Tentamina Experimentorum Naturalium Captorum In Academia Del Cimento…Quibus Commentarios, Nova Experimenta, Et Orationem De Methodo Instituendi Experimenta Physica Addidit

Leyden: J. & H.Verbeek, 1731., 1731. 2 Parts in 1. 4to. pp. 8 p.l., xlviii, [12], 193; 192, [14]. title in red & black. 32 folding engraved plates. 1 folding table. woodcut title vignette, ornaments & initials. contemporary calf, rebacked (covers scratched, paper lightly toned, plates offset). ownership entry on title of ‘Ja. Stirling’, possibly the Scottish mathematician, F.R.S. & friend of Newton [1692-1770]. First Edition of this illustrated collection of experiments relating to the measurement of humidity, air pressure, the structure of ice, heat and cold, capillarity, optics, the motion of sound, the magnet, &c. The work is based on the records of the Accademia del Cimento which Musschenbroek has translated into Latin, adding reports concerning his own experiments. Included is the first description of the pyrometer (named by Musschenbroek), an instrument for measuring the expansion of solid bodies when exposed to heat. Musschenbroek was professor of natural philosophy and mathematics at Utrecht and later, professor of experimental physics at Leyden until his death. The excellence of his lectures maintained the reputation that Leyden had acquired under Boerhaave and ‘sGravesande, continuing to attract students from all over Europe, among them Jean Antoine Nollet who became the first professor of experimental physics at the University of Paris. Musschenbroek made many important discoveries, especially in magnetism and the cohesion of bodies, and he is generally credited with originating the ‘Leyden Jar’. Many of the experiments which he conducted have become classics in elementary instruction. Bierens de Haan 3490. Honeyman 2275. Neu 2892. Poggendorff II 247. Ronalds 359. Wheeler Gift 276.. 1st Edition.