Proposition I. To declare of what simple and similar Bodies the Earth may consist, or be compounded of.

Of the four Elements of the Earth.There are divers opinions of Philosophers concerning this matter. The Peripateticks number four Elements of the Earth, and the whole sublunary World, being now sufficiently known to the very Vulgar, Fire, Air, Water, and Earth. Many of the Ancients, as Democritus and Leucippus, determined that the whole World consisted of very little solid pieces, which differ only in their various figures, shapes and magnitude: and them many of the later Philosophers do follow; and of late Cartesius endeavoured by such an hypo­thesis to declare all natural appearances.

The three Principles of the Earth by Chymists. Chymists make three Principles, Sal, Sulphur, and Mercury, to whom some do rightly add Caput mortuum or the Dead head, when as they three are fruitful. But to me, doubtful terms and words being laid aside, and the things themselves well considered, there seem to be five simple Bodies the first Principles of all things, By Others, Five simple bodies, the first principles of all things. to wit, Water, Oyl or Sulphur, Salt, Earth, and a certain Spirit which the Chymists call Mercury. For indeed all Bodies and the parts of the Earth are resolved into those five Elementary substances. Notwithstanding I deny not that those differ not so much in essence, as in the singular variety of their shapes and magnitudes.

Therefore the whole Earth consisteth of these simple Bodies, which are divers ways commixed, from whence ariseth so great variety of Bodies, which do appear different from one another, and similar or Bodies of like parts. But the more exquisite declaration of these points belong to Natural Philosophy, which I shall have occasion to treat of more at large in the first Volume of my Book of the Arts and Sciences, now ready for the Press.

Proposition II. The Earth is divided into dry and moist parts, or into Earth and Water, to which some joyn the Atmosphere.

This is the vulgar division of Geographers, and then the Water is taken in a large signification for all that is liquid or moist, and fluid and running, as the Land is taken for the whole dry and consistent part of the Earth, Of the Land, and its various bodies of Na­ture. and thereby doth embrace and comprehend such various bodies of Nature, to wit, First, Sand, Loam, Clay and Mineral Earths, Chalk, Cinnaber, Ochre, Terra sigi [...]lata or Saracens Earth, Earth of Samos, Bole-Armoniack, with divers other kinds of Earth. Secondly, Stones of various sorts, the chief among which are Diamonds, Emeralds, Rubies, Saphirs, &c. Thirdly, Met­tals, among which are Gold, Silver, Copper, Tin, Lead, Mercury or Quicksilver, Iron, Steel, &c. Fourthly, Brimstone, Salts, Niter, Alom, Bitumen, Vitriol, Antimony, &c. Fifthly, Herbs, Plants, &c.

Of the Water and its parts.To the Water are referred, first the Seas; secondly, Rivers and sweet Waters; thirdly, Lakes and Fens, or Marshes; fourthly, Mineral Waters, as hot Baths, sowr Waters, &c.

Of the Atmo­sphere, which encompasses the Earth.The Atmosphere is that thin and subtile Body, which girts and encompasses the Earth towards Heaven, and contains the Air, Clouds, showers of Rain, &c. Therefore into these three Parts the Earth is fitly divided.

Proposition III. To expound how the Earth and Waters cleave or hold together, and make the Land.

The Earth not bounded with one Superfi­cies, but hath hollow Cavi­ties.1. The Land, that is, the dry part of the Earth, is not bounded with one and that even superficies or surface; but she hath many hollow Caves, many parts lifted up aloft. In her Cavities, caves or hollows, which are here and there found round about the whole Earth, the Sea or Ocean is contained; and therefore part of the Earthly superficies is covered with Waters. Those hollows or cavities are not made of an even hollowness, but have here and there Rocks and elevated parts, and elsewhere they have Gulphs and swal­lows sunk very deep. So the part of the Earth appearing out above the Wa­ters, hath certain (as it were) Navels in its middle, and some parts are more or less raised up, or sunk down, than others. So it cometh to pass, that the Water environing the whole Earth is hindred, that it overwhelms not the whole Earth, but the higher parts, and such as appear above the Waters are Islands, of which some are great and some small.

Mouths, holes Pipes, & other conveyances in the body of the Earth.2. Besides that continual Channel in the Earth in the outward superficies, within also in the solid body of the Earth there are innumerable Mouths, holes, swallows, windings, conveyances, deeps, pipes, and huge vast Re­ceivers, in some of which there is the Sea, which by that secret conveyance are joyned to the Channel of the common Sea; in some again there is Sweet Waters, Rivers, Streams: In some spirits, or else a sulphury and smoking substance. Seneca saith rightly, He gives too much way to his eye-sight, who believeth not, that there are in the hidden and secret bosom of the Earth Bays of a vast Sea. Neither do I perceive what may hinder, that there may not be some Sea-shore, and the Sea received by hid­den passages. There is therefore no cause of doubting of there being many hollows in the very solid Earth: For verily we conjecture at it by these means.

• First, by the Rivers, which are found in many places where Earth is digged, even to a notable depth, which is frequent in Mines.
• Secondly, in some places the profundity of the Sea is beyond all sounding or measure.
• Thirdly, there are some Caves in the Earth. In the Western part of Hi­spaniola is a Mountain of a great height, being hollow within with many [Page 32] Caves, in which Rivers of Waters are thrown down headlong with so great sound and rushing noise of streams, that the very fall of those Waters may be heard five miles distance.
• Fourthly, some Gulphs or Whirlpools are found in the Sea.
• Fifthly, Earthquakes do also prove the being of Cavities under the Earth.
• Sixthly, some Rivers bury themselves under the Earth, as Niger, Tigris, &c.
• Seventhly, Salt-springs, which without doubt (for the greatest part) spring and flow from the Sea, are found in many places.
• Eightly, so in many places the grounds at the entrance of men walking, tremble and shake, as about the Abby of St. Omer in Flanders in the Province of Brabant, (die Peel.)

Proposition IV. The Superficies or surface of the Lands is continual; but that of the Waters is not so.

Indeed the Superficies of the Earth or Land appearing out above the Wa­ters is continued, or always the same to the superficies of the Channels of the Sea; and this of the Sea again is continued to the other parts of the Land ap­pearing above. One continual superficies of the Ocean, Bays, and Ri­vers. So there is one continual superficies of the Ocean, the Baies, and Rivers, but not of all Waters; because there are some Lakes, which are not joyned with the Ocean in the superficies, as the Lake Parime, and the Caspian Sea.

Proposition V. It is certain how, or in what manner the parts of the Earth, which are re­moved from the surface, that is, from our habitation towards the Cen­ter.

Some men think, that the Water is in the bottom about the Center of the Earth: The body of the Earth with­in (according to Gilbert, an English man) is a hard Load­stone. but it is most likely true, that the Earth occupies that place. Gilbert an English man is of opinion, that the body of the Earth within, is nothing else but a most hard Loadstone; but that those parts to which men have ad­mittance by digging, and in which Herbs grow and we also live, are as it were the shell or crust of the Earth, wherein continual generations and corruptions are made.

See Fig. But Cartesius is of a different opinion. See Scheme. Cartesius his Opinion is not much different from this, who thinketh, that there are three Regions or Parts of divers substance in the body of the Earth. The most inward Region of the Earth he deemeth to be about the Center thereof; the second he judgeth to be thick and dusky, of very small parts; the third he thinketh (wherein Men are employed) to be made up of little parcels, not well cleaving together.

But indeed touching this thing, there can scarcely any certainty be affirmed. It is manifest by the hot-Baths, that in very many places under the Earth, fire and fumes are lifted up from Sulphur.

Proposition VI. The consistency or standing, and fast cleaving together of the Earth, is from Salt.

In all kinds of Earths may be found a cer­tain kind of Salt.The Artificial resolving of the Parts of the Earth sheweth, that in all Earths may be found a certain kind of Salt, and so much the more: as the harder the body is, (a few Oily ones being excepted;) as in Mettals, Stones, &c. and that the concretion or hard growing together of all things is [Page 33]by reason of salt, is manifest by stones, which we may by Art make very hard with salt: bur if you separate the salt from the earth, she will no longer cleave or stick together, but will be a powder; neither can it be reduced to hardness without the admixtion of salt thereto.

Proposition VII. The kinds of Earths are divers ways mixed together in the Earth.

Of Metals found in Mines.Thus in Mines are found small pieces of Gold, Silver, Lead, &c. not heap­ed together, and joyned apart from others, but both mixed among themselves, and also with unprofitable earth, according to the least parts, that Artificers not at the first sight, but by divers signs do find out what may be contained in any Metalline earth. In the same manner in the Fields, sand is mixed with clay or loam, lime, salt, &c. Of the diffe­rent sorts of Earths, as did appear by the Well digged at Amsterdam. When as on a certain time at Amsterdam for ma­king a Well, the earth was digged out, even to the depth of 232 foot; these sorts of earth were shewed to the beholders, viz. of Garden-earth 7 foot, of Black-earth fitting for fire, which is called Peat, 9 foot, of Soft-clay 9 foot, of Sand 8 foot, of Earth 4 foot, of Clay 10 foot, of Earth 4 foot, of Sand upon which the Houses of Amsterdam are wont to be rammed and paved 10 foot, of Clay 2 foot, of White-loam 4 foot, of Dry-earth 5 foot, of muddy 1 foot, of Sand 14 foot, of Sandy-clay 3 foot, of Sand mixt with Clay 5 foot, of Sand mixt with Sea-fish shells 4 foot, then a bottom of Clay to the depth of 102 foot, and lastly of loam 31 foot, where the digging ceased, and they came to Water. The Figure of which see among the Schemes.

Proposition VIII. The Cavities of the Earth, and as well the outward disposition thereof, and the position of its parts, are not perpetually the same, but are at divers times divers.

The water of the Seamaketh divers changes and ruins in the earth, where like­wise lye hid Spirits and Sulphureous Substances.Indeed not only the Water of the Sea maketh divers changes and ruins in the parts of the earth; whilst certain holes are stopt up, some are made more broad: but also Spirits and Sulphury Substances lying hid here and there in the earth, when they begin to encrease, and to be resolved into Vapours, do impetuously shake and thrust forwards the parts of the earth, as it is manifest by Earthquakes. And it is likely that such like motions are made in the inte­riour parts and bowels of the earth, the greatest part of which we feel not, neither perceive.

But we will speak of the mutual changing of the water and earth in the Su­perficies of the earth, in the eighteenth Chapter.

• The Earth is divided into Land and Waters. The Super­ficies of the Earth ex­tant out of the Water by the In­terflux of the Sea, is distinguish­ed into these four parts,
  • 1. Into great Continents or great I­slands, of which four are reckon­ed by us,
    • 1. The Old World; whose parts are
      • Asia,
      • Africa, and
      • Europe.
      The bounds of this Con­tinent are
      • On the North, the Frozen and Tar­tarian Ocean.
      • On the East, the Pacifick and Indian Ocean.
      • On the South, the Southern Ocean.
      • On the West the Atlantick Ocean.
    • 2. The New World, or America, whose parts are
      • Meridiona­lis,
      • Septentrio­nalis,
      The bounds of it are
      • On the North, Davis Streights.
      • On the East, the Atlantick Ocean.
      • On the South, the Pacifick Ocean.
      • On the West, the Streights of Ma­gellan.
    • 3. The Polary North-land, or Greenland, is every where encompassed by the Sea and Streights.
    • 4. The South-land, and Land of Magellan, yet undiscovered.
  • 2. Into Pe­ninsulas, or Chersonesus, which are parts of those Con­tinents,
    • Round, whose La­titude and Longi­tude are equal a­bout,
      • Africa it self.
      • Peloponesus, the Chersonesus of Grecia.
      • Chersonesus Taurica, or Tartaria Precopensis.
      • Cambaja.
    • Long, among which are
      • The Chersonesus of Malacca, adjoyning to India.
      • Cimbrica or Jutland, adhering to Holsatia.
      • Borea adjoyning to Tartaria.
      • The North and South parts of America.
      • California.
      • Jucatan.
      • The Chersonesus of Thracia.
      • Nova Francia.
      • Ionia, Cindensis, Mindensis.
    • Of Affinity to Peninsu­las, Italy, Greece, Acaia, Spain, Norway, Sweden, Lapland, Asia mi­nor, Arabia, Beach a Region of Magellan, and New Guiney, Indostan, Cochinchina, New-England, Monomotapa, Camboia.
  • 3. Islands, which may be consider­ed in four sorts, viz.
    • Great, as
      • England
      • Japan
      • Island
      • Canada
      • Sumatra.
      • Madagascar,
      • Borneo.
      • Nova Zembla.
      • California.
    • Indifferent, as
      • Sicilia
      • Ireland
      • Hispaniola
      • Cuba
      • Java Major
      • Celebes
      • Creet
    • Luconia,
    • Sardinia,
    • Friesland,
    • Terra Nova,
    • Mindanoa,
    • Ceilan.
  • Small, as
    • Gilolo, Amboina, Timor.
    • Corsica, Majorca, Cyprus, Negropont.
    • Sealand, Jamaica.
  • The very small ones, in which we consider
    • 1. The more famous, Solitaria, Rhodes, Malta, Lemnos, Helena, St. Thomas.
    • 2. A knot or heap of Isles together, as
      • The Canary Isles.
      • The Flandrian or Caribbe Isles.
      • The Hesperides.
      • Those of the Gulph of Mexico.
      • Of Maldives.
      • Of Japan.
      • About Madagascar.
      • The Moluccoes and Isles of Bauda.
      • The Philippine Isles.
      • The Isles of Theeves.
      • The Isles in the Aegean Sea.
      • The Isles about England.
      • The Isles of Solomon.
  • 4. The Isth­muses,
    • Between Egypt and Arabia, or Africa and Asia.
    • That of Corinth between Peloponesus and Achaia.
    • The Isthmus of Panama or America the longest of all.
    • Between Jutland and Holsatia.
    • Between Malacca and India.

Proposition I.

A certain portion of Earth is covered with Water, and a certain part stands out above the Surface of the Water; Of parts of the Earth co­vered, and of parts not co­vered with water. but yet there are some parts which at some time are covered with Waters, and some parts are free from them and conspi­cuous, as many Islands by Norway, Scotland, and other Countries: Add to these the beds or shelves of Sand and Seashores. But seeing these parts are so small, we take no account of them at present; neither will we move that Que­stion here, Whether the Land takes up the greater part of the Superficies of the Earth, or whether the Water? We will treat of this briefly in the eigh­teenth Chapter. Now we will confider the part standing up, or extant above the Waters, and we will call it Lands or Islands.

Proposition II.

The Earth standing out a­bove the wa­ters, not one but many Lands: of which may be five sorts.The Land or Earth standing out above the Waters is not one, and continu­al, but many Lands divided and disjoyned from one another by the Water flowing it between them. We will make five differences of them, to wit, 1. The greatest Lands or Islands; 2. The great ones; 3. The mean ones; 4. The little ones; and 5. The least ones. We will treat of the cause and ori­ginal of these Lands extant or above the Waters, or of the Islands, in the eighteenth Chapter; for there will be a more commodious place to treat of this Matter or Subject.

But all Lands extant above the Waters were to be called Islands, seeing that an Island is no other thing then a Land begirt with Waters; All Lands ex­tant above the waters may be called Islands. yet the common use of speaking hath taken away from the greatest Lands this name, because that they are so great, and of such a huge tract and continuance, that the Cir­cuit of the Water is thereby the less to be perceived. Insomuch that they are usually called the firm Land, and also great Continents. And indeed by reason of their vast bulk and greatness, unto which the magnitude of other Islands be­ing compared, is small, they deserve this peculiar name; therefore we will also call them firm Lands and great Continents.

Proposition III.

The firm Lands four.The greatest Lands, Continents, or Islands (not contending with any a­bout their name) are four.

First, the Old World; Secondly, the New World or America; Thirdly, the Polar Land Artick, or Artick World; and Fourthly, the South-Land or Ma­gellanick Land.

The old world most famous, with its bounds, &c.The Old World, the most famous of those four, and only known of the An­cients, which we inhabit, is commonly divided by the Sea into two parts, but joyned together by an Isthmus, or narrow neck of Land; one whereof is A­frica, and the other Asia and Europe. It is invironed by the Ocean in this manner: from the East by the Chinean Ocean and the Pacifick Sea: from the South by the Indian Ocean and Aethiopick Sea: from the West by the Atlan­tick Sea: and from the North by the Frozen or North Sea, the White Sea and Tartarian Ocean.

The division of this Continent of which we have spoken, is made by the Mediterranean Sea and the Arabick Bay or Red-sea. Africa divided from Asia and Europe. For the distance of the Bays, that is the Latitude or breadth of the intercedent Tract, is not greater then about 30 miles, if which were away, Africa would make a peculiar firm Land, and would increase the number.

The distance of the Old World towards the East, is but a very little space from the New World or America, The distance of the old world from the new. about the Streight of Anian, if only this be existent in the Universe of Nature. And the distance of Europe from Ameri­ca is also very little between Norway and Newfoundland. Also the Old World is but a very small distance from the Pole Artick-land about the Streight of Waigats, from the South Polar or Magellan about New Guiney.

The New World or America is thus begirt by the Ocean; On the East by the Atlantick Sea: The new world, with its bounds, &c. On the South by the Magellanick Streight; On the West by the Pacifick Sea; and on the North by a Sea unknown or uncertain, except Davis Streight.

This World also wants but little, but that it may be cut into two Islands, to wit, at Panama and Nombre de Dios, where the confluence of the Pacifick and Atlantick Ocean is by a small Tract of earth intercepted. It is distant from the Old World a very little space, as before noted.

The Polar Ar­tick and South Land, with its bounds, &c.The Polar Artick, and the South or Austral Land, are begirt round with the Sea; the first with the North Sea, whose parts are the Streights of Davis, Waigats, and Anian. This South-land with the Pacifick-Sea, Indian Ocean, and Magellanick Streight.

The Polar Artick Land hath a very little distance at the Streight of Wai­gats from the Old World: from America at the Streight of Davis. But it is re­moved from the South-land by a huge space.

The Polar Austral, or rather the South-land, is very nigh to the Old World at the running out Tract of New Guiney; as also to America at the Streight of Magellan.

But concerning the South-land, only we have assuredly discovered, that it is round about environed with the Sea, and is separated from the rest. Concern­ing the rest of the Lands, to wit, the Old World, America, and the Pole Ar­tick World, the matter and discovery is not yet certain, whether they be round about begirt by the Sea, and separated from one another: but yet it is very likely they are so, by reason of divers Bays and Entrances of starts running within the Earth. The South-land only as yet is fully sailed about; this could not be hitherto performed in the rest. For the Old World as yet hath not been sailed round beyond Waigats Streight, although the whole Western, Southern, Eastern shore hath been viewed, and that but a little part of the North shore remaineth to be discovered. America hath been sailed round, only part of her Sep­tentrional shore being excepted, by reason of the uncertainty of the Streights or narrow Seas. Thus have we declared the placing of the greatest Islands or Continents.

Proposition IV.

Ten great I­land [...].We reckon up ten great Islands on the Surface of the Land, which are these following:

• 1. Britain, comprehending England and Scotland; it is esteemed the great­est of all Islands which are commonly so called, those being excluded which in The foregoing Proposition we have related at large.
• 2. Japan, which in Maps and Globes hath a lesser magnitude than it ought to have: for they which have been there affirm, that it is as great, if not greater than Britain.
• 3. Luconia, one of the Philippine Isles, which also from its Metropolitan Town is called Manilha.
• 4. Madagascar or St. Laurence, seated on the Eastern shore of Africa.
• 5. Sumatra, one of the Indian Isles.
• 6. Borneo, not far from Sumatra.
• 7. Island, not far from Norway.
• 8. Newfoundland, nigh unto Canada.
• 9. Between Davis Streight and Hudsons Streight in the Northern Ocean, lyeth a great Island about the Polar Land, which according to Visher's Ʋni­versal Tables, is in form round.
• 10. Nova Zembla, nigh unto Russia.

To these is California to be also numbred, if that be an Island, which it is esteemed to be, and not a part of America.

Proposition V.

We number up ten mean Islands on the Surface of the Earth, viz.

• 1. Java, one of the Indian Isles.
• 2. Cuba, nigh unto Hispaniola.
• 3. Hispaniola.
• 4. Ireland, nigh unto England.
• 5. Crete or Candia, not far from Greece.
• 6. Sicily, nigh unto Italy.
• 7. Ceylan, one of the Indian Isles.
• 8. Mindanao, one of the Philippine Isles.
• 9. Sardinia, seated in the Mediterranean Sea.
• 10. Celebes in the Indian Ocean.

To these may be numbred Friezland, an Isle not far from Island.

Proposition VI.

Ten little Isles.We will also number ten little Islands on the Surface of the Earth, to wit;

• 1. Gilolo, one of the Indian Isles.
• 2. Amboina, not far from Gilolo.
• 3. Timor, one of the Indian Isles.
• 4. Jamaica in the Bay of Mexico.
• 5. Sealand in Denmark.
• 6. Corsica, seated in the Mediterranean Sea.
• 7. Eubaea, now Negropont, seated in the Mediterranean Sea.
• 8. Majorca, nigh unto Spain.
• 9. Cyprus.
• 10. Isabella in the Pacifick Ocean.

There are more Islands which may be reduced to this rank, but we shall refer them to the last order of them, as more commodious.

Proposition VII. The least Isles. Of the least Islands there is almost an innumerable multitude on the Surface of the Earth; among which these following deserve a peculiar consideration: First, the famous Solitary Islands; Secondly, those which are found in great numbers in some Tract of the Ocean, and for their Neighbourhood are com­prehended under one name.

We shall term them in general, a body or fry of Islands, because we are left destitute of a more fitting name. The Tract of Sea wherein these Isles lye, is called the Archipelago. The notable Solitary Islands are in the Mediter­ranean Sea, Rhodes, Malta, Ivisa, Minorca, Chios, Cephalonia, &c.

In the Atlantick Ocean between Africa and Brazile, lieth the Island of St. Helen, where also the Island of the Ascension, the Isle of St. Thomas, is placed in the very Equator.

The Island Madera over against the Gaditane Streight.

Zocotora, seated before the mouth of the Arabian Bay.

Gothland in the Baltick Sea.

Among the notable Solitary Isles, those are also worthy of remembrance which swim on the waters, of which see Chapter eighteenth.

Proposition VIII.

There are fifteen fries or files of the least Islands numbred on the Surface of the Earth; The lesser Isles. to wit,

• 1. The Canary Islands in the Atlantick Sea.
• 2. The Isles of Azores in the Northern Sea.
• 3. The Islands of Hesperides, or the Green Islands, over against Cape Verd.
• 4. The Islands of Maldives in Indian Ocean.
• 5. The Lucar Islands between Florida and Cuba, nigh unto America.
• 6. The Princes Islands between Hispaniola and America, to which I refer and reduce all the least Islands seated in the Bay of Mexico.
• 7. The Camercan Isles lying before Hispaniola.
• 8. The Mascarenian Islands between Madagascar and Africa.
• 9. The Molucco Islands, seated in the Indian Ocean.
• 10. The Philippine Islands in the Pacifick Ocean.
• 11. The Aegean Islands.
• 12. The Japonian Isles.
• 13. The Islands of Solomon in the Pacifick Sea.
• 14. The Isles of Theeves in the Archipelago of St. Lazarus.
• 15. The Isles of Banda nigh unto Java.
• [Page 39]16. The Islands scituate near England and Scotland; as the Hebrides, Or­cades, Sourlings, Sporades, &c.
• 17. The Islands between the Magellanick Streight and the Streight Le Maire.

Other Isles may be rec­koned.Here I do not reckon to these those Islands which lye close on the shore of some Continents in great numbers, as on the Coast of China, Norway, Brazile, Davises Streight, &c.

Unto this rank also the Islands in great Rivers are to be referred and marshalled, as such as are found in the River Nile, in the River of St. Lau­rence of Canada, in the River Wolga, and in some other Rivers; as also those which are in certain Lakes, as in the Lake Zembre, a Lake in Africa; in South America, where the Islands of Lead are scituate in a Lake, &c. But all (or most of) these Isles, especially these aforegoing, together with several others, I have largely treated of in the Geographical Description of the four Parts of the World in their fit places, to which I refer the Reader.

Proposition IX. The Parts of all Lands or Islands are not of the same shape or figure, but are unlike. The more famous differences of these are a Peninsula and an Isthmus.

A Peninsula.A Peninsula or Chersonese, that is, such a Tract of Land that is almost en­compassed by the Sea, except at one only narrow place, where with a strait neck of Land, (called an Isthmus) it is knit to the Main Land.

An Isthmus.An Isthmus is that narrow or strait neck of Land that couples and joyns the Peninsula to the Continent or Main-land, and that by which we pass out of one broad Land into another.

The Peninsula's, Chersonesusses, or Chersoneses, that is, running out Lands, are these following, to wit; 1. Italy, 2. Spain, 3. Part of England, Of Lands which are (or may be termd) Peninsula's. 4. All Greece and Macedonia, 5. Norway and Swedeland, with Lapland, 6. Asia minor, 7. India, 8. Camboia. 9. New Guiney of the South-land, 10. Beach, a Country of the same Land, 11. Part of Virginia and New-England, 12. The Tongue of Africa, &c.

Proposition X.

Other Lands termed Penin­sula's. The Chersoneses of the Anci­ents.We will number up further fourteen Peninsula's or Chersoneses; and these we will divide into longish ones, and somewhat round ones.

The longish ones are, first, the Golden Chersonese of the Ancients, now cal­led the Malaccan Chersonese, and joyns to the Indies.

• 2. The Cymbrick Chersonese, now called Jutland, adjoyning to Holsa­tia.
• 3. California, on the Western side of North America, near the Sea Verme­jo: But late Observations report it to be an Island.
• 4. New France, on the Eastern side of North America.
• 5. The Jucatan Chersonese in the Bay of Mexico.
• 6. The Thracian Chersonese on the Hellespont.
• 7. The Cassandrian Chersonese by the Bay of Thessalonica in the Grecian Sea.

There are also certain Peninsula's less celebrious, of the lesser Asia, to wit, Ionia or the Smyrnensian Peninsule; 2. The Cnidensian, or the Countrey of Doris; and 3. The Mindensian Peninsula's.

Concerning Corea, it is doubtful whether it be a compleat Island or a Penin­sula. Some Maps joyn it to Tartary, some again begirt it round with the Sea: yet notwithstanding the latest Observations make it a Peninsule.

Proposition XI.

Of the chief Peninsula's.We reckon as many Isthmusses as Peninsula's; the more famous are five in number.

• 1. The Isthmus between Egypt and Asia, whereby Africa joyneth to Asia.
• 2. The Corinthian Isthmus between Peloponnesus and Greece.
• 3. The Panamensian Isthmus between Mexico, America, and Peruvia.
• 4. The Isthmus between the Chersonesus Aurea, or Golden Chersonesus, and the Indies.
• 5. The Isthmus of the Taurick Chersonese.

Proposition I.

But a Mountain or Hill is said to be a part of the Earth rising aloft, which if it be lesser, is called a Hillock or Clift.

Of Promonto­ries and Rocks.Also a Promontory is said to be a Hill, or Mountain running out at length in­to the Sea. Rocks are called parts jutting or appearing forth in the Sea, or al­so arising up out of huge stony Bulks or Bodies. But it must be generally known, that the parts of the Earth which appear plain, are not all of the same height, but some are sunk lower, especially at or near the Sea shores, insomuch as the height encreaseth from Maritine places, or such as abutt upon the Sea, even to the Inland Regions. This also is proved by the Fountains and flowing Streams of Rivers: For seeing that that part of the Earth, to which the wa­ter floweth, is lower than that from which it floweth, and that the Fountain-heads and Springs of Rivers are seldom in the Inland places, and such as are far remote from the Sea: It is clearly manifest thereby, that the Inland places are more elevated than those adjoyning to the Sea Coasts. Inland places higher than those near the Sea-coasts. So Bohemia is high­er then Holsatia; which is perceived by the streaming course of the River Elbe, which floweth from Bohemia to Holsatia. In like manner we take ap­parent Signs and Arguments of the greater height of Inland places, from the Rivers Danubius, Visurgis, Rhene, Mosa, &c. The Swishers and Rhetians Countries are judged by some men to be the highest of all Europe, because the Rivers Rhene, Roan, and the greater Danou do flow and stream down from thence. Moreover, look how great the declivity or bearing downwards of the Rivers are, so great is the height of the Inland places above the Maritine places.

Proposition II. To finde out the height of a Mountain by Geodesie or Land-measuring, com­monly called Surveying.

This is performed in the same manner which we use in the searching out the height of Towers, if so be the top of the Mountain or Hill is remarkable by some peculiar sign.

For the finding out the height of a Mountain by Geodesie.Let A B be the Mountains height, A the foot, B the conspicuous head there­of. We will take the line F C by a mean distance from it, so that neither of the Angles A F C, A C F may be made very acute, but may in a manner be e­qual. Then let the Angles A F C, A C F be observed by a collimation, or levelling with winking be made to B, and these being subtracted to 180 de­grees, the remaining degrees shall shew forth the Angle C A F. After that the distance of the stations of F C is exquisitely to be measured; See Scheme. and let it be wrought, As the sign of the Angle F A C to the sign of the Angle C F A (or F C A, if you would take F A) so F C to A C, the distance of the Mountain from C. Then the Instrument being hanged up, or placed upright in C, and levelling with the Eye to B, let the Angle B C A be taken. And because the Triangle C A B▪ is strait angled, to wit, the Angle B A C is strait, therefore also the Angle A B C of 90 degrees shall be given.

Let it therefore be wrought by the Triangle BAC: As the whole sign 10000000 to the Tangent of the Angle B C A, so the distance A C to the perpendicular height of the Mountain A B.

The height of the Mountain Olympus mea­sured by Xena­goras.For Example, Let us put it, that Xenagoras the Son of Eumelus used this manner or way of Measuring in finding out and knowing the height of the Mountain Olympus, and to have found the Angle A F C to be 88 degrees, 29 minutes: but the Angle A C F 57 degrees, 30 minutes. Therefore C A F shall be 34 degrees, 13 minutes; and by measure he found F C to be 400 Grecian foot, or two third parts of one stadium. Therefore it shall be; As the sign of the Angle C A F 34 degrees 13 minutes, to the sign of the Angle A C F 57 degrees 13 minutes: So C F 400; the foot of the Mountain to the distance F A: to wit, as 50226 to 84339, so is 400 to 600; therefore F A is 600 foot. Fur­thermore, let the Angle B F A be found 84 degrees 23 minutes. It shall be in the Triangle F A B, as 100000 to the Tangent of the Angle B F A 1016000: so 600 to 6096 foot for A B, the height of the Mountain Olympus: but 600 foot make a stadium. Therefore 6096 being divided by 600, there are found 10 stadiums, and 96 Greek feet for the height of the Mountain Olympus, just so much as Xenagoras found it to be. But these stadiums make ¼ of a German mile with 2/32, or about 1/16.

The Mountain Olympus said to be very high by Aristotle. Aristotle, with many other Writers, affirms, that the height of the Mountain Olympus is so great, that the top thereof feels no motion of the Air, or showers of Rain, and also that it is elevated above the second Region of the Air: and the Ancients gathered that, by the Ashes left thereon, being never moved thence by any Wind; and by the draughts and forms of Letters, being no whit consumed, but found there after divers years, fresh, and as they were there drawn at the first.

It is to be noted, that in divers places the height of the Mountain is also diverse; therefore the consequence availeth not. The Clouds do likewise cover this Mountain, therefore it is as high; for indeed in the Northern parts and Coasts of the World, the Clouds are a great deal lower.

There is also another manner of Measuring in plane, the Mountains by two stadiums in the same strait line with the Mountain; but it is prone to errour, by reason of the small difference of the Angles.

Another way to find the height of a Mountain. See Scheme.Yet by one height known; as for example, by a Tower, whose height is known, and the distance from the Mountain, we shall more accurately gain the height of the Mountain, viz. if we suppose F to be the Tower 300 foot high, and on the top thereof, or in some commodious place, the Angle B F P [Page 42]be observed to be 83 degrees 30 minutes. P B shall be found to be 5896 foot, to whom B A the height of the Tower must be added.

Proposition III. The height of the seen Mountain being given or known, to find out Geodeti­cally, or by Land-measuring, how great distance we are from it, if we have either a Geometrical Instrument or Radius, or Altimetrical Scale with us, that is to say, a Height-measuring Scale.

Another way to find the height of a Mountain.Let A B be again the height of the Mountain, being now known by the descriptions of the other 10 stadiums, and 96 Greek feet, or 6096 feet. Let F be our place▪ and let us desire to know the distance F A. Let the Angle B F A be taken by a Geometrical Instrument or Quadrant; let it be for example 48 degrees 23 minutes: Therefore the Triangle strait Angled B A F, when three are known, it shall be, As the whole sign to the Tangent of the Angle A B F, See Scheme. 5 degrees 37 minutes: So B A the known height shall be to the de­manded A F.

As 100000 are to 9234, so 6096 to 600 foot, or one stadium: Therefore at so great a distance, which is F A, we are from the Mountain. If we use a Land-measuring Quadrant, or Square, or Radius, we shall not then need the Canon of signs, which is manifest by the declaration and explication of the Instru­ments; but yet the calculation or computation becomes thereby not so accu­rate, by reason of the want of true proportion.

Note, In these two Problems I have added Geodetically, because the man­ner of measuring is otherwise, when we use a Semidiameter, or Periphery of the Earth, as we shall now propose: For in the former we have taken the di­stance F A as a strait line, because there is but a small difference between that and a crooked line.

Proposition IV. A distance being given, from whose term or extreamest boundary the top of the Mountain is first seen, to find thereby the height of the Mountain by Geography.

A distance of a Mountain being given, to find the height. See Scheme.Let us take the most high Mountain of Teneriff, called El Pico, or the Pike, and let A B C D F be the periphery of the Earth, and indeed the Meridian of that Mountain: Let the Center be R, the Mountain it self A B; let from B a strait Tangent-line be drawn to the periphery B F. F then shall be the furthermost or first point, from which the top of the Mountain B shall be seen: let F R be drawn.

But some Mariners do testifie, that when they are four degrees distant from it in the Meridian, they can descry the top of that Mountain. Therefore the Arch A F shall be four degrees: Let us therefore suppose that this Relation of our Seamen is true, and that the first visive ray B F come directly from the top of the Mountain B; and let us search out, how great the height of the Mountain may be, if the matter were so. The Angle B F R is strait, and be­cause F A is four degrees, therefore also the Angle B R F is four degrees, and R F the half diameter of the Earth is known; and in the Triangle B R F are the three given, and it shall be,

As the whole sign to the secant of the Angle B R F four degrees, so R F to R B. As 10000000 are to 10024419, so 3440 Italian miles R F, or 860 Ger­man miles, The height of the Mountain El Pico in Teneriff.) to 3448 Italian miles for R B: take away thence 3440 for R A, and there remains 8 Italian miles, or 64 stadiums, or two German miles for the height of the Mountain A B; which is almost incredible, and altogether against the Ancients and Old Geographers. Therefore it is to be known, that there are two things taken in the Problem which are false; first, that that Radius or Ray, which coming from B first strikes the Eye, is direct, when as [Page 43]yet by reason of the thickness of the Air it is refracted or turned. Indeed from B the top of the Hill, there cannot be a strait line drawn to F (if F A be four degrees,) but that first it must incur or run upon the Earth; and therefore the top B cannot be seen directly in the place of F, but by a refracted Radius, to wit, B T F, which is broken, and indeed the first of the broken rays, which may reach to F.

If therefore we suppose, that this refraction brings it to pass, that this Mountain may be sooner seen by one degree, than it would be seen, if it were without this Refraction, to wit, with a direct ray B F to be seen from three degrees A F, the height A B shall be found out according to the declared form of five Italian miles, or 40 stadiums. But because it is also likely (which is the second) that our Seamen speak more at large, and not with so accurate a dimension; if we therefore subtract yet half a degree, so as we may resolve that it is seen 2 ½ degrees thence, or 38 German miles for F A: This I say be­ing put, and our Calculation being ordered as at first, the height of the Moun­tain A B shall be found to be about one mile.

If the Mountain may be seen from the distance of two degrees (the refra­ction being set apart) it shall be 2 ½ Italian miles high.

But if it can be seen at one degrees distance, or 15 German miles, it shall be in height half an Italian mile, or about 5 stadiums high. To this end we add the Table following:

But all these things are to be understood without Refraction, which for the most part increaseth the seen height of the Mountain, and the distance of the sight, as you may perceive by the description; for the refracted Radius T F produced, gives the height N A.

Proposition V. The top of any Mountain being first seen, whose height is known, to find by Geography how great space we are from it.

See Scheme. The top of a Mountain whose height is known, to find at the first sight its distance.This is the consequent of the former Proposition, and the solution thereof may be fetch'd from the Table before described: but the Calculation will shew a more accurate solution. Let therefore the known height of the Mountain be A B, and let it be seen in F, it may please us to know the distance A F, B F toucheth the Periphery. In the Triangle strait angled B F R, the Angle F is is strait, and the two sides R F, the half diameter of the Earth, and R B the same half diameter with A B are known, which we may put to be half a German mile. And because R F and R A is 860, R B shall be 860 ½: And it may be wrought, As R B is to R F, so the whole sign to the sign of the Angle R B F.

In Rhindlandish feet

• As 860 ½ to 860, so 10000000 to
• As 19609700 to 19598300, so 10000000 to 9994186, the sign 88 degrees, 2 minuees, 40 for R B F.

Therefore B R F, that is, the Arch A F shall be one degree, 55 minutes, 20 seconds. Therefore from this distance the Mountain shall be seen with refraction of Rays, if it is half a mile high; to which for the Argument of Refraction we may add eight miles, insomuch that it may be seen at the ordi­nary distance of 37 miles: But the refraction also varies according to the di­verse Altitude of the Sun, neither is it absent before the rising, or after the setting of the Sun. But we will treat more at large concerning this business in the Chapter touching the Air, and the Third part of this Book, where we shall discourse of the visible Horizon.

Proposition VI. The length of the shadow being given, which any mountain casteth, and the height of the Sun being given to that time, to find out the Altitude of the Mountain.

To find out the Altitude of a Mountain by its shadow, knowing the height of the Sun. Of the Moun­tain Athos, its height, &c.We will propose this Problem rather for its Antiquity and pleasantness, than that we think that the Altitude may accurately by the shadow be ob­tained.

Plutarch and Pliny have written, that the Mountain Athos will cover or hide the sides of the Lemnian Heifer, because the Mountain Athos scituated on the shore of Macedonia, is so highly elevated, that its casts its shadow into the Island Lemnos, the Sun being in Cancer, and indeed into the Market of the City Myr­rhina, where the boundary or end of the shadow was signified by a Brazen Hei­fer there erected, which the Inhabitants placed there for the strangness and wonder of the matter: And Pliny writeth, that the interval or distance between the Mountain Athos and the Isle Lemnos, is judged to be 87000 paces, or 87 Ita­lian miles. But Writers have not noted the Alitude of the Sun, according to the shadow thereof: but yet it is likely, that this shadow cast from the Sun being at the point of setting, or when it began to be hidden from the City Myrrhina by the Mountain Athos; (for Athos standeth Westward from the Isle Lemnos;) or when in it, it was hid from the Vertical point of Myrrhina, which is drawn through the Mountain Athos. But although we may put, that the Sun was then as it were in the Horizon of Myrrhina F O, and so that the Radius O F passed through the top of the Mountain B, See the Scheme to the fifth Proposition. and cast the shadow A F, and O F shall be the Tangent of the Periphery; and because F R is given, and the Angle F R B (or by taking the Triangle B A F, and F A as a strait line) B A shall be found to be eight stadiums, the height of the Mountain. But because notwithstanding in this position of the Sun, the term or boundary of the shadow cannot be noted, because it is infinite; and besides that, the buildings of the City Myrrhina might hinder both the shadow and the near Rays of the Sun near to the shadow: Therefore it is to be determined, that the Sun at the least was elevated two degrees above the Horizon of Myrrhina. For example, In S, that the Angle S F O be two degrees, and the Radius of the Sun passing through the top of the Mountain T, and ending the shadow in F.

Therefore in the Oblique angled Triangle R T F, the given Angle shall be T F R 92 degrees, and F R T is given one degree 16 minutes: And therefore F T R is 86 degrees 45 minutes; and the half diameter F R is known, 860 German miles. Therefore T R shall be found according to the proportion,

As the sign of the Angle F T R 86 degrees 54 minutes, to the sign of the Angle T F R 92 degrees: so F R to R T, 860.

Therefore R T shall be 861 German miles, and A T the height of the Moun­tain Athos, somewhat above one German mile.

If we take the Altitude of the Sun one degree, the height of the Mountain Athos will be found to be 20 stadiums.

Yet notwithstanding I esteem the over great distance of Lemnos from the Mountain Athos, assigned by Pliny, to be the cause of the over-great Magnitude arising from the Calculation: For Sophians Tuble of Greece, and Blavius his Table of Modern Greece, do only exhibit and allow 55 Italian miles, the di­stance for F A. Therefore the Angle F R T shall scarcely be one degree, to wit, 55 minutes; and the Altitude of the Sun, one degree 30 minutes: and there­fore F R T, 87 degrees 35 minutes; and if it be done in the Triangle F R T,

As the sign of the Angle F R T 87 degrees 35 minutes, to the sign of the Angle T R R 91 degrees 30 minutes: so F R 860 to R T. Or in the Triangle T F A strait angled to A, the Angle T F A shall be one degree 30 minutes; and F A is assumed as the strait or right of 55 miles The Altitude A T shall be found according to this Proportion: As the whole sign to the Tangent of the Angle T F A, one degree 30 minutes: So F A 55 miles, to A T the height of the Moun­tain▪

Here also is the Problem to be answered, viz. How the height of any Moun­tain may be found, if it be fully searched out? how much sooner the Sun is seen to rise in the top of that Mountain, than at the foot thereof? And con­trariwise, if the Altitude be given, how, and in what manner this difference of time is to be found out? touching which matter Aristotle and Pliny have deli­vered incredible stories, and such as the true Calculation and account do teach to be evidently otherwise. But seeing this cannot be explicated without the solution of another Problem, which we have referred to the second part of this Book: therefore we will defer these two Problems to the Thirtieth Chap­ter.

Proposition VII. The Altitude of Mountains hath no sensible proportion to the half diameter of the Earth, or else so little, that it hinders the roundness of the Earth no more, than a pointed note upon the surface of the Artificial Globe.

The height of the Mountains no hindrance to the round­ness of the Earth.For we have shewn that the Mountain of the Island Teneriff, called El Pico de Tayde, to have no greater Altitude than one mile, or at most 1½ mile. And certainly, Experience can scarcely find out a Mountain higher than that. See­ing therefore the half diameter of the Earth is 860 miles, it shall be the model and account of the greatest height of the Mountains to the half diameter of the Earth, which is 1 to 860, to wit, of which parts the half diameter of the Earth or any Globe is 360, one of such the greatest height of the Mountains shall have. And whereas there are very few Mountains of so great height, but that very many of them scarcely ascend to the fourth part of a mile, it is manifest, that they heave or lift up the roundness of the Earth no more, than certain ruggednesses in Globes made by the hands of Artificers, do dispropor­tion the roundness of those Globes. For indeed there is no body in the whole nature of things, that can have an exact Geometrical roundness.

Proposition VIII. Why showers of Rain, Mists, and Snows, are frequent on the tops of Mountains, when as in the neighbouring Valleys the Air is serene and calm without any such Meteors?

Showers of Rain, Snow, Mists, &c. on [...]he tops of Mountains, when not in the Valleys.They which have travelled on the high Lands or Mountainous places of Asia, Peruvia, and other Countries, aver, that it oft falls out, that they which are conversant on the top of Mountains, do there feel and find showers of Rain, Snow, and thick and foggy Mists; but descending thence to the Valleys lying thereunder, they feel no such thing, but find a clear and calm Air. We some­times observe the same in the Mountains of our own Country.

Some say, that the cause of this Phaenomenon or appearance is, that the Mountains attract thither the Air and Clouds; but they do not declare, by what faculty or power they may do it, and therefore they say nothing to the purpose. It seems to me, that it is done in this manner: The vapours and ex­halations, when as in the middle Region of the Air, (in which very many tops of Mountains are) they are condensated into small drops, begin to decline downward. And because the top of Mountains are nearer to those vapours and exhalations condensated in the middle Region of the Air, than the Val­leys lying under them; therefore those small drops, which are above those Mountain tops, coming first to the ground, leave a place in the Region of the Air, which presently the next small drops do enjoy; because they are forced and thrust forth by others; either by reason of Natures abhorring and shunning of vacuity or emptiness, or because this is the nature of Water, that it flows and runs to that place where its flux or flowing first began, or where the place is more low and sunk.

Proposition IX. Whether the Superficies of a Mountain be more capacious, than the plane underneath it, upon whom it standeth?

Of the Super­ficies of Moun­tains. Geometry proves it to be greater; but yet it is another Question, Whether therefore it can sustain the more Men, or bear the greater plenty of Provi­sion? I prove the Affirmative: for although all things placed in a Mouatain ought to be perpendicular to the under sunk or placed Plane, yet greater store of Earth and a greater surface is there.

Proposition I. Some Mountains are bounded about with a little space; Others extend themselves out, and march forth at a long reach and trace.

Of Mountains or Hills.AND these Mountains or Hills of the later sort are called tops, yokes, or chains of Mountains or Hills. There are found such like Chains of Mountains or Hills almost in all Countreys in the World, so that they may be judged to be thereby continual, but that small spaces interpose and thrust in themselves; but they march out at length into divers Coasts: some from the North into the South, some from the East into the West, and other­some to Coasts collateral to the Cardinal points.

Proposition II. In most Islands, and in the procurrent parts of the Continent, the Mountains are so scituated, that they pass through the middle of the Land, and divide them into two parts.

The division of Lands by Mountains.So in Scotland the Mountain Grampius, (called by the Inhabitants Grans­baine) which extendeth through this Island from the East to the West, and divides it in two equal parts, both which differ not only in the nature of the Soyl, but also in the Inhabitants. So in the Islands of Sumatra, Borneo, Lu­conia, Celebes, Hispaniola, Cuba, Mountains are found, which arise from the Sea-shore by degrees towards the midst of the Islands unto a very great height.

The Mountain Gatis.So the Mountains Gatis pass through the middle procurrent part of Asia, which is called India: For they arise from the extremities of Caucasus, and proceed to the Promontory of Corus, vulgarly called Cabo de Comerino, from the North to the South, and so divide this procurrent into two parts, whereof that part which is on this side Gatis towards the West, is termed the Region of Malabar, and the other beyond the Mountain Gatis towards the East the Region of Choromandel. This very same ridge of Mountains passeth through [Page 49]the other part of India which is now called Bengala, through the Kingdoms of Pegu, Siam, and the whole Chersonesus of Malacca.

The Mountains in Camboja, Ca­lifornia, Corea.So also the Mountains of the procurrent of Earth termed Camboia: The like Mountains are in the Peninsula or Isle of California, in the procurrent Africa from the Lake Zair to the Promontory of Good-hope: In the Peninsula Corea, the Apennine in Italy.

How these Mountains came, whether created with the Earth it self, or whe­ther they afterwards sprung from natural Causes, is uncertain.

Proposition III. Of Mountains famous for their exceeding Altitude.

• The Mountain of El Pico the highest in the world.
  1. El Pico in Teneriff, esteemed the highest in the whole World, whose top is conspicuous at Sea 60 miles; there is no ascending up it, but in July and August, by reason that it is covered all the other part of the Year with Snow, although that Snow is never seen in the Island it self, or the adjacent Canary Isles. The Vertex is manifestly discovered to be advanced above the Clouds, seeing that these encompass the middle of the Mountain, and the Vertex is be­held to be above this Cloud; but because it suffereth Snow, thence it is certain that it is not protended beyond the middle Region of the Air. Three days are required to ascend to the top of this Mountain: for it is not a spiral top, but plain, and the Air being serene, and without Clouds, one may distinctly dis­cern from it all the other circumjacent Canary Isles, of which some are 50 miles remote from it. In those two Months many Sulphureous stones are brought from the Mountain, and carried in great abundance into Spain.
• 2. In one of the Azores near to the Isle Fayal,
  The Mountain Pico de St. George.
  there is found a Mountain called Pico de St. George, whence the Isle is called Pico. It is reported to have an equal Altitude with the Mountain of Teneriff.
• The Mountain Cordillera
  3. The Mountain called Cordillera in the Southern America, separating Peru from the other Provinces, is said to be of that exceeding height, that it giveth place to no Mountain of the Earth for Altitude. It extendeth from the Streights of Magellan to Panama.
• Mount Aetna.
  4. Aetna, a Mountain in Sicilia, from the top of which fire is discerned to be ejected in the Isle of Malta, whence it is supposed to have at the least an in­tire mile in Altitude: but in the preceeding Chapter we have given a reason of this apparent Altitude.
• 5. Hecla, a Mountain of Island.
  Hecla.
• Pico de Adam.
  6. Pico de Adam in the Isle of Geilam.
• 7. The Mountain Bructerus in Germany and Abnoba.
• 8. The Mountain Figenojamma in Japan,
  Figenojamma.
  is supposed to exceed the Clouds in Altitude.
• 9. The Mountain Caucasus much celebrated by the Ancients for its great height.
  Caucasus.
• The Mountain Pelion.
  10. The Mountain Pelion in Macedonia. Pliny saith that Dicaearchus the Mathematician, by the command and expence of some Kings, measured the Altitude of this Mountain, and found it to be 1250 paces, that is, 10 Stadia, or ⅓ of a German mile. Geminus saith that the Mountain Cyllene was found by Dicaearchus to be of the same Altitude.
• The Mountain Athos.
  11. The Mountain Athos (as Mela in Lib. 2. Chap. 2. relateth) is so elated, that it is believed to rise higher than that showers should fall thence. This O­pinion received credit, because that the Ashes are not washed away from the Altars that are on the top of it, but remain in the heap as they were left in. It runneth along with a great broad Ridge into the Sea, where it adhe­reth to the Continent. Xerxes making his Expedition against the Graecians, dugg it through, and made it Navigable.
• 12. Olympus, a Mountain of Asia minor,
  Olympus.
  of which we have spoken in the former Chapter.
• [Page 50]13. Casius,
  Casius.
  a Mountain in Asia, which Pliny writeth to be four miles in height.
• 14. Mount Haemus,
  Haemus.
  which Martianus Capella describeth to be 6 miles in Altitude.
• 15. Atlas,
  Atlas.
  a Mountain in Africa, of which we have spoken in the pre­ceeding Proposition. The Poets feigned this Mountain to be so high, that it upheld Heaven, but experience hath found the contrary.

Proposition IV. The many differences of Mountains.

In the former Propositions we have shewed three differences, viz.

• The differen­ces of Moun­tains.
  1. Some are extended in a long Tract, and some are terminated in a small Circuit.
• 2. Some divide the Regions in two parts; others pass through any Tract of the Regions.
• 3. Some are of an exceeding height, some of a mean, and some but low. To these differences these may be added:
• 4. Some are Sandy, some Rocky, Clay or Chaulky.
• 5. Some include or contain the Springs of Rivers, whereas others are with­out them.
• 6. Some are adorned with Woods, and other some destitute of Trees.
• 7. Some are burning and smoaking, whereas others are without fires.
• 8. Some are rich in Metals, and others without them.
• 9. And some Mountains are covered with Snow all the Year, whereas others have no Snow at all.

Proposition V. To enumerate the burning Mountains, and those that cast out flames.

Of Vulcan's or burning Mountains.Such Mountains at this day are called Vulcans, which Appellation the Por­tugal Marines first introduced, and now are commonly so called; and such are

• 1. The most famous is Aetna,
  Mount Aetna.
  a Mountain in Sicilia, at this day called Ge­bel, from whose top the ejected flames and smoak are discovered at a long di­stance in the Mediterranean Sea, even to Malta, which is 40 German miles. Howbeit that the ejaculation of the flames be continual, yet notwithstanding sometimes it rageth with a greater force. In the Year 1537. from the first of May to the twelfth,
  A great strange Earthquake.
  all Sicilia was shaken with an Earthquake, then a great and horrible noise was heard, as if Canons had been fired: there followed the de­struction of many Edifices throughout the whole Isle, when that this storm had continued for eleven days, the Earth was rent in twain, or opened it self with a vast Gulph, whence a great flame and fire brake forth, by which, within the space of four days, all was consumed and burnt which was not distant above five miles from Aetna. A little after the Funnel, which is on the top of the Mountain, for three days cast forth an abundance of Ashes and Coals, which were not only dispersed throughout all the Isle, but also beyond the Seas into Italy. And the Ships in the Sea about 200 Leagues distant, steering towards Venice, were much damnified. Farellus hath at large described the fires of this Mountain, and doth also say that the foot of it is 100 Italian miles in Circuit. And in Anno 1669. the flames broak forth in a violent manner, to the great damage of the Inhabitants of those parts.
• Mount Hecla.
  2. Hecla, a Mountain of Island, doth sometimes rage as much as Aetna, and cast forth great stones: And continual fires in it wanting a free evacuation, oftentimes send forth noises like unto lamentations; thence many simple peo­ple supposed that there was the place of Hell, where the Souls of the damned were tormented.
• [Page 51]
  Vesuvius, or Monte de Soma
  3. Vesuvius, at this day Mont de Soma, not far from the City of Naples; is planted with most fertile Vines, which, without the time of the Conflagrati­on, maketh the best Falernum, but it is obnoxious to frequent burnings. Di­on Cassius relateth, that in the Time of Vespasian its Conflagration, and the force of its Flames were so vehement, that the Ashes cast forth from its bottom with the Sulphureous smoak, were not only carried by the wind to Rome, but also beyond the Mediterranean Sea into Africa, even to Egypt: moreover, the Birds being suffocated in the Air, fell to the Earth; the Fishes perished in the adjacent, infected warm and frequent water. Concerning this Confla­gration, and the sad mutation of the Mountain, there is an excellent Epigram in Martial, who lived at that time, and saw the Mountain in its Verdure, and afterwards buried in its Ashes. But then the Conflagration ceasing, and the Showers watering the Sulphureous Embers and Ashes, in the Superficies of the Mountain here and there was great fertility of Wine. But again within these few years this Mountain burned a fresh, and sent forth an abundance of Smoak. The adjacent Land was burnt, and became dangerous to Travellers, by reason of the various Pits which the flame caused.
• A Mountain in Java worthy of note.
  4. A Mountain in the Island of Java, not far from the City Panacura: This in the Year 1586. when it had never burned before, first was rent with a violent eruption of flaming Sulphur, so that about 10000 persons were said to have perished in the neighbouring places; and it ejected exceeding great Stones into the City; and for the space of three days it vomited forth so much black Smoak mixt with Ashes and Embers, that it obscured the face of the Sun, and almost cloathed day with nights dark Mantle.
• The Mountain Gonnapi.
  5. Gonnapi, a Mountain in one of the Isles of Banda. This in the Year 1586. in the Month of April, when that it had burnt for 17 years, was rent with a great noise, and cast forth such an abundance of great Stones of Sul­phur and ardent matter on the Sea and Land, that it astonished all persons: The abundance of Ashes and Embers also rendred the Cannons of the Hollan­ders in their Castle unserviceable, such a vast heap overwhelmed them. Vast Stones were found in the Sea, with a multitude of small ones, so that the Barks had scarce a free passage. The water on the shoar so boyled, as if that fire had been placed under it: An abundance of Fishes were killed and seen floating on the water.
• Balaluanum.
  6. Balaluanum, a Mountain in the Isle of Sumatra, casteth forth Smoak and Flames as Aetna.
• Many places in the Molucco Isles cast forth fire.
  7. In the Molucco Isles the Land in many places belcheth forth fire with an huge noise; but it is chiefly noted for the Funnel of Turnate. The Mountain is advanced to the Clouds, and very steep, the lower parts of which are co­vered with thick Woods, the upper naked by reason of the fire. On the top is the Funnel of a vast wideness, which is in the form of an Amp [...]heater with many Circles, the greater including the lesser; thence in the Equinoctials, e­specially those in the Spring and Autumn, certain Winds blowing, chiefly the Northern, with an horrible noise, Flames mixed with black Smoak and Embers, break forth, and fill all places to a great distance with Ashes. There are an­nual seasons of seeing it; neither can one ascend but by Ropes or Chains in cer­tain places.
  See Maffaeus.
  Here in some places of this Mountain the Inhabitants gather good Sulphur.
• 8. One of the Islands of Maurice (60 Leagues distant from Moluccoes) of­tentimes the whole Isle is shaken with an Earthquake, and vomiteth Fire and Ashes: and there is so great an abundance of Fire, that whole Mountains and Rocks do burn. Oftentimes fiery Stones break forth of a vast bigness. When the Wind is more vehement, so vast an abundance of Ashes is poured forth, that people labouring in the Fields are forced to return home, being covered with Ashes: those Ashes also kill their living Creatures. From the top of the Mountain this black and dismal Fire breaketh forth with a dreadful noise, like unto Thunder or great Guns: And from thence cometh abundance of Pu­mice Stones and other Stones burnt in the fire.
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  A Mountain in Japan worthy of note.
  9. In Japan (as Maffaeus relateth) there is a Mountain which continually vomiteth Flames, on the top of which the Evil Spirit sheweth himself to cer­tain Persons, after that they have macerated themselves for a Vow sake.
• 10. Many Vulcanelloes are found in the Isles of Japan, distant 70 miles from Ferando. Also in a certain small Isle which lieth between Tanaxuma, and the Isles called the Sisters, a burning Mountain is discovered, at other times smoaking.
• Certain Vul­canes in the Isle Tendai.
  11. In Tendai, one of the Philippine Isles, where the Promontory of the Holy Spirit is, certain Vulcans are found: One also in the Isle Marindique, a­nother of the Philippine Isles.
• 12. In Nicaragna, a Province in America, a lofty Mountain casteth forth flames in such great abundance, that they may be seen 10 miles distant.
• Vulcan Moun­tains in Cordil­lera.
  13. In the Ridge of Peru called Cordillera, here and there are certain Rocks and Vulcan Mountains, partly smoaking and partly burning, and they are said to cast out fire: Especially in the Province of Carrapa, there is a Mountain from whose top, when the Heaven is serene, much smoak is discovered to be elevated.
• Others in Pe­ru.
  14. Near to Arequipa a City of Peru, 90 miles distant from Lima, a cer­tain Sulphureous Mountain continually ejaculateth fire, which is found danger­ous to the City.
• 15. In Peru, near the Valley Mulahallow, about 50 Leagues from Quito, there is a Vulcan, which once rending, cast forth great Stones, and terrified also the remote places with the huge noise.
• Other Vulcans.
  16. In one of the Islands which they call Papoys, which Le Maire discove­red (except peradventure it may adhere to the South Continent) on the Ori­ental Coast of New Guiney is a Vulcan, which at that time burned.
• 17. Certain Mountains lying on the Oriental Shore of the River Jeniscea, in the Country of the Tingesi beyond Ob, towards the East, by a journey of some weeks, there are Vulcans as the Muscovites do report.
• 18. Certain Mountains at the River Pesida beyond the Region of the Tin­gaesi.
• A Vulcan in Liburnia.
  19. In Liburnia, near the City Apollonia, is a rocky Mountain, from the top of which continually issueth smoak and flame. In the Land adjoyning there are hot Fountains; there are also certain Mountains which have now cea­sed to burn. So the Isle Queimoda, on the Coast of Brasil, not far from the mouth of the Silver River, in time past did burn: so the Mountains in Congo or Angola, which they term Vesbrande Bergen. In the Isles of the Azores, especially Tercera and St. Michael, formerly the Earth burned in many places, but now the smoak in some places is sometimes expelled; hence also they have often Earthquakes. The Isles of St. Helena and of the Ascension, have also its Earth like unto these, viz. a Dust, Embers, and Ashes, so that in times past it is probably the Mountains of these Isles burned, which is also manifest from the Sulphureous Earth and Coals, which they call Smitskolen. Now the cause of these Vulcans or burning Mountains, is a Sulphureous bituminous Substance, which is contained in such like Mountains.

Proposition VI. The Tanges of the Mountains, some admit of no passage or opening, some of many, other some of one or another only.

Of the Tanges of the Moun­tains.They are called Portae and also Thermopylae. Of which the more noted are,

• 1. The Thermopylae in Phocis, from which this name was communicated to the rest.
• 2. The Caspian Portae, which, as through a narrow pas­sage, are admitted into the Caspian Mountains.
• 3. The Port of the Mountain Cordillera in Peru.
• 4. The Port of the Mountain which is extended between Abyssiue and Arabia Troglodytica, through which they carry Provision and Grain from that Region unto this.
• 5. In Caucasus the Sarmatick and Albani­an Ports.

Proposition VII. That Mountain is termed a Promontory which runneth forth in a certain Tract to the Sea, or on the Shore is elevated above the adjacent pla­ces.

Of Promonto­ries or Capes.In Mapps they are called Capes or Heads; among which the more noted are,

• Cape of Good-hope.
  1. The Cape of Good-hope in Africa, which must be passed by those that sail into India.
• Cape Victoria.
  2. Cape Victoria in the end of the Streights of Magellan.
• Cape Verd.
  3. Cape Verd in the Angle or Point of Africa, where the Shore windeth from West to East.
• Cape Vincent.
  4. Cape Vincent in Spain.
• Promontory or Cape of At­las.
  5. The Promontory of Atlas, so anciently called, not a Cape, because that Mariners some Ages past supposed that it could not be passable; or that if any one had sailed beyond it, yet he could not return back safe: therefore this was the bound of their Navigation on the Coast of Africa. Other Promontories may be seen in the Mapps.

Proposition VIII. Ʋnto Mountains are opposed Caves and deep Abysses, which are found in few places of the Earth.

Of Caves or deep Abysses.In times past that Mephitick Cave in Island, called the Cave of St. Patrick; and that Cave in Italy, called Grotta del Cane, was famous. In the Moun­tain of Fessano Beni Guazeval, is a Cave that vomiteth forth fire.

In the Island Baruch, adjoynig to Wales in England, near the Sea is a Rock, in which there is a Cave, unto which if you apply your ear, a noise like stroaks of Hammers upon Iron, as in a Smith's shop, may be heard.