BOOK XVIII. Lxix. 287-291 



which it is desirable that the fields may not be fouled 

 by dew — for the cold constellation of Arcturus, 

 setting the next day, nips tliem — and much more 

 is it desirable tliat a full moon may not come at this 

 period. On June 2 the Eagle for a second time 

 rises in the evenin<f, and this is a critical dav for 

 oUves and vines in blossom if a full moon coincides 

 with it. For my own part I am also incHned to con- 

 sider that June 24, the solstice, is in a similar case, 

 and also the rising of the Dog 23 days after the 

 solstice, though only if the moon's conjunction falls 

 then, as harm is done by the extreme heat and the 

 young grapes are ri]icncd prematurely into a hard 

 knob. Again, harm is done by a full moon on July 

 4, when the Little Dog rises for Egypt, or at all 

 events on July 17 wlien it rises for Italy, and 

 similarly between July 20, when the Eagle sets, and 

 July 23. The festival of the Second VinaHa, kept 

 on August 19, has no connexion with these influences. 

 Varro fixes it at the time when the Lyre is beginning 

 to set in the morning, which he holds to be the 

 beginning of autumn and a hoHday estabHshed for 

 propitiating the weather ; but at the present day 

 observation shows that the Lyre sets on August 8. 



Within these periods faHs the steriHzing influence 

 of the heavens, though I would not deny the possi- 

 bihty that it is Hable to alteration by local cHmatic 

 conditions, whether cokl or hot. But it is enough 

 for us to have demonstrated the principle, leaving 

 the details to be asccrtained by individual observa- Dangercan 

 tion ; at all events it will not be doubted that one or i>e forecast by 



, ' , . , ,, , , . observattori . 



other 01 two thmgs, luU moon or the moon s conjunc- 

 tion, is responsible. And in this matter admiration 

 for Nature's benevolence suggests itself, as to the 



371 



