(John Baptist Van), a celebrated Flemish gentleman, was born at Brussels in 1577. He acquired such skill in natural philosophy, physic, and chemistry, that he was accounted a magician, and thrown into the inquisition; but having with difficulty justified himself, as soon as he was released he retired to Holland; where he died in 1644. He published, 1. De magnetica corporum curatone. 2. Februm doctrina inaudita. 3. Ortus medicinae. 4. Paradoxa de aquis spadonis; and other works, printed together in one volume folio.

a small town in the Netherlands, in Dutch Brabant, and capital of the district of Peeland, with a good castle. It is seated on the river Aa, in E. Long. 5° 37'. N. Lat. 51° 31'.