COGITATIONES DE NATURA RERUM. 201 



evidence to the contrary, the presumption must be that 

 these Cogitationes were composed before 1605. That 

 they were composed before the appearance of the new 

 star in Cygnus, cannot be so safely inferred. That 

 star was much less conspicuous ; and it is a fact that 

 Galileo himself, treating this very same argument, 

 mentions both the others without making any allu 

 sion to it. See Dial, dei Massimi Sistemi, p. 59. ed. 

 Flor. 1842. 



The notes to this piece are Mr. Ellis s. 



J. S. 



