y Marbodeus and was quoted by Levinus Lemnius as true. Gilbert
denounced it as nonsense. Cardan (_De Subtilitate_, Norimb., 1550, p. 132)
had already contradicted the fable. "Trahit enim," he says, "omnia levia,
paleas, festucas, ramenta {42} tenuia metallorum, & ocimi folia, perperam
contradicente Theophrasto." Sir Thomas Browne specifically refuted it. "For
if," he says, "the leaves thereof or dried stalks be stripped into small
strawes, they arise unto Amber, Wax, and other Electricks, no otherwise
then those of Wheat or Rye."

[127] PAGE 48, LINE 34. Page 48, line 38. _Sed vt poteris manifeste
experiri...._

Gilbert's experimental discoveries in electricity may be summarized as
follows:

1. The generalization of the class of _Electrics_.
2. The observation that damp weather hinders electrification.
3. The generalization that electrified bodies attract everything,
including even metals, water, and oil.
4. The invention of the non-magnetic _versorium_ or electroscope.
5. The observation that merely warming amber does not electrify it.
6. The recognition of a definite class of _non-electrics_.
7. The observation that certain electrics do not attract if roasted or
burnt.
8. That certain electrics when softened by heat lose their power.
9. That the electric effluvia are stopped by the interposition of a
sheet
of paper or a piece of linen, or by moist air blown from the mouth.
10. That glowing bodies, such as a live coal, brought near excited amber
discharge its power.
11. That the heat of the sun, even when concentrated by a burning mirror,
confers no vigour on the amber, but dissipates the effluvia.
12. That sulphur and shell-lac when aflame are not electric.
13. That polish is not essential for an electric.
14. That the electric attracts bodies themselves, not the intervening
air.
15. That flame is not attracted.
16. That flame destroys the electrical effluvia.
17. That during south winds and in damp weather, glass and crystal, which
collect moisture on their surface, are electrically more interfered
with than amber, jet and sulphur, which do not so easily take up
moisture on their surfaces.
18. That pure oil does not hinder production of electrification or
exercise
of attraction.
19. That smoke is electrically attracted, unless too rare.
20. That the attraction by an electric is in a straig