BALANCE'S TREATISE. . 449 



The lodestone, disposed in a bowl after the mode suggested by Neckam 

 and Peregrinus, and marked with a longitudinal directing line, appears 

 floating in front of the vessel, which the mariner, holding a rudder in 

 one hand and a compass in the other, is about to board. The goddess, 

 who appears to be advising him, points to the Great Bear, represented 

 by the actual animal in the heavens, with the Pole Star situated at his 

 tail, and also to a compass and a dipping needle, while in her left hand 

 she has a sounding line. The idea evidently intended is that the divinity 

 is advising the sailor to avail himself of all these means of guidance. 

 There is also shown on the left a suspended armed lodestone, supporting 

 at one pole a series of keys, and at the other a number of iron plates, 

 this being possibly designed to indicate in some way the strength and 

 consequent trustworthiness of the magnet. 



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