Page:The geography of Strabo (1854) Volume 1.djvu/181

 CHAP. v. 3. INTRODUCTION. 167 centre as the heavens, is motionless, as well as the axis which /* pass^sjErpjigh_botb_i^and the heavens. The hea*vens turn V found both the~earth and itsTaxis, from east^to wes The i/ fixed stars^turn round with it, at the same rate ~asT5e whole. 1 These fixed stars follow in their course parallel circles ; the principal of which are, the equator, the two tropicT, and the arctic circles. While the planets, the sun, and the moon, describe_certain obli^ue^ circTeT^m^reTiendeJ within theTzo- ^ diac. AdmittingTTiese'points in whole or in partTastronomers proceed to treat of other matters, [such as] the motions [of the stars], their revolutions, eclipses, size, relative distance, and a thousand similar particulars. On their side, geometers, when measuring the size of the entire earth, avail themselves of the data furnished by the natural philosopher and astro- nomer ; and the geographer on his part makes use of those of the geometer. 3. The heavens and the earth must be supposed to be divided each into five zones, and the celestial zones to possess the same names as those below. The motives for such a division into zones we have already detailed. These zones may be distinguished by circles drawn parallel to the equator, on either side of it. Two of these will separate the torrid from the temperate zones, and the remaining two, the tem- perate from the frigid. To each celestial circle there shall be one corresponding on earth, and bearing the same name, and likewise zone for zone. The [two] zones capable of be- ing inhabited, are styled temperate. The remaining [three] are uninhabitable, one on account of the heat, the others be- cause of the extreme cold. The same is the case with re- gard to the tropical, and also to the arctic circles, in respect of those countries for which arctic circles can be said to ex- ist. Circles on the earth are supposed, corresponding to those in the heavens, and bearing the same name, one for one. As the whole heaven is separated into two parts by its equator, it follows that the earth must, by its equator, be similarly divided. The two hemispheres, both celestial and 1 We have followed the suggestion of Gosselin in reading T$ oy, the whole, instead of T<JJ TroXy, the pole, as in the text. Strabo having just previously stated Uiat the axis of the earth was stationary, it does not seem probable that he would immediately after speak of the motion of the pole.