Peripateticall institutions. In the way of that eminent person and excellent philosopher Sr. Kenelm Digby. The theoricall part. Also a theologicall appendix of the beginning of the world. / By Thomas White Gent.

LESSON IV.

Of the Sea, and its Accidents.

1. THe parts of water are Sea, Lakes, Pools, Rivers, Fountains. The Sea is but one; since, all those parts, whereof every one is call'd a Sea, communicate among themselves, either openly, or by hidden Channells: as, the Caspian discharges it self into the Eu∣xine; for, otherwise, twould overflow with the constant tribute of such great Ri∣vers.

2. That the Main does not overflow, is because of the amplitude and vastnesse of its surface: whence, it comes to passe, that as much is lick'd up by the Sun into clouds and winds, as is pour'd in by so ma∣ny Rivers; as will be evident to one that shall observe how much the Sun, in one day, draws up out of a little Plash.

3. Hence proceeds its saltnesse: for, since the salt which flows in out of the Rivers makes not them so much as brackish; nei∣ther could they infect the sea, were it not that, the sun sucking up the lighter parts, the salt remains in the rest.

4. Moreover, the salt, which the sun must necessarily make upon the top, out of the concoction of the land-floods which fatten the River-water, does not sink down to the bottom; both by reason of the motion of the sea continually ming∣ling it together; as also because, the deep∣er the water, the salter and heavier it is, un∣lesse some speciall cause interpose, as per∣haps in the mouths of Rivers.

5. From the abundance of salt, the sea gets both density and gravity; moreover, that it will not extinguish flames very rea∣dily; as also, by a multiply'd reflection of light, to sparkle and flame, as it were, when 'tis stirr'd.

6. The same, too, is no little cause of Sea-sicknesse, (besides the very tossing, which, of it self, is a cause; as appears in those who are sick with riding in a Coach); for, the stomack, being offended with the saltnesse, strives to cast it up; as appears by that salt humour we oft are sen∣sible of in colds.

7. Hence, too, comes it, that the sea is not frozen; the mixture of salt hindring the freezing wind's entrance: For, where the sea is congeal'd, 'tis not the sea-water, but the snow falling on it, which makes the sea seem frozen; as our Countrey-men, that go Northern voyages, witnesse. Yet, others report that, near the shoars, a sharp wind will freez the sea in some, ev'n hot∣ter, Countreys.

8. But, when vast Rivers flow into nar∣row Bayes, they must needs overflow into larger seas: whence, of necessity, there must needs be a kind of perpetuall flux of some seas into others; as, of the Euxine into the Propontis, of this into the Mediter∣ranean, of the Mediterranean into the O∣cean. The reason is, because the lesser sea, with the same quantity of water, is more swell'd and, consequently, has a high∣er levell of water: Again, the power of the sun drinks more out of a larger sea then out of a narrower; whence, 'tis more easily sunk low to receive the adventitious waters.

9. Out of the sea, the sun, like fire out of a boyling pot, extracts continuall va∣pours; which, either in Rains or Winds, it disperses over all the Earth: for, all those

Winds, which we feel cool from the Oce∣an in the Summer, though we perceive it not, yet, both their extraction makes us confesse they are moist, and their density and softnesse, savouring a similitude of and derivation from Water.

10. The Earth, therefore, heated by the Sun, being sprinkled with these, whe∣ther in Rain or Wind, (for the Earth, be∣ing once hot, a great while retains it) dis∣solves it self into Vapours: and so, by lit∣tle and little, they are rais'd to the higher parts of the Earth; where if they feel the cold of the Aire without, or, by any other cause, are coagulated into bigger parts, they become Water, and by degrees, break themselves a passage through and flow down upon the lower grounds.