With many thanks I return that noble Catalogue of Books, Rarities and Singularities of Art and Nature, which you were pleased to communicate unto me. There are many Collections of this kind in Europe. And, besides the printed accounts of the Musæum Aldrovandi, OCalceo- 194Musæum Clausum, or, Tract XIII. Calceolarianum, Moscardi, Wormianum; the Casa Abbellita at Loretto, and Threasor of S. Dennis, the Repository of the Duke of Tuscany, that of the Duke of Saxony, and that noble one of the Emperour at Vienna, and many more are of singular note. Of what in this kind I have by me I shall make no repetition, and you having already had a view thereof, I am bold to present you with the List of a Collection, which I may justly say you have not seen before.

As to the first, I like not the reason which Aldrovandus gives for his beginning the History of Quadrupeds with the Horse; Quòd præcipuam nobis utilitatem præbeat. Being better placed according to the degrees of their Approximation, to Humane Shape, and one to another: and so other Things, according to their Nature. Much less should I choose, with Gesner, to go by the Alphabet. The very Scale of the Creatures, is a matter of high speculation.

'Tis observed by Aldrovandus, That a Bear hath Hair on both the Eye-lids, as a Man, which other Quadrupedes have not. Natalis Comes (cited by the same Author) comparing his parts with those of a Man, reckons his Claws among them, which are much more like to those of a Lion. So easie it is, to drive on the comparison too far, to make it good.

See the Description of the Animal in Gesner, and others. His parts most remarkable, are those now described, and the Castor-Bag. His Anatomy see in the Philosophical Transactions, N. 49. Many strange Stories of his Ingenuity in Aldrovandus, Wormius, and others. He breeds in Italy, France, and other places: but our best Castor is from those of Russia. The great and principal use whereof inwardly, is in Hysterical and Comatose Cases.

The PELECANE. Onocrotalus, from the noise he makes like an Ass. See the Description hereof in Aldrovandus, Willughby, and others. I add, That the shortness of his Trunk or Body, in respect to the other Parts, is observable; not being a foot long: whereas from the end of his Bill to his Rump, he's near an Eln long: and to the end of his Toes, he's above a yard and half. I shall describe his Bill a little more particularly.

The SHORT-SHELL'D BEETLE. By Aldrovandus, called Scarabæus Serpentarius, somewhat absurdly, sc. for that he once found them in a Serpent. But his Description is not ill. He seems by the shortness of his Wing-shells to border on the Dorr or Hedge-Chafer, as the former. As also by their colour, composed of black and Chesnut Rings indented together. Here are five of this Species.

The GRFAT GREAT GALLY-WORME. Scolopendra. Described both by Moufet and Aldrovandus: but yet imperfectly. Neither is this here entire. Yet thus much remains Observable of the Feet; That each of them is armed, in the room of Claws, with three, four, or five Needles, of different thickness and length; some of them above ¼ of an inch long; of a black shining colour like the Sting of a Bee, and equally sharp; in respect to which the Figure neither of Moufet nor of Aldrovandus doth any way answer. Besides these, there are a great many more on each side, of the like shape and bigness, but of the colour of Copper or tarnish'd Brass. The Back and Sides are shag'd, the Belly smooth or bald. He is about three inches and ½ long.

A PETRIFY'D CRAB. Carcinites. It seems to be of the undulated kind; whereof see the Description in Rondeletius. 'Tis very hard and solid, and as heavy as a Pebble. Yet dissoluble with Acids. There is one pretty like this in Aldrovandus, (b) (b) Musæum Metallicum. under the Name of Pagurus lapideus. And another in Besler.

A FISH-MOLD. Ichthyites in modum Typi. There are several figures of Fishes in Stones in Besler, Aldrovandus, and Moscardo. In Aldrovandus also of the Heads of Birds, Beasts and Men, in Flints. Septalius hath a Head in Marble. And Mr. Boyle (a) (a) Of Gems p. 156. a Pebble with a Serpent (all but the Head) perfectly shap'd, and coyl'd up in it. All these (except perhaps the last) are either semblances on a Plain, or at least in solid Stones. But this here is hollow, and was so found in the Island-Sea. About five inches long; now split into two halfs, like those of a casting Mould. On the insides of which, are fairly impress'd the form of the Spine, with the Ribs, Fins, and Tail, of a Fish. Without, a long Plate of the same substance, grows to each side; and others cross to these: as if to the Mould of the Fish, were also added that of its Funeral Cloaths.

The soft OVAL HELMET STONE. Given by Sigr. Boccone. So I name it from its similitude to the shell of the Echinus Spatagus, (a) (a) See Part I. which the English call Helmet--Fish. Oval, to distinguish it from the Conick. Soft, as being very brittle, and easily dissoluble with Acids. Several of these Stones are figur'd by Aldrovandus, (b) (b) Musæum Metallic. with the Name of Scolopendrites. And some leaves after, divers others not much unlike, with that of Pentaphyllites from its likness in some part also to the Cinquefoyle.

The SHARP CONICK HELMET-STONE. 'Tis a Semipellucid Flint. Surrounded with five double pointed Rows, meeting not only on the top, but also at the centre of the Base or Belly. Besler figures a small Conick Helmet, by the name of Echinites: a great one, by that of Scolopendrites. And several Species hereof are also figur'd by Aldrovandus. (a) (a) Mus. Metallicum. None of the flinty or other hard Helmet Stones make any ebullition with Acids.

A FOURTH, of all, the most flat, and with a sharp or edged Rim. Wrought all over, with undulated Striæ, almost as in the Serpent-Stone. These two last, particularly, figur'd in Aldrovandus. (a)(a) Ubi supra.

A petrify'd NUX VOMICA, sc. that of the Shops. As I call it from its figure exactly respondent; being round, and flat, on one side a little Concave, on the other somewhat Convex. In Aldrovandus (a) (a) Mus. Metall. we have the Figure of a petrify'd Nux Methel Officinorum: but under the mistaken Title of Castanites. As also the exact figure of a petrify'd Castanea Purgatrix; but this too with the false Name of Anacardites. The same Author represents likewise a most exact figure of a petrify'd Melopepon.

It is very observable, That the same curious Work which appears upon one side of the slate, doth also on the other. Agreeable to what Ambrosinus (b) (b) Aldrov. Mus. Metall. also remarques, That if this sort of Stones be broken into several pieces, the like Work will appear in the intimate parts. Which plainly demonstrates, that not being superficial, it cannot be the effect of Art.

The Occidental, sometimes as big as a mans fist, especially (d) Ambrosin. (in Aldrov. M. Met.) out of Porta. in Peru; but soft and cloudy. The Oriental, no bigger than a Filbert. The Europeans, in Cyprus, &c. the worst. 'Tis imitated (d) with Æs ustum, and half as much Crocus Martis.

Flints are of all colours. Some so clear, that some Jewelers cut and sell them for Bohemick Diamonds. (c) (c) Boet. de Gem. They are also used for factitious Gems, with the mixture of Metals, in fusion. For making of Glass. For Mortars for the powdering of the Fragments of Gems. And sometimes added to melted Metals, to keep them, as is supposed, by the Metallists, from spending. (d) (d) Ambros. in Aldrov. Mus. Metal.

FLAKED DROPSTONE. Stalactites Laminatus. Found in the top of the Hills near Wooten Underridge in Gloucestershire. In Aldrovandus (c) (c) Musæum Metallic. are several of these called Succi Concreti.

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.

The Preparations of Silver, are made in most of those Forms, as of Gold, and described by the same Authors before mention'd. Goldsmiths sometimes give a silver-wash to Copper, with that which is called Oleum Lunæ. Soder (from the Italick, Saldatura) of Gold is made of Silver, and half as much Brass. Painters make a pure Blew here(a) Ambros. in Aldrov. Mus. Metal. of with Sal Armoniac. (a) Of the Silver-Mines in Mexico, and the way of separating the Silver from the Ore, see the Phil. Transactions. (b) (b) Num. 41. And of the Art of Refining, Num. 142.

Pure Native COPPER, both CAPILLARY, and GRANULATED, in one piece. The Capillary part, above two inches broad; and surrounded, like a Wood, by the other. Aldrovandus (d) (d) Mus. Metallicum. hath a sort that is pointed, or at least angular; which Ambrosinus calls Æs nativum figuræ pangoniæ.

ANOTHER piece, from the same place, and by the same Hand. In this the Styriæ, or figur'd pieces, are flat, and irregularly cluster'd. Aldrovandus (a) (a) Mus. Metall. gives the figure of an Iron Spar (Ore) ramify'd.

See a very good Account of the Iron-Mines, and Iron- Works in the Forrest of Dean. Communicated by Henry Powle Esq; and by Me published in the Philosoph. Trans actions. (a) (a) Num. 137. Some of the ways of giving a due Temper to Iron, according to the use made of it, are set down by Ambrosinus. (b) (b) Aldrov. Mus. Metall. For one Temper is requir'd for drawing it into Wyre; another, for a File; another, for a Chisel; another, for a Sword; another, for the Edge of a Sword in particular; and the like. For the hardening of Iron for Files; one of the Kings Farriers, upon my enquiry, commendeth this following way.

Of This as of common Salt, may be distill'd that Acid Liquor commonly, but absurdly call'd the Oil. This moderately taken, but especially if it be dulcify'd by Cohobations with a simple, or rather with an aromatiz'd Spirit of Wine, is sometimes of excellent use to restore the Digestive Faculty to the Stomach. But the common sort, taken, as it often is, without discretion, really breeds more Diseases, than it pretends to cure. See several Preparations of Salt in Schroder and others. Ambrosinus, I think it is, who reports, (d) (d) Aldrov. Mus. Metal. That in the Province of Canicla, in the Great Cam's Dominions, the people melt and cast Salt into a round Form, for Money. But who ever knows the nature of common Salt, must also, that this Report is a great mistake.

Native Vitriol, saith Ambrosinus, (c) (c) Aldrov. Mus. Met. given to the quantity of ʒj in any convenient vehicle, is a great Remedy in Germany and Hungary for the Plague. Blew Vitriol of excellent use against Venereal Ulcers. Both of this, and the Green, is made the Powder called Sympathetick; the Description whereof may be seen in Papinius, and out of him in Wormius. I doubt not, but that the Stiptick Liquors of Mr. Lyster and of Mr. Deny, are both made of Vitriol.

Some such thing is hinted by Aldrovandus lib. i. de (2171) Insect. p.57. edit. Bonon. Tiro cùm essem (saies he) è grandioribus muscis unam albis pictam lineis, specie illectus, cepi: ea, in vola manus aliquanduretenta, plusculos edidit Vermiculos candidos, mobilitate propria insignes.

BElloniusBellonius figures this bird among the Merulae, induced only by this reason, that those who bring it out of Brasil into Europe call it, the Brasilian Blackbird. Where­fore seeing he speaks nothing concerning the nature of the Bird, and it is alike un­known to me, I also adjoyn it to the Merulae, although in the shortness, or rather crookedness, of its Bill it differs much from them. Those (saith Bellonius) who trade in Countries newly discovered, bring back thence such strange rarities as they think will sell dear with us here: But because they cannot bring the birds themselves alive in Cages, therefore they flay off the skins of such as are more beautiful than the rest, as this is, and bringing them over make a great gain of the sale of them; especi­ally of this which they call, the Brasilian Blackbird; though in bigness it differs from a Blackbird. The colour of the whole body, except the Tail and Wings, which are black; is so deep [perchance by the word intensè he may mean bright] a red, that it exceeds all other rednesses. The Tail is long; the Feet and Legs black; The Bill short, as in a Sparrow. The feathers are red to the very bottom. That which Aldrovandus describes, perchance from a picture, was in some things different from Bellonius his bird. For, saith he, the Wings are not all over black, but all the upper feathers by the shoulders of a deep red. Next to them are some black ones, then red ones again; the subsequent, viz. all the great feathers, being black, as is also the Tail. The Bill also is not so short as in Sparrows, yet thick, and remarkably crooked, without of a dusky colour, within yellow, as I conjecture from the colour of the corners of the mouth [rictûs.] Moreover, the Feet are not black, but of an ash-colour, only a little dusky, being great for the proportion of the Legs: The Claws short, but crooked, of the same colour.

The white Stork, saith * In his Annotations on Recchus his Animals. *Joannes Faber, is very rare in Italy: All these twenty eight years that I have spent at Rome, I never but once saw a white Stork, and then but one, on the top of the Tower, called Torre de Conti, I know not by what wind driven thither. Aldrovandus also himself an Italian born, and then a very old man, confessed that he had never seen a white Stork, for that the Territory of Bologna did neither breed nor feed them. But sith it is most certain, that Storks before the ap­proach of Winter fly out of Germany into more temperate and hot Countries, very strange it is, Italy being contiguous to Germany, and hotter than it, that they should not fly thither, at least pass over it in their flight Southward.

Another bird congenerous to this, wanting also the back-toe, (which Aldrovandus described from the intuition of a bare Picture) but different in that its Thighs are feathered, and its Toes without any intermediate membrane, see in his Ornithology, Book 13. Chap. 15. I suspect it to be the same with the Oedicnemus, and those diffe­rent notes to be but mistakes of the Painter.

The Charadrios of Gesner,* * The Charadrios of Gesner. which Aldrovand judges to be the same with our Oedic­nemus, is a foolish and stupid bird. Being shut up in any room, it walks up and down, sometimes in a round about a Pillar or any other thing for a long time, and if any block or impediment be in its way it will rather leap over it, than decline from the right way. * It winks not. *It shuts not its Eyes though you put your finger to them. It is ea­sily made tame, for when it is at liberty in the fields it is not much afraid of a man. It is a Water-fowl, and lives in fenny Meadows, or about Marshes. In houses also it catches Mice in the night time. I hear that it abounds in the Low Countries, that it wanders up and down in the night, and makes a noise like a Whistle, or Pipe.

Gesner, and Aldrovand following him, from the relation of a certain English man, write, that they want hard feathers, being covered only with soft feathers, or a kind of down: Which is altogether false, they being furnished with sufficiently long Wings and Tail, and flying very swiftly. They say it is a foolish bird, and easily taken. We are told that they breed not only on the Calf of Man, but also on the Silly Islands. Notwithstanding they are sold so cheap, yet some years there is thirty pounds made of the young Puffins taken in the Calf of Man: Whence may be gathered what number of birds breed there.