J841.] Notice of the Ajaib-aLMuhhlukat. 645 



Fire. 



The nature of fire is heat : its proper place in the creation is below 

 e moor 

 elements. 



the moon's orbit, above the region of air : fire being the lightest of the 



Air and Water. 



Air being lighter than water, and heavier than fire, occupies the in- 

 termediate space. 



Earth. 



Earth being the heaviest of the elements, lies lowest near the lines of 

 contact; each element is thought to partake of the character of the 

 element to which it approaches. Fire is blended with the air as in the 

 simoom. Air becomes water, as in rain. Water is converted into air, 

 as in vapour ; and water into earth as in petrifying springs. 



Phenomena of the region of Fire and Air, Meteors and Falling Stars. 



Meteors and falling stars are considered as exhalations t;hat have 

 risen from the earth, and become ignited on reaching the region of fire ; 

 as the smoke of a recently extinguished lamp is ignited, on reaching the 

 flame of another lamp placed above it.* 



Division of the Atmosphere. 



The air is divided into three regions. The highest nearest the region 

 of fire, is extremely hot, and is called ether, (at her t ) y ^j] 



The second is intensely cold : the third, which is nearest the earth, 

 has a more moderate temperature, and is subdivided into warm, cold, 

 and temperate. 



Clouds and Rain, fSahab.wa-al-matr > Ja+]\* , jls:**) 



Clouds are supposed to be water raised in vapour by the sun's heat ; 

 and rain and mist, the result of their condensation in the middle, or 

 cold region of air. 



* It is curious that the uses of oil gas should have remained so long latent, after 

 this early discovery of its inflammable nature. 



