Note 25 — Part II

For Nautonniez, see Houzeau et Lancaster, “Bibl. Gén.,” Vol. I. part ii. p. 1193, also J-G. T. Græsse, “Trésor de Livres Rares,” Dresde, 1863, Vol. IV. p. 651, and Brunet, “Manuel,” p. 827, at which latter appears the statement of M. Frère to the effect that Guillaume de Nautonnier—Nautonniez—caused to be reprinted, under the above-named title of “Mécométrie de l’Eymant,” the “Dialogue de la Longitude” of Toussaincte de Bessard originally published at Rouen in 1574.

For the reported investigation of Pedro da Medina, who, Gilbert says, (“De Magnete,” Book IV. chap. viii.) does not accept variation and has with many errors disgraced the art of navigation, consult, preferably, the Venetia 1555 edition entitled “L’Arte del navegar,” Libro sesto, “Della Aguggia, over bossolo da navegar,” pp. cviii-cxvi. The leaf xxiii contains a Map of America. This last-named map of the Nuevo Mundo “may be taken to represent the results of Spanish discovery about 1540, Pedro da Medina having been the official examiner of pilots. It is interesting as showing the mouth of the Spirito Santo (the Mississippi) and the lands around the river and gulf of St. Lawrence. The Island of Cape Breton appears as part of Nova Scotia and of the mainland; but Newfoundland is represented as three islands, divided from Northern Canada by a much wider expanse of water than the actual Straits of Belle Isle. This is, however, a striking instance of the great extent of Medina’s geographical knowledge. The river Saguenay is shown at its entry into the St. Lawrence, which is also a remarkable feature in so early a map.”