46 History of Nature. [BooK II. 



also at the Time of the Equinox in all Regions of the same 

 Meridian, when the Sun shineth directly over Men's Heads, 

 and causeth no Shadow. In like Manner, the Shadows of 

 them that dwell northerly under the solstitial Circle, fall all 

 at Noontide, northward, but at Sunrising, westward ; which 

 could not be possible unless the Sun were far greater 

 than the Earth. Moreover, when he riseth, he surpasseth 

 in breadth the Mountain Ida, encompassing the same at 

 large both on the right Hand and the left, which only is 

 from being so far distant. The Eclipse of the Moon sheweth 

 also the Magnitude of the Sun, by an infallible Demon- 

 stration ; as his own Eclipse declareth the Littleness of the 

 Earth. For as there are of Shadows three Forms, and it is 

 evident, that if the dark material Body which casteth a Sha- 

 dow be equal in Bigness to the Light, then the Shadow is 

 fashioned like a Pillar, and hath no Point at the End : if it 

 be greater, it yieldeth a Shadow like a Top standing upon 

 the Point, so as the lower Part thereof is narrowest, and 

 then the Shadow likewise is of infinite length : but if the 

 Body be less than the Light, then is represented a pyramidal 

 Figure, falling out sharp-pointed in the Top ; which Manner 

 of Shadow appeareth in the Moon's Eclipse : it is, without 

 doubt, therefore, that the Sun is much larger than the 

 Earth, as the same is seen by the silent Proofs of Nature 

 itself. For why, in dividing the Times of the Year, departeth 

 the Sun from us in the Winter? even because by means 

 of the Night's length he may refresh the Earth, which 

 otherwise he would have burnt up : for, notwithstanding 

 this, he burneth it in some measure, from his excessive 

 Greatness. 



CHAPTER XII. 



The Inventions of Men in the Observation of the Heavens. 



THE first Roman that published the true Reason of both 

 Eclipses was Sulpitius Gallus, who afterwards was Consul 

 with M. Marcellus: but at that Time being a Tribune, the 

 Day preceding that on which King Perseus was vanquished 

 by Paulus, he was brought by the General into open Audi- 



