TERRELLA

, or little earth, is a magnet turned of a spherical figure, and placed so as that its poles, equator, &c, do exáctly correspond with those of the world. It was so first called by Gilbert, as being a just representation of the great magnetic globe we inhabit. Such a Terrella, it was supposed, if nicely poised, and hung in a meridian like a globe, would be turned round like the earth in 24 hours by the magnetic particles pervading it; but experience has shewn that this is a mistake.