74 History of Nature. [BoOK II. 



ever they are able. Vapours fall from aloft, and return again 

 on high: forcible Winds come empty, but return with a 

 Booty. So many living Creatures draw their Breath from 

 above : but the same laboureth contrariwise, and the Earth 

 infuseth into the Air a Spirit as if it were empty. Thus, while 

 Nature goeth to and fro, as forced by some Engine, by the 

 Swiftness of the Heaven the Fire of Discord is kindled. 

 Neither can she stand to the Fight, but being continually 

 carried away she is rolled about, and as she spreadeth about 

 the Earth, with an immeasurable Globe of the Heaven, so 

 ever and anon through the Clouds she frameth another Sky. 

 And this is that Region where the Winds reign. And there- 

 fore their Kingdom principally is there where they execute 

 their Forces. For Thunderbolts and Lightnings most Men 

 attribute to their Violence. Nay, and so it is supposed that 

 sometimes it raineth Stones, which may be taken up first by 

 the Wind ; and many similar Appearances. Wherefore many 

 Matters besides are to be treated of together. 



CHAPTER XXXIX. 

 Of Ordinary Sedsons. 



IT is manifest that of Seasons, as also of other Things, 

 some Causes be certain ; others, casual ; or, such as yet the 

 Reason thereof is unknown. For who doubteth that Sum- 

 mers and Winters, and those alternative Seasons which we 

 observe by yearly Course, are occasioned by the Motion of 

 the Planets? As, therefore, the Sun's Nature is understood 

 by tempering and ordering the Year, so the rest of the Stars 

 have every one their peculiar Power, and the same effectual 

 to perform their own Nature. Some are fruitful to bring 

 forth Moisture, that is turned into liquid Rain : others to 

 yield an Humour either congealed into Frosts, or gathered 

 and thickened into Snow, or else frozen into Hail : some 

 afford Winds ; others Warmth : some hot and scorching 

 Vapours ; some, Dews ; and others, Cold. Neither ought 

 these Stars to be esteemed no more than they shew in Sight, 

 seeing that none of them is less than the Moon ; as may 



