萝莉社

CAPUT I

Exploratur maris tum extrinseca tum intrinseca constitutio, animaliumque in eo multitudo, et varietas describuntur.

Cosmiel: Examinata iam externa Geocosmi superficie eiusque admirandis quae in herbis, plantis, animalibus, elementisque operationibus elucescunt, spectaculis; iam iterum mensum nobis restat subeundum, iter nullis humanis tritum vestigiis, nullo mortalium intuitu perlustratum, ubi totius natura constituta, sunt Gazophylacia; ubi cernere licet summa sapientissimi Opificis in Geocosmi architectura magnalia: iam tandem, quod supra tibi pollicebar, complebo, ut visis ineffabilibus Dei operibus totus in laudes tui exardescas Conditoris. Theodidactus: Certe uti nihil ad votum meum acceptius accidere potest, ita quod iam dudum tantopere desiderabam, ut in executionem deducas, pro eo quo possum intimo cordis affectu ab te contendo. Hoc unicum a te efflagito, mi Cosmiel, ut primo modo quo me per tam intricatos calles marisque abyssos incognitas, per tot discrimina terrae, ignis et aquae, sine ullo corporis mei detrimento deducere statuas. Novi quanta a belluis marinis nobis pericula immineant, novi interioris telluris spiracula pestifera et prorsus exitiali vaporum exhalationumque virulentia referta. Novi quot Vulcaniae ignium fornaces nobis subeundae sint, quot quamque innumera aquarum abyssi nobis transuadandae; sed in tua confisus pietate et incredibili bonitate, tuam accepto plenam et igneae in me voluntatis invitationem. Cosmiel: Nosti mi Theodidacte per quanta te in itinere caelesti pericula, per quot igneos caelestium corporum Oceanos, per quot maria pestifero halitu obnoxia; ab omni tamen noxa immunem traduxerim. Et quid dubitas de mea in te fide in interioris huius Geocosmi lustratione? Anne putas quam in itinere caelesti obtinebam, in Geocosmi peragratione potestatem mihi ademptam? An ignoras, caeli, terra atque adeo totius naturae claves mihi concreditas? An nescis, quod uti sum praeses universi, ita quoque omnia, quae in naturae Maiestate elucescunt, divina sic ordinante providentia, meo subsint imperio? Hinc nulla est tanta tumultuantis aquae contumacia, quam non ad voluntatem meam protinus domem, nulla tanta incendiorum subterraneorum torrentiumque ignivomorum violentia, quam non iussu meo e vestigio supprimam, nulla tanta exitialis vaporis atrocitas, quam non mitigem; verbo, nullum adeo ingens periculum tibi imminere potest, a quo non mea tutela et protectione libereris. Magno itaque sis animo, mi Theodidacte. Fieri siquidem non potest ut velis cibum sinistrior cunctus accidat; ubi tantae fortitudinis, potentiae et sapientiae ducem tibi perpetuo assistentem habueris. Theodidactus: O mi amantissime Cosmiel, post Deum unicum cordis mei solamen, de tuo in me explicabilis benignitatis affectu erga me indignissimum et humillimum servulum tuum concepto prorsus erubesco, et qui nam ego pauperrimus et vilissimae conditionis homo sum, ut tantum merear animi corporisque tutorem, tanti sapientiae magistrum? O Deus gratias tibi ago de transmisso mihi tanti curatoris subsidio; laudes tibi omnium operum tuorum ineffabilium vocibus una iunctas persolvo, ob ingens quo me tanti Providentis tutela munisti, beneficium. Te, itaque, O Cosmiel, quem veluti divini archivi praesidem, ea qua possum animi submissione veneror, eumque qui arcanorum omnipotentis Dei operum consiliarium agis, unice suspicio et admiror; te inquam obnixe et quo possum mentis obsequio obtestor, ut quae per te fieri posse cogitavi, perficias: ecce servus tuus, fac quod iubes, et iube quod vis. Vix dum haec pleno mentis ardore effuderam, cum ecce ad ripam Oceani constitutus, nescio quid splendidum et mirum coruscum contueor, et cum vehementer attonitus haererem, his me verbis affatus est. Cosmiel: Quid miraris, Theodidacte? Theodidactus: Miror id nescio quod crystalli simile opus, et quodnam illud sit, nosse desidero. Cosmiel: Haec est navicula quam tibi praeparavi, ex purissimo crystalli mea manu constructa, huic in posterum inclusus, per universas Oceani semitas abyssorumque subterrestrium immensa hydrophylacia, me Nauta et Gubernatore veheris. Diaphana est, ut per eius parietes vitreos veluti per fenestras quasdam omnia naturae arcana cominus intuearis, ab omni periculo aquarum tutus et securus. Theodidactus: Et quomodo navicula haec intra intima Oceani viscera fundosque scopulis impeditos sine ullo ruptura detrimento promoveri poterit? Quis necessarium nobis aerem suppeditabit? Quis lumen in ratarum caliginum abyssis? Cosmiel: Non est tuum de rerum tibi necessariarum subsidiis sollicitum esse; ego sum qui potentia meae viribus omnia subministro; ego naviculam summo artificio a me construam ira gubernare novi, ut nulla sit adeo dura cautes, quae ei vim aliquam inferre possit. Ego humorem ipsum mox in limpidissimum aerem converto, ego lumen et lucernam sum, qua vel densissimae cavernarum caligines in lucidissimum diem convertantur. Agedum itaque Theodidacte, ne rerum humanae industriae minime subiectarum satagas, hoc enim  hoc enim meum meique similium officium esse scias, utpote qui scientia rerum naturalium tanto sublimiori emineamus, quanto natura humana ab Angelica distant longius. Theodidactus: Hisce dictis, per ostiolum intra naviculam crystallinam ingredi iussus. Erat navicula eo artificio constructa, ut ad instar vitri mundi et crystalli purissimae, quaelibet sine ullo obstacullo, intra vitrei oceani medullium obiecta exacte exhiberet; nulli ibi remi, nullus temo, nulla velis subtensa arbor, sed illa pro nutu et voluntate Cosmielis agitabatur aut sistebatur, neque hic ullum aeris neque luminis defectum experiebar, ubi ad mundi praesidis imperium et nutum omnia obsecundabant elementa et officiosa sua obsequia offerebant. In hanc itaque naviculam mysticis sensibus refertam inclusus ego iter occepi. Cosmiel vero utrum inclusus fuerit, nescio, certe et inclusus et exclusus intus et extra omnia operari videbatur. Tantae itaque atque tam insolitae rei admiratione attonitus in haec verba erupi: O Cosmiel, quo per avia et devia sine remo, sine temone me ducis? Cosmiel: Brevi videbis, neque enim remo et temone opus est ei, qui et mundum imperio suo, ex commissione Conditoris gubernat, et vastissimos caelorum globos sine labore perenni motu versat. Theod. Perge itaque uti coepisti Euris faventibus iter tuum urgere. O Cosmiel quanta per vitreos hosce parietes in Oceano monstra video, quam piscium spectacula, quam innumerabiles natatilium exercitus? Cosmiel: Omnia haec magni maris foetus sunt hucusque hominibus incogniti. Theodidactus: Siste parumper, Cosmiel, quid hoc monstri, Ecce video ante me ad instar montis ambulantis molem; estne possibile etiam scopulos rupeque in mari mobiles esse? Cosmiel: O quam luderis, Theodidacte! Non hic mons est, sed Balaena seu Coetus ingens, quorum haud exiguus in hoc Oceano regno numerus stabulatur. Theodidactus: Rogo te, mi Cosmiel, ut ad eius figuram et magnitudinem propius considerandam aliquantum vicinius me sistas. Cosmiel: Fiat. Theodidactus: Certe quidquid tu dicas, mi Cosmiel, ego montem hunc sine radicibus natantem, non cernam comperio, ingens enim hic in eo antrum video, cerno veluti duas arbores verticis insistentes; forsan una ex earum insularum numero est, quas natantes vocant. Video quoque graminibus et herbis marinis una cum saxis arenae mistis latera eius mirum in modum exasperata; ecce et alia signa, corallinam plantam e latere emergentem; ecce hic pratulum quoddam comparet, alga herbisque marinis refertum. Nec desunt huic prodigiosae molis congesta insertaque omnis generis ostrea et conchilia. O mi Cosmiel, quid modo video? Duas ingentes rupes ad instar carbunculi seu pyropi fulgentes. O quantum de se lumen fundunt! O quam mirum phasma! Cosmiel. Sat apparet mi Theodidacte, te necdum mirabilum mundi notitiam habere, dum tam pertinaci nutus tui ductu, quae vere bellua marina est, tu montem aut insulam natantem putes. An non vides antrum illud, quod tu speluncam montis putabas, id apertum faucium balenae hiatum esse? Theodidactus: O prodigium, O miraculum! Dic ergo quare semper illum apertum habet, et cur ita plenum piscibus reperio? Cosmiel: Cum bellua haec plurimo semper ob corporis sui vastitatem nutrimento indigeat, dies noctesque ad sufficiens sibi alimentum comparandum, solitae venationi intendit, et quoniam occulto naturae instinctu os in venatione semper apertum habet, pisces forte fortuna obvii, et ipsi vana imaginatione elusi, dum id rupis cuiusdam submarinae foramen putantes incautius ingrediuntur, naturali belluae astutia decepti, captique in praedam simul et escam cedunt ingeniosi venatoris. Quod vero te moveant gramina, herbae, crystallinus frutex et similia, quae ab externa corporis belluini superficie excreta cernis, fateor admiratione non carent apud eos, qui sapientissimi Conditoris opera non explorant. Quare tu, ubi huius vegetabilis adhaerescentis foeturae causam cognosces, mirari desines. Cum enim universum belluinum corpus ingenti viscositate ob pinguedinis adipisque abundantiam polleat, accidit ut certis temporibus locoque in fundo maris opportuno intra algarum, caeterarumque marinarum stirpium stratum, veluti in congruo sibi ac delicioso prato, sive veneris explendae gratia, sive summae prurigini qua subinde agitatur remedium quaerens, se volvat revolvatque, cuiusmodi locus cum arena, faxis, conchiliis, ostreis similique fundi maris progenie refertus sit, certum est illa intra viscosam pellis belluini scabritiem conglutinata; tandem veluti in pingui et viscoso limo, quo belluae corpus imbutum est, cum ingenti incremento successu temporis in petrosam sobolem salsugine maris indurescere; atque hac causa est cur bestiam tot plantis et conchiliis testaceisque animalibus coopertam videas: quas vero binas arbores in vertice notasti, illae arbores minime sunt, sed spiracula belluae, quibus aquam nunc attrahit, nunc immensis diluviis denuo aeri commissa evomit; quos deinde pyropicos putabas scopulos, illi nihil aliud quam oculi belluae sunt, quibus innatum sibi lumen vibrat, tum ad necessaria pabula in caliginoso pelagi fundo comparanda, tum ad illiciens contra scopulos pericula hisce binis velut prunis lucernis ad obviorum impedimentorum ostendicula, insita sibi ut dixi lucis propria commonstranda, mira Dei omnipotentis Providentia, et singulari naturae munere illi concessa subsidia; quibus si careret, ei haud dubie pereundum foret, tanta mole motu suo intra aquas vel ad primam cautium allisionem, haud secus ac navis impacta, fatiscente. Atque haec est ratio cur talis bellua terrestres et scopulosas oceani partes cane peius et angue periculorum exantlandorum probe sibi conscia fugiat, unde late patentis Oceani medio et fundo planiore nullis scopulis exasperato gaudet: ne mollioribus ventris partibus illis illis, exitium sibi ex infuso vulnere adsciscat. Theod. O quam miranda mihi natura. Sed rogo te mi Cosmiel, ut hiatus belluini fabricam propius mihi monstres, nulla enim re maiori admiratione me captum dicere possum. Cosmiel. Non hiatum tantum tibi desideratum ostendam, sed etiam te perducam ad interiora ventricose domus penetralia, ut nihil sit quod te lateat. Agedum perge, a bellua nihil tibi timeas; ego enim sum, qui ei imperiosa licentia fraena iniicio, et ad libitum meum quo volo dirigo. Theod. Vix dixerat, cum ecce agitate navicula monstruosum intramus hiatum, et inde per faucium gurgustia, veluti per angiportos quosdam in late patentem quandam interioris ventris cryptam aquis obscuram penetramus. Ubi tam excessivam caloris vim sensi, ve intra fornacem me constitutum putarem. O Cosmiel quo me ducis; quid vehemens ille aestus quem sentio portendit? Quid magis illi vitalium membrorum loculi? Cosmiel. Hic est maximus belluae calor ad concoctionem nutrienti, quo valido indiget. Naturae datus. Sed iam adverte ad singula quae tibi monstrum. Vides ingentia duo illa foramina, palato adinstar caminorum longo ductu foras prominentium. Theod. Video. Cosmiel. Haec sunt illa duo spiracula, quibus aquarum ingentem copiam nunc attrahit, modo evomit. Videsne, dentium ordines? Theod. Video, sed non mihi hi dentes animalis, sed connexa in ordinem scopulorum acumina videntur; palatum instar fornicis cryptae cuiusdam mire exasperatum videri posset, tantae capacitatis et amplitudinis, ut currum faeno onustum intra se facile concludat. O mira Dei magnalia. Cosmiel. Sed ultra progrediamur. Videsne commatum quem in alimento sibi venando comparavit bellua? Theod. Video, et quidem inter innumera piscium genera, cadaver forsan naufragi et natando evadere conantis hominis belluae in escam cessit. Cosmiel. Sic est. Theod. Quid ibi protuberat? Cosmiel. Ille est cordis protuberantis aestus. Theod. Ecce novum spectaculum; ingentem lebetem video perpetuo fumantem, ei, quo in cerevisia coquenda uti solent, non absimilem, et tu ne illud cor putas? Cosmiel. Omnino cor illud est belluae perpetua spirituum exhalatione fumans. Theod. Sed quidnam hoc quod instar veli nautici inflatum video? Cosmiel. Hi sunt pulmones belluae, quibus aerem sibi necessarium attrahit; quin vel ipsa aqua ingenti caloris aestu attenuata, hoc loco in aerem convertitur. Theod. Quid illud mi Cosmiel quod cupula adinstar, sive tholi (cuiusmodi facellis imponi solet) rotundum et humidum aspicio? Cosmiel. Illud hepar est. Theod. Quid intorti illi aquaeductus, quos sinuosis voluminum spiris protensos video? Cosmiel. Illa sunt animalis intestina, quibus nutrimenti faeces exonerat. Theod. O quis unquam credidisset talia in rerum natura monstra reperiri? Quis infinitam Conditoris sapientiam sat dignis laudibus celebret? Quae tanta et tam admiranda opera ad potentiae suae Maiestatem attestandam produxit? Dic rogo, quem in finem a Deo animalia huiusmodi sunt condita? Non enim video quid emolumenti in natura rerum afferre possint, quin potius in magnum detrimentum ob tantam piscium consumptionem, qua vel ipse Oceanus sua viduatur prole, cedant? Cosmiel. Ne putes quidquam in natura rerum tam perniciosum esse quod non altissimos in natura fines habeat. Nam praeterquam quod ad Creatoris Omnipotentiam declaranda producta sunt, innumera alia praestant in Oceanio regno emolumenta. Imo vero quidquid in eo faeculentum, viscosum, pingue, sordidum, id totum ubi sibi huiusmodi bellua attraxerit, non nociuis faecibus aqueum regnum liberat. Secundo pinguedo huius animalis tanti usus est, ut complures nationes eius subsidio carere non possint; oleum enim ex decoctione pinguedinis extrahitur, non tantum ad lampades fovendas, sed ad eo naves contra aquae irruptionem illinendas, et ad coria attenuanda magnum vim praestat iis qui fulloniam, baphicam sive tinctoriam, coriariam, oleariam, nauticam similesque artes profitentur. In Medicis quoque dictum oleum non contemnendos usus praestat; cum illud instar frigidi cuiusdam balsami corruptis inflammatione membris id est contra erisipelis ardores, similesque morbos nobilissimum medicamentum sit; eximiumque contra vesicae dolores, praesertim si attenuatum et distillatione multoties iterata, foebrem et cupyremma amiserit, arcanum sit. In Islandia quoque vel unicum huius belluae sceleton in integrae domus structuram servit. Sed iam ex obscuro huius belluae alvo emersi, ad alia progrediamur. Theod. Video nobis superimpositum; nescio quod umbraculum, sub forma immensi veli aut umbonis protentum, dic rogo, quidnam sic monstrum. Cosmiel. Testudinem marinam vides. Theod. Fieri ne potest tam vastas monstrorum moles Oceanum producere. O mirum, rerum prodigiosarum theatrum! Rogo te mi Cosmiel, festina lente, ut singula exactius distinguam, video enim hic summa mea admiratione, quaecumque tellus et aer animalia producit, ea et Oceanum, similitudine quadam fingere; aspicio hic pisces in equos, vitulos, cervos, sues, canes, lupos, elephantes, leones mira quadam metamorphosi transmutatos, video hirundines, vultures, et in collium similitudinem monstra, Delphinorum praeterea, thinnorum, salparum, halecum, caeterorumque minutiorum piscium ingentes exercitus, cornibus, ensibus, malleis, spiculis mirifice instructos; atque ex his quosdam video veluti fugitivos et metu consternatos, alios ludentium in morem, nunc supinos, modo pronos mirum in modum gesticulantes. Cosmiel. Quos metu consternatos vides, illi sunt qui ab insequentis hostis aut Balena aut Orcadis aut Delphini insidiis tutum sibi quaerunt asyllum, in nullo quidem elemento tot praeliis, tot conflictibus, tot atrocissimis pugnis ac in aqueo hoc regno belluae se mutuo insectantur, maiores adoriuntur minores mediocres vero implacabili odio ad necem quaerunt maiores, quibus tametsi corporis mole et robore cedant, astutia tamen et calliditate ipsis innata modos narrant, quibus illis prostratis victoria potiantur. At minor piscium grex solus tum in commune omnium alimentum, tum potissimum belluis pelagi tyrannis destinatus videtur. Quod vero videas varias illas piscium collisiones, modo supino, modo pronos incubitu se fricantes, scias Theodidacte istiusmodi motibus gestibusque nihil aliud indicari quam naturalem foeminae cum mare congressum ad sobolem propagandam, qui per attritiones affrictionesque ad  se invicem factas potissimum contingit a natura institutum. Mas enim fricando foeminam in partibus natura destinatis eiusdem matrici vaporem quendam spiritum immittit, qui deinde in ovorum condensatur foeturam, quae mox ubi ad maturitatem pervenerit, in maris superficiem effusa, calore solis pelagique natura, in pisces iuxta speciem a qua profluxit animatur. Ne vero putes omnem maris progeniem ex ovorum foetura; sunt enim pleraeque immaniores Oceani belluae, uti belluae, uti Balenae, Vituli marini, Maniotae, et similia vivipara, id est, suscepto semine non ova sed catulos excludunt, cuiusmodi dixi sunt Caeti, Orcae, Physiteres, Delphini, Phocae, simileque. Theod. Scite omnia, sed o mi Cosmiel, nescio quid monstri meo modo obtutui se sistit. Fierine potest ut in Oceano quoque homines reperiantur? Video enim quamvis remoto, nescio quaenam humane figurae phasmata; quare te obsecro, ut corum propius inspiciendorum mihi potestatem facias. Cosmiel. Fiat. Theod. Vere utriusque sexus homines hic reperio. Cosmiel. Falleris, Theodidacte; homines enim minime esse aut dici possunt, utpote omnis rationis expertia; sed marina sunt monstra, superiorem solummodo hominis partem exprimentia, inferiore vero in piscium caudam terminante, atque ex eorum numero sunt, quas sirenes antiqui fabulosae doctrinae conditores poetae stolidae inter Deas numerabant. Cerne caput huius faemellae longa quadam caesarie at minime pilosa, sed in cirros quosdam carneos eos et pulposos distensa vestitum? Vides faciem, quidem pulchram oculorum vivacitate decoram et blandam, sed, qui ad decoris complementum unice desiderabatur, naso destitutam? Cernisne brachia solitis hominum longiora, manusque non in digitos more humano discretas, sed adinstar pedum anserinorum cartilagine interceptos, ad natandum a natura sic constitutos? aspice rotundas et tumidas mamillas, quam candore niveo pectus venterque niteant, quanto splendore coruscent. Theod. Mihi nisi oculi me fallant, carnis humanae pulposa substantia videtur. Cosmiel. Falleris, sed ea quam pellem putas, illa nihil aliud est quam candidissimis minutissimisque squammulis contextum naturae opus, quod ut in omnibus aliis piscibus eximio nitore fulget; vides tandem et sexus discrimen in caudam piscis, eamque praelongam terminare? Sed iam et masculum contemplare. Theod. O Cosmiel, non hominis, sed Cacodoemonis mihi figuram referre videtur. Quam omni forma destituta facies, quam torti oculi, quam genas inconcinnas rugisque oppletas, quam barbam ridiculam, verius pulpam carnis dixeris! quam incompositos capillos, si tamen capilli dici possent. Ego Medusae caput verius putem, aut polypum Ciris longe lateque exporrectis ex capite emergentem! Quam monstrosae manus alis vespertilionum, quam humanis similiores, quam asperum squammis corpus, verbo, fabrica prorsus a foemina disparata, et humani tamen figurae, si membrorum ordinem et situm attendas, atque ingentem, in quam terminatur, caudam excipias, non dissimilem; tale olim monstrum in insula Melitensi, quem et diabolum marinum appellabant, maris aestu in littus prope aedem D. Virgini Sacram, vulgo della Maleca proiectum me vidisse memini, quod in Siciliam delatum, non exiguam quaestus occasionem piscatoribus dedit; sed rogo te, mi Cosmiel, ad quid natura huiusmodi monstra esse voluit? Cosmiel. Si nosses Theodidacte, cur inter animalia quadrupedia, simias et cercopithecos hominibus et figura et moribus haud absimiles constituerit; cur inter aves, Pequinos, maris Megalanici accolas erecto corpore hominis adinstar incedere voluerit; cur inter plantas florem Orchidis perfectum virisque sexus hominem abdito quodam molimine machinata sit; radicibus quoque uti in mandragora, hominis corpus exprimat; cur in mediis quoque lapidibus, achatibus, marmoribus, aliisque in profundissimis telluris caucis reconditis saxis, tum humanae figurae formam, tum caeterorum animalium vegetabiliumque figuram inculpat et excudat; forsan non tantum mirareris; gaudet natura huiusmodi rerum ludibriis, et uti omnia in omnibus esse intendit, ita pro conditione singulis entium gradibus laborat quantum potest, ut si non sensum, saltem vitam, si non vitam, saltem figuram nudam iis ad suam in universi decorem Maiestatem attestandam imprimat: appetunt enim omnia ultimam sui perfectionem, et potissimum similem homini, qui est post Deum immediate  rerum omnium finis, figuram, quam cum debitis naturae claustris impedita consequi non possint, nonnulla quantum possunt agunt, ut eandem si non veram, saltem secundum analogiam quandam confictam consequantur. Vides itaque cur tanto ingenio et industria natura in constituendis sirenibus luserit. Sed quaeres virum peculiari aliqua, quae in hominum usum cedat, virtute polleant. Respondeo ipsum sigillum et characterismum, quo ipsas opifex mens imbuit, quin vel ipsa astutia et calliditas ingenii hominibus simillimi, magnum aliquod naturae arcanum sub illis latere, affatim testari. Tritones enim et sirenes, ut in summis in tellure, ita HAE suo tamen modo ingeniosi industriae pollere videntur, siquidem ad littora Oceani in inaccessis hominibus latibulis, atque extra omnem maris iniuriam longe semotis, domos sibi admirando quodam artificio ex conchis et conchiliisque congestis mutua utriusque ope extruunt, commeatum venatione interceptum intra loculos quosdam condunt ad necessarium illis tempore urgentis famis alimentum; arenam lutosam in formam lecti, quo lassa membra recondant, congerunt; terram quoque insolationis gratia adinstar amphibiorum petunt, unde ab Barbaris Sofalae oram incolentibus, ubi maxime stabulantur, in nefariae quaeruntur; fructibus quoque et terrenis radicibus mirifice delectantur, unde illas sollicita ad virides ripas hominibus inaccessas quaerunt, acceptas in solitis loculis condunt. Theod. O admiranda naturae magnalia, iam video vera esse quae Maphaeus in Indica historia de septem Sirenibus a piscatoribus in Indico mari prope Maldivas insulas interceptis scribit; et tum Patrum nostrorum, tum medicorum praesentium testimonio oculari comprobatis, non minus quam pulchre et eleganter refert. Adferuntur quoque ex insulis philippinis nonnulla ossa eorum monstrorum, quae Piscem Muguer vulgo Hispani vocant, et haud dubie ex corum quae hic intuemur, numero sunt. Cosmiel. Ita est, sed paulo hisce monstrosiori figura induta. Sicut enim in telluris superficie pro soli aerisque natura et conditione in uno loco pulchriores homines animaliaque quam in aliis gignuntur, ita et in Oceano, peculiari aquarum proprietate, huiusmodi monstra humanae figurae nunc conformiora, nunc certe minus comiter producuntur. Theod. Habentne ista nonnullum in rebus medicis usum? Cosmiel. Immo maximum et praestantissimum; ossa quidem miranda quadam ad sanguinis fluxum virtute pollent, et si homines experimentum facere possent, horumque monstrorum raritate non impedirentur, dico tibi ex horum corporum miscella quintam quandam essentiam verum Microcosmi balsamum, mumiam vitae, innatique calidi restitutionem, verbo, Panacaeam quandam omnibus humani corporis infirmitatibus quantumvis medicorum opinione incurabilibus profligandis extrahi posse. Verum vi naturali quadam ingenii calliditate et astutia hominum insidias eludunt, eamque ob causam uti raro sese spectanda exhibent, ita quoque non nisi summa difficultate (non sine magno rei medicae detrimento) in casses nassasque incident curiosioris Piscatoris. Theod. O Cosmiel, video deinde disparis conditionis monstrum; instar trabis animatae, colubrique tortuosi immensae longitudinis; hinc inde sinuosa corporis volumina torquere; O quam horrendum deformium faucium hiatum exhibet, quot cornibus munitur, quorum pinnis in modum alarum extentis exasperatur; ego certe nisi motum viderem, tortuosae rupis molem putarem. Cosmiel. Hoc genus monstrum Draco marinus dicitur, qui in Oceani huius late patentibus undis tyrannidem suam non solum in pisces exercet, sed et ipsas vastissimas subinde naves spiris suis involutas in profundum demergit et ex foeculenta excrementitiaque maris putredine nascitur. Perniciosum ac exitiale malum, toxico suo oppido virulento omnia quae tangit inficiens. Piscis vel remoto vixdum operit, cum ecce veneni sui fascino infatuat, infatuatos et torpore quodam exanimatos in escam sibi destinat. Et ne tale in malum natura productum videatur, illud emolumenti praestat; quod quidquid pestiferum et malignum in aequore, sive influxu stellarum, sive exhalantis terrae nocivis vaporibus nascitur, in se attractum derivat, et sic pelagus a magni momenti pernicie liberat. Sed iam satis monstrorum in vastissimo aequoris meditullio tibi exhibiti fundum tandem petamus, ut quod et quam admiranda prudens mater natura rerum ibidem produxerit, contempleris. Theod. O mi Cosmiel in ultimum mundi barathrum me ducere videris. Cosmiel. Ne timeas, tametsi enim profunditas Oceani hoc loco tanta fit, ut merito abyssus dici possit, me tamen duce nil patieris. Theod. Ego semper hucusque putabam montes, silvas, prata, in terrestri tantum superficie reperiri, sed iam modo et illa omnia in subaqueo hoc regno invenio. O quam condensata silvarum fruticumque constitutio et inextricabilis scopulorum rupiumque labirynthus! O mi Cosmiel, caveas rogo, ne illisa in illis vitrea nostra navicula periclitetur. Cosmiel. Quid murmuras Theodidacte: adeoque tam vilem de me meaque peritia estimationem concepisti, ut naviculam hanc contra omnia illusionis pericula immunem aut conservare, aut gubernare non possim, aut, si dato, non concesso rupturam subiret; illam non et vestigio instaurare, aut etiam te in media aquarum abysso contra omnes fluctuum iniurias servare non valeam? Theod. O mi Cosmiel, condona obsecro pusillanimitati meae, neque enim talia effutii, quod in periculis constitutus in ullo de tua potentia dubitarem, aut tibi diffiderem, aut in concepta de te existimatione vacillarem: Absit; novi enim quantus sis et quanta virtute polleas, utpote cuius imperio subsistent universa. Sed more humano ad tam exotica rerum spectra formidines quadam invadente cor meum conquestus in haec verba imprudenter prorupi. Cosmiel. Tuae mihi fragilitatis probe conscius condono perlubenter; sed iam ad institutum nostrum revertamur. Mirabaris sylvas, prata, montes in mari reperiri; et ego tuam miror simplicitatem ingenii. Putasne sub mari aliam esse rerum constitutionem, quam in externa telluris superficie? Minime. Si enim divina potentia Oceanus sublatis aquis exsiccaretur, nihil aliud videres nisi vastissimas regiones, concatenatos altissimorum montium ordines, valles profundissimas, fluvios ingentes, planities longe lateque in immensum exporrectas, silvas quoque et prata, sed alterius constitutionis arbusculis, fruticibusque corallorum, mineraliumque efflorescentiis salis virtute enatis consita, qualia ex se et sua natura producere potest; nec flores desunt nec fructus; quid enim insulae aliud sunt, quam submarini montes vastissimi, quorum non nisi apices extra aquam caput suum extollant; et hoc pacto quo in insulas hominum habitationi aptas evadunt? Vide saxos hinc inde parietes ingenti intercapedine distensos, profundissimorumque montium structuram. Theod. Video et admiror; nec unquam in  animum meum inducere potuissem, ut tantam Oceani profunditatem crederem, neque enim ullum solaris lucis vestigium in hac caliginis abysso comperio, et situ mi Cosmiel lumine tuo illud haud illustrares, prorsus mihi veluti in Cymmeriis quibusdam tenebris vagabundo pereundum foret. Et unde hoc? Cosmiel. Scias Theodidacte radios solares aliquo usque tantum mare pervadere; sed in profundioribus hisce locis ob constipatarum partium intermediarum densitatem nulla tantae lucis efficacia est, quae corpulentam opacitatem penetrare aut superare queat. Theod. Unde itaque in tanta caligine marina sobolis progenies in necessariarum rerum conquirendo commeatu vivat, scire cupiam. Cosmiel. Magno huic incommodo natura benignitas affatim providit; respice in subiectam nobis obviamque planitiem, aspice saxorum, rimas, fissurasque. Theod. Quidnam hoc prodigii? Innumeras astrorum lucidissimorum exercitus ego video, ignem quoque cerno mobilem; forsan fatuus est? forsan subterranei ignis expiratio? sed et scopulorum rimas undique amplissimam lucem profundere observo. Dic rogo Cosmiel, quid tanta lucium multitudo sibi velit? Cosmiel. Luces iste nec ignis elementaris, nec fatuus, nec subterraneus ullo modo censeri debet. Quomodo enim hi ignes ingentibus aquarum acervis tumulati vivere valeant, nemo est qui capere possit. Theod. Quid ergo obsecro rei est? Cosmiel. Luces quas vides sunt omnis generis conchilia ostreacea, crustacea, caeteraque fundo adhaerescentia et lumine indiga animalia, quae uti ob naturae suae imbecillitatem ad saxa et fundum maris natura religavit, ita quoque ne in necessariis operationibus lucis defectu perirent, divina sapientia lucem illis nativam una cum calore concreavit, cuius veluti benigno fomento conservarentur, et ad fundum maris, ceu lucernae quaedam, Opificis Mentis industria constitutae sunt, ut reliquis quoque piscibus tum contra omnia illusionis pericula, tum ad necessarii alimenti conquisitionem praelucerent. Neque, ideo putes velim, ostreorum, ex anguium, crustaceo rumque genus oculis more aliorum animantium instructa esse, hac enim in imperfectionis huiusmodi, verius Ichthyophytis, paucis exceptis, non extant, sed luce illa concreata, tum ad aliis praelucendum, tum ad nativi caloris robur conservandum gaudent. Quam verum ex montium parietibus lucem emicare conspicis, isti sunt vermes vagina inclusi, quos dactylos vocant, in anguillarum formam saxorum in rimis stabulantes; et lucem pariter concreatam habent; immo dico tibi quid amplius, vix ullum piscium genus est, quod non huiusmodi luce sibi innata turgeat: adeoque iis necessaria est, ut sine illa in caliginoso et aequoris gurgite vitam sustinere non possint, quemadmodum supra quoque cum Balenam inspiceremus; fuse ostendi. Theod. Sed quonam modo illa se lux habet? Cosmiel. Vidistine cicindelas? sive vermiculos illos alatos, qui aetivi temporis noctibus instar scintillarum oculos itinerantium feriunt, et Lampyrdes des vocantur. Theod. Vidi saepe sepius. Cosmiel. Quemadmodum igitur illa innatam sibi lucem ad operationes rite exequendas natura adeptae sunt, ita et marina animalia. Vidistin unquam quercus putridas, quantopere noctu radient? et haud secus ac lucerna quapiam in obscuris sylvarum recessibus vel viarum indices cuncta illuminent? Comperistine unquam scintillantes nonnullorum animalium, eorum praesertim quae nocturnis venationibus vitam sustentant, oculos? Theod. Vidi et observavi id saepius in felium et noctuarum oculis. Cosmiel. Si itaque terrestribus rebus ad usum necessarium huiusmodi lucem divina Providentia inesse voluit, quanto magis marinis? Sed nunc ad fundi marini incolas oculos animumque convertamus. Vide Theodidacte et diligenter examina inexplicabilem rerum varietatem naturae beneficio in huiusmodi tractibus constitutam. Theod. Tota haec, quam video, planities fundi non mihi pratum, sed vivum quoddam peripetasma incredibili concharum margaritarumque varietate et splendore, veluti lapidibus pretiosis contextum videtur. O quanta conchyliorum specie differentium varietas! Quam affabre in iis natura lusit, quot colorum differentias imbuit! Quanta et quam exotica figurarum, discrepantium sculptura expressit! Video nonnulla (uti ea quoque describit Author historiae naturalis) convexa, plana, concava, quaedam in Lunae morem falcata, aut in orbem circumacta, aliqua dimidio orbe caesa, in dorsum protuberantia, levore quodam splendidissimo perpolita, alia veluti dentibus quibusdam interstincta, alia striarum multiplici ductu miro artificio adumbrata; non desunt quae muricatim intorta, margine in mucronem cuneatum foris effuso, intus replicato, iam distinctione virgulata, crispa; modo in formam cancellorum, imbricum, pectinumque undulata super铿乧ie exporrecta; alia in undarum fluctuantium morem expressa, et cancellatim reticulata, nunc obliqua, iam in rectum expansa, densata, porrecta, sinuata, et ad buccinae morem repanda; undenam tanta mi Cosmiel rerum diversitas? Cosmiel. Illa omnia quantumvis innumeris speciebus differentia, ex invisibili illo et universali naturae semine, quod Oceano potissimum dominatur, formarum diversitatem sortiuntur; siquidem ex aquae particula viscosiori et tenuiori caro conchiliorum nascitur, ex parte vero crassiori et salis copia referta, concha viventi ipsa domus constituitur in lapideam molem indurata; nam sal ex se et sua natura duram firmamque omnibus praebet consistentiam, plastica vero seminis vis illas pro combinatae materiae dispositione in innumeras efformat figuras, colorum vero varietas hanc suam ex diversa sulphuris albi rubrique, quo mare refertum est, mixtura originem trahit: et vivunt ex eodem, ex quo ortum duxerunt alimento elementoque; quamvis nonnulla quoque pisciculos, vermiculos, caeteramque minutiorem maris sobolem in se trahant nutrimentum. Theod. Quomodo id fieri potest, cum visu et dentibus careant? Cosmiel. Natura uti sagacissima est, ita et iis quoque necessariis ad vivendum subsidis mirum in modum providit. Visus enim defectum, sensu perfectissimo tactus supplevit; dentes vero eius quibus praedam sibi venatur, est ipsa aperibilis conchae structura, qua dum voluntario animalis motu nunc clauditur, nunc aperitur, fit ut animalcula iis vicina simul ac hiantibus conchae labris sese insinuaverint, astutus intus latens piscator praedam praesentiens mox clausis labris in escam indito sibi instinctu eandem conservet. Theod. Reperio hic inter alia Tritonias buccinas, purpureo liquore refertas. Cosmiel. Illae sunt murices et purpurae, nullo non suo celeberrimae, unicum Regum atque Imperatorum ornamentum; harum enim naturali liquore panni illi tinguntur, quos tantopere inquiri ambitque principum Maiestas, ortumque habet ex purissimo sulphure rubeo, tincto spiritu cynabrii, quod in centro virtutis spermaticae horum piscium delitescit, et naturali hepatis facultate concoctiva, una cum dicto sulphure, in hunc quem vides convertitur liquorem. Theod. Ecce linguam purpurae sive muricis acutissimam, quam exerit; habentne haec animalia linguam, aut reliqua membra distincta? Membra distincta non habent, sed simile quid membris caeterorum animalium. Hinc quam tu linguam dicis, lingua proprie non est, sed spina quaedam ossea, acuta et dura, qua caeteras suas vicinas, veluti cuneo quodam aperit, apertas effugit; pisculos quoque vicinos ea transfixos intra se trahit. Theod. Ergo os habent et stomachum. Cosmiel. Dixi tibi simile quid eas habere, meatus videlicet, intra quos nutrimentum attrahunt deponant, veluti in stomachum quendam a natura ipsis constitutum. Depositum vero calore nativo in propriam substantiam convertunt; sunt enim quotquot hic contemplaris conchiliorum genera, nihil aliud, nisi carneae quaedam massae, animatae, quae tametsi indiscreto membrorum situ a natura disposita sint, acutissimo tamen Tactus sensu pollent, neque generant aliorum piscium more, sed universali naturae, et peculiari maris seminis, uti dixi, pro diversitate dispositionis materiae generantur, et ex viroque sensibili et insensibili mento vivunt. Quae vero conchilia hisce scopulis nativa sede et immutabili adhaerere vides, illa Ichyophyta verius, quam animalia perfecta dicenda sunt, et Zoophytis adnumerantur, vitamque merent ex communis naturae seminis, intra petrarum saxorumque foramina digesto concoctoque, eiusdemque suctu vivunt. Huius quoque generis sunt spongiae marinae, similiaque imperfectae naturae, mediaeque inter plantas et animalia Ichtyophyta.

Chapter I

The External and Internal Structure of the Sea is Explored, and the Multitude and Variety of Animals in It are Described.

Cosmiel: We have thoroughly explored the external aspects of the Geocosmos, unveiling its marvels manifesting in herbs, plants, animals, and elemental phenomena. Now, let us embark on a journey once more, a path untouched by human steps, uncharted by mortal gaze, where the concealed treasures of nature lie hidden. [127] Here, you shall behold the magnificent architectural design of the Most Wise Creator within the Geocosmos. As I pledged to you earlier, I shall fulfill it, so that, having beheld the indescribable creations of God, you may be entirely immersed in the praise of your Creator.Theodidactus: Certainly, as nothing can be more welcome to my wishes, I have longed ardently for this moment when you may carry out my heart's desire 鈥� to guide me through the intricate paths of the sea's abysses and the many dangers of land, fire, and water, ensuring my safety. I am fully aware of the perils posed by sea monsters, the noxious vents, and the deadly virulence of vapors and exhalations from the Earth's interior. I understand the numerous Vulcanian furnaces of fire we must traverse and the countless abysses of water we must cross. However, with unwavering trust in your piety and incredible goodness, I implore you to harness your fervent desire to lead me on this journey.Cosmiel: My dear Theodidactus, you are well aware of the numerous celestial perils, the fiery oceans of celestial bodies, and the seas plagued by pestilential breath that I have guided you through, and you remained unharmed through it all. Now, do you doubt my unwavering faith in you as we embark on this journey into the inner Geocosmos? Are you questioning whether the power I possessed during our celestial voyage has waned in this new exploration? Let it be known that I hold the keys to the Heavens, the Earth, and indeed, all of nature is entrusted to my care. Do you not realize that, [128] just as I govern the universe, everything that shines in the Majesty of nature is subject to my command by the divine order of providence? Therefore, no stubborn turbulence of water exists that cannot be immediately subdued at my will, no violence of subterranean fires and volcanic torrents that I cannot extinguish at my command, and no menacing atrocity of noxious vapors that I cannot alleviate. In summary, there is no significant danger looming over you that my protection and guardianship cannot dispel. So, my dear Theodidactus, take heart, for it is inconceivable that any form of adversity should befall you when you have me as your ever-present leader, ready to assist you in every way.Theodidactus: Oh, my dearest Cosmiel, second only to the one God in my heart, I am filled with profound shame at the inexplicable kindness you have bestowed upon me, your unworthy and humble servant. Who am I but a pauper of the lowest standing to deserve such a guardian of both body and soul, such a master of great wisdom? O God, I thank you for blessing me with the guidance of such a remarkable caretaker. My praises rise, harmonizing with the voices of all your ineffable creations, for the immense protection you have gifted me through your providence. Therefore, O Cosmiel, whom I revere with the utmost humility as the guardian of divine archives and as the counselor of the Almighty's hidden works, I hold you in unique admiration and adoration. [129] I earnestly beseech you, with the full obedience of my mind, to fulfill what I believe can be accomplished through your assistance. I stand before you, your devoted servant, ready to act as you command and to obey your every will.Hardly had I poured out these words with full fervor of heart when, lo and behold, I found myself standing by the shore of the Ocean, gazing at something splendid and marvelous that sparkled. Astonished, I stood there, and it addressed me in the following words.Cosmiel: Why are you surprised, Theodidactus?Theodidactus: I am astonished by this work that resembles crystal, and I desire to know what it is.Cosmiel: This is the small ship I have personally crafted for you, using the purest crystal. Within its confines, you will embark on a journey through the expansive hydrophylacia of the ocean's pathways and subterranean depths, with me as your Navigator and Captain. Its transparent design allows you to closely observe the mysteries of nature through its glass walls, all while remaining safe and secure from the perils of the waters.Theodidactus: How can this small ship navigate the innermost depths of the ocean and rocky reefs without suffering any rupture or damage? Who will supply us with the essential air we need? And who will illuminate the abysses of the deep sea for our vessel?Cosmiel: You need not concern yourself with the necessary provisions, for I possess the power to supply all that is needed. I will craft the ship with great skill, and I am well-versed in steering it, ensuring that no obstacle can cause harm to it. I will promptly transform moisture into the purest air, and I serve as the light and lantern that can dispel even the [130] darkest cave's obscurity, turning it into the brightest of days. Therefore, Theodidactus, you need not trouble yourself with the material necessities, as it is my responsibility. I, and those like me, excel in the understanding of natural phenomena, just as human nature stands far apart from angelic nature.Theodidactus: With these words, I received instructions to enter the small crystal ship through a tiny door. The ship's construction allowed it to flawlessly display any object placed before it, mirroring the world in the purest crystal, without any distortion. Devoid of oars, masts, or sails, it was instead guided or halted at the will and desire of Cosmiel. Within this vessel, there was no shortage of air or light, for in the presence and under the command of the ruler of the world, all the elements of nature obediently offered their services. Thus, I embarked on this journey imbued with mystical significance. Whether Cosmiel was within or outside the ship remained uncertain, as he seemed to operate both within and beyond all things. Filled with wonder at this extraordinary phenomenon, I exclaimed, "Oh, Cosmiel, where are you leading me through these unfamiliar and winding paths, without oars or a helm?"Cosmiel: You will soon witness, for there is no requirement for oars and a helm when one governs the world through divine mandate, as entrusted by the Creator, and effortlessly orchestrates the ceaseless rotation of the vast celestial spheres.Theodidactus: Then proceed as you started, with the favorable Winds by your side. Oh, Cosmiel, [131] I behold such marvels through these transparent walls 鈥� a multitude of fish, countless legions of marine creatures!Cosmiel: All these are the offspring of the great sea, hitherto unknown to humans.Theodidactus: Pause for a moment, Cosmiel. What is this monstrous sight? I see before me a colossal, walking mass resembling a mountain. Can it truly be that rocks and cliffs can move within the sea?Cosmiel: Oh, how you jest, Theodidactus! This is not a mountain, but rather a whale, or perhaps a massive school of them, which is quite abundant in this kingdom of the ocean.Theodidactus: I beseech you, my Cosmiel, to bring me closer for a better view of its shape and size.Cosmiel: So be it.Theodidactus: Certainly, my Cosmiel, I must confess that I cannot perceive this floating mountain without being astounded. I observe a vast cavern within it, adorned with two trees that stand like peaks. It is possible that one of them belongs to the category of the so-called floating islands. Moreover, I discern a unique juxtaposition of grasses, marine herbs, and sandy rocks along its sides. There are also additional indications, such as a coral plant emerging from one side and a small meadow filled with algae and marine herbs. Furthermore, there is an abundance of various types of oysters and shells piled and embedded within this remarkable mass. Oh, Cosmiel, what do my eyes behold now? Two colossal rocks that shine like carbuncles or pyropes. The radiant light they emit is truly astonishing! What a marvelous spectacle!Cosmiel: Clearly, my dear Theodidactus, it becomes apparent [132] that you are yet to acquaint yourself with the marvels of the world, as you have mistaken this sea creature for a floating mountain or island due to your persistent interpretation. Can you not perceive that the cavern you believed to be the cave of a mountain is, in reality, the gaping mouth of a whale?Theodidactus: Oh, a marvel, a miracle! Tell me, why is its mouth always open, and why do I find it filled with fish?Cosmiel: This creature, owing to its colossal size, requires a constant supply of nourishment. It dedicates day and night to hunting, tirelessly seeking sustenance. Its hidden instinct compels it to keep its mouth perpetually open during this pursuit. Fish, by chance, stumble upon it, deluded by their misguided belief that the opening is the entrance to an underwater cave. They venture inside without caution, falling prey to the natural cunning of the beast. They are both ensnared and transformed into food, captured by the ingenious hunter. Regarding the vegetation, herbs, crystalline shrubs, and similar growths adorning its external surface, I must concede that they possess a certain charm for those who explore the works of the wisest Creator. However, once you understand the cause of this vegetative growth clinging to the creature, your wonderment will cease. The whale's entire body exudes an immense stickiness due to the abundance of fat and blubber. At times and in suitable locations on the seabed, amidst the stratum of algae and other marine plants, it rolls and turns itself over, as if in a fitting and delightful meadow. This behavior may serve mating purposes or alleviate extreme itching, offering relief. [133] When such a place is covered with sand, rocks, shells, oysters, and other denizens of the sea floor, they inevitably adhere to the rough skin of the whale due to its adhesive surface. Over time, like seeds in rich and viscous mud, these attachments harden into stony growths through the saltiness of the sea. This explains why you see the creature adorned with a multitude of plants, shells, and shelled creatures. Regarding the two "trees" you observed on its top, they are not trees at all but the blowholes of the whale. Through these orifices, it alternately draws in water and expels it with tremendous force into the air. As for the pyrope-like rocks you mistook them for, they are in reality the eyes of the whale, emitting its innate light. This luminosity aids the whale in locating essential prey in the murky depths of the sea and illuminating potential obstacles like rocks. It is comparable to how a ship displays lights to indicate the presence of impediments. This unique gift of light, granted by the providence of Almighty God and the special endowment of nature, is indispensable for the whale's survival. Without it, the massive creature would undoubtedly meet its demise while navigating the waters, as even the slightest contact with rocks would prove fatal, akin to a ship colliding with rocky outcrops. For this reason, the whale avoids areas with land, rocky ocean formations, and regions harboring perilous obstacles like dogs and snakes, acutely aware of the dangers that lurk there. It instead favors the expansive open Ocean, devoid of rugged cliffs, [134] steering clear of its softer underbelly to avert harm from any penetrating wounds.Theodidactus: Oh, how wondrous nature appears before my eyes! However, I beseech you, my dear Cosmiel, to provide me with a closer examination of the construction of the whale's blowhole, as there is nothing that fills me with greater amazement.Cosmiel: I will not only reveal the desired blowhole to you but also guide you deeper into the inner chambers of its ventral cavity, leaving nothing concealed. Proceed with confidence, and do not harbor any fear of the whale, for I am the one who exercises control over it and directs its actions as I see fit.He had scarcely uttered these words when, lo and behold, our boat was jolted as we entered the monstrous blowhole. From there, we traversed through the passages of the throat, resembling narrow alleyways, and delved into a vast, shadowy crypt deep within the whale's belly. Here, an overwhelming heat enveloped me, as if I were confined within a furnace. Theodidactus: Oh, Cosmiel, where are you guiding me? What is the source of this intense heat that I am experiencing, and what purpose do these vital chambers serve?Cosmiel: This immense heat within the whale is essential for the digestion of its copious food intake, bestowed upon it by nature. Now, please focus your attention on the specific components I am about to reveal. Can you observe those two colossal openings, resembling outward-protruding chimneys, akin to palates?Theodidactus: I see them.Cosmiel: These are the two blowholes through which it draws in and expels vast amounts of water. Have you observed the rows of teeth?Theodidactus: I see them, but they do not resemble the teeth of an animal to me; they appear more like interconnected peaks of rocks arranged in rows. The palate resembles [135] the ceiling of an extraordinarily rugged crypt, with such immense capacity and width that it could easily accommodate a wagon laden with hay. Oh, the marvelous creations of God!Cosmiel: Let us continue onward. Can you see the chamber that the whale has arranged for itself to store the food it acquires through hunting?Theodidactus: I do observe it, and indeed, amid the numerous species of fish, it appears that the lifeless body of a shipwrecked man, striving to escape by swimming, has become prey for the whale.Cosmiel: Exactly.Theodidactus: What is protruding there?Cosmiel: That is the heat emanating from the pulsating heart.Theodidactus: Behold, a new spectacle: I observe an immense cauldron ceaselessly emitting smoke, resembling the type used for boiling beer. Could this be its heart?Cosmiel: Indeed, that is the heart of the whale, emitting a continuous exhalation of spirits.Theodidactus: But what is this, which I see inflated like a ship's sail?Cosmiel: These are the lungs of the whale, through which it draws the necessary air; and even the water itself, heated by the immense heat, undergoes a transformation into air within this vicinity.Theodidactus: My dear Cosmiel, what is the round and moist structure I perceive, resembling a cupola or a dome, similar to those often found atop churches?Cosmiel: That is the liver.Theodidactus: What about those twisted ducts that I see stretched out in winding spirals?Cosmiel: Those are the intestines of the animal, through which it excretes the waste products of digestion.Theodidactus: Oh, who would have ever imagined that such colossal creatures could exist within the natural world? Who can adequately extol the immeasurable wisdom of the Creator? What magnificent and awe-inspiring creations has He brought forth as a testament to His Majesty and omnipotence? [136] Please enlighten me, for what divine purpose did God create beings such as these? I fail to discern how they contribute to the natural order, as they appear to be more of a hindrance, depleting the Ocean's resources through their voracious consumption of fish to the extent that even the ocean's progeny are deprived.Cosmiel: Do not assume that anything within the natural world lacks the loftiest purposes in nature. Beyond their role as testaments to the Creator's omnipotence, these creatures serve myriad other functions within the realm of the Ocean. In fact, anything within the ocean that is impure, viscous, fatty, or tainted, when drawn into the domain of such a beast, is cleansed of harmful impurities and purified within the watery domain. Furthermore, the fat of this creature possesses significant utility, as many nations rely on it for various purposes. The extraction of oil from the rendering of this fat serves not only as fuel for lamps but also as a highly valuable substance for coating ships to protect against water intrusion and for the tanning of leather. It greatly benefits practitioners in the fields of laundering, dyeing, leatherworking, and navigation. Additionally, in the realm of medicine, this oil proves to be notably advantageous, serving as a remedy for diverse ailments. It excels in soothing inflamed limbs, such as in the treatment of erysipelas and similar diseases. When refined and distilled multiple times to eliminate its foul odor, it becomes a highly esteemed medicine for alleviating bladder pain and is particularly effective for vesicular discomfort. In Iceland, even [137] a single whale skeleton is used to construct an entire house. However, now that we have emerged from the obscurity of the whale's belly, let us turn our attention to other matters.Theodidactus: I observe something positioned above us, resembling a canopy stretched out like an enormous sail or the hub of a wheel. Please, enlighten me, what is this colossal structure?Cosmiel: You see a sea turtle.Theodidactus: It is almost unbelievable that the ocean can produce such immense assemblies of creatures. What a truly magnificent spectacle of wonders! I beseech you, my dear Cosmiel, to proceed slowly so that I may discern each one more distinctly. I am overwhelmed with profound admiration, as the ocean seems to mirror the animals produced by the land and air in a remarkable resemblance. Here, I observe fish miraculously transformed into forms resembling horses, calves, deer, pigs, dogs, wolves, elephants, and lions. I even see creatures resembling swallows, vultures, and colossal hills. Moreover, there are vast formations of dolphins, tunas, mackerels, hakes, and numerous other smaller fish, astonishingly adorned with horns, swords, mallets, and spears. Some among them appear as if fleeing and fraught with fear, while others engage in playful antics, at times upside down, at times reclining, and they make curious gestures that captivate the eye.Cosmiel: Those individuals you observe filled with fear are seeking refuge from pursuing adversaries, whether they be the threats posed by the whale, orcas, dolphins, or others. In no element are conflicts and fierce battles as prevalent as within this watery realm, where sea creatures engage in mutual strife. Larger creatures target smaller ones, [138] while medium-sized beings harbor implacable animosity toward their larger counterparts. Despite their potential size and strength disadvantage, they employ cunning and craftiness to devise strategies for vanquishing their foes. Only the smaller schools of fish appear to be destined for the common sustenance of all, especially for the ocean's predators. As for the various interactions you witness among the fish, whether they are upside down or prone, Theodidactus, please be aware that such movements and gestures signify nothing other than the natural coupling of males and females for the purpose of propagating offspring. Through these rubbings and frictions, the male releases a specific vapor or essence into the female's organs designated by nature, which subsequently condenses into the embryo within her eggs. Upon reaching maturity, the embryo is released into the ocean's surface and, through the influence of the Sun's heat and the sea's inherent qualities, undergoes the transformation into a fish, resembling the species from which it originated. However, it is essential to note that not all oceanic offspring come from eggs. Many larger marine creatures, such as whales, sea calves, manatees, and similar species, give birth to live young, delivering pups instead of laying eggs. These creatures encompass cetaceans, orcas, pilot whales, dolphins, seals, and various others.Theodidactus: You elucidate everything with such clarity, but, oh my Cosmiel, it appears that something extraordinary has come into my line of sight. Could it be that there are humans in the Ocean too? I perceive what seem to be apparitions resembling [139] human shapes, albeit at a considerable distance. Thus, I implore you to bestow upon me the capability to scrutinize them more closely.Cosmiel: Granted.Theodidactus: Truly, I find humans of both sexes here.Cosmiel: You are mistaken, Theodidactus. These are not humans and cannot be rightly called such, for they are devoid of all reason. They are aquatic creatures, resembling the upper portion of a human and terminating in a fish's tail below. They belong to the category of beings that ancient teachings fancifully counted among the goddesses, known as sirens. Observe the head of this female figure, adorned with long, nearly hairless locks that cascade into fleshy and pulpy tendrils. Take note of her face, animated by the liveliness of her eyes, possessing a charming and beautiful countenance, yet lacking the defining feature of human beauty鈥攁 nose. Examine her arms, longer than those of humans, with hands not divided into finger-like digits but instead resembling the webbed structure of a goose's foot, a design crafted by nature for swimming. Observe her rounded and plump breasts, gleaming with a snowy whiteness and radiant in their appearance.Theodidactus: Unless my eyes deceive me, it appears to be a pulpy substance of human flesh.Cosmiel: You are mistaken. What you perceive as flesh is in reality a creation of nature, composed of the smallest and whitest scales, which, like those found on all other fish, gleam with exceptional luminosity. Now, take notice of the evident distinction in gender through the remarkably lengthy fish tail. However, let us now turn our [140] attention to the male.Theodidactus: Oh, Cosmiel, it more closely resembles a demon than a human. Its countenance lacks any discernible form, its eyes contorted, its cheeks marred by wrinkles, its beard appearing utterly absurd. It seems more like a mass of flesh than anything else! Its hair, if one can even call it that, is disheveled and gives the impression of Medusa's head or a polyp extending wildly from its scalp. Its hands are monstrously shaped, resembling the wings of bats, and its body exhibits scales that render it coarse to the touch. In summary, its form bears little resemblance to that of a woman. However, when one considers the arrangement and positioning of its limbs, along with the substantial tail at the end, there exists a faint similarity to the human figure. I recollect encountering such a creature once on the island of Malta, referred to as a sea demon. It had washed ashore near the Church of the Sacred Virgin, commonly known as "della Maleca," and when brought to Sicily, it became a significant source of income for local fishermen. But I must inquire, my dear Cosmiel, for what purpose did nature create such monstrous beings?Cosmiel: If you were aware, Theodidactus, of why, among quadrupeds, monkeys and baboons are shaped and behave in a manner not entirely dissimilar to humans; why, among birds, there exist creatures such as penguins and albatrosses that walk upright, resembling humans in their gait; why, within the realm of plants, the Orchid flower is meticulously fashioned [141] to mirror a perfect human figure, complete with concealed sexual organs; and why, even in the recesses of the Earth's crevices, among stones like agate, marble, and other hidden minerals, nature imprints and molds the semblance of a human figure, as well as the likenesses of other animals and plants, perhaps your astonishment would be lessened. Nature derives pleasure from crafting such playful creations, and just as she endeavors to encompass all things within all things, she operates within the constraints of each order of beings to imprint, if not sensation, at least life, and if not life, then at the very least a rudimentary form, all for the purpose of bearing testimony to her majesty within the beauty of the universe. All things aspire towards their ultimate perfection, particularly a form akin to that of a human, who, next to God, represents the culmination of all creation. When they are unable to attain this form through the ordinary course of nature, they strive to achieve it in some analogous manner. Thus, you understand why nature played with such ingenuity and artistry in the creation of sirens. You might wonder if there is anything unique about these creatures that could be of benefit to humanity, whether they possess some virtue. In response, I can affirm that they bear the imprint and characteristics of the craftsman's artistry, and that even their cunning and cleverness, so closely resembling human intelligence, abundantly testify to a profound secret of nature concealed within them. Tritons and sirens, dwelling in secluded retreats along the Ocean's shores, far removed from human interference and sheltered from the ocean's turmoil, appear to exhibit a form of ingenious industry. [142] They construct their homes using shells and mollusk shells, collaborating in this effort. They store away provisions acquired from the sea in designated compartments, which serve as reserves during times of pressing hunger. They fashion beds from piled sandy mud for resting their weary bodies. Like amphibians, they seek out sunlit areas to bask in the warmth, particularly along the shores of Sofala, inhabited by the Barbarians, where they frequently seek refuge. They derive enjoyment from fruits and terrestrial roots, prompting them to forage for these resources along remote, verdant riverbanks, storing their findings in their customary compartments.Theodidactus: Oh, the astounding marvels of nature! I now perceive that what Maphaeus records in his Indian history about seven sirens intercepted by fishermen in the Indian Ocean near the Maldives Islands is undoubtedly accurate. The captivating and graceful portrayal of these creatures finds confirmation in the accounts of our ancestors as well as contemporary physicians who have witnessed them firsthand. Moreover, there exist certain remains of these monstrous beings brought from the Philippine Islands, commonly referred to as "Pez Muguer" by the Spanish, and there is no doubt that they belong to the same species as the ones we are currently observing.Cosmiel: Indeed, that is correct, although it appears that they exhibit a somewhat more monstrous appearance than these. Just as upon the Earth's surface, where more exquisite humans and animals are born in certain regions due to the distinct qualities and environmental conditions of the soil and air, likewise, in the ocean, with its distinctive properties of water, such beings with human-like forms are generated to a greater or lesser degree.Theodidactus: Do they have any [143] use in the field of medicine?Cosmiel: Indeed, they serve a significant and extraordinary purpose. Their bones possess a unique power to staunch bleeding. If humans could engage in experiments unimpeded by the rarity of these creatures, I assure you that an essence derived from a combination of their bodies would constitute a genuine panacea for the Microcosm, an elixir of life, and a restoration of innate vitality. In brief, it could serve as a universal remedy for all human physical maladies, even those deemed incurable by most physicians. However, guided by an innate cunning and shrewdness, they elude human snares. Consequently, they seldom make appearances, and even when they do, it is with great difficulty (not without substantial impediment to the field of medicine) that they fall into the nets of a more inquisitive fisherman.Theodidactus: Oh, Cosmiel, I observe a creature unlike any other; it appears as a living beam with an immensely long, serpentine body that writhes from side to side. Its gaping jaws, armed with numerous horns, and its wing-like fins make it appear truly frightening. When motionless, it could easily be mistaken for a contorted rock formation.Cosmiel: This creature is known as a Sea Serpent, and it exercises its dominance not only over the fish in these vast ocean waters but also occasionally entwines its coils around the largest ships, dragging them into the depths. It originates from the noxious and putrid substances of the sea, spreading a pernicious and [144] deadly venom that infects everything it comes into contact with. When it covers a fish or any distant victim, they become ensnared by its poison and become its prey. While this evil may seem like a product of nature, it serves a purpose by attracting and absorbing harmful elements in the sea, whether influenced by celestial bodies or noxious vapors from the Earth. In doing so, it helps rid the ocean of potential harm. Now, let's finally descend to the bottom of this vast sea to witness the numerous astonishing creations that wise Mother Nature has produced there.Theodidactus: Oh, Cosmiel, it appears you are guiding me into the very depths of the world.Cosmiel: Fear not, for although this ocean's depth at this point can be rightfully termed an abyss, you shall encounter no harm with me as your guide.Theodidactus: Until now, I had always believed that mountains, forests, and meadows existed only on the terrestrial surface. But now, I see all these elements in this underwater domain. What a densely populated forest of plants and an intricate maze of rocks and cliffs! I beseech you to exercise caution to prevent our glass boat from encountering any collisions with them.Cosmiel: Why do you mutter, Theodidactus? Do you hold my abilities and the durability of this boat in such low regard that you doubt my ability to protect and navigate it safely through all perils? Could I not swiftly mend it [145] or keep you secure amidst the deep sea, shielding you from the dangers of the waves?Theodidactus: Oh, my Cosmiel, forgive my timidity, for I would never doubt your abilities in the face of danger or mistrust you, nor would I waver in my belief in you. I am well aware of your greatness and the vastness of your power, as everything exists under your command. It's just that, being human, I succumbed to the natural fear of the unknown and the extraordinary, which prompted me to speak these words imprudently.Cosmiel: Well aware of your vulnerability, I readily forgive you. But now, let's get back to our purpose. You were astonished to find forests, meadows, and mountains in the sea, and I am amazed at your simple thinking. Do you believe that there is a different order of things beneath the sea compared to the external surface of the Earth? Not at all. If divine power were to remove the waters and dry up the ocean, you would see nothing but vast regions, connected chains of the highest mountains, the deepest valleys, mighty rivers, extensive plains stretching far and wide into infinity, forests and meadows 鈥� albeit composed of different kinds of plants, shrubs, coral trees, and mineral blooms 鈥� all of which have sprung forth through the virtue of salt, capable of producing such things by its nature. There is no shortage of flowers or fruits; for what are islands but the vast underwater mountains, only their peaks rising above the water, [146] thus becoming suitable for human habitation? Look at the rocks scattered about, the walls stretching with enormous gaps, and the structure of the deepest mountains.Theodidactus: I see and marvel at the great depth in the ocean, something I could never have imagined. There's no trace of solar light in this abyss, and without your light, it feels like wandering in Cimmerian darkness, destined to perish. But how can this be?Cosmiel: You should know, Theodidactus, that solar rays can penetrate the sea to a certain depth. However, in these deeper places, the density of the compacted intermediate layers prevents any light from penetrating or surpassing their corporeal opacity.Theodidactus: So, how do the offspring of the sea creatures manage to find the necessary provisions to survive in such great marine obscurity? I am curious to know.Cosmiel: Nature's kindness has provided ample solutions to this inconvenience. Look at the plain below us and the rocks, crevices, and fissures.Theodidactus: What is this marvel? I see countless armies of the brightest stars, and I even discern moving light. Could it be a mirage, or perhaps the exhalation of subterranean fire? But I also notice that the fissures in the rocks emit a remarkable amount of light. Please, Cosmiel, tell me the purpose of this multitude of lights.Cosmiel: These lights you see should not be considered elemental fire, will-o'-the-wisps, or any subterranean phenomenon, for how could fires [147] buried beneath the vast masses of water maintain their existence?Theodidactus: Then, I beseech you, what is their purpose?Cosmiel: The lights you see are various types of luminescent creatures, including mollusks, crustaceans, and other bottom-dwelling animals. Nature, recognizing their inherent fragility, has provided them with light in addition to warmth, as a benevolent means of preserving them from the harsh conditions of the ocean floor. By divine wisdom, they were created with natural light, serving as a source of nourishment and protection. These creatures are akin to lanterns ingeniously placed by the Creator's Mind at the sea's depths, not only to ward off illusory dangers but also to assist them in finding essential sustenance. It's important to note that these creatures, with few exceptions among the Ichthyophytes, lack eyes due to this specific imperfection. Instead, they rely on the light they've been endowed with, both to illuminate their surroundings and to maintain their innate warmth. The light you observe emanating from the mountain walls comes from worms enclosed in sheaths called "dactyls," which settle in rock crevices and produce their own light. Furthermore, it's worth mentioning that there are hardly any fish species that do not possess this innate light, which is vital for their survival in the dark depths of the sea, as exemplified when we observed [148] the whale.Theodidactus: But in what way do they have this light?Cosmiel: Have you ever seen fireflies, or those winged insects that emit light like tiny sparks during the night? They are known as Lampyrids.Theodidactus: I have seen them many times.Cosmiel: Much like these creatures have developed inherent light to carry out their activities efficiently, marine animals have done the same. Have you ever witnessed how decaying oaks emit light during the night? They can brighten their surroundings much like lanterns in dark forest alcoves or along pathways. Have you ever observed the gleaming eyes of certain animals, particularly those that rely on nighttime hunting to sustain their lives?Theodidactus: Yes, I have observed this in the eyes of cats and owls.Cosmiel: If divine Providence has chosen to bestow such light upon terrestrial creatures for essential purposes, then it is even more fitting for marine life. Now, let us direct our focus to the denizens of the ocean floor. Take a close look at the astonishing diversity of creatures established here through the benevolence of nature.Theodidactus: This entire expanse I behold resembles not a meadow but a living spectacle adorned with an astonishing variety and splendor of shells and pearls, as if woven from precious stones. Oh, the multitude of shells, each uniquely shaped! Nature has demonstrated artistry, infusing them with a multitude of colors and crafting exquisite forms. I see [149] shells that are convex, flat, concave, crescent-moon-shaped, or perfectly circular. Some are halved, while others protrude like polished gems. Some bear patterns resembling teeth, while others are adorned with intricate lines. There are those twisted like thorns, with outer edges spreading into wedge-shaped points and inner sides folding back. They exhibit grooves, curls, and some take the form of combs or scallops with undulating surfaces. Others mimic the rolling waves of the sea, creating a lattice or net, at times inclining and then straightening, dense, extended, sinuous, and spiraled like a horn. Why, Cosmiel, does such diversity of forms exist?Cosmiel: Despite their countless differences in species, all these countless species, derive their diversity of forms from that invisible and universal seed of nature, which especially dominates the ocean; indeed, from the more viscous and thinner particle of water, the flesh of shellfish is born, while on the other hand, from the thicker part abundant in salt, the living shell itself is constituted into a hardened stone mass; for salt, by its nature, provides a hard and firm consistency to all things, while the plastic force of the seed, through the disposition of the combined material, shapes them into countless forms. Moreover, the variety of colors derives its origin from the different mixture of white and red sulfur, with which the sea is filled. And they [150] live on the same food and element from which they originated; although some also attract nourishment from the smaller offspring of the sea, such as small fish, worms, and other marine life.Theodidactus: How can this be when they lack both sight and teeth?Cosmiel: Nature, in its ingenuity, has endowed these creatures with remarkable survival mechanisms. Due to their absence of sight, they rely heavily on an exceptionally sensitive sense of touch. As for the role of teeth in capturing prey, their shell structures fulfill this function. By voluntarily opening and closing their shells, they can ensnare any prey that ventures too near while the shell is open. The shrewd hidden hunters anticipate this and, driven by instinct, close their shells to secure their captured prey.Theodidactus: I see here among other things Triton shells filled with purple liquid.Cosmiel: Those are the murex and purpura shells, both enjoying a lofty reputation. They stand as exclusive ornaments cherished by kings and emperors. These shells yield the natural dye coveted by royalty for their garments. The purple dye derives from the purest red sulfur, infused with the essence of these fish. It is fashioned through the natural digestive prowess of their livers, in conjunction with the previously mentioned sulfur, culminating in the liquid you behold.Theodidactus: Behold the sharp tongue or proboscis of the purpura or murex! Do these creatures have tongues or other distinct organs?Cosmiel: They do not have distinct organs, but they possess something similar [151] to the organs of other animals. What you call a tongue is not a true tongue but a sharp, bony spine. It is used to open other shells like a wedge and escapes when they are opened. It also draws nearby fish inside itself.Theodidactus: So they have mouths and stomachs?Cosmiel: I mentioned that these creatures possess something akin to organs, specifically channels through which they intake and process nourishment, functioning like a stomach created by nature for their sustenance. Utilizing their inherent heat, they transform these ingested materials into their own substance. While these diverse shell types before you are essentially animated masses of flesh, they lack the typical arrangement of distinct organ structures. They rely on an extraordinarily sensitive sense of touch and do not reproduce in the manner typical of other fish. Instead, they are generated by the universal essence of nature and the specific semen of the sea, as previously discussed, influenced by the diversity of material disposition. They sustain themselves through both sensory and insensate souls. As for those shells firmly attached to these rocks, they are more accurately described as Ichthyophyta [fish-like plants] than perfect animals. Classified as Zoophytes, they owe their existence to the common seed of nature, settling and thriving within the crevices of rocks and stones, drawing nourishment from the same source. In a similar vein, they belong to the same category as marine sponges and embody an imperfect nature, occupying an intermediate position between plants and animals as Ichthyophyta [fish-like plants]. [152]

CAPUT II. 

Exploratur maris fundus, et communicatio marium cum Oceano.

COSMIEL. Agedum Theodidacte. Visis iam vegetantis sentientisque naturae proprietatibus, nihil porro restat, nisi ut te prius in ipsa subterranei mundi vestibula, qui Oceani mariumque fundus est, introducam. Ut ex his demum, veluti per ingentis immensique palatii portas et ostia ad interiora Geocosmi adyta penetrare possis. Theod. Totum tuae me submitto dispositioni; novi enim nihil mihi sinistri accidere posse, si tu naturae dominator, semper mihi praesto fueris, potentique dexterae tuae auxilio me servum suae fidei commissum fulciveris. Cosmiel. Macte animo; inexhaustos tandem Oceani fundos penetremus. Theod. Ergo necdum fundum attigimus? quid ergo pratum illud, in quo tanto nos tempore detinuimus, fuit, nisi fundus maris? Cosmiel. Falleris, pratum enim quod spectasti, intimus maris fundus non fuit, sed suprema ingentis scopuli planities; quare pergamus. Theod. O mi Cosmiel quo me Euro velociori motu ducis? iam enim vero cum Iona Propheta clamare possum, 鈥淢ontium fundamenta cooperuerunt me, vectes terrae concluserunt me,鈥� obsecro te, ubinam locorum iam sumus, vel cuinam externae superficiei loco tractus hic; in quo me constitutum video, respondet? Cosmiel. In maris Atthlantici fundo haeremus. Theod. Quo dicto ingens mox lumen exortum, an a Cosmiele immediate, an ab extrinseco quodam lumine ab ipso constitutum, nescio, illuxit: quo fundus maris mirum in modum illuminabatur. Cosmiel. Iam contemplare Theodidacte in hoc inferioris mundi corporibus naturae, Maiestatem, hoc loco nullum animal obcontinuam horrendamque vorticum voraginumque vehementiam, sine ultimo exitii periculo commorari potest. Theod. Quid sibi volunt hae sub marinae in immensam longitudinem montium substructiones, quid ingens aquae fulgentis calor et aestus, quid immensae voragines, quibus fundum ubique pertusum video. Cosmiel. Hi quos vides asperos et tortuosos montium tractus, in numeris scopulis, planiciebus, vallibus sub marinis distensos, substructiones sunt ingentis cuiusdam insulae sive culturam spectes; sive rerum omnium ubertatem, olim omnium beatissimae, quae tamen successu temporis ex vehementibus terrae motibus conculis fornicibus, columnisque montium, una cum hominibus lapsa submersaque, huius quam vides ruinae vestigia reliquit; terrae vero motus ex magno Vulcani cratere huic subiecto originem traxit, cuius quidem aperta signa sunt, caloris et aestus quem mirabaris vehementia, cui in hunc usque diem insulae quas Terceras vocant; ex veteri ruina superstites; subiectae nullo non tempore ingentia detrimenta expertae sunt; voragines vera quas vides, sunt illi aqui ductus, et canales, in caeca alicubi montium viscera: aquam Oceani exonerantes, de quibus postea fusius tecum agam. Theod. Ecce novos semper et novos vortices et voragines, ingentesque fundi hiatus; quorum nonnullos maioris capacitatis, quam vel ipsos crateres Vesuvii aut Aetnae olim me dimensos deprehendo. Et quonam aquas immensi huius Oceani deportant? Cosmiel. Ecce iam Americae insulis, atque adeo ipsi continenti vicini sumus. Nonnulli itaque dictorum canalium intra insularum circumiacentium montes, quidam intra Americae vastissima montium receptacula, ad fluviorum lacuumque originem constituendam per immensas subterraneas anfractuosasque ambages derivantur. Theod. Suntne plures, huiusmodi hiatus et canalium hisce similia, orificia? Cosmiel. Plura omnino sunt; et maiora per totum hunc Oceani tractum a natura disposita. Nosti Theodidacte ex Geographica disciplina; vastissimi fluminum maria, cuiusmodi in America sunt Flumen Amazonum, Maragnon; Flumen S. Ianuarii, Laurentii, aliaque innumera universam Americam faciem rigantia, quae quidem non aliam, nisi ex hoc vel Occiduo vel Ortivo Oceano aquarum per occultos horum hiatuum caecosque voraginum meandros in montium viscera deductarum originem sortiuntur. Ad flumina itaque ingentia constituenda, ingens aquatam tranfusarum vis necessaria est. Theod. Sed quomodo mare cum salsum sit, nativam suam salsedinem intra montes delatum ita subito deponit? Cosmiel. Nosse debes terrestrium partium Naturam ita constitutam esse; ut mox ac aqua per eas colatu quodam transierit, illae naturali attractu salem aquis insitum, in se attractum, in necessarium debitumque sibi alimentum, sine quo nullae in terra generationes fieri possent, derivent. Et hoc pacto aquae marinae, salsedine sua exutae, exsuctaeque in dulcem saporem convertuntur. Sed haec alibi copioso cibi ab Hydriele exposita sunt. Theod. Nodum omnem difficultatis solvisti, et ego experimentis convictus in aqua marina per arenam, argillam, cretamque colata, verissima que dixisti comperi; praesertim si calida, uti in montibus per subterraneos ignes sic colata, dictas materias transeat. Sed o Cosmiel, quam ingentem portam hic apertam video, quam immensum intra montium fauces hiatum intueor. Cosmiel. Ne mireris; hic enim est magnus ille subterraneus meatus, quo Oceanus Atlanticus Australi Oceano, occulto quodam coniugio maritatur: qui nobis modo transeundus est, ut utriusque Oceani abditam et nunquam visam constitutionem exactius contempleris. Theod. O quanta et quam mirifica structura, quam horrendis rupibus omnia rigent, quanta hiatuum orificia panduntur, quantum canalis modo coarctatur, modo in immensum dilatatur; ut iure Subterraneum Pelagus dici possit; quam fornices alti, quanta lapidum varietate contexti; omnia tamen aspera, solida firmaque compage connexa, sere aeterni laboris opus. O mi Cosmiel, forsan Isthmum inter Panamam et Nombre de Dios constitutum transimus. Cosmiel. Ita est, Mare quidem Australe Boreali hoc ponte Isthmico disterminatur. Theod. Et quando tandem finis horum mirabilium? Cosmiel. Ara iam finem attigimus, respice oppositam priori Australis Oceani portam hanc subaqueam. Theod. Non portam video, sed multorum milliarium hiatum intra montem excavatum. Sed O Cosmiel, estne possibile Oceanos et Maria subterraneam communicationem habere? Cosmiel. Quid dubitas fili, rem ita se habere, uti modo in hoc, ita paulo post in multis aliis spectabis. Theod. O magnalia Dei! O ineffabilem Opificis mentis Sapientiam! O quam alta, non dicam caelestium rerum, sed et huius sensibilis Geocosmi, quem pedibus calcamus, quem quotidie oculis evolvimus mysteria humani intellectus caducitas novit! Sed pergamus. Et ecce per innumeros monstrosorum piscium exercitus transeuntes, iuxta innumeras varietatum insularum substructiones, inexplicabili navicule motu delati, ubique Oceani fundum innumeris passim hiatibus, canaliumque orificiis pertusum, sub-aqueis nunc montibus, scopulis, planitiebus, nunc vallibus in immensum exporrectis refertum offendimus; donec tandem ad insularum Philippinarum submarinum Archipelagum delati, intra canalem quendam in Australem polum vergentem defleximus. Hic ego summa curiositate exaestuans cognoscendi incognitarum Australis terre regionum situm, sic ducem, meum affatus sum.. O mi Cosmiel. Si inveni gratiam in oculis tuis, duc rogo servum tuum aliquantulum in extimam maris superficiem, tum liberiori aura fruendi gratia, tum ad regionum si qua sunt australium in hunc vique diem latentium situm explorandum. Cosmiel. Fiat uti postulasti. Theod. Et ecce in patentissimo pelago me constitutum reperi. O mi Cosmiel quantopere mihi consuetae aurae liberioris limpiditate et dulcedine gaudeo; reviviscit sane spiritus meus prodigiosarum rerum spectaculis paene exanimatus, ad caelestis huius lucis intuitum, sed ecce continentem ego video ingentibus montibus cinctam. Quaenam rogo haec regio est? quodnam ei nomen? Cosmiel. Hic est terra illa incognita, quam australem vocant. Theod. Summe in ea homines? Estne ferax et ampla? Cosmiel. Tota quanta hominibus est habitata, feracissima insuper, et animantibus omnis generis cultissima, et continuo tractu intra Zonae temperatae limites distensa, longitudine Europae et Asiae haud quanquam cedit. Theod. Quam rogo religionem huius terrae incolae profitentur? Cosmiel. Nonnulli Solem, Lunam, Stellas adorant, quidam nullius religionis sunt. Omnes ferae fidei qua est in Christum Servatorem tuum, et Dominum nostrum expertes. Theod. Et cur Deus benignissimus nullos Apostolos ad eos a tanta caecitate liberandos mandat? Cosmiel. Uti Dei iudicia sunt abyssus multa, neque quisquam Angelorum aut hominum sit, qui Divini consilii Sacramenta penetrare possit. Ita praesumptione et temeritate non careret, illa curiositas velle scrutari. Veniet tempus, quo Deus eorum misertus mittat, qui Christum iis annuncient, et communi ovili associent, Apostolos, et forsan intra breve tempus, illis caelestis luminis gratia affulgebit. Sed nunc haec de terra australi incognita sufficiant, pergamus. Theod. O Cosmiel iam rursus ingenti mari me expositum video. Et quodnam rogo illud? Cosmiel. Hoc est mare illud intra frigidam australis poli Zonam constitutum, a nemine mortalium hucusque perlustratum. Theod. Vere sub Zona frigida me positum reperio; nisi enim tu mihi pereundum, frigore mihi pereundum esse video. Quid rogo sibi concitatissimus maris in nos cum impetu irruens fluxus? Nihil enim in caeteris maribus simile et magis formidandum me vidisse memini; videmur enim ingenis fluctuum montibus non tantum obrui; et hunc aestum perpetuo fere experior, ut proinde minime eum ex suborta quadam tempestate; aut ventorum impetu adeo vehementem furiosumque esse putem. Sed magnum hic mysterium latere video. Cosmiel. Recte indicasti, hoc enim est quod supra tibi manifestabam, mysterium, de Oceani sub polo Boreo absorptione, eiusdemque sub opposita illi hoc australi polo regurgitatione. Hic enim ex subterraneo suo aquae ductu; aquae inexplicabili vehementia et impetu revomuntur, ut denuo perfecta pericyclosi illuc refluant; ubi absorptae fuerant. Scias vero hunc locum hucusque mansisse inaccessum, cum nemo inventus sit, qui impetum huius maris frangere, et quavis vi superare valuerit, sed omnes quotquot in consultius haec loca vel adierunt, vel ventorum ad ea vi delati fuerunt, inevitabilibus fluctuum turbinibus et Euripis misere perierunt. Theod. O quam inaudita mihi narras, quam nullis unquam mortalium oculis visa demonstras Cosmiel. Video te Theodidacte, totum frigoris vehementia trementem tantum non emori, quare ad derelictam stationem revertamur. Theod. Placet. O quam calidam repetitam stationem sentio. Non est dubium quin fundus hic alicuius subterranei ignis spiraculis urgeatur. Cosmiel. Recte dicis. Sed progrediamur, grandis enim tibi restat via. Theod. Quidnam illud est? Video enim fundum maris, adeoque totam aquarum ei incumbentium molem, vehementi nescio quo motu concuti. Cosmiel. Istae sunt illae subterranei caloris exspirationes; de quibus paulo ante loquebaris, quae uti vehementium spirituum copia turgent, ita mirum in modum, dum violentam irruptionem moliuntur aquas perturbant, superficiem maris, veluti in cacabi morem bullientis pelagi, in saevissimas tempestates concitant, quid vel aerem liberiorm nacti ventos impetuosissimos eum extremo navigatium periculo efficiunt. Theod. Omnia cepi? Sed quis ille suavissimus odor, qui tantopere odoratum meum afficit. Cosmiel: Scias te iam intra Moluccas constitutum, in quibus ingens aromatum copia quotannis provenit, vides hic ambrae Grysiae ubertatem? Vides Cariophylorum acervos? Sentisne Cinnamomi, nucis myristicae, piperis, aliorum aromatum odorem? Theod. Sentio, et miror intra aquam quoque huiusmodi odores sensorium organum afficere posse. O quot vortices, quot hiatus, quot aestuantium aquarum fluxus et refluxus, inter harum insularum angiportus, uti et per totum hunc Indicum Oceanum intueor? Cosmiel: Omnes hi vortices canalium epistomia sunt, qui intra Imai, Caucasi, et Parapanisi montium viscera in constituta ipsis a natura receptacula, ad Gangis, Indi, Hydaspis, caeterorumque innumerorum fluminum ortum, Oceanium humorem perpetua quadam circulatione deponunt, quod qua ratione fiat, iam supra audisti. Theod.: Ecce nova porta non absimilis ei, quam in Oceano Australi reperimus. Quid rogo, ea indicat? Cosmiel: Hic introitus est subterranei ingentis longitudinis Maeandri; agedum, magno animo sis Theodidacte, hic nobis modo transeundus est, et tunc tibi, ubi et in quonam mari terminum suae exonerationis inveniat, aperiam. Theod.: O quam in tortuosum me labyrinthum ducis; in quam vasta terrarum spatia me trahis! Quanta lateralium meatuum multitudo et vastitas! Heu quam horrendas ingentium aquarum Catadupas audio! Hic non lacus, non planicies, non flumina desunt, prata quoque video virenti gramine vestita, regnum iam Subterraneum ingressi videmur. Cosmiel: Minime hoc tibi persuadeas velim; est enim hic canalis singulari naturae artificio intra terrae viscera ad communicationem aquarum excavatus. Theod.: Et quando tandem huius transitus finis? Cosmiel: Ecce iam finem attigimus. Ecce naviculam in altum educam, ut novi aeris haustu reficiaris. Respice modo. Theod.: In mari patentissimo me reperio, altissimos tamen montes e regione aspicio; quonam rogo terrarum loco subsistimus? Cosmiel: In mari Caspio commoramur, quod per cum quem transisti canalem cum mari Indico occulta aquarum commercia exercet. Theod.: O quam aberrant Geographi, qui hoc mere lacum appellant, eo quod omni exitu carere videatur. Ego vero iam aperte comperio, nullum esse mare, quod cum Oceano per subterraneos immensae magnitudinis canales ei, quem transivimus, haud dissimiles non continuetur. Cosmiel: Recte iudicasti. Sed ut haec omnia tibi luculentius pateant, ad desertam stationem revertamur. Theod.: O quam scopulosum huius maris fundum video? Quanto subterranei ignis calore aestuantem? Quam miris contrariorum fluctuum agitationibus saevientem? Euripos innumeros hic natura constitutos video; et unde hoc? Cosmiel: Quia id ex omnibus partibus circumfusis maribus et montium hydrophylaciis per subterraneos canales communicat, quae cum contrariis fluctibus ei inferantur, inde hoc aestu his Euripis, hisce ingentium fluctuum globis illud agitari: nihil mirum est. Accedit fluctuum ad conclusa undique littora illidentium reverberatio, qua mare quasi in perpetuos circulos agitatur. Theod. Sed quodnam novum hoc orificium intra montium substructiones sese nobis exhibet? Cosmiel. Transeamus illud, et exitus dabit rei veritatem. Theod. Canalem non imparem priori ingredi videmur; sed rogo te ne sistamus; unum enim vidisse sufficiat, cum natura ad eandem amussim omnia metiatur. Cosmiel. Iam terminum attigimus; ecce in superficie maris Euxini constitutus es. Theod. Fierine potest quod afferis? Ergone mare Caspium cum mari Euxino miscetur? Cosmiel. Omnino et per hunc quidem quem transisti fornicem subterraneum, quae supra se ingentem caucasum et omnem Colchidis regionem quam hodierna die Georgiam et Megreliam vocant, sustinet. Sed inferiorem stationem postliminio repetamus. Theod. Non minus impeuosum hoc Euxinum, quam Caspium mare reperio, scopulis innumeris, et profundissimis abyssis refertum. Quanta porro piscium diversitas et multitudo; sed dic rogo quid vehemens ille impetus aquarum e latere ruentium? Cosmiel. Hocin loco sese Tanais magna aquarum mole grauatus exonerat. Hinc ille impetus. Sed progrediamur ulterius. Theod. Ecce novos aestus experior prioribus non absimiles luctantium aquarum. Cosmiel. Illi a Borysthene et Danubio ingenti aquarum coacervatione sese in dictis locis deponentibus efficiuntur. Theod. Quid sibi angiportus ille, in quem transimus? Cosmiel. Iam Constantinopoli vicini Propontidem attingimus; in Archipelagum iter facturi. Theod. O quot aestus quot Euripos, quot sine fundo fundos hoc in loco reperio, quot et quantas insularum vicinarum substructiones video, quot calidas exspirationes sentio, luculenta subterranei ignis vestigia? Cosmiel. Veritatem tetigisti; ingens enim huic loco Vulcani culina, subest, qua continuis exhalationibus hoc mare oppido infestum reddit. Sed de his paulo post. Theod. Et quando mare Mediterraneum subibimus? Cosmiel. Iam in eo actu moraris. Theod. Certe Naturam, semper ad eandem normam omnia constituisse ex tot hiatibus et Maeandris fundorum pelagi huius fac superque constat. Sed quid ingens illa vorago, quam hic intra montium fauces apertam video? Cosmiel. Hac prope Aegyptum constituta est, sed ut omnia tibi pateant, ea nobis subeunda est. Theod. Fac quod beneplacitum fuerit in oculis tuis. E heu quam horrenda rerum facies? quanti fornices? quam incomposita structura? quantum salis, quantam bituminis copiam exsudant parietes? quaeso festinemus mi Cosmiel, siquidem mephitim ex cryptis exhalantem amplius sufferre non possum. Cosmiel. Factum est quod petisti, eleva oculos tuos et vide circumsitas regiones, iam in pelagi superficiem elatus. Theod. Vere ubi sim; ubi morer, nescio; lumen ingens nos introisse puto, et quidnam sibi vult sanguineus aquae color? Cosmiel. Scias te iam in mari rubro constitutum esse, quod color aquarum sat superque de monstrat. Et eo quidem in loco quem Moyses quondam una cum populo Israelitico divisis stupendo miraculo aquis sicco pede transivit. Theod. Fierine potest nos in mari rubro constitutos? Et quomodo et per quam viam in illud ingressi sumus? Somnione an vigiliis fallor? Cosmiel. Non falleris, per subterraneum enim meatum, in quo graveolentem illam Mephytim sentiebas, in hoc pelagus ad subterraneam marium communicationem luculentius de monstrandam, id est ex Mediterraneo in rubrum emersimus. Theod. O quam stupenda eaque nova in natura rerum miracula experior! Ecce ingentes hic ex Corallinis fruticibus plantatas a natura sylvas reperio; sed etiam scopulorum intricatissimae feries me paene  attonitum reddunt. Sed ecce novum prodigium. Video hic scopulum ingentem, omni ferra mentorum genere onustum, et veluti trabalibus quibusdam clavis instrumenta ferrea affixa, quid rogo illud? Cosmiel. Hic est scopulus magneticus (quippe magnetibus hoc mare refertum est) qui naufragae ratis ferrarias merces ad se attractas, indissolubili arcanioris naturae vinculo tenet. Theod. Heu quot hiatibus et quot stupendis aperturis fundus scatet! Cosmiel. Hi omnes aquis per suos canales inter Aethiopiae Arabiaeque felicis montium vicinorum hydrophylacia deducendis ad originem fluminum a natura destinati sunt. Sed iam iter prosequamur. Theod. Videor ex monte quodam inciam valle descendere; quidnam hoc indicet, rogo explices. Cosmiel. Rubri maris alveus ea se ratione ad Oceani Indici fundum habet, quemadmodum superior montis alicuius planities ad longe lateque circumfusam vallem se habet. Unde non mireris te descendere, ex monte enim subaqueo, ad subaqueam vallem deponeris. Iam in Oceano Indico versamur. Theod. Heu Cosmiel, ecce novam monstrorum marinorum turbam. O quam sunt horrenda, quam vasta, quam insolenti corporis specie deformata, quanta luce radiant, et in carbunculorum capiti insertorum morem lucent; nonnullorum capita cirris innumeris intricata, quaedam tumore totius corporis tantum non fatiscunt, sunt qui cornibus flumina aquarum profundere videntur. Cosmiel. Illae variae sunt Caetorum species, quorum naturam supra tibi exposui. Theod. Festinemus rogo, ut ex tot ac tantis scopulis, ex tot fundi voraginibus exeamus. Sat enim iam novi, quid illa ex tua instructione sibi velint; revertamur per hunc Indicum Oceanum in Atlanticum, unde digressi sumus. Cosmiel. Compleantur vota tua. Theod. Vix dixerat, et ecce vehementissimo quodam fluxu in Boream ferimur; incipiunt horrenda mox saevire frigora, ego totis artubus contremiscere. O Cosmiel, ubinam locorum haeremus? Quo concitatissimus ille maris cursus versus Arctum, quo veluti rapidissimo flumine fecundo vento ferri videmur? Cosmiel. Iam intra arcticum circulum constituti, fumus, ubi Oceanus occulta parturientis naturae violentia, absorbetur. Recordaris, ni fallor, quantam intra circulum antarcticum undarum contra nos irruentium vehementiam experti sumus. Habeas iam limpidam horum effectorum causam. Oceanus enim per i cyclum hoc loco absorptus, sub opposito polo revomitur. Unde sicut illum invita natura adimus, ita in hunc secundo fluxu rapimur. Theod. O quam horrendas tempestates experior, quam formidabiles ruentium aquarum strepitus percipio? Diceres mundi machinam fatiscentem ruere. Cosmiel. Disce ex lis admirandis natura operibus, Deum cognoscere, illum amare, illum aeternum possidere. Sed iam satis est, lustravimus admirandam interioris Oceani Oeconomiam, occultas et abditas semitas lustravimus omnes, reciproca marium cum Oceano spectavimus commercia, monstrorum et quidquid mirum Oceani viscera gignunt intuiti sumus, restat modo id qui unicus erat propositus nostri itineris scopus, relicto subterranei Mundi vestigio, eius interiora penetrare, ineffabilem naturae maiestatem in omnibus contemplari, ibi initium facturi, ubi primum Natura sui motus exordia ponit.

Chapter II.

The sea floor is explored, as well as the connection between the seas and the Ocean

Cosmiel: Very well, Theodidactus. Having witnessed the characteristics of living and sentient nature, the only remaining task is to guide you into the depths of the subterranean world, which constitutes the ocean floors and the seas' depths. Only from there, as if passing through the gates and doors of a vast and immense palace, can you access the inner sanctums of the Geocosm.Theodidactus: I wholeheartedly submit myself to your guidance, fully aware that no harm can befall me with your presence as the master of nature, always ready to support me with your mighty hand.Cosmiel: Well said. Let us finally penetrate the inexhaustible depths of the Ocean.Theodidactus: We haven't reached the bottom yet? Then what was that meadow we spent so much time in, if not the seabed?Cosmiel: You are mistaken, as the meadow you witnessed was not the innermost seabed but rather the uppermost layer of an extensive underwater plateau. Let us press on.Theodidactus: Oh, my Cosmiel, where are you taking me? I am now reminded of the words of the prophet Jonah, "The foundations of the mountains enclosed me; the bars of the earth closed upon me." I implore you, [153] can you tell me our current location on the external surface, given what I am seeing? Please, provide an answer.Cosmiel: We are stuck at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.With that proclamation, a brilliant light suddenly emerged, whether emanating from Cosmiel himself or originating from an external source, I cannot ascertain. Nevertheless, it bathed the seabed in a mesmerizing radiance.Cosmiel: Now, Theodidactus, behold the Majesty of nature within the forms of this lower world. Here, no living being can remain without facing the constant and formidable forces of whirlpools and eddies, risking ultimate destruction.Theodidactus: What is the significance of these immensely long underwater structures? What causes the intense heat and surging of the luminous water? And what are these extensive abysses I observe puncturing the seabed?Cosmiel: The rugged and meandering mountain ranges before you, comprised of numerous rocks, plateaus, and valleys, represent the remnants of what was once a highly blessed island or territory. As centuries passed, violent earthquakes and the collapse of arches, columns, and mountains, along with their inhabitants, transformed this island into the ruins you presently behold. The remarkable Volcanic activity that captivates your attention results from eruptions originating from a substantial volcano situated beneath it, evident in the persistent heat and surges. This very phenomenon has inflicted considerable damage upon the surviving islands known as the Azores; [154] they have endured significant losses over time. As for the authentic abysses you observe, they are the conduits and channels responsible for draining water from the Ocean, some of which lead into the concealed depths of the mountains. I will elaborate further on this later.Theodidactus: Behold, there are continually emerging whirlpools, abysses, and vast chasms in the seabed, among which I have observed some with greater capacity than the craters of Vesuvius or Etna, which I have previously measured. Where do these waters from the vast Ocean lead?Cosmiel: Behold, we are now approaching the islands of America and even the continent itself. Some of these channels are directed through the extensive subterranean winding passages within the surrounding mountains of the islands, while others flow into the vast reservoirs of the American mountains, thus serving as the source of rivers and lakes.Theodidactus: Are there additional openings and channels on the seabed similar to these?Cosmiel: There are indeed more and larger ones scattered throughout this entire region of the Ocean, organized by nature. You, Theodidactus, possess knowledge in the field of Geography. The vast river systems, including the Amazon River, Maragnon, the River of St. January, the River of St. Lawrence, and countless others that traverse the entire face of America, originate solely from either the Western or Eastern Ocean through the concealed twists and turns of these chasms and the labyrinthine passages within the mountains. Consequently, the formation of these extensive rivers necessitates a substantial transfer of water. [155]Theodidactus: How is it possible for the sea, which is inherently salty, to suddenly deposit its salinity within the mountains?Cosmiel: You should be aware that terrestrial regions are inherently structured in such a way that when water passes through them through a specific filtration process, they naturally retain and incorporate the salt present in the water as their essential and required sustenance. This process is vital for the continuation of life on Earth. As a result, the saltwater, devoid of its salinity and transformed into a sweet taste, undergoes a conversion. However, more comprehensive explanations of these phenomena can be found in the treatise on Hydriel's experiments.Theodidactus: You have unraveled every perplexing aspect, and my conviction has solidified through experiments involving seawater passing through sand, clay, and chalk, especially when heated, as it occurs during its journey through subterranean fires that alter the mentioned materials. However, my dear Cosmiel, I now observe a vast gate ahead, and within the mouths of the mountains, I behold an immense chasm.Cosmiel: What you see is indeed a grand gate, and it leads to the heart of the Earth, the entrance to the Geocosm.Cosmiel: Do not be amazed, for this is the expansive subterranean passage where the Atlantic Ocean and the Southern Ocean are secretly connected. We must proceed through it to closely investigate the concealed and previously unobserved characteristics of both Oceans.Theodidactus: Oh, what a vast and astounding structure! It's frozen with formidable cliffs, revealing deep chasms, and the channel alternates between narrow and wide expanses, rightfully earning the title of the Subterranean Sea. The vaults above are impressively high, constructed from a diverse range of stones. [156] Nevertheless, everything appears rugged, sturdy, and securely connected, a testament to eternal craftsmanship. My dear Cosmiel, it's possible that we are passing through the Isthmus between Panama and Nombre de Dios.Cosmiel: Indeed, the South Sea is separated from the North Sea by this Isthmian bridge.Theodidactus: And when will these wonders finally end?Cosmiel: We have now arrived at the conclusion, behold the underwater gate of the Southern Ocean, opposite to the one we previously encountered.Theodidactus: I do not perceive a gate but rather a chasm hewn into the mountain, extending for several miles. But my dear Cosmiel, is it conceivable for the Oceans and Seas to be connected underground?Cosmiel: Why do you harbor doubt, my dear child? It is indeed so, as you have just witnessed here, and you will soon witness it in many other instances.Theodidactus: Oh, the marvels of God! Oh, the indescribable Wisdom of the Creator's mind! How profound, not only in celestial matters but even in this tangible Geocosm beneath our feet, whose enigmas have eluded human comprehension! Nevertheless, let us continue.As we journey, we pass through countless assemblies of colossal fish, propelled by the inexplicable motion of our small vessel, navigating through the innumerable formations of diverse islands. Everywhere we traverse the Ocean floor, it's punctuated with numerous chasms and canal openings, now adorned with submerged mountains, rocks, plateaus, and seemingly endless valleys. Eventually, upon reaching the submerged Archipelago of the Philippines, we ventured into a particular canal leading toward the Southern Pole. [157] Filled with curiosity about uncovering the locations of unknown southern lands, I addressed my guide.Theodidactus: Oh, my dear Cosmiel, if I have found favor in your sight, I implore you to guide your humble servant for a brief interval to the outermost surface of the sea. This will allow us to relish the fresher air and investigate the potential presence of any southern lands that might have remained concealed until now.Cosmiel: Let it be as you have requested.And behold, I find myself in the most vast sea. Theodidactus: Oh, my dear Cosmiel, how greatly I rejoice in the freshness and sweetness of the well-known open air! My spirit, nearly overwhelmed by the spectacle of extraordinary sights, is rejuvenated, and my gaze is drawn toward the heavenly light. However, I perceive a continent encircled by colossal mountains. I inquire, what is this territory? What is its name?Cosmiel: This is the unknown place they call the Southern Land.Theodidactus: Are there people there? Is it fertile and vast?Cosmiel: This region is entirely inhabited by people, exceptionally fertile, and embellished with a diverse array of creatures. It extends continuously within the boundaries of the temperate zone, with a length that rivals that of Europe and Asia.Theodidactus: What religion do the inhabitants of this land profess?Cosmiel: Some worship the Sun, the Moon, and the Stars, while others have no religion. All are ignorant of the faith in your Christ, our Lord and Savior.Theodidactus: Why does the most benevolent God not dispatch Apostles to free them from such profound ignorance?Cosmiel: God's judgments are profound, [158] and no one, whether Angels or humans, can fully comprehend the mysteries of His Divine counsel. To attempt to examine this with presumption and haste would be lacking in humility. The moment will arrive when God, in His mercy, will dispatch messengers to proclaim Christ to them and bring them into the common fold鈥攑ossibly Apostles鈥攁nd in due time, the grace of heavenly enlightenment will illuminate their path. However, for the present, let the information I have provided about the unknown Southern Land be enough. Let us proceed.Theodidactus: Oh, Cosmiel, I now see myself exposed to the vast sea once more. And what is this, I ask?Cosmiel: This is the sea located within the frigid zone of the Southern Pole, thus far uncharted by any mortals.Theodidactus: Indeed, I find myself situated within the frigid zone, and unless you desire my demise from the cold, it is evident that I must succumb to the cold's harshness. What is the cause behind these vehement surges of the sea rushing toward us? I recall having witnessed nothing similar and more formidable in other seas. We seem not only engulfed by towering waves but also subject to this perpetual tide, making it unlikely to be solely the result of a sudden storm or the forceful winds. Instead, I sense that a profound mystery is concealed within this phenomenon.Cosmiel: You are absolutely correct. This is indeed what I previously described, the enigma of the Ocean's absorption beneath the Northern Pole and its subsequent expulsion beneath the opposite Southern Pole. Here, via its subterranean water conduit, the waters are ejected with an inexplicable force and momentum, [159] only to return to the point of absorption. It's noteworthy that this region has remained inaccessible until now, as no one has been able to withstand the might of this sea or conquer it through any means. Those who dared to venture into these areas were carried here by the force of the winds, or met a dismal fate in the inevitable whirlpools and tempestuous waves.Theodidactus: Oh, Cosmiel, you reveal to me such unprecedented and unseen wonders, never before witnessed by mortal eyes. I observe you shivering from the intensity of the cold. Let us retrace our steps and return to the deserted station.Cosmiel: Agreed. Oh, how I sense the warmth upon our return. It is undeniable that there are subterranean fire vents exerting pressure on the seabed in this vicinity.Theodidactus: You are right. But let us continue, for you still have a long way to go.Cosmiel: What is that? I observe the seabed, and consequently, the entire weight of the waters above it, trembling due to an unfamiliar motion.Theodidactus: What is that? I see the seabed and the entire weight of the waters above it, shaking with some unknown motion.Cosmiel: Those are the exhalations of subterranean heat I previously referred to. They expand as they generate a profusion of potent vapors, and in their forceful eruption, they agitate the waters. These disturbances churn the sea's surface into the most ferocious storms, resembling a seething cauldron, thereby engendering the most violent tempests. They can even summon the most formidable winds from the formerly tranquil atmosphere, exposing sailors to the gravest peril.Theodidactus: I understand everything. But what is that sweetest scent that so strongly affects my sense of smell? [160]Cosmiel: You should be aware that you have now arrived in the Moluccas, where aromatic spices abound every year. Can you observe the abundance of Grecian amber here? Can you witness the heaps of cloves? Can you perceive the delightful scents of cinnamon, nutmeg, pepper, and various other aromatic treasures?Theodidactus: I do indeed, and I am astonished that even within the water, these fragrances can impact our sense of smell. Oh, the countless whirlpools, chasms, surging currents, and tides I observe amid the narrow passages of these islands, as well as throughout the entirety of this Indian Ocean!Cosmiel: All of these whirlpools are openings to the canals that were naturally created within the mountains of Imai, Caucasus, and Parapanisi, forming reservoirs. They consistently disperse the moisture from the Ocean through an unceasing circulation, as you have previously been informed.Theodidactus: Behold, a new gate similar to the one we found in the Southern Ocean. What does it signify?Cosmiel: This marks the entrance to the extensive subterranean labyrinth of considerable length. Come, have courage, Theodidactus, for we must traverse this passage, and afterward, I will disclose to you where it ultimately leads to its discharge point.Theodidactus: Oh, you guide me through such a twisting labyrinth, into what extensive territories you draw me! The multitude and expanse of lateral channels are immense! Alas, I can hear the thunderous roar of powerful waterfalls! Here, there are no shortages of lakes, plains, or rivers. I even observe [161] meadows adorned with lush green grass. It appears we have entered the Subterranean Kingdom.Cosmiel: Do not be misled, for what we have here is a canal, meticulously crafted by the singular artistry of nature, carved deep within the Earth to facilitate water transportation.Theodidactus: And when will this passage finally end?Cosmiel: Behold, we have now reached the end. Allow me to lift the boat upward, granting you the opportunity to breathe in some fresh air and take a closer look.Theodidactus: I find myself in the vast open sea, yet I see very high mountains nearby. Where on Earth are we located?Cosmiel: We are in the Caspian Sea, which engages in hidden water exchanges with the Indian Ocean through the canal you just crossed.Theodidactus: Geographers err greatly when they simply label this as a mere lake due to its apparent lack of an outlet! On the contrary, I have now definitively ascertained that this is not a sea, as it is not isolated from the Ocean by subterranean canals, akin to the one we just traversed.Cosmiel: You have judged correctly. However, to provide you with a clearer understanding of all this, let us return to the abandoned station.Theodidactus: Oh, how rocky the seabed appears in this place! It seethes with the heat of subterranean fire and churns with the remarkable commotion of colliding currents! I observe countless whirlpools, naturally formed, and I wonder how this can be possible?Cosmiel: This occurs because it connects with all the neighboring seas and mountainous water reservoirs via subterranean canals. When these channels encounter opposing [162] Tides, they give rise to these whirlpools and the tumultuousness of these formidable waves. It's not surprising. Additionally, consider the reverberation of the waves impacting the confined shores from all directions, which agitates the sea as if in an eternal cycle.Theodidactus: But what is this new opening within the mountain structures showing itself to us?Cosmiel: Let us pass through it, and the exit will reveal the truth.Theodidactus: We seem to be entering a canal not unlike the previous one. But I ask that we not linger, for seeing one is enough, as nature measures all things precisely.Cosmiel: We have now reached the end. Behold, you are situated in the surface waters of the Black Sea.Theodidactus: Is it truly possible, as you suggest? Does the Caspian Sea intermingle with the Black Sea via this subterranean canal?Cosmiel: Indeed, it is through this very subterranean passage that you have just traversed, supporting the colossal Caucasus Mountains and the entirety of what is now known as the Georgia and Megrelia regions in modern times. However, let us make our way back to the lower station.Theodidactus: I find the Black Sea to be no less turbulent than the Caspian, replete with numerous cliffs and profound abysses. And the variety and abundance of fish here are astounding! However, please enlighten me, what is the source of the vigorous current of water streaming in from the side?Cosmiel: In this vicinity, the mighty Tanais River empties its substantial water volume, giving rise to this forceful current. Nevertheless, let us continue our journey.Theodidactus: Here, I encounter fresh turbulent currents akin to those we encountered earlier.Cosmiel: These are formed when the Borysthenes and Danube rivers deposit a massive volume of [163] water in these locations.Theodidactus: What is the meaning of the strait we are passing through?Cosmiel: We are now approaching the Propontis, near Constantinople. We are heading into the Aegean Sea.Theodidactus: Oh, I behold numerous tides, numerous Euripuses, unfathomable depths in this location, along with the extensive structures of nearby islands. I also perceive many warm exhalations, unmistakable signs of subterranean fire!Cosmiel: You have indeed touched upon the truth; for beneath the surface lies a vast Vulcan's kitchen, causing this sea to be consistently turbulent due to ongoing exhalations. However, we will delve into these matters shortly.Theodidactus: When will we enter the Mediterranean Sea?Cosmiel: You are already in it.Theodidactus: Undoubtedly, it is apparent that Nature, adhering to a consistent design, has fashioned all of these elements through numerous openings and subterranean passages within this sea. However, what is the colossal abyss I behold鈥攁 broad fissure within the mountain's jaws?Cosmiel: This is located near Egypt, but to see everything, we must go through it.Theodidactus: Do as you deem fit in your judgment. Oh, what a dreadful spectacle! What immense vaults! What chaotic arrangement! The walls are oozing so much salt and bitumen! Please, let us hasten, my Cosmiel, for I can no longer endure the noxious air emanating from these chambers.Cosmiel: Your request has been fulfilled. Lift your eyes and behold the surrounding regions, now raised to the surface of the sea.Theodidactus: I am genuinely uncertain of my whereabouts, of my current location. It appears we have entered a vast illuminated area, but what does the reddish hue of the water indicate? [163]Cosmiel: You should be aware that you are currently situated in the Red Sea, as evidenced by the color of the water. This is the very location where Moses, accompanied by the Israelites, miraculously traversed the waters on dry ground.Theodidactus: Is it possible that we are truly within the Red Sea? By what manner and through what means have we gained entry? Am I ensnared in a dream, or am I truly awake?Cosmiel: You are not mistaken; we transitioned into this sea from the Mediterranean through a subterranean passage, the very same one where you perceived that noxious odor, all to provide a clearer illustration of the subterranean connections between the seas.Theodidactus: Oh, the astonishing and unparalleled marvels of nature that I am witnessing! In this place, I discover vast coral forests naturally grown, and the intricate array of cliffs nearly overwhelms me. However, there is yet another marvel. I behold a colossal rock laden with various metallic objects, and it appears to be adorned with iron instruments of some kind. What is the meaning of this, I wonder?Cosmiel: This is a magnetic rock (for this sea abounds with magnets), which has captured iron objects from shipwrecks, drawn to it by an inexplicable and unbreakable bond of a more enigmatic nature.Theodidactus: Alas, how numerous are the openings and astounding apertures that populate the seabed!Cosmiel: All of these openings have been naturally fashioned to serve as conduits, guiding the waters through their canals, ultimately leading to the origins of the rivers situated between the hydrophylacia of Ethiopia and the blessed mountains of Arabia. Now, let us proceed with our journey. [164]Theodidactus: I seem to be descending from a certain mountain into a valley. Please explain what this signifies.Cosmiel: The bed of the Red Sea is structured much like a mountain plain descending into a widely encircled valley. Thus, do not be astonished as we descend, for we are descending from an underwater mountain into an underwater valley. At this moment, we find ourselves in the Indian Ocean.Theodidactus: Alas, Cosmiel, observe this new gathering of sea monsters! They are truly dreadful, vast, and their appearance is audaciously deformed. They gleam with a radiant light, resembling the glow of inserted carbuncles. Some have heads entangled with countless tendrils, while others seem on the verge of bursting due to the immense swelling of their bodies. There are even those that appear to pour rivers of water from their horns.Cosmiel: Those are various species of Cetaceans, whose nature I explained to you earlier.Theodidactus: Please, I implore you, let us quickly leave these numerous and frightening cliffs, and the abysses of the seafloor. I have gained sufficient knowledge about their nature through your guidance. Let us make our way back through the Indian Ocean to the Atlantic, from where we originally set out.Cosmiel: Your wishes shall be fulfilled.No sooner had he uttered these words than we were swiftly carried northward by an exceedingly strong current, and soon the cold became more intense, causing my entire body to tremble with shivers.Theodidactus: Cosmiel, where are we at this moment? To what destination are we being swiftly carried to the North, as if propelled by the fastest river and a favorable wind?Cosmiel: We have now arrived at the Arctic Circle, [165] where the ocean is absorbed due to the hidden force of nature. As you may remember, we encountered powerful waves as we entered the Antarctic Circle. These occurrences can now be explained clearly. In this area, there is a massive whirlpool that draws the ocean inward and expels it beneath the opposite pole. Just as we were naturally drawn toward it, we are now carried away by this second current.Theodidactus: I am enduring such dreadful storms, and the sound of rushing waters is truly terrifying. It feels as though the very machinery of the world is crumbling under the weight of destiny.Cosmiel: Learn from these marvelous works of nature to know God, to love Him, and to possess Him eternally. However, it is now sufficient. We have explored the marvelous inner ocean's economy, traversed all its hidden and secret paths, observed the reciprocal exchanges between the seas and the ocean, and beheld the wonders produced by the depths of the ocean. Now, the sole purpose of our journey remains: to leave behind the traces of the subterranean world and penetrate its innermost depths, contemplating the ineffable majesty of nature in all its aspects. We shall commence where Nature herself establishes the beginnings of her movements.

CAPUT III.

Mundi Subterranei arcana explorantur.

Cosmiel. Quanta structuram mi Theodidacte, non casu aut fortuito ex limi confluxu coaluisse, sed ineffabili quodam Divinae Sapientiae opificio constitutam, ex iis quae paulo post tibi ostendam, patebit: ita ut non minorem in hac adornanda, quam in Microcosmi fabrica construenda industrium posuisse videatur. Agendum mi Theodidacte; ne formidandis. quae intueberis, spectaculis terrearis; ego enim tecum sum, ego te ab omni aquarum violentia, ab omni aeris coinquinatione, ab omni ignium voracitates defendam. Theod. O Cosmiel; ego, sicuti huius tam ardui et inauditi itineris author fuisti, ita illud ad desideratum finem te conducturum confido; tuis enim in manibus constitutus sum, ad vitam et mortem aeque promptus, dummodo tuo me subsidio non destituas. Cosmiel. Pergamus itaque in nomine Domini ter gloriosi et benedicti. Ecce per immensam hanc voraginem, in interiora terrae viscera penetrandum nobis est. Theod. O Cosmiel Cosmiel?, circumdederunt me gemitus mortis, dolores inferni circumdederunt me. O quid me rapis? Circumuallarunt me fundamenta montium, aquae operuerunt animam meam, intra abyssos cordis terrae conclusisti me. O ne me deseras? formidine enim tantum non morior. Cosmiel. Fateor mi Theodidacte, nullum tam cordati animi virum esse, qui huiusmodi locorum horrorem sustinere queat; verum cum semper me tibi praesentem futurum pollicitus sim, quid times? quid angeris? quid trepidat cor tuum? an nescis caeli et terrae claves mihi concreditas esse, meo omnia subesse imperio an ignoras? Sed ne in posteriorum huius immensae caliginis terroribus concutiatis; et luculentis omnia naturae arcana considerare possis, et ne frustra in tanta tenebrarum densitate constitutus omni rerum speculandarum fructu priveris, ecce ego et medicus tuus ero, et illuminatrix lucerna. Theod. Vix dixerat, dum ecce nescio quo nectareo liquore me imbui, et tanta luce vasta subterraneorum cryptarum spatia illustravit, ut in aperto solis lumine constituti videremur. Quibus mox ita confortabar; ut in posterum nulla animum meum formidinis trepidatio perculerit. O Cosmiel, gratias tibi ago, pro tantis in me collatis beneficiis; iam enimvero te fidelissimum et ducem et custodem experior; nec non veluti universae naturae praesidem quo possum humili mentis obsequio revereor. Cosmiel. Respice et lustra primum hoc naturae vestibulum. Theod. O quantos aquarum strepitus percipio, nihil Caspiae, nihil Niliacae Catadupae in comparisone sunt, ad horrenda haec et inaudita aquarum undique ruentium praecipitia; non fontes, non flumina, non lacus, sed ceu rupto fundo ac magnae abyssi apertis claustris totum Oceanum effudisse videntur. Cosmiel. Recte dicis, hic enim est canalis ille abyssi magnae; per quem perennis fit a polo Arctico ad Antarcticum totius Oceani circulatio. Theod. O quam immensae altitudinis fornices, et quanta, quam inexplicabilis huius aqui ductus laxitas, certe nihil in superficie terra huic simile reperiri posse existimo. Sed o Cosmiel, omnes paene parietes in salem, nitrum, alumens vitriolum, similiaque efflorescere video; unde hoc? Cosmiel. Horum parietum proprietas haec est, ut omnem aquarum marinarum salsuginem ad se attractam in varia genera salium pro cuiusuis loci natura convertant. Theod. Sed quid sibi vult calor ille quem sentio? Cosmiel. Ille provenit ex vicino Pyrophylacio, quod postquam perfecta coctione aquam digessit, id, quod in sale volatilis est spiritus; intra intimas saxorum glebarumque fissuras exhalat ad universae telluris fomentum, foecunditatem et condimentum. Theod. O quam ingens Mephytis nares meas excruciat? Video hic nescio quid coruscum, quod in immensum tractum se porrigat auro haud dissimile, quid defluxus ille humor bitumini nigro et naphtae haud dispar? Cosmiel. Tam dixi, calor quem sentis rarefactam aquam in vapores spermatica virtute refertos exaltat, qui mox terrestris glebis per rimas insinuati, ubi materiam terrestris sulphuri producendo aptam repererint, ibi sulphur generant. Ubi in pingue et crassum lutum inciderint, ibi aut bitumen aut naphtam; aut alium oleaceum liquorem generant, Mephytis percepta causa. Sed haec omnia inferius fusius declarabuntur. Iam enim primo hydrophylacia, seu aquae promos condos, deinde pyrophylacia, sine Vulcanias officinas, demum aerophylacia, seu subterrestris aeris reconditoria inspecturi sumus. Sic fiet, ut lusus naturae in omnibus tibi clarus innotescat. Progrediamur itaque in hoc totius telluris principali aqui ductu. Theod. Ingentem regionem ingredi videmur. O quot montes, quot maria; quot lacus, quot hiatu aquarum flumina vomentes video? Iam veluti ex alto quodam monte in imam vallem devolvimur, modo ex valle in celsos montes exaltamur. Iam inter horrida praecipitia arctati; modo ex angyportibus elapsi in late patentes planicies ferimur. Nullibi recta nobis et plana via; sed tortuosae ubique et aviae semitae; per horrenda scopulorum gurgustia devehimur: omnia tamen immensis aquarum molibus, formidabili cum murmore, strepitu incredibili, una iunctis oppleta. Quis unquam credidisset tantas aquarum coacervationes in subterraneum hunc aqui-ductum cadere posse? Rogo te mi Cosmiel, ut et alterius mihi effectus causam exponas. Quatuor enim anni stationes, in hoc magno naturae aqui-ductu experior; iam enim hyberno frigore quasi obrigesco; modo verno quodam tepore recreor; modo aestu aestasque intolerabilis me cruciat ea sudoris vehementia, ut eius ferendae non sim par. Cosmiel. Ordine tibi singula pandam. Mirabaris ingentem aquarum copiam, et per innumeros hiatus ingentes aquarum eructationes; et merito. Vidisti enim illud arcticae voraginis praecipitium in terrae abyssum innumeris aliis aquarum defluxibus auctum insinuatumque; si Niliacae ruentium cum impetu aquarum Catadupae accolae surditate feriant, quid futurum putas, si hic alicubi homines ponerentur; illos haud dubie non dicam obsurdituros; sed ne ad momentum quidem victuros arbitrarer, ubi Oceanus tanto aquarum pondere in ima terrae penetralia praecipitatur. Quod vero alios hiatus innumeros, qui continuis profluviis aquarum ingentem molem fundant, mireris; scias hunc pariter esse Oceani humorem, qui per alias et alias voragines intra appropriatos canales insinuatus, per haec tandem ostia exitum invenit; hinc fit ut aquarum pondus iis in hoc aqui-ductu augmentatum, coacervationes aquarum canali inclusarum, pondere suo in antecedentia promoveat, atque hoc pacto praecedentium aquarum mole subsequentium aquarum congeries pressa, cum alium quam per Antarcticum polum exitum non inveniat, eam illic per ingens voraginis ostium, quod vidisti, egerat; atque hoc pacto contingit perennis illa, de qua supra ad tum est, pericyclosis. Neque putes velim aquam consistere alicubi posse sine continuato circulationis motu. Theod. Certe difficile captu est, quomodo cum aqua subinde intra hunc aqui-ductum contra naturam constituta ad altissimas editissimasque partes elevari debeat; qua virtute id faciat? Cosmiel. Nostin quomodo intra corpus humanum sanguis qui est in infima corporis parte, pede inquam, quomodo ille idem perpetua sui circulatione mox intra caput contra naturam ascendat, ac inde iterum in infimas partes relabatur. Vidistine unquam aqui-ductus, quam heteroclita lege, nunc ex imo in altum, nunc ex alto in imas valles, modo in dextram, modo in sinistram per plumbeos canales deducantur, neque unquam tamen aquam perpetuo fluxu in loca destinata deponere cessant. Idem accidit in hoc principali naturae aquae ductu. Theod. Optime cepi rationem tuum, illudque ex Hydrostaticis principiis satis comprobatum video. Sed iam perge reliqua mihi dubia solvere. Cosmiel. Nesciebas cur differentes caloris gradus in hoc aqui ductu, veluti ad quatuor anni stationes dispositi a natura constituti sint. Quare singulorum rationes tibi assigno. Canalis hic Geocosmi principalis eo naturae intentione ordinatus est, ut totius telluris molem innumeris fibris, rimis, fissuris, hiatibus refertam natura illo semine, quod in aqueo elemento latere diximus, per subterrestrium calorem ignium, qui in pyrophylaciis hunc aqui-ductum circumdantibus perenni alimento foveatur, imbueret, et ad generationes mineralium, pro materiarum obviarum dispositione excitaret. Semen verum hoc cum sine calore exeri non posset, hinc tot naturae ordinata sunt pyrophylacia, quorum ope semen naturae aqueo elemento insitum mirum in modum per differentes hosce caloris gradus digeritur, et concoquitur, corpusque acquirit producendis rebus consentaneum. Atque hoc pacto aqua coacta iam digerito semine foeta in vapores resoluta, sublimata, atque intra terrae fissuras fibrasque impulsa, tum primis naturae molimen ad innumerabilem rerum varietatem producendam orditur. Sed de hoc fusius tecum suo loco agam. Theod. Sapienter ratiocinaris, nec quidquam de quo in posterum dubitem reperio, sed quando tandem finem huius aquae-ductus spectabimus? Cosmiel. Accelerabo gradum; ut ex intricatissimo hoc labyrintho quantocius te educam. Theod. Fiat. Cum enim natura idem in omnibus semper operetur; partem huius canalis principalis vidisse, totum vidisse sufficiat. Sed o mi Cosmiel, quo inexplicabili aquarum impetu rapimur? In tartara descendere videmur? Cosmiel. Non descendis, sed ascendis violentia aquarum in altum raptus. Iam brevi finem spectabis. Theod. Quid illa lux dubia sibi vult, quam intueor? Cosmiel. Iam solaris lux hiatum ingressa affulget nobis. Vix dixerat, cum ecce navicula hiatum antarcticum egressa, tantis aquarum turbinibus involutabatur; ut formidabilius quidquam non dicam humanus oculus spectare queat, sed ne humana quidem mens concipere valeat. Iam mi Cosmiel video luculenter cur polus antarcticus mortalibus inaccessus sit. Quis enim hosce aquarum tumultus, quibus se in omnes mundi partes per hunc hiatum cum inexplicabili impetu fundunt, superare queat? Cosmiel. Vidisti itaque Theodidacte aqui ductum praecipuum, quem natura in Geocosmo ob fines iam tibi expositos sapienter disposuit. Nunc restat, ut particularium, nonnullorum aqui ductuum, hydrophylaciorumque constitutionem ostendam. Theod. Exequere totum, id quod optimum fini meo futurum iudicaveris. His dictis, per avia et devia ad ingentem me abyssum, seu hydrophylacium constitutum, reperi. Cuius magnitudinem verbis exprimere vix liceat. Verbo mare videbatur, in quod flumina tantae vastitatis per ostia canalium evomebantur, ut Rhenus, Danubius, Rhodanus, Eridanus in comparatione coram rivi viderentur. O Cosmiel, totus Oceanus merito huc confluxisse videtur; explica rogo prodigium et mirum naturae spectaculum. Cosmiel. Haec est una ex principalibus abyssis terrae a natura in terrestribus molibus irrigationem deputata, habensque occultum, quendam cum magno quem vidisti canali correspondum; in eo enim aquas suas exonerat, ut aqua tandem per antarcticum hiatum exitum suum repreat denuo huc circulanda. Theod. Sed quisnam ille calor, qui tanta me molestia afficit? Cosmiel. Est hic contiguum aliud huic magnitudine haud dispar pyrophylacium. Theod. O mi Cosmiel, regrediar, aestu enim tantum non comburor, in aquae ferventis lebetem me deposuisse videris. Cosmiel. Ne timeas. Nihil enim tibi inde noxae inferetur. Respice et singula lustra, et si nonnulla tibi dubia occurrerint, confidenter illa propone et paratus tibi promptitudine ea dissolvam. Theod. O quantos hic fumorum globos experior, quam in formam cribri pertusum fornicem; et quidnam pelagus hoc subterraneum in tantos fluctus exagitat? Et quis tandem naturae finis existit in tanta molientis natura negotiatione? Cosmiel. Scias, Theodidacte, semen naturae aquis mixtum ex Oceano in hanc abyssum per appropriatos; quos vidisti canales eductum, hic per pyrophylacia, seu Vulcanias officinas, quae ex omni parte hoc hydrophylacium constipant, concoqui digerique, et digestum per sublimationem in intima terrae latibula; cribosumque fornicem ad generationes rerum pro terrenae glebae dispositione perficiendas evaporari. Atque hi sunt fumi illi quos miraris, his Vulcaniae officine subiectae, quarum situm et positionem postea tibi ostendam, quae uti perpetuo igne aestuant, ita aquas intra naturae haec hydrophylacia compulsas suo calore coquere ac digerere in naturae bonum non cessant. Suntque huiusmodi ignis et aquae penuria intra terrae viscera complura adeo telluri necessaria, ut sine iis illa ne unicum quidem effectum producere, imo ne quidem subsistere possit. Theod. Satis mi Cosmiel, infima huiusmodi aquarum receptacula explorata sunt; quare nihil aliud modo restat, nisi ut mihi quoque aereas officinas, sive aerophylacia demonstres, ut quid in iis natura operetur mihi innotescat. Cosmiel. Votis tuis omnibus modis obsecundabo. Notandum itaque duplicis generis in huius Geocosmi Oeconomia, penuaria reperiri. Nonnulla solo aere plena, quaedam media parte aere, et media parte aquis conferta esse; in utraque te introducam, ut immensum naturae apparatum luculentius intuearis. Ab aeris itaque officinis ordior. Ecce ostium meatus quod nobis subeundum est. Theod. O quam mirum naturae opus? Quid sibi exoticus ille et ingentis vastitatis meatus portendit? Cosmiel. Viden quot et quibus latera undique et undique pertusa sint foraminibus? Audis quomodo suis illis stillicidiis, et perenni rivulorum murmure perstrepant? Alii aestuantissimos perpetuo halitus cum fremitu exspirent? Theod. Video, audio, et admiror. Neque in hoc subterraneo regno huic similem me vidisse memini. Unde non capio quare tu eum meatum dicas, qui subterraneae regioni non incongrue comparari possit. Hic enim implexi scopulorum ordines, hic intercusantes aquarum rivi piscibus referti, hic planities uberrimo vestitae gramine, hic parietes scopulosa rupium scabritie, varias effundunt mineralium merces. Sed quidnam sibi vult insolitum modo frigus, quo paene obrigesco? Nunc caloris aestus, quo tantum non suffocor? Rogo te ut abscondita singulorum mysteria mihi exponere, ne graveris. Cosmiel. Hic est meatus ille Aeolius, unus ex praecipuis Geocosmi canalibus, in quo spiritus, quos tum hydrophylacia tum pyrophylacia illi supposita et circumsita per cacas terra latebras diffundunt, naturae semine foeti ulterius laborantur, coquuntur, digerunturque, digesti vero per syphunculos illis a natura destinatos in intima terrarum latibula insinuati pro dispositione materiae glebaceae, quam incurrunt, metallorum, mineraliumque generationes moliuntur: et aperte id tot hiatus, foramina, fissurae, rimae laterum, quibus circumdantur, indicant. Calor quoque frigique alterna vicissitudine opus naturae sollicitans hoc efficit, ut concentratum semen naturae intra humido-frigidum calore superveniente dissolutum in loca destinata ad fines naturae intentos transfigatur. Theod. Sed quis ille validissimus quem experior ventus, tantaeque vehementiae, ut nec Ecnephiam, nec Cyrcium, neque Africum ei comparari posse putem. Cosmiel. Huiusmodi venti sunt frequentissimi in subterraneo hoc regno, oriunturque ex lucta et praeliis atrocissimis, quae sibi invicem intra abdita haec naturae claustra, ignis et aqua inferunt. Calor enim aestuans rarefactam aquam, quam alicubi intra montium receptacula incurrit, in summam tenuitatem deducit, et quoniam attenuatus exitum non reperit, is conclusus coarctatusque inter huiusmodi gurgustia, qua data porta ruit, eaque, quam experiris, vehementia saevit. Theod. Dic sodes, habetne hic ventus aliquem in natura rerum finem? Cosmiel. Imo maximum. Hoc enim est unicum vaporum iam semine naturae imbutorum vehiculum, quo maximo impetu in abdita quavis terra penuaria dicti vapores transferuntur, difflanturque, ubi et ipsa aereo semine foeti, vaporique commixti, corpulentiam quandam ad variorum mixtorum productionem acquirunt. Accedit quod hi per cacas terrae fibras insinuati in pyrophylaciis ignem languentem instimulent, et ad opera naturae perficienda folium ad instar urgeant sollecitentque. Theod. Ecquidnam sibi vult: ingens huic subterraneo meatui annexum naturae conclave, cuius finem vix contueri liceat. Quanta aquarum ruentium murmura. Ecce amnis ingens Pado non cedens. O quam immensae excessaeque fornicum structurae, haud dubie in quingentorum passuum altitudinem sese erigentes. Quanta parietum ex scopulosa rupium coacervatione nexorum soliditas, Gigantes profecto hic laborasse videntur, montibus impositos montes et Pellion Ossae video. Sed, quod mirum; dictu, quid sibi tantus variarum materiarum confluxus? Ecce hic ubique ingens foetidi sulphuris copia, ibi naphta; bitumen, petroleum perenni stillicidio, concavum sibi subiectum solum illimant; ibi montes integri salem, alumen, vitriolum sapient, ibi rupes talco, gypso, antimonio auripigmento, arsenico, sandaraca, et quidquid est mineralium, refertos video. Sed quidnam illa virgulta, quae ex montium visceribus erumpunt? Miroque splendore ramos foliaque ceruleo, viridi, rubro, candido colore explicant. Sed et hydrargyri ex rupibus deflui non paucos rivulos comperio; video quoque omnium harum rerum colluviem in huius immensi conclavis pavimento subsistere quidem, verum cum id tanti materiarum confluxus temporis successu incapax sit, per occultos hiatus, quibus solum hoc perturbari intueor, in nescio quae abdita naturae cellaria deducuntur. Dic rogo, quid omnia haec sibi velint? Cosmiel: Hocce quod vides, magnum naturae promptuarium est, in quo calore subterraneo, mineralium semina coquuntur et digeruntur, et pars vero iam digestione subtilior in alia naturae penuaria ad mineralium et metallorum omnium generis productionem elaborentur per fissuras rupium evolando derivatur; unde tot locum hunc hiatus refertum esse, non est, quod mireris; crassior vero et foeculentior pars per soli huius hiatus in pyrophylacias, seu Vulcanias officinas, derivata, in ignis hypogaei pabulum cedit. Theod: O miram Opticis Mentis sapientiam, o ineffabilem providentiam? Sed unde, rogo, haec tanta rerum colluvies primam sui originem habet? Cosmiel: Iam dixi cibi superius, ex Oceano radicalem sui omnia habere originem; hic enim per suos canales, in occultos terrae sinus eiaculatus, cum sale, sulphure, et pinguedine naturali turgeat, ibi, pro varia terrestrium glebarum dispositione, variam mixtorum mineralium sobolem generat, quae proinde pyrophylaciorum situ per inaccessos caminos gleba liquefacta et in fluxum urgetur, atque tandem hoc loco exonerata, ac magis magisque elaborata per alios ac alios canales, aliis et aliis naturae laboratoriis usque ad superficiem terrae propagatur. Theod: Explices rogo iam, quid sibi virgula illa velint. Cosmiel: Scias mi Theodidacte, quod sicuti externa superficies suas, easque innumeras vegetabilium species producit. Oceanus quoque suas, quemadmodum dum fundum eius exploraremus vidisti, vegetabiles merces exportat; ita et subterranea naturae Aeolia penuaria suas, cuiusmodi iam intueris, plantas producit. Et nihil aliud sunt, quam efflorescentiae quaedam mineralium specierum, diversorum potissimum salium, quae sollicitante latentis subterranei ignis vi, omni humido superfluo exutae, in truncos, ramos, folia diffunduntur, diffusaeque loci natura frigidiuscula in petrosae substantiae virgulta et germina indurescunt, cuiusmodi innumera in aliis reconditoriis tibi monstrabo. Theod: Suntne plura huiusmodi Aeolia naturae ergasteria? Cosmiel: Quinimo plurima; hoc enim ordini naturae erat quam maxime consentaneum; sine his enim neque hydrophylacia, neque pyrophylacia quidquam posset. Cum haec aerias subterranei Geocosmi regiones exprimant. Quemadmodum enim ignis nihil potest sine aqua, haec nihil sine igne, uterque nihil sine aere; ita huiusmodi aeria reconditoria, sagacissimo naturae consilio, ad totius naturae bonum, mutuumque elementorum fomentum disposita esse scias. Verum istiusmodi tibi unum e praecipuis loco omnium demonstrasse sufficiat. Restat iam ut te ex imis abyssi ad vicinos terrenae superficiem promoscondos adducam, ut hoc pacto totius subterraneae Oeconomiae concatenatos labores luculentius perspicias. Theod: Uti nihil in natura rerum tanta admiratione, quam huiusmodi promoscondos aqueo-aerios contemplatus sum, ita nihil votis meis acceptius accidere poterit, quam te doctore et instructore singulorum rationes oculari demonstratione edoceri. Vix dixerat, dum ecce per occultos varioque telluris angyportus in vastissimum subterraneum lacum inexplicabilis vastitatis et altitudinis fornice obtentum devecti sumus. O Cosmiel, quo terrarum me rapis? Quid sibi vult tanta aquarum colluvies? Quid ingens undique ruentium aquarum fluctus, strepitus murmurque horrendum? Cosmiel: Hydrophylacium, quod intueris, situm habet intra montes immensos, quos nunc Caucausum, nunc Imaum veteres vocabant, in interiorem Asiam longe lateque exporrectos. Hic natura fluminum ingentium reconditoria et immensa cellaria universae Asiae et Indiae rigandi sufficientissima posuit. Theod: Ergone sub Caucauso et Imao constituimur? Cosmiel: Ita est. Theod: Iam mihi explicari velim; undenam haec cellaria tantam aquarum congeriem depromant? Cum indefinito fluxu, tantas tamque ingentium amnium moles egerunt. Cosmiel: Ex Oceano Indico et Tartarico originem suam nanciscuntur. Ex quibus per complures sibi appropriatos aqui-ductus subterraneos perenni affluxu implemur. Theod: Quomodo id fieri potest, cum reconditoria Oceano multo altiora sint? Cosmiel: Si quae supra ab Hydriele audivisti, et a me multis argumentis confirmata perceperis, nulla tibi in modo apprehendendo difficultas superesset. Recordarisne dum fundum maris exploraremus ingentium voraginum, quas tantopere admirabaris? Theod: Recordor. Cosmiel: Illi nihil aliud erant, quam aqui-ductum in huiusmodi cellaria seu hydrophylacia per immensas subterrestrium sinuum ambages disposita orificia, per quae aquarum moles perpetua Oceanii aestus reciprocatione veluti per hydraulicos quosdam Syphones pressa expressaque, in hunc quem vides lacum subterraneum exoneretur. Theod: Sufficitne unus aqui-ductus tantae vastitatis lacui explendo? Cosmiel: Nequaquam. Sed diversi sunt aqueductus, immenso locorum intervallo dissiti, per quos Oceanus sese alterna aestus vicissitudine exonerat, ne alicubi aestu cessante aquarum quoque affluxus in constituto hydrophylacio deficiat. Nonnulli enim in mari Indico, quidam in sinu Gangetico, alii in Orientali, in Tartarico alii Oceano, meatuum hydrogogorum principia fundant, optima sane naturae inventione, ut quiescentes statu unius, natura suam solaretur penuriam affluxu aliorum alternis officiis in Geocosmi conservationem conspirantium. Mirabaris paulo ante formidabiles ruentium aquarum Catadupas, quas iam ex diversis et iisque immensis rupium subterrestrium hiatibus arcuarim eructari vides; haec sunt orificia meatuum hydragogorum, per quos Oceanus in diversis locis, per huiusmodi Epistomia in isthoc hydrophylacium se exonerat. Vides quomodo alterna eructatione, veluti per systolem et diastolem quandam, perennibus naturae laboribus instent? Theod: O Omnipotentis virtutis dexteram? Quis est qui opus manuum tuarum explicet? Quis est ita lingua calamoque disertus, qui ea etiam quam studiosissime affecta oratione sufficienter exponat? Sed ad institutum nostrum. Ubi iam sunt orificia fluminum, per quae tanta aquarum moles in amnes effusa egeritur? Cosmiel: Hoc ut intelligas, fundus nobis lustrandus est. Theod: Fiat. Cosmiel: Vides hosce hiatus, parvos, magnos, maximos, quibus tum fundum tum latera pertusa spectas? Theod: Cerno mirandam rerum faciem, et vorticibus horrendisque turbinibus omnia involuta reperio. Cosmiel: Maiores sunt, per quos in amnes et lacus hoc penuarium sese exonerat; parvi, qui per Syphones abditos rivos innumeros aquas diffunduntur, qui tamen ad unum omnes ex maioribus amnibus, v.g. in Indum, Gangem, Hydaspen, Oraxin, alioque longis ambagibus pro terrestrium montium dispositione corrivantur, atque hoc pasto dicta flumina, ingenti aquarum pondere aggravata, tandem post immensas terrarum oras, quas fecundo profluvio irrorarunt, fonti ex quo profluxerunt redduntur: atque adeo idem hic contingat, quod in fontibus humana industria constituit, in quibus fons nunquam exuberat nec decrescit, cum tantum semper ex canalibus affundatur aquae, quantum effluat. Est autem et aliud occultum naturae machinamentum, quo aquae intra canales hydragogos ex Oceano derivatos mirum in modum sollicitantur, atque ita sese habet. Cum huiusmodi hydrophylaciis nullum cum externo aere commercium intercedat, certum est deficientibus canalibus hydragogis et defluentibus reconditorii aquis vacuum tantopere naturae contrarium necessario intervenire debere. Ne itaque tantum naturae vitium admittatur, aquae in amnes defluentes aerem intus contentum una secum trahunt, aer tractus aliud corpus in abeuntis locum substituturus trahit aquas, videlicet in hydragogis canalibus constitutas, atque hoc modo ex unione illa et necessario corporum nexus, ne alicubi dissolutio continui fiat, nascitur perennis illa aquarum ex Oceano, et iterum in Oceanum intra terrae viscera pericyclosis, seu circulatio: hac eadem ratione lacus in altissimis montium cacuminibus nascuntur, quae mox quantum se exonerant, tantum aquarum de novo ex subditis sibi reconditoriis attrahunt per hydraulicos hosce a natura deputatos Syphones. Theod: Iam ea tandem, quae primo mihi factu adi nata videbantur, adeo perfecte coepi, ut de iis ne minimus quidem dubitationis amplius animo meo scrupulus insideat. Sed rogo te. Sunt ne plura huiusmodi hydrophylacia? Cosmiel: Vix scias montem esse celebrioris nominis, qui non a natura huiusmodi penuariis instructus sit. Eo fine et intentione naturae, ut veluti uber a quaedam Geocosmi humorem ex Oceano attractum in universas terrae oras, non in vegetabilium tantum fomentum, sed et in hominum animaliumque necessarium usum diffundant, quod sine montibus fieri nulla ratione potuisset. Sed ut omnia propius videas, te ad praecipua hydrophylacia ducam, non ut ibi moremur, sed ut simplici oculorum coniectu ingentes naturae divitias lustres. Theod: Imperio tuo uti nunquam restiti, ita totum me tuae dispositioni committo. Fac itaque quod placet et more tuo solito, quam celerrime. Vix dixeram; cum ecce deserta statione in aliud mea cellarium per innumeros meatus, lacus, flumina, stagnumque subterranea traditum constituit. O quis unquam animo concipere potuisset, tot subterraneum Geocosmum viarum ambagibus discriminatum, tot ambagibus discriminatum, tot abstrusarum vallium clausis cohibitum, tot tortuosis anfractibus ambulacris intricatum? Tot meatibus fissuris hiantem, tot conceptaculis, camerarumque substructionibus solidatum; tot fluminibus lacubusque irriguum, tot venarum metallicarum ductibus omni colorum genere depictis, veluti aulaeis quibusdam exornatum? O Aeterna Sapientia, omniumque Mens Conditrix, vere consideravi opera tua, et ad infinita potentiae tuae miracula expavi. Si tu Deus tantus es in operibus tuis visibilibus, quantus eris in te ipso? O mi Cosmiel, magni Conditoris Minister. Dic rogo, ubinam modo haeremus, quod nam hoc novum receptaculum, in quod me introduxisti? Cosmiel: Hucusque te per concava concatenatorum montium, Caspias inquam, Tauricas, Thracias, particularibus hydrophylaciis refertas, subterraneas regiones duxi; modo te inter Alpium cellaria constitutum esse facias. Theod: Fierine potest intras tam breve tempus tantas labirynthorum ambages nos confecisse? Verum cum tuum progressum non humano pede, aut arte facto vehiculo, sed Angelico metiar, equidem mirari cesso. Ergone inter Alpium hydrophylacia constituimur? Cosmiel: Ita est. Theod: Sed ubi manent crystallinae nostrae naviculas? Cosmiel: Non sis sollicitus de Navicula, haec enim semper nobis praesto erit. Considera hanc ecce praesentem late patentibus aquarum diffusionibus immersam. Theod: Ingrediamur eam; sed, o miram rem? Mari quam lacui similius video hoc hydrophylacium. Cosmiel: Audisne strepitum Cataduparum? Theod: Audio. Sed quid hoc? Cosmiel: Illa est aqua, partim ex Boreo, partim occiduo Austrinoque Oceano, per canalem Isthmi Aegypti quam nuper lustravimus, in mare Mediterraneum, et inde in hos montes derivata, quae per occultos canales hydragogos intra haec montium concava tum Oceani, tum intimi maris aestu corrivatur, quae cum perenni attractu, aquarum vas hoc impleant, mirum non est, tot ingentia flumina, cuiusmodi sunt Rhenus, Danubius, Rhodanus, Mosa, Padus, Ticinus, Oenus, Athesis, pari distributione in omnes Germaniae, Galliae, Italiaeque regiones diffundere. Theod: O vasi admirabile! O verum opus excelsi! Non hominum sed Omnipotentis Dei dextera fundatum; o quot hic reperio auri et argenti venas, quot et quam diversas mineralium species? Cosmiel: Satis est: modum quo coalescunt haec omnia opportuniori tibi loco indicabo; quare ad alia properemus. Theod: Ecce nova semper et nova naturae cellaria nobis occurrunt. Cosmiel: Quadam ad Cotias alpes Galliae, et maximum quod hic vides, est Pyrenaeorum montium, quorum omnium eadem est ratio. Vides quot et quantis fluminibus tum Galliam, tum Hispaniam irrigent? Restat modo ve et Africae subterranea exploremus. Theod: Fiat, et Euro velociori motu per innumeros labyrinthos subterraneos deducti, ingens hydrophylacium prioribus haud impar introivimus. O Cosmiel, quodnam est hoc subterraneum mare? Cosmiel: Istud est magnum illud naturae cellarium intra montes Lunae ad totius Africae irrigationem constitutum, quod vi ex Oceano Africam ambiente suo acquirit aque commatum: iam illum per ingentia flumina Nilum, Cuamam, Cairem, Nigrum, quibus Africa irrigatur, fonti, unde profluxit, reddit. Theod: Sed unde ingentes illi lacus, quos partim hic, partim in lustratis iam Africae et Europae montibus circumfusos video, derivantur? Cosmiel: Isti omnes lacus sunt continuati cum subterraneis montium hydrophylaciis et spectant ad ca, hac tantum differentia, quod natura hydrophylacia fornice instructa, lacus vero hosce in usum negotiationis humanae detecta esse voluerit. Theod: Non capio Mysterium, cum flumina multo altiorem hisce externis lacubus originem habeant. Cosmiel. Videsne inter hosce montes, varia a natura constituta cellaria? Theod: Video. Cosmiel: Vides quoque nonnulla altiorem aliis situm habere? Singula tamen suis hydragogis meatibus indefiniti fluxu impleri, quorum canalium orificia, ut altiorem a natura situm sortita sunt, ita appropriatos quoque suos in quosque diffunduntur lebetes, altiores obtinuerunt. Accedit ascensum aquarum attractu naturali, quem supra tibi exposui, multum promoveri. Theod: Iam omnia perfecte cepi, neque de natura potentia amplius dubito. Progrediamur itaque. Vix dixeram, cum ecce pari velocitate, per ingentes subterraneorum terrarum tractus, Oceanique fundum traducto, ingens modo rerum mirabilium theatrum aperitur. O mi Cosmiel, estne possibile terrenam molem tot meatibus perfossam, in tantam Regionum subterraneum amplitudinem excavatam subsistere posse? Cosmiel: Tu semper more humano loqueris, et divina opera humanis inventionibus perperam assimilas. An nescis cadere non posse id quod potens Dei dextera excelsi, ineffabili opificio, inviolabili soliditate firmavit? Theod: Condona quaeso servo tuo, neque enim haec elocutus sum, ut de divina potentia quidquam dubitarem, sed quia admiratione tantorum attonitus spectaculorum mei ipsius vix compos sum. O ridiculas illorum Philosophorum speculationes, qui terram, praeter cas quas externa nobis superficies exhibet, nullis aliis cavitatibus instructam, summa ane imperitia sibi persuadent. O quantopere in his ad quae sensus noster non pertingit concipiendis decipimur? Cosmiel: Recte sentis, proindeque par est in his rebus cognoscendis studiose allaborare; neque enim alia sapientia humana concipi potest, quam rerum naturalium exacta cognitio, quam et sapientissimus mortalium a Deo se accepisse gloriabatur. Theod: Ubinam quaeso locorum sumus? Video enim hic non dicam cellaria, sed integra et vastissima subterranei mundi regna. Cosmiel: Nosse cupis ubi moraremur? Sub Andibus versamur Americae concatenatis in immensum spatium montibus, quibus natura in externa Geocosmi superficie maiores altioresque non fundavit, vulgo Cordillera dictis. Vides hic integra veluti maria quaedam congesta, quae omnia tum ex Atlantico et Aethiopico, tum ex immenso et incogniti adhuc termini Oceano australi suam eo quo dixi modo originem trahunt. Neque mirum tibi videri debet, tam vasta hic maris latifundia contineri, cum illa universam Americam Meridionalem vastissimis totius orbis terrarum amnibus, (cuiusmodi sunt flumen Amazonum, Maragnon, flumen Sancti Ianuarii, vulgo Rio della Plata) alisque innumeris minoribus praeter maximos lacus irrigent. Theod: Sed ingentem hoc loco aestum sentio. Cosmiel: Audisti superius, hydrophylaciis individua quadam societate semper iuncta esse pyrophylacia, seu officinas Vulcanias excoquendis digerendisque aquis subterraneis necessarias, unde, quemadmodum natura nullibi locorum maiora promptuaria aquatica, quam hoc loco constituit, ita nullibi quoque maiora et frequentiora pyrophylacia, quae nobis modo perlustranda restant.

Chapter III.

The Secrets of the Subterranean World are Explored.

Cosmiel: It will become evident, my dear Theodidactus, that this wondrous structure was not formed by chance or the fortuitous confluence of elements, but rather by the ineffable craftsmanship of Divine Wisdom. So, it appears that the same artistry has been applied to adorning this as in constructing the Microcosm. Let us proceed, my dear Theodidactus; do not be afraid of what you will behold, for I am with you, and I will protect you from the violence of the waters, the contamination of the air, and the voracity of the fires.Theodidactus: Oh, Cosmiel, just as you initiated this daunting and unprecedented journey, I place my trust in your guidance to reach our desired destination. I am in your hands, prepared for whatever fate may bring, as long as you do not abandon me.Cosmiel: Let us, then, proceed in the name of the most glorious and blessed Lord. Behold, through this immense abyss, we must delve into the depths of the earth.Theodidactus: Oh, Cosmiel, Cosmiel! The groans of death surround me, the pains of hell encompass me. Why have you taken me away? The foundations of the mountains enclose me; waters cover my soul, and you have placed me within the heart of the earth's abysses. [168] Please, do not forsake me! I am nearly overwhelmed with fear.Cosmiel: I concede, my dear Theodidactus, that even a man of great courage may find the horrors of these places overwhelming. However, since I have always promised to accompany you, what is there to fear? Why are you upset? Why does your heart quiver? Don't you realize that the keys to heaven and earth are in my hands, and everything is under my control? Don't be shaken by the fearsome darkness that awaits us. I will be your guide and your guiding light.Barely had he uttered these words when, suddenly, I found myself submerged in an unfamiliar liquid, and a brilliant light illuminated the expansive chambers of the subterranean crypts, making it seem as if we were bathed in sunlight. This experience filled me with such renewed energy that my soul was free from any apprehension or fear from that moment onward.Theodidactus: Oh, Cosmiel, I express my profound gratitude for the immense blessings you have bestowed upon me. I now wholeheartedly recognize you as a steadfast guide and guardian, and I hold you in the highest reverence as the protector of all nature, humbly submitting to your wisdom and care.Cosmiel: First, look and explore this vestibule of nature.Theodidactus: Oh, how tremendous is the thunderous sound of the waters! It's unlike anything I've ever heard before, surpassing even the mightiest waters like the Caspian Sea or the cascades of the Nile. These astonishing and unparalleled torrents rush at us from every direction. They don't resemble springs, rivers, or lakes; rather, it appears as though the bottom of an [169] enormous abyss has ruptured, releasing the entire ocean in an overwhelming surgeCosmiel: You are correct; this is the passage of that immense abyss through which the continuous circulation of the entire ocean, from the Arctic to the Antarctic, is maintained.Theodidactus: Oh, what immense vaults and inexplicable breadth this aqueduct reveals to me! Surely, nothing similar to this can be found on the surface of the Earth. But, Cosmiel, I observe that nearly all the walls are encrusted with salt, nitre, alum, vitriol, and similar efflorescences. From whence does this phenomenon arise?Cosmiel: The walls possess a unique property, attracting the saltiness from seawater and transforming it into various types of salts according to their environment.Theodidactus: However, what is the cause of this warmth I am sensing?Cosmiel: That heat emanates from the nearby Pyrophylacium, which, after thoroughly processing the water, releases the volatile spirit within the salt. This spirit permeates the deepest recesses and fissures of the rocks and soil, bestowing nourishment, fertility, and seasoning upon the entire Earth.Theodidactus: Oh, how the foul odor assails my senses! I perceive something that glistens like gold, extending into the vast expanse. And what is this oozing liquid resembling black bitumen and naphtha?Cosmiel: As previously mentioned, the heat you perceive vaporizes the rarified water into generative vapors. These vapors infiltrate the Earth's layers through cracks. When they encounter suitable materials for producing terrestrial sulfur, they create sulfur. In the presence of rich and dense clay, they generate either bitumen, naphtha, or some other [170] oily liquid, resulting in the unpleasant odor. However, all of this will be elucidated in greater detail later. For now, we are about to explore the hydrophylacia, or water-producing chambers, then the pyrophylacia, or Vulcanian workshops, and finally the aerophylacia, or underground chambers storing air. This will illuminate the wonders of nature for you. Let us proceed into the primary aqueduct of the entire Earth.Theodidactus: It appears we are entering a vast realm. Oh, how many mountains, seas, lakes, and rivers gushing with torrents I behold! It is as if we descend from lofty peaks into deep valleys one moment and then rise from valleys to towering mountains the next. We find ourselves wedged between sheer cliffs, only to suddenly emerge into expansive plains. There is no straight or level path here, only winding and uncharted routes. We traverse tumultuous whirlpools of rocks, yet everything is filled with vast masses of water, accompanied by a deafening roar and incredible noise, all interwoven. Who could have imagined that such immense reservoirs of water could flow through this subterranean aqueduct? Cosmiel, I implore you to elucidate the cause of this phenomenon to me. I have experienced all four seasons within this vast natural aqueduct. In the grip of winter's chill, I am nearly frozen; then, in a spring-like warmth, I am invigorated, and now, in the summer, I endure the intolerable heat and the onslaught of perspiration to a degree that is scarcely bearable.Cosmiel: I will explain everything systematically. You were truly amazed by the immense quantity of water [171] and the numerous water eruptions from countless openings, and your astonishment was well-founded. You witnessed the precipice of the Arctic chasm leading into the Earth's depths, augmented and infiltrated by numerous other water flows. If the inhabitants of the Catadupa Rapids on the Nile, who are awed by the thunderous roar of rushing waters, find it astonishing, can you imagine the reaction of people placed here? Undoubtedly, they would not only be astounded but might not even survive for a moment when the weight of the ocean's water is precipitated into the Earth's deepest recesses. As for the numerous openings continuously releasing vast volumes of water, they are outlets for the moisture from the ocean. This moisture, having infiltrated through various channels and gateways, eventually finds its way out through these openings, resulting in water accumulation in the aqueduct. The weight of this accumulated water propels it forward in the canal. In this manner, the mass of preceding waters pushes upon the mass of succeeding waters, and since there is no outlet other than through the Antarctic pole, it exits through the enormous chasm you witnessed, allowing for the perpetual cycle mentioned earlier. Please do not think that I imply water can remain stationary without continuous circulation anywhere.Theodidactus: Indeed, it is perplexing how water, placed against its natural flow within this aqueduct, is elevated to its highest points, and by what means?Cosmiel: Have [172] you ever considered how, within the human body, blood, situated in the lowest part (such as the feet), circulates against its natural direction, ascending to the head and then returning to the lowest regions? Have you observed aqueducts that, by a seemingly diverse law, are at times directed from low to high, then from high to low, or even to the right and left through leaden pipes, yet they consistently deliver water to their intended destinations? Similar principles apply within this primary conduit of nature.Theodidactus: Your explanation is clear, and it aligns well with the principles of hydrostatics. Please continue to clarify my remaining doubts.Cosmiel: Have you ever pondered why different levels of heat are arranged within this aqueduct, seemingly in harmony with the four seasons? I will elucidate the reasons for each of them. Nature designed this primary conduit of the Geocosm with the purpose of saturating the entire Earth, filled with innumerable fibers, crevices, fissures, and openings, with the seed we previously discussed, lying within the aqueous element. This is achieved through subterranean heat, perpetually fueled by nourishment from the Pyrophylacia surrounding the aqueduct. It promotes and facilitates the generation of minerals based on the availability of materials. However, since this seed requires heat to activate, nature has established numerous pyrophylacia for this purpose. Through their operation, nature's seed, present in the aqueous element, undergoes remarkable sorting and digestion [173] in various degrees of heat, resulting in a substance suitable for generating various forms of life. Consequently, the water, now enriched with this seed, is pregnant, and when transformed into vapors, elevated, and directed into the Earth's crevices and fibers, it initiates the first phase of nature's process to generate a diverse array of entities. However, I will delve into this in greater detail at the appropriate moment.Theodidactus: You present your reasoning wisely, and I have no doubts about the future. But when will we finally reach the end of this aqueduct?Cosmiel: I will expedite our journey to lead you out of this intricate labyrinth as swiftly as possible.Theodidactus: So be it. Given that nature operates consistently in all things, observing a part of this main canal is sufficient, as if we had seen the whole. However, Cosmiel, where are we being carried with such an inexplicable force of water? It feels as though we are descending into the abyss.Cosmiel: You are not descending; you are being lifted upward by the sheer force of the water. You will soon reach the end.Theodidactus: What does that faint light signify?Cosmiel: Sunlight has penetrated the chasm and is illuminating our path.Hardly had he spoken when a small boat emerged from the Antarctic chasm and was engulfed by such whirlpools of water that they defy description, let alone human comprehension. Theodidactus: Now, my dear Cosmiel, I understand why the Antarctic pole is inaccessible to mortals. Who could overcome these tumultuous waters rushing in all directions with such unexplainable force?Cosmiel: [174] Theodidactus, you have now witnessed the main aqueduct that nature wisely designed in the Geocosm for the purposes I explained earlier. I must now show you the construction of specific aqueducts and hydrophylacia.Theodidactus: Please proceed with whatever you believe will help me achieve my understanding.With that said, he guided us through various passages to a vast abyss, a hydrophylacium of almost indescribable size. In a word, it resembled an ocean into which rivers of such magnitude flowed through canal openings that the Rhine, Danube, Rh么ne, and Po would appear as mere streams in comparison.Theodidactus: Oh, Cosmiel, it seems as if the entire ocean converges here. Please explain this astounding spectacle of nature.Cosmiel: This is one of the primary abysses of the Earth designated by nature for irrigating terrestrial masses. It possesses a concealed canal that corresponds to the large one you observed. Here, it releases its waters so that the water ultimately returns to circulate through the Antarctic chasm.Theodidactus: But what is the source of this discomforting heat I feel?Cosmiel: This is another pyrophylacium adjacent to this one, and it's not significantly different in size.Theodidactus: Oh, my dear Cosmiel, I have an overwhelming urge to retreat, as if I've unwittingly stepped into a cauldron of boiling water.Cosmiel: There's no need to fear. You are in no danger here. Take a moment to explore your surroundings. If any doubts arise, feel free to ask, and I'll provide you with [175] prompt answers.Theodidactus: I find myself engulfed in massive clouds of smoke, and the vaulted ceiling appears as if it's been pierced like a sieve. What could possibly stir up this subterranean sea into such colossal waves? What, in the grand scheme, is the purpose of nature's intricate activities here?Cosmiel: Understand, Theodidactus, that the seed of nature, combined with water from the ocean, is drawn through specific channels into this abyss you see. Within this vast hydrophylacium, surrounded and filled from all sides by the pyrophylacia or Vulcanian workshops, the mixture is subjected to digestion and processing. The digested substance is then sublimated into the innermost recesses of the Earth and evaporated through a perforated vaulted ceiling. This process creates the necessary materials required for the generation of various entities, depending on the nature of the terrestrial soil. The smoky vault and the pierced ceiling that fascinate you are associated with these Vulcanian workshops. I will later show you their location and arrangement. They persistently simmer with perpetual fire, ceaselessly cooking and digesting the waters that are compelled into these hydrophylacia by their intense heat鈥攁ll for the benefit of nature. These fires, and the scarcity of water deep within the Earth, are so fundamental to the Earth's functioning that without them, it would be incapable of producing any effect or even sustaining itself.Theodidactus: Very well, my dear Cosmiel. We have explored the lowest reservoirs of these waters comprehensively. Now, it remains for you to guide me through the aerial workshops, the aerophylacia, so that I may grasp the intricacies of what nature accomplishes within themCosmiel: I am eager to fulfill your request. It's worth noting that within this Geocosm's Economy, [176] there exist two types of reservoirs: some filled solely with air, while others contain air in the upper part and water in the lower part. I will introduce you to both to provide you with a clearer understanding of nature's intricate workings. Let us begin with the workshops of the air. Observe the entrance to the passage we are about to traverse.Theodidactus: Oh, what a wondrous marvel of nature! What is the significance of this exotic and expansive passage?Cosmiel: Notice how it is perforated on all sides with numerous openings? Can you hear the constant dripping and the murmur of perpetual streams? Are you aware of how some of these openings release scalding hot breath with a continuous roar?Theodidactus: I see, hear, and am utterly amazed. I cannot recollect ever encountering anything like this in the subterranean realm. However, I'm puzzled as to why you refer to this passage as if it were distinct from the underground region. Here, intertwining rows of rocks, intersecting rivers teeming with fish, fertile plains adorned with lush grass, and rugged walls harboring a variety of mineral treasures can be found. But what is the significance of this unusual cold that almost freezes me? And then, the scorching heat that nearly suffocates me? I beseech you to elucidate the concealed mysteries behind each of these phenomena without hesitation.Cosmiel: This is known as the Aeolian passage, one of the principal conduits within the Geocosm. Here, the spirits infused into it from both the hydrophylacia and the pyrophylacia, situated around and beneath it, undergo further transformative processes orchestrated by nature. They are subjected to cooking, digestion, and once digested, they are transported by [177] syphunculi, natural conduits designed by nature, to the Earth's innermost depths. There, they contribute to the generation of various metals and minerals, depending on the nature of the terrestrial soil. The numerous openings, holes, fissures, and crevices surrounding this passage clearly attest to its purpose. The alternating heat and cold, orchestrated by nature's work, trigger the transformation of the concentrated seed of nature. It dissolves through the influence of humid-cold heat and is subsequently directed to specific locations, aligning with nature's ultimate intent.Theodidactus: But who or what is causing this powerful wind, so fierce that it can't be compared to Ecnephias, Cyrcius, or Africus?Cosmiel: Such winds are quite common in this subterranean realm, born out of intense battles and conflicts that rage within the hidden domains of nature, where fire contends with water. The scorching heat rarefies the water, reducing it to an extreme thinness as it flows into certain mountain receptacles. Since this rarified water can't find an exit, it gets trapped and confined amidst these whirlpools, causing it to rush with the extreme vehemence you're experiencing.Theodidactus: Can you tell me, does this wind have any limits within the realm of nature?Cosmiel: Indeed, it has its utmost limits. This wind serves as the exclusive vehicle for the vapors infused with the seed of nature. It propels them with immense force to hidden reserves deep within the Earth. There, they disperse and mix with the aerial seed, taking on a particular form for [178] the generation of various compounds. Furthermore, when they infiltrate the pyrophylacia, they ignite the smoldering fire, compelling it to complete the tasks of nature, much like a bellows.Theodidactus: What does this colossal underground passage, connected to nature's sanctuary, signify? It's an immense torrent of rushing water, resembling a grand river like the Po. These massive vaulted structures, rising to what seems to be a height of five hundred yards, and the solid walls formed from stacked rocks, as if giants had worked here, piling mountains upon mountains. I see images of Pelion on Ossa. It's truly astonishing to behold. What is the meaning behind this vast amalgamation of various materials? I spot abundant sulfur, naphtha, bitumen, perpetual drops of petroleum covering the ground, entire mountains laden with salt, alum, vitriol, and rocks filled with talc, gypsum, antimony, orpiment, arsenic, realgar, and every conceivable mineral. And what about those shrubs emerging from the depths of the mountains, spreading their branches and leaves in magnificent shades of blue, green, red, and white? Numerous streams of mercury flow from the rocks. I see this conglomeration of materials on the floor of this enormous vault, but it appears that since this accumulation of so many substances can't endure over time, [179] it is carried away through concealed passages in the ground to hidden storehouses of nature. Can you please explain the purpose behind all of this?Cosmiel: What you're witnessing is a vast repository of nature where, through subterranean heat, the seeds of minerals undergo cooking and digestion. A portion, refined through digestion, is directed through crevices in the rocks and channels to other concealed reserves of nature, which then contribute to the production of various minerals and metals, depending on the nature of the terrestrial soil. So, it's no surprise that this place is riddled with numerous openings. The denser and less pure portion, extracted through crevices in the ground, is directed to the pyrophylacia or Vulcanian workshops, where it serves as fuel for the subterranean fire.Theodidactus: The wisdom of the mind's eye is truly marvelous, as is the ineffable providence! But could you clarify where this vast mixture of substances originates?Cosmiel: As I mentioned earlier, everything originates from the Ocean. From there, through its channels, substances are expelled into the hidden cavities of the Earth. With the presence of salt, sulfur, and natural fat, these substances expand. Depending on the various characteristics of terrestrial soils, they give rise to a diverse range of mixed minerals. This liquefied offspring is then pushed through inaccessible channels by the molten soil, eventually emerging at this location. It continues to be further refined through various natural laboratories before spreading to the Earth's surface.Theodidactus: Please explain the significance of those shrubs.Cosmiel: Know, my dear Theodidactus, that just as the external surface of the Earth [180] yields a multitude of vegetation, the Ocean also produces its own botanical products, as you witnessed when we explored its depths. Similarly, the subterranean storehouses of nature, which you are now observing, yield their own plants. These are essentially efflorescences of various mineral species, particularly salts. Stimulated by the latent subterranean fire's force, they shed excess moisture and expand into trunks, branches, and leaves. These formations, covering the cooler regions of this place, solidify into rocky shrubs and growths. This process occurs throughout this immense vault, and I will show you countless more in other concealed locations.Theodidactus: Are there more workshops of this nature in the subterranean realm of nature?Cosmiel: Indeed, there are many more, and it aligns perfectly with the order of nature. Without them, neither hydrophylacia nor pyrophylacia could function. Just as fire cannot exist without water, and water cannot exist without fire, both elements depend on air. Therefore, these aerial chambers, intelligently arranged by nature for the benefit of the entire natural world and the mutual nourishment of the elements, hold immense significance. However, I've shown you one of the principal ones, which should suffice for now. Now, I'll guide you from the depths of this abyss to the neighboring surface of the Earth so that you may gain a clearer understanding of the interconnected processes within the subterranean ecosystem.Theodidactus: I've found nothing in the realm of nature that has stirred my admiration as much as these [181] aerial and aqueous chambers. There's nothing I desire more than to be taught and enlightened by you through firsthand observation of the purpose behind each of them.Hardly had he finished speaking when, behold, through hidden and diverse passages within the Earth, we were transported to an immense subterranean lake of unfathomable size and height, covered by an arched vault. Oh, Cosmiel, where are you leading me on Earth? What does this colossal accumulation of water signify? What are these tremendous waves of rushing water converging from all directions, producing a deafening noise and continuous murmur?Cosmiel: The hydrophylacium you see lies within the immense mountains formerly known as Caucasus and Imaus, extending deeply into inner Asia. Here, nature has established vast reservoirs and extensive cellars to provide water for the irrigation of all of Asia and India through the great rivers.Theodidactus: So, are we currently situated beneath the Caucasus and Imaus?Cosmiel: Indeed, we are.Theodidactus: I'd like to have it explained to me; from where do these cellars draw such an immense accumulation of water? They produce such enormous masses of rivers with an unceasing flow.Cosmiel: If you recall what you heard from Hydriel and what I have confirmed with numerous arguments, you will find it easy to comprehend. Do you remember when we explored the depths of the sea, [182] those immense abysses that left you so astonished?Theodidactus: Yes, I do remember.Cosmiel: Those were nothing other than the entrances to these cellars or hydrophylacia, with openings scattered throughout the extensive, winding cavities beneath the Earth. Through these openings, the continuous ebb and flow of the Ocean's tides, as if through hydraulic siphons, press and express vast quantities of water, emptying them into this underground lake that you see.Theodidactus: Can a single aqueduct suffice for filling a lake of such vastness?Cosmiel: By no means. There are various aqueducts, widely separated across these extensive locations. Through these aqueducts, the Ocean discharges itself with alternating tides, ensuring there is no shortage of water in the designated hydrophylacia during low tides. Some aqueducts are located in the Indian Ocean, some in the Gulf of Bengal, others in the Eastern Ocean, and still others in the Tartar Ocean. These are the beginnings of the hydrogogorum pathway, a truly excellent invention of nature. When one remains inactive, nature compensates for its deficiency with the alternating services of others, all working together to preserve the Geocosm.You marveled at the formidable Catadupa Falls, which you now see erupting from various and immense subterranean crevices. These are the openings of the hydragogorum pathway, through which the Ocean discharges itself in different places, emptying into this hydrophylacium through these Epistomia. Do you see how, through this alternate discharge, it operates in a continuous rhythm, much like a systole and diastole, as part of nature's perpetual labors?Theodidactus: [183] The skill of the Almighty is truly remarkable! Who can explain the work of His hands? Who can describe these matters adequately, even with the utmost effort in speech? But let's return to our topic. Where are the river openings through which such a vast mass of water is discharged?Cosmiel: To understand this, we must explore the bottom.Theodidactus: Very well.Cosmiel: Do you see these openings, small, large, and immense, through which you observe the bottom and sides pierced?Theodidactus: I see a wondrous sight, and everything appears to be enveloped in dreadful whirlpools and turbulences.Cosmiel: The larger ones are the ones through which this reservoir discharges itself into rivers and lakes. The smaller ones distribute countless streams of water through hidden syphons. These all eventually converge from the larger rivers, such as the Indus, Ganges, Jhelum, Oraxin, and others, through lengthy winding paths according to the disposition of the terrestrial mountains. They feed these rivers, which, laden with the immense weight of water, ultimately return to their source, the spring from which they originated. It works much like the systems of springs created by human ingenuity, where the spring never overflows or diminishes because it only receives as much water from the channels as it discharges. There is also another hidden contrivance of nature, through which water drawn from the Ocean into these hydragogorum channels is mysteriously stimulated. It operates as follows: Since these [184] hydrophylacia have no communication with external air, it is certain that when the hydragogorum channels are emptying and the reservoir waters are flowing out, a vacuum, which is greatly contrary to nature, must necessarily occur. To prevent such a flaw in nature, as no air from the outside can enter these hydragogorum channels, it is clear that as the water flows out, it carries the contained air within it. The air, being drawn away, must be replaced by some other substance, namely, the waters within the hydragogorum channels. In this way, through the connection of these substances and the necessary cohesion of bodies, to prevent a break anywhere, a perpetual flow of water from the Ocean to the subterranean reservoir occurs. It circulates through the depths of the Earth, creating pericyclosis. In the same way, lakes are born on the highest mountain peaks, which, as soon as they discharge themselves, draw in an equal amount of water from the hidden reservoirs below through these hydraulic syphons designated by nature.Theodidactus: I have now begun to understand those things that initially seemed so incredible to me that I couldn't help but doubt them. But I have a question for you. Are there more hydrophylacia like these?Cosmiel: You would hardly find a renowned mountain that does not possess such reservoirs designed by nature. This is nature's way of drawing moisture from the Ocean into the entire surface of the Earth, benefiting not only plants but also humans and animals. Such an effect could not be achieved without mountains. [185] However, to gain a closer look at everything, I will guide you to some of the principal hydrophylacia. We won't linger there but merely behold the immense treasures of nature with our own eyes.Theodidactus: I have never hesitated to follow your guidance, so I wholeheartedly entrust myself to your arrangement. Please proceed as you usually do, swiftly if possible.I had barely finished speaking when, abruptly leaving our previous location, I was led through countless passages, lakes, rivers, and subterranean ponds into yet another chamber. Oh, who could have ever imagined that the entire underground Geocosm was a network of winding pathways, secluded valleys enclosed by cliffs, intricate passageways, yawning crevices, and chambers supported by solid substructures? They were irrigated by countless rivers and lakes, with ducts displaying veins of minerals painted in various hues, adorned as if with curtains.Theodidactus: Oh, Eternal Wisdom, Creator of all Minds, I truly contemplated your works and marveled at the boundless wonders of your power. If, God, you are so magnificent in your visible creations, how much more awe-inspiring must you be in your essence? Oh, my Cosmiel, minister of the Great Creator, please tell me, where are we now? What is this new chamber you have brought me to?Cosmiel: Up until now, I have guided you through the hollows of interconnected mountains鈥攖he Caspian, Tauric, and Thracian, filled with specific hydrophylacia鈥攁cross subterranean regions. But now, we find ourselves in the cellars of the Alps. [186]Theodidactus: Is it possible that we have traversed such an intricate maze of passages in such a short time? Nevertheless, considering that your progress is not measured by human footsteps or any human-made vehicle but rather by angelic means, I cease to be amazed. So, are we now among the hydrophylacia of the Alps?Cosmiel: Indeed, we are.Theodidactus: But what about our crystal boat?Cosmiel: Worry not about the boat; it will always be available to us. Observe this one, floating on the expansive waters before us.Theodidactus: Let us board it. However, what a remarkable sight! This hydrophylacium more closely resembles a sea than a mere lake.Cosmiel: Do you hear the roar of the Catadupas?Theodidactus: I do. But what is this?Cosmiel: This water partially originates from the North and partially from the Western and Southern Oceans. It is directed through the Isthmus of Egypt, which we recently explored, into the Mediterranean Sea. From there, it flows into these mountains through concealed hydragogic channels. The water here surges in with the tides of both the Ocean and the inner sea, filling this vessel with water due to its perpetual attraction. It's no wonder that it feeds such mighty rivers as the Rhine, Danube, Rhone, Meuse, Po, Ticino, Inn, Adige, distributing them evenly across the regions of Germany, France, and Italy.Theodidactus: Oh, what an astonishing vessel! A true work of the Most High! It was not founded by human hands but by the hand of Almighty God! How many veins of gold and silver do I find here, along with [187] various species of minerals?Cosmiel: That's enough for now. I will show you how all these elements come together in a more appropriate location. Let us proceed to other matters.Theodidactus: Behold, new and ever-changing chambers of nature keep unveiling themselves before us.Cosmiel: We are now heading to the Cotian Alps in Gaul, and the grand one you see here is the Pyrenees. The same principles apply to all of them. Observe how numerous and significant the rivers are, irrigating both Gaul and Hispania. Now, let us explore the subterranean regions of Africa.Theodidactus: Agreed. We have been transported through countless underground labyrinths with swift motion, guided by the East wind, and have arrived in this vast hydrophylacium. Oh, Cosmiel, what is this underground sea?Cosmiel: This is the great storehouse of nature, located within the mountains of the Moon, designed to provide water for the entire continent of Africa. It collects its water from the surrounding Ocean that envelops Africa and returns it through major rivers such as the Nile, Cuama, Cairo, and the Niger, which irrigate Africa, ultimately returning the water to its source.Theodidactus: But where do these immense lakes, some of which I see here and others surrounding the mountains we have explored in Africa and Europe, originate?Cosmiel: All these lakes are connected to the subterranean mountain hydrophylacia, with the distinction that nature has designed the hydrophylacia with vaulted chambers, whereas these lakes have been exposed for human use and trade.Theodidactus: I now understand the Mystery, as the rivers [188] have their source much higher than these external lakes.Cosmiel: Do you notice these various cellars arranged by nature among these mountains?Theodidactus: I do.Cosmiel: You will also observe that some are situated at higher elevations than others. Nevertheless, each one is supplied with an infinite flow through its specific hydragogic channels. These channels have openings positioned higher by nature and corresponding basins into which they discharge water. Furthermore, the water ascends significantly due to the natural attraction I explained earlier.Theodidactus: I have now grasped everything thoroughly, and I no longer doubt the power of nature. Let us continue our journey, then.I had scarcely uttered a word when we found ourselves transported, at the same remarkable speed, through the vast underground regions of the Earth and the depths of the ocean floor, revealing an immense theater of wonders.Theodidactus: My dear Cosmiel, is it conceivable that the terrestrial mass, penetrated by countless channels, can support such an extensive underground expanse of regions?Cosmiel: You speak in human terms and mistakenly draw parallels between divine creations and human inventions. Do you not realize that what the mighty hand of the Most High God has fashioned through His ineffable craftsmanship and unwavering solidity cannot be shaken?Theodidactus: I humbly ask for your forgiveness. My questions were not meant to cast doubt on the divine power, but rather stemmed from my overwhelming awe at these extraordinary spectacles. How foolish are the speculations of philosophers who, in their ignorance, believe that [189] the Earth, beyond what its external surface presents, lacks any other cavities. We are greatly deceived in our attempts to conceive of things beyond the reach of our senses!Cosmiel: You are absolutely right, and it is commendable to diligently seek understanding in these matters. There is no wisdom greater for humans to attain than the precise knowledge of the natural world, a wisdom even the most enlightened among mortals claimed to have received from God.Theodidactus: Then, if I may ask, where exactly are we situated? I see no cellars here but vast underground realms of the world.Cosmiel: Would you like to know our location? We find ourselves beneath the Andes, the extensive mountain range of South America, stretching across vast expanses. Nature has raised no higher or broader mountains on the Earth's surface than the Andes, commonly referred to as the Cordillera. Here, what appears as entire seas have been collected, all stemming from the Atlantic and Ethiopian Oceans, along with the expansive and hitherto unknown southern ocean beyond the point I mentioned. It should not astonish you that such immense bodies of water are contained here, for these waters nourish the entire southern part of America with its mighty rivers, including the Amazon River, Maranon River, Parana River, and countless others, as well as the largest lakes in the world.Theodidactus: Yet, I feel an intense heat [190] in this place.Cosmiel: As I mentioned previously, hydrophylacia are always intricately connected with pyrophylacia, or Vulcanian workshops, which are essential for the refinement and processing of subterranean waters. Thus, just as nature has established no larger aquatic reservoirs anywhere else than in this location, similarly, no greater or more numerous pyrophylacia exist elsewhere. We still have these Vulcanian workshops to explore.

CAPUT IV: 

Introductio intra ignea subterranei Mundi conceptacula.

COSMIEL. Vidisti mi Theodidacte naturae Maiestatem in admiranda hydrophylacium subterrestrium fabrica, usum quoque tum quoad extrinsecam, tum quoad intrinsecum constitutionem; singularumque rationem me duce et magistro didicisti. Nihil porro restat, nisi ut modo arcanam naturae industriam in constituendis subterranei Geocosmi Pyrophylaciis seu reconditoriis Vulcaniis ostendam. Sine quibus natura haud dubie, manca, mutila et imperfecta maneret; cum nulla quarum vis rerum generatio sine hisce innati caloris aestuariis transigi possit, quemadmodum oculari experimento comperies. Theod. Nihil mihi acceptius hac stupenda rerum exhibitione esse potest; sed quis tot flammarum globos, tot inexhausta ignium aestuaria impune transeat? Ego praesertim ut natura fragillimus, ita impendentium periculorum timidissimus sum. Cosmiel. Ne timeas, Theodidacte; quemadmodum enim a principio impunitatem tibi pollicitus sum; ita eam illam, quam me Cosmiel, mundi praesidens, debet fide exacte servabo. Agedum macte animo Theodidacte. Theod. Sola tua benignitate et potentia confisus tuam accepto invitationem longe humanissimam. Et  vestigio, in horrendum quodam incomperte a me magnitudinis antrum introduxit. O mi Cosmiel, quo trahor? quo me cum summo vitae meae periculo ducis? Cosmiel. Confide fili, et nunquam ab humano oculo visa tibi monstrabo. Ne vero quidquam ab ignium violentia patiaris, hoc accipe antidotum. Theod. His dictis, effuso liquore quodam praestantissimo mirum in modum refrigerante super caput meum totum me incredibili quadam virtute contra omnes flammarum noxas munivit. O amantissime dux vitae meae, quam horrendam rerum scenam hic video? Forsan in inferni barathrum me duxisti? Non enim hic aliud, nisi ingentes et formidabiles ignis crepantis strepitus audiuntur. Parietes omnes fumoso fumo ardere videntur, pavimentum sulphureis lacubus; ardentissimisque fluviis refertum. Hiatus fornicis, innumeri veluti caminis et spiracula in altum porriguntur, latera ingentibus hiatibus fatiscentia video, quae partim naphtam, bitumen, pinguissimamque materiam accensam, partim sulphureas flammas una cum liquefacta igniti liquoris materia, perenni fluxu fundunt. Heu, quis fumus? Quis foetor? Estne possibile tantam rerum confusionem emolumentum aliquod in natura rerum adferre posse? Rogo itaque te obnixe, ut singulorum rationem mihi exponas, idque quoad fieri poterit paucissimis verbis, ne longo tempore in tam formidabili ignis habitaculo commorari cogamur. Cosmiel. Quid omnia notent, quos vices in natura habeant, singula tibi pandam. Vastissimum hoc antrum seu Vulcanium barathrum, minime uti tu putas infernus est, sed est pyrophylacticum naturae reconditorium, quod intra intima terrae viscera natura ad totius Americae Meridionalis bonum et emolumentum constituit, in hoc enim naturae semen, tum ad mineralium cuiusuis generis, metallorumque productionem perfect excoquitur: tum ad hydrophylaciorum fluxum continuandum, quae sine hoc calore mox intensissima subterranei frigoris vehementia in glaciem coalescerent. Quemadmodum enim in caelisti expanso Deus Solem igneum, et Lunam aqueum corpus posuit eo fine, ut unum alterius impetum frangeret, ne alterutrius excessu omnia inferiora subque deque ferrentur. Hac enim contrariorum globorum natura factum est, ut permixtis una radiis calidis et humidis ad temperiem reducta corpora tum mutuo se foverent, tum reciproca mixtura seminum accepta in inferiorem rerum Oeconomiam ad intentam generationem efficiendam aptius influerent. Pari ratione cum Sol, Luna, Stellae radiis suis intima terrae viscera penetrare nequeant, sapienti sane naturae consilio Sol et Luna subterranea, quae nos pyrophylacticos et hydrophylacticos fundos, Solis et Lunae vicarios, secundum analogiam quandam vocamus, constituta sunt. Ut mutuo calidi et humidi consortio universus Geocosmus iis veluti animatus, et ab intenso frigore summus naturae vitio caloris accessu vindicatus globus, ad necessariam rerum generationem iuxta intentas Divini Archetypi rationes incitaretur. Miratus es fornicis hiatus; illos nihil aliud esse scias, quam spiracula quaedam, seu canales pyrogogos, qui huius aestuarii calorem in alia superiora aestuaria, quorum in hoc Americae subterraneo tractu quatuordecim sunt, traducunt et propagant. Haec vero per similes alios pyrogogos canales, in extima Vulcaniorum montium, quorum itidem pariter quatuordecim numerantur in Andibus Chile crateres, ingenti fumo flamma mixto, egeruntur. Quomodo vero haec ignium receptacula durant, quomodo et unde nutrimenti fomentique necessariam suppeditationem acquirent, et quomodo post perpetuas ignium eructationes tandem non extinguantur, fusce tibi supra exposui. Dantur praeterea et alia spiracula, quae in hoc antro se offerunt, ad hydrophylacia calefacienda a natura deputata, ut videlicet in iis naturae semen perfecte concoctum, corpus acquirat im materiis appropriatis ad generationes rerum perficiendas. Accedit et hisce ingens horum meatuum pyrogogorum emolumentum, quod intra montium viscera terrae superficiei vicinos lebetes hydrophylacticos a natura dispositos ingenti suo aestu calefaciant, qui calefacti deinde per appropriatos sibi canales foras in thermas tantopere humanis infirmitatibus curandis necessarias prorumpunt. Si itaque canales huiusmodi sulphure abundent, thermae nascentur sulphureae, si per salinos et vitriolatos meatus aut aliud quodpiam incile alio salium genere referimus aqua, thermas salem, vitriolum, aut simile quid sapiat. Si per loca bitumine, petroleo similibusque oleagineis materiis referta transeat, tum ecce nascentur thermae eius naturae, cuius sunt meatus, per quos transeunt aquae. Si vero canales pyrogogi longiores sint, quam ut supra eos ad exitum usque calidos conservare possint, tum aqua per loca simili virtute mineralium imbuta transiens, frigefacta in externam superficiem emerget vel in simplicem aquam frigidissimam, vel in acetosam aut vitriolatam, aut sulphure bitumineque imbutam. Ex his paucis tibi obiter indigentibus, nullus tibi occurret aquarum tam exoticus effectus, cuius causam protinus non sis assignaturus. Theod. Vidi ego in nonnullis locis summa admiratione attonitus aquam calidissimam frigidissimae iunctam una cum diversis aliis aquarum proprietatibus, quomodo id fieri possit, a te scire contendo. Cosmiel. Causa huius rei est diversitas canalium, quorum unumquodque eius naturae aquam fundit, cuius naturae locus est per quem transit. Si enim canalis ex lebete aquatico aestuariis suppositis calefacto aquam devexerit, illa utique caldissima erit. Si vero canalis ex lebete hydrophylactico frigido devexerit aquam, illa haud dubie frigidissima erit. Et quoniam Orificia differentium canalium in unum aliud aliquem locum subinde concurrunt, hinc mirari solent homines, quomodo in uno et eodem loco tanta aquarum diversitas per distinctas scaturigines oriatur. Theod. Mirifice mihi placet dubii a te mihi propositio solutio. Nunc porro utrum plura sint huiusmodi naturae aesuaria in Geocosmo constituta, edisseras. Cosmiel. Plura omnino: Nonnulla ima terra viscera obtinent, et dicuntur Principalia, haec deinde per pyragogos meatus veluti per ramos quosdam in universa telluris viscera deducta, in diversis partibus alia et alia fundant pyrophylacia, et haec per alios caminos alia et alia fundant vicina superficiei terrae; ita ut sit perpetua quaedam calefactivae ex uno in aliud virtutis propagatio eo tamen ordine. Ut aestuaria huiusmodi una cum canalibus pyragogis individuum quoddam cum hydrophylaciis eorumque canalibus consortium inexplicabili quadam naturae industria nacta sint, atque adeo totius telluris corpus innumerabilibus canalibus, qua pyragogis, qua hydragogis, aerogogisque haud secus ac Microcosmi fabrica pertusum sit: ut iam oculari demonstratione in hoc subterranei itineris nostri decursu edoctus es. Et si placet ad alia iam te ducam, aestuaria. Theod. O mi Cosmiel, si inveni gratiam, in oculis tuis, siste hic; neque enim amplius huiusmodi locorum horrorem sustinere possum. Quare cum reliqua eiusdem cum hoc rationis sint, unum demonstrasse loco omnium sufficiat; iam ad votorum meorum complementum, nihil aliud desiderari videtur, nisi ut me ad cas officinas perducas, in quibus tantam cudit metallorum mineraliumque diversitatem industriosa natura. Ut quomodo et ex quibus singula principiis coalescant addiscam. Cosmiel. Desiderio tuo satisfaciam. Theod. His dictis, per angustissima montium gurgustia in amplissimum me introduxit aerophylacium. O Comiel. Quid sibi vult ingens huius loci aestus? in balneum feruidissimum me introduxisse videris. Quid illi instar fumi continuati vapores, qui ex omnibus pavimenti scissuris exhalantur? Quid parietes omnimodis colorum ductibus effigiati? Cosmiel. Hoc aerophylacium a natura ordinatum est, ut semen naturae quod in elementis aqua, aeris, terra iacit, intra hoc unitum; per circulationes continuas elaboratum, depuratumque tandem ad generationes metallorum adaptaretur. Vides quomodo fumi veluti in alembico quodam nunc ascendunt, nunc descendunt? Vides quoque ingentem terrestrium glebarum diversitatem, et varias ad recipiendas formas dispositiones? Vides innumera foramina, fissuras, et fibras rupium, per hasce enim vapores ingrediuntur, ubicunque materiam ad aliquod metallum aptam invenerint; v.g. vapor unctuosus una cum natura semine ei concentrato, nativo loci frigore coagulatus, fixatusque intra fibras rupium, illud producet metallum, ad quod materia terrestris a aptitudinem habuerit. Theod. Intelligo quae dicis, sed modum quo hoc admirandum naturae coniugum accidit, nosse cupiam. Cosmiel. Ut et hoc intellegas, aliquantulum fusius me explicabo. Notandum itaque omnia et singula elementa iuxta divinae sapientiae leges archetypas, purissimum sui ipsius, id est semen, in alterum elementum sibi inferius proicere. Hoc pacto semen, caeleste primo communicat aeri, hic illud aquae, hic illud sibi intra terrae viscera traducit, duobus interioribus partibus varie digestum, coniunctumque communicat. Ex hisce intra Geocosmi uteros varie commixtus, mediante igne, nascitur vapor, qui in liquorem tandem resolutus per poros et fibras terrae continua et iterata circulatione, veluti per multiplicata quaedam alembica depuratus defaecatusque unctuositatem quandam, viscositatemque acquiri, atque hoc est illud humidum unius, seu aquae viscosum, omnium metallorum proxima materia. Hoc itaque continua concoctione ac digestione depuratum, tandem in terram salsuginosam convertitur, quae continua liquoris sui irroratione soluta, per poros et fibras terrae quas hic vides, quasi filtrata, sublimataque ab omnibus terrestribus lutosisque recrementis eo usque depuratur, donec sulphuris cuiusdam candidissimi et incombustibilis formam inducat, quod sulphur hoc pacto lotum defaecatumque in concavis et saxeis telluris fibris conclusum, tum calore subterraneo superveniente, tum sui ipsius calore proprio interno, magis magisque decoctum, tandem in argentum fixatur, quemadmodum hic vides. Theod. O miram rem Ergone illae fibrae in gypsi candidissimi morem longe lateque exporrectae minerae argenti sunt? Cosmiel: Ita est, sed ulterius progrediamur. Si porro hanc eadem materia intra intima rupium, id est sulphur, hoc candidum et incombusibile, eo usque adhuc fortioris ignis aestusque vehementia concoquatur, donec rubedinem acquirat, ventique sint ex purissimo sine illa lutosae et argillaceae materiae mixtura  saxo, tunc longo temporis spatio, nec non proportionati temporis coctione, tandem in aurum purum degenerat. Videsne hasce venas, partim caeruleo, partim aureo colore coruscantes? Theod.: Video. Cosmiel: Illae sunt venae sive minerali auri. Vides in quantum spatium fibras suas extendant, quam variis et tortuosis ductibus se explicent? Theod.: Video, et oppido admiro. O quanta Divina Sapientia per naturam suam, in humani emolumento molita fuit. Sit Deus in aeternum benedictus; qui tua mea instructione propius cernere voluit inexhaustos omnipotentis suae Thesauros. Cosmiel: Praeterea si humidum illud unctuosum viscosumque aqua lutosis excrementorum terrestrium quisquiliis vitatum contaminatumque coitiones diuturna figatur, necessario inde impartitur metallum nasci necesse est. Et tanto quidem imperfectius ignobiliusque, quanto materia, cui humidum illud unctuosum, viscosumque miscetur, sordidior, imperfectiorque fuerit. Sed iam hac propius te videre faciam. Videsne hic vides illos striatorum partium ductus? Theod. Video. Cosmiel. Illae sunt minerae Cupri seu aeris, quod quidem si a principio sordidis quisquiliis et glebis terre inquireretis, non fuisset contaminatum, id longa talium coctione et defaecatione in aurum evasisset. Sed quia ex rubro quodam sulphure, sed impuro et minime fixabili constat, nec se ratione loci a dictis impuritatibus per circulationem liberare potest, hinc metallum imperfectum, videlicet Cuprum, evadit; quod quidem nihil aliud est, quam corpus metallicum durum ac solidum, fusibile et malleabile, quod ab humido viscoso aquae et aeris lutulenta et impura materia contaminato, nec non sulphure rubreo impuro et adusto, infixabili delibuto, producitur. Iterum si intra humidum illud unctuosum viscosumque unicum metallorum semen, inciderit in venas terrae innumeris heterogeneis excrementis refertas, cum sulphure crudo et indigesto turgeat, neque sese a tantis excrementis et scoria expedire possit, coctione tandem in metallicum corpus imperfectum congelatur, quod ferrum dicitur: quod vero difficilis sit fusione et durissima substantiae, istius causa est, cum salis et sulphuris crudi abundantia, tum paucitas Mercurii hylaei; hinc maxime illud corruptioni obnoxium esse rubigo sat sapereque ostendit. Si quis tamen id ab impuritatibus suis eximere nosset, is haud dubie inveniret sub eo, quod chymici anxie hucusque quaesierunt. Vides hic varias saxeas fibras. Theod. Video: et non recordor in toto hoc itinere nostro strias hisce frequentiores me invenisse. Cosmiel. Recte observasti, uti enim humano generi ferro nihil est utilius et magis necessarium, ita nulli loco eius copiam natura deesse voluit, adeoque tota saxea Geocosmi a polo ad polum compaginata structura Magnetica, uti tu arte tua magnetica recte docuisti, ferreis abundant mineris. Sed ulterius progrediamur. Vides ne in hoc antro innumeras fibras, venasque in immensum productas? Theod. Video. Et quamnam ille metalli speciem referunt? Cosmiel. Ex hisce stannum eruitur, quod corpus metallicum est durum et firmum, facilis tamen fusionis, ductile naturae, et malleo obedientissimum. Ex abundantia sive excessu humidi unctuosi et viscosi, puri tamen copia natum, quia vera cruditate et incocto sulphure exiguae quantitatis constat, et volatilibus spiritibus turget, hinc perfectam fixionem non sustinet, sed ignis vehementia facile in auram evaporatum evanescit; unde si sulphuris cocti perfectio responderet perfectioni humidi, illud haud dubie cum tempore in argentum evaderet. Porro, videsne in altero hoc antro cinereos linearum ductus? Theod. Video, et quodnam illi metalli genus continent? Cosmiel. Illa minera plumbi est et differt in hoc solo a stanni natura, quod uti hoc puro humido, unctuoso viscosoque, ita illud impuro et faeculento, sulphureque excrementitio, ortum sit. Vidisti iam, Theodidacte. Metallorum generationes, iam nihil restat, nisi ut et ceterorum mineralium specierum, lapidumque pretiosorum, productiones tibi ostendam. Vidisti paulo ante nonnulla hydrargyri, seu argenti vivi stillicidea. Theod. Vidi, et quidem miratus sum, cum tu hydrargyrum, seu Mercurium, unum ex tribus naturae principiis esse dixeris, cur tam magnam eius copiam intra terrae viscera observarim. Cosmiel. Quod vidisti argentum vivum, non est illud ex universalibus naturae principiis unum, quod humidum radicale diximus, sed argentum vivum quod vidisti, commune et vulgare est, et nihil aliud est, quam humidum unctuosum, viscosumque aquae et aeris leviter coctum digestumque; quod quidem proxime non concurrit ad metallorum generationes, sed in centro eius latet humidi radicalis viscosi, ex aqueo et aereo semine constituta portio, qui verus ille a Philosophis intentus Mercurius, a sulphure et sale naturae inseparabilis, invisibilis et incorruptibilis dicitur, ad omnium metallorum mineraliumque compositionem concurrens; est tamen communis Mercurii huius substantia miris naturae dotibus instructa, ex humido aeque et sicco, ex calido et frigido pariter temperata, unde ob innati calidi in centro eius latentis abundantiam in perpetuo quidem motu est, ob siccitatem vero ei concentratam nihil quod tangit, madefacit; miranda quadam naturae libertate gaudens, neque ad humidum magis quam ad siccum, neque ad calidum magis quam ad frigidum determinatur, quamvis manifestam qualitatem in humido, occultam in calido maxime exhibeat. Theod. Sufficit mihi, Cosmiel. Ex tuis hisce sapientiae thesauris tantum me profecisse puto, ut omnium reliquorum mineralium rationem nullo negotio tuis potissimis principiis dare possim: quod et in opere Mundi Subterranei nomine insignito, quantum fieri potest, exacte et minutim, divina favente clementia, tuaque directione me praestiturum confido. Cosmiel. Progrediamur itaque. Theod. Quo me per horrenda antra, viaque tortuosas et mire intricatas ducis? Num remoti sumus ab extrema terrae superficie. Cosmiel. Vix uno alteroque milliari ab eadem distamus. Theod. Unam rem miror, videlicet, cur tanta mineralium multitudine et varietate, tantis metallorum venis vicina superficiei terrestris receptacula scateant, quae tamen in profundioribus terrae receptaculis non inveniuntur. Cosmiel. Ne mireris. Siquidem vapores semine metallico foeti, exhalationesque ex intimis telluris aestuariis et hydrophylaciis in alia et alia viciniora terrae superficie receptacula per viam transfusionem, concoctionemque elaborentae filtrataeque, tandem in hos intimos montium terrenorum promoscondos eleventur; ubi ultimam iam perfectionem consecutae, in illud metallum, cuius naturae locus est, in quem penetrant, coalescunt. provido sane naturae consilio, ut humano videlicet generi vivi esse possent, et ne intra inaccessa terrae meditullia, quod fieri nulla humana industria poterat, penetrare ad ea eruenda cogerentur. Accedit quod in dictis meditulliis nullum perfecte elaboratum metallum reperiatur. Verum ordo naturae postulabat, ut prius in hydrophylaciis per aestuaria illis iuncta, per metallici seminis concoctionem digestionemque debita praeparatio fieret, atque hac peracta tandem per occultas terrae fibras, meatusque vapores in alia plus elaborandi elevarentur: donec intra montium viscera terrae superficiei vicina coalescentes, tandem iuxta naturae arbitrium, varias metallorum mineraliumque species, pro cuiusuis loci natura dispositioneque producerent. Theod. Recte caepi omnia. Sed o mihi, Cosmiel, quam horrendos tonitruorum fragores audio; Video et grandinum pluviam, floccosque nivium ex alto in pavimentum proruentium. Video et expauesco, horrendas fulminum proiectiones, fulgurum coruscationes et similia Meteorologicarum impressionum spectra. Fierine potest, et illas in hisce subterraneis mundi regionibus nasci posse? Cosmiel. Quid dubitas? Cum nihil sit harum impressionum in externa superficie, quod non natura in inferioribus partibus producat, ex continua lucta calidi et humidi sui ignis et aquae aliusque spiritibus, sulphure, sale, nitro turgentibus, qui intra concava terrestria per vapores elevati, coarctatique exitum dum non reperiunt, qua data sporta ruunt, latera montium concucientes, saevissimos terrae motus cum horrendis mugitibus et tonitribus excitant, accensi quoque ob combustibilis materiae copiam, qua vestiuntur, fulmina et fulgura generant, et multo atrociores horrendioresque quam in externa superficie. Sed haec tu in Mundo tuo Subterraneo fusius prosequeris. Theod. Eheu, Cosmiel, quid rogo hic spectrorum nobis obviam fit; fierine potest homines in huiusmodi abstrusis terrae receptaculis reperiri; video enim masculos tripalmaris magnitudinis, pygmaeos diceres, vestitu fossorum amictos, vitta tectos lanea, coriaceo cinctos subligaculo, forma mirum in modum deturpata. Ecce quomodo nunc rideant, iam indignentur, nunc nugentur; video alios comedentes et bibentes, alios qui versoriam rotam trahant, alios qui corbes metallica materia refertos humeris gestent, sunt qui aquam ex puteis extrahant, non desunt qui metallis separandis operam suam impendant, et cum omnia iacere videantur, nihil tamen revera agunt, neque ullum post se opus relinquunt. Rogo quinam hi ridiculi sunt homunciones? Cosmiel. O mi Theodidacte, quos vides masculos, homines non sunt, sed Cacodaemones sub assumpta fossorum forma, occulto Dei iudicio ad caliginosa haec terrae loca condemnati, quorum nullus alius finis est, quam ut homines metallicis laboribus occupatos, ad innumera peccata instigent, dum enim bonos hominum genios putant, illis statutam semper eduliorum portionem offerunt, et sic in horrendum daemonolatriae peccatum incidunt, ad iras et blasphemias excitant, et similia in Deum gravissima peccata compellant, donec totos a Deo abduxerint. Theod. Exurgat Deus et dissipentur inimici eius, et fugiant qui oderunt eius; vix dixeram, cum ecce instar fumi, omnia diabolicae illusione spectra evanescunt. Sed de hisce et similibus subterraneis monstris ex professo in Mundo nostro Subterraneo, Deo dante tractabimus.

Chapter IV.

Introduction to the Fiery Chambers of the Subterranean World.

Cosmiel: Do not be afraid, Theodidactus, for as I assured you from the outset, your safety is my utmost concern. Let me guide you through the concealed marvels of nature found within these subterranean Pyrophylacia, or Vulcanian repositories. Without them, nature would unquestionably remain unfinished and imperfect, as the birth of numerous natural phenomena hinges on these intrinsic chambers of intense heat, as you will soon witness firsthand.Theodidactus: There is nothing more precious to me than this astonishing display of nature's secrets. However, who can traverse so many globes of flames and inexhaustible furnaces of fire without peril? Especially one as fragile by nature and timid in the face of impending danger as myself.Cosmiel: Have no fear, Theodidactus. Just as I promised your safety from the outset, I will uphold that promise as Cosmiel, the guardian of this world. Come, be courageous, [192] Theodidactus.Theodidactus: I place my trust solely in your benevolence and power, accepting your gracious invitation. At once, you led me into an unknown, horrifically vast cavern of unimaginable proportions. O my Cosmiel, where are you leading me? Why do you guide me into such perilous territory?Cosmiel: Have faith, my child, and I will show you something that no human eye has ever beheld. And to ensure you are protected from the flames, take this antidote.Theodidactus: With these words, a most remarkable cooling liquid was poured over my head, protecting me in a miraculous way from the harmful effects of the flames. O, dearest guide of my life, what dreadful spectacle do I behold here? Have you led me to the depths of Hell? For all I hear are the tremendous and fearsome sounds of crackling fire. The walls appear to be burning with smoky flames, the floor is covered in sulphureous pools, and it is filled with the fieriest streams. Countless openings and chimneys extend upwards like great hearths and vents, while the walls are cracking and fissuring with massive gaps, from which a mixture of naphtha, bitumen, the thickest substances ignited, and sulphureous flames, along with the liquified matter of the fiery liquid, continuously flow. Oh, the smoke, the stench! Is it possible that such chaos in the natural world can bring about any benefit? I beseech you, explain to me the nature of these phenomena, as briefly as possible, [193] so that we do not linger in this formidable chamber of fire for too long.Cosmiel: Let me explain the purpose and roles of these phenomena within this vast chamber, or Vulcanian repository, which is not, as you might think, a place of infernal torment, but rather a hidden treasure trove of nature. Nature has established it deep within the Earth's bowels for the benefit and utility of all South America. Here, nature's seeds are perfectly refined for the production of minerals of various kinds and metals. It also serves to sustain the flow of hydrophylacia, which would freeze into solid ice due to the intense underground cold without this heat. Just as in the celestial expanse, God placed the fiery Sun and the watery Moon with the purpose of halting each other's force, so that the intermingling of their warm and humid rays would moderate the temperatures of the bodies affected. In the same way, nature has created the underground Sol and Luna, which we call pyrophylacticos and hydrophylacticos, serving as vicars of the Sun and Moon in a similar manner. Through their interaction, they warm the depths [194] of the Earth and maintain a balance within the Geocosmos, allowing for the necessary generation of various natural phenomena, following the intended patterns of the Divine Archetype. You have witnessed the openings in the chamber's ceiling; know that they are nothing other than vents or pyrogogos, which transfer the heat of this estuary to other upper estuaries. In this particular subterranean region of America, there are fourteen such upper estuaries. Similarly, other pyrogogos channels, in the outermost volcanic mountains, also numbered at fourteen in the Chilean Andes craters, expel intense smoke mixed with flames. I have previously explained how these receptacles of fire endure, how they acquire the necessary nourishment and sustenance, and how they eventually do not extinguish after perpetual eruptions. There are also other vents in this chamber, designated by nature for heating hydrophylacia. In these vents, nature's perfectly refined seeds acquire suitable materials for the generation of various substances. Additionally, these extensive pyrogogos channels heat the neighboring hydrophylactic vessels within the mountain's bowels, which, once heated, flow outward through suitable channels into the thermas, essential for the treatment of human ailments. So, if these channels are abundant in sulfur, sulfuric thermals will emerge. [195] If the channels pass through saline and vitriol-containing passages or any other salt-rich areas, the thermas will have a salty, vitriolic, or similar taste. If the channels traverse locations filled with bitumen, petroleum, or other oily substances, then thermas of that nature will emerge, reflecting the characteristics of the passages they traverse. However, if the pyrogogi channels are longer than they can maintain heat all the way to the exit, then the water passing through areas with similar mineral properties will emerge cold on the external surface, either as simple, extremely cold water or water with a sour, vitriolic, or sulfur and bitumen taste. With these few factors, no exotic water effect will surprise you, and you'll be able to immediately identify its cause.Theodidactus: I have seen in some places, filled with great wonder, water that is extremely hot mixed with water that is extremely cold, along with various other water properties. I contend that you can explain how this happens.Cosmiel: The cause of this lies in the diversity of the channels, each of which imparts its own nature to the water it conveys, based on the nature of the passage it travels through. If a channel conveys water from a heated hydrophylactic vessel, the water will be extremely hot. Conversely, if a channel conveys water from a cold hydrophylactic vessel, it will undoubtedly be extremely cold. As the Orifices of different channels often converge into a [196] single location, people are often amazed at how such a variety of water emerges from a single spot due to distinct sources.Theodidactus: Your explanation of this doubt greatly pleases me. Now, could you tell me if there are more of these natural estuaries within the Geocosmos?Cosmiel: Indeed, there are more. Some are situated deep within the Earth's bowels and are known as Principalia. These, through pyrogogos channels, are like branches extending into the Earth's depths. They give rise to different pyrophylacia in various parts, and these, through other paths, create different pyrophylacia nearer to the Earth's surface. Thus, there is a perpetual propagation of this heating effect from one place to another, albeit in a specific order. These estuaries, along with the pyrogogos channels, form a unique consortium with the hydrophylacia and their channels, all created by nature's incredible artistry. Consequently, the entire Earth's body is riddled with innumerable channels, both pyrogogos and hydragogos, as well as aerogogos, just like the structure of the Microcosm. You have now witnessed this with your own eyes during our underground journey. If you please, I will lead you to other estuaries.Theodidactus: Oh, my Cosmiel, if I have found favor in your eyes, please stop here; I can no longer endure the terror of such places. Since the rest of this is of the same nature, demonstrating one location should suffice for all. It seems that for the fulfillment of my wishes, nothing else [197] is needed except for you to lead me to the workshops where nature diligently forges such a variety of metals and minerals. So that I may learn how each comes together and from what principles they originate.Cosmiel: I will fulfill your desire.With these words, he led me through the narrowest passages of the mountains into a vast aerophylacium.Theodidactus: Oh, Cosmiel! What does the intense heat of this place mean? It seems like you've brought me into an extremely hot bath. What are these vapors, like continuous columns of smoke, rising from all the cracks in the floor? What are the walls decorated with various patterns and colors?Cosmiel: Nature has ordained this aerophylacium to unite and circulate the seeds found in the elements of water, air, and earth. Through continuous processes, these seeds are refined and eventually adapted for the generation of metals. Do you see how the vapors ascend and descend like in a kind of alembic? Do you also notice the great diversity of terrestrial materials and various dispositions to receive different forms? Do you perceive the countless holes, fissures, and fibers in the rocks? Through these, the vapors enter wherever they find material suitable for a particular metal. For instance, a viscous vapor, along with the concentrated essence of nature, coagulated and fixed by the native cold of the place within the rock's fibers, will produce the metal that suits the earthly material.Theodidactus: I understand what you're saying, but I would like to know the process by which this remarkable union of [198] nature occurs.Cosmiel: To help you understand this better, I will explain more extensively. It should be noted that all the elements, following the archetypal laws of divine wisdom, cast their purest essence, their seed, into an element below themselves. In this way, the celestial element first imparts its seed to the air, which, in turn, imparts it to water, and this water carries it deep within the Earth's bowels, where it undergoes various arrangements and connections. Mixed in various ways within the womb of Geocosmos, and through the agency of fire, it transforms into vapor, which, upon eventual condensation into a liquid, undergoes continuous and repeated circulation through the pores and fibers of the Earth. It becomes purified and refined, acquiring viscosity and consistency, becoming the viscous fluid or watery essence, the proximate matter of all metals. Through ongoing cooking and digestion, this essence is eventually converted into a salty earth. This earth, dissolved by the continuous irrigation of its own liquid, is further purified as it filters through the Earth's pores and fibers, resembling a filtration process. Eventually, it sublimates from all earthly and muddy impurities, taking on the form of a very pure and incombustible sulfur. This sulfur, washed and purified within the hollow and rocky fibers of the Earth, then undergoes further cooking from both the underground heat and its internal heat until it is fixed into silver, as you see here.Theodidactus: Oh, this is amazing! [199] So are these veins, extending far and wide like gypsum, the deposits of silver ore?Cosmiel: Yes, indeed. But let us proceed further. Furthermore, if this same material, the white and incombustible sulfur, is further cooked with even stronger heat and intensity until it acquires a reddish hue, and if it encounters a vent from pure stone without the mixture of clayey and earthy material, then, over a long period of time and with proportional cooking, it eventually transforms into pure gold. Do you see these veins shimmering with both blue and golden colors?Theodidactus: I see them.Cosmiel: These are the veins or mineral deposits of gold. Do you notice how far and wide they extend their fibers and how they spread through various tortuous channels?Theodidactus: I see, and I am truly amazed. Oh, how great the Divine Wisdom worked through nature for the benefit of humanity. May God be forever blessed, who desired to reveal His inexhaustible treasures more closely through your instruction.Cosmiel: Furthermore, if that viscous and oily fluid, contaminated and polluted by the muddy residues of earthly impurities, is subjected to prolonged coction and solidification, it is necessary that a metal should be generated from it. The more imperfect and base the metal, the more contaminated and impure the material to which the viscous and oily fluid is mixed. But I will bring you closer to understanding this. Do you see those veins and channels here?Theodidactus: I see them. [200]Cosmiel: These are the deposits of copper or brass. If, indeed, one were to inquire from the beginning about copper, which is contaminated by sordid filth and earth, it would not have been so polluted and would have transformed into gold through prolonged coction and purification. But because it consists of a certain red sulfur, albeit impure and not easily fixable, and cannot liberate itself from the said impurities through circulation due to its location, an imperfect metal, namely copper, emerges. It is nothing more than a hard and solid metallic substance, fusible and malleable, produced from the viscous and impure matter of muddy water and air, contaminated by sulfuric red and impure and burnt sulfur, and lacking in fixity. Again, if someone were to know how to remove these impurities, they would undoubtedly discover what alchemists have long sought after beneath it. Do you see the various rocky fibers here?Theodidactus: I see them, and I don't recall encountering such numerous stripes [201] in our entire journey.Cosmiel: You've observed correctly. Just as there is nothing more useful and necessary for humankind than iron, nature did not want to deprive any place of it. Thus, the entire rocky structure of Geocosmos, from pole to pole, is impregnated with a magnetic structure, as you correctly taught with your magnetic art, and abounds with iron-rich ores. But let us proceed further. Do you not see the countless fibers and veins extending into infinity in this cave?Theodidactus: I see. And what kind of metal do those represent?Cosmiel: Tin is extracted from these, which is a hard and sturdy metallic substance, easily fusible, ductile in nature, and very malleable. Due to the abundance or excess of the humid, oily, and viscous but pure substance, albeit composed of a small quantity of true raw and uncooked sulfur, and swells with volatile spirits, it does not sustain perfect fixation and easily evaporates into vapor when exposed to intense heat. Therefore, if the perfection of the cooked sulfur were to correspond to the perfection of the humid, it would undoubtedly transform into silver over time. Furthermore, do you see the ashy lines in this other chamber?Theodidactus: I see them, and what kind of metal do they contain?Cosmiel: Those are lead ores, and they differ only in this respect from tin in that, while tin is born from pure, humid, oily, and viscous substances, lead originates from impure and feculent matter, as well as excrementitious sulfur. You have now seen it, Theodidactus. The generations of metals have been shown to you. Now, nothing remains but to show you the production of other mineral species [202] and precious stones. You saw some drops of quicksilver, or living silver, a little while ago.Theodidactus: I saw, and I was indeed amazed when you said that mercury, or Mercury, is one of the three principles of nature. Why did I observe such a large quantity of it within the bowels of the earth?Cosmiel: What you saw as living silver is not one of the three universal principles of nature that we called the radical humidum. Instead, the living silver you saw is common and ordinary. It is nothing more than the humid, oily, and viscous substance lightly cooked and digested from water and air. This substance does not directly contribute to the generation of metals but hides within it a portion of the true Mercury sought by philosophers, inseparable from nature's sulfur and salt, invisible and incorruptible. This true Mercury, which contributes to the composition of all metals and minerals, is called by philosophers Mercurius. However, the substance of this Mercury is endowed with remarkable properties, balanced between the humid and dry, the hot and cold. Due to the abundance of innate heat hidden within it, it is in perpetual motion. Yet, it does not wet what it touches due to the concentration of dryness within it. It enjoys a kind of freedom in nature, being neither more inclined towards the humid than the dry, nor towards the hot more than the cold, even though it primarily exhibits its quality in the humid [203] and keeps its quality in the hot hidden.Theodidactus: It is enough for me, Cosmiel. From your treasures of wisdom, I believe I have gained enough knowledge to easily deduce the nature of all other minerals, primarily relying on your principles. With the divine grace and your guidance, I trust that I will be able to do so in a detailed and meticulous manner in the work titled "Mundi Subterranei" that I plan to create.Cosmiel: Let us proceed, then.Theodidactus: Where are you leading me through these dreadful caves and tortuous and incredibly intricate paths? Are we far from the outer surface of the Earth?Cosmiel: We are barely a mile or so away from it.Theodidactus: I wonder about one thing: why is it that, despite the abundance and variety of minerals and the presence of so many veins of metals near the Earth's surface, we do not find them in the deeper recesses of the Earth?Cosmiel: Do not be surprised. Vapors impregnated with metallic seed and exhalations from the innermost caverns and hydrophylacia of the Earth are elevated through a process of transference and refinement, filtering from one receptacle to another, finally reaching these innermost earthen prominences. There, having achieved their ultimate perfection, they merge into the specific metal to which their nature is aligned. It is undoubtedly a prudent design of nature, ensuring that they could be accessible to the living human race, rather than forcing them to penetrate the inaccessible depths of the Earth, which could not be achieved by human industry. [204] Additionally, no perfectly elaborated metal is found in these inner recesses. However, the order of nature required that first, in the hydrophylacia connected through those estuaries, the preparation through the cooking and digestion of the metallic seed would take place. Once this was completed, they would be elevated for further refinement through the hidden fibers and passages of the Earth, until they coalesce within the depths of the mountains near the Earth's surface. Finally, following the design of nature, they would produce various species of metals and minerals according to the disposition and nature of each location.Theodidactus: I have begun to understand everything correctly. But, oh Cosmiel, how I hear the dreadful thunderous roars, and I see hailstorms, and flakes of snow falling from above to the ground. I also see and fear the projections of lightning, flashes of lightning, and similar specters of meteorological phenomena. Is it possible for such occurrences to happen in these underground regions of the world?Cosmiel: Why do you doubt it? Since there is nothing in these surface impressions that nature does not produce in the lower parts, it is all due to the continuous struggle between its own elements, heat and humidity, fire and water, as well as other spirits like sulfur, salt, and nitre, all swelling and confined within the Earth. When they cannot find an outlet and are driven to rush through the confined passages, they shake the sides of the mountains, provoking the most violent earthquakes with terrible roars and thunder, and due to their combustion from an abundance of combustible material [205] with which they are clothed, they generate lightning and thunderstorms, much fiercer and more terrifying than those on the surface. But you will elaborate on these topics more extensively in your "Mundus Subterraneus."Theodidactus: Alas, Cosmiel, what is this vision before me? Could it be that humans dwell in such remote recesses of the Earth? I see miniature men, no taller than three palms, resembling pygmies. They are attired like miners, donning woolen headbands and leather belts. Their appearances are grotesque and peculiar. Observe how they shift from laughter to indignation and jesting. Some are engaged in eating and drinking, while others labor at a turning wheel. A few carry baskets laden with metallic materials upon their shoulders, and there are those drawing water from wells. Some appear to be involved in the separation of metals. However, despite their ceaseless activities, they seem to accomplish nothing of substance, leaving behind no tangible work. I am left to wonder, who are these absurdly diminutive beings?Cosmiel: Oh, my dear Theodidactus, the figures you behold are not humans but rather Cacodemons assuming the guises of miners. By God's hidden judgment, they are condemned to dwell in these subterranean depths, their sole purpose being to entice humans into myriad sins. Believing themselves benevolent spirits of men, they offer food portions to lead them into abominable idolatry, stirring anger, blasphemy, [206] and other grievous transgressions against God. This ensues until they have utterly led these humans astray from the path of God.Theodidactus: May God arise and scatter His enemies, and may those who hate Him flee. Almost as soon as I uttered these words, like smoke, all these diabolic illusions vanished. However, we shall delve into these underground monsters and related matters in our work "Mundi Subterranei," with God's grace.

Caput V.

et ultimum.

Epilogus Asceticus

In quo de variis aeternae beatitudinis consequendae mediis agitur.

Cosmiel: Intuitus es, ni fallor. sufficienter, Theodidacte, Dei optimi maximi in hac terrestri globi subterranea fabrica magnalia, et quaecunque aeterna Sapientia per naturam artem suam in emolumentum generis humani operata est, me duce et doctore didicisti: nihil porro restat, nisi ut omnium eorum, quorum mea instructione factus es particeps, notitiam ad divini Numinis gloriam in usus tuos convertas. Verum jam tempus advenit ut te sub visibili huius halitus specie deseram, et ad commissum mihi mundi praesidium reverter. Theod: Ah, rogo te mi Cosmiel, siste adhuc pauxillum temporis, ut quae aeternam animam meae salutem concernunt, a te divino meo magistro prius addiscam; usque dum corruptibili huius carnis sarcina deposita, te in Deo meo aeternum fruar. Cosmiel: Utique summam tuam petitionem video, ita ex mea parte non omittam te mea directione eo deducere, quo et tua te vota ferunt, et ego id unice in hoc toto itineris nostri decursu intendi, ut videlicet per visibilium rerum varietatem et multitudinem, per Divinorum operum magnalia in naturae maiestate elucescentia, ad invisibilium bonorum ubertatem, quae omnem sensum, omnem mentis humanae conceptum longe superant, tandem pertingeres laborum tuorum metam consecutus. Quaere itaque confidenter et omnes animae tuae latebras, circa ea quorum desiderio cognoscendorum aestuas, excutito, et fidelem me sincerumque omnium propositorum interpretem obtinebis. Theod: O Divine magister, quas tibi gratiarum actiones pro tot tuis in me meritis et innumeris beneficiis in indignum servum tuum collatis referam? Certe, cum aliud quod tribuam non habeam, ecce omnes ordinis tui Hierarchici commilitones invito, ut quas ego non possum, illi cibi in Deo ter glorioso et benedicto debitas gratiarum actiones persolvant; iam vero audi quasi quaeso mihi in mentem venerunt. Tantopere mihi semper hucusque invisibilium bonorum fruitionem inculcasti, ut iuxta Apostoli verba, invisibilia videlicet per ea quae facta sunt, conspiciantur; imo in praefatione Epiphaniae Ecclesia Dei idem cantat, ut dum visibiliter Deum cognoscimus per hunc in invisibilium amorem rapiamur. Quae cum ita sint, rogo te obsecro et obtester, ut mihi huiusmodi invisibilium bonorum rationes exponas. Non enim video quomodo homo ex anima et corpore constitutus ad illa pertingere possit, cum intellectus insensibilium spectrorum gurgite immersus, invisibilium specierum, ob phantasmatum sensibilium interpositionem, sit incapax; quomodo itaque illa attingemus, cum nihil iuxta Philosophi Epiphonema in intellectu sit, quod non prius fuerit in sensu? Et cum Sapientis proprium sit teste Philosopho phansmata speculari; an non sufficit invisibilium bonorum ubertatem sub ineffabili Humanitatis Christi pulchritudine nobis sensibili, intelligere, admirari, eam aetarnum gaudere. Cosmiel. Ah fili mi bene apparet, te nec dum abstracti intellectus rationem nosse. Verum est humanum intellectum in hac praesenti vita phantasmatum umbris impeditum, luce sua obscura ad invisibilium bonorum rationem pertingere non posse, hoc enim totum alterius beatitudinis non posse, hoc enim totum alterius beatitudinis vitae statue reservatrum est, de quo recte Gentium Doctor dicit. Oculus non vidit, nec auris audivit, nec in core hominis ascendit quae Deus praeparavit diligentibus se; quibus verbis expresse docet, sensibus ad ea cognoscenda opus non esse, cum illa omnium sensuum potestatem infinitis parasangis sruperent. O si tibi liceret vel per minimam rimam ineffabiles bonorum invisibilium delicias, quemadmodum illas tum nostrum genus tum animae iam ad salutis portum appulsae cognoscunt, prae nimiis gaudiorum excessibus, ruptis cordis penetralibus, haud dubi expirares. Theod. Hoc est quod semper miratus sum, et capere non potui, cur divina bonitas mundum hunc corporeum cum tanto rerum apparatu condiderit, certe non propter se tantum, quae mundo corporeo non indigebat, quem infinites quippe pulchriorem, in aeterno suo archetypo contemplabatur, neque propter vestrum genus Angelicum; ergo propter rationalem creaturam, qui homo est. Praeterea prorsus attonitus haesi dum exactius ponderarem, quodnam incitamentum Christum Servatorem nostrum in nostrae carnis angustias traxisset, cur humana carne vestiri, sub visibili servili forma apparere, omnibus sese humanae conditionis miseriis, excepto peccato, et usque ad probrosissimam Crucis mortem demittere voluerit. Dices forsan, ad hominem a servitute peccati liberandum, Deoque reconciliandum; id verum esse scio. Sed et non usquequaque mihi satisfacit; latet itaque haud dubie sub hoc quodam prorsus incomprehensibili mysterium, quod ego nihil aliud esse existimo, quam super excessivam, ineffabilem, omnem humani intellectus longe excedentem gloriam, quam sua nobis sacratissima incarnatione promiserit.Sed uti haec homini in huius corruptibilis vitae statu constituto est inconceptibilis, ita te rogo, ut eius vel unicae lucis scintillula animum meum ardentibus succesnsum desideriis imbuas, ut serventius ad tantorum bonorum invisibilium consequentiam aspirem. Cosmiel: Magna sunt quae tibi exponi postulasti, et nescio an in hac vita mortali constitutus eorum capax esse possis. Quare sub nonnullis tantum tibi similitudinem umbris, eam describam, ubi tamen prius materiam adeo profundis contemplationibus refertam alius orditus fuero.Sacrosancta et Individua Trias Deus Opt. Max. Cum ab aeterno in inaccessa lucis suae caligine absconditus in Idearum divinarum archetypo se ipsum cum infinita beatitudinis sua complacentia, sibi ipsi sufficientissimus, contemplaretur; incomprehenso et ineffabili bonitatis instinctu, necnon infinito amore impulsus, ut intra Divinae suae essentiae centrum latentem omnipotentiae suae efficaciam, in lucem visibilem educeret; mundum hunc corporeum, iuxta aeterna idealium notionum exemplaria, producere sibi complacuit, ut nimirum esset extra divinae essentiae suae immensitatem, producta creatura intellectu praedita, quae omnipotentis virtutis Dei magna miracula, id est invisibilia, per ea quae facta sunt conspiceret. Ut qui invisibilis in se ipso esset, in tanto tam mundi opificio, tam perfecto, tanta rerum varietate instructo, tanto ordine administrato, visibilis veluti in totidem divinitatis suae speculis, quae sunt posteriora Dei, appareret. Mundo itaque hoc pacto constituto, primo Angelicam naturam ad imaginem sibi prae omnibus creaturis simillimam, tum gloriae suae admiratores, tum operis a se producti praesides creavit. Verum cum haec pura intellectualis esset, nec mundo corporeo uti posset, aliam sibi Angelicam inter et corpoream maturam mediam producere constituit, hominem videlicet, sive creaturam rationalem, in telluris globo veluti centro quodam constitutam, ut sublatis in admirabilem huius mundi ornatum oculis, per condita infinitae potentiae opera, tantae molis auctorem, tantarum rerum multitudine et varietate inexplicabilium architectum et opificem admiraretur: eum quam admiratus erat quereret, inventum amaret, eique soli serviret, ac tandem bonorum invisibilium ubertate in Deo aeternum frueretur. Sed aliter res accidit; vix introductus in hoc mundi theatrum, protoplastus homo, cum ecce contra severum Dei de fructu vetito sibi sumens per inobedientiae peccatum, una se cum toto humani generis posteritate, inextricabilibus malorum omnium labyrinthis involvit; Erat totum genus humanum peccati iniquitate corruptum, omnis cessaverat in terra veri et vivi Dei notitia cultusque, iis ignorantiae et caecitatis tenebris subversum, ut qui benignissimum conditorem in creaturis suis elucescentem quaerere et amare eique soli servire debebant, ii Idololatria impietate involuti, sensibilia Solis, Lunae astrorum lumina, Elementorum vires et proprietates, quin vel ipsius sensitivae et vegetabilis naturae beneficia, homines denique rerum gestarum gloria celebres, loco Conditores coluerint et adorarint; sensibilibusque assuefacti, cum invisibilem Deum aut non cognorint, aut aliquid esse non posse crediderint, quodque sibi maximopere arridebat, ex visibilibus obiectis in Deum assumpserit. Toto itaque terrarum orbe, abominando Idololatriae scelere contaminato, cum nulla nec in Caelo nec in terra creatura esset, quae tam conclamatae humani generis calamitati remedium aliquod adferre posset, ecce tot malis incitatas, hominumque irreparabilem ruinam, laboreque miserrima aeterna Dei Sapientia, Verbum et filius Patris, ne quod tanto amoris impulsu condiderat periret, infinitae dilectionis actu, humanam naturam assumere sibi complacuit. Ut Deus, qui prius in incomprehensibili caliginis suae recessu reconditus, omnes mortalium sensus latebat; modo se formae visibilis conditione compareret, cum hominibus conversaretur, pauperis oppidi civis factus, latentem tamen divinitatis potentiam, ineffabilibus operum miraculis prodiret. Doctrina caelesti nova et in illum usque diem nunquam audita, animos mortalium instrueret, eosque aeterno Patri infinita offenso reconciliaret. Neque hic stitit se divinae clementiae altitudo, cum non reperiretur, qui plenam et perfectam, pro infinita offensa satisfactionem daret; ipsa Dei Sapientia ineffabili amoris infiniti zelo languida affecta, innumeris se humanae mortalitatis miseriis subiiciens, tandem post atrocissima tormenta Crucis passionem subiit, ut hoc pacto deleto mortis chirographo, hominem perditum ad vitam revocaret. Theod. O infinitam Dei charitatem! O novas amoris divini inventiones! Et quid rogo tam excessivam Divinae pietatis magnitudinem movit, ut tanta et tam indigna hominis vilissimi, sui ex luto figmenti, inimici insuper irreconciliabili odio cum Deo dissidentis causa subierit? Hoc est quod capere non possum, hoc est cuius admiratione tantopere rapior. An non forsan interfuisset Divinae clementiae nonnihil quod in hoc negotio proprii commodi rationem spectaret? aut quo fine hominis animam tantis beneficiis lucrari intendit? Lateat hic haud dubie admirandum quoddam et ineffabile mysterium. Cosmiel: Deus nullius indigus, sibi ipse sufficiens, et in se ipso beatissimus solo innato et aeterno bonitatis suae communicandae desiderio accensus, et infinito amoris aestu impulsus, erga rationalem creaturam, quam ad altissimos fines destinaverat, omnia haec praestitit. Ut videlicet homo cognito immensis et inenarrabilibus Amoris Christi argumentis, legem eius servaret, vitam eius sanctissimam imitaretur, meritorumque eius se participem faceret, et sic a peccatorum veterno erutus, post huius corruptibilis vitae usuram, ad eam quam dixi invisibilium bonorum copiam pertingeret. Theod. Ad idem semper revolvimur mi Cosmiel; nosse desiderarem, in quo potissimum invisibilia illa bona quae Deus diligentibus se et mandatorum suorum observatoribus promisit, consistant. Explica quaeso exemplo quodam, ut tantorum bonorum capax fiam; debent enim haud dubie esse superexcelsa, nullo modo humano intellectu penetrata, utpote quae omne bonum quod animo concipi et fingi potest, longe excedant. Cosmiel: Recte dicis et ut omnia luculentius concipias, sub symbolico quodam similitudinis typo; tametsi non nisi umbratili, totum negotium ob oculos ponam. Si itaque Theodidacte fama perciperes in insula quadam scopulis innumeris impedita, ad quam non nisi per mare syrtibus, vadis, scopulis, fluctuum tempestatum procellis infestum aditus daretur; in quo innumera tibi ob belluarum ferociam, ventorum rabiem, vorticum rapiditatem, discrimina tibi subeunda forent, certa tamen, verissima et infallibili informatione certior fieres; speculum quoddam in dicta insula contineri, in quo omnia quaecunque ab origine mundi, usque ad consummationem eiusdem, sive quae hominum potentia gesta sunt, sive quae a natura abdita arcanorum mysteria peracta sunt, unico intuitu ordine repraesentata speculum; si iterum universi mundi machinam cum omnibus quae in ea continentur, lucidissime explicatam intuereris; si innumeros mundanorum globorum sive stellarum exercitus singularumque individualem naturam, motuum systases, influxum quibus in inferiorem mundum agunt rationem, una cum unius cuiusque naturali situ, partium differentia, elementorum singulis congruorum, ex quibus efformata sunt constitutionem in memorato speculo cognosceres, intervalla praeterea unius globi ad alterum ex eodem cognosceres, quid non ageres? Theod. Certe incredibili illud videndi desiderio aestuarem. Cosmiel: Si rursus in eodem speculo, totius globi terrestis quem Geocosmum appellamus, constitutionem, omnium regionum, marium, insularumque sinum, naturam proprietatem, veluti omnibus et singulis praesens, actu intuereris, metallorum quoque mineraliumque inexhaustos fundos, herbarum, plantarum, arborum, fruticum, seminum, singulorum individua cognitione et notitia, vires et facultates naturales ex eodem addisceres; si ulterius omnium animalium quadrupedum, volacrium, natatilium, insectorumque naturam intimam vires tam occultas quam manifestas singulorum, una oculorum proiectione cerneres? Quid rogo de hoc tam admirando speculo diceres? Theod.: Certe opus prorsus ineffabile assererem. Cosmiel: Recte dixisti. Si praeterea monarchias imperiorum, singulorum hominum ab Adamo usque ad ultimum, ab uno quoque gesta sive bona sive mala, si imperiorum regnorumque vicissitudines, declinationes, erectiones novorum, omnes saeculorum successus, non praeteritorum solummodo, sed et futurarum rerum eventus graphice in eo expressa monstrarentur, quid diceres? Theod.: Mille vitae pericula nihili ducerem, dummodo illud contueri liceret. Cosmiel: Si ultra haec in dicto speculo, omnium scientiarum artiumque arcana hucusque incognita, intellectui tuo panderentur. Si de repente in summum Theologum, Philosophum, Medicum, Mathematicum, Logicum, Ethicum, Iurisconsultum, Politicum Rhetorem, Poetam, Grammaticum solius eius intuitu cadere, si in eodem magnum illud lapidis Philosophici secretum manifesaretur, si quadraturae circuli ratio demonstraretur, si ad arcanam motus luminis lucem perpetui aliarumque abditarum artium in hunc usque diem desideratam notitiam pertingeres, quid non ageres, ut illius compos fieri posses? Theod: Certe nullum futurum esset tentum vitam discrimen, nulla laborum exantlatio tanta foret, quae animum meum, quo minus ad illud contendendum proficisceretur, retardaret. Cosmiel: Sed nihil haec sunt ad ea quae dicturus sum. Si in hoc eodem speculo, Angelici quoque mundi constitutionem, si stupendam Hierarchiarum chororumque caelestis exercitus distributionem, innumerabilem quoque singulorum Angelorum, qui in unoquoque choro continentur, multitudinem et varietatem, quomodo in loco sint et moveantur, quomodo ad invicem secreta mentis pandant, quomodo superiores inferiores illuminent, quo quisque modo operationes suas instituat, quo modo et qua industria astrorum globos moveant, dirigant et circumvolvant, si denique omnia divinae naturae Sacramenta solo eius intuitu penetrares, quis tibi animus foret, quodnam desiderium, quae mentis anxietas, donec tam ineffabilis speculi intuitu  fruereris? Theod.: Certe nullum iter tot periculis expositum, nulla tam infesta latrocinii loca, nulla tanti scopulorum impedimenta, nulla tam tempestatum horror tantus, nulla tam occulta Charybdis et Scyllae saevientis naturae vis, nulla tribulatio, fames, sitis, nuditas tanta, nullae tam egestatis aerumnae, quae me a tanto ac tam inaudito spectaculo retardare possent. Quare te etiam atque etiam rogo mi Cosmiel, ut apertis similitudinem umbris, quid tam longa parabola indicare volueris, aperias. Cosmiel. Faciam quod postulas. Illud speculum nihil aliud est quam beatificae visionis fruitio, omnibus iis qui vera fide, spe firma, perfecta charitate in hac mortali vita Deum diligunt, a Christo aeterna veritate promissa. In quo sancti Dei homines glorificati videbunt Deum, omni fidei velamine sublato, sicut est. Et quaecunque hucusque recensita sunt in hoc voluntario Divinae essentiae speculo, perfecte contuebuntur, cum aeterna gaudii possessione, quae quidem tanta est et tam superineffabilis, ut nullus humanus intellectus aut etiam Angelicus, omni possibile conatu, eam satis describere valeat. Ubi immensum illud et ineffabile Sacrosanctae Triadis Mysterium, totius beatitudinis metam et complementum, inenarrabili gaudio intuebitur, ibi aeternam Divini Verbi generationem et Spiritus Sancti a Patre et Filio processionem aperte cernet. Atque hic est torrens ille voluptatis, quo Deus electos suos potabit, hic est fons vitae aeternae, de cuius gustu nascetur gaudium illud sempiternum, de quo veritas loquitur: "In gaudium Domini tui." Siquidem in hac vita mortali totum divinum gaudium intrat in gaudentes, quia modicum est, momentaneumque quod hic percipitur, in patria vero toti gaudebimus, intrabunt in totum gaudium Domini. Supra quam dici aut fingi potest, corpore a forma Iesu Christi, qui est candor lucis aeternae, et speculum sine macula, in quo vel ipsi Angeli desiderant prospicere, oblectabuntur. Cuius tanta est gloriae et magnitudo, tanta claritatis ubertas, ut si mille solis molitiones in unum coacervarentur, illi omnes ad tantam claritatem comparati, nihil nisi tenebrae sine futuri. In hoc potissimum immensa et incomprehensibilis Dei bonitas elucescit, qua Deus nulla necessitate coactus, sed solum bonissimus instinctu compulsus, mundum hunc corporeum ad suam ei pulchritudinem et bonitatem quaedam tenus communicandam condidit; ex eadem ineffabili bonitate Deus, irreconciliabili odio a se seiunctum, humanum genus redimere, in libertatem filiorum Dei vindicare, aeterni boni sui participes esse, sibi complacuit, dum infinitam humilitatem quasi depressus, amore prorsus supra omnem humani et Angelici intellectus capacitatem, incomprehensibili languidus amoris aestu, nostra mortalitatis sarcina gravatus in hoc mundo sub visibili servi forma, ad confusionem diaboli, destructionem peccati, et mortis extirpationem compare dignatus est. Quae bonitas tanta fuit, tantus Amoris actus, ut si omnes Angelorum ordines, omnia hominum a origine mundi usque ad finem eius genitorum corda in unum confluerent, illud tantae bonitatis et amoris argumentum ponderans, prae admirationis, gaudii, amoris excessu scissum iri necessarium foret. Haec Divini Amoris incomprehensa altitudo tanta fuit, ut si omnia caelorum expansa in chartam, omnia vegetabilis et sensitivae naturae organa in calamos, omnes aquarum in universo Mundo congregationes in atramentum convertantur, illa omnia citius deficerent, quam ut vel minimam eius particulam attingerent. Theod. O incomprehensibilis bonitas, o ineffabilis Amor! Video, heu video satis luculenter, inexhaustum, immensumque divinae Bonitatis et Amoris Oceanum; sed, o sapientissime Caelestis doctrinae magister mi Cosmiel, nunc te rogo per eum amorem, quem Deus nobis ingratis impendisse dixisti, ut quod mihi in posterum faciendum sit, ut tam infinitae bonitati et divini amoris magnalibus quovis modo correspondeam, atque adeo superexcelsi illius finis, quem divina clementia per creationis, redemptionis, seu incarnationis opus pro hominis glorificatione intendit, participem fiam. Cosmiel. Si infinitas vitas eius servitio impenderes, si in totius mundi vitam anima reris, si in omnium creaturarum corda conglobareris, nihil ageres, nisi ipse te amoris eius cooperantem gratia sua te dignum redderet, cum omnis creaturarum bonitas, omnes operum humanorum excellentia, eius bonitati comparata, non bonitas, sed mera malitia sit. Theod. Quis ergo ad tam altum finem pertinget? Aut quibus modis et mediis tantum bonum consequar? Cosmiel. Volendo. Theod. Ex quo vellem facilius est, et quid iucundius gratiusque esse potest, quam ad tam omnibus votis desideratam beatitudinem, sola voluntate pertingere? Explica rogo non nihil tuum hoc absconditum mysterium. Et si nihil aliud quam voluntas mea desideretur, ecce, eam totam, ultro Deo meo trado. Cosmiel. Voluntas haec sane intelligenda est: 鈥渘on enim omnis,鈥� Christo attestante, 鈥渜ui dicit mihi Domine Domine intrabit in regnum Caelorum, sed qui facit voluntatem Patris mei.鈥� Ecce, habes hic sub paucis verbis totum mysterium tibi apertum. Voluntas itaque Patris aeterni, exigitur, qua quid sit et in quo consistat, apertis revelo. Cum divinitas solo bonitatis instinctu, quaecunque insensibili huius mundi theatro spectantur, per opifex suum verbum fecerit, haec vero antequam essent, in ipso omnia vita essent, id est, in aeterno illo divinitatis speculo, veluti in Idealium rationum Archetypo quodam ab aeterno relucebant; et quoniam omnia extra se producta, divinae unionis incapaces, ad tam excelsum finem quae est Theomorphosis, seu unio Dei formis, pertingere non valebant, ex corporis creaturis hominem elegit, qui intellectu et voluntate ad tam superexcelsum unionis gradum, in hac quidem vita per conformationem suae voluntatis cum divina per gratiam, in altera vero, per gloriam beatificae visionis fruitionem consequeretur. Siquidem voluntatis nostrae cum divina uniformitas, tante potentiae et energiae est, ut per purgationes mentis operationes, et contemplationis donum unus cum Deo spiritus efficiatur; tam firmo et indissolubili unionis nodo, ut nihil adeo in hoc mundo durum sit, nihil tam asperum, nihil tot adversitatibus involutum, quod eum a Divina voluntate separare possit. Si prosperitas eum extollat, ecce mox totus in Dei voluntate absorbetur; si adversis prematur, iam veluti iugi quodam convivio triumphat; cum nihil illi dulcius acceptiusque accidere possit, quam magna, ardua, imo multes mortes pro Deo, cui per amorem nequitur, pati; defectum contemptumque summo honoris loco reputat, totus Deo per triplicem fidei inconcussae, fragrantissimae spei et ardentissimae charitatis nodum iunctus, in Deum totus conformatur, quae est vera aeternae felicitatis arrha et invisibilium bonorum atrium, quo intromissus, despectis omnibus sensibilium rerum vanitatibus et periturarum voluptatum deliciis, unico mentis oculo Deo fixus. Hunc solum ardentibus affectuum stimulis noctu diuque meditatur, utpote qui vitam in Christo, lucrum in morte repositum habet. Praeterea per hanc unionem mens tua ad supernam transit Ierusalem, angelicis sociatur choris et usque ad supremum Dei thronum penetrat, ubi voluptatibus deliciarum ardens. Theod. Quomodo amor hic Angelicis me choris sociare potest? Cosmiel. In Seraphinis Deus te amat ut charitas, in Cherubinis te novit ut veritas, dominatur in Dominationibus ut Maiestas. In Principatibus te regit ut principium. In Potestatibus tuetur ut salus. Ut virtus operatur in virtutibus, in Archangelis operatur ut lux, in Angelis ut pietas Omnia denique operatur in omnibus iis mentibus, in quibus habitat per donum affluentissimae charitatis. Necesse est itaque Theodidacte, ut iisdem gradibus ad eum et ad desideratam felicitatis possessionem pertingere satagas, quod fieri potest si trium sequentium documentorum notitiam, in hac vita morali tibi compares, id est. Mentis tranquillitatem, virtutis splendorem, et charitatis dulcedinem. In hisce enim divina Maiestas, tanquam in solio sibi proprio requiescit, quibus per Purgationis, Illuminationis et Perfectionis viam adeptis, anima ad divinos amplexus admissa, meritorum incrementum, veluti cum aeternae vitae pignore quodam suscipit. Porro voluntatis nostrae cum Divina unio, in hoc potissimum consistit, ut perfecte in nobis Christum exprimamus, quod per virtutum, quas Christus in hac mortali vita nobis ad imitandum proposuit, sequentiam contingit; quo unico Deus Opt. Max. tantopere sibi complacet, ut nihil sit in religiosis vitae exercitiis, quod hominem ad dictum unionis gradum maiori compendio perducat. Haec est vera, illa regia via, qua sine ullo errore ad tantopere desideratum scopum pervenias; an nescis, quantum Christus in omnibus suam semper voluntatem Paternae voluntati uniformem habuerit? Quis unquam Christo maius humilitatis argumentum, cum Dominus gloria et totius Maiestatis Deus esset, in hac terra praebuit? Quis atrocissimum passionis, immo mortis tormentum, maiori constantia et fortitudine sustinuit? Quis unquam pro Crucifixoribus suis, caeterisque inimicis, tanto cordis affectu Patrem interpellavit? Ut interim nihil dicam de infinitae charitatis actibus, de patientiae, mansuetudinis, oratione, innocentiae vitae, inauditis exemplis que ex Evangelicis oraculis constant. Hoc itaque mi Theodidacte divinum virtutum omnium exemplar, nocta diuque ob oculos positum contemplare; haec unica tua cura sit, ut eam in anima tua perfecta et summa similitudine, haud secus ac sigillum quoddam, in piae affectionis et voluntatis ardentissimae ductili cera, divinam formam exprimas. Hoc pacto desideratam tuae cum Divina voluntate conformationem, atque adeo ad illam, ita omnibus votis concupitam Theomorphosim, id est ad divinum unionis Amorosae osculum in hac vita, quantum humanae conditionis ratio permittet admitteris, in altera vero totus Deo per apertam visionem iunctus, totus uni universi, qui est omnia in omnibus. Theod. O Cosmiel, magna sane hodie te magistra scientia imbutus sum: cuius comparatione omnis humana sapientia, stultitia est, omne sapientium huius saeculi lumen mera caecitas est; O Deus meus et omnia! O Christe, humani generis vindex, transfige cor meum igneis amoris tui iaculis, ut consumptis omnibus humanarum ambitionum vanitatibus, omnibus caducis huius infelicis vitae cupiditatibus extinctis, omnibus quae mundus tantopere quaerit et sectatur repudiatis, tibi in posterum soli adhaeream, tibi soli serviam, te solum in vita et morte actionibus meis exprimam, carmen meam cum vitiis et cupiditatibus crucifigam, ac tandem totus in te absorbear Amen. Cosmiel. Quare Theodidacte, si quandoque; animam tuam ad ea, quae tibi in hoc itineris nostri decurso ostendi divinae Bonitatis, Sapientiae et Amoris argumenta solius humani generis gratia in hac mundi machina exhibita attuleris: ea non alio fine condita esse tibi persuadeas, nisi ad illum, quem tibi supra descripsi finem consequendum, ut dum visibiliter Deum in Christo cognoscimus, per hunc tanquam totius naturae et conditarum rerum unicam scopum, in invisibilium amorem rapiaris. Quem tibi impertiatur is, qui uti te ab aeterno amavit, ita te attraxit ad se miserans. Theod. Sed tu, magne humanarum rerum arbiter Deus, totius pietatis, clementiae, misericordiae et aeterni amoris fons et scaturigo, dispone hunc animae meae statum, secundum divinae voluntatis tuae beneplacitum, incita omnes cordis mei nervos, in laudem et gloriam nominis tui, ut Seraphico te amore diligam, Cherubica mentis indagine incessanter quaeram; sis animae meae thalamus, ubi quiescas, ubi cubes in meridie; iugum tuum suave pone super indomitam, rebellisque affectionum terrenarum turbam, ut in posterum Angelicae tibi puritate serviam; sonet vox tua in auribus meis, vox enim tua dulcis, et facies tua decora; dispone in me ea virtutum ornamenta, quae tu in sanctissima tua vita expressa mihi ad imitandum reliquisti, ut de virtute in virtutem progressus, ad totius perfectionis apicem pertingam, ad te videlicet Deum Deorum in Sion; qui es totius beatitudinis nostrae meta, ac universae creaturae finis ultimus et centrum. Amen. Cosmiel. Sed iam tempus est, ut ad mundi mihi commissi administrationem revertar. Theod. O Cosmiel, Cosmiel, si unum gratiam in oculis tuis, tolle animam meam, ut una tecum molestia huius corporis sublata, in aeternis beatitudinis atris degam. Tua enim mihi morte ipsa durior discessio videtur. Cosmiel. Nonne dixi tibi voluntatem tuam in omnibus Divinis esse conformandam? Anne tam subito verborum meorum oblitus es? Doctrinam tibi hic traditam prius exequere, ut meritorum cumulo plenus, tandem finem tuum consequaris. Theod. Voluntas itaque Dei, in omnibus compleatur, sed hoc unicum a te contendo, ne servum tuum in posterum deseras, sed mihi semper in omnibus necessitatibus adsistas, ut tandem dulci tuo et supra quam concipi potest, iucundo consortio in patria fruar. Cosmiel. Ne dubites, fili, tibi semper assistam, te protegam, tibi uti petisti, in omnibus operibus tuis subveniam. Theod. Sed o quibus modis ob dulcissime Cosmiel; o Divinae Sapientiae Magister, ob innumera tua in me collata beneficia gratiam rependam? Quo verborum pondere, qua argumentorum gravitate, tuam in me ineffabilem benignitatem mundo exponam? Cosmiel. Deo in me et per me quicquid ubi bonorum obtigit id ascripsisse sufficiat. Pax tecum, dilecte mi Theodidacte, morere mundo, vive Deo, mei meorumque verborum semper memor. Vale. Theod. Hisce dictis, mox in tenues evanuit auras. Ego vero veluti ex altissimo quodam somno evigilans, totum sudore qui summae membrorum omnium debilitati sociabatur, me suffusum reperi; donec paulisper refectus pristinas mihi vires restitutas sensi. Quare nihil amplius restat, nisi ut quaecunque in hoc Itinerario continentur, unice ad Dei gloriam proximique salutem cedant.

Chapter V.

The Final Chapter.

Ascetic Epilogue

The various means of attaining eternal bliss.

Cosmiel: Unless I am mistaken, Theodidactus, you have comprehensively grasped the magnificent achievements of the highest and most benevolent God within the subterranean structure of our earthly realm. You have gained insight into all that Eternal Wisdom has crafted through its intricate blend of nature and art, all designed for the betterment of humankind. You have acquired this knowledge under my careful guidance and tutelage. Now, the only remaining task is for you to apply this wealth of wisdom, in which you have been graciously initiated through my teachings, to the glory of the divine Spirit and your own purposes. However, the time has now arrived for me to depart from your presence, cloaked in this visible semblance of breath, and return to my duties of overseeing the world entrusted to me.Theodidactus: Ah, my dear Cosmiel, I earnestly implore you to grant me a bit more time, so that, under your divine guidance as my teacher, I may first come to understand matters concerning the eternal salvation of my soul. I hope that, having cast off the shackles of this corruptible flesh, I may eventually enjoy your presence eternally within the divine embrace of my God.Cosmiel: I clearly perceive your profound request, and I assure you that I will not neglect to lead you toward the path that aligns with your deepest desires. Throughout our entire journey, [208] my sole purpose has been to unveil to you the abundance of invisible blessings that transcend all sensory experiences and elude the grasp of the human mind, all while showcasing the grandeur of God's creations within the realm of nature. So, I encourage you to explore the depths of your soul, seeking answers to your burning questions, and rest assured that you will find a faithful and sincere guide to interpret your queries.Theodidactus: O Divine Teacher, how can I ever express my gratitude for the numerous merits and blessings you have so generously bestowed upon me, your humble servant? When I find myself bereft of words, I shall summon all your fellow companions within the Hierarchical Order to offer thanks to God, thrice glorious and blessed, for the gratitude I am unable to adequately convey. Now, please listen as I share a thought that has crossed my mind. You have repeatedly emphasized the importance of enjoying invisible blessings to the extent that, according to the Apostle's words, we can discern the invisible through the visible. The Church, in fact, echoes this sentiment in the preface of the Epiphany, proclaiming that while we perceive God visibly, we are drawn to love the invisible through this perception. Given this perspective, I entreat you to elucidate the significance of these invisible blessings. I am puzzled as to how a being composed of both soul and body can attain them. Our intellect, entangled in the whirlpool of sensory objects, [209] struggles to perceive invisible forms due to the dominance of sensory phantasms. So, how can we hope to reach these blessings, especially when Aristotle contends that there is nothing in the intellect that hasn't first passed through the senses? If the Philosopher's task is, as he claims, to contemplate phantasms, wouldn't it suffice to recognize, understand, and revere the abundance of invisible blessings under the ineffable beauty of Christ's tangible Humanity, which is accessible to us, and thereby savor them eternally?Cosmiel: Ah, my dear son, it seems that you have yet to fully grasp the concept of the abstracted intellect. Indeed, it is true that the human intellect, in its current state of existence, is hampered by the shadows of phantasms, rendering it incapable of comprehending invisible blessings with its dimmed light. Therefore, the full comprehension of such blessings is reserved for another life, as correctly indicated by the Apostle: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." These words explicitly convey that there is no need for the senses to apprehend these blessings, for they transcend the capabilities of all senses by an immeasurable degree. Oh, if only it were possible for you to catch even the faintest glimpse of the ineffable delights of invisible blessings, as both our species and our souls, now anchored in the harbor of salvation, have already come to know them. Such a glimpse would surely cause you to transcend your physical existence, overwhelmed by uncontainable joy and causing the innermost chambers of your heart to burst wide open.Theodidactus: That has always been my source of wonder and bewilderment. I couldn't fathom why divine goodness, which had no need for the corporeal world, [210] considering its far more beautiful archetype in eternal existence, fashioned such an elaborate creation. It wasn't for itself, nor for your angelic race, so it must have been created for rational beings, namely, humanity. Furthermore, I have pondered the motivation behind our Savior Christ's decision to assume the limitations of our flesh, to be cloaked in a human form, to manifest in a tangible, servile appearance, to subject Himself to the miseries of human existence (excluding sin), and to endure the ignominy of the Cross. While I acknowledge the truth of your assertion that these actions aimed to free humanity from the bonds of sin and reconcile them with God, I have a lingering sense that there is more to it. It seems that concealed within this profound mystery, which I believe exceeds the grasp of human intellect, lies a glory that far surpasses all human comprehension. Therefore, I entreat you to kindle a small spark of that extraordinary light within my soul, enabling me to ardently aspire to these invisible blessings.Cosmiel: The things you have demanded to be explained are great, and I do not know whether, placed in this mortal life, you can grasp them. Therefore, under some [211] resemblances alone, I will describe it to you, where, however, I will first weave the subject matter so filled with profound contemplations.In the depths of eternity, the Most Holy and Indivisible Trinity, God Most High, concealed within the unfathomable radiance of His own light, enraptured in self-sufficient bliss, and delighting in Himself with boundless joy, resolved to manifest the omnipotent power of His concealed essence through the visible radiance of His creation. In an inexplicable outpouring of goodness and infinite love, He created this corporeal world according to the eternal blueprints of divine concepts. The purpose was to create, outside the boundless expanse of His divine essence, a creature endowed with intellect鈥攁 creature that, through the great marvels of God's omnipotent handiwork, the invisible blessings, could perceive the divine amidst the created. Thus, He who was hidden within Himself, invisible to all, revealed His splendor as if visible through the myriad mirrors of His divinity, which are the creatures He brought into existence. To this end, with the world thus established, He first created the Angelic beings, who most closely resembled Him in image. These Angelic beings, admiring His glory and safeguarding His creations, were meant to be His co-celebrants in the grand spectacle of creation. Yet, as these beings were purely intellectual and lacked the capacity to engage with the corporeal world, God decided to create an intermediary nature鈥攈umanity, or [212] rational creatures. These creatures were positioned at the very heart of the globe, designed to marvel at the breathtaking splendor of this world and, in doing so, to marvel at its Creator and Maker through His infinite works of power. Humanity's purpose was to seek, find, love, serve, and ultimately bask in the abundance of invisible blessings within God for all eternity. However, history took a different course. Shortly after entering this world's stage, the first human, Adam, transgressed by partaking of the forbidden fruit鈥攁n act of disobedience that ensnared him and all of humanity's descendants in the labyrinthine web of all that is evil. The stain of sin corrupted the entirety of humanity, and the knowledge and worship of the true and living God waned on Earth. People descended into the abyss of ignorance and blindness, to the point where those who should have sought and loved their benevolent Creator, radiating through His creations, instead worshiped the elements, the visible lights of the Sun, Moon, and stars, the powers and properties of the Elements, and even the fruits of sensitive and vegetative nature. They either remained ignorant of the invisible God or believed that nothing existed beyond the visible allure that captivated them, transforming these objects into objects of worship. In their ignorance, they celebrated the creators rather than the Creator, and, accustomed to the visible, they did not recognize the invisible God or assumed that there was nothing beyond the sensory objects that held their attention, effectively deifying these objects. Consequently, with the entire world tainted and [213] abhorrently polluted by the stain of Idolatry, and with no creature in heaven or on Earth capable of offering a solution to humanity's widespread predicament, Eternal Wisdom鈥攖he Word and Son of the Father, out of infinite love and boundless affection鈥攔esolved to take on human nature. This divine act aimed to prevent the very creatures He had fashioned with such fervent love from perishing. God, who had previously remained concealed within the depths of His incomprehensible darkness, beyond the reach of human senses, now chose to assume the visible form of a human being. He walked among mortals, taking on a humble existence in an ordinary town, while still revealing His hidden divine power through wondrous miracles. He delivered teachings that were utterly unprecedented, instructing mortal minds and reconciling them with the infinitely offended Eternal Father. Yet, divine mercy did not stop there. As no one was found who could provide full and perfect atonement for the immense offense, Divine Wisdom subjected Himself to countless trials and tribulations of human mortality. He, who endured the most excruciating torments of the Cross, abolished the sentence of death. In doing so, He beckoned lost humanity back to life.Theodidactus: Oh, the boundless love of God! Oh, the revelations of divine love! What compelled the immense mercy of the Divine to subject itself to such profound humiliation, enduring so much for a wretched human, created from dust, [214] an enemy, and locked in an irreconcilable enmity with God? This is what I find incomprehensible, and it fills me with awe. Was there, perhaps, some self-interest in this matter, or what purpose did He intend to accomplish with the human soul through such extraordinary blessings? There undoubtedly lies here an admirable and ineffable mystery.Cosmiel: God, who lacks nothing, is self-sufficient, and infinitely happy, in His innate and eternal desire to share His goodness, moved by an infinite surge of love, granted all these things to rational creatures destined for the loftiest ends. He did so with the intention that humans, having known the immense and indescribable signs of Christ's love, would obey His law, emulate His most holy life, partake in His merits, and thus, liberated from the shackles of sin, would attain the abundance of those invisible blessings I mentioned, after the conclusion of this transient, perishable life.Theodidactus: We always ponder the same question, my Cosmiel; I yearn to know where precisely these invisible blessings promised by God to those who love Him and heed His commandments are to be found. Please elucidate this with a suitable example so that I may gain a grasp of such great goods; they must undoubtedly be of an exceedingly lofty nature, transcending the bounds of human intellect, beyond anything that can be conceived or imagined.Cosmiel: You are correct, and to aid your understanding, [215] I shall present the entire concept through a symbolic analogy, albeit one that remains a shadowy representation. Envision, Theodidactus, if you heard of an island, encircled by numerous cliffs, reachable only by sea, yet fraught with perilous obstacles like reefs, shoals, rocks, and the tempestuous storms of turbulent waters. On this island, you would encounter countless dangers due to the ferocity of wild beasts, the fury of the winds, the swiftness of whirlpools, and various hazards. However, you receive a promise of certain, genuine, and infallible information that a particular mirror exists on this island. Within this mirror, you could behold, in a single glance, everything that has unfolded in the world from its inception to its conclusion 鈥� be it the deeds of human might or the concealed mysteries of nature, all laid out in an orderly fashion before your eyes. Moreover, you would witness the entire structure of the universe, including all its contents, presented with crystal clarity. You'd also grasp the countless arrays of celestial bodies or stars, each with its unique nature, their systems of movement, and the influences they exert on the lower world, all displayed within this mirror. Additionally, you'd discern the specific positions of each star, the distinctions within their constituents, and the elements composing them. You'd be aware of the gaps between one celestial body and the next. What would you not do?Theodidactus: I would undoubtedly be consumed with an insatiable desire to witness such a spectacle.Cosmiel: If, furthermore, you could actively explore, within the same mirror, the makeup of the entire terrestrial globe, what we call the Geocosm, [216] the qualities and characteristics of all regions, seas, bays, islands, as if they were right before you, and acquire comprehensive knowledge of each herb, plant, tree, shrub, seed, including their individual attributes, powers, and inherent properties, and if you could perceive the inner essence, both concealed and manifest strengths, of all quadrupeds, birds, aquatic creatures, insects, with just one look, what would you say about this remarkable mirror?Theodidactus: I would deem it an ineffable wonder.Cosmiel: You have spoken truly. If, in the same mirror, you were shown the reigns of empires, the deeds, virtuous and wicked alike, of every individual from the time of Adam to the last person, the ascent and descent of empires, the rise of new ones, the entire succession of ages, not solely past but also future events, all graphically displayed 鈥� what would your reaction be?Theodidactus: I would consider any perils of life insignificant, and no toil would be too arduous to deter me from pursuing it.Cosmiel: If, beyond all this, you could, within that very mirror, grasp the mysteries of all sciences and arts hitherto unknown to you. If, with one glance, you could become a great Theologian, Philosopher, Physician, Mathematician, Logician, Ethicist, Jurist, Politician, Rhetorician, Poet, Grammarian, and also gain insight into the Philosopher's [217] Stone, understand the squaring of the circle, attain the concealed knowledge of perpetual light, and other arts long sought after, what would you not do to possess it?Theodidactus: There is certainly no peril in life that would deter me, no toil so great that it could obstruct my quest for such an immense and unprecedented spectacle. Therefore, I beseech you once more, my Cosmiel, to elucidate the meaning behind this protracted analogy you have chosen to employ.Cosmiel: But these things are nothing compared to what I am about to say. If in this same mirror, you could also perceive the constitution of the Angelic worlds, the stupendous distribution of the Hierarchies and choirs of the heavenly host, the countless multitude and variety of each individual Angel, who are contained within each choir, how they are situated and moved, how they reveal the secrets of the mind to one another, how the higher illuminate the lower, in what manner each one conducts their operations, how and with what skill they move, direct, and revolve the spheres of the stars, and finally, if you could penetrate all the sacraments of the divine nature with the sole gaze upon it, what would your spirit be, what desire, what mental anguish until you could enjoy the sight of such an ineffable mirror?Theodidactus: Certainly, no journey exposed to so many dangers, no places so fraught with perilous robbery, no impediments as great as towering cliffs, no horrors of storms so vast, no hidden force of raging Charybdis and Scylla, no tribulation, hunger, thirst, nakedness so great, no afflictions of poverty so severe, could hinder me from such [218] a tremendous and unheard-of spectacle. Therefore, I ask you again and again, my dear Cosmiel, to reveal the meaning behind the long parable you wished to indicate, by openly explaining the resemblance in shadows.Cosmiel: I shall fulfill your request. That mirror is none other than the enjoyment of the beatific vision, as promised by the eternal truth of Christ to all who genuinely love God with unwavering faith, perfect charity, and hope while still in this transient, mortal existence. In it, the glorified saints of God shall behold God, with every veil of faith removed, seeing Him as He truly is. And all the elements mentioned previously within this allegorical mirror of the Divine essence shall be beheld in perfect clarity, accompanied by the possession of eternal joy, which is so immense and ineffable that no human intellect, not even that of an angel, can aptly describe it, no matter how hard they endeavor. In that realm, the immense and ineffable mystery of the Holy Trinity, the ultimate culmination of all happiness, shall be gazed upon with indescribable joy. There, the eternal generation of the Divine Word and the procession of the Holy Spirit from the Father and the Son shall be clearly perceived. This is the torrent of delight with which God shall inundate His chosen ones 鈥� the wellspring of eternal life, from which eternal joy shall spring forth, as proclaimed by the truth: "Enter into the joy of your Lord." In this mortal life, all divine joy that enters those who rejoice is meager, for what is apprehended here is small and fleeting. But in the heavenly homeland, we shall rejoice utterly, entering into the fullness of the joy of the Lord 鈥� a joy that exceeds what can be spoken or imagined. [219] As for the body, it shall take on the likeness of Jesus Christ, who is the radiance of eternal light and an unblemished mirror in which even the angels themselves yearn to gaze, and in which they shall delight. His glory and magnificence, the brilliance of His radiance, are so immense that if a thousand suns were united into one, their luminance would pale in comparison to it, rendering them as mere shadows in the face of this forthcoming radiance. Above all, it is here that the boundless and incomprehensible goodness of God shines forth. Driven solely by His infinite goodness, God created this corporeal world to participate, to some extent, in His beauty and goodness. Out of this unfathomable goodness, God, separated from us by an irreconcilable enmity, resolved to redeem the human race, liberate them to become children of God, and share in His eternal goodness. He did so by taking on our mortal nature in a visible form, confounding the devil, eradicating sin, and vanquishing death. Such was the magnitude of that goodness and the extent of that act of Love that if all the choirs of Angels and all the hearts of humans, from the inception of the world to its conclusion, were to unite into one, contemplating this demonstration of immense goodness and love, they would be torn asunder by the excess of admiration, joy, and love. The unfathomable depth of Divine Love [220] was so vast that if the entire expanse of the heavens were turned into parchment, if all the organs of vegetative and sensitive nature were transformed into pens, and if all the reservoirs of waters in the world were converted into ink, they would be exhausted before they could even touch the smallest fragment of it.Theodidactus: Oh, incomprehensible goodness, oh, ineffable Love! I clearly see the boundless Ocean of divine Goodness and Love. But, oh, wisest heavenly teacher, my Cosmiel, I now beseech you, in the name of the love you spoke of, that God has bestowed upon us, to guide me on how I should respond to such infinite goodness and the magnificence of divine love. I wish to become a participant in the lofty purpose that divine mercy intends for humanity through creation, redemption, and incarnation.Cosmiel: Even if you were to dedicate countless lifetimes to His service, consider yourself the soul of the entire world, and unite all the hearts of all creatures, you would achieve nothing unless His grace makes you worthy to cooperate with His love. When compared to His goodness, all the goodness of creatures and all human achievements are nothing but mere wickedness.Theodidactus: Then, who can attain such a lofty goal? Or through what means and methods can one obtain such great goodness?Cosmiel: Through one's will.Theodidactus: Since I am willing, it appears easier, and what could be more delightful and pleasing than achieving such [221] longed-for happiness through one's will alone? Please explain your hidden mystery to me. If nothing else is required than my will, behold, I wholeheartedly submit it to my GodCosmiel: Indeed, this will must be understood as Christ affirmed, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father." In these few words, the entire mystery is revealed to you. It is the will of the eternal Father that is needed, and I will now disclose what it is and where it resides. When divinity, driven solely by the impulse of goodness, brought everything seen in the theater of this material world into existence through His Word, these things had their existence in Him before they even existed in reality. In other words, they existed in that eternal mirror of divinity, shining as if in some eternal archetype of ideas. Since all things created outside of themselves were incapable of divine union and reaching such a lofty end, which is Theomorphism or the union of God with forms, God chose man from among His created beings. Man, through his intellect and will, was capable of achieving such an exceptional degree of union. In this life, this is attained through the alignment of one's will with the divine will through grace, and in the next life, it is realized through the glory of the beatific vision. Indeed, the alignment of our will with the divine will is so powerful and potent that, through the purifications of the mind's faculties and the gift of contemplation, one becomes one spirit with God. This union is so firm and indissoluble that [222] there is nothing in this world so difficult, harsh, or laden with adversities that can sever it from the divine will. If prosperity elevates a person, they are immediately wholly absorbed in God's will. If they are afflicted by adversity, they triumph as if bearing a yoke. Nothing could be sweeter or more acceptable to them than experiencing great suffering, arduous trials, or even multiple deaths for the sake of God, whom they love. They consider a lack of honor and contempt as the highest honor. They are entirely united to God through the triple bond of unwavering faith, the most fragrant hope, and the most ardent love. They are fully conformed to God and serve as the true pledge of eternal happiness and the gateway to invisible goods. Once admitted, they reject all the vanities of the material world and the pleasures of transient delights. Their minds are fixed solely on God, meditating on Him day and night, for they have found their life in Christ and their gain in death. Furthermore, through this union, your soul ascends to the heavenly Jerusalem, joins the angelic choirs, and reaches up to the highest throne of God, ablaze with the delights of heavenly pleasures.Theodidactus: How can this love associate me with the angelic choirs?Cosmiel: In the Seraphim, God loves you as charity; in the Cherubim, He knows you as truth; He reigns in the Dominions as Majesty. In the Principalities, He guides you as the beginning. In the Powers, He protects you as salvation. Virtue operates in virtues, and in the Archangels, it operates as light, while in the Angels, it operates as piety. [223] In short, God operates in all those minds where He resides through the abundant gift of charity. Therefore, Theodidactus, strive to attain Him and the desired possession of happiness through these same degrees. This can be achieved by acquiring knowledge of the following three doctrines in this mortal life: the tranquility of the mind, the splendor of virtue, and the sweetness of charity. In these virtues, the divine Majesty resides as if on His own throne. When you embrace the paths of Purification, Illumination, and Perfection, your soul is welcomed into divine embraces. You gain an increase in merits, akin to receiving a pledge of eternal life. Furthermore, the alignment of our will with the Divine primarily consists of perfectly embodying Christ within us. This is achieved through the sequence of virtues that Christ set as an example for us to emulate in this mortal life. By doing so, God Most High is greatly pleased with us, and there is no other practice in the religious life that can lead you more directly to the degree of alignment I described earlier. This is the true royal path, through which you can reach the desired goal without error. Do you not know how consistently Christ had His will perfectly aligned with the Father's will? Who exhibited greater humility than Christ, who, despite being the Lord of glory and God of all, displayed it while on this earth? Who endured the most severe torments, even death, with more unwavering constancy and courage? Who fervently prayed for His Crucifiers and other enemies with such affection of heart? [224] Not to mention the countless acts of boundless love, patience, gentleness, prayer, and the examples of an innocent life, as recorded in the Gospel accounts. So, Theodidactus, meditate on this divine example of all virtues, always keeping it before your eyes, day and night. Your sole concern should be to imprint it on your soul with perfect and supreme resemblance, just like a seal in pliable wax of devout affection and the most ardent will, expressing the divine form. In this way, you will attain the desired alignment of your will with the Divine will, and thus, the much-sought-after Theomorphism, which is the divine kiss of amorous union in this life, to the extent that human nature allows, and in the next life, you will be entirely united with God through clear vision, becoming one with the universe, where He is all in all.Theodidactus: O Cosmiel, today I have indeed received profound knowledge from you. Compared to it, all human wisdom appears as folly, and the light of the wise of this age seems as pure blindness. O my God, my everything! O Christ, the Savior of humanity, pierce my heart with the fiery arrows of Your love so that with all human ambitions extinguished, all fleeting desires of this unhappy life cast aside, and all that the world so eagerly seeks and pursues rejected, I may cleave to You alone in the future. I will serve You alone, [225] express You alone in my actions in life and death. I will crucify my faults and desires with my own hymn, and ultimately, be wholly absorbed in You. Amen.Cosmiel: Theodidactus, whenever you contemplate the evidence of divine Goodness, Wisdom, and Love demonstrated to humanity alone in this world's design, understand that they serve no other purpose than to guide you to the ultimate goal I described earlier. By recognizing God in Christ, we are drawn into the love of the invisible, through Him as the singular purpose of all nature and created things. The One who has loved you from eternity has also drawn you to Himself through His mercy.Theodidactus: But, great God, the arbiter of all human affairs, the source and fountain of all piety, mercy, and eternal love, order the state of my soul according to the good pleasure of Your divine will. Stir all the fibers of my heart for the praise and glory of Your name so that I may love You with Seraphic love, continually seek You with the insight of a Cherubic mind. May my soul be the abode where You rest, where You dwell in the midst of day. Place Your gentle yoke upon the untamed and rebellious multitude of earthly affections so that, in the future, I may serve You with Angelic purity. Let Your voice resound in my ears, for Your voice is sweet, and Your countenance is beautiful. [226] Bestow upon me the adornments of virtues that You have left for me to imitate in Your most holy life so that, advancing from virtue to virtue, I may reach the pinnacle of perfection, to You, the God of Gods in Zion, who are the culmination of all our blessedness, the ultimate end, and the center of all creation. Amen.Cosmiel: But now, it is time for me to return to the administration of the world entrusted to me.Theodidactus: O Cosmiel, Cosmiel, if you would grant me one favor, take my soul so that, with the burden of this body removed, I may dwell in the eternal halls of blessedness with you. Your departure seems more difficult to bear than death itself.Cosmiel: Have you forgotten my earlier counsel so soon? Did I not instruct you to align your will with all things divine? Follow the doctrine I have imparted to you here, and in doing so, filled with merit, you shall ultimately attain your purpose.Theodidactus: Let God's will be fulfilled in all things, but I beseech you, do not forsake your servant in the future. Always be with me in all my needs, so that I may enjoy sweet fellowship with you in the heavenly realm beyond human conception.Cosmiel: Doubt not, my child. I will always be by your side, protecting and assisting you in all your endeavors, just as you have requested.Theodidactus: But, oh, how can I ever repay your countless blessings, most gracious Cosmiel, Master of Divine Wisdom? With what words and arguments shall I adequately convey your ineffable kindness to the world?Cosmiel: Simply attribute whatever good [227] has occurred here to God through me. Peace be with you, my beloved Theodidactus. Die to the world, live for God, and always remember my words. Farewell.Theodidactus: With these parting words, he soon vanished into thin air. I, on the other hand, awoke as if from a profound slumber, drenched in sweat from the utmost exhaustion of all my limbs. After a brief recovery, I felt my former strength restored to me. Therefore, all that remains is for everything contained in this journey to contribute solely to the glory of God and the salvation of our neighbor.