Book on the Universe

of the highest mountains. But it is removed divinely by God and by the motion of the moon, lest it cover the earth. There is, however, also a sea of sincere and sweet water above the middle region of the air for the refrigeration of nature and the steady restoration of the waters that are customarily consumed. Whence the highest snows under the poles, where the sun never raises vapors: and the highest rains in all of India, when the sun is at their zenith in the second, third, fourth, and fifth months. Whence also more abundant rains occur in the spring and autumn, when no water is seen to rise again toward the heaven. Whence are the courses of the fountain of Paradise. Those waters are actually placed above their firmament in the middle region of the air, where God continuously multiplies those waters—which usage consumes and nature entirely destroys, as is seen in glass alembics—so that by continuously restoring, He places water and snow there like wool. For also in water and in earth there is the constant ferment of their own restoration. For it is false that the lower elements are generated from fire. For it is only a mover, a purifier, and a consumer, not a multiplier. For it consumes by vegetating and does not restore. Therefore, the earth and water have either a common center, or it is entirely near. For also in travels and in the globe of the moon, their single roundness and globe joined together is seen. The length of the earth and water is one from east to west according to the equator and the parallels, and the climates, which according to authority are 19 on this side, and just as many beyond the line which is under the equator. Others place 7 on this side and 7 beyond. The parallels are double to those. The latitude is according to the meridian from pole to pole. Whence...