THE HISTORY OF _HAI EBN YOKDHAN_.


§ 1. Our Ancestors, of Happy Memory, tell us, that there is an Island in
the _Indian_ Ocean, situate under the Equinoctial, where Men come into
the world spontaneously without the help of Father and Mother. This
Island it seems, is blest with such a due Influence of the Sun, as to be
the most temperate and perfect of all places in the Creation; tho' it
must be confess'd that such an Assertion is contrary to the Opinion of
the most celebrated Philosophers and Physicians, who affirm that the
fourth Climate is the most Temperate. Now if the reason which they give
for this Assertion, viz. _That these parts situate under the Equinoctial
are not habitable_; were drawn, from any Impediment from the Earth, 'tis
allow'd that it would appear more probable; but if the reason be,
because of the intense Heat (which is that which most of 'em assign)
'tis absolutely false, and the contrary is prov'd by undeniable
demonstration. For 'tis demonstrated in Natural Philosophy, that there
is no other cause of Heat than Motion, or else the Contact and Light of
Hot Bodies. 'Tis also prov'd that the Sun, in it self, is not hot, nor
partakes of any mix'd Quality: 'tis prov'd moreover, that the thickest
and smoothest Bodies receive Light in the greatest degree of perfection;
and next to them, the thicker which are not smooth, and those which are
very thin receive no Light at all. (This was first demonstrated by
_Avicenna_, never mention'd before by any of the Ancients.) From these
Premises, this Consequence will necessarily follow, _viz_. That the Sun
do's not Communicate his Heat to the Earth, after the same manner as hot
Bodies heat those other Bodies which are near them because the Sun is
not hot in it self. Nor can it be said that the Earth is heated by
Motion, because it stands still, and remains in the same posture, both
when the Sun shines upon it, and when it does not, and yet 'tis evident