a certain watry thing and yet is not water so Exhalation hath a certain earthly nature in it but yet it is not earth For the better understanding of Vapors understand that they be as it were fumes or smokes warme and moist which will easily bee resolved into water much like to the breath that proceedeth out of a mans mouth or out of a pot of water standing on the fire These vapours are drawn up from the waters and watery places by the heat of the Sun even unto the middle region of the aire and there after divers manner of meeting with coldnesse many kind of moist Meteors are generated as sometimes clouds and raine sometime snow and hail and that such Vapours are so drawn up by the Sunne it is plaine by experience for if there be a plash of water on a smooth and hard stone standing in the heat of the Sun it will soon be drie which is none otherwise but that the Sun draweth up the water in thinne Vapors for no man is so fond to say that it can sink into stone or mettal and it is as great folly to think it is consumed to nothing for it is a general rule That that which is once a thing cannot by changing become nothing wherefore it followeth that the water on the stone as also on the earth is for the most part drawn up when the stone or earth is dryed Exhalations are as smokes that be hot and dry which because they be thinne and lighter then Vapors passe the lowest and middle Region of the aire and are carryed up even to the highest Region where for the excessive heat by neerness of the fire they are kindled and cause many kind of impressions They are also sometimes viscose that is to say clammy by reason whereof they cleaving together and not being dispersed are after divers sorts set on fire and appear sometimes like Dragons sometimes like Goats sometimes like candles sometimes like spears By that which is spoken of Vapours and Exhalations it is evident that out of the fire and aire no matter whereof Meteors should consist can be drawn because of their subtilty and thinnesse For all Exhalation is by making a grosser body more thinne but the fire we mean the elemental fire and not the fire of the Kitchin chimney is so subtil and thinne that it cannot be made thinner likewise the aire is so thinne that if it be made thinner it is changed into fire and as the fire if it were made thicker would become aire so the aire being made grosser would be turned into water Wherefore to conclude this part the great quantity of matter that causeth these Meteors is taken out of the earth and the water As for the aire and the fire they are mixed with this matteâ— as with all other things but not so abundantly that they may be said thâ— material cause of any Meteor thougâ— without them none can be generated The efficient cause of all Meteors is thaâ— caus which maketh them even as the Carpenter is the efficient cause of an house This cause is either first or second The first and efficient cause is God the worker of all wonders according to that testimonie of the Psalmist which saith Fire haile snow ice wind and storme doe his will and commandment he sendeth snow like wooll c. Almightie God therefore being the first principall and universall cause efficient of all natural works and effects is also the first cause of these effects whose profit is great and operation marvellous The second cause efficient is double either remote that is to say farre off or next of all The farther cause of them as of all other naturall effects is the same the Sun with the other Planets and Stars and the very heaven it self in which they are moved But chiefly the Sunne by whose heat all or at least wise the most part of the vapors and Exhalations are drawn up The next cause efficient as the first qualities are heat and cold which cause divers effects in Vapors Exhalations But to return to the heat of the Sun which is a very neere cause it is for this purpose two wayes considered One way as it is meane and temperate Otherwise as it is vehement and burning The meane is by which he draweth vapors out of the water and exhalations out of the earth and not onely draweth them out but also lifteth them up very high from the earth into the aire where they are turned into divers kinds of Meteors The burning heat of the Sunne is by which he burneth dissipateth and consumeth the vapors and exhalations before he draweth them up so that of them no Meteors can be generated These two heats proceed from the Sun either in respect of the place or the time but most properly according to the casting of his beames either directly or undirectly In place where the Sunnes beames strike directly against the earth and the water the heat is so great that it burneth up the Exhalations and Vapours so that there are no fiery Meteors much lesse watery as it is in the South parts of the world under and neere to the Equinoctiall line But in places where the beames are cast indirectly and obliquely and that where they are not too nigh to the direct beams nor too far off from them there is a moderate heat drawing out great abundance of matter so that in those Countries many Meteors of many sorts are generated as in the far North parts are few but watry impressions Also in Autumn and Spring are oftner Meteors seene then in Summer and Winter except it be in such places where the Summer and Winter are of the temper of the Spring and Autumne Let this be sufficient for the Efficient causes of impressions as well first and principall as second and particular Concerning the formal and finall cause we have little to say because the one is so secret that it is known of no man the other so evident that it is plaine to all men The essentiall Form of all substances Gods wisedome comprehendeth the universall chiefe and last End of all things is the glory of God Middle Ends if they may be so called of these impressions are manifold profits to Gods creatures to make the earth fruitfull to purge the aire to set forth his power to threaten his vengeance to punish the world to move to repentance all which are referred to one end of Gods eternall glory ever to be prased Amen Of the places in which they are generated THe places in which Meteors are caused be either the aire or the earth in the air be generated rain hail snow dew blazing stars thunder lightning c. In the earth be welles springs earthquakes metals minerals c. made and as it were in their mothers belly begotten and fashioned But for the better understanding hereof such as have not tasted the principles of Philosophy must consider that there be foure
the cloud is thicker some yellow and whitish when the cloud is thinner and so other colours are caused likewise whereof you may read the proper cause in the colours of clouds and other like parts of this Treatise The common people call it the descending of the holy Ghost or our Ladies Assumption because these things are painted after such a 〈◊〉 Others say that it is raine striking down in another place as though they 〈◊〉 see the drops falling And they are 〈◊〉 altogether deceived but in the time for soon after it will raine because this impression appeareth out of a watry cloud They are called by divers names as Rods Wands Cords of Tents unto which they are not touch unlike staves and little pillars when they seeme greater and thicker many being ioyned together The Rainebow the Circles and these light Beams are all of one manner of generation in so much that if you divide the Circle it shall be a Rainbow if you draw it streight in length it maketh streames or beames Herein they agree namely in forme and matter but they differ in outward form which we may call fashion as the one is round the other halfe round and the third direct straight or falling aslope Also they differ in place about which they stand for streames are onely about the Sunne Rainebowes about the Sunne often and seldome about the Moon but circles both about the Sunne and the Moon and also about any other of 〈◊〉 the Starres yet rather and oftner about bright Starres To make an end of these streams they appear diversly after the fashion and place wherin the cloud hangeth in respect of the sunne for sometimes they are seen only in the edge of a cloud all the breadth of that cloud sometime thorow the midst of a cloud being thinner 〈◊〉 then in other parts and then they are spred round about like a tent or pavillion used in War They are most commonly seen in such times as there 〈◊〉 abundancee of raine which they by their apparition do signifie not yet to be ended And thus much concerning direct light beames called Roddes c. Of many Sunnes IT is strange and marvelous to behold the likelyhood of that which Alexander the Great sending word to Darius said to be impossible that Two Sunnes should rule the World But oftentimes men have seen as they thought in the firmament not only two Sunnes but oftener three Sunnes and many more in number thought not so often appearing These how wonderfull soever they appear proceed of a natural cause which we will endevour to expresse They are nothing else but Idols or Images of the Sun represented in an equall smooth and watery cloud placed on the side of the Sunne and somtimes one both sides into which the Sunne beams being received as in a glasse expresse the likenesse of fashion and light that is in the Sunne appearing as though there were many Sunnes whereas indeed there is but one and all the rest are images This thick and watery cloud is not said to be under the Sunne for then it would make the Circles called crowns or garlands it is not opposite to the Sunne for then would it make the Rainbow but it is said to be on the side where the image may be best represented Also it may not be too far off for then the beams will be too feeble to be reflected neither yet too neer for if it so be the Sunne will disperse it but in a competent and middle distance for so representation of many Sunnes is caused They are most often seene in the morning and evening about the rising or going down of the Sunne seldome at noone time or about the midst of the day because the heat will soone dissolve them yet have there been some seen which began in the morning and continnued all the day long unto the evening Somtimes there appeare many little Suns like unto little starres which are caused after the same sort as we do see a mans face to be expressed in all the pieces of a broken glasse So when the cloud hath many separations there appeare many Sunnes on one side of the true Sun somtimes great and somtimes little as the parts of the cloud separated are in quantity They do naturally betoken tempest and rayne to follow because they cannot appeare but in a watery disposition of the Ayre Also if they appeare on the South-side of the Sunne they signifie a greater tempest then if they appeare on the North-side The reason is alleadged because the Southerne Vapor is sooner resolved into Water then is the Northerne For a supernaturall signification they have oftentimes been noted to have portended the contention of Princes of kingdomes As not long before the Contention of Galba Otho and Vitellius for the Empire of Rome there appeared three Sun Also of late toward the slaughter of Lewis King of Hungary were seen three Suns betokening three Princes that contended for the kingdome namely Ferdinnando since Emperour John Vayvode and the great Turke Of many Moones AFter the treaty of many Suns it were not hard for any man without farther instruction to know the natural Cause of many Moons For they are likewise Images of the Moon represented in an equal Cloud which is watry smooth and polished even like a glass Some call them as Plinius saith night-Suns because they joined with the light of the true Moon give a great shining light to drive away the shadow and darkness of the night It were superfluous to write more of their Causes or Effects which are all one with those that have been declared of the Suns It may be doubted why the other stars do not likewise expness their image in watry Clouds and so the number of them as to our sight should be multiplyed It may be Answered that their light or beams are too feeble and weak to express any such Similitude or likeness in the watry Clouds For although they have garlands or circles about them that are caused in a Vapour that is under them yet it is manifest that this Apparition hath not need of so strong a light as is required to print the images of them in the Clouds Again the Garlands are direct under and therefore apter to receive such Apparition It may be again Objected that the Stars have their Image perfectly and sufficiently expressed in glasses here on the Earth yea and at the day-time when their light is either none or most feeble and weak as we see it is used at Midsummer to behold that great star called Syrius in a glass even at Noon-days Also we see every night the image of the Stars in calm and quiet standing waters then what should let but that their images might also be expressed in watry Clouds Hereto may be answered that the Let is in the Cloud which is neither so hard as is the glass nor yet so continual as is the water
but consisteth of innumerable smal drops so that except the light of the stars were stronger it can in them express no uniform images of them as it doth in glasses and in the water Notwithstanding in Writers of Wonders we read some such likething sometime to have chanced There hath been often seen many Suns in the day-time and after the Sun setting at the rising of the full Moon there have appeared many Moons which was by this means that the same Cloud that received the Sun-beams in the morning tarried in the same place and at the Moons rising was ready also to receive her image Of Wonderfull Apparitions WE will close this Book with a brief declaration of the natural Causes of many things that are seen in the Air very wonderfull and strange to behold which in these latter Years have been often seen and beheld to the great admiration of all men not without the singular providence of God to forewarne us of many dangers that hang over us in these most Perillous Times The apparitions of which as it is most wonderfull so the searching of the Cause to us is most difficult a great deal the rather because no man hath hitherto enterprised to my knowledge to seek out any cause of them but all men have taken them as immediate miracles without any natural meane or cause to procure them And I truly do acknowledge that they are sent of God as wonderfull signs to declare his Power and move us to amendment of life indeed miraculous but not yet so that they want a natural cause for if they be well weighed and considered it is not hard to find that they differ much from such Miracles as are recorded in the Scripture and admitted of Divines So that as I abhorre the Opinion of Epicurus to think that such things come by Chance but rather by the determined purpose of Gods providence so I consent not with them that suppose when any thing is derived from any natural caus God the chief and best Cause of all things is excluded Some of these Wonderfull Apparitions consist of Circles and Rainbowes of divers fashions and placings as one within another the edge of one touching another one dividing or going thorow another with like placing of small Circles about great Circles or parts of small Circles some with the ends upward some downward some aside and some across but all for the most part in uniform order constituted or placed for the order of them pleasant to behold but for the strangness somwhat fearfull Such a like Apparition is made with the Suns or Moons images joined unto these Circles set also in good and uniform order The cause of all these is the meeting together of all those several Causes that make the Circles Rainbowes Streames and Images of the Sun or Moon which joined all together make the wonderfull sight of Rainbowes positions of Circles Crosses and divers Lights which pertain to the knowledg of Optice and Catoptrice that teach how by divers refractions and reflects ons of beams such visions are caused So that he which will know how they are generated must return into the several Treatises of Rainbowes Circles Streams Images of the Sun or Moons and if in them he find not knowledg sufficient to instruct him I must send him to the Demonstrations of Perspective where he shall want nothing Another sort of them no less often beheld within these few years then the former but a great deal more strange and wonderfull to look upon are the Sights of Armies fighting in the Air of Castles Cities and Towns with whole Countries having in them Hils Vallies Rivers Woods also Beasts Men and Fouls Monsters of which there are no such kindes on the Earth and finally all manner of things and actions that are on the Earth as Burials Processions Judgments Combates Men Women Children Horses Crowns Armes of certain Noble men and Countries Weapons of all sorts somtimes Starsâ— Angels as they are painted with the Image of Christ crucified beseiging of Castles and Townes many things and gestures done by men or beasts thevery Similitude of Persons known to the Beholders as of late was seen the very Image of the Emperour Charles insomuch that they which beheld it put off their Caps thinking verily it had been he and of John Frederick Prince Elector of Saxony who that time was Prisoner with the Emperour Also the Image of smal Crosses which hath been not only in the Air but also on the Earth on mens apparell on dishes platters pots and all other things so that the Jewes have been full angry that they could neither wash nor rub them out of their apparell In Germany also Fires and many such things as it were long stories seen in the Air. All these wonderfull Apparitions may be caused two manner of ways the one Artificially the other Naturally Artificially by certain glasses and Instruments made according to a secret part of that knowledg which is called Catoptrice and so peradventure some of them have been caused but The most part doubtless Naturally when the disposition of the Air hath been such that it hath received the image of many things placed and done on Earth And because it is apt to receive divers images as well in one place as in another these monstrous forms and strange actions or stories proceed of the joining of divers forms and actions as if two Histories were confusedly painted in one the whole Picture would be strange or as the Poet saith if a Painter to a mans head should sett a horses neck and after divers feathers Sometimes also one image is multiplyed in the Air into many or infinite as are letters and crosses which fill the Air even beneath And the light of the Sun received into little parts maketh to appear as it were many smal stars Let this suffice concerning these wonderfull Apparitions once again admonishing the Reader though I have enterprised to declare these by natural Reason yet verily believing that not so much as one Sparrow falleth to the ground without Gods providence I do also ackowledg Gods providence bringeth these to pass to such ends as before I have shewed using these causes as meanes and instruments to do them The Fourth Book Of Watery Impressions THose be Watery Impressions that consist most of Water In the Treaty of them are wont to be handled these Impression namely Clouds Rain Dew hoar Frost Hail Snow Springs and the great Sea it self Of Clouds A Cloud is a Vapor cold and moist drawn out of the Earth and Waters by the heat of the Sun into the middle region of the Air where by cold it is so knit together that it hangeth untill either the weight or some resolution causeth it to fall down The place wherein the Clouds do hang is said to be in the middle region of the Air because men see it is necessary that there should be a cold which should make those Vapors
Meteors OR A plain Description of all kind of Meteors as well Fiery and Ayrie as Watry and Earthy BRIEFLY Manifesting the Causes of all Blazing-Stars Shooting-Stars Flames in the Aire Thunder Lightning Earthquakes Rain Dew Snow Clouds Springs Stones and Metalls By W. F. Doctor in Divinitie LONDON Printed for William Leake at the Crown in Fleet-street between the two Temple Gates 1655. To the Reader I Shall not beg your pardon for publishing this Book for as 't is none of mine being written by a famous and learned Divine so I doe not set it forth relying on my own judgement but had the opinions â—nd approbation of divers persons of known abilities who knew best what is most usefull for publique Benefit And I may without breach of Modesty affirm that there is not in our Language any Booke of so small a bulke containes so much of the Doctrine of the Meteors We daily behold and view divers Meteors but very few are skill'd in their Causes but those that are not may be informed And I must tell you also that this Book on perusall hath been found so advantagious that a person of quality hath lately taken paines to make divers worthy Observations upon it which here I have subjoyned because you should not pay for two Books instead of one These Observations were never published till now and I trust thou wilt find the Author did thee a Courtesie Farewel The Table The first Booke WHy Meteors be called Unperfectly mixed 3. Why they be called perfectly mixed 3. The generall cause of all Meteors and first of the materiall cause 4. The places in which they are generated 10. The Second Book of fiery Meteors 13. The generation of the Impression called Burned Stubble or Sparkles of fire 14 Torches 15 Dancing or leaping Goates ibid. Shooting and falling Stars 16 Burning Candles 18 Burning beams and round pillars ibid. Burning Spares ibid. Shields Globes or Bowles 20. Lâ—mps ibid. Flying Dragons or fire Drakes ibid. The Pyramidal pillar like a Spire or broched steeple 23 Fire scattered in the Aire ibid. Lights that goe before men and follow them abroad in the fields in the night season 24 Helena Castor and Pollux 27. Flames that appeare upon the haires of men and beasts 29. Comets or blazing Stars 30 Apparitions 35 Colours wide gapings and deep holes which appear in the clouds 36. Wide gaping ibid. Round openiâ—g Hiatus 37. The third Book of Airy Impressions 37. Of Winds 38. Earthquakes 41. Divers kinds of Earthquakes 43 How so great winds come to be under the earth 46 The signs and tokens that go before an Earthquake most commonly 47 Thunder 50 Lightning 55 Fulgetrum ibid. Coruscation 57 Fulgur 58 The fourth kind called Fulmen 59. The first kind 60 The second kâ—nd 62 The third kind ibid. The marvailes of Lightning and their causes ibid. Storme Winds 67 Whirle winds 70 The fired Whirlewind 72 Circles 73 The Rainbow 77 The Milk way called of some the way to S. James and Watling-street 81 Beames or streames of light appearing through a cloud 86 Of Many Suns 89 Many Moons 92 Wonderfull apparitions 94 The fourth Booke Of watry Impressions 100 Of Clouds 101 Mists 103 Empty clouds 104 Raine 106 The signes of Raine 109 Monstrous or prodigious Raine 111 Dew 115 Hoare frost 117 Haile Snow 118 120. Springs and Rivers 121 Fountaines Brooks Rivers 123 Lakes 125 Hot Baths ibid. The divers tasts that are perceived in wells 126 A recitall of such Rivers and Springs as have marvelous effects whereof no natural caus can be assigned by most men although some reason in a few may be found 127 Of the Sea 132 The saltnesse of the Sea 133 The ebbing and flowing thereof 134 The fifth Booke Of earthly Meteors or bodies perfectly mixed 135 Of Earthâ— 136 Liquors concrete 139 Metals 142 Gold 143 Silver 145 Copper 146 Tynne 148 Lead ibid. Iron 149 Quicksilver 150 Stones 151 The divers kinds of stones 153 The vertue of stones 154 FINIS THE FIRST BOOK FOr as much as wee intend in this Treatise to declare the causes of all those bodies that are generated in the earth called Fossilia as well as those other Impressions named of their height Meteors which no writer hitherto hath done that we have seen the common definition given by the most Writers in no wise will serve us and whether we may borrow the name of Meteoron to comprehend the whole subiect of our worke we are not altogether out of doubt although the Philosopher deriving it from doubtfulnes givethâ—us some colour so to take it and peradventure we might be as well excused to apply it to Minerals as other authors are to use it for earthquakes yet to avoid all occasions of cavilling at words we shall both define and also describe the subject of our matter on this manner It is a body compound without life natural and yet to stop one hole because here wanteth the name of the thing to be defined it is no new thing to them that have read Aristotles workes to find a definition of that whereof there is no name But what need you be so precise will some man say meane you so to proceed in all your discourse no verily but because many of quick iudgement not considering the stile to bee attempered to the capacitie of the readers will impute the plainesse to the ignorance of the Author wee thought good in the beginning to pluck the opinion out of their minds that as the common saying is they may know wee have skill of good manners though we little use them The Meteors are divided after three manner of wayes First into bodies perfectly and imperfectly mixed Secondly into moist impressions and drie Thirdly into fiery airy watry and earthly According to this last division we shall speake of them in foure bookes following but first we must be occupied a little in the generall description of the same that afterward shall be particularly treated of Why they be called imperfectly mixed THey are called imperfectly mixed because they are very soon changed into another thing and resolved into their proper elements of which they do most consist as do all impressions fierie airie watry as snow into water clouds into waters c. Why they be called perfectly mixed THe last sort namely earthly Meteors are called perfectly mixed because they will not easily be changed and resolved from that form which they are in as be stones metalls and other mineralls According to the qualitie of the matter they are divided into moist and drie impressions consisting either of Vapors or Exhalations Vapors are called moist and exhalations drie which termes must be well noted because they must be much used Of the general causes of all Meteors and first of the material cause THe matter whereof the most part of Meteors doth consist is either water or earth for out of the water proceed vapors and out of the earth come exhalations Vapor as the Philosopher saith is
foot untill the time of tide or flood returning covered the place with Waters again But in the land where this Earthquake swalloweth up any City or Country there appeareth nothing in the place thereof but a marvellous wide and deep gulfe or hole Aristotle maketh mention of divers places and regions that were overthrown with this kind of Earthquake The fourth kind is when great mountaines are cast up out of the Earth or else when some part of the land sinketh down and in stead thereof arise Rivers Lakes or Fires breaking out with smoake and Ashes It causeth also overflowings of the Sea when the Sea bottome is lifted up and by this means arise many Islands in the Sea that never were seen before These and other such miracles are often found In the Writers of Histories also in the Philosophers as Aristotle Seneca and Plinius Nevertheless the effects of some as most notable it shall not be unprofitable to recite Plato in his Dialogue intituled Timeus maketh mention by the way of a wonderfull Earthquake whereby not only Africa was rent asunder from Europe and Asia as it is indeed at this day except a little neck by the red Sea the Sea entring between them that now is called Mare Mediterraneum but also a wonderfull great Island which he affirmeth was greater then Africa and Asia both called Atlantis was swallowed up and covered by the Waters in so much that on the Sea called Atlanticum for a great while after no Ship could sayl by reason that the same huge Sea by resolution of the Earth of that mighty Iland was all turned into mudde The famous I le of Sicilia was also somtime a part of Italy and by Earthquake rent asunder from itâ— Seneca maketh mention of two Ilands Theron and Therea that in his time first appeared It should seeme both by Aristotle and also by Herodotus that Egypt in ancient time was a gulph of the Sea and by Earthquake made a drie land During the reignâ— of Tiberius the Emperor twelve notable Cities of Asia were overthrown in one night c. How so great VVinds come to be under the Earth THe great Caves and Dennes of the Earth must needs be full of Ayr continually but when by the heat of the Sunne the moysture of the Earth is resolved many Exhalations are generated as well within the Earth as without and whereas the places were full before so that they could receive no more except part of that which was in them were let out in such countries where the Earth hath few pores or else where they are stopped with moysture it must needs follow that these Exhalations striving to get out must needs rend the Earth in some place or lift it up so that either they may have free passage or else room enough to abide in Of signes and tokens that go before an Earthquake most commonly THe first is the raging of the Sea when there are no tempestuous Winds to stirre it yea when the Ayr is most calme without Wind. The caus why the Sea then rageth is that the wind beginneth to labour for passage that way and finding none is sent back and soon after shaketh the land The second signe is calmness of the Ayr and cold which commeth to pass by reason that the Exhalation that should be abroad is within the Earth The third signe is said to be a long thinne strake of cloud seen when the skie is clear after the setting of the Sun This say they is caused by reason that the Exhalation or Vapor which is the matter of clouds is gone into the Earth Others affirm that it is the Exhalation that breaketh out of some narrow hole of the Earth out of which the rest of the wind cannot issue neither will it waite the time wherefore within a while after it seeketh and maketh it self by sudden eruption a broader way to be delivered out of prison Also the Sunne certaine daies before it appeareth dimme because the Winds that should have purged and dissolved the grosse Ayr that causeth this dimness to our eyes is enclosed within the bowels of the Earth The Water in the bottome of deepe wells is troubled and the savour thereof infected because the pestilent Exhalations that have been long inclosed within the Earth doe then beginne a little to be sent abroad For thereof cometh it that in many places where Earthquakes have been great abundance of smoak flame and ashes is cast out when the abundance of brimstone that is under the ground through violent motion is set on fire and breaketh forth Finally who knoweth not what stinking Minerals and other poysonous stuff doe grow under the Earth wherefore it is no wonder if Well-water before an Earthquake be infected but rather it is to be marvelled if after an Earthquake there follow not a grievous Pestilence when the whole mass of infection is blown abroad Last of all there is heard before it in the time of it and after it a great noise and sound under the Earth a terrible groaning and a very Thundring yea somtimes when there followeth no Earthquake at all when as the wind without shaking of the Earth findeth a way to passe out at And these for the most part or at least some of them are forewarnings that the most fearfull Earthquake will follow then the which there is no naturall thing that bringeth men into a greater feare Cato was very curious to confesse himselfe that he repented that ever he went by water when as he might have gone by land But what land can be sure if it be the Lords will by this work of his to shake it what building so strong that can defend us when the more strong the more danger the higher the greater fall Of Thunder THunder is a sound caused in the clouds by the breaking out of a hot and dry Exhalation beating against the edges of the cloud It is often heard in Spring and Summer by reason that the heat of the Sun then draweth up many Exhalations which meeting in the middle region of the Air with moyst and cold Vapors are together with them inclosed in a hollow cloud but when the hot Exhalation cannot agree with the coldness of the place by this strife being driven together made stronger and kindled it will straight break out which sudden and violent eruption causeth the noyse which we call Thunder A Similitude is put by great Authors of moist wood that cracketh in the fire we may adde hereunto the breaking of an egge in the fire of an apple or any like thing for whatsover holdeth and withholdeth inclosed any hot wind so that it can have no vent it will seek it self a way by breaking the skin shell or case It were no ill comparison to liken Thunder to the sound of a gun which be both caused of the same or very like causes The sound of Thunder is divers
the Thunder-clap be heard yet it is not caused before the noyse if any Thunder at all follow but either is after it or with it Wherefore that we see it before we hear the Thunder may be ascribed either to the quickness of our Sight that preventeth the Hearing or else to the swift moving of the fire and the light thereof to our eyes and the slow motion of the Sound unto our ears and Hearing These three kindes of Lightnings are more fearfull then hurtfull but the fourth seldom passeth without some dammage doing Of the fourth kind called Fulmen THe most dangerous violent and hurtfull kind of lightning is called Fulmen whose generation is such as followeth What time a hot Exhalation is enclosed in a cloud and breaking the same burâ—reth forth it is set on fire and with wonderfull great force stricken down toward the Earth The crack of thunder that is made when this Lightning breaketh out is sudden short and great like the sound of a Gunne And oftentimes a great stone is blowne out with it which they call the Thunder-bolt which is made on this maner In the Exhalation which is gathered out of the Earth is much Earthly matter which clortering together by moysture being clammy by nature consisting of brimstone and other metalick substance by the excessive heat is hardened as a brick is in the fire and with the mighty force of the Exhalation strongly cast toward the Earth and striketh down steeples and high buildings of stone and of wood passeth thorow them and setteth them on fire it cleaveth trees and setteth them on fire and the stronger the thing is that resisteth it the more harme it doth to it It is sharp-poynted at one end and thick at the other end which is caused by reason that the moyster part as heavier goeth to the bottome of it so is the top small and the bottome thick Men write that the thunder-bolt goeth never above five foot deep when it falleth upon the Earth which standeth with reason both because the strength of it is weakned before it come so neer the ground and also because the continual thicknesse of the Earth breaketh the force were it never so great Both Aristotle Seneca and Plinius divide this lightning into three kinds Of the first THe first is drie which burneth not to be felt but divideth and appeareth with wonderful swiftnesse For being subtil and pure it passeth thorow the pores of any thing be they never so small and such thingâ— as give place unto it it hurteth not but such things â—s resist it divideth and peirceth For â—t will melt money in mens purses the purses being whole and unharmed Yea â—t will melt a sword in the scabberd and not hurt the scabberd at all A wine â—essell it will cleave and yet the wine shall be so dull that by the space of three dayes it will not runne out It will hurt a mans hand and not his glove It will burne a mans bones within him â—o ashes and yet his skinne and flesh shall appearefaire as though nothing had come to him Yet otherwise the whole man in the moment of an houre shall be burned to ashes whereas his clothes shall not seeme to have been touched It will also kill the childe in the mothers belly and not hurt the mother And all because the matter is very subtill and thinne burning and passing thorow whatsoever it be that will not give it free passage Of the second kind The Second kinde is moyst and because it is very thin it burneth not to ashes but only it blasteth or scorcheth trees corn and grass and by reason of the moystness it maketh all things black that it commeth neer as moyst wood burning is smoaky and maketh things neer it to be black and smoaky Of the Third kinde THe Third kinde is most like our common fire that wee have here on the earth of gross and earthly substance wherefore it leaveth a print where it hath been or else consumeth it into ashes if it be such a body as will be burned with fire Of the Marvels of Lightning and their causes BEside the wonderful effects of lightning that have been already remembred there be many other which hereafter ensue with the reason and causes unto them belonging as thus The nature of Lightning is to poyson beasts that are stricken therewith as though they had been bit by a Serpent The cause of this is that the matter of Lightning is much infected with Brimstone other poysonous metallike substance because it is thin and giveth them passage into every part of the body It is notable that Seneca writeth how winevessels of wood being burned with lightning the wine would stand still and not run out the reason hereof is the swift alteration and change whereby also all the clamminesse of the wine is drawne to the outward most part and so keepeth in the wine as in a skin that by the space of three days it will not run It will also poyson wine insomuch that they which drink thereof shall either be mad or dye of it the cause hereof was setâ— forth before Lightning that striketh a poysonous beast purgeth it from the poyson in so much that it causeth a Serpent or Snake which it killeth to breed worms which otherwise it would not do but being purged from the natural poyson by the swift peircing of the Lightning nothing letteth but that it may breed wormes as all other corrupt flesh will doe If Lightning strike one that sleepeth it openeth his eyes and of one that waketh it shutteth the eyes The cause is this that it waketh him that sleepeth and killeth him before he can close his eyes againe And him that waketh it so amazeth that he winketh as he will doe at any sudden chance so he dyeth before he can open his eyes againe All living things turne their face toward the stroke of the lightning because it is their nature to turne their head if any thing come suddenly behind them The rest that have their face toward it when it commeth never turn before they be killed The Reason why it killeth the child in the mothers womb not hurting the mother is the tenderness of the one and the strength of the other when the lightning is not vehement otherwise both should dye together Sometime Lightning burneth onely the garments shooes or hair of men not hurting their bodies and then the Exhalation is nothing vehement Sometime it killeth a man and there appeareth no wound without neither any hurt within no not so much as any sign of burning for then the Exhalation which being kindled is called Lightning is wonderfull subtil and thin so swiftly passing thorow that it leaveth no mark or token behind it They that behold the Lightning are either made blind or their face swelleth or they become Lepers for that Fiery
Exhalation received into the pores of their face and eyes maketh their face to swell and break out into a Leprosy and also dryeth up the Chrystalline humour of their Eyes so that consequently they must needs be blind Eutropius sheweth that the same day in which Marcus Tullius Cicero was born a certain Virgin of Rome riding into Apulia was stricken with Lightning so that all her garments being taken from her without any rending she lay starke naked the lasing of her breast being undone and her hose-garters untyed yea her bracelets collars and rings being all loosed from her Likewise her horse lay dead with his bridle and girts untyed The places of them that are burnt with Lightning are colder then the rest of their bodyes either because the greater heat draweth away the lesser or else because that by the great violence the vital heat is quite extinguished in that place The Sea-Calf is never hurt with Lightning wherefore the Emperours Tents were wont to be covered with their skins The Bay Trees and Box Trees are never or seldom stricken with Lightning The Cause of these may be the Hardness of their Skinne which hath so few Pore-holes that the Exhalation cannot enter into them The Eagle also among Fouls is not stricken with Lightning Wherefore the Poets feigne that the Eagle carrieth Jupiters Armour which is Lightning The Reason may be the thickness and dryness of her feathers which will not be kindled with so swift a fire Of Storme Winds A Storme Wind is a thick Exhalation violently moved out of a Cloud without inflammation or burning The Matter of this Storme is all one with the Matter of Lightning that hath been spoken of namely it is an Exhalation very hot and dry and also gross and thick so that it will easily be set on fire but then it hath another name and other Effects The Form or Manner of the generation is such When abundance of that kinde of Exhalation is gathered together within a Cloud which needs will have one way out or other it breaketh the cloud and causeth Thunder as it hath been taught before but if the matter be very thick and the Cloud somewhat thin then doth it not rend the Cloud but falling down beateth the Cloud before it and so is carried as an arrow out of a bowe It doth always goe before a great sodain showre For when the Cloud is broken the water must needs fall down Also it is so gross and so thick that it darkneth the Air and maketh all the Lowest Region of the Air to be in a manner as a dark Smoaky Cloud It causeth Tempests in the Sea and Wonderfull great Danger to them that bear Sayle whom if it overtake it bringeth to utter destruction So sodain is this kinde that it cannot be resisted with sodain helpe so violent it is that seeble force cannot withstand it Finally It is so Troublesome with Thunder Lightning Rayne and Beasts besides these Darkness and Cold that it would make men at so neer a Pinch to be at their Wits End if they were not accustomed to such Tumultuous Tempests Wherefore it were profitable to declare the Signes that goe before it to the End Men might beware of it But they are so common to other Tempests that either they are known well enough or else being never so well known in a Seldom Calamity they would little be feared The Sea-ships subject to more Danger have more Helpe if it be used in Time But no Signes foreknowne can profit the Dweller of the Land to keep his House from Ruine except it were to save his Life from the fall of his Mansion The sudden violence of this Tempest to him is more seldome times but more incurable when it commeth then to the Mariner who hath some Ayd to look for by his comming the other if he escape with his life may comfort himself that he was neer a great danger and cast with himself to build up his House again Of Whirlwinds A Whirlwind is a Wind breaking out of a Cloud Rouling or Winding round about overthrowing that which standeth neer it and that which commeth before it carrying it with him aloft in the Air. It differeth from a Stormy Wind in three points First in the Matter which is less in Quantity and of thinner Substance Secondly in the Moving which is Circular Winding about whereas the Storme bloweth Aslope and Sidelongs Also a Whirlwind in the Moving divideth not it self abroad and bloweth Directly as the Storme doth And Thirdly in the manner of the generation for a Storme doth always come out of one Cloud but a Whirlwind sometime is Caused by means of two Contrary Winds that meet toether In like manner as we see in the streets of Cities where the wind is beaten back from two walles meeting in the middest of the street there is made a little whirle-wind which whisking round about taketh up the dust or strawes and bloweth it about after the very similitude of the great and fearefull whirlewind The reason of the going about is this that when the walls beat back the wind from them which aboundeth in that place and those winds when they meet by reason of equall force on both sides can neither drive one the other back againe nor yet passe thorrow one the other it must needs be that they must both seek a way on the side at once and consequently be carried round about the one as it were pursuing the other untill there be space enough in the aire that they may be parted asunder The matter of a whirlewind is not much differing from the matter of storme and lightning that is an Exhalation hote and drie breaking out of a cloud in divers partes of it which causeth the blowing about Also it is caused as it hath been said by two or more windes blowing from divers places which may be of particular causes that have been shewed before in the Chapter of windes this tempest is noysome to man and beast Sea and Land things living and life lacking For it will take up both men and beasts stones and clods of earth which when it hath borne a great way will not be so curteous as to set them downe againe but negligently letteth them fall from a great height or else violently throweth them downe to the earth It breaketh Trees winding them about and pulling them up by the roots It turneth about a Ship and bruiseth it in peeces with other mischiefes besides Of fired Whrlewinds SOmetime a whirlewind is set on fire within the cloud and then breaking forth flyeth round like a great cart-wheele terriblie to behold turning and over browing all drie things that it commeth neer as Houses Woods Corn Grasse and what soever else standeth in the way It differeth not from a whirlewind saving that it is kindled and set on fire so appearing else the generation of both is called one Of Circles THe Circle called Halon is
a garland of divers colours that is seen about the Sunne the Moon or any other Star especially about Jupiter or Venus for their great brightnesse It is called of the Greeks a compassed plat of the Latines a Crown or Garland The matter wherein it is made is a cloud of equall thickness or thinnesse comming directly under the body of the Sunne the Moone or other Starres into which the light of the heavenly body is received so appeareth round because the Starre is round as a stone cast into the water maketh many round circels dilating in breadth untill the violence of the moving is ended so is it in the aire the light beames peircing it cause broad circles to be dilated which appeare white purple black red green blew and other colours according to the disposition of the clouds matter The cause of such colours is shewed before in the peculiar treaty of colours This circle is oftner seene about the Moone then about the Sunne because the heate of the Sunne draweth the vapors too high where it cannot be made Also because the night is a more quiet time then the day from wind it is more often in the night then in the day Seldome about other Starres because their light beames are too weake often to pierce a cloud yet oftner about smal stars then the Sunne because the light of the Sunne pierceth the cloud more forcibly than that this Halon can many times be cause Otherwhiles it is seen about a candle which must be in a very thicke and grosse aire of such proportionate thickness that it may receive the light as the cloud doth from the starres as in the smoaky places or hot houses This kinde of circle is sometimes like a Rainebow saving that it is a whole circle unlesse the starre under which it is caused be not all risen or else the cloud in which it is seen be not all come under the Star or after it hath come under some part therof be dissolved from the rest These Circles be sings of tempests and windes as witnesse both Virgil and Aratus The Wind shal blow from that quarter where the Circle first beginneth to break The cause whereof is this that the Circle is broken by the Winde that is above which is not yet come down towards us but by this effect above we may gather both that it will come and also from what quarter A great Circle about the Moon betokeneth great cold and frost to follow after But if it vanish away and be dissolved altogether it is a signe of faire weather If it be broken in many parts it signifieth tempest If it wax altogether thicker and darker it is a forewarning of raine One alone after Ptolomee pure and white vanishing away by little and little is a token of faire weather Two or three at once portendeth tempest if they be â—uddy they shew wind to come and toward snow they seem as it were broken and rocky Being darke or dimme they signifie all these foresaid events with more force and abundance it is oftner caused in Autumne and Spring then in Winter or Summer the cause is the temperatenesse of the time The cause why it appeareth sometime greater and sometime lesser is in the quality of the matter which as it is grosse or thinne will more or lesse be dilated and stretched abroad also as some will have it of the weakenesse of mans sight Of which Aristotle bringeth an example in one Antipho which did alwayes see his owne image before him in the ayre as in a glasse which he affirmeth to have been for the weaknesse of his sight-beames that could not peirce the aire so that they were reflected again to himself And thus much for Halon and the causes signes or tokeâ—s of it Of the Rainebow THe Rainebow is the apparition of certaine colours in a cloud opposite against the Sunne in fashion of half a Circle Possidonius said it was the Sunnes looking glasse wherein his image was represented and that the blue colour was the proper colour of the cloud red of the Sunne all the other colours of commixtion It differeth manifoldly from Halon for the Raynebow is alwayes opposite against the Sunne but Halon is directly under it They differ not onely in place but also in fashion the Raynebow is but halfe a Circle the Halon is a whole Circle Likewise they vary in colour for the Raynebow is more dimme and of purple colour the Halon whiter and brighter Also in continance for the Rainbow may continue longer then Halon The image of the Rainebow may be seen on a wall the Sunne striking thorow a fix poynted stone called Iris or any other Christall of the same fashon also thorow some glasse window Halon is seen about Candles in smokie places as are baths and kitchings The manner of the generation of the Rainebow is such There is opposite against the Sunne a thick watery cloud which is already resolved into dewy drops of raine is for a grosse similitude is seene on the potlid when the Water in the Vessell hath sodden or is very hot the lid will be all full of small drops of water which come from the water in the Vessell first by heat resolved into smoake after when it cannot goe at large it is resolved again Wherefore upon such a cloud the Sunne beams striking as upon a smooth glasse do expresse the image of the Sun unperfectly for the great distance Or else the Sunne beames striking into a hollow cloud where they are refracted or broken and so come to the eyes of him that beholdeth the Rainbow The similitude thereof is seen when men sayle or row in Boats the Sunne shineth upon the water which casteth on the vessels side the colours and image of the Rainbow Lifewise water in an urinall holden against the Sunne receiveth the light and sheweth colours on the wall There be two kinds of Rainbows one of the Sun another of the Moon the one by day the other by night the Rainebow of the Sun often but of the Moon very seldome in so much that it can be but twice in fifty yeeres and that when the Moon is in the East or West full in perfect opposition It hath not been many times seene since the writing of Histories yet sometimes and for the rarenesse is taken for a great wonder Yet is it in colour nothing so beautiful as the sunnes but for the most part white as milke other diversities of colours are scant perceived When it appeareth it is said to signifie tempest The time of the Rainbow is often after the point of Autumne both for the placing of the Sunne in competent lownesse and also for abundance of matter seldom or never is the Rainebow see about the midst of Summer There may be many Rainebows at one time yet commonly but one principall of which the rest are
but shaddows and images the second shaddow of the first the third of the second as appeares by placing of their colours It remaineth to shew why it is but halfe a circle or lesse and never more and why the whole cloud receiveth not the same colours that the Raynebow hath The cause of the first is because the center or middle part of the Raynebow that is Diametrally opposite to the center of the same is alwayes either in the Horizon that is the circle cutting off our fight of Heaven by the earth or under it The cause why the whole cloud is not coloured is because that in the middest the beames as strong peirce thorow but on the edges where they are weaker they are reflected or refracted Now for so much as GOD made the Raynebow a sign and Sacrament of the promise some think it was never seene before the flood their reason may be this that the earth after the first creation was then so fruitfull that it needed hone or very little Raine so that such dark clouds were not often gathered the fruitfull ground not so easily remitted his moysture that then was fat and clammy hard to be drawne up so it might be that there was no Rainebow before as we cannot find that ever it rained before But whether it were or not it is certaine that then it became a Sacrament whereas it was none before which when we behold it behoveth us to remember the truth of God in all his promises to his glory and our comfort The milke way called of some the way to S. James and Watling Streete THe milke way is a white circle seen in a cleare night as it were in the firmament passing by the sings of Sagittarius and Gemini The cause thereof is not agreed upon among Philosophers whose opinons I thought best to report before I come to the most probable causes First of all Pythagoras is charged with a Poeticall fable as though it had been caused by reason that the Sun did once run out of his path way and burned this part whereof it looketh white Others as Anaxagoras and Democritus sayd that it was the light of certaine Starres shining by themselves of their owne light which in the absence of the Sun might be seene But this opinion is also false for the Starres have no light of themselves but of the Sun also if it were so it should appear about other Starres Democritus is also reported to have said that it was nothing else but innumerable little Starres which with their confuse light caused that whitenesse to this opinion Cardane seemeth to subscribe The Poets have foure fables of it one of Phaeton which on a time guided the Chariot of the Sunne and wandring out of the way did burne that place wherefore of Jupiter he was striken downe with lightning The second That it is the high street in Heaven that goeth streight to Jupiters palace and both sides of it the common sort of gods doe dwell The third that Hebe one which was Jupiters Cupbearer on a time stumbled at a straw and shed the Wine or Milke that was in the Cup which coloured that part of Heaven to this day wherefore she was put out of her office The fourth That Apollo stood there to fight against the Giants which Jupiter made to appear for a perpetual memory Theophrastus a Philosopher affirmed That it was the joyning together or came of the 2 half Globes which made â—t appeare more light in that place then anothers Others said it was the reflexion of the shining light of fire or starre light â—s it is seen in a glasse but then it should â—e moveable Diodorus affirmed that it was Heavenly fire condensed or made thick into a circle and so became visible whereas the rest for the pureness clearnesse and thinnesse could not be seen Possidonious whose mind to many seemeth very reasonable said it is the â—nfusion of she heaâ— of the Stars which therefore is in a Circle contrary to the Zodiake out of which the Sun never wandereth because it might tempâ—â— the whole compass with vital and livelâ—hea Although in my mind he hath rather expressed the finall cause then thâ— efficient Aristotles opinion is that it should be the beames of a great Circle which 〈◊〉 caused by a cloud or Exhalation drawâ— up by those Starres which be calleâ— Sporades This opinion of Aristotles 〈◊〉 misliked of most men that have travailed in this science and worthilâ— For if it were of the nature of elements as Exhalations are it would be at length consumed But this circlâ—â— never corrupteth therefore it is not 〈◊〉 Exhalations Also it neither increaseâ— nor diminisheth which is a plain proâ—â— that it consisteth not of elemental matter although Aristotle seem to make double circle one celestiall another elemental The last opinion is of them that 〈◊〉 it is the nature of heaven thicker 〈◊〉 substance then other parts of Heaven be having some likenesse to the substance of the Moon which being light â—â—ed by the same as all the Starres bâ— appeareth white And this opinion I take to be most probable because that sentence of Starre light seemeth not so reasonably to be only in that place and not elsewhere The finall cause of this Milke-white circle hath beene already touched in the opinion of Possidonius whereunto also Plinius in the 18. Book and 29. Chapter of his natural History agreeth affirming that it is very profitable for the generation and fruitfull increase of things that grow on the earâ—h The Mathematitians that have measured the breadth thereof affirme that toward the north it passeth over the Ecliptical line of the ninth spheare from the 18. degree of Gemini unto 2 degrees of Cancer which is 13. degrees and toward the South from the 8 degree of Sagittarius to the 13 degree of the same signe and because it is there divided into two branches as may easily be seen in a cleare night it reacheth from 24 of Sagittarius to the 2 degree of Capricorne This circle if it be of the nature of Heaven is unproperly placed among Meteors or impressions but because of Aristotles mind who will have it to be an impression kindled and their opinion which think it proceedeth of the light of Starres it is not without good cause in this place treated of Of beames or streames of light appearing thorow a Cloud THere is yet another kind of impression caused by the beames of the Sunne stricken through a watery cloud being of unequall thinnesse and is thinner in one part then in another so that it cannot receive the beames in any other forme then that they appeare direct or slope downeward of divers colours and the same that are the colours of the Rainebow though not so evident because the reflexion is not so strong They vary in colours some are more urple or ruddy when
so gross and thick which for the most part are drawn so thin from the Earth that they are invisible as the Air is And although they are known often times as Aristotle witnesseth to be in the lowest region of the Air neer to the Earth insomuch that sometimes they fall down to the Earth with great noise to the great fear of men and no less loss and danger yet may it be reasonably thought that these Clouds were generated in the middle region of the Air far distant from the Earth which by their heaviness do by little and little sink down lower into the lowest region and sometimes also fall down to the Earth The Common Opinion is that they goe not higher then nine mile which because it leaneth to no reason is uncertain Albertus Magnus whose reason also is to be doubted of affirmeth that the Clouds do scarce exceed Three miles in height when they are highest And some let not to say that oftentimes they ascend not past the half of One mile in height Again Others pretending to finde out the truth by Geometrical Demonstrations make it aboue Fifty mile to the place where the generation of Clouds is How these men take the distance from the Earth it is uncertain whether that they assigne the least distance and meane it from the highest parts of the Earth as are hill tops or from the common playn Again whether they that assign the highest distance to be from the lowest valleys of the Earth or from the hill tops The Reason before shewed moveth me to think that the most usual and common generation I mean the condensation or making thick of these thin Vapors into Clouds is in the middle region of the Air but for the distance of the Clouds when they be generated I think they be sometime Nine mile sometime Three mile sometime Half a mile and sometime less then a Quarter of a mile from the Earth Of Mists THere be Two kindes of Mists the one ascending the other descending That which ascendeth goeth up cut of the Water or the Earth as Smoak but doth not commonly spread over all other parts it is seen in Rivers and moist places The other Mist that goeth down toward the Earth is when any Vapor is lifted up into the Air by the heat of the Sun which being not strong enough to draw it so high that the Cold may knit it suffereth it after it is a little made thick to fall down again so it filleth all the Air with the gross Vapors and is called Mists being usually a Sign of fair Weather Of empty Clouds THere be certain Cloudes that are empty and send no Rain they come of two sorts One sort are the Remnants of a Cloud that hath rained which cannot be converted into water for their dryness Another sort is of them that are drawn up out of wett and dry places and be rather Exhalations then Vapors that is they be dry hot and light so that it were hard for them to be turned into Rain they look white like flocks of wooll when the light striketh into them There be also empty Clouds which when the Winds have dispersed abroad any Cloud are scattered over all the sky but these Clouds though for a time they be empty yet because they consist of such a substance as is watry they may be and are oftentimes gathered together and give plentifull Rain Of the Colours of Clouds we have spoken in the Second Book of Fiery Meteors where those Colours and the causes of them are described which seem to be Fiery or may be thought to be Inflammations or burnings as to be Red Fiery and Yellowish But besides those there be White Black Blew and Green White clouds be thin and not very Watry so that the light received in them maketh them to appear White Black clouds be full of thick gross and earthly matter that makes them look so dark Blew clouds be full of thick drose and earthly as the Black so the light received in them maketh them to seem Blew Green clouds are altogether watry resolved into water which receiving into them the night appear Green as Water doth in a great vessel or in the Sea and Rivers Of Rayne AFter the generation of clouds is well knowne it shall not be hard to learne from whence the Rayne commeth For after the matter of the cloud being drawne up and by cold made thick as is said before heat following which is most commonly of the Southerne wind or any other wind of hot temper doth resolve it againe into Water and so it falleth in drops to give increase of fruit to the Earth and move men to give thankes to God There be small showers of small drops aud there be great stormes of great drops The showres with small drops proceed either of the small heat that resolveth the clouds or else of the great distance of the clouds from the Earth The streames with great drops contrariwise doe come of great heat resolving or melting the cloud or else of small distance from the Earth Whereof we see a plaine experiment when Water is powred forth from an high place the drops are smal but if it be not from high it will either have no droppes or very great The caus why raine falleth in round drops is both for that the parts desire the same forme that the whole hath which is round and also that so it is best preserved against all contrary qualities like as we see Water powred upon dry or greasy things to gather it selfe into roundels to avoid the contrariety of heat and drynesse It is not to be omitted that raine Water although a great part of it be drawne out of the Sea yet most commonly it is sweet not salt The caus is becaus it is drawn up in such small Vapors and that salt part is consumed by the heat of the Sunne The raine water doutlesse doth more encrease and cherish things growing on the Earth then any other Water wherewith they may be Watered becaus the raine Water retaineth much of the Sunnes heat in it that is no small comfort to all growing plants The Water that commeth from Heaven in raine will sooner come to putrifaction or stinking then any other becaus it hath been made very subtill by heat and also for that it is mixed with so many Earthly and corruptible substances Rain water that falleth in the summer by Avicens judgement is more wholesome then other Water becaus it is not so cold and moyst as other Waters be but hotter and lighter Sometime there is salt rayne when some Exhalation which is hot and dry is commixed with the Vapor whereof the rayne consisteth Somtime it is bitter when some burnt Earthly moysture is mixed with it This rayne is both unwholesome and also unfruitfull In these countreys there is great store and plenty of rayne becaus the Sunne is of such temperate heate that it
gathereth many Vapors and by immoderate heat doth not consume them But in the East parts in some hoâ— Countrys it never or seldom is seen to rayne as in Egypt and Syria but in stead of rayne Egypt hath the River Nilus whose overflowings doe marvilously fatten the Earth In Syria and other like Countries they have more plentifull dew then we have which doth likewise make their Earth exceeding fruitful Seneca testifieth that the Rain soaketh no deeper into the Earth then ten Foot deep Of the Signes of Rain FIrst If the Skie be red in the morning it is a token of Rain because those Vapors which cause the Redness will be shortly resolved into Rain If a darke cloud be at the Sun rising in which the Sunne soon after is hid it will dessolve it and rayne will follow If then appeare a cloud and after Vapors are seen to ascend up to it that betokeneth rayne If the Sunne or Moone looke pale looke for rayne If the Sunne in the East seem greater then commonly he appeareth it is a signe of many Vapours which will bring rayne If the Sunne be seen very earely or few Stars appeare in the night it betokeneth rayne The often changing of the Winds also sheweth tempest The most sure and certaine signe of raine is the Southerne wind which with his warmenesse alwayes resolveth the clouds into raine When there is no dew at such times as by nature of the time there should be raine followeth for the matter of the dew is turned into the matter of watry Clouds If in the West about the Sunne setting there appeare a black cloud it will rayn that night becaus that cloud shall want heat to disperse it When much dust is raised up and when the woods make a great noyse some tempest is towards Hard stones will be moyst and sweate against rayne lamps and candles by sparkling frogs crying Trees breaking leaves falling and dust clottering forewarne us of tempest Fleas flyes and gnats bite sore toward a tempest Kinâ— feed greedily birds seeke their victuals more busily for in the grosse Ayre disposed to rayn their stomacks are hotter and they more hungry But these kind of signes pertaine not so properly to Meteorologie as to Mariners and Husbandry which have a great many more then these And Virgil in the first booke of Georgikes hath a great number for them that list to learn Wherefore let these hitherto suffice Of monstrous or prodigious rayne HItherto we have made mention onely of naturall rayne and that which is common which no man doth marvell at But there is some time such rayne that worthily may be wondred at as when it raineth wormes frogges fishes blood milke flesh stones wheat iron wooll bricke and quicksilver For historic maketh mention that at divers times it hath rayned such things whose naturall caus for the most part we will goe about to expresse notwithstanding accounting them among such wonders as God sendeth to be considered for such ends as we have before declared Wormes and Frogges may thus be generated The fat Exhalations are drawn up into the Ayr by a temperature of hot and moyst such vermine may be generated in the Air as they are one the Earth without copulation of male and female Or else that with the Exhalations and Vapors their Seed and Egges are drawn up which being in the clouds brought to form fall down among the rain Likewise the spawn of fishes being drawn up maketh fishes to rain out of the clouds The vehement heat of the Sunne in Summer and specially in hot Countries draweth milke out of the Paps of Beasts and Cattel which being carryed up in Vapors and dissolved againe into milke falleth downe like rain After the same manner the Sun also from places where blood hath been spilt draweth up great quantity of blood and so it raineth blood It raineth flesh when great quantity of blood being drawn up it is clotted together and seemeth to be flesh Avicen saith That a whole Calfe fell out of the Air and some would make it seem credible that of Vapors and Exhalations with the power of heavenly bodies concurring a Calfe might be made in the Clouds But I had rather thinke that this Calfe was taken up in some storme of Whirlwinde and so let fall again then agree to so monstrous a generation It is a great deale more reasonable that stones of earthly matter gathered in clouds should be generated as we said before of the Tunder-bolt Yet some men think that wind in Caves of the Earth breaking upward violently carryeth before it earth and stones into the aire which cannot long abide but fall down and are counted among prodigious raine Exhalations that be earthly and drawn out of clay have much grosse substance in them which gathered together and by great heat burned in the clouds make brick which is no great marvell He that hath seen an Eggs-shel full of dew drawn up by the Sun into the Air in a May morning will not think it incredible that Wheat and other Graine should be drawne up in much hotter Countries then ours is much rather the Meale or Flower which is lighter A certaine mostinesse like Wooll as is upon Quinces Willowes and other young Fruits and Trees is drawne up of the Sunne among the Vapors and Exhalations which being clottered together falleth downe like locks of Wooll Quicksilver all men know with small heat will be resolved into most thin Vapors whereof when quantity is drawne up it falleth downe againe As it is read that once at Rome it rained Quicksilver wherewith the Brazen Money being rubbed it looked like silver Titus Livius maketh mention that it rained chalk whereof the cause cannot be hid to them that read how stone and brick come in the Air. Iron hath also rained out of the clouds and sundry times as Histories witness whereof this hath been the cause The general matter of all mettals which is quicksilver and brimstone with the special matter of mixtion that maketh Iron were all drawu together and there concocted into the mettal so came the strange Rain of Iron Avicen saith he saw a piece of Iron that fell out of the clouds that weighed about an hundred pound weight whereof very good swords were afterwards made Of Dew DEw is that Vapour which in Spring and Autumn is drawn up by the Sun in the daytime which because it is not carried into the middle region of the Air abiding in the lower region by cold of the night is condensed into water and falleth down in very smal drops There is common Dew and sweet Dew One kinde of sweet Dew is called Manna being white like Sugar which is made of thick and clammy Vapors which maketh it so to fall thick and white It falleth only in the East parts As for that Manna which God rained to the Israelites it was altogether miraculous
is a Well that maketh men dull-witted that drink thereof There is another that causeth men to abhor lust Lechnus a Spring of Arcadia is good against abortions In Sicilia are two Springs of which one maketh a woman fruitful and the other barren In Sardinia be hot Wells that heale sore eyes In an Isle of Pontus the River Astares overfloweth the fields in which whatsoever sheep be fed doe alwaies give black milke In Aethiopia is a Lake whose water is like oyle Also many Springs of Oyl have broken forth of the Earth which commeth of the viscosity or fatnesse of the same earth The Lake Clitory in Italy maketh men that drink of it to abhor wine The Lake Pentasium as Solinus saith is deadly to Serpents and wholsome to men Seneca writeth of certain Lakes that will bear men which cannot swim And that in Syria is a Lake in which bricks do swim and no heavy thing will sinke It is said that the River Rhene in Germany will drown bastard Children that be cast in it but drive aland them that be lawfully begotten The River in Hypanis in Sythia every day brings forth little bladders out of which flyes do come that die that same night Matrona the River of Germany as the common people saie never passeth day but he taketh some prey Of the Sea THe Sea in this treatise hath place as a mixed substance for else the element of Waters being simple were not here to be spoken of The Sea is the naturall place of the Waters into which all Rivers and other Waters are received at the length And here it is to be understood that the very proper and naturall place of the water were to cover all the Earth for so be the elements placed the Earth lowest and round about the Earth the Water about the Water the Air and about the Ayr the fire But God the most mighty and wise creator of all things that the Earth might in some parts be inhabited of men and beasts commanded the Waters to be gathered into one place that the dry land might appeare and called the dry land Earth and the gathering of Waters he called Seas In the Sea are these two things to be considered the saltnesse and the ebbing and flowing Of the saltnesse of the Sea THe saltnesse of the Sea according to Aristotles mind is caused by the Sun that draweth from it all thin and sweet Vapors to make raine leaving the rest as the setling or bottome which is salt But men of our time peradventure more truely doe not take this for the only and sufficent cause to make so great a quantity of water salt but say that the Sea by Gods wisdom is gathered into such valleyes of the Earth as were otherwise barren and unfruitfull such Earths are salt the Sea Water then mixed with that Earth must needs be Salt else Rivers by Aristotles mind should be salt as well as the Sea The Reader may choose which opinion is most probable Of the ebbing and flowing THe ebbing and flowing of the Sea as Aristotle sermeth to teach is by reason of Exhalations that be under the Water which driveth it to and fro according to contrary bounds and limits as upward and downeward wide and narrow deepe and shallow This opinion of Aristotle also as more subtil then true experience teacheth men to mislike and to ascribe the cause of ebbing and flowing to the course of the Moone which ruleth over moysture as the Sunne doth over heat for from the new Moone to the full all humors do encrease and from the full to the new Moone decrease againe Also the very true time of the ebbing and flowing may be known by the course of the Moone with whom as the Lady of moysture we will close up the fourth book of mâ—yst and watery impressions The fifth Book Of earthly Meteors or bodies perfectâ—y mixed THis last Treatise containeth such bodies whose chiefe matter is the earth and are called perfectly mixed because they are not easily resolved into the chief matter whereof they are generated These are divided into four Kinds The first be divers sorts of Earth The second be Liquors concrete The third be Metalls and Metallikes The fourth be Stones This division is not altogether perfect both for that there be many of these Minerals which partake of two kinds and also for that the names of these kinds may be said of others Yet minding as plainly as can be to declare the things themselves the controversie and cavillation of names shall not greatly trouble us especially seeing we pretend not to teach Philosophers but such as need a ruder and plainer instruction They may therefore be content with this division which shall not serve them to dispute of these matters but to understand the truth of these things that they desire Of these foure therefore we will speak orderly and generally not minding to treat of every particular kind for that were infinite but to open such universall causes as they which have wit may learn if they list to apply unto all particulars Of Earths THe Earth is an element one of the four cold and dry most gross and solid most heavy and weighty the lowest of all other in place When I say an Element I meane a simple body uncompounded This Earth is no Meteor but as it was shewed in the water to the end there should be generation of things There is no Element that we have which is pure and simple but all are mixed and compound Our fire is grosse and compound so is our aire our water and our earth but the earth notably and above the rest is mixed For the pure and naturall Earth is dry and cold but we see much to be moist and much to be hot The natural earth is black of colour but we see many Earths white many yellow and many red So that first the greatest part of the Earth is mixed with water that maketh it to cleave together with aire and some fire which make an oylie fat or clammy earth as is clay made c. Another great part is dried not into the naturall drinesse of the first quality but as a thing once mixed and after dryed either by cold as sand gravell c. or else by heat as chalke oaker c. And yet somewhat more plainly and particularly to discourse upon these causes admitting the natural colour of the Earth to be black of the water to be blue of the aire to be white and of the fire to be ruddy it followeth that upon the mixtion of these colours or chiefe domination of them all things have their colour The grosse substance of the Earth therefore being diversly mixed with other Elements and those mixtures again being eftsoones altered by divers and sometime contrary qualities hath brought forth so many kinds of earth as clay marble chalke sand