Galilei, Galileo, The systems of the world, 1661

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1Sun; which were it not ſo, it could not do. Thirdly, I hold its

matter to be moſt denſe and ſolid as the Earth is, which I clearly
argue from the unevenneſs of its ſuperficies in moſt places, by means
of the many eminencies and cavities diſcovered therein by help of
the ſeleſcope: of which eminencies there are many all over it,
rectly reſembling our moſt ſharp and craggy mountains, of which
you ſhall there perceive ſome extend and run in ledges of an
dred miles long; others are contracted into rounder forms; and
there are alſo many craggy, ſolitary, ſteep and cliffy rocks.
But
that of which there are frequenteſt appearances, are certain Banks
(I uſe this word, becauſe I cannot thing of another that better
preſſeth them) pretty high raiſed, which environ and incloſe fields
of ſeveral bigneſſes, and form ſundry figures, but for the moſt part
circular; many of which have in the midſt a mount raiſed pretty
high, and ſome few are repleniſhed with a matter ſomewhat
ſcure, to wit, like to the great ſpots diſcerned by the bare eye, and
theſe are of the greateſt magnitude; the number moreover of thoſe
that are leſſer and leſſer is very great, and yet almoſt all circular.

Fourthly, like as the ſurface of our Globe is diſtinguiſhed into two
principal parts, namely, into the Terreſtrial and Aquatick: ſo in
the Lunar ſurface we diſcern a great diſtinction of ſome great fields
more reſplendant, and ſome leſs: whoſe aſpect makes me believe,
that that of the Earth would ſeem very like it, beheld by any one
from the Moon, or any other the like diſtance, to be illuminated

by the Sun: and the ſurface of the ſea would appear more
ſcure, and that of the Earth more bright.
Fifthly, like as we from
the Earth behold the Moon, one while all illuminated, another

while half; ſometimes more, ſometimes leſs; ſometimes horned,
ſometimes wholly inviſibly; namely, when its juſt under the Sun
beams; ſo that the parts which look towards the Earth are dark:
Thus in every reſpect, one ſtanding in the Moon would ſee the
illumination of the Earths ſurface by the Sun, with the ſame
periods to an hair, and under the ſame changes of figures.
Sixtly, -----
The Firſt
blance between the
Moon and Earth;
which is that of
figure; is proved by
the manner of
ing illuminated by
the Sun.
The Second
formity is the
Moons being
cous as the Earth.
Thirdly, The
ter of the Moon is
denſe and mo
nous as the Earth.
Fourthly, The
Moon is
guiſhed into two
different parts for
clarity and
rity, as the
strial Globe into
Sea and Land.
The ſurface of the
Sea would ſhew at
a diſtance more
ſoure than that of
the Earth.
Fiftly,
tion of ſigures in
the Earth, like to
thoſe of the Moon,
and made with the
ſame periods.
SAGR. Stay a little, Salviatus; That the illumination of
the Earth, as to the ſeveral figures, would repreſent it ſelf to a perſon
placed in the Moon, like in all things to that which we diſcover in
the Moon, I underſtand very well, but yet I cannot conceive how
it ſhall appear to be done in the ſame period; ſeeing that that
which the Suns illumination doth in the Lunar ſuperficies in a
month, it doth in the Terreſtrial in twenty four hours.
SALV. Its true, the effect of the Sun about the illuminating
theſe two bodies, and repleniſhing with its ſplendor their whole
ſurfaces, is diſpatch'd in the Earth in a Natural day, and in the
Moon in a Month; but the variation of the figures in which the

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