Some have us'd them inſtead of Bellows, and contriv'd Pneumatiek Inventions of this Nature to blow the Fire: Others have made them large enough, to turn the Wheels of ſpits; For the force of the Wind will be greater, or leſſe, Proportionably to the bigneſs of the Veſſel.

Thus we may Imagine the Atmoſphere to be as one Immenſe Aeolipile, continually dilating the Vapors, and Air; and the Sun likewiſe to exhale many flatulent ſteams, out of the Marſhes, and Lakes, eſpecially from the Sea, (which is the moſt Univerſall Parent, not only of Fountains and Rivers, but Winds) And though the ſubtlety of Nature will ſtill exceed the moſt Accurate Reſearches of Human wit, yet wee have little more to enquire concerning the Naturall; then may be advantageouſly Explicated from the Artificiall Winds.

Nor doe they only exhale from the Superficies; but emerge ſometimes from the Gulfs of the Ocean, and Profoundeſt Caverns of the Earth. The Earth is the firſt Mother of Meteors; and contains the Principles of them all in her Fruitfull Womb: In theſe Subterraneall Kingdomes are the Spirits, Minerals, and juyces, that afterwards raiſe Storms by Sea; Winds, and Thunders, in the Air; and Earthquakes under Ground: Thoſe that have been converſant in Colepits, and Mines, will frequently predict Tempeſts, from their Damps; the burning blew of their candles; and other infallible ſignes. From hence theſe Subterraneall Storms break priſon, to diſturbe the peace of the Atmoſphere, and raiſe mutinyes, and commotions in the whole body of the Air. My Lord Bacon mentions a rocky, and Mountainous place in Wales, calld Aber Barry, which had many Caverns, and receſſes under ground; where is heard a continuall noiſe of Winds, that reſound, and tumultuate within: And in another place of Denbigh ſhire, there are ſo vehement eruptions of Wind, out of ſome cavityes, and ſpiracles of the Earth, that repell, cloths and other injected bodyes, and for a great way together dally, and play with them in the Air. But among innumerable Examples, I could produce of this Nature, one out of the Philoſophicall Tranſactions quadrates exactly to our purpoſe. Numb. 26. pag. 481. anno 1667. It was then given in to the Royall Society; as the reſult of twenty yeers experience, from a Perſon well vers'd in Minerall affaires. He affirm'd: If in digging under ground, the workmen meet with Water, they never want Air, or Wind: But if they miſſe it: they are deſtitute of convenient Air, either to breath in, or make their Candles burn: Sometimes there bappens to be a great quantity of Winters ſtanding Water in their Mines; but as ſoon as the levell is made, and any part of the Water begins to run away, the men muſt ſecure themſelves as well as they can: For the included Air, or Wind breaks forth with violence, to carry all before it.

They have Burning Mountains in China that are ſaid to raiſe Tempeſts: The ſame Accounts wee have of the Grottos in Calabria, Sicily, and many places about the Alps. And I think it not leſſe conſiderable, what the learned Meteor. p. 67. Peter Gaſſendus aſſures us of a Mountaine in Provence, which had a Viſto thorough it (like Pauſilyponeer Naples) from whence a Northerly Wind on one ſide, and a Southerly on the other, have been obſerv'd to break forth at the ſame time. I have heard that in Cornwall, they have ſo ſure Prognoſticks of Storms at Sea, from their Mines, that the Fiſhermen never Preſume to tarry out, when the ſignal is given, by the Eruption of certain Meteors, which immediately Preſage a Tempeſt. There are almoſt as many inſtanof this kind, as wee find Cranies or receptacles of Air under ground: Queſtionleſſe theſe Cavernous retreats are very often the Locall origin's of Wind (where the Poets faign the Kingdome of Aeolus) not Unphiloſophically alluding to the mode of their Production. Winds that are generated in the Cloyſters of the Earth are for the generality, made up of Waters dilated by the Subterraneall Fires: Kircher, among many other Romantick Suggeſtions on this Argument, adds, that colliquated Snows, and Raine ſinking into the ground, doe ſometimes expell, and force out the Winds and Air.

Yet not only Water, but moſt bodys will be mov'd, and Volatilis'd by Heat: Eſpecially the Nitroſulphureous, and other Minerall or Metallic Concretes, that are eaſily reſolvible into Fumes; either by Rarefaction from ſome Inteſtine Vulcano; or by that glowing and Potentiall Heat, which is no where wanting in the bowels of the Earth.

If you mingle together Nitre, Sal Armoniac, crude Antimony; &c. and macerating them all in ſalt Water, ſet the veſſel over the Fire: the Fumes will iſſue out much after the manner of our Aeolipiles: which ſhows what may be likewiſe effected, when the ſame cauſes concurre in the Subterraneall World.

Some alſo haue conjectur'd that Winds oftentimes break from under the Ocean: becauſe the waves are obſerv'd to riſe, and gently to curle, and furrow the Seas on that ſide, whence it is next to blow.

Or if the included ſpirit be in greater plenty; it ſometimes daſhes the waves againſt the rocks, with ſo great violence, that the noiſe may be heard in ſome places, no leſſe then 8 or 10 leagues.

I am credibly inform'd, that in St. Owens Bay, belonging to the Iſle of Jerſey, the Sea is often ſtrangly diſturb'd before the Weſtern ſtorms, even when the Air is very calme: and though no Wind be ſtirring, yet the roaring of the waves may be heard, not only over the whole Iſle, but into France, about 30 miles diſtance; which is the certain Prognoſtique of an enſuing tempeſt. And thoſe ſuddain tumors, which happen in the rivers of Garonne or Dourdongn, neer Bourdeaux, ſeem to be the effects of inteſtine winds, ſwelling them into ridges, & mountains of water, which they call Maſcarets; & are ſo terrible to them that ſayl in the river, that when they perceive them coming the people cry out; Garde le Maſcaret, Garde le Maſcaret: and then the watermen immediatly make to the ſhoare to ſave their lives; for it inevitably threatens the overturning their boats. It happens only in Summer and in the greateſt tranquillity of the Air; but is often follow'd by wind. Something like theſe Maſcarets, though from a different cauſe, are the ſuddain turgences of the river Severn, which they call'd Higram. Scaliger in his Exercit. ſpeaks of a Sea towards the Gulfe of Lions, which is frequently ſo raging, when there is no ſenſible Wind to irritate it; that the Adjacent Countrys might juſtly fear a deluge: the waves ſeeming to riſe above the ſhoars. In like manner the Italian Benacus, or Lago de Garda, and more eſpecially that neer Geneva, is oftentimes troubled in the calmeſt days: which is queſtionleſs nothing but an Included Spirit or Wind: though the inhabitants ignorantly impute it to witch-craft.

This Sub-marine Tempeſt, is by ſome called Procella Caeca; and by the Portugals, La Manca; when they ſee it break out in a Cloud or Miſt, from under the VVater.

I ſuperſede many remarks from our Sea voyages; and ſome others out of Beregard, and Kircher, and ſhall inſtance only in two: The one recited by Fromundus, from the teſtimony of the Learned Fienus, who in a calme and ſerene day, diverting himſelf on the Belgique ſhoare, perceived a denſe miſt ſuddainly to riſe from the Ocean, which though very inconſiderable in the begining, he ſaw it encreaſe, and diffuſe it ſelf by degrees, till it covered the face of the Heaven, and ended in a moſt Dreadfull tempeſt at laſt: and what can be more Admirable in the whole hiſtory of Nature, then that ſo ſmall a Vapo'r ſhould fill the ſpacious Atmoſphere, ſwell the Seas into Mountains, and mingle all things with horro'r and night?

The other is ſet down by Mr. Boyle, (to whom the learned world is ſo much obliged for his curioſity in all Naturall inquiries) and I ſhall inſert it from the pen of the Honourable Author. Some years ſince, neer the ſtrong fortreſs of Duncannon, where divers of the ſhips Royall of England lying at Anchor, in a place where they apprehended no danger from the Wind: there ſeemed ſuddainly to aſcend out of the water, not farr from them, a black Cloud, in ſhape and bigneſs not much unlike a barrell: which was, not long after, followed (as the moſt experienc'd Pilot foretold) by ſo hideous a ſtorme, as forc'd thoſe ſhipps to goe to Sea again; and had like to have caſt them away: and this account was written by the principall Officers to their Superiors in England, &c. We can by no means diſtruſt the matter of fact, which had almoſt as many witneſſes to confirme it, as there were men in the Navall Army: and we are ſufficiently informed from this memorable event, how farr the Sub marine eruptions may be concern'd in the production of ſtormy winds.

I proceed to the 3d Generall Cauſe which is their Deſcenſion or Repercuſſion from the middle Region of the Air.

This opinion ſeems moſt a juſted to the vulgar hypotheſis, though the Prince of the Schooles rather aſcribes the oblique progreſſion of Winds, to the Rapidity and Circumgyration of the Heavenly Motions: which he expreſſely aſſerts in the ſecond book of his Meteors. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , &c. That their motion is impres'd from above, &c.

Yet Alexander Aphrod. urges againſt the ſenſe of Ariſtotle, that upon this ſuppoſition, the whole current of Air would always be carried from Eaſt to VVeſt, by the diurnall revolution of the Primum mobile; and ſo the VVinds could never chang to any other point of the Compaſs; with many inſupportable difficulties, which put the Moderns upon new methods of reſolving the Phaenomenon.

The Peripatetiques, though by no encouragement from the Text of Ariſtotle, hold that the Repulſe or Antiperiſtaſis, which the hot and dry exhalations meet with by rancountring the cold Clouds, cauſeth their reſilition downwards, and impreſſes that oblique motion on the VVinds.

But the moſt learned of our preſent age have ſo little regard, for the doctrine of Antiperiſtaſis, as it's uſually maintain'd in the Schooles; that they endeavour to explicate this, and all other appearances in Nature without it; and the Lord Verulam himſelf being averſe to this Caprice of the Scholaſtic Doctors, declares the Repercuſſion of Winds, from the cold of the Middle Region, to be of all other the vaineſt and moſt Irrationall Hypotheſis.

However I deny not but Winds are frequently generated in the 2d Region of the Air, ſometimes from vapor's before, and otherwhile after their coalition into Clouds: The Prognoſtics of theſe, is a trembling, and murmur of the woods; the ſhooting of Starrs; Halos about the Moon: All which indicate a repletion of the Atmoſphere with exhalations, that afterwards deſcend and are converted into Wind: yet the cauſe of their relapſe to the Earth, is, no repercuſſion from that Imaginary Antiperiſtaſis, but the Ingenit gravity of the vapors themſelvs; at leaſt the preſſure and detruſion of the ſuperincumbent Air; which I ſuppoſe to ly in ſeverall fleeces, or ſtorys one above another, and preſſe down the inferior; that when the VVinds chance to gravitate comparatively more then the vapors neer the ſurface of the Earth, they, to preſerve the juſt Counterpoiſe of the Atmoſphere, muſt neceſſarily deſcend of their own accord.

The gravity of Air (eſpecially Wind which is a body farre more Heterogeneous and impure) can be no paradox to the learned of our times; ſince the many noble diſquiſitions about the preſſure and weight of the Atmoſphere, made by Mr. Boyl, and other curious Perſons.

Our Sea-men commonly obſerve it to blow from that quarter, where they ſee one or more Clouds gather above the Horizon: Either that they preſſe more then at other times, or becauſe the matter of which they conſiſt is afterwards diſſolvible into VVinds.

Thoſe Clouds, from the rupture and diſſolution of which wee are to expect ſuddain guſts, hang more looſe and floating, being commonly of a brighter colour, and neither ſo denſe or opacous as the other which are pregnant with ſhowres.

It appears from the precedent diſcourſes, that VVinds do not only emerge from the Aeolian Caues; but have a much ſublimer origine in the Kingdom of Meteors, being generated both in the Lower and Middle Regions; at leaſt conſiſt of the groſs Air, and vapors, that are driven from thence: and though after their relapſe to the earth, they are indifferently diſpos'd to what ever ſpecies of Agitation, yet generally they begin their march towards that quarter, whither the moſt Violent Impulſe is made; at leaſt where they find the medium more yeilding, and fitteſt to propagate their motions. As ſometimes the Atmoſphere is thinneſt towards the South, which begets a North-Wind: other while in the Weſt, and then the protruſion is likewiſe made Weſtward: Or if the whole current bend with too great violence towards one point; it oftentimes recoyls back again, and begets a quite contrary Wind to the former. Thus wee often obſerve, that when one Wind ceaſes, the Oppoſite begins; & the Atmoſphere, which in many things bears a great reſemblance to liquids, has theſe kind of fluxes & refluxes like the Rivers and Seas: For Air is a body ſo fluid, and tractable, ſo eaſily ſuſceptible of them, and long retentive of the leaſt impreſſions; that if it once be ſet a going, it as a kind of perpetuall Automat, continues the motion, is drawn into conſort with the vapors, and it ſelfe converted into VVind. If we make a further enquiry into the cauſe of their motions, we ſhall find they proceed likewiſe according to the diſpoſition of the Aliment; and thoſe which have no durable Fonds, dwindle away and are ſoon exhauſted in their courſe: ſometimes they condenſe into Clouds; and otherwhile, being too much attenuated and refind, they vaniſh and diſſipate in the Air.

Thoſe VVinds which are neereſt their Locall Origines, blow hardeſt: eſpecially ſuch as are reinforc't by other auxiliary Vapors as they paſſe. Acoſta obſerved they were always moſt turbulent neer the ſhoars and promontories of the Indies: becauſe the flatulent ſteams were then more impetuous neer their riſe; which afterwards became languiſhing, and broken by a long paſſage in the Ocean. So that there are ſeverall accidents which may occaſion the greater rage and impetuoſity of VVinds; As firſt, the Plenty of Matter which conſtitutes them: ſecondly, the Rarity of the Medium that affords no conſiderable obſtacles to ſtop their career. Orlaſtly, becauſe the Protruſion of the Air is more forcible & ſtronger then at other times.

Thus farre wee have employ'd our thoughts concerning their firſt Fountains, or Locall Origin's in Generall.

The Formall Cauſe, or eſſentiall Attribute of Winds is their Tranſverſe Motion: For Air is no longer Wind, then it's Agitated and Mov'd: and therefore Homer was not ſo good a Philoſopher as ſome of his Scholiaſts would make us believe, who ſhut them up in Ulyſſes his bottle.

The Cauſes of their oblique Progreſſion has ſo farre engag'd the moſt Philoſophicall Genius'es of former times; that Bodinus at length, not knowing what to determine among ſuch Variety of opinions, aſcribes it to the Energy of Angels: And the College of Conimbra to the Immediate influx of the Divine Power. Kepler will needs have the Earth Animated, and to breath out Winds from the Subterraneall Caverns, as from it's Noſtrils or Mouth.

Theophraſtus [in his book which he Entitles: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 :] Phancy'd the Winds to be partly of an Igneous Nature ſtill aſpiring upwards: and partly made up of Terreſtriall Exhalations which endeavour to Deſcend; that by this means they were forc'd to direct their Courſe Obliquely, between two Contrary Motions: VVhich ſeems to me leſſe Plauſible then the Doctrine of Ariſtotle; though I think it would be equally difficult to explain how the rapid gyration of the Celeſtiall bodys, could create thoſe violent impreſſions on the Air, & VVinds, at that immenſe diſtance from the Earth.

It would be tedious to recite the diſſents of the Greek interpreters with the Latines; how many nauſeating, and frivolous conteſts aroſe upon this Argument between Theophraſtus, Aphrodiſaeus, & the School of Alexandria: and in the more flouriſhing raign of Peripatetiſme, how ſtrangely did Albertus Magnus, Thomas Aquinas, Cajetan, and Contarenus, with many others of the Seraphic and Angelicall Doctors, torture their wits, either to find out ſome new Salvo for the Hypotheſis of Ariſtotle, or invent a worſe of their own. Bonaventure writ a whole book, wherein he treats of little elſe beſide the ſeverall opinions concerning the Tranſverſe motion of Wind. And we muſt needs eſteeme it a great effect of their leiſure, who have employd ſo much time in ſuch empty and jejune ſpeculations.

Yet not only the Peripatetiques have fail'd in their attempts: but we have as little ſatisfaction from Epicurus, or the ſevere Porch: & may as juſtly queſtion whether the Theories which ſhall be ſtarted hereafter, muſt hope for any better ſucceſſe. Yet I think wee may thus farr rationally conclude, that as the cauſes of Winds are various, ſo the reaſon of their Tranſverſe Motions is not always one and the ſame.

I have frequently obſerved that not only the North, but moſt other Winds, ſeem many times rather ſomewhat to deſcend, then blow in an exact Perpendicular line to the Horizon: yet wee muſt acknowledge, that even thoſe which relapſe from the Middle Region, or are generated by the Rarefaction of Vapors in the Intermediate ſpace between the Earth and Clouds, have for the moſt part an oblique or Semicircular Motion; for though their Ingenit weight would rather Praecipitate them to the Earth: yet they are either born up and repel'd by the continuall Effluxions of aſcending Steams; or at leaſt can deſcend no lower then where they come to the juſt counterpoiſe of the Air. So that if the Flatulent Vapors have gravity enough (eſpecially after they are Condens'd in the Colder Region) to invite them Downward, and yet the reſiſtence of the Atmoſphere ſufficient in a great meaſure to check and retard their deſcent; this muſt neceſſarily divert them from their Precipice, inclining them rather to a mixt and Collaterall Motion. For though Winds are generally heavyer then the Air below, yet they are ſupported in it, during their Career; till by degrees falling downwards to the Earth, they at length ceaſe, or languiſh in their Courſe.

Wee muſt note likewiſe, that the whole body of the Air, ſettles about the Earth in a ſphericall Figure; ſo that the protruſion is made from all parts to the Center; that the Winds, being reſiſted by the Preſſure of the Atmoſphere above, and the Earth or Sea below, move, as in a Channell, between both, wherefore they ſoare higheſt in a Serene Skye, when the depreſſion of the Air, and Winds is much leſſe then in Cloudy weather. And the reaſon why they blow Obliquely (or which is all one) perpendicularly to the Horizon, is not to be ſuppos'd, becauſe the Vapors are naturally determin'd to any ſuch particular ſpecies of Agitation; but that, being dilated by the Sun, they require a larger ſpace, and find the Medium moſt diſpos'd to admit of their Motions in that manner.

Laſtly thoſe VVinds which emerge from the Caverns under Ground, may ſometimes have that Tranverſe Motion impres'd on them from their Fountains, at the time of their Eruption. For thoſe Volatile ſpirits or Salts, being once mov'd in the Hollows of the Earth, by the Subterraneall warmth, are ſtill roving up and down, and reſtleſſe, till they get vent; and after their releaſe protrude the Contiguous Air, and propagate the ſame kind of Agitation in whatever bodys occurre in the way: and then all Auxiliary Vapors will be ſure to have Immediate recourſe whither the ſtrongeſt current bends.

But beſide theſe Primitive and Originall, there are other Secundary cauſes and Affections of VVinds: as, their Undulation; Repercuſſion from Promontorys; Oppoſition, &c.

VVee have thus farre enquir'd into the Progreſſive; but the Undulating Motions are no leſſe conſiderable in VVinds: for they blow not in one conſtant fluor, or ſtreame, but in guſts, that have their ſtarts and intervals, intermitting like our pulſe; which is call'd the Undulation of VVind or Air, from the reſemblance it bears to the wavings and fluctuation of VVaters.

Some of them are Indigenae, or Natives, and others Adventitious to the places where they blow: yet the queſtion ſtill recurrs; for thoſe which are Externs, and either come from beyond Sea, or rove from farre countrys, have the ſame Locall Origine with the reſt, though remoter from our obſervation.

The motions of VVinds, as indeed all other bodys whatever, are propagated in right lines; if nothing intervene to check and retard their courſe: but uſually ſo many impediments occurre, that are able to make reſiſtence in the way, that they ſeldome proceed in one uninterrupted Perpendicular from their fountains: Eſpecially in moutanous places, Forreſts, and other Eminencys, and inequalitys of Ground, but they are repuls'd and recoyl back again, and being ſometimes impriſon'd in the ſtraits or Creeks of promontorys, they are toſt and banded to and fro like Tennis balls, till they find their paſſage out: ſo that after ſeverall diverſions it may happen at laſt, that a VVind may bee diſtracted to a quite different point of the compaſſe: and otherwhile ſo far befreinded by the advantageous ſituations of the places where they blow, that they run ſtreaming between two Mountains, as in a Channell or trough; and are guarded on all ſides from the inroads of other Exotique VVinds and Air. Upon this account its no very unuſuall thing to have one VVind blow on the Top of a Mountain, and a quite contrary in the Vally below. In the main Sea they keep the ſame quarter a long time, when nothing occurrs that can controle them: but neer mountainous Iſlands, or ſhoares, they whiffle up and down, and ſhift from one point of the Compaſſe to another, by ſeverall repercuſſions from the promontorys or hills; and theſe our Seamen call Eddy Winds: For as Water once diſmis'd from the Fountains head, is not only tinctur'd with the qualities it receiv'd from thence, but muſt afterwards conform to the courſe of the Channell or banks through which it glides: ſo the VVinds (which are Torrents, or Rivulets of Air) have their Maeanders and deflections in their Journy, and are in a great meaſure obnoxious to the ſituation of the Country's in which they blow: They alſo meet with frequent oppoſition, from the repletion of the Atmoſphere with multitudes of freſh Exhalations, that check, and croſſe them in their way; but eſpecially by their Rancounters with Contrary Winds; which muſt neceſſarily Engage, and ſtrive for maſtery, till one overcomes: So that from two contrary VVinds, there ſometimes reſults a Third compounded of both Extremes; and otherwhile if they meet in the Eye of each other from Diametrically oppoſite points of the Compaſſe, they ballance one another; and there enſues a calme.

The Matter of Winds according to Ariſtotle, is, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 : [A Dry and Fumid Exhalation] wee have his Sentiments more particularly in the ſecond book of Meteors: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . On which Text the ſucceeding Peripatetics ſeem to ground their Doctrine, that nevertheleſſe may admit of a farre greater Latitude then the Modern Schooles allow: For he never altogether excluded moiſt Bodys 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , &c. as is expreſſy declar'd in the ſame Chapter: though the Degrees of Siccity were always to be moſt Prevalent [ 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ] &c.

I acknowledge that Winds may ſometimes conſiſt of Hot & dry Exhalations; but the Humid & Aqueous are much better adjuſted to the deſign. For this reaſon, rain is the uſuall Prognoſtick of Winds, becauſe the plenty of moiſture, then floating upon the ſuperficies of the Earth, is afterwards dilated and put in motion by the heat of the Sun: as Lucretius inſtances in wet clothes, and Ariſtotle in moiſt wood, that emit greater quantityes of ſteams, and wreke more then Dry: for although the Fumid and Terrene concretions, eſpecially thoſe Earths and Salts in the Caverns and ſpiracles under Ground, being Agitated by the Subterraneall fires, require a farre intenſer heat to reſolve them into Winds being of much more tenacious figures then Water, and other liquids, which hang looſely together, and are ſooner expanded into larger dimenſions. VVherefore the definition of Metrodorus in Plutarch ſeems to excell; That VVind is: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . Aquoſi anhelitus aeſtus. And though Ariſtotle declares, they confiſt of Hot & dry exhalations, at leaſt, the Earthy parts to be always moſt predominant; yet, by travelling or'e lakes or ſnowy Mountains, he allows they may become moiſt or cold; & wee find that almoſt any ſtirring, or Ventilation of the Air do's refrigerate.

Neither did the Stagirite himſelf ſo ſtrictly confine his Hypotheſis to the Hot and terreſtriall Exhalations; For in the 2d booke of his Meteors he acknowledges the Eteſians to be generated from the colliquation of ice, & ſnow in the Polar regions. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , &c. Quibus à ſole colliquatis flare ſoliti ſunt. But why ſhould I longer diſpute their materials and propertys? Winds are hot, dry, cold, have the greateſt diverſitys of qualitys, & accidents: They may conſiſt of almoſt infinite variety of ſalts, ſpirits, juyces, and minerals, Subterraneous damps, agitated Air, diſſolv'd Snows, broken and diſſipated Clouds, rarify'd vapors, and what not? For moſt bodys being ſufficiently dilated, and put in motion are convertible into Wind.

Next, as to their Limits and Seaſons: Some ſpread many thouſand leagues, and others not above 2 or 3 miles from their Fountains; I call That the Country, or Fountain of VVind, where are thoſe Caverns, or other Locall Origin's which gave them birth.

Wee cannot eaſily determine of their Altitude: My Lord Bacon delivers his ſenſe, that they not only aſpire to the Confines of the Middle Region, but ſoar above the generallity of Clouds; as wee oftentimes obſerve the Clouds move, & a gentle breath fanning the top branches of trees, and yet not the leaſt Briſe of Wind ſtirring neer the ſurface of the Earth: which ſhows, they ſometimes prevayle moſt in the Lower, and otherwhile in the remoter ſtations of the Air, and ſo accordingly mount higher or deſcend, as they happen to be more or leſſe depreſ'd by the Gravity of the Atmoſphere.

Varenius perceiv'd the ſmoake iſſuing from the top of mount Aetna, to be Agitated and toſt up and down, as from the tunnells of chimnys; which, though it lifts up its ſnowy head into the Second Region, yet it is not altogether exempt from the incurſions of Winds. However, Acoſta travelling o're the Peruvian hils, diſcover'd no violent motion of the Air; but rather an Aether ſo ſubtilis'd, and ignite, that it caus'd heavings & convulſions in animals, ſo that they were forc't to thicken it with ſpunges, to prevent immediate ſuffocation. In like manner the higheſt eminency or peak of Tenariffe, is always at peace, nor expos'd to thoſe ſtorms which ſometimes infeſt the lower parts or neck of the Mountain.

The Alps, and Pyreneans, or whatever hils beſide that are cover'd with perennial ſnows, are alſo lyable to VVinds from their reſolution in the Summer; but the Peruvian, and ſome others which may be reckon'd as the Extravagancys of Nature, that threaten the sky, and overlook the Clouds with their prodigious height, are, I ſuppoſe, never diſturb'd by tempeſts; though I queſtion whether any of our European world can pretend to this priviledge, yet the Grecian hiſtorians, who took all opportunitys to advance the miracles of their country, relate of the Macedonian Athos; That it was Cuſtomary when they ſacrific'd on the top of of the mountain, to inſcribe their names in the aſhes, and the characters are ſaid to have remain'd all the yeer round, without being in the leaſt defac'd by the VVinds.

The Spring and Autumn, eſpecially about the time of either Aequinox, are the moſt Flatulent ſeaſons of the yeere.

It's obſervable, the complexion of the Air is generally more ſilent at Midday, and in Soultry Weather; when the Exhalations are too much attenuated to conſtitute Winds, which require a very conſiderable denſity and refrigeration: For this reaſon the South Winds uſually blow in the Night, the Air being over much refin'd in that quarter by the heat of the Day, till it condenſe again by the moderate cold of the night. The Spring is generally more Windy then the Violent heats of Summer; both from the liquefaction of ſnows; and becauſe the pores of the Earth are then looſen'd, and the Vaporous effluxions releaſt from their former impriſonment, during the Froſt: and therefore thoſe VVinters which have leaſt froſt, and the Vapors ſuffer'd freely to tranſpire, are expos'd to the moſt boyſtrous Winds: as for example the laſt in the yeere 1670.

Likewiſe in Autumn wee have commonly very bluſtring weather; moſt about the other Aequinox, when the Sun principally dilating the Air between the Tropiques, cauſes a more violent protruſion towards the Poles of the VVorld. Shall wee ſay that the luxuriant Rains which fall at that time of the yeare, affor'd more plentifull materials for VVind? Or is it by reaſon the reſervs of the Summer Vapors are condens'd by the Autumnall cold, when the heat of the Summer too much refines, and diſſipates the exhalations, & the inclemency of the Winter rather thickens them into Snow or Clouds. So that a juſt and moderate condenſation is neceſſary to the conſtitution of VVinds: if it be too much, they degenerate into rain, &c. if too little, they become Stagnant Air.

But, from their Limits and Seaſons, I deſcend to the more remarkable Species: As the Generall or Tropicall VVind; the Provinciall; the Land and Sea Briſes; the ſeverall ſorts of Eteſians and Monſoons in the Indian Seas, &c. and ſhall from thence proceed to their Qualitys, and Prognoſtiques.

The Generall or Trade VVind, continues all the yeare round with little variation. It is likewiſe call'd the Tropicall, Levantine, and Univerſall Briſe: becauſe it blows conſtantly from the Eaſtern Points: and makes no farre excurſions beyond the Tropiques; commonly meeting our ſhips about the 30, 34, and in Summer oftentimes beyond the 36, degree of N. Latitude: always proportionably to the declination of the Sun.

On this ſide the line they ſit moſt at N. Eaſt; and on the other, at South East, or the points between the South and Eaſt. Now what Univerſall cauſe can afford ſuch immenſe magaſins of vapors? where can be the Locall origines of theſe perenniall VVinds which imitate the circulation of the Heavens? Or happily the diſciples of Copernicus will conclude that they depend on the diurnall motion of the Earth; which paſſing from Eaſt to Weſt, in the ſpace of 24 houres, may by that violent rotation ſeduce with it the adjacent Air in one conſtant fluor or ſtreame; For wee obſerve that the Winds in ſome Seas change with the currents or tydes; and if ſo ſmall a force can vary the motions of the Air; how much more may wee expect from the rapid circumgyration of the whole Terraqueous globe? De Cartes, ſpeaking of theſe Levant Winds in his diſcourſe of Meteors, ſays, Commode ratio deduci nequeat, niſi Univerſi fabrica ſimul explicetur. This opinion, I confeſſe, is wholly built on the Copernican Hypotheſis; yet if the Heavens move, and the Earth ſtand ſtill, according to the Vulgar and more receiv'd ſyſtem of the world, wee may render a no leſſe rationall account of the Phaenomenon from other ſolid grounds.

For, ſuppoſing the heat to be farre more intenſe to exhale and ſollicit vapors, between the Tropiques, when the Sun is Verticall, and the rays fall at right angles to the Earth: This muſt needs ſet vaſt multitudes of vapors a-float, both from Sea and Land, which may be ſufficient to furniſh materials for the Generall Wind: but then an objection may as eaſily bee ſtarted, why theſe Vapors, or Winds, ſtill keep in the road of the Sun? why ſhould they not ſometimes ſlant aſide, and make their deflexions towards the Poles? I anſwer; the reſiſtence of the Atmoſphere is greater; being remoter from the middle of the world, and the immediate juriſdiction of the Sun beams, that the winds are as it were wall'd in on both ſides, by the groſſer vapors beyond the Tropiques; and ſo forced to attend on the ſolar motions, where the channell is open, and the Air more yielding and refin'd by the continuall heat.

Nay, even in our Seas, when no other Winds are ſtirring, you may often perceive a ſmall Air ſtill accompanying the courſe of the Sun; and it's remarquable in dead calms that both the Fanes of ſhips, & weathercocks by land generally hang Weſtward. This may receive ſome Elucidation from a very obvious experiment of an iron bullet, heated, and drawn over the ſurface of water, that preſently invites the the ambient Air to follow the ſame courſe, as wee may diſcover by a feather, or other verſatil body ſuſpended above the VVater; that will have an immediate tendency the ſame way, where the medium being attenuated by the heated iron becomes more pervions and rare: which methinks may be of ſome validity to explicate why theſe Univerſall Winds have that conſtant complyance and uniformity with the courſe of the Sun. They are likewiſe accompany'd with a perpetuall motion of the Seas, from Eaſt to VVeſt: for the Currents of Air and water are inſeparable companions, both in the South ſeas, the Pacifique, and Indian Ocean. And as the tydes are driven from the ſhoars, and returne in a thouſand Eddys, and tortuous Meanders from the land; In like manner the VVinds, though they chance to be frequently repuls't by the promontorys, and higher Iſlands, that like ſhoars impede the Atmoſphericall currents, yet generally between the Tropiques the motions of the Seas and VVinds make their perennial progreſſe the ſame way. Some are pleas'd to think, that the Sun in their Zenith do's ſo farre excavate and abſorbe the parts of the ſubjacent Ocean that the waters immediately follow, as in a channell, from Eaſt to Weſt: But Voſſiius [De Motu Maris & Vent.] on the contrary, do's as eagerly contend, that the Celeſtial beams doe, by dilating the waters, rather cauſe a greater turgency and protuberance on their ſuperficies; which therefore ſubſide towards the Occident, where the paſſage is more declive, till it be likewiſe elated by the approach of the Sun: From the ſame principles he endeavours the ſolution of the Univerſall Winds, that the Air riſes higheſt where the Solar rays fall at more direct angles; and then, like the Seas, begin their courſe Weſtward: of which he aſſigns no other cauſe then as before: Quia lege naturae, ab altioribus ad decliviora fit motus: quod enim Aequor, id ipſum patitur Aer huic incumbens. So perfectly Analogous are the motions of Air to thoſe of Water: that the Winds are almoſt Univerſally govern'd by the Hydroſtatique Laws.

However, I ſhall no longer propoſe my conjecturall thoughts concerning the cauſe of this abſtruſe Phaenomenon: but chuſe rather to entertain the Curious, with ſome nicer obſervations, which have been made both by the Engliſh and Dutch, that by this means, though I dare not boaſt the invention of New Hypotheſes, yet I may be able to caſt in my mite towards the perfecting an hiſtory of nature.

I was lately enquiring of a very skilfull navigator, what variations he obſerv'd of the Trade Winds in his voyages to the Weſt Indies. Who readily complying with my deſires ſent me this following account.

The Trade Winds have their Variations as well as others, though not ſo much: For betwixt the Tropiques, where wee are at the greateſt certainty, they differ two or three points.

Their moſt certain points are the N E. by N. and N E. by E. I have obſerv'd both outward, and homeward bound, that as wee came Northerly, ſo wee had the more Eaſterly Winds in the ſame Latitude: As for example, outward bound, in the Latitudes of 20, 21, 22, and 23, neere the Tropique of Cancer, and in the Longitudes of 52. 53. and 54. beginning the ſaid Longitude at the Meridian of London; I ſay, there wee found the Winds at E. N. E. and E. by N. and E. and ſometimes E. and by S. and E. S. E. ſo likewiſe homeward bound, ſayling along the North ſide of Cuba, in the ſame Latitudes above mention'd, neere the Tropique, wee found the Winds upon the ſame points, as a foreſaid, though there were 35 degrees of Longitude difference: but after wee have paſſed theſe Latitudes, and ſayling neere the line, wee ſhall then find the Trade Winds to incline more towards the N. E. as is above declared.

But what I could not ſo particularly collect from many reviews of our Seamens Journals, I find an Inquiſitive Perſon has obſerv'd in two ſeverall Voyages to the Eaſt Indies. That from 34 degrees of N. Lat. towards the coaſt of Afric, or about the Meridian of the Canaries; the Winds ſeldome vary above two points from the North Eaſt; and ſo laſt to the 7 or 8: though ſometimes the Tornado VVinds have been met with from the 12th of N. Lat. and generally continue till within 4 degrees of the line. Moreover P. Tranſ. Vol. 2. from the African ſhoare, 100 or 200 leagues Weſt; the foremention'd North-Eaſt Wind commonly inclines to the Eaſt; and 20 degrees off from the meridian of the Azores, will be moſt at Eaſt North-Eaſt: and as the VVinds neer the Continent of Europe are commonly between Eaſt and North, ſo at the meridian of the hithermoſt Azores, they hang between South-Weſt, and North-Weſt.

The S. Eaſt Winds begin to take place between the Aequator, and the Tropique of Capricorn: and the nearer you are to the Coaſt of Afric, they are the more Southerly: and as you approach to the Coaſt of Braſile, it inclines more and more to the Eaſt. And there is not only variation in reſpect of the Longitude, but likewiſe of the Latitude: So that neere the Aequator the VVind is more towards the South, then it is in the ſame Meridian neer the Tropique of Capricorn, where it it is conſtantly between S. E. by E. and S. E. by S.

From hence wee may underſtand what variations happen to the Generall Winds in reſpect to the degrees of Longitude: and for their Latitude, or diſtance from the Aequator, it's for the moſt part govern'd by the courſe of the Sun: which being Excentrical from the Earth, as it approaches, or deviates more or leſſe from one Tropique to another; ſo it alternately cauſes the ſame declinations in the Univerſall Winds: when it deflects towards the Northern ſigns, they likewiſe bend the ſame way: If the Sun be juſt about the Aequinoctiall, they have the ſame Winds and tydes in the Pacifique, and ſo from Peru to the Moluccas: when it's in the Summer Solſtice, the Trade Wind reaches to at leaſt the 36th degree of Boreal Latitude; and being in Capricorn, it not only declines to almoſt the 40 degree of S. Lat. but obliges them that navigate in the Northern Hemiſphere, to fetch their VVind much neerer the line. The ſame detruſion of the Seas and VVinds happens, not only in the Ocean between Africk and the Weſt Indies; but in the South ſeas towards the Philippine Iſlands. For from March to October, they hang towards the North; and from October to March, they revert with the Sun towards the Southern parts of the world. Yet there may ſome accidents intervene, that frequently impede the courſe of the tydes, and Univerſal VVinds: as the Situations of promontorys, or ſhoars, eſpecially about the Coaſt of Guiny, and oother parts of Africk: but in the Indian ſeas ſubjacent to the Torrid Zone, from the 10, or 11 degrees of S. Lat. to the 28, there are conſtantly the ſame motions of the Tydes and VVinds, till the Sun retiring towards the Tropique of Cancer, draws the Winds 10, or 11 degrees more North, nay ſometimes almoſt to the Aequinoctial line: but as it deſcribes a contrary Arch towards the South, they in like manner make their excurſions to about the 30 degree of South Latitude.

The Adjacent Mountains that guard them from the Eaſt, likewiſe divert the Levants from the Coaſts of Guiny: which occaſions ſuch tedious Calms towards the Aequinoctiall, that ſome ſhips have waytted ſeverall months, for a VVind before they could ſet ſayl from their Port. So Angola, Congo, and many other Countrys along the Aethiopique Ocean, from the line to neer the Tropique of Capricorne; as Cape Negro, Carinba, &c. are ſhelterd from the Generall Briſe: As likewiſe Peru, and ſome other Weſtern parts of America, which have vaſt ridges of Hills that run for many thouſand leagues from North to South, dividing Guiana and Braſile from Peru and the Kingdome of Chili.

I ſhall only add, that the Levants blow much ſtronger by day then night, (as is well known to all Mariners who have ſail'd between the Tropiques) which ſhows that they rather depend on the Sun then the motion of the Earth, or Primum Mobile.

Theſe are the moſt Generall obſervations: but, as I before ſuggeſted, the Trade VVinds looſe much of their ſoveraignty neare the ſhoars, and are frequently impeded by the intervention of Iſlands, and Croſſe Winds: and ſometimes the Promontorys and Land Briſes repell them from their Coaſts: yet theſe, or whatever extraneous accidents, can never alter the perennial motion, but it ſtill recovers again: & blowing from Africk to the American continent, and ſo through the South ſeas towards the Eaſt Indies, & from thence makes as it were a complete Tour round the world.

The Ocean between Jemiac and Carthagene is oftentimes very tempeſtuous: but neerer inclining to either ſhoars the fury of the Trade Winds is much abated, and for 20 leagues in length, at a place call'd the Keys of Cuba, it's interrupted by a Weſterly Wind that blows all the yeare round. So that it prevayles moſt in the Pacifique and other Spacious ſeas; where it runs ſtreaming without impediment along the liquid Plaines; that from New Spain to the Philippine Iſlands, they ſteer the ſame courſe, for 60 days together, and from the Cape of good Hope to St. Helens, it likewiſe conſtantly ſwells their ſayles with one ſecure and equall gale.

Wee might likewiſe venture at a better account, then has hitherto been given, why the Weſtern Wind blows moſt commonly on this ſide the Tropiques; for the whole current of Air being carry'd from Eaſt to Weſt, it recoyls back again; and by reaſon of this repercuſſion, from about 30 degrees Latitude where the Trade VVind ceaſes, the Weſtern begins. Here in England, the Eaſtern uſually govern the ſpring, and wee have ſometimes variable VVinds, but generally the Weſtern ingroſſe the greateſt part of the yeare, which indeed are no more then the Tropicall VVind at rebound: for not being able to return back againſt the ſtream (the Trade VVinds ſtill raigning in the Torrid Zone) it muſt needs bee diverted toward the Poles, and ſometimes produces the Weſt, and otherwhile the Laterals, North and South Weſt, as the Angles are more direct or acute in their reflexion.

Thus, from the ſame Latitude where the Trade Wind ends, there uſually begins a motion contrary to the courſe of the Sun, by which wee ſail from Weſt to Eaſt, and ſo much the more or leſſe, as it deflects towards either of the Poles. wherefore thoſe who navigate from the Moluccas to the Weſtern parts of America, being never able to hold on their courſe in the middle, and beare up againſt the Generall VVind, fetch a compaſſe beyond the Tropiques, ſometimes to 36, and otherwhile to 40; as the courſe of the Sun, and conſequently the Winds and Tydes, incline more or leſſe towards the North or South. And ſo thoſe that ſail from Barhados St. Domingo, or Jamaica, are forc'd to ſteer their courſe towards the Gulf of Florida, to the 36, and in Summer ſometimes beyond the 40 degree of N. Latitude; where they meet with the Reverſe, or Weſtern Winds to conduct them into Europe. The ſame likewiſe happens in the voyage from Braſile to Angola: if the Sun illuſtrates the Southern world, it extrudes the Generall VVind to at leaſt the 36 degree of S. Latitude; where afterwards they meet with perpetuall Currents and Winds from the Weſt: but in the other part of the yeare, when the Trade VVind makes a leſſer Arch towards their Hemisphere, it will be ſufficient if you take a compaſſe to the 25, or 26 degrees of Latitude.

So not only the Tropicall Briſe, but the VVeſtern (which are kind of perennial or Stationary VVinds without the Tropiques) obſerve their juſt diſtance from the Aequinoctiall, always proportionable to the courſe of the Sun: and if this were better underſtood by ſome of our leſs curious navigators, they would find the motions of the Trade Winds, though it meets them in ſeverall Latitudes, ſometimes neerer, & otherwhile remoter from the line, not ſo Fortuitous as they commonly imagine: & ſome more accurate obſervations of this nature, would not only inſtruct them, where to expect the Trade VVind in their voyages to the New World, but how farre they ſhould make a circuit without the Tropicks, to fetch their Weſtern VVinds, when they are Homeward bound.

The Generall or Trade Winds are diffus'd though the Univerſe, and have vaſt Territorys, and dominions, but others are confin'd to as narrow a compaſſe; which they call the Regionary and Provinciall, becauſe they wander not farre from their Native Fountains, and termiminate in thoſe Regions which gave them birth. Gaſſendus mentions one in Provence that blows conſtantly from the Gaſſ. Meteor. cap. 1. ſame point, and ſeldome makes any excurſions above two miles.

* Seneca ſays, theſe are obſerv'd Nulla regio quae non habet aliquem ventum intra ſe cadentem, & circa ſe naſcentam. Lib. 5. N. Q. cap. 17. in all Countrys & climes. And whence can they proceed but from the Salts, juices, and Earths there about that afford them materials? or from the Adjacent mountains, and Caverns, which are (as it were) the Country and Royalty of thoſe Winds; ſo that they neither ſally farre abroad themſelves, nor ſuffer Forreigners to invade their Deſtricts. For though by reaſon of the ſituation of the places, or the Paucity of the exhalation, they make no long Journys from home; yet having Indefectible and Perenniall Fountains, they never ceaſe blowing within their own juriſdiction.

I might reckon among the Provinciall Winds, thoſe on the ſhoars of Peru and Chile, which blow perpetually from the South: that in their voyage from Lima to Panama they quickly run it up before the Wind, but in their returne back again, they are forc'd to ſteere a different courſe, which requires many days.

We have in the next place, a fit opportunity to make a more accurate reſearch into all ſorts of Briſes. The Briſes are thoſe VVinds which blow alternately both from Sea and Land, in the ſpace of 24 houres.

The Viracoins or Sea Briſes rule by day, and thoſe that come off from ſhoare which the Portugals call Terreinhos, or Vento di Terra, are, as it were, the Sentinels of the night; ſo that dividing their Empire between Sea and Land; they are conſtant as the ſeaſons of the year, or courſe of the Sun; on which they ſeem wholly to depend. Yet I deny not, but they come ſooner or later, in ſome places then others, and vary the Alternative, according to the ſeverall latitudes, and other externall events in the regions where they happen.

De Cartes and Du Hamel agree in the ſame opinion; where, offering at the cauſe why ſome VVinds blow off from Sea in the day time, and from Land by night; the former gives this account. Solem De Cartes p. 159. dum ſplendet plures, vapores e mari, quàm terra attollere: at contra, cum ſol receſſit, calorem relictum plures è terra, quàm è mari, elevare. And Du Hamel comments thus on the ſame opinion in his treatiſe of Meteors. Haec enim calorem pertinacius retinet quàm aqua; unde terra etiam noctu vapores ventis procreandis ſuppeditat: as if the day Briſes were generated from the Sea vapors during the preſence of the Sun; and the Night Winds from the heat which he leaves behind him in the Earth. For though liquids reake more in the Day time, and emit greater numbers of vaporous ſteams; yet Solid bodys, ſuch as the Earth, being once thoroughly heated, retain the warmth longer, by reaſon the denſity and cloſe contexture of their parts, for ſome time, hinders the exilition of the fiery particles. So that after Sunſetting, the Terreſtriall fumes may ſtill afford matter for the Night Briſes.

Yet the learned De Motu Maris & Vent. Iſ. Voſſius regretting the ill ſucceſſe of all former Hypotheſes, & particularly that of Carteſius, follow'd by Du Hamel, endeavours to prove the origine of moſt, and even thoſe that are commonly reputed Land Winds, to proceed from the Sea, which he admits not only to be ſooner ſuſceptible of any Calorifique impreſſions, but longer retentive of them, then the Earth. For the Divers find by experience, that the profoundeſt Seas are in hot Days warme to the bottome, though not equally with their ſurface; when the Land is ſcarce ever heated above 2 or 3 foot by the Sun. Wee may ſuppoſe with this Inquiſitive Gentleman, that the motion of the Air is generally conſectaneous to the Seas; and both of them Elated by Rarefaction: So that the heat raiſing them higher, the Winds and tydes accompany each other to the ſhoars; yet in the night time, being depriv'd of the Celeſtiall beams, they ſubſide; and obſerving the equall libration of the Air, revert back again to their former ſtations; whence may be generated thoſe which wee call Terreſtriall Winds: Sole occaſo ſubſidere utrumque humorem, & Aerem denuo ad locum ſuum refluere. Cap. 24.

In ſome Countrys the Sea-briſes are no more then Efforts of the Generall or Trade VVind; as at Madagaſcar, St. Helens, Barbados, and others of the Caribbe-Iſlands, together with many places between Tropiques, when the Univerſall VVind reaches their Coaſts: which, if it bee not impeded by tains, or Iſlands, blows freſh in the day time, but after Sun-ſetting, the Terreſtriall exhalations, that happily were too much attenuated by the heat of the Day, condenſe again by the nocturnall cold, And ſetling about the Promontorys and hills, they are at length precipitated by their innate gravity, and beget a Wind towards all quarters at once; which is not only able to make head againſt the Trade Wind, but to repulſe it from their coaſts. As the Jamaica Briſes come from all parts of the Iſſland at the ſame time, that no ſhip can enter the Harbour by Night, nor depart after the Sea Briſe begins.

Laſtly may not all ſorts of Briſes, bee chiefely caus'd by the mutuall Rarefaction and condenſation of the Air; and thoſe which in the Day time make to land (where the medium is moſt yielding and thinneſt, becauſe fewer vapors aſcend from thence) in the night, are repercus'd back again to Sea; and ſo, as it were, Ebbe and flow by turns, that theſe Atmoſphericall tydes are no leſſe conſtant, then the fluxes and refluxes of the Ocean. I have often ſuſpected, that all theſe ſpecies of Winds ariſe from the difference between the denſity of the Land and Sea Air: For Air, if it chance to be much compres'd in one place, more then another, the naturall Elaſticity thereof endeavours a reſtitution, and oftentimes repells it back again with extreme violence: ſo that almoſt any unequall denſity of the Atmoſphere may occaſion Winds. But whatever be the particular mode of their generation, they ſeeme to be univerſally govern'd by the motion of the ſun. When firſt he ſalutes our Horizon, they begin inſenſibly to fanne, and agitate the Air, blowing freſher by degrees, as the Celeſtiall heat prevayles, and are higheſt at 12 of the clock; and ſo continue till 2 or 3, and then ſlacken, and (as it were) decline with the Sun. The Briſes in the Levant ceaſe all the winter, when the Sun is baniſht into the Southern Tropique; and returne again in the ſpring when he likewiſe reverts towards the Northerne ſigns: beſide, they often intermit in the Summer, when the Levant Winds blow through the Mediterranean; and it would queſtionleſſe prove very obliging to the learned world, to make a complete collection of ſuch obſervations, as might any way contribute to a more perfect hiſtory of Briſes. For example, firſt how they differ according to the ſeverall Latitudes and meridians, 2ly whether they are perenniall, as between the Tropiques, or laſt only the Summer Months, as moſt in the temperate Zones: 3ly what obſtructions they meet with from the Univerſall Briſe, or other croſſe VVinds. And Laſtly the nature of the ſhoars, Currents, and hills where they happen. In the foremention'd Iſle of Jamaica the Land Winds depend ſo much on the ſituation of the mountain, that they reach to all parts at an equall diſtance from thence: and therefore an ingenious perſon has obſerv'd in his voyage to the Caribbes Iſlaid Philoſ. Tranſact., that at Port-morant on the Eaſterly ſide of the Country there is little land Briſe, becauſe the mountain is more remote from thence, ſo that the exhalation ſpends it ſelf in the way.

In theſe parts of the Weſt Indies, the Sea Winds are cooleſt, and moſt refreſhing, which the people receive with their windows open, the fronts of their houſes being generally built on purpoſe for their reception; and they find themſelves no leſſe quickend by the pleaſurable gale, which is as great a Luxury to thoſe Regions, as bathing with us; and ſo cheriſhing to the inhabitants, that ſick perſons, if they can poſſibly creep out of their Hammocks or beds, neglect not this opportunity of reviving their ſpirits. In ſo much that wee may judge concerning the ſalubrity of many African and American climats, from the nature of the Briſes; for thoſe which want the gentle ſalutes of the Sea Wind, are ſcarce inhabitable by the exceſſe of heat. In the mean time, though I deſpaire of reconciling the various Hypotheſes to which the Phaenomena may referre; I ſhall ſet down certain Hiſtoricall remarques taken from our Journals, & voyages into the Levant, Guiny, the East, and Weſt Indies; and may hereafter promiſe a fuller account of all other parts, wherever the Engliſh ſhips have ſpread their Triumphant ſtreamers in the Old or New world.

In the firſt place wee muſt note, that the Terreinhos, and Briſes of all ſorts ſucceed a calme; wherein happily the matter of which they conſiſt, forms it ſelfe.

They come in the day time from the Seaward; yet not always from one poinr of the compaſſe, but ſeverall, as the land lyes. On the coaſt of Carthagene from the Eaſt; on the Iſland of Trinidad, and ſo likewiſe at Guiana in America, from the North; At Jamaica South upon one ſide of the Iſland, and North upon the other.

In Guiny (and from 6. degrees of N. Latitude to the Aequinoctiall,) the Sea Briſes arrive at S. S. W. to the S. W. Their beginning is at 9, or 10 of the clock in the morning, and they continue till 10, 11, or 12, at night, blowing a freſh gale, which extremely cheriſhes the Natives & white men.

At 10, 11, or 12, at night they ceaſe; giving place to the Land Winds, which continue till morning, from the North to the N. W. points. This I was inform'd by a skillfull Maſter of a ſhip, who had made ſeverall voyages to Guiny; whom I ſhall have occaſion to mention more particularly hereafter.

On the coaſts of Malabar (if wee may rely upon Linſchoten, and Varenius (who pretends in ſuch caſes to have diligently conſulted the Sea mens journalls) from September to Aprill, which is the time of their Summer, the Eaſterly Winds blow off the land, about 12 at night, & continue till 12 at noone, reaching 10 miles into the Ocean; Then the VVeſtern make to ſhoar, as it were the former reflected back again; the Vapors and clouds being alternately reſolv'd into VVinds, by the riſing, and ſetting Sun.

In Braſile, Madagaſcar, and many of the Caribbe-Iſlands, they have no Land Briſe, eſpecially if the ſhoars lye low, as at Barbados, where the Generall or Levant. Wind blows from one end of the Iſle to the other; and ſervs inſtead of the Viracoins or Sea-briſe. Here (as I was inform'd by one of the chiefe Planters, who liv'd ſeverall years upon the place) it begins to riſe about 7, or 8 in the morning, riſing higher with the Sun till 12, when it blows with a very ſtrong Gale; and ſo laſts at the ſame height till towards 3 in the afternoon, and then ſlackens at Sun ſetting. As the Trade VVind generally blows freſher by day then night.

On the Coaſts of Madagaſcar and Braſile, they have the aforeſaid Generall or Trade VVinds, all the yeare round, from 9 in the morning till 3 in the afternoon. It would be further enquir'd into, whether there be any Terreinhos, but from high lands: for at Barbados they have rarely any Land Briſe, the Levants being ſole Monarchs of the Iſland: but at Jamaica, which lyes not above 4 or 5 degrees from thence, and within the Tropiques, they have alſo the Land Winds conſtantly every Night, which drive a way the Levants from their ſhoars.

In other Places they want the Sea-Briſe: and for the moſt part, where the Ocean lyes VVeſterly between the Tropiques: as the Weſtern Kingdomes of Afric; Gualata, Hoden, about Cape Verde, and the river Niger, Malaguta, Congo: ſo in America on the Coaſts of New Spain, Chiapa, Hondura, &c. where the Trade VVind raigns perpetually, and ſuffers not the Sea-Briſe to approach their Coaſts. But where ever long ridges of Mountains guard them from the Eaſt, as in part of Guiny, Angola, and ſo on the Weſtern Countrys of Peru; they have the refreſhing Briſes from the Ocean, which renders them fruitfull and pleaſant.

I made no further enquiry of our Sea men concerning the Briſes of the Eaſt Indies, finding them already ſet down by Hughen Van Linſchoten in his Inſtuction, for Cap. 18. lib. 3. the Navigation of the Indies.

The Land Winds blowing into the Sea, laſt from Midnight; and the Viracoius (which arrive at the Weſt and ſometimes N. W. throughout all India) from noon till 12 at night: and coming out of the Sea towards the Land, are therefore call'd Viracoins, or Sea Winds: They often ſtay late, and blow but ſlowly.

Nearer the Coaſts of China, you have the Terreinhos out of the Weſt, and N. W. S. E. and E. N. E. Being in the North they change to the South, and then enſues Cap. 24. lib. 3. a calme, till the Terreinhos come in.

The Briſes in the Straights begin about 9, or 10 in the Morning, blowing freſheſt at noon, and ſo gradually declining till 4 or 5, at laſt ceaſe in a Calme: which laſts till 10, 11, or 12, at night: VVhen begins the Land Briſe till 5 or 6; and then Calme, till the Sea Briſe comes in. This account I receiv'd from a Sea Captain well vers'd in all parts of the Levant: having ſerv'd under the Venetians ſeverall years in thoſe Seas.

At the river of Conſtantinople the VVinds commonly blow thorough; but in exceeding fair VVeather you ſhall have both the Land and Sea Briſes, as in the Straights.

If either the Eaſterly, or VVeſterly VVinds, blow freſh, they hinder both the Land and Sea Briſes in the Mediterranean; of which wee muſt note: They are always the more languid, and weaker, the later they come in.

In very hot days, and when no other VVinds are ſtirring, you may ſometimes obſerve this alternation between the Land and Sea Briſes on the Coaſts of England: but ſcarce with any certainty beyond the Latitude of Portugal.

Briſes of all ſorts are more conſtant in Summer, then Winter; and between the Tropiques, then in the Temperate Zones.

The Eteſians or Anniverſary VVinds are thoſe which blow conſtantly at certain ſeaſons of the yeare. The moſt remarkable ſpecies begin in Summer about the riſe of the Dog ſtarre; and laſt 40 days, being preceded by their Prodromi, or Fore-runners 8, or 10 days.

The account of Pliny is not much different from Ariſtotle; as he computes their Eteſians, in the 2d book of his Naturall Hiſtory.

Not only the Stagirite and Theophraſtus, but of late De Cartes and many other Moderns derive their Origine from the colliquated ſnows and ice, in the Northerly regions. For the long continuance of the Sun, neer 6 months together above their Horizon, at laſt overcomes the obſtinacy of the cold, and diſſolves the ſnows; which being attenuated into VVinds, make long marches towards the South, where they find the Air more yielding and pure, then the Foggs, and groſſe vapors of the North.

They were call'd the Sleepy VVinds: Venti Delicati, & Somniculares; by reaſon they intermit in the night time, and riſe again with the Sun: happily becauſe the vapors were then only ſufficiently dilated by the celeſtiall beams, though in the night time they ſubſide, and hover neare the Earth; being too refrigerate and denſe to conſtitute VVinds, till they are again quicken'd, & put in motion by the approaches of the Sun.

I am willing to acquieſce in the aforeſaid cauſe; and I believe wee in England or France, might owe our Eteſians to Groenland, and other parts of the Frozen Zones, becauſe wee have no conſtant viſible Fountains of any ſuch VVinds in our own dominions: but if the Eteſians of Greece, according to the ſentiments of Ariſtotle, doe allways depend on the reſolution of ſnows in the North, they would certainly take Ruſſia, Poland, or Germany, in the way, which lye neerer the Artick Pole, before they arrive at Greece: and yet on the other ſide of the Taurican hills, they are ſaid to have Southerly VVinds about the time of the Graecian Eteſians. VVee may better make judgement of theſe Winds, that, being moſt Peculiar to this Country, they were no Forreigners in their Originall, but ſprung from particular Fountains within it ſelfe; ſuch as the hills of Macedon and Thrace, that have perennial Snows of their own, and theſe being maſter'd by the ſcorching heats of Summer, may give birth to their Eteſian Winds: which has this advantage over the other opinion, that it clears the difficulty, why they are ſilent in the night, and blow with freſher Guſts at Midday, when the Sun mounts higheſt in the Northern Hemiſphere. I ſhall only adde, not to mention ſeverall others of the modern Naturalliſts, that even * Cabeus himſelfe, who was a perſon ſufficiently Zealous in aſſerting Meteor. pag. 202. the Peripatetique Hypotheſis, diſſents from the opinion of Ariſtotle, & will ſcarce allow the Eteſians of Greece, a remoter Origine then the neighboring Alps.

I ſhall not inſiſt upon the miſtake, for which ſome of his own interpreters have ſeverely enough reflected upon Ariſtotle: That he ſhould firſt deduce the Origine of theſe VVinds from the Frozen Zones, and afterward aſſign the reaſon why they blow ſtronger in the Day time; becauſe the liquefaction of the Snows is interrupted by the Nocturnall Cold; when it's Notorious, that in thoſe Countrys, the Sun for many Months together, is never depres'd below their Horizon.

Towards the Adriatique, and many parts of Aſia, they have Set Winds which arrive from the N. and N. E. Yet all theſe, which were reputed the Venti Stati, blow not from the Northerly Points; for in Gaſcony, about the ſame time with the Eteſians of Greece, they have rather Southerly Winds; which Scaliger (who was beſt able to judge of his own Country) obſerves to be unwholeſome and Peſtilentiall.

At Madrid for the moſt part of the Summer they have a Briſe from the Pyreneans, or the Adjacent Guadarama, which extremely allays the exceſſe of heat.

You ſhall have different ſorts of Winds from the ſame Snowy mountain, blowing to ſeverall quarters, according to the ſituation of the Countrys: As was obſerv'd in thoſe Countrys by the foremention'd Cabeus: Saepe nobis Boreas, & Borealibus Auſter Spirat: It being not unuſuall for them in Lombardy to feel a Northerly, and at Tirol, which is ſituate on the contrary ſide of the Alps, a Southerly Wind, at the ſame time.

In Italy they can never fail of Eteſians from their own Appennines; and ſo happily on the ſhoare of Guzarat, and the Indian Ocean, from mount Caucaſus: And where ever great Chains or ridges of Hills run along, as the Caucaſean or Appennine, this very often renders an account of moſt Eteſians there about: Yet I queſtion whether many Authors may not aſcribe too much to this one cauſe: for in ſome places they have Anniverſary Winds, that can never poſſibly have their riſe from the Reſolution of Snows. And, I believe, it would prove extremely difficult, to lay down any tolerable Hypotheſis, of the Monſoons on the Coaſts of Afric, and India, from the beſt diſcoverys wee have yet been able to make of thoſe Parts.

There are other Stated or Anniverſary Winds, which they call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 & 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , Avicular and White-South Winds: either becauſe they were ſo friendly to the procreation of birds; or rather, that they return'd with Nightingales or Swallows in the ſpring: beginning to blow after the Summer Solſtice, by the computation of Ariſtotle, 70 days, about the beginning of March.

But no longer to diſpute the certainty of thoſe obſervations, which were made by the Greeks, and afterwards tranſmitted from them to the Romans; who were by farre leſſe ſagacious in the Studies of Nature: I have here in England for ſome years paſt, kept by me an exact table, or Ephemeris both of the Vernall, and Summer Eteſians; but found the VVinds no leſſe Variable in thoſe Months, then at other Seaſons.

The Monſons are Anniverſary Winds in the Indian & African Seas, call'd by the Dutch Mouſſons [i. e. Motions] and by our Engliſh Sea-Captains vulgarly Monſons. They blow Eaſterly one half of the yeare; & the other part, from the contrary points. They were unknown to the Ancient world who wanting the uſe of the Compaſſe, made no long voyages by Sea; but the induſtrious moderns have taught us new Theorys of Nature: they have taken as larg a circuit as the Sun, and their ambition has known no other bounds but thoſe of the Ocean. Heretofore wee had no commerce with the Eaſt Indies, but by way of the Levant, the merchandiſe being brought from the Red Sea to Aleppo, and other parts of Syria, and ſo tranſported through the Mediterranean; till about the yeare 1500 the Portugues found out the Paſſage by the Cape of Good Hope. Yet in their firſt attempts they either happend to be there at the breaking up of the Monſons, or other croſſe ſeaſons, that ſcarce one ſhip in twenty arriv'd ſafe at Goa: but of late yeares very few of our Eaſt India Fleets miſcarry; ſince the Currents and Monſons have been better underſtood by our Pilots and Maſters of ſhips.

I have diligently compar'd the accounts wee have from Kircher, Ricciol, and Furnier, of the Anniverſary Winds in the Indian ſeas, with the Engliſh Journals; and find thoſe authors generally falſe: Nay even Varenius himſelf, who was more converſant with Sea-faring men, is no leſſe erroneous then the reſt. But to omit nothing which may ſatiſfy the curious in theſe enquirys; I ſhall inſert a relation of the Monſons communicated to me from Captain George Swanly, an experienc'd Captain, after diverſe voyages he had made to the Orientall Indies; which I have ſet down in his own words.

The Munſons or Monſoons are Winds which raign 5 Months of the yeare on one ſide of the Compaſſe, and 5 others on the Oppoſite. There are two months in which they change, that have variable VVinds; (viz.) moſt part of March and September.

From September, on the North ſide of the Aequator, to the Tropique of Cancer and there about, in the Indian Seas, they blow from the N. E. and according to courſe of the Months, they veere more Northerly.

At Surat, Malabar, Pegu, and that Coaſt of India, is the fair ſeaſon till March: All which time 'tis the fowl ſeaſon with the ſame VVinds on the other ſide, at Coromandel, Patane, towards China, and Japan: and all the ſaid time, from September till March, on the South of the Aequinoctiall, the Winds are on the N. W. quarter of the Compaſſe with rain; which there is the Fowl-weather-Monſoon.

From March to September, the VVinds are, to Northwards of the Aequator, Weſterly, or at the S. W. points, with rains, at Surat, Malabar and Pegu; at which time it is fair on the Coaſts of Coromandel, Patane, towards China, and in the way to Japan; and then in the Tropique of Capricorn the Winds are at S. E. and that quarter; which are in thoſe Parts the dry Monſoons.

Yet neare all Lands between the Tropiques on the Eaſtward of Cape Bon Eſperance in the fowl ſeaſons there doe happen ſome fair intervalls; yet in the dry Months, ſeldome any rains interrupt the conſtant ſerenity of the Air.

The Fair Monſoons are the VVinds blowing partly off the ſhoars, and contrariwiſe the Monſoons blowing on the ſhoars, are the fowl and rainy ſeaſons.

Yet ſtill happily I ſhall leave the reader in ſuſpence, whether Ricciolus, and other learned men, or the reports of our Seamen, are moſt to be credited; But I ſhall not ſcruple to decide it for the latter; who beſide their yearly Traffique into thoſe parts, are oblig'd to a very perfect underſtanding of the Monſons; ſince the miſtaking of very few days may ſometimes hazard the loſſe of their voyage for that whole yeare. VVhen as the Jeſuites, for the moſt part, tranſcribe one from another, without ſtrictly enquiring into the truth of what they write; and Kircher (who of all others is the greateſt Rhapſodiſt of Falſitys, though he contain ſome rich Oare among much droſſe) pretends to have had no other information of theſe particulars, then what he collected from the Engliſh, and Dutch Journalls; which I doubt, he never had opportunitys ſufficiently Mund. Subterr. Lib. 4. to examine, or compare.

When one Motion ceaſes, the other does not immediately begin; but there are ſometimes longer, and otherwhile ſhorter Intervalls between them: In which, are variable Winds, and Calms that preſage dangerous Tempeſts: for the Oppoſite Winds, before one reſigns to another, muſt needs, by their ſtrugling, cauſe ſtrange diſorders in the Atmoſphere. Wherefore of all ſeaſons in the yeare, our Maſters of ſhips ever avoid the Seas at the changing or breaking up of the Monſons. It's obſervable, the Eaſterly Winds change, ſometimes firſt into Northerly, and other times towards the Southerly points; which may happen, from the impreſſions that the changing of the Currents make on the Air, and that on the Exhalations and Winds.

Theſe in the Indian Seas are farre more certain then other Anniverſary Winds; yet by reaſon of various Accidents, they come later in, and otherwhile continue longer, ſome years then others.

They are chiefly regulated by the Heavenly Motions; changing for the moſt part under ſuch a Phaſis of the moon; and are ſo farre dedependant on the Sun, that Sir Thomas Herbert in his Travells gives this account of them.

The Monſoons are Anniverſary Winds, which blow conſtantly one way for ſo many months; beginning exactly, from the Suns entrance into a ſign of the Zodiack; and the other halfe yeare, the contrary way, or till the Sun enter into the Oppoſite degree: which if Seamen neglect, they goe near to looſe their Paſſage into India.

Their Principall Efficient is the Sun: and though it will be difficult to explain the particular Mode, yet both the Currents and VVinds are moſt certainly influenc'd by that Soveraign Planet: which alternately reſolves the Snows, and bringing Summer with it to either Tropique, attenuates the Clouds and Stagnant Air, which condens'd in the VVinter. By this means, paſſing from one Hemiſphere to another, and Surveying the Elementary World, allways finds or Provides materialls for the Anniverſary finds; which occaſions the Monſoons to blow with little variation, at the ſame ſeaſons of the yeare; eſpecially in the Indian Ocean, where the Currents are more conſtant, and fewer inequalitys, then in narrower Seas, where they never keepe the ſame quarter long, but are repercus'd from the Promontorys, and come down in Changeable Puffs, and Eddys of VVind; as both Drake and Candiſh found in the straights of Magellan; which renders the Paſſage ſo very difficult into the South Seas. But were the whole Sublunary Globe of the ſame equall and uniforme ſuperficies, wee ſhould have VVinds in moſt places no leſſe conſtant then the Monſoons, and as regularly govern'd by the courſe of the Sun. It will be no hard matter to explicate the cauſe of the Eaſterly Monſoons; this being the perpetuall courſe of the Trade-wind all the year round between the Tropiques: But that they afterward revert to the VVeſt, may poſſibly be occaſion'd from the great Magazine of vapors lodgd about the Iſland of Madagaſcar, and the Coaſts thereabout; which are reflected from thence by the Advent of the Sun into the Tropique of Capricorne: for VVinds are both the reſult of rarefaction and condenſation alſo; and the rarify'd vapors not only cauſe a more vehement Protruſion of the Air after their dilatation; but being over much compreſſ'd in one quarter, as often by the Elaſticall power thereof, beget a Reverſe VVind in retiring to their former places: So that there can ſcarce be a moments reſt in the Univerſe, the Atmoſphere being as one continued ſcene of Action and Paſſion, that I believe the Air even in the calmeſt days is almoſt every where Agitated, at leaſt by ſome inſenſible Wind. But thus farre of their diſtinct Species, and particularly of the Monſoons.

In relation to their Qualities: I before rejected the Hot and Dry Exhalations, as too narrow, and inſufficient to reſolve the innumerable Phaenomena of VVinds; for they conſiſt no leſſe of Omnigenous Vapors, Salts and Mineralls, with other different ſpecies of matter; and we muſt expect their Qualities to be Various, as they have greater or leſſe Allays of ſuch Bodys.

Some of them are Corroſive, others Suffocating and Peſtilentiall; they are ſometimes Hot, and then Cold from the ſame Quarter, and ſo ſucceſſively capable of all Qualities and Extremes, according to the Diverſity of their Conſtituent parts, or Mediums in which they blow. This might appear from many obvious Experiments: Let them paſs thorough a Tunnell or Pipe of a convenient length, but much wider at one end then the other, that it may give free admiſſion to the Air: in the cavity of which ſtrew ſeverall ſorts of Aromatics and odorous herbs, ſuch as Thyme, Roſes, Violets, &c. then let it be ſtuck in the wall of ſome houſe expos'd to the open fields, with the larger end obverted to the VVinds, and the leſſer ſo plac'd to conveigh them into the houſe, (ſomewhat after the manner of the Italian Ventiducts) and you ſhall have the whole roome perfumed with a pleaſant, and agreable ſmell: but inſtead of theſe, if you put in herbs or mineralls, with Virulent, & Deleterious Qualities; you ſhall have ſome complaining of their heads; others ſeas'd with Lipothymies, and inclin'd to ſleepe, when the ſtupefactive fumes enter together with the VVinds, and ſurpriſe the Spirits. The ſame we may conclude of all ſuch whoſe component particles are either noxious in themſelves, or make their entry through unwholeſome places, which are ſtord with Antimony, Mercury, or other Putrid and Arſenicall vapors.

I made diverſe tryalls of this nature, inſtead of common Water: I fill'd the Aeolipile with water diſtill'd from roſes, which generated VVinds with a very gratefull Perfume; afterwards, I experimented the ſame with ſeverall ſorts of liquids; I likewiſe caſt in Camphire, and then ſmall ſhavings of Juniper Wood, into the Aeolipile, that ſent out flatulent ſteams according to the nature of the bodys injected: which makes it evident that the Qualitys of VVinds are oftentimes deriv'd from their Conſtituent particles. But as to the Medium through which they paſſe; I judg'd the uſe of the Aeolipile by no means ſuitable to my deſign in diſcovering their degrees of heat or cold; the Winds generated therein being actually hot before: ſo I caus'd to be made a Tinne pipe about 4 foot long, which I fitted to the noſe of a pair of bellows, and covering it with a mixture of ſnow and ice; perceiv'd the. VVind which paſs'd through the pipe to be very exceſſively cold: but becauſe our Organs are not all ways equally diſpos'd, nor indeed are they ſufficient Criteria, to be rely'd on in ſuch nice caſes, I therefore made uſe of an Hermetically-Seal'd VVeather-glaſſe; and blowing thereon, found a very viſible alteration in the liquor of the Weather-glaſſe, which being ventilated from the ſame bellows wrought no ſuch effect, before the Frigorific mixture was apply'd. I afterward heated the Pipe in the Fire, through which the Winds ſhould paſſe, and there came forth an exceeding Hot blaſt. So farre upon all accounts may the Diſpoſition of the Medium influence the Tranſient Winds.

If wee further enquire upon what account Winds thus farre ſympathize with their Mediums: wee muſt acknowledge it to be no dreame of the Epicureans, that continuall effluviums doe iſſue from all materiall concretes; And the Winds not only bear off with them thoſe particles which are already diſengag'd from their textures, but help to looſen others; that ther's ſcarce any Body ſo ſolid, which pays them not ſome tribute as they paſſe. Thoſe which have made no farre excurſions from their Fountains, cannot be much adulterated in the way, and ſo preſerve their firſt Qualitys entire: But the Travelling Winds, that arrive from remote Countrys, and drive before them different ſpecies of Air, and mingle with other Heterogeneous exhalations in their paſſage, they are at laſt quite overcome by them; and ſo farre influenc'd by their long entercourſe with the medium, that they almoſt Univerſally borrow their Temperament and Propertys from thence. The Winds in Italy which blow over the groves of Myrtle doe often perfume the Air for many miles; and in thoſe Countrys where the Roſemary grows wild in the fields, the ſmell thereof has been carry'd a conſiderable diſtance from their Coaſts. The Levants are accounted Soultry and troubleſome in Spain; yet on the ſhoars of Murcia, where they come off the Mediterranean, they are agreable and pleaſant. The Tramontanas at Rome are often more piercing then the ſharpeſt North Winds, either in England or France; becauſe they blow from the Snowy mountains. And I might inſtance in a remarque out of Captain James. The Southerly Wind was then coldeſt: the reaſon I conceive to be, for that it did blow off the Main Land, which was all cover'd with Snow, and the N. Winds came out of the Bay which was hitherto open. I conclude, that VVinds have more frequently their Qualitys, from the Places or Mediums through which they paſſe, (or at leaſt from the Fountains that gave them birth) then from the Quarters which are reputed Hot or Cold, or otherwiſe qualify'd for producing ſuch Winds.

As in Holland, and the lower parts of Germany, they have very often colder weather with the Midland VVinds, though from the South, then with the N. or N. E. which paſſe over the Sea, and mingle with the tepid vapors of the Ocean. The Southern Blaſts to us here in England are accounted noxious and Peſtilentiall; but to certain African Provinces, healthfull and Pleaſant. The Northerly are coldeſt in our European World, and the Southerly on the other ſide of the Aequinoctiall. For the Arctick and Antarctick VVinds muſt needs be of the ſame nature, blowing from either of the Poles, where the cold is equally predominant. So that the Qualitys of many VVinds ſeeme not ſo much to reſpect the Points of the compaſſe, as the Courſe of the Sun.

The Eaſtern Winds according to Ariſtotle are hot and dry: nor is their Siccity only remarkable in Greece, Paleſtine, Aſia the Leſſe, and moſt parts of Africk, where they make long marches over the parcht and barren ſands; but likewiſe in the more temperate climes of Holland and France; by reaſon they paſſe through Poland, Germany, & other vaſt tracts of Land; and laſtly arriving at our Iſle, they can ſuffer no conſiderable alteration in their qualitys, by ſo ſmall a paſſage over the Narrow Seas.

They are no very welcome gueſts to us in England, being ominous to our Gardens & Fields, by blaſting the corn and fruits. I have known ſtrange deſtruction done in one Night, when they come late in the ſpring. Sometimes they not only blite the leaves and bloſſoms, but kill the Trees with their poyſonous breath. They bring after them ſwarms of Caterpillers, and other devouring inſects; or thoſe dry and tabid miſts, which corrupt the lungs, and cauſe Epilepſys, Conſumptions, &c. whether by driving before them the putrid Air from Holland, or however they contract that malignity in their natures. Nevertheleſs wee can make no Generall concluſions of their propertys from hence, which are chang'd by innumerable acidents. For though in theſe Countrys of Great Britain, they are inauſpicious both to animals and plants: yet in the Weſt Indies, the Eaſtern Briſe is refreſhing, and healthfull above all other VVinds. In Arabia and thoſe Aſiatique regions they are exceedingly dry, by travelling for many thouſand leagues over the ſandy deſarts; yet Blondus obſerves them to be rather humid in Italy, and to occaſion a relenting in the Air, where they blow immediately from the Adriatique Seas.

In relation to their degrees of heat, though Ariſtotle declares they are much hotter then the Weſterly, wee find by experience that with us in England, the Eaſterly are at certain Seaſons of the yeare exceeding cold, and very often the moſt freeſing winds, eſpecially if they hang ſomewhat towards the North.

I need aſſign no other cauſe, for the frigidity of the Easterly Winds, then that they have their firſt riſe from the Continent, where the Midland Air is much colder then the Maritime.

The South Winds are generally reputed Hot and Moiſt, on this ſide the Line, being heated in their entry through the Torrid Zone; or becauſe they conſiſt not of melted Snows, as the Northern, but of the Tepid and Sulphury ſteams from Africk, and other Sunburn'd climes.

They paſſe over no Seas of any large extent, juſt croſſing the Mediterranean, and Britiſh, yet they moiſten and relax the Air, and cauſe wet weather by diſſolving the Clouds into rain, which are rather diſſipated and blown over by the impetuous Norths.

Yet I think it very irrationall to conclude that all the Southerly, ſhould have their riſe from the Torrid; or the Northerly VVinds, from the Frigid Zones. Since it is not unknown to the Curious that in part of Italy and Provence, they have very often Northerly VVinds (riſing as is ſuppos'd from ſome places about the Alps) whereof they are not at all ſenſible in other Countrys of France, through which they muſt of neceſſity paſſe, if they came ſo farre North. In like manner at Marſeilles, and in the Mediterranean, they have oftentimes Southerly VVinds; when they blow from contrary points on the African Continent, which lyes more to the South.

I believe very few of the South Winds here in England ever took a longer flight then from the Mediterranean Sea, or the lower parts of France; and it can ſcarce be ſuppos'd that the ſame Numericall Exhalations could ever travell from between the Tropiques, and not be ſpent in the way, long er'e they arrive at the Britiſh Coaſts; yet happily by protruding the Ambient Air, and that ſucceſſively the Contiguous to it; the motion may at length be Propagated many hundreds of Miles beyond the reach of thoſe vapors which caus'd the firſt Agitation. So that it is not impoſſible, but that a VVind which began neer the Aequinoctiall, may by this means, be continued, even to the Poles of the VVorld. However I ſhall make no longer digreſſions concerning their Extent, but proceed to the Qualitys which are vulgarly aſcrib'd to the Southerly VVinds.

They are laxative, ſtupefactive, and peſtilentiall; They cauſe Epilepſies and pains in the head, and were therefore ſtyld 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , by the Grecians: They render men Shaagrin and melancholy, and in ſome of the Azores Iſlands, the children are ſaid to ſit dejected and leave their playing when they blow. For firſt they open the pores of our bodys by their heat, and then inſinuate the malignant influences; and the parts being pointed and volatile have not only an eaſy ingreſſion into our blood, but thaw and unlooſe the textures of ice and ſnow: Nay it's moſt certain, that iron it ſelfe takes the file much better, when the South Wind blows, then at other times.

They many times cauſe a farre rougher Sea then the moſt Tempeſtuous Winds from the North, Happily becauſe they blow more obliquely, and rake the Surface of the Water; when as the Northerly oftentimes deſcend, as from a precipice downwards, which immediately deads and weakens their force.

They magnify viſible objects: As our Seamen obſerve their ſhips to appeare bigger at a diſtance, either in miſty weather, or when the South Wind blows. For the humid and nebulous vapors of which they conſiſt, diſtort the viſual beams, and by refracting them to the Perpendicular, cauſe more rays of light to enter into the eye (which makes the object ſeeme larger) then otherwiſe would arrive at it in ſtrait lines.

Many who are naturally inclin'd to Stammering in their ſpeech, do find their infirmity evidently worſe, when the Wind is toward the South: Probably becauſe the moiſture of the Air, cauſeth a greater relaxation of the Nervs, and thereby a tremulous and unſtable motion of the muſcles, at that time. Which perhaps hath more power upon the Vocall muſcles, then others, becauſe they lye in the Road, and are more expos'd to the invaſions of whatever is breath'd in at the mouth or noſtrills, then others are. Whence alſo wee find the tongue more apt to falter (though ſomewhat in a different manner) whenſoever it is overmuch bedew'd with ſtrong and vaporous liquors.

Smells are ſaid to be moſt Fragrant in theſe Winds, when the Air is humid and lax to convey the odoriferous particles. They anticipate the Spring; and cauſe the trees to bloſſome, and bud forth before their time; and by this means exhauſt their ſpirits and nutritive juyce. They damp linnen and paper, though never ſo carefully guarded from the Air, cauſe fleſh to rot, and upon all accounts haſten putrefaction in bodys.

The Weſtern have been Counted the mildeſt, & moſt Auſpicious of all others; and were ſo highly in favour with the Poets, that they thought them worthy of the Golden Age, and to refreſh the Elyſian groves. They are indeed cheriſhing to Animals, they cauſe fertility in the Earth, and paint the flowry meades with all the verdant beautys of the ſpring. But though the Breathing Zephyrs are ſo much celebrated in Poems and Romances, and happily were kinder to the delicious Countrys of Italy, & Greece, yet wee find no leſſe malignity in their natures from particular accidents and climats, then what wee have obſerv'd of other Winds.

In the Iſle of Jerſy (as I was lately inform'd by an ingenious Gentleman of that place) they Taint and Blaſt all the plants and trees, except the white poplar (which flouriſhes beſt in thoſe Winds) and ſuffer nothing to grow a good diſtance from the Weſtern ſhoare: when the Midland of the Country, and all other parts, even to the Brink of the Ocean, is very fruitfull and univerſally planted. They have an obſervation there; when it riſes on a ſuddain inſtorms, it continu's for 9 days or thereabout.

They blow in this Iſle the greateſt part of the year, but chiefly about the Aequinoxes; and particularly in Autumn, when they are very boyſtrous, having nothing to checque their rage between that and America: and theſe they call the Michaelmas ſtorms. Beſide what is ſaid of this Iſland, the ſame effects are known in Normandy, and many parts of our Britiſh Coaſts, eſpecially towards Cornwal and the Lands End; but they render the Norman ſhoare inhabitable by reaſon of the ſand they blow over it: where are few or no Trees to be ſeen neer the Sea, and thoſe very ſhrubs. When they take a point of the North, they are worſt, but not long laſting.

The greateſt VVinds which have been known of late years, were either Weſterly or from the Collaterall points between the Weſt and North. One about the Death of Oliver Cromwell: And another famous for demoliſhing ſo many houſes and buildings which in diverſe places it levell'd to the ground. It did conſiderable Damage to moſt of the Colleges in Oxon: blew down two and twenty Elms in the Grove of Trin. Coll. and ſeverall of the ſtrongeſt Fabricks in England Scap't not without ſome marks of it's violence. For many of thoſe houſes, which either by their ſtrength or ſituation, were able to reſiſt it's furious aſſaults, loſt their roofs, or had their chimnys and barns blown down. But that which makes it ſtill memorable in moſt parts of the Kingdome, was the great numbers of Trees, and ſturdy Oaks that fell in this Tempeſt. You might ſee the Spoiles of the Villages and woods all the Country round. An event, ſcarce to be paralleld in the former Age; and which would require a large Hiſtory to tranſmit all the particulars thereof to poſterity.

The Weſterly Winds are oftentimes thus Tempeſtuous in England and Flanders; which receive their firſt efforts from the wide Seas, where they bring terrible ſtorms; ſometimes Snow, and then in large Flakes; but uſually in the ſpring time rain: eſpecially the S. W. which are the moſt Humid and Pluvious, becauſe they travell by Sea many thouſand miles, and muſt needs wet their wings in ſo long a flight or'e the Weſtern Ocean. By ſome writers they are eſteem'd Gelid and Moiſt; but with us they are warmer then the Eaſt or North: either becauſe they conſiſt of the tepid vapors and Air, which are heated by the declining Sun; or that being Sea-Winds they are therefore generally hotter in the Temperate Zones, then thoſe which blow off the Land.

Laſtly: the Northerly Winds, in theſe parts of Europe, are accounted Cold and Dry: by reaſon they arrive from the Frigid climats of the North, and conſiſt for the moſt part of reſolv'd ſnows and ice.

They cauſe a ſude and ſerene sky diſperſing the Clouds; wherefore Boreas in Homer is ſtyl'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Serenator Boreas: yet in Africa they cauſe rain, and are moyſter then the South; which according to the complexion of thoſe Countrys, has a greater degree of ſiccity and heat.

In ſome places of Holland & Flanders, where they gather the vapors from the German or Scotiſh Seas, the N. Winds often bring with them Cloudy and wet weather. And wee have known as great falls of rain here in England; the VVind being at N. and N. E. but then it uſually continued at S. or S. W. for ſome days before. So I have ſupected, that thoſe vapors & Clouds, which were gather'd, and blown over by the Southerly, were afterward reduc'd back again by the Northerly VVinds.

They render the Northern men vegete and healthfull, to extreme old age, by hindring the exilition of the ſpirits; when as the Africans are old at 40, where the continuall heat opens the pores, and ſuffers the vitall flame to tranſpire.

That which makes the Fortunate Iſlands truly ſo, is the kind ſalute from the Northern VVinds, after they have been ſomewhat heated in their progreſſe towards the South.

The gates of Citys, in the opinion of the wiſeſt Architects, ought always to be directed towards the North; and the ſituation of Tornay in Flanders is celebrated by Fromundus upon that account. Hippocrates preſcrib'd the N. Wind as the greateſt Antidote againſt the plague in Greece: and Varro is ſaid to have preſerv'd his whole family during the raging plague at Corcyra, by ſtoping up the windows towards the South, and giving free admiſſion to the Northern Air. Yet one of the Ancient Phycitians gives a worſe Character of the Northerly Winds: That they cauſe acute pains, and defluxions from the head to the Stomack: Breed the Stone, and ſtop the paſſages of the Ureters. hinder the Tranſpiration of thoſe peccant juyces which nature endeavours to throw off from the Blood; and produce many more diſtempers which are reckon'd the effects of Siccity or cold. They are ſearching and Aſtringent; ſcarce to be endur'd by thoſe who have infirme habits of body, and yet agreable to healthfull and robuſt conſtitutions. Sir Walter Raleigh in his voyage to Guiana takes notice that neer the Coaſt of Braſil, they had one half of the yeare Northerly, and in the other part Southerly VVinds; And further towards the South in the Kingdomes of Magellana and Chili, they have them the whole year round Southerly; which raign moſt in the Tropique of Capricorn, as the North Winds at Iſland, and thoſe Countrys which lye neere the North Pole; eſpecially in the VVinter, ſo that the Hollanders which winter'd in Nova Zembla, during the whole time, had Northerly Winds. Thus the Sun, as he approaches either of the Tropiques, ſubtiliſeth the Air, driving away the groſſer Exhalations into the Frigid Zones, where they are laid up in vaſt Magazines till winter; but then the ſpaces being able to contain no more, they Circulate again to the middle of the World. For the Solar motions, being excentricall to the Earth, cauſe ſo unequall a diſtribution of heat & cold, that the Air muſt of neceſſity be denſer in ſome parts then others; and conſequently lyable to the frequent diſturbance of VVinds: and the vapors, according to the diſtinct ſeaſons of the yeare, being continually either retiring from the Poles, or on their voyage thither, the Sun, as Prince of the Atmoſphere, obliges them to a motion no leſſe conſtant then his own: Inſomuch that neither Theſe, or indeed any other VVinds, are ſo fortuitous as many ſuppoſe, but proceed from regular cauſes, and are guided by the certain conduct of nature, though happily the manner of it may not be fully underſtood by us.

The Norths are often exceedingly impetuous on the ſhoars of Florida and Virginia, taring up Forreſts of vaſt Trees by the roots, and waſting the whole Country like Hurracanes. They blow very hard toward the Orcades and on that ſide the Britiſh Coaſts. But they muſt needs be very ſenſible of their effects in Finmark & Ruſſia which lye more expos'd to their fury. The Biſhop of Upſal in two Chapters [De Vehementiâ Venti Circii. Lih. 1. De Gent. Sept. & De Vent. Sept. Violentiâ] informes us of many diſaſters, which happen by them in Norway and Iſland: particularly, that at the Port call'd Veſtrabord, the N. E. VVind blows with ſuch vehemence that it diſmounts the Horſemen, and Souldiers, driving them away before it. On the Weſtern ſhoars of Norwey, it ſuffers not ſo much as a tree or the leaſt ſhrub to grow, that the Inhabitants are forc'd (if you believe our Author) to roaſt their meat with fire made of great fiſhes Bones. And in Bothnia, and that part of Norwey which they call Vichia, the Northern Whirlewinds are ſo terrible, that they carry away the roofs of their houſes, and of the Churches which are cover'd with lead, blowing away great beams and rafters, removing Windmills, ſtones, and even Caſtles, and Villages from one place to another. If this be an Author ſuſpected, the Annals of our own Country will furniſh us with relations of the ſame nature, which would require as large a ſhare of credulity to believe them, if the rage of theſe Tempeſtuous Winds was not ſufficiently underſtood in moſt parts of Europe, though happily in remoter Climates, which are leſs acquainted with the great Diſturbers of the Northern World, they might ſeem fabulous. Some of which are ſolemny recorded in our Hiſtorys, that even exceed the Hurracanes of the Weſt Indies. Yet I have heard, that thoſe Winds, which we count very great ſtormes here in England, would be thought no wonder in Scotland, where they are accuſtomed to theſe violent Blaſts; and for this reaſon build their houſes univerſally with ſtone, exceeding thick, low, and with narrow windows. But not to be prolix in their Hiſtory; we might offer at the cauſe whence this ſtrang vehemence and impetuoſity of the N. VVinds does proceed. Shall we ſay from the great quantity of exhalations laid up in the Treaſuries of the North? or becauſe they find the reſiſtence leſſe toward the South, where the Atmoſphere is rarified by the heat of the Sun, ſo that they glide without oppoſition through the yeilding Air, eſpecially in the day time, wherefore the aforeſaid Northerly Winds are obſerv'd to blow harder by day then night.

They are more Sonorous then other Winds, becauſe they rage with greater violence, and ſo make a ſtronger colliſion of the Air.

I have thus farre conſiderd their nature in the remoter parts of Europe, where they are neareſt their Source: But after they have made a long Progreſſe Southwards, and are heated in their approaches towards the Sun, we find them in Africk to be farre different from what they were in Norwey or Iſland; and their qualityes no leſſe various then the Temperature of the Heavens. So likewiſe in America, (and as Acoſta obſervs more particularly of ſome Countrys in Peru,) the Northerly Wind is counted unwholeſome, and the Southerly extremely cheriſhing to men and beaſts: The firſt is not penetrating nor diſperſes clouds, as among us, but cauſes rain: and the South Wind is juſt qualify'd in thoſe climes as the North is in our country's that lye nearer the Arctic Pole: Nay, not only comparatively to different ſituations, and places, but the judgment to be made concerning the Qualitys of Winds, from the Quarters whence they blow, is very various and fallible, in relation to one and the ſame Latitude. Many of the hardeſt froſts, which have happend in England, began with a Southerly wind, (and then commonly are the more laſting and violent) which nevertheleſs is generally much hotter then any other, which arrives at the Britiſh coaſts.

I took notice, no longer ſince then the 11 of January laſt: that in the morning we had much rain (the wind being N. and N. E.) which ceaſing about noon, there followed, firſt a ſhowre of haile, and then a conſiderable fall of ſnow (the wind ſtill continuing at N. and N. E.) which was the moſt part of it diſſolv'd by 3 or 4 in the afternoon: then the VVind vering to full South, it froze exceedingly hard for the time. So little certainty is there in obſervations of this nature, that we had Rain with a Northerly, and Froſt with a Southerly VVind in the ſame day. And not only thus, but it appear'd by the Weatherglaſſe, to which I had recourſe upon this occaſion, that there was a very ſuddain mutation in the Air from heat to cold, when the Wind came about to the South, more then in the morning while it continued at N. and N. E.

VVee muſt expect theſe ſo different Qualifications of VVinds, to happen even in the ſame Climate: ſince not only the Variety of their Component Particles, and the Fountains which gave them birth; but either the Cutting down Forreſts; Draining of Fenns: Changing the Currents of great rivers: Their Vicinity or Diſtance from the Courſe of the Sun: whether they blow off from Land or Sea, or Snowy Mountains; and a thouſand extraneous accidents are ſufficient to alter the Properties of Winds.

Neither are the laws of their Motions reducible to ſuch certain rules, as 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . Meteor. lib. 2. cap. 6. Ariſtotle pretends; That two Oppoſites alwaies blow at Contrary Seaſons of the year: As the N. W. about the Vernall, and the S. W. at the Autumnall Aequinox: and it would likewiſe be examin'd whether the ſame Contrariety happen conſtantly between the Solſtitiall Winds. Others have obſerv'd, that wee commonly feel a a S. Wind at midnight, an Eaſterly at the Riſing, and a Weſterly after the Setting of the Sun; and laſt of all, a Northerly about Noon, when the Solar rays are moſt powerfull to reſolve the groſſer miſts and clouds in the North. For VVinds, being for the generality, Nothing but Dilated Vapours or Air, they almoſt wholly depend on the Preſence of the Sun, at leaſt are generated from the heat left behind him in the Earth and Waters. VVhereupon De-Cartes ingeniouſly remarks, that wee ſhould have no ſuch Variety in the Qualities and Production of Winds; if the whole Terraqueous Globe were of one uniforme ſuperficies: as wee may perceive that in wide Seas, their motions are farr leſs irregular then by Land; ſince the great diverſity of Climates, Mountains, and Lakes, varies them exceedingly.

I have thus farr diſcours'd of the 4 Principall: the Collaterall or Intermediate VVinds (if any right judgment could be made of their natures from the Quarters whence they blow) might be ſuppos'd Hot, Dry, Moiſt &c. as they are farther remov'd, or hang nearer towards the Cardinal Point. But we are like to expect little ſatisfaction from the generality of writers concerning the temperature of VVinds: For who can with patience hear the impertinence of thoſe Notionall men, that enquire no further, but declare? That the South Wind is allways Hot and Moiſt: the North, Cold and Dry: the Weſt &c. which obliges us in the following diſcourſes, to offer at ſome more accurate account of their Qualitys, and the moſt Univerſall cauſes from whence they proceed.

Firſt: VVinds are Moiſt; either becauſe their Conſtituent parts are made up of Vapid and Aqueous corpuſcles, ſuch as rain, dews, watry Clouds: or by reaſon they make long Voyages by Sea, or over great Lakes, Moriſh Countrys & Fenns; and ſo are tainted with the Qualitys of the Medium through which they paſſe. Thoſe which proceed from Melted Snows, have ſome ſmall allay of the Terrene, but approach neerer the Moiſt.

The Siccity of VVinds is from their Saline, and Terreſtriall parts: or that arriving from thoſe Parc'ht and Torrid regions neer the Line, they are exſiccated as they travell by the Ways of the Sun.

I ſhall not diſpute whether this has been cautiouſly enough minded by moſt writers, How many nice circumſtances are to be conſider'd in judging the Qualitys of VVinds; and how difficult it is, to make a juſt Eſtimate of their ſeverall degrees of Heat and Cold. For there muſt not only be eſpeciall regard had to the Temperament of our Senſes, but to the Climes in which they blow; and ſeaſons of the year; Since thoſe which would ſeem hot at Chriſtmas comparatively to the winter Cold, ſhould the ſame happen in July, when wee had been long accuſtom'd to a different temperature of our Organs and the Ambient Air, would undoubtedly appeare exceedingly Cold. Then wee denominate VVinds either Gelid or Hot, in reſpect of thoſe that uſually blow in ſuch Climats: as the Southern Blaſts with us here in England (though they are Colder then the Ambient Air) may be reputed Hot, comparatively to the N. or N. E. which are much more refrigerative in theſe parts of the VVorld. Thus wee ought not raſhly to make judgment of their Qualitys: but firſt conſider what Symptoms of Heat, they betray in relation to Weather-glaſſes, or the Winds that commonly blow in ſuch Countrys: as likewiſe, what mutations happen by them in the Temperature of the Air: And afterwards compare all theſe Circumſtances with the preſent diſpoſition of our Organs, leaſt wee determine concerning the poſitive Qualitys of VVinds, from only the Prejudices, and Hallucinations of Senſe.

There are ſeverall Cauſes Productive of Heat: As their paſſage through Hot Regions; Or becauſe they conſiſt of the ignite and ſuffocating Air, which infeſts the Burning Zone; where the whole Maſſe is corrupted with ſuch intolerable heats, that the Winds which are either generated therein, or only pervade the Torrid regions, muſt needs, for ſome time, retain their temperament and Qualitys: till at length they looſe them in long voyages, and the calorifique particles languiſh and dwindle away by degrees, being oppres'd with multitudes of Heterogeneous exhalations in their courſe. Then, I think it not improbable, but that the Solar rays, or whatever parcells beſide of the Subtil and Aetheriall matter, may by mingling with them, actually advance the heat of VVinds. And Laſtly: The ignite Damps ſuch as wee ſometimes diſcover in Colepits and Mines, and all other of the Minerall and Metalline Kingdomes, that finding no Vent, cauſe Earthquakes in the Bowells thereof, if they eſcape through the Pores of the Earth, occaſion Preſters and Hot VVinds: And thoſe fiery eruptions, which in many places of Calabria and Sicily, are continually breathing out from the Subterraneall Regions, muſt needs diffuſe the ſeminals of heat through the whole body of the Air and VVinds; eſpecially, ſuch as come reaking from under Burning Mountains; or at leaſt are the reſults of thoſe Calorifique mixtures by which ſome Mineralls and ſalts, fermenting together in the Cavitys of the Earth, emit Hot fumes: Like ſeverall Chymicall preparations, ſuch as Oyl of Tartar and ſpirit of Vitriol, which cauſe a ſtrange Ebullition and Heat by their commiſtion only. And if wee ſuppoſe any thing Analogous to theſe under ground (where Nature in her own Elaboratory often exceeds the greateſt Sagacity of Art) why may not the Tepid Steams and Vapors that aſcend from thence, be able to produce ſo conſiderable a degree of Heat in the Air, that might occaſion Scorching Winds? And happily the Rancounters of Certain Mineralls with each other, in thoſe Paſſages where the VVaters flow, may likewiſe by their mutuall ferments, be the moſt probable cauſe of many Hot Baths & Springs. Nevertheleſſe Fromundus, & ſome other Naturaliſts of late, in the Number of which wee may reckon our Countryman Mr. Hobs, affirme that all VVinds whatever doe actually refrigerate, and oftentimes ſo intenſly, that they prove the fitteſt inſtruments for the Congelation of Liquids: And I muſt confeſſe, it ſeldome falls under our obſervation, that in any parts of Europe, the VVinds are comparatively hotter then our Senſories, or the Ambient Air; yet in many Provinces of Afric & Arabia, but moſt of all near the Perſian Gulf, where they come juſt off from the Burning Sands, they are intolerably hot and ſuffocating: as appears from the Relations of the Portugalls firſt Voyages to the Eaſt Indies, where they felt Gales of the E. and N. E. Wind ſo Hot, that the Air ſeem'd to be inflam'd and ſcorching like fire. So likewiſe Gaſparo Balbi in his Travells ſpeaks of four perſons, that weary'd in their Journy, ſat down near the Banks of Euphrates to refreſh themſelves a while, and were all ſtifled by one of theſe Hot Winds. And wee have a more ſurpriſing Narrative from Marcus Polo: that, when the King of Chermain ſent an Army of 16 Hundred horſe, and 5 thouſand foot againſt the Lord of Ormus, for not paying his Tribute, they all periſht by theſe Suffocating Blaſts. But if wee diſtruſt the integrity of theſe writers, Olearius in his Voyage to Perſia, deſcribes the intemperature of the Air in thoſe Countrys to be ſuch; that with the North or Eaſt Wind they felt a Cold which depriv'd them of their Limbs, and on the Contrary the S. Winds were ready to choak them with the extremity of heat. But Della Valle, a Nobleman of Rome (whoſe Curioſity led him through moſt of the Eaſtern Kingdomes) reports, that towards Arabia there was a VVind ſo ſcorching and Dry, that it left behind it like marks of Fire, wherever it came; and the exceſſive Heat forc'd them to keep their legs naked, which became ſo red and inflam'd, that without the greateſt Torment, they could not endure to ſet them on the ground. In ſome places of the Country, theſe Soultry Gales laſt from 9 in the morning, till noon; which are ready to ſtifle the inhabitants, and blowing immediately from the Scorching Sands, the people many times lye in the water to reſcue themſelves from the intolerable Heats. Della Valle ſays, that they are call'd in the Annalls of Perſia, Bad Semum, i. e. Burning and Venemous VVinds.

I have heard the like relations from many of our Sea Captains, who trade on the Arabian or African Coaſts: ſo that I think Mr. Hobs or any other of the Modern Naturalliſts had little reaſon to queſtion the Heat of ſome Winds: though in theſe parts of the world, where they travell not over ſuch Sandy Deſarts, and are more remov'd from the ways of the Sun, they are more ſenſibly Cold.

By Gelid Winds, I underſtand thoſe which are colder then our Senſories, or the Ambient Air. This Frigidity may happily proceed from the Nitrous particles of which they conſiſt, or whatever body elſe wee reckon to be the Primum Frigidum; Or becauſe they have their Origine in thoſe Caverns under the Earth, where the Sun beams never penetrate, and no Subterraneall warmth is to be found. Monſieur De Cartes averrs that all Boiſtrous Winds, from whatever point of the Compaſſe they blow, Meteor. cap. 2. are Univerſally Cold and Dry: and wee find that any ſort of Air violently mov'd by a Fanne or Bellows, does refrigerate; ſo that the Cold of Winds may ſomewhat depend on their motion, or manner of affecting our Senſes. And ſince the Carteſians will allow Cold to be no poſitive Quality of it ſelf, but a mere Privation of Heat: then, either the abſence of their Subtil matter may cauſe the Frigidity of Winds; or elſe the occaſion thereof muſt be this, that they paſſe thorough the Gelid Regions which are never viſited by the Sun Beams. For as Thoſe which come from Aethiopia and other parts of the Torrid Zone, doe imbibe the Heat, and Sympathiſe with the nature of the places from whence they come; ſo queſtionleſſe the other that conſiſt of, or drive before them, the groſſe and Frigorifique Air from Groenland and other Northern Climates, muſt needs have conſiderable allays of the Mediums through which they paſſe. And within the Polar Circles, the abſence of the Solar rays for ſo many Months, do's ſufficiently conduce to the Production of Cold; ſince the Sun which us'd to correct the rigour and inclemency of the weather, is now baniſht from their Horizon, and the Air become Chill and Torpid by the long Predominance of the Cold. So that the VVinds muſt of neceſſity admit of very conſiderable alterations in their paſſage: and whether or no they conſiſt of Frigorifique particles; yet by their commerce and enterfering with the Gelid Regions, they may draw, I know not what, Contagion from thence: As appear'd in the foremention'd Experiment, how much the mixture of Snow and Ice, only by applying it to the outſide of the bellows, did ſoon infrigidate the Tranſient VVinds. For I am not ſufficiently convinc'd, that Cold VVinds, proceed always from Nitre, Sal Armaniac, or other Frigorifique Corpuſcles; But ſometimes only appeare ſo to us, by their particular Motions on our Senſories: As wee ſee any Air Ventilated from Fanns or Bellows, or our own breath darted with a very vehement impulſe from the Mouth, appears Frigid; which if wee exhale gaping, and in another poſition of the lips, is rather ſenſibly Hot.

Thus if VVinds may be ſtyl'd Cold from a ſimple Privation of Heat, and if only the want of ſome Subtil Matter, the abſence of the Sun, or other Calorifique Corpuſcles, will reſolve the ſeverall Phaenomena wee commonly aſcribe to cold; this will be ſufficient to conſtitute the Refrigerative Winds; which may better be explain'd in this manner, then by the Poſitive Qualitie of the Peripatetiques, or the Nitrous, and other Frigorifique particles of the Atomiſts, and Corpuſcularian Philoſophers. I ſhall only add one circumſtance out of the Honourable Mr. Boyl, concerning the cauſes of cold Winds. I have ſupected ſome Winds may be Cold only by conſiſting of, or driving before them, thoſe higher parts of the Air, that by reaſon of the longuid reflexion of the Sun beams in the Upper Region, is for the moſt part Cold.

Yet, as I before declar'd, wee often commenſurate the Qualities of Winds, not only from their Conſtituent Particles, or their juſt degrees of Frigidity or Heat, but ſometimes becauſe they are warmer then the Ambient Air, or the Winds that uſually blow in ſuch Climats; or at leaſtwiſe then thoſe membranes or Senſorys, by which wee judge them. The VVinds which blow off from Sea, are farre Hotter then thoſe which come from Land. May not the Collucent Salts, which create ſuch a ſparkling and Coruſcation in Tempeſts, or other vehement Colliſion of the waves, be able to produce ſome heat in the Air and VVinds, being either actuall Flames or at leaſt making thoſe impreſſions on our Senſory's as if they were? Nevertheleſſe, ſince wee find by experience that theſe kind of Salts, with which the Sea water is impregnated, doe neither riſe up in vapors, nor being mingled with liquids, any way advance their Heat; May there not be other Calorifick Effluviums (like the hot Steams in Colepits and Mines) that aſcend from the bottome of the Sea, yet cannot ſo eaſily perſpire through the ſolider Superficies of the Earth; which renders the Maritime Regions and VVinds hotter then the Midland? But whatever be the cauſe, it is moſt evident that all over Europe, the winters are generally milder in Iſlands then many places in the Continent which lye nearer the Sun. As in England then France; nay Scotland, though it be ſituate ſo farre North, has ſeldome more keen and piercing Froſts then Paris, or ſome Citys of Italy, which are infeſted with Terreſtriall Winds. So likewiſe part of Aſia, as in China where it runs to the Southwards of Spain, the winters are moſt exceſſively cold: & in the 42 degree of Latitude, they have ice which laſts 3 or 4 Months together, by reaſon of the Land Winds. For this cauſe New England, though it lyes not ſo farre diſtant from the Aequator, is incomparably colder then any parts of Great Britain. And at Virginia, as I have been inform'd, the Land Winds oftentimes ſurpriſe them with ſuch an Exceding ſharp Air, that one would think it impoſſible there ſhould be thoſe extreames of Heat and Cold in the ſame day. So on the Coaſts of Carolina and Florida, where they have for the moſt part Midland Winds, the Colds are intolerable conſidering their no great diſtance from the Sun. When as the Sea-Briſe in moſt parts of Europe, is temperate and mild: I have heard, that in the Iſle of Jerſy, the Myrtles, will live abroad all winter, being cheriſht on every ſide, with the tepid vapors from the Sea; and that little ice they have is ſoon gone. It's alſo obſervable neare the Sea ſide here in England, as in the County of Cornwall, that the Snow is generaly melted in leſſe then a weeks ſpace, and the Froſts not ſo laſting as elſewhere: Shall wee ſay the acrimony of the Sea vapors ſoon diſſolves the textures of the ice and Snow, or that they choak up and repell thoſe Frigorifique Corpuſcles, which are as the Coagulum to cement, and knit together the parts of liquids? So likewiſe on the Coaſts of Ireland, the Complexion of the Air is much Hotter then in many other places of the ſame Latitude: and were it not environ'd with the Ocean, who would think Iſland inhabitable, that lyes directly under the Polar Circle?

Yet this holds good only in the Temperate Zones: for in the Torrid, the Sea-Briſe is refrigerative, and abating the exceſſe of heat; And contrariwiſe on the African Continent the Land-Winds, which travell o're the Burning Sands, allmoſt ſuffocate the miſerable inhabitants, which are roaſted into Skeletons, and ſometimes looſe their Hearing and Sight by the immoderate Heat: Yet in part of Guiny, where the Neighbouring mountains defend them from the Eaſterly Winds, & ſuffer the cool Sea-Briſe, to blow upon their Coaſts, how wonderfully are their Spirits reviv'd with the delightfull gale? But though the Levants are ſo pernicious, when they come reaking off from the Sandy VVilderneſs, yet being Refrigerated in a long paſſage o're the Pacifique Ocean, at the Caribbes, and the American Continent, they become the cooleſt of all VVinds, and the greateſt bleſſing which Providence could ever beſtow on the New World, to allay the otherwiſe inſufferable heats of the Torrid Zone: Only part of Peru, though the Soyl be of it ſelfe fertile, and enrich't with all the bountys of Nature, yet on this ſide the Mountains, the Land-Winds render it ſterill and unfruitfull; when as Braſile enjoys a more Temperate Heaven, being bedew'd with the reflreſhing Briſe from the Adjacent Ocean.

From theſe ſeverall inſtances it appears, that the Land-Winds muſt needs be more intenſely Heated, between the Tropiques, then in theſe parts of the VVorld, that lye ſo farre diſtant from the courſe of the Sun; And the Earth, being a denſe body, retaines the Calorifique impreſſions; when as the volutation of the waves ſo often changes the Superficies of the water, that the ſame parts of the Ocean are not always expos'd to the Celeſtiall Beams: And though it muſt be acknowledg'd that neare the Aequinoctiall, the Surface of the Earth, and conſequently the Winds that blow over it, are much warmer then in the Neighbourhood of the Poles; yet without diſpute the Ocean alſo is proportionably as much Hotter then our Seas; And though the Sea-Winds ſeeme Refrigerative with them, which rather betray very great Symptoms of Heat in theſe Countrys; yet I queſtion whether this, in ſome meaſure, may not be underſtood Comparatively to the diſpoſition of our Senſories, and that of the Ambient Air. For, their Blood and Spirits being farre more agitated then ours, and alſo accuſtom'd to a Climate exceſſively Hot; they muſt of neceſſity have different Perceptions from us, who live in the Colder Regions of the VVorld.

But beſide theſe Vulgar or Elementary Qualities of VVinds, they have almoſt infinite Variety in their Natures, according to the ſeverall Subjects they can operate upon; and their Propertys are various, as the different impreſſions which they make upon other Bodys. For thoſe which are Corroſive, in reference to iron, or ſtone, may prove Peſtilentiall to men; and one and the ſame Quality have one denomination, as it relates to Beaſts, a ſecond to Birds, and a third to Inſects, according to the different Capacities of the Recipient. Some Winds are obſerved to raiſe ſtrange diſturbances, and (as it were) Convulſions in Swine. And thoſe who keep Silk-worms, are ſaid to ſhut their Windows, and protect them from the South-Wind, which cauſes their ſicknes and death; but readily expoſe them to the North, which conduces as much to their vigour and health. So that we can never pretend to a perfect knowledge of their Qualities, unleſs we underſtood their relations to all other bodies in the World.

But among the wonders of Winds, we muſt not paſs by the Harmatans of Guiny; which, for the time they blow, cauſe Wainſcoats and Planks to open and gape, making wide chaſms in the moſt ſolid and imporous wood. I could inſert many teſtimonies of this nature from credible perſons; ſeverall who lived in thoſe Countries, and not a few of our Seamen, have been witneſſes of their ſtrange effects: I ſhall inſtance in one relation which was communicated to me by Captain Peachy, who was long employd in the African Trade by the Royall Company.

The Harmetan VVinds, ſo called by the Natives, come but once a year, conſtantly in December about Chriſtmas; and bring a very unwholſome Vapour.

Their arrivall is for the moſt part at the Eaſt, and they go no farther then the E. N. E. their continuance is 4 or 5 days, not blowing hard, but with an eaſy gale: the Natives are full of Aches and Pains in theſe times, and care not for ſtirring out of doors.

The Trees that are ſtanding, during their continuance, will open, that you may put in your knife and ſheath: ſo will the boards of the floors, when as before there was nothing ſeen, and after they are gone, they cloſe up again to their wonted place.

This may proceed from their extreme Siccity, when they blow off the Sands, in that exceeding Hot Climate; as wee ſee boards chop and gape, that are kept over dry; and more in Chambers or Cock-lofts, then lower rooms; and ſo likewiſe moſt ſorts of wood, by lying long in the Sun, which exhauſts their moyſture: The known remedy in ſuch caſes, is, to ſoak them thoroughly in water, by which means, they oftentimes ſwell again into their former dimenſions: ſo poſſibly may the trees, and planks in Guiny, when the Harmetans are gone, and ſome Moyſter VVind ſucceeds, which brings with it a more Humid and relenting Air. VVee have obſerv'd effects of this nature in ſome of our very Drying March-VVinds; and therefore the workers of Muſicall Inſtruments commonly chuſe to dry their materials at that time of the yeare; which, as they think, renders them more reſounding & harmonious.

I have not as yet had ſufficient opportunity to ſatisfy my ſelfe in one Curious enquiry which belongs to the Hiſtory of VVinds: only, thus much I have heard, that, when a certain VVind blows at Florence, the weavers of the fineſt ſilks leave off their work; finding by experience that it quite ſpoyles the Oriency & Brightneſs of their Colours; ſo that they can by no diligence or invention ſeclude it out of their work-houſes, to hinder the ill effects thereof. It is a cold Wind, perhaps blowing off from the Snowy Hills, where it gathers thoſe corroding Salts, which alter the texture of the ſuperficiall parts; and by cauſing new modifications of light, change the colours of ſilks. As the richeſt and moſt florid dyes of Scarlet are not only ſoon faded in a ſhowre of rain, but it has been obſerv'd, that they ſuffer prejudice, and looſe ſomewhat of their luſtre, if they be worne much in miſty weather: and ſo poſſibly certain ſpecies of Air or Winds, may be able to make the like kind of impreſſions on thoſe Florentine ſilks.

VVee find by experience that ſome VVinds produce very odd effects in many ſorts of Animals and Plants; and others convey into the Air ſpirits ſo ſubtil and penetrating, which diſſolve the hardeſt of Metals. That inquiſitive Jeſuit, in his Naturall Hiſtory of the Weſt Indies, gives us an account of the iron grates, which in thoſe parts were ſo much ruſted and conſum'd with the Winds, that by only preſſing them between your fingers they diſſolv'd into Powder. VVhich has likewiſe been obſerv'd of the Air about London (whether from thoſe Corroſive ſalts, or the great quantity of Sulphur contain'd in the Seacoale) that it does not only ſpoyl Tapiſtrys, and beds, tarniſh the moſt poliſht ſilver plate, fowl linnen and paper, and ſully all ſorts of Houſehold-ſtuffe, with it's Fuliginous ſteams, but has a very ſenſible operation on the Iron or Braſſe in their Chimnies and Windows; which it corrupts, and cauſes to ruſt much ſooner then in the Country. I ſhall not undertake to Philoſophiſe concerning the cauſe of the former Phaenomenon, unleſſe wee were better acquainted with the ſituations of thoſe places in the Weſt Indies: Only wee are ſufficiently inform'd, that in ſome of the American Kingdomes, the Earth exhales very noxious vapours, that occaſion a ſtrange contagion in the Air; though impartiall Nature has recompenc'd this inconvenience with many bleſſings which the Old World did never enjoy: In the plains of Peru they have a VVind which kills men (if wee may give credit to the Spaniſh writers) without the leaſt ſenſe of pain and afterwards by it's extreme Subtlety and cold, preſerves them from Putrefaction. Since the firſt diſcovery of Almagro, great numbers of perſons have been found dead in thoſe Deſarts; ſome loſt their feet and hands, that were rotted by theſe Virulent Blaſts, which happend to the Generall Coſtilla, and many others of the Chriſtians who travelled into thoſe parts: Inſomuch that the Spanyards, who formerly us'd to paſſe over the Plains between Peru and Chile, rather undertake a laborious voyage by the Sea-ſide, then hazard the diſaſters which they might otherwiſe expect from theſe VVinds. But, I inſiſt not upon inſtances, for which wee have no further evidence of truth, then the credit of the relators: yet we muſt ſuppoſe that there is quite another Face of Nature in thoſe remote Climates; therefore wee ought not to explode all things as falſe, that are only different from ſuch obſervations, to which we have been accuſtom'd in theſe parts of the world.

The Winds neare Serra di Lyone, where the Neighbouring Mountains abound with many putrid & Sulphureous exhalations, breath out in ſuch venemous Blaſts, that they breed Peſtilentiall Feavers, and other diſeaſes in the inhabitants. So very conſiderable are their influences, not only in other regards, but to the benefit, or prejudice of Human life; For a kind Temperature of the Heavens, Serene Air, and wholeſome VVinds, which is the Atmoſphericall dyet, are full as neceſſary to the Health & welfare of Mankind, as good meat or Drinke.

Thoſe likewiſe which have their Origines from ſuch Subterraneall Caverns, that exhale noxious Fumes, like the Killing Damps in deep pits or Mines, muſt needs by this means, mingle a great allay, and adulterate the purity of the Air, when the virulent particles are carry'd and diſperſt by the Winds: what can wee expect but a Mortall and unwholeſome vapour from ſuch places, as the Denne of Charon near Naples, where the deadly venom tranſpires inſenſibly through the pores of the Earth, and ſuffocates all Animals that enter at the mouth of the Cave. Empedocles, by ſtopping up one of theſe Poiſonous Caverns, and hindring the Eruption of the Winds from thence, is ſaid to have cur'd an Epidemick ſicknes which they had occaſion'd in all the Citys thereabout, whereupon in Plutarch he was afterward ſtyl'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 : And in all other receſſes under * 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . ground, where the Pregnant womb of the Earth is ſtor'd with ſo many ſeverall ſorts of Minerals, & Salts, if they aſcend from thence, they muſt needs fill the Atmoſphere with as great diverſity of vapours: And therefore thoſe VVinds, which are generated in the Sulphureous ſoil of Puteoli, ſmell of brimſtone a great diſtance from thence; & thoſe which come from infected places, propagate the contagion, and bring death along with the infectious Air.

Thus wee ſee VVinds are not all veſted with the ſame Qualities, nor alike friendly, or injurious to Human life; but they ſometimes are replete with thoſe Arſenicall and Deleterious Corpuſcles, that convey into our blood the ſeeds of diſeaſes; and otherwhile with ſuch agreable juices, that recreate and cheriſh our ſpirits, and contribute to longevity and Health.

But the wonderfull effects of Winds are more obvious to reaſon, then perceptible by the juſteſt criteriums of ſenſe; ſince the inviſible Agents are diffus'd every where; and the Air is as the common Vehicle, or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 of all things, where ſo many different ſorts of Saline and Minerall ſpirits are continually Floating, and driven to and fro in the Atmoſphere: So that, I believe much of that Naturall Magic, by which diſtant Bodys act upon each other (though wee uſually aſcribe it to Occult Qualities, or certain Sympathies and Antipathies in matter) to proceed from no other cauſe then the ſecret operations of Winds: For they are the Carriers of the Univerſe, and tranſport from one place to another, odors, diſeaſes, fertiliſing Salts, the ſeeds of Animals and Plants, and moſt other things, of which wee can give no account how they came there; as vegetables, that ſpring on the tops of houſes, or thoſe which are obſerv'd to grow on the walls of Caſtles, & Ancient Theaters; nay ſometimes whole Groves and vaſt Forreſts have at firſt had no other Planters then the VVinds.

But to attempt a full collection of all their Properties and Effects, muſt be the work of Poſterity; which poſſibly may require many ages e're it be brought to Perfection: And to complete the many Deſiderata of this Phaenomenon in an Univerſall Hiſtory of VVinds (For we have only the Out-lines of this vaſt Deſign in Sir Francis Bacon) it would be adviſeable to make an exact Table or Ephemeris, for many years together, and ſo dayly compare the obſervations of their Prognoſtiques, the Quarters whence they blow, their Duration and Properties; how farre they agree or differ from what has been already delivered in Books. Many of this nature are ſet down by the Lord Verulam, but for the moſt part collected out of Ariſtotle and Pliny, though with leſſe improvement then might have been expected from that illuſtrious perſon. However, ſince the Learned World has been ſo long impos'd on by Tradition; we ought, in the firſt place, to be throughly informed concerning all matters of Fact, and afterward conſider to what Hypotheſis they may beſt relate: and becauſe That muſt be the reſult of long experience, and obſervation, I can only commend this Province to thoſe curious Perſons, who have leiſure, either to make ſuch new Diſcoveries of their own, or detect the Vulgar Errors of former Times.

It ſhould firſt be examin'd what influences they have upon Human Bodies; in relation to their Sickneſs or Health: and thoſe who are inclin'd to Gowts, Catarrhes, infirmities in the Sight, diſtempers of the Lungs, Epilepſies, Deafneſs, &c. might be able to collect obſervations of this nature; what inconvenience they are ſenſible of from any ſort of VVinds.

Thoſe celebrated Aphoriſms of Hippocrates concerning their Medicinall Qualities, ought to be conſidered; how farr they are found Experimentally true and conſonant to the obſervations of the Moderns: For if we rightly underſtood the different Temperatures of the Air, and VVinds, and how to apply this remedy to many diſtempers, it might poſſibly prove the moſt ſuccesfull part of Phyſick.

Next, as to the Diverſities which ariſe from the Quarters whence they blow: whether the Eaſt and North betray not in theſe Countries continuall Symptoms of Siccity and Cold; and the South and Weſt, of Heat and Moiſture. Likewiſe, as to their effects upon Animals; Since the South has a thouſand Malignant influences; and, according to our Engliſh Proverb, The Wind at Eaſt, is neither good for man nor beaſt. Then, which of them are moſt agreable, or inauſpicious, to the Vegetable life; what obſervations of this nature can be drawn from Agriculture, and Gardening? which are thoſe VVinds that are moſt favourable to the Sowing and ripening of Corn, or moſt pernicious for breeding worms in plants, or for blaſting and deſtroying their fruits.

VVhat directions this Doctrine might afford to Architects, in chooſing the Situations of Dwellings: whether the Air of many houſes might not be meliorated by giving a freer admiſſion to the Winds; ſince it has been obſerv'd, that ſeverall Dwellings here in England, which were environ'd with huge woods, or ſometimes had only a clump of trees ſtanding towards ſuch a Quarter, have been always obnoxious to ſicknes, till they happen'd to be cut down, and the places render'd pervious to the Winds: Sometimes only the changing of a window, or door, from the South, and expoſing it to the North, has done as great a cure. It is well obſerv'd in the Relation of my Lord Howards voyage to Conſtantinople, that, at Vienna they have frequent Winds, which if they ceaſe long in the Summer, the plague often enſues; ſo that it is now grown into a Proverb: that, if Auſtria be not Windy, it's ſubject to Contagion.

In the next place, what advancement might be expected from hence to the Art of Navigation. Since, I am confident that more ſhips periſh, by our ignorance of the Winds & Currents, then by any other Diſaſter which happens on the Seas: If the Maſters of ſhips were oblig'd to give in Journals of their voyages to all parts of the world; and theſe for many years compar'd with each other, we ſhould not only be able to collect a Complete Hiſtory of the Trade Winds, and Monſoons, and their variations in the ſeverall Latitudes and Meridians, (which would be of very great importance) but ſhould find, that there are many Anniverſary Tempeſts which might be very certainly foretold by the Seaſons of the yeare, and Proviſion made accordingly; Beſide other uſefull Circumſtances of the Annuall Motions, and Reverſions of the Seas, according to the Declination of the Sun (which hitherto moſt of our Seamen have thought to proceed purely from chance) might be reducible to ſo regular obſervations, that, beſide the great improvements which would redound from hence to Philoſophy, & all Naturall Knowledge; it would be of no ſmall advantage to the intereſt of Trade and Navigation. This noble Art is worthy of Philoſophers and Mathematicians, and the Mechanical part ought to be eſteem'd the leaſt, that ſhould accompliſh a skilfull Seaman. So that, men of letters ought not to diſpiſe this, as a rude and illiberall profeſſion; to which we muſt be beholding for the moſt conſiderable Diſcoveries of Nature.

Then, as to their Continuance or Succeſſion: It has been noted that if the VVinds change conformably to the Motion of the Sun; as from the Eaſt to the South, from the South to the Weſt, &c. they ſeldome return thither again, at leaſt for no long time: But, if their changes happen in a contrary manner to the courſe of the Sun, as from Weſt to South, from South to Eaſt, &c. they uſually revert back again to the former points, before they complete the whole Circuit of the Compaſſe: We have this remarque in my Lord Bacon; and he diſdain'd not to borrow ſeverall obſervations of this kind, from Husbandmen and Sheapheards; who are leſſe within doors, and more concern'd in all the viciſſitudes of the yeare, whether or no they are like to expect kind ſeaſons for their Corn, and flocks. It might likewiſe be enquir'd into, what Prognoſtiques the Seamen have of the weather, in all parts of the world, where they have different ſorts of Tempeſts: I am inform'd, that they alſo commonly obſerve, when the VVind has been long in one Quarter, if it paſſe into a Quarter of the like Quality, it is ſeldome conſtant, but reverts to the former: as ſuppoſe the Eaſt, if it change to the North, it frequently returns, but if it paſſe by the South, and follow the Sun, the weather probably changes for ſome continuance, and not per Saltum, as if it ſhould skip from the Eaſt, to the Weſt, or from the North to the South, for then it's ſeldome holding. It is not my deſign to multiply inſtances of this nature, I only offer at ſome few, to compare the Mutations of the Weather, with thoſe of the wind; & queſtionleſſe in a long tract of time, they might be reduc'd to ſome more certain rules, then thoſe in Ariſtotle or Pliny; at leaſt better calculated for an Iſland; which being invaded on all ſides by the Sea-vapors and Winds, ſeldome enjoys the ſame ſerene Face of the Heavens, for any long time together; but is generally farre more obnoxious to all changes of weather, then the Continent.

Next, what certainty there is in any Aſtrologicall Predictions, as by the Age, or Phaſis of the Moon, Appearance, or Conjunction of the Starrs, &c. The Riſe of the Orion is more particulariz'd in Authors; but ſeems to be rather a Concomitant of other cauſes, then of it ſelfe, the Efficient of VVinds.

So likewiſe, what information we might receive from all ſorts of Trades: of what concernment it might be for Vintners to have their Cellar-VVindows expos'd to this, or that VVind; ſince Michael Angelus Blondus in his book of Navigation, affirms, that the Eaſterly, and Paduanus in his Treatiſe of VVinds, that the Southerly, have a very ſenſible operation on the VVines in the Cask. I have heard that ſome of the Vertuoſi who pretend to great skill in ordering of Cidar, find by experience, that certain Winds ſet it a fermenting more then others, and render it turbid and thick; ſo that when they perceive them coming to ſuch a Point of the compaſſe, they critically obſerve the juſt time for botling it, to prevent theſe inconveniences. Rules have been preſcrib'd to Drudgſters, and Apothecarys upon this account, for the preſerving their Medicines: and happily ſome remarks might be taken from Cabinet-makers, joyners, and other Mechanicall Artiſts, in the drying and ſeaſoning their Materials, that might conduce a fuller Hiſtory of VVinds.

Laſtly, it would be no leſſe beneficiall to the Advancement of Naturall knowledge, to detect the Falſity of thoſe Aſſertions, which have been long receiv'd in the world, from the great reputation of their Authors. As for example, thoſe which are ſet down by Ariſtotle, in the ſecond of his Meteors, and in the book of Problems, where he endeavours to explicate ſeverall Phaenomena of the Air and Winds; as in the firſt Section. Probl. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 19. 23. and in the Twenty ſixth Section. Prob. 3. 9. 13. 14. 15. 16. 18. 21. 22. 25. 37. 38. 40. 42. 48. 49. 56. 58. which I mention more particularly, becauſe I find My Lord Bacon in his Chapter concerning the Qualities of VVinds, follows exactly the traces of Ariſtotle; and the generallity of Peripatetique writers have made it their Non Ultra, daring to adventure no further in theſe enquiries, then was preſcrib'd to them by that Great Genius of Nature. So likewiſe the ſentiments of Theophraſtus deliver'd in his Book of VVinds, and the reſt of the Ancient Placits, ought to be more thoroughly examin'd; before we receive them for infallible: many things in Pliny that relate to this Argument, might be conſiderable, were they not ſuſpected to be generally falſe: But ſince the too great Veneration of Antiquity, has impos'd ſo many Vulgar Errors on the credulous world; it will be the moſt generous deſign, firſt to free our minds from thoſe prejudices we have taken up from Tradition, and upon this foundation to ſuperſtruct a more Reall and Experimentall Philoſophy.

I have only mention'd ſome few obſervations of that infinite Variety, with which this fruitfull Argument will entertain the Curious: And ſo from their Cauſes and Qualities, proceed to the Prognoſtiques of Winds.

Firſt we might enquire what the radiant, ſanguine, pallid, nubilous, or other Appearances of the Sun, ſignify to the predictions of VVinds.

What the Age or Eclipſe of the Moon, the picked, or obtuſe figure; the greater reſplendency of the Lunar Horns, or the Conjunction of it with other Planets: likewiſe Halos about the Sun, or Moon, the ſhooting, or twinkling of Starrs, &c. whether theſe may be accounted Prognoſtiques of VVinds? In like manner, if the Sun ſeem bigger then ordinary, or dart more refulgent Beams; or if it riſe in a Cloud of the ſame Colour, &c. All theſe different Appearances of the Heavenly Bodys proceed chiefly from refraction, the viſual rays being diſtorted by the Denſity of the Medium: and the collection of thoſe rorid and nebulous vapors in the Air, that cauſe theſe unuſuall perceptions in our ſenſe, may firſt generate Halos, and afterward deſcend in Tempeſts, or VVinds.

Some prognoſticate from Comets and Eclipſes: and it would be farther worth our remarque; what connexion there is between certain ſpecies of Thunder or Lightnings, and Wind; what predictions may be taken from the colours, motion, and as it were Severall ſtorys, and ranges of Clouds, or the ſuddain appearance of any Single one above the Horizon, in an extraordinary ſerene and peacefull sky, as wee obſerve in Tornados.

Others have been no leſſe ſuperſtitious from the ſuddain palenes of Fires, from the roaring of the Sea, from the reſounding of Echos, or a noiſe heard from the ſhoars, which happens many times before the Levants blow in the Mediterranean; or if there be a Murmur in the Mountains, or Clouds without Thunder; or if the Sea ſeeme to riſe, or ſwell, in thoſe places where there is no ſenſible VVind to irritate it. Some have employ'd their curioſity, in making praedictions from Birds, and Water-Fowle, from Ravens, and Crows, the playing of Porpuſes and Dolphins, the ſpinning of Spiders, the leaping of Fiſhes above the water, &c. Innumerable of this nature may be had from Ariſtotle, Paduanius, Petrus de Medina, Ricciolus, Fournier; though for the moſt part fallible and uncertain, we might offer at the Philoſophicall reaſons of ſome Prognoſtiques; but thoſe, which have any evident connexion between the cauſes & effects, may be ſolu'd from the former Diſcourſes.

But (as I before noted) the great Inequalities in the ſuperficies of the Earth, the ſeverall obſtacles and repercuſſions from mountains, the different Situations of the places, and Medium's in which they blow, the diſtance of thoſe Countries from the Poles of the World: Their reſpects to the courſe of the Sun: whether they comply with, or reſiſt the Naturall Motion of the Air from Eaſt to Weſt &c have ſo many intricate, & nice ſpeculations, that it will be hard to lay down any perfect Theory of Winds. Yet certain it is, that moſt mutations which happen in the Air, either as to heat, cold, or ſuch like qualities, are chiefly occaſion'd by the diverſities of Winds; which, for the time they blow, are the Soveraign Lords of the Atmoſphere, and influence, and diſpoſe of it as they pleaſe: Beſide this, they help to ſuſtaine, or diſſolve the clouds; they ventilate and purifie the Stagnant Air, preſerving it from Putrefaction, and by this means are the greateſt Benefactors to Mankind.

Their Number and Diſtribution, has been very different in the time of Homer, only 4, of Strabo 6, of Andronicus Chyrreſtes, 8, though in ſtrictneſs, we may ſuppoſe as many ſeverall ſorts of Winds, as points in the whole Horizontall Arch. The Romans came to 12: others have very aptly multiply'd their number to 16; 4 anſwering to the Cardinall points of the Heaven, and 3 Collaterall, between every Cardinall Wind: But the Moderns, ſince the encreaſe of Navigation, have divided their Compaſs into 32 points, known in theſe Parts, by the Dutch or German names; and by the Italian, in the Mediterranean Seas.