112 NOVUM ORGANUM. 



The sun gives out more heat as it approaches towards the 

 perpendicular or zenith, which may be supposed to be the 

 case with the other planets according to their degree of 

 heat ; for instance, that Jupiter gives out more heat when 

 situated beneath Cancer or Leo, than when he is beneath 

 Capricorn and Aquarius. 



17. It is to be supposed that the sun and other planets 

 give more heat in perigee, from their approximation to the 

 earth, than when in apogee. But if in any country the 

 sun should be both in its perigee and nearer to the perpen 

 dicular at the same time, it must necessarily give out more 

 heat than in a country where it is also in perigee, but 

 situated more obliquely. So that the comparative altitude 

 of the planets should be observed, and their approach to or 

 declination from the perpendicular in different countries. 



18. The sun* and other planets are thought also to give 

 out more heat in proportion as they are nearer to the larger 

 fixed stars; as when the sun is in Leo he is nearer Cor 

 Leonis, Cauda Leonis, Spica Virginis, Sirius, and the lesser 

 dog-star, than when he is in Cancer, where, however, he ap 

 proaches nearer to the perpendicular. It is probable also 

 that the quarters of the heavens produce a greater heat 

 (though not perceptibly), in proportion as they are adorned 

 with a greater number of stars, particularly those of the 

 first magnitude. 



19. On the whole the heat, of the heavenly bodies is 

 augmented in three ways; 1. The approach to the perpen 

 dicular; 2. Proximity or their perigee; 3. The conjunction 

 or union of stars. 



20. There is a very considerable difference between the 

 degree of heat in animals, and even in the rays of the 

 heavenly bodies (as they reach us), and the heat of the most 

 gentle flame, and even of all ignited substances, nay liquids, 

 or the air itself when unusually heated by fire. For the 

 flame of spirit of wine, though diffused and uncollected, is 

 yet able to set straw, linen, or paper on fire, which animal 

 heat, or that of the sun, will never accomplish without a 

 burning glass. 



21. There are however many degrees of strength and 

 weakness in flame and ignited bodies : but no diligent in 

 quiry has been made in this respect, and we must, there- 



* This notion is erroneous, but the sun is in Leo about August, when the 

 earth has become heated by the accumulation of heat after the solstice. The 

 maximum of heat in the day is not at noon but about two o clock, for the same 

 reason. 



