1motions, by making them different in the times of the
ſtices, as to greatneſſe, from what they are in the Equinoxes.
ſtices, as to greatneſſe, from what they are in the Equinoxes.
We will ſpeak (in the firſt place, of the diurnal motion, as
being the principal, and upon which the Moon and Sun ſeem to
exerciſe their power ſecondarily, in their monethly and annual
being the principal, and upon which the Moon and Sun ſeem to
exerciſe their power ſecondarily, in their monethly and annual
alterations. Three differences are obſervable in theſe horary
mutations; for in ſome places the waters riſe and fall, without
making any progreſſive motion; in others, without riſing or
ling they run one while towards the Eaſt, and recur another
while towards the Weſt; and in others they vary the heights
and courſe alſo, as happeneth here in Venice, where the Tides in
coming in riſe, and in going out fall; and this they do in the
termities of the lengths of Gulphs that diſtend from Weſt to
Eaſt, and terminate in open ſhores, up along which ſhores the
Tide at time of flood hath room to extend it ſelf: but if the
courfe of the Tide were iutercepted by Cliffes and Banks of
great height and ſteepneſſe, there it will flow and ebbe without
any progreſſive motion. Again, it runs to and again, without
changing height in the middle parts of the Mediterrane, as
bly happeneth in the ^{*} Faro de Meſſina, between Scylla and
rybdis, where the Currents, by reaſon of the narrowneſſe of
the Channel, are very ſwift; but in the more open Seas, and
about the Iſles that ſtand farther into the Mediterranean Sea, as
the Baleares, Corſica, Sardignia, ^{*} Elba, Sicily towards the Affrican
Coaſts, Malta, ^{*} Candia, &c. the changes of watermark are
very ſmall; but the currents indeed are very notable, and
cially when the Sea is pent between Iſlands, or between them
and the Continent.
Varieties that
happen in the
nal period.
happen in the
nal period.
* A Strait, ſo
called.
called.
* Or Ilva.
* Or Creta.
Now theſe onely true and certain effects, were there no more
to be obſerved, do, in my judgment, very probably perſwade
any man, that will contain himſelf within the bounds of
ral cauſes, to grant the mobility of the Earth: for to make the
veſſel (as it may be called) of the Mediterrane ſtand ſtill, and to
make the water contained therein to do, as it doth, exceeds my
imagination, and perhaps every mans elſe, who will but pierce
beyond the rinde in theſe kind of inquiries.
to be obſerved, do, in my judgment, very probably perſwade
any man, that will contain himſelf within the bounds of
ral cauſes, to grant the mobility of the Earth: for to make the
veſſel (as it may be called) of the Mediterrane ſtand ſtill, and to
make the water contained therein to do, as it doth, exceeds my
imagination, and perhaps every mans elſe, who will but pierce
beyond the rinde in theſe kind of inquiries.
SIMP. Theſe accidents, Salviatus, begin not now, they are
moſt ancient, and have been obſerved by very many, and ſeveral
have attempted to aſſigne, ſome one, ſome another cauſe for the
ſame: and there dwelleth not many miles from hence a famous
Peripatetick, that alledgeth a cauſe for the ſame newly fiſhed out
of a certain Text of Ariſtotle, not well underſtood by his
poſitors, from which Text he collecteth, that the true cauſe of
theſe motions doth only proceed from the different profundities
of Seas: for that the waters of greateſt depth being greater in
moſt ancient, and have been obſerved by very many, and ſeveral
have attempted to aſſigne, ſome one, ſome another cauſe for the
ſame: and there dwelleth not many miles from hence a famous
Peripatetick, that alledgeth a cauſe for the ſame newly fiſhed out
of a certain Text of Ariſtotle, not well underſtood by his
poſitors, from which Text he collecteth, that the true cauſe of
theſe motions doth only proceed from the different profundities
of Seas: for that the waters of greateſt depth being greater in
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