BOOK II.] History of Nature. 73 



or they set them on Fire if they fall upon the Bottom of the 

 Keel. But if the Pair appear, they are salutary, and foretel 

 a prosperous Voyage ; for by their coming, it is supposed that 

 the dreadful and threatening Meteor called Helena, is driven 

 away. And therefore it is, that Men assign this mighty 

 Power to Castor and Pollux, and invocate them as Gods at 

 Sea. Men's Heads, also, in the Evening are seen to shine 

 round about ; which presageth some great Matter. Of all 

 these Things there is no certain Reason to be given ; but they 

 are hidden in the Majesty of Nature. 



CHAPTER XXXVIII. 

 Of the Air. 



HITHERTO we have treated of the World itself, and the 

 Stars. It remaineth now to speak of other memorable 

 Things observed in the Sky. For even that Part also have 

 our Forefathers called Cesium, or the Sky, which otherwise 

 they name the Air : even all that Portion which seeming 

 like a void and empty Place, yieldeth this vital Spirit 

 whereby all Things do live. This Region is seated beneath 

 the Moon, and far under that Planet (as I observe it is, in 

 Manner, by all Men agreed upon). And mingling together 

 an infinite Portion of the superior celestial Nature of Air, 

 with very much of earthly Vapours, it doth participate con- 

 fusedly of both. From hence proceed Clouds, Thunders, 

 and those terrible Lightnings. From hence come Hail, 

 Frosts, Rain, Storms, and Whirlwinds : from hence arise 

 most of the Calamities of mortal Men, and the continual 

 War that Nature maketh with herself. For these gross 

 Exhalations, as they mount upward to the Heaven, are 

 beaten back by the Violence of the Stars : and the same 

 again draw up to them those Matters, which of their own 

 Accord ascend not. For thus we see, that Showers of Rain 

 fall, Mists arise, Rivers are dried up, Hail-storms came down 

 amain, the Sunbeams scorch the ground, and drive it every 

 where to the midst : but the same again unbroken, and not 

 loosing their Force, rebound and take up with them whatso- 



