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COmeta, or Cometes, a Comet, (so called from Coma, the Hair of the Head, or a bush of Hairs:) Although it signifies but one Species of the Phaenome∣non, when taken in the strictest sence, viz. Stellam Crinitam, or Capillatam, (a Star long-hair'd by the splendour of his Rays,) or, (to speak with Cicero)
Concinnatum Sydus, (a Star with crisp'd or curl'd hair) yet in a larger sence it is a Generical, or common name to all the rest set down by Pliny, lib. 2. cap. 15. where (respecting the Accidents of Colours and Shapes) he reckons up these twelve following Species.
1. Cometes, that is (in the narrowest sence) a Star on every side hairy; by some termed Rosa, a Rose.
2. Barbata, a bearded Star; not vulgarly distin∣guished from Caudata, a Tayled Star; because (as Fromundus, lib. 3. cap. 4. observes) the difference grows from a respect had to the Sun: For, if by the Motion of the Primum Mobile, it arise in the Morning before the Sun, it then appears bearded, extending its Rays Westward, as did the Comet, Anno 1618. But if in the Evening after Sun-set, it is Tayled, cast∣ing out a long train behind it Eastward, as did the Comet, Anno 1577.
3. Jaculum, a Javelin; because brandished by a long appendix of Rays, in the shape of a Javelin; as that of the Year 1533. in the Month of July, and that other, on which Titus Caesar writ such Excellent Verses, in the fifth Year of his Consulship.
4. Gladius, or Pugio, a Sword or Dagger; the head whereof appears like the Hilt of a Sword, but the Rays (quickly contracting a point) resembling a Dagger rather than a Sword, which is longer: Of this sort appeared one in the Year 1532. and perhaps it is the same which Historians call Metam or Pyra∣midem.
5. Disceus, or rather Disciformis, the shape of a Dish or Platter, because (glistering or shining in a broad and round shape) it dilateth slender Rays in the Margin thereof, and is commonly of an Amber co∣lour.
6. Pithetes, or Doliaris, because resembling the shape of a Tun, hiding (as in a Concave) the smoaky Light and obscure Beams in the middle thereof.
7. Ceratias, or Cornu: the crooked flame whereof is bowed like a Horn, the head of a Crosiers staff, or a Persian Sword. Such was the last of the third in the Year 1618.
8. Lampas, resembling a burning Lamp or Torch.
9. Hyppeus, Equinum Sydus, or Stella Equina, re∣presenting the Mane of a Horse; most swift in Mo∣tion.
10. Argyrocomus, or, as if you should say, Crinar∣genteus, or Argenticomus, Silver-hair'd: Whereof Pliny in these words: Fit & candidus Cometes, argen∣teo Crine it a refulgens, ut viz contueri liceat, specieque humana Dei Effigiem in se ostendens. There appear∣ed (saith he) a white Comet so shining with its sil∣ver hair, it could scarce be discern'd, and therein de∣claring the Image of God in Mankind. Which words Fromundus, lib. 3. cap. 4. supposes are relating to the Star of the Magi; perhaps (saith he) for the Fame that Comet had which was seen in the East, and in Judaea in the time of Augustus, wherein the express Image of a little Boy, declared that God was made Man.
11. Hircus, a Comet environ'd with some kind of Hairs, and a Mane seemingly rough and hairy, by the slender Fibre of its Beams: And
12. Hasta, in the form of a Spear; which late Writers call Veru, a Broach or Spit; and Perticam, a Pole or Perch.
All which twelve Species of Comets, Aristotle, lib. 1. Meteor. cap. 8. reduces to two only, viz. Crinitas and Barbatas: Under the first whereof he compre∣hends all those Species that dilate their Rays (like
hairs) on every part, viz. Disceus, Pithetes, Hippeus, Argyrocomus, and Hircus; under the latter, those that stretch or cast out a Tail or Mane (right or crooked) towards one part only, viz. Jaculum, Gladius, Ce∣ratias, Lampas, and Hasta.
Iphigines divides them (à motu & substantiâ, from their motion and substance) into two sorts: Alii ar∣dorem undique fundunt, nec locum mutant; alii in unam partem ignem vagum in modum comae porrigunt, & Stellas permeant: Some (saith he) stretch out their Ardour or Light, on every side, and change not their place; others spread forth a flittering fire towards one part, like the hair of ones Head, and pass through the Stars.
Others (à materia vel loco) in respect of the mat∣ter or place; for that some Comets are Elementary, others Coelestial. Astrologers (ab efficienti causa, from their Efficient Cause) divide them into seven Species, according to the Number and Nature of the Planets, calling some Saturnine, others Jovial; some Martial, others Solar; whereof more fully here∣after.