250 NATURAL HISTORY 



in high places, and in a body which is very moveable, and 

 in the afternoon, for at that time the particular eastern 

 wind blows more sparingly. 



Injunction. Observe diligently the veins and weather 

 cocks upon the tops and towers of churches, whether in 

 extreme calms they stand continually towards the west or 

 not. 



An indirect experiment. 



4. It is certain, that here with us in Europe the eastern 

 wind is drying and sharp; the west wind contrariwise, 

 moist and nourishing. May not this be by reason that (it 

 being granted that the air moves from east to west) it must 

 of necessity be that the east wind, whose blast goeth the 

 same way, must needs disperse and attenuate the air, 

 whereby the air is made biting and dry ; but the western 

 wind, which blows the contrary way, turns the airs back 

 upon itself and thickens it, whereby it becomes more dull, 

 and at length moist. 



An indirect experiment. 



5. Consider the inquisition of the motion and flowing of 

 waters, whether they move from east to west ; for if the two 

 extremes, heaven and waters, delight in this motion, the 

 air which is in the midst will go near to participate of the 

 same. 



Caution. We call the two last experiments indirect, be 

 cause they do Directly show the thing which we aim at 

 but by consequence, which we also gladly admit of when 

 we want direct experiments. 



Injunction. That the breeze blows plentifully between 

 the tropics is most certain; the cause is very ambiguous. 

 The cause may be, because the air moves according to the 

 heaven ; but without the tropics almost imperceivably, by 

 reason of the smaller circles which it makes within the tro 

 pics manifestly, because it makes bigger circles. Another 

 cause may be, because all kind of heat dilates and extends 

 the air, and doth not suffer it to be contained in its former 

 place ; and by the dilation of the air, there must needs be 

 an impulsion of the contiguous air which produceth this 

 breeze, as the sun goes forward : and that is more evident 

 within the tropics, where the sun is more scorching, without 

 it is hardly perceived. And this seems to be an instance 

 of the cross, or a decisory instance. To clear this doubt 

 you may inquire, whether the breeze blow in the night or 

 no ; for the wheeling of the air continues also in the night, 

 but the heat of the sun does not. 



