284 NATURAL HISTORY. 



may be a progressive sailing (without any casting aboard, 

 which is used when the wind is clean contrary) though of 

 the sixteen parts there be but six favourable, and the other 

 ten contrary. But that kind of sailing depends much upon 

 the lower sail of the mizenmast. For whilst the adverse 

 parts of the wind being more powerful and not to be opposed 

 by the helm alone, would turn the other sails, and the ship 

 itself, against its intended course, that sail being stiffly 

 stretched, favouring the helm, and strengthening its motion, 

 turns the beak into the way of its course. 



34. All manner of wind in the sails doth somewhat bur 

 den and depress the ship, and so much the more when it 

 blows most from above. So that in greatest storms, first 

 they lower their yards and take away the upper sails, and if 

 need be all the rest, cut down the masts, cast their goods 

 into the sea, and their ordinance, &c, to lighten the ship 

 and make it swim, and give way to the waves. 



35. By this motion of the winds in the sails of ships (if 

 it be a merry and prosperous gale) a merchant s ship may 

 sail sixscore Italian miles in four and twenty hours; for 

 there are certain packet boats which are built a purpose for 

 swiftness (that are called caravels), which will go further. 

 But when the wind is clean contrary, they fly to this last 

 refuge, and a very weak one, to go on their course, namely, 

 to proceed sideway, as the wind will suffer them, out of 

 their course, then turn their way again towards their course, 

 and so proceed in an angular way. By which progression 

 (which is less than creeping, for serpents creep on by 

 crooked turnings, but they make angles) they may in four 



and twenty hours go fifteen miles journey. 



i 

 Greater Observations. 



1. This motion of winds in sails of ships hath three chief 

 heads and fountains of its impulsion or driving forward, 

 from whence it flows and derives; whence also precepts 

 may be taken to increase and strengthen it. 



2. The first spring comes from the quantity of the wind 

 which is received ; for questionless more wind helps more 

 than less ; wherefore the quantity of wind must be carefully 

 procured, which will be done ifj like wise householders, we 

 be good husbands, and take care nothing be stolen from 

 us. Wherefore we must be very careful that no wind may 

 be lost. 



3. The wind blows either above the ships or below them, 

 to the very superficies and surface of the sea ; and as pro 

 vident men use to look most after the least things (for the 



