The Hindu philosophers maintain that the elements have a spherical form* and they have added Ether* to the number. They hold it to pervade all things and that no space is void of it. They do not incline to the notion of a celestial substance (<Arabic>) but adopt the account of the spheres on the system of the Almagest* of Ptolemy. The Zodiac is divided into twelve signs, each of which is termed “rás.”

They are as follows:—

The Persian, Egyptian and Greek sages affirm the existence of a colour­ness body which is transparent and is not subject to growth, increase, decrease, disruption, conjunction nor dissolution, neither does it admit of tenuity nor density nor generation nor decay. It is not compounded of bodies variously organised, neither is it affected by heat, cold, moisture, nor dryness, nor can lightness or gravity be predicated of it. It possesses life and continuity of existence, and is not subject to desire or anger. It is called “asmán.”* The general opinion is that the Universe (<Greek>) includes nine spheres, but some think eight, others, eleven, others, seven, and it is even affirmed that there is but a single Kosmos.

The Hindu philosophers acknowledge the existence of the planets and fixed stars, but assert that their substance is of water* congealed like hail, and that they receive their light from the sun. Others maintain that it is from the moon, and that these luminous bodies dominate the aspects of fortune. They also hold the connection of a celestial spirit with each. Some suppose the stars to be human beings, who by suppressing the emotions of anger and desire, and by mortification and moral beauty of life, have reached this exalted eminence.