Philosophical Transactions/Volume 4/Number 49
Numb. 49.
PHILOSOPHICAL
TRANSACTIONS.
July 19. 1669.
The Contents.
Observations
Sir, I Have now made the most carefull Inquiry, I can, concerning our Baths; and have these particulars to return to you in answer to your Queries.
1. The Country round this Citty is very hilly and uneven; but the Hills lye in no order; they are generally rocky and steepe from South-west and by West, to North and by North: th, whole Tract of the Country, within 5. and 7. miles, abounds with Coal-mines, more or less. But there are no other consider able Mines, that I can hear of, nearer then Mendip, which is 10. miles hence, excepting some of Lead at Berry in Glocester-shire, which lyes up on the North of this place, about 4. or 5. miles distant.
2. The Hills for the most part afford a Free-stone; and on the North-west of Lansdown (which hath that situation to the Town, and is just above it) the Stones, digg'd there, are a sort of hard stone, commonly call'd a Lyas, blue and white, polishable.
3. The Town and Baths are of very great Antiquity. Besides what I find in very ancient Chronicles to that purpose, one of our great Antiquaries (Mr. P.) asserts, that these Baths were 800. years before Christ. Which if so, would give occasion to inquire, how confident with it that Hypothesis, concerning the Cause of the Heat of these Waters, would be, which makes it to be the Fermentation of Minerals in fieri; and, whether it be likely, that the Minerals, through which these waters pass, should be in that state of imperfection so many hundred years, and that the whole dispos'd matter in those places should not be perfectly concreted in so great a Tract of time. You doubtless know the other conjecture, which supposeth the cause of this heat to be, That two streames having run through and imbibed certain sorts of different Minerals, meet at last, after they have been deeply impregnated, and mingle their liquors, from which commixture arises a great fermentation, that causes heat; like as we see it is in Vitriol and Tartar, which though separately they are not hot, yet when mingled beget an intense heat and ebullition between them. This seems to me a probable cause of the lastingness of the heat of these waters. But it is not my business to offer Hypotheses; therefore craving pardon for this digression, I proceed in my Account.
4. It is affirm'd here, that the Town for the most part is built upon a Quag-mire, though the places all about it are very firm ground. Some workmen, that have been employ'd in digging, have found a mire ten foot deep: without the North-gate, the higest place of the Town, at seaven. The Earth between is a kind of rubbish; sometimes they find pitching a mans length vnder ground, and passages for the water to pass: 7. or 8. foot down they have met with Oyster-shells.
5. The Town and Country circumjacent, generally abound with cold Springs: and in some places the hot and cold arise very near each other 3 in one place, within two yards, and in others, within 8. or 9. of the main Bathes.
6. The Guides of the Cross-Bath informe me, that, when there is a great West-wind abroad, standing by the Springs they feel a cold air arising from beneath: if the Wind be at East, and the morning close with a little misling rain, the Cross-Bath is so hot as scarce to be endur'd, when the Kings- and Hot-Baths are colder than usual. In other winds let the weather be how it will, this Bath is temperate. The Springs that buble most are coldest. The Cross-Bath fills in 16. hours, both in Winter and Summer, without any difference from heat or cold, flouds or drought. That of the Kings, in 12. or 14.
7. A man may better (ordinarily) endure 4. hours bathing in the Cross-Bath, than 1½ in the others. In the, Queens Bath (which hath no Springs of its own; but comes all out of the Kings) they have found under a flat stone, which upon occasion was taken up, a Tunnel, and a yeelding mudd in and under it, into which they thrust a pike, but could feel no bottom. In the Kings-bath there is a Spring so hot, that it is scarce sufferahle, so that they are fain to turn much of it away, for fear of inflaming the Bath. The hottest Spring will not harden an Egge.
8. The Bath-water does not pass through the body like other Minerall waters; but if you put in Salt, it purgeth presently. Upon setlement it affords a black mudd, usefull in aiches, applyed by way of Cataplasme; to some more succesfull then the very waters. The like it deposits upon Distillation, and no other. Nor hath any more been discovered upon all the Chymical examinations, that have come to our knowledge. One Dr Astendoff found, that the colour of the Salt, drawn from the Kings- and Hot-bath, was yellow; that, which was extracted from the Cross-bath, white. This Doctor concluded, that the Cross-bath had more of Allum and Niter, than the hotter Bathes, which abound more with Sulphur. And yet that Bath loosens shrunk sinews, by which it should seem it abounds not much with Allum. It is harsher to the taste than the other Baths, and soaks the hands more.
9. A man cannot drink half the quantity of strong drinks in the Bath, that he can out of it; but if he hath drank before to excess, it allay's much, and is a great refreshment to the body. The Bath provoketh Urine.
10. They are very usefull in diseases of the Head; Palsies, Epilepsies and Convulsions: In Cuticular diseases, Leprosies, Jtches and Scabbs: in all Obstructions of the Bowels, as Spleen, Liver, and Mesentery; and the scirrosity and hardness of those parts: In most diseases of Women; In the Scurvey and Stone: as to which last, while I am writing, an Alderman of the Citty assures me, that his Wife, who had been exceedingly troubled with the Stone, went into the Cross-bath for it and voided there several stones as bigg as those of Olives, and was never troubled with that distemper after. The Bath is also good in cold Gouts, as they call them. The same Alderman tells me, that it gives him present ease, when he is troubled with the fits of it. He uses to goe in, assoon as the fit takes him, which then goes off presently, and returns not in a considerable time after: He puts his feet upon the hottest springs in the Kings-Bath. But it hath a contrary effect in hott Gouts; and some, who are troubled with that distemper, tell me, that the Bath puts them into a fit, if they goe into it without preparation; or, if they have the fit before, it inflames it more, and sends it about the body, and disables the Joynt so, that there is no treading on it for the present. Further, the Bath is effectuall in the diseases of Children, particularly the Rickets, removing the humors, that proceed from it, without fail; 'Tis also good for Women, that are apt to miscarry, if us'd moderately. The Bath-guides goein, when they are ready to lye down; and other woemen of the Town use it ordinarily throughout their time, and are never observed to miscarry. It facilitates deliverance. Besides, it is very effectually for the strengthning of broken Bones, and good in all cold and moist distempers and weakness of Nerves, Stupefactions, Relaxations, and violent Pains: in all which it gives ease, except the Lues Venerea; for in that (except the malignity be overcome by the methods of Physick) it exasperates the pain more. 'Tis an excellent remedy to remove the remaining weakness in Gouts, as hath been remarkably exemplified in old men, even to the age of 83. years.
11. There is no instance of Cures perform'd by it in former times, but we have experience of the same in ours; yea and in some others, as in Dropsies, Cachexies, Spleen &c. In which cases they were shy heretofore of using the Bath, for fear of confirming those Obstructions, whereas 'tis now found, that their Cure is facilitated by it.
12. The Bath-guides live to a very great age, sometimes to near 100. years; ordinarily, if they are temperate, to 70. There are two at this time above 80, a man and his wife.
13. in the Cross-bath the Guides have observed a certain black Fly with sealed wings, in the form of a Lady-cow, but somewhat bigger. They say, it shoots quick in the water, and sometimes bites. It lives under the water, and is never found but in very hot weather: They suppose, it comes up with the Springs. It is not to be seen elsewhere. I had one of those Insects sent me last year, which I preserv'd till I came to London, intending to have given it you; but I know not, how I lost it there.
14. The Cross-bath eats out silver exceedingly; and I am told, that a shilling in a weeks time hath been so eaten by it, that it might be wound about ones finger. The Baths agree (as the vulgar speaks) with Brass, but not with Iron: for, they will eat out a ring of this metall in 7. years, when Brass-rings seem to receive no prejudice at all from it.
15. When Women have washt their hair with the mixture of beaten eggs and oatmeal, this will poison the Bath so, as to beget a most noisome smell, casting a sea-green on the water, which otherwise is very pure and limpid. This will taint the very walls, and there is no cleaning of it, but by drawing the Bath.
16. In Summer the Baths purge up a green scum on the top, but in Winter never; but then leave a yellow on the Walls.
17. The Walls that keep in the hot springs are very deep-set, and large; 10. foot thick, and 14, deep from the level of the street. The cement of the wall is tallow, clay, lime and beaten bricks. In the year 1659, the Hot-bath (a Bath particularly so call'd, of equall heat with the Kings-bath) was much impaired by the breaking out of a Spring, which the workmen at last found again, and restored. In digging they came to a firm foundation of factitious matter, which had holes in it like a Pumice-stone, through which the water played; so that 'tis like the Springs are brought together by Art: which probably was the Necromancy, the people of antient times believed and reported to have contrived and made these Baths; as in a very antient manuscript Chronicle I find these words: When Lud Hidibras was dead, Bladud his Son, a great Nygromancer (so 'tis there writ) was made King, and he made the wonder of the hot Bath by his Nygromancy; and he reigned 21. years, and after he died, and lyes at the new Troy. And in another old Chronicle 'tis said, That King Bladud sent for Necromancers to Athens to effect this great business; who 'tis like were no other then cunning Artificers, well skill'd in Architecture and Mechanicks.
18. It hath been observ'd, that leaves, like those of Olives, come sometimes out of the Pump of the Hot-Bath.
These, Sir, are all the Observations I have been able to collect yet: if any thing else material shall hereafter come to my knowledg about these matters, I shall not fail to impart them, God permitting. Perhaps these things may administer occasion to more Questions relating to the Bath, and their Phænomena. If you or any other ingenious person of the R. Society shall propose any to me, I shall take what care I can to have them punctually answer'd. I am &c.
THe highest Jcy Mountains of Helvetia about Valesia and Augusta, in the Canton of Bern; about Taminium and Tavetsch of the Rhætians, are alwayes seen cover'd with Snow. The Snow, melted by the heat of the Summer, other Snow being faln within a little while after, is hardned into Jce, which by little and little in along tract of time depurating it self turns into a Stone, not yeilding in hardness and clearness to Chrystall. Such Stones closely Joyned and compacted together compose a whole Mountain, and that a very firm one; though in Summer-time the Country-people have observed it to bust asunder with great cracking, Thunder-like; which is also well known to Hunters to their great cost, forasmuch as such cracks and openings, being by the Winds covered with Snow, are the death of those, that pass over them.
At the foot of these mountains are with great labour digg'd out Chrystals, which are round among other fossils, of two sorts and colors; some of them are darkish and troubled, which by some are call'd-the Chrystal-ore, to be plenteously found in the ascent of Mount Gotthard; others tranparent, very pure and as clear as Venice-glass; sexangular, great and small: as in the mountains about Valesia, and the Town call'd Urselen at the foot of the Hill Schelenin they are digg'd out, and sold at a good rate. Of this latter kind my Parents, four years-agoe, transmitted a very bigg and fair one to Milan for 80. pound sterling.
This is, what I have observed about these Hills; What I shall farther learn of the people, inhabiting thereabout, to whom I have written a month since, I than impart to you,
In September 1668.
Some Observations
1. THe Japonese doubt not at all of their Contry's being an Island; though it be separated from the Continent by such narrow Channels that no vessel of any considerable burthen can pass them.
2. The Air is there very salubrious, but of another temper on this, than on that side of the Mountains, which divide Japan. The Plague hath never been heard of there; but the small Pox and Fluxes are very frequent.
3. Their Mountains are fertil almost to the very top.
4. There are found almost all European sorts of Fruit, Peaches, Apricoks, Cherries, Prunes, Apples, Pears, and particularly Pipins, Bon Chretien-Pears. Besides these, there is an infinity of other Fruit; but almost none, but what is also found in some part or other of India.
5. Silver is there in its highest perfection, but not used in Trade; in which is seen nothing but Gold, and some small coyn of Brass; which latter they spoile by refining it too much. Steell also is there very good.
6. The temper of their Metals was formerly better than 'tis now; but yet they make Courtelas's or short Swords exceeding good.
7. The great Mountain of Japan is higher than the Pico in Teneriff, since being above 18. leagues distant from the Sea-side, it may be seen above 40. leagues off at Sea. There are 8. Vulcans or Fire-spitting mountains in Japan; and you cannot goe into the Campagne, but you discover one or other of them.
8. There are many Medicinal waters, and Hott-Springs there, which the Inhabitants use in their distempers. They have particular Medicines, but they let no Blood. They make much use of Causticks, by applying upon some nerve or other the powder of Artemisia or Mugwort, and Cotton, which they set on fire. They always drink their liquors warme.
9. There is so great a store of Venaison in Japan, that they care little for Cattle, though there be no want of them. They employ most Oxen for Ploughing; and they make no Butter nor Cheese, nor are they lovers of Milk. They have great plenty of Corn and Rice.
10. The Japonese are proper enough of stature, and not uncomely in features; they have somewhat prominent bellys. They are exceeding active, and want no Judgement; they are also military and valiant.
11. No Arts are to be met with amongsts them, that are not known in Europe, except that of making Lacca, of which there is some so fine and curious, that whereas in this Country one may buy an ordinary small boxe for 3. or 4. Crowns, one of the same size, when made in Japan of exquisite Lacca, will sell for more than 80, crowns. The Author of this Accompt hath 4. Cabinets of this workmanship, which he affirmes to have cost him above 40000 crowns, which he will not fell under 80000. crowns.
12. The Colours, with which they dye their stuffs, never fade. I have seen one of them, which our Vermillion and Couleur de feu come not near to. It is extracted out of a Flower, like to Saffron, and one pound of it costs an incredible price. To try, whether the Colour will not change by Lixztvium or Lye, they apply an hot Iron to it; and if there it holds, they assure themselves of the durableness of the Colour.
13. They have Mathematicians amongst them, and believe Iudiciary Astrology, insomuch that the Grandees under take nothing without pre-consulting those, that make profession of the same.
14. Japan yeilds divers sorts of good merchantable Commodities; but chiefly all sorts of silken Stuffs, unwrought Silk, Amber, Precious Stones, Musk, Copper, Steel, Lack-work.
15. The Country is very well peopled and exceeding rich, being exceedingly stored with Gold-mines; and I have seen some of the Gold-ore, which of 10. ounces yeilded 8. of the highest fineness, and pieces of the weight of 120. marks.
16. Their Buildings are very good and commodious. The Appartments are all below on the ground, separated from one another by partitions of Carton painted and guilt, which may be foulded and removed like Skreens. Their floors are covered with mattes, and somtimes with silken stuff, embroidered velvet, and cloth of gold. All their buildings are but one story high.
17. They have no other conveniences to defend themselves from Heat and Cold, but such as are usual in Italy and Spaine.
18. They use the divertisements of Comedies, which are more brave then those of Europe. The Spectators are about 200. paces distant from the Theater, which being cover'd with a vault, makes the voice of the Actors to be understood to the very end of the Theater. They love Hunting, and Gaming, as Dice, Cards, Chefs &c. At all times of the day, and in all their visits they take Thea and Tobacco.
19. The Language is altogether different from the Chinese; but their Priests, and Courtisans, that is, the Learn'd among them, which bear the Offices of the Court, understand the tongue of Chochin-China, and by this means that of Tunquin, China, Corea &c. They write neither from the right to the left, nor from the left to the right, but downward.
20. Their Government is Despotique; the Religion Pagan; the Christian hated upon no other accompt, but that some of those that there professed it, would perswade the Japonese to acknowledge a Superiority above the dignity Royall, disposing of Crowns and Scepters. Their Morals are very good, their faults being punish't as their Crimes, even Lying and Detraction. Their left hand is the more honourable, and they take horse on that side.
IT is true, that Monsieur de Vilette of Lyons, who formerly made that Burning Concave, * which was of about 30. inches diameter (disposed of to the King of Denmark) hath made another, which is larger, now under tryal here.Described at large in Numb. 6. of these Transactions. It is of 34. inches diameter, and melts all sorts of Mettals, and Iron it se1f of the thickness of a Silver-Crown, in less then a minute of time, and vitrifies Brick in the same time; and as for Wood, whether green or dry, it sets it on fire in a moment. The King hath seen it and the performances of it with great satisfaction; and his Majesty is likely to make it his, and and then to bestow it on his Royal Academy of Philosophers, for making of farther Experiments with in. So far they.
Nota. This kind of Concaves, burning most forcibly of any fire we know of, even beyond that of a Wind-furnace, would be of great use, if they could be so contrived as to have a focus of any considerable largeness, to take in a good quantity of combustible matter at once.
An Account of some Books.
THe Occasion of this Curious and Laborious Discourse will appeare from the Preface to it. The Book itself gives an Acompt of the Production, Structure, Food, Growth, Sicknesses, Workmanship, Changes, Generation, and Death of the Silk-worm'; together with an accurate Anatomicall Description of all, even the minuter parts of that Insect, and the varieties of them in the severall Changes, it undergoes; where yet the Author in such particulars, which he finds himself short off, or not well satisfied in, with great modesty refers himself to the Assistance and farther consideration of that Society, to whom he dedicateth this Epistle,
He begins with the Eggs and hatching of the Silk-worms, observes the Changes of their Colour: then proceeds to the growth of the Young worm; the various tryals in feeding it with divers other leave but those of Mulbery's; their sicknesses and the prognosticks of them; the casting of their skins, together with all the steps and the whole manner of the same.
In the Anatomicall Observations of the structure of this Insect, he takes notice, among many other things, of its eleven Rings or Incisures, and of how many small ones each of them is made up; giving their shape, different size, nature and composition. Then goes on to the Wrinkles of the Body, the Head, the Cranium, the Lip, Chin, Eyes, Teeth (cutting not by an up and down motion, but at latterall one) Hair, Leggs with their different shapes, articulations, claws, together with their posture and motion for Spinning.
Of their Internal parts, he observes the quality of the humor, found in them, viz., concreting by the warmth of on's hand, and leaving a cruft: next, the mucous and rosy-color'd skin, suppos'd to be the new skin. found under the exterior. Then he describes the various Muscles, and Fibres, both parallel, and oblique, more or less, together with the insertion of the Fibres in every Ring, and of:very Ring in the Cavity of its neighbouring Ring, for producing the Progressive Motion of the Animal; the manner of which is described very particularly.
He passes on to the Vessels moistening all the parts, observing their branches and anastomoses; their termination in one common trunck, and the curious net-work they make. These vessels prolonged, he makes to be the Lungs, whose structure for Respiration he diligently describes, illustrating the same with Observations made of other Insects, and with some Trialls shewing, both that Air issues out of their body, and that Oily liquors will suffocate them, upon the Accompt only of stopping the orifice of their Wind-pipe, He inquires also, Whether the Motion of the Abdomen be necessary in these Infects for Respiration, and seems to incline to the Affirmative.
From the Lungs he goes on to the Heart, which he saith reaches from the head to the taile, being of a strange figure, and rather many hearts, than one; whose motion of Systole and Diastole he describes, taking also notice, how the Vitall humor passes from one little heart to another.
The Ventricle he observes to reach also from one extreame of the Worm to the other; describing its substance, shape, fibres, and vessels bedewing it, together with its resemblance to the Ventricle of other Insects: where he particularly notes the great voracity of the Silk-worm, affirming, that it will eat as much in one day, as its whole empty body weighs.
In the sides of the Belly about the Ventricle he finds a Woof of Vessels, containing the Silky Juyce; describing their progress from the mouth downward into the belly, and their strange flexures and meanders; whose end he affirmes to have at length, after along and patient search, found out. Of these Vessels he makes a large and curious description, as also of their different Juyces, as the cause of the different forts of Webbs and Baggs. Neither is he wanting in giving an accurrate accompt of the fine texture of the Spinall Marrow, and the Cranium.
But from the Anatomy of the parts he proceeds to their Feeding, and observes the various space of time for it.
He takes further notice, that though Stench be no prejudice to them, yet a Southern Wind and an extreme Hot Air make them sick. He informes us also, how they are ordered after they have fed enough, and are ready to spin; as also, how they spin, what motions and postures they use in that work; how they apply their feet and claws; how they hold their head and other parts of the body; of what figure their Webb is; in what time the Bagg is finisht, together with the difference of the Silk on one and the same bagg, and the conjunction sometimes made by two worms in spinning one bagg, which he saith causeth such an entanglement that the Silk cannot be wound off.
He forgets not to set down the gradual Change of the Silkworm, after 'tis exhausted by spinning; how all the parts are altered, the testicles enlarged, and the whole disposed to assume the form of the Aurelia or Chrysalis, diverting it self of its coat in the space of 1. min, 10. sec; the manner of which he very curiously describes, having attentively beheld it himself. He adds, how the Wings and other parts are form'd for the Papilio or Butterfly, and how indeed the Wings are latitant under the second and third Ring of the Worm, before it works the bagg.
Of the Aurelia he describes its shape and all the parts, and particularly the remaining Vestigia of the silky Intestins, the Ventricle, and the concrete melleous Juyce therein, together with some though rare and scarce perceptible motion of the Heart. Then, how the Aurelia changes into a Butterfly, and in what time, viz. in the space of 10. days in Summer, and in a Months time in Autumne and Winter. Where he adds, how the Eggs begin in the Femals upon their change into Aurelia's, and how at last the Butterfly breaks out by the meanes of its Claws and a sharp liquor.
To this he subjoyns a particular description of the form of the Butterfly, and all its parts; of the Motion of its Heart, of the differencing marks of the Male from the Female; of the curious structure of the Ovarium; the parts of generation; the coit, and the strange length of the time of it, the Male beating his wings about 130. times in one copulation; the multitude of Eggs amounting to 300. 400. sometimes 500; and the death of the poor Fly, following 5. days after the coit in Summer, but not before the 12th day in August.
He omits not to instruct the reader of the ways of keeping the Eggs, and the manner of ordering them for Hatching: where he takes notice of one kind of Butterfly in Sicily, which is made twice fecund in one year, viz. in the end of Aprill, and the end of August.
He concludes with the way of Winding off the Baggs, and informes us, how many threds together will make good substantiall silk; where he affirmeth, that sometimes he hath reckon'd 930. Bononian feet of silk, wound off from one bagg, without the exteriour lanugo, and the inmost last part, which both together might make a fourth part of that length more.
THe Observations of these Animals dissected were made in the Royall Library at Paris by some of the Ingenious Philosophers there.
Of the Camaleon which they say was an Egyptian one; they alledging, that there are two other sorts, one of Arabia, and another of Mexico) they chiefly observe: First that its contrary motions of Swelling and Un-swelling are not made as in other animals, dilating and presently after contracting their breast for Respiration, in a constant an regular order; since they have seen it swell for the space of above two hours, during which time it would indeed un-swell a little, but almost indiscernibly, and also a little swell againe, but with that difference, that the dilatation was more suddain and more visible, and that by long and unequall intervals; they having also observed it to subside for a long time; and much longer than swell'd.
Secondly, that the grains in the Cameleons-Skin. were diversly posited, and of a blewish-gray, when the animall was in the shade moveless, and had not been touch: along while, but that the pawes underneath were white-yelowish, and the space between the graines, of a pale and yellowish red: and that the said gray, colouring him all over when at rest, and remaining on the inside of the skin, when flead, (which seem'd to argue, it was the naturall colour) did, when exposed to the day-light, change in the Sun, so that all the places of its body, struck by that light, took, instead of their blewish gray, a browner gray, approaching to a minim; but the rest of the skin, not shone upon by the Sun, changed its gray into divers brig liter colours, which formed Spots half an inch big, of an Isabella-colour, by the mixture mixture of the yellow pale in the graines, and the light brown in the ground of the skin: the other skin, not shone on by the Sun, and remaining of a gray paler. then ordinary; being like cloath mixt of wool of divers colours, the ground continuing as before, The Sun ceasing to shine, the first gray return'd by little and little, and being then toucht by one of the company, there appear'd prsently many very black spots on the shouldiers and fore-feet, which hapn'd not, when-he was handled by those that took care of him. Being wrapp'd in white linnen for 2. or 3. minutes, he was taken out whitish, and having kept this colour a while, it vanisht insensibly: which Experience refutes those, who give out, that the Cameleon takes all colors but white. Having put him on divers things of several colours, and wrapt him up in them, he assumed none of their colors, but the white, neither took he this, but the first time of the trials.
Thirdly, the structure and motion of his Eyes, turning two different ways at one and the same time; which yet is not true of the Cameleons of Mexico. Where 'tis observ'd, that the necessity, impos'd by nature on all other animals to move both their Eyes together the same way, is not caused by the conjunction of the Optick nerves, because that also is found in the Cameleon itself.
Fourthly, his way of taking hold of the small branches of Trees, like that of a Parret, who puts two of his claws before and two behind, whereas other Birds alwayes put three before, and one behind,
Fifthly, his having no Spleen; a very little Heart, and exceeding little Brain, in which appeared no mark at all of any sence for Hearing, this animall neither receiving nor giving any sound.
Sixtly, his Tongue being furnisht with and fastned to along tromp, serving to lanch it out, for the taking of flyes, on which he feeds, and not on Air alone; the Observers having found many flyes in his stomach and Guts; and taken notice also, that this Cameleon, they discourse of, voided divers stones of the bigness of a pea, which he had not swallowed, but bred in his gutts, seeing one of them, being dissolved in distilled vinegar, inclos'd the head of a fly.
By which Observations it appears, that though Orators have lost those pretty subjects to exercise their Eloquence upon, concerning the Wonders of the food, and of the Change of Colours in Cameloens; yet Philosophers doe now meet with new particulars, touching the motion of his Eyes and Tongue, and the manner of altering his Colour according to his passions, which are no less capable to employ their Witt; as is at large and learnedly deduce by the Authors of these Observations.
In the Castor they note;
First, his two sorts of Hair, one short, soft and fine, to defend him from cold; the other long and thick, to receive the mire, in which they often wallow, and to hinder it from getting to the skin.
Secondly, his Teeth, formed after a peculiar manner, exceeding fit to cut Trees, which they doe to build themselves lodgings to breed their Young ones in; for which purpose Nature hath also furnisht them with such forefeet as exactly resemble the hands of a man; the hind-feet, proper for swimming, being formed like those of a Goose.
Thirdly, his Bladders containing the Castoreum (distinct from the Testicles) of which they found four great ones about the lower part of the Os pubis, of which two were above the other two, but closely joyn'd to one another, the two upper being likely to prepare that matter, and the two other, to bring itto the perfection of more consistence, and unctuousness, as also of a stronger sent and deeper yellow colour; for which purpose the two latter are of glandular composition. But under this second sort of sacks they found yet another long one, full of liquor, more yellow and liquid, and more elaborate, then that in the former; of a different smell, and like to the yolk of an egg; of which they write from Canada, that Castors use it to make themselves an appetite, when they want it, and that they squeese it out by pressing with their paws the bladder, which contains it; and that the Savages anoint with it the Gins they set for these animals, to draw them thither.
Fourthly, his Testicles not fastned to the Back-bone, as several Authors affirme, but on the sides of the Os pubis about the groyne, altogether hid, and not appearing at all, no more than the penis, before the skin was remov'd. The Penis contrary to that of a Dogg, which goes from the Os pubis to the Navil, descended here downward to the vent of the excrements, at which hole it did terminate.
Fifthly, the Heart had its left Auricle bigger than the right (which is also found in some other animals;) whereas in Man 'tis contrary. They found no foramen Ovale, which many Authors assure to be in all Amphibious Animals, and even in Men, that are Divers, and stay long underwater. But it may be, that this Castor having been kept divers years from going into the water, that hole had been closed.
But we must proceed to the
Dromedary, wherein it chiefly noted; that it hath but two small hooffs on the end of his feet, the soles of them, flat and large, being very fleshy, and covered onely with a soft, thick and little callous skin, proper enough to march in the Sands of Asia and Africa; that the six Callosities of his Leggs being open'd, their substance was found to be between flesh, grease and ligament, some having a collection of a thick purulent matter mixed; that that Callosity under the Breast, strongly fastned to the Sternum, was considerably bigg every way, and much suppurated; that his inward parts were like enough to thoseof an Horse; but that in his 2d Ventricle there were many square Openings, being the Entry of about 20. cavities, made like sacks, placed between the two membranes that compose the substance of the whole stomach, in which sacks, as in convenient receptacles, 'tis probable than Camels doe for a long while keep the water they drink in great quantity, when they meet with any, for a supply in dry and desert places; that the Lungs had but one lobe; that the Heart was extraordinary bigg, viz. 9. inches long and 7. large; that, contrary to other Tongues, which are every where rough from within outwards by store of small eminences tending from without inwards, a part of this Tongue had them from within outwards &c.
The Bear hath a very particular structure of his Leggs, and their substance, very good to eat, is a kind of thick fattish ligament, out of which may possibly issue that moisture, which Authors say is suckt by this Beast for its nourishment in winter. Its Claws differ from those of a Lyon; by being more equall and more compact. The Teeth differ from those of a Lyon in this only, that they are less. The Thorax consists of 14 Ribbs. There appeared no distinction in his Gum, as in other animals; they were 40. foot long, whereas thoser of the Lyon, formerly dissected by the same Observers, had but 25. The kidneys had a very peculiar structure, viz. a membrane containing 56. small kidneys, actually separate from one another, each cover'd with its proper membrane; here and there connected by very fine fibres; every one having a large base outwards, and streightning it self inwards; that base being in some a Hexagon, in the most a Pentagon, and in others Square; and the whole representing as 'twere a ripe Pine-apple: therefore probably so bigg, and divided into so many smaller kidneys, that it might containe and evacuate the greater plenty of setosities, to be found in a Bear, because he hath but little of insensible transpiration, by reason of the thickness of the habit of his body, not favourable for it. The Brains they observ'd to be 4. times bigger, than that of the Lyon they open'd. The Eyes exceeding little, the Chrystallin very odly scituated. and drawn on one side of the Axis of the Eye.
But that which is particularly taken notice of in the description of this Animall, is, 1. The strength of its Temper and constitution, by which it is able, though it have but a little stomach, and streight gutts (among which there is no Cæcum) to digest with ease all sorts of edibles, raw flesh, Fish, Lobsters, Insects, Herbs, Fruits, Hony; supplying by the force of his temper the defect of commodious structure. 2. The small capacity of its Liver and Spleen to receive excrementitious matter; which argues, that the action of the naturall Heat is so well regulated, that 'tis not subject to defect or excess. 3. The singular faculty of encreasing to a great bulk, by which, though it be born exceeding small, it grows a very big animal, its natural moisture being so perfect, as to render the parts capable to extend themselves, and to increase their magnitude without lessening their strength.
The Gazelle or wild African Shee-goat (the same with the Dorcas or Strepsiceros) was of the bigness and shape of an Hind, its hair fallow, except that of the belly, which was whiter, its Eyes big and black; the Horns black also, streak't cross--ways, 15. inches long, very sharpe, pretty streight, but a little turned outwards about the middle; in part hollow, and by a sharp bone fastn'd to the Head. Tooth-less in the upper Jaw, as being of the ruminating kind. Very cloven footed; and smal-hoofed before, but thick-flesh't on the hinder parts of the leggs, like a Camel.
As to the inward parts, it had a Liver shaped like that of a mans, divided into two Lobes; and in the hollow part of the Liver there were two Lymppatick branches, which fastn'd the trunk of the Vena porta to the superior Orifice of the Stomach. The substance of this Liver plainly appeared to them glandular, each grain of it being pierced, as they thought, in the midle, by reason of a little red cleft they had, whence issued blood, when pressed. And the cause, why these glandules seldome appeare vnsevered one from another, may be, that when the animal is in health they are spungy and fill'd out with bood, which they are not, when it is sick, or emaciated, &c.
III. LABYRINTHUS ALGEBRÆ, Auth. JOH JAC. FERGUSON. Printed at the Hague in 4°. 1667.
WHat we mention'd in Numb. 46. p. 931. sect. 8. about new methods, pretended by some to be found out for giving the Roots of all Cubick and Bi-quadraticke Æquations, albeit those Roots are Fractions or Surds, Binomials or Residuals; We find since to be already accomplished by this Dutch Writer; upon the Cursory perusal of whose Book we take the first part of it to be, as follows.
1. He shows, how to extract the Square and Cubick Roots out of Binomiall and Resiudal Numbers, as a medium, which he afterwards hath occasion to use.
2. Then proceeds to give one general Rule for Ending the Roots of all Quadratick Æquations, and commends the worth of his method from the easiness, although you be incumbred with Fractions or great Numbers either in the Coefficients or Absolute.
3. He gives one General Rule (where others make more Cases of it) for finding the Roots of all Cubick Æquations, in which the Second term or, Quadratick species is wanting, and then shows, how all other Cubick Æquations, wherein it is present, may be reduc'd thereunto, by taking it away. More over, when such Æquations, wherein you are incumbred with Fractions or Surds, either in the Coefficents or Roots, are proposed, he goes on to find the Roots, sought in his own method, and when not explicable but by a quám proximè, according to the general method of Vieta, in the use of which method, he, determining the number of Figures in the Root, takes away the trouble of all the sub-gradual Punctations.
4. When he comes to Bi-quadratick Æquations, he intimates, that all such Æquations may be reduced into two Quadratick Æquations, but not without the aid of a Cubick Æquation: And first, when the second Term or Cubick Species is not wanting, he shews' how to find the said Adjutant Cubick Æquation, by placing the two highest Terms of the Æquation on one side, and the rest of the Termes on the other, and then finds such Quantities, which, added to either side, renders the same capable of a square Root; and this preparation being made, he thereby obtains the Cubick Æquation and the Root thereof; which serves for the purpose premised; to wit, to divide the Bi[quadratick Æquation propos'd into two Quadratick Æquations, and so solved.
Further, in regard that all Æquations are more easily solv'd, when some of their Terms are wanting, than when all are present; he proceeds to shew, how to take away the second Term, and, supposing it gone, gives easier Rules for finding the aforesaid Cubick- Æquation; by aid whereof, the propos'd Bi-quadratick Æquation may be divided into two Quadratick ones, as before.
And then, in regard it often happens, that Æquations are not otherwise explicable than by a quam proximè, he proceeds according to the General method of Vieta, as in Cubicks last above mention'd.
The whole Doctrine is illustrated with great variety of choice Examples, and the Author intending hereafter to treat more fully of Algebra, promiseth to extend his methods to Æquations of higher degrees, and to render the same more general. The remainder of the Book doth principally treat of figurate Arithmetick.
And here we think it fit to intimate, that divers good Treatises of Algebra have been lately publish't in Low Dutch. This Author cites Questions out of the 3d Century of Questions in the Officina Algebræ of Marten Wilkins, which we have not seen. Gerhard Kinkhuysen hath of late years publish'd several distinct Quarto-Books, viz. A Tract of Analytical Conicks: A Collection of Geometrical Problems, Analytically solv'd; as also such an acceptable Introduction to Algebra, that by the encouragement of some of the R. Society it hath been Translated into Latine, and fitted for the Press; to which will be annexed the Methods and Examples of Feguson about the Roots of Æquations. And we have little reason to doubt, but that the just now mention'd Introduction will meet with such an acceptance, as shall quicken the Stationer to proceed in the Translation and Printing of the rest of the Books above-mentioned, or others of the like kind.
Ferguson about the Matter mention'd is more full than either the Algebra of Frans Van der Huips, an Octavo Book in Low Dutch, 1654. or Kinkhuysen: neither do we find, that Ferguson ascribes the Invention of those Methods to himself.
The Learned Author in this Answer undertakes to prove, that all the Mineral Ingredients, which he in his First Book on this Subject affirm'd to be in the Scarborough-Spaw, are really there, and that his Antagonist himself, unawares, acknowledges them to be there; so that the judicious Reader of both these Authors will find, that the difference between them, whether in the Matter, which concerns those Ingredients of the said waters, or in that which respects the two ways of practising Physick, the Galenical and Chymical, is indeed not so great, as the heat of Contention seems to make it.
And certainly, if the Professors of this Art would but lay aside Animosities, personal Reflexions, and private Considerations; and withall acknowledge, as they ought, that new and great discoveries may be made by careful Observations and Experiments, they would easily agree and joyn together, not only their Parts, Natural and acquired, but also the two so much celebrated methods of administring Physick, for curing both acute and chronical or contumacious Diseases; which is the true way to do service indeed to Mankind, and to entertain and raise the Credit of that Profession.
Nota. By the oversight of the Printer, some Lines were left out to the breach of the Sense, in the Authors Animadversions upon Mr. S. his Epistle, at the bottom of the 3d Page, which may be thus corrected; Like that of the Travailer that went from Jerusalem to Jericho, who fell among Thieves that stript and wounded him, 'tis no fault of mine; my work shall be like that of the Samaritane, &c.
ERRATA.
Numb. 48. p. 962. l. 7. l. Genetricem. In the present Numb. p. 981. l. 18. l. sealed wings. p. 983. l. 31. l. occasion'd. p. 987. l. 26. l. besides those of. p. 992. l. 3. (illegible text) shoulders.
LONDON,
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, 1669.