A DISCOURSE Concerning the ORIGINE AND PROPERTIES Of WIND.  
With An Historical Account of Hurricanes, and other Tempestuous Winds.  
By R. Bohun Fellow of New Coll: in OXON.  
OXFORD, Printed by W. Hall for Tho. Bowman Anno Dom. 1671.   

THE PREFACE.  
COnsidering the unsuccesful Attempts of several Authors who have adventured upon this difficult part of Meteorology, I was sufficiently discouraged from exposing to public view those Collections, which I had sometime made concerning the Causes and Properties of Winds. But afterward, by reason of my residence in a place principally concerned in Naval Affairs (where I had frequent opportunities of conversing with the most experienced of our Sea-Captains) I began to compare the observations of their Voyages, with the writings of the most celebrated of the Ancient, and Modern Philosophers; which I judged the only expedient to arrive at a more perfect History of Winds. I have omitted nothing remarkable which was taken notice of by Aristotle, whose Sagacity in these inquiries was the greatest that the Grecian World could boast of: But the succeeding Ages, which with their nice Speculations endeavoured rather to amuse, then satisfy the minds of men, made little Progress in the History of Nature; till our Voyages to the East and West-Indies, and the great increase of Navigation for these Hundred years last passed, furnished us with so many new discoveries, and improvements in all Natural knowledge (especially, in what relates to the Motions of the Winds and Seas) that we are every day forced to regret the insufficiency of those Theories which we received from the Schools of the Ancients; since the Course of the General or Trade-Wind, the Indian Monzoa, the several sorts of Brise's in the African, and American Climates (which are certainly the most considerable Phaenomena that belong to an exact Treatise of Winds) were as remote from the knowledge of their most inquisitive naturalists, as the places where they happen, from Athens or Rome.  
I must confess the incomparable Ld Verulam has given us much light, in his Discourse on this Argument, though he seems to have been little Curious in the Collections of Foreign Parts; without which, we must still have remained ignorant of the largest Portion of the Universe: But I can boast of little assistance from others, more than some Historical observations of the Trade-Winds and Hurricanes taken from the learned 
* De Motu Moris & Ventorum.  Isaac Vossius, which I made use of, as finding them most agreeable to the Relations of our Sea-Voyages, and believing them Generally true. I must likewise acknowledge my obligations to the Honourable Mr. boil, for his advice upon several occasions, particularly, in the experiment mentioned pag. 134, concerning the Qualities of Winds.  
I have indifferently made use of either the Peripatetique or Epicurean Principles, as they served best for the Explication of the present Phaenomenon: For though at this day, some with the greatest applause embrace the Cartesian and atomical Hypotheses, yet what are the atomical, or Corpuscularian Placits, but Democritus or Epicurus in another Dress, which we call the New Philosophy; not that it was Invented, but only Revived, and Vindicated by the Moderns, from the Injuries and oppression of Time.  
I have in the following Discourse offered at a fuller Account both of the Regular, and Tempestuous Winds, the Land & Sea-Brizes, and several other particulars which most writers had passed by in silence: And though, as to the Historical part or Matters of Fact, I may have committed some errors; this must not altogether be imputed to my credulitye, but the great Diversity of Relations, and innumerable Accidents, which alter the mostconstant motions of the Currents and Winds. I have known some Masters of Ships, who miss of the Monsoons at the usual seasons of the year in their return from the Indies: and I have sometimes met with different Accounts of the Harmetan Winds, and the Tornadoes on the Coasts of Guiny: nor shall I undertake that every ship which has Crossed the Line, met with the Trade-Wind in the same Degree of Latitude: I have therefore described them as they generally happen, and though there may be some Variation, yet, for the most part, they very Regularly depend on the course of the Sun. I may thus far assure the Reader, that I have managed this Affair with all imaginable Caution, and seldom made use of any Account, but when several Relations did agree in the same particulars, or when I found the persons of the most unsuspected integrity, and which had no interest to deceive. Then it was my ultimate Design to make the most advantageous use of these inquiries, as they might conduce to any improvement in Philosophy: Albeit I may possibly be obnoxious to Censure, for divers Philosophical reflections, which I have occasionally made in the following Discourses: Though I have for the most part rather Alluded to Several, than Adherd to any One Hypothesis. Yet since all Disquisitions of this kind are but Conjectural, and no exact Demonstration to be expected in physiological Sciences, I might challenge the freedom of my own thoughts, reserving for others the same Liberty, to abound in their own sense, and to interpret Nature as they please.   


The Contents.  
THe Placits of the Ancients and their several Definitions of Wind. pag. 6.  
The Opinion of De Cartes, and other Modern naturalists. 7. 8.  
Wind no more than a Motion, or Protrutrusion of the Air. 7.  
That there are Several Origines of Wind: First, they are generated in the Lower Region, by the Dilatation of Vapours or Air: p. 12. By the Repletion, or Superoneration of the Atmosphere. p. 16. From Pressure of Clouds, or the Elasticall Virtue of the Air, etc. 20.  
The 2d Local Origine of Winds in General from the Earth or Seas, as from Submarine or Subterraneal Eruptions. 23.  
By the Rarefaction of Liquids', proved from the Experiment of the Aeolipile. 24.  
Historical instances of Winds breaking from under the Earth or Sea. 27. 33.  
Of the Mascarets in the River of Dordogn, and the sudden tumors in the Lake of Geneva. 34.  
The 3d d General Cause of Wind, by Descension from the Middle Region; both from Vapours before, and after their Coalition into Clouds. 27. 39  
Their Ingenit Gravity the cause of their descent. 40. Not their Repulse from the Antiperistasis of Contraries. 39  
The Reason why some Winds blow with greater violence, and impetuosity than others. 45.  
The Formal Cause of Winds. 46.  
The Opinions of Aristotle, Theophrastus, etc. with the Latin Interpreters. 47. 48.  
Some other conjectures concerning the Causes of their Oblique Motion. 40. 50. etc.  
The Undulating and Reflex Motions of Wind. 50. 51.  
The Matter of Winds: an Explication of Aristotle's Opinion. 58.  
Their Limits and Extent. 63.  
The most Flatulent Seasons: why they blow more in Spring and Autumn, then at other times. 65.  
The Several Species of Winds. 67.  
An Historical Account of the General, or Trade Wind. 68 69. etc.  
The Causes why it blows Constantly from the Easterly points, and imitates the Course of the Sun. 71.  
Where to be expected on this side the Tropic. 78.  
The Variation thereof in several Longitudes. 79.  
Why the Westerly Winds blow most commonly without the Tropiques. 86.  
The Provincial Winds. 90.  
A discourse concerning the Terrheinos and Viracoins; or the Land and Sea-brises'. 92.  
Their History and Cause. 93. etc.  
When they come in, or cease, in the straits, on the Coasts of Guiny, & the East and West-Indies; and what Accidents hasten or retard their approach. from p. 99 to 110.  
Of the Etesian, or Anniversary Winds: their several species. 111. 112. etc.  
Of the Anniversary Winds in the way to the East-Indies, which they call the Monsoons. 119.  
How many months they continue the same Course on the Coasts of afric, and India. 121.  
The Changing or Breaking up of the Monsoons. 122.  
A Discourse concerning the Qualities of Wind p. 131. derived from their Constituent Parts, or the Medium through which they pass. 131.  
Some Trials for the Explication of this Phaenomenon. 133. 134. etc.  
The Great incertainty of these observations, and the diversities of their Qualities in several Climates. 138.  
The Properties of Easterly Winds: Unwholesome in most parts of Europe, and yet in America very agreeable and pleasant. 141.  
Of the South Winds. 142.  
Why they magnify Visible objects, and cause a stammering in the speech. 147.  
Of the Westerly Winds; their exceeding violence in the Isle of Jersy, and Coast of Cornwall. 150.  
Of the North Winds, their wonderful impetuosity in Norwey and Island. 161.  
The great Caution to be used, and what Circumstances are to be considered in judging the Qualities of Winds. 172. 173.  
The causes of Hot Winds. 174. 175.  
The Extremity of their Heat toward the Persian Gulf, and several instances of other Scorching Winds in Afric, and Arabia, where they blow off from the Sands. 178. 179.  
The causes of Cold Winds. 181. 182.  
The Sea-Winds in the Temperate Zones hotter than those which blow over the Land. 187.  
Instances of this Nature, in Great Britain, the Isle of Jersy, Virginia, Florida, and several other places. 188. 189. etc.  
Yet in the Torrid Zone, the Sea-brises' cooling, and pleasant; examples thereof in America. 191.  
Some Unusual Qualities of Wind. 194.  
Of the Harmetans in Guiny. 195. 196.  
The Virulent and Destructive Qualities of certain Winds in the West-Indies. 201.  
Some Proposals, for a more Accurate Discovery of the Nature, and Qualities of Winds: in relation to Architecture, Navigation, and several Trades, and Mechanical Arts from 209. to 222.  
Divers Prognostiques of Wind. 223.  
Of Whirlwinds in General. 229.  
Their several species. 231.  
Concerning the Tornadoes: a Description of their Nature. 236. 237.  
How many degrees they are to be expected on this side the Equinoctial, and at what time of the year. 246.  
Most towards the Coasts of Guiny. 247.  
The Tempests near the Cape Bon Esperance. 245.  
The Cause of the Tornadoes. 249.  
The Presters or Fiery Whirlwinds: Examples thereof. 251. 254.  
Hurricanes: Some conjectures concerning their cause. 257.  
The Places where they happen. 265. 266.  
Their Prognostiques, and Description in divers Historical Relations. from 269. to 292. etc.    

THe Origines of Winds are no less Various than their Motions, & we ought not to determine positively concerning those Appearances in nature, which may be rationally explicated several ways.  
Though we consult the Placits of the learned Ancients, & consider also what we owe to the improvements of latter times, yet I question whether any Theory was ever yet started on this Argument, which will adequately resolve the whole Phaenomenon of Winds; and we must never expect to confine their Original to any one determinate Cause.  
Most of the Grecian Philosophers agreed in the same Definition of Wind; till the Prince of the Peripatetics was not only ambitious to establish a New Hypothesis of his own, but likewise undertook the confutation of his Master Plato, & the rest of his Predecessors: The Philosophical Monarch thought he could never reign securely in the minds of men, unless, like the Family of the Ottomans, he destroyed all his brethren first.  
I have no intention to disparage the Authority of the Ancients; but I cannot be so injurious to the many noble productions of our present Age, to think that all Science is only to be sought for in the Urns of the Dead: we have a more intimate converse with Nature then heretofore, which displays her beautiful Bosom, and every day affords new Discoveries of useful knowledge, and further conducing to the Benefit of Human life.  
If we consider the success that Philosophy has met with in the World, we shall find that those Opinions, which obtained most in one Age, had their Fatal Periods, & were as much exploded & decried in the next; & it's as impossible that any one Hypothesis should be calculated to the Gusto of all persons when the sentiments of men are different as their complexions: I have therefore taken a larger compass than the Generality of writers, and derived the Origines of Winds from several Causes; which I rather endeavour to prove from Accounts of our Sea-Voyages, and relations of Matters of Fact, then to refine on them by any nice speculations of my own. For this Philosophy is not to be had in Colleges or Books, but must be fetch't from both Indies; we must traverse the wide Seas, & be tossed to as many points of the Compass, as Columbus or Drake; we must climb into the Regions of the Air, & descend into the Caverns of the Earth, to detect the innumerable Causes & Qualities of Winds: They are diffused like the Universal mind, and it requires a kind of ubiquity to understand them. How small a portion is it of the vast system of the World, that we inhabit, and how much less of it that we comprehend? How Extravagant are the Phaenomena of the large American tracts; their Tides, Winds, and other Aerial impressions, how different and irreconcilable to Ours? How many noble discoveries have been made in these Countries, which the Athenian Sages could never think of in their narrow Porches & Gardens: They might spin fine webs out of their own bowels; but for want of a closer inspection into Nature, their Texture & Materials are slight. And we must acknowledge that even the Stagirite himself has left us no very perfect Theory of Winds, though this Province of late years, has been more successfully undertaken by the Lord Verulam, Galileo, De Cartes, and other illustrious Moderns.  
Aristotle constitutes two species of Exhalations; the one vapid or moist; the other [〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉] Fumid or Terrene: and as the first is employed in Rain, Hail, or Snow, etc. So the other furnishes materials for Winds, etc.  
The Ancients understand no more by wind, than a Motion of the Air: Anaximander in Plutarch styles it, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉: and some others, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉: to which that of Seneca may allude; Ventus est Aer Fluens. But neither the Prince of the Peripatetics 
Nat. Quest. lib. 5. cap. 1.  ever supposed them to consist of Earth (though it was always to be most predominant) nor the Ancients, of Air alone, without some allay of other Heterogeneous Elements.  
In the 23. Section of his Problems, Aristotle himself denominates Wind, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Aeris impulsum: yet in the 2d book of Meteors, he seems rather to reflect this opinion on his predecessors, declaring; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, etc. cap. 4. So that Aristotle allows not the simple agitation of Air to be reputed Wind; wherein he dissents from the Stoics, who held it only Motum aut Fluxionem Aeris: And there have not been wanting the most eminent moderns who embraced their sentiments, as Gassendus, Beregard, Dorisi, etc. Mr. Hobbs defines it, Air moved in a direct, or undulating motion: and to this purpose the learned Isaac Vossius 
* Le Vent est un Movement & Agitation de l' Air, causè par des Exhalaisons & Vapeurs. Hydr. L. 15. C. 23.  Fournier, Varenius, & many others.  
The modern Peripatetics generally agree in an Hot and Dry exhalation, repulsed by the Antiperistasis of the middle Region; though I find no footsteps of any such opinion in the Text of Aristotle.  
Wind, in the most General Acceptation, is, any Sensible Motion of the Air: By Air, the Vulgar understand almost any invisible Matter, whether Rarified vapours or Water; though it consists of much grosser parts than that which is employed in respiration.  
De Cartes computes, that Rarified Air requires only thrice, but Dilated vapours no less than 3000 times as much space, as before their expansion: wherefore in the Generation of Winds, he prefers them before Fumid Exhalations or Air; as in his Definition: pag. 153. Venti nihil sunt, nisi Moti & Dilatati Vapores.  
It seems to me less probable (whether we reflect on the opinion of Aristotle, or Cartesius) that Winds should be always made up of Heterogeneous Exhalations distinct from the Body of the Air; For certainly, they are sometimes no more than Streams or Currents of Air itself, shifting from one part of the Atmosphere to another. So that the Air, while it continued placid and calm, may be compared to a Pond or Lake; and when it's violently agitated and moved, it resembles a Torrent or River.  
I have already declared, that no one Hypothesis, how comprehensive soever, hath yet been able to resolve all the Incident Phaenomena: so various are their Efficients, and the Matter of which they consist. I shall therefore comprise the Local Origines of Wind under 3 General Heads.  
1. They are generated in the Intermediate space between the Earth and Clouds; and that either by Rarefaction, or Repletion; and sometimes happily by the Pressure of Clouds, Elasticall Virtue of the Air, etc.  
2 lie From the Earth, or Seas; as by Submarine or Subterraneal Eruptions.  
3 lie By Descension or Resilition, from the Middle Region; But I shall explain myself, how I desire to be understood of all these in the Following Discourses; and then descend to the Matter of which they are Formed, their Limits, and Qualities, etc.  
My Lord Bacon complains, that the first species has been too much neglected by most writers; while some seek for them in the Clouds, and others in the Caverns of the Earth, when as they are more frequently generated in the Intermediate Space, which they call the Lower Region of the Atmosphere.  
The Universal Efficient of this sort is the 
* aliquando Sol ipse causa est Venti, fundens rigentem Aerem, & ex denso, Coactoque explicans. Sen. Nat. Q. lib. 5. cap. 5.  Sun; the matter, Air, or whatever: Vapourous Effluxions from the Earth.  
Now imagine those Vapours, or Fumes, that are continually hover in this Lower Region, (which being dilated, will possess so many hundred times more space than they did before the expansion) to be attacqed by the quick and Penetrating beams of the Sun, what a tumult, and mutiny must this necessarily cause in the Atmosphere? When all places were full before, at least the Voids no way Proportionable to the dilatation; whither must the ejected particles retire? the spaces they should possess, are overstocked already, they must be forced to send out Colonies to other parts; where equivalent compressions and condensations are made; where the spaces lie waste, and in a manner destitute of Inhabitants: But what Seditions, Eddies, & Undulations must this cause in the whole body of the Air? How will the Atmosphere fluctuate, and be harassed to and fro, and (as it were) curled with waves? the Rarified vapours still flying to seek new habitations, and so do impel, and bear along with them all they encounter in the way; some condensed bodies deserting their Seats, and others as far Expanded, hasting to take possession; that there can be no tranquillity, or rest, till the influences of the Sun cease, or the vapours be exhausted: And what is all this Struggling and Commotion of the Air, but Wind?  
For either the Dilatation of the former, or too great an Accession of New matter, will inchoate the collateral agitation of Winds; as the Lord Verulam experimented from a cross of Plumes, in a Turret closely shut up; when means were used by the evaporation of water, to overstock the space; and afterwards by Fire, to thin & rarify the vapours; the Plumes began to tremble by degrees, and at last the motion grew rapid, Instar turbinis: the Water affording multitudes of vaporous steams, & the Fire resolving them into Wind.  
It likewise appeared from another of the 
* In turri undique clausâ foculum cum prunis ignitis, in medio locavimus: post parvam moram aucto calore, & Dilatato Aere, agitabatur crux plumea hinc inde, motu vario, etc.  Verulamian Experiments, that Air of itself, when other vapours are wanting, will be sufficiently Agitated by Rarefaction: For though without some other Auxiliary Exhalations, Air alone might seem able to create but a very feeble and languid Wind; yet when it's dilated into at least 60 times the extent it possessed before the Expansion, it must needs by this means crowed and superonerate the former Spaces, and so cause a considerable emotion of the Atmosphere; So that, if there be much Superfluous Matter, and the Protrusion violent, it causes storms and Tempestuous Winds; if it be less, then are only Engendered those mild & refreshing Airs, such as use to come off from the Banks of Rivers and Ponds at daybreak.  
De Cartes will scarce admit, that Dilated Air exceeds above a quadruple proportion; yet 
* Mr. boil's Experiments concerning the Rarefaction of the Air.  a person not less sagacious in the contemplation of Nature, has proved in a late discourse, that Air, without Heat, will be dilated to 13000 times the former extent, though with it Mersennus never arrived to an 100: And questionless in the Atmosphere, without the assistence of Art, we may suppose it Rarefiable by the Heat of the Sun, to incomparably larger Dimensions than De Cartes allows it; at least sufficient to create very impetuous Winds, which may be occasioned from any extraordinary expansion of the Air: as we usually observe, that in great conflagrations it blows manifestly fresher thereabout, than it did before, & the people of Gascoigny (at that time subjects to the Crown of England) are said to have petitioned the King against the burning of Heath in Sussex, & Hampshire, which afterwards raised a Wind, very pernicious to their Vines.  
Another cause which generates Wind, is the Superoneration of the Atmosphere. Democritus & other Ancient Atomists, supposing, if there were too many particles of matter crowded in little Space, they must necessarily justle, and arietate each other, thought Winds to be nothing else, but the Struggling or Agitation of Atoms: On the contrary, if there chance to be few Atoms in much space, so that there be no Pressure, or Coarctation in a free & spacious heaven, this (they say) begets tranquillity and a serene Temperature of the Heavens.  
Lastly, beside this Superoneration, these Flatulent Emotions may proceed from any other Cause which altars the Aequilibrium of the Atmosphere; So that it will be sufficient to generate Winds, if the Air be only denser in one part then another, by the unequal distribution of vapours; Therefore we have commonly a gentle Brise breathing off from Ponds or Lakes, where the Cold more especially condenses the Air, at least the Vapours arise in greater plenty from Humid Bodies. Thus we sometimes see a larger collection of clouds in one Quarter, which being afterwards discharged in showers, there oftentimes follows a wind from the immediate conflux of the vapours to that place.  
For the Currents of Air imitate the Motions of water, and by the just laws of Hydrostatiques, according to their respective gravity, mount higher or descend: so that there is a perpetual inquietude, till it come to an exact Aequilibrium; and what cause soever it be, which varies the Counterpoise of the Atmosphere, must needs occasion Winds.  
The 2d cause which produces these Intermediate Winds, is Compression: when two, or more Clouds impetuously pressing or falling upon each other, drive out a Wind from between them.  
The Purest & most Etherial matter is not without some degree of Gravitation; though we want Instruments to make such nice discoveries in Nature: However, the Gosser Vapours, & Air which inhabit the Middle Region, gravitate more sensibly; of which we can be able to give some Account by our Barometers: when the Quick silver rises higher, or subsides in the Tube.  
Winds may be thus generated from Pressure alone.  
Suppose D. H. in the following Figure, to be the Incumbent Vapours, or Clouds.  
F the superficies of the Earth, Sea, or another subjacent Cloud.  
We have a lively resemblance of this in Common Bellows; when the Sides closing compress the included Air; & force it to issue out impetuously at the Nose, or Pipe.  
I have oftentimes observed, that Stiff Gusts of Wind happen immediately before Rain; because the Clouds being overcharged and teeming with showers, press more than at other times; and when the Atmosphere begins to thicken, and grow Ponderous, over our heads; we seldom fail of a Wind, some small distance from thence; which likewise ceases when the shower is fallen.  
Moreover the Elasticity of the Air; which the Peripatetics make little regard of: And those Ingenious Moderns who have demonstrated its Elasticall force, from many noble experiments; yet never applied it Particularly to this Phaenomenon of Winds, though it prove oftentimes the most Immediate cause of their production. For the Air, whether from the gravity of Incumbent Vapours and Clouds, superfluity of matter, or however straitened, and oppressed, does as soon expand itself, (like a fleece of Wool after the compression) till it arrive at the former Dimensions again; And being Dilated, Explicated, and as it were Unbent, must needs agitate, and propel the contiguous bodies, that reduced it to such straits before: as we see the Elasticall power of it in Windguns; how impatient it is of restraint, and willing to regain its liberty, when the first opportunity is offered; How easily susceptible of the least impressions; as appears from the Propagation of Sounds; when the noise of Bells, or Canon is heard; that is to say, they shake the Air, for many miles in almost an imperceptible time: And the Elastical reciprocations of the Atmosphere (by whatever species of coarctation the Aerial spring is bend) though they are not obvious to our senses, yet are both consonant to reason, and agreeable to the actings of Nature in such cases: And if this struggling or Emotion of the Air necessarily results from its Elasticity, or Repletion; This moved or agitated Air, is Wind; Ventus enim est, ubi fit agitando percitus Aer, Lucret.  
A 2d Local origine of winds in general, is from the Earth or Seas: either by resolution of their Superficial parts; or from Submarine, or Subterraneal eruptions. The Terrheinos, or Land Brise's between the Tropics, which last from the first approaches of Night, till Morning, consist for the most part of terrestrial Fumes, perspiring from no greater depth, than the Solar rays did before penetrate: And those which alternately blow in the day time, are the Offsprings of the Sea, when the Celestial warmth attenuates the liquid Surface into Winds. For Humid bodies are soon agitated, and Volatilised by heat; as might appear from that Vulgar, but very considerable Experiment, of the Aeolipile; by which the strange Sagacity of Art does so clearly interpret to us the operations of Nature; that we may without difficulty conceive, the most forcible emotions of Wind to be generated from the Rarefaction of water.  
Some have used them instead of Bellows, and contrived Pneumatiek Inventions of this Nature to blow the Fire: Others have made them large enough, to turn the Wheels of spits; For the force of the Wind will be greater, or less, Proportionably to the bigness of the Vessel.  
Thus we may Imagine the Atmosphere to be as one Immense Aeolipile, continually dilating the Vapours, and Air; and the Sun likewise to exhale many flatulent steams, out of the Marshes, and Lakes, especially from the Sea, (which is the most Universal Parent, not only of Fountains and Rivers, but Winds) And though the subtlety of Nature will still exceed the most Accurate Researches of Human wit, yet we have little more to inquire concerning the Natural; then may be advantageously Explicated from the Artificial Winds.  
Nor do they only exhale from the Superficies; but emerge sometimes from the Gulfs of the Ocean, and Profoundest Caverns of the Earth. The Earth is the first Mother of Meteors; and contains the Principles of them all in her Fruitful Womb: In these Subterraneal Kingdoms are the Spirits, Minerals, and juices, that afterwards raise Storms by Sea; Winds, and Thunders, in the Air; and Earthquakes under Ground: Those that have been conversant in Coalpits, and Mines, will frequently predict Tempests, from their Damps; the burning blue of their candles; and other infallible signs. From hence these Subterraneal Storms break prison, to disturb the peace of the Atmosphere, and raise mutinies, and commotions in the whole body of the Air. My Lord Bacon mentions a rocky, and Mountainous place in Wales, called Aber Barry, which had many Caverns, and recesses under ground; where is heard a continual noise of Winds, that resound, and tumultuate within: And in another place of Denbigh shire, there are so vehement eruptions of Wind, out of some cavityes, and spiracles of the Earth, that repel, clothes and other injected bodies, and for a great way together dally, and play with them in the Air. But among innumerable Examples, I could produce of this Nature, one out of the Philosophical Transactions quadrates exactly to our purpose. Numb. 26. pag. 481. anno 1667. It was then given in to the Royal Society; as the result of twenty year's experience, from a Person well versed in Mineral affairs. He affirmed: If in digging under ground, the workmen meet with Water, they never want Air, or Wind: But if they miss it: they are destitute of convenient Air, either to breath in, or make their Candles burn: Sometimes there bappens to be a great quantity of Winter's standing Water in their Mines; but as soon as the level is made, and any part of the Water begins to run away, the men must secure themselves as well as they can: For the included Air, or Wind breaks forth with violence, to carry all before it.  
They have Burning Mountains in China that are said to raise Tempests: The same Accounts we have of the Grottos in Calabria, Sicily, and many places about the Alps. And I think it not less considerable, what the learned 
* Meteor. p. 67.  Peter Gassendus assures us of a Mountain in Provence, which had a Visto through it (like Pausilyponeer Naples) from whence a Northerly Wind on one side, and a Southerly on the other, have been observed to break forth at the same time. I have heard that in Cornwall, they have so sure Prognostics of Storms at Sea, from their Mines, that the Fishermen never Presume to tarry out, when the signal is given, by the Eruption of certain Meteors, which immediately Presage a Tempest. There are almost as many instanof this kind, as we find Crannies or receptacles of Air under ground: Questionless these Cavernous retreats are very often the Local origin's of Wind (where the Poets feign the Kingdom of Aeolus) not Unphilosophically alluding to the mode of their Production. Winds that are generated in the Cloisters of the Earth are for the generality, made up of Waters dilated by the Subterraneal Fires: Kircher, among many other Romantic Suggestions on this Argument, adds, that colliquated Snows, and Rain sinking into the ground, do sometimes expel, and force out the Winds and Air.  
Yet not only Water, but most bodies will be moved, and Volatilised by Heat: Especially the Nitrosulphureous, and other Mineral or Metallic Concretes, that are easily resolvible into Fumes; either by Rarefaction from some Intestine Vulcano; or by that glowing and Potential Heat, which is no where wanting in the bowels of the Earth.  
If you mingle together Nitre, Sal Armoniac, crude Antimony; etc. and macerating them all in salt Water, set the vessel over the Fire: the Fumes will issue out much after the manner of our Aeolipiles: which shows what may be likewise effected, when the same causes concur in the Subterraneal World.  
Some also have conjectured that Winds oftentimes break from under the Ocean: because the waves are observed to rise, and gently to curl, and furrow the Seas on that side, whence it is next to blow.  
Or if the included spirit be in greater plenty; it sometimes dashes the waves against the rocks, with so great violence, that the noise may be heard in some places, no less than 8 or 10 leagues.  
I am credibly informed, that in St. Owen's Bay, belonging to the Isle of Jersey, the Sea is often strangely disturbed before the Western storms, even when the Air is very calm: and though no Wind be stirring, yet the roaring of the waves may be heard, not only over the whole Isle, but into France, about 30 miles' distance; which is the certain Prognostique of an ensuing tempest. And those sudden tumours, which happen in the rivers of Garonne or Dourdongn, near Bourdeaux, seem to be the effects of intestine winds, swelling them into ridges, & mountains of water, which they call Mascarets; & are so terrible to them that sail in the river, that when they perceive them coming the people cry out; Guard le Mascaret, Garde le Mascaret: and then the watermen immediately make to the shore to save their lives; for it inevitably threatens the overturning their boats. It happens only in Summer and in the greatest tranquillity of the Air; but is often followed by wind. Something like these Mascarets, though from a different cause, are the sudden turgences of the river Severn, which they called Higram. Scaliger in his Exercit. speaks of a Sea towards the Gulf of Lions, which is frequently so raging, when there is no sensible Wind to irritate it; that the Adjacent Countries might justly fear a deluge: the waves seeming to rise above the shores. In like manner the Italian Benacus, or Lago de Garda, and more especially that near Geneva, is oftentimes troubled in the calmest days: which is questionless nothing but an Included Spirit or Wind: though the inhabitants ignorantly impute it to witchcraft.  
This Sub-marine Tempest, is by some called Procella Caeca; and by the Portugals, Lafoy Mancha; when they see it break out in a Cloud or Mist, from under the Water.  
I supersede many remarks from our Sea voyages; and some others out of Beregard, and Kircher, and shall instance only in two: The one recited by Fromundus, from the testimony of the Learned Fienus, who in a calm and serene day, diverting himself on the Belgic shore, perceived a dense mist suddenly to rise from the Ocean, which though very inconsiderable in the beginning, he saw it increase, and diffuse itself by degrees, till it covered the face of the Heaven, and ended in a most Dreadful tempest at last: and what can be more Admirable in the whole history of Nature, then that so small a Vapo'r should fill the spacious Atmosphere, swell the Seas into Mountains, and mingle all things with horro'r and night?  
The other is set down by Mr. boil, (to whom the learned world is so much obliged for his curiosity in all Natural inquiries) and I shall insert it from the pen of the Honourable Author. Some years since, near the strong fortress of Duncannon, where divers of the ships Royal of England lying at Anchor, in a place where they apprehended no danger from the Wind: there seemed suddenly to ascend out of the water, not far from them, a black Cloud, in shape and bigness not much unlike a barrel: which was, not long after, followed (as the most experienced Pilot foretold) by so hideous a storm, as forced those ships to go to Sea again; and had like to have cast them away: and this account was written by the principal Officers to their Superiors in England, etc. We can by no means distrust the matter of fact, which had almost as many witnesses to confirm it, as there were men in the Naval Army: and we are sufficiently informed from this memorable event, how far the Sub marine eruptions may be concerned in the production of stormy winds.  
I proceed to the 3d General Cause which is their Descension or Repercussion from the middle Region of the Air.  
This opinion seems most a jousted to the vulgar hypothesis, though the Prince of the Schools rather ascribes the oblique progression of Winds, to the Rapidity and Circumgyration of the Heavenly Motions: which he expressly asserts in the second book of his Meteors. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, etc. That their motion is impresed from above, etc.  
Yet Alexander Aphrod. urges against the sense of Aristotle, that upon this supposition, the whole current of Air would always be carried from East to West, by the diurnal revolution of the Primum mobile; and so the Winds could never change to any other point of the Compass; with many insupportable difficulties, which put the Moderns upon new methods of resolving the Phaenomenon.  
The Peripatetics, though by no encouragement from the Text of Aristotle, hold that the Repulse or Antiperistasis, which the hot and dry exhalations meet with by rancountring the cold Clouds, causeth their resilition downwards, and impresses that oblique motion on the Winds.  
But the most learned of our present age have so little regard, for the doctrine of Antiperistasis, as it's usually maintained in the Schools; that they endeavour to explicate this, and all other appearances in Nature without it; and the Lord Verulam himself being averse to this Caprice of the Scholastic Doctors, declares the Repercussion of Winds, from the cold of the Middle Region, to be of all other the vainest and most Irrational Hypothesis.  
However I deny not but Winds are frequently generated in the 2d Region of the Air, sometimes from vapors before, and otherwhile after their coalition into Clouds: The Prognostics of these, is a trembling, and murmur of the woods; the shooting of Stars; Halos about the Moon: All which indicate a repletion of the Atmosphere with exhalations, that afterwards descend and are converted into Wind: yet the cause of their relapse to the Earth, is, no repercussion from that Imaginary Antiperistasis, but the Ingenit gravity of the vapours themselves; at least the pressure and detrusion of the superincumbent Air; which I suppose to lie in several fleeces, or stories one above another, and press down the inferior; that when the Winds chance to gravitate comparatively more than the vapours near the surface of the Earth, they, to preserve the just Counterpoise of the Atmosphere, must necessarily descend of their own accord.  
The gravity of Air (especially Wind which is a body far more Heterogeneous and impure) can be no paradox to the learned of our times; since the many noble disquisitions about the pressure and weight of the Atmosphere, made by Mr. Boyl, and other curious Persons.  
Our Seamen commonly observe it to blow from that quarter, where they see one or more Clouds gather above the Horizon: Either that they press more than at other times, or because the matter of which they consist is afterwards dissolvible into Winds.  
Those Clouds, from the rupture and dissolution of which we are to expect sudden gusts, hang more loose and floating, being commonly of a brighter colour, and neither so dense or opacous as the other which are pregnant with showers.  
It appears from the precedent discourses, that Winds do not only emerge from the Aeolian Caves; but have a much sublimer origine in the Kingdom of Meteors, being generated both in the Lower and Middle Regions; at least consist of the gross Air, and vapours, that are driven from thence: and though after their relapse to the earth, they are indifferently disposed to what ever species of Agitation, yet generally they begin their march towards that quarter, whither the most Violent Impulse is made; at least where they find the medium more yielding, and fittest to propagate their motions. As sometimes the Atmosphere is thinnest towards the South, which begets a Northwind: other while in the West, and then the protrusion is likewise made Westward: Or if the whole current bend with too great violence towards one point; it oftentimes recoils back again, and begets a quite contrary Wind to the former. Thus we often observe, that when one Wind ceases, the Opposite begins; & the Atmosphere, which in many things bears a great resemblance to liquids, has these kind of fluxes & refluxes like the Rivers and Seas: For Air is a body so fluid, and tractable, so easily susceptible of them, and long retentive of the least impressions; that if it once be set a going, it as a kind of perpetual Automat, continues the motion, is drawn into consort with the vapours, and itself converted into Wind. If we make a further enquiry into the cause of their motions, we shall find they proceed likewise according to the disposition of the Aliment; and those which have no durable Fonds, dwindle away and are soon exhausted in their course: sometimes they condense into Clouds; and otherwhile, being too much attenuated and refined, they vanish and dissipate in the Air.  
Those Winds which are nearest their Local Origines, blow hardest: especially such as are reinforced by other auxiliary Vapours as they pass. Acosta observed they were always most turbulent near the shores and promontories of the Indies: because the flatulent steams were then more impetuous near their rise; which afterwards became languishing, and broken by a long passage in the Ocean. So that there are several accidents which may occasion the greater rage and impetuosity of Winds; As first, the Plenty of Matter which constitutes them: secondly, the Rarity of the Medium that affords no considerable obstacles to stop their career. Orlastly, because the Protrusion of the Air is more forcible & stronger then at other times.  
Thus far we have employed our thoughts concerning their first Fountains, or Local Origin's in General.  
The Formal Cause, or essential Attribute of Winds is their Transverse Motion: For Air is no longer Wind, than its Agitated and Moved: and therefore Homer was not so good a Philosopher as some of his Scholiasts would make us believe, who shut them up in Ulysses his bottle.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, 
Hom.   
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. 
Odies. 10.   
And the swift course of the Tempestuous Wind,  
Close in a leather bottle he confined.  
The Causes of their oblique Progression has so far engaged the most Philosophical Genius'es' of former times; that Bodinus at length, not knowing what to determine among such Variety of opinions, ascribes it to the Energy of Angels: And the College of Conimbra to the Immediate influx of the Divine Power. Kepler will needs have the Earth Animated, and to breath out Winds from the Subterraneal Caverns, as from its Nostrils or Mouth.  
Theophrastus' [in his book which he Entitles: 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉:] Phancy'd the Winds to be partly of an Igneous Nature still aspiring upwards: and partly made up of Terrestrial Exhalations which endeavour to Descend; that by this means they were forced to direct their Course Obliquely, between two Contrary Motions: Which seems to me less Plausible than the Doctrine of Aristotle; though I think it would be equally difficult to explain how the rapid gyration of the Celestial bodies, could create those violent impressions on the Air, & Winds, at that immense distance from the Earth.  
It would be tedious to recite the dissents of the Greek interpreters with the Latins; how many nauseating, and frivolous contests arose upon this Argument between Theophrastus, Aphrodisaeus, & the School of Alexandria: and in the more flourishing reign of Peripatetisme, how strangely did Albertus Magnus, Thomas Aquinas, Cajetan, and Contarenus, with many others of the Seraphic and Angelical Doctors, torture their wits, either to find out some new Salvo for the Hypothesis of Aristotle, or invent a worse of their own. Bonaventure writ a whole book, wherein he treats of little else beside the several opinions concerning the Transverse motion of Wind. And we must needs esteem it a great effect of their leisure, who have employed so much time in such empty and jejune speculations.  
Yet not only the Peripatetics have failed in their attempts: but we have as little satisfaction from Epicurus, or the severe Porch: & may as justly question whether the Theories which shall be started hereafter, must hope for any better success. Yet I think we may thus far rationally conclude, that as the causes of Winds are various, so the reason of their Transverse Motions is not always one and the same.  
I have frequently observed that not only the North, but most other Winds, seem many times rather somewhat to descend, then blow in an exact Perpendicular line to the Horizon: yet we must acknowledge, that even those which relapse from the Middle Region, or are generated by the Rarefaction of Vapours in the Intermediate space between the Earth and Clouds, have for the most part an oblique or Semicircular Motion; for though their Ingenit weight would rather Praecipitate them to the Earth: yet they are either born up and repelled by the continual Effluxions of ascending Steams; or at least can descend no lower then where they come to the just counterpoise of the Air. So that if the Flatulent Vapours have gravity enough (especially after they are Condensed in the Colder Region) to invite them Downward, and yet the resistance of the Atmosphere sufficient in a great measure to check and retard their descent; this must necessarily divert them from their Precipice, inclining them rather to a mixed and Collateral Motion. For though Winds are generally heavyer than the Air below, yet they are supported in it, during their Career; till by degrees falling downwards to the Earth, they at length cease, or languish in their Course.  
We must note likewise, that the whole body of the Air, settles about the Earth in a spherical Figure; so that the protrusion is made from all parts to the Centre; that the Winds, being resisted by the Pressure of the Atmosphere above, and the Earth or Sea below, move, as in a Channel, between both, wherefore they soar highest in a Serene Sky, when the depression of the Air, and Winds is much less than in Cloudy weather. And the reason why they blow Obliquely (or which is all one) perpendicularly to the Horizon, is not to be supposed, because the Vapours are naturally determined to any such particular species of Agitation; but that, being dilated by the Sun, they require a larger space, and find the Medium most disposed to admit of their Motions in that manner.  
Lastly those Winds which emerge from the Caverns under Ground, may sometimes have that Tranverse Motion impresed on them from their Fountains, at the time of their Eruption. For those Volatile spirits or Salts, being once moved in the Hollows of the Earth, by the Subterraneal warmth, are still roving up and down, and restless, till they get vent; and after their release protrude the Contiguous Air, and propagate the same kind of Agitation in whatever bodies occur in the way: and then all Auxiliary Vapours will be sure to have Immediate recourse whither the strongest current bends.  
But beside these Primitive and Original, there are other Secundary causes and Affections of Winds: as, their Undulation; Repercussion from Promontories; Opposition, etc.  
We have thus far enquired into the Progressive; but the Undulating Motions are no less considerable in Winds: for they blow not in one constant fluor, or stream, but in gusts, that have their starts and intervals, intermitting like our pulse; which is called the Undulation of Wind or Air, from the resemblance it bears to the wavings and fluctuation of Waters.  
Some of them are Indigenae, or Natives, and others Adventitious to the places where they blow: yet the question still recurrs; for those which are Externs, and either come from beyond Sea, or rove from far countries, have the same Local Origine with the rest, though remoter from our observation.  
The motions of Winds, as indeed all other bodies whatever, are propagated in right lines; if nothing intervene to check and retard their course: but usually so many impediments occur, that are able to make resistance in the way, that they seldom proceed in one uninterrupted Perpendicular from their fountains: Especially in moutanous places, Forests, and other Eminencies, and inequalities of Ground, but they are repulsed and recoil back again, and being sometimes imprisoned in the straits or Creeks of promontories, they are tossed and banded to and fro like Tennis balls, till they find their passage out: so that after several diversions it may happen at last, that a Wind may be distracted to a quite different point of the compass: and otherwhile so far befriended by the advantageous situations of the places where they blow, that they run streaming between two Mountains, as in a Channel or trough; and are guarded on all sides from the inroads of other Exotique Winds and Air. Upon this account it's no very unusual thing to have one Wind blow on the Top of a Mountain, and a quite contrary in the Valley below. In the main Sea they keep the same quarter a long time, when nothing occurrs that can control them: but near mountainous Islands, or shores, they whiffle up and down, and shift from one point of the Compass to another, by several repercussions from the promontories or hills; and these our Seamen call Eddy Winds: For as Water once dismissed from the Fountain's head, is not only tinctured with the qualities it received from thence, but must afterwards conform to the course of the Channel or banks through which it glides: so the Winds (which are Torrents, or Rivulets of Air) have their Maeanders and deflections in their Journey, and are in a great measure obnoxious to the situation of the Country's in which they blow: They also meet with frequent opposition, from the repletion of the Atmosphere with multitudes of fresh Exhalations, that check, and cross them in their way; but especially by their Rencounters with Contrary Winds; which must necessarily Engage, and strive for mastery, till one overcomes: So that from two contrary Winds, there sometimes results a Third compounded of both Extremes; and otherwhile if they meet in the Eye of each other from Diametrically opposite points of the Compass, they balance one another; and there ensues a calm.  
The Matter of Winds according to Aristotle, is, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉: [A Dry and Fumid Exhalation] we have his Sentiments more particularly in the second book of Meteors: 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. On which Text the succeeding Peripatetics seem to ground their Doctrine, that nevertheless may admit of a far greater Latitude than the Modern Schools allow: For he never altogether excluded moist bodies 
* 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, etc.  as is expressy declared in the same Chapter: though the Degrees of Siccity were always to be most Prevalent [〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉] etc.  
I acknowledge that Winds may sometimes consist of Hot & dry Exhalations; but the Humid & Aqueous are much better adjusted to the design. For this reason, rain is the usual Prognostic of Winds, because the plenty of moisture, then floating upon the superficies of the Earth, is afterwards dilated and put in motion by the heat of the Sun: as Lucretius instances in wet clothes, and Aristotle in moist wood, that emit greater quantities of steams, and wreak more than Dry: for although the Fumid and Terrene concretions, especially those Earth's and Salts in the Caverns and spiracles under Ground, being Agitated by the Subterraneal fires, require a far intenser heat to resolve them into Winds being of much more tenacious figures than Water, and other liquids, which hang loosely together, and are sooner expanded into larger dimensions. Wherhfore the definition of Metrodorus in Plutarch seems to excel; That Wind is: 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Aquosis anhelitus aestus. And though Aristotle declares, they confist of Hot & dry exhalations, at least, the Earthy parts to be always most predominant; yet, by travelling o'er lakes or snowy Mountains, he allows they may become moist or cold; & we find that almost any stirring, or Ventilation of the Air does refrigerate.  
Neither did the Stagirite himself so strictly confine his Hypothesis to the Hot and terrestrial Exhalations; For in the 2d book of his Meteors he acknowledges the Etesians to be generated from the colliquation of ice, & snow in the Polar regions. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, etc. Quibus à sole colliquatis flare soliti sunt. But why should I longer dispute their materials and properties? Winds are hot, dry, cold, have the greatest diversities of qualities, & accidents: They may consist of almost infinite variety of salts, spirits, juices, and minerals, Subterraneous damps, agitated Air, dissolved Snows, broken and dissipated Clouds, rarified vapours, and what not? For most bodies being sufficiently dilated, and put in motion are convertible into Wind.  
Next, as to their Limits and Seasons: Some spread many thousand leagues, and others not above 2 or 3 miles from their Fountains; I call That the Country, or Fountain of Wind, where are those Caverns, or other Local Origin's which gave them birth.  
We cannot easily determine of their Altitude: My Lord Bacon delivers his sense, that they not only aspire to the Confines of the Middle Region, but soar above the generality of Clouds; as we oftentimes observe the Clouds move, & a gentle breath fanning the top branches of trees, and yet not the least Brise of Wind stirring near the surface of the Earth: which shows, they sometimes prevail most in the Lower, and otherwhile in the remoter stations of the Air, and so accordingly mount higher or descend, as they happen to be more or less depresed by the Gravity of the Atmosphere.  
Varenius perceived the smoke issuing from the top of mount Aetna, to be Agitated and tossed up and down, as from the tunnells of chimnies; which, though it lifts up its snowy head into the Second Region, yet it is not altogether exempt from the incursions of Winds. However, Acosta travelling o'er the Peruvian hills, discovered no violent motion of the Air; but rather an Aether so subtilised, and ignite, that it caused heave & convulsions in animals, so that they were forced to thicken it with sponges, to prevent immediate suffocation. In like manner the highest eminency or peak of Tenariffe, is always at peace, nor exposed to those storms which sometimes infest the lower parts or neck of the Mountain.  
The Alps, and Pyreneans, or whatever hills beside that are covered with perennial snows, are also liable to Winds from their resolution in the Summer; but the Peruvian, and some others which may be reckoned as the Extravagancies of Nature, that threaten the sky, and overlook the Clouds with their prodigious height, are, I suppose, never disturbed by tempests; though I question whether any of our European world can pretend to this privilege, yet the Grecian historians, who took all opportunities to advance the miracles of their country, relate of the Macedonian Athos; That it was Customary when they sacrificed on the top of of the mountain, to inscribe their names in the ashes, and the characters are said to have remained all the year round, without being in the least defaced by the Winds.  
The Spring and Autumn, especially about the time of either Aequinox, are the most Flatulent seasons of the year.  
It's observable, the complexion of the Air is generally more silent at Midday, and in Sultry Wether; when the Exhalations are too much attenuated to constitute Winds, which require a very considerable density and refrigeration: For this reason the South Winds usually blow in the Night, the Air being over much refined in that quarter by the heat of the Day, till it condense again by the moderate cold of the night. The Spring is generally more Windy than the Violent heats of Summer; both from the liquefaction of snows; and because the pores of the Earth are then loosened, and the Vaporous effluxions released from their former imprisonment, during the Frost: and therefore those Winter's which have least frost, and the Vapours suffered freely to transpire, are exposed to the most boisterous Winds: as for example the last in the year 1670.  
Likewise in Autumn we have commonly very blustering weather; most about the other Aequinox, when the Sun principally dilating the Air between the Tropiques, causes a more violent protrusion towards the Poles of the World. Shall we say that the luxuriant Rains which fall at that time of the year, afford more plentiful materials for Wind? Or is it by reason the reserus of the Summer Vapours are condensed by the Autumnal cold, when the heat of the Summer too much refines, and dissipates the exhalations, & the inclemency of the Winter rather thickens them into Snow or Clouds. So that a just and moderate condensation is necessary to the constitution of Winds: if it be too much, they degenerate into rain, etc. if too little, they become Stagnant Air.  
But, from their Limits and Seasons, I descend to the more remarkable Species: As the General or Tropical Wind; the Provincial; the Land and Sea Brise's; the several sorts of Etesians and Monsoons in the Indian Seas, etc. and shall from thence proceed to their Qualitys, and Prognostiques.  
The General or Trade Wind, continueth all the year round with little variation. It is likewise called the Tropical, Levantine, and Universal Brise: because it blows constantly from the Eastern Points: and makes no far excursions beyond the Tropiques; commonly meeting our ships about the 30, 34, and in Summer oftentimes beyond the 36, degree of N. Latitude: always proportionably to the declination of the Sun.  
On this side the line they sit most at N. East; and on the other, at South East, or the points between the South and East. Now what Universal cause can afford such immense magasins of vapours? where can be the Local origines of these perenniall Winds which imitate the circulation of the Heavens? Or happily the disciples of Copernicus will conclude that they depend on the diurnal motion of the Earth; which passing from East to West, in the space of 24 hours, may by that violent rotation seduce with it the adjacent Air in one constant fluor or stream; For we observe that the Winds in some Seas change with the currents or tides; and if so small a force can vary the motions of the Air; how much more may we expect from the rapid circumgyration of the whole Terraqueous globe? De Cartes, speaking of these Levant Winds in his discourse of Meteors, says, Commode ratio deduci nequeat, nisi Universi fabrica simul explicetur. This opinion, I confess, is wholly built on the Copernican Hypothesis; yet if the Heavens move, and the Earth stand still, according to the Vulgar and more received system of the world, we may render a no less rational account of the Phaenomenon from other solid grounds.  
For, supposing the heat to be far more intense to exhale and solicit vapours, between the Tropiques, when the Sun is Vertical, and the rays fall at right angles to the Earth: This must needs set vast multitudes of vapours afloat, both from Sea and Land, which may be sufficient to furnish materials for the General Wind: but then an objection may as easily be started, why these Vapours, or Winds, still keep in the road of the Sun? why should they not sometimes slant aside, and make their deflexions towards the Poles? I answer; the resistance of the Atmosphere is greater; being remoter from the middle of the world, and the immediate jurisdiction of the Sun beams, that the winds are as it were walled in on both sides, by the grosser vapours beyond the Tropiques; and so forced to attend on the solar motions, where the channel is open, and the Air more yielding and refined by the continual heat.  
Nay, even in our Seas, when no other Winds are stirring, you may often perceive a small Air still accompanying the course of the Sun; and it's remarkable in dead calms that both the Fanes of ships, & weathercocks by land generally hang Westward. This may receive some Elucidation from a very obvious experiment of an iron bullet, heated, and drawn over the surface of water, that presently invites the the ambient Air to follow the same course, as we may discover by a feather, or other versatil body suspended above the Water; that will have an immediate tendency the same way, where the medium being attenuated by the heated iron becomes more pervions and rare: which methinks may be of some validity to explicate why these Universal Winds have that constant compliance and uniformity with the course of the Sun. They are likewise accompanied with a perpetual motion of the Seas, from East to West: for the Currents of Air and water are inseparable companions, both in the South seas, the Pacifique, and Indian Ocean. And as the tides are driven from the shores, and return in a thousand Eddies, and tortuous Meanders from the land; In like manner the Winds, though they chance to be frequently repulsed by the promontories, and higher Islands, that like shores impede the Atmosphericall currents, yet generally between the Tropiques the motions of the Seas and Winds make their perennial progress the same way. Some are pleased to think, that the Sun in their Zenith does so far excavate and absorbe the parts of the subjacent Ocean that the waters immediately follow, as in a channel, from East to West: But Vossiius [De Motu Maris & Vent.] on the contrary, does as eagerly contend, that the Celestial beams do, by dilating the waters, rather cause a greater turgency and protuberance on their superficies; which therefore subside towards the Occident, where the passage is more declive, till it be likewise elated by the approach of the Sun: From the same principles he endeavours the solution of the Universal Winds, that the Air rises highest where the Solar rays fall at more direct angles; and then, like the Seas, begin their course Westward: of which he assigns no other cause then as before: Quia lege naturae, ab altioribus ad decliviora fit motus: quod enim Aequor, id ipsum patitur Aer huic incumbens. So perfectly Analogous are the motions of Air to those of Water: that the Winds are almost Universally governed by the Hydrostatique Laws.  
However, I shall no longer propose my conjectural thoughts concerning the cause of this abstruse Phaenomenon: but choose rather to entertain the Curious, with some nicer observations, which have been made both by the English and Dutch, that by this means, though I dare not boast the invention of New Hypotheses, yet I may be able to cast in my mite towards the perfecting an history of nature.  
I was lately enquiring of a very skilful navigator, what variations he observed of the Trade Winds in his voyages to the West Indies. Who readily complying with my desires sent me this following account.  
The Trade Winds have their Variations as well as others, though not so much: For betwixt the Tropiques, where we are at the greatest certainty, they differ two or three points.  
Their most certain points are the N E. by N. and N E. by E. I have observed both outward, and homeward bound, that as we came Northerly, so we had the more Easterly Winds in the same Latitude: As for example, outward bound, in the Latitudes of 20, 21, 22, and 23, near the Tropic of Cancer, and in the Longitudes of 52. 53. and 54. beginning the said Longitude at the Meridian of London; I say, there we found the Winds at E. N. E. and E. by N. and E. and sometimes E. and by S. and E. S. E. so likewise homeward bound, sailing along the North side of Cuba, in the same Latitudes above mentioned, near the Tropic, we found the Winds upon the same points, as a foresaid, though there were 35 degrees of Longitude difference: but after we have passed these Latitudes, and sailing near the line, we shall then find the Trade Winds to incline more towards the N. E. as is above declared.  
But what I could not so particularly collect from many reviews of our Seamens Journals, I find an Inquisitive Person has observed in two several Voyages to the East Indies. That from 34 degrees of N. Lat. towards the coast of Afric, or about the Meridian of the Canaries; the Winds seldom vary above two points from the North East; and so last to the 7 or 8: though sometimes the Tornado Winds have been met with from the 12 th' of N. Lat. and generally continue till within 4 degrees of the line. Moreover 
P. Trans. Vol. 2.  from the African shore, 100 or 200 leagues West; the forementioned North-East Wind commonly inclines to the East; and 20 degrees off from the meridian of the Azores, will be most at East North-East: and as the Winds near the Continent of Europe are commonly between East and North, so at the meridian of the hithermost Azores, they hang between South-West, and North-West.  
The S. East Winds begin to take place between the Aequator, and the Tropic of Capricorn: and the nearer you are to the Coast of Afric, they are the more Southerly: and as you approach to the Coast of Brasile, it inclines more and more to the East. And there is not only variation in respect of the Longitude, but likewise of the Latitude: So that near the Aequator the Wind is more towards the South, than it is in the same Meridian near the Tropic of Capricorn, where it it is constantly between S. E. by E. and S. E. by S.  
From hence we may understand what variations happen to the General Winds in respect to the degrees of Longitude: and for their Latitude, or distance from the Aequator, it's for the most part governed by the course of the Sun: which being Excentrical from the Earth, as it approaches, or deviates more or less from one Tropic to another; so it alternately causes the same declinations in the Universal Winds: when it deflects towards the Northern signs, they likewise bend the same way: If the Sun be just about the Equinoctial, they have the same Winds and tides in the Pacifique, and so from Peru to the Moluccas: when it's in the Summer Solstice, the Trade Wind reaches to at least the 36th degree of Boreal Latitude; and being in Capricorn, it not only declines to almost the 40 degree of S. Lat. but obliges them that navigate in the Northern Hemisphere, to fetch their Wind much nearer the line. The same detrusion of the Seas and Winds happens, not only in the Ocean between afric and the West Indies; but in the South seas towards the Philippine Islands. For from March to October, they hang towards the North; and from October to March, they revert with the Sun towards the Southern parts of the world. Yet there may some accidents intervene, that frequently impede the course of the tides, and Universal Winds: as the Situations of promontories, or shores, especially about the Coast of Guiny, and other parts of afric: but in the Indian seas subjacent to the Torrid Zone, from the 10, or 11 degrees of S. Lat. to the 28, there are constantly the same motions of the Tides and Winds, till the Sun retiring towards the Tropic of Cancer, draws the Winds 10, or 11 degrees more North, nay sometimes almost to the Aequinoctial line: but as it describes a contrary Arch towards the South, they in like manner make their excursions to about the 30 degree of South Latitude.  
The Adjacent Mountains that guard them from the East, likewise divert the Levants from the Coasts of Guiny: which occasions such tedious Calms towards the Equinoctial, that some ships have waytted several months, for a Wind before they could set sail from their Port. So Angola, Congo, and many other Countries along the Aethiopique Ocean, from the line to near the Tropic of Capricorn; as Cape Negro, Carinba, etc. are shelterd from the General Brise: As likewise Peru, and some other Western parts of America, which have vast ridges of Hills that run for many thousand leagues from North to South, dividing Guiana and Brasile from Peru and the Kingdom of Chili.  
I shall only add, that the Levants blow much stronger by day then night, (as is well known to all Mariners who have sailed between the Tropiques) which shows that they rather depend on the Sun than the motion of the Earth, or Primum Mobile.  
These are the most General observations: but, as I before suggested, the Trade Winds loose much of their sovereignty near the shores, and are frequently impeded by the intervention of Islands, and Cross Winds: and sometimes the Promontories and Land Brise's repel them from their Coasts: yet these, or whatever extraneous accidents, can never alter the perennial motion, but it still recovers again: & blowing from afric to the American continent, and so through the South seas towards the East Indies, & from thence makes as it were a complete Tour round the world.  
The Ocean between Jemiac and Carthagene is oftentimes very tempestuous: but nearer inclining to either shores the fury of the Trade Winds is much abated, and for 20 leagues in length, at a place called the Keys of Cuba, it's interrupted by a Westerly Wind that blows all the year round. So that it prevails most in the Pacifique and other Spacious seas; where it runs streaming without impediment along the liquid Plains; that from New Spain to the Philippine Islands, they steer the same course, for 60 days together, and from the Cape of good Hope to St. Helen's, it likewise constantly swells their sails with one secure and equal gale.  
We might likewise venture at a better account, then has hitherto been given, why the Western Wind blows most commonly on this side the Tropiques; for the whole current of Air being carried from East to West, it recoils back again; and by reason of this repercussion, from about 30 degrees Latitude where the Trade Wind ceases, the Western begins. Here in England, the Eastern usually govern the spring, and we have sometimes variable Winds, but generally the Western engross the greatest part of the year, which indeed are no more than the Tropical Wind at rebound: for not being able to return back against the stream (the Trade Winds still reigning in the Torrid Zone) it must needs be diverted toward the Poles, and sometimes produces the West, and otherwhile the Laterals, North and South West, as the Angles are more direct or acute in their reflection.  
Thus, from the same Latitude where the Trade Wind ends, there usually begins a motion contrary to the course of the Sun, by which we sail from West to East, and so much the more or less, as it deflects towards either of the Poles. wherefore those who navigate from the Moluccas to the Western parts of America, being never able to hold on their course in the middle, and bear up against the General Wind, fetch a compass beyond the Tropiques, sometimes to 36, and otherwhile to 40; as the course of the Sun, and consequently the Winds and Tides, incline more or less towards the North or South. And so those that sail from Barhados St. Domingo, or Jamaica, are forced to steer their course towards the Gulf of Florida, to the 36, and in Summer sometimes beyond the 40 degree of N. Latitude; where they meet with the Reverse, or Western Winds to conduct them into Europe. The same likewise happens in the voyage from Brasile to Angola: if the Sun illustrates the Southern world, it extrudes the General Wind to at least the 36 degree of S. Latitude; where afterwards they meet with perpetual Currents and Winds from the West: but in the other part of the year, when the Trade Wind makes a lesser Arch towards their Hemisphere, it will be sufficient if you take a compass to the 25, or 26 degrees of Latitude.  
So not only the Tropical Brise, but the Western (which are kind of perennial or Stationary Winds without the Tropiques) observe their just distance from the Equinoctial, always proportionable to the course of the Sun: and if this were better understood by some of our less curious navigators, they would find the motions of the Trade Winds, though it meets them in several Latitudes, sometimes nearer, & otherwhile remoter from the line, not so Fortuitous as they commonly imagine: & some more accurate observations of this nature, would not only instruct them, where to expect the Trade Wind in their voyages to the New World, but how far they should make a circuit without the Tropics, to fetch their Western Winds, when they are Homeward bound.  
The General or Trade Winds are diffused though the Universe, and have vast Territories, and dominions, but others are confined to as narrow a compass; which they call the Regionary and Provincial, because they wander not far from their Native Fountains, and termiminate in those Regions which gave them birth. Gassendus mentions one in Provence that blows constantly from the 
Gass. Meteor. cap. 1.  same point, and seldom makes any excursions above two miles.  
* Seneca says, these are observed 
Nulla regio quae non habet aliquem ventum intra se cadentem, & circa se nascentam. Lib. 5. N. Q. cap. 17.  in all Countries & climes. And whence can they proceed but from the Salts, juices, and Earth's there about that afford them materials? or from the Adjacent mountains, and Caverns, which are (as it were) the Country and Royalty of those Winds; so that they neither sally far abroad themselves, nor suffer Foreigners to invade their Destricts. For though by reason of the situation of the places, or the Paucity of the exhalation, they make no long Journys from home; yet having Indefectible and Perenniall Fountains, they never cease blowing within their own jurisdiction.  
I might reckon among the Provincial Winds, those on the shores of Peru and Chile, which blow perpetually from the South: that in their voyage from Lima to Panama they quickly run it up before the Wind, but in their return back again, they are forced to steer a different course, which requires many days.  
We have in the next place, a fit opportunity to make a more accurate research into all sorts of Brise's. The Brise's are those Winds which blow alternately both from Sea and Land, in the space of 24 hours.  
The Viracoins or Sea Brise's rule by day, and those that come off from shore which the Portugals call Terreinhos, or Vento di Terra, are, as it were, the sentines of the night; so that dividing their Empire between Sea and Land; they are constant as the seasons of the year, or course of the Sun; on which they seem wholly to depend. Yet I deny not, but they come sooner or later, in some places than others, and vary the Alternative, according to the several latitudes, and other external events in the regions where they happen.  
De Cartes and Du Hamel agree in the same opinion; where, offering at the cause why some Winds blow off from Sea in the day time, and from Land by night; the former gives this account. solemn 
De Cartes p. 159.  dum splendet plures, vapores e mari, quam terra attollere: at contra, cum sol recessit, calorem relictum plures è terra, quam è mari, elevare. And Du Hamel comments thus on the same opinion in his treatise of Meteors. Haec enim calorem pertinacius retinet quam aqua; unde terra etiam noctu vapores ventis procreandis suppeditat: as if the day Brise's were generated from the Sea vapours during the presence of the Sun; and the Night Winds from the heat which he leaves behind him in the Earth. For though liquids reak more in the Day time, and emit greater numbers of vaporous steams; yet Solid bodies, such as the Earth, being once thoroughly heated, retain the warmth longer, by reason the density and close contexture of their parts, for some time, hinders the exilition of the fiery particles. So that after Sunsetting, the Terrestrial fumes may still afford matter for the Night Brise's.  
Yet the learned 
* De Motu Maris & Vent.  Is. Vossius regretting the ill success of all former Hypotheses, & particularly that of Cartesius, followed by Du Hamel, endeavours to prove the origine of most, and even those that are commonly reputed Land Winds, to proceed from the Sea, which he admits not only to be sooner susceptible of any Calorifique impressions, but longer retentive of them, than the Earth. For the Divers find by experience, that the profoundest Seas are in hot Days warm to the bottom, though not equally with their surface; when the Land is scarce ever heated above 2 or 3 foot by the Sun. We may suppose with this Inquisitive Gentleman, that the motion of the Air is generally consectaneous to the Seas; and both of them Elated by Rarefaction: So that the heat raising them higher, the Winds and tides accompany each other to the shores; yet in the night time, being deprived of the Celestial beams, they subside; and observing the equal libration of the Air, revert back again to their former stations; whence may be generated those which we call Terrestrial Winds: Sole occaso subsidere utrumque humorem, & Aerem denuo ad locum suum refluere. Cap. 24.  
In some Countries the Sea-brises are no more than Efforts of the General or Trade Wind; as at Madagascar, St. Helen's, Barbados, and others of the Caribbe-Islands, together with many places between Tropiques, when the Universal Wind reaches their Coasts: which, if it be not impeded by tains, or Islands, blows fresh in the day time, but after Sunsetting, the Terrestrial exhalations, that happily were too much attenuated by the heat of the Day, condense again by the nocturnal cold, And settling about the Promontories and hills, they are at length precipitated by their innate gravity, and beget a Wind towards all quarters at once; which is not only able to make head against the Trade Wind, but to repulse it from their coasts. As the Jamaica Brise's come from all parts of the Issland at the same time, that no ship can enter the Harbour by Night, nor depart after the Sea Brise begins.  
Lastly may not all sorts of Brise's, be chiefly caused by the mutual Rarefaction and condensation of the Air; and those which in the Day time make to land (where the medium is most yielding and thinnest, because fewer vapours ascend from thence) in the night, are repercused back again to Sea; and so, as it were, Ebb and flow by turns, that these Atmosphericall tides are no less constant, than the fluxes and refluxes of the Ocean. I have often suspected, that all these species of Winds arise from the difference between the density of the Land and Sea Air: For Air, if it chance to be much compresed in one place, more than another, the natural Elasticity thereof endeavours a restitution, and oftentimes repels it back again with extreme violence: so that almost any unequal density of the Atmosphere may occasion Winds. But whatever be the particular mode of their generation, they seem to be universally governed by the motion of the sun. When first he salutes our Horizon, they begin insensibly to fan, and agitate the Air, blowing fresher by degrees, as the Celestial heat prevails, and are highest at 12 of the clock; and so continue till 2 or 3, and then slacken, and (as it were) decline with the Sun. The Brise's in the Levant cease all the winter, when the Sun is banished into the Southern Tropic; and return again in the spring when he likewise reverts towards the Northern signs: beside, they often intermit in the Summer, when the Levant Winds blow through the Mediterranean; and it would questionless prove very obliging to the learned world, to make a complete collection of such observations, as might any way contribute to a more perfect history of Brise's. For example, first how they differ according to the several Latitudes and meridians, 2 lie whether they are perenniall, as between the Tropiques, or last only the Summer Months, as most in the temperate Zones: 3 lie what obstructions they meet with from the Universal Brise, or other cross Winds. And Lastly the nature of the shores, Currents, and hills where they happen. In the forementioned Isle of Jamaica the Land Winds depend so much on the situation of the mountain, that they reach to all parts at an equal distance from thence: and therefore an ingenious person has observed in his voyage to the Caribbes Islaid 
Philos. Transact. , that at Port-morant on the Easterly side of the Country there is little land Brise, because the mountain is more remote from thence, so that the exhalation spends itself in the way.  
In these parts of the West Indies, the Sea Winds are coolest, and most refreshing, which the people receive with their windows open, the fronts of their houses being generally built on purpose for their reception; and they find themselves no less quickend by the pleasurable gale, which is as great a Luxury to those Regions, as bathing with us; and so cherishing to the inhabitants, that sick persons, if they can possibly creep out of their Hammocks or beds, neglect not this opportunity of reviving their spirits. In so much that we may judge concerning the salubrity of many African and American climates, from the nature of the Brise's; for those which want the gentle salutes of the Sea Wind, are scarce inhabitable by the excess of heat. In the mean time, though I despair of reconciling the various Hypotheses to which the Phaenomena may refer; I shall set down certain Historical remarks taken from our Journals, & voyages into the Levant, Guiny, the East, and West Indies; and may hereafter promise a fuller account of all other parts, wherever the English ships have spread their Triumphant streamers in the Old or New world.  
In the first place we must note, that the Terreinhos, and Brise's of all sorts succeed a calm; wherein happily the matter of which they consist, forms itself.  
They come in the day time from the Seaward; yet not always from one poinr of the compass, but several, as the land lies. On the coast of Carthagene from the East; on the Island of Trinidad, and so likewise at Guiana in America, from the North; At Jamaica South upon one side of the Island, and North upon the other.  
In Guiny (and from 6. degrees of N. Latitude to the Equinoctial,) the Sea Brise's arrive at S. S. W. to the S. W. Their beginning is at 9, or 10 of the clock in the morning, and they continue till 10, 11, or 12, at night, blowing a fresh gale, which extremely cherishes the Natives & white men.  
At 10, 11, or 12, at night they cease; giving place to the Land Winds, which continue till morning, from the North to the N. W. points. This I was informed by a skilful Master of a ship, who had made several voyages to Guiny; whom I shall have occasion to mention more particularly hereafter.  
On the coasts of Malabar (if we may rely upon Linschoten, and Varenius (who pretends in such cases to have diligently consulted the Sea men's journals) from September to April, which is the time of their Summer, the Easterly Winds blow off the land, about 12 at night, & continue till 12 at noon, reaching 10 miles into the Ocean; Then the Western make to shore, as it were the former reflected back again; the Vapours and clouds being alternately resolved into Winds, by the rising, and setting Sun.  
In Brasile, Madagascar, and many of the Caribbe-Islands, they have no Land Brise, especially if the shores lie low, as at Barbados, where the General or Levant. Wind blows from one end of the Isle to the other; and servs instead of the Viracoins or Sea-brise. Here (as I was informed by one of the chief Planters, who lived several years upon the place) it begins to rise about 7, or 8 in the morning, rising higher with the Sun till 12, when it blows with a very strong Gale; and so lasts at the same height till towards 3 in the afternoon, and then slackens at Sun setting. As the Trade Wind generally blows fresher by day then night.  
On the Coasts of Madagascar and Brasile, they have the aforesaid General or Trade Winds, all the year round, from 9 in the morning till 3 in the afternoon. It would be further enquired into, whether there be any Terreinhos, but from high lands: for at Barbados they have rarely any Land Brise, the Levants being sole Monarches of the Island: but at Jamaica, which lies not above 4 or 5 degrees from thence, and within the Tropiques, they have also the Land Winds constantly every Night, which drive a way the Levants from their shores.  
In other Places they want the Sea-Brise: and for the most part, where the Ocean lies Westerly between the Tropiques: as the Western Kingdoms of Afric; Gualata, Hoden, about Cape Verde, and the river Niger, Malaguta, Congo: so in America on the Coasts of New Spain, Chiapa, Hondura, etc. where the Trade Wind reigns perpetually, and suffers not the Sea-Brise to approach their Coasts. But where ever long ridges of Mountains guard them from the East, as in part of Guiny, Angola, and so on the Western Countries of Peru; they have the refreshing Brise's from the Ocean, which renders them fruitful and pleasant.  
I made no further enquiry of our Sea men concerning the Brise's of the East Indies, finding them already set down by Hughen Van Linschoten in his Instuction, for 
Cap. 18. lib. 3.  the Navigation of the Indies.  
The Land Winds blowing into the Sea, last from Midnight; and the Viracoius (which arrive at the West and sometimes N. W. throughout all India) from noon till 12 at night: and coming out of the Sea towards the Land, are therefore called Viracoins, or Sea Winds: They often stay late, and blow but slowly.  
Nearer the Coasts of China, you have the Terreinhos out of the West, and N. W. S. E. and E. N. E. Being in the North they change to the South, and then ensues 
Cap. 24. lib. 3.  a calm, till the Terreinhos come in.  
The Brise's in the straits begin about 9, or 10 in the Morning, blowing freshest at noon, and so gradually declining till 4 or 5, at last cease in a Calm: which lasts till 10, 11, or 12, at night: When begins the Land Brise till 5 or 6; and then Calm, till the Sea Brise comes in. This account I received from a Sea Captain well versed in all parts of the Levant: having served under the Venetians several years in those Seas.  
At the river of Constantinople the Winds commonly blow through; but in exceeding fair weather you shall have both the Land and Sea Brise's, as in the straits.  
If either the Easterly, or Westerly Winds, blow fresh, they hinder both the Land and Sea Brise's in the Mediterranean; of which we must note: They are always the more languid, and weaker, the later they come in.  
In very hot days, and when no other Winds are stirring, you may sometimes observe this alternation between the Land and Sea Brise's on the Coasts of England: but scarce with any certainty beyond the Latitude of Portugal.  
Brise's of all sorts are more constant in Summer, than Winter; and between the Tropiques, then in the Temperate Zones.  
The Etesians or Anniversary Winds are those which blow constantly at certain seasons of the year. The most remarkable species begin in Summer about the rise of the Dog star; and last 40 days, being preceded by their Prodromi, or Forerunners 8, or 10 days.  
The account of Pliny is not much different from Aristotle; as he computes their Etesians, in the 2d book of his Natural History.  
Not only the Stagirite and Theophrastus, but of late De Cartes and many other Moderns derive their Origine from the colliquated snows and ice, in the Northerly regions. For the long continuance of the Sun, near 6 months together above their Horizon, at last overcomes the obstinacy of the cold, and dissolves the snows; which being attenuated into Winds, make long marches towards the South, where they find the Air more yielding and pure, than the Fogs, and gross vapours of the North.  
They were called the Sleepy Winds: Venti Delicati, & Somniculares; by reason they intermit in the night time, and rise again with the Sun: happily because the vapours were then only sufficiently dilated by the celestial beams, though in the night time they subside, and hover near the Earth; being too refrigerate and dense to constitute Winds, till they are again quickened, & put in motion by the approaches of the Sun.  
I am willing to acquiesce in the aforesaid cause; and I believe we in England or France, might owe our Etesians to Groenland, and other parts of the Frozen Zones, because we have no constant visible Fountains of any such Winds in our own dominions: but if the Etesians of Greece, according to the sentiments of Aristotle, do always depend on the resolution of snows in the North, they would certainly take Russia, Poland, or Germany, in the way, which lie nearer the Arctic Pole, before they arrive at Greece: and yet on the other side of the Taurican hills, they are said to have Southerly Winds about the time of the Grecian Etesians. We may better make judgement of these Winds, that, being most Peculiar to this Country, they were no Foreigners in their Original, but sprung from particular Fountains within itself; such as the hills of Macedon and Thrace, that have perennial Snows of their own, and these being mastered by the scorching heats of Summer, may give birth to their Etesian Winds: which has this advantage over the other opinion, that it clears the difficulty, why they are silent in the night, and blow with fresher Gusts at Midday, when the Sun mounts highest in the Northern Hemisphere. I shall only add, not to mention several others of the modern naturalists, that even * Cabeus himself, who was a person sufficiently Zealous in asserting 
Meteor. pag. 202.  the Peripatetique Hypothesis, dissents from the opinion of Aristotle, & will scarce allow the Etesians of Greece, a remoter Origine than the neighbouring Alps.  
I shall not insist upon the mistake, for which some of his own interpreters have severely enough reflected upon Aristotle: That he should first deduce the Origine of these Winds from the Frozen Zones, and afterward assign the reason why they blow stronger in the Day time; because the liquefaction of the Snows is interrupted by the Nocturnal Cold; when it's Notorious, that in those Countries, the Sun for many Months together, is never depresed below their Horizon.  
Towards the Adriatic, and many parts of Asia, they have Set Winds which arrive from the N. and N. E. Yet all these, which were reputed the Venti Stati, blow not from the Northerly Points; for in Gascony, about the same time with the Etesians of Greece, they have rather Southerly Winds; which Scaliger (who was best able to judge of his own Country) observes to be unwholesome and Pestilential.  
At Madrid for the most part of the Summer they have a Brise from the Pyreneans, or the Adjacent Guadarama, which extremely allays the excess of heat.  
You shall have different sorts of Winds from the same Snowy mountain, blowing to several quarters, according to the situation of the Countries: As was observed in those Countries by the forementioned Cabeus: Saepe nobis Boreas, & Borealibus Auster Spirat: It being not unusual for them in Lombardy to feel a Northerly, and at Tirol, which is situate on the contrary side of the Alps, a Southerly Wind, at the same time.  
In Italy they can never fail of Etesians from their own Apennineses; and so happily on the shore of Guzarat, and the Indian Ocean, from mount Caucasus: And where ever great Chains or ridges of Hills run along, as the Caucasean or Apennine, this very often renders an account of most Etesians there about: Yet I question whether many Authors may not ascribe too much to this one cause: for in some places they have Anniversary Winds, that can never possibly have their rise from the Resolution of Snows. And, I believe, it would prove extremely difficult, to lay down any tolerable Hypothesis, of the Monsoons on the Coasts of Afric, and India, from the best discoveries we have yet been able to make of those Parts.  
There are other Stated or Anniversary Winds, which they called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Avicular and White-South Winds: either because they were so friendly to the procreation of birds; or rather, that they returned with Nightingales or Swallows in the spring: beginning to blow after the Summer Solstice, by the computation of Aristotle, 70 days, about the beginning of March.  
But no longer to dispute the certainty of those observations, which were made by the Greeks, and afterwards transmitted from them to the Romans; who were by far less sagacious in the Studies of Nature: I have here in England for some years past, kept by me an exact table, or Ephemeris both of the Vernal, and Summer Etesians; but found the Winds no less Variable in those Months, then at other Seasons.  
The Monsons' are Anniversary Winds in the Indian & African Seas, called by the Dutch Moussons [i. e. Motions] and by our English Sea-Captains vulgarly Monsons'. They blow Easterly one half of the year; & the other part, from the contrary points. They were unknown to the Ancient world who wanting the use of the Compass, made no long voyages by Sea; but the industrious moderns have taught us new Theories of Nature: they have taken as large a circuit as the Sun, and their ambition has known no other bounds but those of the Ocean. Heretofore we had no commerce with the East Indies, but by way of the Levant, the merchandise being brought from the Red Sea to Aleppo, and other parts of Syria, and so transported through the Mediterranean; till about the year 1500 the Portuguese found out the Passage by the Cape of Good Hope. Yet in their first attempts they either happened to be there at the breaking up of the Monsons', or other cross seasons, that scarce one ship in twenty arrived safe at Goa: but of late years very few of our East India Fleets miscarry; since the Currents and Monsons' have been better understood by our Pilots and Masters of ships.  
I have diligently compared the accounts we have from Kircher, Ricciol, and Furnier, of the Anniversary Winds in the Indian seas, with the English Journals; and find those authors generally false: Nay even Varenius himself, who was more conversant with Seafaring men, is no less erroneous than the rest. But to omit nothing which may satisfy the curious in these enquiries; I shall insert a relation of the Monsons' communicated to me from Captain George Swanly, an experienced Captain, after divers voyages he had made to the Oriental Indies; which I have set down in his own words.  
The Munsons or Monsoons are Winds which reign 5 Months of the year on one side of the Compass, and 5 others on the Opposite. There are two months in which they change, that have variable Winds; (viz.) most part of March and September.  
From September, on the North side of the Aequator, to the Tropic of Cancer and there about, in the Indian Seas, they blow from the N. E. and according to course of the Months, they veer more Northerly.  
At Surat, Malabar, Pegu, and that Coast of India, is the fair season till March: All which time 'tis the fowl season with the same Winds on the other side, at Coromandel, Patane, towards China, and Japan: and all the said time, from September till March, on the South of the Equinoctial, the Winds are on the N. W. quarter of the Compass with rain; which there is the Fowl-weather-Monsoon.  
From March to September, the Winds are, to Northwards of the Aequator, Westerly, or at the S. W. points, with rains, at Surat, Malabar and Pegu; at which time it is fair on the Coasts of Coromandel, Patane, towards China, and in the way to Japan; and then in the Tropic of Capricorn the Winds are at S. E. and that quarter; which are in those Parts the dry Monsoons.  
Yet near all Lands between the Tropiques on the Eastward of Cape Bon Esperance in the fowl seasons there do happen some fair intervals; yet in the dry Months, seldom any rains interrupt the constant serenity of the Air.  
The Fair Monsoons are the Winds blowing partly off the shores, and chose the Monsoons blowing on the shores, are the fowl and rainy seasons.  
Yet still happily I shall leave the reader in suspense, whether Ricciolus, and other learned men, or the reports of our Seamen, are most to be credited; But I shall not scruple to decide it for the latter; who beside their yearly Traffic into those parts, are obliged to a very perfect understanding of the Monsons'; since the mistaking of very few days may sometimes hazard the loss of their voyage for that whole year. When as the Jesuits, for the most part, transcribe one from another, without strictly enquiring into the truth of what they write; and Kircher (who of all others is the greatest Rhapsodist of Falsitys, though he contain some rich Oar among much dross) pretends to have had no other information of these particulars, than what he collected from the English, and Dutch Journals; which I doubt, he never had opportunities sufficiently 
Mund. Subterr. Lib. 4.  to examine, or compare.  
When one Motion ceases, the other does not immediately begin; but there are sometimes longer, and otherwhile shorter intervals between them: In which, are variable Winds, and Calms that presage dangerous Tempests: for the Opposite Winds, before one resigns to another, must needs, by their struggling, cause strange disorders in the Atmosphere. Wherefore of all seasons in the year, our Masters of ships ever avoid the Seas at the changing or breaking up of the Monsons'. It's observable, the Easterly Winds change, sometimes first into Northerly, and other times towards the Southerly points; which may happen, from the impressions that the changing of the Currents make on the Air, and that on the Exhalations and Winds.  
These in the Indian Seas are far more certain than other Anniversary Winds; yet by reason of various Accidents, they come later in, and otherwhile continue longer, some years than others.  
They are chiefly regulated by the Heavenly Motions; changing for the most part under such a Phasis of the moon; and are so far dedependant on the Sun, that Sir Thomas Herbert in his Travels gives this account of them.  
The Monsoons are Anniversary Winds, which blow constantly one way for so many months; beginning exactly, from the Sun's entrance into a sign of the Zodiac; and the other half year, the contrary way, or till the Sun enter into the Opposite degree: which if Seamen neglect, they go near to lose their Passage into India.  
Their Principal Efficient is the Sun: and though it will be difficult to explain the particular Mode, yet both the Currents and Winds are most certainly influenced by that Sovereign Planet: which alternately resolves the Snows, and bringing Summer with it to either Tropic, attenuates the Clouds and Stagnant Air, which condensed in the Winter. By this means, passing from one Hemisphere to another, and Surveying the Elementary World, always finds or Provides materials for the Anniversary finds; which occasions the Monsoons to blow with little variation, at the same seasons of the year; especially in the Indian Ocean, where the Currents are more constant, and fewer inequalities, then in narrower Seas, where they never keep the same quarter long, but are repercused from the Promontories, and come down in Changeable Puffs, and Eddies of Wind; as both Drake and Candish found in the straits of Magellan; which renders the Passage so very difficult into the South Seas. But were the whole Sublunary Globe of the same equal and uniform superficies, we should have Winds in most places no less constant than the Monsoons, and as regularly governed by the course of the Sun. It will be no hard matter to explicate the cause of the Easterly Monsoons; this being the perpetual course of the Trade-wind all the year round between the Tropiques: But that they afterward revert to the West, may possibly be occasioned from the great Magazine of vapours lodged about the Island of Madagascar, and the Coasts thereabout; which are reflected from thence by the Advent of the Sun into the Tropic of Capricorn: for Winds are both the result of rarefaction and condensation also; and the rarified vapours not only cause a more vehement Protrusion of the Air after their dilatation; but being over much compressed in one quarter, as often by the Elasticall power thereof, beget a Reverse Wind in retiring to their former places: So that there can scarce be a moment's rest in the Universe, the Atmosphere being as one continued scene of Action and Passion, that I believe the Air even in the calmest days is almost every where Agitated, at least by some insensible Wind. But thus far of their distinct Species, and particularly of the Monsoons.  
In relation to their Qualities: I before rejected the Hot and Dry Exhalations, as too narrow, and insufficient to resolve the innumerable Phaenomena of Winds; for they consist no less of Omnigenous Vapours, Salts and Minerals, with other different species of matter; and we must expect their Qualities to be Various, as they have greater or less Allays of such bodies.  
Some of them are Corrosive, others Suffocating and Pestilential; they are sometimes Hot, and then Cold from the same Quarter, and so successively capable of all Qualities and Extremes, according to the Diversity of their Constituent parts, or Mediums in which they blow. This might appear from many obvious Experiments: Let them pass through a tunnel or Pipe of a convenient length, but much wider at one end then the other, that it may give free admission to the Air: in the cavity of which strew several sorts of Aromatics and odorous herbs, such as Thyme, Roses, Violets, etc. then let it be stuck in the wall of some house exposed to the open fields, with the larger end obverted to the Winds, and the lesser so placed to convey them into the house, (somewhat after the manner of the Italian Ventiducts) and you shall have the whole room perfumed with a pleasant, and agreeable smell: but instead of these, if you put in herbs or minerals, with Virulent, & Deleterious Qualities; you shall have some complaining of their heads; others seized with Lipothymies, and inclined to sleep, when the stupefactive fumes enter together with the Winds, and surprise the Spirits. The same we may conclude of all such whose component particles are either noxious in themselves, or make their entry through unwholesome places, which are stored with Antimony, Mercury, or other Putrid and arsenical vapours.  
I made divers trials of this nature, instead of common Water: I filled the Aeolipile with water distilled from roses, which generated Winds with a very grateful Perfume; afterwards, I experimented the same with several sorts of liquids; I likewise cast in Camphire, and then small shave of Juniper Wood, into the Aeolipile, that sent out flatulent steams according to the nature of the bodies injected: which makes it evident that the Qualitys of Winds are oftentimes derived from their Constituent particles. But as to the Medium through which they pass; I judged the use of the Aeolipile by no means suitable to my design in discovering their degrees of heat or cold; the Winds generated therein being actually hot before: so I caused to be made a Tin pipe about 4 foot long, which I fitted to the nose of a pair of bellows, and covering it with a mixture of snow and ice; perceived the. Wind which passed through the pipe to be very excessively cold: but because our Organs are not all ways equally disposed, nor indeed are they sufficient Criteria, to be relied on in such nice cases, I therefore made use of an Hermetically-sealed Weatherglass; and blowing thereon, found a very visible alteration in the liquor of the Weatherglass, which being ventilated from the same bellows wrought no such effect, before the Frigorific mixture was applied. I afterward heated the Pipe in the Fire, through which the Winds should pass, and there came forth an exceeding Hot blast. So far upon all accounts may the Disposition of the Medium influence the Transient Winds.  
If we further inquire upon what account Winds thus far sympathise with their Mediums: we must acknowledge it to be no dream of the Epicureans, that continual effluviums do issue from all material concretes; And the Winds not only bear off with them those particles which are already disengaged from their textures, but help to loosen others; that there's scarce any Body so solid, which pays them not some tribute as they pass. Those which have made no far excursions from their Fountains, cannot be much adulterated in the way, and so preserve their first Qualitys entire: But the Travelling Winds, that arrive from remote Countries, and drive before them different species of Air, and mingle with other Heterogeneous exhalations in their passage, they are at last quite overcome by them; and so far influenced by their long intercourse with the medium, that they almost Universally borrow their Temperament and Properties from thence. The Winds in Italy which blow over the groves of Myrtle do often perfume the Air for many miles; and in those Countries where the Rosemary grows wild in the fields, the smell thereof has been carried a considerable distance from their Coasts. The Levants are accounted Sultry and troublesome in Spain; yet on the shores of Murcia, where they come off the Mediterranean, they are agreeable and pleasant. The Tramontanas at Rome are often more piercing then the sharpest North Winds, either in England or France; because they blow from the Snowy mountains. And I might instance in a remark out of Captain James. The Southerly Wind was then coldest: the reason I conceive to be, for that it did blow off the Main Land, which was all covered with Snow, and the N. Winds came out of the Bay which was hitherto open. I conclude, that Winds have more frequently their Qualitys, from the Places or Mediums through which they pass, (or at least from the Fountains that gave them birth) then from the Quarters which are reputed Hot or Cold, or otherwise qualified for producing such Winds.  
As in Holland, and the lower parts of Germany, they have very often colder weather with the Midland Winds, though from the South, then with the N. or N. E. which pass over the Sea, and mingle with the tepid vapours of the Ocean. The Southern Blasts to us here in England are accounted noxious and Pestilential; but to certain African Provinces, healthful and Pleasant. The Northerly are coldest in our European World, and the Southerly on the other side of the Equinoctial. For the Arctic and Antarctick Winds must needs be of the same nature, blowing from either of the Poles, where the cold is equally predominant. So that the Qualitys of many Winds seem not so much to respect the Points of the compass, as the Course of the Sun.  
The Eastern Winds according to Aristotle are hot and dry: nor is their Siccity only remarkable in Greece, Palestine, Asia the Less, and most parts of afric, where they make long marches over the parched and barren sands; but likewise in the more temperate climes of Holland and France; by reason they pass through Poland, Germany, & other vast tracts of Land; and lastly arriving at our Isle, they can suffer no considerable alteration in their qualities, by so small a passage over the Narrow Seas.  
They are no very welcome guests to us in England, being ominous to our Gardens & Fields, by blasting the corn and fruits. I have known strange destruction done in one Night, when they come late in the spring. Sometimes they not only blite the leaves and blossoms, but kill the Trees with their poisonous breath. They bring after them swarms of Caterpillars, and other devouring infects; or those dry and tabid mists, which corrupt the lungs, and cause Epilepsys, Consumptions, etc. whether by driving before them the putrid Air from Holland, or however they contract that malignity in their natures. Nevertheless we can make no General conclusions of their properties from hence, which are changed by innumerable acidents. For though in these Countries of Great Britain, they are inauspicious both to animals and plants: yet in the West Indies, the Eastern Brise is refreshing, and healthful above all other Winds. In Arabia and those Asiatic regions they are exceedingly dry, by travelling for many thousand leagues over the sandy deserts; yet Blondus observes them to be rather humid in Italy, and to occasion a relenting in the Air, where they blow immediately from the Adriatic Seas.  
In relation to their degrees of heat, though Aristotle declares they are much hotter than the Westerly, we find by experience that with us in England, the Easterly are at certain Seasons of the year exceeding cold, and very often the most freezing winds, especially if they hang somewhat towards the North.  
I need assign no other cause, for the frigidity of the Easterly Winds, then that they have their first rise from the Continent, where the Midland Air is much colder than the Maritime.  
The South Winds are generally reputed Hot and Moist, on this side the Line, being heated in their entry through the Torrid Zone; or because they consist not of melted Snows, as the Northern, but of the Tepid and Sulphury steams from afric, and other Sunburned climes.  
They pass over no Seas of any large extent, just crossing the Mediterranean, and British, yet they moisten and relax the Air, and cause wet weather by dissolving the Clouds into rain, which are rather dissipated and blown over by the impetuous Norths.  
Yet I think it very irrational to conclude that all the Southerly, should have their rise from the Torrid; or the Northerly Winds, from the Frigid Zones. Since it is not unknown to the Curious that in part of Italy and Provence, they have very often Northerly Winds (rising as is supposed from some places about the Alps) whereof they are not at all sensible in other Countries of France, through which they must of necessity pass, if they came so far North. In like manner at Marseilles, and in the Mediterranean, they have oftentimes Southerly Winds; when they blow from contrary points on the African Continent, which lies more to the South.  
I believe very few of the South Winds here in England ever took a longer flight than from the Mediterranean Sea, or the lower parts of France; and it can scarce be supposed that the same numerical Exhalations could ever travel from between the Tropiques, and not be spent in the way, long ere they arrive at the British Coasts; yet happily by protruding the Ambient Air, and that successively the Contiguous to it; the motion may at length be Propagated many hundreds of Miles beyond the reach of those vapours which caused the first Agitation. So that it is not impossible, but that a Wind which began near the Equinoctial, may by this means, be continued, even to the Poles of the World. However I shall make no longer digressions concerning their Extent, but proceed to the Qualitys which are vulgarly ascribed to the Southerly Winds.  
They are laxative, stupefactive, and pestilential; They cause Epilepsies and pains in the head, and were therefore styld 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, by the Grecians: They render men Shaagrin and melancholy, and in some of the Azores Islands, the children are said to sit dejected and leave their playing when they blow. For first they open the pores of our bodies by their heat, and then insinuate the malignant influences; and the parts being pointed and volatile have not only an easy ingression into our blood, but thaw and unloose the textures of ice and snow: Nay it's most certain, that iron itself takes the file much better, when the South Wind blows, then at other times.  
They many times cause a far rougher Sea than the most Tempestuous Winds from the North, Happily because they blow more obliquely, and rake the Surface of the Water; when as the Northerly oftentimes descend, as from a precipice downwards, which immediately deads' and weakens their force.  
They magnify visible objects: As our Seamen observe their ships to appear bigger at a distance, either in misty weather, or when the South Wind blows. For the humid and nebulous vapours of which they consist, distort the visual beams, and by refracting them to the Perpendicular, cause more rays of light to enter into the eye (which makes the object seem larger) then otherwise would arrive at it in straight lines.  
Many who are naturally inclined to Stammering in their speech, do find their infirmity evidently worse, when the Wind is toward the South: Probably because the moisture of the Air, causeth a greater relaxation of the Nervs, and thereby a tremulous and unstable motion of the muscles, at that time. Which perhaps hath more power upon the Vocal muscles, than others, because they lie in the Road, and are more exposed to the invasions of whatever is breathed in at the mouth or nostrils, than others are. Whence also we find the tongue more apt to falter (though somewhat in a different manner) whensoever it is overmuch bedewed with strong and vaporous liquors.  
Smells are said to be most Fragrant in these Winds, when the Air is humid and lax to convey the odoriferous particles. They anticipate the Spring; and cause the trees to blossom, and bud forth before their time; and by this means exhaust their spirits and nutritive juice. They damp linen and paper, though never so carefully guarded from the Air, cause flesh to rot, and upon all accounts hasten putrefaction in bodies.  
The Western have been Counted the mildest, & most Auspicious of all others; and were so highly in favour with the Poets, that they thought them worthy of the Golden Age, and to refresh the Elysian groves. They are indeed cherishing to Animals, they cause fertility in the Earth, and paint the flowery meads with all the verdant beauties of the spring. But though the Breathing Zephyrs are so much celebrated in Poems and Romances, and happily were kinder to the delicious Countries of Italy, & Greece, yet we find no less malignity in their natures from particular accidents and climates, than what we have observed of other Winds.  
In the Isle of Jersy (as I was lately informed by an ingenious Gentleman of that place) they Taint and Blast all the plants and trees, except the white poplar (which flourishes best in those Winds) and suffer nothing to grow a good distance from the Western shore: when the Midland of the Country, and all other parts, even to the Brink of the Ocean, is very fruitful and universally planted. They have an observation there; when it rises on a sudden instorms, it continu's for 9 days or thereabout.  
They blow in this Isle the greatest part of the year, but chiefly about the Aequinoxes; and particularly in Autumn, when they are very boisterous, having nothing to checque their rage between that and America: and these they call the Michaelmas storms. Beside what is said of this Island, the same effects are known in Normandy, and many parts of our British Coasts, especially towards Cornwall and the Lands End; but they render the Norman shore inhabitable by reason of the sand they blow over it: where are few or no Trees to be seen near the Sea, and those very shrubs. When they take a point of the North, they are worst, but not long lasting.  
The greatest Winds which have been known of late years, were either Westerly or from the Collateral points between the West and North. One about the Death of Oliver Cromwell: And another famous for demolishing so many houses and buildings which in divers places it levelled to the ground. It did considerable Damage to most of the Colleges in Oxon: blew down two and twenty Elms in the Grove of Trin. Coll. and several of the strongest Fabrics in England 'Scaped not without some marks of its violence. For many of those houses, which either by their strength or situation, were able to resist its furious assaults, lost their roofs, or had their chimnies and barns blown down. But that which makes it still memorable in most parts of the Kingdom, was the great numbers of Trees, and sturdy Oaks that fell in this Tempest. You might see the Spoils of the Villages and woods all the Country round. An event, scarce to be paralleled in the former Age; and which would require a large History to transmit all the particulars thereof to posterity.  
The Westerly Winds are oftentimes thus Tempestuous in England and Flanders; which receive their first efforts from the wide Seas, where they bring terrible storms; sometimes Snow, and then in large Flakes; but usually in the spring time rain: especially the S. W. which are the most Humid and Pluvious, because they travel by Sea many thousand miles, and must needs wet their wings in so long a flight o'er the Western Ocean. By some writers they are esteemed Gelid and Moist; but with us they are warmer than the East or North: either because they consist of the tepid vapours and Air, which are heated by the declining Sun; or that being Sea-Winds they are therefore generally hotter in the Temperate Zones, than those which blow off the Land.  
Last: the Northerly Winds, in these parts of Europe, are accounted Cold and Dry: by reason they arrive from the Frigid climates of the North, and consist for the most part of resolved snows and ice.  
They cause a sued and serene sky dispersing the Clouds; wherefore Boreas in Homer is styled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Serenator Boreas: yet in Africa they cause rain, and are moister than the South; which according to the complexion of those Countries, has a greater degree of siccity and heat.  
In some places of Holland & Flanders, where they gather the vapours from the Germane or Scotish Seas, the N. Winds often bring with them Cloudy and wet weather. And we have known as great falls of rain here in England; the Wind being at N. and N. E. but than it usually continued at S. or S. W. for some days before. So I have suspected, that those vapours & Clouds, which were gathered, and blown over by the Southerly, were afterward reduced back again by the Northerly Winds.  
They render the Northern men vegete and healthful, to extreme old age, by hindering the exilition of the spirits; when as the Africans are old at 40, where the continual heat opens the pores, and suffers the vital flame to transpire.  
That which makes the Fortunate Islands truly so, is the kind salute from the Northern Winds, after they have been somewhat heated in their progress towards the South.  
The gates of Cities, in the opinion of the wisest Architects, ought always to be directed towards the North; and the situation of Tornay in Flanders is celebrated by Fromundus upon that account. Hypocrates prescribed the N. Wind as the greatest Antidote against the plague in Greece: and Varro is said to have preserved his whole family during the raging plague at Corcyra, by stopping up the windows towards the South, and giving free admission to the Northern Air. Yet one of the Ancient Phycitians gives a worse Character of the Northerly Winds: That they cause acute pains, and defluxions from the head to the Stomach: Breed the Stone, and stop the passages of the Ureters. hinder the Transpiration of those peccant juices which nature endeavours to throw off from the Blood; and produce many more distempers which are reckoned the effects of Siccity or cold. They are searching and Astringent; scarce to be endured by those who have infirm habits of body, and yet agreeable to healthful and robust constitutions. Sir Walter Raleigh in his voyage to Guiana takes notice that near the Coast of Brasil, they had one half of the year Northerly, and in the other part Southerly Winds; And further towards the South in the Kingdoms of Magellana and Chili, they have them the whole year round Southerly; which reign most in the Tropic of Capricorn, as the North Winds at Island, and those Countries which lie near the North Pole; especially in the Winter, so that the Hollanders which wintered in Nova Zembla, during the whole time, had Northerly Winds. Thus the Sun, as he approaches either of the Tropiques, subtiliseth the Air, driving away the grosser Exhalations into the Frigid Zones, where they are laid up in vast Magazines till winter; but then the spaces being able to contain no more, they Circulate again to the middle of the World. For the Solar motions, being excentrical to the Earth, cause so unequal a distribution of heat & cold, that the Air must of necessity be denser in some parts than others; and consequently liable to the frequent disturbance of Winds: and the vapours, according to the distinct seasons of the year, being continually either retiring from the Poles, or on their voyage thither, the Sun, as Prince of the Atmosphere, obliges them to a motion no less constant than his own: Insomuch that neither These, or indeed any other Winds, are so fortuitous as many suppose, but proceed from regular causes, and are guided by the certain conduct of nature, though happily the manner of it may not be fully understood by us.  
The Norths are often exceedingly impetuous on the shores of Florida and Virginia, taring up Forests of vast Trees by the roots, and wasting the whole Country like Hurracanes. They blow very hard toward the Orcadeses and on that side the British Coasts. But they must needs be very sensible of their effects in Finmark & Russia which lie more exposed to their fury. The Bishop of Upsal in two Chapters [De Vehementiâ Venti Circii. 
Lih. 1. De Gent. Sept.  & De Vent. Sept. Violentiâ] informs us of many disasters, which happen by them in Norway and Island: particularly, that at the Port called Vestrabord, the N. E. Wind blows with such vehemence that it dismounts the Horsemen, and Soldiers, driving them away before it. On the Western shores of Norwey, it suffers not so much as a tree or the least shrub to grow, that the Inhabitants are forced (if you believe our Author) to roast their meat with fire made of great fishes Bones. And in Bothnia, and that part of Norwey which they call Vichia, the Northern Whirlwinds are so terrible, that they carry away the roofs of their houses, and of the Churches which are covered with lead, blowing away great beams and rafters, removing Windmills, stones, and even Castles, and Villages from one place to another. If this be an Author suspected, the Annals of our own Country will furnish us with relations of the same nature, which would require as large a share of credulity to believe them, if the rage of these Tempestuous Winds was not sufficiently understood in most parts of Europe, though happily in remoter Climates, which are less acquainted with the great Disturbers of the Northern World, they might seem fabulous. Some of which are solemny recorded in our Histories, that even exceed the Hurracanes of the West Indies. Yet I have heard, that those Winds, which we count very great storms here in England, would be thought no wonder in Scotland, where they are accustomed to these violent Blasts; and for this reason build their houses universally with stone, exceeding thick, low, and with narrow windows. But not to be prolix in their History; we might offer at the cause whence this strange vehemence and impetuosity of the N. Winds does proceed. Shall we say from the great quantity of exhalations laid up in the Treasuries of the North? or because they find the resistance less toward the South, where the Atmosphere is rarified by the heat of the Sun, so that they glide without opposition through the yielding Air, especially in the day time, wherefore the aforesaid Northerly Winds are observed to blow harder by day then night.  
They are more Sonorous than other Winds, because they rage with greater violence, and so make a stronger collision of the Air.  
I have thus far considered their nature in the remoter parts of Europe, where they are nearest their Source: But after they have made a long Progress Southwards, and are heated in their approaches towards the Sun, we find them in afric to be far different from what they were in Norwey or Island; and their qualities no less various than the Temperature of the Heavens. So likewise in America, (and as Acosta observs more particularly of some Countries in Peru,) the Northerly Wind is counted unwholesome, and the Southerly extremely cherishing to men and beasts: The first is not penetrating nor disperses clouds, as among us, but causes rain: and the South Wind is just qualified in those climes as the North is in our country that lie nearer the Arctic Pole: Nay, not only comparatively to different situations, and places, but the judgement to be made concerning the Qualitys of Winds, from the Quarters whence they blow, is very various and fallible, in relation to one and the same Latitude. Many of the hardest frosts, which have happened in England, began with a Southerly wind, (and then commonly are the more lasting and violent) which nevertheless is generally much hotter than any other, which arrives at the British coasts.  
I took notice, no longer since then the 11 of January last: that in the morning we had much rain (the wind being N. and N. E.) which ceasing about noon, there followed, first a shower of hail, and then a considerable fall of snow (the wind still continuing at N. and N. E.) which was the most part of it dissolved by 3 or 4 in the afternoon: then the Wind vering to full South, it froze exceedingly hard for the time. So little certainty is there in observations of this nature, that we had Rain with a Northerly, and Frost with a Southerly Wind in the same day. And not only thus, but it appeared by the Weatherglass, to which I had recourse upon this occasion, that there was a very sudden mutation in the Air from heat to cold, when the Wind came about to the South, more than in the morning while it continued at N. and N. E.  
We must expect these so different Qualifications of Winds, to happen even in the same Climate: since not only the Variety of their Component Particles, and the Fountains which gave them birth; but either the Cutting down Forests; Draining of Fens: Changing the Currents of great rivers: Their Vicinity or Distance from the Course of the Sun: whether they blow off from Land or Sea, or Snowy Mountains; and a thousand extraneous accidents are sufficient to alter the Properties of Winds.  
Neither are the laws of their Motions reducible to such certain rules, as 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Meteor. lib. 2. cap. 6.  Aristotle pretends; That two Opposites always blow at Contrary Seasons of the year: As the N. W. about the Vernal, and the S. W. at the Autumnal Aequinox: and it would likewise be examined whether the same Contrariety happen constantly between the Solstitial Winds. Others have observed, that we commonly feel a a S. Wind at midnight, an Easterly at the Rising, and a Westerly after the Setting of the Sun; and last of all, a Northerly about Noon, when the Solar rays are most powerful to resolve the grosser mists and clouds in the North. For Winds, being for the generality, Nothing but Dilated Vapours or Air, they almost wholly depend on the Presence of the Sun, at least are generated from the heat left behind him in the Earth and Waters. Whereupon De-Cartes ingeniously remarks, that we should have no such Variety in the Qualities and Production of Winds; if the whole Terraqueous Globe were of one uniform superficies: as we may perceive that in wide Seas, their motions are far less irregular than by Land; since the great diversity of Climates, Mountains, and Lakes, varies them exceedingly.  
I have thus far discoursed of the 4 Principal: the Collateral or Intermediate Winds (if any right judgement could be made of their natures from the Quarters whence they blow) might be supposed Hot, Dry, Moist etc. as they are farther removed, or hang nearer towards the Cardinal Point. But we are like to expect little satisfaction from the generality of writers concerning the temperature of Winds: For who can with patience hear the impertinence of those notional men, that inquire no further, but declare? That the South Wind is always Hot and Moist: the North, Cold and Dry: the West etc. which obliges us in the following discourses, to offer at some more accurate account of their Qualitys, and the most Universal causes from whence they proceed.  
First: Winds are Moist; either because their Constituent parts are made up of Vapid and Aqueous corpuscles, such as rain, dews, watery Clouds: or by reason they make long Voyages by Sea, or over great Lakes, Morish Countries & Fens; and so are tainted with the Qualitys of the Medium through which they pass. Those which proceed from Melted Snows, have some small allay of the Terrene, but approach nearer the Moist.  
The Siccity of Winds is from their Saline, and Terrestrial parts: or that arriving from those Parc'ht and Torrid regions near the Line, they are exsiccated as they travel by the Ways of the Sun.  
I shall not dispute whether this has been cautiously enough minded by most writers, How many nice circumstances are to be considered in judging the Qualitys of Winds; and how difficult it is, to make a just Estimate of their several degrees of Heat and Cold. For there must not only be especial regard had to the Temperament of our Senses, but to the Climes in which they blow; and seasons of the year; Since those which would seem hot at Christmas comparatively to the winter Cold, should the same happen in July, when we had been long accustomed to a different temperature of our Organs and the Ambient Air, would undoubtedly appear exceedingly Cold. Then we denominate Winds either Gelid or Hot, in respect of those that usually blow in such Climates: as the Southern Blasts with us here in England (though they are Colder than the Ambient Air) may be reputed Hot, comparatively to the N. or N. E. which are much more refrigerative in these parts of the World. Thus we ought not rashly to make judgement of their Qualitys: but first consider what Symptoms of Heat, they betray in relation to Weather-glasses, or the Winds that commonly blow in such Countries: as likewise, what mutations happen by them in the Temperature of the Air: And afterwards compare all these Circumstances with the present disposition of our Organs, lest we determine concerning the positive Qualitys of Winds, from only the Prejudices, and Hallucinations of Sense.  
There are several Causes Productive of Heat: As their passage through Hot Regions; Or because they consist of the ignite and suffocating Air, which infests the Burning Zone; where the whole Mass is corrupted with such intolerable heats, that the Winds which are either generated therein, or only pervade the Torrid regions, must needs, for some time, retain their temperament and Qualitys: till at length they lose them in long voyages, and the calorifique particles languish and dwindle away by degrees, being oppressed with multitudes of Heterogeneous exhalations in their course. Then, I think it not improbable, but that the Solar rays, or whatever parcels beside of the Subtle and Etherial matter, may by mingling with them, actually advance the heat of Winds. And Lastly: The ignite Damps such as we sometimes discover in Coalpits and Mines, and all other of the Mineral and Metalline Kingdoms, that finding no Vent, cause Earthquakes in the Bowels thereof, if they escape through the Pores of the Earth, occasion Presters and Hot Winds: And those fiery eruptions, which in many places of Calabria and Sicily, are continually breathing out from the Subterraneal Regions, must needs diffuse the seminals of heat through the whole body of the Air and Winds; especially, such as come reaking from under Burning Mountains; or at least are the results of those Calorifique mixtures by which some Minerals and salts, fermenting together in the Cavitys of the Earth, emit Hot fumes: Like several Chemical preparations, such as Oil of Tartar and spirit of Vitriol, which cause a strange Ebullition and Heat by their commistion only. And if we suppose any thing Analogous to these under ground (where Nature in her own Elaboratory often exceeds the greatest Sagacity of Art) why may not the Tepid Steams and Vapours that ascend from thence, be able to produce so considerable a degree of Heat in the Air, that might occasion Scorching Winds? And happily the Rencounters of Certain Minerals with each other, in those Passages where the Waters flow, may likewise by their mutual ferments, be the most probable cause of many Hot Baths & Springs. Nevertheless Fromundus, & some other Naturalists of late, in the Number of which we may reckon our Countryman Mr. Hobbs, affirm that all Winds whatever do actually refrigerate, and oftentimes so intensely, that they prove the fittest instruments for the Congelation of Liquids': And I must confess, it seldom falls under our observation, that in any parts of Europe, the Winds are comparatively hotter than our Sensories, or the Ambient Air; yet in many Provinces of Afric & Arabia, but most of all near the Persian Gulf, where they come just off from the Burning Sands, they are intolerably hot and suffocating: as appears from the Relations of the portugals first Voyages to the East Indies, where they felt Gales of the E. and N. E. Wind so Hot, that the Air seemed to be inflamed and scorching like fire. So likewise Gasparo Balbi in his Travels speaks of four persons, that wearied in their Journey, sat down near the Banks of Euphrates to refresh themselves a while, and were all stifled by one of these Hot Winds. And we have a more surprising Narrative from Marcus Polo: that, when the King of Chermain sent an Army of 16 Hundred horse, and 5 thousand foot against the Lord of Ormus, for not paying his Tribute, they all perished by these Suffocating Blasts. But if we distrust the integrity of these writers, Olearius in his Voyage to Persia, describes the intemperature of the Air in those Countries to be such; that with the North or East Wind they felt a Cold which deprived them of their Limbs, and on the Contrary the S. Winds were ready to choke them with the extremity of heat. But Della Valle, a Nobleman of Rome (whose Curiosity led him through most of the Eastern Kingdoms) reports, that towards Arabia there was a Wind so scorching and Dry, that it left behind it like marks of Fire, wherever it came; and the excessive Heat forced them to keep their legs naked, which became so red and inflamed, that without the greatest Torment, they could not endure to set them on the ground. In some places of the Country, these Sultry Gales last from 9 in the morning, till noon; which are ready to stifle the inhabitants, and blowing immediately from the Scorching Sands, the people many times lie in the water to rescue themselves from the intolerable Heats. Della Valle says, that they are called in the Annals of Persia, Bad Semum, i. e. Burning and Venomous Winds.  
I have heard the like relations from many of our Sea Captains, who trade on the Arabian or African Coasts: so that I think Mr. Hobbs or any other of the Modern naturalists had little reason to question the Heat of some Winds: though in these parts of the world, where they travel not over such Sandy Deserts, and are more removed from the ways of the Sun, they are more sensibly Cold.  
By Gelid Winds, I understand those which are colder than our Sensories, or the Ambient Air. This Frigidity may happily proceed from the Nitrous particles of which they consist, or whatever body else we reckon to be the Primum Frigidum; Or because they have their Origine in those Caverns under the Earth, where the Sun beams never penetrate, and no Subterraneal warmth is to be found. Monsieur De Cartes averrs that all Boisterous Winds, from whatever point of the Compass they blow, 
Meteor. cap. 2.  are Universally Cold and Dry: and we find that any sort of Air violently moved by a Fan or Bellows, does refrigerate; so that the Cold of Winds may somewhat depend on their motion, or manner of affecting our Senses. And since the Cartesians will allow Cold to be no positive Quality of itself, but a mere Privation of Heat: then, either the absence of their Subtle matter may cause the Frigidity of Winds; or else the occasion thereof must be this, that they pass through the Gelid Regions which are never visited by the Sun Beams. For as Those which come from Aethiopia and other parts of the Torrid Zone, do imbibe the Heat, and Sympathize with the nature of the places from whence they come; so questionless the other that consist of, or drive before them, the gross and Frigorifique Air from Groenland and other Northern Climates, must needs have considerable allays of the Mediums through which they pass. And within the Polar Circles, the absence of the Solar rays for so many Months, does sufficiently conduce to the Production of Cold; since the Sun which used to correct the rigour and inclemency of the weather, is now banished from their Horizon, and the Air become Chill and Torpid by the long Predominance of the Cold. So that the Winds must of necessity admit of very considerable alterations in their passage: and whether or no they consist of Frigorifique particles; yet by their commerce and interfering with the Gelid Regions, they may draw, I know not what, Contagion from thence: As appeared in the forementioned Experiment, how much the mixture of Snow and Ice, only by applying it to the outside of the bellows, did soon infrigidate the Transient Winds. For I am not sufficiently convinced, that Cold Winds, proceed always from Nitre, Sal Armaniac, or other Frigorifique Corpuscles; But sometimes only appear so to us, by their particular Motions on our Sensories: As we see any Air Ventilated from Fans or Bellows, or our own breath darted with a very vehement impulse from the Mouth, appears Frigid; which if we exhale gaping, and in another position of the lips, is rather sensibly Hot.  
Thus if Winds may be styled Cold from a simple Privation of Heat, and if only the want of some Subtle Matter, the absence of the Sun, or other Calorifique Corpuscles, will resolve the several Phaenomena we commonly ascribe to cold; this will be sufficient to constitute the Refrigerative Winds; which may better be explained in this manner, then by the Positive Quality of the Peripatetics, or the Nitrous, and other Frigorifique particles of the Atomists, and Corpuscularian Philosophers. I shall only add one circumstance out of the Honourable Mr. Boyl, concerning the causes of cold Winds. I have suspected some Winds may be Cold only by consisting of, or driving before them, those higher parts of the Air, that by reason of the longuid reflection of the Sun beams in the Upper Region, is for the most part Cold.  
Yet, as I before declared, we often commensurate the Qualities of Winds, not only from their Constituent Particles, or their just degrees of Frigidity or Heat, but sometimes because they are warmer than the Ambient Air, or the Winds that usually blow in such Climates; or at leastwise then those membranes or Sensories, by which we judge them. The Winds which blow off from Sea, are far Hotter than those which come from Land. May not the Collucent Salts, which create such a sparkling and Coruscation in Tempests, or other vehement Collision of the waves, be able to produce some heat in the Air and Winds, being either actual Flames or at least making those impressions on our Sensory's as if they were? Nevertheless, since we find by experience that these kind of Salts, with which the Sea water is impregnated, do neither rise up in vapours, nor being mingled with liquids, any way advance their Heat; May there not be other Calorifick Effluviums (like the hot Steams in Coalpits and Mines) that ascend from the bottom of the Sea, yet cannot so easily perspire through the solider Superficies of the Earth; which renders the Maritime Regions and Winds hotter than the Midland? But whatever be the cause, it is most evident that all over Europe, the winters are generally milder in Islands then many places in the Continent which lie nearer the Sun. As in England then France; nay Scotland, though it be situate so far North, has seldom more keen and piercing Frosts than Paris, or some Cities of Italy, which are infested with Terrestrial Winds. So likewise part of Asia, as in China where it runs to the Southwards of Spain, the winters are most excessively cold: & in the 42 degree of Latitude, they have ice which lasts 3 or 4 Months together, by reason of the Land Winds. For this cause New England, though it lies not so far distant from the Aequator, is incomparably colder than any parts of Great Britain. And at Virginia, as I have been informed, the Land Winds oftentimes surprise them with such an Exceeding sharp Air, that one would think it impossible there should be those extremes of Heat and Cold in the same day. So on the Coasts of Carolina and Florida, where they have for the most part Midland Winds, the Colds are intolerable considering their no great distance from the Sun. When as the Sea-Brise in most parts of Europe, is temperate and mild: I have heard, that in the Isle of Jersy, the Myrtles, will live abroad all winter, being cherished on every side, with the tepid vapours from the Sea; and that little ice they have is soon gone. It's also observable near the Sea side here in England, as in the County of Cornwall, that the Snow is generaly melted in less than a weeks space, and the Frosts not so lasting as elsewhere: Shall we say the acrimony of the Sea vapours soon dissolves the textures of the ice and Snow, or that they choke up and repel those Frigorifique Corpuscles, which are as the Coagulum to cement, and knit together the parts of liquids? So likewise on the Coasts of Ireland, the Complexion of the Air is much Hotter than in many other places of the same Latitude: and were it not environed with the Ocean, who would think Island inhabitable, that lies directly under the Polar Circle?  
Yet this holds good only in the Temperate Zones: for in the Torrid, the Sea-Brise is refrigerative, and abating the excess of heat; And chose on the African Continent the Land-Winds, which travel o'er the Burning Sands, almost suffocate the miserable inhabitants, which are roasted into Skeletons, and sometimes lose their Hearing and Sight by the immoderate Heat: Yet in part of Guiny, where the Neighbouring mountains defend them from the Easterly Winds, & suffer the cool Sea-Brise, to blow upon their Coasts, how wonderfully are their Spirits revived with the delightful gale? But though the Levants are so pernicious, when they come reaking off from the Sandy Wilderness, yet being Refrigerated in a long passage o'er the Pacifique Ocean, at the Caribbes, and the American Continent, they become the coolest of all Winds, and the greatest blessing which Providence could ever bestow on the New World, to allay the otherwise insufferable heats of the Torrid Zone: Only part of Peru, though the Soil be of itself fertile, and enriched with all the bounties of Nature, yet on this side the Mountains, the Land-Winds render it sterile and unfruitful; when as Brasile enjoys a more Temperate Heaven, being bedewed with the reflreshing Brise from the Adjacent Ocean.  
From these several instances it appears, that the Land-Winds must needs be more intensely Heated, between the Tropiques, then in these parts of the World, that lie so far distant from the course of the Sun; And the Earth, being a dense body, retains the Calorifique impressions; when as the volutation of the waves so often changes the Superficies of the water, that the same parts of the Ocean are not always exposed to the Celestial Beams: And though it must be acknowledged that near the Equinoctial, the Surface of the Earth, and consequently the Winds that blow over it, are much warmer than in the Neighbourhood of the Poles; yet without dispute the Ocean also is proportionably as much Hotter than our Seas; And though the Sea-Winds seem Refrigerative with them, which rather betray very great Symptoms of Heat in these Countries; yet I question whether this, in some measure, may not be understood Comparatively to the disposition of our Sensories, and that of the Ambient Air. For, their Blood and Spirits being far more agitated then ours, and also accustomed to a Climate excessively Hot; they must of necessity have different Perceptions from us, who live in the Colder Regions of the World.  
But beside these Vulgar or Elementary Qualities of Winds, they have almost infinite Variety in their Natures, according to the several Subjects they can operate upon; and their Properties are various, as the different impressions which they make upon other bodies. For those which are Corrosive, in reference to iron, or stone, may prove Pestilential to men; and one and the same Quality have one denomination, as it relates to Beasts, a second to Birds, and a third to Infects, according to the different Capacities of the Recipient. Some Winds are observed to raise strange disturbances, and (as it were) Convulsions in Swine. And those who keep Silkworms, are said to shut their Windows, and protect them from the Southwind, which causes their sickness and death; but readily expose them to the North, which conduces as much to their vigour and health. So that we can never pretend to a perfect knowledge of their Qualities, unless we understood their relations to all other bodies in the World.  
But among the wonders of Winds, we must not pass by the Harmatans' of Guiny; which, for the time they blow, cause Wainscoats and Planks to open and gape, making wide chasms in the most solid and imporous wood. I could insert many testimonies of this nature from credible persons; several who lived in those Countries, and not a few of our Seamen, have been witnesses of their strange effects: I shall instance in one relation which was communicated to me by Captain Peachy, who was long employed in the African Trade by the Royal Company.  
The Harmetan Winds, so called by the Natives, come but once a year, constantly in December about Christmas; and bring a very unwholesome Vapour.  
Their arrival is for the most part at the East, and they go no farther than the E. N. E. their continuance is 4 or 5 days, not blowing hard, but with an easy gale: the Natives are full of Aches and Pains in these times, and care not for stirring out of doors.  
The Trees that are standing, during their continuance, will open, that you may put in your knife and sheath: so will the boards of the floors, when as before there was nothing seen, and after they are gone, they close up again to their wont place.  
This may proceed from their extreme Siccity, when they blow off the Sands, in that exceeding Hot Climate; as we see boards chop and gape, that are kept over dry; and more in Chambers or Cock-lofts, than lower rooms; and so likewise most sorts of wood, by lying long in the Sun, which exhausts their moisture: The known remedy in such cases, is, to soak them thoroughly in water, by which means, they oftentimes swell again into their former dimensions: so possibly may the trees, and planks in Guiny, when the Harmetans are gone, and some Moister Wind succeeds, which brings with it a more Humid and relenting Air. We have observed effects of this nature in some of our very Drying March-winds; and therefore the workers of Musical Instruments commonly choose to dry their materials at that time of the year; which, as they think, renders them more resounding & harmonious.  
I have not as yet had sufficient opportunity to satisfy myself in one Curious enquiry which belongs to the History of Winds: only, thus much I have heard, that, when a certain Wind blows at Florence, the weavers of the finest silks leave off their work; finding by experience that it quite spoils the Oriency & Brightness of their Colours; so that they can by no diligence or invention seclude it out of their work-houses, to hinder the ill effects thereof. It is a cold Wind, perhaps blowing off from the Snowy Hills, where it gathers those corroding Salts, which alter the texture of the superficial parts; and by causing new modifications of light, change the colours of silks. As the richest and most florid dies of Scarlet are not only soon faded in a shower of rain, but it has been observed, that they suffer prejudice, and lose somewhat of their lustre, if they be worn much in misty weather: and so possibly certain species of Air or Winds, may be able to make the like kind of impressions on those Florentine silks.  
We find by experience that some Winds produce very odd effects in many sorts of Animals and Plants; and others convey into the Air spirits so subtle and penetrating, which dissolve the hardest of Metals. That inquisitive Jesuit, in his Natural History of the West Indies, gives us an account of the iron grates, which in those parts were so much rusted and consumed with the Winds, that by only pressing them between your fingers they dissolved into Powder. Which has likewise been observed of the Air about London (whether from those Corrosive salts, or the great quantity of Sulphur contained in the Sea-coal) that it does not only spoil Tapistrys, and beds, tarnish the most polished silver plate, fowl linen and paper, and sully all sorts of Householdstuff, with its Fuliginous steams, but has a very sensible operation on the Iron or Brass in their Chimneys and Windows; which it corrupts, and causes to rust much sooner than in the Country. I shall not undertake to Philosophise concerning the cause of the former Phaenomenon, unless we were better acquainted with the situations of those places in the West Indies: Only we are sufficiently informed, that in some of the American Kingdoms, the Earth exhales very noxious vapours, that occasion a strange contagion in the Air; though impartial Nature has recompensed this inconvenience with many blessings which the Old World did never enjoy: In the plains of Peru they have a Wind which kills men (if we may give credit to the Spanish writers) without the least sense of pain and afterwards by its extreme Subtlety and cold, preserves them from Putrefaction. Since the first discovery of Almagro, great numbers of persons have been found dead in those Deserts; some lost their feet and hands, that were rotten by these Virulent Blasts, which happened to the General Costilla, and many others of the Christians who traveled into those parts: Insomuch that the Spaniards, who formerly used to pass over the Plains between Peru and Chile, rather undertake a laborious voyage by the Seaside, then hazard the disasters which they might otherwise expect from these Winds. But, I insist not upon instances, for which we have no further evidence of truth, than the credit of the relators: yet we must suppose that there is quite another Face of Nature in those remote Climates; therefore we ought not to explode all things as false, that are only different from such observations, to which we have been accustomed in these parts of the world.  
The Winds near Serra di Lyone, where the Neighbouring Mountains abound with many putrid & Sulphureous exhalations, breath out in such venomous Blasts, that they breed Pestilential Fevers, and other diseases in the inhabitants. So very considerable are their influences, not only in other regards, but to the benefit, or prejudice of Human life; For a kind Temperature of the Heavens, Serene Air, and wholesome Winds, which is the Atmosphericall diet, are full as necessary to the Health & welfare of Mankind, as good meat or Drink.  
Those likewise which have their Origines from such Subterraneal Caverns, that exhale noxious Fumes, like the Killing Damps in deep pits or Mines, must needs by this means, mingle a great allay, and adulterate the purity of the Air, when the virulent particles are carried and dispersed by the Winds: what can we expect but a Mortal and unwholesome vapour from such places, as the Den of Charon near Naples, where the deadly venom transpires insensibly through the pores of the Earth, and suffocates all Animals that enter at the mouth of the Cave. Empedocles, by stopping up one of these Poisonous Caverns, and hindering the Eruption of the Winds from thence, is said to have cured an Epidemic sickness which they had occasioned in all the Cities thereabout, whereupon in Plutarch he was afterward styled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉: And in all other recesses under 
* 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  ground, where the Pregnant womb of the Earth is stored with so many several sorts of Minerals, & Salts, if they ascend from thence, they must needs fill the Atmosphere with as great diversity of vapours: And therefore those Winds, which are generated in the Sulphureous soil of Puteoli, smell of brimstone a great distance from thence; & those which come from infected places, propagate the contagion, and bring death along with the infectious Air.  
Thus we see Winds are not all vested with the same Qualities, nor alike friendly, or injurious to Human life; but they sometimes are replete with those arsenical and Deleterious Corpuscles, that convey into our blood the seeds of diseases; and otherwhile with such agreeable juices, that recreate and cherish our spirits, and contribute to longevity and Health.  
But the wonderful effects of Winds are more obvious to reason, then perceptible by the justest criteriums of sense; since the invisible Agents are diffused every where; and the Air is as the common Vehicle, or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of all things, where so many different sorts of Saline and Mineral spirits are continually Floating, and driven to and fro in the Atmosphere: So that, I believe much of that Natural Magic, by which distant bodies act upon each other (though we usually ascribe it to Occult Qualities, or certain Sympathies and Antipathies in matter) to proceed from no other cause then the secret operations of Winds: For they are the Carriers of the Universe, and transport from one place to another, odours, diseases, fertilising Salts, the seeds of Animals and Plants, and most other things, of which we can give no account how they came there; as vegetables, that spring on the tops of houses, or those which are observed to grow on the walls of Castles, & Ancient theatres; nay sometimes whole Groves and vast Forests have at first had no other Planters then the Winds.  
But to attempt a full collection of all their Properties and Effects, must be the work of Posterity; which possibly may require many ages ere it be brought to Perfection: And to complete the many Desiderata of this Phaenomenon in an Universal History of Winds (For we have only the Out-lines of this vast Design in Sir Francis Bacon) it would be adviseable to make an exact Table or Ephemeris, for many years together, and so daily compare the observations of their Prognostiques, the Quarters whence they blow, their Duration and Properties; how far they agree or differ from what has been already delivered in Books. Many of this nature are set down by the Lord Verulam, but for the most part collected out of Aristotle and Pliny, though with less improvement than might have been expected from that illustrious person. However, since the Learned World has been so long imposed on by Tradition; we ought, in the first place, to be throughly informed concerning all matters of Fact, and afterward consider to what Hypothesis they may best relate: and because That must be the result of long experience, and observation, I can only commend this Province to those curious Persons, who have leisure, either to make such new Discoveries of their own, or detect the Vulgar Errors of former Times.  
It should first be examined what influences they have upon Human Bodies; in relation to their Sickness or Health: and those who are inclined to Gouts, Catarrhs, infirmities in the Sight, distempers of the Lungs, Epilepsies, Deafness, etc. might be able to collect observations of this nature; what inconvenience they are sensible of from any sort of Winds.  
Those celebrated Aphorisms of Hypocrates concerning their Medicinal Qualities, aught to be considered; how far they are found Experimentally true and consonant to the observations of the Moderns: For if we rightly understood the different Temperatures of the Air, and Winds, and how to apply this remedy to many distempers, it might possibly prove the most successful part of Physic.  
Next, as to the Diversities which arise from the Quarters whence they blow: whether the East and North betray not in these Country's continual Symptoms of Siccity and Cold; and the South and West, of Heat and Moisture. Likewise, as to their effects upon Animals; Since the South has a thousand Malignant influences; and, according to our English Proverb, The Wind at East, is neither good for man nor beast. Then, which of them are most agreeable, or inauspicious, to the Vegetable life; what observations of this nature can be drawn from Agriculture, and Gardening? which are those Winds that are most favourable to the Sowing and ripening of Corn, or most pernicious for breeding worms in plants, or for blasting and destroying their fruits.  
What directions this Doctrine might afford to Architects, in choosing the Situations of Dwellings: whether the Air of many houses might not be meliorated by giving a freer admission to the Winds; since it has been observed, that several Dwellings here in England, which were environed with huge woods, or sometimes had only a clump of trees standing towards such a Quarter, have been always obnoxious to sickness, till they happened to be cut down, and the places rendered pervious to the Winds: Sometimes only the changing of a window, or door, from the South, and exposing it to the North, has done as great a cure. It is well observed in the Relation of my Lord howard's voyage to Constantinople, that, at Vienna they have frequent Winds, which if they cease long in the Summer, the plague often ensues; so that it is now grown into a Proverb: that, if Austria be not Windy, it's subject to Contagion.  
In the next place, what advancement might be expected from hence to the Art of Navigation. Since, I am confident that more ships perish, by our ignorance of the Winds & Currents, then by any other Disaster which happens on the Seas: If the Masters of ships were obliged to give in Journals of their voyages to all parts of the world; and these for many years compared with each other, we should not only be able to collect a Complete History of the Trade Winds, and Monsoons, and their variations in the several Latitudes and Meridian's, (which would be of very great importance) but should find, that there are many Anniversary Tempests which might be very certainly foretold by the Seasons of the year, and Provision made accordingly; Beside other useful Circumstances of the Annual Motions, and Reversions of the Seas, according to the Declination of the Sun (which hitherto most of our Seamen have thought to proceed purely from chance) might be reducible to so regular observations, that, beside the great improvements which would redound from hence to Philosophy, & all Natural Knowledge; it would be of no small advantage to the interest of Trade and Navigation. This noble Art is worthy of Philosophers and Mathematicians, and the Mechanical part ought to be esteemed the least, that should accomplish a skilful Seaman. So that, men of letters ought not to despise this, as a rude and illiberal profession; to which we must be beholding for the most considerable Discoveries of Nature.  
Then, as to their Continuance or Succession: It has been noted that if the Winds change conformably to the Motion of the Sun; as from the East to the South, from the South to the West, etc. they seldom return thither again, at least for no long time: But, if their changes happen in a contrary manner to the course of the Sun, as from West to South, from South to East, etc. they usually revert back again to the former points, before they complete the whole Circuit of the Compass: We have this remark in my Lord Bacon; and he disdained not to borrow several observations of this kind, from Husbandmen and Shepherds; who are less within doors, and more concerned in all the vicissitudes of the year, whether or no they are like to expect kind seasons for their Corn, and flocks. It might likewise be enquired into, what Prognostiques the Seamen have of the weather, in all parts of the world, where they have different sorts of Tempests: I am informed, that they also commonly observe, when the Wind has been long in one Quarter, if it pass into a Quarter of the like Quality, it is seldom constant, but reverts to the former: as suppose the East, if it change to the North, it frequently returns, but if it pass by the South, and follow the Sun, the weather probably changes for some continuance, and not per Saltum, as if it should skip from the East, to the West, or from the North to the South, for then it's seldom holding. It is not my design to multiply instances of this nature, I only offer at some few, to compare the Mutations of the Wether, with those of the wind; & questionless in a long tract of time, they might be reduced to some more certain rules, than those in Aristotle or Pliny; at least better calculated for an Island; which being invaded on all sides by the Sea-vapors and Winds, seldom enjoys the same serene Face of the Heavens, for any long time together; but is generally far more obnoxious to all changes of weather, than the Continent.  
Next, what certainty there is in any Astrological Predictions, as by the Age, or Phasis of the Moon, Appearance, or Conjunction of the Stars, etc. The Rise of the Orion is more particularised in Authors; but seems to be rather a Concomitant of other causes, then of itself, the Efficient of Winds.  
So likewise, what information we might receive from all sorts of Trades: of what concernment it might be for Vintners to have their Cellar-windows exposed to this, or that Wind; since Michael Angelus Blondus in his book of Navigation, affirms, that the Easterly, and Paduanus in his Treatise of Winds, that the Southerly, have a very sensible operation on the Wines in the Cask. I have heard that some of the Vertuosis who pretend to great skill in ordering of Cidar, find by experience, that certain Winds set it a fermenting more than others, and render it turbid and thick; so that when they perceive them coming to such a Point of the compass, they critically observe the just time for botling it, to prevent these inconveniences. Rules have been prescribed to Drudgsters, and Apothecaries upon this account, for the preserving their Medicines: and happily some remarks might be taken from Cabinet-makers, joiners, and other Mechanical Artists, in the drying and seasoning their Materials, that might conduce a fuller History of Winds.  
Lastly, it would be no less beneficial to the Advancement of Natural knowledge, to detect the Falsity of those Assertions, which have been long received in the world, from the great reputation of their Authors. As for example, those which are set down by Aristotle, in the second of his Meteors, and in the book of Problems, where he endeavours to explicate several Phaenomena of the Air and Winds; as in the first Section. Probl. 8. 9 10. 11. 12. 19 23. and in the Twenty sixth Section. Prob. 3. 9 13. 14. 15. 16. 18. 21. 22. 25. 37. 38. 40. 42. 48. 49. 56. 58. which I mention more particularly, because I find My Lord Bacon in his Chapter concerning the Qualities of Winds, follows exactly the traces of Aristotle; and the generality of Peripatetique writers have made it their Non Ultra, daring to adventure no further in these inquiries, than was prescribed to them by that Great Genius of Nature. So likewise the sentiments of Theophrastus' delivered in his Book of Winds, and the rest of the Ancient Placits, aught to be more thoroughly examined; before we receive them for infallible: many things in Pliny that relate to this Argument, might be considerable, were they not suspected to be generally false: But since the too great Veneration of Antiquity, has imposed so many Vulgar Errors on the credulous world; it will be the most generous design, first to free our minds from those prejudices we have taken up from Tradition, and upon this foundation to superstruct a more Real and Experimental Philosophy.  
I have only mentioned some few observations of that infinite Variety, with which this fruitful Argument will entertain the Curious: And so from their Causes and Qualities, proceed to the Prognostiques of Winds.  
First we might inquire what the radiant, sanguine, pallid, nubilous, or other Appearances of the Sun, signify to the predictions of Winds.  
What the Age or Eclipse of the Moon, the picked, or obtuse figure; the greater resplendency of the Lunar Horns, or the Conjunction of it with other Planets: likewise Halos about the Sun, or Moon, the shooting, or twinkling of Stars, etc. whether these may be accounted Prognostiques of Winds? In like manner, if the Sun seem bigger than ordinary, or dart more refulgent Beams; or if it rise in a Cloud of the same Colour, etc. All these different Appearances of the Heavenly bodies proceed chiefly from refraction, the visual rays being distorted by the Density of the Medium: and the collection of those rorid and nebulous vapours in the Air, that cause these unusual perceptions in our sense, may first generate Halos, and afterward descend in Tempests, or Winds.  
Some prognosticate from Comets and Eclipses: and it would be farther worth our remark; what connexion there is between certain species of Thunder or Lightnings, and Wind; what predictions may be taken from the colours, motion, and as it were Several stories, and ranges of Clouds, or the sudden appearance of any Single one above the Horizon, in an extraordinary serene and peaceful sky, as we observe in Tornadoes.  
Others have been no less superstitious from the sudden paleness of Fires, from the roaring of the Sea, from the resounding of Echoes, or a noise heard from the shores, which happens many times before the Levants blow in the Mediterranean; or if there be a Murmur in the Mountains, or Clouds without Thunder; or if the Sea seem to rise, or swell, in those places where there is no sensible Wind to irritate it. Some have employed their curiosity, in making predictions from Birds, and Waterfowl, from Ravens, and Crows, the playing of Porpuses and Dolphins, the spinning of Spiders, the leaping of Fishes above the water, etc. Innumerable of this nature may be had from Aristotle, Paduanius, Petrus de Medina, Ricciolus, Fournier; though for the most part fallible and uncertain, we might offer at the Philosophical reasons of some Prognostiques; but those, which have any evident connexion between the causes & effects, may be solved from the former Discourses.  
But (as I before noted) the great Inequalities in the superficies of the Earth, the several obstacles and repercussions from mountains, the different Situations of the places, and Medium's in which they blow, the distance of those Countries from the Poles of the World: Their respects to the course of the Sun: whether they comply with, or resist the Natural Motion of the Air from East to West &c have so many intricate, & nice speculations, that it will be hard to lay down any perfect Theory of Winds. Yet certain it is, that most mutations which happen in the Air, either as to heat, cold, or such like qualities, are chiefly occasioned by the diversities of Winds; which, for the time they blow, are the Sovereign Lords of the Atmosphere, and influence, and dispose of it as they please: Beside this, they help to sustain, or dissolve the clouds; they ventilate and purify the Stagnant Air, preserving it from Putrefaction, and by this means are the greatest Benefactors to Mankind.  
Their Number and Distribution, has been very different in the time of Homer, only 4, of Strabo 6, of Andronicus Chyrrestes, 8, though in strictness, we may suppose as many several sorts of Winds, as points in the whole horizontal Arch. The Romans came to 12: others have very aptly multiplied their number to 16; 4 answering to the Cardinal points of the Heaven, and 3 Collateral, between every Cardinal Wind: But the Moderns, since the increase of Navigation, have divided their Compass into 32 points, known in these Parts, by the Dutch or Germane names; and by the Italian, in the Mediterranean Seas.   

A Prosecution of the former discourses, concerning Whirlwinds in general: with an Historical Account of the Tornadoes, Hurracanes, and other Tempestuous Winds.  
THe Peripatetique Philosophy constitutes no considerable difference between Lightning and Whirlwinds; only, that the matter of the first is more tenuous and rare; and the other, made up of grosser and Heterogeneous parts. We might explicate this Phaenomenon more advantageously, if we suppose a Spirit, like that of Nitre, to be discharged with a very violent Collision or Displosion, from one Cloud; which meeting with another, suffers a repulse, & so causes that Rotation which Aristotle styles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉; & in the Third of his Meteorologics, assigns this cause for it; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉: so that, the spirit or Wind, being penned up and straightened 
Meteor. l. 3. c. 1.  in a narrow space, and finding no passage out, recoils, and whirls about in a Circle: for though the progress thereof would be naturally direct (in which all motion once begun, is continued, if there be no impediment, as De Cartes often observes) yet the density & resistance of the Cloud, gives it an oblique or Vortiginous Motion: Aristotle supposes, that the Heat retiring upwards, condenses the Cloud above, and therefore the eruption is made towards the Earth; possibly, we may rather impute it to the Cold, and Pressure of the Incumbent Air; or, that the Cloud, by reason of its Gravity, more easily gives way downward, and so descending in this kind of Circular motion, absorbs whatever shall happen within the Vortex.  
Whirlwinds are divided into several species; and have acquired different Appellations, according to the Diversity of the Matter, Motion or Distraction of the Cloud. They are very particularly set down by Pliny; who makes the Genus to all of them, Ecnephias, or Procella; which, if it Circulate, and cause a gyration in the Air, is called Typhon, and sometimes, if it breaks out with great violence and noise, Turbo; But, if by the struggling or rotation of the included spirit, in the descent, it chanced to be inflamed: it was styled by the Grecians, Prester; and if the Flame be exceedingly rarified and innocent, they called it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉; which we may suppose to consist of a substance not unlike the most rectified Spirit of Wine. So that, Prester comprises not only the Ecnephias, but has the Vortiginous Motion of the Typhon; beside, it is inflamed, and is therefore, Typhon accensus; as the other, Vibratus Ecnephias. 
Plin. Hist. Libro 2.   
All which descriptions are well adjusted to the sense of Aristotle. The Stoics held, that the Typhon was somewhat ignite, & that the Prester was made up of Hotter, but the Typhon of more Rarified matter.  
Seneca describes Lightning to be a very vehement, and the Prester a more rarifyd Flame.  
Epicurus allows of no Fiery eruption out of the Clouds, but Lightning.  
Now we may imagine, that the Nitro-Sulphureous, or other Mineral Spirits, being penned in, and besieged by an obstinate Cloud, and finding no way out, at last, both from the Continual rotation of the Subtle Matter within, and compression by the Air or Winds from without, may by long struggling set themselves at liberty, and violently rend off some part of the Cloud, which, falling into the Sea, causes Tempests and the Sinking of ships, & there-upon is likewise denominated 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, because after the Fall it commonly causes a Whirlpool in the water.  
This Ecnephias oftentimes subverts houses, and tares up trees by the roots; and it's usual to see Cocks of Hay, elevated by it, and as it were, dancing in the Air. For bodies no more solid than Clouds, being charged with such Spirits or Salts, not less active and impetuous than Gunpowder, may by their violent Agitation, from some contrary Currents of Wind, cause these kind of Eddys in the Atmosphere; which is subject to so many inequalities and vicissitudes, sometimes from the condensation of vapours by Cold, and otherwhile by the rarefaction of them, from extraordinary Heat; So that there must needs follow strange disorders and Whirlwinds, by what means soever, the Tension or Compression of the Air, becomes greater, than the Dimensions thereof will naturally permit.  
The Tornadoes are variable Winds, called in the Portugal lan-language Travadoes, but most significantly by the Greeks, Ecnephias from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nubes; for their surest Prognostique is a Thick Cloud, suddenly rising above the Horizon, which is easily visible in those Countries, where the Air is generally defecate and serene.  
The Cloud for its smallness at first was called Olho de Boy, the Bulls-Eye; yet this, from so insensible a beginning, diffuses itself by degrees, and at last, covering the whole Face of the Heavens with a Canopy of darkness, causes horrible storms, Thunder and Lightning, swells the raging Seas up to the Clouds, which power them down in Deluges of Rain, falling rather in huge Cascades, and by Bucket-fuls, than drops; sometimes together with Hailstones of prodigious bulk: so variable and unsteady are the Tornado-Winds, so little obliged to any certain law, that they commonly shift all the Points of the Compass in the space of an hour, blowing in such sudden and impetuous gusts, that a ship which was ready to overset on one side, is no less dangerously assaulted on the other; sometimes they shift without intermission, & otherwhile they blow in starts, so that you shall have a perfect calm between every puff: Let a fleet of ships sail as near as they can without falling fowl on each other, and they shall have several and contrary Winds: You shall be alarmed with many of them in the same day, most towards the coasts of afric, for half an hour or three quarters at a time: and were they equally lasting, as impetuous, few would be invited thither by the Guiny gold, or venture to cross the Line for the richest Merchandise of the East.  
Our Seamen commonly meet with the Tornadoes from the 10th, sometimes the 11th, & 12th degr. of N. Lat. likewise in the Tropic of Capricorn near the Promontory of Cape Bon Esperance; where the fatal cloud rises as only a small spot in the Air, and then displays itself, spreading like a Carpet o'er the top of the Mountain; which the Seamen espying, though in the calmest weather, immediately furl their sails, and provide for the ensuing storm, that not long after descends in lightning and Winds, being the more terrible because it begins with the utmost fury at first, and the changes of the points sudden, as the twinkling of an eye. You shall have a treacherous Calm, a dreadful tempest, and in an hour's space, the sky clear again, and the Sea smooth as glass: The Portuguese in their discoveries of the Oriental Indies, lost 9 ships out of 12, which were overset by the Prodigious impetuosity of these sudden Gusts. But we seldom hear of such disasters now adays, our Seamen being more expert to govern themselves, in these dangerous attacques; and always jealous of surprise in the African Seas: For the nearer you are to the Coasts of afric (as was observed by an 
Phil. Trans. pag. 1004.  inquisitive Traveller of late, in the Philosophical Transactions) so much more dreadful is the Thunder and Rain, but the further Westward you go, the Thunder, and Rain will be less, and the Winds not so uncertain; so that, if you go as far West as the Meridian of the East side of Brasile, there is little Thunder, neither doth the Wind come down in such sudden Puffs and Flaws; but between the 4 and 8 Degree, it is most inclined to Calms and thick Fogs, and the Rains come not in such dangerous showers.  
I have not only consulted the most experienced of our Seamen; from whom I had information in these particulars; but I find that many others, both English and Foreigners, have in their Travels given us descriptions of the Tornadoes, which would be superfluous to recite; I shall only add a relation out of Sir Thomas Roe (in his East-India Voyage) to confirm the precedent Discourses.  
These Tornado-Blasts were so variable, that sometimes within the space of an hour, all the several Winds of the Compass will blow; So that, if there be many ships in company, you shall have them sail so many several ways, and every one of them seem to go directly before the Wind. These strange Gusts came with much Thunder and Lightning, and extreme Rain, so noisome, that it made their clothes, who stirred much in it, to stink upon their backs; and the water of these hot, and unwholesome showers would presently bring forth worms, and other offensive Animals.  
The Tornadoes met with us, when we were about 12 degrees of N. Latitude, and kept us company, till two Degrees Southward of the Equinoctial.  
This Ecnephias' not only visits the Coasts of Malaguta and Guiny, producing vehement Gusts of of Wind with Rain, but reaches as far as Terra de Natal, lying to the East-North-East towards St. Laurence; and at Cape Gardafui near the entrance of the Arabian Gulf, it infests those parts in May, as was collected by Varenius from the Dutch Journals: In the Sea towards the Kingdom of Loango, and that part of the Aethiopique Ocean, the Tornadoes are most frequent in January, February, and March.  
On the shores of Guiny, when no other Winds blow in those Climates, and within 5, 6, or 7 Degrees of the Equinoctial, they reign in April, May, and June, which is the time of their Rains; and in other parts of afric, they observe other Months; For they have not only Etesian Winds, but Anniversary Tempests in some Seas. Yet, to be fuller satisfied in the History of this Ecnephias, I addresed myself to Mr. George Cock of Greenwich (a Gentleman of a generous and communicative Nature) who being interested in the Royal Company, is well versed in all occurrences of the African Trade, and at my request procured me this following account of the Tornadoes on the Coast of Guiny, from a person long employed in their service.  
The place of the Tornadoes rising is, E. N. E. to the N. N. E. they frequently give 2 or 3 hours' notice of their coming, by a thick black Cloud gathered in the Horizon, with much Thunder and Lightning. Sometimes the Wind comes first, very forceable, and then a great quantity of Rain; otherwhile, the Rain begins, and is followed by a Tempestuous Wind. At this season the Blacks count it good planting Corn, or Roots.  They make the Air very clear; so that a man may see 5 times further than before: I myself lying at Anchor in the River, have seen the Isle of Princes, at least 6 leagues up; when before, I could not see the Isle of Fernando do Poo. 
During the Tornadoes, it's exceeding Cold, insomuch that the Natives and other Inhabitants are very sensible of it for the time.  
Their continuance is about an hour, or two hours at most.  
I endeavoured to understand from some of our Seamen, whether the Cape Bon-Esperance was so very ominous for these kinds of Tempests; according to the dreadful descriptions of Maffeus'; and what notice had been taken by our Mariners of the Bulls-Eye, appearing most about that Promontory? which gave such discouragements to the Portugals, in their first attempts upon the Indies? In answer to this, an Ancient East-India-Captain informed me; he had sometimes seen that which the Portugals called Olho-de-Boy, rising on the Peak of the Promontory, and described it to be, A Bright-red Appearance in a Black Cloud; which afterwards descending causes violent storms. So that they commonly expect fowl weather, and encounter great difficulties about the turning of that Point; where, as the Lands lie higher, so they are more obnoxious to Tempests; for not only the Cape Bon Esperance, but several other Hills & High landsare observed to generate storms; and in many Countries they have Mountains, from the top of which, most of the Tempests thereabout are noted to take their first rise.  
I lately made inquiries of several ships that, during the Winter months, never met with any Tornadoes, all the way from Brasile; They being most violent, when the Sun is near their Zenith, and in the time of their Rains, when the Air is moist, and affords greater quantities of Flatulent vapours.  
May we not collect from hence that this Phaenomenon also does principally relate to the Sun? which passing from one Tropic to another, not only draws the General or Trade Winds along with it, but causes the Monsoons, and Tornadoes, and though the latter differ much on the shores of afric, from what they are in the Pacifique and Brasilean Seas: yet this may be allowed, to particular Accidents, the diversity of Latitudes and Meridian's; Inequalities between the Seas, and Mountains etc.  
In the English Channel, especially about the end of Summer, many have been surprised with these vehement blasts of Wind, with Lightning, and Rain, after the manner of Tornadoes, and so in our American Dominions, by the Caribbe-Islands; But no Seas have been so infamous for them, as those near Guiny, where the Levants, or General Brise, being interrupted, occasions this variableness of the Winds; or for other reasons, not as yet nicely considered by our Seamen, who though we must be forced to rely on their credit for matters of Fact, yet they are able to assist us but very little in determining the Causes of things, that must depend on a thousand minute observations in the places where they happen.  
The Coasts of Monomotapa, and generally the more Southerly & Maritime Regions of afric, are said to abound with divers sorts of Minerals, and the Nitro-sulphureous Spirits, if they escape from under the Earth or Sea, must necessarily by their mutual conflicts, & accension in the Air, cause the most terrible Lightning and Whirlwinds: Moreover, the Sun, then in their Zenith, is more powerful; and the Spacious Aethiopique ocean must needs furnish multitudes of Exhalations, that, gathering insensibly, at length make up the Tornado-Cloud; which afterwards may create Tempests two several ways.  
1. By its resolution into Rain and stormy Gusts.  
Or, 2 lie, by its pressure; when the Cloud distils not by degrees in pluvious drops, but rushes down impetuously all at once, driving before it a swift Torrent of Air, which falls as from a precipice, and threatens the oversetting of ships; If it chance to be strongly resisted, either by the extraordinary density of the Atmosphere, or some other cross Winds that stop the career, than it runs round in changeable Puffs to all points of the compass: and though the Bulls-Eye which occasions the Ecnephias, may seem exceedingly at first, chiefly by reason of the vast distance from the Earth: yet Ponderous bodies, the higher they ascend, relapse back again with the more vehement impulse: and therefore some have 
Tempestatem eò Majorem esse, quo minor vubes apparuit; nam quò ex altiori loco descendit, etc. De Cartes. Meteor. c. 7.  observed, the lesser the cloud appears at first, the Tempest will last the longer.  
The Ecnephias is sometimes inflamed, & then is called Prester, from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 uro, though the cause of its Accension (or indeed of any Fiery Meteor whatever) is not so easily explicated. Shall we conjecture that it consists of some such inflammable Matter which easily kindles from contact & commistion? or by the violent agitation, or displosion of certain Mineral Spirits and Salts? or may not the Presters and Fiery Winds break out in Actual Flames from the Vulcanos and Burning Mountains under ground? May they not proceed from a sufficient collection of inflammable Exhalations in the Regions of the Air? Presters being a kind of Continued Lightning.  
Sometimes there appears first, like a Flaming Cloud in the Horizon, from whence proceeds the Fiery Tempest, in a most astonishing manner; & some of these Hurracanes and Whirlwinds have seemed so very terrible, as if there had happened one entire conflagration of the Air and Seas. I was informed by Captain Proud of Stepny, a person of great experience and integrity, that in one of his Voyages to the East Indies, about the 17 degree of South Latitude he met with a Tempest of this nature, towards the Coast of India; of which I had some particulars extracted from his Journal: First, contrary to the course of the Winds, which they expected to be at S. E. or between the South and East, they found them between the East and North; the Sea extremely troubled; and, which was most remarkable and Dreadful, in the N. N. W. North and N. N. E. parts of the Horizon the sky became wonderfully red, and inflamed, the Sun being then upon the Meridian; These were thought Omens of stormy weather; which afterwards happened according to their suspicions: and as the Darkness of the night increased, so did the Violence of the Wind, till it ended in an extreme Hurricane; which an hour after Midnight, came to such an height, that no Canvas or sails would hold; and 7 men could scarce govern the Helm. But that which I mention as most considerable to our purpose, was, that the whole Hemisphere, both the Heavens and raging Seas, appeared but as one entire Flame of Fire; and those who are acquainted with the reputation of this Grave Person, will find no just reason to distrust the truth of the Relation.  
Although these Fiery Whirlwinds are to be reckoned as the most wonderful events in Nature, yet we have frequent examples of them in Historians and Philosophers: One the most memorable which ever I read of, was known, some years since, here in England; and described at large in the Public Gazet: it run a long in a tract, as a dreadful Torrent of Fire, destroying all places wherever it came; and, if I mistake not, did much damage in Lincolne-Shire; but I cannot now recollect the particulars, though, as I remember, it happened since the last Dutch war.  
They have a strange kind of Ecnephias towards the Arabian Gulf, which rises from the North; where also they have oftentimes Sandy Tempests; and that not only in Afric, near the Temple of Jupiter Hammon, (as seems to have been noted by Herodotus) but especially in Arabia; where the Floating Sands are driven by the Winds, & sometimes have overwhelmed no less than six thousand persons at once, travelling in Caravans from Aleppo on their way to Babylon.  
I shall conclude with a Description of Hurricanes, which have the greatest affinity in their Nature to the Tornadoes, but far more lasting and violent: by some, they are called Huracanos, and by others, Orancan: Yet I rather think the word was first borrowed of the Natives, and deduced from a Barbarous Origine.  
We seldom hear of any Hurricanes but between the Tropiques, and within the jurisdiction of the General, or Trade-wind; which blowing perpetually from the Eastern points, if it chance to be repelled by a Land-Brise, or any contrary Motion from the West; This must needs occasion strange Conflicts and Seditions in the Air: and, were our senses fine enough to discern the invisible commotions of the Atmosphere, we should see it oftentimes disturbed & Fluctuating, no less than the most Tempestuous Seas.  
They are not alike terrible in all places between the Tropiques, but reign more especially near High shores and Islands that lie Eastward from the Continent; so that they infest the Philippine and Caribbe-Isles, more than any other parts of the Habitable World.  
Nearer the Line it's most inclined to Calms; and though in the Torrid Zone, there is but one Set Wind all the year round, yet they are also extremely subject to Tempests, whenever the Levants encounter any opposition from the West. For although (as I before noted) the progress of Wind is Naturally direct, yet meeting with any impediment, it whirls about in a Circular and Vortiginous Motion. This cause was assigned by Dorisi of the dangerous storms that happen near the Equinoctial: & (not to instance in several others, who have declared for the same Hypothesis) Ricciolus, and more expressly Varenius, in his Geography, gives the like account of these Typhons, or Hurricanes:  
Causa Typhonis procul dubio est, quòd Ventus ex aliqua plaga erumpens, versus aliam, in hac reperit impedimentum, etc. Potest etiam esse ab oppositis Ventis simul spirantibus, etc.  
We see these kind of Eddys in Rivers, when the Course of the Channel is stopped by a dam or Bank; at least when two contrary Currents meet; And I believe the Phaenomenon of Hurricanes might be sufficiently illustrated from Hydrostatique experiments, were it not my intention rather to prosecute their Natural History, then to determine their cause. Though I shall endeavour to collect such observations, as may not obscurely hint to us the fittest Materials, on which to superstruct an Hypothesis. But we cannot safely adventure upon this Arduous attempt, without more exact discoveries of many particular Circumstances, and Accidents, which are of greatest importance to these nice Speculations.  
I should inquire what Anniversary Winds blow either in Guiana, or the Neighbouring continent; especially from the West, in those Months which are most suspected for Hurricanes.  
Then, what judgement can be made of their Causes, from their Prognostiques: since I am assured from very good hands, that they have oftentimes been foretold by the Indians. Moreover, the Influences of the Sun, the nature of the Currents and Shores; the Phasis of the Moon, etc. ought not to be neglected by the Inquisitive Naturalist.  
Lastly, whether they are not frequently accompanied by Earthquakes, as I have been informed by some who were Planters in the West Indies, which was likewise taken notice of in that excellent History of the Caribbes, of an Hurricane which happened in the year 1563 together with an Earthquake. For the Included Spirit, which caused that Palpitation in the Bosom of the Earth, being afterwards released from its imprisonment, might occasion these dreadful Tempests and Winds. Fournier (who is generally reputed an Author of good credit, & skilful in what relates to Hydrography) mentions an Inundation on the Coasts of America, an Eruption of a Burning Mountain, and an Earthquake near the same time; which for the memorableness of the event, I shall set down in a few lines.  
Thirty five leagues on the South of Lima, is situate a Famous Port called Hisco; and a Town in which most of Noblesse and persons of Quality do reside; who perceiving one day, that the Sea retired all at once, from their shores, and left the River dry, great Numbers of people flocked together on the shore, to behold so extraordinary a sight; little suspecting the ill destiny which was to attend them: For, presently after, they saw a great and sudden tumour of the Sea, and perceived the Water to boil, and the waves to swell, and roll one upon another; not like Waves, but Mountains of water, so high, that there remained no hope of saving their lives by flight; expecting every moment when they should be Swallowed up by the Sea: so that, the Ocean quitting its ordinary Bounds, made an excursion for three Hundred leagues; overturned the houses and trees, and left the Country desolate: the ships sailed over the highest walls, during this wonderful Inundation. Canama, a noted Village distant 230 leagues from Lima, was destroyed with its Port, and many other places; more especially the Town of Arica, which lost in the Harbour many ships richly laden, to the value of a Million in Gold. The Mountain Onerate, which, some years since, had vomited out a great quantity of Ashes, began a very terrible Conflagration, and was followed by a sudden Trembling of the Earth, which in less than a quarter of an hour, swallowed up several Villages; that there was scarce ever a more Dreadful Earthquake.  
It is not unusual to have Inundations of the Seas, Eruptions of Burning Mountains, Earthquakes, and then Violent Tempests, like Hurricanes, to happen about the same time, and probably from the same Cause: For the Nitro-Sulphureous spirit which causes the Trembling of the Earth, and that stupendious commotion of the Seas, may afterward break loose into the most Horrid conflagrations, and Winds: especially, in such places that abound with these Thundering Minerals; which, if we consider their Active nature, are the fittest Materials for Hurricanes. I know not how far it may be thought a confirmation of this, that Bray-Brook in Northamptonshire, where (as was at large described in the last of the Philosophical Transactions) there happened that dangerous Whirlwind the last year, has been a place much subject to Earthquakes. But I return from this digression, to the Hurricanes of the West-Indies, where it seems to me very odd, that they should be so dreadful in some places of the Caribbe-Islands, insomuch that Mevis and St. Christopher's, have several times been almost depopulated by them, when they never reach to Jamaica, on the one side (happily as lying without the Vortex of the Whirlwind) nor on the other, beyond Barbados, where they have seldom more than the Tail of an Hurricane, though it is not far situate from St. Christopher's, Porto Rico, Gardaloupe, and other Islands, where they rage with the greatest violence.  
They are no strangers to the Moluccas, and Philippines, and we have most incredible relations of the storms in the way to Japan, which have carried ships a considerable distance from the Sea, up the Dry-Land: Some have been miserably wracked, & buried in the waves, others split in a thousand pieces against the Rocks, that scarce one ship in five escapes these diasters in the Tempestuous Months about Autumn, or at the change of the Monsoons. From hence we may collect this considerable remark, That they never happen but on the Eastern Shores, where they are Fatal to the Chinese and Caribbe-Seas, and so as far as the River of Plate; likewise to that part of Afric from the Cape to St. Laurence, & the Adjacent Isles: when they are altogether unknown to the African Ocean, from the Canaries to Cape Bon Esperance, are never heard of at New Spain, or the Coasts of Peru, nor towards any other western parts of America; because there the Winds, which blow off from Land, make no opposition against the General Brise, but comply with the Constant motion of the Air between the Tropiques, from East to West: For the shifting of the Trade-Wind from the Easterly Points, is usually the first Onset of an approaching Hurricane.  
Yet, however these suspicious of mine be received, I think it cannot be rationally disputed, but that those direful Tempests have their first rise from the Western Continent: for we seldom encounter them very remote from Land, and the experienced Masterss-of-ship are never jealous of Hurricanes in the Spacious Ocean; or, if they perceive them coming, immediately make out to Sea, where their fury is much less, then near the Shores.  
They are most to be dreaded about the end of Summer, in the Months of July, and August: For both the Winds and Seas, imitate the Motions of the Sun, and being dilated by the Celestial heat, annually revert from North, to South; and from South, to North again; so that the Sun hasting from one Tropic to another, causes the like sudden Conversions in the Currents and Winds; and being the most Universal Efficient, must needs be principally concerned in all vicissitudes of the Sublunary World.  
Hurricanes are usually preceded by an extraordinary Tranquillity of the Heavens and Seas: possibly, some Counter-Winds may for a short space balance another, & bring the Air to an Equal poise. So that, those who happen to be in the Centre of the Whirlwind are at first sensible of no disturbance; as we see in Eddys or Whirlpools of water, that, while the Circumference is violently agitated, in the middle it continues for some time, quiet and calm.  
I have already too long digresed from my first design, which was to contribute, what I could, to their History; & for this end, I have collected several relations which may be of greatest importance to make a fuller discovery of their nature, & the Miraculous Effects of Hurricanes: The first is out of Battista Ramusio; and though I am assured, that the best accounts are to be had from Oviedo, and other Spaniards, & the descriptions they have made of the New-World, yet their books are so rarely to be met with, that very few of the Spanish Journals come to our hands, but what were first translated into other Modern languages, as this, of two several Hurricanes at the Island of Hispaniola: I made diligent enquiry after Gonzalo D' Oviedo, which is a book fit to be consulted upon this occasion; which I at last found in the University Library done into Italian by Gio: Battista Ramusio, with several other Portugal and Spanish Journals, where I met with the following descriptions of these Hurricanes in one of the Caribbe-Islands.  
Hurricane in the Language of this Island signifies properly a most excessive Tempestuous storm: and in effect is nothing else, but an extraordinary great Wind, and Rain together.  
It happened on Wednesday the third of August in the year 1508 (Don Francisco Nicola D' Ovando the great Commendator, being Governor of this Island) very near midday, that there rose upon a sudden a very great Wind, accompanied with Rain; which, in one and the same instant, was taken notice of in many remote parts of the Island; and hence, by reason of it, great losses immediately followed in the fields; and the Country farms remained utterly wasted and destroyed: in this City of St. Domenico it bore to the Ground all the houses of straw which were in it; and some too which were built with stone were extremely battered and endangered: Nay in that Country which they called the Happy Adventure, all the houses were leveled to the Earth; from which accident the name of the Misadventure was afterward given to it, by reason of the great numbers which there underwent a Totall Ruin: and that which was worst, and most sensibly afflictive, that in the Haven of this City were destroyed more than twenty ships, pinnaces, and other vessels: The Wind was North, and so strong that the Mariners perceiving the sudden increase, threw themselves into their Boats, and went to cast more Anchors into the Sea, and to fasten and secure their vessels with stronger Cables; But to such a height grew the Tempest, that all provision which was made to resist it, proved useless, and ineffectual, because every thing broke, and the Wind with an incredible force drove all the vessels, both small and great, down the River, out of the Port, and Carried them into the Sea, some it stranded across the shores of that River; others were sunk and never appeared more: but afterward, the Wind changing upon a sudden to the contrary point, the South Wind, with no less violence and fury, rose to an equal height, with the former North Wind; whence, beyond all apprehension, some vessels were furiously driven back again into the Port, and as the North Wind had forced them to Sea, so this Opposite drove them back again into the Harbour against the stream of the River. These very vessels we afterward obsered to move down the stream, without perceiving any more of them then the Cages or Tops of their Masts, for their Hulks sunk totally under water. Many men were drowned in this calamity, and the extremity of the Tempest lasted Twenty four hours, even till the next day Noon; but ceased not so, in an instant, as it began: Such an one it was, that many who saw it, and are yet living in this City, do affirm, that it was the most Affrightful & Horrid spectacle, that could possibly be looked upon with human eyes: and they report the Appearance to be such, that it seemed as if Hell had stood open, and the Infernal spirits carried those vessels from one place to an other; The Wind hurried away in a Body together many men, divers Bow-shoots through the streets, and fields, without any possibility to stop or help themselves; many of whose heads were miserably shattered and broken: It drew by force some stones out of the midst of the walls, it threw down and broke in pieces many thick Woods turning them upside down; hurling the trees of others at a very great distance. In short, the loss occasioned by this Tempest, was exceeding great and General to the whole Island. The Indians say, that at other times here have used to be Hurricanes, but not any like This had ever yet happened; neither in theirs, nor their predecessors times; so that by this Horrible Tempest many were slain, and their Estates and Goods ruined; both in this City, and in the greater part of this Island, but chiefly their Farms in the Country.  
The Admiral Don Diego Colombo came the year following being (1509) into this City, the tenth of July, and on the twenty ninth of the same Month, there arose another Hurricane, greater than that already mentioned, but yet it made not so much spoil among the Houses, though in the Fields a much greater. There have been others since, but never Such, nor so Stupendious as these. 'Tis believed and asserted by the Catholics, that since the most Holy Sacrament of the Altar has been placed in the Churches of this City, and in the other Regions of this Island, these Hurricanes have ceased. Certainly, whosoever hath passeth by some Woods of great and thick standing trees, where the Hurricanes have arrived, has seen things of much wonder and amazement. For one might then behold trees, innumerable, and those extreme big, drawn up with their roots, which were as long as was the Tree even to his highest top-branch, others cloven asunder in many pieces; and in such a manner placed one upon an other, that it appeared exactly a Diabolical operation. I myself have seen in some places the whole territory covered with eradicated, and cleft trees; and placed one upon another with wonderful Entanglings. And because we were to go from thence, and pass through those very Countries and woods, thus rend asunder and intricated, having no other way so safe to our design (the great Rivers interposing us, together with the sharp Craggs of Mountains, the deep Valleys, and the thorny, and close Woods, and many other difficulties; beside the suspicion of the enemy, and the Ignorance of the country) so that it was very observable to see how our men went clambering, eight or ten yards one higher than the other, from tree to tree, & from bough to bough, toiling themselves in the prosecution of their way; whence going on through all their Molestations, they felt the most extreme Torture & Anguish, with hope to attain the safest way, though by a passage so infinitely obstructed; and continually some of our companions came out from the trees thus plagued, crushed, and their clothes wholly torn off, & the skin flayed off from their hands; The trees were excessively big; and stupendious it was to see them in this manner, and at so great a distance from the place, where they first grew, so heaped, entangled, and interwoven one within another, that, as we have said already, it appears no other than the work of the Devil. I have many pregnant Testimonies in the City of the two Hurricanes, that I now describe, which in our Times happened in this Island, and there are yet some remains of the Damage it did in my own house; several other persons throughout the Island then lost most of their riches, as there are yet many more in Spain, who felt the fury of the first Hurricane, to their utter ruin, and loss of their ships. In a word, such were these two Tempests, that their memory will last, as long as those now living on the place, and therefore 'tis fit that some notice of them remain ever to Posterity.  
I have made choice of another account out of the History of the Caribbe-Islands, written by an Ingenious Frenchman: and I have lately met with several other relations both of the French and English, who lived upon St. Christopher's, miserably deploring the Subversion of their houses, and the ruin of their Families & Estates by Hurricanes: but I forbear to insert them among the rest of my papers, because they contain no delightful variety, being only the same Tragedy acted over again; and, for the most, of the like Nature with this which follows.  
Hurricanes are terrible and violent Tempests, which may be termed the true images of the last Conflagration of the World: formerly they happened but once in 5 or 7 years; but they are now become more frequent, since the Antilles were inhabited, for there was one in 51, another in 52, two in 53, and two in 56: [Nay, in the Island of Gardaloupe, lying about the 16 degree of N. Latitude, there happened no less than 3 Hurricanes in one year] The manner of them is Thus.  
Ordinarily the Sea becomes Calm on a sudden, and Smooth as glass: then presently after, the Air is darkened, and filled with Dense and Gloomy Clouds; after which, it's all (as it were) on Fire, and opens on every side with Dreadful Lightnings, that last a considerable time: after which follow wonderful Claps of Thunder, that seem as if the Heaven was rend asunder. The Earth Trembles in many places, and the Wind blows with so great Impetuosity, that it roots up the tallest and greatest Trees, which grow in the Woods; Beats down almost all the Houses, and tears up the Vegetables; destroying every thing that grows upon the Earth; and very often compels men, whilst this Dreadful Tempest lasts, to catch hold of the trunks of trees, to secure themselves from being carried away by the Winds; some lie in the Caves of the Rocks, or retire into the Huts of the Negroes and Caribbians, which are built exceeding low on purpose to elude the shocks of these Tempests. But that which is most dangerous of all, and which causes the greatest Mischief, is, that in four and twenty Hours, and sometimes in less space, it makes the whole Circle of the Compass; Leaving neither Road nor Haven secure from its raging forces; so that all the ships that are at that time on the Coast, do perish most miserably.  
At the Island of St. Christopher's, several ships in the Harbour, being laden with Tobacco, were all cast away by an Hurricane; & afterwards the Tobacco poisoned most of their Fish on their Coasts.  
When these storms are over, a man may behold the saddest Spectacles that can be imagined. There may be seen Pieces of Mountains shaken by the Earthquakes, and Forests overturned; Houses beaten down by the violence of the Winds; abundance of Poor Families undone by the loss of their Goods, & the Merchandise in their Cottages; of which they can save but very little. There one may see the poor Seamen drowned, and rolling in the waves, with many brave ships broken in pieces, and battered against the Rocks. 'Tis a thing so woeful and deplorable, that should this Disorder happen often, I know not who could have the Heart or confidence to go to the Indies.  
There came to my hands, the last winter, a more accurate account of an Hurricane, which lately encountered one of his Majesty's Frigates in the way to the West-Indies; & after frequent Converse with the Ingenious Captain at his return, he was pleased, understanding my design, to send me a very Handsome account of the particulars in a letter: The Contents were these.  
The Contents.  
SIR,  
IN answer to your request, concerning the Hurricane, I can say little of its effects more, than what concerns our particular Damage, and Terror. It happened upon the 18th of August last, 16 Hours after the New Moon, in the 14th Degree of North Latitude, about 90 leagues from Barbados; It succeeded a storm of 48 hours' continuance at North-East; an unusual way of its appearing, for it commonly follows a Calm: It's presage being a shifting of the Wind about the compass, with the Appearance of a troubled sky, the only advantage we have to prepare for its reception. The Fury of it began about 10 at Night, and continued till 12 the next Day. It's observed that the Hurricanes of the New Moon begin at Night, and those at the Full in the Day; as was noted two years since, when the Lord Willoughby perished with 8 ships, and near a 1000 persons.  
During it's 14 hours' Fury with us, it shifted 14 Points, from the N. E. to the S. S. West, keeping a method of changing one point an hour; and then shifted Backward, and in its retreat still abated, until it returned to the Original Point, where it wholly ceased.  
In the height of it, we had some Hail, the Stones whereof were very great, which seemed to be thrown upon us for the space of the twentieth part of a Minute, and then an intermission of 5 or 6 Minute, before any more came. The Sea in the night seemed as a real Fire, and I believe we might have distinctly perceived any object at a great Distance: In the day time we seemed rather to sail in the Air than Water, the Wind forcing the Sea so high that we could scarce make a distinction of either Elements.  
The Terror of it was such, that I thought it the Emblem of Hell, and the last dissolution of all things; especially the first two hours, which were attended with so much Thunder and Lightning, so astonishing, as if we had been wrapped up into the Clouds, or the whole Air set on Fire.  
The strength of the Wind was so great, that it blew a Boat of 18 foot long (fastened to 4 Ring-bolts, and each Bolt through a Ring of the ship) Clear off the Deck: It blew away a Piece of Timber of great substance and weight, called the Crosse-Piece of the Bits, to which we fasten our Cabels: it tore off the Sails from the Yards, though fast furled; the Yards from the Masts, and the upper Masts from the lower: It blew a way four men of five, who were upon the Fore-Yard, three of which, by a strange Providence, were thrown in again upon the Deck by the Sea, and saved. The last remain of its Fury was a Weighty Grinding-Stone, which it left fastened between two Timber Heads, but it blew away the Trough from under it. I had several Accounts from Particular Friends how terrible it was in other places, but to me it seemed beyond all expression.  
These Hurricanes are most frequent between the Equinoctial, and the Tropic of Cancer: They more rarely happen between the Line and the Tropic of Capricorn. But that which is the greatest Wonder to me, is, that they should be so terrible among the Caribbe-Islands, that, in some of them, they have neither left House, Tree, nor Plant in the ground, beginning at St. John De Porto Rico, and so running Eastward: but the Islands of Hispaniola, Cuba, and Jamaica are never troubled with them, though within few leagues of the rest.  
There are some Old Indians that have given notice of them 3 or 4 Days before their Coming: by what rules, I was never Curious to understand; it being enough for us to study how to defend ourselves and ships from them, rather than by any nice inquiries to search into their Cause. Only thus much I observed, that they have an influence upon the Sea, as well as the Moon, both upon them and it; for I found by observation of the Sun and Stars, that there was a Current tending so violently Northwards, that in 24 hours it would force us as many leagues from our Easterly Course; which did so confound us, having neither Card nor Compass left to Steer by (which, with several other Goods, were swept a way in a Breach which the Sea made into our ship) that I think it was as great a difficulty for me to find out Barbados (this place being nearest for our relief) as Columbus, who first discovered those Countries. Sir, I have been as modest as I could in giving you this Relation, because I know many who are unacquainted with the violence of these Tempests, will be incredulous; But I should be sorry, that all who will not believe this Account, should have the same confirmation which I had. If there be any thing in it worth your notice, it may engage me hereafter to recollect some more particulars; In all things I shall endeavour to assure you that I am, etc.  
Were it not sufficient, that a Relation much of this Nature was presented to his Majesty; and that the ship, after it returned, lay at Anchor a long time in the River of Thames; not without signal marks of the Hurricane, I might have been scrupulous enough, to have desired the Subscriptions of several others, who could attest the truth of this Narrative. I should only wish that some of those reflections, which the Ingenious Captain is pleased to make upon this occasion, were enquired into, by those who live upon any of the Caribbe-Islands: whether the Hurricanes of the New Moon begin constantly by Night, and those at the Full in the Day? which would be remarkable, though I never remember to have met with the like observation in any other Description. However, we can by no means exclude the Operations of this Influential Planet; which has a very great Dominion over both the Winds and Tides; whether from its Pressure, or by what means soever it produces these effects: Some have thought that the Moon has an Atmosphere of its own, and sends out effluviums to the neighbouring World; and therefore acts more Powerfully in the Perigaeum, when it approaches nearest the Earth.  
That wonderful light which appeared during this Hurricane, might be from the Collision of the Lucid Salts, with which the Sea-water is so deeply impregnated: Light happily being nothing else but the Motion of some subtle matter.  
We have seldom heard of any Hurricanes but in the Months of July, August, and September, and the Seamen hitherto have never been apprehensive of them at other times; yet the last year there happened one in October which was very unusual.  
They are now become the subjects of our Gazettes; and scarce a year passes but we have Accounts from the American Plantations, of the Damages they have sustained by Hurricanes. Not to mention the Tragedy of my Lord Willoughby and his followers, we had several of a fresher Date: no less than five or six have happened within these three years.  
The last advice was from Antego, the second of September; the most part of the New Town of St. John's was quite thrown down to the ground. Where divers of our Merchant's Ships richly laden, some from New-England, and one Irish Ship that came thither for shelter, perished in the Harbour; together with many more Vessels that were cast away at Meavis, and other parts of the West-Indies.  
I also take notice of another passage, where he says Hispaniola has been exempt from Hurricanes, when it's certain that at the first Descent of the Spaniards upon this Island, it was most obnoxious to them of all others, whereupon they afterwards took occasion to boast, that, since the Holy Sacrament, was exposed in their Churches, they wholly ceased.  
We may likewise observe, that the Seamen took the first Presage of the Hurricane, from the whifling of the Wind about the Compass, which is Ominous in those Climates, where it hangs generally between the Easterly Points. They varied, no more than 14 Points in this Formidable Hurricane, though it has been a vulgar error that they shift through all Quarters of the Compass. Not only the Winds, but the Currents are observed to change, and run round in Eddys before the beginning of the Tempest.  
This Hurricane was preceded by a storm at North-East, though it's Universally agreed on, in the Relations both of the English, French, and Spaniards, that they commonly succeed a Calm: So that you shall have the Sea, for some time Placid, and Even, & not so much as the least wrinkle to appear on the Surface of the Water. It's likewise esteemed a sure Prognostique, that the Birds (led by an instinct of Nature) come down before hand in Flocks from the Mountains to secure themselves in the Valleys against the injury of the Wether.  
I believe, there might be excellent use made of the Barometer for predicting of Hurricanes, and other Tempests, especially at Sea; since I am credibly informed, that a person of Quality, who lives by the Seaside, (though happily there may not be so considerable alterations in the gravity of the Atmosphere far off at Land) can by the Barometer almost infallibly foretell any great Tempest for several hours before it begins.  
I find no mention of Salt Rains in any of the English Narratives; but the most Inquisitive of the French and Dutch have reckoned it as a very Infallible Presage, that the Rain, which falls a little before, is bitter, and salt as the Sea-water: which happily may argue a Collection of some Saline and Sulphureous spirits, in the Regions of the Air, that encountering each other, may by their violent Displosion be principally concerned in the Production of Hurricanes. My Lord Bacon just hints in his Chapter [De Imitamentis Ventorum] that there are certain Flatulent, and expansive spirits cuntained in some Minerals (and then instances particularly in Niter) that not only imitate, but exceed the force of most Whirlwinds. But certainly Nitre alone can effect no such Wonders, though by the addition of Sulphur it is soon inflamed, and capable of the most vehement Agitation. For the Sulphureous particles, being extremely subtle, lose the Textures of the Salts, and render them of the most expansive Nature; wherefore in the composition of Gunpowder, the Ignition is quicker, and the Displosion more impetuous, accordingly, as the Nitrous corpuscles have greater or less allays of Sulphur or coal, which they use in a different Proportion for Fowling-peices & Canon-powder.  
Thus from the expansion of these Raging Minerals, (which after their Rarefaction require an immense space, and are exploded with the greatest violence) we can only expect such wonderful Effects as those of Hurricanes. For beside the Subverting of Forests, and Towns, They have in some of the French Plantations, removed 
Detache les rochers du haut des montagnes, & les precipite dans les vallées, etc. Histoire des Iles Antiles p. 244.  the Rocks from the Tops of Mountains, and cast them into the Valleys, as if they had been blown up with Gunpowder; so that, since we have no better way to interpret Nature, then from the Sensible discoveries of Art, we may with the greatest probability derive these Tempests from some such Nitro-Sulphureous Exhalations, than which, nothing in the Mineral World, can be of greater force to occasion Lightning and Whirlwinds. I shall not undertake to determine positively the Mode, only I thought good to insinuate thus much, that these Miraculous Emotions of the Atmosphere can hardly be supposed from the Agitation of common vapours or Air; For so General a Conspiracy of the Winds, and as it were a kind of Paroxysm which so much disorders the Frame of Nature, must necessarily proceed from some very extraordinary cause.  
FINIS.