dissolved Snow And this they take for a sign of it that Rain and dissolved Snow do much augment the Rivers that oftentimes they extend beyond their Channel and overflow Regions also that Rivers do much decrease and some lesser sort of them are altogether dried up when no Rain for a long while in the Summer season hath fallen because that their Channel is not very profound and therefore have collected little water but those that have a deep Channel are not dried up in the Summer by reason that they have gathered so much water from the Rains that fell and dissolved Snow so that all cannot be turned into vapours except by a daily and continual heat 2. Because that there are very few Rivers in those places where there is little rain as in the more inward part of Africa there are few Springs But these allegations resolve not the question because we are not to demand or seek the Original of Rivers but only the Original of the Water of Fountains Therefore those that speak thus have not well considered the sence of the question as we have taken notice before although also the experience that they alledge is not general because that there are Rivers found in places where there is little rain and no snow although it be true in the Region of Peru and Aegypt which they assert Moreover rain moistneth not the Earth above ten foot deep but Fountains spring from a far greater profundity The Opinion of Seneca 2. Others suppose that we should not demand whence the water of Fountains doth arise by reason that water is an Element as much as Earth Air and Fire concerning the Original of which we do not dispute thus Seneca discourseth But other Authours cut in twain this Gordian knot with the Sword of Alexander For it is not enquired after how that water hath a Being but how it cometh to the places of Fountains and not to other places Moreover the Earth doth not so flow forward as Rivers do But for the Air it is false that we should not seek concerning it as they determine 3. Aristotelians follow the opinion of their Master See Aristotle līo 1. Chap. 11. who in the whole Eleventh Chapter of his first Book of Meteors endeavoureth to prove that the water of Fountains is generated from Air contained in the bowels of the Earth He alledgeth these reasons 1. Waters are generated from Air above the Earth viz. Rain therefore seeing that Air is in the bowels of the Earth and that there is the same cause of condensation viz. Cold therefore he saith it is absurd for any one to think that water is not produced from Air there 2. Experience testifieth that more great drops that fall are made of small ones and therefore the Original of Rivers must be as it were certain Brooks of water that meet in one part of the Earth for therefore those that make Aqueducts are wont to bring the water down by trenches and small Channels 3. Because that many Springs and those of the greatest Rivers are found in mountanous places very few in Plains or Valleys which is an evidence that the water of Fountains proceedeth from a condensed Air or Vapour which Air and Vapour tend towards higher places and mountainous places are as it were spunges incumbing over lower places Those are the reasons of Aristotle The Opinion of Cardanus 4. Cardanus with others suppose that the water of Fountains proceeds from Rivulets which are generated of watery vapours condensed both within and without the Earth but that these Fountains alone scarce make up Rivers unless assisted by rain or dissolved Snow His Reasons are these 1. If betimes in the morning one view the Mountains they will appear moist 2. Rivers overflow in the morning and so much the more by how much the part of it is more near the Fountain But the perpetual and constant impetus of the water bubling and leaping from the Springs doth not seem to have its Original from so weak and inconstant a cause Neither doth this opinion of Cardanus much differ from that of Aristotle but that Aristotle placeth Air with the generation Cardanus vapours with the generation to be the cause of Springs and indeed small is the difference between Air and vapours 5. Some of the Antients supposed Rains to be coacervated within the Earth in Cavities and thence to break forth as from a mighty belly and that all Rivers sprang from one of them or from some other of them neither that there was any other water generated but what were collected in the winter months into those receptacles they supposed to evade into the multitude of these Rivers and therefore that they flowed more in the winter than in the Summer and that some were continual and some not They added the same cause that we have laid down in the first opinion But Aristotle receiveth this opinion because that more water in one year floweth out from the mouth of the River than the bulks of that whole part of Earth or Land 6. Of Modern Philosophers many as also of the Ancients determined that the Earth again received whatsoever waters flowed out from the mouth of the Rivers into the Sea For the water of the Sea by an hidden passage went under the Earth and is beaten in its passage through divers windings of the Earth and strained through Sand and Chalk which removeth its saltness and so passeth into pure water I also defend this opinion and suppose it true yet so as not to exclude the cause laid down in the first and third place the reasons are these 1. Because more than one thousand Rivers exonerate themselves into the Sea and the greater of them in such an abundancy that that water which they send forth into the Sea throughout the whole year exceedeth the whole Earth as the River Volga into the Caspian Sea and also other Rivers Therefore it cannot otherwise be but that water must be sent forth into many places of the Earth even to the Fountains of Rivers Now if that this were not so we could not possibly imagine how that the Sea should not be augmented unto an immensity or why Fountains should not cease to send forth water Neither may it be objected that so many vapours are elevated from the Sea that are equivalent to the water that the Sea hath received from the Rivers For first only Rain maketh those vapours then again it is most false that so great a quantity of vapours should be elevated from the Sea as are generated from the water which floweth from the Rivers into the Sea Fountains the nearer the Sea are salter than those farther distant 2. This opinion is proved from that to wit that the Fountains near the Sea are salt and brackish and by how much they are nigher to the Sea by so much they are the more salt as on the Coast of Africa especially on the Coasts of Choromaudel in India where no Vines
about the Meridian because in this position they are nearer to the Earth almost by one semidiameter of the Earth The same Argument is valid as touching the Sun also for his Diameter is not found greater in the Meridian than when he is yet on the Horizon But the Diameter of the Moon is observed to be a little greater in the Meridian than when as yet she is on the Horizon Therefore in the Meridian it is somewhat nigher to us to wit almost one Semidiameter of the Earth CHAP. VII Concerning the substance and constitution of the Earth WE have in the foregoing Chapters considered the qualities or properties of the Earth no regard being taken of its substance or being But now these being declared it is fitting we consider this also that we may know what kind of body the Earth is and how its parts cohere together the which although it may rather rather seem natural yet because it is requisite for the perfect knowledge of the Earth we will here handle briefly leaving the accurate consideration thereof to the Natural Philosopher Proposition I. To declare of what simple and similar Bodies the Earth may consist or be compounded of Of the four Elements of the Earth There are divers opinions of Philosophers concerning this matter The Peripateticks number four Elements of the Earth and the whole sublunary World being now sufficiently known to the very Vulgar Fire Air Water and Earth Many of the Ancients as Democritus and Leucippus determined that the whole World consisted of very little solid pieces which differ only in their various figures shapes and magnitude and them many of the later Philosophers do follow and of late Cartesius endeavoured by such an hypothesis to declare all natural appearances The three Principles of the Earth by Chymists Chymists make three Principles Sal Sulphur and Mercury to whom some do rightly add Caput mortuum or the Dead head when as they three are fruitful But to me doubtful terms and words being laid aside and the things themselves well considered there seem to be five simple Bodies the first Principles of all things By Others Five simple bodies the first principles of all things to wit Water Oyl or Sulphur Salt Earth and a certain Spirit which the Chymists call Mercury For indeed all Bodies and the parts of the Earth are resolved into those five Elementary substances Notwithstanding I deny not that those differ not so much in essence as in the singular variety of their shapes and magnitudes Therefore the whole Earth consisteth of these simple Bodies which are divers ways commixed from whence ariseth so great variety of Bodies which do appear different from one another and similar or Bodies of like parts But the more exquisite declaration of these points belong to Natural Philosophy which I shall have occasion to treat of more at large in the first Volume of my Book of the Arts and Sciences now ready for the Press Proposition II. The Earth is divided into dry and moist parts or into Earth and Water to which some joyn the Atmosphere This is the vulgar division of Geographers and then the Water is taken in a large signification for all that is liquid or moist and fluid and running as the Land is taken for the whole dry and consistent part of the Earth Of the Land and its various bodies of Nature and thereby doth embrace and comprehend such various bodies of Nature to wit First Sand Loam Clay and Mineral Earths Chalk Cinnaber Ochre Terra sigiâ—lata or Saracens Earth Earth of Samos Bole-Armoniack with divers other kinds of Earth Secondly Stones of various sorts the chief among which are Diamonds Emeralds Rubies Saphirs c. Thirdly Mettals among which are Gold Silver Copper Tin Lead Mercury or Quicksilver Iron Steel c. Fourthly Brimstone Salts Niter Alom Bitumen Vitriol Antimony c. Fifthly Herbs Plants c. Of the Water and its parts To the Water are referred first the Seas secondly Rivers and sweet Waters thirdly Lakes and Fens or Marshes fourthly Mineral Waters as hot Baths sowr Waters c. Of the Atmosphere which encompasses the Earth The Atmosphere is that thin and subtile Body which girts and encompasses the Earth towards Heaven and contains the Air Clouds showers of Rain c. Therefore into these three Parts the Earth is fitly divided Proposition III. To expound how the Earth and Waters cleave or hold together and make the Land The Earth not bounded with one Superficies but hath hollow Cavities 1. The Land that is the dry part of the Earth is not bounded with one and that even superficies or surface but she hath many hollow Caves many parts lifted up aloft In her Cavities caves or hollows which are here and there found round about the whole Earth the Sea or Ocean is contained and therefore part of the Earthly superficies is covered with Waters Those hollows or cavities are not made of an even hollowness but have here and there Rocks and elevated parts and elsewhere they have Gulphs and swallows sunk very deep So the part of the Earth appearing out above the Waters hath certain as it were Navels in its middle and some parts are more or less raised up or sunk down than others So it cometh to pass that the Water environing the whole Earth is hindred that it overwhelms not the whole Earth but the higher parts and such as appear above the Waters are Islands of which some are great and some small Mouths holes Pipes other conveyances in the body of the Earth 2. Besides that continual Channel in the Earth in the outward superficies within also in the solid body of the Earth there are innumerable Mouths holes swallows windings conveyances deeps pipes and huge vast Receivers in some of which there is the Sea which by that secret conveyance are joyned to the Channel of the common Sea in some again there is Sweet Waters Rivers Streams In some spirits or else a sulphury and smoking substance Seneca saith rightly He gives too much way to his eye-sight who believeth not that there are in the hidden and secret bosom of the Earth Bays of a vast Sea Neither do I perceive what may hinder that there may not be some Sea-shore and the Sea received by hidden passages There is therefore no cause of doubting of there being many hollows in the very solid Earth For verily we conjecture at it by these means First by the Rivers which are found in many places where Earth is digged even to a notable depth which is frequent in Mines Secondly in some places the profundity of the Sea is beyond all sounding or measure Thirdly there are some Caves in the Earth In the Western part of Hispaniola is a Mountain of a great height being hollow within with many Caves in which Rivers of Waters are thrown down headlong with so great sound and rushing noise of streams that the very fall of those Waters may be heard
4. Some are Sandy some Rocky Clay or Chaulky 5. Some include or contain the Springs of Rivers whereas others are without them 6. Some are adorned with Woods and other some destitute of Trees 7. Some are burning and smoaking whereas others are without fires 8. Some are rich in Metals and others without them 9. And some Mountains are covered with Snow all the Year whereas others have no Snow at all Proposition V. To enumerate the burning Mountains and those that cast out flames Of Vulcan's or burning Mountains Such Mountains at this day are called Vulcans which Appellation the Portugal Marines first introduced and now are commonly so called and such are 1. The most famous is Aetna Mount Aetna a Mountain in Sicilia at this day called Gebel from whose top the ejected flames and smoak are discovered at a long distance in the Mediterranean Sea even to Malta which is 40 German miles Howbeit that the ejaculation of the flames be continual yet notwithstanding sometimes it rageth with a greater force In the Year 1537. from the first of May to the twelfth A great strange Earthquake all Sicilia was shaken with an Earthquake then a great and horrible noise was heard as if Canons had been fired there followed the destruction of many Edifices throughout the whole Isle when that this storm had continued for eleven days the Earth was rent in twain or opened it self with a vast Gulph whence a great flame and fire brake forth by which within the space of four days all was consumed and burnt which was not distant above five miles from Aetna A little after the Funnel which is on the top of the Mountain for three days cast forth an abundance of Ashes and Coals which were not only dispersed throughout all the Isle but also beyond the Seas into Italy And the Ships in the Sea about 200 Leagues distant steering towards Venice were much damnified Farellus hath at large described the fires of this Mountain and doth also say that the foot of it is 100 Italian miles in Circuit And in Anno 1669. the flames broak forth in a violent manner to the great damage of the Inhabitants of those parts Mount Hecla 2. Hecla a Mountain of Island doth sometimes rage as much as Aetna and cast forth great stones And continual fires in it wanting a free evacuation oftentimes send forth noises like unto lamentations thence many simple people supposed that there was the place of Hell where the Souls of the damned were tormented Vesuvius or Monte de Soma 3. Vesuvius at this day Mont de Soma not far from the City of Naples is planted with most fertile Vines which without the time of the Conflagration maketh the best Falernum but it is obnoxious to frequent burnings Dion Cassius relateth that in the Time of Vespasian its Conflagration and the force of its Flames were so vehement that the Ashes cast forth from its bottom with the Sulphureous smoak were not only carried by the wind to Rome but also beyond the Mediterranean Sea into Africa even to Egypt moreover the Birds being suffocated in the Air fell to the Earth the Fishes perished in the adjacent infected warm and frequent water Concerning this Conflagration and the sad mutation of the Mountain there is an excellent Epigram in Martial who lived at that time and saw the Mountain in its Verdure and afterwards buried in its Ashes But then the Conflagration ceasing and the Showers watering the Sulphureous Embers and Ashes in the Superficies of the Mountain here and there was great fertility of Wine But again within these few years this Mountain burned a fresh and sent forth an abundance of Smoak The adjacent Land was burnt and became dangerous to Travellers by reason of the various Pits which the flame caused A Mountain in Java worthy of note 4. A Mountain in the Island of Java not far from the City Panacura This in the Year 1586. when it had never burned before first was rent with a violent eruption of flaming Sulphur so that about 10000 persons were said to have perished in the neighbouring places and it ejected exceeding great Stones into the City and for the space of three days it vomited forth so much black Smoak mixt with Ashes and Embers that it obscured the face of the Sun and almost cloathed day with nights dark Mantle The Mountain Gonnapi 5. Gonnapi a Mountain in one of the Isles of Banda This in the Year 1586. in the Month of April when that it had burnt for 17 years was rent with a great noise and cast forth such an abundance of great Stones of Sulphur and ardent matter on the Sea and Land that it astonished all persons The abundance of Ashes and Embers also rendred the Cannons of the Hollanders in their Castle unserviceable such a vast heap overwhelmed them Vast Stones were found in the Sea with a multitude of small ones so that the Barks had scarce a free passage The water on the shoar so boyled as if that fire had been placed under it An abundance of Fishes were killed and seen floating on the water Balaluanum 6. Balaluanum a Mountain in the Isle of Sumatra casteth forth Smoak and Flames as Aetna Many places in the Molucco Isles cast forth fire 7. In the Molucco Isles the Land in many places belcheth forth fire with an huge noise but it is chiefly noted for the Funnel of Turnate The Mountain is advanced to the Clouds and very steep the lower parts of which are covered with thick Woods the upper naked by reason of the fire On the top is the Funnel of a vast wideness which is in the form of an Ampâ—â—â—heater with many Circles the greater including the lesser thence in the Equinoctials especially those in the Spring and Autumn certain Winds blowing chiefly the Northern with an horrible noise Flames mixed with black Smoak and Embers break forth and fill all places to a great distance with Ashes There are annual seasons of seeing it neither can one ascend but by Ropes or Chains in certain places See Maffaeus Here in some places of this Mountain the Inhabitants gather good Sulphur 8. One of the Islands of Maurice 60 Leagues distant from Moluccoes oftentimes the whole Isle is shaken with an Earthquake and vomiteth Fire and Ashes and there is so great an abundance of Fire that whole Mountains and Rocks do burn Oftentimes fiery Stones break forth of a vast bigness When the Wind is more vehement so vast an abundance of Ashes is poured forth that people labouring in the Fields are forced to return home being covered with Ashes those Ashes also kill their living Creatures From the top of the Mountain this black and dismal Fire breaketh forth with a dreadful noise like unto Thunder or great Guns And from thence cometh abundance of Pumice Stones and other Stones burnt in the fire A Mountain in Japan worthy of note 9. In Japan as
fruitful by its fat water Proposition XXI To explain how Springs or Fountains break forth Of the breaking forth of Springs and Fountains In the fourth Proposition we have shewed whence the water ariseth that floweth from Fountains Now here we demand by what force that water collected in the Earth is thrust forth seeing that it seemeth not possible to be done without a violent removing of the Earth But the causes are various which make way for a Spring in any place 1. If that in any place there be a certain cavity the water distilleth into that without the help of any other cause when that by creeping it cometh into it and then in course of time maketh greater passages for it self until that cavity being filled it floweth out and maketh a River The same also hapneth without a cavity if that the Spring be on the top of a Mountain Also for this reason frequent Springs are found in Woods and shady places For the Rain-water moistneth the Earth and because it is not extracted by the heat of the Sun and an open and free Air by degrees it allureth to it self the hidden water of a future Fountain 2. A way is prepared and the Earth removed by the Spirits which are admixed with the waters yet in the Earth also the rarefaction of water in the Earth by which it requireth the larger place For the Waters whilst that yet they are hidden within the Earth carry many Spirits Also Subterranean fires add not a little to this 3. Oftentimes Fountains are brought to light by showers for showers do render the Pores of the Earth more ample and large when that they conjoyn with the water of the hidden Fountain and so this followeth that by reason of the mutual conjunction and coherency 4. Sometimes Springs are opened by an Earthquake so an Earthquake sent forth the River Ladon 5. Sometimes they are discovered by the Industry of Men by digging the Earth 6. Many Fountains have been discovered by Animals which are wont to dig up the Earth with their Snouts so a Hog first discovered the first Salt Spring in Lunenburgh for when he had rooted up the Earth and made a gutter the water spouted out which filling the gutter the Hog according to their custome lay down in it then when he arose and that his back was dry some discovered a very white colour on him which when they had more accurately contemplated they found it to be white Salt then they went to the Spring and from thence forwards many more were sought and found out from which the City obtaineth almost â—ll its riches and splendor And in Memorial thereof the Hog was quartered and smoak-dried and is kept at this very day in the Palace of Lunenburgh to be seen Proposition XXII A place being given in the Earth to enquire whether a Spring or Well may be made in it See Vitruvius in the Eighth Book of his Architecture See Vitruvius Lib. 8. Cap. 1. Chap. 1. At this day we perform the same by digging up the Earth oftentimes to a great depth and for the most part veins or heads of Springs or Wells or the Wells and Springs themselves are found Proposition XXIII A place being given to make a Spring or Well in it if that it be possible to be made We will alledge the words of Vitruvius as being a man excellently skilled in these affairs See Vitruvius Cap. 7. seeing that we never used our selves to this kind of Exercise In his Seventh Chapter thus he speaketh Reason must not be contemned in digging of Wells but the natural reasons of things are to be considered with sharpness of wit and great prudence by reason that the Earth hath many and various things within it for it is compounded as other things of four Principles and the first is Terrene and hath from the humidity of the water Fountains also heats whence proceed Sulphur Alom Bitumen and gross Spirits of Air which being thick when by the fistulous intervenings of the Earth they come to the place where the Well is dug and find men digging by their natural vapour they stop up the Animal spirits of those that work at their Nostrils so that those that fly not quickly away are there choaked Now to avoid this we must thus act Let a Candle be lighted and let down and if that it continueth burning you may descend without danger but if that the light be extinguished by the force of the Vapors then let Aestuaries be dug on the right and left hand near the Wâ—ll so as by the Nostrils the Spirits will be dissipated When those are so explicated and that you are come to the water let the structure be so senced that the veins be not stopped But if that the places should prove hard or that the veins shall not be altogether at the bottom then assistance must be taken from the coverings of Plaster-works Now this must be observed in Plaster-work that the roughest and purest Sand be gotten that the Cement be broken with a Flint that the most vehement Chalk be mixed with the Mortar so that five parts of Sand answer to two of Chalk or Lime Let the Cement be added to the Mortar of it let the Walls in the depressed trench unto the measure of the future altitude be spaged the Bars being made of Iron The Walls being plaistered let that which is Earthy in the midst be evacuated to the lower measure or libration of the Walls and the bottom being levelled let the Pavement be plaistered with the same Mortar unto the thickness that is appointed Now these places if they shall be made double or treble that they may be transmutated by the percolations of the water will make the use of it far more wholsom for the Mud when that it hath found a place to sink in the water becometh more clear and will keep its tast without any scent if not you must of necessity add Salt and extenuate it Proposition XXIV To prove whether the Water of a Spring be wholsom Of Spring-water whether it be wholsom or not Concerning this Vitruvius thus writeth Their probations must be thus looked after If that they flow and be open before that they begin to be drawn look on them and observe of what membrature they are what Inhabitants dwell about those Fountains whether they be of strong Bodies of good colours not lame blear or sore-eyed if so the Waters are very excellent Also if that a new Spring be dug and the water be put into a Corinthian Vessel or any other kind made of Brass and if it causeth no stain it is then most excellent water Also if that that water be heated and afterwards setled and poured forth and that no Sand or Mud be found in the bottom that Water is also very good Also if that Roots put in that water be quickly boiled they shew the water to be good and wholsom Also that the water in the Fountain be clear
not a long distance from the shoars which subsidency or sinking continued for many Ages at length caused Isles therefore in the middle of the Ocean are few Islands 1. Because that place is more remote from the shoar than that any of the eaten off parts should be carried thither 2. Because that the commotion and force of the water is greater there which moveth the earth of the Channel or rather promoteth the depth than suffereth Islands to be generated there 3. Because there are no Continents there therefore neither can troops or heaps of Islands be according to the first mode by which we have shewed such heaps of Isles to be produced yet in times past when that the middle of the Ocean was not where 't is now it is not unlikely that such Isles were here and by degrees were swallowed by the Ocean OF Absolute Geography SECT V. Containing an explication of the Atmosphere and the Winds In three Chapters CHAP. XIX Of the Atmosphere and Air. Proposition I. From the parts of the Earth as well dry as moist or from the Earth and Water vapours and fumes do continually exhale into that space which is about the Earth THE Cause is twofold first the Celestial heat of the Stars especially the Sun and Moon Of vapours and fumes The other is a Terrestrial heat or subterranean or rather terrestrial fire or which is admixed with the parts of the earth For we see that almost all bodies the least fire being moved towards them send forth a fume Seeing therefore that both the Celestial and Terrestrial heat is naught else but a certain fire therefore it is also necessary that vapours and fumes should be advanced by it from the parts of the earth So the truth of the Proposition is evidenced à priori Experience also confirmeth the same For those that travel in the night time especially when the Moon shineth and that towards the water discover many vapours to wander and be advanced about the Superficies of the earth Also it is vulgarly known that in the day the Sun doth raise many vapours also when that a mist ariseth upwards which is a certain token of rain to follow Proposition II. The Atmosphere is a space about the whole earth in which the exhalations raised from the earth are always present And it is uncertain whether that anything or body else be contained in it besides these exhalations It is also taken for the exhalations themselves about the whole earth There is no small controversie amongst modern Philosophers Of the Atmosphere concerning the body which consisteth about the earth For many Mathematicians of sound knowledge determine that there is nothing besides exhalations elevated from the earth and therefore they take the Atmosphere and Air for one and the same and immediately after the Atmosphere place the Aetherial substance But other Philosophers suppose that besides these exhalations in the space about the earth that there is a certain peculiar and simple body which they call Air although that they freely grant that exhalations may be changed into Air and contrariwise into clouds and thick vapours The same Persons after this Air even to the Lunary Orb place another subtile thin body different from the Aether which indeed they tearm Fire but they confess that it is less properly done and that it doth not agree with our fire for it is a calid substance not burning dry and very subtile not to cause the refractions of the rayes of the Sun and Stars which yet they will have to be done in this Air. Those being well considered these two opinions of the Philosophers seem rather to differ in words than in matter it self For as for the Air because that they grant it so gross that a refraction of rayes may be made in it and that it may be generated from exhalations by a light mutation the Air seemeth nothing else but a subtile exhalation although it was not exhaled from the earth As for the Sublunary Fire when that they confess that it is so improperly tearmed but they affirm that it is so tenuous that it causeth no refraction of rayes this seemeth little to differ from the Aether We affirm therefore that the Atmostphere and Air are a body about the earth on which the rayes falling are refracted laying aside the controversie whence this body hath its original which definition agreeth with the former For neither is it likely that any exhalations can be elevated from the earth so subtile that they should cause no refraction or impediment to the luminous rayes proceeding from the Aether yet if that such be granted we cannot know their Altitude and whether that they be excluded from the Atmosphere which yet if that any one will sharply urge supposing that the little fires or rayes cast from the Sun on the earth again recoil to the Sun he will not deny but that the latter definition is commodious Therefore the Atmosphere and Air are naught else but a contexture of many small bodies which adhere to the earth as a down or wool circumvesteth a Peach Proposition III. Sometimes more sometimes lesser exhalations are drawn from the earth especially in divers places Of exhalations The cause is 1. The various elevation of the Sun above the Horizon or depression beneath it 2. The diversity of the age of the Moon and its elevation above the Horizon 3. The rising and setting of the other Stars and their constitution above the Horizon 4. The diversity in the parts of the earth them selves for watery and humid places do more easily send forth vapours than earthy and dry Proposition IV. The exhalations which constitute the Atmosphere are of a divers kind especially in sundry Regions viz. watery saltish earthy sulphureous spirituous The sensible compounded exhalations or parts of the Atmosphere are divers viz. mixed of simple particles Of the exhalations which constitute the Atmosphere The cause is because that in the parts of the earth such bodies are of a divers sort and are advanced by heat some more easily and other some with greater difficulty Concerning the earthy particles some one may doubt because that those are scarcely apt to be elevated 1. By reason of the smalness of their dusts which are light seeing that gravity is an affection of compacted bodies 2. By admixture of sulphureous particles which violently carry those earthy ones with them Moreover that there are sulphureous particles in the Air is proved from the fiery Meteors Lightnings Thunder and the like yea a sulphureous odor or scent after Thunder and Lightning manifestly asserteth the same As for the watery parts we ought not to question for saline and spirituous exhalations by reason of their tenuousness are easily exhaled from the earth Little Animals generated in great number and abundance in the Air confirm the same The Aristotelians divide exhalations into two kinds to wit vapours and fumes Vapours are generated of water and easily return into the same again Fumes
proceed from dry bodies So Sal Armoniac vanisheth into smoak fire being placed under it This also is the cause that in divers Regions a different Air is discovered Also that it raineth in one place and not in another Proposition V. The least particles of the Air and those all insensible repell or reflect the rayes as a Looking-glass but some of the particles of the Air being sensible and compounded do transmit many rayes but reflect fewer others on the contrary transmit fewer rayes and reflect more Therefore the parts of the Atmosphere are divided into those that are opac and pellucid The parts of the Atmosphere these are those that transmit many rayes the former are those that transmit fewer Therefore because that the least particles both water and earth being Atoms are solid little bodies without any pores so that they transmit no rayes but repell them because that it is very probable that a perspicuity or a transmission of rayes doth require pores orderly placed in a body and empty little spaces But the parts of the Air or Atmosphere composed of little particles if that they shall have ordinate and many pores they will be perspicuous and transmit many rayes but if that those particles shall be composed or aggregated very confusedly they will transmit rayes without any pores thence it cometh to pass that the Sun discussing a thick cloudy opac Air doth make it perspicuous to wit more porous Now that the least particles reflect rayes is manifest from hence that the rayes of the Sun in a most serene Air be admitted into an obscure Chamber through a narrow hole you will see manifestly from the particles flying in a great number in the Air that the rayes are reflected to the eye as from a glass Now seeing that those particles are yet sensible the same must be concluded concerning the least particles and those that fly the sense Now those who will have humid attenuated vapours to be perspicuous but not dry ones and smoaks they are refuted by experience and reason By reason because that fumes and dry exhalations may be made equally subtile and porous as those that are watery but they suppose that perspicuity doth not consist in the mode or reason of the pores but in a peculiar quality But it is manifest by experience because that the Air is serene it hath more dry than moist particles for in that new kind of Wind-gun which is not discharged by powder or fire but by the help of wind and air the Air is so condensated that it scarcely comprehendeth the sixtieth part of the former space yet neither do they create any kind of humidity in the Gun which must altogether happen if that the particles of the serene Air were watery Proposition VI. Exhalations do not ascend of themselves and of their own nature upwards but they are forced by a violent motion or the Air is not light but heavy in a proper mode of expression Of exhalations All that is to be termed grave or heavy is moved to the Center of the Earth except that it be hindred but the Air doth that for the Earth being digged up the Air descendeth into the space made That therefore it is carried upwards is thus performed 1. That heat rarifieth it to seek a greater space 2. Because that it is forced by another vapour So in cold places as in Nova Zembla and with us in the night season no Mist ascendeth but the heat of the Sun approaching rarifieth it and causeth one part to force out and thrust forwards the other For if that those small particles of Air were free neither mutually implicated one within another then at length it would be light Proposition VII The upper parts of the Atmosphere are more subtile than the lower yet it may so come to pass that the middle parts may be more gross and condensed than the lower parts about the Earth Therefore the more light parts fly to the upper place they are more subtile and light hence the truth of the member of the former Proposition is manifest Now the cause of the latter member is that the parts in the middle Air easily counite again and so become thicker for the hot or calid Particles being carried up with them have forsaken them and the Rays refracted from the Earth in that middle Region by reason of their distance have no force Thence it cometh to pass that after Rain the middle Air is more serene because the more thick parts are separated Proposition VIII The Atmosphere or Air being heated possesseth more space than before now by how much it is more destitute of heat by so much the more it contracteth it self and occupieth the lesser space The Air being heated possesseth more space than before This is excellently shewed by that Instrument which we call a Thermometer or Weather-glass because that we measure the temperature of the Air and heat by in in hot and cold in which we discover the Air to become more condensed and to occupy lesser space in the Glass by how much the Air acquireth less heat as we shall shew in the following Proposition Now the cause of the Proportion is a priore because the calid Particles either of the Rayes of the Sun or of another fire are most subtile of all the Particles of the whole world and in continual motion Therefore those Atmospheres whilst that they are admixed separate and divide these Particles with a great force and so cause more pores and these little fires departing the Particles of the Air left to themselves unite again or are mutually complicated within themselves Corollary Therefore the Altitude of the Air or Atmosphere is not constant but decreaseth and increaseth viz. at Noon-day it ought to be greater at Midnight least about the time of the rising and setting of the Sun moderate as in Proposition XIV Proposition IX To make a Thermometer Thermoscope or Weather-glass by which we may discover the mutations of the Air in heat and cold Take a Glass of an oblong and cylindrical neck with the spherical small head L H How to make a Thermomemeter or Weather-glass let this be fixed to the Table or Board M N P Q the head being erected Let a Vessel with water be placed under the Orifice which is best to be coloured so filled that part of the pipe or neck L F may be hidden in it Now let the time of the moderate constitution of the Air or at that time at whose temperature you will compare the temperature of the Air of the other days and at that time let the water be poured into the Vessel so it will happen that the Air becoming more frigid Sec Scheme the water will ascend upwards beyond F because that the Air being condensated with cold which before filled up the space F A now possesseth less space On the contrary the Air being rendred more hot the water will descend from F towards L because that the
Air F H being rarified now requireth more space Now you will find the degrees of accretion and diminution of the heat and cold if that you divide the Line F A on the Table into certain parts of numbers Or without putting a Vessel under set the Glass L H even at the extremity L have a Globe with a little hole from the side and let this Globular Vessel be filled with Air for so also the degrees of heat will be shewed by the ascent and descent of the water Proposition X. The serene Air may be carried so by a most vehement fire that it may occupy a space 70 times greater than it did before On the contrary it may be so condensed in a Wind-gun that it may only possess a 60 part of the former space but the heat of the Sun bringeth not so great a rarification or the cold so great a condensation to the Air The same is proved from that that if you take an Aeolopile and heat it with fire so that it may then contain 13 ounces but the same being cold and returning to its former natural estate it will contain 13 ounces a dram and a half Therefore the space that the Air occupied whilst that it was hot is greater than the space that the Air possessed when refrigerated that the difference of the space is that part of the Aeolopile that receiveth half a dram of water if that the whole receiveth 13 ounces with half a dram and the part of this Aeolopile is almost the 70 part of the whole space in the Aeolopile therefore the Air being hot hath possessed a space 70 times greater than it doth when it returneth to its natural estate Proposition XI Why in the places in the Frigid Zone at the time in which the Sun ariseth not altogether unto them on some days the Air is clear and serene and for the most part cloudy and foggy Of the Air in places of the Frigid Zone I answer the cause of this gross and almost perpetual Mist or Fogg is the small heat of the subterraneous Earth it self or else it is derived from the Sun and likewise the Moon which in the time of the obscurity of the Sun remaineth many days and nights continually above the Horizon the other Stars which heat because it is weak cannot dissipate this Mist Now that some days or nights afford a serenity of the Air this happeneth not because the thick vapours are attenuated but because that they either sink down into the earth or else are forced into other places by the winds Proposition XII Why oftentimes in the greatest cold of the Winter the Air is yet subtile and serene when that yet the cold condensateth and contracteth the Air The Air subtile and serene in the greatest cold of the Winter Cold is twofold Moderate or Extream Moderate cold rendereth not the Air serene but cloudy by reason that vapours are elevated but not discussed by that little heat which is mixed or adjoyned to that cold But an extream cold maketh the Air serene for a twofold reason 1. Because it rendereth the grosser vapours of the Air more gross and so causeth them to fall and make the Air more subtile 2. Because that the pores of the earth are shut and bound up and the vapours themselves cannot exhale and render the Air turbid The Sea it self indeed is not bound up with Ice yet the particles are so condensated with Ice that it is not so apt for exhalations although it sendeth forth many for the condition of it and the earth are different Proposition XIII Why the Air being beheld at the Horizontal Line appeareth more thick and cloudy than that in which we are The cause is twofold 1. Because that the Air about the Horizon is indeed more cloudy The other is a fallacy or deception of the sight or judgment from our sight for the eye apprehendeth the distances of columns placed in a long order and series and therefore as the judgment supposeth the remote columns to be conjoyned so also it apprehendeth not the distances of the particles of the Horizontal Air but imagineth them conjoyned but the eye beholdeth the distances of the elevated Air under greater Angles and therefore better apprehendeth it The same is the reason why the Air which appeareth cloudy to us removed from it when we come to it or are in it seemeth less misty or cloudy Proposition XIV Whether that the Altitude of the Atmosphere or Air above the Earth be the same in all places at one and the same time and whether its figure be spherical Of the Altitude of the Atmosphere That the Altitude is not the same but divers in sundry places seemeth to follow from thence that the Sun is only Vertical to one place at one time and it sendeth forth oblique rayes and therefore more weak unto other places by how much the place is more remote from the Sun and nearer to the Poles therefore the pores of the rayes of the Sun are very different to the elevating of the vapours and therefore they are raised to different Altitudes to wit in a place unto which the Sun is vertical his Altitude is the greatest in the opposite place the lesser in the places about the Pole moderate so that the Air receiveth an oval figure But the contrary is more probable viz. that the Altitude of the Atmosphere is the same in all places for although that the Vapours and Air be more elevated in some places than in others yet because that the Air is fluid and tendeth by its gravity to the Center of the earth therefore the more elevated part of the Air presseth down the Air placed under it and this thrusteth down another more depressed until all the parts acquire the same Altitude And after the same mode the Spherical Figure of the Air shall be demonstrated as in the thirteenth Chapter we have proved with Archimedes concerning the water by reason that the same Hypotheses are prevalent here which we there assumed to wit that the part of the Air less pressed is expelled by that which is more pressed for every part is pressed by the Air that is above it wherefore the Figure of the Air is spherical not oval as some will have it but if the forementioned Hypotheses be not granted the demonstration falleth Des Cartes also maketh the Air oval in figure for a peculiar reason see Chapter fourteen Proposition XV. Condensation or Rarefaction of Air changeth not its Altitude Condensation of Air changeth not its Altitude Because that the whole Atmosphere is not condensed but only some parts and at all times some parts are condensed sometimes these sometimes those wherefore the condensation or rarefaction of one time doth no more alterare the Air than the condensation or rarefaction of the first time There only seemeth to be a difference that at one time there may be a greater condensation or rarefaction than at another but this
intermedial Winds so that there were 12 winds every one of which they designed by their proper terms although that some others reckon otherwise The Latins besides these twelve added the names of twelve more which blow between two of the former twelve the following Diagram sheweth their appellations and order in which the Greek winds are noted by Greater letters and those which the Romans have interposed between every two are noted by Lesser letters yet Seneca noteth that this inconveniency was long since observed by Varro and that therefore he ordered these twelve VVinds thus that every two should be distant by equal distances not having any regard of the rising of the Solary quarter but in that Seneca affirmeth that there are no more VVinds than twelve is false and ridiculous for they are infinite Proposition IX Hitherto we have explained the distribution of the Winds taken from the quarters and have also shewed that both the divisions of the Ancient Grecians and Romans is less adapted to the use of Navigation and Geography Therefore we deservedly retain the more recent distributions which constitute 32 Winds blowing from quarters equally distant Now those are called Opposite Winds or contrary which blow from quarters diametrically opposite For we conceive the Winds as coming from another place to our place but we suppose a quarter to be extended from our place to another place Proposition X. The Causes of the Winds are various for seeing that the Wind is nothing else but a continued protraction of the Air all those things which are able to effect such a protrusion will be the causes of Winds Now they are these The Causes of the Winds are various 1. The chief and general cause is the Sun it self which attenuateth and rarefieth the Air by his fiery beams especially that on which he sendeth forth his perpendicular rays or over which he standeth for the Air being rarefied requireth far more space Thence it cometh to pass that the Air being forced by the Sun doth protrude the vicine Air with a great force and when that the Sun is moved round from the East into the West the chief force of the Air caused by him is towards the West And a sign of it may be that in many places of the torrid Zone and every where in the Sea a continual Easterly wind doth blow viz. the Sun thrusteth forwards the Air from the East towards the West and exceedeth not the torrid Zone Indeed the rarefied Air is thrust forwards circularly towards all the quarters North East South West but yet it is not admitted in all quarters But the more vehement protrusion is towards the West because that the Sun moveth towards that quarter therefore the wind is almost continually more sensible in the torrid Zone towards this quarter But in our Zone for many days in the Morning before the rising of the Sun and after that where for the most part other Winds do cease Of other quarters some are sometimes more disposed than others to receive this force therefore where the protrusion becometh greater towards the North the South Wind is said to blow when that it is thrust towards the East then the West Wind bloweth when towards the South the North and so for other quarters And it is to be noted that when this protrusion is made to any quarter lying without those four Cardinal Quarters then in divers Regions a diverse Wind shall be seen For although that that quarter be one in respect of the place unto which the Sun is vertical yet in respect of other places it is diverse and so the same cause maketh the same Wind to be termed by divers names in several Regions Now this cause is either assisted or hindred by other causes if that it be assisted it maketh the Wind vehement if it he hindred it maketh it less vehement from that quarter and oftentimes another Wind then bloweth which is rather assisted by that general cause 2. I make the second cause of the Winds and that more frequently Exhalations elevated copiously and with a violence from the Sea and Land but they scarce cause any Winds except that when they begin to be rarefied 3. The attenuation and rarefaction of the Clouds and Mists whether that it be caused by the Sun or from other Stars or whether from included or adjoyned fires or sulphureous particles 4. The dissolving of Snow and Ice especially of that which lieth on Mountainous places and are not wholly dissolved into water 5. The various scituation and rising of the Moon and the other Stars 6. The condensation and rarefaction of the Air and Vapours by any heat or cold 7. The descent of the Clouds by which the subjected Air is pressed The consideration of the Aeolopila conduceth much to the more easie understanding of these causes into which the water included fire being put to it by an arrow orifice sendeth forth the winds with a great force until that all the water be exhaled Now these retain the place of a narrow orifice in the Air 1. The more dense circumstantial Air. 2. If that the same vicine Air be forced by or prohibited to give place by other Vapours or Mists 3. If that the Air be more condensed towards one quarter and so layeth open a way to Blasts Proposition XI Why the Winds blow so that they make a perpendicular line over the Horizon or why the going forth of the Winds is perpendicular to the Horizon The Winds so blow that they make a perpendicular â—ine over the Horizon The cause is by reason that the Air in a Spherical figure doth encompass the Earth and the protrusion of the Air is made for the most part through the greatest circle of the Sphere which passeth through the Center of the Earth for although we may suppose the Air to be forced according to a transverse line yet because that there is a lesser force from the sides and greater resistance thence it cometh to pass that the winds incumb into the midst of the passage But we shall more commodiously conceive this mode if that we do but consider the first cause of the winds for the Sun thrusts forwards the Air towards all the quarters of that place unto which it is vertical but that force is not received in all as I have said If that now we consider the great Circles drawn from that place and amongst these those in which the Air is thrust forwards all those places of the Earth seated in this circle or semicircle shall find the wind falling down perpendicularly by reason that every great Circle of the Earth passing through any place of it is perpendicular to the Horizon of that place The same is the reason if that at any time the wind breaketh forth from a thick Fog or dissolved Clouds but those places that are scituated without these Circles feel not the wind although that the Air be moved above their Horizon because that it is not perpendicular to that
above one German mile If we take the Altitude of the Sun one degree the height of the Mountain Athos will be found to be 20 stadiums Yet notwithstanding I esteem the over great distance of Lemnos from the Mountain Athos assigned by Pliny to be the cause of the over-great Magnitude arising from the Calculation For Sophians Tuble of Greece and Blavius his Table of Modern Greece do only exhibit and allow 55 Italian miles the distance for F A. Therefore the Angle F R T shall scarcely be one degree to wit 55 minutes and the Altitude of the Sun one degree 30 minutes and therefore F R T 87 degrees 35 minutes and if it be done in the Triangle F R T As the sign of the Angle F R T 87 degrees 35 minutes to the sign of the Angle T R R 91 degrees 30 minutes so F R 860 to R T. Or in the Triangle T F A strait angled to A the Angle T F A shall be one degree 30 minutes and F A is assumed as the strait or right of 55 miles The Altitude A T shall be found according to this Proportion As the whole sign to the Tangent of the Angle T F A one degree 30 minutes So F A 55 miles to A T the height of the Mountain Here also is the Problem to be answered viz. How the height of any Mountain may be found if it be fully searched out how much sooner the Sun is seen to rise in the top of that Mountain than at the foot thereof And contrariwise if the Altitude be given how and in what manner this difference of time is to be found out touching which matter Aristotle and Pliny have delivered incredible stories and such as the true Calculation and account do teach to be evidently otherwise But seeing this cannot be explicated without the solution of another Problem which we have referred to the second part of this Book therefore we will defer these two Problems to the Thirtieth Chapter Proposition VII The Altitude of Mountains hath no sensible proportion to the half diameter of the Earth or else so little that it hinders the roundness of the Earth no more than a pointed note upon the surface of the Artificial Globe The height of the Mountains no hindrance to the roundness of the Earth For we have shewn that the Mountain of the Island Teneriff called El Pico de Tayde to have no greater Altitude than one mile or at most 1½ mile And certainly Experience can scarcely find out a Mountain higher than that Seeing therefore the half diameter of the Earth is 860 miles it shall be the model and account of the greatest height of the Mountains to the half diameter of the Earth which is 1 to 860 to wit of which parts the half diameter of the Earth or any Globe is 360 one of such the greatest height of the Mountains shall have And whereas there are very few Mountains of so great height but that very many of them scarcely ascend to the fourth part of a mile it is manifest that they heave or lift up the roundness of the Earth no more than certain ruggednesses in Globes made by the hands of Artificers do disproportion the roundness of those Globes For indeed there is no body in the whole nature of things that can have an exact Geometrical roundness Proposition VIII Why showers of Rain Mists and Snows are frequent on the tops of Mountains when as in the neighbouring Valleys the Air is serene and calm without any such Meteors Showers of Rain Snow Mists c. on â—he tops of Mountains when not in the Valleys They which have travelled on the high Lands or Mountainous places of Asia Peruvia and other Countries aver that it oft falls out that they which are conversant on the top of Mountains do there feel and find showers of Rain Snow and thick and foggy Mists but descending thence to the Valleys lying thereunder they feel no such thing but find a clear and calm Air. We sometimes observe the same in the Mountains of our own Country Some say that the cause of this Phaenomenon or appearance is that the Mountains attract thither the Air and Clouds but they do not declare by what faculty or power they may do it and therefore they say nothing to the purpose It seems to me that it is done in this manner The vapours and exhalations when as in the middle Region of the Air in which very many tops of Mountains are they are condensated into small drops begin to decline downward And because the top of Mountains are nearer to those vapours and exhalations condensated in the middle Region of the Air than the Valleys lying under them therefore those small drops which are above those Mountain tops coming first to the ground leave a place in the Region of the Air which presently the next small drops do enjoy because they are forced and thrust forth by others either by reason of Natures abhorring and shunning of vacuity or emptiness or because this is the nature of Water that it flows and runs to that place where its flux or flowing first began or where the place is more low and sunk Proposition IX Whether the Superficies of a Mountain be more capacious than the plane underneath it upon whom it standeth Of the Superficies of Mountains Geometry proves it to be greater but yet it is another Question Whether therefore it can sustain the more Men or bear the greater plenty of Provision I prove the Affirmative for although all things placed in a Mouatain ought to be perpendicular to the under sunk or placed Plane yet greater store of Earth and a greater surface is there CHAP. X. Of the differences and tract of Mountains and in special concerning Burning Mountains Proposition I. Some Mountains are bounded about with a little space Others extend themselves out and march forth at a long reach and trace Of Mountains or Hills AND these Mountains or Hills of the later sort are called tops yokes or chains of Mountains or Hills There are found such like Chains of Mountains or Hills almost in all Countreys in the World so that they may be judged to be thereby continual but that small spaces interpose and thrust in themselves but they march out at length into divers Coasts some from the North into the South some from the East into the West and othersome to Coasts collateral to the Cardinal points The most famous Chains or Cliffs of Hills are these following Of the Hills or Mountains call'd the Alpes 1. The Alpes which separating Italy from the neighbouring Countries extend themselves out by a vast tract of Earth and do as it were send forth their Arms into other Provinces and Countries to wit through France to Spain where they are called the Pyrenean Hills or Mountains and to Rhetia where they are called the Rhetick Hills and to Hungaria where they are named the Hungarian Mountains and doubtful ones then
vicine place is to be found whereby it may come unto those Northern Regions Seeing that therefore this flux is perpetual neither doth the water come by a manifest way unto those Regions whence the flux is made therefore it seemeth necessary to conclude that the waters come through subterraneous passages unto those Northern Regions and so there to be effused from the holes of the Channel as from a spring and that the water moveth hence towards the South There falleth in another cause taken from the former For the water of the Ocean in the Torrid Zone is more heavy than that in the Northern places by reason of the great abundance of Salt as we have proved in the Eighth and Twelfth Proposition Therefore the water or Ocean in the Torrid Zone doth more press through the Orifices of the Subterranean passages than in the Northern places and therefore in these places the water less resisting suffereth the water to flow from the Orifices of the Channels Unto this I answer That that flux of the Ocean is not only from the North as the Objection seemeth to inferr and as some especially the Ancients conceived of it who would have the water to flow in four Channels from the very Pole as also some Geographical Maps do exhibit it neither is it continual but is observed by reason of the frequency of Northern Winds moreover the great and perpetual abundance of Snow and Rain in those places augmenteth the water and causeth it to flow towards the South Add likewise that in other parts another motion of the Ocean is found concerning which see the following Chapter 3. It seemeth not absurd but rather most true that all the Fountains of Rivers taken together disburthening themselves into the Ocean are the very Fountains of the Ocean For seeing that in perpetual progress of time so great an abundance of water floweth from them into the Ocean questionless the water cometh from the Ocean to the very Springs and Channels of the Rivers partly through the Subterranean passages and partly by Rains 4. It may seem to prove that the Fountains of the Ocean may be in the very Channel because that in the bottom of the Ocean in some parts sweet or fresh water is found which could not be but by some Fountains flowing in the bottom Linschaten relateth that in Ormus fresh water is drawn by divers in the Ocean at the depth of four or five Orgya and the like Fountains are found in other parts of the Ocean and Bays Unto this I answer That few such Springs have yet been found which suffice not the vast Ocean Neither do we dispute concerning these Fountains as we have said before Hence it is manifest that in some sort it is true and we may well say that the Ocean hath Springs but not in that sense that we are wont to speak concerning the Springs of Rivers and in which we would have our Proposition to be taken Hence also it is manifest what we ought to think concerning that Question viz. Whether the Sea is always one and the same and perpetually so remaineth or whether it be another thing whose parts are perpetually consumed and generated again Proposition VIII The saltness of the Waters proceedeth from the particles of Salt which are mixed with it but whence they may exist or are so augmented is the doubt sea- Of the Saltness of the sea-Sea-water Experlence proveth the first member of the Proposition by which it is commonly known that Salt is made of sea-Sea-water by decoction of the water or by the heat of the Sun or the fervour of the Fire In Germany and other places the water is separated by the help of the Fire In France the greater heat of the Sun performeth the same the Ocean being let into certain Trenches made in which in the space of some Months the water being exhaled by the force of the Sun Of Salt and of what made concreted and hard Salt is found On the shoars of many Regions as of England and other parts plenty of Bay-Salt is found the Sea-water continually overflowing those shoars leaveth daily some particles or humors from which the water exhaleth and concrete Salt is left whose blackness is taken away by boyling although it be washed away and dissolved from many Coasts by the violence of the Ocean which is the cause that it is not found on all Coasts Seeing therefore that this Experiment is common Aristotle had small reason to alledge a false Experiment concerning a waxen Vessel let down into the Sea Hence it is manifest that the proximate cause of the Saltness of the Sea-water or the true subject of this saltness is the Saline particles which are contained in that water Therefore the Aristotelians with their Master spake improperly and obscuredly without cause when they defend and say That the saltness of the Sea proceedeth from the adustion of the Sea caused by the Sun or from the adust particles But of this more anon The chief difficulty and controversie is concerning the other member of the Proposition Whence these Salt particles of the Ocean exist Aristotle supposeth that dry exhalations or fumes all which he saith are of an adust and Saline nature elevated from the Earth are mixed with humid vapours and when that these have met together in Rain they fall with these into the Sea and that thence proceedeth the saltness and Salt particles in the Sea See Aristotle lib. 2. chap. 7. and on this account he seemeth to defend this Opinion because that from thence he may render a reason why the Sea is always salt But other Peripateticks will have it and so do endeavour to draw Aristotle to their part that this saltness is in the Sea it self by reason that it is perpetually scorched by the heat of the Sun a sign of which is that the water is found by so much the less salt by how much it is more deep or remote from the superficies for in the superficies we discover it to be most salt Both these Opinions are obstructed with great difficulties and absurdities so that it seemeth wonderful that the minds of Philosophers and Learned men could acquiesce in them First the opinion of Aristotle is thus obstructed that Salt-rain should be found in the Ocean which never yet was found to be void of all tast of salt Secondly the Sea should be less salt when it raineth not for a long time the contrary of which yet is found The other Opinion hath these difficulties 1. It is false that the waters of the Ocean are found the less salt by how much they are nigh to the bottom for there are few places viz. in those bottoms where Springs of fresh water do flow 2. Experience testifieth that fresh water although long exposed to the Sun or heat of the Fire yet doth not become salt This Objection Scaliger endeavoureth to avoid by an over-nice subtilty for he saith that this hapneth in these Observations by reason of
the exiguity of the water which doth not grow thick but resolveth For although you take a great quantity of water and that you provoke with a light and gentle fire that the resolution may be impeded yet the water acquireth no salt tast 3. Lakes and Marshes though heated by the Sun yet wax not salt This Objection also Scaliger endeavoureth to avoid saying that this hapneth by the succession of fresh water And the same is found in those standing Pools and Lakes which only proceed from Rain or Snow dissolved where there is no place for that refuge of succession for those Lakes are rather dried when that it raineth not for a long space than turned into Salt or rendred salt Therefore rejecting those false Opinions concerning the cause and original of Salt in the Ocean let us lay hold of one of the most probable Opinions with little or no difficulty in it viz. 1. That these particles are Coeternal with the very Ocean and therefore we should no more dispute concerning their original than concerning the original of the Ocean it self the Earth yea and of the original and generation of the World 2. If that this Opinion be less complacent we may make choice of another viz. that these salt particles are here and there pulled from the Earth and so dissolved into water Now it is certain that there are many saline Mountains or Rocks in the bosom of the Sea Isle of Ormus a salt Rock The whole Isle of Ormus is nothing else but a white and hard Salt of which they make the Walls of their Houses and therefore no Fountain of fresh water is found in that Isle And none can be ignorant how that many mines of Salt are found on the Land and we have related concerning some in the Eleventh Chapter but we need not particulars Let us consider the whole Earth The greatest part of the Earth hath much Salt in it the greatest part of which is nothing else but a Salt for it hath its consistency from Salt for the Chymical Philosophers do rightly prove that the consistency and compaction of every thing proceedeth from Salt and Experience is answerable to the Assertion for if that you take an hard piece of Earth and burn it to ashes much Salt will be found in it Nothing can be alledged against this Opinion that is of any value and is not easily refuted for some say that it is impossible that those salt parts of the Earth should perpetually suffice and should not at some time or other be consumed by the water of the Ocean which continually taketh away some part of them Unto this I answer That the Salt of the Ocean is not consumed in so great abundance that it should stand in need of much instauration and if that any be consumed yet notwithstanding that is laid up in another place seeing that it is not removed out of the Earth Proposition IX Whether that Water be the fresher in the Ocean by how much it is nigher the bottom and why in some parts of the Ocean fresh Water is found in the bottom Of the freshness of Water in the Sea Unto the first I Answer That experience doth not testifie concerning that sweetness but in some places of which the other Question speaketh that in these places in the bottom of the Sea are Fountains of fresh water I have sufficiently said for it cannot naturally be that the more Salt-water should exist above water less Salt seeing that that is more heavy Those places of the Sea where fresh water is found to spring at the bottom may be collected by those that are studious from the Writers of Geography Proposition X. The Water of the Ocean becometh less salt by how much it is nearer the Poles and on the contrary the more salt by how much it is more near the Aequator or Torrid Zone Although this may be understood of most parts of the Ocean yet the Proposition admitteth of some exceptions The cause of this inequality in saltness is sixfold The Causes of the inequality of the saltness of the Sea in different places 1. That the heat of the Sun in the Torrid Zone lifteth up more vapours from the Ocean into the Clouds than in the Northern places which are the vapours of fresh-water because that the particles of Salt by reason of their gravity are not so easily lifted up Seeing therefore that from the Water of the Ocean of the Torrid Zone or where the place is more near the Torrid Zone so much the vapours are separated by the heat of the Sun thence it cometh to pass that the water that is lest is found more salt there than in the Northern places where there is not so much fresh-water separated by reason of the weak heat of the Sun The 2d Cause 2. The second Cause is the heat or cold of the water for the same numerical water or salt meat as also pickled meat sauce and the like afford a more sensible saltness to the tast when they are eaten hot than when cold for the heat or particles of the fire do move and render the particles of the salt contained in such meat more acute and separates them from the admixtures whence they bite and prick the Tongue more sharply Now because the water of the Ocean is the more hot by how much it is nigher the Aequator or the parallels of the Sun at every day and contrariwise the more cold by how much it is more near the Pole thence it followeth that waters though they should contain the same quantity of salt yet they must seem and appear so much the salter to the tast by how much they are nearer to the Torrid Zone and by how much they are more near the Pole by so much they have less sensible Salt The 3d Cause 3. The third Cause is the more or less quantity of Salt in the diverse parts of the Channel of the Ocean for as we find in the parts of the Earth that there are not pits of Salt in them all neither where they are found is there the like quantity of Salt must be held concerning the part of the Earth that the Sea washeth or covereth that is the Channel or the Shoars where there is therefore most quantity of Salt or Mineral in the bottom or shoar of the Ocean there the water is more salt because that it is impregnated with a greater quantity of Salt So the Isle of Ormus consisteth all of Salt therefore the adjacent Ocean hath very Salt waters But whether there be greater plenty of Salt in the Channel and shoars of the Ocean in the Torrid Zone or more saline Mines than in the North is very doubtful by reason of the want of observation yet it seemeth probable unto some that there is greater quantity of Salt in those places by reason of the greater heat of the Sun by which the parts of the water are separated from the Terrestrial and
Salt but this is a deceitful sign The 4th Cause 4. The fourth Cause of the unequal saltness is the frequency or scarcity of Rains unto which we may add Snow and in the Northern places Snow and Rain is frequent in the places of the Torrid Zone they are less frequent in some parts of the year and in othersome they are almost continual And therefore in these places in the pluvial Months the water of the Ocean is not so salt on the shoar and hath less Salt in it than in the dry Months Yea in many Regions of the Coast of Malabar the Ocean is fresh in the pluvial Months by reason of the abundance of water that floweth from the top of the Mountain Gatis and falleth into the Sea for this very reason in divers Seasons of the year the same Ocean is of a various saltness yet because in the Northern places the Rains and Snows are continual throughout the whole year therefore this Sea is less salt than in the Torrid Zone The 5th Cause 5. The fifth Cause is the dissimilary solution or unequal faculty of the Water to dissolve this Salt and unite it to its self for hot water sooner uniteth Salt unto it self than cold Water although therefore in the Northern places of the Ocean the shoars and Channels of the same contain more or the like quantity of Salt that those places of the Torrid Zone do yet because the water is there more cold it is not so able to dissolve and unite the Salt to it self so subtily us the water in the Torrid Zone which is more hot The 6th Cause 6. The sixth cause is the exoneration of many and great Rivers into the Sea but this cause only taketh place in the parts of the Ocean that are vicine to the shoars but is not discovered in the remote parts So Mariners affirm that the Ocean on the Coast of Brasilia where the Silver-River disburtheneth it self loseth it saltness and affordeth fresh waters fifteen miles distant from the shoar The same is observed of the African Ocean on the Coasts of Congi where the River Zaire exonerateth it self and of many more Rivers Unto these add runing Fountains in some parts of the bottom of the Ocean These are the Causes which seem to concur to the variety and diversity of saltness in divers parts of the Ocean from which the saltness of every one of the Seas may be explained From whence also it is easy to give an account why the water of the German and Northern Ocean is less apt to separate Salt from it self by coction than the water of the Spanish Ocean the Canary Isles and that of Cape Verd whence the Dutch fetch Salt in great abundance and transport it into the Northern Regions viz. this Ocean is more near the Torrid Zone and receiveth water from the Ocean of the Torrid Zone the other is more remote from the Frigid Zone yet I cannot deny the constitution of the Channels themselves to be more or less saline The Sea-water at Guinee in the Ethiopick Ocean affordeth Salt at one coction as white as snow such as neither the Spanish Ocean nor any other in Europe do produce at one coction or boyling Proposition XI Why Rain-water in the middle of the Ocean is found sweet but the water which we separate from the Marine or Salt-water either by decoction or distillation is yet notwithstanding found salt when yet the Rain-water proceedeth from the Vapours exhaled from the Sea Fresh-water abstracted from Salt-water The Learned Chymists or true Naturalists have hitherto laboured in vain that they might find out an Art by which they might distill and abstract fresh water from the water of the Ocean which would be of great advantage but as yet their Labours have proved fruitless for although as well in the decoction as distillation Salt may be left in the bottom of the Vessel yet the water separated by decoction as well as distillation is yet found salt and not fit for men to drink which seemeth wonderful unto those that are ignorant of the cause Yet Chymistry that is true Philosophy hath taught the reason for by the benefit of this we know that there is a twofold salt in Bodies or two kinds of salt which although they agree in tast yet they much differ in other qualities one of these Artists term fixed the other volatile salt The fixed salt by reason of its gravity is not elevated in distillation but remaineth in the bottom of the Vessel but the volatile salt is full of spirit and indeed is nothing else but a most subtile spirit that is elevated by a very light fire and therefore in the distillation ascendeth with the fresh water and is more firmly united by reason of the subtilty of the Attoms neither is this volatile salt found only with fixed salt in Sea-water but almost in all bodies as Chymistry proveth by experience but in some in a greater and in othersome in a lesser quantity in a greater quantity in sharp tasted Herbs in a lesser in oily Herbs Therefore difficulty consisteth in the separation of this salt spirit or volatile salt from the water But why the pluvial water in the midst of the Sea is no less fresh than on the Land seeing that yet it is generated by abstraction of the exhalations of the Ocean caused by the fervour of the Sun or from some subterraneous fire which evaporation doth little differ from distillation The cause seemeth to be Fourfold 1. A slow operation by which the tenuous part is only elevated from the Ocean which although it containeth a saline volatile spirit yet it hath it in less quantity than if that this exhalation were caused by a more forcible heat 2. The long way that this vapour passeth through before that it arriveth unto that Region of the Air where it is condensated into rain in passage it is possible that the saline spirit is by degrees separated from the watery particles 3. The admixture of other watery particles existing in the air 4. A Refrigeration Coition and condensation of the vapour for these exhalations exhaled from the Ocean by degrees are more and more refrigerated and being conjoyned with other obvious and admixed vapours they condense into a more thick vapour or cloud in this Refrigeration and condensation or coition of the saline spirit with the fiery particles they fly into the more exalted part of the Air. Now why the same is not performed in distillation where the vapours exalted are also condensed the cause is 1. That by reason of the small passage the saline spirit is as yet over straitly conjoyned to the watery particles 2. That the vapour restrained in the vessel admitteth not a free passage to the evolant spirit Proposition XII Sea-water is more ponderous than fresh water and the water of one Sea is more heavy than another Sea water more heavy than fresh water The cause is manifest from what hath been said
many places but in some in greater quantity than in others Serpents on the Coast of Malabar On the Coast of Malabar and at Cambaja Serpents are discovered on the superficies of the water this is a sign to Sea-men that they are near to those Regions About four miles from New Spain many Roots Bulrushes and Leaves like unto Fig-leaves float on the water which they eat and are in tast like unto Coleworts In the description of the first Navigation of the Dutch unto the Streights of Magellan we read that on the 12th of January in Anno 1599. the water of the Ocean not far from the Silver-River or Rio de laplata in Brasil appeared of a red and bloody colour but being drawn up in a bucket or the like when that they had more throughly viewed it they found that an innumerable multitude of Worms of a red colour were contained in that water and being taken up in the hand they leaped like unto Fleas And these Seamen call Sea-fleas and they are supposed to come from an innumerable company of small Crabs which being found on the South Continent fill the Sea Here is no place to treat of the Animals of which there are various kinds in divers places of the Sea Proposition XVII Why the Sea in the Night season seemeth to glitter especially if that the Waves be raised the more vehemently by the Winds The Sea in the Night seemeth to glitter or shine This question requireth the knowledge of that difficulty concerning the causes of Colours Divers are the resolutions of Philosophers concerning them but as for the explication of the proposed phenomenon or Question that Opinion seemeth the most commodious which sheweth how Colours do exist or rather appear from a certain and various motion but we leave the accurate explication of the same to Naturalists Proposition XVIII The Ocean or rather all Water casteth out Terrestrial Bodies on the shoar especially in the Full Moon Terrestrial bodies are cast out of the Ocean on the Shore It is not difficult to render an account of this property which Experience sufficiently testifieth For Water is never without some motion which if it be swift and towards one quarter it carrieth Terrestrial bodies with it until it meeteth with the shoar where by reason of the ceasing vigour of the motion of the water those Terrestrial bodies are laid down but in the Ocean the Waves are carried hither and thither By these the Terrestrial bodies are carried after the same mode and because that all Waves tend to some coast of Land therefore all Terrestrial bodies are carried towards the shoar In the Full Moons is the greatest motion of the Ocean therefore vain is their Opinion who believed the Ocean to be an Animal and to have sense by which it purgeth it self from all dregs Terrestrial bodies but here the cause is sufficiently manifest CHAP. XIV Of the Motions of the Sea in general and in particular of the Flux and Reflux Proposition I. Water hath no natural Motion except one by which it moveth from a more higher place unto these that are more low but if the vicine place or body be equal or of a greater Altitude than the superficies of the Water then the Water naturally resteth that is it is not moved except that it be compelled by a violent cause Water hath no natural motion except one THe truth of this Proposition is manifest from Vulgar experience for if that a vessel containing water be moved the water so long fluctuateth in it until no part be higher than the other that is until they compose a Spherical figure or superficies as we have said in the Thirteenth Chapter For although this Motion hath a violent cause viz. the motion of the Air about the Earth yet because that there is a great question concerning this cause and it is so manifest in the water that it seemeth not to come unto it from an external cause so for to distinguish this motion of the water from other motions we term it Natural Now this motion is unto that quarter unto which the place more depressed is scituated Proposition II. When part of the Ocean is moved the whole Ocean is moved or all the other parts of it are also moved but by so much the more that every one is nearer the part moved For because that if part of the Ocean be moved it doth necessarily change place and therefore this place is more low than the place of the vicine water this nearer water shall be moved into this place and the vicine water of that into the place of that and so forward in the other parts But there is lesser motion in the places of the more remote parts Proposition III. To observe the quarter into which the Sea that is moved tendeth The quarter into which the Sea that is moved tendeth Chuse a time if you can when no violent Wind bloweth and cast into the Water a body almost of the same gravity with the water let the place be observed where it was cast in to wit let the Boat remain there immovable then when that this body is carried by the Sea a moderate space from the place where it was cast in then let another Boat be placed of that and let the quarter be observed into which the scituation of this second Boat vergeth from the former For this also shall be the quarter in which we say that the Sea at that time is moved Proposition IV. The Motion of the Sea is either direct or a Vortex or a Concussion I call that direct which tendeth unto some quarter a Vortex when the water moveth into a round and is in some part rejected a concussion when it trembleth But laying aside the two latter unto the end of the Chapter we shall treat of the direct motion and therefore we shall call this by a general term the Motion of the Sea Proposition V. Of the Motions which we find in the Sea some are general some proper and singular other some contingent General proper and singular motions of the Sea I call that General which is found almost in all the parts of the Ocean and that at all times I call those proper and special motions by which only some parts of the Ocean are moved and they are twofold perpetual and anniversary the former are those which persist without mutation or cessation the other which are found at certain months or days of the year in some certain Sea I call those motions of the Sea contingent which without any certain order sometimes do cease and other some begin such are infinite Proposition VI. Wind is the cause of the contingent motion of the Sea forcing the Sea to a quarter opposit to the Wind neither is the Sea ever free from such motions Wind is the cause of the motion of the Sea For seeing that the Air toucheth the Sea and the Wind is nothing else but a strong commotion of
the Air and a pressure towards the Earth therefore the Air being forced to the Sea endeavoureth to drive it from its place and by reason of the Sea is fluid and not able to resist the forcing Air therefore it is moved from its place towards the place of the opposite quarter and forceth another water and this another and so on Now seeing that there is always some wind in the Air sometimes in this place and sometimes in that and sometimes diverse in divers places at one and the same time thence it followeth that there are certain contingent motions always in the Sea which are more discernable in the parts nearer the Wind and therefore the rather by reason that the Sea doth most easily receive an impression because it is fluid Proposition VII The general motion of the Sea is twofold one continually from the East to the West the other composed of two contrary Motions which is termed the Flux and Reflux of the Sea in which the Sea at certain hours floweth to the shoar and in certain others floweth back again We shall first treat of the first The motion of the Sea twofold That the Sea moveth from the East to the West continually is chiefly proved from the motion of that Sea which lieth in the Torrid Zone between the Tropicks For because the motion is more strong hence it is less hindred by other motions This Motion of the Sea is manifestly found by those that sail from India to Madagascar and Africa also in the Pacifick Ocean between New Spain China and the Moluccoes also in the Ocean between Africa and Brasil So through the Streights of Magellan the Sea is carried from the East to the West with a vehement motion So through the Streights Manillan through Channels between the Isles Maldives the motion of the Sea carrieth Ships from the East The Sea glideth impetuously between Cuba and Jucatan into the Gulph of Mexico and floweth out into Cuba and Florida At the Gulph of Paria there is a violent influx so that that Gulph is termed Os Draconis the Dragons Mouth Famous also is the flux at the Land of Canada From the Tartarian Ocean the Sea moveth through the Streights of Nova Zembla and Waigats Streights which is proved both from the very motion it self and also from the abundance of Ice which the Tartarian Ocean casteth up at the Streights of Zembla And at the Northern shoar of America in the Pacifick Ocean the motion is towards the Streight Anian also from Japan the Sea is moved towards China So in the Streight Manillan the motion is from East to West so also in the Streight Java And when the Atlantick Ocean is moved towards the Coast of America the contrary is found in the Pacifick Ocean For this is moved from the shoars which is the most conspicuous at Cabo dez Correntes between Panama and Lima. Proposition VIII The winds oftentimes change the general motion of the Sea especially those fixed winds which we shall shew to be termed Motions in the XXI Chap. The motion of the Sea oft-times changed by the winds For because that most of these do blow from the South and North or from the Collateral quarters of these thence it cometh to pass that the Sea by reason of its general motion tendeth towards the West it moveth towards the Collateral quarters of the West viz. North-west or South-west yea the general wind when that it seldom bloweth from the East but most commonly from the Collateral quarters of the East changeth this general motion of the Sea Much more do the North winds in the Northern Sea where the general motion is little discernable in the parts of the Ocean Proposition IX The cause of this general motion of the Sea from the East to the West is uncertain The Opinion of Aristotle and Copernicus concerning the general motion of the Sea from East to West The Aristotelians suppose although it were unknown unto Aristotle and his followers and indeed to all the European Philosophers before the Navigation of the Portugals through the Ocean of the Torrid Zone that it is caused by the prime motion of the Heaven which is not only common to all the Stars but also to the Air in part and to the Ocean by which all are carried from the East to the West But some that follow Copernicus as Kepler although they also acknowledge the Moon also the cause of this motion yet they determine that the motion of the Earth doth not a little contribute unto this motion viz. they suppose that the water seeing that it is not continuous but only contiguous unto the Earth cannot follow the circumrotation of the Earth and resist it towards the West whilst the Earth withdraweth it self towards the East and therefore that the Sea moveth not from one part of the Earth unto another but that the Earth leaveth part of the waters one after another Othersome who are not pleased neither with the solution of Aristotle nor Copernicus having recourse unto the Moon will have her to be Empress of the waters and that she leadeth about with her and draweth the Ocean from the East to the West If it is demanded how they reply there is an occult faculty influence sympathy vicinity to the Earth and such like indeed it is very probable that the Moon is the causer of this motion by reason that in the new and full Moons this motion is more violent than in the quarters where the motion for the most part is very little The most acute Cartesius hath explained a Mathematical mode by which the Moon causeth both this motion of the water and Air for he supposeth according to his general Hypothesis that an infinite number of Atoms do move round about the Earth by which the space even unto the Moon is filled without any Vacuum which space he calleth the vortex of the Earth viz. Let the Earth be FEGH The water 2143 the Air 6587. the vortex of the Earth B A D C the Moon B. Therefore saith he if that there were no Moon in the vortex B A D C the particles of its vortex would be turned round about the Center T but because that the Moon is in it therefore the space through which the Celestial matter floweth between B and T is rendred more Angust and thence it followeth that the Celestial matter floweth there more quick between B and T and therefore more presseth the superficies of the Air in 6 and also the superficies of the water in 2. than if the Moon were not in the Diameter of the vortex B D and seeing that both the bodies of the Air and water are fluid and easily plyant to this pression it must not be so high above the part of the Earth F as if the Moon were without the Diameter B D. and on the contrary must be more high towards E. But whilst that the Earth is carried from E through F towards G or from the
West to the East the tumour of the water 412 and also of the Air 856 which now incumbs over the part of the Earth E by degrees do move unto other parts more Occidental so that after six hours they incumb over the part of the Earth H and after twelve hours over the part of the Earth G. Whence it cometh to pass that the water and the Air are carried from the Oriental parts of the Earth unto the Occidental parts of the same by a continual flux thus Cartesius The stress of the Demonstration is in this because the Earth E F G H with the water 1234 is moved round and also the Celestial matter of the vortex between B A D C and 6587. The Moon being in B maketh the space B 6 with a certain pressure passing through the Air and water whilst that it passeth through B is expressed towards J H G and whilst that â— passeth through B is expressed towards H G F and so forwards Neither doth the part of the Celestial matter at the Moon having allapsed in B D mount upwards because it is repelled and that all are full of bodies And although it press the Air and water 62 F not only towards the West E 15 but also towards the East 73 G. yet because the parts scituated from 62 F towards 73 G do more and more recede from these Streights but the parts towards E 15 do more and more draw near therefore by these chiefly is that force received But in this explication of this ingenious person these things are required or wanted 1. From that it should follow that the Sea should cease to swell when that the Moon approacheth unto it and that it should swell in the parts which are a quadrant or six hours absent from the Moon viz. The tumour is in E 15 but in F 26 where the Moon is vertical the Altitude is least But this is repugnant to experience for in F 26 the Sea swelleth but in E 15 the tumour is very little How this absurdity may be avoided we shall shew in the following Proposition 2. It is not sufficiently shewed Cartesius hath omitted this why whilst the Celestial matter in the narrow space B 6 presseth the Air C and the water 2 it is not equally moved towards G 37 from both the water and the Air and the Celestial matter is carried with the Earth towards G 37 and therefore the water and the Air is rather carried towards the East than the West And it is a doubt whether it can be avoided by the only subduction of the parts from 6 D B towards G 37. 3. The Moon drawing near to any Sea a more vehement wind is found in that part towards the West from the East than another time but this hapneth not 4. It is more manifest that the Sun maketh that motion of the Air from East to West or that a general wind doth it for we find that in the morning before the rising of the Sun and also with the rising of the Sun in many places for then it is distant a quadrant from the vertex of the place These things deserve consideration in the Cartesian Explication to say nothing of the Hypothesis it self But whether this motion can be referred to a general East-wind is doubted For seeing that that Wind is always under the Torrid Zone it would seem to cause that motion of the Sea to be perpetual For it is evident that with the augmentation of the Wind the motion of the Sea is augmented but that it is a sufficient sign that the motion it self doth depend on the Wind. For the connexion hindreth which this motion hath with the Moon viz. that the Moon approaching to the Sea it causeth that 2 to swell because in the Full and New Moon that motion of the Sea is more vehement from the East to the West which the Demonstration of Cartesius excellently explaineth viz. because the Moon in the New and Full is more near unto the Earth and so the port B 6 is rendred more angust for the transition of the Celestial matter and therefore the pressure is the greater And although when the Moon is at Full that intumescency may be referred unto the greater light of the Moon yet the Moon being in the New this cause ceaseth and therefore it is evident that the Moon is not the cause of this motion but rather that pressure of Cartesius as we shall observe in the following Propositions Proposition X. The second general Motion of the Sea is the flux and reflux of the Sea in which the Sea in the space of twelve hours and about half an hour flaweth unto most Coasts and floweth back again It floweth when that the Moon approacheth unto the supream or lowest Meridian and refloweth when the Moon recedeth from the Meridian towards the West and towards the East The flux and reflux of the Sea is the second general motion Where we must first discover whether the Ocean by this motion be moved unto one certain quarter viz. from the East to the West or from West to East For the shoars of Gulphs and Channels of Rivers in which this flux and reflux is more manifestly found than in the vast Ocean are extended nigh unto or according unto divers quarters some towards the East from the West as the Mediterranean some from the South towards the North as the Arabian Gulph And in every one of these Gulphs and Shoars the water floweth towards the quarter of extension Therefore in divers Gulphs and Shoars this motion of the Sea or Ocean tendeth into divers quarters therefore our first Inquiry must be Whether this motion of the Ocean observeth any certain quarter and whether it be moved elsewhere unto other quarters or whether it observe two quarters viz. the Occidental quarter in the flux and the Oriental in the reflux Or whether one and the same quarter both in the ebbing and flowing viz. the Occidental Unto this may be answered That the last is true viz. that the whole Ocean in the flux is moved from the East to the West but in the reflux it is moved indeed by a general motion again from the East to the West but yet in the flux more quantity of water floweth unto a certain part but in the reflux or to speak more properly the deflux it is not moved into a contrary quarter but unto the same Occidental quarter but yet a lesser quantity of water doth flow in So then we must determine that the flux and reflux of the Sea is not a distinct motion from the general motion of the same which we have explained in the former Proposition by which the Ocean continually moveth from East to West but that it is a certain mode or affection of this general motion and therefore if that this motion be considered in the whole or in the middle of the free Ocean it is not so properly termed a flux or reflux of the Sea but rather a
flux or deflux yea those terms are not apt enough but it is better to call it an Intumescency and Detumescency so that by these peculiar appellations the quality of the flux or motion may be distinguished from the motion or flux it self For the Sea always floweth from the East to the West and only appeareth to re-flow by reason that when in one place there is a greater quantity of water and that it floweth with vehemency to a certain place afterwards in another time this impetus ceaseth But it is therefore termed a reflux because that the Sea seemeth in Bays and Shores to draw near and depart According to the extension of bays and shores which hapneth not by reason of the quality of the Motion it self but by reason of the scituation of Coasts and Channels viz. that the Water doth return back to a contrary quarter but that the Sea falleth down this proceedeth not from the scituation of the Coasts but from the condition of the place it self Neither ought or can the motion of the Sea be regarded from the appulse to the shore for whatsoever the motion of the Sea be or unto what quarter soever it be made the flux is always towards the shore which is by reason of the fluid nature of the water Now seeing that both the flux or reflux or in the intumescency and detumescency the Sea is moved towards the same quarter viz. from the East to the West and doth not re-flow again is collected from hence First that in the Ocean removed from the shores under the Torrid Zone no other motion is found than that by which it is carried from the East to the West Secondly In the Streights which directly extend from East to West and in which the parts of the Ocean are joyned as the Streights of Magellan Manillan Java and others amongst the Indian Isles In these Streights I say the Sea indeed swelleth and falleth in twelve hours but yet the Sea in the detumescency doth flow back from out the Streights from the West to the East therefore another orifice of the Streight into the West which is a manifest sign that this intumescency and detumescency is not a peculiar motion but a modification of the general motion neither doth the Sea flow back into the East Therefore Scaliger and all others are deceived which here introduce a double motion replicated into it self But yet this must be understood that when we say that this motion is made from the East to the West the Cardinal quarters are not only understood but also those quarters that are collateral viz. the Sea is moved also by this flux from the Collateral quarters of the East unto the Collateral quarters of the West yea unto the North and South but not by so forcible and valid motion Proposition XI To declare the cause of the intumescency and detumescency of the Sea or the flux and reflux vulgarly so termed The cause of the flux and reflux of the Sea There is almost no phaenomenon of Nature that hath more exercised the wits of Learned men and Philosophers and that hath deluded more endeavours Some have made the Sea and Earth to be an Animal which by its inspiration and expiration hath caused the flux and reflux Others make the cause to be a great Vortex near to Norway which for six hours sucketh up the water and for so many spueth them out again Scaliger and Others supposed the Coasts especially those of America to be the cause thereof by reason that they repel the appulse of the Sea which proceedeth from the general motion But many when that they discover the connexion of this intumescency and detumescency with the motion of the Moon determined that it only depended on that But how this should be is a more than ordinary task to discover seeing that they reply nothing else but that the Moon doth attract upwards humors by an occult quality and sympathy But these are only words which signifie nothing else but that the effect is caused by the Moon after some mode that we are ignorant of but this is the mode demanded Cartesius deduceth it from his general Hypothesis after this manner Let the Diagram of the Ninth Proposition be taken See Scheme in which let A B C D be that Vortex which hath the Earth for its Center which with it and with the Moon is carried in a greater Vortex about the Sun M the Center of the Vortex E F G H the Earth 1234 the superficies of the Sea from which for the greater perspicuity we do suppose the Earth to be encompassed on every side and 5678 the superficies of the Air encompassing of the Sea Now if that there were no Moon in this Vortex the point T which is the Center of the Earth ought to be in the point M which is the Center of the Vortex but the Moon being towards B this Center of the Earth T ought to be between M and D by reason that the Celestial matter of this Vortex is somewhat more quicker moved than the Moon or the Earth which it carrieth with it Except that the point T were a little more distant from B than from D the presence of the Moon would hinder that that should not so freely flow between B and T so seeing that the place of the Earth in this Vortex is not determinated excâ—â—â— from the equality of the strength of the Celestial matter flowing about it therefore it is evident that it ought somewhat to approach towards D. And after the same mode when the Moon shall be in C the Center of the Earth ought to be between M and A and so always the Earth departeth a little from the Moon Moreover because by this means from this that the Moon is towards B not only the space through which the Celestial matter floweth between B and T but also that space through which it floweth between T and D is rendred more angust thence it followeth that this Celestial matter there floweth more swiftly and therefore doth more press both the superficies of the Air in 6 and 8 and also the superficies of the Water in 2 and 4 than if that the Moon were not in the Diameter of the Vortex B D Now seeing that both the bodies of the Air and Water are fluid and easily obnoxious to this pression they ought not to be so high above the parts of the Earth F and H as if the Moon were without this Diameter B D and so also on the contrary they ought to be higher towards G and E so that the superficies of the Water 1 and 3 and of the Air 5 and 7 do there protuberate Now because that part of the Earth which is now in F on the opposite quarter of the point B where the Sea is very little high after six hours it will be in G on the opposite Region of the point C where it is most high and after other six hours in H on the Region of
number and almost all send forth springs Scaliger and others assert that this Caspian Sea is carried by a subterraneous passage into the Euxine Sea but he alledgeth no probation of it yet that may be a sign by reason that the Euxine Sea perpetually sendeth forth waters in great abundance through the Bosphorus which abundance of waters some think that it doth not receive from the Rivers but by a subterranean passage from the Caspian Sea But it seemeth not so to me to have any conjunction with the Sea and therefore I suppose it to be a Lake and so rather to be called than a Sea Now whence it was first generated is a greater difficulty Some say that great Mountains of Salts are found in its bottom and that thence it hath its saltness but the water they suppose to proceed from the multitude of Rivers that exonerate themselves into this Lake or Sea Yet although these waters make to the conservation of it yet I think it more probable that this Sea for some Ages since was conjoyned to the Ocean neither do I question but that the Euxine Sea will at length become a Lake for the same reason the Bosphorus being obstructed Proposition IX To make a Lake in a place if that it be possible Of making Lakes It may be done if that there be a River in the land adjoyning or that a Spring be found in the place and that the place be somewhat more depressed and low than in the adjacent places although small Lakes may be also made on the tops of Mountains therefore the place must be hallowed and the earth dug away unto so great a depth and amplitude as we require and its sides must be fenced with banks upheld by wood if need so require then an Inlett being made from the Channel of the river the water must be let in or if that a Fountain in that place affordeth a sufficient quantity of water there is no need of that inlett or aqueduct Proposition X. To take away or dry up a Lake Of drying up of Lakes That may be performed two ways 1. If the bottom of that Lake be higher or of almost an equal depression with the vicine place an Aqueduct being made the water will flow from the place or Lake and at length will render the bottom dry the heat of the Sun assisting and Earth being cast in 2. If that the bottom of the Lake be lower than the vicine place it must first be fenced with a trench in its whole circuit leaving only some Channels or open passages then making use of Water-mills the water must be expelled and drawn out and then the bottom must be covered with earth and dung and such seeds cast in which suddenly will take root as Mustard-seed Coleworts and the like By this mode the Dutch very well know how to drain Lakes and to make fruitful lands of them Proposition XI Marishes are of two sorts some are ouzey and consisting of a mixt substance as it were viz. of Water and Earth so that it will not suffer the footsteps of a man others have small standing Pools with small portions of dry land here and there Marishes are of two sorts Of the first sort are those that receive or send forth no Rivers such Marishes are in Holland Brabant where is the Marish de Peel and many in Westphalia to which some of the second sort are admixed But many of the second kind are found at the originals or springs of Rivers whence some are wont to call these Springs or Fountains Marishes as the Marishes of Tanais in Moscovia of the Nile c. Such Marishes also seem to be in Savolax a Province in Finland in a great tract of land also the Marishes of Enarack the Chelonides Marishes of Africa the Marishes of Chaldea through which the Euphrates doth pass These Marishes are frequently found in Woods and Desarts that are Ericose because that the rain which irrigateth those lanes and collecteth in its cavities is not attracted by the Sun by reason that the Leaves of Trees do repel its Rays Such kind of Marishes are found here and there in Germany and Moscovia Moreover these Marishes of the second sort are four-fold viz. some both receive and send forth Rivers some only receive some only send forth and some neither receive nor send forth The first sort are generated and conserved partly by occult springs and water effused before that it be brought to a certain Channel and also from a greater quantity of water than can possibly be brought through a Channel many of which sort are in Moscovia and Finland Marishes of the last kind probably are conserved and spring from rain and small springs Aristotle calleth the Palus Maeotis a Lake and that more rightly Proposition XII Marishes have a sulphurous bituminous and fat Earth This is discovered both from the black colour and from the Reeds which are generated from it Of the earth of Marishes and easily take fire as is found in Holland and other places The cause is by reason that such substances are contained in the raise of the earth where these Marishes do exist Yet all Marishes are not such but where the Earth is stony and hard there are no Marishes for where there is a soft earth there for a certain is a fat and sulphurous substance Proposition XIII To drain Marishes and Fens Of draining of Fens Although some Fens have an high profundity yet no more is required to drain them to such a depth which we may do if that we cause the water to flow away by some Channel or Aqueduct 2. If that after some weeks they have been dried by the Sun we cast in a great quantity of dry earth 3. If that we make a fire upon them and 4. If that we hinder water from flowing into them as rain and the like CHAP. XVI Of Rivers in General Proposition I. We comprehend in this Proposition the definitions necessary for this doctrine Of Rivers and their definition 1. A River is water flowing from a certain place of the Earth to another place in a long tract and within its Channel A Channel is that cavity in the Earth in which the water is contained which is more depressed and lower than the shore of that water 2. A Rivulet is a River that hath not the profundity and breadth as to admit of small laden Vessels 3. That is termed Amnis which admitteth of those Vessels but if they will bear moderate Vessels great ones laden then it is called by the general term of Fluvius and Flumen 4. That water is termed a Torrent which floweth from the Mountainous places with a violence 5. Where two Rivers meet that place is called a Confluence 6. A River or Rivulet which floweth from another is termed a Branch or Arm yet for the most part it is taken for such an arm which is lesser than the other part of the River Yet those are also frequently
do grow and where that all Wells are salt In the City of Suez at the Termination of the Red Sea all Wells are salt or brackish and the water two miles distant is somewhat salt So in many Islands in the Sea no Wells of fresh water are found though not so salt as the Sea water it self as in the Isle of St. Vincent and others In Peru in the low Region the Lakes are salt by reason of the vicinity of the Sea Yea in the Oriental Maritimate places the Nuts called Coco Nuts are found somewhat salt Also in the Mediterranean places themselves Fountains of salt water are found as in Lorrain Lunenburgh and the like 3. Because that it is manifest that the Sea emitteth its water through subterraneous passages from the salt Fountains of Lunenburgh where beneath the Earth those Aqueducts full of salt or Sea-water are found 4. Because that digging to a great depth as also in Mines much water is found of which neither the Rain nor the Air can be made the efficient cause How water cometh from the Sea to the places of Fountains so as to become sweet we have now shewed viz. the bottom of the Sea is not every where Rocky or Stony but in many places Sandy Muddy Gravelly Spungy drinking the water of the Sea and by a continuation of the Earth brings it by degrees to a long distance from the Sea where at length the Guttulae unite especially in a narrow space such as are Mountains and make a Fountain in the given place or Cavity but if so be that Cavity be hidden from the Earth then the water so collected either followeth another way wheresoever it be made and so a Fountain seemeth to break forth in another place which yet is not in than place but is a River derived from the former place by a subterraneous passage Or if that the water of that Cavity findeth no way about it self neither by violence can break through the Earth that covereth it then that water is not augmented but what water flowed unto it to have been its encrease that is averted to another place For that is the property of all humid bodies that all their parts and particles are moved towards that place where the deflux is made So if you fill a Vessel with water that the swelling or tumour may be above the brim of the Vessel then all the parts of the extant water have an equal inclination and power of deflux in the vicine part of the brim But yet by reason of the mutual coherence of the particles whose cause is declared in Natural Philosophy if that the deflux be made in one part of the brim all the other parts leave the vicine brim and draw to that part of the brim or they follow where the deflux is made So if you immerge a long crust of Bread into water you shall see the water born upwards and and the part of the Bread that is not immerged to be humid The Sea goeth under the Earth through Caverns Moreover the Sea goeth under the Earth through Caverns from which after the same mode the water may glide or creep forth unless you had rather ascribe it to evaporations which are carried upwards and uniting the drops in a narrow place But because there are many things which may seem to render this opinion less probable these ought also to be considered that it may be evident that they weaken not this assertion laid down Things to be noted 1. The places of Fountains are more elevated than the Superficies of the Sea by reason that most of them are in Mountanous places therefore water cannot flow from the Sea to those places because the nature of water is to move to places more depressed or less elevated as it is manifest from Rivers and the Artifices of Drainers 2. Although the bottom of the Sea be gravelly muddy and sandy so that the water may penetrate it self through its particles yet the reason doth not appear evident enough but that it may more moisten the adjoyning Earth and that which is not so high than to glide upwards to the places of Fountains seeing especially that the Earth is Rocky and Stony as in the Mountains of the Island of St. Helena 3. There is no reason why the water so gliding from the Sea should not break forth in a middle way between the Sea and the Fountain 4. In the most profound Mines none or very little water is found as Thurnheuserus witnesseth 5. This water of the Fountains should be salt because that it doth proceed from the Sea These are the chief Arguments which may seem to weaken the opinion proposed For I pass by those slight ones alledged by others Other Arguments Answered viz. that they suppose that the Sea is not sufficient to supply so many Rivers then again that Rivers then should never be diminished if that were the true cause of Rivers that we have laid down But unto these two the answer is easy because that the Sea again receiveth the water again from the Rivers that it sent forth into the Fountains Then as for the other we have shewed before that the question is not neither do we determine that all the water of the Rivers is from the Sea but only concerning the water of Springs which is not the alone cause of Rivers as we have said already and we also assert that the water of Fountains is augmented from rains and Dew because that these moistening the Earth glide or are drawn towards the places of Fountains Four Other Arguments of great concernment where the efflux of the water is made which we have explained by other Examples We come now to those four Arguments alledged which may seem to carry some weight with them The first is esteemed very valid as being taken from multiplicit experience therefore many solutions are brought and alledged by Learned men First they the most easily discharge themselves who defend the Ocean to be more high than the Earth for so they deny the assertion and they say that this Altitude of the Ocean is the cause of Springs because that Springs are less high than the water in the middle of the Ocean See Olearius his Voyage into Persia Moreover Olearius in the Description of his Voyage into Persia relateth that he ascended the Mountain that adjoyneth to the Caspian Sea and with an Astrolabe or rather a Gaeodetical Instrument to observe the Elevation of this Mountain above the superficies of that Sea but found none but that the extream superficies of that Sea was seen in the Horizontal Line yea somewhat elevated above it so that the Tumour of this Sea was found a little more high than the vertex of the Mountain on which he made his observation But in truth this solution cannot be admitted of See Chap. 13. because we have shewed in the Thirteenth Chapter that the water of the Ocean is not higher than the Mountains
and shoars of the Earth and the frequent observations of Mathematicians made on Towers or shoars testifie it And as for the observation of Olearius that seemeth to cause no small difficulty here for that the Caspian Sea is no higher than the vicine Lands much less than the Mountains is collected from hence viz. that many Rivers do exonerate themselves into the Sea therefore we must say that refraction obstructed the observation of Olearius and caused the water of the Sea to appear higher than in truth it was and peradventure the waves of the Sea encreased the cause and the Mountain that he ascended was none of the highest Some discovering the weakness of this Argument bring this that the natural place of water is above the Earth and therefore that it must cover the whole Earth because that it is higher than the Earth Now by reason that it is impeded from its natural place by the Mountains above the Earth arising towards the Mediterranean places therefore that part of the Ocean which ought to be where the Mountains and Elevated parts of the Earth are seeing that it is not in its natural place doth press down the subjected water which indeed is in its natural place but yet is driven or pressed to the bottom by the Superiour water which is not in its natural place where when it findeth no way neither can give place it retireth towards the sides and passeth under the Roots of the Mountains where being collected as in a Cistern it is squeezed out by the water of the Ocean pressing towards the vertex of the Mountain No other than in a Vessel which hath on the side a Funnel touching the very bottom of the Vessel from whence we infuse water or other liquor into Glasses If I say we drop in a stone into such a Vessel full or half full of liquor the liquor flieth out through the Orifice of the Funnel This is the subtilty of Scaliger but in truth it is very thick For water is not expelled so from the bottom of Mountainous places towards the vortex because that experience testifieth the contrary in Trenches and if that were so all Spring waters should be salt moreover it is false that he assumeth that part of the water is not in its natural place and therefore presseth down the subjected part for this is taken up gratis and contrary to experience because that the water presseth not down the subjected part except when it is higher than the vicine water and therefore where the Superficies of the Ocean is Spherical it resteth but if that any motion were made from the pressure this would drive the water of the Sea to the Coast where the place is more broad not through the small Caverns of the Earth Now it is certain that water floweth in from the bottom of the Sea through the great Caverns but they make not the Fountain fresh because they take not away the saltness of the water I think not the solution of the Argument to be difficult if that we consider how water cometh to the Fountain viz. not from any Channel from the bottom of the Sea or foot of the Mountain for so it would retain its saltness but by or through a continual progression of the watery particles or a creeping in the Terrestial matter to the places adjacent to the Fountain where at length it is gathered into drops by reason of the cavity and continual succession of the water and so causeth a Spring Veins of water in the bowels of the earth For this we find in the Earth dug to a great depth that here and there drops of water do consist and are forced by those that are nigh so that a little Rivulet is made which are termed Veins of water Many such Rivulets if collected into one Cavity make a Fountain as those persons well known that are skilled in making of Fountains or Aquiducts or Wells For in Wells water is collected from many drops which meet together in the bottom of the well from the adjacent Earth And those that make Aquiducts bring the water by gutters and trenches into one place so that the drops may fall from the higher places into the Cavity But if that you object that many Fountains bubble up in the midst of stones by reason of which it is not probable that the watery particles should so creep forwards to that I Answer that this confirmeth our Opinion For those stones do not go through from the top to the foot of the Mountain at least in those Mountains where the Fountains are found but only occupy the Superficies of the Mountain and a certain small profundity within the Earth of the Mountain is more soft or less stony or at least such as may receive and attract water Therefore when by penetration it is come to the stony part because that it can penetrate no farther there it standeth and is collected into drops and maketh a springing Fountain between the stony parts to wit if that a passage be granted and that the Mountains and Rocks of the Isle of St. Helena and almost of all Islands are not within so rocky and hard is collected from hence that almost all those Mountains have sometimes burned or at the least smoaked which is discovered from the Ashes on the Earth and also the Brimstone or Sulphur found in those places add moreover what we observed before that the spring of the water is not alwaies there where it seemeh to be but floweth from some higher place through a subterraneous passage to the Fountain and so causeth the water to leap up with some force which I suppose to be done in many Fountains and the more if we consider that fire is moved also downwards by reason of the continuation of the matter when in truth if that the same be free it tendeth upwards So if you put the end of a long piece of Iron in the fire this will penetrate through the whole Iron untill it come to the other extream although this other extremity doth not tend upwards but downwards The second Argument answered So much for the first Argument unto the second I answer that a reason may be given why the Sea water should not penetrate so much into the Earth towards the Center as towards the Mountains viz. because the Earth is there more full of Mettals and hard as experience testifieth but where it is not so hard there the water penetrateth and therefore we deny not but that Rivers or at least sweet or salt Lakes may be found beneath the bottom of the Sea within the Earth towards the Center where any such Cavity is But because that there are few such Cavities and that every where the Earth is Metallous and hard beneath the bottom of the Sea therefore it cannot continually imbibe water but when it is full it ceaseth to imbibe any more neither doth it receive more Therefore then the water glideth towards higher places unto the motion
touched on it because that no Geographers have hitherto made mention of it as also of the River Jeniscea and Yrtiis The River Orellana 7. Orellana in America so called from Francis Orelli is accounted amongst the greatest Rivers of the Earth It s Fountain is in the Kingdom of Peru in the Province of Quito in the South latitude of 72 degrees but this is not altogether certain its Mouth is fifteen miles in Latitude two degrees Southerly It s tract is said to be 1500 Spanish miles by reason of its great number of bendings when that in truth it extendeth not 700. Others confound with it or make the River Maragnon to be a branch of it It is in some places four or five Leagues broad but it receiveth not its water so much from a Spring as from Rains falling on the Mountainous parts of Peru so that in the dry mouths of those Mountains it carrieth little water And indeed the Moderns do much detract from its magnitude Rio de la Plata 8. Rio de la Plata in Brasilia its Fountain is in the Mountains of Peru Its Mouth is in the South latitude of 37 degrees and that is said to be about twenty miles but when it overfloweth it hath many Outlets which some account for one at that time it carrieth not much water The Natives call it Paramaguasu that is a water like the Sea as some observe The River Omaranna 9. Omaranna also a River in Brasilia flowing from the Mountains of Peru in a long tract These three great Rivers in Brasilia viz. Orellana Rio de la Plata and Omoranna meet somewhere in some Lakes in the Mediterranean places of Brasilia and emorge again being disjoyned The River Canada 10. and lastly Canada or St. Laurence in America Septentrionalis its Spring is in the Lake called des Iroquis It s large Mouth is in the 50th degree of North latitude and its tract is no lesser than 600 German miles Proposition XXVIII Whirlpools are found in the Channels of some Rivers So in the River Sommona between Amiens and Abbeville in Picardy in France is a secret Whirlpool into which the waters rush with such violence that their found may be heard for some miles Proposition XXIX River-water is more light than Sea-water Sea-water more heavy than River-water The cause is easily known to wit Sea-water carrieth much Salt in it Thence it hapneth that many things sink to the bottom in Rivers which float on the Sea which frequently is seen in Ships heavy laden that are raised up in the Sea higher than when in Rivers Now various is the proportion betwixt these waters because that the Sea-water is not every where of the same gravity nor the water of divers Rivers but yet the proportion is about 46 to 45 so that 46 ounces of River-water do equally ponderate 45 of Sea-water CHAP. XVII Of Mineral Waters Baths and Spaws Because that there are many kinds of liquid Bodies or Waters the peculiar properties of which men do admire at therefore Geographers are wont to treat of them But all of them hitherto except a bare recital of their Names and a reckoning up of some wonderful Fountains or Springs have added nothing to solid knowledge But we shall treat more clearly of them and that with a declaration of their causes Proposition I. No Water is pure and Elementary but containeth or hath admixed particles such as are found in Terrestrial Bodies These particles are not only Earth but also they are various as Oyls Spirits and the like That is termed Mineral-water which containeth so many or such particles of a different nature from the Water so that from them it gaineth or hath notable qualities which we discover by sense or the properties are notable by sense No Water is pure but hath admixed particles THe truth of the Proposition is manifest by Experience and is proved both from the differences of tasts and from distillation and all Naturalists agree that simple or pure water as the other Elements separated from others do not exist in nature The cause is the various and perpetual agitation of the particles but in Waters that I may say somewhat in particular concerning our matter in hand by the cause of admixtion of Heterogeneous they receive Spiritual particles The Rain and the Air it self touching the water consists of divers particles therefore all waters have admixed particles of another nature but there is not the like quantity in all of them Into the Rhine indeed the Danube and Albis and into all great Rivers other Riverets do flow in impregnated with innumerable particles and in such quantity that they are evident to the senses but because besides these many other Riverets do flow into them not impregnated with so great a quantity of Heterogeneous particles as are discoverable to the eyes and because that the greatest part of the water that they carry consists of Rain and Air therefore also in these greater Rivers those Heterogeneous particles are not easily discovered but must be separated from them by Art if that any one will have them discovered to the sense But we shall especially call them Mineral waters which have some notable property beyond the common waters that is that contains such an admixture of Heterogeous particles that thence possess a notable and sensible quality Proposition II. Mineral Waters are of three kinds Of Mineral waters Some are Corporeal we want an apter word others Spiritual otheâ—s both Corporeal and Spiritual I term those Corporeal Mineral waters which contain solid and fixed particles of Minerals so that these may be discovered and separated by the sight These Corporeal Bodies are twofold some carry those particles of Minerals of a very great magnitude that without any trouble or very little at the least they may be beheld in the water and to speak properly they are not commixed waters Such are those of which we have spoken in the former Chapter because that the grains of Gold Silver and the like are contained in their waters therefore they are termed Gold and Silver-bearing Rivers but these waters in property of Speech are not to be termed Mineral because that they have not these particles commixed with them but free neither do they recive any property or quality from them Yet because that men also admire such Rivers and the explication of them hath great affinity with the enodation of Mineral waters properly so termed therefore I comprehend them under the general â—ppellation of Mineral waters Bituminous Fountains and the like may be reduced under this Classis Corporeal Mineral waters But those are termed more properly Corporeal Mineral waters which contain indeed solid particles of Minerals but so little small and altogether commixed that they are not presently discovered by the sight but either by Art or a long tract of time subsiding and concreasing and are reduced into a sensible quantity as are saâ—â— Springs sulphureous Fountains and such
participations of Minerals are to be applied to Vitriol Sulphureous and Mercurial waters and the like and more especially to these to wit to Salt Vitriolate and Sulphureous because in these Nature it self doth exhibit this fourfold variety I doubt whether that Corporeal waters of a mixed subtilty do exist Spirituous Metallick waters are very rare but Sulphureous and Salt waters are frequent But the Corporeal and Spirituous because these sorts of Metals are both found in many places of the Earth and also in a greater quantity and easily suffer their particles to be gnawed off they send out also frequently a fume and vapour We will explain by one Example this fourfold variety of participation and that in Gold 1. In the preceding Chapter and the sixteenth Proposition we have enumerated those Riverets which carry grains of Gold and with this Treasury make glad the Natives such are many in the Earldom of Tirol and the places adjacent and we have said that the Rhine it self Albis Danube and most great Rivers in some places carry grains of Gold as also of other Metals and Minerals by reason that they receive Golden or Gold-bearing Riverets The Rhine carrieth grains of Gold commixed with Clay and Sand in many places but especially at these 1. Near Curia in Rhetia 2. At Meinfield 3. At Eglinsan 4. At. Secningham 5. At the Town Augst not far from Basil 6. At Norinburgh 7. At Wormes 8. At Seltz 9. At Mentz 10. At Bacherack 11. At Bononia and the like The Reader may see those Gold-bearing Riverets which the Rhine receiveth in Thurnhuserus as also those that the Danube and Albis do receive In the water of this viz. the Albis are found grains of Gold 1. At Leutmeritz in Bohemia 2. At Puru 3. At Dresda in Misnia 4. At Torga 5. At Magdeburgh 6. At the Tower of Lunenburgh fifteen miles from Hamburgh Concerning the Gold-bearing Riverets consult the forecited Book of Thurnhuserus where also you may see those that carry other Mettals and Minerals These Waters are therefore the Corporeal Golden-waters of the first mode viz. those that carry grains of Gold which less properly are termed Mineral or Golden because the Golden-grains are not permixed with the water but are carried down by the rapid Current of the water and the waters themselves are simple or uncompounded 2. Golden Corporeal-waters of a subtile commixtion to wit the Atoms of whose waters are mixed with the Atoms of the Gold as we have said of the Aqua Regia of the Chymists which dissolveth the Gold and uniteth it to it self by Atoms And now because there may be like waters which whether they be carried through Golden-lands or Mines may gnaw off and dissolve some Golden-Atoms of it with Earthly ones such Golden-waters many Riverets seem to be which Thurnhuserus writeth to participate of Gold and reckoneth them up in the description of the Danube Rhine and other great Rivers 3. The Golden Spirituous-waters are very few and some of those are they peradventure which Thurnhuserus enumerateth Now such waters are less noted or sensible because Golden-Earth and Mines are very rare and that in a small quantity Moreover where the Mines are a quantity of other Minerals are also together with the Gold whence the water receiveth many more Spirits Yet some Riverets in the high Alpes of Bohemia are said to participate of these Golden-Spirits also in Silesia and the Mountain that they call Fitchtelberg The Pepper-Baths in the Bishoprick of Curia are believed to be impregnated with such a Spirit but by reason of the admixture of other Minerals in greater quantity the waters receive a less sensible quality from it 4. Golden-waters which carry both Atoms of Gold and Spirit are some of the Riverets mentioned by Thurnhuserus We will add the Example of Salt-waters Example of Salt-waters 1. Salt corporeal-Corporeal-waters viz. which carry the more gross particles of Salt and not accurately mixed they are many and sufficiently known to any person as certain Springs of which Salt is made Hitherto appertaineth the sea-Sea-water if that it be made more gross by the heat of the fire 2. Salt Corporeal subtile-waters which contain the Salt reduced into little particles they are those which when they are most Salt yet withal they are very pellucid and subtile as many salt Springs and tenuous Sea-water although that there be great difference in this subtile commixtion Hitherto appertaineth the Vrin of all Animals 3. Salt Spirituous-waters which contain not the particles of Salt but the spirit of Salt they are such that if you should boyl many Vessels of them yet notwithstanding you should receive no Salt Not a few of these are in Germany and elsewhere but they are rarely found simple 4. Salt Corporeal and Spirituous-waters which have particles of Salt and Spirit Almost all the Corporeal have also some portion of Saline spirit but most of them very little So near the City Saltzinga not far from the Rhine the Fountains are salt the water of which though more salt than other waters yet it affordeth less Salt because its sharp and salt sapor is sharpned by a spirit or volatile Salt that flyeth away in the boyling Hence it is manifest how this fourfold difference of participation is to be applied unto every sort of Mineral waters viz. Vitriolate-waters Alom-waters Lead-waters and the like Proposition V. To reckon up the noted differences of Mineral Waters The noted differences of Mineral Waters In the foregoing Propositions we have explained the true kinds and differences of Mineral waters taken from the very essence of them viz. from the particles of the Minerals which they carry or by which they are impregnated but those differences because they do not so strike the senses and moreover by reason of the various mixture of Minerals communicate various properties to the water wherefore they are less vulgarly known for the denomination of all Bodies ariseth from manifest qualities on the Sense as also doth the celebrity of waters amongst men The explication and cause of which apert qualities and properties must be sought from the inmost composition of things Therefore the noted and famous differences or species of Liquors flowing from the Earth and also known to the Vulgar sort of men are these ten to wit 1. Sowr-waters 2. Bitter 3. Hot 4. very Cold 5. Oily and Fat 6. Poysonous 7. Coloured 8. Ebullient 9. Water that converts less hard into harder or after any other mode changing any Bodies cast in or stained with them 10. Salt-waters And in the 11th place we may add those which are endowed with any other wonderful property Unto these Classes those that are studious in these things may reduce all Waters which are found described in Authors We shall only in brief shew their generation and differences and alledge some Examples Proposition VI. To explain the cause or generation difference or kinds of Acid or Sowr Waters Of Sowr Waters Great is the celebrity of Acid waters or Springs they
commonly call them Spaws 1. They arise from the admixture of a Spirit of Vitriol Salt and Alom which Minerals being partly simple and partly more or less admixed with other Minerals are found in the cavities of the Earth especially in Iron We prove this to be the true cause of Acidula's and Spaws 1. By reason that almost every where where such Acid waters break out Mines of Vitriol Salt and Alom are found 2. Because the Spirits of Vitriol and Salt are Acid as also some Spirits of Sulphur as is evident from Chymistry 3. Because that from these kind of Acid waters no Acid body but Spirits is separated which are altogether like unto the Spirits of Vitriol and Salt 2. Great is the quantity of Acid waters or Spaws in divers Regions where Mines especially abound The cause is because that an Acid Sowr Spirit is almost in all Bodies by reason that we have shewed that it is Elementary in the Seventh Chapter and first Proposition it is found in all herbs and fruits The difference of Spaws 3. The difference of Spaws is found to be notable Some are found to be so sharp or sowr that men make use of them instead of Vinegar Such a Spring is found in Nicana a Province of Sicilia In Germany the Fountain at Elleboga is of a wonderful Acidity Other Acid Springs are termed Winy because that by their sharpness they come near the grateful tast of Wine amongst which that is famous which is in the Earldom of Catzenellebocen in Germany at the Town Schwalbach In the Province of Lyons in France at the Town of St. Baldomare is a Fountain termed Fontaine forte that is the strong Fountain it supplieth the want of Wine and if that one fourth part of it be mixed with Wine it will want nothing of the tast of Wine if it is poured on Flour it will presently ferment They can boil no Meat in it for by reason of its subtilty it flieth away It is very wholsom so that the Inhabitants seldom use a Physician In Aquitaine not far from the City Bessa is the like Winy sharp Spring unto the waters of which if that you only admix the sixth part of Wine you will imagine that you drink pure Wine without any admixture of water Nigh to Rome is an Alomy sharp Fountain which being mixed with Wine maketh a very grateful Drink Great is the number of Acid Springs in the Vpper Germany whereof some flow into the Danube and others into the Rhine Very many are in the forementioned Earldom of Catzenelleboch in the Province of Triers in Tirolis Rhaetia Vindelicia a noted ane is near Anderna called Heilbrun In the Province of Toledo in Spain near the Village Valentiola are Springs which at the bottom are found Acid and of a Winy tast and in the upper part sweet which Baccius thinketh to happen because that the Nitrous and Acid parts do subside and sink to the bottom But I suppose if that the Relation be true that it proceedeth from the subtilty of the Spirit which being brought to the superficies presently do expire Other Acid Fountains are astringent and contracting the palate which is a token of Iron particles or of the admixture of Vitriol as also of Alom The Water of Acid Fountains in Rainy and Cloudy weather is found less Acid which is a sign of an admixture of condensated Air. Also if that the water be exposed to heat or if it stand in an open Vessel for some hours or if it be carried a long Voyage not well covered in cold Vessels it presently loseth its Acidity which is a sign that the Acidity of them dependeth on a subtile Spirit Yet they also have Atoms and the very Vitriol Alom Iron Salt Gravel and the like This is proved from the matter that is discovered to adhere to the Conduit-pipes The Studious may collect Examples by reading of Authors At least two hundred Acid Springs or Riverets run into the Rhine but by reason of the subtilty of the Spirits nothing of acidity is discovered in the Rhine Do you demand why there are no Acid Fountains in the Northern places I suppose that cause to be the defect of Subterraneous heat and an over great condensation of the Earth as also for that cause it cometh to pass that little or no Gold is found in those Regions Proposition VIII To explain the generation of hot Springs termed Baths and the places of the more famous of them Of the generation of hot Springs or Baths A Spring in Izland is judged the most fervid of them all whose water little differeth from that which hath arrived to the highest degree of heat and boyling on the fire But Caronius writeth that in Japan there is a Spring so hot that no water can be brought to that degree of heat by the most vehement fire It floweth not continually but twice in a day for one hour with a great force of spirits and maketh a great Pool which another hath informed me to be called by the Natives Singacko that is Hell After those the hot Fountains or Baths of Baden in Helvetia are famous Then the Baths of Appona in Italy Of Vulgar Baths there is a great number in the Vpper Germany as also in other places In Scotland is the Lake and River Nessa which is not hot yet it is never congealed with Cold. The cause and generation of Baths is first the admixture of Sulphureous particles whilst the water is carried through Subterraneous passages or rather whilst that it glideth through the Sulphureous Mines to a collection about the Springs 2. The vapours of Smoak and exhalations within the Earth where Sulphur is pure or impure as Peat Coal Amber and the like for these materials continually send forth a calid or warm fume which heat the waters carried thither or gliding through those places Yet particles of Alom are admixed to many nay the most Baths as also of Iron and Niter whence they have somewhat a sharp and astringent tast or sapor Almost all the Baths which we know flow without ceasing except the Pepper-Baths of Germany which are famous in Rhetia not far from Curia And besides Sulphur they contain something of Gold and not a little Niter The water of these Baths breaketh out every year about the third of May and it ceaseth to flow about the fourteenth of September The famous Baths in Germany are the Plumbariae in Lorrain Emsebadae above Constantina in Alsatia near Gebersweil in the Marquisate of Bada Wildbad in the Dukedom of Wertebergh The Blasianae near Tubin There are many also in Japan and the Indian Isles There are such hot ones in the Islands of the Azores that an Egg may be boyled in them Proposition IX To explain the generation of oyly and fat liquors flowing from the earth and to enumerate the places of the earth in which they are found Of oyly liquors Some Fountains send forth a bituminous liquor some a fat water or
either more thick or subtle than the former they are refracted where they have entered at this other Medium or deflect from a strait direct course to the sides The Explication is easie from a Vulgar Experiment Let any Vessel be taken and let a ball of Gold or Copper or Gold money be affixed to the bottom then depart back from the Vessel by reason of the obstacle of the sides of the Vessel you can no longer see the Money at the bottom Then pour water into the Vessel which being done you shall see again in the former distance the Money at the bottom From hence it followeth that seeing no Ray could directly come from the Money to the eye by reason of the interposition of the sides of the Vessel and yet afterwards the water being infused the Rays arrived at the eye It followeth I say from hence that the Rays proceeding from the Money where they enter into the Air from the water do deflect or are refracted from the direct way and being so refracted they arrive at the eye It is called refraction by reason that for this cause an Oar being partly in the water doth appear refracted or broken See Scheme So let the Center of the Earth be T L the eye in the superficies let d r f p be the superficies of the Atmosphere or Air. Therefore no ray can directly arrive at the eye L because it is beneath L f g for other inferiour rays would fall in on the tumor of the Earth L o. Wherefore no Star can appear in a direct ray until it come to the Horizontal line L f g And the Stars appear before viz. whilst that they are yet beneath L g for Example in S and yet from S to the eye L no ray can directly come because that it should first fall on L o. Therefore of necessity the ray which cometh from the Star S to the eye L is not a direct but a refracted ray viz. L f which refracted ray is propogated from the incident ray S f to wit S f falling from the Aether on the more thick Medium viz. the Atmosphere in f is refracted and becometh f L when that it was direct in n And so the Star appeareth before that it could truly appear by a direct ray that is before that it arriveth at the Horizontal line L f g. So a Star being in S is not seen by the direct ray S L but by the refract r L whose incident ray is s r and direct r m and therefore the Star S appeareth higher by reason of refraction than it is and in another place it appeareth high in the Arch x g or in the Angle r l g as if it were in x when indeed it is in s For this is the nature of refractions that the rays falling from a more rarified medium on a more thick as from the Aether upon the Air they become refracted or decline towards the perpendicular drawn through the point of incidency or falling into the superficies of the incidency or medium For Example the ray S f falleth in from the Aether on the Air f is the point of the incidency T f the perpendicular drawn through f to the superficies d r f p therefore the ray S f n shall be refracted f T that of f n may be made f L. So of r m is made r L but the contrary is when that the rays proceed from the water to the Air for then they more recede from the perpendicular line drawn Lastly this also is the nature of refractions that the rays falling in perpendicularly on the superficies of another medium are not refracted but only those that fall obliquely and not perpendicularly and by so much they are the more refracted by how much they fall in the less perpendicularly or by how much the more they depart from the perpendicular So the rays S T f T H d T are not refracted because that they are perpendicular on the superficies d r f p but the rays S f S r are refracted because that they fall obliquely and indeed S f more than S r. From whence it followeth which Experience also testifieth that by how much the Stars are more near the Horizon by so much the more they refract their rays by how much the higher by so much the less And Astronomers have observed that the refraction is insensible where the Star hath attained the altitude of 20 degrees not that there is no refraction but that it is very small And for many Examples the skilful in the Opticks and later Mathematicians have derived the Rule of refraction of all Rays falling in obliquely viz. that in every medium there is one constant account between the sign of the Angle falling in and the sign of the Angle refracted to wit the Angle n f T is termed the Angle of incidency L f T the Angle refracted n f L the Angle of refraction and so in the refraction of the ray s r m. Therefore as the sign of the Angle T f n is to the sign of the Angle T f L the same is the reason of the sign of the Angle T r m to the sign of the Angle T r L. Thence it followeth that if from observation we have the quantity of refraction to the elevation of one Ray we may thence know the quantity of the refraction of all others howsoever elevated Proposition XXII The Atmosphere or Air causeth the Sun or the rest of the Stars to be seen before that they arise in the Horizon also to appear for some small space of time after that they have set also that they appear higher than they are and in another place of the Heavens as long as that they are no higher than 20 degrees The Air causeth the Sun and Stars to be seen before they arise in the Horizon We have sufficiently explained the Cause in the precedent Proposition only we shall add some Experiences or Natural Phaenomenons When that the Dutch wintered in Nova Zembla the Sun appeared to them sooner by sixteen days than it was in the Horizon that is when that it was as yet depressed beneath the Horizon about four degrees and that in a serene Air. And famous Astronomers have found it out with Tycho Brahe that in our places the Morning-sky or Air being serene we may behold the Sun elevated above the Horizon 34 minutes when that as yet he is wholy under the Horizon yet so that his limbus or skirt doth enlighten the Horizon And the Sun seemeth to arise when that as yet he is depressed about 34 minutes beneath the Horizon to wit the Air of the place where we are being serene So the Spica Virginis a bright Star seemeth to rise to us when that yet he is depressed 32 minutes beneath the Horizon which is thence collected because is seemeth to arise when the Cauda Leonis is 34 degrees 30 minutes high and in the same quarter in which this Star of the
is said to be like unto it then after a while the Cloud augmenteth and extendeth it self over the whole plain of the Mountain Then on a sudden an Ecnephias breaketh forth from the top of the Mountain with so great violence that it over-setteth and sendeth to the bottom Ships that are unprovided and not well strengthned but Sea-men being now more cautious when that they once discover that Bulls or Oxes-eye presently depart from the Shoar as far as they can and then furl their Sails and use other Artifices to preserve their Ships neither doth this Prognostick ever fail therefore they fly this deadly Banquet After the same mode an Ecnephias rageth at Terra de Nata the Bulls-eye fore-runing it by which many Ships have been cast away And so it is also in that whole tract between that and and the Promontory of Good-hope In Dauphin in France not far from Vienna is a high Mountain on the top of which is a standing-Pool from whence all Tempests seem to arise in these places on the top of it is procreated a Cloudy exhalation which foresheweth immediately Thunder or Storms to succeed In the Sea between America and Africa and near the Aequator such Ecnephiae and Travados are frequent especially in those Months in which no Winds blow constantly or if they do it is very seldom viz. throughout the whole year especially in April May and June in other Months it is more rare and they are very observable on the Coasts of Guinea The Portugals as I have said call them Travados which word also the Dutch keep but the Inhabitants of Guinea call them Agremonte They often happen viz. three or four times in a day by and by they cease for they continue for the most part above an hour and a half but the first shock is very violent They break out of black and dusty Clouds the Sky being clear at hand By their assistance Sea-men oftentimes pass the Aequator because that other continual Winds are often wanting there especially in those three Months neither do they hinder Ships to sail except at the first onset But in the Sea that is near to that part of Africa in which the Kingdom of Loango is scituated there is a frequent Ecnephias in January February March and April so on the Promontory of Africa called by the Ancients Aromata and now Guardafu not far from the Mouth of the Red Sea in May every year the North-wind rageth and a most violent Ecnephias For you must know that as some Anniversary winds are less violent so also Tempests and Ecnephiae are Anniversary in some places In such an Ecnephias not far from that place the Portugal Admiral Sodrens was lost Anno 1505 who being forewarned by the Africans would not follow good Advice But in the Mouth of this Arabian Sea as also in Arabia and Aethiopia a peculiar and wonderful Ecnephias doth somewhat happen viz. a thick and black Cloud mixed with Nubicular flames like to a burning Furnace dismal to behold cloudeth the day in darkness of an instant a Storm breaketh forth the rage or which is by and by pacified but it casteth forth red Sand in great abundance on the Land and Sea so that the Arabians say that it hath often happened that such Storms of Sand have overwhelmed the Annual Company of Merchants and Travellers with their Camels they term them Carawanen Caravans or Cassila viz. every year once or twice Merchants being met together from divers parts of Asia in Syria go from Aleppo into Arabia about six thousand persons by reason that the wonted Robberies of the Arabians and the difficulty of the way cause them to fear to Travel alone which also they do from India to China and Tartary and thence they say that the Mumia of the Arabians and Aegyptians hath its original Viz. those Bodies covered with the drifts of Sand are-dried up by the great heat of the Sun Now this Ecnephias ariseth from the Northern quarter into which the Red-Sea is extended and therefore it is probable that seeing so great a quantity of this Sand is sound on the shoar of this Sea that it is raised aloft by the Wind and that thence that Red colour is seen in the Clouds and thence also the Sand is ejected from the Clouds That such an Ecnephias ariseth in Lybia by reason of the great quantity of Sand is not improbable and was in some measure known to the Ancients who therefore writ That the access to the famous Temple of Jupiter Ammon in Lybia was difficult neither were they altogether ignorant of the generation of Mumia Twistius a Dutch-man that lived a long time in India saith that in the Kingdom of Guzurat Clouds of Sand or an huge quantity of Dust that are elevated by the heat of the Sun do oftentimes overwhelm the Travellers Now we must speak of the Causes of this Tempestuous wind whence the Ecnephias proceedeth It is evident that it breaketh forth of a Cloud Now there are two Modes by which such a Wind may seem to be generated from a Cloud 1. If that a Cloud tending downwards by its gravity striketh the Air with a great force as we discover by Experience if that stretched forth Sails fall the Air is moved with an impetus And thence it cometh to pass that by how much the Cloud or Bulls-eye appeareth less by so much the Storm is the greater that followeth viz. because that the Cloud is more high and therefore appeareth small and descending down from a higher place it more vehemently striketh the Air the other is the motion of the generation if that the Wind included in the Cloud breaketh forth suddenly or by reason of some fire or Sulphureous matter the way being rendred strait and other outlets being restrained the Vapours strike as from a Vessel of a narrow mouth containing water if that it be heaped the wind breaketh forth but the first cause seemeth more probable Proposition XI An Exhydrias is a Wind breaking from a Cloud with great abundance of water A Wind called an Exhydrias It is little different from an Ecnephias but that the Cloud from whence it seemeth to break is now condensed into water and so long upheld by other circumstantial Clouds and peradventure forced into one by the winds until by its ponderosity it rusheth downwards and strikes the Air whence a great Wind proceedeth But these Exhydrias are very rare yet the Ecnephias hath for the most part Rains Showers or thick Clouds accompanying him and therefore only differeth from the Exhydrias according to the more or the less For a Nimbus is nothing else but a Wind with a violent Rain and therefore is more general than an Ecnephias but an Exhydrias oftentimes falleth perpendicularly from the top Proposition XII A Typhon is a violent Wind passing swiftly through all the quarters about a place and for the most part rushing from the top A VVind called a Typhon The Saracens call it Olifant the
Indians Orancan It is often in the Oriental Sea especially in the Sea of Sian China and Japan between Malacca and Japan This violently breaking almost from the Western quarter and being whirled about the Horizon with a rapid course perfects its circumference by continual increase in the space of twenty hours raising those vast Seas with an horrid violence and swellings the Billows beating one another take away all hope of safety from the Mariners and so both by reason of these Typhons and also other Storms sailing from India to Japan is very dangerous so that it is accounted an happy Voyage if that one Ship of three keepeth its course At the Autumnal Season a most furious Typhon doth especially predominate and that often with so great violence that those that have not seen it can hardly believe it so that it is no wonder that some mighty Ships have been weakned by those great Waves you would think in this Storm that Heaven and Earth would meet Neither doth it only rage on the Sea but also on the Shoars and overwhelmeth many Houses and throweth up huge Trees by the roots and forceth great Ships from the Sea on the Land for about a quarter of a mile The Mariners term it a Wind that runneth round the Compass In the Indian Ocean it seldom continueth above six hours and maketh the Sea so level at the first as if that it were plained but on a sudden horrible Waves do follow So about the City Ardibil in Persia in June and July every day when that the Sun is at his Meridian height a Whirlwind ariseth for an hour by which a great dust is raised Questionless the cause of a Typhon is that a wind breaking forth with violence from some one quarter towards another findeth an obstruction in this and therefore is wreathed and turned into it self as we see that if water be suddenly moved if that an obstacle be put in its way it moveth in a round suddenly and with a force It may be that a Typhon may arise from opposite winds blowing together violently which render the superficies of the Sea so plain and comprehend the Ships in the middle If that it rush from above it is called Caetegis and then it maketh the Sea so plain as if that it had been plained but presently mighty Floods or Waves arise Proposition XIII Whether that some Winds break forth from the Earth or Water Of VVinds breaking forth from the Earth or VVater We easily apprehend that this may easily be seeing that Cavities are here and also Winds Sulphureous substances and Moisture Now nothing hinders but that a gust sufficiently vehement may be there generated viz. if that it be any thing hindred as it is procreated to go forth or if that it be presently generated in a great quantity as much as the winds require If that the Outlet be hindred an Earthquake is generated or a wind with a violent force maketh wey for it self and thrusts forwards the Earth So oftentimes a Smoak breaketh forth from the Earth in the Isles of Maarice so also from some Caves In Japan is a Fountain breaking forth at certain hours of the day with great noise Yet I do not remember that I have read of any Wind breaking forth out of the Sea Proposition XIV Whether that a certain Wind may arise from the flowing of the Sea and of the Rivers Of a VVind that floweth from the Sea and Rivers Experienced testifieth that in those places where the flux and reflux of the Sea is discovered if at any time the Air be free from other winds from the most part with the water flowing from the Sea a wind also bloweth from the Sea Therefore it seemeth probable that the Air by reason of the contiguity is carried with the water to the same quarter But this should be more diligently observed Whether when that the Air is still the same wind is discovered with the afflux of the Sea I think yet that another cause of this Wind may be given viz. that the Air is forced from the place by the flowing water Now the Air is much moved at a very little impression so they will have the Air moved with the Rivers that run swiftly Proposition XV. Why Ignes fatui Castor and Pollux and Helena are amongst Tempests The Portugals call them Corpo Santo the Spaniards St. Elmo Now not only one but many are oftentimes beheld in Ships at the Masts wandring with an uncertain motion as other Ignes fatui although that sometimes they may seem to fix on the Sails and Masts But sometimes leaping up and down they appear like a flame or a Candle burning obscurely If that four such vicine Lights be seen the Portugals term them Cora de Nostra Seneora the Crown of our Blessed Lady or Virgin Mary And these they account of as a most certain sign of the Tempests to cease The cause of those Fires is a Sulphureous part full of Bitumen forced downwards through that great motion of the Air and forced or fired into one by agitation or congregation So we see by agitation that the Butter of Milk is separated from this Phaenomenon is also collected that for the most part those violent Tempests proceed from a Sulphureous spirit rarefying and moving the Clouds Proposition XVI Why there is so frequent a Calm in the Sea near Guinee and under the Aequator in the Atlantick Ocean between America and Africa Frequent ' Calms in the Atlantick Ocean This is one of the Phaenomenons about Winds of no small difficulty That at Guinee which is two degrees from the Aequator and under the Aequator is almost a perpetual Calm especially in April May and June where no motions are found there when that no such thing is observed in other parts of the Ocean scituate under the Aequator Indeed an Ecnephias is sometimes sufficiently frequent there but this also is desired oftentimes by the Sea-men because that by the force of frequent Ecnephiae they endeavour to sail beyond the Aequator For it happeneth very often that Ships sailing from Europe to India are detained a whole Month at the Aequator before that they can pass it Now especially they avoid the Coasts of Guinee and the Calm there and therefore with some hindrance to their Voyage they sail towards Brazil yea some Ships are detained here for three Months before that they can depart from the Coasts into the Mid-Sea I have not yet found out the cause of the Phaenomenon unless perchance this be it that Snows are found intercepted in no Mountains of Africa between Guinee and Barbary which may generate the Winds Proposition XVII In some Regions the Tempests are Anniversary Of Tempests Anniversary in some Regions We have given some Examples of these in our former Propositions viz. 1. Concerning the mutation of Motions 2. Concerning our Ecnephias 3. Concerning a Typhon 4. At the Promontory of Good-hope in June and July 5. In the Isle
for if these Rains fall not and the Clouds obscured not the Sun that great heat of the Sun would render the ground Sandy and Steril as Lybia and Arabia where these Rains are not the Sun being near the Vertex Contrary wise in the Months of December January and February they should have Winter or lesser heat because that then the Sun is most remote from them and then they have Summer Yet in the night the Air is cold enough moreover a continual Wind from the 12th hour of the day to the 12th hour of the night bloweth from the Sea which is very acceptable 14. In the Coast of the East Indies which is called Choromandel the seasons also differ from the Heavens for in the Months of March April May and June the Sun causeth vehement heat and there is no rain Now the People which for the most part are Saracens divide the year into the hot the wet and the Cold seasons the hot or Summer as I have said is in the months of March April May and June but the intollerable heat is from the middle of May to the middle of June the Wind blowing from the North unto which if you turn your face you shall discover so great a heat of the Air as if you drew nigh an Oven for the Sun then in that Plaga is in the Meridies also the Wood and Stones contract a great heat yet the Waters in the Wells is so cold that many drinking thereof for extream heat dye The greatest heat of the day is between Nine in the Forenoon and Three in the Afternoon in these intermedial hours they rest from travelling the other hours before Nine in the Morning and Three in the Afternoon the Air is at least tolerably temperate serene and acceptable the Heaven delightful and travelling pleasant The VVet season taketh up four months July August September and October The Cold season November December January and February in December and January the Cold is sensible enough especially in the night Here are many things which deserve our enquiry for in the months of March April May and June the Sun cometh to those places of the Coast of Choromandel and becometh Vertical to them therefore it is no wonder if they have great heat but why have they not the same heat in July and August feeing he is equally as near them in those months and by reason of the former heat it should be more hot Moreover why do the seasons of the Coast of Choromandel differ from the seasons of the Coast of Malabar seeing that they both lie in the same Climate and have the Sun Vertical on the same days and on the same remote And that which is more to be wondered at there interceedeth between these two Regions in some places 70 in others only 20 miles interval so that you may come into a place of a serene and servid Air where the Winter predominateth and that in the space of one day Masseus thus speaketh of these places In these Regions saith he amongst other admirable things that above others exceedeth the reach of all Philosophers that in the same Plaga of the Heavens in the equal access and recess of the Sun in the same months of the year from the Sun rising beyond the Mountain of Gatis which by a direct excursion to the Promontory of Cori intersects the whole Region of Malabar there is Summer and drought and from the West on this side Gatis there are Rains and Winter that in so near a propinquity of places in respect of the course of the seasons the same People almost seem Antipodes one to another But not only in these but also in others we have shewed this diversity to be found and shall shew more anon The cause is the scituation of the Mountains which determinate the Land of Choromandel from Malabar proceeding from the North towards the South To this must be added divers Winds for on the Coast of Choromandel a general Eastern Wind is more discovered except in the Summer months of May and June which driveth the vapours towards the tops of the Mountains whence it raineth in the Land of Malabar These Mountains tops are discovered to be continually covered with Clouds in the Pluvial months also more vehement Showrs in those where the rain is in Malabar But when it raineth in the Region of Choromandel then is there a serenity in the tops of the Mountains as in the Land of Malabar except the months July and August for in these it raineth in both Lands 15. In the Regions of the Gangick Sea opposite to the Coast of Chroromandel and in the Northern Torrid Zone as Sian Peru the Chersonesus of Malacca the Pluvial months in which the Rivers overslow are September October and November But in the Land of Malacca it raineth every week of the year twice or thrice except the months of January February and March in which there is a continual drought All these are contrary to the Celestial course and their causes must be sought from the Mountains Winds the propinquity of the Sea and the like But because as yet we have no accurate observations concerning these Regions we will not search them here The chief cause of the Fertility of these Regions is the overflowing of the Rivers The vapours of the adjacent Sea the Rivers and the Winds do much allay the heat whence the Inhabitants have great plenty of Fruits In the Kingdom of Patana and those bordering on it the Summer beginneth in February and continueth to the end of October in which time there is a continual heat which is allayd with a continual Oriental Wind the Air wholsom In November December and January there are continual Rains which yet do not hinder a new increase every month at the least The same must be understoood of Camboja And this Winter agreeth with the Celestial course 16. Leaving Asia the Pacifick Sea being Sayled over we enter that part of America which lieth under the Torrid Zone which is twofold South and North the South again is twofold Peru and Brazilia although the parts of Peru be vicine yet they have contrary Seasons in one and the same time for the Region of Peru is divided into three parts the Shoar or Maritim part the Mountainous and the Plain part which he in the same Climate In the Mountainous places they have a Plavial Winter from the month of October to the end of March when they should have Summer by the vicinity of the Sun They have Summer from the entrance of April to October in which months no Rains do fall but in the Winter months there are continual Rains Therefore the Terrestrial seasons differ here from the Celestial In Maritim Peru there is almost no Winter in the whole year but they account their Winter from the month of April to October which agreeth with the Celestial cause because the Sun is then removed from them to the Tropick of Cancer and thence returneth by reason
that in those months it Raineth not but almost every day the Clouds appear so thick as if it would immediately Rain but there falleth only a certain kind of Dew and that especially in the months of June July and August Yet this mist is not unwholsom but being condenfed into Dew and falling it irrigateth the Vallies It doth not Rain at this time in the Mountainous places but is a serene season This Maritim Peru is distinguished into Vallies and Sandy places the Vallies are abundantly fertile the Sandy places which are between every Valley are steril also in the adjacent Islands it never raineth but a Dew only falleth In the Isle of Gorgon which is removed three degrees from the Aequator towards the South it raineth for Eight months almost continually with so great Thunder and Storms not to be parallel'd In May June July and August it is Summer and dry contrary to the Celestial course In some parts of this Torrid Zone it is very cold for in the Province of Pastoa in the Valley Airssina both in Summer and Winter the season is very cold so that the fruit encreaseth not In the Region of Cusco which lyeth almost in the middle betwen the Tropick of Capricorn and the Aequator hard Frosts and Snows are also found From whence it is collected that Peru is parched with no violent heat but rather enjoyeth a temperate Air throughout the whole year excepting its Sandy places and Hills but the Vallies are most fertile and pleasant abounding with Trees and Fruits Their Water they receive in the Winter from the Dew which I have said falleth every day but in the Summer from the Flouds which descend and rush from the Mountains because in the Mountainous Region it is then Winter and raineth And from these Torrents the Inhabitants conduct the Water by certain convoyances into the Vallies yet some Vallies are content only with the Dew and yet produce abundance of Fruit. The cause of this diversity between the seasons of the Mountainous and the plain Peru and why it never raineth in the level Peru is difficult to declare for these Mountainous parts are so near to the level Maritim Peru that any one in the morning descending from these pluvial and raging showers in the evening may arrive at the level Peruvia where there is no rain but a serene Air. The cause seemeth to be twofold First those tops of the Mountains And Secondly a South-West Wind which is proper and perpetual to Peru. Therefore this Wind forceth the Vapours towards the Mountains where they are as it were conderised so that the Clouds may not destil their drops in the level Peru but in the Mountainous places they are attracted after the mode which we have explained concerning Mountains Therefore Peru hath this in common with Aegypt and some other places that the South Winds are not the cause of Rain and warmth but rather a clearing the Air although it may seem to have place in all the places lying towards the South from the Aequator 17. The South part of America viz. Brazilia is very pleasant and excelleth with an wholsom disposition of the Air so that it giveth place unto no Region of the Earth Concerning its seasons the Inhabited front of it receiveth the Subsolan Wind which refresheth Men and Beasts and freeth them from the intolerable heat of the Vertical Sun which if it approach the Sea is discovered in the morning if it depats from thence it is discerned more after the Spring of the morning See Piso in his Book De medicina Braziliensi concerning the seasons neither doth it languish about the evening It is wont do do so in many parts of India but it is so intense by the assistance of the Sun that it is vigorous beyond midnight and the Nocturnal Condensation of the Air cannot easily dul or overcome that dilation and natural motion of the Air. But the other part which is seperated from Peru by high ridges of Mountains and vast spaces although it be infested with an unwholsom West Wind and a Mediterranean Gale at midnight yet it is every where encompassed with Mountains near the Sea and is so driven from the Matutine Gale that it can hardly penetrate to the Shores As in these most delectable and constant seasons of the year there are no great mutations so they happen in the day and night seasons more evidently because the days and nights are not more equal in space than different in heat and cold for the Sun ascending higher after it hath opened the pores of the Earth and Men it hideth it self more profoundly and that by an equal interval whence the greater condensation of the Air effects the more extream rorifluous part of the night Hence a penetrating cold from the third hour of the night even to the rising of the Sun striketh the body so that that this is wont to be very noxious to those that are new comers into the Land which he that shunneth not will hardly lead a good life in these or other parts of the Indies The Brazilians therefore very cautiously keep a continual fire in their habitations and near their resting places by the benefit of which they may be able to indure cold and drive away venemous Infects Moreover the direct ascent and descent of the Sun causeth the shortest Crepusculas and maketh the nights so even to the days that an hours difference can hardly be found The cold is more in the Summer nights than in the Winter which is to be admired at and it is more mildly discovered in the latter than in the former the Air being tranquillous The beginning of the Wet season is in the month of March or April and is finished in August in which the Sun returning from Cancer in part dissolveth the matter of the Rain into winds whence immediately proceed storms and tempests which by and by the Spring Season calmly composeth The Inhabitants of the Tropicks know no mutation about the seasons of the year the Sun twice coming towards and departing back as many supposed but only going away from the Aequator to the Tropick of Cancer or Capricorn There are only two times of the year whereof one is dry and hot called Summer the other hot and moist like to Summer with us in Europe which supplyeth the place of Winter And this is found most true in all the Indies between both Tropicks For although the beginning and end of the Winter and Summer seasons by reason of the particular incidences of the place and also for the greater or lesser vicinity of the Aequator do not happen in the same yet for the most part the year is accomplished in about six months inclining to Humidity and six to Siccity and on that account as in the places of many Citties of Asia and Africa of the same Latitude with us there is thence a great remission of the heat our here is little perceived although the Sun passeth the Zenith of
top of the approaching Mast of the Ship or Tower may be seen to find out the Altitude of the Tower or Mast of the Ship In the Diagram of the former Proposition in the Triangle N O T from the given N T T O the Arch N P is found which being substracted from the Known Arch P F from the given distance turned into minutes the Arch F N or the Angle N T S is left And in the Triangle N T S the right Angle N T is given and N is the right Angle therefore the Hypotenusa T S shall be found from which if T F be taken F S is left the demanded Altitude of the Tower or Mast of the Ship or of any Mountain Proposition VII The refraction of Rays in the Air augmenteth the apparent Semidiameter of the sensible Horizon Of refraction of Rays in the Air. For there is a divers refraction of the Air in divers places but the thicker by how much it is nearer the Earth Therefore although a Ray cannot come by a direct way to the Eye O from the point scituated beyond N for Example F yet his Ray may be so broken in the Air that the refract may be N O or the Tangent of the Earth CHAP. XXXV Of the three parts of the Nautick Art and in special of the first part viz. the making or building of Ships Proposition I. That is termed the Nautical Art or Science which teacheth how a Ship may most safely with the assistance of the winds be sailed from one place to another through the Sea By the Winds Ships are carried from one place to another in the Seas BEcause in this discipline the places of the Earth are compared amongst themselves or mutually to themselves and their respective scituation is examined therefore deservedly it is referred to the respective part of Geography Now I suppose that three parts may conveniently be constituted of this most Noble Art so much useful to human Society 1. The Art of building of Ships which also considereth the motion of the Ship in the water or else presupposeth it as known 2. Concerning the lading of Ships 3. The Direction Gubernation or Sailing of a Ship which is termed the Art of the Master or Pilot and in general the Art of Navigation by way of Excellency unto which also the definition of the Nautick Art is most of all agreeable And this part with greater right doth appertain unto Geography than the two former which are more truly referred to the Staticks and Mechanicks now the Art of Sailing doth wholly depend on Geography Proposition II. In the Fabricks of Ships these things following must be observed Things to be noted in the Fabricks of hips 1. That the matter or wood be taken which may endure very long in the water of which Vitruvius and other Authors are to be consulted Hither also belongeth how the Woods are to be prepared and their density to be augmented the unuseful moisture to be consumed with Fire Pitched and defended from corruption This Doctrine must be taken from Philosophy 2. That such a Figure or Shape be given to a Ship that is most apt for a quick motion and may be moved by a small power 3. In this Fabrick and in reference to the Figure this must be observed that a Ship may with ease be defended against storms and tempests but of this I shall treat in the Second Part where I shall speak of the lading of Ships The Magnitude of Ships 4. The Magnitude of Ships must be considered where there is a great comparison between the Ancient and Moderns Some suppose that the Ship of Alexandria made by Archimedes by the Command of Hiero King of Sicily and presented to Ptolomy King of Aegypt was of 12000 tuns The Ship of Philopater is delivered by Calixenus to have been in length 280 Cubits in breadth 38 and in highth 48 Cubits The greatest Ships at this day are those of the Spaniards or Portugals they call them Caracasts But of all Nations in Christendom the English may best brag of their gallant Ships for the service of War 5. There belongeth to the building of Ships the knowledge of every part as the Keil the Rudder Ribs Head Stern Masts Yards Cables and Anchors c. of which not only the matter figure and coherency but also the Weight and Magnitude are to be explained 6. To the Fabrick of Ships belongeth the skill how to prevent a breach leak or other defects of Ships Thus much in brief of the First Part of the Nautick Art of building of Ships CHAP. XXXVI Of the Lading of Ships or the Second Part of the Nautick Art Proposition I. The burden to lade Ships withall is expressed by Lasts and Tuns Of the Lading of Ships THe Tun of a Ship is supposed to be 2000 pound weight the Lasts twelve Tuns Proposition II. The body or matter which is higher than water is not mergent altogether in the water but some part of it is above but if it be of a greater weight than water it will sink to the bottom if of the same weight it keepeth the given place in the water Hitherto belongeth the various knowledge of the weights of bodies as of Lead Gold Iron Wheat Sand Oyl Wine the gravity of all which must be compared with water Corollary From hence it is manifest that the weight of the matter to lade the Ship with taken with the burden of the Ship ought to be lesser than the burden or gravity of the water whose moles is equal to the solidity or capacity of the whole Ship Proposition III. By how much the Figure of the Ship cometh to an Ordinate that is to a Cubick equality of Longitude Latitude and Thickness by so much the more it can sustain the greater burden in the water The demonstration must be sought from the Staticks Proposition IV. In the Lading of Ships respect must be had to two things first that there is not imposed so great a burden that its weight taken may be equal with the weight of the Ship or greater than the Moles of the water which is equal to the solidity of the Ship but that it be lesser though not much But if the matter to lade the Ship be so light the burden must be augmented with Ballast Secondly the depth of the water must be considered through which the Ship is to sail Ballasts required in a Ship For although the gravity of the Water admitteth of this or that weight of the Ship or Lading when this is lesser than the equal gravity of the Ship is to the moles of the Water yet if the Water hath lesser profundity than the part of the Ship beneath the Superficies of the Water the bottom will not grant a motion to the Ship but detain it This is the reason that Spanish Ships carry greater burden than Dutch Spanish Ships carry greater burden than the Dutch because they have the Sea deeper on
for Woolen-Cloth In this City there hath been observed to be 777 Brewers 40 Bakers one Lawyer and one Physitian the reason of this great disproportion as one wittily observed was that a Cup of Nimis is the best Vomiting potion and their Controversies were sooner composed over a Pot of Drink than by order of Law 3. Stoad commodiously seated for Traffick on the Elve about five miles distance from Hambourg once a place of a better Trade than now it is These Cities are called Free from their great Prerogatives in coyning Money and ruling by their own Laws and Imperial as knowing no Lord or Protector but the Emperour to whom they pay two Thirds of such Contributions as are assessed in the Assemblies Germany is a spacious Country and very populous the People are of a strong Constitution and good Complexion are very ingenious and stout much given to drink but of a generous disposition the Poorer sort great Pains-takers and the Nobles which are many for the Title of the Father descends to all their Children are either good Scholars or stout Souldiers so that a Son of a Duke is a Duke a thing which the Italians hold so vain and foolish that in derision they say That the Dukes and Earls of Germany the Dons of Spain the Nobility of Hungaria the Bishops of Italy the Lairds of Scotland the Monsieurs of France and the younger Brethren of England make a poor Company There are so many inferiour yet free Princes in this Country that in a days Journey a Traveller may meet with many Laws and as many sorts of Coin every Prince making use of his own Laws and Coins whose Laws the Emperours are sworn to keep which made one say that the Emperour is King of Kings the King of Spain King of Men and the King of France King of Asses as bearing his heavy Taxes The fertility and Commoditles of Germany The Country is generally fertil and temperate being scituate under the Temperate Zone Here are many Mines of Silver and other Inferiour Mettals it hath store of Corn and Wine which they transport to forreign Countries as likewise Linnen Laces Woollen and divers Manufactures also Quicksilver Alom Arms of all sorts and other Iron-works and its Ponds Lakes and Rivers are well stored with Fish It s chief Rivers The chief Rivers of Germany are the Rhine the Weser the Elbe and the Oder for the Danube having but a small course in this Country shall be elsewhere spoken of The Commodities and Trade of Belgium That part which we call BELGIVM or the Low Countries is of a large extent seated in the North Temperate Zone under the 8 and 9th Climates the longest day being 17 hours the Air by reason of the industry of the Inhabitants in draining the Marishes and turning the standing-standing-Waters into running-Streams is now very healthful as being purged from those gross Vapours which did thence arise the Country lieth exceeding low and therefore subject to Inundations The Commodities that these Countries yield are Linnens Yarn Thread Sayes Silks Velvets Tapestries Pictures Prints Blades Sope Butter Cheese Fish Pots Bottles Ropes Cables Armour several Manufactures c. besides the Commodities of India Persia China Turkey and other parts which are here had in great plenty by reason of the vast Trade they drive in all parts The Estates of the Crown of POLAND are POLAND under the name of which is comprized The Kingdom of POLAND as it is divided into the Higher or Little POLAND where are the Palatinates of Cracou with its Castlewicks of Cracou Vounicz Sandecz Biecz Sandomirie with its Castlewicks of Sandomitz Vislicz Radom Zawichost Zaroâ—w Malogocz Czeschow Lublin with its Castle Lublin Lower or Great POLAND where are the Palatinates of Posna where are the Castlewicks of Posna Meseritz Ragozno Sremck Brzesti Crimn Sandock Kalisch with its Castlewicks of Kalisch Kamin Gnesna Landa Nackel Biechow Sirad with its Castlewicks of Sirad Wielâ—n Rozpirz Lencini with its Castlewicks of Lencici Bressini Inowlocz Dobrzin with its Castlewicks of Dobizin Rippin Stouck Ploczk with its Castlewicks of Ploczk Rasuntz Sceps Rava with its Castlewicks of Rava Sochaczow Gostiny Cowal Divers Dutchies with their Castlewicks to wit RUSSIA NOIRE which is esteemed in the Higher Poland where are the Palatinates of Leowenborg or Leopolis with its Castlewicks of Leowenborg Halicz Drzemist Zamoscie Belz with its Castlewicks of Beln Chelm CUJAVIA which is esteemed in the Lower Poland where are the Palatinates of Brzesti with its Castlewicks of Brzesti Krusnick Cowal Uladislau with its Castlewicks of Uladislau Bidgost MAZOVIA also esteemed in the Lower Poland where are the Palatinates of Czersk with its Castlewicks of Warzaw Liw Czersk Wissegrod Zakrotzim Ciechanow Wilna PRUSSIA or PRUSSE as it is divided in POLAQUIE PRUSSIA ROYALE where are the Palatinates of Dantzick with its Castlewicks of Dantzick Elbing with its Castlewicks of Elbing Marienburg with its Castlewicks of Marienburg Culm with its Castlewicks of Culm PRUSSIA DUCALE with its Palatinate and Castlewick of Koningsberg with its Palatinate of Bielsk with its Castlewick of Bielsk And divers other Estates Dutchies c. united or subject to the Crown of POLAND viz. Dutchy of LITHUANIA under the name of which are comprised LITHUANIA where are the Palatinates of Wilna with its Castlewicks of Wilna Osmiana Wilkomirs Braslaw with its Castlewicks Braslaw Misdzial Troki with its Castlewicks Troki Kowno Grodno Lida Minsk with its Castlewicks of Minsk Borissow Robaczow Rzeczica Mary Minsk with its Castlewicks of Mscislnw Mohilow Orssa Novogrodeck with its Castlewicks of Novogrodeck Slonim Woskowiska Polosczk with its Castlew of Polosczk Vitepsk with its Castlew of Vitepsk POLESIE where is Breâ—siici with its Castlew of Bressici SAMOGITIE with its Palatinate and Castlewick of Rosienie Dutchy of VOLHYNIE as it is divided in the Higher VOLHYNIE with its Palarinate of Lusuc with its Castlewicks of Lusuc Wolodomiers Krzemienec Lower VOLHYNIE with its Palatinate of Kiovia with its Castlewicks of Kiovia Owrucze Zitomirz PODOLIE with its Palat. of the Higher PODOLIE as Kamieniec with its Castlew of Kamieniec Lower PODOLIE as Braclaw with its Castlewick of Braclaw Part of MOSCOVIA where are The Dutchies of Smolensko with its Castlew of Smolensko Novogrodeck with its Cast of Novogrodeck POLAND Poland and its parts THE Estates of the Crown of Poland ought to be considered in two sorts the one called the Estates of POLAND and the other of LITHVANIA these two having heretofore had their Kings and Dukes apart and not having been united till within about 270 years The Estates of Poland shall be Poland which we will divide into the Higher and Lower or Lesser and Greater and into the Dutchies of Russia Noire Cajavia Mazovia and Prussia The Estates of Lithuania may be divided into Lithuania Volhinia Podolia c. all Dutchies but Lithuania much the greater wherefore he who possesseth them is entituled the Great Duke of Lithuania It s extent All these Estates of Poland and Lithuania taken
the Helm of State have precedency as the Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper Lord President of his Majesties Council Lord Privy Seal Lord high Chamberlain the Earl Marshal the Lord Chamberlain the Master of the Horse c. Precedency may be thus observed the King who is the fountain of Honour the Prince of England who is eldest Son to the King and is born Duke of Cornwal and about the age of 17 years is usually created Prince of Wales Princes of the Blood Royal who are the Sons Brothers Uncles and Nephews of the King The Archbishop of Canterbury the Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper the Archbishop of York Lord Treasurer of England Lord President of the Privy Council Lord Privy Seal Dukes Marquesses Dukes eldest Sons Earls Marquesses eldest Sons Dukes younger Sons Viscounts Earls eldest Sons Marquesses younger Sons Bishops Barons Viscounts eldest Sons Earls younger Sons Barons eldest Sons Privy Counsellors that are not Noblemen Judges Viscounts younger Sons Barons younger Sons Knights of the Garter if not otherwise dignified as is rarely found Knights Bannerets Baronets Knights of the Bath Knights Batchelors Colonels Sergeants at Law Masters of Chancery and Doctors and Esquires and those may be comprehended under five several heads 1. Esquires unto the Kings Body 2. the descendants by the Male-line from a Peer of the Realm 3. the eldest Sons of Knights of the Garter Baronets Knights of the Bath and Knights Batchelors 4. the two Esquires attending on the Knights of the Bath at their Knighting and 5. Officiary Esquires as Justices of the Peace Barresters at Law Lieutenant Colonels Majors and Captains and lastly Gentlemen At a Marshal Court held at White-Hall the 18th of March An. Dom. 1615. it was declared and concluded on that there are two degrees that establish and settle the Title of an Esquire by birth the one the younger Sons of Peers of the Realm which do invest into the Heirs-males descended from them the Name and Title of Esquires the other the lineal Heir-male of a Knights House and these may justly assume and challenge the Title of Esquire by birth so that in all reason the younger Sons of Peers are more worthy than Knights so the setling of a Title proceeding from them is more worthy and eminent than that derived from Knights The Dominions of England The Dominions of the King of England are very large for besides that of England Scotland and Ireland there are divers small Isles scituate nigh unto them and do belong to one or the other as the Isles of ORKNEY or ORCADES in number 32 seated against the North-cape of Scotland The Isles of SHETLAND also under the Scotish Dominions the HEBRIDES in number 44 seated Westwards of Scotland the SORLINGS seated in the Westrn-cape of Cornwall the SPORADES being several Isles dispersed about the British Seas amongst which these following are the chief MAN scituate between England Scotland and Ireland JERSEY and GARNSEY on the French Coast WIGHT part of Hantshire PORTLAND part of Dorsetshire STEEPHOLMS and FLATHOM in Somerfetshire AIBBRE in Cheshire DENNY in Monmouthshire CODLEY in Pembrokeshire ANGLESEY which is one of the Welsh Counties SHEPPEY in Kent NORTHEY OSEY and HORSEY in Essex FERNE COCKET and HOLY Isle in Northumberland with several other small Isles not worth the naming as indeed many of these are Then in Africa as TANGIER GVINEY c. In the East Indies several places though belonging to the East India Company of London and in America large Dominions as NEW ENGLAND NEW YORK MARYLAND VIRGINIA CAROLINA all which are on the Continent also divers Isles some of which are very considerable as JAMAICA BARBADOS BERMVDOS ANTEGO NEW FOVNDLAND c. all which shall be treated of as they come in order but first of the English Counties County of Barkshire described BARKSHIRE well clothed with Wood and watered with Rivers is blest with a sweet Air hath a rich Soil fit both for Corn and Pasturage especially in the Vale of Whitehorse and generally the whole County for profit and pleasure yieldeth to few Shires in England The principal Commodity that this Shire produceth is Cloth which finds great vent and amongst the Rivers that water the County the Isis the Oke and the Kenet which affords excellent Trouts are the chief It is severed into 20 Hundreds in which are 140 Parishes and hath 12 Market Towns Reading Reading pleasantly seated near the Thames and on the Kenet which is navigable for Barges to London which adds much to its Trade which is considerable especially for Cloth and Mault 't is a large Town containing three Parish Churches is beautified with well built Houses hath fair Streets is well inhabited and hath a very considerable Market for Grains Malt Hops and most Country commodities on Saturdays 'T is a Town Corporate governed by a Major 12 Aldermen and as many Burgesses with sub-Officers enjoyeth several Immunities and sendeth Burgesses to Parliament 'T was formerly beautified with a fair and rich Monastery and a strong Castle built by King Henry the First where in the Collegiate Church of the Abby himself and Queen with Maud their Daughter were interr'd both which now lie in their ruins New Windsor Windsor pleasantly seated near the banks of the Thames and adjoyning to a Park and Forest well stored with Game 't is a fair large well frequented and inhabited Town Corporate governed by a Major and other sub-Officers sendeth Burgesses to Parliament and hath a very good Market for Provisions on Saturdays This Town is of great note for its stately Castle and Royal Palace of his Majesty seated on a great eminency wherein is a Chappel for Devotion a Colledge for Learning and an Alms-house for decayed Gentlemen called the poor Knights of Windsor and famous is this Castle not only for giving birth to so many of our Kings and Princes but for being the place where the ceremony of the Knights of the Garter is solemnized on St. Georges day Nigh unto New Windsor is Old Windsor a Town of greater antiquity though not of so much splendor Newbury Newbury well seated on the Kennet and in a Champain Plain a large well inhabited and frequented Town Corporate governed by a Major Aldermen and Burgesses beautified with a spacious Market-place and well built Market-house sufficiently served with Corn Flesh Fish and Fowl on Thursdays This Town had its rise out of the ancient Spinae now a small Village near adjoyning and called Speenhamland and is of note for its Jack of Newbury who got so great an estate by Clothing which this Town at present is very considerable for Wallingford Wallingford a Town of great antiquity and in times past very strong and large containing four Parish Churches within its Walls which took up a mile in circuit 'T is at present a large Town Corporate governed by a Major Aldermen and sub-Officers enjoyeth large Immunities and sendeth Burgesses to Parliament 'T is commodiously seated on the banks of the Thames over which
and its Markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays are very great and well provided with Corn Flesh Fish and Fowl It was formerly a Major Town but at present a Bailiwick Bridgwater seated on a navigable River Bridgwater over which it hath a fine Stone-bridge It is a large well frequented and inhabited Borough Town hath the election of Parliament men is governed by a Major and other sub-Officers was formerly a place of good account having a Castle and an Abby It s Market is on Thursdays which is well served with Corn and Provisions and in the Summer season with Cattle Mynehead seated on the Sea-shoar a Borough Town Mynehead electing Parliament men hath a very good harbour for Ships of a considerable burthen to ride in and is a place of some Trade especially into Ireland yet its Market is but small County of Stafford The County of STAFFORD seated much about the midst of England of a healthful Air and different Soil the Southern parts being generally barren as sandy gravelly or heathy except on the banks of the Rivers yet by the Husbandmans pains in manuring it it beareth good Corn and the Northern parts are hilly and full of grat Heaths and Moors and is made use of for seeding of Cattle And although an Inland County yet by reason of the many Rivers and Brooks it is plentifully furnished with excellent Fish To speak of the Country in general there are more Heaths Moors and wast Ground than in any County in England as to its bigness insomuch that you may go the whole length of the County and see little but Heaths and Moors but these are not without profit as breeding store of Sheep Conies and Deer as well as pleasure for the Gentleman both for the Hawk Gun and Hound and for Parks and Warrens few Counties doth exceed it The Commodities that this Shire affordeth to others are Cattle Sheep Horses Butter Cheese Wool Bacon Iron Iron-ware chiefly Nails Alablaster c. The number of Parishes are 130 and hath 18 Market Towns many of which are of considerable account Litchfield Litchfield a City and County of it self seated in a pleasant Champain Country divided from the Cathedral and Close but joyned together by two Bridges and Cawseys It is a City of great antiquity formerly called Licidfeld that is the Field of dead Bodies which name it had from the great number of Christians there slain in the Dioclesian Persecution and here Oswin King of the Northumbers having vanquished the Pagan Mercians erected a Church and made it the Episcopal See of Duina the Bishop which afterwards was made an Archiepiscopal Pale by Pope Hadrian in the Reign of King Offa which dignity expired with his life This City is well built is indifferent large containing 3 Parish Churches besides its Cathedral a beautiful and curious Structure adjoyning to which is the Bishops Palace and the Prebends-houses the Streets are payed and well ordered and is a place much frequented by Gentry It is governed by 2 Bailiffs a Sheriff which are elected out of 24 Burgesses a Recorder Town Clerk with sub-Officers and amongst its Immunities sends Burgesses to Parliament Its Markets are on Tuesdays and Fridays which are plentifully served with Corn and Provisions Stafford Stafford well seated on the River Sowe amongst rich Meadows a fair Town indifferent large containing 2 Parish Churches hath a Free School and a fine square Market-place in which the Shire-Hall is kept for the Assigâ—â— and Sessions of the County the Streets are paved and well ordered and its Houses well built it is governed by a Major and Burgesses hath a Recorder Town Clerk and 2 Serjeants at Mace The Town enjoys large Immunities sends Burgesses to Parliament is well inhabited and frequented and its Markets which is on Saturdays is well served with Corn Flesh and other Provisions New-Castle under Line New-Castle seated on a little Rivulet a large Town Corporate governed by a Major Bailiffs and Burgesses hath a Court of Record to hold plea in all Personal Actions under 40 l. and amongst its Immunities sends Burgesses to Parliament It hath a great Market on Mondays for Cattle some Horses and Sheep with plenty of Provisions and after Low-Monday a Market or rather a Fair every Fortnight for some time Vttoxater uttoxater pleasantly seated near the Banks of the Dove amongst excellent Pasturage The Town is not very well built but pretty large hath a well built Market-place and its Market which is on Wednesdays is said to be one of the greatest in these parts of England for Cattle Sheep Swine Butter Cheese Corn and all Provisions Tamworth Tamworth seated on the Banks of the Tame which divides the Town one part being in this County and the other in Warwickshire The Town at present is of good account though not of that splendor as in former times being incorporated governed by Bailiffs a high Steward under-Steward Recorder and other sub-Officers sends Burgesses to Parliament and hath a Market on Saturdays which is indifferent good for Corn and Provisions and in the Spring time for Cattle and Sheep Walsall Walsall seated on the top of a Hill a well-built Town Corporate governed by a Major and other sub-Officers hath a Court of Record enjoyeth a good Trade for divers Manufactures made of Iron as Nails Bridle-bits Stirrups Spurs and also Bellows here made in great plenty yet its Market which is on Tuesdays is not very great Wolverhampton pleasantly seated on a Hill Wolverhampton beautified with reasonable well built Houses and its Streets handsomly paved is much frequented by Gentry hath a neat Collegiate Church and its Market which is on Wednesdays is very considerable for Corn Cattle and Provisions being esteemed the second Market Town in the County County of Suffolk described SVFFOLK a County of a various Soil and consequently hath sundry growths and Manufactures the Eastern parts all along the Coasts and for 5 or 6 miles Inland are generally very bleak but healthy sandy full of small Hills and Springs and employed in Tillage for Rye Peas Brank Hemp and for Sheep-walks The more Inland part commonly called High-Suffolk or the Wood-lands is pretty level close and dirty and is made use of chiefly for Dayries driving a great trade for their Butter and Cheese and the parts about Bury are Champain and affordeth great store of grain of all sorts It is a County of a large extent is well stored with Parks watered with fresh Streams and blest with a most healthful and sweet Air which makes it to be so well inhabited by Gentry and is traded unto by 27 Market Towns and numbreth 575 Parish Churches Ipswich seated by the Banks of the Orwell Ipswich near the place where its fresh Water and salt meet which with the Tide gives it the conveniency of a Key 'T is a place of great antiquity and was once fenced about with a Wall or Rampier which was thrown down by the
Benjans there is another sort of Pagans whom they call the Parsis who for the most part reside by the Sea-coast addicting themselves to Trades and Commerce they believe that there is one God preserver of the Universe who acts alone and immediately in all things but he hath as they fancy about 30 several Servants to whom he giveth an absolute power over the things which he hath entrusted them with but withall they are obliged to give an account unto him and for these Servants they have a great veneration who have each their particular charge as one having the Government of the Earth another of Fruits another of Beasts another of Military affairs Others who have influences on men some giving understanding others wealth c. Another who takes the possession of the Souls departed which conducts them to the Judges where they are examined and according to their good or evil deeds receive their Sentence and are carried by the good or bad Angels who attend the Judges to Paradise or Hell where they think they shall abide until the end of the world which will be 1000 years after which time they shall enter into other Bodies and lead a better life then they did before Another hath the goverment of Waters another of Metals another of Fire which they hold Sacred c. They have no Mosques or publick places for their Devotion they have a very great esteem of their Teachers and Doctors allowing them a plentiful Estate Their Widows are suffered to marry a second time Adultery and Fornication they severely punish They are forbidden the eating of any thing that hath life Drunkenness they likewise strictly punish These People are much given to Avarice and circumventing those they deal withal The Mahomitans or Mogolls that here inhabit are of a good stature have their Hair black and flaggy but are of a clearer Complexion then the other sort of People aforementioned Their habit behaviour They habit themselves something like the Persians their Garments about their Waists are close to their Bodies but downwards wide they use Girdles and their Shoos and the Covering of their Head is much the same with those of the Turks And they are likewise distinguished by their Glothes which according to the degree and quality and the person doth exceed in richness They are very civil ingenious and reserved yet are expensive in their Appareb Feastings and great lovers of Women And so much for the Mogolls Countrey The Peninsula of INDIA without the Ganges Its bounds THe Peninsula without the Ganges is between the Mouths of Indus and Ganges and advances from the East of the Great Mogoll unto the eighth degree of Latitude on this side the Aequator The Ocean or Indian Sea washes it on three sides to wit the Gulf of Bengala once Gangeticus Sinus on the East the Gulph of Cambaya anciently Barigazenus Sinus and the Sea which regards Arabia on the West towards the South that which regards Cylan on one side and the Maldives on the other We will divide this Peninsula into four principal parts which shall be Decan Golconda Narsingue or Bisnagar and Malabar The three first Its parts and the greatest have each their King or if there be more they depend and hold of one alone The fourth and last part hath likewise formerly been a Kingdom alone at present is many but which hold one of another DECAN THe Kingdom of DECAN is washed on the West by the Indian Ocean the Gulf of Cambaya It is divided into three others Kingdom of Decan which they call Decan Cunkan and Balaguate the two first on the Coast Balaguate is Eastward of the other two up in the Land and composed of Vallies which are below and between the Mountains of Gate beyond which are the Kingdoms of Golconda and Narsingue or Bisnagar In the particular Decan are the Cities of Amedanagar Chaul Dabul c. In Cunkan are the Cities of Visapor Soliapor Goa Paranda Pagode It s chief places c. Likewise in Balaguate Lispor Beder Doltabad Hamedanager Visapor and Beder are the principal Cities and those where the Dealcan or Idalcan makes his residence but none more considerable then Goa though they are fair well built large and populous Goa is a City as fair rich and of as great Traffick as any in the East being situated in an Island of the same name which the Rivers of Mandova and Guari make at their falling into the Sea Alphonso Albuquerque took it in the year 1510. and since the Portugals have established themselves so powerfully that their Vice-Roy a Bishop and their Council for the East-Indies have here their Residence The Commodities found in this City being the Staple of the Commodities of this part of the Indies as also of Persia Arabia China Armenia c. are Precious Stones Gold Silver Pearls Silk raw and wrought Cotton of which they make several Manufactures also Spices Druggs Fruits Corn Iron Steel with divers others which the said Countreys afford but the Natural Commodities of Goa are not considerable Besides their great Traffick with several Nations their Riches and Policy which they observe Its riches beauty c. Vincent Blanc makes account that its Hospital is the fairest the best accommodated and served and the richest of any making it exceed that of the Holy Spirit at Rome and the Infermerica at Malta which are the best of all Christendom Their Streets large their Houses fair especially their Palaces and Publick Buildings which are very magnificent Their Churches are stately and richly adorned their Windows are beautified with Mother of Pearl and Shells of Tortoises of divers colours which are ingeniously cut in neat Works This City is in compass above 15 miles and though it is without Gates or Walls yet by reason of its Castle Forts and the strength it receiveth from the Island is a place of great strength and force It hath a great and good Haven It s strength which they make their Harbor for their Indian Fleet by which they command the Seas there abouts The Portugals here live in all manner of delight and pleasure and with a pride and presumption so great that the least and most beggerly among them take to themselves the titles of Gentlemen of the House and Chamber of the King Knights Esquires c. being very highly conceited of themselves and exceeding proud and stately but withal very civil and courteous no person of quality walks the Streets a-foot but are carried by their Slaves in a Palanquin or ride on Horses and the Women seldom go abroad publickly Both Sexes are extreamly given to Venery by reason of which the Pox is very frequent among them of which abundance dies Their Women have an excessive love to white Men and will use their uttermost endeavours to enjoy them The Men are so jealous of their Wives that they will scarce suffer their nearest Relations to see them by reason they are so much desirous
they seldom are seen abroad Their habit They wear their Garments very long with long loose sleeves those of the Northern Provinces make use of Furs and those of the Southern wear Silk but persons of quality are richly habited and adorned with many Pearls and Precious Stones They are great lovers of Women as also of their bellies commonly eating thrice a day their diet being good and cleanly drest and they as neat in eating it making use of Knifes and Forks They are addicted to Arts and Sciences They are very ingenious and much more industrious and Politick then their Neighbours having the use and understanding of Arts and Sciences both liberal and Mechanical as Philosophy Physick Astronomy concerning the Heavens and Stars the Eclipses of the Sun and Moon c. in the which they have abundance of vain fancies Also they are expert in Musick and making of Musical Instruments Navigation Architecture Painting Sculpture making of Clocks casting of Metals in Images Medals or the like these with several other inventions too tedious to name they had the benefit of before us yet are they not in that perfection as they are with us And as for Armes they have their courage so low Not good Souldiers that both the Souldiers and the Commanders submit themselves to the whip when they have been wanting in their duty so that it was said that when the Tartars affaulted them it sufficed them only to have shewed them the whip to have put them to slight as the Scythians their predeceisors once served their slaves who during their long absence had married their Mistresses It is likewise reported that the China Horses could not suffer the weighing of the Tartarian Coursers and the Chinois Cavaliers being of the same humor they were more likely to run than fight Moreover the Chinois are very ceremonious courteous and great complementers for which they have several Printed Books which they teach their children not passing by any one that they know without kind salutations and if they happen to espy any friend which comes out of the Country besides their kind greeting his first question will be to ask him whether he hath dined or supped which if he hath not he will carry him to a Tavern and give him a treatment of Flesh Fowle and Fish and if he hath din'd a collation of Fruits and Conserves They are also very costly in their Feasts and Entertainments as in variety of Meats Fruits Preserves to which may be added other delights as Musick Singing Dancing Plaies and other pastimes And for persons of quality they observe more state some Feasts lasting about 15 or 20 days They have several days which they make great account of in Feastings and merriments but above all others their new years day which is in March where also their Priests are present at their rejoycings adding to the solemnity of the day Sacrifices which they make to their Gods In their Marriages they also very expensive in their Feasts for the Bridegroom receives no other Portion from her friends then what they bestow in their entertainments but on the contrary he gives her a Portion which the gives to her friends in thankfulness for their care in her education Their Religion and belief The Chinois may be held as Pagans and Idolaters not knowing the true Religion but worshipping Idolls they invoke the Devil they hold the immortality of the Soul and after this life it goeth to eternal bliss or torment they also hold a kind of Purgatory and that their friends and relations upon their prayers and supplications may have some ease for which purpose they have a day set apart for the performing of this ceremony They have four orders of Religious men they observe all one fashion but are distinguished by their colour they all shave their beards and heads they make use of Beads and say their Matins c. as the European Monks do Mandelsloe saith that they are much addicted to incantations and charmes not doing any thing of concernment without they have first consulted it by their charmes and if they prove not according to their desire they will raile and abuse their Gods with scurrilous language fling them down beat them whip them and tread upon them but when their choler is asswaged they will cogg with them give them good words and pretend sorrow and if the charme favour them then they offer to them Geese Ducks boiled Rice c. These charms are commonly two small pieces of wood one side being flat and the other being hallow which they fling upon the ground and if it happen that the round side of both or of one is downwards they take it for an ill omen if uppermost for good They believe that all things visible and invisible were created by Heaven who by a Vicegerent governs the Universe another who governs all Sublunary things they also add three principal Ministers one looks to the production of Fruits and the generation of Men and Animals another governs the Air and causeth Rain c. and the other governeth the Waters and Sea Mandelsloe saith also Their funeral Ceremonies that at their Funerals they have several ceremonies as soon as any person is deceased they wash his body put on his best Clothes and set him in a Chair where his Wife Children and other Relations kneeling down about him take their leave of him which done they put him into the Coffin set it upon a Table covering him with a Winding-sheet which reaches to the ground on which they draw the Picture of the deceased where they leave him 15 days during which time in some other Room they set on a Table Wine Fruit and Lights for the Priest who watcheth after which time they carry the Corps to the Burial place his Relations commonly mourning for a year The King governs by his own Will The Government of the Kingdom or Empire of China is wholly at the power of the King either to change take away or augment Laws when and as oft as he pleases yet doth he not execute any rigorous Laws upon them scarce acting or imposing any thing upon his Subjects without the Advice of his Council of State besides this Council of State he appoints others as well for the Administration of Justice as for the oversight of other affaires in the Kingdom but they neither inflict any punishment to Criminals or determine any thing of themselves but make their report to the King who decides the same They are very circumspect how they condemn any person not passing their sentence till the offence is found so clear and evident that the offendor is not able to justifie himself they use fair means first for the finding out of the truth and if that will not do they then inflict several tortures upon them their executions are various and more cruel according to the offence committed some being hanged some they impale some they burn their greatest punishment is inflicted on
Grand Cairo and in the Fields by the Aspes Tortoises Craw-fish Crocodiles c. who remove their Eggs or Young from the Banks of the Nile immediately before the Inundation and lay them there where it will bound they give judgment whether there will be more or less Water and the people are advertised to the end they may take order for what they have to do The King Maeris had expresly caused to be dug the Lake of Maeris to receive the Waters of the Nile when it had too much or to furnish it when too little At present they remedy it when little by Channels advanced towards the higher Countrey that they may be water'd When too much by certain Flood-Gates which they open to let the Water slide away For the effect of this Inundation is That all that the Nile covers with its Water is made fruitful and no more It Rains sometimes in the Lower Egypt very little in the Higher and not sufficient to moisten the Earth but when the Nile increases too much or too little it doth hurt At 12 Cubits it is yet Famine at 15 or 16 sufficient at 18 or 20 abundance The little cannot moisten the highest Lands and nearest the Mountains That which lies too long leaves not time to Sow the lower Grounds but the little or none at all is more dangerous then the too much and often besides the Famine presages some other misfortune near So before the death of Pompey there was little before that of Anthony and Cleopatra none at all Moreover the Dew which causes this inundation is imperceptible as the same Author says He assures us however that so soon as it falls the Air is purified and all Diseases and Pestilential Feavers of the Countrey which are there very rife cease which makes it appear that these Waters are excellent and indeed all Authors agree that the Waters of the Nile are sweet healthful nourishing and that they keep a long time without corrupting so that they be discharged from the Mud and Sand they bring along with them from the Grounds through which they pass The first Kings of Egypt made so much account of them It s Water exceeding nourishing that they drank nothing else than the Waters of Nile and when Philadelphus married his Daughter Berenice to Antiochus Theos King of Assyria he gave order That from time to time there should be the Water of Nile carried her that she might drink no other And the fruitfulness which these Waters cause is not only known by their making the Earth so exceeding fertil which otherwise is as barren so that if they do in a manner but throw in their Seed they have four rich Harvests in less than four Months and in that they produce and nourish an infinite number of strange Creatures as Crocodiles which from an Egg no bigger than that of a Goose cometh to be 20 25 and sometimes to 30 foot long His Feet are armed with Claws his Back and Sides with Scales so hard not to be pierced but his Belly soft and tender by reason of which he receiveth many times his deaths wound His Mouth is exceeding wide hath no Tongue his Jaws very strong and armed with a sharp set of Teeth as it were indented His Tail is equal to his Body in length by which he infoldeth his prey and draws it in the Water At the taking of his prey he gives jumps and it is a pretty while ere he can turn himself so that if it be not just before him it may escape him Four Months in the year it is observed to eat nothing which is during the Winter Season the Female is said to lay one hundred Eggs at one time which she is as many days a hatching and they will live to the age of one hundred years and growing to the last Also this River breedeth River-Horses of old called Hippopotami they have great Heads wide Jaws and armed with Tusks as white as Ivory they are proportioned like a Swine but as big in Body as a Cow smooth Skinned but exceeding hard Also River-Bulls about the bigness of a Calf of a Twelve month old and in shape like a Bull. Also here are found abundance of great and small Fishes And lastly the fruitfulness of these Waters is shewed in that the Women and Cattle which drink thereof are very fruitful ordinarily bringing forth their Children and Young by two and three and sometimes by four and five at a time There are yet many fine things might be said of the Nile as its divers Names its Cataracts c. But we have likewise omitted many things which might be said of Egypt which hath been famous in Holy Writ as well as in Prophane and which would swell into a Volume Let us end with saying something of the fertility of the Country what Commodities it produces and communicates to other Countries It is plentifully furnished with several Metals The fertility of the Country and its Commodities the Ground along the Nile produceth abundance of Corn Rice Pulse and other Grains that it may well be termed the Granary of the Turkish as it was formerly of the Roman Empire and it feeds much Cattle produceth great plenty of Fish hath store of Fowls yields excellent Fruits Lemmons Oranges Citrons Pomegranates Figgs Cherries c. Also Capers Olives Flax Sugars Cassia Sena Oil Balsom some Drugs and Spices Wax Civet Elephants Teeth Silk Cotton Linnen Cloth with several good Manufactures also Hides besides the Ashes of two little Weeds growing about Alexandria whereof quantity are transported to Venice and without which they cannot make their Chrystal-Glasses We may add that Incense Coffee and other Commodities of Arabia and India pass through this Country to be transported into the Western parts of Turky Throughout the Countrey they have abundance of Palm-Trees Its Palm-Trees and the nature of their growing c. which may be reckoned among the Rarities of the Country and that for several Reasons These Trees are observed always to grow in couples Male and Female They both thrust forth Cods full of Seeds but the Female is only fruitful but not except it grows by the Male and having his Seed mixt with hers which they do not fail to do at the beginning of March The Fruit it bears is known by the name of Dates which in taste resemble Figs. The Pith of these Trees is White and called the Brains which are in the uppermost parts And this is held an excellent Sallad in taste much like an Hartichoke of the Branches they make Bedsteads Lattices c. Of the outward Husk of the Cod Cordage of the inner Brushes and of the Leaves Fans Feathers Mats Baskets c. This Tree is held among them to be the perfect Image of a Man and that for these Reasons First because it doth not fructifie but by Coiture Next as having a Brain in the uppermost part which if once corrupted as Mans doth perish and die And lastly in regard that
that of the particular Guiny the Inhabitants living 100 years and more The Land produces the same Fruits and feeds the same Beasts with Guiny and its People are more courteous to Strangers Their principal City so called is esteemed the greatest and best built of any either in Guiny or the Land of the Negroes It s King is powerful and very loving to his Subjects they are all much addicted to Women the King being said to keep about 5 or 600 Wives with all which twice a year he goeth out in great pomp as well for Recreation as to shew them to his Subjects who according to their abilities do exceed Those of the gentile or better sort keeping 20 30 40 others 50 60 or 70 and those of the poorest rank 5 10 or 12. Their Custom both for Men and Women till they are married is to go naked and after their cloathing is only a Cloth which is tied about their Middles and hangs down to their knees It s other chief places are Ouwerre Focko Boni and Bodi The Soil of Guiny The Soil of Guiny is generally fertil the most part bearing twice a year because they have two Summers and two Winters They oall it Winter when the Sun passes their Zenith and that the Rains are continual All the whole Country is very fertil It s fertility and commodities abounding in Corn Rice Millet and in many sorts of Meleguete in Fruits as Oranges Citrons Lemmons Pomegranates Dates c. Also in Gold both in Sand and in Ingots in Ivory or Elephants Teeth in great abundance in Wax Hides Cotton Amber-greece they extract Wine and Oyl from their Palm-Trees and of this Oyl and the Ashes of the Palm-Tree they make excellent Soap They have many Sugar-Canes which are scarce at all Husbanded They have Brasil-Wood better then that which cometh from Brasil they have abundance of Wood proper to build and Mast Ships and Pearls which they find in Oysters towards the River Des Ostros that is of Oysters and of St. Anne between the Branches of the Niger Commodities here found And for these good Commodities in way of Barter they truck or take course Cloth both Linnen and Wollen Red Caps Frize Mantles and Gowns Leather Baggs Sheep-skin Gloves Guns Swords Daggers Belts Knives Hammers Ax-heads Salt Great Pins little pieces of Iron which they convert to several uses Lavers and great Dutch Kettles with two handles Basons of several sizes Platters Broad Pans Posnets Pots c. made for the most part of Capper which are sometimes Tinned within Some of which Vtensils are made of Tinn and others of Earths which are here desired Also Looking-Glasses Beads Corals and Copper Brass and Tinn Rings which they wear about them for their adornment Hors-tails which they use to keep away the Flies which annoy them as also when they Dance And lastly certain Shels which pass instead of Money having here and in many other Countries no current Money of Metal as the Europeans have but make use of those Shells which they hang in bundles upon strings for which they buy in their Markets such things as they want Its Beasts and their nature The Elephant Among their Beasts they have Elephants which are said to be the biggest of all four footed Beasts Of nature they are very gentle docile and tractable they live to a great age seldom dying till the age of 150 years They are very serviceable both in War and Peace and as profitable by reason of their Tusks It is said That when the Male hath once seasoned the Female he never after toucheth her Next the Elephants may be reckoned the Musk-Cats The Musk-Cats which with Springs they take in the Woods when they are young and keep them in Hutches and take from them the Musk which they keep in Glasses or Pots and so vend it And these Cats they vend to the English and other Nations at good rates Then their Apes Monkeys and Baboons Monkeys Apes and Baboons which are strong and lusty being taken and brought to it young serve like men They send them to fetch Water at the River make them to turn meat at the Fire serve at Table to give Drink but they must be very watchful otherwise they will do mischief and eat the meat themselves and these are much beloved by their Women doing the duty of Men which they are as desirous of themselves and hating Men. Again there are some of these Monkeys or Apes which love Men and hate Women They have variety of Birds among which Its Birds Its Fruits they have several sorts of Parrots which are brought to talk Their Fruits are excellent as Oranges Lemmons Citrons Pomegranates Dates Annanas or Pynes which for smell and taste resembleth all Fruits Trennuelis a Fruit so delicate and delicious that 't is thought it was the Fruit in Paradise which was forbidden Adam and Eve to eat of Iniamus Battatas Bachonens the Palm-Tree and above all here is a Tree called the Oyster Tree by reason of its bearing Oysters thrice every year a thing if report may be credited is true and if true very strange The Inhabitants especially before the coming of the Portugals It s People were rude and barbarous living without the knowledge of a God Law Religion or Government very disingenious and not caring for Arts or Letters Their disposition They are much addicted to Theft and take it for an honor if they can cheat or steal any thing though not considerable from a White Man They are very perfidious Lyars given to Luxury in matter of Justice they are indifferent severe Their Justice punishing ofttimes with death but paying a fine will free them and the place of Judicature is in the open Market Place Their Food is gross and beastly Their Food and Apparel as is their Habitations mean and beggerly They go naked save about their Waist they tye a piece of Linnen yet very proud and stately Their Stature They are of a Corpulent body flat nosed broad shouldred white eyed and teeth'd Their Religion belief small eared c. In matters of Religion they are great Idolaters worshiping Beasts Birds Hils and indeed every strange thing which they see they hold there is two Gods one doth them good and the other hurt and these two Gods they say fight together Also they believe there is a God which is invisible which they say is black yet of late they have tried many Forms of Religion as Judaism Mahometism and Christianity but care not much for any Nevertheless some of them believe they die not and to that end give their dead bodies something to carry with them into the other World They keep their Fetissoes day that is one day in seven for a day of rest as their Sabbath which is on a Tuesday a day that no other Nation in the World keeps very strict at which time they offer Meat and Drink to their Fetisso
with the Mono-Motapa of which he seems once to have been a part is in peace with the King of Zanguebar that he may have commerce to the Sea for he hath much Gold Silver Ivory and the same Commodities as Mono-Motapa but its People are more barbarous and brutish The chief places in the Mono-Emugi are Agag Astagoa Leuma Camur Beif Bagametro and Zembre seated on the bottom of the Lake Zaire CAFRERIA or the Land of CAFRES The Land of Cafreria described CAFRERIA or the Land of CAFRES makes the most Southern Coast of all Aethiopia winding like a Semicircle about the Cape of Good Hope some begin it from Cape Negro and continue it unto the River of Cuama this separating it from Zanguebar and the other from Congo or what we have esteemed with Congo Others begin it and end it with the Tropick of Capricorn as well on this side as beyond the Cape of Good Hope I esteem under the name of Cafres all the Coasts which environ the Mono-Motapa both towards the West South and East so that we may call these Cafres Occidental Meridional and Oriental This distinction being taken in regard of the natural scituation in which these People are from the Mono-Motapa or we may chuse rather to consider them in Occidental or Oriental as we have already done the Cape of Good Hope then keeping the one from the other It hath formerly been believed that these People had neither Kings Law nor Faith and therefore were called Cafres that is without Law But it hath since been known that they have divers Kings and Lords as those of Mataman where there are divers Metals Chrystal c. And of Melemba among the Occidentals those of Chicanga Sedanda Quiteva and Zefala among the Orientals and others we know not towards the South and Cape of Good Hope On the Coast of Cafres are these places and Isles viz. St. Nicolai Piscarius the Port of Carascalis the Cape of Good Hope St. Martins Bay and the Cape of St. Lucia Also these Isles 4 bearing the name of St. Lucia 2 of St. Christophers 5 of Crucis and 3 of Aride Many of which as likewise the Capes are well known by Sea-men especially the Cape of Good Hope All these Coasts of Cafreria are bounded within Land by a Chain of Mountains formed by the Mountains of the Moon and which inclose Mono-Motapa That part of these Mountains which advance towards the Cape of Good Hope are called by the Portugals The Cape of Good Hope Picos Fragos that is Watry Points or Rocks This Cape is the most remarkable piece in Cafreria the most Southern point of Africa and of our Continent and the most famous Promontory of the whole World Vasco de Gama knew it in 1498 and after having doubled it found the way by the East-Indies to the Great Sea and from hence the Portugals boast to have been the first that had the knowledge of this Cape But we have made appear in the general discourse of Africa that the Ancients have both known and spoke of it Near the Cape of Good Hope and farther towards the South is the Cape of Needles which should be more famous since it is more Southernly than the other by 12 or 15 Leagues But the name Cape of Good Hope is given to all that Head of Land which is the most Southern of Africa The Air Fertility Commodities c. of the Country The Air of this Country is sometimes temperate and sometimes cold by reason of the Mountains which are covered with Snow and Ice from whence descends quantity of cold Waters The Vallies and Lower Countries pleasant and fertil hath store of Woods and Forests in which are abundance of Beasts and Fowls as Deer Antilopes Baboons Foxes Hares c. Also Ostriches Herons Pelicans Pheasants Partridges Geese Ducks c. They are well supplied with good Water feed much Cattle which they truck with Strangers for Knives Scizzars Spoons and divers Toys they have likewise much Fish in their Rivers The People and their Trade The Inhabitants are Black have thick Lips flat Noses long Ears and in a word very ill-shapen They are more barbarous and brutish than the rest of Africa they are Man-eaters their chief ornaments in their Apparel are Chains of Iron Brass Beads Bells or the like and cutting and slashing their Skins in several shapes Clothing they have none only in the Cold season they wrap themselves about with Skins of Beasts Towns they have none or very few for the most part living in the Woods and Forests like brute Beasts But the Cafres on the East are much more civil than the others most of them have made a part and are yet subject to the Mono-Motapa who about 50 years ago divided his Estate into four parts giving to his eldest Son what is within Land and by much the greatest part and to his three younger Sons Zuiteva Sedanda and Chicanga towards the Sea-Coast for their Portions Cefala or Zefala seems to make its piece apart whose King pays Tribute both to the Mono-Motapa and the Portugals and these have divers Fortresses on the Coast Sena Tete Cuama c. Zefala is so abundant in Gold and Elephants that some take it for the Ophir whither Solomon sent his Fleet every three years And they give for a reason that the Gold Ivory Apes c. which that Fleet brought are here found in abundance That this Fleet parting from the Red Sea there is no likelyhood it should go to Peru which some take for this Ophir besides that there is there neither Ivory nor Apes but that it was rather to some part of Asia or Africa They add that there remains not far from Zefala some footsteps of ancient Buildings and Inscriptions left there by Strangers long time ago Nay likewise that there is some notes and Books how Solomon sent thither his Fleet. Moreover the Septuagint translate Sophira instead of Ophir and the name of Sophira is not overmuch different from Sopholo However it be there is here store of Gold both in the Mountains and Rivers and often very clean and pure as well in Powder as Sand and this Gold is esteemed the best and finest in Africa ours seeming but Brass in comparison of it The Country is healthful and pleasant seated only on the Coast the Mono-Motapa confining it within Land A part of its now Inhabitants are not the Natives but descended from that Coast which belonged to the Mono-Motapa The Natives as I said before are Black and Idolaters or Cafres the others very swarthy and for the most part Mahometans They have a great Trade on this Coast for their Gold two or three Millions being yearly brought hence and that for Toys and things of a very small value which are carried them from divers parts of Asia and Europe and some parts of Africa The ISLES of AFRICA as they lie and are found In the Mediterranean Sea And on the Coast of BARBARY as the ISLES of
of Ships in like manner are they found in the Gulph or Bay of St. Laurence Besides the Cod-fish here are other sorts of Fish in great plenty as Thornback Ling Salmons Oysters c. The greatest of these Isles and which commonly takes the name of New-found-land is 4 or 5 Leagues circuit It is scituate betwixt the degrees of 46 and 53 of Northern Latitude and is severed from the Continent of America by an Arm of the Sea and is distant from England about 600 Leagues A Country ill-inhabited towards the East and South the Inhabitants being retired farther within Land but the English have of late settled some Colonies to maintain their Fishing-Trade Its Inhabitants The Natives are of a reasonable good Stature and well proportioned but full-ey'd broad-faced beardless and of an Oker complexion not over ingenious their Houses are very mean and their Apparel and Furniture worse The Country being for the generality reputed fertil if well cultivated and would yield good Grains is enriched by Nature with plenty of Fish Fowl and wild Beasts and is blest with a wholsom Air though the rigour of the Winter season and the excess of Heats in Summer do something detract from its due praise East of New-found-land is a great Bank a thing as remarkable as any in all Canada This Bank is much different from those which are covered with Water when the Sea is high uncovered and dry on an Ebb Saylors must shun such Banks like death This which we now speak of is like a Country overflown always covered with the Sea and having at least 20 30 or 40 Fathom water for the depth is unequal Off from this Bank on all sides the Sea is no less than 200 Fathom deep and yet this Bank is 200 Leagues long 20 25 and sometimes 50 broad It is on this Bank that the New-found-landers that is those Ships that go to fish for Cods of New-found-land do for the most part stop and make their freight About this great Bank and more towards the Main Land than the Ocean there are some others much less but of the same nature It is almost incredible how many Nations and of each how many Sail of Ships go yearly to fish for these Cods with the prodigious quantity they take a Man being able to take 100 of them in the space of an hour The manner of Fishing They fish with Hooks which are no sooner thrown into the Sea but the greedy Fish snapping the Bait is taken by the Hook and drawn on Ship-board they lay him presently on a Plank one cuts off his head another guts it and takes out its biggest bones another salts and barrels it c. Which being thus ordered is hence transported by the English and other European Nations into all parts of Europe as also into the other three parts of the World They Fish only in the day time the Cod as they say not biting in the night nor doth this Fishing last all Seasons but begins a little before Summer and ends with September In Winter the Fish retires to the bottom of the deep Sea where Storms and Tempests have no power Another kind of Fishing Near New-found-land there is another kind of fishing for the same Fish which they call dried Fish as the other green Fish The Ships retire into some Port and every Morning send forth their Shallops one two or three Leagues into the Sea which fail not to have their load by Noon or a little after They bring them to Land lay them on Tables or Planks and order it as the other but after the Fish hath been some days in salt they take it forth exposing it to the Air and Wind lay it again in heaps and return it from time to time to the open Air till it be dry That this Fish may be good it must be dried in a good and temperate Air Mists moisten it and make it rot the Sun hardens it and makes it yellow At the same time they fish for Cods green or dry the Fishers have the pleasure of taking Fowl without going forth of their Vessels They take them with a Line as they do fish baiting the Hook with the Cods Liver these Fowl being so greedy that they come by flocks and fight who shall get the Bait first which soon proves its death and one taken the Hook is no sooner thrown out again but another is catch'd in the like nature But enough of these and of Cod-fishing In the year 1623 Sir George Calvert Knight the Principal Secretary of State and afterwards Lord Baltimore obtained a Patent of part of New-found-land which was erected into the Province of Avalon where he settled a Plantation and erected a stately House and Fort at Ferry-land where he dwelt some time And after his death it fell to his Son the Right Honourable Caecilius late Lord Baltimore also Proprietor of Mary-land CANADA taken particularly is on the Right hand and towards the lower part of the great River The River Canada and its name is communicated both to the River and Neighbouring Country This River is the largest of America Septentrionalis and one of the fairest in the World It is about 200 Fathom deep and at its Mouth 30 Leagues broad It s course according to the report of those of the Country is already known for 4 or 500 Leagues and there is some likelyhood that we may in the end discover that the Lake which seems to be its head-Spring disburthens it self into the Sea by two or three different courses one towards us which is that of Canada another towards the West and above California the third towards the North and into the Christian Sea and that the Mouth of this may shew us the way we have so long sought to go to the East-Indies by the West People with whom the French Trade Their Colonies The People with whom the French trade here are the Canadans the Hurons the Algonquins the Attiquameques Nipisiriniens Montagnets those of Saguenay Acadia c. And to this purpose they have divers Colonies on the great River at Tadousac at Quebeck at Three-Rivers at Sillery at Richelieu at Montreal and without the Bay of Chaleur at Miscou at Port-Royal c. This Trade is only managed by Exchange they give the Skins of Bevers Otters Martles Sea-Wolfes c. for Bread Pease Beans Plumbs Kettles Cauldrons Hatchets Arrow-heads Pinchers Coverlids c. But to instruct them in Christianity many Ecclesiasticks of Religious Orders have had divers disbursements and residences likewise an Hospital and Seminary of Vrsilines The Jesuits have the chief care of these Houses North of Canada is ESTOTTILAND Estottiland or TERRADE LABRADOR near Hudsons Streight it is called sometimes the Land of Cortereal and sometimes new Britany however I esteem it a part of new France the Country is Mountainous Woody full of wild Beasts well furnished with Rivers rich in Metals of a fertil Soil in most places and would produce
Country which are not wrought good Salt-pits out of which they draw the greatest profit c. The Province of Mechoacan and chief places described The Province and Bishoprick of MECHOACAN between those of Mexico and New Gallicia stretches on the Coast of Mer del Sud near 100 Leagues advances within Land from that Coast to the Zacatecas near 150 Leagues Places of most note are 1. Colina seated ten Leagues from the Sea built by Gonsalvo de Sandoval in the year 1522. 2. Zacatula on the Mer del Sud and at the Mouth of a River of the same name 3. Mechoacan the Metropolis which takes its name from the Province so called now the Seat of the Archbishop 4. Zinzouza once the Seat of the Kings of Mechoacan 5. Pazcuaro once the Seat of the Bishop 6. Valladolid seated near a Lake as large as that of Mexico once the Seat of the Archbishop till removed to Mechoachan 7. La Conception de Salaga 8. St. Michael built by Lewis de Velasco then Vice-Roy of Mexico 9. St. Philip built by the said Velasco at the same time to assure the way going from Mechoacan or Mexico to the Silver Mines of Zacatecas this way being often pestered and frequented by the Chichimeques Otomites Tarasques and other barbarous and as yet unconquered People who greatly perplex and annoy the People that border upon them Some place likewise in this Province the Cities of Leon of Zamora of Villa de Lagos and about 100 Towns of which many have their Schools The Soil of this Province and its Commodities The Soil of this Province is very different but every where fertil and in most places yields such great increase of all sorts of Grains Fruits c. that it hardly hath its fellow in the whole World It produceth likewise Cotton Ambergreese Gold Silver Coppers soft and hard of the soft they make Vessels of the hard Instruments instead of Iron They have black Stones so shining that they serve them instead of Looking-Glasses They have store of Plants Medicinal Herbs Mulberry-trees Silk Hony Wax c. The Country is said to be so healthful and of so sweet an Air It s Air. that Sick people come hither to recover their health It is well stored with Rivers and Springs of fresh Water which makes their Pastures exceeding rich and fat Cattle and Fowl are here found in great plenty and their Rivers and Lakes afford store of Fish The vertue of the Plant Gozometcath Between COLIMA and ACATLAN is found the Plant Gozometcath or Olcacazan which takes Blood-shot from the Eyes preserves the strength of the Body or restores it to the Weak cures the Tooth and Head-ach resists all Poysons and in fine is most excellent against all Diseases Those of the Country will judge of the event of any Sickness whatsoever it be when they apply the Leaf on the party If they fasten easily they soon hope a cure but if they resist or fall off they expect nothing but a great and long sickness or death The Province of Thascala with is Cities described THASCALA or LOS ANGELOS is between Mexico and the Gulph of Mexico from whence it advances unto the Mer del Sud stretching it self on the Coast of this Sea 25 Leagues on the other 75 or 80. Places of most note are 1. Thascala which gives name to this Province once the Seat of a Bishop and once governed in form of a Common-wealth and exceeding populous It had four principal Streets or Quarters which in time of War were each of them governed by a Captain and in the midst of these Streets it had a most spacious Market-place which was always thronged with People for the negotiating of their Affairs It is scituate on an easie ascent betwixt two Rivers encompassed with a large pleasant and fruitful Plain about 20 Leagues in compass 2. Los Angelos or the City of Angles a fair City built by Sebastian Ramirez Anno 1531 now the Bishops Seat 3. Vera Crux built by the said Cortez being a place of great concourse by reason of its near scituation unto the Gulph from whence it is a thorough-fare to the City of Mexico which is distant from it 60 Leagues It s Port of St. Joan de Vlva though but bad is in some esteem being the best on the Mer del Nort and held more commodious than that of Mexico 4. Zempoallan seated on a River of the same name the Inhabitants whereof did Ferdinando Cortez good service in his conquest of Mexico Beside those Towns or Cities they count in this Bishoprick or Province 200 Towns 1000 Villages and 250000 Indians under its Jurisdiction which are exempted from all extraordinary charge and imposition because of their assisting the said Cortez in his conquest of Mexico The Country is more hot than cold fruitful in Corn Mayz Sugar Wine The fertility of the Province Fruits feeds much Cattle full of rich Pastures well watered with fresh Streams In the Valley of St. Paul was a Country man possest of 40000 Sheep which were the product of only two which were brought him from Spain The Inhabitants are much of the same nature and condition with those of Mexico aforesaid The Province of Guaxaca with its chief places described GVAXACA is between the Mer del Nort and Sud The Plain of the Province makes a Lozenge whose 4 sides are each 75 Leagues or little more Its Cities are 1. Antequera a Bishprick and which sometime communicated its name to the Province It is seated in the Valley of Guaxaca and adorned with stately Buildings and beautified with a magnificent Cathedral Church whose Columns are of Marble and of a prodigious height and thickness 2. St. Jago seated in the Valley of Nexapa but upon a lofty Hill 3. St. Ilefonso on a Mountain in the Province of Zapoteca 4. Spiritu Sancto in the Quarter and on the River of Guaxacoalco near the Mer del Nort. 5. Cuertlavaca of note for a Labyrinth not far distant hewed out of a Rock 6. Aquatulco a noted Port on the Mer del Sud well frequented by those who transport the Merchandizes of Europe and Mexico to Peru a place of great Riches till plundered by those two eminent Travellers Drake and Cavendish both Englishmen besides those places there is said to be 300 Towns and as many Estancia's or Hamlets which are inhabited by the Natives of the Country which pay Tribute to the Spaniards The divers Quarters of this Province are all fertil not only in Grains The fertility and commodities of this Province but also in Fruits Cocheneil Silk Cassia and the Earth well stored with Mines of Gold Silver and other Metals and almost all the Rivers stream down sand-Gold Here is also a kind of Almond which they call Cacao which they make use of instead of Mony The Province of Tavasco described TAVASCO is only a Coast of an 100 leagues long between Guaxaco and Jucatan scarce 25
Leagues broad between the Province of Chiapa and the Sea the Country is full of Pools and Marshes towards the Coast Wood and Forests towards the Mountains and the Rains being continual for 8 or 9 Months in the year the Air is very humid and its scituation being much under the Torrid Zone it engenders an infinite number of Vermin Gnats and Insects yet the Soil is excellent It s fertility and commodities It s chief Colony abundant in Mayz and Cocao which is their principal Riches There is observable here but one Colony of the Spaniards which they call Villa de Nuestra a Sennora de la Victoria so called because of the Victory Cortez gained in 1519 against those of the Country when he went to the Conquest of the Kingdom of Mexico It was called Potonchan when it was besieged taken and sacked by Cortez and it is observed this was the first City in America which defended it self and which suffered under the Spaniards Sword The Province of Jucatan with its chief places described JVCATAN is the last Province of the Audience of Mexico towards the East It is a Peninsula of about 400 Leagues circuit scituate between the Gulphs of Mexico and Honduras The Isthmus which joyns it to the Main Land is not above 25 or 30 Leagues over from whence the Country continues enlarging it self from 50 or 75 Leagues breadth and ends at Cape de Cotoche which regards towards the East Cape St. Anthony in the Isle of Cuba at the distance of 60 and odd Leagues The Coasts of JVCATAN are very much cumbred with little Isles which often prove dangerous for Ships but covered with abundance of Sea-Fowl which those of the Neighbouring and far distant Countries come to chase The Isle of Cozumel The Isle of Cozumel to the East hath formerly been famous for its Idol Cozumel which all the People of the Neighbouring Continent went to adore And it was in this Isle or the Continent near unto it that Baldivius unfortunately saved himself having been Shipwreckt near Jamaica he had taken a little Boat like to those used by Fisher-men The Misfortune that befel Baldivius here wherein going with about 20 of his Men he was brought hither by the Sea but no sooner had he set foot on Land but he and his Men were seized by the Natives who immediately led them to the Temple of their Idols where they presently offered up or sacrificed and ate him and four of his Men and the rest they reserved till another time Among these Aquilar who had seen the Ceremony escaping with some others fled to a Cacique who treated him courteously for many years during which time some died others married in the Country Aquilar in the end was fetched thence by Cortez who was of no small use unto him in his Conquest of Mexico because that he had learned their Tongue The Air of Jucatan The Air of Jucatan is hot the Country hath scarce any Rivers yet wants no Water being supplied every where with Wells within the middle of the Land are to be seen quantity of Scales and Shells of Sea-fish which hath made some believe the Country hath been overflowed What it yieldeth They have scarce any of the Corn or Fruits of Europe but some others of the Country and quantity of wild Beasts principally Stags and wild Bears and among their Fowls Peacocks They have yet found no Gold much less Latten which makes it appear that it is not true that the Spaniards found here Crosses of Latten there being none in all America The Cities of Jucatan are four Merida Valladolid Its Cities Campeche and Salamancha 1. Merida is the Metropolis being the Seat of the Bishop and Governour for Tavasco and Jucatan distant from the Sea on each side 12 Leagues The City is adorned with great and ancient Edifices of Stone with many Figures of Men cut in the Stones and because they were resembling those which are at Merida in Spain that name was given it 2. Valladolid beautified with a very fair Monastery of Franciscans and more than 40 thousand Barbarians under its Jurisdiction 3. Campeche scituate on the shoar of the Gulph a fair City of about Three thousand Houses and adorned with many stately and rich Structures which in 1596 was surprized and pillaged by the English under the Command of Captain Parker who carried away with him the Governour the Riches of the City and many Prisoners besides a great Ship laden with Hony Wax Campeche-Wood and other rich Commodities The Conquest of the Kingdom of Mexico was much easier to the Castilians than that of Peru the Kingdom of Peru being Hereditary and its Ynca's loved and almost adored by their Subjects the Kingdom of Mexico being Elective and its Kings hated if not by those of Mexico yet by all the neighbouring Estates and envied by those might aspire to the Royalty This diversity was the cause that Motezuma died and the City of Mexico taken there was nothing more to do or fear as to that Estate In Peru after the death of Guascar and Atabalipa and some other Ynca's the Spaniards could not believe themselves safe so long as there was any remainder of the Race of these Ynca's which made them under divers pretexts persecute banish and put them to death And so much for Mexico or New Spain The Audience of GUADALAJARA or NEW GALLICIA THE Audience of GVADALAJARA or Kingdom of NEW GALLICIA makes the most Occidental part of New-Spain and contains the Provinces of Guadalajara Xalisco Los Zacatecas Chiametlan Culiacan Its Provinces and New-Biscany some others add Cibola and others likewise California Quivira Anian c. that is the Castilians pretend to extend their Power to the farthest part of this New World The Province of Guadalajara and its Cities described The Province of Guadalajara hath only two Cities or Colonies of Spaniards viz. Guadalajara and Sancta Maria de los Lagos of which the first is the chief of the Province built in 1531 by Nonnez de Guzman after he had finished his Conquest It is the residence of the Kings Treasurers dignified with the Courts of Judicature the See of a Bishop beautified with a fair Cathedral Church a Convent of Augustine Friers and another of Franciscans It is scituate in a pleasant and fruitful Plain and watered with divers Fountains and little Torrents not far from the River Baranja the neighbouring Mountains having furnished them with Materials for their Buildings Santa Maria de los Lagos was built by the same Guzman and made a place of great strength only to hinder the Incursions of the Chichimeques who are a barbarous and untamed sort of People who border upon them towards the North-East who live upon the Spoils of other people harbouring in thick Woods and private Caves for the better obtaining their Prey which said Town keeps them in such awe that they dare not molest them The Air of this Province The Inhabitants
ill peopled they fish for Pearls in Mer Vermejo and on the East of the Coasts of California and likewise along and on the Coasts of New Granada or New Mexico Mark de Niza a Franciscan his Relations of this place Mark de Niza a Franciscan made a Voyage into these parts in 1529 and at his return recounted Marvels of what he had seen and understood of People that wore about their Heads pieces of Mother of Pearl of divers Provinces rich in Gold of Cities and Houses well built whose Gates were adorned with Turquoises and other Stones That the chief City of Cibola was greater than Mexico That the Kingdoms of Marata Acu and Tonteac were likewise very rich and powerful Also the description of these parts by Vasque de Cornada The Relation of this Fryar caused Mendoza Vice-Roy of Mexico to send Vasque de Cornada Governour of New Gallicia to search out the truth Who far from finding the Riches he hoped for found only people naked very poor rude and barbarous some Cities he found indifferently well built but sadly furnished assuring us that the Kingdoms of which the Fryar had made so much account of were almost all Imaginary Tonteac being only a Lake about which there were some few Habitations Marata a thing invisible and Acu a beggerly Town in esteem amongst them only gathered some Cotton Possibly the Fryar said more than he had seen that he might incite the Spaniards to send some Colonies hither and have the Means to convert those People And Cornada less because he found not that present profit which he did in his Government however it be this contrariety with those we have observed touching the City of Granada and the Provinces of Quivira and Anian may make us see how dangerous it is to trust those that come from parts so remote and unknown whatever specious or fair Habit they wear or whatever good Tongue they have or whatever protestations they make of Truth The Audience of GUATEMALA THE Audience of GVATEMALA is between the Seas Del Nort and Sud and between divers Isthmus's and Tongues of Land which are found in the most Southernly part of America Septentrionalis Its Provinces are Guatemala Its Provinces Soconusco Chiapa Vera-Pax Honduras Nicaragua Costarica and Veragua The Province of Guatemala with its Cities described GVATEMALA and SOCONVSCO are on the Mer del Sud Chiapa within Land Vera-Pax and Honduras on the Mer del Nort Castaria Nicaragua and Veragua on both Seas Guatemala hath 150 Leagues along the Coast and advanceth within Land 30 or 40 Leagues Here were built the Cities of St. Jago of Guatemala St. Salvador or Curcatlan La Trinidad or Conzonate St. Michael and Xeres de la Frontera or Chuluteca they are all upon or little distant from the Sea Guatemala is more advanced within Land and yet the principal being the Seat of the Bishop and Court of Audience In 1541 this City was almost overwhelmed by a deluge of boyling Water which descending from that Vulcan which is above and near the City threw down and tumbled over all that it met with as Stones Trees and Buildings where it stifled many People and among the rest the Widow of him who had conquered and so ill treated that Province The City was rebuilt farther to the East and may have near 100 Houses about 1000 Inhabitants and its Country about 25000 Indians Tributaries A certain private Person had once a strange phancy came in his head A strange phancy of a private Person in these parts and the event thereof that there was a very rich Mine of Gold in this Vulcan of Guatemala and that he needed but to find some way to put down a Cauldron and draw out what he could wish for as one doth Water out of a Well he undertook the enterprize and caused to be made great Chains of Iron and a great Cauldron so strong that he believed the fire could not damage it he caused a way to be made to carry to the top of the Mountain his Chains Caularon and Machins which were to serve to let down and draw up his Caulâ—ron full of Gold which he believed to coyn at the bottom of the Mountain but he found the Fire so violent that in less than a moment of time he had neither Chains nor Cauldron Which so perplexed him with grief and shame to see his own folly having not only spent all his own Estate but the best part of his Friends so that he would have precipitated himself into the Mountain had he not been hindred but in a short time he died for anger and grief The sertility of this Province withits Commodities and Trade The Country is colder than the scituation may bear and subject to Earthquakes hath excellent Balms liquid Amber Bezoar Salt Grains is full of rich Pastures which are well stooked with Cattle plenty of Cotton Wool excellent Sulphur store of Medâ—â—inal Drugs and abundance of Fruits among others Caâ—ao in such great plenty that it yearly lades many Vessels which are transported to other places The Country is more inclining to Mountains than Plains but well watered with Rivers The People are pusillanimous and fearful Its Inhabitants the Men are expert at the Bow and the Women at the Distaff they are more civil and embrace Christianity more than their neighbouring Countries do and are willing to receive Advice from the Spaniards who are their Masters The Province of Soconusco described SOCONVSCO hath only the little City of Guevetlan on the Coast and nothing of particular or worthy to be noted in it only it hath some Grains feeds some Cattle its Rivers have Fish and its People more barbarous and rude The Province of Chiapa described CHIAPA is not over fertil in Grains nor Fruits but the Country well cloathed with lofty Trees and some of which yield Rozin others precious Gums and others bear Leaves that when they are dried into powder make a Sovereign Plaister for Sores The Country is full of Snakes and other venemous Creatures Places of most note in this Province are 1. Crudad-Real built by the Spaniards scituate in a round Plain at the Foot of a Hill It s chief places and begirt with Mountains resembling an Amphitheater now the residence of a Bishop and governed by City-Magistrates by them called Alcaides 2. Chiapa seated in the fruitfullest Valley of the whole Country 3. St. Bartholomews remarkable for having near it a great Pit or opening of the Earth into which if any one casts a Stone though never so small it makes a noise so great and terrible as a clap of Thunder 4. Casapualca a small Town but famous also for a Well it hath whose Waters are observed to rise and fall according to the flowing and ebbing of the Sea Among the Bishops of Chiapa one was Bartholomew de las Casas of the Order of St. Dominique Some memorable actions of Bartholomew de las Casas Bishop
Salt-pits near the Point de Salinas The principal Fortress that the Portugals hold here is De los tres Reyes or the three Kings on the right hand of the River The Coast of Brazile from Cape de Frio until on this side of that of St. Augustine and so to the middle of the head of Potengi stretches from South to North and continually regards the East The rest of this Capitany and that of Siara Maranhan and Para extend from East to West regarding the North and are the nearest to the Equinoctial Line The Coast of these four last Capitanies hath no less extent on the Sea than that of all the others together but are worth much less The Capitany of Siara with its Commodities The Capitany of SIARA is among many Barbarous People and therefore not much frequented yet is of some trade by reason of the Cotton Chrystal Precious Stones and many sorts of Wood which are here found They have likewise many Canes of Sugar which are of no use there being no Sugar Engines in the Country The Capitany of Maranhan with its chief places The Capitany of MARANHAN is an Isle which with some others is found in a Gulph about twenty five Leagues long and broad This Isle hath forty five Leagues Circuit hath twenty seven Villages of which Junaparan is the chief and in each Village four five or 600 men so that the French made account of 10000 men in this Island The fertility of the Country with its Commodities The Air serene temperate and healthful the Waters excellent and which scarce ever corrupt on the Sea The Land as fruitful as any in America yielding Brazile-wood Saffron Cotton Red-dye Lake or Rose colour Balm Tobacco Pepper and sometimes Ambergrease is gathered on its Coast The Land is found proper for Sugar and if it were tilled would produce Grains some say it hath Mines of Jasper and white and red Chrystal which for hardness surpasses the Diamonds of Alenzon It is well watered with fresh Rivers and pleasant Streams well cloathed with Woods in which are store of Fowl The people are strong of body Its Inhabitants and Apparel live in good health commonly dying with age the women being fruitful till eighty years of age both Sexes go naked until they are married and then their apparel is only from the Wast to the Knees which is Manufactures of Cotton or Feather-works in which they are very ingenious The Country or the Isle of the Tapouies The Tapouy Tapere that is the Country of the Tapouies is another Isle East of Maraguon at Full-sea it is an Isle on the Ebb only Sands separate it from the Continent The soll is yet better than that of Maranhan it hath but fifteen Villages the chief bearing the name of the Country they are greater and better peopled than those of Maranhan The Country and City of Comma West of Tapouy Tapere and on the firm Land Comma a City River and Country of the same name is of no small value it s fifteen or sixteen Villages are as well peopled as those of Tapouy Tapere Between Comma and Cayetta which approaches Para are divers people descending from the Toupinambous as those of Maranhan and Comma descend from the Tapouyes The French were likewise divers times possessed of the Isle of Maranhan Ribaut was here in 1594. Ravardiere in 1612. This last chose a most commodious place in the Island and built the Fort of St. Lewis the Portugals drove them out in 1614 and built new Forts St. Jago and Neustra Sennora Among the Rivers that full into the Gulph of Maranhan Miari is the greatest then Taboucourou The Capitany of Para with its Commodities The Capitany of PARA hath a square Fort seated on a Rock raised four or five fadom from the neighbouring ground and well walled except towards the River it hath four or five hundred Portugals who gather in the Country Tobacco Cotton and Sugar This Capitany holds beyond the Mouth of the Amazone Corrupa and Estiero and among the Mouths of that River Cogemine Of a temperate Air. Brazile hath an Air sweet and temperate though under the Torrid Zone the daies and nights being almost equal the freshness of the Sea Rivers and ordinary Dews contributing much to its wholsomness They lie very subject to Storms and Thunders and if it lighten in the evening it is without Thunder if it Thunder without Flashes That which likewise proves the goodness of the Air is that their Serpents Snakes Toads c. are not venemous Serpents Toads c. not venemous here but often serve for food to the Inhabitants yet the soil is more proper for the production of Fruits Pastures and Pulse than the Grains or Vines of Europe They carry them Wine and Flowr Corn being subject to spoil on the Sea The Natives use Rice and Manjoche to make their Bread It s fertility and Commodities They have likewise quantity of Pulse Trees which bear excellent Fruits Herbs Four-footed Beasts Birds and Fish in great abundance many of which are not known to us many sorts of Palm-trees which yield them great Commodities they have some Mines of Gold but more of Silver but the riches of Brazile is drawn from the Sugars and the Brazile-wood which comes from their Araboutan a mighty Tree which bears no Fruit. They have abundance of Parroquetos among their Monkeys they have black ones and of divers colours the most part very pleasant The skin of the Tapiroussou curried becomes so hard that it makes Bucklers not to be pierced by the strongest shot Arrow The Inhabitants of Brazile and what they are addicted unto their Customs c. Their Habit. The Brazilians are of a mean stature gross headed large shouldred of a reddish colour their skins tawny they live commonly to a hundred and fifty years and free from diseases caring for nothing but War and Vengeance They wander most part of their time in Hunting Fishing and Feasting in which Manjoche furnishes them with Bread Cumin-seed with Drink and and the Flesh of Beasts or of their Enemies cut in gobbets and some Fish are their most excellent meats The men are very cruel forgetful of courtesies received and mindful of injuries The Women are very lascivious they are delivered with little or no pain and immediately go about their affairs and not observing the custom of a Months lying in as is used among us They let their hair grow long which ordinarily hangeth over their shoulders both Sexes go naked especially till Married They are esteemed excellent Swimmers and divers being able to stay an hour together under water They paint themselves with divers colours all over the body on which they leave no hair not so much as on their Eye-lids but only a Crown about their Head and fasten a Bone which is well polished and some little Stone which is esteemed amongst them in their upper Lip and Cheeks Others cut their skin in Figures and
fifteen or sixteen Leagues where with a great declension it strikes against some traverses others divides its waters into many Branches re-assembles them and after having been so long in foam and froth disingaged from these Rocks it repasses but in every hour of the day once only is heard at the bottom of the River a certain Lowing which raiseth up the waters but which endures but for a moment and the River retakes its ordinary course which is Navigable above and below the Cataract The province of urvaig with its chief places described The Province of Vrvaig is on the Sea and between Brazile and the Mouth of the Paraguay it takes its name from the River of Vrvaig that is of Snails by reason of the prodigious quantity here found Its habitations are La Conception there where the Vrvaig falls into the Paraguay St. Nicholas on the River Piration St. Francis Xavier up within Land and likewise on the Vrvaig Ibicuit or the Visitation on the Paraguay and almost directly opposite to Buenos Ayres on the other side But there hath been no relation of these Parts since those of 1626 and 1627 which were Printed in 1636 in Antwerp and in 1637 in France If these people have since inclined themselves to Christianity as those Relations say they had begun to do no doubt but they are by this time all or the greatest part Christians The Magellanick Land and Island The Magellanick-Land bounded SOuth of Chili Tucaman and Rio de la Plata lies a great Region and a great many of Isles which we pass under the name of the MAGELLANICKS They make together the last and most Southern part of America Meridionalis washed on the East by the Mer del Nort on the West by the Mer del Sud or the Pacifique-Sea on the South by the Magellanick-Sea which may in general be extended over all the Coasts of these Magellanick-Lands and Islands The Streight of Magellan first discovered by Magellan the Portugal The streight of Magellan only formerly rendred all these Quarters famous because that the People of Europe and particularly the Castilians seeking a passage other then that of the Cape of Good-Hope to go to the Moluccoes and East-Indies Magellan a Portugal Gentleman but in the name and service of the King of Castile for some discontent he had received in the payment of his wages in Portugal was the first that found this Streight at the extremity of America Meridionalis and who passing from Mer del Nort unto that Del Sud between the 21 of October and the 27 or 28 of November in the year 1520 gave means not only to the Castilians to pretend the discovery of the Molucco's by the West against the Portugals who boasted to have first discovered them by the East but likewise shewed a way to make the whole circuit of the Terrestrial Globe which certainly had never before been done The two openings of our Streight as well towards us and the Mer del Nort as on the other side and towards the Mer del Sud are between the 52 and 53 Degrees of Latitude the middle descending unto the 54. And the two Capes of the first opening are that of the Virgins on the right hand and on the Continent and that of St. Severin or of St. Espritt on the left and in the Magellanick Isles or Terra del Fogo The two Capes which end the other opening are Cape Victory on the right hand and Cape Desired on the left The length breadth of this Streight The length of this Streight is near two hundred Leagues Its breadth only two three six ten Leagues and sometimes more incommodious for the most part being subject to Whirl-Pools The Waves of the Mer del Sud predominate for fifty and odd Leagues the rest is beaten on by those of the Mer del Nort and it is observed that so long as the Mer del Sud predominates the Streight is lockt between very high Mountains and Rocks always covered with Snow and which seem to touch on the other which makes the approach difficult on this side and withal the Sea is exceeding deep The bottom of that which is beaten by the Mer del Nort is easily found and the Fields and Valleys according to the Season are very pleasant both on the one and the other side And moreover here the streight much enlarges it self and hath store of commodious Ports and Roads not fast distant from one another where the waters likewise are good and the Wood which is found in the Mountains above the Coast hath something of Cinamon and being put in the fire renders an agreeable Odour So soon as the discovery of this Streight was known in Spain the Castilians had a design to make themselves Masters of it with an intent to hinder all other Nations from passing In 1523 Dom. Gutieres Carvajal Bishop of Plaisance sent in the name of Charles the fifth four Ships to make it more particularly but this Voyage proved very unfortunate for three of the Ships perished in the Streight and the fourth retired with no small hurt to Lima. In 1526 Garsia de Loyosa was likewise here for the same intent which proved also fatal for the Admiral coming out of the Streight was lost as also some at the Molucco's In 1535 one Simon de Alcazova entred it but the mutiny which was among his people was the cause of his loss and ill success Dom. Gutiers Carvajal Bishop of Plaisance sent other three Vessels in 1539 of which the Admiral was lost one returned back and the third passed on Some others there were which went all of which were Castilians some by the Coast of Spain others by the Coast of Peru but none could ever find a way to seize this Streight whereby to hinder a passage to others Sir Francis Drake in this Streight For in 1575 Sir Francis Drake happily passed this Streight came into the Mer del Sud pillaged and burned along the Coast of Chili and Peru quantity of Spanish Vessels and making a very rich booty he returned into England This course of the English very much allarm'd Peru and was the cause that the Vice-Roy sent Dom. Piedro Sarmiento to take full knowledge and make report in Spain of all the Coasts Harbours Anchorages and particularly of places where Forts might be built and Colonies established in this Streight This report made in Spain Dom. Diego de Valdes was sent with twenty three Vessels and twenty five hundred men But this voyage was likewise unhappy for seven or eight Ships with about seven or eight hundred men were lost almost in sight of Spain also some others of his Ships with about three or four hundred men likewise perished during the Voyage and Valdes returned into Spain with seven or eight of his Ships Sarmento with four remaining was at this Streight built Nombre de Jesus at the beginning of the Streight and left there a hundred and fifty men and