72 
PLINT's KATTTEAL HISTOBT. 
[Book IL 
things, wandering, as it were, up and down in her womh, or 
whether the air be scourged bj the irregular strokes of the 
wandering stars \ or the various projections of their rays, or 
whether they, each of them, proceed from their own stars, 
among which are those that are nearest to us, or whether 
they descend from those that are fixed in the heavens, it is 
manifest that they are all governed by a law of nature, which 
is not altogether unknown, although it be not completely 
ascertained. 
(46.) More than twenty ol^ Greek writers have published 
their observations upon this subject. And this is the more re- 
markable, seeing that there is so much discord in the world, 
and that it is divided into different kingdoms, that is into 
separate members, that there should have been so many who 
have paid attention to these subjects, which are so difficult 
to investigate. Especially when we consider the wars and 
the treachery which everywhere prevail ; while pirates, the 
enemies of the human race, have possession of all the modes 
of communication, so that, at this time, a person may acquire 
more correct information about a country from the writings 
of those who have never been there, than from the inha- 
bitants themselves. Whereas, at this day, in the blessed 
peace which we enjoy, under a prince who so greatly en- 
courages the advancement of the arts, no new inquiries are 
set on foot, nor do we even make ourselves thoroughly masters 
of the discoveries of the ancients. Not that there were 
greater rewards held out, from the advantages being distri- 
buted to a greater number of persons, but that there were 
more individuals who diligently scrutinized these matters, 
with no other prospect but that of benefiting posterity. It 
is that the manners of men are degenerated, not that the 
advantages are diminished. All the seas, as many as there 
are, being laid open, and a hospitable reception being given 
us at every shore, an immense number of people undertake 
voyages ; but it is for the sake of gain, not of science. Nor 
does their understanding, which is blinded and bent only on 
' Javarice, perceive that this very thing might be more safely 
done by means of science. Seeing, therefore, that there are 
BO many thousands of persons on the seas, I will treat of the 
* *• Septem iiiiidrum errantibus." Hardouin, in Lemaire, i. 306. 
