ix INADEQ UACY OF EXPLANA TION 2 8 1 



as the place of stars. Of course, the whirlwind is 

 caused by the mutual struggle of several winds, and 

 the contest cannot be kept up for any long time. 

 When the wandering uncertain air assumes a 

 rotatory form, in the last instance the force of all 

 the winds yields to the single strongest one. No 3 

 hurricane lasts long. The more strength squalls 

 have, the shorter their duration. When winds 

 reach their maximum, they quickly abate all their 

 violence. By that headlong speed they must needs 

 hasten to their own destruction. So no one has 

 ever seen a whirlwind last a whole day, or even an 

 hour. Its velocity is astonishing, its brevity no less 

 astonishing. Moreover, on the earth and near it, its 4 

 rotation is swifter and more violent ; the higher it is, 

 the less condensed and compact is it, and that is the 

 reason of its more rapid dissipation. Add the fact, 

 too, that even if it reached the highest region where 

 the stars' path lies, it would most certainly be broken 

 up by the motion which causes the universe to 

 revolve. For what can compare in rapidity with 

 the revolution of the world ? Thereby the strength 

 of all the winds combined in one would be shattered, 

 aye, and the strong solid chain that binds the earth, 

 not to say a wisp of whirling air. 



AGAIN, a fire carried along by a whirlwind cannot 

 remain on high unless the whirlwind also remain. 

 But then what is so inconceivable as any prolonged 

 duration in a whirlwind ? Above all, the whirlwind 

 motion is neutralised by the opposite motion of 

 the heavens. That region on high to which it 



