KIRCHER, ATHANASIUS

Magnes, sive, de arte magnetica opus tripartitum, quo praeterquam quod universa magnetis natura, eiusque in omnibus artibus & scientijs usus nova methodo explicetur! Edito secunda post romanam multo correctior

      Coloniae Agrippinae [i.e. Cologne], 1643. Small 4to, pp. [28], 797, [39]; engraved title-p., 29 engraved plates, numerous interesting woodcut illustrations in the text; a number of leaves with early ink marginalia; contemporary, if not original drab paste-paper boards; worn and soiled, even uniform toning of the text, occasional mild dampstains; a good, sound copy. Merrill 4, citing the first edition of 1641: "Kircher's Magnes is filled with curiosities, both profound and frivolous. The work does not deal solely with what modern physicists call magnetism. Kircher discusses, for example, the magnetism of the earth and heavenly bodies; the tides; the attraction and repulsion in animals and plants; and the magnetic attraction of music and love. He also explains the practical application of magnetism in medicine, hydraulics, and even in the construction of scientific instruments and toys! The book contains the first use of the word! 'electro-magnetism' p. 640). Kircher's Magnes contains all that was known in his day on electricity and magnetism, forces that even today baffle scientists." Hoover Collection of Mining and Metallurgy, 481.Graesse IV, 21.