Meteors, Book 4

Meteors · Book 4

p. 100The Fourth Book.

Of Watery Impressions.

THose be Watery Impressions that consist most of Water.

In the Treaty of them are wont to be handled these Impression; namely, Clouds, Rain, Dew, hoar Frost, Hail, Snow, Springs, and the great Sea it self.

p. 101Of Clouds.

A Cloud is a Vapor cold and moist, drawn out of the Earth and Waters by the heat of the Sun into the middle region of the Air;Clouds. where by cold it is so knit together, that it hangeth untill either the weight or some resolution causeth it to fall down.

The place wherein the Clouds do hang, is said to be in the middle region of the Air, because men see it is necessary that there should be a cold which should make those Vapors so gross and thick, which for the most part are drawn so thin from the Earth, that they are invisible as the Air is.

And although they are known often times, as Aristotle witnesseth,Astristor. to be in the lowest region of the Air, neer to the Earth, insomuch that sometimes they fall down to the Earth with great noise, to the great fear of men, and no less loss and danger: yet may it be reasonably thought that these Clouds were generated in the middle region of p. 102the Air far distant from the Earth, which by their heaviness do by little and little sink down lower into the lowest region, and sometimes also fall down to the Earth.

The Common Opinion is,The height of the Clouds. that they goe not higher then nine mile; which because it leaneth to no reason, is uncertain.

Albertus Magnus whose reason also is to be doubted of,Albertus Magnus. affirmeth that the Clouds do scarce exceed Three miles in height when they are highest.

And some let not to say that oftentimes they ascend not past the half of One mile in height.

Again, Others pretending to finde out the truth by Geometrical Demonstrations, make it aboue Fifty mile to the place where the generation of Clouds is.

How these men take the distance from the Earth, it is uncertain: whether that they assigne the least distance and meane it from the highest parts of the Earth as are hill tops, or from the common playn.

Again, whether they that assign the p. 103highest distance to be from the lowest valleys of the Earth, or from the hill tops.

The Reason before shewed, moveth me to think that the most usual and common generation, I mean the condensation or making thick of these thin Vapors into Clouds, is in the middle region of the Air: but for the distance of the Clouds when they be generated, I think they be sometime Nine mile, sometime Three mile, sometime Half a mile, and sometime less then a Quarter of a mile from the Earth.

Of Mists.

THere be Two kindes of Mists;Mists. the one ascending, the other descending.

That which ascendeth, goeth up cut of the Water or the Earth as Smoak, but doth not commonly spread over all other parts: it is seen in Rivers and moist places.

The other Mist that goeth down toward the Earth, is when any Vapor is p. 104lifted up into the Air, by the heat of the Sun, which being not strong enough to draw it so high that the Cold may knit it, suffereth it after it is a little made thick, to fall down again, so it filleth all the Air with the gross Vapors, and is called Mists, being usually a Sign of fair Weather.

Of empty Clouds.

THere be certain Cloudes that are empty,Empty oleuds. and send no Rain; they come of two sorts.

One sort are the Remnants of a Cloud that hath rained, which cannot be converted into water for their dryness.

Another sort is of them that are drawn up out of wett and dry places, and be rather Exhalations then Vapors; that is, they be dry, hot and light, so that it were hard for them to be turned into Rain: they look white like flocks of wooll, when the light striketh into them.

There be also empty Clouds, which when the Winds have dispersed abroad p. 105any Cloud, are scattered over all the sky: but these Clouds though for a time they be empty, yet because they consist of such a substance as is watry, they may be, and are oftentimes gathered together, and give plentifull Rain.

Of the Colours of Clouds we have spoken in the Second Book of Fiery Meteors,Of the colours of Clouds. where those Colours and the causes of them are described, which seem to be Fiery, or may be thought to be Inflammations or burnings, as to be Red, Fiery and Yellowish.

But besides those there be White, Black, Blew and Green.

White clouds be thin, and not very Watry: so that the light received in them, maketh them to appear White.

Black clouds be full of thick, gross and earthly matter that makes them look so dark.

Blew clouds be full of thick drose and earthly, as the Black: so the light received in them, maketh them to seem Blew.

Green clouds are altogether watry, resolved into water, which receiving p. 106into them the night, appear Green as Water doth in a great vessel, or in the Sea and Rivers.

Of Rayne.

AFter the generation of clouds is well knowne,Raine. it shall not be hard to learne from whence the Rayne commeth.

For after the matter of the cloud being drawne up, and by cold made thick (as is said before) heat following, which is most commonly of the Southerne wind, or any other wind of hot temper, doth resolve it againe into Water, and so it falleth in drops, to give increase of fruit to the Earth, and move men to give thankes to God.

There be small showers of small drops, aud there be great stormes of great drops.

The showres with small drops, proceed either of the small heat that resolveth the clouds: or else of the great distance of the clouds from the Earth.

The streames with great drops contrariwise p. 107doe come of great heat, resolving or melting the cloud, or else of small distance from the Earth. Whereof we see a plaine experiment, when Water is powred forth from an high place the drops are smal, but if it be not from high, it will either have no droppes, or very great.

The caus why raine falleth in round drops, is both for that the parts desire the same forme that the whole hath, which is round, and also that so it is best preserved against all contrary qualities: like as we see Water powred upon dry or greasy things to gather it selfe into roundels, to avoid the contrariety of heat and drynesse.

It is not to be omitted,Why rain water is not salt. that raine Water, although a great part of it be drawne out of the Sea, yet most commonly it is sweet not salt.

The caus is, becaus it is drawn up in such small Vapors, and that salt part is consumed by the heat of the Sunne.

The raine water doutlesse doth more encrease and cherish things growing on the Earth, then any other Water wherewith they may be Watered, becaus the p. 108raine Water retaineth much of the Sunnes heat in it that is no small comfort to all growing plants. The Water that commeth from Heaven, in raine, will sooner come to putrifaction, or stinking, then any other, becaus it hath been made very subtill by heat and also for that it is mixed with so many Earthly and corruptible substances.

Rain water,Avicen. that falleth in the summer, by Avicens judgement, is more wholesome then other Water, becaus it is not so cold and moyst as other Waters be, but hotter and lighter.

Sometime there is salt rayne,Salt raine. when some Exhalation which is hot and dry, is commixed with the Vapor whereof the rayne consisteth.

Somtime it is bitter,Bitter raine. when some burnt Earthly moysture is mixed with it.

This rayne is both unwholesome, and also unfruitfull. In these countreys, there is great store and plenty of rayne, becaus the Sunne is of such temperate heate, that it gathereth many Vapors, and by immoderate heat doth not consume p. 109them. But in the East parts, in some ho… Countrys, it never or seldom is seen to rayne, as in Egypt and Syria, but in stead of rayne, Egypt hath the River Nilus, The River Nilus.whose overflowings doe marvilously fatten the Earth. In Syria and other like Countries they have more plentifull dew then we have, which doth likewise make their Earth exceeding fruitful.

Seneca testifieth that the Rain soaketh no deeper into the Earth then ten Foot deep.Seneca.

Of the Signes of Rain.

FIrst,Signes of Raine. If the Skie be red in the morning, it is a token of Rain, because those Vapors which cause the Redness, will be shortly resolved into Rain.

If a darke cloud be at the Sun rising, in which the Sunne soon after is hid, it will dessolve it, and rayne will follow. If then appeare a cloud, and after, Vapors are seen to ascend up to it, that betokeneth rayne.

If the Sunne or Moone looke pale, looke for rayne.

p. 110If the Sunne in the East seem greater then commonly he appeareth, it is a signe of many Vapours which will bring rayne.

If the Sunne be seen very earely, or few Stars appeare in the night, it betokeneth rayne.

The often changing of the Winds, also sheweth tempest.

The most sure and certaine signe of raine is the Southerne wind, which with his warmenesse alwayes resolveth the clouds into raine.

When there is no dew at such times as by nature of the time there should be, raine followeth: for the matter of the dew is turned into the matter of watry Clouds.

If in the West, about the Sunne setting there appeare a black cloud, it will rayn that night, becaus that cloud shall want heat to disperse it.

When much dust is raised up, and when the woods make a great noyse, some tempest is towards.

Hard stones will be moyst, and sweate against rayne: lamps and candles by sparkling, frogs crying, Trees p. 111breaking, leaves falling, and dust clottering, forewarne us of tempest.

Fleas, flyes and gnats, bite sore toward a tempest, Kin… feed greedily, birds seeke their victuals more busily: for in the grosse Ayre disposed to rayn, their stomacks are hotter, and they more hungry. But these kind of signes pertaine not so properly to Meteorologie, as to Mariners and Husbandry, which have a great many more then these. And Virgil in the first booke of Georgikes, hath a great number for them that list to learn. Wherefore let these hitherto suffice.

Of monstrous or prodigious rayne.

HItherto we have made mention onelyonly of naturall rayne,Of Monstrous Raine. and that which is common, which no man doth marvell at. But there is some time such rayne, that worthily may be wondred at: as when it raineth wormes, frogges, fishes, blood, milke, flesh, stones wheat, iron, wooll, bricke, and quicksilver. For historic maketh mention, that at divers times, it hath rayned such things p. 112whose naturall caus, for the most part, we will goe about to expresse, notwithstanding, accounting them among such wonders, as God sendeth to be considered for such ends, as we have before declared,Worms & Frogs. Wormes and Frogges may thus be generated: The fat Exhalations are drawn up into the Ayr, by a temperature of hot and moyst, such vermine may be generated in the Air, as they are one the Earth, without copulation of male and female. Or else that with the Exhalations and Vapors, their Seed and Egges are drawn up, which being in the clouds brought to form, fall down among the rain.

Likewise the spawn of fishes,Fishes. being drawn up, maketh fishes to rain out of the clouds.Milke. The vehement heat of the Sunne in Summer, and specially in hot Countries, draweth milke out of the Paps of Beasts and Cattel, which being carryed up in Vapors, and dissolved againe into milke, falleth downe like rain.

After the same manner,Blood. the Sun also from places where blood hath been spilt draweth up great quantity of blood, and so it raineth blood.

p. 113It raineth flesh,Flesh. when great quantity of blood being drawn up, it is clotted together, and seemeth to be flesh.

Avicen saith, That a whole Calfe fell out of the Air;Avicen. and some would make it seem credible, that of Vapors and Exhalations, with the power of heavenly bodies concurring, a Calfe might be made in the Clouds. But I had rather thinke, that this Calfe was taken up in some storme of Whirlwinde, and so let fall again, then agree to so monstrous a generation.

It is a great deale more reasonable,Stones. that stones of earthly matter gathered in clouds, should be generated as we said before of the Tunder-bolt. Yet some men think, that wind in Caves of the Earth breaking upward violently, carryeth before it, earth and stones into the aire, which cannot long abide, but fall down, and are counted among prodigious raine. Exhalations that be earthly and drawn out of clay,Brick. have much grosse substance in them, which gathered together, and by great heat burned in the clouds, make brick, which is no great marvell.

p. 114He that hath seen an Eggs-shel full of dew drawn up by the Sun into the Air,Wheat. in a May morning, will not think it incredible, that Wheat and other Graine should be drawne up in much hotter Countries then ours is, much rather the Meale or Flower which is lighter.

A certaine mostinesse, like Wooll,Wooll. as is upon Quinces, Willowes, and other young Fruits and Trees, is drawne up of the Sunne among the Vapors and Exhalations, which being clottered together, falleth downe like locks of Wooll.

Quicksilver,Quicksilver. all men know with small heat, will be resolved into most thin Vapors, whereof when quantity is drawne up, it falleth downe againe: As it is read, that once at Rome it rained Quicksilver, wherewith the Brazen Money being rubbed it looked like silver.

Titus Livius maketh mention that it rained chalk,Chalke. T. Livius. whereof the cause cannot be hid to them that read how stone and brick come in the Air.

p. 115Iron hath also rained out of the clouds,Iron. and sundry times, as Histories witness, whereof this hath been the cause. The general matter of all mettals which is quicksilver and brimstone, with the special matter of mixtion that maketh Iron, were all drawu together and there concocted into the mettal: so came the strange Rain of Iron.

Avicen saith he saw a piece of Iron that fell out of the clouds,Avicen. that weighed about an hundred pound weight, whereof very good swords were afterwards made.

Of Dew.

DEw is that Vapour which in Spring and Autumn is drawn up by the Sun in the daytime,Dew. which because it is not carried into the middle region of the Air, abiding in the lower region, by cold of the night is condensed into water, and falleth down in very smal drops.

There is common Dew, and sweet Dew.

One kinde of sweet Dew is called p. 116Manna being white like Sugar,Manna. which is made of thick and clammy Vapors, which maketh it so to fall thick and white. It falleth only in the East parts.

As for that Manna which God rained to the Israelites, it was altogether miraculous.

In Arabia (as Plinius writeth) is a very precious kinde of Dew that is called Ladanum, Plinius. Arabia.which falling upon the herb Cusus, Ladanum. Cusus.and mixed with the juice of that herb which Goats do eate, is gathered off Goats hairs and kept for a treasure.

There is another kinde of sweet Dew that falieth in England, called the Meldews, which is as sweet as honey being of such substance as honey is: it is drawn out of sweet herbs and flowers.

There is also a bitter kinde of Dew that falleth upon herbs,Bitter dew. and lieth on them like branne or meal; namely because it is of an Earthly Exhalation, and so remaineth when the moisture is drawn away: This Dew killeth herbs.

p. 117The common Dew drunk of Cattle doth rott them, because the matter is full of viscosity, bringing them to a fluxion.

There be Three things that hinder Dew from falling; that is, great heat, great cold, and wind; for Dew falleth in the most temperate calme time.

Of Hoare-Frost.

HOare frost,Hoare frost. or white frost, is nothing else but dew congealed by overmuch cold. The South and East wind do cause dew, but the North and Northern winds do freeze the Vapors, and so it becommeth hoar frost; which if that excessive cold had not beene, should have turned into dew.

The dew and the hoare frost agree in three things, namely, in matter, in quality of time, and place of the generation. In matter they agree; for they are both generated of a subtill and thin Vapor, and also small in quantity.

In quality of time they consent, for both are made in a quiet and calm time: p. 118for if there were great wind, it would drive away the matter, and so could there be no generation.

Thirdly, they are both generated in the lowest Region of the Air; for (as Aristotle affirmeth)Aristot. upon the high hills there is neither dew nor hoar frost.

They differ also in three things. For the hoare frost is congealed before it be turned into water; so is not the dew.

Secondly, The dew is generated in temperate weather, the white frost in cold weather.

Last of all, hot Winds, as the South and East, do cause dew; but cold winds as the North and West, do cause hoare frost,

Hoare frost doth often stinke, because of the stinking matter whereof it consisteth, which is drawn out of lakes and other muddy and stinking places.

Of Hayle.

HAyle is a hote Vapor in the middle Region of the Air,Hayle. by the cold of that Region made thick into a cloud, which falling down to the sudden cold p. 119of the lowest Region, is congealed into Ice.

There be so many kinds of Haile, as there be of raine: The fashion of haile is sometime round, which is a token that it was generated in the middle region of the Air, or very near it; for falling from high, the corners are worn away.

When the Haile stones are square, or three-cornered, the haile was generated neere the earth.

Oftentimes there is heard a great sound in the Cloud as it were of Thunder before haile, or of an Army fighting, &c. The cause is, That Vapors of contrary qualities, being inclosed in the Cloud, do strive to break out, and make a noyse, even as cold water doth, being put into a seething pot.

In Spring and Harvest-time is often haile, seldome in Summer and Winter. In winter there want hot Vapors, in Summer the lowest region is too hot to congeale the raine falling down. In Spring and Autumne, there want neither hot Vapors to resist the cold, nor sufficient cold to harden the drops of that hot shower of raine.

p. 120The haile stones are sometimes greater, and sometimes lesser; greater, with greater cold; and lesser, with lesser cold.

There is seldom haile in the night, for want of hot vapors to be drawn up.

Sometime haile and rain fall together, when the latter end of the cloud, for want of cold in the lowest region, is not congealed.

Haile-stones are not so cleare as Ice, because they are made of grosse and earthy vapours, Ice is congealed of clear water.

Haile is sooner resolved into water, then Snow, because it is of a more sudden and swift generation.

Of Snow.

SNow is a cold congealed by great cold,Snow. before it be perfectly resolved from vapours into water.

Snow is white, not of the proper colour, but by receiving the light into it, and so many small parts; as in fome, or the white of an egge beaten.

Snow is often upon high hills, & lyeth long there, because their tops are p. 121cold, as they be neer to the middle Region of the Air; for oftentimes it raineth in the valley, when it showeth on the Hills.

Snow melting on the high Hills, and after frozen again, becommeth … hard, that it is a stone,Original… of Christall. and is called Christall.

Other matter of Snow, because they are common with Rain, are needlesse to be spoken of. To be short, feet is generated even as Snow, but of lesse cold, or else beginneth to melt in the falling.

Snow causeth things growing to be fruitfull, and encrease, because the cold driveth heat unto the roots, and so cherisheth the plants.

Of Springs and Rivers.

THe generation of Springs is in the bowels of the Earth, and therefore something must be said of the body of the earth. The earth, though it be solid and massie, yet hath it many hollow gutters and veines, in which is alwaies aire to avoid emptinesse: for the ignorant in Phylosophie must be admonished, p. 122that all things are full, nothing is empty;Nothing is empty. for nature abhorreth emptinesse; so that where nothing else is, there is Air and Vapors, which by cold, as it hath often been said, will be resolved into drops, as we see experience in marble Pillars and such like hard stones toward raine.

This Air and Vapors therefore being turned into drops of water, these drops sweat out of the earth, and find some issue at the length, where many being gathered together, make great abundance of water, which is called a Fountaine or Spring. The cause why such Springs do run continually, is, because that Air can never want in those veines, which by cold will alwaies be turned into water, so that as fast as the water runneth forth, so fast is aire againe received into the place, whereby it commeth to passe, that so many Springs are perpetuall, and never dryed: but if any be dryed up, it is in a hot Summer, and such Springs also they be, whose generation is not deep in the earth, and therefore the Vapors may be made dry, and the earth warm, so the Spring may fail.

p. 123There be foure kinds of springs; fountaines, brookes, Rivers and lakes.

Of Fouutaines.

FOuntaines be small springs,Fountaines. which serve for wels and conduits, when there is but one place where the Water is generated; and that is not very abundant, either because it is of small compasse, or small veines, and not many.

Of Brookes.

BRookes, boornes or fordes,Brookes. be small streames of Water, that run in a channell like a river. They are caused when either the spring occupieth a great compasse, or else two or three small springs meet together in one channell.

Of Rivers.

RIvers are caused by the meeting together,Rivers. not only of many springs but also of many brookes and fords, p. 124which being received in divers places as they passe, are at the length caried into the broad Sea for the most part. Howbeit some Rivers as swallowed up into the Earth, which perchance run into the Sea, by some secret and unknowne channels: some Rivers there be, that hide their heads under the Earth, and in another place, far off, breake out againe. They Write also, that some Rivers being swallowed up of the Earth, in one Island do run under the bottome of the Earth and Sea, and breake forth in another Island. There be also many great Rivers, that run under the Earth in great Caves, which never breake forth.Astristot. Aristotle sheweth of ponds and lakes, that be under the Earth.Seneca. And Seneca speaketh of a pond that was found by such as digged in the Earth, with fishes in it, and they that did eat of them, dyed. As Eeles that be found in darke places, as Wells that have beene dammed up, &c. are poyson,

p. 125Of Lakes.

LAkes are made by the meeting together of many Rivers,Lakes. Brooks and Springs into one deep valley: whereof some are so great, that they have the name of the Seas, as the Lake called Hircane, or Caspian Sea. These Lakes sometimes unlade themselves into the Sea by small Rivers, sometimes by passages under the Earth.

The cause of the swiftnesse of Rivers, is double; for they are swift, either for the great abundance of waters, or else because they … down from an hilly place, as the River Rhene falleth down from the top of wonderful high hills.

Of hot Bathes.

SOme waters that are generated and flow out of veines of Brimstone,Hot Baths. are sensibly warm, and some very hot, because they run out of hot places. These waters being also drying by nature, are wholesome for many infirmities specially breaking forth of scabs, &c. Such p. 126are the Baths in the West Country, and S. Anne of Buck-stones well in the North part of England, and many other elsewhere.

Of the divers tastes that are perceived in Wells.

FOr a generall reason,Tastes of waters. the waters receive their taste of that kinde of earth thorow which they run as thorow a strayner. Some salt, that run thorow salt veines of the earth: some sweet, that be well strained, or run thorow such mineralls as be of sweet taste: some bitter, that flow out of such earth as is bitter by adustion or otherwise.

Some sowre or sharpe, like vineger, which run thorow veines of Allome, coperas,Aristotle. Well water used for Vineger. or such minerals. Aristotle writeh of a Well in Sicilia, whose water the Inhabitants used for Vineger.

In Bohemia Bohemia.neare to the City called Bilen, is a Well that the people used to drink of in the morning, in stead of bunrt wine.

And in divers places of Germany, be Springs that taste of such sharpeness.

p. 127Some have the taste of Wine; as in Paphlagonia is a Well that maketh men drunk which drink thereof;Paphlagonia. which is, because that water receiveth the …osity of Brimstone and other Minerals thorow which it runneth, and so filleth the brain as wine doth.

A recitall of such Rivers and Springs as have marvellous effects, whereof no naturall cause can be assigned by most men, although some reason in a few may be found.

CLitumnus, Marvelous waters.which maketh Oxen that drink of it white,Clitumnus Propert. is a River or Spring in Italy, Propert, lib. 3. This may be the quality of the water, very flegmatick.Boetia. In Boetia is a River called Melas, Melas.that maketh sheep black if they drink thereof.

Seneca speaketh of a River that maketh red hairs:Seneca. These two with the first may have some reason, that the quality of the reason may alter complexion, and so the colour of hairs may be changed, as we see in certain diseases.

In Lybia Libiais a Spring, that at the Sun p. 128rising and setting is warme, at mid-day cold, and at mid-night very hot. This may be, by the same reason that welwater is colder in Summer then it is in Winter. Seneca writeth,Seneca. that there be Rivers whose waters are poyson: this may be naturally the water running thorow poysonous Mineralls, taking much fume of them. Other Wells that make wood and all things else that can be cast into them, stones, such wells be in England, the cause is great cold.

Another Well maketh men mad that drinke thereof. This also may have as good reason, as that which maketh men drinke: As also that Well which maketh men forgetfull by obstruction of the brain.

The same Seneca speaketh of a Water, that being drunke, provoketh unto lust and lechery. And why may not that quality be in a Water which is mixed with divers Mineralls and kinds of earth, which is in herbs, roots, fruits and liquors?

S. Augustine speaketh of a Well in Egypt,S. August. in which burning Torches are quenched, and being before quenched, are lighted.

p. 129Among the Garamants is a Well so cold in the day,Garamants that no man can abide to drink of it: in the night so hot, that none can abide to feel it.

It is incredible that is written of a Well in Sicilia, Sicilia.whereof if Thieves did drink, they were made blind.

In Idumea was a Well that one quarter of a year was troubled and muddy,Idumea. the next quarter bloody, the third green and the fourth cleer.

Seneca writeth of another Well that was six hours full and running over,Seneca. and six hours decreasing and empty: perchance because it ebbed and flowed with the Sea or some great River that was neer it.

In the Hill Anthracius is said to be a Well,Anthracius which when it is full, signifieth a fruitfull Year: when it is scarce and empty, a barren and dear Year. The sufficiency of moisture maketh fertility, as the want causeth the contrary.

Men say there is a River in Hungary, Hungaria.in which Iron is turned into Copper: which may well be, seeing Inke in which is but smal Coperas, and artificially p. 130mixed of Iron, doth counterfeit Copper in colour. In this stream may be much Copperas, and that is naturally mixed.

Both Seneca Seneca.and Theophrastus Theophrastus.witness that waters there be, which within a certain space, being drunk of sheep, (as Seneca saith) or of birds (as Theophrastus will have it) changeth their colours from black to white, and from white to black.

Vitruvius Vitruvius.writeth, that in Arcadia Arcadia.is a Water called Nonacrinis, Nonacrinis.which no Vessel of Silver, Brasse, or Iron can hold, but it breaketh in peices, and nothing but a Mules hoof will hold it and contain it.

In Illyria, Illyria.Garments that are holden over a most cold Well, are kindled and set on fire.

In the Isle of Andros, Andros.where the Temple of Bacchus Bacchus.stood, is a Well, that the fifth day of January flowed wine.

Isidore saith,Isidore. there is a Well in Italy, that healeth the wounds of the eyes.

In the Isle of Chios Chios.is a Well that maketh men dull-witted that drink thereof.

p. 131There is another, that causeth men to abhor lust.

Lechnus, a Spring of Arcadia, Lechnus.is good against abortions.

In Sicilia are two Springs,Sicilia. of which one maketh a woman fruitful, and the other barren.

In Sardinia be hot Wells,Sardinia. that heale sore eyes.

In an Isle of Pontus, Pontus.the River Astares overfloweth the fields,Astares. in which whatsoever sheep be fed, doe alwaies give black milke.

In Aethiopia Aethiopia.is a Lake, whose water is like oyle.

Also many Springs of Oyl have broken forth of the Earth, which commeth of the viscosity or fatnesse of the same earth.

The Lake Clitory in Italy, Clitory.maketh men that drink of it, to abhor wine.

The Lake Pentasium Pentasium.(as Solinus Solinus.saith) is deadly to Serpents, and wholsome to men.

Seneca writeth of certain Lakes that will bear men which cannot swim.

And that in Syria is a Lake,Syria. in which bricks do swim, and no heavy thing will sinke.

p. 132It is said, that the River Rhene Rhene.in Germany will drown bastard Children that be cast in it, but drive aland them that be lawfully begotten.

The River in Hypanis Hypanis.in Sythia, Sythia.every day brings forth little bladders, out of which flyes do come that die that same night.

Matrona. Matrona.the River of Germany, as the common people saie, never passeth day but he taketh some prey.

Of the Sea.

THe Sea,The Sea. in this treatise hath place as a mixed substance: for else the element of Waters being simple, were not here to be spoken of.

The Sea is the naturall place of the Waters, into which all Rivers and other Waters are received at the length.

And here it is to be understood, that the very proper and naturall place of the water,The naturall place of the water. were to cover all the Earth, for so be the elements placed: the Earth lowest, and round about the Earth the Water, about the Water, the Air, and about the Ayr, the fire.

Gen. 1.Gen 1But God the most mighty and wise creator p. 133of all things, that the Earth might in some parts be inhabited of men and beasts, commanded the Waters to be gathered into one place, that the dry land might appeare, and called the dry land Earth, and the gathering of Waters he called Seas.

In the Sea are these two things to be considered; the saltnesse, and the ebbing and flowing.

Of the saltnesse of the Sea.

THe saltnesse of the Sea, according to Aristotles mind is caused by the Sun,Aristot. that draweth from it all thin and sweet Vapors to make raine, leaving the rest as the setling or bottome, which is salt. But men of our time, peradventure more truely, doe not take this for the only and sufficent cause to make so great a quantity of water salt, but say, that the Sea, by Gods wisdom; is gathered into such valleyes of the Earth, as were otherwise barren and unfruitfull; such Earths are salt, the Sea Water then mixed with that Earth, must needs be Salt; else Rivers by Aristotles p. 134mind, should be salt as well as the Sea. The Reader may choose which opinion is most probable.

Of the ebbing and flowing.

THe ebbing and flowing of the Sea,Ebbing & flowing. as Aristotle Aristot.sermeth to teach, is by reason of Exhalations that be under the Water, which driveth it to and fro, according to contrary bounds and limits, as upward and downeward, wide and narrow, deepe and shallow. This opinion of Aristotle also, as more subtil then true, experience teacheth men to mislike, and to ascribe the cause of ebbing and flowing, to the course of the Moone, which ruleth over moysture as the Sunne doth over heat: for from the new Moone to the full, all humors do encrease; and from the full to the new Moone decrease againe. Also, the very true time of the ebbing and flowing may be known by the course of the Moone, with whom, as the Lady of moysture, we will close up the fourth book of m…yst and watery impressions.