78 OVERFLOWING OF THE Nlf.E. 



LIB. n. viider divers Poles. So as when it is cold in these Pro 

 vinces, the waters are in great aboundance, which is, when 

 the Sunne is farthest off, from the beginning of Aprill to 

 the end of September; finally, the disposition of seasons is 

 like to that in Europe, which is, that the heat and drought 

 comes whenas the Sunne returnes, which is the cause that 

 this Realme of Chile approcheth neerer the temperature of 

 Europe then any other of the Indies, as well in the fruites 

 of the earth as in the bodies and spirits of men. The like 

 they report of that part which lies before the Inner Ethiopia, 

 that stretcheth out in manner of a point vnto the Cape 

 Bonne Esperance or Good Hope, the which they holde for a 

 true cause of the inundations of Nile, which bee in Summer, 

 whereof the Ancients have so much disputed, for that in 

 that Region the Winter and raine begins in April, whenas 

 the Sunne hath passed Aries; and these waters, which 

 partly grow from snow and partly from raine, assemble and 

 make great Lakes and Pooles, from whence by good and 

 true Geographic the River of Nile proceedes, and by this 

 meanes goes by little and little stretching out her course, 

 till that, having runne a long way, it finally, in the time of 

 Summer, overfloweth Egypt, which seemeth against nature, 

 and yet it is certainely reported : for at what time it is 

 Summer in Egypt, lying vnder the Tropicke of Cancer, 

 then is it winter at the springes of Nile, which is vndcr 

 the other Tropicke of Capricorne. There is in America an 

 other inundation like to that of Nile, at Paraguay, or River 

 de la Plata, which is as much to say, as the River of silver, 

 the which receiving yeerely infinite waters which fall from 

 the Mountaines of Peru, doth so terribly swell in her 

 course, and over-flowes that Region, as the Inhabitants are 

 forced, during those Moneths, to retyre themselves into 

 boats and Canoes, and to leave the dwelling of the Land. 



