[Illustration: Figure 16.--DETAIL OF FRONTISPIECE of the Borghesi clock,
showing the apertures for calendar indicators and the details of the
engraving.]
In addition to the inscriptions previously noted on the outer dial
plate, there are three major inscriptions in the central dial. The
outermost states _Circulus horarius Soli_, _Lunae_, _Fixis_, _Nodis_,
_Aestuique marino communis_ (the hour circle, common to the sun, the
moon, the fixed stars, the nodes and to the sea tide). This inscription
is divided into four parts by the insertion of four divisions for the
day into canonical hours: [_Horae_] _Nocturnae_ (night hours);
_Matutinae_ (morning hours); _Diurnae_ (daytime hours) and _Vespertinae_
(evening hours).
The next section of the central dial is inscribed
_Intumescite--Detumescite_ (rise and fall of the tides) repeated at
intervals of approximately every six hours. Within the next section is
the following inscription, inscribed continuously around the ring:
Lege fluunt, refluunt, dormitant hac maris undae: Ad Phoebi et
Phoebes concordia iussa moventur Aequora; discordi iussu
suspensa quiescunt.
Translated, this is:
By this law the sea waves ebb and flow and lie dormant: When
Phoebus and Diana agree in their commands, the waters are
moved; when they disagree, the waters lie silent.[16]
Within the central boss of the dial plate, the name of the maker is
inscribed: