LUNAR INFLUENCES. 



justify this maxim. "The vinous fermentation," he says, "can 

 only be carried on in two moons when it begins immediately 

 before the new moon : and, consequently, that this being a time 

 when the enlightened side of the moon is turned for the most 

 part from the earth, our atmosphere is deprived of the heat of 

 the lunar rays ; that therefore the temperature of the earth is 

 lowered, and the fermentation is less active." 



To this we need only answer, that the moon's rays do not affect 

 the temperature of the air to the extent of one thousandth part of a 

 degree of the thermometer, and that the difference of tempera- 

 tures of any two neighbouring places in which the process of 

 making the wine of the same soil and vintage might be conducted, 

 must be many times greater at any given moment of time, and 

 yet no one ever imagines that such a circumstance can affect the 

 quality of the wine. 



According to the meteorological maxims of the ancients, the 

 fate of the vintage was even more powerfully affected by the 

 influence of a particular star, and moreover one scarcely so 

 bright as to be classed among those of the first magnitude, than 

 by that of the moon. This stellar enemy of the grape was the 

 star called Procyon, in the constellation of the little dog. Pliny 

 records the opinion prevailing in his time that Procyon decided 

 the fate of the vintage, and that its malign influence burnt the 

 grape. 



Now it might fairly be demanded by what means the grape 

 was protected from this malignant star in some years, though 

 exposed to it in others ? Procyon, a fixed star, held and still 

 holds constantly the same place in the firmament ; and whatever 

 be the physical influence which it radiates to the earth, that 

 influence cannot change from year to year. If it be replied that 

 the number of unclouded nights at a certain season is greater or 

 less in different years, we shall then fall back upon the explana- 

 tion already given in the case of the red moon, and show that 

 Procyon is in this case a mere witness, and not a malefactor. 



As this ancient error does not, however, appear to prevail 

 in our times, it will not be necessary to enlarge further on this 

 point. 



It is a maxim of Italian wine merchants, that wine ought never 

 to be transferred from one vessel to another in the month of 

 January or March, unless in the decline of the moon, under 

 penalty of seeing it spoiled. 



Toaldo has not favoured us with any physical reason for 

 this maxim ; but it is remarkable that Pliny, on the autho- 

 rity of Hyginus, recommends precisely the opposite course. 

 "We may presume that from such contrary rules, it may- 

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