78 History of Nature. [BooK It. 



CHAPTER XLIL 

 The Causes of Rain, Showers, Winds, and Clouds. 



I CANNOT deny, but without these Causes there arise 

 Rains and Winds : for it is certain there is exhaled from the 

 Earth a Mist, sometimes moist, at other Times smoky, by 

 Reason of hot Vapours. Also, that Clouds are produced by 

 Vapours which are gone up on high, or else of the Air 

 gathered into a watery Liquor : that they be thick, and of a 

 bodily Consistence, we collect by no doubtful Argument, 

 considering that they overshadow the Sun, which otherwise 

 may be seen through Water; as they know well that dive to 

 any good Depth, 



CHAPTER XLIII. 

 Of Thunder and Lightning. 1 



I WOULD not deny, therefore, that the fiery Impressions 

 from Stars above, may fall upon these Clouds, such as we 

 oftentimes see to shoot in clear and fair Weather : by the 

 forcible Stroke whereof, good Reason it is. that the Air 

 should be mightily shaken, seeing that Darts when they are 

 discharged, make a Noise as they fly. But when they en- 

 counter a Cloud, there ariseth a Vapour with a dissonant 

 Sound (as when a red-hot Iron maketh an Hissing when 

 thrust into Water), and Smoke rolls up in Waves. Hence 

 Storms are bred. And if this Flatus, or Vapour, do struggle 

 within the Cloud, Thunder is given out ; if it break through 

 still burning, then flieth out the Thunderbolt : if it be a 



1 An attempt to explain the cause of thunder and lightning could 

 scarcely be otherwise than futile, in the entire absence of a knowledge of 

 the existence of such a matter as electricity. But any attempt at a natural 

 explanation was an effort of courage, and far in advance of the popular 

 opinion. On this account the Author is entitled to pardon, when, at the 

 conclusion of the chapter he finds himself disposed to make some conces- 

 sion, in admitting it to be possible, that some of these phenomena were 

 premonitory, and direct from the gods. Wern. Club. 



