quarter, and they again increase from the time that she is at first quarter on the other side. At her conjunction with the sun they are equally high as at the full. When the moon is in the northern hemisphere, and recedes further from the earth, the tides are lower than when, going towards the south, she exercises her influence at a less distance[1]. After an interval of eight years, and the hundredth revolution of the moon, the periods and the heights of the tides return into the same order as at first, this planet always acting upon them; and all these effects are likewise increased by the annual changes of the sun[2], the tides rising up higher at the equinoxes, and more so at the autumnal than at the vernal; while they are lower[3] about the winter solstice, and still more so at the summer solstice; not indeed precisely at the points of time which I have mentioned, but a few days after[4]; for example, not exactly at the full nor at the new moon, but after them; and not immediately when the moon becomes visible or invisible, or has advanced to the middle of her course, but generally about two hours later than the equinoctial hours[5]; the effect of what is going on in the heavens being felt after a short interval; as we observe with respect to lightning, thunder, and thunderbolts.
But the tides of the ocean cover greater spaces and produce greater inundations than the tides of the other seas; whether it be that the whole of the universe taken together is more full of life than its individual parts, or that the large open space feels more sensibly the power of the planet, as it moves freely about, than when restrained within narrow bounds.
- ↑ It is scarcely necessary to remark, that both the alleged fact and the supposed cause are incorrect. And this is the case with what our author says in the next sentence, respecting the period of eight years, and the hundred revolutions of the moon.
- ↑ "Solis annuis causis." The circumstances connected with the revolution of the sun, acting as causes of the period and height of the tides, in addition to the effect of the moon.
- ↑ "Inanes;" " Depressiores ac minus tumentes." Hardouin in Lemaire, i. 429.
- ↑ According to the remark of Alexandre, "Uno die et dimidio altero, 36 circiter horis, m Gallia." Lemaire, i. 429.
- ↑ Alexandre remarks on this passage, "Variat pro locis hoc intervallum a nullo fere temporis momento ad undecim horas et amplius:" Lemaire. i. 429.
