CHAPTER III. 



HISTORY OF MAGNETISM. 



It is said that the word magnetism is de- 

 rived from the name of a Greek shepherd, 

 called Magnes, who once observed on Mount 

 Ida the attractive properties of loadstone when 

 applied to his iron shepherd's crook. It is 

 more likely that the name came from Mag- 

 nesia, a country in Lydia, where it was first 

 discovered. It was also called Lapis Hera- 

 cleus. Heraclea was the capital of Magnesia. 

 Loadstone is a magnetic ore or oxide of iron 

 found in the natural state, and has at some 

 time by natural processes been rendered mag- 

 netic that is, given the power of attracting 

 iron, and, when suspended, of pointing to the 

 North and South Poles. The power of the 

 natural magnet was known at a very early age 

 in the history of man. It was referred to by 

 Homer, Pythagoras, and Aristotle. Pliny also 

 speaks of it, and refers to one Dinocares, who 

 recommended to Ptolemy Philadelphus to build 

 a temple at Alexandria and suspend in its 

 vault a statue of the queen by the attractive 

 power of " loadstones." There is also mention 



