AND THEORY OF THE HEAVENS. 21 



Without this desirable arrangement this island would be 

 uninhabitable. The very same benefit is enjoyed by all 

 the coasts of the lands which lie in the Torrid Zone. To 

 them it is most necessary, because, as they are the lowest 

 regions of the dry land, they also suffer from the greatest 

 heat; whereas the regions which are found at a higher 

 altitude in these countries, and which the sea-wind does 

 not reach, have also less need of it, because their higher 

 situation places them in a cooler region of the air. Is 

 not all this beautiful? Are there not here visible ends 

 which are effected by means prudently applied? But, on 

 the other hand, the advocate of Naturalism cannot but 

 find the natural causes of this phenomenon in the most 

 general properties of the air, without needing to suppose 

 special arrangements made for it. He rightly observes 

 that these sea-breezes must go through such periodic 

 movements although there were no man living on such an 

 island, and indeed from no other property than that of 

 the air, and even without any intention specially directed 

 to that end referred to, as it is indispensably necessary 

 merely for the growth of plants, and is brought about 

 just by the elasticity and weight of the air. The heat of 

 the sun breaks up the equilibrium of the air by rarefying 

 that portion of it which lies over the land, and it thereby 

 causes the cooler sea-breeze to drive it out of its position 

 and to occupy its place. 



Of what utility are not the winds generally to the earth, 

 and what use does not the acuteness of men make of 

 them ! Nevertheless no other arrangements are necessary 

 to produce them than those general conditions of air and 

 heat which must be found upon the earth even apart from 

 these ends. 



