Chap. 41.] 
INELrEKCE or THE SEASONS. 
67 
they are impelled by tlie force of any of the planets, or ex- 
cited by the impulse of their rays ; as we find to be the case 
with respect to the Suculse^ which the Greeks, in reference 
to their rainy nature, have termed the Hyades^. There are 
also certain events which occur spontaneously, and at stated 
periods, as the rising of the Kids^. The star Axcturus 
scarcely ever rises without storms of hail occurring. 
CHAP. 40. (40.) — OE THE RISING OE THE DOa-STAE. 
Who is there that does not know that the vapour of the 
sun is kindled by the rising of the Dog-star ? The most 
powerful effects are felt on the earth from this star. When 
it rises, the seas are troubled, the wines in our cellars fer- 
ment, and stagnant waters are set in motion. There is a 
wild iDcast, named by the Egyptians Oryx, which, when the 
star rises, is said to stand opposite to it, to look steadfastly 
at it, and then to sneeze, as if it were worshiping it^. There 
is no doubt that dogs, during the whole of this period, are 
peculiarly disposed to become rabid^. 
CHAP. 41. (41.) — OE THE EEGTTLAIl INELUENCE OE THE DIE- 
EERENT SEASONS. 
There is moreover a peculiar influence in the different 
degrees of certain signs, as in the autumnal equinox, and 
also in the winter solstice, when we find that a particular 
star is connected with the state of the weather^. It is not 
so much the recurrence of showers and storms, as of various 
circumstances, which act both upon animals and vegetables. 
Some are planet-struck^, and others, at stated times, are af- 
fected in the bowels, the sinews, the head, or the intellect. 
1 The diminutive of Sus. ' 2 j;^^ pluo. 
* The Hsedi were in the constellation Auriga. 
* We have the same account of the Oryx in JEhan, Hb. vii. cap. 8. • 
^ Our author again refers to this opinion, viii. 63, and it was generally 
adopted by the ancients ; but it appears to be entirely unfounded. 
^ " cum tempestatibus confici sidus intelligunus." 
' " afflantur." On this term Hardouin remarks, " Siderantur. Side- 
ratio morbi genus est, partem aliquam corporis, ipsumque ssepe totum 
corpus percutientis subito : quod quum repentino eveniat impetu, e ccelo 
vi quadam sideris evenire putatur." Lemaire, i. 317. 
r2 
