OF WINDS. 269 



cussion by the cold of the middle region, all fantastical and 

 arbitrary opinions ; yet out of such threads they weave long 

 pieces, namely, cobwebs. But all impulsion of the air 

 is wind; and exhalations mixed with the air contribute 

 more to the motion than to the matter ; and moist vapours, 

 by a proportionate heat, are easier dissolved into wind than 

 dry exhalations, and many winds are engendered in the 

 lowest region of the air, and breathe out of the earth, besides 

 those which are thrown down and beaten back. 



1. The natural wheeling of the air (as we said in the 

 article of general winds), without any other external cause, 

 bringeth forth winds perceptible within the tropics, where 

 the conversion is in greater circles. 



2. Next to the natural motion of the air, before we inquire 

 of the sun (who is the chief begetter of winds), let us see 

 whether any thing ought to be attributed to the moon, and 

 other asters by clear experience. 



3. There arise many great and strong winds some hours 

 before the eclipse of the moon; so that, if the moon be 

 eclipsed in the middle of the night, the winds blow the 

 precedent evening; if the moon be eclipsed towards the 

 morning, then the winds blow in the middle of the precedent 

 night. 



4. In Peru, which is a very windy country, Acosta 

 observes, that winds blow most when the moon is at the 

 full. 



Injunction. It were certainly a thing worthy to be ob 

 served, what power the ages and motions of the moon have 

 upon the winds, seeing they have some power over the 

 waters. As for example, whether the winds be not in a 

 greater commotion in full and new moons, than in her first 

 and last quarters, as we find it to be in the flowings of 

 waters. For though some do conveniently feign the com 

 mand of the moon to be over the waters, as the sun and 

 planets over the air, yet it is certain, that the water and the 

 air are very homogeneal bodies, and that the moon next to 

 the sun hath most power over all things here below. 



5. It hath been observed by men, that about the con 

 junctions of planets greater winds do blow. 



6. At the rising of Orion there rise commonly divers 

 winds and storms. But w r e must advise whether this be 

 not because Orion rises in such a season of the year as is 

 most effectual for the generation of winds; so that it is 

 rather a concomitant than causing thing. Which may 

 also very well be questioned concerning rairi at the rising 



