THE FIRST BOOK OF ATHANASIUS KIRCHER. Concerning the events carried out in the space of one hundred and thirty years after the flood.

CHAPTER I.

Chapter I. The first men did not immediately descend into the plains after leaving the ark. If we weigh the actions of the first men after the flood with an equal balance of the mind, right reason surely seems to dictate that the sons of Noah—after their departure from the ark, and after the sacrifice performed to God for the benefits received, and after the command and blessing bestowed upon them regarding the multiplication of the human race through the words (Increase and multiply and fill the earth Genesis 9:1)—did not immediately descend to the lower depths of the mountains. Rather, it is not far from the truth that they remained in the mountain plateaus for several years. For it is known from Geography that on most of the higher mountains, fields spread far and wide are always found, just as experience teaches us from the chains of the Alps, the Apennines, and other mountains to be seen throughout all Europe; these are found to be wonderfully suited and convenient for nourishing sheep, cattle, and herds with most fertile pastures. We believe, therefore, that Noah lived with his sons in similar fields.

Noah did not immediately descend into the level of the plains after exiting the ark, but remained in the mountains. For since in these types of higher plateaus which sat upon the mountain ridges, the veins of springs would be opened more quickly and seasonably for the necessary use of water (which was not the case in the lowest plains) due to the downward flow of muddy matter, and the fields would be rendered fit and suitable for agriculture by the flow of moisture, certainly Noah original: "Noëmus" could not have chosen a better or more convenient station, given his supreme skill regarding the knowledge of natural things. Although the sacred text says nothing of these matters, reason nevertheless seems to dictate, as I said above, that it must have happened in this manner.

For Noah, illuminated by divine light, knew the state of the reborn world; he knew very well the massive metamorphosis A complete transformation of the earth's surface caused by the receding waters. of the globe after the flood. He knew, finally, how long and for how many years they would have to linger in the mountains until the lower places below the mountains were fit for human habitation. And in this way it happened that he, in the mountains as if in a safer station, took the beginning of propagating the human race, until he was forced to betake himself to the lower plain by the multitude of sons rising up to an immense number.

CHAPTER II.

Chapter II. Noah spent his time in instructing the human race and providing all necessary things. It is certain that Noah was by no means idle in this state of affairs, but was continually occupied with the greatest care and solicitude for managing things well, and for perpetually practicing the arts so necessary to the human race. And first indeed, just as God had commanded him through the words (Increase and multiply), he urged his sons to carry out propagation; and since the multi-