On the magnet, magnetick bodies also, and on the great magnet the earth: a new physiology, demonstrated by many arguments & experiments
History
On the magnet, magnetick bodies also, and on the great magnet the earth: a new physiology, demonstrated by many arguments & experiments
Magnetism -- Early works to 1800
forces on either side being spread out from the plane of the æquator toward
the poles, in æther which is free from renitency, or else in a void; and A
and B remaining constant, C revolves toward D both from innate conformity
and aptitude, and for necessary good, and the avoidance of evil; but being
chiefly moved forward by the diffusion of the solar orbes of virtues, and
by their lights. And 'tis borne around, not upon a new and strange course,
but (with the {222} tendency common to the rest of the planets) it tends
from West to East. For all planets have a like motion Eastward according to
the succession of the signs, whether Mercury and Venus revolve beneath the
Sun, or around the Sun. That the Earth is capable of and fitted for moving
circularly its parts show, which when separated from the whole are not only
borne along with the [Illustration] straight movement taught by the
Peripateticks, but rotate also. A loadstone fixed in a wooden vessel is
placed on water so as to swim freely, turn itself, and float about. If the
pole B of the loadstone be set contrary to nature toward the South, F, the
Terrella is turned about its own centre with a circular motion in the plane
of the Horizon, toward the North, E, where it rests, not at C or D. So does
a small stone if only of four ounces; it has the same motion also and just
as quick, if it were a strong magnet of one hundred pounds. The largest
magnetical mountain will possess the same turning-power also, if launched
in a wide river or deep sea: and yet a magnetick body is much more hindered
by water than the whole Earth is by the æther. The whole Earth would do the
same, if the Boreal pole were to be diverted from its true direction; for
the Boreal pole would run back with the circular motion of the whole around
the centre toward the Cynosure. But this motion by which the parts
naturally settle themselves in their own {223} resting-places is no other
than circular. The whole Earth regards the Cynosure with her pole according
to a steadfast law of her nature: and thus each true part of it seeks a
like resting-place in the world, and is moved circularly toward that
position. The natural movements of the whole and of the parts are alike:
wherefore when the parts are moved in a circle, the whole also has the
potency of [Illustration] moving circularly. A sphærical loadstone placed
in a vessel on water moves circularly around its centre (as is manifest) in
the plane of the Horizon, into conformity[247] with the earth.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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