STNONTMOUS TERMS. 113 



ing, that the magnitude is estimated, not from the extenfion of 

 the object in all the directions that can take place on a furface, 

 but in that of a ftraight line, that is either perpendicular or ho- 

 rizontal, according to the nature of the object fpecified. Ap- 

 plied to the human form and to trees, it demotes tallnefs ; and 

 to fifties and four footed animals in their natural pofition, 

 length. The general proportions in each, at the fame time, are 

 underftood to fubfift, according to the law obferved in the reft 

 of their kind. " Gallorum quifque procerijfimus ad pompam 

 " triumphi lectus *." — " Sues procero corpore, capitibus ut tint 

 " parvis f." 



Proceras manibus vertere fraxinos %. 



quo oertinet ergo 



Proceros odifTe lupos ? quia fcilicet illis 



Majorem natura modum dedit, his breve pondus §. 



Humidus, uvidus, madidus, agree in denoting the quality 

 of wetnefs, but differ as to the manner in which it is generated 

 and retained. Humidus implies, that the object which it fpe- 

 cifies not only contains moifture, but is fitted to fupply the 

 wafte of it, whether by evaporation or otherwife. It comes 

 from humor, and that from humus, and regards the ground as 

 furnifhing a conftant fupply to thofe fprings which break forth 

 at different parts of its furface. " Prsemiflb Cecina ut occulta 

 " faltuum pontefque et aggeres, humido paludum, et fallacibus 

 " campis imponeret **.'' Humidus then, in its primitive fenfe, 

 refers to a fubject as formed by the hand of nature, and poflef- 

 fed of a quality which, when abfent, cannot be imparted, and 

 when prefent, cannot be deftroyed. 



Vol. III. p The 



* Sueton. Calig. 47. § Hor. Sat. 2. 2. 35. 



\ Var. de Re. R. 2. 1. ** Tac. Ann. 1. 61. 1 



X Hor. Car. 3. 25. 16. 



