BOOK II.] History of Nature. 135 



another Spring that agrees with the Motions of the Ocean. 

 On the Bank of Betis there is a Town, the Wells whereof, as 

 the Tide floweth, ebb; and as it ebbeth, flow; but in the 

 intermediate Times they do not move. Of the same Nature 

 there is one Well in the Town Hispalis ; while the Rest be 

 as others are. And the Sea Pontus evermore floweth out 

 into Propontis, but the Sea never retireth back again within 

 Pontus. 



CHAPTER XCVIII. 



Wonders of the Sea. 



ALL Seas are cleansed at the full Moon; and some besides 

 at certain Times. About Messala and Nylse, there is thrown 

 upon the Shore Dregs like Beasts' Dung ; from which arose 

 the Fable, that the Sun's Oxen were there kept in Stall. 

 Hereunto addeth Aristotle (that I may not omit any Thing 

 that I know), that no living Creature dieth but in the Ebb of 

 the Sea 1 . This is observed much in the Ocean of Gaul, but 

 found only in Man by Experience. 



CHAPTER XCIX. 



What Power the Moon hath over Things on Earth 

 and in the Sea. 



BY which it is truly guessed, that not in vain the Planet 

 of the Moon is supposed to be a Spirit : for this is it that 

 saturates the Earth in her approach, filling Bodies full; and 

 in her retiring emptying them again 2 . And hereupon it is, 



1 " I was not so curious as to entitle the stars upon any concern of his 

 death, yet could not but take notice that he died when the moon was in 

 motion from the meridian ; at which time, an old Italian, long ago, would 

 persuade me that the greatest part of mankind died : but herein I confess 

 I could never satisfy my curiosity, although from the time of tides in places 

 upon or near the sea there may be considerable deductions ; and Pliny hath 

 an odd and remarkable passage concerning the death of men and animals 

 upon the recess or ebb of the sea.* 1 Sir THOMAS BROWN'S Worhs, by 

 WILKIN, vol. iv. p. 40. Wem. Club. 



a In this, to chap, ci., is an account of the effects which were supposed 

 to be produced by the influence of the moon on natural bodies ; and that 



