1895.] ■^ ^ [Sachse. 



given. The first works printed with these new types were the two beau- 

 tiful editions of Pliny's Natural History, one by John of Spires at 

 Venice in 1469, the other by Nicholas Jenson, also at Venice, in 1473. 

 Aldus Manutius attempted in 1501 to introduce the Aldine or Venetian 

 Italic, but the Roman soon spread from Venice all over the west of 

 Europe. Although the Germans still continue the use of a form of black 

 letter, about one-half their books are in Roman." 



Horologiiim Achaz {Chrisfoplwrus Schissler, Artifex), 

 By Julius F. Sachse. 



{Read before the American Philosophical Society, February 1, 1SD5.) 



Among the scientific apparatus, models and philosophical instru- 

 ments preserved in the cabinets of this Society, there have been 

 conspicuously displayed two brass plates, finely wrought, engraved, 

 chased and gilded, without, however, bearing any label explanatory 

 of their former use or import. 



As a matter of fact they are parts of a unique instrument, the 

 equal of which is not to be found in any museum or scientific col- 

 lection in the world. 



Unfortunately, several parts of this instrument are missing, and 

 among them the mythological figure which once stood upon the base, 

 and elevated or held up the larger plate or basin. The gnomon or 

 rod used to cast a shadow, as well as the apparatus held aloft by the 

 figure upon the rim, whereby a fine pencil of light was thrown upon 

 the dial in place of a shadow (Photo-Sciaterica), are also wanting; 

 the magnetic needle in the small compass in the base has also long 

 since disappeared. 



I have endeavored to restore this instrument as well as I could, 

 in the absence of any definite account of how it was in its original 

 state ; for no published description was allowed by the censorship 

 of the press, for reasons which I will explain in the course of this 

 paper. 



It will be noticed that I have substituted a tripod between base 

 and dial, in place of the lost figure. The instrument was known 

 by the mystics and philosophers of old as an " Horologium 

 Achaz," or Dial of Achaz. 



