Book on Fossil Objects, Stones, and Gems

...pler original: simplicius; completing the word from the previous page to signify something simpler, such as that which can consist of either a single line, like a circle; or a single surface, like a sphere; or certainly of a few lines, such as three or four. But if there are two lines, an angle and a curve are joined in a mathematical surface; in a solid body, however, there is a need for at least three.

Form, on the other hand, consists of many and varied lines, angles, and surfaces, and is not usually called by one common name, as is the case with "figure." A figure has no matter proper to itself—as is true of all mathematical figures—and for this reason, they can be abstracted from matter by the mind, and defined and considered without it.

Form, however, belongs to each individual thing, both as an internal and essential form: the "essence" or defining nature of an object that makes it what it is, accessible to the intellect rather than the senses, which is known by reason alone; and also as an external form. This external form consists of several figures (just as a whole consists of its parts) and the differences between them. It is established by a certain order, position, and proportion of individual parts—or their mutual comparison with one another. If these aspects are well-ordered, the object is said to be shapely, beautiful, or well-formed, and

DSI These initials likely represent a library mark or a previous owner's stamp on the original manuscript.