2 parts in 1 vol. in-folio (38,2 x 23,5 cm), [18], 425, [11]; [8], 415, [13] pp, engraved title-page, title-vignette, armorial vignette, some very small repairs and one a few pag. 14 (folding) maps/ views/ plates, 4 double-page/ fold. tables, numerous (full-page) ills./ tables.Name on fly-lvs. Contemporary full calf binding (some prof. rest.). Good copy
B.L. Merrill, Athanasius Kircher, n°17: The basis and impetus for the Mundus subterraneus was Kircher's visit to Sicily in 1637-38, where he witnessed an eruption of Aetna and Stromboli. He prefaced the work with his own narrative of the trip, including his spectacular descent into Vesuvius upon his return to Italy. His observations of these volcanoes led him to conclude that the center of the earth is a massive internal fire for which the volcanoes are mere safety valves. But the work is not solely geologic. Kircher continues with fantastic speculations about the interior of the earth, its hidden lakes, its rivers of fire, and its strange inhabitants. Major topics include gravity, the moon, the sun, eclipses, ocean currents, subterranean waters and fires, meteorology, rivers and lakes, hydraulics, minerals and fossils, subterranean giants, beasts and demons, poisons, metallurgy and mining, alchemy, the universal seed and the generation of insects, herbs, astrological medicine, distillation, and fireworks. In this work he discloses his experience with palingenesis: he had allegedly resuscitated a plant from its ashes. Much of the work deals with alchemy. Ref. Wellcome III, 395 ; Nissen, ZBI 2197 ; Sabin 37968 ; Caillet 5783 (""Le plus curieux des nombreux ouvrages de ce savant"")
