This is an interesting map of the Alps, the great mountain range of south-central Europe. It depicts a huge mountain in Switzerland with a huge underground lake that is the source of all the major river systems in the region. This is from Kircher's masterpiece, an immense and amazing work covering all aspects of anything that dwelled or occurred within the earth's interior - from dragons, to fossils, to mountain springs, earthquakes, and volcanoes. Kircher's work was the first serious effort to describe the physical makeup of the earth, proposing theories (sometimes fantastic) in the areas of physics, geography, geology, and chemistry. He suggested the existence of a vast network of underground springs and reservoirs, as well as the theory that subterranean temperatures increase directly in proportion to depth. Published in the Dutch edition of Kircher's famous Subterranean World, which was first published in 1665 in Latin under the title Mundus Subterraneus. On a sheet of Dutch text measuring 9.3 x 14.7".

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Condition: A

A crisp impression with minor toning and light damp stains along the edges of the sheet.