neus Lib. 5. cap. 8.]
it is * recorded, that, where all the power of the Citie of Syracusa,
was not hable to moue a certaine Ship (being on ground) mightie
_Archimedes_, setting to, his Skruish Engine, caused _Hiero_ the king,
by him self, at ease, to remoue her, as he would.
[Proclus. Pag. 18.]
Wherat, the King wondring: #Apo taute:s te:s he:meras, peri pantos,
Archime:dei legonti pisteuteon#. _From this day, forward_ (said the
King) _Credit ought to be giuen to Archimedes, what soeuer he sayth._
+%Pneumatithmie% demonstrateth by close hollow Geometricall Figures,
(regular and irregular) the straunge properties (in motion or stay) of
the Water, Ayre, Smoke, and Fire, in theyr continuitie, and as they are
ioyned to the Elementes next them.+ This Arte, to the Naturall
Philosopher, is very proffitable: to proue, that _Vacuum_, or _Emptines_
is not in the world. And that, all Nature, abhorreth it so much: that,
contrary to ordinary law, the Elementes will moue or stand. As, Water to
ascend: rather then betwene him and Ayre, Space or place should be left,
more then (naturally) that quantitie of Ayre requireth, or can fill.
Againe, Water to hang, and not descend: rather then by descending, to
leaue Emptines at his backe. The like, is of Fire and Ayre: they will
descend: when, either, their Continuitie should be dissolued: or their
next Element forced from them. And as they will not be extended, to
discontinuitie: So, will they not, nor yet of mans force, can be prest
or pent, in space, not sufficient and aunswerable to their bodily
substance. Great force and violence will they vse, to enioy their
naturall right and libertie.
[To go to the bottom of the Sea without daunger.]
Hereupon, two or three men together, by keping Ayre vnder a great
Cauldron, and forcyng the same downe, orderly, may without harme descend
to the Sea bottome: and continue there a tyme &c. Where, Note, how the
thicker Element (as the Water) giueth place to the thynner (as, is the
ayre:) and receiueth violence of the thinner, in maner. &c. Pumps and
all maner of Bellowes, haue their ground of this Art: and many other
straunge deuises. As, _Hydraulica_, Organes goyng by water. &c. Of this
Feat, (called commonly _Pneumatica_,) goodly workes are extant, both in
Greke, and Latin. With old and learned Schole men, it is called
_Scientia de pleno & vacuo._
+%Menadrie%, is an Arte Mathematicall, which demonstrateth, how, aboue
Natures ve
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