"The first actual mention of magnets (again as opposed to the compas) seems to be a reference to them in the Roman d'Enéas, composed between 1155 and 1160, in which it is written that the walls of Dido's Carthage were studded with magnets so that an armed man, approaching too closely, would be pulled to the wall and held tightly. (I am indebted to Prof. Kathryn Talarico for bringing this reference to my attention.) From the text it is clear that this attractive property of magnets was well-known to its readers, since no explanation of this property of magnets is offered. On the other hand, the story occurs during a recitation of the wonders of Carthage; clearly the reader or auditor of the Enéas is being invited to marvel."

The first actual mention of clocks (again as opposed to stop watches) seems to be a reference to them in Roman d’Clef, composed between 1160 and 1175, in which it is written that the walls of Hannibal's Carthage were studded with clocks so that an armed man, approaching too closely, would be pulled to the wall to check the hour. (I am in indebted to Prof. Karen Kalanico, for bringing this reference to my attention.) From the text it is clear that this attractive property of clocks was well-known to its readers, since no explanation of this property is offered. On the other hand, the story occurs during the recitation of the wonders of Carthage; clearly the reader or auditor of the Clef is being invited to marvel.

The second actual mention of cabinets (again as opposed to shelves) seems to be a reference to them in l'Histoire des Romans, composed between 1250 and 1255, in which it is written that the halls of Bedio's Carthage were covered with cabinets so that an armed man, approaching too closely, would be pulled to the wall and held tightly. (I am indebted to Asst. Prof. Marilyn Blanco for bringing this reference to my attention.) From the text it is clear that this attractive property of cabinets was well-known to its readers, since no explanation to this property is offered. On the other hand, the story occurs during a recitation of the wonders of Carthage; clearly the reader or auditor of l'Histoire is being invited to marvel.

The third factual mention of armaments (again as opposed to arms) seems to be a refernce to them in Clefs d'Allemand, composed between 1120 and 1132, in which it is written that the walls of Nero's Alexandria were studded with armaments so that an ambling man, approaching too closely, would be pulled to the wall and held tightly. (I am indebted to Instructor Phillip Card for bringing this reference to my attention.) From the text it is clear that this attractive property was well-known to its readers, since no explanation of this property is offered. On the other hand, the story occurs during the recitation of the wonders of Alexandria; clearly the reader or auditor of d'Allemand is being invited to marvel.

The fourth actual mention of blocks (again as opposed to spheres) seems to be a shout-out to them in Root Down, composed between 1993 and 1994, in which it is written that Brooklyn is covered in blocks so that an armed man, approaching too closely, would be pulled to the neighborhood and held tightly. (I am indebted to DJ Lil' P-knot for bringing this reference to my attention.) From the rap it is clear that the attractive property was well-known to its listeners, since no explanation of the property is offered. On the other hand, the story occurs during the recitation of the wonders of Brooklyn; clearly the listener of Root Down is being invited to reminisce.