NOVUM O KG A NUM. 371 



by moments of time, just as the Instances vf the Rod do by degrees of 

 space. For all natural motion or action is transacted in time, some 

 more quickly, others more slowly, but all in moments which are deter 

 mined, and known to Nature. Even those actions which seem to be 

 performed suddenly, and in the twinkling of an eye (as we say), arc 

 found to admit ot degrees in respect of time. 



First, then, we see that the return of the heavenly bodies is per 

 formed in calculated periods, as also the flow and ebb of the sea. 

 And the motion of heavy bodies towards the earth, and that of light 

 bodies towards the circumference of the heavens, takes place in 

 definite moments, according to the Nature of the body moved, and 

 of the medium in which it moves. 1 he sailing of ships, the move 

 ments of animals, the transmission of missiles, all take place in times, 

 the sums of which admit of calculation. And as regards heat, we see 

 boys during winter bathing their hands in tlame, without being burned ; 

 and jugglers can, by agile and equable movements, turn vessels full of 

 wine or water upside down, and bring them up again, without spilling 

 the liquid ; and many other similar instances. In like manner the 

 compressions, dilations, and eruptions of bodies take place, some 

 quickly, others slowly, according to the Nature of the body, and of the 

 motion, but all in definite periods. Moreover, in the explosion of 

 several cannon at once, which is heard sometimes to the distance of 

 thirty miles, the sound is perceived by those who are near sooner than 

 by those who are further off. And in vision (where the action is 

 most rapid) it is clear that certain moments of time are required for 

 its accomplishment, as is proved in the case of those objects which 

 from the velocity of their motion are invisible ; for instance, the 

 discharge of a bullet from a musket. For the passage of the bullet is 

 too rapid to allow of an impression of its image being conveyed to the 

 sight. 



And this fact, with others like it, has at times suggested to us a 

 strange doubt ; viz. whether the face of a clear and starlight heaven is 

 seen at the time it really exists, or a little later ; and whether there 

 be not (as regards vision of the heavenly bodies) a real time, and an 

 apparent time, no less than a true place, and an apparent place, as 

 noted by astronomers in the case of parallaxes. So incredible did it 

 seem to us that the images or rays of the heavenly bodies should be 

 instantaneously conveyed to the sight through such an immense space, 

 and not rather take a noticeable time in travelling. Hut that suspicion 

 (as to the existence of any great interval between the real and the 

 apparent time) afterwards entirely vanished, when we took into 

 account the infinite loss and diminution of quantity, caused by dis 

 tance, between the real body of a star and its appearance ; and at the 

 same time observed the great distance (sixty miles at least) at which 

 bodies which are merely white are instantaneously discovered here on 

 earth ; while there is no doubt that the light of heavenly bodies ex 

 ceeds many times, in strength of radiation, not merely the vivid 

 brilliancy of whiteness, but also the light of every flame known to us. 

 Again, the immense velocity of the bodies themselves, as perceptible 



