126 LAND AND SEA BREEZES. 



LIB. HI. thicke vapors arise, which are moved from the one part or 

 the other, according to the diversitie of their beginnings, 

 which cause these divers windes the motion of the aire, 

 caused by the heaven having not power enough to draw 

 and move them with it. And this varietie of windes is not 

 onely found at land, but also vpon the sea coast, which is 

 vnder the burning Zone, for that there be foraine or land 

 windes which come from the land, and many which blow 

 from the sea ; the which windes from the sea are commonly 

 more wholesome and more pleasant then those of the land, 

 which are contrariwise, troublesome and vnwholsome, 

 although it be the difference of the coast that causeth this 

 diversitie ; commonly the land windes blow from mid-night 

 to the sunne rising, and the sea windes vntill sunne setting. 

 The reason, perhaps, may be, that the earth, as a grosse 

 substance, fumes more whenas the sunne shines not vpon 

 it, even as greene wood, or scarce drie, smoakes most when 

 the flame is quenched. But the sea, which is compounded 

 of more subtile partes, engenders no fumes but when it is 

 hote, even as straw or haie, being moist and in small 

 quantitie, breedes smoake when it is burnt, and when the 

 flame failes, the fume suddenly ceaseth. Whatsoever it be, 

 it is certaine that the land winde blowes by night, and that 

 of the sea by day. So that even as there are often contrarie, 

 violent, and tempestuous windes vpon the sea coast, so do 

 we see very great calmes. Some men of great experience 

 report, that having sailed many great passages at sea vucler 

 the line, yet did they never see any calrnes, but that they 

 alwaies make way little or much, the aire being moved by 

 the celestiall motion, which is sufficient to guide a ship, 

 blowing in poope, as it doth. I have already said that a 

 ship of Lima going to Manilla sailed two thousand seven 

 hundred leagues, alwaies vnder the line, or not above twelve 

 degrees from it, and that in the moneths of Februarie and 

 March, whenas the sunne is there for Zenith, and in all this 



