he other side the cross is always directed toward the south;
but the cusp or lily[198] does not, as some one has thought, turn toward
the south beyond the aequator. Some inexperienced people indeed, who in
distant parts beyond the aequator have seen the versorium sometimes become
more sluggish and less prompt, thought that the distance from the arctick
pole or from the magnetick rocks was the cause of this. But they are very
much mistaken; for it is as powerful[199], and adjusts itself as quickly to
the meridian or to the point of variation in the southern as in the
northern parts of the earth. Yet sometimes the motion appears slower,
namely, when the supporting pin by lapse of time and long voyaging has
become somewhat blunt, or the magnetick iron parts have lost, by age or
rust, some of their acquired vigour. This may also be shown experimentally
by the versatory iron of a small sun-dial placed on a very short pin set
perpendicular to the surface of the stone, for the iron when touched by a
loadstone points toward the poles of the stone and leaves the poles of the
earth; for the general and remoter cause is overcome by the particular and
powerful cause which is so near at hand. Magnetick bodies have of
themselves an inclination toward the position of the earth and are
influenced by a terrella. Two equal stones of equal strength adjust
themselves to a terrella in accordance with magnetick laws. The iron
conceives vigour from the loadstone and is influenced by the magnetical
motions. Wherefore true direction is the motion of a magnetick body in
regard to the verticity of the earth, the natures of both agreeing and
working together toward a natural position and unity. For indeed we have
found out at length, by many experiments and in many ways, that there is a
disposing nature, moving them together by reason of their various positions
by one form that is common {119} to both, and that in all magnetick
substances there is attraction and repulsion. For both the stone[200] and
the magnetick iron arrange themselves by inclination and declination,
according to the common position of their nature and the earth. And the
force of the earth by the virtue of the whole, by attracting toward the
poles, and repelling, arranges all magneticks which are unfixed and loose.
For in all cases all magneticks conform themselves to the globe of the
earth in the same ways and by the same laws by which another loadstone or
any magneticks do to a t