Why they be called imperfectly mixed.

THey are called imperfectly mixed, because they are very soon changed into another thing, and resolved into their proper elements of which they do most consist, as do all impressions, fierie, airie, watry: as snow into water, clouds into waters &c.

Why they be called perfectly mixed.

THe last sort, namely earthly Me­teors, are called perfectly mixed, be­cause they will not easily be changed and resolved from that form which they are in, as be stones, metalls, and other mineralls.

According to the qualitie of the matter, they are divided into moist and drie impressions, consisting either of Vapors or Exhalations. Vapors are called moist, and exhalations drie, which termes must be well noted, be­cause they must be much used.

Of the general causes of all Meteors; and first of the material cause.

THe matter whereof the most part of Meteors doth consist, The mate­riall cause. is either water or earth: for out of the water, proceed vapors, and out of the earth come exhalations.

Vapor, as the Philosopher saith, is a certain watry thing, What be vapors, and what exhalati­ons. and yet is not wa­ter; so Exhalation hath a certain earth­ly nature in it, but yet it is not earth.

For the better understanding of Vapors, understand that they be as it were fumes or smokes warme and moist, which will easily bee resolved into water, much like to the breath that proceedeth out of a mans mouth, or out of a pot of water standing on the fire. These vapours are drawn up from the waters and watery places by the heat of the Sun, What the middle re­gion is, shall bee told after­ward even unto the middle region of the aire, and there after divers manner of meeting with cold­nesse, many kind of moist Meteors are generated, as sometimes clouds and raine, sometime snow and hail; and that such Vapours are so drawn up by the Sunne, it is plaine by experience: for [Page 5] if there be a plash of water on a smooth and hard stone, standing in the heat of the Sun, it will soon be drie; which is none otherwise but that the Sun draw­eth up the water in thinne Vapors: for no man is so fond to say, that it can sink into stone or mettal; and it is as great folly to think it is consumed to no­thing: for it is a general rule, A generall rule. That that which is once a thing, cannot by changing become nothing: wherefore it followeth, that the water on the stone, as also on the earth, is for the most part drawn up, when the stone or earth is dryed.

Exhalations are as smokes that be hot and dry, What Ex­halations be. which because they be thinne, and lighter then Vapors, passe the lowest and middle Region of the aire, and are carryed up even to the highest Region, where for the excessive heat, by neerness of the fire, they are kindled, and cause many kind of impressions. They are al­so sometimes viscose, that is to say, clam­my, by reason whereof, they cleaving together and not being dispersed, are after divers sorts set on fire, and appear sometimes like Dragons, sometimes like [Page 6] Goats, sometimes like candles, some­times like spears.

By that which is spoken of Vapours and Exhalations, it is evident, that out of the fire and aire, no matter whereof Meteors should consist, can be drawn, because of their subtilty and thinnesse. For all Exhalation is by making a gros­ser body more thinne: but the fire (we mean the elemental fire, and not the fire of the Kitchin chimney) is so subtil and thinne, that it cannot be made thinner; likewise the aire is so thinne, that if it be made thinner, it is changed into fire; and as the fire, if it were made thicker, would become aire; so the aire being made grosser, would be turned into wa­ter. Wherefore to conclude this part, the great quantity of matter, that cau­seth these Meteors, is taken out of the earth and the water. As for the aire and the fire, they are mixed with this matte [...] as with all other things, but not so a­bundantly, that they may be said th [...] material cause of any Meteor, thoug [...] without them none can be generated. The efficient cause of all Meteors, The effici­ent cause. is tha [...] caus which maketh them; even as the Car­penter [Page 7] is the efficient cause of an house. This cause is either first or second.

The first and efficient cause is God the worker of all wonders, according to that testimonie of the Psalmist, which saith, Fire, haile snow, ice, wind and storme, doe his will and commandment; he sendeth snow like wooll, &c. Al­mightie God therefore being the first, principall and universall cause efficient of all natural works and effects, is also the first cause of these effects, whose pro­fit is great, and operation marvellous.

The second cause efficient, is double, either remote, that is to say, farre off or next of all. The farther cause of them as of all other naturall effects, is the same; the Sun with the other Planets and Stars, and the very heaven it self in which they are moved; But chiefly the Sunne, by whose heat all or at least wise the most part of the vapors and Exha­lations are drawn up.

The next cause efficient as the first qualities, are heat and cold, which cause divers effects in Vapors & Exhalations.

But to return to the heat of the Sun, which is a very neere cause, it is for [Page 8] this purpose two wayes considered.

One way, as it is meane and tempe­rate; Otherwise, as it is vehement and burning. The meane, is by which he dra­weth vapors out of the water, and ex­halations out of the earth, and not one­ly draweth them out, but also lifteth them up very high from the earth into the aire, where they are turned into di­vers kinds of Meteors.

The burning heat of the Sunne is, by which he burneth, dissipateth and con­sumeth the vapors and exhalations be­fore he draweth them up, so that of them no Meteors can be generated.

These two heats proceed from the Sun, either in respect of the place, or the time; but most properly according to the ca­sting of his beames either directly or undirectly.

In place where the Sunnes beames strike directly against the earth and the water, the heat is so great, that it bur­neth up the Exhalations and Vapours, so that there are no fiery Meteors, much lesse watery: as it is in the South parts of the world, under and neere to the Equinoctiall line.

But in places where the beames are [Page 9] cast indirectly and obliquely, and that where they are not too nigh to the di­rect beams, nor too far off from them; there is a moderate heat, drawing out great abundance of matter, so that in those Countries, many Meteors of many sorts are generated, as in the far North parts are few but watry impressi­ons. Also in Autumn and Spring are oft­ner Meteors seene, then in Summer and Winter, except it be in such places where the Summer and Winter are of the temper of the Spring and Autumne. Let this be sufficient for the Efficient causes of impressions, as well first and principall, as second and particular. Concerning the formal and finall cause, we have little to say, because the one is so secret, that it is known of no man: the other so evident, that it is plaine, to all men. The essentiall Form of all substances, Gods wisedome com­prehendeth; the universall chiefe and last End of all things, is the glory of God. Middle Ends (if they may be so cal­led) of these impressions are mani­fold profits to Gods creatures, to make the earth fruitfull, to purge the aire, to [Page 10] set forth his power, to threaten his ven­geance, to punish the world, to move to repentance; all which are referred to one end of Gods eternall glory, ever to be prased, Amen.

Of the places, in which they are generated.

THe places in which Meteors are cau­sed, be either the aire or the earth: in the air be generated rain, hail, snow, dew, blazing stars, thunder, lightning, &c. In the earth be welles, springs▪ earthquakes, metals, minerals, &c. made, and as it were, in their mothers belly begotten and fashioned. But for the better understanding hereof, such as have not tasted the principles of Philosophy, must consider that there be foure ele­ments, Earth, Water, Aire, and Fire, one compassing another round about, saving that the waters by Gods commande­ment are gathered into one place, that the land might appear. The highest is the spheare of the Fire, which toucheth the hollownesse of the moons heaven: the next is the aire, which is in the hol­lownesse of the fire: the aire within his [Page 11] hollownesse comprehendeth the water and the earth, which both make but one spheare or Globe, or as the common sort may understand it, one ball. So each element is within another, as scales of a perch are one above anothes: or (to use a grosse similitude) as the peeles of an Onion are one within another: after the same sort from the highest heaven to the earth that is lowest, What the regions of the aire be one part that is greater compasseth round about ano­ther that is lesser. But for this present purpose it is to be knowne, that the aire is divided into three regions, the highest the middle and the lowest. The highest because it is next to the region of the fire, is exceeding hot: the lowest being next the earth and waters, is temperate, and by repercussion or striking backe of the Sunne beames waxeth hot, and by absence of them is made cold, being sub­ject to winter and summer. The middle region of the aire, is alwaies exceeding cold, partly because the sunne beames cannot be cast back so high, and partly because the cold that is there, betweene the heat above, and the heat beneath it, is so kept in, that it can not get out, so [Page 12] that it must needs be excessively cold: for the water and the earth, being both cold Elements, after the Sunne setting in the night season, doe coole the aire, even to the middle region. But in the morning the Sunne rising warmeth the aire, so farre as his beames which are beaten backe from the earth and the water, can extend and reach; which is not so high as the middle region, and by heat on both sides is inclosed and kept, saving that a little thereof falleth downe in the night, which the next day with much more is driven back againe. Wherefore this region being so cold, is dark and cloudy, in so much that some doting Divines have imagined purga­tory to be there in the middle region of the aire. In the highest region be gene­rated Comets or blazing stars and such like of divers sorts. In the middle region clouds, rain, stormes, winds &c. In the lowest region, dew, frost, hoar-frost, mists, bright rods, candles, burning a­bout graves, and gallowses, where there is store of clamy, fattie or oily substance, also lights and flaming fires seen in fields, &c. And thus much for the general causes of all Meteors.

Of Fiery Meteors.

A Fiery impression, is an Ex­halation set on fire in the highest or lowest region of the aire, or else appearing as though it were set on fire and burning.

They are therefore divided into flames and Apparitions. Flames are they which burn indeed, and are kindled with fire. These are discerned by four ways; by the fashion of them, by their place, by the abundance of their matter, and by the want of their matter. Their placing is after the abundance and scar­city of the matter whereof they con­sist: for if it be great, heavy and grosse, it cannot be carried so far as the middle region of the ayre, and therefore is set on fire in the lowest region: if it be not so great, light, and full of heat, it passeth the middle region, and ascendeth to the highest, where it is easily kindled and set on fire.

[Page 14] According to their divers fashions, they have divers names: for they are cal­led burning stubble, torches, dauncing or leaping Goates, shooting or falling starres, or candles, burning beames, round pillars, spears, shields, Globes or bowles, firebrands, lampes, flying Dragons or fire drakes, painted pillars, or broched steeples, or blazing starres, called Comets. The time when these impressions doe most appeare, is the night-season: for if they were caused in the day time, they could not be seen, no more then the stars be seen, because the light of the Sunne which is much greater, dimmeth the brightness of them being lesser.

Of the generation of the impression called burning stubble or sparkles of fire.

The generation of this Meteor is this; Sparks of fire. when the matter of the Exha­lation is in all parts alike thin, but not compacted or knit together, then some part of it being caryed 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 [Page 15] and little, flieth abroad like sparkles out of a chimney, insomuch that the common people suppose, that an infi­nite number of stars fall down, whereas it is nothing else but the Exhalation that is thin, kindled in many parts, sparkling as when sawdust or cole-dust is cast into the fire.

Of Torches

TOrches or firebrands are thus ge­nerated: Torches. when the matter of the exhalation is long and not broad, being kindled at one end thereof in the high­est region of the aire, it burneth like a torch or firebrand, and so continueth till all the matter be burnt up, and then goeth out; none otherwise then a Torch when all the stuffe is spent, must needs burne no longer.

Of dancing or leaping Goates

DAncing Goates are caused when the exhalation is divided into two parts, Dancing Goats as when two torches be seen toge­ther, and the flame appeareth to leap or dance from one part to the other, much like as bals of wild fire dance up and down in the water.

Of shooting and falling stars.

A Flying, shooting, or falling star, Shooting Starres. is when the exhalation being gathe­red as it were on a round heape, and yet not throughly compacted in the highest part of the lowest region of the ayre, being kindled by the sodaine cold of the middle region, is beaten backe, and so appeareth as though a starre should fall, or slide from place to place. Some­time it is generated after another sort; for there is an exhalation long and narrow, which being kindled at one end burneth swiftly, the fire running from end to end, as when a silk thred 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 eies to be a Star. Indeed some­times it may be so; but that i [...] is not so alwayes, The Epi­curians Opinion. nor yet most commonly, it may be easily demonstrated. The Epicu­reans, as they are very grosse in deter­mining the chiefe goodness: so they are very fond in assigning the cause of this Meteor. For they say, that the stars fall [Page 17] out of the firmament, & that by the fall of them, both thunder and lightning are caused: for the lightning (say they) is nothing else but the shining of that Starre that falleth, which falling into a waterie cloud, and being quenched in it, causeth that great thunder, even as hot Iron maketh a noise if it be cast into cold water. But it is evident, that the starres of the firmament cannot fall, Ps. 148 for GOD hath set them fast for ever; he hath given them a Commande­ment which they shall not passe. And though they should fall into the clouds, yet could they not rest there, The great­nes of Starres but with their weight being driven down, would cover the whole earth.

For the least starre that is seen in the firmament, is greater then all the earth. Here will step forth some merrie fellow which of his conscience thinketh them not to be above three yards about, A proofe of the Starres greatness and say it is a loud lie; for he can see within the compasse of a bushell, more then 20 stars. But if his bushell were on fir [...] 20 mile of, I demand how bigge it would seeme unto him? He that hath any wit will easily perceive, that [Page 18] starres being by all mens confession, so many thousand miles distant from the earth, must needs be very great, that so far off should be seen in any quantity. Thus much for the shooting or falling starres

Of burning Candles.

WHen the Exhalation carried up into the highest part of the ayre, Burning candles. is in all parts thereof of equall and like thinness, and also long, but not broad, it is set on fire and blazeth like a candle, until the Exhalation be quite consumed.

Of burning Beames and round Pillars.

THese are caused, Burning Beames and round pillars when the Exhala­tion being long and not very broad, is set on fire all at once, and so burneth like a great beame or logge. The diffe­rence of Beames and Pillars is this; for beams are when they seeme to lie in length in the ayre, but they are called Pillars, when they stand right up, the one end neerer to the earth then the o­ther

Of Burning Speares.

BUrning speares are generated, Burning Speares. when a great quantity of exhalations, [Page 19] which may be called a dry cloud, is set on fire in the middest, and because the cloud is not so compact, that it should suddenly rend, as when thunder is caused, the fire breaketh out at the edges of the cloud, kindling the thin Exhalations, which shoot out in great number like fiery speares, or darts, long and very small; wherefore they continue not long: but when they fayle, within a short while after, more fire breaking out, they shoot as many more in their place: and likewise, when they are gone, others succeed, if the quantity of the matter will suffice, more then a douzen courses. This impression was seene in London, Anno Dom. 1560. the thirty day of Ianuary, at eight of the clock at night, the ayre in all other places being very darke; but in the North-east where this cloud burned, it was as light as when the day breaketh toward the Sunne rising, in so much that plaine shaddow of things opposite was seene. The edge of this cloud was in the fashion like the Raynebow, but in colour very bright, and oftentimes casting forth almost innumerable darts [Page 20] of wonderfull length, like squibs that are cast into the ayre, saving that they move more swiftly then any squibs.

Of Shields, Globes or Bowles.

THese Meteors also have their name of their fashion, Shields, Globes or Bowles. because they are broad, and appeare to be round; otherwise their generation differeth not from the cause of the like impres­sions before mentioned.

Of Lampes.

THe Lampe consisteth of an Exha­lation that is broad and thick, Lampes. but not equally extended; namely, smaller at one end then at another, which being kindled about the middest thereof, burneth like a lampe. The cause why, as well this impression, as many other, appeareth round, is not for that alwaies they are round indeed, but because the great distance causeth them to seem so. For even the square formes far off seem to be round. [...] is written, that a Lamp fell down at Rome, when Germanicus Caesar set forth forth the fight of sword players.

Of flying Dragons or fire Drakes.

Flying Dragons, Flying Dragons, or fire Drakes, or as Englishmen [Page 21] call them, fire-Drakes, be caused on this manner. When a certaine quantity of [...]apors are gathered together on a heap, [...]eing very neere compact, and as it were [...]ard tempered together, this lump of [...]apors ascending to the region of cold, [...]forcibly beaten back; which violence [...]f moving is sufficient to kindle it; [...]lthough some men will have it to be [...]used between 2 clouds, a hot and a [...]ld; then the highest part, which was [...]iming upward, being by reason more [...]btill and thin, appeareth as the Dra­ [...]ns neck, smoking, for that is was [...]ely in the repulse bowed or made [...]oked, to represent the Dragons belly. [...]e last part by the same repulse turned [...]ward, maketh the tayle, appearing [...]aller for that it is both further off, [...] also for that the cold bindeth it▪ [...]is dragon thus being caused, flyeth [...]ng in the ayre, and sometime turneth [...]nd fro, if it meet with a cold cloud eat it back, to the great terrour of [...] that behold it: of whom some [...] it a fire Drake: some say it is the [...]ill himselfe, and so make report [...]thers. More then 47 yeeres ago [...], [Page 22] on May day, when many young folk went abroad early in the morning, remember by six of the clocke in th [...] forenoone, there was newes come to London, that the Devill, the same mor­ning, was seen flying over the Thames▪ afterward came word, that he lighte [...] at Stratford, and there was taken an [...] set in the Stockes, and that though h [...] would fane have dissembled the matte [...] by turning him selfe into the likenes [...] of a man, yet was he known well enoug [...] by his cloven foot. I knew some the [...] living, that went to see him, and retur­ning, affirmed, that he was seen flying in the ayre, but was not take [...] prisoner. I remember also, that som [...] wished he had been shot at with Gun [...] or shafts, as he flew over the Thame [...] Thus do ignorant men iudge of the things that they know not. As for th [...] Devill, I suppose, it was a flying Dr [...] ­gin, whereof we speake, very fearefu [...] to looke upon, as though he had [...] because he moveth, whereas it is n [...]thing else but clouds and smoake: [...] mighty is God, that he can feare [...] enemies with these and such like op [...] ­rations, [Page 23] whereof some examples may be found in holy Scripture.

Of the Pyramidall Pillar like a spire or broached Steeppe

THis sharpe poynted pillar, Of Spires is gene­rated in the highest region of the ayre, and after this sort: When the Exhalation hath much earthly matter in it, the lighter parts and thinner (as their nature is) ascending upward, the grosser, heavier, and thicker, abide to­gether in the bottome, and so is it of fashion great beneath, and small poyn­ted above, and beeing set on fire it is so seene, and thereof hath his name.

Of fire scattered in the ayre.

FIre scattered in the ayre, Fire scat­tered. or illu­minations, are generated in the lowest region of the ayre, when very drie and hot Exhalations are drawne up, and meeting with cold clouds, are sent back again, which motions doe set them a fire; whose parts being not equally thick or ioyned together, seeme as though fire were scattered in the ayre: Yea sometimes, the whole ayre seemeth to burne, as though it would rayne fire from Heaven, and so it hath [Page 24] come to passe, burning both Cities and Townes. Then iudge how easy it was for God to raine fire upon Sodom and Gomorra, for their sins and wickedness.

Of lights that goe before men, and follow them abroad in the fields, by the night season.

THere is also a kind of light that is seen in the night season & seemeth to goe before men, Light that goeth be­fore men, & follow­eth them in the night or to follow them, leading them out of their way into waters, and other dangerous places. It is also very often seene in the night, of them that saile on the Sea, and sometime will cleave to the mast of the Shippe, or other high parts, sometime slide round about the Shippe, and either rest in one part till it goe out, or else be quenched in the water. This impression seene on the land, is called in Latine Ignis fatuus, foolish fire, that hurteth not, but onely feareth fooles. That which is seene on the Sea, if it be but one, is named Helena; if it be two, it is called Castor and Pollux.

The foolish fire is an Exhalation kindled by meanes of violent moving, when by cold of the night, in the lowest region of the ayre, it is beaten downe; [Page 25] and then commonly, if it be light, seek­eth to ascend upward, and is sent down againe; so it danceth up and downe. Else if it move not up and downe, it is a great lumpe of glewish or oyly matter that by moving of the heat in it selfe, is enflamed of it selfe, as moyst hay will bek indled of it selfe. In hot and fennie Countries, these lights are often seene, and where is abundance of such un­ctuous and fat matter, as about Church-yards, where through the corruption of the bodies there buried, the earth is full of such substance: wherefore in Church-yards, or places of common buriall, oftentimes are such lights seene, which ignorant and superstitious fooles have thought to be soules tormented in the fire of Purgatory. Indeed the Devill hath used these lights (although they be naturally caused) as strong delusions to captive the minds of men with feare of the Popes Purgatory, whereby he did open injury to the blood of Christ, which onely purgeth us from all our sins, and delivereth us from all torments both temporall and eternall, according to the saying of the wise-man, The [Page 26] soules of the righteous are in the Hands of God, and no torment toucheth them. But to returne to the lights, in which there are yet two things to be conside­red. First, why they lead men out of their way. And secondly, why they seeme to follow men and goe before them. The cause why they lead men out of the way, is, that men, while they take heed to such lights, and are also sore afraid, they forget their way, & then being once but a little out of their way, they wander they wot not whi­ther, to waters, pits and other very dangerous places. Which, when at length they hap the way home, will tell a great tale, how they have beene led about by a spirit in the likenesse of Fire. Now the cause why they seeme to goe before men, or to follow them, some men have said to be the moving of the ayre, by the going of the man, which ayre 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 foure miles distant from the man that walketh, [Page 27] should be moved to and fro by that ayre which is moved through his wal­king, but rather the moving of the ayre and the mans eyes, causeth the fire to seeme as though it moved, as the Moone 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 seeme to be very neere them. Wherefore these lights rather seeme to move, then that they be moved indeed.

Of Helena, Castor and Pollux

WHen the like substance in the lowest region of the ayr, Helena, Castor, Pollux. over the Sea, by the like occasion is set on fire, if be one only, it is called Helena; if their be two, they are called Castor, and Pollux. These impressions will often­times cleave to the mast, and other parts of Ships, by reason of the claminesse and fatnesse of matter. Helena was of the Heathen men taken as a Goddesse, the daughter of Jupiter and Leda. Castor and Pollux were her brethren. He­lena was the occasion that Troy was destroyed; therefore the Mariners by experience trying, that one [Page 28] flame of fire appearing along, signified tempest at hand, supposed the same flame to be the goddesse Helena, of whom they look'd for nothing but destruction. But when two lights are seen together, they are a token of fair weather, and good luck: the Mariners therefore be­leeved that they were Castor and Pollux, which sayling to seek their sister Helena being carried to Troy by Paris, were never seen after and thought to be tran­slated into the number of the Gods that gave good successe to them that sayl, as we read in the last Chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, that the Ship wherein S. Paul sayled, had a badge of Castor and Pollux. A naturall cause why they may thus foreshew either tempest or calmnesse, 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 the tempest (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 thick, is divided: so [Page 29] the thick matter of tempests is dissolved and scattered abroad by the same cause that this is divided. Therefore not without a reason, the Mariner to his mates may promise a prosprous course.

Of flames that appeare upon the haires of men or beasts.

THere is another kind of fiery im­pression, Flames upon haires of men and beasts. which is flames of fire upon the haires of men and beasts, especially horses. These are sometime clammy Exhalations, scatered abroad in the air in small parts, which in the night, by resistance of the cold, are kindled, cleaving on horses eares, on mens heads and shoulders that ride or walke. In that they cleave upon hayres, it is by the same reason that the dew will be seen also upon haires or garments, whose wooll is high, as frize mantels and such like. Another sort of these flames are caused, when mens or beasts bodies being chafed, send forth a [...]at and clammy sweat, which is in like manner kindled as the sparks of fire that are seene when a black horse is curried. Livius. Servius Tullius. Livius reporteth of Servius Tullius, that as he lay asleep, being a [Page 30] child, his hair seemed to be all on a flame, which for all that did not burn his hair or hurt him. The like history he reciteth of one Marius a Knight of Rome, that as he made an Oration to his Soldiers in Spain, they saw his head burning on a light fire, and himself not ware of it. Thus much concerning these Flames.

Of Comets or Blazing Stars.

A Comet is an exhalation hot and dry, Comets or blazing Starres▪ of great quantity, fat and clammy, hard-compact like a great lump of pitch, which by the heat of the Sun is drawn out of the Earth into the highest region of the Air, and there by the excessive heat of the place is set on fire, appearing like a star with a blazing tayl; and somtime is moved after the motion of the Air which is circular, but it never goeth down out of the compass of sight, though it be not seen in the day-time for the brightness of the Sun, but still burneth until all the matter be consumed. An argument of the great­ness is this, that there was never any Co­met [Page 31] yet perceived but at the least it en­dured 7 days; but much longer they have been seen; namely forty days long, yea fourscore days; and some, six months together. Wherefore it must needs be a wonderfull deal of matter that can give so much nourishment for so great and fervent fire, aud for so long a time.

There are considered in a Comet spe­cially the Colour and Fashion, which both arise of the disposition of the mat­ter.

Their Colours be either white, rud­dy, or blew. If the matter be thin, the colour is white; if it be meanly thick, then is the Comet ruddy, after the colour of our fire; but when the matter is very thick, it is blew, like the burning of brimstone. And as the mat­ter is more or less after this disposition, so is the Comet of colour more or less like to these three principal colours: some yellowish, some duskish, some greenish, some watchet, &c.

In Fashion are noted three differen­ces; for either they seem to be round, with beams round about, or with a [Page 32] beard hanging downward, or else with a tayl stretched out sidelong in length. The first fashion is when the matter is thickest in the midst, and thin round a­bout the edges; the second is when the Exhalation is upward thick, and in length downward also meanly thick; the third form is like the second, saving that the tayl hangeth not down but ly­eth aside and is commonly longer then the beard.

The time of their generation is oft­nest in Autumn or Harvest: for in the Spring there is too much moisture, The tem­per of the four quarters. and too little heat to gather a Comet; in Summer is too 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 of a Comet which is hot and dry, Winter being cold and moyst: there­fore no time so meet as Autumn.

Now for so much as many Learned men have gone about to declare the sig­nification of Blazing stars, The signi­fication of Comets. we will o­mitt nothing that hath any shadow of Reason, but declare what is written of them.

[Page 33] Such things as are set forth of the be­tokening of Comets are of two sorts: The first is of natural; The second of Civil or Politick Effects.

They are said to betoken Drought, Barrenness of the Earth and Pestilence.

Drought, because a Comet cannot be generated without great heat; and much moysture is consumed in the bur­ning of it.

Barrenness, because the fatness of the Earth is drawn up whereof the Comet consisteth.

Pestilence, for so much as this kinde of Exhalation corrupteth the Air, which infecteth the bodies of men and beasts.

The Second sort might well be o­mitted, Aristot. saving that Aristotle himself disdaineth not to seek out Causes for some of them.

Generally it is noted of all Histori­ographers, that after the appearing of Comets most commonly follow great and notable Calamities. Beside this, they betoken (say some) Wars, Se­ditions, Changes of Commonwealths, and the Death of Princes and Noble men.

[Page 34] For what time Comets do shine, there be many hot and dry Exhalati­ons in the Ayr, which in dry men kindle heat whereby they are provoked to Anger: of Anger commeth braw­ling: of brawling, fighting and war: of war, victory: of victory, change of Commonwealths: then also Princes living more delicately then other men, are more subject to infection; and therefore dye sooner then other men. If it were lawfull to reason of this sort, we might enduce them to betoken not only these few things, but all other things that chance in the world.

Yet these predictions have a shew of Reason: though it be nothing necessa­ry; but it is a wonder to see how the Astrologians dote in such devices; they are 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 at­tribute Divine influences and effects. But this their folly hath been suffici­ently detected by divers godly and learned men, and this place requireth [Page 35] no long discourse thereof. Where­fore this shall suffice, both for the na­tural Causes of Blazing stars, and also for all Flames in general. It followeth therefore that with like brevity we de­clare the Causes of Fiery Appariti­ons.

Of Apparitions.

AN Apparition is an Exhalation in the lowest or highest Region of the Air, Appariti­ons. not verily burning, but by re­fraction of light either of the Sun or of the Moon seeemeth as though it bur­ned: which appearance of colour ri­seth not of the mixtion of the four qua­lities, as it doth in bodies perfectly mix­ed, as Herbs, Stones, &c. but only the falling of light upon shadow: the light is instead of white, and the shadow of darkness instead of black. These di­versly mixed according to the divers dispositions of the Exhalation, which ministreth variety by thickness or thinness, cause divers Colours.

There be commonly recited three kindes of Fiery Apparitions; Colours, [Page 36] Wide-gapings, and Deep holes which appear in the Clouds.

Of Colours.

Colours are here meant when there is nothing else to be noted but the Co­lours of the clouds: Colours in the Aire. and they are cau­sed (as it is said) by casting the light into the shadowy Cloud, according as it exceedeth more or less in thickness; whereof some be very bright-white, and that is when the Exhalation is very thin; some yellowish, when the Ex­halation is thicker; some ruddy, when it is meanly thick; and very black, when it is very thick. The red and rud­dy Colours are seen 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 too vehe­ment, clear, strong and peircing. Thus much of Colours.

Of Wide-gaping.

Wide-gaping is caused when an Ex­halation is thick in the midst, and thin on the edges, Wide ga­ping of clouds in the Aire. then the light being recei­ved into it, causeth it to appear as though the sky did rend, and fi [...]e break out of it.

Of round opening Hiatus.

These holes called Hiatus, Round o­pening in the Aire. differ from Wide-gapings in nothing but that they be less, and therefore seem as though they were deep pits or holes, and not rending or gaping; And these be those Apparitions that appear Fiery, and yet be not so indeed. Therefore let this be sufficient to have shewed the na­tural Causes of all Fiery Meteors.

Of Airy Impressions.

UNder the name of Airy Impressions, be compre­hended such Meteors, whose matter is most of the Air. Of this sort be Winds, Earthquakes, Thunder, Light­nings, Storme-Winds, Whirlwinds, Circles, Rainbowes, The White Circle, called of some WATLING [Page 38] street, many Suns, many Moons.

Of Winds.

THe Wind is an Exhalation hot and dry, Winds. drawn up into the Air by the power of the Sun, and by reason of the weight thereof being driven down, is laterally or sidelong carried about the Earth. And this Definition is not to be understood of general Winds that blow over all the Earth, or else some great Regions; but be­sides these there be particular Winds which are known but only in some Countries, and them not very large. These Winds oftentimes have another manner of generation, and that is on this manner;

It must needs be confessed, The se­cond kind of winds. that with­in the globe of the Earth be wonder­full great holes, caves or dungeons, in which when Air aboundeth (as it may by divers Causes) this Air that cannot abide to be penned in, findeth a little hole in or about those Coun­tries as it were a mouth to break out of, and by this meanes bloweth vehe­mently: [Page 39] yet that force and vehemency extendeth not far; but as the wind that commeth forth of bellows, neer the comming forth is strong, but far off is not perceived: so this Particular Wind, in that particular Country where it breaketh forth, is very violent and strong, in so much that it over­throweth both trees and houses, yet in other Countries not very far distant, no part of that boysterous blast is felt. Wherefore this Wind differeth from the general Winds both in Qualities and Substance or Matter: for the Matter of them is an Exhalation, and the Qualities such as the nature of the Ex­halation is, very Airy, but not Air in­deed: but of this particular Wind the Matter and Substance is most com­monly Air.

There is yet a third kinde of Wind, The third kind of Winde. which is but a soft, gentle and cool moving of the Air, and commeth from no certain place (as the gene­ral Wind 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 commeth whisking sudden­ly, [Page 40] very pleasant in the heat of 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, they blow out of divers Quarters of the Air now East, now West, now South, now North, or else inclining to one of the same Quarters: Among 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 moyst; The quali­ties of the winds and the four quarters of the world. the Western blast a­greeing with the Waters property, is cold and moyst; the North that never was warmed with the heat of the Sun, being cold and dry partaketh the con­dition of the Earth. The quali­ty of middle wind. The middle Winds have middle and mixed qualities, after the nature of those Four principal Winds, more or less, as they incline toward them more or less.

Generally the profit of all Winds, The profit of wind. by the wonderfull wisdom of the Eternal God, is very great unto his Creatures. For besides that these Winds alter the Weather. some of them bringing rain, some driness, some frost and snow, [Page 41] which all are necessary; there is yet an universal Commodity that riseth by the only moving of the Air, which were it not continually stirred as it is, would soon putrify, and being putri­fied would be a deadly infection to all that hath breath upon the Earth. Joh. 3. Wherefore this wind whose sound we hear, and know not from whence it commeth nor whither it goeth (for who can affirm from whence it was rai­sed, or where it is laid down?) as all other Creatures beside, does teach us the wonderfull and wise providence of God, that we may worthily cry out with the Psalmist and say, Psal. 104. O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdome hast thou made them all &c. Let this be suffi­cient to have shewed the generation of the Winds.

Of Earthquakes,

AN Earthquake, Earth­quakes. is a shaking of the Earth which is caused by meanes of wind and Exhalations, that be enclo­sed within the caves of the Earth, and can find [...]o passage to break forth, or [Page 42] else so narrow a way that it cannot soon enough be dilivered.

Wherefore, with great force and vio­lence it breaketh out: and one while shaketh the Earth, another while rendeth and cleaveth the same: somtime it casteth up the Earth a great hight into the Air, and somtime it causeth the same to sink a great depth down, swal­lowing both Cities and Townes, yea and also mighty great Mountaines, lea­ving in the place where they stood, no­thing but great holes of an unknown depth, or else great lakes of Waters.

Of divers kinds of Earthquakes.

DIvers Authors write diversly of the kinds of Earthquakes, Divers kinds of Earth­quakes. some making more and some less, but we shall be content at this time to comprehend them in four sorts.

The first kind is when the Earth is shaken laterally, to one side, which is when the whole force of the wind dri­veth to one place, and there is no o­ther contrary motion to let it. This wind, if it be not great, shaketh the [Page 43] Earth, that it trembleth as a man that hath a fit of an ague, and doth no more harme: but if it be great and violent, it looseth the foundations of all buil­dings, be they never so strong, and overthroweth whole Cities, but especi­ally the great buildings, and not only such buildings, but somtimes also ca­steth down great Hilles, that cover and overwhelm all the valleys under them. Many noble and great Cities have been overthrown by this kind of Earthquake. Twelve Cities o­verthrown with one Earthquake. It is written, that twelve of the most beautifull Cities, and most sumptuous buildings in all Asia, were overthrown and utterly destroyed with an Earth­quake. How often Antiochia, yea within short time was destroyed, they which have read the Histories, can testifie.

How terrible was the Earthquake that shook Constantinople a whole year together, Constanti­nople the chiefest City of Greece, now the Turks Palace. that the Emperour and all the people, were fain to dwell abroad in the fields under tents and pavilions, for fear their houses would fall on their heads, it is recorded in the Chronicles, and worthy to be remembered.

The second kind is, The se­cond kind. when the Earth [Page 44] with great violence is lifted up, so that the buildings are like to fall, and by and by sinketh down again: this is, when all the force of the winds striveth to get upward, after the nature of gun­powder, and finding some way to be delivered out of bondage, the Earth that was hoysied up, returneth to his old place.

The third kind is a gaping, The third kind. rending, or cleaving of the Earth, when the Earth sinketh down, and swalloweth up Cities, Earthquake on the Sea. and Townes, with Castles, and Towers, Hilles and Rocks, Rivers, and Floods, so that they be never seen again.

Yea the Sea in some places hath been drunk up, so that men might have gone over on foot, untill the time of tide or flood returning covered the place with Waters again. But in the land, where this Earthquake swalloweth up any City, or Country, there appeareth no­thing in the place thereof, Aristot. but a marvel­lous wide and deep gulfe, or hole. Ari­stotle maketh mention of divers places, and regions that were overthrown with this kind of Earthquake.

[Page 45] The fourth kind, The fourth kind. is when great mountaines are cast up out of the Earth, or else when some part of the land sinketh down, and in stead thereof arise Rivers, Lakes, or Fires breaking out with smoake and Ashes. It causeth also overflowings of the Sea, when the Sea bottome is lifted up, New Islands in the Sea. and by this means arise many Islands in the Sea, that ne­ver were seen before. These and other such miracles, are often found In the Writers of Histories, also in the Philo­sophers, as Aristotle, Aristot. Seneca, Seneca. and Plinius. Plinius.

Nevertheless, Plato. the effects of some as most notable, it shall not be unprofita­ble to recite. A wonder­full Earth­quake. Plato in his Dialogue inti­tuled Timeus, maketh mention by the way of a wonderfull Earthquake, Africa, Eu­rope, Asia, the three parts of the earth Ma­remediter­raneum, because it go­eth thorow the midst of the earth. whereby not only Africa was rent asun­der from Europe and Asia (as it is in­deed at this day, except a little neck by the red Sea) the Sea entring between them that now is called Mare Mediter­raneum: but also a wonderfull great Island, which he affirmeth, was greater then Africa and Asia both, called Atlantis, was swallowed up, and co­vered by the Waters, Atlantis an Island. in so much, that [Page 46] on the Sea called Atlanticum, for a great while after, no Ship could sayl, by reason that the same huge Sea, by resolution of the Earth of that mighty Iland, was all turned into mudde.

The famous Ile of Sicilia was also somtime a part of Italy, and by Earth­quake rent asunder from it [...] Seneca maketh mention of two Ilands, Theron and Therea, Senecca. Theron & Therea. Arist. He­rodotus. Egypt sometime a gulph of the Sea. that in his time first appea­red. It should seeme both by Aristotle, and also by Herodotus, that Egypt, in ancient time, was a gulph of the Sea, and by Earthquake made a drie land. During the reign [...] of Tiberius the Emperor, twelve notable Cities of Asia were overthrown in one night, &c.

How so great VVinds come to be under the Earth.

THe great Caves and Dennes of the Earth, must needs be full of Ayr continually: but when by the heat of the Sunne, the moysture of the Earth is resolved, many Exhalations are gene­rated as well within the Earth as with­out; and whereas the places were full [Page 47] before so that they could receive no more, except part of that which was in them, were let out in such countries where the Earth hath few pores, or else where they are stopped with moysture, it must needs follow, that these Exhala­tions striving to get out, must needs rend the Earth in some place, or lift it up, so that either they may have free pas­sage, or else room enough to abide in.

Of signes and tokens that go before an Earthquake most commonly.

THe first, The signes of an earth­quake. is the raging of the Sea, when there are no tempestuous Winds to stirre it, yea, when the Ayr is most calme without Wind.

The caus why the Sea then rageth, is, that the wind beginneth to labour for passage that way, and finding none, is sent back, and soon after shaketh the land.

The second signe is calmness of the Ayr, and cold, which commeth to pass by reason that the Exhalation that should be abroad, is within the Earth.

The third signe, is said to be a long [Page 48] thinne strake of cloud seen, when the skie is clear; after the setting of the Sun. This (say they) is caused, by rea­son that the Exhalation or Vapor, which is the matter of clouds, is gone into the Earth.

Others affirm, that it is the Exhalation that breaketh out of some narrow hole of the Earth, out of which the rest of the wind cannot issue, neither will it waite the time: wherefore within a while after, it seeketh and maketh it self by sudden eruption a broader way to be delivered out of prison.

Also the Sunne, certaine daies be­fore it appeareth dimme, because the Winds that should have purged and dissolved the grosse Ayr, that causeth this dimness to our eyes, is enclosed within the bowels of the Earth.

The Water in the bottome of deepe wells is troubled, and the savour there­of infected, because the pestilent Exha­lations that have been long inclosed within the Earth, doe then beginne a little to be sent abroad. For thereof cometh it, that in many places where Earthquakes have been, great abun­dance [Page 49] of smoak, flame, and ashes is cast out, when the abundance of brimstone that is under the ground, through vio­lent motion is set on fire and breaketh forth. Finally, who knoweth not, what stinking Minerals and other poysonous stuff doe grow under the Earth? wherefore it is no wonder, if Well-water, before an Earthquake, be infected: but rather it is to be marvel­led, if after an Earthquake there fol­low not a grievous Pestilence, when the whole mass of infection is blown a­broad.

Last of all, there is heard before it in the time of it, Thunder­ing under the earth. and after it, a great noise and sound under the Earth, a terrible groaning, and a very Thun­dring, yea, somtimes when there fol­loweth no Earthquake at all, when as the wind, without shaking of the Earth, findeth a way to passe out at. And these for the most part, or at least some of them, are forewarnings, that the most fearfull Earthquake will fol­low, then the which there is no natu­rall thing that bringeth men into a greater feare. Cato. Cato was very curious to [Page 50] confesse himselfe, that he repented that ever he went by water, when as he might have gone by land. But what land can be sure, if it be the Lords will by this work of his to shake it? what building so strong, that can defend us, when the more strong, the more danger, the higher, the greater fall?

Of Thunder.

THunder is a sound caused in the clouds by the breaking out of a hot and dry Exhalation beating against the edges of the cloud. Thunder. It is often heard in Spring and Summer by rea­son that the heat of the Sun then draw­eth up many Exhalations, which meeting in the middle region of the Air with moyst and cold Vapors, are together with them inclosed in a hol­low cloud: but when the hot Exha­lation cannot agree with the coldness of the place; by this strife being driven together made stronger and kindled, it will straight break out, which sud­den and violent eruption causeth the noyse which we call Thunder. A Si­militude [Page 51] is put by great Authors, of moist wood that cracketh in the fire: A simili­tude. we may adde hereunto the breaking of an egge in the fire, of an apple or any like thing; for whatsover holdeth and withholdeth inclosed any hot wind, so that it can have no vent, it will seek it self a way by breaking the skin, shell or case. It were no ill com­parison to liken Thunder to the sound of a gun, which be both caused of the same or very like causes.

The sound of Thunder is divers; after which men have divided the Thun­der into divers kinds, Divers kinds of Thunders. making first two sorts, that is, smal Thunder and great. But as for the diversity of sounds, ge­nerally it comes of the divers disposi­tion of the clouds, one while having more holes then at another; somtime thicker in one place then in another.

The smal or little Thunder is when the Exhalation is driven from side to side of that cloud making a noise, and either for the smal quantity and less forcibleness, Small Thunder, and the kinds thereof. or else for the thickness of the clouds walls, is not able to break them, but rumbleth up and [Page 52] down within the cloud, whose sides be stronger then the force of the Exhala­tion is able to break, it runneth up and down within, and striking a­gainst the cloud and moist sides, ma­keth a noise not unlike the quenching of hot i [...]on in cold water.

And if the Exhalation be meanly strong, and the cloud not in all pla­ces or like thickness, it breaketh out at those thin places with such a buz­zing as wind maketh blowing out of narrow holes.

But if the cloud be so thin that it cannot keep in the Exhalation, al­though it be not kindled, then it blow­eth o [...]t with like puffing as wind com­meth out of a pair of bellowes.

A great Thunder is when the Exha­lation is much in quantity, Great thunder and the kinds whereof. and very hot and dry in quality; the clouds al­so very thick 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 long and fearfull rumbling a­gainst [Page 53] the sides of the cloud, untill at the last being made stronger by swifter motion, it dissolveth the cloud, and hath liberty to pass out into the open Air; the cloud dissolved droppeth down, and then followeth a showre of Rain.

Otherwhiles it shaketh the cloud not long, but straight way rendeth it a long space and time, whose sound is like the rending of a Broad-cloth, which noyse continueth a pretty while.

And sometime it discusseth the cloud at once, making a vehement and ter­rible crack like a gun, 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 steeple of Saint Pauls Church in London was set on fire, as it hath been once or twice before, and bur­ned.

The noyse of Thunder though it be great in such places over which it is made, How far thunder is heard. yet is not hard far off, especial-against the wind; Whereof we had ex­perience also in the Year of our [Page 54] Lord, 1561. on Saint Matthias day in February, at the evening, when there was a great flash of Lightning and a very ter [...]ible crack of Thunder follow­ing; they that were but 15 Miles from London Westward heard no noise nor sound thereof; the Wind that time was Western.

The effect of Thunder is profitable to men, The profit of thunder both for that the sweet showre doth follow it, and also for that it purgeth and purifieth the Air by the swift moving of the Exhalation that breaketh forth, as also by the sound which dividing and peircing the Air, causeth it to be much thinner: which may be verified by an History that Plu­tarch in the life of Quincius Flaminius reporteth, Plutar­chus T. Quincius Flaminius. that there was such a noyse made by the Grecians, after their Li­berty was restored, that the Birds of the Air that flew over them were seen fall down by reason that the Air divi­ded by their Cry, was made so thin, tha [...] there was no firmity or strength in i [...] to bear them u [...]. And let this suf­fice for Thunder, which Lightning suc­ceedeth in treaty, that seldom is from it in nature.

Of Lightning.

AMong the divers kinds of Light­nings which Writers in this knowledg do number, Lightning. we shall treat only of four kinds; yet so, that under these Four all the rest may be compre­hended. Fulgetrū. Corusca­tio. Fulgur▪ Fulmen. The names we must borrow of the Latine Tongue; the first is Ful­getrum, the second Coruscatio, the third Fulgur, the fourth Fulmen.

Of Fulgetrum.

FUlgetrum we call that kinde of Lightning which is seen on Sum­mer nights and evenings after a hot day. Fulge­trum. The generation hereof is such; when many thin, light and hot Exha­lations by the immoderate heat have been drawn up from the Earth, and by the absence of the Sun be destitute of the force whereby they should have been drawn further upward; yet some­thing ascending by their own nature, in that they be light and hot, they meet with the cold either of the night in the [Page 56] lowest region, or else of the Air in the middle region; and so by resistance of contraries (as it hath been oft before rehearsed) they are beaten back, and with vehement moving set on fire. This Lightning commonly goeth out in the Air terrible to behold, not hurtfull to anything, except sometime when the matter is earthy and gross, being strick­en down to the earth, it blasteth corn and grass with other smal hurt. Some­time it setteth a barn or thatched house on fire.

The Colour of this Lightning as of all other, The co­lour of this Lightning. is divers, partly according to the matter, and partly according to the light. If the matter be thin, 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 yellow, wich is a token that the matter is wonderfull thick and gross. Old Wives are wont to say that no night in the year except one, passeth without Lightning, but that is true as the rest of their Tales, whereof they have great store.

Of Coruscation.

Coruscation is a glistering of fire, rather then fire indeed; Corusca­tion. and a gli­mering of Lightning, rather then Lightning itself: which is two manner of ways: One way, when clouds that be lower then the upper part of the Earth, without the compass of our fight are enflamed, and the reflection of that flame is cast up into our sight, appear­ing in all points like Lightning, saving that the Air where it appeareth, is so clear, that we are perswaded, no Light­ning can be there caused. Another way is, when there be thick clouds over us, and commonly a double order of clouds, one above another: if Light­ning or any other Inflammation be in the upper part of these clouds, the light of them peirceth thorow the lower parts as thorow a glass, and so appear­eth as though it Lightned, when per­haps it did Lighten indeed, yet that which we saw, was but the shadow thereof: and this is often without Thunder.

Of Fulgur.

FUlgur Fulgur. is that kinde of Lightning which followeth Thunder, where­of we have spoken before. For when that violent Exhalation breaks forth, making a noyse as it beateth against the sides of the cloud, with the same vi­olence it is set on fire, The light­ning is not before the thunder, though it seeme so. and casteth a great light, which is seen far and neer. And although the Lightning appear unto us a good pretty while before the Thun­der-clap be heard, yet it is not caused before the noyse, if any Thunder at all follow, but either is after it or with it. Wherefore that we see it before we hear the Thunder, may be ascribed ei­ther to the quickness of our Sight that preventeth the Hearing, or else to the swift moving of the fire and the light thereof to our eyes, Sight pre­venteth hearing. and the slow mo­tion of the Sound unto our ears and Hearing.

These three kindes of Lightnings are more fearfull then hurtfull, but the fourth seldom passeth without some dammage doing.

Of the fourth kind, called Fulmen.

THe most dangerous, violent and hurtfull kind of lightning is called Fulmen, whose generation is such as followeth: What time a hot Exhala­tion is enclosed in a cloud and breaking the same, bur [...]reth forth, it is set on fire and with wonderfull great force stricken down toward the Earth.

The crack of thunder that is made when this Lightning breaketh out, is sudden, short, and great, like the sound of a Gunne. And oftentimes a great stone is blowne out with it, which they call the Thunder-bolt, which is made on this maner.

In the Exhalation which is gathered out of the Earth, is much Earthly mat­ter, The thun­der-bolt cast out of the clouds. which clortering together by moysture, being clammy by nature, con­sisting of brimstone, and other metalick substance by the excessive heat, is har­dened as a brick is in the fire, and with the mighty force of the Exhalation strongly cast toward the Earth, and [Page 60] striketh down steeples, and high buil­dings of stone, and of wood, passeth thorow them, and setteth them on fire; it cleaveth trees and setteth them on fire: Strongest things are most hurt of light­ning. and the stronger the thing is that resisteth it, the more harme it doth to it. It is sharp-poynted at one end, and thick at the other end, which is caused by reason that the moyster part, as heavier, goeth to the bottome of it; so is the top small, and the bottome thick.

Men write, How deep a thunder-bolt goeth into the earth. that the thunder-bolt goeth never above five foot deep, when it falleth upon the Earth: which stan­deth with reason, both because the strength of it is weakned before it come so neer the ground, and also because the continual thicknesse of the Earth breaketh the force, were it never so great.

Both Aristotle, Aristot. Seneca. Plinius. Seneca, and Plinius divide this lightning into three kinds.

Of the first.

THe first is drie, Day light­ning. which burneth not to be felt, but divideth and appear­eth with wonderful swiftnesse: For be­ing subtil and pure, it passeth thorow [Page 61] the pores of any thing, be they never so small; and such thing [...] as give place unto it, it hurteth not; but such things [...]s resist, it divideth and peirceth. For [...]t will melt money in mens purses, Money melted in mens Pur­ses, and swords in Scabberds. the purses being whole and unharmed. Yea, [...]t will melt a sword in the scabberd, and not hurt the scabberd at all. A wine [...]essell it will cleave, and yet the wine shall be so dull that by the space of three dayes, it will not runne out. It will hurt a mans hand, and not his glove. It will burne a mans bones within him [...]o ashes, and yet his skinne and flesh shall appearefaire, as though nothing had come to him. Yet otherwise the whole man in the moment of an houre shall be burned to ashes, whereas his clothes shall not seeme to have been touched. It will also kill the childe in the mothers belly, and not hurt the mother: And all because the matter is very subtill, and thinne, burning, and passing thorow whatsoever it be, that will not give it free passage.

Of the second kind.

The Second kinde is moyst: Moyst lightning. and be­cause it is very thin, it burneth not to ashes, but only it blasteth or scor­cheth trees, corn and grass: and by reason of the moystness it maketh all things black that it commeth neer, as moyst wood burning is smoaky, Why it maketh black. and maketh things neer it to be black and smoaky.

Of the Third kinde.

THe Third kinde is most like our common fire that wee have here on the earth of gross and earthly sub­stance; Grosse lightning. wherefore it leaveth a print where it hath been, or else consumeth it into ashes, if it be such a body as will be burned with fire.

Of the Marvels of Lightning, and their causes.

BEside the wonderful effects of light­ning, The mmr­vell of lightning. that have been already re­membred, [Page 63] there be many other which hereafter ensue, with the reason and causes unto them belonging; as thus:

The nature of Lightning is, to poyson beasts that are stricken therewith, Lightning poysoneth. as though they had been bit by a Serpent. The cause of this is that the matter of Lightning is much infected with Brim­stone & other poysonous metallike sub­stance, because it is thin, and giveth them passage into every part of the body.

It is notable that Seneca writeth how winevessels of wood being burned with lightning, Seneca. Wine not running, the Vessels being bro­ken. the wine would stand still, and not run out: the reason hereof, is, the swift alteration and change, whereby also all the clammi­nesse of the wine is drawne to the out­ward most part, and so keepeth in the wine as in a skin, that by the space of three days it will not run. It will al­so poyson wine, insomuch that they which drink thereof shall either be mad or dye of it: the cause hereof was set [...] forth before.

Lightning that striketh a poysonous beast, Lightning pur [...]eth a poysonous beast. purgeth it from the poyson, in so much that it causeth a Serpent or [Page 64] Snake which it killeth, to breed worms, which otherwise it would not do: A Snake breedeth no Worms but being purged from the natural poyson by the swift peircing of the Lightning, nothing letteth but that it may breed wormes as all other corrupt flesh will doe.

If Lightning strike one that sleepeth, it openeth his eyes; Lightning openeth his eyes that sleep­eth, and closeth his that waketh. and of one that wa­keth, it shutteth the eyes. The cause is this, that it waketh him that sleepeth, and killeth him, before he can close his eyes againe. And him that waketh it so amazeth, that he winketh, as he will doe at any sudden chance: so he dyeth, before he can open his eyes a­gaine.

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

The Reason why it killeth the child in the mothers womb, not hurting the mother, is the tenderness of the one and the strength of the other, when the [Page 65] lightning is not vehement; otherwise both should dye together.

Sometime Lightning burneth onely the garments, shooes or hair of men, not hurting their bodies, and then the Exhalation is nothing vehement.

Sometime it killeth a man, and there appeareth no wound without, Garments burnt, the body un­hurt. neither any hurt within, no not so much as any sign of burning: for then the Exhalati­on which being kindled is called Light­ning, is wonderfull subtil and thin, so swiftly passing thorow, that it leaveth no mark or token behind it.

They that behold the Lightning, Lightning causeth blindnesse, swelling or Lepro­sie. are either made blind, or their face swelleth, or they become Lepers; for that Fiery Exhalation received into the pores of their face and eyes, maketh their face to swell and break out into a Leprosy, and also dryeth up the Chrystalline humour of their Eyes, so that consequently they must needs be blind.

Eutropius sheweth that the same day in which Marcus Tullius Cicero was born, Eutropius, Marcus Tullius Cicero. Apulia. a certain Virgin of Rome ri­ding into Apulia, was stricken with [Page 66] Lightning, so that all her garments being taken from her without any rending, she lay starke naked, the la­sing of her breast being undone, and her hose-garters untyed, yea her bracelets, collars, and rings being all loosed from her: Likewise her horse lay dead, with his bridle and girts un­tyed.

The places of them that are burnt with Lightning, The wounds of Lighting cold. are colder then the rest of their bodyes, either because the greater heat draweth away the lesser, or else because that by the great vio­lence the vital heat is quite extingui­shed in that place.

The Sea-Calf is never hurt with Lightning: Sea Calfe not hurt with light­ning. wherefore the Emperours Tents were wont to be covered with their skins.

The Bay Trees and Box Trees are never, Bayes and Box Trees seldome hurt with Lightning. or seldom stricken with Lightning; The Cause of these may be, the Hardness of their Skinne, which hath so few Pore-holes, that the Exhalation cannot enter into them. The Eagle Jupiters harnesse-bearer.

The Eagle also among Fouls, is [Page 67] not stricken with Lightning; Where­fore the Poets feigne, that the Ea­gle carrieth Jupiters Armour, which is Lightning. The Reason may be the thickness and dryness of her fea­thers, which will not be kindled with so swift a fire.

Of Storme Winds.

A Storme Wind is a thick Exhala­tion, violently moved out of a Cloud, Storm winds. without inflammation or bur­ning.

The Matter of this Storme is all one with the Matter of Lightning, that hath been spoken of: namely, it is an Exhalation very hot and dry, and al­so gross, and thick, so that it will easi­ly be set on fire; but then it hath ano­ther name and other Effects.

The Form or Manner of the gene­ration is such;

When abundance of that kinde of Exhalation is gathered together within a Cloud, which needs will have one way out or other, it breaketh the cloud and causeth Thunder, as it hath been [Page 68] taught before: but if the matter be ve­ry thick, and the Cloud somewhat thin, then doth it not rend the Cloud, but falling down, beateth the Cloud before it, and so is carried as an arrow out of a bowe.

It doth always goe before a great so­dain showre: For when the Cloud is broken, the water must needs fall down. Also it is so gross and so thick, that it darkneth the Air and maketh all the Lowest Region of the Air to be in a manner as a dark Smoaky Cloud.

It causeth Tempests in the Sea, and Wonderfull great Danger to them that bear Sayle; whom if it overtake, it bringeth to utter destruction.

So sodain is this kinde, that it can­not be resisted with sodain helpe: so violent it is, that seeble force cannot withstand it.

Finally, It is so Troublesome with Thunder, Lightning, Rayne, and Beasts: besides these, Darkness and Cold, that it would make men at so neer a Pinch, to be at their Wits End if they were not accusto­med [Page 69] to such Tumultuous Tempests.

Wherefore it were profitable to de­clare the Signes that goe before it, to the End Men might beware of it.

But they are so common to other Tempests, that either they are known well enough, or else being never so well known, in a Seldom Calamity they would little be feared.

The Sea-ships subject to more Danger, have more Helpe, if it be u­sed in Time: But no Signes fore­knowne can profit the Dweller of the Land to keep his House from Ruine, except it were to save his Life from the fall of his Man­sion.

The sudden violence of this Tempest to him is more seldome times, but more incurable when it commeth then to the Mariner who hath some Ayd to look for by his comming▪ the other if he escape with his life, may comfort himself that he was neer a great dan­ger, and cast with himself to build up his House again.

Of Whirlwinds.

A Whirlwind, is a Wind break­ing out of a Cloud, Whirlewinds. Rouling or Winding round about, over­throwing that which standeth neer it, and that which commeth before it, carrying it with him aloft in the Air.

It differeth from a Stormy Wind in three points.

First, in the Matter which is less in Quantity, and of thinner Sub­stance.

Secondly, in the Moving, which is Circular, Winding about: where­as the Storme bloweth Aslope and Sidelongs. Also a Whirlwind, in the Moving divideth not it self abroad and bloweth Directly, as the Storme doth.

And Thirdly, in the manner of the generation; for a Storme doth always come out of one Cloud; but a Whirl­wind sometime is Caused by means of two Contrary Winds that meet to­ether.

[Page 71] In like manner, as we see in the streets of Cities, where the wind is beaten back from two walles, meeting in the middest of the street, there is made a little whirle-wind, which whisking round about, taketh up the dust, or strawes, and bloweth it about, after the very similitude of the great and feare­full whirlewind.

The reason of the going about is this, that when the walls beat back the wind from them, which aboundeth in that place, and those winds when they meet, by reason of equall force on both sides, can neither drive one the other back a­gaine, nor yet passe thorrow one the o­ther; it must needs be, that they must both seek a way on the side at once, and consequently be carried round about, the one as it were pursuing the other, untill there be space enough in the aire, that they may be parted asunder.

The matter of a whirlewind, is not much differing from the matter of storme and lightning, that is, an Exha­lation hote and drie, breaking out of a cloud in divers partes of it, which cau­seth the blowing about. Also it is cau­sed, [Page 72] as it hath been said, by two, or more windes, blowing from divers places, which may be of particular causes, that have been shewed before in the Chapter of windes; this tempest is noysome to man and beast, Sea and Land, things li­ving, The trou­bles of whirle­winds. and life lacking: For it will take up both men and beasts, stones and clods of earth: which when it hath borne a great way, will not be so curteous as to set them downe againe, but negli­gently letteth them fall from a great height, or else violently throweth them downe to the earth.

It breaketh Trees, winding them a­bout, and pulling them up by the roots. It turneth about a Ship, and bruiseth it in peeces with other mischiefes besides.

Of fired Whrlewinds.

SOmetime a whirlewind is set on fire within the cloud, Fired whirle­winds. and then breaking forth, flyeth round like a great cart­wheele, terriblie to behold, turning and over browing all drie things that it commeth neer, as Houses, Woods, Corn, Grasse, and what soever else standeth in the way.

[Page 73] It differeth not from a whirlewind, saving that it is kindled and set on fire, so appearing, else the generation of both is called one.

Of Circles.

THe Circle called Halon is a garland of divers colours that is seen about the Sunne, Circles a­bout the Sunne, the Moone, and other Starres, Jupiter & Venus Planets. the Moon, or any other Star, especially about Jupiter or Venus, for their great brightnesse. It is called of the Greeks a compassed plat, of the La­tines, a Crown or Garland.

The matter wherein it is made, is a cloud of equall thickness, or thinnesse, comming directly under the body of the Sunne, the Moone, or other Starres, into which the light of the heavenly body is received & so appeareth round, because the Starre is round: Circles in the water. as a stone cast into the water, maketh many round circels, dilating in breadth, untill the violence of the moving is ended; so is it in the aire; the light beames peircing it, cause broad circles to be dilated, which appeare white, The co­lours of circles. purple, black, red, green, blew, and other colours, ac­cording [Page 74] to the disposition of the clouds matter. The cause of such colours, is shewed before in the peculiar treaty of colours.

This circle is oftner seene about the Moone, then about the Sunne, because the heate of the Sunne draweth the va­pors too high, where it cannot be made. Also, because the night is a more quiet time then the day from wind, it is more often in the night, then in the day. Seldome, about other Starres, because their light beames, are too weake often to pierce a cloud: yet oftner about smal stars then the Sunne, because the light of the Sunne pierceth the cloud more forcibly, than that this Halon can ma­ny times be cause.

Otherwhiles it is seen about a can­dle, Circles at bout a candle. which must be in a very thicke and grosse aire of such proportionate thick­ness, that it may receive the light as the cloud doth from the starres, as in the smoaky places, or hot houses.

This kinde of circle is sometimes like a Rainebow, saving that it is a whole circle unlesse the starre under which it is caused, be not all risen, or [Page 75] else the cloud, in which it is seen, The fignes of these circles. be not all come under the Star, or after it hath come under some part therof, be dissol­ved from the rest.

These Circles be sings of tempests and windes, Virgilius, Aratus, Poets. as witnesse both Virgil, and A­ratus.

The Wind shal blow from that quar­ter, where the Circle first beginneth to break. The cause whereof is this, that the Circle is broken by the Winde that is above which is not yet come down towards us, but by this effect above; we may gather, both that it will come, and also from what quarter.

A great Circle about the Moon, Signe of Frost. be­tokeneth great cold and frost to follow after.

But if it vanish away and be dissol­ved altogether, Signe of faite wea­ther. it is a signe of faire wea­ther.

If it be broken in many parts, Signe of tempest. it signi­fieth tempest.

If it wax altogether thicker and dar­ker, Signe of raine. it is a forewarning of raine.

One alone, Ptolome­us Sign of faire wea­ther. after Ptolomee, pure and white, vanishing away by little and lit­tle, is a token of faire weather.

[Page 76] Two or three at once, portendeth tempest: if they be [...]uddy, they shew wind to come; Signe of Snow. and toward snow, they seem as it were broken and rocky.

Being darke or dimme, they signi­fie all these foresaid events, with more force and abundance: it is oftner caused in Autumne and Spring, then in Win­ter or Summer: the cause is the tempe­ratenesse of the time.

The cause why it appeareth sometime greater, and sometime lesser, is in the quality of the matter, which as it is grosse or thinne, will more or lesse be dilated and stretched abroad, & also as some will have it, of the weakenesse of mans sight. Of which, Aristotle Aristotle. bring­eth an example in one Antipho, Antipho. which did alwayes see his owne image before him in the ayre, as in a glasse: which he affirmeth to have been for the weak­nesse of his sight-beames that could not peirce the aire, so that they were reflect­ed again to himself.

And thus much for Halon, and the causes, signes, or toke [...]s of it.

Of the Rainebow

THe Rainebow, Raynebow is the apparition of certaine colours in a cloud, oppo­site against the Sunne, in fashion of half a Circle. Possidonius said, it was the Sunnes looking glasse, Possido­nius wherein his i­mage was represented, and that the blue colour was the proper colour of the cloud; red of the Sunne; all the other colours of commixtion.

It differeth manifoldly from Halon: for the Raynebow is alwayes opposite against the Sunne: but Halon is directly under it.

They differ not onely in place, but also in fashion: the Raynebow is but halfe a Circle: the Halon is a whole Circle.

Likewise they vary in colour: for the Raynebow is more dimme, and of purple colour; the Halon, whiter and brighter.

Also, in continance; for the Rain­bow may continue longer then Halon.

The image of the Rainebow may be seen on a wall, A [...] stone [...] the Sunne striking tho­row a fix poynted stone, called Iris, or [Page 78] any other Christall of the same fashon; also thorow some glasse window.

Halon is seen about Candles, in smo­kie places, as are baths and kitchings.

The manner of the generation of the Rainebow is such: There is opposite a­gainst the Sunne, a thick watery cloud, which is already resolved into dewy drops of raine, A simili­tude. is (for a grosse simili­tude) is seene on the potlid, when the Water in the Vessell hath sodden, or is very hot, the lid will be all full of small drops of water, which come from the water in the Vessell; first, by heat resolved into smoake; after, when it cannot goe at large, it is resolved a­gain. Wherefore upon such a cloud, the Sunne beams striking, as upon a smooth glasse, do expresse the image of the Sun unperfectly, for the great distance. Or else the Sunne beames striking into a hollow cloud, where they are refract­ed or broken, and so come to the eyes of him that beholdeth the Rainbow.

The similitude thereof is seen, when men sayle or row in Boats, The simi­litude of the Raine­bow. the Sunne shineth upon the water, which casteth on the vessels side, the colours and i­mage of the Rainbow.

[Page 79] Lifewise, water in an urinall holden against the Sunne, receiveth the light, and sheweth colours on the wall.

There be two kinds of Rainbows, one of the Sun, Rainbow of the Sun. another of the Moon; the one by day, the other by night: the Rainebow of the Sun often, Rainbow of the Moone. but of the Moon very seldome, in so much that it can be but twice in fifty yeeres, and that when the Moon is in the East or West, full in perfect opposition.

It hath not been many times seene since the writing of Histories, yet some­times, and for the rarenesse, is taken for a great wonder. Yet is it in colour no­thing so beautiful as the sunnes, but for the most part white as milke: other di­versities of colours are scant perceived. When it appeareth, it is said to signifie tempest.

The time of the Rainbow is often af­ter the point of Autumne, both for the placing of the Sunne in competent low­nesse, and also for abundance of mat­ter, seldom or never is the Rainebow see about the midst of Summer.

There may be many Rainebows at one time, yet commonly but one prin­cipall, [Page 80] of which the rest are but shad­dows and images; the second shad­dow of the first, the third of the second, as appeares by placing of their colours.

It remaineth to shew why it is but halfe a circle, or lesse, and never more; and why the whole cloud receiveth not the same colours that the Rayne­bow hath. The cause of the first is, be­cause the center or middle part of the Raynebow, that is Diametrally opposite to the center of the same, is alwayes either in the Horizon (that is, the cir­cle cutting off our fight of Heaven by the earth) or under it. The cause why the whole cloud is not coloured, is, be­cause that in the middest, the beames as strong, peirce thorow, but on the edges where they are weaker, they are reflected or refracted.

Now for so much as GOD made the Raynebow a sign and Sacrament of the promise, some think it was never seene before the flood: their reason may be this, that the earth, after the first creati­on was then so fruitfull, that it needed hone or very little Raine, so that such dark clouds were not often gathered, [Page 81] the fruitfull ground not so easily remit­ted his moysture, that then was fat and clammy, hard to be drawne up: so it might be, that there was no Rainebow before, as we cannot find that ever, it rained before. But whether it were or not, it is certaine, that then it became a Sacrament, whereas it was none be­fore which when we behold, it beho­veth us to remember the truth of God in all his promises, to his glory and our comfort.

The milke way, called of some the way to S. James, and Wat­ling Streete.

THe milke way is a white circle seen in a cleare night, The white circle seed in the night as it were in the firmament, passing by the sings of Sagit­tarius and Gemini.

The cause thereof is not agreed upon among Philosophers, whose opinons I thought best to report, before I come to the most probable causes.

First of all, Pythagoras is charged with a Poeticall fable, pythagoras as though it had been caused by reason that the Sun did [Page 82] once run out of his path way, and bur­ned this part, whereof it looketh white.

Others, as Anaxagoras and Demo­critus sayd, Anaxa­goras Democri­ [...] that it was the light of certaine Starres, shining by themselves, of their owne light, which in the ab­sence of the Sun might be seene. But this opinion is also false; for the Starres have no light of themselves, but of the Sun: also if it were so, it should appear about other Starres.

Democritus is also reported to have said, that it was nothing else but innu­merable little Starres, which with their confuse light, caused that whitenesse: to this opinion, Cardanus. Cardane seemeth to sub­scribe.

The Poets have foure fables of it: one of Phaeton, Phaeton. which on a time gui­ded the Chariot of the Sunne, and wan­dring out of the way, did burne that place, wherefore of Jupiter he was stri­ken downe with lightning.

The second, That it is the high street in Heaven, Ovid. Me [...]a. that goeth streight to Jupi­ters palace, and both sides of it the com­mon sort of gods doe dwell.

The third, Hebe. that Hebe, one which was [Page 83] Jupiters Cupbearer, on a time stumb­led at a straw, and shed the Wine or Milke that was in the Cup, which co­loured that part of Heaven to this day: wherefore she was put out of her office.

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

Theophrastus, Theophra­stus. a Philosopher, affirm­ed, That it was the joyning together, or came of the 2 half Globes, which made [...]t appeare more light in that place then anothers.

Others said, it was the reflexion of the shining light of fire or starre light, [...]s it is seen in a glasse, but then it should [...]e moveable.

Diodorus affirmed, Diodorus. that it was Hea­venly fire, condensed or made thick in­to a circle, and so became visible, whereas the rest, for the pureness, clear­nesse, and thinnesse, could not be seen.

Possidonious, Possido­nius. whose mind to many seemeth very reasonable, said, it is the [...]nfusion of she hea [...] of the Stars, which therefore is in a Circle, contrary to the Zodiake, Zodiake. (out of which the Sun never [Page 84] wandereth) because it might temp [...] the whole compass with vital and livel [...]hea, Although in my mind he hath ra­ther expressed the finall cause, then th [...] efficient.

Aristotles opinion is, Aristotle. that it should be the beames of a great Circle which [...] caused by a cloud or Exhalation draw [...] up by those Starres, which be calle [...] Sporades. Sporades. This opinion of Aristotles [...] misliked of most men that have tra­vailed in this science; and worthil [...] ▪ For if it were of the nature of ele­ments as Exhalations are, it would be at length consumed. But this circl [...] never corrupteth, therefore it is not [...] Exhalations. Also it neither increase [...] nor diminisheth, which is a plain pro [...] that it consisteth not of elemental mat­ter, although Aristotle seem to make double circle, one celestiall, another e­lemental.

The last opinion is, of them that [...] it is the nature of heaven, thicker [...] substance, then other parts of Heaven be, having some likenesse to the sub­stance of the Moon, which being light [...]ed by the same as all the Starres b [...] [Page 85] appeareth white. And this opinion I take to be most probable, because that sentence of Starre light seemeth not so reasonably, to be only in that place, and not elsewhere.

The finall cause of this Milke-white circle, hath beene already touched in the opinion of Possidonius, Possido­nius whereunto also Plinius in the 18. Book, Plinius and 29. Chapter of his natural History agreeth, affirming, that it is very profitable for the generation and fruitfull increase of things that grow on the ear [...]h.

The Mathematitians that have mea­sured the breadth thereof, affirme, The breadth of this circles that toward the north it passeth over the E­cliptical line of the ninth spheare, from the 18. degree of Gemini, unto 2 degrees of Cancer, which is 13. degrees and to­ward the South, from the 8 degree of Sagittarius, to the 13 degree of the same signe: and because it is there divi­ded into two branches (as may easily be seen in a cleare night) it reacheth from 24 of Sagittarius, to the 2 degree of Capricorne.

This circle, if it be of the nature of Heaven, is unproperly placed among [Page 86] Meteors or impressions: but because of Aristotles mind, who will have it to be an impression kindled, and their o­pinion which think it proceedeth of the light of Starres, it is not without good cause in this place treated of.

Of beames, or streames of light, ap­pearing thorow a Cloud.

THere is yet another kind of im­pression caused by the beames of the Sunne, Beames or streames. stricken through a watery cloud, being of unequall thinnesse, and is thinner in one part then in another, so that it cannot receive the beames in any other forme, then that they appeare direct or slope downeward of divers colours; and the same that are the colours of the Rainebow, though not so evident, because the reflexion is not so strong. They vary in colours: some are more urple or ruddy, when the cloud is thicker; some yellow and whitish, when the cloud is thinner, and so other colours are caused likewise, whereof you may read the proper cause [Page 87] in the colours of clouds and other like parts of this Treatise.

The common people call it the de­scending of the holy Ghost, or our La­dies Assumption, because these things are painted after such a [...] Others say that it is raine, striking down in a­nother place, as though they [...] see the drops falling. And they are [...] altogether deceived, but in the time; for soon after it will raine, because this impression appeareth out of a wa­try cloud. They are called by divers names, as Rods, Wands, Cords of Tents, unto which they are not touch unlike staves and little pillars, when they seeme greater and thicker, many being ioyned together.

The Rainebow, the Circles, and these light Beams, are all of one manner of generation, in so much that if you di­vide the Circle, it shall be a Rainbow; if you draw it streight in length, it ma­keth streames or beames. Herein they agree, namely, in forme and matter, but they differ in outward form, which we may call fashion, as the one is round, the other halfe round, and the third [Page 88] direct, straight or falling aslope. Also they differ in place about which they stand: for streames are onely about the Sunne; Rainebowes about the Sunne often, and seldome about the Moon; but circles both about the Sunne and the Moon, and also about any other of [...] the Starres, yet rather and oftner about bright Starres.

To make an end of these streams, they appear diversly, after the fashion and place wherin the cloud hangeth, in respect of the sunne; for sometimes they are seen only in the edge of a cloud, all the breadth of that cloud: sometime thorow the midst of a cloud, being thinner [...] then in other parts, and then they are spred round about like a tent or pavillion used in War. They are most commonly seen in such times as there [...] abundancee of raine, which they by their apparition do signifie not yet to be ended.

And thus much concerning direct light beames, called Roddes, &c.

Of many Sunnes. Many Sunnes at once.

IT is strange and marvelous to be­hold the likelyhood of that which Alexander the Great, Alexander the great. sending word to Darius, Darius. said to be impossible, that Two Sunnes should rule the World. But oftentimes, men have seen, as they thought in the firmament, not only two Sunnes, but oftener three Sunnes, and many more in number thought not so often appearing. These, how won­derfull soever they appear, proceed of a natural cause, which we will endevour to expresse. They are nothing else but Idols or Images of the Sun, represented in an equall, smooth, and watery cloud placed on the side of the Sunne, and somtimes one both sides, into which the Sunne beams being received, as in a glasse, expresse the likenesse of fashion and light that is in the Sunne appearing as though there were many Sunnes▪ whereas indeed there is but one, and all the rest are images.

This thick and watery cloud, is not said to be under the Sunne; for then it [Page 90] would make the Circles, called crowns or garlands: it is not opposite to the Sunne, for then would it make the Rainbow: but it is said to be on the side where the image may be best re­presented. Also it may not be too far off, for then the beams will be too feeble to be reflected: neither yet too neer; for if it so be, the Sunne will disperse it: but in a competent and middle distance: for so representation of many Sunnes is caused.

They are most often seene in the morning and evening, about the rising or going down of the Sunne, seldome at noone time, or about the midst of the day, because the heat will soone dissolve them: yet have there been some seen, which began in the morning, and continnued all the day long, unto the evening. Many sm [...]l Sunnes like stars. Simili­tude. Somtimes there appeare many little Suns, like unto little starres, which are caused after the same sort as we do see a mans face to be expressed in all the pieces of a broken glasse. So when the cloud hath many separations, there appeare many Sunnes, on one, side of the true Sun, somtimes great and som­times [Page 91] little, as the parts of the cloud separated are in quantity.

They do naturally betoken tempest and rayne to follow, The signi­fication of many Sunnes. because they can­not appeare but in a watery disposition of the Ayre.

Also, if they appeare on the South­side of the Sunne, they signifie a greater tempest, then if they appeare on the North-side. The reason is alleadged, because the Southerne Vapor is sooner resolved into Water then is the Nor­therne.

For a supernaturall signification, they have oftentimes been noted to have portended the contention of Prin­ces of kingdomes: As not long before the Contention of Galba, Otho, Galba, Otho, and Vitellius. and Vitellius for the Empire of Rome, there appeared three Sun. Also of late, toward the slaughter of Lewis King of Hungary, were seen three Suns, betoke­ning three Princes that contended for the kingdome, namely Ferdinnando since Emperour, John Vayvode, and the great Turke.

Of many Moones.

AFter the treaty of many Suns, it were not hard for any man with­out farther instruction to know the na­tural Cause of many Moons; Many Moones. For they are likewise Images of the Moon, re­presented in an equal Cloud, which is watry, smooth and polished, even like a glass.

Some call them (as Plinius saith) night-Suns; Plinius. because they, joined with the light of the true Moon, give a great shining light, to drive away the shadow and darkness of the night.

It were superfluous to write more of their Causes or Effects, which are all one with those that have been declared of the Suns.

It may be doubted, Why o­ther stars are not so represen­ted. why the other stars do not likewise expness their image in watry Clouds; and so the number of them, as to our sight, should be mul­tiplyed.

It may be Answered that their light or beams are too feeble and weak to ex­press any such Similitude or likeness in [Page 93] the watry Clouds. For although they have garlands or circles about them, that are caused in a Vapour that is un­der them, yet it is manifest that this Apparition hath not need of so strong a light as is required to print the ima­ges of them in the Clouds. Again, the Garlands are direct under, and therefore apter to receive such Appari­tion.

It may be again Objected that the Stars have their Image perfectly and sufficiently expressed in glasses here on the Earth; Objection. yea and at the day-time, when their light is either none, or most feeble and weak: as we see it is used at Midsummer to behold that great star called Syrius in a glass even at Noon­days. Syrius a great Star seen at noone in Summer.

Also we see every night the image of the Stars in calm and quiet standing waters: then what should let but that their images might also be expressed in watry Clouds?

Hereto may be answered that the Let is in the Cloud, An answer. which is neither so hard as is the glass, nor yet so conti­nual as is the water, but consisteth of [Page 94] innumerable smal drops: so that ex­cept the light of the stars were stron­ger, it can in them express no uniform images of them, as it doth in glasses and in the water. Notwithstanding, in Writers of Wonders we read some such likething sometime to have chan­ced.

There hath been often seen many Suns in the day-time and after the Sun setting: at the rising of the full Moon there have appeared many Moons, which was by this means, that the same Cloud that received the Sun-beams in the morning, tarried in the same place, and at the Moons rising was ready also to receive her image.

Of Wonderfull Apparitions.

WE will close this Book with a brief declaration of the natural Causes of many things that are seen in the Air, Wonder­full appa­ritions. very wonderfull and strange to behold, which in these latter Years have been often seen and beheld to the great admiration of all men, not with­out the singular providence of God, to [Page 95] forewarne us of many dangers that hang over us in these most Perillous Times.

The apparitions of which, as it is most wonderfull, so the searching of the Cause to us is most difficult: a great deal the rather, because no man hath hitherto enterprised (to my know­ledge) to seek out any cause of them, but all men have taken them as imme­diate miracles, without any natural meane or cause to procure them.

And I truly do acknowledge that they are sent of God as wonderfull signs to declare his Power, and move us to a­mendment of life; indeed miraculous, but not yet so that they want a natural cause; for if they be well weighed and considered, it is not hard to find that they differ much from such Miracles as are recorded in the Scripture and ad­mitted of Divines. So that as I ab­horre the Opinion of Epicurus to think that such things come by Chance, but rather by the determined purpose of Gods providence: so I consent not with them that suppose when any thing is derived from any natural caus, [Page 96] God the chief and best Cause of all things is excluded.

Some of these Wonderfull Appariti­ons consist of Circles and Rainbowes of divers fashions and placings, as one within another, the edge of one touch­ing another, one dividing or going thorow another, with like placing of small Circles about great Circles or parts of small Circles, some with the ends upward, some downward; some aside, and some across; but all for the most part in uniform order constituted or placed for the order of them plea­sant to behold, but for the strangness somwhat fearfull. Such a like Appari­tion is made with the Suns or Moons images joined unto these Circles set al­so in good and uniform order.

The cause of all these is the meeting together of all those several Causes that make the Circles, Rainbowes, Streames and Images of the Sun or Moon, which joined all together, make the wonderfull sight of Rainbowes, positions of Circles, Optice. Catoptrice Crosses and divers Lights which pertain to the knowledg of Optice and Catoptrice that teach [Page 97] how by divers refractions and reflects, ons of beams such visions are caused. So that he which will know how they are generated, must return into the se­veral Treatises of Rainbowes, Circles, Streams & Images of the Sun or Moons and if in them he find not knowledg sufficient to instruct him, I must send him to the Demonstrations of Perspe­ctive, where he shall want nothing.

Another sort of them, no less often beheld within these few years then the former, but a great deal more strange and wonderfull to look upon, are the Sights of Armies fighting in the Air, of Castles, Cities and Towns, with whole Countries, having in them Hils, Vallies, Rivers, Woods, also Beasts, Men and Fouls, Monsters of which there are no such kindes on the Earth, and finally all manner of things and actions that are on the Earth, as Buri­als, Processions, Judgments, Combates, Men, Women, Children, Horses, Crowns, Armes of certain Noble men and Countries, Weapons of all sorts, somtimes Stars [...], Angels as they are painted with the Image of Christ cruci­fied, [Page 98] beseiging of Castles and Townes, many things and gestures done by men or beasts, thevery Similitude of Per­sons known to the Beholders; as of late was seen the very Image of the Emperour Charles, insomuch that they which beheld it, put off their Caps, thinking verily it had been he: and of John Frederick Prince Elector of Saxo­ny, who that time was Prisoner with the Emperour: Also the Image of smal Crosses, which hath been not only in the Air, but also on the Earth, on mens apparell, on dishes, platters, pots, and all other things, so that the Jewes have been full angry that they could neither wash nor rub them out of their ap­parell. In Germany also Fires and ma­ny such things as it were long stories seen in the Air.

All these wonderfull Apparitions may be caused two manner of ways; the one Artificially, the other Natu­rally.

Artificially, by certain glasses and Instruments made according to a secret part of that knowledg which is called Catoptrice; Catoptri­ce. and so peradventure some [Page 99] of them have been caused; but

The most part (doubtless) Natu­rally, when the disposition of the Air hath been such, that it hath received the image of many things placed and done on Earth.

And because it is apt to receive di­vers images, as well in one place as in another, these monstrous forms and strange actions or stories proceed of the joining of divers forms and actions: as if two Histories were confusedly paint­ed in one, the whole Picture would be strange: or (as the Poet saith) if a Painter, Horarius. to a mans head, should sett a horses neck, and after, divers feathers. Sometimes also one image is multiplyed in the Air into many or infinite, as are letters and crosses which fill the Air, e­ven beneath: And the light of the Sun received into little parts, maketh to appear as it were many smal stars.

Let this suffice concerning these won­derfull Apparitions: once again admo­nishing the Reader, though I have en­terprised to declare these by natural Reason, yet verily believing that not so much as one Sparrow falleth to the [Page 100] ground without Gods providence. I do also ackowledg Gods providence bringeth these to pass, to such ends as before I have shewed, using these cau­ses as meanes and instruments to do them.

Of Watery Impressions.

THose be Watery Impressi­ons that consist most of Water.

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

Of Clouds.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Of Mists.

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

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

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

Of empty Clouds.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Of Rayne.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Of the Signes of Rain.

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

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

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

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

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

The often changing of the Winds, also sheweth tempest.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Of monstrous or prodigious rayne.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Of Dew.

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

There is common Dew, and sweet Dew.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Of Hoare-Frost.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Of Hayle.

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

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

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

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

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

[Page 120] The haile stones are sometimes grea­ter, and sometimes lesser; greater, with greater cold; and lesser, with lesser cold.

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

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

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

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

Of Snow.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Of Springs and Rivers.

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

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

[Page 123] There be foure kinds of springs; fountaines, brookes, Rivers and lakes.

Of Fouutaines.

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

Of Brookes.

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

Of Rivers.

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

Of Lakes.

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

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

Of hot Bathes.

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

Of the divers tastes that are percei­ved in Wells.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Page 131] There is another, that causeth men to abhor lust.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Of the Sea.

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

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

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

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

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

Of the saltnesse of the Sea.

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

Of the ebbing and flowing.

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

Of earthly Meteors, or bodies perfect [...]y mixed.

THis last Treatise contain­eth such bodies whose chiefe matter is the earth, Earthly bodies. and are called perfectly mixed, because they are not easily resolved into the chief matter whereof they are generated. These are divided into four Kinds. The first be di­vers sorts of Earth: The second be Li­quors concrete: The third be Metalls and Metallikes: The fourth be Stones.

This division is not altogether per­fect, both for that there be many of these Minerals which partake of two kinds, and also for that the names of these kinds may be said of others. Yet minding as plainly as can be, to declare the things themselves; the controver­sie and cavillation of names, shall not greatly trouble us, especially seeing we pretend not to teach Philosophers, but such as need a ruder and plainer in­struction. [Page 136] They may therefore be con­tent with this division, which shall not serve them to dispute of these matters, but to understand the truth of these things that they desire. Of these foure therefore we will speak orderly and ge­nerally, not minding to treat of every particular kind (for that were infinite) but to open such universall causes, as they which have wit may learn (if they list) to apply unto all particulars.

Of Earths.

THe Earth is an element, one of the four, cold and dry, Of Earths. most gross and solid, most heavy and weighty, the low­est of all other in place. When I say an Element, I meane a simple body un­compounded. This Earth is no Meteor, but as it was shewed in the water, to the end there should be generation of things. There is no Element that we have which is pure and simple, but all are mixed and compound. Our fire is grosse and compound, so is our aire, our water, and our earth: but the earth notably and above the rest, is mixed. [Page 137] For the pure and naturall Earth is dry and cold; but we see much to be moist, and much to be hot. The natural earth is black of colour: but we see many Earths white, many yellow, and many red. So that first, the greatest part of the Earth is mixed with water, that maketh it to cleave together, with aire and some fire, which make an oylie, fat or clammy earth, as is clay made, &c.

Another great part is dried, not in­to the naturall drinesse of the first qua­lity, but as a thing once mixed, and af­ter dryed, either by cold, as sand, gravell, &c. or else by heat, as chalke, oaker, &c. And yet somewhat more plainly and particularly to discourse upon these causes, admitting the natural colour of the Earth to be black, of the water to be blue, of the aire to be white, and of the fire to be ruddy, it followeth, that upon the mixtion of these colours, or chiefe domination of them, all things have their colour.

The grosse substance of the Earth therefore being diversly mixed with o­ther Elements, and those mixtures a­gain being eftsoones altered by divers [Page 138] and sometime contrary qualities, hath brought forth so many kinds of earth, as clay, marble, chalke, sand, gravell, &c. Clay is mixed with fat moysture, taking his Colour of the mixture with red from white; but being cold, it is not so fruitful as Marble, which is not alwaies so moist as it. Chalke is an Earth by heat concocted, after divers mixtions, and dried up. Oker, both yel­low and red, with such like, are of the same nature, with mixtion of red, more or lesse.

Sand and gravell, are dryed Earths, as it were frozen by cold: gravell is grosse and apparent; sand, though it be finer, is of the same generation, con­sisting of many small bodies, which are congealed into stones. Sand seemeth to be clay dryed by cold, and clotted together into small stones; whereof some are thorow-shining, which were the moist parts; the thick were of the grosse part: the same is gravell, but of greater stones 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 [Page 139] to find out. They that list to know the divers kindes of Earths, must have re­course to Plinius, Cardanus, Plinius. Cardanus. and other Writers, that recite a great number of them: but these are the chiefe and most common kindes.

Of Liquors concrete.

WE take not liquors concrete so largely as the word doth signifie, for then should we comprehend both the other kinds following. But only those liquors, called in Lattine Succi, which are as it were middle betweene metalls and stone, of which, some being fat and oyly, doe burne as Brimstone, Sea-coles, Jet, bitumen, &c. and the kinds of all these. Othersome do not burne, as Salt, Allum, Copperas Salt­peeter, &c. and the kinds of these.

Of the first sort, which are generated of Earthy and Airy Vapors, Fumes and Exhalations, the chief and most no­table is Brimstone, which seemeth to be the matter of all dry and hot qua­lities that are in Earthly Meteors. The rest are generated of such like [Page 140] Vapors as Brimstone is, but then they be diversly mixed: as the coles have much Earth mixed with Brimstone; Jet seemeth to be all one but better concocted then coles. Of Amber is great contention, whether it be a minerall, or the sperme of a Whale: for it is found in the Sea, cast upon the shore. Now the Whales seed being of the very same qualities, is taken more and lesse concrete of divers hardness; some al­most as hard as Amber: some softer, and some liquid: yet Cardan plainly defineth, that Amber is a Mineral. Whe­ther he have reason or experience, con­trary to the vulgar opinion, let them consider that list to contend. These Minerals that will resolve with fire, it is apparent, that they were concrete with cold: in that they burnt, it is manifest, they have a fat and clammy substance mixed with them, as the other kind hath not, which will not resolve so well with fire as with Water; which be salt, copperas, saltpeeters, &c. These burne not, being watery, Earthy, and not fat, unctuous, nor clammy.

These be of divers colours, black, as [Page 141] Coles, and Jett, because there is much Earthy substance mixed with their sulphurous matter. Some be sheere, as Salt, and Allome, having a substance Watery dryed, and concrete. Copperas is greene, because it hath much cold matter that is blue, mixed with it. Salt, the most common and necessary of all these liquors concrete, that be moist and 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 commeth the water of the Sea, and is infected with it; out of which the Salt is againe artificially gathered. Of these liquors concrete, be those strange wel [...] and springs infected, of which was spoken in the latter end of the fourth book. Most notably Brimstone causeth the hot Bathes, and burneth in Aetna of Sicilia, and Vesu­vius of Italy, Aetna and Vesuvius. casting up the Pumice stones, of which is no place here to treat.

Of Metals.

MEtals Metals be substances perfectly mix­ed, that will melt with heat and be brought into all manner of fashions that a man will.

Of these the Alchymists say there be Seven kinds to answer to the Seven Pla­nets; Gold, Silver, Copper, Tinne, Lead, Iron, and Quick-silver that they call Mercury. Mercury. But saving their Authority, Quick-silver is no more a Metal then Brimstone, which is as ne­cessary to the generation of Metal as Quick-silver is. For they all agree, that all Metals are generated of Sul­phur, that is Brimstone, which because it is hot they call the father; and Mer­cury, that is Quick-silver, which be­cause it is moist, they call the mother: so by as good reason may they call Brimstone a Metall as Mercury.

Then there remaineth but Six per­fect Metals; Gold, Silver, Copper, Tinne, Lead and Iron.

Of Gold.

THat most unprofitable and hurt­full of all Metals, Gold. Gold which most men dispraise, and yet all men would have, is of all other Metals the rarest: it is only perfect, the rest are corruptible.

Gold never corrupteth by rust, Why Gold rusteth not. be­cause it is pure from poysonous infecti­on, and 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 quantity of Brim­stone.

This opinion hath also place among the Alchymists, The opini­on of the Alcumists. that because Nature in all her Works seeketh the best End, she intendeth of all Metals to make Gold; but being lett, either for want of good mixture, or good concoction, she brin­geth forth other Metals, indeed not so precious, but much more profitable; and the less precious, the more profi­table: [Page 144] for there is more use to the ne­cessities of mans life in Iron and Lead, then in Gold and Silver; but either the beauty or the perfection, or at least the rareness of Gold and Silver have obtained the estimation of all men, so that for them is sold all manner of things, holy and profane, bodily and spiritual.

What paines do not men take to win Gold? Every man hath one way or other to hunt after it: but the Alchy­mist despising all other ways as slow, unnatural and unprofitable, laboureth either to help Nature in her work, as of unperfect Metals to make perfect, or else to force Nature to his purpose by his Quintessences and Elixars, so that whatby purging, what by concocting, what by mixing of Sulphur and Quick-silver and much other like stuff, at length he turneth the wrong side of his gown outward, all the teeth out of his head, and his body from health to a Palsey, and then he is a Philosopher, and so he will be called.

Of Silver.

SIlver Silver. the most pure Metal next unto Gold, hath indifferent good con­coction in the Earth, but it wanteth sufficient heat in the mixture that ma­keth it pale.

It is found (as they say) running in­to divers veins, as all other Metals be, but this most specially, after the shape and fashion of a tree lieing along with a body or stock, of proportion like to the body of a tree, also with armes [...], branches, leaves and fruits.

This Metal Silver lacketh sufficient heat, and therefore commeth neither to the colour, solidity nor perfection of Gold, and is generated in cold coun­tries, neer unto the North and South Poles, in so great quantity, that the Husbandmen when they plow their ground, turn up silver among he clods in their daily labours, which they do hide and conceal, least the greedy Princes for Coveteousness of the Met­tal, should overturn and destroy their land.

[Page 146] The Gold Mines are contrariwise most found in the hot Countries of In­dia and Aethiopia, because in them is sufficient of heat for that unhappy ge­neration.

This Silver also the Alchymists would fain make by Ai [...]; but Mercu­ry the chief Master of the Work, is so subtile and so sly, that nothing can hold him, nothing can kill him: for if the glass be not very thick, he will soon break out of prison, and so there is nothing left.

Of Copper.

COpper in colour comming neerest to Gold, being not so solid nor massy (for of all Metal Gold is the heavyest) giveth way to Corruption, being infected with that green Mineral Copperas.

Hereof be divers kindes, Brass, La­tin and such like, which differ in di­gestion; the Copper being purest, is of best digestion and neerest unto Gold: and so the rest in like degrees.

Copper is most like Silver in the [Page 147] weight and in the hammering: where­fore the Alchymists have learned to make it white, that it deceiveth mens sight and handling: but the Gold miths do easily try it, and by the taste of counterfeit Silver make Cop­per again.

Copper or Brass doth always grow neer to the Mine of Copperas, which running with it in the digestion or na­tural concoction, hindereth it of per­fection, maketh it to stink, and to be eaten of a green rust.

Much adoe the Alchymists have to tu [...]n it into Gold, if it might be: they dispute very reasonably and conclude almost necessarily in their Talk, that it may be converted into Gold as a body that wanteth little of perfection, which may be easily added unto it: but in conclusion of the work, it is an harder matter to bring to pass, then it was to purpose, before they had done it, to build an Abbey at every Miles end upon Salisbury Plain, as one was min­ded.

Of Tinne.

TInne Tinne. whereof great plenty grow­eth in the West parts of England, in beauty and colour commeth neerest to Silver, and of Silver wanteth no­thing but solidity and hardness: for Tinne is raw and undigested metall, al­so very porose and compact, which causeth it to crash when it is broken or bitten: so it faileth of heat in the com­mixtion, and also sufficient digestion in the Earth: otherwise it is a fair and profitable metall, to serve the use of them unto whom Silver and Gold are not so plentifull.

Of Lead.

LEad Lead. also found in great abun­dance within this Realm, is a raw and undigested metall as Tinne is, but yet of better digestion then commixti­on: for it is mixed with a gross ear­thy substance, which maketh it to be in colour so black and so fowl to cor­rupt: so that of the same Fumes and [Page 149] Exhalations (which if they had been pure and well digested, if the place and matter would have suffered should have ben concrete into Silver) for lack of the same, Lead is generated, which comming plentifully, doth better ser­vice then Silver.

Of Iron.

IRon Iron. the most necessary and profi­table of all other metals (and yet as ill used of many as any other) is generated of such substance as Silver is, but mixed with a red Mineral which [...]ateth it with red rust, and also be­ing of too extreame digestion, passing [...]ll other metals in hardness. And as other metals to the perfection of Silver want sufficient concoction, whereby [...]hey come not to the same hardness: [...]o Iron passeth and exceedeth Silver in [...]mmoderate digestion. But though it [...]ome not to the perfection of Silver, God forbid that all Iron had been tur­ [...]ed into Silver: for then we should [...]ore have missed it then silver or gold, [...]e want of which would hinder us [...]othing at all.

Of Quick-silver.

THough Quick-silver be no metal, Quick-silver. yet because it is the mother of all metals, something is here to be spoken of it.

There be divers and sundry opini­ons, both of the generation and also the qualities of it, which make the ge­neration 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 exceeding hot, and that they would prove by the swift peircing thereof into other things that be porose.

Others say it is exceeding cold, and that they prove by the exceeding weight of it. As for the peircing, they say it is caused of the exceeding moist­ness, of which quality both parts d [...] grant that it is. Concerning the ge­neration, some have said that it is pur [...] and Elemental water: some again have thought that it droppeth out o [...] heaven, and is a part of the heavenl [...] [Page 151] stance. And others say that it is ge­nerated in the Clouds, and falleth down in the feilds in a Circle, on those round Circles which are seen in many feilds, that ignorant People af­firm to be the rings of the Fairies dan­ces.

It is certain that Quick-silver hath divers times faln out of the Clouds, as we have declared in the Treatise of Wonderfull and Marvellous Raine: but whether it so fall in [...]ircles it is doubtfull. The most probable opinion is, that it is generated of moyst 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 metals.

Of Stones.

STones, Stones. the fourth kind of Earthly mixed bodies have two manner of generations, by most contrary qualities for heat doth harden moist bodies into stones; and we see that, clay, it maketh exceeding hard brick.

Also the Thunderbolts in the clouds [Page 152] are generated by heat, as before hath been shewed. But cold doth by con­gealing, generate many more stones then heat doth; for the most part of all the stones that are digged out of the Earth, are generated by cold, which is able to convert any other kind of mix­ed substance into stone, as hath beene partly shewed in the nature of wels and springs, of which, there be some in England, which by their cold, turne wood, or any like thing into stones. I have seene a peece of rotten wood, which to sight was very light, and like wood, but in handling, a very stone that was taken out of such a Wel. Also of other things taken out of the Earth, turned into stones, I have seene and found my selfe, fl [...]s; with head and wings, very hard stones; also, I have seen a heart, a birds tongue, a beasts stone, a peare, a plumme, and divers other things turned into hard stones.

Of divers kinds of stones.

STones may first be divided into rude and beautifull: the rude con­taine those great Rocks, Rockes. which are generated by many small parts ioyned together, and the common pibble stones that be found every where in the Earth, Pibble stones. among gravell, and on the shore of the Sea, or bancks of the Rivers. These are generated of grosse and Earthly humours, congealed by cold: and because they be neither faire of colour, nor thorow shining, and also common, they are contemptible. The faire or beautifull stones, be either great or small. The great be as marble of divers kinds and colours, alablaster, Marble. and such like, which being hard and well con­cocted, may be polished and become beautifull. Their colour is as they are mixed, being uncongeled, so is their purenesse. The small are more precious, and they be either thick or pellucide. The thick be neither so faire nor so precious, Aehates. Jasper. Prassios. as the Achates, the Tasper, Prassios, &c. These consisting of a pure [Page 154] matter, and not very watery, are con­gealed into such stones. The clear stones be liquore concrete, as the Diamond, the Saphir, the Emerald, &c. they are praised for their greatnesse, hardnesse, clearnesse, Diamond. Saphir. Emerald. The praise of precious Stones. and faire colours, of which enough hath bin spoken, saving that some be of opinion, that these be genera­ted by heat, becaus the best are found in hot countries, in the East, and in the South. Answer may be made, that the hotter the Air is, the colder is the Earth: so that reason is of small force.

Of the vertue of Stones.

SOme perchance, The ver­tue of Stones. would looke that we should make a long discourse of the vertue of stones, and would be well content that we should treat of divers properties of gemmes and pre­cious stones, which matter though it be out of our purpose (which considereth only the generation) yet seeing it is not out of their expectation, some thing briefly, and yet sufficiently shall be said of the vertue of stones.

That vertue that is ascribed unto [Page 155] them, is either Natural or Magical. The vertue of Stones, either na­turall or magicall, Magnes. Na­turall vertue, is either that which is known to have a natural cause, or a na­tural effect, as the Magnes or Load­stone to draw Iron, which is by a simi­tude of nature, & 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 South, that draw­eth toward the South. They say, that there are great hils of this stone in the North and South, which maketh it look that way.

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

The Jet and Amber draw hairs, Jet and Amber draweth chaffe. chaffe, and like light matter, but being before chafed, for heat is attractive.

Also the precious Stone called Astroi­tes, Astroites, a Stone mo­veth in vi­neger. moveth it self in Vinegar, the sharp­nesse of the Vineger peircing it, and the aire excluded driving it forward.

These vertues because I have seen, I have set for an example; generally all [Page 156] other like naturall vertues, proceed of like naturall causes, which by their ef­fect, the ingenious must seek to find out.

As for Magical Vertues, they be they which are grounded on no reason, or natural cause; which if they take effect, it is rather of the superstition and cre­dulity of him that useth them, then of the vertue of the stones. As that an E­merald encreaseth love, a Saphir fa­vour, a Diamond strength, and such like vertues, Albertus Magnus, of which Alberius in his Age, surnamed the Great, took paines to write a Book, which I suppose to be Englished.

To conclude with the cause why Stones melt not, as Metalls do, may be gathered by that which hath been said before, because they are congealed past that degree, and also because there is left in them no unctuous or clammy matter. Let this suffice for Stones; and and so the whole purpose is at an end.