Chap. 13.] ACCOrNT OF THE WORLD. 45 
sun, occupies two^ The above is an account of the lati- 
tudes as they descend to the south or ascend to the north^. 
Hence it is plain that the generality of persons are mistaken 
in supposing the third cause of the apparent altitude to 
depend on the stars rising from the earth and climbing up 
the heavens. But to refute this opinion it is necessary to ^ 
consider the subject with very great minuteness, and to 
embrace all the causes. 
It is generally admitted, that the stars ^, at the time of 
their evening setting, are nearest to the earth, both with 
respect to latitude and altitude"^, that they are at the com- 
mencement of both at their morning risings, and that they 
become stationary at the middle points of their latitudes, 
wrhat are called the ecliptics^. It is, moreover, acknow- 
ledged, that their motion is increased when they are in the 
ricinity of the earth, and diminished when they are removed 
fco a greater altitude^ ; a point which is most clearly proved 
by the different altitudes of the moon. There is no doubt 
that it is also increased at the morning risings'", and that the 
three superior planets are retarded, as they advance from 
the first station to the second. And since this is the case, it 
^ As this remark appears to contradict what was said in the last sen- 
tence respecting the sun, we may suspect some error in the text ; see 
PoLnsinet, Alexandre, and Marcus, in loco. 
2 The following comparative statement is given by Alexandre of the 
geocentric latitudes of the planets, as assigned by Pliny, and as laid down 
by the moderns. Lemarre, ii. 273 : — 
Pliny. Moderns. 
Yenus .... 8° . . . 9° 22' 
Moon .... 6 ... 6 0 
Mercury ... 5 ... 6 54 
Pliny. Moderns. 
Mars .... 2° 0' . . 1° 51' 
Jupiter ... 1 30 .. 1 30 
Saturn ... 1 (or 2°) 2 30 
3 It appears from the remark at the end of this chapter, that this ex- 
planation applies to the superior planets alone. 
^ It is not easy, as Marcus observes, Ajasson, ii. 344, 345, to compre- 
hend the exact meaning of this passage, or to reconcile it with the other 
parts of our author's theory. 
5 ."EcUptica," called by the modems the nodes ; i. e. the two points 
where the orbits of the planets cut the ecHptic. See the remarks of Mar- 
cus on this term j Ajasson, ii, 345, 346. 
^ We may presume that our author here refers to the apparent motion 
of the planets, not to their actual acceleration or retardation. 
7 The editors have differed in the reading of this passage j I have fol* 
lowed that of Lemaire, 
