288 NATURAL HISTORY 



more it shakes (though it swiftens the motion of the sails) 

 the whole frame of the mill. 



4. It is reported that in some countries there are coaches 

 and waggons which move with the wind ; but this must 

 be more diligently looked after. 



Mandate. Chariots moving by virtue of the wind can 

 be of no use, unless it be in open places and plains ; besides, 

 what will be done if the wind allays ? It had been better 

 to have thought of easing the motion of waggons and 

 coaches by sails, which might be set up and taken down, to 

 ease the oxen or horses which draw them, rather than to 

 make a motion by wind alone. 



Prognostics of Winds. 



To the two and thirtieth article. Connexion. 



The more divination useth to be polluted by vanity and 

 superstition, so much more is the purer part of it to be 

 received and honoured. But natural divination is some 

 times more certain, sometimes more slippery and deceitful, 

 according to the subject with which it hath to do; for if it 

 be of a constant and regular nature, it causeth a certain 

 prediction ; if it be of a variable and irregular nature, it may 

 make a casual and deceitful one: yet in a various subject 

 the prediction will hold true if it be diligently regulated, 

 peradventure it may not hint upon the very moments, but 

 in the thing itself it will not err much. Likewise for the 

 times of the event and complement, some predictions will 

 hit right enough, namely, those which are not gathered 

 from the causes, but from the thing itself already inchoated 

 but sooner appearing, in an apt and fitly disposed matter 

 than in another, as we said before in the topics concerning 

 this two and thirtieth article. We will now therefore set 

 forth the prognostics of winds, of necessity intermixing 

 some of rain and fair weather, which could not conveniently 

 be separated, remitting the full inquiry of them to their 

 proper titles. 



1. If the sun appears hollow at its rising, it will the very 

 same day yield wind or rain ; if it appears as it were a 

 little hollow, it signifies wind : if deeply hollow, rain. 



2. If the sun rises pale, or (as we call it) waterish, it be 

 tokens rain ; if it set so, it betokens wind. 



3. If the body of the sun itself appears at its setting of 

 the colour of blood, it foretokens great winds for many days. 



4. If at sunrising its beams appear rather red than yel- 



