Philosophical Transactions/Volume 3/Number 40
PHILOSOPHICAL
TRANSACTIONS.
Monday, Octob, 19. 1668.
The Contents.
The Variations
of the Magnetick Needle predicted for many yeares following.
THe Doctrine of the Magnet and Magnetical Motions is yet so obscure, that what hitherto hath been discoursed and written upon that Subject, proves very unsatisfactory to Men, that consider the various Phenomena and effects of that Body. Whence we presume, it cannot be un-acceptable to Philosophical Men, to be still furnisht with new conjectures, and fresh occasions, serving to excite new thoughts, and to make farther Inquiries concerning this matter, For which purpose we shall here communicate to the Curious a Table, directing them to make Observations for the future, whereby a certain Hypothesos is designed to be confirm'd, which an Intelligent Mathematician and Teacher of Navigation in England (Mr. Henry Bond) entertains, but thinks not yet fit to declare to the World: 'Tis by vertue of that Hypothesis, that he hath Calculated the following Table; shewing, How the Variations of the Magnetick Needle will fall out for the years therein specified; which he conceives to be now Westward, and to have been so for some few years last past; whereas they were formerly Eastward. This Philosophical prediction is here made publick, to the end that Inquisitive Men may every where from time to time make Observations accordingly, either to verify or to invalidate the pretended Theory.
The Table Follows:
| Years. | The Variation West. | Years. | The Variation West. | ||||
| gr. | Min | gr. | Min. | ||||
| 1668 | 1 | 56 | 1694 | 6 | 16 | ||
| 1669 | 2 | 7 | 1695 | 6 | 25 | ||
| 1670 | 2 | 18 | 1696 | 6 | 34 | ||
| 1671 | 2 | 28 | 1697 | 6 | 43 | ||
| 1672 | 2 | 38 | 1698 | 6 | 52 | ||
| 1673 | 2 | 49 | 1699 | 7 | 1 | ||
| 1674 | 2 | 59 | 1700 | 7 | 10 | ||
| 1675 | 3 | 9 | 1701 | 7 | 19 | ||
| 1676 | 3 | 19 | 1702 | 7 | 28 | ||
| 1677 | 3 | 30 | 1703 | 7 | 36 | ||
| 1678 | 3 | 40 | 1704 | 7 | 45 | ||
| 1679 | 3 | 50 | 1705 | 7 | 53 | ||
| 1680 | 4 | 0 | 1706 | 8 | 1 | ||
| 1681 | 4 | 10 | 1707 | 8 | 9 | ||
| 1682 | 4 | 20 | 1708 | 8 | 17 | ||
| 1683 | 4 | 30 | 1709 | 8 | 25 | ||
| 1684 | 4 | 40 | 1710 | 8 | 33 | ||
| 1685 | 4 | 50 | 1711 | 8 | 41 | ||
| 1686 | 5 | 0 | 1712 | 8 | 49 | ||
| 1687 | 5 | 10 | 1713 | 8 | 56 | ||
| 1688 | 5 | 19 | 1714 | 9 | 4 | ||
| 1689 | 5 | 29 | 1715 | 9 | 11 | ||
| 1690 | 5 | 39 | 1716 | 9 | 17½ | ||
| 1691 | 5 | 48 | |||||
| 1692 | 5 | 57 | |||||
| 1693 | 6 | 7 | |||||
An Extract
THe Vessels, commonly called Lymphatick, have two Coates, betwixt which there are innumerable very small and very fine vessels like Filaments, resembling the Mosse of Trees, without any Valves, containing a nutritious Juyce convey'd into all the parts of the Body by a motion thereof from the center to the circumference; but returning through the inner pipes (furnisht with Valves,) of the same Water-vessels; at which time they are no more to be call'd Water or Dew, but Ferment, the vessels deferring also the name of Ferment-vessels. This Ferment serves to keep the Blood, and to ferment the same, being convey'd into it by a motion contrary to the former, viz. from the circumference to the center; which I can prove by Ocular demonstration, having already shew'd it to Dr. Stalparts Van der Wiele and many others, in the jugular Glanduls taken out of a Dogg; wherein I shew'd them, that these Lymphatick vessels carry their dewy particles about the Glanduls between the two Tunicles, and that in the lowermost end of these Glanduls the Ferment-vessel takes its beginning, being inclosed in these Dewy Vessels, and so constituting the inner pipe together with the Valves, which are of another forme, than hath been known hitherro.
To your Quære, Whether the said Ferment-vessels discharge at last all their Ferment into the Ductus Thoracius, thence to be carry'd directly to the Heart, there to increase and to ferment the Blood, or whether they communicate their Ferment to other parts also? I answer, that most of the Juyce of the Milky vessels is discharged between the Tunicles of the Veines, Arteries, Lymphaticks, Membrans, and the vessels in the Mesentery, to be conveyed into all the parts of the Body, both Internal and External, For even in bearing Females the Fruit is not nourish'd by any Blood, but by the nutritious Juyce, conveyed to it; as also by the moisture contained in the Amnion, which is no Urine nor Sweat, as some imagine; we having yet lately seen in the House of the said Dr. Stalpart at the Hague in a newborn Child, that his Urachus had no cavity at all, through which the Urine could passe out of the Bladder into the Amnion. The remaining and least part of the liquor of the Milky vessels is transmitted through the Ductus Thoraicus by the Jugular vein into the Blood.
Besides these Vessels there are yet others, that do not exonerate themselves into the Blood, viz. the Ductus Virsungianus, which delivers it self into the Duodenum; and the Ductus Salivales, whereof the Saliva does no less, than the Juyce in the Ductus Virsungianus, serve for Ferment, to wit, the one in the Stomach, and the other in the Intestins. From whence you may easily conclude, not that I hold (as it seems I have been understood) that the least part in the Ferment-vessels concurs to the making of Blood, but that the least part of the Juyce in the Milky vessels is discharged into the Blood.
Concerning the other Quære, Whether also the distribution of this Ferment is made through the Testicles, Kidneys, Breasts, and Salival Glanduls, &c. I answer, that the Salival Glanduls carry their Spittle or Ferment into the Mouth, and that the rest which returns back through the Testicles, Breasts, and other Glanduls, is carried to the Cistern.
An Extract
SIr Yours Dated Feb. 10. 166⅞, came to the hands of my honour'd Friend Mr. Richard Norwood, together with the History of the R. Society and the Phil. Transactions, which he hath received as a singular favour. But having at this present weighty business lying upon him, which hindred him from answering your desires by this Ship with his own hand, he solicited me to do it for him; which I am very willing to comply with in, as far as I am able, But I shall come short in many things at present; but what is wanting now, may be supply'd hereafter. For, the season of the year will not afford many things, which you desir'd in your Letter*.* The things desired, as to Vegetables, were: 1. To gather the smaller Fruits, and dry them in the Air, and in the Shade, till they are as dry, as Raisins or Figgs are usually made. 2. To open Fruits of a larger kind, and the Stones or Kernels being taken out, to dry them. 3. To send Seeds, or Berryes, when they are ready to drop off, with as much husk or skins upon them, as may be. 4. To wrap up Roots in Mosse or light Earth, and to keep them, as much as is possible, from any dashing of Sea-water in the Voyage. 5. To set Plants or young Trees in halfe Tubs of Earth, arched over with hoops, and cover'd with Matts to preserve them from the dashing of Sea-water; giving them Air by all means every day, the weather being fair, and watering them with fresh water once a day. 6. To send of all the sorts of Potatoes in Earth. 7. To send all sorts of Berries, Grasses, Grains and Herbes, wrapping up the Seeds very dry in paper. By the next opportunity there shall be Roots, Seeds, and Fruits provided for you.
At present I shall informe you, that the Water about our Island does not flow, by any Mans Observation, above five Foot; and that but at one season of the year, between Michaelmas and Christmas; at other times not above three Foot. It is High-water, when the Moon is about an hour high; and the like after her going down. It flowes in from the North-West and runs to the South-East nearest, and in that part of the Land which lies most to the North-West, there it is High-water soonest. But the Tyde does not alwayes ebb and flow directly that course round about our Coast; but, I suppose, the reason is, that some points of Land, or Sholes, may turn its North-West and South-East course.
We have hereabout very many sorts of Fishes. There is amongst them great store of Whales, which in March, April and May use our Coast. I have my self killed many of them. Their Females have abundance of Milk, which their young ones suck out of the Tears, that grow by their Navell. They have no Teeth, but feed on Mosse, growing on the Rocks at the bottom during these three Moneths, and at no other season of the Year, When that is consumed and gone, the Whales go away also. These we kill for their Oyl. Bur here have been Sperma-Ceti-Whales driven upon the shore, which Sperm (as they call it) lies all over the Body of those Whales. These have divers Teeth, which may be about as big as a Mans wrist; and I hope by the next opportunity to send you one of them. I have been at the Bahama-Islands, and there have been found of this same sort of Whales dead on the Shore, with Sperma all over their Bodies. My self with about 20 more have agreed to try, whether we can master and kill them, for I could never hear of any of that sort, that were kill'd by any man; such is their fierceness and swiftness. One such Whale would be worth many hundred pounds, They are very strong, and inlay'd with sinews all over their Body, which may be drawn out thirty fathom long.
There is an Island among the Bahama's, which some of our People are setled upon, and more are going thither. 'Tis called New-Providence; where many rare things might be discover'd, if the People were but encouraged: And I am of opinion, there is not a more healthful place in the World, 'Tis stored with variety of Fish and Fowl, and with divers sorts of Trees and other Plants, whose qualities are not yet known.
As to the Age of our Inhabitants here, some do live to an hundred years and something upwards; many live till they are nigh a hundred, but few above: And when they dye, 'tis age and weakness, that is the cause, and not any disease that attends them. The general distemper that is yearly amongst us, is a Cold; and that is most gotten in the hottest weather. The Air here is very sweet and pleasant. Our Diet is but ordinary, and the People generally poor; and I observe, that poor People are most healthful.
You shall receive of Captain Thomas Morly, the Commander of our Magazeen-Ship, such things, as I could at present procure.* But these particulars could not be found in the Ship.*Among which you shall find of the Leaves and Berries of that Weed you inquire after, which we call Poyson-weed, growing like your Ivy, I have seen a Man, who was so poyson'd with it, that the skin peel'd off his Face, and yet the Man never touch'd it, onely look'd on it as he pass'd by: but I have chaw'd it in my mouth, and it did me no harm. It is not hurtful to all.
Here are Spiders, that spin their Webbs betwixt Trees standing seven or 8 fathom asunder; and they do their Work by spitting their Webb into the Air, where the Wind carries it from Tree to Tree. This Webb, when finisht, will snare a Bird as big as a Thrush. Your self may prove it, for I have sent you some.
As to the Bark of a Tree, with which we are said to cover our Houses, that is an error; for 'tis not the Bark, but the Leaves of a Tree, which we put to that use. And 'tis the Palmetto; without which Tree we could not live comfortably in this place. The Leaves of some of these Trees are eight or ten foot long, and nigh as broad. I know no Tree in the World, that can-equal it in the number of Commodities it affords.
'Tis reported, that in Virginia and upon the Coast of Florida the Indians live to a very great age; and that some of the People are of a Gigantick Stature, and stronger by farr than others.
As for the Eclipses of the Moon, you would have observ'd here, and be inform'd about, I can say little of them: but, I suppose, my worthy Friend Mr. Norwood will give you an account thereof to your content. If any thing should cause him to faile, it will be Age and weakness. He hath a great desire to serve the R. Society in every respect; which shall engage me also to serve both them and you to the utmost of my ability, remaining, &c. Bermuda, July 16, 1668,
An Extract
WE have here an Artist, that polishes Optick-Glasses on a Turn. I have seen a Glass of his Workmanship, which is very good, though the first, that ever he made this way. It is very neat, and approaches the Object very much, He turn these Glasses, as he does Wood, that is with the same facility.
Signor Settalla at Milan causeth to be made a Burning-glass of seven Foot in Diameter. He pretends to make it Burne at the distance of fifty Palmes (which is about 33 Foot.)
Observations
IT is generally believed, that the Cochineel comes out of a fruit called the Prickle-pear, bearing a leafe of a slimy nature, and a fruit blond-red and full of Seeds, which give a Dye almost like to Brasiletto wood, that will perish in a few dayes by the Fire: But the Insect engendered of this fruit or leaves, gives a permanent Tincture, as is generally known.
There grows a Berry (by report) both in the Bermudas and New-England, call'd the Summer-Island-Redweed, which Berry is as red as the Prickle-Peare, giving much the like tincture; out of which Berry come out first; Worms, which afterward turn into Flyes somewhat bigger then the Cochineel-Flye, feeding on the same Berry: In which we read, there hath been found a colour no whit inferior to that of the Cochineel-Flye, and as to Medicinal vertue much exceeding it.
'Tis hereupon offer'd to consideration and tryal, 1. Whether this Bermuda-Berry might not grow in England? 2. Whether out of the Berry of Brasiletto-wood the like insect might not be obtained in respect of colour or tincture? 3. Whether a fading colour, yielded by certain Vegetables, might not be fixed by causing such a Fermentation in the Concrete, as may engender Insects giving the tincture of its original, which will hold in Grain?
For the obtaining of the last we find the following directions. Whereas Vegetables of Tincture are either Herbs, or Woods, or Berries and other Fruits; to breed Insects out of Herbes, dry them, (for so they yield the best tincture;) otherwise stamp them, and let them dry, till they will suffer no more juyce to run from them, (this in the Sun or in a proportionable heat:) or if dryed, infuse them with water in a heat for 24 houres; then vapour away the water till the dissolution be as thick as a Syrup (but for this use strain them not from their feces;), -take this Masse, and put it into an Earthen or Woodden-Vessel cover'd with some Straw or something else of that nature, that it lye not too close, and so proportion the quantity to the Vessel, that the Air may come about and into the Masse (yet not too much.) Then set this vessel in a ditch or pit made in the Earth in a shady place, and put about it some wet leaves or some such putrifying rubbish, and over it a board, and on that some straw or the like; and it will produce first a shelly husky Worm, and then a Fly of the Tincture of the Concrete, but durable and somewhat more advanc'd.
And as for Berryes, stamp and boyle them, evaporating them to the consistence or a Robe, and then use them as the former.
Lastly, for Woods, infuse them in water, being first pulveriz'd, and boyle out their tincture, and then evaporate also the Water to such a thickness, as the other, and handle them in the like way. The Flyes will play about the sides of the Vessel and the surface of the matter, which taken are kill'd in a warm pan or stove, and so dryed and kept.
Queries
1. WHat Vegetables there are, which, having the wrong end of them set downward into the ground, will yet grow; as 'tis said Elders and Bryars will.
2. Whether the Branch of a Plant (as of a Vine or Bramble) being laid into the ground whil'st yet growing on the Tree, and there taking root, being cut off from the Tree whil'st so growing, will shoot out forward and backward?
3. In tapping, cutting or boring of any Tree, whether the Juyce, that vents at it, comes from above or below.
4. What part of the juyce ascends or descends by the Bark? Whether what so ascends, ascends by the outward or inward part of it?
5. Whether, if a Zone of about two or three inches be cut off about the bottom of a branch, that branch will dye, or cast its leaves, or bleed out a Juyce from the upper or lower part of the bark so cut, or be apt to shoot out leaves or branches or knobs either above or below that baring?
6. What the use of the Pith is? Whether the Juyce ascend or descend by it? And what effects will follow, if the Trunk be bored to the pith, and a pegg droven hard into the hole of the pith both above and below? This to be tryed in the most pithy Plants?
7. Whether the Points or Ends of the Roots being cut off, the Roots will bleed as copiously, as Branches of the Trunks do, when bored?
8. What side of the Tree affords most sap?
9. Of what Age Trees afford most Sap?
10. What are the best Seasons of the Year for taking the Sap of every kind of Tree in greatest quantity; and how long that season lasteth?
11. Whether the Sap comes more copiously at one time of the day or night, than another?
12. Whether Trees afford any considerable Juyce in the Fall?
13. What effect, copiousness or scarcity of Rain hath upon the saps of Trees?
14. Whether or no the nature of a Tree may be changed by applications of Juyces or Liquors to the Roots or other parts?
15. Whether a Tree, whose Root is cover'd from Rain, and not water'd, if the branches of it be expos'd to the Air, will grow?
16. Whether inoculated Roots of a Tree will grow?
17. How short the Arms of the Roots of a Tree maybe cut, and the Tree still grow?
18. How deep the several kinds of Trees are to be set in the ground to grow?
19. Whether or no a Seed being planted either way, it will grow equally?
20. Whether the Stem of a Tree being set in the Earth, and the Root turn'd up into the Air, the Tree will grow? &c.
These Queries are made publick, to the end that such at are curious and inquisitive in this noble Subject of Vegetation, may be the better furnisht with matter to exercise their researches and Observations upon, and be also excited to communicate what they either already know, or may yet learn of these matters, for further elucidation of the yet too obscure nature of Vegetation. And though perhaps there may be divers among these Queries, resolved already by the skilful, yet it seem'd not amiss, to propose them here again among the rest, to see what further confirmation or new addition might be given in by others concerning the particulars, they speak about. And to the same end shall be subjoyned here, some other Inquiries, imparted by a Person of Honour for the obtaining of ampler information, than hitherto hath been had therein.
They are such as follow.
| Bare raw. | ||||||
| 1. What | Roots | to | Boyle. | |||
| Roste. | ||||||
| Bake. | ||||||
| First Shoot | Pickle. | |||||
| Preserve. | ||||||
| Sprouts | Conserve. | |||||
| Candy. | ||||||
| Stalks | Dry whole. | |||||
| Dry to powder, serving for Spice. | ||||||
| Make Wine. | ||||||
| Buds. | Make Cyder. | |||||
| Flowers | Make Perry. | |||||
| Make Ale and other various Drinks. | ||||||
| Make Vinegar and Verjuyce. | ||||||
| Fruits. | Make thick Juyces like Honey. | |||||
| Make Concrete Juyces like Sugar. | ||||||
| Kernels. | Make Bread. | |||||
| Make Cakes, Puddings and Baked Meats. | ||||||
| Make Broaths. | ||||||
| Seeds. | Give pleasant Colours to Meat and Drinks. | |||||
| What Herbs are fit to make Sallets, and how to be order'd for that purpose. |
2. The best season to sow every sort of Seed.
3. How often every sort of seed ought to be sowed for the constant use of the Kitchin-garden?
4. How the Earth is compounded and order'd for several kinds Of Seeds and Plants?
5. What to be sow'd on the cold ground?
6. What to be sow'd on hot beds?
7. Several wayes of making hot beds, and their attendance?
8. How and what to be transplanted either into cold ground, or into new hot beds, and how order'd after?
9. What Observations of the Sun, Moon, and Weather, for sowing, planting and transplanting?
10. How to Water an shade Plants new planted, and Seeds sow'd?
11. What thrives best in the Sun?
12. What thrives best in the shade?
13. What, and how such as will not prosper in the Greenhouse, may be cover'd and preserv'd abroad?
14. The several names of Worms, Vermine and Insects, that are noxious to the Garden?
15. The Remedies.
16. The best forme and dimension of the Green-house; as also of what to build and cover it?
17. What to be hous'd in Winter?
18. How to order the Pots or Tubs before they are hous'd?
19. When and in what weather to open and close the Green-house?
20. What observations at the first setting abroad of the Winter-greens in the Spring?
21. How to prune and dung the Winter-greens?
22. What may be increas'd by the Root?
23. What increas'd by Layers?
24, What by slips or Cuttings?
25. What grows best of Seeds that shed and sow themselves?
26. What to be grafted and inoculated?
27. The several wages of grafting and inoculating?
28. How to alter the shape, smell, colour and taste of Vegetables by joyning different Roots together?
29. How and what may be chang'd by grafting, joyning or inoculating shoots or Buds on different Stocks or Cyons?
30. How to compound several Liquors to water and feed Vegetables, whereby they may be much alter'd?
31. Of what Roots, Stalks, Barks, Leaves, Flowers, Fruits, seeds, Downs, may be made either Cups, Boxes, Baskets, Matts, Calicoes, Cloaths (as Netie-cloath) and the like? All which will be most useful for the life of Man from the Garden.
32. How to prune Vines? How many Joynts to leave? And of what age the Vine must be, that is cut away?
33. How to prune Standard-trees?
34. How to prune Wall-Trees, and with what to be best fastned?
35. The Places, from whence the best of the Vegetables, that are either Winter-greens, or fit for the Kitchin-garden, may be had; and the marks of their goodness?
36. How to discerne good Seeds from bad?
37. The times of gathering, and, the wayes of preserving them, &c.
'Tis supposed, that the Names of the Vegetables, which make up the Kitchin-garden, and the Winter-greens; are sufficiently known: yet if there be any, that desire to have a good List of both sorts publisht, they may be gratify'd therein; upon intimation given to the Publisher, who hath by him such as List, collected by the same Noble Person, who now proposeth the Queries for fuller information, than hath been given hitherto.
A Suggestion
For taking more notice, than hath been done formerly, of the Juyces of Trees, by tapping them.
ALthough some have been Curious in taking notice and making use of the Liquors of some Trees by tapping them; yet is there much wanting in. this kind of Observations and Tryals, in regard there have been upon this account but very few Trees examin'd, comparatively to those, that are yet left unconsider'd and untry'd. The Publisher therefore, being lately discours'd with upon this subject, and told, how great an addition there might be made to this knowledge, and how beneficial that might prove both for the preservation and recovery of Mans health, (it being instanc'd to him, that one of the present Kings of Europe drinks much, and finds great benefit, of the juyce of Walnut-trees;) thought himself obliged to recommend the enlargement of the said knowledge, by further Experiments, to all Ingenious and Industrious Men; as also to request them, that they would please to impart unto him for publick use, what they either already know, or shall hereafter discover and learn of that nature.
A Note
About the small Empty Tubes, formerly described.
Ihave made shift to shuffle up for the Carrier the Patterns of our Optical Aydes. I had gotten the Tubes in Beaver, but they prov'd so slippery, that the Spectacle-bones would not hold theme. When those, which I send to you, are blackt with Ink, they will become stiffer and rougher, and hold firmer in any posture, as your occasion requires. At the first they should be drawn in the bone within the third part of an inch of the very top; and then, as by use you find them more agreeable.
I did redouble it upon you, that the greatest discouragement would arise from the difficulty of using them at first; and that I could-not expect, that any Man would have the patience to learn the right use of them, except he were constrain'd by necessity; and that my self, though I was fill'd with joy enough at the first discovery, could not endure the trouble above two hours at a time: But by the practise of a week or a fortnight, I found them an ease and pleasure to me for twelve at least of each 24 houres. And by all the tryals, which I have yet made upon others, whether pore-blind, or of faint-fight decay'd by Age, or however weaken'd, it proves a very great ayde. For the pore-blind, they must be made shorter: For the decay'd by age, they may be longer.
An Extract
SIr, I sent a while since by Mr. A. C. to Mr. B. for your self a certain Leaden-Bullet, voided by a Woman at the passage of Urine, the circumstances relating to which I design'd to commit presently after to a Letter, but was diverted from it till now. The rude history of it you may please to take as follows.
G. Eliot of Mendlesham in Suffolk, a pale, middle-ag'd, full-bodied woman, sorely afflicted for some yeares with a torment of the Bowels, was prevailed with by a Neighbour, who had suffer'd much in the like case, to swallow two fit Bullets: whereupon she found (as he had done before her) present ease; but afterwards her pains return'd and increas'd, and she having many conflicts for about 15 years, then apply'd herself to my Apothecary, Mr. Gibson of Stow-market, who administred to her in the fit a dose of Lady Hollands Powder, which she took in Posset-drink in the Morning, was mov'd gently by it in the after-noon, spent that night in torture of body with Vomitings, and next morning, during the use of the Chamber-pot, together with the Urine there came that from her, which giving a twang against the side of the Vessel, surprised her with wonder, what it should be; and the Urine being poured off warily, there was left in it a heavy and (to appearance) gravelly Stone, of a colour between yellow and red, near as big as on's Thumbs-ends (as she confidently asserts to mes) but making use of an Hammer, and knocking off the outer pars of its crust, they came at a Bullet inclosed in it, of a kind of Brazen colour on the out-side, but cutting a little with a Knife, it proved Lead within: which being discover'd could easily be accounted for. Asking her, if no inquiry had been made of such a Bullets comming from her before, she told me that some dayes after she took them, the Stools had been slightly examin'd, but finding neither, they gave over search. She being further ask'd about the bigness of the Bullet? She told me, it was apparently bigger when she took it, than when she voyded it. The state of her Body in reference to the Stone being inquired into, she said, that she had, before and since that befell her, been a voyder of abundance of red Gravel, and particularly, about three yeares after she took them, she voided a considerable reddish stone. When I ask'd her about the manner of affecting her Body at the comming forth? she answer'd, 'Twas much like a common fit of the Stone, onely it held her longer (lasting some weeks) bow'd her badly-forward, (as a Stone often does in the Ureters,) provok'd to Vomitings, and particularly she felt it crowd lower and lower from the Kidney to the Bladder, in the left Ureter. Asking her farther, Wether she was sure, it came by the passage of Urine, and not by Siege? She assur'd me, she was not mistaken in that. And indeed the gravelly Coat, which the Bullet hath, shews sufficiently, whereabout 'twas lodg'd. Inquiring also, Whether the other Bullet was come from her? She said no; for ought she knew, 'twas still in her body. And as to her state since this evacuation, she saith, that she hath had ever since Stone-collick-pains, but none in so high a degree, as before.
This is the plain relation of the matter of Fact, The Maine use, I would make of the Instance (if it be worth mentioning) is to strengthen a conjecture, I have had a long time, of some other passage from the Stomack, to the Bladder, besides what Anatomists have hitherto given accounts of. For that this Bullet never came at the Ureters through the Veines, Arteries, Nerves, Lympheducts (the onely vessels that can be charg'd with it) is, I think, beyond dispute. If it shall be said, that Nature, when put to shifts, finds out strange conveyances to rid the Body of what is extraneous and offensive to it, I readily grant it, because many instances are known, making that, good; yet I think it not so pertinently urg'd, for as much as some other Instances seem to side with it, which cannot be taken off by the same evasion; viz. Many do find, that drinking 4 or 5 Glasses of Rhenish (for instance,) within less than a quarter of an hour they shall have a strong list to make Water, especially if the Body hath been agitated. Now that it should pass through the Lacteals, Veins, Heart, and Arteries, and be strain'd from the Blood in so short a time, is to me scarce conceivable.
But, surely this shorter passage (wherever 'tis) is as natural as that, by which it should have gone, had it staid longer in the Body: Not to say, how little it favors of the rankness of the Kidneys, and how much it resembles that, which it was, before 'twas taken into the Body. And methinks, the conveyance of the Milk into the breast hath much affinity with this of the Urine into the Bladder; the sudden pressing whereof into the Papps after the Nurses drinking ordinary Milk could no more be explained by the ordinary doctrine of Circulation, than this of the urine into the Bladder, till the shorter cut was hit upon by the Ductus tboroacici; though ordinarily it may be {irayn'd in from the Arteries, as the Serum also in the Kidneys; onely in a Milk-floud Nature finds some other Channel there, as here in a Water-floud.
Lastly, Sometimes things are shed forth at the Niples, almost as much surprizing as this, we have spoken of, at the Neck of the Bladder. But I am perhaps too prolix in my reflexions, of which I desire you to believe I have as mean thoughts, as the Candidst of Readers shall. I am, &c.
- Woodbridge, Sept. 18. 1668.
IN this curious and learned Volume the Illustrious Author hath with great industry endeavour'd to explain the whole Nature of Comets, their Place, Parallaxes, Distances from the Earth, Beginning and End, the several Appearances of their Heads and Trayns, together with their admirable motion; And all this by means of one constant and fit Hypothesis, by which he judgeth that all the Phænomena and Questions touching Comets, hitherto known, may be rationally and conveniently explained and demonstrated: All illustrated by 38 Schemes in Folio, engraven by the Author himself; as the whole Book hath been Printed at his own charges. To which is added both a Particular explication of the Comets, which appear'd A. 1652, 1661, 1664, 1665; and an History of all the Comets, recorded by Historians, Philosophers and Astronomers from the Noachical Deluge unto this day, enriched with the Authors Notes and Animadversions, and a general Table, representing, as it were, in one view, the most remarkable particulars observed in all Comets, viz. concerning the time of their first apparition, their duration, place, motion direct or retrograde, flow or swift; the bigness, figure and colour of their Heads, and the bigness, shape and position of their Tayles.
He begins his enumeration and History of the Comets from A. 1656, after the Creation of the World, or from A. 2292. before the Nativity of our Lord; where the Reader will meet with a great and pleasant variety of the shapes, colors, brightness, magnitudes, &c. of Comets, together with the various consequences, noted by Authors and Men of an Astrological and Divinatory Genius. He reckons up about 250 Comets in number; not as if there had not been many more, but because no more have been Registred in Ages, either negligent of, less knowing in such matters. He also takes notice of more Comets than one appearing at once, whereof there are to be found such Examples, that several times have been seen two, sometimes three, and twice four together; which latter he observes to have hapned A. 1509, and A. 1618. He notes some of the forme of a Wheel, some of that of an Horn, others of the shape of a Sword, Dagger, Zable, Javelin, Hallebard, Dragon, Beard, Flaming Pillar, Timber-beam, Dish, Shield, Tube, Pyramid; others with two or three Tayles; others, Trayn-less; others so resplendent, as to enlighten the Night considerably, yea as bright as the Sun, obscuring all other Stars, some round, some ovall, some square; others having their Train discontinued and interrupted in one or more places, as if it were absorbed by the Sky, and emerged again; others having Tayles like Peacocks; others such, as extended themselves into the length, some of 30, some of 40, 45, 60, 70, 100 degrees and above.
He takes notice, that before the Noble Tycho no Comet hath been exactly and fully observed or described, and he gives a large account not onely of the Comets of the said Tycho's Observation, which appear'd A. 1577. 1590, but also of that, which was seen A. 1607, (accurately described by Longomontanus and Kepler) and of those of 1618, especially that famous one of the same year, which at first was 71 Semi-diameters of the Earth distant from the Earth, but at last farther from it than the Sun, in regard it had towards the end a lesser Parallax, than he: besides that it had an extraordinary Trayn, sometimes 45, 60, 75, yea 104 degr, long, as also that for some time it shone all night, and now and then seem'd to break out into Lightning, To all which he adds the Observations of the Comets seen A. 1647, 1652, 1661, 1664, 1665, of which the last four were diligently observ'd and are exactly described by himself.
As for the Theory, whereby the Author renders an Account of all the Phenomena of Comets, he supposeth, that they all move in a Straight Line, by which supposition (first suggested by Kepler) and no other, that he can imagine, he esteems that all the Appearances of them, how insoluble soever else they seem, may very easily be explicated, especially supposing the Sun in the Center of the Universe, and the Annual motion of the Earth; though he suggests also away of saving the said Rectilinear motion even without destroying the system of Ptolomy. But yet he would not be understood so strictly in asserting that streight motion, but that Comets may more or less deviate from that streightness, both in appearance, and really; the former arising from the various sight of them, and their various distance from the Earth and the Sun, and the Annual motion of the Earth, the latter, from the matter of their Bodies and Nucleus's (as he calls the substance of their Head) not increasing nor decreasing uniformly on all sides. To which he adds the consideration of a motion impress'd, and that of an Inclination of the Cometick Disk to the Sun, as two other Causes, why Comets may now and then, especially about the beginning and end of their appearance, somewhat digress from their streight course. Where he alledges, that he hath much laboured to give an account of Comets by a Circular motion, but could not possibly satisfie himselfe in it, nor answer the Phænomena of most, though perhaps that Hypothesis may serve to salve some of them.
But then, to explaine that Trajectory rectilinear motion, he subjects the Comet of A. 1652, to a very rigid calculus, to shew, how that line is to be delineated, and how that way is applicable to all other Comets.
Further, to render a Cause of this motion, he supposeth, that, as all Celestial Bodies move about their Axes, their Atmosphere wheeling perpetually round about with them; so the matter, which exhaleth from the Sun and the other Planets, not onely issues out of them in a straight way, but also, whil'st those Bodies, together with their Atmosphere, move round, turnes constantly about with them, till it desert the said Atmosphere. To which he adds, that the matter of those exhalations are of the like nature with our Terrestrial Vapors, in that they are apt to condense, and after a while to be dissolved, and to return again to their first principles. Having supposed this, he assumes farther, that Bodies turn'd round, the longer they move, and the greater the Circle is, they move in, the greater impetus and vehemence they acquire, tending alwayes to recede from the Center to the Circumference, and being separated and set at liberty from their vertiginous or circular motion, they continue to be moved (as long as no stop intervenes,) but no more in that circulary, but in a straight line, viz. in the Tangent of the Circle.
After this manner he concludeth, That as soon as vapors exhale or are expelled out of a Celestial Body, whether it be the Sun or other Planets, into the Atmosphere incompassing it (which that they do, he endeavours to prove) they still acquire more and more force to move from the Center or the Planet to the Circumference (by vertue of the swift circumrotation of the Atmosphere, which together with its Body or Planet is turn'd round about,) till at last, being ejected out of their Circle into the free Sky, and more and more supplyed with the accession of the like matter, they make up the Bodies of Comets, and then move in a straight line, obverting one side to the Sun, as Clouds do theirs to our Earth.
Having laid down this, he deduceth thence the explication of the Phænomena, and Questions, hitherto observed and raised in and about Comets, viz. How they increase in bulk, and commonly with much quickness near the Sun? Why they are made up of several Kernels? Why not all Cometick matter is moved towards the same quarter of the Heavens? How it comes to pass, that at one and the same time more Comets than one are produced, and that they meet one another, and by their mutual concourse change one anothers motion, or break into parts and so constitute several Stars? Why all Comets are not visible to us? Why there are more Comets in one Age, than another? Why they do not alwayes move equal spaces in equal times; nor alwayes in a Line precisely streight, (there being almost none such in Nature but sometimes with an inclination of its Diske, so as to make a parabola, yet never the Segment of a Circle? How they observe two motions, an External, and Internal or Natural? How one of the flat sides of the Cometick Diske respecteth the Sun, as the Magnetick Needle does the North-Pole? Why the Motion of Comets is swifteft, where the Sun-beams fall perpendicularly on it? Why the motion of a recent Cometick matter is made spirally? Why that Spiral is not the same in all Comets? Why one Comet moves much swifter than another? Why the motion oi one and the same Comet increaseth and decreaseth? How a new Comet issues out of its Atmosphere? That the densest Comets move swiftest. That, though the motion of Comets be unequal, yet 'tis not irregular. Whether Comets alwayes are most vigorous in the middle of their way? When Comets describe a Semi-parabola only? Why Comets are almost never perceiv'd' by Us, when they first emerge out of their Atmosphere? That, the motion of Comets hath a conformity with that of Ships. That the Sun does the same in the deviation of Comets, what a Pilot or Ship-master doth by the meanes of Cables in the direction of Sayling. That Comets, like Ships, describe sometimes an entire, sometimes a Semi-parabola. That it appears by the inflexion of the Trajectory line, whether the way of the Cornet be Circular or Elliptick or Parabolical. Why this motion is rather Parabolical, than Hyperbolical? That the greatest deviation of Comets from the line of direction is scarce of two degrees; though 'tis not altogether improbable, but that in some it may be a little greater, especially in those, that traverse through a much vaster space of the Heavens, than others, and are of a very long duration: That the matter and figure of a Comet, and the impetus at first impressed, make much to its motion: That Comets, which come out of larger Atmospheres, and from about their Equator, and are of a compact body, are swiftest, and especially those, that have their rise from the Sun, How the motion of the Spots of the Sun may be compared with that of Comets? How the greatest velocity and tardity of the motion of Comets may be limited? That there is a Libratory motion in Comets as well as in the Moon, &c.
The Curious are hereby advertised, that the Author hath thought fit to lodge with the Publisher a number of Copies both of this Cometography, and of all his former Works, viz, the Selenography, Mercurius in sole visus, Venus in sole visa, Epistolæ de motu Libratorio Lunæ, and the Prodromus and Mantissa concerning the two Comets of An. 1664, and An. 1665. All which Books being order'd by the Author to be vended here, for an Exchange into the longest and best Telescope, that can be made by English Artists; those that are desirous to be furnisht with them, may please to address themselves to the Publisher, who is ready to give them further information herein.
THough some few of these Letters were by the Author himself written in Latin, yet the farr greater part of them having been by him written in French, they are now come abroad all Translated into Latin, for the benefit of those, that are unskilful in the other Language. They contain very many Philosophical questions and matters, of all forts, and an Explication of many difficulties, to be met with in the other Works of the Illustrious Author, and were written to some of the most Eminent persons for knowledge and learning of this Age. The intelligent Reader will find here an incredible and exceedingly delightful variety of Subjects, Geometrical, Arithmetical, Musical, Optical, Mechanical, Physiological, Medical, Metaphysical and Moral.
There is a Third part of the same Authors Letters yet remaining un-translated, which is like to follow very shortly, with some other Tracts, concerning Man, and the Union of the Rational Soul with the Body; whereof the former was written by Descartes himself, the latter by the Ingenious-D. Dela Forge, upon Cartesian Principles.
THis Author endeavours in this small Tract to shew the Nature, Difference, Choice, Qualities and Vertues, (especially in Physick) of Vitriol, together with the various wayes of preparing both dry and liquid Medicins out of that Mineral Juyce. The way of making Vitriol used at Goslar in Germany (the Authors Native Country) we shall thence extract and give here verbatim, as follows;
Fit & Goslariense Vitriolum per cocturam. Postquam enim terra vitrolata ex vicino monte Rammelo in officinas coctorias delata fuit, facto lixivio, in aheno plumbeo totum Vulcano negotium committunt. Hic postquam fideliter suam navavit operam, perque definitum coctioni tempus crept antes subministravit flammas, liquor ille coctus exhauritur, inque cados ligneos insignis peripheriae & altitudinis transmittitur. Super hæc vasa lignea adornantur, transiroeum in morem, trabeculæ perforatæ. His foraminibus adaptantur, & firmantur calami arundinis, qui ad fundum usque vasis immittuntur. Ubi itaque congelascit, post aliquod temporis intervallum adhærent calamis chrystalli vitriolati, eximium præbentes oculis solamen, pelluciditate sua cum Sapphirina gemma decertantes.
Here he examine, why Vitriol will onely be boyled in Leaden Vessels, and alledges divers opinions concerning it.
He also mentions an Experiment, which seems pretty, if true; viz. that Vitriol, placed close to Amber, will lose its colour and pungency.
He takes notice, when he sets forth the praises and uses of this Mineral, that it alone may well make up the fourth part of an Apothecaries Shop, and cure the fourth part of Diseases. A Paracelfian assertion!
He forgets not the Sympathetick Powder, made of this substance; nor its vertue in stopping pertinacious Hæmorrhagies; alledging an Example of a Country-man, who having been sorely wounded in his Skull, so that the bleeding could not be stopp'd any other way, had by the application oi this vitriolate powder present help, and soon after a perfect cure of his wound.
R. Vitrioli Goslar in Solis radiis ad album calcinati unicas VIII, pulv. Gummi tragac. purissimi 1. unicam. Misc. invicem diligenter, ut fiat pulvis substilissimus sympatheticus.
THis Treatise was not long since transmitted to the Publisher by the Author himself, and there is perhaps as yet never an other Exemplar of it in England; which is therefore intimated here, that our Stationers. may be invited to send for some Copies of it over, the Book seeming to be, both very ingenious, and considerable.
There are in this first part of the Idea considered those Distempers, which respect the diseased Functions Natural, as in the second part he intends to consider those, which regard the diseased Animal Functions, and in the third, such as belong to those, that are appointed for Generation.
Of every Difiem per he endeavours to discover its nature, causes, concomitants, remedies, of which last he delivers great number of prescriptions; which he varieth according to the various tempers and humors of Patients.
He intermixes abundance of Philosophical Speculations and Remarkes, among which are some concerning Fermentation; the noxiousness of all such things, as either destroy or dull the Acid spirit of the Body in the work of Nutrition; the dominion of the three Humors in the Body of Animals, viz, the Gall, the Pancreatick Juyce, and the Saliva, and their Mixture, either immediate or mediate, with the Blood returning to the Heart; as also their great influence, when they are vitiated, in disturbing the Effervescence of the Blood, as well as their power and vetrue, when they are temper'd together in a due proportion, to cause a regular motion in the blood, and to convert meat into good nourishment: Farther, about the Change of the Chyle into Blood, and where that change is begun, where advanc'd, and where perfected: About the alteration made in the whole body of Animals by the Spermatick Aura, as to their Voice, fatness, sweetness, &c. About Respiration, and how that may cease for a while in Syncope's and Hypochondriacal Suffications without death; about Sneezing, the Hickocke, Yawning, Pandiculation, and their Causes: The alteration, which the blood of the left Ventricle receiveth in the Lungs by the inspired Air, and the Saliva, or some other glandulous liquor: Of the Pulse; of the Plenty of Animal Spirits and its cause; of the return of Feaverish fits by intervals, together with the cause thereof, &c.
ERRATA.
UPon a second and more leisurable perusal of same of the former Transactions, there are found left the following faults, of which some may be so material as to prejudice the sense; viz. p. 641. l. 1, 2, 3. the Author of the Book, there spoken of thinks it more sutable to the tenor of that Book, to change those words, A new method analytical forgiving the Aggregat of an infinite or indefinite converging Series, into these, A new method Analytical, whereby in general he gives the termination of a converging series conditionally, and in two particular cases does the same absolutely. Compare N. 37. p. 734. l. 27. et seq. Besides, p. 654. l. 24. leg. MDCLVIII. p.725. l. 22. for loads r. 70. Combs. p. 746. l. 24. tam aperta. p. 749. l. 6. ducatur pro dicatur p. 750. l. 9. angulum solidum. l. 20. Est quidem. p. 754. l. 32. elegantis. p. 755. l. 31. 0,000480203,. p. 756. l. 1. AHGN. p. 758. l. 11. eaplana. ibid. l. 20. 8a3b2, &c. ibid. l 23. complentes. ibid. l. 28. ADEδ. p.764. l. 8. leg. = 0L01, numerus. p. 778. l. ult. seu pro sin. Some literal and Grammatical faults, as quadraturæ pro quadratura; p. 753. l. 12 homogencorum pro homogenearum, p. 778. l. 39. and such like, the Reader will be pleas'd to mend himself.
FINIS.
In the SAVOY,
Printed by T.N. for John Martyn, Printer to the Royal Society, and are to be sold at the Bell a little without Temple-Bar, 1668.