameters there∣of. Its Parallax at first being found to be 31′. 15″. but about the twelfth of Ianuary, it was distant from the Earth 22509 of the Earths Semidiame∣ters; its Parallax not above 9″. and consequently it was as high as the Orb of Iupiter.	Its Motion was constantly retro∣grade, from South to North, by the Hare, Foot of Ori∣on, Taurus, to the Pleiades, and from thence as far as Perseus; not di∣rectly but oblique∣ly from East South East to North North∣west, in a great Circle inclined to the Ecliptick, and Aequator: At first by its Diurnal Mo∣tion compleating 11°. 16′. at last 30′. it ran through in the Time of its Duration 65°. 51′. passing beyond and beside the Course of the Annual Orb. At first, distant from the Earth, ninety four S. D. thereof, at last seventy two of the said Semi∣diameters	Its Head was round, and little less than the Moon at full. Its Light pale and dull, like that of the Moon, o'recast by a thin cloud In it were observed by the Telescope several Nuclei or Kernels every day varying their Situation. Its apparent Magni∣tude was not al∣wayes the same, being found at first to be 30′. after∣wards but 3′. 30″.	Its Tayl at the be∣ginning extended Eastward toward the Part of Heaven opposed to the Sun, (yet with some small Deviation) as far as to the handle of Orion's Sword, like to a sharp pointed Cone, in length 7°. of a whitish, but some∣thing obscure Co∣lour, casting forth thin small Hairs or Rayes, which a∣bout the seventh of Ianuary it quite lost. Its Tayl still increast in Length, being at first only 3440. at last 163000 German Miles▪
1661	On the third of Fe∣bruary	Lasted fifty three dayes	Seen in the Morn∣ing 47′. after five of the Clock	Eastward, beneath the Dolphin, be∣tween the Eagles Head, and that of the lesser Horse in 10°▪ of Aquarius, and 22°. of North∣ern Latitude. In the very Aether or highest Heaven; at first two thou∣sand, at last nine thousand Semidia∣meters of the Earth distant from it, and consequently (ac∣cording to the O∣pinion of Hevelius) higher than the Sun it self	Its Course was from the East, Westward, by the Head, Neck, and neather Wing of Aquila, in a line almost parallel to the Ecliptick and Aequator but re∣trograde, and not in a greater Circle	Its Head was round, and of a yellowish Colour, clear and conspicu∣ous, in the middle whereof at first was a ruddy Nucleus or Kernel, equal al∣most to Iupiter, en∣compassed with a certain thin, and more dilute Matter	Its Tayl extended above six Degrees in Length toward the Dolphin, nar∣rower where it joyned to the Head, than in its Extremi∣ty, and pointing to that part of the Heaven, opposite to the Sun, but with some kind of De∣flection.

1664	On the fourteenth of December	Lasted almost three Moneths	Seen at first in the Morning about five of the Clock after∣wards in the Eve∣ning	Near the Beak of the Crow, in 8°. of Libra and 22°. of Southern Lati∣tude, in the highest Aether. Its Pa∣rallax at the begin∣ning 59″. in the Middle 4′. and in the End 16″. So that at first it was three thousand five hundred, then a thousand, and last∣ly one hundred twenty thousand Semidiameters of the Earth distant from the terrestial Globe, and higher than Mars	Its Motion was Re∣trograde from Cor∣vus by Hydra, Ar∣gus, the great Dog, the Hare, Erida∣nus, and Whales Head, unto Aries▪ yet was not the Line of its Course carried altogether under that of a great Circle, it de∣flecting notably Northward. It ran through more than five Signs of the Zodiack, viz. Li∣bra, Virgo, Leo, Cancer, Gemini, Taurus even unto Aries; and in re∣spect of its Orbit made a Progress of one hundred fifty four Degrees	Its Head was very conspicuous: It•…•… Colour somewhat yellow: In the midst whereof was discerned a clea•…•… Light, surrounded with another more obscure, composed of sundry corpuscu la interspersed with other more subtle Matter of a divers Density, mixing at first with the Nu∣clei, after separa∣ting and dividing As to its apparent Magnitude, it ex∣ceeded six times the Diameter of the Earth	Its Tayl extended fourteen Degrees in length Southwest; sometimes▪ longer, sometimes shorter▪ On the eighth of December, it spread its Rayes upward in manner of a Peacocks Tayl; from which time after it was direct∣ed toward the East All the time of its Duration extending it as far as the Sign Gemini, toward that Part of the Hea∣vens opposed to the Sun, yet with some Deviation▪ now Northward, now Southward; to∣wards its End it was sometimes quite lost, and then again recovered
1665	April the sixth	Lasted fourteen Dayes	Seen in the Morn∣ing half an hour after one	In the Breast of Pegasus, in fifteen Degrees of Pisces, and 27°. of North∣ern Latitude. Its Parallax at the be∣ginning having been found to be 69″▪ which decrea∣sed successively to 41″. whence its Distance from the Earth at first could not be less than three thousand Se∣midiameters of the Earth, toward the End five thousand of the said S, D. distant from it and consequently sixty times higher than the Moon at first, and at last equal in height with the Sun it self	Its Progress was by Pegasus under the Head of Andro∣meda, by the North∣ern Fish, as far as unto Aries; in a Motion continually direct, at the be∣ginning it ran through in one Day four Degrees and six Minutes, at last two Degrees twen∣three Minutes	Its Head was round of a yellowish Co∣lour. Its Light quick and bright. In the very middle whereof was a sin∣gle▪ Nucleus of a conspicuous Mag∣nitude, of a Gold Colour encompas∣sed equally about with another thin∣ner kind of Matter. the apparent Dia∣meter of the Head was six Minutes	Its Tayl at the be∣ginning extended almost 17°. in length projected between the Mouth and the foremost Foot of Pega∣sus Westward; where it issued from the Head, it was thick and lu∣cid, and of the same dense Matter with that of the Head; but toward the End or Cuspi•…•…, it was more thin and dilute. It stretched sometimes in length to 25°. streaming toward the Part opposed to the Sun, yet with some little Devia∣tion Southward
1668	Fifth and tenth of March observed by Signior Cassini at Bologna		About the first hour of the Night after the Italian way of counting			The Head or Body was not seen, being hid under the Ho∣rizon	The Tayl was of a stupendious length, being extended (as it appeared at Lis∣bon in Portugal) over almost the fourth Part of the Visible Heaven, from West to East, from the Whale through Eridanus to the Star which precedes the Eare of Lepus, as ob∣served at Bologna in Italy by Signior Cassini

1672

Second of March

Lasted till about the End of April, as Signior Cassini hath computed

Seen both Mornings and Evenings

At first between the Head of Me∣dusa and the Pleia∣des, afterwards hav∣ing continued his Course towards the Root of the South∣ern Horn of Taurus, and having passed the Ecliptick, went on above the Top of Orion's Head, to the Milky Way

Its Motion falling into a Line little differing from an Arch of a great Circle, cutting the Ecliptick in the tenth Degree 45′. of Gemini, its greatest Latitude in the tenth Degree 45′. of Pisces, that is between 39°. and 40°. Northward, the same Circle cut the Aequator at 101°. of the Vernal Se∣ction Eastward, and its greatest Decli∣nation from the Aequator North∣ward was 38°. ½. He made about 2°. 32′, a day in the great Circle of his apparent Motion

His Head seen with a Telescope of se∣venteen, foot ap∣peared almost round, but well di∣stinguished from the Mistiness which formed a kind of Chevelure where∣with it was encom∣passed; and even the Middle was a little confused, and seemed to have in∣equalities, as are seen in Clouds

The Tayl was al∣most imperceptible; yet by the Teles∣cope it was seen turned opposite to the Sun, and ap∣peared of the length of two Diameters of the Head, or thereabout; for it was not easie to measure it precise∣ly, because being thinner according as it was farther from the Head, its Extremity was in∣sensibly lost, and so the whole Comet Tayl, and Cheve∣lure taken altoge∣ther, took up no more than three or four Minutes of a Degree

[illustration]

fig: G.

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Cometae Discei seu Chrisei.

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1. Solaris sive Rosa.

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2. Disciformis.

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3. Clypeiformis.

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4. Clypeus ardens.

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Cometae Pithei

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5. Doliiformis erectus.

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6. Doliiformis truncatus.

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7. Doliiformis caudatus.

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Hippei sive Equini

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8. Equinus barbatus.

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9. Equinus quadrangularis.

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10. Equinus Ellipticus.

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Lampadiae

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11. Lampadiformis.

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12. Lampadiformis.

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13. Lampadiformis.

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14. Hircus.

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15. Fusca nube circumdatus

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16. Barbatus.

[illustration]

[illustration]

[illustration]

fig. H.

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Ceratiae seu Cometae Cornuti.

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17 Corniformis Lunatus

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18. Corniformis.

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19. Cornutus biscuspidatus.

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20. Curvatus Divaricatus.

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21. Tubiformis.

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Acontiae.

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22. Jaculiformis Lunatus.

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23. Jaculi-formis Ellipticus.

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24. Iaculi-formis rotundus.

[illustration]

[illustration]

[illustration]

fig. I.

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Xiphiae.

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25. Ensiformis 1.

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26. Ensiformis. 2.

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27. Ensiformis. 3.

[illustration]

28. Ensiformis incurvatus.

[illustration]

Longites.

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30. Hastiformis. 1.

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29. Ensiformis. 4.

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31. Hastiformis. 2.

[illustration]

[illustration]

[illustration]

fig K.

Acontiae

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32. Veru.

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33. Pertica bifurcata

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34. Cometa quadratus.

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35. Coniformis.

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36. Cometa Pyramidatus.

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37. Cometa Monstriferus. 1.

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38. Cometa Monstriferus. 2.

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39. Cometa Monstriferus. 3.

[illustration]

[illustration]

[illustration]

fig. L.

[illustration]

40. Cometa 1577. Die 17 Nov. à Tychone observ.

[illustration]

41. Cometa 1577. Die 28 nov. et 3 dec. à Cornel. Gemma. observ.

[illustration]

42. Cometa 1590.

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43. Cometa 1607.

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46. Cometa 1647.

[illustration]

44. Cometa 1618 Die 1. Dec. à Cysato observ.

[illustration]

45. Cometa 1618. Die 17. 18. et 20 Dec. observatus.

[illustration]

47. Cometa 1652. ab Autore observ.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Its Nature and Sub∣stance.
• * 1.2

  Maculae, or Spots.
• * 1.3

  Their Shapes and Figures.
• * 1.4

  Their Moti∣on.
• * 1.5

  Kepler.
• * 1.6

  Otto de Guerick.
• * 1.7

  Experi∣ment. Mag∣deburg l. •…•…▪ c. 1. & 6.
• * 1.8

  The several sorts of fiery Meteors.
• * 1.9

  Of the Mat∣ter, Place, and eff•…•…cient Cause of Co∣mets.
• * 1.10

  Cometical Aphorisms▪
• * 1.11

  Of the Tayl, Train, or Bush of Co∣mets.
• * 1.12

  Of the seve∣ral Kinds of Comets.