Systema agriculturæ, the mystery of husbandry discovered treating of the several new and most advantagious ways of tilling, planting, sowing, manuring, ordering, improving of all sorts of gardens, orchards, meadows, pastures, corn-lands, woods & coppices, as also of fruits, corn, grain, pulse, new-hays, cattle, fowl, beasts, bees, silk-worms, &c. : with an account of the several instruments and engines used in this profession : to which is added Kalendarium rusticum, or, The husbandmans monthly directions, also the prognosticks of dearth, scarcity, plenty, sickness, heat, cold, frost, snow, winds, rain, hail, thunder, &c. and Dictionarium rusticum, or, The interpretation of rustick terms, the whole work being of great use and advantage to all that delight in that most noble practice.

SECT. I. Of the different Appearances of the Sun, Moon, Stars, Meteors, or any other thing in the Air, or above us.

The most principal of natural causes of all changes and varia∣tions of the seasons of the year, and of the different degrees of Heat, Cold, Driness, Moisture, &c. in those seasons, are first the Sun, then the Moon, and other of the moveable Stars or Planets; but more especially the Sun, whose distance or nearness unto us, or rather whose Obliquity or Perpendicularity, in respect of any part of this Globe, doth beget that most apparent variety in the different seasons, which indeed would be certain, were there not intervening causes that did divert the general influence of the Sun, and sometimes aggravate, and sometimes impede the ex∣treams of weather, &c. occasioned by it: But let those alterati∣ons in the Air, or above us, be what they will, there are some certain Prodromi that give us to understand thereof, and none more than the Sun, as principal in the Heavens: next unto it the Moon; as Virgil:

Si vero Solem ad rapidum, Lunasque sequentes Ordine respicies; nunquam te crastina fallet Hora.

The Sun doth indicate unto us the true temperament of the Air, through which we receive its beams; and according to its density or rarity thereof do we perceive that Luminous Globe; as if the Air be serene and clear, then do we most perfectly re∣ceive the beams of the Sun: the weather is then most inclinable

to driness, and according to the winde, so is it either hot or cool; which if it be either East or North-East in the fore-part of the Summer, the weather is like to continue dry; and if West∣ward towards the end of the Summer, then will it continue also dry: but upon the approach of Rain, the Air is usually repleat with moist Vapours, which are not of themselves so evidently discernable to the eye, and yet are plainly demonstrated by the Sun.

Sol quoque & exoriens, & cum se condet in undas Signa dabit: Solem certissima signa sequentur.

Before Rain, the Sun appears dim, faint and watrish; which presageth Rain to follow.

At the rising of the Sun, if it appear red or pale, and after∣wards dark, or hid in a black watry Cloud, Rain follows; or if the Sun-beams appear before the Sun-rising, or a watry Circle a∣bout the Sun in the morning; or if the Sun appear hollow, or have red or black Clouds about it at the rising; or if the Beams be faint, or short, or watrish; Suspecti tibi sint Imbres—Rain u∣sually follows: For the Air being pregnant with moisture, which usually precedes Rains, &c. doth represent the Sun and Sun-beams, different in form and colour from what it appears to be at other times; as some sorts of Glass being interposed, doth represent Objects different from what they are.

At si cum referetque diem, condetque relatum, Lucidus orbis erit; frustra terrebere nimbis.

The setting clear and red, and rising grey, and afterwards clear of the Sun, indicates a fair day to follow.

The appearance of the Sun being very red at any time, but especially in the evening, Winde succeeds.

Caeruleus pluviam denunciat, Igneus Euros.

Any redness in the Air precedes winds; which colour is cau∣sed from the more coagulated or digested viscous moisture, than that which causeth Rain, from which coagulated or digested moisture winds are usually generated; but the cause of the red∣ness above any other colour, is the same as it is in some Glasses and Transparent Stones, which although perfectly white, re∣present Objects (also white) yet red unto our eyes, as well as o∣ther colours: The reasons thereof I leave to the more Learned to discuss.

The same density or coagulation of the Air also represents the Matutine or Vespertine Sun or Moon larger unto our sight than at other times, and usually precedes winde; and the rea∣son why these Orbs appear greater in the morning or evening than at other times is, because there is more of this dense Air

interposed between the object and the sight then, than at any other time.

The most principal Significator of the varieties of weather, the Countryman esteems the Moon to be, not only from its Configurations and Aspects with the Sun and other Planets, which old-fashioned Astrologers and ignorant Philosophers have put into their heads; as that the Change, Full, &c. being in such and such Signes, such weather shall follow; which if true, then should we have the weather every year alike, (the same Aspects falling out very near the same time every year) which every Country-Coridon can contradict.

But also from its Prognosticks of the several changes of wea∣ther from its colour and appearance to our eyes, which are more certain and useful for us to follow: the same Rules concerning the different appearances of the Sun, may also serve for the Moon, being all from the same cause.

If one Circle appear about the Moon, it signifies Rain.

But if more Circles appear, they signifie Windes and Tem∣pests to follow.

Also if the Horns of the Moon appear blunt or short, it signifies a moist Air, and inclinable to Rain.

But that Vulgar Errour of the hanging or tending of the Horns this or that way, to presage any alteration of weather, is wholly to be rejected, every year they tending the same way, at the same time of the year: and also that errour of judging the weather for that Moon, by what it is two or three days after the Change; which only demonstrates the Natural inclination of the Air at that time: the same Rule may be observed at any other time of the Moon.

The different Aspects of the Planets one with the other, and also Eclipses, do undoubtedly either occasion or predict various Mutations and changes in most of our Sublunary Affairs, and more especially in this of the weather: But the ignorance and sor∣didness of men is such, that they only relie upon the Rules and Precepts of the Ancients, and conceive them to be perpetual, when the Aspects of these Planets vary ad infinitum, and so of necessity must the effects. Also, those Authors made those Ob∣servations in such Countries where the seasons and variations of weather more exactly followed the Celestial Configurations, than in these more oblique Climates, where there are other con∣comitant causes intermixed: so that men ought rather to study and observe the different effects in these parts and times from those in other Countries, and also the occasions of such diffe∣rences, rather than to presume too much upon uncertain Rules and Methods; which begets scorn and derision in the Ignorant, who are the only Enemies to Art.

Scientia non habet Inimicum, praeter Ignorantem.

And frustrates the expectations, and discourages the Ingenious:

For undoubtedly Eclipses, Conjunctions, Oppositions, &c. have some influence on this Globe, though we apprehend them not as we might.

These unusual and extraordinary appearances above us, are undoubtedly ingendred or formed of some Vapours and viscous matter congealed or coagulated, and congregated together into a certain Mass or Lump; which being more remote from us than the Clouds, are represented to our sight through the per∣spicuous Body of the Air, to be round. Their motion is always irregular and uncertain; and according to their substance, whe∣ther more or less gross or subtil, so do they appear either clear∣er or dimmer to the eye: they are never so dense or gross, but that the Beams of the Sun penetrate them; which are evidently conspicuous in the clear and dark nights, except the light of ei∣ther Sun or Moon be near it; then the tail (as they usually term it) or Beams of the Sun penetrating it, are lost or much dimi∣nished.

The matter whereof they are compounded or formed is vari∣ous, according to the part or places of the world from whence they were extracted: also their digestion or Coagulation is more in some than in others, which manifestly appears by their diffe∣rent colours and substances, and also from their effects, which only operate in those parts of the World where they resolve themselves again.

They neither flame nor burn, as is fabulously supposed, but move as other Meteors do, from a certain expence of their own substance the one way, which inforceth their motion another.

When they are spent, the matter whereof they are compound∣ed doth tend to this Globe, as all other substances do within the Magnetick or Attractive power thereof: so that on what part or Country of this Globe the matter resides, there may they expect the effects thereof, which are various.

Sometimes great Rains succeed, as it was after the Comet in 584. that it was then believed a second Deluge or Universal Floud to have been prepared for the drowning of the whole World.

Sometimes also great heat and drought, as did the next Sum∣mer after the Comet in 1472 in January; which was of such strength and vehemency, that in some places the fire burst out, &c. Also there followed mortal Maladies, loathsome Sicknesses, most noysom and infectious, &c. (in Germany:) of which nature that Comet seemed to be, that appeared to us in England, in De∣cember 1664. after which succeeded great drought, heat, and want of Rain, and that great and terrible Plague in 1665. and great heat and drought, and Pestilential Diseases in 1666, and 1667. and that never-to-be-forgotten Fire or burning of London.

At si contigerit plures Ardere Cometas, Invalidas segetes torrebit siccior Aer.

More might be said, both as to their Causes, Motions and Ef∣fects; but as it belongs to higher Capacities than our Country-Reader to apprehend, so it requires the able Pens of more Sublime Philosophers to treat of.

There are certain lesser Meteors that never attain to the magni∣tude of Comets, yet seem to be composed of the same matter, and to produce like effects, though in a far less degree: they are visible only in their motion, and seem as though streams of fire issued from them: As the Poet saith;

Saepe etiam stellas, Vento impendente, Videbis Praecipites Coelo labi, noctisque per umbras, Flammarum longos à tergo albescere tractus.

Which are no otherwise fire than the dashing of Salt-water in a dark night, or the moist light of several Marine Creatures, or of shining wood, or of the scraping of Loaf-sugar in the dark.

The light proceeding from these Meteors, is meerly from the expence of their matter by the swiftness of their motion; which matter being dissipated, descends nearer unto this Globe, and af∣terwards becomes the cause from whence Winds, Rain, Mists, or Fogs proceed; according as the matter is more or less in quanti∣ty, or more or less gross or subtil in substance; as is evident from every Countrymans Observation and Experience.

The Ancients relied much on the rising, setting, and appearing of the Fixed Stars: Virgil.

Praeterea tam sunt Arcturi sidera nobis, Haedorumque dies servandi, & Lucidus anguis, &c.

On which days depended their most principal Rules of Agri∣culture; but it was in those parts, or Climates, as we said before, where times and seasons were not subject to so great a variation, as in these.

We therefore need observe no more than their appearances, as they are visible unto us; that is, whether they be clear or dim, or whether they seem to be more or fewer in number than they usually do, &c.

If any of the greater Stars seem to have a Circle about them, or twinkle, or appear greater than usual, or appear dim, or their Rays blunt, or appear fewer in number, you may expect Rain, the Air being inclinable thereunto.

Also if they appear very thick, and more in number than u∣sual, it indicates the Air to be rare and thin, and the more capa∣ble of Rain; and also Prognosticates tempestuous weather to follow.

From the same cause as Comets or Shooting-stars, may also flashes of fire in several forms be produced; which may also pre∣sage or signifie the same things to come.

But they are usually more terrible, and from more strong cau∣ses,

and do usually produce more violent effects; as fierce Tem∣pests, &c.

Quod si diversis se passim partibus ignes Excutiant: Verret pelagus sine fine modoque Turba procellarum.—

If these flashes appear in the form of Lightning, without either Clouds or Thunder, Winds and Rain usually succeeds from that Coast the light is observed; if from several Coasts, great Tem∣pests follow.

If the Air seem to be lighter than at other times, the Sun and Moon being remote, it denoteth Winds and Rain to follow.

Before Great Sicknesses, or Pestilential Diseases, lights in the Air, &c. have been observed.

Also the Clouds themselves, as they vary in form and colour, or motion, do indicate unto us the weather we are to expect.

In a clear evening, certain small black Clouds appearing, are undoubted signs of Rain to follow; or if black, blew, or greenish Clouds appear near the Sun at any time of the day, or Moon by night, Rain usually follows.

In a fair day, if the Sky seem to be dapled with white Clouds, (which they usually term a Mackarel-Sky) it usually predicts Rain.

If great black Clouds come out of the North, and appear whi∣tish when nearer to you, and the season be cold and dry, it signi∣fies Snow or Hail.

If Clouds be very high, and move another way than the winde blows, or than the other Clouds move that are lower, the winde either riseth or turneth.

If they appear like Flocks of Sheep, or of a red colour, winde also follows.

If small watrish Clouds appear on the tops of hills, Rain fol∣lows, as they observe in Cornwal.

When Hengsten is wrapped with a Cloud, a showre follows soon after.

The like they observe of Roseberry-topping in Yorkshire, and many other places in England.

If Clouds move towards the Sun, it denotes Winde and Tem∣pest.

If Clouds rest over the Sun at Sun-rising, and make as it were an Eclipse, it portendeth Windes; if from the South, Windes and Rain.

If in a clear day single Clouds fly apace, Windes are expected from that place whence they come.

If Clouds grow or appear suddenly, the Air otherwise free from Clouds, it signifies Tempests at hand, especially if they appear towards the South or West.

Mists and Fogs are of divers natures; some are the effects of Shooting-stars, and other Meteors; and these are more general:

sometimes they are very gross and stinking; they are then to be avoided as much as you can: their significations, as to the change of Air, are various; if they vanish or fall without a Winde, fair weather usually succeeds.

The white Mists that usually ascend in a morning from the low grounds in a clear Air, if they vanish, or settle again in the Valleys, fair weather succeeds: but if they take to the Hills, or Mount aloft, it demonstrates the watry inclination of the Air; therefore expect Rain.

In the more Southerly Regions, the Windes are much more certain than in these, and the effects of them also more certain: For notwithstanding the Rules and Observations of our English Philosophers, as to the strict place of the Winde, expecting thence a certain effect, you will finde such Fancies to deceive you: For although the Winde being exactly in the South South-East Point, it Rains to day, yet another day the Winde may be in the same place, and it be fair weather. Also that Winde that brings Rain to the one part of this Island, may not to another: for I observe the Propinquity of the Sea is to be considered, e∣very place lying nearer to some one part of the Sea than ano∣ther; and on which Coast the Sea is nearest, that Winde more frequently brings Rain to that place, than to another where the Sea is more remote: Therefore I desire all such that expect any success to their Observations, that they quadrate the Rules to the places where they live, and not trust to the Observations of other places.

Windes also are of different qualities, according to the several places they either proceed from, or pass over; as the East-winde is counted propitious neither to Man nor Beast, which I judge partly to be from the Fens or moist Countries; as Holland, the Fens in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, &c. from whence Windes usually proceed, and must of necessity prove unwhole∣some both to Man and Beast, except to those that inhabit on the Western Coast; for the Winde hath sufficiently purged it self by passing over so much Land, as to leave its noxious quality be∣hinde it.

Also the Northern Windes are more serene with us than the o∣ther: one cause, I suppose, is from the quantity of Land in Scot∣land and England it comes over unto us, as is observed in other Countries, that from the Continent the coldest and most serene Windes proceed.

If the Winde turn to the South from any other Coast, or re∣move from the South having been long there, it usually brings alteration of weather.

Windes do produce several and various alterations and effects in the Air, in the Water, and in the Bodies of Men and Beasts; as the South and West-windes are usually more hot and moist, and not so clear as the other; the North and East are more clear, dry and cold.

When the South-winde blows, the Sea is blew and clear; but

when the North-winde, it is then black and obscure.

The Eastern-windes usually make our fresh waters much clear∣er than the West.

The North-winde is best for sowing of Seed, the South for Grafting or Inoculations.

The South-winde is the worst for the bodies of men; it de∣jecteth the appetite, it bringeth Pestilential Diseases, increaseth Rheums; men are more dull and slow then, than at other times: Beasts also are not to be exempted from these influences.

The North-winde makes men more chearful, and begets a bet∣ter appetite to meat; yet is injurious to the Cough, Ptisick, and Gout, and any acute Flux.

The Eastern-winde is drier, more biting, and deadly.

The West-winde is moist, milde and calm, and friendly to all Vegetables. The East-winde blowing much in the Spring, inju∣reth Fruits by breeding Worms.

All Windes blowing much cleanse the Air; still and quiet Summers being the most unwholesome, and subject to Pestilen∣tial and Epidemical Diseases.

If in great Rains the Windes rise or fall, it signifies that the Rain will forthwith cease.

If the Winde vary much in few hours, and then be constant to one place, it signifies the Winde to continue long in that place.

If at the beginning of the Winter the South-winde blow, and then the North, it is like to be a cold Winter; but if the North-winde first blow, and then the South, it will be a warm and milde Winter.

The blowing of the Windes from several Coasts (other conco∣mitant causes concurring) are the truest Presignificators of Thun∣der.

The blowing of the Windes aloft, with a murmuring or hollow noise more than below, commonly presageth Rain.

The blowing or compression of the Windes downwards cau∣sing smoak to descend, &c. more than usual, signifies Rain to follow.

If the Windes blow directly downward, and cause a motion on the water several ways, or force the dust to arise with the Winde, which is repercussed by the Earth; if they also inforce the Hay, Corn, or other things in the Fields, up aloft into the Air, which denote unto us the crassitude of the Vapours in the Air, which by the heat of the Sun do emit such casual blasts; for they rarely happen but in the Summer, and the day-time, (yet sometimes when no Cloud is near) they signifie Winde, and sometimes Rain to succeed, other causes concurring, or other∣wise extream heat.

But if these Whirl-windes are very great, they presage Tem∣pests to be very nigh; as Virgil.

Omnia Ventorum concurrere praelia vidi; Quae gravidam late segetem ab radicibus imis

Sublime expulsam eruerunt;— —Immensum Coelo venit agmen aquarum, &c.

This watry Meteor, and the greatest Miracle in Nature, (besides its Divine signification) being produced of natural causes, hath also its natural effects. In some Countries more Southward, it's an ordinary Presage of great Tempests at hand; but here vari∣ous weather succeeds, according to it's various appearances and colours.

It is the lowest of Meteors (saith Bacon) and when it appears in parts, and not whole or conjoyned, it produceth Windes and Rain.

If it appear double or triple, it usually presageth Rain.

If the colours thereof tend more to red than any other co∣lour, Winde follows; if green or blew predominate, then Rain.

The Audibility of Sounds are certain Prognosticks of the temper of the Air in a still Evening: For if the Air be repleat with moisture over us, it depresseth Sounds, that they become Audible at a far greater distance than when the Air is free from such moisture or vapours; as you may observe in Building, the lower and more ponderous the Roof or Floor next you is, the farther and plainer may you hear any thing therein; which is the true cause of the quick hearing, at the whispering-place in Glou∣cester-Catherdral; which is not only from the closeness of the passage, as is generally conceived, but from the weight and Mas∣siness of the building over it. The like I have observed in Rooms covered with Lead, Stone, &c. and in places under large Ci∣sterns of water.

From whence you may conclude, that in such nights or other times that you hear sounds of Bells, noises of Water, Beasts, Birds, or any other sounds or noises more plainly than at other times, the Air is inclinable to Rain, which commonly suc∣ceeds.

The same may be said of Ecchoes, as of other noises and sounds.

When it Thunders more than it Lightens, it signifies great Windes; but if it Lighten oftner than it Thunders, it signifies great and hasty showres.

Morning-Thunders signifie Winde, Noon-Thunders Rain, roaring or distant Thunders signifie Winde; but cracking or a∣cute Thunders, Windes and Rain.

According to the Opinion and Rules of others, and our own Observations, we have given you the best and most probable in∣dications of the future changes of the Winde, Weather, &c. from the several and usual appearances above, either certain or uncertain, or accidental. Now it remains that we say somewhat in relation to the temper or qualification of the Air it self, de∣ducted from its own being more rare or expanded, or more dense or contracted.

We shall not take any further notice of the nature of the Air in this place, than it serves to our present intention, which is only to demonstrate unto you, that the Air is an absolute Bo∣dy fluid and transparent, and in several particulars like unto the water, both being penetrable alike by their several Inhabi∣tants; the Fish with an equal facility piercing the waters, as Fowls do the Air: they are both Nutriments to their several A∣nimals residing in them; they both obstruct the Visual Faculty alike, as they are more or less dense; they are both subject to Expansion or Contraction, but the Air more; they are both sub∣ject to Undulation, as they are fluid.

The Air is also capable to support great burdens, as the vast quantities of water that flow over our heads in stormy or rainy weather, which, according to the rarity and density of the Air, do gradatim diffuse themselves upon the Earth; as is most evi∣dent in the more hot and Southerly Countries, where the Air is more hot and thin, there Rain falls with that violence, as though it were water poured forth; when in the more Northerly, where the Air is more dense or gross, it distils in minute drops, as it were cribrated through the thick Air. We also may discern a ma∣nifest difference; for in the warmer seasons of the year, the Air being then most thin, the Rain falls in greatest drops; and in the colder seasons, when the Air is more dense, the Rain distils in smaller.

So that when the waters are above us, or that Clouds or Floods of water are in being in the Air, we have only to judge whether they incline towards us, or that they are for some other place.

This rarity or density of the Air cannot be judged by the sight; for it is usual when the Air it self is most rare, then is it most repleat with vapours, &c. as water, the more it is heated, the less transparent it becomes.

Neither can it be judged by its weight, as many do imagine and affirm from Fallacious Experiments; for the Air is not pon∣derous in its own proper place, no otherwise than water is in the Sea in its proper place; although it be asserted by High-flown Philosophers, and Learned Pens, with whom it is besides our Pri∣mary intentions to contend in this place, it being enough here to discover to our Country-Reader these mysterious Intricacies of Nature (as they would have them esteemed) by familiar Exam∣ples and Demonstrations.

For the true discovery of the nature and temper of the Air as to its density or rarity, we have not met with a more certain or compleat Invention than the Weather-glass; the various and intricate Descriptions whereof we will not insist upon, but take our Observations from the most plain and ordinary single Per∣pendicular-Glass, being only as follows.

[illustration] weather glass

Procure at the Glass-house, or elsewhere, a Glo∣bular-glass, with a Tube or Pipe thereto proporti∣onable, whereof there are many sizes; but be sure let not the Head be too big, nor the Pipe too long, lest there be not rise enough in the Winter, or fall enough in the Summer. You must also have a small Glass or Vessel at the bottom, that may contain wa∣ter enough to fill the Tube, or more.

Then having fixed them in some Frame made for that purpose, heat the Globe of the Glass with a warm Cloth, to rarifie the Air within it; and then put the end of the Tube into the lower Ves∣sel, and it will attract the water more or less, as you warmed the Head.

You may also add numbers on the Glass, to shew you the degrees.

The water you may make blew with Roman-Vitriol boiled, or red with Rose-leaves dry, and imbibed in fair water, where∣in a little Oyl of Vitriol, or Spirit of Salt is dropt. With this water fill the under-Vessel; which being rightly placed on the North-side of your house, where the Sun rarely or never shineth against it, and in a Room where you seldom make fire, lest the sudden access of heat, or accidental alteration of the Air, might impede your Observations.

The Air included within the Globe or Ball of this Glass, doth admit of Dilatation and Contraction equally with the Ambient Air, that whensoever the Ambient Air is dilated or expanded, either through the heat of the season, or before the fall of Rain, &c. the Air in the Glass is the same; and as by its Expansion it requires more room, so doth it let the water in the Tube descend gradually; and as it is more dense or contracted, either through the coldness of the season, or the serenity or inclinability to drought of the Ambient Air, so also doth the Air within the Glass contract it self into a less compass, and sucketh up the wa∣ter in the Tube gradually, as it condenseth or contracteth: whence you may at any time exactly know the very degree of Rarity or Density of the Air Ambient, by that which is inclu∣ded in the Glass, and thereby inform your self what weather is most likely to succeed at any time.

Be sure to Quadrate or Contemporize your Observations or Numbers of Degrees with the season of the year; for that De∣gree of Rarity that signifies Rain in the Winter, may be such a Degree of Density that may signifie fair weather in the Sum∣mer.

The differences betwixt the highest rise and lowest fall in one day in the Summer, is much more than in the Winter; for you shall have a cold night, and very serene Air, which contracteth the Air in the Glass into a little Room; after which usually succeeds a very hot day, which dilateth it very much; when in the Winter no such great difference happens in one day.

Yet in the Winter, in several days, will the difference be as great as in several Summer-days.

Although the Air appear serene and cold to your Senses, yet trust not to that, if the Glass signifie otherwise.

We shall not give you any sure Rule by which you may judge of the weather, but leave it to your own observations; that is, draw on a paper a certain number of lines, as many as you think fit, as Musitians draw lines to prick their Tunes on; at the end whereof, as they place their Key, so number your lines according to those numbers that are next unto the top of the water in the Tube of the Glass, whether seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, &c. Over this Scale mark the day of the Month, and point of the winde: in the Scale make a dot or prick at what line or number the water in the Glass is at, and by it the hour of the day, and under it the inclination of the weather: At night draw a line downright like the Musitians full time or note; the next day mark as before, until you know and understand the nature of your Glass, and the place it stands in, and the season of the year: so that then you shall be able at any time to give a proba∣ble conjecture of whatsoever is to be known or signified by that Instrument, which otherwise you shall hardly do.

This new-invented Instrument, which is termed the Baroscope, by which the Authors thereof pretend to discover the temper and inclination of the Air from its weight, (in brief) is thus de∣scribed: Seal a Glass-tube Hermettically at the one end, fill it almost with Quick silver, and invert it, resting the open end in a Vessel of Quicksilver; then the Quicksilver in the Tube, by its weight, presseth downwards into the Vessel, and so distendeth or streineth the Air (which is but little) remaining in the Glass, that the summity of the Tube is for a small space void of Quick∣silver, so far as that small portion or remainder of Air is capable of distention; which is much more by Quicksilver, the most ponderous of Fluid Bodies, than by water in the Weather-glass. But they pretend that this Column of Quicksilver in the Tube, is supported by the weight of the Air Ambient, pressing on the stagnant Quicksilver in the Vessel; and that as the Air becomes more or less ponderous, so doth the Quicksilver in the Tube rise or fall more or less accordingly: which if it were true, then in case the stagnant Quicksilver were broader in a broader Vessel, would the greater quantity of Air press harder upon it, and the Quicksilver in the Tube rise higher; but it doth not. Also if the Quicksilver in the Tube were supported by the pressure or weight of the Air on the stagnant Quicksilver in the Vessel, then would not the Quicksilver descend by the making of some small hole on the top of the Tube, which we evidently per∣ceive to do.

Also when the Air is most rare, and by consequence less ponderous, (if any weight thereof should be supposed) then will the Column of Quicksilver in the Tube be higher; and when the Air is more dense or burdened with moisture, then

will it be lower: The contrary whereof would happen, if their Hypothesis were true.

But most evident it is, that as the Ambient Air becomes more or less rare or dense, so doth the Air in the Tube contract or dilate it self; which is the sole cause of the rise or fall of the Quicksilver.

Much more might be said herein, and also of the Weather-glass or Thermoscope; but I hope this may suffice to induct inquisitive, and not exact or perfect Artists: The full discourse and discove∣ry of the various effects, observations and conclusions of these Instruments, requiring rather a Tract peculiar and proper for them only.

There is also another Instrument that may be made more ex∣act for any of the aforesaid observations or intentions, and fit for further discoveries; but my occasions will not at present give me leave to perfect it.

Notes

• Of the motions, colours, and appearances of the seven Pla∣nets.
• Of the Sun.
• Virgil.
• Virgil.
• Virgil.
• Of the Moon.
• Of the other Erraticks or Planets.
• Of Comets, or Blazing-stars.
• Avien.
• Of the Shoot∣ing of Stars.
• Of the Fixed Stars.
• Of Fire, or o∣ther casual ap∣pearances.
• Avien.
• Of the Clouds.
• Of Mists and Fogs.
• Of Windes.
• Bacon de∣ventis.
• Of Whirl-windes.
• Of the Rain∣bow.
• Of noise and stilness in the Air.
• Of Ecchoes.
• Of Thunder and Lightning.
• Of the rarity and density of the Air.
• Of Thermometry or the Weather-glass.
• Of the Baro∣scope.