The arte of nauigation conteyning a compendious description of the sphere, with the making of certayne instruments and rules for nauigations, and exemplifyed by many demonstrations. Written by Martin Cortes Spanyarde. Englished out of Spanishe by Richard Eden, and now newly corrected and amended in diuers places.

The thirde part, entreateth of the com∣position and vse of Instruments, and Rules for the Arte of Nauigation. (Book 3)

¶ The fyrst Chapter, of the number, order, and names of the wyndes.

SO greatly esteémed was Eolus,* 1.1 Kyng of the Eolas Ilandes, or Ilandes of Vulcane, for hauyng reason and know∣ledge of the wyndes, that they of aun∣cient tyme called hym the god and lord of them. With no lesse consyderation, the prudent Maryner ought not to beé ignorant of them, for as much as the vniuersall benefite, and commoditie of Nauigation consisteth therein. And to haue the better knowledge thereof, you shall vnderstand, that wynde is fruite of the ayre,* 1.2 and vapour of the earth: the which by reason of his subtiltie, pearceth the ayre, striketh it, and enforceth it. Other say, that wind, is ayre, moued or tossed by the vehement influence of vapours of contrary qua∣litie. It is in Latin called Ventus, because it is vehement, and v••olent, whose force is so great, that it ouerthroweth not onely heapes of stones, or rockes, and casteth downe treés: but also di∣sturbeth the ayre and the earth, and moueth the seas. There are foure principal wyndes,* 1.3 which come from the foure cardinall or principall poyntes of the Horizon. We haue sayd that the Me∣ridian circle, cutteth the Horizon in two poynts (that is) in the North a••d in the South, and the Equinoctial cutteth i•• in other two, that is, in the East and West, and from these foure poynts come these foure windes,* 1.4 whereof all the wh••le Scripture ma∣keth men••ion. These foure wyndes they in auncient tyme, na∣med in this manner. That that commeth from the East•• they called Sub••olanus,* 1.5 which we call the Leuant, or East wynde.

That commeth from the South,* 1.6 they named Auster, whiche we call the Meridian, or South wynde. That commeth from the West,* 1.7 they call Faucinus, whiche we call the Ponent or West. That from the North they named Septentrio, or A∣quile, or Boreas,* 1.8 which we call North. To euery of these foure wyndes, they adioyned two collaterall wyndes, in maner as fol∣loweth. That that is from the East towarde the parte of the North, where the Tropike of Cancer aryseth, or cōmeth forth, they called Vulturnus: and that that is from thence toward the part of y^e South,* 1.9 where ryseth the Tropike of Capricorne, they called Eurus: also that is from the West toward the part of the South, where the Tropike of Capricorne goeth downe, they cal Aphricus: & that that declineth to the North, where the Tro∣pike of Cancer goeth downe, they cal Caurus. The Collaterals of the North and he South, answeareth to the circumferences of the Polar circles: that that is from the North towarde the Leuant, or East, they call Aquilo: and that declineth towarde the West part, they cal Circius: that is from the South toward the East, Euro Auster, and towarde the West, Euro Aphri∣cus: thus many hath Aristotle in his Metheora.* 1.10 With these xii. windes, they sayled in old time, & made their compasse by them.

The Hydrographers of late dayes, & such as are trauayled & exercised in saylyng, agreé with the au••cients in the foure prin∣cipal wyndes,* 1.11 although they haue chaung••d the names, callyng the Leuant, or Orient, East: y^• Ponent or Occident, West: the Septentrional, North: and the Meridional, South. Betwéene these foure windes, they deuide euery quarter of the Horizon in∣to two halfes, made of the two nearest, in this maner. Be∣tweéne the North and the East, takyng name of them both, they name the Northeast. Betwéene the East and the South, they name the Southeast: and betweéne the South and the West, Southwest: betweéne West and North, Northwest. These eyght wyndes in nauigation, they call whole wyndes.

Betweéne these eyght wyndes, they place other eyght, that are called halfe wyndes, whiche also are named of the two that are nearest vnto them.* 1.12 That that is be∣tweéne the North a••d Northeast, they call Northnortheast,

Betweene North East, and is East Northeast: and so foorth of the other. Beside these halfe windes, they haue other which they call quarter windes.* 1.13 These take the name of the windes to the which they declyne: as yf to the quarter from ••he North, to∣warde the Northeast, they call it North, and a quarter towarde the Northeast, that is, North and by East. And that that is toward the Northwest, they call North, and a quarter towarde Northwest. And so of the other, as shalbe verified in the fy∣gure folowyng:* 1.14 whereof is gathered, that deuidyng the eyght principall wyndes into halfe wyndes, they are 16. And eue∣ry halfe wynde deuided into two quarters,* 1.15 are in al 32. wyndes. Some haue beén so curious, or rather so vaynely carefull and too precise, that they haue deuided them into 64. And in the Cards that they haue, the confusion of lines is greater, then the profit that may beé taken there∣by.

The demonstration of the wyndes.

[illustration]

These names doo they vse that sayle by the Ocean Sea. And it seémeth they had their beginnyng of the Almaine or Flemish tongue: For these nations chiefely sayle in the Ocean. They that sayle in the S••a Mediteraneum,* 1.16 or Leuant Sea, call them by other nam••s, taking originall of the Tuscan or I∣talian tongue. Or els that they haue denomination of the parts from whence they come, in respect of the Sea Mediteraneum, as the wynde called Graeco, because it commeth from Grecia,

and Libe••co, because it comm••th from Lybia, and Syroccho, because it commeth fr••m Syria, and begynning at the North, these are th••ir names, Tramontana, Graeco, Leuante, Ponen∣te, Maestro, and that that is betwéene Tramontana and Grae∣co, they call Graeco Tramontana, and that is betweéne Graeco and Leuante, they call Graeco Leuante, and that is betweéne Leuante and Syroccho, they call Leuante Syroccho, and that is betwéene Syroccho and Mezzo Iorno, they call Mezzo Ior∣no Syroccho, and so of the other: and the lyke of the quarters. And because they that sayle in the Ocean, are gouerned by al∣titudes, we will vse the names that they vse, where we intende to intreate of altitud••s, and euery man shall vse them as he lyst∣••th, for as much as the difference is not in the windes, but onely in their names.

The seconde Chapter, of the composition of Cardes for the Sea.

ARriuyng to the end desyred (which is Nauiga∣tion,* 1.17 the principall intent why I began thys worke) I say, that Nauigation or Sayling, is none other thing then to iourney, or vyage by water, from one place to another, and is one of the foure difficult••st things,* 1.18 wher••of the most wise King hath written. These viag••s do differ from viages by land, in thrée things: for the land is ••yrme and stedfast, but this is fluxible,* 1.19 wauering, and ••ooueable. That of the lande, is knowen and termined by markes, signes, and limittes: but this of the Sea, is vncertayne and vnknowen. And yf in viages by land, there are hylles, mountaines, rockes, and craggie places, the Sea payeth the same seuen folde with torments and tem∣pestes: therefore these viages being so difficult, it shalbe hard to make the same vnderstood by words or wryting. The best ex∣plication, or inuention, that the wittes of men haue found for the manifesting of this, is to geue the same paynted in a Carde.

* 1.20For the draught, or making whereof, it shall be requisite to know two things: whereof the one is, the right position of pla∣ces, or placing of countries and coastes. The other is the distan∣ces that is from one place to another, and so the Carde shal haue two descriptions.* 1.21 The one that answeareth to the position, shal∣be the wyndes, whiche the Mariners call lynes or poyntes of the compasse: and the other that aunsweareth to the distances, shalbe the drawing and poynting of the coastes of the land, and of the Ilandes compassed with the sea. To poynt the wyndes, or lynes, you must take saynnes of Parchment, or large Paper, of suche bygnesse as you wyll the Carde to be, and in it drawe two ryght lynes with blacke inke, whiche in the middest shall cut or deuide them selues in ryght angles, the one accordyng to the length of the Carde, which shalbe East and West, and the other North and South. Uppon the poynt where they cut, make a center, and vppon it, geue a priuie or hid circle, whiche may oc∣cupie in maner the whole Carde. This circle, some make with lead, that it may be easily put out: these two lynes deuide the cir∣cle into foure equall partes, and euery part of these shall you de∣uide in the myddest with a pricke or puncte. Then from one puncte to another, drawe a ryght Diametrall lyne with blacke incke: and so shall the circle remayne deuided with foure lynes, into eyght equal partes, which corresponde to the eight windes. In like maner shal you deuide euery of the eight into two equall partes, and euery part of these is called a halfe wynde. Then drawe from euery puncte, to his opposite Diametrall a ryght lyne, of greéne, or azure: lykewyse shall you deuide euery halfe wynde in the circle, into two equall partes. And from these punctes, which deuide the quarters, you shall drawe a certayne ryght lyne with redde inke, whiche also shall passe by the cen∣ter, whiche they call the mother Compasse,* 1.22 or chiefe compasse of the Carde, beyng in the myddest thereof: and so shall come foorth from the center, to the circumference 32. lynes, whiche signifie the 32. windes. Beside these said lynes, you shall make other equal distant to them, and of the selfe same colours, in this maner. From the poyntes of the wyndes and halfe wyndes that passe by the center, drawe certayne ryght lynes, that passe

not by the center, but be equally distant to those that passe by the center, and of the same colours and equidistance, as are they that passe by the center. And as these lynes concurre togeather aswell in the center as in the poyntes of the wyndes, and halfe wyndes, that are in the circumference of the circle, they shall leaue, or make there other syxtéene compasses,* 1.23 euery one with his thyrtie and two wyndes. And if the Carde be very great, because the lynes may not goe farre in sunder, yf you wil make there other syxteéne compasses, you must make them betwéene the one and the other of the fyrste syxteéne poyntes, where the quarters are made with theyr wyndes, as we haue sayde. It is the custome for the most part, to paynt vpon the center of these compasses, a flowre, or a rose,* 1.24 with diuers colours, & gold, dif∣ferencing the lynes, and marking them with letters and other markes: especially signing the North with a flowre Deluce, and ••he East with a Crosse. This besyde the destinction of the wyndes,* 1.25 serueth also for the garnishing of the Carde. And this for y^e most part is done after that the coast is drawne. And thus muche suffiseth for the draught of the wyndes.

The situation of the places,* 1.26 Portes, and Ilandes in the Carde, accordyng to theyr proper ••ifferences, consysteth in the particuler, and ••rue relation of suche as haue trauayled them, and therefore for this purpose it shall be neédefull to haue pa∣ternes of Coastes, Portes and Ilandes, which must be paynted in the Carde, and ••hese of the best & most approued to be true: and not only to haue paternes well paynted, but also it shall be necessarie to know the true altitudes of the Pole, of certayne principall Capes, Portes, and famous Cities. This done, they must be translated into certayne thinne papers,* 1.27 & transparent, that may be seéne through, and those of the best and finest that may be had, annoynting them with oyle of Line séede, and then drying thē at the Sunne. Then take the paterne or Card that is to be translated, and reache or stre••che it foorth vpon a table. Then put the transparent paper, vpō the one side of the paterne where you wyll begyn. And the paper ••eing made fast vpon the

paterne with plomettes of leade, or a lytle waxe, that may easily be taken off, you shal in the transparent paper marke with a fine penne, one East and West, and one North and South, or two, vpon those that are seéne by the selfe same paper in the paterne. And this is called tracyng, or translatyng. In lyke maner shall you trace all y^e Costes, Hauens, Ports, Ilands, Cities, Capes, and riuers, as appeareth in the paterne, vnto the rockes that come foorth of the water, and the knowne bankes. And because this paper dooth not suffice, you shall put thereto another, and more, is neéde shall require. And begyn the translation in one, where the other endeth, vntyll you haue translated all that you desyre, not forgetting to make in euery one, lynes of North and South, East and West, to serue for markes afterward. So that the lyne of North and South, of the one paper, may ioyne close and euen, with the lyne of the North and South of the other paper that is ioyned to it by longitude.

And the paterne thus translated into these papers, you must put the ruled or lyned paper or papers vpon a playne, smooth, and stedfast table, where you shall stretche them foorth, and make them fast with plomets or weyghts, or nayle them to the table by the sides or corners, with small nayles. Then vpon the sayd ruled paper, you shall put the paper that is translated from the paterne, in that side or part that is correspondent from the paterne, to the ruled Carde, so that the lynes of East and West, North and South of the translation, may be vpon the lynes that aunswere to them in the ruled Carde.

This paper thus made faste by the one syde or part, you shall by the other syde (that it may remayne in his place) put vnder it an other fyne paper, smoked or smyred on the neather∣most part (which is that, that falleth vppon the ruled Carde) eyther wyth a lynke,* 1.28 or with matches of pitche. These thus or∣dered, and made fast one vppon another, you shall take a steéle bodkyn, or wyre, with a smoothe and blunt poynt, that it race not,* 1.29 or bore not the paper, and with it shall you drawe, pres∣syng vppon all the translation, and tracing it with diligence

and discretion, marking euer how much in it is translated from the paterne: sauyng the wyndes or lynes which the Maryners call Rumbos, and so shall remayne all the impression of the smoke in the ruled Carde, vppon the whiche, with a fyne penne you shall trace with ynke: whiche beeyng drye, you shall with ••rummes of bread make it cleane from all the smoke, and so shal the coaste appeare in the Carde drawne with ynke.

This doone,* 1.30 then with a small penne shall you describe in the Carde, all the places and names of the coast in that part where they are, and as they are seéne in the paterne. And first you must describe in redde, the Portes, principal Capes, famous Cities, with other notable thynges: and all the residue in blacke. Then shall you drawe or paynt Cities, Shyps, Banners, and beasts, and also marke the Regions, and other notable thynges. Then with colours and golde shall you garnyshe and beautifie the Cities, Compasses, Shyps, & other partes of the Carde. Then shall you set foorth the coastes with greéne, by the shore or bankes of the landes, and make them fayre to syght with a li••le saffron, or otherwyse, as shall séeme best. Lykewyse shall you describe certayne letters, with theyr significations, in thys maner.

B. for a Bay. C. for a Cape. A. for an Angle. I. or Y. for an Ilande. M. for a Mountayne. P. for a Porte. R. for a Ryuer.

Then in place where is more roome,* 1.31 or that is least occupi∣ed, you shal drawe two right lynes, equally distaunt: and the one no further from the other then half a singer, or litle more, and so long, that betweéne thē may be marked at y^e least thrée hundred leagues. And this the Maryners call the truncke or scale of lea∣gues, and place it or vse it in this maner. They take with y^• com∣passe, a hundred leagues of y^• trunke of the Carde or paterne y^t is translated, and they set them iust betwéene the two lynes, and this space they part by the halfe, and reste the foote of the com∣passe in 50. and these deuided againe equally in two parts, they rest the compasse in 25. and the 25. beyng lykewyse deuided,

they rest in xii. leagues and a halfe, and ma••ke them as appea∣reth in the demonstration folowing.

[illustration]

* 1.32The Carde beyng thus made, then to graduate it, or diuide it into degreés, you must drawe thrée lynes, whiche make ryght angles with the lyne of Ea•••• ••nd West, equidistant to the lyne of North and South: and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 also shalbe North and South. These shall be drawne by the Ilandes ••f Asores, or Soria, or neérer to Spayne, or where the Carde shall be less•• occupyed. And for this purpose, the one lyne 〈…〉〈…〉 so farre distant from the other, that in the two spaces wh•••••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 make, may be mar∣ked, in the one, the degrées, & in the other, the number of them, conformable to the graduacion of the paterne: as the uumbers of degreés shewe East and West, with the Ports, Capes, and coastes in their proper altitudes.

And if the Carde haue no graduation, you shall take with the compasse in the trunke of the leagues, seuen spaces of 12. lea∣gues and a halfe, which are 87. leagues and a halfe. And these must be deuided into fiue partes, which come foorth at 17. lea∣gues and a halfe for a part: and the foure partes taken with the compasse, make foure degreés, and deuided into foure partes, euery part is a degrée, and is marked thus. °.

And yf you wyll make the degreés at 16. leagues, and two terces or more:* 1.33 you shall geue to euery degreé so much space as the leagues comprehend. This graduation must be begun from some one cape, whose altitude of the Pole is well knowen. And the whole Carde being thus graduate, you must begin the num∣ber of the degrées from the Equinoctiall lyne, one, two, thr••e. &c. toward the one Pole, and the lyke toward the other: so that to the knowne Cape, may answeare the number of his altitude. And so shall you doo to the whole Carde. Also, the Equinoctiall lyne shall be marked in his proper place.

And in lyke maner shal you marke the Tropikes according as they are in y^e sphere. But forasmuch as in Spayne,* 1.34 Cape saint Uincent is the principall, they begin there to make graduation, & number it in 37. degreés. And from thence towarde the Pole Artike, the degrées doo encrease. And from thence towarde the Equinoctial line,* 1.35 they deminish: and from that lyne, to the pole Antartike, they encrease againe (as we haue sayd) as is contei∣ned in the Carde, and as appeareth in this demonstration fol∣lowing.

[illustration]

And if the paterne haue neyther leagues nor degreés, you must take or know the altitudes of two Capes,* 1.36 that are North, and South, of the degreés, and the difference of the degreés of the eleuation, that is from the one Cape to the other, ye shall deuide all that space in so many partes, and so eche one parte shalbe seuenteéne leagues and a halfe, as answereth to one de∣greé.

Or accordyng to the opinion of the leagues of the round∣nesse of the earth, as we haue sayde, as touchyng this in the eyghteénth Chapter of the fyrst part. In Spayne they vse with the compasse to take the space that is from Cape saint Uincent, to the myddest of the greatest Ilande of Berlinga, whiche they account threé degrées: so that after seuenteéne leagues and a halfe for a degreé, they are 52. leagues and a halfe: and so much do they put in this space. Other put fiftie leagues, accompting after syxteéne leagues, and two terces for a degrée, and in this maner they make of leagues, degreés, and of degrées, leagues. The sayling Cards, haue no certayne bignesse limitted them, because they onely represent the description of the water and earth, and not the quantitie, and for this cause some are payn∣ted in great space, and other in lyttle. They that are in great space, are more manyfest, and more precise: and these the Ma∣ryners call Cards of the l••rgest pricke or draught.* 1.37 Some desire rather to haue them in lesse space, because they are brieffer, and conteyne much in litle roome: and these th••y call Cardes of the less•• prycke. And if for any consyderation aforesayde, you de∣sire to reduce any C••rde from the greatest pricke to the least, or contrarywyse:* 1.38 y••u must paynt onely the coast and Ilands on a paper, in maner as you did in the ruled Carde, of the lynes or wyndes, I say, let it be drawen vpon paper, for destroying or rasing the paterne. And when it is traced onely with ynke, then vpon that draught shall you drawe certayne ryght li••es equi∣distaunt made all by one compasse, according to the length of the Carde, and other lynes that may cut them in ryght angles. and lykewyse equidistaunt, and of the same compasse that the fyrst are. These two orders of lynes, shall deuide all the super∣ficiall part of the Carde, into perfect squares or quadratures. And it is to be noted, that the nearer the lynes are ioyned to∣geather, and the squares the le••se, so muche the more perfectly may it be reduced, and more easily. Then shall you take an∣other paper, greater or lesse then the Carde, accordyng to the poynt that you desyre to reduce it vnto, and in the length and breadth thereof, you shall deuide so many spaces as are betweene the lynes of the other paper, and yf it bee

greater, the squares shalbe greater: and if lesse, lesse. To ke••pe order in the correspondence of the squares (which shalbe a great lyght to translate the one from the other) you shall number the orders of the squares, as those of the longitude, by the ••ronte or vppermost part: and those of the latitude, by the syde, as well in the one paper, as in the other, conformable: also, those of the front, from the left hand to the ryght, and those of the side, from aboue, downeward. Then beholde the coast how it goeth by the squares of the first paper, and likewise the trac∣ting or drawing in the squares of the seconde, in the selfe same order and proportion, as it is there, and so shall it remayne redu∣ced to the poynt whiche you de∣syre. And this shal serue for a paterne, to set in the ruled Carde.

Heere foloweth the maner of the translating of the Card from one fourme into another, greater or lesse.

[illustration]

Here foloweth a similitude of the Mariners Carde.

[illustration]

The pilots and Mariners neither vse nor haue the knowledge to vse other Cardes,* 1.39 then onely these that are playne, as I haue sayd. The whiche, because they are no•• Globus, Spheri∣call, or rounde, are imperfect, and fayle to shewe the true distan∣ces. For in how much they depart from the Equinoctiall, to∣ward which so euer of the P••les, the Meridian lynes are con∣tracte narrower and narrower: In suche maner, that ••f two Cities or poyntes in the Equinoctiall, shoulde be distaunt of longitude 60. leagues, and in the selfe same Meridian at 60. de∣grées from the Equinoctiall, toward either of the Poles•• should be other ••wo Cities or poynts, they should be dist••un•• in longi∣tude but onely 30. leagues. And for the better declaration and vnderstanding hereof, I say, that if two Ships should depart from the Equinoctiall, the one distaunt from the other a hun∣dred leagues by East and Weast, and that either of them should sayle directly by his Meridian toward the North: then when either of them hath the Pole ouer his Horizon 60. degrées, the one shall be distaunt from the other onely 50. leagues by the Paralelle of East and Weast, as appeareth by the playne Cardes, that they haue the selfe same hundred leagues. And beside these considerations, one error br••ngeth in an other, and so another an other. Whereof to speake any more here, it shalbe to certaine Pilots (as the prouerbe saith) not onely to geue mu∣syke to the deafe,* 1.40 or to pay••t a house for blinde men, but shall al∣so be an endlesse confusion. Furthermore it is necessary to con∣syder, that good Cardes ought to haue the Coastes, Ports, Ci∣ties, and other places, situate according to the wyndes or lynes thereof, proportionally as they are in the world: and not by the wyndes that the compasse sheweth. This I say for the North∣easting or Northwesting of the compasse (called the variation) as he••reafter I will touche in the fyfth Chapter. And lykewise shall you diligently obserue, that the graduation of the Carde shew the same in their proper altitudes.* 1.41 The Cardes that lacke this, ought to be corrected & amended by wise and expert men:

Saui••g that in the Leuant sea (called Marae Mediterraneum) and in this Chanell of Flaunders (called the narrow seas) it is n••t conueni••nt for the nauigation,* 1.42 that the Portes be marked in the Cardes by the wyndes, which the compasse sheweth, for as muche as they sayle not by the altitudes of the Pole. Lyke∣wise, it shal not be inconuenient, but rather very necessary (to auoyde so many errours, of the which do ••low great daungers, and suche a confusion) that your Maiestie shoulde commaunde certayne learned Cosmographers and expert in the arte of say∣ling,* 1.43 to verifie y^e altitudes of y^e Pole, that are of Ports, Capes, Ilandes, and people by the coastes of the Sea, and in like ma∣ner truely to describe the coastes of the lande, especially of the Nauigation of the West Indies,* 1.44 or Mundo Nueuo, where it hath pleased God that so many nations and people haue recei∣ued the water of holy baptisme, commyng to the knowledge of the true God, whereby the Christian Empire is greatly am∣plyfyde, besyde the great rychesse had by the sayd Indies. An•• this hath God miraculously wrought by the conquestes of your Maiestie, in subduing Infidels, and Gentiles, to the obedi∣ence of the true Catholique fayth.* 1.45 Whereby, not onely God hath be••n well pleased, but also your Maiestie hath receyued perpetuall fame, with e∣ternall renowne, and immortall glorie to your posteritie in worldes to come.

¶The iii. Chapter, of the vertue and propertie of the Lodestone, called in Latine Magnes, and in Spanish, P••edraymon.

THe Lode stone (as writeth Cardinall Cusanus) hath substance,* 1.46 vertue, and operation. His ver∣••ue is engendred of his substance, essence, or be∣ing, and of his essence & vertue proceedeth this operation and effect, in such sort, that this stone communicating his vertue to iron, by reason thereof, causeth the iron to moue, although betweéne the one and the other be a cuppe, or plate of syluer, or a table, or any other lyke thing.* 1.47

The attractiue, or drawing force of the Lode stone, causeth the nature of iron to be and rest in it, and that so fyrmely and quietly,* 1.48 that being naturally heauy and ponderous, it descendeth not, because his nature resteth not in hym self, but is vnite with the nature of the stone, which seémeth to extende it selfe, and as it were to cast ••oorth a liuely spirit of enchaunting vertue. In∣somuch that (as we sée by experience) by the sayde vnion, it not onely distributeth his vertue to one iron, but that iron likewyse to another, and that other againe to another, and so foorth: vntill of many ryngs or lynkes of iron, be made a chayne.

Saint Augustine (as he writeth in his bookes, De ciuitate Dei) did maruayle that he sawe an iron mooue it selfe vpon a v••ssell, by moo••ing the Lode stone vnder the vessel.

It is called Magnes,* 1.49 because the inuentour, or fynder therof, was so named: who (as Plin••e writeth) keéping cattell in East I••dia, had his shoes soled with plates of iron, and iron nayles, such as they vse in G••sconie, and had in his hand a staffe wyth a pyke, or hooke of iron: and resting him selfe vpon a quantitie of this stone, could ••ot remooue his féete, neyther lyft vp hys staffe. Then staying a whyle asto••yshed, as ignoraunt of the cause, at the length began to perceyue the propertie of the stone, and to vnderstande the attractiue vertue thereof (the colour of it differeth not from iron) and was therefore called quicke iron, or lyuing iron.

The best kinde of these stones, is of Auzurine or blew colour, as the sea sometimes appeareth.* 1.50

Of these, are found fyue kyndes or differences. The first is, of Ethiope. The seconde, of Ma••edonie. The thyrde, of Le∣chio in Boetia. The fourth, of Tro••da, neére to Alexandria, And the fyfth of Asia: but at this day, it is founde in dyuers other places. It is founde also in many places in Spayne:* 1.51 as in the hyll Mor••na, neére vnto the village of Calera, beéyng of the order of saint Iames, in the prouince of Leon. Lykewise in a hyll of Moron, in the territorie of the Erle of Vrenia, is great quantitie th••reof, and in diuers other places. The stone that we most commonly vse, is of the Ilande of Elua,* 1.52 of the Lord of Pomblina, which I iudge to be better then that of Den∣marke. This and the other, haue vertue to draw iron vnto ••••ē. And true it is that Teanxedes wryteth,* 1.53 that in Ethiope is founde an other kynde of thys stone, that putteth iron from it. Auerroes the commentator of Aristotle, denyeth ••hat Mag∣nes draweth iron vnto it, but sayth,* 1.54 that iron by his naturall in∣clination doth mooue to the stone, as to his naturall place, by a c••rtayne qualitie, which the stone impresseth in iron. And beside this ver••ue and propertie that it hath to drawe iron vnto it,* 1.55 it hath also another: and that is, that it geueth vnto iron ver••ue and power, to shewe the two poyntes of the Horizon, where it cutteth the Meridian, that is in the two wyndes, of Nor••h, and South. These vertues are founde more intent, in o••ely two partes of the stone: and these are euer opposite, or con••rary the one to the other, and so are they contrary in operation. For iron touched with the one part, and placed where it may mooue freély, will shewe the North: and an other iron touched with the other parte, wyll shewe the South. Fyndyng this expe∣rience, may be knowne,* 1.56 what parte of the stone answeareth to the North, which the Mariners call the face of the stone, and lykewyse of the South. This stone is so necessary, that with∣out it, Nauigation shoulde bée imperfecte and vncertayne, because it geueth lyfe to the Neédle and Compasse, which leadeth and guydeth the Pilote, that he maye goe certaynely

in the daye, and not erre or wander in the nyght. Also it she∣weth and directeth to compasse the worlde,* 1.57 and to knowe the wyndes. And therefore, for as muche as the compasse is so ne∣cessarie, weé intende to shewe the order and manner howe it ought to be made, for it may chaunce to fayle, or be lost in the viage.

¶ The iiii. Chapter, of t••e making of the Mariners compasse for Nauigation.

TAke such paste or paper, whereof Cardes are made, and make in it a Circle, of the quanti∣tie of a spanne, or litle more or lesse. In the whiche you shall paynte the 31. wyndes, with theyr colours, in suche order as we gaue in the firste and seconde Chapter of the wyndes, and of the Carde,* 1.58 not forgetting to marke the North with a Floure deluce, a••d the East with a crosse. And more then this, may euery man garnishe and beautifie the same, as seémeth best to his phantasie. Then on the lower or neather parte of this paste, you must drawe a lyne, whiche shall be directly vnder that of the North and South, which shall be the marke for the setting of the Irons and Steéles.* 1.59 Then shall you take wyre of iron or steéle, of the bygnesse of a great pynne, or accordyng to the bygnesse or the roundn••••se of ••he paste, floure, rose or flye, as it may be called. This wyre must be bowed double, so that euery of the partes may be equally as long as the Diameter of the flye, and a quarter part more. The endes or poyntes of these iro••s or stéeles, must be pynched togeather, and made close, and open in the myddest, the one from the other, vntyll the endes come to beé equall with the extremities of the Diameter of the flye, and so shall the ••••eéles remayne in maner in fourme of an edge. These wyres or irons must be made fast in the neather parte of the flye: so that theyr extr••mities, ••nds, or

points, come precisely by the lyne of North and South.* 1.60

And to fixe or fasten them so, they must be couered with a thinne paper glued, leauyng the poyntes and endes vncouered: And these endes must be ••ouched with the Lode stone, in this maner. The part that is vnder the floure deluce, must be rubbed on that part of the stone that answereth to the North, as is sayd in the Chapter before.* 1.61 And thys shall suffice for the perfection of the compasse. Yet some there beé, that for superaboundaunce, do•• touche the other part of the Iron, with that part of the stone that answereth to the South, although it may suffice to touche it on∣ly with the other parte. This touchyng of the Iron with the stone, that the demonstratiue or woorking vertue may shewe it selfe foorth,* 1.62 must be done with geuyng certayne strokes with a hammer, on that parte of the stone wherewith the Iron must be touched, that is to say, in the North part, or the South: And from these wyll come forth of the stone certayne beardes, lyke small ysicles, whereon you shall rubbe the point of the Iron, as you would whe•• a knyfe: and so shall certayne of those beardes of the stone, cleaue and sticke fas•• to the Iron. And the Irons thus touched, with the beardes cleauing to them, you must take a prick or poynt of laton, of Peramidal, sharp, or steple fourme, which is brode below, & sharde aboue toward the point, this is made round, or eyght square, as semeth best: and in the neather parte or breadth, it must be bored (but not through) with a borer, which must also be of Piramidall fourme, and center into the myddest of the sayde P••ramidall pricke, or poynt of laton, vnto the middest, or somewhat more. This Piramidall poynt (which the mariners call the Capitell) must be of height halfe a fynger breadth, or according as the compasse shall be, and must be put through the center of the flye, so that the poynt come foorth on the hygher part thereof, and must there be made fast, and well ••ixte. Then shall you take a round boxe of wood, within the which the néedle may be,* 1.63 not touching the sydes of the same: And this must be of the heyght of the halfe Diameter of the compasse. And the ground or bottome thereof must be set to it, as to the couering of a boxe, that it may be easely

taken off, and put on, to haue often recourse, to touche the irons with the s••one (which they call feéding) when neéde shall be,* 1.64 that the vertue of the compasse fayle not. Also in the middest of the ground, or floore of the boxe, you must set a sharpe poynt or pricke, made of a wyre of laton, this must stande ryght vp, and vpon the pricke or poynt thereof, you shall se•• the bored hole of the Capitel, and that the wynde enter not aboue, you shall couer the boxe with a glasse. And thus being touched with the stone and set vpon the poynt, it shall shewe the true part of the North, and consequently all the other wyndes.

And heere is to be noted, that after the irons or neédle of the compasse hath béen touched in any of these maners,* 1.65 if you bryng the North part of the stone, to the North of the neédle or com∣passe: then wyll the North of the neédle come to it. And yf you bryng the North part of the stone, to the South parte of the néedle, it will flée from it.

And contrariwise, yf you bryng the South part of the stone, to the South of the neédle, it wyl come to it, and yf to the North, it wyll fleé from it. This is vnderstoode, the neédle or compasse standing as it should be. And this also is a good signe, to know which is the North part and South part of the stone.

Moreouer, this boxe must be put within another boxe, in the which it must hang vpon two circles of laton, annexed the one within the other: whiche serue that the compasse sway not, or hang not toward the one syde or the other, although the Shyp sway, and this boxe also must haue his couer of wood, to keépe the other. You shall lykewyse obserue that the poynt of the Ca∣pitell, and the hole thereof, and also the poynt or prick vpon the which it resteth, by vprig••t, and lykewyse the Rose, that it de∣clyne not to one part or other. And if it be quicker then it ought to be, then make the poynt that it goeth vpon somewhat blun∣ter.

[illustration]

¶ The v. Chapter, of the effect or propertie, that the compasse hath to the Northeasting or North∣westing, whereby is knowen the vari∣ation of the Compasse.

* 1.66MAny and dyuers are the opinions that I haue hearde, and also read in cer∣tayne wryters of latter dayes, as tou∣ching the Northeasting and North∣westing of the Compasse, and yet meé seemeth, that none dooth touche the prycke, and fewe the whyte.

They call it Northeasting, when the

neédle sheweth or poynteth from the North (which is his true marke) toward the Northeast: and Northwesting, when from the North, it declyneth towarde Northwest. For the better vn∣derstanding of these differences, whereby the neédles differ or vary from the pole, you must (being in the Meridian where the compasses shewe the pole) imagine a poy••t vnder the pole of the world,* 1.67 and this poynt to be without all the heauens, conteyned vnder the fyrst moueable. The which poynt or part of heauen, hath a vertue attractiue, y^t draweth vnto it Iron touched with the part of the lode stone, correspondent to that certayne part of heauen imagined without or vnder al the heauens, moued by y^e fyrst moueable. For if it were imagined to be moued within any of the moued heauens, then the attractiue point, by the mouing of the first moueable, & consequently ••he compasse, should make the selfe same mouing in 24. houres, which is neuer seéne. And therefore this poynt is not in the moueable heauens, neither in y^e pole. For if it were in it, the compasse should not vary, North∣easting, and Northwesting.* 1.68 Therfore the cause of Northeasting or Northwesting, or departing from the pole of the world, is, that being in the sayd Meridian, the attractiue poynt and the pole, are in the selfe same, or in one Meridian: and the compasse shewing the attractiue poynt,* 1.69 sheweth directly the pole. And de∣parting from the same Meridian toward the East (the worlde being round) the pole of the world remayneth to vs on the left hand: and the poynt of the attractiue vertue, shalbe on the right hand, which is toward the Northeast winde. And in how much more we shall sayle toward the East, the distaunce shall appeare greater vnto vs, vntill we come vnto the 90. degrées: and there shalbe the most and greatest Northeasting. And passyng from thence further forward,* 1.70 it shall appeare vnto vs, y^t the attractiue poynt, commeth neérer & neérer vnto the Meridian line: and so much shall the compasse go bettering or amending the North∣easting, vntil it returne to the self same meridian in the opposite or contrary part from whence they came, or where they began, & then shall the attractiue point be to them directly vpō, or against the pole of the world, & the compasse shall shew or point directly toward it. And againe, passing further forward, the pole of the

wo••l•• sh••l rem••ine to the right hand, and the point attractiue to the left hand, and so shall the compasse begin Northwesting,* 1.71 in∣creasing it vntil it come from thence to the 90 degreés, & there shalbe the most of his Northwesting. For turning towarde the Meridian from the attractiue point, it shall go amending or bet∣tering, vntil it returne to the selfesame Meridian from whence it departed, & there shal the compasse shew the pole of the world directly, by, or ouer against the attractiue point, which is per∣pendiculerly vnder the pole.* 1.72 And if frō thence they should turne, to passe toward the West, the pole should rest to the right hand, & the attractiue point to the left, & so shall the variation be to the Northwest: and this is the cause of the Northeasting, & North∣westing, or variation of the compasse.* 1.73 Also it is not to be vnder∣stoo••e that this Northeasting, & Northwesting, is vniforme, as is the departing (or according to the departure) from the Meri∣dian, where the compasse sheweth perfectly: but rather before at the beginning of the departing from the sayd Meridian, it ma∣keth differēce, or variation in a certaine quantitie, & the increase that is afterward, is litle, and so much the lesse, in how much y^• more the departing is frō the said Meridian. For it is a passion of y^e circles,* 1.74 deuiding or cutting them selues in y^e sphere: so that these differences are, as are they of the declinatiōs of the Sun: which neére vnto the Equinoctials, are great, & neére to the sol∣stitials, are litle. All the which shal euidently appeare in y^e figure folowing, which is a circle deuided by two Diameters, into 4. equal parts, cutting thē selues in y^e center in right angles. And from the center point (called the pole) cōmeth foorth a moueable Meridian: & in it goeth a compasse likewise moueable about the circle. The attractiue poynt is somwhat distant from the pole of the world, & from it, commeth foorth a threéde, which must euer passe by the North & South of the compasse. And the compasse being in the Meridian of y^e point attractiue, that passeth by the pole, shall shew the pole. And without that shal go northeasting, or northwesting, so varying & departing frō the true Meridian that commeth forth of the pole of the world.* 1.75 It is the opinion of some Mariners, that the Meridian where the compasse sheweth directly the pole, passeth by the Iland of Sancta Maria, & other say, by the Iland of Cueruo in the Asores.

[illustration]

Demonstration of Northeasting.

And where as the inconuenience is manifest and notorious, the same must be remedied with prudence and tyme,* 1.76 and not to be negligent in the viage: but euer to vse & obserue experience, more profitable then the subtyle and curious questions of the secrete searchers of naturall things without experience, wherof reason taketh his principall grounde. And therefore the wyse Pilot ought to knowe by experience (as many of them doo not) how much a good compasse doth vary,* 1.77 Northeasting, or North∣westing from one Port to another. So that to know how much the compasse doth vary, Northeasting, or Northwesting, from one place to another, (as to say, halfe a quarter, or more or lesse in quantitie as they are distant from the said Meridian, where the compasses shew the Pole) shall in the Nauigation take heéde,

and well consider, in any such v••age, Northeasting or North∣westing, in the poynts of the compasse. And this shalbe to sayle truely by the poynt••s or lynes that the Carde dooth certaynely shewe. As for example.* 1.78 In sayling from any Ilande that is in the sayd Meridian, or from any other part, in seekyng of any port that is to them true Northeast, yf by this way the compasse should N••rtheast halfe a quarter, then saylyng by the poyn••es or lynes of the compasse Northeast half a quarter to the North, their Nauigation shalbe (excepti••g other impediments) to the Northeast which the Carde sheweth: And by this point or lyne, must be made the accompt of such a vyage. And so by the points of the Carde, they sh••ll directly fynd the Port that they sought. And by this order shall they go••••rne themselues in all N••uiga∣tions. For the which, it is conuenient that wyse and expert Pi∣lots, should make notes of obseruations of Nor••heasting and Northwesting, that is, from Port, to Port, and to make compi∣lations and geatherings of suche notes, to cary with them in their Shyppes for regim••••••s: and not to be busie or c••rious to amende their compass••s, or with the stone to rubbe the Irons or S••eéles, neither on the one syde or the other, from whence the Floure deluce doth shewe: For this shoulde cause many incon∣ueniences. Neither ought they to admit in their Cardes, two graduations:* 1.79 especially for that to knowe how much in euery place the compasse doth goe asyde, or vary from the true Meri∣dian, may easely be made an instrument to shew the same by the Su••ne in the day, and by the Starres in the nyght.

The vi. Chapter, of the introduction and principl••s of the Arte of Nauigation.

FOr as much as now we haue the guyde, whiche is the compasse, it is conuenient to enter into the way, which is Nauiga∣tion. The which (as we haue sayde) is to goe or passe by water from one place to another. And this presupposed, I say that he that desireth to attempt Naui∣gations, must knowe two things, which

the Carde shall shewe him. The one is, by what poynt or lyne he ought to sayle:* 1.80 and this shall the lynes of the saylyng Carde shew him. The other is, ••he leagues of the distaunce: and this shall the scale or trunke of the leagues shewe, taking with a compasse the distaunce of two places, and applying it to the s••al••. The knowledge of these two things, ought the Pilot to beare in memory: and to put them in effect, ought to direct his foreship to the selfesame wynde, which the compasse doth shewe. For the distaunce,* 1.81 he ought to knowe how muche the Ship goeth dayly, wel considering and obseruing the windes, tydes, currents, and all suche thynges as may be with hym, or against him. And according heéreunto, he shall knowe howe muche he hath gone, and what remayneth for hym to goe, and whether he be farre off, or néere vnto the place whither he in••en∣deth to sayle: the which in Nauigation, is the ende desired. And because this estimation or computation can not be iust & exact, especially in a long vyage, or in long tyme, it shalbe conuenient that we rectifie or amend it, knowing the place where the Ship is, on the superficiall part of the water, by the place that answe∣reth to it in heauen.* 1.82 This place of heauen, is knowen by the al∣titude of the pole: and by the altitude of the pole, is knowen the altitude of the Equinoctial: & by the altitude of the Equinoctiall and declination of the Sunne, is knowen y^• Meridian altitude: and contrarywyse,* 1.83 knowing the Meridian altitude and declina∣tion of the Sunne, is knowen the altitude of the Equinoctiall, and by the Equinoctial, the pole, and by the altitude of the pole, is knowen the latitude: and this is the place that is desyred to be knowen. But for as muche as the heauen is moueable from the East to the West, this place is not knowen as a certayne point, but is knowen as a lyne or paralel at a certayne distaunce from the Equinoctiall, and it is knowen in what poynt of this paralel the Ship is,* 1.84 by the altitudes that are taken from heauen: but it is knowen by the lyne that the Ship hath gone, as we wil further declare in y^e xiii. Chapter, of making a poynt or pricke in the Carde. And in this maner you shall haue rectifi∣ed the way that the Ship hath gone,* 1.85 and consequently the way that it hath yet to goe.

And forasmuch as these altitudes are so profitable and ne∣cessarie, it shalbe néedfull to geue rules how we may vse them to our most commoditie.* 1.86 And for this, is presupposed to know, that all places situate on the superficiall part of the earth, and water, eyther they are vnder one M••ridian, so that they haue, or where they haue one selfe same longitude,* 1.87 and differ in latitude, or are in one parallel, where they haue one selfe same latitude, and differ in longitude, or are in diuers Meridians and para∣leles, where they differ in longitude, and latitude. And I say, that if they haue one selfe same longitude, they saile frō the one to the other, by the lyne of North, and South, and how many degrées doth vary the altitude of the pole and of the Equinocti∣al in heauen, so many degrées haue they gone by sea, or by land, If two places haue one selfe same latitude, they passe from the one to the other by the lyne of East and West. And in such ma∣ner of viage, the altitudes do not profit vs, because there is no variation. If they differ or vary in longitude, and latitude, they sayle from the one to the other by some of the other lynes.* 1.88 But there are more degreés that correspond the way that the Ship maketh, then the degreés that vary the altitudes of the Equi∣noctial, and the pole. And this difference shalbe greater, in how much the lyne shal draw neare to the East and West: And how muche it shall draw néere to North and South, it shalbe lesse. Of the degreés or leagues that aunswere to euery degreé of the variation of the altitude, we will entreate héerea••ter in the xii. Chapter.

* 1.89These altitudes are knowen many wayes, but especially by two: as by the Meridian altitude & declination of the Sunne (as we haue sayd) is knowen the altitude of the Equinoctiall, and by it, the altitude of the Pole. The second way, they are knowen by the altitude of some fixt Starre,* 1.90 of those that are not hid. And among many other, the North Starre,* 1.91 is taken, because it is nearest to the Pole. To know the altitudes by the Sun,* 1.92 threé things are necessarie, that is to say, an instrument, the declination of the Sun, and rules. The instrument to know the Meridian altitude shalbe the Astrolabie, ••ecause it is most commodious for this purpose, whereof we wyll entreate in the

Chapter folowing. The declination of the Sunne (which is to take it away, or to ioyne it with the Meridian altitude) we haue alredy described in the third Chapter of the second part. The rule to knowe when the declinations must be ioyned with the Meridian altitude,* 1.93 or taken from it, we will geue in the viii. Chapter. To knowe the altitudes of the Pole, by the altitudes of the North Starre, two things are necessarie: that is, an in∣strument, and rules. The instrument wherewith the Ma∣riners are accustomed to take the altitudes of the North, they call Balestilia, which is a crosse staffe, whereof we will write heéreafter in the nien••h Chapter.* 1.94 And the rules of the Turne or compasse, which the North Starre maketh about the Pole, we wil declare in the tenth Chapter.

¶ The vii. Chapter, of the making and vse of the Astrolabie•• with the which the maryners take the altitude of the Sunne.

TAke a plate of copper, or latton (which for this purpose is better then any other mettall) of the biggenesse ••hat you desire to make the Astrola∣bi••, and is commonly of the biggenesse of a spanne of the Diameter, and let it be of the thicknesse of halfe a finger at the least: for the waightier that it shalbe, so much shall it be more steadie to make the altitude. This place must be made round by a circle, leauing comming foorth of the circle or corner, in the which you shall put a ring or handel with a hole, whereby you may hang the Astrolabie, by a threéd or li••e to take the altitude.

After it is thus made, with y^• ring or handle annexed thereto, make it bryght, and smoothe, publlyshed on both the sydes, and all of one equall thicknesse, that one syde be not heauier then a∣nother, which y••u shall try in this maner:* 1.95 hang the plate by the ryng or hole that you haue made, and from the same hole hang a plomet of leade, fasted to a heere, or fyne threéde of silke. The Astrolabie thus hanging, frée, and at libertie with the plomet, if then the threéd fal vpon the center of the Astrolabie,* 1.96 it is wel: but yf the thréede doo leane or swar••e to the one side, or to the other, from the center, then is that side thicker and heauier then the other, and must therefore be made thynner, vntyll the thréed fall iustly vpon the center. This doone, make a circle vpon the sayde center•• a litle within the circumference of the Astrolabie. Then draw a Diameter frō the center of the hole, in the which the ring or handle is, vnto y^e center of the Astrolabie, trauersing or ouerthwarting the whole Circle. And this shalbe called the line of the Zenith,* 1.97 or Uertial poynt: which also shalbe cut with an other Diameter vpon the center, making right angles with it. And this Diameter shalbe called the Horizontall line. These two Diameters shal deuide the circle, into foure equall partes. After this, you shall make another circle, so much more within the second, that betwene the circumferences of both the circles, may bée conteyned the numbers of the degrées. Then (the A∣strolabie hanging before you) you shall deuide the one part (be∣ing the superiour and leaft part) fyrst into thrée equall partes, and euery part shall conteyne 30. degrées. Then shall you de∣uide euery part of these into threé other equall partes, and they shall conteyne 10. degreés: and euery of these deuide into two partes, and they shall conteyne 5. degr••és. This doone, put a ruler vpon the center of the Astrolabie, applying it to euery of the poyntes that deuide the sayde partes, and drawe certayne lynes that passe from the circumference of the first circle, vnto the lesse circumference: and in the spaces of the lesse circle write the numbers of the degreés, beginning in the Horizontall lyne: and in that space put fiue, and in the second, t••n, and so foorth of the other, vntyll the 90. degrées ende in the lyne of the Zenith. then shal you deuide the spaces that are betweéne the fyrst circle

and the second, euery space into fyne, which shall make the 90. degreés. The Astrolabie thus made, you shall make the Alhida∣da or Label.* 1.98 For the whiche, you shall take a pla••e of laton, of the breadth of scarcely two fingers, and as thicke as the Astro∣labie: also as long as the Diameter of the Astrolabie, and make a lyne in the myddest thereof by the longitude: in the middest of this lyne, make a circle, so great, that it may touch in the sides of the plate: then cut off this plate on the on•• side, that which it hath from the lyne to the ryght hande, and on the other syde, that it hath from the lyne to the leaft hand, leauyng the circle whole. This lyne that shall passe by the center of the circle, is called Linea fiduciae, (that is) the lyne of confidence, which is that, that sheweth in the degreés, the altitude that is taken. Then shall you take away the endes or corners of the Alhidada that are without the lyne, so that you touche not the lyne. This doone, you shal make two litle rysing or raised tables or plates, of the same metal whereof the Astrolabie is made, and of the self same thicknesse that is the Alhidada, or lytle lesse, and of the breadth of the Diameter of the circle of the Alhidada, and let them be a thumbe in heyght or breadth. In the myddest of these two places by the heigth, you shal make a lyne. When these are made equal, and al th••yr angles right, in euery lyne of these that you haue made, you shal also make two holes, ••qually distaunt from the sydes or edges of the sayd plates or tablettes. And of the two holes of euery of these little plates,* 1.99 the one hole must be as bigge as may conteyne a great pynne: and these shall serue to take the altitude of the Starres. The other must be so subtile and small as a fyne sowyng neédle: and these serue to take the altitude of the Sunne. They must be made in such maner, that the outward parte of them be bygger, and lesse within, of the quantitie that I haue sayde. These tablets or erected plates be∣ing thus made, they must be sothered in the Alhidada, betwene the center & extremities or endes of the same, making in it cer∣tayne notches where they may be made faste, and sothered: or leauyng fyrst in the plates certayne sharpe poyntes or corners, that may enter into certayne holes made in the Alhidada, where∣by they may be made faste vnderneath with pinnes: And they

must be so set, that the line where the holes of y^e plates are, may fall vpon the lyne of confidence of the Alhidada, so that the one halfe of the plate be set vpon the Alhidada, & the other half with∣out it, or at large. In like maner you shall take good aduertise∣ment, that the great hole of the one plate, stand directly against the great hole of the other plate, & be nothing at all awry. This done, you shal bore the Astrolabie through by the center, making a very round hole, that may haue in the middest of it the center of the Astrolabie. This hole shalbe of the biggenesse of a goose quil. And the like shal you make in the center of the circle of the Alhidada. Then shal you make a pynne or nayle of the same la∣••on, the whiche on the vpper part of the Alhidada may haue a playne and round head. This pynne also shalbe very round and smoothe, that it may enter iust and close into the hole of the Alhidada and Astrolabie. And at the end or poynt thereof, com∣ming foorth on the other side of the Astrolabie, must be a hole made sydeway through the pinne, close to the plate of the Astrolabie, of the bignesse of a litle naile or pinne, that may be put therein, to make fast together the Alhidada with the Astrolabie, so that the Alhidada may thereby be turned round a∣bout the Astrolabie, as ap∣peareth in this figure following.

[illustration]

To take the altitude of the Sunne,* 1.100 hang vp the Astrolabie by the ryng, and set the Alhidada against the Sunne, and rayse it, or put it downe in the quarter that is graduate, vntill y^e beames of the Sunne enter in by the litle hole of the other table•• or ray∣sed plate, and precisely by the other litle hole of the other tablet. Then loke vpon the lyne of confidence: and how many degreés it sheweth in the quarter that is graduate (beginning from the Horizontall lyne) so many degreés of height hath the Sunne. In like maner shall you doo to take the altitude of any other Star, looking through the great holes, because this may hardly be seéne by the litle holes.

¶ The viii. Chapter, of the d••finition of the altitude. And howe the altitude of the Pole may well be knowen by the Meridian altitude and eleuation of the Sunne.

IT is conuenient to d••fine the altitude, b••fore we geue rules of the vse there∣of. The Altitude of the Sunne, or the Moone, or of any other Starres,* 1.101 is the distaunce that is betweéne it and the Horizon. And this ought to beé ac∣compted by the degreés of the great Circle, which passeth by the Zenith, & by the center of the Sunne, or of the Moone, or of the Star, vn∣to the Horizon. And the degreés that are from the H••rizon to the Star, or to the Sunne, that is the altitude:* 1.102 And the degreés that are from the Center of the S••arre, or of the Sunne, vnto the Zenith, is called the complement, or supplement of the alti∣tude. The altitude of the Equinoctiall, is euer co••nted by the Meridian. And the degreés of the Meridian, that are betweéne the Equinoctiall and the Horizon, is the altitude of the Equi∣noctiall: and other so many are they, that are from the Zenith to the Pole.* 1.103 For the altitude of the Equinoctial, is equall to the complement of the altitude of the Pole. The degreés of the Me∣ridian that are be••w••••ne the Equinoctiall, and the Zenith, is cal∣led the complement of the altitude of the Equinoctiall, and is equal to the altitude of the Pole. And al••hough we haue defined the altitude in generall, ye•• shall we only profit our selues by the Meridional altitude of the Sunne. The Meridian altitude, is the greatest altitude that the Sunne hath euery day:* 1.104 and this shall be, when the Center of the Sunne is in the Meridian. And the Arke of the Meridian, that is betweene the Horizon and the Sunne,* 1.105 is the Meridian altitude. So that when we say the altitude of the Sunne is taken, it is vnderstoode at mydday. The shadowes that the Sunne then maketh, are in threé sorts.

for either to vs it casteth the shadow toward the North part, or toward the South, or pendiculer by a right vp line, so that at midday, or noone, nothyng that standeth vpryght, geueth any shadow at all. But forasmuch as there is such variation in decli∣nations, altitudes, shadowes, an•• paralelles, i•• shalbe necessarie to geue rules for all varia••ions. And these shalbe reduced into foure briefe and compe••dious rules the which I haue here des∣cribed,* 1.106 that the wyttie may haue profite by them, and the rude learne them: not caryng for the rules of the Mariners, because they are so long and tedious. For (as the Philosopher saith) it is vainely done by many, that may well be done by few.

When the shadowe shalbe perpendiculer,* 1.107 it is because the Sunne is in the Zenith, and 90 degreés aboue the Horizon. And then how many degreés of declination the Sunne hath•• so much shal we be distant from the Equi••octiall, toward the part where the Sunne declineth. And if it haue no declination, it and we shalbe vnder the Equinoctiall.

But when the Sunne and the shadowes shalbe to vs from the Equinoctiall,* 1.108 towarde one of the Poles, we shall take away the declination from the Meridian altitude, and then shall remayne the complement of the eleuation, which complement being ta∣ken from 90. degreés, then shall remayne that which we be di∣staunt from the Equinoctiall, toward the same Pole.

When the Sunne declineth from the Equinoctiall, toward the one Pole, and the shadowes shalbe towarde the other, we shal ioyne the declination with the meridian altitude: and if all come not to 90. then substract them from 90. degrées, a••d we shall haue the complement, and so much shal we be distan•• from the Equinoctiall, toward that Pole to the whi••h the shadowe falleth. And yf they be more in number then 90. then the ouer∣plus of 90. shall we be distaunt from the Equinoctiall, towarde the Pole where the Sunne declineth•• And if they be iust 90•• we shalbe vnder the Equinoc••iall.

When the Sunne hath no declination••* 1.109 we shalbe distaunt frō the Equinoctial the complement of the Meridian altitude, toward the Pole where the shadowes are. By these rules (be∣side the vse whereof we haue spoken) may be knowen how much

is the greatest declination of the Sunne, th•• altitude of the E∣quinoctial, the day, houre, and minute, when the Equinox was: the which is knowen as foloweth.

Hauing taken the greater Meridian altitude of the Sommet (which is in the beginning of Cancer) and the lesse of Winter,* 1.110 (which is in the beginning of Capricorne) taking away the lesse from the more, the ••est is that, that is from Tropike to Tropike, & consequently par••ed by the middest, is the greatest declination. As for example.* 1.111 I suppose, that being in the Ci∣tie of Cadi••, to finde the great Meridian altitude of the Sunne (being in the beginning of Cancer) to be 77. degrées, and the lesser Meridian altitude (which is, when the Sunne is in the beginning of Capricorne) to be 30. degreés: then taking 30. from 77. remayne 28. degrées: and so much is frō Tropike to Tropike. And the halfe (which is 23. and a halfe) is the greatest declination.

Consequently the greatest declination added to the lesse Me∣ridian altitude, taking it away from the greater Meridian alti∣tude, that riseth thereof, is the altitude of the Equinoctiall. Ex∣ample 23. and a half of the greatest declination,* 1.112 ioined with 30. of the least Meridian altitude, or taken away from the 77. of the greatest Meridian altitude, remayne 53. degreés and a halfe, which is the altitude of the Equinoctiall, in the Citie of Cadiz. Hereof it foloweth,* 1.113 that w••ē we shal ••ake the meridian altitude in 53. degreés and a halfe, that day is the true Equinoctial. But if it had one day lesse, and the other day folowing it had more, we must take the lesse from the more, & fourme the rule of threé vppon the rest, saying, If 24. minutes (which is that that the Sunne declineth in one day) doth yeéld 24. houres, how much shall those minutes that lacketh of 53. degreés and a halfe of the altitude of the Equinoctial, yeéld me? Multiplying & deuiding according to the foresayd rule, then that which commeth there∣of, shall be the houres after the midday, when it is Equinox.

* 1.114Example of the experience that I made in the Citie of Cadiz the tenth day of March at midday or high noone, I toke the altitude of the Sunne, in 53•• degreés, and 26. minutes, they lacke to be the Equinoctial 4. minutes. An other day, the xi. of

Marche, at noone, I tooke the Sunne, in 53. degrées, and fiftie minutes: which are more then the Equinoctiall by twenty mi∣nutes. Then to knowe at what houre the Sunne was in the 53. degreés, and thirtie minutes of the Equinoctiall, I tooke away the Meridian altitude that I tooke at the tenth of March, from that that I tooke at the eleuenth, which is the difference 24. mi∣nutes, and I formed the rule, saying: if 24. minutes the Sunne did rise to me, in 24. houres, then in how much time shall ryse vnto me the four minutes that failed me at the tenth of March? I multiplyed, deuided, & found, that in four houres: and so shall you say, that the Equinoctiall was in the citie of Cadiz the tenth day of March, at foure of the clocke at after noone, which is vn∣derstoode (according to the Astronomers) at foure houres run at the eleuenth day of March, at this present yeére 1545.

The ix. Chapter, of the making of the crosse staffe, wherewith the Mariner•• take the altitude of the North Starre.

MAke a square s••affe or yarde, of the thicknesse of a ••••nger, more or lesse, ac∣cording to the goodnesse of the wood, and of length sixe spannes, or more. For the longer that it is, the more precise shall it be, and the degreés shall be the grea∣ter, whereby followeth the certainetie of the altitude. Then take a very plaine table, of the length of the sta••••e, and two spannes of breadth, or at the least a spanne and a halfe: and in the myddest of this Table, make a ryght lyne by longitude, and in the one end of this lyne, make another lyne that may cut it in right angles. And vppon the cutting of these two lynes, put the foote of the compasse, and make halfe a circle, which may remayne on the parte of the long lyne, so that the halfe circle may haue so much Diameter, as you desire the

〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

height of the hammer, head, or crossepéece of the staffe to be. This halfe circle being made, you shall drawe two lynes, equi∣distaunt to the lyne which you haue made by the middest of the Table. These lines must touch in the extremities or ends of the half circle. Then deuide euery halfe of y^e halfe circle, or quarter of the circle, into two equal parts, & the two halfes that shal end in the first line, deuide eche of them into 90. equall parts. Then take a ruler, and put the edge thereof vpon the center of the half circle, and vpon euery of the marks which deuide the 90. parts, and so proceéde, making punctes in the lynes, which you haue made equidistant to the fyrst lyne. Then drawe certayne ryght lynes, from the punctes of the one lyne, to the opposite punctes of the other: and so shal the draught be ended. Then take y^e staffe or yard, & put the one end therof in the center of the halfe circle, and apply the edge of the yarde to the lyne that goeth by the middest of the Table: and marke in the yarde the markes that are in the said lyne, by meanes of the trauersing lynes, and seé also that the markes which you make in the yard, be trauersing lynes, and make them their numbers, beginning at the end or poynt of the yarde that shalbe to the contrary part, from that whiche you did in the punct of the halfe circle. And to knowe with what degreés you shall beginne the yarde or staffe, and what number you shal marke in the fyrst lyne of the punct, looke how many degreés are from the circle whiche you deuided be∣tweéne the lyne that goeth to the last marke, and with so many degreés enter, and so consequently shall you place the numbers from fyue to fyue, or from tenne to tenne. When you haue thus numbred the yard, then to make the crosse peéce thereof, take a table or planke of good wood, which shalbe so muche in length•• as shalbe the Diameter of the halfe circle, & so much in breadth as thrée tymes the thycknesse of the yarde, and of thicknesse two fyngers, or litle lesse. On the one syde also it must bée very playne, and on the other side in the myddest it must haue a square or quadrature of al the thicknes of the plancke, and from the square to the ends, it must be made thinner and thinner, so that it hath in maner the fourme of suche pickars wherewith

[illustration]

milstones are pycked. And in the myddest (by longitude and latitude) it must haue a square hole, by the whiche the yarde may enter iust, and make right angles with the crosse peéce. And the poynte of the yarde must enter by the playne syde of the crosse péece, and come foorth of the square syde there∣of. To take the altitude of the North Starre,* 1.115 or any other Starre on the Sea (for it ser∣ueth not on the Lande, nor for the Sunne, except the Sunne shalbe vnder any thinne cloude, & the Horizon cleare) you shall put the head of the staffe to the corner of your eye, ••aysing it vp, or putting it downe, vntyll the neather part of the crosse peéce come with the Horizon: and being so, if the higher part of the crosse peéce shall come with the starre, you must looke the playne syde of the crosse peece in what number of de∣grées of the staffe it falleth, and those degrees shall be the alti∣tude of the Starre: as yf the crosse peece reache not to the Starre, you must bring the crosse peece nearer to your eye, vntyll the one part therof come with the H••rizon, and the o∣ther with ••he Starre, and the degrees, which it sheweth, shalbe the altitude.

¶ The x. Chapter, of the altitude of the Pole, knowen by the altitude of the North Starre.

TO knowe the paralell in the which the Ship is, ouer and beside the rules there before of the al∣titudes of the Sunne, it is likewise knowen by the altitudes of the North Starre. These two maners are vsed, for that more credit is giuen to two witnesses, then to one: So that if by one aryse any doubt, the same may be certified by the other, and also because tyme may sometyme serue for the one, and not for the other: as, to haue a cloudy midday or noone, and a cleare night.

* 1.116The altitude is taken of the North Starre, which is a Star in the extremitie or end of the tayle of the lesse Beare, being a constellation,* 1.117 commonly called the Horne. For this North Starre (of the most notable Starres about the Pole) is nearest vnto it, & shall therfore shew a lesse circle then any of the other, and so shall his altitude differ litle from the altitude of the Pole. This Starre hath declination 85. degreés,* 1.118 and 51. minuts, and the complement to nientie (which are four degreés,* 1.119 and nientie minutes) is his distance from the Pole. And although the Mari∣ners hold opinion, that it is not distaunt more then threé degreés and a halfe, yet to my iudgement, more credit ought to be geuen to the Astronomers, then to the Mariners, for as much as the Astronomers do knowe the places of the Starres, with theyr longitudes, latitudes, declinations, and right assentions, more perfectly and precisely then do the Mariners: For they accompt not onely by degrées, but also by minutes and seconds. But let none deceiue them selues through my opinion. Therefore, who∣soeuer will precisely know it, let him take the highest altitude of the North Starre, which is his being ouer the pole, and the lesse altitude, which is his being vnder it: then take away the lesse from the more, and the halfe of that that remayneth, shall be the distaunce of that Starre from the pole of the world.

And likewise by this experience, may be knowen the altitude of the pole, and what all the other starres, that goe not downe vnder the Horizon, be distant from it. Ioyning the greater al∣titude with the lesse, and that shall amount thereof, deuided by the halfe, shalbe the altitude of the Pole: and taking away this altitude of the Pole, from the greater altitude of the Starre, or the lesse from the altitude of the Pole, the rest that remaineth shalbe the distance of the Starre from the Pole.* 1.120 And as y^e Pole is inuisible, it can not be séene or knowen, whē the North Star is higher or lower, except it be by the meane of some o••her marke: and for this is considered the position of the former Guards, or watch, being one of y^e two starres called the Guard, which are in the mouth of the Horne.* 1.121 The Mariners haue noted eight positions from the former Guard starre, to the North starre, which answeare to the eight principall windes. And as the Guard is to the North starre according to the placing of these positions, so shall it be higher or lower from the Pole. Let vs here put the common rules which the Mariners vse,* 1.122 to com∣ply with those that are of opinion of the thrée degreés & a halfe. And for the opinion of y^e Astronomers (which is the distance of 4. degrées, and 9. minuts) I wil hereafter giue a circuler figure with a moueable horne: then the eight wyndes of the eyght po∣sitions being marked, and putting the Guarde and the North starre in euery of the wyndes, it shalbe the distaunce that the North starre is higher or lower from the Pole.

Common Rules.

• The forme Guarde being in the East,* 1.123 the North Starre is in one degrée and a halfe vnder the Pole.
• The Guarde being in the Northeast, the North Starre is threé degreés and a halfe vnder the Pole.
• The Guarde being in the North, the Starre is threé degrées vnder the Pole.
• The Guarde in the Northwest, the Starre is halfe a degreé vnder the Pole.
• The Guarde in the West, the Starre is one degreé and a halfe aboue the Pole.
• ...

• The Guarde in the Southwest, the Starre is threé degreé•• and a halfe aboue the Pole.
• The Guarde in the South, the Starre is thrée degrees a∣boue the Pole.
• The Guarde in the Southeast, the sayd North Starre is halfe a degreé aboue the Pole.

* 1.124Note that these eyght wyndes, are made according to foure lynes. Whereof two are right, which are North & South, and East & West: and the other two are crooked, which are North∣east Southwest, and Southeast Northwest. When the Guarde and the North Starre shalbe in the right lyne, it shall appeare cleare how they are: and when they shalbe in th•• crooked lynes, it may be seéne, because the Guards are the one by the other in a ryght lyne.

To seé by Theorike or Speculation, how the North starre riseth vp, and goeth downe from the Pole of the world, I will here describe the saide circuler figure or instrument, which is a circle,* 1.125 in whose circumference are written the eyght wyndes. The North in the highest place of the instrumēt, which they cal the head, and the South in the neather part thereof, which they call the foote: the East in the right arme, the West in the lef•• arme, the foure rest betwéene these in their places. And here is to be noted, that the lines which passe not through y^• center, are of y^• wynds of their equidistances that passe through the center. Within this circle, is an other litle circle, which describeth the starre of the North, by the mouing of the first moueable, & hath for his center the Pole of the world, as hath the first. This litle circle hath for his Diameter eyght degrees and eyghteene mi∣nutes: as foure degreés and nine minutes aboue the pole, and the other foure degrees and nine minutes vnder it. And they are deuided by certaine lynes equidistant to the East and West. In y^e center of this circle,* 1.126 is annexed a horne, with his seuen stars, moueable round about by all the windes. And seeing them in heauen,* 1.127 how, & in what wind they are, euen so in this figure shal we seé the North starre, in what part it is of the degrees high or lowe from the pole: & that the Pilot or Mariners shall not erre. I say that he ought not to put the foreguard in the windes that

passe through the center of the figure, for it shalbe North and South with the pole, and not with the starre of the North, as it ought to be, and so of the other windes. And in this maner the starre of the North, shall shew in the lynes equidistant from the lesse circle, the degreés & partes of degreés that it is higher or lower then the pole of the world: for the same course, differen∣ces, and variations, it maketh in heauen.

¶ This figure is after the Astronomers, Which affirme that th•• North starre is four degrees, and nine minutes from the P••l••.

[illustration]

Thus being knowen how muche the North starre is vnder or a••oue the pole,* 1.128 let vs take the altitude thereof: and that of if

that is vnder the Pole, let vs ioyne to his height, and as muche of it as is aboue, let vs take away, and that shall rise thereof, shall be the altitude of the Pole aboue our Horizon.

The xi. Chapter, of the composition and vse of an instrument, by the which without obseruing the South Sunne, or mid∣day, is knowen the altitude of the Pole, and the houre that is.

WE haue geuen rules, whereby the Pilotte may knowe in what paralel he findeth himselfe with his Shippe. But hee may not knowe this at all houres, for as muche as for the altitudes of the Sunne, it is necessary to obserue the mid∣day iustly, and for the altitudes of the North, it is necess••ry to obserue, that the foremost guarde be placed iustly with the North, in some of the foure lynes of the eight wyndes. And ouer and besyde the rules aforesaide, I haue thought good to describe an instrument,* 1.129 by the which may be knowen the paralel where the Shippe is, and what the houre is at any time of the day by the beames of the sunne.

Make a rounde pla••e of La••on, or other conuenient met∣tall, of the Diameter of a sp••••ne, or more: For the greater that it is, the more precis•• shall it beé: and make in it two Di∣ameters, that may cut themselues in ryght angles vpon the center. In the foure extreames or endes of these Diameters, leaue foure rounde punc••es or poyntes, that may serue for axis. The one of these Diameters, shalbe called the axis of the world, and the other, the lyne of East and West. This doone, make of the same la••on a semicircular peéce, of the thicknes of the plate, or litle lesse, and of the breadth of halfe a ••inger: this must stand vpon an edge, so that the co••••ex part may come iustly with the halfe of the circumference of the plate, to the whiche it must be nayled or sothered in the neather part of the plate, the semicircle being raysed, & that the endes thereof may come with the endes of the axis of the world. And this semicircle shal you deuide into ••wo equal partes, and euery halfe into 90. degreés, beginning

from the halfe poynt toward the ende of the Axis of the world, which are the Poles.

In lyke maner shall you make•• two circuler peeces, of the big∣nesse of a pe••ce of foure ryals of plate, which th••y call rundels, for the houres: these must be made fast in the plate by the Poles of the worlde, whiche may hold or beare them by their cen••ers. And euery of these rundelles must be deuided into 24. equall parts, and although not all, yet the vppermost part of the plate. And aboue in y^e highest point of these diuisions, you must write 12. because that there it shall shew the midday or noone. And frō thence, the afternoone houres must begin their numbers toward the West part, and shall ende. 6. houres in the halfe or middest of the ioynt of the circle with the plate. In the other ioynt of the other part, shall begin 6. of the houres before noone, & shal ende 12. in the ••ighest poynt. You must also make another Semi∣circular peece, of the breadth of a finger, this must be playne or flat, & the concauitie or holownesse thereof, equall to the Se∣micircle of the edge or syde of the plate, and in the endes muste haue two holes, wherein may iustly enter the poynts that come foorth of the circle, for the houres, which are the Poles of the world. Also, this Semicircle must haue two lynes, one on the vppermost part, and the other on the neathermost, whiche may deuide the breadth into two equall parts. This halfe circle like∣wise must be deuided into two equal parts by longitude, with a ••••auersed line, which shalbe called the Equinoctiall, & from this lyne, to the inwarde part thereof, must be counted 13. degreés and a halfe towarde the one part, and as muche towarde the o∣ther parte of the 90. that euery halfe of the circle conteyneth. And at euery part where ende the 13. degreés & a halfe, make a trauersed line, so that from the one to the other, may be 47. de∣greés. And in this space shall you drawe certayne lynes equi∣distaunte with them of the middest, that they and the middle lyne, may deuide into 4. equall partes the breadth of the halfe circle. Then looke in the table of the declinations of the sunne, what declination haue the 5. degreés of Aries, and that shall you accompt from the Equinoctiall towarde the one part, and

as much more toward the other, making a lyne that may tra∣uerse that of the myddest, where that declination doth end and touch in the other two lynes. And the same shall you doo at 10.15.20.25. and 30. w••ich is the end of Aries, and beginning of Taurus: and then the lyne shal trauerse al the breadth. The like also shall yo•• doo to Taurus and Gemini, then in the spaces, write the caractes of the xii. signes, beginning Aries from the Equinoctial,* 1.130 toward the North Pole. And then doo Taurus and Gemini end in the greatest declination, beginning Cancer in the other part of it. Then Leo and Uirgo do end in the E∣quinoctial, where shal begin Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius: and in the other part, Capricornus, Aquarius, and Pisces, shall end in the Equinoctiall where Aries began. This halfe circle must haue an opening, or open place, euen and iust in the mid∣dest from the Equinoctial, vnto somewhat more then the grea∣test declinations, and must be a litle broder on the inner part, then without: and not so brode as may come to the two lynes, because it would then take away the graduation of the signes. And in this open place must be put a square grayne or stubbe, which on the inner part may come playne with the halfe circle, & on the vtter part may c••me forth a litle, where shalbe n••yld a square peéce of Laton, of the breadth of the halfe circle. This graine or stubbe being so nayled with the péece, must haue in the middest a hole,* 1.131 so small, as may receiue a litle pinne, and by the center of this hole, must passe a line, which shal trauerse all the grayne. And this lyne shall serue to put the sunne (which the hole representeth) in the degrée of the signe where it is. This halfe circle where it goeth in the circumferences of the rundels for the houres, must ••e fyled on the one side vnto the line that is in the myddest, to marke it, and shew the number of it. For the placyng or setty••g of this instrument,* 1.132 you must cut a gyrdle or ryng of laton, as thick as the plate, and of the breadth of a fy••∣ger, or litle lesse: and so large, that of it may be made a circle somewhat bigger then the plate, so that the plate and the Meri∣dian may easily be contey••ed within it. This circle shalbe cal∣led the Horizon, which must be deuided into foure quarters.

In lyke m••ner must be m••de two semicirculer péeces, & the

ends of them must be nayled or sothered in the poynts that de∣uide the quarters of the circle: and deuide the one from th••ther in two equal parts, making right spherical angles. And in this ioynt of these two peéces, must be nayled or sothered a Mast••••, the which at the one end is deuided into two braunches or forks.* 1.133 Then shal you make a base or foote for the same, which in the vppermost part thereof shall haue a concauitie or holow∣nesse, where may be set a sayling compasse or a neédle, touched with the Lode stone, and couered ouer with a glasse. And on the highest edges of this base, the two braunches of the Mastel shal∣be made fast, and this base, with the Mastel, the halfe circle, and the circle, shalbe all one peéce, which ••halbe called the seate or frame of the instrument. The Horizontal circle in the ends of one halfe circle, must haue two holes, in the which may enter the Axis that are made in the ends of the lyne of East & West.

Also you must take good heéde when you sother or make fast the Mustel in the base, that the North and South of the plate or Horizon, come with the North and South of the néedle that is beneath, hauing euer respect how much the neédle doth vary from the Meridian, by Northeasting or Northwesting. In the ioynt of the two halfe circles vpon the Mastel, must be a poynt (called the index or shewer) wh••ch shal shew in the halfe circle,* 1.134 sothered in the place on y^e ne••ther part the degrées that the Pole is raysed aboue the Horizon.

For the perfection of this instrument, it shalbe conuenient to set the Horizon very play••e and equal at the time of the opera∣tion or practising with the instrument,* 1.135 and this may be done in two maners. Whereof the one is, hanging by a fine threéde, at the center of the plate, a plomet made somewhat poynted at the neather ende: so that the Horizon standing playne & leuel, the poynt of the plome•• may ••al vpon the poynt of the index,* 1.136 and this maner is good for the land. But for the Sea,* 1.137 you shall so∣ther the Hor••zon two Ax••s, little stubbes or endes comming foorth. These shalbe put in the two opposite holes of a circle of mettall made somewhat strong, and this circle must haue other two stubbes lykewyse comming foorth, and equally distant from the two holes. These must be sothered or nayled in two

holes of another circle in like maner, and the other circle with other two stubbes, inclosed in a boxe. If then the boxe stand euen and leuel, the poyse or waight shall cause the Horizon to stande leuell, although the Ship sway or roule from side to side. The vse of this instrument is in this maner.

* 1.138When you desyre to knowe the paralel in whiche you are, and the houre that is, put the lyne that trauerseth the graine, in the degree of the signe in the which the Sun is (which you shal knowe by the ••able of the place of the Sunne, in the seconde Chapter of the second parte) and set the North and the South of the plate, with the North and South of the néedle. Then turne the moueable Meridian against the Sunne, the foote of the instrument standing fast, and rayse it, or put it downe in the plate, vntill the beame of the Sunne enter in at the hole of the graine, and fall in the center of the plate, and standing so, behold the index,* 1.139 and how many degreés it shew∣eth from the Meridian, so much is the altitude of the Pole. Then looke where the moueable Meridian sheweth in the rundel of the houres, and there shall you sée the houre that is.

Heere folo••eth the demonstration.

[illustration]

¶ The xii. Chapter, of the leagues that are runne for a degree, according vnto di••ers courses.

IN the sixth Chapter, I promised to geue a rule to knowe the distaunce from one paralel to another,* 1.140 sayling by whatsoeuer lyne or wynde, except the East and West: for the whiche is to bée vnderstoode, that the Nauiga∣tion or course from one place to ano∣ther (according to the Cosmogra∣phers) ought to be by the arke of the greater circle,* 1.141 for that by this maner shalbe the shortest course, and this greater circle they deuide into 360. degreés: and al the distances that are frō one place to another, they accompt by the degreés & minutes of this circle: and so sayling from North to South, to one degreé of the variation of the height of the Pole, shal answeare another degreé of the greater circle in the superficiall part of the water and land. And therefore sayling by whatsoeuer other line, vn∣till the Pole doth vary one degreé of altitudes,* 1.142 we shall haue gone more then one degrée of the greater circle: and the degreés that aunsweare to euery lyne or winde, you shall seé in the de∣monstration folowing, which hath two paralel lynes, whiche are East and West, and the lyne that cutteth them in ryght angles, which commeth foorth of the center from the quarter of the circle that is made, is North and South, and then shall you seé by this order, all the other wyndes, halfe wyndes, and quar∣ters of wyndes, reduced to one quarter:* 1.143 For the selfe same ac∣compt serueth for Northeast and Southwest, and Northwest and Southeast, and so of the halfe windes & quarters of winds that are equally distant from the line of the North and South: and so this quarter shall serue for all the 32. wynds of the com∣passe. Without this quarter, harde by the lyne, you shall finde two numbers, wherof the first shalbe of the degreés, & minuts of degrées of the great circle, which is frō one paralel to another.

The other number, shalbe the leagues, & par••es of l••agues that such degreés and minutes do amount vnto, after the rate of 17. leagues and a halfe for a degrée. In like maner in the paralell, where the lynes of the wyndes do concurre, shalbe set ioyntly to euery lyne the degreés & minutes of the distaunce from the lyne of North and South, and leagues & partes of leagues that such degreés and minutes amount vnto. And so it is, that sayling by the lyne, wynd, or point of North and South, vntil the altitude of the pole vary one degrée, is run another degreé, which contei∣neth leagues 17. and a halfe. And by the next line,* 1.144 for one d••greé of the variation of the altitude of the pole, is run one degreé, one minute 17. leagues, and 5. syxe partes. And th••y that run vpon that lyne or poynt, depart from the lyne of North, and South, or Meridian line 12. minutes, leagues 3. and a halfe. By the se∣cond lyne,* 1.145 is runne one degrée 5. minutes, and leagues 19. scant, and in this course, they part from the Meridian 25. mi∣nutes, leagues 17. and a quarter. By the third line is runne one degrée 12. minutes, leagues 21. and a 20. part of a league, and depart from the Meridian lyne 40. minutes, leagues 11. and two terces. By the fourth lyne, is run one degre••, minutes 25. leagues 24. and threé quarters, and depart from the Meridian, one degrée iustly, leagues 17. and a halfe. By the fyfth lyne, is runne one degreé, minutes 48. leagues 31. and a halfe, and de∣part from the lyne one degreé 30. minutes, leagues 26. and one quarter. By the syxth lyne, is runne two degreés, minutes 37. leagues 45. and of the 45. partes of one league, the 11. part, and depart from the lyne two degreés, minutes 25. leagues 42. and a quarter. By the seuenth lyne, is runne ••yue degrées,* 1.146 mi∣nutes 8. leagues 29. and two ter••es, and depart from the lyne fyue degreés, minu••s 2. which are leagues 88. accompting 17. l••agues and a halfe for a degreé of the greater circle. And yf for euery lyne you desire to know this c••mputation of leagues, af∣ter 16. leagues and two terces for a degreé, or for more or lesse leagues or myles, multiply those such degr••es by the number of the leagues or myles which ••nter into euery degreé, & likewise shall you number the minutes that are more then the degreés, by

[illustration]

the same number of the leagues that ••nter in euery degreé, de∣uiding them by sixtie, and that that shall come of the diuision, you shall ioyne with the multiplication of the degrées, and that shall amount thereof, shalbe the leagues, and parts of leagues, that was in those such degreés.

The xiii. Chapter, how to set or make a prycke in the Carde of Nauigation.

THe Mariners call the pricking of a poynt in the Carde,* 1.147 to seé and appoynt in it, in what poynt or part of the Sea the Ship is in Na∣uigation. For the perfourming whereof, it shall be requisite that the Pilot knowe from what degreé, or how many degreés of the alti∣tude of the Pole heé departed, and with what wynde heé say∣leth. And when heé desyreth to knowe where he is, let hym knowe the altitude of the Pole,* 1.148 by some of the aforesayde rules. And if (taking the altitude) he fynd him selfe in the same degreés where he was when he departed, his Nauigation hath beén from the East to the West, and what he hath gone can not be knowen but by the iudgement of a wyse and expert man, ac∣cording to the s••y••••nesse or goodnesse of his Ship, with consi∣deration of the more or lesse time he hath had, as we haue sayd before in the sixth Chapter.* 1.149 But if ••e fynde him selfe in more or lesse degreés, let him take two payre of compasses, and put the foote of one, in the poynt or plate where his Ship was when he departed, and the other in the line or wind by the which he say∣leth, and likewise let him set the one poynt of the other compasse in the graduation of the Card, in that number of degreés that he findeth the altitude of ••h•• Pole, and the other poynt of the same compasse in the next line o•• East & West: and so with both the compasses, one in the one hand, and the other in the other hand, let h••m goe ioyning them togeather, taking good heéde, that the poynt of the compasse do ••ot swarue fr••m the wynde whereby he hath sayled, neyth••r the p••ynt of the other compasse from the lyne of East and West, where he set it.

And folowing those two compasses by these two lynes, vntyll the poynts of the two compasses ioyne (that is to meane, the poynt that was set in the place from whence he departed, and the other that was set in the degrees that were found) then where these two poynts do ioyne, is the poynt where the Ship is. But (as we haue sayd in the syxth Chapter) they must haue great respect to the wyndes and seas,* 1.150 and other things which experience sheweth them, to knowe yf they haue gone directly by that lyne, or yf they haue fallen from it, and to what part: the which I remit to the iudgement of men of good experience. From thence forward, they shall returne to keépe the same ac∣compt, as when they departed from the hauen, especially when they change their course.

¶ The xiiii. Chapter, of the making and vse of the Instru∣ment generll, to knowe the houres and quantities of the day, and at what winde the Sunne ryseth and falleth.

MAke a rounde plate wyth a ryng or a handle aboue, as in the Astrolabie, drawing a lyne from the ring downe∣ward passing through the center, and another lyne that may cut it in ryght angles throngh the center: And this last lyne shall be called the Horizon. Then shall you geue a circle vppon the cen∣ter, leauing so much space betweéne it and the edge of the plate, that therein may be written the num∣bers of the degrees: then also make another circle somewhat more within, leauing lykewyse a space where the graduations may be deuided. This done, de••ide one of the highest qua∣drants towarde the left hand into 90. partes, whiche shall be called the degrees of latitude, beginning the number of them from the ring, and ending the same in the Horizon. Then make another rundell somewhat lesse then this, in such maner that the degrees and numbers of the greater, remayne vncouered.

And deuid this lesse, by two Diameters into four equal parts. And at the one end of the one Diameter, leaue a poynt cōmyng foorth of the lesse rundell, cut directly with the same Diameter by the one part, and this shalbe called the index or shewer. In this rundell you shall make a circle half, a fynger lesse then the rundel. Then with a compasse take. 23. Degrées and a halfe from the Diameter, which signifieth the Equinoctiall: and where as end the. 23. degreés and a halfe, for euery part make a ryght lyne from one poynt to another, so that this be a lyne of 47. Degreés, and as mu•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at ••••e other end of the sayde Equinoctiall. Upon euery one of these right lines, you shall make a ha••••e ••ircle, and ••euide ••u••ry of them into syxe equall partes, whiche may aunswe••re to six•• signes, and euery signe into thre•• partes, which may 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the tenthes or tenth part•• ••f d••g••••és: and if the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be great, you shall de∣uide eu••ry signe into fi•••• or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 par••es, so that you may make it perfect and precise. This 〈◊〉〈◊〉, from the points or prickes of the one halfe circle, to the pointes of the other, draw certaine lynes whiche shalbe equidi••••n•• to the Equinoctiall. In the endes of these lynes, betweé••e the lesse circle, and the edge of the rundell, drawe also certayne lynes, whiche may reache vnto the beginninges and endes of the signes: and in the ••oppe of the endes, or ouer the endes of these lynes, make an Arke, so farre distaunt from the lesse circle, as is the thicknesse of the edge of a peéce of foure ryals of plate: And in the space that is left, graduate the signes from tenne to tenne, or as the diuision shalbe. The space that remayneth from thence to the edge of the rundel, you shal deuide by the halfe,* 1.151 and in it shalbe made twelue spaces, where you shall set the signes with their names or ca∣ractes orderly, so that Aries be next vnto the Equinoctiall then Taurus towarde the part of the Index, then Gemini: and turning towarde the Equinoctiall, Cancer, Leo, Uirgo. Likewise on the other parte of the Equinoctiall, Libra, Scor∣pio, Sagittarius. And turnyng to the Equinoctiall, Ca∣pricornus, Aquarius, Pisces.* 1.152 And thus hauing signed the Zodiacke, you shall also signe or marke the houres in manner as followeth.

Deuide the lesse circle of this rundel into foure equal parts, so that euery quarter may haue sixe partes. Reduce this diuision to the Diameter, putting the ruler vpon the poynts, equally di∣stant from the Horizon. And where it toucheth the Equinoctial, make pricks or poynts,* 1.153 so that the Equinoctial remayne deui∣ded into twelue partes. Then vpon one of the Tropykes giue a circle, which may haue the same Tropike for his Diameter. Deuide this circle into 24. equall parts•• & reduce these diuisions to the Tropike, as is done in the Equinoctial, & from one Tro∣pike to another: then the Equinoctial and the Tropikes being thus deuided with this pricks or poynts, you shall passe with a payre of compasses by euery poynt equally ordered from the Horizon, to the one and the other part: and these shalbe called houres, wryting in the ends of them theyr numbers, beginning the one part in one,* 1.154 and ending it in twelue. On the other part, begin the one in thopposite part, and end in twelue. This done, these rundels shalbe brought to their perfection. Moreouer, you shal make a triangle, with a right angle, hauing two equal sides that may make the right angle. Euery of these sides must be as long as is the Semidiameter of the greatest rundel:* 1.155 also, vpon and about the ryght angle, you shall make a litle circle, whiche shall haue the same angle for his center, & on the one side of this tryangle, set two raysed plates, as in the Astrolabie: on the con∣trary side of these raysed plates, must be a hole, so farre distant from the ce••ter or angle, as is the Semidiameter of the circle of the lesse rundel. In this hole you must put a threéd, hanging thereat a little wayght or plommet, only sufficient to hold the threéd straight, so that it cause nothing of the rundels to turne, or the instrument to decline. Furthermore, in a circle as bigge as the lesse of the lesse rundel, you shal deuide into 32. parts the eyght wyndes,* 1.156 and halfe wyndes, and quarters of winds. And being thus redused to their Diameters (as is done in the Equi∣noctial) you shal translate them in the sides of the triangle, in the which by the center of his little circle, and by the center of the rundels, all the three peéces must be made fast with an axes or a nayle, so that they may be turned about close and very iuste. Then put a ring in the handle of the instrument, wherby it may

hang, as in the Astrolabie: and so shall the Instrument be ••yni∣shed and brought to perfection.

This is the trace or draught of the Instrument.

[illustration]

To knowe at what hour•• the Sunne ryseth and falleth (by the Instrument folowyng) you shall put the Pole of the lesse rundel (which is the index) to the left hand in the greatest rundell,* 1.157 in so many degrees aboue the Horizon, in how many degrees the Pole is raysed in that lande or place. Then put the tryangle, (which is the Horizon) in his place: that is to say, yf the Sunne shalbe in the North signes, put it to the left hand: and if it shalbe in the South signes, to the ryght hand, and then the triangle shal cut the paralel where the Sunne goeth, in .10. or .20. or .30. degreés, or proportionally where it is, and there shall you see in the sydes of the Zodiacke, the houres when the Sunne ryseth and falleth. And lykewyse at what wind the Sunne ryseéth and falleth to vs, you shall seé in the wynds of the tryangle.

* 1.158To know by the eleuation of the Sunne, the houre that is, put the Pole or Index so farre distant from the Zenith or handle of the Instrument, as it is in that place or paralel aboue the Ho∣rizon, then turne the triangle towarde the Sunne, vntill the beames thereof enter in at the raysed plates, and then the threéd with the plomet, shall cut the paralell of the Sunne, by the houre that shalbe: and consequently the tri∣angle shalbe distant from the Zenith the degreés that the Sunne shall be raysed that houre about the Horizon.

This is the Demonstration.

[illustration]

FINIS.

Notes

• * 1.1

  why Eolus was fayned god of winds.
• * 1.2

  what is winde.
• * 1.3

  The foure principall or Cardinall wynd••s.
• * 1.4

  Luke. xvii.
• * 1.5

  East.
• * 1.6

  Sou••h.
• * 1.7

  west.
• * 1.8

  North.
• * 1.9

  Colla••erall wyndes.
• * 1.10

  Twelue wy••des.
• * 1.11

  Eyght whole wyndes.

  Diuision of the horizon by the foure principall wyndes.
• * 1.12

  Eyght halfe wyndes.
• * 1.13

  quarter windes.
• * 1.14

  The deuisio•• of the wind••.
• * 1.15

  xxxii. winde•• in al••••
• * 1.16

  The names of the windes in the Italian or Tuscane tongu••.
• * 1.17

  What is Na∣uigation.
• * 1.18

  Prouerb. xxx.
• * 1.19

  The daunger and difficulti of nauigatio••
• * 1.20

  Making of Cardes for the Sea.
• * 1.21

  The wyndes or lynes are called Rum∣bos, in the Spa••ish toong
• * 1.22

  The mother compasse of the Carde 32. lynes which signifie so ma∣••y windes.
• * 1.23

  The placing of many com∣pas••es in the Carde.
• * 1.24

  The flower, or rose of the center.
• * 1.25

  The North.
• * 1.26

  The situation of ••he place. &c.
• * 1.27

  Translation of the Carde, from one to another.
• * 1.28

  Some do this only with oyle.
• * 1.29

  Tracing of ••h•• Carde.
• * 1.30

  The paynting of the Carde.
• * 1.31

  The making of the trunke or scale of the leagues.
• * 1.32

  The gradua∣tion of the Carde.
• * 1.33

  The marke of a degree.
• * 1.34

  Cape S. Vin∣cent.
• * 1.35

  Increasing and dimini∣shing of the degrees.
• * 1.36

  If the paterne haue neyther league nor de∣gree.
• * 1.37

  The quantitie of Cardes.
• * 1.38

  The reducing of Card•• from a bigge form•• to a lesse, or the contrary.
• * 1.39

  The pl••yne Cardes are imperfecte. Example of e••rour in the playne Cards.
• * 1.40

  The ign••∣raunce of ••er∣tayne Pilots. Good Cardes. The variation of the Com∣pas.
• * 1.41

  Altitude••.
• * 1.42

  In the na••row seas th••y s••yle not by ele∣uation of the Pole.
• * 1.43

  Correction of the sea Carde.
• * 1.44

  The west Indies.
• * 1.45

  Charles the fyfth.
• * 1.46

  The vertue, sub••••ance, and operation of the Lodestone
• * 1.47

  Vertue at∣tractiue.
• * 1.48

  Cusan apply∣eth this to th•• glori••ied body of Christ, ac∣cording to these words, If I shalbe exalted, I will draw all vnto me.
• * 1.49

  VVhy the Lode stone was called Magn••s, and the findyng thereof.
• * 1.50

  Sundry kinds of the lode stone.
• * 1.51

  The l••destone of ••payne.
• * 1.52

  The Iland of Elua.

  The lodestone of Denmarke.
• * 1.53

  The lodestone of Ethiope.

  Diuers opini∣ons of the lode stone.
• * 1.54

  The qualities and properties of the lode stone.
• * 1.55

  The parts of the lodestone.
• * 1.56

  VVhat part of the stone au••∣sweareth to the North and South.
• * 1.57

  The vse and making of the Maryners compas.
• * 1.58

  The Floure deluse, and the crosse.
• * 1.59

  The flye, floure, or rose of the com∣pas.
• * 1.60

  The lyne of the North and South.
• * 1.61

  The touching of the n••edle with the lode stone.
• * 1.62

  The breaking of the ••tone, to draw out his vertu••.
• * 1.63

  The boxe of the compasse.
• * 1.64

  Feedyng the needle with the stone.
• * 1.65

  A notable ex∣perience of the Lodeston••
• * 1.66

  The variation of the com∣p••••.
• * 1.67

  The poy••t attractiue imagined vnder th•• pole of the world.
• * 1.68

  The cause of the va••iation of the compas
• * 1.69

  Departing of the pole from the poynt attractiue.
• * 1.70

  The greatest Northeasting.
• * 1.71

  The greatest ••o••thwesting.
• * 1.72

  The attractiue point is vnder the Pole.
• * 1.73

  The Northea∣sting & North¦westing is not vnifourme.
• * 1.74

  The declinati∣••n of th•• Sun.
• * 1.75

  T••e Meridian that sheweth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Pole.
• * 1.76

  Experience, the ground of reason.
• * 1.77

  Aduertise∣ment to Pi∣lots.
• * 1.78

  Example of ••aylyng.
• * 1.79

  The variation of the com∣p••••.
• * 1.80

  In Nauigation what is chief∣ly to be consi∣dered.
• * 1.81

  The distance.
• * 1.82

  The altitude of the Pole & Equinoctiall.
• * 1.83

  The Meridian altitude.
• * 1.84

  To know the place of hea∣uen.
• * 1.85

  To know the way of the vyage.
• * 1.86

  Rules to knowe the ••l••itudes.
• * 1.87

  Longitude and latitude.
• * 1.88

  Variation of degrees.
• * 1.89

  how the alti∣tudes are knowen,
• * 1.90

  The fixte Starres.
• * 1.91

  The North Starre.
• * 1.92

  To know the altitudes by the Sunne.

  The Meri∣dian.
• * 1.93

  The declina∣tion of the Sunne.

  The altitudes of the Pole.
• * 1.94

  La••obes staffe.
• * 1.95

  The rectifying of the A••••ro∣labie
• * 1.96

  The threed•• and plomet.
• * 1.97

  The lynes vertical & ho∣rizontall.
• * 1.98

  The Alhidada of the Ast••o∣labie.
• * 1.99

  The holes of the alhidada.
• * 1.100

  To take the altitude of the Sunne.
• * 1.101

  VVhat is the altitude of the Planets or Starres.
• * 1.102

  The comple∣ment of the altitude.
• * 1.103

  ••rom the Ze∣nith to the Pole.
• * 1.104

  The Meridian altitude of the Sunne.
• * 1.105

  The shadows that the Sun maketh at mydday.
• * 1.106

  Rules for all variations.
• * 1.107

  The pe••pendi∣culer shadow.
• * 1.108

  The declinin•• shadowes.
• * 1.109

  VVhen the Su••ne hath no declina∣tion.
• * 1.110

  To know the greatest decli∣nation of th•• ••••nne.
• * 1.111

  Exampl••.
• * 1.112

  Example.
• * 1.113

  The true Equinoctial.
• * 1.114

  Example.
• * 1.115

  To take th•• altitude of the Starr••••.
• * 1.116

  The North Starre.
• * 1.117

  The les beare.
• * 1.118

  The horne.
• * 1.119

  The distaunce of the north Starre from the Pole.
• * 1.120

  The Pole is inuisible.
• * 1.121

  The two stars called the Guards of the North Starre.
• * 1.122

  Common rules of the Mariners dif∣fering from the Astrono∣mers.
• * 1.123

  These rules af∣ter the Mari∣ners accompt do holde, but not after the As••ronomers accompt, as may appeare in the rules next before.
• * 1.124

  The eyght principall winds accor∣ding to four•• ly••es.
• * 1.125

  An instrument ••o knowe the rising o•• fal∣ling of the North starre from the pole of the world.
• * 1.126

  The horne of the seuen stars
• * 1.127

  Aduertise∣ment to Ma∣riners in vsing the figure fol∣lowing.
• * 1.128

  The altitude of the Pole aboue th•• horizon.
• * 1.129

  An instru∣ment to knowe the paralel and houre by the s••nne.
• * 1.130

  The caracts of the xii. signes.
• * 1.131

  The hole that representeth the Sunne.
• * 1.132

  The placing or setting of the instru∣ment.
• * 1.133

  The Foo••e or Base of the instrument.
• * 1.134

  The Index or shewer.
• * 1.135

  The placing of the hori∣zon.
• * 1.136

  For the Land.
• * 1.137

  For the Sea.
• * 1.138

  The vse of the instru∣ment.
• * 1.139

  The altitude of th•• Pole.
• * 1.140

  To know the distance from one paralel to another.
• * 1.141

  The arke of the greater circle.
• * 1.142

  The altitude of the Pole varying one degree.
• * 1.143

  The quarter seruing for the 32. winds of the com∣pas.
• * 1.144

  One degree of variation of the Pole.
• * 1.145

  Departing from the Me∣ridian lyne.
• * 1.146

  Degrees of the greater circle.
• * 1.147

  To knowe in what part or poynt the Ship is.
• * 1.148

  The altitude of the Pole.
• * 1.149

  To fynde the distaunce by the Carde.
• * 1.150

  Aduertise∣ments t•• the Pilotes.
• * 1.151

  The placing of the twelue signes in the instrument.
• * 1.152

  The zodiacke.
• * 1.153

  Diuision of the Equi∣noctial and Tropikes.
• * 1.154

  The houres with theyr numbers.
• * 1.155

  The triangle.
• * 1.156

  Diuision of the windes.
• * 1.157

  To know at what houre the Sun riseth or falleth.
• * 1.158

  At what winde the Sunne riseth or falleth.