90 MODERATE HEAT IN THE TROPICS. 



LIB. ir. qualities, Hotte and Colde. We have shewed in the be 

 ginning of this Discourse how the Ancients held that the 

 burning Zone was hotte and exceeding drie, the which is 

 not so ; for it is hote and moist, and in the greatest part 

 the heat is not excessive, but rather moderate, which some 

 would hold incredible, if we had not tried it. When I 

 passed to the Indies, I will tell what chaunced vnto mee : 

 having read what Poets and Philosophers write of the 

 burning Zone, I perswaded my selfe, that comming to the 

 Equinoctiall, I should not indure the violent heate, but it 

 fell out otherwise ; for when I passed, which was when the 

 sun was there for Zenith, being entered into Aries, in the 

 moneth of March, I felt so great cold, as I was forced to go 

 into the sunne to warme me ; what could I else do then, but 

 laugh at Aristotle s Meteors and his Philosophic, seeing that 

 in that place and at that season, whenas all should be 

 scorched with heat, according to his rules, I, and all my 

 companions were a colde? In truth, there is no region in 

 the world more pleasant and temperate, then vnder the 

 Equinoctiall, although it be not in all parts of an equall 

 temperature, but have great diversities. The burning Zone in 

 some parts is very temperate, as in Quito, and on the coast 

 plaines of Peru ; in some partes verie colde, as at Potosi ; and 

 in some very hote, as in Ethiopia, Bresill, and the Moluccas. 

 This diversitie being knowne, and cortaine vnto vs, we 

 must of force seeke out another cause of cold and heat 

 then the sunne beanies, seeing that in one season of the 

 yeere, and in places of one height and distance from the 

 Pole and Equinoctiall, we finde so great diversitie, that 

 some are invironed with heat, some with cold, and others 

 piato m tempered with a moderate heat. Plato placeth his most 



Tim. and 



critia. renowned Atlantis Hand vnder the burning Zone ; then he 

 saieth, that at certaine seasons of the yeere it hath the 

 sunne for Zenith, and yet it was very temperate, fruitfull, 



vCc . i^ and rich. Plinie saieth, that Taprobana, which at this day 



