A GOODLY gallery WITH A MOST Pleasant Prospect, into the garden of natural contemplation, to behold the natural causes of all kind of Meteors, as well fiery and airy, as watery and earthly, of which sort be blazing stars, shooting stars, flames in the air etc. thunder, lightning, earthquakes, etc. rain dew, snow, clouds, springs etc. stones, metals, earths &c. to the glory of God, and the profit of his creatures. ¶ PSALM. 148. Praise the Lord upon earth Dragons and all deeps, Fire, hail, snow, Ice, Winds, and storms, that do his will. LONDINI. Anno. 1563. ❧ TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LORD Robert Dudley, Master of the queens majesties horse, Knight of the most Noble order of the garter, and one of the queens majesties privy Counsel. William Fulce, wisheth increase of grace and heavenly gifts, in perfect health and true honour, long to continue. THe most mighty Monaychie of the Roman Empire Octavius Augustus, (right honourable Lord) did show so great liberality, or rather magnificence towards all them that bore him good will, that he also most largely rewarded sundry persons that had taught popinjays and other birds, to pronounce some salutation (as he passed by them) in his praise & commendation. At the length a poor young man, alured (as it seemed) by his bountiful remuneration of other: had taught a Crow (an untowardly bird) after the same manner to salute th'emperor. Who perceiving his purpose, that it was rather for hope of gain, than testimony of good will: answered that he had store enough already, of such saluters at home, meaning those popinjays & other birds, which at the first for their strangeness, he had dearly paid for. In like manner (right honourable Lord) when I present the salutation of this mine untowardly bird, a Crow in comparison of such pleasant popinjays, as have been hetofofore offered unto your honourable Lordship: you may have just cause of suspicion, that being moved with your former liberality & magnificence towards other, I do as the Poet sayeth: Occulium cautus decurrere piscis ad hamum. And so if your gentle nature and noble disposition could suffer, as a craver of undeserved benefits, to reject both me & my present. But sith my state is such, that I can not testify the good will of mine heart towards your honour, otherwise then by such means as this: I was bold to refer that suspicion to the judgement of your wisdom and humanity (knowing myself clear from such intent) and to commit this unbewtifull bird, under the wings of your honourable protection, trusting that the same (which I take as a comen defence of all good learning) shall not only at this time be my stay & refuge, but also hereafter to more worthy attempts a continual encouragement. But specially at this time, I was bold to enterprise the matter, for that one james Rowbothum, a man of notable impudens (that I say no worse of him abusing your singular humanity and gentleness expressing th'example of one Bathillus, or rather (that I may continue in the allegory of birds) of Esopes' crow, hath not been ashamed to dedicate unto your Lordship of late a treatise of mine, which I gathered out of diverse writers, concerning the Philosopher's game: notwithstanding he was straightly commanded to the contrary by the right honourable and reverent father, my Lord of London, of whom also I was exhorted and encouraged to dedicate the same unto your honour, myself. Which though now through his importunity & disobedience, it be intercepted, and the book defaced with his rude rhythms & peevish verses: yet I thought best to give your Lordship understanding that your honourable protection which is and should be the defence of learning & learned men, might no more be a boldening to such ignorant and unhonest persons. And like wise most humbly to desire your honour that though mine Epistle dedicatory, be not annexed to that book, yet considering by what pertinacity I was hindered, you would accept that book also together with this, as an homely present of mine, of which I may conclude as one did in like case. Illum ego composui librum, tulit alter honorem Sic vos non vobis lact tumetis oves. Sic vos non vobis praeda agit ampla canes Sic vos non vobis conditis antra ferae, Sic vos non vobis pondera a fertis equi. Thus sparing to trouble your honour any longer, either which complaint or excuse, I desire almighty God to multiply his blessings toward you, that abounding in all good gifts both bodily and ghostly, you may have long life in health and honour, to his glory, the profit of other, and your endless comfort. Amen. A GOODLY GALLERY ¶ The first Book. FOr as much as we intend in this treatise, to declare the causes of all those bodies, that are generated in the earth, called Fossilia, as well as those other Impressiones, named of their height, Meteora (which no writer hitherto hath done, that we have seen) the comen definition given by most writers, in no wise will serve us, & whether we may borrow the name of metcoron to comprehend the whole subject of our work we are not all together out of doubt, all though the philosopher, deryvinge it from doutfullnes, giveth us some collore so to take it, and paduenture we might be as weal excused to apply it to minerals, as other auters are to use it for earthequakes: yet to avoid all occasions of cavilling at words, we shall both define and also describe the subject of our matter on this manner: it is a body compound with out life naturalle: and yet to stop one hole, because hear wanteth the name of the thing to be destined, it is no new thing, to them that have red Aristoteles works to find a definition, Aristotle's. of that whereof there is no name. But what need you be so precise (will some man say) mean you so to proceed in all your discourse? no verily, but because many of quick judgement not considering the style to be attempered, to the capacity of the Readers, will impute the plains to the ignorance of the authors, we thought good in the beginning to pluck that opinion out of their minds (that as the common saying is) they may know we have skill of good manners though we little use them. These meteors are divided after three manner of ways, first into bodies perfectly & imꝑfectly mixed. Secondly into moist impressions & dry. Thirdly into fiery, airy, watery and earthly. According to this last division, we shall speak of them in four books following. But first, we must be occupied a little in the general description of the same, that afterward shallbe particularly entreated of. ¶ Why they be called unperfectly mixed. THey are called unperfectly 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 impressious, fiery, airy, watery, as snow into water, clouds into waters. etc. ¶ Why they be called perfectly mixed. The last sort namely earthly, Meteores are called perfectly mixed, because they will not easily be changed and resolved from that form which they are in, as be stones, metals and other minerals. According to the quality of the matter, they are divided into moist & dry impressions, consisting either of vapores or exhalations. vapores are called moist, and exhalations dry, which terms must be well noted, because they must be much used. ¶ Of the general cause of all Meteores and first of the material cause. The matter whereof the most part of Meteores doth consist, The material cause. is either water or earth, for out of the water, proceed vapours, and out of the earth come exhalations. Vapour as the Philosopher sayeth, What be vapours & what exhalations. is a certain watery thing, and yet is not water, so exhalation hath a certain earthly nature in it, but yet it is not earth. For the better understanding of vapours, understand that they be as it were fumes or smokes, warm & moist, which will easily be resolved into water, much like to the breath that proceedeth out of a man's mouth, or out of a pot of water standing on the fiere. These vapours are drawn up from the waters and marry places, by the heat of the Sun, even unto the middle region of the air, What the middle region is shallbe told afterward. and there after diverse manner of meating with coldness, many kind of moist Meteors are generated, as sometime clouds and rain, sometime snow and hail, and that such vapours are so drawn up by the Sun, it is plain by experience: for if there be a plash of water on a smooth and hard stone, standing in the heat of the sun, it will soon be dry, which is none otherwise, but that the son draweth up the water in thin vapores, for no man is so fond to say, that it can sink into stone or metal, and it is as greatfoly to think, it is consumed to nothing: for it is a general rule, A general rule. that that which is once a thing, can not 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 dried Exhalations, What exhalations be. are as smokes that be hot and dry, which because they be thin, & lygther then vapours, pass the lowest and middle region of the air, and are carried up even to the highest region, where for the excessive heat, by nearness 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 & not being dispersed, are after diverse soortes set on fire, and appear somtims like Dragons, somtim like Goats sometime like candles sometime like spears. By that which is spoken of vapours & exhalations, it is evident that out of the fire & the air no matter whereof meteores should consist can be drawn, because of their subtlety & thinness. For all exhalation is by making a grosser body more thin, but the fire (we mean the elemental fire, & not the fire of the kitchen chimney) is so subtle & thin, that it cannot be made thinner: likewise the air is so thin, that if it be made thinner, it is changed into fire, & as the fire if it were made thicker, would become air, so the air, being made grosser, would be turned into water. Wherefore to conclude this part, the great quantity of matter, that causeth these meteores, is taken out of the earth and the water. As for the air & the fire, they are mixed with this matter as with all other things, but not so abundantly, that they may be said the material cause of any Meteore, though without them none can be generated. The efficient cause of all Meteores is that cause, The efficient cause which maketh them, even they are not to nigh to the direct beams, nor to far of from them: there is a moderate heat, drawing out great abundance of matter, so that in those countries, many Meteores of many sorts as generated, as in the far North parts are few, but watery impressions. Also in Autumn & Spring, are oftener Meteores seen, then in Summer and Winter, except it be in such places, where the Summer and Winter are of the temper of Spring and autumn. Let this be sufficient, for the efficient causes of impressions, as well first and principal, as second and particular. Concerning the formal and final cause, we have little to say because the one is so secret, that it is known of no man, the other so evident that it is plain to all men The essential form of all substances, God's wisdom comprehendeth, the universal chief 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 God's creatures, to make the earth fruitful, to purge the air, to set forth his power, to threathen his vengeance, to punish the world, to move to repentance: all the which are referde to one end of God's eternal glory, ever to be praised. Amen. ¶ Of the places, in which they are generated. THe places in which Meteors are caused, be either the air or the earth, in the air be generated rain, hail, snow, dew, blazing stars, thunder, lightning etc. In the earth be wells, springs, earthquakes, metals minerals, etc. made, and as it were in their mother's belly begotten & fashioned. But for the better understanding hereof, such as have not tasted the principles of Philosophy, must consider the theridamas be iiij. elements, Earth, water, Air, & Fire, one compassing another round about, saving that the waters by God's commandment are gathered into one place, that the land might appear. The highest is the spear of the fire, which toucheth the hollowness of the moons heaven, the next is the air, which is in the hallownes of the fire, the air within his hollowness, comprehendeth the water and the earth, which both make but one Sphere or Globe, or as the comen sort may understand it one Bal. So each element is within another as the scales of a pearl, are on above another, or (to use a gross similitude) as the pieles of an onion, are one which in another, after the same sort from the highest heaven to the earth, that is lowest, one part that is greater compasseth round about another that is lesser. But for this present purpose it is to be known, that the air is divided into three regions, What the regions of the air be 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 the waters, is temperate, and by repercussion or striking back of the sun beams waxeth hot, and by absence of them is made cold, being subject to Winter and Summer. The middle region of the air, is always exceeding cold, partly because the son beams, can not be cast back so high, and partly because the cold that is there, between the heat above and the heat beneath it, is so kept in that it can not get out, so that it must needs be excessively cold. For the water and the earth being both cold elements, after the sunnesetting in the night season do cool the air, even to the middle region. But in the morning the sun rising warmeth the air, so far as his beams which are beaten back from the earth & the water, can extend and reach, which is not so high as the middle region, and by heat on both sides, is enclosed and kept, saving that a little thereof falleth down in the night, which the next day with much more is driven back again. Wherefore this region being so cold, is dark and cloudy, in so much that some doting Divines have imagined, purgatory to be there in the middle region of the air. In the highest region, be generated Comets or blazing stars, and such like of diverse sorts. In the middle region clouds, rain, storms, winds. etc. In the lowest region, dew, frost, horefrost, mists, bright rods, candles burning about graves, & gallows, where there is store of clamy fatty or oily substance, also lights and flaming fires, seen in fields, etc. ¶ And thus much for the general causes of all Meteores. ❧ The second Book of fiery Meteores. A Fiery impression, is an exhalation set on fire, in the highest or lowest region of the air, 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 in dead and are kindled with fire. These are discerned by iiij. ways, by the fashion of them, by their place, by the abundance of their matter, & by the want of their matter. Their placing is after the abundance & scarcity of the matter where of they consist, for if it be great, heavy and gross, it cannot be carried so far as the middle region of the air, 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 & ascendeth to the highest, where it is easily kindled & set on fire. According to their diverse fashions, they have divers names, for they are called, burning stubble, torches, dancing or leaping Goats, shooting or falling stars, or candles, burning beams, round pillars, spears shields, globes or bowls, firebrands, lamps, flying dragons or fire-drakes, pointed pillars or broached steeples, or blazing stars, called Comets. The time when these impressions doth most apere, is the night season, for if they were caused in the day time, they could not be seen, no more than the stars be seen, because the light of the sun which is much greater, dimmeth the brightness of them being lesser. ¶ Of the generation of the impression, called burned stubble or sparkles of fire. THe generation of this Meteore is this, Sparks of fire. when the matter of the Exhalation is in all parts a like thin, but not compacted or knit together, than some part of it being carried up into the highest region, by the fiery heat is set on fire before another part, that cometh up after it, and so being kindled by little and little, it flieth abrooode like sparkles out of a chimney, in so much that the common people suppose, that an infinite number of stars fall down where as it is nothing else, but the Exhalation that is thin kindled in many parts, sparkling as when saw dust or cool dust is cast into the fire. ¶ Of Torch's. Torch's or fire brands, Torches. are thus generated: when the matter of the exhalation is long and not broad, being kindled at one end thereof, in the highest region of the air, it burneth like a Torch or fire brand, and so continueth, till all the matter be burned up, and then goeth out, none otherwise than a Torch when all the stuff is spent must needs burn no longer. ¶ Of dancing or leaping Goats. Dancing Goats, Dancing Goats. are caused when the exhalation is divided into two parts, as when two torches be seen together, & the flame appeareth to leap or dance from one part to the other, much like as balls of wild fire dance up and down in the water. ¶ Of shooting and falling Stars. A Flying, shooting, or falling Sarre, shooting stars. is when the exhalation being gathered as it were on a round heap, and yet not thoroughly compacted in the highest part of the lowest region of the air, being kindled, by the sudden cold of the middle region is beaten back, and so appeareth as though a Star 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 ronning from end to end, as when a silk thread is set on fire at the one end. Some say it is not so much set on fire, as that it is direct under some Star in the firmament, and so receiving light of that star, seemeth to our eyes to be a star. In dead some times it may be so, but that is not so always, nor yet most commonly, as it may be easily demonstrated. The Epicurians as they are very gross in determining the chief goodness, The Epicurians opinion. so they are very fond in assigning the cause of this Meteor. For they say, that the stars fall out of the firmament, and 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 star that falleth, which falling into a watery cloud, and being quenched in it, causeth that great thunder, even as whoat iron maketh a noise if it be cast into cold water. Psal. 148 But it is evident that the stars of the firmament can not fall, for God hath set them fast for ever, he hath given them a commandment which they shall not pass. And though they should fall into the cloud, yet could they not rest there, but with their weight being driven down, would cover the whole earth. For the least star that is seen in the firmament, The greatness of Stars. is greater than all the earth. Here will step forth some merry fellow, which of his conscience thinketh them not to be above three yards about, and say it is a loud lie, for he can see within the compass of a bushel more than xx. stars. But if his bushel were on fire xx. mile of, I demand how big it would seem unto him? He that hath any wit, A proof of the stars greatness. will easily perceive, that stars being by all men's confession, so many thousand miles distant from the earth, must needs be very great, that so far of should be seen in any quantity. Thus much for the shooting or falling Stars. ¶ Of burning Candles. Burning candles. WHen the Exhalation carried up into the highest part of the air is in all parts thereof of equal and like thinness, & also long, but not broad, it is set on fire and blazed like a candle, until the Exhalation be quite consumed. ¶ Of burning Beams and round Pillars. Burning beams & round pillars. THese are caused, when the Exhalation being long and not very broad, is set on fire, all at once and so burneth like a great beam or log. The difference of beams and pillars is this, for beams are when they seem to lie in length, in the air, but they are called pillars, when they stand right up, the one end nearer to the earth, than the other. ¶ Of burning Spears. BUrning spears are generated, Burning Spears. when a great quantity of Exhalations, which may be called a dry cloud, is set on fire in the midst, 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, kendling the thin Exhalations, which shoot out in great number like fiery spears, or darts, long and very small, wherefore they continue not long, but when they fail, within a short while after, more fire breaking out, they shoot out as many more in their place, and likewise, when they are gone, other succeade, if the quantity of the matter will suffice, more than a dozen courses. This impression was seen in London, Anno dom. 1560. the thirty day of january, at eight of the clock at night the air in all other places being very dark, but in the North east where this cloud burned, it was as light as when the day breaketh, toward the Sun rising, in so much, that plain shadow of things opposite, was seen. The edge of this cloud was in fashion like the rainbow, but in colour very bright, and often times casting forth almost innumerable darts, of wonderful length like squybbes, that are cast up into the air, saving that they moved more swiftly than any squybbes. ¶ Of shields▪ Globes or Bowls. Shields Globes or Bowels. THese Meteores also have their name of their fashion, because they are broad, and appear to be round, otherwise their generation differeth not from the cause of the like impressions before mentioned. ¶ Of Lamps. THe lamp consists of an Exhalation, Lamps. that is broad & thick, but not equally extended, namely smaller at one end then at another, which being kindled about the midst thereof, burneth like a lamp. The cause why, as well this impression, as many other, appeareth round, is not for that always they are round in deed, but because the great distance causeth them to seem so. For even square forms, far of seem to be round. It is written, that a lamp fell down at Rome when Germanicus Cesar, set forth the sight of sword players. ¶ Of flying Dragons or fire Drakes. FLying Dragons, or as Englishmen call them fire drakes, Flying Dragons or fire Drakes. be caused on this manner. When a certain quantity of vapours are gathered on a heap, being very near compact, & as it were hard tempered together this lump of vapours ascending to the region of cold, is forcibly beaten back, which violence of moving, is sufficient to kindle it, (although some men will have it to be caused between ij. clouds a hot & a cold) them the highest part, which was climming upward, being by reason more subtle & thin, appeareth as the Dragons neck, smoking, for that it was lately in the repuls bowed or made crooked, to represent the dragons belly. The last part by the same repulse, turned upward, maketh the tail, both appearing smaller, for that it is farther of, & also, for that the cold bindeth it. This dragon thus being caused, flieth along in the air, & sometime turneth to & fro, if it meat with a cold cloud to beat it back, to the great terror, of them that behold it, of whom some called it a fire Drake, some say it is the Devil himself, and so make report to other. More than sixteen years ago, on May day, when many young folk went abroad early in the morning, I remember, by six of the clock in the forenoon, there was news come to London, that the Devil the same morning, was seen flying over the Thames: afterward came word, that he lighted at Stratforde, and there was taken and set in the stocks, and that though he would fain have dissembled the matter, by turning himself into the likeness of a man, yet was he known well-enough by his cloven feet. I know some yet alive, that went to see him, & returning affirmed, that he was in deed seen flying in the air, but was not taken prisoner. I remember also that some wished he had been shoot at with gons, or shafts as he flew over the Thames. Thus do ignorant men judge of these things that they know not, as for this Devil, I suppose it was a flying Dragon, whereof we speak, very fearful to look upon, as though he had life, because he moveth, where as he is nothing else but clouds & smoke, so mighty is God, that he can fear his enemies, with these and such like operations, whereof some examples may be found in holy scripture. ¶ Of the Pyramidal pillar like a spire or broached steeple. THis sharp pointed pillar, Of spires. is generated in the highest region of the air, 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 thick, abide together in the bottom, and so is it of fashion great beneath, and small pointed above, and being set on fire it is so seen, and thereof hath his name. ¶ Of Fire scattered in the air. Fire scattered in the air, Fire scattered. or illuminations, are generated in the lowest region of the air, when very dry and hot Exhalations, are drawn up and meeting with cold clouds, are sent back again, which motions setteth them a fire, whose parts, being not equally thick or joined together, seem as though fire were scattered in the air. Yea sometimes, the whole air seemeth to burn, as though it would rain fire from heaven, & so it hath come to pass, burning both cities and towns. Then judge, how easy it was for God to rain fire upon Sodom and Gomor, for their sins and wickedness. ¶ Of lights that goeth before men, and followeth 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 go before men, or to follow them, Light that goeth before men and followeth them in the night. leading them out of their way unto waters, & other dangerous places It is also very often seen in the night, of them that sail in the Sea, & sometime will cleave to the mast of the ship, or other high parts, sometime slide round about the ship, and either rest in one part till it go out, or else be quenched in the water. This impression seen on the land, is called in latin, Ignis fatuus, foolish fire, that hurteth not, but only feareth fowls. That which is seen on the Sea, if it be but one, is named Helena, if it be two, it is called Castor and Pollux. The foulishe fire is an Exhalation kindled by means of violent moving, when by cold of the night, in the lowest region of the air, it is beaten down, & then commonly, if it be light, seeketh to ascend upward, & is sent down again, so it danseth up & down. Else if it move not up and down, it is a great lump of glueysh or oily matter, that by moving of the heat in itself, is inflamed of itself, as moist hay will be kindled of itself. In hot and fenny countries, these lights are often seen, and where as is abundance of such unctuus and fat matter, as about churchyards where through the corruption of the bodies there buried, the earth is full of such substance, wherefore in churchyards, or places of common burial, oftentimes are such lights seen, which ignorant & superstitious fools, have thought to be souls tormented in the fire of purgatory. In deed the devil hath used these lights (although they be naturally caused) as strong delusions to captive the minds of men, which fear of the Pope's purgatory, whereby he did open injury to the blood of Christ, which only purgeth us from all our sins and delivereth us from all torments, both temporal and eternal, according to the saying of the wise man, the souls of the righteous are in the hands of God, and no torment toucheth them. But to return to the lights in which, there are yet two things to be considered. First, why they lead men out of their way. And secondly, why they seem to follow men and go before 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, and then being once but a little out of their way, they wander they wot not whether, to waters, pits, & other very dangerous places. Which, when at length they hap the way home, will tell a great tale, how they have been lead about by a spirit in the likeness of fire. Now the cause why they seem to go before men, or to follow them, some men have said to be the moving of the air by the going of the man, which air moved, should drive them forward if they were before, and draw them after, if they were behind. But this is no reason at all, that the fire which is oftentimes, three or four miles distant from the man that walketh, should be moved to and froo by that air which is moved through his walking, but rather the moving of the air & the man's eyes, causeth the fire to seem as though it moved, as the Moon to children seemeth, if they are before it, to run after them: if she be before them, to run before them, that they can not overtake her, though she seem to be very near them. Wherefore these lights rather seem to move, then that they be moved in dead. ¶ Of Helena, Castor and Pollux. WHen the like substance in the lowest region of the air, over the Sea by the like occasion is set on fire, if it be one only, it is called Helena, if there be two, they are called Castor and Pollux. Helena, Castor, Pollux. These impressions will oftentimes cleave to the mast & other parts of the ships, by reason of the clammynes and fatness of the matter. Helena was of the Heathen men, taken as a Goddess the daughter of jupiter and Leda▪ Castor & Pollux, were her brethren. Helena was the occasion that Troy was destroyed, therefore the Mariners by experience trying that one flame of fire apearing alone, signified tempest at hand, supposed the same flame to be the goddess Helena, of whom they looked for nothing but destruction. But when two lights are seen together, they are a token of fair wether, & good luck, the Mariners therefore believed, that they were Castor and Pollux, which sailing 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 give good success to them that sail, as we read in the last chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, that the ship wherein S. Paul sailed, had a badge of Castor and Pollux. A natural cause why they may thus foreshow either tempest or calmness, 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 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 the thick matter of tempest is dissolved & scactered abroad by the same cause that this is divided. Therefore not without a reason, the Mariner to his mates may promise a prosperous course. ¶ Of flames that appear upon the hears of men or beasts. THere is yet another kind of fiery impression, which is flames of fire upon the hears of men and beasts, Flames upon hears of men & beasts. especially horses. These are sometime clammy Exhalations, scattered abroad in the air in small parts, which in the night by resistance of the cold, are kindled, cleaving on horses ears, on men's heads & shoulders that ride or walk. In that they cleave upon hears, it is by the same reason, that the dew will be seen also upon hears or garments, whose will is high, as fryese mantles and such like. Another sort of these flames, are caused, when men's or beasts bodies being chaffed, sand forth a fat & clammy sweat, which is in like manner kindled as the sparks of fire that are seen when a black horse is curred. Livius reporteth of Servius Tullius, Livius. Servius Tullius. the as he lay asleep, being a child, his hear seemed to be all on a flame, which for all that did not burn his hear, or hurt him. The like history he reciteth of one Marius, 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, & he himself not ware of it. Thus much concerning these flames.. ¶ Of Comets or blazing Stars. A Comet is an Exhalation, Comets or blaesinge stars. hot & dry, 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 tail, and sometime is moved after the motion of the air, which is circular, but it never goeth down out of the compass of sight, thought 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 yet perceived, but at the lest it endured seven days, but much longer they have been seen, namely fowrtye days long, yea, lxxx. days, and some six months together. Wherefore, it must needs be a wonderful deal of matter, that can give so much nourishment, for so great and fervent fire, and for so long a tyme. There are considered in a Comet, specially the colour & fashion, which both arise of the disposition of the matter. Their colours, be either white, ruddy, or blewe. 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 blue, like the burning of Brimstone. And as the matter is more and less, after this disposition: so is the Comet of colour, more or less like to these three principal colours, some yelowyshe, some duskish, some grenishe, some watchet etc. In fashion are noted three differences, for either they seem round, which beams round about, or with a beard hanging downward, or else with a tail stretched out sydelong, in length. The first fashion, is when the matter is thickest in the midst, and thin round about the edges. The second is, when the Exhation is upward thick, and in length downward also, meanly thick. The third form is like the second, saving that the tail hangeth not down, but lieth aside, & is commonly longer than the beard. The time of their generation is oftenest in Autumn or harvest. The temper of the 4. quarters. For in the spring, there is to much moisture, and to little heat, to gather a Comet. In summer, is to much heat, which will disperse and consume the matter, that it can not be joined together. As for winter, it is clean contrary to the nature if a Comet, which is whoat & dry, winter being cold and moist, therefore no time so meet as Autumn. Now for so much as many learned men, have gone about to declare the signification of blazing stars, The signification of Comets. we will omit nothing that hath any shadow of reason, but declare what is written of them. Such things as are set forth of that betokening of Comets, are of two sorts: the first is of natural, the second of civil or politic effects. They are said to betook drought, barynes of the earth & pestilence. Drought, because a Comet can not be generated without great heat, & much moisture is consumed in the burning of it. Barrines, because the fatness of the earth, is drawn up, whereof the Comet consists. Pestilence, forsomuch as this kind of Exhalations, corrupteth the air, which infecteth the bodies of men & beasts. The second sort, might well be omitted, saving that Aristotle himself, Arist. 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 followed, great & notable calamities. Beside this, they be token (saith some) wars seditions, changes of comen wealths and the death of Princes and noble men. For what times Comets do shine, there be many hot & dry Exhalations in the air, which in dry men kindle heat, whereby they are provoked to anger, of anger cometh brawling, of brawling fight & war, of war victory, of victory change of common wealths. Then also Princes, living more delicately than other men, are more subject to infection, therefore die sooner than other men. If it were lawful to reason of this sort, we might induce them to betoken, not only these few things, but all other things the chanse in the world. Yet these predictions have a show of reason though it be nothing necessary: but it is a world to see how the Astrologians, dote in such devices. They are not ashamed, to an earthly substance, to ascribe an heavenly influence, and in order of judgement 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 fooly, hath been sufficiently detected by diverse godly and learned men, and this place requireth 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 aperitions. ¶ Of Apparitions. AN Aparition, Apparitions. is an Exhalation in the lowest or highest region of the air, not verily burning, but by refraction of light, either of the sun or the Moon, seemeth as though it burned. Which appearance of colour, riseth not of the mixtion of the four qualities, as it doth in bodies perfectly mixed, as herbs, stones etc. But only of the falling of light upon shadow. The light is in stead of white, and the shadow or darkness in stead of black. These diversely mixed according to the diverse disposition of the exhaelation, which ministereth variety by thickness or thinness, cause diverse colours. There be commonly recited three kinds of fiery apparitions. ¶ Colours, wide gapinges, and deep hooles, which appear in the clouds. ¶ Of colours. Colours are hear meant, Colours in the air when there is nothing else to be noted, but the colours of the clouds, 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 yealowish, when the Exhalations is thicker, some ruddy, when it is meanly thick, and very black when it is very thick. The red and ruddy colours are seen, only in the morning and evening, when the light of the sun is not in his full force, for at other times of the day, his light is to vehement, clear, strong, and piercing. This much of colours. ¶ Of wide gaping. Wide gaping is caused, Wide gaping of clouds in the air. when an Exhalation is thick in the midst, & thin on the edges, them the light being received into it, causeth it to appear as though the sky did rend, & fire break out of it. ¶ Of round opening Hiatus. THese holes called Hiatus, differ from wide gapinges, Round opening in the air. in nothing, but that they be less, & 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 in dead. Therefore let this be sufficient to have showed the natural causes of all fiery Meteores. ❧ The third Book of airy impressions. Under the name of airy impressions, be comprehended, such Meteores, whose matter is most of the air. Of this sort be winds, earthquakes, thunder, lightnings stormewyndes, whirlewyndes, circles, raynbowes, the white circle, called of some watling street, many suns many moans ¶ Of winds. THe wind is an Exhalation hot and dry, Wind. drawn up into the air by the power of the sun, & by reason of the weight thereof being driven down, is laterally or sidelongs carried about the earth, & this definition is to be understanded, of general winds, the blow over all the earth, or else some great regions, but beside these, there be particular winds, which are known but only in some countries, & then not very large, The second kind of winds. these winds oftentimes have another manner of generation. And that is on this manner. It must needs be confessed, the within the globe of the earth, be wondered great holes, caves, or dungeons, in which when air abondeth (as it may by diverse causes) this air, that cannot abide to be pined in, findeth a little hole in or about those countries, as it wear a mouth to break out of: & by this means, bloweth vehemently, yet the force & vehemens extendeth not far, but as the wind that cometh forth of bellows, near the coming forth, is strong, but far of, is not perceived: So this particular wind, in the country, where it breaketh forth, is very violent & strong, in somuch, that, it overthroweth both trees, & houses, yet in other countries, not very far distant, no part of that boisteous blast is felt. Wherefore this wind differeth from the general winds, both in qualities & substance or matter, for the matter of them is an Exhalation, and the qualities such as the nature of the Exhalation is, very airy, but not air in dead: but of this particular wind, the matter and substance is most commonly air. There is yet a third kind of wind, the third kind of wind. which is but a soft gentle and cool moving of the air, and cometh from no certain place (as the general 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 cometh whisking suddenly, very pleasant in the heat of the summer, and ceaseth by and by. This properly is no wind▪ but a moving of the air by some occasion. As for the general winds, they blow out of diverse 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, the qualities of the winds and the fow● quarters of the world. is hot and moist, the Western blast, agreeing with the waters property is cold and moist. The north that never was warmed with the heat of the sun, being cold and dry, partaketh the conditions of the earth. The middle winds have middle & mixed qualities after the nature, of those four principal winds more or less, the quality of middle winds as they incline toward them more or less. Generally the profit of all winds, the profit of wind. by the wonderful wisdom of the eternal God, is wonderful great, unto his creatures. For besides that these winds, altar the weather, some of them bringing rain, some dryness, some frost and snow, 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 putrefy, and being putryfied, would be a deadly infection to all that hath breath upon the earth. Wherefore this wind whose sound we hear, joan. 3. and know not from whence it cometh nor whether it goeth (for who can affirm from whence it was raised, or where it is laid down) as all other creatures beside doth teach us, the wonderful and wise providence of God, that we may worthily cry out, with the Psalmist, & say: O Lord, how manifold are thy words, Psal. 104. in wisdom hast thou made them all, etc. Let this be sufficient, to have showed the generation of the winds. ¶ Of earthquakes. AN earthquake, Earthquakes. is a shaking of the earth which is caused by means of wind and Exhalations, that be enclosed, with in the caves of the earth, and can find no passage, to break forth, or else so narrow a way that it can not be soon enough delivered. Wherefore, with great force, and violence it breaketh out, and one while shaketh the earth, another while rendeth and cleaveth the same, sometime it casteth up the earth, a great height into the air, and some time it causeth the same, to sink a great depth down, swallowing both cities, and towns, yea and also mighty great mountaignes, leaving in the place where they stood, nothing but great holes of an unknown depth, or else great lakes of waters. ¶ Of diverse kinds of earthquakes. Diverse authors write diversly, of the kinds of earthquakes, diverse 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 earth, that it trembleth as a man that hath a fit of an ague, and doth no more harm, but if it be great and violent, it looseth the foundations of all bydinges, be they never so strong, and overthroweth whole cities, but specially that great buildings, and not only buildings, but some time also casteth down great hills, ihat cover and overwhelm, all the valley 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 beautiful cities, and most sumptuous buildings in all Asia, were overthrown and utterly destroyed with any earthquake. How often, Antiochia, yea within short time, was destroyed, they which have red the histories, can testify. How terrible was the earthquake, that shook Constantinople a whole year together, Constantinople the chiefest city of Grece now the Turks palace. that the Emperor, & all the people, were feign to dwell abroad in the fields, under tents & pavilions for fear their houses would fall on their head, it is recorded in Chronicles, & worthy to be remembered. The second kind is, The second kind. when the earth 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 hoist 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, and towns, with castles, and towers, Earthquake on the sea. hills 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, until the time of tide or flood returning, covered the place with waters again. But in the land, where this earthquake swalloweth up any city, or country, there appeareth nothing in the place thereof, but a marvelous wide and deep gulf, or hole. Aristotle maketh mention of divers places, Aristot. and regions that were overthrouwen with this kind of earthquake. The fourth kind, The fourth kind. is when great mountains are cast up out of the earth, ere else when some part of the land sinketh down, and in stead thereof arise rivers, lakes, or fierce, breaking out which smoke and ashes. It causeth also overflowyngs of the sea, when the sea bottom, is lifted up, and by this means, arise many Islands in the sea, New Islands in the sea. that never were seen before. These and other such miracles, are often to be found in the writers of histories, also in the Philosophers, as Aristotle, Arist. Seneca, Seneca. and Plinius. Plinius. Nevertheless, the effects of some, as most notable it shall not be unprofitable to recite. Plato in his Dialogue, Plato. entitled Timens, maketh mention by the way of a wonderful earthquake, A wonderful earthquake. whereby not only Africa was rend asunder from Europa and Asia (as it is indeed at this day, Africa. Europa. Asia the three parts of the earth except a little neck by the red Sea,) the Sea entering between them that now is called Mare mediterraneum: Mare mediterraneum because it goeth through the midst of the earth. But also a wonderful great Island, which he affirmeth, was greater than Aphrica and Asia both, called Atlantis, Atlantis. an Island. was swallowed up, and covered by the waters, in so much, that on the Sea called Atlanticum, for a great while after, no ship could sail, by reason that the same huge sea, by resolution of the earth of that mighty Island, was all turned into mud. The famous isle of Scicilia was also some time a part of Italy, and by earthquake rend asunder from it. Seneca maketh mention of two Islands. Seneca. thereon and Therea, thereon & Therea. that in his time, first appeared. It should seem both by Aristotle, Arist. and also by Herodotus, Herodotus. that Egypt, in ancient time, was a gulf of the sea, Egipsom time a gulf of the sea. and by earthquake made a dry land. During the reign of Tiberius' the Emperor, twelve notable cities of Asia, were overthrown in one night, etc. ¶ How so great winds come to be under the earth. THe great caves and dens of the earth, must needs be full of air continually, but when by the heat of the son, the moisture of the earth is resolved, many Exhalations are generate as well within the earth, as without, & where as the places were full before, so that they could receive no more exepte part of that which was in them nor let out, in such countries, where the earth hath few pores, or else where they be stopped, with moisture, 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 the signs and tokens that go before an earthquake most commonly. THe first is the raging of the sea, when there are no tempestuous winds, The signs of an earthquake. to stir it, yea when the air is most calm without winds. The cause why the Sea than 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 sign is calmness of the air, and cold, which cometh to pass by reason that the Exhalation, that should be abroad, is within the earth. The third sign, is said to be, a long thine struck of a cloud seen, when the sky is clear, after the setting of the son. This (say they) is caused, by reason that the Exhalation or vapour, which is the matter of clouds, is gone into the earth Other affirm that it is the Exhalation that breaketh out of some narrow hole of the earth, out of which the rest of the wind cannot issue, neither will it weight the time, wherefore within a while after, it seeketh and maketh itself by sudden eruption a broader way to be delivered out of prison. Also the sun certain days before it, appeareth dim, because the wind, that should have purged and dissolved the gross air, that causeth this dimness, to our eyes, is enclosed within the bowels of the earth. The water in the bottom of deep wells, is troubled, and the savour thereof infected, because the pestilent Exhalations that have been long enclosed, within the earth do them begin a little to be sent abroad. For thereof cometh it, that in many places where earthquakes have been, great abundance of smoke, flame, & ashes, is cast out, when the abundance of brimstone that is under the ground, through violent motion is set on fire, & breaketh forth Finally, who knoweth not, what stinking minerals and other poisonous stuff doth grow under the earth? wherefore it is no wonder if well water, before an earthquake, be infected, but rather it is to be marveled, if after an earthquake, there follow not a grievous pestilence, when the whole mass of infection is blown abroad. Last of all, there is hard before it, in the time of it, & after it, a great noise and sound under the earth, Thundering under the earth. a terrible groaning, and a very thundering, yea sometimes when there followeth no earthquake at all, when as the wind without shaking of the earth, findeth a way to pass out at. And these for the most part, or at lest some of them, are forewarnings that the most fearful earthquake will follow, than the which there is no natural thing, that bringeth men into a greater fear. Cato was very curius to confess himself, Cato. that he repented, that ever he went by water, where 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, Thunder. caused in the clouds by the breaking out of a hot & dry Exhalation, beating against the edges, of the cloud. It is often heard in spring & summer, by reason that the heat of the son, them draweth up many Exhalations, which meating in the middle region of the air, which cold & moist vapours, are together with them, enclosed in an hollow cloud, but when the hot Exhalation cannot agree which the coldness of the place, by this strife being driven together, made stronger and kendled, it will needs break out which sudden & violent eruption, causeth the noise which we call thunder. A similitude is put by great authors of moist wood, a similitude. the cracketh in the fire, we may add here unto the breaking of an egg in the fire, of an apple, or any like thing, for whatsoever holdeth & withholdeth, enclosed any hot wind, so that it can have no vent, it will seek itself a way, by breaking the skin, shell or case. It were no ill comparison to liken thunder to the sound of a gone, which be both caused of the same or very like causes. The sound of thunders is diverse, after which, men have divided the thunders into diverse kinds. diverse kinds of thunder. Making first ij. sorts, that is, small thunder & great. But as for the diversity of sounds, generally it cometh of the diverse disposition of the clouds, one while having more holes then at another, sometime thicker in one place then in another. The small or little thunder is, Small thunder and the kinds thereof when the exhalation is driven from side to side, of the cloud, making a noise, & either for the small quantity, & less forcibles, or else for the thickness of the clouds walls, is not able to break them, but rombleth up & down within the cloud, whose sides are stronger than the force of the exhalation is able to break, it runneth up & down within, & striking against the cloud & moist sides, maketh a noise not unlike to the quenching of hot iron in cold water. And if the Exhalation be meanly strong, and the cloud not in all places of like thickness, it breaketh out at those thin places which such a bussing, 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, than it bloweth out with like puffing as wind cometh out of a pair of bellows. A great thunder, is when the Exhalation is much in quantity, Great thunder and the kinds thereof. and very hot and dry in quality, the cloud 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 fearful rambling against the sides of the cloud, until 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 resolved, droppeth down, and then followeth a shower of rain. otherwiles it shaketh the cloud, not long, but straightway rendeth it a long space & time, whose sound is like the rending of a broad cloth, which noise continueth a pretty while. And sometime it discusseth the cloud at once, making a vehement and terrible crack like a gone, 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 Paul's church in London was set on fire, as it hath been once or twice before, and burned. The noise of thunder though it be great in such places over which it is made, How far thunder is hard. yet is it not hard far of, especially against the wind. Whereof we had experience also in the year of our Lord, 1561. on saint Mathyes day in February, at the evening, when there was a great flash of lightnings, and a very terrible crack of thunder following, they that were but xv. 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 shower 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 piercing the air, causeth it to be much th'inner, which may be verified by an history that Plutarch in the life of T. Quincius Flaminius, Plutarchus T. Quincius Flaminius. reporteth, that there was such a noise made by the Grecians after their liberty was restored, that the birds of the air that flew over them were seen to fall down, by reason that the air divided by their cry, was made so thin, that there was no firmity, or strength in it to bear them up. And let this suffice for thunder, whom lightning succeadeth in treaty, that seildome is from it in nature. ¶ Of lightning. Among the diverse kinds of lightning, Lightning which writers in this knowledge do number, we shall entreat only of four kinds, yet so, that under these four, all the rest may be comprehended. The names we must borrow of the latin tongue. The first is Fulgetrum, The second Coruscatio, the third Fulgur the fourth, Fulmen. Fulgetium, Coruscatio, Fulgur, Ful●●● ¶ Of Fulgetrum. FVlgetrum we call that kind of lyghtening which is seen on summer nights and evenings, Fulgetrun after a hot day. 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 meat with the cold, either of the night in the lowest region, or else of the air in the middle region, & so by resistance of contraries (as it hath been oft before rehearsed) they are beaten back, and with the vehement moving set on fire. This lightning commonly goeth out in the air, terrible to behold, not hurtful to any thing. Except somtim when the matter of it is, earthy & gross, being stricken down to the earth, it blasteth corn, and grass, with other small hurt. Sometime it setteth a barn or thacked house on fire. The colour of this lightning, The colour of this lightning. as of all other, is diverse, partly according to the matter, & 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, which is a token that the matter is wonderful thick and gross. Old wives are, wont to say that no night in the year, except one passeth without lightening, but that is as true as the rest of their tales, whereof they have great store. ¶ Of Coruscation. COruscation is a glistering of fire, Coruscation. rather than fire in dead, and a glimmering of lightning, rather than lightning itself. which is ij. manner of ways, one way, when clouds that be lower than the upper part of the earth, without the compass of our sight, are inflamed, & 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 persuaded 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 an other, if lightning or any other inflammation be in the upper part of these clouds, the light of them pierceth through the lower parts, as through a glass, and so appeareth as though it lightened, when perhaps it did lighten in dead, yet that which we saw, was but the shadow thereof. And this is often without thunder. ¶ Of Fulgur. FVlgur is that kind of lightning which followeth thunder, Fulgur. whereof we have spoken before. For when that violent Exhalation breaketh forth, making a noise as it beateth against the sides of the cloud, with the same violence, it is set on fire, and casteth a great light, which is seen, far and near. And although the lightning appear unto us, a good preaty while before the thunder clap be hard, The lightning is not before the thond. though it seem so. yet is it not caused before the noise if any thunder at all do 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 moving of the sound unto our ears and hearing. These three kinds of lightnings, are more fearful than hurtful, but the fourth seldom passeth without some damage doing. ¶ Of the fourth kind called Fulmen THe most dangerous, violent, & hurtful, kind of lightning is called Fulmen, whose generation is such, as followeth. What time, a hot Exhalation, is enclosed in a cloud, and breaking the same, bursteth forth, it is set on fire, and with wonderful great force stricken down toward the earth: The crack of thunder, that is made when this lyghtening breaketh out, is sudden, short, and great, like the sound of a gone. And often times a great stone is blown out, with it, which they call the thunder bolt, The thunderbolt cast out of the clouds. which is made on this manner. In the Exhalation, which is gathered out of the earth, is much earthy matter, with clottering together by moisture, being clammy by nature, consisting of brimstone and other metallycke substance, by the excessive heat, is hardened as a brick is in the fire, and with the mighty force of the Exhalation, strongly cast toward the earth, and striketh down steeples, and high buildings of stone, and of wood, passeth through them and setteth them on fire, it cleaveth trees and setteth them on fire, and the stronger the thing be that resisteth it, the more harm it doth to it. Strongest things are most hurt of lightening. It is sharp pointed at one end, and thick at the other end, which is caused by reason, that the moister part, as heavier, goeth to the bottom of it. So is the top small, and the bottom thick. Men write that the thunderbolt goeth never above five foot deep, when it falleth upon the earth, How deep thunder bolt goeth into the earth. which standeth with reason, both because the strength of it is weakened, before it come so near the ground, and also, because the continual thickness of the earth, breaketh the force, were it never so great. Both Aristotle, Seneca and Plinius, Aristot. Plinius. Seneca. divide this lightning into three kinds. ¶ Of the first. THe first is dry, which burneth not, Dry lightning. to be felt but divideth, and pierceth with wonderful swiftness. For being subtile and pure, it passeth through the pores of any thing, be they never so small, and such things, as give place unto it, it hurteth not, but such things as resisteth, it divideth and pierceth. For it will melt money in men's purses, the purses being whole, & unharmed. Yea, it will melt a sword in the scabbard, Money melted in men's purses & swords in scabbards and not hurt the scabbard at al. A wine vessel it will cleave, and yet the wine shallbe so dull, that by the space of three days it will not run out. It will hurt a man's hand and not his glove. It will burn a man's bones within him to ashes, and yet his skin and flesh shall appear fair, as though nothing had comen to him. Yea otherwhile the whole man in the moment of an hour, shallbe burned to ashes, where as his clothes, shall not seem to have been touched. It will also kill the child in the mother's belly, & not hurt the mother. And all because the matter is very subtile, and thin, burning, and passing through whatsoever it be, that will not give it free passage. ¶ Of the second kind. THe second kind is moist, and because it is very thin, Moist lightning. it burneth not to ashes, but only blasteth, or scorcheth trees, corn, and grass: and by reason of the moistness, Why it maketh black. it maketh all things black, that it cometh near, as moist wood burning, is smoky and maketh things near it to be black & smoky. ¶ Of the third kind. THe third kind is most like our comen fire, Gross lightning. that we have here on the earth of gross and earthly substance, wherefore it leaveth a print where it hath been, or else consumeth it into ashes, if it be such a body as will be burned with fire. ¶ Of the maruayls of Lightning and their causes. BEside the wonderful effects of lightning, The marvels of lightning that have been already remembered, there be many other which hereafter ensue, with the reason and causes unto them belonging, as thus. The nature of lightning is, Light poisoneth. to poison beasts that are stricken therewith, as though they had been bitten by a serpent. The cause of this is, that the matter of lightning, is much infected with brimstone, and other poisonous metallike substances, which will poison the rather in lightning, because it is thin & giveth them passage into every part of the body. It is notable, that Seneca writeth, how wine vessels of wood being burned with lightning, Senecae. Wine not ronning 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 clammynes of the wine, is drawn to the outward moste 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 poison wine, in so much that they which drink thereof, shall either be mad or die of it. The cause hereof was set forth before. Lightning that striketh a poisonous beast purgeth it from the poison, Lightning purgeth a poisonous beast. in so much that it causeth a serpent or snake which it killeth, to bread worms, which otherwise it would not do, but being purged from the natural poison by the swift piercing of the lightning: nothing letteth, but that it may bread worms, A snake breadeth no worms. as all other corrupt flesh will do. If lightning strike one that sleepeth, it openeth his eyes, and of one that waketh, it shutteth the eyes. Lightning openeth his eyes that sleepeth & closeth his that waketh. The cause is this, that it waketh him that sleepeth, and killeth him before he can close his eyes again. And him that waketh, it so amasseth, that he wynketh, as he will do at any sudden chance, so he dieth before he can open his eyes again. All living things, turn their face toward the stroke of the lightning, living things turn their face toward lightning. because it is their nature, to turn their head if any thing come suddenly behind them. The rest that have their face toward it, when it cometh, never turn before they be killed. The reason why it killeth the child in the mother's womb, not hurting the mother, is the tenderness of the one, and the strength of the other, when the lightning is not vehement, otherwise both should die together. Sometime lightning burneth only the garments, Garments burned the body unhurt. shoes, or hear of men, not hurting their bodies, and then the Exhalation is nothing vehement. Some time it killeth a man & there appeareth no wound without, neither any hurt within, no not so much as any sign of burning: for then the Exhalation which being kindled is called lightning is wonderful subtle and thin, so swiftly passing through that it leaveth no mark or token behind it. They that behold the lightning, are either made blind, or their face swelleth, or else become lepers, Lightning causeth blindness swelling or leprosy for that fiery Exhalation, received into the pores of their face and eyes, maketh their face to swell, and break out into a leprosy, and also drieth up the Crystalline humour of their eyes, so that consequently they must needs be blind. Eutropius showeth, Eutropius. that the same day in which Marcus Tullius Cicero, M. Tullius Cicero. was borne, a certain virgin of Rome riding into Apulia, Apulia. was stricken with lightning, so that all her garments being taken from her without any rending, she lay stark naked, the lasing of her breast being undone, & her hose garters untied: yea, her bracelets collars and rings, being also loosed from her. Likewise her horse lay dead with his bridle and girtes untied. The places of them that are burnt with lightning are colder than the rest of their bodies, The wounds of lightning cold other because the greater heat draweth away the lesser, or else because, that by the great violence the vital heat is quyghte extinguished in that place. The sea Calf is never hurt with lightning, Sea calf not hurt with lightning. wherefore the Emperors tents, were wont to be covered with their skins. The Bay trees, and box trees, are never or seldom stricken with lightning. Bays & box seldom hurt with lightning. The cause of these may be, the hardness of their skin, which hath so few poor holes, that the Exhalation can not enter into them. The eagle also among fowls is not stricken with lightning, wherefore the poets feign, that the Eagle carrieth jupiters' armour, The Eagle jupiters' harness bearer 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 storm winds. A Storm wind, Storm winds. is a thick Exhalation violently moved out of a cloud without inflammation or burning. The matter of this storm, 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, & other effects The form or manner of the generation is such. When abundance of that kind of Exhalation is gathered together, within a cloud, which needs will have one way out or other: it breaketh the cloud, & causeth thunder, as it hath been taught before, but if the matter be very thick, and the cloud somewhat thin, then doth it not rend the cloud, but falling down, beareth the cloud before it, and so is carried as an arrow out of a bow. It doth always go before a great sudden shower, for when the cloud is broken, the water must needs fall down. Also it is so gross, and so thick, that it darkeneth the air, and maketh all the lowest region of the air, to be in manner as a dark smoky cloud. It causeth tempest in the Sea, and wonderful great danger to them that bear sail, whom if it overtake, it bringeth to utter destruction. So sudden it is, that it can not be resisted with sudden help. So violent it is, that feeble force can not withstand it. Finally, it is so troublesome with thunder, lightening, rain and blast, besides these darkness and cold, that it would make men, at so near a pinch to be at their wits ends, if they wear not accustomed to such tumultuous tempest. Wherefore it wear profitable, to declare the signs that go before it, to the end, men might beware of it. But they are so comen 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 help if it be used in time, but no signs foreknown, can profit the dweller of the land, to keep his house from ruin, except it wear to save his life from the fall of this mansion. The sudden violence of this tempest to him, is more seldom times, but more incurable when it cometh then to the mariner, who hath some aid to look for, by his coming, the other if he escape with his life, may comfort himself, that he was near a great danger, & cast with himself to build up his house again. ¶ Of whirl winds. A Whirlwind, Whirl winds. is a wind breaking out of a cloud, rolling or winding round about, overthrowying that which standeth near it, and that which cometh before it, carrying it with him a fit in the air. It differeth from a storm 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, where as the storm bloweth a slope and sydelonges. Also a whirlwind in the moving divideth not itself abroad, and bloweth directly as the storm doth. And thirdly in the manner of the generation, for a storm doth always come out of one cloud, but a whyrlewind some time is caused by means of two contrary winds that meet together. In like manner, as we see in the streets of cities, where the wind is beaten back from two walls, meeting in the midst of the street, there is made a little whirlwind, which whisking round about taketh up the dust, or straws and bloweth it about after the very similitude of the great & fearful whirl wind. The reason of the going about, is this, that when the walls beat back the wind from them, which aboundeth in that place, and those winds, when they meet by reason of equal force on both sides, can neither drive one the other back again, nor yet pass through 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, until there be space enough in the air, the they may be parted asunder. The matter of a whirlwind, is not much differing from the matter of storm and lightning, that is an Exhalation hot and dry, breaking out of a cloud, in diverse parts of it, which causeth the blowing about▪ also it is caused as it hath been said, by two or more winds, blowing from diverse places, which may be of particular causes that hath been showeth before in the chapter of winds. The troubles of whirlewyndes. This tempest is noisome to man and beast, Sea and land, things living, and life lacking. For it will take up both men and beasts, stones and clods of earth, which when it hath borne a great way will not be so curtues as to set them down again, but negligently letteth them fall from a great height, or else violently throweth them down 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 pieces which other mischiefs beside. ¶ Of the fired whirl wind. Sometime a whirlwind, is set on fire within the cloud, fired whirlwind. and then breaking forth, flieth round like a great cartewhyle, terrible to behold, burning and overthrowing all dry things, that it cometh near, as houses, woods, corn, grass, and whatsoever else standeth in the way. It differeth not from a whirlwind, saving that it is kindled & set on fire, so appearing, else the generation of both is called one. ¶ Of Circles. THe Circle called Halon, is a garland of diverse colours that is seen about the sun, the Moon, or any other star specially about jupiter or Venus, Circles about the sun, the moon & other sters jupiter & Venus Planets. for their great brightness. It is called of the Greeks a compassed plat, of the latins a crown or garland. The matter wherein it is made, is a cloud of equal thickness, or thinness, coming directly under the body of the sun, the Moon, or other stars, into which the light of the heavenly body is received, and so appeareth round, because the star is round, or as a stone cast into the water, Circles in the water maketh many round circles, dilating in breadth, until the violence of the moving is ended: so is it in the air the light beams piercing it, causeth broad Circles to be delated, The colours of circles. which appear white, purple, black, red, green, blue, and other colours, according to the disposition of the clouds matter. The cause of such colours, is showed before in the peculiar treaty of colours. This circle is oftener seen about the Moon, then about the Sun, because the heat of the Sun draweth the vapours to high, where it can not be made. Also, because the night is a more quiet time then the day from wind, it is more often in the night, than in the day. seldom about other stars, because their light beams are to weak often to pierce a cloud, yet oftener about small sters then the Sun, because the light of the Sun, pierceth the cloud more forcively, then that this Halon can many times be cause. otherwiles it is seen about a candle, Circles about a candle. which must be in a very thick and gross air, of such proportionate thickness, that it may receive the light as the cloud doth from the stars, as in smoky places, or whotehouses. This kind of Circle, is sometimes like a rainbow, saving that it is a whole circle, unless the star under which it is caused, be not all risen, or else the cloud in which it is seen be not all come under the star, or after it hath come under some part thereof be dissolved from the rest. These Circles be signs of tempest, the signs of these circles. and winds, as witness both Virgile, and Aratus. Virgilius Aratus. poets. The wind shall blow from that quarter, where the circle first beginneth to break. The cause whereof is this, that the circle is broken, by the wind that is above, which is not yet come down towards us, but by this effect above, we may gather both that it will come, and also from what quarter. A great Circle about the Moon, betokeneth great cold and frost to follow after. Sign of frost. But if it vanish away and be dissolved altogether, it is a sign of fair weather. Sign of fair weather. If it be brooken in many parts, it signifieth tempest. Sign of tempest. If it wax altogether thicker, & darker it is a fore warning of rain. Sign of rain. One alone after Ptolomee, Ptolomeus. pure and white, vanyshing away by little & little, is a token of fair weather. Sign of fair weather. Two or three at once, portendeth tempest, if they be ruddy, they show wind to come, and toward snow, they seem as it were kroken and rocky. Being dark or dim, Sign of snow. they signify all these foresaid events, with more force and abundance, it is oftener caused in Autumn, and spring then in winter or summer, the cause is the temperateness of the tyme. The cause why it appeareth sometime greater, and sometime lesser, is in the qualititie of the matter, which as it is gross, or thin, will more or less be dilated, and stretched abroad, and also as some will have it, of the weakness of men's sight. Of which Aristotle bringeth an example in one Antipho, Arist. Antipho. which did always see his own image before him in the air, as in a glass, which he affirmeth to have been for the weakness of his sight beams, that could not pierce the air, so that they wear reflected again to himself. And thus much for Halone and the causes, signs, or tokens of it. ¶ Of the rainbow. THe rainbow, Rainbow is the aparition of certain colours in a cloud opposite against the sun, in fashion of half a Circle. Possidonius said, Possidonius. it was the suns looking glass, wherein his image was represented, and that the blewe coloured, was the proper colour of the cloud, the red of the sun, all the other colours of commixtion. It differeth manifoldly from Halone, for the rainbow is always opposite against the sun, but Halone is directly under it. They differ not only in place, but also in fashion, the rainbow, is but half a Circle, the Halon is a whole Circle. Likewise they vary in colour, for the rainbow is more dim and of purple colour, the Halone whiter and brighter. Also in continuance, for the rainbow may continued, longer, than Halone. The image of the rainbow may be seen on a wall, the sun striking through a six pointed stone, called Iris, a precious stone called iris. or any other Crystal of the same fashion, also through some glass window. Halone is seen about candles, in smoky places, as are baths & kychenes. The manner of the generation of the rainbow is such, there is opposite against the sun, a thick watery cloud, which is already resolved into dewy drops of rain, as (for a gross similitude) is seen on the potlidde when the water in the vessel hath sodden, A similitude. or is very hot, the lid will be all full of small drops of water, which come from the water in the vessel, first by heat resolved into smoke, after when it cannot go at large, it is resolved again. Wherefore upon such a cloud, the sun beams striking, as upon a smooth glass, do express the image of the sun unperfectly, for the great distance. Or else the sun beams, strike into an hollow cloud, where they are refracted or broken, and so cometh to the eyes of him the beholdeth the rainbow. The similitude thereof is seen, Similitude of the rainbow. when men sail or row in boats, the sun shineth upon the water, which casteth on the vessels side, the colours & image of the rainbow. Likewise water in an urinal held against the sun, receiveth the light & showeth colours on the wall. There be two kinds of rainbows, one of the sun, Rainbow of the sun another of the Moon, Rainbow of the Moon. the one by day, the other by night, the rainbow of the sun often, but of the Moon very seldom, in so much that it can be but twice at the most, in fifty years, and that when the Moon, is in the East or West, full in perfect opposition. It hath not been many times seen sense the writing of histories, yet some times and for the rareness, is taken for a great wonder. Yet is it in colour nothing so beautiful, as the suns, but for the most part, white, as milk, other diversities of colours are scant perceived. When it appeareth, it is said to signify tempest. The time of the rainbow, is often after the point of Autumn, both for the placing of the sun in competent lownes, and also for abundance of matters, seldom or never is the rainbow seen about the midst of summer. There may be many raynbowes at one time, yet commonly but one principal, of which the rest are but shadows, and images, the second shadow of the first, the third of the second, as appear by placing of their colours. It remaineth to show why it is but half a circle, or less, nevermore, and why the whole cloud receiveth not the same colours, that the rainbow hath. The cause of the first is, because the centre, or middle point of the rainbow, that is Diametrally apposite to the centre of the same, is always either in the Horrizon (that is the circle cutting of our sight of heaven by the earth) or under it. The cause why the whole cloud is not coloured, is because that in the midst the beams as strong, pierce through, but on the edges where they are weaker, they are reflected or refracted. Now for so much, as God made the rainbow a sign and Sacrament of his promise, some think it was never seen before the flood. Their reason may be this, that the earth after the first creation was then so fruitful, that it needed none, or very little rain, so that such dark clouds, wear not often gathered, the fruitful ground not so easily remitting his moisture, that then was fat and clammy, hard to be drawn up: so it might be that there was no rainbow before, as we cannot find that ever it rained before. But whether it were or not, it is certain, that then it became a Sacrament, where as it was none before, which when we behold, it behoveth us to remember, the truth of God in all his promises, to his glory and our comfort. ¶ The milk way called of some the way to saint james and Watling street. THe milk way, is a white circle seen in a clear night, the white circle seen in the night. as it were in the firmament, passing by the signs of Sagittarius and Gemini. The cause thereof, is not agreed upon among Philosophers, whose opinions I thought best to report, before I come to the most probable causes. First of all Pythagoras, Pythagoras. is charged with a Poetical fable, as though it had been caused by reason that the sun did once run out of his pathway, and burned this part whereof it looketh white. Other as Anaxagoras and Democritus, Anaxagoras, Democritus. said, that it was the light of certain stars, shining by themselves, of their own light, which in the absence of the sun, might be seen. But this opinion is also false, for the stars have no light of themselves, but of the sun, also if it were so, it should appear about other sterrs, Democritus is also reported to have said, that it was nothing else but innumerable little stars, which with their confuse light, caused that whiteness, to this opinion, Cordanus Cardane seemeth to subscribe. The poets have four fables of it, one that Phaeton, Phaeton. which on a time guided the Chariot of the sun, & wandering out of the way, did burn the place, wherefore of jupiter he was stricken down with lightening. The second, that it is the high street in heaven, that goeth straight to jupiters' palace, ovid. Meta. Pr. and both sides of it, the comen sort of Gods do dwell. The third, that Hebe, Hebe. one which was jupiters' Cupbearer, on a time, stumbled at a star, and shed the wine or milk, that was in the cup, which coloured that part of heaven to this day, wherefore she was pout out of her office. The fourth, that Apollo stood there to fight against the Giants, Apollo. which jupiter made to appear, for a perpetual memory. Theophrastus' a Philosopher affirmed, that it was the joining together, Theophrastus. or seem of the two half globes, which made it appear more light in that place then in other. Other said, it was the reflection of the shining light of fire, or star light, as it is seen in a glass, but than it should be movable. Diodorus, Diodorus affirmed, that it was heavenly fire, condensed or made thick, into a circle, & so became visible, whereas the rest for the pureness, clearness, and thinness, could not be seen. Possidonius whose mind to many seemeth very reasonable, Possidonius. said: it is the infusion of the heat of stars, which therefore is in a circle, contrary to the Zodiac, Zodiac. (out of which the sun never wandereth) because it might temper the whole compass with vital and lively heat. Although in my mind he hath rather expressed the final cause, than the efficient. Aristotle's opinion is, Arist. that it should be the beams of a great circle, which is caused by a cloud or Exhalation drawn up by those stars, which be called Sporades Sporades. This opinion of Aristotle's is misliked of most men, that have travailed in this science and worthily. For if it were of the nature of elements, as Exhalations are, it would be at length consumed. But this circle never corrupteth, therefore it is not of Exhalations. Also it neither increaseth or diminisheth, which is a plain proof, that it consisteth not of elemental matter. Although Aristotle seem to make a double circle, one celestial, another elemental. The last opinion is of them that say, it is of the nature of heaven, thick in substance then other parts of heaven be, having some likeness to the substance of the Moon, which being lightened by the same, as all the stars be, appeareth white. And this opinion I take to be the most probable, because that sentence of sterrelight seemeth not so reasonable to be only in that place, and not else where. The final cause of this milkewhyte circle, hath been already touched in the opinion of Possidonius, Possidonius whereunto also in Plinius in the xviij. book & xxix. chapter of his natural history agreeth, Plinius. affirming that it is very profitable, for the generation & fruitful increase of things that grow on the earth. The breadth of this circle The Mathematicians that have measured the breadth thereof, affirm that toward the north it passeth over the eclipticall line of the ninth sphere, from the xviij. degree of Gemini unto the second degree of Cancer which is xiii. degrees, & toward the South, from the viii. degree of Sagittarius to the xiii. degree of the same sign, & because it is there divided into ij. branches (as may easily be seen in a clear might) it reacheth from the xxiv. of Sagittarius to the second degree of Capricorn. This circle if it be of the nature of heaven, is unproperly placed among Meteores or impressions, but because of Aristotle's mind, who will have it to be an impression kindled, & their opinion which think it proceedeth of the light of stars it is not without good cause in this place entreated of. ¶ Of beams or streams of light appearing through a cloud. there is yet another kind of impression caused by the beams of the sun, Beams or streams. stricken through a watery cloud, being of unequal thines, the is thinner in one part than in another, so the it cannot receive the beams in any other form, than the they appear direct or slope downward, of divers colours, & the same the are the colours of the rainbow, though not so evident, because the reflection is not so strong. They vary in colours, some are more purple, or ruddy, when the cloud is thicker some yellow & whitish when the cloud is thinner, & so other colours are caused likewise, whereof you may read the proper causes 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 Lady's Assumption, because these thing are painted after such a sort. Other say that it is rain, striking down in another place, as though they could see the drops falling. And they are not altogether deceived, but in the time, for soon after it will rain, because this impression appeareth out of a watery cloud. They are called by diverse names, as rods, wands, cords of tents, unto which they are not much unlike, staves and little pillars, when they seem greater and thicker, many being joined together. The rain bow, the circles and these lyghtbeames, are all of one manner of generation, in so much that if you divide the circle, it shallbe a rainbow, if you draw it straight, in length, it maketh streams or beams. Herein they agree, namely in form and matter, but they differ in outward form, which we may call fashion, as the one is round, the other half round, & the third direct, straight or falling a slope. Also they differ in place, about which they stand, for streams are only about the sun, raynbowes about the son often, and seldom about the Moon, but circles both about the sun and the Moon, and also about any other of all the stars, yet rather and oftener about bright stars. To make an end of these streams, they appear diversly, after the fashion and place wherein the cloud hangeth in respect of the sun. For some time they are seen only in the edge of a cloud, all the breadth of that cloud. Sometime through the mids of a cloud, being th'inner there, then in other parts, and then they are spread round about like a tent or pavilion used in war. They are most commonly seen in such times, as there is great abundance of rain, which they, by their apparition do signify not yet to be ended. And thus much concerning direct light beams called rods etc. ¶ Of many Sons. Many Suns at once. IT is strange and marvelous to behold, the likelihood of that, which Alexander the great, Alexander the great. sending word to Darius, Darius. said to be impossible, that two sons should rule the world. But oftentimes, men have seen, as they thought in the firmament, not only two sons, but oftener three suns, and many more in number, though not so often appearing. These how wonderful soever they appear, proceed of a natural cause, which we will endeavour to express. They are nothing else but Idols, or Images of the sun, represented in an equal smooth and watery cloud, placed on the side of the sun, & sometime on both sides, into which the sun beams being received as in a glass, express the likeness of fashion & light, that is in the sun, appearing as though there were many suns, where as in deed there is but one, & all the rest are images. This thick & watery cloud, is not said to be under the sun, for than it would make the circles called crowns or garlands, it is not opposite to the sun, for them would it make the rainbow, but it is said to be on the side, where the imaꝑt may be best represented. Also it may not be to far of▪ for then the beams will be to feeble to be reflected neither yet to near, for if it so be the sun will disperse it. but in a competent & middle distance, for so representation of many suns is caused. They are most often seen, in the morning & evening, about the rising or going down of the sun, seldom at noonée time, or about the midst of the day, because the heat will soon dissolve them. Yet hath there been some seen, which began in the morning, & continued all the day long, unto the evening. Many small suns like stars Similitude. Sometimes there appear many little suns, like unto little stars, which are caused after the same sort, as we do see a man's face, to be expressed in all the pieces of a broken glass. So when the cloud hath many separations, there appear many suns, on one side of the true sun, sometimes great, and sometimes little, as the parts of the cloud separated are in quantity. They do naturally betoken tempest, and rain, The signification of many suns. to follow because they can not appear, but in a watery disposition of the air. Also if they appear on the Southside of the sun they signify a greater tempest then if they appear on the northside. The reason is alleged, because the Southern vapour is sooner resolved into water, then is the Northern. For a supernatural signification, they have often times been noted to have portended, the contention of Princes for kingdoms. As not long before the contention of Galba, Otho, and Vitellius, Galba, Otho, and Vitellius for the Empire of Rome, there appeared three suns. Also of late toward the slaughter of jews king of Hongary, were seen three sons, betokening three princes that contended for the kingdom, namely Ferdinando now Emperor, john vayvod, and the great Turk. ¶ Of many Moons. AFter the treaty of many suns, if wear not hard for any man, without farther instruction to know the natural cause of many Moons. Many Moons. For they are likewise Images of the Moon, represented in an equal cloud, which is watery, 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 shynning light, to drive away the shadow and darkness of the night. It were superfluous to write, more of their causes, or effects, which are all one with those, that have been declared of the suns. It may be doubted why the other stars do not likewise express their image, Why other sterrs are not so represented. in watery clouds, and so the number of them to our sight should be multiplied: it may be answered, that their light or beams, are to feeble, & weak to express any such similitude or likeness in the watery 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 apt to receive such apparition. It may be again objected that the stars have their image perfectly and sufficiently expressed in glasses, Objection. here on the earth, yea, and at the day time, when their light is either none or most feeble, & weak, as we see it is used at midsummer to behold that great star called Sirius, Syrius a great star seen at noon in Summer. in a glass even at noon days. Also we see every night, the image of the stars in calm and quiet standing waters, then what should let, but that their images might also be expressed in watery clouds. Hereto may be answered, An answer. that the let is in the cloud, which is neither so hard as is the glass, nor yet so continual as the water, but consisteth of innumerable small drops, so that except the light of the stars were stronger, it can in 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 like thing 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, & at the Moons rising, was ready also to receive her image. ¶ Of wonderful apparitions. WE will close this book, Wonderful apparitions. with a brief declaration of the natural causes, of many things, that are seen in that air, very wonderful & strange to behold, which in these later years, have been often seen and beheld, to the great admiration of all men, not without the singular providence of God, to forewarn us of many dangers, that hang over us, in these most perilous times. The aparition of which, as it is most wonderful, so the searching of the cause, to us is most hard & 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 mean or cause to procure them. And I truly, do acknowledge that they are sent of God as wonderful signs, to declare his power, & move us to amendment of life, in deed miraculus, but not yet so, that they want a natural cause. For if they be well weighed & 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 ahhorre the opinion of Epicures, to think that such things come by chance, but rather by the determined purpose of god's providence: so I consent not with them, that suppose when any thing is derived from any natural cause, God the chief and best cause of all things is excluded. Some of these wonderful apparitions consist of circles and rainbows, of diverse fashions & placings, as one with in another, the edge of one touching another, on dividing or going through another, with like placing of small circles, about great circles, or parts of small circles, some with the ends upward, some downward, some aside, & 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 strangeness somewhat fearful. Such a like apparition, is made with the suns or Moons images, joined unto these circles, set also in good & uniform order. The cause of these is the meeting together, of all those several causes, that make the circles, rain bowees, streams and images of the sun or moon, which joined altogether, make the wonderful sight of strange raynbowes, positions of circles, crosses, & diverse lights, which pertain to the knowledge of Optice and Catroptice, Optice Catroptice. that teach how by diverse refractions and reflections of beams, such visions are caused. So that he, which will know how they are generated, must return unto the several treatises of raynbowes, circles, streams, & images, of the sun or Moon, and if in them he find not knowledge sufficient, to instruct him, I must send him to the demonstrations of perspective, where he shall want nothing. Another sort of them, no less often beheld within these few years, then the former, but a great deal more strange and wonderful to look upon, are the sights of armies fight, in the air, of Castles, Cities, and Towns, with whole countries, having in them hills, valies, rivers, woods, also beasts, men, and fowls, monsters, of which there are no such kinds on the earth, and finally all manner of things and actions, that are on the earth, as burials, processions, judgements, combats, men, women, children, horses, crowns, arm of certain noble men, & countries, weapons of all sorts, sometimes stars, angels, as they are painted with the image of Christ crucified, besieging of castles and towns, many things and gesturs done by men or beasts, the very similitude of persons known to the beholders, as of late, was seen the very image of the Emperor Charles, insomuch that they which beheld it, put of their caps, thinking verily it had been he, & of John Frederick prince Elector of Saxon, who the time was prisoner with th'emperor. Also the image of small crosses, which hath been not only in the air, but also on the earth, on men's apparel, on dishes, platters, pots, & all other things so that the jews have been full angry, that they could neither wash, nor rub them out of their apparel. In Germany, also fierce and many such things, as it were long stories, seen in the air. All these wonderful 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 knowledge which is called Catoptrice, Catoptrice and so peradventure some of them have been caused, but the most part doubtless naturally, when the disposition of the air, hath been such, that it hath received the image of many things placed and done on the earth. And because it is apt to receive diverse images, as well in one place as in another, these monstrous forms and strange actions, or stories proceed of the joining of diverse forms and actions, as if two histories, were confusely painted in one, the whole picture would be strange or (as the Poet sayeth,) if a painter to a man's head, should set a horses neck, Horatius & after diverse feathers. Sometimes also, one image is multiplied in the air, into many or infinite, as are letters & crosses, which fill all the air, even beneath. And the light of the sun, received into little parts, maketh to appear, as it were many small stars. Let this suffice, concerning these wonderful apparitions: once again admonishing the Reader, though I have enterprised to declare these by natural reason, yet believing that not so much as on sparrow falleth to the ground, without God's providence, I do also acknowledge God's providence bringeth these to pass, to such end as before I have showed, using these causes, as means and instruments to do them. ❧ The fourth book of watery impressions. THose be watery impressions, that consist most of water. In the treaty of them, are wont to be handled, these impressions, namely clouds, rain, dew, door frost, hail, snow, springs, rivers and the great sea itself. ¶ Of clouds. A Cloud is a vapour cold and moist, Clouds. drawn out of the earth, or waters by the heat of the sun, into the middle region of the air, where by cold it is so knit together, that it hangeth until either the weight or some resolution cause 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 vapours 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 oftentime as Aristotle witnesseth, Arist. to be in the lowest region of the air, near to the earth, in so much that sometimes, they fall down to the earth, with great noise, to the great fear of men and no less loss and danger. Yet may it be reasonably thought, that these clouds were generated in the middle region of the air, far distant from the earth, which by their heaviness do by little and little sink down, lower into the lowest region, and sometimes also fall down to the earth. The comen opinion is, the height of the clouds. that they go not higher than nine mile, which because it leaneth to no reason is uncertain. Albertus Magnus, Albert Magnus. whose reason also is to be doubted of, affirmeth, that the clouds do scarce exceed three mile 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 other pretending to find out the truth by geometrical demonstrations, make it above 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 assign the lest distance, mean it from the highest part of the earth, as are hill tops, or from the comen plain. Again, whether they that assign the highest distance to be from the lowest valleys, of the earth, or from the hill tops. The reason before showed, moveth me to think that the most usual & comen generation, I mean the condensation or making thick of these thin vapours, 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 in. mile, sometime half a mile, & sometime less than a quarter of a mile from the earth. ¶ Of Mists. THere be two kinds of mists, Mists. the one ascending, the other descending. That which ascendeth, goeth up out of the water, or the earth as smoke, 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 vapour is lifted up into the air, by the heat of the sun, which not being strong enough to draw it so high, that the cold may knit it: suffereth it after it is a little made thick, to fall down again, so it filleth all the air with the gross vapours, & is called mists, being usually a sign of fair weather. Of empty clouds. THere be certain clouds, that are empty, Empty clouds. & send no rain, they come of ij. sorts. For one sort are the remnants of a cloud, that hath rained, which can not be converted into water, for their dryness. Another sort is of them, that are drawn up, of wet and dry places, and be rather Exhalations than vapours, that is they be day, hot, & light, so that it were hard for them to be turned into rain. They look white like flocks of woile, when the light striketh into them. There be also empty clouds, when the winds haus dispersed abroad, any cloud, they 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 watery, they may be and are often times, gathered together and give plentiful rain. Of the colours of clouds, The colour of clouds. we have spoken in the second book of fiery Meteors, where those colours and the causes of them, are described, which seem to be fyerye, or may be thought to be inflammations or burnings, as be red fiery and yealowysh. But beside those, there be white, black, blue, and green. white clouds be thin, and not very watery, so that the light received in them, maketh them to appear white. Black clouds be full of thick, gross, and earthily matter, that maketh them look so dark. Blue clouds be full of thick, gross, and earthly as the black, so the light received in them, maketh them to seem blue. Grene clouds are altogether watery, resolved into water, which receiving into them the light, appear green as water doth in a great vessel, or in the sea and rivers. ¶ Of Rain. AFter the generation of clouds is well known, it shall not be hard to learn, Rayne. from whence the rain cometh. For after the matter of the cloud being drawn up, and by cold made thick, (as is said before) heat following, which is most commonly of the Southern wind, or any other wind of hot temper, doth resolve it again into water, so it falleth in drops, to give increase of fruit to the earth, and move men to give thanks to God. There be small showers, of small drops, and there be great storms of great drops. The showers with small drops, proceed either of the small heat, that resolveth the clouds, or else of the great distance of the clouds from the earth. The streams with great drops, contrariwise, do come of great heat, resolving or melting the cloud, or else of small distance from the earth. Whereof we see an experiment when water is powered forth, from an high place, the drops are small, but if it be not from height, it will either have no drops or very great. The cause why rain falleth in roundroppes, is both, for that the parts desire the same form that the whole hath, which is round▪ & also that so it is best preserved against all contrary qualities, like as we see water, powered upon dry or greasy things to gather itself into roundels, to avoid the contrariety of heat and dryness. It is not to be omitted, that rain water although a great part of it be drawn out of the sea, yet most commonly it is sweet and not salt. why rain water is not salt. The cause is, because it is drawn up in such small vapours, and that salt part is consumed by the heat of the sun. The rain water doubtless, doth more increase and cherish things growing on the earth, them any other water where with they may be watered, because the rain water, retaineth much of the suns' heat in it, that is no small comfort to all growing plants. The water that cometh from heaven, in rain will sooner come to putrefaction, or stinking, than any other, because it hath been made very subtle by heat, and also for that it is mixed with so many earthly & corruptible substances. Rain water that falleth in the summer, by avicen's judgement, Avicen. is more wholesome than other water, because it is not so cold and moist as other waters be, but whotter and lighter. Sometime there is salt rain, Salt rain when some Exhalation which is hot & dry, is commixd with the vapour whereof the rain consists. Sometime it is bitter, Bitter rain. when sum burned earthly moisture is mixed with it. This rain is both unwholesome & also unfruictful. In these countries, there is great store & plenty of rain, because the sun is of such temperate heat, that it gathereth many vapours, & by immoderate heat doth not consume them. But in the East parts, in some hot countries, it never or seldom is seen to rain, as in Egypt & Syria, but instead of rain Egypt hath the river Nilus, The river Nilus. whose overflowings, doth marvelously fatten the earth. In Syria & other like countries, they have more plentiful dew, than we have, which doth likewise make their earth exceeding fruitful. Seneca testifieth, Seneca. that the rain soaketh no deeper into the earth them ten foot deep. ¶ Of the signs of Rain. FIrst if the sky be red in the morning, it is a token of rain, Signs of rain. because these vapours which cause the redness, will be shortly resolved into rain. If a dark cloud be at the sun rising, in which the sun soon after is hid, it will dissolve it, and rain will follow. If then appear a cloud and after vapours are seen to ascend up to it, that betokeneth rain. If the sun or Moon look pale, look for rain. If the sun in the East, seem greater then commonly he appeareth, it is a sign of many vapours which will bring rain. If the sun be seen very early, or few stars appear in the night, it be tokeneth rain. The often changing of the wynds, also showeth tempest. The most sure and certain sign of rain, is the southern wind, which with his warmness, always resolveth the clouds, into rain. When there is no dew at such times as by nature of the time, there should be, rain followeth, for the matter of the dew, is turned into the matter of watery clouds. If in the West about the sun setting, there appear a black cloud, it will rain that night, because that cloud shall want heat, to disperse it. When much dust is raised up, and when the woods make a great noise, some tempest is towards. Hard stones will be moist and sweat against rain, lamps, and candles, by sparcling, frogs crying, trees breaking, leaves falling, and dust clottering forewarn us of a tempest. Flees, flies and gnats, byght sore toward a tempest, kine feed greadely, birds seek their victuals more besilie, for in the gross air disposed to rain, their stomach is whoter and they more hungry. But these kind of signs pertain not so properly to meteorology, as to mariners and husbandry, which have a great many more than these. And Virgil in his first book of Georgikes, hath a great number for them, that list to learn. Wherefore let these hitherto suffice. ¶ Of monstrous or prodigious rain. Hitherto we have made mention only of natural rain, Of monstrous rain. & that which is common which no man doth marvel at. But there is sometime such rain, that worthily may be wondered at, as when it raineth, worms, frogs, fishes, blood, milk flesh, stones, wheat, iron, will, brick and quicksilver. For histories make mention, that at diverse times, it hath reigned such things, whose natural cause for the most part, we will go about to express, notwithstanding accounting them among such wonders, as God sendeth to be considered, for such ends, as we have before declared. Worms & frogs may thus be generated, Worms & frogs when fat Exhalations are drawn up into the air by a temperature of whott & moist, such vermyn may be generated in the air, as they are on the earth, without copulation of male & female. Or else that with the Exhalations & vapours, their seed & eggs 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. Milk. The vehement heat of the sun, in summer and specially in hot countries, draweth milk out of the paps of beasts & cattle, which being carried up in vapours and resolved again into milk, falleth down like rain. After the same manner the sun also from places where blood hath been spilled, draweth up great quantity of blood, Blood. & so it raineth blood. It raineth flesh, Flesh. when great quantity of blood being drawn up, it is clottered together and seemeth to be flesh. Avicen sayeth that a whole calf fell out of the air, Avicen. and some would make it seem credible, that of vapours and Exhalations with the power of the heavenly bodies, concurring, a calf, might be made in the clouds. But I had rather think, that this calf was taken up in some storm of whrlewynd, and so let fall again, them agree to so monstrous a generation. It is a great deal more reasonable, that stones of earthly matter gathered in clouds, Stones. should be generated as we have said before of the thonderbolt. Yet some men think, the wind in caves of the earth, breaking upward violently, carrieth before it, earth & stones into the air, which can long abide, but fall down and are counted among prodigius rain. Exhalations that be earthy and drawn out of clay, have much gross substance in them, Brycke. which gathered together, & by great heat burned in the clouds, make brick, which is no great marvel. He that hath seen an eggs shell full of dew, drawn up by the sun into the air, Wheat. in a May morning, will not think it incredible, that wheat & other grain, should be drawn up in much whotter countries than ours is, much rather the meal or flower which is lighter. A certain mossynes, like will, as is upon quinses, wool. willows, and other young fruits and trees, is drawn up of the sun, among the vapours and Exhalations, which being clottered together, falleth down like locks of wool. Quicksilver all men know, quicksilver. with small heat will be resolved into most thin vapours. Whereof when quantity is drawent up, it falleth down again. As it is red, 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, Chalk. T. Livius whereof the cause can not be hid to them, that read how stone and brick come into the air. Iron hath also rained out of the clouds, and sundry times, as histories witness. Iron. Whereof this hath been the cause. The general matter of all metals, with is quicksilver, and brimstone, which the special matter of mixtion, that maketh iron, wear all drawn up together, & there concocted into the metal, so came the strange rain of iron. Avicen sayeth, Avicen. he saw a piece of iron that fell out of the clouds, that weighed about an hundred pound weight, where of very good swords were afterwards made. ¶ Of Dew. Dew is that vapore, Dew. which in spring and Autumn, is drawn up by the sun in the day time, which because it is not carried into the middle region of the air, abiding in the lower region, by cold of the night, is condensed into water, and falleth down in very small drops. There is comen dew & sweet dew. One kind of the sweet dews, is called Manna, Manna. being whyghte like sugar, which is made of thick and clammy vapours, which maketh it so to fall thick and white. It falleth only in the East parts. As for that Manna which God reigned to the Israelites was altogether miraculous. In Arabia (as Plinius writeth) is a very precious kind of dew, Plinius. Arabia that is called Laudanum, Ladanun. which falling upon the herb Cusus, Cusus. & mixed with the juice of that herb which goats do eat, is gathered of goats hears and kept for a great treasure. There is another kind of sweet dews, that falleth in England called the meldewes, which is as sweet as honey being of such substance as honey is, drawn out of sweet herbs & flowers. There is also a bitter kind of dew that falleth upon herbs, bitterdew and lieth on them like brann or meal, namely because it is of an earthly Exhalation, & so remaineth, when the moister is drawn away: this dew killeth herbs. The comen dew, drunk of cattle, tooth, rot them because the matter is full of viscosity, bringing them to a fluxion. There be three things, the hinder dew from falling, that is great heat, great cold, and wind. For dew falleth in the most temperate calm tyme. ¶ Of hoar frost. hoar frost or white frost, is nothing else but dew congealed by overmuch cold. Hoar frost The South and East wind, doth cause dew, but the North and Northern winds, do fryese the vapours, and so it becometh hoar frost, which if that excessive cold had not been, should have turned into dew. The dew and the hoar frost, agree in three things, namely in matter, in quality of time, and place of their generation. In matter they agree, for they are both generated of a subtle & thin vapour, also small in quantity. In quality of time they consent, for both are made in a quiet & calm time, for if there were great wind, it would drive away the matter, and so cold there be no generation. Thirdly they are both generated in the lowest region of the air, for (as Aristotle affirmeth) upon high hills, Arist. there is neither dew nor hoar frost. They differ also in three things. For the hoar 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 hoar frost. hoar frost doth often stink, because of the stinking matter whereof it consisteth, which is drawn out of lakes and other muddy and stinking places. ¶ Of Hail. Hail is a hot vapour in the middle region of the air, hail. by the cold of that region, made thick into a cloud which falling down to the sudden cold of the lowest region is congealed into Ise. There be so many kinds of hail, as there be of rain. The fashion of hail, 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 hail stones are square, or three cornered, the hail was generated near the earth. Often times, there is hard a great sound in the clouds, as it were of thunder, before hail, or as it were of an army fight etc. the cause is, that vapours of contrary qualities, being enclosed in the cloud, do strive to break out, & make a noise even as cold water doth put into a seething pot. In spring and harvest time, is often hail, seldom in summer and winter. In winter there wanteth hot vapours, in summer, the lowest region is to hot, to congeal the rain falling down. In spring and Autumn, there wanteth neither hot vapours, to resist the cold, nor sufficient cold to harden the drops of that hot shower of rain. The hailstones are sometimes greater, and sometimes lesser: greater with greater cold, and lesser with lesser cold. There is seldom hail in the night, for want of hot vapours to be drawn up. Sometime hail & rain, falleth together, when the latter end of the cloud for want of cold in the lowest region, is not congealed. Hail stones are not so clear, as Ice, because they are made of gross & earthy vapours, ice is congealed of clear water. hail is sooner resolved into water, than snow, because it is of a more sudden and swift generation. ¶ Of Snow. Snow is a cloud 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, in so many small parts as in some, or the whyghte of an egg beaten. snow is often upon high hills, & lieth long there, because their tops are cold as they be near to the middle region of the air. For oftentimes it raineth in the valley when it snoweth on the hills. snow melting on the high hills, and after frozen again, becometh so hard that it is a stone, & is called Crystal. Original of Crystal Other matters of snow because they are comen with rain, are needles to be spoken of. To be short, sléet is generated even as snow, but of less cold, or else beginneth to melt in the falling. snow causeth things growing to be fruitful, and increase, 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, Springs. & therefore something must be said of the body of the earth. The earth though it be solid and massy, yet hath it many hollow gutturs and veins, in which is always air to avoid emptiness. For the ignorant in Philosophy must be admonished, that all things are full, nothing is empty, Nothing is empty. for nature abhorreth emptiness, so that where nothing else is, there is air and vapours, which by cold as it hath often been said, will be resolved into drops, as we see experience in marble pillars & such like hard stones, towards rain. This air and vapours therefore being turned into drops of water, these drops sweet out of the earth, and find some issue at the length, where many being gathered together make great abundance of water, which is called a fountain or spring. The cause why such springs do run continually, is because that air can never want in those veins, which by cold will always be turned into water, so that as fast as the water runneth forth, so fast is air again received into the place, whereby it cometh to pass, that so many springs are perpetual, and never dried. But if any be dried up, it is in a hot summer, and such springs also they be, whose generation is not deep in the earth, & therefore the vapours may be made dry & the earth warm, so the spring may fail. ¶ There be four kinds of springs, fountains, brooks, rivers, & lakes. ¶ Of fountains. Fountains be small springs, Fountains. which serve for wells and conducts, when there is but one place, where the water is generated, and that is not very abundant, either because it is of small compass, or small veins and not many. ¶ Of Brookes. Brooks, Brooks. boornes, or fords, be small streams of water, that run in a channel, like a river. They are caused when either the spring occupieth a great compass, or else two or three small springs meat together in one channel. ¶ Of Rivers. Rivers. Rivers are caused by the meating together, not only of many springs, but also of many broocks & fords, which being received in diverse places, as they pass are at the length, carried into the broad sea, for the most part. Howbeit some rivers are swallowed up into the earth, which perchance run into the sea by some secret and unknown channels, some rivers there be, that hide their heads under the earth, and in another place, far of break out again. They write also, that some rivers being swallowed up of the earth, in one Island do run under the bottom of the earth & sea, and break forth in another Ilonde. There be also many great rivers that run under the earth in great caves which never break forth. Aristotle showeth of ponds & lakes, Arist. that be under the earth. And Seneca speaketh of a pond that was found by such as digged in the earth, Seneca. with fishes in it, & they that did eat of them died. As éeles the be found in dark places, as wells that have been dammed up etc. are poison. ¶ Of Lakes. LAkes are made by the meeting together of many rivers, Lakes. brooks & springs into one deep valley. Whereof some are so great, that they have the name of seas, as the great 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 swiftness of rivers, is double, for they are swift either for the great abundance of waters, or else because they run down from an hilly place, as the river Rhine falleth down from the top of wonderful high hills. ¶ Of hot baths. SOme waters that are generated and flow out of veins of brimstone, Hot baths. are sensibly warm, and some very whott, because they run out of hot places. These waters being also drying by nature, are wholesome for many infirmities, specially breaking forth of scabs. etc. Such are the baths in the West country, and S. Ann. of Buckstones well in the North part of England and many other else where. ¶ Of the diverse tastes that are perceived in wells. FOr a general reason, the waters receive their taste of that kind of earth, Tastes of waters. through which they run as through a strainer. Some salt, that run through salt veins of the earth, some sweet, that be well strained, or run through such minerals as be of sweet taste. Some bitter, that flow out of such earth, as is bitter by addustion or otherwise. Some sour or sharp like vinegar, which run through veins of alum, coporous, or such minerals. Aristotle writeth of a well in Scicilia, aristotle. whose water the inhabitants used for vinegar. Well waeter used for vinegar. In Bohemia near to the city called Bilen, Bohemia. is a well that the people use to drink of in the morning, in stead of burnt wine. And in diverse places of Germany, be springs, the taste of such sharpness. Some have the taste of wine, as in Paphlagonia, Paphlagonia. is a well that maketh men drunk which drink thereof: which is because that water receiveth the fumosite of brimstone, & other minerals through which it runneth, and so filleth the brain as wine doth. ¶ A recital of such rivers and springs, as have marvelous effects whereof no natural cause can be assigned by most men, although some reason in a few may be found. CLitumnus which maketh oxen, the drink of it white, maruelus water. Clitunnus. it is a river or spring in Italy. Propert. lib. 3. Propertius. This may be the quality of the water very phlegmatic. In Boetia is a river called Melas, Boetia. Melas. that maketh sheep black if they drink thereof. Seneca speaketh of a river that maketh red hears. Seneca. These two with the first, may have some reason, that the quality of the water may alter complexion, and so the colour of hears may be changed, as we see in certain diseases. In Libya is a spring, Libya. that at the sun rising and setting, is warm, at midday cold, and at midnight very whott: this may be, by the same reason that well water is colder in summer than it is in winter. Seneca writeth, Seneca. that there be rivers, whose waters are poison, this may be naturally, the water running through poisonous minerals, taking much fume of them. Other wells that make wood and all thing else that be cast into them stones, such wells be in England the cause is great cold. Another well, maketh men mad that drink thereof. This also may have as good reason as that which maketh men drunk. As also that well which maketh men forgetful by obstruction of the brain. The same Seneca speaketh of a water that being drunk, provoketh unto lust and lechery. And why may not that quality be in a water, which is mixed with diverse minerals, and kinds of earth, which is in herbs, roots, fruit. liquors. S. Augustin speaketh of a well in Egypt, S. Augustine. in which burning torches are quenched, and being before quenched, are lighted. Among the Garamantes is a well so cold in the day, Garamantes. that no man can abide to drink of it, in the night so whott, that none can abide to feel it. It is incredible, that is written of a well in Scicilia, Scicilia. whereof if thieves did drink they were made blind. In Idumea was a well, Idumea. that one quarter of a year was troubled and moddy, the next quarter bloody, the third green, and the fourth, clear. Seneca writeth of another well that was six hours full and running over, Seneca. and six hours decresing and empty, per chance, because it ebbed and flowed, with the sea, or some great river that was near it. In the hill Anthracius, Anthracius. is said to be a well, which when it is full, signifieth a fruitful year, when it is scarce and empty, a barren and dear year. The sufficiens 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 ink in which is but small coperus, and artificially mixed, of Iron, doth conterfeyte copper in colour. In this stream may be much coperus, and that is naturally mixed. Both Seneca and Theophrastus, Seneca Theophrasius. witness, the waters there be, which within a certain space being drunk of sheep, as (Seneca sayeth) of birds (as Theophrastus will have it) changeth their colours from black to white, & from white to black. vitrvuius writeth, vitrvuius that in Arcadia, Arcadia is a water called Nonacrinis which no vessel of silver, Nonacrinus. brass, or Iron, can hold, but it breaketh in pieces, and nothing but a mules hoof, will hold it and contain it. In Illyria, Illyria. garments that are held over a most cold well, are kindled & set on fire. In the isle of Andros, where the temple of Bacchus stood, andros Bacchus. is a well that the fift day of january flowed wine. Isidore sayeth, Isidorus. there is a well in Italy, that healeth the wounds of that eyes. In the isle of Chios, Chios. is a well that maketh men dulwitted, that drink thereof. There is another that causeth men to abhor lust. Lechnus a spring of Arcadia, Lechnus. is good against abortions. In Scicilia are two springs of which one maketh a woman fruitful, Scicilia. and the other barren. In Sardania, Sardinia. be hot wells that heal sore eyes. In an isle of Pontus, Pontus. the river Astares, astares. overfloweth the fields in which the sheep that be fed, doth give black milk. In Aethiopia, aetiopia. is a lake, whose water is like oil. Also many springs of oil have brooken forth of the earth, which cometh of the viscosity or fatness of the same earth. The lake Clitorie, Clitorius. in italy, maketh men that drink of it to abhor wine. The lake Pentasium (as Solinus saith) is deadly to serpents & wholesome to men. Pentasium. Solinus. Seneca writeth of certain lakes that will bear men which can not swymm. And that in Syria, Syria. is a lake in which bricks do swim, and no heavy thing will sink. It is said, that the river Rhine in Germany will drown bastard children that be cast in it, Rhenus. but drive alonde them that be lawfully begotten. The river Hypanis in Schithia, Hypanis Schithia. everyday bringeth forth little bladders, out of which flies do come that die the same night. Matrona the river of Germany, Matrona. as the common people saith, never passeth day but he taketh some pray. ¶ Of the Sea. THe sea in this treatise, The sea. hath place as a mixed substance, for else the element of waters being simple, were not here to be spoken of. The sea is the natural place of the waters, The natural place of the water. into which all rivers and other waters, are received, at the length. And here it is to be understanded, that the very proper & natural place of the water, were to cover all the earth, for so be the elements placed. The earth lowest, & round about the earth, the water, about the water the air, and about the air the fire. But God the most mighty and wise creator of all things, Gen. 1. 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 appear, and called the dry land earth, and the gathering of waters he called seas. In the sea are these two things to be considered, the saltness, & the ebbing and flowing. ¶ Of the saltness. THe saltness of the sea, according to Aristotle's mind is caused by the sun, Arist. that draweth from it all thin & sweet vapours, to make rain leaving the rest as the settling or bottom, which is salt. But men of our time, peradventure more truly, do not take this for the only and sufficient cause, to make so great a quantity of water salt, but say, that the sea by God's wisdom is gathered into such valleys of the earth, as were other wise barren & unfruictful, such carthes' are salt, the sea water then mixed with that earth, must needs be salt, else rivers by Aristotle's mind, should be salt as well as the sea. The Reader may choose which opinion is most probable. ¶ Of the ebbing and flowing. THe ebbing and flowing of the sea, as Aristole seemeth to teach, ebbing and flowing. aristotles. is by reason of Exhalations, that be under the water, which drive it to and fro, according to contrary bounds, and limits, as upward and downward, of wide and narrow, deep and shallow. This opinion of Aristotle also, as more subtle than true, experience teacheth men to mislike & to ascribe the cause of ebbing & flowing to the course of the moon, which ruleth over moisture, as the sun doth over-heate, for from the new Moon to the full, all humours do increase, and from the full to the new moon, decrease again. Also the very true time of the ebbing and flowing may be known, by the course of the Moon. with whom as the lady of moisture, we will close up the fourth book of moist and watery impressions. ❧ The fift book of earthly Meteores or bodies perfectly mixed. THis last treatise containeth such bodies whose chief matter is the earth, Earthly bodies. & are called perfectly mixed because they are not easily resolved in to the chief matter, whereof they are generated. These are divided into four kinds. The first be diverse sorts of earth, the second be liquors concreat, the third be metals and metalliques, the fourth be stones. This division is not altogether perfect both for that there be many of these minerals which partake of two kinds, & also for that the names of some of these kinds may be said of other. Yet minding as plainly as can be, to declare the things themselves, the controversy and cavillation of names, shall not greatly trouble us. Especially seeing we pretend not to teach Philosophers, but such as need a ruder & plainer instruction. They may therefore be content which 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 four, therefore we will speak orderly and generally, not minding to entreat of every particular kind (for that were infinite) but to open such universal causes, as they which have wit, may learn, (if they list) to apply unto all particulars. ¶ Of earths. THe earth is an element, Of earth's one of the four, cold and dry, most gross and soiled, most heavy and weighty, the lowest of all other in place. When I say an element, I mean a simple body uncompounded. This earth is no Meteore, but as it was showed in the water, to the end there should be generation of things, there is no element that we can have, which is pure and simple, but all are mixed and compound. Our fire is gross and compound, so is our air our water, and our earth. But the earth notably and above the rest is mixed. For the puer and natural earth is dry and cold, but we see much to be moist, and much to be hot The natural earth is black of 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 clean together, with air and some fire, which make an oily fat or claymy earth, as is clay made. etc. Another great part is dried not into the natural drienes of the first quality, but as a thing once mixed and after dried, either by to cold, as sand gravel, etc. or else by heat, as chalk, ochre etc. 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 air to be white, & of the fire to be ruddy, it followeth that upon the mixtion of these colours, or chief domination of them, all things hath their colour. The gross substance of the earth therefore being diversly mixed with other elements, and those myxtures again being eftsoons altered, by diverse and sometime contrary qualities, hath brought forth so many kinds of earth, as clay, marvel, chalk, sand, gravel etc. Clay is mixed with fat moisture taking his colour of the mixture with red from white, but being cold, it is not so fructfull as marl, which is not always so moist as it. Chalk is an earth by heat concocted, after diverse mixtions and dried up. Ochre both yellow & red with such like are of the same nature with mixtion of red more or less. Sande and gravel are dried erthes, as it were froasen by cold, gravel is gross and apparent, sand though it be finer, is of the same generation consisting of many small bodies, which are congealed into stones. Sand seemeth to be clay dried by cold and coacted together into small stones, whereof some are through shining which were the moist parts, the thick were of the gross part. The same is gravel, but of greater stones consisting. The like judgement is to be given of all other kinds of earth, whose generation by the similitude of these, will not be very hard to find out. They that list to know the diverse kinds of earths, must have recourse to Plinius, Cardane, Plinius. Cardanus and other writers, that recite a great number of them, but these are the chief and most comen kinds. ¶ Of liquors concreat. WE take not liquors concreat so largely, as the word doth signify, for than should we comprehend, both the other kinds following. But only those liquors, called in latin Succi, which are as it were middle between metals & stones, of which some being fat & only, do burn, as brimstone, séecoles, jet, bitumen, etc. and the kinds of all these. other some doth not burn, as salt, alun, coperus, saltpetre, etc. and the kinds of these. Of the first sort, which are generated of earthy & airy vapours, fumes & Exhalations, the chief & most notable, is brimstone, which seemeth to be the matter of all dry & hot qualities, that are in earthly Meteores. The rest are generated of such like vapours as brimstone is, but then they be diversly mixed. As the coals, have much earth mixed with brimstone. Get, seemeth to be all one, but better concocted then coals. Of amber is great contention whether it be a mineral, or the sperm of an whale, for it is found in the sea, cast up on the shore. Now the whales seed, being of the very same qualities, is taken more & less concreate of divers hardness, some all most as hard as amber, some softer, & some liquid. Yet Cardan plainly defineth, Cardanus 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 concreat with cold. In that they burn 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 which water, which be salt, coperus, saltpeters, etc. these burn not being watery, earthy, & not fat, unctuus, nor clammy. These be of diverse colours, black as coals and get, because there is much earthy substance mixed with their sulphureus matter. Some be shear as saltt and alum, having a substance watery, dried, and concreat. Coperus is green, because it hath much cold matter that is blwe, mixed with it. Salt the most comen and necessary of all these liquors concreat, that be moist & not fatty, hath two manner of generations, one natural, and the other artificial. The natural generation, is when it is first generated, in the earth, after cometh the water of the sea, and is infected with it, out of which the salt is again artificially gathered. Of these liquors concreat be those strange wells and springs infected, of which was spoken, in the latter end of the fourth book. Most notably brimstone causeth the hot baths, and burneth in aetna, of Scicilia, and Veswius of italy, Aetna & Veswius casting up the pumise stones, of which is no place here to entreat. ¶ Of Metals. Metals be substances perfectly mixed, Metals. that will melt, with heat, and be brought into all manner of fashions that a man will. Of these the Alcumistes say, there be seven kinds, to answer to the seven Planets. Gold, silver, copper, tin, lead, Iron & quicksilver, that they call Mercury. Mercury. But saving their authorities, quicksilver is no more a metal, than brimstone, which is as necessary to the generation of metal, as quicsyluer is. For they all agree, that all metals are generated of sulphur, Sulphur. that is brimstone, which because it is hot, they call the father, and Mercury that is quicksilver, which because it is moist, they call the mother. So by as good reason, may they call brimstone a metal, as Mercury. Then there remaineth but six perfect metals, Gold, Silver, Copper, Tin, Led, and Iron. ¶ Of Gold. THat most unprofitable and hurtful 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, all other be corruptible. Gold never corrupteth by rust, why gold rusteth not. because it is pure from poisonus infection & most solid, that it receiveth not the air into it, which causeth all things to corrupt. It is perfectly concocted with sufficient heat, and mixture of Sulphur, all other metals, either are not so well concocted, or else they have not the due quantity of brimstone. This opinion hath also place among the Alcumistes, The opinion of the Alcumistes. that because nature in all her works, seeketh the best end, she intendeth, of all metals to make gold▪ but being let either for want of good mixture, or good concoction, she bringeth forth other metals, in deed not so precius, but much more profitable, & the less pretius, the more profitable, for there is more use to the necessity of man's life, in Iron and lead, then is in gold, & silver. But either the beauty, or the perfection, or at leastwise the rareness of gold & silver, have obtaineth the estimation of all men, so that for them is sold all manner of things, holy, & profane, bodily & spiritual. What pains doth not men take to wynn gold? every man hath one way or other, to hunt after it, but the Alchemist despising all other ways as slow, unnatural, & 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 quintessence & elixors, so that what by purging, what by concocting, what by mixing of sulphur & quicksilver, & much other like stuff, at length he turneth the wrong side of his gown outward, all the teeth out of his head, & his body from health to a palsy, and then he is a Philosopher, and so he will be called. ¶ Of Silver. Silver the most pure metal, Silver. next unto gold, hath indifferent good concoction in the earth, but it wanteth sufficient heat in the mixtur, that maketh it pale. It is found as they say, running into diverse veins as all other metals be, but this most specially, after the shape & fashion of a tree, lying along with a body or stock of proportion like to the body of a tree, also with arms, branches, leaves and fruits. This metal silver, lacketh sufficient heat, and therefore cometh neither to the colour, solidity, nor perfection of gold, and is generated in cold countries, near unto the North, and South poles. In so great quantity, that hasbandmen, when they plough the ground turn up silver, among the clots in their daily labours. Which they do hide, and conceal, lest the greedy Princes, for covetousness of the metal, should overturn and destroy their land. 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 Alcumistes would fain make by art, but Mercury the chief master of the work, is so subtle, and so sly, that nothing can hold him, nothing can kill him. For if the glass be not very thick, he will soon break out of prison, and so there is nothing left. ¶ Of Copper. COpper in colour, Copper▪ coming nearest to gold, being not solid, nor massy, (for of all metal gold is the heaviest) giveth way to corruption, being infected with that green mineral copperus. Hereof be diverse kinds, brass, latin and such like, which differ in in digestion, the copper being purest, is of best digestion and nearest unto gold, and so the rest in like degrees. Copper is most like to silver in the weight, and in the hammering, wherefore the Alcumistes have learned to make it white, that it deceiveth men's sight & handling, but the Goldsmiths do easily try it & by the test of counterfect silver, maketh copper again. Copper or brass, doth alway grow near unto the mine of copperus, which running with it in the digestion or natural contoction, hindereth it of perfection, maketh it to stink, and to be eaten of a green ●●se. Much a do the Alcumistes have to turn 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 it to pass, than 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 Tin. Tin, whereof great plenty groweth in the West parts of England, Tin. in beauty and colour cometh nearest to silver, & of silver wanteth nothing, but solidity & hardness. For tin is a raw & undigested metal, also very porose & uncompact, which causeth it to crash, when it is broken or bitten. So it faileth of heat, in the commixtion & also sufficient digestion in the earth. Otherwise it is a fair & profitable metal, to serve the use of them, unto whom silver & gold are not so plentiful. ¶ Of Lead. LEad also found in great abundance within this realm, Lead. is a raw & undigested metal, as tin is, but yet of better digestion than commixtion. For it is mixed, which a gross earthy substance, which maketh it to be in colour so black, & so fowl to corrupt. So that of the same fumes & exhalations, which if they had been pure & well digested, if the place & matter would have suffered, should have been concreat into silver, for lack of the same, lead is generated, which coming plentifully, doth better service than silver. ¶ Of Iron. IRon the most necessary and profitable of all other metals, Iron. & yet as ill used of many as any other, is generated of such substance as silver is, but mixed with a red mineral, which eateth it with red rust, and also being of two extreme digestion, passing all other metals in hardness. And as other metals to the perfection of silver, want sufficient concoction, whereby they come not to the same hardness: so Iron paseth and exceedeth silver in immoderate digestion. But though it come not to the perfection of silver, God forbid that all Iron had been turned into silver, for than we should more have missed it, than silver or gold, the want of which would hurder us nothing at al. ¶ Of Quick silver. THough quicksilver, be no metal, quicksilver. yet because it is the mother of all metals, some thing is here to be spoken of it. There be diverse and sundry opinions, both of the generation, and also the qualities of it, which make the generation to be hard to find out. For if the quality were certainly agreed upon, there were an easier way found, to try out the generation. Some affirm, that it is exceeding whott, and that they would prove, by the swift piercing there of into other things, that be porose. Other say, it is exceeding cold, & that they prove, by the exceeding weight of it. As for the piercing, they say: is caused of the exceeding moistness, of which quality both parts do grant that it is. Concerning the generation, some have said that it is pure and elemental water, some again hath thought, that it droppeth out of heaven, and is a part of the heavenly substance. And other said, that it is generated in the clouds, and falleth down in the field, in a circle, on those round circles, which are seen in many fields, that ignorant people affirm to be the rings of the fairies danses. It is certain, that quick silver hath diverse times fallen out of the clouds, as we have declared in the treatise of wonderful and marvelous rain, but whether it so fall in circles, it is doubtful. The most probable opinion is, that it is generated of moist vapours 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. Stone's the fourth kind of earthly mixed bodies, Stones. have two manner of generations, by most contrary qualities. For heat doth harden moist bodies in to stones, as we see that of clay it maketh exceeding hard brick. Also the thonderboltes in the clouds, are generated by heat, as before hath been showed. But cold doth by congeling, generate, many more stones than 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 been partly showed in the nature of wells, and springs, of which there be some in England, which by their cold turn wood or any like thing into stones. I sufficiently shallbe said, of the virtue of stones. That virtue that is ascribed unto them, is either natural or magical. The virtue of stones either natural or magical. Natural virtue is either that which is known to have a natural cause, or a natural effect, as the Magnes, or loadstone to draw iron, which is by a similitude of nature, and such an appetite, as is between the male and the female. Also the said Magnes, Magnes. moveth toward the North, and as some say, there is an other kind found in the south, that draweth toward the south. They say, that there is great hills of this stone, in the North and South, which maketh it look that way. Other bring a Mathematical reason, which because it is more curius then can be understood of the comen sort, not exercised in Geometry, I omit. The get and amber draw hears, chaff, and like light matter, but being before chaffed, Gait and amber draweth chaff for heat is attractive. Also the precious stone called Astroites, moveth of itself in vinegar, Astroites a stone moveth in viner. the sharpness of the vinegar, piercing it, and the air excluded, driving it forward. These virtues because I have seen, I have set for an example, generally all other like natural virtues, proceed of like natural causes, which by their effect the ingenious must seek to find out. As for Magical virtues be they, which are grounded of no reason, or natural cause which if they take effect, it is rather of the superstition & credulity of him that useth them, then of the virtue of the stones. As that an Emerald increaseth love, a Saphir favour, a Diamond strength, & such like virtues of which Albertus in his age surnamed the great, Albertus Magnus. took pains to write a book, which I suppose be englished. To conclude with the cause why stones melt not as metals do, may be gathered by that which hath been said before, because they are congealed past that degree, & also because there is left in them no unctuus, or clammy matter. Let this suffice for stones, & so the whole purpose is at an end. W. F. FINIS. THINK AND THANK, LIVE IN FERE, KNOW THYSELF, FAR AND near. ❧ Impryted at London in Fletestreate, at the sign of the Faucone, by William Griffith: And they are to be sold at his shop in S. Dunston's churchyard in the West. 1563.