176 CALOR ET FRIGUS. 



The sun noted to be hotter when it shineth forth be- 

 tween clouds, than when the sky is open and serene. 



The middle region of the air hath manifest effects of 

 cold, notwithstanding locally it be nearer the sun ; 

 commonly imputed to antiperistasis, assuming that the 

 beams of the sun are hot either by approach or by re- 

 flexion, and that falleth in the middle term between 

 both ; or if, as some conceive, it be only by reflexion, 

 then the cold of that region resteth chiefly upon dis- 

 tance. The instances shewing the cold of that region 

 are, the snows which descend, the hails which descend, 

 and the snows and extreme colds which are upon high 

 mountains. 



But qu. of such mountains as adjoin to sandy vales, 

 and not to fruitful vales, which minister no vapours ; 

 or of mountains above the region of vapours, as is 

 reported of Olympus, where any inscription upon the 

 ashes of the altar remained untouched of wind or dew. 

 And note it is also reported that men carried up sponges 

 with vinegar to thicken their breath, the air growing 

 too fine for respiration, which seemeth not to stand with 

 coldness. 



The clouds make a mitigation of the heat of the sun. 

 So doth the interposition of any body, which we term 

 shades ; but yet the nights in summer are many times 

 as hot to the feeling of men's bodies as the days are 

 within doors, where the beams of the sun actually beat 

 not. 1 



There is no other nature of heat known from the 

 celestial bodies or from the air, but that which cometh 



1 The following note is inserted here in the margin : No doubt but in- 

 finite power of the heat of the sun in cold countries, though it be not to 

 the analogy of men, and fruits, &c. 



