96 LOFTY REGIONS ARE THE COLDEST. 



LIB. ii. } ie one jg h t ej an( j the other colde. It is most certaine, 

 that the toppes of the mountaines are colder then in the 

 bottome of the vallies, the which proceedes, not onely tha.t 

 the sunne beames have greater repercussions vpon lower 

 places, although it be a great reason ; yet there is an other, 

 which is, that the Region, of the ayre is colder when it is 

 farthest from the ground. The Plaines of Collao in Peru, of 

 Popayan, and of new Spaine make sufficient proofe hereof. 

 For without al doubt those parts are high countries, and 

 for this reason cold, although they be all invironed with 

 high points of mountaines, much subiect to the Sunne 

 beames. But if we demand why at Peru, and in new 

 Spaine, the Plaines along the coast be very hote, and the 

 plaines of the same Countries of Peru and new Spaine be 

 contrariwise colde ? In truth I see no other reason can be 

 given, but that the one is a lowe country, and the other 

 high. Experience dooth teach vs, that the middle region 

 of the ayre is colder than the neather. And therefore the 

 more the mountaines approach to the middle, the colder 

 they are, being covered with snow and frosts. Reason it 

 selfe dooth yeelde to it. For if there be a sphere and 

 region of fire, as Aristotle and the other Philosophers say, 

 the middle region of the ayre must be most colde, by Anti- 

 paristasis, the colde being expelled and thickned there, as in 

 summer time we see in wells that are very deepe. For this 

 cause the Philosophers affirme, that the two extreame 

 regions of the ayre, that above and the other belowe, are 

 the hottest, and the middle region more colde. If it be 

 thus, as experience doth teach vs, we shall yet draw out 

 another reason and notable argument to shew that the 

 burning Zone is temperate, which is, that the greatest part 

 of the Indies is a high countrey, filled with many moun 

 taines, which by their neerenesse refresh the neighbour 

 countries. You may continually see vppon the toppes of 

 these mountaines, snow, haile and frozen waters ; and the 



