6 The sixth Distinction is by the Length or shortnesse of the Day
in Summer time in seuerall Quarters of the earth. And this
diuision is by Climates ([Greek: chlimata]) which are seuerall
spaces of the earth contained betweene two Paralells, in the
which the longest day in Summer excedes that in another Paralell
by halfe an Houre. There is a greate deale of Confusion and
difference betweene the late and ancient Geographers about the
distinction and diuers reckonings of the Climats. It is not
worth the labour to recount theire opinions and Calculations:
thus much is plaine, and easie to bee knowne. There are 24.
Climats in which the Day encreaseth by halfe houres from 12.
houres to 24. There are likewise 6. Climats in which the day
encreaseth by moneths, from one moneth to sixe that is halfe a
yeare. Vnder the Aequator the day is alwayes twelue houres longe,
but as you goe from it towards the Pole, the Day lengthens still
till it comes to a day halfe a yeare long.[3] Now in what degrees
of latitude euery on of these Climats beginne and end, shall
appeare by this table following.
[Footnote 3: Those that dwell vnder the Pole haue not past 3, or
4 moneths profound as tenebras darke night, for when the Sun is
in Libra & Pisces being then nigh, the Horizon it sends forth to
them a glimmering light not vnlike to the twilight or dawning of
the day in a morning a little before the Suns rising _Munster_
lib. I. cap.]
7 The seaventh and last distinction of the earth is taken from
the scituation of it in respect of the Heavens, and especially
the Sunnes motion. In regard whereof Some parts or inhabitants of
the Earth are said to be or dwell in a Right Spheare, some in a
paralell Spheare, and others in an oblique or crooked Spheare.
They dwell (in _Sphaera recta_) in a right or streight Spheare who
dwell iust vnder the AEquinoctiall, whose Horizon is paralell to
the Meridians, but cutts the AEquator at right Angles, they dwell
in paralell Spheares, who dwell iust vnder either of the Poles,
whose Horizon is parallell to the AEquator, but cuts all the
Meridians at right Angles: and the latter is sometime called a
Paralell Spheare.
They dwell (in _Sphaera obliqua_) in a crooked Spheare, who
inhabite any place betweene the AEquinoctiall and the Pole, whose
Horizon cuts the AEquator, the Paralells, and the Meridians at
oblique or vnequall angles.
A table of the climats.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account