430 NATURAL HISTORY. 



wholesome summer, if there be a showering April 

 between : but otherwise it is a sign of a pestilential 

 year. 



808. As the discovery of the disposition of the 

 air is good for the prognostics of wholesome and un 

 wholesome years ; so it is of much more use, for the 

 choice of places to dwell in : at the least, for lodges, 

 and retiring places for health : for mansion-houses 

 respect provisions as well as health, wherein the ex 

 periments above-mentioned may serve. 



809. But for the choice of places, or seats, it is 

 good to make trial, not only of aptness of air to cor 

 rupt, but also of the moisture and dryness of the air, 

 and the temper of it in heat or cold ; for that may 

 concern health diversly. We see that there be some 

 houses, wherein sweet-meats will relent, and baked 

 meats will mould, more than in others ; and 

 wainscots will also sweat more ; so that they will 

 almost run with water ; all which, no doubt, are 

 caused chiefly by the moistness of the air in those 

 seats. But because it is better to know it before a 

 man buildeth his house, than to find it after, take 

 the experiments following. 



810. Lay wool, or a sponge, or bread, in the 

 place you will try, comparing it with some other 

 places ; and see whether it doth not moisten, and 

 make the wool, or sponge, &c. more ponderous than 

 the other : and if it do, you may judge of that place, 

 as situate in a gross and moist air. 



811. Because it is certain, that in some places, 

 either by the nature of the earth, or by the situation 



