The Digital Ark: Early Modern Collections of Curiosities in England and Scotland, 1580-1700

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, selections from volumes 1-20 (1665 to 1699)
Brent Nelson General Editor Ryan Gayowski XML markup volumes 1-18, 20-21 Miguel Dela Pena XML markup volume 19
Henry Oldenberg, ed. Philosophical Transactions: Giving Some Accompt of the Present Undertakings, Studies, and Labours of the Ingenious in Many Considerable Parts of the World [London] in the Savoy Printed by T.N. for John Martyn at the Bell, a little with-out Temple-Bar, and James Allestry in Duck-Lane, Printers to the Royal Society1665 and 1666
17 (17)Numb. 2. Philosophical
Transactions.
Munday, April 3. 1665. (20) An Account of a very odd Monstrous Calf. By the same Noble person was lately communicated to the
Royal Society an Account of a very Odd Monstrous Birth, pro-
duced at Limmington in Hampshire, where a Butcher, having
caused a Cow (which cast her Calf the year before) to be co-
vered, that she might the sooner be fatted, killed her when fat,
and opening the Womb, which he found heavy to admiration,
saw in it a Calf, which had begun to have hair, whose hinder
Leggs had no Joynts, and whose Tongue was, Cerberus-like, tri-
ple, to each side of his Mouth one, and one in the midst. Between
the Fore leggs and the Hinder-leggs was a great Stone, on
which the Calf rid: The Sternum, or that part of the Breast, where
the Ribs lye, was also perfect Stone; and the Stone, on which it
rid, weighed twenty pounds and a half; the outside of the Stone
was of Grenish Colour, but some small parts being broken off,
it appeared a perfect Free-stone. The Stone, according to the
Letter of Mr. David Thomas, who sent this Account to Mr. Boyle,
is with Doctor Haughteyn of Salisbury, to whom he also referreth
for further Information. An Observation imparted to the Noble Mr. Boyle, by
Mr. David Thomas, touching some particulars fur-
ther considerable in the Monster mentioned in the
first Papers of these Philosophical Transactions. Upon the strictest inquiry, I find by one, that saw the Mon-
strous Calf and stone, within four hours after it was cut out of
the Cows belly, that the Breast of the Calf was not stony (as
I wrote) but that the skin of the Breast and between the Legs
and of the Neck (which parts lay on the smaller end of
the stone) was very much thicker, than on any other part,
and that the Feet of the Calf were so parted as to be like the Claws
of a Dog. The stone I have since seen; it is bigger at one end 21 (21)
then the other; of no plain Superficies, but full of little cavi-
ties. The stone, when broken, is full of small peble stones of an
Ovall figure: its colour is gray like free-stone, but intermixt
with veins of yellow and black. A part of it I have begg'd
of Dr. Haughten for you, which I have sent to Oxford, whi-
ther a more exact account will be conveyed by the same
person. 26 (26) An Extract of a Letter, containing some Observations,
made in the ordering of Silk-worms, communicated
by that known Vertuoso, Mr. Dudley Palmer, from
the ingenuous Mr. Edward Digges. I herewith offer to your Society a small parcel of my
Virginian Silk. What I have observed in the ordering of
Silk-worms, contrary to the received opinion, is: 1. That I have kept leaves 24. hours after they are ga-
thered, and flung water upon them to keep them from
withering; yet when (without wiping the leaves) I fed
the worms, I observed, they did as well as those fresh ga-
thered. 2. I never observed, that the smell of Tobacco, or smels
that are rank, did any waies annoy the worm. 3. Our country of Virginia is very much subject to
Thunders: and it hath thundered exceedingly when I
have had worms of all sorts, some newly hatched; some
half way in their feeding; others spinning their Silk; yet
I found none of them concern'd in the Thunder, but kept
to their business, as if there had been no such thing. 4. I have made many bottoms of the Brooms (wherein
hundreds of worms spun) of Holly; and the prickles were
so far from hurting them, that even from those prickles they
first began to make their bottoms.
I did hope with this to have given you assurance, that
by retarding the hatching of seed, two crops of silk or more
27 (27) might be made in a Summer: but my servants have been
remiss in what was ordered, I must crave your patience
till next year. 311 (311)Numb. 18. Philosophical
Transactions.
Munday, October 22. 1666. 320 (320) Observables
Touching Petrification. Though much hath been already said and written of Petrification, yet
'tis conceived, that all that comes so far short of a competent stock for
the composing of a perfect History of Petrification, that the incompleteness
thereof ought to awaken the more diligent attention of the Curious, and to
call in their aid for Additions, thereby so to increase and to complete the
Materials for that work, that it may the better serve to clear and make out
the Cause of that Transmutation. And that the rather, because if it lay in the
power of humane Skill (by the knowledge of Nature's works) to raise
Petrification, or to allay, or prevent it, or to order and direct it (which
perchance in time might be attained the said way) much use might be made of
this Art; especially if it could be made Applicable, to hinder the Generation
of the Stone and Gravel in humane Bodies, or to dissolve the Stone, where
'tis formed; besides other valuable Uses, that might be excogitated. Upon this Consideration, care is, and further will be taken in these Papers,
to record, among other Observables of Nature, what shall be communi-
cated of this kind of Change. In Numb. 1. 2. and 5. several Relations have been made belonging to this
Argument. Much of it, together with considerable Reflections may be
seen in Mr. Boyle's Essay of Firmness: In Helmont de Lithiasi, where, among
other remarques, is recited the Testimony of Paræus, of a Petrified Child
seen at Paris, and by the Owner used for a Whetstone: In Deusingius's Hi-
storia Infantis in abdomine inventi, & in ducitiem lapideam conversi: In
Mr. Hook's Micrography, and in others. To omit now, what has been
related (but perhaps not well enough attested) by Authors, concerning the
stupendious Petrification of whole Companies of Men, and Troops of Cat-
tle; by Aventinus lib. 7. Annal. Bojorum; by Purchas in his Pilgrimage p.
426. in fol. printed at London 1614. and, (of a Troop of Spanish Horsemen)
by Jos Acosta lib. 3. c. 9. To all which, the Curious Dr. Beale adds a Narrative of a Stone, not
long since taken out of the Womb of a Woman of his neighbourhood neer
Trent in Somersetshire, by incision, and afterwards perfectly cured, though
she had born the Stone with extreme torments for 8. or 9. years. The ope-
ration he relates to have been made in Easter last; after which time, he af-
firms to have seen the Stone, and weigh'd it in Gold-Scales, where it wan-
ted somewhat of four Ounces, but had lost of the weight, it formerly had, 321 (321) being very light for a Stone of that Bulk. He further describes it to be of a
whitish colour, lighter than Ash-colour; perchance (saith he) not unlike
to that recited out of Scaliger by M. Boyle in his Essay of Firmness pag 238278.
qui aëris contactu postea in gypseam tum Speciem tum firmitatem concreverat.
It had no deep asperities, and had somewhat of an Oval figure, out less at
one end, than a Hen-Egge, and bigger and blunter at the other, than a
Goose egge. This Stone (so he concludes) is intended for the Royal Society, with the
Testimony of the Chirurgion, that perform'd the Operation, and other Wit-
nesses of special credit; where also will be annexed the manner of
Operation. It appears by this last clause (to add that on this occasion) that this Well-
wisher to the Improvement of all usefull knowledge, has taken notice of that
considerable Collection of Curiosities, lately presented to the lately nam'd
Society so their Repository, by that Publick-minded Gentleman Mr. Dan-
iel Colwall, a very worthy and useful Member of that Body: To which
Repository whatsoever is presented as rare and curious, will be with great
care, together with the Donors names and their Beneficence recorded, and the
things preserved for After-ages, (probably much better and safer, than in
their own private Cabinets;) and in progress of Time will be employed for
considerable Philosophical and Usefull purposes; of which perhaps more
largely in another place. 329 (329) Numb. 19. Philosophical
Transactions.
Munday, November 19. 1666. An Addition to the Instances of Petrification,
enumerated in the last of these Papers. This Instance was some while since communicated
to the Royal Society by that Ingenious Gentleman
Mr. Philip Packer, a worthy Member of that
Body, in these words; ONOn a Bank in a Close of Mr. Purefoy, neer his house,
call'd Wadley, a mile from Farrington in Berks,
there grows an Elme, which hath now lost the top,
and is grown hollow, containing neer a Tun of
Timber. From the But of the same Tree, one
of the spreading Clawes having been formerly cut off with an
Axe; that part of the But, from whence the same was sever'd,
being about 1 1/2 foot above ground, and inward within the trunk 330 (330) of the Tree, hath contracted a petrified Crust, about the,
thickness of shilling, all over the woody part Within the Bark;
the Marks of the Axe also remaining very conspicuous, with this
petrified crust upon it. By what means it should thus happen,
cannot well be conceived, in regard there is no water neer it;
the part, above the ground and out of the weather; the Tree
yet growing: unless being cut at some season, when the sap was
flowing, the owsing of the sap might become petrified by the
Air, and the Tree grow rotten and hollow inward since that
time; which how long since, is not known. A piece of that part cut, was presented, together with this
Account, to the said Society, for their Repository. 369 (369) Numb. 21. Philosophical
Transactions.
Munday, January 21. 1666. 375 (375) A Relation
Of the loss of the Way to prepare the Bononian Stone
for shining. Though several Persons have pretended to know the Art of
preparing and calcining the Bononian Stone, for keeping a while
the Light once imbibed; yet there hath been indeed but one,
who had the true secret of performing it. This was an Ecclesiastick,
who is now dead, without having left that skill of his to any one,
as Letters from Italy and France, some while since, did inform.
There is no substance, in Nature, known to us, that hath the effect
of this Stone; so that (to the shame of the present Age) this
Phænomenon is not like to be found [ * It is hoped notwithstanding
(which also a late Letter from abroad
does hint) that some or other of the
Italian Vertuosi at Florence have
secured this Secret. ]
any where, but in Books, except
some happy Genius light upon the
same or the like skill*. 377 (377) A Relation
Of the Raining of Ashes, in the Archipelago, upon the Eruption
of Mount Vesuvius, some years ago. This came but lately to hand from that knowing person,
Mr. Henry Robinson; and was thought fit to be now inserted here,
that it might not be lost, though it hath hapned above 30 years
ago. It was contained in a Letter, (subscribed by Capt. Will. Ba-
dily) in these words: THeThe 6th of December 1631, being in the Gulf of Volo, riding
at Anchor, about ten of the Clock that Night, it be-
gan to rain Sand or Ashes, and continued till two of the
Clock the next Morning. It was about two inches thick on the
Deck, so that we cast it over board with Shovels, as we
did Snow the day before: The quantity of a Bushel we
brought home, and presented to several, * Some of these Ashes
were produced by Mr. John
Evelyn, before the Royal
Society.
Friends*, especially to the Masters of Tri-
nity House. There was in our Company,
Capt. John Wilds Commander of the Dra-
gon, and Capt. Anthony Watts, Commander of the Elisabeth and
Dorcas. There was no Wind stirring, when these Ashes fell, it
did not fall onely in the places, where we were, but likewise in
other parts, as Ships were coming from St. John D'Acre to our
Port; they being at that time a hundred Leagues from us. We
compared the Ashes together, and found them both one. If you
desire to see the Ashes, let me know. 385 (385) Numb. 22.
Philosophical
Transactions.
Monday, February 11. 1666. 391 (391) Extract
Of a Letter, lately written by Mr. Nathaniel Fairfax to the
Publisher, containing Observations about some Insects, and
their Inoxiousness, &c. The Ingenious Author of this Letter, as he expresses an extra-
ordinary desire to see the Store-house of Natural Philosophy, more
richly fraughted (a Work begun by the single care and conduct
of the Excellent Lord Verulam, and prosecuted by the Joynt-
undertakings of the R. Society) so he very frankly offers his Ser-
vice in contributing some of his Observations, and begins in this
very Letter to perform his Offer. For, having taken notice of
what was publisht in Numb. 9, p. 161, out of the Italian Philo-
sopher Redi, vid, That Creatures, reputed Venomous, are in-
deed no Poysons, when swallow'd, though they may prove so,
when put into Wounds: He, for confirmation thereof, alledges
Examples of several Persons well known to him (himself also ha-
ving been an Eye-witness to some such Experiments) who have
frequently swallow'd Spiders, even of the rankest kind, without
any more harm than happens to Hens, Robin-red-breasts, and
other Birds, who make Spiders their daily Commons. And ha-
ving made mention of some men, that eat even Toads, he adds,
that though a Toad be not a Poyson to us in the whole; yet it
may invenome outwardly, according to some parts so and so
stirr'd; an instance whereof he alledges in a Boy, who stumbling
on a Toad, and hurling stones at it, some Juyce from the bruised
Toad chanced to light upon his Lips, whereupon they swell'd,
each to the thickness of about two Thumbs: And he neglecting
to use, what might be proper to restore them, they have conti-
nued in that mishapen size ever since; the ugliness whereof,
when the Relator saw, gave him occasion to inquire after the
cause of it, which thereupon he understood to be, as has been re-
cited. On this occasion, the same Gentleman relates, that once seeing
a Spider bruised into a small Glass of Water, and that it tinged 392 (392)
it somewhat of a Sky-colour, he was, upon owning his surprise
thereat, informed, that a dozen of them being put in, they
would dye it to almost a full Azure. Which is touch't here,
that, the Experiment being so easie to make, it may be tried,
when the season furnishes those Insects; mean time, it seems not
more incredible, that this Creature should yield a Sky-colour,
when put in water, than that Cochineel, which also is but an
Insect, should afford a fine red, when steep'd in the same Liquor. 409 (409) Numb. 23.
Beginning the Third Year Philosophical
Transactions.
Monday, March 11, 1666 423 (413) Of a considerable Load-stone digged out of the Ground
in Devonshire. This Stone was lately sent up out of the said County, and pre-
sented to the R. Society by the Reverend Arch-deacon, Do-
ctor Edw. Cotton, with this description, That it weighs 60 pounds;
and that, though it take up no great weight, yet it moves a Needle
about nine Foot distant. Some part of it being broken off, he hath
sent up also, because (saith he) being put in its proper place, it
adds much strength to it, but without that addition it moves not
much more than seven Foot. Care will be had, that Tryals be made of the Vertue if that Stone,
both of the two pieces closed together, and of each piece separately, and
that uncapped as well as capped. 789 (789) Numb. 40. Philosophical
Transactions.
Monday, October 19. 1668 792 (792) An Extract
Of a Letter, written to the Publisher from the Bermudas by
Mr. Richard Stafford; concerning the Tydes there, as
also Whales, Sperma Ceti, strange Spider-Webbs,
some rare Vegetables, and the Longevity of the Inhabi-
tants. Sir, Yours, Dated Feb. 10. 1667/8, came to the hands of my
honour'd Friend Mr. Richard Norwood, together with the
History of the R. Society and the Phil. Transactions, which he hath
received as a singular favour. But having at this present
weighty business lying upon him, which hindred him from an-
swering your desires by this Ship with his own hand, he sollicited 793 (793)
me to do it for him; which I am very willing to comply with
him in, as far as I am able. But I shall come short in many
things at present; but what is wanting now, may be supply'd
hereafter. For, the reason of the * The things desired, as to Vegeta-
bles, were: 1. To gather the smaller
Fruits, and dry them in the Air, and
in the Shade, till they are as dry, as
Raisins or Figgs are usually made.
2. To open Fruits of a larger kind,
and the Stones or Kernels being taken
out, to dry them. 3. To send Seeds,
or Berryes, when they are ready to
drop off, with as much husk or skins
upon them, as may be. 4. To wrap
up Roots in Mosse or light Earth, and
to keep them, as much is possible,
from any dashing of Sea-water in the
Voyage. 5. To set Plants or young
Trees in halfe Tubs of Earth, arched
over with hoops, and cover'd with
Matts to preserve them from the dash-
ing of Sea-water; giving them Air
by all means every day, the weather
being fair, and watering them with
fresh water once a day. 6. To send
of all the sorts of Potatoes in Earth.
7. To send all sorts od Berries, Gras-
ses, Grains and Herbes, wrapping up
the Seeds very dry in paper.
year will not afford many things,
which you desir's in your Letter.*
By the next opportunity there
shall be Roots, Seeds, and Fruits
provided for you. — At present I shall informe you,
that the Water about our Island
does not flow, by any Mans Ob-
servation, above five Foot; and
that but at one season of the year,
between Michaelmas and Christ-
mas; at other times not above
three Foot. It is High-water,
when the Moon is about an hour
high; and the like after her go-
ing down. It flowes in from the
North-West and runs to the South-
East nearest, and in that part of
the Land, which lies most to the
North-West, there it is High-wa-
ter soonest. But the Tyde does not always ebb and flow di-
rectly that course round about our Coast; but, I suppose, the rea-
son is, that some points of Land, or Sholes, may turn its North-
West and South-East course. We have herabout very many sorts of Fishes. There is a-
mongst them great store of Whales, which in March, April and
May use our Coast. I have my self killed many of them.
Their Females have abundance of Milk, which their young
ones suck out of the Teats, that grow by their Navell. They
have no Teeth, but feed on Mosse, growing on the Rocks at the
bottom during these three Moneths, and at no other season of
the Year. When that is consumed and gone, the Whales go
away also. These we kill for their Oyl. But here have been
Sperma-Ceti-Whales driven upon the shore, which Sperma (as 794 (794)
they call it) lies all over the Body of those Whales. These
have divers Teeth, which may be about as big as a Mans wrist;
and I hope by the next opportunity to send you one of them.
I have been at the Bahama-Islands, and there have been found
of this same sort of Whales dead on the Shore, with Sperma
all over their Bodies. My self with about 20 more have agreed
to try, whether we can master and kill them, for I could never
hear of any of that sort, that were kill'd by any man; such is
their fierceness and swiftness. One such Whale would be worth
many hundred pounds. They are very strong, and inlay'd with
sinews all over their Body, which may be drawn out thirty fathom
long. There is an Island among the Bahama's, which some of our
People are setled upon, and more are going thither. 'Tis cal-
led New-Providence; where many rare things might be disco-
ver'd, if the People were but encouraged: And I am of opini-
on, there is not a more healthful place in the World. 'Tis sto-
red with variety of Fish and Fowl, and with divers sorts of Trees
and other Plants, whose qualities are not yet known. As to the Age of our Inhabitants here, some do live to an
hundred years and something upwards; many live till they are
nigh a hundred, but few above: And when they dye, 'tis age and
weakness, that is the cause, and not any disease that attends
them. The general distemper that is yearly amongst us, is a
Cold; and that is most gotten in the hottest weather. The
Air here is very sweet and pleasant. Our Diet is but ordinary,
and the People generally poor; and I observe, that poor Peo-
ple are most healthful. You shall receive of Captain Thomas Morly, the Commander
of our Magazeen-Ship, such things, as I could at present pro-
cure. * But these particulars could
not be found in the Ship. *Among which you shall find of
the Leaves and Berries of that Weed
you inquire after, which we call Poy-
son-weed, growing like your Ivy. I have seen a Man, who was
so poyson'd with it, that the skin peel'd off his Face, and yet the
Man never touch'd it, onely look'd on it as he pass'd by: but I
have chaw'd it in my mouth, and it did me no harm. It is not
hurtful to all. 795 (795) Here are Spiders, that spin their Webbs betwixt Trees stand-
ing seven or 8 fathom asunder; and they do their Work by spir-
ting their Webb into the Air, where they Wind carries it from
Tree to Tree. This Webb, when finisht, will snare a Bird as
big as a Thrush. Your self may prove it, for I have sent you
some. As to the Bark of a Tree, with which we are said to cover our
Houses, that is an error; for 'tis not the Bark, but the Leaves
of a Tree, which we put to that use. And 'tis the Palmetto;
without which Tree we could not live comfortably in this place.
The Leaves of some of these Trees are eight or ten foot long, and
nigh as broad. I know no Tree in the World, that can equal it
in the number of Commodities it affords. 'Tis reported, that in Virginia and upon the Coast of Florida
the Indians live to a very great age; and that some of the Peo-
ple are of a Gigantick Stature, and stronger by farr than o-
thers. As for the Eclipses of the Moon, you would have observ'd here,
and be inform'd about, I can say little of them: but, I suppose,
my worthy Friend Mr. Norwood will give you an account thereof
to your content. If any thing should cause him to faile, it will
be Age and weakness. He hath a great desire to serve the
R. Society in every respect; which shall engage me also to serve
both them and you to the utmost of my ability, remaining, &c.
Bermuda, July 16. 1668. 937 (937) Numb. 47. Philosophical
Transactions.
May 10. 1669 953 (953) An Extract of a Letter
Written by Dr. Edward Brown from Vienna in Austria March
3. 1669 concerning two Parhelia's or Mocksuns, lately seen in
Hungary. I received the account of the Parhelia's, seen Ianuar. 30th
last, ft.n. about one of the clock in the afternoon, over the City
of Cassovia in Hungary. It was communicated to me from a
Learn'd Jesuit, call'd Father Michel, who lives at Presburg, but
is now in this City. There were two Parhelia's, one on each
side of the true Sun, and they were so resplendent, that the na-
ked Eye could not bear the brightness thereof. One of them
(the lesser of the two) began to decay before the other, and
then the other grew bigger, and continued well nigh two houres,
projecting very long rays from it self. They were both on that
part, which was towards the Sun, tinged with a pale yellow,
the other parts being somewhat fuscous. There were at the
same time seen several Rainbows, together with the Segment
of a great white Circle, of a long duration, passing through the
two Parhelia's and the Sun: and all this at a time, when the
Air was almost free from the Clouds, though here and there were
scatter'd some very thin ones. 961 (961) Numb. 48. Philosophical
Transactions.
June 21. 1669 965 (965) An Extract of a Letter
Lately Written by Dr. Edward Browne to the Publisher,
concerning Damps in the Mines of Hungary and their
Effects. SIrSir, having been lately in the Copper, Silver, and Gold-mines
in Hungary, I hope ere long to give you a particular account
thereof; presenting this in the mean time concerning Damps in
these Mines; whereof I understand, that they happen in most
of them, that are deep; and that they happen not only in the
Cuniculi or direct passages, where they walk on Horizontally
(by these Mine-men call'd Stollen) but also in the Putei or Per-
pendicular Cutts or Descents (term'd Schachts by the same.)
They are met with not only in places, where the Earth is full
of Clay or the like substances, but also where it is Rocky: and
one place they shew'd me in the Copper-mine at Hern-groundt,
where there has been a very pernicious damp, and yet the Rock
so hard, that it could not be broken by their Instruments; but
the descent was all made by the means of Gun-powder, ram'd
into long round holes in the Rock, and so blowne up. Ano-
ther place they show'd me, where there is sometimes a damp,
and sometimes clear weather. When there is much water in966(966)
the Mine, so as to stop up the lower part of this passage, then
the damp becomes discoverable, and commonly strong. I
procured one to enter it, till his Lamp went out 4. or 5. times,
in the same manner as at Grotto del Cane in Italy. Damps are not all of the same force, but some weaker, some
stronger; some suffocate in a small space of time, others only
render the Workemen faint, with no further hurt, except
they continue long in the place. The Miners (who think them-
selves no Workmen, if they be not able to cure a Damp, or
to cure the bad Weather, or make the Weather, as they term
it) performe it by perflation, by letting the Aire in and out,
and causing, as 'twere, a Circulation of it. In the Mine at
Herrn-groundt they did cure a bad Damp by a great paire of
Bellows, which were blown continually for many days. The
ordinary remedy is by long Tubes, through which the Air
continually passing, they are able to digg streight on for a long
way without impediment in breathing. For some Cuniculi are
500. fathoms long; which will not seeme strange to any one that
shall see the Mapp of the Copper-mine at Herrn-groundt or the
Gold-mine at Chremnitz. And in the Silver-Trinity-mine by
Schemnitz, I pass'd quite under a great Hill, and came out on
the other side. At Windschach-mine by Schemnitz they show'd
me the place, where 5. men and a Gentleman of quality were
lost; for which reason they have now plac'd a Tube there. The
like they place over all doores, and over all ways, where they
digg right on for a great space, and have no passage through. At
Chremnitz they told me, that 28. men had been killed at one
time in 4. Cuniculi, 7. in each; and in the sinking of Leopold's-
pitt, which is 150. fathoms deep, they were much troubled
with damps, which they remedied in this manner. They fixed a Tube to the side of the Schacht or Pitt, from
the top to the bottom, and that not proving sufficient, they
forc'd down a broad flat board, which cover'd or stopp'd the
Pitt, or couched very near the sides of it, on all sides but where
the Tube was; and so forc'd out all the Air in the pitt through
the Tube: which work they were forc'd often to repeat. And
now they having divers other passages into it, the Air is good
and sufficient; and I was drawn up through it without the least
trouble in breathing.967(967) But besides this mischief from poisonous Exhalations, Stagna-
tion of the Air, or Water impregnated with minerall spirits,
they sometimes perish by other ways. For their being in these
Mines an incredible mass of wood to support the Pitts and the
Horizontal passages, (the Putei and Cuniculi) in all places but
where 'tis Rocky, men are sometimes destroy'd by the wood set
on fire. And in the Gold-mine at Chremnitz the wood was once
set on fire by the carelesness of a boy, and 50 Miners smothe-
red thereby; who were all taken out but one, that was after-
wards found to be dissolv'd by the Vitrioll water, nothing esca-
ping either of flesh or bones but only some of his cloaths. I
am &c.
Vienna April. 20 1669. 1041 (1041) Numb. 52. Philosophical
Transactions.
October 17. 1669 A particular AccomptAccount
Of divers Minerals, cast up and burned by the late Fire of Mount
Ætna; mentioning the several Specimena, expected in Numb.
51. p. 1031. from some ingenious Marchants of England,
being upon the place, and since come to the hands of the Pub-
lisher, for the Repository of the R. Society. SInceSince it cannot but considerably conduce to the rendering a
rational accouptaccount of the Cause of such Fiery Eruptions, as
are frequently made by divers Mountains, if the matters, by
them cast up, be well examined, in regard that if they are 1042(1042)
found to be of an easily inflamable nature, they may quickly
be kindled by some falling stones, which breaking in
pieces may strike sparks into and so set on fire such com-
bustible matter, they light upon; It was thought, it would
not be amiss, by the favour of our friends in Sicily, to procure
from the lately flaming Mount there, what Minerals they
should be able to get upon the place. And accordingly we re-
ceived by a ship lately arrived from Messina; First, a good quantity of Ashes, taken up in divers parts of
and about Ætna; some at the top or mouth of the new made
Mountain; some a mile off, some four, some ten miles, some but
halfe a mile distant, and others on the skirts of the said Mount;
whereof the four first were found to agree well enough with
their distances, but the two last to differ much both from the
former and from one another; the former 4. sorts having been
found very dry like dust, but the two latter being still very
moist, though in Sicily (as we are informed) they have layn
exposed a good while to the hot Sun; besides that the two last
differ from one another, in that ne sort of them consists of
hard and smal lumps, the other, of very soft durty grains,
yet both moist and of a vitriolate taste. Secondly, Some of the Cinders, which the people of Sicily
call Sciarri, whereof some are coursercoarser, taken up at some
distance from the Mouth; and of these some back, with a crust
of Brimstone, some of red hew; others finer, saisaid to be got
out of the gutturs of fire at the very Mouth. Both these kinds
are light; but then there is a third sort of Stone, very solid
and ponderous, which seems to be made up of a conflux of di-
vers Minerals, melted together. Thirdly, A piece of Sal Armoniack, and several pieces of
Sandever, besides those moist Vitriolate Ashes abovemen-
tioned. All which was accompanied with a Mapp of that part of the
Country, where the Fire hath run; in which Mapp the annex-
ed Scale of a Mile shews, that the Fire spread about 3. miles in
breadth, and 17. miles in length; the same being now quite ex-
tinct, but that only in the clefts or hollownes's of the rocks of
Sciarri some fire still remains glowing. 1075 (1075)
Numb. 54. Philosophical
Transactions.
December 13. 1669 1080 (1080) A Relation
Concerning Quick-silver Mines in Friuli; communicated by
Dr. Edward Brown; confirming as well the AccomptAccount for-
merly given of that subject, in Numb. 2. of these Transacti-
ousTransacti-
ons, as enlarging the same with some Additions. THeThe town of Idria, in the County of Goritia and Province of
Friuli, is seated low, and encompass'd with Hills on all
sides. A River of the same name runs by it, which although
Leandro terms it superbissimo siume d'Idria, yet I found small
and shallow at the time when I was there; though upon plenti-
ful Raine it proves sufficient to convey down the Firr-Trees
and other Wood required in the building of the Mines, and also
for Fuel required in the service of them: And to this end there
is an handsome work of Piles made sloaping athwart the River
(after the same manner as I observ'd in Newsol in upper Hun-
gary cross the River Gran;) to stop the Trees, which are cut
down, and cast into the River above this place. What is chiefly considerable in this Town, are the Quick-
silver-Mines, very well known to the Neighbouring parts, and
exceeding useful to many at greater distance. The entrance into these Mines is not high, or upon an Hill, as
in many other Mines; but in town it self, whereby they are
somewhat the more troubled with Water, against which they are
provided with many excellent Engins and Devices, as at other
deep Mines. The deepest part of the Mine from the entrance, is
between 120 and 130 fathoms. Of the Quick-silver of this Mine they make two sorts: The
one they call Iungsraw, that is, Virgin-Quicksilver; the other,
plain Quicksilver. Virgin-Mercury they call that, which disco-
vers it self without the help of Fire; and is either plainly to be
seen in the Ore, or falls down in little drops in the Mine, and
sometimes streams out in good quantity; as about seven years
agoeago it ran out of the Earth at first in a streame as small as a
thred, and afterwards as big as a pack-thred, but ceas'd in three
of our dayes. That also is accounted Virgin-Quicksilver, which, having no 1081(1081)
need to pass the fire, is separated by water first in a Sive, and af-
terwards in a long trough, having very small holes at one end.
So that there are in a manner two sorts of Virgin-Mercury; the
one, running out and discovering itself without labour; the o-
ther, requiring some way of Extraction and separation, though
not so high an one, as by Fire. Plaine Quicksilver they name that, which is not at first per-
ceived by the Eye, or falls from the Ore, but is forc'd out by
Fire. And this they obtaine out of the Ore, or out of the Cin-
naber of Mercury, which they digg out of this Mine. The Ore
of this Mine is of a dark colour, mix'd with red. But the best
is an hard stone; which they commit not presently to the opera-
tion of the Fire, but powder it grossly, and work it by the Sive,
that so, if any Virgin-quicksilver be found in it, it may be sepa-
rated in this manner, and what doth not pass the Sive, may be
separated by Fire in Iron-furnaces; Fifty of them in a Fire. The Quicksilver-ore of this Mine is the richest of all Ores, I
have yet seen; for ordinarily it contains in it halfe Quicksilver,
and in two parts of Ore one part of Quicksilver, and sometimes
in 3. parts of Ore, two parts of Quicksilver. I went into the Mine by the Pitt of St. Agatha, and came up
again by that of St Barbara, descending and ascending by Lad-
ders. I ascend at one of 639. staves or 89. fathoms. Andre-
as Siserus, in Kircher's Mund Subterraneus, makes such a dread-
ful description of this Mine, that it might discourage any from
attempting the descent; which makes me doubt, Whether he
had been in any other Mine, especially where the descent is made
by Ladders. This Mine, I was inform'd, hath been wrought 200. years,
about the same space of time with Newsol-Mine, but comscomes much
short in time of the Silver-mine at Schemnitz; and much shor-
ter yet of the notable Lead-mines in upper Carinthia. Some
hundreds of men are employed about this Mine of Idria; of which
the chief Officers are the Prefect, the Controller, and the
Judge. I heard no complaint of the Damps of this Mine, as I have
heard of divers others; Yet the workmen are sufficiently mischie-
v'd without them: for, though they be not suddenly suffocated, 1082(1082)
yet the Mercury getting into their Bodies, they are languishing-
ly destroyed by it. Much less could I hear any news of eitheeither
noxious or innocent Apparitions, Virunculi &c. such as some
write, and many talk of in other Mines. In a Laboratory, where the Quicksilver is separated by Fire, I
saw an heap of 16000. Retorts of Iron; every one of which costs
a Crown at the best hand from the Iron-furnaces in Carinthia.
There are 800. Retorts and as many Recipients employ'd to-
gether, in drawing over the Quicksilver in 16. Furnaces; 50. in
each Furnace, 25. of a side, 12. above, and 13. below of
each side. June 12, when I was there, they carried out 40. Saumes of
Quicksilver into forrain parts, each Saume containing 315. pound
weight, to the value of 400 ducats of Gold. Though the con-
veyance be not easy, yet some is sent as farr as Cremnitz in Hun-
gary, for the use of the Gold-mines; and very much carried a-
way Southward. For, though the River by the Town be but
small, yet they are not very farr from the Sontius or Lysonzo, a
considerable River, which runs into the Gulf of Trieste in the
Adriatick Sea. In the Castle I saw 3000 Saumes of Quicksilver together, in
barrels; the Quicksilver being first made up in double leather:
And in another house as much rich Ore, as can be distill'd in 2.
years, except they have great plenty of rain to bring down the
wood; but, the Hills being high about them, it snows at the tops
of them oftner than it rains. The Countrys, through which I pass'd, are singularly well
wooded, and well stor'd with fair Trees, wherein, beside such as
grow with us in England, are stately Firrs, Larches, Pines, Pinas-
ters, Picea's, and that nobly crisped and well grain'd kind of A-
cer, whereof Viols and Violins are made: Whereof there is also
plenty in the Country of Saltzburg and Carinthia. Travelling sometimes in the night, we had continually about
us a great number of large Glow-worms, which put into papers
gave a dimm light like Candles in Lanthorns; and the Aire al-
so full of flaming Flyes, affording some delight to us. The way unto this place I found difficult; for, travelling from
places on the borders of Croatia by Lovitch, I was faine to pass 1083(1083)
over great mountains, and coming from it, I pas'd over Swart-
zenburg or the Black mountain, from whence I descended 10.
miles in a rocky Country, and farr more stony than the Cran or
Campus lapidosus in Provence; and so to Aidoschini and Goritia,
and leaving the Sclavonian behind, entred into the Lingua Ful-
lana, and so onto this Noble and incomparably fortified City;
where being yet uncertain, whether I should go to Venice, I
would not omit to present you this accomptaccount, which I beseech
you to accept from &c.
Palma nova in Friuli June 15. 1669. An AccomptAccount frowfrom the same Dr. Brown
Concerning an Un-common Lake, called the Zirchnitzer-Sea, in
Caniola. Having cross'd the River Dravus, and pass'd Mount Lui-
bel in the Carnick Alpes, by that noble passage, cut
through the RooksRocks, and vaulted like that of Pausilype near Na-
ples, I had a desire to take a view of the Lake of Zirchnitz, so
much spoken of, and written on by so few; and therefore I
went unto Crainburg upon the River Savus, and so to Labach,
the chief City of Carniola; from whence I continued my Jour-
ney in Carniola betwixt the Hills and a great Marsh, till I came
to Brounizza, two leagues from whence and beyond the Hills
is seated the said Lake, receiving that name from Zirchnitz, a
town of about 300. houses. This Lake is near two German Miles long, and one broad.
On the South-side thereof lyes a great Forrest, wherein are
many Deer, and wild Boares, Wolves and Bears. On the
North side the Country is flat; but the whole Valley is encom-
passed with Hills, at some distance from it. This Lake is well fill'd with Water for the greatest part of the
Year; but in the Month of June it sinketh under ground, not on-
ly by percolation or falling through the pores of the Earth, but
retireth under ground, through many great holes at the bottom
of it: And in the Month of September it returns by the same, and
so in a very short time fills up the Valley again. As the time of the waters Descent is short, especially when 1084(1084)
the Lake grows lower, and hath for a while shewed some abate-
ment, so the Ascent and return is speedy; for at these holes it
mounteth with such violence, that it springs out of the ground
to the height of a pike, and soon covers the tract of Earth
again. And this piece of ground in the time of the retirement and ab-
sence of the Water is not unfruitful, but by a speedy and plen-
tiful production of Grass yieldeth not only a present sustenance
for the beasts of the field, but a good provision of hay for the
cattle in the winter. Nor have the Inhabitants thereabout only the benefit of the
ground by these Commodities, but also the recreation and pro-
fit by Hunting. For at the time of the waters absence, Hares,
Deer, Boares and other Animals come into it out of the neigh-
bouring Forrest and Country, and are taken several wayes by
them. The Lake is not only thus fill'd with water, but every year
well stored with Fish. The Prince of Eckenberg is Lord of it
and of much Country thereabout: But upon restoring of the wa-
ters all have liberty to Fish; and the fishermen, standing up
to the wast at the holes before-mentioned, intercept the passage
of the Fish, and take a very great number of them, which o-
therwise would be secure for some Months under the Earth, and
not fall to return in September. The Fish of this Lake have a closer habitation than those of a-
ny other I know; for, they pass some Months under the Earth,
and a good part of the Winter under Ice. I could not learn,
that there were any Otters in this Lake, (which otherwise must
probably have taken the same Course with the fish;) nor that
there were any remarkable extraneous substances, any Vegeta-
bles, or unknown Fishes brought up by the water, but those
which come up are of the same kind with those which des-
cended. But beside these holes at the bottom of the Lake (of which
there are many) there are also divers Caverns and deep places in
the Country of Carniola, even where there is no water; after the
like manner as we have in the Peack-country, and at Elden-hole
in England. 1085(1085) Halfe an English mile nearer the Lake than the town of Zirch-
nitz, stands a village named Seadorf, and neigher to the Lake
than this, another village called Niderdorf, that the
ground sinks in several places upon the sudden retiring of the
Lake; and the aforesaid Prince of Eckenburg was once so curious,
as to descend into one hole, through which he passed under an
Hill, and came out on the other side; as I was informed by Mon-
sieur Andreas Wiser the present Judg of Zirchnitz, and also by
Johanes Wiser, who hath formerly held the same place. The people who are acquainted with the Lake, wet and dry,
know where they are, and have a particular knowledge of the
eminencies, vallies and inequalities of it: for, the bottom of the
Lake is not even, or near about the same depth, but sometimes
two foot, and then suddenly twenty yards deep. And because
the Fish haunt the deep places more than the shallows; they have
given names to the 7. chiefest cavities or valleys in the Lake. I took boat at Niderdorf, and went divers miles on the Lake,
passing over the five first valleys. I went also to a noted Stone,
commonly called the Fishers-stone, which hath somewhat of the
use of the Nilescope-pillar at Grand Cairo; for by a certain appea-
rance of that, they conjecture how soon the Lake will retire. I
also passed by a noted Hill, which, when the Lake is high, be-
comes a pleasant island; and so I returned, &c.
Venice June 20. 1669. 1147 (1147) Numb. 57. Philosophical
Transactions.
March 25. 1670. 1151 (1151) An Extract of a Letter,
Written by John Winthrop Esq: Governour of Connecticut in
New England, to the Publisher, concerning some Natural Curio-
sities of those parts, especially a very strange and very curious-
ly contrived Fish, sent for the Repository of the R. Society. I KnowI know not, whether I may recommend some of the produ-
ctions of this Wilderness as rarities or novelties, but they
are such as this place affords. 1152 (1152)
There is, besides, in a large round Box, a strange kind of Fish,
which was taken by a Fisherman, when he was fishing for Cod-
fish in that Sea, which is without Massachuset Bay in N. Eng-
land. It was living, when it was taken, which was done, I think,
by an hook. The name of it I know not, nor can I write more
particularly of it, because I could not yet speak with the Fisher-
man, who brought it from Sea. I have not seen the like. The
Mouth is in the middle; and they say, that all the Arms, you see
round about, were in motion, when it was first taken. We omit the other particulars here, that we may reflect a little See Fig. I.
upon this elaborate piece of Nature, the Fish, which,1153(1153)
since it is yet nameless, we may call Piscis Echino-stellaris Visci-
formis; its Body (as was noted by M. Hook) resembling an Echi-
nus or Egg-fish, the main Branches, a Star, and the dividing of
the branches, the Plant Missel-toe. This Fish spreads itself from
a Pentagonal Root, which incompasseth the Mouth (being in the
middle at a) into 5 main Limbs or branches, each of which, Just
at the issuing out from the Body sub-divides it self into two (as at I.)
and each of those 10 branches do again (at 2.) divide into two parts,
making 20. lesser branches: Each of which again, (at 3.) divide
into 2. smaller branches, making in all, 40. These again (at 4.)
into 80; and those (at 5.) into 160; and they (at 6.) into 320:
they (at 7.) into 640; at 8, into 1280; at 9, into 2560; at 10,
into 5120; at 11, into 10240; at 12, into 20480; at 13, into
40960; at 14, into 81920: beyond which, the farther expanding
of the Fish could not be certainly trac'd, though possibly each of those
81920 small sprouts or threds, in which the branches of this Fish
seem'd to terminate, might, if it could have been examined when
living, have been found to subdivide yet farther. The Branches
between the Joynts were not equally of a length, though for the
most part pretty near: But those branches, which were on that side
of the Joynt, on which the preceeding Joynt was placed, were al-
ways about a 4th or 5th part longer than those on the other side. Every
of these branchings seemed to have, from the very mouth to the
smallest twiggs or threds, in which it ended, a double chain or
rank of pores, as appears by the Figure. The Body of the Fish
was on the other side; and seemed to have been protuberant, much
like an Echinus (Egg-Fish or Button-Fish) and, like that, divided
into 5. ribbs or ridges, and each of these seemed to be kept out by
two small bony ribbs. In the Figure is represented fully and at length but one of the main
branches, whence 'tis easy to imagine the rest, cut off at the 4th sub-di-
viding Branch, which was done to avoyd Confusion as well as too much
labour and expence of time in the Engraving. The Figure, well viewed and considered will be more instructive,
than a larger Discourse thereon; though other particularities might
have been mention'd, if the dryness, perplexedness and brit-
tleness of the Fish had not hindred it. 1179 (1179) Numb. 58. Philosophical
Transactions.
April 25. 1670. 1189 (1189) Concerning the Mines, Minerals, Baths, &c. of Hungary,
Transylvania, Austria, and other Countries neighbouring to
those. The Directions and Inquiries, as they were, some time since,
recommended by the Publisher to the care of the Ingeni-
ous and Learn'd Dr. Edward Brown (Son to that deservedly fa-
mous Physitian Dr. Thomas Brown, and Fellow of the Royal So-
ciety) travelling in Germany, Hungary, TurkyTurkey, &c; are
these.1190(1190) To inquire in Hungary, Transylvania, Austria, and the
other Countries thereabout, what is observable there, as to
Minerals, Springs, Baths, Earths, Quarries, Metals; espe-
cially the kinds, qualities, and vertues of Mineral waters.
Whether there be any medicated Earths. And what Coals,
Salt-Mines, or Salt-Springs, Allom, Vitriol, Sulphur, and Anti-
mony, those parts afford. To inquire particularly, and to procure some of all the seve-
ral sorts of Antimony, and Antimony-Ore, to be found in
Hungary. To procure some of the best Hungarian Vitriol, the Cinna-
baris nativa; as also of the true Gold and Silver-Earth or Ore,
said to be found at Cranach in Hungary. To inquire after, and send over some of that kind of Vitriol,
which by credible persons is affirmed to be found chrystallized
in Transylvania.
To get a particular accompt of the Salt-Pits in Transylvania,
which are said to yield two sorts of perfect Salt, the one being a
Sal Gemmæ, the other, a common Table-Salt. To observe, how
deep these Salt-Mines lie from the surface of the ground. How
deep they have been digg'd hitherto. What damps are met with
in them? &c. 1191 (1191) These are the Queries; to which we shall now subjoyn the
Answers of the above-mention'd curious Travailer, as they were
imparted by him at several times, according as he had occasi-
on to inform himself, when he was in those Parts, about such
matters. — I have not been unmindful of the Inquiries, you were
pleas'd to honour me with upon the accompt of the Royal
Society; and in Answer to them, I shall first acquaint you with
what I found and learn'd of the Salt-Mines: concerning which
I now present you with those two kinds of Transylvania Stone-
Salts, which you mention'd; and also with Salts out of the
Mine at Eperies in Upper Hungary; together with some accompt
of that Mine. Of the Sal Gemmæ I have sent you four pieces, and a
stone of Salt, as it was taken out of the Mine, which, if you
please, for your further satisfaction, to break with an Hammer,
you will find it to split into Tables or Parallelepipedons in your
hand. With these comes along a Specimen of that Mineral Salt,
which is commonly used at Table. This is found in most
of the Salt-Mines, as in that of the County of Maromarus,
nigh to the Castle of Hust; and in one at Des, in two at
Forda, in two at Calos, in two at Szick, and in one at Di-
zaknel. 1192 (1192) The Colour of the ordinary Stone-Salt of this Mine is not
very white, but somewhat grey; yet being broken and grind-
1193(1193)
ed to powder, it becomes as white as if it were refin'd: And
this Salt consists of pointed parts or fossets. Another sort
of Salt there is also, which consists of Squares and Tables;
and a third, to be found of somewhat stirious or long
shoots. Nor is all the Salt of this Mine of one colour, but of
divers; that which is found grossly mixt with the Earth, re-
ceives some colour from it. And even that, which is most
pure, and resembleth Chrystal, doth often receive Tinctures
of several colours. In the middle of a Chrystal-Salt with
long shoots, I have seen a delicate blew; and Count Rothal
hath a large piece of a fair yellow. There are also some pie-
ces very clear and transparent, so hard, that they carve them
into divers Figures, as Crosses, Crucifixes, and others. Of
each of these I have obtain'd a piece,
and present the same unto you** These are now in the
Repository of the Royal
Society; as are also the
several Specimens of Ores,
hereafter mention'd.; but
cannot omit to advertise you, that,
whereas these Salts, though kept with-
out care, remain'd dry for many months
in other Countries, yet they began
somewhat to relent soon after I came into England; and
if they be kept in a Stove, or very hot place, they will be
apt to lose their Transparency. I could not hear of any Damps
in this Mine. 1023 (1023) Numb. 59. Philosophical
Transactions.
May 23. 1670. 1042 (1042) AN ACCOMPT
Given by Doctor Edward Brown, concerning the Copper-mine
at Herrn-ground in Hungary. HErrn-groundHerrn-ground is a little town seated very high between two
Hills, upon a part of land of the same name, an Hungari-
an mile distant from Newsol. In this town is the entrance into
a large Copper-mine, very much digged. I went in through a Cuniculus, called Tach-stoln, and conti-
nued divers hours in the Mine, and visited many of the most re-
1043(1043)
markable places in it. The steep descents in this Mine are made
by Ladders or Trees set upright, with deep notches or stayers
cut in them to stay the foot upon. They are not troubled with
water, the Mine lying high in the hill, so that the water may
drain away; but they are molested with dust and damps. The Veins of this Mine are large, many of them cumulate, and
the Ore very rich; in an hundred pounds of Ore they ordinarily
finde twenty pounds of Copper, sometimes 30, 40, half Cop-
per, and even to 60 in the hundred. Much of the Ore is joyn'd
so fast to the rock, that tis separated with much difficulty.
There are divers sorts of Ore, but the chief difference is be-
tween the Yellow and the Black: the Yellow is pure Copper-
ore: the Black contains also a proportion of Silver. They find no Quick-silver here: the mother of the ore is yel-
low; and the Copper ore, heated and cast into water, maketh
it become like that of some Sulphureous Baths. They separate the Metal from the Ore with great difficulty. The Ore commonly passes 14 times through the furnaces:
sometimes it is burned, and other times melted; sometimes by
it self, and sometimes mixt with other minerals and its own
dross. There are divers sorts of Vitriol found in this Mine; Green,
Blew, Reddish, and White. There is also a Green Earth or se-
diment of a green water, called Berg-grun. There are likewise
stones found of a beautiful green and blew colour, and one sort,
on which Turcoises have been found; therefore called the Mother
of the Turcois. There are also two Springs of a Vitriolat water, which are
affirm'd to turn iron into Copper. They are called the Old
and the New Ziment. These Springs lye deep in the Mine. The
Iron is ordinarily left in the Water 14 dayes. I here present you
with some pieces of it, and with an Heart and a Chain, formerly
Iron, now appearing to be Copper. Divers of these pieces I
and do not totally loose their figure, and fall into powder, as
you will perceive by them; they will easily melt, I have sent a
piece melted without the addition of any other substance. They
make handsome Cups and Vessels out of this Salt or Copper: I 1044(1044)
drank out of one of them, when I was at the Verwalter of Hern-
grownd his house: It was gilded over, and had a rich piece of
Silver-ore, fastened in the middle of it, and this Inscription grav'd
on the outside, Eifen ware Ich, kupser bin Ich,
Silber trag Ich, Gold bedeckt mich. i.e. Copper I am, but Iron was of old,
Silver I carry, cover'd am with Gold. AN ACCOMPT
Concerning the Baths of Austria and Hungary; as also some
Stone-Quarries, Talcum rocks, &c. in those parts: By the
same hand. INIn order to answer some of the other Queries; I here present
you with this Accompt concerning Baths, and some other sub-
jects, contained therein.
Baden is a little City in Austria, four German miles South-
ward from Vienna, seated on a plain, but nigh unto a ridge of
hills, which are the excursions of Mount Cetius. It is much re-
sorted unto by reason of the Natural Baths of that place, wherein
the Springs are so numerous, as to afford convenient Baths; two
within the Town, five without the Wall, and 2 beyond a rivolet
called Swechet. The Dukes-bath is the largest, about 20 feet square, in the
middle of an house of the same figure, built over it. The Va-
pour passes, through a tunnel of wood, at the top: and the Wa-
ter is conveyed into the bottom of the Bath, at one corner,
through woodden pipes and tress, under the Town-wall, from
the Spring head, which riseth at a little distance West-ward.
The Springs of the rest of the Baths rise under them, and are
let it through holes of the Plancher, for all the Baths are wain-
scoted, the seats, sides and bottoms being made of Firre. The
Water for the most part is clear and transparent, yet somewhat
blewish, and maketh the skin appear pale in it, as doth the
smoak of Brimstone. It coloreth Metals (except Gold, whose 1045(1045)
colour it also heightens) turning them black in a few minutes.
The Coyn of this Country, mixt of Copper and Silver, (having
7/15 of Silver, and 8/15 of Copper) is in a minutes time turn'd from
a white into a dark yellow, and soon after becomes black. To
the Moss and Plants, which it washeth, it gives a fine green co-
lour, and leaves often a scum upon them of a Purple mixt with
white. As it runs from the Spring-head, it somewhat re-
sembles the Sulphur-river in the way from Tivoli to Rome,
but is not so strong or stinking, nor doth it incrustate its
banks. The Spring-head is also considerable, in regard that it riseth
under a rocky hill at some distance from the entrance into it:
For, I pass'd to it, about the length of 40 yards, through an Ar-
ched passage cut in the rock, which is also a natural stove, (as
that of Tritola and Bajæ) made by the hot Bath water run-
ning under it. Most part of this Cave is incrustated with a white
substance, by them called Salt-Peter, whereof I have sent you
some. At the mouth of the Cave it becomes harder and stony.
I caused some of the pipes, through which the Bath-water runs,
to be opened, and from the upper part of the pipe. I took some
quantity of fine Sulphur in powder, somewhat like Flowers of
Brimstone; this being as 'twere, sublimed from the water, and
not deposed, being found in the upper part of the pipe. Oleum
Sulph. per campanam dropped into this water, is received into
it quietly. Oleumtart. per deliquium causeth an ebullition, as in
the making of Tartarum Vitriolatum. The second Bath within the Wall is that of our Lady, about
12 foot broad, and 24 long. One end of it is under a Church of
the same name. This is fuller of Sulphur than the rest, and more
blew, and leaveth a yellow Flower upon the boards, as the others
doe a white. The third is the New Bath, out of the Town nigh the Gate;
which when I saw was full of people singing. The fourth, the Jews-Bath, which hath a partition in the mid-
dle to separate the men from the Women. The fifth, St. Johns Bath, of a Triangular form. The sixth, the Beggars Bath, always shallow, so as they ly
down in it. 1046(1046) The seventh, the Bath of the Holy-Cross, about two fathoms
square, chiefly for the Clergy. The eighth, Saint Peters Bath, greener than the rest. The ninth, the Sower-Bath, set about with Stone-balastres,
and covered with an handsome Cupola and Lanthorn. The wa-
ter is very clear; In the Steam of this Bath I have often colour'd
mony black without touching the Water; and staying only in
the room, where the Bath is, the buttons of my clothes, and
whatelse of Silver the Vapour could come at, were coloured yel-
low or guilded; and yet the water itself, once cold, changeth
not the colour of Metals, though boyled in it. The hottest of these Baths have not the heat of the Queens
Bath at Bath in England. They use no Guides, as with us, but
direct themselves with a short turn'd staff.
Manners-dorff, seated under an Hill on the East-side of the
river Leyta hath onely one Bath. It riseth under a Church, built
over the Spring-head. The water of it is luke-warm, and there-
fore they boyl it in great Coppers, when they desire it hotter,
and bath in Tubbs, fill'd with this boyled water. From the sub-
stance, which sticks to the Coppers in boyling, it is collected,
that it is impregnated with Sulphur, Salt-peter and Chalk. This
water coloureth the stones in it of a fair green like a Turkois;
and the Steam of it, which sticks to the Moss under the Church,
turns into drops of Gold or Amber.
Dotis, 2 Hungarian miles from Comora in Hungary, famous
for being watered with great numbers of Springs, hath also Sul-
phureous Baths, said to be warm in Winter. I was there in
March and October, and both times found their warmth very re-
miss, scarce perceivable. In colour they are blewish, and to
taste acid. The Queens-bath and the Great-bath rise in a Marsh,
North-ward of the Castle. There is another Bath in the Gover-
nors garden within the Town. They are used as those of Man-
ners-dorf, by being boyl'd, and powr'd into Bathing tubbs.
At Banka, two Hungar miles from Freistat, in a Meadow, I
took notice of 15. Baths: And there have been more, but the
river Waag eateth away the banks, and swallows up the Baths,
and into three of these 15. it hath also broke in. The Water of
these is like to that of Baden in Austria; it leaves a white Sedi-
1047 (1047)
ment upon the Moss and places it washeth, and tinctureth metals
black: which I experimented by putting money into it; and
sticking some into the ground over which the water passeth,
that part, which was in the ground, retained its own colour,
and the other part in the Bath-water acquired a Coal-black.
These Bathes are open, and very hot.
The Baths of Boinitz nigh the river Nitra in Hungary, are of
a moderat gentle heat, delightful to bath in, much beautifi'd
by Count Palsi Palatine of Hungary: And all of them covered
under one large roof. The first is the Noblemans Bath, built of
stone descended into on all sides by stone-stayres. Four more
there are of Wood, but very handsomly and well built.
At Stub'n, 3 Hungarian miles from Newsol, and 2 from Chrem-
nitz, near to a rivolet, are divers Baths of great esteem, and
much frequented; the water whereof is clear, and smells of
Sulphur; the sediment green. It colours the wood over it
green and black, but does not change the colour of metals so
soon as most others. I left money in it a whole night, which
was yet but faintly coloured. The Springs arise under-neath,
and pass thoroughthrough the holes in the plancher of the Baths. The
heat thereof is answerable to the Kings-Bath in England. These
Baths are 7. The first, is the Nobleman's Bath. The second,
the Gentlemans. The third, the Country-mans. The fourth,
the Country-womans. The fifth, the Beggars-bath. The sixt,
for such as are infected with the Lues Venerea. The seventh, the
Bath of the Gypsies; of whom there are many in those parts.
These Baths are in a plain, encompassed on all sides with hills.
The nighest unto them are towards the East; and it is the same
ridge of hills, which on the other side are so rich in Metals.
Glas-Hitten, an Hungarian mile, or about 7. English-miles
from Schemnitz, hath five Baths; two of which are large. It
deposes a red sediment, and incrustates the wood and seates of
the Bath under water with a stony substance; and it guildeth
Silver. But the most remarkable of these Baths is that, which
is called the Sweating Bath, whose hot Springs drain thoroughthrough
an hill, and fall into a Bath, built to receive them; at one
end of which, by ascending, I went into a Cave, which is made
a noble Stove by the heat of these Thermæ, and so order'd with 1048(1048)
Seats, that every one who fits in it, either by chusing an high-
er or lower seat, may regulate his sweating, or injoy what de-
gree of heat he desireth. This Cave, as also the sides of the Bath,
are covered, by the continual dropping of these hot springs, with
a red, white and green substance: the red and green make the
best shew, but the white is used against the Stone, and cureth Ul-
cers and fore backs of horses. Eisen-bach, about 4 English miles from Glas-Hitten, and 5 or
6. from SchemnizSchemnitz, hath also hot Baths; which I suppose are
those inquired after in your last Question. Here are sent you di-
vers pieces of that sediment and stone, taken out of these Baths;
and one, which I took from the end of a Spout, through which
these Thermæ had formerly passed. The wood still sticks to the
bottom of it, but is not turned into stone (as you may see:) Yet
I have seen great trees, plac'd at the top or superficies of the wa-
ter in the Bath, which have suffered petrifacation. Here are two
convenient Baths, much frequented; and a third, which is made
by the water let out of the former, called the Snakes-bath, from
the number of Snakes coming into and delighting in it, when
it is filled with these warm waters. The natural Baths of Buda are esteem'd the noblest of Europe,
not only in respect of the large and hot springs, but the magni-
ficence of therthere Buildings. For the Turks bath very much, and,
though little curious in most of their private houses, yet are they
very sumptuous in their Publick Buildings, as their Chans or
Caravansara's, Mosches, Bridges and Baths declare. There are 8 Baths, whereof I had opportunity to take notice
during my stay at Buda; 3 towards the East and South-East-
part of the City, in the way leading towards Constantinople, and
5, towards the West-end of the Town in the way towards Old
Ossen, and Strigonium. The first, is a large open Bath at the foot of an high rocky hill,
formerly called Purgatorium, whereof the people have some odd
and scruplous apprehensions. The second is cover'd with a Cupola, and stands nigh the same
Hill, but more into the Town, and near a place where they use
Tanning. The third is called the Bath of the Green Pillars, though at 1049(1049)
present they be of a red colour; and it stands over against the Caravansara.
The water is hot, but tolerable, without addition of cold water. It is impre-
gnated with a Petrifying juyce, which discovers it self on the sides of the
Bath upon the Spouts and other places, and maketh a gray stone: And the
Exhalation from the Bath, reverberated by the Cupola, by the Irons exten-
ded from one Column to another, and by the Capitals of the Pillars, for-
meth long stones like Ice-icles, which hang to all the said places; such as
may be observ'd in many subterraneous Grotto's, and particularly in En-
gland in Okey-hole in Somerset-Shire, and Pooles-hole in Darby-shire. The water is let out at night, when the women have done bathing, who
often stay late. The Bath is round set about with large Pillars supporting
a Cupola, which hath openings to let out the steam thereof; and yet the
whole room continues to be an hot stove. The Baths of the West-end of the Town are I. Tactalli or the Bath of
the Table; a small Bath covered: the Water white, and of a Sulphureous
smell. They drink of this as well as bath in it. What they drink, they re-
ceive from a Spout, bringing the Water into this place. I delivered a five-
sols-piece to a Turk, bathing in it, to guild for me, which he did in about
a minute, by rubbing it between his fingers, while the hot water fell from
the spout upon it. 2. Barut Degrimene, or the Bath of the Powder-mill. It rises in an
open pond near the highway, and mixeth with the fresh Springs, so that
the pond is of a whitish colour in one part, and clear in the other, as also
cold and hot in several parts. This conveyed cross the high way into a
Powder-mill, becomes useful in making of Gun-powder. They conceive
here, that this Bath communicates with the Sulphureous Springs at Dotis,
many miles distant. 3. Cuzzoculige, the little Bath or the Bath of the Saint; for which
name the Turks give a superstition reason. Tis kept by Turkish Monks. The
Bath, where the Springs arise, is so hot as scarce to be endured; but being
let out into another bathing place at some distance, it becomes tolerable and
fit for use. This water hath neither colour, smell, nor taste different from
Common water, and deposeth no sediment; onely the sides of the Bath
are green, and have a fungous substance all over. 4. Kaplih, a very noble Bath, but part of the buildings was consu-
med this year (1669) by a great fire which happn'd in Buda; but is by
this time repaired by the Turks. The water is very hot, not without a pe-
trifying juyce in it. The Building about is eight square, with a noble Bath
in the middle; with a circle of a Trench of water about it for the better
ornament. On every side it has a Nichio, wherein is a fountain. In the
middle of the Antichamber (where they leave their cloaths) there is also
a fair Stone bason and a fountain. 5. The Bath of Velibey; which hath a strong Sulphureous smell, and a 1050(1050)
petrifying juyce in it; and is so hot, that to make it tolerable, it requires the
addition of cold water. This is the noblest Bath of any. The Anti-chamber
very large, the Bath-room cap capacious, and high-arched, and adorned with
5. Cupola's one a very fair one, over the great round Bath in the middle;
and one lesser, over each of the 4 corners; where are either Baths or Bath-
stoves for more private use: In these the Turks take off the hair of their
Bodies by a psilothrum mixt with soap; it being not their custom, to have
any hair, except on their beards, and a lock on the crown of their heads.
Twelve Pillars support the great Cupola, between 8 whereof are fountains
of the hot water, and between the other are places to sit down, where the
Barbers and Bath-men attend. And each of these places have 2 cisterns of
free-stone, into which are let in hot Bath-water and also cold water, to be
mixt and tempered as every one pleaseth. Men bathe in the morning, and Women in the afternoon. When any
man intends to bathe, having entred the first rooms, he findes there divers
servants attending, and furnishing him with a cloth and apron. Then he
puts off his apparel, and having put on the apron, he entreth the 2d room,
wherein the great Bath is, and sits on the side of the Bath, or between the
Pillars nigh a fountain; where the Barber strongly rubs him with his hand
opened, stretching out his armes, and lifting them up; after which the
party batheth. Then, if he be a subject of the G. Signors, or, it be the
custom of his Countrey, he hath his head shaved, and if a young man, his
beard, except the upper-lip. Next, the Barber rubs his breast, back, arms
and legs, with an hair-cloth, while he either sitteth, or lyeth with his
face downward; then washes his head with soap, and after throws cold
water upon him all over his Body; and so the party walks about in the
steam of the Bath for a time. These Baths are made use of two wayes, either by entring into the wa-
ter, or sitting about the Bath in the steam. For the vapour of the Bath
makes the whole room a stove; and most sweat as long as they stay in it;
and some enter not the water at all, but have it powr'd upon them, or else
only continue in the steam of the Bath; which sufficiently provoketh
sweat. So much of the Baths. Upon the side of Mount Calenberg, towards the
North are Stones marked with Trees and Leaves. In the Hermitage of the
Camaldulenses, seated upon a Peak of this hill, I saw fair ones, with which
they pav'd the walk in their Gardens. This place is 2 German miles from
Vienna. Not far from Manners-dorf is the Emperor's Quarry of Stone, out of
which are made the best Buildings in Vienna: In which, where-soever
there is a cleft or separation of one stone from another, the water falling
betwixt them, leaves a petrification, thereby, as 'twere, healing the wound,
by making a stony callus, not exactly like the parts, which it joins together. 1051(1051) An English mile from Freistat in Hungary North-ward, is a Quarry
of Stone, out of which many great Stones are digged, transparent and
resembling Sugarcandy. At Banca, two Hungar. miles from Freistat North-ward, is a Quar-
ry of white stone, nigh the Hot Baths of that place; over which is
a lay of Chalk of about a yard thick, very beautiful to the Eye, as be-
ing of all colors, except green; so finely mixt, streaked, and sha-
ded, that it surpasseth Marble-paper; and the water dropping upon it,
doth as twere varnish it. At Schemnitz in Hungary, famous for Silver-Mines, is an high perpen-
dicular Rock, part of which, from the top to the bottom, is naturally
tinctur'd with a shining fair blew and green: And I have heard from a
Spaniard, who liv'd long in the West-Indies, that there is also a rock, like
this nigh to the Silver-mines in Peru. The Mountain of Clissura, being a part of Mount Hæmus, as also
Mount Pyrlipe (both which I passed over travelling from Belgrade towards
Larissa in Thessaly) doe shine like Silver, and day and night, either by
the light of the Sun or Moon, afford a glittering pleasant shew, caused by
the great quantity of Muscovy-glass, wherewith these Hills abound.
There are also Talcum-rocks nigh Spitall in upper Carinthia, as I have
been informed by M. Donellan, who liveth there. I am unwilling to omit
an Hill nigh Sarvizza, two dayes journey on this side Larissa, which
consists of an earth of a fine red colour, out of which the red Earthen
Vessels of that Country are made; as also the great number of Acidulæ
nigh Transchin in Hungary, there being 32 plentiful springs of them;
likewise an Hot Bath nigh Bellacherqua in Bulgaria, it being scitua-
ted farr from any habitation, yet well built by the Turks, and very re-
freshing to Travellours. It hath a red sediment, and maketh a gray
stone. Being at Larissa in Thessaly, where the Gr. Segnor hath long resided,
I understood, that he had passed a good part of the hot Summer of 1669.
upon the neighbouring mount Olympus; and by the Interpreters to the
Emperours Resident, the Illustrisso Signor di Casa nova, (who were ob-
liged to attend the Sultan upon the mountain) I was inform'd that there
was a Spring of a whitish water upon that Hill, which was drank of by
many persons in their great heat and thirst, contracted by ascending the
mountain, but proved very destructive unto them in 3 dayes, they then
complaining of an heaviness and coldness of their Stomacks till they
dyed. 2083 (2083) Numb. 65. Philosophical
Transactions.
November 14. 1670. 2096 (2096) A Narrative of a monstrous Birth in Plymouth, Octob. 22.
1670; together with the Anatomical Observations, taken
thereupon by William Durston Doctor in Physick, and
communicated to Dr. Tim. Clerk. ONEOne, Grace Batter'd, the wife of a shoemaker, of honest
Repute, and mother of five Children, now come to the
full time to be delivered of a sixth Birth, about twelve a
Clock at night began to have travelling pains; and near
four a Clock in the morning the Head of a Child came to the
Birth: When the Midwife, putting her hand to help off this,
felt another, (by its heat and motion) alive; and therefore
made all possible speed to deliver her of this.
'Tis observable, that in three of her former five travels she
was so quick, as that she was deliver'd before the Midwife
came; but now she could not so speedily effect her desire, in
regard that not only the first child was suffocated by its stay
in the birth; but also the Head of the second turning aside
from the inner orifice of the Uterus towards the groine, and
the Twins being joyn'd together (as afterwards appeared)
made it a different Birth. But the Midwife doing her part
exceeding well, and the Mother having nimble travel, was
delivered of those prodigious Twins, the effigies of which is
here sent you inclosed, (See Table 2. Figure 1.) together with
an Accompt of what we thought further worth observa-
tion.
This Birth, as you see, had two Heads, and two Necks,
as also the Eyes, Mouths, and Ears, sutably double. Four
Arms with Hands, and as many Leggs and Feet. There was
to both but one Trunk; but two Back-bones, from the Cla-
vicles to the Hypogastrium, and from the shoulders down to
the bottom of the Loins they were not distinct, but cement-
ed and concorporated, after this manner: The right Clavicle
or Channel-bone of the Right-hand-Child (being long) joyn-
ed with the left Clavicle of the Left-hand-Child. The Ribbs
on the face-side of both of them, by the Cartilages or Gristles
were united without any intervening Sternum or Brest-bone; 2097(2097)
and so made a common Chest to them both: And the Ribbs
of both on the Back-part were united by the Gristles; and
from the Clavicle down to the Hypogastrium or bottom of the
Belly there, were so conjoyned, that they made but one com-
mon Belly, with one Navel-string to them both; but from
the Hypogastrium downwards they were divided, and became
two, each having the perfect parts of Females.
Having with some difficulty obtained the Fathers leave to
dissect it, we first weighed this Birth; the weight whereof was
eight pounds and a quarter; the Circumference of the left head
was about eleven inches, that of the right being half an Inch
less. The circumference of the Trunk was about sixteen
Inches and a quarter; and the length of both, from head to
foot, was full eighteen inches and an half.
We found one Navil-vein, and one Liver, but that was
very large, with the Bladder of Gall seated in its usual place:
but there were two Urinary Bladders, two Wombs, four Kid-
neys, and one Stomach, with the Oesophagus or Gullet perforate
and open from the Mouth of the left head; but the Oesophagus
from the Mouth of the right head descended no lower, than a
little above half an inch off the Mid-riff, and there it ended.
No further could we follow it with the probe, but doubting
a failure in tha Experiment, we made an Essay with a Blow-
pipe, and thereby we found, tha the Wind would go no
further than the place abovementioned. Whence it may
be concluded, that the Right-handed Child must have
received its nourishment by and from the Left Child.
There was but one Colon or Colick gut, which terminated
into two Intestinarecta. So there was but one Midriff, and
above that, we could find little or no appearance of Lungs;
but only a very large Heart, (with two Auricles,) the figure of
which was not Conical, but like a Souldiers pera or Snapsack,
or the Ventricle or Stomach; and lying near under the Cla-
vicles, transverse, as the Stomach lyeth under the Midriff and
Liver. We did also observe two Ventricles with the tricus-
pid or sigmoid-valves; as also the Vena Cava and Aorta de-
pendant, and also the Aorta ascending and bifurcate towards
each neck, and then bifurcate again. 2098(2098) These Twins were exactly like one another; very well
featured, having also pretty neat and handsome Limbs. They
had their hair more than ordinarily thick, and about half an
Inch long, and the nails full grown.
We might have proceeded to further Observations, but
time and the tumultuous concourse of people, as also the night,
and likewise the Fathers importunity to hasten the Birth to the
Grave, hindred us. The Mother is at this time in as good a Condition of
Health, as Women in Child-bed use to be. Observations on Insects, lodging themselves in Old Willows,
Produced before the Royal Society by Dr. Edmund King,
July 14. 1670. YOuYou may remember, that about the beginning of May
last, a piece of old Willow-wood, being sent me from
Sir John Bernhard out of Northamptonshire, was produced be-
fore you; in which were lodged many Insects curiously wrapt
up in green Leaves, in several channels or burrows, each with
12. 14. or 16. leaves round the Body, and several of them
with as many little round bites of leaves at each end, to stop
them up close. These, thus made made up, are near an Inch long
or the best part of an inch, put in one after another into a bore
made in the wood, fit for their reception. They are in the
manner of Cartages of Powder, wherewith Pistols are wont
to be Charged, or like long slugs of lead, as are sometimes used
in some parts of those burrows; they are placed so near one
another as to touch; in others, at some considerable distance.
These Insects observe this method in placing themselves, that
sometimes they make a direct way into the length of the
wood, sometimes they bore out into the side, and run ano-
ther way, those Channels being not unlike the burrows of
Rabbets; all which they fill up with these round appearances
of wrapt leaves, all regularly wrought: In which I find ei-
ther something alive, or appearances of something that hath
dyed there, and is putrified: In some a great number of Mites, 2099(2099)
of a dark ash-colour, shap'd not unlike common
Mites; in others, I find seeming excrements of some
small Insect, with the decayed parts of the dead In-
sect; in others, white Maggots, which you saw. Some
of these Maggots I took out of their Theca or bagg,
and put them in warm places in the Sun; and they
thereupon grew something bigger, but changed not shape
nor colour, but dyed. The rest I kept close in a box
till the eighth of July present: then I took one of them
out of the wood, and open'd the leaves, and felt some-
thing stir, hearing also an humming noise like that of a
Bee; and as soon as I had open'd the Theca, a perfect
Bee did fly out against my window, as strongly as a com-
mon Bee out of an Hive, having much of the co-
lour and bignesse of those when they are new Fly-
ers. Then being pleased at the sight, I took five more
(all I had left) and put them in a Box into my Pock-
et, to shew them the Lord Brouncker, before they
were taken out, or had eaten their way out; but
his Lordship not being at home, I brought them back
again; and they being disturbed, they all eat them-
selves out; and coming home, they were all creep-
ing about my Box, and are since dead there, and
are these, I here present to your View. They have all
stings as other Bees have. I had some thoughts at first
sight, by the yellowish Circles under their Bellies, that
they might be a sort of Wasps; but now am of opinions,
that they are common Bees. 2015 (2015) Numb. 66. Philosophical
Transactions.
December 12. 1670. Extracts of two Letters, written by the Ingenious Mr. Adam
Martindale to the Publisher from Rotherton in Cheshire,
Novemb. 12. and Nov. 26. 1670. concerning the Dis-
covery of a Rock of Natural Salt in that Country. A GentlemanA gentleman of good account and reputation assures
me, that in our Country there is lately found out a
great rarity, viz. a Rock of Natural Salt, from which issues
a vigorous sharp Brine, beyond any of the Springs made use2016(2016)
of in our Salt-works; and this not nigh any River or great
brook, as all our Salt-springs in this Country are, I should
scarce have adventur'd to write this to you, had I not believ-
ed, that this discovery might perhaps prove usefull towards
the filling up of some blank corner of a Page in the History of
Nature. However I am perswaded, that such Ingenuity, as
possesseth the R. Society, cannot but pardon my boldness, ari-
sing from a zeal to serve such Benefactors to Humane nature.
And if you desire to know any more particulars concerning
this matter, a Letter of yours directed  *  *  *  shall
command me to view the place, and there to inquire after the
circumsyances, and communicate them to you, &c. This being so acceptable an offer, the Author of the Letter was
desired accordingly, to give himself the trouble of viewing the
place himself: Which desire he not only hath very obligingly com-
plied with, but also imparted what he learned in that view, as fol-
lows; I am just now return'd from visiting and viewing the Salt-
work, and find things according to my Friends Relation:
Only whereas I understood him, that no running water came
near it, I now perceive, that he spoke of none that was con-
siderable, or none that might annoy it. For there runs near
it (at least in the Winter season) a small rindle (or gutter ra-
ther;) but it is wholly free from all danger of overflowing;
which threatens all other Salt-pits in this County, every great
shower, through the vicinity of Rivers. The Rock of Salt, by the relation of the Work-men, is be-
tween 33, and 34. yards distant from the Surface of the Earth;
about 30 whereof are already digged; and they hope to be
at the Flagg, which covers the Salt-rock, about three weeks
hence. I doubt, it will be several months, before I can ac-
commodate you with a parcel of it; that which the auger
brought up, being long since disposed of, and the work-men
not daring to remove the Flagg, till the Frame be finish't and
well setled for the securing of the work from the circumja-
cent earth. The Overseer hath promised to furnish me with a2017(2017)
piece of the Rock for your use; as also to signifie to me the
time, when they intend to uncover it; that, if possible, we
may make some such Experiments, as you have intimated.
That parcel of Natural Salt, which the instrument brought
up, divers that saw it assure me, was as hard as Allom, and as
pure; and when pulverized, became an Excellent, fine and
sharp Salt. The first discoverer of it was one John Jackson of
Halton, about Lady-day last, as he was searching for Coals on
the behalf of the Lord of the Soil, William Marbury of Mar-
bury Esquire. This is all I can at present serve you in; only
I am consulting diligent and experienced persons concerning
the practise of the Agriculture of this Country, and hope ere
long to give you such an account as I can; though I cannot
hope to discover any thing worth the notice of that truly
Royal Society. It will be enough to satisfie my ambition, if I
may but be continued in your thoughts as a Well-wisher to
such Noble persons and designs. In confidence whereof I
subscribe, &c. 2143 (2143) Numb. 71. Philosophical
Transactions
May, 22. 1671. 2151 (2151) A Narrative of some Observations lately made by certain Missionaries
in the Upper Egypt; communicated in a Letter written from
Cairo the sixth of Januar. 1670. BYBy yours of April the 20th last I find, that you desire to hear
some news concerning my Voyage in the Upper Egypt. I am
very ready to give you that satisfaction, provided you make our
friends share in it. I shall therefore tell you, that I have spent three
months time in that voyage, accompanied with my Brothers, the
F. Charles and Francis, alwaies ascending upon the Nile as high as
300 leagues above this City, being two daies journey on this side
of the Cascata's of the Nile, & where never any French-man hath
been within the memory of man. I there admired store of Idol-
Temples yet entire, together with very ancient Pallaces filled
with Statues and Idols. I counted in one place alone 7 Obelisks
like those at Rome, and about 120 Columns in one Hall, of the
bigness of five Brasses; full within and without, from the top to
the bottom, with Hieroglyphic Letters, and with Figures of false
Deities. I found Statues of white marble; and some of black of the
bigness of three persons, with a sword on their side, and of an
hard stone; namely, a Man and a Woman, at the least of the height
of eight fathoms, though seated in chairs; but well proportioned:
And two others of black marble representing women, with
Globes on their head and extravagant coverings thereon, which
were two foot broad from one shoulder to the other. If I had had more time allow'd me to make this Voyage, or
had not been obliged to stay long time upon the account of our
Mission, in such places where nothing considerable was to be
seen, I might have made very curious Observations. There are
places where I could not stay to view them but half an hour,
which required very well the stay of many hours, and we light-
ed not but in two places, where Antiquities were to be seen, one
whereof is called Lozor, and the other Candion, which is a very an-
cient Castle, esteemed by the Tradition of the Country to have
formerly been the Residence of a King. Nor indeed is this
hard to believe even before one enters into it, considering in
the advenues of the said Castle a great number of Sphinxes 2152(2152)
standing in a row, and turning their head towards the Alley. 'Tis
known that this is an Idol having the Head of a Woman and the
Body of a Lion, which was once a famous Deity among the E-
gyptians. They are distant from each other about two pa-
ces, and are 20 feet long. I walk'd in four Alleys ending at four
Gates of the Castle; and for ought I know there may be more
of them, seeing I went but half round the Castle, which is very
spacious. I reckon'd 60 of them on one side of one Alley, and
as many over against it; and 51 in another Alley; all well mea-
sur'd. The Alleys are of the largeness of a Pal-mall: the Gates
of that Castle are of an extraordinary height cover'd with
most excellent stones. Measuring one which maketh the
height of one of them, I found it 26½ foot long, and proportio-
nably thick. I believe, that there are above a million of Figures
in profil, none in front: I speak of those that are graven
on the Walls and Pillars. I should have needed a whole Month
to observe all the particulars of that place. I did content my
self to draw only the postures of a dozen of the most extrava-
gant Dæmons together with their Adorers of both Sexes; and
some Frontispieces of Temples, which are not very rich in Ar-
chitecture, but built of very fine stone. That which most pleas'd
me was the ground, where the Azure and the other Colours,
which are like enamel, appear as fresh as if they had been laid on
but a month before. There are Temples so spacious, that 3000
people may stand on the roof with ease. In the same Castle there
is a Pond, the water whereof is bitter, set about with fine stones.
This water is said perfectly to whiten Linnen all alone; which
I tried not, but we dipp'd our handcherchief in it, which kept
the sent of Soap for four or five daies. These are the only curiosities I can send you of our Voyage
which is not the fiftieth part of what was to be seen: but our time
being limited we only could stay in two places; our design not be-
ing curiosity, but to satisfie the charge of the Mission among the
Christian Cophthes of that Countrey, which are in great number
there, and have many Monasteries and ancient Churches, but
poor. We have passed many places, where was neither Priest
nor Church, but only the poor people like sheep without a Shep-
herd. I hope shortly to return thither, and not to come back a-
2153(2153)
gain with so much hast, after I shall have made a little voyage up-
on the Red Sea, whither I go every year to visit the poor Slaves
in the Gallies of the Turks, &c. F. Brothais. 2167 (2167) Numb. 72. Philosophical
Transactions.
June, 19. 1671. 2170 (2170) A Letter written to the Publisher from York, Jan. 10. 1670,
concerning a kind of Fly that is Viviparous, together with
a Set of curious Inquiries about Spiders, and a Table of the
several sorts of them to be found in England, amounting to
at least 33. By Mr. Martyn Lister.
Sir,
I ReturnI return you thanks for your obliging Letter of the
third of January, and have sent you the Viviparous Fly
and the Sett of Inquiries you desire of me. The Fly is
one, if not the very biggest, of the harmless Tribe that
I have met with in England; I call them harmless; because
that they are without that hard Tongue or Sting in the
mouth, with which the æstrum-kind, or Gad-flyes, trouble
and offend both man and beasts. This Fly is striped
upon the shoulders grey and black, and as it were
checkered on the tail with the same two colours: the
Female may be known by a redness on the very point of
the tail. The very latter end of May 1666, I opened
several of them, and found two Baggs of live white
worms of a long and round shape, with black heads;
they moved both in my hand and in the un-opened Ves-
cicles, backwards and forwards, as being all disposed in
the Cells, length-ways the body of the femal, like a
Sheaf. Some such thing is hinted by Aldrovandus lib. i. de 2171 (2171)
Insect. p.57. edit. Bonon. Tiro cùm essem (saies he) è gran-
dioribus muscis unam albis pictam lineis, specie illectus, cepi:
ea, in vola manus aliquanduretenta, plusculos edidit Vermi-
culos candidos, mobilitate propria insignes. This is the only Fly I have observed with live and
moving worms in the belly of it; yet I guess, we may
venture to suspect all of this Tribe to be in some mea-
sure Viviparous.
With these Flyes I have sent you a paper of those odd-
turned Snails **See Numb.
50. 1011., mentioned in my former
Letter, which perhaps you may think will
deserve a place in the Repository amongst
the rarities of the R. Society. 2215 (2215) Numb. 74. Philosophical
Transactions.
August 14. 1671. 2221 (2221) A further Accompt of the Stellar Fish; formerly described in
Numb. 57. p. 1153; with the Addition of some other Cu-
riosities. THis AccomptThis accompt was communicated by the same Gen-
tleman, that imparted the former, in a Letter writ-
ten from Boston in New England Oct. 26.1670. as followeth: 2222 (2222)
— Since my former, I found out the Fisher man, who
brought that Stellar Fish from Sea. I asked all the questi-
ons I could think needful concerning it. I understood
from him, that he never saw nor heard of any but those
few, that were taken by himself, which were not above
six or seven in all, and those at several times, not far from
the Shoals of Nantucket (which is an Island upon the Coast
of New England,) when he was fishing for Cod, and such
like Marchantable fish. This Stellar Fish, when it was a-
live, and first pull'd out of the water, was like a basket,
and had gathered it self round like a Wicker-basket, ha-
ving taken fast hold upon that bait on the hook, which
he had sunk down to the bottom to catch other Fish, and
having held that within the surrounding brachia, would
not let it go, though drawn up into the Vessel; until by ly-
ing a while on the Deck, it felt the want of its natural E-
lement, and then voluntarily it extended it self into the flat
round form, in which it appear'd when presented to your
view. What motion these fishes had in the water, could not be
known to him, for the water was deep, & they could not be
seen in any other form than so gather'd up together to hold
fast the bait. The only use that could be discern'd of all
that curious composure wherewith Nature had adorned it,
seems to be, to make it as a pursenet to catch some other
fish or any other thing fit for its food, and as a basket of
store to keep some of it for future supply, or as a recepta-
cle to preserve and defend the young ones of the same
kind from fish of prey; if not to feed on them also
(which appears probable the one or the other;) for that
sometimes there were found pieces of Mackerel within
that concave: And he told me, that once he caught one,
which had within the hollow of its embracements a very
small fish of the same kind, together with some piece or
pieces of an other fish, which was judged to be of a Mac-
kerel. And that small one ('tis like) was kept either for
its preservation or for food to the greater; but being a-
live, it seems most likely it was there lodged for safety,
except it were accidentally drawn within the net, toge-
2223(2223)
ther with that piece of fish, upon which it might be then
feeding. He told me further, that every one of those smallest
parts* *See the Figure of this
Fish in Numb. 57.had motion when it was a-
live, and a tenacious strength; but
after it was dead and extended to a
flat round, it was so britle that it could not be handled
without breaking some parts of it; but by careful laying
of it to dry, it was thereby somewhat hardened.
He added, that he had taken one of this kind of fish the
latter end of this Summer, but had left it with a friend at a-
nother port where he had been. Mean time he promised to
procure it for me when he should fail thither again, if it
were not then broken or defaces. I hope I shall en-
gage him for the future to take better notice of what
may be remarkable about it. Upon occasion I have
inquired of divers other Fishermen and Mariners, but can
meet with none other that ever have taken any of these
fishes. This fisherman could not tell me of any name it
hath, and 'tis in all likelihood yet nameless, being not com-
monly known as other Fish are. But, until a fitter English
name be found for it, why may it not be called (in regard
of what hath been before mentioned of it) a Basket-Fish,
or a Net Fish, or a Purs-net-Fish?
I send you withal a litle Box, with a Curiosity in it, which
perhaps will be counted a trifle, yet 'tis rarely to be met
with even here. It is the curiously contrived Nest of a
Humming-Bird** Of which see a notable
Description in the History
of the Antiles l.I. c.15. art.17.
where it hath the name of
Colibry., so call from the
humming noise it maketh whil'st it
flies. 'Tis an exceeding litle Bird,
and only seen in Summer, and most-
ly in Gardens, flying from flower to
flower, sucking Hony out of the flowers as a Bee doth;
as it flieth not lighting on the * These Eggs were so
small, that being weighed
by the Publisher, the one
weighed but about 5 grains,
the other 3½: And the whole
Nest weighed no more then
24 grains. flow-
er, but hovering over it, sucking
with its long Bill a sweet substance.
There are in the same Nest two of
that Birds Eggs*? Whether they
use to have more at once, I know
not. I never saw but one of those Nests before; and that 2224(2224)
was sent over formerly, with some other Rarities, but the
Vessel miscarrying you received them not. 2271 (2271) Numb. 76. Philosophical
Transactions.
October 22. 1671. 2281 (2281) A Letter of Mr. Martin Lister, written at York August 25 1671.
confirming the Observation in No 74. about Musk sented Insects;
adding some Notes upon D. Swammerdam's book of Insects, and
on that of M. Steno concerning Petrify'd Shells. 2282 (2282)
But I leave this, and proceed to a remark of my own; and
it shall be, if you please, concerning Petrified Shells; I mean
such Shells, as I have observed in our English stone-Quarries.
But sir, let me premise thus much, that I am confident, that
you at least will acquit me, and not believe me one of a li-
tigious nature. This I say in reference to what I have lately
read in Steno's Prodromus, that, if my sentiments on this parti-
cular are somewhat different from his, it proceeds not from a
spirit of contradiction, but from a different view of Nature.
First then, we will easily believe, that in some Countries, and
particularly along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, there
may all manner of Sea shells be found promiscuously included in
Rocks or Earth, and at good distances too from the Sea. But,
for our English-inland Quarries, which also abound with in-
finite number and great varieties of shells, I am apt to think,
there is no such matter, as Petrifying of Shells in the business
(or, as Steno explains himself p. 84. in the English Version, &
alibi, that the substance of those shells, formerly belonging
to animals, hath been dissolved or wasted by the penetrating
force of juices, and that a stony substance is come in the
place thereof,) but that these Cockle-like stones ever were,
as they are at present, Lapides sui generis, and never any part
of an Animal. That they are so at present, is in effect confes-
sed by Steno in the above cited page; and it is most certain, 2283 (2283)
that our English Quarry-shells (to continue that abusive name)
have no parts of a different Texture from the rock or quarry
they are taken, that is, that there is no such thing as shell in
these resemblances of shells, but that Iron-stone Cockles are
all Iron stone; Lime or marble all Lime-stone and Marble;
Sparre or Chrystalline-shells all Sparre, &c. and that they
never were any part of an Animal. My reason is: That Quar-
ries of different stone yeild us quite different sorts or species
of shells, not only one from another (as those Cockle-stone;
of the Iron-stone Quarries of Adderton in York-shire differ from
those found in the Lead-mines of the neighbouring moun-
tains, and both these from that Cockle-Quarrie of Wansford-
bridge in Northampton-Shire, and all three from those to be
found in the Quarries about Gunthrop and Beavour-Castle, &c;)
but, I dare boldly say, from any thing in nature besides, that
either the land, salt, or fresh water doth yeild us. 'Tis true,
that I have picked out of that one Quarry of Wansford very
resemblances of Murices, Telinæ, Turbines, Cochleæ, &c. and
yet I am not convinced, when I particularly examined some
of our English shores for shells, also the fresh waters and the
fields, that I did ever meet with (N.B.) any one of those
species of shells any where else, but in their respective Quar-
ries, whence I conclude them Lapides sui generis, and that they
were not cast in any Animal-mold, whose species or race is yet
to be found in being at this day. This argument perhaps will not so readily take place with
those persons, that think it not worth the while exactly and
minutely to distinguish the several species of the things of na-
ture, but are content to acquiesce in figure, resemblance, kind,
and such general notions; but when they shall please to con-
descend to heedful and accurate discriptions, they will, I
doubt not, be of that opinion, which an attentive view of these
things led me into some years ago. Though I make no doubt,
but the Repository of the R. Society is amply furnished with
things of this nature; yet if you shall command them,
I will send you up two or three sorts of our English Cockle-
stones of different Quarries, nearly resembling one the other
and all of them very like a common sort of Sea-shell, and yet 2284(2284)
if there shall not be enough specifically to distinguish them,
and hinder them from being sampled by any thing of the
spoils of the Sea or fresh waters or the land-snails; my argu-
ment will fall, and I shall be happily convinced of an Er-
rour. 2295 (2295) Numb. 77. Philosophical
Transactions.
November 20. 1671. 3002 (3002) Some Additions of Mr. Lyster to his former Communication about
Vegetable Excrescencies, and Ichneumon Wasps; together
with an Inquiry concerning Tarantula's, and a Discovery of ano-
ther Musk-sented Insect: transmitted to the Publisher from
York in two Letters, of Octob. 16. and 28. 1671.
But next among other things, I had the good fortune to pre-
sent Mr.Willoughby giving me the honour of two visits, with a
Musk-Ant **See of two or three
more Musk-Insects
Num. 74. p. 2220.
and Numb. 76.
p. 2281. an Insect observed by me not
many days before his first visit: And though I
cannot send you the Insects themselves, as
having parted with all I had, yet I will the
Note, viz. Septemb. 2. I found in a Sandy Ditch-bank, the first hol-
low beyond the Ring-houses in the high-road to London a-
bout a mile and an half from York, a sort of exceeding
small Pismires (by which note alone I think they may be suf-
ficiently distinguish't from all at least that I have seen.) 3003(3003)
Those without wings were of a light-yellow or flaxen, and
being broken at on's nostrils they emitted, like others, an acid
or sowre sent; but those of the same bank with wings, were
cole-black, audand these, bruised and smelt to, emitted so fra-
grant a smell like musk, that I must confess they were too strong
for me to endure: yet having kept them some time by me, the
more delicate sex were not displeased with the smell. And
an Apothecary in this City, famous for his diligence in Chy-
mical Operations, did compare them (unseen and not yet
made known to him) to an excellent balsom, he is wont to
prepare. Mr.Willoughby inform'd me, that he had found the Goat-
chaser or Sweet beetle ** Of which see
Numb. 74.p.
2220. and N.
76.p.2281. out of season as to that
smell; and thereupon asked me, what I had ob-
served as to the time of their sweetest and strong-
est smelling? I answer'd, that I believed it to be
at the time of the Coit, for asmuch as at that time,
when I took them highly perfumed, I had observed the female
full of Egg. 4055 (4055) Numb. 83. Philosophical
Transactions.
May 20. 1672. 4062 (4062) An Account of a Stone cut out from under the tongue of a Man; late-
ly sent in a Letter of Mr. Listers to his Grace the Lord Arch-
Bishop of York.
May it please your Grace,
INIn obedience to your Grace's Commands, I have penned the
Circumstances of a not common Medical observation, viz.
the Excision of a stone from under the tongue. And I here withherewith
present your Grace also with the stone its self, as I had it from
the person it was taken.* *This Stone is now
in the custody of the
R. Society, to
whom it was pre-
sented afterwards. As to the occasion and time of its birth, he tels
me, (My Lord, you may be pleas'd to give firm
Credit to every particular, that he hath answer-
ed me at your Grace's instance) it was from a
winter Sea-voyage, which lasted much longer
than he expected, and wherein he suffered an exceeding cold;
and that, not long after his landing, he found a certain Nodus
or hard lump in the very place whence this stone was cut. There
was about 8 years betwixt its breading and being taken away. As to its growth, and the inconveniences thence ensuing; he
further saith, that upon all fresh cold-taking, he suffered much
pain in that part was no more painful than the rest of his mouth. He
adds, that towards the 7th and 8th year it did often cause 4063(4063)
sudden swellings in all the Glanduls about the mouth and throat
upon the first draught of beer at meals; which yet would in a
short time fall again. Lastly, as to the particulars remarkable at the time of its be-
ing taken away, he relates; That it began its work with a sud-
den vertigo; which vertiginous disposition continued more or
less from Spring 'till August; in which month, without any
præviousprevious cause save riding, the place where it was lodged sud-
dainly swelled, and ran purulent matter at the aperture of the
ductus Whartonianus: that it suddainly stopped of its running
(which he cannot attribute to any thing but Cold,) and swelled
with a great inflammation, and very great danger of choaking;
it being scarce credible, what pain the party suffered in endea-
vouring to swallow even beer, or any liquid thing. This extremity lasted 5 days, in all which time, the party had
so vast a flux of spittle running from him, that it was not possibe
for him to repose his head to sleep, without wetting all the bed
about him; insomuch as that it was very much questioned by
some friendly visitants, whether he had not of himself, or by
mistake, made use of some Mercurial medicine. The varieties or degrees of this spontaneous salivation were such,
that he urged me not to omit them in the relation I was to make
to your Grace, as thinking them very notable. The first day, the saliva ran thin and transparent, almost like
water without any bubles. The 2 day it ran frothy; it tasted salt,
(which yet he is apt to think hot rather than really salt, beacuse
that day the inflammation was at the height). The 3 day it roaped
exceedingly; on which day a small pin-hole broak directly o-
ver the place of the Stone and ran with purulent matter as for-
merly. The 4 day the saliva ran insipid, sensibly cold in the
mouth; (which again confirms me in that opinion, that the
former sharp tast was the effect of heat, and not the immediate
quality of a salt humour;) very little frothy. The 5 day (which
was the day of the incision,) it ran as on the 4th but left an ex-
tream claminess on the teeth, insomuch that they often clave
together, as though they had been joyned together with glue. Upon the incision, which proved not wide enough, the mem-
branes or baggs, wherein the Stone lay, came away first. As to the
Stone it self, it was so hard as to endure the forcipes in drawing it 4064(4064)
forth; it was covered over with a grass green matter, which soon
dryed, and left the stone of a whitish colour, as it is to be seen.
It is but light in proportion to its bulk, weighing about 7 grains;
and 'tis much of the shape of our ordinary horse-beans. There
are visible impressions upon it of some Capillary and small vess-
els, it was bred amongst. Lastly, it is scabrous or rough, sand-
like, although the substance is Tophaceous. The Accidents accompaning the working away of this Stone,
(for the incision was merely obsterical,) and the place of its
birth give occasion to call the distemper a Ranula. Yet in truth
this was nothing else but one of those Tumours called Atheroma;
and therefore we will name it lapis Atheromatis. 6155 (6155) Numb. 99. Philosophical
Transactions.
Decemb. 22. 1673. 6158 (6158) An Account of some of the Natural things, with which the Intel-
ligent and Inquisitive Signor Paulo Boccone, of Sicily, hath
lately presented the Royal Society, and enriched their Reposi-
tory. AMongstAmongst the many curiosities, making up this handsom
Present, we shall here particularly take notice of these
following: 1. Of the un-common pieces of Coral red and white; of
both which some are ramified in solid massy bodies; others
(the rarer sort,) are Corallin incrustations upon truly wood-
den and branchy sticks, and do terminate in small and tender
Corallin buttons or flowers; in some of which the Presenter
affirm'd to have, upon squeezing them, found a lacteous Juice.
Himself having been present at the Coral-fishing in the Chan-
nel of Messina, which separates Calabria from Sicily, relates in
a letter of his, written on that subject to Signor Marchetti,
Professor of the Mathematiques at Pisa, that, before the Co-
ral-fishers drew their nets out of the water, he immersed
his hand and arm into the Sea to feel, whether the Coral was
soft under the water before it was drawn up into the air, and
found it altogether hard, except the round end, above-men-
tioned under the name of button; which having been bruised
with his nails, he found it made up of five or six little cells,
full of a white and somewhat mucilaginous liquor, resembling
that milky Juice, found in Summer in the long cods of the
herb, call'd Fluvialis pistana foliis denticulatis, spoken of by
Joh. Bauhinus. This Corallin juice he calls Leven, because
having tasted it himself, as well as the Mariners did, they
always found it of a sharp and adstringent taste, in such pie-
ces as came recently out of the Se; those that are dried
loosing that part of the taste which is acrimonious, and re-
taining only that which is adstringent: Which change of
taste he affirms to be made in about six hours after the Coral
hath been drawn up; in which time also the said Leven, that
is inclosed in the pores, is dried, and hath changed its co-
lour. He inclines strongly to the opinion of those who con-
ceive, that the long concoction of the ferment fixes the parts,
and produces the red colour, especially being near to the
hard coral, and the red vermillion, which surrounds it. 6159 (6159) This Observer, having engaged the ingenious Monsieur
Guisony to impart to him his thoughts concerning that famous
Question, Whether Coral be a Vegetable, received for answer,
That 'tis so far from being a Plant, that 'tis a meer Mineral,
composed of much Salt and a little Earth; and that 'tis form'd
into that substance by a precipitation of divers Salts, that en-
sues upon the encounter of the Earth with those Salts; after
the manner of the known Metallique Tree, which in a very
little time is form'd and increased by the setling and combina-
tion of Mercury and Silver, dissolv'd in Aqua fortis, and after-
wards cast into common water; the parts of this Mineral and
Metal joining themselves to one another. Which thing also
happens in some subterraneous Grotto's, where by a continual
and long fall of water-drops many sorts of figures, and, a-
mongst them, shapes of little trees are formed. This senti-
ment he confirms by alledging, that he can shew a Salt of Co-
ral, which, being cast into water, and there dissolved, upon the
evaporation of that water by a gentle heat is presently coa-
gulated, and converted into store of small sticks, resembling
a little forrest. 2. A certain stony substance, that is fissile, and hath the
scent of bitumen, complicated and laid together membran-
like, and found in the Hyblean mountains of Sicily, near Mi-
lelli, neighbouring upon the town of Augusta, and the ancient
Megara. Being burnt in a Candle, the bituminous smell will
soon be perceived; and 'tis affirm'd, that this stony body, be-
ing recently sever'd from its mine and bed, is flexible like pa-
per; but being long exposed to the Air snd Sun, becomes
frangible. And the herbs, that grow on this stone, do insinu-
ate their fibers and roots between the several coats of the
same. It may deserve to have its uses examined, there be-
ing found whole hillocks cover'd with it. 3. A not ordinary sangui-suga or Leech. found sticking fast
in the fish called Xiphias or Sword-fish, slightly mention'd by
Gesner in his book de Aquatilibus, and Johnston in his book de
Piscibus. Our presenter gives it the name of Hirudo or Acus
caudâ utrinque pennatâ, because of its working it self into the
flesh, and sucking the blood of the said Fish. He describes it to
be of about four inches long; the belly of it white, cartilagi-
6160(6160) nous and transparent; without eyes or head (that he could
observe,) but in stead of a head, it hath a hollow snout encom-
passed with a very hard membrane, differing in colour and
substance from the belly; which snout it thrusts whole into
the body of the fish, (as strongly as an auger is wound into a
piece of wood,) and fills it full of blood unto the very ori-
fice. It hath a tail shaped like a feather, serving for its moti-
on, and, under it, two filamenst or slender fibres, longer than
the whole Insect, whereby, it seems, it clings about stones or
herbs, and sticks the closer in the body of the Sword-fish; of
which it attacks those parts only, where the fins of the fish
cannot touch or trouble it; the Observer affirming, that he
hath often found it sticking in the back and in the belly, and
sometimes close to the head, sometimes close to the tail of that
fish, but always far enough from the fins. Within its belly he
noted some vessels, like small guts, reaching from one end of it
to the other, which by the pressure of his nail he made reach
to the orifice of the snout, whence they retired back of them-
selves to their natural scituation; they seeming to be the in-
struments for sucking the blood, because the snout is in it self
an empty part, destitute of fibres and valves to draw and suck
with; whereas these vessels have a motion resembling that of
a pump, in which the snout of this animal serves for a sucker,
drawing the blood from end to the other: And the belly
of this Insect being framed ring-wise, the structure serves to
thrust the said inner vessels unto the orifice of the trunk, and
to draw them back again. This creature as it torments the
Swordfish, so it is, by our bservers relation, vexed it self by
another Insect, which he calls a Lowse, of an ash colour, fastened
towards the tail of this Leech as fermly, as a sea-snail is to a
rock. 'Tis of the bigness of a pea, and hath an opening, whence
come out many small winding and hairy threds. It hath not
been observed, (as far as our Author could learn,)
to trouble, or to be upon, any other animal than this
Leech. 4. A parcel of Sal Armoniac, brought away from Sicily,
where it had been gather'd in the late fiery Eruption of
Mount Ætna, having been there found copiously, some days
after that the fire was extinguisht, upon the surface of that 6161(6161)
ferrunginous matter which was left of the burnt minerals. This
Salt, he saith, was some of it as yellow as saffron, some like ci-
tron-colour, some white, and some greenish; which colours
though they may seem to come from the several sorts of Mines
of Iron, Brass, &c. whence the Salt issues; yet considering the Ex-
periment made with it by Signor Borelli in his History of the
late Burning of Ætna (of which an Account was given in
Numb. 75. of these Tracts,) it was a Factitious Salt, such as is
sold in shops, being a concrete of Niter, Sulphur and Vitriol
burnt and sublimed. For, it seems, when he found so great
a plenty of this Salt, and had heard, that the force of Gun-
powder was highly increased by the mixture of Sal Armoniac,
and thence conceived, that this Salt might have much con-
tributed to the conflagration of this Mountain,and to the
fusion of the fabulous, and the fluxing of the vitreous matter;
he, for a tryal, added some of this Sal Armoniac to pulveri-
sed sulphur and niter; but found, to his amazement, that it
was so far from being kindled by fire, that it manifestly hin-
dred the accension of the Brimstone and Salt-peter, which
were even extinguish't by it as if water had been powr'd on
them: And the same happn'd, upon the addition of pow-
der'd coals, wont to be mix'd in common gun-powder.
Which Experiment, he adds, made him suspect, that this Sal
Armoniac, found about Ætna, had not been existent in those
caverns from the beginning, but that 'tis factitious, as was
hinted above. For the other particulars of this Present, consisting of
many Figur'd Stones, Shells, Glosso-petras, Fishes, Plants, Mi-
neral Bezoards of Sicily, &c.; we shall not here enlarge upon
them, as being already described in many Authors. 1 (1) Numb. 101.
Beginning the Tenth Year. Philosophical
Transactions.
March 25. 1674 An Observation of Dr. Johnstons of Pomphret, communicated
by him to Mr. Lister, and by him sent in a Letter to the
Publisher, concerning some Stones of a perfect Gold-colour,
found in Animals THatThat no page of his Letter may be empty (saith Mr. Lister)
I shall transcribe for you an Observation of Dr. Johnstons.
In the German Philosophic Ephemerides of the year 1672, I meet
with these words of Doctor Wedelius, Obs. 246. pag 439. Possideo
particulam Calculi vaccini, instar Auri foliorum fulgidi; the subject
of that Observation being an Enumeration and the Description
of several Stones found in divers Animals, as in Doggs,
Hoggs, Staggs, and in Cows also; of which last the now quoted
words are all he saith. I do begg Dr. Johnstons pardon for having
kept by me two years an Observation of this nature, which
he was pleased to communicate to me, and which yet was so surprising,
that I had not the assurance to offer it to you, being in
this as well as in all other matters, relating to the phoenomena
of Natural History, very diffident. What reasons I then had to
doubt of the truth of this Observation, he best knows, and I shall
not trouble you with; being a little more confident since I
read the words of D. Wedelius, that the Stones sent me by the
Learned Doctor were such indeed, and not some Insects Eggs,
as I once did verily perswade my self they were. His Letter bears date April 22. 1672. from Pomphret About this time twelve month (saith the Doctor) the one Thomas
Capidge, a butcher of Pomphret, killed an Ox for the
shambles, in which nothing was observed, preternatural, till the
Bladder being blown by his servant, there was some thing ob-
served sticking to the inside with a duskish froth. Keeping the
Bladder half-blown, the butchers Son, who first discoverd it,
knocked with his hand on the side and the bottom of the blad-
der, to make it settle to the neck, and by shaking and squeezing
it got out the froth, and about two hundred little globular
stones of several sizes, the biggest being about this (O) cir-
cumference; others like pin-heads or mustard-seed. He 10 (10)
rubb’d the slimy froth from them, and they appear’d of a
duskish yellow colour and smooth. Some he broak, and the
rest he kept in a paper; which when dry, they were like
Seed-pearl, but more smooth, and of a perfect gold-colour,
and so ever after continued, as you see them. Viewed in a
Microscope, they appeared very polished, and without any
rugosities: The Figure in most was sphæerical; in some a
little cotnpressed; the colour like burnisht gold. I broke one
or two of them with some difficulty, and I found by the
Microscope, that it was only a thin shell that was so orient
and bright, the inner side of which shell was like unpolish’t
gold; The inmost substance was like brown Sugar-candy to
the naked eye, but not so transparent: The taste was not
discernable. In Spirit of Vitriol they shrunk much and
wasted, but continued their colour, (possibly by reason of
the outward skin, which, it seems, in these was as difficult
to dissolve as in true pearls:) Likewise Aqua fortis would
corrode and dissolve them tumultuously. Thus far the Doctor. I do not question (so concludes Mr.
Lister,) but he hath store of these guilt stones in his cabinet,
for, as I remember, he was so choice of them, that the
parcel he sent me to view, was order’d to be returned again:
at least, none of them remained with me. I am
Yours,
York March 12
167¾ 89 (89) Numb. 105. Philosophical
Transactions.
July 20. 1674 96 (96) An Extract of a Letter of Mr. Martin Lister concerning the first
part of his Tables of Snails, together with some Quære's rela-
ting to those Insects, and the Tables themselves; sent to the
Publisher from York March 12. 1673. I HerewithI herewith send you the first part of our Tables of Snails, and
some Quære's upon that subject; also the lively figure of
each Shell for illustation, done by Mr. Lodge. I reserve by me
the Sea-shells and Rock-stones. That part, I send you at present,
being at a stand with me, those other increase upon my hands
daily; which though that be not a sign of Perfection (for there
is undoubted work for many ages,) yet it is of good advance-
ment and progress; this other of the copiousness of the subject.
Again, in that part of the Tables, you have from me, Authors are
very little concerned; in the other of Sea-shells and Stone-like
Shells there are many authors, which are to be consulted and
taken in, if possibly we can understand them treating of the same
species. As for Rock-shells in particular, they come in to me in
greater numbers, than I could ever have imagined. And I can as-
97(97) sure you, that of near 30 Species, I have now by me, found in
this Country alone, not any one can be sampled by any Sea,
Fresh-water or Land-Snail, that I have, or ever saw. So that
you see, I have still good reason to doubt of their Original,
besides many other arguments that my Observations about
Fossils do afford, and which you may possibly one Day see.
And that there are the elegant Representations of even Bi-
valve-shells, which never ow'd their Original to any Animal, I
can demonstrate; and think none, that hath considered the
Thing with me, yet hath denyed: Of which hereafter. But
whether all be so or no, I choose this Method, as the most
convincing, viz. to give a Comparative View. Some general Quære's concerning Land and Fresh-
water Snails. 1. Whether there are other Shell-snails at land, than Turbi-
binateTurbi-
nate?
2. Whether this kind of Insect are truly Androgyna, and
equally participate of both Sexes, as Mr. Ray first observed;
and whether both of them two, which shall be found in the act
of Venery, do accordingly Spawn, or lay those perfectly
round and clear Eggs, so frequently to be met with the sur-
face of the Earth and in the Water too; and the circumstances
of those Eggs hatching?
3. Whether the Way of fatting Snails, in use amongst the
Romans, that is, to make little paved places incircled with wa-
ter, be not also very expedient in order to the true noting the
manner of their Generation?
4. What light the Anatomy of this kind of Insect may give
to the rest?
5. Whether the black spots, observable in the horns of
some Snails, are Eyes, as some Authors affirm, and not rather
parts equivalent to the antennæ of other Insects; as the flat and
exceeding thin shape, also the branched horns, in other Species
of Snails seem to confirm?
6. Whether the coccinea Sanies, which some of our Water-
snails freely and plentifully yield, be not a Saliva rather than 98 (98)
am extravasated blood: The like may be thought of the Juyce of
the Purple-fish, now out of use, since the great plenty of Cochi-
neil?
7. In what sort of Snails are the Stones, mentioned by the
Antients, to be found? And whether they are not to be found
(in such as yield them) at certain times of the year? And whe-
thertheryther they are a cure for a Quartan; or what other real vertues
they have?
8. What medicinal vertues Snails may have, as restorative to
Hectic persons; and what credit the Romans may deserve,coun-
ting them, especially the necks of them, highly venereal; Celsus
also particularly commending them to be boni succi, and stoma-
cho aptas.
9. Also inquire concerning the Mechanical uses of the Sali-
va of these animals, as in dying, whitening of wax, hair, &c.
Note, that the Figures are numbered and explain'd by the
Tables. The Figures of the naked Snails are omitted in this
Specimen,being not material to that part of the design, which is,
(when the other parts of these Tables are finish't,) to give the
Reader an exact view of Animal-shells, as well as of Fossils fi-
gured like Shells, whereby he will be best able to Judge, what
to think of their Original. 99 (99) Tabulæ Cochlearum Anglicæ, tum Terrestrium Fluviatilium-
que, tum Marinarum, quibus accedunt Lapides ad
Cochlearum similitudinem figurati. Vid. Tab. II.
1. Cochlea cinerea maxima edulis, cujus Os operculo gypsco
per hyemem tegitur, agri Hartfordiensis.
2. Cochlea cinereo levitèr rufescens, striata, operculo testa-
ceo cochleato donata.
3. Cochlea & colore & fasciis multa varietate ludens.
4. Cochlea subslava, maculata, atque unica fascia sastanei
coloris per medium anfractûs insignita.
5. Cochlea vulgaris major, hortensis, maculata & fasciata.
6. Buccinum exignum subflavum, mucrone obtuso, sive figurâ
cylindricâ.
7. Buccinum alterum exiguum in Musco degens, 5 anfractuum,
mucrone acuto.
8. Buccinum rupium majusculum, senis orbibus protractum.
9. Buccinum parvum sive trochilus sylvaticus agri Lincolni-
ensis.
10. Buccinum pullum, ore compresso, circitèr denis spiris fa-
stigiatum.
11. Buccinum alterum pellucidum, subflavum, intra senos fe-
rè orbes mucronatum.
12. Cochlea cinerea, fasciata, Ericetorum.
13. Cochlea altera, pulla, sylvatica, spiris in aciem depressis.
14. Limax cinereus maximus, striatus et maculatus, lapillo
sive ossicullo insigni, loco Cranii, donatus, locis udis et umbro-
sis degens.
15. Limax cinereus alter, parvus, unicolor, pratensis.
16. Limax ater.
17. Cochlea fasciata, ore ad amussim rotundo.
18. Buccinum flavum, pellucidum, intra tres spiras terminatum.
19. Buccinum alterum majus, paulo obscurius, pellucidum ta-
men, 4 Spirarum, mucrone acutissimo.
20. Buccinum fuscum, 5 Spirarum plenarum, mucrone sæpi-
ùs mutilato, obtusoque.
21. Buccinum subflavum alterum, 5 Spirarum, atque operculo
tenui et pellucido, testaceo tamen cochleatoque donatum.
22. Buccinum longum sex spirarum; in tenue acumen ex ampli-
ssimâ basi mucro-
natum.
23. Cochlea pulla, ex utraque parte circa umbilicum cava.
24. Cochlea altera parte plena, et limbo donata, 4 circumvo-
lutionumcircumvo-
lationum.
25. Cochlea minor, alterâ parte plana, sine limbo, 5 circum-
volutionum.
26. Musculus, parvus, subflavus, testâ pellucidâ, pisi magni-
tudine, palustris.
27. Musculus alter, fluminum maximus, subviridis. 193 (193) Numb. 109. Philosophical
Transactions.
Decemb. 14. 1674 194 (194) Some Queries and Answers, relating to an Account given in Numb. 54.
by Dr. Edw. Brown, of a strange Lake in Carniola, call'd the
Zirchnitz-Sea: The Queries were made by a Curious person in
France; the Answers given by the Author of the said Accompt. 1. Q. WHetherWhether the Mountains that compass this Lake, except
on the South-side, be very high, and whether the Snow
keep long upon them? A. This Lake is encompassed with high
hills at some little distance, but when I was upon the Lake, I saw
no Snow upon them; but upon Mountains in the Country, as I tra-
vell'd to and from this Lake, I observ'd Snow in June. upon Hills
on the side of great Lakes the Snow lyes not so long as upon hills
more distant.
2. Q. Whether the Holes and Openings, by which these Waters
run out, are in stones, or in the loose Earth? A. Generally they are
stony, not in soft or loose Earth; yet in one or two places the Earth
hath been known to sink and fall in, particularly near a Village
call'd Sea-dorf. 195(195)
3. Q. Whether these Holes be the same every year, and whether
no New ones are made? A. The great Holes are the same every year;
but possibly part of the water may sometimes find or make new
passages through the crevices and cribrous parts of the Field.
4. Q. Whether they have not searched into these Holes, and do not
see the water at the bottom of these holes, or in wells, at the time when
this Lake is discharged of the greatest part of its water? A. They
have searched into these holes, and when the water goeth first away,
they see it in them for a while, but afterwards it descends lower
out of their sight.
5. Q. Whether, when the water is descended in June into those
Holes, there remains none of it in this Lake in places above those
holes? A. There remains at that time no water, at least not any
that is considerable for any time in places more elevated than those
holes, most of it draining away towards the holes in the Valleys;
the rest is either imbibed by the Earth, or, if any remain in the
hilly or rocky part, it is evaporated.
6. Q. Whether there be not thereabout some River, or Snow, or
Ice, that may furnish this Lake with the water that returns into it
in September ? A. The snow falls not till after the Lake is return'd.
There are divers considerable Rivers in the Countries about this
Lake; but these furnish not this Lake, but run a contrary way.
And I could not learn, whether these Rivers did increase or de-
crease upon the descent or return of the water of this Lake.
7. Q. How those that take the Fish at the return of the water, can
remain at the place of the holes, when the water comes to rise high
and with force ? A. I affirm, not that they take the Fish when the
water ascends, but when it descends. For, besides that the water
spreads speedily, the Prince of Eckenberg, who is Lord of this
Lake and the parts about it, will not permit them at that time to
make any such attempt, expecting to have the Lake replenisht a-
gain with the Fish without diminishing them.
8. Q. Of what bigness are those Holes, and whether the openings
of them are perpendicular, or side wayes? A. The Holes are of dif-
ferent largeness and figure; some perpendicular at the beginning,
and then oblique; others oblique at first; scarce two exactly a-
like. Such holes I have seen in other parts of Carniola, and in o-
ther Countries also. We have a hole call'd Elden-hole, not made
by art, but naturally in the mountain, in the Peak-country of
Darbyshire, above 80 fathoms deep.
9. Q. How much the Water ascends in September, and in what 196(196)
space of time? A. The water ascends so plentifully, that it fills the
Lake in a short time, especially the Valleys; and the hole in as
short a space, as a Field of about two leagues long and one broad
can well be filled; but I cannot determine it to a day: For, some
years the water ariseth so plentifully, that it fills all about Nider-
dorf, and almost to Zirchnitz.
10. Q. Whether the water returning is turbid or clear? A. The
water that spouts seems somewhat clear in the Air, but being spread
about, looks as formerly in the Lake.
11. Q. whether the water being all return'd in September, remains
until the month of June following at one and the same hight? A. The
water is not alwayes at the same highth, but somewhat differing ac-
cording unto rains, snows, or drought; and they are sensible of its
highth by the tops of the hills in it and its spreading towards Zirch-
nitz; but it alters not very much till it begins to go away.
12. Q. Whether no River enters this Lake; and whether it have
no other way of discharge but by these subterraneous Openings? A. No
River enters it, but only inconsiderable Rivolets on the South and
East-side; nor hath it any other discharge known, but by the holes.
13. Q. Whether the Scituation of this Lake in respect of the neigh-
bouring Country be not very high? A. The Country is high about the
Lake, but the Lake is not high in respect of the Country near it,
but low. Travelling from this Lake towards Idria, a place noted
for Quicksilver-mines, I found the Country mountanous; there are
Mountains between it and Istria, and between it and the Sea; there
are Mountains in Dalmatia, and also towards Croatia, and upon
divers Mountains in other Countries there are waters replenisht
with Fish, as upon mount Cenis.
14. Q. Whether there be not some neighbouring Hills, the last Ice
of which melting in June, may open a passage to the water of this
Lake, and which beginning again to freeze in September, may stop a-
gain the passage, and force the water to return into this Lake? A. I
did not hear of any Mountain near it, the Ice of which melting
might open a passage to the water of this Lake; but probably this
Lake may hold dependance of, and communication with some sub-
terraneous great Lake or Magazin of water belonging to these Hilly
regions, which when full, and running over, may vent it self with
force and plenty into this field, and when scant of water, absorbe
and drink-in the same again; the water of the Lake returning but
from whence it came, having no River running out of it, whereby
to be discharged. 197(197)
15. Q. Whether this Lake freezeth, and whether it hath many
fountains on its banks or comming from near hills? A. It freezeth
in the Winter like other Lakes: So the Fishes of this Lake have a
closer habitation than those in others; for they are under the Ice
a part of the Winter, and under the Earth a part of the Summer.
16. Q. What changes the Fishermen find on that stone they call
the Fisher-stone, thereby to conjecture the time when the water is to
run away? A. That which they call the Fisher-stone, is a large stone
upon one of the Hills or elevated parts of the Field, which when-
soever it appears above water, the Fishermen, being upon the
Lake, take notice of it, and know thereby, that in a few dayes
the water will retire under ground. For, after the filling of the
Lake in September, the water never decreaseth so low again, as to
let the Fisher-stone appear till it begins to retire underground. 217 (217) Numb. 110. Philosophical
Transactions.
Januar. 25 1674/75 221 (221) Some Observations and Experiments made, and in a Letter communi-
cated to the Publisher, for the R. Society, by the Learned and Inqui-
sitive Mr. Martin Lister. I Shallshall venture to entertain you at present with a few loose Notes,
which you will be pleas'd to take in good part, and dispose of
them as you think fitting. I. Of the Efflorescence of certain Mineral Glebes. I keep by me certain big pieces of crude Allom-Mines, such as it 222(222)
was taken out of the Rock. I had also in the same Cabinet like pie-
ces of the ordinary Fire-stone or Marcasite of the Coal-pits, which
here we call Brass-lumps. In process of time both these Glebes shot
forth Tufts of long and slender fibres or threads; some of them half
an inch long, bended and curled like hairs. In both these Glebes,
these Tufts were in some measure transparent and crystalline. These
Tufts did as often repullate, as they were struck and wiped clean
off. Herein these fibres differ'd in tasttaste; the Alluminous very Allomy
and pleasantly pungent; the Vitriolick steptique and odious; Again,
the Allom-ones, being dissolv'd in fair water, raified a final ebulliti-
on; whereas the Vitriolick fibres dissolved quietly. The Allom-fi-
bres were generally smaller, and more opaque, snow-like; the Vitri-
olick larger, many fibres equalling an horse-hair in thickness, and
more crystalline. The water, wherein the Allom-fibres were dissolv'd, did give no
red Tincture with Gall; not by all the means I could devise to assist
them; whatever hath (and that with great confidence) been said to
the contrary, by some of the Writers of our Yorkshire Spaws: The
Vitriolick did immediately give a purple tincture with Gall. Having laid pieces of the same Marcasite in a Cellar, they were
in a few months cover'd over with green Copperæ, which was these
Fibres shot and again dissolved by the moist Air, clodder'd and run
together. Exposing other pieces of the same Vitriolick Glebe in my win-
dow, where the Subn came, they were cover'd over with a white fa-
rinaceous matter, that is, with these Fibres calcined by the rays of
the Sun and warm Air, beating upon them. Of what figure these Fibres were, whether round or angular, I
could not well discern. But I take these fibrous and thread-like
shootings of Allom and Vitriol to be most genuine and natural;
and their Angular shootings, after solution, into Cubes and Rhom-
boides, to be forc't and accidental; Salts of very different natures,
as well Vegetable as Fossile, by a like process in crystallizing of
them, being observ'd to shoot into like figures. But this is not my
purpose at this time. II. Of an odd figured IRIS. See Fig.3. and 4. I have not observ'd any Rock or sort of stone, whether Metal-
line or more Vulgar, which hath not its different sort of Sparr, shot in
some part or other of its bed or seams. And these Sparrs differ not
only in their Colours and other accidents, but eminently too in their 223(223)
Figure. To pass by divers, which I have collected, I shall describe
one of a very curious Figure, and which (though very common in
our blew-Lime-stone Rocks, out of which plenty of Lead-Ore is
got,) yet is not, that I know of, mention'd by any Author. These Crystals are mostly of a black water, like the black flint in
Chawk-hills; but there are of them, which have a purplish or ame-
thystine colour; and some there are as clear as crystal. They adhere
to the seams of the rock, be it betwixt bed and bed, or where-ever
there are cross and oblique veins through the very substance of the
bed. The smaller the veins, the less the Iris. You will find of them as
small as wheat-corns, and others an hundred times bigger. They shoot
from both sides the seam, and mutually receive one the other. They are figured thus, viz. a column of six plains very unequal
as to breadth; the end adhering to the rock is always rugged, as a
thing broken off; the other end of the column consists of three quin-
angular plains, very little rais'd in the middle: these plains too are
very unequal. Let them hug one another, or be any ways straightnedstraightened
and compressed in their shooting; yet the number of plains menti-
on'd, both of the column and top, is most certain. The places, where
infinite of them may be had, are Rainsborough Scarr upon the Rible;
also in a Stone-quarry near Eshton Tarne in Craven. III. Glossopetratricuspis non-serrata. Fig. 1. and 2. Mr. Ray in his Travels hath these words concerning the Glossope-
træ, pag. 115. Of the Glossopetræ (saith he) I have not yet heard, that
there have been any found in England; which I do not a little wonder
at, there being Sharks frequently taken upon our Coasts. I have had out
of the Isle of Shepy in the River of Thames, very Sharks teeth dug
up there; which could not be said to be petrifi'd; though, as to the
colour, they were somewhat guilded with a Vitriolick tarnish at our
first receiving them; but they were white, and in a short time came
to their natural colour. In the Stone-quarries in Hinderskelf-Park near Malton, I had this
stone (the scheme whereof I send you; fig. I.) the greatest rarity of this
kind I ever met with, and which I took out of the rock there my self.
It is a fair Glossopetra with 3 points, of a black liver-colour, & smooth;
its edges are not serrate; its basis is (like the true teeth) of a rugged
substance; it is carved round, the basis with imbossed work: It hath
certain eminent ridges or lines like rays drawn from the basis to
each point. 224(224) IV. Of certain Dactili Idæi, or the true Lapides Judaici, for kind
found with us in England. Fig. 5. The Stones call'd Dactili Idæi and Lapides Judaici, are brought
over to us from beyond Seas in divers shapes; and some of them are
described in Authors. We have plenty of them for kind in these
parts, as in the Stone-quarries at Newton near Hemsley, and at Hel-
lingley by Malton. There is some variety in the figure of them here
also; but the most common one in these rocks is after the fashion of a
Date-stone, round and long, about an inch, and sometime longer. They
are a little swelled in the middle, and narrower towards each end:
They are channelled the length-way, and upon the ridges knotted
or purled all over with small knots, set in a quincunx-order. The in-
ward substance is a white opaque Sparr, and breaks smooth like a
flint; not at all hollow in th emiddle, as are the Eelemnites. V. Of the Electrical power of Stones in relation to a Vegetable Rosin. It so hapned, that having occasion in July to view certain Fos-
sils, which I had dispos'd of into divers Drawers in a Cabinet made
of Barbados Cedar, I observ'd many of the stones to be thick-cover'd
over with a liquid Rosin like Venice Turpentine. Examining fur-
ther, there was not a Drawer, wherein there was not some more some
fewer stones thus drenched. That this could be no mistake, as from dropping, the bottoms of
the Drawers are of Oak. Again, many stones, which were lapped up
in papers, were yet wholly infected and cover'd with this Rosin. Be-
sides, after diligent search there appear'd no manner of exudation
in any part of the Cabinet. Two things I thought very remarkable: 1. That of the many sorts
of Stones I therein had, divers escaped, but not any of the Hæma-
tites-kind; having therein Manganes, Scistos, Botryades, &c. which
were all deeply concern'd. 2. That amongst perhaps 500 pieces, of
the Astroites here and there one or two in an apartment, and some-
times more, were seised, and the rest dry; as it fares with people in the
time of the Plague in one and the same house. I further observed,
that stones of a soft and open grain, as well as those of a hard and
polish't supersicies, were concern'd in a manner alike. 'Tis certain, that the whole body of the Turpentine of the Ce-
dar-wood was carried forth into the Air, and floating therein was
again condensed into its own proper form upon these stones. This makes it more than probable, that Odoriferous bodies emit
and spend their very substance. Thus Camphir is said, if not well se-
cured, totally to fly away. Again, it is hence evident, that there is 225(225)
great difference betwixt the Distillation of Vegetable Juyces, and
the Emission of Effluviums or this natural Distillation; that really
separating and dividing the substance into different parts; but this
carrying out the whole entirely and un-alter'd in its nature. VI. Of the Flower and Seed of Mushroms. The general and received opinion of Botanists concerning Mush-
roms is that, which Caspar Bauhinus in his Pinax expresses in these
few words, viz. Fungi neq; plantæ, neq; radices, neq; flores, neq; semina
sunt; sed nihil aliud quàm terræ, arborum, lignorum putridorum, alia-
rúmq, putrilaginum humiditates supersluæ. I am of the opinion, that
they are Plants of their own kind, & have more than a chance-original.
We will instance in that species, called Fungus porofus crassus magnus
J.B. The texture of the Gills is like a paper prickt ful of pin-holes.
In August this is very frequent under hedges, and in the middle of
the Moors in many places of this Country. It seems to me (and, no
doubt, it will to any person that shall well examine it, that the Gills
of this Mushrom are the very flower and seed of this Plant. When it
is ripe, the Gills here are easily separable from the rest of the head:
Each seed is distinct from other, and hath its impression in the head
of the Mushrom, just as the seeds of an Artichoak hath in the bot-
tom of it. The bigger end of the seed is full and round; and they are
disposed in a spiral order just as those of the Artichoak. The like
we do think of all other Mushroms, however differently figured.
And if it shall happen to him that shall sow them, that these will
not produce their kind, but be steril; it is no strange thing amongst
Plants, there being whole genus's of Plants that come up, and flower,
and seed, and yet their seed was never known to produce Plants of
their kind, being naturally steril, and a volatil dust, as all the Orchides
or Bee-flowers. We shall not here omit to tell you further concerning this Mush-
rom, that, when fresh gather'd, it is of a buff-colour inside outside;
and yet, cut through the middle, it will in a moment change from a
pale-yellow to a deep purple or blew, and stain linnen according-
ly. A drop of the juyce, leisurely squeezed out, will change, holding
it betwixt your eye and the light, through all the colours of the
Rainbow, in the very time of its falling, and six in a purple, as it
doth in the springing out of its veins. VII. Of the speedy vitrifying of the whole body of Antimony by Cawk. The several vitrifications of Antimony are either opaque or trans-
parent. To the first kind I shall add one, which is in it self very curi-
ous, and hath these advantages above the rest, that it is done with 226(226)
great ease and speed; and by it I have performed some things upon
Minerals and Mettals, which with crude Antimony alone I could
not effect. Take of Antimony one pound; flux it clear: Have an ounce or
two of the Cawk-stone (by and by to be described) in a lump red-
hot in readiness. Put it into the Crucible to the Antimony; continue
the flux a few minutes: Cast it into a clean and not greased Mortar,
decanting the melted liquor from the Cawk. This Process gives us above 15 ounces of vitrium of Antimony,
like polish't Steel, and as bright as the most refined Quicksilver.
The Cawk seems not to be diminish't in its weight, but rather in-
creased; nor will be brought to incorporate with the Antimony,
though flux't in a strong blast. This Cawk-stone is a very odd Mineral, and I always looked up-
on it to be much a kin to the white milky Mineral juyces, I formerly
sent you a specimen of: And this Experiment is demonstrative, that I
was not mistaken; for, the milky juyce of the Lead-Mines vitrifies
the whole body of Antimony in like manner. That this Vitrification is from the proper nature of Cawk, I little
doubt; for, I could never light upon any one mineral substance,
which had any such effect upon Antimony; and I have tryed very
many, as Lapis Calaminaris, Stone-Sulphur or Sulphur vivum, Gala-
ctites, Sulphur Marcasite, Allom-glebe, divers Sparrs, &c. Cawk is a ponderous white stone, found in the Lead-Mines; it will
draw a white line like Chawk or the Galactites: And though it be
so free, that it is more firm, and hath a smooth and shining grain,
Sparr-like, yet not at all transparent. Of the Spirit, it yields by di-
stillation, another time.
I am,
Sir, Your, &c.
York, Novemb. 20. 1674. Numb. 112. Beginning the Eleventh Year. Philosophical
Transactions.
March 25. 1675. A Letter of Mr. Martin Lister, containing his Observations of the Astroites or Star-stones; communicated to the Publisher Jan. 19. 167¾. SIR, You are pleased to tell me, that my Notes concerning
certain Stones figured like Plants, found in the * See N. 100. of
these Tracts.
mountains of Craven, were well received*. This
encourages me to give you the trouble of what I have
observ’d of the Astroites; which are stones also pointed like the
other, but not found, that I know of, in the same Rocks. And
we must cross the plain Country, and seek for them hard under the
Yorkshire Woolds: For, what store I could procure of them, were
brought me from Bugthorp and Leppington. At the former place,
my self have seen them dugg out of a certain blew clay on the banks
of a smal rivulet, betwixt the Town and the foot of the Woolds.
There are plenty of them washed into the brook; but the most fair
and solid are those we get out of the Clay.
I pretend not, to discover to you their Original, no more than
I did of the Entrochi; but having used some diligence in causing
the places, where they are found, to be a litle more searched than 275275
is usual, I was by that means furnish't with a good quantity of
them; which gave me the opportunity to make the following Ob-
servations What light may be hence had, I leave tomore judici-
ous persons, acknowledging my self at present not to be able to
demonstrate (if they are not Stones of their own kind,) what they
have been before petrification.
It is very litle and inconsiderable, what any Author, that I have
yet seen, hath said of them; save a very brief description of them
in Gesner and the like in Wormius; in the rest, all is transcri-
bed.
The Matter and substance of these Stones, is broken, is slint-
like, of a dark shining politure; but much softer, and easily cor-
roded by an acid Menstruum. Vinegar, indeed, makes them
creep; but a stronger spirit, as of Niter, tosses them. I doubt
not, but they will readily calcine, as the Blemnites, to a very
strong and white Lime.
These Stones (as we now find them) are all Fragments; as we
have noted of the Entrochi: Either one single joint, or 2, 3, or
more joints set together, making a pentagonous Cylindrical figure
or five-sided column. And I have not yet had any piece much
above one inch long, which consisted of 18 joints; but I have seen
one piece, somewhat shorter than the former, which had 25 joints.
These last thin-jointed pieces are quite of a different make, as to
all circumstances, from the other, as will appear.
Every joint consists of 5 Angles, which are either drawn out and
sharp, and consequently the sides of pieces, made up of such joints,
are deep-channeled; (and this is the condition of some of the thick-
jointed pieces, as well as of all the thin-jointed ones;) or the An-
gles are blunt and round, and the sides plain or very litle hollow-
ed. There are as big, and as smal pieces of this sort, as of any
other more sharp-angled; and therefore I account them a 3d. spe-
cies og Star-stone. And of this sort was, I guess, that piece which
Wormius describes; which therefore, he saith, is more like the
blown Flower of Pentaphyllum, than a Star. Besides, the manner
of the engraving of the joints in every one of the 3 respective spe-
cies is also very different, as will be declared.
Where the joints are thin or deep, they are so equally through-
out the whole piece; yet are there some, but very few, excepti-
ons to this also, of pieces which consist of joints of unequal thick-
276276 ess. Many of the thick-jointed pieces have certain joints a
thought broader, or a very litle (landing out at the Angles, and
thereby the joints are distinguish'd into certain Conjugations of 2,
3, or more joints: And these Conjugations are very observable
in the thin-jointed stones, and are marked out with a sett of Wyers;
of which by and by.
The thickest piece, which hath yet come to my hands, is not
above one inch and a half about, and those very rare too: From
which size to that of a smal pin, I have all the intermediat propor-
onspropor-
tions; and these so exceeding smal pieces are as exactly shaped, as
the greatest. Most pieces, if not all, of any considerable length,
are not straight, but visibly bent and inclining. All the pieces of
any sort are much of an equal thickness, or but litle tapering; yet
one of the ends, by reason of a Top joint, is visibly the thickest.
This Top joint hath 5 blunt Angles, and is not hatched or en-
graven, or but very faintly, on the outside. Every joint else of a
piece (save the top-joint) is an Intaglia, and deeply engraven on
both sides alike; and will accordingly serve for a Seal. The mid-
dle of each angle is hollow, and the edges of the angles are thick
furrowed: The terminations of these hatchings are the indented
sutures, by which the joints are set together; the ridges of one
joint being alternately let into the furrows of the other next it. The
Hatchings of the flat-sided pieces are in circular lines; but of the
other two species, they are straight lines, or near the matter.
In the very center of the 5 angles is a smal hole, conspicuous in
most joints. Note also, that in the middle of each joint, betwixt
angle and angle; in the very suture, is another such like smal pinhole
very apparent, if the stones be first well scoured.
Besides all the former particulars, there may be observ’d, in the
deep-jointed pieces, just under the top-joint, above described,
the Vestigia of certain Wyers rather than branches; and sometimes
2, 3, or more of the joints of the Wyers yet adhering. These Wy-
ers are ever five in number, viz. one in the middle or hollow part
betwixt angle and angle. Again, in thin jointed pieces there are
ever five of these Wyers, or a sett of them inserted into every conju-
gation of joints; so that it were some representation of the thing,
to imagine the stalk of Asperula or Equisetum. Also I have seen,
but that very rarely, (not in one piece amongst 500,) a sett of 277277
Wyers in the middle of a deep-jointed piece. One thin-jointed
piece I have by me, where a Wyer of 20 joints and upwards (and
how much longer they may be, I know not,) lyes double within
the hollow side, and by that accident was preserved in its natural
place. Further, some lumps of Quarry I have from the same place
above-nam’d, where the Wyers as well as the Stones themselves are
seen in long pieces. It is no wonder, that these Wyers are knock-
ed off, and but very rarely found adhering to the Stones they belong
to, being very small and slender, of a round figure and smooth-
jointed, being sett together per harmoniam and not indented su-
ture. Nothing that I can think of, is so like these Wyers, as the
antennæ of Lobsters. Lastly, some of these Wyers are knotted,
and others of them fairly subdivided or branched.
I have, by the assistance of Mr. Lodge, illustrated all these par-
ticulars with Figures: Of which this is the Expli-
cation;* *See Tab.2.
1. The Top-joint of an Astroites figur'd on both sides; on
the one it is deep engraven, on the other the hatches are scarce vi-
able. Also the ends of the 5 Angles are very blunt.
2. A second or sharp-angled joint with fair hatchings on both
sides.
3. A piece with very narrow and sharp angles. Also the Top-
joint designed, as it naturally appears smooth and without hatch-
ings.
4. A round-angled joint.
5. A flat-sided piece; where the hatchings are somewhat Cir-
cular.
6. A thin-jointed piece: Where note also, that the angles are much
narrower, and of a protracted Oval figure.
7. The biggest piece I have yet seen. Note also its bending.
8. The smallest piece I have yet met with.
9. The longest piece; where every 4th joint is a thought bigger
or more prominent than the rest; as in the 7th fig. also is well
designed.
10. A large and round-angled or flat-sided piece; to which be-
longs that single joint noted fig. 4.
11. A flat or not hollow-sided piece; of which sort also is the
5th figure: The 10th and 4th not much differing.
12. A thin-jointed piece; where the conjugations are marked 278278
out by the vestigia of the several sets of Wyers or branches.
13. A piece where the joints are un-equal in thickness.
14. A piece with seme part of the Wyers yet adhering in their
natural order at the biggest end of the piece.
15. A thin-jointed piece; where note on the left side a single Wyer
accidentally preserved in its natural place, though snapt asunder.
16. A thick-jointed piece with a set of Wyers in the middle of it.
17. A good long piece of a Wyer, and a single joint thereof.

So far Mr. Lister: To which we cannot but add Mr. Rays
Notes upon these very Observations.
I was much taken, (saith he to Mr. Lister) with your Observati-
ions concerning the Star-stones, and inform’d in several particulars.
For, although I had often seen, and my self also sometimes gather’d
of those bodies; yet I did never curiously note the texture, parts
and differences of them. As for their Original, if you can allow the
Trochites and Entrochi to have been fragments of Rock-plants, I see
not, why you should make any difficulty of admitting these to have
been so too; the several internodia being alike thin in both, and the
Commissures not much different; only the external figure doth not
correspond. But it is to be considered, that many of the Trochites
have a pentagonous hole in the middle of them, which is we admit
for the receptacle of the pith, it will be as hard to exemplifie such a
figur’d pith, as such a figur'd stalk in Land-plants. Your note con-
cerning the Wyers springing out of the furrows or concave angles
of some of the internodia, and encircling the stalk like the leaves of
asperula or equisetum, was surprising; and seems to me to argue these
bodies to belong to the genus of Vegetables; no less than Coral, Co-
ralline, and the several sorts of Pori; some of which are also jointed:
But no vegetable, either of Land or Sea, that I know of, hath such fre-
quent joints and short or thin iternodia; and so they are things of
their own kind, whose species is, for ought we know, lost. Is they
were Vegetables, I guess they were never soft; but grew upon the
rocks like Coral, and the other Stone-plants, just now mention'd;
hard as they are.
As for Equisetum, we know, that the Leaves of some sorts of it are
jointed, as well as the Stalk: Else I know no plant that hath jointed
leaves; except some sorts of Rush-grass, though those bristles of equi
setum surrounding the stalk, neither these reputed leaves of Rush-
grass, can properly be call’d Leaves, being round, and having no dif-
ference of upper and lower superficies. Now that I have upon this
occasion mention'd equisetum, give me leave to mind you of what I
have already publish'd to the world; That I have found, on the banks
of the river Tanar in Piedmont, plenty of the fragments of the stalks
of equisetum perfectly petrified, with litle or no increase of bulk, so
exactly like the plant, that all the striæ did all along clearly appear.
The colour of these petrified stalks was white. Numb. 117. 647 (647) Philosophical
Transactions.
Septemb. 26. 1675.;
For the Months of August and September. 391 (391) An Extract of a Letter of July 28, 1675. by Mr. Lister from York to the Publisher; containing some Observations about Damps, together with some Relations concerning odd Worms vo-
mited by children, &c. SIRSir,
I Shallshall Transcribe for you a Letter, I had very lately from Mr.
Jessop; which is as followeth: 393 (393) ——— I give you two other Relations, which seem to me
not common. A Girle in Sheffield about eight months old was surprized
with violent vomiting Fits, which held her for about a week,
and made her so weak, that her Parents began to despair of her
recovery. They at length sent for Mr. Fisher, who chanced amongst
other things to say, Worm-wood was good for the Sto-
mach. He going home to fetch things proper on that occasion,
they in the mean time offer'd her some Wormwood-Ale, which
she took so greedily, that she swallowed down a pint of it.
Mr. Fisher at his return found her vomiting, and she vomited
up in his presence three Hexadodes, of this bigness and shape;
(See Fig. 2.) all very active and nimble. The Girle in a short
time recovered, and was well. Mr. Fisher in the afternoon
brought the Hexadodes to me; we killed one of them with try-
ing Experiments upon it. I remembring, I had seen some very
like them, which devoured the skins of such Birds as I kept
dried for Mr. Willoughby, I gave either of the surviving Hexa-
dodes the head of a shining Atricapella, which in about five
weeks time they eat up, bones, feathers and all, except the ex-
tremities of the feathers and the beaks. I desiring to see, what 394 (394) they would turn into, gave them a piece of Larus, but that, it
seems, agreed not so well with them, for they died within two daies.
I have often been puzled to give an account of those Phœno-
mena, which are commonly called Fairy Circles; I have seen
many of them, and those of two sorts, one sort bare of seven
or eight yards diameter, making a round path something more
than a foot broad, with green grass in the middle; the others
like them, but of several bignesses, and encompassed with a
circumference of grass, about the same breadth, much fresher
and greener than that in the middle. But my worthy Friend
Mr. Walker, a Man not only eminent for his skill in Geometry,
but in all other Accomplishments, gave me full satisfaction from
his own Experience. It was his chance one day, to walk out
amongst some Mowing-grass (in which he had been but a little
while before,) after a great storm of Thunder and Lightning,
which seemed by the noise and flashes to have been very near
him. He presently observed a round Circle, of about four or
five yards diameter, the rim whereof was about a foot broad,
newly burnt bare, as the colour and brittleness of the Grassroots
did plainly testifie. He knew not what to ascribe it unto
but the Lightning, which, besides the odd capricios remarkable
in that fire in particular, might without any wonder, like all
other Fires, move round, and burn more in the extremities than
the middle. After the Grass was mowed, the next year it came
up more fresh and green in the place burnt, than in the middle,
and at mowing time was much taller and ranker. Thus far Mr.
Jessops Letter; I shall only add, that you will much oblige
him to assist him with some Queries about the fulminating Damp
with what convenient speed you can.†
† Such Queries as
art here desired,
are already dispatched away, with hopes, they will shortly receive an answer. As to the vomiting of strange Worms, I give you a late in-
stance not unlike that in this Letter:
A Son of Mr. B, living not far off Rippon, about nine years
of age, in the month of February last was afflicted with great
pain in his Stomach, and continual Vomitings. A Powder was
given, wherein was a small quantity of Mercurius dulcis. He 395 (395)
thereupon vomited up several strange Worms, two of which
were brought to me at York, the one dead, the other alive, and
which lived many daies after it came to my hands, and might
have lived longer, but that I put it into Spirit of Wine, to
preserve it in its true shape. These Worms were very Cater-
pillars with fourteen legs, viz. six small pointed, the eight
middle stumps, and the two hind claspers; something more
than an inch long, and of the thickness of a Ducks-quill, thin
haired or rather naked, with brown annuli, and a black head.
The very same for kind that I have many times seen on Plants,
and no doubt, these (as those others) would in due time (if the
place had not hindered) have shrunk into Chrysalis's, and
changed into Moths. As also those mentioned by Mr. Jessop
would have changed to Beetles. 647 (647) Numb. 127. Philosophical
Transactions.
July 18. 1676. 653 (653) Extract of a Letter, written to the Publisher by Mr. Leeuwenhoek
from Delft, April 21. 1676; Concerning
the Texture of Trees, and some remarkable
discovery in Wine; together with some
Notes thereon* * The Numeral figure in the
margin and body of this Let-
ter refer to the like figures
in the Notes made thereon.
SIRSir,
Monsieur Constantin Hugens of Zulichem was pleased to shew
me the Comparative Anatomy of the Trunks of Plants, writ-
ten by Doctor Grew, and told me, that he had very ingeniously and
learnedly discoursed upon that subject; though I, by reason of my
unskillfulness in the English Tongue, could have little more than the
contentment of viewing the elegant Cuts. I have formerly written unto you, viz. in my Letter of August 15
1673. That I had discovered in several Trees (1) two sorts of ves-
sels or pores, and did conceive, that the matter which serves for the
increase of Trees was in (2) the greater vessels sent upwards, and
that some small particles did again descend in the smaller Vessels
to the roots, whereby was maintained a (3) Circulation also in Trees. But not finding by the figures of Dr. Grew, that he hath disco-
ver’d those (4) two sorts of Vessels in the wooddy>woody part, I here take 654 (654)
the liberty of sending you the Eight part of the transverse Slice of
an Ash-sprig of a years growth; and shall withall acquaint you,
that besides those two sorts of Vessels in wood, I have discover’d
a (5) third sort; these two going directly upward, and this
third issuing out of the middle or the pith, going horizontally
to the circumference: So that the (6) whole body of Wood hither-
to viewed by me, consists of nothing but finall hollow pipes. 751 (751) Numb. 130. Philosophical
Transactions.
December 14. 1676. 762 (762) A Letter written by D. Lucas Hodgson, Physician at Newcastle,
containing some Observations made by him of a Subterraneal Fire
in a Coal-mine near that City. As to the resemblance betwixt this Sal armoniac and that which
comes from Mount Ætna, where no Coals are supposed to be;
whence it seems to follow, that our volatile Salt may proceed from
somewhat else than Coal. To which difficulty I answer, that
when I deduced ours from Coal, I did not exclude other bitu-
minous substances that are analogous to it, of which I suppose the
Country, where Mount Ætna is, affordeth no inconsiderable quan-
tity; neither will it follow, that no Coals have been wrought, there-
fore there are none; and if trial hath been made, and no Coals
found, yet it will be a doubt still, whether those Trials have been
sufficient. However it be, yet I think it were not impertinent
(by the way) to enquire, whether the sagacious Venetians may not
be beholden to Mount Ætna, or some other Subterraneal fires, for
the great quantity of Sal armoniac they sell to our Merchants: for
this Fire affordeth no inconsiderable quantity thereof, especially
in dry weather; some of which I have sent by my worthy and
honoured Friend Mr. Richard Gilpin, who was the person that first
brought home part of it from the fire, and in whose company
it was first that I experimented it to be Sal armoniac; for till then
none took notice of it. And I the rather put this trouble upon
him, that by him you may be informed in circumstances that
would be tedious to relate. The box I have sent contains a bottle of the Spirit of this Sal
armoniac distilled from Quicklime, in which I used a considerable
quantity of Spring-water for the dissolution of both the ingredi-
ents, before I distilled the Spirit from them. The great quantity of grey Salt is the Sal armoniac as it was
gathered from the fire, some of it being six inches broad, and
above when it was taken up. The white Salts in the white papers are the same grey, sublimed
per se in a Sugar-mold. The white snowy Salt in the Jar-glass is the volatile Salt of the
same, as it comes from the fire. The Lixivial salt I used, was only
Potahes dissolved in Spring-water; to the whole I added some
Spirit of Wine, whereby I commonly obtain a greater quantity of
volatile Salt in formâ siccâ, than otherwise I could expect. 775 (775) Numb. 131. Philosophical
Transactions.
Januar. 29. 1676. 788 (788) Extract of a Letter written to the Publisher, concerning a
Factitious Stony matter or Paste, shining in the dark
like a glowing Coal, after it hath been a little while ex-
posed to the Day- or Candle-light. Clarissimo Viro
Domino Henrico Oldenburgio, Illustrissimæ Soc. Regiæ Secr.
Salutem & observantiam
Christianus Adolphus Balduinus. —QUanquamQuanquam elapso proximè anno officiosissimè scriptas
tuas literas testari continuò debuissem quanti fa-
cerem, religioni tamen duxi id facere, antequam Phosphorum
meum modis omnibus absolutum darem conficerémeque: Quod
cùm non multò ante præstiterim, ecce Tibi eundem in theca
argentea inaurata; quem, ceu munus exiguum, si fas sit petere à
Te, humillimâ subjectione deferre velis cum ipsi Regiæ Majestati
tanquam Fundatori & Patrono Societatis Vestræ, imprimis;
tum verò Ejusdem Præsidi Illustrissimo, cæterisque Assessoribus
& Collegis gravissimis; nihilque intermittere velis, quodcunque
vel Clementiæ Regiæ, vel Favori tantorum Virorum conciliando
facere arbitreris. Latet in Phosphoro isto ignis & luminis Naturæ
realis scintillula, imò secretissima anima, proidéque intrinsecus
atque invisibilis Sophorum ignis, visibilem Solis ignem magneticâ
ratione attrahens, splendorémque ipsius vicissim in Tenebris emit-
tens ejaculansque. Quo istud accedit non minùs mirum, Signa-
turam nempe Solis contineri in Universali isto Magnete unde
confectus idem ille Phosphorus est; quod quidem ex adjuncto
Schemate Phænomeni * * Hoc phænomenon repræ-
sentat in vase vitreo complures
imagines Solis, majores, minores; in quas materia, ab Authore nostro adhibita, ju-
cundissimo, ut videtur, spectaculo, abiisse conspecta fuit.(per dies
aliquot durante) liquidissimè patet. 789 (789)
Atque inde non est, quod subjecto isto uti desistam in Chymicis
meis laboribus continuandis, quòd multò majora mihi propediem
dignioráque ex se spondeat, quorumque magis arcana ratio.
De quibus omnibus, philosophicâ consuetudine, Societati Illustris-
simæ relaturus per literas sum quæcunque certis Experimentis
comperero. Servet te Deus, & me porrò affectu tuo complectere. Scrib. Haynæ, d. 1. Sept. 1676.
THisThis Present being, according to the tenour of this Letter,
presented to his Majesty, and afterwards to the R. Society,
it fully justified the generous Presenter in the Experiment,
made before them both, at several times; and that not only
by Day-light, even when the Weather was gloomy and misty,
but also by the Flame of a Candle. And 'tis hoped, that the
said Presenter will so far extend his generosity, when he shall
understand the gracious acceptance his Present had with the
Royal Founder of our Philosophical Company, and the plea-
sure, it gave to the Gentlemen that compose it, as to impart
to them the way of preparing the same; to be Recorded in
their Register books, as a perpetual Monument of his ingeni-
osity and frankness. 839 (839) Numb. 134. Philosophical
Transactions.
April 23. 1677. 842 (842) An Extract of a Letter, written from Aberdeen Febr. 17. 1676/77,
concerning a Man of a strange Imitating nature, as also of
several human calculus’s of an unusual bigness. 843 (843) Besides this, I took occasion lately to visit a poor Woman
in the neighbouring Parish, who hath been of a long time sadly
afflicted with the Gravel, and hath passed four Stones of an un-
usual bigness; of which I have one by me, which, though it be
not the greatest of the four, is yet more than five inches about
the one way, and four, the other: which, if you please, shall
be sent you. They are all oval; the first, and a part of the second
were smooth; but the other two very rough; and the last, the
biggest, which being come away about Christmas last, was
bloody on one side when I saw it. This puts me in mind of
that Stone of a prodigious bigness, which was found last year
in a Gentlemans bladder in this Country after his decease,
weighing two and thirty ounces.
I am,
Sir,
Your humble Servant,
Geo. Garden. 863 (863) Numb. 135. Philosophical
Transactions.
May 26. 1677. 867 (867) An Account of four sorts of factitious Shining Substances, commu-
nicated to the Publisher from very good hands, both in printed
Papers and in Letters not printed. TWoTwo of these four substances have been already spoken
of in two of the late Transactions, vid. Numb. 131.
p. 788. and Numb. 134. p. 842; and they are, one of them, the
Factitious Paste of Dr. Balduin, shining in the dark like a
glowing Coal, after it hath been a while exposed to the Day
or Candle-light; the other, the Bononian Stone calcin’d, which
imbibes light from the Sun-beams, and so renders it again in
the dark, whereas the former needs no Shining Sun, but doth
the effect in quite overcast weather and even in a misty day.
To these we shall now add two other sorts. The one is by the
Germans called Phosphorus Smaragdinus, said to be of this na-
ture, that it collects its light not so much from the Sun-beams,
or the illuminated Air, as from the Fire it self; seeing that, if
some of it be laid upon a Silver or Copper-plate, under which
are put some live coals, or a lighted Taper, it will presently
shine, and if the same matter be shaped into Letters, one is
able to read it, the other is called Phosphorus Fulgurans, which
is a matter, made both in a liquid and dry form, and not only
shineth in the dark, and communicates a sudden light to such
bodies as 'tis rubbed on; but, being included in a Glass-
vessel well closed, doth now and then fulgurate, and sometimes
also raise it self as 'twere into waves of light: Differing very
much from the Balduinian Stone, which is to be exposed to
some shining Body, as the Day, the Sun, the Fire or some
lighted Candle, to receive light from thence; whereas this
Fulgurating substance carries its light alwaies with it, and when
put in a dark place, presently shews the same. Of which we
have this further assurance given us, that a little portion of it,
having been kept two whole years, hath not yet lost its power
of shining: So that 'tis believed, if a considerably big piece
were prepared of it, it would serve for a perpetual, or, at least,
a very long lasting light. So far this communication; the effect of which 'tis hoped will
in due time appear here amongst us, if the author be compe-
tently encouraged thereunto. 25 (25) Numb. 144. Philosophical
Transactions.
February 10, 1682/3 VIPRERA CAUDI-SONA Americana,
Or the Anatomy of a Rattle-Snake, Dissected at the
Repository of the Royal Society in January 1682. by
Edw. Tyson M.D. Coll. Med. Lond. Cand. & R. S. Soc. THeThe Observations I shall here give are such as a single
Subject would afford, not what might compleat the
History of so Curious an Animal. And tho it were
mightily to be wisht that we had at least the most accurate
account, and exactest Anatomy, of one of every distinct
Species of Animals; yet this can't be expected but of 26 (26) those that are most common: where frequent repeated
Dissections might fully inform us of Natures admirable con-
trivance, and Mechanism of Animal Bodies. This which We Dissected was sent to Mr. Henry Loades,
a Merchant in London, from Virginia; who was pleased not
only to gratify the curiosity of the R. Society in shewing
it them alive, but likewise gave it them when dead, and
so afforded them an opportunity of farther satisfaction
in observing the inward parts of it; which I find so confor-
mable in almost all respects to those of a Viper, that I have
taken the liberty of placing it in that Classe, and (since
it has not yet, that I know of, any Latine Name) of give-
ing it that of Vipera Caudisona; for as I am inform'd by
Merchants, 'tis Viviparous, and the Epithet sufficiently
differences it from those that have no Rattle, although of
these too there ought to be made a Subdivision. But I
shall concern my self at present only with the Anatomy,
which I think is yet given by None: tho to me it seems
the most principal part in a Natural History of Animals:
and for other Accounts I shall refer to Georg. Marcgravius,
Gul. Piso, Johnston, Nierembergius, Joan de Laet, Fran.
Hernandez, and others that have wrot of it; who de-
scribe it under the Names of Boiçininga, or Boiçinininga,
and Boiquira, which are the Brasile Names. By the Portu-
gues's 'tis called Cascavela and Tangador: by the Dutch,
Raëtel-Schlange: by those of Mexico, Teutlacocauhqui, or
Teuhtlacotzauhqui, (i.e.) Domina Serpentum, and from its
swift motion on the Rocks like the Wind, Hoacoatl.
[Note: the next twenty-seven pages describe the dissection of the snake and are omitted because they are not directly relevant to the collected object] 113 (113) Numb. 146. Philosophical
Transactions.
April 10, 1683 I. LVMBRICVS LATVS, or a Discourse read be-
fore the Royal Society of the Joynted Worm, wherein a
great many Mistakes of former Writers concerning it, are
remarked; its Natural History from more exact observa-
tions is attempted: and the whole urged, as a Difficulty
against the Doctrine of Univocal Generation: by Edward
Tyson M.D. Col. Med. Lond. nec non Reg. Societ.
Soc. (127) (127) Jo.i Michael Fehr i Jo. Mich. Fehr de Hiera picra seu de Absynthio p. 125. a German Curioso in his Treatise de
Hierâ picrâ sive de Absynthio in the year 1644. he observ-
ed in a piece voided by a Patient about 6. yards long, a
head much different from that of Tulpius; he describeth
this Worm cum collo sensim angustiore, & rotundiore in minu-
tissimum capitulum atrum, & verrucosum, trium Papaveris
seminum aptè conjunctorum formam exprimens, desinentem:
cujus ||Vid. fig. 5 iconem ob raritatem hic addidimus. Indeed I must
confess that account I had from the women who first ob-
served it, and the Patient who voided that Worm I mention-
ed to have by me eight yards long: and was given me by
my worthy Friend Mr. Houghton an Apothecary, seemed
agreeable to this, tho when I first saw it I could take no-
tice of no such thing: and therefore am apt to think 'twas
onely some Thrumbs of the inward coat of the Intestine,
which might stick to the hooks here, which might make
this figure. For in the heads of all I have had yet an op-
portunity of feeling: I could never observe any such thing. 359 [359] Numb. 153. Philosophical
Transactions.
November 20. 1683. Tajacu seu Aper Mexicanus Moschiferus, or the Ana-
tomy of the Mexico Musk-Hog, &c. [By the Learned and Ingenious Edward Tyson M. D. Fellow of the College of Physicians
and of the Royal Society.] THisThis Animal being so much a stranger to our Nati-
on; and its inward organs, at least some, so odd,
and remarkable; I am willing to deliver my ob-
servations of it. They are rude, and very inperfect,
yet such as they are, I the rather venture abroad, since
it may be, I may never have an opportunity of compleat-
ing them. The occasion of my making these, was afforded me,
by my very good friend Dr. Goodall, a Fellow of the Col-
ledg of Physicians, and a great lover of the same, who ac-
cidentally meeting with it, when dead: procured it for
our private dissection at our Theater; and afterwards more
leasurely examining it, at the Repository of the Royal Soci-
360 [360] ety; and having the assistance of my ingenious Friend
R. Waller Esq. and Mr. Hunt in making the Figures; I
think I may be able to give some better notice of it, than
what hitherto we have recieved. 511 (511) Numb. 157. Philosophical
Transactions.
March 20. 168¾. 534 (534) A Postscript to the Publisher, containing a short
account of two Human Calculi of unusual form
and bigness, from the same F.S. M.D.
SIR,
I HereI here send you the Figure of a Stone, Fig. 1. of
a prodigious size and as rare a shape, somewhat resem-
bling indeed the Kidney, for that was quite worn away,
and this stone fill'd up the place, it weigh'd indeed some-
what more when I took it out of the Body, than it does
now, for it weigh'd seven ounces and a half; there
is no History that relates any account of a stone genera-
ted in the Kidney, that does near parallel this. Without
breaking it asunder, I can find it does consist of several
laminæ laid over one another, as that of the Bladder
does: I took the Circumference, and found it to measure
seven Inches upon the round. That taken out of the Body of the late Duke of Nor-
folk's Father, Fig. 2. was brought not long since to the
R. Society by Sr. Theodore de Vaux, who gave me leave to send
you the Figure of it, which you see is branched, and
seems to have spread some branches into great Vessels,
whether Arteries, Veins or into the Ureter I cannot de-
termine, tho these as well as the Pelvis seem to have been
fill'd up by this great stone: yet this comes far short of
that before mention'd, since it weighs but four ounces
and a half: a stone indeed of an incredible size to be found
in the Kidney. The measure longwise from one extreme
to the other made four Inches compleat: the extension
of the Branches from one to the other measur'd croswise
or transversly, 3 Inches and a half. This is deservedly
laid up in the Repository of the Royal Society, as a great
but sorrowful Rarity, having caused the death of so
great a Patron of Learning. 583 (583) June 20. 1684. 609 (609) A Letter from Mr. Charles Leigh of Brazen-Nose
College in Oxford. to Dr. Rob. Plot Director of
Experiments to the Philosophical Society of Ox-
ford, and one of the Secretaries of the Royal Society.
SIR,
SInceSince you gave me some specimens of the water of La-
tron, and likewise of Nitrian Nitre, I have found
that those Descriptions which the Antients give of it,
exactly agree with those specimens we have here; their
encomiums of it were so many, but so different the names
which they ascribed to it, as a sceptic indeed might e-
qually question whether or no they writ of any thing
else, or whether or no they writ of ay such thing.
That we might therefore the better understand the wri-
tings of the Antients concerning it, and the Phænomena
which it afforded here, I have thought convenient to
make use of this method. I shall in the first place shew
whence Nitre has its denomination. In the second, the
different names which ancient Authors ascribe to it. In
the third, the different places whence it comes. In the
fourth, a description of it as it is when a Compositum. In
the fifth, the number of ts principles when chymically
resolves. In the sixth, the rise of them. In the seventh,
its separation from the water of Latron. inIn the eighth, its
use in Physick. In the ninth, in Agriculture and Mechanicks.
In the tenth, wherein it differs from Sal Armoniac. In the
eleventh, from Salt-Petre. That all Nitre took its name from a Town in Ægypt
called Nitria, I shall take for granted: I shall therefore
in the next place give you an account of the different
names, which by Authors are ascrib'd to Nitre. 835 (835) Numb. 167. Philosophical
Transactions.
Jan. 28th. 1684/5. 854 (854) A Letter from Mr. J: Beaumont of Stony-Easton in
Sommersetshire to one of the R. S. con-
cerning a New way of Cleaving Rocks. A worthy Gentleman, who for many years has been
a Considerable adventurer in the Lead Mines on
Mendip hills, being in London a while since, was pleas'd
to acquaint me that the Miners there, within these
twelve months, had gotten a new way of Cleaving Rocks
with Gunpowder, whereupon I desir'd he would please
to favour me with a Present of the Instruments us'd in it,
which I conceiv'd would not be unacceptable in the Re-
pository at Gresham Colledge, where I have now caus'd
them to be deliuered. The first Instrument, which by the miners is call'd the
Borier described Fig. 7 is made of Iron, and is 2 foot 2 In-
ches in length, it is an Inch square at the steeled end from
a to b, and somewhat lesse in the other part: the use of this
Instrument is to make a hole in the Rock deep enough to
receive the Powder: the second Instrument, call'd the Gun
represented Fig. 8. is 6. Inches in length, 1¼ diameter,
and has a hole drill'd through it to receive the priming
Powder. The first Instrument is manag'd thus, one
man holds it on the Rock and turns it round, while ano-
ther beats it down with a hammer of five or six pounds
weight; when the hole is made somewhat deeper then
the length of the Gun, they dry it with a rag, and put in-
to it about 2 or 3 Ounces of Powder, over which they put
a thin paper, and on it place the Gun, which they bind
firmly into the hole, by driving in against the flat side of
the upper part of it, the third Instrument, which is a lit-
tle Iron wedge 4 inches in length, by the Miners call'd a
Quinnet described Fig. 9. when this is done, they pass down
a wire through the hole drill'd in the Gun, and pierce the 855(854)
Paper which covers the Powder and then they prime the
Gun and lay a traine and goe up out of the work before
the Powder comes to take fire; the Paper is put at first o-
vero-
ver the Powder, left when the Gun and Quinet are drive-
driven
down, the tooles may strike fire and kindle the Powder. In number: 5. of the Philosoph. Transact. set forth
by Mr. Oldenburg there is a way of breaking Rocks with
Gunpowder Communicated by Sr. Robert Moray. as he
received it from Monsr. du Son the Inventor, and there
is a draught of the Instruments for that purpose, but in
regard those Instruments differ in severall things from
these, I thought it might not be amiss if these were like-
wise Inserted. I know the use of these Instruments will be of great
advantage to Miners, and if there are any Minerall works
where they are not yet receiv'd, the Miners may doe well
to try them; for (beside what will be sav'd in timber in a
year that is usd in burning Rocks, which is very conside-
rable,) we know that as soon as a man has fired his Powder
and broken the Rock, he may presently go to work a-
gain, whereas after a fire is laid in a Shaft, a man can
scarce go to work in 24 hours after, the Rocks being too
hot to suffer him. 875 (875) Numb. 168. Philosophical
Transactions.
Feb. 23d. 1684/5. 876 (876) A Letter from William Molyneix Esq. Secretary of
the Philosophical Society of Dublin, to a S. of
the R. S. giving an account of the Connough-
Worm. I HereI here send you inclosed the figures of our Connough-
worm, which is reported to be the only poysonous
Animal in our Kingdome; but whether it be really
so, or not, I cannot assert on my own experience. That
from which the figures were taken, was sent alive to me,
from the Country, about 40. miles from Dublin. The
Gentleman that sent it, had kept it above six weeks in
a large Box on a Grassy sod, now and then giving it a
fresh sod, and Ragwort to eat, besprinkling them with
Dew. Before I could get the figures taken, the creature
was so unquiet, I was forced to stifle it, as Huswives do
their Bees, with the fume of sulphur. When the Gen-
tleman first took it, it was much smaller then when he
sent it to me, proposing some Queries to him concerning
it, the chief whereof were, whether he had any certain
Experiment to prove them Venemous? What Symptomes
attended the Beasts affected by them? And what cures
were applyed to them? 878 (878) But that I may give you my own sentiments, I am
very apt to suspect that this Worm is no more poyson
then other CatterpillersCatterpillars (for 'tis of the CatterpillerCatterpillar
kind,) and I believe, in Godartius of Insects. lately en-
glished by the most learned and ingenious Dr. Lister, you
will find the very same Animal as this I speak of; but
at present I have not that book by me, having sent it to
my Brother in Holland. I never had, or have seen, but
this one, and so I would make no experiment therewith,
being forced (as I told you,) to kill it. But I verily be-
lieve that the Ugliness of the Worm (it being of a dark
fuscous, and as they say, poysonous color,) together with
its largeness beyond common CatterpillersCatterpillars, has wrought
so upon the fearfull and ignorant Vulgar, that they have
given it the name of Venemous. As to the Gentlemans
forementioned Reasons, they are but conjectures, and as
such I submit them to your judgement; and my negative
opinion has much the same foundation, for I find the
People of our Country much in the wrong in some parti-
culars relating to the Animal, which makes me suspect
they may be in an error relating to its poyson. For first
tis commonly asserted by them, that the two spots
marked dd Fig: 1. are Google Eyes, whereas they are
nothing more then two Variegated spots of a colour dif-
ferent from the rest of the Back. Secondly, they assert
likewise, that the part marked e Fig: 1. is a sting, where-
as this Protuberance in the Tail is common with it to
severall other CatterpillersCatterpillars, and the greater the Catter-
pillerpillar, the larger this Horn. So that if their fear or
abhorrence of the Worm may make them believe those 879(879)
parts EysEyes that are not, and that part a Sting, which is
not at all like it, contrary to the plain View of the Crea-
ture; It may likewise make them imagin it poysonous,
when it is no such thing. But yet I will not conceal what
I have from another Gentleman (but with some diffi-
dence of the Experiment,) he gave the juice of one of
these Worms to one Dog, which shewed no alteration
thereon, but another Dog, to whom he gave the skin of
the Creature, was found dead three dayes after; but
whether his death proceeded from the poysonous skin,
he could not assert; for the Dog ran at liberty, and
might have been kild (for ought as he knew,) by some
other Accident, tho' no externall sign of any Violence
offer'd to him did appear. But leaving these conjectures,
I come to what is evident to the senses (and expe-
rimental Philosophy ought to go no farther,) the expla-
nation of the Figures. Fig. 1. AB. the Worm lying on his Belly, long 2½ In-
ches almost. c. his head. dd. two Variegated spots mis-
taken for Eyes. e. a small Protuberance towards its
Tail, from whence arises a part in shape of a horn, mis-
taken for a Sting. Fig. 2. Represents the Worm Reclined almost on his
back. F. His mouth formed like that of other Catterpillars,
as appeared in the Microscope. gg, &c. six small horny
feet or Claws, 3 on each side, as in other Catterpillars.
hh, &c. Eight Papillæ, with which he fastens himself to
what he goes or hangs on, as Childrens suckers are fast-
ned to wet stones. ii. Two larger Papillæ, with which he does both suck him-
self fast, but most commonly therewith he grasps the stems
of Grass and Herbs, to which he clings with the other. P.S. Since the writing of this Letter, I have again
seen Gaodartius of Insects, and in him I find, (as I surmi-
zed,) our Connought Worm, described by the Name of the
Elephant Catterpillar, Numb. 125. or 126. Yours Will. Molineux. 882 (882) An account of a Stone grown to an iron Bodkin in
the bladder of a Boy: communicated by Dr. Lister
Fellow of the Royal Society FIG. 3 represents a Stone which was cut out of the
bladder of a Boy at Paris by Monsieur Colo: the iron
bodkin, to which the Stone grew, and which passes
through the middle of it, had been thrust up into the
bladder by the boy himself, about two years before the in-
cision. The Stone was presented by the above named
Chirurgeon to his late Majestie of England, amongst
whose rarities it is now preserved, and by whose favour
and permission I caused this draught to be made of it. 947 [947] Numb. 170. Philosophical
Transactions.
April 20th. 1685. 961 [961] An Abstract of a Letter from Dr Sam. Threapland of
Hallifax to Dr Plot of Oxford, giving an account
of Stones Voided by Siege. A CarpenterA carpenter, about forty years of age, of a strong ha-
bit of body, and very laborious in his calling, live-
ingliv-
ing about a mile hence, came to me about three weeks
since, and made great complaint of the sad torture he
had suffer'd by reason of two Stones he had voided by stool
this last Christmas, there being about 14 days time be-
tween; the first was the less which is represented Numb.
12, Fig. 1. the latter is much larger, as in Numb. 12, Fig. 2,
but both of them much diminisht, as to their various
angles, and sharp points they had at their exit, by
means of the fellows bearing them about with him in his
pocket for four or five days, amongst his little Iron
tools, that have relation to his trade. He perceived no
alteration or disturbance in his body, till within 5 or 6
days that the first came away; then he began to com-
plain very much of a pain in the belly, much resemble-
ing the Colick, and of a stoppage in the Intestins, not
much unlike that in a Tenesmus, having frequent
provocations to go to stool, but to no purpose upon
tryall; he took little or no rest in all that time; his
Stomack retained scarce any Meat or Drink it receiv'd;
till in the conclusion one of the Stones came into the
Intestinum rectum; where it lodg'd for a days time; then
coming within the reach of his Finger, he drew it out
by force, and presently after the dislodging of this
troublesome guest, he was very well again; and so con-
tinued for a fortnight, till the other begun to move;
which occasioned a pain beyond the former in propor-
tion to its bulk; and kept him upon the rack about
eight days; during which time, there was an absolute 962[962]
supression of excrements, and when the Stone came in-
to the Rectum, it continued near two days within the
reach of his Finger, with which he could not draw it out
by any means; till at length he bent a small piece of
Iron into the form of a hook, with which rude instru-
ment his Servant drew it forth with much ado, and not
without Wounding the rugous coat of that part. After it was gone, he soon recovered his former con-
dition and felt no further harm from this accident. A-
bout seven years before, the very like case had befallen
him, Voyding two Stones after the same manner, and
about equall bigness. 987 [987] Numb. 171. Philosophical
Transactions.
May 20th. 1685. 1018 [1018] An Abstract of a Letter from Dr. Peirce of Bath, to
one of the S. of the R.S. giving an account
of a Shell found in one of the Kidneys of a
Woman. Sir. THE AccountThe account of the Shell found in the Kidney of a
Woman is as follows; A Gentle-Woman of about
28 years of Age, very Fat, and Corpulent, after hav-
ing been long troubled with frequent, and sometimes
violent Vomitings, fell at length into a Feaver, which
had no very ill Symptomes at first; yet she died in few
days, and on a sudden: for the satisfaction of her Re-
lations, the body was opend; the lower Region being
first examind, I quickly found what might account for
her long Vomiting (and perhaps her Feaver and Death
too,) Scil. an Ulcer in the Pancreas; which had Spha-
celated some part of the Stomac and Bowells, that lay
nearsest to it. But there having been many things
taken for the Stone, (many Physicians, as well as others,
imputing her Vomiting to that Distemper,) I was willing
to see in what condition her Kidneys were. They were
covered with a prodigious quantity of Fat; which re-
moving with my hand, and reaching one of the Kid-
neys I felt something prick my Finger in the lower part
of the Kidney where the Ureter is inserted: I presently
concluded it to be a Stone, and kept hold of it till I made
my way to it with my knife and took it out (with an a-
bundance of mucous bloudy matter about it,) and laid
it by in the window: opening the Kidneys, I found not
so much as Gravell (much less any Stone,) in either of
them: upon further examination of this matter, (supposd
to be a Stone,) by washing off the mucus that was bout it, 1019[1019]
I found it to be a small Shell, very finely Wrought, in the
hollow of it there was a mucous slimy matter, not at all
unlike the substance of a snail as to consistence; but
of a bloody colour. Fig. 3d. Represents the Shell in its true bigness. Fig.
4th. shews the same Shell somewhat magnified: those
indented Checkers, are every other a little depres'd, and
elated: and very exactly Wrought: there are six or
seven spiral lines or Rounds, in the Turban. I am
Sir Your very
Humble Servant
ROBERT PEIRCE
Bath April 11th,
1685. 1027 [1027] Numb. 172. Philosophical
Transactions.
June, 22d. 1685. 1049 [1049] A Letter from Mr. Nich. Waite Merchant of Lon-
don, to Dr. Rob. Plot; concerning some Incom-
bustible Cloth, lately exposed to the Fire before
the Royal Society. Sir, THEThe great respect and honour I bear to the learn-
ed and ingenious Gentlemen of the Royal Society,
prevailed with me, within few days after my arrival in
this City, to expose to their sight & examination a piece of
of LinnenClothLinnen Cloth, which by their experiment consumed not
in the fire: 1050 [1050] London
Sept. 10th 1684.
Your most assured Humble
Servant NICH. WAITE. The Handkerchief or pattern of this Incombustible Lin-
nen, which was shewn the Royal Society, (part whereof is
engraven Fig. 3.) being measured, was found in length
9 Inches, between the fringe or tassells; the fringe at each
end being 3 Inches more; so that the whole was just a
foot in length; and the breadth was just ½ a foot. There were two proofs of its resisting fire, given at
London: one, before some of the Members of the R. So-
ciety, privatly, Aug. 20. 1684; when Oyl was permitted
to be poured upon it whilst red hot, to enforce the vio-
lence of the fire: before it was put into the fire this first
trial, it weighed one ounce, six drams, sixteen grains, and
lost in the burning two drams, five grains. The second Experiment of it was publick before the So-
ciety, Nov. 12 following, when it weighed (as appears by
the Journal of the Society before it was put into the fire,
one ounce, three drams, 18 grains. Being put into a
clear Charcoal fire, it was permitted to continue red hot
in it, for several minutes: when taken out (though red
hot) it did not consume a piece of white paper, on which
it was layd: it was presently cool, and upon weigh-
1051[1051]
ing it again, was found to have lost one dram, 6 grains. Dec. 3, Mr. Arthur Bayly, one of the Fellows of the R.
Society, presented them with a piece of this Linnen in the
name of Mr. Waite. At the same time, the same Mr.
Bayly presented Dr. Plot with another piece of it, which
being brought to Oxford the Experiment was again re-
peated on it (Dec. 16.) it being put into a strong Char-
coal fire in the Natural History School, in a full meeting
of the Philosophical Society of that University; where after
it had continued red hot for some considerable time, it
was taken forth again little altered when cold, saving
that it seemed a little whiter and cleaner than before it
was put in; as appears upon the Journal of that Society.
Concerning which, Dr. Plot, being desired to offer his
thoughts, drew up the following Discours, which was read
before the said Society, June the 23d An. 1685. 1251 [1251] Numb. 178. Philosophical
Transactions.
For the Month December, 1685. 1266 [1266] A Remarkable Account of a Liver, appearing Glan-
dulous to the Eye; communicated by Mr John
Brown, Chirurgeon of St Thomas Hospitall in
Southwark; in a Letter to one of the Secretarys
of the Royal Society. SIR,
I SendI send you here the figure of the Liver of an Hydro-
pical Person, a Patient of our Hospitall, (as it was
accurately taken by Mr Faithorn,) which I thought so
curious as to be worthy the notice of the Royal Society,
and therefore have presumed to communicate it to you. The Person was about 25 years of age, a Soldier in
one of his Majesty's Regiments here in Town; who
contracted his distemper by drinking much water,
when he could not stirr from his duty, and catching
cold at nights in being upon the guard: He was under
the care of our Physicians for some time, by whose di-
rections his swellings did by times abate; but afterwards
it was observed, that the method which had been be-
neficiall to others, had not here the like success, his
swellings returning upon him as before; so that there
was nothing more now to be thought of, but a Para-
centhesis; which operation however we judged very ha-
zardous, by reason of the time of the year; and for that
the Patient was very much emaciated; yet he being so
much swell'd, that it was uneasy to him to ly in his
bed, he importun'd us very often, and with great ear-
nestness, that the Operation might be performed. Where-
upon we taking Hippocrates rule, In casu ancipiti præ-
stat Remedium anceps, quam nullum; and thinking it
better to attempt a cure that might be but barely pos-
sible, then to abandon him to the certain expectation 1267[1267]
of death; a Paracenthesis by the Physicians consent
and directions, was made by me the fourteenth
of November last part, whereby we drew from the Pa-
tient about 3 pints of Brinish Liquor, and within 4
days after as much more, the next day morning he
dyes, and his death as was found upon dissection, was
partly occasioned by a mortification upon his Scrotum
and Penis. This Operation was performed to the satisfaction of
the Physicians and Chirurgeons that saw it, and by it
the Patient had some ease for the present. Upon opening the body, I believe I took out about
24 quarts of water; he had a large inflammation upon
the Peritonæum; all his other inward parts not much
disaffected, except the Liver; which now I am going
to describe to you. Its magnitude was not extraordinary, but rather
seemed less then usuall, but that which was very re-
markable (and I think the like case scarce ever observ-
ed by any Author,) and seems much to confirm the
opinion of the Learned Malpighius, is this; It consist-
ed in its concave, convex, and inward parts of glands,
which (with the Vessels) made up the whole substance
thereof; these glands contained a yellowish Ichor, like
so many Pustulæ, and was I suppose part of the bilious
humor lodged in the same, tho otherwise the Liver
between the glands was of its usuall reddish colour.
In the bladder of Gall, we found a soft friable stone,
but otherwise nothing considerable further in that part.
The Liver was opened before the Physicians of our Hos-
pitall Dr Dawkins, and Dr Briggs, as also Dr Tyson,
and others who had the curiosity to see it; at which
place Mr Faithorn was likewise, who then took that
draught which I now present to you; so that this be-
ing attested by so good Judges, I need add no more
but that this case by them all was thought worthy to 1268[1268]
be presented to your excellent Society, which therefore
at their request I have adventured to do, hoping you
will favourably interpret this presumption of, December 15th
1685. London.
Sir,
Your faithfull Servant
J. BROWNE. 1269 [1269] Two Extracts of the Journall of the Phil. Soc. of
Oxford; one containing a Paper, communicat-
ed March 31, 1685, by the Reverend Dr Wallis,
President of that Soc. concerning the strength of
Memory when applied with due attention: the
other, dated Dec. 15th, 1685, describing a large
Stone Voided by way of Urine. 1271 [1271] The Second Extract. Dec, 15th. 1685. A ModelA model, or pattern of a Stone, which came from
the Bladder of Mrs. E. V. of Wallingford, at the
age of 63 years, Aug. 7. 1685, was communicated to
the Society. The compass of it was 5½ inches; the length
4¾ inches, the weight 3 ounces Avoird. This Stone was
at its coming off, taken out by her Husband, with-
out the help or Instrument of Physician or Chirurgeon,
and without effusion of Blood; since its coming off,
she has been troubled with Urinæ incontinentia. 125 [125] Numb. 182. Philosophical
Transactions.
June the 26. 1686. 140 [140] A short Examen of the Stones sent the R. Society from
Berne, whereof an account is given in the last Trans-
action: By Frederick Slare M.D.R.S. Soc. THoseThose that have made Experiments in Hydrostaticks,
do find all pure Metals to have Specifick and peculiar
Gravities to themselves, and those very differing one from
another. From this hint I formerly endeavored to disco-
ver the Nature of the Calculus Humanus (whichwhich I found to
have no attributes that are proper to a real Stone, and bring-
ing them to a Hydrostatical Test, I found them very differing
in their specifick Gravity, and very remote from an equal
proportion to their bulk of common Stone, when weigh-
ed in Water. 141 [141] This Stone sent us for thirteen Dramms, must either have
been Averdupoise, or else is wasted something, for I found it
only to weigh
In the Air 12 dr.–––36 gr.
In Water 6 dr.–––48 gr.
The difference betwixt the weight of
this Stone so called, in the Air and in
Water comes to 5 dr.–––48 gr. The proportion betwixt this Concrete and Water, proves
to be as 756 to 348, or as two and somewhat more than a sixth
to one. This extraordinary Pondus or Gravity makes the
matter of a greater consideration, and worthy our further
Inquiry whether there be not some Metallick Ingredi-
ent in it. 142 [142] There are some things yet very strange, which makes this
Case peculiar: Namely that those Stones which are genera-
ted in the habit of the Body, I mean in the very serious part
of the Blood, and those that passed the Bladder have just the
same Nature with those that are extra habitum, even those
evacuated ex Stomacho and ex Ano: for one as well as the
other will be presently corroded by so mild an Acid as plain
Vinegar. The Realtor in his Analysis of these Stones, gives an Ac-
count of so great a quantity of Volatile and fixt Salt obtain’d
by his distillation, that those tryals do necessarily make it
an Animal Substance; which Experiment so far failed us,
that I am not satisfied as to the matter of Fact. 145 [145] A further Tryal of the said Stones by Chymicall
distillation. By the same. WEWe brought this Stone to a gross powder, and convey-
ed it into a coated Retort, which coated Retort was
kept for some Hours in a naked Fire, so hot that the Glass
melted. The quantity we put into the retort amounted to half an
ounce, twenty Graines. The liquor that came over seems
scarce to afford 3 or 4 drops, which looks like Spirit of Harts-
horn rectified, and smells much like the same: which plain-
ly discovers it an Animal substance, though it affords much less
than the Calculus Humanus does: and by consequence gives
us a much larger proportion of Caput Mortuum or Residuum
in the Retort: all which is very consentaneous to the nature
of the Stone, for its Specific Gravity was much heavier than
the Stones are, we usually find in the Humane body; and
therefore the parts may be supposed more fix’d, or to con-
sist of fewer volatile parts, such as are carried over by
Distillation. We weigh’d the Remainder in the Retort, and it came to
three Drams and fifty Graines; Ten Graines of which
seem’d to hang about the neck of the Retort, in the form
of a dirty hard baked Oil. The other 20 Grains are partly
gone off in Vapour thro’ the Lute, and what we find in
the Receiver in a liquid form. We try’d part of this Caput mortuum by applying Mr.
Haak’s strong Magnet, to enquire whether it contained any
Iron Particles, but did not find any would adhere. How-
ever there remains yet one Tryal to be made, and that is to
give it a much stronger Reverberation in the Fire, and then
to see whether some Particles will not prove Martial, which
may be done at another Season. 255 [255] Numb. 186. Philosophical
Transactions.
For the Months of January, February and March, 1687. 281 [281] Part of a Letter from Mr. William Cole of Bristol
to the Publisher, about the Grains resembling Wheat
which fell lately in Wilt-shire. —This City and Country round about, is filled with
Reports of Raining Wheat about Warminster, and other
Places within Six or Eight Miles of it, and many believe
it; I have procured several Parcels of it, and carefully ex-
amined them, and find it to be the seeds of Ivy-Berries,
which from Towers and Churches, Chimneys, Walls and
high Buildings, were lately by very fierce Tempests of
Wind and Hail, driven away from the holes, chinks and o-
ther parts where Birds had brought them, especially Ster-
lings and Choughs: It were to little purpose to tell you the
prodigious Stories which have been made of it; among ma-
ny others, it was confidently affirmed (and backt by se-
veral, who affirmed they had seen it) that those Grains
were found in the Hail, as Seeds in Comfits: I do here
acquaint you with it (upon Notice I had of some who
have sent several Parcels of it to your Society, with strange
Relations of it) to the end you may inform them of the
Truth; For I have by all the ways I can Imagine exami-
ned and compared them with the Seeds of Ivy Berries, by
the tast, smell, size, and Figure; with the assistance of
Magnifying Glasses, viewing them in both the superficial
and inward Parts. This perhaps they may have discove-
red before this comes to their Hands, if they desire farther
Satisfaction concerning it, I shall be ready to serve
them, &c. William Cole. 331 [331] Numb. 188. Philosophical
Transactions.
For the Months of July and August 1687. 344 [344] A Letter of Mr. De la Hire of the Royal Academy
of the Sciences at Paris, concerning a new sort of
Magnetical Compass, with several curious Mag-
netical Experiments. YOUYou know Sr. that there is nothing which creates
so much trouble in long Voiages on the Sea, as the
Variation of the Magnetical Needle, both because this
Variation is different in differing places, and because in
the same place it changes considerably in process of time.
It seems that if we had exact Observations of the irregu-
larities of this Variation, made all over the Earth, and at a
considerable interval of time, one might discover some
Period of this motion, and establish a System which
might be of great use in Navigation. 345 (345) I had quite given over this Enquiry, when there acci-
dentally fell into my hands a Terella or Spherical Load-
stone, of three Inches Diameter; with which being mind-
ed to make some Experiments, with a little Needle whose
foot might easily be placed upon the Stone, I soon Obser-
ved that which hath been already noted by several, viz.
that this Globe of Magnet caused the Needle to have the
same changes which are found in the Compass in diffe-
346(346) rent parts of the World, as well in respect of the directi-
on towards the two Poles, as of the Inclination towards
that which is next it: And upon tryal I satisfied myself
that it was not possible to find the Point where the Nee -
pleNee-
dle would stand indifferently in any position, (which
Point would have exactly shewed me the Pole of the
Stone) but that the Needle however placed always direct-
ed itself some one way. I determined by this means, as
well as I could, the Point called the South Pole; but I
was much surprized to find it 18 Degrees distant from a
Cross deep engraven on the Stone, which according to all
appearance had heretofore been the Pole of this Stone,
as it had been Observed by him that Cut it. This change
of the Poles of this Stone having revived my former
thoughts concerning the Variation of the Needle, I believ-
ed that if it were true that the Poles of the Magnetical
Vertue changed in the Loadstone, as we see they change
in the Earth, one might derive great advantages there-
from as to the Variations of the Magnetical Needle. 350 (350) I doubt not but you are curious enough to see if the
Poles do change in the Terella, when you shall meet with
one fit for this Experiment. There might several other
things be noted upon this Subject, and it were to be wished
that some other particular observations might be made as
opportunity shall offer; but unless curiosities of this na-
ture fall into the hands of such as have a great love for the
advancement of the Sciences, it is not to be hoped that
we shall have any certain information in a matter so nice,
&c. Paris
April. 36. 1687. This Letter having been produced and Read before
the Royal Society; it was Ordered that the Terella,
which has been in their Repository these 25 Years, 351(351)
the gift of their Royal founder King Charles the Second,
should be examined, to see if there be any sensible altera-
tion in the Poles thereof: And upon tryal it was found
that the Points which are marked thereon with crosses,
were as near as could be discerned the true Poles of the
Stone; notwithstanding that the Variation has changed at
London full 4 Degrees since this Terella has been in the So-
ciety’s Custody; and perhaps many more since it was mark-
ed: and had there been a change in the Poles of the Load-
stone analagous thereto, it must needs have been perceived
in this, whose Diameter is about 4 ½ Inches. However to
put this matter past dispute, care was taken to find out ex-
actly and mark the Poles of the Society’s great Load-stone,
the Sphere of whose activity is above 9 Foot Radius, and
whose Poles are 13 Inches asunder, whereby if this Trans-
lation of the Poles be real, it cannot fail of being made
very sensible in future times. As to the supposition that the
Points in which the Iron hath received the Magnetical Ver-
tue may change place, after the same manner as the Poles
of the Earth’s Magnetism are observed to do; tho’ it was
lookt upon as an ingenious hint and worth prosecution, yet
some of the Company, well skill’d in Magneticks were of
opinion, rather that such a Circular Needle would librate
on its Center, so as to respect the Magnetical Meridian with
the Points that had at first received the touch, than that
the Ring remaining immoveable, the derective Vertue should
be transferred therein from place to place, either by length
of time, or by transporting this Compass into those parts where
the Variation of the Needle is considerably different. 491 (491) Numb. 193. Philosophical
Transactions.
For the Months of March, April, May, and June, 1691. 492 (492) An Account of a large and curious Map of the Great
Tartary, lately Publish’d in Holland, by Mr.
NICHOLAS WITSEN, being an Extract
of a Letter from the Author, to the Ho-
nourable Sir ROBERT SOUTHWELL Knt. and
President of the Royal Society. The Honourable NICHOLAS WITSEN late Ambassadour
into England, and now one of the Principal Burgomasters
of Amsterdam, having sent several of his New Maps of
Tartary to the Fellows of the Royal Society, the Honourable
their President was pleased to write unto him as followeth SIR, I HaveI have lately had a great Effect of your Bounty in the
Maps of Tartary. This is Columbus like, the Disco-
very of a New World; at least Tydings of those Parts,
which from the beginning have layn in the Dark. But
the Enterprise being so vast, and the success so unex-
pected; the Publick are very impatient to be told by
what Magick you have been able to master this Work.
For it looks in one Part no less difficult then a Geogra-
phical Description of the Bottom of the Sea; I mean
as to those impenetrable Desarts, the endless Boggs and
Marshes, the inaccessable Mountains and those mighty
Tracts, which by their Climate are rendered uninhabita-
ble; since all these seem by Nature to have been condem-
ned to an everlasting Solitude. 493 (493) Now for the rest, when I consider that the Caravans
passing between Muscovy and China are not frequent;
that they are confin’d to certain Paths and Lines of Trade;
That the Merchants and common Travellers mind no-
thing but the Security and Certainty of the Journey,
and the Profit that ensues; And that those who should
inform them of Extents and Boundaries, are a Ramb-
ling and uncultivated Generation, and of various Langua-
ges. If after all these Impediments, you shall yet be
able to shew the Credibility of your Survey, you need
think no more of Fame, but only pray for Humility. TaTo which Mr. Witsen was pleased to Answer to the
Effect following. SIR, ’TIS’Tis almost 28 years since I travelled into Russia,
and being there merely for my own Satisfaction,
I not only Conversed with the Inhabitants of those Coun-
treys, but with Tartars of all sorts. There I grew first
informed not only in the Situation of those Parts, but
of such Countries as lay very remote. I have not ceas-
ed from that time, by various Methods I have found, to
send Letters unto, and receive Answers from the most
Northern, and North-East parts of the World. For I have
maintain’d a constant Correspondence in Mosco, Astra-
can, Georgia, Ispahan, Polonia, and Constantinople, I have
had Letters every year from Pekin, the chief City of
China. I have gathered Volumes of Journals and Re-
gisters, which set forth the Names of Mountains, Rivers,
Cities and Towns, together with a vast number of
Drafts made by my own Order, which describe the Ter-
ritories that I have mentioned. ’Tis from this Fund, which has been gathering for so
many years, and by comparing and adjusting all these
Materials, and by preserving without intermission there-
in, that the Map is made up. 494 (494) After all, I am far from thinking it has no faults, ‘tis
very well if such as are found, be not many, or very
gross, I confess my own greatest doubts are about the
stretching of the Sea-Coasts. And ‘tis therefore that I
express them in a faint and pale Colour, to signify the
uncertainty thereof. But as to the Latitudes, I have
more assurance of their being well noted, and suspect
but little mistakes, if there be any therein. I am yet in suspence whether the North-East Point
which you see bearing off in the Map, may run quite on
to America; or how far thither-ward it may reach. I formerly thought Nova Zembla had been a Continent,
and when I wrote my Opinion herein to Mr. Oldenbourg,
he put it into one of his Transactions. But I have since
been better informed, and retracted that Error. And
whereas the late Monsieur Vossius would needs persuade
himself, as well as he did others to their Ruin, that
there was a passage to Japan by the North, and that the
Tartarian Countreys behind Nova Zembla did immediate-
ly decline towards the South; I did always oppose it,
and think I can even demonstrate the Impossibility there-
of. So that what he wrote to encourage Mariners to
that attempt, was even directing them to the point of
Death, as it afterwards ensu’d. My intention is, if I live, and may have leisure for
it, to make several particular Maps of the sundry Coun-
tries contained in this General One, and to give the De-
scriptions which appertain to each. 653 (653) Numb. 198. Philosophical
Transactions.
For the Month of March, 1693. 659 (659) III. A Letter from Sir Robert Redding, late
Fellow of the R. S. concerning Pearl-Fishing
in the North of Ireland; communicated to the
Publisher by Dr. Lister. R. S. S. Dear SIR, BEingBeing in the North in August last, and calling to re-
membrance your Desires to have some of the
Muscle-shells sent you wherein the Pearls were found, I
stayed behind my Company one day like an old Hound
from following the Stag, and bestowed it in Enquiries
from others, and some small Trials in the Rivers; but
having by me neither Queries to direct my Search, nor
Books to inform me what had been delivered by others
on this Subject, I must needs fall short in those Points
that are most curious and most wanting, and take no-
tice only of what is too common and most known in
the Natural History of this Shell-fish. I have sent you four or five of the Shells, and a few
of the Pearls, though clouded and little worth, taken
out of the River near Omagh in the County of Tyrone,
in which County are four Rivers abounding with these
Muscles, all emptying themselves into Lough foyle,
whereon stands the Town of Derry, and so into the Sea.
There are also other Rivers in the County of Donegall, a
River near Dundalk, the Shure running by Waterford,
the Lough called Lough-Lean in Kerry, which afford the
like Fish; and no doubt there be many more that I do 660(660)
not know: All these places are at the feet of very great
Mountains. 663 (663) I send you also herewith some Stones of an Amber
Colour taken out of a Spring called Cranbourn-Spring
near Lough-Neah, which the Country-People tell us
grow at the end of a little Rush, and drop off, and are 664 (664)
to be found only on May day Eve, and good for God
knows what: They look like the Germinations of some
of your Salts, but in the Fire shewed no signs thereof
by crackling; they are Electrical and Angular, and be-
ing pounded, the Powder is white. I have several Stones
and Minerals by me, which if I knew were acceptable
to you, should be sent forwards; but I would gladly
first be assured you are not displeased with these Trifles
from
Yours, &c.
Dublin, Oct. 13.
1688. 693 (693) Numb. 199. Philosophical
Transactions.
For the Month of April, 1693. 695 (695) II. Extracts of some Letters from Mr. John
Sturdie of Lancashire concerning Iron Ore;
and more particularly of the Hæmatites,
wrought into Iron at Milthrop-Forge in that
County. Communicated by Dr. Martin Lister,
S. R. S. Townley, March 14. 1674.
SIR, YOUYou will receive herewith some of the Cinder you
desir’d, as also a little of Iron-stone both burnt
and unburnt. They have several sorts of iron-stone, and 696*** (696)
of different Natures; for some makes Coldshire-Iron, that
is, such as is brittle, when it is cold; another sort makes
Redshire, that is, such as is apt to break if it be ham-
mered, when it is of a dark red Heat, and therefore are
never melted down but in mixture, and so they yield an
indifferent good sort of Iron. 698 (698) Thurnham, Sept. 25. 1675.
SIR, I SendI send at last the promised Parcels of Iron Oar,
one sort of it seems to be good Hæmatites. It seems
I either did not rightly apprehend, or was not clearly
enough informed by the Person from whom I had the
Account I sent you, of the Furnace in which they melt
down their Oar. It is very much like a common Black-smiths, viz. A
plain open Hearth or bottom without any enclosing
Walls, only where the nose of the Bellows come in
through a Wall there is a hollow place (which they call
the Furnace) made of Iron Plates, as is also that part
of the Hearth next adjoining. This hollow place they
fill and up-heap with Charcoal, and lay the Oar (bro-
ken) small) all around about the Charcoal upon the flat
Hearth, to bake it as it were, or neal and thrust it in by
little and little into the Hollow, where it is melted, by
the Blast. The glassie Scoriæ run very thin, but the
Metal is never in a perfected Fusion, but settles as it were
in a Clod, that they take it out with Tongs, and turn it
under great Hammers, which at the same` time beat off
(especially at first taking out of the Furnace) a deal of
courser Scoriæ, and form it after several Heats into Bars.
They use no Lime-stone or other thing to promote the
Flux, for that I enquired particularly. As to other
matters my former Relation is exact enough. 857 (857) Numb. 203. Philosophical
Transactions.
For the Month of September, 1693. 870 (870) V. The Descriptions of certain Shells found in
the East Indies, Communicated by Mr. Witzen
to Dr. Lister, and by him to the Publisher,
with some Remarks of his own. SIR,
I HereI here sent you inclosed an Account of certain Shells
and their Figures, which I received from Mr. Witzen,
formerly Ambassadour here from the States of Holland, 871(871)
and also well known to the Learned World by his excel-
lent Map of Tartary. Translated from the French. He Writes thus: There are found on the Coasts of Malabar and Cey-
lon, certain Cockles or Shells in Dutch called Kouk-horens.
These Shells contain a Fish that lives in the bottom of
the Sea, fixt to the Body of the Shell, and at a certain
Season of the Year, they cast their Seed which produ-
ces a sort of Matrix of the size of the FigureVid. Fig.
4.*; this
long Body which is wrinckled like an Andouille or Saus-
age is filled with a great number of round Celles, which
are so many Matrices, each producing its little shell-
fish; which quit not their cells till they are grown to
such a bigness and maturity, as their weight breaks them
off and loosens them from their cells, and so from their
common Matrix, which remains fastned to the bottom
of the Sea by the great end, the other end moving a-
bout freely in the water, which is flexible every way
like an Andouille. This Matrix the Hollanders call
Swambalk. It is observable that this Matrix has a kind of back-
part and Belly, the Back is something like that of a
Sckelvis and of a greyish colour, the Belly is whiter,
and is that part which is filled with the cells from one
end to the other: the Skin which covers it is very like
that of Stock-fish or other dryed Fish. Figure the 5th, Is a shell found in the River of Goa,
which holds a sort of Oyster. It is very scarce and
in the Indies as well as here the shell powdered is esteem-
ed a good Medicine. 117 (117) Numb. 210. Philosophical
Transactions.
For the Month of May, 1694. 121 (121) III. A Continuation of Mr. John Clayton’s Ac-
count of Virginia. Of the Beasts of Virginia THEREThere were neither Horses, Bulls, Cows, Sheep,
or Swine, in all the Country, before the com-
ing of the English, as I have heard, and have much
reason to believe. But now amongst the English Inha-
bitants there are good store of Horses, though they are
very negligent and careless about the Breed: It is true,
there is a Law, that no Horse shall be kept stonedstored under
a certain size, but it is not put in Execution. Such as
they are, there are good store, and as cheap or cheaper
than in England, worth about Five Pounds apiece. They
never Shoe them, nor Stable them in general; some
few Gentlemen may be something more Curious, but
it is very rare; yet they Ride pretty sharply, a Planter’s
Pace is a Proverb, which is a good sharp Hand-Gallop.
The Indians have not yet learned to Ride, only the King
of Pomonkie had got three or four Horses for his own
Saddle, and an Attendant, which I think should in no
wise be indulged, for I look on the allowing them Hor-
ses much more dangerous than even Guns and Pow-
der. 126 (126) Snakes about seven several sorts. The Rattle-Snake,
so called from certain Rattles at the end of the Tail;
these Rattles seem like so many perished Joynts, being
a dry Husk over certain Joynts, and the common Opi-
nion is, that there are as many Rattles or Joynts, as
the Snake is Years old; I kill’d four or five, and they
had each eleven, twelve, or thirteen Joynts each, but
the Young ones have no Rattles of a Year or two, but
they may be known notwithstanding, being very regu-
larly diced or checker’d, black, and gray on the backs;
The Old shake and shiver these Rattles with wonderful
nimbleness when they are any ways disturbed; their
bite is very deadly, yet not always of the same force,
but more or less Mortal, accordingly as the Snake is in 127(127)
force or vigour, and therefore in June or July much
worse, and more Mortal, than in March and April.
This Snake is a very Majestick sort of Creature, and
will scarce meddle with any thing unless provoked,
but if any thing offend it, it makes directly at them.
I was told a pleasant Story of an Old Gentleman, Col.
Cleyborn as I remember was his Name, the same that
sent the Rattle-Snakes to the Royal Society some Years
since. For the Months of September and October, 1696. 316 (316) VI. Part of a Letter from Mr. Halley at Che-
ster, October 26th, 1696. giving an Ac-
count of an Animal resembling a Whelp voi-
ded per Anum, by a Male Greyhound, and
of a Roman Altar found there, &c.
THEThe Account the Society had from Dr. Wallis
about a Year since of a Greyhound Dog, that
voided an Animal, resembling a Whelp per anum, as
strange and incredible as it may seem, is yet here sted-
fastly believed; and the Creature was kept for some
time in Spirit of Wine, having lived for some short time
after it came into the World: and it was seen alive by
Mr. Roberts of the Society, then in Chester. They
say it exactly resembled a Greyhound-Whelp, and had
on its side a large spot, in the same place as the Dog it
proceeded from, had such another; and that with it
was voided a whitish mucuous Matter, so that the Peo-
ple here will not permit me to question the truth there-
of. Mr. Roberts who saw it first, can best judge
what Credit this uncouth Story Merits. But this is
certain, That it cost the Dog his Life, to gratifie the
Curiosity of some Gentlemen here, who Dissected him,
but were disappointed of their Expectations. For my
own part, as I am determined nihil temere credere; so on
the other hand, as I dare not pretend to limit the Pow-
ers of Nature, I suspend my Opinion, laying on-
ly before you what credible Witnesses do assert.
I this Morning got a sight of an Altar-piece, dug up
here about three Years since, and took the Inscrip-
tion thereof which is pretty entire, but roughly
cut in the Stone of the place, which is soft and 317( 317 ) moldring, nor capable of long continuance when it is
exposed to the Air: It has the following Inscription.

PRO. SAL. DOMIN
.... IM N N INVI
CTISSIMORVM
AVGG. GENIOLOCI
FLAVIVS LONG—— I suppose VS there
not being room
for INVS
TRIB. MIL. LEGXX.
LONGINUS FLA
VIVS DOMO
SAMOSATA
 V .   S.

By the Title of Domini nostri given to the Empe-
rors, it appears, that this Inscription was of the Bas
Empire, not before Dioclesian, nor yet so late as Theodo-
rus, it being Pagan. The Stone it self is about Thir-
ty two Inches high, Sixteen in breadth, and Nine thick;
On the one end is Engraven, not very curiously, the
Resemblance of a Genius, holding a Cornu Copia; on
the other is a Flower-pot somewhat better performed,
but a little endamaged by the softness of the Stone.
The backside opposite to the Inscription, is adorned with
a pretty sort of Feuillage, designed to fill up the vacant
space. On the top in a pretty deep Cavity, is a full
Face of a Man, almost such as they Paint the Sun or
Full Moon withal, with a Cap upon his Head, of which
as yet I cannot comprehend the Design; I submit it to
the Disquisition of the Society; and if it be thought
requisite, I will more particularly inspect and describe
this Stone, which is in the Custody of one Mr.
Prescot here, a great lover of Antiquity, and who
has several curiosities by him, which I am promised
to peruse. 318( 318 ) The Stone of this place, which is soft, reddish, grit,
and very friable, with shining Particles intermixt, is
very apt to decay with the Weather, so that all Old
Buildings are very much defaced thereby, and the Walls
which are Built thereof, are so frequently out of Repair,
that they have Officers on purpose, whom they call
Murengers, who do gradually refit them, where they
are most worn out; in some places the Stone is in a
manner moulded away like Sammel Bricks in a Wall,
leaving the Mortar standing. In these Stones, and the
Quarries from whence they came., I have diligently
sought for Shells, or other Animal Substances, such as
are often found in other palces, but hitherto have found
no such things: But the Stone is generally intersperst
with Pebbles and small Flints, which, as the stone de-
cays, do discover themsevles within it, as if they had
been lodged in the Sand, whereof the Stone consists be-
fore its Induration. 319 ( 319 ) VII. A Letter from Mr. Ralph Thoresby, to
Dr. Martin Lister, Coll. Med. Lond. & S.R.S.
giving an Account of a Roman Pottery, near
Leeds in Yorkshire.
SIR,Sir, I Hadhad once the Happiness in my Father's time to see
you here, and take very kindly your honourable
mention of him in your curious Letter Published in the
Philosophical Collect, N° 4. The Altar is yet with me,
with a considerable addition of other Curiosities, relating
as well to Antiquitys as natural Rarities, to which (if I
misremember not) you was a Benefactor, in bestowing
some valuable scars of a Coraline Urn, and of a Jet
Ring, with some Indian Fruit, &c. my natural Pro-
pension to such things steals away more time then I
can well afford, and makes me also troublesome to such
generous tempers, as I find as well willing as able to as-
sist me; and therefore I presume this once to desire
your thoughts concerning a Roman Pottery that I have
lately discovered in my Survey of this Parish. 'Tis up-
on Blackmore, about two Miles from Leedes (the old
Leogeolium) the Name Hawcaster rig gave me the first
occasion to hope for some Roman Ruines there; but
instead of the Remains of a regular Camp or Fortifica-
tion, I was surprised to find several Rounds, or circular
Heaps of Rubbish, abundantly too small for any Mili-
tary use; one by the Wheel was Sixteen Perches round,
another in walking Seventy six Paces, and these I take
to be Ruines of some of the very Furnaces; ’tis a San-
dy Ground, yet plenty of Clay at no great distance;
The Countrey People tell me of heaps of Stagg and Cin-
ders, but I had not the hap to meet with any, the place 320( 320 ) being grown over with Moss, &c. and whole at
present covered with Snow, that I can make no further
Discovery till more seasonable Weather; in the mean
time I should be glad to know of you the bigness of
those Metæ you observed at Santon, and what Authors
treat of the Roman Plasticks. I am ready to fancy these
might be for their Bricks, because of the great plenty
of Clay in the Neighbourhood, and the great number
of those Roman Bricks, yet to be seen in the Ruines of
Kirkstall-Abbey, and that it belonged to the Romans, I
conclude, partly because the Inhabitants have no Tradi-
tion of any Modern Pottery, but chiefly because it is
seated upon a Branch of the Roman-way, or one of
their Viæ Vicinnales, that leads from the great Military
Road upon Bramham-moor, by Thorner, Shadwell, and
Kirkstall to Cambodunum, besides the very name seems
to import some Roman Castrum. Near the adjoining E-
minency that the Saxons call'dcalled Haws or Hougs, and the
word is yet retained in some parts of Yorkshire, witness
Hamleton-Hough in the Road to Selby; and to conclude,
the Village that succeeded the Old Pottery is called Potter-
Newton. If you please, Sir, to favour me with a
Line, that I may have your Sanction, if these Con-
jectures be so happy as to merit it, you will thereby ve-
ry much honour,
Worthy Sir,
Yours, &c. 321 (321) VIII. A Letter from Sir Robert Sibbald to
Dr. Martin Lister Coll. Med. Lond. & S.R.S.
containing an Account of several Shells obser-
ved by him in Scotland.
SIR, Sir,
I Rreceived yours, and the Exercitationes Medicinales,
for which I give you many thanks. I am perswaded
the Method you take for promoting Learning is the
best, your joining the Antient and Modern Learning
together, in my Opinion doth both illustrate and ad-
vance our Art. Your late pieces, I hope, will prevail
with some to abate of that Contempt they had of the
Ancient Phisitians; your Explaining in your Exercita-
tio Anatomica Tertia, the way the Stone is produced
in the Bladder, from the way that Shells and Pearls are
produced, and from the Petrifications that are made by
Mineral Waters is most satisfying in my Opinion, and
preferable to what I have seen Written by any other. I
have seen some of the Stones taken out of the Bladder
broak, which consisted of many Coats, like the Skins
of an Onion. We have some Waters that Petrifie.
Upon the North side of the Firth of Forth, some eight
Miles from the City, there is a Cove close upon the
Sea, the Roof of which is covered with a Stalagmites
a Foot deep, like the Fringe of a Bed; the upper coat
is of a Sea-colour, the Juice is as white as the Sal Pru-
nellæ; the Water which droppeth from it, if it touch
the Skin, maketh it smart: Near to this same Cove, is
a piece of an Hollow Rock; which within, from the
top to the bottom, is full of so many orders of Columns,
resembling the Pipes of a Church Organ, and some of
different Figures; I broke a small one and found some 322(322) what hollow in the middle. All the Ground in this
place is full of Lime-stone. You desired in yours a Collection of Shells from this
place, I forbore to write hoping to have gotten some,
but have not been so happy yet, for that there is little
or no Communication with the Inhabitants of the Isles,
the Sea is so infested with Pyrates. I am promised by a
Friend who is going to Sky a Parcel, which if I get
them I shall send to you; in the mean time I thought
it might be acceptable to you, to give an Account of
the rarest I have seen found here, or in our Isles: If I
could have had your Historia or Synopsis Methodica Con-
chiliorum, I could have digested them in better Order;
but tho' I gave several Commissions to our Book-sellers
that went for London, I could never have it yet, they
said to me it was not to be found in the Shops. I have
entreated the Gentleman who delivereth this Letter to
you, to know of you where it may be had, I am in
hopes to learn much of Shells from it: Bonani giveth
but little light in this matter. Of the Univalves The rarest are I. the Nautilus Falconeri, the Shell
was sent me by a Friend from the North, and was broken
by lying amongst the Stones upon the Shoar: The
Structure is marvellous where the Animal lyeth, there
are two Decks visible one above auotheranother of a Pearl Co-
lour; there is a hole in the upper deck naturally, thro'
which may be seen the other Deck at some distance from
the upper, and such another hole in it; the higher
part of the Shell which resembleth a Helmit; where it
is broken sheweth several vaulted division, betwixt which
a Tube passeth that is hollow, they are of the Colour
of Pearl too. The outmost Coat of the Shell is of a dark
Grey Colour, which is much worn off in this, and 323 (323) there appeareth a smooth Coat, with Brown and White
Stroaks. The next to this is that which Boccone in his Recher-
ches calleth the Pediculus Ceti, it is of one Valve,
but what is singular, it is open at both ends; the Stru-
cture of it, both within, and without, is very curious;
the Animal was so dryed I could not distinguish the parts
of it, but it must be of an odd shape if it fit the sinuous
Caverns that are in the inner part of the Shell. The Testudo Marina Squamosa sometimes cast in up-
on the Orkney Isles, the Shell of one was sent to me,
was two Foot in length, and of a proportionable breadth.
There is a great variety of the Patellæ or Limpets found
in the Isle of Sky. Mr. Martin my Friend, a curi-
ous Gentleman, who was born there, and sometimes
stayeth there shewed me these following. Besides the common Patella there is one of a middle
size of a dark Grey Colour, which is much flatter then
the common Patella; the Circle about the Peak is of a
lighter Colour, there are many Striæ runs from the
Peak to the Border, and it hath another larger Circle
near the Border. There is another flat one raised too of a Grey Colour. There is a Conical Limpet raised with the Peak White,
and a Circle below it of an Orange Colour, the rest be-
low that of the same Colour variegated with black Spots. There is a Conical one too of a middle size, smooth
and brownish with white Peak. There is an Oval Limpet of a fucal size, thin and tran-
sparent, the Peak of a dark Colour; in the Convex part
below the middle, there are some blew Lines very beau-
tiful. There is a great variety of the Trochi likewise. The Trochus albidus maculis rubentibus distinctus, a
large sort of the same, and a lesser sort. 324 (324) A Trochus of a middle size of the Colour of Pearl all
over, which he told me he took up so out of the Sands. A Trochus of a reddish Colour, marked with Spots
that are dark. A Trochus of a Colour betwixt Blew and Grey, mark-
ed with dark Spots, this had a Cancellus in it.
 And Mr. Martin said he was told, that there was in the
Isle of Sky a Trochus of a Gold Colour. Cochlea Umbilicata.
There is a small sort of the Cochlea Umbilicata, with
Waves of a brown Colour upon the white Ground. There is a lesser Cochlea Umbilicata, with darker
Waves upon a white Ground. Cochlea Fasciata. There is a small Cochlea Fasciata with the Fasciæ
brown, upon a white Ground. Another of that sort, with the Fasciæ darker upon a
pale Ground. A small Cochlea Yellow all over. A small Cochlea of an Orange Colour. A small one of a brown Colour, smooth, with waved
Lines of a dark Colour. Nerita. There is a small Nerita of an Orange Colour. One of the Cochleæ Convins of a smaller sort, of an
Oker Colour. Of the Bivalves. There is great variety of the Pectines we call here
Clams. One of the middle size, with two Ears very White. One of a dark Colour, variegated with white stroaks
and spots. Of the least sort, about the size of the Roman Silver
Medals, and some less. One with two Ears, with Orange Spots, upon a white
Ground. 325 (325) One entirely of an Orange Colour. One of a Purplish Colour. One variegated like a Gilly-flower, with broad purp-
lish and white Spots. The Lines of this run transverse. As do these, one with reddish and white stroaks. One with white Spots upon an Orange Ground. One with a white Ground and dark Spots. With the Lines Perpendicular. One with two Ears with a dark Ground, and the Lines
white and streight. One of an Ear of a Purplish Colour. One of an Ear Brownish, the upper part of the Shell
raised somewhat above the edge, and the edge is more
striated.    Of the Tellinæ. One with white and blew Fasciæ. One with the Fasciæ yellowish and obscure. Of the Conchæ læves. One large with the Fasciæ dark, and some white lines
running from the Peak to the Border. One of a middle size, with the Fasciæ blewish, upon
white perpendicular striæ. A third least of all, with white Fasciæ upon a reddish
Ground. A Pectunculus with a Fasciæ of a greyish Colour, and
three streight Lines. A Pecten of a small size, consisting as it were of 4 Shells,
each of them raised somewhat above another, of a greyish
blew Colour.   Of the Quinquevalve. We have one sort of the Pholas best described by you. And the Barnacle which I call Concha quinquevalvis
Animal sui generis continens variis cirrhis& caudâ rotun-
dâ Rugosâ instructum. Dr. Balflour found Eggs in the
Cauda of it. If any of these seem curious, I shall endeavour to
procure of them for you, and what else may be accep-
able to you. 485 (485) For the Month of April, 1697. 489 (489) II. A Discourse concerning the Large Horns
frequently found under Ground in Ireland,
Concluding from them that the great Ame-
rican Deer, call'd a Moose, was formerly
common in that Island: With Remarks on
some other things Natural to that Country.
By Thomas Molyneux, M. D. Fellow of
the King and Queens Colledge of Physicians
in Ireland, and of the Royal Society in
England. THThat no real Species of Living Creatures is so
utterly extinct, as to be lost entirely out of the
World, since it was first Created, is the Opinion of
many Naturalists; and ’tis grounded on so good a
Principle of Providence taking Care in general of all
its Animal Productions, that it deserves our Assent.
However great Vicissitudes may be observed to attend
the Works of Nature, as well as Humane Affairs;
so that some entire Species of Animals, which have
been formerly Common, nay even numerons in cer-
tain Countries; have, in Process of time, been so
perfectly lost, as to become there utterly unknown;
tho’ at the same time it cannot be denyed, but the
kind has been carefully preserved in some other part
of the World. Of this we have a remarkable Example in Ire-
land, in a most large and stately Beast, that undoubted-
ly has been frequent in this Kingdom, tho’ now clear-
490 (490) ly extinct; and that so many Ages past, as there re-
mains among us not the least Record in Writing, or
any manner of Tradition, that makes so much as men-
tion of its Name; as that most Laborious Inquirer in-
to the pretended Ancient, but certainly Fabulous Hi-
story of this Country, Mr. Roger O Flaherty, the Au-
thor of Ogygia, has lately informed me. What Discoveries therefore we make of this Crea-
ture, we can only have from those loose parts of it we
find dug out of the Earth by Accident, preserved there
so many Ages from Corruption, by lying deep and
close under Ground, whilst harder and of themselves
more durable Bodies, moulder away and perish, by
being exposed to the various Changes of the Air, and
repeated Injuries of the Weather. By the Remains we have of this Animal, it appears
to have been of the Genus Cervinum or Deer Kind, and
of that sort that carries Broad or Palmed Hornes,
bearing a greater affinity with the Buck or Fallow Deer,
than with the Stag or Red Deer, that has Hornes
round and branched, without a Palme; This I lately
observed, having an opportunity of particularly Ex-
amining a compleat Head, with both its Horns entirely
perfect, not long since dug up, given to my Brother
William Molyneux, as a Natural Curiosity by Mr. Hen-
ry Osborn, that lives at a place call'd Dardistown, in
the County of Meath, about Two Miles from Drog-
heda, who writ him the following Account of the man-
ner and place they were found in. I have by the Bearer sent the Head and Horns I
promised you; this is the third Head I have found
by casual trenching in my Orchard; they were all dug up 491 (491) within the Compass of an Acre of Land, and lay about
four or five Foot under Ground, in a sort of Boggy Soil.
The first Pitch was of Earth, the next two or three of
Turff, and then followed a sort of white Marle, where
they were found: They must have lain there several Ages,
to be so deep enterred. (Thus far Mr. Osborn.) I took their Dimensions carefully as follows; from
the extreme tip of the right Horn, to the extreme tip
of the left, as exprest in the annext Table, Figure the
first. by the prick’t Line A. B. was ten Foot ten Inches,
from the tip of the right Horn, to the Root where it
was fastned to the Head, Exprest by the Line C. D. five
Foot two Inches from the Tip of the highest Branch
(measuring one of the Horns transverse, or directly
across the Palme) to the tip of the lowest Branch, ex-
prest by the Line G. F. Three Foot Seven Inches and
a Half. The length of one of the Palms within the
Branches, exprest by the Line G. H. Two Foot Six
Inches: The breadth of the same Palm, still within
the Branches, exprest by the Line I. K. One Foot Ten
Inches and a half: The Branches that shot forth round
the edge of each Palm, were Nine in Number, besides
the Brow Antlers, of which the right Antler, exprest
by the Line D. L. was a Foot and Two Inches in length,
the other was much shorter: The Beam of each Horn at
some distance from the Head, where ’tis mark’d M.
was about Two Inches and Six tenths of an Inch, in
Diameter, or about Eight Inches in Circumference;
at the Root where it was fastned to the Head, about
Eleven Inches in Circumference. The length of the
Head, from the back of the Skull to the tip of the
Nose, or rather the extremity of the upper Jaw-bone,
exprest in the Figure by the Line N. O. Two Foot, 492 (492) the breadth of the Skull where largest, mark'd by
the Line P.Q. was a Foot. The Two Holes near the Roots of the Horns, that
look like Eyes were not so, (for these were placed on
each side the Head in Two ample Cavities, that could
not be well exprest in the Figure) but were large
open Passages, near an Inch in Diameter in the
Forehead Bone, to give way to great Blood-vessels,
that here issue forth from the Head, and pass between
the Surface of the Horn, and the smooth Hairy Skin
that Covers them whilst they are growing, (which is
commonly call’d the Velvet) to supply the Horns
with sufficient Nourishment, while they are soft, and
till they arrive at their full Magnitude, so as to become
perfectly hard and solid. These Vessels, by reason of
their largeness and great turgency of the Humor in
them; whilst the Horn is sprouting and pliant, make
deep and conspicuous furrows all along the outside of
it where they pass; which may plainly be seen after the
Horn is bare and come to its full growth; at
which time all these Veins and Arteries, with the out-
ward Velvet Skin, drying by the Course of Nature,
shrivel up and separate from the Horn, and the Beast
affects tearing them off in great stripes against the Bows
of Trees, exposing his Horns naked, when they are
throughly hardned, without any Covering at all.
This I gather, by what Remarks I have made on the Skulls
of other Deer, and what I have observed concerning
the growth of these sort of Horns in Animals of the
like kind, tho' not in this particular sort of Crea-
ture. The Figure I had exactly taken by a skilful Hand, to
shew truly the right shape and size of these kind of 493 (493) Horns we so commonly find here under Ground in
Ireland; and have likewise added a Draught of a pair
of common Stags Horns, exprest Figure the 2d. and
another of a pair of common Bucks Horns, exprest
Figure the 3d. all done according to the same Scale;
that by this means, at one and the same time, may
appear the grand disproportion between these sorts of
Heads, and also the difference and agreement in their
Shape. (See the Table.) Such then were the vast Dimensions, according to
which the lofty Fabrick of the Head and Horns of
this stately Creature was Built; and doubtless all the
rest of the parts of its Body answered these in a due
proportion. So that should we compare the fairest
Buck with the Symetry of this mighty Beast, it must
certainly fall as much short of its Proportions as
the smallest young Fawn, compared to the largest
over-grown Buck. And yet ’tis not to be question’d, but these spacious
Horns, as large as they were, like others of the Deer
Kind, were naturally cast every Year, and grew again
to their full Size in about the Space of Four Months:
For all Species of Deer, yet known, certainly drop
their Horns yearly, and with us ’tis about March, and
about July following they are full summ'd again. Of
which strange Appearance in Nature, the learned Gerrar-
dus Johannes Vossius making mention in his excellent
Book De Idololatriâ, Lib. 3. Cap. 57. has these Words:
Ponam inter Naturæ maximè admiranda breviculo adeo
Tempore tam solida duraq; tantæ Molis Cornua enasci (a).
(a) That is, I shall reckon it among the most wonderful Works of
Nature, that Horns so hard and solid, and of so great a Bulk, should grow
up in so short a time. 494 (494) And the inquisitive Italian Philosopher, Francisco Redi,
in his Experimenta circa res Naturates, &c. on the same
Occasion expresses himself thus: Maximâ profecto ad-
miratione dignum est tantam Molem Cornuum & Ramorum
tam brevi tempore quotannis renasci & crescere (b).
And if these judicious Persons were moved thus with
Admiration by considering only the yearly Falling and
sudden Growth of these smaller Horns of Bucks and
Stags, with which alone they were acquainted, what
would they have thought, had they known of these
vast and stupendious Productions of Nature in the same
Kind. As there seems to me no small Affinity or Agreement
in the Sprouting forth, and Branching of Deers Horns,
with the way of Growth in Vegetables; so I conceive
likewise the constant yearly dropping of them, to pro-
ceed much from the same Cause, that Trees annually
cast their ripe Fruit, or let fall their withering Leaves
in Autumn: that is, because the nourishing Juice, say it
is Sap or Blood, is stopt and flows no longer; either
on the account ’tis now deficient, being all spent, or that
the cavous Passages which conveigh it, dry up and cools;
so as the Part having no longer any Communication
with, must of necessity by degrees sever from the Whole;
but with this Difference, that Horns by reason of their
hard Material and strong Composition, stick fast to the
Head by their Root, Seven or Eight Months after all
their Nourishment perfectly retires; whereas Leaves and
Fruit, consisting of a much more tender Substance and
a finer Texture of Parts, drop sooner from their native
(b) That is, Truly it deserves our greatest Wonder that so large a
Body of Horns and Branches should sprout up in so short a time, and be
renewed every Year. 495 (495) Beds where they grew, when once the Supply of usual
Nourishment is stopt; this Analogy that Nature ob-
serves in casting the Horns of Beasts and dropping the
Fruit of Trees, will appear much more evident to any
one that will observe the end of a Stalk, from which
a ripe Orange or any such large Fruit has been lately se-
ver’d, and the Butt end of a cast Horn where it fasten'd
to the Os Frontis: for by comparing them together, he
shall find so great a Congruity in the shape of both,
that ’twill be apparent Nature works according to the
same Mechanism in one as in t’other. Discoursing one Day with his Excellency the Lord
Capell, then one of the Lord Justices of Ireland, an ex-
perienc’d and accurate Observer of the Works of Nature,
I chanced to mention these Large Horns: He was very
earnest to see them, and so mightily surpris’d at the
sight of their extraordinary Bulk, that my Brother
thought fit to make a Present of them to his Lordship,
which he obligingly accepted; resolving to send them
over, as he said, to his Majesty King William. Such another Head, with both the Horns intire was
found some Years since by one Mr. Van Delure in the
County of Clare, buried Ten Foot under Ground in a
sort of Marle, and were presented by him to the late
Duke of Ormond, then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, who
valued them so highly for their prodigious largeness,
that he thought them not an unfit Present for the King,
and sent them for England to King Charles the Second,
who ordered them to be set up in the Horn-Gallery at
Hampton Court; where they may still be seen among
the rest of the large Heads both of Stags and Bucks
that adorn that Place, but this so vastly exceeds the lar-
gest of them, that the rest appear to lose much of their 496 (496) Curiosity by being viewed in Company with this. I
am lately informed, these with the other Heads are
since removed to the Guard-Room out of the Horn-
Gallery. In the Year 1691., Major Folliot told me, that dig-
ging for Marle near the Town Ballymackward, where
he lives, not far from Ballyshannon in the County of
Fermanagh, he found buried Ten Foot under plain solid
Ground, a Pair of these sort of Horns, which he keeps
still in his Possession. In the Year 1684., there were Two of these Heads
dug up near Turvy, the Mansion Seat of the Lord Bar-
nevall, within Eight Miles of Dublin; that which was
most compleat of the Two was fixt over the Chimney
in the Publick Hall; and there still remains as an ancient
and lasting Curiosity to future Ages. Not long since, a Head of this Kind with its Horns
was found near Portumny, the House of the Earls of
Clanricard, seated on the River Shannon, in the County
of Gallway, where it is carefully preserved, and still ad-
mired by all that view it. Such a Forehead with Two extraordinary Beams of
these Kind of Horns, may be now seen fastened against one
side of the Common Hall of his Grace Michael Lord
Archbishop of Ardmagh's House here in Dublin; they
are both imperfect and want their Palmes, yet by the
vast thickness and length of the Beams, I judge when
entire they much exceeded the Size of those I have gi-
ven the Dimensions of above. The Primate told me,
they were found somewhere in the Province of Ulster, 497 (497) and presented to the Earl of Essex, then Governor of
Ireland, who gave them his Grace. To these I should add many more Instances of the
like, as those found by the late Lord Mountjoy, near
his House at Newtown-Stewart; and those kept at
Stockallen in the County of Meath, for to my Know-
ledge within less than Twenty Years, above Twenty,
I might safely say, Thirty Pair of these sort of Horns
have been dug up in several places of this Country, all
found by Accident; and we may well suppose vast
Numbers still remain undiscovered, but to mention any
more of them particularly would be tedious, and to lit-
tle purpose, since these may suffice plainly to shew,
this Creature was formerly Common with us in Ireland;
and an Indigenous Animal, not peculiar to any Territory
or Province, but universally met with in all parts of
the Kingdom. For if we draw a Line through the several Places of
this Island where these Heads have been found, viz.
the County of Clare, the County of Dublin, and the
County of Farmanagh, omitting those other parts I
have mentioned, we shall make a Triangle whose
shortest Side will be in length above an Hundred English
Miles, which is near as large a Figure of this Sort, as
we can well describe in the Map of Ireland. And besides, we may reasonably, I think, gather;
That they were not only common in this Country, but
by what Mr. Osborn mentions in his Letter to my Bro-
ther, That they were a Gregarious Animal, as the Na-
turalists call them, or such a sort of Creature as affect
naturally keeping together in Herds; as we see the Fal-
low Deer with us, and as 'tis reported of the Elches in 498 (498) Sweden, and the Rain Deer in the Northern Countries
of Europe; for otherwise we cannot easily fancy it
should happen; that Three of their Heads should be all
found within the narrow Compass of one Acre of Ground. That these and several others, and indeed I think I
may say, all that I have been particularly informed of,
though dug up in far distant Places of Ireland, should
be constantly found buried in a Sort of Marle, seems to
me to intimate, as if Marle was only a Soil that had
been formerly the Outward Surface of the Earth, but
in process of Time, being covered by degrees with ma-
ny Layers of Adventitious Earth, has by lying under
Ground a certain Number of Ages, acquired a peculiar
Texture, Consistence, Richness, or Maturity that gives it
the Name of Marle. For of necessity we must allow
the Place where these Heads are now found, was cer-
tainly once the external Superfice of the Ground;
otherwise ’tis hardly possible to suppose how they
should come there. And that they should be so deep buried as we at pre-
sent find them, appears to have happen’d, by their ac-
cidentally falling where it was soft low Ground; so that
the Horns by their own considerable Gravity might
easily make a Bed where they setled in the yielding
Earth; and in a very long Course of Time, the higher
Lands being by degrees dissolved by repeated Rains, and
washt and brought down by Floods, covered those Pla-
ces that were scituated lower with many Layers of
Earth: For all high Grounds and Hills, unless they
consist of Rock, by this means naturally lose a little
every Year of their Height; and sometimes sensibly
become lower even in one Age; of which we may see
several satisfactory Instances related by Dr. Plott in his 499 (499) Natural History of Staffordshire, Chap. 3. Page 113.
as for all such Heads that might chance to fall on high
or hard Grounds, where they could not possibly be co-
vered or defended, these must of necessity rot, perish,
and be destroyed by the Weather: And for this Reason
it is, that never any of these Horns are discovered in
such sort of Ground, but always in a light Soil, and
in some low Part of the Country. By what means this Kind of Animal, formerly so
common and numerous in this Country, should now
become utterly lost and extinct, deserves our Conside-
ration: and seeing it is so many Ages past, that we
have no manner of Account left to help us in our En-
quiry, the most we can do in this Matter is to make
some probable Conjectures about it; I know some
have been apt to imagine this like all other Animals
might have beeen destroyed from off the Face of this
Country by that Flood recorded in the Holy Scripture
to have happened in the the time of Noah; which I
confess is a ready and short way to solve this Difficul-
ty, but does not at all satisfy me: For (besides that
that there want not Arguments, and some of them not
easily answer’d, against the Deluge being Universal)
if we consider what a fragil, slight and porous Sub-
stance these and the Horns of all Deer are, we can't
well suppose they could by any means be preserv’d en-
tire and uncorrupt from the Flood, now above Four
Thousand Years since; and I have by me some of the
Teeth, and one of the lower Jaw-bones of this Crea-
ture so perfect, solid, ponderous and fresh, that no one
that sees them can possibly suspect they could have been
in nature so many Ages past: And therefore it seems
more likely to me, this kind of Animal might become
extinct here from a certain ill Constitution of Air in 500 (500) some of the past Seasons long since the Flood, which
might occasion an Epidemick Distemper, if we may so
call it, or Pestilential Murren, peculiarly to affect this
sort of Creature, so as to destroy at once great Num-
bers of 'em, if not quite ruine the Species. And this is not so groundless an Assertion as at first
it may appear, if we consider this Island may very well
be thought neither a Country nor Climate so truly
proper and natural to this Animal, as to be perfectly
agreeable to its temper; since for ought I can yet learn
it neither is, nor ever has been an Inhabitant of any of the
adjacent Kingdoms round about us. And besides, the
Three Heads above mentioned, found so close to one
another in the County of Meath, and the Two near
Turvy, seems not a little to countenance this Opinion;
as if these Animals dyed together in Numbers, as they
had lived together in Herds. To this purpose I have met with a remarkable Pas-
sage in Scheffer's Description of Lapland, Chap. 28.
speaking of the Cervus Rangifer, an Animal that agrees
in Kind with ours, though it be a quite different Sort
of Deer, he says that whole Herds of them are often
destroy’d by a Raging Distemper common among them;
these are his Words: Est & Morbis suis genus hoc Ob-
noxium qui si ingruant Gregem totum solent pervagare &
ad necem dare; qua de re Johannes Bureus ita habet in
Schedis suis, solet interdum Rangiferos morbus quidam
velut Pestis invadere sic ut moriantur omnes Lappoq;
compellatur novos sibi comparare Rangiferos (c). By
(c) That is, this Kind of Creature is likewise subject to its Diseases
which if they seize a Flock, goes through them all; concerning which
Johannes Bureus, has it thus in his Papers; sometimes a sort of Disease af-
ter the manner of a Plague, affects the Rain Deer, so as they all dye, and
the Laplander is forced to supply himself with new Rain Deer. 501 (501)
which we may see what we conjecture in our Case, is
not meer Supposition, but certainly happens elsewhere
to Animals of the like Kind. But since we have an Instance of so destructive a
Mortality among Beasts as quite to extinguish a whole
Species at once, we may think some might have esca-
ped the Common Calamity; but these being so few in
Number, I imagine as the Country became peopled,
and thickly inhabited; they were soon destroy'd, and
kill'd like other Venison as well for the sake of Food as
Mastery and Diversion. And indeed none of these Ani-
mals by reason of their Stupendious Bulk and Wide
Spreading Horns could possibly lye sheltered long in any
Place, but must be soon discovered, and being so con-
spicuous and heavy were the more easily pursued and
taken by their numerous Hunters, in a Country all en-
vironed by the Sea: For had they been on the wide
Continent they might have fared better, and secured
themselves and their Race till this time, as well as others
of the same Kind have done elsewhere. Of which
more hereafter. Or had those Barbarous Times been capable of taking
Care for the Preservation of this stately Creature, our
Country would not have entirely lost so singular and
beautiful an Ornament: But this could not be expected
from those savage Ages of the World, which certainly
would not have spared the rest of the Deer Kind, Stags
and Hinds, Bucks and Does, which we still have; but
that these being of much smaller Size, could shelter
and conceal themselves easier under the Covert of
Woods and Mountains, so as to escape utter Destruction. 502 (502) And here I cannot but observe, that the Red Deer
in these our Days, is much more rare with us in Ire-
land, than it has been formerly, even in the Memo-
ry of Man: And tho’ I take it to be a Creature, na-
turally more peculiar to this Country then to England,
yet unless there be some care taken to preserve it, I be-
lieve in process of time this Kind may be lost also,
like the other sort we were now speaking of. It remains we should say something concerning the
Proper Name of this Animal, and what Species of
Creature it was to which these stately Horns formerly
belonged. And I must here needs own, that I have
not met to this Day with any Person, that has spent
the least serious thought concerning this matter. So
destitute have we been in this Place of that inquisitive
Genius, that in these later Ages has so much every-
where prevailed, in setting the Minds of Men upon a
diligent search after, and making curious and useful
Remarks, on all things that are truly the admirable
Workmanship of Nature. I know they are vulgarly call'd by ignorant Peo-
ple, nay, and some of the learned Vulgus in this Coun-
try, Elches Hornes; and that they are so, is an Opini-
on generally received, and satisfies such as talk of
them Superficially, without further Enquiry; and be-
cause this is an Error that has so Universally prevailed,
I shall take the more pains particularly to Confute it,
and I hope clear this point so from all manner of doubt,
that for the future there shall be no further questions
made of it again; the mistake, I am satisfied, has on-
ly proceeded from hence, that we are in these parts
as great Strangers to that sort of Animal call'd the Al-
che Elche, or Elende, as we are to this of our own 503(503) Country, knowing by hear-say only, that ’tis a large
Beast with big Horns; but unless we shall give the
same Name to Two Animals vastly different, which is
Preposterous and breeds Confusion, we must not al-
low these Horns should any longer pass under the Name
of Elches Horns. I have seen a Pair of genuine Elches Horns brought
out of Swedeland, and they differed extremely, both in
Figure and Size, from these we have now described:
they were abundantly smaller, quite of another shape
and make, not Palmed or broad at the end farthest from
the Head as Ours; but on the contrary, broader to-
wards the Head, and growing still narrower towards
the Tips end, the smaller Branches not issuing forth
from both Edges of the Horns as in Ours, but growing
along the upper Edge only, whilst the other Verge of
the Horn was wholly plain without any Branches at all. And accordingly the faithful Gesner, in the first Chap-
ter of his Book De Quadrupedibus, has given us the
right Description of them, where he expresses the Fi-
gure of the Elche and its Horns apart; and speaking of
the Size of them, he says, Cornua singula Libras circi-
ter Duodecem appendunt, longitudine fere duorum pe-
dum (d). Whereas the Horns we find here in Ireland
are near thrice that Length, and above double that
Weight; though dry'd and much lighter from their be-
ing so long kept: But I confess, I say, this only by esti-
mate, not having an opportunity to weigh exactly a sin-
gle Horn by itself, though I'm sure I can't be much out.
(d) That is, each Horn weighs about Twelve Pounds, and was in length
almost Two Foot. 504 (504) Moreover the Elche, as described by Apolonius Me-
nabenus, who had seen many of them, is no larger than
a midling Horse: these are areare his own Words, as quo-
ted by Aldrovandus: Habet hoc Animal crassitiem &
proceritatem mediocris & pinguis Equi (e). And agree-
able to this is the Relation given in the Memoirs of the
Parisian Anatomists, who dissected one of them: And I
remember Mr. Duncombe, then one of the Lords Justi-
ces of Ireland, told me, when he was Envoy in Sweden,
he had seen there above a Hundred Elches together in
a Herd, and none of them above Five Foot high; and
if so, we cannot imagine a Creature of that small Size,
could possibly support so large and heavy a Head, with
so wide and spreading a Pair of Horns as these we are
speaking of; considering that exact Symetry, and due
Proportion of Parts, Nature observes in the Formation
of all the larger and perfecter sort of Animals. We must then look out, and try if we can discover
among the various Species of Quadrupeds, some other,
whose Size and Description will better agree with this
our Irish Animal than that of the Elche does: And after
all our Inquiry, we certainly shan't discover any one
that in all respects exactly answers it, save only that
Lofty Horned Beast in the West-Indies, call'd, a Moose. This Animal I find described by Mr. John Josselyn,
among his New England Rarities in these Words: The
Moose Deer, common in these Parts, is a very goodly
Creature, some of them Twelve Foot high (in height, says
another Author more particularly, From the Toe of the
Fore foot to the Pitch of the Shoulder, Twelve Foot; in
(e) That is, this Animal is about the Height and Thickness of a mid-
ling Horse. 505 (505) its full growth much bigger than an Ox) with exceeding
fair Horns with broad Palms, some of them Two Fathom
or Twelve foot from the Tip of one Horn to the other.
That is, Fourteen Inches wider than Ours was. Another thus describes the Manner of the Indians
Hunting this Creature: They commonly hunt the Moose,
which is a kind of Deer, in the Winter, and run him down
sometimes in half, otherwhile a whole Day, when the
Ground is cover'd with Snow, which usually lyes here Four
Foot deep; the Beast, very heavy, sinks every Step as he
runs, breaking down Trees as big as a Man's Thigh with
his Horns, at length they get up with't, and
darting their Lances, wound it so, that the Creature
walks heavily on, till tired and spent with loss of Blood,
it sinks and falls like a ruin'd Building, making the Earth
shake under it. Thus far what these Authors say of the
Moose. I do not know any one that has yet obliged the Pub-
lick by giving an exact Figure of this stately Creature,
which would be acceptable to the Curious, and very
well worth the while of some of those ingenious Inqui-
rers that go into those Parts for the improvement of
Natural History: for I take it next the Elephant, to be
the most remarkable Quadruped for its largeness in the
World. However, in the mean time, by the help of
the foregoing Accounts, we may easily form to our
selves a lively and just Idea of its Figure and Size;
and if we compare the several Parts of those Discripti-
ons, with the Beasts whose heads are found here in Ire-
land; we shall not have the least Reason to question
but these vastly large Irish Deer and the American Moose,
were certainly one and the same sort of Animal, being
all of the Deer Kind, carrying the same sort of Palmed
Horns, which are of the same Size and Largeness as well 506 (506) as Figure; and Bulk of their Bodies corresponding
exactly in Proportion to the wide spreading of their
Horns; So that we may securely assert, that Mooses
formerly were as frequent in this Country, as they have
them still in the Northern Parts of the West Indies,
New England, Virginia, Maryland, Canada or New France. And least we may think this Animal peculiar to the
Continent, and not to be found in Islands; I lately met
with a remarkable Passage in John de Laet's French De-
scription of the West Indies, that clearly shews the con-
trary; which, because it likewise illustrates and con-
firms what was said before, I'll set down in his own
Words. Speaking of New England, says he; I'l y a
une certaine sorte de Beste frequente en ces Pais que les
sauvages noment Mose, de la grandur d'un Taureau, ayant
la Teste d'un Dain, avec les cornes larges que muent tous
les anns, le Col comme une cerf: il se trouve une grande
quantite de ces animaux en une Isle pres de la Terre Fer-
me appelle des Anglois Mount Mansel. That is, There is
a certain sort of Beast common in this Country, which the
savage Indians call a Moose, as big as a Bull (he had not
seen I suppose those of the largest Size) having the
Head of a Buck, with broad Horns, which they cast eve-
ry Year, and the Neck of a Deer: there are found also
great Numbers of these Animals in an Island near the Con-
tinent call'd by the English, Mount Mansell. This may give us reasonable grounds to believe, that
as this Island of Mount Mansell must of necessity had some
Communication with the Main Land of America, to
have been thus plentifully stockt with this sort of Beast;
so Ireland, for the same Reason, must in the many past
Ages, long before the late Discovery of that New World,
had some sort of Intercourse with it likewise, (though 507 (507)
'tis not easy, I acknowledge, for us at present to explain
how) for otherwise I do not see, how we can conceive
this Country should be supply'd with this Creature, that
for ought I can yet hear, is not to be found in all our
Neighbourhood round about us, nay, perhaps in any
other Part of Europe, Asia or Africa: And then 'tis certain
as Ireland is the last or most Western part of the Old
World; so 'tis nearest of any Country to the most Eastern
Parts of the New-Canada, New-England, Virginia, &c.
the great Tract of Land, and the only one I yet know,
remarkable for plenty of the Moose-Deer. And we may observe yet farther, That a sort of Alli-
ance between these Countries of Ireland and the West In-
dies, appears likewise in other things, of which they
partake both in common. For as they on the Coast of
New-England and the Island Bermudas gather considera-
ble Quantities of Amber-greese; so on the Western Coast
of Ireland, along the Counties of Sligo, Mayo, Kerry
and the Isles of Arran they frequently meet with large
parcels of that precious Substance, so highly valued for
its Perfume. In the Year 1691. Mr. Constantine an
Apothecary of Dublin, shewed me one piece of Amber
-greese found near Sligo, that weigh'd Fifty Two Oun-
ces; he bought it for Twenty Pound, and sold it in Lon-
don afterwards for above a Hundred. On the out-side
'twas of a close compact Substance, Blackish and shining
like Pitch; but when it was cut the inside was more
porous, and something of a Yellowish Colour, not so
Grey, close and smooth as the cleanest and best sort of
Amber; but like it, speckled with whitish Grains, and
of a most fragrant Sent; I have still a Piece of it by me,
that weighs above Six Drams, with several Samples of
Three or Four other sorts of Amber, all found on that
Coast of Ireland; some entirely black as Pitch, others 508 (508)
of a perfect White Substance, exactly answering the De-
scrption of that sort of Amber, Olaus Wormius menti-
ons in his Musæum, Page 34. under the Name of Am-
bræ Grifeæ nondum maturæ. Nor is the kind of Whale-Fish that's often taken in
New-England, and affords the true Sperma Ceti a Strang-
ger to the Coast of Ireland that respects America. This
we may properly, I think, with Dr. Charleton, call the
Cetus Dentatus, from its large, solid, white Teeth, fixt
only in the lower Jaw; to distinguish it from that Spe-
cies that gives the Whale Bone, most naturally named
by Aristotle in his Historia Animalium Mysticetus, from
its bearded, horny Laminæ in the Roof of its Mouth:
of which kind likewise there have been Three or Four
stranded in my time; but on the Eastern Coast of this
Country that regards England. This Cetus Dentatus is faithfully described by Carolus
Clusius, in his Sixth Book of Exotics, Chapter the 17th,
under the Name of Cete, aliud admirabile; and truly
figured by John Stonus in his Historia Piscium, Table
the 42d. and by Mr. Ray in his Ichthyographia, Table
the 1st. but by both under the too general Name of the
Balena. There have been Three of this Kind taken to
my Knowledge, in the Space of Six Years, all on the
Western Coast of this Country; one near Colerane, in
the County of Antrim; another about Ship-harbour, in
the County of Donnegall; and a Third in August, 1691.
Seventy one Foot long, exceeding that described by
Clusius, Nineteen Foot, towards where Bally-shannon, where
Lough-Erne discharges its Waters into the Western Ocean. And then it was, I had an Opportunity of truly in-
forming my self what sort of Substance Sperma Ceti is, 509 (509)
and in what Part of the Whale 'tis found: concerning
which Matter, Physicians and Naturalists have given the
World such various and false accounts; and 'tis truly
nothing else, but part of the Oyl or liquid Fat of this
particular sort of Whale; which Oyl, at first when
confused and mixt, shews it self like a Whitish Liquour,
of the Consistence and Colour of Whey; but lay'd by in
Vessels to settle; its parts by degrees separate, that
which is lighter and swims a top, becomes a clear Oyl
pellucid like Water, serviceable for all the uses of com-
mon Train-Oyl, got out of the Blubber of other Whales,
and that which subsides, because 'tis heavier and of a
closer Consistence, candies together at the Bottom, and
is what is sold for Sperma Ceti, at Twelve Shillings the
Pound; when 'tis throughly blanched and refined from
all its filth and the remaining parts of the Oyl, that
otherwise discolours it, and gives it a rancid offensive
Sent. Of this Substance several Hundred Pound
Weight may be gotten out of one Whale, but the clean-
sing and curing of it is troublesom, and requires no small
Art, Time and Charge; which occasions the value of
that which is througly refined: The Fat of the whole
Body affords it, but that of the Head gives the great-
est Quantity and purest Sperma Ceti. I have some reason to believe to these Instances of the
Moose Deer, Amber-greese and Sperma Ceti, of which
Ireland partakes more than any other Country of Eu-
rope from its Neighbourhood with the Northern America,
we may likewise add some of our more rare Spontaneous
Plants, because they are found growing only in those
Western Parts of Ireland, and no where else in this whole
Country, or any of the Neighbouring Kingdoms about us. 510 (510) I shall mention but Two or Three of many which I
have been told are peculiar to those parts, because I am
not yet well assur'd of the certainty of the others being
so: and those are the Arbutus sive Unedo, or the
Strawberry Tree; not to be found any where of Spon-
taneous Growth nearer than the most Southern Parts of
France, Italy and Sicily; and there too, 'tis never known
but as a Frutex or Shrub: whereas in the Rocky Parts of
the County of Kerry about Loughlane, and in the Islands
of the same Lough, where the People of the Country
call it the Cane Apple, it flourishes naturally to that De-
gree, as to become a large tall Tree. Petrus Bellonius
in his First Book of Observations, Chapter the 43d,
takes notice, it does so in Mount Athos in Macedony;
and Juba is quoted by Pliny in the Fifteenth Book of his
Natural History, Chapter the 24th, as mentioning a
thing extraordinary, for saying the Arbutus grows to a
high Tree in Arabia; the Trunks of those in Ireland
are frequently Four Foot and a half in Circumference,
or Eighteen Inches in Diameter, and the Trees grows
to about Nine or Ten Yards in Height; and in such
plenty that they now cut them down, as the chief Few-
el to melt and refine the Ore of the Silver and Lead
Mine, lately discovered near the Castle of Ross, in the
County of Kerry. The other Plant I shall take Notice of is Cotyledon,
sive Sedum serratum Latifolium Montanum guttato flore
Parkinsoni & Raii, vulgarly call'd by the Gardners
London Pride: I suppose because of its pretty elegant
Flower; that viewed near at hand and examined close-
ly, appears very beautiful, consisting of great Variety
of Parts: The whole Plant is most accurately described
by that profound Naturalist Mr. Ray, in his Historia
Plantarum, Page 1046. where speaking of the Place 511 (511) where it grows, he has these Words: Planta in Hortis
nostris frequentissima est, ubi tamen Sponte oritur nobis
Nondum constat, est autem proculdubio Montium incola (f).
Though he knew no certain place where it grew Spon-
taneous, not having met with it in all his Travels; nor
any Author mentioning its native Country, yet he
rightly conjectures 'tis a Mountainous Plant, for it grows
plentifully here with us in Ireland, on a Mountain call'd
the Mangerton in Kerry, Six or Seven Miles over, and
reputed the highest in Ireland, Two Miles from the
Town of Killarny, and Four Miles from the Castle of
Ross: Here it spreads it self so abundantly, as to cover
great part of the Mountain, and for as much as I un-
derstand, like the Arbutus, 'tis peculiar to this County
alone. Whether both the foregoing Plants are truly Ameri-
can, I cannot at present determine, but this I know,
that Sabina Vulgaris, or Common Savin is mentioned
by Mr. Josselyn, in the Book before quoted, as a Plant
common on the Hills of New-England; and I have been
assured by an Apothecary of this Town, that he has ga-
thered Savin growing wild as a native Shrub in one of
the Islands of Lough-Lane, in the County of Kerry; and
if so, I have reason to believe, that hereafter farther In-
quiry may add to these I have given, several other Ex-
amples of Things Natural and Common to that and
this Country. But to leave these Digressions and return to our
Large Irish Deer, which well deserves we should affix
to it some Characteristick Note or Proper Name,
(f) That is, 'tis a Plant common in our Gardens; but where it grows
naturally is not as yet known to us, but certainly 'tis an Inhabitant of the
Mountains. 512 (512)
whereby it may stand ranged hereafter in its right Place
in the History of Animals: since Nature her self seems
by the Vast Magnitude and Stately Horns, she has gi-
ven this Creature, to have singled it out as it were, and
shewed it such regard, with a design to distinguish it
remarkably from the common Herd of all other smaller
Quadrupeds. Naturalists have rais'd much Dispute,
what Beast it truly is, that has had the Name given it
by some of them, of Animal Magnum; Dodonæus, Me-
nabenus, and others, would have it the Elche; Scaliger
would have it the Bisons of Pliny, whether 'twas one or
t'other, or neither, I shan't determine; nor do I the
least suspect that this our Animal was meant by it;
however, for its goodly Size and lofty Stature, and to
retain something of an Old Appellation, I think it may
very well lay claim to it, and not improperly be call'd,
Cervus Platyceros Altissimus; sive Animal Magnum Cor-
nibus Palmatis, incolis Novæ Anglæ & Virginiæ, ubi
frequens, Moose dictum. 525 (525) Numb. 228. Philosophical
Transactions.
For the Month of May, 1697. 542 (542) VII. Extract of two Letters, the one to Dr. Wil-
liam Gibbons, Fellow of the College of Physiti-
ans London; the other to Mr. Nicholas Sta-
phorst, Operator in Chymistry at Apothe-
caries-Hall, from Mr. Edward Coles, giv-
ing an account of a Red Colour produced by
mixture of a Sulphureous Spirit with a Volatile
Alcali. I in making several Chymical Experiments found a
Sulpherous Spirit, Which being mixt with a Vola-
tile Alcali, such as Spirit of Sal Armoniack, or Urin, &c.
gives it a red Colour in a moment, and does the same
without any effervescence, tho’ both the Liquors were 543(543)
clear before, wherefore considering that this Experiment
might be serviceable in the demonstrating of Sanguisi-
cation: I humbly offer it to your more refined Judg-
ment, and am —In the Box is a bottle of the Spirit, you may put
two parts of the Spirit to one of Spirit of Sal Armo-
niack, and shake the Glass or Bottle, and it will be
red in a Moment, tho’ the more the Glass is shaken
the deeper or blacker red it will be. I suppose there is
enough in the Glass for you to Experiment, and to
shew to the Virtuosos— I made the Spirit by Distil-
ling 2 or 3 Pound of Benzoin with a little sand in a Re-
tort, ad Siccitatem, and put the Oil, Spirit, and Flow-
ers altogether into a Paper Filtre, and the Spirit which
came first thro’ is that which I have sent. The Experiment abovementioned was tried before the
Royal Society, and succeeded as above related, but the
Circumstances must be diligently attended, or else it will
not succeed. 633 (633) For the Month of August, 1697. 663(663) VI. Part of a Letter from Mr. Thorseby, dated
Leeds, July 10. 1697. to Dr. Martin
Lister, Fellow of the Colledge of Physicians
and Royal Society; concerning Two Roman
Altars lately found in the North of England:
With Notes on the same, by Tho Gale, D. D.
and F. R. S. I Havehave drawn the Figures of Two Roman Altars, which
my Correspondent in the North transmitted to me
for my Thoughts of them; the former was taken out
of the Roman-wall, not far from Collerton, or Chollarton*,
and may tempt us to believe that the old Procolitia, which
was the Station of the Cohors prima Batavorum, was ra-
ther there, which is an important Place, (where the Ri-
ver Tine interrupting the course of the Wall it was but
necessary that the Foard should be secured by making one
of the Cohorts keep that Station), and it is but two Miles
and a half from Carrow, (where the Altar now is in the
Possession of Mr. Forster) than at Pruddow, which is at
least Ten Miles distance where Mr. Camden seem'd to fan-
cy it. The other is at Blenkinsop † Castle in Northum-
berland, which I take to have been dedicated by Lucius
Annius to the Goddess Nymphs Old and Young, and
particularly to the Debonair (if Urbana be taken appella-
tively) Mansueta Claudia; for thus I read it, * Prope Colerton Cilurnum. Notitia Dignitatum imperii, est tamen Proco-
litia alius locus a Cilurno.
† Propè Blenkenshop & Widen, Vettii. Circa hæc loca fontes. Utrumque
Nomen hoc indicat. DEABUS 664(664) NYMPHIS Veteribus ET IV ioribus MANSVET AE
C L A V D I A E VRBanæ, nuncupavit Hoc Lucius
A IVS; and hereby the Defects in the Stone seem to
be supplied with a right Number of Letters in each Vacu-
ity, and this I the rather apprehend to be right, because
'tis now a Year since I communicated the same to an in-
genious Gentleman, Dr. Cay of New-Castle (who was the
Person that courteously sent me the Copies of both) and
I hear not it is disapproved by any Critick upon the Place. For the Month of September, 1697. 673 (673) 674 (674) I. An Account of the Tongue of a Pastinaca Ma-
rina, frequent in the Seas about Jamaica, and
lately dug up in Mary-Land, and England.
By Hans Sloane. M. D. DRDr. Tancred Robinson, Fellow of the College of Phy-
sitians and Royal Society, did me the favour some
time since; to show me a considerable number of
Fossil Bones and Shells of several sorts he had latley
come to his hands from Mary-Land. Some of them
had received little alteration in the Earth, others more,
and some were so changed as to be stony, but all of
them retain'd their ancient shape so well, that it was
easie for any body, who remembred the Figures of the
parts of those Animals, to conclude these Fossils must
have come from the same Original. One of these Fossils (of which I never remembred to
have seen any before except a little piece with Mr. Pe-
tiver) I had the favour of the Doctor to carry home
with me to compare with the Tongue of a Fish I had 675 (675)
observ'd in Jamaica; and on setting it and the Fossil
together, and comparing them with another of the
same Tongues in pieces which I saw in Mr. Charle-
tons, most useful and admirable Collection of Natural
Curiosities; we found a perfect agreement of the Tongue
that was dug up in Mary-Land, and that taken from
the Fish in our Collections. It was the Opinion of some, that these Bones were
the pieces of a petrified Mushrome, the Lamellæ of
which this Fossil in some manner resembl'd; but to de-
monstrate what they were, I had leave of Mr. Charle-
ton and Dr. Robinson, to shew them at a Meeting of the
Royal Society, and to take their Figures that they might
be grav'd, together with the whole Tongue I had my
self. This is done in the Plate belonging to this Tran-
actionsaction: where Fig. 1. Is the whole Tongue of a flat Fish akin to
the Thornback, call'd Pastinaca Marina, &c. It is
made up of many Bones (about Nineteen in this)
which are each of them crooked, their two sides
making an obtuse Angle, such as the sides of the under
mandible of a Man does; the uppermost sides of these se-
veral Bones have Furrowes and peices standing together
after the manner of the Teeth of a short small tooth'd
Comb, the extant ends of which answer the like parts
in the Bones of the upper Jaw of this Fish, between which
and this Tongue the Food of this Fish is to be cut, torn,
or ground to pieces. One instance of the many admira-
ble contrivances of the Wise Creator, in providing all
Creatures with Organs proper to their several ne-
cessities. Fig. 2. Is the under side of the same divided into
several pieces also, but having no Furrows or Teeth,
as those of the upperside have. 676 (676) Fig. 3, and 6. Shew the Joints or pieces of the same
Tongue, separated and in several Positions of their up-
per and under Sides, to show the perfect Agreement
is between the pieces of the Tongue of the Fish taken
lately from it, and those taken out of the Earth, which
are Figur'd in the like Positions at N° 7, 8, 9, 10,
11, & 12. Fig. 13. & 14. Are the upper and under sides of what,
I suppose, is the upper Mandible or Palate of this Fish,
which is opposite to, or answers this Tongue: The a-
greement of this in all parts with the Tongue making
it very likely to belong, if not to this same, yet to this
kind of Fish. Du Tertre in his Histoire Naturelle des Antilles
p. 217. calls this Fish Autre sorte de Raye. Marcgrave,
ed. 1648. p. 175. Piso. ib. Lib. 3. p. 58. & ed. 1658.
Lib. 5. p. 293. as well as Mr. Willoughby and Ray, Hist.
Pisc. p. 66. call it Nari-Nari, and give a further ac-
count of it. I shall also have occasion to speak more
of this Fish in my Observations on the Fishes about the
Island of Jamaica, of which this is one, and which I
there call Pastinaca Marina, Lævis, livida, albis macu-
lis notata. I am apt to believe the Anonymus Portugal, whose de-
scription of Brasile is published in Purchas, Lib. 7. cap. 1.
p. 1313. means this, when he says, there were Rayes,
having in their Mouth 2 Bones breaking wilks with
them. A Part of one of the Joints of this Tongue was dug
up in England, and given to Mr. Charleton, by Mr.
Lhwid of Oxford, by the Name of Siliquastrum Subnigrum
pectinatum maximum. Dr. Robinson thinks the Fossil Palate or Mandible Fig.
13, and 14. may be of the same kind with that taken
notice of by Lachmund, in his Book de Lapidibus, p. 17.
where 'tis call'd Pentacrinos. 677 (677) II. A Catalogue of some Guinea-Plants, with
their Native Names and Virtues; sent to
James Petiver, Apothecary, and Fellow of
the Royal Society; with his Remarks on them.
Communicated in a Letter to Dr. Hans Sloane.
Secret. Reg. Soc.

SIRSir, THE FThe following Plants, with their Native Names
and Vertues, I sometime since received from my
Worthy and Reverend Friend, Mr. John Smyth, whilst
he was Minister to the Royal African Company in the
English Factory at Cabo Corso, vulgarly called Cape Coast,
in Guinea. It were, Sir, needless to tell you the many Advanta-
ges that would accrue to the Art or Mystery of Physick,
if the Vertues of all Simples were more nicely inquired
into, or better known: I shall therefore wave it here,
and only present you with an African Materia Medica,
whose innocent Practice consists of no more Art than
Composition, as you may see by the following Me-
thod, viz. 1. Aclowa, so called by the Natives in Guinea, dried
and rub'd on all the Body is good for the Crocoes (or
Itch.) Mr. John Smyth.
Colutea Scorpioides Guineensis Tragacantha Foliis, nobis.
Its Leaves very much resembling those of Tragacantha,
are set by Pairs, to the Number of Twelve or Sixteen,
and sometimes Twenty, each at a very small Distance,
viz. about an Eighth of an Inch. The Pods are long, 678 (678) smooth and strait, ending in a Point; some of them a-
bove Four Inches long, and not thicker than a Crows
Quill; the Seeds are small, brown, short, thick and
turgid; each separated in the Pod by a thin, spungy In-
tersepimentum or Partition. 2. Aconcroba, being boyled in Wine, and drank, is
good in the Small Pox. Mr. J. S.
This I have mentioned at No. 21 in my First Centu-
ry, its Leaves are stiff as the Phyllirea, and opake (i. e.)
not to be seen through, they grow opposite on very
short Footstalks, are taper at Points and base, the largest
one Inch and ¼ (in the Middle) where broadest, and
Three Inches long, very much resembling our Common
Bay, are Black (now dry) on the upper side, and of a
Pale Green underneath. 3. Acroe, Boyl'd in Wine and drank, is good to
recover Strength. Mr. J. S.
This is a Trifoliate Shrub, it hath the Face of the Co-
ral arbor, but is not spinose, the middle or top Leaf
stands on an Inch pedicle, whereas the Two opposites
have none. 4. Affunnena, Boyl'd in Wine and drank, causes a
Stool. Mr. J. S. 5. Afoba, Pounded and mixt with Oyl, is good for
the Itch or Crocoes. Mr. J. S.
This is a sort of Phaseolus, or Kidney-Bean, with small
hairy Leaves and Stalks. 6. Afto, dryed to Powder and snuft, is good for the
Head-ach, Mr. J. S.
Erysimum lignosum Guineense tomentosum, nob.nobis 7. Ambettuway, boyled and drank, causeth an Appe-
tite to any sick Person. Mr. J. S.
The Leaves of this in Shape and Roughness are like
our Common Elm. 679 (679) 8. Amea, Dried into Powder and Snuft, stops the
bleeding, Mr. J. S.
This hath alated or winged Leaves, and seems to be
one of the Pajamirioba kinds, which you have so clear-
ly distinguished in your most excellent Catalogue of Ja-
maica Plants, at Page 148. 9. Apobee, Boyl'd and drank, is good for the Small
Pox. Mr. J. S.
Chrysanthemum acaulon Guineense, foliis longis angustis,
nob.nobis 10. Aputtasy, The Teeth being washt with a Deco-
ction of this in Water, is good for the Scurvy in the
Mouth. Mr. J. S.
This Tree observes no Order in the Position or set-
ting on of its Leaves, being farther or nearer, and some-
times opposite, they are broad at the Base, with scarce
any Foot Stalk, and so continue about Two Thirds, and
then grow taper, are smooth and shining above, but
soft beneath, and somewhat downy, especially the great-
er Ribs, which being held to the Light are darkly clou-
ded, the largest Leaves are about Two Inches and an
Half long; and One broad. 11. Aguaguin, made into a Plaister and applied to a
Cut, cures it. Mr. J. S.
The Leaves of this Shrub resemble the Common Lilac
or Blew Pipe Tree; they grow alternately, and stand on
half Inch Footstalks; if held to the Light you may per-
ceive the lesser Veins very finely reticulated and sub-
divided. 12. Asasi, Boyl'd and so kept in the Mouth, is good
for the Tooth-ach. Mr. J. S.
This Tree somewhat resembles the Laurel, in respect
to the Shape and Stiffness of its Leaves, which grow
alternately on short Footstalks; its Branches are Black-
680 (680) ish, rugged and sprinkled with small, Reddish, Spangle-
like Specks. 13. Ascindoe, Boyl'd and the Water drank is good
for the Running in the Reins. Mr. J. S.
Frutex Guineensis spinosus foliis subrotundis crenatis
floribus filamentosis, nob.nobis
This is a Thorny Shrub, with roundish, smooth,
crenated Leaves, somewhat more than an Inch broad,
and about One and an Half long; these are set on very
short Footstalks; at the top of each Branch stand small
thrummy Flowers; its Thorns are bigger or less according
as they come from the smaller or lesser Branches. 14. Assaba, Warmed in Water, and the Groin rubbed
with it, is good for a Buboe. Mr. J. S. 15. Asserida, Chewed, is very good for the Belly-ach.
Mr. J. S. 16. Assrumina, Pounded and rub'd on the Legs, kil-
eth the Worms that breed there. Mr. J. S. 17. Atanta, Is very good to put in Broath for a Sick
Man or Woman, it causing Strength. Mr. J. S.
Rhus Guineense trifoliatum scabrum serratum, nob.nobis
This differs from that Cape sort which Dr. Plukenet, that
most sagacious Botanist hath Figured in his Phytogra-
phia, Tab. 219. under Fig 7. (by the Name of Rhus
Africanum Trifoliatum majus foliis obtusis & incisis hirsutie
pubescentibus) in having its leaves edged with prickley
Notches, whereas his is sinuated or rather deeply
waved. 18. Attrow, Boyl'd and any swelled part washed in
the Water (i. e. Decoction) abateth it. Mr. J. S.
Kali Guineense foliis Polygoni floribus verticilli in modum
dispositis, nob.nobis
I shall reserve its Description until I give you the
Figure of it, which I design with some other Guinea
Plants, Insects, &c. 681 (681) 19. Attrummaphoe, Boyl'd and drank, causeth the
great sort of Pox to Skin and dry. Mr. J. S.
The Juice of this Weed being snuft up the Nose, is
good to make one sneeze. Mr. Edward Bartar. Of the
Decoction of this Plant, is made a Drink good against
the Phrensy. Hort. Malab.
Colutea languinosa Floribus parvis siliquis pilosis deor-
sum tendentibus Mus. Petiver. 45. Orientalis plerumque
heptaphyllos hirsuta, floribus spicatis saturate purpureis,
siliquis plurimis quadratis valde pilosis summo succulorum
dependentibus. Alm. Botan. p. 113. It was called by
Dr. Herman (that late incomparable Botanist) Astraga-
lus Indicus spicatus si liquis copiosis deorsum spectanti-
bus non falcatis seu Polylobos. And by the Inhabitants
of Ceylon Pilæghas, as Joannes Comelinus asserts, in his
Commentaries on the Hortus Malabaricus, in the Ninth
Volume of which noble Herbal there is an Icon of this
Plant, under the Name of Katu (which signifies Sylve-
stris or wild) Tagera, Tab. 30. p. 55. Whose Descripti-
on of it I shall briefly transcribe and intersperse my own
Observations concerning it. It grows in sandy Places,
about Two or Three Foot high; the Roots fibrose and
whitish; its Stalks woody, redish, and very hairy; the
Leaves grow by Pairs, with one at the Extremity having
Three or Five (I have Samples of it with Seven or
more) covered on both sides with a soft woolliness (which
are not exprest in the Figure, the like Omission I find in
many others in this Work, whose Leaves, &c. are deline-
ated smooth, although the Description and things them-
selves declare them otherwise) they have an astringent
Tast, and are somewhat biting.
It hath many small deep Purple Papilionaceous Flow-
ers growing in a Spike to the top (of a Leafless Stalk;)
its Calyx is composed of Six very narrow Hairy Leaves,
the Pods are also very hairy, roundish, but not thicker than 682 (682) a Packthread ¼ of an Inch long hanging downwards on
short (or rather no) Footstalks; the Seeds are small, lye
length ways in the Pod, and are separated by a (thin)
Partition. 20. Bumbunny, Boyl'd and drunk, causeth to vomit.
Mr. J. S. 21. Caggow, Boyl'd in Water, and wash the Teeth, is
good for the Tooth-ach. Mr. J. S.
The Leaves of this Tree are smooth and shining,
like the Lawrel, but thinner and veined like the Bay,
they are Two Inches and ¼ broad, and between Four
and Five long, these are round at the Base, and pointed
at the Tip, or End, they stand on an Half Inch Foot-
stalk, Black next the Stalk and Leaf, and Greenish in
the Middle, its Veins are very conspicuous and much
subdivided on both sides. 22. Canto, Boyl'd and drunk is good for the Running
(I suppose of the Reins) Mr. J. S. 23. Concon, Pounded and mixt with Oyl, killeth the
Worms in the Legs, by anointing with it. Mr. J. S.
These Leaves differ from the Caggow-Tree, at No. 21.
in being thicker, stiffer, and not so full of Veins.
These are broadest within ⅓ of the Base, and from thence
grow regularly tapering; its Footstalks are thicker,
somewhat longer, and all of a Colour. 24. Cuttofoe, Boyl'd in Water and drank, is good
for the Belly-ach. Mr. J. S.
Anonis non spinosa minor glabra procumbens fl. luteo.
D. H. Sloane Cat. Plantar. Jamaic. p. 75. This being
that which you so plentifully find in Jamaica, particu-
larly on the Banks of the Rio Cobre near the City of
St. Jago de la Vega, or Spanish-Town: I shall here omit
its Description expecting both that and its Figure in your
much desired Natural History of Jamaica, which you 683 (683) have been so kind to promise the World the sudden
Publication of. 25. Dancreta, Boyl'd in Water, and if the Head is hot,
wash'd in the Water, abateth the Heat. Mr. J. S.
Convolvulus quinque folius Guineensis foliis non serratis.
nob.nobis
That laborious and indefatigable Reviver of Botany,
Casper Bauhine, in his Prodromus, p. 134. gives you
the figure of an Ægyptian Convolvulus, which he calls
Quinquefolius, that exactly resembles this in every thing,
the fine notcht Serratures of its Leaves only excepted,
which in my Specimens are not clearly to be seen, al-
though some of them seem to have such a Tendency or
Disposition. 26. Dinjohn, Warm'd at the Fire, and applied to a
Boil, breaks it. Mr. J. S. 27. Emphrue, Boyl'd and drank, causes Strength in
Sickness. Mr. J. S.
Mori folio non crenato Arbor Guineensis, nob.nobis 28. Heniecoe, Boyl'd in Wine, is good for the Belly-
ach. Mr. J. S. 29. Issong, Put in Water, and the Head washt cureth
the Head-ach. Mr. J. S.
Pisum vesicarium, fructu nigro alba macula notato CB.
343. cordatum vesicarium Park. 1378. Fig. Halicacabum
peregrinum ber. 271. Fig. id. emac. 342. Fig. It's also
figured in the Eighth Volume of the Hortus Malabaricus,
Tab. 28. p. 53. under the Malabar Name of Ulinga.
It's call'd at Barbadoes, from whence I have also recei-
ved it Parsly. I find you have also observed it plentifully
in Jamaica, as appears by your incomparable Catalogue
at p. 111. to which for the Readers ease, I refer them
to the many other synonimous Names, you have there
with so much pains collected together. 684 (684) 30. Mening, Dried and made into Powder and snuft,
is good for the Stoppage of the Head. Mr. J. S.
Ricinus Guineensis Hederæ quinquesol, Virginianæ facie,
foliis hirsutis, nob.nobis 31. Metacoe, Pounded, and so applied, is good for a
Cut. Mr. J. S.
With these Leaves the Blacks also make Match for
their Muskets, as my kind Friend, Mr. Edward Bartar
informs me. 32. Obrang, Boyl'd in Water, and so wash the Cods,
is good for the swelling. Mr. J. S.
Glycyrrhizæ folio singulari, Frutex Guineensis spinis
gemellis, nob.nobis 33. Pocumma, Pounded and dried and Bak'd in Bread
is good for the Flux. Mr. J. S. 34. Santeo, boyl'd, and the Eyes washt with the
Water, taketh away any Film or Pearl. Mr. J. S.
The Leaves of this Tree grow opposite, with one at
the end without Footstalks; the Joynts and setting on
of the Leaves are blackish, they are of the make and
bigness of the Lawrel. 35. Sora, Boyl'd and drank, is good for any Pain a-
bout the Body. Mr. J. S.
The Leaves of this Shrub have the Shape and Bigness
of those of Sena, but are somewhat woolly underneath,
and are set on very short Foot-stalks. 36. Tetrephoe, Boyl'd in Broath is good for the Flux.
Mr. J. S.
This Plant grows also in Malabar, where they use the
Root boyl'd in Whey, as a Remedy against the Piles,
and the Powder of it cures the Belly-ach, Hort. Malab.
Xanthium Malabaricum capitulis lanuginosis Mus. Pe-
tiv. 99. Betæ folio Malabarica semine Lappaceo Com.
not. in H. Mal. Wellia Codiveli H. Mal. V. 10. Tab. 59.
p. 117. From whence, and my own Specimens, I shall 685 (685) here give you a short Description of it. It's Stalks are
somewhat woody and hoary (especially towards the
top) the Leaves grow (by Pairs) on short Footstalks,
the young ones are Velvetty underneath, the others in
shape and hoariness not unlike Pulmonaria maculosa, or
Spotted Lungwort, but seldom so large. The Flowers
grow close together in a Spike, and are composed of
Five Greenish Leaves fill'd with a Scarlet Thrummy
Tuft. After that, towards the ripening of the Seed,
the Burs in which they are included grow more spars'd,
or at greater distance; they are covered with a woolly
Substance, out of which proceed small hamated or
crooked Prickles, very like our English Burdock (but
Four times less) and stick like them to whatever they
touch. In each of these is one small, longish, flat, vetch-
like, blackish, shining Seed. It grows in any Soil.
My ingenious Friend, Mr. Sam. Brown, hath also sent it
me from Fort St. George, where I find there are many
Plants, the same with those in Guiney. 37. Tetruma, Pounded to Powder and applied to a
Whitlow, breaks it. Mr. J. S.
Laurustini facie Arbor Guineensis, nob.nobis
The Leaves are oval, stiff and opak, One Inch and
¼ broad, and 2 ¼ long, set alternately on all sides of the
Stalk, on very short Pedicles, at and near the Top, from
the Bosom of the Leaves, come forth Clusters of small
Flowers, after the same manner with the Laurustinus or
Wild Bay. But what these produce I cannot as yet in-
form you. 38. Tuffo, is very good for sore Eyes, boyl'd in Wa-
ter, and the Eyes washt with the Decoction thereof.
Mr. J. S.
Flos Solis Guineensis fol. scabro, flore minore, nob.nobis 39. Unguin, Boyl'd and drunk, is good for the Pain
in the Back. Mr. J. S. 686 (686)
The Leaves grow alternately on Footstalks near an
Inch long, they have the exact Shape and Face of the
Common Bay, but neither its Smell or Taste. 40. Unnena, Boyl'd, and the Legs washt in the Water,
abateth their Swelling. Mr. J. S.
Lychnis Guineensis fructu Caryophylloide, foliis hirsutis
Rorismarini angustioribus, nob.nobis This Plant being altogether new, I design its Descrip-
tion and Figure amongst some other curious things I
intend to present you withal, relating to Africa. It be-
ing my great Ambition to approve my self, as in reality
I am

WORTHY SIR,
From the White Cross
in Aldersgate-Street
London, Sept. 22.
1697.
Your most Obliged

and very humble Servant,

James Petiver 737(737) Numb. 234. Philosophical
Transactions.
For the Month of November. 1697. 738(738) I. Part of two letters of Mr. Thoresby, one
to Dr. Martin Lister, Fellow of the Colledge
of Physicians, and Royal Society; Dated
Leeds, Oct. 30. 1697. the other to the
Reverend Dr. Tho. Gale, Dean of York, and
F. R. S. Dated Leeds, Nov. 6. 1697. about
some Roman Antiquities found in York-
shire Leeds, Oct. 30. 1697
I HaveI have had pretty good Hap in adding to my
Roman Curiosities, Two entire Urns, both of the Blewish-
Grey Clay, but different Forms, with some of the burnt
Bones, and Two other Vessels of the Red Clay, the
lesser of them is almost in the Form of the Roman
Simpulum or Guttus, and by the Narrowness of the Neck
seems rather to have, been a kind of Lacrymatory, or
Vessel for some kind of liquid Matter, rather than Ashes,
the other was part of an Aqueduct, and is turn'd in the
Form of a Scrue on the inside, and has a narrow Neck
at one end, to put into the open end of the next, and se-
veral of these (each a Foot long and Four Inches broad)
were found thus placed in the Roman Burying Place at
York, by the River side, out of Boutham Bar, which our
Learned Dean, Dr. Gale, tells me, signifies Burning in
the British Language, and 'twas indisputably the Place
the Romans made use of to that end, as appears by the
great Number of Urns there frequently found, when
they dig the Clay for Bricks, and that it continued the
place of the Sepulture after that Custom of burning, 739(739)
introduced in the tirannous Dictatorship of Scylla, was
abolished, is Evident, by remarkable Hypogœum with-
out any Urns in it, discovered the last Winter; 'twas
large enough to contain Two or Three Corpses, and
was paved with Bricks nigh Two Inches thick, Eight in
breadth and letigth, being Æquilaterally Square, upon
Which was second Pavement of the same Roman Bricks
to cover the Seams of the Lower, and prevent, the
working up Vermin. But those that cover’d the
Vault were the most remarkable that ever I saw, being
above Two Foot square, and of a proportionable thick-
ness. I have also a Third Sort of Roman Bricks, which
I discovered in my Survey of this Parish, in the Ruins
of Kirkstall Abbey, Two Miles from Leeds which come
the nighest those mentioned by being Eight
Inches broad, and almost double the length. I have also
Two Sorts of chequered Pavements, one of about Three
Inches square, the other (of those found at Aldbrough)
not above half or one fourth of an Inch, and of different
Colours, &c. At the same time I took the Inscription
below the Statue, of the Standard-beater of the Ninth
Legion, which Dr. Fairfax happily rescued from the Ig-
norant Workmen; but the Dean of York (to whom I
communicated it) able to give a better Comment
upon it. Leeds, Nov. 06. 1697
Since I had the Happiness to see you at York, I have
met with nothing that is rare, save some very fair
Coins, or rather Impressions upon Clay, which the Re-
verend Mr. Clark (the Lady Campden's Lecturer at Wake-
field) brought me, that he had happily rescued from some
some Laborours, who in delving in Fields near Thorp,
on the Hill found a considerable Number of them, at 740(740)
first we could not imagine for what use they were de-
sined, but upon a stricter view, it appears plainly, they
were for the Coining, or rather Counterfeiting of the
Roman Moneys, that wretched Art it seems being in
vogue 1500 Years ago, for they are indisputably of that
Antiquity, and are really very dexterously done; they
have round the Impression a Rim, about half the thick-
ness of the Roman Silver Penny, in each of which is a
little Notch, which being join’d to the like Nick in the
next, makes a round Orifice to poure in the Mettal;
each of these has either Two Heads, or as many Rever-
ses; so that placing one, for Example, with Alexander
Severns'sSeverus's Head on one side, and his Mother Julia Mam-
mœa's on the other, betwixt Two Pieces with Reverses,
it compleats both; so that one with Heads, and another
with Reverses, are placed alternatim for a considerable
length, and then all passed over with an outer Coat of
Clay, to keep the Metal from running out, and a little
Ledge on either side the Orifice, to convey the Metal
into the long row of Holes: They are all of Emperors
about the same Age, when indeed the Roman Moneys
were notoriously adulterated, as is observable in any
Collection of their Coins, though some of them now
are so scarce, particularly a Duodumenianus, that I que-
stion whether this Age can produce one to take a Co-
py of. [Prefatory Note to volume 20 number 236] THEThe Honourable the East-India Company, having
received from Mr. Samuel Browne, a Physician
who has liv’d Seventeen Years in their Service at Fort-
St George, or Madaras, in the East-Indies, a very con-
siderable Collection of dried Specimens or Samples of
Plants, Fruits, and Drugs; together with an Account of
his Observations of the Uses of them, by the Natives
and others of those Parts, both in Physick, Dying, &c.
have very generously and for the Publick Good,
presented them to the Royal Society of London for im-
proving Natural Knowledge: Who considering the great
Use and Improvement may be made of such Collections,
have ordered that the Publick shall have the Benefit of
this Present, by receiving the whole Account that came
with them, from time to time in these Papers, and by
taking care that the things themselves shall be preserved
from Corruption in their Repository, where recourse may
be had to them by the curious, so soon as they are put
into such a Condition, as not to suffer by being handled. 65 (65) Numb. 238. Philosophical
Transactions.
For the Month of March, 1698. 90 (90) VII. An Account of a very large Eel, lately
caught at Maldon in Essex; with some Con-
siderations about the Generation of Eels, by
Mr. Dale. 92 (92) But those were far exceeded by one lately caught in
Maldon Channel, about a Mile below the Town, the
length of which was Seven Foot, the Circumference
Seven and Twenty Inches, the Weight Six and Thirty
Pounds, and out of its Belly was taken Five Pounds of
Fat, its Skin was Black, and being stuft, is still preser-
ved at Maldon, for the Inspection of the Curious. This
Fish was supposed to have been brought down thither
by the Great Floods at the breaking of the last Frost,
because of a Hurt it had on its Back, which the Fisher-
man which caught it told me, he did conjecture it might
be from some Mill it must pass through. Had it been my good Fortune to have had the Know-
ledge of this monstrous Eel soon enough, I would have
gone over to Maldon, to have seen it opened, it being a
fit Subject in which to have examin’d the Parts of Gene-
ration, so much controverted, not only by the Ancient,
but also by Modern Authors, and thereby been in
some measure capacitated to have satisfied my self con-
cerning that no less controverted Point, the Manner of
their Generation. 105 (105) Numb. 239. Philosophical
Transactions.
For the Month of April, 1698. Carigueya, seu Marsupiale Americanum.
OR
The Anatomy of an Opossum, dissected at
Gresham-College by Edw. Tyson, M.D.
Fellow of the College of Physicians, and of
the Royal Society, and Reader of Anatomy
at the Chyrurgeons-Hall, in London. THISThis Animal was brought from Virginia, and pre-
sented to the Royal Society, by Will Bird, Esq; and
kept alive in their Repository for some time. But of
late languishing and falling from its Meat, it died. The
Cause of its Death we shall see, when we come to the
Dissection: But first of all, we shall take notice of the
several Names given it by different Authors: Then shall
give a more exact Description and Figure of its outward
Shape: And last of all, we shall observe the Structure
and Formation of the Parts within; especially where dif-
ferent from other Animals. 205 (205) Numb. 241. Philosophical
Transactions.
For the Month of May, 1698. I. Part of a Letter from Mr. Ralph Thoresby, F.R.S. to Dr. Martin Lister, Fellow of the Colledge of Physicians and
R. S. concerning a Roman Sheild. SInceSince my former, having procured an old Roman Sheild, of
a different form from that I had before, and observing
them both to be of different Materials from the usual Descrip-
tions of them (which I also apprehend to be in other parts de-
206(206)
fective) I resolved to make a more particular Inspection into
their Texture, and whereas they are generally said to be è lig-
no, corio superinducto, upon a strict Survey, there is nothing of
Wood, but the Handle, in either of them. The Ancient Ro-
mans I observe had Three Words, Scutum, Parma, & Clypeus,
for that defensive Weapon we generally English a Sheild, which
notwithstanding their different Forms or Matter, their Au-
thors (especially in the Declension of the Empire) frequently
confound, as, if I mistake not, we do Sheild, Buckler, and
Target. The Scutum, & Clypeus, in Form, quæ enim rotunda,
& in orbem justum relata, Clypeos dixere, (and of this sort are
those votive Sheilds upon the Colums or Trunk of Palm Trees.
inscribed, VIC. AVG. or DAC. PAR. &c. In their old
Coins) quæ in longum exibant, Scuta, both the Scutum and Par-
ma, are by very good Authors, as well more ancient as mo-
dern, positively said to be of Wood covered with Leather,
and so particularly Mr. Ob. Walker, in his late ingenious Hist.
of Coins; but the ensuing Description will evince, that Bernar-
dus ipse non videt omnia. This Sheild or Buckler is of the Par-
ma Kind, and rightly so called, quod è medio in omnes partes sit
par, whereas the Scutum was mostly Oval, tho’ sometimes im-
bricatum, with Corners equally broad, it is Fifteen Inches
Diameter, whereof a little more than a third part is taken up
with the Umbo; or protuberant Boss at the Navel, which is
made of an Iron Convex Plate, wrought hollow on the inside,
to receive the Gladiator’s Hand, upon the Center of this is a
lesser Boss, wherein there seems to have been fixed, some
kind of Cuspis, or sharp offensive Weapon, to be used when
they came to fight Hand to Hand, but the Form of this I
cannot describe, both the Sheilds being defective in that point;
nor can I receive any Light from my Collection of Coins, for
tho’ it seem to be the same that Mars Bellator or Gradivus (for
Mars Quirinus is not armed or marching) is usually described
with, yet the Sheild being carried in the Left-Hand, only the
Back Part of it is apparent. From the said Umbo the Sheild
is Four Inches and an half broad on each side, in which are
11 circular equidistant Rows of Brass Studs of that Size, that
Vide Fig. 9.222 are set in the outmost Circle, which is 4 Foot wanting
3 Inches, (for that is the Circumference of the Buckler) and so
proportionably in the lesser Circles to the Center of these 11
Rows of Brazen Studs, the inmost Circle is placed upon the 207(207)
Umbo it self, the next 8 upon as many circular Plates of Iron,
each a third of an Inch broad. The two outermost upon one
thicker Plate and Inch broad: in the little Intervals between
these circular Plates are plainly discovered certain cross Lami-
næ, that pass on the Back of the other, from the Umbo to the
exterior Circle; and these Iron Plates are also about the third
part of an Inch at the broader End towards the Circumference,
but gradually contracted into a narrower Breadth, that they
may be brought into the Compass of the Umbo at the Center.
The inner Coat next to those Iron Plates (for I cut it a little
open behind, that I might more distinctly discern the Work)
is made of very thick hard strong Leather, which cuts bright,
somewhat like Parchment. Upon that is a second Cover of
the same, and on the outside of this are plaited the Iron Pins
that run through the Brass Studs; for the above-mentioned
Brass Studs are cast purely for Ornament upon the Heads of
the said Iron Pins the sixth part of an Inch long, that none
of the Iron appears: this reminds me of Julius Cesar's Policy,
who, as Suetonius tells us, countenanced this piece of Pride or
Ostentation in his Army, ut Argento & Auro politis Armis or-
naret, simul & ad speciem, & quo tenaciores eorum in prælio essent,
metu damni. The next Cover to the plaiting of the said Nails
(which pass through the circular and cross Iron Plates, and
both the Leather Covers) is a pure linnen Cloth, but disco-
loured, though perhaps not with Age only, but sower Wine
and Salt, or some other Liquid wherein it seems to have been
steeped. And lastly, upon the said Linnen is the outmost
Cover, which is of softer Leather, all which Coats that com-
pose the Sheild, are bound together by two circular Plates of
Iron, a thin and narrow one towards the Center, and a thick-
er and large one, an Inch broad at the Circumference, which
is curiously nailed with two rows of very small Tackets, above
400 in Number, the vacant Holes whence some of the Nails
are dropt out, are little bigger than to admit the Point of a
Pair of small Compasses, both which Rims do likewise fasten
the Handle (the only part of Wood) which has also Six other
Iron Plates about three or four Inches long, to secure it. That Sheild which I lately procured, differs not so much in
Size (though it is compleatly a Foot larger in the Circumfe-
rence) as in the Form, for whereas this already described is al-
most flat, except the swelling Umbo, this is absolutely Concave, 208(208)
and from the Skirts of the protuberant Boss in the middle, it
rises gradually to the Circumference, which is nigh three in-
ches perpendicular from the Center; this has Fourteen Rows
of the like Brass Studs, but the circular Plates of Iron they are
fixed in, do not lie upon other cross Plates, as the former does,
but each from the Center, upon the outer Edge of the other,
which occasions its rising in that Concave manner. That these were part of rhethe Acoutrement of the Roman
Equites, rather than either the Velites or Hastati, I conclude,
because that, though all in general had Sheilds, yet those of
the Velites, who were as the Forlorn Hopes, seem more slight,
and are expresly said to be, è ligno corio superinducto, those of
the Hastati are not only said, e pluribus lignis & asserculis
constit, &c. but were also Four Foot long to cover the whole
Body, when stooping; of which kind were likewise those of
the Principes and Triarii. Whereas the Description that the A-
nonymous Author of Roma Illustrata with Fabricius's Notes,
gives in his Armatara Equitum, comes the nighest this, Scutum
sive Parman habebant ex bovillo corio, arte leviter durata, but
then he adds, eoque mero, nulla materie subjecta, omitting not
only the ornamental Studs, but the Iron Work, which Camil-
lus first contrived as a defence against the immense Swords of
the Gauls. I have endeavoured to make this Description more
intelligible by a Draught of the Sheild above-mentioned.
Vide Fig. 9. Leeds, Febr. 1697/8. 209 (209) III. A Letter from Dr. Thomas Molyneux, to
Dr. Martin Lister, Fellow of the Colledge of
Physicians, and of the Royal Society, in
London: Containing some additional Observa-
tions on the Giants Causway in Ireland. 211 (211) Perceiving then I could not so well rely on the
Draught of the Giants Causway that was first taken, and
printed about Four Years since in the fore-mentioned
Transaction, as being done by the Hand of one who was
no extraordinary Artist, tho' the best that could be then
had; I proposed the last Summer to some Philosophical
Gentlemen here in Dublin, that we should imploy, at
our common Charge, one Mr. Sandys, a good Master
in Designing and Drawing of Prospects, to go into the
North of Ireland, and upon the Place take the genuine
and accurate Figure of the whole Rock, with the natu-
ral Posture of the Hills and Country about it for some
distance, accordingly we sent him away with such In-
212(212) structions as I drew up for him, and he returned soon
after with a fair and beautiful Draught very expressive
of each Particular we desired; an exact Copy of which
my Brother lately sent over to the Royal Society, by one
of their Worthy Members, and my highly esteemed
Friend, the Honourable Francis Roberts, when he went
last from hence, this I believe you'll find hanging up in
their Repository at Gresham-Colledge, to which I must de-
sire you to have recourse, for the whole Map was too
large and bulky to be inclos'd in this Letter*: However,
I have sever'd from it one of its most instructive Schemes,
as being the chief and most essential part of it all, and
have here sent it you; from whence with the Help of
the Description already published, you will easily frame
to your self a just Idea of the most singular and remarka-
ble Properties of this Stone of the Giants Causway. [Eleven pages containing description of the diagram are omitted here]
Dublin, March
25, 1698 309 (309) Numb. 244. Philosophical
Transactions.
For the Month of September, 1698. 310 (310) I Part of a Letter from Ralph Thoresby, Esq;
F.R.S. to John Evelyn, Esq; F.R.S. con-
cerning some Roman Antiquities lately found
in Yorkshire. SIXSix Months ago I sent to Dr. Lister a large Account
of the Texture and Figure of an old Roman Shield of
the Parma Kind, that I had then newly procured; I have
since got another Curiosity relating to their Plasticks,
'tis part of the Bottom (which consisted of several such
Pieces for the Conveniency of Baking) of an old Roman
Coffin, that was lately dug up in their Burying-Place out
of Boutham-Bar at York, (whence I had the Bricks and
Urns mentioned in the last November Transactions) 'tis
of the Red Clay but not so fine as the Urns, having a
greater Quantity of course Sand wrought in with the
Clay; as to the Form (which is entire as it was at first
moulded) 'tis Fourteen Inches and an half long, and 311(311)
about Eleven broad at the narrower End, and nigh
Twelve and an half at the broader; this was the lowest
part, for the Feet and the rest were proportionably
broader till it came to the Shoulders; 'tis an Inch thick
besides the Ledges, which are One broad and Two thick,
and extend from the bottom of either side to within
Three Inches of the top, where 'tis wholly flat, and
somewhat thinner for the next to lye upon it, which se-
veral Parts were thus joyn'd together by some Pin, I
presume, for at the end of each Tile is a Hole that wou'd
receive a common Slate-Pin, these Edges are wrought a
little hollow, to receive the Sides, I suppose, and at the
Feet are Two contrary Notches to fasten the End-piece,
this Bottom I should conclude to have consisted strictly
of Eight such Parts, from a like Character 8 imprest up-
on the Clay by the Sandapilarius's Finger before its Ba-
king, but that I somewhat doubt whether Numeral Fi-
gures be of that Antiquity in these European Parts, tho' I
see no reason to conclude that because the Romans used
the Numeral Letters upon their more durable Monu-
ments, that they were utterly Strangers to these Figures,
which (notwithstanding the common Opinion of their
Novelty here) the learned Dr. Wallis thinks as old at
least, as the Times of Hermannus Contractus, An. Dom
1050. and produces an unexceptionable Testimony of
their Use here in England An. 1133. Philosoph. Transact.
Numb. 154.) I got also some Scars of broken Urns,
dug up in Mr. Giles's Garden, which are of the finest
blew Clay I have seen, with which was found a Roman
Shuttle, about Three Inches and an half long, but not
one broad in the very middle, the hollow for the Licium
being but one fourth of an Inch in the broadest Place,
shews that it was either for Silk or very fine Linnen, per-
haps their Asbestinum or Incombustible Winding-Sheets.
I have also lately procur'd a Roman Pottle from 312(312) Aldbrough, which is of the Red Clay, but much courser
than the York Urns: I was well pleased to find it whole,
that I might observe the difference betwixt their Congius
(of which I take this to be strictly the half) and our
Gallon, and this comes the nighest Mr. Graves's Compu-
tation, containing Three Pints and an half the Winchester
Measure. The last Week I received a valuable Present of Two
and Twenty old Roman Coins, from Mr. Townely of
Townely, which were lately found in the Parish of Burn-
ley in Lancashire, which are the more acceptable, because
many of them are Consular, or Family Coins, one of
them, viz. Q. Cassius, was 162 Years ante Christum accor-
ding to Goltzius's Method, being strictly the same he
places An. Urb. Cond. 589. That they were the ancient Roman Denarii, and Coin'd
before the Emperors Times (notwithstanding the contra-
ry Sentiments of some Learned Men) I think is evident,
because there is mostly, instead of the Emperor's Head,
the antick Form of the Caput Urbis, without Inscription,
besides, Tacitus calls these Bigati and Quadrigati, pecu-
niam veterem ac diu notam: Again others have upon them
ROMA, which I find not used by any of the Emperors,
(except those small Pieces upon the Translation of the
Empire to Constantinople) again, the Letters in these are
often interwoven, as particularly V-L in one I have of
L. Valerius Flaccus A.V.C. CDXCII. which according
to Goltzius, is the Seventh Year after the Romans first
stampt Silver Monies; and to mention no more, many
are of the Serrato's filed in small Notches round the
Edge, of which Sort I have of Scipio Asiaticus, &c. and
other Consular Pieces, but never saw any of a later
Date. 336 (336) III. Part of a Letter from Mr. Butterfield from
Paris, Sept. 7. 1698. to Dr. Martin Lister,
Fellow of the Colledge of Physicians and R. S.
concerning Magnetical Sand. I SendI send you a little of that Black Sand which in Italy they
use instead of Dust to their Letters; it is found
Six Miles from Genes near St. Piere d’araine on the Sea-
Shoar. It hath the Properties of the Loadstone, and I
do believe that it is Loadstone or Powder of Loadstone,
for it followeth the Loadstone; it sticketh to a Knife
that is touched with the Loadstone; it draweth a Mag-
netick Needle; it doth not ferment with Aqua Fortis, as
Iron Dust doth; it doth not rust with any Acide that
can be put to it; it doth not sparkle in the Flame of a
Candle, as Steel-dust doth when it is thrown into the
said Flame. It is commonly found on the Sea-Shoar af-
ter great Storms. 389 (389) Numb. 246. Philosophical
Transactions.
For the Month of November, 1698. 390 (390) VII. An Account of a China Cabinet, filled
with several Instruments, Fruits, &c. used
in China: sent to the Royal Society by
Mr. Buckly, chief Surgeon at Fort St. George.
By Hans Sloane, M. D. MRMr. Buckly, chief surgeon at Fort St. George in the
East-Indies, having lately presented the Royal
Society with a China Cabinet, full of the Instruments and
Simples used by their Surgeons, &c. Amongst which, seve-
ral are new and of different Shapes from the same used in
Europe, they have commanded me some Account should
be given of them. The Rasors were of Two Sorts, sither such as are re-
presented to the natural Bigness, Fig. I. and resemble
some Sorts of Knives, and do not fold in; or 391(391)
Fig. 2, and 3. Which represent another sort of Ra-
sors, which are longer, and fold in after the manner ex-
pressed in the Figures. They were daubed over with a
Substance resembling Diachylum Plaister, to keep them
from Rust, which it had effectually done, through dif-
ferent Climates. Fig. 4. And 5. Represents an Incision Knife used in
China, the whole being of Brass, excepting towards their
Point aa, which is of Steel. The most unusual Instruments that came over in this
Cabinet were, those contrived for the taking any Sub-
stance out of the Ears, or for the scratching or tick-
ling them, which the Chinese do account one of the
greatest Pleasures. Fig. 6. Does represent one of these Instruments which
is a small Pearl, such as is used in Necklaces, through
the Bore of which is put and fasten’d a Hog’s Bristle,
the other End of the Bristle being fast in a Tortoise-Shell-
Handle. Fig. 7. Represents an other Instrument for the Ears,
made of small Silver Wire twisted, set into a Tortose-
Shell-Handle, the Wire being made into a round Loop
at the End. Fig. 8. Shows an Ear Instrument made of a piece of
large Silver Wire, flatted at end, and set in a piece of
Tortoise-Shell. Fig. 9. In an Ear Instrument made likewise of Silver-
Wire, set in a Tortoise-Shell-Handle, the End of the Wire
being made sharp, and shap’d like an Hook. Fig. 10. Represents an Ear Instrument, very much
resembling our common European Ear-pickers, being of
Silver set in Tortoise-Shell. 392(392) Fig. 11. Shews the Figure of an Ear Instrument made
of several Hogs Bristles, set as in a common Pencil. Fig. 12. Represents Instruments made of very fine
Downy Feathers tyed together like a Pencil, or Brush on
the end of a Tortoise-Shell-Handle. Fig. 13. Shows an Instrument exactly like that figured
Fig. 8. Only the flat end has a slit through it. Fig. 14. Is a Chinese Figure, wherein is represented
one of that Nation, using one of these Instruments, and
expressing great Satisfaction therein. This I had of
William Charleton, Esq; who favoured the Royal
Society with a Sight of it at one of their Meetings. Whatever Pleasure the Chinese may take in thus pick-
ing their Ears, I am certain most People in these parts
who have their hearing impaired and have advised with
me for their Help, I have found have had such Misfor-
tunes first come to them by picking their Ears too much,
and thereby bringing Humours, or ulcerous Dispositions
in them. ( 393 )
II. Remarks by Mr. James Petiver, Apotheca-
ry, and Fellow of the Royal Society, on
some Animals, Plants, &c. sent to him from
Maryland, by the Reverend Mr. Hugh Jones. SECT I.
Crustaceous Animals.
1. TEstudoTestudo terrestris Americana, dorso elato. 1.
I do not find this certainly described by any
Author. Its Shell an Inch and a quarter long, and one
broad, the Scales about the Edges are Quadrangular,
those above Pentangular; he is guarded along the Back
with a round Ridge; his Head about the Bigness of our
Horse bean; the Orbits of the Eyes very large; his Snowt
not very unlike a Parrot's Bill, his upper Jaw including
the under; each Foot has four sharp Claws like a Mouse.
His Belly is made up of several thin Scales; whose
middle Pair are long and quadrangular, that next the Head
and Tail triangular, the rest irregular; his Tail taper,
and about half an Inch long.
His whole Body exceeds not the half of a large Wal-
nut. The Molucca Crab.
Mus. Regal. Soc. 120.
2. In Virginia and several parts of the Continent of 2.
America, they call it, synonyms. 394 ( 394 )
The King Crab.
Mus. Tradesc. 8.
 A King Crab of the Molucos Island. Hubert's Nat.
Rarities, p. 21. Clus. Exot.
128.
Laet. Latin.
--- Gallic. 60
Mus. Wor.
249.
Mus. Tra-
desc. 8.
Bont. H.
Nat. 83.
Hubart.
Nat. Ra. 21
Jonst. H.
Exang. Aq.
Tab. 7.
Mus. Reg.
Soc. 120.
 Cancer Bont. Hist. Nat. p. 83. Fig. Malâ & Descript.
 Cancer Moluccanus Clus. Exot. 128. Fig. opt. Dorsi
& Ventris cum Descriptione accuratâ. Mus. Worm. 249.
Fig. 1, & 2. sine descript. Mus Regal. Societ. 120.
 Cancer Molucensts Jonst. Hist. de Exang. Aquat. Tab.
7. Fig. 1, & 2. sine descript. Mus. Regal. Societ. 120.
 Signoc seu Siquenoc Incolis Novæ Franciæ, Aragneæ
de Mer. nob. Laet. Ind. Occid. 60. Fig. D. & V. opt. &
Desc. Gal. id. Lat.
 The whole Structure of this Animal is very remarka-
ble, and particularly his Eyes are wonderfully contrived;
viz. Between the fourth and last Pair of Claws on each
Side, reckoning from his Mouth (and excluding the
small Pair there plac'd) are inserted, as it were, the
Rudiments of another Pair or a Claw broken off on each
side at the second Joynt or Elbow; On these Extremities,
are the Eyes placed (like those on the Horns of Snails)
but being under the Covert of a very thick and Opake
Shell, Nature in that Place has wonderfully contrived a
Transparent Lanthorn, through which the Light is con-
veyed, whose Superficies very exactly resembles the great
Eyes of our large Libellæ, or Adderbolts, which to the
naked Sight are plainly perceived to be composed of in-
numerable Globuli; these, like them, are oblong, and
guarded with a Testaceous Supercilium. 395 ( 395 ) SECT II.
We proceed next to the Testaceous Animals.
Viz.
SHELLS Land-shells
3. COchleaCochlea terrestris major striata, ore compresso. 3.
Cochlea. Virginiana List. Hist. Conchyl. Lib. I.
Fig. 45.
4. Cochlea terrestris Virginiana media umbilicata, stria-
4.ta, ore unidente compresso. Cochlea umbilicata, capilla-
ceis striis per obliquum donata, unico dente ad fundum oris, List. H. C:
L. Fig. 91.
List. Hist. Conch. L. I. Fig. 91.
5. Cochlea ter. Virginiana insigniter striata, umbilico 5.
magno.
 Cochlea umbilicata, susca, sive variegata, capillaribus 6. List. H. C.
L. I. F. 69.
striis leviter exasperata List. H. C. L. I. Fig. 69.
6. Cochlea ter. Virginiana minor, striata & umbilicata, 6.
ore tridentino.
 Cochlea parva umbilicata, tenuiter striata, tridens,
scil. in triangulo positi, nempe unus ad fundum oris, alter List. H. C.
L. I. F. 92
ad columellam, tertius ad labrum List. H. C. L. I.
Fig. 92. SECT III.
Next to these we place
The Crustaceous Insects:
Being such whose Membranaceous Wings are wholly, or
in part, covered with a hard or Crusty Sheath.
7. SCarabæusScarabæus Marianus viridis Rhinocerotos. 7.
An Nasicornis Virginianus Mus. Trad. 15? Mus. Trad.
15? ( 396 )
8. Scarabæus Marianus Viridis acerotos.
These two, I believe, are Male and Female.
9. Scarabæus Marianus minor fulvus, maculis nigricanti-
bus aspersis.
10. Scarabeus verrucosus minor Marianus cænosi coloris.
An Scarabæus instar Bufonis Virginianus, Mus.
Trad. 16. Mus.
Trad. 16.
11. Scarabæus stramineus minor Marianus, maculis ater-
rimis diversimodé notatus.
12. Scarabæus oblongus niger Virginianus, vaginis sulcatis
dorso plano nitente.
 This my kind Friend, Mr. James Marshal, gave me,
who received it from Virginia.
13. Scarabæus elasticus major Americanus capite bimaculato.
an Cocujas Mof. 111. Fig. id. Angl. 977? Mof. 112.
fig. id. Angl.
978. fig.
 The first of these I received from my worthy Friend,
Mr. Charlton.
 This is commonly about an Inch and half long, of
which the Head takes up a third part, which is near as
broad as long; the Sides are grey or frosty; the Mid-
dle black: what in this part is most remarkable, are,
two very b1ack oval Spots, in Texture, Colour and Soft-
ness much resembling the blackest and finest Velvet, be-
ing encompass'd with a whitish Circle.
 These orbicular Spots, to most People, at first view seem
to be their Eyes, though they are ten times less, and plac'd
at the setting on of the Horns, which are about half an
Inch long, composed of eight Serræ, or Teeth, notcht on
the under side only.
 The Vaginæ or Wing-sheaths are long, black, sulcated
and plentifully sprinkled with white Specks, the under
Part and Belly is frosted on the Sides and in the Middle
of a shining black. ( 397 )
 The Structure of this Insect is the same with a pec-
liar Species I have seen in England, and call Snap-Beetles,
from their elastick or springing Faculty, by which (with-
out being fore-warn'd) they will easily force themselves
out of your Fingers: I have also frequently observed,
that if you lay them on their Backs (they not being able
to turn on their Bellies) will spring or raise themselves
to a wonderful Height, and that for several times, until
they fall on their Legs.
14. Scarabæus elasticus medius Marianus hirsutus. 14.
15. Scarabæus elastacoides Marianus, vaginis ex nigro au-
ranticque mixtus. 15.
16. Cycindela Mariana, The Fire-Fly, vaginis teneris 16.
fuscis marginibus fulvis
17. Mof. 145.
id. Angl.
1003.
Jonst. Ins.
Tab. 15. Cantharis Anglica viridis, maculis aureis insig-
ritis.
 Cantharis 4 Moff. 145. Fig. id. Angl. 1003. Fig.
Jonst. Insect. Tab. 15 Fig. 4. List. Hist. Anim. Angl.
app. Tab. 3. Scarab. Fig. 6. 17. Fig. 4. List. Hist. A. A. app. Tab. 3. Scar. Fig. 6.
18. Cantharis Mariana viridis. lituris marginalibus aureis
insigniter notata.
 The Spots in this are larger and finer markt than the
last. 18.
19. Cantharis Mariana fusca, meandris marginalibus palli-
dis incurvatis. 19.
20. Capricornulus nigrescens Marianus, undis & circulis
flavescentibus striatus. 20. ( 398 ) SECT IV.
We come now to the Plants, and therein, following the
Method of the Learned Mr. Ray in his History, &c.
and Dr. Sloane his Catalogue of Jamaica Plants, we
shall begin with the less perfect ones:
Viz.
1. MVscusMvscus Filicinus Marianus repens pinnis brevioribus.
This differs from our common Fern Moss in ha-
ving shorter Wings set opposite from the middle Rib,
which creeps along the Ground, and is not branched.
2. A. Branched Coralline Moss. Muf. Pet. 76. Mus. Petiv.
76.
This grows with us very plentifully on most Heaths.
3. Trichomanes major Marianus longifolius,
Ray H. Pl.
1928? An Trichomanes major foliis longis auricularis Raii H.
H. Pl. 1928.
4. Cornutus his Canada Maiden-hair.
CB. 355.
--- Prodr.
150.
Cornut. 7.
Park. 1050 Adianthum Americanum Cornuti 7. fig. Virginianum
Tradescanti Park. 1050. Fruticosum Americanum Ejusd.
1050. Fig. frut. Brasilianum CB. 355. & Prodr. 150. desc.
frut. Amer. summis ramulis reflexis & in orbem expansis
Pluk. Tab. 124. fig. 2.
5. Filix Mariana pinnulis seminiferis angustissimis.
6. Ophioglossum Marianum linguâ dentatâ.
7. A. Gramen Paniceum maximum, spicâ divisâ, Cat. Pl.
Jam. 30.
CB. Phytl.
20.
artistis armatum. Cat. Pl. Jam. 30.
Panicum Sylvestre cum aristis CB. Phyt. 20. N° 93.
I have added this Synonym because omitted by
Dr. Sloane, to whom I refer you for the rest. ( 399 )
8. Small English Hairy Grass. 8. Ger. 16.
CB. 6.
--emac. 17.
H. Pl. Paris
105.
A. Gramen exile hirsutum Ger. 16. fig. id. emac. 1 7.
fig. Iuncus villosus capitulis Phillii Hist. des Plantes des
environ de Paris 105. Raii H. Pl. 1291. Syn. 193 ed.
2. 263.
9. Gramen Cyperoides minus spicâ parvâ. 9.
10. A. Millet Cyperus Grass. 10.
Ger. em. 30.
Ray H. Pl.
1171
Syn. 200. ed. 2. 271.
Cyperus gramineus Miliaceus Ger. emac. 30. fig.
Raii H. P1. 1171. Synops. 200. ed. 2. 271.
11. Cyperus gramineus paniculâ sparsâ subflavescente. 11. Alm. Bot.
CB. 6.
--Phyt. 14.
Park. 1268.
IB. l. 18.
p. 470.
Ray H. Pl.
1301.
Place.
Alm. Bot. Gramen Cyperoides minus paniculâ sparsâ sub
flavescente CB. 6. & Gr. Cyp. minimum panicula subflava
Ejusd. Phyt. 14. Gr. Cup. pan. sparâ subflavascente Park.
1268 Gr. pulchrum parvum paniculâ latâ compressâ. IB.
L. 18. p. 470. Fig. & Chabr. 184. Raii H. Pl. 1301.
 This is found in most watry Places in Germany, Italy,
and Provence.
12. Gramen tomentosom Virginianum paniculâ magis 12. Plu. T. 299.
F. 4. Alm.
Bot. 179. com-
pactâ, aureo colore perfusâ Pluk. Tab. 29. 9. Fig. 4
χρυσοπαπος dici possit Alm. Bot. 179.
13. The least English Rush. 13. Par. 1192.
Ray H. Pl.
1304.
--Syn. 204.
--ed. 2.274.
Juncellus Lobelii Park. 1192. Raii H. Pl. 1304 Syn.
203 ed. 2. 2.74
 It Flourishes with us in June and July in moist, sandy
and boggy Places.
14. Parietaria foliis ex adverso nascentibus Vrticæ 14. Cat. Pl.
Jam. 50. ra-
cemifertæ flore Cat. Pl. Jam. 50.
 This Dr. Sloane observed to grow plentifully on the
moist and shady Rocks in Jamaica.
15. Aster Americanus albus latifolius, caule ad summum 15. Pluk. 79.
Fig. 1.
Al. Bot. 56.
brachiato Pluk. Tab. 79. Fig. 1. & Alm. Bot. 56.
 Dr. Pluknet's Figure very well resembles this Plant, the
Leaves are somewhat hairy, and on the back side very ( 400 )
full of Veins; they are near three Inches and half long,
and somewhat more than an Inch broad; are sharp at
each end and Stalkless: The Flowers are white, standing
on long Footstalks, and branch towards the top.
 This I have observed for some Years growing in our
Pbysick-Garden at Chelsey.
16. Aster Marianus, foliis rigidis, floribus parvis um-
belliferis.
17. Aster Americanus albus Mezerei Arabum exaspera-
tis foliis, florum petalis reflexis. Pluk. Tab. 79. Fig. 2
Alm. Bot. 56.
 These Flowers are very small, and stand many toge-
ther, like an Eupatorium; the scaly Tips are green, the
Petala long, white narrow, and seldom more than five
or six in a Flower.
18. Chrysanthemum Americanum laciniato folio majus
Hort. Bles.
& Oxon.
Hort. Plat.
& Gron.
Hor. L. Bat.
& Trades.
Park. 32.
C.B. ap. 516. Ray H. Pl. 339.
H. Bles. 251.
 Doronicum Americanum Hort. Oxon. H. Patav. & L.
Bat. H. Gron. & Tradesc. Park. 321. & 2. Fig. Amer.
laciniato folio CB. app. 516. Descr. Amer. fol. dissecto
H. Hasn. Ray H. Pl. 339.
19. Virga aurea Americana Tarragonis facie & sapore, Pluk. 116.
fig. 6.
Alm. Bot.
paniculâ speciocissimâ Pluk. Tab. 116. fig. 6. & Alm.
Bot.
20. Eupatorium Marianum foliis Melissæ rigidioribus. Pluk. 58.
fig. 3. Alm.
Bot. 141.
 An Eupatoria Valerianoides flore niveo, Teucrii foliis
cum pediculis Americana Pluk. Tab. 58. Fig. 3 & Alm.
Bot. 141.
21. Eupatorium Marianum Melissæ foliis tenuioribus, Pluk. 87.
fig. 3. Alm.
Bot. 140. flori-
bus purpurascentibus filamentosis.
 An Eupatorium Americanum Melissæ foliis magis acu-
minatis Pluk. Tab. 87. Fig. 3. & Alm. Bot. 140.
( 401 )
22. Baccharis Marianus flore pulchre rubente. 22.
23. Flos solis Marianus foliis pyramidalibus scabris ex 23.
adverso sessilibus.
24. Flos solis Marianus foliis latioribus flore mixto. 24.
25. Flos solis Marianus foliis angustioribus fl. mixto. 25.
26. Chrysanthemum pilosissimum umbone purpurascente, 26.
petalis extus villosis.
27. Chrysanthemum Marianum foliis abrotani maris. 27.
28. Nardus Americana procerior foliis cæsiis Pluk. Tab. 28. Pluk. 101.
fig. 2. Alm.
Bot.
101. Fig. 2. Alm. Bot.
 I have observed this stately Plant for several Years in
our Physick-Garden at Chelsey, growing more than two
Yards high, with Leaves somewhat like our Goosefoot, but
much larger, and underneath of an Ash Colour.
29. Carolina Globe-Tree. 29.
Valerianoides Americana flore globoso, Pishaminis folio
Mus. Petiv. 293.
 Arbor Americana tryphyla, frctu Platani quodammodo
æmulante; Lignum Fibularium (i. e.) Button-wood no-
stratibus dicta Pluk. Tab. 77. Fig. 3. Alm. Bot. 47.
 Scabiosa dendroides Americana, ternis foliis circa cau-
lem ambientibus, floribus ochroleucis Alm. Bot. 336.
 This formerly grew at the Physick Garden at Chelsey,
and this Year I saw it in Mr. William Darby's Garden at
Hodgson.
 I have put this Plant (until I find a more proper N. B.
Place) next to the Valerians, because its Flowers are very
like them.
30. Laserpitium Americanum Fraxini folio Musei 30. Mus. Pet.
255. Pe-
tiv, 255.
31. Hipposelinum Marianum foliis integris & trifidis. 31.
 The lower Leaves are more or less round or pointed,
and serrated like our Cathapalaustris, but much smaller,
not exceeding those of the Garden Violet, which they
much resemble, these stand on longer or shorter Footstalks, ( 402 )
sheathed at the Base, those above are wholly vaginated
(or sheathed) and come trifoliate at every Joynt; its
Flowers are small and yellowish.
32. A. Our least Water-Parsnep with various Leaves.
Ray. Cat.
Angl.
--H. Pl. 144.
--Syn. 67.
--ed. 2. 107.
Hor. Bles.
193 & 309.
Pluk. 61. Fig. 3.
Phyt. Brit. 114.
 Sium minimum Raii Cat. Angl. & H. Pl. 444. Syn. 67.
ed. 2. 107. min. Ferculaceis foliis Hort. Bles. 193, &
309. min. umbellatum foliis variis Pluk. Tab. 61. Fig.
3. pusillum fol. variis ND. Phyt. Brit. aq. pumilum foliis
inferne Fæniculaceis superne lobatis Moris Tab. inedit.
33. Symphylum Marianum foliis Echii latioribus.
 These Leaves are near an Inch broad, and between
Two and Three long, are set alternately close to the
Stalk, and taper at each end; in Texture very much re-
sembling our Vipers Bugloss, but broader.
34. Teucrium Marianum spicatum Menthæ folio.
35. Mr. Ray's Virginia Snake-weed.
Ray. H. Pl.
534.
H. A. L. Bat.
161.
Breyn. Pr. 2.
Pluk. 54.
Tab. 2.
Alm. Bot.
110.
 Pulegium Virginianum nonnullis, aliis Serpentaria aut
Colubrina Virginiana Raii H. Pl. 534.
 P. Virg angustifolium (Serpentaria dictum) flosculis in cy-
mis. an potitus Clinopodium Pulegii angusto rigidoque fo-
lio Virg. flosculis in cymis. Pluk. Tab. 54. Fig. 2. &
Alm. Bot. 110.
 Pulegio Cervino quodammodo accedens capitata, Cha-
mepityos Austriacæ cæruleæ foliis & facie Breyn.
Prodr. 2.
 Satureia Virginiana Herm. P. Bat. 218. Fig. & desc.
floribus in summitate dispositis H. A. L. Bat.
36. Dr. Herman's Virginiana Wild Basil with yellow
H. A. L. Bat.
107.
Ray H. Pl.
1927.
Pluk. 24.
Fig. 1.
Alm. Bot.
111.
Flowers.
 Clinopodium Virginianum angustifolium flore luteo D. de
Marees H. A. L. Bat. 107. Virg. angustif. florbus amplis
luteis purpureo maculatis, cujus caulis sub quovis verticillo
10 vel 12 foliolis rubentibus est circumcinctus D. Banister ( 403 )
Alm. Bot. 111. Virg. angust. flor. amplis luteis, punctis
purpureis Pluk. Tab. 24. Fig. 1.
 Origanum floribus amplis luteis purpureo maculatis, cu-
jus caulis sub quovis verticillo 10. vel 12. foliis est cir-
cumcinctus D. Banister Raii H. Pl. 1927.
37. Horminum Marianum foliis pilis albis aspersis. 37.
38. Scutellaria Virginiana Hyssopi angustis foliis, flore 38.
Alm. Bot.
338.
cæruleo Alm. Bot. 338.
 Mr. Banister's Columbine leav'd Crow-foot.
39. Ranunculus Thalictri folio radice grumosa. D. Banister, 39.
Ray H. Pl.
1927.
Pluk. 106.
Fig. 4.
Alm. Bot.
310.
Raii H. Pl. 1927. nemorosus Aquilegiæ foliis Virginianus
Asphodeli radice. Pluk, Tab. 106. Fig. 4. & Alm. Bot.
310.
 Muntings yellow Passion Flower.
40. Passiflora Hepaticæ nobilis folio parvo non crenato, 40.
H. R. Par.
Hort. Pisan.
Hort. Patav.
Munt. Par.
422.
Moris. H.
Ox. 6.
Raii. H. Pl.
651.
H. A. L. Bat.
205.
El. Bot.
206.
Alm. Bot.
282.
flore ex luteo viridante Alm. Bot. 282.
 Clematis Passionalis tryphyllos fl. luteo Moris. H. Ox. 6.
Sect. 1. Tab. 2. Fig. 3. Cl. Passiflora fl. luteo Munt. Prax.
422. Fig. opt. seu flos passionis fl. luteo H. Pisari Belluc:
seu Fl. Pass. luteo flore H. R. Par. Raii H. Pl. 651.
 Granadilla pumila fl. parvo. luteo D. Alex. Balam. Cat.
H. Pat. a Turre 55. folio tridentato, parvo flore flaves-
cente El. Bot. 206.
 Cucumis Flos Passionis dictus, Hederaceo folio, fl. ex lu-
luteolu-
teo viridanti H. A. L. Bat.
 Cornutus his Canada Herb Christopher.
41. Chrystophoriana Americana racemosa baccis niveis & 41.
Cornut. 76.
Park. 379.
Moris. H.
Ox. 8.
Ray H. Pl.
662.
rubris Moris. H. Ox. 8. Sect 1. Tab. 2. Fig. opt. 7 Amer.
baccis niveis & rubris Park 379. Fig.
 Aconitum baccis niveis & rubris Corn. 76. Raii H. Pl.
662.
 Mr. Fisher, a Friend of mine, brought me this Root
from Potuxen River in Maryland, and he tells me, they
there call it, Rich-Root, and use it as a specifick against
the Scurvy; they boyl about a Pound of it in two Gal-
( 404 )
lons of Cyder, till but two Quarts remain, and being
strained, they drink half a Pint of it every Morning,
either alone, or mixt with any other Drink.
 He assured me it cured him, and severai others in the
same Ship he came from thence in.
42. Spike-flowred Meadow-sweet.
CB. 163.
--Phyt. 276.
Germ. em.
1043.
Park. 591.
Ray H. Pl.
709.
Barba Capri Ger. emac. 1043. IB. V. 3 L. 488.
Fig. Chabr. 488. floribus oblongis CB. 163. Phyt. 276.
 Vlmaria major sive altera Park. 591. Fig. Raii
H. Pl. 709.
43. Gentiana major Virginiana, floribus amplis ochroleu-
cis Pluk. Tab. 186. Fig. 1. & Alm. Bot. 166.
Pluk. 186. cis.
Fig. 1.
Alm. Bot.
166.
 These Leaves are very like those of Sope wort, and
stand cross-wise, or alternately opposite, convoluting the
Stalk, which is round.
 Its Flowers one Inch and three quarters long and pale,
growing towards the top of the Stalk; its Calyx half an
Inch deep, and then divides into five narrow greenish
Beards three quarters of an Inch long, reaching almost to
the Dents or lower Angles of the Flower.
44. Gentiana major Virginiana, flore cæruleo longiore Moris.
Morris. Tab.
inedit.
Tab. inedit. Fig.
 These Leaves stand also opposite like the last but are
much narrower and glaucous underneath.
 The Flowers blew, and broader at the Top than the
last, and the Segments or Angles, not so sharp nor deep-
ly indented, the Calyx like the other, but the foliaceous
Beards shorter.
45. Erinus Marianus fere umbellatus, Majoranæ folio.
46. Perfoliate Venus Looking-glass.
Hort. Reg.
Paris.
Moris. H.
Ox. 457.
Ray H. Pl.
743.
 Speculum Veneris perfoliatum seu Viola pentagonia
persoliata Raii H. Pl. 743.
 Campanula pentagonia perfoliata Moris. H. Ox. 457.
Sect. 5. Tab. 2. Fig. 23.
405
Onobrychis peregrina perfoliata folio rotundiori. Hort.
R. Paris.
47. American Scarlet Cardinal-Flower. 47.
Park. Para.
355.
Col. in Her.
880.
Ferrar.
Hort. R.
Hasn.
Hort. Gron.
Hort. Lugd.
Bat.
Moris. H.
Ox. 466.
Ray H. Pl.
746.
Flos Cardinalis Barberini Col. in Hernand. 880. Fig.
Card. seu Trachelium Americanum H. L. Bat. & H.
Groning. Cardinalitius s. Trachel. Indicum H. Pat.
 Trachelium Americanum rubrum Ferrar. Raii H. Pl.
746. Amer. s. Cardinalis planta Park. parad. 355. Fig.
Amer. fl. ruberrimo s. Planta Cardinalis Ejusd. 356.
descr. & la Bross. H. R. Par. Indicum Cardinalitium di-
ctum H. R. Hafn.
 Rapuntium galeatum Virginianum s. Americanum coc-
cineo flore majore Moris. H. Ox. 466. Sect. 5. Tab. 5.
Fig. 54.
48. Morisons Virginiana Blew Cardinal-Flower. 48.
Robert Icon.
Dodart.
Mem. 119.
Moris. H.
Ox. 466.
H. A. L.
Bat. 107.
Hort. Lugd.
Ray H. Pl.
1883.
Rapunculus galeatus Virginianus, flore violaceo majore
Moris. H. Ox. 466. Sect. 5. Tab. Fig. 55.
 Trachelium Americanum flore cæruleo Icon. Roberti.
minus Amer. foliis rigidioribus fl. cæruleo patulo Hort.
Reg. Paris. Amer. minus fl. cærul. patilo Dodart. Mem.
119 Raii. H. Pl. 1883. descr.
 Campanula minor Americana, foliis rigidis fl. cæruleo
patulo H. A. L. Bat.
49. Digitalis Mariana Persicæ folio. 49.
 This I take to be the Humming Bird Tree, figured in
Josselin's New-England Rarities.
 These Leaves stand opposite on half Inch Footstalks,
above four Inches long and three quarters broad.
50. Digitalis Mariana Filipendulæ folio. 50.
 The Flowers of this elegant Plant stand on naked Foot-
stalks near an Inch long, they generally grow by pairs
one against the other, each divided into five equal round
Segments like those of Yellow Tobacco, but three times
bigger; these are set in a Calyx whose Divisions are sim-
briated like a Lobe or Wing of its Leaves. Its Style is
thready, and about an Inch long. ( 406 )
51. Alectorolophus Marianus Blattariæ folio.
 These Leaves are deeply cut into eight or ten serrated
Lobes, which for the most part stand opposite, each
Leaf is about the Length of the Footstalk it stands on, viz.
if full grown, five Inches, or thereabouts.
 Its Seed-Vessels are oblong pointed Husks, which open
on the upper Edge; they grow in a Spike on each side of
the Stalk, and are guarded, especially the upper Side,
with a hoary membranaceous Calyx.
52. Crateogonon Marianum flore cæruleo.
53. Turritis Mariana siliquis dependentibus, uno versu
dispositis.
 The Pods are about two Inches long, flat, somewhat
crooked, and end as it were in a blunt spine, they stand
on half Inch Footstalks, and are thin set on all sides of the
Stalks, but have a Tendency only one Way.
54. Cornatus his Canada Celandine.
Cornut.
212.
Park. 617.
-- 327.
Moris. H.
Ox. 257.
Ray H. Pl.
1887.
Alm. Bot.
280.
 Chelidonium maximum Canadense ακαυλον Corn. 212.
fig. Park. 617. Moris. H. Ox. 257. Sect 3. Tab. 3 Fig.
1. Raii H. Pl. 1887.
 Ranunculus Virginiensis albus Park. 327. Fig. an Vir-
ginianus Mus. Trad. 160?
 Papaver corniculatum seu Chelidonium humile cauliculo
nudo, flore albo stellato Alm. Bot. 280.
55. Chamæsyce Mariana ramosissima dichotomos, foliis Po-
lygoni minoribus.
56. Chamæsyce Mariana Lysimachiæ campestris Gerardi
folio.
N. B. The remaining Herbs and Trees, with some Fossils
and Animals, not here mentioned, shall be the
Subject of another Paper. 429 (429) Numb. 247. Philosophical
Transactions.
For the Month of December, 1698. 461 (461) VII. A Further Account of the Contents of the
China Cabinet mentioned last Transaction, p.
390. By Hans Sloane, M. D. FIgFig. 5. Represents what is commonly, but falsely, in
India, called, The Tartarian Lamb. This was more
than a Foot long, as big as ones Wrist, having several
Protuberances, and towards the end some Foot-stalks
about Three or Four Inches long, exactly like the Foot-
stalks of Ferns, both without and within. Most part of the
outside of this was cover’d with a Down of a dark yellow-
ish Snuff-Colour, shining like Silk, some of it a quarter of
an Inch long. This Down is what is commonly used for
spitting Blood, about Six Grains of it being to a Dose, and
Three Doses pretended to cure such an Hæmorrhage. In
Jamaica are many scandent and Tree-Ferns, which grow
on, or to the bigness of Trees, and have such a kind of
Lanugo on them, and some of our Capillaries have some-
thing like it. It seem’d to be shap’d by Art to imitate a
Lamb, the Roots or climbing part is made to resemble
the Body, and the extant Footstalks the Legs. This Down
is taken Notice of by Dr. Merret at the latter end (p.
386.) of Dr. Grew’s Mus. Soc. Reg. By the Name of Po-
co Sempie, a Golden Moss, and is there said to be a Cor-
dial. I have been assured by Dr. Brown, who has made
very good Observations in the East-Indies, that he has
been told there by those who have lived in China, that
this Down or Hair is used by them for the Stopping of
Blood in fresh Wounds, as Cobwebs are with us, and that
they have it in so great Esteem that few Houses are
without it. I have known it much used for spitting of
Blood; it being pretended, that some of the small Down
may, by being swallowed, easily slip into the Wind- 462(462)
Pipe, and so stop the Bleeding: But on Tryals I have
seen of it, though I may believe it innocent, yet I am
sure ‘tis not infallible.
Fig. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. Shew Eight several In-
struments made for paring the Nails, at which, in Chi-
na, the People are very curious and dextrous. These In-
struments are each of them shaped like a Chizzel.
Fig. 14. Represents a kind of Instrument, called, in
China, a Champing Instrument. Its use is to be rub’d
or roul’d all over the Muscular Flesh. It is like an Hor-
ses Curricomb, and is said to be used after the same man-
ner, and for the same Purposes that they are made use of
for Horses. 41 (41) Numb. 249. Philosophical
Transactions.
For the Month of February, 1699. 44 (44) III. A further Account of the China Cabinet, by Hans
Sloane, M. D. SEEDSSeeds to clarifie Water, (vid. Fig. 8.) These Seeds I have
seen come several times heretofore from the Coast of Co-
romandel and Malabar, where they are used for the clarifying
Water. They are about the Bigness of a small Pea, only
broader and flatter, having Striæ run from their Center af-
ter the manner of the common Nux Monica. The best Account
I have had of the way of using them was from Dr. Brown, who
lived in the East-Indies some time, he says they rub or grate
them on the bottom of a small Earthen Bason, wherein is con-
tained some Water. This Water and Powder is put into a
large Quantity of muddy, or foul Water, which is by this
clarified. Nux pepita seu faba sancti Ignatii. This is figured No. 7.
being about the bigness of a Nutmeg, and Triangular. This
Fruit is very much esteemed in the Philippine Islands for the
Cure of many Distempers, as will be more at large seen in the
next Transaction, wherein is design’d to be published
from Mr. Buckly, a further Account of it, and the De-
scription and Figure of its Leaves, Flower, &c. drawn
and sent from the Philippine Islands, where it grows, by Father
Kamelli, to Mr. Ray and Mr. Pettiver, Fellows of the Royal
Society. 49 (49) VI. An Account of several Curiosities relating to
Amber, lately sent to the Royal Society from
Philippus Jacobus Hartmannus (Author of the
Account of it published last Transaction) and
which are now in their Repository at Gresham-
College. 1. FRustumFrustum quod variam concretionem Succini corti-
catim cum armatura auri exhibet.
2. Frustum album sale volatili abundans, ut sapor
salis linguam afficiat.
3. Frustum insignis duritiei cum sapore vitrioli.
4. Frustum in quo insignis cavitas aquæ plena.
5. Frustum in quo lignum fossile.
6. —[Lignum fossile] in quo festucæ quasi abiegnæ.
7. —[Lignum fossile] quod fibras ligneas matricis in qua situm
fuit, exhibet.
8. Gutta oblonga.
9. Gutta oblonga altera.
10. Gutta succinea.
11. Gutta minor.
12. Gutta minor altera.
13. Feretrum aliquot muscarum.
14. Feretrum araneæ.
15. Litera F primordium musivi ex succino operis. SUPERIUS.
16. {Lignum fossile.}
17. {Lignum fossile.}
18. Ter foliata s. Corticata.
19. Lingum in lapidem metallicum indurescens. 50(50)
20. {Vitriolum nativum fusum c. fibris ligneis.}
21. {Vitriolum nativum fusum c. fibris ligneis.}
22. {Vitriolum nativum fusum c. fibris ligneis.}
23. {Vitriolum nativum SSS. cum terra amianthiforme.}
24. {Vitriolum nativum SSS. cum terra amianthiforme.}
25. {Vitriolum nativum SSS. cum terra amianthiforme.} VII. Part of a Letter of Mr. Dale from Braintree,
Feb. 1. 1699. to Dr. Martin Lister, Fellow
of the College of Physicians and R. S. concern-
ing several Insects. HErewithHerewith you will receive a Cervus volans or two,
which I take to be different from those described
by Moufet in his Theat. Insect. p. 148, 149. theseThese are
plentifully found about Colchester, especially towards the
Sea-Coast. Besides these I have happened upon divers
sorts of Scarabs, which I cannot find figured in your cu-
rious Tabulæ Mutæ in the Appendix Hist. Animal Angl.
as the Βουκερως Moufet. p. 152. a Species or two of Can-
thaarides, three or four sorts of Lady Bugs, and others;
which, although of most of them I have at present but
single Specimens, yet if you desire the sight of them to
design and fill up the Vacancies of your Plates with,
they shall be sent up to you. Last Summer being on
our Sea-Coast at Harwich, I observed no less than five or
six Species of Cochleæ Marinæ two of which I have since
found to be already noted by you in your excellent Hist.
Conchyl. as of English Production, viz. Sect. 5. n. 19.
and 43. A third I have which is by you figured, viz.
n. 13. but is not marked as found in England. The fourth
agrees with your n. 8. in Figure, but having no Name, I
cannot be positive, I therefore desire your Name of it: 51(51)
This I did see taken out of the Sea by the Fishermen,
among Sea-Weeds, and is solitary. The other two (if
they are distinct) I have herewith sent you, desiring
your Opinion. Among other things which the
Fishermen brought up, there were divers of those
Marine Animals, which by Dr. Molyneux, Philos.
Trans. n. 225. are taken for nondescripts, and refer’d to
the Classis of Scolopendræ Marinæ, these our Fishermen
call, Sea-Mice, and are described by Rondeletius, and by
Moufet, and Johnson, figur’d under the Title of Physalus,
but badly. I had like to have forgot observing to you,
that the Female Cervus Volans is pretty well represented
by Moufet, in his first table at the end of his Book, but
without a Name, I have sent you one of them also,
which was found in Coitu with the Male Else very diffe-
rent. I should be glad to see your Journal to Paris, or
any of those petrified Shells you found there, if you can
spare them. 69 (69) Numb. 250. Philosophical
Transactions.
For the Month of March, 1699. 70 (70) I. A further Account of what was contain’d in the
Chinese Cabinet, by Hans Sloane, M. D.  A Sea-Horse Tooth.  A Cow-Bezoar. This was roundish, as big as a Hens
Egg, made of Laminæ, or Plates, one Layer on another,
after the manner of true Bezoar, but melts when appli-
ed to the Candle, and therefore is not true, but factitious. 71(71)  A pair of Brass Tweezers.  A round Metallick Speculum, used as a Looking-Glass,
two inches Diameter.  A Malaya Purse made of Straw, Platted or Woven
as are Straw-hats.  Two Bone Probes.  Four China Pencils, with these the Chinese write their
Letters, as we do with Pens.  One wide Tooth’d Comb of one piece of wood.  One strait tooth’d Combe: Its Teeth are all distinct
flat pieces of wood, sharp at both ends, set together and
fastned to one another by two pieces of Reed, laid over
their middles.  An Instrument to clean the Combs, of three Teeth.  Nux Vomica.  Bamboo Stone.  Books of China Leaf Gold, the Leaves of some of
which are an Inch and half square, others four In-
ches. The Paper was of the ordinary China Paper, like-
ly made of Silk or Cotton. The Chinese Guild Paper on
one side with this leaf Gold, then cut it in long pieces,
they then weave it into their Silks, which makes them,
with little or no Cost, look very rich and fine. The same
long pieces are twisted or turn’d about Silk Thread by
them, so artificially, as to look finer then Gold Thread,
tho’ it be of no great value.  A Sheet of brown Paper from China. This sort of
brown Paper, which is smooth and thin, is made use of
in lieu of Linnen Cloath or Rags, to spread Oynt-
ments on, to apply to Sores, in the Hospitals in
Paris.  Two Steel Instruments for polishing Rasors, each
of them crooked and two inches long. 72(72)  Semen Phaseoli Zurattensis, or Couhage, Rai hist.
plant. Used for Curing Dropsies.  A great black Scarabæus, a Scarlet Butterfly, an Ash-
coloured Capricorn, a Locust, and a Phalæna, all to
pieces.  An Indian Hone, a blackish Colour.  A China Hone like ours.  An indian Hone, to be used after the Stone, to smooth
the points of Lancets, &c. This is made of a kind of
white Wood, as light as touchwood.  A Painter’s Brush, made of the Stalk of a Plant, the
Fibres of which, at both ends, being fretted asunder
and tyed together again, serve for a Brush.  A Box of several kinds of China Ink, with Characters
on them. It were to be wished other Travellers into Foreign
Parts would make such enquiries (as Mr. Buckly,
who sent these to the Royal Society has done) into the
Instruments and Materials made use of in the places
where they come, that are any manner of way for the
Benefit or innocent delight of Mankind, that we may
content our selves with our own Inventions, where we
go beyond them, and imitate theirs wherein they go
beyond ours. 81 (81) IV. Part of a Letter from Dr. Cay to Dr. Lister,
concerning the Vertues of the Ostracites;
with a Remark of the Doctor’s on it. I HaveI have been waiting a considerable time for a further
and fuller Account of the Virtues of the Ostracites,
from Dr. Home of Barwick, from whom I had the first
Account of its being so extraordinary a Medicine in the
Nephritis, but as yet have not got all the Satisfaction
that I would have in the matter. However, lest you
should think I forget to make a Return to your last obli-
ging Letter, I rather choose to send you the following
Account, imperfect as it is, than make you wait any
longer for a better. 82(82) Dr. Home, in a Letter to me in November last, tells
me, ‘That he never us’d this Medicine to any that he
knew to be troubled with a Confirm’d stone (being
perswaded that no Medicine can break a large stone)
but only to such as were afflicted with Gravel or small
Stones; that some of his Patients were cured without
evacuating any gravel or Stones at all, that others eva-
cuated both: That it never does its Work suddenly,
(being not remarkably Diuretick) but that it rather
dissolved the little Stones than forced ‘em. That none
that he ever gave this Medicine to, however grievously
and frequently afflicted before, have ever been troubled
with Nephritick pains since; That his manner of giving
it, is in fine pouder mixed with about a third part of flores
Chamomel: Dose from half a Dram to one Dram in
White-wine. That the greatest Dose is often apt to
offend and nauseate the Stomach; That he once gave
it alone with a weak infusion of Chamomil Flow-
ers, in White-wine after it, but that this did not so
well.’ Thus far he. I can say but little yet of my own
Knowledge of this Medicine, having had it but a short
while, and not us’d it yet to any but one Gentlewoman,
whose frequent and violent Fits of the Gravel, made her
lead a Life uneasy enough. I gave her this Medicine
not mixed with flores Chamomel (for at that time I was
unacquainted with Dr. Homes's manner of giving it) but
with poudered Semina Saxifrag. I cannot say, that since
she used this Medicine she never had any Returns of her
pains, but she neither has them so violent, nor so fre-
quently; and whenever she is threatned with them, she
most certainly finds ease by that time she has taken three
Doses of her Powder: And she has since the use of
this Medicine voided a great many small Stones: But
the reason perhaps why she is still threatned with the 83 (83)
Return of her Nephritick Pains, is, that she has never
follow’d her Medicine Throughly, but upon the third
Dose, finding such certain Ease, she gives it over, till a
new Fit forced her to use it again. But however, this ha-
ving done so much more for her already, than any
thing she ever met with before, she is so pleas’d with it
and speaks such great things of it, that I believe she will
soon furnish me with opportunities enough of giving it
a fair and full Tryal; and when I know more of it,
you may expect to hear further. In the mean time it
may not perhaps be amiss for you to be using it your
self; and I dare promise you, that you’ll find some-
what in it, that will make you set a Value upon
it. I take this Shell to be that which you call Ostracites
maximus rugosus & asper; and which you have with
the utmost exactness described. It burns to a Lime as
other Shells do, and as the Selenites (tho’ weakly) does.
It yields no Volatil Salt, tho’ I try’d it in a naked Fire;
nor does common Oyster-shells, fresh taken and used,
afford above half a Scruple of a Liquor somewhat mo-
derately Urinous, from four Ounces of Shells. And it
may be, if they were long dryed and exposed to the
Weather, they would loose even that, and yield no
more Volatil Salt than the Ostracites. I confess I was
somewhat surprized at this matter; since there are who
say, that even the other Shells, that are commonly
call’d petrify’d, yield a Volatil Salt: and I had my self
from the Shells of Crustaceous Fishes, (particularly of
Lobsters) had a Volatil Salt and fetid Oyl in no incon-
siderable quantity, even in a Sand Furnace. But these
sort of Shells differ from other Shells (as you have ex-
actly observed) in this too, Quod in his umbo ad cardi-
nem leviter rostratus est, qui tamen in Ostreis paulùm ali-
ter est. They differ too in their specifick Gravity, 84(84)
These being more ponderous than common Oyster-shells,
and somewhat near the specifick Gravity of the Selenites.
But indeed they differ one from another in Gravity, as
well as from other Shells, as they partake more or less
of a Tophaceous Substance that coats many of ‘em
on the inside, and which perhaps may be somewhat
akin to the Selenites. And whether they may not have
many other very different qualifications one from ano-
ther, according to the several different Beds they are
found in, I think there may be some reason to doubt.
I have observed some such differences among the Cornua
Ammonis, having had one or two small ones from our
Coal pits here, that had a considerable mixture of the
Pyrites; whereas these that are found about Whitby, ap-
proach, I think, more to the nature of the Alum-
stone; and perhaps the Cornua Ammonis of the Ancients
were found in Beds of somewhat yet more valuable;
since Pliny says they were of a Golden Colour, and were
reckoned, inter Sacratissimas Æthiopiæ gemmas. I know
Agricola, [De ortu & causis Subterraneorum, lib.iv.] ac-
counts for this Golden Colour after another manner:
Cornua Ammonis inquit succo aluminis infecta aurei coloris
fiunt. And I am ready enough to think, that there is some
truth not only in this Observation, but in what he imme-
diately adds, Idem inquit & aliis quibusdam lapidibus acci-
dit. For I cannot but attribute the extraordinary appea-
rance of Colours in the Peacock-tail Coal, to its being
infected with the Succus Aluminis, having seen some pie-
ces of this pretty sort of Coal, shoot into true and ge-
nuine Alum. Yet I cannot take this to be all the rea-
son of the Golden Colour of the Cornua Ammonis of the
Antients, since I think, if this had been all, they had
never been numbred, or deserved a place among their
Gems. 85(85) But be that matter as it will, I think its time to put
an end to a Letter, that’s already grown much longer
then was design’d; I shall therefore add no more con-
cerning these Shells, being unwilling to burn my Fin-
gers with that intricate and perplext question, What they
are? All that I shall say of this matter shall be only
this; If they be real Shells, their being found in such
different parts of the World, and at such great distance
from any Sea, may serve for a fair and convincing Ar-
gument of the Universality of the Deluge. And if they
be not Shells, but only stones form’d by (what some
People call) Fanciful and sporting Nature, we may at
least conclude thus much from it, That since even these
Lusus Naturæ, these Freaks, and random strokes of Na-
ture, have not only a Beauty, but a real use, that no-
thing in Nature is made in vain: And that many other
Fossils that we now contemn as toys and trifles, fit on-
ly for furnishing out a Musæum, may have other remar-
kable Virtues, that may in time bring even them to be
taken notice of, and valu’d, as well as the long neglected
and despis’d Ostracites. The Doctors Remark.
N. B. The Golden Colour is from its being a Pyrites,
that is Iron Stone. Again, All the Conchitæ kind,
but more particularly the Blemnitæ & lapides Ju-
daici, were known to the Antients for Specificks in
Gravel