1. The word _mensis_ is Greek, being derived from the word for moon. For in the Greek language the moon is called μήνη; whence among the Hebrews the regular (_legitimi_) months are reckoned not from the circle of the sun, but from the course of the moon, which is from new moon to new moon. 2. Because of the swifter course of the moon and the fear that an error of reckoning might arise because of its speed, the Egyptians began to reckon the day of the month from the course of the sun, since the slower course of the sun could be comprehended more easily. Chapter 34. On the solstices and equinoxes. 2. There are two solstices: first, the summer solstice, eight days before the Kalends of July, from which time the sun begins to return to the lower circles; the second, the winter solstice, eight days before the Kalends of January, when the sun begins to make for the higher circles, whence the day of the winter solstice is the shortest and that of the summer solstice the longest. 3. Likewise there are two equinoxes: one in the spring and the other in the autumn, which the Greeks call ἰσημερίαι. These equinoxes are the eighth day before the Kalends of April and the eighth day before the Kalends of October, because the year formerly was divided into two parts only, that is, into the summer and the winter solstice, and into two hemispheres. Chapter 35. On the seasons. 1. There are four seasons of the year: spring, summer, autumn, winter. And they are called seasons (_tempora_) from tempering,[305] since they are tempered in turn by moisture, dryness, heat, and cold. [305] _A communionis temperamento._ 2. It is known that after the creation of the universe the seasons were divided into three months each, according to the quality of the sun’s course.... And the ancients make the following divisions of these seasons: in the first month spring is called _novum_, in the second, _adultum_, in the third, _praeceps_.[306] [306] So in the case of summer, autumn, and winter. 7–8. These seasons are assigned also to separate parts of the heavens. The spring is given to the Orient, because then all things arise (_oriuntur_) from the earth; summer to the South, because its division is more intense in its heat; winter to the North, because it is torpid with colds and perpetual frost; autumn to the Occident, because it has serious diseases. Whence, too, the leaves of the trees fall. The bordering of cold and heat and the contending of opposite airs causes the autumn to abound in diseases. Chapter 36. On years. 1. The year is the circle of the sun when it returns to the same place in relation to the stars, after three hundred and sixty-five days.... 3. There are three kinds of years. For the year is the lunar, of thirty days, the solstitial, which contains twelve months, or the great year, when all the planets return to the same place, which happens after many solstitial years. Chapter 38. On generations and ages.