86 History of Nature. [BOOK II. 



and generally all Winds from the North and West are drier 

 than from the South and East. Of all Winds the Northern 

 is most healthful : the Southern Wind is noisome, and the 

 rather when it is dry ; haply, because that when it is moist 

 it is the colder. During the Time that it bloweth, living- 

 Creatures are thought to be less hungry. The Etesice give 

 over ordinarily in the Night, and arise at the third hour of 

 the Day. In Spain and Asia they blow from the East : but 

 in Pontus, from the North : in other Quarters, from the 

 South. They blow also after the Midwinter, when they be 

 called OrinthicB ; but those are more mild, and continue 

 fewer Days. Two there be that change their Nature with 

 their Place : the South Wind in Africa bringeth fair Weather, 

 and the North Wind there is cloudy. All Winds keep their 

 Course in Order for the more Part, or else when one ceaseth 

 the contrary beginneth. When some are laid and the next 

 to them arise, they go about from the left Hand to the right, 

 according to the Sun. Of their Manner and Order monthly, 

 the fourth Day after the Change of the Moon doth most 

 commonly determine. The same Winds will serve to sail 

 contrary Ways, by means of setting out the Sails : so as many 

 Times in the Night, Ships in sailing run one against another. 

 The South Wind raiseth greater Billows than the North : for 

 that the South Wind ariseth below, from the Bottom of the 

 Sea ; the other descends from on high. And, therefore, after 

 Southern Winds, Earthquakes are most hurtful. The South 

 Wind in the Night Time is more boisterous, the Northern 

 Wind in the Day. The Winds blowing from the East con- 

 tinue longer than those from the West. The Northern Winds 

 give over commonly with an odd Number : which Observa- 

 tion serveth to good use in many other Parts of natural 

 Things, and therefore the male Winds are judged by the odd 

 Number. The Sun both raiseth and also allayeth the Winds. 

 At rising and setting he causeth them to blow : at Noontide 

 he represseth them in Summer. And therefore at Mid-day 

 or Midnight commonly the Winds are allayed ; for both Cold 

 and Heat, if they be immoderate, do consume them. Also, 

 Rain doth lay the Winds : and most commonly from thence 

 they are looked for to blow, where Clouds break and lay 



