Philosophical Transactions/Volume 2/Number 23
Numb. 23.
Beginning the Third Year.
(409)
PHILOSOPHICAL
TRANSACTIONS.
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Monday, March 11. 1666
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The Contents.
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A Preface
To the Third Year of these Tracts.
Having, by Gods Assistance, finish'd my solicitations for the Philosophical Transactions of the two last years, I crave leave to reflect a little upon what hath past.
I think I may safely assume, that in these Fragments, something hath been contributed to sowe such seeds, as may somewhat conduce to the illustration and improvement of Philosophy; and of all Laudable and Useful Arts and Practices. And I hope, our Ingenious Correspondents have examin'd all circumstances of their communicated Relations, with all the care and diligence necessary to be used in such Collections; not taking up old Fame, or flying Reports, upon too easie trust; nor straining for other Kinds of Wonders, than the most wise Author of Nature hath allowed, but attending closely to the strict measures of Natural Truth, and to the useful Contrivances of Art. For some evidence whereof, I refer the Reader to the particulars indicated in the Tables annexed to the Tract of February, lately past.
And because well advised Histories of Natural Productions, and of Artificial Contrivances, are necessary to beget sound knowledge, and to excite profitable Inventions, some have furnisht us with accurate Instructions, under the modest Title of Inquiries and Proposals: And further Disquisitions are by the hands of many Accomplisht Persons severally, and often with joynt endeavours in a manner universally prosecuted.
Neither have we discouraged or refused the Essays of some famous Philosophers, learned Philologers and Antiquaries; whose Disquisitions, Readings, and Reasonings, have extended farther than their Experiences; since by such bold Excursions and Sallies many valuable Truths may be started out of their recesses. Architects do require some variety and store of Materials for the further satisfaction of their Judgment in the Choice: And the Sculptor must pare off somewhat of his richest Marbles, Onixes, Diamonds, &c, before he can perfect the Portraicture. Such liberty an exact Philosopher must claim in his Extracts from Men of much Learning.
In Medicinals we have now and then occasionally inquired after some rarities, medical applications and experiences; what the uses and performances are by Phlebotomy, Frictions, Simples or Compounds not ordinary, by Diet or Chymical Operations in some of the remotest parts of the World, particularly in the famous China.See N. 3. p. 44. Damps.
N. 8. p. 133. Poysonous springs or waters
N. 8. p. 133. Swarms of Insects. Ibid. p. 138. Strange Constitutions of Bodies. Neither have we altogether omitted to commemorate those obvious reliefs, which the Divine Bounty has offered freely and in common, for distressed Mortals, by Springs, Baths, Medicated Earths, &c. And we have had a due care to erect a Pharos for a Caution against undiscern'd dangers.
By Anatomy we have sometimes enter'd into the Chambers and Cabinets of Animal Functions, to find many Meanders and changeable Varieties, and the immediate Organs and Conduits of Life and Sensation.
As for the Growth of Arts and Inventions, I think, it may justly be said, That these our Entries sometimes assist and promote their Improvements. And the same will hereafter remain faithful Records to shew, By what steps and degrees, and by what Essays, Emulations, and Encouragements these Noble Arts advanced to perfection. And a punctual information of these Gradual Processes, may be instructive to promote other Inventions. And the Wise will consider it, at what easie rates they obtained Monthly Advices of the Designs and Successes of Industrious and Eminent Persons, and by the same means came to know as much, as was purchased at their great charges and assiduous labour. Of which Arts as they are now improved, and still improving, I presume I need not spare to say, That they would have obliged an Alexander, or a Solomon, and I must avouch with confidence, That they would have raised Acclamations, Applauses, and Admiration of most, and have provoked them to refund full Rivers of Treasures in Just Rewards, and extraordinary Achievements.
Neither is it much amiss, that there are yet some, who do prefer the darkness of old Heathenisme before this Noon-light. Otherwise, the next Age might hardly believe, that Men pretending to Wit, Prudence, and Learning, would ever make such strange Oppositions against their own great Emolument and Accommodations: And so the Vertuous might be deprived of a fair beam of the future Glory, due to their Memories for their unchangeable Resolutions, as unconcern'd in scoffing Discourses, and standing firm as Rocks against the dashes of foaming Disputants. And truly, they do much oblige us, in that they are pleased by their frets, and eager contentions, and by their fruitless and obstreperous Verbosity, to make themselves a foil, to let off the Serene Lustre of the real and obliging performances of the Experimental Philosophers.
And yet (in short to convince and reclaim as many as are hopeful) I dare, without leave, but with sincere affections, in behalf of the Learned Virtuosi, undertake to joyn issue with them, and to offer fair proof, That, whereas they pretend to Aristotle as their Grand Oracle, we have a true and higher esteem for his true worth, than these Pretenders do effectually manifest.
We say, his Logicks and Rhetoricks are very valuable. His Ethicks and Politicks, for the most part, sound. His Metaphysicks in many Notions acute. But all these are generally overwhelmed and degraded by the swarms of Insectile Systemes and dilute Commentaries.
And as for the other more useful Volumes of Aristotle, his Tracts of Animals (which did cost Great Alexander so many Talents for the furniture, and an ample Salary for encouragements) his Mathematical Discourses and Mechanicks, these they never salute. They weed out his onely defects and animosities, his Velitations with his Elders and Compeers about Atomes and darker Principles; a Matter, which is neque quid, neque quantum, neque quale, a Formal and Substantial ἐντελέχεια (a word too hard for Cicero to translate) and Privation, a Principle as good as the rest; his Definitions of Causes and Affections; his Quaternion of grosse Elements and grosser Mixtures, and insipid Compositions and Qualities, lesse significant than the popular Air: All of them much fitter to beget Eternal Controversies, than to administer any satisfaction to a reasonable Understanding. These they gather up for the sweetest Posies and fairest Garlands, wherewith to adorn their Brows and Temples; and so they take their leave of Aristotle at the very Threshold.
Thus they reject the Harmony, and waste all their time in tuneing the Instrument, and are best pleased, even ravish'd, with those strokes which glance below the Bridge, by which they sharpen and turn their Spirits habitually, and set the teeth of their disciples on edge; and then
Quo semel est imbuta recens, servabit, &c.
We take leave to ask, Whether Arisotle did not illustrate his best Conceptions in his Works, with Mathematical Demonstrations? In this, Blancanus will initiate their Observations with sufficient indulgence. We ask further, Which of the Philosophers of note for anything else but honest Moralities, did neglect the Mathematicks? What free-born Child, or yet what Slave, of any promising hopes, was not entered into these Disciplines, before they could number ten years of their Age. If these men would addict their palats to the pure fountains, and not wander after every poluted stream, then they would find more leasure for better things, to do some good for themselves and others: Then they would taste the pleasure,and reap the profit of their old Rule,
Dulcius ex ipse fonte, &c.
And withal they would have better understood their best friends.
Certainly; If Aristotle had been so happy as to have enjoyed our Opticks, and other Instruments of Arts, and such Engins as we now employ, He would have been quite of another spirit than these are; and would have acknowledged a greater variety and more curious contexture, and more brisk Mechanicks in the Insectiles, which were in those dayes invisible than in all the Animals that were then known, or than are yet to be found in a far wider circumference; and would have confest the productions of our Pyrotechnical Furnaces to excell all, that could be reasonably expected from his own vast Fiery Region.
We say heartily, Read Aristotle, read him in his own Stile; read him entirely and fully; not feeding onely on his Ulcers and Excrescencies; nor taking up your rest in his Un-intelligible Heavens, at their Adamantine Gates, or about their Flaming Walls: Embrace his calm rayes, and his dis-interessed Reasonings: chuse his best Vertues, examine and weigh all his Mathematical Illustrations, descend to his particulars. And then hasten to our Christian Philosophers, and they will forth-with acquaint you with the true Works and wonderful Contrivances of the Supreme Author, and with the Discoveries, which by his indulgent Providence and his benigne Inspirations have been in former and later Ages afforded, for the benefit, and the sincerely grateful acknowledgements of humane race.
'Tis our main business, as well to retrive all vauable Antiquities, as to supply fresh Discoveries to recover good Old Helps, as well as to devise New. All our Artifice are designed, and appropriated, to unlock all the Repositories of Nature, To draw out her most concealed Operations and Rarities, To produce them with their best Advantages, and in their fairest Ornaments, for all good occasions: And whatever we find excellent in old Greece, or Rome, or in more ancient Monarchies, or in any one more happy part of the World, That in due season to communicate all over the World, to as many, as have the Ingenuity to give them a hearty Entertainment.
After thus much of Preface (which the Candid Reader will interpret with the same affection, it was written) I return to my task. Where I think it not amiss,
First of all, to take notice of the late Enlargements of our Philosophical Correspondencies in both remote and neerer parts of the World; concerning which we are singularly obliged to several of the Generous and Intelligent Citizens of this Famous Metropolis of England, especially the Eminent Governours of the East-India and Turky Companies, beside those of the same City, that travelling into the West-Indies, have been very ready to receive, (and to promise good Accounts upon) such Philosophical Instructions, as were preeented to them concerning many particulars, thought worthy to be further inquired into, in our American Colonies. To which we shall add, what we have procured, for this our purpose, by our Commerce with Spain, Portugal, and Barbary; as well as by our navigations into Greenland and Iceland: And also what occasions we have before us, to enter into a consociation with Germany, Bohemia, Hungary, Transilvania, Carinthia, Tyroll, and with all the principal Cities of Italy: it appearing already by our former Papers, what interest we have, before now, establisht in France, and by the assistance of the Eminent Hevelius, in all the Countries upon the Baltick Sea, and in Poland; which is therefore related here, that we may thence take occasion to invite all Ingenious Men, and such as consider the importance of Cementing Philosophical Spirits, and of assembling together Ingenuities, Observations, Experiments and Inventions, scattered up and down in the World; that they would be pleased partly to recommend themselves, as they have occasion, these Kinds of Inquiries to their Ingenious Acquaintance, either living upon, or travelling into such places, as are concerned, partly to joyn their Symbolls and to send in their Proposals, and whatever shall occur to them worthy to desire information about, in those countries above-mention'd; and rest perswaded, that all possible endeavours shall be employed on our parts, to recommend all, what shall thus be proposed by them, to Our Correspondents, with the same earnestness we do our own Directions, suggested by several of our Curious Friends.
Inquiries for Suratte,
and other parts of the East-Indies,
Though these Quæries have been already dispatcht for India, and some of them even received an Answer, yet, because 'tis altogether necessary, to have confirmations of the truth of these things from several hands, before they be relied on, it was thought fit, rather to publish the Inquiries alone, for a more certain and full Information, than now to joyn such Answers thereunto.
The Inquiries are these; as the Relations publisht by Purchas, Linschoten, and others, concerning those parts, have given occasion to propose them.
1. Whether it be true, that Diamonds and other Pretious Stones, do grow again after three or four years, in the same places where they have been digg'd out?
2. Whether the Quarries of Stone near Fettipore, not far from Agra, in the Mongol's Dominions, may be cleft like Loggs, and sawn like Planks. to ceel Chambers and cover Houses therewith? Likewise, Whether about Sadrapatan, on the Coast of Coromandel, there be a Stone of the like nature, so as, setting a Wedge upon it, one may cleave it with at Mallet as thick and as thin, as one pleaseth?
3. Whether upon the same Coast of Coromandel, about Tutucorin; and upon that of Ceylon, at Manar, and Jafanapatan, they fish Pearls, as good as those about Ormus? Whether those Pearls are the better, the deeper they lie? What is the greatest depth, they are known to have been taken at? And whether it be true, that some of the Natives there, can stay under Water half an hour, without any Art?
4. Whether the Iron in Pegu and Japan, be far better than ours; and if so, what is to be observed in the melting, forging, and tempering of it?
5. Whether in Sumatra there be a fountain, running a very Sanative Oyl? And whether the ignivomous Mountain in the same Island, do burn continually, and cast out stones so eaten out by the fire, that they swim?
6. What is the Opinion of the more Inquisitive Men in those parts, of Amber-gris? And whether the greatest quantities and masses of it are found about the Isle Mauritius?
7. Whether it be Winter on the East-side of the Mountain Gates, which comes from the North to Cape Comorin, whil'st it is Summer on the West-side, and so, vice versa?
8. Whether it be true, that upon the Coast of Coromandel, 16 deg. Northern Latitude, between Paleacote and Maselupatan, 50. Leagues in length (the hot winds blowing from the Land-ward from 8. in the Morning, till 4. in the Afternoon, with such a suffocating heat, that the Inhabitants are notable to endure it, without extraordinary helps and refreshments;) every one daily for his provision of drink, hangs his Bottle, made of common pot-earth, and filled with Well-water, or other potable Liquor, upon some Post, Tree, or Wall, in places, where the Sun and Wind are most piercing; leaving it there all the day long in the scorching heat; and then taking it up about Evening at 4. of the Clock, the Drink is more cool, than any depth of Cellerage with us can make it? And whether, on the contrary, the Bottles being suffered to continue in the Air, as before, during the cool Sea-gales, which come in after the said hour, and continue all Night, till 8. in the Morning, to the refreshment of all Creatures, the Liquors grow hot and unfit for drink?
9. Whether the Tyde near Mindanao, going from the Molucca's to the Philippina's, are so swift, that neither contrary Winds nor Anchors, can save a Ship from being carried away by it; and that it rises but about 3. or 4. feet? And whether the like be observed in the Bay of Cambaja, and in that between Martaban and Pegu? And particularly, Whether in the said Bayes, the Tides come in with that impetuosity and swiftness about the Quarters of the Moon, that the Watch-men from high Towers must with their Trumpets give warning to the people to retire; and that a Horse in his swiftest course, when such a Tide comes upon him, cannot out-run it: as Isaac Vossius observes, Lib. De Motu Marium & Ventorum, c. 15. And what other particulars are observable upon all those Coasts, concerning the Tydes?
10. Whether there be any Discoveries newer, than the newest printed Maps, of the parts of the World North-east of Japan? And whether Japan be truly an Island, or no?
11. What is the true way of making and colouring China-Dishes; and how in China and Japan, they make the Black-vernish?
12. With what Materials, and how they paint both upon Cloths, commonly call'd Pintado's, and likewise upon Canvas, &c?
13. Whether the Lignum Aloes be the Wood, or Root of a Tree? In what Countrey it is found? And how to know the best of the kind?
14. Whether the best Tea be that, which comes Forth at the first of the Spring, and are the Top-leaves? In what manner 'tis dried; and whether the too hasty drying thereof hurts it?
15. Whether there grows a Wood in Java, that naturally smells like humane Excrement? And if so, what it kind of ground it grows in?
16, Whether in the Molucque Islands there be a Red Wood, which burns, sparkles, and flames, without being consumed; yet may be reduced to powder, by rubbing between ones fingers?
17. Whether near the Fort of Ternate there be a Plant, call'd by the inhabitants Catopa, whence fall little Leaves, which are turned into Butter-flies?
18. Whether in Pegu, and other places of the East-Indies, they use poyson, that kills by smelling, and yet the poisonous smell is hardly perceived?
19. Whether it be true, that the onely Antidote hitherto known, against the famous and fatal Macassar-poyson, is humane Ordure, taken inwardly? And what substance that poyson is made of?
20. Whether there be such a Vegetable in Java, call'd Mangas bravas, that is so poisonous, that it kills presently, and for which no remedy hath been yet found?
21. Where the best Calamba-wood, or Palo d' Aquila, grows? Whether the Palo d' Aquila be much inferior to Calamba; and how they are distinguisht? Whether the later be the Pith of the former? Whence the best sort comes? Whether it be stored with a rich and cordial Balme, and that be the cause of its great rate, being much used in cases of decay of Spirits, and the lameness and impotency of Nerves?
22, Whether they draw an Oyl, resembling Oyl of Camphire, from the Roots of Cinamon-trees; and if so, how they draw it?
23. Whether the Camphire of Borneo be not the Exsudation or Gum of a Tree?
24. Whether the Indians can so prepare that stupifying Herb, call'd Dutrea or Datura, that they make it lie several Dayes, Moneths, and Years, according as they design it, in a Mans Body, without doing him any hurt, and at the end kill him, without missing an hours time?
25. Whether the Betele hath such a contrariety to the Durion, that a few leaves of that, put to a whole Shop-full of Durions, will make them all rot suddenly? And whether those, that have surfetted on Durions, and thereby over-heated themselves, do, by laying a leaf or two of Betele upon their Breasts or Stomachs, immediately cure the Inflamations, and recover?
26. Whether the Papayas, which bear fruit liken Melon, do not bear, unless Male and Female (as the Vulgar distinguishes them) stand together?
27, Whether there be two sorts of the Tree, call'd Arbor Triste, one, by the Name of Triste di Die, the other, Triste di Notte; whereof the former sheds his flowers at the Rising, the other, at the Setting of the Sun? And whether the distilled water thereof (call'd Aqua di Mogli by the Portugals) may not be transported into these parts?
28, Whether one of those Trees, call'd Arbre de Rays, propagates itself into a whole Forrest, by shooting up, and letting fall Roots from all its branches into the ground, that spring up again, and so on? And whether there be any single ones of these trees, that are above 50. feet in Diameter, as some affirm?
29. What particulars are observable in any other Plants of those parts?
30. Whether those Shell-fishes, that are in these parts plump and in season at the Full Moon and lean and out of season at the New, are found to have contrary Constitutions in the East-Indies?
31. Whether the Animal, that yields the true Muske, be like a Dear, hornless, found in the High-Countrey between Pegu and China? And whether the Muske grows in Baggs, Blisters, or Swellings, which the Beast rubs off against Trees, it being affirmed to have been found in the Woods by the Scent? Whether true Muske, is discerned from false by its yellowness, when rubb'd upon ones hand, and by its keeping that Colour and the Scent?
32. Whether there be two sorts of Gum-lack, one produced by an Insect, a certain winged Ant; the other, the Exsudation of a Tree?
33. To inquire after the Fish call'd Caballa, said to be very powerful in stanching of blood?
34. Whether about Java there be Oysters, or other Shell-fishes, of that vast bigness, as to weigh 300. pounds?
35. Whether in Malacca there grows sometimes a stone in the stomack of a kind of Porcupine, call'd Pedro Parco, esteemed for its Cordial Vertue above Bezoar?
36. Whether there be found in the head of a certain Snake, a Stone, which laid upon a wound of any Venemous Creature, sticks fast to it, and draws away all the poison; then being put in Milk, voids its poison, and turns the Milk blew; and then applied again, draws out the rest of the poison, that may be behind, till the wound be perfectly cleansed?
37. Whether the Rhinoceros have such an Antipathy against Elephants, as is commonly related?
38. Whether in the Island of St. Helena, the Tide be at the same time round in the several Coasts of it; and what is the hour of Full Sea, and what the age of the Moon at the time of Observation?
Inquiries for Persia.
1. What are chiefly the present Studies of the Persians; and what Kind of Learning they now excell in?
2. What other Trades or Practices, besides Silk- and Tapistry-making, they are skilled in?
3. VVhether, there being already good Descriptions in Words of the Excellent Pictures and Basse Relieves, that are about Persepolis at Chimilnar, yet none very particular; some may not be found sufficiently skill'd, in those parts, that might be engaged to make a Draught of the Place, and the Stories there pictured and carved?
4. How they make that Plaister, wherewith in those parts and in India they line their Tanks or Cisterns, and which, when dry, shines like Marble, and is much harder?
Other, Quæries, concerning the Air, VVaters, Minerals, Vegetables, Animals, &c. peculiar to Persia, may be taken out of those General Heads of Inquiries, for a Natural History of a Country, printed in Numb. 11. and out of those Articles of Inquiries concerning Mines, publisht in Numb. 19. to which we refer the 'Reader.
As to the Inquiries proper for Turkey, they also are already public. See Numb. 20.
Inquiries
For Virginia and the Bermudas.
1. Concerning the Varieties of Earths; 'tis said, there is one kind of a Gummy consistence, white and cleer: Another, white, and so light, that it swims upon water: Another, red, call'd Wapergh, like Terra Sigillata. Quære, what other considerable kinds are there? And to send over a parcel of each.
2. VVhat considerable Minerals, Stones, Bitumens, Tinctures. Drugs?
3. VVhat hot Baths, and of what Medicinal use?
4. VVhat is the Original of those large Navigable Rivers, which empty themselves into the Bay of Chesapeak? And whether on the other side of that ridge of Mountains, from which they are supposed to proceed, there be not other Rivers, that flow into the South-Sea?
5. How the Silk-grasse is prepared?
6. To give a full account of that Vulnerary Root, called Wichacan: Of Porone, a Root of a red juyce, a good tincture: Of Musquaspenn, a Root of a red tincture: Of the Plant Maricock, whose fruit is said to be fashion'd like a Lemmon, exceeding pleasant to the taste; of a blossom most beautiful: Of the Chincomen-Tree, whose fruit is said to have a huake like a Chesnut, luscious and hearty meat, both raw and boiled.
7. Whether there be in the Bermudas a Poison-weed, like our Ivy, whole leaves do by the touch cause Blisters? And a Reed, whole juyce or infusion causeth Vomit?
8. What kind of Trees those Barkes are taken from, that are used instead of Tile or Slate in the covering of their Houses, being cooler in Summer and warmer in Winter, than Stone?
9. To give a particular account of the Spider in the Bermudas, said to be large and beautiful for its colours; weaving a Web betwixt several Trees, which is affirmed to be for substance and colour like perfect raw Silk; so strong, that Birds, like Snites, are snared therein?
10. Whether Deer have there generally three or four Fawnes at a brood? And whether any of the Cattle transported from hence, becomes there more fruitful, than they were here?
11. Whether the Relation be true, of a Glue made of Harts-Horn, that will not dissolve in Water; and if so, how made?
12. Whether at the bottom of the Bay of Cheasapeak Northward, the Natives be still of such a Gigantick Stature, as has been reported? And, whether there be another people, not far from these, Eastwardly, of a Dwarfish Statute?
13. Whether round about the Coast of the Bermudas, the Tydes keep the same time; and at what a clock precisely 'tis High-water on the Dayes of Full and New Moon; and how high the Water rises then? And the like on the Coasts of Virginia and Florida?
For Guaiana and Brasil.
1. VVhether about Urraba near Oronoque, some 8. degrees Northern Latitude, and about the Town Darien, Toads are presently produced, by throwing a kind of Moorish Water found there, upon the Floors of their Houses? Linschoten.
2. Whether it be true, that the Locust of Brasil, call'd Caayara, changeth in the Spring-time of that Countrey into a Plant, and withers away, like a Plant? And whether in the same Countrey, that kind of Eruca, call'd by the Portugals Lagartas des Verias, turns into a Bird, admirable for Colour and swift flying; the change thereof being made so leasurely, that one may for a while see half of the Insect, and the other half of the Bird, which the Natives call Guainumbi, the Portugals Pegafrel. Piso.
3. Whether upon the Leaves of that Brasilian Tree, call'd Cereiba, there is, in a Sun-shiny day, found a White Salt in that quantity, that one may gather as much from two or three Leaves, as will well salt a good pot of Broth? Piso
4. Whether there be found about the mouth of the River of Amazons, a green Argilla, which, though very soft under water, yet, when exposed to the Air, grows almost as hard as a Diamond; in so much that the Natives make Hatchets of them, strong and sharp enough to cleave Wood; for which purpose also those Indians are said to have used it, before they got Iron-ones? And, whether this Argilla, become Stone, have a peculiar vertue against the Epilepsys, when carried by the Patient? Pelleprat in his Relation of the Islands and Terra-firma of the Southern America.
5. Whether the Black Bees in Guaiana, about. the River Orenoque, make black Honey and Waxe? And whether they have no Stings, as the same Pelleprat affirmeth?
The other Inquiries, ready for the other Countries above-named, are, to avoid tediousness, referred to another opportunity.
Of a considerable Load-stone digged out of the Ground in Devonshire.
This Stone was lately sent up out of the said County, and presented to the R. Society by the Reverend Arch-deacon, Doctor 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.
Some Observables about Load-stones, and Sea-Compasses.
A Noble Person did upon a late occasion, affirm, That a Needle of a Sea-Compass, put in a good Iron Mine (which, he said, yeilded 23 pounds of Metal, out of a 120 pounds of Ore) was not sensibly moved thereby.
Another Honourable Person desired, it might be observed, whether touched Needles move otherwise, when the Veins of Iron do not lie North and South, then when they do so?
It being inquired by a Note from forreign parts, Whether the Sea-Compasses in England were brought to a greater perfection, than in other Countries? Answer was made by intelligent persons here, That all the perfection of our Sea Compasses, as yet, consisted in this, That the Needles be touched by good Load-stones, and well librated, and that the Variation be truly placed: Though it was suggested withal, that for the greater perfection of such Sea-Compasses, a way was contriving, to shew the Variation to Minutes and Seconds.
It was also propos'd, That it might be inquired into,
1. Whether a Needle may be so toucht upon any Magnet, as not to point to the true North and South, to be tried in such places where there is no Variation known?
2. Whether different Load-stones will give different Directions? And whether fainter or stronger touches upon one and the same Magnet, will cause any Variation in the Directions? For which purpose, as many Load-stones should be procured, as could be had, and a good number of Needles exactly made, of the same Metal, bigness, and figure?
PROPOSALS
To try the Effects of the Pneumatick Engine exhausted, in Plants, Seeds, Eggs of Silkworms.
The Ingenious Dr. Beale did formerly suggest, as follows.
It would be, I think (saith he) very well worth the tryal, to see what Effects would be produced on Plants, put into the Pneumatick (or Rarifying) Engine of Mr. Boyle, with the Earth about their Roots, and flourishing; whether they would not suddenly wither, if the Air were totally taken from them. And particularly to try in the Season, Cherry-Blossoms, when partly opened, partly not opened, upon a Branch; to wit, whether the Air may be so attenuated as to blast. But it may be noted, that the Blossoms do not forthwith discover the blast: An old experienced Country-man having once given me notice of a blasty Noon, (it being then a Sultry weather, and somewhat gloomy with the thickness of Exhalations, almost like a very thick Mist) and within a day or two shewing the proof upon the Cherry-Blossoms then flagging, but not much altering their Colour till two days more were past.
The Noble Mr. Boyle suggests as proper for the approaching Season; That it may be tried,
1. Whether Seeds (especially such as are of a hasty growth, vid. 0rpin, Lettice, Garden-cress-seeds, &c.) will germinate and thrive in the exhausted Receiver of the said Engine?
2. Whether the Exclusion of Air from the Sensitive Plant, would be harmful to it?
3. Whether the Grafting of Pears upon Spina Cervina (the almost only Purgative Vegetable known in England) will produce the effect of communicating to the Fruit that purging quality, or not?
4. Whether Silkworms Eggs will be hatched in such an exhausted Receiver, in the Season proper for hatching?
To which may be added, the Trials of putting in a Vial full of water, some of those Herbs that will shoot and grow in water alone, including them in such a Receiver, and pumping out what Air you can, to see whether they will then shoot, or not?
And though some of these Proposals have been formerly begun to be Experimented, yet ought they to be diligently prosecuted, to fee how far the Air is necessary to Vegetation; and whether Plants do indeed live as much upon the Air, as the Earth; and the Branches of them are rooted (as it were) in and quickned by the Air, as their Roots are planted and nourisht in and by the Earth?
The Experiment heretofore made of this kinde, was, That some Lettice-seed being sown upon some Earth in the open Air; and some of the same Seed at the same time upon other Earth in a Glass-Receiver of the above mentioned Engine, afterwards exhausted of Air, the Seed exposed to the Air was grown up an inch and a half high, within eight days; but that in the exhausted Receiver, not at all. And, Air being again admitted into the said emptied Receiver, to see whether any of the Seed would then come up; it was found, that in the space of one week it was grown up to the height of two or three Inches.
OBSERVATIONS
Concerning Emmets or Ants, their Eggs, Production, Progress, coming to Maturity, Use, &c.
This was communicated by Doctor Edmund King, Fellow of the R. Society, at the Instance of the Publisher, as followeth.
1. There have occurr'd to my Observation but three sorts of Ants, commonly without Wings; vid. Very Black, Dark Brown, and the third sort of near the colour usually call'd Philemort.
2. Each kind inhabit by themselves in their several Banks; two sorts seldom or never being found together; and if either of the other two sorts be put into the black Ants Bank, 'tis worth observing, what enmity there is betwixt these little Creatures, and with what violence the Black ones will seize on the Red, never leaving to pinch them on the head with their Forceps or Claws, till they have kill'd them upon the place: which done, they will carry them dead out of the Field, from their Bank. But if you put Black Ants into a Bank of the Red, the Black seem to be so sensible of the strangeness of the place they are in, that there they will not meddle with the Red, but as if they were frighted, and concerned for nothing but self-preservation, run away.
3. Upon opening of these Banks, I observe first a white substance, which to the bare eye looks like the scatterings of fine white Sugar or Salt, but very soft and tender; and it you take a bit of it, as big perhaps as a Mustard-seed, and lay it on the Object-plate of a good Microscope, you may by opening it with the point of a Needle, discern many pure, white and clear appearances in distinct Membrans, all figur'd like the lesser sort of Birds Eggs, and as clear as a Fishes Bladder. This same substance as it hath been just now described, I finde in the Ants themselves, which I take to be the true Ants Eggs; it being obvious to observation, that where ever this is uncover'd, they make it their business to carry it away in their mouths to secure it, and will after you have scatter'd it, lay it on a heap again with what speed they can.
4. I observe they lie in multitudes upon this (if I may so call it) Spawn of theirs; and after a little time, every one of these small adherances is turn'd into a little Vermicle, as small as a Mite, hardly discerned to stir, but after a few days more, you may perceive a feeble motion of flexion and extension, and they begin to look yellowish and hairy, shaped very like a small Maggot; and so, keeping that shape, grow almost as big as an Ant, and have every one a black spot on them.
5. Then they get a Film over them, whitish, and of an Oval shape, for which reason I suppose they are commonly call'd Ants Eggs, which yet (to speak properly) they are not.
6. I have, to prevent mistakes, opened many of these vulgarly call'd Ants Eggs, I mean, the lesser sort, (for there are some as big as a Wheat-corn, others less then a Rye-corn) and in some I finde onely a Maggot, to appearance just such as was described before: In others, I finde a Maggot beginning to put on the shape of an Ant about the head, with two little yellowy specks where the Eyes are design'd: In others a further progress, and furnisht with every thing to compleat the shape of an Ant, but wholly transparent, the Eyes onely excepted, which are then as black as black Bugles.
7. But when they have newly put on this shape, I could never discern the least motion in any one part of the little Creature, whereof the reason may perhaps be, the weakness of their Fibres; for after a little more time, when they begin to be brownish, they have strength to stir all their parts.
8. At last I met with some of these reputed Eggs, which being carefully open'd by me, I took out of several of them, every way perfect and compleat Ants, which did immediately creep about among the rest, no way differing from many other Ants, but by a more feeble motion of their Limbs, And this I took for a clear demonstration of what I designed, which was to know, That the Film does onely cover the Maggot, while she is transforming into an Ant, and fit to shift for her self.
9. The black Speck that is at one end of every such reputed Ants Egg, I suppose to be cast out of the Maggot in her transformation; since, after it puts on the shape of an Ant, the Speck is quite gone, and the whole body of the Ant pure clear; since also this Speck at the end of the said Egg, lies always close to the Anus of the included Ant.
10. As to their care for their Young (by which I mean all the sorts and degrees aforesaid, from the Spawn to the vulgarly call'd Eggs, in every one of which you'l finde a young Ant) it is observable, How upon the breaking up of their Banks, they make it their business immediately to carry their Young out of sight again, laying the several sorts of them in several places and heaps: the which if you mingle again or scatter, you shall, laying but some bits of Slate, or the like, in any place they may come to and get under, after a few hours see all the Vermicles, and vulgarly call'd Eggs, laid in their several and distinct parcels, under such pieces of Slate, &c. Provided the place be not so cold as to chill their Limbs; which if it be, by being brought to the fire they will soon recover their strength, and fall to their business again, of securing their little Ones.
11. I have observed in Summer, That in the Morning they bring up those of their Young (that are vulgarly call'd Ants Eggs) towards the top of the Bank, so that you may from Ten in the Morning, until Five or Six Afternoon, finde them near the top; especially about One, Two, or Three of the Clock, and later, if the Weather be hot, when for the most part they are found on the South-side of the Bank: that towards Seven or Eight at Night, if it be cool, or likely to rain, you may dig a foot deep before you can finde them.
They know all the sorts of their Young so well, that you cannot deceive them, though you may with fine Sugar, Salt, or the Crums of very white stale Bread, scatter'd in the Mould, where their first true Eggs are (as I call them) be mistaken your self, yet the Ants will not, nor touch a bit of what is not their own Off-spring.
13. I cannot pass by the Use of Ants in feeding young Pheasants and Partridges, they being the principal Food of these Birds, both Wilde and tamed, for several weeks, as is well known to all that are versed in breeding them up. And a chief reason, why many finde it so nice a thing to breed up the said Birds, is, that either they give them too sparingly of this Food, or let them fast too long, not knowing, that as soon 'tis day-light, they will seek it for their Breakfast, and if they want it, will in a few hours be faint and weak, and, some grow so chill for want of that supply of Nourishment, that it is no easie matter to recover them.
14. But (to add this by the by) Though these Insects be so good a Food to these Birds, whilest very young, yet when by ill ordering of those that should keep them sweet, and often shift their water, or by ill Dyet, as molly Corn, &c. they grow sick; then Ants will not always recover them, though you give them never so many: And I have been forced to make use of other Insects to cure them, to wit of Millepedes and Earwigs, either of which will do good, but both together, better, given in a good quantity, two or three times, at least, a day; but then those other things must be observed too, of keeping their House clean, and giving them sweet Corn, and shifting their water twice a day, keeping them within, till the Dew be from the ground, letting them bask in Sand, partly in the Sun, the place a little shaded, and putting them up in a warm house before Sun-set.
Which particularly thought not amiss to add for those that delight in breeding up Pheasants and Partridges, my self having lost many of both sorts, till I learned that Vertue of those Insects; after which, seldom any of them, by me intended to be bred up, have, died.
An Account
Of a small Book in French, entituled
HISTOIRE DES JOYAUX.
ET
Des Principales Richesses de l' Orient et de l' Occident,
par le Sr. Chapuzeau.
This History treats of Diamonds, Rubies, Emeraulds, Pearls, Coral, Bezoar, Yellow Amber, Amber-gris, Indigo, &c.
Of Diamonds, The Author shews:
1. The Places, whence they are taken; of which he finds but Five in all the East-Indies, whereof two are Rivers, vid. Saccadan in Borneo, and Nage in the Kingdom of Bengala; at the bottom of both which, he saith, the Diamonds are found among the sand, after the waters, that fall as great Torrents from the Mountains, are run off; and the three others are Mines, in the Kingdoms of Decan, Cuncan, and Golconda. In this Relation he observes, that the Diamonds which are found at the bottom of those Rivers, have the best Water; but those, in Mines, have often Flaws (which he imputes to the violent knockings of the Rock) and Blebs, ascribed to the condition of the Earth or Sand they are found in, vid. when that is not pure, but fattish or black. He takes also notice, that Diamonds are the heaviest of precious Stones, as Gold is of Mettals.
2. The Manner, how they are found and separated; which is the same in substance, with that, described Num 18, p. 328.
3. The Price of them, according to the proportion of their weight; for which he gives this Rule. Take, saith he, a Diamond of 10 Carats: this number is to be squared (which makes 100.) then, if the Stone be clean, each Carat according to its perfection, may be worth 40 to 60 Crowns; if it have no good water, or have a Bleb or Flaw, the Carat will not be worth but from 10 to 30 Crowns, So multiplying the said l00 by the number, which each Carat of such or such a Stone may be worth, the product is the price of the Stone.
For Rubies, he discourses also of the Places, where they are found; and of their Price. The Places, are, the Kingdom of Pegu, and the Isle of Ceylon; whence very few are suffered to be carried away. The Price is, that a good Rubi of the weight of 1 Rati (which is ⅞ of a Carat) is esteemed at 20 old Pagodes in India, each Pagode being about 10 shillings English.
| Ratis. | Pagodes. | ||
| Of | 2 | is valued at | 100. |
| Of | 3 | ———— | 250. |
| Of | 4 | ———— | 500. |
| Of | 5 | ———— | 900. |
| Of | 6 | ———— | 1500. |
| Of | 7 | ———— | 2300. |
| Of | 12 | ———— | 12000. |
Concerning Turquois, they are found in Persia, in the Province of Chamoquay, North of Ispaban, in two Mines, called the Old and the New Rock. These of the New, are of an ill whitish Blew; but those of the old, are not suffered to be digged out, but by the King of Persia himself.
Emeraulds are affirm'd by him, never to be found in the East-Indies, but in Perou, whence they were carried by that Trading People to the Moluccas, even before America was discovered by the Europeans; and so they come from the Orient; of much less value, than they were formerly, by reason of their commonness. The Author notes, that Emeraulds grow in stones, just as Chrystals, forming a Vein, in which they are by little and little refined and thickned: and that some of them are seen, half white and half green; others, all white; and others all green and perfect.
To Pearls he assigns in the Orient, four places, where they are fished: The Isle of Baharem in the Persian Gulf: The Coast of Arabia Felix, near the Town of Catif, over against Baharem: The Isle of Ceylon about Manar: The Isle of Japan. The best at Ceylon, but small; the biggest Japan, but uneven. In the West-Indies they are fish'd in the North-Sea, in the Illes of Marguerite, Cubagva, St. Marthe; and at Comana, and Comanagote, near the Continent; and in the South-Sea, near Panama: which American sort, though they are much inferior to the Oriental, in Lustre, yet they far excel them in bigness, amounting sometimes (saith this Author) to 42 Carats,
In this Relation 'tis mention'd, that sometimes 5. or 6. Pearls are found in one Oyster: That Pearl-fishers are fed with dry and roasted meat, to give them better breathing: That Pearl-bearing Oysters are not good to eat, being flat and hard of digestion, &c.
As to the Price of good Pearls, well fashiond, he marketh it, as follows:
| Such a Pearl of | |||||
| Grain. | Crowns. | Carats. | Crowns. | ||
| 1 | ———— | 1 | 4¼ | ———— | 289 |
| 2 | ———— | 4 | 4½ | ———— | 324 |
| 3 | ———— | 9 | 4¾ | ———— | 361 |
| Carats. | 5 | ———— | 400 | ||
| 1 | ———— | 16 | 5¼ | ———— | 441 |
| 1¼ | ———— | 25 | 5½ | ———— | 484 |
| 1½ | ———— | 36 | 5¾ | ———— | 529 |
| 1¾ | ———— | 49 | 6 | ———— | 576 |
| 2 | ———— | 64 | 6¼ | ———— | 625 |
| 2¼ | ———— | 81 | 6½ | ———— | 675 |
| 2½ | ———— | 100 | 6¾ | ———— | 729 |
| 2¾ | ———— | 121 | 7 | ———— | 784 |
| 3 | ———— | 144 | 7¼ | ———— | 841 |
| 3¼ | ———— | 160 | 7½ | ———— | 900 |
| 3½ | ———— | 196 | 7¾ | ———— | 960 |
| 3¾ | ———— | 225 | 8 | ———— | 1024 |
| 4 | ———— | 256 | |||
Of Corals, He taketh notice, where they are fished, and in what manner. The Places, he saith, to be Eight; Three upon the Coasts of Corsica and Sardinia, vid. at Argueil (where is the best) Baza, and near the Isle of St. Peter: one upon the Coast of Sicily, near Drepanum: Two upon the Coast of Africa, near the Bastion of France, and at Tabarca: one more, upon the Coast of Catalonia, at the Cape of Quiers: And the last, about Majorca. Observing, that red Coral is not found, but in the Mediterranean alone, where 'tis fished from the beginning of April, till the end of July, employing commonly about 200 Boats. The manner of fishing them, is with two big beams of wood, laid cross wise, with a good piece of Lead on the middle, to make it sink, casting about it course Hemp, carelesly twisted, and tying this Wood to two Ropes, whereof one hangs at the Sterne, the other at the fore-part of the Boat; and so letting this contrivance fall into the Current, along the Rocks, where the Hemp being turned about, and engaged in the Coral, there need sometimes many Boats to draw away the Instrument.
Bezoar he saith, is not onely found in Golconda, in the Province of Renquery, in the Maw of Goats, whereof some are at times furnisht with a dozen apiece, but also at Macassar, in the Isle of Celebes, in the Body of Apes; bigger than those found in Golconda. He mentions, that the people in those parts, to find whether a Goat hath any of those Bezoar-stones in its body, do beat his belly with their hands, and rub it, till all the stones in the Animal come together, and then they feel and tell them, as you do stones in a Bag, &c.
FINIS.
In the SAVOY,
Printed by T. N. for John Martyn at the Bell, a little without Temple-Bar, and James Allestry in, Duck-Lane, Printers to the Royal Society, 1667.