CENTURY IX. 133 



8 1 8. The upper regions of the air perceive the col 

 lection of the matter of tempests and winds, before 

 the air here below : and therefore the obscuring of 

 the smaller stars, is a sign of tempest following. And 

 of this kind you shall find a number of instances in 

 our inquisition De ventis. 



819. Great mountains have a perception of the 

 disposition of the air to tempests, sooner than the 

 vallies or plains below : and therefore they say in 

 Wales, when certain hills have their night-caps on, 

 they mean mischief. The cause is, for that tempests, 

 which are for the most part bred above in the middle 

 region, as they call it, are soonest perceived to collect 

 in the places next it. 



820. The air, and fire, have subtile perceptions of 

 wind rising, before men find it. We see the trem 

 bling of a candle will discover a wind that otherwise 

 we do not feel ; and the flexuous burning of flames 

 doth shew the air beginneth to be unquiet ; and so do 

 coals of fire by casting off the ashes more than they 

 use. The cause is, for that no wind at the first, till 

 it hath struck and driven the air, is apparent to the 

 sense ; but flame is easier to move than air : and for 

 the ashes, it is no marvel, though wind unperceived 

 shake them off; for we usually try which way the 

 wind bloweth, by casting up grass, or chaff, or such 

 light things into the air. 



821. When wind expireth from under the sea, as 

 it causeth some resounding of the water, whereof we 

 spake before, so it causeth some light motions of 

 bubbles, and white circles of froth. The cause is, for 



