[Magnetism] Kircher, Athanasius. Magneticum Naturae Regnum

Sive Disceptatio Physiologica. De triplici in Natura rerum Magnete, juxta triplicem ejusdem Naturae gradum digesto Inanimato, Animato, Sensitivo. Amst., J. Janssonius and E. Weyerstraet, 1667. (16),201,(7) p., contemp. vellum w. raised bands, 12mo.

Lacking engr. title p. Ex libris on pastedown. Minor foxing. Variant A w. publ. date on title p. Merrill 21: “The Magneticum naturae regnum contains Kircher's final words on the principle of magnetism in nature. Much of the work repeats what was said earlier in his much more extensive 'Magnes sive de arte magneticum'. Kircher discusses the role of magnetism in man (attraction and repulsion, friendship and hatred, likes and dislikes, sympathy and antipathy), in inanimate, in animate or vegetative nature and sensitive nature. He asserts that the principle of attraction and repulsion can explain the most obscure phenomena of physics and that there is no secret in nature that cannot be penetrated and understood by astute observation - an attitude characteristic of his time.”