CHAP. X.
of the Moon.
a 1.1 IN the lowest part of the aether is the Moon: The Moon (ac∣cording to Zeno) is an intellectuall, wise, igneous, Star con∣sisting of artificiall fire. Cleanthes saith, she is of a fiery substance, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a dirty figure.b 1.2 Lipsius for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, dirty, substitutes 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, is if of the same figure, as a nat or cap. But perhaps there needs no alteration, for theyc 1.3 affirmed, as she is nearer to the Earth then the Sun, so is she of a more terrene Nature.d 1.4 Possido∣nius and most of the Stoicks affirm, she is mixt of fire and air,e 1.5 by reason of which diversity of substance she is not subject to cor∣ruption. f 1.6 To this mixtion of air in her composition, they impute likewise those spots which are seen in her face.g 1.7 She is greater then the Earth, as well as the Sun is, and Spnaericall as the Sun, yet apeareth in various figures, the full-Moon, first quarter, New-Moon, last quarter.
h 1.8 Chrysippus saith, she is a fire collected after the Sun, from the exhalation of fresh Waters, for which cause she is likewise nourished by them, asi 1.9 Possidonius also asserteth.
k 1.10 Her motion is spiral;l 1.11 Zeno saith, she hath two motions, as the one with the World from East to West, the other contrary through the signes.m 1.12 The period of her course is called a Mont••; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, is likewise that part of the Moon which appeareth to us, for one halfe of her is alwaies turned towards us.
The Moon is Eclipsed when she falleth into the shadow of the earth. For although every month she is opposite to the Sun, yet she is then only eclipsed when she is fullest, by reason of the obliquity of her course, whereby her latitude is varied towards the north and south. When therefore she happens to be neer the Ecliptick, and opposite to the Sun, she is eclipsed; which hap∣pens (as Possidonius saith) in Libra and Scorpio, and in Aries and