Sachse.] '-'^ [Feb. 1, 



Librarian of the University at Oxford, however, differed with him, 

 and gave the opinion that the calculations were of even greater 

 value than the precious metal of which the instrument was con- 

 structed. 



Uffenbach concludes by stating that he would rather have a 

 quadrant with more modern calculations and divisions, and made 

 of gilded brass, as then he would not be afraid to put it to a practi- 

 cal use. He also verifies the dimensions, weight and inscription as 

 above noted. 



Speaking of the inscription, the question was raised here some 

 time ago as to the meaning of the word " Vindelicorvm " as 

 applied to this instrument. I will state that the term denotes that 

 the artificer was descended from the ancient German race of the 

 Vindelici, whose chief city, in former times, was "Augusta," 

 therefore "Avgvstae Vindelicorvm " — the modern Augsburg. 



Again referring to the old records in the Germanic National 

 Museum, it is there stated that Schissler constructed numerous 

 ingenious scientific apparatus and automata for the Emperor 

 Rudolph II. of the Holy Roman Empire. This fact alone, con- 

 tinues the old chronicler, furnishes ample proof of the repute that 

 the artificer had gained by his proficiency in the mechanical arts. 



In the year 1600, Schissler was commissioned by the authorities to 

 survey and plot his native city and the suburbs as well as the Imperial 

 Bailiwick (Reichs-Landvogtey). The plan of the city was engraved 

 on copper by Alexander Mair, a noted artist of that day. The 

 other plans were stored at the Land Office. (During my search at 

 Augsburg, none were to be found.) 



In the year 1606, Schissler constructed a large Sphcera Annu- 

 laris, which he presented to the magistrates of his native town, 

 and which was there exhibited for many years in the "Stadt- 

 Bibliothek," but is now missing. 



In conclusion, the chronicler states, " in these days (early in the 

 seventeenth century) many of our learned scientists became profi- 

 cient in Geometry (^Messkunst) but chiefly in Astronomy." 



An equally interesting reference was found in the old " Memorial 

 Buch," wherein one Hector Maire mentions that, in the year 1561, 

 Christophorus Schissler constructed the four large sun-dials upon 

 the " Perlachthurm," at Augsburg, where they still, after a lapse of 

 three centuries, mark the time of day. 



The Perlachthurm is one of the peculiar landmarks of the ancient 



