Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
An Irish Corpus Astronomiae, being Manus O'Donnell's seventeenth century version of the Lunario of Geronymo Cortès (Author: [unknown])

Chapter 2

THE SECOND CHAPTER

CONCERNING THE ELEMENTAL REGION

The elemental region consists of every created thing which is from the heaven, or from the sphere of the moon, down to the central point of the earth; and each one of these things is created of four simple bodies which are called elements: and their names are earth, water, air, and fire. They are called simple bodies because they are not made of other bodies, and every other body is made of them. The earth (since it is a heavy body) is naturally in the centre of the universe, and its property is to be cold and dry; and its circumference, according to the best opinion, is 6,480 leagues. It is possible, accordingly, to travel round it in a year and nine months and thirteen days, by walking ten leagues each day. It has a diameter — that is across from side to side or from border to border — of 2061 leagues and a little over half a league. Thence it is concluded and proved that the distance from us, or from the border of this earth on which we are, to the central point of the same earth where hell is, is 1030 leagues and three quarters of a league. The second ?element, viz., water, is above the earth; and its property is to be cold and moist; and according to the philosophers its size is ten times that of the earth, but that is not through its quantity but through its rarity. The third element, viz., air, is above the water, and its quality is to be warm and moist, and its size is ten times that of the water, i.e., through its rarity. The fourth element, viz., fire, is above the air; and its quality is to be hot and dry, and it is ten [times greater than air in rarity.]

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The table or figure on this page has been omitted.

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According to this table may be ascertained the properties of the four elements, and the properties of the airts and of the four winds, the four seasons of the years, the four humours, the four ages of man; and further, the nature and properties of the twelve celestial signs.

CONCERNING THE NATURE AND THE NUMBER OF THE WINDS

The wind, according to the philosophers, is an exhalation; that is a vapour which rises like a breath which is warm and dry, and that is produced in the bosom and heart of the earth; and after being drawn thence by the virtue and power of the sun it moves by the strength of the sun's rays with the force which we see. The efficient

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cause of the wind is the sun, as we have said, because it operates by its heat and draws those vapours towards it; and when they have been raised they mount up on high until they scatter and disperse before the cold which is in the middle region of the air, and according as they are scattered they blow over the compass of the earth; and they are given names according to the land or regions through which they move, and each several wind receives a property of its own and acts according to it. It was a practice with the philosophers in the olden time to make use of twelve winds only; and these comprise the four which are called Cardinal or Principal winds, and eight others, which are called Side or Collateral winds because there are two of them on each side of each cardinal wind. The first cardinal wind is the south wind, which is called in Latin Notus vel Auster. This causes widespread clouds, lightning, and much rain, and many diseases: and, since it is warm and moist, it produces corruption and putrefaction. The collateral of this wind, towards the West, is the wind which is called Libanotus; and it likewise causes rain and diseases like the principal wind.

The other collateral wind, to the Eastward, causes health and cloudy weather. The second cardinal wind is the North-wind (contrary to the South cardinal wind) which is called Septentrio; and that is cold and dry, and it is a marvel if rain comes with it, but it is very healthy. It causes dry cold which damages the fruits, and it has two other collateral winds, viz., one to the Westward which is called Caurus. That one is cold and dry, and it causes great commotion, winds and snow: and the other wind, to the Eastward, which is called Aquilo vel Caecias

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is cold and dry without rain. The third cardinal wind is the East wind, which is called Eurus vel Subsolanus; it is cold and moist, and generates clouds, and there is usually rain with it, in Valencia at any rate. It helps the herbs and flowers and the health. This wind has also two collateral winds: one to the Southward which is called Eurus and the other wind to the Northward called Gregal, and they are both favourable like the principal wind. The other cardinal wind is the West wind, and its quality is to be warm and dry. When this wind blows it sets back the cold and also the snow, but it causes diseases and at times thunder and rain. Its collateral winds are one to the Northward which is called Corus, and the other wind to the Southward which is called Africus; and they are after the property of the principal wind, i.e., the West wind which is called Zephirus.

INFORMATION AS TO THE METHODS OF PRESERVING VICTUALS AND HEALTH

In cellars and places where wine is kept, in order that it may last, it is better that the door should be to the North so that it may receive the wind and light from that quarter, according to Pliny, Lib. 14: and let not vinegar, or wine which has been soured through corruption, be allowed to be in the same place with the other wine. Likewise with barns, it is better that their doors and windows should be towards the same quarter, because the grain keeps longer and is more wholesome in that way than if they were in another side. In the same way with the fruits, because it is the nature of that quarter to be cold and dry, and accordingly specially suited to preserve them; and further, with all kinds of grain. And the time to

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harvest the fruits, in order that they may last the longer, is when the moon is waning; and shortly after midday, when the heat of the sun is most powerful. The sleeping apartments, in order that they shall be healthy and free from worms, are better to be with their doors and windows to the East where the sun rises; likewise a place where books and clothes are stored, that they may be free from moths. Finally, oil requires light towards it from the South, and to be in the winter in a warm place, and in the summer in a cold place, and at both seasons to be in cellars.

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