ALBERTUS MAGNUS.

Philosophia naturalis.

      Aristotle popularized Basel, Michael Furter, 1506, June 22. Sm. 4to. 17th century vellum, remnants of ties. With woodcut initial 'A', the first letter of the author's name, and large symbolic woodcut (115x95mm) on title, depicting the position of the earth consisting of the four elements and protected by God, in the universe surrounded five symbolic emblems: scales, a human head with the numbers 1-10 underneath, a pair of compasses, a carpenter's square and a vase; woodcut printer's device at the end (f. 65r), full-page woodcut of a human head, indicating 'Ventriculus I-III' (f. 46r), and 2 large woodcuts in the text of the spheres. (66) lvs., incl. last blank. Popular treatise by Albertus Magnus, in which he summarizes and explains for his students Aristotle's ideas on physics, metaphysics, and mathematics. Three parts are dedicated to heaven and earth, the elements and meteorology, and another part describes the 'anima' in every detail: the soul and mind of the human being and the spirit of animals and plants, but also the five senses, the human intelligence to invent, judge, memorize and interprete, and emotions like sensibility, sensuality, desire, love, affection, and fear. Other aspects of the mind like phantasy, imagination, dreams, the will, and even the control of the limbs are treated as well. The work is a fine example of the way Albertus Magnus introduced Aristotle to his students and taught Greek and Arab science at the universities. Good copy.- (Front flyleaf loose; a few contemporary annotations in ink in the margins and on verso of the last blank). Adams A 532; this title not in STC German, Duveen, Ferguson, Caillet or Machiels.