The history of philosophy, in eight parts by Thomas Stanley.

CHAP. XI.

Of Aire.

a 1.1 NExt the sphear of the Moon (saith Chrysippus) is the element of Aires interposed betwixt the Sea and Heaven (b 1.2 spheri∣call in figure)c 1.3 consecrated by the name ofd 1.4 Iuno, Sister and Wife of Iupiter, who is the Aether▪ betwixt these there is a neer conjunction.

e 1.5 The Aire is divided into three regions, the highest, the mid∣dle, and the lowest. The highest region is the hottest and dryest, and rarest, by reason of the vicinity of the eternall fires. The lowest and neerest to the earth is thick and caliginous; because it receiveth terrene exhalations. The middle region is more tem∣perate then the higher and lower, as to siccity and rarity, but colder then both. This, wherein the clouds and winds are gene∣rated, is, according to Possidonius, forty furlongs above the earth. Next to it is the pure and liquid aire of untroubled light. From the turbulent part to the Moon is twenty hundred thousand furlongs.

f 1.6 To the aire is attributed the primitive cold.

g 1.7 As concerning things in the Aire. Winter is the rigour of the aire, next above the earth, occasion'd by the remotenesse of the Sun, and is the coldest of the seasons of the year. Spring is the season succeeding Winter, preceding Summer, and is a good temperature of the air, occasion'd by approach of the Sun. Sum∣mer is that season of the year, when the aire above the earth is warmed, by the Suns accesse towards the north. Autumne that season of the year which followeth Summer, and precedeth Winter, is made by the return of the Sun from us.

h 1.8 Winter commeth, when the aire is predominant in thick∣nesse, and is forced upward: Summer, when the fire is predomi∣nant, and driven downward.

i 1.9 Winde is a fluxion of the aire, having severall names, from the variety of places; as for example: That which bloweth from the darknesse of the night, and Sun-setting, is called Zephy∣rus; from the East and Sun-rising, Apeliotes; from the North, Boreas; from the South Lybs.k 1.10 It is occasion'd by the Sun's exte∣nuation of the vapours.

l 1.11 The Rainbow is a reflection of the Sun's beams from a humid cloude: or, as Possidonius, an apparition of part of the Sun or Moon in a cloud, dewy, concave, and continuous to the phanta∣sy, as in a looking-glasse, the representation of a Circle.

m 1.12 Comets are fires subsisting of thick air, carried up to the aetheriall place.

n 1.13 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is an accension of suddain fire, swiftly carried through the air, appearing length-waies.

o 1.14 Rain is a conversion of clouds into water, when either from the Earth, or from the Sea, by the power of the Sun, the hu∣mour is drawn upwards ineffectually.

p 1.15 Frost is congealed rain.

q 1.16 Hail is a concrete cloud, dispersed by the winde.

r 1.17 Snow is humidity, from a concrete cloud, according to Pos∣sidonius.

* 1.18 Lightning is an accension of clouds, which are driven by the winds upon one another, and broken, according to Zeno.

t 1.19 Thunder is a noise occasion'd by the collision of clouds.

u 1.20 Thunderbolt is a strong inflammation, rushing upon the earth with great violence, when the clouds by impulsion of the winds are broken against one another. Some define it a conversion of fiery inflamed aire, violently rushing down.

x 1.21 Typho is a violent Thunder, thrust down with a great force of winde, or a smoaking winde, which rusheth down upon the breaking of the cloud.

Prester is a cloud inclosed with fire by winde in the concavi∣ties of the earth: There are many kinds thereof, Earthquakes, C••asma's, and the like.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Stob.
• b 1.2

  Cicer.
• c 1.3

  Laert.
• d 1.4

  Cic.
• e 1.5

  Stob. Phys.
• f 1.6

  Laert.
• g 1.7

  Laert.
• h 1.8

  Laert.
• i 1.9

  Plut. plac. Phil. 3. 7.
• k 1.10

  Laert.
• l 1.11

  Laert.
• m 1.12

  Laert.
• n 1.13

  Laert.
• o 1.14

  Laert.
• p 1.15

  Laert.
• q 1.16

  Laert.
• r 1.17

  Laert.
• * 1.18

  Laert.
• t 1.19

  Laert. plut. plac. p hil. 3. 3. Stob. p. 65.
• u 1.20

  Laert.
• x 1.21

  Laert.