[431] I do not find any mention of the _mediclino_ in any writer of the times near that of Pigafetta who have treated of the astrolabe, such as Regiomontanus, Appianus, Gimma Frisius, Danti, Clavius, etc.; but from what our author says here and elsewhere, it appears that the mediclino is that movable rule, fixed on the centre of the astrolabe, which turns round it, and is named sometimes albidade, or dioptron, or traguardo, or linea di fiducia. Note, Milan edition. [432] Amoretti, in his introduction to this Treatise of Navigation, in the Milan edition, observes that Pigafetta was misled by a false theory when he supposes that there is in the heavens a point in repose to which the magnetic needle tends, but that the exact direction of the magnetic needle coincided, or at least approximated, to the meridian of the isle of Ferro, which is not now the case; and that in some other places the variations of the compass had been observed to correspond with that of the longitude. By the table of variations of the compass published by Lambert in the Ephemerides of Berlin (_Astronomische Jahrbuch_) for the year 1779, it is seen by an easy calculation that at the beginning of the sixteenth century the magnetic equator or zero of deviation was very near the isle of Tenerife. Now it is further off, and the distance increases. M. de Bougainville found there the deviation to the west to be 14 deg. 41 min.; and Staunton, the companion of Lord Macartney, found it to be 17 deg. 35 min. [433] We have two astrolabes in our museum constructed with several plates: one is of brass, and another of card, for more easy manipulation. Note, Milan edition. [434] “Traguardo,” level or traverser. [435] “Rosa dei venti.” [436] Or flag, as appears from the drawing. [437] It was written in French. See Introduction. [438] “Tenistitan,” Ramusio. [439] Gulf of Siam. [440] Cape Verde Islands. [441] Literally, with funereal or lugubrious state; but Maximilian and his translators appear to have thought that _feralis_ is derived from _fera_. Ramusion translates: “Dando loro a mangiar carne di fiere;” and the Spanish version in Navarrete has: “Con su aparato y cerimonias bestiales.” Ducange has an adverb, _feraliter_, with the sense of beastly. [442] “Feralis,” again. [443] Or, Caurus. [444] Bohol. [445] Bandan. [446] “Tanto abante.” These words are doubtful. [447] The MS. of the British Museum has “9”, which must be an error. [448] Query, east. [449] “Papahigos.” [450] It is 37° 52′. This is the northernmost of the two islands, St. Paul’s and Amsterdam. The Dutch call the N. Island Amsterdam, and the English call it St. Paul’s in ordinary maps. [451] The Great Fish River or the Keiskamma River.