place of a Ship in a Voyage p. 361 Lib. 1. c. 2. A Half English foot A Half Dutch and also an old Roman half foot A Half foot of Paris in French And also a half Greek foot A Half foot of Antwerp in Handers A Half Aegyptian foot from Alexandria A Half Babylonian foot mentioned by Historians A Half foot of Venice A Half foot of Toledo in Spaine A Half foot of Vienna in Austria The Proportion of diverse Miles according to theire compaired Length Lib. 1. c. 2. An Indian Mile A Russian Mile A Mile of Cambaja An English Mile A French Mile And allmost an old Arabian League A Holland Mile A Spanish League A German Mile A Swedish Mile THE ABSOLUTE OR COMPLEAT PART OF General Geography BOOK I. SECT I. CHAP. I. Concerning the Precognita's or things known before the handling of the Art it self as the Definition Division Object Properties Principles Order Method Original Excellency and other affections of GEOGRAPHY to be spoken of by way of Preface A Preface to an Art very necessary THE Custom or fashion hath for a long time prevailed that they who compleatly treat of and handle any Art or Science do in the first place declare some things touching the Conditions Method Constitution and other properties of their Doctrine Neither do I think that this is done by them without reason so that it be performed without any Sophistical encroachment seeing that by such like fore-had Instruction the Readers Understanding may before-hand conceive a certain Idea or Platform of the whole Art or Science to be afterwards handled or at least may understand the Argument or Contents thereof and withal may gather thereby how he ought to order himself in the studying the same I therefore shall in this Chapter deliver some few passages concerning the same The Definition of Geography GEOGRAPHY is called a mixt Mathematical Science which teacheth the affections or qualities of the Earth and the parts thereof depending of quantity that is to say the figure place magnitude and other like properties Geography by some but too strictly is taken for the only description and plâ—cing the Countrys of the Earth And on the contrary by others it is extended but too largely to the political description of every Country But these Men are easily excused seeing they do it to retain and stir up the Readers affections who otherwise by a bare account and naked description of those Countrys would be made drowsie and heedless The Division of Geography We will divide Geography into General and Special or Universal and Particular General or Vniversal Geography is that which doth generally consider the Earth and declare its properties without any respect of particular Countrys Special or Particular Geography is that which teacheth the constitution and placing of all single Countrys or every Country by it self And this particular Geography is twofold Particular Geography twofold Chorographical and Topographical General Geography and its parts to wit Chorography and Topography Chorography proposeth the description of any Country having at least a mean magnitude Topography describeth any little tract of Land or place In this Book we will present you with a General Geography which we have distributed into Three parts to wit the Absolute part the Respective part and the Comparative part In the Absolute part we will consider the very Body of the Earth with its parts and proper affections and qualities as figure magnitude motion Lands Seas Rivers c. In the Respective part we will contemplate those properties and accidents which from Celestial causes happen to the Earth And lastly the Comparative part shall contain an explication of those properties which arise from the comparing of divers places of the Earth The Object of Geography The Object of Geography or Subject about which it is employed is the Earth but principally its Superficies and parts The Properties of Geography Those things which deserve to be considered in every Country seem to be of a triple kind to wit Celestial Terrestrial and Human and therefore may be declared in the particular Geography for every Country with the profit of Learners and Readers The Celestial properties of Geography I call those Celestial properties which depend on the apparent motion of the Sun Stars and other Planets and seem to be Eight 1. The elevation of the Pole the distance of the place from the Equator and from the Pole 2. The obliquity or wriness of the daily motion of the Stars above the Horizon of that place 3. The Quantity of the longest and shortest day 4. The Climate and Zone 5. Heat and Cold and the Seasons of the year also Rain Snow Winds and other Meteors for although these things may be referred to Terrestrial properties yet because they have a great affinity with the four Seasons of the Year and motions of the Sun therefore we have marshalled them in the order and rank of Celestials 6. The rising of the Stars their appearance and continuance above the Horizon 7. The Stars passing through the Vertical point of the place 8. The quantity or swiftness of the Motion wherewith according to Copernicus his Hypothesis each one is very hour wheeled about According to Astrologers a Ninth property may be added because they do appoint one of the Twelve Signs of the Zodiack and the peculiar Planet of that Sign to rule and govern every Country But this Doctrine hath ever seemed to me frivolous neither can I perceive any ground for it nevertheless at the end of our Special or Particular Geography we will reckon up this their distribution These may suffice for the Celestial affections or properties I call those Terrestrial properties which are considered in the place of every Country it self of which I shall note Ten. 1. The bounds and circumference of the Country 2 It s Figure 3 It s Magnitude 4 Its Mountains 5 Its Waters as Rivers Springs Bays of the Sea 6 The Woods and Deserts 7 The Fruitfulness and Barrenness as also the kinds of Fruits 8 The Minerals or things dig'd out of the Earth 9 The living Creatures 10 The Longitude of the Place which ought to be added to the first Terrestrial property to wit the Circumference The Humane properties of Geography I make the third kind of Properties which are to be considered in every Country to be Humane which do depend of the Men or Natives and Inhabitants of the Countries of which Humane properties about Ten also may be made 1. The stature of the Natives as to their shape colour length of life Original Meat Drink c. 2 Their Trafficks and Arts in which the Inhabitants are employed 3 Their vertues Vices Learning Wit c. 4 Their Customs in Marriages Christnings Burials c. 5 Their Speech and Language 6 Their State-Government 7 Their Religion and Church-Government 8 Their Cities and most renowned Places 9 Their memorable Histories And10 Their famous Men Artifices and Inventions of the Natives of all Countries
Salt but this is a deceitful sign The 4th Cause 4. The fourth Cause of the unequal saltness is the frequency or scarcity of Rains unto which we may add Snow and in the Northern places Snow and Rain is frequent in the places of the Torrid Zone they are less frequent in some parts of the year and in othersome they are almost continual And therefore in these places in the pluvial Months the water of the Ocean is not so salt on the shoar and hath less Salt in it than in the dry Months Yea in many Regions of the Coast of Malabar the Ocean is fresh in the pluvial Months by reason of the abundance of water that floweth from the top of the Mountain Gatis and falleth into the Sea for this very reason in divers Seasons of the year the same Ocean is of a various saltness yet because in the Northern places the Rains and Snows are continual throughout the whole year therefore this Sea is less salt than in the Torrid Zone The 5th Cause 5. The fifth Cause is the dissimilary solution or unequal faculty of the Water to dissolve this Salt and unite it to its self for hot water sooner uniteth Salt unto it self than cold Water although therefore in the Northern places of the Ocean the shoars and Channels of the same contain more or the like quantity of Salt that those places of the Torrid Zone do yet because the water is there more cold it is not so able to dissolve and unite the Salt to it self so subtily us the water in the Torrid Zone which is more hot The 6th Cause 6. The sixth cause is the exoneration of many and great Rivers into the Sea but this cause only taketh place in the parts of the Ocean that are vicine to the shoars but is not discovered in the remote parts So Mariners affirm that the Ocean on the Coast of Brasilia where the Silver-River disburtheneth it self loseth it saltness and affordeth fresh waters fifteen miles distant from the shoar The same is observed of the African Ocean on the Coasts of Congi where the River Zaire exonerateth it self and of many more Rivers Unto these add runing Fountains in some parts of the bottom of the Ocean These are the Causes which seem to concur to the variety and diversity of saltness in divers parts of the Ocean from which the saltness of every one of the Seas may be explained From whence also it is easy to give an account why the water of the German and Northern Ocean is less apt to separate Salt from it self by coction than the water of the Spanish Ocean the Canary Isles and that of Cape Verd whence the Dutch fetch Salt in great abundance and transport it into the Northern Regions viz. this Ocean is more near the Torrid Zone and receiveth water from the Ocean of the Torrid Zone the other is more remote from the Frigid Zone yet I cannot deny the constitution of the Channels themselves to be more or less saline The Sea-water at Guinee in the Ethiopick Ocean affordeth Salt at one coction as white as snow such as neither the Spanish Ocean nor any other in Europe do produce at one coction or boyling Proposition XI Why Rain-water in the middle of the Ocean is found sweet but the water which we separate from the Marine or Salt-water either by decoction or distillation is yet notwithstanding found salt when yet the Rain-water proceedeth from the Vapours exhaled from the Sea Fresh-water abstracted from Salt-water The Learned Chymists or true Naturalists have hitherto laboured in vain that they might find out an Art by which they might distill and abstract fresh water from the water of the Ocean which would be of great advantage but as yet their Labours have proved fruitless for although as well in the decoction as distillation Salt may be left in the bottom of the Vessel yet the water separated by decoction as well as distillation is yet found salt and not fit for men to drink which seemeth wonderful unto those that are ignorant of the cause Yet Chymistry that is true Philosophy hath taught the reason for by the benefit of this we know that there is a twofold salt in Bodies or two kinds of salt which although they agree in tast yet they much differ in other qualities one of these Artists term fixed the other volatile salt The fixed salt by reason of its gravity is not elevated in distillation but remaineth in the bottom of the Vessel but the volatile salt is full of spirit and indeed is nothing else but a most subtile spirit that is elevated by a very light fire and therefore in the distillation ascendeth with the fresh water and is more firmly united by reason of the subtilty of the Attoms neither is this volatile salt found only with fixed salt in Sea-water but almost in all bodies as Chymistry proveth by experience but in some in a greater and in othersome in a lesser quantity in a greater quantity in sharp tasted Herbs in a lesser in oily Herbs Therefore difficulty consisteth in the separation of this salt spirit or volatile salt from the water But why the pluvial water in the midst of the Sea is no less fresh than on the Land seeing that yet it is generated by abstraction of the exhalations of the Ocean caused by the fervour of the Sun or from some subterraneous fire which evaporation doth little differ from distillation The cause seemeth to be Fourfold 1. A slow operation by which the tenuous part is only elevated from the Ocean which although it containeth a saline volatile spirit yet it hath it in less quantity than if that this exhalation were caused by a more forcible heat 2. The long way that this vapour passeth through before that it arriveth unto that Region of the Air where it is condensated into rain in passage it is possible that the saline spirit is by degrees separated from the watery particles 3. The admixture of other watery particles existing in the air 4. A Refrigeration Coition and condensation of the vapour for these exhalations exhaled from the Ocean by degrees are more and more refrigerated and being conjoyned with other obvious and admixed vapours they condense into a more thick vapour or cloud in this Refrigeration and condensation or coition of the saline spirit with the fiery particles they fly into the more exalted part of the Air. Now why the same is not performed in distillation where the vapours exalted are also condensed the cause is 1. That by reason of the small passage the saline spirit is as yet over straitly conjoyned to the watery particles 2. That the vapour restrained in the vessel admitteth not a free passage to the evolant spirit Proposition XII Sea-water is more ponderous than fresh water and the water of one Sea is more heavy than another Sea water more heavy than fresh water The cause is manifest from what hath been said
do grow and where that all Wells are salt In the City of Suez at the Termination of the Red Sea all Wells are salt or brackish and the water two miles distant is somewhat salt So in many Islands in the Sea no Wells of fresh water are found though not so salt as the Sea water it self as in the Isle of St. Vincent and others In Peru in the low Region the Lakes are salt by reason of the vicinity of the Sea Yea in the Oriental Maritimate places the Nuts called Coco Nuts are found somewhat salt Also in the Mediterranean places themselves Fountains of salt water are found as in Lorrain Lunenburgh and the like 3. Because that it is manifest that the Sea emitteth its water through subterraneous passages from the salt Fountains of Lunenburgh where beneath the Earth those Aqueducts full of salt or Sea-water are found 4. Because that digging to a great depth as also in Mines much water is found of which neither the Rain nor the Air can be made the efficient cause How water cometh from the Sea to the places of Fountains so as to become sweet we have now shewed viz. the bottom of the Sea is not every where Rocky or Stony but in many places Sandy Muddy Gravelly Spungy drinking the water of the Sea and by a continuation of the Earth brings it by degrees to a long distance from the Sea where at length the Guttulae unite especially in a narrow space such as are Mountains and make a Fountain in the given place or Cavity but if so be that Cavity be hidden from the Earth then the water so collected either followeth another way wheresoever it be made and so a Fountain seemeth to break forth in another place which yet is not in than place but is a River derived from the former place by a subterraneous passage Or if that the water of that Cavity findeth no way about it self neither by violence can break through the Earth that covereth it then that water is not augmented but what water flowed unto it to have been its encrease that is averted to another place For that is the property of all humid bodies that all their parts and particles are moved towards that place where the deflux is made So if you fill a Vessel with water that the swelling or tumour may be above the brim of the Vessel then all the parts of the extant water have an equal inclination and power of deflux in the vicine part of the brim But yet by reason of the mutual coherence of the particles whose cause is declared in Natural Philosophy if that the deflux be made in one part of the brim all the other parts leave the vicine brim and draw to that part of the brim or they follow where the deflux is made So if you immerge a long crust of Bread into water you shall see the water born upwards and and the part of the Bread that is not immerged to be humid The Sea goeth under the Earth through Caverns Moreover the Sea goeth under the Earth through Caverns from which after the same mode the water may glide or creep forth unless you had rather ascribe it to evaporations which are carried upwards and uniting the drops in a narrow place But because there are many things which may seem to render this opinion less probable these ought also to be considered that it may be evident that they weaken not this assertion laid down Things to be noted 1. The places of Fountains are more elevated than the Superficies of the Sea by reason that most of them are in Mountanous places therefore water cannot flow from the Sea to those places because the nature of water is to move to places more depressed or less elevated as it is manifest from Rivers and the Artifices of Drainers 2. Although the bottom of the Sea be gravelly muddy and sandy so that the water may penetrate it self through its particles yet the reason doth not appear evident enough but that it may more moisten the adjoyning Earth and that which is not so high than to glide upwards to the places of Fountains seeing especially that the Earth is Rocky and Stony as in the Mountains of the Island of St. Helena 3. There is no reason why the water so gliding from the Sea should not break forth in a middle way between the Sea and the Fountain 4. In the most profound Mines none or very little water is found as Thurnheuserus witnesseth 5. This water of the Fountains should be salt because that it doth proceed from the Sea These are the chief Arguments which may seem to weaken the opinion proposed For I pass by those slight ones alledged by others Other Arguments Answered viz. that they suppose that the Sea is not sufficient to supply so many Rivers then again that Rivers then should never be diminished if that were the true cause of Rivers that we have laid down But unto these two the answer is easy because that the Sea again receiveth the water again from the Rivers that it sent forth into the Fountains Then as for the other we have shewed before that the question is not neither do we determine that all the water of the Rivers is from the Sea but only concerning the water of Springs which is not the alone cause of Rivers as we have said already and we also assert that the water of Fountains is augmented from rains and Dew because that these moistening the Earth glide or are drawn towards the places of Fountains Four Other Arguments of great concernment where the efflux of the water is made which we have explained by other Examples We come now to those four Arguments alledged which may seem to carry some weight with them The first is esteemed very valid as being taken from multiplicit experience therefore many solutions are brought and alledged by Learned men First they the most easily discharge themselves who defend the Ocean to be more high than the Earth for so they deny the assertion and they say that this Altitude of the Ocean is the cause of Springs because that Springs are less high than the water in the middle of the Ocean See Olearius his Voyage into Persia Moreover Olearius in the Description of his Voyage into Persia relateth that he ascended the Mountain that adjoyneth to the Caspian Sea and with an Astrolabe or rather a Gaeodetical Instrument to observe the Elevation of this Mountain above the superficies of that Sea but found none but that the extream superficies of that Sea was seen in the Horizontal Line yea somewhat elevated above it so that the Tumour of this Sea was found a little more high than the vertex of the Mountain on which he made his observation But in truth this solution cannot be admitted of See Chap. 13. because we have shewed in the Thirteenth Chapter that the water of the Ocean is not higher than the Mountains
commonly call them Spaws 1. They arise from the admixture of a Spirit of Vitriol Salt and Alom which Minerals being partly simple and partly more or less admixed with other Minerals are found in the cavities of the Earth especially in Iron We prove this to be the true cause of Acidula's and Spaws 1. By reason that almost every where where such Acid waters break out Mines of Vitriol Salt and Alom are found 2. Because the Spirits of Vitriol and Salt are Acid as also some Spirits of Sulphur as is evident from Chymistry 3. Because that from these kind of Acid waters no Acid body but Spirits is separated which are altogether like unto the Spirits of Vitriol and Salt 2. Great is the quantity of Acid waters or Spaws in divers Regions where Mines especially abound The cause is because that an Acid Sowr Spirit is almost in all Bodies by reason that we have shewed that it is Elementary in the Seventh Chapter and first Proposition it is found in all herbs and fruits The difference of Spaws 3. The difference of Spaws is found to be notable Some are found to be so sharp or sowr that men make use of them instead of Vinegar Such a Spring is found in Nicana a Province of Sicilia In Germany the Fountain at Elleboga is of a wonderful Acidity Other Acid Springs are termed Winy because that by their sharpness they come near the grateful tast of Wine amongst which that is famous which is in the Earldom of Catzenellebocen in Germany at the Town Schwalbach In the Province of Lyons in France at the Town of St. Baldomare is a Fountain termed Fontaine forte that is the strong Fountain it supplieth the want of Wine and if that one fourth part of it be mixed with Wine it will want nothing of the tast of Wine if it is poured on Flour it will presently ferment They can boil no Meat in it for by reason of its subtilty it flieth away It is very wholsom so that the Inhabitants seldom use a Physician In Aquitaine not far from the City Bessa is the like Winy sharp Spring unto the waters of which if that you only admix the sixth part of Wine you will imagine that you drink pure Wine without any admixture of water Nigh to Rome is an Alomy sharp Fountain which being mixed with Wine maketh a very grateful Drink Great is the number of Acid Springs in the Vpper Germany whereof some flow into the Danube and others into the Rhine Very many are in the forementioned Earldom of Catzenelleboch in the Province of Triers in Tirolis Rhaetia Vindelicia a noted ane is near Anderna called Heilbrun In the Province of Toledo in Spain near the Village Valentiola are Springs which at the bottom are found Acid and of a Winy tast and in the upper part sweet which Baccius thinketh to happen because that the Nitrous and Acid parts do subside and sink to the bottom But I suppose if that the Relation be true that it proceedeth from the subtilty of the Spirit which being brought to the superficies presently do expire Other Acid Fountains are astringent and contracting the palate which is a token of Iron particles or of the admixture of Vitriol as also of Alom The Water of Acid Fountains in Rainy and Cloudy weather is found less Acid which is a sign of an admixture of condensated Air. Also if that the water be exposed to heat or if it stand in an open Vessel for some hours or if it be carried a long Voyage not well covered in cold Vessels it presently loseth its Acidity which is a sign that the Acidity of them dependeth on a subtile Spirit Yet they also have Atoms and the very Vitriol Alom Iron Salt Gravel and the like This is proved from the matter that is discovered to adhere to the Conduit-pipes The Studious may collect Examples by reading of Authors At least two hundred Acid Springs or Riverets run into the Rhine but by reason of the subtilty of the Spirits nothing of acidity is discovered in the Rhine Do you demand why there are no Acid Fountains in the Northern places I suppose that cause to be the defect of Subterraneous heat and an over great condensation of the Earth as also for that cause it cometh to pass that little or no Gold is found in those Regions Proposition VIII To explain the generation of hot Springs termed Baths and the places of the more famous of them Of the generation of hot Springs or Baths A Spring in Izland is judged the most fervid of them all whose water little differeth from that which hath arrived to the highest degree of heat and boyling on the fire But Caronius writeth that in Japan there is a Spring so hot that no water can be brought to that degree of heat by the most vehement fire It floweth not continually but twice in a day for one hour with a great force of spirits and maketh a great Pool which another hath informed me to be called by the Natives Singacko that is Hell After those the hot Fountains or Baths of Baden in Helvetia are famous Then the Baths of Appona in Italy Of Vulgar Baths there is a great number in the Vpper Germany as also in other places In Scotland is the Lake and River Nessa which is not hot yet it is never congealed with Cold. The cause and generation of Baths is first the admixture of Sulphureous particles whilst the water is carried through Subterraneous passages or rather whilst that it glideth through the Sulphureous Mines to a collection about the Springs 2. The vapours of Smoak and exhalations within the Earth where Sulphur is pure or impure as Peat Coal Amber and the like for these materials continually send forth a calid or warm fume which heat the waters carried thither or gliding through those places Yet particles of Alom are admixed to many nay the most Baths as also of Iron and Niter whence they have somewhat a sharp and astringent tast or sapor Almost all the Baths which we know flow without ceasing except the Pepper-Baths of Germany which are famous in Rhetia not far from Curia And besides Sulphur they contain something of Gold and not a little Niter The water of these Baths breaketh out every year about the third of May and it ceaseth to flow about the fourteenth of September The famous Baths in Germany are the Plumbariae in Lorrain Emsebadae above Constantina in Alsatia near Gebersweil in the Marquisate of Bada Wildbad in the Dukedom of Wertebergh The Blasianae near Tubin There are many also in Japan and the Indian Isles There are such hot ones in the Islands of the Azores that an Egg may be boyled in them Proposition IX To explain the generation of oyly and fat liquors flowing from the earth and to enumerate the places of the earth in which they are found Of oyly liquors Some Fountains send forth a bituminous liquor some a fat water or
of Mars Jupiter Saturn and the fixed Stars is altogether uncertain by reason of the defect of the parallaxy or mutual changing In the Copernicans Hypothesis the distance is varied not only from the motion of the Planets but also from the motion of the Earth it self The Reasons of either Opinion to wit of the Ptolomean and Copernican concerning the place of the Earth are almost the same with them which in the precedent Chapter we have alledged for this disputation hath great affinity with the same For if you ascribe and allow the second motion to the Sun which is called the proper motion not the Sun but the Earth shall be in the midst but if you allow that second Motion to the Earth not the Earth but the Sun shall be in the middle These Arguments following may be said for the Copernicans Opinion The Sun not only the fountain of Light but also the vital Spirit of the whole Universe 1. The Sun is not only the Fountain of Light which as a most clear shining torch illuminates the Earth Moon Venus and without doubt the rest of the Planets but he is the fire-hearth of heat and vital spirit by which this whole Universe seemeth to be cherished and sustained Therefore it is probable that he holdeth the middle place and that these are moved round about him 2. It is more likely that the Earth should be moved about the Sun that together with the rest of the Planets she may receive light and heat from him The Sun a vast body c. 3. The Sun being placed in the midst some cause is rendred why the rest of the Planets and the Earth may be carried round about him to wit because the Sun is a most vast body and endowed with great vertues and forces therefore he rowleth and stirreth up the rest of the Planets to their motion And this Reason especially taketh place if we admit Keplers Hypothesis concerning the motion of the Planets Spots in the Sun 4. The Observations of Galilaeus and Scheiner concerning the spots in the Sun prove that the Sun is moved about his Axil In the same manner therefore the rest of the Planets have their cause of going about neither seems it consistent with reason that any other should be attributed to him 5. If we allow the Earth a place between Mars and Venus and allow the Center to the Sun the motion of every Planet fittingly answers and agrees to the distance from the Center which in the Ptolomaick Supposition is manifest not to be effected by the consideration of the motions of the Sun Venus and Mercury 6. Those Celestial appearances which we have used in the former Chapter for the proving the second Motion of the Earth are also valid and efficacious for this place which I have said must be assigned to the Earth to wit the Retrograde course and station of the Planets and the admirable apparent motions of Venus and Mercury c. For indeed that second motion of the Earth doth before hand suppose this place and placing of the Earth or hath it joyned to it self very nearly But this Argument in my Opinion is the chiefest Yet for the first motion of the Earth nothing can be fetcht by way of Argument for gathering thence the situation of the Earth For the Earth might be in the Center of the World if she were without or wanted the second motion as Origanus also determines 7. So also the variation of the distance of the Planets from the Earth is well declared The Aristotelians and Platonists Arguments about the Earth Yet notwithstanding the Aristotelians and Platonists oppugn the Pythagoreans Opinion with many Arguments and endeavour to challenge the Center of the Earth for a place by these Arguments First heavy things are carried to the Center of the World but the Earth is the heaviest body therefore it takes up that Center Secondly heavy things would go from the Earth towards the Center of the Universe unless this Center were in the Earth Thirdly the Center is the ignoblest place and the Earth also is the vilest part of this Universe therefore it shall have the Center thereof Fourthly if the Earth were without the Center of the World and motion of the Stars then the Stars and Constellations would be seen in some seasons of the year and some days bigger than in others Fifthly neither would the middle part of Heaven always be conspicuous as Taurus rising the Scorpion should set c. Sixthly neither would there be Equinoxes Seventhly neither the Moon rising eclipsed would the Sun set c. Eightly neither would the number of Miles in the Earth equally answer every degree in Heaven The aforesaid Reasons of the Aristotelians refuted by the Copernicans The Copernicans do easily weaken these Reasons of the Aristotelians For the first and second is refell'd because the motion of heavy things is not to the Center of the Vniverse but to the homogeneal body as is proved by the parts of the Moon the Sun and Loadstone The third Reason taketh a false major and minor proposition For the Center is also a noble place and the Earth is not ignoble or base The other Reasons are easily disproved by Diagrams or Descriptions this at least being fore-supposed that the distance of the Earth from the Sun or Center how great soever it be yet if it be compared with the distance of the fixed Stars from the Sun it would be so little as that it would have no proportion to it The distance of the Moon Venus and Mercury from the Earth not so great as of Mars Jupiter and Saturn Moreover the Explication of the Theorem belongeth to this place that the distance of the fixed Stars and superiour Planets Mars Jupiter and Saturn is so great from the Earth that the half Diameter of the Earth hath no proportion to it but the distance of the Moon Venus and Mercury is not so great touching the Sun there is as yet a doubt surely if there be any proportion of the half Diameter of the Earth to the distance of the Earth from the Sun that will be very small But the Theorem is proved thus First the fixed Stars and higher Planets appear to us to rise at the same moment at which they would appear to rise by a right contrived supputation and calculation if we were set in the Center of the Earth Therefore the distance of our place from the Center of the Earth that is the half Diameter bears no proportion to the distance of the fixed Stars Secondly if we take the Meridian or Altitude of a fixed Star or one of the superiour Planets with an Astronomical Instrument we find the same as if we had observed it in the Center of the Earth Therefore the semidiameter of the Earth vanisheth away in respect of that distance Thirdly if there were any proportion then the distance of two Stars would be found to be lesser about the Horizon than
by reason that the Sea water containeth a fixed salt which is a far more weighty body than fresh water And we have shewed that in divers parts of the Sea there is a divers quantity of salt Yet doth it not follow that water is more heavy by how much it is the more salt which doth not augment the gravity but lesseneth it and yet rendreth the water very salt Proposition XIII Salt water doth not so easily freez as fresh or a greater dègree of cold is required to the congelation of Sea water than of fresh Salt water doth not so soon freez as fresh Experience sufficiently sheweth this against the Aristotelians who defend that water is so much the lesser obnoxious to congelation by how much it is the more pure and therefore should more easily congeal as receding more from the elementary water which is false Now the cause is that in the salt it self their is a certain spirit which resisteth congelation and being seperated from the salt admitteth of no congelation from the hardest frost as those that are skilful in Chymistry know For the spirit of salt is a medicament sufficiently known and of frequent use Proposition XIV Why the Ocean is not bigger seeing that it receiveth so many Rivers The cause is 1. That the water returneth to the Sea through subterraneous passages unto the fountains of the Rivers as shall be explicated in the following Chapter 2. Because that many vapours are elevated from the Ocean whereof many being resolved into rain fall into the Ocean and part on the land Proposition XV. Certain parts of the Ocean differ in colour The water in the Ocean in all places not of one and the same colour Experience testifieth that in the Northern places the Sea seemeth of a more black colour in the Torrid Zone of a duskish colour in other places of a blew About certain shoars of new Guinee the Ocean is found of a white colour in some other place of a yellow In Streights the water appeareth to incline to white at the Shoars of Congi not far from Bay a D'Alvaro Gonzales a Rivulet or an Arm is disburthened into the Sea of somewhat a Redish colour taken from a mine of red earth through which it floweth But the Arabian Gulph called therefore the Red Sea by reason of the property of the colour some will have the denomination taken from King Erythreus others from the splendour which the Raies of the Sun repercussed doth effect But the more probable opinion and that which is confirmed from experience is that the redness doth arise from the sand of a red colour which is found in the bottom of this Sea and on the Shoars and is frequently admixed with the water The water in the Red Sea only red by reason of the red sâ—â—â—â— in it The cause of this admixture which seemeth contrary to the ponderousness of sand is the vehemency of the flux and reflux of the water or its swiftness and agitation in this Sea by which it cometh to pass that the sand or gravel is agitated and moved up and down and so hindred by the continual motion of the Sea that it cannot rest Mariners affirm that the water of this Sea sometimes appeareth as red as blood but if taken up in a vessel the sand will sink down and then the water appeareth otherwise It often happens that storms from the Red Sea rushing into Arabia or Africa carry with them so great an abundance of sand and cast it on the earth that it covereth whole troops of men and beasts whence proceedeth the true Mummie Whether from the same or another cause the Sea between California and America be termed red Vermejo I have not as yet found it observed by Writers Proposition XVI Certain peculiar things are found in certain parts of the Ocean Of things in the Ocean peculiar to certain places The Sea termed Di Sargasso by the Portugals which beginneth not far from Cape Verd in Africa about the Isles of Salt and extendeth it self from the 20th degree of Northern Latitude unto the 34th of South Latitude The colour of this Sea seemeth to be green which is not the colour of the Sea it self but of a certain small leaved herb in the bottom of it called by the Portugals Sargasso The leaves of this weed mutually complicated one into another swim on the face of this Ocean in so continued a tract that the water can hardly be seen so that the Seamen afar off discovering this Ocean take it for an Island and green Land neither can they pass through this knot of weeds except that they be helped by a moderate wind at least the herb beareth a small berry whence it ariseth is not yet known Seeing that this Sea is not so near any land that it should have its original from them neither is it probable that it should come from the bottom of the Sea by reason that the profundity of this Sea is such that in many places it exceedeth the length of any line or cord In the Ocean not far from the Promontory of Good Hope are many floating red-like shrubs of a great thickness discovered unto which the herb Sargasso is implicated Seamen take it for a certain that if they see them thereabouts that they are near to the Promontory of Good Hope or else have just past it Corral found on the Shoar of Madagascar On the Shoar of the Isle of Madagascar the Ocean casteth up red and white Coral which augment like shrubs under the water and although that they be soft in some places yet between Madagascar and Africa there are reported to be Rocks of hard Coral In the Baltick Ocean nigh to the Shoar of Borussia the Shoar casteth forth most excellent succinum which the Inhabitants are taught when certain winds do blow to draw up with certain Iron hooks Amber only in the Ocean in the Torrid Zone The Ocean casteth up Amber only in the Torrid Zone viz. at the Shoar of Brazile where a peece of 500 l. weight was taken up by a Dutch Soldier and presented unto Count Nassaw at the Isle of Madagascar at Cape Verd at the Isle of Maurice at the Isle of Sumatra and other Indian Isles Garcias relateth that a piece of 200 l. weight was found yea that some Islands consist wholly of Amber but he doth not name them In the Aethiopick Ocean at Guinea Congo and Angola this is peculiarly observed that at the sides of the Keil of the Ship whilst that they remain there green Cockles like unto grass do stick which hindreth the sailing of the Ships and eateth the wood On the Coast of Languedock in France Birds unshaped first of all then by degrees they receive form and fixing of their bill in the wood when they begin to move by degrees they are pulled off and swim on the water like Geese The excrement of the Ocean termed the Scum of the Sea is found floating in
many places but in some in greater quantity than in others Serpents on the Coast of Malabar On the Coast of Malabar and at Cambaja Serpents are discovered on the superficies of the water this is a sign to Sea-men that they are near to those Regions About four miles from New Spain many Roots Bulrushes and Leaves like unto Fig-leaves float on the water which they eat and are in tast like unto Coleworts In the description of the first Navigation of the Dutch unto the Streights of Magellan we read that on the 12th of January in Anno 1599. the water of the Ocean not far from the Silver-River or Rio de laplata in Brasil appeared of a red and bloody colour but being drawn up in a bucket or the like when that they had more throughly viewed it they found that an innumerable multitude of Worms of a red colour were contained in that water and being taken up in the hand they leaped like unto Fleas And these Seamen call Sea-fleas and they are supposed to come from an innumerable company of small Crabs which being found on the South Continent fill the Sea Here is no place to treat of the Animals of which there are various kinds in divers places of the Sea Proposition XVII Why the Sea in the Night season seemeth to glitter especially if that the Waves be raised the more vehemently by the Winds The Sea in the Night seemeth to glitter or shine This question requireth the knowledge of that difficulty concerning the causes of Colours Divers are the resolutions of Philosophers concerning them but as for the explication of the proposed phenomenon or Question that Opinion seemeth the most commodious which sheweth how Colours do exist or rather appear from a certain and various motion but we leave the accurate explication of the same to Naturalists Proposition XVIII The Ocean or rather all Water casteth out Terrestrial Bodies on the shoar especially in the Full Moon Terrestrial bodies are cast out of the Ocean on the Shore It is not difficult to render an account of this property which Experience sufficiently testifieth For Water is never without some motion which if it be swift and towards one quarter it carrieth Terrestrial bodies with it until it meeteth with the shoar where by reason of the ceasing vigour of the motion of the water those Terrestrial bodies are laid down but in the Ocean the Waves are carried hither and thither By these the Terrestrial bodies are carried after the same mode and because that all Waves tend to some coast of Land therefore all Terrestrial bodies are carried towards the shoar In the Full Moons is the greatest motion of the Ocean therefore vain is their Opinion who believed the Ocean to be an Animal and to have sense by which it purgeth it self from all dregs Terrestrial bodies but here the cause is sufficiently manifest CHAP. XIV Of the Motions of the Sea in general and in particular of the Flux and Reflux Proposition I. Water hath no natural Motion except one by which it moveth from a more higher place unto these that are more low but if the vicine place or body be equal or of a greater Altitude than the superficies of the Water then the Water naturally resteth that is it is not moved except that it be compelled by a violent cause Water hath no natural motion except one THe truth of this Proposition is manifest from Vulgar experience for if that a vessel containing water be moved the water so long fluctuateth in it until no part be higher than the other that is until they compose a Spherical figure or superficies as we have said in the Thirteenth Chapter For although this Motion hath a violent cause viz. the motion of the Air about the Earth yet because that there is a great question concerning this cause and it is so manifest in the water that it seemeth not to come unto it from an external cause so for to distinguish this motion of the water from other motions we term it Natural Now this motion is unto that quarter unto which the place more depressed is scituated Proposition II. When part of the Ocean is moved the whole Ocean is moved or all the other parts of it are also moved but by so much the more that every one is nearer the part moved For because that if part of the Ocean be moved it doth necessarily change place and therefore this place is more low than the place of the vicine water this nearer water shall be moved into this place and the vicine water of that into the place of that and so forward in the other parts But there is lesser motion in the places of the more remote parts Proposition III. To observe the quarter into which the Sea that is moved tendeth The quarter into which the Sea that is moved tendeth Chuse a time if you can when no violent Wind bloweth and cast into the Water a body almost of the same gravity with the water let the place be observed where it was cast in to wit let the Boat remain there immovable then when that this body is carried by the Sea a moderate space from the place where it was cast in then let another Boat be placed of that and let the quarter be observed into which the scituation of this second Boat vergeth from the former For this also shall be the quarter in which we say that the Sea at that time is moved Proposition IV. The Motion of the Sea is either direct or a Vortex or a Concussion I call that direct which tendeth unto some quarter a Vortex when the water moveth into a round and is in some part rejected a concussion when it trembleth But laying aside the two latter unto the end of the Chapter we shall treat of the direct motion and therefore we shall call this by a general term the Motion of the Sea Proposition V. Of the Motions which we find in the Sea some are general some proper and singular other some contingent General proper and singular motions of the Sea I call that General which is found almost in all the parts of the Ocean and that at all times I call those proper and special motions by which only some parts of the Ocean are moved and they are twofold perpetual and anniversary the former are those which persist without mutation or cessation the other which are found at certain months or days of the year in some certain Sea I call those motions of the Sea contingent which without any certain order sometimes do cease and other some begin such are infinite Proposition VI. Wind is the cause of the contingent motion of the Sea forcing the Sea to a quarter opposit to the Wind neither is the Sea ever free from such motions Wind is the cause of the motion of the Sea For seeing that the Air toucheth the Sea and the Wind is nothing else but a strong commotion of
touched on it because that no Geographers have hitherto made mention of it as also of the River Jeniscea and Yrtiis The River Orellana 7. Orellana in America so called from Francis Orelli is accounted amongst the greatest Rivers of the Earth It s Fountain is in the Kingdom of Peru in the Province of Quito in the South latitude of 72 degrees but this is not altogether certain its Mouth is fifteen miles in Latitude two degrees Southerly It s tract is said to be 1500 Spanish miles by reason of its great number of bendings when that in truth it extendeth not 700. Others confound with it or make the River Maragnon to be a branch of it It is in some places four or five Leagues broad but it receiveth not its water so much from a Spring as from Rains falling on the Mountainous parts of Peru so that in the dry mouths of those Mountains it carrieth little water And indeed the Moderns do much detract from its magnitude Rio de la Plata 8. Rio de la Plata in Brasilia its Fountain is in the Mountains of Peru Its Mouth is in the South latitude of 37 degrees and that is said to be about twenty miles but when it overfloweth it hath many Outlets which some account for one at that time it carrieth not much water The Natives call it Paramaguasu that is a water like the Sea as some observe The River Omaranna 9. Omaranna also a River in Brasilia flowing from the Mountains of Peru in a long tract These three great Rivers in Brasilia viz. Orellana Rio de la Plata and Omoranna meet somewhere in some Lakes in the Mediterranean places of Brasilia and emorge again being disjoyned The River Canada 10. and lastly Canada or St. Laurence in America Septentrionalis its Spring is in the Lake called des Iroquis It s large Mouth is in the 50th degree of North latitude and its tract is no lesser than 600 German miles Proposition XXVIII Whirlpools are found in the Channels of some Rivers So in the River Sommona between Amiens and Abbeville in Picardy in France is a secret Whirlpool into which the waters rush with such violence that their found may be heard for some miles Proposition XXIX River-water is more light than Sea-water Sea-water more heavy than River-water The cause is easily known to wit Sea-water carrieth much Salt in it Thence it hapneth that many things sink to the bottom in Rivers which float on the Sea which frequently is seen in Ships heavy laden that are raised up in the Sea higher than when in Rivers Now various is the proportion betwixt these waters because that the Sea-water is not every where of the same gravity nor the water of divers Rivers but yet the proportion is about 46 to 45 so that 46 ounces of River-water do equally ponderate 45 of Sea-water CHAP. XVII Of Mineral Waters Baths and Spaws Because that there are many kinds of liquid Bodies or Waters the peculiar properties of which men do admire at therefore Geographers are wont to treat of them But all of them hitherto except a bare recital of their Names and a reckoning up of some wonderful Fountains or Springs have added nothing to solid knowledge But we shall treat more clearly of them and that with a declaration of their causes Proposition I. No Water is pure and Elementary but containeth or hath admixed particles such as are found in Terrestrial Bodies These particles are not only Earth but also they are various as Oyls Spirits and the like That is termed Mineral-water which containeth so many or such particles of a different nature from the Water so that from them it gaineth or hath notable qualities which we discover by sense or the properties are notable by sense No Water is pure but hath admixed particles THe truth of the Proposition is manifest by Experience and is proved both from the differences of tasts and from distillation and all Naturalists agree that simple or pure water as the other Elements separated from others do not exist in nature The cause is the various and perpetual agitation of the particles but in Waters that I may say somewhat in particular concerning our matter in hand by the cause of admixtion of Heterogeneous they receive Spiritual particles The Rain and the Air it self touching the water consists of divers particles therefore all waters have admixed particles of another nature but there is not the like quantity in all of them Into the Rhine indeed the Danube and Albis and into all great Rivers other Riverets do flow in impregnated with innumerable particles and in such quantity that they are evident to the senses but because besides these many other Riverets do flow into them not impregnated with so great a quantity of Heterogeneous particles as are discoverable to the eyes and because that the greatest part of the water that they carry consists of Rain and Air therefore also in these greater Rivers those Heterogeneous particles are not easily discovered but must be separated from them by Art if that any one will have them discovered to the sense But we shall especially call them Mineral waters which have some notable property beyond the common waters that is that contains such an admixture of Heterogeous particles that thence possess a notable and sensible quality Proposition II. Mineral Waters are of three kinds Of Mineral waters Some are Corporeal we want an apter word others Spiritual otheâ—s both Corporeal and Spiritual I term those Corporeal Mineral waters which contain solid and fixed particles of Minerals so that these may be discovered and separated by the sight These Corporeal Bodies are twofold some carry those particles of Minerals of a very great magnitude that without any trouble or very little at the least they may be beheld in the water and to speak properly they are not commixed waters Such are those of which we have spoken in the former Chapter because that the grains of Gold Silver and the like are contained in their waters therefore they are termed Gold and Silver-bearing Rivers but these waters in property of Speech are not to be termed Mineral because that they have not these particles commixed with them but free neither do they recive any property or quality from them Yet because that men also admire such Rivers and the explication of them hath great affinity with the enodation of Mineral waters properly so termed therefore I comprehend them under the general â—ppellation of Mineral waters Bituminous Fountains and the like may be reduced under this Classis Corporeal Mineral waters But those are termed more properly Corporeal Mineral waters which contain indeed solid particles of Minerals but so little small and altogether commixed that they are not presently discovered by the sight but either by Art or a long tract of time subsiding and concreasing and are reduced into a sensible quantity as are saâ—â— Springs sulphureous Fountains and such
like and Chymical waters in wâ—â—â— Mettals are dissolved Spirituous waters Spirituous waters are 〈◊〉 that contain only a volatile Spirit such as is found in Minerals but no fixed particles and therefore none can be elicitated from them apparent to the sight These are termed Corporeal and Spirituous waters together by me which have both fixed or solid and volatile or Spirituous particles of Minerals in them We shall alledge Examples of the Species of them in the following Propositions Proposition III. To explain how Mineral Waters are generated Of the generation of Mineral waters 1. If that Waters be carried by a violent torrent or course through Subterraneous passages in which Metallick Earth and Minerals are less thick it is manifest that the water may take and carry away from these with it grains of those Mineral waters this therefore is the generation of Corporeal Mineral waters that carry grains 2. If that the Minerals be imperfect or less dense as Vitriol Sulphur and the like or also the Salts which of their own nature are easily united to the waters if that the Waters or Riverets be carried through these Earths without Channel or Aqueduct as we have explained in the generation of Fountains the water cometh to the Fountain this will have the Atoms of these Minerals admixed and it will be a Corporeal Mineral water of a subtile conjunction according to the Atoms Now whether that the water can unite the Atoms of Mettals after this manner to it self is questioned because that they are hard and solid neither are they easily united to the water I suppose it possible to be done but not by simple water but by a salt vitriolated water which is like unto the Aqua fortis of the Chymists For as these waters of Aqua fortis dissolve Metals into Atomes and intimately unite them to themselves so that they sink not to the bottom unless that they be separated by Art So also if that such waters be carried through metallary earth they are able to dissolve the metallick particles and unite them to themselves After this mode is the generation of mineral corporeal waters of the second Classis explained 3. In the bowels of the earth before that Metals are generated vapours and fumes are condensed unto the extant Angles of the Rocks unto which they adhere and first they meet together in a soft substance and at length they are condensed therefore if that the waters are carried or glide through the earth where such vapours are and are raised they are impregnated by them and so spirituous mineral waters are made But imperfect Minerals after another mode cause mineral waters of their own nature viz. because that being heated by their own or subterraneous heat they send forth spirits and vapours as Salt Sulphur Vitriol Coals and such like and such fumes and exhalations are continually made in places of such Minerals through which if that the water glide it is impregnated with the spirit There are some that suppose these spirituous waters may be generated only by being carried through the metallick earths or by a continual stay upon them or in their Mines but it is certain by experience that the waters receive no quality from the Metals and Minerals if that they should lye 100 years immersed in them therefore laying aside this opinion we affirm that those waters are generated or spirit received from first the seed of Metals as I may so say or their Primordia or secondly we may say that those waters are now impregnated by other subtile Spirits of Vitriol or Salt by the benefit of which a Spirit is extracted from the hard Metals But I attribute the less to this cause or mode of generation because here ariseth a question again concerning the generation of the spirituous water of Mineral Vitriol and Salt 4. From these together it is evident how mineral waters that are both corporeal and spirituous are generated Proposition IV. There are innumerable kinds of mineral waters according to the variety and diversity of the particles which they contain of divers Minerals In the precedent Proposition we have explained how that mineral waters may receive those particles from which their admirable qualities do arise from Minerals or Fossils Many kinds of Mineral waters Now because that there are various sorts of Minerals thence it cometh to pass that the mineral waters are various and different in their qualities yea they are almost infinite For neither only are every one of these waters impregnated by one kind of mineral but together many of many wherefore mineral waters will either be simple or mixed and the mixed will have something either from three or four or from many Fossils or Minerals Thence 1. are Metallick waters viz. of Gold Silver Copper Tin Lead Iron 2. Salt waters viz. of Common Salt Niter Alome Vitriol 3. Bituminous waters Sulphureous Antimonial of Coals and of Amber 4. The waters of the Earth and Stones viz. Lime-waters Chalk Ochre Marble Alabaster 5. Mercurial waters and the like These denominations or kinds of waters See Prosition II. are to be understood according to the triple mode by which in the second Propasition we said that Mineral waters were 1. Some Corporeal and even manifest to the sense or Corporeal by a subtile and accurate commixion 2. That others were Spirituous 3. That others were Corporeal and also Spirituous These differences must be applied to every kind of Mineral-water viz. to demonstrate by one or another Example Gold-waters are 1. Corporeal which carry grains of Gold of that magnitude that with little trouble they are discernable to the sense neither have they any accurate coherencies admixed unto them 2 Corporeal waters which possess very small particles of Gold and indeed very closely connexed to the water such waters I suppose to Be. Although the nature of Gold be such that the least grains in the water sink to the bottom yet that such may be is manifest from the Aqua Regia of the Chymists in which Gold is dissolved into Atoms But this Aqua Regia is not simple therefore neither do those waters that are found in nature to have Atoms of Gold admixed want other particles of Minerals 3. Spiritual Golden-waters which conceive a spirit and vapour in the Earth from whence Gold is wont to be generated 4. Golden Corporeal-waters and also Spiritual which possess both Atoms of Gold and a vapour generating Gold A fourfold difference of Mineral waters After the same manner the Readers must apply this fourfold difference unto every kind of Mineral waters both simple and admixed whence innumerable kinds do exist for either the bodies of the Minerals or the Spirits or the body of one with the spirit of another are conjoyned in the water so Leaden-waters are fourfold viz. 1. Manifestly Corporeal 2. Corporeal of a subtile mixture 3. Infected with a Spirit of Lead and 4. Impregnated both with the Spirit and Atoms of Lead So those four divers
participations of Minerals are to be applied to Vitriol Sulphureous and Mercurial waters and the like and more especially to these to wit to Salt Vitriolate and Sulphureous because in these Nature it self doth exhibit this fourfold variety I doubt whether that Corporeal waters of a mixed subtilty do exist Spirituous Metallick waters are very rare but Sulphureous and Salt waters are frequent But the Corporeal and Spirituous because these sorts of Metals are both found in many places of the Earth and also in a greater quantity and easily suffer their particles to be gnawed off they send out also frequently a fume and vapour We will explain by one Example this fourfold variety of participation and that in Gold 1. In the preceding Chapter and the sixteenth Proposition we have enumerated those Riverets which carry grains of Gold and with this Treasury make glad the Natives such are many in the Earldom of Tirol and the places adjacent and we have said that the Rhine it self Albis Danube and most great Rivers in some places carry grains of Gold as also of other Metals and Minerals by reason that they receive Golden or Gold-bearing Riverets The Rhine carrieth grains of Gold commixed with Clay and Sand in many places but especially at these 1. Near Curia in Rhetia 2. At Meinfield 3. At Eglinsan 4. At. Secningham 5. At the Town Augst not far from Basil 6. At Norinburgh 7. At Wormes 8. At Seltz 9. At Mentz 10. At Bacherack 11. At Bononia and the like The Reader may see those Gold-bearing Riverets which the Rhine receiveth in Thurnhuserus as also those that the Danube and Albis do receive In the water of this viz. the Albis are found grains of Gold 1. At Leutmeritz in Bohemia 2. At Puru 3. At Dresda in Misnia 4. At Torga 5. At Magdeburgh 6. At the Tower of Lunenburgh fifteen miles from Hamburgh Concerning the Gold-bearing Riverets consult the forecited Book of Thurnhuserus where also you may see those that carry other Mettals and Minerals These Waters are therefore the Corporeal Golden-waters of the first mode viz. those that carry grains of Gold which less properly are termed Mineral or Golden because the Golden-grains are not permixed with the water but are carried down by the rapid Current of the water and the waters themselves are simple or uncompounded 2. Golden Corporeal-waters of a subtile commixtion to wit the Atoms of whose waters are mixed with the Atoms of the Gold as we have said of the Aqua Regia of the Chymists which dissolveth the Gold and uniteth it to it self by Atoms And now because there may be like waters which whether they be carried through Golden-lands or Mines may gnaw off and dissolve some Golden-Atoms of it with Earthly ones such Golden-waters many Riverets seem to be which Thurnhuserus writeth to participate of Gold and reckoneth them up in the description of the Danube Rhine and other great Rivers 3. The Golden Spirituous-waters are very few and some of those are they peradventure which Thurnhuserus enumerateth Now such waters are less noted or sensible because Golden-Earth and Mines are very rare and that in a small quantity Moreover where the Mines are a quantity of other Minerals are also together with the Gold whence the water receiveth many more Spirits Yet some Riverets in the high Alpes of Bohemia are said to participate of these Golden-Spirits also in Silesia and the Mountain that they call Fitchtelberg The Pepper-Baths in the Bishoprick of Curia are believed to be impregnated with such a Spirit but by reason of the admixture of other Minerals in greater quantity the waters receive a less sensible quality from it 4. Golden-waters which carry both Atoms of Gold and Spirit are some of the Riverets mentioned by Thurnhuserus We will add the Example of Salt-waters Example of Salt-waters 1. Salt Corporeal-waters viz. which carry the more gross particles of Salt and not accurately mixed they are many and sufficiently known to any person as certain Springs of which Salt is made Hitherto appertaineth the Sea-water if that it be made more gross by the heat of the fire 2. Salt Corporeal subtile-waters which contain the Salt reduced into little particles they are those which when they are most Salt yet withal they are very pellucid and subtile as many salt Springs and tenuous Sea-water although that there be great difference in this subtile commixtion Hitherto appertaineth the Vrin of all Animals 3. Salt Spirituous-waters which contain not the particles of Salt but the spirit of Salt they are such that if you should boyl many Vessels of them yet notwithstanding you should receive no Salt Not a few of these are in Germany and elsewhere but they are rarely found simple 4. Salt Corporeal and Spirituous-waters which have particles of Salt and Spirit Almost all the Corporeal have also some portion of Saline spirit but most of them very little So near the City Saltzinga not far from the Rhine the Fountains are salt the water of which though more salt than other waters yet it affordeth less Salt because its sharp and salt sapor is sharpned by a spirit or volatile Salt that flyeth away in the boyling Hence it is manifest how this fourfold difference of participation is to be applied unto every sort of Mineral waters viz. Vitriolate-waters Alom-waters Lead-waters and the like Proposition V. To reckon up the noted differences of Mineral Waters The noted differences of Mineral Waters In the foregoing Propositions we have explained the true kinds and differences of Mineral waters taken from the very essence of them viz. from the particles of the Minerals which they carry or by which they are impregnated but those differences because they do not so strike the senses and moreover by reason of the various mixture of Minerals communicate various properties to the water wherefore they are less vulgarly known for the denomination of all Bodies ariseth from manifest qualities on the Sense as also doth the celebrity of waters amongst men The explication and cause of which apert qualities and properties must be sought from the inmost composition of things Therefore the noted and famous differences or species of Liquors flowing from the Earth and also known to the Vulgar sort of men are these ten to wit 1. Sowr-waters 2. Bitter 3. Hot 4. very Cold 5. Oily and Fat 6. Poysonous 7. Coloured 8. Ebullient 9. Water that converts less hard into harder or after any other mode changing any Bodies cast in or stained with them 10. Salt-waters And in the 11th place we may add those which are endowed with any other wonderful property Unto these Classes those that are studious in these things may reduce all Waters which are found described in Authors We shall only in brief shew their generation and differences and alledge some Examples Proposition VI. To explain the cause or generation difference or kinds of Acid or Sowr Waters Of Sowr Waters Great is the celebrity of Acid waters or Springs they
water on which drops of oyl do flow In Scotland two miles from Edenborough a Fountain floweth on the whole Superficies of which drops of black oyl do swim the Inhabitants use it to mollifie the skin and to take away scabs So the River Cilicia tearmed Liparis was famous amongst the Ancients in which those that washed themselves were anoynted by the water whether it be so at this day I much doubt So likewise there was a Lake in Aethiopia which anointed those that swam it Also there was a Fountain in India which on a clear day sent forth a great quantity of oyl In Zant and about Dyrrachium and Appallonia as Vitruvius writeth there were Fountains which vomited out abundance of pitch with water There was a Lake in Babylon of great magnitude called Limme Asphaltis it had liquid Bitumen swiming upon it with which the black Semiramis encompassed Babylon with a Wall At this day also at Monasterium in Bavaria is the Fountain Degemsce on the top of which oyl swimmeth and is daily taken off The Acid waters of Schwalback if they be taken in a Vessel and have been settled for some days small drops of oyl swim on the top of them There is a greater quantity in the Fountain tearmed Oelbrum not far from Hagenaw at the Village Lamperscholch Also in the many Bathes are found bituminous particles if so be that they stood quiet for some days as in the Baths of the Kingdom of Naples tearmed the Bath of Petrolei Now the Fountains that send out not an oyl swimming on the water but a meer fat or bituminous liquor are also many Near Gersbachium in the Valley called Lebersthal from an antiquated and exhausted Mine oyl or bitumen floweth with which the Country Swains besmear their Cart-wheels Neither do the Inhabitants know its excellency In the Isle of Sumatra is a Spring from which Naptha like unto oyl floweth others say that it is a kind of Balsom they report Fountains of Amber to be there likewise In Peru near the sea is a bituminous Fountain sending forth a Branch or Riveret into the Sea The Natives use it instead of pitch neither do they use any other matter In Persia not far from Schimachia at or near the high Mountain Barmach in a Valley are about thirty Fountains of Bitumen or Naptha but runing in deep Wells with a great force the Depth is about two Ells wooden steps being made for the conveniency of descent it sendeth forth a Sulphureous and strong Spirit it is of a twofold colour in some red in others white The cause of these bituminous Fountains is a sulphureous and bituminous matter in the bowels of the earth thrust forth by a heat and spirit The cause of the differences is to be sought from the differences of the fat matters themselves as Succinum Amber Oyl of Petrolei Pitch Naptha and the like Proposition X. To explain the generation of bitter water and to reckon up the places of the earth in which they are found Of the generation of bitter waters and the places where they are found Many Fountains and Wells in the Regions of India on the Choromandel have bitter water although that they ebulliate in and flow from Rocks In Pontus a Region of Asia minor a little River tearmed Exampeus at the Town Callipadus is very bitter it rendereth the River Hypanis into which it floweth also very bitter They arise from impure Sulphur Bitumen Nitre Ink Copper as water left a long time in a Copper vessel acquireth a bitter taste The Lake Asphaltites in Palestine which is called Mare Mortuum or the Dead Sea hath a bitter water by reason of the impure Bitumen whence it ought to be referred to the fat waters of the former Proposition It sendeth forth a stinking scent and vapour all things without life sink to the bottom but it suffereth not any Animal to sink neither doth it grow sweet although that it continually swalloweth up the River Jordan It is venomous by reason that it containeth Arsnick Proposition XI Yo explain the cause of very cold Springs and to enumerate the places of the Earth where they are found The cause of cold Springs In the Province of Dauphin in France not far from Vienna is a Fountain of so great cold that the mouths of those that drink it are swelled with it neither can they endure their hands in it it is not diminished for the water that is drawn out of it nor augmented by the water poured into it In Arabia or Aethiopia are most cold Springs although that the heat of the Sun be most excessive there In Stiria not far from Gretz are Fountains so cold at the bottom that none can drink any water runing or drawn from thence In a mile from Calma a Spring sendeth forth water as it were boyling with a great wind when yet it is very cold hence they call it The mad water The cause of the coldness of these Fountains are 1. The admixture of Nitre and Alom also of Mercury Iron and the like 2. The depth of the Spring by reason of the defect of the Solary Beams and of the sulphureous subterraneous heat There are also some Springs which are sometimes cold and sometimes hot In Gatalonia the Lake and Fountain Salsula in the Winter is hot and in the Summer very cold This is common to it with many others I think the cause to be that in the Summer the pores of the Earth are open through which the hot Spirits break forth in the Winter they are closed whence within there are hot Furnaces that heat the waters So some Fountains are more hot in the night than in the day Proposition XII To explain the generation of those waters which seem to change bodies into another kind and to reckon up the places of the Earth where they are found There are some waters which change wood into the hardest stone In Ireland Of the generation of waters which change bodies into another kind c. above the City Armagh in a Pool not very large a stake of wood if it be fixed for some months the part that sticketh in the Mud will be iron the part which is touched with the water is turned into stone and the rest remaineth wood so Giraldus and Maginus relate but Brietius sayeth I know not by what authority that it is a meer fable The waters of Loches in Blois a Province in France turn all things put into it into stone At the City Senon in Burgundia near a Lake a Spring floweth which hardneth into stone Vitruvius saith that in Cappadocia between Mazaca and Tuana is a large Lake which changeth a reed or wood put into it in one day into stone In Bohemia near the Baths of Charles is a Fountain in which wood lying long is changed into stone Other waters are thought to change Iron into Copper which yet really they do not but by reason that waters themselves carry particles and spirit of Copper
and Vitriol therefore they dissolve the particles of Iron and by degrees take away from it which whilst that they do the Copper particles of the water are reposed in the place of the Iron ones taken away or there adhere whilst that they glide with the runing water The reason of those that change wood into stone are these 1. Some do not change the wood it self into stone but earthy stony and saline particles contained in the water do apply themselves to the wood and so as it were cover the wood with a stony crust and do not really change it 2. Some do not change the wood into stone but cause a stony hardness to the wood which some mineral waters may possibly do 3. If that some waters have truly changed wood into stone I conceive it to be done after this manner that chief difference is found by sight between the wood and the stone that in the wood there are certain long Fibres or Veins unto which the particles do cohere and those are less thick but in stone the particles are like unto Atoms without any certain extension into long Fibres If that therefore any water dissolve and as it were grind the particles cohering in the wood according to a long line so that now they do no more cohere after this mode but yet are more condensed there will be no more any great difference between the wood and stone as may be observed by our Eyes yet it is probable that these mineral waters communicate some substance to the wood it self There are other waters whose faculty is reported to be able to change the colours in the hair of man or beast Proposition XIII To explain the cause of poisonous and death-causing waters and to reckon up the places where they are Of poisonous waters Such is the Lake Asphaltites by reason of its Arsenical Bitumen In times past famous was the Fountain of Terracina which was called Neptunicus in the Region of the Volsci of which those that drank were deprived of their lives therefore it was filled up with stones by the Inhabitants In Thessalia a Fountain springeth of which no Cattle drink nor no kind of Beast approacheth Famous or rather infamous is the water which in the Region of Arcadia called Nonacris the Ancients write to drop exceeding cold from stony Rocks therefore called the Infernal and Stygian water which no vessel either of silver brass or iron could be preserved in without breaking And by this water Historians report that Alexander the Great was killed by Jolla Son of Antipater and that not without the infamy of Aristotle At this day many mortiferous waters are found in the Places or Regions called the Alpes but most of them are stopped with stones which is the reason that so few death-causing Fountains are known Now the generation of such water is if the water glide or flow through Arsenical Mercurial or Antimonial Earths and are impregnated with their fumes For as the smoak or fume of Arsnick killeth living creatures so waters impregnated with such a fume do the same Proposition XIV To explain the generation of coloured waters and their differences and to enumerate the places of the Earth in which they are found At Chinen in France water floweth from a Cave of somewhat a yellowish colour Of coloured waters In the Kingdom of Congo a Riveret floweth of a red colour into the Sea In some places waters flow of a black of a green and such like colours but they are but few The cause of the colour of these waters is that they glide or run from lands before they come to the Fountain Proposition XV. To explain the generation of Salt-waters and to reckon up the places of the Earth in which they are found Of the generation of Salt-waters The generation is twofold 1. From the Ocean they come through Subterraneous passages and flow to the Superficies of the Earth 2. They are generated of a Salt contained in the Earth such as is found in many places through which whilst the water glideth it conceiveth Saline particles and spirits before that it arrive at the Spring Great is the plenty and that known to every one of Salt Fountains We have spoken in the preceding Chapter and this matter is easily known by reason of the abundance of Salt almost every where lying hidden in the Earth seeing that Salt it self is an Element Proposition XVI To explain the cause of Ebullient Fountains and those that break out with a great spirit and wind and to enumerate the places of the Earth wherein they are found The cause is partly a Sulphureous spirit and partly a Nitrous spirit commixed with water in the Earth Of ebullient Fountains if that it be a Sulphureous spirit the waters are hot if Nitrous cold For neither are all the waters which ebulliate like to those that are hot hot but many of them are cold as is evident from that near to Culma called a mad water of which we have spoken in the Twelfth Proposition The River Tamayus in Galaecia ariseth from a Lake in its rising for some months of the year it sendeth forth a mighty noise In Japan that wonderful hot Fountain of which we have spoken in the Eighth Proposition not above twice every day breaketh forth for the most part for one hour now when that the water beginneth to flow it is carried with so great a force and vehemency of wind that it moveth the vast stones incumbent on the Well and leapeth to the height of three or four Ells with so great a noise like unto the discharge of Cannon In Westphalia a Fountain breaketh forth tearmed Bolderborn from its noise Most of the Spaws and Baths break forth with an abundance of wind and ebulliate as if they boyled a Sulphureous spirit causeth this in the Baths and in the Spaws the Spirits of Vitriol Nitre and the like Proposition XVII To enumerate the kinds of waters which have other certain wonderful properties and to explain the causes of them Unto this Classis all others ought to be reduced which cannot conveniently be referred unto the former sorts Other kinds of waters of wonderful properties So there is a Fountain in Portugal tearmed Cadina devouring all that is cast into it Also in times past there was another near to it rejecting all things cast into it but this latter is obstructed In Andalusia not far from the City Guadiana Eusebius Nierenburgius relateth that there is a Lake which sheweth the Seasons or Tempest for when that this is approaching it maketh an horrible noise which is oftentimes heard for the space of 18 or 20 miles In Calice in France is a Well into which if that a stone is cast in a noise will be heard like Thunder in the cavities of the Well In the Alpes are Wells whose water being drank off contracteth swellings of a great bigness hanging from their necks In the Kingdom of Granada at the Town Antiquarius is
not a long distance from the shoars which subsidency or sinking continued for many Ages at length caused Isles therefore in the middle of the Ocean are few Islands 1. Because that place is more remote from the shoar than that any of the eaten off parts should be carried thither 2. Because that the commotion and force of the water is greater there which moveth the earth of the Channel or rather promoteth the depth than suffereth Islands to be generated there 3. Because there are no Continents there therefore neither can troops or heaps of Islands be according to the first mode by which we have shewed such heaps of Isles to be produced yet in times past when that the middle of the Ocean was not where 't is now it is not unlikely that such Isles were here and by degrees were swallowed by the Ocean OF Absolute Geography SECT V. Containing an explication of the Atmosphere and the Winds In three Chapters CHAP. XIX Of the Atmosphere and Air. Proposition I. From the parts of the Earth as well dry as moist or from the Earth and Water vapours and fumes do continually exhale into that space which is about the Earth THE Cause is twofold first the Celestial heat of the Stars especially the Sun and Moon Of vapours and fumes The other is a Terrestrial heat or subterranean or rather terrestrial fire or which is admixed with the parts of the earth For we see that almost all bodies the least fire being moved towards them send forth a fume Seeing therefore that both the Celestial and Terrestrial heat is naught else but a certain fire therefore it is also necessary that vapours and fumes should be advanced by it from the parts of the earth So the truth of the Proposition is evidenced à priori Experience also confirmeth the same For those that travel in the night time especially when the Moon shineth and that towards the water discover many vapours to wander and be advanced about the Superficies of the earth Also it is vulgarly known that in the day the Sun doth raise many vapours also when that a mist ariseth upwards which is a certain token of rain to follow Proposition II. The Atmosphere is a space about the whole earth in which the exhalations raised from the earth are always present And it is uncertain whether that anything or body else be contained in it besides these exhalations It is also taken for the exhalations themselves about the whole earth There is no small controversie amongst modern Philosophers Of the Atmosphere concerning the body which consisteth about the earth For many Mathematicians of sound knowledge determine that there is nothing besides exhalations elevated from the earth and therefore they take the Atmosphere and Air for one and the same and immediately after the Atmosphere place the Aetherial substance But other Philosophers suppose that besides these exhalations in the space about the earth that there is a certain peculiar and simple body which they call Air although that they freely grant that exhalations may be changed into Air and contrariwise into clouds and thick vapours The same Persons after this Air even to the Lunary Orb place another subtile thin body different from the Aether which indeed they tearm Fire but they confess that it is less properly done and that it doth not agree with our fire for it is a calid substance not burning dry and very subtile not to cause the refractions of the rayes of the Sun and Stars which yet they will have to be done in this Air. Those being well considered these two opinions of the Philosophers seem rather to differ in words than in matter it self For as for the Air because that they grant it so gross that a refraction of rayes may be made in it and that it may be generated from exhalations by a light mutation the Air seemeth nothing else but a subtile exhalation although it was not exhaled from the earth As for the Sublunary Fire when that they confess that it is so improperly tearmed but they affirm that it is so tenuous that it causeth no refraction of rayes this seemeth little to differ from the Aether We affirm therefore that the Atmostphere and Air are a body about the earth on which the rayes falling are refracted laying aside the controversie whence this body hath its original which definition agreeth with the former For neither is it likely that any exhalations can be elevated from the earth so subtile that they should cause no refraction or impediment to the luminous rayes proceeding from the Aether yet if that such be granted we cannot know their Altitude and whether that they be excluded from the Atmosphere which yet if that any one will sharply urge supposing that the little fires or rayes cast from the Sun on the earth again recoil to the Sun he will not deny but that the latter definition is commodious Therefore the Atmosphere and Air are naught else but a contexture of many small bodies which adhere to the earth as a down or wool circumvesteth a Peach Proposition III. Sometimes more sometimes lesser exhalations are drawn from the earth especially in divers places Of exhalations The cause is 1. The various elevation of the Sun above the Horizon or depression beneath it 2. The diversity of the age of the Moon and its elevation above the Horizon 3. The rising and setting of the other Stars and their constitution above the Horizon 4. The diversity in the parts of the earth them selves for watery and humid places do more easily send forth vapours than earthy and dry Proposition IV. The exhalations which constitute the Atmosphere are of a divers kind especially in sundry Regions viz. watery saltish earthy sulphureous spirituous The sensible compounded exhalations or parts of the Atmosphere are divers viz. mixed of simple particles Of the exhalations which constitute the Atmosphere The cause is because that in the parts of the earth such bodies are of a divers sort and are advanced by heat some more easily and other some with greater difficulty Concerning the earthy particles some one may doubt because that those are scarcely apt to be elevated 1. By reason of the smalness of their dusts which are light seeing that gravity is an affection of compacted bodies 2. By admixture of sulphureous particles which violently carry those earthy ones with them Moreover that there are sulphureous particles in the Air is proved from the fiery Meteors Lightnings Thunder and the like yea a sulphureous odor or scent after Thunder and Lightning manifestly asserteth the same As for the watery parts we ought not to question for saline and spirituous exhalations by reason of their tenuousness are easily exhaled from the earth Little Animals generated in great number and abundance in the Air confirm the same The Aristotelians divide exhalations into two kinds to wit vapours and fumes Vapours are generated of water and easily return into the same again Fumes
proceed from dry bodies So Sal Armoniac vanisheth into smoak fire being placed under it This also is the cause that in divers Regions a different Air is discovered Also that it raineth in one place and not in another Proposition V. The least particles of the Air and those all insensible repell or reflect the rayes as a Looking-glass but some of the particles of the Air being sensible and compounded do transmit many rayes but reflect fewer others on the contrary transmit fewer rayes and reflect more Therefore the parts of the Atmosphere are divided into those that are opac and pellucid The parts of the Atmosphere these are those that transmit many rayes the former are those that transmit fewer Therefore because that the least particles both water and earth being Atoms are solid little bodies without any pores so that they transmit no rayes but repell them because that it is very probable that a perspicuity or a transmission of rayes doth require pores orderly placed in a body and empty little spaces But the parts of the Air or Atmosphere composed of little particles if that they shall have ordinate and many pores they will be perspicuous and transmit many rayes but if that those particles shall be composed or aggregated very confusedly they will transmit rayes without any pores thence it cometh to pass that the Sun discussing a thick cloudy opac Air doth make it perspicuous to wit more porous Now that the least particles reflect rayes is manifest from hence that the rayes of the Sun in a most serene Air be admitted into an obscure Chamber through a narrow hole you will see manifestly from the particles flying in a great number in the Air that the rayes are reflected to the eye as from a glass Now seeing that those particles are yet sensible the same must be concluded concerning the least particles and those that fly the sense Now those who will have humid attenuated vapours to be perspicuous but not dry ones and smoaks they are refuted by experience and reason By reason because that fumes and dry exhalations may be made equally subtile and porous as those that are watery but they suppose that perspicuity doth not consist in the mode or reason of the pores but in a peculiar quality But it is manifest by experience because that the Air is serene it hath more dry than moist particles for in that new kind of Wind-gun which is not discharged by powder or fire but by the help of wind and air the Air is so condensated that it scarcely comprehendeth the sixtieth part of the former space yet neither do they create any kind of humidity in the Gun which must altogether happen if that the particles of the serene Air were watery Proposition VI. Exhalations do not ascend of themselves and of their own nature upwards but they are forced by a violent motion or the Air is not light but heavy in a proper mode of expression Of exhalations All that is to be termed grave or heavy is moved to the Center of the Earth except that it be hindred but the Air doth that for the Earth being digged up the Air descendeth into the space made That therefore it is carried upwards is thus performed 1. That heat rarifieth it to seek a greater space 2. Because that it is forced by another vapour So in cold places as in Nova Zembla and with us in the night season no Mist ascendeth but the heat of the Sun approaching rarifieth it and causeth one part to force out and thrust forwards the other For if that those small particles of Air were free neither mutually implicated one within another then at length it would be light Proposition VII The upper parts of the Atmosphere are more subtile than the lower yet it may so come to pass that the middle parts may be more gross and condensed than the lower parts about the Earth Therefore the more light parts fly to the upper place they are more subtile and light hence the truth of the member of the former Proposition is manifest Now the cause of the latter member is that the parts in the middle Air easily counite again and so become thicker for the hot or calid Particles being carried up with them have forsaken them and the Rays refracted from the Earth in that middle Region by reason of their distance have no force Thence it cometh to pass that after Rain the middle Air is more serene because the more thick parts are separated Proposition VIII The Atmosphere or Air being heated possesseth more space than before now by how much it is more destitute of heat by so much the more it contracteth it self and occupieth the lesser space The Air being heated possesseth more space than before This is excellently shewed by that Instrument which we call a Thermometer or Weather-glass because that we measure the temperature of the Air and heat by in in hot and cold in which we discover the Air to become more condensed and to occupy lesser space in the Glass by how much the Air acquireth less heat as we shall shew in the following Proposition Now the cause of the Proportion is a priore because the calid Particles either of the Rayes of the Sun or of another fire are most subtile of all the Particles of the whole world and in continual motion Therefore those Atmospheres whilst that they are admixed separate and divide these Particles with a great force and so cause more pores and these little fires departing the Particles of the Air left to themselves unite again or are mutually complicated within themselves Corollary Therefore the Altitude of the Air or Atmosphere is not constant but decreaseth and increaseth viz. at Noon-day it ought to be greater at Midnight least about the time of the rising and setting of the Sun moderate as in Proposition XIV Proposition IX To make a Thermometer Thermoscope or Weather-glass by which we may discover the mutations of the Air in heat and cold Take a Glass of an oblong and cylindrical neck with the spherical small head L H How to make a Thermomemeter or Weather-glass let this be fixed to the Table or Board M N P Q the head being erected Let a Vessel with water be placed under the Orifice which is best to be coloured so filled that part of the pipe or neck L F may be hidden in it Now let the time of the moderate constitution of the Air or at that time at whose temperature you will compare the temperature of the Air of the other days and at that time let the water be poured into the Vessel so it will happen that the Air becoming more frigid Sec Scheme the water will ascend upwards beyond F because that the Air being condensated with cold which before filled up the space F A now possesseth less space On the contrary the Air being rendred more hot the water will descend from F towards L because that the
February in Congo Here therefore the Terrestrial Season is repugnant to the Celestial because that in January and February the Sun is not most remote from those places and therefore they should not have Rain but rather Siccity Without doubt the cause is either from another scituation of the Mountains another fixed Wind or the like 6. The Island of St. Thomas See the Description of St. Thomas and Anobon are very abundant in Sugar Grain Fruits and Meats and great plenty of Oranges c. 7. How the Seasons are in the other Regions of the Occidental Coasts of Africa from Lowango to the Tropick of Capricorn I have not yet found to be observed by any one 8. Therefore that shore being left and the Promontory of Good-hope being sayled about we return to the Tropick of Capricorn where the Oriental Coast of the Promontory or Tongue of Africa is discovered in which lyeth Zofala Mozambique Quiloa even to the Aequator which are illustrated by the Oriental Sun In these places the Winter is in the Months of September November December and January in the rest Siccity and Summer which time is contrary to that in which in Congo we have said that they have the Rain in Winter and yet these Regions lye from the Aequator but the ridge of Mountains which doubly divide this Prominent Tongue of Africa into the Eastern and Western Land questionless are the cause of this diversity The Land of these Regions are only of a moderate Fertility in many places Sandy Barren and scorched with the chalure of the Sun but the Rivers the adjacent Sea and general Easternly Wind much allay the heat 9. The other Regions of the Oriental Coasts of Africa lying from the Aequator towards the North at the mouth of the Arabian Gulph and hence to the Shore of the said Gulph even to the Tropick of Cancer these Regions I say what seasons they have and in what times of the year I have not yet found observed by any but that some write that this tract is barren sandy oppressed with such a violent heat and destitute of Rivers 10. As to the seasons in the Mediteranean part of Africa which is the Region of the Abyssines which is cut almost in the middle by the Aequator so that it hath some Provinces in the Southern Torrid Zone and very many in the Northern Torrid Zone 11. Now leaving Africa we enter the Regions of Asia lying under the Torrid Zone where first we meet with the Regions of Arabia adjacent to the Red Sea from Mecca to Aden 12 degrees from the Aequator towards the North which regard the West The Merchants at Aden negoriate their affairs in the Night season by reason of heat in the day on the East they have the Arabian Mountains These Regions are exceedingly infested with heat in March and April and more in the following Months whilst the Sun approacheth to their Vertex and about it it remaineth May June July and August the chalure is so great that the Inhabitants especially the better sort cause water to be poured on their Bodies all the day long or else lie in Vessels of Water to refresh them I suppose the cause to be the defect of watery Vapours because on the Oriental part the Region is Rocky and hath but few Rivers now the Oriental wind which is general although it be not there perceived repelleth the Vapours rising from the Red Sea Likewise the abundance of Sand which retaineth the heat received in the night and communicateth it to the Air. Therefore this time of the Summer and Winter agrees with the Celestial Course 12. The same is the case of all Arabia and its Eastern Coast 13. In Camboja in India lying under the Tropick of Cancer as also in the Regions of Malabar or the Eastern Coast of the Indies which regard the West and extend themselves from the North towards the South to the eighth degree of North Latitude I say these Regions the Winter or rainy Seasons possess the Months of June July August and September but especially from the middle of June to the middle of September Neither in all these places doth it rain in an equal time but more continually in the province of Goana and Cocina and less in Camboja where it only raineth three Months in the other eight months it seldome raineth in Camboja but in Goa in the Months of April and May it raineth but less vehement and beginning with Thunder and Storms so that to Autumn here may be ascribed half the Month of March also April and May to the 15th of June then from the 15th of June July and August to Winter likewise from the 15th of September to December the Spring the other Months from the 15th of December to the 15th of March to Summer The Winter is not so called from the cold as with us but from the Rains which then fall for in these Months is great drought because that the Water of the former Rains is extracted by the Sun from the Earth Yet the Inhabitants do not number four Seasons but only two Summer and Winter or rather a dry and a rainy Season Besides these Raines there are frequent Storms on the Coast and also Thunders in those rainy Months so that the Sea is supposed to be then shut up and many Rivers then overflow the Sea is open again in the Month of September and then Ships put forth to Sea from the Coast of Malabar into various parts of the world Neither are there any violent rains in these places in the Fields except some Storms by reason that it ceaseth for many hours of the day therefore it affordeth the Inhabitants a time of Planting and Sowing which they do in these watery Months The Air also is of a moderate heat at that time because the Sun is obstructed with Clouds so that the remote Inhabitants expatiate from the Shore to the Hills and Fields for recreation where the inundation is not great and incredible fertility is acquired to the Earth by this Rain But if these Raines fall not on the year as in Anno 1630. which seldom happens then all hope of Sowing and consequently Harvest is taken away thence cometh Scarcity of Corn a hot Sultery Air burning Feavours Pestilences and Deaths of Thousands of People In the said year 1630 A great Famine in Camboja in 1630. and the year following Mans Flesh was publickly sold in the Shambles in Camboja Sometimes the Shores do so rage that the Houses which are but slightly built fall by the inundation of the River They Sow in May and the beginning of June and Reap in November and December it is otherwise in Guiny This Summer and this Winter is contrary to the Celestial Course or Motion of the Sun for in the Months of July and August the Sun is vertical to those places or very near the Vertex therefore they must have heat and drought this is the great felicity of those places
the Air than it would do without this refraction We shall anon alledge an example of the appearancy of the Sun proceeding from refraction 4. The Full Moon and near the Full remaineth above the Horizon for many days when the Sun is depressed beneath it viz. for so many more days by how much that place is more near the Pole Yet it is not so highly elevated above the Horizon as to cause any warmness But the Full Moon in those months in which the Sun remaineth above the Horizon in an whole revolution the Full Moon is never above the Horizon The Planets not always the same above Horizon 5. The Fixed Stars are almost the same always above the Horizon but not the Planets For Saturn remaineth 15 years above the Horizon of the place near the Pole and 15 beneath the same Jupiter 6 years beneath and 6 above the same Horizon Mars 1 year Venus and Mercury about half a year From this cause it is likely that there is great diversity of the motions of the Air and seasons in divers years 6. The Land in most places of the Frigid Zone is Stony Rocky and as hard as Flint in few places Chalky Sulphureous and Fat In these places there is a moderate fertility in the other a sterility 7. Those Regions are incompassed with the Sea but for the Mediterranian we as yet have no certain account 8. Some of the Regions of the Frigid Zone have Mountains of a moderate hight but most want them running on a plain for a long space 9. The cold Winds there frequently blow from the Polary Plaga seldom the East Wind and least of all the West In the cold Artick Plaga the North Winds rage in the Antartick the South 10. Clouds and Rains frequently perplex these Regions From these causes it is not difficult to collect what the condition of the seasons in these Regions are for in the Winter time when the Sun riseth not for whole daies it cannot otherwise be but that for the most part thick Clouds Frost and Cold must render the Land uninhabitable They are not altogether deprived of light for that time for the Moon being above the Horizon for a long time giveth light and the twilight is daily afforded from the Sun to the Vicine Horizon But the Snow the stick close about the Earth which cannot be discussed by the heat of the Sun and therefore hinder the aspect of remote things There is no fertility but all barren and uncultivated for that which some suppose by how much any Region is nearer to the Pole by so much less it feeleth the intenseness of the cold and the Fields are found more fertil seemeth not probable to me when neither in Nova Zembla which is distant 16 degrees from the Pole nor in Spitzbirga which is only 8 degrees distant such a constitution of the Earth is found but a roughness and hardness and almost in the middle of Summer Snows or at least Showers and very cold Winds Neither is their opinion helped by one example observed by Mariners in a certain Region 9 degrees distant from the Pole which most men suppose to be Groenland For in this green Grass is found and an Air more warm than in Nova Zembla as is most certain The only Animals peculiar to these Northern Regions Rhinoceros a kind of Venison is the Rhinoceros and this in the space of a month becometh exceeding fat by feeding on this grass Nevertheless seeing that as yet not many Regions are hitherto found of this temperature in the Frigid Zone it is not expedient for us from this single example to make a general conjecture especially seeing that the cause of this peculiar constitution is manifest for that Land is full of Marshes and Sedgey and the grass by which the Rhinoceros or Dear are tendred so fat is not a kind of Terrestrial Grass but Sedge and Osiers but other Herbs are not there found or any Trees From whence we may gather that that Land containeth some fat and Sulphureous Substance which being mixed which the water produceth such an Oyle and fattening Sedge but that the like Earth is to be found in other parts of the Frigid Zone hath not as yet been observed but rather the contrary Therefore in the Winter in these places is little light but an incredible and great violence of Cold Snow Showers and Polary Winds And this Winter beginneth in the Northern Frigid Zone when the Sun first entreth Capricorn although also the Autumn the Sun going from the 1 degree of Libra to the 1 of Capricorn be little different from this violent Winter The Spring indeed is less infested with this violence of the Air yet it is without Snows Showers and cold Polary Winds Yet the increase of heat in the day or rather the decrease of cold is discovered at that time viz. the Sun going from the 1 degree of Aries to the 1 of Cancer And in this Vernal season or in the latter days of it the Sun continueth above the Horizon in intire revolutions and therefore then there is discovered a moderate heat which yet is not of that force as to melt and dissolve the Snow of all those places into Water much less is it able to melt the Ice whence Marriners report that here is to be found Snow and Ice of a perpetual duration Then the Summer shall be from the going of the Sun from the 1 degree of Cancer to the 1 of Libra in the first part of which the Sun yet remaineth for whole daies above the Horizon and augmenteth the heat by some accession so that June July and August are months of a tolerable Air. In some places among the Mountains the heat of the Sun is intense but the Showers and Clouds do much hinder this benignity of the Sun and especially the most sharp Northern Winds unto which sometimes Snow is adjoyned so that no fruits or Corn can here arrive to any maturity except in some places near the Artick Circle CHAP. XXVII Of the Shadows which the bodies erected in the Earth and illuminated by the Sun do cast and of the division of the Earth arising from thence SEeing that the Shadows in divers places of the Earth which the illuminated bodies of the Sun do cast are carryed into divers places and falling on the Sense have much variety hence it came to pass that men who were ignorant of this cause were struck with an admiration and in respect of the Shadows of the Earth divided the Inhabitants of the Earth as it were into three sorts which division must be applyed to the places of the Earth or to its Superficies So that they termed some Amphiscij others Heteroscij and the rest Periscij The explication of which terms seeing that they contain but small learning we shall say somewhat also concerning Shadows which although they do not pertain to Geography yet by reason of their near affinity they may be proposed in this Chapter Of
place and scituation and therefore very unlike Figures arise thence in the Table thence it cometh to pass that according to the various scituation of the Eye which we attribute to it without the Earth or without that part which it ought to represent there ariseth a various representation of that Superficies on the Table For as there existeth another sort of Frontispiece of the walls of an house when the Eye may behold it from a scituation directly opposite another from an oblique scituation another from an upper place another from a long place and so changing according to the various scituation of the Eye which Tutors may explain by Diagrams so there ariseth a different position of the parts of the Earth to be represented on the Table if that the Eye be so constituted or conceived in the Air in such a scituation that it may hang over the Aequator of the Earth and otherwise if that it be supposed to exist in the pretended Axis of the Earth or in the Semi-Axis of the Hemisphere and otherwise if it be conceived to be eminent over any other place of the Earth Thence it cometh to pass that both the Aequator and the Parallels as well as the Meridians obtain various representations because the Rays drawn from them existing in the Earth to the Eye perforate the Tables in divers points endued with a various scituation which the Readers may easily understand The Direction of a Tutor very profitable if that they have the living information and direction of a Tutor The other which I esteem fit for the Readers consideration in this Method for his better understanding is concerning the cause of the variety in the Magnitude of Tables and representations for we can shew the same Superficies of the Earth as also of all the Bodies of the World as Temples Houses and the like on a great or small Table The Cause is twofold first by how much the Eye is placed more remote from the Earth or any Object by so much the representation receiveth the lesser Magnitude ziz the scituation of the Table or Glass so remaining 2. How much the Table or Glass in which the representation should be made by the perforation of the Rays is nearer moved to the Eye by so much the representation or projecture receiveth the lesser form by how much the nearer to the Object so much the greater But if the Eye may be removed in any kind from the Object the Table remaining so that it be removed in the same Line with the Center of the Earth or so that it remain in one Perpendicular Line to the Superficies of the Earth therefore the Figure of the projecture is not changed but only the Magnitude the similitude remaineth So also if that the Table be any ways moved to the Eye or removed towards the Object all the projectures do become of a divers Magnitude yet they remain mutually alike and represent all the places in a like scituation so that the Table shall observe the Parallel scituated from the Eye in his access and recess But if the Table receiveth another position and also if the Eye be not only removed but also recedeth from that Perpendicular Line then the like projectures shall not arise and the places shall not have the like scituation on the Earth but besides a various Magnitude there shall also be a notable dissimilitude in the scituation of the places one to the other But in the projectures of all Bodies as also in the projecture of the Superficies of the Earth it is so wont to happen that we attribute such a scituation to the Table or Glass that it may touch the Body or Superficies in that Point to which the Line drawn is Perpendicular to the Superficies of the Body or which is drawn from the Eye to the Center of the Earth now to obtain the lesser or greater projecture we remove the Point of the Eye more or less from the Earth But then we conceive the Earth to be very small This in general being explained concerning the projecture of the Earth and the Original of Geographical Maps we shall shew the Method of doing it where first we shall shew whether these Tables should be made according to the Rules of Perspective and whether all may be made according to them for the end of these Tables or Maps is to the life and exactly as may be to express the scituation of the places in the Superficies of the Earth Therefore it is demanded and that not unadvisedly whether this may be done by another Method which observeth not the Rules of Perspective for whether it be done according to the Rules of Perspective or contrary to them so that it exactly representeth the scituation of the places the Table shall be accounted to be well done To that I answer that although certain Tables of some small Province may be made and are also made by another Method to wit by Angles of position or also by distances as we shall shew in the last place yet in a great part of the Superficies of the Earth it cannot be performed by a more commodious Method than by the Rules of Perspective although the true scituation of the places may not be represented in the Tables made according to these Rules Things to be known about the making of these Maps For we must know that in making of these Maps we must attend to a threefold end 1. That all the places must have such a scituation and distance to the chief Circles of the Earth as the Aequator the Parallels the Meridians as they have in the Earth it self so that from those Tables the Parallels of every place the distance from the Aequator from the Pole the Zone the Climate c. may be beheld because that from thence many properties of the Regions and Celestial appearances do depend 2. That the Magnitudes of every Region may have that proportion that they have in the Earth it self 3. That every place may have the same scituation to the other mutually which they have in the Earth it self Of these three requisites all Maps or Tables ought exactly to perform the first and for the most part exactly do because they are made from the Table of Latitude and Longitude of places neither do the Rules of Perspective hinder the same But for the second they cannot accurately perform the same if that the Rules of Perspective be observed because the crooked paths of the Superficies being more remote from the Eye makes the representation lesser in the Glass than those parts subjected to the Eye but yet that inequality is small and becometh insensible if that the Eye be conceived to be remote an infinite interval from the Earth But the third requisite can be performed by no larger Tables such are those of the whole Earth also those of the 4 quar of the Earth and the greater Provinces although they may accomplish it in the lesser Regions and the vulgar suppose
ground than in any County in the Kingdom It is blest with a healthful Air it is very populous and full of Gentry insomuch that in many places 20 or 30 Sleeples present themselves to view at one time It is well watered with Rivers and fresh Streams as the Welland the Neâ— or Aufona the Owse Charwel c. This County is severed into 20 Hundreds in which are numbred 326 Parish Churches and is traded unto by 11 Market Towns Northampton Northampton delightfully seated on the banks of the Nyne which washeth its South and West parts over which it hath two Bridges It is a Town of good antiquity and once very large but this as all other places in the Kingdom selt the sore hand of the Dane with other Calamities and lately in was laid in its Ashes by a merciless Fire but is again almost rebuilt and will be of better lustre than before It s extent is large numbring 4 Parish Churches within its Walls which were of great strength before their demolishment On the Western side of the Town on an Eminency is mounted a large Castle but so ruinous that it seemeth ready to fall It is a Town Corporate sendeth Burgesses to Parliament is governed by a Major 2 Barliffs 12 Magistrates a Recorder Town Clerk with other sub-Officers It enjoyeth a very considerable Trade is very well inhabited being the place where the Assizes are kept and the general place for the Justices of the Pence to meet for the County and its Market which is on Saturdays is very great for Cattle Corn Provisions Leather Shoes and several Country Commodities Peterburgh seated on the River Aufona or Nen Peterburgh which is navigable for Barges over which it hath a Bridge which leadeth to Huntingtonshire and in a Marshy ground It is a City of great antiquity and was of good account in the time of the Saxons for it is said that Wolpher King of the Mercians for the expiating his crime in the cruel murthering his Sons Wolphald and Rufin for embracing the Christian Religion to which he was some years after converted himself in Anno 633. finished a most stately Monastery and dedicated it to St. Peter from which the City took its name being before called Madeshamstede It is at present a City of no great extent having but one Parish Church besides its Cathedral raised out of the Monastery a stately structure where lieth the Bodies of two unfortunate Queens Katherin of Spain and Mary of Scots This City enjoyeth several Immunities sends Burgesses to Parliament is honoured with the Title of an Earldom and the Seat of a Bishop as also of a Dean who keepeth his Court for the hearing of Causes Its Streets of late are indifferent well ordered its Houses well built and hath a spacious Market-place well resorted unto on Saturdays Not far from this City Westwards was seated the ancient City Durobrivae called by the English Saxons Normanchester Oundle pleasantly seated on the banks of the Nen Oundle over which it hath two good Bridges a well built uniform Town beautified with a fair Church and a Free School hath a very great Market for Cattle Corn Flesh and Fowl on Saturdays Higham-Ferrers scituated on an Ascept and on the banks of the Nen Higham Ferrers an ancient Borough and Town Corporate governed by a Major 7 Aldermen 13 Capital Burgesses a Steward c. is graced with a fair Colledge hath a Free School for the education of Youth and an Alms-house for the relief of poor People and hath a Market on Saturdays which is well resorted unto Wellingborow seated also on the Nen a large and well inhabited Town Wellingborow of some note for its Springs of Medicinal-water not far distant from the Town It is beautified with a fair Church and a Free School is a large and well inhabited Town and hath a Market on Wednesdays which is well served with Corn and Provisions Daventry seated on the side of Borow-hill a good Town Daventry govermed by a Bulliff Aldermen a Steward and 12 Freemen and hath a Market on Wednesdays which is well provided with Horses Cattle Sheep Corn and Provisions Not far from this Town is Wedom which was a Station of the Romans and where there was a Monastery founded by the holy Virgin St. Werberg Daughter of King Wolpher who had here his Royal Seat Brackley seated on a bank of the Owse Brackley and on the edge of the County towards Buckinghamshire an ancient and large Town Corporate containing two Parish Churches had formerly a Colledge now made use of for a Free School is governed by a Major and Aldermen sendeth Burgesses to Parliament and hath a small Market on Wednesdays which in former time was considerable being the staple Town in the County for Wool County of Northumberland NORTHVMBERLAND a County of a sharp and piercing Air and much troubled with pinching Frosts boisterous Winds and deep Snows which would be more troublesom to its Inhabitants were it not for the great abundance of Sea-Coal here had in great plenty It is a County for the most part of an ungrateful Soil being very rough hilly and very hard to be manured but the parts towards the Sea by the industry of the Husbandman in manuring it with the Sea-weed are indifferent fertil It is well watered with Rivers which with the Sea afford to the Inhabitants great plenty of Fish and Fowl In this County are numbred 46 Parish Churches many of which are very large having their Chapels of Ease and is severed into 6 Wards and for the accommodation of the Inhabitants is traded unto by 6 Market Towns The Inhabitants that possest this County before the Romans were the Ottadini and being brought to the Jurisdiction of the English Saxons by Osca Brother to Hengist and by his Son Jebusa had first official Governours under the fealty to the Kings of Kent After that when the Kingdom of the Berenicii was erected that which reached from the Scotish Frith to the Tees being the best part was subject to the Kings of Northumberland who having finished their period that which lay beyond the Tweed passed for Scotland then was it yielded up to Egbert King of the West Saxons who laid it to his own Territory and soon after the expulsion of the Danes it was governed by Earls This County sheweth abundance of Antiquities not only along the Picts Wall which runneth by its Southern part but elsewhere amongst which these following are worthy of note Readsquire a steep Mountain was oft-times the place of Conference for the East Marshes The Hermitage not far from Wakeworth by the Water a Chapel cut out of a Rock without Beams Rafters or any piece of Timber and the Altar was also hewed out of the same Rock and this was the place of devotion for a Hermit who lived in a Cell within the Rock Risingham seated on the River Rhead a place of great Antiquity which 't is said God-Magon for