is informed with the
properties of the whole is an argument favoring an animistic
explanation of the nature of this form.

[143] M: p. 109.

To the medieval philosopher, the "generantia" of the occult powers of
the loadstone are the heavenly bodies. Gilbert, however, endowed the
earth with these heavenly powers which were placed in the earth in the
beginning[144] and caused all magnetic materials to conform with it
both physically and formally.[145] Such magnetic powers are the
property of all parts of the earth;[146] they give the earth its
rotating motion[147] and hold the earth together in spite of this
motion.[148]

[144] M: pp. 111, 188.

[145] M: pp. 67, 105, 179, 183.

[146] M: pp. 101, 105, 217.

[147] M: pp. 179, 304, 305, 311, 322, 326, 328, 330-334,
338-343.

[148] M: pp. 142, 179; see also electric attraction, p. 97.

Indeed, each of the main stellar bodies, sun, moon, stars, and earth,
has such a form or principle unique to itself that causes its parts
not only to conform with itself but to revolve.[149] Thus, if one
removes a piece of the moon from this body, it will tend to align
itself with the moon and then to return to its proper place; and a
fragment of the sun would similarly tend to return after proper
orientation.[150] Moreover, there is a farther-ranging, though weaker,
mutual action of the heavenly bodies so that one has a causal
hierarchy of these specific conforming powers. The form of the sun is
superior to that of the inferior globes and is responsible for the
order and regularity of planetary orbits.[151] In like manner, the
moon is responsible for the tides of the ocean.[152]

[149] M: pp. 308, 317-343.

[150] M: pp. 106, 340.

[151] M: pp. 308, 309, 311, 330, 333, 344, 347.

[152] M: pp. 136, 334, 345.

By virtue of the causal hierarchy of forms, the loadstone acquires its
magnetic powers from the earth.[153] As the earth has its natural
parts, so has the stone.[154] Although the geometrical center of a
terrella is the center of the magnetic forces,[155] objects do not
tend to move to the center but to its poles,[156] where the magnetic
energy is most conspicuous.[157] However, in a sense, the energy is
everywhere equal: the virtue is spread throughout the entire mass of
the loadstone,[158] and all the parts direct the forces to the
poles.[159] The poles become the "thrones" of the magnetic
powers.[160] On the other ha