A Goodly Gallery

Why they be called imperfectly mixed.

THey are called imperfectly mixed, because they are very sone changed into another thing, and resolved into their proper elements of which they do moste consist, as do all impressious, fiery, airy, watery, as snow into water, clouds into waters. &c.

Why they be called perfectly mixed.

The last sort namely earthly, Meteores are called perfectly mixed, because they will not easily be changed and resolved from that form which they are in, as be stones, metalles and other mineralles.

According to the quality of the matter, they are divided into moist & dry impressions, consisting either of vapores or exhalations. vapores are called moist, and exhalations dry, which terms must be well noted, because they must be much used.

Of the general cause of all Meteores and first of the material cause.

The mater whereof the moste part of Meteores doth consist, is either water or earth, for out of y ^e water, proceade vapors, and out of the earth come exhalations.

Vapor as the Philosopher saith, is a certain watery thing, and yet is not water, so exhalation hath a certain earthly nature in it, but yet it is not yearth.

For the better understanding of vapors, understand that they be as it were fumes or smokes, warm & moist, which will easily be resolved into water, much like to the breath that proceedeth out of a man's mouth, or out of a pot of water standing on y ^e fiere. These vapors are drawn up from the waters and warry places, by the heat of the Sun, even unto the middle region of the air, and there after diverse manner of meating with coldness, many kind of moist Meteors are generated, as sometime clouds and rain, sometime snow and hail, and that such vapors are so drawn up by the Sun, it is plain by experience: for if there be a plash of water on a smothe and hard stoone, standing in the heat of the sun, it will soon be dry, which is none otherwise, but y ^t the son draweth up the water in thin vapores, for no man is so fond to say, that it can sink into stoone or metal, and it is as greatfoly 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 stoone, as also on the earth, is for the moste part drawn up, when the stoone or earth is dried

Exhalations, are as smokes that be hot and dry, which because they be thin, & lygther then vapors, pass the lowest and middle region of the air, and are carried up even to the highest region, where for the excessive heat, by nearenes of the fire, they are kindled, and cause many kind of impressions. They ar also sometimes viscose ▪ that is to say clāmy, by reason whereof, thei cleuing together & not being dispersed, are after diverse soortes set on fire, and appear somtims like Dragons, somtim like Goats sometime like candels sometime like spears.

By y ^t which is spokē of vapors & exhalations, it is evident y ^t out of y ^e fire & the air no matter whereof meteores should consist can be draw̄, because of their subtlety & thinnes. For all exhalatiō is by making a grosser body more thin, but y ^e fire (we mean y ^e elemētal fire, & not the fire of the kitchē chimney) is so subtle & thin, y ^t it cannot be made thinner: likewise the air is so thin, y ^t if it be made thinner, it is changed into fire, & as the fire if it wer made thicker, would become air, so the air, being made grosser, would be turned into water. Wherfor to conclude this part, y ^e great quantity of matter, that causeth these meteores, is takē out of y ^e earth and the water. As for y ^e air & the fire, they ar mixed with this matter as with all other things, but not so abundauntly, that they may be said the material cause of any Meteore, though without them none can be generated. The efficient cause of all Meteores is that cause, which maketh them, even 〈1 page missing〉 they are not to nigh to the direct beams, nor to far of from them: there is a moderate heat, drawing out great abundance of matter, so that in those contries, many Meteores of many sortes as generated, as in the far North partes are few, but watery impressions. Also in Autumn & Sprynge, are oftener Meteores seen, then in Summer and Wynter, except it be in such places, where the Summer and Wynter are of the temper of Spryng and Autūne. Let this be sufficient, for the efficient causes of impressions, as well first and principal, as second and particular. Concerning the formal and final cause, we have little to say because the one is so secret, that it is known of no mā, y ^e other so evident y ^t it is plain to all men The essential form of all substaunces, God's wisdom comprehendeth, the universal chief and last end of all things, is the glory of God. Mydle ends (if they may be so called) of these impressions are manifold profits, to God's creatures, to make the earth fruitful, to purge the air, to set forth his power, to threathen his vengeance, to punish the world, to move to repentance: all the which are referde to one end of God's eternal glory, ever to be praised. Amen.

Of the places, in which they are generated.

THe places in which Meteors are caused, be either the air or the earth, in y ^e air be generated rain, hail, snow, dew, blasing stars, thonder, lightning &c. In the earth be welles, springs, earthquakes, metals minerals, &c. made, and as it were in their mothers belly begotten & fashioned. But for the better understanding hereof, such as have not tasted y ^e principles of Philosophy, must consider y ^e there be iv. elements, Earth, water, Air, & Fire, one cōpassing another round about, saving y ^t the waters by God's commandment ar gathered into one place, y ^t the land might appear. The highest is y ^e spere of the fire, which toucheth the hollownes of the Moons heaven, the next is the air, which is in the hallownes of the fire, the air within his hollownes, comprehendeth the water and the earth, which both make but one Sphere or Globe, or as the common sort may understand it one Bal. So eche element is w ^c in another as y ^e scales of a perle, ar on above another, or (to use a gross similitude) as y ^e pieles of an oniō, ar one w ^c in another, after y ^e same sort frō y ^e highest heuē to y ^e earth, y ^t is lowest, one part y ^t is greater compasseth round about another that is lesser. But for this present purpose it is to be known, y ^t the air is divided into three regions, y ^e highest, the middle, and the lowest. The highest, because it is next to the region of y ^e fire, is exceading hot, the lowest being next the earth and the waters, is temperat, and by repercussion or striking back of the sun beams waxeth hot, and by absence of them is made cold, being subject to Wynter and Summer. The middle region of y ^e air, is always exceading cold, partly because y ^e son beams, cannot be cast back so high, and partly because the cold that is there, between y ^e heat above and the heat beneath it, is so kept in that it cannot get out, so that it must needs be excessively cold. For the water and the earth being both cold elements, after the sunnesetting in the night season do cool y ^e air, even to the middle regiō. But in the morning the sun rising warmeth y ^e air, so far as his beams which are beaten back from the earth & the water, can extend and reach, which is not so high as the middle region, and by heat on both sides, is enclosed and kept, saving that a little thereof falleth down in the night, which the next day with much more is driven back again. Wherefore this region being so cold, is dark and cloudye, in so much that some doting Divines have imagined, purgatory to be there in the mydle region of the air.

In the highest region, be generated Cometes or blasing stars, and such like of diverse sortes.

In the middle region clouds, rain, storms, winds. &c. In the lowest region, dew, frost, horefrost, mists, bright rods, candles burning about graves, & gallowses, where there is store of clamy fatty or oyly substance, also lights and flammyng fires, seen in fields, &c.

And thus much for the general causes of all Meteores.

Of the generation of the impression, called burned stoble or sparcles of fire.

THe generation of this Meteore is this, whan the matter of the Exhalation is in all partes a like thynne, but not compacted or knit together, then some parte of it being carried up into the highest region, by the fiery heat is set on fire before another part, that cometh up after it, and so being kindled by little and little, it flieth abrooode like sparkles out of a chymney, in so much that the common people suppose, that an infinite number of stars fall down where as it is nothing else, but the Exhalation that is thin kindled in many partes, sparkling as when saw dust or cool dust is cast into the fire.

Of Torches.

TOrches or fire brandes, are thus gen • rated: when the matter of the exhalation is long and not broad, being kyndled at one end thereof, in the highest region of the air, it burneth like a Torche or fire brande, and so continueth, till all the matter be burned up, and then goeth out, none otherwise then a Torche when all the stuff is spent must needs burn no longer.

Of dansyng or leaping Goats.

DAnsyng Goats, are caused when the exalation is divided into two partes, as when two torches be seen together, & the flame appeareth to leap or daūce frō one parte to the other, much like as balls of wild fire dance up and down in the water.

Of shotyng and falling Stars.

A Flying, shooting, or falling Sarre, is when the exhalation being gathered as it were on a round heap, and yet not thoroughly compacted in the highest parte of the lowest region of the air, being kyndled, by the sudden cold of the mydle region is beaten back, and so appeareth as though a Star should fall, or slyde from place to place. Sometyme it is generated after another sort, for there is an exhalatiō long and narrow, which being kyndled at one ende burneth swiftly, the fire ronning from ende to ende, as when a silk thread is set on fire at the one end. Some say it is not so much set on fire, as that it is direct under some Star in the firmament, and so receiving light of that star, seemeth to our eyes to be a star. In dead sometimes it may be so, but that is not so always, nor yet most cōmenly, as it may be easily demonstrated. The Epicurians as they are very gross in determining the chief goodness, so they are very fond in assigning the cause of this Meteor. For they say, y ^t the stars fall out of the firmamēt, and that by the fall of them, both thonder and lyghtning are caused: for the lightening (say they) is nothing else but the shining of that star that falleth, which falling into a watery cloud, and being quenched in it, causeth that great thonder, even as whoat iron maketh a noyce if it be cast into cold water. But it is evident that y ^e stars of the firmament cannot fall, for God hath set them fast forever, he hath given them a commandment which they shall not pass. And though they should fall into the cloud, yet could they not rest there, but with their weight being driven down, would cover the whole yearth.

For the least star that is seen in the firmamēt, is greater then all the earth. Here will step forth some merry fellow, which of his conscience thinketh them not to be above three yardes about, and say it is a loud lie, for he can see within the cōpass of a bushel more thē xx. stars. But if his bushel were on fire xx. mile of, I demand how bygge it would seem unto him? He that hath any wit, will easily perceive, that stars being by all men's confessiō, so many thousand miles distant from the earth, must neades be very great, that so far of should be seen in any quantity.

Thus much for the shootyng or fallynge Stars.

Of burning Candels.

WHen the Exhalation carried up into the highest part of the air is in all partes thereof of equal and like thynnes, & also long, but not broad, it is set on fire and blased like a candle, until the Exhalation be quite consumed.

Of burning Beams and round Pillers.

THese are caused, when the Exhalation being long and not very broad, is set on fire, all at once and so burneth like a great beam or logge. The difference of beams and pyllers is this, for beams are when they seem to lie in length, in the air, but they are called pillars, when they stand right up, the one end nearer to the earth, then the other.

Of burning Speares.

BUrning spears are generated, when a great quantity of Exhalatiōs, which may be called a dry cloud, is set on fire in the myddest, and because the cloud is not so compacte, that it should suddenly rend, as when thonder is caused, the fire breaketh out, at the edges of the cloud, kendlyng the thynne Exhalations, which shoot out in great noneber like fyry spears, or darts, longe and very small, wherefor they continue not long, but whē they fail, within a short while after, more fire breaking out, they shoot out as many more in their place, and likewise, whē they ar gone, other succeade, if the quantity of the matter will suffice, more then a doosen courses. This impressiō was seen in London, Anno dom. 1560. the thirty day of January, at eight of the clock at night the air in all other places being very dark, but in the North east where this cloud burned, it was as light as when the day breaketh, toward the Sun rysyng, in so much, that plain shadow of things opposite, was seen. The edge of this cloud was in fashion like the Raynbowe, but in color very bright, and often times casting forth almost innumerable darts, of wonderful length like squybbes, that are cast up into the air, saving y ^t they moved more swiftly then any squybbes.

Of shieldes▪ Globes or Bowles.

THese Meteores also have their name of their fashion, because they are broad, and appear to be round, otherwise their generation differeth not frō the cause of the like impressions before mentioned.

Of Lamps.

THe lamp consisteth of an Exhalation, y ^t is broad & thick, but not equally extended, namely smaller at one end then at another, which being kindled about y ^e midst thereof, burneth like a lāpe. The cause why, as well this impressiō, as many other, appeareth round, is not for y ^t always they ar round in deed, but because the great distance causeth thē to seem so. For even square forms, far of seem to be round. It is written, y ^t a lāpe fell down at Rome whē Germanicus Caesar, set forth the sight of sword players.

Of flying Dragons or fire Drakes.

FLying Dragons, or as Englyshmen call thē fire drakes, be caused on this manner. Whē a certain quātitle of vapors ar gathered on a heap, being very near cōpact, & as it wer hard tēpered together this lōpe of vapors assending to y ^e region of cold, is forcibly beaten back, which violence of moving, is sufficient to kindle it, (although some men will have it to be caused between ii. clouds a hot & a cold) thē y ^e highest part, which was climming upward, being by reason more subtle & thin, appeareth as y ^e Dragons neck, smokīg, for y ^t it was lately in the repuls bowed or made crooked, to represent the dragons bely. The last part by y ^e same repulse, turned upward, maketh y ^e tail, both apearīg smaller, for y ^t it is farther of, & also, for y ^t the cold bindeth it. This dragō thus being caused, flieth alōg in y ^e air, & sontime turneth to & fro, if it meat w ^t a cold cloud to beat it back, to y ^e great terror, of them that behold it, of whom some called it a fire Drake, some say it is the Devil him self, and so make report to other. More then sixtene years ago, on May day, when many young folk went abroad early in the morning, I remember, by six of the clock in the forenoon, there was news come to London, that the Devil the same morning, was seen flyinge over the Temmes: afterward came word, that he lyghted at Stratforde, and there was taken and set in the stocks, and that though he would fain have dissembled the matter, by turning him self into the likeness of a mā, yet was he know̄ welinough by his cloven feet. I know some yet alive, that went to see him, & returning affirmed, that he was in deed seen flying in the air, but was not taken prysoner. I remember also that some wished he had been shoot at with gons, or shaftes as he flewe over the Tēmes. Thus do ignorant men judge of these things that they know not, as for this Devil, I suppose it was a flyinge Dragon, whereof we speak, very fearful to loke upon, as though he had life, because he moveth, where as he is nothing else but clouds & smoke, so mighty is God, that he cā fear his enemies, with these and such like operations, whereof some examples may be found in holy scripture.

Of the Pyramidall pyller like a spire or broached steeple.

THis sharp pointed pillar, is generated in the highest region of the air, and after this sort. When the Exhalatiō hath much earthly matter in it, the lighter partes and thinner (as their nature is) ascending upward, the grosser, heavier, and thycker, abide together in the bottom, and so is it of fashion great beneath, and small pointed above, and being set on fire it is so seen, and thereof hath his name.

Of Fire scattered in the air.

FYre scattered in the air, or illuminations, are generated in the lowest region of the air, when very dry and hot Exhalations, are drawn up and meeting with cold clouds, are sent back again, which motions setteth thē a fire, whose partes, being not equally thycke or joined together, seem as though fire were scattered in the air. Yea sometimes, the whole air seemeth to burn, as though it would rain fire from heaven, & so it hath come to pass, burning both cities and towns. Then judge, how easy it was for God to rain fire vpō Sodom and Gomor, for their sins and wickedness.

Of lights that goeth before men, and followeth thē abroad in the fields by the night season.

THere is also a kind of light, y ^t is seen in the night season, & seemeth to go before men, or to follow them, leading them out of their way unto waters, & other dangerous places It is also very often seen in the night, of thē that sail in the Sea, & sometime will cleave to y ^e mast of the shyp, or other high partes, sometime slyde round about the shyppe, and either rest in one part till it go out, or else be quenched in the water. This impression seen on the lande, is called in latin, Ignis fatuus, foolish fire, that hurteth not, but only feareth fowls. That which is seen on y ^e Sea, if it be but one, is named Helena, if it be two, it is called Castor and Pollux.

The foulishe fire is an Exhalation kendled by means of violent moving, when by cold of the night, in the lowest region of the air, it is beaten down, & then commonly, if it be light, seeketh to ascend upward, & is sent down again, so it danseth up & down. Els if it move not up and down, it is a great lompe of glueysh or oyly matter, that by moving of the heat in it self, is enflamed of it self, as moist haye will be kyndled of it self. In hot and fenny countries, these lyghtes are often seen, and where as is abondaunce of such vnctuus and fat matter, as about churchyardes where through the corruptiō of the bodies there buried, y ^e earth is full of such substance, wherefor in churchyardes, or places of common burial, oftentimes ar such lights seen, which ignorant & superstitious fools, have thought to be souls tormented in the fire of purgatory. In deed y ^e devil hath used these lights (although they be naturally caused) as strong delusions to captive the minds of men, w ^c fear of the Popes purgatory, whereby he did opē injury to the blood of Christ, which only purgeth us frō all our sins and delivereth us from all torments, both temporal and eternal, according to the saying of the wise mā, the souls of the righteous are in the hands of God, and no torment toucheth them. But to return to the lights in which, there ar yet two things to be considered. First, why they lead men out of their way. And secondly, why they seem to follow men and go before thē. The cause why they lead men out of the way, is, that mē while they take hede to such lights, and are also sore afraid, they forgett their way, and then being ones but a little out of their way, they wander they woote not whether, to waters, pyttes, & other very dangerous places. Which, when at length they hap the way home, will tell a great tale, how they have been lead about by a spirit in the lykenes of fire. Now the cause why they seem to go before men, or to follow them, some men have said to be the moving of the air by the going of the man, which air moved, should drive them forward if they were before, and draw them after, if they were behind. But this is no reason at all, that the fire which is oftentimes, three or four miles distaunt from the man that walketh, should be moved to and froo by that air which is moved through his walkinge, but rather the moving of the air & the man's eyes, causeth the fire to seem as though it moved, as the Moon to children seemeth, if they are before it, to run after them: if she be before them, to run before them, that they cannot overtake her, though she seem to be very near them. Wherefore these lyghtes rather seem to move, then that they be moved in dead.

Of Helena, Castor and Pollux.

WHen the like substance in the lowest region of the air, over the Sea by the like occasion is set on fire, if it be one only, it is called Helena, if there be two, they ar called Castor and Pollux. These impressiōs will oftentimes cleue to the maste & other partes of the ships, by reason of the clammynes and fatness of the matter. Helena was of the Heathē men, taken as a Goddess the daughter of Jupiter and Leda▪ Castor & Pollux, were her brethren. Helena was the occasion y ^t Troy was destroyed, therefore the Mariners by experience tryinge that one flame of fire apearyng alone, signified tempest at hand, supposed the same flame to be the goddess Helena, of whom they looked for nothing but destruction. But when two lights ar seen together, they ar a token of fair wether, & good luck, the Mariners therefore believed, that they were Castor and Pollux, which saylyng to seek their syster Helena, being carried to Troye by Paris, were never seen after, and thought to be translated into y ^e number of the God's that give good success to them that sail, as we read in the last chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, that the shyppe wherein S. Paul sailed, had a badge of Castor and Pollux. A natural cause why thei may thus fore show either tempest or calmnes, is this. One flame alone may give warning of a tempest, because that as the matter thereof is compact, and not dissolved, so it is like, that the matter of tempeste (which never wanteth) as wind and clouds, is still together, and not dissipated, then is it like not long after to arise. By two flames together, may be gathered, that as this Exhalation which is very thycke is divided, so the thycke matter of tempest is dissolved & scactered abroad by the same cause that this is divided. Therefore not without a reason, the Mariner to his mates may promise a prosperous course.

Of flames that appear upon the hears of men or beasts.

THere is yet another kind of fyry impression, which is flames of fire upon the hears of men and beasts, especially horses. These are sometime clāmy Exhalations, scatered abroad in the air in small partes, which in the night by resistance of the cold, are kendled, cleauyng on horses ears, on men's heads & shoulders that ride or walk. In that they cleave vpō hears, it is by the same reason, that the dew will be seen also upon hears or garments, whose wool is high, as fryese mantels and such like. Another sort of these flames, are caused, when men's or beasts bodies being chaffed, send forth a fat & clāmy sweet, which is in like manner kīdled as y ^e sparks of fire y ^t ar seen when a black horse is curred. Liuius reporteth of Seruius Tullius, y ^e as he lay aslepe, being a child, his hear seemed to be all on a flame, which for all that did not burn his hear, or hurt him. The like history he reciteth of one Marius, a Knyght of Rome, that as he made an oration to his Souldiors in Spain, they saw his head burning on a light fire, & he him self not ware of it. Thus much concerning these flames..

Of Comets or blasing Stars.

A Comete is an Exhalation, hot & dry, of great quantity, fat and clammye, hard compacte like a great lompe of pitche, which by the heat of the sun, is drawn out of the earth, into the highest region of the air, and there by y ^e excessive heat of the place, is set on fire, apearing like a star with a blasinge tail, and sometime is moved after the motion of the air, which is circuler, but it never goeth down out of the cōpass of sight, thought it be not seen in the day time for the bryghtnes of the sun, but still burneth until all the matter be consumed. An argument of y ^e greatness is this, that there was never any Comet yet perceived, but at the lest it endured seven days, but much longer they have been seen, namely fowrtye days long, yea, lxxx. days, and some syxe months together. Wherefore, it must neades be a wonderful deal of matter, that can give so much noryshement, for so great and fervent fire, and for so long a time. There are considered in a Comet, specially the collor & fashion, which both arise of the dispositiō of the matter. Their colors, be either white, ruddye, or blue. If the matter be thynne, the color is white. If it be meanly thycke, then is the Comet ruddy, after the color of our fire, but when the matter is very thycke, it is blue, like the burning of Brymstone. And as the matter is more and less, after this disposition: so is the Comet of color, more or less lyk to these three principal colors, some yelowyshe, some duskish, some grenishe, some watchet &c.

In fashion ar noted three differences, for either they seem round, w ^c beams round about, or with a beard hanging downward, or else with a tail stretched out sydelong, in length. The first fashion, is when the matter is thickest in the myddest, and thin round about y ^e edges. The seconde is, when the Exhation is upward thick, and in length downewarde also, meanly thycke. The third form is like the seconde, saving that the tail hangeth not down, but lieth aside, & is commonly longer then y ^e beard. The time of their generation is oftenest in Autumn or harvest. For in the spring, there is to much moisture, and to little heat, to gather a Comet. In summer, is to much heat, which will disperse and consume the matter, that it cannot be joined together. As for winter, it is clean contrary to the nature if a Comet, which is whoat & dry, winter being cold and moist, therefore no time so meet as Autumn.

Now for so much as many learned men, have gone about to declare the signification of blasing stars, we will omit nothing y ^t hath any shadow of reason, but declare what is written of thē.

Such things as are set forth of y ^t betokening of Comets, ar of two sortes: the first is of natural, the second of civil or politic effects. They ar said to betoke drought, barynes of y ^e earth & pestilence.

Drought, because a Comet cannot be generated without great heat, & much moisture is consumed in y ^e burning of it.

Barrines, because y ^e fatness of y ^e earth, is draw̄ up, whereof the Comet consisteth.

Pestilence, forsomuch as this kind of Exhalations, corrupteth the air, which infecteth the bodies of men & beasts.

The second sort, might well be omitted, saving y ^t Aristotle him self, disdayneth not to seek out causes for some of them. Generally it is noted of all Historiographers, that after the apearing of Comets, moste comenly followed, great & notable calamities. Beside this, they be token (saith some) wars seditions, chāges of commē wealths and the death of Princes and noble men.

For what times Comets do shine, there be many hot & dry Exhalations in the air, which in dry mē kindle heat, whereby they ar {pro}uoked to anger, of anger cometh brawling, of brawling fighting & war, of war victory, of victory change of common welths. Then also Princes, living more delicatly thē other men, ar more subject to infection, therefore die sooner thē other mē. If it wer lawful to reason of this sort, we might induce thē to betokē, not only these few things, but all other things y ^e chanse in the world.

Yet these predictions have a show of reason though it be nothing necessary: but it is a world to see how the Astrologians, dote in such devises. They ar not ashamed, to an earthly substance, to ascribe an heavenly influence, and in order of judgment to use them as very stars, surely by as good reason as to the celestial stars, they atribute divine influences and effects. But this their fooly, hath been sufficiently detected by diverse godly and learned men, and this place requireth no longe discourse thereof. Wherefore this shall suffice, both for the natural causes of blasyng stars, and also, for all flames in general. It followeth therefore that with like brevity we declare the causes of fiery aperitions.

Of Aparitions.

AN Aparition, is an Exhalation in the lowest or highest region of the air, not verily burning, but by refraction of light, either of the sun or the Moon, seemeth as though it burned. Which appearance of color, riseth not of the mixtiō of the four qualities, as it doth in bodies perfectly mixed, as herbs, stones &c. But only of y ^e falling of light upon shadow. The light is in stead of white, and the shadow or darkness in stead of black. These diversely mixed according to y ^e diverse dispositiō of y ^e exhaelation, which ministereth variety by thickness or thynnes, cause diverse colors.

There be commonly recited three kinds of fiery apparitions.

Collours, wyde gapinges, and deep hooles, which appear in the clouds.

Of colors.

COllours are hear meant, when there is nothing else to be noted, but the colors of the clouds, and they are caused (as it is said) by casting the light into the shadowye cloud, according as it exceadeth more or less in thickness. whereof some be very bright white, and that is when the Exhalation is very thynne: some yealowish, when the Exhalations is thicker, some ruddy, when it is meanly thick, and very black when it is very thick. The redd and ruddy colors are seen, only in the morning and evening, when the light of the sun is not in his full force, for at other times of the day, his light is to vehement, clear, strong, and pearsing. This much of colors.

Of wyde gaping.

WYde gaping is caused, when an Exhalation is thick in the midst, & thin on the edges, thē the light being received into it, causeth it to appear as though the skye did rend, & fire break out of it.

Of round opening Hiatus.

THese holes called Hiatus, differ from wyde gapinges, in nothing, but that they be less, & therefore seem as though they were depe pittes, or holes, and not rending or gaping, and these be those apparitions, that appear fiery and yet be not so in dead. Therefore let this be sufficient to have shown the natural causes of all fiery Meteores.

Of Wyndes.

THe wynd is an Exhalation hot and dry, drawn up into y ^e air by y ^e power of y ^e sun, & by reason of y ^e wayght thereof being driven down, is laterally or sidelongs carried about the earth, & this diffinition is to be understanded, of general winds, y ^e blow over all y ^e earth, or else some great regions, but beside these, there be particular winds, which are known but only in some countries, & thē not very large, these winds oftentimes have another manner of generatiō. And that is on this manner. It must needs be confessed, y ^e w ^t in the globe of the earth, be wonderful great holes, caves, or dōgeōs, in which whē air abondeth (as it may by diverse causes) this air, y ^t cannot abide to be pined in, findeth a little hole in or about those countries, as it wear a mouth to break out of: & by this means, bloweth vehemently, yet y ^e force & vehemens extendeth not far, but as y ^e wind that cometh forth of bellows, near the coming forth, is strong, but far of, is not perceived: So this particular wynd, in y ^e country, where it breaketh forth, is very violent & strong, in so much, y ^t , it overthroweth both trees, & houses, yet in other countries, not very far distant, no part of that boisteous blast is felt. Wherefore this wind differeth frō the general winds, both in qualities & substance or matter, for the matter of them is an Exhalation, and the qualities such as the nature of the Exhalation is, very ayery, but not ayere in dead: but of this particular wind, the matter and substance is moste commonly air.

There is yet a third kind of wind, which is but a soft gentle and cool moving of the air, and cometh from no certain place (as the general wynd doth) yea it is felt in the shadow under trees, when in the hot light and shining of the sun, it is not perceived. It cometh whisking suddenly, very pleasant in the heat of the summer, and ceaseth by and by. This properly is no wind▪ but a moving of the air by some occasion. As for the general winds, thei blow out of diverse quarters of the air, now East, now West, now South, now North, or else inclininge to one of the same quarters. Amonge which the East wind following the nature of the fire, is hot and dry, the South wind expressing the quality of the air, is hot and moyste, the Western blast, agreing with y ^e waters property is cold and moist. The Northe that never was warmed with the heat of the sun, being cold and dry, partaketh the conditions of the earth. The middle winds have middle & mixed qualities after y ^e nature, of those four principal winds more or less, as they incline toward them more or less.

Generally the profit of all winds, by the wonderful wisdom of the eternal God, is wonderful great, unto his creatures. For besides y ^t these winds, alter the weather, some of them bringing rain, some drynes, some frost and snow, which all are necessary, there is yet an universal comoditie, that riseth by the only mouyng of the air. Which were it not continually styred, as it is, would soon putrefy, and being putryfied, would be a deadly infection to all y ^t hath breath upon the earth. Wherefore this wind whose sound we hear, and know not from whence it cometh nor whether it goeth (for who can affirm from whence it was raised, or where it is laid down) as all other creatures beside doth teach us, the wonderful and wise providence of God, that we may worthily cry out, with the Psalmist, & say: O Lord, howe manifold are thy words, in wisdom hast thou made them all, &c. Let this be sufficient, to have shown the generation of the winds.

Of earthquakes.

AN earthquake, is a shaking of y ^e earth which is caused by means of wind and Exhalations, that be enclosed, with in the caves of the earth, and can find no passage, to break forth, or else so narrow a way that it cannot be soon enough delivered. Wherefore, with great force, and violence it breaketh out, and one while shaketh the earth, another while rendeth and cleaveth the same, sometime it casteth up the earth, a great heyght into the air, and some time it causeth y ^e same, to synke a great depth down, swallowyng both cities, and towns, yea and also mighty great moūtaignes, leaving in the place where they stood, nothing but great holes of an unknown depthe, or else great lakes of waters.

Of diverse kinds of earthquakes.

DYuerse authors write dyuerselye, of the kinds of earthquakes, some making more and some less, but we shall be content at this time to comprehend them in four sortes.

The first kind is when the earth is shaken laterally, to one side, which is when the whole force of the wind dryueth to one place, and there is no other contrary motion, to let it. This wind if it be not great shaketh the earth, that it trembleth as a man that hath a fit of an agewe, and doth no more harm, but if it be great and violent, it louseth the foundations of all bydinges, be they never so strong, and overthroweth whole cities, but specially y ^t great buildynges, and not only buyldinges, but some time also casteth down great hylles, ihat cover and overwhelm, all the valley under them. Many noble and great cities, have been overthrown by this kind of earthquake. It is written that twelve of the most beautiful cities, and moste sumptuous buildyngs in all Asia, were overthrown and utterly destroyed with any earthquake. Howe often, Antiochia, yea within short time, was destroyed, they which have red the histories, can testify. Howe terrible was the earthquake, that shook Constantinople a whole year together, that the Emperor, & all the people, were fain to dwell abroad in the fields, under tents & pauilions for fear their houses would fall on their head, it is recorded in Chronicles, & worthy to be remembered.

The seconde kind is, when y ^e earth with great violence is lifted up, so that the buyldinges are like to fall, and by and by synketh down again: this is when all the force of the winds stryueth to get upward, after the nature of gonpouder, and fyndyng some way to be delivered out of bondage, the earth that was hoysed up, returneth to his old place.

The third kind is a gapinge, rendyng, or cleaving of the earth, when the earth synketh down, and swalloweth up cities, and towns, with castels, and towers, hylles and rocks, rivers, and floodes, so that they be never seen again. Yea the Sea in some places hath been drunk up, so that mē might have gone over on foot, until the time of tide or flood returning, covered the place with waters again. But in the lande, where this earthquake swalloweth up any city, or country, there appeareth nothing in the place thereof, but a marueylous wyde and deape goulf, or hole. Aristotle maketh mention of diverse places, and regions that were ouerthrouwen with this kind of earthquake.

The fourth kind, is when great mountains ar cast up out of the earth, er else when some part of the lande synketh down, and in stead thereof arise rivers, lakes, or fyers, breaking out w ^c smoke and ashes. It causeth also ouerflowyngs of the sea, when the sea bottom, is lyfted up, and by this means, arise many Ilandes in the sea, that never were seen before. These and other such miracles, are often to be found in the writers of histories, also in the Philosophers, as Aristotle, Seneca, and Plinius.

Neuertheles, the effects of some, as moste notable it shall not be unprofitable to recite. Plato in his Dialogue, entitled Timens, maketh mention by the way of a wonderful earthquake, wherebye not only Africa was rent asonder from Europa and Asia (as it is indead at this day, except a little neck by the red Sea,) the Sea entering between them that now is called Mare mediterraneum : But also a wonderful great Ilande, 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 sail, by reason that the same huge sea, by resolution of the earth of that mighty Island, was all turned into mud. The famous I will of Scicilia was also some time a part of Italy, and by earthquake rent asonder from it. Seneca maketh mentiō of two Ilandes. Theron and Therea, that in his time, first apeared. It should seem both by Aristotle, and also by Herodotus, that Egypt, in ancient time, was a goulphe of the sea, and by earthquake made a dry lande. During the reign of Tiberius the Emperor, twelve notable cities of Asia, were overthrown in one night, &c.

How so great winds come to be under the earth.

THe great caves and dens of the earth, must neades be full of ayere continually, but when by the heat of the son, the moisture of the earth is resolved, many Exhalations ar generate as well within the earth, as without, & where as the places were full before, so that they could receive no more exepte part of that which was in them nor lett out, in such countries, where the earth hath few pores, or else where they be stopped, with moisture, it must neades follow, that these exhalations striving to get out, must neades rend the earth in some place, or lift it up, so that either thei may have free passage, or else rowm enough to abide in.

Of the signs and tokens that go before an earthquake most commonly.

THe first is the raging of the sea, whē there are no tempestuous winds, to styre it, yea when the air is moste calm without winds. The cause why the Sea then rageth, is that the wind beginneth to labor for passage, that way, and fynding none, is sent back, and soon after shaketh the lande.

The seconde sign is calmenes of the air, and cold, which cometh to pass by reason that the Exhalation, that should be abroad, is within the earth.

The third sign, is said to be, a longe thine strake of a cloud seen, whē the skye is clear, after the setting of the son. This (say they) is caused, by reason that the Exhalation or vapor, which is the matter of clouds, is gone into y ^e earth Other 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 wayghte the time, wherefor within a while after, it seeketh and maketh it self by sudden eruption a broader way to be delivered out of prison.

Also the sun certain days before it, appeareth dim, because the wynd, that should have purged and dissolved y ^e gross ayere, that causeth this dymnes, to our eyes, is enclosed within the bowels of the earth.

The water in the botome of deape welles, is troubled, and the savor thereof infected, because the pestilent Exhalations y ^t have ben long enclosed, within y ^e earth do thē begin a little to be sent abroad. For thereof cometh it, that in many places where earthquakes have been, great abundance of smoke, flame, & ashes, is cast out, when the abundance of brimstone that is under the ground, through violent motion is set on fire, & breaketh forth Finally, who knoweth not, what stynking mynerals and other poisonous stuff doth grow under the earth? wherfor it is no wonder if well water, before an earthquake, be infected, but rather it is to be marveled, if after an earthquake, there follow not a grievous pestilence, when the whole mass of infection is blown abroad.

Last of all, there is hard before it, in the time of it, & after it, a great noise and sound under the earth, a terrible groanyng, and a very thondryng, yea sometimes when there followeth no earthquake at all, when as the wind without shaking of the earth, fyndeth a way to pass out at. And these for the moste part, or at lest some of them, are forewarninges that the moste fearful earthquake will follow, then the which there is no natural thing, that bringeth men into a greater fear. Cato was very curius to confess himself, that he repented, that ever he went by water, where as he might have gone by lande. But what lande, can be sure? if it be the Lord's will, by this work of his to shake it? what building so strong y ^t can defend us? when the more strong the more danger, the higher y ^e greater fall.

Of thonder.

THōder is a sound, caused in y ^e clouds by the breaking out of a hot & dry Exhalation, beating against the edges, of the cloud. It is often heard in spring & summer, by reason y ^t the heat of y ^e son, thē draweth up many Exhalations, which meating in the middle regiō of the air, w ^c cold & moist vapors, ar together with them, enclosed in an hollowe cloud, but whē the hot Exhalatiō cannot agree w ^c the coldness of y ^e place, by this strife being driven together, made stronger and kēdled, it will neades break out which sudden & violent eruptiō, causeth y ^e noise which we cal though̄der. A similitude is put by gret authors of moist wood, y ^e cracketh in y ^e fire, we may add here unto y ^e breaking of an egg in the fire, of an apple, or any like thing, for whatsoever holdeth & withholdeth, enclosed any hot wind, so y ^t it can have no vente, it will seek itself a way, by breaking y ^e skinn, shell or case. It wer no ill cōparisō to likē though̄der to the sound of a gonne, which be both caused of the same or very like causes.

The sound of though̄ders is diverse, after which, men have divided y ^e though̄ders into diverse kinds. Making first ii. sortes, y ^t is, small though̄der & great. But as for the diversity of soūdes, generally it cometh of y ^e diverse disposition of y ^e clouds, one while having more holes then at another, sometime thicker in one place then in another. The small or little though̄der is, when y ^e exhalatiō is drivē frō side to side, of y ^e cloud, making a noise, & ether for y ^e small quātitle, & less forcibles, or else for the thickness of y ^e clouds walls, is not able to break thē, but rōbleth up & down w ^t in y ^e cloud, whose sids ar stronger thē y ^e force of y ^e exhalation is able to break, it rōneth up & down w ^t in, & striking against the cloud & moist sides, maketh a noise not unlike to the quēching of hot yrō in cold water.

And if y ^e Exhalation be meanly strong, and the cloud not in all places of like thickenes, it breaketh out at those thinn places which such a bussing, as wynd maketh blowyng out of narrow holes.

But if the cloud, be so thynne, that it cannot keep in y ^e Exhalation, although it be not kyndled, then it bloweth out with like puffinge as wind cometh out of a pair of bellows.

A great thonder, is when the Exhalation is much in quantity, and very hot and dry in quality, the cloud also very thycke and strong, that easily will not give place to the wind, to escape out.

Wherefore if the Exhalation do vehemently shake the cloud, though it do not at the first disperse it, it maketh a longe and fearful romblyng against the sydes of the cloud, until at the last being made stronger by swyfter motiō, it dissolveth the cloud, and hath lybertie to pass out into the open air. The cloud resolved, droppeth down, and then followeth a shower of rain.

Otherwhyles it shaketh the cloud, not long, but streyghtwaye rendeth it a long space & time, whose sound is like the rendyng of a broad clothe, which noyce continueth a pretty while.

And sometime it discusseth the cloud at once, making a vehement and terrible crack like a gonne, sometime with great force, casting out stones, but most commonly fire, which setteth many high places on fire. As in the year of our Lord, 1561. the fourth day of June, the steple of saint Paul's church in London was set on fire, as it hath been once or twice before, and burned. The noyce of thonder though it be great in such places over which it is made, yet is it not hard far of, especially against the wind. Whereof we had experience also in the year of our Lord, 1561. on saint Mathyes day in February, at the evening, when there was a great flashe of lyghtnynges, and a very terrible crack of thonder following, they that were but xv. miles from Londō Westwarde, heard no noise, nor sound thereof: the wind that time was Western.

The effect of thonder is profitable to men, both for that the sweet shower doth follow it, and also for that it purgeth, and purifieth the air by the swyft mouynge of the Exhalation, that breaketh forth, as also by the sound which deuidynge and pearcyng the air, causeth it to be much thynner, which may be veryfied by an history that Plutarchus in the life of T. Quincius Flaminius, reporteth, that there was such a noyce made by the Grecians after their lybertie was restored, that the birds of the air that flewe over them were seen to fall down, by reason that the air divided by their cry, was made so thinn, that there was no firmitie, or strength in it to bear them up. And let this suffice for thonder, whom lyghtnyng succeadeth in treaty, that seildome is from it in nature.

Of Lyghtninge.

AMōg the diverse kinds of lightning, which writers in this knowledge do number, we shall entreat only of four kinds, yet so, that under these four, all the rest may be comprehended. The names we must borrow of the latin tongue. The first is Fulgetrum, The seconde Coruscatio, the third Fulgur the fourth, Fulmen.

Of Fulgetrum.

FVlgetrum we cal that kind of lyghtening which is seen on summer nights and eueninges, after a hot day. The generation hereof is such, when many thynn, light, and hot Exhalations, by the immoderate heat, have ben drawn up from the earth, and by the absence of the sun, be destitute of y ^e force, whereby they should have been drawn further upward, yet something ascending by their own nature, in that they be light and hot they meat with the cold, either of the night in the lowest region, or else of the air in the middle region, & so by resistence of cōtraries (as it hath been oft before rehearsed) they ar beaten back, and with the vehement moving set on fire. This lightning commonly goeth out in the air, terrible to behold, not hurtful to any thing. Except somtim whē the matter of it is, earthy & gross, being stricken down to the earth, it blasteth corn, and grass, with other small hurt. Sometyme it setteth a barn or thacked house on fyere. The color of this lightninge, as of all other, is diverse, partly according to the matter, & partly according to the light. If the matter be thynne, it is white, if the substance be gross, it is ruddy, like flames of fire, in great light as in the day it appeareth white, in the night, ruddy, yet sometime in the day time, we may see it yealow, which is a token that the matter is wonderful thick and gross. Olde wives are, wont to say that no night in the year, except one passeth without lyghtnynge, but that is as true as the rest of their tales, whereof they have great stoore.

Of Coruscation.

COruscation is a glistering of fire, rather then fire in dead, and a glymmerynge of lyghtning, rather then lightning itself. which is ii. manner of ways, one way, whē clouds y ^t be lower then the upper part of the earth, without the compass of our sight, are enflamed, & the reflection of that flame, is cast up into our sight appearing in all points like lyghtning, saving that the air where it appeareth is so clear, that we are persuaded no lightning can be there caused. Another way, is when there be thycke clouds over us, and commonly a double order of clouds, one above another, if lightninge or any other inflammatiō be in y ^e upper part of these clouds, the light of them perceth through the lower partes, as through a glass, and so appeareth as though it lyghtned, when perhaps it did lyghten in dead, yet that which we saw, was but the shadow thereof. And this is often without thonder.

Of Fulgur.

FVlgur is that kind of lightning which followeth thonder, whereof we have spoken before. For when that violent Exhalation breaketh forth, making a noyce as it beateth against the sydes of the cloud, with the same violence, it is set on fire, and casteth a great light, which is seen, far and near. And although the lyghtnyng appear unto us, a good preaty while before the thonder clappe be hard, yet is it not caused before the noyce if any thonder at all do follow, but either is after it or with it. Wherefore that we see it, before we hear the though̄der, may be ascribed, either to the quickness of our sight, that preventeth y ^e hearing, or else to the swyft mouinge of the fire and the light thereof, to our eyes, and the slow mouynge of the sound unto our ears and hearing. These three kinds of lyghtnynges, are more fearful then hurteful, but the fourth seldom passeth w ^t out some damage doing.

Of the fourth kind called Fulmen

THe moste dangerus, violent, & hurtful, 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, bursteth forth, it is set on fire, and with wonderful great force stryken down toward the earth: The crack of thonder, that is made when this lyghtenynge breaketh out, is sudden, short, and great, like the sound of a gonne. And often times a great stoone is blown out, with it, which they call the thonder bolt, which is made on this manner. In the Exhalation, which is gathered out of the earth, is much earthy matter, with clotterynge together by moisture, being clammy by nature, consistynge of brimstone and other metallycke substance, by the excessive heat, is hardened as a brycke is in the fyere, and with the mighty force of the Exhalation, strongly cast toward the earth, and stryketh down steples, and high buildynges of stoone, and of woodde, passeth through them and setteth them on fire, it cleueth trees and setteth them on fire, and the stronger the thing be that resisteth it, the more harm it doth to it. It is sharp pointed at one ende, and thycke at the other ende, which is caused by reason, that the moyster part, as heavier, goeth to the bottom of it. So is the top small, and the bottom thick.

Men write that the thonderbolt goeth never above five foot deep, whē it falleth upon the earth, which standeth with reason, both because the strength of it is weakened, before it come so near the ground, and also, because the continual thickness of the earth, breaketh the force, were it never so great.

Both Aristotle, Seneca and Plinius, devide this lyghtning into three kinds.

Of the first.

THe first is dry, which burneth not, to be felt but divideth, and perceth with wonderful swyftnes. For being subtle and pure, it passeth through the pores of any thing, be they never so small, and such things, as give place unto it, it hurteth not, but such things as resisteth, it divideth and perseth. For it will melt money in men's purses, the purses being whole, & vnharmed. Yea, it will melte a sword in the scabberde, and not hurt the scabbard at all. A wyne vessel it will cleave, and yet the wyne shall be so dull, that by the space of three days it will not run out. It will hurt a man's hand and not his gloue. It will burn a man's bones within him to ashes, and yet his skynne and flesh shall appear fair, as though nothing had common to him. Yea otherwhyle the whole man in the moment of an hour, shall be burned to ashes, where as his clothes, shall not seem to have been touched. It will also kill the child in the mothers belly, & not hurt the mother. And all because the mater is very subtle, and thin, burning, and passinge through whatsoever it be, that will not give it free passage.

Of the seconde kind.

THe seconde kind is moyste, and because it is very thin, it burneth not to ashes, but only blasteth, or scorcheth trees, corn, and grass: and by reason of the moistnes, it maketh all things black, that it cometh near, as moyste wood burning, is smokye and maketh things near it to be black & smokie.

Of the third kind.

THe third kind is moste like our common fire, that we have here on the earth of gross and earthly substance, wherefor it leaveth a prynte where it hath been, or else consumeth it into ashes, if it be such a body as will be burned with fire.

Of the maruayls of Lightening and their causes.

BEside the wonderful effects of lightnyng, that have been already remembered, there be many other which hereafter ensue, with the reason and causes unto them belonging, as thus.

The nature of lyghtning is, to poison beasts that are stryken therewith, as though they had been bytten by a serpent. The cause of this is, that the matter of lightnyng, is much infected with brimstone, and other poisonous metallike substances, which will poison the rather in lightening, because it is thinn & giveth thē passage into every part of the body. It is notable, that Seneca writeth, howe wyne vessels of wood being burned with lightning, the wyne would stand still, and not run out, the reason hereof, is the swyfte alteration and change, whereby also, all the clammynes of the wyne, is drawn to the outward moste part, and so keepeth in the wyne, as in a skynne, that by the space of three days, it will not run. It will also poison wyne, in so much that they which drink thereof, shall either be mad or die of it. The cause hereof was set forth before.

Lightning that striketh a poysenous beast purgeth it from the poison, in so much that it causeth a serpent or snake which it kylleth, to bread worms, which otherwise it would not do, but being purged from the natural poison by the swyfte percyng of the lightning: nothing letteth, but that it may bread worms, as all other corrupt flesh will do.

If lyghtning strike one that sleepeth, it openeth his eyes, and of one that waketh, it shytteth the eyes. The cause is this, that it waketh him that sleepeth, and kylleth him before he can close his eyes again. And him that waketh, it so amaseth, that he wynketh, as he will do at any sudden chance, so he dieth before he can open his eyes again.

All living things, turn their face toward the stroke of the lyghtenyng, because it is their nature, to turn their head if any thing come suddenly behind them. The rest that have their face toward it, when it cometh, never turn before they be killed.

The reason why it kylleth the child in the mothers womb, not hurtynge the mother, is the tenderness of the one, and the strength of the other, when the lightenyng is not vehement, otherwise both should die together.

Sometyme lyghtening burneth only the garments, shoes, or hear of mē, not hurtynge their bodies, and then the Exhalation is nothing vehement. Some time it kylleth a man & 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 lyghtning is wonderful subtle and thin, so swiftly passing through that it leaveth no mark or token behind it.

They that behold the lightening, are either made blind, or their face swelleth, or else 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 drieth up the Christalline humor of their eyes, so that consequently they must needs be blind.

Eutropius showeth, that the same day in which Marcus Tullius Cicero, was borne, a certain virgins of Rome ryding into Apulia, was stricken with lightening, so that all her garments being taken from her without any rendinge, she lay stark naked, the lasing of her breast being undone, & her hose garters untied: yea, her bracelettes collers and rings, being also loosed from her. Lykewyse her horse lay dead with his bridle and girtes untied.

The places of them that are burnt with lightning are colder then the rest of their bodies, other because the greater heat draweth away the lesser, or else because, that by the great violence the vital heat is quyghte extinguished in that place.

The sea Calf is never hurt with lyghtening, wherefor the Emperors tents, were wont to be covered with their skins.

The Baye trees, and box trees, are never or seldom strykē with lyghtning. The cause of these may be, the hardness of their skin, which hath so few pore holes, that the Exhalation cannot enter into them.

The eagle also among fowls is not stryken with lightening, wherefor the Poetes fain, that the Eagle carrieth Jupiter's armur, which is lightnyng. The reason may be the thickness and drienes of her feathers, which will not be kindled with so swift a fire.

Of storm winds.

A Storm wind, is a thycke Exhalatiō violently moved out of a cloud without inflammation or burning. The matter of this storm, is all one with y ^e matter of lightening, that hath been spoken of: namely it is an Exhalation very hot and dry, and also gross and thycke, so that it will easily be set on fire, but thē it hath another name, & other effects

The form or manner of the generation is such. When abondance of that kind of Exhalation is gathered together, within a cloud, which needs will have one way out or other: it breaketh the cloud, & causeth thonder, as it hath been tought before, but if the matter be very thick, and the cloud somewhat thynne, then doth it not rēde the cloud, but fallynge down, beareth the cloud before it, and so is carried as an arrow out of a bow. It doth always go before a great sudden showere, for when the cloud is broken, the water must needs fall down. Also it is so gross, and so thick, that it darkeneth the air, and maketh all the lowest region of the air, to be in manner as a dark smokye cloud. It causeth tempeste in the Sea, and wonderful great danger to them that bear sail, whom if it overtake, it bringeth to utter destruction. So sudden it is, that it cannot be resisted with sodeyn help. So violent it is, that feeble force can not withstand it. Finally, it is so troublesome with thonder, lyghtnynge, rain and blast, besides these darkness and cold, that it would make men, at so near a pynche to be at their wyttes ends, if they wear not accustomed to such tumultuous tempest. Wherefore it wear profitable, to declare the signs that go before it, to the ende, 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 calamytie they would little be feared. The Sea shyppes subject to more danger, have more help if it be used in time, but no signs foreknowen, can profit the dweller of the lande, to keep his house from ruin, except it wear to save his life from the fall of this mansion. The sudden violence of this tempest to him, is more seldom times, but more incurable when it cometh then to the Maryner, who hath some aid to look for, by his coming, the other if he escape with his life, may comfort him self, that he was near a great danger, & cast with him self to build up his house again.

Of whyrle winds.

A Whirlewinde, is a wind breaking out of a cloud, rolling or wynding round about, ouerthrowying that which standeth near it, and that which cometh before it, carrying it with him a loft in the air.

It differeth from a storm wind in three pointes.

First in the matter which is less in quantity, and of thinner substance.

Secondly in the moving, which is circulare wyndyng about, where as the storm bloweth a slope and sydelonges. Also a whyrlewynde in the mouinge divideth not it self abroad, and bloweth dyrectly as the storm doth.

And thirdly in the manner of the generatiō, for a storm doth always come out of one cloud, but a whyrlewynde some time is caused by means of two contrary winds that meet together. In like manner, as we see in the streets of cities, where the wind is beaten back from two walls, meetinge in the myddest of the streate, there is made a little whyrlewynde, which whiskynge round about taketh up the dust, or staws and bloweth it about after the very similitude of the great & fearful whirl wind. 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, whē they meet by reason of equal force on both sydes, can neither drive one y ^e other back again, nor yet pass through one y ^e 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, until there be space enough in the air, y ^e they may be parted asonder.

The matter of a whyrlewynde, is not much differing from the matter of storm and lyghtening, that is an Exhalation hot and dry, breaking out of a cloud, in diverse partes of it, which causeth the blowyng about▪ also it is caused as it hath been said, by two or more winds, blowyng from diverse places, which may be of particular causes y ^t hath been showeth before in the chapter of winds. This tempest is noisome to man and beast, Sea and lande, things living, and life lacking. For it will take up both men and beasts, stoones and clods of earth, which when it hath borne a great way will not be so curtues as to set them down again, but neglygently letteth them fall from a great heyght, or else violently throweth them down to the earth.

It breaketh trees wyndyng them about and pulling them up by the roots. It turneth about a ship and brooseth it in peaces w ^c other mischiefs beside.

Of the fyred whirl wind.

SOmetyme a whirlewynde, is set on fire within the cloud, and then breaking forth, flieth round like a great cartewhyle, terrible to behold, burning and ouerthrowynge all dry things, that it cometh near, as houses, woods, corn, grass, and whatsoever else standeth in the way.

It differeth not from a whirlwind, saving that it is kindled & set on fire, so apearing, else the generation of both is called one.

Of Circles.

THe Circle called Halon, is a garland of diverse colors that is seen about the sun, the Moon, or any other sterre specially about Jupiter or Venus, for their great bryghtnes. It is called of the Greeks a compassed platte, of the Latins a crown or garlande.

The matter wherein it is made, is a cloud of equal thickness, or thinnes, coming directly under y ^e body of the sunn, the Moon, or other sterres, into which the light of the heavenly body is received, and so appeareth round, because the sterre is round, or as a stoone caste into the water, maketh many round circles, dilatyng in breadth, until the violence of the mouyng is ended: so is it in the air the light beams percynge it, causeth broad Circles to be delated, which appear whyght, purple, black, red, green, blue, and other collors, according to the disposition of y ^e clouds mater. The cause of such colors, is shown before in the peculiar treaty of colors.

This circle is oftener seen about the Moon, then about the Sun, because the heat of the Sun draweth the vapors to 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, thē in the day. Syldome about other sterres, because their light beams ar to weak often to perse a cloud, yet oftener about small sters then the Sun, because the light of y ^e Sun, perceth the cloud more forcively, then that this Halon can many times because.

Otherwhyles it is seen about a candell, which must be in a very thick and gross air, of such proportionate thickness, that it may receive the light as the cloud doth frō the sterres, as in smoky places, or whotehouses.

This kind of Circle, is sometimes like a raynbowe, saving that it is a whole circle, unless the sterre under which it is caused, be not all risen, or else the cloud in which it is seen be not all come under the sterre, or after it hath come under some parte thereof be dissolved from the rest.

These Circles be signs of tempest, and winds, as witness both Virgile, and Aratus.

The wind shall blow from that quarter, where the circle first beginneth to break. The cause whereof is this, that the circle is broken, by the wind 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 vanyshe away and be dissolved altogether, it is a sign of fair weather.

If it be brooken in many partes, it signifieth tempest.

If it wax altogether thicker, & darker it is a fore warning of rain.

One alone after Ptolemy, pure and white, vanyshing away by little & little, is a token of fair weather.

Twoo or three at once, portendeth tempest, if they be ruddy, they show wind to come, and toward snow, they seem as it were kroken and rockye.

Being dark or dymme, they signify all these forsayde euentes, with more force and abundance, it is oftener caused in Autumn, and spring then in winter or summer, the cause is the temperatnes of the time.

The cause why it appeareth sometime greater, and sometime lesser, is in the qualititie of the matter, which as it is gross, or thynne, will more or less be dylated, and stretched abroad, and also as some will have it, of the weakness of men's sight. Of which Aristotle bringeth an example in one Antipho, which did always see his own image before him in the air, as in a glass, which he affyrmeth to have been for the weakness of his sight beams, that could not pierce the air, so that they wear reflected again to him self.

And thus much for Halone and the causes, signs, or tokens of it.

Of the Raynbowe.

THe Raynbowe, is the aparition of certain colors in a cloud opposite against the sun, in fashion of half a Circle. Possidonius said, it was the sun’s looking glass, wherein his image was represented, and that the blue colloured, was the proper color of the cloud, the red of the sun, all the other colors of commixtion.

It differeth manifoldly from Halone, for the raynbowe is always opposite against the sun, but Halone is directly under it.

They differ not only in place, but also in fashion, the raynbowe, is but half a Circle, the Halon is a whole Cyrcle.

Lykewyse they vary in colloure, for the raynebowe is more dymme and of purple color, the Halone whyter and bryghter.

Also in continuance, for the raynebowe may continue, longer, then Halone.

The image of the raynbowe may be seen on a walle, y ^e sunn striking through a six pointed stoone, called Iris, or any other Crystal of the same fashion, also through some glass wyndowe.

Halone is seen about candelles, in smoky places, as are bathes & kychenes.

The manner of the generation of the raynbowe is such, there is opposit against the sun, a thycke watrye cloud, which is already resolved into dewye drops of rain, as (for a gross similitude) is seen on the potlidde when the water in the vessel hath sodden, or is very hot, the lydde will be all full of small drops of water, which come frō the water in the vessel, first by heat resolved into smoke, after when it cannot go at large, it is resolved again. Wherefore upon such a cloud, the sun beams strykynge, as upon a smooth glass, do express the image of y ^e sun imperfectly, for the great distāce. Or else the sun beams, strike into an hollow cloud, where they are refracted or broken, and so cometh to the eyes of him y ^e beholdeth the raynbowe.

The similitude thereof is seen, whē men sail or row in boates, the sun shyneth upon the water, which casteth on the vessels side, the colors & image of the raynbowe.

Lykewyse water in an vrinall hold̄ against the sun, receiveth the light & showeth colors on the walle.

There be two kinds of rainbowes, one of the sun, another of the Moon, the one by day, the other by night, the raynbowe of the sun often, but of the Moon very seldom, in so much that it can be but twice at the most, in fiftye years, and that when the Moon, is in the East or West, full in perfect opposition. It hath not been many times seen sense the writing of histories, yet some times and for the rarenes, is takē for a great wonder. Yet is it in color nothing so beutiful, as the sun’s, but for the moste part, whight, as milk, other diversities of colors are scant perceived. When it appeareth, it is said to signify tempest.

The time of the raynbowe, is often after the point of Autumn, both for the placing of the sun in competent lownes, and also for abundance of matters, seldom or never is the raynbowe seen about the midst of summer.

There may be many raynbowes at one time, yet commonly but one pryncipall, of which the rest are but shadows, and images, the seconde shadow of the first, the third of the seconde, as appear by placing of their colors.

It remaineth to show why it is but half a circle, or less, neuermore, and why the whole cloud receiveth not the same colors, that the raynbowe hath. The cause of the first is, because the center, or mydle point of the raynbowe, that is Diametrally apposite to the center of the same, is always either in the Horrizon (that is the circle cutting of our sight of heaven by the earth) or under it. The cause why the whole cloud is not colloured, is because that in the myddest the beams as strong, perse through, but on the edges where they are weaker, they are reflected or refracted.

Now for so much, as God made the raynbowe a sign and Sacrament of his promise, some think it was never seen before the flood. Theyr reason may be this, that the earth after the first creation was then so fruictfull, that it neaded none, or very little rain, so that such dark clouds, wear not often gathered, the fruictfull ground not so easily remitting his moisture, that then was fat and clammye, hard to be drawn up: so it might be that there was no raynbowe before, as we cannot find that ever it rained before. But whether it were or not, it is certain, that then it became a Sacrament, where as it was none before, which when we behold, it behooveth us to remember, y ^e truth of God in all his promises, to his glory and our comfort.

The milk way called of some the way to saint James and Watlyng streate.

THe milk way, is a white circle seen in a clear night, as it were in the firmament, passing by the signs of Sagittarius and Gemini.

The cause thereof, is not agreed vpō among Philosophers, whose opinions I thought best to report, before I come to the moste probable causes.

First of all Pithagoras, is charged w ^e a Poetical fable, as though it had been caused by reason that the sun did once run out of his pathway, and burned this part whereof it looketh white.

Other as Anaxagoras and Democritus, said, that it was the light of certain sterres, shining by them selves, of their own light, which in the absence of the sun, might be seen. But this opinion is also false, for the sterres have no light of them selves, but of the sun, also if it wer so, it should apear about other sterrs,

Democritus is also reported to have said, that it was nothing else but innumerable little stars, which with their confuse light, caused that whytnes, to this opiniō, Cardane seemeth to subscribe.

The Poetes have four fables of it, one that Phaeton, which on a time guided the Chariot of the sunn, & wandering out of the way, did burn y ^e place, wherefor of Jupiter he was stryken down with lyghtnyng.

The second, that it is the high strete in heaven, that goeth straight to Jupiter's palace, and both sydes of it, the common sort of God's do dwell.

The third, that Hebe, one which was Jupiter's Cupbearer, on a time, stōbled at a star, and shed the wyne or milk, that was in the cup, which colloured that part of heaven to this day, wherefor she was pout out of her office.

The fourth, that Apollo stood there to fight against the Giantes, which Jupiter made to appear, for a perpetual memory.

Theophrastus a Philosopher affirmed, that it was y ^e joining together, or seem of the two half globes, which made it appear more light in that place then in other.

Other said, it was the reflection of the shining light of fire, or sterre light, as it is seen in a glass, but then it should be movable.

Diodorus, affirmed, that it was heavenly fire, condensede or made thick, into a circle, & so became visible, whereas the rest for the pureness, clearenes, and thinnes, could not be seen.

Possidonius whose mind to many seemeth very reasonable, said: it is the infusion of the heat of sterres, which therefore is in a circle, contrary to the Zodiake, (out of which the sun never wandreth) because it might temper the whole compass with vital and lively heat. Although in my mind he hath rather expressed the final cause, then the efficient.

Aristotle's opiniō is, that it should be y ^e beams of a great circle, which is caused by a cloud or Exhalation drawn up by those sterres, which be called Sporades This opinion of Aristotle's is myslyked of moste men, that have trauayled in this science and worthily. For if it were of the nature of elements, as Exhalations are, it would be at length consumed. But this circle never corrupteth, therefore it is not of Exhalatiōs. Also it nether increaseth or diminisheth, which is a plain proof, that it consisteth not of elemental matter. Although Aristotle seem to make a double circle, one celestial, another elemental.

The last opiniō is of them that say, it is of the nature of heaven, thycker in substance then other partes of heaven be, having some lykenes to the substance of the Moon, which being lightened by y ^e same, as all y ^e stars be, appeareth whight. And this opiniō I take to be y ^e most probable, because that sentence of sterrelight seemeth not so reasonable to be only in that place, and not else where.

The final cause of this milkewhyte circle, hath been already touched in the opinion of Possidonius, whereunto also in Plinius in the xviij. book & xxix. chapter of his natural history agreeth, affirming y ^t it is very profitable, for the generation & fruitful increase of things that grow on the earth. The Mathematicians that have measured y ^e breadth thereof, affirm that toward the north it passeth over the eclipticall line of the ninth sphere, frō the xviij. degree of Gemini unto the secōde degree of Cancer which is xiii. degrees, & toward the South, frō the viii. degree of Sagittarius to the xiii. degree of the same sign, & because it is there divided into ii. branches (as may easily be seen in a clear might) it reacheth frō the xxiiij. of Sagittarius to the second degree of Capricorne.

This circle if it be of the nature of heaven, is improperly placed among Meteores or impressions, but because of Aristotle's mind, who will have it to be an impression kendled, & their opinion which think it proceedeth of y ^e light of sterres it is not w ^t out good cause in this place entreated of.

Of beams or streams of light appearing through a cloud.

THer is yet another kind of impressiō caused by the beams of the sun, stryken through a watery cloud, being of unequal thines, y ^e is thinner in one part thē in another, so y ^e it cannot receive the beams in any other form, thē y ^e they appere direct or slope downward, of diverse collors, & y ^e same y ^e ar y ^e collors of y ^e raynbow, though not so evident, because y ^e reflection is not so strong. They vary in colors, some ar more purple, or ruddy, when the cloud is thicker some yealow & whitish when the cloud is thinner, & so other collors ar caused likewise, whereof you may read the proper causes in the colors of clouds and other like parts of this treatise. The common people cal it the descēding of the holy ghost, or our Ladies Assumption, because these thing are painted after such a sort. Other say that it is rain, stryking down in another place, as though they could see the drops falling. And they are not altogether deceived, but in the time, for sone after it will rain, because this impression appeareth out of a watery cloud. They are called by diverse names, as rods, wandes, coardes of tents, unto which they are not much unlike, staves and little pyllers, when they seem greater and thicker, many being joined together. The rain bow, the circles and these lyghtbeames, are all of one manner of generation, in so much that if you devide the circle, it shall be a raynbowe, if you draw it straight, in length, it maketh streams or beams. Herein they agree, namely in form and matter, but they differ in outward form, which we may call fashion, as the one is round, the other half round, & the third direct, straight or fallynge a slope. Also they differ in place, about which they stand, for streams are only about the sun, raynbowes about the son often, and seldom about the Moon, but circles both about the sun and the Moon, and also about any other of all the sterres, yet rather and oftener about bright sterres. To make an ende of these streams, they appear diversely, after the fashion and place wherein the cloud hangeth in respect of the sun.

For some time they are seen only in the edge of a cloud, all the breadth of that cloud. Sometyme through the middes of a cloud, being thynner there, then in other partes, and then they are spread round about like a tente or pauilon used in war. They ar moste commonly seen in such times, as there is great abundance of rain, which they, by their apparition do signify not yet to be ended. And thus much concerning direct light beams called rods &c.

Of many Sons.

IT is strange and marvelous to behold, the lykelyhode of that, which Alexander the great, sending word to Darius, said to be impossible, that two sons should rule the world. But oftentimes, mē have seen, as they thought in the firmament, not only two sons, but oftener three sun’s, and many more in number, though not so often appearing. These how wonderful soever they appear, proceade of a natural cause, which we will endeavor to express. They are nothing else but Idols, or Images of the sun, represented in an equal smooth and watery cloud, placed on the side of the sun, & sometime on both sydes, into which the sunn beams being received as in a glass, express y ^e likeness of fashion & light, that is in the sun, appearing as though there were many sun’s, where as in deed there is but one, & all the rest are images. This thick & watery cloud, is not said to be under the sun, for then it would make the circles called crowns or garlonds, it is not opposit to the sunn, for thē would it make the rainbow, but it is said to be on the side, where the ima{per}t may be best represented. Also it may not be to far of▪ for then the beams will be to feeble to be reflected neither yet to near, for if it so be the sun will disperse it. but in a cōpetent & middle distance, for so representation of many sun’s is caused.

They are most often seen, in the morning & evening, about the rising or going down of the sunn, seldom at noonee time, or about the midst of the day, because the heat will soon dissolve thē. Yet hath there been some seen, which began in the morning, & continued all the day long, unto the evening. Somtimes there appear many little sun’s, like unto little stars, which are caused after the same sort, as we do see a man's face, to be expressed in all the pieces of a brokē glass. So when the cloud hath many separations, there appear many sun’s, on one side of the true sun, sometimes great, and sometimes little, as the parts of the cloud separated are in quantity.

They do naturallye betoken tempest, and rain, to follow because they cannot appear, but in a watery disposition of the air.

Also if they appear on the Southside of the sun they signify a greater tempest then if they appear on the Northsyde. The reason is alleged, because y ^e Southerne vapor is sooner resolved into water, then is the Northern.

For a supernatural signification, they have often times been noted to have portended, the contention of Princes for kingdoms. As not longe before the contention of Galba, Otho, and Vitellius, for the Empire of Rome, there appeared three sun’s. Also of late toward the slaughter of Louis king of Hongary, were seen three sons, betokening three princes that contended for the kyngdō, namely Ferdinando now Emperor, John Vayuode, and the great Turk.

Of many Moons.

AFter the treaty of many sun’s, if wear 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 watery, smothe, and polyshed, even like a glass. Some call thē (as Plinius saith) night sun’s, because they joined with the light of the true Moon, give a great shynning 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 sun’s.

It may be doubted why the other stars do not likewise express their image, in watery clouds, and so the noneber of them to our sight should be multiplied: it may be answered, that their light or beams, are to feeble, & weak to express any such similitude or lykenes in the watery clouds. For although they have garlandes, or circles, about them, that are caused in a vapor, that is under them: yet it is manifest, that this apparition hath not need of so strong a light, as is required to prynt y ^e images of them in the clouds. Agayne the garlandes 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, whē their light is either none or moste feeble, & weak, as we see it is used at mid-summer to behold that great star called Sirius, 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 watery 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 the water, but consisteth of innumerable small drops, so that except the light of the stars were stronger, it can in thē express no uniform images of them, as it doth in glasses, and in the water. Notwithstanding, in writers of wonders, we read some such like thing sometime to have chaunsed.

There hath been often seen many sun’s, 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, & at y ^e Moons rising, was ready also to receive her image.

Of wonderful apparitions.

WE will close this book, with a brief declaration of the natural causes, of many things, that are seen in y ^t air, very wonderful & strange to behold, which in these later years, have been often seen and beheld, to the great admiration of all men, not without the singular providence of God, to forwarne us of many dangers, that hange over us, in these moste perilous times.

The aparition of which, as it is most wonderful, so the serching of the cause, to us is moste hard & difficulte. A great deal the rather, because no mā hath hitherto enterprysed (to my knowledge) to seek out any cause of them, but all men have taken them as immediate miracles, without any natural mean or cause to procure them.

And I truly, do acknowledge y ^t they ar sent of God as wonderful signs, to declare his power, & move us to amēdement of life, in deed miraculus, but not yet so, y ^t they want a natural cause. For if they be well weighed & considered, it is not hard to find, y ^t they differ much frō such miracles, as ar recorded in y ^e scripture, and admitted of divines. So that, as I ahhorre the opiniō of Epicures, to think that such things come by chance, but rather by y ^e determined purpose of gods providence: so I consent not with them, that suppose when anything is derived from any natural cause, God the chief and best cause of all things is excluded.

Some of these wonderful apparitions consist of circles and rainbowes, of diverse fashions & placings, as one with in another, the edge of one touching another, on deviding or going through another, with like placing of small circles, about great circles, or partes of small circles, some with the ends upward, some downward, some aside, & some acrosse, but all for the most part in uniform order constituted or placed, for the order of them pleasant to behold, but for the strangeness somewhat fearful. Suche a like apparition, is made with the sunns or Moons images, joined unto these circles, set also in good & uniform order.

The cause of these is the meting together, of all those several causes, that make the circles, rayn bowees, streams and images of the sunn or moon, which joined altogether, make the wonderful sight of strange raynbowes, positions of circles, crosses, & diverse lyghtes, which pertain to the knowledge of Optice and Catroptice, that teache howe by diverse refractiōs and reflectiōs of beams, such visions are caused. So that he, which will know howe they are generated, must return unto the several treatyses of raynbowes, circles, streams, & images, of the sun or Moon, and if in thē he find not knowledge 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 y ^e former, but a great deal more strange and wonderful to look upon, are the sightes of armies fighting, in the air, of Castels, Cities, and Towns, with whole countries, having in them hills, valies, rivers, woods, also beasts, mē, and fowls, monsters, of which there are no such kinds on the earth, and finally all manner of things and actions, that are on the earth, as burialles, processions, judgments, combats, men, women, childrē, horses, crowns, arm of certain noble men, & contries, weapons of all sortes, sometimes stars, angels, as they ar painted w ^t the image of Christ crucified, besieging of castels and towns, many things and gesturs done by men or beasts, the very similitude of persons known to the beholders, as of late, was seen the very image of the Emperor Charles, insomuche that they which beheld it, put of their cappes, thinking verily it had been he, & of Ihō Frederick prince Elector of Saxon, who y ^e time was prysoner with thenperour. Also the image of small crosses, which hath ben not only in the air, but also on the earth, on men's apparel, on dishes, platters, pots, & all other things so that the Jews have been full angry, that they could neither wash, nor rub them out of their aparell. In Germany, also fyers and many such things, as it were long stories, seen in the air.

All these wonderful aparitions, 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 knowledge 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 the earth. And because it is apt to receive diverse images, as well in one place as in another, these monstrous forms and strange actions, or stories proceade of the ioyninge of diverse forms and actions, as if two histories, were confusely painted in one, the whole picture would be strange or (as the Poet saith,) if a paynter to a man's head, should set a horses neck, & after diverse feathers. Sometymes also, one image is multiplied in the air, into many or infinite, as ar letters & crosses, which fill all the air, even beneathe. And the light of the sun, received into little partes, maketh to appear, as it wer many small stars. Let this suffice, concerning these wonderful apparitions: once again admonishyng the Reader, though I have enterprysed to declare these by natural reason, yet believing y ^t not so much as on sparrow falleth to y ^e ground, without God's providence, I do also acknowledge God's providence bringeth these to pass, to such ende as before I have shown, using these causes, as means and instruments to do them.

Of clouds.

A Cloude is a vapor cold and moyste, drawn out of the earth, or waters by the heat of the sun, into the mydle region of the air, where by cold it is so knit together, that it hangeth until either y ^e weight or some resolution cause it to fall down.

The place wherein the clouds do hange is said to be in the middle region of the air, because men see it is necessary that there should be a cold which should make those vapors so gross, and thycke, which for the most part are drawn so thin, from the earth, that they ar invisible, as the aier is. And although they are known oftentime as Aristotle witnesseth, to be in the lowest region of the air, near to the earth, in so much that sometimes, they fall down to the earth, with great noise, to y ^e great fear of men and no less loss and danger. Yet may it be reasonably thought, that these clouds were generated in y ^e middle region of the air, far distant from the earth, which by their heuines do by little and little sink down, lower into y ^e lowest region, and sometimes also fall down to the earth.

The common opinion is, that they go 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 exceade three mile in heyght, when they are highest.

And some let not to say, that oftentimes they ascend not past the half of one mile, in heyght.

Agayne other pretending to find out the truth by Geometical demonstrations, make it above fifty mile to the place where the generation of clouds is

Howe these men take the distance from the earth, it is uncertain. whether that they assign y ^e least distance, mean it from the highest part of the earth, as are hill tops, or from the common plain. Again, whether they y ^t assign the highest distance to be from the lowest valleys, of the earth, or from the hylle tops.

The reason before shown, moveth me to think that the moste usual & 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, whē thei be generated I think they be sometime nine mile, sometime in. mile, sometime half a mile, & sometime less then a quarter of a mile from the earth.

Of Mystes.

THere be two kinds of mists, y ^e one ascending, the other descending.

That which ascendeth, goeth up out of the water, or y ^e earth as smoke, but doth not cōmenly 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 not being 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, & is called mists, being usually a sign of fair weather.

Of empty clouds.

THere be certain clouds, y ^t ar empty, & send no rain, they come of ii. sortes.

For one sort are the remnantes of a cloud, that hath rained, which cannot be converted into water, for there dryenes. Another sort is of them, that are drawn up, of wett and dry places, and be rather Exhalations then vapors, that is they be day, hot, & light, so that it wer hard for them to be turned into rain. They look white like flocks of woile, when y ^e light striketh into thē. Ther be also empty clouds, when y ^e winds haus dispersed abroad, any cloud, they ar scatered over all the sky, but these clouds, though for a time they be emptye, yet because they consist of such a substance as is watrye, they may be and are often times, gathered together and give plētifull rain.

Of the colors of clouds, we have spoken in the second book of fyry Meteors, where those colors and the causes of them, are described, which seem to be fyerye, or may be thought to be inflamations or burnings, as be red fyry and yealowysh.

But beside those, there be white, black, blue, and greane.

Whyte clouds be thynne, and not very watery, so that the light received in them, maketh thē to appear white.

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

Blew clouds be full of thick, gross, and earthly as the black, so the light received in them, maketh them to seem blue.

Grene clouds are altogether watery, resolved into water, which receiving into them the light, appear grene as water doth in a great vessel, or in the sea and rivers.

Of Rayne.

AFter the generatiō of clouds is well known, it shall not be hard to learn, from whence the rain cometh.

For after the matter of the cloud being drawn up, and by cold made thick, (as is said before) heat following, which is moste commenlye of the Southerne wind, or any other wind of hot temper, doth resolve it again into water, so it falleth in drops, to give increase of fruit to the earth, and move men to give thanks to God.

There be small showers, of small drops, and there be great storms of great drops.

The showers with small drops, proceade either of the small heat, that resolveth the clouds, or else of the great distance of the clouds from the earth.

The streams with great drops, contrariwyse, do come of great heat, resolving or melting the cloud, or else of small distance from the earth. Wherof we see an experiment when water is poured forth, from an high place, the drops are smalle, but if it be not from height, it will either have no drops or very great.

The cause why rain falleth in roūdrops, is both, for that y ^e partes desire the same form that the whole hath, which is round▪ & also that so it is best preserved against all contrary qualities, like as we see water, poured upon dry or greasy things to gather it self into roundels, to avoid the contrariety of heat and dryenes.

It is not to be ommitted, that rain water although a great part of it be drawn out of the sea, yet moste commonly it is sweet and not salt.

The cause is, because it is drawn up in such small vapors, and that salt part is consumed by the heat of the sun.

The rayn water doubtless, doth more increase and cherish things growing on the earth, thē any other water where with they may be watered, because the rain water, retaineth much of the sunns heat in it, that is no small comfort to all growing plants. The water that cometh from heaven, in rain will sooner come to putrefaction, or stinking, then any other, because it hath been made very subtle by heat, and also for that it is mixed with so many earthly & corruptible substaunces.

Rayne water that falleth in the summer, by Auicens judgment, is more wholesome then other water, because it is not so cold and moist as other waters be, but whotter and lighter.

Somtime there is salt rain, whē some Exhalatiō which is hot & dry, is cōmixd w ^e the vapor whereof the rain consisteth.

Sometime it is bitter, when sum burnt earthly moisture is mixed with it. This rain is both vnholsom & also vnfruictful. In these countries, there is great store & plenty of rayn, because the sun is of such tēperat heat, y ^t it gathereth many vapors, & by immoderate heat doth not consume them. But in y ^e East partes, in some hot cōtries, it never or seldom is seen to rain, as in Egypt & Siria, but insteade of rain Egypt hath y ^e river Nile, whose ouerflowings, doth maruelously fatten y ^e earth. In Syria & other like countries, they have more plentiful dew, then we have, which doth likewise make their earth exceading fruictfull.

Seneca testifieth, that y ^e rayn soketh no deper into the earth thē ten foot depe.

Of the signs of Rayne.

FIrst if the sky be redd in the morning, it is a token of rain, because these vapors which cause the rednes, will be shortly resolved into rain.

If a dark cloud be at the sun rising, in which the sun soon after is hid, it will desolue it, and rayn will follow. If then appear a cloud and after vapors are seen to ascend up to it, that betokeneth rain.

If the sun or Moon loke pale, loke for rain.

If the sun in the East, seem greater then commonly he appeareth, it is a sign of many vapors which will bring rain.

If the sun be seen very earlye, or few stars appear in the night, it be tokeneth rain.

The often changing of the wynds, also showeth tempest.

The moste suer and certain sign of rain, is the southern wind, which with his warmenes, always resolveth the clouds, into rain.

When there is no dew at such times as by nature of the time, there should be, rain followeth, for the mater of the dew, is turned into the matter of watery clouds.

If in the West about the sun setting, there appear a black cloud, it will rain that night, because that cloud shall want heat, to disperse it.

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

Hard stoones will be moist and sweat against rain, lamps, and candles, by sparcling, frogs crying, trees breaking, leaves falling, and dust clottering forewarn us of a tempest.

Flees, flies and gnats, byght sore toward a tempest, kyne feed greadely, birds seek their vitels more besilie, for in the gross air disposed to rain, their stomach is whoter and they more hongry. But these kind of signs pertain not so properly to Meteorologie, as to mariners and husbādry, which have a great many more then these. And Virgil in his first book of Georgikes, hath a great number for them, that liest to learn. Wherefore let these hitherto suffice.

Of monstrous or prodigious rain.

HEtherto we have made mentiō only of natural rain, & that which is common which no man doth marvel at. But there is sometime such rain, that worthily may be wondered at, as when it raineth, worms, frogs, fishes, blood, milk flesh, stones, wheat, iron, wol, brick and quicksiluer. For histories make mentiō, that at diverse times, it hath rained such things, whose natural cause for the moste parte, we will go about to express, notwithstanding accomptinge them among such wonders, as God sendeth to be considered, for such ends, as we have before declared. Wormes & frogs may thus be generated, when fat Exhalations ar drawn up into y ^e air by a temperature of whott & moist, such vermyn may be generated in the air, as they are on the earth, without copulatiō of male & female. Or else that with the Exhalations & vapors, their seed & eggs are drawn up, which being in y ^e clouds brought to form, fall down among y ^e rain.

Likewyse the spawn of fishes, being drawn up maketh fishes to rayn out of the clouds. The vehement heat of the sun, in summer and specially in hot contries, draweth milk out of the paps of beasts & cattle, which being carried up in vapors and resolved again into milk, falleth down like rayn.

After the same manner the sun also from places where blood hath ben spilled, draweth up great quantity of blood, & so it rayneth blood.

It raineth flesh, when great quantity of blood being drawn up, it is clottered together and seemeth to be flesh. Auicen saith that a whole calf fell out of the air, and some would make it seme credible, that of vapors and Exhalations with the power of the heavenly bodies, concurring, a calf, might be made in the clouds. But I had rather think, that this calf was takē up in some storm of whrlewynd, and so let fall again, thē agree to so monstrous a generation.

It is a great deal more reasonable, that stones of earthly matter gathered in clouds, should be generated as we have said before of y ^e though̄derbolt. Yet some men think, y ^e wynd in caves of y ^e earth, breakīg upward violently, carrieth before it, earth & stones into y ^e air, which can long abide, but fall down and are compted among prodigius rain. Exhalations that be earthy and drawn out of claye, have much gross substance in them, which gathered together, & by gret heat burned in the clouds, make brick, which is no great marvel.

He that hath seen an eggs shell full of dew, drawn up by the sun into the air, in a May morning, will not think it incredible, that wheat & other grayne, should be drawn up in much whotter countries then ours is, much rather the meal or flower which is lighter.

A certain mossynes, like wool, as is upon quinses, wyllowes, and other young fruictes and trees, is drawn up of the sun, among the vapors and Exhalations, which being clottered together, falleth down like locks of wolle.

Quicksiluer all men know, with small heat will be resolved into moste thin vapors. Whereof when quantity is drawent up, it falleth down again. As it is red, that once at Rome, it rained quicksyluer, wherewith the brazen money being rubbed, it looked like silver.

Titus Liuius, maketh mention, that it rained chalk, whereof the cause cannot be hid to them, that read howe stoone and brick come into the air.

Iron hath also rained out of y ^e clouds, and sundry times, as histories witness. Whereof this hath ben the cause. The general matter of all metalles, with is quicksiluer, and brimstone, which the special matter of mixtion, that maketh irone, wear all drawn up together, & there concocted into the metal, so came the strange rain of iron.

Auicen saith, he saw a piece of irō that fell out of the clouds, that weighed about an hundred pound weight, where of very good swerdes were afterwards made.

Of Dewe.

DEwe is that vapore, which in spring and Autumn, is drawn up by the sun in the day time, which because it is not carried into the middle region of the air, abidyng in the lower region, by cold of the night, is condensede into water, and falleth down in very smalle drops.

There is common dew & sweet dew. One kind of the sweet dew, is called Manna, being whyghte like sugar, which is made of thick and clammye vapors, which maketh it so to fall thick and white. It falleth only in the East partes. As for that Manna which God rained to the Israelites was altogether miraculous. In Arabia (as Plinius writeth) is a very precious kind of dew, y ^t is called Ladanum, which falling upon the herb Cusus, & mixed with the iuyse of that herb which goats do eat, is gathered of goats hears and kept for a great treasure. Ther is another kind of sweet dew, that falleth in England called the meldewes, which is as sweet as honey being of such substance as honey is, draw̄ out of sweet herbs & flowers.

There is also a bitter kind of dew that falleth upon herbs, and lieth on them like brann or meal, namely because it is of an earthly Exhalation, & so remaineth, when the moyster is draw̄ away: this dew kylleth herbs.

The commē dew, drunk of cattle, toth, rotte them because the matter is full of viscositie, bringing thē to a fluxiō.

Ther be three things, y ^e hinder dew from falling, that is great heat, great cold, and wind. For dew falleth in the most temperat calm time.

Of hore froste.

HOare frost or whight frost, is nothing else but dew congeled by ouermuche cold. The South and East wynd, doth cause dew, but the North and Northern winds, do fryese the vapors, and so it becometh hoary froste, which if that excessive cold had not been, should have turned into dew.

The dew and the hoary frost, agree in three things, namely in matter, in quality of time, and place of their generation. In matter they agree, for they are both generated of a subtle & thin vapor, also small in quantity.

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

Thyrdly they are both generated in the lowest region of the air, for (as Aristotle affirmeth) vpō high hills, there is neither dew nor hoary frost.

They differ also in three things. For the hoary froste is congeled before it be turned into water, so is not the dew.

Secondly, the dew is generated in temperate weather, the whight froast in cold weather.

Last of all, hot winds, as the South and East do cause dew, but cold winds as the Northe and Weast do cause hoary froast.

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

Of Hayle.

HAyle is a hot vapor in the mydle region of the air, by the cold of that region, made thick into a cloud which falling down to the sudden cold of the lowest region is congeled into Ise.

There be so many kinds of hail, as there be of rayn. The fashion of hayl, is sometime round, which is a token y ^t it was generated in the mydle region of the air, or very near it, for falling frō high, the corners are worn away.

When the hail stones are square, or three cornered, the hail was generated near the earth.

Often times, there is hard a great sound in the clouds, as it were of though̄der, before hail, or as it were of an army fighting &c. the cause is, that vapors of contrary qualities, being enclosed in the cloud, do strive to break out, & make a noise even as cold water doth put into a seathing pot.

In spring and harvest time, is often hail, seldom in summer and winter. In winter there wanteth hot vapors, in summer, the lowest regiō is to hot, to congele the rain falling down. In spring and Autumn, there wanteth neither hot vapors, to resist the cold, nor sufficient cold to harden the drops of that hot shower of rain.

The haylestones are sometimes greater, and sometimes lesser: greater with greater cold, and lesser with lesser cold.

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

Sometime hail & rain, falleth together, when the latter end of the cloud for want of cold in the lowest region, is not congeled.

Hayle stones ar not so clear, as Ise, because they are made of gross & earthy vapors, ise is congeled of clear water.

Hayle is sooner resolved into water, then snow, because it is of a more sodē and swyft generation.

Of Snowe.

SNowe is a cloud congeled by great cold, before it be perfectlye resolved from vapors into water.

Snowe is whyght, not of the proper color, but by receiving the light into it, in so many small partes as in some, or the whyghte of an egg beaten.

Snowe is often upon high hills, & lieth long there, because their tops ar cold as they be near to the mydle region of the air. For oftentimes it rayneth in the vallye when it snoweth on the hylles.

Snowe melting on the high hills, and after frosen again, becometh so hard that it is a stone, & is called Crystal. Other matters of snow because they ar common with rain, are nedeles to be spoken of. To be short, sleet is generated even as snow, but of less cold, or else beginneth to melte in the falling.

Snowe causeth things growing to be fruitful, and increase, because the cold dryueth heat unto the roots, and so cherysheth the plants.

Of Springes and Rivers.

THe generation of springes is in the bowels of the earth, & therefore something must be said of the body of the earth. The earth though it be solid and massy, yet hath it many hollow gutturs and vaynes, in which is always air to avoid emptiness. For the ignorant in Philosophy must be admonished, y ^t all things are full, nothing is emptye, for nature abhorreth emptiness, so that where nothing else is, there is air and vapors, which by cold as it hath often ben said, will be resolved into drops, as we see experience in marble pillars & such like hard stoones, towards rain. This aier and vapors therefore being turned into drops of water, these dropps sweet out of the earth, and find some issue at the length, where many being gathered together make great abundance of water, which is called a fountain or spring. The cause why such sprynges do run continually, is because that air can never want in those veins, which by cold will always be turned into water, so that as fast as the water runneth forth, so fast is air again received into the place, whereby it cometh to pass, y ^t so many springes are perpetual, and never dried. But if any be dried up, it is in a hot summer, and such springs also they be, whose generation is not depe in the earth, & therefore the vapors may be made dry & the earth warm, so the spring may fail.

There be four kinds of spryngs, fountains, brooks, rivers, & lakes.

Of Fountaines.

FOuntaines be small springes, which serve for wells and conductes, when there is but one place, where the water is generated, and that is not very abundaunt, ether because it is of small compass, or small vaynes and not many.

Of Brookes.

BRookes, boornes, or fordes, be small streams of water, that run in a chānell, like a river. They are caused whē either the spring occupieth a great compass, or else two or three small sprynges meat together in one channel.

Of Ryuers.

Ryuers are caused by the meatynge together, not only of many springs, but also of many broocks & fordes, which being received in diverse places, as they pass ar at the length, carried into y ^e broad sea, for the moste part. Howbeit some rivers are swallowed up into the earth, which perchance run into the sea by some secret and unknown channels, some rivers there be, that hide their heddes under the earth, and in another place, far of break out again. They write also, that some rivers being swallowed up of the earth, in one Ilande do run under the bottom of the earth & sea, and break forth in another Ilonde. There be also many great rivers y ^t run under the earth in great caves which never break forth. Aristotle showeth of pondes & lakes, that be under the earth. And Seneca speaketh of a pond that was found by such as digged in the earth, with fishes in it, & they that did eat of them died. As eeles y ^e be found in dark places, as wells that have been dammed up &c. are poison.

Of Lakes.

LAkes ar made by the meting together of many rivers, brooks & springs into one deep valley. Whereof some are so great, that they have the name of seas, as y ^e great lake called Hircane, or Caspiā sea. These lakes sometimes vnlade thenselves into the sea, by small rivers, sometimes by passages under the earth.

The cause of the swiftness of rivers, is double, for they are swyfte either for the great abundance of waters, or else because they run down from an hylly place, as the river Rhene falleth down from the top of wonderful high hylles.

Of hot bathes.

SOme waters that are generated and flowe out of vaynes of brimstone, are sensybly warm, and some very whott, because they run out of hot places. These waters being also drying by nature, are wholesome for many infyrmities, specially breaking forth of scabbs. &c. Suche are the bathes in the Weste country, and S. Ann. of Buckstones well in the North part of England and many other else where.

Of the diverse tastes that are perceived in wells.

FOr a general reason, the waters receive their taste of that kind of earth, through which they run as through a strainer. Some salt, that run through salt vaynes of the earth, some sweet, that be well strayned, or run through such myneralls as be of sweet taste.

Some bitter, y ^t flowe out of such earth, as is bitter by addustion or otherwise.

Some sower or sharp like vinegar, which run through vaynes of allum, coporous, or such mineralls. Aristotle writeth of a well in Scicilia, whose water the inhabitauntes used for vyneger. In Bohemia near to the city called Bilen, is a well that the people use to drink of in the morning, in stead of burnt wyne. And in diverse places of Germany, be sprynges, y ^e taste of such sharpness.

Some have the taste of wyne, as in Paphlagonia, is a well that maketh men drunk which drink thereof: which is because that water receiveth the fumosite of brimstone, & other mineralls through which it runneth, and so filleth the brain as wyne doth.

A recital of such rivers and springes, as have marvelous effects whereof no natural cause can be assigned by most mē, although some reason in a few may be found.

CLitumnus which maketh ox̄, y ^e drink of it whyght, it is a river or spring in Italy. Propert. lib. 3. This may be y ^e quality of the water very flegmatike. In Boetia is a river called Melas, y ^t maketh sheep black if they drink thereof.

Seneca speaketh of a river y ^t maketh red hears. These two with the first, may have some reason, that the quality of the water may alter complexion, and so the collor of hears may be changed, as we see in certain diseases.

In Libia is a spring, that at the sun rising and setting, is warm, at midday cold, and at midnight very whott: this may be, by the same reason that well water is colder in summer thē it is in winter. Seneca writeth, that there be rivers, whose waters are poison, this may be naturally, the water running through poisonous minerals, taking much fume of them. Other wells that make wodde and all thing else that be cast into them stones, such welles be in England the cause is great cold.

Another well, maketh men mad y ^t drink thereof. This also may have as good reason as that which maketh mē drunk. As also that well which maketh men forgetful by obstruction of y ^e brain.

The same Seneca speaketh of a water that being drunk, provoketh unto lust and lechery. And why may not that quality be in a water, which is mixed with diverse mineralls, and kinds of earth, which is in herbs, roots, fruit. liquors. S. Augustine speaketh of a well in Egypt, in which burning torches are quenched, and being before quenched, are lighted. Among the Garamantes is a well so cold in the day, that no man can abide to drink of it, in the night so whott, that none can abide to fele it.

It is incredible, that is written of a well in Scicilia, whereof if thieves did drink they were made blind.

In Idumea was a well, that one quarter of a year was troubled and moddy, the next quarter bloody, the third green, and the fourth, clear.

Seneca writeth of another well that was six hours full and runninge over, and six hours decresing and empty, per chance, because it ebbed and flowed, with the sea, or some great river that was near it.

In the hill Anthracius, is said to be a well, which when it is full, signifieth a fruictefull year, when it is scarce and emptye, a barren and dear year. The sufficiens of moisture, maketh fertility, as the want causeth the contrary.

Men say there is a Ryuer in Hungarye, in which Iron is turned into coper. Which may well be, seeing ink in which is but small coperus, and artificially myxed, of Iron, doth conterfeyte coper in color. In this stream may be much coperus, and that is naturally myxed.

Both Seneca and Theophrastus, witness, y ^e waters there be, which within a certain space being drunk of sheep, as ( Seneca saith) of birds (as Theophrastus will have it) changeth their colors frō black to white, & frō white to black.

Vitruuius writeth, that in Arcadia, is a water called Nonacrinis which no vessel of silver, brass, or Irō, can hold, but it breaketh in pieces, and nothing but a mules hoof, will hold it and contain it.

In Illyria, garments y ^t are hold̄ over amost cold well, ar kindled & set on fire.

In the I will of Andros, where the temple of Bacchus stood, is a well that the fifth day of January flowed wyne.

Isidore saith, there is a well in Italy, that healeth the wounds of y ^t eyes.

In the I will of Chios, is a well that maketh men dulwitted, that drink thereof.

There is another that causeth men to abhor lust.

Lechnus a spring of Arcadia, is good against abortions.

In Scicilia are two spryngs of which one maketh a woman fruictfull, and the other barren.

In Sardania, be hot welles that heal sore eyes.

In an I will of Pontus, the river Astares, overfloweth the fields in which the sheep that be fed, doth give black milk.

In Ethiopia, is a lake, whose water is like oil.

Also many sprynges of oil have brooken forth of the earth, which cometh of the viscositie or fatness of y ^e same earth.

The lake Clitorie, in Italy, maketh men that drink of it to abhor wyne.

The lake Pentasium (as Solinus saith) is deadly to serpentes & wholesome to mē.

Seneca writeth of certain lakes that will bear men which cannot swymm. And that in Siria, is a lake in which bricks do swymme, and no heuy thing will sink.

It is said, that the river Rhene in Germany will drown basterd childrē that be cast in it, but drive alonde them that be lawfully begotten.

The river Hypanis in Schithia, eueryday bringeth forth little bladders, out of which flies do come that die the same night.

Matrona the river of Germany, as y ^e common people saith, never passeth day but he taketh some pray.

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 natural place of the waters, into which all rivers and other waters, are received, at the length.

And here it is to be understanded, y ^t the very proper & natural place of the water, were to cover all the earth, for so be the elements placed. The earth lowest, & round about the earth, the water, about the water the air, and about the air the fire. But God the most mighty and wise creator of all things, that the earth might in some partes be inhabited of men and beasts, commanded the waters to be gathered into one place, that the dry londe might appear, 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 saltnes, & the ebbinge and flowyng.

Of the saltnes.

THe saltnes of the sea, according to Aristotle's mind is caused by y ^e sunn, that draweth from it all thin & sweet vapors, to make rain leaving the rest as the settling or bottom, which is salt. But men of our time, peradventure more truly, do not take this for the only and sufficient cause, to mak so great a quantity of water salt, but say, that the sea by God's wisdom is gathered into such valleys of the earth, as were other wise barren & vnfruictful, such carthes are salt, the sea water then mixed with that earth, must needs be salt, else rivers by Aristotle's mind, should be salt as well as the sea. The Reader may choose which opinion is most probable.

Of the ebbing and flowyng.

THe ebbing and flowing of the sea, as Aristole seemeth to teach, is by reason of Exhalations, that be under the water, which drive it to and fro, according to contrary bounds, and limites, as upward and downwarde, of wyde and narrow, deep and shallowe. This opinion of Aristotle also, as more subtle thē true, experience teacheth men to mislike & to ascribe the cause of ebbing & flowyng to the course of the moon, which ruleth over moisture, as the sun doth ouerheate, for frō the new Moon to the full, all humors do increase, and from the full to the new moon, decrease again. Also the very true time of the ebbing and flowyng may be known, by the course of the Moon. with whom as the ladye of moisture, we will close up the fourth book of moiste and watery impressiōs.

Of earthes.

THe earth is an element, one of the four, cold and dry, moste gross and solyde, moste heavy and weighty, the lowest of all other in place. When I say an element, I mean a simple body vncompounded. This earth is no Meteore, but as it was shown in the water, to y ^e end there should be generatiō of things, there is no element that we can have, which is pure and simple, but all are mixed and cōpound. Our fire is gross and compound, so is our air our water, and our earth. But the earth notably and above the rest is mixed. For the pure and natural earth is dry and cold, but we see much to be moist, and much to be hot The natural earth is black of collor, but we see many earthes white many yelowe, and many red. So that first the greatest part of y ^e earth is mixed with water, that maketh it to clean together, with air and some fire, which make an oyly fat or claymy earth, as is claye made. &c. Another great part is dried not into the natural drienes of the first quality, but as a thing ones mixed and after dried, ether by to cold, as sand gravel, &c. or else by heat, as chalk, oker &c. And yet somewhat more plainly and particularly to discourse vpen these causes, admitting the natural color of the earth to be black, of y ^e water to be blue, of the air to be white, & of the fire to be ruddy, it followeth that upon the mixtion of these colors, or chief domination of them, all things hath their color. The gross substance of the earth therefore being diversely myxed with other elements, and those myxtures again being eftsones altered, by diverse and sometime contrary qualities, hath brought forth so many kinds of earth, as claye, marle, chalk, sand, gravel &c. Claye is mixed with fat moisture taking his colloure of the mixture with red from white, but being cold, it is not so fructfull as marle, which is not always so moiste as it. Chalke is an earth by heat cōcocted, after diverse mixtions and dried up. Oker both yelow & red with such like are of the same nature with mixtiō of red more or less.

Sande and gravel are dried erthes, as it were froasen by cold, gravel is gross and apparent, sand though it be finer, is of the same generation consisting of many small bodies, which ar cōgeled into stones. Samd seemeth to be clay dried by cold and coacted together into small stones, whereof some ar through shining which were the moist partes, the thick were of the gross parte. The same is gravel, but of greater stoones consisting. The like judgment is to be given of all other kinds of earth, whose generation by the similitude of these, will not be very hard to find out. They that liest to know the diverse kinds of earthes, must have recourse to Plinius, Cardane, and other writers, that recite a great number of them, but these are the chief and most common kinds.

Of liquors concreat.

WE take not lyquors cōcreat so largely, as the word doth signify, for than should we comprehend, both the other kinds following. But only those liquors, called in latin Succi, which are as it were middle between metals & stones, of which some being fat & only, do burn, as brimstone, seecoles, geate, bitumen, &c. and the kinds of all these. other some doth not burn, as salt, alū, coperus, saltpeter, &c. and the kinds of these. Of the first sort, which are generated of earthy & ayry vapors, fumes & Exhalations, the chief & most notable, is brimstone, which seemeth to be the matter of all dry & hot qualities, y ^t ar in earthly Meteores. The rest are generated of such like vapors as brimstone is, but thē they be diversely mixed. As y ^e coles, have much earth mixed with brimstone. Gette, seemeth to be all one, but better concocted then coles. Of amber is great contentiō whether it be a mineral, or y ^e sperme of an whale, for it is found in the sea, cast up on the shore. Now y ^e whales seed, being of the very same qualities, is takē more & less cōcreate of diverse hardness, some all most as hard as amber, some softer, & some liquid. Yet Cardan plainly defineth, that amber is a mineral. Whether he have reason or experience, contrary to y ^e vulgar opinion, let them consider that list to cōtend. These minerals that will resolve with fire, it is apparent, that they were concreat with cold. In that they burn it is manifest, they have a fat and clāmy substance, mixed with them. As the other kind hath not, which will not resolve so well with fire, as w ^c water, which be salt, coperus, saltpeters, &c. these burn not being watery, earthy, & not fat, vnctuus, nor clammy.

These be of diverse colors, black as coles and geat, because there is much earthy substance mixed with their sulphureus matter. Some be shere as saltt and alume, having a substance watery, dried, and concreat. Coperus is greane, because it hath much cold matter that is blwe, mixed with it. Salt the most common and necessary of all these liquors concreat, that be moist & not fatty, hath two manner of generations, one natural, and the other artificial. The natural generation, is when it is first generated, in the earth, after cometh the water of the sea, and is infected with it, out of which the salt is again artificially gathered. Of these liquors concreat be those strange wells and sprynges infected, of which was spoken, in the latter ende of the fourth book. Most notably brimstone causeth the hot bathes, and burneth in aetna, of Scicilia, and Vesuuius of Italy, casting up the pumise stones, of which is no place here to entreat.

Of Metalles.

MEtalles be substaunces perfectlye myxed, that will melte, with heat, and be brought into all manner of fashions that a man will. Of these the Alcumistes say, there be seven kinds, to answer to the seven Planetes. Gold, silver, copper, tynne, lead, Iron & quicksyluer, that they cal Mercury. But saving their authorities, quicksyluer is no more a metal, then brimstone, which is as necessary to the generation of metal, as quicsyluer is. For they all agree, that all metalles are generated of sulphur, that is brimstone, which because it is hot, they call the father, and Mercury that is quicksiluer, which because it is moist, they call the mother. So by as good reason, may they call brimstone a metalle, as Mercury. Then there remaineth but six perfect metals, Gold, Syluer, Copper, Tinne, Lead, and Iron.

Of Golde.

THat moste unprofitable and hurtful of all metals gold, which most men disprayse, and yet all men would have, is of all other metalles the rarest, it is only {per}fect, all other be corruptible. Gold never corrupteth by rust, because it is pure from poysonus infection & most solid, that it receiveth not the air into it, which causeth all things to corrupt. It is perfectly concocted with sufficient heat, and mixture of Sulphur, all other metals, either are not so well concocted, or else they have not the due quātitle of brimstone. This opiniō hath also place among the Alcumistes, y ^t because nature in all her works, seeketh the best ende, she entēdeath, of all metals to make gold▪ but being let either for want of good mixture, or good cōcoction, she bringeth forth other metals, in deed not so precius, but much more profitable, & the less pretius, the more {pro}fitable, for there is more use to the necessity of man's life, in Iron and lead, then is in gold, & silver. But either the beauty, or the perfectiō, or at lestwyse the rarenes of gold & silver, have obtaineth the estimatiō of all men, so y ^t for them is sold all manner of things, holy, & profane, bodily & spiritual. What pains doth not men take to wynn gold? every man hath one way or other, to hunt after it, but y ^e Alcumist despising all other ways as slow, unnatural, & unprofitable, laboreth ether to help nature in her work, as of imperfect metals to make {per}fect, or else to force nature to his purpose, by his quintessence & elixors, so that what by purging, what by cōcocting, what by mixing of sulphur & quicksiluer, & much other like stuff, at length he turneth the wrong side of his gown outward, all the teeth out of his head, & his body frō health to a palsy, and then he is a Philosopher, and so he will be called.

Of Syluer.

SIluer the most pure metalle, next unto gold, hath indifferent good concoction in the earth, but it wanteth sufficient heat in the mixtur, that maketh it pale. It is found as they say, running into diverse veins as all other metalles be, but this most specially, after y ^e shape & fashion of a tree, lying alonge with a body or stock of proportion like to the body of a tree, also with arms, branches, leaves and fruictes. This metal silver, lacketh sufficient heat, and therefore cometh neither to the color, solidity, nor perfection of gold, and is generated in cold countries, near unto the North, and South poles. In so great quantity, that hasbandmen, when they plow the ground turn up silver, among the clottes in their daily labors. Which they do hyde, and conceal, least the gready Princes, for covetousness of the metal, should overturn and destroy their lande. The gold mynes, are contrarywyse, moste found in the hot countries of India and Ethiopia, because in them is sufficient of heat for that unhappy generation.

This silver also, the Alcumistes would fain make by art, but Mercury the chief master of the work, is so subtle, and so sly, that nothing can hold him, nothing can kill him. For if the glass be not very thyck, he will soon break out of prison, and so there is nothing left.

Of Copper.

COpper in color, coming nearest to gold, being not solyde, nor massy, (for of all metal gold is the heaviest) giveth way to corruption, being infected with that greane mineral copperus. Hereof be diverse kinds, brass, latin and such like, which differ in in digestion, the copper being purest, is of best digestion and nearest unto gold, and so the rest in like degrees. Copper is moste like to silver in the wayghte, and in the hammeryng, wherefore the Alcumistes have learned to make it white, that it deceiveth men's sight & handling, but the Goldsmythes do easily try it & by the teast of coūterfect silver, maketh copper again. Copper or brass, doth alway grow near unto the mine of copperus, which running with it in the digestion or natural contoction, hyndreth it of perfectiō, maketh it to stynke, and to be eaten of a greane •• se. Muche a do the Alcumistes have to turn it into gold, if it might be, they dispute very reasonablye, and conclude almost necessarily in their talk, that it may be converted into gold as, a body, that wāteth little of perfectiō which may be easily added unto it. But in conclusiō of the work, it is an harder matter, to bring it to pass, then it was to purpose before they had done it, to build an abbay at every miles ende, vpō Salisbury plain, as one was minded.

Of Tinne.

TYnne, whereof great plenty groweth in the West partes of England, in beauty and color cometh nearest to silver, & of silver wāteth nothing, but solidity & hardness. For tinn is a raw & undigested metal, also very porose & vncōpact, which causeth it to crashe, when it is broken or bitten. So it faileth of heat, in the cōmixtiō & also sufficient digestiō in the earth. Otherwise it is a fair & profitable metal, to serve y ^e use of thē, unto whom silver & gold are not so plentiful.

Of Lead.

LEad also found in great abundance w ^t in this realm, is a raw & undigested metal, as tin is, but yet of better digestiō thē cōmixtiō. For it is mixed, w ^c a gross earthy substance, which maketh it to be in collor so black, & so fowl to corrupt. So that of y ^e same fumes & exhalatiōs, which if they had ben pure & well digested, if y ^e place & matter would have suffered, should have ben concreat into silver, for lack of the same, lead is generated, which coming plentifully, doth better service thē silver.

Of Iron.

IRon the most necessary and profitable of all other metals, & yet as ill used of many as any other, is generated of such substance as silver is, but myxed with a red mineral, which eateth it with red ruste, and also being of two extreme degestion, passing all other metals in hardenes. And as other metals to the perfection of silver, want sufficient cōcoction, whereby they comme not to the same hardenes: so Iron paseth and exceadeth silver in immoderate digestion. But though it come not to the perfectiō of silver, God forbid that all Iron had been turned into silver, for then we should more have myssed it, then silver or gold, the want of which would hurder us nothing at all.

Of Quick silver.

THough quicksyluer, be no metal, yet because it is the mother of all metals, some thing is here to be spoken of it.

There be diverse and sondrie opinions, both of the generation, and also the qualities of it, which make the generation to be hard to find out. For if the quality were certainly agreed upon, there were an easier way found, to try out the generation. Some affirm, that it is exceading whott, and that they would prove, by the swyfte percing there of into other things, that be porose.

Other say, it is exceadyng cold, & that they prove, by the exceadyng weight of it. As for the percyng, they say: is caused of the exceading moystnes, of which quality both partes do grant that it is. Concerning the generation, some have said that it is pure and elemental water, some again hath thought, that it droppeth out of heaven, and is a part of the heavenly substance. And other said, that it is generated in the clouds, and falleth down in the field, in a circle, on those round circles, which are seen in many fields, that ignorant people affirm to be the rings of the fayries danses. It is certain, that quick silver hath diverse times fallen out of the clouds, as we have declared in the treatise of wonderful and merueylous rain, but whether it so fall in circles, it is doubtful. The moste probable opinion is, that it is generated of moyste vapors of the earth, coacted by cold, much like to water, as brimstone is of hot fumes coacted by cold, much like to fire. And thus much of metalles.

Of Stones.

STones the fourth kind of earthly myxed bodies, have two manner of generations, by moste contrary qualities. For heat doth harden moist bodies in to stones, as we see that of claye it maketh exceadyng hard brycke.

Also the though̄derboltes in the clouds, are generated by heat, as before hath ben shown. But cold doth by congelyng, generate, many more stones then heat doth: for the moste parte of all the stones that are digged out of the earth, are generated by cold, which is able to convert any other kind of myxed substance into stone, as hath been partly shown in the nature of welles, and sprynges, of which there be some in England, which by their cold turn wodde or any like thing into stones. I 〈1 page missing〉 sufficiently shall be said, of the virtue of stones.

That virtue that is ascribed unto them, is either natural or magical. Natural virtue is either that which is known to have a natural cause, or a natural effect, as the Magnes, or loadestone to draw iron, which is by a similitude of nature, and such an appetite, as is between the male and the female. Also the said Magnes, moveth toward the North, and as some say, there is another kind found in the Southe, that draweth toward the south. They say, that there is great hylles of this stone, in the North and South, which maketh it look that way.

Other bring a Mathematical reason, which because it is more curius then can be understood of the common sort, not exercised in Geometry, I omit.

The get and amber draw hears, chaff, and like light matter, but being before chaffed, for heat is attractive.

Also the precious stone called Astroites, moveth of itself in vinegar, the sharpness of the vinegar, percing it, and the air excluded, driving it forward. These virtues because I have seen, I have set for an example, generally all other like natural virtues, proceade of like natural causes, which by their effect the ingenious must seek to find out. As for Magicall virtues be they, which are grounded of no reason, or natural cause which if they take effect, it is rather of the superstition & credulity of him that useth them, then of the virtue of the stones. As that an Emerald increaseth love, a Sapphire favor, a Diamonde strength, & such like virtues of which Albertus in his age surnamed the great, took pains to write a book, which I suppose be englished. To conclude with the cause why stones melte not as mettalles do, may be gathered by y ^t which hath been said before, because they are congeled past that degree, & also because there is left in them no vnctuus, or clammy matter. Let this suffice for stones, & so the whole purpose is at an ende.