Chap, 2o. A T/eaiife of BODIES. 22? 



And thus, we have found a perfect delineation of the load- 

 ftonc from its caufes : for there is no man fo ignorant of the 

 narurc of a loadftone, but he knoweth that the properties of it 

 are to tend towards the North; to vary fbmetimes; to joyn with 

 another load-ftonc; to draw iron unto it; and fuch like, whofc 

 caufo you fee delivered. 



But to come to experimentall proofs and observations upon . 

 the load ftone by which it will appear,that thefe caufes are well A methodc for 

 cfreemcd and npplyed, we muft be beholding to that admirable e n( !"f J 

 fearcher of the nature of the load-ftone Doitour Gilbert ; by an y fu 

 means of whom and of Doflour Harvey, our Nation may claim 

 even in this latter age as deferved a crown for foiid Philofbphi- 

 call learning, as for many ages together it hath done formerly 

 for acute and fubrile fpeculations in Divinity. But before I fall 

 to particulars, I think it worth warning my Reader, how this 

 great man arrived to dilcovcr fo much of Magneticall Philofo- 

 phy; that he likewife , if he be dcfirous tofcarch into nature, 

 may by imitation advance his thoughts & knowledge that way. 



In fliort then, all the knowledge he got of this lubject, was 

 by forming a little load-ftone into the fhapc of theesnb. By 

 which means he compared a wonderfull defignc, which was, to 

 make the whole globe of the earth maniable : for he found the 

 properties of the whole earth, in that little body; which he 

 therefore called a Tcrrella, or little earth; and which he could 

 manage and try experiences upon, at his will. And in like man- 

 ner, any man that hath an aim to advance much in naturall fci- 

 encies, ir.uft endeavour to draw the matter he enquireth of, into 

 fbme fmali modell, or into fome kinde of manageable method ; 



O * 



which he may turn and wind as he pleafeth. And then Jet him 

 be fur e, if he hath a competent understanding, that he will not 

 mifleof his mnrk. 



But ro our intent; the firft thing we arc to prove is, that the 

 load-Hone i$ generated in fuch fort as we have dcfcribed : for 

 proof whereof, the firft ground we will lay (hall be to confider acomcs flowing 

 how in divers other effects it is manifcft, that the, differences of pok, i" l c ^ n . 

 being cxpofcd ro the north or to the fouth, do caufe very great fivmed b v e *P e - 



, D , r i . i n ii i r rimeiKbobicr- 



vanety in the fame trung: as herearrer, we ihall have occanon to yea m the ftor 

 touch, in the birks and grains of trees, and the like. Next, we llfc - h 

 find by experience, tint this virtue of the load-ftcnc is received 



P into 



