286. It will perhaps be found true, that the more frequent Winds are generated near the Surface of the Earth: but that _Storms_ are generated from above. Cold, Heat, Drought, and Moisture produce the more frequent and diurnal Winds: but the Conjunctions and Operations of the Moon and Planets contribute to the Production of Storms and other Inequalities of the Atmosphere: more especially the _Moon_: at the New and Full. These Attractions first affect the _superior Parts_ of the Atmosphere.[89] 287. “We are sure in the calmest Weather, to have some Breeze at Noon, and at full Tide.” Therefore, both are improper Times for Balloons to be at Sea: the Time of low Water and Midnight woud be best in those, if equal in other Respects. Changes of Weather as to Wind or Calm happen about the New and Full Moon.[90] 288. Varieties of Tide produced by the united or divided Forces of the Sun and Moon, occasion similar Changes in the Atmosphere nearly at the same Time. For Instance, at the Time of the New Moon or Conjunction, i.e. when the Earth, Moon, and Sun, are _nearly_ in a Line; the Moon being between them: also at the Time of the Full Moon; i.e. when the Moon, Earth, and Sun are _nearly_ in a Line; and the Earth between them, which is called the Opposition.[91] In the first Case, the Moon and Sun attract the Atmosphere of the Earth conjointly, or with united Force: in the second Case; the Earth being between them, they act in Opposition to each other, still nearly in the same Line. At these Times, the +spring+ _Tides_ are at the _highest_ i.e. once every Fortnight; and in the two interval Weeks are the +neap+ or _lowest_ Tides: for a like Reason. Because, in the latter Case, a Line supposed to be drawn from the Moon to the Earth, and another from the Earth to the Sun, woud form nearly a right Angle: or in other Words; because the Moon and Sun woud attract the Earth at right Angles to each other, or in a lateral Direction:—the Moon woud draw one Way and the Sun another:—their Forces woud be divided. Now it is a Fact, that the Ocean is raised considerably twice every twenty-five Hours, by the Attraction of the Moon, when she comes to the Meridian. So that the Surface of the Sea, instead of putting on the Form of a Sphere, or Globe, will be changed into an _oval_ Figure, whose longest Diameter being produced, woud pass throu’ the Moon. In like Manner a similar Elevation must take Place, as often as the Sun is in the Meridian; either above or below the Horizon. Moreover, this Elevation is _greatest_ on the New and Full Moon, because the Moon and Sun do then conspire in their Attractions: and _least_ in the Quarters: as they will then draw different Ways; the _Difference_ of their Actions only producing an Effect. Lastly, the Intumescence will be of a _middle_ Degree, at the Times between the Quarters, and New and Full Moon.