CAUSE OF THE WESTERLY WINDS. 125 



ing to this motion, which is from east to west, drawing LlB - m - 

 after it the vapors and exhalations that rise of either side 

 the Equinoctial or burning zone, incountring the course and 

 motion of the zone, are forced by the repercussion to 

 returne almost to the contrary, whence growe the southwest 

 winds so ordinary in those parts. Even as we see in the 

 course of waters, the which (if they be incountred by others 

 of more force) returne in a maner backe, so it seemes to 

 be like in vapours and exhalations, whereby it growes that 

 the windes doe turne and separate themselves from one 

 part to another. These westerly winds do commonly raine 

 in a meane altitude, which is from twenty and seeven to 

 thirty and seven degrees, though they be not so certaine 

 nor so regular as the Brisas that are in a lesse altitude. 

 The reason is, for that the south-west windes are no causes 

 of this proper and equal motion of the heaven, as the Brisas 

 are, being neere to the Line. But (as I have said) they are 

 more ordinarie, and often more furious and tempestuous. 

 But passing into a greater latitude, as of fortie degrees, 

 there is as small assurance of windes at sea as at land ; for 

 sometimes the east or north winde blowes, and sometimes 

 the south or west ; whereby it happeneth their navigations 

 are more vncertaine and more dangerous. 



CHAP. vin. Of the exceptions to the foresaid Rules, and of 

 the Windes and Calmes, loth at Land and at Sea. 



That which we have spoken of winds which blow ordi- 

 imrilie within and without the Zone, must be vnderstood of 

 the maine Sea and in the great gulphes ; for at land it is 

 otherwise, where we finde all sorts of windes, by reason of 

 the inequalitie which is betwixt the mountaines and the 

 vallies; the great number of Rivers and Lakes, and the 

 divers scituations of Countries, whence the grosse and 



