Chapter M: A Hook, on which the end of the Chain is fastned by a Ring, the (1)

_Hook_ fixed being placed in the side of the Dore.

N. A _Barr_ of _Iron_ in the Walls, to which the _Pulley_ is fastned.

The higher the _Shaft_ of the Chimney is, the Fire draws the Air the better. And this Invention may be made use of in the _Pits_ or _Shafts_, that are _Perpendicular_, or any wise inclining towards it, when there is want of fresh Air at the bottom thereof, or any molestation by unwholsom Fumes or Vapors:

* * * * *

_A way to break _easily_ and _speedily_ the hardest _Rocks_, communicated by the same Person, as he received it from Monsieur _Du Son_, the Inventor._

Though the invention of breaking with ease, and dispatch, hard Rocks, may be useful on several occasions, the benefit is incomparably great, that may thereby accrue to those, who have _Adits_ or Passages to cut through hard _Rocks_, for making passage for Water to run out by, in _Mines_ of _Lead_, _Tin_, or any other whatsoever; these _Adits_ appearing to be the surest, cheapest, and most advantagious way imaginable, for draining of the same. {83}

That which is here to be described, was invented by one of the most Excellent _Mechanicks_ in the World, _Monsieur du Son_, who lately put it in practice himself in _Germany_, at the desire of the _Elector_ of _Mentz_. The manner is, as followeth.

The _Mine_ or _Adit_ is to be made seven or eight foot high, which though it seem to make more work downwards, yet will be found necessary for making the better dispatch by rendring the Invention more effectual.

There is a _Tool_ or _Iron_ well steeled at the end, which cuts the Rock, (of the shape shewed by _Fig._ 2. here annexed,) 20. or 22. Inches long or more, and some 2½ Inches _Diameter_ at the steeled end, the rest being somewhat more slender. The steeled end is so shaped, as makes it most apt to pierce the Rock, the Angles at that end being still to be made the more obtuse, the harder the Rock is. This _Tool_ is to be first held by the hand, in the place, where the Hole, to be made for the use, which shall here be shewed, is to be placed; that is, in the middle between the sides of the Rock, that is to be cut, but as near the bottom as may be. The _Tool_ being placed, is to be struck upon with an Hammer, the heavier the better, either suspended by a Shaft turning upon a Pin, or otherwise, so as one man may manage the Hammer, while another holds the Tool or Piercer. If it be hung in a _Frame_, or other convenient way, he that manageth it hath no more to do, but to pull it up at first as high as he can, and let it fall again by its own weight, the motion being so directed, as to be sure to hit the Piercer right. After the stroke of the Hammer, he that holds the Piercer, is to turn it a little on its point; so that the Edges or Angles at the point may all strike upon a new place; and so it must still be shifted after every stroke, by which means small Chipps will at every stroke be broken off, which must from time to time be taken out, as need requires. And thus the work must be continued, till the _Hole_ be 18. or 20. Inches deep, the deeper the better. This _Hole_ being made as deep as is required, and kept as streight and smooth in the sides, as is possible, there is then a kind of double _Wedge_ to be made, and {84} fitted exactly for it; the shape whereof is to be seen in the annexed 3. Figure.

This double _Wedge_, being 12. or 13. Inches long, each piece of it, and so made, as being placed in their due position they may make up a _Cylinder_, but _Diagonal_-wise. The two flat sides that are contiguous, are to be greased or oyled, that the one may slip the more easily upon the other; and one of them, which is to be uppermost, having at the great end a hollow _Crease_ cut into it round about, for fastening a _Cartridge_, full of _Gunpowder_, to it with a thred, the round end of the _Wedge_ being pared as much as the thickness of the Paper or Pastboard, that holds the Powder, needs to make the outside thereof _even_ with the rest of the _Wedge_. This _Wedge_ must have an Hole drilled through the longest side of it, to be filled with _priming Powder_, for firing of the Powder in the _Cartridge_; which needs have no more, than half a pound of Powder, though upon occasion a greater quantity may be used, as shall be found requisite.

Then this _Wedge_, being first thrust into the Hole with the _Cartridge_, the round side, whether the Priming-hole is, being uppermost, the other _Wedge_ is to be thrust in, home to the due position, care being taken, that they fit the Hole in the Rock as exactly as may be. Then the end of the lower _Wedge_ being about an Inch longer, than that of the upper outwardly, and flatned, priming Powder is to be laid upon it; and a piece of burning _Match_ or _Thread_ dipt in _Brimstone_ or other such prepared combustible Matter, fastned to it, that may burn so long before it fire the Powder, as he, that orders it, may have time enough to retire quite out the Pit or _Adit_, having first placed a piece of Wood or Iron so, as one end thereof, being set against the end of the lower Wedge, and the other against the side-wall, so as it cannot slip. Which being done, and the Man retired, when the Powder comes to take fire, it will first drive out the uppermost Wedge, as far as it will go, but the slaunting figure of it being so made, as the farther it goes backward, the thicker it grows, till at the last it can go no farther, then the {85} fire tears the Rock to get forth, and so cracks and breaks it all about, that at one time a vast deal of it will either be quite blown out, or so crackt and broken, as will make it easie to be remov'd: And according to the effect of one such _Cartridge_, more may be afterwards made use of, as hath been said.

* * * * *

_Observables upon a _Monstrous Head_._

This was the Head of a _Colt_, represented in the annexed _Figure_ 4. first viewed by Mr. _Boyle_, who went into the Stable where the _Colt_ lay, and got the Head hastily and rudely cut off, the _Body_ thereof appearing to his Eye compleately formed, without any _Monstrosity_ to be taken notice of in it. Afterwards he caused it to be put into a Vessel, and covered with _Spirit of Wine_ thereby chiefly intending, to give good example, together with a proof, that by the help of the said _Spirit_, (which he hath recommended for such Properties in one of his _Essays_ of the _Usefulness_ of _Natural Philosophy_) the parts of _Animals_, and even _Monsters_, may in _Summer_ it self be preserved long enough to afford _Anatomists_ the opportunities of examining them.

The Head being opened, and examined, it was found.

_First_, That it had no sign of any _Nose_ in the usual place, nor had it any, in any other place of the Head, unless the double Bag CC, that grew out of the midst of the forehead, were some rudiment of it.

_Next_, That the _two Eyes_ were united into one _Double Eye_, which was placed just in the middle of the Brow, the Nose being wanting, which should have separated them, whereby the two Eye-holes in the Scull were united into one very large round hole, into the midst of which, from the Brain, entred one pretty large _Optik Nerve_, at the end of which grew a great _Double Eye_; that is, that _Membrane_, called _Sclerotis_, which contained both, was one and the same, but seemed to have a _Seam_, {86} by which they were joined, to go quite round it, and the fore or pellucid part was distinctly separated into two _Cornea_'s by a white _Seam_ that divided them. Each _Cornea_ seemed to have its _Iris_, (or Rain-bow-like Circle) and Apertures or Pupils distinct; and upon opening the _Cornea_, there was found within it two _Balls_, or _Crystalline Humours_, very well shaped; but the other parts of it could not be so well distinguished, because the eye had been much bruised by the handling, and the inner parts confused and dislocated. It had four Eye-browes, placed in the manner exprest in Figure 4. by a a, b b; a a representing the _lower_, and b b, the _upper_ Eye-lids.

_Lastly_, That just above the Eyes, as it were in the midst of the Forehead, was a very deep depression, and out of the midst of that grew a kind of double _Purse_ or _Bagg_, C C, containing little or nothing in it; but to some it seemed to be a production of the matter designed for the Nose, but diverted by this Monstrous Conception; perhaps the _Processus mammillares_ joyned into one, and covered with a thin hairy skin.

* * * * *

_Observables in the Body of the _Earl_ of _Balcarres_._

These following Observations, were a while since sent out of _Scotland_ by an ingenious person, an Eye-witness, to Sir _Robert Moray_.

1. That the Belly of this Nobleman being opened, the _Omentum_ or _Net_ was found lean and small: his _Liver_ very big; the _Spleen_ big also, filled with a black and thick humour. His _Stomack_ and _Entralls_ all empty, of a Saffron-colour, distended with wind only. The _Bladder_ of _Gall_ swelled with a black humour: The _Kidneys_ filled with a kind of _grumous blood_.

2. That in the _Thorax_ or _Chest_, the _Lobes_ of the _Lungs_ were all entire, but of a bad colour; on the left side somewhat black and blue, and on the right, whitish; with a yellowish knob under one of the _Lobes_. {87}

3. That the _Pericardium_ or the _Case_ of the _Heart_ being opened, there appeared none of that water, in which the _Heart_ uses to swim; and the external Surface of it, from the _Base_ to the _Tipp_, was not smooth, but very rough. It being cut asunder, a quantity of white and inspissate liquour run out, and beneath the _Base_, between the right and left Ventricle, _two stones_ were found, whereof the one was as bigg as an _Almond_, the other, _two_ Inches long and _one_ broad, having three _Auricles_ or crisped _Angles_: And in the Orifice of the right Ventricle, there was a fleshy fattish Matter.

4. That the whole Body was bloudless, thin, and emaciated, of a black and bluish Colour.

5. The _Scull_ being opened, both the _Cerebrum_ and _Cerebellum_ were bigg in proportion to the Body; and out of it run much more Bloud, than was seen in both the other Regions together.

* * * * *

_Of the designed Progress to be made in the _Breeding of Silkworms_, and the _Making_ of _Silk_, in _France_._

The _French_ King _Henry the Fourth_, having made a general Establishment all over _France_, of planting and propagating of _Mulberry-trees_, and _Breeding of Silkworms_, in order to set up and entertain a _Silk-trade_ there; and having prospered so well in that Design, that in many parts of his Dominions great store of such Trees were raised, and Multitudes of Silk-works propagated, to the great benefit of the _French_ people, forasmuch as it was a considerable beginning to avoid the transport of several Millions abroad for buying of Silks, and withall an excellent means of well-imploying abundance of poor Orphans and Widows, and many old, lame, and other indigent and helpless people; The present _French King_, hath lately revived and seconded that Undertaking by giving express order that it should be promoted by all possible means, and particularly in the _Metropolis_ of that Kingdom, and round about it; and that for that end the whole way concerning that Work and {88} Trade should be fully and punctually communicated in Print; which hath also been executed by one _Monsieur Isnard_, in a Treatise published at _Paris_, in _French_, Intituled, _Instructions for the Planting of White Mulberryes, the Breeding of Silkworms, and the Ordering of Silk in _Paris_, and the circumjacent Places_, In which Book, the Method being represented, which that Great Prince _Henry_ IV used in establishing the said Work and Trade, together with the success thereof, and the advantages thence derived to his Subjects, the _Author_, from his own _Experience_, and long _Practice_, delivers (and seems to do it candidly) all what belongs in this business in four main heads. _First_, he teaches the Means of sowing, planting, and raising _White Mulberryes_ (as the Foundation of Silkworks) shewing how many several wayes _that_ may be done. _Secondly_, The Breeding of _Silkworms_, the choosing of good Eggs, and their hatching, as also the Feeding of the _Worms_, and preserving them from sickness, and Curing them of it, together with the way of making them spin to best advantage. _Thirdly_, The manner of winding their Silk from their Bottoms, adding the _Scheme_ of the _Instrument_ serving for that purpose. _Fourthly_, The way of _keeping_ _Silkworms_ Eggs for the ensuing year.

Through the whole Book are scattered many not inconsiderable particulars, though perhaps known to most. The _White Mulberry Tree_, as it is in other qualities preferable to the _Black_, so this _Author_ esteems it the best, not only for the durableness of the wood, and its large extent of usefulness in Carpentry and Joyners work; but also for the fitness of its leaves (besides their principal use for the food of _Silkworms_) to fatten Sheep, Goats, Cowes, and Hoggs, only by boyling and mingling them with Bran. The Berryes themselves he commends as very excellent to fatten Poultry, and to make them lay Eggs plentifully. In the _Changes_, _Working_, and _Generation_ of this _Insect_, he is very curious to observe many things. Their _Metamorphoses_, as is known, are four, whereof the form of the one hath no conformity with any of the rest. The first from an Egge (of the bigness of a Mustard-seed, and of a darkish Gray Colour, when good) to a _Worm_ or _Caterpillar_, but of a domestick, noble, and profitable kind, _Black_, when it first comes {89} forth, but growing _white_ at last; having 24. feet, 8. on each side of the body, and 4. besides, close to each side of the head. During this form, they undergo constantly 4. Sicknesses, in which they cast their Skins, each sickness lasting about 4. days, wherein they feed not at all; but grow clearer, shorter, and thicker. The second from a _Worm_ to an _Aurelia_ or _Chrysalis_, having the shape of a small Plum, whereunto it is transformed after its spinning time is past; in which state it lies shut up, in hot Countries, for 14. or 15. dayes; in more temperate ones, 18. or 20. without any Food or Air, known to us. During which time this _Insect_ leaves two Coats, both that of a _Worm_, whence 'tis changed into an _Aurelia_, and that of an _Aurelia_, whence it becomes a _Papilio_ or _Butterfly_, in the _Theca_ or _Case_. The third is, from an _Aurelia_ to a _Butterfly_, coming out of the _Theca_ with a head, leggs, and horns; for which passage it makes way by a whitish water, it casts upon the Silk, which moistning, and thereby in a manner putrefying it, the new creature thrusts out its head through the sharp end of the _Case_, by a Hole as big as its self. There is found no Excrement in the _Case_, but the two Skins only, just now mentioned.

Before they begin to spin, and about the latter end of their feeding, they must, saith the _Author_, be often changed, and have Air enough, by opening the Windows of the Room, they are in, if it be not too ill Weather; else, saith he, the Silk that is in their Belly, will cause so extraordinary a heat in them, that it burns their gutts, and sometimes bursts them; and the same (being a substance that resembleth Gum or Burgundy Pitch) will putrefy and turn into a yellowish matter.

He maketh the best marks of their maturity for spinning to be, when they begin to quit their white Colour, & their green and yellow Circles, and grow of the Colour of Flesh, especially upon the tail; having a kind of _consistent_ softness shewing that they have something substantial in their Stomachs.

As for their _Working_, he gives this account of it, that the first day they make only a _Webb_; the second, they form in this _Webb_ their _Cases_, and cover themselves all over with Silk; the third day, they are no longer seen, and the dayes following they thicken their _Cases_, alwayes by one _end_ or _thread_, which they {90} never break off, themselves. This, he affirms, they put out with so much quickness, and draw it so subtle and so long, that without an _Hyperbole_, the _end_ or _thread_ of every _Case_ may have two Leagues in length. He advertiseth, that they must be by no means interrupted in their work, to the end, that all the Silk, they have in their bellyes, may come out.

Some eight dayes after they have finished their Work, as many of the best _Cases_, as are to serve for _seed_, _viz._ the first done the hardest, the reddest and best coloured, must be chosen, and put a-part; and all diligence is to be used to winde off the silk with as much speed, as may be, especially if the _Worms_ have nimbly dispatched their work.

Here he spends a good part of his Book, in giving very particular Instructions, concerning the way of winding off the silk, setting also down the form of the Oven and Instruments necessary for that work, which is the painfullest and nicest of all the rest.

Touching their _Generation_, he prescribeth that there be chosen as many male as female _Cases_ (which are discerned by this, that the males are more pointed at both ends of the _Cases_, and the females more obtuse on the ends, and bigger-bellyed) and that care be had, that no _Cases_ be taken, but such wherein the _Worms_ are heard rolling; which done, and they being come forth in the form of _Butterflies_, having four wings, six feet, two horns, and two very black eyes, and put in a convenient place, the males fluttering with their wings, will joyn and couple with the females, after that these have first purged themselves of a kind of reddish humour by the fundament: in which posture they are to be left from Morning (which is the ordinary time of their coming forth) till evening, and then the females are to be gently pulled away, whereupon they will lay their eggs, having first let fall by the Fundament another humour, esteemed to proceed from the seed of the males; but the males are then thrown away as useless. He advertiseth, that if they be coupled longer than 9. or 10. hours, (which they will be, and that sometimes for 24. hours together, if they be let alone) either the female will receive very great hurt by it, or much seed will remain in her belly. {91}

The seed at first coming out is very white, but within a day it becoms greenish, then red, at last by little and little gray, which colour it retains alwaies, the most coloured of an obscure gray, being the best; those grains which never quit their whiteness, having no fecundity in them.

Each female emits ordinarily some 300 grains, more or less, some of them not being able to render them all, and dying with them in their belly. One ounce of seed will require an hundred pair of _Cases_, of as many Males as Females.

Care must be taken, that no Rats, Mice, Ants, or other Vermin, nor any Hens, or Birds, come near the Seed, they being very greedy to eat them.

This is the substance of what is contained in this _French_ Author, published at _Paris_ on purpose to promote the _Making_ of _Silk_ there, as well as it is practised already in other parts of that Kingdom; which is represented here, to the end, that from this occasion the design, which the English Nation once did entertain of the _increasing of Mulberry trees_, and the _Breeding of Silk-worms_, for the _Making of Silk_ within themselves, may be renewed, and _that_ encouragement given by King _James_ of Glorious memory for that purpose (witness that _Letter_ which he directed to the Lords Lievtenants of the several shires of _England_) and seconded by his _Most Excellent Majesty_, that now is, be made use of, for the honour of _England_ and _Virginia_, and the increase of wealth to the people thereof; especially since there is cause of hope, that a _double Silk harvest_ may be made in _one_ Summer in _Virginia_, without hindring in the least the _Tobacco_-Trade of that Countrey.

* * * * *

_Enquiries concerning _Agriculture_._

Whereas the _Royal Society_, in prosecuting the _Improvements of Natural knowledge_, have it in design, to collect _Histories of Nature and Arts_, and for that purpose have already, according to the several Inclinations and Studies of their Members, divided themselves into divers _Commitees_, to execute the said design: Those Gentlemen, which do constitute the _Commitee_ for considering of _Agriculture_, and the _History_ and _Improvement_ thereof, have begun their work with drawing up certain {92} Heads of _Enquiries_, to be distributed to persons _Experienced in Husbandry_ all over _England_, _Scotland_, and _Ireland_, for the procuring a _faithful_ and _solid_ information of the _knowledge_ and _practice_ already obtained and used in these Kingdoms; whereby, besides the aid which by this means will be given to the general End of collecting the aforementioned _History_, every place will be advantaged by the helps, that are found in any, and occasion ministred to consider, what improvements may be further made in this whole matter. Now to the End, that those _Enquiries_ may be the more universally known, and those who are skilful in Husbandry, publickly invited to impart their knowledge herein, for the _common_ benefit of their Countrey, it hath been thought fit to publish the _effect_ of them in Print, and withal to desire that what such persons shall think good from their own _Knowledge_ and _Experience_ to communicate hereupon, they would be pleased to send it to the Printers of the _Royal Society_, to be delivered to either of the _Secretaries_ of same. The Enquiries follow.

1. For _Arable_.

1. The several kinds of the soyls of _England_, being supposed to be, either Sandy, Gravelly, Stony, Clayie, Chalky, Light mould, Heathy, Marish, Boggy, Fenny, or Cold weeping Ground; information is desired, what kind of soyls your Country doth most abound with, and how each of them is prepared, when employed for _Arable_?

2. What _peculiar_ preparations are made use of to these Soyls for each kind of Grain; with what kind of Manure they are prepared; when, how, & in what quantity the Manure is laid on?

3. At what seasons and how often they are ploughed; what kind of Ploughs are used for several sorts of Ground?

4. How long the several Grounds are let lie fallow?

5. How, and for what productions, _Heathy_ Grounds may be improved? And who they are (if there be any in your Country) that have reduced _Heaths_ into profitable Lands?

6. What ground _Marle_ hath over head? How deep generally it lieth from the surface? What is the depth of the _Marle_ it self? What the colour of it? Upon what grounds it is used? {93} What time of the year it is to be laid on? How many loads to an Acre? What Grains _Marled_ Land will bear, and how many years together? How such _Marled_ Land is to be used afterwards, &c?

7. The kinds of Grain or Seed, usual in _England_, being supposed to be either Wheat, Miscelane, Rye, Barley, Oats, Pease, Beans, Fitches, Buck-wheat, Hemp, Flax, Rape; We desire to know, what sorts of Grains are sown in your Country, and how each of these is prepared for Sowing? Whether by _steeping_, and in what kind of Liquor? Or by mixing it, and with what?

8. There being many sorts of Wheat, as the White or Red Lammas, the bearded Kentish Wheat, the gray Wheat, the red or gray Pollard, the Ducks-bill Wheat, the red-eared-bearded Wheat, &c. And so of Oats, as the common Black, Blue, Naked, Bearded in _North-wales_: and the like of Barley, Pease, Beans, &c. The Enquiry is, which of these grow in your Country, and in what Soyl; and which of them thrive best there; and whether each of them require a peculiar Tillage; and how they differ in goodness?

9. What are the chief particulars observable in the choice of Seed-Corn, and all kinds of Grain; and what kinds of Grain are most proper to succeed one another?

10. What Quantity of each kind is sown upon the Statute-Acre? And in what season of the Moon and year 'tis sowed?

11. With what instruments they do Harrow, Clod and Rowl, and at what seasons?

12. How much an Acre of good Corn, well ordered, generally useth to yield, in very good, in less good, & in the worst years?

13. Some of the common Accidents and Diseases befalling Corn in the growth of it, being Meldew, Blasting, Smut; what are conceived to be the Causes thereof, & what the Remedies?

14. There being other Annoyances, the growing Corn is exposed to, as Weeds, Worms, Flies, Birds, Mice, Moles, &c. how they are remedied?

15. Upon what occasions they use to cut the young Corn in the Blade, or to seed it; and what are the benefits thereof?

16. What are the seasons and waies of Reaping and Ordering each sort of Grain, before it be carried off the Ground? {94}

17. What are the several waies of preserving Grain in the Straw, within and without doors, from all kind of Annoyance, as Mice, Heating, Rain, &c?

18. What are the waies of separating the several sorts of Grain from the Straw, and of dressing them?

19. What are the waies of preserving any stores of separated Grain, from the Annoyances they are obnoxious to?

2. For _Meadows_.

1. How the above mentioned sorts of Soyl are prepared, when they are used for Pasture or Meadow?

2. The common Annoyances of these Pasture or Meadow Grounds being supposed to be, either Weeds, Moss, Sour-grass, Heath, Fern, Bushes, Bryars, Brambles, Broom, Rushes, Sedges, Gorse or Furzes: what are the Remedies thereof?

3. What are the best waies of Drayning Marshes, Boggs, Fenns, &c?

4. What are the several kinds of Grass, and which are counted the best?

5. What are the chief circumstances observable in the Cutting of Grass; and what in the making and preserving of Hay?

6. What kind of Grass is fittest to be preserved for Winter feeding? And what Grass is best for Sheep, for Cows, Oxen, Horses, Goats, &c.

* * * * *

Advertisement.

_The _Reader_ is hereby advertised, that by reason of the present Contagion in _London_, which may unhappily cause an interruption aswel of _Correspondencies_, as of _Publick Meetings_, the Printing of these _Philosophical Transactions_ may possibly for a while be intermitted; though endeavours shall be used to continue them, if it may be._

* * * * *

_LONDON,_

Printed with Licence, by _John Martyn_, and _James Allestry_, Printers to the _Royal Society_, at the _Bell_ in St. _Pauls Church-Yard_. 1665.

{95}

* * * * *

_Numb._ 6.

PHILOSOPHICAL _TRANSACTIONS._

* * * * *

Monday, _November_ 6. 1665.

* * * * *

The Contents.

_An Account of a not ordinary _Burning Concave_, lately made at
_Lyons_, and compared with several others made formerly. Of Monsieur
_Hevelius_ his promise of communicating to the World his Invention of
making _Optick Glasses_; and of the hopes, given by Monsieur _Christian
Hugens_ of _Zulichem_, to perform something of the like nature; as also
of the Expectations, conceived of some Persons in _England_, to improve
_Telescopes_. An intimation of a way of making more lively Counterfeits
of Nature in _Wax_, then are extant in _Painting_; and of a new kind of
_Maps_ in a low _Relievo_, or _Sculpture_, both practised in _France_.
Some _Anatomical_ Observations of Milk found in Veins instead of Blood;
and of Grass found in the Wind-pipes of some Animals. Of a place in
_England_, where, without Petrifying Water, Wood is turned into Stone.
Of the nature of a certain Stone, found in the _Indies_ in the head of
a _Serpent_. Of the way, used in the _Mogol's_ Dominions, to make
_Salt-petre_. An Account of _Hevelius_ his _Prodromus Cometicus_, and
of some Animadversions made upon it by a _French_ Philosopher; as also
of the Jesuit _Kircher_'s _Mundus Subterraneus_._

* * * * *

_An Account of a not ordinary _Burning Concave_, lately made at _Lyons_, and compared with several others made formerly._

An opportunity being presented to revive the publishing of these Papers, which for some Moneths hath been {96} discontinued by reason of the great Mortality in _London_, where they were begun to be Printed; it hath been thought fit to embrace the same, and to make use thereof for the gratifying of the Curious, that have been pleased to think well of such Communications: To re-enter whereupon, there offers it self, first of all a Relation of an uncommon _Burning-glass_, not long since made in _France_, in the City of _Lyons_, by one called Monsieur _de Vilette_, as it was sent to the Publisher of these Tracts, in two Letters, whereof the one was in _Latine_, the other in French, to this effect.

Concerning the Efficacy of Monsieur _de Villete_ his Burning Glass, all what the _P. Bertet_ hath written of it, is true. We have seen the effects of it repeated over and over again, in the Morning, at Noon, and in the Afternoon, alwaies performing very powerfully; burning or melting any Matter, very few excepted. The _Figure_ of it is round, being thirty Inches, and somewhat better in _Diameter_. On one side it hath a Frame of a Circle of Steel, to the end that it may keep its just Measure: 'Tis easie to remove it from place to place, though it be above an hundred weight, and 'tis easily put in all sorts of postures. The _burning Point_ is distant from the Centre of the Glass, about three Feet. The _Focus_ is about half a _Louys d'or_ large. One may pass ones hand through it, if it be done nimbly; for if it stay there the time of a second Minute, there is danger of receiving much hurt.

_Green wood_ takes fire in it, in an instant, as do also many other Bodies.

A small peice of _Pot-Iron_ was melted, and _Seconds_
ready to drop down, in 40.
A _Silver Peice_ of 15 _Pence_ was pierced, in 24.
A _gross Nail_ (called _le Claude paisan_) was melted, in 30.
The end of a _Sword-blade_ of _Olinde_, was burn'd, in 43.
A _Brass Counter_ was pierced, in 06.
A piece of _red Copper_ was melted ready to drop down, in 42.
{97}
A peice of a _Chamber Quarry-stone_ was vitrified,
and put into a Glass-drop, in 45.
_Steel_, whereof Watch-makers make their springs,
was found melted, in 09.
A _Mineral-Stone_, such as is used in Harquebusses
_à rovët_, was calcin'd and vitrified, in 1. _just._
A peice of _Morter_ was vitrified, in 52.

In short, there is hardly any Body, which is not destroyed by this Fire. If one would melt it by it any great quantity of Mettal, that would require much time, the Action of Burning not being perform'd but within the bigness of the _Focus_, so that ordinarily none but small pieces are exposed to it. One Mounsieur _de Alibert_ buys it, paying for it Fifteen hundred Livers.

Since this Information, there were, upon occasion given from thence, upon the same subject, further communicated from _Paris_ the following Particulars.

I see by two of the Letters, that you incline to believe, the Glasses of _Maginus_ and _Septalius_ do approach to that of _Lyons_: But I can assure you, they come very far short of it. You may consult _Maginus_ his Book, where he describes his; and there are some persons here that have seen one of his best, which had but about twenty Inches Diameter; so that this of _Lyons_ must perform at least twice as much. As to _Septalius_, we expect the Relations of it from Intelligent and Impartial men. It cannot well be compared to that of _Lyons_: but in bigness; and in this case, if it have five _Palms_ (as you say) that would be about 3½ feet _French_, and so it were a Foot bigger, which would make it half as much greater in surface: But as to the Effects, seeing it burns so far off, they cannot be very violent. And I have heard one say, that had seen it, that it did not set Wood on Fire but after the time of saying a _Miserere_. You may judge of the difference of the Effects, since that of _Lyons_ gathers its Beams together within the space of seven or eight _Lines_; {98} and that of _Septalius_ must scatter them in the compass of three Inches. Some here do intend to make of them yea and bigger ones; but we must stay till they be done, &c.

* * * * *

Of _Monsieur _Hevelius_'s Promise of imparting to the World his Invention of making _Optick Glasses_; and of the hopes given by Monsieur _Hugens_ of _Zulichem_, to perform something of the like nature; as also of the Expectations, conceived of some Ingenious Persons in _England_ to improve_ Telescopes.

That eminent Astronomer of _Dantzick_, Monsieur _Hevelius_, writes to his Correspondent in _London_, as followeth:

What hath been done in the grinding of Optick-glasses in your parts, and how those beginnings, mentioned by you formerly, do continue and succeed, I very much covet to hear, 'Tis now above Ten Years, since I my self invented a peculiar way of grinding such Glasses, and reduced it also into practice; by which 'tis easie, without any considerable danger of failing, to make and polish Optick-glasses of any _Conick_ Section, and that (which is most notable) in any dish of any Section of a _Sphere_: which Invention I have as yet discovered to none, my purpose being, for the Improvement of Natural Knowledge, to describe the whole method thereof in my _Celestial Machine_, and to propose it to the Examination and Judgment of the _Royal Society_; not doubting at all, but they will find the way true and practicable, my self having already made several Glasses by it, which many Learned Men have seen and tryed.

Monsieur _Hugens_, inquiring also in a Letter, newly written by him to a Friend of his in _England_, of the success of the attempts made by an ingenious _English_ Man for perfecting such Glasses, and urging the prosecution of the same, {99} so as to shew by the effects the practicableness of the Invention, mentions thereupon, That he intends very shortly to try something in that kind, of the success whereof he declares to have good hopes.

Monsieur _du Son_, that excellent Mechanician, doth also at this very present employ himself in _London_, to bring _Telescopes_ to perfection, by grinding Glasses of a _Parabolical_ Figure, by the means whereof he hopes to enable the Curious to discover more by a Tube of one Foot long, or thereabouts, furnished with Glasses thus figured, then can be done by any other Tubes of very many times more that length: The success hereof will ('tis thought) shortly appear.

* * * * *

_An Advertisement of a way of making more lively Counterfeits of Nature in _Wax_, then are extant in _Painting_: And of a new kind of _Maps_ in a low _Relievo_. Both practised in_ France.

This was communicated by the Ingenious Mr. _John Evelyn_, to whom it was sent from _Paris_ is a Letter, as followeth.

Here is in our Neighbourhood a _French-man_, who makes more lively Counterfeits of Nature in _Wax_, then ever I yet saw in _Painting_, haveing an extraordinary address in modelling the Figures, and mixing the Colours and Shadows; making the Eyes so lively, that they kill all things of this Art I ever beheld; He pretends to make a visit into _England_ with some of his Peices.

I have also seen a new kind of _Maps_ in low _Relievo_, or Sculpture; For example the Isle of _Antibe_, upon a square of about eight Foot, made of Boards, with a Frame like a Picture: There is represented the Sea, with Ships and other Vessels Artificially made, with their _Canons_ and Tackle of Wood fixed upon the surface, after a new and most admirable manner. The Rocks about the Island exactly form'd, {100} as they are upon the Natural Place; and the Island it self, with all its Inequalities, and Hills and Dales; the Town, the Forts, the little Houses, Platform, and Canons mounted; and even the Gardens and Platforms of Trees, with their green leaves standing upright, at if they were growing in their Natural Colours: in _fine_, Men, Beasts, and whatever you may imagine to have any protuberancy above the level of the Sea. This new, delightful, and most instructive form of _Map_, or _Wooden Country_, you are to look upon either _Horizontally_, or _side-long_, and it affords equally a very pleasant object.

* * * * *

_Some _Anatomical_ Observations of Milk found in Veins, instead of Blood; and of Grass, found in the Wind-pipes of some _Animals_._

A curious Person wrote not long since from _Paris_, that there they had, in the house of a Physitian, newly open'd a Mans Vein, wherein they found _Milk_, instead of _Blood_. This being imparted to Mr. _Boyle_ at _Oxford_, his Answer was, That the like Observation about _White Blood_, had been made by a Learned Physitian of his acquaintance, and the thing being by him look'd upon as remarkable, he was desirous to have it very circumstantially from the said Physitian himself, before he would say more of it. The next Moneth may bring us in this Account.

The other Particular, mention'd in the Title of this Head, came in a Letter sent also by Mr. _Boyle_, in these words:

I shall acquaint you, That Two very Ingenious Men, Dr. _Clark_, and Dr. _Lower_, were pleased to give me an account of a pretty odd kind of Observation: One of them assuring me, That he had several times, in the _Lungs_ of _Sheep_, found considerable quantity of Grass in the very Branches of the _Aspera Arteria_: And the other relating to me, That a few Weeks since, he, and a couple of {101} Physitians, were invited to look upon an Ox, that had for two or three daies almost continually held his Neck streight up, and was dead of a Disease, the owner could not conjecture at; whereupon the parts belonging to the Neck and Throat, being open'd, they found, to their wounder, the _Aspera Arteria_ in its very Trunk all stuff'd with Grass as if it had been thrust there by main force: which gives us a just cause of marvelling and inquiring, both how such a quantity of Grass should get in there; and how, being there, such an Animal could live with it so long.

* * * * *

_Of a place in _England_, where, without petrifying Water, Wood is turned into Stone._

The same Searcher of Nature, that was alledged in the immediately precedent Observations, did impart also the following, in another Letter from _Oxford_, where he saith,

I was a while since visited by a Gentleman, who tells me, That he met with a place in these parts of _England_, where, though there be no petrifying Spring (for that I particularly asked) Wood is turned into Stone in the _Sandy Earth_ it self, after a better manner then by any Water I have yet seen: For I had the Curiosity to go to look upon peices of Wood, he brought thence, and hope for the opportunity of making some tryals to examine the matter a little further, then I have yet been able to do. _Thus far that Letter._

Since which time, He was pleased to give this further Information of the same matter, with a _Mantissa_ of some other Particulars, belonging to this Subject, in these Words.

I was lately making some Tryals with the Petrifyed Wood I told you off, which I find to be a very odde substance, wonderfully hard and fixed. If I had opportunity to Re-print the _History of Fluidity_ and _Firmness_, I could add divers things about _Stones_, that perhaps would not be disliked; and I hope, if God vouchsafe me a little leisure, {102} to insert several of them in fit places of that _History_, against the next Edition. Here is a certain Stone, that is thought to be Petrifyed Bone, being in shap'd like a Bone, with the Marrow taken out; but with a fit _Menstruum_, I found that I could easily dissolve it, like other soft Stones: and possibly it may prove as fit as _Osteocolla_, for the same Medicinal uses.

* * * * *

_Of the nature of a certain Stone, found in the _Indies_, in the head of a _Serpent_._

There was, some while ago, sent by Sir _Philiberto Vernatti_, from _Java major_, where he resides, to Sir _Robert Moray_, for the Repository of the _Royal Society_, a certain Stone, affirmed by the presenter to be found in the Head of a _Snake_, which laid upon any Wound, made by any venomous Creature, is said to stick to it, and to draw away all Poyson: and then, being put in Milk, to void its Poyson therein, and to make the Milk turn blew; in which manner it must be used, till the Wound be cleansed.

The like Relations having been made, by several others, of such a Stone, and some also in this City affirming, to have made the Experiment with success, it was thought worth while, to inquire further into the truth of this Matter: since which time, nothing hath been met with but an Information, delivered by that Ingenious _Parisian_, Monsieur _Thevenot_, in his second _Tome_, of the _Relations of divers considerable Voyages_, whereof he lately presented some Exemplars to his Friends in _England_. The Book being in French, and not common, 'tis conceived it will not be amiss to insert here the said Information, which is to this effect:

In the _East Indies_ and in the Kingdom of _Quamsy_ in _China_, there is found a Stone in the Head of a certain _Serpent_ (which they call by a name signifying _Hairy Serpents_) which heals the bitings of the same Serpent, that else would kill in 24 hours. This Stone is round, white in the middle and about the {103} edges blew or greenish. Being applyed to the Wound, it adheres to it of it self, and falls not off, but after it hath sucked the Poyson, then they wash it in Milk, wherein 'tis left awhile, till it return to its natural condition. It is a rare Stone, for if it be put the second time upon the Wound, and stick to it, 'tis a sign it had not suck'd all the Venome during its first application, but if it stick not, 'tis a mark that all the Poyson was drawn out at first. So far our _French_ Author: wherein appears no considerable difference from the written Relation before mentioned.

* * * * *

_Of the way, used in the _Mogol_'s Dominions, to make _Saltpetre_._

This is delivered in the same Book of Monsieur _Thevenot_, and the manner of it having been inquired after, by several curious Persons, to compare it with that which is used in _Europe_, 'tis presum'd, they will not be displeased to find it inserted here in _English_, which is as followeth:

_Saltpetre_ is found in many places of the _East-Indies_, but cheifly about _Agra_, and in the Villages, that heretofore have been numerously inhabited, but are now deserted. They draw it out of three sorts of Earth, black, yellow, and white: the best is that which is drawn out of the black, for it is free from _common_ Salt. They work it in this manner: They make two Pits, flat at the bottom, like those wherein common Salt is made; one of them having much more compass than the other, they fill _that_ with Earth, upon which they let run Water, and by the feet of People they tread it, and reduce it to the consistency of a Pap, and so they let it stand for two daies, that the Water may extract all the Salt that is in the Earth: Then they pass this Water into another Pit, in which it christallizes into _Saltpetre_, They let it boil once or twice in a Caldron, according as they will have it whiter and purer. Whilest it is over the Fire, they scum it continually, and fill it out into great Earthen Pots, which {104} hold each 25 or 30 pounds, and these they expose to clear Nights; and if there be any impurity remaining, it will fall to the bottom: Afterwards they break the Pots, and dry the Salt in the Sun. One might make vast quantities of Saltpetre in these parts; but the Country people feeling that _We_ buy of it, and that the _English_ begin to do the same, they now sell us a _Maon_ of 6 pounds for two _Rupias_ and a half, which we had formerly for half that price.

* * * * *

_An account of _Hevelius_ his _Prodromus Cometicus_, together with some Animadversions made upon it by a _French_ Philosopher._

This excellent _Dantiscan_ Astronomer, _Hevelius_, in his _Prodromus_ (by him so call'd, because it is as a Harbinger to his _Cometography_, which hath already so far passed the Press, that of twelve Books there are but three remaining to be Printed) gives an account of the Observations he hath made of the _First_ of the two late Comets; reserving those he hath made of the _second_, for that great Treatise, where he also intends to deliver the Matter of this _first_ more particularly, and more fully than he hath done here.

In this Account he represents the Rise, Place, Course, Swiftness, Faces and Train of this Comet, interweaving his Conceptions both about the Region of Comets in general (whether in the _Air_, or the _Æther_?) and the Causes of their Generation: In the search of which latter, he intimates to have received much assistance from his _Telescope_.

He observes this Comet not before _Decemb._ 4/14, (though he conceives it might have been seen since _Novemb._ 23 _st. n._) & he saw it no longer then _Feb._ 3/13: though several others have seen it both sooner, and later: and though himself continued to look out for it till _March_ 7. _st. n._ but fruitlesly, whereof he thinks the reason to have been its too great distance and tenuity.

{105}

He finds, its apparent Motion was not made in a _Just_ great Circle, but deviated considerably from it; and conceives, that every Comet falls to this deviation, when this apparent Motion grows slow, and the Star becomes Stationary (which, as he saith, it doth in respect of the _Ecliptick_, not its own _Orbite_,) Here he observes, That from _Decemb._ 8/18, to _Decem._ 30. _Jan._ 9. its course was almost a great Circle: but that _then_ it began to deflect from that Circle towards the _North_; so that afterwards, with a very notable and conspicuous Curvity, it directed its course towards _Primam Arietis_: Of which deflection, he ventures to assign the cause from the Cometical Matter, the various position and the distance of the Comet from the Earth and the Sun, the annual Motion of the Earth, and the impressed Motion, and the inclination of the _discus_ of the Cometical Body.

He is pretty positive, that without the _annual Motion_ of the _Earth_, no rational Account can be given of any Comet, but that all is involved with perplexities, and deform'd by absurdities.

He inquires, since all Comets have the peculiar _Ingenite_ Motion, what kind of Line it is, they describe by that Motion of their own? whether circular, or streight, or curve, or partly streight and partly curve? And if curve, whether regular or irregular? if regular, whether Elliptick, or Parabolar, or Hyperbolical? He answers, That this Motion is _Conical_; and judgeth, that by the _Conick_ path all the _Phænomena_ of Comets can, without any inconveniency, be ready solved; even of that, which (by History) in fifty daies, passed through more then the 12 Signs in the _Zodiack_: And of that, which in two daies ran through eight Signs: and of another, which in 48 daies posted through all the Signs, _contra seriem_. Which how it can be explicated upon the supposition of the Earths standing still, and upon the denying of the annual Motion thereof, he understands not at all. {106}

He refers to his _Cometography_ these Disquisitions: whether all Comets (in their innate Motion) move equal _spaces_ in equal _Times_? which is the swiftest, and which the slowest Motion they are capable of? what the cause of this acceleration and retardation of their true Motion?

He puts it out of doubt, that they are in the _Sky_ it self, producing reasons for it that are very considerable, and alledging amongst others, That the _Parallaxes_ doe clearly evince it, which he finds far less in Comets, then in the _Moon_, yea then sometimes in the _Sun_ it self. Where he also represents, That he hath deduced the _Horizontal Parallax_ of this very Comet from one onely Observation, made _Feb._ 4. _st. n._ by which he found, That then it was distant from the Earth 5000 Semidiameters of the same, or 4300000 _German_ miles. From this distance from the earth, he deduces, That on that Day when it was so remote from the Earth, its true _Diameter_ was 2560 _German_ miles, which is three times bigger then the Diameter of the Earth, and almost six times bigger then that of the Moon, whose Diameter, according to his _Theory_, is 442 _German_ miles.

He finds the _Matter_ of Comets to be in the _Æther_ it self, making the _Æther_ and the _Air_ to differ only in purity, and esteeming, That the _Planets_ do emit their Exhalations, and have their _Atmospheres_ like unto our Earth. Where he affirms, That the Sun alone may cast out so much Matter at any time in one year, as that thence shall be produced not one or two Comets, equallizing the Moon in Diamiter, but very many; which if so, what contribution may not be expected from the other Planets?

Of this Cometical Matter, he thinks, That first it is by little and little gathered together, then coagulated and condensed, and thereby reduced to a less Diameter; but then, after a while it resolves again, and grows dilute and pale, and at last is dissipated. And accordingly he affirms, That he hath observed the Head of this Comet at first more confused, thin and pale, afterwards clearer and clearer. {107}

He conceives, That all Comets do respect the _Sun_ as their _King_ and _Centre_, as _Planets_ do, making them a kind of _Spurious Planets_, that emulate the _true_ ones in their Motion almost in all things.

The _Train_, he makes nothing else but the Beams of the Sun, falling on the head of the Comet, and passing through the same, refracted and reflected. And amongst his _Observations_ and _Schemes_ of this Comet, there occurs one, wherein the Tail is _curve_, so seen by him _Decemb._ 11/21. He assigns the causes why the Trains do so much vary, and shews also, on what depends their length.

Whether the _same_ Comet returns again, as the Spots in the Sun? and, whether in the time of great _Conjunctions_ they are more easily generated? and whether they can be certainly foretold? with several other Inquiries, he refers for to his _great Book_.

As to _Prognostications_, he somewhat complains, That men do more inquire what Comets _signifie_, then what they _are_, or how they are generated and moved; professing himself to be of the mind of those that would have Comets rather _admired_ then _feared_; there appearing indeed no cogent reason, why the Author of Nature may not intend them rather as Monitors of his _Glory_ and _Greatness_, then of his _Anger_ or _Displeasure_; especially seeing that some very diligent Men (among whom is _Gemma Frisius_) take notice of as great a number of _good_ as _bad_ Events, consequent to Comets. _Seneca_ also relating, That that Comet which appeared in his time, was so happy, that it did _Cometis detrahere infamiam_, it cleared the credit of Comets, and made People have good thoughts of them.