Theophrastus
Published: 2013-09
Total Pages: 30
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1894 edition. Excerpt: ...but capable itself of being conditioned, and even capable of appropriating the conditions of its fellows. See further on this point, Introd., p. 14. whenever the N. wind has been so cold that it continues freezing the moisture brought up by the S. wind; at least it more frequently freezes than thaws.68 The foregoing are what may be called the winter successions 55 and oppositions of the winds. But the confusion of winds that happens at the rising and setting of Orion happens because, at times of change, everything is naturally liable to get into confusion.69 Now, Orion rises at the beginning of Autumn and sets at the beginning of winter; so that as there is no established season for the time being, one in fact commencing and the other ending, the winds are of necessity uncertain and confused, because they stand on, as it were, debatable ground between the two seasons. And so it is that this constellation has acquired the reputation of being fierce, both when setting and when rising, by reason of the indefiniteness of the season; for it needs be that it should be disturbed and irregular. Such, and such as these, then are the phenomena that occur 56 in the air and throughout the Heavens; others are connected with our own conditions. For instance, with Southerly winds men find themselves more weary and incapable; and the reason is that, instead of a little, a great deal of moisture is produced, being melted out by the heat; and so instead of a light air, there is a heavy damp. Again power and strength reside in the joints; and these are relaxed by Southerly winds. For the lubricating matter in the joints when congealed prevents our moving ourselves; but when too fluid70 prevents our exerting 69 I cannot say that I am satisfied with this; nor...