A. Kircher: Mundus Subterraneus

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Dedication to Pope Alexander VII

Chapter I. On the occasion of this work and the author's travels.

Chapter II. The horrendous earthquakes that occurred in Calabria in the year 1638, during which the author, risking his life for fourteen days, acquired profound insights into the secrets of nature.

Chapter III. Exploration of Mount Vesuvius and other islands by the author.

Section I.

On the wonderful nature of the Center and the greatest work of God.

Preface.

Chapter I. Explanation of Definitions.

Chapter II. On the Line of Direction

Chapter III. The paradox of the Center of the Earth.

Section II.

Physico-mathematics and on the motion of heavy bodies towards the Center of the Universe.

Preface.

Chapter I. Definition of local motion of bodies and impulse.

Chapter II. On the accelerated motion, both natural and violent, of heavy bodies and its proportion to the time the given space is completed.

Chapter III. On the motion of bodies on inclined planes.

Chapter IV. On the motion of pendulums.

Chapter V. On the motion of projectile parabolas and their remarkable effects.

Section III.

Practical application of the Cosmocentric Art, or the benefits that can be derived from the Cosmocentric Art.

Chapter I. How to determine the usefulness and the speed of motion of heavy bodies towards the Center. 

Section IV. The Cosmocentric Art, that is Applied Centrosophia

Chapter I.

Chapter II. On the motions of Pendulums.

Chapter III. On the application and benefit of the above.

Chapter IV. On the use of pendulums in matters relating to geometry.

Appendix. The Harmonic Motion of Strings.

Chapter I. On the Objective and Purpose of the Geocosm

Chapter II. The Idea of the Earthly Globe exists in the Divine Mind

Chapter III. On the nature and composition of the Celestial Globes or Stars and how they influence the Lower World.

Chapter IV. On the Sun and its admirable powers and properties influencing the Earthly World.

Chapter V. On the Nature and Effects of the Lunar Body.

Chapter VI. On the Proportion of the Earth to the Sun and Moon.

Chapter VII. On the outer structure of the Earth and its size.

Chapter VIII. On the Mountains of the Geocosmos and their necessity.

Chapter IX. On the hidden constitution of Mountains.

Chapter X. On the architecture of Mountains and their hidden uses to humanity.

Chapter XI. On Flaming or Volcanic Mountains.

Chapter XII. On the wonderful transformation of Terrestrial regions and whether Mountains decrease or increase over time.

Conclusion.

Appendix.

Chapter XIII. On the Geocosmic Ocean, its Surroundings, and the Concealed Passageways Connecting Seas.

Chapter XIV. On the height of Mountains and the depth of the Oceans and Seas. Let us also delve into the topic of the height of the Caucasus Mountains, as asserted by Aristotle.

Chapter XV. On the Unevenness of the Seafloor: Confirmed by an Earlier Memorable Story.

Chapter XVI. On the Measurement of the Strait of Sicily by the Author in 1638.

Chapter XVII. On the Magnetic Structure of the Earth, or simply, the Skeletal Structure of the Earth.

Chapter XVIII. On the Geocosm or Terrestrial Body, which is not homogeneous; rather, it is heterogeneous. Given the remarkable diversity of elements and substances comprising the Terrestrial Body, one might wonder: what truly constitutes the genuine and inherent Terrestrial Element?

Chapter XIX. On exploring the internal constitution of the Geocosm, its mechanisms, and their comparison to the organs of the human body.

Chapter XX. On the Caves, Chasms, and Innumerable Passages of the Earth.

Section I.

Exploring the nature of the aqueous element, its ceaseless movements within the ever-active sea, and its extraordinary effects in the subterranean world.

Chapter I. Exploring the many actions that keep the active sea in constant perpetual Motion.

Chapter II. On the general movement of the sea, which flows in an east-to-west direction.

Chapter IV. On the general motion of the sea and its effects around the earth.

Section II.

[Tides and Whirlpools]

Chapter I. On the second general motion of the sea comprising two opposing movements known as the tide, ebb and flow, as well as the surge and swell of the sea.

Chapter II. Discussion I. How the moon moves the sea by its power and quality.

Chapter III. Discussion II. Why the sea exerts its greatest force during the time of the new and full moon.

Chapter IV. Discussion III. How the sea does not always ebb and flow every six hours in different parts of the earth, even if irregular movements of the sea may occur.

Chapter V. Discussion IV. Why, in London, within the river, the most significant sea-level rise takes place when the Moon is positioned in the Southwestern part of the quadrant, while conversely when the moon is in the northern signs located in the Euro-Borealis region, the highest swelling happens three hours prior to reaching the London meridian.

Chapter VI. Discussion V. Why does the water in the estuary of the River in France rise for seven hours and fall for only five? Conversely, why does the water of the Senegal River in Africa rise for four hours and fall for eight?

Chapter VII. Discussion VI.

Chapter VIII. Discussion VII. Why does the Southern Sea, referred to as del Zur, near Panama, exhibit such remarkable and unconventional Tides, whereas in the Northern Sea, known as del Nord, near Port Nombre de Dios and other American continent coasts, tides are scarcely perceptible?

Chapter IX. Discussion VIII.

Chapter X. Discussion IX. The remarkable whirlpool of Norway, which stands as the most renowned and extensive in the entire terrestrial world. Discussion X. The nature of the Mediterranean Sea, its currents, tides, and other extraordinary phenomena witnessed therein.

Section III.

The Art of Navigation.

Chapter I. On the use and practice of marine tides in Nautical Art. 

Chapter II. On the circulation of the ocean cycles.

Chapter III. On the saltiness of the sea and its origin, necessity, as well as other phenomena pertaining to the ocean and seas.

Chapter IV. On whether the salinity of the sea is the same along all the routes of the ocean.

Section I.

On the Nature of Subterranean Fire and its Operations.

Preface.

Chapter I. On the necessity and essence of subterranean fire and whether it is an element.

Chapter II. What is the true nature of fire element, and where is its proper place?

Chapter III. On the subterranean fire spread throughout everything, why is it perpetual in some places but not in others?

Chapter IV. On the Phlegraean Fields in the Puteoli Region.

Chapter V. On the Cave of Charon, commonly known as the Grotta dei Cani, situated in close proximity to Lake Agnano near Naples, and its deadly properties, which lead to the suffocation of those who enter.

Chapter VI. The presence of fiery mountains on the external surface of the Earth demonstrates that the Earth is full of fires.

Chapter VII. On the perennial duration of the fire and its fuel or nourishment.

Chapter VIII. Description of Aetna. In it, a sort of prototype of subterranean fires and their unceasing sources of sustenance, as is often said, the reasons for their perpetuity are vividly demonstrated.

Chapter IX. Description of the crater of Etna.

Section II.

On the causes, nature, forces, and varieties of air and winds that rule both on the surface of the Geocosm and in subterranean cavernous regions.

Preface.

Chapter I. On the many causes, categories, and definitions of winds.

Chapter II. On the General Wind, and how and why it arises.

Chapter III. On the Periodic or Annual Winds, which the Greeks call Etesians, and their causes.

Chapter IV. On the Periodic Winds observed by Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese, and English sailors in the ocean.

Chapter V. On the causes of various winds.

Chapter VI. On the transverse motion of the winds and its cause.

Chapter VII. The origin of tremors, undulations, varying degrees of force of the wind, and relaxation of its impulse, as well as their identification through sound.

Chapter VIII. On the nature and properties of winds.

Chapter IX. On the production of artificial winds contributes to the recreation and benefit of humans. So as not to appear to have omitted anything curious in this work, we have decided to discuss the production of artificial winds in this section.

Chapter X. All meteorological phenomena originate from the subterranean world, and all phenomena of the same kind are generated in a consistent manner on the external surface and in the region.

Chapter XI. All meteorological phenomena that arise in the atmosphere are shown to derive their origin from subterranean fires.

Section I. 

On the origin of springs, rivers, and lakes, and their different natures, powers, and properties.

Preface. Discussion I. On the origin of springs, lakes, and swamps.

Chapter I. Discussion. On the multiple causes of the origin of springs.

Chapter II. Discussion. On the principal and general cause of both springs and rivers.

Chapter III. Discussion. On other methods and explanations.

Chapter IV. Investigation. On the origin of lakes in plains.

Section II. Discussion of the various types of water and their qualities, or, in other words, thermal and medicinal waters and their nature, properties, and origin.

Chapter I. On simple spring water and its goodness and badness.

Chapter II. On water divining or the signs by which one can discern where water lies hidden beneath the earth.

Chapter III. On mixed or compounded medicated waters and their causes, and on mixing with minerals in various ways.

Chapter IV. On the mixture of medicinal waters. That is, how and with what skill, and by what minerals and metallic bodies any medicinal water contains, can be known through various experiments.

Chapter V. Description of the hydrometer by which the heaviness and lightness of waters are explored.

Chapter VI. On the heat and warmth of hot springs, their cause, and how they are imbued with such different mineral tinctures.

Section III.

Discussion on thermal springs. On medicated waters, and their wonderful powers and properties in general, which are all demonstrated to have their origin underground.

Chapter I. On main thermal springs, or medicinal waters, which occur throughout the surface of the Geocosm.

Chapter II. On the origin of therapeutic properties of thermal springs that are effective against a wide array of diverse ailments.

Section IV.

Inquiry into the marvels of waters and the prodigious nature and properties of certain springs.

Preface.

Chapter I. On the color, taste, smell, and fumes in some springs and hot springs.

Chapter II. The heaviness and buoyancy of certain waters and their marvels.

Chapter III. On the lethal waters and Charonian pits, possessing a deleterious force.

Chapter IV. On the ebb and flow of some springs and the various changes in waters that predict a scarcity of provisions.

Chapter V. The metamorphic power of springs, rivers, and lakes, which can transform any inserted species into stone or other metallic substances.

Chapter VI. On the marvels of other waters.

Chapter VII. On the various transformations of lakes, rivers, and springs, and the changes on the earth's surface.

Section I.

On the wondrous variety of Earth, the Element's true and proper character, and what it signifies.

Chapter I. On the element Earth.

Chapter II. On the great variety of things contained in the womb of the terrestrial globe.

Chapter III. Let us commence our exploration of the myriad phenomena that emerge across the expansive Megacosm, shaped by the combined influence of salt and the complementary actions of the other Elements, by delving into the diverse facets of salt itself.

Chapter IV. On the different types of salt.

Chapter V. On the methods of extracting salts.

Section II.

[On Niter, Soda, and Saltpeter]

Chapter I. On niter, soda and its species: salt, nitrous, aphronitrus, and halinitrus.

Chapter II. On saltpeter, a third species of salt.

Chapter III. On the generation, nature, and properties of saltpeter.

Chapter IV. On the manufacture and uses of gunpowder in pyrotechnics.

Section III.

On alum. A third type of salt.

Chapter I. On the name, definition, and variety of alum.

Chapter II. On the nature, quality, and preparation of alum.

Chapter III. Regarding medical and other uses of alum.

Section IV.

On vitriol and its wonderful properties.

Chapter I. On the definition, classification, and origin of vitriol.

Chapter II. Can iron indeed be transformed into copper through the use of vitrol?

Chapter III. On the variety, powers, properties, and uses of Vitriol.

Chapter IV. On Artificial Vitriol.

Appendix.

On the four types of Salt. Questions and properties of salt.

Preface.

Section I.

On terrestrial substances, including sandy bodies enclosed in the womb of the Geocosmos.

Chapter I. On sand, coarse sand, gravel, and ash.

Chapter II. On the quality and use of sand.

Chapter III. The marvelous eternal and unceasing cycle of nature.

Section II.

On the movement of the earthly globe, that is, the great and perpetual movement of terrestrial matter, caused by the movement of sand, gravel, and pebbles, or the resolution of clays, stones, and metallic mixtures.

Chapter I. On the causes of Geocosmic change.

Chapter II. Exploring the true nature of the earth, its origins, and the different terrestrial substances often referred to as soil.

Chapter III. Origin of the great diversity of earth.

Chapter IV. On the use of various earths.

Chapter V. On the requirements for cultivating fields.

Chapter VI. On earth material used by potters and painters.

Recapitulation of what has been said in the preceding Books.

END OF VOLUME I