SECT. XXXI. Concerning the Torrid Zone.

To pass on to fomething else: It is well known, that all the Geographers do divide the Superficies of this Globe into five Zones. The firft they call the Torrid Zone; this is that part of the Superficies which extends itself from the Equator ef, (Tab. XVI. Fig. 1.) on each Side, to the Tropicks

c d.

Now that the old Geographers held it for an unqueftionable Truth, that this Zone was barren and uninhabitable by the intolerable Heat, appears ftrongly enough from their Writings; nor were they fo much to blame, if we reflect upon the Influence of the Sun in other Parts of the World: Since this great and burning Luminary moving twice a Year in the Circle A Y D, called the Ecliptic, or the Sun's Way, paffes directly over thofe Lands that lie between the two Tropicks abx cd.

And this very rational Notion, as to outward appearance, had fo long obtained every where, till Experience teaching the contrary, has therein manifefted the Divinity and unconceiveable Wisdom of the Great Creator, who has graciously prevented by other Means this all-confuming Heat, which with refpect to the Scituation of thofe Countries, and the Course of the Sun, feems to be a neceffary Confequence, from deftroying the fame.

SECT. XXXII. The Torrid Zone inhabitable, by means of Mountains.

To be affur'd of this Wonder, we need only take the aforemention'd Island of St. Thomas for an Example: This Island lies under the Line, as here at X, in the middle of the Torrid Zone; of which

Woods

Mr. Robbe, and others, that there are likewife

h

at X, in the middle of the Torria Lone; or w

nevertheless, all that write about it, do unanimously witness the Wholfomenefs of the Air for the Inhabitants, and the Fruitfulness of the Country. To which purpose we need only confult the little Atlas of Mercator, or any other Books that have treated of the fame.

Now I beseech every one that can yet doubt whether the World be made with Wisdom, to reflect with himself, whether it may be deduced from the ignorant Laws of Nature,or from mere Chance, that, to the end the Sun fhould not render this Ifland uninhabitable, there is a great Mountain placed in the middle, and overgrown with numbers of Woods; the Tops of which, notwithftanding that the Heat may feem to dry them quite up, are always cover'd with fo many Clouds, that the defcending Waters, which proceed from thence, are not only fufficient to produce other Fruits, but even Sugar Canes themselves: infomuch, that in the very hottest Days, this Mountain appears cover'd with a continual Cloud; the Reafon of which is, that a much greater Quantity. of Vapours are then attracted by the Sun from the Sea; and the Air being likewife much more rarified by the Heat, carries the Vapours of Water that are mixed with it, more to the Cold and Shadowy Places of this Mountain, whereby they are prefs'd more closely together, and fo the Weight of the Clouds is increased. Now how the Mountains concur in producing thefe Effects, has already been in fome measure fhewn before.

Now if any one should refuse to acknowledge a gracious Providence of GOD in this whole Matter, and wou'd pretend, that this is only peculiar to this fingle Place, and confequently, that it may be the effect of Chance, he may learn from the Description of Madagascar, in the Geography of Mr. Robbe, and others, that there are likewife VOL. II. Woods

Nn

Woods and Mountains in the middle of that Ifland, from whence Rivers flow on all fides, which render that Country (tho' lying in the hottest Part of the World) in refpect to the Sun, equal in Fertility to the beft Climates of the Earth: And this you will find obferved in feveral other Places.

SECT. XXXIII. The Inundation of Rivers do likewife render the Torrid Zone habitable.

BUT in cafe any other of thefe miferable Philofophers fhould again, according to their manner, ftart new Difficulties, and fancy, that fince what has been advanced above, has happen'd in feveral Places, it might be the neceffary Confequences of Natural Laws, they may likewife be convinced of the unreasonablenefs of fuch Opinions, from other and different Means, which, befides the foregoing, the Wisdom of GOD has been pleased to make ufe of in rendering those Countries fruitful, which would be otherwife quite fcorch'd up by the Rays

of the Sun.

Now, not to speak of Egypt again, one part of which lies under the Tropick a b, and where it is thought to be the very hottest, because the Sun does not only pafs twice a Year directly over their Heads, as it happens in all Parts of the Torrid Zone; but also, because it remains a much longer time over the Countries lying about the Tropick, than it does at the Equator, which it paffes by more swiftly; and yet this Egypt is made one of the most Plentiful and Fruitful Countries of the World, by the overflowing of the River Nile. I fay, befides Egypt, the dry and barren Country of th Blacks, commonly called Nigritia, or Nigritiarum Regio, may ferve for a Proof; which likewise ftretches itself from the 8th to the 23d Degree

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