LIFE AND WORKS OF NICOLAUS STENO VII 



no definite plan, dwell upon those, who in one way or another were 

 of importance to the development of Steno during this period. There 

 was Vincenzio Viviani, the pupil and biographer of Galilei and closely 

 connected with the Grand^Duke's court, who besides being a theorem 

 tical mathematician of note spent his time, not only in scientific ex; 

 periments, but also in works of practical purpose, the building of 

 forts, the regulation of rivers cxc. He was an uncommonly gifted 

 scholar, lively and enthusiastic, jealous and inconstant, but his friend* 

 ship for Steno was sincere and unbroken. There was also Carlo Dati, 

 who studied natural science and literature and was universally prai* 

 sed for his kindness to all who came into contact with him. Further 

 there was Francesco Redi, who later became Physician in Ordinary 

 to the Grand?Duke; he distinguished himself as a poet as well as by 

 his studies of natural science and languages, and was, by nature, a 

 kind and modest man, loved by all. 



Of the Florentines, who in those days enjoyed a great reputation, 

 the one who came in closest contact with Steno was, perhaps, Count 

 Lorenzo Magalotti. The last scion of an ancient noble Roman family 

 and educated by the Jesuits at Rome he was a young man of incredible 

 natural gifts combined with a vivid interest in all branches of science, 

 his knowledge ranging from astronomy to anatomy, from theology 

 to mathematics and even embracing numerous languages, European 

 as well as Oriental. He had an exceeding charm of manner, was am* 

 bitious, a zealous Catholic and passionately attached to Steno. For a 

 while he was the Secretary of the Accademia del Cimento, later on he 

 was appointed the Ambassador of Cos/mo /// in Vienna. Among other 

 scholars, whom Steno met and made friends with during these years, 

 was Marcello Malpighi, the excellent anatomist, who, it is true, never 

 resided in Florence itself, but with whom Steno nevertheless for a 

 long time kept up a constant intercourse, which was all the more 

 natural as the researches made by these two natural philosophers 

 often touched one another. 



During these years, spent at the court of the Grand*Duke, Steno 

 not only lived in Florence; he also accompanied his patron on his 

 tours to various parts of Tuscany, which tours, among other things, 

 gave Steno the opportunity of making those researches concerning 

 the geology of the country, which more than anything else have 

 contributed to his fame. But while engaged in these examinations 

 and associating with friends, like himself interested in natural science, 

 he was constantly brooding over the problem, which more and more 

 took hold of him: the question of Protestantism versus Catholicism. 

 It would carry us too far, if we here were to examine closely this 

 side of Steno s development. We have already hinted at his natural 

 readiness to take up this question, and how his stay in Holland and 



