17 



vanquishes the heat in air, and the dryness in 

 earth, the moisture in air, then a mutation from air 

 into earth is effected. 



But when the moisture of air corrupts the heat 

 of fire, from both of them fire will be generated ; 

 for the heat of air and the dryness of fire will still 

 remain. And fire is hot and dry. 



When, however, the coldness of earth is cor- 

 rupted, and the moisture of water, from both of 

 them earth will be generated. For the dryness of 

 earth, indeed, will be left, and the coldness of water. 

 And earth is cold and dry. 



But when the heat of air, and the heat of fire 

 are corrupted, no element will be generated ; for 

 the contraries in both these will remain, viz. the 

 moisture of air and the dryness of fire. Moisture, 

 however, is contrary to dryness. 



And again, when the coldness of earth, and in a 

 similar manner of water, are corrupted, neither 

 thus will there be any generation; for the dryness 

 of earth and the moisture of water will remain. 

 But dryness is contrary to moisture. And thus, we 

 have briefly discussed the generation of the first 

 bodies, and have shown how and from what sub- 

 jects it is effected. 



Since, however, the world is indestructible and 

 unbegotten, and neither received a beginning of 

 generation, nor will ever have an end, it is neces- 

 c 



