HERONE

ALESSANDRINO

THE PNEUMATICS.

A large decorative woodcut initial 'E' features a seated figure, likely a scholar or deity, holding a staff or instrument, surrounded by architectural and floral motifs.

BECAUSE the pneumatic original: "materia spiritale" matter has been deemed by the ancients, both philosophers and mechanics, worthy of much study—since the former demonstrate its force and efficacy through reasoning, and the latter through the operation itself, which is grasped by the senses—we have deemed it expedient to reduce to order that which was left written by them, and to further declare what we ourselves have discovered. By doing so, it will come to pass that from now on much help will be added to those who wish to attend to this profession. It appearing reasonable to us, therefore, that this treatise should go joined with our other one on water clocks, divided into four books, we have taken care to write to it as well, just as has already been said. For from the combination of air, fire, water, and earth—and by three elements, or even four, contending together—various dispositions are caused, some of which bring necessary conveniences for our life, and others are wont, very often, to bring forth such a terrible wonder. But before we come to what we must say, it will be well to discourse on the Vacuum, because some have absolutely affirmed that a vacuum is not found anywhere at all, and others have then said that there is no vacuum naturally amassed