98 History of Nature. [BooK 1 1 . 



as rainy or fair Days, in a Manner that we can trust them. 

 But it is manifest that the Sunbeams striking upon an hollow 

 Cloud, when their Edge is repelled, are beaten back against 

 the Sun : and thus ariseth a Variety of Colours by the Mix- 

 ture of Clouds, Air, and fiery Light. Certainly, they never 

 are known but opposite to the Sun ; nor at any Time other- 

 wise than in Form of a Semicircle ; nor yet in the Night 

 Season, although Aristotle saith 1 there was a Rainbow seen 

 by Night : however he confesseth, that it could not possibly 

 be but at the full of the Moon. They happen for the most 

 Part in Winter, chiefly from the Autumnal Equinox, as the 

 Days decrease. But as Days grow longer after the Spring 

 Equinox, they be not seen, no more than about the Summer 

 Solstice, when the Days are longest. But in Bruma, that is 

 to say, when they be shortest, they appear often. The same 

 appear aloft when the Sun is low ; and below, when he is 

 aloft. Also, they be of narrower Compass when the Sun 

 either riseth or setteth, but their Body spreadeth broad : and 

 at Noon they are narrower, but wider in Circumference. In 

 Summer they be not seen about Noon, but after the Autumnal 

 Equinox at all hours ; and never more than two at once. 

 The Rest of the same Nature, I see few Men do make any 

 doubt of. 



CHAPTER LX. 

 Of Hail , Snow, Frost, Mist, and Dew. 



HAIL is formed of Rain, congealed into Ice : and Snow 

 of the same Humour grown together, but not so hard. Frost 

 is made of Dew frozen. In Winter Snows fall, and not Hail. 

 It haileth oftener in the Daytime than in the Night ; yet Hail 

 sooner melteth by far than Snow. Mists be not seen either 

 in Summer, or in very cold Weather. Dews shew not either 

 in Frost or in hot Seasons, neither when there is Wind ; but 



1 A rainbow by night is so far from being rare, that it is only 

 the difference of climate that will explain why Aristotle and Pliny 

 speak so doubtfully about it. It is usually void of colour. Wern. 

 Club. 



