Kircher's book on geology. Title page of the 1678 edition of 'Mundus Subterraneus' (Subterranean World) by the German Jesuit scholar Athanasius Kircher (circa 1601-1680). This work (in 12 books) was originally published in 1664. The Latin text refers to the author, the Jesuits and Kircher's patron (Pope Alexander VII), and that this is volume I of the third edition. Across bottom, the Amsterdam publisher Jansson-Waesberg and Sons is named, with the publication year given. The artwork shows alchemy equipment, fossils, volcanoes, and a female muse with a halo and the phrase 'Sapiens Dominabitur Astris' (the wise man will master the stars).