Plinies Natural Hifione. 



A tlic frofts and dewes that fall bee exceeding cold and congealed againc, which are the caufe of 

 all thefaidblaftings ?But above all we imift rcmcmberjthat there be two forts of accidentscooi- 

 ming from above, that mightily doe wrong and annoy thefruitsof the earth. The one wee call 

 Tempefts, which comprehend hailes^ftormes of wind and raincjand fuch like impreffions of the 

 aircj which whenfoever they doe lightjarc rearmed by the Lawyers^ Vu mifr^ /. rhe greater vio- 

 lence : and thefe for the moftpartproceedfromfomeof the horrible and dreadfulIStarsjaswe or, 

 have many times noted, to wit, ArduruSjOrion J and the Kids. Of the fecondfortof thefe cala- °f 

 niities,be they which happen when the weather is ftill and quiet without any trouble of winds, in 

 the faireft and cleareft nights^and no man ever pcrceiveth them untill the harme be done thefe 

 be more publickc and univerfall, thefe differ much from the former^ fome call them Mieldewes, 



B others Hot-planets 3 fome againetcarmc them Blaftsand findging Carbuncles : but it skills not 

 much what names they have, for all men confelTe that fcarfitie and dearth is their effed. And for 

 as much as no man hitherto hath written of thefe Blafts, &c. I meane to deliver mineopiniort 

 of them, and firft to fee downe the caufe and reafon thereof. 



Chap. xxiX. 



^ of the tempers and calamities incident to the fruits of the ea rth^as well in 

 Winter as Summer : the meanes aljo to remedie [uch accidents 

 caufingfierilitie and fcarfme, 



C npHcfeBIafts,thcfe wicked Planets, that findge and burnc the fruits of the earth, bcfidesthe 

 I influence and power of the moonc, proceed from other caufes, and cwaine efpecially, and 

 thofearenottobee found in many coafts and quarters of the heaven: for the ftarreVergi- 

 liae, regardeth principally the fruits of the earth, and over them is very predominant s as beeing 

 the only ftar, which in her rifing and apparition begins fummcr; in her fall and occultation,fliew«. 

 cth the entrance of winter i bywhich meanes for fix moneths fpace, whiles (hee is in fight, ihee 

 comprifethharveft and vintage,and generally caufeth all fruits to ripen kindly or unkmdly;" 



There is befides in the heaven^a certain white circle called the Milkcway[or Wading- ftrcetj 

 which is not imaginarie as others, but very confpicuous and cafie to be feenc. By the influence 

 of this circle,as it were out offome udderjall plants rcceivetheir milke,their humidities and nu-= 



D triment, and namely, by the meanes of two notable ftars obferved therein jto wit, the /Egle in 

 the North fide thereof, and theDogCanicula (whereof we made mention in place convcuient) 

 fituate toward the South. This circle then paffing through the fignes of the Zodiacke, Sagitta- 

 rius and Gemini, and ftretching by the centre of the Sunne,cutteth the i^quinoaiall line twice 

 in two feverall places rthecommifluresor joynts of which two fignes, arcpolTelfed of the one 

 fide with the ^gle ftar, and on the other fide with the Dog Canicula beforeiaid. No mafveilc 

 therefore if all countries habitable and fruitfull, be fubjed to the influence of thcie two ftars and 

 feele their effects ; becaufc in thofe parts onely of the Zodiacke wherein they are placed,thd cen- 

 tre and middle of theearth, togither with the centre alfo of the Sunne, agree and meet jufl in 

 one and thcfame point of the iEquincdiall. Hereupon it is,that if in thefevcrall feafons of thefe 



E- two flats abovcfaid,(to wit, when the iEgle and the DogCanicula,doeithet rifeorfall,appeare 

 or couch) the aire be pure,cleare, and mild, and thereby the humor genitall diftilling from;thai 

 Milkeway or circle aforefaid downe to the earth, meet with that faire and calme aire , then Ml 

 plants and fruits of theearth are the better for it, and profper mightily. Now in cafe the mbon 

 cither at chaungc or full, doe fend downe and fprinkle upon them a cold congealed dew(in ma- 

 ner abovefaid) the humor and nouriturc likewifedefcending from the Milke-circle, isinfe^ed 

 therewith and becommeth bitter,killing all thefruit upon which it falleth:much like as if a yung 

 babe or infant new borne,fhould fucke bitter and unholefome milke, and thereupon foone aftec 

 die. Thus you fee, how in every climat whatfoevcr, the correfpondence of the moone and this 

 ftars abovefaid more or lefre,caufeth thofe untoward Blafts,Mieldewcs,and fuch likejnot inlikc 

 F meafurc at one time and in every place. Which is, the caufe that this kind of injurie and cala^- 

 mitie is not felt at one inftant throughout the wodd,no more than the day is one and the fame 

 in all parts of the earth ; for the JSgle (asl have faid before) arifeth to us in Italie thirteen daics 

 before the Calends of lanuarie, /.the 20 of December : now before that day be paf^ (by the 

 ordinarie courfe of Nature) there can be no aflured hope of the fruits of the earth,buc that they 



