receive its verticity and be excited proportionably at both extremes now this direction proceeds not primitively from themselves but is derivative and contracted from the magneticall effluxions of the earth which they have winded in their hammering and formation or else by long continuance in one position as wee shall declare hereafter It is likewise true what is delivered of Irons heated in the fire that they contract a verticity in their refrigeration for heated red hot and cooled in the meridian from North to South they presently contract a polary power and being poysed in ayre or water convert that part unto the North which respected that point in its refrigeration so that if they had no sensible verticity before it may be acquired by this way or if they had any it might be exchanged by contrary position in the cooling for by the fire they omit not onely many drossie and scorious parts but whatsoever they had received either from the earth or loadstone and so being naked and despoiled of all verticity the magneticall Atomes invade their bodies with more effect and agility Neither is it onely true what Gilbertus first observed that Irons refrigerated North and South acquire a Directive faculty but if they be cooled upright and perpendicularly they will also obtaine the same that part which is cooled toward the North on this side the Aequator converting it selfe unto the North and attracting the South point of the Needle the other and highest extreme respecting the South and attracting the Northerne according unto the Laws Magneticall for what must be observed contrary poles or faces attract each other as the North the South and the like decline each other as the North the North. Now on this side of the Aequator that extreme which is next the earth is animated unto the North and the contrary unto the South so that in Coition it applyes it selfe quite oppositely the coition or attraction being contrary to the verticity or Direction Contrary if wee speake according unto common use yet alike if we conceave the virtue of the North pole to diffuse it self and open at the South and the South at the North againe This polarity Iron refrigeration upon extremity and in defect of a Loadstone might serve to invigorate and touch a needle any where and this allowing variation is also the truest way at any season to discover the North or South and surely farre more certaine then what is affiâ—med of the graines and circles in trees or the figure in the roote of Ferne. For if we erect a red hot wire untill it coole then hang it up with wax and untwisted silke where the lower end and that which cooled next the earth doth rest that is the Northerne point and this we affirme will still be true whether it be cooled in the ayre or extinguished in water oyle of vitrioll Aqua fortis or Quicksilver And this is also evidenced in culinary utensils and Irons that often feele the force of fire as tongs fireshovels prongs and Andirons all which acquire a magneticall and polary condition and being suspended convert their lower extremes unto the North with the same attracting the Southerne point of the Needle For easier experiment if wee place a Needle touched at the foote of tongues or andirons it will obvert or turne aside its lyllie or North point and conforme its cuspis or South extreme unto the andiron The like verticity though more obscurely is also contracted by brickes and tiles as wee have made triall in some taken out of the backs of chimneys Now to contract this Direction there needs not a totall ignition nor is it necessary the Irons should bee red hot all over For if a wire be heated onely at one end according as that end is cooled upward or downeward it respectively acquires a verticity as we have declared before in wires totally candent Nor is it absolutely requisite they should be exactly cooled perpendicularly or strictly lye in the meridiaâ— for whether they be refrigerated inclinatorily or somewhat Aequinoxially that is toward the Easterne or Westerne points though in a lesser degree they discover some verticity Nor is this onely true in Irons but in the Loadstone it selfe for if a Loadstone be made red hot in the fire it amits the magneticall vigour it had before in it selfe and acquires another from the earth in its refrigeration for that part which cooleth toward the earth will acquire the respect of the North and attract the Southerne point or cuspis of the Needle The experiment hereof we made in a Loadstone of a parallellogram or long square figure wherein only inverting the extremes as it came out of the fire wee altered the poles or faces thereof at pleasure It is also true what is delivered of the Direction and coition of Irons that they contract a verticity by long and continued position that is not onely being placed from North to South and lying in the meridian but respecting the Zenith and perpendicular unto the center of the earth as is most manifest in barres of windowes casements hindges and the like for if we present the Needle unto their lower extremes it wheeles about it and turnes its Southerne point unto them The same condition in long time doe bricks contract which are placed in walls and therefore it may be a fallible way to finde out the meridian by placing the Needle on a wall for some bricks therein which by a long and continued position are often magnetically enabled to distract the polarity of the Needle Lastly Irons doe manifest a verticity not only upon refrigeration and constant situation but what is wonderfull and advanceth the magneticall hypothesis they evidence the same by meer position according as they are inverted and their extreams disposed respectively unto the earth For if an iron or steele not formerly excited be held perpendicularly or inclinatorily unto the needle the lower end thereof will attract the cuspis or southerne point but if the same extream be inverted and held under the needle it will then attract the lilly or northerne point for by inversion it changeth its direction acquired before and receiveth a new and southerne polarity from the earth as being the upper extreame Now if an iron be touched before it varyeth not in this manner for then it admits not this magneticall impression as being already informed by the Loadstone and polarily determined by its prâ—action And from these grounds may we best determine why the Northern pole of the Loadstone attracteth a greater weight then the Southerne on this side the Equator why the stone is best preserved in a naturall and polary situation and why as Gilbertus observeth it respecteth that pole out of the earth which it regarded in its minereall bed and subterraneous position It is likewise true and wonderfull what is delivered of the Inclination or Declination of the Loadstone that is the descent of the needle below the plaine of the Horizon for long
authority The words of Renatus des Cartes in his principles of Philosophy are very plain Praeterea magnes trahet ferrum sive potius magnes ferrum ad invicem accedunt neque enim ulla ibi tractio est The same is solemnly determined by Cabius Nec magnes trahit proprie ferrum nec ferrum ad se magnetem provocat sed ambo pari conatu ad invicem conâ—luunt Concordant hereto is the assertion of Doctor Ridley Physition unto the Emperour of Russia in his Tract of Magnetical bodies defining Magneticall attraction to be a naturall incitation and disposition conforming unto contiguitie an union of one Magneticall body with an other and no violent haling of the weak unto the stronger And this is also the doctrine of Gilbertus by whom this motion is termed coition and that not made by any faculty attractive of one but a Syndrome and concourse of each a coition alway of their vigours and also of their bodies if bulke or impediment prevent not and therefore those contrary actions which slow from opposite poles or faces are not so properly expulsion and attraction as Sequela and Fuga a mutuall flight and following The same is also confirmed by experiment for if a piece of iron be fastened in the side of a bowle or bason of water a Loadstone swimming freely in a boat of cork will presently make unto it And so if a steele or knife untouched be offered toward the needle that is touched the needle nimbly moveth toward it and conformeth unto union with the steele that moveth not Againe If a Loadstone be finely filed the atoms or dust thereof will adheare unto iron that was never touched even as the powder of iron doth also unto the Loadstone And lastly If in two skiphs of cork a Loadstone and steele be placed within the orbe of their activities the one doth not move the other standing still but both hoise sayle and steere unto each other so that if the Loadstone attract the steele hath also its attraction for in this action the Alliciency is reciprocall which joyntly felt they mutually approach and run into each others armes And therefore surely more moderate expressions become this action then what the Ancients have used which some have delivered in the most violent termes of their language so Austine cals it Mirabilem ferri rapâ—orem Hippocrates 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lapis qui ferrum rapit Galen disputing against Epicurus useth the terme 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but that is also too violent among the Ancients Aristotle spake most warily 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lapis qui ferrum movet and in some tollerable acception do runne the expressions of Aquinas Scaliger and Cusanus Many relations are made and great expectations are raised from the Magnes Carneus or a Loadstone that hath a faculty to attract not onely Iron but flesh but this upon enquiry and as Cabeus hath also observed is nothing else but a weake an inanimate kinde of Loadstone veyned here and there with a few magneticall and ferreous lines but chiefly consisting of a bolary and clammy substance whereby it adheres like Haematites or Terra Lemnia unto the Lipps and this is that stone which is to be understood when Physitions joyn it with Aetites or the Eagle stone and promise therein a vertue against abortion There is sometime a mistake concerning the variation of the compasse and therein one point is taken for another For beyond the Aequator some men account its variation by the diversion of the Northerne point whereas beyond that circle the Southerne point is soveraigne and the North submits his preheminency For in the Southerne coast either of America or Africa the Southerne point deflects and varieth toward the land as being disposed and spirited that way by the meridionall and proper Hemisphere And therefore on that side of the earth the varying point is best accounted by the South And therefore also the writings of some and Maps of others are to be enquired that make the needle decline unto the East twelve degrees at Capo Frio and sixe at the straits of Magellan accounting hereby one point for another and preferring the North in the liberties and province of the South But certainely false it is what is commonly affirmed and beleeved that Garlick doth hinder the attraction of the Loadstone which is notwithstanding delivered by grave and worthy Writers by Pliny Solinus Ptolomy Plutarch Albertus Mathiolus Ruâ—us Langius and many more An effect as strange as that of Homers Moly and the Garlick the gods bestowed upon Ulysses But that it is evidently fâ—lse many experiments declare For an Iron wire heated red hot and quenched in the juyce of Garlick doth notwithstanding contract a verticity from the earth and attracteth the Southerne point of the Needle If also the tooth of a Loadstone be covered or stuck in Garlik it will notwithstanding attract and animate any Needles excited and fixed in Garlick untill they begin to rust doe yet retaine their attractive and polary respects Of the same stampe is that which is obtruded upon us by Authors ancient and moderne that an Adamant or Diamond prevents or suspends the attraction of the Loadstone as is in open termes delivered by Pliny Adam as dissidet cum Magnete Lapide ut juxta positus ferruÌ„ non patiatur abstrahi aâ—t si admotus magnes apprehenderit rapiat atque auferat For if a Diamond be placed betweene a needle and a Loadstone there will neverthelesse ensue a Coition even over the body of the Diamond and an easie matter it is to touch or excite a needle through a Diamond by placing it at the tooth of a Loadstone and therefore the relation is false or our estimation of these gems untrue nor are they Diamonds which carry that name amongst us It is not suddenly to be received what Paracelsus in his booke De generatione rerum affirmeth that if a Loadstone be annointed with Mercuriall oyle or onely put into Quicksilver it omitteth its attraction for ever For we have found that Loadstones and touched needles which have laid long time in Quicksilver have not amitted their attraction and we also finde that red hot needles or wires extinguished in quick-silver do yet acquire a verticity according to the Laws of position in extinction Of greater repugnancy unto reason is that which he delivers concerning its graduation that heated in fire often extinguished in oyle of Mars or Iron it acquires an ability to extract or draw forth a naile fastened in a wall for as we have declared before the vigor of the Loadstone is destroyed by fire nor will it be reimpregnated by any other Magnete then the earth True it is and we shall not deny that besides fire some other wayes there are of its destruction as Age Ruste and what is least dreamt on an unnaturall or contrary situation for being impolarily adjoyned unto a more vigorous Loadstone it will in a short time exchange it poles or being kept
expressions had they been observed in ancient translations elder Expositers had not beene misguided by the Synonomy nor had they afforded occasion unto Austen the Glosse Lyranus and many others to have taken up the common conceit and spoke of this text conformably unto the opinion rejected CHAP. II. Concerning the Loadstone Of things particularly spoken thereof evidently or probably true Of things generally beleeved or particularly delivered manifestly or probably false In the first of the Magneticall vertue of the earth of the foure motions of the stone that is its Verticity or direction its Attraction or Coition its declination its Variation and also of its Antiquity In the second a rejection of sundry opinions and relations thereof Naturall Medicall Historicall Magicall ANd first we conceive the earth to be a Magneticall body A Magnetical body we term not only that which hath a power attractive but that which seated in a convenient medium naturally disposeth it self to one invariable and fixed situation And such a Magnetical vertue we conceive to be in the Globe of the earth whereby as unto its naturall points and proper terms it disposeth it self unto the poles being so framed constituted ordered unto these points that those parts which are now at the poles would not naturally abide under the Aequator nor Green-land remain in the place of Magellanica and if the whole earth were violently removed yet would it not foâ—goe its primiâ—ive points nor pitch in the East or West but return unto its polary position again For though by compactnesse or graviâ—y it may acquire the lowest place and become the center of the universe yet that it makes good that point not varying at all by the accession of bodyes upon or secession thereof from its surface pertuâ—bing the equilibration of either Hemiâ—pheare whereby the altitude of the starres might vary or that it strictly maintaines the north and southerne points that neither upon the motiâ—ns of the heavens ayre and winds without large eruptions and dâ—vâ—sion of parts within its polar paâ—ts should never incline or veere unto the Aequator whereby the latitude of places should also vary it cannot so well be salved from gravity as a magneticall verticity This is probably that foundation the wisdome of the Creator hâ—th laid unto the earth and in this sense we may more nearly apprehend and sensibly make out the expressions of holy Scripture as that of Ps. 93. 1. Firma vit orbem terrae qui non commovebitur he hath made the round world so sure that it cannot be moved as when it is said by Jâ—b Extendit Aquilonem super vacuo c. Hee stretcheth forth the North upon the empty place and hangeth the earth upon nothing And this is the most probable answer unto that great question Job â—8 whereupon are the foundations of the earth fastened or who laid the corner stone thereof Had they been acquainted with this principle Anaxagoras Socrates and Democritus had better made out the ground of this stabiliâ—y Xenâ—phanes had not been faine to say it had no bottome and â—hâ—les Milesius to make it swim in water Now whether the earth stand still or moveth circularly we may concede this Magneticall stability For although it move in that conversion the poles and center may still remaine the same as is conceived in the Magneticall bodies of heaven especially Jâ—piter and the Sunne which according to Galileus Kepler and Fabrâ—cius are observed to have Dineticall motions and certaine revolutions abouâ— their proper centers and though the one in about the space of ten dayes the other in lesse then one accomplish this revolution yet do they observe a constant habitude unto their poles and firme themselves thereon in their gyration Nor is the vigour of this great body included only in is selfe or circumferenced by its surface but diffused at indeterminate distances through the ayre water and bodyes circumjacent exciting and impregnating magneticall bodyes within it surface or without it and performing in a secret and invisible way what we evidently behold effected by the Loadstone For these effluxions penetrate all bodyes and like the species of visible objects are ever ready in the medium and lay hold on all bodyes proportionate or capable of their action those bodyes likewise being of a congenerous nature doe readily receive the impressions of their motor and if not fettered by their gravity conforme themselves to situations wherein they best unite unto their Animator And this will sufficiently appeare from the observations that are to follow which can no better way bee made out then this wee speake of the magneticall vigour of the earth Now whether these effluviâ—ms do flye by streated Atomes and winding particles as Renatus des Cartes conceaveth or glide by streames attracted from either pole and hemispheare of the earth unto the Aequator as Sir Kenelme Digby excellently declareth it takes not away this vertue of the earth but more distinctly sets downe the gests and progresse thereof and are conceits of eminent use to salve magneticall phenomena's And as in Astronomy those hypotheses though never so strange are best esteemed which best do salve apparencies so surely in Philosophy those principles though seeming monstrous may with advantage be embraced which best confirme experiment and afford the readiest reason of observation And truly the doctrine of effluxions their penetrating natures their invisible paths and insuspected effects are very considerable for besides this magneticall one of the earth severall effusions there may be from divers other bodies which invisibly act their parts at any time and perhaps through any medium a part of Philosophy but yet in discovery and will I feare prove the last leafe to be turned over in the booke of Nature First therefore it is evidently true and confirmable by every experiment that steele and good Iron never excited by the Loadstone discover in themselves a verticity that is a directive or polary faculty whereby conveniently they do septentrionate at one extreme and Australize at another this is manifestible in long and thin plates of steel perforated in the middle and equilibrated or by an easier way in long wires equiponderate with untwisted silke and soft wax for in this manner pendulous they will conforme themselves Meridionally directing one extreame unto the North another to the South The same is also manifest in steele wires thrust through little spheres or globes of Corke and floated on the water or in naked needles gently let fall thereon for so disposed they will not rest untill they have â—ound out the Meridian and as neere as they can lye parallell unto the axis of the earth Sometimes the eye sometimes the point Northward in divers Needles but the same point alwayes in most conforming themselves unto the wholâ— earth in the same manner as they doe unto every Loadstone For if a needle untoucht be hanged above a Loadstone it will convert into a parallel position thereto for in this situation it can best
needles which stood before upon their axis parallell unto the Horizon being vigorously excited incline and bend downeward depressing the North extreame below the Horizon that is the North on this the South on the other side of the Equator and at the very Lyne or middle circle of the Earth stand parallell and deflecteth neither And this is evidenced not only from observations of the needle in severall parts of the earth but sundry experiments in any part thereof as in a long steele wires equilibrated or evenly ballanced in the ayre for excited by a vigorous Loadstone it will somewhat depresse it s animated extreme and interest the horizontall circumference It is also manifest in a needle pierced through a globe of Cork so cut away and pared by degrees that it will swim under water yet sinke not unto the bottome which may be well effected for if the corke bee a thought too light to sinke under the surface the body of the water may be attenuated with spirits of wine if too heavy it may be incrassated with salt and if by chance too much be added it may againe be thinned by a proportionable addition of fresh water if then the needle be taken out actively touched and put in againe it will depresse and bow down its northerne head toward the bottome and advance its southerne extremity toward the brim This way invented by Gilbertus may seem of difficulty the same with lesse labour may be observed in a needled sphere of corke equally contiguous unto the surface of the water for if the needle be not exactly equiponderant that end which is a thought too light if touched becommeth even that needle also which will but just swim under water if forcibly touched will sinke deeper and sometime unto the bottome If likewise that inclinatory vertue be destroyed by a touch from the contrary pole that end which before was elevated will then decline this perhaps might be observed in some scales exactly ballanced and in such needles which for their bulke can hardly be supported by the water For if they be powerfully excited equally let fall they commonly sink down and break the water at that extream wherat they were septentrionally excited by this way it is conceived there may be some fraud in the weighing of precious commodities and such as carry a value in quarter grains by placing a powerfull Loadstone above or below according as we intend to depres or elevate one extrem Now if these magneticall emissions bee only qualities and the gravity of bodyes incline them only unto the earth surely that which moveth other bodyes to descent carryeth not the stroak in this but rather the magneticall alliciency of the earth unto which alacrity it applyeth it selfe and in the very same way unto the whole earth as it doth unto a single Loadstone for if an untouched needle be at a distance suspended over a Loadstone it will not hang parallel but decline at the north extreme and at that part will first salute its Director Again what is also wonderfull this inclination is not invariable for as it is observed just under the line the needle lyeth parallel with the Horizon but sayling north or south it beginneth to incline and increaseth according as it approacheth unto either pole and would at last endeavour to erect it selfe and this is no more then what it doth upon the Loadstone and that more plainly upon the Terrella or sphericall magnet geographically set out with circles of the Globe For at the Aequator thereof the needle will stand rectangularly but approaching northward toward the tropick it will regard the stone obliquely when it attaineth the pole directly and if its bulk be no impediment erect it self and stand perpâ—ndicularly thereon And therefore upon strict observation of this inclination in severall latitudes due records preserved instruments are made whereby without the help of Sun or Star the latitude of the place may be discovered and yet it appears the observations of men have not as yet been so just equall as is desirable for of those tables of declination which I have perused there are not any two that punctually agree though som have been thoght exactly calculated especially that which Ridley received froÌ„ Mr. Brigs in our time Geometry Professor in Oxford It is also probable what is delivered concerning the variation of the compasse that is the cause and ground thereof for the manner as being confirmed by observation we shall not at all dispute The variation of the compasse is an Arch of the Horizon intercepted between the true and magneticall meridian or more plainly a deflexion and siding East and West from the true meridian The true meridian is a major circle passing through the poles of the world and the Zenith or Vertex of any place exactly dividing the East from the West Now on this lyne the needle exactly lyeth not but diverts and varieth its point that is the North point on this side the Aequator the South on the other somtimes unto the East sometime toward the West and in some few places varieth not at all First therfore it is observed that betwixt the shore of Ireland France Spaine Guinie and the Azores the North point varieth toward the East and that in some variety at London it varieth eleven degrees at Antwerpe nine at Rome but five at some parts of the Azores it deslecteth not but lyeth in the true meridian on the other side of the Azores and this side the Equator the north point of the needle wheeleth to the West so that in the latitude of 36. neare the shore the variation is about eleven degrees but on the other side the Equator it is quite otherwise for about Capo Frio in Brasilia the south point varieth twelve degrees unto the West and about the mouth of the Straites of Magellan five or six but elongating from the coast of Brasilia toward the shore of Africa it varyeth Eastward and ariving at Capo de las Agullas it resteth in the Meridian and looketh neither way Now the cause of this variation may be the inequalitie of the earth variously disposed and differently intermixed with the Sea withall the different disposure of its magneticall vigor in the eminencies and stronger parts thereof for the needle naturally endeavours to conforme unto the Meridian but being distracted driveth that way where the greater most powerfuller part of the earth is placed which may be illustrated from what hath been delivered before and may be conceived by any that understands the generalities of Geographie For whereas on this side the Meridian or the Isles of Azores where the first Meridian is placed the needle varieth Eastward it may bee occasioned by that vast Tract of earth that is Europe Asia and Africa seated toward the East and disposing the needle that way For arriving at some part of the Azores or Islands of Saint Michaels which have a middle situation betweene these continents and
needles direction and conceiving the â—ffluxions from these mountaines and rockes invite the lilly toward the north which conceit though countenanced by learned men is not made out either by experience or reason for no man hath yet attained or given a sensible account of the pole by some degrees it is also observed the needle doth very much vary as it approacheth the pole whereas were there such direction from the rocks upon a nearer approachment it would more directly respect them Beside were there such magneticall rocks under the pole yet being so far removed they would produce no such effect for they that saile by the Isle of Flua now called Elba in the Thuscan sea which abounds in veynes of Loadstone observe no variation or inclination of the needle much lesse may they expect a direction from rocks at the end of the earth And lastly men that ascribe thus much unto rocks of the north must presume or discover the like magneticalls at the south For in the southern seas and far beyond the Aequator variations are large and declinations as constant as in the northerne Ocean The other relation of Loadstone mines and rocks in the shore of India is delivered of old by Plinie wherein saith he they are so placed both in abundance and vigor that it proves an adventure of hazard to passe those coasts in a ship with Iron nailes Sâ—rapion the Moore an Author of good esteeme and reasonable antiquity confirmeth the same whose expression in the word magnes in this The mine of this stone is in the Sea coast of India whereto when Ships approach there is no Iron in them which flyes not like a bird unto these mountains and therefore their Ships are fastened not with Iron but wood for otherwise they would bee torne to peeces But this assertion how positive soever is contradicted by all Navigators that passe that way which are now many and of our owne Nation and might surely have been controuled by Nearchus the Admirall of Alexander who not knowing the compasse was faine to coast that shore For the relation concerning Mahomet it is generally beleeved his tombe at Medina Talnabi in Arabia without any visible supporters hangeth in the ayre betweene two Loadstones artificially contrived both above and below which conceit is very fabulous and evidently false from the testimony of ocular Testators who affirme his â—ombe is made of stone and lyeth upon the ground as besides others the learned Vossius observeth from Gabriel Sionita Joannes Hesronita two Maronites in their relations hereof Of such intentionâ— and attempt by Mahometans we read in some relators and that might be the occasion of the fable which by tradition of time and distance of place enlarged into the story of being accomplished and this hath been promoted by attemps of the like nature for we read in Plinie that one Dinocrates began to Arche the Temple of Arsinoe in Alexandria with Loadstone that so her statue might be suspended in the ayre to the amazement of the beholders and to lead on our credulity herein confirmation may be drawne from History and Writers of good authority so is it reported by Ruffinus that in the Temple of Serapis there was an iron chariot suspended by Loadstones in the ayre which stones removed the chariot fell and dashed into peeces The like doth Beda report of Bellerophons horse which framed of iron and placed betweene two Loadstones with winges expansed hung pendulous in the ayre The verity of these stories we shall not further dispute their possibility we may in some way determine if we conceive what no man will deny that bodies suspended in the aire have this suspension from one or many Loadstones placed both above and below it or else by one or many placed only above it Likewise the body to be suspended in respect of the Loadstone above is placed first at a pendulous distance in the medium or else attracted unto that site by the vigor of the Loadstone and so we first affirm that possible it is a body may be suspended between two Loadstones that is it being so equally attracted unto both that it determineth it selfe unto neither but surely this position will be of no duration for if the ayre be agitated or the body waved either way it omits the equilibration and disposeth it selfe unto the nearest attractor Again it is not impossible though hardly feâ—sible by a single Loadstone to suspend an iron in the ayre the iron being artificially placed and at a distance guided toward the stone untill it find the newtrall point wherein its gravity just equalls the magneticall quality the one exactly extolling as much as the other depresseth and thus must be interpreted Fracastorius And lastly impossible it is that if an iron rest upon the ground and a Loadstone be placed over it it should ever so arise as to hang in the way or medium for that vigor which at a distance is able to overcome the resistance of its gravity and to lift it up from the earth will as it approacheth nearer be still more able to attract it and it will never remaine in the middle that could not abide in the extreams and thus is to be understood Gilbertus Now the way of Baptista Porta that by a thred fasteneth a needle to a table and then so guides and orders the same that by the attraction of the Loadstone it abideth in the aire infringeth not this reason for this is a violent retention and if the thred be loosened the needle ascends and adheres unto the Attractor The third consideration concerneth relations Medicall wherein what ever effects are delivered they are derived from its minerall and ferreous condition or else magneticall operation Unto the ferreous and minerall quality pertaineth what Dioscorides an ancient Writer and Souldier under Anthony and Cleopatra affirmeth that halfe a dram of Loadstone given with honey and water proves a purgative medicine and evacuateth grosse humors but this is a quality of great incertainty for omitting the vehicle of water and honey which is of a laxative power it selfe the powder of some Loadstones in this dose doth rather constipate and binde then purge and loosen the belly And if sometimes it cause any laxity it is probably in the same way with iron and steele unprepared which will disturbe some bodies and worke by purge and vomit And therefore what is delivered in a booke ascribed unto Galen that it is a good medicine in dropsies and evacuates the waters of persons so affected It may I confesse by siccity and astriction afford a confirmation unto parts relaxed and such as be hydropically disposed and by these qualities it may be usefull in Hernias or Ruptures and for these it is commended by Aetius Aegineta and Orbasius who only affirme that it containes the vertue of Haematites and being burnt was sometimes vended for it To this minerall condition belongeth what is delivered by some that wounds which are made with weapons excited by