The Digital Ark: Early Modern Collections of Curiosities in England and Scotland, 1580-1700
Nathaniel Fairfax (1637 - 1690)
Clergyman, physician, and antiquary. He contributed papers to the Philosophical Transactions, though he was never a fellow of the Royal Society. Dictionary of National Biography entry: http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/9088?docPos=2 Other biography: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathaniel_Fairfax Relevant locations: Lived at or near Woodbridge, SuffolkRelationships: Nathaniel Fairfax was a friend of Thomas Browne (19 Nov 1605-19 Oct 1682)
Linked print sources: as Author (in assoc. with a ms or print source) - Extract of a Letter, lately written by Mr. Nathaniel Fairfax to the Publisher, containing Observations about some Insects, and their Inoxiousness, &c.
as Author (in assoc. with a ms or print source) - Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society.
as - An extract of a letter, written by Dr. Nathan. Fairfax to the publisher, about a bullet voided by urine Nathaniel Fairfax.
References in Documents:
with his Urine. Given by
the 3d. of an Inch over, and almost square. Smooth on
one side, and spongy on the other, on the edges rugged.
About the bigness of a little green Peas.
In the Num.
Relation of a BULLET
that was voided by the Penis
with the Urine. Communicated by Dr.
Of a Letter, lately written by
Mr.Nathaniel Fairfax
to the
Publisher,
containing Observations about someInsects,
and
their Inoxiousness, &c.
their Inoxiousness, &c
The Ingenious Author of this Letter, as he expresses an extra
ordinary desire
to see the Store-house of Natural Philosophy
richly fraughted (a Work begun by the single care and conduct
of the Excellent Verulam
undertakings
of the
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. 161Italian
Philo
sopher
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
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.