A rectangular decorative woodcut headpiece featuring symmetrical foliage, floral scrolls, and a central stylized mask or shield motif.

P R E F A C E .

Decorative floral woodcut initial A. As among the virtues some are esteemed greater because of the connection they have with others, for this reason the virtue of Justice is the most perfect, because it participates in and connects with all others. Similarly, among all the arts, the art of navigation is the most excellent, because not only does it participate with them, but it also comprises within itself all the principal arts, namely Arithmetic, Geometry, and Astrology In the 16th century, "Astrology" encompassed the study of the stars and celestial bodies for practical use, including what we now call Astronomy.. And these are esteemed the most excellent among the mathematical sciences because of the very certain demonstration they provide for their conclusions. And that this art is the most esteemed and principal among the others can be demonstrated by the three reasons that follow. The first is by reason of its subtlety; the second, by reason of its certainty; and the third, by reason of the profit and utility that come from it. As for the first, who could explain so great a subtlety, that a man with a compass and drawn lines The author refers to the use of the magnetic compass and nautical charts (portolan charts) with their characteristic rhumb lines should know how to circle and navigate the entire world, and know by day and by night where he should make landfall and where he should keep away? Also, how much he must travel from one side to the other, and direct his path properly through a thing so trackless and vast as the sea, where there is no road nor trail? And to tell the truth, it is a subtle and difficult thing, well-considered by Solomon when he said that one of the things most difficult to find is the path of a ship through the sea original: "le chemin d'vn nauire par la mer." A reference to Proverbs 30:18-19, where Solomon lists things too wonderful to understand, including the way of a ship in the midst of the sea.. For it follows no road and leaves no sign. But who could express so great a sub-*