The WOMB of a WOMAN, blown up and dried. Together with the Spermatick Vessels annexed; and the Arteries in the bottom of the Uterus, undulated like the Claspers of a Vine; all filled up with soft Wax. Also the Membranous and Round Ligaments of the Womb, the Ureters, Bladder, Clitoris, Nymphae, Hymen, Fallopian Tube, and the Ovarys, commonly called the Testicles; all made most curiously visibly, and given by Dr. Swammerdam. The Descriptions and Figures hereof may be seen in the same Authors Book, printed at Leyden, 1672. and presented to the Royal Society.

Of the Organs appropriated to Generation in both Sexes, see also Van Hornes Prodromus, and Regnerus de Graaf.

Of the manner and use of filling the Vessels with Wax, or other like substance, see the Honourable Mr. Boyle, in his First Part, Of the Usefulness of Natural Philosophy; who, I think, was the first that made mention of managing and representing them this way.

The BARBADO-NUT. The Fruit, in truth, of a kind of Plum-Tree. (b) (b) Lig. Hist. of Barb. p. 67. Yet the Name prevailing, I have placed it here. Described in Bauhinus, Wormius, and others by the Name of Avellana purgatrix Americana s. Ben magnum Medicorum vulgò: (c) (c) Mus. Wormian. but not well. 'Tis about the bigness of a Filbert. The shell blackish, thin, and brittle, and somewhat angular. Within, there is a white soft Body, commonly, but falsly falsely supposed to be the Kernel. For this Body is not divided, as are all Kernels, into two distinct Lobes, but is one entire part. Yet so as to have some little hollowness in the middle, capable to lodge a very thin Filme. This Filme, is the true Kernel, consisting not only of two large and perfect Leaves (answerable to the two Lobes in other Kernels) but of those parts also, which in time become the Trunk and Root of the Tree.

These Nuts work strongly both by Vomit and Stool; (a) Bauh. Tom. 1. (a) four or five of them a great Dose. Being eaten tosted, or injected in Clysters, (b) (b) Monardes. which is the safest way of using them, they are a present Remedy in the Cholick. One thing, very observable, is mention'd by Mr. Boyle; (c) (c) In his Book of the Origine of Forms. and since, also by Mr. Ligon: (d) and that is, That the Cathartick Power of the Nut, although so great, yet lies only or chiefly in that very thin Filme above-said, by me affirmed to be the Kernel: for this being taken out, the rest may be eaten, as any other Nut.(d) Hist. of Barb. p. 68.

The Upright FOLIATED CORAL. In all respects like the former, saving that it is less spread.

Coral is fish'd for from the beginning of April to the end of July. Not in the Ocean, but the Mediteranian-Sea (a) Tavern. Ind. Voyage, Chap. 21. only. In which there are eight or nine Fisheries, among the Rocks, no where above forty miles from Land. Three upon the Coast of Sardinia; on that of France, two; of(b) J. de Læt. Sicily, Catalonia, Corsica, and Majorque, one. (a) Of white Coral, there is great abundance in Brasile. (b)(c) Of the Orig. of Forms, 136.

Of the Nature and Generation of Coral, it is affirmed by the Honourable Mr. Boyle, (c) That whilst it grows, it is often found soft and succulent, and propogates it Species. And by Georg. de Sepibus, (d) (d) Mus. Rom. p. 45. Col. 2. That of those who had been us'd for many years, to dive for Coral in the Red- Sea, Kircher learned thus much; That it would sometimes let fall a Spermatick Juyce, which lighting upon any (steady) Body, would thereupon produce another Coral. And (e) Dr. Brown's Trav. further, by Wormius and Tavernere, from the Relations of others, That this Juyce is white or milky. Which may seem the more credible, when we consider, that the like milky substance is found in divers Mines. (e) Sometimes (f) Phil. Trans. N. 100. inclosed as is observed by Mr. George Planton, in great Hollows of the Metallick Rock. (f) And that Mr. Beamont hath found in the Hollows of some Stones called Entrochi, and Rock-Plants, or a kin to them, an evident concretion of such milky Juyce. (g)(g) Phil. Trans. 129. p. 730. l. pen.

Of Corals, are chiefly prepar'd, The Powder ground upon a Marble; the Magisterial Salt; and the Tincture. To good purpose, in some Feavers, and some other Cases. But the Name of Tincture, according to the common notion of it, is a meer deceipt: it being, in truth, no more but a Liquamen, or solution of the Magisterial Salt. For those Acid Liquors which are used as Menstruums for the making of it; by digestion or repeated heats, do always turn red: which not being heeded, the said colour hath been believed to proceed from the Corals. Of the Effect of this Tincture, or rather Salt of Coral, upon a Malignant Feaver, see a Memorable Relation of Boetius in his own Case. (h) (h) De Lap. & G. lib. 2. c. 154. p. 312.

A ROCK of DIAMONDS. Given by Sir R. Moray. They grow upon their Bed (which is about three inches broad, and four in length) in Crystals Sexangularly pointed. Of several sizes from the thickness of a midling Pin, to a ¼ of an inch Diametre, but all of them short. Not very perspicuous, but a little greyish, like the Calcedony. Saving one small cluster of them, tinctur'd yellowish. They cut Glass very deep and easily.

The principal Diamond Mines now known, are four. That of Raolconda, in the Kingdom of Visapour; discover'd 200 years since. In this Mine, the Diamonds lie in sandy Veins in the Rocks. Of all, the clearest, and of the whitest Water. They pound and wash the Vein for the Diamonds, just as we do some of our Ores for the Metal. A second call'd the Gany, about seven days journey from Golconda; found out 100 years since. They dig here not above 14 feet deep. Sometimes above sixty thousand Men, Women and Children at work. It affords the largest Diamonds, but not clear: one sometimes above 40 Carats, i. e. ⅓d of an ounce. And there was one here found which weighed 900 Carats (i. e. ℥vij ss.) A Third, that of Govel, a River in the Kingdom of Bengala. The Diamonds are found in the sand of the River, for the space of 50 Leagues. From hence come those fair pointed Stones called Natural Points: but (a) Ind. Tav. lib. 2. c. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. not great. The Fourth, that of Succadan, a River in Borneo. But there are none come from thence but by stealth. How the Indians prove, work, and sell their Stones, with other particulars, see in Tavernere. (a)(b) Mr. Boyle Of Gems, p. 11.

Rough Diamonds are often naturally figur'd into Triangular Plains: a mark to know a right one by, (b) as well as (c) Joh. de Læt L. de G. & Lap. hardness. Many also of the best are pointed with six Angles; some, with eight; and some Tabulated, or Plain, and Square. (c) Diamonds receive no hurt, but are rather mend(d) Boet. de Lap. & G. ed, by the fire. (d) Some, saith Garcias, (e) being rub'd, will take up straws, as Amber and other Electrical Bodies. (e) Lib. 1. c. 43. And Mr. Boyl (f) speaks of one of his, which with a little friction attracts vigorously. Of another, (g) which by (f) Of Gems, p. 109. water made a little more than luke-warm, he could bring to shine in the dark.(g) Ib. p. 112.

'Tis the property of all true Diamonds, To unite the Foyle closely and equally to it self, (h) (h) Bœt. de G. and thereby better augment its lustre, than any other Gem. That which is called the Foyle, is a mixture of Mastick and burnt Ivory: The latter, being one of the blackest of colours; used by Painters for Velvet, the Pupil of the Eye, &c.

The Water of those which are drawn, not from the Rock, (i) Mr. Boyl, Of Gems, p. 51. but the Ground, commonly partakes of the colour of that Soil or Ground: (i) and some are found as yellow as a Topaz. (k)(k) Ib. p. 35.

Between the Grain and the Vein of a Diamond, there is this difference, That the former furthers; the latter, being so insuperably hard, hinders the splitting of it. Although it seems, that a Vein, sometimes is nothing else, but a Cross-Grain. Our European Jewelers, when they split one, they take a very small iron Wyre, and having daubed it with Oil and Powder of Diamonds; draw it upon the Diamond, by a Tool, to and fro like a Saw, so long as is needful for that purpose.

The JASPAMMITES. So I call it; Having the Figure of the Ammites, with the Colour and Hardness of the Jaspis. For 'tis composed of little orbicular Stones, somewhat bigger than a Pepper-Corn; all green without, and of a dark Purple in the centre. So as they seem also to have been once little crusted or shell'd Balls, as those of the Ammites, hereafter describ'd.

The Jaspis grows in India, Phrygia, Thracia, and Bohemia. Next in hardness to the Agate. Sometimes so big, as to be used for Statues. Of great esteem, as an Amulet, for the stainching of all Hæmorrhages. Of its Effect herein, see some Cases in Boetius; one of them a most remarquable one. (a) (a) De Gem. lib. 2. c. 102. See also two others, in Mr. Boyle, Of Gems. The specifick Virtues ascribed to This and divers other Stones, seeming almost incredible unto some: Mr. Boyle, to render an intelligible Account of the same; doth reasonably (b) Pag. 177, 178.suppose, That all opacous Medical Stones have been, some Bolus's, some Ores of Metals, or Minerals of kin to Metals, so advantagiously alter'd, as by application only to become Sanative. (c) (c) Of the Virtues Of Gems, p. 171. 172. The Green-Jasper is by some prefer'd: but that which Boetius us'd in the Cases abovemention'd, was wholly Red.

TWENTY SEVEN Lesser LOADSTONES: whereof eleven are Arm'd and Coated. They are usually found in Germany, Italy, Misnia, &c. in the Iron-Mines; and sometimes yield Iron. See the History hereof in Kircher, and Vincent Leodaud, who have published what is said both by our own Country-man Gilbert, and by others.

The admirable and known Properties of this Stone, are, in general, these, That it attracteth Iron; or any Body, if small, which hath Iron in it. That it hath no perception of any other Body, though never so light. That it maketh the Attraction according to its Poles. And that it Communicateth to Iron both the same attractive power; and a Verticity to the North-Pole. In which last, lieth its Great use, as applied to Navigation. Although by Observations made from the Variation of the Needle, Time may produce further Discoveries in Astronomy. Those that travail through the vast Deserts of Arabia, have also a Needle and Compass, whereby they direct themselves in their way, as Mariners at Sea. (c)(c) Majoli Colloquia.

SAND out of a River near Conimbria, in which there are some few sparks of GOLD. Together with a Knob of Gold fus'd out of it. Given by Sir Robert Southwell.

Gold hath the least variety of regular figure, in the Ore, of any Metal. Because, more solid, and therefore, less wanton, than the rest. 'Tis a rare Specimen, mention'd by Georgius de Sepibus, (a) (a) Mus. Roman. which he calls Aurum Ramescens. The Ductility of Gold is admirable: one Grain, in Leaves, is extended to above fifty inches square: and one ounce employ'd in gilding small Hair-Wyre, will be extended to almost an 100 miles in length; as Mr. Boyle hath observ'd. (b)(b) Of Effluv. p. 13. & 14.

The Uses of Gold for Vessels, Coins, Armour, Garments, &c. are infinite. The Luxury of Galienus the Emperour, taught him to powder his Hair with the Dust of Gold. Some Painters, saith Ambrosinus, (c) (c) Aldrov. Mus. Met. hang plated Gold over Vinegar, whereby is produced a pure Blew (as Ceruss out of Lead) which they prefer before the Ultramarine. Of the Art of Refining, see the Phil. Transactions, (d)(d) N. 142. Communicated by Dr. Christ. Merret.

Chymically manag'd, it is reduced to several forms, called Aurum Potabile, Aurum fulminaus, A. Vitæ; as also, Auri Calx, Crocus, Sal, Sulphur, Tinctura, Oleum, Vitriolum, Flos: of which see Libavius, Crollius, Schroder, and others. One principal use of Gold in Medicine is, for the Correction of Mercurial Medicines. The original use of Leaf-Gold in Electuaries, and divers other Preparations, was not only for better grace, but from the opinion of its adding Virtue to them. And Plates of Gold, anciently, have been us'd, especially for Children, as an Amulet. Which I take to be the true reason, why the Kings of England hang a piece of Gold upon those they Touch.

SULPHUR-ORE of Island. Opacous, and immersed in a blewish Glebe. If burnt, it hath the scent of Brimstone; but yet weak, and flames not.

A Solid HERMETICK PHOSPHORUS; a mixed Matter, which being exposed for about half a minute of an hour to the Sun, or only to Day-light, or to a bright Fire or Candle; will shine in the dark for some minutes. Made by Dr. Fr. Slare, and by him given to the Royal Society, Apr. 3. 1679. The first of this kind was made by Monsieur Baldwin, a German Lawyer who gave it the Name above, but with no direction for the making of it. Nor doth he so much as mention the Materials.

I call it Solid, to distinguish it from two Liquid kinds. The Author of one, supposed to be Mr. Dan. Krafft. The other invented by the Honourable Mr. Boyle; which He calls the Aerial Noctiluca; and whereof He hath lately published an excellent Discourse. In whose Laboratory, the solid kind was also made by his direction, several ways.

Of the Process for This here, Dr. Slare some years since received a hint from Dr. Christian Connerding, Archiater to the Duke of Zell. And not hearing of any one, amongst many that have try'd, besides these Three, to have succeeded in the making of it, he hath imparted the following Account.

Take good firm Chalk, ignite it in a Crucible, and then powder it. Put into a pint or half a pint of strong Spirit of Nitre, Cochleatim, as much hereof, as will serve well to satiate it, i. e. till it becomes sweetish, and makes no Effervescence upon the injection of the Chalk. Then dilute this Liquor with fair Water, filtre it through a Paper, and so evaporate it in a large Glass, or glazed Vessel, or good Hassian Crucible to a dry Salt. The preparation whereof may be perform'd in four hours: whereas I have seen a PocessProcess, that would take as many Weeks to follow it.

he main business lies in the good Enchiresis; about which these several Directions must be carefully observ'd.

First you must prepare a Vessel of Clay, somewhat like a shallow Coffee-Dish, of three, four, or five inches in Diametre, and an inch in depth, very well baked and neal'd. Then place it under a Muffle, after the manner of a Refining Furnace, in the place where the Cuppels usually stand: and so make it red hot. Then put the prepared Salt into it, by little and little, not above ʒj ss. or ʒij at a time. Keep the fire to that degree, which will suffice to make the Salt boil in the Dish, so as to spread it self every way, and creep up the sides of it. Before the Salt, last put in, be consumed, be sure always to be ready, to make a new addition, otherwise your labour so far is lost, and you must begin again. When five or six Drachms are fum'd away, take the Dish nimbly out of the fire, so soon as the Salt last put in is dry. If you have wrought well, what remains in the Dish will be yellowish in some parts, and every yellow part will shine. Secure this Matter from the Air by fitting and cementing a Glass to it: otherwise it will loose its property in one Week.

As to the Cause of this strange Phænomenon, Dr. Slare continues to this effect. I shall in short offer my Thoughts, and refer them to your Judgment. Two Questions may arise: What it is in this Mixture that yields the light? and, How it doth it? As to the first, I take it to be the pure fiery part of the Spirit of Nitre embraced by the Chalk. For that the rest is weak and phlegmatick; as appears, if it be distill'd. Also, that about the end of the Operation, a black Fume begins to rise and fly away. That if by continuing the Dish too long in the fire, you drive all the Nitrous parts away, the Chalk which stays behind will not be luminous. Or if the Matter duly prepar'd, be exposed to the Air, and thereby prey'd upon, the same effect will follow.

As to the Second, I suppose, That it shines not by Imbibition of Light, but by Impression from it, from whence proceeds a motion therein productive of Light. Which we may the rather be induced to believe, In that if it be put into an Iron Cover, and then an Iron Box, and a good heat given to it, it will shine so vigorously as to seem to kindle the Air about it. That two Men by following their blow close, will make a Bar of Iron glow, or shine in the dark. And although the Impulse of Light may seem small; yet upon Bodies nearly related to it, as This seems to be, it appears to be great. As in those odd effects it sometimes hath upon Infants unus'd to it; and People that have sore Eyes; or have been newly Couch'd; as it happen'd to Dr. Castle sometime since, who by making bold with his Eyes too early, (i. e. by a too frequent admission of light to them,) after that Operation, did thereupon suffer such extreme pains, and mischief in his Eyes, that he now dispairs of ever seeing more.

Mr. Haac (a) (a) Author of the Experiment upon the Loadstone, Part 3. saith he, hath frequently repeated the following Experiment upon this Phosphorus. If it be exposed to the Morning Light a little before Sun rising, it presents a bright Rosy hugh. As the Sun approaches the Meridian, it advances to a higher and more firey Complexion, like that of a red hot Iron. A little after Sun-set, declines to a pale wan colour, like Chalk, or rather Mother of Pearl.

Expos'd, saith he, to the light of a Candle, or flaming Fagot, it receives a pale Luminous colour, as from the Sun towards setting. But being expos'd for a considerable time to the most clear Moonshine that I have seen in London, I could not perceive it to become Luminous in the least.

It hath been kept, saith he, in the Vacuum of my Great and Noble Patron, the Honourable Mr. Boyle called Vacuum Boyleanum, and by his Highness Prince Rupert and Himself observ'd, for above four or five months, without any diminution of its shining property.

He adds, That he hath lately found a way to affix this Shining Matter to Glass, whereby some not unpleasing Experiments may be made. Thus far Dr. Slare.

As to his Ingenious Conjectures of the Subject and Cause of Light in this Phosphorus: because he hath desired my Opinion, I shall therefore subjoyn it in a few lines.

As to the first, What it is which gives the Light: It seems hard to say, Whether it be the Cretaceous Salt, the Nitrous Salt, or some Igneous Particles incorporated with them in the Operation? It is plain, That one way or other, they do all concur to produce it.

As to the Question, How these Particles give light? It should first be stated, What Light is; Whether it be a Body? Which, though much disputed, yet in strict speaking, is an absurd Question; all one, as to ask, Whether a Quality, be a Body? But the meaning of the Question is, or ought to be, Whether there be any Body in Nature, which is the peculiar subject of Light, or metonymically may be called Light? Or whether more Bodies than one, may successively be the immediate subject thereof? If so, Whether it be any other Adjunct besides Motion? If only Motion, Whether as there is one peculiar Motion, at least for a Musical sound, so another for Light? And in regard there are some Experiments which seem to favour each of these Questions: such an Answer should be given as will correspond with all those experiments; and will be too long to suit with this Catalogue.

I shall here only say, I am inclined to believe, That, in this Case, all the three Bodies above mention'd serve together to compose an Apt Recipient of that which is the true Luminous Body. That, as in the mixture of Sulphur and Water, sulphurious Salts, of affinity with both, are used as a medium: so here, the Cretaceous Parts serve to fix the Nitrous; and the Nitrous, to fix the Igneous; being of a middle nature and readily incorporated with them both. And being in this union exposed to the Sun Beams, or other Light, the Igneous parts serve, for some time, to retain a certain portion of such as are Luminous, or to give, as I may say, a degree of Fixation to These also: and that therefore this Mixture is kindled or made to shine, by puting it into the Light, as a stick is made to burn, by puting it into the fire.

Of shining Flesh, see a Relation of some Remarkable Circumstances, made by Dr. J. Beal, and published in the Phil. Trans. (a)(a) N. 125.